A/N: I…have no excuse x_x I'm sorry about the long wait! Hope you enjoy though! This is going to be the last chapter before the epilogue, so. :'3

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Kagome opened her eyes with a soft groan, pain flowing in her head as she tried to make sense of what had happened. She last remembered fleeing from Inuyasha, terror running through her mind. I need to go back, she had decided, skidding to a stop, Inuyasha needs me to do this, and it'll make him feel better! And then…nothing.

"Where am I?" the young miko whispered as she looked around her surroundings, pressing a hand to her head. And then she gasped, placing a hand on her still flat stomach, a flash of fear in her. Was her baby alright?!

She relaxed. Something inside of her told her the helpless baby was fine, thank the Kami.

Now, to focus on where she was. Kagome looked around herself, biting her lip. Her face paled slightly as she recognized where she was. She remembered this place alright, it had been the first place she had seen when she had woken up from whatever she had been forced into.

"Once again," a voice mused, making Kagome's blood run cold, "My plans for your little family were ruined because of Midoriko. I was going to let you keep your memories, return your powers, make you feel safe. And then I was going to have you purify and kill everyone nearby, but Midoriko had to go and try and remove the piece of me I planted in your mind."

Kagome glared at Magatsuhi with a look of pure hatred as he smirked and memories flooded her mind. "Why us?"

"You had the all-powerful Shikon no Tama," he replied, lifting a small bottle that Kagome immediately recognized. "I killed everyone that had one, and now there's only one piece missing." He moved forward, touching a finger to Kagome's forehead. She shuddered in disgust. "And that one piece is right here."

Kagome squared her shoulders, pursing her lips and jerked away from him, scowling. "What do you want with the Shikon no Tama?"

"The Shikon no Tama, did you know," Magatsuhi mused. "Used to belong to Midoriko and me before she betrayed me. When she was my mate. It pushed our hearts into the same Jewel so that both of us would unable to live without the other. The good Midoriko and me." A sneer curled across his lips. "I want it to be utterly defiled. I want it to kill her."

Kagome pursed her lips. "What did she do to make her hate you so much? Midoriko-"

Pain suddenly lashed through her and Kagome cried out, clutching the cheek he had snapped his hand across. "Don't speak that name, you little bitch," he spat. Then he crossed his arms, a snarl upon his face. "She betrayed me," he hissed, "She betrayed her mate, going off and messing around with some other bastard. I caught them, they couldn't deny it."

"I'm sure that's not what happened," Kagome rasped, her eyes widening with fake astonishment. I need to keep him talking, that'll give me more time to figure out what to do.

Magatsuhi smirked, leaning closer and practically towering over her, making Kagome shrink away from him. "Oh, but it is. I killed the man, bastard deserved it. Midoriko…I couldn't kill her without killing myself. So I sent her away, told her to never come back. Bitch lied, said that he'd forced himself upon her. But I know better, everyone betrays me in the end."

Kagome's eyes softened slightly. "Forgive her," she said softly, startling the demon. A growl reverberated throughout her mind, followed by a snarl, and Kagome froze until a familiar voice growled, "Keep him talking, Kags. Don't stop what you're doing. We're sneaking up."

Inuyasha. He was here. Kagome's eyes pricked with tears and she fought the urge to cry in relief. Magatsuhi had a thunderous look on his face, and Kagome quickly added, "Midoriko still loves you, forgive her. Forgive and forget, Magatsuhi-san."

"Shut up!" the demon screeched, his eyes flashing with a pain. He took it out on her, raking his claws down her arm. Kagome bit her lip so she wouldn't cry out. "If she forgives me, I can't forgive her. She ruined everything! I was a Kami! I gave up everything for her!"

Kagome's blood ran cold.

"What's wrong?" His voice whispered in her mind, concern lacing in it. "Tell me. Think it and I'll here, Kags."

Kagome swallowed hesitantly, pausing before whimpering back, "He's not just a demon, Yash. He's a fallen Kami, a fallen god. Kami help me, he's going to kill the baby if he keeps this up…hurry!"

A deep snarl echoed in her head and Kagome knew immediately that her mate would be there soon. "I'm sorry, Magatsuhi. I really am. But-"

"You know nothing," the fallen god's voice hissed and suddenly Kagome was pinned to where she'd been sitting, the demon's taunt body pressed up against her. Kagome froze, her breath hitching in fear. A cruel smirk lit his gaze and he taunted, "Perhaps I should show you how I felt." Clawed fingers skimmed down her body, pausing at her stomach.

"Stop it," Kagome whispered, fear racing through her as she attempted to shove Magatsuhi off. "Get off!"

