A/N: Sorry about the wait! I hope you guys enjoy! Disclaimers and thanks to my lovely reviewers! ^_^

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Magatsuhi cursed as he glared out the window of his massive business building, his red eyes full of anger as he silently watched a familiar silver haired man hit the ground with a single word from the woman beside him. The kitsune on her shoulder covered his mouth as he giggled.

No! She wasn't supposed to be happy! She was supposed to despair what had happened! She was supposed to hate herself for causing the Takahashi family so much pain!

But no, here she was right before his eyes. Happy. Smiling. Laughing. With Inuyasha!

Magatsuhi bared his blunt teeth, growing even more mad as the half-demon scrambled to his feet, hurrying after his love, flushed with embarrassment and anger as a few of the youkai in the street laughed and patted his shoulder while he passed. He'd ruined his plan again. Almost ruined it, he corrected himself. He still had a chance of making her hatred high once more.

He fingered the chain that hung at his neck, smirking as he felt the weight of it. Jewel Shards filled the small container connected to it. He could use them to his advantage, until he created another, of course. Hm... "What to do, what to do?" Magatsuhi murmured with a smirk, holding them up to his eyes.

He could, of course, use them on himself. Make himself insanely powerful. But then every demon in the world would be set on killing him for their "peace". All pathetic. Who wanted peace? Fighting was the answer! The strongest should win! Not the weakest!

But of course, everyone believed that the weaker ones were the ones who should be in charge.

His eyes narrowed. He'd change that. He glanced out the window again, grinning. He'd granted Kagome's memories back, true. She'd taken her own heart back, fine.

But guess who still had the strings controlling her soul?

And therefore, guess who still had the control over her powers?

Knock, knock.

"Come in," Magatsuhi said without bothering to look at who it was.

So he was surprised when pale arms wound around his chest, and a feminine voice purred, "You seem to be deep in thought, Magatsuhi, dear."

Magatsuhi grinned, turning to face the woman and tilting her chin up to look into her sparkling eyes. "Ah, my dear woman. I was merely planning. I am glad you are here though, as I was growing bored of planning." His hand moved from her waist to her hip, giving a gentle squeeze. "Let us go."

As he turned and led the way out of his office, she noticed something on his desk. She scanned them over, and then quickly tucked them in the pocket of her jacket before following.

Kimi gave a hidden smile.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Kagome hummed thoughtfully as she took a bite of her –delicious –ice cream. Across from her, Shippo happily devoured his, much like his older cousin, who devoured it as fast as he could eat it. Kagome sighed, shaking her head as she complained, "You're embarrassing, Inuyasha. Can't you eat like a normal person?"

Inuyasha smirked, sticking his tongue out at her. "I'm having fun with my baby cousin, shut up, woman!"

Shippo giggled at the dark look that caused Inuyasha to flinch, begging for her forgiveness. Not out loud of course, but by looking at her pleadingly with his golden eyes. Kagome sighed. "Fine," she grumbled, "I forgive you. I won't say the word."

Inuyasha sighed in relief, slowing his eating of his ice cream. "Good."

Kagome went back to quietly eating hers.

"So. I see you took Shippo and a woman out for ice cream. Is this one the keeper girl my Sesshomaru has been talking about?"

Inuyasha choked on his ice cream, coughing and sputtering. "K-Kimi!"

Kagome blinked, startled at the sudden sight of a proud looking silver haired woman, whose golden eyes gleamed with a bit of amusement. Her long silver hair was tied back in a high pony tail, and she wore a black trench coat over a teal blue sweater and a pair of jeans, her feet clad in heels.

"What are you doing here?" Inuyasha demanded, swallowing quickly and sitting up straight. Shippo squeaked, doing the same, while Kagome just raised an eyebrow.

Kimi snorted. "After all I've done for you, you only say terrible things." She sniffed, tilting her head up and looking at the three out of the corner of her eye before saying, "I…visited…. Magatsuhi today. He was in his office, so I just went up. On our way out, I saw this." She tossed a folded piece of paper at the half-demon and he caught it, examining it carefully.

Kagome blinked, curious as a low growl escaped Inuyasha's throat. "What's on it?" she asked, reaching over and plucking it from her half-demon. She scanned the paper over and grimaced.

