Last Time: Easily, Sesshomaru landed on his feet. Yes, his female had managed some blows, and he too was bleeding, but not nearly as much as her. When she flew at him again, he caught her by the arm and tossed her away, none too gently, but not as roughly as he could. Every muscle in his body tightened when Kagome hit the ground hard and didn't get up. "Miko." He started toward her. "Miko!" Her aura said that something was wrong. She was more hurt than he'd thought. "KAGOME!" He ran to her.

Inutaisho and the others stayed back, not wanting to be in the way though they too were worried. He crossed his arms, leaning forward on his toes. "Come on, Kagome."

"Little one?" Naraku whispered to himself.

Sesshomaru rolled his mate onto her back. Her face was scratched up terrible, a large gash on the right side of her forehead. "Kagome," She wasn't unconscious. That he could tell, so the battle wasn't over, "Kagome, say something."

Her eyes dilated and began to glow a faint magenta as her youkai beast blended with her miko energy. She looked to him, blinked, then smirked broadly as her aura began to flare wildly around her. Oh, the Battle was only getting started.


Sesshomaru's eyes widened as his mate's hands wrapped tightly around his neck, her thumbs pressed to his Adam's apple, pushing forcefully, but not enough to choke him. Forcing herself up, Kagome smirked at him. "My Sesshou," her voice as hollow, seemingly mixing with someone else, "do I surprise you?" A seductive smile broke out on her pale face as she released a large wave of her energy, causing Sesshomaru to be tossed back several yards.

Spotting him about to get up, Kagome raced at him, swiping viciously with her claws at his chest. Sesshomaru inhaled deeply, kicking her off of him. Standing, he stiffened into a battle position. 'Where is this coming from?' Leaping toward his mate, he grabbed her sternly by the neck, lifting her up. "Miko," he drawling, trying to lock eyes with her, but her eyes were clouded thickly, "are you well?"

Dangling, Kagome looked down at him, blinked, then smirked. "Of course," her voice was an eerie soft, "why ever do you ask?" Kicking her legs lightly, she began to swing back and forth, her eyelids lowering until her eyes were closed. With each second, her kicking grew more forceful. When she was rocking with so much force that Sesshomaru grew afraid for her, she suddenly kicked him in the stomach.

Eyes wide, Sesshomaru placed a hand on his abdomen as blood spewed from his mouth. When he hit the ground, he resisted the urge to cry out. It felt as though a torpedo had torn into his stomach. His eyes narrowed. So that was how his mate wanted to play it? Smirking, he wiped his lips. 'We shall play then, miko!' He burst up from the ground and dashed at her so quickly that a loud boom followed after him.

Kagome simply laughed loudly, maniacally when Sesshomaru's arms encircled her waist, and he slammed her into the ground. Looking up, she gazed into his ruby eyes and smirked. "The beast has come to play?"

"We are not playing." Sesshomaru growled back, rearing his head back, then smashing it down into hers.

"Ow!" She pouted as though nothing had happened before pushing him off aggressively. A trail of blood trickled down her face, staining her lips crimson. Licking the blood from her upper lip, she rolled over to avoid Sesshomaru's flying fists. She gasped loudly when he punched a whole into the ground. "That was almost my face!"

"Almost." Sesshomaru looked down his long nose at her crouched form. He followed her with his eyes as she shuttled into the air. Naturally, he leapt after her, catching her leg when she lifted her it to kick him in the face. "I think not." Twisting her leg, so that he body followed in the same awkward way, he flung her back to the ground.

Kagome sat up from her crater and growled viciously. "You bastard, that actually hurt! Are you trying to kill me?!"

"I am doing what I must!" He tilted forward in a nosedive, aiming at her.

Narrowing her eyes, she bit her lower lip and cried out, unleashing a strong, lengthy wave of miko energy.

Sesshomaru howled as the pure energy burned against his skin.

Inuyasha nearly choked. "W-what is she doing?! That could kill him!"

Inutaisho grimaced, tightening his hold on his mate's shoulder. "I know…maybe she really is fed up with him."

