Author's note: Hello again, sorry the final chapter took so long to get up! Once again thanks to Turtlequeen2 for all of her help with this chapter. I'd also like to thank Inu-midoriko for stepping in to finish this chapter when it was needed.

Inu-midoriko: Thanks for always being there for me!

Arriving back home, Kagome opened the door as she removed her shoes. All she wanted was to hurry up and get back before Lynnette started to worry. "I'm home!" She called- half hoping that her brother was the only one home. Her mother would not be happy with her...

Unfortunately for her, Mrs. Higurashi entered the kitchen as soon as she heard her daughter walk through the back door. "Kagome! You're home after being gone for so long!" she exclaimed before moving to embrace her daughter tightly.

"Things are going really bad right now mom, I'm going back first thing tomorrow after restocking some things." Kagome said, looking tired as she embraced her mother. "I'd like to stay longer- but I don't want to be away for long."

The older woman frowned. "You haven't been home in several months and you're only staying one night? At least stay long enough to get your barrings together..."

"Mom I can't. I promised her I'd be back tomorrow- the day after at the latest. We are so close to getting all the shards that I don't want to risk loosing the momentum now." Kagome tossed the bag on the couch.

Mrs. Higurashi let out a sigh. "What happened to you over there?" she asked, tossing her daughter a serious look. She knew that something was wrong since Kagome was in such a hurry. Usually, her daughter would take her time before going back in time.

"Naraku's kidnapped Lynn mom. She's not going to last much longer- he did something that made her even weaker." Kagome admitted in defeat.

The older woman's eyes widened. "Oh no! That's horrible!" she gasped.

"I wanted to put together a few things that- I hope!- will make her more comfortable. He lets one of us visit every few weeks, or lets her come herself. That's why I haven't been home before- I didn't want to risk not seeing her."

The older woman sighed. "Well, even with this problem, Jii-chan can only make up so many health excuses for your long absence before they make you repeat a grade..."

"Tell them that there is an illness in the family and that I'm spending time with her before she dies."

Mrs. Higurashi shook her head. "Even with whatever good excuse you come up with, if you miss too much material, they won't think you're ready enough to continue on to the next grade," she murmured. "One of your teachers already called me yesterday, explaining to me that you need to pass the next exam in order to avoid failing his class."

Kagome let out an angry sound. "Mom, this is Lynn we are talking about here! I'll repeat the grade if I have to, but I can't let her down." Upset now, she lost her temper and kicked one of Souta's toys. "She's already at the point where she doesn't eat or sleep. The last time I saw her she was coughing up blood- and Naraku just stood there smiling!"

It was at this moment that Souta decided to come into the room. "Hey, Kagome-!" he let out before seeing her kick one of his toys. His eyes widened in shock, never seeing his sister so livid in his life.

Their mother was also surprised with Kagome's rage, but stood her ground. "Kagome!" she said in a louder voice. She sucked in a deep breath. "I understand why you're upset and I'm worried about Lynnette's well being, but you also need to figure out what you're going to do before you go back."

Her raven-haired daughter's mouth tightened even more into a hard line of fury. "I've been thinking about it Mother. I want you to pull me out of school. I'll pass any test you give me if you want to homeschool me, but right now the most important thing to me is to stop Naraku and get Lynnette back before it's too late." Her tone was strangely resolute and focused. "If I fail you'll suffer too you know mom. Naraku knows about the well."

Mrs. Higurashi paled, not wanting to know what Naraku would be capable of. She knew there was a definite risk of Kagome being killed if he did succeed. "If that's really what you want then I'll do it," she murmured. "But you need to at least pass this last test before I can fill out the paperwork."

"Fine." Kagome snapped, kicking the toy again, this time sending it flying across the room barely missing the table.

Souta cringed, making sure to stay clear of his sister's way.

Looking around, Kagome made an angry sound before storming outside. Several minutes later awkward sounds of cropping wood could be heard as the young Miko struggled to vent her anger.

The older woman sighed and shook her head. She had never seen Kagome look so distraught before. It was truly a desperate situation.

"I haven't heard her try to chop wood since our dog died when she was ten..." Kagome's grandfather chimed in as he walked up behind Mrs. Higurashi.

All night Kagome chopped wood, it wasn't until dawn was blushing pink across the sky when she finally stumbled back into the house. Her eyes were drained and both hands were tinged red from bleeding from holding the axe so long. She passed her grandfather on the stairs without seeing him.

Jii-chan's eyes widened when he saw Kagome's bruised and bloodied hands. "Kagome! Stop!" he called out, reaching out to her. "Your hands..."

Kagome blinked and looked at her hands listlessly. "Oh... I need to wash up before I crash." Her tone was indifferent.

The old man shook his head. "Go to your room. I'll be there in a minute with the first aid kit."

Nodding automatically, Kagome went into the bathroom to get a water basin to rinse her hands. She carried it into her room and was sitting on her bed staring into space when her grandfather came into the room.

The older man sat beside her on the bed, setting the first aid kit beside him and opening up the box. "Hold your hands out," he instructed, grabbing a cloth she had gotten from the bathroom and dipping it in the water.

Wordlessly Kagome did as she was told. As the blood was washed away, it was revealed that there were a few splinters in her palms.

Jii-chan frowned. "What got into you, Kagome?" he asked as he gently cleaned her wounds and tried to pry the splinters out with tweezers.

"I feel like I'm a hamster on a hamster wheel grandpa. Nothing I do is getting me anywhere!" She flinched when he dug in a little.

The old man flashed her an apologetic glance when he saw her flinch. Once the splinters were out, he took out rubbing alcohol and dabbed some of the liquid onto a cotton ball. He then applied it onto cuts. "I can see why you're frustrated then..."

