Disclaimers Notice: The only thing I own is the way in which I chose to use the characters and setting (oh, and a few of my own creations…)

Authors Beginning Note: I am sincerely sorry that this chapter has been so disgracefully late. I honestly have not had time to do anything besides work and schooling. I know, it's unfair to have made you wait this long-I've been there-, but there was naught to be done about it. The up side-I have finished my Spirited Away fic, so I will have more time to concentrate on this story's completion.

2 more chapters left after this!

Shout it outs!

Imperial Angel: Wow. I don't think I've quite been complemented like that. Short and sweet. :) I like to describe things! I'm glad you think I do well.

feyfaery: Well if that chapter made you so exstatic, thenext three should satisfy youfor at least a month, ne:)

Tanwen Whitefire: Naw, I admit. My story does take soem confusing twists. Sometimes I go back adn read it, and even I'm confused. Oh well, I can only improve, ne? I hope you like this chapter!

Maroongoddess: well, I tried to do spelling much better in this chapter, so hopefully it won't be distracting and its much better.

Gothicgoddess19: But cliffies are soooo addicting! And fun!

Half -demonChild17: Well, I hope you liek this chapter as much as you did the last one!

Rayame 325: Yah, Kagome has it tough, but it'll get better I'm sure. I'm glad you liked the Miyako/Keio fluff. :)

dogdemoninuyashaadnkagome: Well, not soon, but updated with the last few to follow soon.

Valese: Their condiiton shall further be stated in this chapter.

I am Sango-chan:I'm thrilled to hear it!

Animefreak 808: It's here! W/ more to follow!

Chapter 74

The Babe and Weaknesses

She glided on the cold airs draft, letting it guide her to her destination-her mind too far away to actually concentrate on much else.

Flashing Backwards
"You're heinesses, if I may ask a favor of you." Hosomi stepped forth quietly. The two rabbit Yukai looked at her with a cautious reverence.

"You may ask." The queen said. Hosomi nodded in respect.

"As you have been told, a war is going on in the far east. I wish to join that quest, but I cannot put my charges in that kind of danger."

"And you wish to leave them in our care?" Hosomi nodded.

"We would be delighted. It's the least we could do, after our initial poor manners as hosts-being under the control of Naraku is no excuse."

"Thank you. You're hospitality shall not be forgotten. Should you however need aid or anything of importance from Master Sesshoumaru's castle, you may contact Anjou. He is a strong warrior demon currently in charge, and a friend of mine." The two nodded.

"Is that everything?"

"Yes that will be all. I take me leave immediately." She stepped out of the room

Flashing Forwards
"There." Her instincts buzzed sharply. Her violet eyes narrowed, soaking up everything to be seen. A vast darkness surrounded the area and at the center was a huge pulsing egg covered in white sticky webs, like carefully spat saliva.

I'm not too late…it is just beginning…

She surveyed the surrounding area and there was her master, and many others.

A huge crack was heard and miasma spewed forth from Naraku's egg. All warring seemed to cease. All either fled, stared in awe, or prepared for attack. Hosomi glided at a downward angle.

"Everyone! Those you would be fighting are not your enemy! The true enemy is just to show himself! Naraku is boiling forth! Now is the time for those of true heart, to follow me! Let us be freed of his dark tyranny and live our lives without fear! Fight for your homes, your families! For everything you hold dear!" She drew Shishurite forthright from its sheath in a dramatic gesture. It was soon evident who was to fight. She led the assault.

Soon Naraku…soon you will die…if not by my hands, than by that of one of these beings...I swear it…

The small barrier slowly dissapitated as the two figures awoke to consciousness.

"Kagome?" A slow mumble and her lids fluttered.

"I'm okay." She whispered and sat up. Both were jolted awake the wail of a young child.

Kagome looked down at the baby. On instinct, she caressed its chubby little face and it stopped crying. He looked up into her face and gurgled. His eyes were a deep dark brown and his hair was nothing but a fuzzy black strands.

