The Reincarnation of Miko Midoriko

by Amaterasu1969

Naraku has grown stronger and has allied himself with the last member of the Hyouga family. Kikyou has weakened and is dying. They must find the reincarnation of Midoriko in order to defeat Naraku. But who is Midoriko's reincarnation? InuKag MirSan SessOC

53. The Great Priestess

A1969: well, I've got news—Finally got into med school. I can go back to updating regularly in peace.
Inuyasha: too bad, I was getting used to the silence.
Kagome: don't start!
A1969: yeah, don't start or I'll castrate you! As soon as I get my license xD
Sesshoumaru: Inuyasha is underage for a demon. Legally, I am his guardian.
Inuyasha: what nonsense are you spouting now, you mutt?!
Sesshoumaru: the author has my full authority to…neuter you.
Inuyasha: dammit! *runs away*
A1969: aaaw! Get back here. Meh. Anyway, enjoy this chapter!

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

-Chapter Fifty-Three-

.:The Great Priestess:.

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

Kagome

No way.

The room had gone silent. We all stared at the girl standing on the futon, the blanket wrapped tightly around her. Clara's expression was cold, her eyes unfeeling. She held herself with the rigid dignity of a noblewoman. Everything about her seemed to suggest a covert hostility. Directed towards whom, I wasn't really sure.

But no. This was not Clara—this was Midoriko. Cold, calculating, cunning Midoriko.

"What have you done to Clara?" I demanded.

Midoriko turned to me. Her cold eyes reminded me of ice. "You should be glad," she said. "If I had not taken this body from her, she would be dead, and her soul one with mine." She turned her attention to Sesshoumaru, who was regarding her with an icy glare. "The girl is safe, her soul I've locked in the Sacred Jewel."

"What?!" I exclaimed. I fished the Sacred Jewel from my pocket. I was half expecting to see Clara inside, shouting for us to let her out. But there was only light and darkness in the jewel.

"You are not supposed to be awake," Kasai said. He took a step beside Sesshoumaru. His eyes were hard, wary.

Midoriko sighed. "You see me as the enemy, no doubt," she said, shaking her head. "And, in a way, I am. I have but one goal—to cleanse this world of the evil I've birthed. The Sacred Jewel must be destroyed."

"I do not comprehend," Kasai said, frowning.

Midoriko's eyes were steely. "The Sacred Jewel is a great evil," she said. "Birthed by me in a bout of desperation. If I could return to the moment of my death, I would rather have died and admitted defeat than create the Jewel. My lapse in judgment will haunt me into eternity."

"Had I been there to help you, you need not have died," Kasai said simply. "If you need one to blame, let the guilt rest on me."

For a moment, Midoriko's eyes softened in pity. "Oh, Kasai," she said. She took a step towards him so she stood between him and Sesshoumaru.

Ignoring Sesshoumaru, she stooped and placed a hand on Kasai's cheek. As she did so, Kasai's features began to change. The wrinkles slowly vanished as his skin smoothed out, and he slowly grew in size until he stood taller than even Sesshoumaru. His snowy main of hair darkened and his eyes shifted to a blue that rivaled Clara's.

I blinked, thoroughly taken aback. Gone was the wilted little god whom we'd all thought was no better than Miroku. The man standing in front of Midoriko emanated strength and dignity similar to that of Sesshoumaru. I knew then that this was Kasai's true form, before the gods sealed him away. But though he appeared stronger, his divine aura had diminished as though it took a considerable amount of power to maintain his appearance.

Sesshoumaru frowned. I had a sneaking suspicion that he wanted to pull Clara away from Kasai, regardless of who was possessing her body.

"You knew I chose Kaijin, and yet you devoted yourself to me," Midoriko said. She pulled away from him and paused. "Regardless. I've birthed the Jewel, and I must destroy it."

"That's what we were going to do," Sango spoke up. She frowned at Midoriko.

"And you were doing a marvelous job." I never knew that Midoriko was one for sarcasm. She shook her head. "From the moment this girl came to this world, I could sense her—could feel her. She is me, and I am her. We are two sides of the same coin, she and I. At first, I ignored her presence. I knew there were people whose mission it was to purify the jewel." She turned to me.

I scowled at her. "I waited," Midoriko went on. "You would succeed, I could sense that. However, the moment the fiend Naraku fused his soul with the Sacred Jewel, the darkness slowly overcame me. I had no choice. I knew I must take matters into my own hands."

"So you siphoned her soul," Kasai said. I stared at him. Gone was the wheezy, lecherous tone he used—his voice was deeper, the tone curt.

Midoriko nodded. "I needed the girl's body," she went on. "I needed to take her consciousness and break out."

"You were going to kill her," Sesshoumaru said. His voice was flat and devoid of any emotion, even animosity. I suddenly remembered Jaken saying Sesshoumaru was more dangerous passive-aggressive.

"Not willingly," Midoriko said. She sounded indignant. "However, in the end…my soul and hers must become one again, if I am to overcome the Jewel's darkness."

"What will happen to Clara?" I snapped. "It's unfair of you to take her body and her life! You have no right!"

"You see me as wicked and cruel," Midoriko said, her eyes flashing. "It is natural, and I bear you no ill will. However…every victim the Jewel has claimed, every soul it has wronged, I feel their pain. The village of demon slayers? Every one of them cried out, and my heart broke with each pitiful soul, as though I felt every single moment of their suffering. I have even heard Kikyou's soul cry out as she died, slaughtered all because a wretched half-demon desired the Sacred Jewel.

"You think my actions cruel, but you and I are on the same side—we all desire the destruction of the Jewel, no matter the cost." She paused, and her eyes slowly shifted to Sesshoumaru. "You are a warrior, Lord Sesshoumaru. You understand all too well the necessity of sacrifice on the battlefield."

I could tell it was taking a great deal of Sesshoumaru's self-control to keep himself calm. His fingers twitched, as though itching to wrap them around Clara's—Midoriko's—throat.

"Return her to me," Sesshoumaru said. His voice was cold and deadly.

Midoriko took a step back. "I am afraid I cannot do that. Once the Jewel is completed, and our souls one, I will destroy both Naraku and Magatsuhi. As to Clara—even I cannot tell what her fate will be."

In the blink of an eye, Sesshouamru had Midoriko pressed against the wall, a clawed hand around her throat. "Now," he hissed.

"Are you going to kill me?" Midoriko asked, her tone unfeeling.

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed as they shifted to bloody red. He bared his fangs at her, his meaning all too clear.

"Love has clouded your mind, and flurried your emotions," Midoriko said matter-of-factly. I had to hand it to Midoriko—she was every bit as fearless as they all said she was. Her lips curled into a lazy smile. "I can empathize, if it is any consolation."

Sesshoumaru growled, and his fingers squeezed lightly, barely enough to intimidate her. "We both know you are incapable of harming a single hair on this body," Midoriko said smoothly. Somehow, the conniving look she wore didn't suit Clara's face. It seemed wrong.

The red in Sesshoumaru's eyes slowly receded. He let go of Midoriko's throat, turned on his heel and strode towards the doors. "Kasai," he said as he left. "Ensure that this woman does not leave."

Kasai raised an eyebrow as he watched Sesshoumaru's mane of silver hair whip out of sight. "Quite an exacting fellow," he said, amused. He turned to Midoriko and frowned.

"Are you going to lock me up?" she asked, echoing his amusement.

Kasai let out a long sigh as he ran a hand through his mane of dark hair. "You are not supposed to be here," he said. He sounded torn. He turned to Sango and I. "May have a word with her, alone?"

I hesitated, glancing at Cla—Midoriko. She raised her eyebrows at me, her expression austere. "Fine," I said, glaring at Midoriko. "Let's go." I turned to Sango.

But she was gone.

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

Sesshoumaru

The snow continued to fall relentlessly. I glanced around me. Standing in the middle of Kasai's stone garden, I could not help but think of the last time I had stood here. It was when Clara had broken the Tenseiga, and she had sought out Kasai to re-forge the sword.

I clenched my fists, and willed myself to be calm. For a moment, Midoriko's contemptuous smile flashed through my mind. Taunting.

If it were not Clara's body she had been possessing, I would have slaughtered her. Abominable woman.

I thought of last night, of the warmth in Clara's eyes as she gave herself to me, body and soul. And her gentle smile as she stroked my hair. I had never felt more complete. More content.

I turned back towards the veranda. I will get her back.

And I would cut down anyone who stood in my way.

. . .

"Lord Sesshoumaru, how is Clara doing?" Rin looked anxious as I entered the room.

"Lord Sesshoumaru!" Jaken screeched. He immediately stood and ran towards me, falling prostrate at my feet.