Naraku, though, knew that something was wrong. Kagome had told him that she still loved Sesshomaru and couldn't imagine him dead. She'd been in tears when he'd had the heart attack. He had the strangest feeling that Kagome wasn't doing. And if his theory was right…he knew who was behind it. Leaving his tree, he trekked into the forest a ways and frowned as he felt dark energy circling in one area. Slowing, he pushed back a branch and glared. "Kikyo."

Turning, she smirked. "Hello, Naraku-kun."

"What are you doing?"

"Sesshomaru took my child. I want him dead." She smashed the small wooden, black haired doll in her hand into the silver haired one and giggled when she heard Sesshomaru snarl. "And Kagome…well, just imagine the way she'll feel knowing he died at her hands."

"I won't let you do this."

Kikyo puckered her lips. "Oh?" She practically moaned. Bringing the black haired doll to punch the Sesshomaru doll in the back, she chuckled, "Stop me."

Naraku grabbed her by the arm and tossed her to the ground.

Sesshomaru's eyes widened as Kagome was suddenly tossed to the ground by an unknown force. Then when she cried out, gripping at her stomach as though she'd been kicked in it, he knew something was wrong.

Kikyo gagged as she was strangled, clutching Naraku's arms tightly./ Kagome coughed, grabbing at unseen but felt arms as her breathing became restricted.

Naraku narrowed his eyes menacingly. "I warned you not to hurt her." Grabbing her tightly by the arm, he flung her through the air, his stomach churning when he heard Kagome cry out. He'd forgotten they were connected! Racing to the battle field, he found both her and Kikyo on the ground, writhing and grabbing their heads. "Kagome!"

At the same time, the two being on the ground rose on their hands and knees, glaring at each other. "Y-you!" And as Kagome sprang forward, they began to tussle. Kagome yelped as Kikyo grabbed a handful of her full hair.

"Let me go you wench!"

"You let go!"

"Same time." Slowly, suspicious of the other, they released each other. Once their hands were by their sides, Kikyo's shot out, tangling in Kagome's hair, and throwing her clear across the battlefield. Upon hearing Kagome's back crack against a tree, Kikyo smirked. "I win."

Sesshomaru howled, loud, outraged, seeking vengeance for his mate. But before he reached the miko, Naraku had slung his arm around her neck, squeezing. After being certain that the hanyou wasn't choking the wench, and indirectly his mate, he rushed to attend to her.

Naraku held Kikyo a bit tighter when she began to struggle, careful that what he was doing would do Kagome no harm. "You disappoint me, sister."

"D-don't call me that."

"You didn't seem to mind before." He snarled.

Kikyo scratched at his arms with her small claws. "You wouldn't be able to call me that if Urusuei hadn't used your hair to make me. I'm not you, got it?! And if you want this hair, have it back!"

"Fool." Naraku hissed. "I'm taking my beloved's soul back."

"Y-you wouldn't."

The hanyou smirked, his fangs glinting. "I am." He placed a hand on her chest, mumbling a cantation.

"S-stop!"

His mumbling grew a bit louder, allowing the surrounding people to hear a few words,"Unleash…..soul…shall…."

"AGH! Stop it!" She arched her back in pain.

He grew louder still, "Shall you unleash the soul from this useless body. Shall you unleash the soul from this useless body."

Kikyo tossed her head back, screaming in pain as the soul began leaving her body. "I-I won't die without taking…you…with…ME!" She drove her hand through his stomach, blooding gushing from the wound when she removed it.

Naraku did not flinch as blood poured from his mouth, nothing to stop it. "Die Kikyo." He whispered the cantation one last time, and when Kagome's soul had been released, he cracked Kikyo's neck and tossed her lifeless body aside. Stumbling to where Kagome was surrounded by her family, cradled in Sesshomaru's arms, he felt his heart drop. Three of her ribs were broken, jutting out of her back. Her once smooth, milky white back was covered in blood and bruises. "K-Kagome." All eyes turned to him as his own rolled back in his head and he fell to the ground.


