To Kill and Forget

To Kill and Forget

By KazunaPikachu

..xXx..

-x-

A/N: Hey guys! I'd just like to thank all my reviewers and all the people who stuck to this story to the very end. If it weren't for you guys this story wouldn't have been completed all the way! This is the final chapter, guys and I'm pretty sad that it is. But I did enjoy typing it and I did very much appreciate all the reviews you guys sent! I hope this final chapter will satisfy you all. Anyway, since this is the final chapter I made it longer and I put more effort into it. Hope you guys like it!

PS: In case you're wondering, the final scene will be at Naraku's mansion. You know the one I mentioned in the first chapter. Come on, it's not like Naraku to 'have' Kagome in his HQ (not like he will any way). But yeah, that's where it's taking place. I'm telling you this now because I don't want you to get confused later on and I sort of forgot to mention is earlier… hehehe… Anyway, enjoy!

-x-

"This is it," Kikyo said blankly as she stared at the bright, crescent moon. The sky was a dark blue and no stars were out. The only thing giving off natural light was the moon; the moon that meant a very eventful night. The outcome would either be in their favour or against. "Tonight we make our move."

There was silence as a reply. The hanyou beside her didn't say anything, which was uncharacteristic of him. His golden eyes stared hard at the building only a couple of kilometers ahead of them. It was a huge house, a mansion. It was painted white yet it had no purity in it. He glared angrily at it, the wind making his silver hair sway behind him. This was the place where he was keeping her. The only one he truly loved and would never let go.

He, too, stared up at the crescent moon. He didn't know whether to loathe it or to thank it. She would turn completely human this night and he didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Kikyo said it was up to chance which one it will be. He just hoped that chance was on his side.

"You ready?" Kikyo asked as her dark brown eyes glanced sideways at him. In her hand held a bow, strapped onto her back was a quiver of arrows. Beneath her white shirt was a gun and at her ankles were mini-knives. At her thigh, hidden beneath her baggy pants, held smokescreens.

Again, he didn't answer. He merely continued to stare heatedly at the white building, calculating in his mind how to get her back. He wasn't armed with anything but a sword at his belt. The hilt was carved out of a hard wood, painted and wrapped with a white, tattered cloth. The sheath was black and the blade was rusty and old. The unique sword has been passed down from his family to generation to generation. They called it Tetsusaiga from hundreds of years ago. His family hasn't used it much since they didn't need to but it was a family heirloom and it was passed down to him.

The moment he received the blade he wanted to throw it away. It was rusty and therefore useless. But his father had said when protecting someone you love the blade will transform and would be able to kill a thousand demons in one swing. That's what they said it did in the old times anyway.

But now he was going to put it to the test. The silver-haired hanyou didn't like to use guns or knives. He'd much prefer his own claws but since this was a serious matter he couldn't let his pride blind him. He'll have some sort of defence and won't be unarmed.

"Remember the plan." Kikyo said quietly. "You go in while I take out Kagura and Kanna who are on guard. Don't look back but keep on running. If they see you then they'll alert Naraku and our plan will backfire on us." She said seriously.

The half-breed gave a curt nod. He was slowly getting impatient with all the waiting.

"Go when I give you the signal." Kikyo said as she prepared to run. "And…" she hesitated and he looked at her in the eye. "Be careful okay, Inuyasha?" she said with a hint of concern in her voice.

Inuyasha gave her a small yet cocky smirk. "You don't need to worry about me," he said. "I'll get in and out with Kagome without a scratch on me." he said confidently.

She merely gave him a curt nod and headed off into a sprint. Inuyasha went the opposite way, to the left, and then went to the direction of the mansion gates when Kikyo was at the gate. He watched from afar as pulled out her gun and shot twice at the lock and once at the speaker. With a kick, Kikyo tore open the gates and went straight in.

Inuyasha didn't have to do all that fancy stuff as he just jumped over the fence; awhile off from where Kikyo entered. He stopped behind a bush and watched carefully as Kikyo made it to the front doors.

She was about to kick that door open as well but there was no need as the doors opened themselves as a strong gust of wind was sent out. Kikyo was forced to jump back a couple of leaps so that she wasn't in the line of destruction. Behind her was a straight track made by the wind, rising the earth and splitting some hedges.

From the entrance Kagura came out and down the stairs with Kanna by her side. "Kikyo." Kagura greeted with slight irritation. "Sorry but Naraku didn't give you any missions tonight. I suggest you go home and enjoy the night." She said enviously.

"Why?" Inuyasha heard Kikyo say. "Is the boss a little bit too busy for him to see me?" she asked knowingly.

Kagura scowled at her while Kanna stayed quiet and unresponsive. "That is none of your business Kikyo." She said in disgust. It seemed as if the disgust was more pointed to Naraku than to her. "Just go home. We don't have time to deal with you."

Suddenly Kikyo hid her gun and pulled out an arrow. She notched it onto the bow and closed one eye. "Sorry, can't do that." she said in a matter-of-fact tone. "I have to go in and kill Naraku first." and she shot.

