I own nothing but my o.c's

Sesshomaru and Shiori soared through the skies. They were following after Naraku's trail. Because Rin was kidnapped by Magatsuhi, she was likely with Naraku. This was the second time Naraku managed to snatch away Rin. They finally came to a giant cluster of miasma; within it was an enormous monstrous form.

"It's Naraku," Shiori comment.

"Even transformed, in the end you're still just a spider," Sesshomaru spat.

Above them, came a swarm of demons. Sesshomaru unleashed his sword.

"Bakusaiga!" he called.

The demons all suffered an instant death. Shiori watched in amazement. Even though he lost Meido Zangetsuha, he gained so much more.

"You don't waste any time, do you?" mused Byakuya, standing on the back of a demon.

"Byakuya of the mirage, huh?" Shiori observed.

He peered down at Shiori, "Oh…I see you brought your little girlfriend with you. Where've you been? You weren't at the last battle."

Sesshomaru icily glared at him.

"The power of your new sword really is amazing. Bakusaiga….or whatever it's called. Even after being cut, the corpses continue to be destroyed. Should the main body absorb those parts, it would also be destroyed. If you used it now, Naraku wouldn't stand a chance…..so why not kill him without restraint?"

"Rin," thought Shiori. She could also sense that Sesshomaru was worried about her as well. That's why he wasn't recklessly swinging his sword around.

"Worried about that child? I figured as much," Byakuya smirked. "She's right here…..inside of Naraku….."

"Huh?" Shiori turned around.

Naraku's body slowly opened up and released toxic webs in their direction. They easily dodged them and stared down into Naraku's body. Shiori could sense Inuyasha and his friends rapidly approaching them.

"Did Naraku open himself because we're all here?" she thought.

"Shiori, while in there don't do anything haste," Sesshomaru warned.

"How can I when Rin's life is on the line?" she asked.

She looked down into Naraku's darkness, before looking back at Sesshomaru. She didn't want to enter, but she knew she had to. They needed to save Rin and end this battle once and for all.

"My Lord,"

"Yes?" he asked her.

"No matter what happens next," she said, turning to him. "Joining you in battle 50 years ago….was the best decision I ever made."

He calmly looked at her, "Don't speak in such a way…..we're getting out of this alive…"

Sesshomaru and Shiori plunged down into Naraku's body. As they zoomed in, they were engulfed in Naraku's miasma. But because it was only Naraku's, not Magatsuhi's miasma, they weren't affected them. It did, however, make it difficult to see.

"What's going on? I can't sense Sesshomaru's life force anymore…."

She blindly flew around the cloud of miasma. Eventually, the cloud subsided. Shiori surveyed her grim surroundings. She was completely alone. She was from Sesshomaru in the miasma. Naraku's body was far larger on the inside then it appeared. It was like an enormous cavern. She slowly landed on the ground.

"Angel of Darkness," bellowed a voice.

"Naraku…" thought Shiori searching around. "Where are you?"

"I'm everywhere," taunted his voice. "You're inside my body, did you forget that?"

Shiori drew her weapon.

"You're searching for the little girl, aren't you?" he questioned her. "You'd better hope Sesshomaru isn't recklessly swinging his new sword. That poor girl may be in more danger than you thought."

"He would never do that," she fired back. "He knows Rin's life is at stake."

"Are you absolutely positive on that? Hasn't he made dangerous decisions before?" Naraku's face materialized in the wall of flesh in front of her. "What makes you thing he isn't making one now?"

"Hell Wrath!" she fired. She attacked his image, but the energy absorbed into the wall. His face disappeared. Suddenly, Naraku was standing right behind her.

"You really want to save her, don't you?" he snickered. "Does it still bother you that you couldn't save Kagura?"

She slashed his body. But he disappeared before her eyes.

"You couldn't save Kikyo either….." his voice continued taunting her.

"Silence!" she ordered.

"I know how hard you tried to save them," he bellowed. "But it wasn't within your power to do so. Do you still blame yourself?"

Shiori darted her eyes around. Where was he? She could sense him all around her.

"Tell me, when was the last time you visited that precious meadow of yours?" he jeered. "The one Kagura died in?"

Her eyes widened with hatred. She sensed something coming up behind her. Shiori tumbled out of the way and was nearly flattened by a tentacle. Naraku returned again. An evil smile played across his face. He rushed to attack, but he phased down through the ground. Suddenly, the ground underneath her started squirming around. It quickly, bolted up and pushed Shiori backwards. She caught her balance and hung in mid air. Just when she thought she was safe, she was under attack by a load of demons.