Bankotsu's POV

I tiptoe into my little sister's hospital room, my breath hitching as I see her. "Y-you look like hell, Kagome," I whisper, though I know she can't hear. My lively little sister is laying in a bed, looking half death. She isn't even white anymore. No, she's a pale grey, almost translucent. Her lips are dry, cracked. In her right arm is an IV, one she'll no doubt attempt to snatch out when she wakes up. Smiling at the thought, I toss the folder in my hand onto the nightstand and start to stroke her black and light grey locks. What used to be full and lustrous raven and silver is now dull and brittle black and pale grey.

Pulling the sheets back, I look her over. She's thin, but she isn't bleeding through her bandages. That's a good sign. "A week and a half, little sister. A week and a half. Why is it taking you so long to heal? Because of that Kikyo wench? She's dead, you know? Naraku killed her and got your soul back. He's in the room next to you. She stuck him in the stomach. He just woke up this morning, but he can't have any visitors. Shoot, the only ones who want to visit him is our family, and that's only to thank him.'

I smile at her, beaming the best I can. I continue on, even when my voice cracks, "You know, with you looking like a damn zombie, it's surprising that your milk is alright for the pups and Kanna. When Sesshomaru visits with you, he pumps you. I bet it's hard for him…and awkward too." I force a chuckle. "I've done it before too. I'll tell you, I've seen bigger tits on a teenager."

My eyes harden as I hear her heart skip a beat. "Don't you dare die on me, Kagome. I'll…I'll, Kami I don't know what I'd do! I was going to say I'd kill you, or hit you, or piss on your grave or something but, but…I can't keep joking like this, Kagome. How could you do this to us? How could you create that monster? Sesshomaru would have lived just fine without that arm. He's said it a thousand times since you've been here. You didn't need to make her. S-so why did you?! You can't be that stupid and selfless, Kagome! You just can't!"

The door opens and a nurse rushes in. "Calm down, please. We can't have you in here sending bad vibes to the patient. Besides, visiting hours are over."

"N-no. I'm not going anywhere yet…Just, let me finish up. Please. I'll be calm." I promise desperately.

Though she looks reluctant, she nods and leaves the room. "Five minutes."

Nodding, I wait until she's closed the doo to turn back to Kagome. "Well, sis, I gotta go now. You wake up soon. U-um, that folder next to you is some stuff I dug up on Naraku, to help with your decision, ya know? Sesshomaru said that there won't be another battle. He says that if you live, you can decide and if you pick Naraku, h-he'll try to be fine with it." A watery smile spreads on my lips. "Wake up soon, squirt." Pecking her lips gently, I press my forehead to hers. "Don't make me hate you for eternity, Kagome. Come back to us." Drawing back, I stalk back out of the room, determined not to be weak and cry.


Kagome's Pov

Ugh, my lids are heavy, and I feel like I was run over by an eighteen-wheeler. I open my mouth to speak, but find that I have no voice. I open my eyes, though it takes what seems like forever. I'm in a clean why hospital room it seems. Nice stuff. Sesshomaru must have spent some nice change on it. My head lolls to the side against my will and I look at the envelope on the table. Inhaling, I smile weakly. 'Ban.' My stupid arm is almost completely paralyzed.

I try to growl, but my throat burns. Sighing, I try to lift my arm, and though it's numb, I can move it a bit. After a few goofy looking flops, I manage to land my hand on the envelope. Dragging it onto the bed, I manage, just barely, to open it. My eyes widen with each word I read, then fill with tears somewhere at the bottom of the page. 'Oh my god.'


Normal POV

"Sesshomaru, are you sure that's what they said?" Inutaisho asked frantically, following his son. "I mean, you could have confused the word 'awake' with anything!"

"I know what the doctor said. She said that Kagome was awake." Sesshomaru replied simply, slamming his car door. His hands were moist with sweat as he strolled into the hospital, his father, step mother, and younger brother just behind. Kagome's family would be there any minute. Heading to the main desk, he said, "Taisho, Kagome." Impatiently, he tapped his claws on the desk.

