Chapter 21: Blood Trail

Kagome and everyone sat in a large room inside of Sesshoumaru's castle. For once there wasn't any arguing, any yelling, or fighting, it was silent as they sat in a circle... well... everyone sat except for the three youkai, Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, and Kouga. They stood on opposites sides of the room. Sesshoumaru protectively standing behind Kagome's chair, arms crossed, eyes cold.

"I'm actually glad everyone is here." Kagome said finally. "Sesshoumaru and I found the last shard." Everyone gazed at Kagome with shock. "But I don't know if he got-"

"I did." Sesshoumaru cut in and then unsheathed the Tensegia. Touching the sword Sesshoumaru extracted the last shard and then handed it to Kagome. "I hid it in there until I found you."

Kagome cradled the shard and then let out a shaky breath. "All the shards are accounted for. And Naraku has all of them except this one and the two in Kouga's legs."

"Actually..." Kouga walked to Kagome. "That's why I've been trying to find you." Bending over he touched his legs and extracted the two shards and then handed them to Kagome. "I wanted to give you these. Ever since Naraku's power has been growing, it's as almost as if these shards have been trying to break out and find you."

"Find me?" Kagome looked up at him.

"Yes..." Kouga said and then went back to his place at the other side of the room. "I don't know why. But ever since I got here, they've been vibrating to get out of my legs and into your hands. And for the past week they sorta have taken a will of their own."

"Interesting..." Miroku murmured. "Why do you think that is?"

"I don't know." Kagome looked down at the shards. Placing her hand on top of them, she said a silent prayer. Removing her hand, she saw the shards have formed into one large piece. "It came from my body." She whispered. "Maybe that's where it really belongs."

Her eyes were distant, and her voice was faint. Sesshoumaru placed a hand on her shoulder and stared down at her. Shaking her head, Kagome looked back at the group. "Whatever the reason, it doesn't matter. What does matter is that Naraku was wounded by Sesshoumaru and now is the perfect time to strike."

"Yes, but where the hell do we strike?" Inuyasha asked, speaking up from the corner he placed himself in. His arms were crossed and his back was leaning against the wall. "We don't know where the hell he is."

"True." Kagome sighed.

"Ahem!" Tsuki dramatically cleared her throat. "Why do you think I'M here?" She rose and stood in the center of the circle. "As much as I love you two," she pointed to Sesshoumaru and Kagome, "I'm a busy fairy-"

"With many curses to cast..." Shippou murmured and Tsuki shot him a glare.

"Anyways, I came here... to tell you that I've found Naraku!" Tsuki beamed.

The group stared at her, their mouths were open in shock... expect for Sesshoumaru of course he wouldn't show any emotion in front of people! Anyways... the group stared at her and then Inuyasha yelled, "WHAT THE FUCK! Why didn't you say this THE MOMENT YOU CAME?"

"YOU WERE TOO BUSY ACCUSING ME OF SHIT!" Tsuki yelled back.

"FEH, whatever!" Inuyasha leaned back against the wall again.

Tsuki sent him a hard glare and then turned back to the group. "Do you remember how we found Kagome?"

"WE?" Haruka rose from the ground next to Tsuki, appearing out of no where. "I think I was the one who found Kagome AND Naraku. Jez, ever since the chain thing worked with Sesshoumaru and Kagome you've gotten to be Miss Priss." She knocked Tsuki on the head. "Let's bring that big head of yours down to normal size, shall we?"

"Whatever! It doesn't matter! Anyways, since the great Mr. Lord of Who Gives a Shit stabbed Naraku, we have been able to trace his trail of blood." Tsuki said proudly.

"I'VE been able to trace his trail of blood." Haruka crossed his arms and muttered.

"Wait, but doesn't Naraku usually cover his tracks? He isn't that stupid." Sango asked Haruka.

"Yes, but the thing with me is, I'm the guardian that watches over Japan. That's why I'm a spirit, not a fairy. Blood seeps into the soil and will stay there forever. I can see it. I can see every drop of blood spilt if I choose too." Haruka explained.

"Wow... what a grim outlook on life... literally." Kagome said.

Haruka gave a soft laugh. "It can be. But because of it, I know where our little Naraku is hiding. We should go to him now. Fight him now." Haruka balled her fist and her eyes shined with determination. "It's time, to kick some ass."

