Author's Note: Sorry for the late update everybody! Been really busy lately and all that junk, so here's a nice long chapter for all you anxiously waiting readers! I didn't have time to run this through my beta so please tell me if you don't like something! Enjoy chapter 15 and please review!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to or affiliated with Inuyasha, however this particular story is M-I-N-E! :)

Love on the Battlefield

Kagome starred at the face of the man she had known since kindergarten. He had always been very sweet, if not a bit dense, and would sometimes give her random presents for no reason at all. Now, she didn't think she could see him the same way again. His hand felt rough and uncomfortable on her chin. Not at all like Hojo's soft hands that had continuously grabbed hers. She jerked away to avoid contact, and Naraku's lips formed a menacing smile.

"As defiant as ever, I see." He chuckled, and the dark sound made Kagome shiver. "How is it you are among the living, my dear?"

"That's none of your business!" she snapped. For now, he didn't know she was a different Kagome, and that could play to their advantage.

"Leave her alone, Naraku!" Sango snarled at him, catching his attention. "Ah, Sango. Do you still hold a grudge for the death of your village?"

"Why you vile, wretched—"

"I thought so. Actually, I have recently come into possession of something you might be interested in." Naraku snapped his fingers, and a large figure with a giant sword strapped to his back stepped out of the shadows.

"No…Ban?!" Sango called to the figure, eyes wide with tears. Kagome starred at the large man whom she had once known as an enemy.

Bankotsu?! Does that mean the rest of the Band of Seven is here too?! And how does Sango know him?!

"Sango?" Kikyou looked at her concerned.

"My…my brother…" she whispered.

What?! Bankotsu is Sango's brother?! Though, after the shock of Hojo nothing should surprise me anymore.

"Hmm. That's right, this is your older brother I believe." Naraku/Hojo walked over to Bankotsu and studied him. "I wonder, what would you do if he were to suddenly attack you?" He looked back to Sango, eyes gleaming red.

"Don't you dare, Naraku!" Kagome yelled, leaning towards her friend to cover her. "I swear, if you lay a hand on my friends I'll purify you with my teeth if I have to!"

"Hmhm, feisty as ever, Kagome," he said while crossing his arms. "Kohaku, remove her but keep the other two restrained."

"As you wish, my lord." Kohaku wound another chain around Sango and Kikyou, then roughly grabbed Kagome and pulled her away. He pushed her towards Naraku, who easily caught her around the waist.

"Ugh! Let go of me!" Kagome cried, squirming in his touch.

"Hehe, how would you like to watch your friends be butchered by Sango's brother?"

Kagome starred at him horrified before crying loudly, "NO!"

Naraku only laughed harder and snapped his fingers. Bankotsu stood at attention, then drew his colossal sword Banryu.

"No, brother please!" Sango cried desperately. Kikyou huddled closer to Sango as Kagome could only watch helpless on the sidelines. Bankotsu raised his sword high above his head, ready to strike down the two women. Suddenly, an earsplitting roar filled the castle, causing the ground to shake and the walls to crack. Bankotsu faltered, stumbling back as the roar continued to thunder all around them. Kagome could feel the overpowering rage, and the overwhelming sadness that accompanied the deafening sound.

Something crashed into the far wall, and Kagome looked up to find Sesshomaru, eyes blazing red, fangs barred, and claws extended. He crouched low to the floor, like a beast ready to pounce. All at once Kagome realized that Sesshomaru's youkai blood had taken over, and the terrifying monster within had been unleashed.

Sesshomaru snarled at them, then leaped towards her and Naraku, who easily deflected him with large tentacles that sprang from the floor. The beast slashed madly at the lumps of flesh, determined to unleash his furry upon the two. Back and forth Sesshomaru parried with Naraku as Kagome was caught in the middle of it. Naraku finally loosened his grip enough for Kagome to squirm away. She made a mad dash for her friends, but a tentacle grabbed her around the ankle and quickly pulled her up high above them. Sesshomaru continued to slash wildly, slashing the tentacle that held Kagome as well.

The girl plummeted toward the ground screaming. As she fell she cried out desperately, "SESSHOMARU!" Immediately, clawed hands were wrapping around her waist as she was pressed against a soft chest. They landed gently, and Kagome quickly looked up to find Sesshomaru squeezing his eyes together and panting hard. She reached up and cupped his face with her hands, forcing his eyes to meet hers.

"You alright?" she asked earnestly. He stood there absorbing her with his eyes before crushing her to him and holding her tightly.

"Kagome," he breathed a sigh a relief, until he caught a whiff of her kidnapper. He slowly shifted her behind him before turning to face Naraku.

xxx

Sesshomaru was still shaken from his transformation, and the voice that brought him back. Kagome now stood behind him as he protectively covered her with his body. This Naraku the others spoke of seemed familiar, but Sesshomaru couldn't quite put his finger on why. Nevertheless, he had attempted to harm his friends, and that was enough to get him to the top of Sesshomaru's "To Kill" list.

Sesshomaru drew Tokijin and stepped forward, signaling to Kagome with his eyes to take cover with Miroku, who had run after him and was now dealing with Kikyou's and Sango's chains. Sometime ago, Rin and Kohaku had vanished, but Sesshomaru knew he needed to keep his focus on Naraku. Miroku and the others could handle any threat that came their way if need be.

"Ah, you are Sesshomaru, I believe. It's been some time. Fifty years if I'm not mistaken."

"What was your motive for harming my comrades?"

Naraku narrowed his eyes. "Straight to the point, hmm? You don't remember me do you?"

