When Serenity was little, a mere pup nursing at her mother's side, she had wanted for nothing but the love of her family. She was warmed, loved, fed, and cared for with her littermate Mamoru and her inner tribe. Serenity had been overly protected due to being the youngest and next in line if something were to happen to her brother; as such she never really learned to fight like the others did. However, there was one thing she learned well after first hearing about the death of father by a man's bow, she learned of greed and hatred but did not understand the possession of such. When the mourning was howled to the skies and the pack urged on, she happen to spot a winged creature, a dove, her mother had said, and for once she wished to be something else, something with wings. Serenity wanted to know the feeling of weightlessness and to be carried on the wings of love to those she loved greatly. Her mother said she should have been born a dove, and those had been her last words before taking down the blood-crazy elder of the clan that wanted power. She had succeeded but the elder had killed her mother as well, and only she, the clan, and her brother had been left. Ever since then, Serenity had been slightly bitter toward the Roukan, so much so, that she willing went against most of their wishes, well, only when they seemed immensely foolish.

Serenity had watched her love ones die in front of her, too weak and too scared, to combat those against them. So when Kouga's life was in danger she didn't even think and leapt in front of the blast that was meant to take his soul from this plain. Serenity had gotten her wish, she had protected her love one and felt the feeling of flying if for seconds to eons, and she had learned self-sacrifice. She had also been granted the last image of the one she cared for safe from the malicious energy, and she fell into blackness with a voice crying out her name.

Kouga howled his blue eyes long since demolished by the demon gold that was his youkai. He ripped the land asunder as he tore toward the one who dare take what was his and his alone. Kouga no longer saw a misguided child, no longer able to tell friend from foe as he shattered the arm that held the mirror which kept Serenity's soul captive. The mirror dropped, thankfully unbroken, and he ignored it to put down one of Naraku's incarnations, Kan'na would not return to her lord this time around, he would not allow it. His howls grew, and anger painted him in red youkai, he leapt and crushed the wrist of the other hand, Kouga would spare no quarter. The Inu-tachi, could only watch as Kouga spared not one ounce of pain to the living detachment, and in kindness they might have felt pity for one who had no feelings at all.

Quietly, Kagome stepped away from the protective embrace that was InuYasha's hold and scoped up the fallen mirror. She could only pray that Kouga came to his senses soon and not destroy the girl, for she was the only one who could retrieve the souls from said mirror. Sadly she watched, afraid also of the man Kouga had become in his grief, but understanding as well. Hoping he recognized her on some level, even more so a good one; she opened her mouth to call him. "Kouga, please stop!" She urged and was yanked into InuYasha's embrace.

"What are you doing Kagome?" InuYasha asked harshly, afraid for her.

"He must stop; she's the only way to retrieve the soul of Serenity." Kagome answered, and gracefully she wiggled from his hold approaching the whirlwind that was death. Calmly she grabbed a hold of his arm, and was frightened but not deterred when gold eyes turn to her. "Please stop Kouga, for the sake of Serenity, please stop." She pleaded, pointing to the down woman.

"No, she must be killed." He growled out, but not struggling to harm Kagome, not yet. "Let me go or I kill you if you get in my way," and that was it, the final straw that Kagome saw that was his affection for her. She raised her hand from his arm and slapped him soundly across his face.

"If you kill Kanna, you'll never retrieve Serenity's soul from the mirror." She informed him, a proud and angry glare situated on her face. "You would doom her to a soulless death, locked in liquid glass, alone and forgotten." Kagome told him and then stepped away, still ever aware that his eyes were cold and hungry, furious beyond all known limits. These gold eyes were not the gentle ones of her love InuYasha, nor the calmly detached ones of Sesshomaru, no these eyes she did not recognize at all, especially not to her gentle friend Kouga. These eyes belong to the beast, the wild, the youkai, the wolf, and these eyes one would face under death. Kagome could cry and laugh at how much Kouga cared about the fallen woman, more so then he knew himself, and she thanked her silently too, for rescuing Kouga from himself.

