Last Time:

She looked up into his eyes and like magnets, the two were drawn together.

For the first time she could think of, Kagome didn't want to go home. She trudged from the shrine to her house, hoping that Inuyasha would burst through at any moment and snatch her up. She knew that he wouldn't. They needed some time apart after the Kikyo incident.

She told her family about most of what had happened. They were very excited to hear that Kikyo had been put to rest, but when Kagome didn't seem as happy about it as they were, an awkward silence fell over the dinner table.

Kagome played with her noodles. "I wish that my friends could come here and live with us so we wouldn't have to go through this."

"Oh, but Sweetheart," he mother advised. "Your little fox demon friend would probably have a tough time of it."

"I suppose..." she sighed.

Kagome's grandfather cleared his throat. "He would be fine. No one would pay any attention at all."

"Whaddaya mean, Grampa?" Souta asked.

"Today people do not believe. They see only science and facts. Sometimes life doesn't have anything to do with either, but we've grown blind to these things, that although they may be true, cannot be explained with scientific fact."

Kagome was only half listening as he grandfather went on about modern people's spirituality. She knew she had to go to school and take a test she might very well fail the following morning, but she couldn't concentrate on anything. As soon as possible, she would go back. Kagome then vowed to herself, that although she loved her family very much and had responsibilities at school, she wouldn't come back home till it was over.

Miroku and Sango entered the village just around noontime. They found Kaede busy with a sick patient and happily waited for her in her house.

"Do you think she'll know where the others are?" Sango asked.

"I hope so. I don't really want to trek around the whole island looking for them."

Sango rubbed her thumbs, something Miroku knew she only did when she was nervous.

"It's ok. We'll be back together with Inuyasha and the others soon." He hugged her. "I bet you can't wait to see Kirara again..."

"It's not that!" she shouted, her voice tinged with anxiety. "We MUST destroy Naraku!"

Miroku was shocked. He held her hands. "Sango.. are you all right?"

Just then, Kaede entered the house and greeted her friends. Sango dropped the subject and put a happy face on. Miroku worried, but did the same.

"It is good to see you again, Houshi-sama and Sango-san. I heard you went off by yourselves."

"Then.." Sango clutched at her kimono, nervously. "You've heard from Inuyasha and the others?"

"Of course. I saw Kagome just the other week. She went home for a few days. She had much to tell me."

Sango sighed. "So they must be nearby?"

"I wouldn't think so. Like I said, that was nearly a week ago."

Miroku watched Sango carefully. Her behavior worried him.

Inuyasha sniffed the ground. "I don't know, Kagome. Are you SURE you felt a shard?"

"Not just A shard... a whole bunch, or a really big one... It seems to be moving South."

"I don't like the sound of that!" Shippou cried.

"Me either, kiddo, but we have to find it."

Inuyasha frowned, but followed where she lead.

Soon, they realized they were in familiar territory. A look was all they needed to communicate. Just ahead was the God Tree Inuyasha had been bound to for fifty years.

"Man, I really hate this. Kagome, are you SURE?"

"Yes. It's very close."

"So's Naraku I bet!" Shippou gritted his teeth.

Kagome sweat a little. "Let's hope not."

Inuyasha smacked his neck. "Must be safe, Myoga-jiji's here."

"Inuyasha-sama! How can you say such things about me!"

"Whatever. What's up? Any news about Naraku?"

"That's just why I'm here, I have to warn you!..."

Kagome straightened up. "It's coming this way." She pulled an arrow out of her quiver and prepared herself. Inuyasha trained his ears on the approaching beast. It was massive. It lumbered through the trees and staggered into the clearing.

"SHINKON NO TAMA!" it wailed. It was nearly 60 feet tall and covered with dark, greasy hair. Horns sprouted from it head and too many sharp teeth protruded from its mouth.

"Kagome, stay the hell back!"

She didn't answer him. He knew she wouldn't listen.

Myoga jumped off onto Kirara. "Inuyasha-sama! Be careful! I came to tell you Naraku is headed this way with a huge demon!"

"It's a little late to warn us!" Inuyasha leapt up and slashed the oni across the eyes with his claws, narrowly missing being slashed apart himself by the creature's huge paw. It screamed in pain and charged forward. Inuyasha took out the Tetsusaiga and raised it over his head.

"Ok, you ugly bastard, this is it!" He slashed once and the demon exploded, emitting a thick, yellow smoke. Inuyasha was knocked off his feet. He tumbled a few times before catching himself. The demon was gone. "Kagome!" he coughed. "You ok?"

"I think so...?" she shook her head. "Uhnnn..." She rubbed her eyes, which were watering from the smoke. "What was in that thing...? Inuyasha?" She looked around, but couldn't see him anywhere. A flash of white in the corner of her eye caught her attention. Kagome turned and turned again, as more and more of these things appeared. "Inuyasha!" she called, but there was no answer. She stumbled, but kept her hands on her bow and arrow, ready to strike at any time.

Inuyasha looked to Kagome but stopped dead. Kagome was wearing a Miko's clothes. Or was she? He rubbed his eyes. A voice whispered in his ear 'over here' and he turned around quickly. There she was behind him. Was it Kagome... or...

"You're dead!" he shouted. "Stop haunting me!" The figure only smiled. Then there was another one. This time close to the God Tree. He ran after it, only to have it disappear before he could touch it. "What the hell's going on!?"

"Inuyasha don't just sit there, do something!" Shippou berated a stump. "Why aren't you listening to me?"

Kirara chased her tails in endless circles.

Kagome turned and faced the God Tree and finally saw one of the white streaks standing still. "It's Naraku!" she shouted. "Die you bastard!!!" Kagome stretched her arrow taught and let it fly.

From just outside the clearing, Naraku laughed and blew another powder into the air. The arrow hit it's mark and the powder neutralized the effects of the hallucinogen. Kagome lowered her bow slowly.

Inuyasha had a very confused look on his face. He clutched the arrow and looked up into Kagome's eyes. "Why...?" he asked, but before she could answer, his eyes closed and his head slumped forward.

"INUYASHA!!!" she screamed and ran towards him. A hand reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her back with incredible force. She shrieked and hit at the person with her free hand, pushing back the disguise. Naraku laughed and snatched the Shikon shards from around her neck. "Thank you so much, Kagome. You really have been quite helpful."

"You... you..." she stuttered.

"Kagome!!!" Shippou screamed as he watched what was happening.

"RUN SHIPPOU!"

He didn't protest. He knew there was nothing he could do. "Come on Kirara!" The cat transformed and flew them far away.

Kagome wept as she struggled in Naraku's grip. He sneered and licked the side of her face. "I heard you killed Kikyo."

She didn't respond. Her eyes were trained on Inuyasha.

"Hm. I have a little punishment set up for you, Miko." Naraku carried her, kicking and fighting over to the well.

'He's sending me home?' she wondered.

Naraku passed his free hand over the well, casting a spell over it. "Have fun in whatever time you end up in, and know for the rest of your days... that I WON."

"What!? No!!!" she screamed as he threw her down the well.