Chapter: 21

"Let the battle begin." Bankotsu and the hunters jumped down from the second floor, charging at their opponents as Kagome stayed behind, aiming arrow at the lover that she couldn't remember.

/This is bullshit!!/ Inuyasha exclaimed through his mind link as he deflected the arrow that was aimed at his heart.

/Who you telling. / Kouga stated as he nearly dodged another lightening bolt. He ducked under Bankotsu's guard, turning his body; he did a roundhouse kick, sending him crashing into the wall. He groaned in frustration as Bankotsu free himself from the stone wall. He was going easy on him, but only because he didn't want to risk harming his friend. /We've gota do something. There's no way we can stop them if we're only fighting half-assed/

Miroku sent a right hook into Onigumo's jaw. When he staggered back some, he grabbed his shirt front, tossing him over his shoulder. Onigumo regained his balance long enough to throw one of his katanas. Miroku quickly sidestepped but the blade still grazed is upper arm, searing his skin. He stuck in his breath through his teeth as the painful burning sensation traveled through his arm.

/What can we do?/ He asked, powering up as he sent a wall of wind towards Onigumo. He smirked when he heard the satisfying crunch of bones shattering. /Can we knock them unconscious until we figure this out?/

/No. / Sesshomaru answered. /They're already unconscious. Remember the kid's profile. She sucks in souls through that mirror. / He maneuvered around Kagura's glowing crescent moons before using the energy of his Toukijin, slamming her to the ground.

Naraku gripped the wooden banister as he watch his brother lay motionlessly on the floor near the wall barely alive; his cousin was on her way to the same fate.

"Kagome, give the others a hand." he watched as she jumped, without hesitation, from the second floor; stopping momentarily, letting the shock impact absorb in her legs before facing Inuyasha in hand-to-hand combat. He then glared menacingly at the child standing beside him.

"Kanna, why are they failing!?" he asked through his teeth

"They aren't strong enough to defeat them." the child replied, never looking up at him. He fought the urge to wrap his hands around her neck.

"You said that fusing the demons blood with their own would make them stronger." He yelled as anger build inside of him.

"It did." this time she tore her eyes away from the battle, white eyes, meeting black, "Just not strong enough to beat them." Naraku shook with fury, he had calculated, planned, and waited for the right time to strike; he worked to damn hard to let his plan fall through the cracks now. His eyes widen a fraction when he saw her mirror glowing faintly.

"What's happening?" Kanna, who also notice the glow, was puzzled as well.

"I don't know." she whispered. Naraku sneered as he looked back, scanning the fighters. Everyone was fighting except Inuyasha, who had locked Kagome's hands in front of her while his free arm snaked around her waist, holding her body close to his.

"Kagome. You have to remember me." he pleaded, looking directly into her eyes. She thrashed against him, trying to break free of his hold, but never taking her eye off his. "Please, you have to fight this!" he yelled, trying to break through. Her movements began to lessen before she stopped completely; dark, clouded emerald green started to brighten.

"In…Inuyasha?" she voice was barley a whisper but Inuyasha was glad, no ecstatic that he was finally getting through to her.

"Yeah, come on Kagome. You gota remember." he released her hands, putting both of his on her shoulder, shaking her lightly as if that would jog her memory. He smiled as she blinked a few times more. "Kag… Ahhhh!!" So intent on breaking the spell off his lover, he'd totally forgotten about the battle at hand, being hit by an unknown force; he was sent flying across the room.

"Inuyasha!" Kouga took his eyes off Bankotsu long enough to see his captain skidding to a halt on the floor, which was a bad move. Bankotsu swung his Banryuu like a baseball bat, hitting Kouga's back with the flat side of the blade; he too was knocked back to where Inuyasha now stood.

/ Fuck! I was getting through to her! / said a frustrated hanyou as he helped Kouga to his feet.

/ Yeah, we saw. / Miroku replied as he and Sesshomaru looked up at Naraku, who was the one who attacked Inuyasha. Black smoke exuded off his raised hand as he grinned darkly at the Noblemen.

