(Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.)
(A/N: well i finished this story just right now. my grandma jus came over from china. -.-" i don't know why i'm saying this on fanfic but yea... anyways i guess you people want to find out who the figures are. And you won't really find an explanation in this chappie but it'll be in the next when i find the time to write it.)
Chapter 18: Four Shadowed Figures
The four figures stepped out of the shadows produced by the line of trees into the clearing. At a mere glance she quickly identified them. But what surprised her was that Kikyo was there with them. Upon the arrival of the hanyou shrouded in a white baboon pelt, the whole clearing started to flood with the scent of the toxic miasma. (A/N: HA! Well at least I succeeded to surprise some of you readers! Well I didn't give much of a hint that Naraku would show up but I didn't want Inuyasha and co. to show up so soon.)
Next to him were Kikyo who not too surprisingly fired the arrow and his detachments or offspring as he called them, Kagura and Kanna. Each of them was in their normal attire. Nothing out of the ordinary in this picture, other than that group trying to pursue a cloaked figure.
Immediately Kagome's senses were on full alert but remained calm to see what Naraku's motives were. They all momentarily forgot about Kouga that is until he spoke up and stood in a battle stance.
"What the hell are you doing with Naraku! I thought you were with Inuyasha!" his question was directed to the walking clay structure. (A/N: too bad for the people who like Kikyo. I'll refer to her how I like. You should be happy I didn't call her 'clay pot' as other people do.)
"Stupid wolf, I don't have to explain my presence to the likes of you. My motive is to collect the shards of the Shikon jewel. I never did mention that I was going to defeat Naraku."
"So in other words you're backstabbing the mutt and his group! That stupid dog-turd rejected my woman for a stupid backstabbing clay shell." (A/N: for those who asked last time, assume he can smell that she is made out of clay. :D)
"If you want it to sound appalling, then yes."
"You will pay for replacing Kagome!" Kouga blindly lunged at Kikyo with his claws flexed. What he didn't see was that Kagura had stepped in front of Kikyo with her fan drawn up to her face in a defensive position. With one swift, elegant flick of the wrist blades of wind started to hurtle towards him.
Kouga was too surprised about the unsuspecting attack to have enough time to dodge. Going into defensive mode he was ready for the painful impact of the blade. Realizing that the blades of wind never reached him, he slowly he raised his head to find that the mysterious figure cloaked in black standing in front of him with her hand in front of her. He looked around and quickly realized that she protected both of them by erecting a shield right then.
'How the hell did she move so fast!' he was brought out of his thoughts by a smooth, alluring voice that seeped out of the figure in front of him.
"What is your business here Naraku?"
"Ah… it is an honour that you would know one such as I."
"Who wouldn't have heard your infamous name before? You bring too much evil to be ignored."
"You make it sound like a bad thing. However I have a proposition for you. If you join us, I will guarantee you great power if you also hand over the jewel shards that you have in your possession." Soft chuckles could be heard coming from under the hood of the figure.
"As if I would join you. You would probably in the end just absorb me into your body like you did to countless of other demons." She stopped for a second before resuming. "You seemed shocked." Although Kagome couldn't see his face, shock was written all over his aura.
"Why indeed. I did not intend to meet such an intelligent youkai. That just increases my desire to have you in my body." Kouga was brought out of his stupor at the last statement.
'Why didn't she join Naraku? What kind of grudge does she have against him that he doesn't even know?'
"Akoya, why did you save me?" the addressed figure cocked her head to answer Kouga's question.
"You are a friend of Kagome's ne?"
"How did you know about Kagome?"
"She in a way helped me so think of it as a repay for her." Their attention was slowly drawn back to the four figures in front of them who were greedily drawing in the new information.
"So your name is Akoya? Why don't you hand over the jewel shards since it is now my duty to collect and protect it?"
"You've got to be kidding me. How will you protect it if you would just hand it over to Naraku who would overly likely contaminate it further? So why don't we just cut this crap and start this battle. That way you guys can leave me alone."
Kagome cautiously moved into a defensive stance waiting for the inevitable attacks. Kagome watched as Kikyo strung on an arrow to her bow and readily aimed it at her heart. Like last time, the arrow was released and as it soared midway, it stopped in its tracks and quickly burst into a pink flame. But before she could react, Naraku's numerous tentacles shot out towards her gripping at her waist and firmly held her arms and legs in place.
She was scolding in her mind. 'How was I so stupid to only concentrate on the arrow?' Looking to her side she can see the form of Kouga doing battle with Kagura. He was losing the fight but still held strong. She admired his determination.
"Well it seems like you have no other choice then to join bodies with me. It will be so satisfying to clad in your power and intellects. Say your last words as it shall be your last." Naraku's tentacles multiplied and encircled her till she was in a tight cocoon.
(A/N: Oh whats gonna happen to Kagome? No one knows! HaHaHaHa... whoa i think i had too much chocolate. well anyways you'll jus have to find out in the next chapter and i'll tell you why kikyo is there as well. Well Ja Ne! or in other words Bye!)
