Author's Note: I have 300 reviews! Thank you all so much for reviewing! Ah, yes, anyways, I have a new story out called 'Only in Dreams'. It's a Miroku and Sango for all you people out there who love our favorite demon exterminator and monk as a couple. The info about is all in my profile, please check it out! Please read and review! Enjoy!

lady kjerston of the western: That's what I was cheering too! We fan girls just want Inu all to ourselves huh? Kagome needs to go ahead and die; she'd do the world a favor. I shall have the evil force be with me forever. Ugh, damn the voices in our heads that threaten our freaks. That's our job! Not our mind's job! Thank for your review!

Suaru: Yup, that last part of the chapter made me feel so sad! lol, I better not let anyone else drop their weapons. That'd just piss people off more. And it's ok! I'm told that I'm evil, annoying, hated, and the list just goes on and on. But hey! What can ya do? When you write cliffies like I do, that's to be expected. I don't mind it at all, Thanks for your review!

Miru Amai: LOL, the shock thing you did with Taisuke and petting Inuyasha was funny! Thanks for your review!

Akuma-chan-69: Thanks a bunch! And I wonder what's going to happen next too!...Wait… I already know that, BWAHAHA! (Continues to laugh manically until falls out of chair.)… ahem, I'm so sorry for that. coughcrazycough…Thanks for your review!

Akida411searcher: 'No' is right! That's what I said too, but hey, my evil side just doesn't want to make any of you happy, and I'm sorry for that. lol, evil should just be my middle name huh? Let's see…. little-evil-sango… Perfect! Thanks for your review!

Psychotica Bunny: I apologize! My evil side doesn't like to make you happy, I know. But alas, it will continue on! (sniffle sniffle tear tear) Don't worry, I know your pain. Thanks for your review though!

erica6060: Thanks a bunches! Yeah, I hope Inuyasha doesn't drop anymore weapons like an idiot and actually does protect Kagome and the kiddies! Sessy and Rin will come! But I can't tell ya yet if they'll make it on time to save the day or not. I'm evil like that! Read on to find out! Thanks for your review!

Sweet-girl8270: Thank you very much! Yes, Inuyasha is starting to blame himself again isn't he? Ugh, no Inu! We love you! It isn't your fault! Ha, he won't believe me. Yes, Sessy will come, but I can't tell you if he'll come on time to save them! You'll have to read on to find out! Thanks for your review!

DarkHanyouGurl: I have no idea what's gonna happen next!... Wait… yes… yes I do! But that's ok! Soon you will too if you keep reading on! And you're welcome for being mentioned in the story! Thanks for your review!

InuYasha-luver235: Yes, the names I made up were Rikku and Asoka. I got Rikku's name from the game Final Fantasy X2, it's that one blonde girl. And for Asoka, I heard his name in my history class, he was like this son of an emperor in Egypt or some shit like that. I was thinking 'Hey, that's a cool name for my story!' You can use 'em in your story if you really need to. Oh, and I reviewed your other story and mentioned how to post. Thanks for your review!

Beatles kid: Please! Pfft, I always leave it cliffies now. But there is a down side to it, I'm called evil a lot lately! lol, but that's fine! My evil side loves it! Thanks for your review!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha

Chapter Twenty-Four: To Hell and Back

Taisuke took another step toward them, "Give me the orbs of Higan." He demanded in his natural low voice that Inuyasha had heard enough of. He couldn't stand this guy anymore, much like he felt toward Naraku. But this demon was different somehow; he let out a sense of more authority and power. Naraku was the same, but this guy Taisuke, he just radiated it so much more than Naraku ever had

Inuyasha stood up with Kagome and she looked up at him. She was about to say his name but she saw he was glaring at someone, and she could only guess who it could be. Inuyasha started to move Kagome behind him "Stay away from us." He threatened to Taisuke and then glanced at Miroku who was still on the ground motionless, 'Damn it, how can I get him out of here, and Kagome, and the kids. I hope they're ok and safe from here.' He thought and took a step back, shielding his mate from danger as much as possible.

