" M' Lord," Jaken rushed along side Sesshomaru. " Why is it that we must seek your impudent brother, Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru kept walking and said nothing. Rin bounced slightly behind them picking wildflowers. All of a sudden, Sesshomaru stopped. He could smell the scent of a demon near by. Sure enough, a large ogre demon appeared and tried to crush Sesshomaru. But he easily sidestepped it. " Jaken, take Rin and leave." he said calmly as he drew Tokigen from it's sheath. " Yes, M' Lord. Come Rin." Jaken called to the girl who was excitedly watching her lord. " Coming." she said cheerfully. They walked far from Sesshomaru and sat down, waiting for the youkai to come fetch them. They were waiting for quite awhile when Rin became bored and decided to go off alone. Jaken had fallen asleep in the middle of a long lecture about the safety of staying away from demons. Skipping along the field, Rin soon realized that she was lost. ' Thats alright, though.' she consoled herself, ' My Lord will find my scent and come get me.' Content, she started walking again only to come face to face with a wolf demon. She screamed and jumped back. Visions from when she was killed came back. The wolf lunged at her and knocked her to the ground. Rin used her hands to sheild her. The wolf jumped on her chest growling in her face. " Lord Sesshomaru! Help me!" she cried, the pressure from the wolf atop of her crushing her. An arrow flew above her and the wolf... missing. " Get off her, wolf. I promise this next time I won't miss." a voice said from somewhere out of Rin's sight. She realised that the voice belonged to the girl who traveled with Lord Inuyasha, Kagome. The wolf, thankfully was distracted and jumped off her chest most likely heading towards Kagome. Rin sat up in time to hear Kagome tell her to move out of the way. Inuyasha appeared beside Kagome and pulled out his sword out at the demon. " It has a jewel shard, Inuyasha. Right there in his forehead." she pointed. Rin jumped out of the way as Inuyasha swung the great sword at the demon. He was rewarded when the demon disappeared and the jewel shard fell to the ground. Kagome picked up the tainted shard and it instantly purified. She stuck it in the small bottle hanging around her neck with the others. " Are you okay?" the strange girl asked Rin. Rin only nodded. It was then that Inuyasha recognised her. " Oh great, your the girl who stays with Sesshomaru! I should have picked up his scent if he was near, though." Inuyasha stayed a distance away from Rin like she had a diease. Kagome on the other hand, invited her to come over. " Where is Sesshomaru, Rin?" she asked kindly. " I don't really know." Rin replied polietly then explained, " I'm lost." Inuyasha still eyed her from a distance. " Well then, we'll leave her here and let Sesshomaru come find her. She ain't going nowhere with us." Kagome's eyebrow twitched. " Inuyasha, we can't just leave her here alone. Another demon might attack her."
" Thats Sesshomaru's problem."
" Well if you won't help then i'll take her back myself."
That got his attention. Inuyasha jumped forward. " Are you crazy? He'll kill you!" Kagome and Rin had already began walking away. " Kagome!"

Sesshomaru dodged the ogre as it clumisly swung it's giant fists at him. " Is that all you have? I have no time for such impudence." Using one hand, Sesshomaru swung Tokigen and ran at the ogre in a zigzagging pattern as to avoid the ogre's attacks. When he was a few feet from him, he jumped up and stabbed the sword into the ugly ogre's heart. The ogre cried out before falling dead to the ground. Sesshomaru landed gracefully and resheathed Tokigen. He walked past the dead body and followed the scent of Jaken. When he arrived, the imp was asleep but Rin was not around. " Jaken." he said calmly but firmly. The imp jumped up and ran to him. " M'Lord your back." Sesshomaru ignored his greeting, " Where is Rin?" he asked. Jaken looked around him, a startled look on his face. " Why, she was just right here." Sesshomaru was annoyed but he didn't say anything. Luckily, he caught a whiff of Rin's scent coming from the west. Sesshomaru began walking away with the guilty Jaken at his heels. They soon found Rin but Sesshomaru wasn't surprised to see her with his little brother. Rin was holding hands with Kagome and smiling as she listened to the girl talk about her life in her Era. Inuyasha was ahead of them and was the first to notice him. " Sesshomaru." he growled. Rin stopped when she heard his name. " Lord Sesshomaru! You came for me!" She ran to him. She told him about how she was attacked and Kagome and Inuyasha saved her. Sesshomaru turned around to leave when Inuyasha stopped him. " What? Aren't you at least gonna say thanks or something."
