Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha (nor do I own a PC computahhhh!) ^_^) (This chapter takes place PRE-PROLOGUE!)


Chapter One

The Battle (Part 1)


FLASHBACK


It was a hot day in the middle of a hot summer and the Inutachi was lazing around the clearing, having just eaten lunch. Up in the tree he had chosen to occupy an Inu-hanyou and stiffened as the scent of something dead, of decay, reached his sensitive nose. Everybody looked up as InuYasha leapt down from his tree, landing in front of a young woman wearing three-quarter jeans and an orange tank top. Immediately, they knew something was wrong. His eyes swept back and forth, his triangular ears swiveling atop his head and his nose twitched as he scanned the surrounding area. After a moment his eyes widened, then narrowed as he turned towards the west.

"What is it, InuYasha?," asked a young Houshi, confusion on his face, the rings on his staff jangled as he stood and dusted off his violet robes.

"I sense Naraku!"

A young woman wearing a pink and white kosode with a green mo-bakama, stood quickly eyes widening before she ran behind a tree. Miroku turned to face west before his eyebrows furrowed in thought.

"How is it you are suddenly able to smell Naraku? Our hunt has yielded nothing for the last few weeks."

"I agree with Miroku," Sango called from behind her tree. "But I think we should check it out, just in case."

"It is most likely a trap" reasoned Miroku.

"Keh! No shit, Houshi! But I smell Naraku so we're gonna check it out. Maybe the bastard's finally slipped up."

"Now InuYasha, why don't we ask Lady Kagome if she can sense any Shikon Jewel shards."

"I sense two i think... I dont sense the rest of the Jewel though. It's probably a trap.

"Oi! Wench! Haven't you been listening to anything we've said?! We're going anyways!"

"Come on! Sango and Miroku are ready to go!" Inuyasha flung her onto his back and took off bounding through the forest.

The group hadn't run long when they reached a large clearing atop the edge of a cliff that looked over a dense forest.

Placing Kagome back on her feet, InuYasha ran up to edge of the cliff and sniffed around. After a moment he stopped, turned to face the group and said,

"Guys, the scent stops here."

Miroku, Sango and Shippou jumped of Kirara to stand by Inuyasha

"You should be able to follow his scent even if he flew! He couldn't have just disappeared!," Sango told them.

"Yeah but what I'm saying is, he DIDN'T fly!"

From his place in the shadows, Naraku chuckled. He had been getting rather bored waiting for his enemies to arrive. He had lowered his personal barrier and had Kagura blow his scent towards InuYasha before sending her on a mission. For once, he had come in person and he had spent quite a lot of time not killing his not present rivals. He didn't like waiting. But now he could put his plan into motion. He was rather proud of this idea. But it would be difficult. Getting the Hanyou to kill his comrades while the little Miko was present would be difficult. But he always had a back-up plan if a push came to a shove.

"Ku Ku Ku. InuYasha is correct. I did not fly."

The group turned, battle ready, to face the speaker who had appeared behind them at the tree line of the forest.

"NARAKU!" InuYasha shouted drawing Tetsusaiga. In front of the group stood their enemy, clad in deep purples, blacks and blues, surrounded by a shimmering pink barrier.

"Now, now, InuYasha. We are not all here. Wait before you strike me."

"What the hell are you talking about, Naraku!?"

"There is one more player in this game and I think we should wait for her to arrive." He spoke,, looking directly at Kagome who had to repress a shudder at the intensity of his gaze.

The bushes to the right of Naraku rustled before parting to reveal a woman wearing red and white Miko robes. 'Kagome's head tilted in confusion as she stared at the new arrival. 'Why can't I sense my soul? I've always known when Kikyou was anywhere near us. Even before InuYasha.' She was brought out for her thoughts by Naraku's words.

"Ahh... You have arrived, Kikyou. Now, we can begin!"

Giving the Tachi no time to prepare, Naraku attacked. Long thick tentacles shot out at the Tachi and Kikyou. The field was filled with the sound of whooshing arrows and cries of,

"Hiraikotsu!"

"Kazaana!"

"Kitsune-Bi!"

"Kaze no Kizu!"

"Hit the mark!"

But still, Naraku didn't let up. At one point, Kagome felt a tentacle come into contact with the base of her skull and her body went limp. She was still conscious, and she felt the pain of something being jabbed into the small of her back. After regaining control of her body, she ran a hand across her skin to find the puncture mark but all she felt was smooth and scarred skin. 'My imagination?'

They had been battling for a long while and it seemed like they were getting nowhere. Naraku had attacked Sango and Miroku only to have his side blown apart by one of Kagome's Arrows. Nobody noticed how Kagome kept shooting glances at Naraku and everyone took advantage of the odd standoff, between their Miko companion and their nemesis, to surround Naraku. Miroku stood behind him, Shippou on his shoulder, Kikyou to their right, Sango to hers, InuYasha to hers and Kagome to his.

"Naraku! We've got you surrounded! You can't escape!"

The only sign that Naraku had was the smirk that slowly spread onto his face. He spoke looking directly at InuYasha "Are you sure about that InuYasha? You've failed time and time again to kill me. You're just a pathetic little dog. You can't stop me!" Tentacles shot out towards Kikyou and Kagome.

"KIKYOU!" InuYasha shouted. 'NO! I won't make it!'

"Too late, InuYasha!," Naraku shouted as his tentacles pierced her chest and Kagome's shoulder. InuYasha froze, not even registering Kagome's cry of pain as Naraku's tentacle was removed nor the scent of her tears as she grasped her shoulder which had a gaping hole in it. His eyes were locked on Kikyou's falling body.

'No! Kikyou... I... I didn't... I couldn't... I'll KILL NARAKU FOR THAT!' In his anger, InuYasha felt the pull of his demon blood and didn't bother to fight it. Through the bloody haze that clouded his vision he didn't see the wooden doll that lay where Kikyou's body should have been. The only thing running through his mind is 'Blood..... Kill... destroy. KILL!!!!'


Black Light: See! I made this Chapter different from both the o

riginal and the KouXKag

Inuyasha: Keh! Who Cares.

Blacklight: INUYASHA YOU JERK! at least i fixed it!!! REV--EEEEEEEEEEW GROSS! .... i found a dust bunny on my desk..... i dont ming bugs or anything but I HATE DUST BUNNIES!