An Hour And A Half Later

Kagome had managed to get out of buying the jeans, but she had to buy a short, crimson red skirt and a white halter top. Now they were sitting at a table outside a restaurant to eat.

While Ayumi was getting their food, Kagome was looking around. At the side of the shop was a narrow alley. Peeking just around it was a person cloaked in a heavy cloak. Kagome's eyes narrowed and she stood up.

" Kagome?" Eri asked as she ran off, " Where are you going?" She followed her.

Kagome was a much faster runner than Eri, because of all her training in the Feudal Era. She sprinted into the dark alley, following the escaping person. She didn't recognize the aura, so it was a just a spy of Kanzuka, not he himself. The spy escaped over a high brick wall that Kagome could have easily cleared if Eri hadn't called her back.

Kagome hung her head and was breathing deeply. So tired, so very tired…what was that? On the ground, lying at her feet was a bracelet. She picked it up. It had two charms on it, both were a miniature rose. One was red, the other was black.

' Is there anyone that I know who loves roses?' she wondered. Only Eri's shouting brought her back. She slipped the bracelet onto her wrist and walked toward Eri thinking, ' This is a clue. But why would the enemy give me a clue?'

Eri pulled her back to the table, then began to question her. Kagome did not answer. After a while, she gave up. They decided to go swimsuit shopping next. On the inside, Kagome was crying. She did not want to keep shopping!

3 Hours Later

For three, long, non stop hours, Kagome, Ayumi, Eri, and Yuri were trying on thousands of different swimsuits. Kagome had tried to escape several times, but her friends always dragged her back.

Now the sun was setting and she had gotten out of buying anything else. She wandered up her stone steps shakily. She was tired from all that pointless shopping.

Kagome unlocked her house and went on it, shutting the door behind her. She kicked off her shoes, and fell down onto her bed, thinking about the bracelet.

Kanzuka's Palace

Kanzuka sat on his black throne when the servant hobbled in.

" Well?" he asked expectantly.

" I had her find it," the servant bowed. " It is now in her possession."

" Good. She'll figure it out…"

Dawn

Kagome woke up early that next morning. She was going to Sengoku Jidai to check up on Sango and talk to her friends about the bracelet and meeting Kanzuka.

She ran out and fell down the well. Just beyond it, Inuyasha was waiting for her.

" How'd you know I was coming?" she asked.

" I didn't. I was going to come get you."

" Again?"

" Yeah. You're so slow."

" Oh well. I had a strange experience. It's very complicated and I have to tell you all about it!"

" Why not that kitsune you like? Or your other friends?"

She blushed madly. " I don't like him that way baka! And he already knows. As for his friends, I haven't seen them for a while."

Inuyasha didn't believe her, but he didn't say anything either.

Together they entered Kaede's village.

Sango was up and walking around a little when they came in. Miroku was unconscious on the floor.

" He didn't--"

" He did."

" Pervert," Kagome muttered. " I knew I shouldn't have trusted him. Anyway, I have news."

" What? I'm supposed to stay in bed another week?" Sango asked sarcastically.

" No. It's about Kanzuka. The guy Naraku mentioned."

" Oh?" Sango forgot about being angry. " What?"

" He's a Demon Prince, ruling for his incapable father. He wants the Shikon no Tama and he knew I had it! He phoned my house and told me to meet him in the park. I called Kurama and he came with me. Kanzuka told me that he not only wanted my Jewel, he also wanted me! He's controlling Kikyo, although she doesn't know it, to get information on us to him! It's terrible! And then, just yesterday, I saw one of his spies spying on me. He escaped, but dropped this" She held out the bracelet. " It's a clue, I'm sure. But what does it mean and why would the enemy give me a clue?"

Sango shrugged. " Interesting story. So surely he was controlling Naraku as well. Which means he was the one who ordered my village killed and Kohaku killed. I will kill him!" Sango was so angry now, her bitter thoughts flown away.

" Yeah…And that means we should free Kikyo's soul so she can't be used for evil anymore," Miroku said, standing up.

" Kikyo would never do evil!" Inuyasha shouted.

" Maybe if she wasn't being controlled!" Kagome shouted right back. " We need to free her!"

To that, Inuyasha had no answer.

" It's settled then," Sango announced, " We first free Kikyo's soul, then we'll plan our next move."

Inuyasha mumbled something incoherent.

That night, Inuyasha was forced to lead the group to where he was to meet Kikyo. It was by the Bone Eaters Well. Sango and Miroku hid in the bushes, unseen by anyone. Kagome was also behind a tree. Inuyasha waited for Kikyo to appear.

They didn't have to wait long. She arrived, surrounded by her Soul Dragons, not long after they had.

" Inuyasha," she said, sinking into his arms. " I'm here."

" I know…"

She buried her face into the folds of his kimono.

" Kikyo…"

" Hmm?"

" We need to talk…"

" About what?" she asked.

" About Kanzuka."

She looked up.

" Who's he?"

" He's controlling you."

" No one is controlling me except for me."

Inuyasha looked around uneasily.

" So tell me," she said, " How is that girl? The one with my Jewel?"

" Kagome? She's good…" he replied, not knowing what to say.

" Is she keeping it pure? If she isn't, she'll be consumed by it's evil, as though she were a demon."

Inuyasha stared hard at Kikyo. He knew that Kagome was keeping it as pure as she could. She would not let herself be consumed. Kikyo knew that too, he was sure. That did not make sense.

Sango and Miroku leapt out, and took Kikyo by the arms.

" What? Let go of me!" she cried in surprise. They did not loosen their grip. Inuyasha watched her struggle.

" Kikyo…" Kagome said, from behind her. " I am going to free you from Kanzuka's control. Trust me."

" I am under no one's control!" she screamed.

" You are." Kagome came in front of her and put a finger to her lips. Kikyo's cries were silenced. No voice came out of her mouth.

Kagome bowed her head. The Jewel around her neck glowed.

" Kikyo, you who are held in control unknowingly by another shall be freed to go your own way. Let your soul fly to it's haven. Let your prison fall away!" She placed her hands on Kikyo's shoulders.

A scream erupted from Kikyo's mouth. The Voice Seal was broken. Her soul flew out of the body, which crumbled into dust. It flew around their heads a few times, until she was standing among them. She was smiling and looked much prettier then she ever had in that clay body.

" Thank you my reincarnation!" she cried, " I am free from his control!"

" So you knew?" Inuyasha gasped.

" Only I did in my soul, not my mind. My soul screamed for freedom."

" Now I must repay Kagome for freeing me. Kanzuka is powerful. As you are, you cannot hope to defeat him and keep the Jewel safe. You must surpass even my strength and believe in yourself and your friends. You know someone who can help you more then you ever thought."

" Thank you Kikyo," Kagome said bowing.

" Do not thank me! It is I who should be thanking you! If you ever need any more advice, call for me! I will come! For now, farewell!"

She vanished.

" Now do you believe us?" Miroku asked Inuyasha.

He mumbled a yes.