"Wow! This story just keeps getting better and better," Kagome exclaimed.

"Yes well you'll have to wait awhile for the conclusion. As you two can see, it is getting late and we all need our rest. Haku, will you be so kind as to escort Kagome home?" Kaede asked.

"I'll be glad to," he said standing to his feet.

"Awe grandma, but I want to know what happens next!" Kagome whined.

"In due time Kagome. In due time. You two be careful."

"Hai!" Haku took Kagome's hand as they started down the stairs to leave. They headed for Kagome's house in silence which worried Kagome a little. Haku is being unusually quiet. Normally he'd be all over me with his attitude and quick tongue. She chanced a glance at him and he was staring at the sidewalk as they walked along as if he was worried about something.

"Haku? Is…something wrong?" she asked softly.

"Huh? Oh…I'm fine. So you do care about me?" he smirked.

"Hey don't get it twisted! I was just concerned because that's just how I am. You looked like you were sad about something so I…" She was silenced by Haku's sudden actions. He quickly grabbed her shoulders, pushing her back against a nearby fence. He pressed his lips against hers in a rough passionate kiss. The kiss ended just as quickly. He pulled away from her and stared aimlessly at the ground.

"Kagome…I'm sorry. I just…I have a lot on my mind."

"Oh," she blushed. "Well um…Is there something I can do to help? You may be a jerk sometimes but I hate seeing people unhappy."

"It's…nothing. I just…" He grinned at her. "You have a nice night Kagome. Sleep tight." He kissed her cheek before heading off in the darkness.

--xx--

When Haku reached his home, he was stopped by his mother at the foot of the stairs.

"You were out late again Haku. Is everything alright?" He looked over at his mother and smiled.

"Yeah. Uh…everything's fine. I was just with Kagome mother. I uh…I'm kind of tired so good night." He ran up the stairs and hurried inside his room making sure to latch the door behind him. Then he slid to the floor, pain rushing through his body as images from his nightmares flashed through his head.

"So what are you going to do Inuyasha?"

"What the hell Naraku? What do you think I'm going to do? I'm going to rid the world of you once and for all!"

"It would seem that you have some decisions to make before that can happen, though I have to say that the actual probability of you destroying me is slim to none."

"Inuyasha…listen to me. You have to make a choice or we're all in trouble!"

Haku hobbled across the room and sat down easily on the bed. He rid himself of his shirt and pants then laid back onto the bed. His head was throbbing and his entire body felt like it was on fire. What's happening to me? Who are these people in my dreams? Is it possible that I'm seeing Inuyasha in my dreams? Haku closed his eyes and settled in for another rough night.

--xx--

Kagome woke up and quickly dressed for school. She stood outside and waited for Haku but he never showed. That's strange. He usually walks me to school. Kagome shrugged thinking maybe he had a change of heart and headed off to school on her bike. When she got there however, Haku was no where to be found. So I guess he's not coming to school? I hope he's alright. I think I'll go and check on him after school.

--xx--

Haku woke up that morning but his body was still on fire. His head was no longer hurting but everywhere else was pretty sore. Dammit! What's wrong with me? He tried to climb out of bed but it hurt too much so he stayed in bed for another three hours or so. When he finally couldn't take it anymore, he forced himself to move, sitting up straight and rolling off of the bed. Much to his surprise, he felt somewhat better. His body was still tingling but it wasn't as sore. He walked across the room towards his body mirror and looked at his reflection. He looked…different. Just overnight, his hair had undoubtedly grown another inch or so making his bangs hang slightly lower around his face than he preferred. Is this…normal? His eyes seemed slightly darker, a piercing deep blue which struck him as odd. He ran his hand over his chest and torso but it seemed that not much had changed about it. Hmm…maybe I'm just loosing my mind. He headed to the bathroom to get a quick shower. Then he went straight back to bed. He had not slept all that well and hopefully now he could get some much needed shut eye.

A few hours later he could hear his mother calling to him from the kitchen.

"HAKU! SOMEONE'S COMING UP TO SEE YOU! I HOPE YOU'RE DRESSED!" Coming to see me? I have no friends. The door knob turned and with a click the door opened slowly.

"Ha…Haku?" Kagome's head peeped from around the corner and he twisted his face in confusion.

"What are you doing here?" he asked. He sat up straight in bed, revealing his beautiful broad chest and an equally beautiful torso.

"Well um…" she blushed. Wow. His body…Oh God what am I thinking? "I just…you didn't come to walk…I mean, you weren't at school and so I just wanted to…"

"Come on in Kagome."

"Oh right." She entered the room, closing the door tightly behind her and inched across the room slowly taking a seat at the end of Haku's bed.

"I take it you missed me," he smirked.