"I knew Lynn was dying, that was bad enough. It was bad when I had to knock Inuyasha's head in shut him up to leave her in peace. But Naraku kidnapped her... Grandpa- I've never been so scared in my life. He turned the cancer into a living thing!" Kagome shuddered in a horror that had no words. "Lynn is a priestess too you know."

Jii-chan's eyes widened. "How did he manage to do that?" he asked, referring to Lynnette's cancer. After he disinfected the wounds, he pulled out gauze and bandages, wrapping up her hands.

"He... oh I'll just say it! He 'impregnated' her by making her swallow a part of his flesh." Kagome bit back a sob. "His body regenerates itself, and I guess you could call it a demonic sort of cloning. Each part he casts off becomes an independent... thing..."

"That vile demon!" the old man couldn't help but curse, paling in disgust at that piece of information. "Isn't there some way to purify him?"

"That's what we are trying to do. I have to stop him grandpa, I have to. Lynnette can't last much longer..." She began to shake. "It- he- is eating her from the inside. When she was allowed to visit, she almost died twice in my arms. I didn't sleep either, I know she didn't- we were both scared."

Jii-chan closed up the wrappings on her hands and could do nothing else but pull his granddaughter into a hug. "I trust that you'll be able to get Lynnette back safely." Now he was able to understand why Kagome was so upset.

"I'm trying, I'll pour out my own blood without a second thought to get her back. She's not dying in the dark while I can stop it. But I can't be worried about what's going on here, we don't have the time! She doesn't have the time!"

The old man shook his head, having overheard what his daughter-in-law told Kagome. "I don't think she understands how urgent this is," he murmured. "I'll try to talk to her tomorrow so you won't be stuck here for a week."

"Thank you Grandfather..." She smiled a sleepy smile. "I think I can sleep now..."

Jii-chan returned the weary smile, standing up and removing the things off of the bed before letting her move under the covers. He then lifted the blankets, tucking her in. "Good night, Kagome."

Three days later, Kagome was fuming as she studied the pile of textbooks in front of her. She was still wearing the bandages on her hands. Nothing Jii-chan had said changed her mother's mind, although her mother had relented and went shopping for Kagome. The test was tomorrow, but she wouldn't get the results until Monday, and Mrs. Higurashi insisted that Kagome not leave until the results were in and discussed. So she had been studying like a person possessed, driving all her friends in this time away in the process.

As if the gods were cursing her, it wasn't long before the inevitable happened. The window to her room slid open as Inuyasha appeared on the window sill. "Kagome?" he said, noticing the girl drowning in her books.

Kagome snapped her head around at the same time she chair tipped back and fell with a crash. "Ow!" She yelled.

Inuyasha jumped down onto the floor and closed the window behind him before moving to her side. "Are you okay?" he asked.

Taking a deep breath, she waited for the pain to ease before rolling over and getting to her feet. "Just peachy." The words were almost a snarl as the miko righted her chair and began to pick up her scattered notes with the books.

He flinched upon hearing her tone. "...Why are you still here? I thought you said you'd be back in a day..."

"I got grounded until the next test. Mom doesn't like that I've been gone for so long." From the look in her eyes, a 'sit' wasn't far away.

Inuyasha could see the look in her eyes and knew he was in trouble. He knew not to try his usual snapping tactics. "...When will you be able to come back?"

"When I pass and mom sees the results." Her words were clipped. "If I do well, mom agreed to pull me out of school until Naraku's dead." She sighed. "Though I think she only said that after she saw me loose my temper and kick one of Souta's toys across the room..."

Inuyasha was pretty sure if Kagome had her usual stressed out expression on her face, it was no wonder her mother would have caved at least that much. "Well... Kikyou went off to visit Lynnette again. She said she'd stay with her until you came back," he explained.

Kagome looked relieved. "Good. I was worried about stressing Lynnette out, and mom wouldn't let me jump in the well to give Kirara a note to take back to all of you."

The hanyou withheld a frustrated growl and went to sit on her bed. "I'm staying here until you can leave."

"Lynn's orders?" She asked, her back to the hanyou as she finished picking up all the notes and sat in her chair so that she could organize then all over again.

Inuyasha shook his head and withheld the urge to cringe. "...I came here on my own," he admitted, mentally preparing for the tirade that would soon happen.

Kagome's eyes grew dark with anger. "Did you even think about letting her know you were going to check on me?"

An irked Inuyasha was about to seal his fate by opening his mouth, but paused when he caught the faint smell of fading blood. He the looked down at Kagome's hands and noticed the bandages. "...Kagome... what happened to your hands?"

"I took my anger out on the woodpile." The miko replied. "Otherwise I would have had to replace the lamps."

The hanyou paled. Kagome with an axe? "...because of that test?" he asked hesitantly.

"Yes, because I couldn't come back when I promised I would." Tapping the pile straight, she sighed. "The test is tomorrow, but I won't get the results until Monday."

Inuyasha frowned, sitting down on the bed behind Kagome's chair. Did that mean that Kagome's mother was even scarier than Kagome?

"She... doesn't understand how close everything is- she's concerned about my life in this time. Says that I've spent enough time there and that I have a life here too." Kagome explained, looking at her hands. "If I wasn't so busy studying, I'd be attacking the wood pile every night."

Inuyasha paled even moreso, standing up almost immediately. "...Uh...I-I can try to deliver a note to Lynnette for you if you want..." he stammered out, not wanting to be killed.

Kagome brightened and she smiled. "Would you? That would help a lot! Let's see, where'd I put it..."

