Chapter Two: The Prevailing Darkness

Disclaimer: Not ours, how many times do we have to say it! Meanies… But one day…Ku, ku, ku…

Authors' Note:

Kit: Good news, Kagome-Hime is back!

Kag: My fingers hurt…

Kit: Yes, chapter two was mostly written by Kag. As you can see, it's very long.

Kag: The pain!

Kit: Pats Kagome-Hime's shoulders Aww…You did a good job. That's what's important. Besides, who cares about your fingers anyway?

Kag: Do you remember the threat?

Kit: Gulp How can I ever forget? ; Anyway, without further ado, Chapter Two: The Prevailing Darkness!

Both: R+R!

It was dark, but it wasn't like your everyday nighttime kind but the kind that not even youkais can see in. The kind that never mean anything good, and it doesn't.

It's always this dark here… wherever here was…but light always seems find a way in. And in the darkest room near a small window there was a silhouette of a young man… The sliver of light that had somehow slipped in illuminated his features just enough for the human eye to see. And even though there was no expression on his bland, calm face there was something about him… a kind of evil aura. This aura grew even stronger as he whispered into the darkness just these three words…

"It is time."

………

Tohru Honda hummed happily as she washed the dishes.

'Shigure-san, Yuki-kun, and Kyou-kun have been so downcast lately. Maybe they're having some troubles at the Main House,' Tohru suddenly had an idea, 'I know! Maybe Uo-chan, Hana-chan, and I could plan something fun to cheer them up! We could invite Shigure-san, Yuki-kun, Kyou-kun, Momiji-chan, Kagura-chan, Hatsuharu-kun, Kisa-chan, Hiro-chan, Hatori-san, Ayame-san, Ritsu-san, and maybe... Maybe even Akito-san!

Slam!

Tohru was so lost in her own little world, she nearly dropped the dishes when the door slid open.

"We're home... Tohru-kun."

Tohru immediately sensed something was wrong. Shigure's tone of voice was solemn, not like his usual cheery voice.

"Welcome back, Shigure-san, Yuki-kun, and Kyou-kun!" Tohru bowed quickly.

"Tohru, there's something we need to tell you. Lately, the Sohmas have been preparing for an important family ceremony. Akito says he wants to invite you," Shigure told Tohru.

"Akito-san wants to invite me? I-I am so honored! Of course I'll go, but I'm afraid I don't have anything formal to wear," Tohru looked at her feet shamefully.

"Akito took care of that," Shigure handed her the large bag he was holding.

"Akito-san went through all that trouble for me?" Tohru looked inside the bag. It was a solid white kimono with habutae underwear. It could only mean...

Tohru gasped, "A mofuku? You mean... Akito-san is dead!" The bag dropped on the floor.

"No. Akito is still alive. This is the family's sacrificial ceremony. When Akito was born, he was supposed to die young, but not because of an illness. He was born to be sacrificed so the family could live. That is the true legacy of being 'God'," Yuki explained.

Tohru's eyes welled up with tears.

"A-Akito-san is going to die?" Tohru sobbed, "How terrible... His life had to end like this. Isn't there anything we can do?"

Kyou couldn't contain himself any longer. "You don't have to go, if it's too painful for you. Akito can't force you to come, so please..." There was a tone of desperation in his voice.

"No," Tohru's voice was firm, even though she was still crying, "That would be selfish. Mom always said, 'Sometimes you have to suffer for the ones you love'."

Tohru wiped away her tears.

"I want to attend Akito-san's ceremony; he doesn't have to force me… I'll go."

………

"Oi, wen- er, Kagome!" An all too familiar voice called from behind.

"What is it now?" Kagome grumbled back.

"Are you still angry?" The voice asked for the thousandth time today, wanting only one answer. But Kagome just isn't going to give it to him.

She sends him a quick glare and then replied, "Yes I'm still angry. For your information some of us don't enjoy being called names."

"Oh, you're still mad about that argument? Feh, I'll stop, alright? Now can we get going already? We wasted half the day sitting here!" His irritation that was masked so carefully finally cracked.

"You make it sound like it MY fault that we are stuck here for so long!" Kagome replied, her anger flaring dangerously.

"That's because it is your fault!" Inuyasha countered, his annoyance getting the better of him.

"Me! You're the one that had to start another argument!"

"Forget what I said wench, I am never apologizing to you ever again!"

