Incomplete

- Chapter One -

Dark, ominous clouds rolled in, bearing with them the promise of death and destruction. Every creature, but for the seven bravely squaring off against Naraku and his minions, hid from sight and trembled in terror.

Naraku. He had no regard for life of any kind, human or otherwise. Having been unfortunate enough to experience no love during his wretched mortal existence, he callously used the love his enemies felt for their comrades as his greatest weapon against them. He took every opportunity to twist his opponents' human emotions and darken their hearts with anger, doubt and despair, until those things which had once been a source of strength became a liability.

The human heart - it was such a weak and fragile thing. He took great joy in manipulating it; first with the priestess and the hanyou, then the demon slayer and her brother. It was such an easy thing to breed hatred and dissension amongst them.

Naraku's villainous eyes surveyed the battlefield below. The raucous clang of metal weapons and the trembling of the earth beneath his feet brought a wicked smile to his lips. Who would be next to fall?

oOo

"Hiraikotsu!"

Sango's cry filled the air and she hurled her weapon into the centre of the hoard of demons surging toward her. Hearing Naraku's dark chuckles over the sound of their shrill screams, she focused a cold glare in his direction. She wanted nothing more than to wipe that sadistic smirk off his face. He'd caused all of them far too much pain, especially Kohaku.

They'd entered this battle on the pretence that it would be their last great stand against the evil hanyou, the day on which they would finally rid the world of his presence. Fate, however, seemed to have other ideas in mind.

She watched, defeated, as Hiraikotsu deflected off the stomach of a swarthy demon and careened hard into the ground, wedging itself nearly half deep in the dirt. Cursing violently, she wagered a hasty glance over her shoulder. The others were tied up in battles of their own, she'd have to do this fight solo.

Calling out to Kirara, the demon slayer leapt onto the demon cat's broad back with a certain grace and ease that came from years of practice. The pair took to the skies to evade the demons converging on their position and made a bee line for Haraikotsu. Jerking her weapon out of the ground, Sango flung it over her shoulder and began to swing it in wide, sweeping circles above their heads.

If I can get one good shot we might have a chance of destroying that bastard! she deduced as Kirara flew in a wide arc around Naraku's position.

Narrowing her eyes with resolve, the demon slayer gripped Hiraikotsu tight and said a silent prayer to the gods before letting it fly loose. The weapon spun end over end, whirring loudly as it sliced through the numerous insignificant demons that stood in its path. She waited with bated breath as it neared its final destination. At the last second before impact Naraku placed a protective barrier around himself, sending Hiraikotsu bouncing off with a loud 'TWANG!'

Balling her hand into a fist she struck it angrily against her thigh.

Of course he'd have a barrier! How could I have been so stupid?

Closing her eyes in defeat, she fought tears of frustration. This is how it always was - just when they thought they were getting close, he'd find some way to survive and take Kohaku with him. How can you kill something that refuses to die?

The jeers and wicked cackles of nearby demons grew steadily louder as they drew close. It only took seconds for them to surround her once they realized she was unarmed. Kirara flailed her head back and forth and snarled viciously at the more audacious demons who dared to get too close, but even she understood that their attempts would be futile. There was just too many of them.

The throng was so thick Sango couldn't see her weapon until it emerged from the wall of leering demonic faces and knocked her clear off Kirara's back. With the breath suddenly forced from her lungs, she could only gape in shock at the sky as she fell toward the unforgiving earth. Thinking she would soon be crushed, she said a silent prayer for her brother Kohaku, asking the gods to spare him from Hell in spite of all the things Naraku had made him do.

The impact knocked the breath out of her lungs, but it wasn't the bone jarring collision she'd expected. Opening her eyes, she was surprised to find a familiar face above hers.

"Are you okay?"

Miroku set her down and gave her a brief once over, searching for hidden injuries. Finding none, he looked relieved and stepped back.

"Yes, thank you!" she managed, still in shock. Her tongue felt like a wad of cotton in her mouth.

"It's lucky you were able to get beneath me in time."

The monk nodded grimly and handed her the katana that'd dropped from her belt during the fall.

"Here, you'll need this. I think it would be wise for us to watch each others' backs, don't you agree?"

The demon slayer nodded and turned her back to his, daring the demons surrounding them to come within striking range.

The solid weight of the monk's body against hers left her feeling stronger than before. Though it was unspoken and often ignored, there was a connection between them that went far beyond that of regular travelling companions. She would sacrifice her life to save his and knew in her heart that he would do the same. He may be a perverted lecher, but beneath that light-hearted exterior she knew there was a man worthy of her good impression.

He was the other flame that fuelled her burning desire to see Naraku dead. Only once the evil hanyou was gone, and his curse along with it, could they ever have the chance to live a peaceful life - together. Her heart was so desperate for that kind of happiness.

"Are you ready?" the monk asked over his shoulder. Sango nodded and withdrew her katana from its sheath.

"Definitely."

oOo

On the opposite side of the battlefield, Kagura lowered herself into the middle of the fray and focused her attention on the Miko from the future.

"So, we meet again," she said with little enthusiasm.

