Disclaimer:

Turtlequeen2: Don't even ask why we took so long… too many excuses to list…

Kagura: …And you're just being lazy?

Vbollman: Most likely.

Turtlequeen2: -glares- And you will explain in my place, then?

Vbollman: Well, there was a lack of beta for a while, my commitments with my monsters and work, your schooling, and college—need I say more?

Turtlequeen2: -anger abates- Wow, I didn't think you'd really explain it all…

Vbollman: -small smirk forms- That's because I'm not as lazy as you.

Turtlqueen2: -rolls eyes- Riiight…

Kagura: If you ask me; you're both lazy as hell…

Turtlequeen2 & vbollman: -both glare- You're right. We didn't ask.

Vbollman: Careful there; just remember who writes most of the fluff scenes...

Turtlequeen2: …and who assists in coming up with half of the ideas. Not to mention a lot of your action scenes. We could just kill you off, you know…

Kagura: -backs down while glaring- I don't think that Sesshoumaru would approve of your comments…

Vbollman: Oh, I assure you… He has no choice in anything just as you don't. -holds up Toukijin for emphasis while giving her a "Kagome" smile-

Kagura: -resists the urge to cringe-

Turtlequeen2: Anyways… we'd like to thank the following reviewers: Isis Aurora Tomoe, Kouryuu524, MysticMoonbeam, Frog Lady, C. A. M. E. O. 1 and Only, SesshyStalker1, A Devil in Heaven, Gwenivear Greenleaf, Lucinda Lownes, Scourge of BloodClan, mediouzangushatia999, kazenokizu, bakusaiga, and sesshygirl15!

Vbollman: We do not own Inuyasha. Rumiko Takahashi only has these rights… We just control their actions in our own little worlds…

EDIT: Vbollman: IT'S NOT MY FAULT...BLAME IT ON MY INTERNET PROVIDER. Stupid thing died on me. -grumbles and crosses arms over her chest-

We give thanks to Kagura615 and Kouryuu524 for helping us on this chapter!

Last Time on A Night Both Would Remember:

While Sesshoumaru and Kikyou were preparing for the worst to happen, they didn't pay attention to Kagome rushing to get in between them.

Inuyasha looked on with horror reflecting in his eyes. He knew that Kagome didn't see Kikyou release her arrow, with all her attention on his brother. The only thing he could do was scream.

"KAGOME!!"

Chapter 22

The Surrounding Darkness

Even as time seemed to stop, everything happened at once.

Kagome heard Inuyasha scream out her name, and knew instinctively that Kikyou had fired her arrow at Sesshoumaru. Of course, the only problem with that was that she was standing in the way. In the same instant, she also saw Sesshoumaru moving forward at lightening speed and knew that she would not be able to dodge either of the attacks.

Calling out in her mind, Kagome felt the former Inu no Taishou flood her body with just enough of his own skills that she knew, without a doubt, exactly what she needed to do and how to do it. Spinning around, she raised her own bow just in time to deflect the arrow in another direction just as she surrounded herself with a shield—once more, made of the combined demon and miko energies.

Inuyasha's scream vibrated through Sesshoumaru's mind, filling him with inward horror. No matter how fast he moved, he knew that there was no way he would be able to miss the young miko in front of him. Dispelling the poison along his claws and curling his fingers inward, he braced himself for the impact he knew would be coming.

What he wasn't expecting was Kagome's own actions. He saw the flash as her bow came up and knocked the arrow away a heartbeat before he felt the sword at his side react to the danger that the miko was in. As the swirling blue and purple shield came up around her, only one thought entered his mind. His body fell from the force of the shield hitting him. 'It's too late, Father. There's no way to stop her from getting hurt this time.'

Kikyou watched, her eyes wide in surprised horror. Many times since she had been reborn, she wanted to hurt this child, but never would she had gone through with it. She knew better then anyone just how much the survival of the world as everyone knew it rested on Kagome's slim shoulders. Kikyou wasn't all that surprised when Kagome managed to turn the arrow away, considering that she had done the same thing with the familiar of the black miko. What did surprise her was the shield that was brought up, even if too late, to block the dog youkai's attack. Even as it happened, the dead miko acknowledged that the horror she was feeling was because she could all too clearly see the demon lord's attack would actually hit, and she had no idea just how much damage would be to either demon or human.