"We should kill it."

"No Inuyasha!" Kagome exclaimed. He grasped her shoulders.

"Kagome, I don't like it any more than you do, but if that thing is Naraku, than it should die." She shook her head stubbornly.

"Inuyasha, he isn't who he was. I took him from the cradle of his heart, before it was tainted. He still has a chance to grow up and be some one good."

"Kagome…"

"Look at him Inuyasha! He was just as scared and lonely and frightened there as I was! He isn't the demon-consumed man we have been fighting! He hasn't so much as killed a man!"

"But who's to say he won't?"

"Inuyasha, you have been given plenty of second chances, why not him?"

"Because he…"He faltered in his anger his hardened eyes glaring at the now sleeping child. Kagome's eyes looked deeply in his. Pleading for him to see that this child bore no malice. To prove that this child could grow up to be something different. He just needed the chance and the right upbringing. Inuyasha looked away. He turned his back to them both, crossing his arms and stood like stone. Only the brush of wind was heard.

"What are you going to do with him? You can't raise him, and I don't know who else would." She nodded.

"I know, but we can't kill him either. We'll think of something. I know we will. We've been in worse situations." So engulfed in their debate that they hadn't heard the others that were now around them, having traveled from not far by.

"Kagome!" She looked up startled at the wolf demon before her.

"Kouga! What are you doing here?" He stared at the baby and shook his head.

"I was afraid this would happen. I knew I should have taken you with me while I could."

"Uh? What are you talking about?" He kneeled down in front of her and caressed her free hand, looking bitterly sad.

"Kagome, I just want you to know that my love is unfaltering, but I see that there must be another in your life." She looked down at the child.

"No! It's not what you think…"

"So, I will not burden you with myself any longer. I withdraw my proposal for you to be my mate, so then you can live with that worthless mutt without shame." Kagome blushed and was so shocked it was all she could do to swallow. Kouga stood up and looked at Inuyasha, who was equally shocked and embarrassed.

"Inuyasha, I truly don't know what she sees in you, but if she's happy, than that's all I care about. Just don't screw it up! If you hurt her, I swear, kid or no I will hunt you down and kill you with my own bare hands! Got that!" Kouga's pointed finger had nearly drilled a complete hole in Inuyasha's chest, and he was still too shocked dazed to retaliate against the wolf. Finally he nodded.

Taking that as an agreement, Kouga ran off with Hakaku and Ginta in tow.

Ayame stepped forward and kneeled. She sniffed the child confused.

"He smells familiar."

"Oh really?" Kagome scratched the back of her neck.

"Congratulations! I'm afraid I must be off. Got Naraku to kill and all. Though I am surprised that you would bring your own son out in battle. What were you thinking! Oh, never mind. I suppose Inuyasha can keep you safe enough, just be careful okay? Bye!" She jumped up and ran off to follow Kouga. Moriko bowed politely, while Natsuko brushed the situation off before following in suite.

"What just happened?" Kagome asked feeling faint. All she could do was shake her head.

"What ever. Damn wolf."

"Kagome!" A red ball of fuzz bombarded poor Kagome. He hugged her and cried loudly.

"We were so worried! You started acting weird then Inuyasha…and Sango and Miroku…and and…" He hiccupped painfully.

"Sango and Miroku? Where are they?" Instead of talking, he pointed to them and Inuyasha solemnly checked for their vitals. Kagome held her breath. It was one of the longest seconds she had ever lived.

"They're alive, but in no condition to fight." Kagome stood up, relieved, only to fall back.

"Ouch. My legs fell asleep."

"Kagome, I want you to stay here."

"What? Where are you going?"

"I'm going to destroy Naraku once and for all."

"Than I'mcoming with you!"

"No Kagome!" Startled, she jumped in surprised.

"I can't have you risking your life. Not this time." He looked regretfully at Kagome. She wanted to yell, and scream, and never leave his side. She swore she never would, but something…something in his eyes made her want to cry. She fell to her knees as he tore away.

