As Naraku held Kagome with one of his tentacles, he was squeezing her until she stopped screaming and dropped her sword. He was laughing as if he won. He let his tentacle lax a little. Kagome could feel that he eased a little. She could feel Sesshomaru's aura coming in fast. She smirked but it went unnoticed by Naraku.

Sesshomaru, with Akihiko in his arms, flew on his cloud. Once he landed, he saw a lot of bodies; humans and demons alike. He could smell blood all over. He focused on Kagome's scent and aura first. He was relieved to know she was alright. Then he focused on his sister's aura and found that she was in the throne room. He could tell that she had been fighting.

One of his commanders came and said, "Welcome back, milord. Is there anything that needs to be attended to?"

Sesshomaru looked at him and said, "Yes, take my nephew to the healers. Where's Kagome?"

"Lady Kagome, Miss Rin, and Master Shippo are with the Lady Mother. Lady Kagome's friend and her children are at the Lady Mother's Palace."

Sesshomaru nodded as the commander took Akihiko and ran to the healer's quarters, where the injured were being treated. Sesshomaru went straight to the throne room and found...

"Naraku," he snarled.

Naraku turned his head and smirked as if saying that he won. Kagome used the distraction as she starting to gather her reiki. She would had done it sooner, but she needed to rest a little to gather much needed energy. As Kagome gathered enough of her reiki to her hands, she touched the tentacle. Naraku hissed in pain. Kagome fell to the floor as the tentacle burned to ashes.

At first, Sesshomaru was confused as he saw Naraku held Kagome with his tentacle because his commander just said that Kagome was with his mother. However, he looked at the aura closer and realized that she wasn't Kagome, but...

"Inuhime," he yelled as he saw her purifying one of Naraku's tentacles. Inuhime had disguised herself as Kagome after she confronted Naraku on the walls the estate. She fell on the floor and landed on her feet and bent her knees to get her sword, which was disguised as a fan, where it fell on the floor. When she quickly grabbed her fang, it instantly transformed into a mini version of Tessaiga, but with subtle differences. The hilt was made of silver with its name on one side while the other has a dragon and phoenix like a yin-yang symbol; where the guard is has some fluff, but it was black and white. It also had silver ribbon braided around the guard. It was not as huge as the Tessaiga, but it looked like a regular katana. The blade was starkling like a diamond, that sparkles in the light. The fangs themselves were combined as one, but it could be separated into two different fangs if the wielder desires it so.

She stabbed Naraku's heart and said in a calm and cold tone, "Kiru no Tama*."

Naraku's eyes widen as he felt the Seitoshi no Tenga stabbed his heart. He looked at the blade and then looked up at Inuhime who instantly transformed back into herself.

"It can't be. You're suppose to be dead!"

Inuhime smirked before she said impassively, "Enjoy your nonexistence, Naraku."

Naraku's eyes, in the first time in his existence, has shown fear. His body purified into ashes and then his ashes vanished before her very own eyes. She sighed in relief. The Seitoshi no Tenga returned to it's concealed form.

"Thank Kami that's over."

"Sister, Akihiko needs you. He's been severely injured."

Inuhime's eyes widen. "Where is he, brother?"

"I sent him with one of my commanders to take him to the healer."

She nodded as she quickly walked towards him. Just before she passed him, she said to Sesshomaru, "Kagome's with mother in the safe room." Sesshomaru nodded. Inuhime walked pass him, but she felt a hand on her arm to stop him. She looked at him a little confused. He gave her a little smile and said, "Thank you, sister."

It was her turned to smile. "That's what family is for. To protect one another." He nodded as he let her go, so she could join her son at the healer's quarters.

Inuhime ran quickly the the infirmary. Once she arrived there she entered the room. Their warriors and the prisoners of war, including their general, were being treated. Naomi was treating Akihiko at the front of the infirmary's entrance.

Inuhime walked in and said, "Naomi, how is he?"