"Hell Wrath!" she fired. She killed them all in one swoop. Still, they managed to push her back a little.

"He's forcing me in this direction," she thought, "But why?"

"You can't go back, can you?" he questioned her. "It's too painful isn't it?"

"What are you trying to accomplish by bring all this up?" she demanded to know.

"Nothing, I just want to talk," he said. "It's been awhile since we've done that, haven't we?"

"This isn't real…..he's just another illusion," she thought. "Where's the real one?"

"What's the matter half tennin girl? Can't pinpoint my location?" his laughter echoed through Shiori's ears. "A full blooded tennin would've located me by now, Shiori. Doesn't that bring up sad memories of your terrible childhood? It's too bad your sister isn't here to 'protect you.' You'll never be anything like her."

"You know what? I am so sick of being lectured by my enemies about my life!" she scoffed. "I know myself better than anyone else in the entire world."

"Oh, do you?"

"Yes I do!" she screeched. "Why assume I had a bad childhood? Because I was teased a little for never doing anything right? So what? That's not a good enough reason for me to angst. You really think I'm that soft? And who says I want to be like Emi? I don't need to be like anyone other than myself. And as for your earlier comment, the answer is no! I don't blame myself. Neither Kagura, nor Kikyo's deaths were my fault. You are the one who killed them…and if you are the one who will pay."

His voice went silent, so Shiori continued, "I've been through hell….literally! I won't fall prey to your pathetic mind games, Naraku. Believe it or not, there are others who play even greater games….I've played with them, and won. There is nothing you can do to break me!"

"Nothing?" he slyly questioned. "I wouldn't be so sure about that….."

Suddenly, the flesh wall on her left opened up. Before she knew it, Shiori was being forced through by a gust of strong energy. She fell through and slammed down on the ground.

"Let the games…begin," echoed Naraku's voice.

"What's he talking about now?" she pondered.

She felt a sudden sensation travel down her spine. Something demonic was coming her way. Shiori stood to her feet and spun around. Two crimson eyes lured back at her from the darkness. Slowly, the creature stepped out of the shadows to reveal itself.

"In-Inuyasha?" she stammered. "He's become a full demon. I can practically see his demonic aura. But…..how? Is this Naraku's doing?"

Inuyasha lunged for Shiori's throat, but slid under him. What was wrong with him?

"Jaken mentioned something like this before," thought Shiori backing away from Inuyasha. "But it's only supposed to happen when he's not holding Tessaiga, or when his life is in danger….so why is he in demon form now?"

"Go ahead and kill him, Shiori," taunted Naraku. "Sesshomaru will be so proud."

Inuyasha attempted to attack Shiori again, but she caught his claws with her own hands. Inuyasha murderously stared at her. Shiori wasn't as strong as Inuyasha when it came to brute strength. Eventually, his muscles would over power hers. And she didn't want to do anything to hurt him.

"Inuyasha! Snap out of it!" she demanded.

But it was to no avail. His nails dug into Shiori's hands, drawing slight blood.

"It would be in your best interest to kill him soon," said Naraku.

"It's Rin…." She thought looking over Inuyasha's shoulder. She was definitely close by. And also… "Magatsuhi!"

Shiori sharply kneed Inuyasha in the stomach. He released her from his clutches, and she jumped over his shoulders. She quickly ran to save Rin. But Inuyasha was right on her heel. He was moving in fast. Just as he was about to lung on her back, she turned around and shot him with a purification beam. She was worried about seriously injuring him, so she only used a light beam. Inuyasha fell down to the ground. Shiori stopped running and turned to him.

"His aura…..it's dying down a little bit," she took a step toward him. "If I purified him, then—"

"Lord Sesshomaru! Lady Shiori!" cried Rin. "Someone please, save me!"

Rin ran around the corner. She was being chased by Magatsuhi.

"Rin!" shouted Shiori.

"Lady Shiori!" the girl ran toward her, but Magatsuhi jumped in front.

"Woman, you will be my new host body," he shouted. He suddenly zoomed straight for her.

"Look out!" Rin warned. "He's going to take over her body…just like what he did to Kohaku."

Just as Magatsuhi was about to possess Shiori, Inuyasha pushed her out the way. She watched as Magatsuhi took over Inuyasha's body.