Sango gave another quick sigh as another round of insults started between the ever so stubborn pair.

"They're like little children fighting over candy," Miroku said as he dodged a flying shoe.

"Except maybe with more dirty language…" He added in as a string of muttered swear words flew out of Inuyasha's potty mouth as he once again found himself face to face with his old friend, the ground.

"As I said before, and many times before that…" The young kitsune started,

"Doesn't he ever learn?" Everyone finished in unison. Kirara gave another mew as if sighing.

"Hey, Inuyasha. You smell that?" Shippou spoke up ceasing all the arguments that was going on.

"Smell what ya little brat?" Inuyasha growled at him, angry that Shippou had stopped him right in the middle comeback to Kagome's previous point.

"Jewel shards, lots of them…" Kagome stopped, hesitated, and then continued. "But they're coming from two directions."

"Kagome-chan, can you tell how many shards?" Sango inquired, shifting Hiraikotsu on her shoulder, getting ready to strike at a moments notice.

"Um, there are two shards from one direction, and one large shard from another. But the larger shard stopped moving just a moment ago…"

"It's quite clear who the one with two shards is…"

"Kouga" Everyone replied

"…But the other one…" Miroku hesitated.

"Is just as clear, it's Naraku…" Inuyasha let out a threatening growl. For a moment Kagome could swear that his eyes flashed crimson red with anger.

Sango spoke up "But if it is Naraku then why is he approaching then suddenly stopping? Is this another one of his traps?"

Kagome thought for a while then asked "But why is Kouga-kun coming also? Is he after Naraku?"

"Naraku belongs to only me to kill. Besides why in the seven hells should I care about that mangy wolf anyway?"

"Because he's gonna kick your ass, so you can just shut your hole and keep it shut, you dog shit"

"Speaking of the devil…" Miroku muttered quietly to himself, thinking that Kouga couldn't hear his quiet accusation. But he was proven wrong with an icy glare from the said wolf.

"Kouga-kun…um…why are you here?" Kagome asked hesitantly, not really sure that she wanted to hear the answer.

"Ah, I had to check up on my woman. After all, I don't trust you with that ass over there." Kouga jabbed a finger in Inuyasha's direction. "That is number one," He continued, his expression changed from taunting to serious. "But I also smelt that bastard Naraku's disgusting scent coming from this direction."

"How insulting," Everyone froze at sound "I really don't smell that bad now do I? It must be something wrong with your nose…." The new voice spoke again; every word that was slowly drawled out was like dripping poison melting everything in its way. Everyone turn around to face the owner of this voice.

"Naraku." Another new voice laced with the threads of ice spoke this time…

Everyone turn again.

Inuyasha was the first to speak, breaking away from pressure of the element of surprise.

"W-what, Sesshoumaru! I told you before Naraku is mine to finish off so stay out of my business!" Inuyasha growled at his half brother, and at the same time trying to keep an eye on both Kagome and Naraku.

"Hn, and why, little brother, do you assume that?" Sesshoumaru asked without a hint of emotion.

"W-well, he didn't do anything to you!" Inuyasha was getting impatient, he wanted to slaughter Naraku and be done with it.

While the two brothers argued about whether or not Sesshoumaru was needed in this battle against Naraku, the hanyou that they were arguing about did not saying a word, he was plotting something in his mind….

'How do I retrieve the other jewel shards that the miko and the wolf are in possession of? The wolf's shards would be easy… but the girl, she would be much more difficult.' Naraku thought to himself while the brothers continued to argue…

"INUYASHA!"

A shout shook Naraku out of his thoughts. He looked up just to see Kagome running toward Inuyasha, and Sesshoumaru's sword just inches from his face.

'Ah, I should have thought of it before… the little inu hanyou…'the corners of his mouth lifted to end in a small smirk.

"Would you two just quit acting like children! We have Naraku standing right there, if you two haven't noticed!" Kagome screamed at the two bickering brothers, and from the looks on their faces she could tell that she got their attention.

"Now why don't you team up?" She continued with a quieter voice, "That way you would unstoppable… Just this once. Just once, and after this you can go back to hating each other again. Please." Seeing as she still had their attention her courage grew.

"After all, you two are the only heirs of the great Inutaisho right? So why not just forget your differences for once and fight together, wouldn't your father be proud? His two sons fighting side by side." Kagome finished and turned away.

