So sorry for the wait! Went back to work and man it's been rough!

Chapter 25:

The world seemed to shift and turn dark as Inuyasha and the others looked on in horror. They stared at their enemy with a sense of hopelessness as he started to change.

Naraku smiled behind his barrier as the wounds he took from Kagome faded. His body shifted as bone-like armor surrounded him. The power was intoxicating. He knew he would grow in strength because of the jewel, but he never imagined just how much. He smiled as he looked down at his hands. There was still a hint of black, but he felt invincible.

Inuyasha growled low as he looked on. He could feel the power radiating off of Naraku and knew things just went from bad to worse. His face softened as he heard Sango's soft cries. Kohaku was gone. Looking over at the wolf, he was surprised that he felt relief knowing he was still alive. Closing his eyes, he prayed for the strength to make it through this day.

"Kukukukuk" Naraku chuckled as he looked over the group. "Poor Kohaku..." He shook his head in mock regret. He smiled as the group looked at him in anger. "I am sad to lose a slave, but, he did serve his purpose well."

Sango shook in anger at the monster's words. "YOU BASTARD!" She pushed aside Miroku as he tried to hold her. "I'll kill you for this! I swear it!" Sango lifted her weapon and cried out as it bounced off of his barrier. Falling to her knees, she held back her tears as she looked upon her fallen brother.

"Come now Naraku, don't you think it's time you stopped hiding behind this barrier?" Kikyo raised an arrow as she spoke out. "Let us see how powerful you really are."

"My my my Kikyo, such courage for a woman who was once a puppet of mine." Naraku laughed as he watched her flinch. "I am actually surprised to see you still in one piece." He looked over at a sneering Inuyasha. "I believed this one would seek vengeance for his fallen love...but, I guess a dog isn't as loyal as I once thought." He shook his head as Inuyasha yelled out. "No matter, if it is your wish to return to hell, I will gladly be the one to send you."

Inuyasha raised his sword as he took a step towards the barrier. "Touch her and die you bastard!" He may not have love for the woman anymore, but no way in hell was he letting Naraku kill her twice!

Naraku narrowed his eyes at the dog demon. "Maybe they are more loyal than I thought...you are willing to protect the dead, but, how is your mate fairing Inuyasha?" He smirked as he noticed the red seep into Inuyasha's eyes. "As her new mate, I will be doing her a favor by killing you both!"

In a flash, the barrier dropped as all hell broke loose. Inuyasha charged only to be flown back by an attack. He was quick to rise, but without the protection of his robe, he didn't come out unscathed. He gritted his teeth as he ran forward only to be hit knocked back down. Beside him, Kikyo released arrow after arrow, but Naraku batted them away like flies as he laughed.

Sango and Miroku were having trouble of their own. They were surrounded by unending tentacles, as they tried to reach Kanna. Being human, they knew they were no match for Naraku now, and tried to clear the other threat as the battle went on.

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Back in the castle, Sesshomaru felt the power shift in Naraku as soon as he consumed the jewel. The feeling was incredible, and he knew his brother needed him, and fast.

Cursing his missing arm, he gave Kagura a look of pity as he lifted Kagome. He could only take one and he hoped Kagome would forgive him for leaving the demoness behind. She was a pupped Alpha female in his pack, and her safety came before all others. Leaving the room, he slid the door shut and ran as carefully as possible.

He was relieved to see Kagome's coloring had started to return to normal after her wound stopped bleeding. He was still in awe by the knowledge of her pregnancy and his protective instincts were riding him hard. He didn't know where he could take her, but it needed to be somewhere safe.

Running out of the castle, he took flight over the massive carnage of dead demons. The smell was awful and he was grateful she was still asleep. Looking out over the forest, he searched for a cave or cleaning to hide her, but he stopped short at a pink mass in the air.

"LORD SESSHOMARU!" Shippo cried out as he descended.

Landing softly on the ground, careful of his cargo, the demon lord approached the kit.

"Shippo." He spoke low. "Why are you here, this is no place for a kit." He was angered that the old priestess and Jaken had let the kit leave.

Shippo panted as he caught his breath. "You guys left me!" He puffed up his chest. "Kagome is my mother! She needs me!" He looked over his adopted mother with sad eyes. "Is she alright?" He wanted to approach her, but he was afraid.

Sesshomaru sighed as he nodded. "She is injured, but she will live...She is just asleep." He smiled as the kit breathed a sigh of relief. He was actually grateful Shippo was here, he needed to join the battle and knew the kit would protect Kagome with his life.