Inuyasha felt a shiver run down his spine at how quickly her mood changed. It was unnerving.

She didn't see how the mood change affected the hanyou, as the miko was busy hunting through piles of paper. "Ah ha! found you!" Kagome was now holding a thick packet of folded up paper in her hand.

The hanyou withheld a heavy breath as he waited for Kagome to give him the letter. "...Is this all you want me to give to her?" Inuyasha then asked.

"It's pretty thick, I'd ask if you could take the stuff mom bought on my behalf, but since Kikyou isn't there..." She shrugged. "Buzzer can only take so much."

The hanyou nodded his head. "Okay, I'll take this," he replied, walking over towards the window.

"Thanks, and be careful." Kagome sat back down but watched him leave.

Inuyasha looked back at Kagome. "Keh! I'll be fine!" he said in his usual fashion to avert her from worrying about him. However, before he opened the window, he flashed a glimpse of warmth in his eyes towards her. Without saying anything else, he jumped out of the window and headed back towards the well, saving the inner cringe when he noticed the large pile of cut wood.

Souta saw him and waved hello, he was guarding the well. "Hey Inuyasha!"

The hanyou halted, clutching the letter carefully. "...Hey, kid," he replied. "...what are you here for?"

"Mom said I had to guard the well because it was my turn."

Inuyasha's eyes widened. "...You've been guarding the well all this time?" he gasped.

"Jii-chan had afternoon watch, and mom takes over whenever she can."

The hanyou almost paled again. No wonder Kagome was never able to sneak away!

"Mom and sis got into a big fight when she got home this time, and Kagome even kicked one of my toys across the room and almost broke mom's reading lamp."

Inuyasha's eyebrows furrowed. Kagome acting violent around her own family? That didn't seem right.

"She was very angry and went right back outside- chropped wood all night and Jii-chan has to pull splinters out of her hands..."

Inuyasha shook his head. How was he supposed to protect her from being injured if she constantly did things that hurt herself?

"She should crash soon... I hope..."

Souta's offhanded sentence made Inuyasha's eyes narrow. "...How much sleep has she been getting?" He did notice that she seemed slightly thinner than usual.

"She's been studying or chopping wood ever since coming back, been really short with the people at school too."

"...She hasn't eaten and slept at all?" Inuyasha then asked.

"If she does, she's multitasking and won't talk to us."

"...I'll be right back," Inuyasha replied before jumping back up to Kagome's window and pushing the glass open with slightly more force than usual. "Kagome," he said in a stern tone. "When's the last time you ate anything?"

The miko jumped and swore when her pencil broke. "Sometime this morning, I think."

"...What about sleep?" Inuyasha pressed with a hint of a growl behind his voice.

"I took a nap when Jii-chan bandaged my hands."

"Wasn't that a few days ago?" Inuyasha asked.

"Yeah, but been too wired to sleep."

Inuyasha held the letter up. "I'll make sure this letter gets delivered to Lynnette," he began. "But before you leave, I want you to sleep and eat something decent." His eyes narrowed. "It's not going to be easy if you're already half dead before we get to her."

"I'll try, but sleep hasn't exactly been my friend lately."

"Well try then. I'm not planning to carry you on my back if all you do is sleep on me," Inuyasha commented. "I'm pretty sure if you keep up with this chopping wood hobby you picked up, Lynnette won't be too pleased to see your hands..."

Kagome flinched. "A new volcano's going to spring up..." She muttered.

Inuyasha snorted. "I bet.."

With a sigh, the young miko made as though to turn back to her work. "I make it up to her somehow. The important thing now is to get through to my mother and make certain that I passed the god damn test! If I get an A on it mom should loosen up a little bit and give us all some breathing room."

Knowing that Kagome's mind was set on this course of action, the dog demon's ears drooped in his sorrow. Nothing he said or would do could make any difference when it came to her stubbornness. With that in mind, Inuyasha left the room without any further protest- but promised himself that he would be back to check up on her and make sure that she didn't go back on her word.

Back in the feudal era, Lynnette took a deep breath as a small group of hell insects landed in her lap carrying a pack of letters. "Finally Kagome..." Looking up, Lynnette smiled at Kikyou. "I think we've finally heard from Kagome at last!"

The undead woman nodded. "Inuyasha sent from her." the pale woman did her best to appear nonchalant at Lynnette's excitement over receiving word from Kagome.

Humming quietly, the redhead broke open the packet and started to read, beginning to laugh uncontrollably. By the time she had finished, tears of mirth were running down her face. Gasping for air, she grinned at Kikyou. "Kagome went toe to toe with her mother and lost the first round! That's why she didn't come back on time. She asked me to ask you to apologize for her."

Kikyou's expression softened as a small smile broke through her facade. "Did she say when she'd be returning?"

"According to this, she won't be able to return until she gets the results of the test- and that's only if she aces it. Apparently the mom's really mad this time! Not something you ever want to see Kikyou."

"Doesn't her mother realize what she's fighting for here?" asked the pale woman. "Surely if she explained to her mother the outcome might be different."

"She knows, but I'm not sure exactly if she understands it all. Kagome is- in a sense- now living two entirely different lives. That's not easy for a mother to accept. I think that there is a fear that one day Kagome won't come back at all." Lynnette sighed. "The more time she spends here, the more chance there is that she won't want to go back."

"What do you want her to do?" she asked the younger girl. Kikyou's expressionless face scrunched slightly. It was the only sign of anticipation she gave.

"I want her to be happy no matter which path she decides to choose as long as she's sure it's what she really wants."