The young boy's brown eyes scanned the computer screen quickly. "I'm sure you know what room, milord. She is able to have visitors at this time, and is making wonderful progress."

"Sesshomaru!" Sota jogged up to his brother in law. "Is it true?! She's up?! Can she talk?! Oh, is she paralyzed?! By God, if she'd para-"

"Sota, let him answer." Kenji chided, slapping his hands onto his son's shoulders. "Well, Sesshomaru, is it true?"

"It appears so." Sesshomaru turned on his heels, hurrying down the halls, then up three flights of stairs to his mate's room. Uncertainty paused him at the door. Even if she was making good progress, that didn't mean she didn't still look sick, and injured. Seeing her in a hospital bed would only at to his grief and guilt because he was unable to protect her.

Izayoi smiled comfortingly, laying a soft, gentle hand on his. "It'll be fine, Sesshomaru." She knocked twice at the door.

When no answer came, Sesshomaru slowly opened the door, cautiously entering. He smiled a little as he saw Kagome trying to lift herself up into the bed from her wheelchair. "Miko," He called to her gently.

"Hi, guys." She rasped in a monotone. "You know, it's been a whole day since I woke up and ak- and you're all just getting here."

"We were only just notified." Sesshomaru carefully advanced toward her to assist. "However, that is no excuse. There had been something tugging through our connection, but I assumed it was merely my wishful thinking." He placed his hands on her shoulders, and she looked up at him. While his eyes widened in horror, his family gasped loudly.

Kagome blinked slowly, almost lazily. Her eyes weren't the wide, joyous one's they all knew. No, now she gazed at them through dreary yellow, emotionless orbs, the bags under her eyes heavy and dark against her grayish skin. "Is there a problem?" Her voice came out hollow, with a slight echo like a ghost or spirit.

Hardly noticing the way his hands trembled, Sesshomaru cupped he cheeks. "No," he lied, more for himself than for her. "No, everything is perfectly fine, my miko."

She smiled a smile that didn't even come close to her eyes. Her body was tense as Sesshomaru lifted her out of the chair and laid her down on the bed, tucking the sheets around her tightly, but mindful of her injuries.

"Why…why have they placed you in a wheelchair so early?" Reaching for the small, white comb on her nightstand, he lifted it to her hair and gently began to work the tangles out. He sat beside her, his eyes light as he recalled the last time he'd done so for her.

"I made them. You know how I…hate immobility." She whispered softly, then looked to her family, whom seemed to shrink further back into the wall. "What's wrong with you people? I've…been out for God knows how…long and you're as far from me…as possible. Do I look…diseased or something?"

"No!" Inuyasha shouted, then rocked back and forth on his heels, his hands in his pockets as he chuckled uneasily. "I-I mean, no. You look good."

Sango chose the moment to rush in, Miroku just behind her. "We heard that Kagome…What happened to your face?!" She cried out. "Y-your eyes…"

"My eyes what?" Kagome closed them, nudging Sesshomaru away and lying back on the bed.

Ayumi shook her head, waving her hands to say, 'Don't tell her!'

"A-are gorgeous as ever! Wow, Kagome." Sango finished lamely, slumping in her husband's arms.

"You're a horrible liar, Sango. I thought you would have realized that by now." Kagome sighed, her eyes cutting to the door when there was a knock. "Enter."

Naraku stalked in stiffly, using one hand to clamp his gown closed in the back. "You are awake, little one."

"Hm." Kagome turned her head to look at him. "I see you're in the hospital as well…Onigumo."


Naraku's POV

My spine goes rigid, and I can feel the blood draining from my face. "W-what did you call me?"

"I called you by your name. Onigumo Kumo."

"W-who," I feel my throat closing, "Are you delusional, Kagome?"

"Do I look like a fool to you?" Is her reply as she reaches over Sesshomaru to grab a yellow folder from her nightstand. "You're not he Naraku Kuro I know, are you? You Kyo born Onigumo Dai Kumo."

I fist then unfist my hand. "Kagome, listen-"

Her eyes harden further than they already are. "Listen to what, Onigumo? More lies? I don't want to hear anymore. I want the truth."