"But that's your decisions to make, not mine." She added in a small voice.

"Hey Miroku," Sango whispered in to the monk's ear, being careful of his wandering hands. "Why isn't Naraku taking this chance to strike? Why's he just standing there? It's as if he's in a trance."

Miroku nodded in agreement "He's definitely up to something, but what can we do?"

"We do what he's doing, we make a plan, and our plan is…" She pointed at the brothers standing side by side waiting for the other to make a move.

"Ahh, I see… But what if they refuse?"

"They won't…" Sango replied with an evil glint in her eyes.

"How do you know?" Miroku asked, scared of the glint in Sango's eye; the last time he saw that glint he ended up with the biggest bump ever on the head.

"Because of Kagome-chan's last remark…"

After a moment of pondering Miroku looked confused and after another moment more his expression still didn't change. "Uh, that it was their decision whether to fight together or not?"

"No, the other one."

"Ahh…that one…"

………

The inu brothers still didn't say anything but they both know that the other agreed with Kagome's words.

So they faced Naraku getting ready for battle.

"Well Naraku, I'm done with waitin'! Are ya here to fight or what?" Inuyasha was, once again, first to speak.

Sesshoumaru sighed inwardly. Inuyasha never did have a lot of patience… ever since he was little.

Flashback

"SHEEEESHY!"

The young soon to be lord winced as little footsteps quickly caught up to him.

"What is it now Inuyasha…"He asked in an annoyed tone. But the young Inuyasha didn't notice.

"Shesshy, 'tou-shan and 'kaa-shan say tat tey ere usy an to find ou to pway wich!

"Huh? What are you saying Inuyasha? Take my boa out of your mouth before speaking to me."

But the younger Inuyasha didn't listen and continued to suck on the end of Sesshoumaru's fluffy white boa.

"Play with me! Play with me!" He squealed as he abandoned the boa and began ran around in a circle surrounding Sesshoumaru.

"No Inuyasha, I have more important things to deal with."

Inuyasha's eyes brimmed up with tears, his face scrunched up and then taking a deep breath…

"Waaaa! Sesshy won't play with me! WAAAAAAAAAA!"

The child's small lungs worked to the max and even the great Sesshoumaru can't stand the screechy wailing.

"Okay, okay Inuyasha, I'll play with you. Now will you shut up?"

"Okally-Dokally!" Inuyasha beamed and jumped to his feet following his big brother to play to his heart's content.

End Flashback

'Hn. Where did that come from?' Sesshoumaru thought to himself, ashamed that he once was fond of his excuse of a brother and besides this was no time to be having a trip down memory lane.

"LOOK OUT!"

Sesshoumaru dodged just in time from one of Naraku's attacks.

"Hey, if we're gonna fight then you gotta get your act together," the younger brother said to his sibling without any trace of rivalry at all.

"Hn."

"You should never turn your back on your enemy, right?" Inuyasha spoke again quoting Sesshoumaru's past words.

"Yeah."

"So let's go. Let's make our old man proud," he said before charging forward with Tetsusaiga in hand.

"Wind Scar!"

Inuyasha came crashing down on Naraku's barrier. And like he expected the barrier shattered.

"Your turn!" Inuyasha turned to Sesshoumaru and waited for his attack.

Sesshoumaru gracefully drew the Tokijin and with another graceful movement made a quick vertical slash towards Naraku.

"Heh, don't think that you can play the same trick on me a second time," Naraku chuckled as he quickly formed another barrier around himself.

"Damn you… TO HELL!"

Inuyasha once again brought the Tetsusaiga over his head and down it went onto the barrier and once again the barrier broke.

Inuyasha glanced toward Sango and Miroku or even Kouga for some back up, but both Sango and Miroku were busy fighting the demons that Naraku summoned and Kouga was no where to be seen.

'Guess it's only me and Sesshoumaru then.'

"Die." Another attack from Sesshoumaru sprang forth, but it was unfortunately blocked and reflected by Naraku's first incarnation, Kanna.

The battle went on, neither side seemed to be winning nor losing.

"Kagura, did you acquire the wolf's shards like I asked you too?" Naraku asked his incarnation after building another shield around them.