"Do you love her?" before Kikyou had the chance to stop herself the words flew from her mouth and she mentally scolded herself for her lack of verbal control.

"She is my best friend and my sister. Besides that, I hear she finally kicked Inuyasha's rear in gear. Whether or not it would last... that I don't know." Lynnette looked down at her wasted form. "At any rate, I have no right to do that to her now..."

Kikyou smiled at Lynette. "You're so kind. Even when facing death you think of her before yourself." The woman came closer to the wasting form of the girl and bent down. She put her cold hands over Lynnette's gently. "What if I told you there was someone for you here? Someone that could make you feel at peace?"

Lynnette smiled gently at the miko. "Would it be right, knowing that I am dying Kikyou?"

"Yes... because the person... is already dead." she said softly. "She nothing but a walking corpse, wandering aimlessly through the world."

Lynnette smiled, and reached for Kikyou's hand. "If you are sure... it doesn't disgust you?"

"Look at me, Lynette. I am made of mud and clay. You have real skin, real bones. This," she motioned to Lynnette's gaunt form. "could never disgust me."

The redhead cocked her head to the side. "Does it bother you that I am not a man Kikyou? I know you are a priestess of the highest class..."

In answer, Kikyou stood up and moved her body in closer. Her face was centimeters away from Lynnette's and when the younger girl didn't pull away from her, the undead priestess pressed her lips fully to Lynnette's. Her pale hands came up to gently cradle her heart shaped face. Kikyou eased up only to kiss her again more firmly, trying to coax her into kissing her back.

Surprised, she swallowed before shyly kissing back, turning her head slightly for a better angle, trying to avoid crushing both their noses as the redhead gently brushed Kikyou's hair away from her face and out of the way.

They stayed frozen like that for some moments until Kikyou pulled back slightly. Staring into Lynnette's face, a peaceful expression flittered over the older woman's features. Leaning back in, Kikyou kissed her again, deeper this time, coaxing the younger girl's mouth open with her own.

Her eyes glowing in happiness, Lynnette returned the kiss inexpertly, hugging Kikyou loosely at first before tightening her hold to press closer.

In the shadows beyond the barrier, Naraku, master puppeteer, stood in silent anger. He watched as his former love locked lips with his latest victim and clenched his fists. Taking a step forward, he was repelled by his own power. He was helpless but to watch with darkness in his gaze, as the two women established a relationship before him.

After several long agonizing moments, Lynnette reluctantly broke the kiss to get her breath back. "Wow..."

Kikyou's expression was one of seriousness. "I need to know what you choose, Lynnette."

Smiling she took Kikyou's hand again. "If it doesn't bother you, then it doesn't bother me. As long as I can, I'll try to make you smile..."

"I mean... I want you to come with me because you want to. Not because Kagome won't have you."

She shook her head slowly. "I wouldn't do that to you Kikyou, there's no comparing the two of you because you are both different people. I care about you because you are yourself."

With a relieved smile, Kikyou embraced the younger girl. "When you are ready to go. Let me know. We'll go together."

Lynnette looked thoughtful. "I'm tired... but I can't leave until Naraku is dead. I can't leave knowing that he would still be able to hurt other people the way I was hurt!"

"I understand." she said. "I believe, that is why I can not leave either. My spirit won't allow it."

Lynnette smiled and tightened her hold on Kikyou's hand. "Believe me, I understand."

Hours later, Lynnette returned reluctantly to the lair. Making her way to her room, she looked confused as her room appeared darker than usual at sunset. "What the..." She murmured, sliding the door open more than she usually did.

Naraku stood in the far corner, blocking out most of the light to the other side of the room. "Good evening, Lynnette."

It felt like Lynnette had jumped out of her own skin as the blood began to roar in her ears. "This isn't your room Naraku." She snapped, covering her shock.

"On the contrary, this lair belongs to me. Meaning, this room I have so graciously leant you, is mine."

Lynnette narrowed her eyes, not liking the darkness that was swirling around Naraku as she covered her nose. Was it just her- or was there something off with her captor more than usual? 'Takeshi? Are my senses scrambled or...' She asked her son.

The puppeteer master grinned from behind his mask. "Come in, that is what you came here to do, was it not?"

"Not with you stinking up the room I'm not! I'll sleep outside instead." She snapped back, her good mood already gone. Trying to hide a shiver, she backed up and made to shut the door. All the while, worried that Takeshi hadn't said a word. 'Takeshi?' She asked again, turning her focus inward.

'I'm here mother.' The demonic child sounded scared. 'Your senses are fine, I feel it too. Please get out of there!'

The wall shattered, sending splinters of wood flying everywhere, bouncing off the shield that he snapped up to protect her from harm before she could blink. Naraku stood in her way of escape. He lunged for her, gripping her chair in suppressed anger. He waited three beats before his scowling frown turned into a malicious smirk. "Come with me." he said and turned. Without waiting for an answer, one of his tentacles wrapped around the chair and dragged it after him.

Swallowing, Lynnette closed her eyes tight and kept her hands in her lap. 'Has the miasma driven him mad?' She asked herself. 'This isn't good...'

The incarnation of the devil himself came to his room and slid the door open. Crossing the threshold, he dragged her in with him. It was quite obviously his quarters with the bundle of furs piled in the corner to make a makeshift futon. He picked her up off her chair with his tentacles and took rope laying on the floor he placed there specifically for this occasion and tied her from her legs to her upper arms. Placing her on the furs, he stood back and examined his handiwork.

She frowned at him, the soft golden kimono she wore was one that he hadn't seen her wear before and set off her hair. From the look on her face, clearly she was going to be stubborn about this. There would be no begging for mercy- yet.

