I still don't own Inuyasha or the other characters, but I do own this story and Ryu na Takuan and Oujo Matsuko.

Thanks for your wonderful reviews...Here are some definitions for some words I have used in this chapter...also..Inu and others have a potty mouth in this chapter..as well as some violence and blood ect...be warned...

Yamainu-wild dog

Aiken-pet dog

Yaken-stray dog

Reflections of the Past: The Gathering chapter 24

A?N PLEASE read my notes at the end of the chappy..Very Important..

Inuyasha and Kagome and the rest of their pack stood at the edge of a giant clearing. They had traveled for the better part of a week, doing their best to pull away from the villages that littered this region, and this seemed to be the best place to wait. Kagome had followed her instincts, followed the constant nagging within her mind to keep traveling, to find this place for it would hold something vital to the battle that seemed to be coming closer to them with each day that passed.The clearing was nearly covered in a rolling ocean of pure white flowers, the underlying green grass swaying gracefully beneath the early morning breeze. The clearing sat surrounded on three sides by an endless sea of trees, their bright green leaves fluttering lightly in the breeze as they shielded the wildlife within their sheltered branches, daring any to enter, the smell of fresh water floating on the breeze to indicate to all the possibility of much needed bath time...

The pack had entered on the only open side, all standing quietly upon the hill overlooking the clearing, taking in the surroundings that met their gazes. Rin's awestruck voice whispered across their ears..." Home...I never thought I'd see this place again, this is where mother and father fought Naraku ... Kagome, how did you find this place, I thought it was lost forever?"

Kagome stood silently, eyes closed as she listened to the whisperings of her mind, trying to decifer what it was that she needed to hear. " I followed my heart Rin, I felt drawn to this place, something is calling us here, telling me that this is where Naraku will find us.

This is where Naraku tried to slaughter my family Inuyasha, this is where Rin and I were born. And this is where we must stand to fight, we should set up camp , but we should make one extra place, we'll be getting some help very soon... I sense jewel shards, and they're coming in fast."

What! Don't tell me that damn wolf is coming, damn it... Inuyasha growled as a small tornado of wind brushed past him to encircle Kagome." Nope, he's already here." she said as she stared into the deep blue eyes of Koga...his hands holding her own as he smiled at the growl that erupted out of Inuyasha..." Hey Kags, how ya been, and it's nice to see you too Mutt face. " Koga said as he released his hold on Kagome's hand so that he could turn to face the growling hanyou." This week just went from bad to 'really shitty..' Inuyasha growled as he looked at the wolf demon...

"I've been trailing you for a week Dog boy, why the hell can't you stay in one place..?" Koga said as he moved to stand face to face with the mutt who had been his rival for the last three years.

"What the hell you want yamainu.., I hope you didn't come all this way to see 'MY WOMAN.."Inuyasha growled as he leaned closer to Koga.

" I came to tell you that Naraku's coming, his bugs have been out in full force since I left my pack.. and who are you calling yamainu, last I heard you were still Kagome's 'aiken'.." Koga muttered as he took in the mating mark that lay barely visible on Inuyasha's shoulder before turning to face Kagome, taking in her new absolutely stunning beauty, as well as her own mating mark before allowing his eyes to look upon the others of the pack, first Sesshomaru, then the woman who held a striking resemblance to Kagome then trailing off to acknowledge the monk and the demon slayer, as well as the fox demon who had adopted Kagome as his mother. ..." Now, would you mind explaining what's with the new look Kags...and try not to leave out any details...I don't want to be surprised later on..." Koga asked, his eyes once again traveling across the beauty of her face.

" Yaken" Inuyasha muttered as he turned to unroll Kagome's sleeping bag so that she could rest, a smirk crossing his lips as he thought of Koga's upcoming reaction when he found out that Kagome was now 'HIS ' mate, and that she was already carrying ' HIS ' pup...Stupid wolf, he really should have picked up her change in scent by now, but come to think about it, Koga's scent had changed slightly as well...he smelled like...oh hell, he couldn't place the scent...but it was definately different...

Kagome explained to Koga all that had happened while the others set up camp. "Inuyasha and I are mated, Koga. And.."

" And you're expecting a pup..I know, I could tell by your scent. But I have something to tell you all as well...I took Ayame as my mate." Koga replied, the smile on his face warm as he glanced over to Inuyasha. " I thought you smelled different moron." Inuyasha grumbled as he made his way over to sit beside Kagome, placing his arm around her shoulder to emphasize that she was his. Kagome smiled at Inuyasha as she shook her head and looked back to Koga. "Hey, where did Sesshomaru and Rin wander off to?" Kagome asked Inuyasha as she turned her gaze to watch Shippo and Kilala chasing each other through the grass.

"Don't tell me you haven't noticed Kagome, Sesshomaru is intending to mate her. You should have seen them the day we left the village...I..."

" Should learn when to keep your mouth shut about things you could never hope to understand.." Sesshomaru growled as he and Rin entered the campsite and dropped the rabbits they had caught at the edge of the campfire. " Rin wanted to hunt, she was successful. "

Kagome laughed, the sound coming from her cut off as she caught the scent of something foul coming tword their camp, each of the other demons standing as they too picked up the scent...

