Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha.

'thoughts and inner voices'

"talking"

PLEASE READ AND REVIEW.

"That was phase one."

Slowly Hijiri-sama opened her eyes and allowed a smirk to cross her lips. 'InuYasha,' she thought. 'I won't allow you to kill Naraku. I will be the one to take his life.'

Kanna appeared from the shadows. "I am ready, Hijiri-sama," she said.

"Good." Hijiri-sama gave her a nod. "Go and fulfill your task."

"Yes, Hijiri-sama," she replied dutifully.

'Now phase two has started. I'm counting on you. Kanna… Koimizu…'

THE ANCIENT FOREST:

The group looked around in amazement. There was nothing in the area. Nothing but grassland, lingering with the faint scent of blood, death and burning houses. A cold breeze swept up the ashes that had been proof of the village that had once stood here, carrying them away into the ancient forest surrounding the empty field.

"What happened to the village?" Kagome asked in wonder.

Sango shook her head. "I have no clue." She looked over at Miroku, but he didn't seem to know anymore than her. "Houshi-sama?" she tried.

Miroku gave a small sigh. "We were close…" he narrowed his eyes. "I wonder who it was that moved the village. It couldn't possibly have been Naraku. The way he is now, I don't think he would have the power to do so. "

InuYasha let out a low growl. "I'm not worried about Naraku," he grunted, though that was clearly a lie. "I'm more worried about that kid. Something is off about him, but I can't put my finger in it. I wonder… who is he?"

KOIMIZU'S VILLAGE:

Slowly the offending light faded away.

Naraku cracked one eye open. 'What…?'

"Where are they?" he heard Koimizu say in wonder as the boy looked around himself in amazement.

Naraku narrowed his eyes as he threw his companion a glance. 'So, I was right. He is connected to Kikyou somehow.' A scream caught his attention.

"They're back!" a woman screamed in fear. "Those murders are back! They'll call their youkai to slay us next!" Her screaming alerted the rest of the village about the pair's return. The women and children were ordered to stand back as the men grabbed for wooden sticks and other sharp objects that lay scattered through the burning village.

Naraku stared at the humans in disgust as he let out a low inaudible growl. 'Foolish mortals. Who do they think they are to challenge this Naraku?' Slowly he lifted his right arm, ready to deform his hand in order to slash through the villagers. The men slowly approached their weapons held tightly in their shaking hands. And then…

A gasp.

The movement of the men stopped as they stared at Naraku in fear.

Naraku narrowed his eyes, and then turned around to look behind him. "Kanna," he greeted, having sensed the girl's approach. "Have you come to take my life?"

Slowly the villagers backed away in horror. "It's the kuromiko," they whispered to one another. "We're going to die…"

Kanna merely stared at her creator. "Yes," she answered monotonously. "I gave my life in exchange for yours. I gave my life because you wished for it. But all that time…" Slowly she took a step forwards. "All that time I never wanted to die." Her face remained expressionless as always, but her eyes glistened, showing unshed tears. "I wanted to live." Her mirror flared up. "Die."

An arrow seared through the air and crashed with an energy field. A shield that surrounded Kanna.

"You won't kill him," Koimizu threatened. "Not while I'm alive." He pulled out another arrow. "And I won't forgive you for what you did to my mother." He released the arrow.

This time no energy shield appeared around Kanna. She allowed the arrow to fly straight to her head, before she lifted up her mirror, absorbing the arrow. "I shall return this to you," she commented before the arrow shot back out of the mirror.

Koimizu's eyes widened as he saw the sharp object going straight at him. Naraku narrowed his eyes as he followed the arrow.

A Saimyoushou took the hit. Once pierced by the spiritual powers of the arrow the small flying demon diminished to ashes. Koimizu turned to look at Naraku and he shot the miko a small smirk back. Koimizu gave him a grateful smile.

"Use all your strength and concentrate this time," Naraku commented and his companion gave him a nod. "Do not let your anger get the better of you."

"Alright," Koimizu said. He picked up another arrow from his holster. "Mother…" he whispered and he narrowed his eyes on his target. "Give me the strength to avenge you." He released his arrow.

The spiritual powers seared through the cold air as the sky slowly cleared. The sun made its presence, scattering its first light on the cold earth. Again Kanna lifted her mirror. The arrow struck the mirror and it scattered in pieces.

The sound of blood painting the air filled the early morning as Kanna died a second time. She sank to her knees when the arrow pierced through her heart and then she slowly faded, her body diminishing rapidly. But it all didn't matter, because for the first time in her life, she smiled.

'My task is fulfilled. Now it's up to you… Avenge my death, Hijiri-sama.'

THANK YOU FOR READING AND PLEASE STAY TUNED.
Dictionary: Saimyoushou (hell wasp, poisonous demons usually employed in groups by Naraku)