Kagome listened as the click of heels on the tile floor grew closer. She eased the door shut and backed away, her heal catching on something and almost sending her sprawling. The clicking stopped outside of the door and Kagome tensed, frozen in place and holding her breath like that would do her any good. The door swung open and Kagura sauntered in, a deep scowl twisting her features. She didn't bother shutting the door behind her.

Looking at Kagome expectantly, Kagura pursed her lips and tapped her fan against her shoulder. "It's time for you to go," she said quickly. "You've overstayed your welcome."

Kagome could only stare in stunned silence wondering if she'd heard correctly. When Kagura continued to stare her down, Kagome fought to find her voice. "Wh-What do you mean, time to go? I'm kind of a prisoner here, in case you forgot."

Kagura rolled her eyes and huffed loudly. "A prisoner who is supposed to be escaping. I've opened the door now you just have to run through it."

"And where is running going to get me?" Kagome asked then gestured around her room. Her mind was racing trying to figure out what Kagura's true intent could be. "It can't get much worse than this but if they catch me trying to escape I'll probably end up tied to the bed until I'm ready to give birth."

"It doesn't matter. You-" Kagura cut off as her eyes landed on the ruined heap behind Kagome's feet. Her lips thinned to a line and her fan stopped tapping for just a second. "That's why he was so pissed," she muttered. "Should've guessed he'd find out eventually."

"And why are you helping me anyway?" Kagome asked, ignoring Kagura's quiet musings. "How do I know this isn't some trick?"

Kagura gave her a sharp look and opened her mouth to reply but snapped it shut quickly. Her face softened and she sighed. "Do you know how long I've been doing this?" she asked instead. "How long I've had to 'work for' Naraku?"

"Too long?" Kagome guessed.

"Much too long. Maybe I'm just tired or maybe I just want to screw Naraku over before he decides I'm too much trouble to let live." Kagura laid a hand over her heart and met Kagome's eyes. "Either way, this will be your only chance to run and I suggest you take it."

Nodding slowly, Kagome sank onto the edge of the bed. She couldn't pass up the chance to escape, trap or not, but something still held her in place. "I have to ask you something," she said and took a deep breath before continuing. "What do you know about my grandfather?" Kagura flinched at the question and Kagome's stomach dropped. Suddenly she didn't want to know, didn't want to hear what Kagura had to say.

"Of course the bastard would bring that up," Kagura said angrily but when she looked at Kagome, her anger melted away. She almost looked sad. "Naraku thought that maybe, if you had a major emotional shock, your powers would manifest or unlock or…or whatever the hell he was waiting for so he could grab you and use you. He wanted…he wanted to go after your mother but I talked him out of it."

Kagura's words felt like a punch to the gut. Naraku had wanted to go after…to kill Kagome's mother in the hopes that it would unlock her reiki. Did Naraku overlook the fact that she'd had to deal with her father's death at a much-too-young age? There were no magical manifestations then and his death had hurt. Though she already knew the answer, she still asked, "So he went after my grandfather instead?"

"Yeah," Kagura said. "And since I went against his original idea, he decided to send me to carry out his new plan."

"So you...you murdered him?" Kagome asked. She felt numb and a little sick "Why?"

Kagura slumped into a chair and let her head fall back against the wall. "I told you why. He wanted to-"

"No," Kagome said, cutting her off. Eyes burning with the efforts to hold back her tears, she shook her head. "You know what I mean. Why do his dirty work for him? Why not leave if you're so opposed to what he does?"

The chair scraped against the floor loudly as Kagura stood and stalked towards the door. "Because I don't have a choice. Now, it's time for you to go."

Kagome watched Kagura gesture towards the hallway. She wouldn't look at Kagome, her eyes downcast instead, and Kagome almost felt bad for her. "You always have a choice," she said softly.

"No, I don't," Kagura snapped, her head whipping in Kagome's direction. "The stupid bastard keeps my heart in a jar. All he has to do is squeeze hard enough and I'm dust on the wind. Or he can squeeze a little and leave me in terrible pain for days on end. What the hell would you have done, huh? Excuse me for wanting to live!" Just as suddenly as her anger had risen, it was gone and Kagura visibly deflated.

"That's…" Kagome didn't really have anything to say to that. Instant death was a pretty substantial threat and days of constant agony didn't sound any better. It didn't absolve Kagura of her actions but it lessened the painful twist of the truth a little. If Kagura had refused, Naraku would have just sent another of his followers to kill her grandfather and likely destroyed Kagura for her disobedience.

"You really need to go," Kagura said, breaking Kagome out of her thoughts. "I can hide your scent trail to give you a head start but you're on your own after that."

