A/N: This chapter is kinda long, with lots and lots of little scenes. .

On the other hand, the final battle is starting, so that's cool, right? Plus, lots of Mir/San, too.

Chapter 31: Awaiting Darkness

The room was nicely furnished, with expensive silks for the chairs and bed, nothing less that befitting royalty. It was large enough, with a table and chairs, more privacy allowed for a woman who would certainly want it. These chambers were meant for comfort, but to Kagome, they were a prison.

Naraku had kidnapped her and taken her far away, deep into the Demon Lands, to his own estate that had served him years ago. This small room that she had been thrown into late in the night was all she could look at for hours; containing no window, all she had to amuse herself was to count the stones in the ceiling, and Naraku had witched the door so she couldn't open it from the inside. She was trapped here, left to fret about Inuyasha.

It was a terrible feeling, not knowing what had happened to him. Inuyasha had fallen into the river, but she hadn't seen him come out. He had been badly hurt…what if he wasn't all right? What if he needed her help? Oh God, what if he was—

The sound of the door of her room opening interrupted her worrying. There, in the doorway, stood Naraku, smirking at her in triumph. Kagome quickly, sat up off her bed that she had been laying on, to glare at him. She wouldn't let him see her submit to her fears now. "Come to taunt your prisoner, Naraku?"

Her captor said nothing, but merely walked in without asking. Kagome could see the Shikon no Tama within his grasp. Ever since he had received the jewel, his body had changed—He was no longer a half-being made up of several different demons, he now had a form like a human's, yet still retained a few semblances of his demonic nature, like the grey tentacles he could call up at whim, for instance.

Folding her arms and looking away, Kagome demanded, "What do you want, Naraku?"

"Oh, nothing," he said innocently, but his smile was anything but. "I just wanted to check on my lovely wife this morning."

Seething, the princess spoke through gritted teeth. "I am not your wife yet, Naraku."

The demon's smile never faded. "But you will be, in good time. Once that pathetic hanyou is dead."

Clenching her fists against Naraku's threat, she shot back, "Then if I am to be your wife, then shouldn't you treat me more like that then your prisoner?"

Chuckling, the demon explained, "But you were a bad wife to me, so you must pay the consequences."

Kagome glared back, feeling the hatred for this man writhe within her. "Even if I have committed adultery, I would rather pay the price in a room full of judges than be married to you, Naraku!"

A hand shot out and gripped her chin, making Kagome look back into those malicious red eyes. She didn't dare look anything other than defiant as Naraku said in a sickly sweet voice, "I'm afraid, my dear, that you don't seem to be understanding your situation. As you pointed out, you are my prisoner. And you will be married to me when I choose, to there will be no more question of who owns whom."

He let her go, while Kagome shook herself out of the rest of his grasp. Her teeth clenched as she shot back, "You seem to think that I will just do as you say, Naraku. Even if I am forced to become your wife, I will never submit to you in any way."

The smirk in those maroon eyes never wavered. "You needn't worry about that; Inuyasha's prize is safe. You should know by now that it is hardly your body that I lust for."

Naraku turned away, but Kagome snapped after him, "I won't let you use me to get the power of the Shikon no Tama."

The demon merely turned back to her, throwing up the tainted Shikon no Tama and catching it in his palm, the purple light filling the room for a moment. "You are already too late, as you see. I have it and it has already granted me more than enough power. You, princess, are just here to seal the deal. After all, didn't you give it to me freely to save your lover's life?"

Guilt and rage flooded her mind at the memory of her mistake…a mistake that she knew she would have made over again, as long as it involved Inuyasha. "Yes, I gave you the jewel in return for his life, I was never part of the agreement."

Naraku laughed to himself. "There's something you need to learn about life, princess. Not everyone is as fair and chivalrous as those knights in stories of old. Chivalry won't be the thing that saves Inuyasha's life, I'll tell you that."

All of Kagome's anger snapped within her gut. "Don't you say his name!" she roared, "Inuyasha is a hundred times a greater man than you!" But after a moment, she realized she was speaking to an empty room; Naraku had already left, not that she had wanted to stay.