"Inuyasha!" Shiori screamed. "You didn't have to do that!"

"Quick….Run," said Inuyasha.

Shiori shook her head, "No, I mean you really didn't have to do that! I have a barrier around my mind! Magatsuhi wouldn't have been able to possess me anyway!"

Inuyasha fell forward as his mind and body were consumed by the demon.

"Well, I originally wanted the girl," said Magatsuhi in Inuyasha's body. "But this half demon should prove to be a good match for Sesshomaru."

"If you think you're getting anywhere with that body, you're wrong!" she said coldly.

He smirked, "Inuyasha if much stronger than Kohaku. Therefore, expelling me from this body won't nearly be as easy. I have no reason to fear your ability."

Sesshomaru zoomed towards them. Kagome was dangling onto his fur pelt.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin yelled. "It's you!"

"Shiori and Rin," he calmly thought. "They're safe."

"Ah!" screamed Rin.

She was being pulled into the floor. Shiori quickly grabbed Rin's hand and tried to pull her out. But she was also being sucked down.

"Lady Shiori! We're still being pulled in!" Rin panicked.

"Rin, stay calm," Shiori answered. "He doesn't want me to purify Inuyasha of Magatsuhi. Is that why he's taking me as well? What's he planning now?"

Sesshomaru tried to reach them in time, but it was already too late. Shiori wrapped her arms around Rin as they were sucked completely through the floor. They were now trapped within Naraku's flesh. It felt more like they were gliding down through an eternal darkness.

"Lady Shiori," Rin sobbed while clinging to Shiori's chest. "I'm so scared…."

"I'm right here," Shiori comforted. "Don't worry."

They heard a dark mechanical laughter echoing around them. Rin began shaking with fear; she was petrified. Shiori tightened her grip around the young girl.

"You really care for that girl don't you Shiori?" It was Naraku again.

"Curse deflect!" Shiori expelled her spiritual energy around them and used it as a shield. Rin's body tingled with Shiori's sacred power.

"That energy barrier won't be enough to stop me….not now," he taunted her. "Maybe you should combined your spiritual with your demonic powers. That might be powerful enough to keep me away ."

"Be gone vermin!" she shouted. "I told you I won't be a part of your games."

He laughed again, "Oh that's right….you're holding onto a human girl. That type of power would most likely kill her. In that case…."

Rin was suddenly ripped from Shiori's hands. The girl screamed in terror as she was absorbed into the darkness.

"Rin!" Shiori cried. "You bastard!"

"And now your alone in the darkness," he jeered. "How fitting for one such as yourself. Are you not the Angel of Darkness? How disappointing…..I thought you would help corrupt the jewel..."

"Corrupt the jewel? What's he saying? I thought it was completely corrupted….."

"But you're still as stubborn as ever," he continued. "You refused to kill Inuyasha, just liked you refused to kill Reika. I don't understand you….are you really a demon at all?"

"And this is coming from the man with the human heart!" she spat. "No matter how many transformations you make….you will always have that heart. The one that lingers for Kikyo's love and affection….. The very thing you'll never have."

"Be silent!" he ordered.

"What's wrong, Naraku?" she smirked. "Did I hurt your feelings?"

"You little wench," he shouted.

Suddenly, Shiori was wrapped in tentacles. Naraku's form appeared before her.

"You will never leave this place alive," he said with disdain. "Pretty soon, your soul will be consumed by the Shikon Jewel. As will everyone else here. My enemies that long for my blood are filled to the brim with hatred! It is those negative feelings that the jewel hungers for.

"Negative…feelings?" she pondered.

They will all belong to the Shikon Jewel. All of our fates will soon be severed."

"Our fates will be severed," she said with a smug. "Because at the end of this battle….you will fall."

"Are you so certain?" he questioned.

"And I've told you before….You can't break me!" she snapped.

"Can't I?"

Shiori was engulfed in a blast of light. She gasped as she opened her eyes. She was suddenly standing at the edge of a meadow. There was a tiny little house in front of her.

"What on…Earth?" she muttered. "How did I?"

She stared in horror when she recognized the house as her own. It was the very hut she was born in. She was being shown an illusion of the Sacred Lands. But her heart suddenly skipped a beat when she saw an old foe approaching the door. It was Reika!

"This isn't just an illusion, it's a vision from the past…." She thought. "He's showing me one of my memories. But…I don't remember this."

