Chapter 26:

Waking up was harder than she thought it would be. The pain in her chest seemed to die down, but she still felt weak. She heard a quiet voice speak her name as she regained consciousness.

"Kagura" The voice echoed in her head.

Rolling over with a grunt she murmured. "Go away...Can't you see I'm sleeping?" Kagura didn't know who was calling her name, but she wished they would stop. She knew what awaited her when she woke, and sleep sounded much better.

"We must go before it is too late." The quiet voice replied.

Mentally rolling her eyes, Kagura rolled back over. Cracking open her eyes, she sighed as she looked upon her sister.

"Kanna...why are you here." She groaned as she sat up. "Don't tell me Naraku has already won." She knew that if the battle was over and Kanna was still alive, there has no saving either one of them.

"Naraku is still fighting as we speak." She said with no emotion. "We must flee now if you wish to survive." Kanna lifted her mirror.

Kagura shuddered as the image came to her. Inuyasha and the others looked worse for wear, as Naraku was untouched. She knew it would not be an easy fight, but she was hoping they at least stood a chance.

"Where is Lord Sesshomaru? Why isn't he fighting?" Kagura knew he was stronger than Inuyasha and was confused about why he wasn't there.

The Image shifted in the mirror showing the Inu lord flying with an unconscious Kagome.

"The priestess was injured, he has taken her away from the castle." Kanna looked over towards the door. "We must hurry."

Kagura closed her eyes as she felt her freedom slip from her fingers. Kanna was right, they would have to run. Without Sesshomaru, they would surely lose.

Nodding her head, Kagura slowly pulled her feather from her hair. Waiting for her sister to join her, they left the castle.

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Inuyasha breathed a sigh of relief as his brother moved to his side. He didn't want to admit it, but he was more injured than he let on. He needed a breather and he knew the others did as well.

"Brother" Sesshomaru turned to Inuyasha ignoring Naraku as he laughed. "You will need this, your mate will be upset with you should you lose a limb." Sesshomaru pulled out his fire rat from the sash at his hip.

"KEH!" Inuyasha reached out a shaky hand to grab it. "You better have not left her naked somewhere ass!" Inuyasha was grateful to have some protection, but he kinda wished Sesshomaru had left it with her. Looking over at his brother, he noticed he was missing his outer layer and frowned. "Great...now she's gonna stink like you."

Sesshomaru smiled and was going to respond, but was interrupted by a cry. Both brothers looked over as they watch Miroku fly through the air. Turning back to their opponent they raised their swords.

"I'm sorry, did I interrupt your conversation?" Naraku smirked as he shook the blood from his hand. "I was beginning to grow bored." He looked over at the monk as the slayer reached him. "You should keep a better eye on your pack hm?"

Inuyasha and Sesshomaru didn't waste any time on their attacks. As they cut through the appendages, Naraku started to release his miasma.

Holding his arm over his mouth, Inuyasha called out.

"Kirara!" Looking over he yelled. "Get them out of here!" He didn't know how badly they were hurt, but the miasma was bad enough to affect him.

Kirara roared out as she gathered her mistress and her mate running out of the way.

Shaking his head to clear his vision, Inuyasha rejoined his brother to reach the monster. He was impressed that Sesshomaru showed no signs of slowing down. He was really glad he was on his side for once.

Finally getting close enough to attack, the brothers went at him on both sides. Cutting off Naraku's arm and delivering deadly blows. Blood was flying as they never eased up. Taking a leap back they caught their breaths.

Looking half dead, the evil hanyou laid on the ground. No one moved as they watched his body glow a deep purple. In a flash, his eyes opened and a dark chuckle escaped his lips.

Both brothers watched in awe as Naraku's body healed instantly. They had come at him with everything they had, just for him to come out without a scratch.

"Hmmm. I am very disappointed Sesshomaru, I thought you would at least be somewhat of a challenge." Naraku's bone-like armor shifted and grew out like claws. "...pity."

In the blink of an eye, they shot out. One striking Sesshomaru's chest as the other pierced through Inuyasha's stomach. Bringing them in closer to his body, Naraku tilted his head.

"Did you honestly believe either of you could actually beat me?" Naraku whispered before he tossed them both into the clearing. "GUESS AGAIN!"