Ignoring both their greetings, I glanced around the room, searching for my quarry. A cheerful fire burned in the pit in the center, and a tray of half-eaten food was spread out before it. The shutters were closed, the shoji screens folded away.

Frowning, I turned to Jaken. "Where is Kohaku?"

Jaken looked up and blinked. He glanced about the room. "Kohaku, milord?" he repeated.

"Did I stutter?"

He stood and bowed from the waist. His expression was frantic. "No, milord! Of course not, never milord! Your eloquence is virtually unmatched!"

I glared, and beads of sweat dotted his brow. "Um, Lord Sesshoumaru?" Rin said hesitantly.

I schooled my expression into one of calm as I turned to her. "What is it, Rin?"

She rubbed her arm, a habit of hers when she wished to tell me something that may be upsetting. "Um…Sango came and took Kohaku with her, my lord," Rin said. "She said she would just take him somewhere safe." She paused, and looked up at me. "Are you mad, my lord?"

I gave her a pat on the head. "No, Rin," I said gently.

Not at you.

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

Sango

"I don't get it." Kohaku raked a hand through his hair as he continued to pace around the cave like a restless wolf. "Sis, why did we leave? I understand what you said about Midoriko possessing Clara, but shouldn't that have been reason to stay? She could help us."

I looked up from the fire I was stoking. "Once the snow calms down a little, we're going to find Miroku and Inuyasha," I said. "I have a bad feeling about Midoriko, Kohaku."

Kohaku sat across the fire from me. "Why?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Midoriko wants to destroy the darkness in the Jewel," I reasoned. "In order for her to do that, she will have to complete it. She will need your shard, and she will take it."

"But…" There was a stubborn glint in his eyes. "Sis, this is Midoriko. Maybe she knows how to remove the shard…safely."

"Maybe she does, maybe she doesn't," I said. Kirara leapt onto my lap and mewed in agreement. "The only thing I'm sure of, is that Midoriko is relentless. She will do anything to vanquish the Jewel—she was willing to take Clara's body, maybe even willing to sacrifice her to achieve her goal. Who's to say she won't do the same to you?"

"Sis…" Kohaku clenched his fists. "I don't want to run away. I want to help in any way I can. I'm…Because of me, Clara was dying. Because of me, the Jewel is still here. Offering my help to Midoriko—"

"Don't say that!" I sounded harsher than I intended. I sighed and shook my head. "Kohaku, I know you feel guilty—about our Father and comrades, about the things Naraku forced you to do, and about Clara. You would never do any of the things you've done—you have a kind heart. You want to make amends, but you are a victim just as much as anyone. You deserve a chance to live."

He clenched his fists and looked bitterly at the fire. "I should have died that day," he said quietly. "At Lord Kagewaki's castle. That was my fate, but Naraku brought me back." He paused. "Which is why…"

"Enough." I stood and circled the fire. I sat beside him, but he refused to meet my eyes. "Kohaku, we're family. You are the only thing I have left." I thought of Miroku, and shook my head. "You're my brother. I love you, and I will always protect you, no matter what happens."

He looked up at me. "I killed our comrades. I killed many others. I did Naraku's bidding. I could have killed you. If I died…how would you feel?"

I held his gaze. I thought of everything he'd done, dwelling on my father and my own brush with death at his hand. I thought of all the lives he took.

Reaching out, I drew him into my arms. "You're my brother," I said again. "You've done evil, I know that. I also know that you are a brave, caring boy, who deserves to live just as much as anyone. If you died, I…I would feel lost and alone. Please—live, Kohaku. It's what Father would have wanted."

His fingers tightened around my arms. He leaned his forehead against my shoulder. His back felt tense. Oh, Kohaku…it wasn't fair. Someone so young shouldn't have to think about sacrificing his life for the sake of others…

"Sis…promise me." Kohaku looked up. What was the look he saw in my eyes, I wonder? "Can you…promise me something?"

I was about to refuse him, when he rushed on. "Promise me that we'll find a way to save Clara," he said. His eyes were burning with a determination I had never seen from him before. "Promise me that we'll find a way to remove the shard safely. Promise me that…no one has to die. Promise me."

I gripped his shoulders. How can I make all those promises, knowing there was a good chance I would break some of them? In this struggle with the Sacred Jewel, there would always be death and uncertainty.

"I won't lie to you. I can't give you my word," I said slowly, ashamed. "But I can promise you this—I will protect you, Kohaku, and I will stand by you. I wish I could do more, but—"

Kohaku smiled. "Thank you, sis," he said quietly. "It's more than I deserve."

I held him close. I remembered what life had been like before we were both entangled with the Sacred Jewel, before Naraku, and even Miroku and the others. It had been a simple life—or, at least, as simple as could be for a demon slayer. It was certainly filled with more laughter and smiles than now.

Kirara, who had been watching us intently across the fire, suddenly raised her head towards the entrance of the cave. Her ears twitched as she sniffed the air.

"Kirara?" I said.

Kohaku pulled away as Kirara stood, her fur bristling. I quickly leapt to my feet. "Kirara, what is it?"

There was a roar of flame as she transformed. Without a backward glance at me, she rushed towards the entrance. I took Hiraikotsu, and ran after her.

"Kohaku, stay here!" I shouted over my shoulder.

"But, Sis—"

"Do as you're told!" I snapped. I pushed aside the pang of guilt I felt and ran out into the snow.

The sun was starting to set, and the trees cast long, menacing shadows towards us. Kirara stood at the entrance of the cave, growling menacingly at a figure standing in front of her. At first, I couldn't see him—his hair and clothes blended perfectly with the snow around him.

I gritted my teeth and clenched Hiraikotsu as he regarded me with amused eyes. Idiot, idiot, idiot. In my rush to get away from Midoriko, I had forgotten that there were others who wanted the last shard of the Jewel.

I glared. "Hakudoshi."

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

Sesshoumaru

Kagomestood at the end of the hall, staring out through the open shutters at the falling snow. She ran a hand through her hair, her expression one of trouble. It was not hard to guess the source of her disquiet.

Sensing me, she looked up as I strode towards her. She frowned. "Where is she?" I asked.

"Midoriko's in there, with Kasai," she said, tilting her head towards the room she had left.

I frowned as I narrowed my eyes. I could hear nothing from the room—Kasai had sealed it off. For privacy's sake, no doubt. A mad urge to storm those walls took hold of me, but I controlled myself. Midoriko was, no doubt, up to something.

But she was not the one I sought out. I turned back to Kagome. "I was referring to the demon slayer," I said.

"Sango? I'm not sure where she is. I hardly even noticed she left," she said. She blinked, as though in realization. "Wait, she isn't with Kohaku and Rin?"

I narrowed my eyes. "She took the boy and left," I said.

Hearing the disdain in my voice, she glared at me. This girl had always been recklessly fearless. "It's not surprising," she said, rather scathingly. "She knows you want the shard, and she knows Midoriko wants to complete the Jewel—of course, she would take her brother and leave. I would do the same thing if I was in her shoes."

"An unnecessary move," I said coldly. "I will not allow Midoriko to complete the Jewel."

She blinked, surprised. Humans—too presumptuous.

"Why?" And rather slow.

I glanced towards the room. I could not hear whatever conversation Midoriko and Kasai were sharing. Kagome waited patiently for an answer.

"Clara's soul is already within the Jewel you hold," I said, turning my gaze back to her. "Midoriko's soul will keep her body alive. The moment she completes the Jewel, I assume their souls will finally be one."

"And we don't know what will happen to Clara," Kagome said. She drew the Sacred Jewel from the sleeve of her haori and peered intently into it.

The Jewel radiated with a soft, pure light, marred by Naraku's darkness at its core. Kagome's brows met in the middle as she stared at it. "We don't know if she'll be Clara, or if she'll be Midoriko. We don't know if her soul will pass on after she defeats this darkness. We don't know…"

She looked up at me. "Until we find a way to fix this mess…" She shook her head, and smiled sadly at me. "We seem to be in a lot of messes lately."

"Hn."

Kagome held the Jewel out to me. "Sango wanted to keep Kohaku away from"—she tilted her head towards the room—"we'll have to trust her on that. In the meantime…I'm entrusting the Jewel to you. I have a feeling it would rather be with you than with me, anyway."

She dropped the Jewel into my palm. I watched, fascinated, as its pure light slowly turned into a deep black. Kagome stared at it, a slight frown on her face. She shook her head.

"I'm pretty sure you can handle a dark Sacred Jewel," she muttered. "Besides…I know you can protect it better than I can. And right now with"—once again, she glanced towards the room behind her—"her back…The Jewel doesn't need purifying at the moment, it needs protecting. And I'm sure you'll be an even match for her."