"I saw you with Kikyou today. You think she loves you, don't you?"

Lynnette glared at him. "That's none of your business."

"Maybe not. That remains to be seen. What was the catch?" he asked.

"What does it matter to you? She replied, shifting against the ropes to get comfortable.

"It matters quite a bit. Not for me, but for you." he said and came closer to her bound figure. "She'll never have you." he ran a gentle hand over her hair. "Kikyou is nothing but a whore."

Awkwardly, she tried to move her head away from him. "Why do you care what I decide to do in the time that I have left?"

"Because I can give you life." he said and sat down close to her. He pulled her into him and nuzzled her neck just to spite her.

Lynnette ground her teeth and her body stiffened at his touch. "Liar."

"Maybe. But not about this." he grinned and bit the outside of her neck gently.

"Ow!" She jumped. "Stop that!"

Naraku did it again and again until little bite marks could be seen around her neck, collarbone and right in the middle of her chest.

She had tried to get away, but couldn't move, her mouth tightened in pain as the areas Naraku lavished attention upon throbbed dully. There were bruises forming at her wrists, she had tried that hard to get away. "Are you done?" Lynnette asked tightly, keeping her eyes closed so that she wasn't looking at him.

"Hardly. I've only just started." he said and chuckled. His deep voice penetrating the walls of his room. "You don't like it when I do this," He bit her once more on the shoulder. "or this." next he ran a hand up her leg. "Do you?"

Before she could control it, her leg jerked painfully against the ropes. Hissing in pain, she shook her head. "No I don't."

Smirking, he hummed his satisfaction. "You're to stay here for now." he stood to leave the room. "I'll give Kikyou your regards."

"She won't believe you anymore than I do you bastard." It was the first time she had ever called someone that word when speaking to them.

Smiling a most vile smile, Naraku gave her a mocking bow. "Oh no, Lynnette. I'm not going to talk to her. I'm going to end her."

"You aren't smart enough to best her." She replied, turning her head away from him. "Kikyou can best you even on her worst day."

"Think Lynnette. If she could best me and wanted me dead, which she does, she'd have done it by now. Why do you think it hasn't happened yet?"

"I don't have to answer that." She replied coldly, shifting again as though to roll over on her side away from him.

"You know I'm right." he replied and shut the sliding door behind him. His dark aura was taken with him as he left his precious lair in search of Kikyou.

Around midnight, Lynnette managed to sneak out again. She made a beeline straight to her garden, hoping the priestess was still there. 'The defenses I put there should have protected her...' She thought worriedly- tasting the blood from her split lip as she rolled into her garden. "Kikyou?' Lynnette whispered softly around her dry throat. "Are you okay?"

Coming around a tree to announce that she was there and safe, Kikyou came closer to Lynette with her undead spirits following around her body.

Smiling despite how much her mouth hurt from the effort, Lynnette's eyes glowed in triumph. "How long did it take until he gave up?"

"A few hours." she said. Her lips held a smile until she was close enough to examine her appearance. "What happened?" she asked sharply, her eyes zoning in on her bruises and busted lip.

"Naraku caught us kissing and blew up." Lynnette fingered her neck gingerly before showing her beloved the makes on her wrists. "He tied me up before using me as a chew toy."

Kikyou made a sound of disgust at the very thought of Naraku coming near Lynette. "Are you alright?" she asked, putting a tender hand against her cheek.

"There are bruises on my neck, shoulders, and chest. Other than my split lip, I'm all right." She shuddered as though cold. "I wouldn't tell him anything about us, he thinks you are only with me because you and I made a deal..."

"He knows nothing." she hissed, not at Lynette, but at the very thought of the man.

"I know." Lynnette sighed. "Kikyou... I think you are going to have to lead the others here directly even though they haven't found all the jewel shards yet. The miasma is finally making him insane." She bit her lip worriedly, ignoring the blood running down her chin. "If it gets any worse, he might just kill me off and take Takeshi..."

Kikyou nodded in agreement. "I understand." she wiped the blood from Lynnette's chin with her thumb. "I'll send word to Kaede to inform Inuyasha and Kagome to meet me Inuyasha's tree. I'll go through that well myself if I have to and retrieve Kagome."

"Can you do that? I thought Inuyasha was the only one who could come and go."

"I don't know. I've never tried but we can't waste any more time."

Lynnette nodded. "Would you be mad at me if I confessed that there is another reason I'm getting you out of here?"

"That depends on the reason, my love." the endearment was out before she could stop it. She froze, waiting for Lynnette's reaction.

Lynnette blushed, and then smiled. "I wanted you out of his sight for a while."

"It's you that should be out of his sight." she smiled back, pleased that Lynnette accepted the endearment, and the flattery of someone, clearly weaker than her, wanting to keep her safe.

"True, but at least he won't be able to use you against me right now." Lynnette sighed. "Physical torture, he's an amateur but when it comes to mental or emotional..."

"I understand." Kikyou put a hand on her cheek. "I must go to see Kaede if we want Naraku gone sooner rather than later."

Lynnette nodded, and smiled for Kikyou. "Be safe Kikyou."

"You too."

"I would give you a kiss or a hug goodbye, but my lip wouldn't cooperate." The redhead admitted.

The older woman bent down and kissed Lynette on her forehead. "There."

"Thank you." Lynnette whispered shyly. "I'll miss you." Reaching behind her back, she pulled out a letter. "Give this to the others please. It will give a reason for your leaving."

Taking the note, she let her eyes convey that she would miss Lynette as well. "We'll be back for you." she said, walking backwards, out of the barrier.