" It seems we have some company." Sesshomaru growled as he reached for his sword and moved to stand in front of Rin. Inuyasha stood as well, and moved to stand beside Kagome, Koga moving to stand on her other side as Shippo ran to stand just behind her feet, Kilala headed out of their camp to warn Miroku and Sango.

They stood silently next to each other watching as five hideous boar demons filed out before them, not even attempting an ambush...

" Naraku wants the jewel shards out of your legs wolf...and we mean to have them...NOW..." the boar demon on the far left hissed as his beady black eyes fell on Kagome..They were hideous beasts, their faces distorted to make room for the husks that grew from their mouths to curl upwards, their yellow color indicating that they were rotting from within, the clothing they wore torn and bloodied. They reeked of death and sweat, the odor eminating from them making it fairly obvious that none of them had bathed in who knew how long. " And maybe when we're done with you all, we can have a little fun with your wenches, it would seem that the bitch in the center also has jewel shards...won't Naraku be happy if we return with her jewel shards as well... You all agree, don't you?" the boar demon said as he turned his gaze to the four remaining demons at his right.

" You will NOT touch MY mate you BASTARDS! Inuyasha growled as he reached to grab the hilt of Tetsusaiga pulling it from it's sheath, it's rusty blade transforming as he reached to pull Kagome behind him. Sesshomaru also began growling,his hand extended to his left as his fingers began to drip green poison , his eyes narrowed as he focused on the demons standing before them, anticipation racing through him...It had been awile since he and Inuyasha had gotten into a good fight, and this would do...no one made a threat against their women and lived to tell about it...

Koga stepped forward, his gaze locked on the demon in the center as his claws extended, the muscles in his legs tensing in response to the adrenaline coursing through his veins, his anger also rising to the threat these demons had dared to make against Kagome...she may not be his mate, and she may have mated mutt face, but she was still very important to him, and he would stand beside Inuyasha to protect her..

And from there everything was a blur of motion...the boar demons raced forward, each heading in a different direction, intent on dividing the group, three went after the male demons, while two were intent on seperating their females from them...at whatever cost...

Sesshomaru raced forward, his connection with the girls and Inuyasha open as he rushed the boar demon who seemed intent on death. The boar demon held his sword ready, swinging it wildly around him, his fear of death urging his motions as he swung yet again at the dog demon he fought ,and yet the dog demons every movement seemed calm and calculated.

Inuyasha and Koga were in similar situations as they engaged the pitiful, misguided creatures who thought they could defeat them.

Kagome moved to retrieve her bow and arrows, intent on defending herself and Rin if need be, Rin following suit as she pulled her sword from it's sheath that lay tied to her leg. Sesshomaru had given her this sword, had trained her with it and she would make him proud.. she only hoped that one month of training would at least keep her alive..Kagome and Rin stood back to back, Shippo standing at their feet, each ready to defend themselves and each other, their eyes following the movements of the two boar demons who had somehow managed to get between them and their mates..The boar demons inched closer, their eyes burning with lust as they circled slowly.

Kagome waited patiently,an arrow knotched into her bow, her arm tensing as she readied it to pull the bow string tight, her arm raising as she took aim, the tip of her arrow beginning to glow a deep pink as she centered it on the demon headed tword her..."You honestly expect me to believe that you actually know how to shoot one of those...let alone be able to hit your target? Ha, I think not..why would a dog demon allow his mate that kind of knowledge...any demon in his right mind would keep his bitch under his feet...it's all your good for anyway...to do one's bidding and lie flat on your back when the mood hits...and that's exactly where you will be soon enough! he screamed at her as he raised his sword, it's sharp edge reflecting the sun's rays before he brought it down...

" Hit the mark..." Kagome whispered as she released the string, launching her glowing arrow and watching as it buried itself deep within the demons chest, his scream of pain hitting her ears as he dropped the sword he held just a few inches from her feet...he sank to his knees before her, his hand lifting to touch the arrow in his chest as his blood leaked out around it, mixing with the blood that already stained his filthy shirt...his eyes wide as he stared at her then glanced down to the arrow that still shook from the force of it's impact...his eyes widening even more as a pure pink light began to pour from his wound..."You should never make assumptions about your enemies, it'll get you killed.." Kagome hissed just before the demon in front of her dissintegrated.

"Uh, Kags, a... little.. help... here!" Rin growled as the sound of metal striking metal crashed through her ears. She stood facing the boar demon, watching as he raised his sword to strike again and twisted her body around changing the angle of her sword as she lifted it to block yet another blow...its sound ringing in her ears as she jumped from one foot to the other bringing her sword around to swing at his chest,her ears locking on the sound of sharp steel whistling through the breeze before she felt it tear through the skin of his chest, a soft cracking noise confiming the breaking of his ribs as he growled in pain before once again charging her, his sword raised above his head as his eyes narrowed at his target..."I will kill you for that bitch!" he screamed as his sword hissed through the air only to be blocked again as she pivoted out of range,before turning again and thrusting her sword forward sinking it into the dark recesses of his chest, a splash of blood spraying from his wound to cover the front of her silk dress, it's crimson stain made darker by the shimmering cloth. " Thanks ...for the...compliment... I am Sesshomaru's BITCH, you should keep that in mind since it seems to be the last mistake you'll ...ever make." she growled as she twisted her sword, the sickening sound of his rib cage spreading to accomidate it echoing through her ears as she jerked her sword away from his chest, watching as his body crumbled before her, his last breath sliding past his lips as he landed face first into the grass at her feet...