"WHAT?! AS IF! I was just…concerned that's all. The teacher said you were out sick and I needed to make sure you weren't just playing hooky. She stood up and headed to the side of his bed, sitting on the edge of it. She studied him closely as if trying to read him when her face suddenly twisted into a frown.

"Is…something the matter?" he asked. She gave him another once over before their eyes finally met. Something happened that couldn't quite be explained. His eyes…I never noticed it before but…they're so…hypnotic. She found herself leaning closer to him, her eyes never leaving his. Before she realized it, her nose was touching his and without hesitation he pressed his lips against hers for a small, passionate kiss. Kagome didn't react, at least not in the way Haku expected. It was though she welcomed the kiss. Haku wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer to feed his need for bodily contact.

"Kagome…what are you doing?"

"Anyone can be loved Naraku. It's your own fault that you never let anyone in."

Haku pushed Kagome away, panting hard to catch his breath. Another dream…why is it happening during the day? Kagome looked a little taken back but at the same time, she looked utterly confused.

"Uh…Haku. I'm just…" She stood up and headed for the door.

"Kagome? Wait…please." He climbed out of bed and walked towards her sliding his hands along her waist before pulling her close. He bent his head and placed a gentle kiss on her shoulder. "Thank you," he whispered. She turned to face him, his piercing blue eyes making her head spin.

"See…see you later," she stammered before racing out of his room.

--xx--

"Kagome child. What brings ye by today all by yourself?" Kaede was sitting on the porch in her usual rocking chair. It was late in the afternoon and while she was accustomed to Kagome coming over to hear tales of Inuyasha, she was surprised that Haku hadn't come alone. After all, despite how Kagome tried to hide her true feelings, she knew that Kagome liked Haku more than she let on. He was a respectable young gentleman in her eyes.

"Hi grandma. I…just felt like coming alone today," she said sighing.

"What's really bothering you hun?"

"It's…Haku. He stayed out of school today because he was sick. I was concerned and so I went by to see him today. Something…weird happened. We kissed but…not like you think. I mean, I like him and all but…there was something weird about that kiss and I know he felt it too because he was panting very heavily after he pushed me away. But then again, I never meant to intentionally push my lips against his. It just sort of happened. I guess…I was so wrapped up at how different he looked."

"Whoa! Slow down Kagome," she chuckled. "So what exactly happened when the two of ye kissed?"

"I…some of my dreams just flashed before my eyes but my lips seemed to be glued to his as if we would never kiss again. It was all too weird grandma."

"Hmmm…that is strange. What did you see?"

"I saw…your sister I believe…and Inuyasha, but there was this other guy there. He had similar eyes to Haku but…they were different. The eye color was different but there was a cruel, cold look about them."

"Now that IS interesting," Kaede chuckled.

"Tell me about it." They both jumped at the sound of Haku's voice.

"When did you get here?" Kagome exclaimed.

"Just now. I got tired of being cooped up in my room, especially since my mom has no idea what's wrong with me," he grinned. He walked up the stairs but almost stumbled when nearing the top step.

"Haku! Are you alright?" Kaede asked.

"I…guess so." He settled down next to Kagome on the porch floor and stared up at the old woman. Immediately Kaede was hit with déjà vu. Why? Why does he look so familiar all of a sudden? There really is something different about him and those eyes…

"You've noticed it too huh?" he asked softly.

"Well…yes," she replied thoughtfully. "It could be some sort of late growth spurt but…I would think that you would have changed all you're supposed to by now."

"Yeah…my mom noticed it too, but…it's strange. Last night I felt like my entire body was on fire and when…Kagome came over today I was hit by images from nightmares that I've had in the past. I don't understand any of my dreams but…it was weird. As if I was there watching everything."

"That is really odd. I have never heard of something like this happening. Well…except for one instance with Inuyasha but it wasn't quite as dramatic. There was this one time when Kikyo was hurt and Inuyasha sensed it somehow and went looking for her. My sister was also troubled by vague dreams that occurred at odd times but this was after she was brought back to life by that witch Urasue."

"Speaking of witch, whatever became of Tsubaki and your sister?" Haku asked.

"My sister threatened her life. She basically told that old hag that if she ever laid a finger on Inuyasha she would finish her off without thinking twice. Kagome was the one that defeated her in battle. In fact, she defeated her the same way that my sister did which was very ironic," she chuckled.

"So did Kikyo and Sesshomaru show themselves?"

"No, they stayed hidden but not for too much longer. You see, Inuyasha destroyed the demon horse Entei and Hakudoshi got away. Just when they thought all was well again, Naraku finally made his appearance and decided that he needed a hostage."

"Did he take Kikyo?" Haku asked.

"No, he grabbed Kagome. And it was all downhill from there, especially since Shoji was also still in the picture…"

"You know Inuyasha, you're going to have to do better if you ever hope to keep any of your women. The fact that I got to Kagome so easily only confirms my theory that you don't care about her."