"You gota be fucking kidding me?!" Kouga and Inuyasha exclaimed as they saw the difference in Naraku's appearance; black tattoos covering his face, neck, and arms that weren't covered by his clothing.

"It would have been stupid not to have considered him to fuse his blood like the other." Sesshomaru stated coldly; Miroku mentally shook his head, knowing full well that neither Inuyasha nor Kouga had considered it.

"Quite right." he said, matching Sesshomaru's tone. "And I took most of it." he stated, descending the stairs. He stopped at the bottom of them looking at Kagura then Onigumo, both on the verge of death. "A mistake on my part for letting these fools do my work for me." He quickly raised his hand again; a black globe formed in his palm, firing it towards Sesshomaru and Miroku. Moving swiftly, they dodged the attacked, but stammered slightly when the globe connected with the floor, sending Miasma through the room.

"Damn it!" Sesshomaru growled through his sleeve, covering the lower half o his face.

"Bankotsu! Kagome! Destroy them!" as he commanded, both warriors attacked the Noblemen, facing off in a 2-to-1 battle each. (A/n: I think)

Things weren't looking up for them; this battle was going on far too long. Naraku would randomly fire those damned globes in the air or near where they were fighting, spreading the Miasma through the air and Kagome and Bankotsu weren't being affected by it; Trying to attack Kanna wasn't doing them any good either, every time they tried to attack the child, still standing at the top of the staircase, one of them would counterattack before they got the chance. The more they fought, the weaker they became. Moving away from their mind controlled friends, the Noblemen maneuvered to the middle of the room, their backs turned to each other; all of them breathed heavily.

"We're going to die here." Miroku stated sadly, as he coughed some, trying to rid the Miasma smog from his lungs. Though they wouldn't give up, it felt like Miroku was correct, they couldn't win, not this time.

"So we'll fight to the death." Everyone agreed silently to Inuyasha's words as they straightened up back into their fighting stances. Naraku smirked; giving them credit for not running away but having enough pride to stay and fight. Besides, it was more fun to see them die this way. Forming a triangle, Naraku in front, Kagome and Bankotsu on either side, each charging up, aiming their attacks that them. Each of them building the remain strength that they had, Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, Miroku, and Kouga braced themselves for what they thought was going to be the last battle of their lives.

Suddenly out of nowhere, something rapidly shot out of the shadows towards them. The gang, ducked low as it whooshed past their heads, past an unexpected Naraku, and towards a shocked Kanna. The series of blades hit the center of the antique reflector, splitting it into dozens of sections. Kanna gasped, stepping back when the blades retracted. Her hands shook slightly as pieces of her precious mirror began to fall, shattering on the ground as the faint glow became brighter, stronger; two bright lights shot out, knocking out the remaining glass. Flowing down briskly, they intertwined briefly before going back were they belonged.

"No!" Naraku shouted as Kagome and Bankotsu's bodies glowed when their souls were absorbed; Both fighters blinked rapidly as the fog around their minds began to clear.

"Ah! What the hell?!" Bankotsu exclaimed at the new founded pain that he was feeling all over his body. Kagome coughed forcefully when the Miasma entered her lungs; focusing her energy back into her weapon, she shot the arrow into the air. Closing her fist, she made it scatter into smaller lights of blue, purifying the room.

"Bank? Is that really you?" Miroku asked cautiously, feeling his power returning to him.

"I'll answer that once my head stops spinning." he answered, gripping his head with both hands. Inuyasha rushed over to Kagome who was ready to collapse form her dizziness.

"I'm fine." she reassured him, but grabbed his shoulders to steady herself.

"But who…?" Sesshomaru and Naraku said at the same time, looking around the room for the person that release them. Sensing a familiar presence, everyone looked in the same direction as the figure stepped out of the darkness.

"You!?" Sesshomaru, Kouga, and Naraku shouted together, each displaying different emotions of shocked and anger.

"Jakotsu." he turned his attention to Bankotsu when he said his name, looking directly in each other's eyes, a small smile graced upon his face.

"I hope this can repay you for all the damage I have cause." he said, sympathy shining behind his eyes.

