Chapter 24:

Authors Note: A lot of fighting in this chapter…may be gory you've been warned…

"Inuyasha" Miroku said as Kirara sailed through the air, easily carrying the human teenager and the youkai child.

"What? Don't you sense it! Naraku's jaki is everywhere, he made the mistake of letting himself slip and now I'm going to beat him to bloody pulp and get this control off of me once and for all!"

Kagome smiled weakly resting against Inuyasha's back. True Inuyasha wasn't the brightest of all and she was about used to all of Naraku's traps. They all knew that he was purposefully letting his scent seep from the barrier but the question is why? What would be the purpose of drawing them there?

Kagome wasn't exactly in the best shape either, not only had her bandages on her back had to be redone and tended to but the marks on her shoulder also required tending too. Kagome had so many bandages on she felt it next to impossible to even move. But she knew she had to keep trying with Miroku's kazanna being next to useless with Naraku, Shippo only being a child, Sango missing, and Inuyasha being under control, despite her injuries she was the only one whose chance of being strong was at the greatest. She had never suffered injuries like this before but she was used to having to be the strong one. Inuyasha was used to it, Miroku and Sango too, even Shippo sometimes had to be the strong one in battle, even if he was useless next to someone as powerful as Naraku. But Kagome knew just as well as the next it was once again her turn and she only prayed she could hold out.

Inuyasha grumbled leaping faster through the air, anticipation bounded in his body like a restless child. He wanted to rip Naraku's throat out more then he ever had. Naraku was the one who took Kikyou from him, and now he was jeopardizing the existence of not only his companions- his family but Kagome herself.

Miroku groaned holding his arm fear was tight in his chest, and Shippo struggled to remain calm. 'His instincts are being thrown off balance' Miroku thought looking towards Shippo's twitching body. He even felt for the small lad, he was trying to prepare himself for a battle that may not only scar him for life but if he does participate he may surely die.

"M-Miroku"

"Hai Shippo?"

"Is this the end? I mean…are we going to finally get Naraku today"

"If we don't die trying" Miroku said bitterly biting his lower lip and then laughing nervously to the child. "Were going to try are best"

"Miroku…if we do come out alive…what's going to happen to me?"

The mention came as confusion to all of them, Kagome stiffly looking over her left shoulder towards Shippo, Inuyasha's ears twitching.

"What do you mean what's going to happen to ya you brat?" Inuyasha barked and was only answered by Shippo's silence.

"It's just that, Miroku and Sango will be together and probably go back to live at Sango's village. Kagome's been going back and forth for a really long time, and she barely passed high school and now she goes to a place called college and her and Inuyasha might stay there, because that's where Kagome's family is…" Shippo paused as if thinking and then continued "Or they might even stay here but when that happens…what's going to happen to me? None of us may ever see each other ever again"

"Oh Shippo" Kagome cooed softly, if that day ever did come what would become of him? And if she was to be with Inuyasha where would they stay? Could she leave her family to stay here? She had become so close to Miroku, Sango and Shippo she couldn't imagine leaving them. And what about Inuyasha? He hated her time. He might not have truly hated her time but he'd never fit in, it was to terribly different worlds. Then there was the truth, could she even bring herself to leave her birth family? The family who had raised and taken care of her? Her younger brother, Souta, her mom or even her grandfather. The tears came to her demise as she allowed the small kitzune to pounce into her arms.

Miroku looked off to the side speaking slowly, "I'm sure whatever becomes of us…even if we never see each other again…we'll never forget" His eyes held a sad purple color that almost seemed wet as if he wanted to cry at the thought. "I'm sure Sango and I wouldn't mind you living with us, if we survive this battle"

"You think Sango's going to be tracing Naraku's jaki too?"

Miroku nodded "Most defiantly."

"Were almost there! Are you guys ready"

"As ready as we'll ever be" Miroku responded, Kagome giving off a fierce nod.

XoXoX

"I smell Inuyasha as well" Sesshomaru stated to Kikyou, looking over his shoulder to the miko on his back. Sango was beside her both clinging to Sesshomaru's back, it was a strange sight and it almost looked scary, to see the three of them together. Three highly experienced fighters looking as if they were combined to each other, riding on the cold lords back. The one who was to cold to spare anyone a passing glance was carrying two humans on his back.

"Is Inuyasha already there" Sango said simply

"No but he's about a mile ahead of us, his scent hasn't blended with Naraku's yet but he's close…he's in his perimeter."