" No."
" Jeez, your sure ungrateful."
Jaken ran forward. " Your the ungrateful one, half breed."

Inuyasha's temper snapped. " That's it! I'm gonna smash that tiny skull of yours." He lunged for Jaken but was hit in the face by the imp's staff of Two Heads. Inuyasha chased Jaken away from Sesshomaru who lifted his two fingers ready to interfere if need be. " Iron Reavor Soul Stealer!" Inuyasha sliced the imp's arm. " Ahhh! Lord Sesshomaru please help me!" Jaken cried. Sesshomaru was distracted, however when Sango's Hirakotsu zoomed past his face. It returned and the demon slayer caught it. " Leave him be, Sesshomaru." she yelled. Inuyasha now had Jaken pinned to the ground and was beating his face. " Don't!" Inuyasha said each word everytime he banged the imp's head into the earth, "Go! Talking! About! Things! That! Aren't! Your! Buisness!" Jaken was unconsious but Inuyasha continued his assault. Rin was covering her eyes at the scene. Sesshomaru knocked Sango and Miroku to the ground then went after Inuyasha. He slashed him from behind. Inuyasha turned to face him. " Back off!" The two began to attack each other. Inuyasha ran after him trying to scratch him with his claws but Sesshomaru was jumping backwards so Inuyasha's attacks were just out of his reach. Sesshomaru drew out Tokigen and stabbed it into Inuyasha's abdomen. " Damn!" Inuyasha was still hurt and now he was bleeding protrusley. He pulled out Tetsuiga and swung it at Sesshomaru. " Stop---- Moving!" he yelled as his vision became blurred. Sesshomaru hit the side of Inuyasha's face and left a large cut infected with the poison from his claws. " Inuyasha!" cried Kagome. An arrow smashed Sesshomaru's armour on his shoulder. He turned to see Kagome draw another arrow in her bow. " Impudent wench." he said and flicked his first two fingers at her. A whip like light flew out heading towards Kagome. She stood there, stunned. Miroku jumped and pushed her out of the way. Inuyasha stood and swung Tetsuiga in front of him. " WIND SCAR!" The attack made head for Sesshomaru but then Tensuiga lit up. Sesshomaru, Jaken, and Rin disappeared under the protection of the healing sword. " Come back and fight me, you coward!" Inuyasha yelled as he leaned on the Tetsuiga for support. He kneeled down and became unconsious. Shippo began walking up next to him but was stopped by Miroku. " Don't go near him. Remember that his sword will still protect him." The group watched in silence as Inuyasha stayed as he was. " I'm going to try something." Kagome said after awhile. She began walking in a wide circle around the Tetsuiga until she was behind Inuyasha. The group watched her, silently agreeing to help her out if the plan backfired. Kagome moved up behind the hanyou and lightly touched his shoulder. " Inuyasha?" she leaned and whispered into his ear. It twitched slightly but he still didn't wake. " Inuyasha, please wake up." Nothing. Miroku and Sango carefully made their way over to them. The three picked up Inuyasha and carried him to a village near by. " I have sensed an ominous presence in your village and would like to carry out my duties as a monk and ward off the evil spirit." Miroku told the village leader and was given a place to stay for the night. The group brought Inuyasha into their room and Kagome began to treat his wounds. When finished, Sango, Kagome, Miroku, Kilala, and Shippo were exhausted. Each went to their seperate rooms except for Kagome who stayed in the same room with Inuyasha. In case he woke up, she wanted to be there for him. After eating some dinner, Kagome soon fell asleep. "Kagome? You awake?" Inuyasha stood looking over her. She sat up and suddenly they were outside under the moonlit night. " Inuyasha, where are we?" she asked feeling confused. He shrugged then offered her his hand. She took it and he helped her up. They walked together, hand in hand. Kagome felt so at peace... so content. Suddenly he stopped. " What's wrong?" she asked as he turned to look at her with those gorgeous amber eyes. He opened his mouth to say something but instead grabbed her and pulled her to him in an embrace. " I promise Kagome, I promise that i'll be there for you always." he whispered to her. She had no words to describe the moment only held him tighter. " Thank you so much, Inuyasha. Thank you." Kagome awoke with a smile playing on her lips. Tears of happiness rolled down her cheeks. Inuyasha still wasn't awake so Kagome decided to make him his favorite meal; noodles. She set out looking for firewood when Shippo decided to join her. " Kagome whatcha doing?" he asked walking along side her. " Looking for firewood so I can make Inuyasha something to eat." she told him as she began