/ Hell no / Inuyasha, Kouga, and Sesshomaru responded in unison. Bankotsu mentally rolled his eyes, at the same time nodding at Jakotsu, accepting his apology. Not giving them the satisfaction of this happy reunion, Naraku used the rest of his demonic powers, racing towards Jakotsu.

"Jakotsu!! Look out!" Kagome screamed. He whipped his head around just in time to see Naraku drive his brother's katana, the one meant for Miroku, into his heart.

"You should have left when you had the chance." Naraku whispered in his ear before pushing him back, watching his lifeless body fall. The last thing Jakotsu saw was Bankotsu's sorrowful blue eyes.

"You monster!" Kagome shouted with anger, tears swimming in her eyes. Naraku ignored her completely. He would not lose! He would take everyone down with him if he had to.

"I. Will. Not. Lose!" He vowed, powering up to his maximum strength, black demonic aurora consumed his body, he only had a few minutes left before blood fusion wore off, so he had to make this count. Already fueled by anger, there was no need for Inuyasha and his team to waste any more energy.

"You guys ready?" Inuyasha waited for everyone to reply.

"Yeah." they said together forming a horizontal line in front of Naraku, waiting for him to strike first. Forming this intense orb of black energy that practically covered his body that would have taken everyone out in one shot, he spoke his finally words, "Die." before firing the "death ball." Kagome stepped forward, aiming her arrow, she added something extract, turning it to a sliver color, she shot the ball, making it explode right in front of them, yet no Miasma dispersed in the air; but instead of the arrow dissolving with the ball it kept going, piercing Naraku's chest. The power of it didn't injure him, but it did suck most of his energy out of him. Now that he was weakened, Kouga flew past Kagome, stopping behind him, locking his arms behind his back, immobilizing him.

"Ready!" he shouted, deliberately in Naraku's ear, signaling the other to continue. Lightening stuck the inside the room while powerful winds encircled them, as Bankotsu and Miroku combined their powers together. Inuyasha transformed his sword back to Tetsusaiga as Sesshomaru switched his Toukijin for Tenseiga combining their energy as well. Simultaneously they attacked, creating this whirlwind of power, directing it at Naraku and nothing else. Naraku bucked against the hold, trying to get free but to no avail, Kouga's arms were locked solidly around his. Kouga waited until the last moment until he push him forward before moving out of harms way, giving Naraku no time to react as the impact of the combined force of the Noblemen's power sent him crashing through 10, 12, no 15 walls. And since his energy was almost completely drained, there was no way he could have survived.(A/n; huh… that was quick)

Kouga still laid on the floor when ears perked up some, sucking his teeth when he recognized the sound of sirens.

"Oh now they come. Now that the danger's over." he said sarcastically. Lying back some, he braced himself on his elbows. "Kagome's falling." he announced with no intention of moving. Swiftly Inuyasha made a grab for her before she hit the ground, growling at Kouga immensely, who gave him a look and shook his head.

"You see this." gesturing to the gaping hole still in his chest. "I'm done. I'm not moving till the paramedics take me." Inuyasha huffed but he was understandable, sifting Kagome's unconscious form so that she laid bridal style in his arms. "Check it out." he motioned with his head. Turning, Inuyasha watched as Bankotsu rested Jakotsu's head into his lap, after taking the blade from his chest, he brushing his hair from his face. Their hearts twisted some to see their best friend like this, so distraught; to have his lover enslave him, then set him free only to have him die moments later, right in front of his eyes. No one had ever experienced that kind of anguish before. Bankotsu touched his face gently, his eyes grew wide. He's still warm.

"Sesshomaru! He's still warm!" he exclaimed, though Sesshomaru made no attempt to move.

"So?" he said stoically

"Please, use Tenseiga and save him." his voice cracked with emotion

"Say what? You want me to save him? After he…"

"After he saved everyone's lives." Bankotsu cut him all. "If it hadn't been for him you would have all been killed." He looked into everyone's eyes to get his point across. "Please Sesshomaru." he pleaded once more. "A life for a life. He deserves that much." Sesshomaru waited another beat before moaning in utter defeat. Raising his Tenseiga, he cut downwards, a blue slash emitted from it before disappearing in Jakotsu body. Moments passed until Bankotsu let out a sigh of relief when Jakotsu's eyes fluttered open.