"How much do you know?" I whisper lowly, praying that she won't hear me, but she does.

"I know everything. So start at the beginning." She hisses, clenching her fists as her dull eyes spark with anger.

I drag myself to a chair at her bedside, on the opposite side of Sesshomaru. My heart races in my chest, threatening to burst out. She was never supposed to find out. I wasn't supposed to have to explain this all to her. This isn't supposed to be happening.

"I'm waiting."

Drawing in a shaky breath, I begin, "I was born in Kyo, a small town outside of Kyoto, to my father, Onigumo Dai Kumo Sr. and my mother, Kaguya Kumo." I look up to see Kagome glaring intensely at me, and instantly my head shoots back down.

"You told me you never killed anyone."

"I-I didn't."

"You didn't?" She laugh bitterly. "You didn't?! Who was Kagura, then?! Kagura, Tsubaki, Hakudoshi?! Did you not get charged with murder for those three cases, Onigumo?!" Her face is turning red with the anger she directs at me.

"I…I didn't kill them."

Kagome snorts, tossing the papers at my face. "Then you tell me what happened to them!"

Clutching the papers in my hands, I stare into the face of my older sister, Kagura, as beautiful as the day she died. "Kagura did not gain my father's demonic power as I did, and she hated that." I explain softly. "So one day, she asked me- No, she begged me to use my power to summon a horde of demons. She wanted them to feed off of her body, to make her stronger…but that didn't happen." My shoulder's tense. "They arrived, they devoured her, and then they left, leaving nothing behind but the fan she carried with her."

Her eyes seem to soften at this. "A-and Tsubaki and Hakudoshi?"

"Tsubaki…and Hakudoshi were…" I bow my head lower, "My wife and son."

"Your w-wife and son? Y-you-"

"I did not love her, Kagome. I swear that you are the only woman I have ever loved romantically. I married her because I needed her. She kept me peaceful and sane. We were friends who married. But then, then she began to stay out late, and eventually she moved out." I cough as it becomes harder to speak. "My other charges…kidnapping, rape, domestic abuse…I did those to her. I dragged her back home, slept with her against her will, and I beat her, furious that she had left me." I start to tremble. "I came home one day, and things were off. Coming to the bedroom we shared, I found her on the bed, a gun in her hands. We wrestled as I tried to take it from her. I was shot a few times, then it went off a fourth time and she…and she."

I burn the papers in my hands before grasping at my head, rocking. "She fell backward, and her blood, her blood spilled under her. Her pulse was gone, but the baby's, the baby's was still there. I tried, I tried so hard to be hurry and get him out, but I was too late…A neighbor had called the police when she heard the commotion. They came and saw Tsubaki's mutilated body because I had to cut her open." I cover my mouth when I feel the urge to vomit. "I held my son to me, as though he were still alive. They pried him from me and dragged me off."

I'm afraid to see Kagome's face, but when I do, it's one of pity, and anger, and hate, and sadness. Tears burn down her face as her body quivers worse then mine. "A-and all of those men that were on your murder list?"

"Men?" My brows furrow. "I remember no men." My eyes widen as a series of memories flash through my mind. "I-I did. I killed them simply because I wanted to." I try to reach for her when she turns away, but she flinches.

"Don't touch me!"

Sesshomaru and her family are glaring at me as Sesshomaru tries to calm her. "You don't understand." I shake my head. "Kagome, you don't understand."

Kagome whimpers. "I can't believe it. I-I won't believe it. Those hands…those hands that touched me so delicately…they couldn't be a killer's hands. They just couldn't be. It was because you were youkai, right? That's fine then."

"It had nothing to do with me being youkai. I'm malicious. I just…I just wanted to."

"No. I refuse to believe you could. Someone who can love the way you do, someone who could make love the way you do can't possibly be a coldhearted killer. There has to be a reason. Tell me what it is."

"There's no-"

"Don't lie to me again…please don't lie to me again, Onigumo."