"Kagome." Inuyasha whispered so quietly that she barely caught it.

She held onto his shoulders, "What?"

He swallowed hard and gripped one of her hands in his tightly, "Run. Run away to the kids and-"

"No! Inuyasha I've told you so many times throughout all of our days together that I'd never leave you." She cried and held onto his hands with just as much grip, "I can never leave you here alone to fend for yourself, never." She whispered.

Taisuke could hear all the words they said, "You're both so pathetic. This world will no longer know such nonsense you two display as of now. It is of no matter to anything." He said and raised his sword.

"Kagome run away now!" Inuyasha demanded.

Kagome turned him around sternly and she held his face in her hands, "You're a fool if you think I'm just going to leave you, I never will." Her gaze grew softer, "I love you too much to do that to you." Inuyasha laid his hands over hers.

"Your lives end now." Tasiuke said quietly and brought his sword down in a fast motion. A split second later, when his sword made contact with the dirt ground, an enormous red energy wave came their way.

"When I'm like this, I can't protect you,"

Inuyasha pulled Kagome to him fiercely and shut his eyes, "I love you." Kagome didn't want to say it back. That would have meant that they were saying goodbye to each other. However, it was Kagome's instinct to say it back to the man she loved, "I love you too."

"I can't save you,"

Once the attack hit full force, Inuyasha thought he was in Hell. The energy burnt like fire against his sensitive skin, and he couldn't think of anything but to save Kagome. She was all he thought about.

Inuyahsa quickly pulled his haori of somewhat and put it over his and Kagome's heads. He pushed her on the ground and lay on top of her, moving her head to his neck and covering her with his arms laced around her. He could feel her beneath him trying to get out; he heard her pleas for him to let her feel the fire too, so that he wouldn't suffer alone.

"I can't even make you feel safe"

The fire seemed endless.

Even though Kagome wasn't in full range of the blast like Inuyasha was right now, she could still feel as much of it as she needed to be in relentless pain. She screamed from the pain of the fire that burned her, from the frustration of not being stronger than Inuyasha so she could protect him for once, for not seeing her children's smiling faces one more time, and for not saying 'I love you' enough. Even though she felt it all the time, she still felt she had never said it enough in the past.

" …not when I'm like this."

Inuyasha heard Kagome's screams and held her tighter if it was even possible. He felt his arms, leg, and back burn all over. Did he even have skin anymore? Was he already dead?

Time passed, what seemed like hours, was only seconds. It was over; the fire from Hell had passed by, finally.

Taisuke looked at the two that lay unmoving. He shook his head, 'Such a bothersome couple. I should've killed them sooner.' He thought, but then disregarded it, the deed was done, and that was all that mattered. 'Now to get the two orbs that they have in possession.'

"What was that?" Taikan now walked out of the cave, the stars in the nighttime sky giving him some light to see.

He walked to the edge of the cliff where he and the others had been before when he turned human. He squinted his eyes to try and get a better look, but couldn't see anything from the distance he was up so high.

'There was a big flash of light for a few seconds, where did it all come from?' He wondered desperately. He narrowed his eyes and pounded his fist in his other hand, "Damn, if I was demon now, then I would sense if Mom and Dad are ok or not."

He didn't want to risk going down there just yet. He wasn't sure if the time was right. 'Something tells me I need to get to them, but why?' His heart was pounding, no; something didn't happen to them, did it?

Now was the time he wished he could have his sword most. I guessed if he had trained with it long ago, then he would be fighting off the demon already, and possibly killing him.

"If I had my sword right now, man, there'd be no one who could stand in my way."

Taikan started the daydream about fighting a demon and pulling out a huge sword much like Inuyasha's, defeating it in one swipe and standing upon it, all proud and sheathing his sword.

Sanae rolled her eyes, "Mom won't let you have a sword yet until your birthday, so maybe that little daydream of yours'll come true sooner than you think."

'My birthday's not for weeks,' He sighed, 'I guess I'll just have to wait until then.'

