A/N: Callouts are yet again at the end...sorry. But I do want to say a few things to you people out there. What the heck? I mean not to be offensive and all, but come on you put me on your favorite list...but you never review? Where's the fun in that? If I get the reviews I need then you get the chapter you want. The only reason I'm posting this one is because I got anxcious. But to those of you who read the author's notes, and review, thank you. As for everyone please this chapter is semi-worthy of 9 reviews right? Because if I don't see reviews you don't see the newchapter.(Sorry I had to threaten you)
A castle stood in the middle of nowhere. Nothing was formed around it, no trees, no plants, nothing but gravel. It was as if the evil placed in the castle had dispelled all life around it.
Hoshiko looked out of the cell window of her prison, and saw figures approaching the castle. Her instincts called out, telling her that they were here to save her. Disappointment clouded her face as she felt a presence behind her. A hand placed itself on her shoulder, making her shiver with disgust. She turned around and found Naraku smirking at her.
"They're here for you, but the question is will they ever make it to this cell?" he asked Hoshiko.
"You will not harm Kagome or Inuyasha and the others! I will not let you!" she screamed beating her hands against his stomach. He picked her up by the throat and smirked again, she started to make choking sounds.
"A little young to be so defiant, are you not? Your spirit is much like Kagome's, so powerful and rebellious. And yet something as small as a loved one's death can tear you apart, just like it did for her," he said dropping her onto the ground. She stood back up, shaking off the shakiness in her mind. She stood her ground, looking him straight into the eyes.
"You will not harm them! They will beat you into the ground before you lay hand on them. You'll never live to see another day." She said with confidence running through her voice. She turned back around, her eyes pleadingly looking at the travelers, hoping they would turn around for the words she had said not even she had believed. He door to her cell swung close with a loud clag that echoed off of the empty space.
"Kagome, please turn around no good will come of this fight. I do not want anyone to get hurt…especially you," she said as the group came closer and closer. Hoshiko sighed, trying to release the sorrow and frustration of being stuck in the dank dungeon.
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Kagome felt sick to her stomach with each step that she took, it was hard for her to even stand up. Her knees began to become weak, but she ignored the calls from her body to sit down.
'So Naraku it seems you have gathered more power since the last time we've met. What a surprise. Are you truly so afraid of my abilities within, that you would do anything to try to be equal to them? With each step I can feel the evil that you have consumed, and it makes me sick to my stomach.' Kagome stopped as she felt evil presences all around them. She stood still, and thought of a plan.
"Inuyasha, will you and everyone else stay here? I need you guys to keep these demons busy, while I go find Hoshiko," Kagome said.
"No Kagome, you will not go in there on your own! For all you know Naraku could just be in there waiting for you," Inuyasha said trying to knock some sense into her. She looked up at him, trying to tell if he remembered what she'd said. But all she found was worry, not love nor anything close to concern, all it was a friend worried for another friend.
"What would you care?" she asked in a whispered tone. He caught what she'd said and was confused, but quickly shook it off.
"At least take Sango with you, she can stand outside of the castle while you go and find Hoshiko on your own. That is how you want to do it right? On your own?" he asked. Inuyasha gestured for Sango to go with Kagome. Sango nodded and they leapt onto Kirara's back, leaving the boys to fight the demons below. They flew above the castle's walls, and onto the ground below. Kagome jumped down from Kirara's back and ran into the castle, leaving behind Sango to wait for her. She ran into the castle and saw three hallways separating her from the little girl. Agitation filled her thoughts.
'If I pick the wrong one, I could be too late. By the time I get to her Naraku will know that I am here. Hoshiko, where are you?' Kagome looked straight ahead and began to walk into the middle one. Her footsteps echoed off of the walls, her stomach started to ease as she walked farther and farther down this path. The hallway ended in front of her. She struck her hand against the wall, letting out her pent up frustration. She turned around, and ran the way she'd come. Once again she had to choose the correct path to go down; Hoshiko's life might depend on this decision. She chose the darker one towards the right and followed it running towards the end. A door lay ahead, she let her breath out hoping that was the right one. Cement blocks surround the room, inside it was dark and dank, and a musty smell of some type of odor filled the air. The whole corridor was filled with cells upon cells. Kagome closed her eyes and listened, trying to find the breathing of a person nearby. Short and shallow inhaling came to her ears, she turned left and ran towards the little girl in the last cell. Hoshiko laid on the ground her back on the back of the cell wall her eyes closed. Kagome franticly banged on the bars trying to wake the child. But Hoshiko still laid there, her little form paled from lack of food and water.
