I am so sorry it took me this long to update. I've just been so tied up with homework, projects and stuff that I haven't had much time. But here it is and I hope you enjoy it.

The Reason Why

' Stupid human girl. . .'

It would have been nice if he could have left it at that. She would be just another human, no one worth remembering. Yet, in his heart, he knew he couldn't think of her that way. No, not her. Not that sweet girl with an open-heart and kindness to spare. It would have been utterly cruel for him to think of her as just another being going on about life; she was much more than that.

He sighed, shaking his head slightly. ' Why should I even consider giving my trust to her? I've gone down that road before.'

The image of a woman dressed in fine robes came to mind, her long hair rippling out behind her in some mystic wind. Then, that soon changed to a younger woman, an angelic smile plastered on her bright face.

He grunted, closing his eyes and pressing his back firmly against the tree trunk. ' Stop comparing that wench to your mother. She's nothing like her.' Deep down though, Inuyasha knew he was wrong. He couldn't keep avoiding the truth. Not after what had happened only a few hours ago.

A sliver of pain wedged itself into his heart. It hurt to think of it; everything that had happened throughout his life, all of it, hurt beyond compare. First his family , and then Kagome. Did she have to go? Why couldn't she have stayed, with him?

His thoughts went over to the last time he had seen her, which hadn't been that long ago; the hurt expression she always wore, the pained look in her eyes. Was it all because of him?

He grunted.

Yes.

' I acted so cold and heartless, why wouldn't it be? I treated her like crap, like she was just another tool I could use to seek my own revenge. I guess I forgot she had feelings too.'

Inuyasha blocked off those thoughts and opened his eyes again, watching as the sun set under a blanket of gray clouds.

He sat on his perch for a few moments, revelling in the quiet peace of a late winter sunset. So tranquil and calm; very much unlike the turmoil inside his head.

His head snapped around suddenly, facing the feeble wind that was blowing in from the north. He sent his senses into overdrive, sifting through the many fragrances that graced this gentle air current.

What was that? It was faint but it was there.

He leaned out further, one hand gripping a branch firmly, so he could get a whiff of what he was searching for more easily. There it was again! The salty tang of something unpleasant tickled his nose, causing him to jerk back in realization.

Blood.

Inuyasha leapt down from the tree and took off to the camp at a sprint.

Miroku was standing by the horses, a lecherous smile stretching across his bruised face. Sango was furiously polishing her hiraikotsu, a frown masking her features.

They both looked up suddenly when he exploded out of the bushes.

" What's wrong?" Miroku asked.

Inuyasha chose to ignore the question. " Let's go." He quickly untied Cadoc and gave the horse a smack on the rear, causing it to bolt away in a frenzy. Then, Inuyasha took off again without a second glance.

Miroku gave Sango a concerned look and saddled his own horse, hauling himself up just as the taijiya climbed onto Ionn's back.

She secured her boomerang to the saddle then summoned Kirara to her shoulder. " Go slow Inuyasha down so we can catch up." The cat youkai gave a small meow then leapt into the air, bursting into a ball of flame. Once transformed, she took off.

"Come on," Miroku said, spurring Shadow into a gallop. It only took a few minutes for them to catch up to him, a growling Kirara blocking his path.

" Get out of my way, cat," he growled.

Kirara shook her head in response, letting out an equally ferocious growl.

" Inuyasha," Miroku said patiently as he pulled up his horse, " where are you off to in such a hurry?"

The hanyou whirled around, some mysterious emotion flickering into his golden eyes. " Blood, to the north."

" And what's the importance of that?" Sango fixed him with a hard stare.

His glanced at her before turning away and facing Kirara again. " It smells like Kagome's."

Her face paled and Miroku's expression darkened. " Let's hurry."

Inuyasha gave an impatient grunt and broke into a dead run, Kirara beside him and the horses thundering behind. His eyes glowed with pure determination, and an urge to right his wrongs.

' Kagome. . .'