Kagome knew that her shield couldn't stop Sesshoumaru in time and that was confirmed when she heard the sound of a body sliding across the ground towards her. Having been hit often enough in her travels with Inuyasha, she knew that the worst thing she could do in this situation was tense up. Forcing her body to relax as much as possible, she closed her eyes just as Sesshoumaru collided with her legs, knocking her down. The last thing that she remembered was the two of them tumbling across the ground for a few moments and then a heavy weight settling on top of her. After that, everything went black.

Carefully opening his eyes when he felt a gentle touch on his face, the taiyoukai looked into Sango's eyes and watched as her lips moved. However, no sound came out. It only took a minute for him to realize that it wasn't that she was making a sound, but that he couldn't hear it.

Kagura was stunned into silence while she watched the entire scene transpire. After she saw the aftermath, she was preparing to rush to her future mate's side, but didn't have the chance since Sango beat her to it. Her face was etched with concern. "How are they?" she pondered. She knew that Kagome was knocked out, but she had no clue on Sesshoumaru's condition.

The taijiya had on a concentrated expression. "I'm not sure…but they both have a few scratches on them. Sesshoumaru doesn't seem like he can hear, based on the look on his face…"

"What?!" the wind user almost shrieked, making her way to Sango's side before anymore could be said.

While the women looked after Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha rushed to Kagome's side and checked on her condition. "K-Kagome!" As far as he could tell, she was out cold. "Dammit!" he cursed.

Feeling partially responsible and knowing that the others were caring for Sesshoumaru, Kikyou made her way towards her reincarnation. "Move aside, Inuyasha. I'll check to see if her bruises are all she has."

"Kikyou…" he could only say, doing as she said. Inuyasha realized that he instantly screamed out Kagome's name in front of Kikyou and immediately felt a mixture of guilt and apprehension.

Sango sensed that the two needed some time to themselves and had Miroku and herself move Sesshoumaru away from them.

The miko seemed to sense that something was amiss with Inuyasha and decided to voice herself. "Whatever it is, it is fine, really. You are not obligated to me for eternity," she stated while inspecting the younger girl beside her.

"About that…" he trailed off. "I have to tell you something." He sucked in a deep breath, preparing to tell the miko his decision.

"Something…?" Kikyou repeated in a tone of question. "And Kagome, thankfully, isn't poisoned by that youkai, whom I assume is your brother." The way she said "youkai" made her seem hesitant towards Sesshoumaru.

"Good," the hanyou said, breathing a sigh of relief. Now, if only she would actually wake up… Shaking his head to clear out other distracting thoughts, he knew that it was now or never since the others weren't around them. "Kikyou, it's about us. It's about us and Kagome."

The older miko raised her eyebrow despite knowing where he was leaning towards. "You finally realized that continuing to love me in this form is futile on your part?" she questioned.

His eyes widened slightly. "No! Of course, not! I'd love you despite whatever form you'd happen to take!" he answered. He looked down at Kagome's face and calmed himself. "It's just that… I think our time has passed. While you're still trapped here, I've begun to move on."

The smallest of smiles appeared on Kikyou's face. "I understand, Inuyasha," she replied. "And you've moved on with Kagome. It isn't such a surprise." Her face softened from its normal cold exterior, almost as if she was alive once more. "I never expected you to stay with me while I was in this form."

Inuyasha couldn't believe how easy this was turning out to be. Despite him feeling guilty, he also felt relief and a small amount of happiness. He'd finally chosen who he'd be with. "Yeah…" he murmured. "I'm sorry that you had to be brought back to life in such a way."

She chuckled. "Do you honestly think that I would blame you for that? That was Urasue's actions; not yours. I just grew bitter towards you then since I never knew of Naraku's wrongdoings. Now, I only live to rid the world of him. I do admit that my feelings for you have returned, but not as profound as I had during my actual life. However, regardless of that, my ties with you have been severed. They've always been severed ever since Naraku intervened. We both just took a while to realize that."

