Disclaimer: I claim no ownership of Sengoku Otogizoushi - InuYasha or Yuu Yuu Hakusho. InuYasha belongs to Takahashi Rumiko, Shogakukan, Viz Media, ShoPro Entertainment, and Shounen; while Yuu Yuu Hakusho belongs to Togashi Yoshihiro, Shueisha, Viz Media, and Shounen. No profit or money of any kind is made from this fan-created crossover.

Title: Lost the Real Dream
Chapter 14: Not Supposed to Happen

The stadium had become eerily quiet, no one knew quite how to react. It was a sickening awe that gripped everyone and made them unable to react or look away. The power that flowed into Kagome could be felt by everyone because it was great and terrible, something that could destroy without discrimination. The sound of flesh being sliced into was heard by all, morbid and loud.

When she screamed out for someone they did not know, it pierced deep into Yusuke's and Kurama's hearts. They had hoped that she would call upon one of them, not some phantom from her past. Next to them, the kitsune cracked his knuckles.

"That's your cue, Inuyasha... Hurry up and get out there."

Yusuke glared, "Oi! Kitsune! If you're so damn concerned, why don't you get your ass down there?"

"Only a fool reveals his numbers before it's time," Shippou spoke. "Just sit and wait, detective, and see how battles really go down."

From the arena, a true half-demon appeared. With silver hair and dog ears, dressed all in red, he was stalking towards Naraku. Who, in return, smirked and dug his hand into Kagome's side, fishing around. "How nice of you to join this get-together, Inuyasha... Though, should I call you Inuyaska now?"

Inuyasha froze mid-step before unsheathing a rusty, dull katana. "Shut the fuck up! Let go of Kagome -- you won't get the shikon no tama!"

"Oh, I won't, hm?" he smirked and dug in further, drawing a groan from the unconscious Kagome. "I wonder how it must feel... You've all been watching and protecting her, yet she still ends up in my hands again. Will you be able to save her and the world this time, I have to wonder?"

The soft twang of a long bow sounded through the air behind Naraku. A woman resembling Kagome, and who Yusuke and Kurama recognized as Kikyou, the nurse from the hospital, stood behind the vile half-demon, bow in hand. With ease, Naraku spun to the side with Kagome, dodging the arrow charged with hama no reiryoku. It was then that they made the connection between the nurse and the name Naraku had called Kagome by.

He chuckled darkly, retracting his hand, "Too late." Covered in blood and glinting a dark color was the shikon no tama, in even darker clutches.

Inuyasha ran forward, his sword morphing into a giant white fang. They could see two other figures in the stands run forward along with Kikyou, hoping to make it to Naraku first. Next to them, Shippou sprang into action, easily running down to the railing separating the stands from the arena. Much like the other three, he slowed down enough to jump over the railing to land safely on the ground.

The other woman wasted little time as she threw a giant boomerang she called Hiraiikotsu at Naraku. He jumped up to perch on the railing to admire his new jewel, Kagome having been tossed in Inuyasha's path. The half-demon let go of his sword in favor of catching and cradling Kagome in his arms, Kikyou standing next to him. With muttered words, Kikyou and Sango picked up Kagome and carried her to one of the contestant entrances. Soon after the men stood their ground and waited for Naraku to make the first move.

Yet, when the other woman returned, they sprang into action. She threw her boomerang once more, while the remaining three tried to anticipate where he would jump to. With the jewel absorbed into his hand, he leaped straight for Inuyasha. Both wore smirks too cocky too be good.

Energy gathered around them both.

"Backlash wave!"

Kikyou placed her hands on both sides of Kagome's head, focusing her energy. They had shared a soul at one point and it would take very little for her to slip into the girl's mind to help her sort out her jumbled memories. Though she was not expecting such calm to greet her.

Kagome opened her eyes and smiled, "It's OK, Kikyou-san. You don't need to help me."

Her hands fell from Kagome's head, and the younger woman sat up. "What do you remember?"

She shrugged, "Nearly everything, though some things are a bit fuzzy and others are clearer..."

Kikyou smiled, "I'm sure the rest will come back in time. For now, we need to focus on the present. Naraku removed the jewel from you. I no longer have the power to do more than just fire an arrow, and the blood loss will be catching up to you very soon."

Kagome nodded and went to place her hands on her wound, but Kikyou stopped her. "No, you cannot have slick hands for what you need to do. At the moment only you can sense the jewel and recover it," Kikyou lifted the bow above her head. "This is rightfully yours, the one you recovered in the past. Do you remember how to use its power?"

Again, Kagome nodded as she took the bow and also one arrow. Kikyou breathed a sigh of relief, "You'll have only one shot for surprise. Please, do not waste it."

"I won't. Thanks, Kikyou-san," Kagome gripped her bow and arrow, and ran back to the arena, hoping she wasn't too late to make a difference. This time, she'd make sure she was involved in the battle against Naraku. She refused to be left behind again.

Only the spectators in the stands noticed Kagome's return, her entire posture changed even though she was injured. With a practiced ease that was lacking grace from months of non-use, she notched her arrow, slipping into her stance.

"Get the hell back you two!" Inuyasha stepped in front of Miroku and Shippou. "You're gettin' in my way!"

Yet as Inuyasha readied his sword to attack and Naraku prepared to strike him down, hama no reiryoku was gathering at the arrow tip. "Inuyasha!" she shouted, causing everyone to pause and glance back at her. In precaution, Miroku, Sango and Shippou backed away, ready to run at her if she meant to kill Inuyasha. Naraku smirked, hoping for that outcome.

"Die."

They ran toward her, yet she released the arrow. Shock kept Inuyasha from moving, but Kagome knew he was in no danger. Her bow's own power would allow it to disappear and strike her real target: the shikon no tama in Naraku. She really didn't mean her statement, but she had to keep Naraku from moving.

Shippou reached her first and tackled her to the ground. But she only smiled, "He'll be fine." He looked behind and sure enough before the arrow could touch Inuyasha, it disappeared.

Instead, Naraku was flung back to the wall, her energy-laden arrow piercing his heart. A sickening crack could be heard and they all winced. Inuyasha and Kagome knew that sound better than anyone, and it never meant anything good.

Naraku gripped the shaft of the arrow and smirked. "Fools, the whole lot of you," using his last bit of youki, he knocked the arrow away. Not only did his body begin to dissolve from the unleashed hama no reiryoku, but miasma swirled dangerously in the air. He was going to scatter the jewel once more.

Miroku stepped into action, unleashing his kazaana, uncaring that the miasma could very well kill him. They did not need another repeat of five centuries ago.

But it was too late. The strength of Kagome's pent-up energy destroyed him too quickly, and the miasma still lingered. The jewel revealed itself and the tell-tale cracks through it proved their worst nightmare had come true. With its remaining taint, it resisted the pull of Miroku's kazaana, lingering in the dark miasma. And in one brief moment, it shattered again. The darkness in it and the miasma scattered it across a much larger world than before.

Kagome buried her face in Shippou's chest, "That was not supposed to happen..."

"At least there's no Naraku this time," Shippou muttered in an attempt to make her feel better.

"Another may rise," Kikyou spoke as she walked closer to them. "That is why we cannot waste a moment like before. This time and these worlds hide far more powerful creatures."

The End. The sequel to this story will be posted in December and will focus a bit more on the relationships that this story laid down, and will be a bit more of action/adventure as well. Thank you to all who have reviewed and favorited this story. I hope it lived up to most of your expectations and I hope that it was enjoyable to read. That is all I can hope for as an author.