They were notes.

Notes on the reactions of different demons reacting to the powers of a miko.

Particularly dog demons and half-demons.

Kagome's face paled "He wants to purify everyone? But he's a demon!" She said urgently, relooking over the paper.

It clicked in Inuyasha's mind. He glanced at Kimi. "He doesn't have any control over her anymore, though," He pointed out, frowning. "He can't touch her."

"He has control over her powers still," Kimi explained. "He can't control her memories –for now. And she has her heart. But he still has the tie that seals her powers. Miko," she turned to Kagome. She then pointed at Inuyasha. "I want you to try and purify him a little."

Kagome looked startled. "I can't do that, it's Inuyasha! I don't want to purify him!"
"Do it, Kagome," Inuyasha told her, offering his hand. "I want to see if what she says is true."

Kagome hesitated, taking his hand without any attempt at first, tempted to lie. But she saw the knowing look in Inuyasha's eyes, and sighed, closing her own for a moment. For a moment, she remained still, where she was. Finally, she opened her eyes, drawing her hand back. "Nothing. I can't feel them at all."

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes and Kimi said slowly, "Your powers, Kagome, are fairly strong compared to those of others. You are most likely the most powerful miko to ever have existed, far more powerful than Midoriko-"

Inuyasha interrupted then. "'Course my wench is more powerful than that old witch."

"Midoriko is mortal, but has been alive for centuries," Kimi pointed out. "There is a reason for that that I will let her tell you herself. She is more powerful than Kikyo was by far, as well."

Inuyasha growled at this and Kagome reassuringly touched his shoulder. "Hush, Inuyasha, you don't need to growl every few moments."

"So what are you saying?" Inuyasha snapped, ignoring Kagome, who turned her attention on the absolutely bewildered Shippo.

"I'm saying I believe it is time you go visit Midoriko."

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Sesshomaru stared blankly at Inuyasha as the half-demon explained the situation and Kagome chased after Shippo, who had scrambled off to play with Kirara. "The demon controls the girl's powers?"

"Yeah," Inuyasha sighed, shaking his head with exasperation. "According to your mother he does, anyways. What we think he's planning is to wait until Kagome's surrounded by demons, including us, and then make her powers going berserk, purifying all of us."

"We need to avoid taking her out in public then," Sesshomaru replied, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully.

"Well, that will be hard," Inuyasha grumbled. "I need to go see someone with her. We'll just be careful."

"If she purifies that many demons," Sesshomaru warned, his eyes narrowed. "She will be sent to death, accused of being a black miko."

"Sesshomaru-"

"I believe, however," Sesshomaru interrupted, a growl warning Inuyasha to shut up. "That if we are not near her when she goes out, then perhaps he will not try anything. Send one of the humans with her to visit this person. I have a feeling that you do not necessarily need to go."

Inuyasha bristled at this suggestion, growling furiously. "She's not going anywhere without me, damn it! She's my wench!"

The half-demon's half-brother sighed in exasperation, shaking his head. "I don't understand why you came to me if you are unwilling to listen to what I have to say, Inuyasha. If we are not near the girl when she goes out near other youkai, then perhaps he won't be as intent on killing everyone!"

"If she goes out alone, though, he could kidnap her again!" Inuyasha argued, "Wouldn't it just be better for me to go with her if that happens?"

"No, trust me on this." Sesshomaru's tone was sharp, irritated. Did Inuyasha want his help or not?! "Do not go with her. Send that perverted friend of yours with her; he can keep her safe enough. I will send Rin as well, if you would prefer."

"Don't send your mate into a line of fire," Inuyasha grumbled. "It's a very bad idea. I'll just have Miroku go I suppose and have him or Kagome call me when they get to there."

"Where exactly are they going?" the full dog demon asked, slightly intrigued by this situation. "Where are they going that would make you want to go with her, hm?"

"They're going to visit Midoriko," Inuyasha said with a scowl. "Kimi said some things about her being seriously powerful, perhaps able to help us. I don't want Kagome to go without me though!" His tone was frustrated. "What if she's taken while they're gone? I don't want to lose her again, damn it!"