"I like her!" Inuyasha shouted from the corner and Kagome couldn't help but laugh.

"Ok... so we go? All of us go and kick this bastard's ass?" Kagome looked around at everyone in the group. "So we put behind the anger some have for each other and team up and defeat the bad guy? Is that how this is going to happen?"

"Yeah." Inuyasha stood up and gazed from Kagome to Sesshoumaru. "I'm willing to do that."

"Me too." Kouga said. "The bastard needs to be taken out."

"Ok." Kagome gave a soft smile. "Let's go, Haruka will lead the way."

The group was going to find Naraku and kick his ass... but the thought lingered in Kagome's mind...then what? What would become of her in this time period? And what was the oppressive ominous feeling when she thought of the future?

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Naraku's fury could not be described with words. He was so angry, so very angry. His body was shaking with it. If it hadn't been for the quick actions of Kagura and Kanna, Naraku would surely have been dead.

Of course now he was wounded and bleeding all over the place because of Sesshoumaru's damn sword. He had retreated to one of his many hideaway castles and was now watching the group from Kanna's mirror. It was amazing how they all stayed in one room and no fist were thrown and no swords were unsheathed.

Naraku knew it was because they were talking about him. His enemies were making their way now, towards him. He didn't know how they knew where he was, but he just knew they would find him.

He needed to be ready.

Naraku began to stroke the shikon no tama that was dangling around his neck. It was black as night, and nearly complete except for three little shards.

He watched the group rise and Kagome walk over to a desk and make a necklace out of her shards. He watched her place it around her neck and then he grimaced as she lifted her hair and he saw the mark.

The mark of Sesshoumaru.

"So you're his now?" Naraku asked the mirror. "Not for long."

His body has desired Kagome since he first laid eyes on her. He was going to have her. He was going to kill every last one of those bastards until he got her. Twice he almost had her, twice she was taken away.

"Third time's a charm." He whispered to himself.

He would kill all of them in battle, except for Kagome. She would watch every last one of her friends die. And then... he would slowly kill Sesshoumaru and right before Sesshoumaru died he would whisper in the youkai's ear, "Just know I'll be playing with your bitch every night."

Naraku's head was swirling with sick fantasies. He would wait for them, and then he will kill them all.

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Kagome and Sango both changed. Kagome was in a traditional miko uniform, while Sango was in her exterminating outfit. Now the group was in a dead run, to Naraku.

Kagome had forced Shippou to stay with Rin, telling him that his job was to protect her if anything happened to them. Saying goodbye to him, just felt so final.

Pushing the thought out of her mind, Kagome ran harder. Sango insisted that she should ride Kirara with her, but Kagome refused, saying running would help pump her up. So Miroku gladly took her place on Kirara's back.

And the group ran. Something possessed their weary hearts and gave them strength. Faster and faster they ran. And it wasn't until pitch dark that the group decided it would be best to stop for the night.

Kagome sat down, wheezing and huffing. "Yeah... Naraku will still be there tomorrow, guys. Let's chill." Miroku and Sango agreed who had jumped off Kirara and began running an hour ago.

"I'll second that..." Miroku said.

The two youkai and the hanyou stared at the pile of pathetic humans, none of them out of breath. Sesshoumaru smirked at Kagome, who return it with a glare. "Don't say a word, youkai."

Sesshoumaru's eyes flickered and then he knelt down beside her and whispered, "I guess this Sesshoumaru will have to show you a ten later, A weak human like yourself just couldn't handle it."

"If my memory is correct, you were tired this morning too." Kagome whispered back arrogantly.

"Indeed." Sesshoumaru rose and helped Kagome up.

"Glad to know you still remember your catch phrase, because it's been awhile since I've heard it." Kagome playfully patted his head.

The group had been setting up camp, but they didn't bother to hide the fact that they were watching Kagome and Sesshoumaru. It was almost an awe inspiring sight. It was so obvious that the two shared some kind of connection and even though the chain was gone, it was still clear that they were linked together.

Tsuki and Haruka were on a branch high above, watching the scene below. "They are just too cute." Tsuki said softly as she watched the couple.

"Tsu," Haruka's tone was serious. "What's going to happen to her?" Her head gestured towards Kagome. "She looks... so much like... Her... it's frightening. And what Kouga said about the shikon no tama wanting to be with Kagome... it just proves our suspicions."