When she couldn't see the Priestess anymore, the redhead sighed and picked a few herbs before steeling herself to return to Naraku's lair.

By the time that Kikyou got there, Kagome had returned, and there was a light in her lights that did not bode well for anyone getting in her way. "I passed the test and came straight back. Did anything new happen while I was gone?" She asked as the older miko approahed.

"Naraku's going more and more insane. He's resorted too..." her brow furrowed with the challenge of finishing the sentence. "hurting her. She fears if you don't come to ger aid now, she'll be killed and Takeshi will be raised by Naraku."

"Hurting her?" Kagome almost screamed this.

Miroku jumped and Shippou hid behind Inuyasha. "Kagome-chan, calm down, I'm sure that Kikyou-san will explain..."

"He'll bite her gently but her skin is too sensitive and it forms bruises. The last I saw she had a split lip. It's getting worse, we have to make haste."

Kagome jumped to her feet in a rage. "Can you lead us there Kikyou-san?" She demanded.

"Of course." she replied. "When is the earliest you can be ready?"

"I'm ready now, Everyone else?"

"Let's go!" Shippo and Miroku said in union. Sango and Inuyasha nodded.

"All right, follow me."

In Naraku's castle, Kanna looked up from her mirror. "They are coming." She said tonelessly.

"Perfect." he replied, a sinister grin marring his wicked features.

"You will not win."

"We'll see."

Empty eyes gazed into her mirror. The emotionless child said nothing more.

His grin twisted into a nasty sneer. He, too, said no more but if his eldest was convinced he wasn't going to win this battle, then it just proved how wrong it was of him to make detachments from his flesh. One by one, they would fall prey to betrayal. His most loyal Kanna, was apparently no exception. He couldn't stop himself from thinking that maybe she was referring to his mate, Lynette. The girl was tough, and had spirit. When he won the battle, he was certain he'd be able to break it. He would reform her; give her a new body and relish in the fact he was able to control her as well. His grin was maddening, reflecting his mind's inner turmoil. "I will win, Kanna. You can be sure of that."

"She's stonger than you think." Kanna didn't look up from her mirror. "There are walls within her that you can't touch."

Naraku hummed; and said nothing more. He waited patiently for Inuyasha and his friends to arrive at his barrier. "Kanna, make sure they meet Kagura first. I want them weakened first."

Silently his eldest 'child' left the room.

The sadistic man slid the door to his room wide open. "How's my mate doing?" he asked, grinning at her despite the battle he was about to engage in.

Lynnette shivered, tightening the fur she had wrapped around herself even though it wasn't that cold out. "I've been better."

"Your friends are on their way." he said, to her and leaned on the frame of the door.

"I knew that already." She replied, not looking up from her writing.

"And how would you?" he asked, coming further into the room. "Was it a sensation you left in your heart?" his mockery of her amused him. "Or perhaps just wishful thinking that was confirmed by my information."

"I know Kagome well. If I asked her to come here, she would." Lynnette snapped. rubbing her head as though it hurt. "Go away Naraku, I'm not in the mood to deal with you."

"Lucky for you, I must go whether you order me out or not. When I return, I look forward to seeing your devastated expression from seeing your friends' blood on my body."

"Fuck you Naraku, you know nothing." There was nothing but disgust in the redhead's voice. "They'll kill you, then I can be happy."

Instead of reacting with malice, Naraku's grin widened. "I'll see you, Lynette." he took his time making his way out of the castle.

Once he was gone, Lynnette ground her teeth in agony. 'Takeshi? Are you okay?' She asked.

'Yes... this isn't going to be good for either of us if he comes through that door, mother.'

'Are you okay? you've been very quiet lately, are you mad at me?'

'No, mother. I could never be mad at you. I feel like it's time to come out soon.' he said. 'It's slightly distracting because I know you're not ready yet.'

'What do you want to bet that Naraku's speeding things up?' Lynnette asked, trying to distract herself from the pain. 'Besides, no mother is ever truly ready for the birth of her child.'

'The last thing I want is to hurt you, mother. I could never forgive myself.' Takeshi sounded on the verge of crying. 'I'd rather stay in here than cause you pain.'

'Considering you are the only thing keeping me alive right now, I agree with you, however I don't think either of us have a choice at this point. Could you do me a favor when you are born though?' Lynnette asked, looking at the bed and debating on laying down for a while.

'Anything for you.' he said, already sounding as if he'd made up his mind.

'Don't scream or cry when you see me. I'm only going to be able to see you once child of mine.' Lynnette smiled sadly. 'I'll warn you now, your mother is not pretty.'

'Beautiful or not, your my mother. That makes you perfect in my eyes.'

'I've corrupted you.' She grinned. 'I only wish I could be there when he realizes that you will never call him your father.'

'I'll miss you, mother.' he said and even though she couldn't see him, the hurt in his voice conveyed that tears would be streaming down his face were he out of her womb.

'You truly are my son now, you'll make me proud of you.'

'I'll do my best.'

Still smiling, Lynnette tactfully changed the subject. "Should I lay down?" She asked aloud.

'No. If you lie down, I'll only come out faster.' he warned.

"I was afraid you'd say that." She muttered crossly, tugging another thick fur off the bed and wrapping it around her. After a moment of thought, she gathered her things to go back to the garden. "I can't control when you come out, but I'll do my best to control where!"

'Is it nice out there?' asked Takeshi after a long while of listening to his mother rummaging around to get to the garden.

"It's cold to me, but yes." Lynnette replied softly.

'Would it be worth fighting for? As a memorial to you?' he asked.

She blinked. "Do you mean this place, or life in general?"

'The garden, mother.'

