Inuyasha led the way along the narrow twisting trail through the almost impenetrable brush. A glimpse of Kikyo and her dim mage light flickered in and out as she negotiated the trail ahead of them. She waited at the castle wall as the rest of the group caught up.

Sango, Miroku, Kagome and Sesshoumaru gathered behind Inuyasha as Kikyo motioned them forward. The hanyou opened his mouth to gripe or grumble. Kikyo quickly placed a finger across his mouth and hissed, "Sh!" She addressed the rest, "You need to be silent until we enter the throne room. If you are able, please mask your auras and scents. Naraku's insects and bats will sense foreign sounds. Their alarms will trigger trap spells and bring many of his troops." Inuyasha scowled; defiantly angry. He could not vent his customary complaints.

Kikyo turned and slipped through a panel that silently opened in the castle wall. Rather than the black night outside, the tunnel within the castle walls glowed a phosphorescent green. Slime mold lined the ceiling cracks and crept down the walls. The floor had noxious puddles in the low spots. Miroku and Sesshoumaru had to lower their heads to pass through the hall.

Inuyasha crowded in close behind Kikyo as they negotiated the secret way. Sessoumaru guarded the rear, with the humans in the middle. Slippery stairs marked a steep descent. Kikyo whispered, "We are passing under the moat and will ascend and circle around the courtyard beneath the ramparts."

Kikyo paused at a sliding panel and peered through a spy hole into the small room beyond. It was occupied. Across from where they would enter, Kanna sat seiza on a floor cushion peering into her mirror.

Sesshoumaru ordered in low tones, "Inuyasha take point, Sango and Miroku to the right, Kagome and I will go left."

Inuyasha added, "Kikyo stay back; we don't want her to see you and warn Naraku about you."

The inutaichi slipped into the room. Kanna looked up and rose gracefully, turning left and right. She seemed to hesitate on her target.

Inuyasha waved his sword and yelled, "Hey bitch, I'm right here. You can't suck ME into that thing!"

Kanna raised her mirror and vapor tendrils snaked between it and the hanyou. Sesshoumaru flicked a light whip from toward Kanna on the left, distracting her momentarily, dropping the mirror's focus on Inuyasha. As the drama played out between the brothers and the void demon, Miroku and Sango approached on the right.

Kagome stepped out from her position sheltering behind Sesshoumaru and aimed her bow and arrow at Kanna. She let fly a blazing purity arrow, striking and shattering the soul sucking mirror. Inuyasha felt the pull on his soul rebound.

Her attention focused on Inuyasha and her shattered mirror, Kanna did not remark Miroku's stealthy approach. He grabbed her from behind. Sango slipped around him and drove her sword through Kanna's ribs and chest. Her empty eyes flickered briefly with emotion, she sighed and turned to dust as the holy weapon pierced her heart.

x x x

Naraku paced restlessly around his empty throne room. He had dismissed the last of the sycophants to their meaningless tasks. His plans were falling into place quite well. All the reports from his spies were favorable. His troops were assembling and most had arrived for the final push in his quest for dominance. He had most of the Shikon no Tama shards. Only a few remained in the motley dog's clutches. The jewel should be an asset in his campaigns. Soon he would be the top vampire in all Japan.

After that awaited the conquest of the daylighters' world. Soon, but not soon enough to suit him, all the land would bow to his might. He dreamed of the days to come when all would fear his name.

x x x

The hallway leaving Kanna's chamber was deserted. It was mostly dark, the ceiling low, with guttering torches every fifty meters or so. Kikyo commented, "One of the servants passages." She led the way, the group following closely behind her shadow, Inuyasha. The passage went through a series of twists and turns, ending in an arched doorway into a pitch black room.

"Shall we continue to just wander about in the dark, where enemies lurk unseen?" Miroku questioned. While the dog demon and hanyou could gather more information with their noses, ears and better night vision, the dark was impenetrable to human senses.

The wind blowing from the darkened tunnel carried a faint stench. Inuyasha covered his nose with his sleeve, "Feh, smells like where they dump the bodies."

Sesshoumaru motioned for the group to halt. "There are both long dead rotting and the undead ahead. There is also the sound of many shuffling feet."

"I don't hear nothing," Inuyasha muttered.

Sesshoumaru raised one eyebrow, "You would not. It is far ahead. A trap of some sort. Be silent and on your guard." He slipped silent ahead and began scouting the darkened passageway.

Kagome and Sango dropped back next to Miroku. Kagome rearranged the arrows in her quiver and nocked an arrow on her already strung bow. Sango loosened her sword in its sheath, checked her knives and stakes, and straightened the straps holding her large throwing weapon on her back.

Kikyo's hands remained empty; she appeared weaponless. Inuyasha put a hand on her shoulder and whispered, "Don't worry Kikyo, I'll be here to protect you." He paused and added, "Always and forever."

Sesshoumaru slipped back into the light. His eyes glittered, fierce and hard. "The courtyard is filled with Kagura's zombie minions, hidden behind every post and wall. The corridor across from this one is packed with reserves; the trap for us is set."

Inuyasha grinned, "Then we spring it and steal the cheese." He slapped his sword sheath in the palm of his hand.

x x x