The sky had grown darker since the morning, thunderstruck as lightning filled the sky. The day reminded Kagome of the Thunder Brothers from her early days, as this time large demons filled the sky, heading in the same direction they were headed.

Now that the barrier was down, they could find the demon bird nest and save more villages in the region. Sesshomaru held her in his arms as they traveled; they had been mostly quiet during their travels. Sesshomaru made Jaken stay back with Rin, he had told her how she had been able to cheat death twice now and he refused to bring her anywhere close to Naraku.

"It's Naraku," Sesshomaru's voice cut through the tense atmosphere like a blade. "He is there."

Sango's brow furrowed in concern. "That can only mean trouble. Naraku wouldn't expose himself unless something significant was happening."

Kagome's mind raced with possibilities. "Princess Abi's attack on the castle must have rattled him. He's likely worried that we're getting too close to his plans."

Inuyasha snorted in frustration. "Who cares what Naraku is up to? We just need to defeat him and be done with it."

Suddenly, Myoga appeared on Inuyasha's face, startling him. "Master! Is it true that Naraku is at the demon bird nest?"

Inuyasha nodded curtly. "Yeah, why?"

Myoga's expression turned grave. "This isn't good. Tekkei will be there."

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed. "I am aware. My father had dealings with that demon in the past."

Myoga began to panic. "Then you must understand why you shouldn't go there!"

Sesshomaru's demeanor remained calm. "Thank you for confirming my suspicions."

Myoga huffed indignantly. "You came here on a theory!?"

Inuyasha turned to Sesshomaru, seeking clarification. "What's the deal with Tekkei?"

Sesshomaru explained, his tone measured. "Tekkei is a demon connected to the netherworld. Father sought her out in search of a path to the netherworld, it was before the black pearl had been created. That's why I knew where to find the sword. But I didn't realize it had been passed to you."

Miroku nodded in understanding. "So, Tekkei's presence is a connection to Naraku's schemes."

"Exactly," Kagome affirmed.

Myoga, sensing his duty fulfilled, attempted to make his escape. "Since I've warned you, I'm out of here!"

But Inuyasha seized him before he could flee. "Oh, no you don't! Tell me how to get there!"

Sango shouted, "UP AHEAD!"

The group stared in disbelief at the massive bird before them, its imposing presence casting a shadow over the land. Its blue flames flickered ominously, illuminating its smug green beak and beady eyes.

Inuyasha's voice boomed through the air, filled with determination and anger. "Where is Naraku!?"

The bird let out a raucous cackle, its voice echoing across the landscape. "I ate him!" it proclaimed proudly.

Miroku scoffed, unconvinced by the bird's claim. "Naraku wouldn't be easily defeated by you merely eating him," he retorted, his tone dripping with skepticism.

The atmosphere crackled with tension as the group faced the daunting sight of Tekkei, the colossal bird demon blocking their path. Its presence loomed large, casting a shadow over the landscape, while its fiery aura radiated an ominous glow that seemed to pierce through the darkened sky.

Releasing his hold on his Miko, he stepped in front of her, his arm pushing her slightly behind him. Kagome's heart pounded with a mix of fear and determination, her eyes locked on Tekkei as she mentally prepared herself for the impending battle.

"You can ask him yourself when I eat you as well!" Tekkei smirked, leaning forward menacingly, its massive form casting a daunting shadow over the group.

In response to Tekkei's threat, they all braced themselves for battle as Princess Abi unleashed a swarm of demon birds upon them. Inuyasha unleashed his powerful wind scar, slicing through the airborne creatures, while Miroku activated his wind tunnel, sucking in any demons that came too close.

As the battle raged on, Tekkei let out a cry of pain, her voice filled with agony. "What is this feeling?" she exclaimed.

"Mother!?" Princess Abi's voice rang out in confusion.

Suddenly, Tekkei's head split apart, revealing Naraku within. With a twisted smile, Naraku emerged from the monstrous bird's body, his presence sending chills down their spines.

"What took you so long, Inuyasha?" Naraku taunted, his voice dripping with malice. He then turned to Princess Abi. "You did a fine job."

"You half breed!" Enraged, Princess Abi lunged at Naraku, wielding her trident with intent to strike. However, her weapon shattered upon contact with Naraku's body, and her arm broke off in the process, eliciting a cry of pain from her.

Naraku laughed cruelly. "Have you forgotten? That was originally a part of my body," he sneered.

"You bastard!" Princess Abi seethed, her fury palpable.

