The betrayal

Enjoy reading and please review and give me some critiques.

Disclaimer: Inuyasha and all its characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi. Only the plot of this story belongs to me. *Leaves house to meet Mrs. Takahashi and talk about ownerships.*

Chapter 5

"And what do you want to do now, genius? We didn't solve this quiz yet and I won't risk another life for this piece of crap." "And you don't have to." All of them froze in their place. Was that… "Shippou?"

No. This couldn't be. He was burnt. He was devoured. He died. There was no way he could be alive.

The demonic flame was slowly drawing back, letting a small shadow inside the flame be visible. It had the form of a little child with a fluffy tail. Furthermore, it changed its colour. The dark blood red started to fade. While the red got brighter, the whole flame was getting more and more blue. Then suddenly the flame was sucked towards the shadow. The now completely blue flame was swirling with a hole focusing on the little shadow. As the flame was being sucked in, it got completely violet.

And then, there was Shippou standing there. Burning. In a deep violet flame. But not even flinching. The torch was back to 'normal', if you could call it that, burning red with a blue core.

"It was probably your human blood that made the flame go berserk, Inuyasha." All of Shippou's friends gawked at him, jaws down. Inuyasha was the first to realize what was going on. "Shippou, you're burning! Take my robe and kill the flame!" "STAY AWAY! You don't want to get injured more, do you?" Never before did they see Shippou that serious. "I won't. As long as there is time to save you, I won't back off." "I told you to stay away!" But Inuyasha didn't listen to him and continued coming closer. "Spinning top!" The huge toy landed on Inuyasha's head, the weight bringing him to the ground. Inuyasha lay on the floor, face down. And he was pissed off. "You little runt! Do you want to die?" "Just listen to me, Inuyasha. This flame is of demonic nature. When it tried to devour me, I felt a demonic power running through me. So instead of the flame devouring me, I kind of devoured the flame. I actually merged with the flames. And now I can burn the words of revealing." Shippou walked past Inuyasha who still lay beneath the rotating spinner. "Don't you dare ignoring me!" "Just stay quiet already, Inuyasha." Sango was annoyed of the dumb half demon and her aura grew somewhat darker. Inuyasha flinched in fear of the woman. As the burning fox demon moved towards the painting, Sango and Miroku were looking at him in awe. "Impressive. This actually makes sense." "You mean the human blood?" "Yes. And our little naïve Shippou here figured out the whole quiz during the time he was inside that flame." Miroku and Sango now both understood the quiz. But a certain silver haired half demon didn't. After Shippou's magic wore off, Inuyasha leaped off the ground and dashed towards Shippou. "How dare you, you little runt!" "Inuyasha, knock it off already!" Both Miroku and Sango had to hold him back. "He just solved the quiz." "Huh?"

Inuyasha was still confused as Shippou touched the painting to burn it. The violet fire from Shippou's body flowed into his hand and onto the painting. The painting slowly started smouldering, revealing a tunnel. As they were waiting for the painting to disappear, every one of the group tried to explain the quiz to Inuyasha.

"Look, Inuyasha. You got that this whole thing with the flame and the painting was a quiz, right?" Miroku spoke first. "Uhm.. Probably?" Miroku face palmed himself, letting out a groaned and annoyed "Yes, it was." "Oh." A facepalm once more. "Inuyasha, you really are dumb." Shippou. "What was that? You really don't know when to stop, do you?" Inuyasha leaped towards Shippou again, ready to give him a blow on the head. "Drop it, Inuyasha. You deserved that one." Inuyasha stopped. He seemed a little hurt. "Why are you ganging up on me?" A huge grin started to show itself on Shippou's face. For once, it wasn't Kagome who stopped that raging half demon.

"Look Inuyasha. The painting told us to…" "I don't care about this painting or the flame. Let's just go and save Kagome." Neither of the other ones realized that the tunnel had fully opened up. Miroku simply nodded and they stepped into the corridor.

