With Rin and Shippo being guarded by An and Un the group began to put their plan into action. Sango had long since laid varying traps in the surrounding area to hasten any unknowing demons approach.

The perimeter was lined with sacred sutras that Miroku and Kagome had infused with spiritual energy to create a barrier that Jaken reinforced with one of his own.

Inuyasha and Sesshomaru simultaneously gripped Tessaiga and Tensaiga as the swords shook in anticipation of the battle that was to come.

Kagome assisted Sango in rubbing down the Hiraikotsu in an agent she hoped could counteract Narakus miasma.

Counting her arrows thoroughly more than once she took her defensive position as the others were on the front lines. Kirara growled and they could hear An and Un bellowing from behind the shrine as they all sensed well what was coming.

Sesshomaru and Inuyasha stood at the forefront some paces from the barrier with Sango and Miroku behind them.

"The jewel is getting closer, I can feel it." Kagome declared as the hairs on her arms and the back of her neck stood on end.

The air became charged with static as the sky turned an ominous shade of blood red blocking out any natural light.

A dark miasma began to roll in and the sound of many insects could be heard as the samiyosho accompanied Naraku on his journey to them.

"They're here." Miroku said as he watched the poison insects descend upon them. Gripping his staff he made ready in case he had to use his wind tunnel.

"Hold your position monk." Sesshomaru commanded with all of the authority of the general he was.

Taking a breath Miroku stayed as he was as the samiyosho one by one flew into the barricade and were killed, their poison splattering against the barrier leaving smears.

"Ha! Not to bright, are they?" Inuyasha mused.

"Do not become distracted Inuyasha. That direction, Naraku is coming." Sesshomaru nodded his head slightly to their left forcing them both to turn.

"He's sending the insects on purpose to try and blind us to the direction he's approaching from." Sango said and Sesshomaru didn't doubt her for a minute.

Sniffing the air Inuyasha tried to decipher how many Naraku had with him.

"Hm. Surprised he's on his own. Usually he sends his minions to do his dirty work." He stated.

"You don't sense it?" Sesshomaru questioned his younger brother.

"Sense…what?" Inuyasha questioned back somewhat hesitantly.

"Naraku has taken the incarnations he created back into his body." Sesshomaru replied. "To use the abilities and strength they gained."

"Bastard." He sneered out. "Come on out Naraku!"

Not receiving any reply from Narakus end Inuyasha glanced at Sesshomaru as he remained infallible as ever while he could feel the sweat begin to form on his forehead and threaten to bead down.

"Behind us! The jewel is behind us!" Kagome shouted out running behind the shrine where Rin and Shippo were with the dragons.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled out jumping up and over the shrine to go to her side. Sighing out slightly annoyed at their impulsiveness he was glad to see Sango and Miroku still following orders.

"Slayer stay up front, monk flank the left." He commanded. Both nodded dutifully in acknowledgment as Sango and Kirara held their ground and Miroku ran to the left side of the shrine.

Sesshomaru moved quickly to the back seeing Rin and Shippo trying to see what was going on but their view was obstructed by the dragons large body.

Their heads bobbed and weaved as they let out grunts and growls clawing at the ground.

"Steady." Sesshomaru ordered them and they complied but still seemed on edge.

"I don't understand, I felt it…clearly." Kagome stated confused. "Now it's gone."

"Naraku's probably trying to confuse us, trying to find a weak point in the barrier." Inuyasha said.

"Precisely." Sesshomaru commended impressed by his brothers foresight. "It will weaken despite Jakens effort to continuously reinforce it from within the shrine."

"Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin yelled as she pointed to a shimmering spot of the barrier. The insects began to hammer the same spot in droves as they sought to create a hole in the one spot.

Kagome pointed a sacred arrow at the spot waiting for it to break down to shoot. As they all waited with bated breath they heard Sango shout from the front.

"Hiraikotsu!"

"Hold your positions!" Sesshomaru barked as he made his way to the front, never had he commanded such a rag tag group before and swore after it was done he would train them all properly.

"They found a weak point." Sango said as Sesshomaru watched the insects being to pour in.

Sango caught the Hiraikotsu as Sesshomaru swiped forward with his claws spraying his poison to decimate what Sango and the barrier hadn't caught.

"They are attempting to break through in the back as well. Kagome and Inuyasha are in position." Making a calculated move he decided to let them come.

"This could take hours. All of you will become tired and weaken.

I am willing to bet that is something Naraku is counting on to strike. I am going to have Jaken drop his barrier."

"Alright." Sango agreed with a nod. "Do it."

"The barrier is coming down! Ready yourselves for battle!" Sesshomaru shouted feeling everyone tense. "Jaken!"

"L-Lord Sess-Sesshomaru, are you…certain?" He heard Jaken question clearly struggling from the effort.

"Yes Jaken. Lower the barrier!" He ordered. Without another word from Jaken they watched as his part of the barrier drained away from the top down to the ground.

Jaken came out from the shrine visibly exhausted and leaning on his staff. "Go to Rin and keep an eye on her. If necessary retreat somewhere safe."

"My lord, I intend on seeing this through by your side." Jaken countered.

"That was an order Jaken." Sesshomaru snapped. "Whatever comes of this I trust you will continue to ensure her safety as well as the kits."

"Yes, yes mi'lord." He replied dutifully. "Thank you." Not replying Sesshomaru heard the sudden commotion from the back from everyone.

"Go. I have this." Sango said deftly mounting Kirara and taking to the skies.

Rushing to the back Sesshomaru swept with his claws as Kagome shot her arrow wiping out a considerable amount of the samiyosho that had come through.

"Adamant barrage!" Inuyasha shouted as he threw the shards of adamant at the insects. "Kagome, where's the jewel?"

Glancing around frantically Kagome tried to zero in on its location.

"There!" She shouted notching another arrow and shooting in that direction, her spiritual energy lighting a path cutting through the miasma that had begun to creep in.

Hearing it ping off of something Sesshomaru stared in the direction as Naraku was exposed.