Hunted Chapter 11, an inuyasha fanfic

Thanks for the reviews, happy happy happy. Whelps, heres the next chapter of "Hunted"...the end is drawing near...

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the nose on my face

Warning: some swearing and action violence

Chapter Eleven

"Danger's coming. Kikyo and Naraku."

"Are you sure?" Inuyasha demanded.

Kagome slowly turned and stared at Inuyasha, the half demon shifted his weight.

"Absolutely. They can be the only source of the evil now coming towards us."

Everyone tensed and prepared themselves. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru unsheathed their swords. Sango checked her weapon and raised it to her shoulder. Miroku withdrew his gun, checked the barrel, and stood, his boyish face grim. Kagome's gaze returned to Sesshomaru. His face was like granite. He seemed to sense her gaze and he turned to look at her. They simply looked at one another for a moment before Kagome slowly stepped up to him and laid her hand upon his.

"Take care," she whispered.

He looked down at her for a long time before saying, "I will protect you, Kagome."

"I know."

A faint sound like a deep hollow wind suddenly reached the ears of Kagome, Sesshomaru, and Inuyasha. And as the sound grew louder and closer, Miroku and Sango heard it as well. What appeared to be a large dark cloud was approaching them though, as the object grew closer, Kagome knew it was no cloud. There were thousands of lesser demons, humans, and an awful evil Kagome knew to be Kikyo and Naraku. Kagome had never encountered Naraku but she knew that powerful evil could only belong to him and Kagome could now distinguish the particular evil aura that belonged to Kikyo.

"Be alert," Sesshomaru said.

Kagome nodded as Sango said, "There are far more than we thought there would be."

"Feh," Inuyasha said. "Sitting ducks."

"Don't get cocky, Inuyasha," Miroku said sharply. "Do you not think that Naraku and Kikyo would have prepared for this?"

"Whatever."

"Inuyasha."

Everyone turned with some surprise to hear Sesshomaru speaking to Inuyasha. The two brothers had never spoken to any of the group's knowledge.

Inuyasha turned to look at his half-brother. "What."

"There is much at stake as you well know. You have the potential to help us, don't let your overconfidence compromise that."

There was a slightly tense silence as Sango, Miroku, and Kagome waited to see how Inuyasha would take this. Inuyasha surprised them.

"I know, Sesshomaru," Inuyasha said, no hint of arrogance in his voice.

Sesshomaru nodded once and the group returned their attention to the problem at hand. To the evil now swiftly approaching.

The lesser demons were the first to attack and their numbers were so great that they seemed to fill the sky. Kagome watched, feeling helpless, as her comrades leapt into action. Sango, Inuyasha, and Sesshomaru took on most of them, being the better equipped for an assailant of many. Sango threw her weapon again and again, cutting through countless demons. Inuyasha used the same attack that he had previously used, disintegrating many of the demons upon contact. Kagome watched as Sesshomaru raised his sword and sent arcs of bright light into the midst of the demons approaching them. The demons seemed to light up for mere moments before turning to ash. The noise and confusion was immense with Sango's battle-cry, the screeching of demons, the light from Inuyasha's sword that seemed to light up the sky, and the sounds emitting from Sesshomaru's attack that seemed like thunder overhead. The numbers of demons coming towards them dwindled until they were no more. There was a momentary lull and the silence seemed almost as loud as the battle that had just taken place.

Kagome frowned…something wasn't quite right. She turned her attention towards the enemy, closing her eyes in concentration as she attempted to feel out the thousands of auras among their enemies. Kagome's eyes snapped open and she gave a small gasp. No, this couldn't be. Drawing in a shaking breath, Kagome concentrated again…and came to the same disturbing conclusion: everyone against them, except Kikyo and Naraku, were under some kind of charm. All the greater demons and humans they now faced…they were all enslaved. They would die by their hands, not knowing what they had been forced to do.

"No," Kagome whispered.

Kagome felt a hand on her arm and she looked up, coming out of her thoughts. Sesshomaru.

"What is it?"

Kagome felt tears come to her eyes and she blinked them away. Now was not the time.

"Kagome?"

Everyone turned to look at her, obviously surprised by the concerned tone of Sesshomaru's voice.

"All those demons and humans are enchanted. Under a spell. They're not in their own minds."

"Shit," Inuyasha said.

Sango looked disturbed. "Its not right to kill them then. What should we do?"

"What can we do?" Miroku said, looking equally troubled. "They will still fight us."

Sesshomaru turned to Kagome. "Can you do anything?"

"I might be able to knock some unconscious. I don't know how many but at least some of them would be spared."