"K-Kikyou…" He never knew that her feelings for him had returned like she had just admitted. "In spite of that, I will still risk my life for your sake." Glancing back and forth between the two women he loved in his life, he added, "However, Kagome is in this part of my life now and I can't abandon her. I also have a bond with her that I know can't be severed as easily as ours did."

The miko nodded. "I know that your love for Kagome burns stronger. Ours had been cut off too early for it to progress any further. All we have ever done past those fifty years have been living in the past lives of ourselves. Time has passed and we must move on."

The conversation would have continued, but the groaning of a certain woman had both of them silenced.

"K-Kagome!" Inuyasha murmured, placing his arm under her head. "How are you feeling?"

Kikyou only watched in silence as the scene transpired.

Kagome groaned again softly as she tried to open her eyes and immediately closed them once again, when the bright sun made an already bad headache worse. "Inu...Inuyasha?" she questioned softly, feeling the sun leave her face. She tried once more to open her eyes, only to see Kikyou leaning over her as well. "Kikyou?" she breathed.

"Inuyasha, I need some warm water for the herbs she needs for her pains," Kikyou softly ordered the hanyou and watched as he quickly bounded away. "Relax, young miko. It's my turn to take care of you," she told her, thinking back to the time when Kagome had rescued her from the cave youkai. "I have no plans to step between you and Inuyasha. As is I am... happy... that he finally chose you over me. Maybe now, the rest of his old wounds will finally heal," she added with a small but genuine smile.

Kagome felt a sense of warmth flood through her at Kikyou's words, relief showing clearly in her eyes at the other miko's words. "Thank you," she whispered as Inuyasha kneeled beside them, a bowl of warm water carefully held within his hands.

"Kagome," Inuyasha murmured, seeing her awake. "How are you feeling?"

"I-Inuyasha," she replied upon seeing him. Looking between the two, she knew what had happened while she was knocked out. "You told her, didn't you?"

Inuyasha nodded his head, knowing that it was undeniable. He cast a glance at Kikyou, figuring that she must have mentioned something.

The older miko kept her peaceful expression. "As I've told Kagome, I am at ease with the fact that you've finally made your decision," she explained.

Kagome sighed softly before attempting to sit up, but was held done by Kikyou's hand pressing against her shoulder. "Relax for a few more minutes. I must attend to your injuries," she heard murmured softly. Exhaling air again, she allowed her former self to bathe her exposed skin with the herbal water, feeling the warming effects beginning to work almost immediately. "How is Sesshoumaru?" she asked Inuyasha.

Settling himself into a better position to see what exactly was going on around them without having to shift, Inuyasha remained silent for a few minutes. "According to what I heard from Sango, he can't hear anything at the moment," he explained, his voice almost too soft to hear. No matter what he felt for his brother at one time or another, he would never have wished this on him. To an inu-youkai, not being able to hear meant death faster than not being able to see or smell what was around them.

Kagome drew a deep breath in surprise and reached out one arm to rest against Inuyasha's arm. "Check on him, please," she requested, tears welling up in her eyes.

Inuyasha allowed himself to focus on her tear-filled eyes for a moment and then nodded his head, moving quickly to where the others had moved Sesshoumaru earlier.

"Kagome, why do you care about that youkai?" Kikyou could not help but wonder aloud after Inuyasha left the two.

Kagome tried her best to withhold her tears since she did not want to cry in front of the older miko. "Sesshoumaru is Inuyasha's brother, but he also has protected this group for a long while now. Over the past few weeks, he has vowed to protect us in order to aid in killing Naraku," she answered.

She nodded, taking in the information. "I see…" From her observation, she also noted the appearance of the other youkai that was never with the group until now. "And what of Naraku's incarnation?"

"Kagura is going to become Sesshoumaru's mate," Kagome replied in a hesitant tone.

"And this is said with such lacking confidence?" the other woman mused. "Why are you placing such trust in a youkai who was once an enemy?"

"Kagura is no longer an enemy," Kikyou's reincarnation blurted out before she could think.