Now that he was not in her room, her anger began to dissipate, and all she was left with was the guilt and worry. Inuyasha was still out there, and she didn't know how badly he was hurt of if he was dead… Flopping back on the bed, Kagome buried her face into one of the soft pillows, her raven hair spreading out all around her. With Naraku gone, she could show her true worries. I need you, Inuyasha! I'm so scared…please, if you're alive…I need to know you're all right…

Please, come, Inuyasha!

Outside her room, Naraku and Kagura spoke, out of earshot. "Watch the door," Naraku ordered, his maroon eyes stating clearly that he did not trust her.

Rolling her own red eyes, his servant asked, "Why do I need to watch the door? You already made it so she can't get out anyway."

Glaring back with a dangerous threat in his gaze, he spoke, "Just do it, Kagura." With that, he walked away, his eyes focused upon the purple jewel in his palm.

The jewel is not giving me its full power, despite the fact that I already have the princess in my grasp…why? He wondered, pocketing the jewel, mind already plotting the next move.

Inuyasha…Inuyasha!

…My name…who's calling?

Inuyasha! Please…come!

Who are you? Why are you calling me?

A different voice spoke this time. "Inuyasha…"

The world that had been dark suddenly filled with light. Inuyasha turned, to see a lifetime gone by come to life. He was once again a little boy, back in his homeland of the Midlands. The voice called to him again, "Inuyasha…" A figure came into the light, and instantly, Inuyasha recognized that calm face. It was his mother.

"Mama!" He ran towards her, his voice small, like a child's. Now, he only knew her love, their happiness…nothing else. "Mama!" he laughed as she hugged him, knowing the warmth of being in his loving mother's arms.

This is where he wanted to be…with her, and their little village in the Midlands, forever. Here, he knew nothing of rejection, of cruelty, of sadness…that naivety was something to be embraced, something to keep enclosed from the harsh world that wouldn't see eye-to-eye.

"I love you, my Inuyasha…" his mother said softly, holding him close. "My precious son…"

"I love you too, Mama," The child Inuyasha replied, his little body clinging to his mother. "And we'll always be together, won't we?"

At that statement, his mother sighed, looking back into his puzzled face. "Inuyasha…we can't…not now."

"What?" he asked, confused. "But…why?"

Another voice was heard from far off. Inuyasha…where are you? Are you all right? The small boy turned, his tiny ears perking up at the sound calling him back. His mother saw this, and smiled sadly. "Who's that, Mama?" he asked, wondering why that voice sparked some recognition in him.

"She needs your help," his mother told him, knowing their time was short. Even before her eyes, her son was transforming from his boyish form back to the man he had become. "I am so proud of you, Inuyasha…someday we will meet again, but the time is not now."

"Mother…" Inuyasha's voice was deeper, older now, as he watched his mother slowly fade away.

"The woman you love is calling for you," was her only reply as she faded back into the darkness. "Go to her, Inuyasha!"

With her final words, everything faded to white.

Golden eyes popped open, to be met with blinding sunlight. Disorientation slowly faded as the hanyou heard trickling water close by, and judging by his wet clothes, he had washed up on a river bank. He vaguely remembered falling into a river… But hadn't Naraku also…?

Shifting, Inuyasha felt extreme pain come from his chest. Looking down, he saw a giant blood stain on his shirt. Even for him, an injury of that size would take a while to heal. Grunting for a moment as she tried to stand up on shaky legs, the hanyou glanced around.

Luckily, the scent told him the river had swept him closer to the Demon Lands, where Naraku had taken Kagome. But any rescue attempt was near hopeless at this point. Naraku had the Shikon no Tama, and even without this injury, going against the source of ultimate power in those hands was suicide. But not going after Kagome was not an option.

Glancing down at his empty sword sheath, he remembered he must have dropped Tessaiga when Naraku ran him through. Taking the sheath, he called for it. Ever prudent, it took the sword only a few minutes to return to his hand, however many miles the separation.