Kouga calmed, not quickly, but he did calm enough for InuYasha to approach and not rip his throat out. InuYasha held off glaring as it might be seen as a threat and gathered his foolish love into his arms. Kouga retreated balefully, circling around Serenity before lying down beside her, arms wrapping beside the cooling body, resembling death but not actually being. Kagome let out a tight breath and turned to the one that resembled Naraku's detachment but broken beyond all compare. Miroku and Sango had all ready got to work building a barrier and tying the detachment up, but gentle and aware of all her wounds. She might have been an enemy, a child of their greatest threat, but they were not cruel only cautious. Silently she approached the restrained detachment, her miko power glowing in one hand, discarded mirror in the other. Before working on Kan'na she laid the mirror beside Kouga and tucked a fallen bang back behind Serenity's ear. "Keep her safe, keep the mirror safe." She instructed him softly. Kagome rose and approached Kanna, her face grim and taunt, while she pulled her first aid kit from the bike she refused to leave behind.

"Kanna, return my friend back to the way she was, and we promise no more hurt will come to you." Kagome spoke softly while easing the powdered arm into a make-shift sling and running her glowing hand over it.

"Why do you help me?" The child questioned emptily, because that's all they could see now that she had been rendered helpless, a mere child Naraku had twisted and deformed in his own image. It was a simple and valid question one whose answer was just as valid and twice more difficult. How does one explain emotions like compassion and care to one who does not have them? Kagome only smiled gently at the child and brushed back the blue tinted white hair that had fallen into her empty eyes. For once Kanna reached to do something not ordered by Naraku, she gestured for the mirror to be placed near her. InuYasha glanced at her only once in suspicion before placing the object she wanted beside her. Kanna concentrated the mirror glowing in stressed amounts before she sighed. "I cannot, I am too drained for now." Kanna spoke, and the Inu-tachi nodded before patching her up as best they could.

"Then we wait, Naraku will not harm you here." Kagome promised while the rest nodded. Kanna merely stared at the woman before flicking her eyes over the silent wolf youkai, perhaps she felt a flicker of pity or sympathy, maybe even fear, and she nodded.

Kouga had been despairingly quiet holding the lifeless doll that was his intended in his arms. He knew she was not dead, and knew it was possible to return from this state unharmed. These were not the things that bothered him, no what bothered him is he had almost lost another; she had been injured protecting him. He had grown too reliant on the help that was the Inu-tachi, and it had failed in his greatest need, Kouga needed to grow strong. Kouga needed to travel east, to his lands and face the lord there, it was time he reclaimed his duties, and it was time to face his father. The Roukan had said for him to travel and grow strong, and he had, but he had lost his clan and his independence in the long run. However, he admits he has found the one he has wanted, and the Roukan seek to take her away, this he will not allow. No, it was time for him to take up the mantle as Lord and put his father in his place. Standing, he turned his attention to the studious InuYasha who was contemplative as he eyed him. Silently he admitted to the wind that InuYasha was camaraderie one that echoed of brothers, so he approached with a request.

"Help me grow strong." Kouga requested, and normally InuYasha would goad or heckle, but he knew that this situation was different, they had both matured. InuYasha nodded solemnly and gestured with his head to a clearing that was a few miles away. Kouga turned to Kagome with a quiet expression before bowing humbly before her. "Please help and keep her safe for now." Kouga requested and Kagome nodded with a small smile, she would have done it anyway.

There was something terribly cold about the blackness that surrounded her, creeping in and out of her bared skin like watered silk. Serenity was confused and at the same time at peace while dragging pale hands through the darkness, she knew not where she was, but if this was death then she disliked it. This couldn't be what greeted her parents, her soul sisters, her soul brothers, or her littermate; they had been too pure for something like this to greet them, this emptiness. Her surroundings did not change as she thought with denial that this is what one sees when met with death, she searched vainly for her past pack members that were to guide her to their nirvana. When none met her eager eyes, she collapsed, at least she thought she did, after all she was alone in the inky blackness that swallowed her form with glee. Familiar despair and hopelessness rose from within, and Serenity bit at her lip, this helplessness is something she never wanted to encounter again. Shaking her head from side to side as the reminder of watching precious ones die sought to swallow her whole, she tossed her head up in agony. Thrusting her hands from her, she cried out angrily only for it to be consumed by the space she was captured by.

"No, no, no." She chanted, she cried, she yelled, trying to break from the sweltering despair that reached and tore at her. "I refuse, I refuse, I absolutely refuse this!" She screamed out, and for a second there was an echo, and then the darkness shattered to reveal the cold silver that reflects like a mirror. Glancing at the change, her confusion, muted by her despair was swept with the brisk wind that had appeared from nowhere. She heard a sound like glass breaking, before a gentle breath of words brushed against her.

