Konnichiwa, minna! I know, it's been ages and ages… I'm so sorry. Boarding school is HELL for writers…there's just no time. It was my birthday recently, so take it easy on my as my bday gift. Sound good? I have been writing a lot as well. I'm nearly done with the next chapter as well, so take heart in that. The story is in its final chapters. The next one is the last chapter, and then the epilogue, and then it'll be done for good. I know, I'm sad too, but all good things must come to an end at some point. I have two more long IY stories lined up, so fear not mes cheries (my dear in French, for those of you didn't understand). Well, tell me what you think of this chapter, the main part of the battle.

Disclaimer: I didn't get Inuyasha for my birthday. –tear-

Kagome and Kouga ran at Kagura from both sides, cutting off two paths of escape. Kagura looked from one to the other and attempted to jump back out of the way, but she was too late. Kagome planted her foot into Kagura's side, while Kouga jumped up and pushed his palm into the sorceress's forehead, knocking her completely off balance. Kagura stumbled backward, clutching her side for a moment, and then waved her arms wildly to regain her balance. She stood up straight and composed herself, willing herself to ignore her moment of embarrassment. Kagome jumped up and, her leg parallel to the ground, swung around so it hit the back of Kagura's head. Kagura fell forward. Kouga stepped forward and idly pushed Kagura over onto her front, then picked her up by the front of her kimono. "Ready to die?"

"Not on your life," she sneered.

Kouga shrugged and threw her to the ground. "Too bad." He smirked at Kagome and the hanyou walked around behind Kagura, who was now sitting up.

Kagome placed her foot directly on Kagura's spine and pushed down slightly as a threat. "I will kill you. Do not move."

Kagura made to escape, but Kouga flashed his claws under her nose and smirked. "Just because I don't use these often, doesn't mean I don't know how to use them."

Kagura refused to acknowledge that he had even spoken, but Kouga knew she heard him loud and clear.

---

Inuyasha swung his sword at Naraku, and the demon leaned back, avoiding the blade gracefully. "Damn you, Naraku!" Inuyasha growled.

Naraku straightened and simply smirked.

This made Inuyasha even more annoyed. He swung Tetsusaiga across Naraku's chest, missing him by centimeters, and then swung it back again right away. Naraku clearly was not expecting this, and the sword slashed his abdomen lightly. "Argh!" he yelled in surprise.

"Take that, you bastard."

Naraku scowled at Inuyasha and stepped back a little to prepare himself for the next attack.

A dark purple light shot through the air as Kikyou's arrow pierced one of Naraku's tentacles. He cried out in pain again and glared at Kikyou. "I'll kill you, witch, after I destroy this half-breed once and for all!"

Kikyou stared at the evil demon passively. "You can try."

Her expressionless answer seemed to anger Naraku even more and he whipped one of his tentacles toward Inuyasha. Inuyasha jumped over the tentacle and landed after it had passed beneath him. He cut his sword into the ground, "Wind Scar!" he yelled. A bright light filled the tiny ravine that split the ground underneath Naraku. Naraku screamed and moved as fast as he could to one side, his body covered in yellow light. Half of his body was slightly burnt, but otherwise he was perfectly unharmed. Inuyasha scowled at him.

"Is that the best you can do?" Naraku asked, keeping up a pretense of complete health.

Kikyou shot another powerful arrow into Naraku and the tentacle it hit dissolved into air. Naraku's eyes widened as he realized what happened and his face turned to stare at the priestess. "You dare try to hit me again? I'll kill you!" he threatened.

Inuyasha called out angrily, "Hey! You won't lay a finger on her! I'll never let you hurt her!"

Naraku's face suddenly split into a giant grin. "Oh, are you protecting her? Didn't she pin you to a tree for fifty years? Didn't she betray you? Have you simply just picked up where you left off fifty years ago?"

Inuyasha growled, "What does it matter to you? You started it all!"

Naraku shrugged, his eyebrow raised. "I just find it amusing that you two are so simplistic and naïve that you just forgive each other and move on."

"I don't wanna talk about this anymore. I just wanna kill you and get it done with. This talk is getting boring."

"Whatever you say, Inuyasha," Naraku mocked.

Inuyasha jumped up to attack. Naraku sent out one of his tentacles to knock Inuyasha out of the air, but he slashed the tentacle with Tetsusaiga and landed neatly in front of the fallen arm. Naraku tried to hit Inuyasha with another tentacle, but Inuyasha sliced it quickly, smirking as it writhed on the ground for a moment before falling still.

Kikyou spoke up now, and Inuyasha froze to listen to her words. "Inuyasha, come here."

Inuyasha turned around with a curious frown and jumped back quickly before Naraku could harm him. "Yeah?"

"I have a plan," she explained simply.

"Ok," he answered with a nod. "Let's hear it."

"I will shoot Naraku with one of my arrows. That will immobilize him for a bit. Then, you can finish him off."

"It won't work," Inuyasha said shaking his head.

