Here we go, people, the battle of the century, nay, the millennia, is about to occur. I sincerely hope I did okay in describing this battle scene. It is the climax to my little story, after all. Read on with fervor, my viewers, ready on.

Disclaimer: I don't Inu-chan… okay?

Seeing Double

As they entered a vast field, Meiyo addressed his Lord firmly, "They approach, milord, should we proceed?"

Eyes narrowing, he answered in a stern tone, "No, tell your men to hold the perimeter. We will await him here."

Nodding, Meiyo announced in a trumpeting voice, "Militia halt! Prepare yourselves for battle!"

Takura and Kouga followed suit, ordering their men to a stop. Along the tree line, a great row of armed soldiers spread out like a metallic serpent, winding as far as the eye could see in either direction.

The air grew still as they waited; their heavy, anxious breaths coming out in small, steam motes. At the other end of the massive turf, several demonic beings crept forth from the shadows, their eyes hollow and hungry as they stared greedily at their prey.

Squinting at the billowing black cloud that hovered over the enemy forces, Kagome whispered gravely, "That isn't a cloud at all."

Eyes training in on the dark accumulation, Sesshomaru found that his mate was indeed correct. It was, in fact, a writhing mass of demons, surrounded by a potent fog of miasma. It seemed Naraku was a better equipped than they had imagined. However, what they lacked in numbers, they made up for in skill. Though the hanyou had a larger force, theirs was more powerful.

Shrugging the bow from her shoulder, Kagome drew an arrow, nocking it expertly and aiming for the writhing mass of miasma. "On your command, my Lord," she whispered to her silver haired other, eyes trained on the sky.

Lifting his arm, Sesshomaru waited silently as his archers drew their own arrows, all taking aim at the enemy. Then, with the drop of his hand, the metal tipped projectiles were let loose, slicing through the air like a shower of death raining down on their foe.

Amongst the hoard of brown and silver, a single, blazing pink light whizzed across the sky, exploding in a wave of holy power as it hit the ground. Sesshomaru watched as all demons in the area were disintegrated, screaming in agony as their flesh was burned away.

And that was all it took. The hoard leapt forth at an impeccable speed, snarling and snapping their fanged maws with the promise of agony and death. Unsheathing his sword, the western Lord howled loudly, his deafening proclamation signaling the beginning of war.

The great, metal snake surged forward, slithering across the field with a mighty battle cry. Amidst the thousands of men, a miko drew her next arrow, letting it fly and watching as another small cluster of lesser demons were decimated.

Soon, however, her arrows were no more, and though they had destroyed a fair share of enemies, there were many more to come. Slinging the bow back in place, she drew the Faia Enko, holding it steadily in one hand and drawing it back over her shoulder. Blade poised, she gave her own battle cry as the first demon descended upon her.

Heaving the gigantic sword, she sliced the feral youkai in two, the Faia Enko painted red as it tore through countless fiendish demons. The rush of adrenaline that flew through her was exhilarating, both terrifying and energizing at the same time. While a part of her fought to stay alive and save the lives of many others, the other part reveled in the destruction of her foe.

Light and darkness working together, she was near invincible, the balance of her soul making her aim swift and true, sharpening her blade as it cut down the enemy.

Toukijin unleashed yet another wave of destruction, the echoing call of the Souryuuha trumpeting across the field. Blue lightning sizzled across the plain, killing all in its path.

He grunted in frustration. Though the scum were easy enough to dispose of, their numbers were dizzying. His claws took care of the majority of his foes, the acid whip making quick work of them.

To his left, the young ookami fought valiantly, albeit sloppily. His speed was a great aspect to their side, and he was grateful for the help.

To his right, Meiyo pushed the enemy line back, using all of his force to defeat the adversary. He respected the blonde haired warrior; none had ever shown such loyalty to the west.

Off in the distance, Takura's mighty call of triumph rang through the air, followed by a shrill wail of agony. Apparently, the old boy was doing rather well.

The one thing that had him wary, however, was the arrival of the hanyou. Naraku had yet to reveal himself, and he knew for a fact that things would only get harder once the fiend revealed himself.

Running another, burlier demon through, Kagome withdrew her sword from his singed flesh and wound up to smite another when a low, silky chuckled rang in her ear. Whirling around with a start, Kagome dropped into a defensive position, sword poised to strike.

Eyes narrowing she hissed, "I was wondering when you were going to make your entrance, you disgusting worm."

Placing his hand over his chest in mock hurt, he murmured softly, "You wound me with your words, miko. I have come to make a proposition."

Snorting, Kagome muttered, "I'm sure you have. Well, I need a good laugh, so lets have it."

Smiling deviously, he cooed to her while removing his half of the Shikon, "Join me. Let the two halves become whole, and we shall rule the world together."

Lifting a black brow, Kagome informed him brusquely, "Sorry, I've already got a man."