I furrow my brows tersely. I- I can't bring myself to tell her. "Kagome, I am a killer." I say in the coldest voice I can manage. "My initial plan was to kill you," I lie, "After I made use of your body, I was going to kill you. To think that you honestly believe the words I spoke. Every 'I love you' I said was an utter and complete lie. Once I began to take pity on you, I decided against killing you." I shrug. "I'd just fuck you until I couldn't bring myself to touch you again." She gasps, and my heart breaks.

Sesshomaru growls loudly, and I smirk, slipping into my 'Onigumo' mode. It is all I can do to keep from telling her the truth. "You truly thought I loved you? Didn't you realize when I nearly killed you removing your mark that I only wanted to hurt you? It's so entertaining messing with you humans."

Kagome's breathing grows labored, her face contorting in pain as her heart monitor speeds up drastically. "Get out of here!" Sesshomaru yells viciously. "Father, get a doctor!"

I make no move to leave. No one does. Because for some strange reason, Kagome calms when there is a knock at the door. When she gives her permission weakly, it flies open, and there…there is…

"F-father. M-mother." I breathe.


Normal POV

"Hello, son." Onigumo Dai Kumo Sr. smiled as he stuck his hands into his pockets. "You have no idea how worried I've been about you, just disappearing like that. Thank God the doctor's contacted us around the time you checked in. Sorry it took so long." He held his arm around his ex-mate's waist, pinching her hip.

"Y-yes. Sorry it took so long." She smiled wearily.

Sesshomaru rose from Kagome's bed, wheeling Kagome's food cart aside. He approached the couple and spoke, "Take this to his room." He ordered.

"Actually," Onigumo smirked, "we need to speak with your mate as well, Lord Sesshomaru. Did you know our boy was sleeping with your mate? Something to be proud of, he is, my boy, sleeping with the Lady of the West, the Shikon Miko behind her mate's back."

Tensing, the demon lord growled. "You dare to-"

"Calm down, Sesshomaru." Kagome said softly. "I'll be fine. Leave us."

"I refuse to."

"Please. I do need some water." She gave him the best puppy dog look she could manage.

Clenching his fists, Sesshomaru snarled. "Harm her, and your lives will be hell." He swept out of the room. The quicker he left, the quicker he could return. Inutaisho and the other's, at Kagome's glare, left as well.

Onigumo Sr. closed the door before smiling at Kagome. "Thank you." Turning to his son, he raced at him, grabbing him by the neck and slamming him into the wall.

"Naraku!" Kagome cried, straining to sit up.

"Stay down!" Kaguya gently forced her to lie on the bed. "You'll only get hurt in this state."

"Son," Onigumo Sr. smirked as his son choked, "I am tired of you being a burden to your other and I. We sent you to America, and you ran right back here to Japan. We've hidden your crimes and kept you for doing time. It is time to end this, you bipolar punk."

"B-bipolar." Kagome repeated. That explained his behavior, and the murders and crimes. "You're bipolar, Naraku?"

"Naraku," He chuckled in his son's blue face, "You were always to fond of that personality, the kind side of you. I rather like the side that is much like me."

Naraku clawed at his father's hands. "F-father, please." He begged, tears running down his face as he sobbed like a child.

"And there's Akago, your inner child." He laughed, loosening his grip. "You are too pathetic. Come. We are returning home. The dungeon awaits."

"N-no, father! Please not the dungeons! I'll be good. I swear."

"Let him go!" Kagome cried, shoving Kaguya off with as much strength as she could muster. Tumbling out of the bed, she dragged herself to where Onigumo Sr. stood, grasping his ankles. "Let him go! You aren't taking him! I love him! And we have a child!"

Onigumo kicked her off, rolling his eyes when she cried out, reaching to claw at her own back. "In pain, Lady?"

"S-stop…" Kagome winced at the intense pain in her back. "S-s-Sesshomaru!!!!!"

Sesshomaru burst into the room, his blood red eyes locking on Kagome as she laid on the floor. "You were warned." He snarled.

Onigumo tossed Naraku to the floor. "Attack me then!" And a new battle ensued.