gathering the wood. " Has he woken yet?" She shook her head. " Uh-uh. Not yet." Having what she needed, the two headed back. Kagome set everything up that she needed and started to stir in the noodles which she pulled from her back pack. " Mmmmm." said Shippo and Miroku ( who had finally woken up). Sango and Kilala later joined them and they all ate that is all except Inuyasha. Kagome glanced worriedly over at the hanyou, Sango caught the look and stood up. " It's okay, Kagome. I think Inuyasha is just exhausted from all the fighting we've done recently." She patted Kagome's shoulder sympathetically. " He'll wake up in due time." She left afterwards to go and inspect her Hirikotsu and other weapons. Miroku left to "exorcise the evil spirit", Shippo left too. Kagome was left alone with Inuyasha with the exception of Kilala, who was busy cleaning herself with her paws. Kagome set about cleaning up the breakfast mess when a noise from behind her caused her to turn around. " Inuyasha!" she exclaimed as Inuyasha sat up. "Are you okay?" she rushed to him but he brushed her aside. " I'm fine." he gruffley told her. " Where is Sesshomaru?" He looked around as if expecting to see his older brother pop out at any second. Kagome quickly explained to him about what happened after Inuyasha blacked out. He growled angrily. Kagome handed him his haori and Inuyasha slid it on. He stood up, grabbed Tetsuiga,put it back into its sheath then walked out. Kagome silently followed him.

Naraku looked at Kagura,who glared back at him. " So did you do it?" he asked her, knowing full well that she had. "Yes."
" Good." Naraku reached into his haori and pulled out a black mask with tiny silver designs adorning it. " Inuyasha, beware." He rose from his spot on the floor and walked over to a large armour(dresser), pulled out a long black robe and put it on. He then added the mask which was in the shape of a Japanese dragon head. The mask was held in place by an elastic string that connected from one side of the mask, crossed the back of his head, then connected back to the other side of the mask.Kagura watched in amazement as Naraku's features transformed to a younger looking man about Kagome's age. His cold dark black eyes changed into a light green color, his pale skin became more tan, his long hair dawned on a short cut, going no farther than above his ears but it had a nice wind blown look to it. His longs bangs rested against his left eye. Naraku actually looked...handsome. Kagura fought the sudden urge to brush the strands from his face when Naraku turned to face her. His demonic aura evaporated. " Stay in the castle, Kagura." Naraku spoke in a deep seductive tone that Kagura had never heard before. He was shorter,too,Kagura noted as he walked out of the castle. Good luck, Kagome. she thought.

" Come on, Inuyasha!" Kagome knocked on the dressing room stall. Her and Inuyasha had crossed over to Kagome's era to attend the Halloween Masquere Ball that she had so badly wanted to attend. The others had agreed that it would be a good idea to take Inuyasha with her. So now Kagome shouted for Inuyasha to come out of the stall where she sent him to try on a costume. " I look stupid!" he announced bursting out dressed in a cowboy vest and pants. On his head was a brown cowboy hat. Kagome giggled. He did look sorry in the outfit. Inuyasha, who was annoyed, marched back into the stall and returned in his original clothes. " I'm wearing this." he told Kagome crossing his arms across his chest. " Fine, wear that." She slammed the ball cap that Inuyasha wears over his ears when they go out in public, on his head and walked out of the store. Inuyasha chased after her. The Masquere ball wasn't until later that night. Inuyasha walked by Kagome's side looking as she pointed out things in the windows of shops they passed by. Suddenly a voice called out from behind them. " Hey, Kagome!" Kagome turned at the sound of her name and her friend (Yuri) rushed up to her. " Hi, (Yuri)! Whats up?" she asked her friend. " Where have you been? Hojo and I have been looking all over the place for you. Are you going to the ball?" Her last sentence faded away on her lips when she noticed Inuyasha standing there. Inuyasha stared back. Kagome looked from (Yuri) to Inuyasha. " Oh right!" Kagome finally exclaimed breaking the silence, " (Yuri) this is... my boyfriend, Inuyasha. Inuyasha, this is my friend, (Yuri)." The two continued to stare at each other. " Okay, well, we better get going...lots of stuff to still do, you know. I'll see you later." Kagome grabbed Inuyasha's hand and pulled him along with her. " What's with your friend?" he asked after we were a distance away. " What do you mean?"