Kikyou stared at Naraku for a moment, then looked over at Kagome before speaking again. "I will shoot the arrow, immobilizing him long enough for you to defeat Kagura without any distractions. Then we can all launch an attack against Naraku."

Inuyasha nodded, "Good idea. I'll finish off Kagura in a second."

Kikyou nodded placidly and pulled an arrow from her bow. "Ready? Hit him at least once to weaken him."

Inuyasha nodded, "Yeah. On the count of three, I'll run and you shoot."

Kikyou nodded, "One."

"Two."

"Three!" they cried at once. Kikyou notched the arrow to her bow and pulled it back, aiming the point at Naraku's heart. Inuyasha took off at a run, his sword at the ready. Kikyou let the arrow loose and it flew straight to its target. The line of bright purple light followed in a streak over Inuyasha's head. He watched it shoot over his head and prepared to jump and slash Naraku when a high-pitched and very familiar scream pierced the air. "Kagome!" Inuyasha cried out and skidded to a halt. Naraku looked over and missed the arrow heading toward him. The arrow thudded to a halt as it hit Naraku right below his heart. The evil hanyou gasped and slowly looked down at the weapon sticking out of his chest. For the first time, he was completely speechless. Very slowly, the purple light began to spread outward. Inuyasha, however, was not paying attention.

---

Kagome and Kouga double-teamed the weakened Kagura, slowly over powering her to the point of victory. Kagura was bleeding in many places all over her body and she was gasping for breath. Kouga and Kagome, though both also wounded slightly, were in better shape. Their combined strength was enough to bring Kagura to her knees. They attacked from both sides, cutting off all of the sorceress's escape routes, ensuring accurate hits. Kouga jumped up to kick Kagura across the face in midair. Kagome crouched; ready to spring as soon as she stumbled, prepared to trip her. Kouga's foot struck Kagura's cheek, pushing Kagura's head back and disrupting her balance, when suddenly he heard Kagome cry out in pain.

Kagome was ready to shoot her leg out and knock the wind sorceress off balance when suddenly her body was engulfed in flames of pain that she knew all too well. The pain she had reminisced from the curse descended down upon her, cutting off all memory of what she was about to do. All she could think about was how to stop the pain before it consumed her completely. She arched her back, falling backward to the ground, writhing about as screams issued forth from her lips. Her eyes shut tight and then opened wide, her pupils dangerously diluted. Kouga landed and hopped over to his companion, scared for her life. "Kagome? Kagome, can you hear me!"

"Make it stop!" she managed to gasp out, focusing on trying to live through her agony.

Kouga looked around, but could not find the source of her pain. He took Kagome's hand and squeezed it tightly. "What is going on? Talk to me, it'll help take your mind away."

But Kagome was too far-gone to dispel her problem with conversation. She managed to force out enough words to get her message across. "I…curse…so this happens…but I thought it was…gone…make it stop! Ahh!"

"But I don't know how!" Kouga cried desperately.

Kagome shook her head wildly. "I…do!"

"As do I," Naraku's voice slithered across the yards. He, too, sounded as he was in pain. "But I won't tell, and if that wench knows what's good for her, neither will she."

"How?" Kouga directed at the kitsune hanyou.

Kagome was gasping now; even her lungs were on fire. "I…can't."

"Why not?" Kouga exclaimed. He just had to save his friend, and love. Suddenly, rough hands threw him to a side, and he sat up, rubbing his shoulder.

---

Inuyasha froze for a moment, looking quickly back and forth between Naraku and Kagome. He stood still, undecided for precious minutes before, taking one last look at the readily laid out victory displayed for him to take, he sprinted over to Kagome, prepared to do anything to save her. He shoved Kouga out of the way and crouched next to Kagome. "Kagome! Say something!"

"Inu…yasha…" she whispered. Her voice was dying along with her body.

"What's happening to you? I thought the curse was gone!"

Kagome turned her head slightly so she could see him better, though he was fuzzy and swimming. "I guess…not all of it…too bad Sango can't…cure it this time." She tried to laugh nervously, but it came out as a half-cough that wracked her weak body. Kagome's body was stiff as a board, the pain hardening it into one position so she could not move, even if she wanted to. Kagome grinded the back of her teeth as she failed to ignore the waves of pain flying through her.

"But you know how to fix it! Don't you?"

"Yea…but it won't…work anyway…trust me."

"Why not?"

"It isn't…possible. I'm sorry."

Inuyasha shook his head, glaring at the girl. "Just tell me!"

Kagome squeezed her eyes shut for a second and swallowed, her breathing laboured.

"Inuyasha!" Kikyou called urgently. Inuyasha instinctively whipped his head around to seek out the priestess.

