Chapter 5

All light had vanished outside, and the temple was dim with only candles that had lighted themselves in the hallways. Sesshomaru and Kikyo stood in silence as the darkness settled in. Couldn't do it now, could you Lord Sesshomaru said an eerie voice in Sesshomaru's head. Startled, he whipped around, expecting to see someone.

"Who's there?" he called, his voice echoing.

Kikyo glanced at him curiously, and followed his gaze down the corridor.

No idiot. In your head came the voice.

This is Naraku, I presume Sesshomaru thought back.

Yes, if you must know. I see that you have failed to bring the priestess back dead said Naraku, sounding disappointed. Lord Sesshomaru, must you always make things so difficult?

If I had known that your remedy for the wounded was Shikon shards, I wouldn't even be here thought Sesshomaru.

"What's going on?" Kikyo asked, but got no answer in return.

Why does it matter? As long as she is alive and moving…

Sesshomaru interrupted him. It would be more suitable if we talked man to man. Where are you hiding?

Below you…At these words, a trap door opened under Sesshomaru's feet and he fell in, followed by Kikyo. They landed with a thump in a secret underground room of the temple that resembled a dungeon. A light that seemed to be coming out of nowhere illuminated their faces and the floor in front of them. Kikyo gasped. A mess of demon bodies dripping with clear liquid lay sprawled out one on top of another. A horrible stench filled the room, and Kikyo covered her nose with a sleeve of her kimono.

"Kikyo…long time no see" said Naraku.

Sesshomaru traced his voice to the source; Naraku's disembodied head was hanging by the hair from a spiky demon arm that rose above the rest. Kikyo had a look of thorough disgust.

"You look hideous" she said with an edge to her voice. "How can such a pathetic excuse for a human being live in this world? You are nothing more than a dirty little half-breed after all."

"I could say the same for you, Kikyo" Naraku replied calmly. "You, made of earth and bones, wrapped in the souls of the dead."

Kikyo mumbled incoherently and looked away. Naraku drew his attention to Sesshomaru.

"Did you think you could just stroll in here with her and free yourself from all your problems?" Naraku questioned. "Because your problems are far from over, since you have chosen to keep Kikyo alive."

"Is that so?" Sesshomaru said coldly.

"Don't forget our deal, Lord Sesshomaru. I would revive Rin only if you killed the priestess."

"You didn't revive her, you poisoned her!" Kikyo retorted.

A long, gnarly demon arm shot out from the pile and wrapped around Kikyo's waist, pulling her towards Naraku's dismembered head. They came face-to-face, and Kikyo immediately turned away; she couldn't bear to look at his grotesque features.

"Care to repeat that?" he whispered.

"Care to release me?" she replied thickly.

A twisted smile spread across Naraku's lips. "You must really trust Onigumo's heart to be so fearless around me. But don't get too cozy with him; I will make sure to eradicate every trace of his heart once the Shikon jewel is in my possession."

Naraku loosened his grip on Kikyo and she dropped to the floor. Kikyo stood up hastily and wiped a drop of clear, liquidy substance from her cheek.

"You will never…" Kikyo began, but then there was a thumping sound and the wall burst apart, sending splinters everywhere. Naraku's eyes narrowed, and Kikyo stared as Inuyasha and Kagome rushed in through the rubble and pieces of wood.

"Inuyasha…" said Kikyo hesitantly, relieved yet frightened at the same time. She was scared for his safety; scared that he would do something stupid in an attempt to save her….

"How did you penetrate my mystic shield?" Naraku asked irritably.

Inuyasha finally noticed Naraku, and he raised an eyebrow. "Naraku?"

"Oh so you do recognize me Inuyasha" Naraku responded in an amused tone. "I may look hideous, as Kikyo would put it, but at least I can choose the days I transform on my own free will. Unlike you, who can't control it." He smirked as he said the last few words.

"Your mouth must be getting tired from talking so much. Why don't I silence it for you!" Inuyasha snarled, leaping into the air with the Tetsusaiga in hand.

Naraku's expression stayed completely calm as he reached out with the same demon arm that had grabbed Kikyo and slammed Inuyasha into a wall. "You never get it, do you?" he said, throwing Inuyasha across the room. He smashed through the opposite wall and landed hard on the ground. Blood trickled from his freshly cut wounds, and the Tetsusaiga had flown out of his grasp. Inuyasha…. why did you come? Kikyo thought, watching warily as Kagome ran over to his crumpled body and put Tetsusaiga back into his waiting hand. He was about to get up to attack again, but Sesshomaru raised the Tokijin in his direction.

"Don't get involved" Sesshomaru said, and there was complete seriousness in the tone of his voice.

"What…?"

"This is not your battle. I will deal with you later once I am through with Naraku."

"You don't have a say in this! Kikyo is not yours to protect" Inuyasha growled.

Sesshomaru's mouth tightened into a thin line. What am I talking about? I don't care what happens to this priestess….do I?

Kikyo watched the brothers silently. Kikyo is not yours to protect. She felt comforted by Inuyasha's loyalty to her. He was staring straight at her, with a look of innocence and devotion in his eyes. Suddenly, the piles of demon flesh started to move, and then flew towards Naraku's head, forming a human body under it. When he had completely transformed back, he pulled a baboon fur around himself and grinned. "Ah, much better."

Kagura stepped out of the shadows behind Naraku and stood next to him. "You sent for me?" she whispered.

"Is the little girl with you?"

Kagura pushed Rin out in front of her to answer the question.

"Good. Lord Sesshomaru is in for a special surprise."