The purifying energy inside that lone arrow was a dark purple and it whizzed towards them in an incredible speed. Kagura's eyes went wide as she narrowly dodged the arrow, making it hit the door instead. Kagura eyed the clothes that were nipped by the arrow. It was tattered and even though the arrow didn't touch her skin she could feel the residue of the purification energy. She snapped her head up and glared at her. "You didn't tell me you were a miko." She hissed.

Kikyo notched another arrow. "What do you expect? That I tell you everything? Sorry, Kagura. We're not that close." And she shot another one.

This time the wind witch was ready as she opened up her fan. "Dance of Blades!" she yelled as she whipped the large fan in the air. It created a large gust of wind, as sharp as knives, and they were heading straight for the arrow.

They collided and there was a huge purple flash. Kagura had to close her eyes because of the light rays. But Kikyo's and Kanna's stayed open, watching how it will turn out. When the light faded the arrow whizzed to the side of Kagura's face and she stared wide eyed as the arrow past and hit the door, right next to the other arrow.

"I didn't realize your arrows are that strong." Kagura said disdainfully. "But you can be sure that I won't make the same mistake again! Dance of Dragons!" she yelled as she spun her fan around in a similar yet different fashion.

Instead of her creating razor winds she created swirling vortexes of wind and they were coming right for Kikyo. She readied another arrow and filled it with purification energy. She released and the two attacks collided once again in the middle.

There was yet another blinding flash and this time both Kagura and Kikyo closed their eyes at the impact. Kanna merely watched the scene in front of her with impassive eyes. When the light subsided the arrow was on the ground, useless, and the tornadoes were no where to be seen.

All three of them stared at their enemy heatedly. One of them calculating and observant, the other watching with blank eyes, and the final one glaring daggers at the intruder. Kikyo noticed but the other two didn't as a silver-haired hanyou sneakily sneaked into the front doors…

-x-

Slowly, Kagome's eyes fluttered open. She didn't know where she was and she shouldn't. When she was expecting a hard concrete ground she was given a soft feather-like bed. When she expected her arms to be tied up above her and her ankles aching with tight chains she found her arms lying beside her, her ankles free from any confinement.

She blinked once more. This wasn't the cell that she found herself last. She slightly turned her head and her eyes met the ceiling. It was a clean, white ceiling and that was what bothered her. It should be dirty, full of grime and moss, but it wasn't. She turned her head to the left and saw that there was a side-table and a few other ornaments. From what she could tell, she was in a bedroom of someone's.

The bed she was lying on was big, King size or maybe more. The quilts on it and on her were soft and smooth, probably made out of silk. She glanced down and noticed she was still in her tattered and ruined clothes but her wounds were healed completely and the dirt and dried blood that were on her were washed away.

With a horrid thought, she turned her head to the right, her eyes staring out the window with black curtains and settling on the crescent moon outside. Crescent moon.

She closed her eyes, feeling the slight breeze that came through the window and onto her face. Indeed, it was the crescent moon and indeed she did change. Her hair, once a dark raven black was lighter, softer. Natural blue highlights were in her hair and were illuminated by the moonlight. Her nails were short and curved, unlike her usual pointed and long. Her features seemed to soften, less purposeful and more curved. Her face was softer, more childish and her lips were plump and pink with normal human teeth other than fangs.

She opened her eyes, tears at the brim. Her beautiful blue eyes were now a stunning brown, chocolate in shading. This was her human side. The side she hasn't let any one see since her father died. Now she was human and with the most evil man on the face of the planet.

Her energy was still drained. At her time of hanyou, her remaining energy spent their time healing her wounds. They have done so but since she is now human, her energy will take longer to make her feel top-notch again.

She closed her eyes again and willed herself not to cry. What could she do at her weakened state? All her demon powers were gone for the night and she was in a house owned by a madman who could do whatever he pleased with her.

Her throat felt dry and she licked her lips in effort to moist them. She was thirsty and she hasn't had a drink in three days and now that she was a human it was taking its toll on her. She closed her eyes, focusing on the softness of the bed and how cool it was when the breeze hit her face. For a small moment Kagome felt… peaceful. But this peaceful feeling was just a cover up of what really was going on beneath.

Suddenly the wind didn't reach her face. With her lessened hearing she heard the window close and a rustle of fabric, which she presumed were the curtains since her eyes were still closed. Even though the window was closed she felt as if the room got way colder, as if she was inside a freezer. She heard footsteps within the room and she heard a door shut and lock at the other end.

At the moment her heart rate was still steady, still normal and nothing to fear about. Even if the atmosphere in the room got colder and her instincts told her to run, she was calm and steady. Good positions to be in if you want to think up a plan to escape.

But her calmness shattered the minute she felt the bed lower as another weight fell upon it. At that very second her whole demeanor collapsed and her eyes snapped open. Her chocolate brown eyes portrayed great fear.

Before she could even stand up or make a scream someone was on top of her, a hand over her soft lips. In an alarming rate her heartbeat quickened as she felt a hot breath against her ear. "Do not fret, Kagome pet." Someone purred into her ear. "I promise you that this night will be one to remember," he said seductively.

The hand that was on top of her mouth suddenly left and she was finally able to breathe again. She gasped in precious air and stared terrifyingly at the figure above her. "Naraku…" she whispered fearfully.