The corridor was very dark. They didn't even know where this small green glowing came from. It just seemed to be there. All of them were quietly walking when Miroku broke the silence. "Inuyasha, how's your arm? Will you be able to use Tetsusaiga?" Right. His arm was still injured. "I don't know. I can try using it with only one hand. After all I draw it with my right hand. But as long as I got this injury, I cannot fight with full power. And I think Kagome is the only one who can heal it. This was miasma after all." "That's true. Let's hope she's okay." It was obvious that everyone was really concerned about their friend.

It didn't take long for them to cross the corridor. When they got out, they were standing in a basement. Of course, it didn't awake any memories like it did with Kagome. They scanned the room in search of either Kagome, Naraku or one of his incarnations.

"You sure took your time, didn't you?" Their eyes fell on the evil half demon who made all of their lives to a living hell. Inuyasha's left arm hung next to his body, useless for him. But he didn't mind that as he grabbed Tetsusaiga with his healthy right arm, drawing it out of the sheath. The rusty thin sword immediately transformed to the majestic broadsword with the wool at its handle. Inuyasha's target sought to protect himself, hiding inside his pink barrier. Inuyasha noticed and made his Tetsusaiga go red. The barrier braking Tetsusaiga. "Naraku, you bastard! Where's Kagome?" "Inuyasha. Do you really think, you can defeat or even fight against me in the state you are in? You don't stand a single chance and you dare to pose a question to me? How foolish." Naraku was speaking in his cold, confident tone. "Shut up, Naraku! I don't care if I can defeat you or not. As long as Kagome is safe, I don't care about anything else. WIND SCAR!" The demon sword shot out the slashes of pure energy, aiming for Naraku. They impacted on the barrier. And disappeared immediately. The attack was clearly weaker than normal. "Inuyasha, did you do something? I think the ceiling is crumbling." Naraku had a mocking tone, but Inuyasha ignored it. They all analysed the ceiling. It was about then, that the team realized they couldn't really fight in here. If they went all out, the whole basement would collapse. They were lucky that Inuyasha was not in his top condition. Otherwise they would all be dead by now. "Shit! Miroku, Sango, we have to be careful. We can't risk anything in here." Inuyasha sounded concerned. He was desperately thinking of what to do. They couldn't reach Naraku like this. "Hey Inuyasha. Why did you leave me out? And Kirara as well?" Shippou pouted at Inuyasha. "Shippou, this is not the time to be going into details. We're in serious trouble here. I'm injured and can't fight at full power because of the ceiling. Miroku can't use his wind tunnel against Naraku and the room is too small for Sango to use her Hiraikotsu." That was true. None of them could do anything. The room was only about seven metres long and 5 metres wide. Not anywhere near enough space to throw a boomerang.

"Are you done with your tactical meeting?" Kagura had entered the room. "Can we fight?" The wind sorceress had her fan readied. "Kagura. Why are you asking them if they are ready? Just attack them." Kagura let loose a dance of blades aiming for Inuyasha and his friends. "Get down!" Inuyasha immediately answered to the attack by letting the diamonds take over the Tetsusaiga and shooting out an adamant barrage to take down the blades. One after another the blades and diamonds collided, letting the diamonds shatter and the blades disappear. Some of the projectiles from both the fighters got through, only inches around both their heads and smashed into the wall behind them. A beautiful rain of sparkling diamond dust formed itself. "Kagura, why are you holding back? There's no need to." "I'm having a little fun." "Why are you disregarding my orders? I told you to kill them, not to play with them." Kagura clenched her teeth. This wouldn't end good, the way this was going. She somehow had to bring them to the other room where Kagome was in. There Inuyasha would have a chance to get healed by Kagome, so he could fight against Naraku. All of them had better chances of surviving like that.

Dammit! What should I do? I can't just tell them that Kagome is in a room right next to this and I can't bring them there without fighting. And I can't hold back either because Naraku is watching me. But going all out is dangerous too. I can't hurt them. They wouldn't be able to fight Naraku. Just firing blades after blades might hit or even kill them.

