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Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha.

Special Thanks to: To my Beta ReviewerWriter and anyone who reviews.

H-hello? is anybody out there? i'm sorry for not updateing as quicky as i had been in the past. i was in Japan for peats sake! well i'm back and here to tell you that there will only be one more update for this story and that will be the epolog... after that i will not post for a couple mounths to start up a my next story. but i'll still be out there... maybe reading some of your storys! bum bum BUM! well without firther adu, last chap...

Recap:

"But promise that you'll wake me up if something happens, okay?" she requested.

"Of course I will."

With that said, she fell asleep in her lover's arms. She prayed that nothing bad would happen as she slept. Hopefully Koga would return soon with reinforcements.

Broken Wings

Chapter 29

Immaculate Smiles

Someone began shaking Kagome, warning that she should get out of her slumber. She groaned and tried stubbornly to stay asleep. It wasn't until she felt someone purposely blow on her ear that she twitched into consciousness.

She jolted up, coming face-to-face with her awakener. It was her InuYasha. He was looking rather grim and more than tired. She gave him an apologetic look, the memories of the situation at hand quickly pushed aside the fading memories of her peaceful dreams.

"Is nighttime yet?" she mumbled with worry, knowing fully well that Kaguya's promise to return would soon be upon them. Her chapped lips had difficulty parting from the long sleep. Oddly enough Kagome didn't feel sore at all…had InuYasha been cradling her the entire time?

"Almost," he breathed, "and Koga still ain't back yet."

Kagome locked her shoulders trying not to make it visible how nervous she actually was. Why hadn't the protective wolf shown up yet? Would InuYasha and she be slain by the chaotic woman who lurked heavily within the marble halls?

All these troubling thoughts had Kagome choking on the already thickened air. She didn't know how much longer she could keep waiting; the fear she felt began to melt into a feeling of insanity—she couldn't take much more of this.

InuYasha, thankfully, seemed calm enough for the both of them. His eyes were steady at the door, stealing quick glances out the windows incase the enemy would surprise them. His strong hold on Kagome never wavered. It was continuously firm, even with his depilated strength from the horrid night before.

Much to her distress, his demure had changed quickly. His pale purple eyes absolutely sparkled in the empty room. Darkness tinted with only the pale light from the outer stars was the room's only illumination.

She could feel the heat of tears poke at the edges of her eyes and the awkward feelings within made it difficult to swallow. She didn't want anything bad to happen to InuYasha and the time for Kaguya's return was now. The determination of his face oddly altered his appearance. It was as if confidence and doubt were an equal mix with him about the possible outcome of the inevitable fight.

Horrible images paraded within Kagome's mind. She had bizarre fears that her blood would somehow be spilt all over him and that he would be nothing but a flesh ridden corpse by the end of this night. All the probabilities of him dying tragically flooded her. She was still cradled within her lover's arms but even her legs went numb with fear.

She pinched her arm hard to try and force herself to calm down. She couldn't loose it, not now. She knew she must be strong…strong for him.

As Kagome finally finished her painful thoughts, the doors of the marble hallways flew open causing loud echoes rippling throughout the quieted room. Two familiar figures joined the two hostages. One was fare and petite, the other a horrifying large demonic-Hojo.

InuYasha placed Kagome gently to the ground and stood proudly, fully prepared to take down this creepy witch. He had never seemed so determined to win a fight before. Of course, this wasn't some schoolyard grudge with the local bully; this was for that deceptive creature who dared to call herself Kagome's mom.

"It seems that poor excuse of a wolf ran away with his tail between his scrawny legs," Kaguya cackled without remorse for the missing Koga.

"I think we agree for once, wench," he snorted. He waited cautiously to determine which foe would strike first. That answer came quickly once Kaguya lazily flinched her index finger, signaling Hojo into the fray.

"You sure are cocky half-breed," she replied in a chillingly calmed voice.

InuYasha merely stepped to the side and landed a two-fingered attack into Hojo's ribs. He drove his hand upward so he could deal the most damage to this brute. The gravity between the hanyou's pressure-point attack and Hojo leaning into him was too great…InuYasha retracted his attack before any injury could be made to his hand.