"So, it's safe to assume that she has betrayed Naraku?" came the reply.

"Well, because Kanna placed her trust in you, you aren't currently helping Naraku for your own benefit. That means that I can tell you why I know such information," Kagome said with certainty. Kikyou only nodded, allowing her to continue. "Kagura and Kanna collaborated to make Naraku believe that they were sent here to spy on us. In reality, they are working together to overthrow Naraku along with working with us."

The older woman gazed calmly into Kagome's eyes and tried to read not only the remaining part of Kagome's soul, but her very heart as well. "I see," she hummed. "And despite what has happened between you all in the past, you trust not only this Sesshoumaru, but the ones he labels as 'mate' and 'family' as well?"

Kagome returned the calm look with one tinted with anger, her miko powers still with traces of youki flaring around her. "Yes, Kikyou, I trust them. They all want Naraku defeated, even if it's to further their own wants. In this, we are united," she answered in a cold voice that left no lingering doubts in Kikyou's mind.

"Be at ease, Kagome. I only needed to be sure you knew your own heart and mind on this," Kikyou replied.

The younger woman relaxed slightly and gave Kikyou a slight grin. "Yes, well, you might want to keep an eye on Hakudoushi. You never know with that one," she pointed out, trying to make light of her slight worry over that certain incarnation.

Kikyou nodded her head in understanding. "I have never liked that child," she commented, her tone of voice soft as well, but her eyes serious, letting Kagome know that she understood that the trust between Naraku's "children" only ran so far.

Miroku, who had been watching the children a small distance away after they had all stopped for lunch, was now trying to keep them from running to their respective "parent." He shivered slightly in fear when he saw the identical smiles on the faces of the two miko. 'Dear Buddha, I pity the idiot who ever made that look come across their faces,' he groaned silently.

Inuyasha--with one last glance at his past love and his future mate--stood and scanned the area, quickly picking out where Miroku still sat with the children, followed quickly by where Sango and Kagura had moved his brother to the other side of the clearing. Moving quickly, he crossed to them in a matter of seconds, gathering both their attentions. "How is the idiot?" he questioned, he voice gruff with concern despite trying to hide it.

Kagura gazed at him, her eyes clouded with concern."He's doing better..." she answered.

Inuyasha could see that she was trying not to let the tears gathering in her eyes fall. Glancing over at Sango, he saw the same concern. "He can hear now. He couldn't at first, but it only took a few minutes before whatever it was wore off." she explained. "How is Kagome and is it okay to be leaving her with Kikyou?" she then pondered.

Inuyasha's gruff expression softened in the slightest bit when Kagome and Kikyou were mentioned. "Keh!" he snorted, quickly covering his slip up. "Kagome's awake now. She immediately started to worry about Sesshoumaru as soon as she recovered. Kikyou's taking care of her."

Kagura looked Inuyasha over and raised an eyebrow. "And you thought leaving the two of them alone together was wise?"

He crossed his arms in his haori sleeves. "I'd hope so. They were getting along when I left."

Sango and Kagura exchanged a long look before turning one on Inuyasha. "And you don't believe they could both be hiding what they were really feeling?"

His expression turned serious. "I don't see why they'd be doing that. The issue I had with Kikyou has been discussed and now both of them know my true feelings…" he murmured.

Sango looked across to where both miko's sat talking and nodded her head in understanding.

Kagura just shrugged, before looking over to where Sesshoumaru laid half resting against a tree. "If you still are interested, now would be a good time to talk to him. I'm not sure how long the monk will be able to keep Rin away."

Inuyasha nodded and walked away from the two women. When he approached his brother, he noted that his eyes were closed. "Don't tell me that crash made you blind, too?" he joked lightheartedly.

Sesshoumaru cracked open one red-tinted, gold eye and growled softly, not bothering with a verbal answer.

Inuyasha's eyebrow rose when he noticed his brother's eye color. He must have taken a harder hit than he had first thought. "Well, the good news is that Kagome isn't dead," he continued, as if ignoring Sesshoumaru's irritated response.

