Author's Note: Yes! I almost have four hundred reviews! Thank you all so much! And I am proud and also sad to say that there is only one chapter left! Chapter thirty-three will be the last and final chapter! It will be very long, maybe as long as this one in the least. I have already started the next chapter and it will be up very soon!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha

Chapter Thirty-Two: In Our Darkest Hour

The final battle commences. What is to be expected, not a soul knew.

His mind wandered, if he in fact won this fierce battle, would there be more to come? To be truthful, he had no idea another man like Lord Taisuke lived in this world. So, he was not sure to anticipate more battles, or maybe to suppose this was his last. They all knew the end was coming, the end of something. Whether good or bad, it would come…

As Sesshoumaru made his hurried steps headed for Taisuke to strike, he learned of Inuyasha's well being, and that he was ok. Nevertheless, he continued on, and knew that Inuyasha would join him when he was ready. Kagome was still down and Sesshoumaru knew the hanyou wanted Rin to help heal her.

Taisuke breathed heavily still, trying to keep his mind-set only on that of one thing, that one thing he longed for even more at this moment now than the orbs of Higan. It was a new and sort of unwanted feeling for him; he did not know how to handle it. He had never before felt this way. He felt himself regretfully fading from reality.

Taisuke whipped his head around to see Sesshoumaru had just stopped in front of him. Sesshoumaru made a move to punch him, however he dodged. Their fight remained like this for a long while. Though Sesshoumaru could tell that Taisuke did not strike him as much, it was because of his unsteadiness. Taisuke's fighting was becoming slower, more inefficient. And that's when Sesshoumaru's attacks at last made any kind of effect on him.

When Taisuke was hit in the stomach, he doubled over and held his middle tightly with his remaining strength he thought he possessed so much of. However, he still held that nauseating smirk of his, plastered on his features. He closed his eyes and chuckled to himself as he stood up another time, "Do you not understand Sesshoumaru?" He looked at him and sighed sharply, "You are still of no match for me… none whatsoever!" He bellowed deafeningly and charged at Sesshoumaru with his bare fists, which seized no such threat any longer as they once did before.

Sango carefully sat down on the thick green grass near a narrow brook and began filling her wooden pail with water. She sighed profoundly and wiped sweat from her forehead with the back of her slender hand. After a few seconds of only sitting and minding her own business, she heard the loud laughter of her children outside playing with Kaden and Rikku.

Sango smiled at the beautiful sounds and thought of Shippo. He used to laugh, just like they do now, back then…

Sango saddened a bit. Shippo had left them at the break of dawn that morning, for a while. He had said that he needed to be on his own for a little bit of time and learn more about himself and of who he really is. Sango smiled forlornly as she looked down at the clear water, 'He grew up right before our eyes… and yet we seemed to have missed it somehow.'

Sango would really miss him; she knew it would be difficult. After all these years, she thought of him as a little brother, and they had loved it that way. And of course, he wished the best for them and made sure they would give his greetings and goodbyes to Inuyasha and the others when they returned. Sango was not sure, but she thought maybe Shippo was very confident in Inuyasha's skills so much that he'd leave and assume the hanyou would win the battle, and so had nothing to worry about. Otherwise he would have waited here for them. But that fox was becoming intrigued by the mysterious world around him everyday, he just had to leave now. Sango knew he would return before long, just for them.

Sango dragged the pail onto the ground and hoisted herself to stand up, gripping the rough handle tighter; she walked back to Kaede's hut leisurely and carefully.

About a minute later Keiko and Teishin came into view, and then later she could see Kaden and Rikku also. At seeing her kids wrestle each other, Sango sweatrdopped and called out to them, "Be careful you guys, remember what happened last time you two wrestled like that?" She said and the two paused to look at her.

Teishin sat up and shook his head vigorously to rid any twigs or things like that from him, "Aw c'mon Mom, we weren't even using dirt to stuff each other's faces with yet. We're ok." He tried to convince her, but she only laughed. Last time they played rough like this with hand fulls of dirt, it had gotten in their eyes and they complained about it for days. They were well taken care of by Sango and Kaede, of course, but as well as having been told a gentle "I told you so" once in a while. They surely did not enjoy that.