Sango nodded looking a bit fierce, Kikyou a bit ready as well. There were too many thoughts running through Kikyou's mind, and the biggest one was that they weren't prepared. As far as she knew, Naraku still didn't know she was even alive. How would that make the half breed's mouth churn? She was almost curious to see how it would. But despite that, nothing was terribly different, they hadn't changed. Inuyasha hadn't learned any new moves, hell he was under Naraku's control. Kohaku had been released but she was almost certain that Naraku knew that by now. If he didn't there was something terribly wrong. Not only that but with Kagome there and the shikon shards in her grasp only one more would be needed.

Kikyou believed the only way to kill him was to kill him with her priestess's powers but now...her certainty seemed to have faltered with only four jewel shards needed. She had left the final jewel shards in the hands of Rin. She trusted the child in a way she trusted no one else. Rin was a powerful girl with an upbeat mind. Sesshomaru had seen her do it so it wasn't as if it had been given without his disproval.

Kikyou knew though today somewhere would more then likely not be the last battle, or perhaps she didn't want it to be the last battle that's why she had left the final shard with Rin. If today was the last battle, it would certainly been humanity's demise. She wasn't prepared to send him to the underworld with herself. That had been the plan to the entire time, to burn along side Naraku tearing him, the jewel and herself from the world. That was where the problem was, if she burned now, it would hurt. It would hurt unbearably, the nobility would be with her but the pain would be excruciating.

"Kikyou are you ready? Were here" Sango said gently her hand poised against the miko's shoulder.

"Yes, I'm ready…" The lie came off before she could stop it and they plummeted into Naraku's fortress.

"Miroku!" They were the first words out of Sango's mouth as Sesshomaru and the others landed. The slayer was surprised at her feelings of joy that had rocked her body the moment she had seen him, she had cried out his real name and he turned to blink almost in surprise at his new recognition.

"Sango you?" His eyes were wide as she dove into his arms. He caught her easily and her body seemed much thinner then before and seemed to slide into his arms perfectly.

"I guess I missed you" She said covering with a nervous laugh, her face red with embarrassment.

"Welcome back Sango-chan!" Kagome said welcoming back her friend, Inuyasha eagerly glaring around the place.

"Now that's everybody's here let's go!"

"Impatient as always." Sesshomaru stated bluntly staring towards Inuyasha "Don't tell me you were indeed waiting for US before you went in there and tore Naraku's head off"

Inuyasha growled lowly. The truth was they HAD went through the castle, and anywhere else but it was as if Naraku didn't want to be found until they were all there. His scent had totally disappeared and only his aura remained. Now his scent was back just as strong as the first time but even if Inuyasha did try to explain he knew Sesshomaru wouldn't listen to him. He was here the scent was back there was nothing to figure out.

Kikyou stared slowly examining the fortress. She decided it was different from his other fortresses. It was true that it was still filled with his disgusting jaki and that same evil aura. But the shrine had seemed to double or even triple in size. She wondered silently what the need for such a big shrine was; did this have to deal with part of his plot? It was hard to believe he even needed plots.

"He's in the middle one" Sesshomaru said loudly turning his head quickly towards the middle section of the fortress. Sesshomaru bolted forward hand on Tokijin as Kagome pulled an arrow from her bag. The arrow zoomed past Sesshomaru the building exploding on contact. Naraku smiled staring towards them, "Hello my guests…I've been expecting you" His voice was dull and calm as if the presence of all of them poised not even a single threat. Sesshomaru's hand withdrew Tokijin and Naraku merely stared.

"Die" Sesshomaru said coolly jumping over Naraku's boiling pot and towards him. Tokijin throbbed and pulsed cutting through Naraku as he only strung himself together again his meaty flesh reattaching itself. Tokijin hadn't even pushed him to the ground; it was like his body was made to glue itself together repeatedly. There was no use cutting something that wouldn't cut. Sesshomaru sheathed the blade slowly as Naraku was complete as he had been before.

"Now now that was dumb" Naraku said blandly looking to Kagome smiling. "I have a friend here for you"

"Kouga-kun!" Kagome called in surprise, blood ran down his body in several places and his eyes were down cast. His blue eyes no longer blue but white, his hair white as well and limply hanging down no longer in it's high pony tail.

"We'll make this simple Kagome" Naraku said calmly. "You can give me the shikon shards around your neck or we kill Kouga. He's close to death already Kagome…he's kissing it."

Inuyasha growled lowly hand on Tetsusaiga as Sesshomaru looked towards Kikyou. Her body seemed unmoving staring towards Naraku and her eyes almost blank.