"This is your reward. You will not suffer when I kill you," Naraku declared coldly. With a swift movement, his tentacles shot out, piercing through Princess Abi's chest and causing her to disintegrate into black particles before vanishing completely.

Miroku shook his head in disbelief. "How horrible," he muttered.

"I always knew you were evil, Naraku, but this is despicable!" Inuyasha growled, his fists clenched in anger.

"Weren't you planning on killing her as well?" Naraku retorted, his gaze piercing. "You should be grateful. Thanks to me, you are now able to travel to the border of the afterlife."

Raising his hand toward the sky, Naraku summoned a blinding white light that enveloped the entire decimated mountain. The light died down, showing Naraku ripping off Tekkei's head. The giant bird demon's body flopped over, a sparkly purple liquid gushing out and down the side of a mountain like a river and filling the large canyon.

The ground trembled violently, and fissures tore through the earth, sending shockwaves of panic through the group. In a swift and instinctual reaction, Inuyasha lunged forward to grab hold of Sango, pulling her close to him. Miroku swiftly mounted Kirara, soaring into the air to escape the impending danger. Meanwhile, Sesshomaru swiftly scooped up Kagome, placing her safely on a nearby cliff.

As Miroku observed the blood seeping from the cracks in the ground, he squinted at it in contemplation. "This blood is what connects this world to the next?" he murmured.

"Stay here, koi," Sesshomaru instructed, pressing his nose affectionately against Kagome's. "Be careful."

With a determined expression, Sesshomaru moved away from her, poised to confront Naraku. However, to his surprise, Naraku merely laughed as the illusion dissipated, his eyes flashing with rage.

A sinister purple haze descended, shrouding the darkening sky as the real Naraku emerged, encased within a formidable barrier. His tentacles shot out, snaking around Kagome and dragging her mercilessly toward him and into the confines of his barrier.

"Sesshomaru!" Kagome cried out in distress, her outstretched hands desperately reaching for him. "Let go of me, Naraku!"

With a fierce growl, Sesshomaru launched himself toward her, intent on rescuing her from Naraku's clutches. Yet, before he could reach her, hundreds of demons erupted from Naraku's form, hurtling toward Sesshomaru with ferocious intent.

"We'll go after her!" Inuyasha declared, determination blazing in his eyes as he charged forward, with Sango clinging tightly to his back and Miroku riding alongside on Kirara.

Sesshomaru stood amidst the devastation, his senses heightened to the chaos surrounding him. The ground was littered with the remains of fallen demons, their blood staining the earth. Frustration boiled within him as he realized that the blood flowing from Tekkei's wounds was vanishing, indicating that Kagome had been dragged into the netherworld, and he was now trapped in this realm.

"You were too late," Kagura's voice cut through the air, her tone teasing as she hid her smile behind her fan. "The entrance has opened and closed."

His eyes flashed with restrained fury. "Speak or leave."

Kagura's fan tapped lightly against her chin as she considered her words. "You could always enter through the realm of fire if you are that intent on reaching the priestess," she suggested. "But be warned, he plans to use her to find the jewel shard in the netherworld. He might kill her after."

With a clenched jaw, Sesshomaru turned away from her, his resolve firm as he took to the skies. "Hold on!" Kagura's voice called out after him, her own flight on her feather following in pursuit.

Kagome's eyes fluttered open, bleary and disoriented. As realization dawned upon her, she found herself plummeting towards the ground, her heart pounding in her chest. With a sharp intake of breath, she let out a piercing scream, her limbs flailing as she struggled against the rush of wind around her.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha's voice cut through the air, filled with urgency.

She turned her head to see Inuyasha swiftly approaching, his form blurring as he soared towards her. With a swift motion, he caught her mid-fall, his arms wrapping around her protectively before landing on a familiar undead bird.

"What happened?" Kagome asked, as he adjusted his grip on the bird's reins. "And where is Sesshomaru?"

"Naraku must be scared of Sesshomaru," Inuyasha replied, his voice tinged with frustration. "He purposely separated you two so he could distract him, so he wouldn't be able to cross through the pathway."

As Kagome reached out with her reiki, searching for any trace of Sesshomaru, she found nothing but emptiness, causing a knot of worry to form in her stomach.

Inuyasha's grip tightened, a low growl escaping him. "He'll pay for this."

"He must be furious," she murmured, her gaze distant.