But he ignored her, just barely pressing his claws into her stomach. "Perhaps I should kill your pup?" he suggested harshly, laughing. "Would that be enough pain to show you how I felt?"

Kagome gave a sob, shoving at him. "Please, stop," she sobbed. "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry for what happened to you, Magatsuhi-san, but please! Stop!"

He smirked. "I don't think so," he whispered in response, tensing his arm to plunge it into her.

And then a massive sharp blade slid between them, the sharp edge at Magatsuhi's throat. "Get your fucking hands off of my mate."

Magatsuhi calmly pulled his hands away, still grinning madly. "Ah, Inuyasha, you showed up," he said with a smirk. "It took you a while, didn't it?"

The half-demon gave him a glare full of pure rage. "Move back slowly, Magatsuhi."

As he did as told, Sesshomaru appeared, keeping a close eye on the demon and fallen god as Inuyasha turned his attention on Kagome. "Kagome," he said softly. "Come over here."

She gave a quick nod, darting over to his side. He held out his arms and she buried herself into his chest with a sob, her arms winding around him. He buried his face in his hair, breathing in her scent and tightening his free arm around her waist. "Are you both alright?"

Kagome nodded, whispering, "He didn't hurt us, I promise."

"Good," Inuyasha breathed, relief flicking onto his face. Then he turned a cold look on Magatsuhi, who was slowly beginning to laugh. "What's so funny?"

"Don't you know?" Magatsuhi laughed, "Who controls her right now? Who controls every single piece of her pathetic mind?"

"Nobody," Inuyasha responded, growling softly as he pushed her behind him, ears pinned against his head. "Nobody controls Kagome. And stop calling her things, she's not pathetic!"

"Oh, really," Magatsuhi breathed, leaning forward until he was a breath away, Sesshomaru silently stiffening, preparing to launch forward if he had to. "Then why, half-breed, can I do this?"

Kagome blinked, feeling as confused as Inuyasha. And then she felt it. A familiar warming sense that started in the base of her mind and slowly grew. "No," she whispered, panicking as she stared at Magatsuhi in horror. "Stop! STOP!"

Inuyasha snarled, pointing the Tetsusaiga at him. "What are you doing?!"

"Oh, just something," Magatsuhi replied with a smirk. "Your puppy is half-demon just like you. Now, half-breed, do you know what happens when a miko's powers mix with a demon's?"

Inuyasha whirled to face Kagome, looking horrified and Kagome gave a sob as she struggled to push her powers back, or at least block them.

"Magatsuhi," a voice said suddenly, tone sharp and angry.

Magatsuhi jerked in surprise, whirling to face the owner and snarling. "…you." He forgot completely about torturing the pair of mates nearby in favor of snarling. "What did you do, you bitch?!"

Midoriko smiled calmly, saying simply, "Just as bad tempered as when we saw each other earlier, aren't you?" He snarled. "I simply did as I told you I was going to do. At least, I did as best as I could with Kagome-chan in your control, listening in on our conversations." The ancient woman pulled out a simple phone. "I just have to call Miroku-kun, Magatsuhi. And he'll tell the Kami I've sent him to."

Magatsuhi froze. Then he gave a violent curse, spitting out in a hiss, "You bitch!"

She gave a faint smile. "As you've said multiple times, my love."

The demon faltered at the old nickname that he hadn't heard in centuries. Kagome desperately went through her mind, her arms wrapped protectively around herself. Inuyasha rumbled, moving silently closer and reassuringly nuzzled her head, his arm going around her and laying a hand on her stomach. "Come on," he murmured in her ear, shooting Sesshomaru a pointed look. The demon nodded, slipping out of the room. "Let's-"

Magatsuhi suddenly snorted, glancing at them and smirking. "Huh. Is my little Kaggies trying to escape?"

Kagome winced at the malicious way he said her old nickname, her eyes widening slightly. She remained silent, and then said softly, "Magatsuhi, you don't have to be like this." She showed her slightly glowing hands in explanation. "Killing the man that was forcing himself on Midoriko-san…that's okay. But you don't have to torture and kill us."

Magatsuhi bared his blunt teeth. "I've enjoyed killing everyone and anyone that has anything to do with her." He wrenched his head in Midoriko's direction. "There's no way in hell I won't kill you before I die, you little wench."

Kagome recoiled away and Inuyasha snarled angrily, pointing Tetsusaiga at him. "Leave her alone, Magatsuhi."

Magatsuhi smirked. "Alright then, I will." He gave a short, biting laugh. "But let's make a deal. I'll leave her alone, as well as your child, if…" He was thoughtful and then grinned. "If I leave them alone, you die."