"Serenity, Serenity, Serenity," the voice called in echo, but so soft the she could not be sure that it was her name that was called. "Serenity, Serenity, Serenity." It whispered against her and the wind tugged at her to follow, was she being called? She felt an insistence pulling at her, but she stilled the notion, this place was unknown to her, and one does not wander into the unknown with nary a thought. Serenity….SERENITY….Serenity…SERENITY…." This time the voice was agitated and she knew then it was calling her, and this time she followed the sound. In the end it wasn't like she had much else to do or another choice. "Serenity, Serenity, Serenity." The soft summon circled around her with gentle leadings once more. What would this show her, and what was to become of her, only the sound of the summon would know. Drawing closer to where she was being led the silver surroundings flickered and a cloudiness began to form around them.

"Serenity, you have forgotten…" The voice chimed, and Serenity could only wonder at the sadness that colored its tone, and exactly what had she forgot. "You have forgotten, forgotten things you never should Serenity." It intoned, the sadness blending with a spark of anger, and pride rankled her spine.

"You've claim I've forgotten, but what have I forgotten, and who are you to tell me of this?" Serenity bit out, frustration easily lending her strength. She wanted to growl and bite, to lash out at this entity, to stable out the helplessness that was making a return.

"You've forgotten the unforgettable; you've broken the sacred bonds that have held for millennium upon millennium, foolish star, foolish Serenity." The sound scolded angry and yet the same time so very sad that Serenity flinched just a little. "I shall have to punish you dear little star, Serenity, for forgetting, for daring to forget." It continued and Serenity howled out in fury, what exactly she had forgotten that was so damning, and wasn't she dead and freed from such responsibility? "You have forgotten your pride, your heart, your soul, your duty and all that it encompasses, you have forgotten yourself." It explained, but beyond that shallow statement laid centuries of understanding that she could not phantom. "Pick up your sworn sword once more, forge yourself in love and defense, and rise once more Serenity." It ordered and Serenity was distracted by flashes of images in the silver reflection that surrounded her. "I shall not be so lenient again little star, little changer, Serenity, we shall meet once more." The voice promised and Serenity shivered wondering at the stage of events that has happened. Was this nothing more than a frantic and twisting dream from the pain of battle that she had endured? "Your heart, your soul, half empty, half gone, you have forgotten, and when we meet once more, entwined and entombed, you and I, you shall be judged, do not forget this Serenity." The voice seemed lighter than before, and Serenity wondered on the sinking feeling she was having, that promise had been bleak.

The silver around her shifted and an image cleared enough for her to understand only a flash before it was gone, and pain split through her head. This was the epitome of something beyond her understanding, but in essence her and her alone. "Kouga," She whimpered and the pain receded a little before the silver dulled around her and a flash of purple invaded her mind.

"You are mine, and mine alone, and you shall know your place soon enough." An angry male voice sounded through the space, and vile hyacinth eyes flooded her mind's eye. She felt a disgusting grip wrap around her and pull her to a shimmering image in the world of silver, and the vile hyacinth eyes appeared before her. Shivering in disgust and slight anger she snarled at the eyes, unaware as to whom they were but reacting on the feeling of anger.

"I am no one's, I belong only to myself, and my place is wherever I want it." She declared and the grip tightened before a sick-sounding chuckle crawled up her spine and caressed her lips.

"Your mine, and that's all you'll ever need to know, now come to me." The male's voice took on a commanding tone and tried to force her will.

"Never, never will I come to you or submit to you, whoever you are." Serenity responded while tugging out of the feeling of hands on her.

"Oh you'll come, sure enough, even if's not willingly, but the choice isn't yours anyway." He finished and the feeling of being leered at made her wrap her arms around herself. The silver around her shifted once more and she was lost again in the darkness, but she rather be enclosed in this suffering darkness then entrenched in that betraying silver.