Inuyasha snorted, his eyes narrowing. "Furious doesn't even begin to cover it." He glanced at her, concern evident in his expression. "Did he harm you in any way?"

Kagome quickly assessed herself, moving her limbs to check for injuries. "No, I don't think so," she replied, relief flooding through her. "After he grabbed me, I tried to purify him, but he knocked me out and cast me out of his barrier."

Inuyasha cursed under his breath, his grip on the reins tightening further. Turning her attention to their surroundings, Kagome's eyes widened in recognition. "Inuyasha... isn't this...?"

"Yeah," he replied with a heavy sigh. "I never thought I'd set foot here again." He glanced down at his sword, a mixture of emotions flickering across his face. "It's been nearly three years since then."

Memories flooded Kagome's mind, recalling the tumultuous events that had transpired in this very place. It was where she had faced Sesshomaru in his true form, where Inuyasha had intervened to protect her. Now, she found herself back here, with Inuyasha by her side as her protector, yet bound to Sesshomaru in a way she never could have imagined. The irony of it all was not lost on her.

The pull Kagome felt tugged at her very being, distinct from the bond she shared with Sesshomaru. It was the familiar sensation of the Sacred Jewel. "Inuyasha, I can sense the jew–" She turned to him, only to furrow her brows as he wore a vacant expression. "Inuyasha?" She shook him, her concern growing. "Snap out of it! Are you alright?"

Inuyasha blinked several times, as though trying to clear the haze from his mind. "Huh...?"

"You seemed to zone out. Are you feeling alright?"

"I'll be fine," he replied, though his grip on his right eye betrayed his discomfort.

"Kagome!" Miroku's voice interrupted from Kirara, who flew alongside them. "Is everything–"

A blinding light suddenly emanated from the bones of Inuyasha's father, forcing them to shield their eyes. As the light dimmed, they were bombarded by several blades shooting towards them. Kagome instinctively ducked behind Inuyasha as he drew out Tessaiga.

"This must be Naraku!" Inuyasha spat.

Myoga, who had been hiding in Inuyasha's clothing, exclaimed, "These are shards of adamant!"

"You mean diamond?" Kagome corrected.

Myoga jumped around to avoid the flying shards. "Diamond!? What in the world is that? I'm talking about adamant, the hardest jewel there is!"

Kagome rolled her eyes at the semantic difference. They had yet to know.

"The attacks have stopped!" Sango's voice rang out.

The pull of the Sacred Jewel grew stronger, and Kagome felt her heart race as she noticed a familiar bright pink-purple light emanating from Inuyasha's father's chest. "The jewel is coming from your father, Inuyasha," she said urgently, tugging at his red kimono and pointing.

"Father?"

Drawing closer, they heard a deep male voice fill the air. "Are you of the dead?" the voice asked. When met with silence, the crystal skull spoke again. "You are grave robbers after the sacred jewel shard!"

"What are you supposed to be!?" Inuyasha shouted, pointing his sword at the crystal skull demon. "And who gave you permission to nest in my old man's belly?"

"Old man?" The demon questioned, extending himself towards Inuyasha and Kagome. "Are you saying you're the son of the Great Dog Demon? You are Toga's son?"

"I figured out who this is!" Myoga shouted, "Aren't you Master Hosenki? It's me, Myoga! Don't you recognize me?"

"How could it be Hosenki?" Sango questioned. "Are you suggesting this is the same one who made the black pearl?"

"Don't you remember?" Kagome turned to them. "Hakudoshi visited him and reported that he was dead. His son informed us that he had recently passed away from old age."

"Myoga," the skull addressed the flea with familiarity. "Then this young boy must be Inuyasha."

"Master Inuyasha isn't your enemy!" Myoga exclaimed, leaping high on Inuyasha's shoulder.

"Your father requested that I create a black pearl, so I did," Hosenki explained. "You have passed through the black pearl once to come to this world. Once it fulfilled its purpose, it lost its power and returned to your right eye."

Inuyasha leveled his sword at Hosenki. "Why did you give me those visions?"

"Visions?" Hosenki questioned. "Those are the residual thoughts that linger in the black pearl."

"What do you mean?" Inuyasha sheathed his sword, to cross his arms in defiance.

"Didn't the visions you've experienced tell you to leave this place?" Hosenki asked, causing Inuyasha to grunt in frustration. "Regardless, entering the land of the dead again is forbidden, no matter who you are."