"She won't be taken," Sesshomaru said impatiently. "I will make sure of it."

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Kagome sighed in exasperation as she walked down the sidewalk with Miroku at her side, mumbling, "This is just plain ridiculous. Seriously? She doesn't even live that far away from us, why couldn't I go alone?"

"Because Inuyasha is an overprotective possessive bastard that threatened to tear me apart if I didn't come with you?" Miroku replied, shoving his hand through his hair. His violet eyes were thoughtful. "Idiot."

Kagome smirked, snickering. "I agree with that, he is kind of an idiot, isn't he?"

Miroku grinned. "So, have you talked to Souta lately?"

"Eh, we talked yesterday." Kagome replied, "The little brat got home with his new wife. Then he questioned when Inuyasha and my wedding is after I told him I got my memories back." She grimaced. "I told him it won't happen until Inuyasha stops being a jerk."

Miroku grinned, laughing. "You'll be waiting a long, long time," he teased.

"I know," Kagome giggled. She paused in walking, checking the piece of paper in her hand. She glanced at the street they were on, starting forward again. "Come on, we're almost there."

"Good," Miroku replied, "I'm tired of being on lookout. According to Kimi, Magatsuhi wouldn't dare strike while we're around Midoriko. Midoriko may be our only hope in defeating him."

"True," Kagome agreed, her eyes narrowing in thought as they climbed the steps onto a porch. "Come on, 'Roku, we're here." Kagome raised her hand, firmly pressing the doorbell, hearing it ring and echo throughout the house before them.

Miroku's gaze became curious as he heard footsteps on the other side, and then a lock switching out of place. Kagome stiffened excitedly, and then blinked when the owner of the home opened the door.

A middle aged woman stood there, her brown eyes curious yet wary. Her long black hair was tied out of her face. She stood almost taller than Miroku and her pale hands tightened their grip on the door. "Can I help you two?"

Kagome looked up at the woman's calm face in surprise. "Are you Midoriko-san?"

"I am," she replied calmly, her eyes narrowed. "What do you want with me?"

Miroku looked just as surprised as Kagome. "I didn't expect you to be so young, Midoriko-san…"

"Look," Midoriko snapped, impatient now. "I was working. What do you want?"

Kagome snapped out of her trance. Stepping forward, a hand out to shake in greeting, she said firmly, "I am Kagome Higurashi. This is Miroku. A woman by the name of Kimi Sato told us that it would be a good idea to come see you."

Midoriko looked startled at the name. "Kimi? She told you to?" She stepped back, waving them inside. "Come inside, I apologize for being so rude. Reporters and researchers like to stop by often with questions about me."

Kagome exchanged a look with Miroku. "I hate to say it, but we have questions for you," Miroku said hesitantly.

"For a good reason, I'm sure," Midoriko replied, waving them off. "Have a seat on the couch there." She nodded at a couch, settling down on a chair across from it. "Now, what can I do for you?"

Kagome smiled faintly, and began to speak. "It all started with this demon…or half-demon, I suppose…"

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

He ducked into the house, his eyes dark with sadness as he made his way through it. The kitchen was sparkly clean, despite some dust, showing that someone did, indeed, still live here. The living room was as cozy as he remembered it. The dining room as bright. He made his way up the stairs, his clawed fingers brushing against the walls until he came to a bedroom, where he ducked in it.

He was surprised.

The room was black and white, just as he remembered it. Her scent filled it, a few weeks old due to the fact that she'd been staying at the Takahashi Mansion after her three week trip to America. He smiled slightly, touching the solid black bedding that was made perfectly over the bed.

Kagome was still a perfectionist.

Inuyasha chuckled, straightening as he turned away from the bed, breathing in his wench's scent and making his way back towards the door. A picture, however, made him stop and stare.

It was of nothing but a simple flash of silver, pinned to the wall.

Inuyasha's eyes softened. He remembered that day. Kagome tried to take a picture of him, and he, being the stubborn idiot that he was, had dived out of the way.

He couldn't believe she'd kept it.

Inuyasha shook his head, ducking out of the room and heading downstairs. "Stupid wench. So she remembered a little bit the whole time, huh?"