"Do it. And we'll do our best not to kill. Focus your attention on the demons. Humans can be incapacitated without being killed, demons cannot be."

"All right." Kagome turned to Sesshomaru and Inuyasha. "You guys should stand well behind me though, I don't want anything to happen to you."

Sesshomaru nodded and Inuyasha said, "Okay."

The two brothers stepped back and Kagome returned her attention to the group in front of them. Kagome closed her eyes in concentration and reached deep within herself to build up a non-lethal miko energy. When she had summoned up as much as she thought she was likely to get, she released the energy. She opened her eyes as she let the energy go and saw about half of the demons fall. About one half of the total forces.

Kagome sank to her knees, teeth gritted against the pain from her exertions. Her body had been healing itself but she'd just used up so much energy that she knew that her body had stopped this healing process. As the razor sharp pain ripped through her body, Kagome could not suppress a small gasp. It hurt…

"Are you okay?" Sango asked, dropping next to her friend.

Kagome gritted her teeth. Hurt…all her wounds had returned to her original state, as though she had just sustained them. And there was a new pain, as though her body was on fire and numb at the same time.

"Yes," Kagome said, managing to keep her voice normal. "But I'm afraid I've used up almost all my energy. I can't fight."

"Don't worry. We'll protect you."

The words had hardly left Sango's lips when the attack came. And Kagome could only watch helplessly as her friends dove into battle. She saw they did their best to save their enemies but they had no choice but to kill the demons that fought to the death. The enemy was greatly reduced but Kagome could see the toll it had taken on her friends. Sango was bleeding profusely from one shoulder. Inuyasha was bleeding from a wound to the scalp and to his leg. Miroku was limping badly and seemed to have lost use of one of his arms. And Sesshomaru had several deep cuts across his face and arms. And still the enemy kept coming.

Then, suddenly, Naraku transformed. He grew and grew and huge tentacles writhed, unfurling from his massive body.

"Fools," he hissed. "Did you really think you could beat me? I have defeated far more powerful beings than make up your pathetic group. I hope you're ready for death."

"Feh, big talk from scum like you," Inuyasha sneered.

Kagome's eyes caught sight of Kikyo. Kikyo stood looking up at Naraku, a cold look on her face.

"So," Kikyo said. "You have been one all along."

"Yes, my dear miko. And you have been most useful to me. But now, I'm afraid your usefulness has expired."

One of Naraku's tentacles suddenly shot out, impaling Kikyo through the torso. The dark priestess let out a scream and then she fell to the ground as Naraku withdrew his appendage. Something, covered in Kikyo's blood, was held in Naraku's tentacle. Kagome gasped. The sacred jewel, glowing black. Naraku gave a satisfied smile as the jewel slowly sank into his body.

Naraku glowed with a black light briefly before the light faded as suddenly as it had appeared.

"Now you have no hope of defeating me, fools," he sneered.

"Oh yeah?" Inuyasha jeered. "You talk big…take this!"

Inuyasha raised his sword and sent an attack, bigger than any yet, straight at Naraku. There was the boom of an explosion and rubble went flying into the air. It took a moment to clear. Had Naraku gone? Then a terrible laugh seemed to fill the air.

"Fool. Did you think such a puny attack could defeat me?"

Kagome let out a scream as one of Naraku's tentacles shot out, impaling Inuyasha through the stomach. Inuyasha let out a cry as he was lifted into the air.

"A half-demon," Naraku sneered. "You could never defeat me."

Naraku flung Inuyasha back towards the group. Inuyasha landed in a heap and did not move. They all rushed to him. Kagome and Sango raised him up.

"Inuyasha? Inuyasha, are you okay?" Sango demanded.

"Feh," came a weak voice. "It takes more than that to kill me."

Kagome let out a shaky sigh of relief. Inuyasha was alive. But…she looked him over. He was covered in blood and he had not moved. He must be badly hurt…could he even fight?

"Watch over him, Kagome," Sesshomaru said. "We have to end this."

Kagome nodded and then watched as Sesshomaru, Sango, and Miroku ran towards Naraku. But Sesshomaru's sword, Sango's weapons, and Miroku's sutras seemed to do nothing to injure Naraku.

Kagome gave a small sound of surprise. Inuyasha was now on his feet, swaying slightly, his hand clutching his side.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome gasped. "You shouldn't be standing!"

Inuyasha ignored her and picked up his sword. He then walked towards the battle going on, dragging his sword behind him. Kagome saw Inuyasha's gaze linger on the unconscious and bloody Kikyo before joining the battle, though he could barely lift his sword.