Kanna shifted feeling her wounds sting as the cool wind touched them. She felt the pull of Naraku summoning her back to his side, but she could not go, and perhaps she wished not to go either. However, staying with those who she had committed major offenses against might not be the best to her health either. Kanna felt the pull grow greater and she shuddered as a small burst of pain rushed through her. Naraku was getting angry, but she only knew loyalty and survival, and both were unavailable to her. For she was surrounded by the warriors she had fought and her mirror had been taken away until she regain enough strength to free the soul of the female ookami. Kanna shifted again, and some of sutra's brunt the edge of her toes as she brushed against them. She gasped lightly at the new sensation drawing attention from the mothering miko that was gently rebuking the kitsune kit that had ran and tripped while trying to follow InuYasha and Kouga. Kagome strolled over and checked her over with a few slight prods and nodded when Kanna would wince identifying that the natural demon blood running through her was healing her nicely. Kanna felt the burn of Naraku flood her blood and she bit her lip, Master Naraku was angry. Cracking her dry lips apart, she felt for her energy and found that it was sufficient enough for her to plan to survive; turning to the miko she wet her lips. Before she could speak a canteen was pressed against her lips and she drunk the proffered water without a sound. The water refreshed her quickly, and she wiggled a little to show how uncomfortable she was in the position that left her restrained. Tender hands brushed back her hair and retrieved the canteen allowing her breathing to sound harsh and heavy. The miko smiled sadly at her, and she gasped when her master flooded her veins with angry youkai.

"I should be able to bring her back now." She spoke softly, her mind beginning to shade with the things known as emotions. However, it did little to her as she admitted to herself that she would be betraying the group, but she was after all a mere puppet and part of Naraku, what more could they expect from her. The miko nodded gently to her passing softly by the sleeping monk and slayer and retrieving her mirror. Seconds later the cool sensation of her mirror resting in her unbound hands gave her a breath that was burden with familiarity. Running her fingers over the ridge of the mirror she found her familiar grooves and latched her fingers around the edge. She took several deep breaths, regaining strength and focus while gripping tightly to her core of her survival and life. For a second, there was a flicker of something that made her choke and her eyes to sting, and she focused on the miko who peered at her with understanding urgency.

"I'm sorry, but Master Naraku calls, arise dear puppet and come with me." She whispered softly and sorrowful understanding flashed in the miko's eyes. Serenity's body twitched and stood like a puppet with a few strings cut, and Kanna mirror flared with power. "Thank you for the small respite but even you cannot free me from the blood in these veins." She whispered once more. For a moment Kanna understood her sister Kagura much more than she ever had before, for there was something new that try to spawn where no heart resided, and it was then that Kanna knew she had been utterly defeated. Pushing out her powers, she enveloped the puppet blond, and locked eyes with the disappointed ones of the miko, there was a tinge again but it did not stop her. However, she opened her mouth once more, and committed a betrayal reminiscent of Kagura. "Follow her energy and it shall lead you to her and Master Naraku." Her voice still so void of warmth and laughter children are known for as she began to flicker out of sight. However, once more before she left she saw those raging gold of anger and heard the howls of promise, the next time she met the ookami yokai she would not leave alive. Kanna admitted quietly it was perhaps the best end she would ever receive for being what she was, a void demoness and a detachment of Naraku, and it was all she really deserved in the end.

Kouga leapt forward striking out with bleeding claws and slicing at his brother-in-arms, only scoring the windy aftereffect as InuYasha dodged and leapt away. He bowed out of the way of the heavy-handed sword strike, watching warily as Tetsusaiga glanced by the hair of his eyebrows and shred some of his fringe. The strike had been too slow compared to what he knew InuYasha was capable of and the same could be said of his dodge. Kouga knew though that he was unstable, anger still gripping at his conscious and bringing his yokai further front in his conscious. Struggling against the dire retribution that sung in his blood he pushed away the feeling and jumped at InuYasha baring his teeth in a vicious challenge. Need and pain twisted in his gut as he dodged past the wide swung Tetsusaiga that flooded him with the attack denoted as the 'Wind Scar,' and blood slid down his cheek. Recoiling from the backlash Kouga struck out and slammed his fist into the left side of InuYasha's jaw. Flexing his claws he drew a gouged line down InuYasha's shoulder and kicked forward at the unprotected stomach. He was blocked by the flat side of Tetsusaiga that shimmered under the impact of his foot while the jewel shards glowed dimly. Glaring down at the shards in his legs he flipped back and shifted his stance once more on the offensive.

"You can do better than that Mutt, fight me!" Kouga growled out, and InuYasha blinked at him before hefting Tetsusaiga onto his shoulders. "I need to get stronger, I need to…I need to fight." His voice was raspy with anger and power, his claws beginning to be surrounded in yokai. "Give me you all InuYasha, show me the demon inside of you, stop holding back." Kouga demanded and his yokai speared forth toward the Inu Hanyou. InuYasha gazed seriously over the charged Ookami his hand fisting lightly over the handle of the Tetsusaiga, before nodding and dropping the Tetsusaiga from his hold. The world went still as the yokai began to build between the two rivals, followed by a cracking as if the world had collapsed under the pressure. Suddenly there were agonized yells breaking through the silence, and the two males began to warp.