---

Naraku, after ten minutes of utter pain as the purification power of Kikyou's arrow spread through him, straightened up proudly. When Inuyasha left, his body had been given the sufficient time to heal itself and fight the arrow's power. The purple light receded back to the tip of the arrow and vanished, leaving a stick of black wood with tattered feathers sticking out of his chest. Naraku yanked the arrow out, followed by a stream of blood, but he heeded it not. Miasma filled the small wound and started to heal his body. Naraku smirked. The time had come for one of the final steps in his plan. Luckily for him, it was sitting obliviously in front of him. Naraku lifted a tentacle and shot it out to wrap suddenly around Kikyou's waist. She was distracted; too busy watching Inuyasha to notice Naraku's extension creeping up behind her. She wriggled to get loose, but to no avail. The tentacle tightened its hold on her and began to squeeze. Kikyou refused to show the sort of reaction Naraku wanted and clamped her mouth shut. The tentacle squeezed harder and harder, forcing the breath from her lungs. Finally, it reached a point when she could handle it no more. She opened her mouth to scream with her last remaining breath, but instinctively, Inuyasha's name came forth.

---

Naraku smirked and dropped her body to the floor, releasing her. Kikyou, on her hands and knees, attempted to get her breath back. Naraku drew his sword and held the cold blade against Kikyou's smooth neck. "Inuyasha," he called softly when he saw the hanyou was watching. "You can save Kagome, you know. Maybe she'll tell you. But then Kikyou dies. It's your choice. Kikyou or Kagome. Choose carefully and quickly. I'll give you ten seconds!"

---

Inuyasha's eyes widened. He was at a loss for words. Kagome moved and groaned behind him, while Kikyou struggled to find her breath in front of him. "Ten!" Inuyasha looked from one to the other, desperate to find a solution that would save them both. His mind whirred, but came up with nothing.

"Nine!"

Inuyasha wracked his brain for something, anything, that would help his situation. He had no idea how he could save both girls, or even which to choose if it came to that. His eyes flicked nervously between the two. There had to be a way; all he had to do was think of it. "Eight!" Fast.

---

Kagome let loose another cry of pain and reached for Kouga's hand. She held it tightly, knowing whom Inuyasha would pick. But why was he hesitating? "Kouga…" she whispered through dry lips. "I…can't take it anymore…"

"No!" Kouga answered, "Don't say that! Hold on, Kagome! We'll find a way to save you! We'll make it stop!"

Kagome shook her head slightly and cried out again. The hackles on the back of Kouga's neck rose at the sound. He had never felt so helpless in his entire life. "Tell me how, Kagome! I know you know!"

"It…isn't…"

"I don't care!" Kouga interrupted. "Just tell me!" He squeezed Kagome's hard tightly and shut his eyes, cutting off the ready flow of tears. However, one slipped by his defenses and ran down his cheek, leaving a long wet trail that caught Kagome's gaze.

"Seven!" Naraku counted smoothly.

"Kagome!" Kouga cried.

"Kouga…" she said. She took a deep shuddering breath and tried to explain with what life she had left. "I…need Inu…yasha…to…to…" she swallowed back the lump in her throat as her tears fell like rain.

"To what?" Kouga nearly screamed. He was ready to pull his hair out. He just had to save her.

"To fall…in love with me…and…kiss me."

Kouga sat back in relief. "Oh thank god," he answered, nearly crying himself. "We can save you."

"How?" Kagome asked, confused.

Kouga simply smiled. "You stay put and hold on! Don't die on me. I'm going to save you, Kagome…my love." He said the last part quietly, but she heard him all the same. He gave her one last tender look before standing up to walk over to Inuyasha.

Kagome sent him a grateful and comforting smile, knowing how hard it must be for him to save her.

"Six!" came Naraku's voice again.

Kouga scowled at him and hurried over to Inuyasha. "Inuyasha, I know how to save Kagome."

"You do?" Inuyasha asked excitedly. "How! Tell me now!" he demanded.

Kouga looked back at Kagome for a moment before answering. "She says you have to…" he lowered his voice, "fall in love with her and then kiss her, because that will obliterate the curse completely."

Inuyasha's eyes widened. This proved to be a brand new dilemma that he did not need at the moment. "I have to what?" he sputtered.

Kouga glared at the inu hanyou. "You know what I said, dog-breath. Now, answer me, will you save Kagome or Kikyou?"

Inuyasha's eyes flitted once more. "I…I don't know!" he yelled in frustration.

Naraku smirked. "Five. You might want to hurry up and decide soon, Inuyasha. You are running out of time."

Inuyasha moved to take a step toward Kikyou, then seemed to change his mind. "I…" he began.

Kouga stood before him, looking deep into Inuyasha's eyes sincerely. "What does your heart say, Inuyasha? Think about life without each of them and decide which you could deal with."

Inuyasha closed his eyes and looked deep within himself. His heart was murky and confused, but as he delved in further, somewhat unwilling, the answer became as clear as day. Inuyasha hesitated, wary of accepting it, but finally embraced the truth. Inuyasha opened his eyes just as Naraku said, "Four, Inuyasha!" and ran toward Kagome.

"I'm sorry, Kikyou," he whispered across the air. "Know that I did love you, once."