Reika pounded on the door, "Hikari! Open up, I'd like a word with you."

A beautiful tennin woman slid open the door.

"Mother?" thought Shiori. "What is this…..I don't remember this at all. Why is Reika at our house?"

"What is now, Reika?" she spat at the woman. "What do you want?"

Reika shoved passed the woman and entered the hut.

"Is that anyway to talk to your queen?" she questioned.

"I'll talk to you however I want," Hikari snapped back. "You banished her! You banished my daughter because of your own insecurities!"

Shiori's eyes widened, "I've already been….banished? Then this vision is….."

"I banished her because she was a menace to society," said Reika. "She never listened to any type of instruction and was completely unruly. And she had weak, insignificant sacred powers. That girl will never be anything in life."

"Don't you dare talk about her that way!"

"And just what are you going to do about it?" questioned Reika with a smirk. "I've already hired some demons to kill her in the outside word. She's being shredded to pieces as we speak. She shouldn't be too much to handle. Like I said, she's nothing but a weakling."

"So it's not enough to banish her, but you try to kill her too?" Hikari's voice was breaking. "You won't get away with this. I'll stop you!"

"What can you do? You're nothing but a little tart that killed her husband for her shinigami lover," Rika sneered.

"That's not what happened at all!" Hikari retorted.

"That's what people are saying,"

Hikari tried to shove pass Rika, but was shoved back. Rika grabbed her by the throat.

"You make me sick you stupid little slut!" she harshly whispered. "If it weren't for you…Isao would still be mine!"

"Maybe if you didn't have such evil in your soul," said Hikari. "He would be…."

"No!" yelled Shiori. "No! Mother!"

She slashed at Reika, but she phased right through her. She couldn't do anything but watch.

"You stole him from me! And you had that filthy little tramp of a daughter! I should've been the one to bear his child!" she shirked as she violently shocked her body. "You will pay! I'll make you regret taking away the love of my life!"

"Fight back!" Shiori yelled. "What are you doing? Fight her!"

Hikari cringed in agony, "The only thing I regret…..is keeping so many secrets from my daughter. I hope someday….She can forgive me."

"I forgive you, Mother!" Shiori cried. "I forgave you a long time ago!"

"Don't worry, your daughter will be joining you soon in death," laughed Reika.

"She's far more powerful than you think," Hikari whispered. Reika dropped her onto the floor. "Shiori….I'm….so….sorry. Live long and fight, my daughter."

Hikari's eyes closed for the final time. Reika smirked in contempt and stormed away. She phased through Shiori's body.

"Mother!" Shiori screamed.

The illusion slowly started effacing, and Naraku's darkness emerged once more.

"Did you enjoy watching your mother's murder?" he taunted her.

She was still entangled by Naraku's roots. But that didn't matter to her now, she was still in complete shock. Shiori lowered her head and let her hair dangle into her face.

"Mother…..You didn't even put up a fight," thought Shiori sadly. Her eyes glistened. "Why? I never even got to say goodbye to you…"

"That's right Shiori," said Naraku appearing before her again. "Give me your despair….."

Just as her tears were about to fall, Shiori felt a strong spiritual presence. Over Naraku's head, was a faint pink light.

"That light….is it Grandmother's?" she thought. "No, it's…Kagome's! Kagome's spiritual energy, I can feel it. That means her powers have returned."

"What?" thought Naraku. "The light has returned to the Shikon Jewel…it's given hope to everyone."

The darkness that held her captive was beginning to disappear.

"You will regret the day you came into existence, you scum," Shiori bellowed. "I will live long and fight, just as my mother wanted me to do. Therefore, I can't give into my own despair…..there's still hope!"

She broke free of her restraints and drew Gin Tsugunai, "Doomsday Strike!"

She unleashed her attack in the direction of Kagome's light. The Naraku illusion disappeared along with the darkness. Her attack ripped down an entire wall of Naraku's flesh in a huge explosion. Shiori followed the blast and stepped out into Naraku's main body.

"Where am I now?" She thought.

She sprinted through Naraku's body. The ground was vibrating underneath her feet. The very walls were vibrating as well. It was almost like he was trying to close her in. Suddenly, the ceiling began falling all around her.

"Naraku's body….is finally breaking!" she thought as she flew through the body. "I can feel it…..I can feel something else to….could this be Naraku's own despair?"

