Chapter Eleven

Cooperation

Sisana: Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. Did I do Tenma alright, though? Let me know how this chapter is, how's Inu and Kag? Alright, going to finish some homework and another chapter. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: Still not me, cept Rousoku I guess.

Her back was beginning to ache, her tears making her cheeks stiff, but she wouldn't move—couldn't move away from the body under hers. Her brown eyes were closed, still shaking in a mix of fear, sadness, yet hope too. His mouth slowly fell open, beginning to devour her alive. She moaned as she returned his affection, pulling her free hand through his black hair. His hand released her wrist and came to rest on her lower back, sealing her body to his. She tried not to whimper as he broke their kiss. "Kagome…" He breathed as he stared into her eyes.

"Yes, Inu-Yasha?" She whispered back.

"I—I can't feel my heart beating." There was a mix of fear and confusion in his voice.

"You what?' Kagome wasn't sure what to think.

"See?" He said, grabbing her hand from his hair lightly and pressing it against his chest. The priestess' eyes widened in shock. There really was no heartbeat under her fingers.

"That must mean…" Kagome pulled her body away from Inu-Yasha's. He had to force himself to keep from grabbing her back to him. The priestess got to her feet and stood in front of the open window. She gasped slightly at the youkai in front of her.

"What is it?" Inu-Yasha asked as he sat up. She didn't reply. "Kagome?"

"I need your help to turn the world to darkness. I need you to construct another Mirror for me."

"Another? What happened to the first?"

"It was broken in my escape from this girl."

"I see. You shall have your mirror."

"How long?"

"Give me some of that Miko's power, and I will have it for you in two hours."

"Come here, Rousoku, and you shall have your power."

"Kagome!" Inu-Yasha's voice. The youkai had gone. Someone was shaking her. "Open you eyes Kagome." She slowly did as she was told. Her chocolate orbs connected with violet. His eyes seemed to lighten as he realized she was awake.

"Inu-Yasha…" She smiled lightly at him. His face had color again, no sweat dampening his cheeks or forehead.

"Yeah…" He tried to return her smile, but failed, showing nothing more than a twitch of his lips. "What happened? What did you see?" He asked seriously.

"Kaguya… and some other youkai. Inu-Yasha, Kaguya wants another mirror." The priestess' eyes were filled with fear.

"Another mirror?"

"Yes, oh Inu-Yasha, what can we do!" Kagome chewed on her lower lip. Inu-Yasha was silent for a minute as he thought. His eyes widened slightly as an idea came together before him.

"Kagome, I've got an idea," he started.

"Does it have anything to do with me hiding?" He raised an eyebrow at him. He smiled genuinely.

"No, not his time." He replied. "We're in nothing but a jewel right? Just like the Shikon no Tama." Inu-Yasha explained.

"Ok."

"What if you could purify this too? Just like the shards." She stared at her. She smiled again.

"It's worth a shot."

((It Was Only A Kiss))

Kaguya was growing tired. Not mentally, mind you, but the priestess' mortal body needed rest. Kaguya had left Rousoku alone to do his work, while she went to rest. Just two hours and I shall have my Mirror of Stillness back, and I will be able to rule the world of night again. A grin danced across her stolen features as she sat down in a small cave hidden away from the main tunnel.

Kaguya sighed slowly. That demon slayer had somehow gotten through her barrier, and was now coming this way, with a neko-youkai at her side. The Celestial woman closed her eyes, focusing the new Miko power inside of her into a ball. She began to mold the power to her will, muttering a spell under her breath:

Ranzatsu oite za kuragari… Ranzatsu oite tenpi… Kiku oite shinwa… Nikushimi o sekiryou… Ranzatsu oite za kuragari…

Another sigh left her lips as she finished her chant, a small amount of pink Miko energy drifting away with her breath into the air. She grinned slightly as she relaxed again, leaning back against the wall. It only took a second for the run-down Priestess' body to shut down into sleep.

((It Was Only A Kiss))

Sango shook her head, trying to clear the sudden smoke that filled her mind. What's going on…? Where am I…? What am I doing here…? The demon slayer's feet stumbled under her and she fell to her hands and knees. Sharp rocks bit into her palms, and she winced in pain.

There was a flash of a face in front of her. He was outside, in the sunlight, his deep black hair pulled back into a small ponytail, his grey eyes seeming to stare right into her soul. His lips moved. "Sango…" The young man's voice echoed to her ears, and then the light was gone. The darkness had returned.

Something moved at the woman's side. The slayer jumped to her feet, ignoring the dizziness that overwhelmed her. She reached to her side, pulling her thin sword from its sheath. "Who's there…?" She growled. Another, wordless growl echoed back to her. Her brown eyes widened as a large two-tailed neko-youkai stepped closer to her. "Get back, youkai!" Sango shouted at Kirara. The neko's ears perked up and her mouth straightened into a line at her master' swords. Kirara took a step back, away from the woman.

A name came to Sango then… Kirara. "Wait!" The slayer shouted as fear overwhelmed her. The steel that had been in her hand clattered to the ground, and she ran at the youkai, throwing her arms around the large cat's furry neck. "Don't leave me alone…" She whispered into the neko's sensitive ears. Kirara purred, trying to calm her master's tears. "I don't want to be alone…"

((It Was Only A Kiss))

"Are you alright, Kagome?" Inu-Yasha asked again, looking down at her leaning against his chest. The priestess had become to worn out to stand completely on her own.

"I'm fine." She replied back. She tried to smile at him as his strong arms held her up.

"Maybe you should take a break." Inu-Yasha tried, helping the priestess sit down.

"I can't, the quicker I finish , the quicker we can stop Kaguya. And besides… The longer I wait, the more energy I waste." She whispered. The male blinked at her.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Exactly what I said. If I stop purifying the jewel, my energy leaks out of the walls."

"What?"

"And I won't have enough power to completely purify the jewel soon." Kagome's voice had faded, her eyes lowered. Inu-Yasha stared at her for a second before his eyes hardened and his mouth tightened into a straight line.

"You can do it, I know you can."

The priestess gasped in surprise as she lifted her eyes to his again. "Wha—what did you say?"

"I said I believe in you." Inu-Yasha clarified, his black hair suddenly being lifted from an instantaneous wind. The woman could only stare in shock as the boy rose to his feet, pulling her with him. "Come on, I'll help you." He lightly took one of her hands and pressed her palm against the glowing crystal.

Her heart beat quickened again as his hand rested over the top of hers, his other hand pressed against her stomach, keeping her back pressed against his chest. "I believe in you…" His words echoed in her head as she tried to summon her power. She could feel the Inu-Yasha's aura entering her body, burning with her own.

"Let's do this." Kagome said as red energy broke free from her heart and flooded through her hand and into the green wall.

((It Was Only A Kiss))

Kaguya was awakened by a voice. "Rousoku, is the mirror done?" She asked, turning to look at the youkai.

"Aye, Kaguya-hime." He lowered his head in a bow, holding out the newly made Mirror of Stillness in front of him. The stolen brown eyes of the woman sparkled as her hands reached out to touch the smooth surface.

"Yes…" Power surged through her body as she took the Mirror. "This should do nicely, Rousoku." A grin danced across her features as her mind began to work on her plan once again.