Ok, its been ages since I have updated so please forgive me. This is a fairly short chapter, but it took forever to write because I just couldn't get it right. Oh well, just read it...

Disclaimer: Since the author is so sick and tired of putting up these damn disclaimers, can we just agree that I don't own Inuyasha...(lawyers appear from all exits with dollar signs in their eyes :DO NOT' ASK!) Is that a no?

Lawyers: How much money do you got?

Me: (digs into pocket) umm...25 cents and...a gum wrapper?

Lawyers: (disappointed) fine...

Chapter Fourteen: Knocking at Death's Door

Naraku was ready to face Inuyasha and Kai. The trap was set and the anticipation was mounted too high for his impatientness. He had waited fifteen years for this. He wasn't going to wait anymore. Inuyasha was about to paid for what he did. Naraku knew exactly how to get to him. As he saw it, Inuyasha had two weaknesses, Kagome and Kai.

His plan to pit Kiyoshi and Kai together wasn't completely over. He was surprised to see that Kai's overwhelming hatred didn't lead her to kill Kiyoshi. She turned into a dark miko and she was loose in the forest. Kiyoshi was hunting her after his encounter with Naraku's puppet that looked like Kai. But where was the real Kai?

Naraku began to ponder this. Kasumi's mirror refused to reveal anything. It was only a matter of time before the stage was set. Suddenly, Naraku felt a chill in the room. Turning he saw a willowy figure appear. He jumped back in fear. It was a tall, dark-haired woman. Her presence was haunting. Her hazel eyes narrowed in hate. "Naraku…" She said, her voice like a long forgotten echo. "You are doomed. Come and face your death." Her outline blurred and he realized that it was a ghost. The ghost of Midoriko.

Naraku stared at her. It was the priestess who formed the Jewel standing before him, whispering warnings of his death. Like any sane person, he was at a loss for words. The corner of her mouth twitched mockingly, bearing a sudden resemblance to Kai.

"The Jewel won't be in your hands much longer. So don't worry your big head about it."

"Watch it!" He snarled threateningly.

The priestess scuffed. "What do you plan to do with me? Run me through?"

Naraku swallowed. What could he do? How could he know if this was even real?

"You have a visitor," she said flatly, with a smirk. Naraku turned his head to see a figure stumbling down the long dark hallway. He smelled blood, a lot of human blood.

The glint metal and rattle of weapons drew his attention. Shining through the shadows were two orbs, one gold and one violet...

Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, Kirara, and Kasumi were nearing a cave entrance. Inuyasha snarled. "It reeks of Naraku." Looking at Kasumi. "So, wench, you did lead us to the right place."

She let out a low growl. "My name is Kasumi." She muttered. She needed her mirror. Knowing Naraku, he had attempted to use it. But if he saw the reverse side, would he see what frightened her so much? If he used saw what I can see, Kasumi thought grimly. He wouldn't think himself so high and mighty. True the mirror could show the depths of one's nature, but if the devil looked into it what would he find?

Kasumi grinned. If he had seen his reflection, the magical seal in the glass would break. Even she didn't know what would happen.

"I can smell him," Inuyasha said. "He isn't far." He was ready to sprint inside when Kagome screamed. He turned around to see what was the matter with his wife.

She was rooted to the spot staring at the floor. Everyone followed her gaze. There was a distinct trail of blood. Silence stretched between them. Each one envisioned Kai stumbling upon the cave in search of Naraku. Did this mean Kiyoshi was the one who died?

Out of nowhere, the ground began to rumble. Kagome felt her balance shift and she fell backwards into the new hole created behind her feet. Inuyasha leaped out to save her but he was too late. Kagome screamed and the earth swallowed her.

"Damn it!" Inuyasha shouted. He get still hear Kagome screaming. Then he heard Naraku laugh.

"Hurry or she will die…just like Kai."

"Hello dear Kai." Naraku said, trying to keep his voice light and relaxed. Kai stumbled forward. Despite her bodybeing crippled and mortally tired, her presence swallowed Naraku's heart in fear. This wasn't the same woman he encountered a couple months ago. This was cold monster a million times worse than Kikyo could ever be. Naraku felt himself staring at the true embodiment of evil. He felt like a sham in comparison. But how could the daughter of the purest priestess be so evil? He swallowed. This is what his work created.

Kai leaned against the doorframe, too weak to stand on her own. Her black cargo pants were ripped away to reveal pale wounded legs. Her dark blue haori was draping off her shoulders exposing her shoulders and the tops of her breasts. Mud and blood streaked across her face. She looked like she was ripped through hell and back.

"Naraku." She said, her voice mechanically stiff. "What do you want?"

He was caught off guard. What could she have meant? "I want you dead." He said. His red eyes narrowed.

She laughed sounding hollow and mockingly. "You say that, yet you don't completely mean it." Naraku looked at her in confusion. "You don't want my dead, do you Katsuo?" She asked sweetly. Naraku stiffened.

"Katsuo has no control of me." He lied. He shut him out; the same way the sane Kai was lost. But he could be brought back.

"Katsuo, you haven't changed since last time, I see." Kai said, her voice relatively friendly.

Naraku felt the seal on the human side crumble under the pressure of Kai's unrelenting hatred that gave her strength. Although Naraku would throw the Jewel away before he admitted the pure terror he feel staring at this new embodiment of evil. Kai was a greater evil. Naraku's schemes for her manipulation were slowly being drained and being replaced by panic.

Katsuo fought to break through. Naraku's sudden urge to hide from Kai was the final catalyst. Katsuo broke free. His eyes were brown; all trace of red had vanished as if it was never there.

"Kai," he said his voice hoarse. "What happened to you?" He asked. His voice was pained. Kai flinched. What could he mean?

"You aren't the same woman I love!" He continued.

Kai scoffed. "Your love is wasted on me." Her tone was flat, her face stone. "I live to kill Naraku and you are in the way."

Katsuo's eyes grew wide. His last hope of liberation from Naraku was shrouded. Kai had been his savior, but here she stood as a killer without remorse. Her love for Kiyoshi had turned to hatred at the sight of his betrayal. Katsuo finally understood how easily love changed to hate. Kai didn't return his feelings and he wasn't going to be second best to a half-demon, who plans on killing her. Katsuo felt Naraku fight for control. Numbly he shoved him aside, slowly turning inward. Slowly slipping away.

Kai readied a jagged dagger. "Katsuo, you-." She began. He twitched into action and his hand grabbed her throat. Kai dropped her dagger out of surprise.

"Don't you dare!" He said, his voice growing louder with each word. It was Naraku speaking. Kai glared at him with a triumphant smile on her cracked lips. Slowly she felt her body go numb starting at her feet. Black dots danced in her vision as she stared into Naraku's heartless red eyes. Her face was turning purple. Kai's lungs were about to burst. "See you in hell." Naraku said with a smile.

"I'm….al-lready…there." Kai said with last of her breath.

"KAI!" Someone cried as he entered the room. Naraku turned his head to see Kiyoshi appear. His face was petrified. In his eyes all thought of revenge and hate was erased. Kai's eyes flickered in his direction a second before they closed. He watched in horror as Naraku slowly opened his hand. As if in slow motion, Kai's limp body fell to the ground like a fallen angel sinking to earth, slowly drowning in the reality of death. She hit the floor and her wounds reopened. Blood trickled into a pool, embracing her lifeless corpse. Nobody said a word but just stared at Kai. Kiyoshi finally moved, slowly crawling to her side. Leaning down he touched her cheek. She was cold. He leaned farther in and listened, hoping...

She wasn't breathing...

Ok. That concludes chapter fourteen!

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-SMR