Hojo jolted backwards into an ornamental statue, completely demolishing the lifeless item to pieces. He quickly turned his massive head to stare down the pathetic demon, the corner of his mouth dripped eerily with saliva.

Kagome watched in awe at the battle. She remembered how InuYasha had fought off Koga before but this fight was so skillful! It was almost as if he had morphed into someone completely different when he fought. His dodging movements and strategic attacks were applaudable.

InuYasha landed a few more choice blows to Hojo's joints. He made sure to jab and stab every weak point that this giant made available to him. The demon was becoming frustrated with the half-breed's pathetic attempts to bring him down. In Hojo's demonic state, he had forgotten that this mutt could beat him in a fair fight. He furrowed his brow and reached his arm out to slash his chest. He barely grazed the hanyou's torso and the monster felt a pain stinging at his hip from InuYasha's clever counterattack.

Kaguya watched onward and she could admit this battle was entertaining but this little show was not what she wanted.

"Stop fooling around you mindless fur-ball! I want that half-breed dead NOW!" she bellowed.

Kagome looked over to Kaguya, who had wisely chosen to stay out of the battle. InuYasha's girlfriend wasn't going to sit idly by and watch him die. She knew with great confidence that her hanyou would defeat this giant demon. Even as a human, InuYasha was a tough man but now that his demonic powers were in full swing, victory was clearly visible.

That witch, Kaguya, was a different story.

Kagome glanced around the room looking for anything that might be used as a weapon in aiding their fight. With glee the young teen noticed the broken statue's head which had rolled closely by her. It left many broken granite pieces strewn on the floor. She quickly dashed over to it and picked up a shattered stone fragment.

With a glare of pure determination she locked her focus to Kaguya. Though overwhelmed with fright and despair, Kagome gathered the courage and hurled it directly at her 'mom'.

Because Kaguya's attention was diverted to her servant Hojo, she hadn't realized the little wench of a woman attacked. The fragment struck her right in the back of the neck and she let out an agonizing yell.

The only thoughts that raced through Kagome's mind now were that of her mother. How kind that woman had once been…she had always made Kagome feel loved. It was a horrible feeling of betrayal. Kagome figured, in some odd way, that she would always feel some kind of affection to her mother. The pain of guilt, adoration and hate mixed horribly in her stomach. It was unbearable.

Even the hurtful breakup with Hojo couldn't surpass the wounds that began to pick and pluck at her sorrowful heart. Another precisely thrown stone was hurled and it struck once more. As soon as the chunk of stone collided with her flesh it made it sizzle like an uncontrollable fire.

Kaguya saw the next fling coming. She swung her hand gracefully to try and knock it away like it was some soft of annoying bug. The witch's aim was off and the granite struck her in the chest which burned a hole straight through her beautiful silken robes.

Kaguya's eyes widened in bewilderment as a small light sparkled but quickly faded from the welt. She stared with awed disbelief at Kagome. Her daughter's eyes were dark and hollow, filled with such determination that it made the witch shiver with more than a hint of fear. When Kagome's next strike darted through the air, there was another illuminating glint that shone from it.

'Her spiritual powers are increasing at a rapid pace,' she thought breathlessly. 'How can her powers have developed so quickly in just mere moments?'

Kagome let out a grunt as the next rock was sent soaring. This time her powers had radiated heavily within it, giving the weapon the appearance of a brilliantly lit star…the attack was devastatingly painful. Kaguya hadn't managed to avoid the attack and the strike hit dead-on.

InuYasha was running out of energy. His handy adrenalin rush had been depleted a few hits ago. His tiredness wasn't just from the battle but from the amount of sleep-deprivation and extreme worry for his love. Thankfully Hojo appeared to be tuckered out as well from being on the receiving end of so many clever hits. Both appeared evenly matched in their fatigue and they were both huffing as they continued to relentlessly spar.

His skillful attacks were now sloppy and barely even hitting their destinations. The hanyou was also heavily injured from a successful swipe at his abdomen which bled sickeningly. He was caught off guard when he noticed a beam of light shooting past him which struck Hojo directly in the face.