"SHUT THE HELL UP NARAKU! I DO CARE ABOUT HER AND IF YOU DARE HURT HER I WILL SLICE YOU TO PIECES!" he yelled.

"Oh come now Inuyasha. Don't be so angry. Besides, I don't plan on killing her just yet. I'm just using her as bait."

"Bait? What the hell for? Who are you trying to catch? Some perverted demon who only likes women? If that's the case then why not use Kagra?"

"I need Kagome to lure out a certain someone who's been hiding from me. I'm surprised you have been kept out of the know on this one but I suppose I would have done the same in his position."

"Huh? What the heck are you talking about?"

"He he. You'll find out soon enough." He released a cloud of miasma before lifting off with Kagome slung over his shoulder.

"DAMN YOU NARAKU! I'LL GET YOU FOR SURE!" Inuyasha growled. "Dammit!" he muttered, punching at the ground.

"Inuyasha calm down. We'll get her back if we hurry and leave now," Miroku suggested.

"Yeah but…I can't help but to ponder Naraku's words." It was Myoga who was now sitting on his master's shoulders.

"Ponder that nonsense? He's just trying to throw us off," Inuyasha grumbled. "But no matter. I refuse to let him have Kagome."

"It could very well be nonsense Master Inuyasha but one can't help but wonder. You see, Naraku has never struck me as one to be afraid of anything or anybody. There was only one person that he ever feared and you can recall the strategic events that he went through to rid the world of her."

"Yeah I remember," he grumbled. How could I forget?

"Well think about it. Why would he do something as rash as kidnap Kagome? It just doesn't seem right."

"Myoga does have a point Inuyasha," Miroku noted. "Now that I think about it, Naraku has set many traps for us and all have failed because of the poor planning. However, whenever he set a trap for Kikyo, not only was it planned perfectly, but it was more or less to make sure that she would die. For him to do something this rash…"

"Wait a second. I know you aren't suggesting that Kikyo…is still alive are you?" She can't be. I looked all over for her but I didn't see anything. There's no way she survived a fall like that especially since miasma was all over the place.

"Well…you never found her body did you?" Sango asked.

"Well…no…but…"

"Then you never know Inuyasha. For the time being we need to assume that he's trying to lure Kikyo out of hiding. I say this because, if she is-in fact-still alive, she would have done well to keep herself hidden all this time in order to heal herself." Inuyasha stared at the ground completely lost in thought. Are you alive Kikyo and if so, why didn't you show yourself to me? Did you not trust me to protect you?

"Inuyasha we need to get moving if we hope to get to the bottom of this."

"Right. Let's move out." Kagome, I will save you and Kikyo…I just hope you're alright. If you are alive, I'll protect you too…even if it costs me my life!

--xx--

"Kikyo, are you ready to face Naraku again?" Sesshomaru asked. They were standing on the cabin porch and he was holding her. His arms were wrapped around her waist and she was leaning against him, her head cocked to the side while his face was buried deep in her neck.

"I…I think so. It seems like he's ready for me to make my move. For him to kidnap Kagome was just a bit rash for his taste."

"He knows you have a soft heart. You could never leave Kagome with the likes of him. You are far too kind priestess. I would have left her there without a second thought."

"Oh Sesshomaru," she grinned. "You know you'd help her."

"Maybe, but I highly doubt it. She of course, is nothing like you."

"All the same, you must be aware that your brother would hunt you down to the ends of the earth if need be."

"Good point. I'd save her just to shut him up." He let out a sigh and kissed her neck. "I don't really want to go because I know that once we step foot away from this cabin, everything will go back to normal. There's no turning back. This is the race to the big finish."

"I know. I feel the same way."

"I'm also saddened that I'll be losing you but it was to be expected." He nipped at her neck before turning her around to face him. "Remember that I love you too while we're fighting Naraku. That means you never have to worry about being harmed. I'll protect you no matter what." Kikyo let out a small chuckle.

"I know you will my lord." She cupped his face and pulled him closer. "And one couldn't help but remember your love. I just hope you'll always remember mine as well."

"Always," he whispered. He took her lips into his own, wrapping his arms around her in another powerful, lingering kiss for it truly would be the last kiss he'd share with her alone. Kikyo…I'll miss you…and I love you…

AN: I bet you all thought I was never going to update again but I've been racking my brain for the last month. I have been working on so many stories that it's really a shame. -sigh- But never fear. I'll finish this one soon. As you can probably tell, the end is nearing. I already have the ending worked out, it's the actual getting there that's been a problem. I have no idea when the next update will be but hopefully it will be in less than a month. I say that because I have to update some of my other ones between all the working I have to do now. -sigh- Anyway, I hope the update was to your liking. I had to include Kagome a lot in this chapter because like I stated 30 chapters ago, she's really kind of important. Will do my best to update again soon.