Kagome returned her glare and reached for an arrow from her quiver.

"Yeah and it'll be for the last time," she threatened, pulling her bow string taut.

The Wind Witch rolled her eyes and impatiently flitted her fan, "Oh, please."

Without warning she attacked, sending a swarm of blades in the Miko's direction. Kagome dodged out of the way, managing to miss all but one. Without Inuyasha or Kouga's speed she was simply no match for Kagura's Dance of Blades.

Falling hard to the ground, she clutched her calf and hissed in pain. Blood trickled out from beneath her fingers, stemming from the deep wound that'd been cut into the flesh of her leg. Kagura inched forward, eager to finish her off.

"Been nice knowin' ya," she bragged victoriously before lifting her fan to make the killing blow.

Kagome flinched and called out for Inuyasha but he was too far away. He'd never get to her in time. She reached for an arrow only to find her quiver empty. Looking around in a panic she realized there was no one left to help her.

I'm sorry, everyone, she thought, resigning herself to her fate. I'm sorry I couldn't defeat Naraku in time.

Kagura's sudden growl caught her attention.

"Stay out of this Sesshomaru," she hissed. "This human is none of your concern."

Kagome tilted her head back and caught a glimpse of the Lord of the West's broad frame towering imposingly behind her. With his Tokijin drawn and aimed at Kagura's chest he appeared as formidable as ever.

"Do not raise your weapon to me, Kagura, or it will be the last thing you do," he warned.

The Wind Witch 'hmphed' and obstinately lifted her fan for another attack. In a flash of white silk he advanced and cut her down. Kagome knew she would never forget the look in Kagura's eyes as her life faded away. Even though Sesshomaru had killed her, she looked at him with eyes that bore him no hatred. It was almost as if she were relieved that it was by his hand and not Naraku's she died.

The pair watched in silence as Kagura's body dissolved into glittering ash that drifted away on the wind.

"Sesshomaru...," she began, not sure how to thank one of her greatest enemies for saving her life. Dismissing her entirely, he turned his back and headed into the heart of the battlefield.

Naraku's howl of rage could be heard above the clamouring from below. Kagome felt the ground tremble beneath her and a sickening sense of dread dropped her stomach.

No! she thought frantically when she saw Naraku tunnelling his body into the earth, I have to stop him!

Grimacing against the pain that tore through her leg, she pushed herself to her feet and began to run. She winced with each jolting step and the blood was running freely down her leg now, but she didn't have time to care. All she could think about was getting to the demon who'd saved her life before it was too late.

Naraku's deadly roots suddenly burst forth from the earth and snaked towards their target, intent on destruction. Desperate to do something, Kagome did the only thing she could - she threw herself in front of him and used her body as a shield. The roots cruelly pierced her flesh and burst out the front of her chest. She gasped softly as her body tensed against the invasion. The shock from such a grave injury stole away the pain as well as her voice.

Had she really just done that? Had she really used her body to protect Sesshomaru?

Naraku cruelly ripped the roots from her body and withdrew them back into the earth. From his perch, he watched the scene unfolding below him with a satisfied smile. It was always a good day when he could kill another loathsome priestess.

Sesshomaru's golden eyes widened at the image before him. The miko's eyes were dim as she stumbled forward and collapsed against him. His arm wrapped around her back to hold her upright. The moment he let go she would collapse to the ground, never to get up again.

Does the miko honestly believe that this Sesshomaru requires the protection of a human?

His nose twitched at the smell of her blood soaking into his garments and his frown deepened into a scowl.

Ridiculous.

Sesshomaru's brows drew low over his eyes and he glared hard at the girl whose body had gone limp. A low growl resounded in his throat and he glowered over his shoulder at Naraku. He was tempted to cross the battlefield and rip out the miserable half demon's throat but the hot flow of the girl's blood across his hand reminded him that for the time being he had more pressing matters to take care of. Picking up the priestess's body, he cradled it in the crook of his arm and hastily departed.

oOo

Through the stench of demons all around him Inuyasha caught wind of the only scent that had the power to make the blood run cold in his veins - Kagome's blood. He watched, helpless, as Sesshomaru transformed them both into a small, white ball of light and disappeared to some unknown destination.

Paralyzed, he could only stare at the spot where she had last been while trying to convince his lungs to draw air. Panic overwhelmed him. It wasn't possible! It couldn't be possible!

Taking a shaky step forward, he buried his sword half-deep in the dirt and leaned heavily against it for support. Glaring up at the darkened skies he called out to her, despite knowing that she could no longer hear him.

"KAGOME!"

Author's Note:"Incomplete" was started in 2006 and was my first dabble with Inuyasha fan fiction.

I know a lot of Sess/Kag fans have read this fic before and many have told me it got them inspired to write their own Sess/Kag fics. I think that's fantastic :)

The quality of writing in the original always bothered me, so last year I decided that a re-write was in order. Plot holes needed to be filled, characterizations needed to be fixed and the pacing required some much needed smoothing. This is the finished product after more than a year of work.

I hope you enjoy it!

- Langus