"One would not remember an ant under one's boot."

"What an insolent dog you are." Tentacles came flying towards Sesshomaru from different directions, but the hanyou deflected and sliced them easily.

"I could say the same of you." Sesshomaru slashed, sending an energy wave towards his opponent that sliced off several appendages.

"Hehe, not bad Sesshomaru. I'll tell you my reasons, but your comrades hold no value to me. All I wanted was Kagome."

Sesshomaru's eyes bled red, but he kept silent. He gripped his sword tighter, ready to strike with another energy wave.

"You see, I'm the one who destroyed your relationship." Naraku's eyes narrowed darkly, and his mouth formed a smirk. "I'm the one who loved her and killed her."

With a ferocious roar, Sesshomaru launched himself at the laughing youkai, who brought up a rock hard spider leg to parry Sesshomaru's sword. The two stood there in stalemate, each waiting for the other to falter, until finally Naraku jumped away and landed a blow to Sesshomaru's chest. The hanyou covered the gash and skidded back, panting through gritted teeth.

"SESSHOMARU!" Kagome called out. "USE THE SORYUHA!" Sesshomaru glanced at her curiously, wondering what it was. "IT'S A SPECIAL ATTACK! YOUR SWORD KNOWS WHAT TO DO!"

Sesshomaru concentrated on his blade as it began to glow a deep blue. He knew he could trust Kagome's words.

"You're too late! Die you pathetic dog!" Naraku's tentacles rushed at him. Sesshomaru brought his blade back and swung.

"SORYUHA!" he shouted as a large blue dragon formed and collided with Naraku.

"WHAT!" Naraku screeched as his body was torn to shreds, leaving only his head and shoulders. He started flying away and shouted back, "This isn't over! I will have Kagome!"

Miroku quickly ran forward, holding out his right hand before ripping off the prayer beads and shouting, "You are not getting away! KAZAANA!" The void in his hand opened up, and everything around them was pulled towards the hole.

A swarm of wasps quickly surrounded Naraku, and before Miroku's Kazaana could suck them in, Kagome tackled him to the ground, looping the prayer beads around his hand, while Naraku escaped.

"Why did you stop me Kagome?!" Miroku yelled at her, agitated.

"I couldn't let you suck in those insects! They're called Saimyosho, and they're very poisonous. If you had sucked them in you would have died," Kagome said solemnly.

Miroku stared at her for a moment before bowing his head in shame and saying, "I'm sorry Kagome. You saved my life, and I will be forever grateful."

"It's okay Miroku. I've dealt with those creepy-crawlies a lot, so I know how dangerous they can be."

"But now I've lost my only chance to kill Naraku!"

"I wouldn't be too sure. He vowed to come after Kagome again. We have not seen the last of him," Sesshomaru said, coming up behind them.

"Bankotsu! Bankotsu! Wake up!" Sango cried desperately, patting his cheek as his head lay in her lap. Kikyou rushed forward and grabbed his wrist, then sighed in relief.

"Don't worry Sango, he's alright. He's just passed out a bit, that's all."

"Oh thank Kami!" She hugged his head closer and rocked him back and forth. Kikyou reached behind his neck and pulled out a shard of the Shikon no Tama.

"This must have been what was controlling him. At least he isn't in Naraku's grasp anymore," Kikyou said quietly.

"We will take him with us until he awakens," Sesshomaru nodded towards Miroku, who then placed the big man on Kirara's back.

"Thank you, Sesshomaru," Sango said gratified. Sesshomaru nodded his head in acknowledgement before turning back to Kagome.

He knelt on the ground and took her hand, examining her closely before asking, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a case of the jitters… Eww, I can't believe he touched me!" she rubbed her arms and shook slightly.

Sesshomaru gently folded his arms around her and tangled his fingers in her hair. "I'm glad you're safe. I will not let him touch you again."

"You sure that's a promise you can keep?"

"…Yes"

"You hesitated. That means you're not sure. Don't worry, you're strong, and I have faith in you." She tilted her head to gaze into his eyes. "I know you'll always come to rescue me when I'm in danger," she flashed that big smile of hers, and Sesshomaru thought that she had the most gorgeous set of lips he had ever seen.

"Hnn."

xxx

"If you two are done being sappy, can we get outta here?! This place gives me the creeps!" Koga stood with the rest of their party, intently watching the couple. Kagome blushed a bit, and Sesshomaru quickly removed her from his arms.

"We're leaving," Sesshomaru declared, already heading for the door, as the others followed behind him.

Kikyou came up to Kagome and raised an eyebrow. "What?" Kagome asked.

"Oh it's nothing. Just thought you two were getting a little cozy for a minute," Kikyou nonchalantly said, eyes ahead.

"No…b-but…ah…" Kagome stuttered, blushing bright red. Kikyou chuckled and held a finger to her lips, winking at her before catching up with the rest of their group and leaving Kagome dumbfounded. Giving up, Kagome bit her lip and rolled her eyes, knowing she was headed for disaster if her heart kept up that steady drumbeat that seemed to start whenever she was near Sesshomaru.

xxx

"Master, we lost the shard that was in Bankotsu's neck," Rin bowed, awaiting the scolding she was sure to get.

"Hehe, no that's alright. Let the fools think I have relinquished control of one of my pawns. I always have a back-up plan ready, just in case." An evil smirk formed on the youkai's lips as a spider crawled deep in the flesh of his latest victim.

Other Author's Note: I'm just giving you guys all kinds of cliffys! Mirrored Episode 2 is out! Just look it up on youtube under Mirrored Episode 2 In My World...