"My friends are coming for me Naraku and when they do you are dead!" Kagome huffed. Naraku smirked at the teenager as he stared outside his castle window.

"I know they will but I'm banking on the prey to get here first."

"Huh? Prey? What are you talking about?" Naraku cast her a sidelong glance before approaching the chair that she was tied to. He stood over her and cupped her face roughly, staring at the intricate features of Kikyo's reincarnation. Beautiful. Just beautiful. Alike yet so very different. "GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME HALF-DEMON!" Naraku frowned before slapping the young girl in the face.

"You will do well to mind your manners Kagome. I do not like being called half-demon."

"Yeah well…you don't scare me," she squeaked. "I'm…I'm probably going to die anyway but I refuse to let you intimidate me."

"Hmm…just a second ago you said your friends were coming for you. Why the change of heart all of a sudden?" he asked clearly amused by the young girl. Kagome just lowered her head, letting the tears stream down her face. Naraku leaned forwards and whispered in her ear. "I think it's because you realize how hopeless it is for your friends. They've never been able to defeat me before and since nothing has changed since then, you know there's a good chance I'll get away again."

"You're…you're wrong," she cried. "I believe in Inuyasha as well as the others. They'll get you. I know they will."

"Yeah well keep telling yourself that darling." He backed away from the girl and went back to looking out the window.

"Whoever you're trying to lure out must be someone of high importance," she challenged.

"Maybe," he answered coolly.

"Yeah well I get the feeling that you're somewhat afraid of this person. The way you keep nervously twitching. Whoever this person is must be a real threat to your existence."

"I don't know what you're talking about," he replied his voice now dangerously low.

"Yeah whatever. So if I'm right in thinking that you're afraid of this person, then the person you're trying to lure out of hiding must be Kikyo." Naraku cut her a menacing glance that clearly said 'you had better shut up or else' but Kagome only smirked. "You can't kill me Naraku. If you kill me then Kikyo has no reason to show herself just yet. I can't believe she's still alive. You know, as much as I despise Kikyo, I myself have to admit that she's tough. To have cheated death twice, she's more than amazing and I hope she rids the world of you for good."

"Alright you wench," he snapped. He stretched out a tentacle and wrapped it around her neck, cutting off her air support. "How about I kill you now and just hope that she comes anyway? It's not like you'll be missed. Once Inuyasha sees Kikyo, he'll forget all about his precious Kagome." Kagome stared at him, her eyes wide with fright as he continued to squeeze her neck. Naraku's smirk widened into a broad grin as he realized just how much he enjoyed the way she looked. He loosened his grip on her neck, entranced by the warming sensation that he got as his tentacles brushed her soft, warm skin. He turned back to the window forgetting about Kagome all together. It's Kikyo I want…and I want her dead.

--xx--

"Dammit! Where the hell can he be?!" Inuyasha grumbled.

"I don't know but he can't be too far. There's just no way he could hide that quickly. Besides, there are still traces of his miasma in the air so he's around," Shippo noted.

"Yeah. I just…dammit it all!" Inuyasha fell to the ground and punched the ground.

"Master don't worry. We'll find Naraku."

"Yeah but what if he…" His throat knotted up and he just couldn't speak anymore. There's just no way I can lose another woman. I'd…I'd lose myself…

"Master Inuyasha, uh…there's…something you need to see," Myoga said nervously.

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Uh…well…" Inuyasha's ears perked up and his sense of smell went into overdrive. He looked up to see Shoji, Hakudoshi, and Kagra standing before them. Kagra looked as though she'd much rather be elsewhere while Shoji and Hakudoshi were wearing pretty smug looks on their faces.

"Inuyasha, tell me you pathetic dog, did you miss me?" Hakudoshi asked with a smirk. Inuyasha stood to his feet and growled.

"Why you…bastard!"

"Oh there there Inuyasha. Don't be rude to my friend here!"

"SHOJI! I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD!" Inuyasha shouted.

"Um…that would be a no. And you know what else? I know someone else who didn't die either. A certain priestess whom I'm looking very forward to seeing again soon. In fact, I'd be willing to bet she's on her way here as we speak…or maybe she's off to face Naraku with your brother."

"What the hell are you talking about Naraku?" Miroku asked. "Why would Kikyo be with Sesshomaru. He doesn't even like humans much less half dead mikos."