InuYasha quickly looked back only to find that Kagome was the source of the amazing comet.

His stomach felt as empty as that cold stare of hers. She looked focused but not lively. She seemed dead somehow. Why was she still gleaming with such beauty that only those in an eternal slumber could match so strongly?

Finally Kaguya was dead and sprawled out on the floor. There was a heavy flow of blood that pooled around her. Kagome reared another stone and hit Hojo in his ribs. A snapping sound erupted as the magic of the rock took its toll on his torso.

Kagome moved forward in her lifeless strides, tossing the only stone that was left. It slammed into Hojo's chest again, entering his body. The dazzling light completely obliterated his heart and the corpse fell down with an empty thud. InuYasha ran to Kagome's side quickly where she immediately doubled over and spat up a small trace of blood. The might of her powers was so intense that it made her queasy and lightheaded.

"How'd ya do that, Kagome!" InuYasha asked with vast astonishment though he wasn't quite sure if she would be able to answer him.

"I don't know," she breathed exhaustedly, "I just…wanted to help…" She coughed up another mouthful of crimson. He set her down softly to the ground, his lap acting as a pillow to her head. They stayed this way for a while in comfortable silence, exhausted but enthralled that the battle was over.

As time passed a large explosion was heard from behind them. The sound of many marching men came rustling in. InuYasha whipped his head around and was petrified at the idea that he would have to fight off an army of Kaguya's minions. To the hanyou's massive relief he saw a whole fleet of militarily figures approach him.

Koga came sprinting out from the crowd calling out to Kagome.

"What the hell happened to her mutt-face?" he asked with a yell though his worry deeply laced his words. InuYasha harshly glared at him; he was far too tired to deal with the wolf and his timing was so off it made him want to smack the guy's head.

"She passed out 'cause you didn't get here on time, ass-breath," he retorted crudely.

Koga was taken aback with by that snapping comment but he managed to set his pride aside. He had to make sure Kagome would be alright.

"We better get her checked out," Koga stated blankly and at a loss of how he should feel from this situation. InuYasha stroked at her pale face as the wolf called forth a troop that had medical experience.

InuYasha absentmindedly held onto her frail hand. Kagome would be okay but her bloodied body had been put through so much strain.

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A preppy flight attendant passed by them on the plane offering drinks. The tired couple silently refused and just wanted to bask in their peace.

They had needed to stay in Kyoto for an extra week to be interrogated by Officer Shin, among countless others. Kagome had been much quieter then and almost absent from her physical frame. Even Koga's shameless come-ons and hearty tone hadn't broken through to her.

It was an understatement to say that it was scaring InuYasha to no end.

He didn't know what kind of an outcome to expect from Kagome's recovery. She wasn't at all herself from this whole incident. He couldn't blame her though; he didn't expect her to recuperate so quickly. She would need time but he also worried if he would ever see her smile that perfect smile again.

Without the slightest hint of a conversation starting, Kagome suddenly spoke out:

"InuYasha, thank you," she said simply. Her voice was horse but it still as sweet as ever. "I would have died without you. I love you my Sir Goth," she finished as she hugged him warmly. InuYasha didn't have to see her face but he knew that she was smiling and happy…as long as she was by his side, she would always be rapturous and blissful.

"I love you too, my Black Maiden."

He stared into her warm eyes, never again to see the dreaded hollowness and depression within her again. With a deep kiss they sealed their loving passion, never to be separated by misfortune or sadness again.

----------------------------------------The End----------------------------------------

Okay, for those of you who have read my other works, I'm sorry to say that I shall not be giving what so many wanted…sniffle…there will be no sequel to this story. Now please don't run off after you read that last sentence. I don't think I could make a story worth telling (at this moment) that could shine in the same light as the first, so I don't even wanna try at this point.

I do, however, greatly thank all who reviewed. Ya really kept me going. And great thanks to you, my beta ReviewerWriter, who helped correct my story though its many great chapters. Until next time friends, take care and good luck with your stories!