"Every person needs a refuge, somewhere to go when they need to think. This garden has become special to me because it reminds me that not everything can be tainted by evil unless you let it in. If Naruku dies, his miasma will fade and- with time- the land will be restored." Lynnette replied. "As the years pass my garden will once again become part of the land and no one will know the difference."

'Then if it's important to you, I'll protect it.'

His mother smiled. "Takeshi, if I can be said to WANT anything. I'd want you to become the man your sire could never hope to be and work hard to undo the damage he has done."

'Yes, mother. I'll make you proud. I promise.'

"Someday you will find your special place where the land will welcome you. Strange as it may seem, this Garden become my place."

Takeshi smiled inside his mother. 'I love you.' a frown then marred his features. 'I'm sorry, mother. I'm coming out faster than I thought I would.'

She cried out in pain, feeling the blood slide down one leg, but muffled the cry with her hand. Sucking in air, she tossed the furs on the ground. "I'd hoped to wait untill everyone got here... Damn it, this is HIS fault!" Whimpering, she fumbled to get out of her kimono. "Damnit why couldn't he let me keep my own clothes... I'll have to go nude. Sorry baby boy, I'd hoped to spare you that..."

'It'll be the last thing I remember, it's alright. I'll... I'll do my best to not cause you any more pain than I already am.'

"Takeshi, you know as well as I do that your birth was not meant to be painless." Swallowing her cries of agony, a humming noise caught he attention, causing her to look up despite wanting to scream. Seeing Buzzer and the small group of Hell's insects that had given their loyality to her instead of their former master, she nodded. "Buzzer. you and the others know what to do now. Go!" She moaned softly as the redhead managed to somehow get out of her chair as the bleeding increased.

'He'll pay for this, mother. I can promise you that. If Inuyasha doesn't do the job then I will.'

Twitching in every limb with effort, Lynnette managed to pull herself over to the pile of furs and smiled as she rested her head and back in their softness. "I knew that already Sweet boy." Crying out again, she bit her hand as blood began to pool beneath her and made her shiver with renewed cold.

er water broke, mixing with the blood and adding to the sting as her flesh stretched to make room for her baby boy to come out. He slid down her channel slowly, trying his best to come out as fast as he could without the aid of another to pull him.

Moments turned into minutes before Kikyou and Kagome made it to Lynette's side. They were covered in blood, both of them exhausted with looks of both relief and horror as they saw the girl laying in the fur with blood all around her. Racing to her, Kikyou dropped to her knees beside the woman she loved and took her hand in hers. Kagome planted herself at the bottom of her. "All right, Lynnette, we're both here for you and I know it hurts but you have to push." Kagome said, concentration clear in her expression.

Kikyou smiled softly at Lynette, squeezing her hand in reassurance. "This will hurt for a while, my love. But when it's over, we can finally be together, without pain."

"I know, I was scared you-" She screamed and went rigid in pain as she pushed. "Weren't going to get here in time. Where are the others?" She gasped out.

"They've weakened Naraku but he's still alive. They wanted us here to at least be with you. They said if they don't get here on time to say it was a pleasure to know you, and goodbye." said Kikyou.

"They'll be here." Kagome said in a clipped tone, her teeth gritting together at the sounds of Lynnette in pain. "Push, Lynette, with everything."

The redhead screamed again as more blood poured out of her body, still, she pushed so hard she saw spots in front of her eyes.

Minutes turned to an hour of this, it was slowly becoming apparent that if Kagome didn't help Takeshi along, she was going to die before she got to see her baby boy. It was at this time that Inuyasha and the others arrived, each of them dirty, bleeding and limping from open wounds. They stayed back a fair distance to make sure they didn't infect the area with their blood or dirt stained clothing.

"You can do it, Lynnette!" cried Shippou. The others urged her on, each of them with affection in their voices. The only silent one was Inuyasha.

"Come on, damn it. Don't you die on him before you see your son." he said, in his own way urging Lynette to push; to fight against the pain and live long enough to lay her eyes on her pride and joy.

Her skin was pale- almost ashen- from the blood loss. "Kame, you'll need to do IT..." She whispered softly, calling Kagome the nickname she had always used in their own time. "I'm pushing, but it's not enough, my body doesn't have the strength."

The woman nodded, total concentration penetrating her gaze. She reached in until she felt Takeshi's head. "Got him." She said and gently pulled, allowing the process to go on smoother than before.

Lynnette's pushing was weaker now, and it was clearly evident that Naraku's child was going to kill his mother regardless of his change of heart.

'Goodbye mother. I love you.' Takeshi said just before Kagome pulled him out completely. She pinched him to try to get him to cry out Lynnette's internal fluid but he didn't utter a sound. He just looked up at Kagome and then turned his tiny head to Lynnette, his mother.

Smiling weakly, tears falling from her face as she reached out slowly for her boy. Unable to talk, she opened her mind to him completely- showing him just how strong her heart was as she wrapped the demonic child in her love. Speech didn't matter now. Her hand dropped and she struggled not to show him her pain. 'So... proud...'

Kagome put Takeshi in Lynnette's arms when the small baby struggled towards his mother. 'Me too...mother.' he put his tiny hands on her chest near her heart. 'I'll always think of you.'

With her last once of physical strength, she tightened her hold on her son and tried to smile as Kikyou and Kagome as the light slowly faded from her eyes and Takeshi heard her heart slow and become still.

Kagome took the child back, tears of sorrow falling from her eyes. Kikyou stood with Lynnette's lifeless husk in her arms. "It's time." she said, her demonic pets swirling around her. "Take care of him." she said to Kagome.