"You don't' have the final shard Naraku…even if you get Kagome's your one shard short"

"Oh…Kikyou I see." Naraku said plainly. "I have no need to worry; I know you have the shard and who you have entrusted the shard too"

Sesshomaru's eyes darted towards him in surprise widening at the sound. "How?" He barked coldly. Naraku only smiling calmly "I get pleasure from your fear Sesshomaru-sama, Kanna…such a useful attachment"

"Kanna?" Kikyou muttered, "The girl who steals souls?"

"Yes…she's easily forgotten isn't she Kikyou? She's been watching and she will be the one who delivers the final shard to me."

Kikyou's lips tightened, 'There's no other choice then…My original plan has to work…I have to sacrifice myself….like I intended. It's fate that I die by his hands' Kikyou thought turning towards Sesshomaru as she ran by his side. It was strange running to him and especially since she was so close to him.

"Go to Rin" Her voice was a whisper against his ear. "Bring the shikon shard to me…as fast as you can"

He stared towards her simply raising a brow, hesitating. "Now!" she said urgently, "the longer you take the more your jeopardizing HER!"

Sesshomaru took off then dashing off and fading into an orb of light. Inuyasha stared towards her in a sort of remembrance and a sort of pride. Kagome smiled it was good to have her on their side. In the end no matter how different they were all against Naraku. Sango stared to her new friend and Miroku in his respectful way.

"I've had enough of this"

"I'm sure you are just like Kikyou has?" Naraku's voice dripped with sarcasm as he looked to Kagome. Kagome's eyes widened with fire and a small smile escaped her lips.

"I am Kagome! Not anyone else!" The arrows startled Naraku, there were four instead of one or even two. There were four arrows and they all broke every chain holding Kouga up. The wolf demon fell to his face, his hair slowly turning back to it's original black and his eyes becoming his hazy color.

"Kagome you?" Kouga said in surprise, staring towards the miko from the future.

"Yes…but I only shot off…." Kagome said staring towards Kikyou in disbelief.

"Who else?" Kikyou said smiling gently.

"Alright Naraku, now that the wolf's out of the way…Prepare to meet your end" Inuyasha declared as he always would. Tetsusaiga pulsed as he swung it over his head, it seemed dreadfully heavy though. The aura building around Inuyasha's sword wasn't normal. It held was holding Sango and Miroku's ki.

"My that's a new trick Inuyasha, your killing your friend to kill me? That's bitter sweet"

Sango and Miroku were on there knees. "Why is Tetsusaiga….taking our energy…?" Miroku coughed looking towards Sango. The slayers head was cast down, her eyes fading to the empty white that Kouga's had been in.

"Inuyasha…" Sango choked sliding down to her stomach her hand reaching out to grab him. Miroku stared towards Sango slowly dabbling over on his side. How could this be happening?

Kagome stared looking terrified as she stared to the scene in all its familiarity. Her dream…Inuyasha had killed Sango and Miroku…and then she had.

"Inuyasha stop!" She cried urgently, "You're taking their energy to use Tetsusaiga" He growled lowly in his throat. Fear struck Kagome's heart then in a soft thud, "Inuyasha" His eyes were bloodshot red, his demon features sliding through. "No…" The fear beat so hard it hurt, tears were in her eyes and Kikyou only watched in disbelief. The words uttered couldn't be heard but the only thing that escaped her lips was "no…" A solitary tear rolled down her cheek and she looked to the side as Kagome raced in front of him.

Kikyou's brown eyes widened as Kagome thrust herself towards his chest, hugging him as Inuyasha pulled his arm back.

"Don't do it!" Kikyou cried suddenly diving towards Kagome. Her arms wrapped around the small girls waste as Inuyasha's extended claws struck her shoulder. The same spot she was injured, the same spot he had cut her before. Kikyou laid on the ground on top of Kagome her body shaken, slowly rolling off her.

"Kikyou you!" Tears of disbelief stung in Kagome's brown eyes.

Kikyou managed a weak sit and stared, "Your friends will be useless in this battle, Sango-chan, Miroku, and Kouga too, even if we can manifest there energy before anything else…there be in no condition to fight."

"You mean it's up to us?"

"Why not?"

"I think we've had enough socializing don't you too?" Naraku said somewhat annoyed. "sadly you two won't have time to fight me, your be to busy trying NOT to fight Inuyasha. Unless you two can kill him, I'm sure it will be no problem for either of you will it?"

Kagome paused looking towards Kikyou and was slightly drawn back by the regret in her eyes. Kagome stood up slowly from her position on the ground.