Warm sunlight graced the green hills with a rippling wave of summer heat. The sweet fragrance of ripe fruit and blossoming flowers danced through the air, tickling the grass with wispy fingers of bittersweet freshness.

Bubbling laughter floated up the hill side, mixed in with the shrill neigh of a pony. Farther down the hill, the booming laugh of a man could be heard, followed by more giggles.

A small black horse leapt over the hill top and shot down the other side, ears pricked and tail raised.

A small girl leaned over its neck, her own inky hair billowing out behind her. She looked back, seeming to expect a figure to be chasing but, there was no one.

She pulled the pony to a stop and twisted around on its bare back, scanning the wavering sea of grass around her.

Nothing.

Not a single dark head bobbing up the rise.

Kagome looked back and patted the little mare on the neck. " Good girl, Bess."

The pony snorted in response, walking forward, her head low as she cropped at the succulent plants underfoot.

Kagome threw her head back and let out a contented sigh, inhaling the sweet scents that lingered on the warm air. Her thoughts blew in on a stream of happiness, letting a veil of peace settle on her shoulders. It was nice to not have a care in the world.

Suddenly, a pair of strong arms grabbed her around the middle and dragged her off Bess' back. Then, she felt someone pinching her sides and was soon overcome by a fit of giggles.

" Got you!"

Kagome desperately tried to pry her father's hands off but it was no use, he kept on tickling her.

Soon enough, the little girl was gasping for breath, and then her father stopped, overcome by his own laughter.

Then, their mirth ceased and they lay in the grass, gazing up at the zenith. Not far away, Bess let out a small whinny of delight, stamping her hooves and parading around the hillside.

"Father?" Kagome said as she watched a puffy white cloud transform into a disfigured hand.

"Hm?"

" What have you learned in all your travels?"

" Oh, many things."

" Like what?"

" You want to hear of all of them?"

" The ones with dragons and unicorns and princess'!"

He chuckled, gazing across the grass at the distant horizon. " Let's see. I'll start with the Expedition of the Southern Countries--the one I embarked on the year before you were born.

" It all began just as any other adventure, although it would end as one of the greatest I'd ever had . . ."

Kagome put a hand to her head and sat up slowly, trying to calm the aching throb that was present in her temple. Why did it hurt so?

She raised her eyes, letting her gaze sweep across the dank room she was in. The gray walls were bare, covered in black shadows. A small window cast a thin ray of light into the room, cutting a silvery path through the darkness.

Shifting her gaze, Kagome caught the outline of a figure leaning casually against the wall. She gasped and drew back, eyes wide with fear.

" W-who's there?"

Icy blue glinted in the corner. There was a shuffling noise and suddenly, there he was, staring down at her with an emotionless expression.

" I am no bastard," Kouga stated.

Kagome blinked. What? There it was again. That same flickering of emotions in his gaze.

"What do you. . .mean?"

He shook his head and stalked off to face the door. " I don't have much time so I should tell you what you deserve to know."

Kagome stared at the back of his head, her body tense. " Tell me what?"

" Why you're here," he answered.

Her eyes suddenly lit up and she drew back slightly. " Is this a trick? I know you're trying to lure me into something. I won't---" anticipation

" Just shut up and listen! " he barked, spinning around to glare at her. His expression softened when he saw her fear. " I'll tell you everything you want to know. I don't have much time."

She held back her remark and sat down to listen to his tale, a frown firmly planted on her face.

-------------------------------------------(( Kouga's POV))----------------------------------------------------

The whining wind echoed through the empty hallways, adding an eerie cry to the silence. Windows rattled and doors slammed, cracking through the quiet like a whip.

A small black haired boy hurried along, his icy blue eyes darting from shadow to shadow. He wasn't really afraid though, just searching for something, or someone.

The whisper of footsteps reached his ears and he quickened his pace. Then came the scent, whisking by on the cold drafts, leaving only a faint trail. Yet, it was enough for this little guy.