"Inuyasha! Don't leave us behind! Come back here! Jerk!" Shippo was hoping mad at that point.

"That's enough Shippo." Kagome said softly. Kagome slowly crawled to Miroku and Sango, her legs all pins and needles and her energy completely dissapitated.

"But Kagome…"

"He was protecting me Shippo. Even I have to admit my limits. If I were to go fight Naraku now, I would only be in Inuyasha's way. I would put both of our lives in danger. I'm too exhausted to do anything right now." She lay down on her side in Sango's lap. She motioned Shippo to come. Snuggling the babe close to her breast. Shippo took refuge on Miroku's shoulder. A simple spell was placed to alert Kagome of any danger as she fell into a deep sleep.

They encircled the manifestation of evil as close as they dared. Webs of sticky poison held it erect. Many had already lost their lives to it.

"What is that?"

"That is Naraku, in a sense."

"Explain Keio." Miyako scrutinized the wonder in horrified awe. The air was permeated from all the evil energy that it gave off.

"Kagome separated the human from the demon in Naraku. While the human could live without the demon, the demon could not live without the human, because it was a manifestation of many demons. There was too much chaos between them and a solid form could not be contained. However; greed, anger, lust, thirst for revenge, and hate; all of the dark emotions are binding together to form into one demon."

"And what of the human Naraku?"

"Now a mere babe."

"Surely Kagome has had it killed by now."

"No. It is to live."

"What? But that could cause another war greater than this one! If that child is left to live…"

"Miyako, trust Kagome. She may not know exactly what she is doing, but she has a good heart and a strong reserve of power. Neither has let her down yet." Kirara circled one last time before making way to their needed destination.

There on the ground, lying against a broken wall stood a small huddled a small camp of worn out warriors. Kirara smoothly landed before them.

"Foolish girl. She used too much of her own power in defense. What exactly transpired here?" Keio shook his head.

"Not even I know for sure."

"The boy isn't here."

"Nor will he be. He has already come and gone."

"What? Such a stupid arrogant…very well. Let us tend them. Fate is not known for patience." Kirara mewed in her kitten like body, licking Sango's face.

Miyako knelt down in front of Kagome, examining the babe in her warm grasp. It was young and still held an innocence. Still, there seemed to be a delicate scar in its soul. Weather it healed or not, only time would tell.

How tempting it was to grab its tiny throat. To shake its head to and fro. To throttle it into an oblivion. To rid this world of him.

At last…even if I had the will to kill the child…he is not mine to kill…his time for death has come and gone…until that of its natural disappearance to dust…Let us all hope that Kagome has chosen right…I nay tarry to wonder what would have come to pass had it indeed been Kikyo in her place…

Keio placed a palm on the chest of Sango and Miroku, while Miyako did like wise to Kagome. Together they gave strength to the warriors of the feudal era, and possibly the last hope to end Naraku's reign.

Ayame amazingly kept up with the demon wolf. While at his same pace, she was constantly giving him side way glances.

"What?" He growled in irritation. She hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Why did you let her go like that? You very well know that the child was not hers, or any of the others that were accompanying her. So why did you…" She let her sentence hang. She thought that he wouldn't answer, but at last, after a sigh, his voice came out with a note of pale sadness…maybe even regret?

"Because I had to. Something transpired between her and that disgraceful mutt. Something that I can't break. I'm too late. Her heart will never be mine." Ayame looked ahead of them, hear heart beating like a slave forced to work.

Webs clung to the ground. The closer to the thing they got, the thicker the forest of webry became.

They were getting close.

They weren't sure if that was a good thing.

Authors Ending Note: yay! And the good news is that I'll be updating again! B/c I have the last 2 chapters typed up and are currently being edited-and I promise that they'll be up this week, for sure! Nothing can stop me! Well...except for a world-wide spread of computer crashes/viruses, in which case delivering it might take a while.