"I beg to differ," Shoji smirked. He lowered himself a little bit closer to the ground, hovering just a few feet away from his adversaries. They were all staring back and forth between him and Inuyasha. "Why so quiet half demon? Mad cause your brother is wooing your ex?" he grinned.

"You keep Kikyo's name out of your mouth. Besides, I know that you're lying and could care less what you say. I know my brother better than anyone. That cold, heartless bastard wouldn't help anyone."

"Would you like me to prove it to you?" Shoji asked. He stepped off his cloud and started towards them but Sango and Kirara readied their weapons.

"No…wait guys," Inuyasha said softly. "Are you…saying that you can show me that she's alive?"

"Of course. I have many powers Inuyasha."

"Yeah but…why are you so interested in showing me this? Are you trying to distract me from finding Kagome?"

"No. In fact, if you want to know where Kagome is, I can assure you she's being held in the tower of Heaven's Castle just a mile from here." At this, Miroku and the others gasped.

"Inuyasha…it could be a trap."

"Well what do you suggest we do Miroku? We don't have many options." Inuyasha withdrew his tetsaiga holding it at his side.

"Inuyasha...Kirara, Shippo and me can go ahead to Heaven's Castle."

"I can't let you do that," Hakudoshi chimed. "Despite the current situation, we are still all enemies here. Shoji, hurry up and show him what you wanted him to see so I can destroy them. Naraku will be pleased to know that no one will interfere with his killing of the priestess and I can assure you that this time she will not be coming back."

"Shut up Hakudoshi! You let them go on ahead. Besides, it's not like they'll be able to rescue her. There's a thick cloud of miasma around her room…"

"BUT I WISH TO KILL THEM NOW!"

"Alright that's it. I've had it with the both of you. If Kikyo's with my brother then so be it. I haven't the time to worry about this because I HAVE TO SAVE KAGOME!" Inuyasha's sword lit up, a swirl of wind surrounding the blade. "WINDSCAR!" The final battle was just beginning.

--xx--

"This has got to be the castle. The miasma is overwhelming," Kikyo noted.

"Yeah. This is definitely the right place. Kikyo, are you going to be alright? Your wound…from what I could tell from last night, it's still pretty tender."

"Yeah. I'll be fine." She squeezed his hand and they both started closing in on the castle.

"LADY KIKYO! SESSHOMARU!" They both turned to see Kagra and Kaede. Kagra had Kaede on her feather and she let her off gently to the ground. The old woman hurried towards them while Kagra sort of lingered behind.

"Sister Kaede! Kagra! What…what are you doing here? Don't you know this place is dangerous?"

"Not as dangerous as it will be soon," Kagra mumbled. Sesshomaru and Kikyo cut each other wary looks before turning to address Kagra.

"What's the meaning of this Kagra? Please tell me you have a good reason for bringing my sister to such a retched place!"

"Well I…"

"Let me explain sister Kikyo," Kaede huffed. "You see, I noticed that there was something strange about the air today. When I woke up this morning, I felt a strange foreboding of something bad. I was out in the fields not too long ago praying when Kagra showed up and very unexpectedly. She told me about Naraku kidnapping Kagome and she asked for my help."

"Help?" Kikyo asked frowning. She was now starting to get a little suspicious of Kagra's motives. While it deem seem like she truly wanted to help, Kikyo learned the hard way years ago that looks can be deceiving. "Why would she need your help? She already asked for ours so…"

"Please…please," she pleaded softly. "I asked for your sister's help because it's going to take all three of you to destroy Naraku."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Well…I've been carrying around several shards of the shikon jewel but I gave them to Kaede to purify. I was going to give them to you priestess but…I just wasn't sure at the time. I…there's a spell I learned from an old with that could make Naraku…"

"That's…enough…Kagra."

"NARAKU!" Kikyo screamed. She quickly whipped out her bow and readied an arrow aiming at his heart as he descended from a window of the castle. Sesshomaru withdrew his weapon glaring angrily at his adversary. He will not harm the priestess. If anything, his first opponent will be me!

--xx--

"SANGO! LOOK OUT!" Miroku yelled. He ran and jumped in front of the small orb of fire right before it could hit Sango. "GAHHHHHHHHH!" He rolled over on the ground, twisting and moaning as the pain shot through his thigh.

"MIROKU!" Sango rolled over to check on Miroku and noticed that he was bleeding from a huge cut on his right thigh. "Miroku," she cried. "You're badly hurt. Why'd you…?" Miroku reached up and cupped her face.