Though I loathed being compared to a human, I nodded and slipped the Jewel into my sleeve. "I shall seek out Sango and Kohaku," I said. However, first…

I turned towards the room behind us and slid the door open with such force, splinters of wood flew from it. Kasai was seated near the fire. No longer did he appear as a young man—he had reverted to the form of an old man once again.

Midoriko was not in the room.

Kasai stood as I strode towards him. "Where is she?" I demanded. It took a considerable amount of self-control to keep myself from flaying the fool.

"Where do you think she has gone?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

I frowned. The Jewel was with me…

Of course.

Kohaku.

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

Sango

I gripped Hiraikotsu as I took a defensive stance at the entrance of the cave. I wasn't going to let Hakudoshi get his way with Kohaku. He'd have to walk all over my dead body! Beside me, Kirara let out a loud roar as though she sensed my determination.

Hakudoshi chuckled. He slung his naginata across his shoulders, regarding me with amused eyes.

"Don't tell me you're going to fight me?" He chuckled and I glared. "Bravery and idiocy are synonymous when it comes to humans."

I gritted my teeth. "I don't understand your plans," I said, stalling for time. Time…for what? The others to come?

Hakudoshi smiled. It was amazing how sinister his angelic face was when he smiled. "It's simple, really," he said. "Haven't you ever wondered why Naraku would lock himself away in the Jewel? What schemes could he possibly hatch from there? Nothing, yes?"

I frowned. Ever since Clara had first told us that Naraku was within the Jewel, I had always wondered why he would limit himself in such a way.

A loud neigh came from above us. There was a burst of flame as Entei appeared above Hakudoshi. I felt sweat trickling down my brow. In all honesty, it would be difficult holding up against Hakudoshi. But with Entei, it seemed almost impossible. I shook my head. No—I had to protect Kohaku.

"You see, Sango," Hakudoshi went on. "I was the one who convinced Naraku to lock himself within the Jewel. Inside, he has no awareness, cannot sense us unless we hold the Jewel."

"Then…so as long as the Jewel isn't complete, there's no chance of Naraku ever emerging," I finished. "Do you really think you've fooled him?"

The boy's lips curled into an easily smile. "Don't you know? Naraku trusts me the most out of all his incarnates, the fool." He grinned. It was rather feral. "He knew if he placed his soul within the Jewel, his darkness would overwhelm Midoriko, and she would need her own, complete soul—Clara's. You would be completing the Jewel for Naraku. All he had to do was wait, and when the Jewel was whole, he would have unimaginable power. Or so he thought."

He took a step towards me, and I tensed. "It appealed to him—you idiots completing the Jewel while he did nothing, but watch." He feigned sadness. "All the while not realizing that complete Jewel or not, in the end, Clara would still die."

He let out a loud guffaw, and I felt my anger boiling. "You tricked us," I hissed.

"Oh, yes," he said. "You fools actually believed if you completed it, you would save her. Ha! Ha! Ha!" He grinned. "We, on the other hand—if we kept even just one shard away from the Jewel, Naraku would never be released, and we would be free."

"You…bastard," I hissed. My hands were shaking. Everything…Our struggle to find a way to save Kohaku, to save Clara by completing the Jewel…it was all for nothing!

"And now," Hakudoshi said smoothly. "I'm here to take the last shard."

"You bastard!" I threw Hiraikotsu towards him, but Hakudoshi leapt into the air and onto Entei's back. I caught Hiraikotsu as it flew back towards me, and quickly mounted Kirara.

We flew towards Hakudoshi, who smiled lazily at us, as though amused. "I'm going to kill you!" I screeched.

"Humor me, won't you?" he said, smirking.

"Hiraikotsu!" I threw Hiraikotsu towards Hakudoshi's head, but he didn't even flinch.

"Don't think you can even scratch me with this!" My eyes widened as Hakudoshi urged Entei. I watched, numb, as he met Hiraikotsu head on and easily slashed through it with his naginata. Hiraikotsu fell in two pieces to the snow below with a muffled thud!

I drew my sword from its sheath. "You really are amusing," Hakudoshi said.

"Shut up!" I urged Kirara on and we sped towards Hakudoshi and Entei. I heard the clang of metal as Kirara and I flew past Hakudoshi, our weapons clashing in the air. Despite his childlike appearance, Hakudoshi was strong. The force of his strike made my arm ache.

Kirara and I spun around to face him again. "Sango, Sango," Hakudoshi said silkily. "We have no personal vendetta against you, really—all we want is the shard to keep Naraku from coming out of the Jewel. So, let's make a deal, you and I."

"I know what your deal is," I snapped. I pointed my sword at him. "And if you think I'm going to let you take Kohaku's shard, then you have another thing coming!"

He chuckled. All around us, the light was growing dimmer, and it was getting colder. A shudder ran through me as Hakudoshi regarded me.

"You humans are so pessimistic," he said. "Give me Kohaku, and we will keep him safe."

I stared. "What?"

He shrugged. "We will keep him away from Sesshoumaru," he said. He didn't know about Clara and Midoriko. "I realize that taking Kohaku is much better than taking the shard. You see, I find it highly unlikely that that insipid girl, Clara, will let Sesshoumaru kill Kohaku for her sake. And that's the best thing about love, in my opinion—it turns you into a slave." He laughed, loud and cruel.

"You're wrong," I snapped. In many ways, he was wrong, but there was only one thing I was concerned about at the moment. "Clara will not stop Sesshoumaru from taking Kohaku's shard."

"Oh?" he said, arching an eyebrow. "I've seen that girl's thoughts—she will not allow Sesshoumaru the sweet liberty of killing Kohaku. And that is to our advantage."

"You don't know Sesshoumaru," I hissed. "Even if it means she'll hate him, he'd gladly kill anyone so as long as she lived."

"Well, then, isn't that all the more reason to hand Kohaku over to us?" he said. "Granted, he'll be our prisoner, and you'll never see him again." He grinned and raised the three fingers of his free hand. "You have three seconds to accept my offer. Decline, and I will kill you right here, right now, and take Kohaku. We can both benefit, Sango."

His smile broadened as he lowered a finger. "Three…"

Admittedly, his offer made perfect sense. But…

"Two…"

I would never be able to forgive myself if I made a pact with the spawn of the monster that killed my Father, and the other demon slayers. And neither would Kohaku.

"One."

"Go to hell!" With a cry, Kirara and I flew towards Hakudoshi. Our weapons clashed, and I clenched my teeth to stop myself from gasping in pain as the force of Hakudoshi's strike made my arm ache again.

Hakudoshi brandished his naginata as he and Entei circled the air to charge at us. "I'm done toying with you, Sango," he said. "I want to play with your head now."

He rushed towards us, and I clenched my sword. From the corner of my eye, I saw a glint of silver.

"Die, slayer!" Hakudoshi screeched.

A streak of silver suddenly flashed towards Hakudoshi. "What the—?!" Entei immediately stopped and Kohaku's chain-sickle nearly struck Hakudoshi. It grazed his cheek before it was sharply tugged back down.

I looked below. Kohaku stood near the entrance of the cave. He swung his chain-sickle above his head as he glared up at Hakudoshi with determined eyes.

"Kohaku!" I shouted.

"I won't let you harm my Sister!" Kohaku snarled. He swung the chain-sickle towards Hakudoshi, who easily deflected it with his naginata. Kohaku immediately retracted it, prepared to swing it again.

"Kohaku, don't!" I called out.

He shook his head as he looked up at me. "I won't let you fight my battles," he said. "You don't need to protect me all the time—I want to protect you, too!"

The determination in his eyes told me that he would not back down. For a moment, I could picture Kohaku as he was before everything happened—happy, carefree, and lively. That child was gone now. Standing below me was a fearless boy who would do anything to protect those he loved.

I shook my head and smiled. "Then you and I will finish him together," I said. He grinned at me.

Hakudoshi chuckled, and I turned to him. He covered his face with a hand as his laughter grew louder. "Humans. So pathetically amusing!"

He suddenly charged towards Kohaku, and Kirara and I immediately followed. Kohaku dodged, rolling into the snow as Hakudoshi sped past him. He quickly stood and I held out my hand. He leapt into the air, and I felt his warm hand closing around mine. In that moment, I didn't feel as though I was protecting him—it felt as though we would have each other's backs.

I pulled Kohaku onto Kirara and he sat behind me. "We won't be able to outrun him," Kohaku said as Hakudoshi and Entei veered towards us.

"Then we'll just have to kill him," I said.