Kagome closed her eyes briefly before opening them again, her horror growing as she watched the battle wage on.

Kagome cried out as Naraku's tentacles wrapped around Sango and Miroku, jerking them into the air. Sango screamed and Kagome saw blood begin to flow from her chest and trickle from the corner of her mouth.

"Sango!" Miroku yelled before he let out a scream as a tentacle pierced through both his hand and his upper arm. No…this couldn't be happening.

Inuyasha released another attack from his sword but Naraku erected a barrier of black energy which deflected the attack. Inuyasha cried out as he was once again impaled by a tentacle, this time through his shoulder. Inuyasha staggered and cried out again as another tentacle pierced his chest. Inuyasha collapsed to the ground and did not move, blood slowly soaking the ground beneath him. No…

Sesshomaru grunted as a ball of black energy hit him squarely in the chest. He staggered and dropped his sword. Before he had time to move, one of the tentacles picked up his fallen sword and in one movement, sliced through his arm, removing it from his body.

"Sesshomaru!" Kagome cried out.

Sesshomaru moaned and dropped to one knee, the blood flowing down his body. Naraku didn't give Sesshomaru time to recover before impaling him through the chest. Sesshomaru moaned and raised his head, looking straight at Kagome.

"Kagome," he whispered. "Get out of here."

Naraku dumped his three captives to the ground. Sango and Miroku did not move and Sesshomaru could only struggle to his knees but seemed incapable of standing as the blood continued to pour from his wound to flow to the ground. And Inuyasha lay nearby, where he had not yet moved. Kagome felt the tears begin to pour down her face. No…no, damnit, no! Sesshomaru…Sango…Miroku…Inuyasha…no!

Kagome's tear-filled eyes darted from one of her comrades to the other. Sango lay on her stomach, eyes closed, her face dirty and covered with drying blood. Her armor was torn and showed patches of raw skin. Miroku lay on his side, moving feebly, blood running down his arm to join the blood coming from the gaping hole within his palm. Inuyasha lay flat on his back, laying in a pool of his own blood. Sesshomaru kneeled on the ground, holding his amputated arm with his other hand, blood poured from his torso. No…there was no one left. They had lost. Sesshomaru…Sango…Mirokku…Inuyasha…no…

"Pathetic," Naraku sneered. "And now, you all die."

Kagome rose shakily to her feet. Sesshomaru. Miroku. Sango. Inuyasha. No! They would not die! Not while she was here. Not while she had an ounce of strength left in her body!

"Going to fight me?" Naraku mocked. "What can a little girl like you do? Your friends will die and then, so will you."

Kagome no longer even felt the pain of her body as a white hot rage filled her. Red began to seep into her vision and all she could see was Naraku. All she could feel was a need to protect her friends, to protect them from this evil creature.

"Yes, I'm going to fight you," Kagome grated out. "And I will win."

"Oh, really. I'd like to see you try."

"As you wish."

Kagome slowly approached Naraku.

'Sesshomaru. Inuyasha. Sango. Miroku. I will protect you.'

A wind suddenly began to blow, setting Kagome's hair flying around her. The closer she got to Naraku, the stronger the wind became. The wind did not affect Kagome anymore than as a breeze but it blew violently around Naraku.

"Interesting," Naraku said. "You are powerful."

Kagome stopped and looked straight at Naraku. The wind suddenly began to blow straight in his direction, sending dirt and debris flying.

"Now," Kagome said. "You will pay."

"I hardly think so."

A tentacle suddenly came hurdling toward her. Kagome lifted one hand and moved her arm in a swift arc. A blue curve of light shot from her arm, disconnecting Naraku's tentacle. She knew that this would do nothing and quickly raised both arms before sending a large sphere of pink energy straight at him. Naraku's black energy came up and blocked it. Kagome had not waited until Naraku reacted before running towards him. She dodged his tentacles and sent another ball of energy at him. He once again deflected it before managing to impale her through the arm. Kagome cried out but kept moving until she was no more than twelve feet away from him. Then she leapt towards him. Naraku erected the black energy and Kagome quickly erected a similar, but pure, energy around herself.

Her barrier was not entirely sufficient and she felt as though her skin was beginning to burn. Kagome paid no heed to this and kept fighting her way towards him. She unsheathed her sword, which soon began to glow pink. And she thrust it straight into Naraku's heart. He gave a scream of rage and pain as Kagome let her shield drop. The force of the not yet dispelled black energy sent Kagome flying backwards. She landed roughly on the ground and nearly bit through her tongue with the attempt to control the cry of pain she wished to release. It hurt…both shoulders, her torso, face, and leg were bleeding heavily and pricked painfully from the evil energy from Naraku. Kagome spat out a coppery taste before looking for Naraku. Naraku let out another scream as his tentacles began to melt away, releasing what looked like smoke into the air. This imaginary fire, which caused him to turn to ash crept slowly upwards. Naraku continued to scream until there was nothing left of him. A small object fell to the ground.