Naomi was startled because she was concentrating on Akihiko. She said, "I cleaned and bandaged his wounds, but you need to help him regain his youki. It seems that he exhausted himself to a point of near death. He's lucky that Sesshomaru got here when he did or..."

"I understand, Naomi." She walked over to Akihiko's futon and sat down. She brushed her hand over his bangs. He looked so peaceful. Once Akihiko felt his mother's aura nearby, he opened his eyes and saw his mother sitting next to him. In a weak sounded voice, Akihiko said, "Mother?"

Inuhime smiled. "Yes, my son."

"Forgive me. I tried my best."

Inuhime couldn't help, but shed a tear. "There's nothing to forgive, my son. I shouldn't sent you back there. What kind a mother am I?"

Akihiko gave her a small smile, "You're the best mother. You believed in me, that meant so much to me."

"Shh, I know. Sleep." Inuhime hummed an unknown song as she lied next to him. At the same time, she surrounded Akihiko with her youki to give him comfort and nurturing her son's youki until she could feel it was getting stronger.

-

Meanwhile, Kagome and Inukimi were waiting in the safe room. Kagome wasn't scared of Naraku. No, she was more afraid of losing Sesshomaru. The longer he was away, the more anxious she gets. No, she knew that Sesshomaru's strong. She doesn't doubt his strength. She believed with all her heart that he will return to her alive. After Inuhime told her and the Lady Mother got inside the safe room. Of course, she argued with her saying that she wasn't afraid and wanted to fight. It was until Inuhime told her that she was too far along in her pregnancy to fight and be able to move quickly to avoid any serious injuries, when she finally relented and went with Inukimi. Kagome scolded herself not even thinking about that. She had no doubt that Sesshomaru would had done the very same thing. Kagome asked before they went to the safe room if she could still sensed Sesshomaru being alright. Inuhime knew that Sesshomaru was alright and assure her that he was fine. Kagome knew that due to their connection that he was fine. However, she was still anxious. She surmised that until he returned then her anxiety would recede.

And receded it did, when Sesshomaru opened the hidden entrance to the safe room.

"Sesshomaru! I am so happy to see you," she cried as she ran to him and hugged him.

"As am I, Kagome," he said to return the embrace.

Sesshomaru bent down to his knees. He put his ear to Kagome's swollen belly. He listened to their unborn pup's heartbeats. Kagome couldn't help, but to giggle at his antics. He looked up at her as if saying, 'what's so funny?'

"She's been really active as of late. In fact, her movements have increase this week. Naomi believes that it wouldn't be long until I have to give birth."

Sesshomaru nodded and said, "I can't wait to see my pup. How have you been doing?"

"Oh, I am fine." He looked at her incredulously. "Alright, fine. I was anxious for you to return."

Inukimi interrupted, "Yes, she's been anxious so much so she wanted to fight. However, Inuki finally talked some sense to her."

Sesshomaru quirked his eyebrow after hearing that. "Omae, you wouldn't been able to fight in your condition. It'll be different if..."

"I know, but I couldn't help it."

He chuckled, "Well, if it makes you feel better, I felt anxious to return to you, too."

That was when InuTaisho and Inuyasha came in the room. Inuyasha said, "Yeah, tell me about it. The ice bastard was willing to hurry this stupid ass war along so he could return to you."

InuTaisho walked over to Inukimi as Inuyasha was talking. He nuzzled her neck and smelled her scent. "I am so happy to be home."

"As I am I, my love."

Kagome asked, "Where's Inuki and Akihiko?"

Sesshomaru sighed, "Inuhime is with him now."

Inukimi asked worriedly, "What happened to him, Sesshomaru?"

"He was severely injured in the battle with Akuokaesu."

"He'll be alright, right," Kagome asked worriedly.

"I don't know. He was at a point of near death when I saved him and brought him home."

AN: *Kiru no Tama- means 'to kill (with a sword) a spirit.

Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi

Fanfiction & OCs (c) ladytari