Shaking his head, the dark haired hanyou sighed, "Such a pity. However, I expected as much from you, little one. That is why I will simply take what I want once everything is in place. You will be mine, Kagome, whether it is by force or free will."

"I'd sooner die," she snarled angrily, lunging at him with the promise of bloodshed in her eyes.

When her blade did not bury itself into his flesh, but rather met the steel of another blade, she looked angrily at the wielder, eyes widening when she saw who, exactly, it was. Almost losing her footing, Kagome leapt backward, lips quivering as she gazed upon her newest foe. The sinister black blade that had deflected her own weapon was held in the hand of one who she'd never thought possible.

Smiling at her expression, Naraku lifted his hand and trailed his claws against the cheek of his latest creation. "Amazing likeness, isn't it Kagome?"

"No…" she stammered, head shaking in disbelief. There, before her, was a mirror image of herself. Aside from the apparel and her red eyes, the young woman standing next to Naraku was her exact replica.

"Not quite the original," Naraku cooed while running his fingers through her hair, "but she'll have to do until I straighten things out."

Kagome watched in repugnance as her clone tipped her head back, lustful look painting her features as she gazed up at the monster who was Naraku. When the devilish hanyou bent down and kissed her passionately, she'd seen enough.

"Stop!" she shouted indignantly, humiliated and sickened as she watched the disgusting display. It was appalling, to say the least, watching a woman kiss the despicable demon, especially when said woman looked like her.

"What the matter," Naraku chided, "does it bother you, seeing yourself like this… with me?"

Snarling, Kagome spat, "That is not me!"

Snickering, the vile hanyou murmured, "Perhaps not, but then again, you had best get used to the idea… after all, I have plans for you little one, once this pointless war is over with."

Shuddering, she suggested, "Why don't you just keep that clone whore?"

Finger tracing the expressionless woman's face, Naraku sighed, "She does resemble you, but it simply would not satisfy me knowing I didn't have the genuine article. True, she is obedient, but she doesn't have any spirit or will of her own. She's unresponsive to my touch."

Lip lifting in a snarl, she commented sardonically, "Are you certain? Perhaps you're just terrible in bed."

Chuckling darkly, the vile, crimson eyed youkai purred back, "Well, little one, we'll see what's what once this silly war is over and done with. Then, you'll know first hand how I perform in bed."

"Shut your filthy mouth, hanyou!" she spat, "I'm sick of listening to you speak!" With an animalistic cry, she lunged forward, her sword aimed for the disgusting male's neck. Again her blade was parried by the clone's, and she growled in irritation.

"You're really starting to piss me off," she hissed, angry eyes focused in on her twin.

Moving aside her hair, Naraku bent down and whispered into the false Kagome's ear, "Play time, pet, be gentle."

In an instant the copy was upon her, midnight blade scraping against the large, arced weapon the young miko carried. Swinging back, Kagome unleashed a barrage of fierce, well choreographed attacks, relentlessly driving her opponent back. Much to her chagrin, this shadow appeared to have the same level of skill as she did. After many long minutes of fighting, she found herself beginning to wear down. Luckily, her twin was as well.

Then, in a move that she had not foreseen, a massive wave of spiritual energy slammed into her with the force of a moving vehicle, throwing her backward to land with a painful 'thud' on the grassy earth meters away. "How is it possible?" she queried through clenched teeth as she rose shakily. "How can this… this monstrosity… this unholy creature… how can it have miko abilities?"

Snickering wickedly, the hanyou explained, "You have heard of dark mikos have you not? This, Kagome is a prime example of one. When a miko's being is tainted with bitter hatred, she becomes entirely consumed in that hatred, and it fuels her power. A dark miko, however, does not have the ability to create or preserve, but rather the power to destroy and corrupt."

Kagome didn't doubt his words for a second. The hatred and sheer loathing she had felt when hit with the attack had been unbelievable. Whatever sick cesspool of emotion Naraku had created this little number from, it was a rather dirty, tainted one at that.

"What's wrong, sister?" the red eyed Kagome inquired, her voice bland and lacking expression.

"Never call me that!" the young miko shouted indignantly.

Pale lips tilting in what could have been a smile, the red eyed woman went on, "I suppose you're right. You're more of my mother, aren't you?"

"No!"

Ignoring the fuming miko's protests, the clone continued, "I was created from you, in your image. Quite the ironic occurrence, wouldn't you agree? It's like two sides of the same person, the light versus the darkness… you and I."

Being pushed back by yet another wave of raw energy, Kagome struggled to keep her footing, finding it difficult when her body was being walloped horribly. Wave after wave of hate filled power crashed against her, like angry waves battering a ship at sea, lashing out with fierce and violent intent. She wasn't too certain how long she would be able to withstand the angry barrage.

Oh good Lord, Kagome is LOSING? What's going on here? Will the tables turn? Find out next chapter… maybe… just kidding! You'll find out next chapter.

You will review for this ChaoticReverie.