"How about no," Kagome snapped, her eyes filling with anger at the thought.

Inuyasha ignored her, glaring at Magatsuhi. But then he said in a calm tone, "You'll leave them alone?"

"Yes, yes," Magatsuhi agreed eagerly, smirking at them. "You have to die though."

"Inuyasha!" Kagome cried angrily, desperately searching for an idea to get some sense into him. "What are you thinking? No!"

Inuyasha snorted softly, glancing at his mate with a wink as he replied through her mind, "Don't worry, Kags. I'll be fine. Go."

Kagome hesitated, uncertain as to whether or not she wanted to actually listen to him. But then she gave a small nod, tears pricking her eyes as she kissed his cheek, and then headed for the door, disappearing outside.

Inuyasha turned on Magatsuhi, eyes cold, and Midoriko smiled gently at the half-demon. "Inuyasha-kun, go to your mate. I will deal with him. You…you know what to do."

Magatsuhi snarled, glaring at Inuyasha. "I still have control over your mate, half-breed," he spat, "You go anywhere and her and your pups' lives are over within seconds."

"Actually," Inuyasha said with a snort, "I'm not that stupid. We found an old, old demon that's taking care of that bond you have with her right now. It's going to be gone in a few moments." He glanced at Midoriko as Magatsuhi whirled on her. "I'm sorry, Midoriko," he said honestly, surprising the miko with his lack of usual grouchiness. He was genuinely sorry, apologetic for what was about to happen.

She smiled at him. "Don't worry, Inuyasha-kun. I don't mind." Power flared from her hands, surrounding her mate. "Live happily with you mate, and just don't forget what people have done for you."

"What are you up to?" Magatsuhi snarled viciously as Inuyasha gave a curt nod and disappeared out of the door like his mate had moments ago. "What are you doing?"

"We're going to destroy you once and for all, my love," Midoriko said simply, her voice full of grief. "You can't change back to how you once were when you were a gentle man. I realize that now. But I'll die with you. You won't be alone again." Tears began to roll down her face, as she reached over to stroke his cheek lovingly.

Magatsuhi ripped his face away from her, eyes blazing with pure rage. "You'll go to Hell with me, woman."

She gave a warm smile, closing her eyes. "I'll welcome it."

And then there was a large crashing and booming as the building went up in flames, explosions ringing out through the once peaceful air, tearing the massive structure and the only two inside apart.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Kagome's eyes shot wide with horror as she watched the flames tearing through the building, smoke billowing. Behind her and Sesshomaru, who stood next to her, watching the burning and still exploding building with a calm look in his eyes, people screamed and scattered to avoid debris that flew from it. "Inuyasha," she whispered. Panic rose within her, and she cried, "Inuyasha!"

Sesshomaru glanced at her with a snort. "Calm down, miko, the half-demon will not have died so easily."

"He didn't come out with me," Kagome whimpered, "I shouldn't have listened to him."

"Miko," Sesshomaru said sharply, waning.

"This is my entire fault," Kagome continued to babble, her eyes filling with tears. "Everything is my fault. I should've died, too, this is all my-"

"Seriously, woman, you need to learn when to shut up," a voice rasped in her ear as arms wrapped around her.

"Inuyasha, you're okay!" Kagome cried, whirling around and throwing her arms around the dazed half-demon's neck. He rumbled faintly, reassuringly in her ear and nuzzled her mating Mark gently, relieved that he was alright. "Don't scare me like that again!"

"Says the woman who has been worrying the hell out of me for over a year," he muttered back, closing his eyes tiredly. "You alright?"

"Yes," Kagome replied softly, burying her face in his chest as tears began to leak out of her eyes, soaking his singed shirt. "You?"

"A few burns, but other than that yes," Inuyasha answered with a fang-baring grin, eyes glowing with amusement. "Oi, Sesshomaru. What the hell are you smirking at?"

Kagome twisted to see Sesshomaru doing exactly that, snickering slightly and surprising her. Sesshomaru never laughed. It just wasn't him. "It appears," the demon stated bluntly, "That you don't have an excuse to piss my mate off now. Or to go off and drink yourself into idiocy."

"What does he mean?" Kagome asked curiously as Inuyasha winced and flattened his ears. "Inuyasha?"

"It's nothing," he insisted, flushing and kissing her forehead. "Forget it."

She smiled and shook her head in response, closing her eyes and enjoying his warmth as what was left of the horror in their lives burned before them.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

A/N: The last chapter. Terrible, but that's 'cause I grew tired at the end. It's time to end this storyline, so…anyhow! Next is the epilogue!