Eyes bright with anticipation, he crept along, keeping to the shadows and out of the flickering light of the torches.

A door squeaked on its hinges around the corner of the next bend.

He rounded the corner, peeking from the behind the wall to see if anyone was there.

No one. Not a soul.

Kouga knew there was more there than the eye could see. He wasn't human after all. His youkai senses gave everything away.

Sliding along the wall, he pushed open a door that was slightly ajar and eyed the dark space beyond. He shivered. It looked very scary in there; dark shadows piled together to make one giant mass of smothering darkness, blocking out the yellowish light of the flickering flames.

Something moved in the corner.

Kouga pushed the door open all the way, watching as light flooding into the room.

There!

" Found you!" he declared proudly.

The hanyou pounced on him. " Now I got you!"

Kouga squirmed under the other boys' grasp. " That's not fair! Lemme go!"

" Make me."

" Now!"

" Poor sport."

" If you don't let me go, I'll punch you!"

Inuyasha sprang up and bolted out the door. " You gotta catch me first!" he yelled over his shoulder.

Kouga leapt to his feet and ran after the other boy in hot pursuit. He loved a challenge.

He put on a burst of speed, getting a little closer to the hanyou. A little more and he would be able to tackle him. And just when he was almost upon the other boy, they both collided into something solid blocking their path.

" You two boys shouldn't be running around like that."

Kouga looked up into intense amber eyes and immediately mumbled an apology. "Sorry your majesty. . ."

He was pulled gently to his feet. " Go to your quarters, young Kouga. Your father is looking for you."

Kouga bowed and backed away, his head bent in respect. Before he reached the end of the corridor, he gave a small wave to the king and his son then turned on his heel and sprinted around the corner. He bolted up a flight of stairs and down another corridor, coming to the end of the hall. He pushed open a door to his right and stepped into a dark room.

" Father?"

No answer.

Kouga shrugged and pulled off his tunic. He grabbed the nightgown off the chair beside his bed and yanked it over his head, pulling his hair out of its ponytail as he did so. Then, he climbed into bed and nestled under the covers, yawning contentedly before slipping off into oblivion.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Loud crashes roused Kouga from his dreamless sleep. He sat up and rubbed his eyes, looking around before remembering where he was.

He jumped when the floor beneath him shook violently, followed by a series of loud shouts.

Kouga bolted off his bed and ran out into the hall. It was dark up here. Everyone was asleep, which surprised him since the noise on the level below was very loud.

Ignoring that, he sprinted down the stairs. All the while, the crashes were getting louder, growing in ferocity, making dust fall from the rafters above.

The corridor ahead was blocked by a group of women, each of them shaking and gasping in horror. Beyond them, he could just make out flashes of light, and voices.

" Naraku, stop this madn— "

Another grunt, and then the sound of a body being flung against a wall.

" Inutaisho!" one of the women gasped. He guessed that was the queen herself, Izayoi.

Kouga tried to squeeze past the women but they didn't budge. Either they didn't want to let him through or they just didn't notice he was there.

" Father!"

Kouga recognized that voice. He pushed harder, desperate to see what was going on. The women still wouldn't. One of them looked back, her face streaked with glittering tears.

" No, young master. You must not see this. It is not fit for eyes as young as yours."

" But I must– I need to know what is going on!" He struggled against her amazingly strong grip.

Another turned, her face pained. Her long hair shimmered around her, eyes shining with unshed tears. Her ethereal beauty entranced him.

" Kouga, please," Izayoi said quietly. " I want you to go back up to your quarters and go to sleep. Everything will be sorted out in the morning. You need not be here."

" But. . ." Kouga paused, his icy blue eyes locked on her dark ones. " You must let me– my father is in there! I can smell his blood. Inuyasha and the king are there also! I need to see. . ."

" I know you must be anxious but it will just have to wait. You will only get in the way," she said, her voice still as calm as ever.

" No– you don't–I – He's hurt!" The salty smell of fresh blood drifted through the small gapes in the human barrier; his father's blood.