" She gave me the impression that she didn't like me."
" Ohhh, thats just being silly." Kagome faked a smile. If only you knew what they think of you...

Inuyasha sat on Kagome's bed while she bustled about trying to finish getting ready to go to the Masquere. She wore a long flowing satin red dress with inch thick straps and a sash that tied into a bow in the back. The dress had a sweetheart neckline. With the dress, Kagome also wore pretty dangling white earrings, a red butterfly shaped mask that covered her eyes and nose, a teardrop necklace, and black high heels. She had dressed as a fire princess so she had to pick up the sides of the dress so she wouldn't trip on the hoop skirt beneath it. Inuyasha wore a black haori ( which Kagome had found in some shop), and a white mask that went over his eyes. He didn't, though, wear the cap because no one would really be able to tell on Halloween that they were his ears. Kagome's hair fell in curls against her shoulders. " How do I look?" Kagome asked him with body glitter painted over her eyes and red lipstick on her lips. You look beautiful. he thought but said, " Why are you asking me for? Can we just go?" Kagome sighed and headed down the stairs which wasn't easy noting the fact she had on high heels.Inuyasha was down the stairs before Kagome. She was still walking down when she tripped on her dress, and lost her balance. Inuyasha quickly caught her and set her down. " Quit being so clumsey!" he teased her. She stood up and gave him a look but giggled all the same. The Masquere Ball was being held downtown, so Kagome suggested they take a bus. " Hang on. I get can us there quicker." He picked Kagome up and began leaping building from building while she clinged to him for dear life. When they were a few feet from the Ball, Inuyasha put Kagome down and they began walking. Inside, Kagome and Inuyasha gaped in awe. The Ballroom was larger than Kagome's house with a marble floor, streamers and decorations hung from the Cathedral ceiling, tables were set up around the edge of the large room alongside the buffets where Kagome spotted (Yuri) with Hojo. " Kagome! Inuyasha! Over here!" Yuri waved her arms to them. Upbeat music was playing, people crowded the dance floor. Kagome held fast to Inuyasha's hand as they worked their way through the people to the table. Yuri was wearing a winged mask, an angel costume with realistic looking wings. Hojo wore a silver shirt, black pants, a gray cape, and a black mask. The group talked,laughed together until Hojo asked Kagome to dance. She glanced at Inuyasha, who looked ready to bach in Hojo's skull. " I'd love to but Inuyasha already asked me." she said politely. Inuyasha took Kagome out onto the dance floor looking very uneasy. She was confused at what was making him so uneasy when she realized that he couldn't dance. " Okay , all you ghouls, goblins, demons, and angels time for alittle slow dance." the DJ called into the microphone. Kagome showed Inuyasha the basic steps of a slow dance which he learned...after stepping on her toes quite a few times. They were flowing gracefully by the time the song ended and another fast paced song came on. Kagome was ready to teach Inuyasha a few dance moves when she felt a tap on her shoulder. " Excuse me but would you like to dance?" A boy with short black hair and green eyes stood before her. Something about his eyes made Kagome curious. She realized that she was staring at him so she quickly looked away. Inuyasha jumped in between Kagome and the boy. " Get lost!" Inuyasha told him. " I'm Hideki and I'm sort of new here." he introduced himself, his voice had an incredibly sexy tone or so Kagome thought. I can't tear my eyes away from his. " Sure, i'll dance with you." she said and took Hideki's outstretched hand. "Kagome! What the hell are you doin'?" Inuyasha yelled breaking Kagome's eye contact with Hideki. She shook her head, taking her hand from Hideki's. " I'm sorry. I don't want to be rude but i'm here with Inuyasha." she bowed politely. Inuyasha took Kagome's arm leading her away. " What the hell was that all about?" he demanded to know. Kagome looked at him helplessly. " I don't know." The night went by and the two danced nearly every song. She even got the hanyou to laugh a couple of times. Inuyasha, i'm so happy when you laugh.