Above her was a handsome looking man on all fours. In one swift motion his hands were grasping Kagome's wrists at her side, his legs pinning her own down. Naraku's face lowered to hers, their noses almost touching.

Again Kagome's fear shot straight up as she began to struggle weakly. But Naraku wouldn't budge and she knew at that moment that she wouldn't be able to escape at her condition. Strands of Naraku's silky black hair fell over his shoulders and caressed Kagome's cheek and neck. At the moment, she felt revolted at being so close to this fiend.

Naraku's red eyes danced with amusement as he gazed down at the human below her. "So this is what your human body looks like." He said as he licked his lips. The very motion made Kagome want to hurl. "It may not be as beautiful as your demon side but this one is far more luscious and submissive." He said in that warm tone of his.

Sweat of anxiousness and fear rolled down Kagome's cheek but her brows were knotted in an angry frown. She found some of her energy yet again and glared up at him with utter loathing. "I don't care what you think of my body you bastard." She hissed at him although not as animalistic as she usually does. "I'd rather kill myself than to you have you inside me."

He gave a hearty laugh. That warm laugh that always sent shivers up Kagome's spine. "Ah, but I won't let that happen, pet." He said with a sinister smirk. "For I will have you forever until I get bored with you. Only then will I allow you to kill yourself."

She once again tried to struggle within his hold but he was too strong and she knew that all along. "I'll kill you." She threatened seriously. "The minute I have a chance I'll stick my claws right through your nonexistent heart." She said as she bared her teeth at him out of habit.

The action caused him to chuckle and grin widely. "Enough talk." He said with a smirk. He lowered his face down to hers and Kagome tried to push herself farther into her pillow so that they won't make contact. "You are mine, Kagome. Remember that." were his words before he smashed his lips on top of hers.

Kagome squeezed her eyes shut as she let her tears fall. Again she tried to free herself but it was no use, no use at all at her condition. She kept her lips closed though, refusing to give him what he wants. He gave her a small growl in return and bit her lip slightly. She didn't react. She only clenched her teeth together in slight pain.

She felt Naraku's right hand leave her wrist and slide down to her waist. With her free hand she began to hit on Naraku's back with the little energy she had left. Naraku didn't even flinch a bit as he lowered his body closer to hers, almost crushing her with his weight.

With Naraku's wandering hand he slid it under Kagome's shirt and tightly cupped Kagome's covered breast. This action immediately caused her to gasp and push herself even more forcefully away from him. But Naraku used this opportunity to slide his tongue in her wet mouth. His other hand freed Kagome's other wrist and gripped the back of her hair, pulling her closer and preventing her to move backwards.

More tears crusaded down her cheeks at the ordeal. Naraku's tongue roamed greedily in her mouth, kissing so hard that his teeth were crashing onto hers. He seemed to believe that his entire mouth could fit in hers as he kept on pushing and pushing his tongue into her mouth.

The hand that was under her shirt and gripping her breasts left and grabbed her arm that was beating lightly on his back. His tongue continued to probe Kagome's mouth, not even moving out to give her a breath as she started to choke and gag.

When he finally did come out Kagome was gasping for hair, her own breaths choking her. Not even giving her enough time to recover Naraku's lips were on top of hers again, his tongue forcing his way into her mouth once again.

With one of his hands, he gripped Kagome's arm tighter and with one quick slash, Naraku cut her arm with his claw. Kagome screamed in his mouth, which turned out to be muffled by him. Naraku pushed Kagome down even more with his weight, making the wound on her arm deeper as he sunk his claw inside.

Kagome screamed again when Naraku exited once more. She glanced terrifyingly at her arm, her eyes pouring out tears. Real tears. Inside her left arm was Naraku's claw. It continued its way down; making a large cut that would turn out to be a scar. Blood poured out of the wound rapidly, soaking the white mattress and quilt with her blood.

Suddenly Naraku's claw exited Kagome's bleeding arm and she gave a small intake of breath in pain. She watched with growing horror as Naraku lifted his hand and began to lick the blood off his fingers. His red eyes stared in menace down at her, two lusts in his eyes. One for sex and one for blood. Kagome knew at that moment what kind of sex he wanted.

Without warning Kagome was once again pinned onto the soaking bed. Naraku's legs were crushing hers and his hard chest was smashing her plump breasts. One of his hands were at her waist, his claws digging in as he continued to bite her lip, drawing blood. His other hand had a fist full of her hair, pushing her head back as he pushed his tongue forward down her throat.

Inside, she felt the metallic taste of her own blood on her tongue, felt the blood as it poured out of her arm and waist. She closed her eyes pitifully and let her tears fall freely. Her hands were at Naraku's chest, not trying to push him away because she knew she couldn't. She let Naraku bite her lips and hungrily taste her. She let Naraku's hands take advantage of her and touch her. She let him do whatever he wanted with her without protest and she was damned because of it.