" No, Kouga! You must not go in there, please! Do not make a rash decision. You will regret it!"

More hands grabbed him around the middle, preventing him from making any progress. The women surrounded him, their sweet, melodic voices lulling him, calming him, telling him he need not see what was going on beyond. It was not important. . .

His eye locked on a gap between two of the ladies and he froze. All he could see was the opposite wall, stained with blood. He could hear the struggle clearer now: angry bellows, followed by crunching bones and cackles of insane laughter. Somewhere in the chaos was the cries of a boy pleading for the two opponents to stop.

Kouga tore the hands away from him and ripped through the women, not even noticing the blood that spattered his claws or the anguished cry of the woman he had sunk his claws into.

He blinked a few times, eyes adjusting before he could properly see what all the commotion was about.

His eyes widened and he stepped back. It was then that he noticed the blood on his claws. . .human blood. . .

Kouga looked back and met the accusing stares of the ladies-in-waiting, all of them crouched around queen Izayoi, her body lifeless and limp. Blood trickled out from a deep gash in her chest, staining her expensive robes and that of the women holding her.

He turned back and looked around at the destruction around him, Naraku stood at one end of the room, a malicious smile plastered on his handsome face despite the many wounds that covered his body. Inutaisho stood at the other end, oozing gashes marring his face. His eyes were wide with disbelief and shock.

Kouga looked back and met intense amber eyes, full of anguish and hatred.

" Mother. . .?" Inuyasha's voice was quiet and hesitant, as if he was afraid to say what was true. He looked at the limp women behind Kouga and took a step back, eyes bright with tears. He looked back at Kouga and gazed at his bloodied claws. " You. . ."

Kouga winced, knowing what was to come. He felt a lump of guilt form in his stomach. He knew what he had done. He'd done it without realizing, without knowing, without seeing his mistake. For that, he was very, very sorry.

Inuyasha's eyes filled with anger, the emotion burning a deep scar on his heart. " You . . .you killed her, hurt her. . .my mother . . .she's gone because of you. It's your fault. . .your fault. . ." Anguished tears rolled down his cheeks.

Kouga swallowed hard, lowering his gaze and looking over to his right at Inutaisho. The taiyoukai was gazing at him, his expression stoic. He looked at his father, hoping to see some scolding look, one of disgust, but all he saw was a look of utter amusement. How could his father be so cheerful when his only son had just killed the wife of his dear friend and king?

Inuyasha's voice cut through the silence, deep and menacing, despite his young age. Kouga looked back to see amber tinted with red, pupils flickering blue. Was he. . .transforming? Kouga shuddered and took a step back. That was not a good omen at all.

" You killed my mother!" Inuyasha screamed, which quickly turned into a piercing howl. He cracked his knuckles and leapt forward, his very being seething with hate.

" Inuyasha! No!" Inutaisho leapt forward, arms outstretched as if to catch his son.

" Fool!" Naraku took the opportunity and surged forward, a deadly grin planted on his face. " Now, I will finally get the power I have waited to get for so long."

Kouga watched, his eyes getting wider and wider. Inuyasha barrelling towards him, a look of bloodthirsty malice replacing his usually stubborn demeanor; Inutaisho coming in from the right, his eyes focussed on his maddened son; Naraku charging straight for the taiyoukai, evil laughter spilling from his mouth.

He took another step back, raising his hands in defence. If he was going to die a violent end, at least he would go with a fight. Yet, he could feel the fear and guilt. He simply felt like dropping his claws and letting the searing pain of death overcome him. It was what he deserved. . .

Kouga looked up, tears of regret in his icy blue eyes. Yet, those turned to tears of shock and disbelief. No. . .this could not be happening, but it was. All too fast, I might add.

The two older demons met in a flurry of claws, eyes locked. Blood splattered the floor around them.

Then, a bright streak of yellow light tore the two demons apart, causing them to collapse in dark pool of blood. Inuyasha appeared, his power fuelled by rage. He was, unstoppable.