Sword in hands, there was nothing left but to go after Kagome. But as Inuyasha took his first step, he felt the pain jolted up by his wound once more. Running, as of now, was out of the option. He would have to find a horse somewhere. That would take twice as long, but…

I'm sorry, Kagome…Sorry for everything… He could remember her voice, just of the night before, when she whispered in his ear how much she loved him. If only he had said it before. If only he wasn't so plagued by doubts that he could have just told her that he loved her as well…if only…

Worrying and wishing would not do good now, he decided, setting off in the first direction he smelled horses. Just please, Kagome…hang on until I get there!

Kagome still lay on the soft bed of her chamber, staring at the ceiling when she heard the door open, Turning her head, she saw it was Kagura, dressed in her usual gown of the old style with the magenta sleeves. She was carrying a tray with rolls of bread, a bowl of soup, and a bottle of wine. "Naraku requested I bring you some food," she said with a hint of annoyance, setting the tray down upon the small table.

The princess turned away. "I don't want any. Tell Naraku I won't take anything from him."

Rolling her eyes, Naraku's servant muttered, "Fine, if you want to starve. But it's best not to refuse him like that, since Naraku can kill you if you don't do what he wants."

Snapping back, Kagome shouted at her, "Oh, what do you know, you puppet of Naraku!"

"I know plenty!" Kagura retaliated, anger lighting her eyes. "Being a puppet of that bastard wasn't what I wanted in life, and now I'm stuck in that position. The best course is to do what he wants, before you can find some way to escape his clutches."

"I wont do what he wants!" Kagome roared, her anger nearly boiling over. "I don't care what happens to me now. If I am meant to die, I had best get it over with before Naraku gets the pleasure of doing it himself!"

Kagura didn't yell at her this time, but merely rolled her eyes back at the girl, who was clearly losing her grip with it all. "First you are determined to live free, and the next you want to die. I just don't understand humans…" The servant turned, and went to the door, but she stopped for a moment, turning back to meet eyes with the princess. "But don't act so selfish. You're not the only one who's uncertain of what will become of us now."

With that, Kagura left, leaving Kagome only to stare at the door, wondering the implications behind those words.

Lord Naraku sat in his dark study, glancing at the Shikon no Tama that was so elusive in its granting of powers to him. It really is true that you can't unlock its full power unless you are part of the royal family…but is there anyway to do it where I don't have to keep that stupid girl alive?

Keeping Kagome alive would only further Inuyasha's resolve to rescue her and defeat him. If she were dead, he would sink into despair, and a major obstacle would be eliminated…but if the Shikon no Tama was being too stubborn, perhaps he had no choice but to keep the princess alive, for now.

There was a knock at the study door. "Enter," Naraku ordered, to see one of his shapeless servants come in, to bring information.

"Master, the humans are mobilizing an army to come after you. They seem to think that you are still actively pursuing the princess, and want to protect her."

That thought alone brought a smirk to his face. So, the humans planned to challenge him like this, did they? "I can't have that, now can I?" Thinking a moment, he came up with the perfect plan to get rid of these weak challengers. "Summon the dragon Ryuukossei once more…tell him he will be having a little fun."

"Yes, master," the servant laughed delightedly, leaving the room. Instantly, Naraku's smirk faded as his gaze settled back upon the Shikon no Tama.

Now…how to solve this problem…

"Your Majesty!" Myouga pointed up towards the sky, making Sesshoumaru stand up from his chair and glance out the large window. There, a shape was looming far in the distance, but he could tell even from this far away it's demonic power.

"Ryuukossei," he spoke, golden eyes narrowing. "So, Naraku has summoned him again? For what purpose?"

"It's heading for the Human Lands," the flea squeaked, looking worried.

With that, King Sesshoumaru knew the answer at once as his eyes turned to a fierce glare. So…you have failed again, Inuyasha?

The dowager queen sat on her throne in the great hall of the palace of the Human Lands, speaking to the many captains, generals, and other officers of the army. "You know the reason you must fight. We have heard from our spies that the former Lord Naraku has kidnapped the Princess Kagome, and has possession of the Shikon no Tama, with the intent of marrying her to obtain its power. Even without our princess in danger, we cannot allow him to gain such strength."