"Hoshiko! Hoshiko you need to wake up! NOW!" she yelled. Kagome allowed the anger to flow through her and shot a bolt of blue energy towards the door, causing it to fly back from the sheer force. Kagome ran to Hoshiko's side, and tried to shake her awake. The child grunted, now showing signs of life. Kagome gathered her up into her arms, and walked out of the cell trying not to wake the little girl. She walked down the corridor, and out the door. She came to the entrance and looked at the far left hallway, curiosity claiming her lack of judgment. She walked down this new hallway, this one filled with a glowing light. Another door stood at the end of it, she opened it. Inside stood Kikyou watching the battle enfold outside. Just watching, doing nothing else. Kagome stood in the doorway shocked to see the undead miko again. Kikyou turned around, her face full of bruises. They stood out oddly against her pale features, like blood against a bleach white smock. Kikyou made no sound just kept looking at Kagome.
"Kikyou…what happened to you?" Kagome asked walking over to Kikyou.
"Naraku," said Kikyou.
"But why would he do this to you?"
"I would not cooperate. He told me to kill the child, the one you hold close in your arms." Kikyou said gesturing towards Hoshiko. The child stirred, but refused to come into the world of reality, for in her dreams everything was…perfect. There no evil existed, nothing bad was ever done. Happiness was everywhere. Kagome peered down her, and saw a smile form on her face. She shifted the child to sit on the ground, and walked closer to Kikyou.
"Kikyou, would you allow me to heal the bruises on your face?"
"Do you truly have that power? It takes much energy to heal yourself let alone someone else. Are you sure that you want to waste such a precious thing on me?" Kikyou asked her sarcasm running clear through her voice. Kagome edged closed to her, one hand outstretched. As it lay directly over her face, a pink light emanated from Kagome's hand. The bruises began to fade, with each second blending in with her pale skin.
"Kikyou, I was wondering, why are you still here if Naraku did this to you?"
"I stay holding onto the hope that Inuyasha might save me," Kikyou said.
"Kikyou…" She was at a loss of words, so she turned and walked towards the door, picking up Hoshiko on the way. She closed the door. An ominous feeling formed in her gut as she pushed the front doors of the castle. She saw Sango leaning against Kirara, peering around for any signs of the enemy. She ran toward her, and handed her the child. Hoshiko moaned in discomfort as the warmth of Kagome left her grasp. Her eyes began to open to the world around her. Her recovery went unnoticed to the two women talking.
"Kagome what are you going to do?" Sago asked noticing the grim look on Kagome's face.
"I think he is here, watching us as we speak," Kagome said.
"Kagome, let's just wait for Inuyasha, he will be here soon. He can help you defeat Naraku."
"By the time he gets here, things will have already begun." A wall exploded behind her, pieces of it flew all around...evil has entered the battle.
Ashley Jo: Wait you said it was bad, and then good...huh?
Kagominuluv: And the votes are in!(For the election that I never actually told anyone about) Non sad ending wins! Come one down Kagomeinuluv, and claim the prize of...umm...what's that Lassie? Timmy's stuck in a well? Jeepers, I guess I got to go help him!-Runs away laughing-
HelikaAkileh: Hmm...if that chapter was good...what about this one? Thanx for the review it made me laugh.
Simonkal of Inuy: Darn, I tried to capture the whole Kagome thing in this chapter again, and yet that whole story out of my hands thing happened. I planned things wayyyyy differenty for this chapter.
Sengoku: As long as I get reviews I keep the story running. Oh and thanx for the compliment.