Kagome chewed her thumbnail and stared at the broken things on the floor. "Where would I go?" she asked. "I put everyone I love in danger if I run. He'll go after them to get to me." Losing Inuyasha was already too much. There wasn't a day that passed that she didn't think of him and mourn the future they could have had. "The only way I'll be free is if Naraku is dead."

Kagura laughed but there was no mirth in the sound. "That bastard won't die. He's spent too many years building his loyal army of thugs." She was still standing by the door and Kagome caught her shooting glances down the hallway, fan tapping anxiously against her leg.

Those hanyō may be nothing more than Naraku's thugs, but they were once just children torn violently from their murdered families. Did any of them know? Under her breath, Kagome said, "Why do they stay loyal?" An indelicate snort from Kagura drew her attention. "Did I say something funny?"

She shook her head. "He controls them the same way he controls me: with their hearts. I don't know exactly how he did it but he takes a piece of their heart and replaces it with a little piece of himself-literally. Then he plops the bit of their heart in a jar like a potted plant and uses it as a link to control them."

"That's twisted," Kagome said then gasped. "That's how I killed them, isn't it? I purified Naraku's piece of their heart and-" she cut off and covered her mouth with her hand. "How does he keep getting worse?"

Kagura's mouth was half open when an explosion shook the building.


Sesshomaru was going to give him shit later if they all made it through this. Inuyasha had tried to be subtle, tried to approach the two guards with some degree of caution. But then he'd heard them talking gleefully about destroying some of Kagome's only comforts. When one of them had laughed openly and loudly at her 'cowering like a kicked puppy,' as the guard had put it, he'd seen red.

Knowing he was overreacting didn't stop him from unsheathing his sword and sending the wind scar at the two unsuspecting assholes. His body moved of its own accord, the blast halfway to its target before he even registered what he'd done. It was like he'd lost all control over his actions the second he knew they'd caused Kagome distress. His blood burned through his veins and his yōki threatened to take over before he fought to get it back under control. He was reminded of the day in the woods when he'd gone into a blood rage on his way to rescue Kagome.

He didn't have time to ponder his actions further. The explosion would draw the attention of more guards and possibly Naraku himself. He approached the front of the building as the dust and dirt settled and snarled when he got a clear view of the door. Or rather, he got a clear view of the mound of rubble that now blocked his path to Kagome.

"Fuck." His eyes darted around as he cursed and berated himself under his breath. "Stupid fucking temper. Stupid fucking overpowered attack. Stupid weak-ass building." There were two windows above him, one for each floor. A bright light shone through the lower window, illuminating his new path.

Sheathing Tessaiga, he backed up a few paces to give himself some room. Then, he effortlessly pushed off the ground and arched straight at the window. He used his claws to shatter the glass, the tinkling of the falling shards almost musical. His shoes slipped on the broken bits of glass when he landed but he found his balance quickly and took in his surroundings.

The bright fluorescent lights reflected blindingly against the almost entirely white hallway. Closed doors were spaced evenly along both sides of the hall and a single open door at the other end of the hall led to a dimly lit stairwell. He pulled off his black beanie, letting his hair down and his ears free so he could hear his surroundings better. His ears swiveled and strained but there was only the hum of the lights and the occasional crunch of glass as he shifted his weight. Whoever was here, they had to know he was coming.

He needed to find Kagome as soon as possible. He started down the hallway, catching Kagura's scent and growling. If she got in his way, he would tear her apart and keep going. He tried each door as he passed, finding only dark, empty rooms that smelled of dust and mold and rotting wood.

He was about halfway down the hall when the door he was reaching for burst open. His instincts kicked in and he jumped back with his claws flexed, expecting to see Kagura and ready to attack. Kagura wasn't the one at the door, though she was there, standing with her arms folded and a bored look on her face. But he only spared her a passing glance.

Just inside the door, with her hand frozen in midair, was Kagome. Her brown eyes widened and he swore he could hear her heart skip a beat. His eyes drank her in. She was a little paler than normal and she had dark circles under her eyes. She didn't have any visible injuries but sweatpants and a sweatshirt covered most of her skin. Her hair was pulled up, the end of her ponytail hanging over her shoulder. The tips of her fingers trembled where they still hung suspended in the air. He looked back at her face and saw the glimmer of unshed tears.

Inuyasha's lungs burned and he finally remembered to breathe. Her scent washed over him in a wave, just as sweet as he remembered. His knees almost gave way and probably would have if something hadn't distracted him. There was something different, something extra in her scent that he'd only caught hints of right before they were separated. He'd thought it was sickness but…

"Is it really you?" Kagome's voice was soft but steady, breaking him out of his thoughts. "They told me you were…" She trailed off and finally let her hand drop back to her side. She took a step forward but remained inside the room, the doorway a barrier between them.

