AN/ enjoy this slightly longer chapter!


"It seemed as if I found you, little miko."

Her heart lept out as she scanned for the owner of that disgustingly sweet voice. She called forth her abilities, encasing herself within a barrier.

"Naraku," she snarled. Why was he here? Moreover, why was he alive? Hadn't he died in the hands of Inuyasha? Afterall, she was there when he landed the finishing blow, so why was he here, alive and kicking?

"Oh," she muttered as realization hit her. Why was there such a thing as a wish granting object anyways?

His sudden laughter put a halt on her thoughts as miasma came towards her from all directions. Her barrier was intact, successfully protecting her while purifying any miasma it touched. However, it seemed as if there was no end to the miasma, as she continued to maintain the barrier, while her strength slowly decreased with every purification.

"Oh, how I've longed for this moment," Naraku's voice rang through the once quiet space "There's no Inuyasha to save you this time." Kagome grimaced at that comment, remembering she was once again separated from her foul mouthed friend.

"You can't kill me," she bit out. "You're much too weak," she lied, having seen firsthand what he's capable of.

"Strong words, miko," his amusement crystal clear as he replied. His miasma had suddenly increased in pressure, forcing her to purify more in order to combat it. Inwardly, she knew she couldn't keep this up forever, she wasn't Midoriko after all. Yet, she couldn't lose this; Kagome absolutely refused to lose to Naraku, after all the things he had done, he wasn't about to win!

"Enough," an angered voice stated.