She had to move fast. Enormous clumps of flesh were falling all over the place. Naraku was definitely at his end. She could sense Sesshomaru's energy…..though it was faint.

"Rin is with him….thank goodness she's safe from harm,"

…meanwhile….

"Give up Naraku!" shouted Inuyasha with Kagome by his side. "It's over!"

Naraku's half battered body was coasted above them on a web. Inuyasha had just dealt him a deadly blow with Tessaiga. Naraku was reaching his limits.

"It does appear that way, doesn't it?" he snickered. "However Inuyasha, there is something that is unable to be cut by neither Tessaiga nor Bakusaiga."

"Eh? You're just being a sore loser!" he spat.

"You mean your soul, right?" questioned Kagome. "Well that's why I'm here! To purify it!

"That's right, Kagome…." Thought Naraku. "In the end, it's a battle of our souls…."

Suddenly, Byakuya popped up behind Kagome. Before she could move, he slashed her in the back with a black blade. Inuyasha sprang into action and attacked Byakuya with Meido Zangetsuha.

"I was merely a detachment that would've died with the body anyway," he said as he was absorbed into the meido. "I have no regrets. My purpose has been fulfilled."

"Kagome, are you alright?" asked Inuyasha.

She looked down at herself, "I'm fine. I didn't feel anything at all…..but I could've sworn he slashed me…..what was he trying to do?"

The ground continued to break and Inuyasha grabbed Kagome.

"There's no place left to stand!" he shouted.

Naraku shot adamant at them, but Inuyasha countered with his meidos.

"Kagome! Shoot!" he hollered.

She lined up her bow and prepared to shoot. But just as she was about to fire, Naraku knocked them off course with a tentacle. They were pushed down.

"Inuyasha!" cried Kagome as they fell.

Suddenly, someone reached down and caught them both in the air. Both Inuyasha and Kagome looked up.

"Shiori?" Inuyasha gasped.

"This is what happens when you beat me to the scene Inuyasha," she said slyly.

She flew up with both of them and went back toward Naraku.

They were being cornered by clusters of Miasma. Shiori zoomed around to avoid them, but it was difficult. She was, after all, carrying two people.

"Shiori! Behind you!" Kagome warned.

Just as they were about to be struck, Sango's hirakotsu came hurling down at the clusters. They were instantly destroyed.

Sango, Miroku, and Shippo were flying towards them.

"You guys?" said Inuyasha. "You're okay too?"

Shippo jumped off Kirara's back and turned into a giant pink ball. Shiori landed down on top of them.

"Shippo! Why are you here?" Inuyasha demanded. Before they left, Inuyasha knocked Shippo unconscious to keep him from coming.

"A thank-you would've been nice!" Shippo pouted.

Miroku opened his windtunnel and sucked in the chunks of miasma.

"What are you doing?" Inuyasha shrieked.

"It's okay Inuyasha," replied Miroku. "The curse of the windtunnel is breaking, and my wounds are starting to close."

Shiori flew off Shippo and swung her sword at the incoming chunks.

"Hell Wrath!" she cried.

Suddenly, she sensed a powerful surge of demonic energy. The wall on their left was completely destroyed. Sesshomaru had finally arrived.

"Sesshomaru…." Uttered Shiori.

He stared at her, "Are you injured?"

"I'm fine," she softly replied.

He was followed by Ah-Un, who was transporting Kohaku, Rin, and Jaken.

"Sister!" he called out to Sango.

Sango looked down at him in surprise. What was he doing there? She told him to stay at the village.

"Lady Shiori! You're okay!" shouted Rin.

Shiori nodded at the girl.

"Ha! Bakusaiga's poison is spreading! Just as I thought! Lord Sesshomaru will be the one to kill Naraku," Jaken loudly proclaimed.

"Naraku discarded that part of his body!" Kohaku pointed out. "It's so he can avoid the spreading poison."

"Hmph, a worthless tactic," said Sesshomaru with ease.

Everyone was now assembled before Naraku. Inuyasha and Kagome were floating on top of Shippo. Miroku and Sango were next to them with Kirara. On their left, Sesshomaru and Shiori were suspended in the air, side by side. Ah-Un was beside them with Rin, Kohaku, and Jaken.

"So you've all come together? Comrades or whatever ridiculous thing you call yourselves," mocked Naraku.

"That's right," said Inuyasha. "And not one of us missing!"

Getting closer to the end guys :(