Inuyasha also moved closer, barely resisting the urge to rush in and scoop her up. Something held him back, something tickling his senses and telling him to be careful. Her scent was off and his instinct wouldn't let him act until he knew why. "Of course it's me," he said while he tried to pinpoint what was holding him back. The thought that this was a trick made his stomach churn. His hands balled into fists at his sides as his mind and heart fought. He wanted to grab her and run and never look back; he also wanted to know what the hell was gnawing at the back of his mind.

Kagome seemed to sense his hesitation and moved until she was a hair's breadth from crossing into the hallway. "They told me you were dead," she said, the last word coming out as a whisper. "I thought...I thought I purified you. I need to know that it's really you and not…not some sick illusion." Her voice cracked and her eyes focused on him, pleading with him to prove he was real.

"Who told you I was dead?" he asked though he could probably guess the answer easily enough. "All you did was turn me human for a few days. It didn't feel great but it definitely didn't kill me. You're reiki…" he trailed off as he realized what was nagging at him: he couldn't feel her reiki. "Kagome," he said, "your reiki. I can't-" he started but cut off when her eyes widened with understanding.

She took one last step forward and her power flared to life around them, making him gasp. His yōki rose immediately, responding to her reiki and making his skin tingle. Then her arms were around his neck and his hands were pressing against her back to hold her against his chest.

"It is you," she murmured into his neck. "I thought it was a trick, that you were some kind of illusion. I was so afraid but…it really is you."

"Of course it's me," he sighed into her ear. The relief he felt at having her back in his arms was indescribable. His chest rumbled soothingly as her tears soaked into his shirt. "It's alright now, I've got you. Everything's going to be ok." Fuck, he was never going to let her out of his sight ever again.

"Well this is sweet," Kagura said. Inuyasha looked up and glared at her over Kagome's head. He growled low in his throat and tightened his grip on Kagome. "Relax puppy. I'm on your side…mostly," she said with a shrug.

Kagome pulled away from him and spun to face Kagura. "You told me he was dead," she said, practically hissing the words through clenched teeth. "How the hell did you make me think you were telling the truth?"

Kagura pursed her lips and said, "I only delivered a message for Naraku. As far as I knew, he wasdead. Anyway, now isn't the time to turn your raging hormones on me. In case you both forgot, you're supposed to be escaping."

"You leave my hormones out of this," Kagome snapped, raising a hand and laying it across her stomach.

Inuyasha watched the gesture, watched her fingers flex in a tiny caress. His eyes narrowed as she absentmindedly gripped her shirt then flattened her hand and pressed her palm into her stomach.

"Like I can help what my hormones are doing at this point," Kagome grumbled, oblivious to the intense stare Inuyasha was directing over her shoulder at her hand.

"Kagome," he said, his voice soft. Her scent, his instincts, that small, gentle caress...could it mean what he thought it meant? A knot formed in his stomach as he worked up the courage to confirm his suspicions.

Kagura swept past them into the hallway, Kagome pressing against Inuyasha to let her by. "If you two don't get out of here, Naraku really will kill him," she said as she pointed her fan at Inuyasha.

He growled quietly and grabbed Kagome's shoulders to turn her so she was facing him. "Is there something you need to tell me?" he asked. He didn't have time to waste on his nerves and he wasn't going anywhere until he knew for certain. The way Kagome's eyes widened and the sharp intake of breath was almost confirmation enough.

She took both of his hands in hers and laid them against her stomach, just below her belly button. The direct contact let him feel the barely discernable yōki under his palms. "We really should get out of here," she said, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "You've got two of us to protect now."

His entire world felt like it tipped on its side. All he wanted to do right then was scoop her into his arms and hold her while the news sunk in. It was the most inappropriate time and place to feel giddy yet that was the only word he could think of the describe the feelings that bubbled up in his chest. There was an icy splinter of fear there too though, forming in the pit of his stomach. He'd found Kagome but now he had twice as much to lose if he failed her again.

Inuyasha didn't have long to bask in his emotions. Angry voices started to drift up through the broken window, getting louder as a group of men drew closer to the building. That sliver of fear started to grow. "We've got to go," he said, cupping Kagome's face and pulling her into a quick but thorough kiss full of love and promise. "Now."

"Finally," Kagura said with a huff. "Less making out, more getting the hell out of here." She made shooing motions with her fan and the air shifted, encouraging them into a jog down the hall.

Inuyasha put an arm around Kagome's waist and stopped them after only a few steps. "Where the hell are we supposed to be running to? I'm not going anywhere until I know Naraku is dead."

"And how are you going to defend your pregnant girlfriend while you're fighting?" Kagura asked.