Kouga smiled and sighed in relief. The hanyou had scared him for a second. He turned to watch his companion hurry to save the love of both their lives.

"Four!" Naraku began to chuckle to himself. He would never make it and they would all die. It was going to be a good day indeed.

---

Inuyasha crouched down beside Kagome and looked into her hopeless eyes. They were dimmed with pain and tears swam within their dark depths. Her face was grimy and wet, but to his eyes, she was still as beautiful as ever. "Kagome," he whispered urgently. "Please answer me. I'm going to save you."

Kagome turned her wide eyes onto him. "I…can't feel…my body…anymore, Inuyasha," she breathed, "I can't…move…"

Inuyasha offered her a comforting smile. "Shhh."

"Kikyou?" Kagome asked, putting her confusion about his abandonment of the priestess into a one-word question to save her breath and energy.

Inuyasha looked over at Kikyou for a moment, but snatched his gaze back to the dying hanyou at his feet when Naraku cried, "Three!"

"I can only save one of you two…and I chose you, Kagome."

"Why?" Kagome could only manage one-word sentences now in relative comfort.

Inuyasha took Kagome's hand. "Because…I love you."

Kagome choked. "Inu…yasha."

"Shhh," he shushed her and then leaned over her body and closed his eyes.

"Two!" Naraku began to laugh maniacally.

Inuyasha pressed his lips to Kagome's quivering ones and kissed her gently for a moment. He pulled away, his eyes heavily lidded and smiled slightly. "I love you, Kagome Higurashi."

Kagome, whose eyes had closed in deep bliss, opened them and Inuyasha saw them to have brightened and filled with a life that they had not had moments before. She opened her mouth, but only a scream came out. Her body was split by the pain. Tears ran down her face once more. Then, as soon as it came, it disappeared and she was left feel shaken and exhausted.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha asked worriedly.

Kagome turned her head and smiled at him. "I'm ok. The curse is gone. I can feel it. Thank you, Inuyasha." She struggled to sit up, but did not have the required energy left within her broken body, so Inuyasha helped her up and supported her back as she took in deep breaths.

Inuyasha blushed and looked away. "It was nothing."

Kagome smiled at him and steadied herself with her hands, so she was not completely reliant on the inu hanyou behind her. She was just about ready to take on her own weight when a scream rent the air. Both heads, and Kouga's, whipped about to see Naraku's sword descend onto Kikyou's exposed neck.

---

Inuyasha cursed loudly and jumped up. Kouga leapt forward just in time to catch Kagome. Inuyasha sprinted as fast as he could toward Naraku. Knowing Kagome would be safe and alive had sent an adrenaline rush through him, the likes of which he had never felt before, and reached Naraku before the blade even touched the priestess. "Naraku! I swear, if you so much as touch her-!"

Kikyou's voice stopped him short. "Inuyasha, be still," she said sternly. "I have been far too long in a world I do not belong in. This is my chance to return once and for all to the land of the dead, where I should be."

"No! Don't do this, Kikyou!"

Kikyou gave him a hard look. "This is how things should be. A dead soul should never wander the living world, and could never find a balanced existence amongst the living. I would ask you to come with me to hell, but…"

"I would not go, and you know that, Kikyou. Regardless of whatever promise I made to you earlier, I am staying here with Kagome."

Kikyou nodded, "I understand. Do me one last favor, Inuyasha. Make sure the Shikon jewel does not fall into evil hands. I gave up my life to protect it and I would rather I did not do so in vain."

Inuyasha nodded, "I will keep it safe. Don't worry, Kikyou. That is one promise I will keep."

Kikyou gave him a small smile. "I know you will. I hope you are happy with Kagome."

Inuyasha took a step closer. "Thank you for understanding."

Kikyou braced herself and smiled one final time, a gesture filled with an honest carefree happiness that she had not allowed herself to feel since she was alive, at the red-clad man who had held her heart fifty years ago. "Goodbye, Inuyasha. I will miss you."

Inuyasha bent his head slightly. "I will miss you, too. Goodbye, Kikyou."

Naraku raised the sword higher. "Alright, no more talk. Time to die, Kikyou."

Kikyou nodded and exposed more of her neck to spite the hanyou.

"Filthy wench. It is best you are gone. Die, Kikyou!" He brought the sword crashing down onto Kikyou's neck, severing it cleanly. Kikyou's head fell off and rolled a little ways ahead. Her body crumpled forward onto her stomach and lay there. Inuyasha clenched his fists and fought back tears as he watched her soul rise up.

"She can truly rest in peace now. Be happy for her," Kouga said from behind him.

Inuyasha nodded without turning around. He felt another presence come up and a hand reached out to hold his. Inuyasha looked to the side to find Kagome, whose eyes were trained respectfully on Kikyou's corpse. She squeezed his hand and they all stood there in silence as Naraku's victorious laughter rang out across the courtyard.

---

Naraku ceased his pitiless mirth and shouted out so all could hear him, both those paying attention and those lost in thought, "Now it is the time for you to die, Inuyasha! Goodbye!"

