The cloaked figure slowly began to raise its head, as it did, it also raised its arms, pulling back in the formation as if it had a bow and arrow and as the cloak fell from its head, everyone stared in shock. The rest of the cloak fell away from her body. As everyone thought, it was indeed Kagome. Her long black hair, dark brown eyes and strange clothes, everything about her that made her, Kagome. The only thing different was the fact that her expression was blank, no emotions whatsoever and her eyes were lifeless pools into her soul, if she had one that is.

She stood there pulling at the air and as she did it, a black bow appeared in her hands and a black arrow, aimed directly at Inuyasha. The fact that she stood there before them, caused everyone, except for Inuyasha to look over at Kikyo. Sango's anger got the better of her now, "You said Kagome went back home!"

"Indeed you did….we suspected something was wrong with your story, your behavior lately proved that you were hiding something, Lady Kikyo," Miroku stated.

Kikyo looked at them and then at Kagome, "I was not aware that Naraku got to her," she attempted to defend herself and pretended she knew nothing.

"I think it's time you stopped your lies Kikyo…..what happened to Kagome!" Sango yelled.

Kagome stepped closer then stopped once more. "I'll tell you what happened…I'm dead. And Kikyo was the one who did it," she said in a flat, emotionless tone. With that she shot the arrow and it flew at Inuyasha. Sango, despite being pissed at him for the past 3 weeks, threw the boomerang in time to block the arrow that had been heading towards the half demon. At this moment, said half demon hadn't even moved, he had been staring the entire time, Kagome's words sinking into his mind, he was shocked but also refused to believe it. "No…Kagome it can't be…." He whispered and as the boomerang fell forward, away from him, he rushed over to her, knocking the bow out of her hands and hugging her. "Why did you leave without saying goodbye?" he asked.

She merely shoved him away from her. "Do not touch me. I serve my master now. Naraku has given me life once more…."

"WHAT?!" everyone, except Kikyo asked, in unison.

Sesshomaru continued to watch silently, but he knew she wasn't alone and so heading past the direction Kagome was in, picking up Kagura's scent, he was intent on finding her, but remained out of his brother's sight as he did so.

He had located Kagura about a mile away, controlling Kagome with her Dance of the Dead. Her attention turned to the direction of the demon lord when she sensed him approaching. "Lord Sesshomaru, what a pleasant surprise…."

Sesshomaru jumped into the air, emerging from the trees and landing on the path before her. "So, Naraku is indeed responsible for the priestess's actions," he noticed her fan and knew that was how Kagome was being controlled.

"Yes but he had help. Kagome wouldn't have been easy to control if she weren't dead. Don't tell me you've come to rescue her?"

"So, he saw fit to take advantage of her death. I suppose he knows who did it? Does he intend to have the priestess reveal what the other one did to her?"

"Yes, it was the perfect opportunity for him to bring Kikyo to her death and in a way that he wouldn't need to be near her. However anything Kagome reveals, isn't done by my power or Naraku's, it would be her choice and her choice alone to reveal what was done to her," she explained.

"I see." Sesshomaru turned around, walking down the path towards the group once more, leaving Kagura puzzled and stuck doing as she was ordered.

"Kagome….what do you mean? You died?" Sango asked, taking a step towards her best friend, confusion and tears coming forth to her eyes.

At that question, Kikyo began to back away, intent on vanishing temporarily until she backed into someone.

"I see no reason for you to leave Lady Kikyo, perhaps its best you stay here until this is resolved," Miroku said, blocking her path.

Inuyasha was only focused on Kagome for the moment, confusion and hurt written all over his face. What happened to her? Why wasn't he able to protect her like he promised? Why wasn't she at home like he was told she was? How did Naraku get a hold of her? All these questions swam through his mind, but he didn't have a single answer to how this could have happened.

"You mean you weren't told? She didn't tell you?" Kagome asked, though she already knew the answer.

Sango turned to look at Kikyo, "You did this? You killed Kagome?!" she asked, rage evident in her voice.

Kikyo looked at the other female and glared, "And what if I did? Will you kill me? I'm already dead. Besides, I merely took back what originally belonged to me, just as I intend to do with her body!" and with that, she pulled an arrow from her quiver, turning around swiftly she shot it at Kagome.

Kagome caught the arrow and laughed darkly, "Did you really think it would be that easy? Think again, Kikyo. Inuyasha, how does it feel to have trusted a lying, deceitful bitch?" she smirked and the bow on the ground floated up to her hand. She grasped it and used the arrow Kikyo had shot at her, aiming it, the arrow became cloaked in black, she didn't need to aim, all she did was shoot and it hit Kikyo in the shoulder.

The clay female felt no pain, she simply removed the arrow, the part of her shoulder that had been hit, fell away in bits of sand.