Kouga felt sharp claws tear his flesh. Warm liquid trickled down his arm, dropping off his fingertips to add to the crimson mess already staining the floor. He looked up through pained eyes and saw his friend staring back at him, no sign of remorse on his emotionless face. It was at that moment that Kouga knew he was going to die.

He closed his eyes tight, and waited for everything to go dark.

It didn't.

The finishing blow was never dealt.

Kouga opened his eyes a crack and found Inuyasha standing above him, eyes hooded, claws poised to strike.

" Remember this, hanyou:

"I die tonight,

My job unfinished,

My wish unanswered.

I have lost my fight to an innocent boy,

One who is not tainted by the ways of the wicked.

Yet,

As I breathe my last,

I vow that his purpose in life will be only to destroy."

And with a final choking breath, Naraku left the world of the living. His haunting words hung in the air like a thick veil, suffocating.

Kouga looked from his father to Inuyasha, his eyes burning; he had no one left. His family had left him alone in the world.

And it was then that he felt deep hatred seep into him. It wound up his legs and constricted his chest like a black python, causing him to choke in disgust.

Then, he let out a cry; something was squeezing his heart, twisting with a savage abandon. Slowly, he was feeling all the happiness of the years leading up to his day melting. It was as if whatever had a hold on his heart wanted all the positive emotions to seep away and become dormant.

Then, he felt nothing but white hot loathing. Snarling, his eyes locked on Inutaisho.

With an uncharacteristic growl, he leapt forward, slashing at the vulnerable taiyoukai. The king didn't have a chance.

Soon, Inutaisho was still, and Kouga turned around, flicking the blood from his claws. There was just one last victim he had to attend to.

No, a voice whispered in his head. In time, Kouga. In time. . .

-------------------------------------(( End of Kouga's POV)) ---------------------------------------------

Kagome was confused. Hadn't his intention been to tell her why she was here?

Her voice broke the strained silence. " So, why am I here?. . ."

Kouga looked straight at her, his eyes sad. " To complete the process of bringing my father back to life."

" But why me? Why couldn't you– "

" It is because you have the power to purify, Kagome. Without that power, tamashi would not be able to summon my father's soul from within me."

Kagome nodded solemnly. She had already known Kouga had stolen the idol from her fatherShe just never suspected she would be the one who would make everything fall into place; she was the final piece of the puzzle.

A memory ignited. One of her, Miroku and Sango sitting around a fire, drinking hot chocolate from large mugs. . . " I just have one more question, Kouga. How long ago did all this happen?"

Kouga looked down at her. " Two hundred years ago."

'So, it didn't happen twenty years ago. That must have been a coverup; that's why Miroku said that. . .Inuyasha didn't want us to know how long he'd been suffering. . .'

Kagome nodded, meeting his gaze. " You know– "

A shadow fell across his face. " I have to go."

Without another word, he turned, opened the door and disappeared into the corridor beyond. The door closed behind him, a lock clicking as it settled into the frame.

Kagome looked down at her lap, a single tear sliding down her cheek' Inuyasha has been hurting for so long. . .Kouga has been wasting away. . .Sango, Miroku. Everybody has been in constant pain because of Naraku. And now, I am the one who is going to make their lives a living hell.'

She looked up through the window, staring up at the swirling clods above. Why couldn't the world just let her go and forget her name? Why couldn't she just fade away and become a forgotten memory?

Kagome smiled sadly to herself. ' No. I am here for a purpose. Except, my purpose is to create darkness.'

A/N: Again, I apologize. Just one thing for the future: Please don't send me reviews telling me to hurry and update. I love the fact that you can't wait to read the next chapter but, it does get annoying when I keep getting reminders to update. I know I should, and I would if I could. If I'm not updating, its for a reason regarding computer problems, school work or family matters

I would really appreciate it, thanks :D

There are two more chapters after this one! The next chapter is Night of the New Moon. It'll be up within two weeks.

Toodles!