Author's Note: I am so sorry for that late update, but I have been having some real tough times. So tough in fact that I had to leave my home and drive halfway across America to see a good friend who I knew would help me through it. But I sort of needed to little road trip to clear my mind and kind of take my life on a new level. But no worries now, I am back home and feeling better. Thank you all for your reviews and your support, I truly appreciate it. Sorry this chapter is short, but the next one is half way done and very long. So that'll be up in a few days.

Oh and you should check out my profile when you have the time. It has new stuff and some of it is funny, so hope you get a good laugh. Please read and review!

Lady Kjerston of the Western: Thank you so much! I always knew I could count on you to be supportive of me.

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Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha

Chapter Thirty-One: Her Voice Broke the Chains

His mind is unsteady, his heart is not free. Having no control of himself, he is bound to strike at any certain moment. And nevertheless this young girl, so weak and strong at the same time, comes and completely ignores that fact. Almost just like him, she is an impulsive person, and so sometimes did foolish things as this. However she did not think of it as foolish. She thought of it to as unconditional love to someone you're afraid of losing… And at this time now, there was no such thing as foolishness in that.

Inuyasha's hands on each side of his head slowly relaxed, but still trembled. He gradually let them fall down by his sides. He had yet to hug the girl back, he was still too afraid to. Only something like this has only happened once before. When he and Kagome were in the castle where that evil woman had turned him into a demon on purpose to capture his soul into her mirror, and as such he would remain demon forever. But Kagome had hugged him, just like this girl is now, and thus far he remained unmoving.

Sanae gripped his tattered haori in her fists and she looked up at him, "Dad! Why won't you listen to me?" She asked in a softer voice now, seeing that he was not changing back to the person she knew and loved before. What could that mean? Would he never come back to her now? She was too frightened of that, she would no longer consider that to be true.

Inuyasha could hear her. Just barely, but it was coming through stronger now.

Inuyasha had no idea of what to do now. His soul had some control over him, that was why he did not harm the young girl in any way as of yet. The hanyou was able to stop himself, and with Kagome's help before. Why couldn't he change back to normal now? Why had he remained the same? Inuyasha promised he would not let this go on, he couldn't… But what would happen, if he broke that promise?

For the first time now, with Inuyasha still on his knees, he looked down at her… and she smiled.

Kagome slowly folded her fingers inward to create a soft fist. She grit her teeth as much as she could and she moved her head up a little. 'I can move a lot more now.' Although she was trying to move and possibly stand, she could sense Inuyasah was close to her, and yet, incredibly far away. She couldn't place it. Why did her heart sense him like this?

She took a large and shaky breath, which was sort of a mistake because that made her chest hurt intensely. 'What the hell did he do to me?' She thought partly in aggravation. Oh well though, she had many more things to worry about than how much pain she was in. She would get over it, she always found the way to do so.

Kagome jumped slightly when she heard a voice that she recognized right away, 'Sanae.' She thought with a smile, but then she frowned. What in the world was she doing down here? It was absolutely too dangerous for her. Kagome heard the little girl crying to someone and she immediately thought that she had gotten hurt in some way or another.

At instinct Kagome lifted her head up hurriedly and tried to open her eyes to find Sanae. When she did so, she had to shut them forcefully again. The sun's brightness was too much for her.

"No! Kagome!"

Taisuke heard Kagome's cries and turned his head to look at her instead of Sesshoumaru. When he did, Kagome was already right next to him and she gripped the arrow tighter, squeezing her powers into it... And with that, she instantly stabbed him in the chest with her arrow.

Taisuke formed a red energy ball in his palm that wasn't choking Inuyasha. To the hanyou's absolute dismay, he saw Taisuke shoot the energy blast right to Kagome, and she was immediately thrown backwards.

'Wait, the sunlight. Inuyasha was human then when it was barely sunrise, and I had attacked Taisuke with my arrow.' Kagome's heart beat more rapidly, she sun was in the sky, and that meant Inuyasha was hanyou again. But… why didn't she sense this sooner?

That's right, she thought again. Something was wrong and was too injured to think of what it could be.

However, she bit her lip as it all became painfully clear to her now. When she heard Sanae cry out for Inuyasha to go back to the way he was before. Kagome immediately felt hot tears brim her eyes. 'Oh Inuyasha. So this is what has happened to you. You are full demon again and she is trying to get you out of it.' How could Kagome have forgotten something like that was probable to happen?