Kaden and Rikku giggled and ran on the way to Sango, "These are for you aunt Sango!" They both said and handed her flowers. Sango smiled very kindheartedly, "Well thank you very much." She replied and bent down to smell them. She lifted her head up, "Why don't you go ahead and put that in a nice place for me. I'd really appreciate it." The girls nodded, "Sure!" They both agreed and walked off to find the perfect place to put them.

Sango waved to her kids one last time before entering the cool shade the hut had to offer and she was grateful. Sango lazily placed the pail on the floor near a pile of neatly chopped fire wood and rested her back against the wall.

Sanog looked around the place indolently, her eyes half open, getting used to the sudden darkness compared to the blinding summer brightness outside. Sango's head rolled to the side and she yawned, thinking she should take a quick nap or something.

But just as she pushed herself from the wall and took one step forward, she saw an arm outstretched on the floor from the kitchen area. Sango hesitated at first, her heart jumping in panic. She instantly recognized it as Kaede's arm and she rushed to her side.

When Sango was in the room fully she gasped loudly and both her hands leaped to cover her mouth in a restraint scream. Sango straight away afterwards whimpered and fell to her knees, helping Kaede whom had collapsed on the floor, "Kaede! Kaede! Are you ok? Please wake up!"

She shook Kaede gently yet forcefully as her own body shook with oncoming sobs. "Help! Someone help!" She cried to the air.

Sango couldn't move Kaede in her condition; she only hoped her cries were loud enough for her children to hear. They would get help.

Sango held Kaede's face in her hands just as the old priestess began coughing flippantly, trying to breathe. "Oh Kaede, what has happened to you?" Tears slid down her face. Nonetheless, Kaede smiled and held one hand to Sango's shoulder, "I… my… sister, Kikyo…" Sango shook her head in bewilderment, why would Kaede think of Kikyo at a time like this? Sango ignored her own doubts and moved to get water for the miko. After using her palm as a cup and allowing Kaede to sip from that, the miko coughed louder and got a hold of her voice better.

"Kikyo… I saw her, in my vision… wonderful… news. She claimed… the…well."
Sango was taken back, "The… well? Kaede… what… what about it?" She became uncertain. However, when Kaede fell to unconsciousness once more, Sango had the children help her into another room and care for her there.

Sango sat beside her, having a cool damp cloth placed on the aged miko's forehead. Sango sighed, 'What was that you said Kaede?... What was it about the well that is good?'

Sesshoumaru had not been so lucky to dodge one of Taisuke's sneak attacks, which the he thought of as cowardice. But hey, that was just his opinion…

Meanwhile Inuyasha was standing up and going to Kagome with Sanae by his side. Inuyasha was very much confused now, 'Why couldn't I have just reached Tetsusaiga?' He knew in his demon form, he had tried to reach for the hilt that was so close. But something just kept him from it, and he had no suggestion why. But it did not matter as of now, he was normal once again and his family was safe.

He knelt down in front of Kagome, "Are you ok? Here, let me help you." He said and turned half way around, helping her get on his back. "Don't worry Kagome, Rin will heal you again." He turned to Sanae now, "You get on too." He said gently and she did as she was told. Inuyasha stood up tall and strong, "Let's get to safety." He said and he glanced at Sesshoumaru who had just recovered from an attack. He gazed intently at his older brother for a couple of seconds and then nodded before running toward the cliff where the others were, having told Sesshoumaru that he would be back.

Sesshoumaru nodded toward Inuyasha in understanding and attacked Taisuke yet again with his poisonous claws.

Taisuke spun around and was appalled to see that not only Inuyasha had transformed back to normal, but he was getting to safety, along with Kagome and their daughter.

"Oh no you don't you half man!" He shouted and sent a powerful energy blast their way. For him against Sesshoumaru, that was a huge mistake. Now he is shorter on strength.

Inuyasha did a double take toward Taisuke and just then saw that attack coming, "Oh Shit!" He bent his knees and jumped high in the air to dodge it. Kagome and Sanae both grasped his haori tighter from the sudden shift in movement.

Inuyasha landed on the ground and did not waste time looking after where the energy blast had gone. He ran faster than before, furthering himself from Taisuke's sight.