Inuyasha was having a good time with Kagome and enjoyed being so close to her. But what bothered him was that Hideki person was watching them the whole time. Inuyasha could feel the boy's eyes on Kagome and him as they danced together. He could see that Kagome was having a good time so he left the matter alone. At one point, Kagome asked Inuyasha if they could go sit down. " Sure, i'm hungry." he said as they walked back to the table. Yuri and Hojo were there already, talking about the crazy costumes people were wearing. " So, Inuyasha, I haven't seen you around school before." Hojo started, " Where do you come from?" Inuyasha stopped chowing down on his food long enough to give a short reply. " Not far from here." You know, only like five hundred years from here. Yuri suddenly reached out to touch Inuyasha's ears. " Wow, those dog ears are..like so realistic. Where'd you get them?" Inuyasha jumped up from the table. " Don't touch 'em." he growled. Kagome looked up at him, startled. Yuri withdrew her hand like she had been burned. " Sorry. I just thought they looked so cute." Yuri apologized. Kagome assured her it was okay. She dragged Inuyasha back on the dance floor when another slow dance came on. " Okay everyone it's ten minutes until midnight and then we follow the tradition and throw off our masks! So only two more slow songs left." the DJ announced. Inuyasha and Kagome ruled the dance floor. Inuyasha gazed into her beautiful dark eyes as he swung her around the room. "Kagome?" he asked her. " Yeah?" she looked at him with a curious glint in her eyes. Inuyasha knew what he wanted to say but couldn't bring himself to say it. Damn it. Why can't I tell her? " Inuyasha,whats wrong?" Inuyasha realised that he hadn't answered her. " Forget it." he pulled her closer. Inuyasha felt a tap on his shoulder, swung around ready to attack only to see Hideki. " May I cut in?" he asked. Inuyasha growled, slightly showing his fangs. Hideki looked unaffected by Inuyasha. " No, you may not 'cut in'. " Inuyasha's eyebrow twitched. " I'm sure this fine young lady would rather dance with a real man." Hideki arrogantly told him. " You---" Inuyasha raised his hand, his sharp claws ready to contact with the boy's face. Kagome cut in. " Alright, i'll dance with you once but then you have to promise to just leave us be." Hideki shook his head and pondered Kagome's offer. " One dance and a kiss." he compromised. " Go to hell." was Inuyasha's reply. " Take it easy. I was only joking." Hideki laughed but Inuyasha wasn't so sure that it really was a joke. Hideki stepped back and held out his hand to Kagome. " Shall we dance?" She took it hesitantly, looking at Inuyasha. "Whatever." he gruffed. Hideki walked her to the center of the room then put her hands around his neck and his hands around her waist. They gently began to sway along to the music, Kagome never looking more uncomfortable. Inuyasha watched them like a hawk.

Naraku found it funny how easily Inuyasha and Kagome fell for his disguise. As he danced there with Kagome, he mentally reviewed his plans for tonight. " Are you having fun?" he said into her ear. The mikko shivered,didn't answer him. " Your name is Kagome, right?" he asked her. She nodded. " And that boy you were with was Inuyasha?" Again she nodded. They danced the rest of the song in silence and when it ended, Inuyasha was beside Kagome in a flash. " Lets go, Kagome." he told her. They headed towards the exit when Naraku stopped them. " Wait, please let me get you both a drink." he held up a hand, signaling them to stay put while he rushed over to the bar and ordered three soda's. When he was sure the two weren't looking, he pulled out a small bottle of blue liquid and poured it into two of the drinks then served them to Inuyasha and Kagome. " A toast to a happy Halloween." he said as he raised his glass. The two akwardly raised theirs and took a sip. And a special toast to the death of Inuyasha.