Tears of anguish and sadness poured out of her eyes. She gave up. She knew she couldn't win. She had nothing to live for when she escaped anyway. Shippo probably hates her, her best friend probably wanted to kill her for lying to her and putting her beloved brother in danger. Inuyasha could be dead at this very moment because of her. The way she saw it, it was better if she didn't see them again at all. She was a danger and an enemy to them and she didn't deserve to feel welcomed and loved. She didn't deserve it with all the pain she herself has caused…

-x-

Inuyasha was close. He could smell it. He ran through the mansion, killing every guard he saw with one slice to the throat. He could smell her but more disgustingly he could smell him with her. As his blood boiled he didn't noticed that he had gained speed, his eyes flashing dangerously from gold to red.

He reached a staircase and could smell a hint of blood from the foot of the stairs. It was Kagome's blood only slightly more… human. He growled even more as he leapt up the steps, coming onto the next platform without even using it.

Using his demonic senses he followed the revolting trail of arousal and human blood. This angered his demon even further and he saw that his vision was slightly flashing red. He could smell the arousal and he could smell the sweat. The sweat came from both him and her but the arousal only came from him.

As he neared he could smell a strong smell of salt. Tears. He growled loudly as he reached a room. He didn't bother to knock or check if it were the right on because he knew it was. He could smell it and could here the noises inside.

With a loud growl he rammed at the door and bust it off its hinges. What he saw inside made him lose it. On a bed were two bodies, one female and one male. Kagome was lying under him, crying and bleeding all over. Her top shirt was ripped, exposing some of the flesh on her chest and her pants were ripped and bloodied and slightly pulled down at the side. Naraku was on top of her with his chest exposed, crushing himself against Kagome as he continued to kiss her violently.

With a large roar Inuyasha ran towards them and body slammed the unexpected Naraku off of her. His shove was so strong that they both went right through the wall and dropped three stories off the mansion.

Feeling the weight suddenly lift from her, Kagome eyes opened wide open and sat up, panting heavily. Tears still poured down her eyes as she held the bloodied quilt over her chest. She felt weak, really she did. She was bleeding in multiple places and tears clogged her vision. With shaky steps she got off from the blood stained bed and made her way to the broken window.

She hesitantly looked down and saw what she didn't expect to see. Inuyasha gone full demon was snarling and growling loudly at Naraku who stood angry and bare-chest before him. Wait; forget the angry. He was downright furious. His red eyes were flashing dangerously as his glare was enough to melt ice.

The scene below her was so unbelieving that Kagome felt her balance fail her. As she fell she felt her eyes close and the wind against her back. She didn't know why the fall was taking so long and frankly she didn't care. At this very moment she felt as if her brain had shutdown on her completely for the first time.

Inuyasha's demon form looked up and saw that she was falling headfirst to the grassy ground. Immediately, his bloodshot eyes turned back to his natural gold as he ran straight for the falling girl. He caught her just in time, making sure that the impact wouldn't hurt her more. He stared down with great concern at the young woman in his arms. "Kagome?" he called.

He did NOT like the state she was in. In fact, he felt his demon start to emerge again because of it. But before it could have the time the bundle in his arms began to stir and his focus went straight to her. Kagome's eyes fluttered open revealing her chocolate brown eyes as they met with Inuyasha golden amber ones. "I-Inuyasha?" she asked unsure. Her lips quivered as she spoke. Her cut lips bled silently down her chin yet she didn't even seem to notice.

At first, Inuyasha was too surprised to respond. Her eyes were amazing even though they were red and puffy from the tears. Her brown eyes were equally as beautiful as her blue ones. He felt her eyes on him and he blushed slightly at the state she was in and the way he was holding her. By his catch he had a good grip on her thighs and naked back. But as he remembered how she got to this state he felt his blood boil once more. "Naraku did this to you, didn't he?" he growled heavily as he carefully set Kagome's exhausted form on the ground. "I'll kill him." he swore as he glared daggers at the outraged demon in front of them.

Naraku was steaming. His face was red with anger and his fists were curled in hidden rage. You can see the blood as it dripped from her knuckles. He brought up his hand and wiped Kagome's blood off of his mouth and let his hand fall to his side. "How dare you, you insolent half-breed." He growled with ultimate loathing in his voice. "You will pay, you dirty low life."

Inuyasha growled back and took a fighting stance. With one swift notion he pulled out the sword by his side and it instantly transformed from rusty blade to a large steel fang. "Bring it on you bastard." He growled resentfully.

-x-

At the other side of the mansion, (Inuyasha, Kagome and Naraku are at the back while Kikyo, Kagura and Kanna are at the front) Kagura and Kikyo were still hurtling attacks at one another, neither of them giving out.

Finally getting tired of this, Kikyo pulled out a smokescreen from her thigh. Without warning she threw three small black balls towards them and they exploded midway. Kagura closed one of her eyes, the fan covering her mouth as she choked and coughed. "What the hell are you doing?" she yelled over the inky black smoke.

While she was shielding and composing herself from the shock, Kikyo readied yet another arrow but this time she notched two. Her soul collectors started to gather around her and her arrows. "Making sure you two don't get in my way." She said as she released both arrows with her purple purification energy.

The brightness of the glow pierced through the smoky darkness and, without Kagura or Kanna even seeing, the arrows went straight towards them. One arrow flew towards Kagura, catching her arm and forcing her back towards the doors. The other one went straight to Kanna's mirror, cracking it from the middle.