Sanae came out of the cave this time and stood next to him, squinting her eyes to try and look around like he had tried to do a moment ago. "Oh, it's no use," she looked down and sighed, "I can't see them." She looked up at Tiakan now, "Neither can I." He murmured back to her softly.

Sanae really wanted to cry. She really did. But she kept telling herself to be strong, to be strong for her mother and father. But alas, the tears came, 'I can't help but worry about them.' She looked down now and hid her tears from Taikan, she didn't want him to see her like this, even though it would be completely understandable.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up at to only see her older brother, "It's ok Sanae, we'll go down there in a few minutes and try to find them.'

She smiled, "Ok. I'll go back inside and see if Asoka has the poison powder ready."

She saw her brother only nod in response as he looked down the cliff again.

Sanae gave im one more smile and entered back in the dark cave where Asoka was with a mixing bowl. They had lit a small fireplace so they could have a decent amount of lighting in the place. "Hey Asoka, almost done yet?" She asked kindly and sat next to him.

"Hmm? Yeah, just another minute I suppose." He answered. Asoka remembered his mother teaching him how to make and use the poison powder, but that was kind of a long time ago and over the years only practiced on how to use it. He hoped he remembered how to make it as well.

He glanced at Sanae. She was still her beautiful self, even in her human form and he couldn't help but stare. The way the small fire shown through her eyes just made her look more exotic in a way.

Asoka blushed and looked back down at his work. 'I don't even think she likes me. How am I supposed to tell her how I feel if she doesn't like me?' Hi eyes saddened, remembering his and Taikan's little conversation on the way to the South.

"What's your deal Asoka?" He asked in a quick whisper as to not get the adults' attention by any means.

Taikan, to tell the truth, had mixed feelings about all this lovey dovey crap going on between his sister and best friend. He just felt like someone was taking his sister away from him. For the entire duration of his young life Taikan had protected her and his other sisters from demons of all kinds that had crossed their paths more than once. But, how could he handle this? Asoka was no demon trying to kill them and his sisters, but rather had a cruch on her. And all at the same time, he didn't mind it at all, but still, he couldn't helpt but get a little over protective. He guessed it was just an older brother thing and so instantly thought it natural.

"I-I... nothing."

"It's something. I know it is." But still he wanted to also say 'Geez Asoka, if you like my sister that much then just go tell her, it ain't gonna be the end of the world.' but he couldn't. Part of him didn't want that, at least not yet anyway.

"Please don't be mad at me Taikan, but I just can't help it." He closed his eyes, "I do like Sanae yeah, but I don't want you mad at me. I don't know what to do."

Taikan's frim grip on Asoka's shoulder hesitantly softened, "Yeah I know... but can you blame me? I-I never had to deal with this before and I feel all different inside." He couldn't explain it right, his young mind just couldn't find the right words to speak. Nonetheless he battled his inner thoughts and emotions for a long several minutes, "Ok ok. I won't be mad anymore... Besides, at least it's not a complete stranger that likes her, so I guess there's a plus."

Asoka nodded, "Yeah, we're best friends man." He said with a smile and Taikan nodded. "Yeah, but if you want to win her heart, you've got to put on the right moves ok? You know." He said with his voice trailing off in a 'don't you know?' voice.

"But I have been all along..." He looked at Taikan blankly.

-Asoka made sure that he lay next to Sanae, which caused a growl from Taikan and so Asoka scooted away from her a few inches, a stupid grin on his face as he waved nervously at Taikan.-

The young hanyou frowned, "Trying to touch my sister like that will get you nowhere but in the ground with my fist in your face."

Asoka nodded while rubbing the back of his neck, "Yeah ok, I know."

He looked at her one more time and she smiled warmly at him. He smiled back, but more nervously, 'Ugh, this is going to be harder than I thought.'

Sango snapped her eyes open and sat up, "Miroku." She gasped lightly.

After looking around a bit she sighed deeply and laid a hand on her forehead. 'Not another nightmare.' This was the fourth one that night and she didn't think she could take one more. 'Is he all right?' She pulled her sleeping yukata over herself to cover up more and she carefully got out of her futon.