"I am Kagome Higurashi," she declared, stepping in front of Inuyasha. "I am the Shikon Miko, and I am here to retrieve the jewel fragment in your possession. Why did you bring it with you to the netherworld?"

"The Sacred Jewel desired to come to the land of the dead," Hosenki explained. "As a demon who controls jewels, I have the power to sense their desires. When I was alive, I came across the fragment, and it spoke to me, warning that the Sacred Jewel must never be allowed to become whole again. The other fragments have been tainted, which is why I keep this one here in this demon grave, away from those who would corrupt it with evil."

"Leave the shard with Hosenki," Myoga suggested.

"I refuse," Kagome retorted, glaring at the flea. "I will keep it purified, just as I have kept the ones in my possession purified."

"Kagome is right," Inuyasha growled. "Naraku is here and if we don't take it then Naraku will!"

The once clear sky blackened with near black clouds, Hosenki's eyes shone red as his body pulsed. Kagome glanced towards the jewel once she felt the pull again, it had darkened just from the mere presence of Naraku being in the Netherworld.

"Kagome stay here," Inuyasha crouched down, ready to jump.

"I'm going with you!"

"The hell you aren't," he growled. "I wont be able to protect you if I am fighting Hosenki, and if something were to happen to you then I would never forgive myself." He turned to narrow his eyes at Hosenki, "plus Sesshomaru would skin me alive if you got hurt."

Leaping off the bird, Inuyasha unsheathed his sword and brought it down with all his might, aiming to strike Hosenki. But to his dismay, the blade faltered, failing to make any impact against the formidable demon. With a swift retreat, he landed on a nearby rock, frustration evident in his eyes.

Kagome's heart pounded as she observed the futile attempt, feeling a sense of helplessness wash over her. She couldn't shake off the ominous feeling that loomed over them, amplified by the darkening clouds and the tainted aura emanating from the jewel shard.

"Be careful, Inuyasha!" Kagome warned, her voice laced with concern as she glimpsed at the corrupted shard. The air grew thick with miasma, forcing them to ascend higher into the sky for safety. "The shard has become black!"

Sango's brows furrowed in disbelief as she turned to Miroku, seeking answers amidst the chaos. "How could the shard become tainted like this?"

Miroku's expression mirrored her concern as he replied, "The shard usually reflects the purity or darkness within its wielder. But in this case, I fear it's not Hosenki who's responsible for its corruption."

Surrounded by the oppressive pull of negative energy, Kagome struggled to maintain her composure as the overwhelming sensation enveloped her. The tainted aura in the air and the unsettling turmoil within her own blood signaled the presence of several corrupted jewel shards.

"It must be Naraku," Kagome declared, her voice laden with unease and dread.

Sango's disbelief was palpable as she questioned, "Just being near Naraku is enough to influence Hosenki's shard?"

Miroku's urgency cut through the tense atmosphere as he called out, "Kagome! Where is Naraku hiding?"

The mere thought of Naraku sent a chill down Kagome's spine, causing her skin to prickle with discomfort. The sheer omnipresence of his malevolent influence overwhelmed her senses, making it increasingly difficult to draw a steady breath.

"He... he is everywhere," Kagome finally managed to articulate, her voice barely above a whisper. The weight of her words hung heavily in the air, emphasizing the insidious reach of Naraku's sinister presence and the formidable challenge they faced in confronting him.

Inuyasha's voice thundered through the tense air as he pointed his sword at Hosenki, issuing a warning. "Give up the shard, otherwise it will corrupt your soul with its tainted power."

Hosenki's response was a mocking chuckle, dismissing Inuyasha's threat with contempt. "You make me laugh, boy. I am a great demon, and I will not allow my soul to be tainted by such a weak irritant."

Kagome's eyes remained fixed on the pulsating jewel inside Hosenki, a silent witness to the unfolding turmoil.

Defiant and resolute, Hosenki declared, "I will not surrender the shard to anyone!" His body pulsated with dark energy, the shard's corruption consuming him.

Myoga's frantic plea cut through the escalating confrontation. "You must go easy on him! He was a friend of your Father!"

Inuyasha's frustration boiled over as he unleashed his Wind Scar, but to Kagome's shock, the attack left Hosenki unscathed. Gasping in disbelief, she felt her stomach drop.

Frustrated by her failed attempt, Kagome drew another arrow from her quiver, this time focusing her reiki with even greater intensity. With determination etched on her face, she released the arrow, aiming it directly at the adamant.

But to her dismay, the arrow bounced off the hard surface of the adamant, leaving Kagome bewildered and disheartened.

