Disclaimer: I do NOT own Inuyasha.

Authors Note: So everyone will know in this fic Inuyasha already had Tetsusaiga when Kikyo bound him to the won't be any trip with the black pearl, alright? Good. Also this is my fic so I can do it that way.

Minor Note: In the Buddhist/Shinto religion the color for mourning and for burying their dead is white. Just incase anyone is curious

Last Time: Kanna watched the boy go and saw a small tear fall down his cheek. He was tired and in pain and so longed to be free. She knew that pain and want. Kagura was free and happy, she was glad. Kohaku was glad as well. Now they could only hope that they too could atleast meet the end that she had. Because only in death would they truly be free.

Kagome, Sesshomaru, and their little group followed Kohaku deeper and deeper into the mountains. As they walked they would see lower level demons make appearances from caves and encloves but they never once attacked. That was a good thing. They had too much to worry about at the moment than lower demons.

Sango was distraught. She stayed closest to Kohaku just incase she had to protect him from any harm. She also prayed that he would get control of his own body and remember her and their family. But she had resolved that if he didn't she would be the one to kill him to set him free from Naraku's clutches.

Also she was sure that he would get control back after they destroyed Naraku but she was also just as sure that he wouldn't be the same. If they took the jewel shard from his back, she didn't know if he would live and have his wounds from his first slaying to return or if he would just die. She was also not sure that if he didn't die after the shard was removed whether or not that he would try to kill himself for their family. But what she was sure about was that if he wanted to die when he remembered, she would be the one to kill him. She would give him the peace that he had been denied.

"Sesshomaru?" Kagome said.

"Hmn?" he asked.

"I am afraid." she said to him.

"Why is that?" he asked.

"I am still afraid that the jewel will send me home after I wish on it." she answered.

"I too, am afraid. I do not know how to keep it from happening." he answered.

"I know. I don't want to leave you. If I do you better remember that I love you." she said to him.

"I will always remember. As you better remember that if it does send you back I will be waiting for you when you arrive." he said.

"Hai, I will remember." she said giving him a hug.

"We are almost there." Kohakus' monotone voice interrupted them.

Kagome straightened up but was still being held close by Sesshomaru. His instincts were flaring. They were almost to Naraku and that usually came with an attack from lower demons or a Naraku puppet. The danger he posed for the priestess was driving Sesshomaru to the edge on his instincts. Inu's instincts were in compact with the Alpha state and his female was being threatened by another male. His instincts were telling him to search and destroy. Get his target and rip him to shreds.

The trek continued into the mountains and Kagome was getting tired as well as annoyed. She wished the damn spider would either show himself or just croak to save her the trouble. She wanted all of the mess behind her so she could focus on more important matters such as the jewel and having children and keeping her family together. But as long as Naraku was around she couldn't.

"We are here." came Kohakus' monotone voice.

They stopped beyond the boy and he turned to a mountainside. Then he pointed up the side and they saw a ledge that led to a large cave.

"Up there?" Inuyasha asked.

"Yes, he is in the cave networks." Kohaku replied.

"Kohaku." a wistful voice came.

The group, as well as Kohaku looked down from the ledge to right beside them to see Kanna standing with them. The void youkai had appeared out of nowhere and was now with them as another escort or something.

"Yes Kanna." he replied.

"He is waiting." she said.

"Yes Kanna." he answered.

She turned to leave but then stopped and turned slightly back to them.

"We will finally be free, Kohaku." she added and disappeared.

A flicker of understanding came to his eyes and then vanished. He had won control for just a split second and Sango had seen it. It gave her hope, very little, but it was better than nothing. But she had understood what Kanna had said to him and it made her heart weep.

"Yes, free." Kohaku whispered then he started up the mountainside.

The gang followed him and was soon entering the cave. Inuyasha looked around and didn't see Naraku. It annoyed him to no end that Naraku wasn't right there, waiting.

"He is deeper in the network." Kohaku said before Inuyasha opened his mouth.

"Lead on." Sesshomaru said.

"Yes." Kohaku answered.

A sudden chill went through Kagome. She felt as of someone was raking their eyes over her and was trying to strip her of her clothing. Sesshomaru had seen her shiver and had noticed that it wasn't from cold, the worry in her eyes said it all. Her sixth sense was going off, Naraku was watching her and he would be damned if he took her.

Her sixth sense was right to go off, she was being watched. The watcher was watching her every move from his hiding place with the little void youkai. His eyes were avidly watching every detail, every fluid movement of her body, and most especially the way she interacted with the Taiyouki by her side.

He was looking for any weakness, any doubt in their bond and he wasn't finding any and it wasn't to his liking. After several minutes of mirror gazing, Naraku got annoyed with not finding what he wanted and got to his feet. He was going to join his "guests."

"Kanna, come." he said to the void.

"Yes master." she said and they disappeared.

Kohaku stopped suddenly in front of the group. They were at an opening to a deeper and larger cavern. He turned to them and gestured them forward. Naraku was there and was waiting.

"About time." Inuyasha groused.

"He is here." Kohaku said.

"Yeah we get that." Inuyasha said.

Kohaku moved and let them passed him. He glanced up quickly to see that Sango was looking at him. Her face was the only thing from his memories that were supposed to be gone, that never went away. He couldn't remember who she was only that she cared for him and that they must have known each other a long time from what he could remember.

Her eyes were sad and full of so much hurt for him. He wanted to let her know that she wouldn't have to hurt for him anymore but he couldn't say anything to her, so he relayed his message through his eyes.

Sango saw that he was watching her and she saw the message her sent. It both broke her heart and gave her sheer happiness. He was going to be free from Naraku and free from all the pain and heartache. No more would he hurt or be forced to hurt those that loved him. She was glad. He nodded at her and she turned away to continue to battle.

They group entered the cavern and there before them was Naraku. Calmly standing before them in his white baboon pelt with Kanna by his side.

"Inuyasha." his voice sneered.

"Naraku." Miroku said darkly.

Naraku ignored the monk and went to the heart of what he wanted. His gaze went straight for Kagome and swept down her form, taking in every detail about her.

"Kagome." his voice purred.

"Naraku." she said, hatred dripping from her voice.

Naraku chuckled and brought forth the Shikon Jewel. He caressed it between in thumb and his forefinger and then he looked back at them.

"My offer still stands, Kagome." he said to her.

"My answer is still the same." she said.

Sesshomaru moved forward and placed a hand on her arm. His eyes snapped red as he looked in Narakus' own red gaze. He saw mirth dancing in his depths.

"My my very protective aren't we." he said taking a jab at Sesshomaru.

No-one said anything and Naraku went on.

"Much like your mortal counterparts; protective, loyal, man's best friend. Do you play fetch and chase your own tail as well?" Naraku said, treading on thin ice.

Sesshomaru took offense to the remark but he wasn't going to let the spider get in his head and lose his temper and do something foolish. Inuyasha on the other hand was just as insulted, Naraku had also took a shot at him with those remarks. But Inuyasha being Inuyasha he did what he did the best, let his temper get away from him and went charging head first. The battle had begun.

AN: Another chapter. Listen I have moved recently and am looking for a job, so I will be sporadically updating. I am sorry. :(