WOW! It's been more than a year since I've updated this story, and I can't believe it's taken this long! I apologize, and I hope you guys can forgive me...I made this chapter semi-long to make up for the lack of updating. Soulmate's next...! I hope you enjoy this chapter...it's been a long time in the making.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA! Rumiko Takahashi does. Kudos to her.

"Inu…yasha…I'm so sorry…"

"You will forget him before the sun rises, Kagome."

"That's not true! I won'—mmph!"

Kagome was silenced when Naraku forced his mouth onto hers, his tongue invading her mouth, teasing her.

She felt another tingle in between her legs.

'Damn it…!' Kagome thought. Her body was betraying her. No matter how much she hated Naraku…and Sesshomaru…the things they did to her…drove her wild with pleasure.

Finally, after a grueling minute or two, Naraku pulled away.

"You will never see him again. We will make sure of that."

Naraku quickly removed himself from Kagome's body and stormed out of the room.

Kagome did not move, but lay limp where Naraku had left her, sobbing quietly. How was she to get out of this?

"Taisho! That wench...this is not going as I had planned."

"I knew it would not be easy to rid her mind of Inuyasha. She is deeply in love with that…hanyou. It does not matter that he betrayed her with Kikyo, and it does not matter that he rejected her."

"Perhaps she would listen to reason if you tried and explained things to her, Taisho. You are, after all, related to that abomination."

"Hn. I feel as if I've done all the explaining there is."

"But if we want her, we must stop at nothing. Her power…is immense."

"Hai. I will go and speak with her one last time. Otherwise, Tanaka…we will have to use more…forceful measures."

"Which is what we should have done in the first place."

Sesshomaru scowled, and left the library. He walked down the long hall to the room where Kagome was left, and found her sobbing in a heap on the large futon.

"Kagome." He spoke her name softly. Perhaps if he could make her believe that he wasn't as bad as he seemed, she might come to reason. He could be very convincing. After all, he had come from the same gene pool—unfortunately—that had produced Inuyasha—who made Kagome believe that he loved her. Could he not do the same?

"Leave. Me. Alone."

"I'm afraid I cannot do that, miko. You see, you already understand why we want you. What I do not understand is why you refuse to see to reason. We have offered you everything you could possibly dream of, and yet your sights are still set on a damaged and permanently scarred hanyou, whose love for one who retained your soul will never die. All you are to him is Kikyo…as a reincarnation. He will never love you. It would be better for you to accept that and move on."

"But…"

"I know you feel for my…brother…" He hesitated, saying the name as a scowl marred his deadly, but graceful features.

"I love him…I love him…and I always will, no matter what…"

"What good is it doing you, wench?" Sesshomaru was losing his temper.

"You wouldn't understand love if it bit you in the ass, would you? When I said I loved him, I meant it! I don't care what he's done! That's what love is! It's unconditional! You can say all you want about him; about his past. The fact remains…I still love him!"

"Then you are a waste of my time, and a waste of good air. I should kill you now, and get it over with."

"Do it. At least I won't have to be tortured by the sight of Naraku's ugly face again."

"So you despise the hanyou that much."

"He sickens me. And so do you. Raping someone doesn't get you what you want, unless you're looking for sexual satisfaction. I would never give myself to you anyhow. You're both sick, and I hate you. I hope that Inuyasha rips your heads off when he…"

"Inuyasha is not coming back, miko, or did you not see the devastation plainly displayed in his eyes? You broke his heart on the same night his love died. And you think he will come and save you? You, little one, are severely disillusioned. I have explained it time and time again. Nothing seems to be getting through to you."

"And it never will."

"You are pathetic, human. Your emotions—"

"My emotions? Tell me, how do you know anything about human emotions! You aren't even human!"

"How dare you insult this Sesshomaru, wench!"

Sesshomaru flexed his claws and raised his hand to slap her, but stopped when he saw the look in Kagome's eyes. She didn't even flinch. It was as if she didn't care whether she lived or died. He had seen that look before…long ago.

He tried to convince himself to just kill the girl and get it over with, but he couldn't…something was holding him back.

"No, little one…I do not think I will give you the satisfaction of ending your suffering. I will make you want Naraku and I."

Kagome spat in his face, causing Sesshomaru to growl.

"You will never make me want you! I hope you both die!"

Sesshomaru almost laughed at the little ningen's wish.

"You certainly don't give up. A strength worthy of my mate. I will at least give you that. But little one…let me at least show you what you would be missing, should you go back to that hanyou."

"What could you possibly show me? You're evil…both of you…"

"Wait here."

Sesshomaru left a trembling Kagome in the room, going to speak to Naraku.

"Tanaka."