Jagged purple marks crawled over InuYasha's face, the gentle gold eyes purged by angry red and turquoise, and fangs grew beyond the close lips. His silver fringe ruffling in the windless air and his claws elongated past his normal nails while his breathing became heavy with power. Growling he glared at the male across the way and sent scattered pulses of yokai toward the other demonized youth. His red yokai reaching and trying to overpower the other who had gone too silent since his demand had been met. Cracking his claws with a curl of his fingers he dragged them through the still air, power growing in his hands. "Sankon Tesso." InuYasha growled out, and blades of power flew from his extended claws.

Kouga felt his pupils dilate before extending past his whole eye and the world fell into a red haze, the demonize gold appearing in his eyes instead. His raven hair snapped and flicked in the windless air, and single black marks cut across his cheeks. The fur around his shoulders grew and draped down his arms, tightening around the muscles and pulsing with power. His claws sharpened to diamond hardness, his fangs poked through snarled lips, and his spine lengthened to give him greater height. Bluish-green yokai enveloped him tossing off the red yokai that InuYasha had produced, and he snapped one claw toward the incoming attack that had left InuYasha's hand. The attack shattered on impact leaving scuffs of dirt along his hand. "Yes, this is what I want, show me the demon inside, and show me your power." Kouga howled and hurdled over the space that separated the two rivals.

Their claws flashed at each other becoming more and more the demon inside then the civilized mind they were known for as the animal instinct took hold. InuYasha favored his left arm as Kouga latched onto his arm with the two fingers that had made purchase before kicking up having his foot smash against the pectoral muscle that InuYasha had tried to defend. Growling InuYasha used his right claw to grab Kouga's head and slice across the temple. Kouga stumbled before striking out with his foot toward InuYasha's stomach, blood leaking into his eyes from InuYasha's slice. InuYasha fell backward, sprawled out as his hand landed on the Tetsusaiga. Angrily his eyes turned back to gold and he lifted the blessed sword with an upward slash. "Kaze no Kizu, I'll make you strong or I'll make you dead." InuYasha snapped as his rival donkey kicked him in his knee. The wind scar slashed Kouga's right side causing the wolf to stumble and stop. Gripping at his injured side he kicked up a twister and leapt back to recover some. The Tetsusaiga was an unfair advantage one that brought to mind the old laws and myths of the wolf demons. Waving his open arm in surrender Kouga knew what he would have to do, he would have to hunt down the Goraishi, the claw-like weapon lost to his tribe many years ago.

Both yokai died down and away as the summoned their civilized will back to conscious, gazing at each other, the blood rippling down exposed flesh before nodding to each other in understanding. Kouga sighed, about to ask if InuYasha was suffering any debilitating injuries when Kanna's power was felt. Without thought or mind of presence Kouga flew over the land to where he had left the group and his mate intended. His eyes were entreated not to the fact that Serenity was up, but the fact that her eyes were soulless, and Kanna was disappearing while manipulating her. Golden orbs appeared again in his anger and he howled at the small figure that was the void demoness, the next they met, she would die beneath his claws. Then the wind grew unsteady in the influx of powers, and Kagura flew down from the pale sky to retrieve both the void demoness and wolf demoness. They were gone by the time the wind died down, and Kouga turned his angry eyes to the Inu-tachi. Briefly he glared as he warred within to tame the anger that had been far to constant since he had found the one he wish to make his mate. Fearing slightly that he would put his friends' lives in danger he fled to hunt down the mythical claws that he would need if he ever sought to fulfill his goals. These goals included the death of Naraku and his incarnates the subjugation of InuYasha and his father, the rescue of his intended and the rest of his tribe. Though not in any particular order as each goal was tied into one another, he sought to follow Kagura scent before it disappeared completely.