Taisuke was beyond furious that he had let Inuyasha escape so effortlessly, "Come back here! I will kill you and your family I swear it! Get back he-!" Before he could say anything more, Sesshoumaru slashed him with his claws from behind. "You should pay a little more attention when you're in a battle, fool." Sesshoumaru taunted with a frown in disgust. What and idiot, Taisuke was really going mad as he had thought. I mean, come on. When you are in a fight such as this, you don't bluntly turn the opposite direction of your opponent to yell at someone else…

Taisuke keeled over onto his knees. He grunted in pain and coughed up blood. 'How… how did this happen so quickly?' The great evil lord wondered in the first moments that he had actually felt sane. Biting his lower lip so hard now in this maddening thought, that he had pierced his lip deeply, soon enough blood trickled from there.

Taisuke lifted his head up to glare at Sesshoumaru, "Do not mock me boy!" He yelled and sent another blast his way. The demon lord darted to the side and had barely dodged it. 'His power is weakening at a rapid speed.'

"And that is why Inuyasha must make the wish." Rin finished explaining. Miroku gaped at her in disbelief, "You've got to be kidding me." He murmured. Taikan and Asoka only looked even more hopeless than before. The young boys did not have to murmur a word; their sad eyes said it all.

Asoka sighed lightly and glanced back at where the battle was taking place. His heart skipped a beat in delight when he saw that Inuyasha had just landed on the ground from dodging an attack from Taisuke. Inuyasha was running toward them with both Kagome and Sanae on his back.

"Guys look look! Inuyasha's coming back!" He jumped up and unnecessarily pointed toward where the hanyou was.

Taikan gasped and jumped up as well, "Dad! He's back to normal! Yes!" Taikan punched the air above him with a hard fist in means of victory.

Miroku and Rin were very pleased as well to say the least. Miroku was especially; his so called little plan was finally playing into action after all.

And before they knew it, Inuyasha made a final giant leap and landed just in the front of them all. "Rin I need you're help quick." Inuyasha said immediately and carefully laid Kagome on the ground before her. The miko had lost consciousness once again and Inuyasha couldn't tear his eyes form her. Rin went to heal her straight away, just as Inuyasha was demanding what was going on and where the orbs were.

Rin tried to explain everything quickly, again, "Hold on Inuyasha. I cannot disturb this process and get the orbs out of my kimono at once." She said. Both Inuyasha and Miroku looked at each other, and then back at her. They both reached their hands toward her. Rin shouted to them, "Are you two insane? What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Inuyasha scoffed, "This isn't the time for modesty Rin! And besides you know I'm not like that and I'm already taken thank you! We really need to save the world right about now don't ya think?" He shouted.

Rin smiled, "Well just wait. Sesshoumaru is already handling things on his own it seems." She looked down at her mate to prove her point. And as well, Rin couldn't help but inwardly laugh at the fact if Sesshoumaru were here to see that, Miroku and Inuyasha would have both been dead on the spot.

The adults talked more just as the healing process on Kagome was nearly finishing.

Sanae ran to hug her brother and she cried once more in happiness to see him. "Taikan! I was so afraid! I'm so sorry I ran from you, but I … I just had too…" She sniffled. Taikan chuckled and patted her back, "It's ok, I understand Sanae. It's ok." He said and made her feel a whole lot better.

Sanae pulled back and smiled greatly at him in thanks. She suddenly blushed and turned her shy eyes to someone behind her.

Asoka saw her turn to him and he nearly jumped a mile high, and he blushed very faintly. "Sanae, I… I was very worried about you… I... I a-" Suddenly Sanae ran up to him and gave him a hug.

At first Asoka's blush grew immensely and he hesitantly hugged her back. But as quick as the hug came, it was gone. Sanae pulled away from him very quickly and backed away slightly with a small smile gracing her features. They both looked at each other and then looked away.

Taikan in the meantime was trying so hard not to laugh. 'I guess it's not as bad as I thought it would be to have Asoka and Sanae like each other… Hmm, maybe in the future they will still like each other.' He shrugged and rested both hands behind his head.

A few moments later, everyone heard Kagome's gasps for breath and she opened her eyes. "I'm alive... Inuyasha." Was all she said before he took her in his arms and hugged her, not planning to let her go for a long while.