Kagome was delighted to leave the presence of Hideki after she and Inuyasha finished their drinks. Inuyasha rushed out of the now stifling ballroom into the cool night air. Kagome followed after him, alittle slower so she wouldn't trip on her dress again. I feel wierd all of a sudden. She thought to herself as her steps became sluggish. " Inuyasha? Can you take me home?" she asked in between short breaths. Inuyasha had yet to notice that she wasn't looking too good for he was preoccupied with throwing off the uncomfortable sandals he had been forced to wear. " Ha! Good riddance!" he yelled as he tossed them into a nearby bush. When he was finished, he turned back to Kagome. He picked her up, jumped off the building's and into her bedroom window. " Thanks." she gasped. " Kagome, whats the matter?" She must have looked awful. He left so she could change out of her costume. But Kagome had only freed the hoop skirt from beneath when it happened. The world around her began to spin, faster and faster. She rushed out of the house, running past Inuyasha who had been playing with Buyo, and into the night. She didn't know where she was headed until she jumped down into the Bone-Eater's well. " Kagome!" Inuyasha called after her but she kept going. When she landed, Kagome climbed up the well then continued running blindly. What's happening to me? Inuyasha! Help! She fell to her knees, her hair framing around her head, digging her hands into the grass. Around and around the world went, Kagome clung to the ground as if it was her only life line. Someone please make it stop!
Inuyasha ran after Kagome, not understanding what had gotten into her. " Kagome! Wait up!" he jumped down the well a few seconds after her. She's acting really wierd. He jumped out of the well when he landed in his era to see a flash of Kagome's red dress as she continued to run. He started after her again but suddenly his vision went black. " What the hell?" He tried to move forward only to find he couldn't, his body became unresponsive. Waves of pain flowed over him and he felt like he was falling. Why can't I move? Why can't I see? he thought and shut his eyes. When he opened them he could see again. Only what he saw, he hadn't been prepared for. His mother stood before him, in her arms she held a child. Inuyasha felt dazed, unfocused as he stepped towards his mother. " Mother?" he whispered. She couldn't hear him. She stroked the child in her arms and Inuyasha looked to see who it was. He stepped back in surprise, for the child she held was Inuyasha. The young Inuyasha was looking up at his mother, a confused expression on his face. "Mother, whats a half breed?" he innocently asked her. She began to cry, tears slid down her cheeks. The image of him and his mother faded away to be replaced by another. Inuyasha was standing in a field with a few village children. The children laughed at the young hanyou, pointing at his ears. "Half breed! Half breed! Inuyasha's a half breed!" they taunted. What's going on? Inuyasha thought as he tried to shake the memory from his head. But the vision persisted. The young Inuyasha's face flushed as the children continued to tease him. One of the older kids pushed him, knocking him to the ground. " What's the matter, half breed? Can't ya fight?" he kicked the young Inuyasha in the ribs. " Stop calling me that!" Inuyasha jumped up and punched the kid in the face. The bully stumbled back as his nose began to bleed. "Your no better than any other demon, half breed! That's why your mother died, she couldn't handle the regret of having you as a son!" he laughed. " SHUT UP!" Inuyasha cried as he lunged at the boy. He punched him over and over.
The boy tried to cover his face or fight back but could do neither. The memory faded away like the others and again was replaced by another sad vision. Inuyasha ran into the woods, running from his past. Then he saw her. She was kneeling on the ground picking herbs, placing them in a wicker basket beside her. She looked up, when she saw him a soft smile lay on her lips. " Kikyo." he said lightly.

Sango sighed heavily as she walked through the trees, her thoughts focused on her brother, Kohaku. Naraku is so cruel doing this to you. She was so deep in thought that she almost didn't see the figure in front of her. A girl wearing an odd mask and a red dress was on her knees clutching the grass. It took her a moment to recognise the girl. " Kagome!" Sango knelt down to help her. She touched her shoulder and Kagome looked up. Her eyes were bleak, almost lifeless. Kagome was looking at Sango but not seeing her. She seemed to see something else. " Kagome! Kagome!" Sango shook the mikko's shoulders. She can't see me or hear me. Just then a figure appeared in the woods, Sango grabbed her Hirikotsu. Inuyasha stepped forward, Sango's grip on her weapon eased. " Inuyasha, it's just you." Sango released a relieved sigh. Inuyasha stepped towards Kagome, who was now looking around wildly. " Inuyasha, something is ----- Inuyasha?" Sango noticed the hanyou's eyes looked the same as Kagome's. What is going on? she thought as she watched him continue to advance towards Kagome. " Kikyo." she heard him whisper. " Inuyasha, thats Kagome not Kikyo." Sango told him but he wasn't listening. " Sango?" Miroku walked up from behind her. The rings on his staff clanged together as the monk moved up beside the demon slayer. He noticed Kagome and Inuyasha. Sango stood helplessly. " Inuyasha? Kagome?" he called to them but, like Sango, they couldn't hear him. " I don't know whats gotten into them." Sango said, shaking her head. Inuyasha's soft expression turned into one of pain. " I'm sorry, Kikyo. I didn't mean to let you die alone." he told Kagome. She quickly rose to her feet. " My bow and arrows, I have to find them." She pronounced, still under the spell. " Kagome, snap out of it!" Sango grabbed her friend by the shoulders. Kagome screamed, " Let go of me, you demon." she swung her arms, whacking poor Sango in the face. Kagome struggled out of her arms then ran towards Kaede's village. " Go with her, Sango. I'll stay with Inuyasha." Miroku told her. She nodded, hurried off after Kagome.