"Yes, Your Highness," echoed throughout the room, no longer richly decorated but solemn, ready for war. War was the only option now, with this new threat to their homeland.

She nodded towards them as they bowed to her. "God protect you all. Now, go, gather your men."

The officers had just started to turn when a page boy ran into the hall. The boy was young, but looked frightened and puzzled as he burst through the doors. "Sirs, come quick! Something is wrong!"

"What is it?" Sir Jonathan, captain of the 1st unit, asked.

The boy panted, out of breath, "I'm not sure, but some of the men say they sense something funny…"

Officers glanced at each other for one moment, before following this dirty pageboy out of the castle. Even the queen, who looked slightly worried at the message, came as well, walking out to see the many army units camped around the palace grounds. Everyone was looking up at the overcast sky. There seemed to be a shape coming in from the fog, that everyone was staring at. A man, glancing at it, unsheathed his broadsword, and walked slowly towards the large figure, disappearing into the ever creeping fog.

An instant later, a cry of terror sounded, followed by a burst of flame.

All men mustered themselves, grabbing their weapons as the dragon Ryuukossei, burst from the clouding fog. Men shouted and ran in all directions, while longbowmen drew their bows and fired arrows over and over again, only to hear a howl of the dragon and be mowed down by its sharp claws.

Hearing the noise, many courtiers ran outside, only to scream and head for the castle once more. Miroku, Shippou, Kouga and Lady Sango also ran out, gasping at the sight. "Isn't that the dragon that kidnapped the princess?" the monk asked, Sir Kouga nodding in agreement.

"What should we do?" Lady Sango asked, turning back to the monk. "If this dragon is here, than that means…Kagome and Inuyasha…"

"We can't worry about them now," Miroku cut her off, glancing to see the dowager queen, heading back into the castle to check on her son. "Kouga, Shippou, you go inside, and protect the queen and the prince. Do not let anything happen to them, understand?"

"We got it!" Kouga and Shippou said at once, running back inside without hesitation. That left both the monk and Lady Sango, looking on as the dragon blew a jet of flame onto several tents, setting them ablaze before rising into the sky once more.

Both the monk and the exterminator glanced at each other. Grinning slightly, Miroku spoke, "Well, Lady Sango, looks like our evening won't be so boring after all."

She couldn't help but smile a moment, before turning away. "Always know how to charm a lady, don't you, Lord Miroku?"

"Always," his violet eyes looked at her softly, as his hand came to give hers a small squeeze. Both of them knew, after all they had faced, for better or for worse, this would be their final battleground.

"Kagome…" Inuyasha murmured, as his lips descended on hers, kissing her with all the love he had. She clung to him, her arms wrapped around his back as he continued to love her, making her feel as if she was floating, beyond the clouds…adrift in a place where nothing could ever bring her down…lost in a world that was their own, no one else's…

The dream soon faded as Kagome slowly awoke, hearing Naraku stride into her room. She glared back at him as she pulled herself out from the bedcovers, and from her wonderful sleep. It felt like ages since she had slept, and not knowing how many days or nights had passed, sleep compared to this Hell was wonderful indeed.

Seeing her gentle look as she remembered that lovely dream, caused Naraku to grin. "Thinking of your beloved?"

The princess glared back, returning to her defiant state when faced with her captor. "My 'beloved' as you call him is dead, so why should I think about him?"

"Ah, you don't want to lie, do you, princess? You were remembering the night you slept with that filth, weren't you?" The blush in Kagome's cheeks deepened, something she couldn't help. As Naraku chuckled, he continued, "And, you should know, Inuyasha is not dead yet, but he will be in time, never fear."

Kagome turned away, pretending not to care. But inside, her heart was pounding. He's not dead after all…Thank God… Coming closer to her, as if he just noticed something, Naraku grabbed her hand, startling her. "Now where did your betrothal ring go? I spent good money on that."