Sesshomaru landed on his back and his breath escaped him. The pain in his shoulder was intense as he fought to stand. He was shocked! No one had ever bested him like this. They were in more trouble than he thought. Finding his ground he looked around for Inuyasha.

His eyes widened as he spotted him knocked out against a tree. The hole in his stomach large, as he sat in a growing puddle of blood. He growled out as he turned back to his opponent. He knew his brother was alive, but he would need help. Gritting his teeth he raised his sword to attack.

"Bakusaiga!" Sesshomaru yelled as he swung his sword.

The attack raced to Naraku, only to be deflected by his barrier.

Smiling he looked him over. "I do hope you can do better than that." Naraku taunted.

Huffing as he widened his stance, Sesshomaru tried to come up with a plan. He watched the dead miko out of the corner of his eye trying to gather some arrows. He would try to buy some time, hoping she would be of some help. The monk was still down and the slayer was hanging on by a thread. It was up to them to finish this.

Going at it with all he had, Sesshomaru was relentless. He managed to hit him a couple of times but every time, Naraku would be healed moments later. He smirked as he wished Kagome was with him. Never would he think he would want a human's help.

Taking a moment to catch his breath, Sesshomaru glanced to where his brother laid but was surprised to see him standing. Raising a brow, he called out to him.

"Brother?" Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at his brother's stance. Inuyasha's head was bowed and he showed no sign of pain. Looking him over, Sesshomaru's eyes widened as he noticed the tessaiga was nowhere to be seen. Looking back at his brother's face he froze.

"Kukukuku. Still alive Inuyasha?" Naraku walked closer to the half-demon. "I'm surprised you can even stand." He was actually taken back by this. 'How is he still breathing?' Naraku's smile faded as he got closer. Something didn't feel right. With how injured he was, he should not feel this powerful. Halting for a moment he watched.

Inuyasha's body never faltered as he lifted his head. Dark blue slashed across his cheeks and his fangs elongated over his lip. Opening his eyes, the normal gold was gone replaced by a glowing red. A sinister sneer crossed his lips as he raised his claws.

Sesshomaru whispered to himself "Oh shit."

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Shippo jumped up as he felt the power coming towards the north. He smiled knowing Sesshomaru had arrived. Pride filled him knowing his Alpha's were so powerful. He felt the tension leave him a little as he went back to his watch.

Looking over at his mother, he felt better knowing she was ok. In the little time he had watched her, her color was back to normal and she was asleep peacefully. Taking another look around to make sure nothing was coming, he walked over to her.

Laying down on his stomach, the kit put his ear to Kagome's belly. He didn't have much experience with a pregnant female, but he was hoping he would hear something. He moved around a little trying to find a heartbeat and jumped when he felt movement.

"Wow! Did you just kick me?" The kit whispered in excitement. He laid his head back down and laughed as it moved again.

Kagome was awoken to a tickling sensation on her stomach. Opening her eyes, she was surprised to see her son's head there. She watched him for a few moments, but when he moved she couldn't hold in her giggles. When he jumped, she was about to ask him what was going on, until he did it again.

"Shippo!" She laughed. "Stop that it tickles!" Her laughter continued as he looked at her wide-eyed. "What on earth are you doing?" She asked with a smile.

Shippo's face turned red as he realized he'd been caught. He was a little disappointed that the baby didn't kick him, but it was quickly replaced with the joy of her being awake.

"Kagome! You're awake!" He yelled as he jumped into her arms. He nuzzled her neck as she held him tight. "I was so worried!" He cried out. "When I woke up you weren't there! And...and Rin told me you got taken because of me..." He fought his tears as he held her tighter.

It took her a moment, but Kagome remembered what had happened as she hugged him back. He must have been so scared when he woke up.

"Shhhhh, I'm alright Shippo." She stroked his hair as she soothed him. "I just got scratched up a bit." She lifted him up to look at his face. "But, you're my baby...I would never let anyone take you from me." She smiled softly as the tears fell down his cheeks.

"Bbbuuuuttt wwhat iif you ddied!?" He stuttered out. "I would be all alone!" He shook his head to clear his eyes. "And what if the pup got hurt! Inuyasha would have killed me!" He shouted.

'Pup?' Kagome thought as she tilted her head. "Shippo calm down...I'm OK and so are you...that's all that matters, right?" She brought him back in for a hug.