Demons. Demons are everywhere. I need my bow and arrows. Kagome thought as she ran into Kaede's hut where she had placed her weapons. " Kagome! Your back!" cried Shippo, running over to greet her. " That's a pretty dress, Kagome. What are you doing?" Another demon. Kagome snatched up her bow then drew an arrow. Shippo stopped and looked at her with wide eyes of shock. " Kagome ----" he stepped forward. " Leave me alone!" she released the arrow on the kitsune. Then she turned and quickly left the hut. However, when she stepped outside the hut, a gruesome sight greeted her. Blood. Crimson blood tainted the ground, the trees, everywhere it could touch. Kagome walked forward hesitantly, doing her best not to touch the vile substance. Out of the woods, a demon came running. The demon had lovely eyes but the rest of her was just as horrible to look at as the blood around her. " Kagome," it said in a raspy voice. " Come, see what i've done to your friends." It pointed a gnarled finger at something behind it. Caustiously, she stepped around the demon peered at what it pointed to. A cry escaped her lips. There, on the damp hard ground, lay Sango and Miroku and Shippo and Kilala. Thier bodies were torn, their skin ghastly pale, anguish portrayed on thier faces. Kagome rushed to them. " Kilala! Miroku! Sango! Shippo!" The demon laughed. " What have you done to them?" Kagome demanded. " I did nothing. Naraku is the one to blame." Kagome drew an arrow across her bow and released it. The demon deflected it with it's arm. " Come. Come. Surely you have better aim than that." the demon taunted. Please, hit the mark. she thought to herself as she once again drew an arrow and released it. The arrow lit up in it's Sacred light and hit the demon in the chest. Therefore destroying the cackling demon. Naraku. I'll kill you! Anger swept through her body. Along with her anger, Kagome sensed something near by. A jewel shard.

Sango cried out in pain. She threw the arrow aside. Her chest bled but not as bad as it could have been had she not blocked the arrows attack with her Hirikotsu. Kagome had acted as if Sango were a demon and not a demon slayer. At one point the mikko had cried out her name only she wasn't looking at Sango but at something behind Sango. She was utterly confused. Someone must have put Kagome under a spell and Inuyasha. She pondered for a few moments. But that would be impossible if Kagome and Inuyasha were over in her Era. Kagome had walked off when she thought that the " demon" was dead. " Kilala!" she called. Her faithful companion rushed out of the hut over to Sango. She hopped onto her back. " Follow Kagome but be discreet about it." she told Kilala. She nodded and lifted off the ground into the air. " I wonder if Miroku is having better luck with Inuyasha." she thought aloud. Pain shot through her chest but Sango ignored it. There would be time later to deal with that. Kagome and Inuyasha were in danger.

" Inuyasha! Snap out of it!" Miroku yelled at the hanyou who suddenly had tried to rip off the monk's head. " Get out of my way!" Inuyasha growled at him, swinging the Tetsuiga. If there was ever a time I could use Kagome's 'sit' command, it would be now. He thought to himself as he blocked an incoming attack with his staff. " Inuyasha, listen to me!" he yelled uselessly. " I need to go after Kikyo!" Inuyasha swung his sword again. " That isn't Kikyo. That's Kagome!" the monk told him, ducking the sword. " Dammit Sesshomaru! Go to hell!" Inuyasha thrust his blade forward missing Miroku's face by an inch. " I'm not your brother, i'm Miroku!" Again it was no use talking to him. Inuyasha knocked Miroku on the head with the side of his sword, knocking him out. The last thing Miroku saw before everything went black was Inuyasha racing off after " Kikyo".