As the smoke cleared a large cry was heard. The arrow had caught Kagura's fan arm and the spiritual energy was filtering in and out of her body. Beside her Kanna was on the ground, the mirror in her hands breaking until a bright light consumed it and it turned into ash. Kagura glared heatedly with pain at Kikyo. "You traitor!" she hissed. "What have you to gain from all this?"

Kikyo straightened her posture and her hard eyes stared at Kagura daringly. "Fear not Kagura." She said flatly. "I know that it is against your will to do Naraku's bidding. The spiritual power I have put in that shot won't be enough to kill you. Just enough to leave you unconscious."

And as if on cue, Kagura gave her one last spiteful glare before her eyes closed and her consciousness was fully gone. Kanna's shot though, wasn't as effective. She knelt there on her knees, her disintegrated mirror by her knees. She stared with her usual blank eyes at Kikyo, her expression not of shock nor surprise. Just nothing. Even after her only weapon broke.

"What of you Kanna?" Kikyo asked as she advanced the little girl. "Do you wish to serve under Naraku like your family has done for all these years? Do you wish to be free like Kagura does?" she asked. By now she was in front of the girl, staring down at her and waiting for an answer.

After a while Kanna looked up. Again, her eyes were hollow, lifeless yet not dead. "I do not wish for anything," she said quietly. "I do what Naraku orders me to do, nothing else. I am nothing but a tool used to his liking." She sounded as if she was reading it of a book.

Her voice, it was empty and toneless. Kikyo wondered angrily what Naraku did to make a child of such a young of age to think this way. "What would you do if Naraku was suddenly dead?" she asked. "What would you do if Naraku was killed this very night?"

Again, no emotion played on her face when she answered hesitantly. "I…" she started. Suddenly something flashed into her gray eyes, was it… confusion? "I don't know." She finally said at last.

There was a few moments of silence as Kikyo contemplated what should she do with the girl. She knew surely that Kagura was fond of the girl. She knew that Kagura thought Kanna was like her little sister despite the fact they had nothing in common but their boss. Kikyo didn't know how they got along, probably the bond of hidden fondness or something else she had no clue out of. She stared at Kanna longer than usual. Even though Kagura thought of Kanna as a little sister Kikyo knew that the child held a hidden wisdom far beyond her years.

Finally she decided what her next course of action would be. "Kanna." She said seriously as she pointed to the unconscious wind witch. "The arrow has no more spiritual power in there anymore. I want you to take it out." She looked at Kanna skeptically. "Or is that against Naraku's wishes?" she asked. "If you don't take it out Kagura would probably die sooner or later."

But Kanna didn't move. Her blank eyes just stared at Kikyo silently, speaking unsaid words. "You do not fool me, Kikyo." She said as she stared at the arrow in Kagura's arm. "Even without my mirror I can see the residue of your spiritual power. If I touch it I'll become unconscious as well."

"Indeed, you will." Kikyo said. "But what can you do now? You're defenceless, no weapon to fend off enemies. Would you rather be conscious when you're beaten?" she asked. But she wasn't going to beat her. No, she wouldn't do that. That was too inhumane to beat a child who would do nothing back. In fact, Kikyo didn't care whether she stayed conscious or not. Either way the child was not a threat.

"I will do what Naraku told me to do and stay on guard." She said. "But since I have no weapon and temporarily lost a comrade, I'll just sit here and make sure no one else enters."

"You'll let me pass?" Kikyo asked surprised. She had expected her to at least try and stop her from entering.

Wordlessly, Kanna nodded and allowed no further explanation. Also wordlessly, Kikyo slipped passed Kanna and into the doors of the mansion. That girl would always be a mystery to her.

-x-

Inuyasha charged maniacally at Naraku, the sword held high. Of course he didn't know the arts of a swordsman but he could still do plenty of damage with it if he acted like a wild gorilla. Using the moves he'd seen in movies, Inuyasha swung the sword vertically at Naraku.

He dodged smoothly, almost unnaturally with an angry jerk. He jumped a good way off from Inuyasha before his tentacles started to sprout from his back. "I've been wanted to get rid of you for months." He bit out harshly. "And since Kagome couldn't do it, I'll have to do it myself." He said in loathing as he sent his tentacles straight at Inuyasha's being.

At first, the things shocked Inuyasha with surprise before he turned revolted. What kind of demon was he? The tentacles were big and fat and they were like blobs and slimy-looking. He shivered at the thought of Kagome ever having to touch them.

With his sword he chopped down the tentacles that came his way. Surprisingly to him, he found that he could wield this large blade easily. This just rose his cockiness. He ran straight for Naraku, slicing up all the tentacles that came his way. "Die you evil son of a bitch!" he growled loudly as he jumped high, and then lowered again with his sword ready to slice him in half.

But all Naraku did was smirk as he sent another one of his tentacles at Inuyasha, flicking his body away and ending his attack. Inuyasha landed on his side and rolled away from the force of the hit. He stuck his sword on the ground and heaved himself up. His golden eyes were ablaze as he glared at Naraku openly.