"Hey, welcome back." he greeted, a watery smile played on his lips. Jakotsu said nothing but smiled before closing his eyes once more, falling asleep. A stampede of footsteps came soon after as 20 elite national guards flooded through the doors.

"This is so unnecessary." Miroku commented, laughing softly at the fact that they were all dressed for a war when it was completely over.

"Sir." all of them saluted at once, addressing them all. Sesshomaru took charge for the moment,

'These two need medical attention." pointing at Jakotsu and Kouga; he didn't include Kagome, already knowing that Inuyasha would bite their heads off if they touched her. Instantly four guards rushed over, carrying them both outside.

"Ow! Be gentle will ya!" Kouga berated them.

"Sorry sir." the guards' apologizes could be heard down the hall.

"Sir, what about the hunters?" one of them asked.

"Well those two might be dead." Inuyasha nodded with his head. "But you can check to be sure. There's another one through that door at the far left. The kid's up at the top of the stairs and the man "behind the scenes" is that way. Just follow the holes." the guard blanched when he saw just how many holes there were.

"You heard him, move out." nodding the remaining group went in different directions. Kagura and Onigumo were indeed alive; eight men carried them out to the ambulance. But when one guard went to the second floor, Kanna was nowhere in sight, just pieces of shattered glass.

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Naraku carried his battered body into a nearby empty room, locking the door behind him. He had lost. The last drop of demonic blood had saved him, but now it was completely gone; he didn't know how much time he had left. He had failed, but how cou…that goddamn Oracle had lied to him.

"Show yourself Oracle!! I command you!" Just as he said, Kikyo's form simmered in front of him.

"Yes you…" her eyes brightened but she dared not smile. "My god you're a mess." Naraku sneered at the I-am-superior- than-you tone in her voice, wishing that he had enough energy to kill her.

"You fucking liar! You said that if the Noblemen died then I could rule!" he shouted to the point where he ended up coughing up blood. Kikyo grimaced, stepping back, not wanting the blood to stain her white slippers.

"As I said before, time and time again. As long as you pay me, I will never lie." She wait a beat. "You are correct I said if the Noblemen die, the Kingdoms will fall and you would rule. I never said you would succeed." Naraku eyes widen at the information

"You bitch!" he spat, vibrating with immense anger.

"I'm that, among other things." she laughed when they both heard footsteps "A pleasure doing business with you." she bid him farewell before disappearing again. He gritted his teeth as he slowly as he raised himself off the floor. Every emotion imaginable flowed through his body none that he could describe except anger; Angry that he had been tricked, that he had been lead down a path of false hope. Angry that he had failed; that he lost to those demons!

"Naraku Shields! We have the place surround come out with your hands up!" he glared at the cop routine voice coming from the other side of the door. He was not going to jail; he would not lower himself to that form of disgrace. Looking frantically around the dark room, he found his solution on the other end. He ran towards it just as the guards kick down the door.

"Naraku stop!" though the warning was too late as he threw himself through the glass window, falling down to the grounds below.

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( At the hospital)

It felt like déjà vu all over again, but instead of Sango being emitted it was Kagome; however Rin confirmed that she and Jakotsu were all right and that all they needed was rest. Kouga sat with his feet propped up as Ayame stroked his ego, while trying to get as much details as he was willing to give about the battle, since she was after all, she was going to be an intern for the local newspaper this coming summer. Rin sat next to Sesshomaru, of course, and Inuyasha waited patiently for Kagome family's visit to be over so he could see her himself. Hearing the sound of expensive heels clicking against tile signaled him that they were done. Kaori, dressed in a casual navy blue suit, walked directly over to him. Automatically he stood up, but he wasn't expecting her to hug him or her crying.