Now standing up, she walked to her window and looked up at the stars. She could only guess at what was happening in the South right now. Miroku and the others were constantly on her mind and now she regretted not going with them. 'Could I have made any kind of difference if I had in fact come along with them?' She couldn't help but wonder.

Laying both hands on her tummy, she leaned on the side of the window. 'Miroku, what's happened to you now? Are you safe? Are you thinking of me as I am of you?'

Sango suddenly noticed how dark outside it was.

The stars provided some light yes, but that was all. 'No, it can't be.' Sango leaned her head out more to try and find it.

Her breathing quickened, 'N-No, where is it?" She put both hands on the sill of the window and she searched dreadfully around the sky. A whimper escaping her lips once, she turned away from thee window at once and stormed out of her room. She quickly made her way in the living area and out of the entrance to Kaede's hut.

She burst outside and a wind of cool air stuck to her face. "Where is it? Where is the moon?" She asked herself aloud as her heart sank.

Sango gave up and sunk to her knees. Crying many tears, she didn't hear Kaede come out and hurry over to the poor girl. "Oh dear child, what's wrong?" She asked worriedly.

Sango cried more and hugged the priestess who hugged her back immediately, "I-Inuyasha is human Lady Kaede. His demonic powers a-are of no use and so cannot protect t-the others, I fear something happened to Miroku."

Kaede looked up at the moonless sky, 'Inuyasha, are ye really capable of protecting everyone at your current state? Please don't let a life be lost.'

Taisuke continued his slow pace toward the seemingly lifeless couple. Retrieving the orbs from the hanyou was top was Taisuke's main concern now, and nothing could get in his way.

When he was half way there though, he noticed Inuyasha move very faintly.

Taisuke stopped and narrowed his dark eyes, silently begging the blowing wind for silence so he could listen for more movement.

No, it wasn't Inuyasha who had moved, but someone under him. Taisuke raised his eyebrows up slightly in surprise, 'So the girl survived my attack? She's strong for a human girl.' He thought, but then again her mate was protecting her so now he wasn't so sure what to believe. Maybe if he kept her alive a little while longer, than he could see what she can really do, if she can even do anything that is.

Kagome struggled with nearly all her strength to get up from under Inuyasha. She coughed terribly and noticed dreadful burns on her arms and legs. Her kimono was torn at the bottom and so now her legs were visible. Her arms showed now as well since most of her sleeves have been ruined and now reach her shoulders. Kagome screamed from the pain of dragging her burnt legs along the ground to get out from under Inuyahsa. She coughed more and once she was out completely, she laid down next to Inuyasha, losing her strength, "Wake up Inuyasha." She murmured gently and removed his tattered haori from over his head.

Taisuke watched the scene with a dull expression, 'This is impossible, she can't be moving that much after an attack like that, even if she was protected.'

"Kagome." Taisuke said.

The miko whipped her head up to look at him. She had never heard him say her name at all before now. It sounded very strange in his voice; she didn't want to hear it said like that ever again.

Taisuke gazed at her face that was smeared with dust from the grounds they were upon, "It is of no use miko. Give me the orbs now, I know either you or your mate have them, either way they belong to me." He said and unsheathed his sword. "Or must I simply take them my way and find out for myself?"

Jut as Kagome had started to stand up, Inuyasha coughed and opened his dark violet eyes a little. He tried to say her name but couldn't find his voice. 'Kagome, don't fight him, just run with the kids … away from here… far away…'

Kagome heard Inuyasha cough and looked down at him. He began to roll on his side in hopes of better comfort, but when it didn't work, he didn't care anyhow, he just needed a better look at Kagome. "Ka… Kagome. Please, run…" He begged her in a raspy voice. He coughed more and the miko gasped when she saw drops pf blood come out of his mouth when he had coughed.

Kagome knelt down to Inuyasha once more, "Inuyasha, I think you have an internal injury." She said and he nodded, already aware of this she guessed.

Taisuke raised his sword which caused Kagome to look at him. Seeing his enormous sword raised another time, she held Inuyasha to her as the sword's aura became stronger than before, "You will both die this time."