"What's the matter, half-breed?" Naraku asked with an evil smirk. "Can't even get close to me with that useless sword?" he asked mockingly. "I've heard of that sword. Its name is Tetsusaiga right? I've heard about it in history scrolls but I never believed it was real." He seemed to eye the giant fang with some interest. "The sword of hell capable of killing a hundred demons in one swing." He gave a mock smile. "You don't really think that's true, do you?"

"Shut up!" Inuyasha growled loudly. "If it were up to me I'll tear you limb from limb with my own bare hands. But Kikyo insisted that I at least bring one weapon."

At the mention of her name both Kagome's and Naraku's eyes widened. "Kikyo?" Naraku repeated. "Kikyo has something to do with this?" with every word his anger seemed to rise. "I should've realized that she'd join forces with you. When I found the cell missing and she not at her post, I knew something was up." He said angrily.

'Kikyo.' Kagome thought to herself. 'So she isn't so bad after all.' She forced a weak smile upon her face. 'No doubt will I look at her differently if I survive this and ever see her again.'

"What are you going to do about it?" Inuyasha growled. "You ain't going to punish her because you're about to die in this very minute!" he growled heavily as he ran towards him with the sword held high.

Again his tentacles came at him but not as the blinding strikes like before. These ones were calculating and in sequence. Inuyasha chopped down all the ones in his way, not noticing as the broken bits of them were throbbing very much alive on the ground.

As Inuyasha neared him, Kagome saw what was happening with growing fear. It was the same trick Naraku played on her when she faced him. "Inuyasha!" Kagome cried with renewed strength. "Watch out!"

Inuyasha's demonic hearing caught her cry and he glanced at her confusingly. "What are you-" but he couldn't complete his sentence as he figured out what she was talking about. With lightening speed the blobs of flesh he chopped off began to wrap themselves around him. "What the hell!" he yelled loudly, trying to flick them off him. "Get off!"

But they didn't as they continued to wrap their disgusting forms around Inuyasha. They first constricted Inuyasha's feet and ankles so that he couldn't move. Next they wrapped themselves around his wrists, forcing him to drop his sword which automatically reverted back to its rusty form when it hit the ground. Thirdly, the wrapped themselves around his torso and legs, trying to consume him.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome cried in horror. She tried to stand up but ended up stumbling while doing so. Tears of fear, not for herself but for him, escaped her eyes, as a heavy feeling in her chest seemed to crush her. "Inuyasha!"

Said hanyou growled loudly as he thrashed his arms and legs wildly about him. But no matter how much he tried the flesh just wouldn't stay off him. His molten eyes glared with so much spite that it could melt metal. "What in seven hells do you think you're doing?" he yelled angrily at him.

Naraku just continued to smirk and watched with amused yet angry eyes as his flesh started to consume him. "You're a troublesome brat, you know that?" he said resentfully. "You ruined this night. You were a thorn at my side the minute I knew your name. Your family has been a bother ever since the first generation was born," he snarled at him. "To you, worthless hanyou, I'm going to give you the honour of being apart of me."

His words made Inuyasha's eyes widen in disgust and he struggled with a newfound strength, using his claws and his teeth (reluctantly). But even with this he couldn't get free. Every second more of Naraku's fleshes continued to bind him; constrict him of air and vision. As the slimy flesh began to wrap around his face, his eyes glanced towards the distraught Kagome, kneeling on the ground trying to get up and save him. At that moment his golden eyes softened as they spoke more words then anything ever could.

As she watched him get covered Kagome tried to get up but kept on failing. "No!" she cried as tears poured out of her eyes. "Naraku, stop!" she pleaded.

"Why should I pet?" he asked with a sickening amusement in his eyes yet also deep anger. "He's been a problem for me ever since I can remember." His red eyes stared at Kagome with hidden anger, "He's captured your heart, Kagome, and I will make him pay for that."

Terrified, Kagome turned back to Inuyasha, almost completely consumed. "Inuyasha!" she yelled as she forced herself to stand up and walk a couple of steps towards him before she collapsed again. She was so useless, so damn weak. Maybe this was the why she killed, to make herself feel stronger than everyone else when she knew she was weak in the inside. This feeling… the feeling that made her angry and sad at the same time. She was useless, she couldn't do anything; like that time her father was killed. She couldn't save him; she was too weak to be of any help. "Inuyasha!" she cried louder than she ever heard herself yell. Because of her, her dad died. Because of her, her mother hated her and was now dead. Because of her, she has put everyone she ever cared about in danger. Because of her, Inuyasha was going to die.

Suddenly, from the corner of her eye, there was a trail of a purple light and headed right towards Naraku. The demon saw it, however, as he used one of his spare tentacles to block the attack. But by doing so the arrow hit it and completely disintegrated it to pure dust.

Naraku, Kagome and the half-covered face of Inuyasha, stared in shock, as Kikyo stood there in an archery position, her eyes stern and hard. "K-Kikyo?" Kagome stuttered.

The said woman walked besides her and gave her a hard stare. "Kagome." she acknowledged but her voice held disgust and loathing. "This is the person I lost Inuyasha to?" she asked in a heated disbelief. "This weakling who dared to call herself part demon?" she spat on the ground near Kagome. "All I see is a failure." She said harshly. "I can't believe I ever thought of you as a rival. All you really are is a weak, fragile human who can't even stand up for herself when it truly counts."