Setsuna gasped while looking up toward a descending shadow, catching sight of those who had slain some of her pack she grew angry. However, her anger was stifled when she caught sight of her princess lying prostrate against the void demoness. Knowing immediately what happen she shifted into humanoid form and searched for the power deep inside. Focusing, a garnet orb flew from her impacting the void and wind demoness, she spared little thought to the fact the orb looked like a planet before rescuing the leader of her tribe. Grasping the silver haired wolf demoness, she leapt far away, firing one more orb of power for good measure. Howling loudly she drew her companion's attention as Ginta glanced at the girl in the woman's arms. Recognizing her at once as the akeala of the tribe they had encountered he nodded and followed quickly after ignoring the two demoness that laid bruised from the attack. Setsuna knew that while they may have her akeala's body the fact was the soul still resided in the mirror without it; Serenity might as well be dead or Naraku's puppet. This brought up the sore meeting of the council, and time was quickly slipping away, but at the moment the health of Serenity was more important. Her studying was interrupted by a form cresting the hill, focusing, she saw the familiar shape of Kouga. For once she understood the feelings of Haruka as Kouga drew closer, knowing that she had entrusted the akeala to this man. Shaking her head, she instead waited quietly for Kouga to approach while keeping an ear out in case of the detachments return.

Kouga approached quickly to see Serenity safe in the arms of Setsuna, hurried he opened his arms to the woman to receive the wolf demoness back. Setsuna glared at him before handing Serenity over, and grabbing a hold of his ponytail with a fierce yank. "You better prove you are worthy of her once I retrieve her soul, or so help me, no matter what Haruka may have planned for you it would look like mere child's play to what I will." Setsuna promised before gathering a tired breath and howling toward the skies loudly, knowing that the pack had to be near somewhere. An answering howl came quickly and she glared once more at Kouga, before her partners in action appeared over the hill. "Keep her safe while we retrieve Kanna and her mirror, hopefully they have not gotten to far away." Setsuna remarked as Haruka, Michiru, and Hotaru appeared before her. Before they could ask questions or strike at the quiet male she gestured for them to follow her.

"Naraku is behind this, he has been trying to get a hold of our akeala for quite sometime, and the council supports him." Setsuna informed them as she rushed back to where the two detachments had descended. "Serenity's soul is captured in the mirror, so Haruka and Michiru, I'm going to need you to keep Kagura busy, or even kill her if you get a chance while Hotaru and I capture Kanna and her mirror." Setsuna ordered and leapt at the rising forms of Kagura and Kanna.

Kagura glanced up as a tan hand flew past her face with outstretched claws. Pure instinct made her dodge as another hand flew at her, but this time pale and elegant. "Well, look here Michiru, a killer of family; let's make her cry out in retribution." Haruka growled out as a sandy yellow aura surrounded her. Kagura did not recognize the people across from her but that did not mean she had never crossed them, the smell of ookami hung off them, and she wondered if Naraku would be better off crushing her heart then what the eyes of these two promised. Flicking her fan up she glared over the ridge of the fan before tossing her hand back drawing winds to the core of her pull.

"Fujin no Mai." She cried causing many blades of wind to fly at the pair which jumped easily out of the way. Haruka spun once in the air before flipping in front of Kagura, and catching the wind blades in her hands. Shocked Kagura flicked her fan more powerfully and drew more wind toward her and glared at the woman who dare try to tame the wind like she. "Fujin no Mai." She called again and was unable to see if her attack did anything as an orb of water slammed into her back. Cursing she turned instead to the teal haired woman, whose hands were thrust out noting her to be the one who attacked. "Ryuuja no Mai." Kagura screamed and several twisters sprung to life around her destroying everything that surrounded them. "Come to death then, I shall grant you your wish." Kagura spoke while controlling the winds that danced around them.

Setsuna spared no time once she saw Haruka and Michiru engage Kagura successfully. Gracefully she kicked out catching the slightly catatonic Kanna in the side of her head. Kanna stumbled catching on an exposed root and falling under Hotaru's attack. Gaining precious seconds of breath she focused on her mirror while aiming it at the older female. A beam of energy shot forward to which Setsuna ducked out of the way and Hotaru smacked the void demoness in the back of the neck. The beam flickered, and then died out as Kanna gazed at the pair before fainting into the waiting arms of Setsuna. Hotaru nodded while picking the mirror up gently and fishing something out of her armor, a slip of paper with writing was clutched in her fingers and she slapped it on the mirror. Again she pulled another slip of paper out and slapped it on the void demoness while glancing at Setsuna. "It is a good thing Rei taught me how to make these before she died." Hotaru spoke with a tinge of hollowness while fingering the paper charms. Setsuna nodded in agreement before they both left the battlefield with their prize. Hotaru flashed her power once to draw Haruka and Michiru's attention who immediately withdrew from their impromptu battle. Following that where there were four humanoid females' now three large wolves and one elder female holding another female yokai.