Kagura was ripped out of her thoughts as Naraku attacked the group with a tentacle he let loose from his back. The tentacle went straight for Inuyasha. He tried to block it with Tetsusaiga. But his right arm didn't provide him enough strength and the weapon slipped out of his hand. Naraku prepared two more tentacles to continue attacking. He launched them forward, aiming for Sango and Miroku. Kagura immediately reacted by firing another dance of blades and cutting the tentacles. He mustn't kill them. Absolutely not. If he did, everything would be over. The lives of Kagome's friends. Kagome's live. Kagura's hope for freedom. The world would sink into darkness.

"So you really are changing sides, aren't you, Kagura?" Not good. "I wouldn't dare to. You told me to kill them, so I will. Don't interfere." Naraku gave her an evil look. "Watch your tone towards me, underling." He was seriously pissed off. "If you even dream of betraying me, I will kill you slowly and painfully." Naraku now stood in front of her, taking her chin in his hand and turning her head up, so she would look him in the eyes. "I will hold you alive for as long as possible, to make entirely sure you suffer like you never did before. You got that?" Silence. No one moving an inch. Intense stares in each other's eyes. Until she gave in, closing her eyes and letting her head sink. "Of course, Naraku." She had a calm tone, but her voice was quivering with hatred. "Good. You've got one last chance. I'm taking my leave now. By the time I come back, I want to see those bodies dead on the floor. You got that?" "Yes." Naraku nodded contentedly and turned towards the wall behind Kagura.

Meanwhile Inuyasha and his friends had gathered themselves again. Inuyasha had his Tetsusaiga in his right hand again, standing in front of the others, everyone ready to fight. "Naraku, you bastard. Where do you think you're going?" Inuyasha was ready to fire another wind scar. "This doesn't concern you at all, Inuyasha. Just keep quiet and let yourself get killed." With that said, he stepped into the wall. His body went right through the wall, as if he would be a ghost.

Inuyasha was completely stunned. "How'd he…" But he was cut off as Kagura fired another dance of blades. Inuyasha, realizing he wouldn't have enough time to defend, threw himself on the ground, trying to dodge the blades of wind. Right then, Miroku jumped in. "WIND TUNNEL!" The white moon formed blades shoot towards the void, getting sucked into it. But Kagura also seemed affected by the small space. Due to the size of the room, the stream of air was extremely strong. Kagura took a hold of the door to next room, trying to prevent herself from getting sucked into nothingness. Her legs were in the air by now, not much away from the hole in the monks hand. It got harder and harder for her to hold on. When everything seemed lost and Kagura was on the brink of letting go, Sango sank to the ground, coughing. "Miroku, stop that." She managed between coughs. "The air is getting thin." Miroku cursed under his breath and closed the tunnel by wrapping the blue beads around his arm. Kagura fell to the ground heavily and dragged herself through the door to the other room.

All of the others were on the ground coughing and greedily inhaling the fresh air coming from the next room. Inuyasha was the first one to recover. He jumped up with confidence and relief in his voice and fire in his eyes. "Her scent. Kagome's scent is getting stronger. She has to be in the other room." With that he immediately dashed through the door leaving the others behind. "He really doesn't care about anything else when his sweetheart is in danger, does he?" Miroku said. "Figures." Sango and Miroku laughed and helped each other stand up. "Let's go." "Yes."

Kagome's POV

I was getting tired of waiting. Kagura brutally broke my hug and run off. And now they are taking their time battling it out. Wait a moment. They are battling? At full force? In our basement? Inuyasha is far too strong. Who knows what could happen? "Inuyasha, don't you dare destroying our basement!" Although the only one sad would be grandpa. "That doesn't matter! Don't destroy it!" I sighed. What am I doing? I am already so bored that I'm talking to Inuyasha when he isn't even here? I'm going crazy because of all this waiting. Hurry up and finish your fight already, Inuyasha. I am waiting for you here.

I heard another battle cry. Followed by something that sounded like shattering glass. Shattering glass? "Inuyasha, don't destroy the… Wait, there were no glasses or ceramics, were there?" I see, it was probably an adamant barrage. Now it was quiet for quite some time. I wondered what they were doing? No swords were clashing, no shouts were heard. And talking between Inuyasha and an enemy of his? This was completely impossible. Inuyasha always jumped in head first. So what was going on?