Inuyasha stood there, stunned by what he heard. He wasn't even able to move to protect Kagome or Kikyo, he was too shocked to do anything. But as he watched the two females, horror crossed his features at Kikyo's shoulder falling away in a bit of dirt. "K…Kikyo….." he reached for her but then looked at Kagome. The half demon was too confused and lost, he didn't know what to do.

"I see your secret has been revealed….will you relinquish her soul now?" Sesshomaru appeared behind Kagome, his question directed at Kikyo.

She glared at him and aimed her arrows once more at Kagome, three of them like she had earlier against Sesshomaru.

Kagome watched blankly at her, waiting for the arrows and as Kikyo let go, Kagome placed her hand out in front of her, eyes glowing pink as a pink light came forth from her, disintegrating the arrows.

"My turn," she pulled back on her bow, 5 arrows appearing notched to it and as she released, Kikyo found herself pinned to a tree by the arrows. One in her other shoulder, one in her stomach, one pinning the sleeve of the first shoulder that had been hit and the other two planted in her legs. She scowled and pulled them free, the sand falling from the wounds. She prepared herself once more but Kagura walked into the campsite. "Enough. Kikyo, Naraku sends his regards. He says if you wish to attempt obtaining Kagome's body from him, you already know where to find him. Oh and he says good luck," she laughed, pulling a feather from her hair as it transformed into a larger one, it scooped her and Kagome up and they both left the area.

Sesshomaru watched as they left, a scowl on his face, he didn't even bother to look at the group as he disappeared to following the fleeing wind sorceress, intent on getting Kagome back.

Everyone watched him leave and once they were all gone, Sango, Miroku and Shippo turned to look at Kikyo. Sango pulling her sword from her sheath. "You did this to her, it's because of you Naraku is now using my best friend as a play thing! I'll kill you for this!" she growled, charging at the female.

Inuyasha jumped in front of Kikyo to protect her from the enraged slayer. "Sango stop! Kikyo isn't the enemy!" he tried to reason with her.

"Not the enemy?! She killed Kagome! How can you stand there and defend her? Either step aside Inuyasha or I'll do whatever it takes to avenge my best friend's death, even if I have to go through you!" she hissed.

Miroku stepped forward and placed a hand on Sango's shoulder, "Sango please….now is not the time. True Lady Kikyo needs to pay for her crimes but this is not the way, for now we must concentrate on retrieving Lady Kagome's body from the clutches of Naraku." He was angry as well but Miroku knew better than to go after her at this moment.

The slayer sighed, "you're right Miroku…but how will we get Kagome? We don't even know where Naraku is…."

Shippo who had been silent the entire time, attempting to wipe away his tears now that he knew Kagome was dead. He had lost yet another parent and it tore him up inside. Looking at Kikyo, he remembered what Kagura said, "Wait….Kagura said Kikyo knows where to find him, that means she's probably known all along…." He trailed off.

Sango narrowed her eyes, "Well Kikyo, it looks like you have to remain alive after all so that we can find Naraku…."

Kikyo glared at the female and walked towards the forest to find a hot spring, needing to get away from the group that wanted to kill her.

Hours later, it was dark, the only light out now was the light from the moon. Sesshomaru had located Naraku's castle but was unable to get inside the barrier, for the moment. He sat down near a tree hidden in the forest, being sure to mask his scent so he wouldn't be found. As he began to plan out his strategy, he fell into a light sleep.

Once more he was reunited with Kagome in the dream world.

Sesshomaru approached a clearing nearby Naraku's castle. Within that clearing he had found her, laying there on the ground. Kagome appeared to be dead and sure enough, Tensaiga pulsated within the dream, confirming his suspicions. As he approached her body, he kneeled down beside her and narrowed his eyes at the demons of the underworld. He pulled the Tensaiga from his hip and slashed at them and as they were destroyed, he re-sheathed his sword and sat down beside her. "Did you really sacrifice your spirit in order to restore my body?" but he didn't really expect an answer.

The demon lord simply watched over her motionless form , studying her. She had never looked lovelier than she did now and he found himself leaning closer to her, closer enough that their lips almost touched.

That was when he awoke, startled by a sound nearby. Sesshomaru stood, his hand on Tokijin, ready to face whatever demon Naraku sent out to patrol.

A/N: I'm so sorry, so sorry, so so so very sorry. I've been terrible, not updating and such. School like I think I've mentioned before was the main cause and this year has just been hell. The past 2 weeks though I've been wanting to update and finally managed it today. Please forgive me for not doing it sooner and I'm not making any promises, it might be better if I just do and update without giving you guys an expected time because that's usually how I end up in trouble. Anyway I hope you liked this chapter, I know its probably driving you guys insane that I stopped it there but hey, gotta love those cliffies :D