"I know." Tsuki sighed. "I guess we've known all along. I guess She came back to finish what She couldn't before. And I guess She is using Kagome to help Her."

"No... I think you've got it wrong. I think She is Kagome. Or at least, a part of her." Haruka watched Kagome with interest. "Think about it. Kagome came from the future with the shikon no tama INSIDE her body. We all just assumed she was Kikyou's reincarnation."

"Yeah... hey wait how did you know that about Kagome?" Tsuki turned and asked Haruka who smirked mischievously.

"Being a spirit makes you a good eavesdropper." Tsuki giggled and Haruka turned her gaze back to Kagome. "I just want to know where she'll end up. What's going to happen in the end?" Haruka gazed up at the stars and Tsuki joined her gaze.

"Now... even a fairy doesn't know that." Tsuki sighed.

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The group had gone asleep and Kagome felt restless. Getting up she quietly stepped over Sango and Miroku's body and headed towards the forest when an all to familiar voice stopped her.

"Where are you going?" Sesshoumaru asked and Kagome turned around.

The fire was dying out, but the sparks in Sesshoumaru's eyes burned... for her. "For a walk." She said tauntingly and Sesshoumaru slowly rose. "What? Are you joining me?" Kagome asked and Sesshoumaru made his way towards her.

"Do you think this Sesshoumaru would let you walk out, in the night, with Naraku still alive, alone?" Sesshoumaru stepped in front of her and stopped. "I protect what's mine much better than that."

"Oh..." Kagome stood on her tip-toes and stopped, inches away from his lips. "Who says I'm yours?" Sesshoumaru smirked and then bent down to kiss the mark on her neck.

"This does." His breath was hot on her neck. Kagome had to grab Sesshoumaru's arms to steady her.

"Come on, let's go on a walk." Kagome said as she let a long breath escape from her lips.

The two left the group and headed into the forest, just walking aimlessly. Briefly the thought that this could be the last time she and Sesshoumaru spent together floated across her mind, but Kagome quickly squished the depressing thought.

The night air seemed to wrap around them as they walked in silence. The full moon lit their path with pale beams of light. Kagome felt a sudden shift in the wind, and knew a storm was coming.

But right now it was peaceful; right now she had all that she wanted. She didn't want to think about the ominous feeling in her heart, the dark storm that was coming, no... she just wanted to think about the now, the now with the large moon and Sesshoumaru by her side.

The trail opened up to a clearing onto of a large hill. The stopped and peered down at the valley of beautiful flowers below. There was a river, slowly making its way across the field of flowers; the scenery looked so peaceful.

"Sesshoumaru." Kagome turned and faced the youkai; lightly she placed her hands on his chest. "Sesshoumaru... I just want to tell you that..." Tenderly, Sesshoumaru gazed at her and put a lock of her hair behind her ears. He let his hand slowly caress her cheek as it fell it his side. "I just want to tell you that, whatever happens tomorrow, to you, or to me, I just want to say that I..." Love you.

But Kagome couldn't let the words escape from her lips. Of course she loved Sesshoumaru, but love was a big thing to her. She didn't use the word so lightly and she was pretty sure that Sesshoumaru didn't either. Yeah sure, he cared about her, but it didn't mean that he actually loved her. Plus... she didn't want to put any sort of pressure on him.

"That I... I am yours. No matter what the outcome is, no matter where we end up, I'll always be yours." She said instead. So badly she wanted to say... 'I love you' but something just held her back.

Slowly she looked back up at Sesshoumaru who was intently gazing back down at her. He moved his head down to hers and lightly kissed her lips. Kagome loved the way he tasted; she loved the slow rhythm of their mouths moving together, open, closed, open, closed. Kagome brought her hands around his neck and deepened the sweet kiss.

Sesshoumaru then took over and began to kiss her more fervently. It wasn't long before their clothes were off... and Sesshoumaru was once again showing Kagome a ten.

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"Kagome." Kagome heard her name being called over and over again. She felt someone lightly jerk her awake. Slowly opening her eyes, she fixed her vision on Sesshoumaru hovering over her.

"Hey..." She said dreamily.

"Get dress, hurry." He said and got up to get dress himself.

"So much for, 'Good morning my dear, how did you sleep last night?'" Kagome said in a huff as she slowly sat up and rubbed her eyes. It was then she felt the drizzle of rain on her bare skin, and the haunting feeling in her chest of what the new day might bring.