Kagome turned around, "Him? What about me?"

Naraku smiled evilly, "Oh, I have much greater plans for you, Kagome."

"Like what?" she demanded.

Kagura spoke out this time, "Step aside, girl, and stop talking. Maybe we'll tell you after Inuyasha is dead."

Kagome began to get into a fighting position, but Kouga placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't exert yourself, Kagome. You need to rest."

"But, Inuyasha…" she protested.

Inuyasha looked around and spoke quietly, but firmly. "It's me he wants. I'll handle this. Kouga, you watch over Kagome until I'm done."

"Wait!" Kagome called.

"Stay back, both of you. This is my fight."

Kouga pulled Kagome back and held onto her arm to keep her from running to the inu hanyou. "Just stay. We'll intervene if anything happens, ok?"

Kagome nodded and bit her lip, worrying only as woman can when her love is in danger.

---

Naraku sent one of his tentacles streaming toward Inuyasha. "So, you step up to die alone. How honorable," he sneered.

Inuyasha merely scowled and sidestepped the arm, chopping it off with a quick movement of his Tetsusaiga.

Naraku growled and lashed out with three of his brown extensions this time. Inuyasha jumped over the first, cut at the second, and ducked under third, slicing it off as it passed him by. The one he had not touched swung around and came back at him. Inuyasha dodged it again, but it managed to drag its tip under his feet, effectively tripping him. Inuyasha landed on his rear and groaned. He stood up again, feeling slightly embarrassed, and prepared to spring into action again as Naraku readied himself for another onslaught.

---

Meanwhile, Kagura spied Kagome and Kouga distracted by the ongoing fight and took the opportunity to slip away from the scene, slowly making her way behind the pair of onlookers. She smirked as they failed to notice her presence. They would all be finished, and she would be rewarded for their demise, allowing for Naraku's final conquest of Japan and the completion of his master plan, whatever the details included. Kagura quietly pulled out her fan and snapped it open. She held her breath, hoping they had not heard. She sighed in relief when neither turned around, or even showed they had noticed she was there. Kagura held the fan back and prepared to sweep it across her body. Suddenly, Kagome's ears twitched. Kagura panicked and sent out a powerful burst of energy-charged wind. Kagome's ears distinctively twitched this time. Kagura smirked all the same. It would be too late this time.

---

Kagome heard something, and paid little attention to the distant snapping sound, but when she heard yet another small noise, she immediately put herself on guard. Her senses told her something was coming at them. She whipped around and her eyes widened. A giant boomerang of wind energy had crossed half of the thirty feet now separating herself and Kagura. How did she get there? Kagome shook her head. Now was not the time. Thinking quickly, she grabbed Kouga, who had turned around by this time, and leapt to the side. The wind attack rolled off into the wall, creating a huge hole, but missing both the demon pair and battle between the two hanyous. Kagome breathed a sigh of relief and felt herself fill with annoyance as Kagura's antics. She looked at Kouga and the two unanimously decided what to do. A simple nod passed between them and the second battle began. Kagura was much weaker than ever before, and a sense of horror overtook her body as the two demons charged. Kouga caught her from the left and Kagome from the right. Kouga reached her first and grabbed her in a lock, so her arms were twisted behind her. Kagome stood before her. "We'll make this quick this time. Neither of us want to waste our time with you."

Kagura sneered, "Like you could finish me off, little girl."

Kagome shrugged, "You'll see for yourself. You won't get away with killing all my friends."

Kagura did not answer. Instead, she was silent for a moment and then relaxed completely. Kouga's grip loosened and she slipped through his arms, running away from the pair. "Now, you will truly die!" she cried. Kagura waved her fan in a circular motion and a giant whirlwind stirred up. It sped toward Kagome and Kouga. The more it moved, the larger it became. Kagome and Kouga started to run out of its way in opposite directions, but they sprang into action moments too late and the twister caught both of them. The two demons flew into the air, spinning wildly in its trap. Kagome screamed, but to her ears it seemed to no avail, as the howling winds twirling her about were just too loud. Kagura called out something unintelligible and the skulls of the dead soldiers she had used on them earlier swooped down into the top of the vortex and began spinning around with the pair, grazing and smashing into their hapless bodies. Kagome groaned as multiple skulls banged into various parts of her body one after another. Kouga desperately attempted to find Kagome, but he could not see her. He hit the skulls as they approached him, watching their splintered shards fall uselessly to the ground. He caught flashes of her every once in a while, but none long enough to help him locate her. Kouga fought bravely through the barrage of skulls, his eyes peeled for the flash of green that signaled Kagome's appearance.

---

Inuyasha ears heard the commencement of the battle between Kouga, Kagome, and Kagura. Something within him told him to abandon Naraku and go help Kagome, but a voice said Kouga would protect her. He heard the gaint whirlwind start up and his insides clenched. Inuyasha chanced a glance back at the battle and was horrified to see Kagome get sucked into the swirling vortex of wind. He blocked Naraku's tentacle, parried his sword, and made the final decision to help Kagome. Inuyasha lifted Tetsusaiga and slashed down on the two tentacles heading toward him, not bothering to watch as both fell limply to the ground simultaneously. He turned tail and ran to the other battle.