Kagome breathed heavier now from nervousness, feeling her breath leave her body. She was so sad, 'Inuyasha, you must be so heartbroken inside… Long ago, you made a vow to never have our children see this side of you. I'm so sorry. I wish I could have helped you to prevent it, but it's too late.'

Kagome opened her eyes over again and looked around her, her head feeling light as she did so. She instantly noticed Inuyasha and Sanae together, but what struck her in surprise was that Sanae was hugging Inuyasha as if he was still his normal self. At first, Kagome was scared to death and tried desperately to stand as quickly as she could to get her away from Inuyasha… But then she relaxed once more, partly because of immense pain. But then she thought, 'He hasn't attacked her. He is aware of whom she is… Maybe… Maybe Sanae could bring him back… For now, it's the only option to save him until I am able to move or speak aloud.'

Taisuke could not have had a better chance than at this moment to obliterate Inuyasha. His older brother was down and dead for all he knew, Inuyasha was full demon and distracted by his daughter's imprudent actions, and Kagome was as weak as a little helpless animal. And with the others too far away to reach him, he could carry out his mission, right here and now.

Taisuke straightened his back to stand more, 'Finally, I will accomplish what Naraku could not. The infamous Inuyasha will die by my hands in cold blood… My hands.' He could not believe his luck. This was it. This was his time.

Sesshoumaru made no sound as he gradually stood up and examined his wound. He was pierced clearly through the chest where his armor had broken off from. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes in anger. The wound was nothing, but then again, no one ever created such damage upon him like this. To even break his armor, it was astonishing to Sesshoumaru, and yet very annoying.

He glanced quickly in the direction of Taisuke and saw that he was standing up as well. It seems he has yet to notice Sesshoumaru was in fact good to fight again.

The malevolence demon lord breathed heavier and somewhat faster now. His pupils in his eyes began shrinking and he was acting strangely, not as himself before. Suddenly he nearly broke out in a hideous laugh and rolled his head back to look at the sky, "I will win it! I will have it all! Inuyasha's death will be known by none other than Lord Taisuke!" He raised his hands in the air and clenched his fists tight.

Sesshoumaru glared at him still, but now slight wonderment entered his thoughts, 'By the Gods, he's losing his mind. This is no mission for him any longer. This is a sick obsession. He is going mad.' It seems as though Taisuke's greed for power and triumph for Inuyasha's death was finally going over his head.

Sesshoumaru had to remain more careful from now on. Dealing with a person like this was even more dangerous than if he was rational. 'I must stop him; he will destroy everything at any given moment if he wishes.' Sesshoumaru looked over at Inuyasha on his knees and looking down at his daughter. Sesshoumaru was about to stop him, thinking he might harm her, but it seems as though Sanae was trying to help him… And it surprising appeared to be working.

Sesshoumaru was very hesitant to leave her alone with Inuyasha in his condition, but he felt nothing would happen. And so, he brought his gaze back to Taisuke as he stepped forward, 'If Inuyasha won't be able to fight in any way before long. I will take this monster down myself.' He flexed his claws and readied himself to attack.

Rin hurriedly ran on the way to Taikan as she promptly stuffed the spheres safely in her kimono. Once she reached the boy she instantly fell to her knees and held his shoulders firmly, helping him sit up right, "Oh dear child are you alright?" She asked in much worry.

Taikan huffed a breath in and lightly pushed her hands away from him and he dusted himself, "I'm fine." He said in a soft, yet irritated voice. Rin was at first confused at why Taikan pushed her away, but hen she only smiled, "Ok then." She answered him kindly, but then loud voices made both of them look toward the others from where Rin ran away.

"I will win it! I will have it all! Inuyasha's death will be known by none other than Lord Taisuke!" And a cruel laugh followed afterwards.

Rin nearly shook in fright as she glared at Taisuke with the hatred she felt burning deep inside of her soul, "He's insane." She murmured, noticing how he was standing up, it was not in control and he looked as though he would fall once more. It was not pleasant to observe.

At this Taikan looked in bewilderment at him. 'But why… why would he be like this? Surely someone as powerful as him can't go all crazy and stupid.' The young hanyou wondered. He blinked his golden eyes and looked to the other side of Taisuke, and he saw his father and sister together. Seeing his father still demon and his sister right in front of him in danger, he reacted quickly.