"You know why Sango. You've known all alone."

"LOOK OUT YOU TWO!" Shippo yelled. Sango just did manage to block Hakudoshi's next attack.

"SANGO! HAVE KIRARA GET YOU GUYS OUT OF HERE!" Inuyasha yelled. He, Hakudoshi and Shoji were engaged in battle, as Shoji was firing round after round of fiery orbs while Inuyasha had to leap around to quickly dodge them. Hakudoshi was cowering behind his shield only firing rounds every now and then.

"INUYASHA, I'M NOT LEAVING YOU HERE TO FIGHT THEM ALONE!" Sango cried. She cast a sidelong glance down at Miroku and his face was twisted in pain. But…as much as I want to help Inuyasha, I can't help him when I'm worried about Miroku. She turned back and watched as Inuyasha finally managed to graze Shoji with his sword. He looked over at Sango and his expression softened.

"SANGO…GO NOW!" he screamed. I can't let them get hurt and I'd never forgive myself if something happened to Miroku.

"But…"

"I think you should listen to him," Shippo said nervously.

"And I agree," Myoga piped up. "Master Inuyasha's going to do whatever it takes to destroy Naraku."

"But Myoga, if something happens to Inuyasha, I'll never be able to forgive myself," Sango cried.

"And if something were to happen to your beloved, how would you feel as well?" Sango stared at the little flea on her shoulder before nodding.

"I'll go but…"

"Inuyasha's fine. Trust me. I won't leave him." Sango frowned at him but he waved his hands. "No, I'm serious this time. I'm going to help him." He'll have to let go of tetsaiga. It's the only way and… "Sango. Head straight for the castle quickly. By now, Kikyo should be there and if she's not too busy then let her help Miroku. Hurry!"

"Right!" Myoga quickly hopped away and headed over to Inuyasha who was still running around like a mad dog trying not to get hit.

"MASTER! MASTER INUYASHA!"

"I'm…a…little…busy…right…now…" he huffed as he dodged another plasma ball.

"DROP THE TETSAIGA INUYASHA!"

"WHAT?! WHY?!"

"DO IT OR DIE!"

"But…what if I…?"

"THEY'RE ALL GONE! JUST DO IT!"

"Hmph. I don't really see how that's going to help," Hakudoshi huffed. "We'll still kick his ass."

"NO! Hakudoshi we can't let him transform!" Shoji fired a big blue orb of lightening right at Inuyasha but he blocked it with his weapon.

"And why not? Just because he almost killed YOU doesn't mean he can kill me. Besides, I'll just regenerate like always."

Inuyasha did as he was told, dropping his tetsaiga to the ground and ran to hide behind some nearby rocks. Dammit! I hope this works…

"Inuyasha. Come out now! You can't hide forever!" Shoji grumbled. He blasted another rock out of the way and looked around for the hanyou. Dammit! Where is he? A second later he heard a low growl that sent chills through his body.

"LOOK OUT SHOJI!" Inuyasha came from behind and scratched Shoji's left shoulder leaving a very deep wound that immediately began pouring blood.

"Fuck!" he gasped. He quickly turned and fired small plasma balls at the hanyou but he was much too quick, his blades of blood blocking each one. Shoji conjured a shield but once again Inuyasha easily tore through it pinning him to the ground. "Wait! Please…" he pleaded but it was no use. Without a second thought Inuyasha ripped Shoji to pieces, tearing through his chest and then ripping out his insides. The smell of blood only heightened his senses and when he'd finished desecrating Shoji's body, he quickly turned to face a horrified Hakudoshi. He charged at the small boy hovering in the sky but he took off in his orb hurrying toward Heaven's Castle. I'm sorry but Naraku will have to deal with him. He's…he's dangerous!

Myoga hurried after Inuyasha being careful to keep a safe distance. He only wished that they didn't have to resort to this and the longer Inuyasha was without tetsaiga, the more dangerous he'd become. The others…God I hope they are prepared for this!

AN: Finally! Another update. Sorry folks but I had to get my thoughts together not to mention I was working on other things...like making YOUTUBE videos. Ha ha ha Anyway, the end is very close now! Yay! My first epic tale is about to be complete with hopefully, a satisfying ending. I may write another Inuyasha fic though atm it's highly unlikely as I need to finish my other stories. I hope you enjoyed the story so far and I really hope you stick around to see how it ends. Ta Ta