At the mention at the young miko's name, Sesshoumaru stiffened, and opened both eyes, pinning his brother with a glare. "But she is injured." He snarled. It was a statement, not a question.

"Yeah…" came the sigh. "Kikyou's looking after her at the moment. I came over here because the first thing she thought about was your condition."

During one moment, Sesshoumaru was resting against the tree and within the next second, he was up with a hand around Inuyasha's throat. "You let that undead thing touch her?!" he snarled, his eyes bleeding to full red. "Are you out of your mind?!"

Sango and Kagura observed the fight from far off and was prepared to break the two apart until they saw Inuyasha attempting to get himself out of Sesshoumaru's trap.

The hanyou let out a growl of his own as he struggled in his brother's hold. "Let fuckin' go of me!" he replied. "She isn't going to harm her! They already made a truce!" Moving a bit more, he added, "Besides, you were the one who lost control of his emotions and nearly helped take Kagome's life! Don't pin all of the blame on Kikyou! She was trying the defend herself!"

A deep growl resounded in his chest as Sesshoumaru left Inuyasha further in the air, his claws, still with some of his poison on them, pricked the skin before he relaxed slightly and dropped his brother on the ground. He knew that this small amount of poison would have no effect on the hanyou. Bowing his head, he took a few calming breaths before looking back up, his eyes almost back to normal. "I tried to stop, but there wasn't time," he admitted in a voice so soft that Inuyasha almost didn't hear him.

Inuyasha was tempted to pick up and leave until he heard Sesshoumaru's whisper. It was a tone that he had never heard from his brother. Was it guilt? Ha! That was impossible. Guilt should have had no meaning on that bastard. Despite his thoughts, Inuyasha stayed, cringing lightly at the poison that lingered on his skin. He stood up and glared at Sesshoumaru. "Look, I'm not gonna stand here and say that you were the sole culprit. All three of you did stupid things without thinking. And honestly, before you say anything, I know I've done things that were reckless… But at the same time, none of you can claim innocence from the entire incident."

Sesshoumaru sighed quietly before glancing around the clearing. "Are you sure we can trust that undead being?" he asked.

"I'm willing to put my life on her trust," Inuyasha said with a stern voice.

Nodding his head once, Sesshoumaru sent a glare towards the dead miko and moved further into the forest. A quick glance over his shoulder giving his brother the silent command to follow. He did not want this conversation overheard by the others. Well, those within his own hearing range, anyway. He finally stopped and sat against a tree, and thought about what he wanted--no needed--to say to his brother.

"I don't trust her, Inuyasha. I don't think I can ever trust someone like her again. When she attacked Kagome, even if she did not mean it in that way, I lost it," he started to say. "She is family."

The hanyou resisted the urge to sigh. He understood the extent of the strong bond he had with his own pack. "I know that, Sesshoumaru," he responded. "But those two have never gotten along and with good reason… That part is my own fault."

When he didn't hear Sesshoumaru reply, he continued. "From the time Kikyou had been brought back to life, I have constantly wavered between the two. I was caught between my past and my present. I was sure that if Naraku never interfered with me and Kikyou's relationship those fifty years ago, I would have remained with her…But, of course, the fates weren't that kind to anyone. Once Kagome entered my life, I was caught up in wanting to move on, but continued to tie my life to my past. It placed a rift between those two women and I know that I harmed them also…"

Sesshoumaru nodded in understanding. He knew the pain that came from both the past and the present. After all, he had felt it every time his sword reacted with the young miko's presence. Deep down, he knew that was also caused by the very rift that had been created between himself and his brother.

"We do make a pair, don't we Inuyasha? Maybe that miko of yours can help us both heal." Through it all, his voice barely made it above a whisper.

Inuyasha couldn't help but make his eyes go wide. "W-what…?" he murmured, flabbergasted. He quickly recovered and managed a bitter laugh. "I guess you're right about us making a good pair."

An almost uncomfortable silence settled between the two of them, making Sesshoumaru at least realize that maybe the two of them had more in common then he had first thought. The happy squeal from his Rin was heard in the distance, reminded him that despite everything he had once stood for, he had allowed a human into his heart, just like his brother had. Not really wanting to think further on that topic at the moment, he finally broke the silence. "How badly was Kagome hurt?" Sesshoumaru asked softly.