"Hurry before the wind demoness gathers her wits enough to follow." Setsuna urged while trying to track Kouga's scent, the three other wolves nodded while keeping their attention alert for attacks. Quickly they arrive to where the pack waited with Kouga surrounded by many angry and sorrowful wolves. However, he kept Serenity close in his arms allowing none close to her. The pack parted when the elder wolves rushed through with a strange demoness and a mirror. "Lay Serenity down while we wake the void demoness." Setsuna ordered to Kouga who did as told but not before glaring at her, Ginta had told him what the council had decided in their absence. Hotaru laid a hand on Kanna's head and let a small spark leap from her fingers, Kanna was immediately awake. "Restore Serenity's soul and your life shall be your reward." Hotaru spoke to the young demoness who laid her hand on the mirror. The mirror glowed in response and a gasped echoed from Serenity's lips before sitting up in a panic. She was shaking uncontrollably and muttering to herself as she curled into a fetal position. Setsuna freed the girl from her grip and Hotaru urged the demoness away, threatening if they cross paths once more her life would be forfeit. Kanna did not argue or try to attack as Naraku once again pulsed his power through her drawing her away. She only gave a passing thought to Kagura's condition for she had not seen the wind demoness when she awoke.

Kouga hugged the frightened girl to his chest pushing down his greater instincts, and nuzzling softly into her hair. "It is all right, you are here and fine." He whispered, Kouga was only granted Serenity fainting into his arms from her fear which he held her protectively to her breast. Glancing up to Serenity's pack he glared at the elder Setsuna before sighing. "I can never make up for her protecting me from that blast, but I'll do all I can to make sure she never has to again, and I'll make sure the demands of the council never go through." He promised to them, before his gaze changed once more. "I ask only this, allow me the chance to do so and to watch over her until she wakes, from there I seek the Goraishi and I ask for any knowledge you may have on it." He pleaded with them and the pack nodded as one entity before Setsuna sat down before him to tell him the tale of the mythical claw.

Naraku's anger was palpable as it seeped out into the hallways of his poison and dark filled castle. Granted he was evil and psychotic with a masochistic manner and mind, driven to dark desires and run by power lust, would it just be a little to asking if his detachments or minions had some sense of loyalty. Kagura he could understand, it was technically his own fault for her rebellious nature, as he had tried to tame the wind in his skin and mold it to his uses, so he could understand why Kagura would be against him, that didn't mean he had to like it at all. Kohaku was another he could understand as far as motivations against him, after all Kohaku had been trained to hunt those like him, and he had not been particularly nice to the boy. However, he had given the boy his dream, freedom from the life of a demon slayer, granted he took Kohaku's memories away and his freedom had been at the cost of his life, but still he had given what the boy had wished for even if Kohaku might consider the price steep, so he could understand Kohaku's defections. Yet, the others, they had no reason for acting against his wishes, they were pieces of him, and they were to far rebellious to keep around especially Hakudoshi and Akago, but they were his heart so they were necessary, perhaps he should just reabsorb them again. Naraku had just separated from them, but even now he could see those intelligent eyes plotting and planning his downfall and death. Wouldn't you be angry if a part of you decided to turn on you and have you killed? The only detachment of his that was loyal to all that he was and will be was precious little Kanna, but now she seemed to be resisting him and his wasp servants brought tales of her capture not once but twice! Unfortunately his wasps had not been there at the beginning so he was unaware as to why Kanna had been caught or why it was taking so long for her to free herself and return to him. It seemed like it was time to punish Kagura again, she was being an exceptional bad influence on her older sister, and spending far too much time with the void demoness. Perhaps it was time to reabsorb the free-spirited demoness, instead of always threatening her with the crushing of her heart; it would certainly would be easier on him. Shaking his head he noted she still had parts to play even if its bait to a certain youkai that was a bothersome thorn in his side ever since he slain the pack of the youkai.