Slapping his hand away, the princess snarled. "I threw it away; it should be at the bottom of the city sewers now, where it belongs."

Smirking, Naraku spoke, "What a pity. But, I have another ring for you now, and as you can see," he pulled out a new ring, fitted with a stone of a deep blue hue, with a golden band, large enough to draw any eye. "It is much more exquisite."

Pretending to be indifferent, she didn't notice how he clutched the Shikon no Tama, as he slipped the ring on her finger. Glancing at the jewel, Naraku frowned a moment, before doing the unthinkable; grabbing her by the raven hair on her head, he forced her face upward into a kiss.

Kagome was stunned for a moment, unable to do anything but feel the torture of this action. When Inuyasha kissed her, she felt in heaven. When Naraku did this, raw emotions shock and hatred ate at her until at last, she slapped him away, falling backward on her bed, gaping at him in raw anger. Was he now to torture her mentally in addition to physically? But no matter what the consequences, she couldn't submit. Naraku still looked at her as if she was totally under his control, and he could force her to do what he wanted, true, but her mind had never been clearer.

Fighting the angry tears that welled in her eyes, Kagome threw the ring back in his face. "If you think you can trick me again with a ring, you're sadly mistaken. When I first received you ring, I was a naive girl, but now, I have never been more sure of myself."

Naraku, however, wasn't listening; he was glaring at the tainted Shikon no Tama, that had still failed to respond despite the lengths he had gone to. He would have thought the ring would do something, or perhaps that disgusting kiss. But no, it still didn't grant him an ounce of that power still locked within. The power goes to the royal family, so that means her husband…I suppose I shall really have to do what I threatened to receive the power I need.

Glancing back at her with anger all over his face, Naraku spoke, "Defy me all you want, but know this, tomorrow, after I have killed your lover, we will be united in matrimony."

The princess spat, "I would rather die than marry you."

Chuckling to himself, he replied, "If you wish, you will die—but only after I have received the power of the Shikon no Tama." He turned, but then glanced back, "You might want to know, Ryuukossei has attacked the palace of the Human Lands. And the humans should be figuring out by now that Ryuukossei is invincible." With a final grin at Kagome's look of terror, he left.

Shocked and horrified at this news, Kagome hugged herself, trying to keep it all in, until at last, it was too much. And with everything that had happened in the past few days, she succumbed to tears. Why was all of this happening? Why did Naraku want to destroy everything that she loved? And how could she live, knowing all these deaths would be on her conscience?

But, there was only one thing that warmed her heart. Inuyasha…you're alive…You're not dead…but if Naraku has his way then…

Remembering that stupid story she made up long ago, Kagome gave a sad smile. The princess and the knight both died…will we really have that end as well?

"Kagura," Naraku ordered to his servant. "Go to the Human Lands and monitor Ryuukossei's progress."

"What?" she demanded, fed up with his ridiculous orders. "Why? There is no point in it when you have your powers back and could just—"

Maroon eyes narrowed dangerously. "I believe I gave an order, Kagura. I expect you to obey it. Besides, you are lucky I haven't killed you on the spot, I know what you are up to."

At once, Kagura had her fan open, pointing at him with a menacing look in her red eyes. Her teeth clenched in anger as she fought the urge to kill him instead. Naraku just gazed upon her calmly, before adding, "It might interest you that King Sesshoumaru is heading for the Human Lands as well."

At that piece of information, his servant hesitated, before snapping her fan back. Giving him a dirty look, she pulled a feather out of her hair, transforming it to fly out the window, cursing him to oblivion as he merely smiled, and turned away.

The dragon's cry lit the night as humans fought back, but the effort was known to be futile, many were already dead. The dragon seemed near invincible. Arrows struck it, but neither wounded nor killed the beast. One touch of its talons or fire could kill several dozen humans as it was.

And in the ranks next to the human soldiers and knights, were the monk Miroku and Lady Sango, dressed in her exterminator outfit. Miroku only knew a few spells that could harm it, but was very good at making barriers to block the dragon's blows. With a battle cry, Sango would throw her Hiraikotsu, but it seemed to bounce off the dragon, without causing any damage.