Inuyasha was running and jumping as fast as he could. " Kikyo!" he cried into the emptiness of the dark. I can't smell her. I can hardly smell anything. He stopped in another cluster of trees thinking only of his first love. She had died twice. Both times by the hand of Naraku and both times I wasn't there for her. She died alone. Inuyasha, being under the spell, did not think of Kagome. An arrow whizzed by his face hitting the tree he stood next to. " Huh?" he turned towards the archer. Kikyo stood with her bow held up, ready to draw another arrow. Her hair was billowing gently in the evening breeze. " Kikyo." he said softly. Her features took on an angry look. She lifted another arrow from behind her. With ease, she pulled the arrow back on the bow. Inuyasha stepped towards her. She only raised her bow higher. Inuyasha stopped. Kikyo's hand was shaking slightly with the knowledge of what she intended to do. Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Kikyo released her arrow, which made a bee line for Inuyasha. He tried to jump out of the way but was unsuccessful for the arrow hit it's mark. Kikyo only stared at him as the arrow pierced through Inuyasha's chest, binding him to the tree behind him. He looked surprised though he knew he shouldn't be.He closed his eyes on the woman standing but inches from him. As he drifted off into what would most likely an endless sleep, Inuyasha swore he heard Kikyo say " I've won Naraku." Naraku? What the hell?

Kagome smiled sadly, glad that she had finally killed Naraku. " You can cause pain no more, Naraku." she told her slayed foe. " Ahh, but your wrong." a voice cut through her illusion. Kagome spun around, her bow at ready. " It was not me whom you struck with your arrow. Take a closer look." the voice coaxed. The illusion that Kagome had been under vanished. The crimson blood that had tainted every visible surface was no longer there.Unsure of what to expect, she slowly shifted her focus to the figure sealed to the tree. A disbelieving cry sounded deep within her throat. " No." she whispered, staring at her captive. Not fully trusting her legs, Kagome approached the tree. A sliver of moon light shone onto the tree. Inuyasha's face had a slight glow. His features were sad, full of anguish. " Inuyasha..." Kagome reached out her hand to touch the hanyou. " What have I done?" she cried. "All it took was simple steps and look at how easy it was to turn you against your friends." Hideki appeared before her making Kagome step back in fright. Her back hit the ends of Inuyasha's feet. " You." Kagome said. " But how did you cross over?" she asked, bewildered. Hideki laughed. Wind began to swirl around his body, and Hideki's appearance changed form to Naraku. Kagome stared at him, disbelief written all over her face. " You tricked me." she whispered accusingly. Naraku stepped forward. " You have talked of trust with your friends yet look at how little it took to destroy it." Kagome pulled her bow in front of her, sick of hearing his voice. It made her skin crawl everytime she looked at him. " With Inuyasha out of the way, who is there to help you?" the wretched demon stared at her with his brooding eyes. " You alone are not strong enough to take me."
"Shut up!" Kagome fired an arrow at him, anger seeping through every part of her body. Naraku was cruel but not stupid, he quickly dissappeared only leaving traces of his horrid laugh in his wake. Kagome cringed. Inuyasha, once again I have managed to hurt you... Naraku is right; I dont have what it takes. She turned her eyes upon the strucken hanyou, frustration, guilt, and anger coursed through her. She reached up then grasping a firm hold of the arrow holding Inuyasha, she pulled it out with all her might. The arrow lit up before dissolving into nothing but a few particles in the air. Inuyasha, I can't ever tell you how painful it is for me to live with knowing that all I seem to succeed in doing is hurting you. I have caused you so much pain...so much heart break, you deserved nothing of this. Why is it that our paths had to cross? Kagome thought solemly to herself. Inuyasha, having been freed from the arrow, slid down the tree where Kagome wrapped her arms around him. Her tears flowed freely, dripping off her cheeks on top of Inuyasha's head. Kikyo once warned me that we were not meant to be together. That we lived in seperate worlds. I could only cause you misery. Until now I had never thought of what she had told me. Now I see that she is correct. Why did I have to fall in love with you? I dont want you to suffer all your life because of me. It isnt fair. So now I am going to make a decision that might be best for everyone. I refuse to be the cause of your pain again, Inuyasha.I wont put you through it again. Kagome buried her face in Inuyasha's chest, crying all the harder. The ends of her dress was torn and tattered from her frantic romp through the trees. She didnt realize that someone was approaching until a hand touched her shoulder.