"Hosenki was a formidable and ancient demon, Kagome. Your arrow lacks the spiritual energy to pierce through," Myoga explained urgently.

Desperate for a solution, Kagome reached for Kikyo's arrow, only to be met with a shocking jolt. Confusion clouded her mind as she recoiled from the unexpected sensation.

Suddenly, Inuyasha's commanding voice pierced through the chaos. "Shoot another arrow in the same spot!"

Responding to his directive, Kagome fired another arrow, her aim steady and focused. Inuyasha followed up with his Wind Scar, aiming to break through Hosenki's defense.

But their efforts were met with devastating consequences. Hosenki retaliated swiftly, extending a sharp arm made of pure adamant, slicing through Inuyasha's body. Kagome's heart lurched as she watched Inuyasha fall unconscious into the thick fog.

"Inuyasha!" she cried out, her voice filled with anguish and fear.

As Hosenki spoke, his words carried a chilling weight of truth. "We're nothing but mere puppets manipulated by the black jewel," he declared, his eyes flashing with malevolence.

Upon reaching the Realm of Fire, Sesshomaru wasted no time in locating the entrance to the cavern. Kagura followed in silence, her curiosity piqued by his swift and purposeful movements. As he stood at the entrance, he noticed Tenseiga glowing faintly blue and trembling within its sheath.

This behavior was unprecedented. The last time he had been in this cavern, Tenseiga had remained dormant. Why was it reacting now?

"Be silent," he commanded the blade, but it continued to emit a low hum.

"Why do you concern yourself with the priestess?" Kagura ventured to ask as they ventured deeper into the cavern. "Don't you hold disdain for humans?"

"This one does not need to justify his actions to you," Sesshomaru replied coolly, pressing forward with determination to reach the Netherworld and retrieve his Miko.

"Come to think of it," Kagura continued, undeterred, "you also allow that young girl to accompany you."

Between the struggle to maintain control over his own inner beast and Kagura's persistent questioning, Sesshomaru found himself contemplating the idea of silencing the wind demoness permanently. It was one less adversary to deal with in the long run, just as he finally came to a decision, she stopped walking.

"I won't go any further," Kagura stated. "I will stay back and watch."

He paid her declaration little heed. His sole focus was on his miko, alone and vulnerable in the clutches of that wretched vermin, Naraku. Growling to himself, he approached the gates of the Netherworld, where the guardians, Gozu and Mezu, snapped their eyes open.

A deep voice resonated through the dark and empty cavern. "Do you wish to pass?"

"Yes," Sesshomaru answered curtly.

Drawing his sword, he observed as the guardians stepped off their pedestals, flames extinguishing as they armed themselves. With a swift motion, he leaped into the air, slashing at them and watching as they crumpled to the ground with a resounding thud. Yet, they stood as though unaffected. Turning to face them, he aimed his blade at the immovable figures.

"It is futile," Gozu stated.

"We cannot be slain by a sword of this world," Mezu finished.

As they lunged towards Sesshomaru, Tenseiga began to pulse. A smirk formed on Sesshomaru's lips. "So that is how it is."

Tenseiga glowed with a soft blue light, trembling in its sheath once more. Narrowing his eyes, he slammed his sword into the ground where it stood. Drawing his other blade, Tenseiga, the weapon emitted a brilliant blue light. The doors to the Netherworld opened behind him, illuminated by the same radiant glow. Gozu and Mezu halted in their tracks, bowing to Sesshomaru.

"You may pass," Gozu said aloud.

"He who wields the sword," Mezu finished.

"Your sword cuts down those who do not belong in this world," Gozu spoke again, his voice echoing in the cavern.

"It is as if we ourselves have been cut," Mezu added.

"So you will not engage in a needless fight?" Sesshomaru asked rhetorically as he sheathed Tenseiga. "Very admirable."

He retrieved his sword from where he had thrust it into the ground, wasting no time as he swiftly made his way through the gates. The familiar pull of his miko intensified, her presence like a beacon guiding him forward, while his inner beast clawed at the confines of its cage within him. Anger simmered within him for having let her out of his sight; he should have anticipated Naraku's treachery. But there was no use dwelling on past mistakes.

His resolve hardened as he pressed on, his determination unyielding. Naraku would pay for his deception, and he would ensure his miko's safe return. With each step, his focus sharpened, his senses honed in on the task ahead. He would not rest until he had her back by his side, safe and unharmed.