She caught the boomerang, glancing back at the blue dragon as it soared through the skies. "It's near impossible to kill, it seems."

Chuckling as the humans launched rocks at the beast, Miroku added, "Well, at least we know how to find a good time; banquets at this place never seem to be very entertaining."

Sango only had time to laugh for a moment as Ryuukossei came back, making Miroku jump in front of her to make a barrier; protected from the deadly fire. It's claws merely bounced off, causingRyuukossei to reel back. When the barrier faded and the dragon soared up once more, Lord Miroku became more serious in his words, as his arm was still around her waist, in a protective hold."You know, Sango…I have never met a woman quite like you before, willing to fight as a man."

She paused for a moment, before stating, "I guess I should be glad of that, then, otherwise you wouldn't have paid me a whit of attention."

He still had not released her, which Lady Sango began to notice at that moment. Grinning, Miroku asked, "Oh, do you like it when I give you attention, dear Sango?"

"It depends upon what kind!" she stammered, slapping his hand away from her bottom, where he had been caressing a moment earlier. She shrugged herself out of his grasp, rolling her eyes at his immaturity.

Sighing, his violet eyes returned to gazing at her shapely hips. "You know, I think I like it better when you wear pants for fighting…they accent a woman's curves so much better than a skirt ever does."

Sango glared back at him, but blushed all the same, before Ryuukossei descended again, and they both continued to fight what was known to be a hopless effort..

Inuyasha, now healed after a few days of travel, stared up at Naraku's castle in the Demon Lands. It was small, but dark, and foreboding, but Kagome's scent drove him on. There was no sounds to be heard other than the beating of his own heart in rage. Naraku had sealed his own death the minute he had kidnapped Kagome.

This is it, Inuyasha thought, drawing Tessiaga. Today, Naraku, we finish this.

The hanyou didn't waste any time as he blasted through the front door with the wind from his sword, and ran in, shouting his battle cry, "Kagome!"

That sound, that wonderful sound, make Kagome jump up from where she had been sitting, her heartbeat racing at recognition. Inuyasha…he's here…

Instantly, she ran to her door, pulling at it, yet Naraku's magic still stood. She banged her fists against the stubborn door, worry and fear filling her as she heard a blast as Naraku came to challenge Inuyasha. Inuyasha please…you can't die!

She couldn't get out...she couldn't help him. Somewhere, in her heart, she knew that if there was no way of helping him past Naraku's power...they would both meet their end.

Not knowing the turmoil the princess was going through upstairs, Inuyasha continued his assult into the castle, his sword in hand. After dozens of Naraku's servants rushed at him, Inuyasha plowed through them and struck them all down with one blow. Nothing was seperating him from the long overdue fight between him and Naraku. "Naraku! Where are you?"

Inuyasha had found the great hall, a darkened, old room that looked unused for so many years. Stepping inside, at once, a scent sent Inuyasha alert. "Right here," Naraku spoke, making Inuyasha turn at once.

There he was, now in his new half human form, making Inuyasha stare for a moment. He could smell the power the Shikon no Tama had given him, and knew, against that power, the odds were low of his sucess. "Keh, can't fight me on your own power, so you will use the jewel's?"

Chuckling, Naraku showed Inuyasha the Shikon no Tama within his palm. "This jewel was a gift if you remember…a trade given from a foolish girl to save your wretched life. She must really care about you then, hanyou, to give me the ultimate power to save you."

Fists shaking in rage, Inuyasha growled, "Kagome is too pure for you to ever talk about her that way!"

Naraku laughed outright. "Pure? How can she be pure, when she gave her body to a tainted being like you? Besides, I sensed no purity in her at all, especially not when I felt her soft lips touch mine—"

His goading had worked, and Inuyasha's rage exploded. "You bastard!" Inuyasha roared, unleashing a wave of slicing wind at Naraku before he charged, into what he knew would be their final confrontation.

In the end, there would only be one standing. And he would win the ultimate prize; the princess and the Shikon no Tama.