Miroku looked at them with somewhat envious eyes. He desperately wished for Sango's presence. He needed to hear her voice and comforting words. He was happy for them of course, but he just felt so, alone at the moment that he was vaguely embarrassed and felt left out. 'We will return soon. I will see her again, it won't be long now.'

Rin sat in front of the couple with Miroku at her side; the kids listened to her as well from where they were a few feet away from them. "Alright," she retrieved the orbs from inside of her kimono and set them in front of her carefully, everyone's eyes widening by their beautiful glow. Inuyasha looked down at them, prepared now more than ever to make his wish, as he held Kagome still, he could not have asked for a better motivation to kill the bastard whom harmed her.

Sesshoumaru rammed his claws into Taisuke's shoulder, his blood spurting everywhere from the severe wound. Taisuke grunted loudly in pain. "You wretched dog! I will kill you so agonizingly slow that you will beg for your demise!" He threatened in an uncontrolled voice.

Sesshoumaru elbowed him hard on the back of his neck, "I highly suggest you not condescend to me like that when I am currently winning." He said in his deep voice. And right afterwards, Sesshoumaru kicked him in the stomach twice, sending him rolling on the ground for yards and yards away. (a/n: Oh yeah, Sesshoumaru's got this in the bag!)

Taisuke coughed, hacked, and sputtered his words and curses. 'What had gone wrong? I was so strong the in the beginning. What has happened to me and my power?... I… I had this all planned out perfectly. I was to become this world's ruler, forever… forever…' He twitched his hands and eyes in rage and uncertainty.

He breathed slowly now, but still profoundly. He heard Sesshoumaru's steps coming closer and closer. It sounded like thuds from deep in the ground… coming for him… 'No, the demons… from the otherworld… have they come… for me?' His pupils shrank even more this time and he curled his fingers into a fist in pain, digging his fingers into the dirt as he did so, gripping the sand in his hands. 'I need….security… from the demons… of the otherworld…' He was hallucinating, hearing Sesshoumaru's steps louder, and louder, until they sounded like lethal heartbeats that he assumed the entire world could take notice of.

Sesshoumaru bent down and encircled his hands around Taisuke's neck. Sesshoumaru pulled him up very compellingly and glared freezing daggers at him, "I assume you recall something like this from earlier." Sesshoumaru tightened his hold on Taisuke's neck more and pierced his claws into his skin, and going deeper, "Now… you die…"

Taisuke looked at him, blood practically spilling from his face, back, and neck. How did it come to this? Here he was in Sesshoumaru's hands, death a mere neck snap away, his power draining. 'What had gone wrong…?' He still did not understand, yet the answer was clear to everyone else. His madness, greed for power, for the death of Inuyasha, it all conquered his very black heart and soul. He thought himself invincible and strong enough to take over the entire human race… But now, he wasn't even strong enough to stand up right.

Without warning, something caught both of their attention. Sesshoumaru and Taisuke turned their heads to look up at the cliff. The orbs' power, it was growing. Taisuke smirked lightly, 'I am going to die right here and now… but before I do… I will send Inuyasha one last thing from me…'

Sesshoumaru was satisfied, Rin had the orbs, and his brother now was well enough to complete his wish. Everyone was fine and not injured any longer. To be truthful, Sesshoumaru was already thinking of traveling home very soon to see his children again. He missed them greatly and couldn't wait to see them another time.

Suddenly, the sound of Taisuke's laughter brought the demon lord from his thoughts of home and back to the face of wickedness. He glared at him once more, "And what is so humorous?" Sesshoumaru asked, not liking how Taisuke's empty eyes which never met his as of yet.

Sesshoumaru grit his teeth and looked back at the cliff where they could see the brightness of the orbs now.

"One last bequest for Inuyasha," He formed a very large energy ball in his hand, larger than any of the other's he had created. This was it, all his left over power, he is now useless. "…from… hell!" He shouted at the top of his lungs and shot the blast hurdling toward the cliff at a rapid speed.

Sesshoumaru's heart sank to his feet, "You fool! Die!" He tightened his hold around Taisuke's neck and twisted it in less than a split second.

Sesshoumaru then threw him on the ground and flew to the blast, before it reached Rin and the others.

Inuyasha still held onto Kagome as he now did not waste another second to make the wish. Inuyasha was in fact too entranced by the orbs power and his desire for everyone to live, that he did not sense Taisuke's power drop completely into nothing. They did not know he was dead.