Naraku called after him smugly, "Have you lost your nerve already? Need I kill you with your back turned, you coward?"

Inuyasha ignored him, his mind focused solely on Kagome. Her face swam before his eyes and he put a burst of energy into his legs. When he reached the whirlwind, he sniffed the air for any sign that could tell him where Kagome was.

---

Naraku smirked and lifted his sword, poised to strike. Two of his tentacles slid across the ground quietly, edging toward the hanyou. They came nearer and nearer, but Inuyasha paid neither any heed. This was all too easy.

---

Inuyasha's nose caught Kagome's scent and he prepared to dive in. The tentacles behind him prepared to strike. Kagura prepared to send away the whirlwind. Time seemed to pause for a moment; hanging with apprehension as each member on the scene waited for whatever new course of action ensued.

---

Kagura moved first, setting off the chain of events to follow. She waved her fan dismissively and the huge vortex spun once more and evaporated into the still miasma-thick air that permeated the courtyard. Kagome and Kouga, both of whom had been suspended in the air, immediately began to plummet dangerously fast toward the ground. Both had a look of confusion, obviously not quite over their vertigo. Kagome saw the ground and her insides clenched as she braced herself for the impact. Kouga turned himself over in the air and swallowed. He prepared himself for the ensuing pain, but assured himself he would rise again all the same.

---

Inuyasha watched Kagome drop and leapt forward to catch her in his waiting arms. He would be damned if she were hurt by a simple fall. Briefly, he considered catching Kouga, but decided Kagome was much more important. He positioned himself approximately where he assumed she would land and crouched to jump into the air.

---

Kouga took a deep breath, clearing his head, and managed to land somewhat gracefully on his feet. He stumbled and toppled over onto his rear, his feet stinging painfully. However, he was in one piece and, with a moment of rest, ready to fight again. Kouga smiled in relief as he quickly checked himself for injuries. He was lucky this time. He looked around immediately, searching for any sign of Kagome. His eyes were caught by the flash of red that shot into the air. He watched as the hanyou smoothly pulled Kagome into his arms.

---

Naraku's tentacles lifted their tips off the ground and snaked swiftly to wrap themselves around Inuyasha's feet to pin him to the ground. Another set of tentacles shot through the air to strike Inuyasha in the back, executing Naraku's plan to pierce a fatal wound through Inuyasha's body.

---

Everything happened in the space of a minute. Inuyasha jumped up and caught Kagome, pulling her body protectively close to his own. He looked down at the girl in his arms, making sure she was unharmed. Her dazed eyes filled with gratefulness as they met his.

---

Naraku's waiting tentacles rocketed to the sky and wrapped themselves tightly around Inuyasha's legs, pulling him down forcefully. Inuyasha looked down in horror as his body plummeted dangerously. A third tentacle wrapped around his lower waist, just below Kagome, and stopped his descent abruptly, suspending him. The last tentacle, poised thirty feet behind him, stiffened into a right angle, the vaguely pointed tip aimed right at the center of Inuyasha's back.

---

Naraku laughed cruelly. "And so you fall, Inuyasha. How does it feel to be defeated?"

Inuyasha scowled. "I don't know. You'll have to tell me when I finish with you," he retorted with a wit he did not know he possessed.

Naraku shrugged, "Have it your way. But before I kill you, I must relieve your arms of the girl."

Inuyasha clutched Kagome closer to him. "You're not taking her anywhere."

Naraku smiled, "Oh yes I am. I cannot have her harmed."

"What do you need her for, anyway?" Inuyasha demanded.

Naraku responded with a mysterious smile. "Should I tell you? I'll be a merciful opponent and let you die with the knowledge of what I am going to do with your woman. It will make your suffering all the worse."

Inuyasha bit back his protest of Kagome being his woman and merely repeated his question. "What do you need her for?"

"Kagome is the most powerful priestess in history, save for Midoriko. Her power exceeds even that of Kikyou. I want that power so I can take over Japan."

"So you are going to absorb her?" Inuyasha asked incredulously.

Naraku shook his head and chuckled darkly. "No, that would purify and hence destroy me. No, I am going to extract her power. Her power has already been partially awakened through her anger of the death of her friends. When I kill you, she will go over the edge and her power will take control. I will connect one of my tentacles to her body and essentially pump out her raw energy into myself. Then, weakened and dying, I will finish her off, as she will be of no more use to me. Then, I will be strong enough to take Japan for myself! Mwahahaha!"

Inuyasha roared, "No! I will never let you touch her! My death will not stop me!"

"And how is that so?" Naraku asked nonchalantly.