"She was knocked out for a few moments but managed to wake up," Inuyasha answered in a gruff tone. "She has a few scrapes and bruises, but it's nothing major…" Adding in a tiny smirk, he said, "Fortunately."

Sesshoumaru felt a matching smirk forming and didn't bother stopping it. "Indeed. It could have been much worse, if she had not been able to once more call upon Father's skills."

Inuyasha expression turned more serious. "Will you be able to tolerate Kikyou now?" The piercing look he gave his brother nearly challenged him to disagree with him.

Sesshoumaru pondered over his reply carefully, knowing that most of their future relationship depended on his answer. "I will tolerate the undead miko for as long as possible," he finally said. "But be warned, Inuyasha; if she does anything that causes harm to this pack, I will not be lenient."

The hanyou gave a nod. "I understand," he responded, agreeing to his terms despite knowing that Kikyou wouldn't dare act that rashly.

Nodding his head once in acknowledgemeant, Sesshoumaru turned to head back to the others. He could still hear Rin in the distance, and this time instead of happy cries, she was worried and was asking for him. Sighing softly, he bounded onto a tree limb. "I"m not sure how long the monk will be able to keep the childern away," he said, his voice once more taking on it's usual cool tone. "We should return before they start looking." 'Besides,' he added silently, 'No matter what you say, Brother, I am not going to trust that thing any further then I truly need to.'

"Ah, right," Inuyasha responded, following his brother back to camp, inwardly hoping that Sesshoumaru would keep his promise. If it were to be broken, their truce would be destroyed for sure.

With Hakudoushi

Wind brushed through the vacant clearing that Hakudoushi rested at. He created a barrier around himself so that no one would be able to disturb his train of thought. 'Brother? Is the link you had with the miko completely dead?' the pale incarnation asked silently, knowing that Akago would hear him.

'No, just greatly diminished,' returned the train of thought from his other half. The baby was currently resting in Kanna's arms. He could easily determine that something was wrong based on the mere fact that the girl was close to his brother's "disclosed" location. He could see her soulless eyes watching him with no sound.

'So, we can still use it…' Hakudoushi trailed off in thought, his violet eyes sparkling with a nearly joyous expression.

'Of course.' Even though it was merely within the abnormally intelligent baby's head, he could easily tell that the comment was a snort given in the tone of snobbery.

'That is very good, since I believe our loving father is started to suspect us.' The word "loving" was used in high sarcasm by Hakudoushi.

Akago remained silent for a few minutes, going over all that they knew, and what they suspected Naraku also knew. 'You, of course, are correct. I would suspect us if I were him.' He was glad that his other half had figured it out on his own.

'Precisely. So now a new plan…' Hakudoushi paused, thinking to himself for a few moments.

'I'm listening,' the infant mentally replied, waiting for his plan with earnest.

'Before I handed over the emerald pieces, I broke one of them in order to create a fifth shard. It's still connected to the other four,' the young boy began. 'We can use this piece to bring our sister back under our control.'

'At the same time, using the link between myself and the miko to corrupt and bring her under our control as well,' Akago interrupted, an unholy gleam starting to glitter in his eyes. He was easily able to grasp his sibling's way of thinking.

'Yes, and between the two of them, we can corrupt the taiyouki and his sword...' Hakudoushi added, the same unholy gleam echoing in his own eyes.

'…Bringing their power under our direct command...'

'…And allowing us to succeed where Naraku failed,' the boy finished with a snicker.

A final thought shard between the two, echoed at the same time.

'Naraku must never find out!'

A/N: Yeah, as stated in the disclaimer, many things contributed to this really slow update. We're sorry for having to leave you the worst of cliffies in the previous chapter. At least this chapter ends on a …solid note. Somewhat.

Anyways!

Next time on A Night Both Would Remember: Does Naraku finally make his move? And what is with this new development?!

WE DID NOT GIVE UP ON THIS STORY!

Please review!

Ja ne!