Her words ringed true in Kagome's ears and she felt herself getting put down. She bowed her head in shame and flinched at Kikyo's next words. "Weaklings like you shouldn't even have been born," she spat. "The people on this earth would have been better without you."

"Kikyo." Another voice interrupted. All heads turned to Naraku, even Inuyasha's. It seemed as if he stopped trying to absorb Inuyasha for this split moment. "What a pleasure to see you here." He hissed. "You shall pay for betraying me."

And with his word, a tentacle went straight for Kikyo so fast no one even realized it was there. It was only when it pierced through Kikyo's stomach did she react. By coughing and choking, her eyes widening with surprise.

Inuyasha and Kagome watched with horror as Kikyo fell to the ground, her eyes closed and Kagome's bow and arrow (the one she borrowed, remember? She doesn't have her own set) fall with a thud to the ground.

All four of them stayed silent for a few moments before Inuyasha broke it with his outraged roar. He began to fight with incredible strength to get free from Naraku's hold, his angered eyes so furious that a thunderous storm could be seen in them.

Once he was free, he forgot about the sword and charged straight for Naraku, his claws outstretched and his mouth twisted in a furious snarl. All Naraku did in response was smirk at the angered hanyou. To him, angry opponents were only easier to deal with because of their clouded mind. In less than a second, Naraku had Inuyasha once again constricted with more of his fleshy tentacles, holding Inuyasha up in the air.

He kicked and he clawed but it was no use, the flesh was already constricting his air supply and crushing his limbs. "I'd say it was nice knowing you," Naraku started with a smirk, "But I don't want to lie." He said before he squeezed Inuyasha like a doll.

He screamed loudly, blood spluttering out of his mouth and trickling down his chin. From up close you can hear many of his bones cracking under the pressure and the sound of Naraku's tentacles as they rubbed against each other.

From the sidelines Kagome was merely watching, her eyes wide with terror and her whole body shaking. For this moment her mind was blank and she couldn't think of anything but watch as Inuyasha was slowly squeezed to death.

A voice from beside her suddenly snapped her from her mindless state. "Kagome…" Kikyo whispered hoarsely from the ground. Kagome's head snapped towards her fearfully. "I can't believe I once envied you." Kikyo choked out, blood pouring from her mouth. There was a hole at her stomach, which Naraku's tentacle went through but somehow she stayed alive. "I once thought… that you were the strongest person… I've ever met." She said through ragged breaths. "You had an extremely tough childhood, you had put up with Naraku's tortures and words. You had come out of that with your spirits attached and strong, strong enough to talk back against him and refuse." Kikyo gave her a small, sad smile. "But I was wrong. The soul in front of me is broken, tattered in millions of pieces. You were only hiding it and that's what makes it worse."

"Kikyo," Kagome said with slight admiration in her eyes. "Kikyo, I…" she started but Kikyo interrupted her.

"Don't say anything." Kikyo snapped silently. "You can still win back my respect, Kagome." she said hoarsely. "I know what's inside you. You're not completely hopeless. That miko blood that you've been despising all your life. That miko blood you thought was weaker than your demon. Use it for it's way stronger than you believe. We mikos, we have suppressed powers within us that cannot be equal to any demon's. Those powers are pure, untainted and holy. Use them, Kagome." she coughed out. "Use them to finally finish off Naraku."

A scream was heard, interrupting their conversation. Kagome watched with growing terror as Kikyo's eyes closed slowly, her body becoming still. She forced her eyes away and she stared with blank eyes at Naraku and Inuyasha. The hanyou she loved was still getting the life squeezed out of him, various parts of him bleeding and the blood dripping towards the ground.

Naraku gave a very amused and hearty laugh. "You fool!" he cried. "You're all fools! To think you can ever defeat me! And this is all for, what? A pathetic neko hanyou who can't even stand!" he laughed evilly.

But then, at that moment, something stopped both of them in their tracks. At the corner of their eyes, they could see a very bright glow of a pure pink. Inuyasha turned his head rather painfully and was astonished to see Kagome, standing with a loaded bow, shining an unnatural pink. "K-Kagome?" he choked out, ignoring the pain in his lungs while doing so.

Kagome's chocolate brown eyes were glaring heatedly at Naraku, her pose perfect in the way of an archer even though she hasn't arched in her life. Her arrow was emitting a very bright pink, her entire being glowing slightly with her hair dancing behind her.

This was it. She wouldn't and couldn't take this any more. Her eyes were fixed on Naraku's stunned being, ablaze with years of anger and frustration. This time she will stand up. This time she will not hesitate and let others take that advantage. She will kill him. She will finally protect the people she loved and save them from this beast.

With all her love, hate and determination in this one arrow, Kagome released.

It seemed like an eternity passed as Kagome's arrow whizzed through the air and pierced Naraku's nonexistent heart. It seemed like an eternity when Naraku's frail screams were heard and the deafening cry left his mouth. The second Naraku was shot a completely pure light consumed him, purifying all his demonic energy and diminishing his being.