Inuyasha glared, but said no more, as he had no answer. His grip on Kagome tightened. One of Naraku's tentacles reached up and plucked Kagome from his grasp with a force he had not anticipated. "Kagome!" he called in desperation.

The tentacle held Kagome around the waist so she hung limply. The sudden loss of warmth brought her closer to reality and she made an attempt to sit up.

The tentacle shifted itself so she was suspended in an upright position. "Hello, Kagome," Naraku greeted coldly.

Kagome scowled at him. "You can't take my power!" she yelled.

"Ah, I'm pleased that you've been conscious for our conversation."

"Damn straight I have been," she replied, unconsciously mimicking Inuyasha,

The said hanyou allowed a small smile to creep on his features at her words.

Naraku nodded, "Well, then, let's get on with the show. Ready to die, Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha spat, "Never! You'll die before I do!" He struggled to free himself, but to no avail.

---

Kouga, meanwhile, after watching Kagome with baited breath and an extremely anxious expression, decided to help out and snuck around behind the giant hanyou. He made his way around to the back of Naraku, where he would not be expecting an attack.

---

Kagura did not notice Kouga's absence, but watched excitedly as Naraku set up Inuyasha's execution.

---

Naraku smirked, "Goodbye, Inuyasha." His tentacle shot through the air, aimed straight and true at Inuyasha's back.

Kagome struggled fiercely, now fully awake. She would not, could not, allow Inuyasha to die. Not while she was alive. Kagome wrestled her arms free and tried to push herself out of the tentacle's grasp, but its grip was too strong. She struck at the tentacle and it quivered. She smirked. She slashed down hard at the wounded part of the tentacle and it easily fell apart. She began to fall. Naraku had not been holding her so high, so she landed gracefully on the ground. Naraku stared at her in surprise.

At the same time, Kouga jumped up and kicked Naraku in the small of the back. He stumbled forward.

The tentacle aimed at Inuyasha had nearly reached its mark when Naraku moved and the tentacle missed, swerving off and slicing Inuyasha's side. He doubled over sideways, clutching the wound. Naraku quickly regained his composure and the tentacle came back to strike again. Another tentacle wrapped around Kagome's neck this time, and although it did not lift her off the ground, it tightened enough to warn her not to move.

The tentacle was almost at its desired target. Kagome panicked. What could she do to save him? Think, Kagome, think! Her pulse quickened in anger as she thought of Inuyasha lying dead on the ground. Her eyes flashed and turned into slits. The rest of her eyes changed to a frightening shade of red, making her dark brown slit-like pupils seem all the more unnatural. Her claws lengthened and her fangs grew and grew until they were long, sharp points. Lime green strips appeared in pairs on her cheeks and forehead. A sadistic smile crossed her features. "Touch him and you die, Naraku. I swear it."

Naraku's eyes widened in a mixture of fear and greed. Here was the power he sought after. "Never! Keep awakening your power until it is all available to me!"

The tentacle continued its path to Inuyasha. Inuyasha wriggled and struggled ever more violently, horrified of what this enraged youkai Kagome could do. "Kagome!" he called desperately, "Kagome, can you hear me?"

"Oh yes," she answered with a smirk.

"Kagome, you need to calm your blood!"

Kagome glared at him. "No! This power is so incredible! Why would I seal it away again?" She turned back to Naraku and sprung up into the air, her claws flashing. She slashed across Naraku's chest and a gaping wound opened up. "You are going to die today, Naraku, not Inuyasha." She began an assault on Naraku, attacking him with inhuman speed and agility, hitting him accurately in every possible place on his body. Naraku was at half his strength in minutes. His outlook suddenly darkened and he reached franticly for some sort of hope or light. Blood dripped from his body in streams.

Kagura stepped forward to help her master, but Kagome turned on her. "Do not attempt to help him. Today is also your deathday, Kagura."

"Try me," she retorted, masking her fear behind confidence.

Kagura said nothing, but sped to her and slashed her across the chest. Kagura crumpled, gasping for air. Kagome smirked at the sight of Kagura on her knees. "Goodbye, Kagura." She raised her arm and slashed it sideways. Kagura's head toppled to the ground and rolled away. Inuyasha and Kouga looked on it utter horror. Kagome laughed viciously. She spun around and headed toward Naraku again. As she passed Inuyasha, she jumped up and cut off the tentacles holding him hostage.

Inuyasha landed on the ground and grabbed for Kagome's arm. "Stop it," he ordered.

"No," Kagome answered bluntly.

"Kagome!"

"Let go of me," she said coolly.

"Kagome, please."

"Let go."

Inuyasha released her in something akin to fear. He did not know what this new Kagome was capable of doing, and the prospect worried him greatly.

Kagome dug her claws into the fabric of Naraku's gi and pulled his emotionless face toward her. "I will kill you slowly and painfully, enjoying the sound of your screams. I will show you no mercy, bastard."

Inside, Naraku was trembling. "Think fast, Kagome," he answered smugly.