"Taisho. Well, did you sway her?"

"No, of course not. You knew what the outcome would be. However, I believe we should try a different approach. No forcing…show her what life could be like for her, should she stay with us."

"This is a waste of our time, Taisho. I say if she will not conform…we kill her."

"That is your answer to everything, you bitter fool."

"I am not a human, and therefore do not have emotions as humans do. And neither do you. So why are you showing feelings for this bitch!"

Sesshomaru froze. Was it true? Why was he showing compassion for the little miko bitch? He was inuyoukai, for kami's sake! But there was something inside of him that kept telling him to pursue the miko, and make her his.

"Just try…I am sure this will work."

Naraku rolled his eyes in annoyance. If he'd had his powers, Sesshomaru would certainly have been dead by now, and the miko bitch would be as well. Great powers or not…her refusal to conform annoyed him greatly.

"We will try it your way. But if it does not work, I refuse to compromise."

"Very well then. We are in agreement."

Sesshomaru smiled slightly. Before the night was over, Kagome would succumb to her fate.

Kagome sat on the bed, her heart pounding. They refused to give up, Sesshomaru and Naraku.

'I have to get out of here…have to get to Inuyasha…'

Her thoughts were interrupted when Sesshomaru reentered the room.

In his hands, she saw he held a strange mirror of some sort.

"What is that?"

"You will see what life would be like should you return to Inuyasha."

"You still didn't explain to me what it is."

"It is an enchanted mirror."

"Oh, please. Is a face going to pop up and tell me that I'm the prettiest girl in all the land?"

"Your sarcasm is not appreciated, little one. I am offering you a chance to see your beloved…Inuyasha, should you return to him. What your life will be like. And you will see how life would be if you remained with Naraku and I."

"Yeah, I'm sure…"

And then, almost immediately, a scene appeared in the mirror.

Kagome was in a driveway, chasing after a man with long, silver hair.

"Sesshomaru! Sesshomaru! Wait! I have to tell you something!"

"Kagome, my love, what is it? I am late for work."

"Well…there's something really important I have to tell you. I don't know how you'll take it, but…Sesshomaru…I'm..."

"Pregnant."

"Yes! But how did you…"

"You have a certain smell that accompanies you when another life is growing inside. Especially youkai."

"Oh."

As Kagome watched, her future self looked crestfallen.

"But…I couldn't be more happier."

"You…wait…you what?"

"Kagome, I wouldn't have taken you as my mate, had I not wanted this outcome. I am very pleased."

"Oh!"

"If you wish, we can discuss this when I return home from work this evening, over dinner. I'll have my secretary make us reservations. However, I cannot afford to be late. I am the head of a very important meeting. I will see you tonight."

"Goodbye, Sesshomaru."

She pecked him lightly on the cheek, and he got into his Mercedes and drove off, leaving her standing in the driveway of the same house she was in at the present time.

The Kagome in the mirror ran inside the mansion, and slammed the door behind her.

A figure was standing in the foyer, waiting for her.

"Good morning, Kagome. I trust you slept well."

"Yes, Naraku. I did."

"Hn."

They stood in silence for a moment, before Kagome decided to walk past him. But before she could get completely by, he grabbed her arm.

"Kagome, we should talk."

"I have no desire to talk to you, Naraku."

"Then you will listen as I speak. Nevertheless, you are going nowhere."

Kagome scowled.

"We have been mates for a short while, the three of us. Three years. And every day, you have treated me the same. Hateful and resentful. Like I am a disease you cannot bear to be near."

"You deserve it."

"Oh? And I suppose that your beloved Sesshomaru is your rescuer? I'm evil, and he treats you like a princess. He saved you from me. Is that it?"

Kagome did not reply. Naraku grabbed her chin, his claws almost piercing her skin, forcing her to look at him.

"I expect you to treat me like your mate. You will obey me, and you will respect me, whether you like it or not."

"Is that it?"

Tears welled up in her eyes. She refused to look Naraku in the eye.

"Kagome, look at me."

"No! Let me go!"

"I told you to look at me." His voice was deep, but there was nothing menacing…just threatening.

Against what she wanted, Kagome slowly moved her eyes to Naraku's. His gaze was intense.

"When will you give in, Kagome, and accept that you belong to me as well? I don't wish to hurt you…though that may have been the case years ago. Now, you carry a child…it angers me to know that you don't wish me to be a part of any of this. It is just as much mine as it is Sesshomaru's."

"No…I…"

Naraku silenced her with a chaste kiss on the mouth, taking her by complete surprise.

"I will not give in, Kagome. Someday, you will accept that you are mine too."

Naraku left her alone then, retreating to the library.

The scene faded into darkness. And then...