He jumped up quickly and out of Rin's grasp, "Sanae! Get away fr-!" And before he could catch their attention Rin took him by the shoulders once more and shook her head, "No, it is all right. Sanae is getting through to him. See?" She turned the boy toward them again and saw that Sanae was talking to Inuyasha, and he only stared back down at her, trying to fight the demon in him.

Takan blinked again, "I…I think you're right."

Rin pulled at him gently, "Come now, we must get to the top of that cliff where the others await for us both. I have the orbs and we should wait for your father to return when he is well again to complete the wish." She explained to the child and he nodded, understanding most of it.

As she stood up with him he asked her what she knew he was going to ask, "But why can't we make the wish Rin?"

As they traveled up the cliff, Rin look into the young boy's eyes that pleaded for many answers. She smiled kindly, "I will tell you and the others once we arrive there."

Miroku was gripping the edge of the cliff so hard he lost all feeling his hands. He watched the entire scene with his son at his side and was scared to death for the children's safety. But then what kept him back was another feeling that tugged at his heart, telling him it was going to be ok. Otherwise he would have followed them right of the bat. And now he knew that little feeling was right, the kids were safe.

Miroku kept his concentrated stare on Inuyasha and Sanae, and the hope in his eyes began to grow, 'Inuyasha recognizes her. Maybe he will get out of this safely after all.'

Just then he saw Rin and Taikan coming up the cliff and they were about half way up. Asoka pointed toward them, "Father they're coming back. But why isn't Sanae with them?"

Miroku glanced at him, "There's nothing to worry about son, she is going to save Inuyasha from his demon form… and look. I see Lady Kagome is beginning to move again.' Miroku gasped lightly, and just then a plan began to form. 'If Kagome is ok by the time Sanae is still keeping Inuyasha distracted like she is now, then Kagome will be well enough for him to see she is ok. By that, Inuyasha will turn back into a half demon and help Sesshoumaru defeat Taisuke.' But deep down in his heart, he knew it all would not be that simple.

Miroku sighed and patiently waited for Rin and Taikan's return.

Asoka was too frightened to blink, not wanting to miss any move Sanae made. She was in real danger, a part of him said, but then the other said she was fine and that she would help Inuyasha. But still, he wanted to help her somehow, someway. However, he couldn't think of anything to do right now that would help her at all. Time was passing by and too many things were going on at once. He wasn't sure if he should just sit there or do something.

Asoka relaxed his clenched fist and sighed now, but more greatly than Miroku did. He only decided to just sit there and wait for his best friend to return. After they talked about what went on, then they could plan their next move… if there was even going to be a next move.

Sanae saw that Sesshoumaru was about to attack Taisuke and she quickly turned backto look at Inuyasha. "Please Daddy, please come back." She cried softer and took deep, uneven breaths as she did so. She leaned her head against his chest now, losing hope, she only whispered now. "I love you Dad, please… please say you love me too."

Sanae nearly jumped a mile high when she felt strong arms grab her shoulders. Sanae whipped her head up to look back at him and she was scared to see that Inuyasha was sort of grunting. Sanae cried more and felt Inuyasha's claws nearly pierce her shoulders.

Inuyasha stopped grunting and softened his eyes. He looked at Sanae for what felt like so long. And then, he pulled her to him closely.

Sanae gasped at the reaction and hugged him back right away. Sanae smiled, 'I hope he's going to be ok soon.' She took a deep breath and stiffened when she felt Inuyasha's arms relax greatly, and then wrap around her.

Sanae's cheek was against his chest and she felt he was breathing heavily. His hold on her tightened and she heard him whimper. "I…I do love you Sanae." 'What have I done? I almost harmed her.'

Sanae smiled. She did it, he came back and she couldn't have been happier. She saddened a little bit, she could only imagine how guilty Inuyasha must feel right now. "It's ok Dad, I do not blame you."

Inuyasha didn't respond, but he felt she was wrong, 'Of course I am to blame. It was me who almost killed you. It was me who didn't make you feel loved… It was me who did not keep you safe.'

But it was over, he was ok now, and so were Sanae and Taikan. Inuyasha had not forgotten Kagome, he knew she was alive now and moving a little bit.

The hanyou slowly turned his head to look around at her and what he saw made his heart soar in happiness. She was smiling at him. Despite her pain that he knew she was going through, she was truly smiling at him. He did not move, he only smiled in return.

Kagome was so happy, 'I knew you could come back Inuyasha. And it's all thanks to Sanae.'