However, the look of victory vanished when his tentacle, touching her back and ready to take in her power, was slashed away so it fell uselessly to the ground. "Maybe you should, Naraku." She wrapped her clawed fingers around his neck and squeezed it painfully. Naraku gasped for breath, but did not lose face. "This is only a sample of the pain I will put you through." She released him just as his face began to turn a tint of blue and he coughed for air. She stepped back and slowly began to slash away every one of his tentacles. Soon, most of them were gone. Naraku grinded his back teeth, not allowing any of his pain to show. She grabbed his wrist and sliced off his hand with a claw. Naraku howled in pain this time. Blood spurted to the ground, staining it red. "Do you want more? I should cut off something for every person close to me you killed. That one was for Kyoko." She sliced off his arm up to his elbow. Naraku cried out some more. "That was for Kaede." Inuyasha headed toward her, ready to restrain her at any costs. Kouga ran around to help the red-clad hanyou.

Kagome sliced off his arm to his shoulder. "That one was for Miroku." She smirked at his one-armed figure. Walking carefully to his other arm, she sliced off his other hand. "That was for Shippou!" Her voice began to rise in both volume and pitch. Her already red eyes took on a crazed look. She craved more of his blood, though so much of it was already spilt. She raised her arm to slice off his left ear, but Inuyasha grabbed her arm. Kagome struggled, but was overpowered when Kouga grabbed her other arm.

"Kagome, stop this! I beg you!" Kouga called.

"Kagome," Inuyasha said softly into her ear. "Do it for me. Calm down."

Kagome was too far-gone for even Inuyasha's voice to bring her back. "Never! He will pay for what he did to them!" She ripped her arms free and dug her claws into Naraku's abdomen and twisted. A gaping, bloody wound opened up and blood flowed freely. His whitish-grey intestines were shredded and parts hung from the edges of the hole. Naraku let out a cry of absolute agony unlike any other in the history of the world. Kouga and Inuyasha were sickened by the sight, but did not let it show. It bothered them more that Kagome seemed to be enjoying the spectacle. She leapt forward and dug all ten of her claws into the top of his chest, making Naraku let out another great cry. She did not twist them, simply pulling them out, but this time, however, her claws were a dark purple. She inspected them curiously. The punctures in Naraku's chest were also stained that same deep purple.

Inuyasha and Kouga looked at each other and nodded, each grabbing one of Kagome's arms and twisting it behind her back. "Kagome," Inuyasha groaned, "Take a deep breath and CALM THE HELL DOWN!" She snarled and struggled to get loose.

Inuyasha and Kouga fought with her, wrestling to keep her under their control.

Naraku was writhing, but his tentacles snaked out to the threesome all the same in self-defense. Inuyasha and Kouga looked up just in time to see them coming at them, but they could do nothing. Kagome howled, struggling even more. Suddenly, the tentacles fell to the ground in a dead heap. All three demons looked up to see a giant cream boomerang swing back towards the wall. Just getting over the wall was a giant neko youkai they all knew well. A very familiar figure sitting on the neko caught the boomerang and waved. Inuyasha and Kouga cheered loudly. Inuyasha put his mouth to Kagome's ear. "Kagome, they're here! I don't know how, but they're here!"

But Kagome could not comprehend the concept anymore. Her demon blood was on an unstoppable rampage. She growled ferociously and pulled against Inuyasha and Kouga's arms, but could not break free.

Another figure, carrying on old woman on her back, leapt over the wall and landed beside the neko. She let the woman down and straightened. Inuyasha and Kouga cheered again as the figures aligned themselves in full view.

So, what did you think? I hope it was worth the wait… Again, I apologize for the long wait.

Personal Reviews:

jeevesandwooster – I'm sorry! -cowers in corner- You're scary. So, how do you feel about it now? -nudge nudge- Haha you're reviews are so amusing. The sword…ok incongruency (yes it's a word) and the ramen…they were running out, but they weren't completely out yet. She had saved that one for that special night before they go to their deaths (or so they thought…like id kill off a character…wait…never mind haha)

mysisterthinksimasquijum – did that count as a long time? -looks hopeful-

Little Tormented Angel – love the name. Yea leaf, the image in my head was like a magnolia leaf or something…

A Tainted Rose – You're a very sweet reviewer hehe. I'm flattered that I am in you're top three at all! I hope this chapter kept up to your expectations.

Antilove006 – Thank you! You are also really sweet! Yeah, I agree. IY and Kagome go to the prom usually sucks. There are some good ones, but they're hard to find. My next story is actually an AU (Alternate Universe not according to the story line) but it's not set in the modern world at all, it's in like Rennaisance Europe or something. I hope it's still good… You can be my critic!

TaintedDarkInuShemeeko – Thanks! How was this part of the battle? Still good?

alaskagirl24 – Thanks!

laureney – Aww thanks! I'll have to check out Love Across Time.

iluvkougaandinuyasha – Thanks! Do you still love it? I hope so!

Bailey – Thank you! No one's ever wished me luck before…I DO feel special hehe. Did you get my email?