I waited for more to happen. The next thing I heard was probably Kagura. A dance of blades. Then I heard another scream. I waited for an explosion or something, the impact of an attack. But what I got instead was the door being opened and a small draught arose. Then Kagura came crawling in. "Kagura, are you alright?" "Silence!" Then I heard Inuyasha. "Her scent. Kagome's scent is getting stronger. She has to be in the other room." I shivered when I heard his voice. He always had this impact on me, when he was near me, talking to me. His presence made me feel at ease, he made me feel safe. I looked at Kagura. She just got up, readying herself.

And then, he finally got in. The boy in the red tunic of the fire rat. That strong, muscular, handsome boy coming for me. "Inuyasha." I called for him, tears of happiness welling up in my eyes. But he was concentrated on Kagura as he shouted "Kagura, where's Kagome?" My eyes of happiness tore wide open. "Inuyasha, what are you talking about? I'm right here." As Kagura didn't answer, Inuyasha got angrier. "Answer me, goddammit!" His teeth were gritted, his right fist clenched to a fist. That was when I noticed his injured left arm. It had dark violet scars all over it, nearly reaching up to his shoulder. It had to be miasma. "Relax, she's in there. Can't you smell her?" She motioned towards me. Following her hand Inuyasha looked in my direction. "Do you really want to tell me that Kagome is inside the wall?" "No. She's in the cage." Kagura opened her hand, the inside of it showing towards me. Then she spun it around once. I didn't notice a change but Inuyasha's eyes widened. He immediately leaped towards me, kneeling down in front of the cage. "Kagome, are you alright? Did you get hurt?" "No, I'm okay. Never mind me. Let me heal your arm." "You can do that after I defeat her." Looking to Kagura, he got up, ready to fight again. "Wait, Inuyasha. She won't attack you. She's on our side." Inuyasha had a questioning look on his face as he looked at me. "Why wouldn't she? She's our enemy." He had an angry voice. "She's right. I'm not fighting you anymore. Let her take care of your arm. I'm getting the key." Kagura already had her back towards us and was talking calmly. But as expected, Inuyasha didn't believe us. "Why should I believe you? Up until now you always dragged us into trouble and tried to kill us. There's no way I could trust you." Kagura stopped in her way towards the throne. She didn't turn to look at us. "Don't believe me. Believe your friend." Inuyasha turned to me again, looking at me. I nodded at him. He looked at Kagura. Back to me. Kagura again. Then he relaxed. "Fine. But if you try anything funny, I will immediately kill you. You got that, Kagura?" He didn't wait for an answer as he kneeled down again. I looked at him with a look saying 'was that really necessary?', but he didn't notice that as he held out his arm to me and turned away from me, looking at Kagura, probably to keep her under surveillance. Sighing, I started to heal Inuyasha's arm.

In this moment, an awkward silence emerged. It was probably only awkward for me because Kagura was on her way to get the key and Inuyasha was having a good eye at Kagura. And Inuyasha wouldn't feel awkward anyways, since he's just too dense. Why should it be awkward for them? I sighed again, concentrating on healing Inuyasha. "You seem to sigh a lot, Kagome. Is something wrong?" Inuyasha had finally averted his gaze from Kagura to look at me with concern in his eyes. I met his gaze and smiled happily, relieved that the awkward moment was broken. "No, I'm fine, thanks." "Are you sure? I don't want to worry." I had to chuckle. "Like you're the one to talk with that injured arm of yours." "Hey, now that I found you, I can be sure my arm will be cured." Hearing those words made me feel proud. The wound was almost gone by now and reduced to only some small violet scars on the half demon's hand.

And that was when it happened. An awfully loud cry sounded through the hall. Inuyasha and I immediately looked at where that scream was coming from. And what we saw left us in pure shock and with our mouths open. Kagura, right in front of the throne, facing towards us, looking down at herself. A big dark green tentacle protruded from her stomach with Naraku standing behind her. "KAGURAAAA!"