Just as he was about to speak, Kagome and Rin perked their heads up. Rin stood up and gasped in fright, "Everyone get down!" Inuyasha spun around and saw the blast coming. "Damn it!" He stood up and pushed Kagome and the kids behind him. He unsheathed Tetsusaiga and just as the blast made its way to them, he brought the sword up and swung it down so fast that it was all a blur, "Backlash Wave!"

And that was the last sound anyone heard before blinding light took over their sight once again. However, as no sound was made, everyone could faintly see icicles and fireballs break from Taisuke's blast. He had used both Reina's and Hineto's powers in his one last attack.

Rin and Kagome saw this and so raised both their hands into the sky to create a barrier around everyone. Miroku held Asoka and protected him. Taikan kneeled just beside Kagome and hugged Sanae firmly, covering her head with his.

From the collision of both attacks, there were tornados in all places around them, strong winds and lightning covering the skies above, which were becoming darker by the minute.

Kagome fell to one knee; she looked at Inuyasha and saw he was having trouble still, trying to hold the attack back wit his sword. Kagome couldn't keep up her half of the barrier for long. Over the winds and deafening noise, she shouted, "Do it Inuyasha!"

Hearing her encouraging words, Inuyasha stepped forward, putting more of his strength against the negative energy.

Moments later, Inuyasha pushed forward and propelled the sword forward, sending all the negative energy away from him and his friends. And then… it was all over…

Several minutes later, the winds had come to a slow halt, the lightning had vanished and the sun shone through pallid clouds. Everyone stood up gradually, helping one another, and looking around. As they did so, Sesshoumaru landed on the cliff in front of them and everyone just started at him.

Sesshoumaru did not know why they were staring at him, probably expecting him to tell them what had happened with the fight… Sesshoumaru glared at them, "Will you stop, he's dead, alright? That's not that big of a mystery to figure out…"

At that, everyone smiled and understood what had happened. Kagome kneeled down to help Inuyasha who was currently on his knees and breathing for sweet air. She laughed and helped him sit up, "We've all done it Inuyasha. Taisuke is dead, Sesshoumaru killed him." She told him in a raspy voice and she coughed. Dust had gotten everywhere and she was particularly bothered by it easily.

He nodded, "Y-Yeah, we… we did it." She swung one of Inuyasha's arms around her shoulders and she stood up with him. 'I can't wait to go back home again to my girls.' Kagome thought, and judging by the look Inuyasha gave her, she knew he was thinking the same thing.

Taikan loosened is hold on Sanae, not trusting fully if everything was truly over. But then seeing everyone relax, he did the same, and so did Sanae, and Asoka.

Rin stopped, "Wait, what about the orbs?" She got them from inside of her kimono again. Miroku was surprised, "Rin you saved them just in time I see." He observed and she nodded, "Yes, but now that Taisuke is dead… what shall we wish for now?"

Everyone was at a loss for a second. The death of Taisuke was the main reason why they had come here in the first place… but now that he's no longer alive, they had this chance to wish for something else… but what?

Rin shrugged and set them on the ground once more, "Well… Once any of you think about it, Inuyasha must make the wish anyhow." Everyone nodded in understanding.

Inuyasha closed his eyes and thought. What could he wish for… What would make him and his family happy... What would make Kagome happy...?

Inuyasha snapped his eyes open and looked at Kagome. Feeling his sudden movement, Kagome looked at him right away. He gazed into her eyes, he could see it. He could see what she truly wanted. Inuyasha took her hands in his own, "Kagome… I know what you want to wish for… I know it." He whispered the last part. Kagome smiled, but then shook her head, "No, Inuyasha… I couldn't… What about everyone else… I'm sure they want to make a wish as well."

Rin smiled at her kindly, "Kagome, you out of everyone else here deserve to make a wish. Any of what you desire." Miroku nodded with her, "That's right Kagome, whatever you wish for, we will be happy for you."

Kagome thought about it for a minute and she began crying softly, "Thank you." She nodded and hugged Inuyasha. "Thank you." She whispered to him. Inuyasha smiled and looked down at the orbs, strengthening his hold on Kagome, "I wish…"