"Kikyou never killed Inuyasha! YOU killed Inuyasha and don't you think otherwise!" Kagome said loudly, her voice echoing off the structure the water in the pot bubbling.

"Inuyasha get the shards from Kagome" Inuyasha growled at the words, lunging towards them. Kagome let off a scream, skidding to the side. Inuyasha bared his claws as she rolled to the side, Kagome lay on her back her arms holding her up, her leg spread open slightly. "Inuyasha please"

"There's no point in trying to talk to him Kagome, Inuyasha is in a world where he can't see you" Naraku said slowly as Inuyasha dove again, Kagome rolling to the side. Kikyou rose to a stand, there's nothing to do. The only thing we can do is dodge and avoid until Sesshomaru bring me the final shard, until then….

"Inuyasha over here" Kikyou called tauntingly, Kagome looking over her shoulder from where she held her skinned knee as Inuyasha took off after Kikyou.

'I get it' Kagome thought slowly, 'Kikyou has a plan but all we can do now is dodge and avaid, there's no point in making an attack on Naraku…not when…"

"Hey Inuyasha! I'm over here!" Kagome screamed. 'If nothing else are appearance and our mockery will confuse Inuyasha and maybe give us a bit longer to live'

XoXoX

"Rin"

"Sesshomaru-sama, what's wrong?" Rin asked blinking towards him.

"The shard Rin, give it to me…" Sesshomaru said quickly. Rin blinked a bit confused removing the shard from her kimono. He smiled, and then looked towards Kohaku quickly, his smile fading a bit.

"Kohaku protect Rin at all costs understand?" He said seriously the sixteen year old nodding as he grabbed her arm and led her towards a room.

'Good' Sesshomaru thought. 'There isn't much time'

XoXoX

"Kagome don't"

It was a bad site Kikyou decided. Naraku had seemingly sat there continuing to mess with the pot. I knew what the pot was for, but I could tell by Kagome's eyes she hadn't the clue. She truly wasn't much of an informed miko but what she was doing now…no she had to be careful… I looked over and saw Sango was reaching lamely for Tetsusaiga the blade still drawing away hers and Miroku's energy.

Inuyasha was on top of Kagome holding her down by the arms, his legs pinning down hers. He almost looked like he was foaming at the mouth. There was nothing human about Inuyasha anymore. He looked like he was a full demon and in Kagome's heart…it was fading. Her body was glowing blue…Kagome's aura…was consuming her body. Inuyasha he had pushed her to the point where she was…she was going to die. She had found in her heart the ultimate angel and she was ready to unleash it.

"Kikyou" I turned as Sesshomaru came running towards me, tossing the shard into my hand, cutting Inuyasha clear across the back with Tokijin in one simple movement. Inuyasha rolled off Kagome in a flash and she came back to her normal self. She looked a bit dazed but I had no time. I raced towards her and tore the jewel from her throat, placing my jewel shard within the bottle, running past them all and towards the pot.

Naraku looked a bit surprised raising a brow as I placed my hands in the warm water. The blue glow emanated around the plot and out came the perfectly whole shikon jewel. Naraku smiled taking my wrist into his hand. Inuyasha growled as Sesshomaru turned to face me, his teeth sinking into my beloved neck. Kagome looked a bit stunned her eyes widening as Sesshomaru fell to his knees.

I looked over towards Sango then, she had her hands wrapped around Tetsusaiga. I watched her carefully as she sunk the blade into her stomach, the energy returning to herself and Miroku. Miroku's eyes snapped open as Sango fell forward into his arms, he yanked the sword out in one swift movement and I only smiled as she did happy to be in her lovers arms.

I could feel my scars unstitching themselves and I whimpered the black wings breaking from my back.

"K-Kikyou"

"That's right Naraku you didn't expect me to be an angel did ya?" I smiled the blood running down my dark wings as they embraced my body. The jewel tight in hand as my hand coiled with his now. Sesshomaru stared towards me now, Inuyasha too snapping out a bit. Kagome's voice whispering my name softly, Sango and Miroku's eyes wide in disbelief.

"Goodbye Sango-chan" I said softly looking towards her. "Kagome…Inuyasha…" I paused once more. "Sesshomaru-kun" My body took out into flames then, the jewel, Naraku and myself. We would be lost forever. He would die in the burning flames of hell, me, the jewel, and him. Burn in a world of misery. The pain hurt but I was wrong, all I felt was accomplishment.

"Kikyou!" He called my name and it was the last thing I heard before I was engulfed in darkness.

Authors Note: Is Kikyou dead? Naraku? Wait and see!