Kagome picked herself up and dragged herself over to that spot. The sacred jewel, glowing black and radiating an evil aura. Kagome felt herself wavering on her feet and she dropped to her knees, no longer feeling the energy to stand. She felt deep within herself for the last shreds of her miko energy before picking up the sacred jewel. She gasped with pain as she used all the energy and power she could summon to purify the jewel. And soon, it had turned pink and no evil came from it.

Suddenly Kagome felt herself being pulled from her body.

Kagome opened her eyes and looked around. Where was she? She was not where the battle had taken place. All she could see was a soft pink light that surrounded her on all sides. Kagome raised a hand to her face. She felt no pain.

"You have succeeded in purifying the sacred jewel once more."

Kagome looked around. "Who are you? And where am I?"

"I am the creator of the jewel you now hold in your hand. The jewel will grant you a wish. If it is unselfish, the jewel will disappear forever, for the battle that wages within it will be complete."

"I must make a wish? But what kind?"

"A wish from your heart."

A wish from her heart. Sesshomaru. Shippo. Sango. Miroku. Rin. Kaede. Inuyasha. A wish from her heart…Kagome took a deep breath before speaking.

"I wish for all demons and humans to have the chance to be free."

"You have made an unselfish wish, Kagome Higurashi. It will be done."

And slowly things went black.

Kagome slowly opened her eyes. She was laid out on the ground, back on the battlefield. Kagome attempted to rise and immediately desisted with a small groan, she felt the pain from her body once more.

Kagome turned her attention away from her aching body and watched as their former opponents, demons and humans alike, slowly began to rise to their feet looking confused and Kagome knew they were freed from their enchantments. She saw Miroku get to his feet and approach Sango. He helped her to sit up and then hugged her tightly. Kagome then watched with apprehension as Kikyo slowly got to her feet. But then Kagome realized that the evil was gone from her and that Kikyo was herself again. The only things Kagome sensed from Kikyo were purity and confusion. Inuyasha slowly approached his former lover.

"Kikyo?"

Kikyo looked at him before smiling gently. "Inuyasha. I've missed you."

"Are you…I mean…"

"I am myself again, Inuyasha. Naraku was behind all that happened 200 years ago. He assumed our appearances to deceive us into betraying one another." Kikyo looked down at her clasped hands. "Can you ever forgive me for doubting you?"

Inuyasha slowly approached her. "I'm sorry too, Kikyo.

The two embraced and Kagome smiled, letting herself lay fully back onto the ground. She didn't hurt so much anymore. She felt a little numb but for the most part…she only felt a little sleepy. That was good. She didn't hurt. Just a little tired…She was about to close her eyes when suddenly Sesshomaru was there, holding her.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm so tired."

Kagome smiled at him and then closed her eyes, letting herself drift away.

Sesshomaru watched as the woman in his arms closed her eyes and went limp. He felt a momentary surge of panic but forced himself to remain calm as he checked her pulse and breathing. She was alive but only just.

"Kagome?"

There was no response and Sesshomaru shook her. "Kagome!"

And still she did not move. She said she was tired. Sesshomaru took in her mangled body and felt a renewed surge of fear. He gathered up Kagome as gently as possible and ran. Kaede was the only one he knew who could help her.

"How is she?" Sesshomaru demanded as soon as Kaede exited the bedroom.

"I will not deceive you. The amount of energy she had to use took its toll. She is still unconscious. She may pull through but I cannot say for sure. She has to want to live, she has to fight."

Sesshomaru went into the bedroom. His heart pulled painfully at the sight of Kagome's still face and the bandages covering the wounds her body didn't have the energy to heal. Her beautiful face was so pale and still, marred by cuts and bruises. Her long silver hair pooled across the pillow and trailed off the bed like a waterfall. Sesshomaru knelt by her bed and took one of her limp hands in his own. Sesshomaru felt himself choke slightly as he looked at this beautiful…and broken, woman.

"Please Kagome," he whispered. "Don't give up. I-I…I love you."

Okay, that's it for this chapter! Please review! Pretty pretty please, with a cherry on top? Haha, I'll be back soon, my lovelies, with the next chapter! Hope you enjoyed!