"Doesn't seem like you needed any help to me." Kagome said as she again stood with her back against Rin's, her eyes moving to search for her mate, her arm tensing once again to draw the string of her bow tight as she took aim at the demon who fought Inuyasha...

Inuyasha stood, sword drawn, easily dodging each blow the demon before him made..."You really picked the wrong day to mess with me!" Inuyasha growled as he rushed forward, his sword raised briefly before coming down in one fluid movement removing the demons sword arm, his scream of agony ended shortly after as Inuyasha turned on his heel to remove his head as it landed with a soft thud before rolling away, its eyes still wide, even in death..

Sesshomaru growled , moving with such speed that the boar couldn't seem to locate him. Sesshomaru moved to stand behind the boar, hestitating for a mere moment as he whispered " You'll NEVER lay a finger on MY woman, or any other.." before he shoved his poisonous claws through the bones of his back seperating his rib cage from his spine as he sunk his claws into the soft muscle of his heart, its beating erratic as he clutched it before ripping it out, it's warm blood dripping from his hand...

The boar demon stood, looking down at his chest, horror flashing through his eyes as he fell to his knees, glancing behind him before falling to the bloodied grass before him...the image of a silver haired dog demon holding his still beating heart the last thing his eyes beheld as death took him

Koga still battled the boar in front of him, the creature unable to stop the relentless beating he was recieving, the wolf's speed too much to match. Koga hit him repeatedly, his hands and feet leaving a trail of carnage in their wake as he struck over and over before stopping to watch the boar struggle to his knees.."Naraku will ..kill you wolf, mark ..my words...you ..WILL die at... my master's... hand..." he muttered as his eyes searched in vein for for the wolf who only moments before had stood in front of him. " I wouldn't bet my life on it, you foolish bastard." Koga hissed from behind him as he reached to take hold of the demon's head, and with one fluid movement, jerked it to on side, the sound of his neck breaking all that was heard as his body jerked in the opposite direction as it fell into a bloodied heap..Koga straightened, his eyes darting around to survey the damage. Sesshomaru stood near the girl known as Rin, a look of sheer pride on his face as he looked upon the demon she had taken down, Inuyasha standing to his left holding Kagome in his arms, Shippo perched contentedly on his shoulder..all turning their gaze to him.

" Feh, what took you so long Koga.." he teased, his eyes relaying a silent 'Thank you for standing up for my mate" look...

"Ahh shut up MUTT FACE..." Koga replied as a smirk lit up his face...before once again tensing up as his gaze jerked to the russling of tree's...anxiously awaiting whatever was coming...

Kilala burst through the trees, her once small frame transformed into her demon form, that of a giant two-tailed cat, her white fur russling in the breeze, the flames at her feet burning bright as she stopped...her tongue licking across her lenghtened fangs...Sango and a slightly disheveled looking monk sitting upon her back...a look of sheer dissappoinmtent upon their faces..."Geez, ya think you could've saved something for us..." Sango gasped as she took in the bloody mess before her.

" Feh, we would have, but it seems that you were to busy trying to tame the demon in the monks pants..." Inuyasha said as he watched her slide gracefully from Kilala's back, her blush fading into a reddish haze of anger..."Ya wanna say that a little closer to my face Inuyasha?" Sango ground out between her teeth as she made her way over to the hanyou who had taken up residence behind Kagome...

" Uh...no, not...really...Kag...ome...do something...she's coming ccloserrrr, ahhhh...really Sango, it was... just a joke.." Inuyasha yelled as he turned from his hiding place behind Kagome and hightailed it to the top of the nearest tree...Sango following right behind him...the others laughing at them, well...everyone but Sesshomaru who turned to walk back to camp...the smirk that graced his face visible only to Rin...

But unknown to all was that this would be their last night of peace for Naraku stood at his castle gates watching the gathering of the demons he had summoned...all ready to head to the clearing ...Naraku trailing behind them...one insect resting on his shoulder after delivering the boar demons' message ...

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Please review as I am not sure if I am portraying these fight scenes good enough..Im not sure if there is something wrong with the hits counter on my page or if there is something wrong with the story itself, but the last chappy says it had 0 hits...even though I got some amazing reviews from you guys...but I would like to share the stats with you all...as of last week this story had 14000 hits, 46 favs and 43 alerts..I never thought this story would be so well recieved so I thank all who have reviewed, its been your kind words that have kept this story going...if you have me on your favs/alert list, or even if you are new to this story, please...please review so I know if you are all still liking what I have done with this story so far..I am worried that maybe you are all losing interest...I hate to ask this but Im just not sure what is wrong, and the only way to find out is to ask you guys...Thanks to those who reviewed ...You guys are truely Awesome...Neisha