He grinned at me. "Entei!" Hakudoshi shouted as they sped towards us. A burst of flame spewed from Entei's mouth, and Kirara quickly flew higher to avoid it. We flew towards Hakudoshi, our weapons flashing. Hakudoshi quickly parried our blows.

He chuckled. "Do you really think you can stand a chance?" he sneered.

"Watch us!" I snapped as we sped towards him again.

Our weapons clashed, sending sparks into the air. "Entei!" Hakudoshi shouted. Entei suddenly rushed towards us, faster than before. Kirara barely had time to dodge as Entei came rushing past us with a speed that nearly rivaled that of Sesshoumaru.

"You think you can really defeat me, fools?" Hakudoshi sneered. In the blink of an eye, Entei was suddenly in front of us. "Think again."

I didn't even have time to be surprised. Kohaku let out a gasp of surprise as Hakudoshi struck his stomach. Blood spurted from the wound as Kohaku fell off Kirara.

"Kohaku!" I shouted as Kirara and I dived down.

Hakudoshi and Entei suddenly appeared beneath Kohaku, who fell onto Entei's back. "Shit!" Kirara stopped just as a barrier materialized around Entei, effectively trapping Kohaku within.

"No! Kohaku!" I slashed at Hakudoshi's barrier with my sword to no effect.

Chuckling in childish glee, Hakudoshi looked up at me with eyes filled with menace. "Pitiful, really," he said, glancing behind him at Kohaku.

Kohaku had a hand over his wound, but it did little to stop the blood from pouring. He looked up at me.

"Kohaku!" I shouted.

"You're annoying," Hakudoshi said contemptuously. His gaze flickered behind me. "Finish her, won't you?"

Kirara and I spun around. Kagura was hovering on her feather above me, a bored expression her face. "Whatever," she said, rolling her eyes.

Hakudoshi smiled sadistically at me. "Say goodbye to Kohaku," he said as they slowly faded away.

"Kohaku!" I shouted. I rushed towards them, but I hit only air. They were gone. "No!"

I heard Kagura's voice behind me. "I'm starting to feel sorry for you slayers," she said. Kirara and I spun around. Kagura had her fan in her hand. "Pitiful, the both of you. Let me put you out of your misery!"

I gripped my sword tightly as I felt anger welling up inside me. She was right—we were a pitiful lot, weren't we? Our entire village gone, our Father dead, and, now my brother had been taken away from me.

Her fan flashed through the air, and her wind blades sped towards us. "Kirara!" She rushed towards Kagura, dodging her wind blades as she flew.

Kagura sped backward as she waved her fan at me. "Dance of Dragons!" she shouted.

The snow flurried around us as tornadoes materialized in front of Kagura. "I'll let you run," she sneered.

I glanced below me. Her wind had whipped the snow around the ground, and I could make out the two halves of my broken Hiraikotus. I thought of my Father, our comrades, the other villagers, and Kohaku. I felt a reckless fury taking hold of me as I turned back to Kagura.

"You wish!" I snarled. "Kirara, go!"

"You've signed your death wish!" Kagura waved her fan and her tornadoes rushed towards us. Kirara wove through the harsh winds, and I clung tightly onto her to keep from being blown off. I brandished my sword in front of me as we drew nearer Kagura.

"Dance of Blades!" she screeched, waving her fan.

I ducked, narrowly missing one of her wind blades. That was the thing with Kagura—she spread her attacks too thin, giving Kirara and I room to maneuver.

"Go, Kirara," I breathed.

Kirara roared as we drew closer. Kagura waved her fan, and Kirara growled loudly as one of Kagura's wind blades struck her flank.

"Kirara!" I shouted as blood dripped from the gash on her fur.

She growled, ignoring the pain as she sped on. "Pests!" Kagura snapped. She raised her fan as we drew even nearer.

I clenched Kirara's fur and raised myself from her back. Kirara dodged several more of Kagura's wind blades…

Now!

I leapt from Kirara's back and towards Kagura. I reached out and gripped her shoulder as I plunged my sword deep into her chest. Kagura's eyes widened in surprise as blood dripped from the wound. I felt us topple off her feather and plummet towards the ground.

I saw Kirara flying towards me. I felt her jaws clamping on the sash around my waist as we both hurtled downwards. She threw me onto her back, and, a moment later, Kirara roared as we both hit the ground.

I gasped as I rolled off her back and onto the snow. "Kirara!" I winced as I got on my knees. A burst of flame enveloped Kirara as she transformed. She lay on the snow, small, bloodied and twitching. "Kirara!"

My eyes felt hot as I scooped her into my arms. The gash at her side was bleeding badly. She opened one orange eye, and mewed.

"You'll be all right," I said as I clutched her to my chest. "I'll make sure you're all right."

"You…you really are pathetic."

Kagura had fallen onto the snow. Her knees shook as she stood. My sword was still protruding from her chest.

"You think you can beat me?" she hissed. Her red eyes flashed menacingly as she gripped the sword by the hilt and pulled it out. Blood gushed from the wound on her chest, and dripped onto the ground, staining the snow with a deep red. She tossed my sword away. She was still clutching her fan.

I glanced towards Hiraikotsu's fallen pieces. They were several yards away from me. My body felt sore and bruised, and my arm ached from Hakudoshi's strikes. Could I get to one of Hiraikotsu's pieces before Kagura struck again?

Kirara mewed, and I held her closer as Kagura slowly walked towards me. "Shame, really," she said as she raised her fan. "Out of all those who opposed Naraku, you were the least annoying."

She raised the fan, her lips stretched in a wide smile. "Unfortunately, better you than me, eh?"

I closed my eyes.

"Meido Zangetsuha!"

My eyes flew open just as a meido came rushing from the farthest edge of the clearing, headed straight for Kagura. "What the—?!" The Wind Witch's eyes widened in surprise as she spun around.

I quickly got to my feet and leapt back just as the meido came barreling towards Kagura. The wind howled wildly, and the snow spiraled around us. I grabbed hold of a tree and watched as Kagura raised her hand to her head for a feather that was not there. I buried my face against Kirara's fur and braced myself.

The meido struck Kagura and she screamed in terror. Though I couldn't see her face, I had a feeling that her expression was nothing but pure horror as the meido pulled her in, before fading away.

I looked up.

There was a deep hole in the ground where Kagura had been standing earlier. Several trees had been uprooted and sucked into the meido, leaving mounds of turned earth in their wake. All around us, the snow continued to fall.

Kirara mewed, turning towards the edge of the trees opposite us. A figure stalked out of the shadows, and I felt my heart leap in fear.

"Sesshoumaru," I said. Against Kagura, I had a slim chance of escaping. Sesshoumaru, on the other hand, was a different story altogether.

He made his way towards me, but stopped at the hole the meido had gouged into the earth. I pulled away from the tree, and stood straighter, clutching Kirara tightly against me.

"Make it quick," I said. I was surprised by how firm my voice sounded, and for that I was thankful. "But let Kirara go. She has nothing to do with any of this."

I felt Kirara stirring in my arms as she mewed in protest. I tightened my grip on her.

Sesshoumaru raised his eyes to me. For a brief instant, I wondered how Clara could possibly stand looking into those eyes—they were cold, and betrayed neither his thoughts nor his emotions. Pitiless.

"She will die if you do not get her treatment," Sesshoumaru said, lowering his eyes to Kirara. I stared at him, surprised. "Where is Kohaku?" he asked.

I looked away, and immediately felt sick with worry as I remembered the blood that had gushed from Kohaku's wound. Was he all right? Surely, the shard in the back would keep him alive…

Sesshoumaru was waiting for an answer. "Hakudoshi took him," I said, my voice shaking. "I don't know where—he came and took Kohaku away. I don't know if he's alive, or…"

I blinked rapidly. No. No matter how worried I was about Kohaku, I will never cry in front of the man who would kill me.

Sesshoumaru looked up at the sky, and I wished he would just get it over with. "Why?"

I bit my lip. What was he doing?

"He said he was the one who convinced Naraku to seal himself inside the Jewel," I said. "He told Naraku it would be easier and safer. He did it so he and the other incarnates could be free, so as long as the Jewel remained incomplete and Naraku sealed inside. I'm not sure if Naraku knows about his duplicity or not."

"Hn."

Kirara fidgeted in my arms. "He…he also said that complete or not, Clara will die eventually," I said.

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed, and I tensed, waiting for the blow to surely strike. Anger flashed through his face, before he schooled his expression into one of indifference.

"Yes, unfortunately."

My eyes widened as Sesshoumaru and I glanced towards the edge of the trees, where another figure lurked, partially hidden in the shadows. But there was no mistaking that voice.

"Clara?" I said.