Moment's later, Kikyou and Lynnette's bodies were gone into two small lights, pink and grey swirling around one another. With the guidance of Kikyou's pets, the two lights aimed for the sky and vanished.

Covered in Lynnette's blood, Kagome fought back sobs as she held Takeshi tighter. "Let's get her things and take them back with us." She said tightly.

Inuyasha clenched his hands at his sides and caught Kagome's eye as she stood. He wanted to hold her, comfort her. But he wouldn't. Not now. She wasn't ready for it, that much he could tell

by her strong demeanor. Sango and Miroku both shed a single tear for their lost companion. "I'm so sorry, Kagome." Sango said, earning warm, teary smile from the girl.

"If there's anything we can do to ease your pain, don't hesitate to say so." For once, Miroku was being serious without a hint of lecher to his tone or intentions. Shippou, the very

child that had once hated Lynnette, had tears flowing down his face. He wiped his eyes, but it was no use. The tears came in a harder flow. He hopped onto Miroku's shoulder and received an

understanding pat on his head.

"Come on," said Inuyasha, his voice the very opposite of rough. "Kagome's right. We need to gather her things. She deserves a proper farewell."

"Thank you." She whispered to the hanyou, turning to step out of the protection of her feiend's garden, avoiding the blood pooled on the ground. "Takeshi, are you all right? It will

take a while for the miasma to fade..."

'I... I'll be fine.' he replied, the grief clear in his tone. He tried to appear strong even though he was but a small infant. 'Where will I go?' he asked.

"With me. I promised Lynnette that I would raise you as my own after she died when you told us that you denied being his son." The young miko said softly. "She said you didn't

have to stay if you didn't want to though."

'I'll stay. It's what she would have wanted. Good influences. I'm still... a part of him. It will be tough for a while.'

"This is your land now... if you want it." She stopped at the edge of the miasma. "I know it was his, but Lynnete didn't have any way to support you."

'I'll come back here when I'm older. I'll make it beautiful. Like her.'

Concentrating hard, Takeshi was able to make the miasma fade enough for them to pass. 'Hurry, I'm not strong enough to keep this up for long.' he said, his brow furrowing in

intense concentration.

Kagome trotted across, making sure Takeshi wasn't jostled too much as she let Takeshi lead the way. Still this didn't stop her mouth from dropping open in surprise at the riches in

Lynnette's quarters. "Was this really...?"

'Yeah. He thought to buy her affections. Mother didn't even like half the stuff.'

The woman holding Takeshi snickered. "Of course she didn't, she always..." Swallowing, she composed herself again. "Liked to pick out things for herself."

The small infant nodded. 'She only really liked that small pile of things at her desk.' he said, looking at the small pile.

Gently putting the newborn on the bed, Kagome walked over to the desk to open the drawer. Her eyes filled with tears and she fell to her knees at the sight of the thick notebooks on the drawer as a sob escaped her.

Inuyasha put a hand on her head. Sango, Miroku and Shippou stayed out of the room to give Inuyasha and Kagome space. "Come on, Kagome. I know it's hard. But... we have to be strong."

"She..." Kagome gulped hard as she picked them up one at a time. "I thought she'd forgotten about her book." She opened the last one to see if it was finished, and sighed. "Takeshi? It looks like she wants you to finish in her stead." Looking around, Kagome found Lynnette's bag and shoved them in, searching the desk to make sure they had everything. "I think we have it all."

"Yeah..." Inuyasha replied, heading out of the room first.

'I'll finish it for her...' Takeshi said absently. 'I'll make her the ending she deserves.'

"Just don't try bringing her back, or she'll spank you." Kagome warned as she let Inuyasha pick up Lynnette's bag to take the boy in her arms again.

'I know. She didn't want that. I just hope I can live up to expectations.'

As they walked, Kagome shifted him to look into his face. "Your eyes are his color, but clear like hers. You have her hair too. I better start investing in branches, not sticks-

otherwise you'll never know any peace from girls in the future!"

His face wouldn't let him grin, but the mirth in his eyes was there. 'Thank you, Kagome.'

Kagome didn't speak again until the group had returned to the garden. Staring at the blood, her lips quivered. "It doesn't feel..."

'Right.' he finished for her. 'Lets go. We shouldn't stay here for too much longer. The miasma won't clear out for a very long time.' he said.

Nodding, the miko shifted Takeshi again and walked with the others, ignoring the pained mews from the neko and the worried whispers behind her.

As he stayed motionless in Kagome's arms for hours, Takeshi couldn't help but drown in his thoughts. It was silent; unbearably so without his mother to talk to. Now, it was just him. With no other close connection to anyone around him. His thoughts then strayed to Kagome and her friends. Lynnette saw them as family. They loved her, took care of her, thus making them his family as well. He didn't mind it; not really. Not when he witnessed firsthand the love and adoration they showed for his mother. If he were to be good, and stay away from evil then perhaps... perhaps they would love him too. Perhaps, despite the loss of his mother, if he used the powers his sire gave him for good, he would be accepted among them and be loved... like family. Like Lynette wished. Looking up at the rising sun, the young infant felt... content. Not happy, as he was still grieving, but content. He knew his mother was happy with Kikyou and that was enough for him to be content. He approved of her decision to be with the older woman. They were good for each other, one way or another. He mentally smirked. Father promised her the world and yet she wouldn't take it. Not if Kikyou wasn't with her. He just wished he had the time to tell her he was okay with her decision. That she didn't have to be sad over leaving him. He knew she had no choice. He was just glad it was with the woman she loved.

The breeze gently caressed his head, and he knew at that moment that his mother was there, still watching over him. He hoped she always would be.