Chapter Ten: Naraku's Return

Authors Note: Here is the newest chapter for the story. I hope everyone has been enjoying it as it progresses. Please leave a review (and no, I won't stop saying that XD)

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or the man characters. All the OC's belong to me.

Asuka P.O.V.

"Who's there?" I demanded, grabbing my bow and sheathing an arrow. I turned in a slow circle, trying to see what, or who, was here with me. "What do you want?"

"I want you, my dear Kikyo." The voice was closer but still distant. It sounded familiar but I couldn't figure out why. I could feel a dark energy approaching and that's when I finally saw him. He was wearing a white baboon suit, concealing his identity. "It's been so long since we were face to face. I remember the last time I saw you. It was at the time of your death."

Hearing that jolted something in the back of my mind. It was from one of my lessons when I was in training. "It can't be..."

Aanother familiar voice, a female's this time, spoke up from next to me. "Unfortunately, it is. That is Naraku." Kikyo said, her eyes narrowed.

Kumori P.O.V.

Mom hurried over and pressed her hand against Asuka's forhead. A feint purple light engulfed her hand and she gasped, pulling her hand away. "We have to get her to Kaede. She may know what to do."

"Ye do not have to tell me, Kagome. I already know." Kaede said, coming out of her hut. She walked over to us and smothed Asuka's hair back out of her face. "Her body lives but her spiritual energy is not."

Dad raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. "What the hell does that mean?"

Mom spoke up. "It means her spirit, her consciousness, isn't here. It was taken to a different place."

I felt all the color drain out of my face and I tightened my hold on her. "Where?"

"The living can't enter it. We can only set foot there when our consciousness enters the dream state. From what I could tell, she was brought there by someone else." Mom said, her voice grim.

"It was my elder sister, was it not?" Kaede asked.

Mom nodded. "Yes, it was."

"Then that must mean..." I trailed off, hoping I was wrong.

"Naraku's there, too." Dad finished my sentence.

Asuka P.O.V.

I was surprised to see lady Kikyo here but I keot my attention on Naraku. Even though he had the baboon mask on, I knew he was smiling. "It seems I've underestimated you, Kikyo. I never thought you would find a new reincarnation."

"I am warning you, Naraku. You attempt to harm this young girl and you will suffer the consequences for it." Kikyo's spiritual power felt like an intense pressure that drove Naraku's dark energy back as a barrier formed around us.

"We shall see my dear Kikyo. I will have this girl and the jewel once again. It is only a matter of time until I find her." With that, he disappeared.

Kikyo turned around to look at me. "You must warn the others. He is coming and he will not stop. I wish you luck, young priestess."

As soon as she disappeared, I was slammed back into my body. I gasped and bolted upright, my head slamming into something with enough force to hurt. "OUCH!" Both of us yelled. I looked up to see amber eyes staring at me. "Kumori...?"

Kumori set me on my feet and pulled me into a hug. "Thank kami you're alright."

I hugged him back and pulled away after a few minutes. I turned around to look at everyone and saw they all had the same expressions: fear. "He's coming for me and the jewel. It's only a matter of time before he finds out where we are."

Inuyasha growled loudly. "That bastard isn't going to lay a finger on you. If he does, I'll tear his arms off his body."

Kagome agreed with him. "We will protect you, Asuka. As long as you're with us, he won't be able to reach you."

I didn't say anything and nodded. Silently praying that she was right.