She came out of the shadows with slow, measured steps. She was wearing the same armor Midoriko had worn so many centuries ago. Two sheathed swords were strapped to her waist. Her hair was bound into a ponytail atop her head, and her eyes…her eyes were cold and direct, the expression of a person who was determined to get what she wanted.

It was an expression that looked so wrong on Clara, somehow.

I shook my head. "Midoriko," I said.

Sesshoumaru clenched his fists as he stared at her. "You," he said.

Midoriko sighed. "I am not your enemy," she said simply.

Sesshoumaru glared. "But yes—Clara would have died even if you completed the Jewel. I would have taken her soul all the more faster then," she said as she looked up at the falling snow.

"How could you?" I asked.

Midoriko didn't look at me. "I have seen too many bloodshed and tears because of the Jewel," she said simply. "Sometimes, I think they are more numerous than the falling snow. Too much pain, too much suffering. I could no longer stand it.

"When Naraku fused his soul with that of the Jewel, darkness threatened to overwhelm me," she went on, lowering her eyes to us. "I needed the other half of my soul—Clara's. I never wanted to take her life. However, it is a necessary sacrifice in this battle against the Jewel."

She turned to Sesshoumaru. "I have told you—you are a warrior. Sacrifices must be made in battle, especially a battle such as this. Clara's life is little compared to the lives that can be saved once the Jewel is vanquished.

"But you are blinded, Lord Sesshoumaru," she said. There was pity in her voice. "You love her, you need her, and you wish to be with her. You, who once despised humans, wish to be with one. And yet…" There was sadness in her eyes. "That cannot be. I do not know what will happen to Clara once this battle is won. However, be thankful for the night you shared with her. It was more than Kaijin and I had."

I stared at Sesshoumaru, a bit surprised at Midoriko's revelation. "You've no right to speak of her," he said coldly.

Midoriko frowned. "I will no longer bother with you, Lord Sesshoumaru," she said. "I will find the last shard and vanquish the Jewel myself. For that, I need the Jewel you hold."

Something inside me snapped. "You can't do that!" I shouted. I ran towards her, leaping over the hole left by the meido. I stood beside Sesshoumaru, Kirara clutched safely in my arms. "If you do, my brother will die."

Midoriko paused and turned slowly towards us. There was a pained expression on Clara's face. "A child—an innocent," she said. "I will regret taking his life more than I will regret taking Clara's. However…"

She shook her head and I felt rage bubbling inside me. "You're heartless!" I screamed.

Midoriko looked sadly at me. Kirara suddenly squirmed and raised her head, letting out a soft mew.

Midoriko stared at her, surprised. "Kirara?" she said. And then she smiled. The warm smile she wore nearly tricked me into believing that Clara had returned to her body. "My Kirara, my faithful friend."

I held Kirara closer, afraid that she would try to take her away, too. "I see you've found a new mistress," Midoriko said. "I am happy for you. You've fought bravely by my side for so long. Kaijin chose well."

The smile faded from her face. She abruptly turned back to the trees, but before she could even take a step, Sesshoumaru was suddenly in front of her, blocking her path.

"I will not allow you to leave," the demon lord said as he towered over her.

"That is not your decision to make." It felt surreal, seeing Clara glaring up at Sesshoumaru like that. "For too long I have watched countless people suffer. Enough is enough. I will allow no one to stop me, not even you."

Sesshoumaru took her arm. White, sacred light flashed where he touched her, and he withdrew his hand. He glared as he slowly drew Bakusaiga from its sheath.

"Sesshoumaru, what are you doing?" I asked. He wouldn't risk harming Clara's body just to get to Midoriko…would he?

"You wish to fight me?" Midoriko asked as she took a step back. "My, aren't you playing the role of fool. The enemy is the Jewel, Lord Sesshoumaru, not me, not even Naraku. It is the Jewel. For the sake of Clara's memory, I suggest you get your priorities in order." She tilted her head, her eyes focusing on his left sleeve. "You can start by handing over the Sacred Jewel."

"Draw," Sesshoumaru hissed. "I will not fight an unarmed opponent."

"Is your love so fickle that you will not help me battle this enemy?" Midoriko asked. "The Jewel must eliminated. I am certain that Clara will understand. Why don't you?"

Sesshoumaru's jaw visibly clenched. "Enough." He charged towards Midoriko, who quickly drew the two swords from their sheaths. One of them was Shinsei, the other, I had never seen before.

The sound of metal against metal echoed around me. Snow flurried through the air as their swords clashed. Their swords locked and Midoriko smiled at Sesshoumaru.

"You've taught this girl well," she said.

Sesshoumaru pulled away and rushed towards her again. Midoriko parried his strike with one of her swords, and brought the other down on Sesshoumaru. He leapt back, landing gracefully in the snow.

He glanced over his shoulder at me. "Do not interfere," he ordered.

I hesitated. Sesshoumaru could be really angry, when provoked. What if he inadvertently hurt Clara? But no. I recalled the way his eyes looked every time they fell on her. I knew then, he would never do anything to harm her, physically or otherwise.

I nodded.

Midoriko rushed towards Sesshoumaru, and he parried her blow. As I watched their swords clash again and again, I realized what Sesshoumaru was trying to do. Not once did he fire an attack, and his blows were not as intense as when he fought an enemy. He was trying to exhaust Midoriko, I realized. She was, after all, human.

I frowned. What would he do when she eventually used her immense spiritual energy against him? Sesshoumaru may have been faking his blows, but there was no doubt in my mind that Midoriko wouldn't hesitate to kill him.

I glanced towards Hiraikotsu's fallen pieces. Spiritual energy would affect a demon greatly—but not so a human.

As Midoriko and Sesshoumaru continued to clash swords, I slowly crept towards Hiraikotsu's broken halves.

"This girl is human, and a priestess," Midoriko suddenly said. I glanced over my shoulder at them. Her sword was locked with Sesshoumaru's. "She is not meant for you. Her fate is to be one with me and destroy the Jewel!"

"That is not for you to decide!" Sesshoumaru hissed as he pulled away from her. He brought his sword down on her, and Midoriko crossed her swords together to block his blow. The force behind it must have surprised her, because she grimaced.

Sesshoumaru drew away from her, and leapt back. "Does it burn you, Midoriko?" he asked, cold amusement in his voice. "To see her have what you never had?"

Midoriko blinked. For a second, I could see pain in her eyes, before it was replaced with the unmistakable look of anger. "I will not be spoken to in such a manner by an ignorant fool!" she snapped.

There was a sharp rise in spiritual energy. The snow swirled around Midoriko as she crossed her swords, facing them towards Sesshoumaru.

I plucked one of Hiraikotsu's halves from the snow, and gently set Kirara down. She mewed, and I shook my head. "Stay here, Kirara," I whispered.

"For Clara's sake," Midoriko was saying. "I will give you one chance—had me the Sacred Jewel, and I will spare you."

Sesshoumaru smirked as he raised Bakusaiga horizontally in front of him. "Who do you think I am?"

Midoriko narrowed her eyes. "I do not wish to harm you, but you leave me with no choice." The swords she held immediately glowed with an intense white light. I felt the hairs on my nape stand on end. What immense spiritual energy…I'd never felt anything like this.

Sesshoumaru didn't look the least bit ruffled. For a moment, I admired his stubborn determination not to keel over. If I, a human, could feel bowled over by such energy, what more for him?

"Find peace in the afterlife, Lord Sesshoumaru," Midoriko said. She uncrossed her swords and light sped towards Sesshoumaru, taking the shape of a fiery bird.

"Watch out!" I shouted.

It was unnecessary. As though mirroring Midoriko, I felt a sharp rise in demonic aura as Sesshoumaru's sword glowed with a dark light as he slashed it through the air.

"Meido Zangetsuha!"

A dark meido sped towards Midoriko's attack. Both collided with one another, darkness and light, pure and impure, battling for dominance. The snow danced violently around us as it was drawn into the dark depths of the meido.

Midoriko's fiery bird was engulfed, but, at the same time, the meido collapsed on itself, unable to take the strain of Midoriko's power. It released a shockwave so strong, I nearly fell over.

Incredible.

Midoriko flicked her swords. "You are indeed a powerful opponent," she said grudgingly, glaring at Sesshoumaru.

He didn't answer.

"However, Lord Sesshoumaru," Midoriko went on. "You are clearly holding back. You do not wish to harm this body, yes?"

She sheathed her other sword then, to my horror, she held Shinsei across her throat. The sharp edge reflected the moonlight as it hovered close to her skin.

Sesshoumaru's jaw clenched. I gripped Hiraikotsu's half tightly. From this angle, I could easily knock Midoriko out.