"Thank you. Thank you so much for rescuing our daughter." He couldn't just say "your welcome" or something dumb like "all in a day's work" so he just smiled graciously at her hoping that that would be enough. Smiling back, Kaori went to where her husband stood. Inuyasha watched as husband and wife looked at each other, giving off different emotions in their eyes. Knowing that they were using their mind link to communicate, he waited until Artemis stepped forward.

"Inuyasha correct." he nodded " Thank you for saving Kagome." he nodded again, recognizing the fatherly tone. He scanned the room at the faces staring at them. "May I have a word with you. Privately?" Inuyasha went to open his mouth but was cut off

"Why?" he heard Rin question. "Whatever you have to say you might as well say it right here. We're gonna hear about it later anyways." Inuyasha smirked at Rin's forwardness. Artemis sighed softly

"Very well." he waited a moment. "I want you to stay away from Kagome."

"What!?" everyone shouted, coming to Inuyasha's defense.

"That's not fair!" Ayame and Kouga yelled together.

"They're in love. How could you do this?" Rin questioned in disbelief. More questions were shouted out, which was giving him a headache.

"Shut up!" Inuyasha commanded; everyone became silent again. "I would like to know your reason sir." he said looking directly into Artemis eyes, determined not to give up Kagome without a fight.

"I thought you would." he combed his fingers through his golden locks. "Do you know the names Darius, Sanji and Kenshin?" the Noblemen's eyes widened

"Yeah. Fricking legends." Kouga responded.

"The greatest Noblemen there ever was." Sesshomaru chimed in, becoming interested in the conversation.

"What do they have to do with this?" Inuyasha wanted to know.

"Darius was my father. Sanji and Kenshin were my eldest brothers." a collective gasped filled the room and then silence as they waited for the story to continue. "As you know my father died in the Revolutionary war and my brothers died years later in different wars. Their deaths resulted in my mother's destruction. Of course she said that she would be able to handle it if they should ever be killed, but her words were proven wrong when my father died. She cried for months, just out of nowhere, she would be ok and then she'd break down and cry. However she said she was ok because "she had her three boys." Then Kenshin died violently and she became distant not only physically but emotionally from me and Sanji. Smiling on the outside but she didn't have the warmth in her eyes; then she began to shut herself in her room for hours at a time that we actually had forgotten what she looked like. After Sanji's death I watched slowly as she died, from the inside out. She shut herself completely from the world, never uttering a word to anyone, not even to her last son, she barely moved; she couldn't even feed or bath herself any longer. The dozen of doctors that came to see her said the same thing, that it was a mental thing and she would get better soon. But I knew even at a young age that it was much more than that; she was dying slowly of a broken heart and there was nothing I could do but wait." He paused, looking at everyone, sadness and remorse glistened in their eyes.

"I went in her room everyday, just talking to her about random things, my day, what I learned from my tutors, how I was feeling, anything to get her to say something back; but she didn't, she would always just lie in her bed staring into nothing. Each day she grew more thin, her once young, healthy face had turned old and gray. Her skin had sunken or sagged form the lack of eating and movement. She became so frail that I was afraid that if I touched her, she would break. Her mind had forgotten about me but I didn't forget her. I watched her suffer for 180 years, when her body couldn't take it any longer and she finally closed her eyes and never opened them again."

He took another breath, trying to push back his sadness. He felt Kaori stroke his arm for comfort; grateful that she was there, he took her hand in his. "I didn't follow in my father and brother's footsteps because of what happened to my mother. I didn't want my wife and children to suffer as she did and I don't want Kagome to suffer either." A pregnant pause filled the air.

"Excuse me for saying this Your Highness." Rin began. "But your mother wasn't mentally strong enough to handle your family's deaths. The same thing may not happen to Kagome."