The wind sorceress simply nodded and opened her palm to reveal two glowing shards, two shards that were slightly covered in splatters of blood, Kouga's blood…

"Very good, hold on to those for now. I guess it's the girl's turn…"

………

"Oi, Naraku! What's wrong with you? Afraid that you would lose?" Inuyasha yelled across the battlefield that's now littered with who-knows-whats.

A startled gasp was heard from behind everyone at the back of the battlefield. Stopping everyone in the middle of their battle.

"Inuyasha! Kouga's shards, they're with Kagura! Kagura took Kouga's shards!" Kagome's voice came clearly from where she stood.

"WHAT?"

"This isn't good this isn't good at all." Miroku muttered quietly to himself.

"Naraku…he's gonna try something to get Kagome's shards…" Sango quickly caught on.

"INUYASHA! Be careful, now that he has Kouga's shards he's gonna want Kagome's shards!"

The thought just registered into Inuyasha's mind…

'Kagome isn't safe with the shards on her…'

"Kagome! Give your shards to me! I'll hold on to them!" Inuyasha yelled without even caring whether or not Naraku heard. All that he can think about was Kagome's safety,

"But Inuyasha," Kagome started to protest but she was quickly cut off by Inuyasha's words.

"No buts, give them to me!"

"Uh, um… okay, if you're sure…" As she finished she picked up her bow and arrows and ran toward Inuyasha with the shards in hand. Then quickly handed them over to Inuyasha.

"Be careful..."

"Don't worry I won't lose them."

"That's not what I meant…I mean-" She stopped, "Never mind." She flashed him a small smile and quickly ran back to help Sango and Miroku fend off the other minor demons.

"

'Things just get better and better for me don't they… Ku, ku, ku…' Naraku snickered as he watched the little scene with Kagome and Inuyasha. 'The shards will be mine. Not long now then I could-' but he was cut off by Inuyasha running towards him with Tetsusaiga raised and ready to attack.

Unfortunately brute force just isn't going to work against Naraku. He was blocked by Kagura's attack and the wind scar never even reached the barrier.

"Dammit." Inuyasha muttered under his breathe. 'I forgot that Kagura's here now…doesn't matter, I'll still take him down somehow.'

In Naraku's mind a thought was running though quite quickly and a plan was forming. 'Should I just go for it? No, it'll be easier and safer that way… Yes…'

………

While the battle was raging in the foreground no one seemed to notice the things happening all the way at the back where Kagome was standing, the place where they thought was the safest.

Kagome stood her ground and fired her sacred arrows at any demons that came too close to her friends or herself. She was just about to fire another arrow at a demon getting too close to Sango when she felt someone watching her, someone's presence behind her… She whipped around ready to shoot an arrow at whoever it was… But she stopped.

"Kouga-kun!"

She dropped her arrows and her bow and ran in Kouga's direction, but then she stopped, something was wrong and she knew it. There was no expression on the wolf prince's face and his eyes seemed empty…

"Kouga-kun… what's wrong?" She began to become suspicious and started to back away from him. But she was too late.

Kouga grabbed her, covered her mouth with his rough hands and ran.

………

"Where's Kagome?" came Shippou's panicked voice from where Kagome was standing.

"Oh, no. Lady Kagome… she was just here a moment ago wasn't she?" Miroku ran over with Sango not far behind.

"This isn't good…"

"Inuyasha, would you believe me if I said that in a few moments that you will walk over and hand over the shards to me?" Naraku asked as if asking how the weather was today.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Watch your mouth Inuyasha, I am speaking the truth. You will hand over the shards… or she dies."

During his sentence Kouga walked out from the woods behind Naraku carrying an unconscious Kagome, then dropping her on the ground inside Naraku's shield.

"So Inuyasha what is your answer?" Naraku questioned, apparently proud of his little stunt.

"Well?" Naraku asked again.

"I…"

"WELL!" He was getting impatient. "Maybe you need more inspiration, maybe I should being Kikyou here too, would that change your mind Inuyasha?"

"And what makes you think that just because you ask me that I would appear as bait just for you?"

Inuyasha swirled around to come face to face with his past lover. "K-Kikyou…"

"So you have come, how perfect. Now you'll witness Inuyasha handing over the last shards of the jewel to me. Remember it's the shards or her life?"

As if on cue, Kouga lifted the girl up by her neck, threatening to kill her as soon as his master demands it. At this time Kagome woke up, but didn't say a word, after all she couldn't.