"I wouldn't try it if I were you, slayer," Midoriko said, glancing briefly at me. "The moment you let your weapon fly, this sword will have sliced through Clara's neck."

I dropped Hiraikotsu's half. "You're horrible," I said.

Midoriko's eyes were filled with a sorrow. "No," she said quietly. "Merely desperate." She looked at Sesshoumaru in challenge. "I do not wish to waste time, Lord Sesshoumaru. Give me the Jewel."

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes. I think he was calculating how fast he could get to her before Midoriko could act. But…

"She's bluffing," I said, frowning. "If you kill Clara, you'll only kill yourself."

Midoriko raised an eyebrow. "That may be so," she agreed. "However—if I die in this body, my soul will be one with Clara's inside the Jewel. But you, Lord Sesshoumaru, will lose the girl you love, body and soul, along with any slim chance of saving her life."

She glared at Sesshoumaru. "I'm waiting."

I clenched my fists. If Sesshoumaru gave her the Jewel, she would no doubt hunt Kohaku down and take his shard, if Hakudoshi hadn't done so already. But if he refused…

Midoriko pressed the sword against her throat, a whisper of metal against skin.

Sesshoumaru's face was nothing more than an emotionless mask as he sheathed Bakusaiga. Keeping his eyes fixed on Midoriko, he reached into his sleeve and drew out the dark Sacred Jewel.

He tossed it towards her, and she caught it with her free hand. The moment she touched the Jewel, its darkness was reduced to nothing more than a dot in the center as light engulfed it.

Midoriko looked down at it. "How small it looks in the palm of my hand," she murmured. "And yet, within, I felt as if I were battling the whole world."

She looked up at Sesshoumaru. "Thank you, Lord Sesshoumaru," she said. Light slowly engulfed her, and when it faded away, she was gone.

The silence was maddening.

Sesshoumaru stared at the spot where Midoriko had been standing. I couldn't tell what he was feeling—anger? Hatred?

For a moment, neither of us said a word. Then realization slowly crept up on me—Midoriko had the Jewel. She would go after Kohaku next. I grudgingly found myself wishing that Hakudoshi brought him to a place no one, not even Midoriko, would find.

Sesshoumaru suddenly glanced towards me, and I tensed, prepared to grab Kirara and run.

"Let's go," he said, as he turned towards the trees.

I stared at his retreating back, surprised, before I picked Kirara up and followed.

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

Kagome

"This is all my fault." I groaned and buried my face in my hands. I had given Sesshoumaru the Jewel, knowing that he would protect it with his life. I should have known something like this would happen. Midoriko used a dirty trick to take the Jewel from Sesshoumaru, but it had worked—she'd won.

And now, she would most assuredly hunt down Kohaku.

I felt a clawed hand on my shoulder. I looked up to meet Inuyasha's eyes. Everyone was gathered in Kasai's palace, in the same room Midoriko had awoken in. Everyone, except Sesshoumaru and Kasai.

"It's not your fault, Kagome," Inuyasha said gently. "You thought it was best—heck, even I thought it was best."

"Inuyasha is right, Kagome," Sango agreed. Kirara, bandaged and sleeping, was curled up on her lap. "We couldn't have guessed Midoriko would be devious enough to pull a trick like that."

I shook my head. In some ways, I could understand Midoriko—her pain at seeing so many people suffer because of the Jewel, and her determination to set things right, no matter the cost. But it was difficult trying to understand her ferocity, and her distrust in our own determination to purify the Jewel.

I looked up. Sango was staring into the fire. There was a thoughtful, worried expression in her eyes. Miroku had an arm around her shoulder, his own expression grim.

Sango had said that Hakudoshi took Kohaku. Where, we didn't know. And we didn't know if he was still alive or not. We were, in all honesty, in hotter water than we were yesterday. It felt surreal.

"Hakudoshi doesn't know about Midoriko," Sango suddenly said. She looked around at us. "He thinks keeping the shard in Kohaku will stop Sesshoumaru from taking it, because Clara wouldn't let him."

Miroku shook his head. "I don't know who I want to win," he said darkly. "Hakudoshi or Midoriko."

Sango gently stroked Kirara. "What do we do now?" she wondered aloud. She sounded defeated.

Hearing her this way unnerved me. Sango—strong, confident and brave—had always known what to do, what course of action to take. And she usually took it with swift decisiveness, without reluctance. Hearing her sound so...lost made me feel uneasy.

"Stop Midoriko."

Surprised, we turned towards the door. Sesshoumaru stood at the doorway, cold eyes narrowed at us. The expression on his face told me he was ready to rip someone's head off.

"As much as I hate to admit it, he's right," Inuyasha said.

Miroku nodded in agreement. "If Midoriko takes the shard, we lose both Clara and Kohaku," he said slowly. "I understand that she wishes to purify the Jewel once and for all, but she doesn't see how to do it without sacrificing them. If we stop her, we can buy enough time to save Clara and Kohaku. And eventually purify the Jewel ourselves."

"One problem," I said. "We don't know where Hakudoshi took Kohaku."

Sango frowned. "Midoriko might not know herself," she said.

"That is where you're wrong." The shutters leading out to the garden slid open and Kasai strode in. He held a repaired Hiraikotsu in his hand.

Sesshoumaru glared at him, and the old god stared warily at the demon lord. "What do you mean, Lord Kasai?" Miroku asked. Out of everyone, he was the most respectful towards the perverted little god.

"Midoriko can find the shard the boy possesses," Kasai said. "The shard—the Jewel—is a part of her. Even if it were at the very bottom of the oceans on the other side of the globe, she would have no trouble tracking it down."

"So, it's like a homing beacon for Midoriko," I said.

Everyone stared at me. "A what?" Sango asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's..." I shook my head, suddenly sheepish. "Never mind."

"So, Midoriko will eventually find Kohaku," Sango said bitterly.

"We need to find her before that happens," Inuyasha said.

"How?" I asked.

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at Kasai. The expression on his face was one of cold malice. "You," he said.

Kasai blinked. "I cannot interfere," he said. He held out Hiraikotsu. "I've done enough as it were."

Sesshoumaru took a slow step towards him. "Then you will do more," he said coldly. There was no mistaking the veiled threat in his voice.

Kasai's guarded expression made me wonder—with a good portion of his power sealed away by the other gods, was he strong enough to take down Sesshoumaru? I shook my head. I'd long since learned that it was never a good idea to threaten a god. I was surprised Sesshoumaru hadn't.

"Lord Kasai," I said more respectfully. He turned towards me. "I know you've done a lot to help us, even though we didn't deserve your help."

His expression was wary, but interested. Encouraged, I went on. "You've given us so much help already—re-forging Tenseiga, telling us about Anru, repairing Hiraikotsu, and even letting us stay here. We're not ungrateful. You risked being punished by the gods with every ounce of help you gave us. We don't have any more right to ask for your help."

I paused, and Sesshoumaru glared at me. Ignoring him, I kept my expression calm and somewhat awed as I stared at Kasai. "But we have to," I went on. "But not just for us—for all the victims of the Jewel. Midoriko is right. The Jewel has caused too much suffering, and it should be purified."

I could feel Sesshoumaru's angry eyes on me, and it took a great amount of effort to keep myself calm. "But we can do so much more," I went on. "With your help, Lord Kasai, we can purify the Jewel and save Clara. And we can put Midoriko at ease, knowing that the Jewel has finally been vanquished."

I felt the pressure of angry eyes move away from me, and I inwardly sighed in relief. Kasai frowned. The lines on his face looked deeper. For a moment, I wondered—what would life be like if Midoriko had chosen Kasai instead of Kaijin? Would the Sacred Jewel still have been created? In fact, would Clara have been born?

Kasai promptly turned his back on us so he could stare out at the falling snow. The garden beyond the veranda was covered in white, and the moon was nothing more than a sliver in the sky. It looked as though Kasai was thinking of what to say. I felt a bit guilty for playing on his lingering feelings for Midoriko, but...

"I loved Midoriko dearly," Kasai said quietly. "She was the only woman to have had such a hold on me. She was everything to me—the sun, warmth, light, love. Everything. I never stopped loving her, even after she chose Kaijin, even after the gods punished Anru and I because of our disagreements over her."

He paused and turned back to us. He looked tired. "I cannot help you stop her," he said quietly. He held up two long fingers before anyone could say a word. "However, I will help you find her. That much I can do."

I smiled at him, and dipped my head in gratitude. "We owe you our thanks," I said.

Kasai turned away. "You owe me nothing," he said quietly, staring out into the falling snow. "The other gods are admittedly content to watch humans struggle against the Jewel. It is an evil power, the same power that has tormented Midoriko for so long, in life and in death."