Bits of his body began to disintegrate, the flesh that wrapped Inuyasha suddenly turned into ash and he was let down, not too gently, on the ground. Inuyasha watched painfully as Naraku's scream suddenly ceased and the glow began to fade. When it was totally gone Inuyasha could see Naraku's disorientated body lying on the ground, his body hoarse and raspy and his eyes dull and rolled over. His body was burned and his hair was scorched. His real flesh was exposed, blood pouring out of his body like a river.

With a limp, Inuyasha went over and picked up his forgotten sword. It transformed immediately and Inuyasha's heated eyes glare angrily at what remained of Naraku. He held the sword above him, his golden eyes intent to kill. With a voice that sounded like a whisper, he said, "Die you bastard." And with a loud yell he cried. "Wind Scar!" as he brought the sword down.

Naraku's bleeding red eyes stared in horror as a demonic blast was sent forth from the sword and was coming right at him. With a deafening screech the attack went straight through him, this time his entire being turning to nothing but dust.

As the demonic power went away there was nothing left but a destructive path made by the Tetsusaiga. Naraku was dead. Finally.

The old sword reverted back to its rusted state as Inuyasha sheathed it. With a tremendous effort he made his way back to the collapsed Kagome. He knelt by her lying side and gently laid her head on his lap. Her eyes fluttered open and she gave him a tired smile. "Is he…?" she asked hoarsely.

Inuyasha nodded, his eyes no longer spiteful and resentful but showed relief that it was finally over. "Are you okay?" he asked with concern.

"Never felt better in my life." She said sarcastically but with a faint smile. She didn't notice it until Inuyasha touched her cheek that she was still crying. "She's dead, Inuyasha." Kagome whispered sadly, her smile completely gone. Her eyes shifted to Kikyo's body, which lay peacefully beside her. "Naraku killed her and it was all my fault." She cried.

Inuyasha drew her closer to him and rested his head on top of Kagome's head. "It's not your fault." He whispered soothingly. "It ain't ever your fault. It was the blasted Naraku's and he got what he deserved." He growled slightly.

Suddenly, Kagome burst into tears as she held Inuyasha's shirt tightly, sobbing onto his chest while Inuyasha wrapped his arms protectively around her. "I-I can't believe this has happened." She cried. "He's finally dead. I can't believe he's finally dead." She cried. Indeed, she couldn't believe Naraku was finally dead. She has seen him in her nightmares and has seen him in real life. It always seemed like she could never get away from him but here she was, free.

Free. The word sounded foreign to her. Is she really free or will Naraku come back again and make her life a living hell once more?

"He's gone, Kagome." Inuyasha whispered to her. "And with a great price. But he will not come back. If he ever does I'll make sure he'll forever regret it." he growled.

Again Kagome burst into tears, mourning with loss or relief, she didn't know which. She was sad that Kikyo was dead, unbelievingly sad. She didn't even know she cared about the older woman so much.

Inuyasha lifted her chin and made her look at him. Her teary eyes stared at him with confusion before he spoke. "I'd never…" he started as he wiped away some of her tears with his thumb. "I'd never saw you cry," he said softly. "I mean, really cry. This is the first time…"

Kagome choked and sobbed and gave him a very weak smile. "It's my human side." She managed to say through hiccups. "Makes me more mushy than I really am." She joked.

Finally, Inuyasha wrapped her in a crushing embrace and Kagome gave it back, crying on his shoulder. "I thought I lost you." He whispered. "I thought Naraku would have killed your or worse if I came too late."

"I thought I lost you." She sobbed lightly as she hugged him tighter. "I thought you were going to die…"

"Well it's over now," Inuyasha said as he pulled away. He gently placed his lips over Kagome's, no longer bleeding lips in a sweet chaste kiss. There was nothing rushed or lustful in this kiss. Just a small kiss that spoke volumes for both of them. He pulled away and gave Kagome a tired smile. "All we need to do is forget."

Kagome smiled back and they both pulled away so that they could openly stare as the sky began to turn orange and yellow. "Yes." She whispered as an orange ball began to slowly show itself shyly over the horizon. As the sun began to rise none of them even cared that Kagome's form began to change into her usual one. No one even noticed it as their eyes were too transfixed on the beautiful sunrise, indicating a brand new day.

"Tell me." Inuyasha suddenly asked, his arm around her waist as he watched the sun rise, "When you were an assassin. Why did you kill?" he asked. "Why did you kill your mother, your father's killer and those people who tried to kill you or hurt you, including Naraku?" he asked. Even though he delivered the last blast to finish him off he knew if they just left him there with Kagome's purifying powers still in effect; he would have died anyway. More slowly and painfully. What Inuyasha did showed mercy even though he didn't deserve it.

As the sun finally rose for all to see Kagome answered in a soft, meaningful voice. "I kill…" she started. "Besides Naraku from ordering me to do it… I need to kill because…" she paused for a second, a sad smile on her face. Her face was light and soft; different from the face she had before. She changed and everyone knew it.

But even though her face and her soul were lighter, a flow of sadness and grief was still around her.

Finally, she answered.

"Some people say to forgive and forget." She mused lightly. "For me, I can't do that. For me…" she paused, looking at the bright blue sky. "I need to kill… and… forget."

..xXx...

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KazunaPikachu