Inuyasha quickly left the house, heading for the backyard. He paused in the middle of it, noticing a tangled thicket of trees that made him sigh, shaking his head. The spot where she'd found him.

Inuyasha continued forward, heading to the cave.

He slowly walked into it, wrinkling his nose in disgust. "Ugh," he muttered, covering his nose. The place still reeked of old blood, from when he'd attempted to claw himself in hopes of ridding his body of another's soul.

His golden gaze swept the cave quickly, noticing the small blood splashes that stained the ground. He grimaced, rubbing at the spot that was over his heart. He could still remember the pain of his claws tearing into himself…

Inuyasha shuddered.

Why the hell had he come here?!

He turned around, a smile flickering across his face.

Oh, yeah. He wanted to remind himself just how much his wench meant to him, not that he'd forget.

Now it was time to go home and see her again.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Kagome and Miroku hurried into the Mansion, their eyes still gleaming with surprise as Miroku went to go find his wife and Kagome went to find the half-demon that she adored and loved.

"Inuyasha?" Kagome called, peeking into the half-demon's room. She smiled slightly when she saw him lazily reclined on his bed, looking impatient. At her voice, he glanced up and grinned, beckoning her over, muttering, "Get over here, stupid."

Kagome grinned, darting over and jumping onto the bed beside him, his arms immediately going around her waist and pulling her into his lap after sitting up, nuzzling her head affectionately. His eyes were warm, determined. "What'd you find out?"

Kagome became serious quickly, pursing her lips. "Oh, Midoriko-san knows Magatsuhi. Very well, might I add. The two were the ones who came up with the Jewel."

Inuyasha was startled by this. "Really?"

She nodded. "They were married," she murmured, messing with a lock of his silver hair. "She loved him, and he used her powers to create it. So she went away, taking the Jewel with her. But she lost it, and it was taken by some demon that was slain by my ancestor, and then passed it down. That's the reason she's still alive, she's mated to a demon."

Inuyasha's grip tightened around Kagome, resting his chin on her head, his mouth dry. "And destroying him?"

Kagome bit her lip. "We can't kill him without killing her," Kagome whispered.

Inuyasha growled in frustration. "Of course. I forgot. A mating bond allows you to connect your life span to the demons. Once you pass the mortal age limit, if your demon mate dies, you die. Simple as that."

She gave him a sharp look. "And she said we could."

"Excuse me?"

"She said we could kill him." Kagome murmured, "She said that she gave us her permission. She's tired of living, and the mating bond between the two is keeping her from peace. She said we had to break away from him first." Kagome's tone hardened. "We need to get my spiritual powers away from his control."

Inuyasha growled softly. "How helpful," he said sarcastically. "Like we didn't already do that."

Kagome giggled, tweaking his ear. "I know how to do it though. Or at least…" Kagome's face flushed red and she avoided his gaze. "I think I do. Miroku suggested it."

"Oh?" Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. "Do I even want to know? Miroku's ways are always perverted…"

Kagome huffed slightly, rolling her eyes, snuggling against him. "Huh. I'll tell you in the morning if you're going to be that way." She muttered.

"Ka-go-me," Inuyasha whined, tugging on a lock of her hair. "Tell me!"

"No, you're going to make fun of me!"

"Please?" He whined, "You owe me. I let you go with Miroku."

"That was ten times worse than going with you would've been," Kagome pointed out.

"Point taken," Inuyasha sighed, pleadingly looking at her. "Wench…"

"Fine," Kagome mumbled, avoiding his gaze again as she told him, "Miroku suggested actually getting together intimately, that might break any bonds with him left because apparently your aura would push out someone else's."

Inuyasha looked startled at this suggestion. But it could work… "And you'd become my mate right now? Just to get rid of it?"

Kagome's cheeks became tinted pink, making her look slightly innocent though Inuyasha knew she wasn't. "Yeah. And maybe I'm tired of waiting for it to be safe?"

Inuyasha grinned, his eyes already glowing happily as he tilted her head up to look at him, meeting her eyes. "You have a point there. It'll always be crazy."

And with that, Inuyasha slanted his mouth over hers.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

A/N: Shorter than I hoped, and I know Inuyasha went OOC towards the end . Oh well.