Darkness turned to light as another scene came to life in the mirror.

"You stupid wench! I told you not to come back here!"

"Inuyasha, please!" A woman cried.

"Kagome...I don't want to see you again. EVER! I loved Kikyo, and you mean NOTHING to me! NOTHING! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"

"How can that be, Inuyasha? You told me...you told me you loved me once..."

"That was years ago, you dumb bitch!"

Kagome gasped--it was her he was talking to.

"I don't want anything to do with you! Get out of my sight!"

"Please...please take me back...I'll do whatever you want, and I'm sorry I'm not Kikyo, but I do love you!"

"Feh. Why would I want you? You will never be her. You're just a simple reincarnation. Don't think for one minute that you could ever measure up to her. Not in a million years."

He slammed the door in her face, leaving her a sobbing mess.

The vision ended.

Kagome sat in silence for a moment.

"Well?"

She said nothing.

"Do you honestly believe that this was just a ruse to get you to try and accept us as your mates? Because it is not so. This mirror only shows the past, present, and the future. It does not show the viewer what they want--only what has happened, is happening, or will happen."

"Don't try and fool me. I know you only want me for my power. The powers that supposedly course through my veins--miko."

"My, my...you're not as dense as I thought you to be."

Kagome scowled at him angrily.

"Hai, we do want you for your power. But have you not considered the possibilities to this union? Being our mate, you will receive not only respect and power, but protection, and love. The bond of mates is strong--one that is made to last forever. Our pups could be the most powerful youkai in the world, and though Naraku may not have his powers available for use...his abilities will be passed on to the pups you will bear...together, we could bring back a civilization long lost and buried by both time and humanity. Someday, youkai may once again rule this land, as they did when I was young."

"But there won't be any love--"

"You foolish girl, did you pay any attention to what that mirror just showed you? Love can be developed over time, but if you stay with that moron, you have no chance at happiness. This will benefit all parties. Are you comprehending any of this?" Sesshomaru's voice turned cold.

"I comprehend all of it."

She stared at him for a moment, her expression softening.

"If this mirror shows everything you say it does, then I want it to show me..." Kagome paused. It was going to be hard to ask, but she knew it would be the only way to find out whether or not Sesshomaru had been lying to her all along. "...how my father died."

"Very well, then."

She gazed into the mirror once more, and watched as the fog that was swirling around in its depths began to form into a man. Her father.

He was walking down a sidewalk, and smiling quite happily to himself.

She remembered that day--he had gone off to work and had promised to come home early for dinner--the next day was her birthday, and they were celebrating early so that Kagome could have a day with her friends. She was going to be eight.

"I hope that Kagome likes the present I'm giving her." He said quietly to himself.

Kagome knew the moment she was dreading drew closer as her father stepped out into the street in order to get to the other side. He wasn't concentrating on his surroundings; he was so caught up in his own world that he didn't notice a car speeding towards him.

It was just as she had been told.

The driver didn't die...didn't even go to jail. And she was left fatherless. Life for her and her family had been changed in a split second. She had often wondered if he had been driving a car instead, or perhaps been somewhere else...would he still be alive?

Tears escaped her eyelids, which she had squeezed shut in order to avoid seeing her father's fate reenacted.

"Do you believe me now, Kagome?"

Slowly, she nodded her head.

It had been true all along...Sesshomaru had not lied to her.

What was she to do now? Where was she to turn? To whom? Should she stay with Sesshomaru and Naraku?

Back in the car...

"Miroku...we can't leave her there. She is like a sister to me."

"Sango. None of us are prepared to fight two youkai. We've discussed this. I'm not saying that we'll leave her there forever, but at least for now. They won't let any harm come to her--not if they want to mate her. They will be very protective. She will be treated well, if she cooperates. Kami, how I pray she does."

"What are we supposed to do between now and...when we go back?"

"Train. And get Inuyasha back on his feet. We can't do this without him, and we'll need more help than just that. I will exhaust my resources--but we will have help in this. I promise you."

Inuyasha heard every word that was said, but his mouth would not work, and words would not form. Kagome had broken his heart, and he knew he had driven her to say what she did. And Kikyo, his one and only true love was now dead...no one wanted him anymore. He felt empty inside; the only thing left were his organs, twisting and writhing with pain.

'I have driven Kagome away, and because of my stupidity, Kikyo's dead too. I'm so stupid.'

Tears flowed from his golden eyes, dimmed by sorrow.

He gripped Kikyo closer still, the warmth fading from her body, turning her icy cold. He wished he could breathe life back into her.

'What can I do? They talk of fighting, and taking Kagome back...but I know better. Now that those two have her, she won't ever leave them.'

It's almost over...next chapter will be the last.