Shippo calmed as he listened to her heartbeat. She was right, they were ok. "I'm still sorry Kagome...I'll never let anyone hurt you two again."

Kagome was confused but figured she would ask him about it later. She asked him where they were and he told her about how Sesshomaru had brought her here to keep her safe. She was a little pissed off that they tried to keep her from the fight, but she knew they only worried for her. Shaking her head she stood up.

Looking down at her attire, she laughed as she noticed once again, the great dog demon would be topless. 'Better him than me.' She looked around the clearing as she tried to figure out where exactly they were. She knew they were not that far from the castle, because she could feel the energy coming from it strongly.

"Ok Shippo, I need you to listen to me now." She smiled as he looked at her with a serious expression. "I need you to head back to Kaede's...It's not safe for you here sweetheart." She said lovingly hoping he would go without a fight...She should have known that wasn't going to happen.

"NO WAY!" He yelled. "I promised Lord Sesshomaru I would keep you safe!" He puffed out his chest. "A man ain't got nothin' but his word! And I'm gonna keep it!"

Kagome's sweatdropped. 'My god. He's a little Inuyasha.' Sighing loudly Kagome tried to reason with him.

"Listen ShipUGH!" Kagome grabbed onto her stomach as she fell to her knees.

"Kagome!" Shippo was quickly at her side. "What's wrong! Is it the pup?" He was worried about his unborn sibling, he knew she was hurt!

"What!?" Kagome panted. "Wwhat ppupp?" Her pain was clouding her mind as she tried to register what he was saying. She groaned in pain again but it was quickly receding.

'This isn't my pain. It's Inuyasha's!' Looking over at a panicked Shippo, she tried to calm down. 'It hurt so much! He must be in trouble!' Her body shook as the pain left her, but she still felt the pressure from his wound.

"Shippo listen!" She called out to get him to stop. "I'm fine! This isn't my pain...Inuyasha must be hurt." Grabbing on to her mark, she hoped she could feel something from him, but it was almost like a void. Panic filled her, and she knew she had to go to him.

"Is he OK?!" Shippo cried out. He didn't know much about mating but knew Kagome wouldn't lie to him. "What should I do?!"

"We need to get to him fast! Honey, I know you want to protect me, but we need to help them!" She tried to remain calm. "You can come with me, but as soon as we get there you need to hide, ok?"

Shippos was about to fight her when his fur stood up his back. Spinning around, he watched as Kagura descended on her feather. Growling out loud he jumped in front of Kagome to protect her.

"Stay right there! Don't come near my mother!" He tried to sound as intimidating as possible.

Kagura rolled her eyes at the sight and turned to the miko. "Hey, this fight isn't looking too good. If I were you I would run while I still could." Kagura didn't let it show, but she was relieved the woman was alright.

"You know I can't do that Kagura," Kagome said softly. "Inuyasha and the others need me, and you know it." No way would she run away while her friends were in trouble.

"Hmph. Suit yourself, but I'm out of here." Kagura went to turn around but stopped. "As soon as I find Kohaku, we will be leaving...I wish you good luck." She started to walk away.

"WAIT!" Kagome yelled out. "Kagura, Kohaku is with Inuyasha!" Kagura froze at her words. "Please! We need all the help we can get!" She hoped they would help her, but she wouldn't hold it against them if they refused.

Kagura looked to the sky as she sighed loudly. "Of course he is, the little brat." She whispered to herself. Looking over at Kanna, she was torn on what to do. She wanted to protect her sister, but she felt a need to protect Kohaku as well. Thinking it over she bowed her head.

"Well...then let's go." She ignored Kagome's smile. "Everyone's gotta die sometime right?" She knew she'd regret this, but she didn't have much to lose in the first place.

Kagome started to walk towards them when Shippo stopped her.

"Kagome NO!" She stopped and turned to him. "You can't go out fighting! What about the pup!" He huffed.

Shaking her head she picked him up. "Shippo, what are you talking about? Who's pup?" He kept bringing it up and she was completely lost.

Vibrating in frustration, he yelled. "YOUR PUP!" He screamed. "THE PUP IN YOUR BELLY! You can't fight Kagome! That's my little brother or sister in there!"

Almost dropping him in shock, Kagome froze. "Say what now?"

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