"Well my dear, in case you forgot we are trying to hunt down the son of a bitch that tried to rape you." Sesshoumaru said sarcastically as he pulled on his pants. He stopped when he felt a small hand touch his leg. Looking down he saw Kagome staring up at him.

"I..." Love you! Love you! Say it dammit! But Kagome couldn't let the words form and she couldn't push them from her mouth. So instead she smiled weakly and said, "I'm scared."

Sesshoumaru knelt down and said, "This Sesshoumaru... would never let anything happen to you." He lightly kissed her lips and then said softly, "Now go on, get dress."

Kagome mutely nodded, so disappointed in herself that she just couldn't tell him.

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The couple got back just as everyone was packing up camp. Miroku gave Kagome a sly smile as he watched the two walk up from the path. Kouga and Inuyasha were so intent on getting the day going, they didn't even noticed the two and just continued yelling at everyone to pack up camp.

"And where have you two been?" Miroku asked with a sly smile.

Inuyasha cast a glance in their direction. "We went for a walk." Kagome said glancing from Miroku to Inuyasha who just shrugged and walked over to Kouga.

"Ah, really? Tell me, how soft was the grass?" Miroku joked as Sango playfully hit him on the arm.

"Like a fluffy boa." Kagome grinned as Sesshoumaru grunted. Sango and Miroku let out a laugh while Inuyasha and Kouga stared at the four with blank expressions.

"Huh...?" Inuyasha turned to Kouga who shrugged.

"Beats me." Kouga said.

When everything was put up, everyone formed a circle around Haruka. Rain started to pour down harder and the ominous feeling inside Kagome's heart became a painful ache. The blowing trees, the swirling clouds, the sheets of rain, it really just wasn't adding up to a pretty picture. It was as almost as this day was chosen to face Naraku. This rainy day.

"Alright." Haruka said. "I can lead you to the doors of the castle but then that's as far as Tsuki and I can go."

"What!" Inuyasha blurted out in anger. "You two just leave us there!"

Haruka's eyes flashed. "If I could fight I would but as the guardian of Japan I am ordered not too. The same with Tsuki. Fairies aren't weapons of war. They were born from light and love."

"She led us to the bastard, Inuyasha, we can take over from there." Kagome said. Kagome then took a step into the circle. "I'm not one for speeches but I just want to say this, Naraku needs to die. Everyone here has had something taken from them by Naraku. Everyone here has had someone they loved taken by Naraku! The bastard needs to burn!"

"Hell yeah!" Kouga hollered.

"So let's bring the fire." Kagome hissed. "Let's go."

It was almost as if her speech brought some life into the group. They quickly set off a fast pace, heading for whatever may come. Running to what very well may be their end.

They followed the blood trail to the devil's layer.

End of Chapter

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Moonchild: Yep this is that little in between chapter, ya know, to get you pumped and nervous about the NEXT chapter.

Inuyasha: Or to get you pissed because you have to wait for the NEXT chapter.

Moonchild: I really wasn't going for THAT angle, honestly...

Inuyasha: Yeah sure... hey wait a second... there's something missing...

Moonchild: Yeah but what?

Inuyasha: I'm not quite sure...

Moonchild: What a second... WHERE'S THE STAR COUPLE?

Inuyasha: YEAH! WHERE THE FUCK IS THE STAR COUPLE--hey wait why are THEY the star couple?

Moonchild: Honestly Inuyasha its a SESSHOUMARU and KAGOME website...

Inuyasha: Right right, SO WHERE ARE THEY?

Moonchild: I dunno! Let's begin a quest Inuyasha! Called 'A quest to find the star couple' you check the closets upstairs and I'll check the ones downstairs. But before that lemme close with THANK YOU to everyone who sent me a review this past week. You guys, really lifted my spirits and made me realize, yeah I was being a little sensative and that I really shouldn't give what people think because there are people who really like this fic. And just... I got an overflow of reviews and I want to really say thank you. You guys really have helped me. I don't even think you realize how much you have. I'm better, more confindent because of all of you. :)

So anyways, ON TO THE CLOSETS!

Inuyasha: So why are we checking the closets...?

Moonchild: C'mon Inuyasha, think.

Inuyasha: Oh.. right.. ew..