He turned back to us. His eyes were hard, filled with a serious determination I never expected from the little god. "I want her to find peace."

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

Hakudoshi

"What are you going to do to me?"

I raised an eyebrow. My lips curled into an amused sneer as I stared at the boy trapped behind the wooden bars. Kohaku's expression was one of grim determination—determination to hide his fear, no doubt. The wound I'd inflicted on him earlier had already healed, thanks to the shard in his back.

Chuckling, I pressed my face close to the bars of his cell. He scowled at me. "There's no need to sound so ungrateful, Kohaku," I said, smirking. "You should thank us. We're keeping you safe, isn't that wonderful?"

He glared at me. The look in his eyes told me that he was thinking. Of what, I wasn't quite sure. I wanted to read his thoughts, but I couldn't risk opening his cage. He might fly away.

"Keeping me safe," he scoffed, defiant. "From Lord Sesshoumaru?" He had the audacity to chuckle. "You don't know him. He'll do anything to keep Clara alive, even if it means she'll hate him."

I raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?" I taunted.

His eyes were hard. "Are you?"

I couldn't help it—I laughed. "You humans love acting brave, don't you?" I said. "Your façade may be one of courage, but beneath that, I can easily sense your fear, Kohaku. You don't want to die. You humans cling to life with every last sliver of hope you have."

He clenched his fists. "Then you aren't that different from humans, are you?"

I smiled. "Perhaps not," I said. "You see, Kohaku. You best pray that you're wrong—about Lord Sesshoumaru. Let's all pretend that he respects Clara's decisions, no matter how silly they may seem. If he doesn't…" My smile widened. I felt feral. "There's nothing stopping me from taking the shard in your back."

I could see a flicker of anxiety in his eyes. "I don't give a damn," he said.

I smirked. "Don't you?"

. . .

Long shadows danced on either side of me as I walked down the drafty hall. Though fires burned in the torches on the walls, the air felt cold, the chill seeping into the castle. Naraku's castle.

Mine now.

I couldn't help but grin. That fool Naraku—what a moron to fall so easily for my words. He wasn't as infallible as he liked to think he was.

I stopped by one of the windows in the hall. The snow outside was falling heavily, and I could see nothing but a blanket of white all around. The sun was rising slowly in the horizon, its light gray amidst the falling snow. I stuck a hand through one of the bars in the window, and let the snow fall onto my palm. It melted as I drew my hand back inside, the water dripping quietly onto the wooden floor.

One of Naraku's demonic servants suddenly appeared beside me. "Isn't Kagura back yet?" I asked. That woman's incompetence always ensured that she did things slowly.

"No, my lord," he said.

"I'm not surprised," I said, turning back to the window. "Maybe she's dead." I had a feeling she was—call it instinct. We were created from Naraku, after all. In a way, we were all connected. When Kanna had been pulled into Sesshoumaru's meido, I had felt as though I had lost something—not something of great importance, just something.

I got that feeling right now—listlessness. Heh. All of Naraku's other incarnates were gone. I was the survivor—I was the strongest, after all. Frankly, I preferred it that way. Kagura was a nuisance, who wouldn't hesitate to betray the people around her.

"My lord," the servant went on.

I glanced at him. He was holding Kanna's mirror in front of him—I had managed to salvage it from our last encounter with Sesshoumaru. Curious, I peered into it. I could see a vast field of white reflected in the mirror's silvery depths. It took me a while to realize that this vast field of white was the very edge of the barrier I'd erected around Naraku's castle.

An armored figure suddenly stepped into view. Beneath the armor, I had no trouble making out the slender figure of a girl, a girl who walked with purpose. Cold, blue eyes stared ahead, as though searching…

"It's that insipid girl, Clara," I scoffed. "She isn't worth a moment of my time." I smiled nastily. "Or maybe she can be. What's say we have a little fun with her?" What wonderful timing—my demons were thirsting for human blood.

"It looks as though she's coming towards the castle, my lord," the servant said hesitantly.

"Have you forgotten the barrier?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He raised the mirror higher. I frowned. Clara was staring around her, contemplating the vast field of white with cold, narrowed eyes. Huh…

That girl was many things—weak, pathetic, and sniveling, but she was far from cold. She carried herself rigidly, and her steps were sure. As though she knew where she was going.

Impossible. The barrier around the castle shielded everything within, even the presence of the shard. She shouldn't be able to sense it.

As though to contradict me, Clara silently drew one of the swords strapped to her waist. I recognized it at once as Shinsei. I watched, fascinated and wary, as she took several steps towards the edge of the invisible barrier.

Shinsei glowed with a white light as she raised it in front of her. She slashed the sword through the air—through the barrier. There was a flash of light as the barrier materialized into view, before slowly shattering from where Clara had struck.

I laughed. "Now," I said. "This should be fun."

. . .

"Well, well, well." I couldn't help but feel gleeful as I looked down at Clara. She was standing several feet in the snow, her expression grim as she stared up at me. I could feel Entei shuddering beneath me, eager for a battle. "Alone? I'm surprised—doesn't Sesshoumaru usually fight your battles for you?"

Clara scowled, her lip curling into a sneer of disdain. "Your tongue—you would do well to hold it," she snapped. "I do not tolerate lies."

I frowned. There was something off about the girl—her manner, her words, the fact that Sesshoumaru was nowhere in sight, and her eyes. They were filled with a cold determination I never thought she was capable of.

"What lies have I told?" I asked, grinning.

"I allow no one to do battle on my behalf," she said as she raised the sword in front of her.

I narrowed my eyes. "Who are you?" I asked. No, not a demon—her holy aura made that impossible. An imposter, perhaps? Another priestess making use of a spell?

Clara tilted her head. "For a demon, you are quite particular, aren't you?" she said. "If it puts your spirit at ease, then know this. I am not the girl you expect me to be—for too long, I have been in an endless battle. I have been forced to watch people suffer because of my folly."

My eyes widened. Impossible. It couldn't be…

Clara paused as she removed her other sword from its sheath. "No, I am not Clara," she said, almost to herself. She looked up at me.

I clenched my jaw. The answer was as obvious as it was unbelievable. This was highly unexpected—and intriguing. "My, oh, my," I said, smirking. I leaned an elbow on my knee as I leered down at her. "How ever did you wake up, Midoriko?"

Midoriko didn't answer. Of course she wouldn't. I didn't think this particular priestess was the talkative type.

"Where is the boy?" she asked.

"It doesn't really matter," I said. Entei neighed as he reared on his hind legs, wisps of smoke rising from his mouth. I could sense his bloodlust. "You'll be dead soon enough!"

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

Kagome

"Are you sure you know where you're going?" Inuyasha asked. He was staring at Kasai, who was flying on flames ahead of us. Inuyasha and I were mounted on Ah-Un, while Sango and Miroku flew on Kirara beside us. A little high above us was Sesshoumaru.

Kasai glanced over his shoulder at Inuyasha, white beard fluttering in the cold wind. "Please excuse him," I said quickly. "He's…we're just all on edge, actually."

Kasai looked back ahead, and I nudged Inuyasha's shoulder. "What was that for?" he hissed, annoyed.

I leaned in closer, and he lowered his head so I could whisper into his ear. "Don't sound so rude," I murmured. "Kasai is taking a risk helping us find Midoriko—the least you could do is be nice."

"He shouldn't have let her run off in the first place," he scoffed. I glared and he relented. "Fine. But if he tries anything to help Midoriko get away again…" He glanced pointedly above us, at Sesshoumaru.

"Look over there!" Miroku suddenly pointed.

My eyes widened. Amidst the vast fields of snow, I could make out a hill, completely blanketed in white. Atop the hill was a castle, dark and foreboding. Despite its size, there was a telltale lack of activity that the castle had.

"Midoriko is there," Kasai said, glancing over his shoulder at us.

Miroku and Sango turned to us. The expression on their faces was almost similar. I wondered if Inuyasha and I had the same looks. I knew we were all thinking the same question…

Would this be our final battle against Naraku and the Jewel?

Miroku glanced briefly at his Wind Tunnel before he nodded. "Let's go," he said.

. . .

We landed in the palace courtyard. The cobblestones had been upturned and blackened, as though burnt. Deep grooves had been gouged into the earth, and several wooden buildings nearby were on fire. Dark smoke curled into the air, contrasting heavily against the falling snow.

It looked as though there had been a fight—a terrible one.

"What happened here?" Inuyasha muttered as we dismounted.

Kasai took in the scene in front of us, and shook his head. "Midoriko," he answered. "She must have battled some of Naraku's minions."