"That's a risk I'm not willing to take." she frowned, opening her mouth to protest again. "It's different when you're on the other side. You, yourself are in love with a Nobleman and I'm positive you've said countless times that you'd be able to handle the tragedy of his death if that day should ever come. But will you really? Will you really be able to accept the fact that he died in battle protecting his Kingdom and his death could have been avoided if he hadn't been a Nobleman?" he watched as despair washed over Rin's face. "I'm not trying to discourage you from your loved one, but saying that you can handle it and actually experiencing it is two different things." Artemis turned his attention back to Inuyasha. "Please. I'm asking you out of respect and because I love my daughter. Please, stay away from her." Inuyasha didn't know what to do; different arguments went off in his head basically all saying that he didn't want to lose Kagome, he wanted to be with her. Agony danced over his face as he nodded his head.

"Alright. I'll leave her." Rambles of protest began again but he quiet silenced them with a deadly look. "Can I say goodbye then?" he asked. Artemis was somewhat shocked, he was expecting him to argue, to fight back; but he saw the emotions on his face and he knew that he had made probably the hardest decision of his life.

"Of course." was all he said as he watched Inuyasha walked down the white hall. It was all a blur to him, his body felt heavy as he dragged his feet to the front of the door. It felt like a horrible dream as he slowly grabbed the knob, pushing the white door.

There she was, his princess, awake as chocolate eyes stared at the pale ceiling, daydreaming her now black hair was brushed until it shone in the light. Dressed in a light blue hospital gown, her legs were covered by a heavy blanket. Her daydream was interrupted at the sound of the door clicking open.

"Inuyasha." A grin spread across her face when she saw her white knight standing in the doorway. She gestured him to come forward, patting the side of the bed, but he stood where he was at, pushing his hands in the sleeves of his kimono, knowing that if he touched her it would that much harder.

"Hey. Just wanted to make sure you were ok." Be distant. "So see ya later kid." He began to turn, walking back out of the room, but her voice stopped him.

"Inuyasha? Why do I feel like this is goodbye?" her voice muddled with confusion Don't look at her. "Inuyasha?" she called to his back. "Look at me. Please." Sighing heavily, he slowly turned around to face her. His heart ached to see her like this; tears swimming in her brown eyes, threatening to fall, her face was twisted in confusion and sadness. Hooked up to an IV, all she wanted was him to comfort her through the ordeal that they had both gone through. How could he be such a bastard as to dump her, in her time of need. Stop thinking about it and get done and over with.

"What do you want now?" Be cold

"I want to know why you're trying to leave me." her voice rose a pitch higher as she ought back the urge to cry. Hurt her.

"Look," he started, scratching the back of his nape, "it was fun but you're way to much of a problem for me. Getting kidnapped left and right, not listening to me, being a pain really." He mustered up enough courage to look at her this time. "I mean you were a good fuck, but that's pretty much it. You're not really worth the hassle." he watched her struggle with her emotions, which she was doing well, minus the tears streaking down her face. She shook her head violently,

"You're lying!" she protested. There was no way in her mind that Inuyasha would hurt her this way. Inuyasha took lessons from his father and brother, mirroring their stoic expression as he shrugged his shoulders.

"Whatever. Believe what you want." He turned bowing his head low and this time, he didn't stop when he heard her cries, pleading that he'd come back.

/ Get me out of here. / He called out through his mind link as he walked down the corridor. The Noblemen stood and bowed respectfully, then Miroku gracefully jumped over the waiting room chair, quickly walking over to the elevator button, a numerous time in, hopes it would arrive faster. Inuyasha appeared seconds later, head still hanging low, his silver bangs hiding the grief in his eyes. Never reducing his speed, he walked straight passed the King and Queen and almost bumped into Sango, who was running in the opposite direction, to comfort her friend, and into the open elevator doors. The others gathered inside, except Rin and Ayame, who felt it was best if they stayed behind. Inuyasha had his back facing his team and waited until the doors before he let his emotions go. Biting the inside of his lip, so that he would cry out, hot, unashamed tears fall streamed down his face. Feeling his older brother complex kicking in, Sesshomaru stepped forward, wrapping his arm, in a brotherly gesture, around him. Both he and Kagome, wrapped in the comfort of their best friend's arms, wept, wishing that this nightmare would come to an end.

TBC

-------------------------author's note------------------

Midterms was killing me. I studied for two weeks. I'm soooo glad it's over!

Anyways PLZ REVIEW!!!!