"No! Don't hurt her..." Inuyasha's voice trailed off after casting a glance over at Kikyou, Sesshoumaru, Sango, Miroku and Shippou who was crying his eyes out for the captured Kagome.

"That's right Inuyasha, now hand the shards over and I will spare her life…"

"Inuyasha, is this what you have become? To risk the fate of the world for a measly girl?" Kikyou stared at him with those endless gray-brown eyes of hers. She looked hurt.

"This is my decision, Kikyou." Was Inuyasha's simple reply as he headed for Naraku once more.

The shards were handed over and Naraku placed all the shards along with Kouga's inside Kanna's mirror and there the jewel was completed again.

"Who would have thought, Inuyasha, that you are so stupid as to give the shards away just for a copy of me, you would have never done it for me now would you?" Kikyou said these words and left, seeing that she could do no more here.

"Sesshoumaru, I…" Inuyasha started. But Sesshoumaru was already nowhere to be seen.

"Aw, how touching…"

"Shut up! I gave you the shards now give Kagome back."

"Hm…fine. I have no use for her anyway."

Kouga who was still under the control of Naraku, handed Kagome over silently.

"Ku, ku, ku… the jewel is now mine and now I have to power to- oh… it is time…" He whispered again and paused for a moment. "I must leave… enjoy the last days of your life…" He smirked again as if his last statement was somehow amusing to him.

"Kanna, Kagura."

The two incarnations of Naraku appeared each at one side of the half demon. Then a bright purple light appeared behind them, creating an opening of some kind.

"I'll see you again." He said slyly and walked into the tunnel.

"Why did you give the shards away Inuyasha? I don't get it," Kagome questioned. Inuyasha did not reply

But Sango stepped in and broke the uncomfortable silence "Why are we all standing here for? We haven't lost really, let's go after him, we need to get the jewel back." Sango was determined.

"Lady Sango is right, we mustn't give up."

"Yeah, then let's go!" Shippou jumped up and down. "The tunnel is closing!"

"Let's go. Inuyasha? Are you alright?" Kagome asked quietly seeing the look on Inuyasha's face.

"Yeah, let's go." Inuyasha replied giving a slight weak smile.

But they would have stayed if only they knew what was on the other side of the tunnel…but fate's like that…you never know what's waiting for you…

Kag and Kit's Corner:

Kag: My, that was long…

Kit: Oh, yes, things start getting interesting…We have a little spoiler for you. The Inuyasha gang and Fruits Basket people will meet in the next chapter, so make sure you don't miss it!

Kag: You mean, make sure we don't forget to write it. So the more reviews we get, the more inspiration!

Kit: Speaking of reviews, a big thank you to crosser, ayuka-chan, firecat925, Sakura-chan79, berryx2, and skyaj87 for reviewing our fanfic!

crosser- We are honored that you enjoyed our fanfic so much. Don't worry, see? There's a new chapter.

ayuka-chan- Unfortunately for you, Akito isn't dead yet. SPOILER Akito will be very much alive throughout our whole fanfic. But don't let that stop you! Keep reading!

firecat925- See? We always update! We're flattered that you think our characters are in character. Thank you for your encouragement. We will!

Sakura-chan79- We're glad you're looking forward to our fanfic. Don't worry, Kagome-Hime and I usually update once a week on Sundays.

berryx2-

Kit: Oh, berry-sempai! Thank you for reviewing our fanfic!

Kag: You just made my day!

Kit: Kagome-Hime did do a good job on Inuyasha's mouthy attitude. By the way, Kagome-Hime wrote all of the prologue.

Kag: Ahahaha! Blushes I'm so flattered! Ahahaha! No need to be scared, read the genre, it's not romance. So you don't have to worry!

Kit: Besides, Kagome and Inuyasha will be apart for most of the fanfic, so there won't be much romance between the them.

skyaj87- You're in love? Er… Um, thanks…? Just kidding, we know what you mean. And yes, we try our best to keep the characters in character.

Mofuku- A Japanese mourning dress. In the old days, Japanese women used to wear a white kimono to a funeral. Nowadays, people wear black to funerals but since the Sohmas are a traditional family, I thought it would be appropriate for Tohru to wear a white mofuku. The rest, of the Sohmas, though will be wearing black mofukus. I just Tohru to stand out as a guest of honor.

Habutae- is a kimono underwear that you wear underneath a mofuku. It's made of white silk material with five crests.