Sesshoumaru landed in front of us, golden eyes narrowed as he glanced about him. "Clara," he said, running towards the castle in front of us. The great wooden doors were dangling off their hinges. They, too, had been blackened and burned. From somewhere inside, we could hear a loud crash!

"We had best follow his example, and hurry," Kasai said.

Sango clenched her jaw. There was worry in her eyes. Kirara growled as she darted into the palace, leading the way. We followed after her.

The halls of the castle were in ruin. The fight that had started in the courtyard had obviously moved here. The walls were scorched, and planks of wood protruded from the floor. Sections of wall had collapsed, and flames licked at them. From somewhere deep within the castle, I could sense the presence of the Sacred Jewel—as well as Kohaku's shard.

"Through here!" I shouted as I led them around a corner and down another hallway. The hall sloped, and I had a feeling it led deep into the ground—the dungeons.

I could see the exit up ahead. "What happened to Naraku's demons?" Miroku asked aloud as we ran faster.

"Midoriko probably dealt with them," Kasai said. "She can be very…thorough."

Miroku looked grim.

The doors at the end of the hall had been destroyed, as though something large had tried to force its way through. We burst through the doorway. And froze.

Cavernous and large, it looked as though this place had been the dungeons. The ceiling had caved in, and earth spilled into the room, along with a steady shower of snow. Amidst the mounds of earth and snow, I saw the body of a large, white horse, with a fiery mane of hair, and blazing orange eyes—eyes that stared vacantly into space. Entei, Hakudoshi's demon horse.

His legs stuck out at an unnatural angle, and there was a deep gash in his chest. Blood poured from the wound and onto the ground. I shuddered.

Beside Entei was another figure. Small, pale, and childlike, Hakudoshi looked vulnerable. His arms were spread out, and he still clutched his naginata in one hand. A sword—Midoriko's?—protruded from his chest.

"Hakudoshi," Inuyasha growled.

As we approached, we could see that the incarnate wasn't dead yet. His fingers twitched at the sound of our steps, and something flickered in his lavender eyes.

"It's you fools." Hakudoshi gagged as blood dripped from the side of his mouth. I had never seen him look more pitiful.

Kasai's eyes were on the blade in Hakudoshi's chest. "Midoriko," he said quietly. I shivered. Midoriko, it seemed, could be ruthless when she wanted.

"Where's Kohaku?" Sango demanded, glaring down at Hakudoshi.

Hakudoshi coughed, and droplets of blood fell on his kimono. "Why should I tell you?" His breathing was ragged. I frowned when I realized his body wasn't regenerating.

Sango raised Hiraikotsu threateningly. "I'll kill you," she hissed.

The white child rolled his eyes, his breathing even more shallow. "You lot are so annoyingly pathetic," he wheezed. He raised a finger and pointed at the hole in the ceiling, where mounds of earth had poured in.

Hakudoshi's lips curled into a sneer as he stared at us. For a moment, I felt sorry for him. "Too bad you'll all lose," he hissed. The light slowly left his eyes as they slid out of focus. His fingers went limp, and the naginata he held clattered softly to the ground.

The sword at his chest suddenly glowed with a pure light. We watched as the light spread, enveloping Hakudoshi's body until nothing remained. He had been purified.

"C'mon." Inuyasha suddenly lifted me into his arms. With one effortless jump, he leapt through the hole in the ceiling and into the sky.

We landed in the palace gardens, Miroku and the others following close behind. "Sesshoumaru!" I called out.

Sesshoumaru and Cla—Midoriko were standing in the middle of the garden, across from one another. Sesshoumaru stood protectively in front of Kohaku, his eyes narrowed as he stared at Midoriko. She had Shinsei out, and there was blood on the hilt. The expression in her eyes—there was no mistaking the anger and the hate she felt as she stared at Sesshoumaru.

"Kohaku!" Sango called out.

"Sis!" Kohaku sounded relived. "Thank goodness you're all right."

Midoriko glanced briefly at us, before she turned back to Sesshoumaru. "Give me the boy, Lord Sesshoumaru," she said imperiously.

Sesshoumaru glanced over his shoulder at Kohaku. "Go."

Kohaku nodded before he rushed towards us. Midoriko glared as she watched him run. "Kohaku!" Sango said. She drew him into a brief hug, before pushing him behind her.

"Kasai," Midoriko said, turning to us. "Have you decided to betray me after all?"

Kasai broke away from us and took several steps towards Midoriko. With each step he took, his appearance shifted, his features changing, until he was the young man we had seen yesterday.

"Not betray you," he said as he stopped in front of her. Reaching out, he brushed the back of his hand against her cheek. "Never betray you. However…" He slowly lowered his hand, and Midoriko narrowed her eyes. "I cannot stand to see you this way—you have grown desperate, and in your desperation you are vulnerable. I can sense the confusion in your heart, and the darkness you are allowing to creep in. That is not you."

Midoriko looked indignant. "You are saying I should let the Sacred Jewel bring more harm to the unwary?"

"I am saying you should be you," Kasai said. There was a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Ironic, is it not? That your heart, your gentle heart, has forced you to this. You can no longer bear to see people suffer because of your mistakes. Your intentions are pure, but…" He shook his head.

I couldn't read the expression in Midoriko's eyes. Was she confused? Angry? Remorseful? Or was she feeling regret? A moment later, the look vanished, and her eyes were once again filled with a cold determination to make amends.

"Words will not dissuade me," she said flatly. She took a step back, and looked towards us. "Give me the boy, please."

"Over my dead body!" Sango hissed.

Midoriko shook her head. "I do not wish to harm you."

"That's rich, coming from someone who isn't above killing a child," Miroku said, his voice scathing.

There was no mistaking it—Midoriko looked hurt at his words. "I must stop the Jewel," she said. Her voice was firm, as though she was trying to convince herself. She raised her hand towards us. "No matter the cost."

"Kohaku!" Miroku suddenly exclaimed.

A moment later, a spark of purple streaked past me towards Midoriko. I felt the blood freeze in my veins as Sango's scream of anger and denial echoed around me. No…

Slowly, I glanced behind me. Kohaku had fallen face first into the snow. Miroku and Sango were crouched beside him. Tears were brimming in Sango's eyes as she drew Kohaku onto her lap. His shard was gone.

"Dammit!" Inuyasha drew out Tessaiga as we turned back to Midoriko.

Kasai's eyes were wide with surprise—I don't think he'd anticipated this. Sesshoumaru's face was unreadable, but he clenched Bakusaiga so tightly, his knuckles turned white. Midoriko stood before them, a barrier surrounding her. In the palm of her hand was Kohaku's jewel shard.

"Kohaku!" Sango screamed.

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

Clara

Beep! Beep! Beep!

I groaned as I drew the duvet over my head. The person who invented the alarm clock was a sadist, I think. Who loved waking up so early in the morning?

Beeep! Beeep! Beeep!

Five more minutes. Just. Five. More. Minutes.

I mumbled as I drew the pillow over my head. Was five minutes really too much to ask for?

Wait…

In one swift motion, I threw off the pillow and the duvet and sat up in bed.

Bed!?

I felt bewildered as I glanced around me. I was…in my room, in my bed. In the Modern Era. Not just the Modern Era. This was…It couldn't be…

I swung my legs off the bed, and winced as I felt the cold tiles beneath my feet. I didn't even bother to wear my slippers as I stood, feeling as though the world had gone crazy.

I crept towards the large picture window. The curtains were still tightly drawn. I placed a hand on the thick, pale blue fabric. I hesitated, afraid of what I would find beyond the window. Blood was pounding in my ears as one word repeated itself over and over in my mind.

Impossible. Impossible. Impossible.

I couldn't be in…Could I?

Drawing in a breath, I pulled the curtains aside.

My eyes widened.

I was looking down at a bustling city. Cars zipped by on the streets below me, and people were walking on the sidewalks. Some were walking briskly, afraid of being late to work, while some strolled leisurely. Others loitered at the entrances to one of the many shops in the street. Across from me, I could see the vast expanse of land that was Central Park. I could see the waters of the Belvedere Lake, sunlight glinting off its surface.

I was standing in my room, in our apartment on Fifth Avenue. In Manhattan, New York.

Why?

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

A1969: that's all for now!
Kagome: I think you scared off Inuyasha. *glances around*
Sesshoumaru: …
Miroku: hey, guys, what have we missed?
Kagome: oh, just Amaterasu threatening to neuter Inuyasha for being rude.
Sango: good one!
Miroku: …
Sango: huh. Maybe I should try with you the next time, Miroku. *glares*
Miroku: yeah…I think I'm going to go find Inuyasha.
A1969: anyway, thanks for all reading, reviewing, and putting this story on your favorites and alerts!