"Kit." He gave a hard look as Shippo looked him in the eyes. "This one's brother needs my help. I am entrusting her safety to you." Shippo looked shocked but nodded. "You must keep her safe at all cost...she is carrying."

Shippo's eyes grew huge as he was told the news. A pup! He was going to be a big brother! He hid his excitement as he bowed low. "I will protect my family with my life." He lifted back up with a serious face. No one would harm them.

Sesshomaru was taken back by the look on his face. He looked like a grown demon at that moment, and he was proud of his brother and sister for raising an honorable kit. He sent him a slight nod as he looked down at Kagome. She looked peaceful and he hoped she would stay that way. Setting her down he instructed the kit to help him as he replaced his brother's robes with his own. He did not need his outer layer, but he knew Inuyasha would need his. Although the fire rat was stronger than his own, he had no doubt it would still protect her.

Leaning down, he nuzzled her hair as he prepared to leave. He did not wish to leave her, but she would need both her Alphas and he would make sure she had them. Leaning in he whispered in her ear before he set off.

Taking his place by her side, Shippo had to fight his tears. He had seen the wound to her stomach and he was scared for the unborn pup. He knew Sesshomaru would tell him if they were in danger, but he was consumed with guilt. He had almost lost his mother and sibling and he would not fail them again.

Keeping his senses open, he flinched as he felt the darkness where Sesshomaru had headed. His tail twitched in fear as he looked over at the dark clouds surrounding the battle. He knew that there was a chance that they would not come back and he had to be ready to escape if he had to. He had faced many battles with his new family, but this felt different. He had no one to save him if things turned bad, it was up to him now.

Calming his fears, Shippo kept watch.

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"Inuyasha!" Miroku yelled out a warning as his friend dodged an attack.

"SHIT!" Inuyasha was losing blood and getting nowhere fast. No matter how many times he attacked, he couldn't even get close to the bastard.

They had been going for what seemed like hours now. The air was thick with miasma, and the group was waring down. Sango was sporting many cuts and bruises as she tried to reach the girl, only for Kanna to disappear when she finally got close.

"Dammit! This isn't working!" Inuyasha wiped the blood and sweat from his face. "We can't even get close to this guy!"

Naraku watched on as the fighters tried to reach him. He knew it was only a matter of time before they got tired, and he was having fun playing with them in the meantime.

"Kukukuku, what's the matter Inuyasha? Not having any fun?" He laughed as he struck out again. "That's too bad."

A tentacle went through his shoulder as Inuyasha cried out in pain. Trying to catch his breath, he looked over as Kikyo swatted away another one with her bow, having run out of arrows some time ago. He knew they wouldn't last and he needed to do something.

As he lifted his sword for another attack, he braced himself before taking another swing. "Adamant barrage!" The diamond spheres flew out and he grit his teeth as he watched them barely make a scratch.

Miroku was panting as he sucked up more poisonous insects. He knew he wouldn't be much help soon but he couldn't sit back and watch. As he went to open his tunnel again, he was hit by his fiances hiraikotsu.

"Dammit Hoshi!" Sango ran over to him. "Are you trying to kill yourself!" She grabbed his shoulders as she shook. "Please Miroku. Stop!" Looking down she whispered. "I can't lose you too."

Miroku panted through the pain as he grabbed her chin. "I'm sorry Sango, I will not leave you alone...I promise." Lifting her face he kissed her before heading back into battle.

Blushing hard, Sango picked up her weapon and looked after him. 'You better not monk.' She thought as she hopped back on Kirara. She sighed as she went back to the fight. 'Please...help us.' She prayed.

They were fighting a losing battle, but the fighters didn't back down. Praying for a miracle, their help finally came.

"Dragon strike!"

The fighting stopped as they looked on in awe as a white form of a dragon flew towards Naraku destroying all of his tentacles and knocking him down. Looking back, they breathed a sigh of relief as Sesshomaru stepped through the clearing.

"It's about fucking time asshole!" Inuyasha barked out as he leaned heavily on his sword.

"I missed you too, brother." Sesshomaru murmured as he joined the fight.

The smoke cleared as Naraku came back into view. He narrowed his eyes as he looked down at his missing arm. Raising his head he smiled as it regenerated.

"Well, I guess our playtime is over." Naraku laughed. "Now the fight begins."

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