InuYasha- Chapter 371- Kagura's Heart

"Naraku…" Kagura spat, glaring at the man before him.

Naraku smiled. "Kagura…it seems Hakudoushi has died."

You're the one that made it so he died though, Kagura thought, her eyes narrowing more.

"Such foolishness," Naraku laughed, "it seemed as though he though he could take my place."

Humph, so had noticed everything huh? Next is…my turn then…?
"Kagura," Naraku smile and eyes displayed a certain…softness and kindness to them. "I shall now set you free."

Kagura was silent. What?

Far off into the distance, Sesshoumaru sensed something was up. His senses, being as sharp as they were, no doubt caught sent of the bastard that was Naraku.

"What is the matter, Lord Sesshoumaru?" asked Jaken.

Naraku's scent…He thought, turning to leave. He began to lift from the ground.

"Er…Sesshoumaru-sama? Where are you going?!" He looked down at the crystal that never left his hand. The crystal of youki isn't reacting from that direction though…is he ok with that?!

"Kohaku!" Sango called, still searching for her brother. Where has he gone to?

Kohaku hid, body pressed up against a ledge. He watched Sango out of the corner of his eye. Ane-ue….Please continue in that direction and leave. I will finish off Naraku by myself. Even if it is in exchange for my life…. He turned to run the other way, away form Sango.

Maybe it's futile to keep searching for him, Sango thought, getting fed up. Kirara hissed, the hairs on her body standing up on end. "What is it Kirara?" Sango asked, surprised. She followed her cat's gaze to an opening on the mountain. "A cave…" she observed. "Is there something inside?"

A giant white spear shot out from the cave, grabbing hold of Kirara's paw. Moryoumaru burst out from the mountain, causing some of the outer wall to cave in. He had doubled in size, and had a few more attachments of flesh upon him.

"Moryoumaru!" Sango called.

"The exterminator," he remembered. "You're alone, huh?"

He tightened his grip on Kirara's paw, digging his tentacles into her fur.

He wants to absorb Kirara?! Sango thrust Hirakotsu down, severing the flesh from Moryoumaru's body. He laughed at her efforts. She chucked her weapon at him, shouting out its name. Moryoumaru caught it with one hand, throwing it down into the cavern below. He sprouted his wings, lunging after her.

She grunted as she pulled Kirara up, avoiding his first attack. Damn, unless I get Hirakotsu back…He thrust a twist of his body at her, smashing it into a wall. Kirara flew to the left, out of harm's way.

Not far off, Kohaku heard the noises of the rocks falling. He looked over to see his sister, flying out of the cavern. Moryoumaru was hot on her trail, sending non-stop attacks her way.

A few yards away, InuYasha, Kagome and Miroku were nearing the site of the battle.

"Hurry up InuYasha!" Kagome ordered. "The two positions of Shikon fragments I can feel…are getting closer and closer!"

"Kohaku and Moryoumaru, huh?!" Miroku shouted, increasing his speed.

Moryoumaru is after Kohaku's Shikon fragment! InuYasha remembered. "Let's run!"

Kohaku watched in terror as his sister was being chases by the demon. Moryoumaru grabbed Kirara's back paws, slamming her into the ground. Sango fell off the neko-demon, head hitting the hard ground. She fell unconscious with a grunt.

Ane-ue! Kohaku ran to her, standing in front of her. Moryoumaru smiled down at him, leering over them.

"Kohaku…" Moryoumaru spat.

Kohaku clenched the chain upon his scythe.

Back above the country-side, Kagura still couldn't believe Naraku was going to do this. After all this time!

"You'd actually give me my freedom…?" Kagura asked wearily.

"That's right, Kagura." Naraku was calm and serious, "You wanted to be free from me, didn't you? Which is exactly why you wanted to get rid of me, and searched for the location of the heart…."

Kagura grunted, "You know that much, but you'd give me my freedom?"

Naraku outstretched his hand, energy swirling around it. Kagura stared on questioningly.

A live, beating heart appeared in his hand. The arteries still pumped blood, back into Naraku. She stared at it, gasping at the sight.

My heart!

"I'll return it to you…" Naraku said softly, his face displaying that sweet, kindness again.

Kagura still couldn't believe it. "What…?"