Thinking on the youkai made his anger tangible as said youkai had been seen hanging around something that should all ready be in his possession if not for a series of events that caused it to be otherwise. First, it had been the parents of the one he sought to posses which he quickly got rid of through a few dirty tricks, then it was the blasted council but they were easily swayed. Then, of all people, it had been her own littermate and her inner circle that hunted him out and tried to put him down. Now it was the will of the creature, the wolf demoness who refused him every turn, she reminded him far too much of Kikyo as far as determination went, and she even dared to be courted by another. Soothing his own anger, it wouldn't matter in the long run, it will be so much sweeter to break her over the long course than crush her now, and beside she was only a form of entertainment for now. First, he would have to get rid of that meddlesome Inu group with that future girl who could purify and control the Shikon along with the Taiyoukai who hunted him for some reason or another. Naraku couldn't be bothered to remember exactly what he did to piss off Sesshomaru; perhaps it had been when he sought to use the young lord? However, he only wanted the lord to kill his half-brother, after all he had been trying to do that anyway, all right maybe the poisoned arm might have been a little much, but he could touch that blasted blade with it! Naraku laughed lightly, in the end it wouldn't matter at all, he would just kill them all and be done with it, he was all ready stronger than the Hanyou Inu, and soon he will absorb the Taiyoukai. Yes, it was only a matter of time before all his planning and strategic moves paid off, he had to be patient. Damn it where the hell was Kanna any way?

His head snapped up from his brooding and meddling thoughts as a presence of strength flooded the mountain with yokai. A smirk overcame his dark expression as he recognized the aura of the Taiyoukai, he was right on time. Calling out with a tinge of impatience he summoned Kanna and Kagura to his side, it was time to play. Seconds afterwards the Hanyou Inu along with his group stepped onto the mountain, and he sent his wasps to be messengers to the Mercenary Seven, it was time they paid their dues as well. Yes, everything would turn out just fine and soon the whole Shikon would rest in his grasp leaving him the most powerful on this plane, no all planes of existence. Now, he only needed that idiotic wolf demon to show up crowing revenge and he would have the two shards from that one as well. Then, he would be left open to go after the creature he desired, after all, Kikyo had been an interesting specimen, but she was dead and the interest of his human heart, well it had been more the lust of his human thief heart. Now his demon heart desired someone much more powerful, well latently powerful than all the mikos combined including that foolish Midoriko. He will have her subservient to his side, and she was alluring beautiful as well, breaking her will serve him an extreme amount of amusement and fun, he couldn't wait. However, first his guests, yes, he was evil, mean, cruel and all those other definitions, but he did had some semblance of manners, all demons did, and like any good host he would prepare a grand event for their arrival. First, however, a prologue before the first scene, maybe a hoard of demons to greet them would be the right ticket for good manners. After all, he still had one guest that must be deciding to be fashionably late, and he wouldn't be a very good host if he didn't hold back on the main event until all the players arrived. Naraku could only sigh with a bit of anger wishing slightly that the wolf demon, Kouga, would hurry up, after all he could only hold back the main event for so long. Besides Naraku wouldn't be the only one disappointed, Kyokotsu was looking forward to eating the wolf yokai, and if he should happen to fall or fail, then Ginkotsu wouldn't mind playing with the little wolf.

InuYasha glance carefully at his group measuring their weariness and personal triumph in their eyes. Soon it would be over; they were closing in on their nemesis and he had been mercifully weakened from when he had tried to take on both him and Sesshomaru at the same time. They deserved the freedom that came with the knowledge that soon the terror that had haunted them in their waking and sleeping moments would be gone. All they have to do is surmount the mountain that heralds purity in front of them, destroy the detachments, and send Naraku to his grave. Then they could start actual lives that didn't always include fighting for theirs, and they could look for the Shikon shards in relative peace. Naraku's incoming death was an end all to most of their troubles, and InuYasha could feel the relief building. He didn't let any negative thoughts cross his mind, like the fact that maybe not all them would survive, or that Kagome would leave him forever, or even that Naraku would win or escape once more. No, he would not let such thoughts hold sway, and he smiled proudly at his friends, after all they had been through soon the ending would come.

If only the groups converging could understand that the ending was far off, and this would only open more wounds not suture them close. Evil had always been finicky, much like good, and neither group was prepare to close the ending on this emotional fairy tale, not by a long shot.

AN : Right sorry this took so long, I was suppose to get this out the same weeks as the others, but lots of things happened. So remember to read, enjoy, review and to vote on the poll on my bio page, else this might be the last chapter you read for quite sometime. This is also the thirty pages I promised for the Yasha crosses, as I did with Kirara's Love, and am working on for a Monument of You. Cheerio than, and best wishes to all. WCB. :)