Kagome scoffed. "I can defend myself," she said then closed her eyes for a second before snapping them open. Her face scrunched up momentarily and she blinked a few times, brows furrowing in confusion. She closed her eyes again and took a deep breath, her hands raising a little to hover by her hips. When she opened her eyes this time, there was a glowing pink barrier around her and Inuyasha. "See, perfectly capable." She didn't sound nearly as confident.

Before Kagura could retort, a noise at the end of the hall behind them drew their attention. One of Naraku's goons had leaped through the broken window and was stalking towards them with a sword held poised to attack. Behind him, two more men jumped into the hallway, also wielding swords.

Inuyasha swore under his breath and drew Tessaiga. "Kagura, get Kagome somewhere safe. I'll follow you in a minute."

"Oh, screw that," Kagome said, moving to stand beside him. "I'm not leaving your side."

He didn't have time to argue as the first goon picked that moment to charge. Inuyasha moved in front of Kagome and raised his sword to meet the swing from his attacker. Metal clanged together, the sound resonating in the hallway. Before Inuyasha could do more than block, a blast of pink energy blew all three of their attackers off their feet and away from the fleeing group.

"I had it handled," Inuyasha said as he grabbed Kagome's hand and started dragging her in the opposite direction. He pushed past Kagura and led them into the stairwell. He could hear the men getting to their feet in the hallway and decided that they'd delayed enough. "Stay close," he said, then swung his sword and blasted out the back wall of the building.

"A little warning would have been nice," Kagura said as she used a blast of wind to push dust and debris away from them to clear the air.

Inuyasha pulled Kagome onto his back, ignoring Kagura's grumbling, and jumped through the opening. Kagome pressed herself close and shivered as the cold night air hit her. He really should have thought of that sooner so he could have at least given her his jacket. She wasn't even wearing shoes and her socks looked thin as hell. At least it hadn't snowed recently so the ground was frozen but dry. "Hang on, I'm taking you somewhere safe."

She squeezed his shoulders and nodded into his hair. "I'm alright," she said. "Just a little cold. Don't even think about leaving me somewhere while you go off and fight."

He knew she would say something like that but really, where could he leave her that would be safer than by his side? Whatever they did, she was going to need something warmer to wear. Stopping on a large branch high in a tree, Inuyasha glanced around for Kagura. "Oi," he shouted when he spotted her hovering a few feet away perched on a giant feather. "You got shoes she can wear?"

"No," Kagura said, "but the building you didn't blow up is heated and that's where you'll find Naraku."

Inuyasha growled but Kagome tugged gently on his hair. "I'll be fine," she said. "I know you won't let anything happen to me."

"Fine," Inuyasha said, his tone clipped. "But you stay the fuck back and keep a barrier up, got it? Promise me you'll keep yourself safe."

"I promise," Kagome said and nuzzled her face into his neck. "I know what's at stake."

He still wasn't happy about it but there weren't any better options. Kagura veered past them to the right, heading in the direction of the other building and Inuyasha followed. He stuck to the trees, soaring from branch to branch effortlessly. Kagome kept herself pressed firmly against his back, letting Inuyasha take comfort in having her so close and being able to catch her scent so easily again.

Before they reached their destination, Kagura came to a sudden stop. Inuyasha landed on a branch next to her and started scanning the trees.

"You sense something?" he asked Kagura.

"Maybe," Kagura responded quietly then pointed to their left. "There, someone is coming from that direction."

Inuyasha started to say that he couldn't see anything but cut off when he saw a shape step out of the trees. It was Kōga, hands held up so they wouldn't attack him. Inuyasha dropped to the ground a few feet away and gave the wolf an appraising look.

"Yo, mutt. Your brother sent me to get Kagome, to take her somewhere safe while you fight," Kōga said. He nodded at Kagome then eyed Kagura wearily.

Kagome moved to climb down from Inuyasha's back but he held firm. "Kagome is safe with me. I'm not letting her out of my sight."

"Really?" Kagome said, poking him in the shoulder. "Because a few minutes ago you couldn't wait to get me away from here."

"Yeah, well, maybe I just don't want you smelling like a mangy wolf," Inuyasha said, turning his head and glaring at her. He looked back at Kōga, weighing his options. "Where are you gonna take her? If Naraku slips past us, I don't want him finding her."

"I'll take her back to the car and drive her all the way back to the city if that's what you want."

Inuyasha sighed and ran a hand over his face. Taking his pregnant girlfriend into a potentially deadly fight was not something he wanted to do. He wanted her nearby so he knew she was safe but he also wanted her as far from the conflict as possible. Her powers were being finicky, she wasn't wearing shoes, and she would be Naraku's first target when they confronted him. No, keeping her with him was not a good idea.

"Fine," Inuyasha conceded. "Fine, but if anything happens to her…"

"I know," Kōga said. "I'll take her far away from here and I won't let her out of my sight again. I promise."