I am greatly pleased with the response to my last chapter. I apologize for grammar mistakes in advance. Please keep in mind, I have no Beta reader and most times I am typing after I get off work and it is usually 2am while I type. Review.

Kagome smiled down at the young demon who was shyly holding her hand as they walked. Kagura was on her other side. Both had small smiles on their faces as they savored the mild wind of spring upon their faces. 'We are free at last. There is no way I know of to repay the young priestess for her gift.' Kagura looked at the Miko in question as she thought this.

Kanna was happily humming at Kagome's side. Inuyasha was keeping a close eye on the newest additions to the group. He didn't know what to think about their once enemies now being on their side. 'I'm going to keep an eye on them. Kagome is too trusting sometimes.'

Miroku glanced over his shoulder at Sango and met her gaze. They were both thinking about the two demoness' that had joined. 'I know Kagome trusts them, but can we really? They did try to kill us not too long ago.' Sango thought.

'Lady Kagome is very odd. She continues to befriend those who use to try to harm her. I hope she is right again in befriending these two.' Miroku stayed silent as he thought this and trailed behind them.

Kagome stopped abruptly, her head lifting as she inhaled. She gently pushed Kanna behind her. It may not have been needed, but Kagome's instincts would allow her to do nothing else. Her instincts told her that all children were to be protected. Shippou grabbed Kanna's hand and he smiled at her as he pulled her further toward the middle of the group as the adults unconsciously formed a protective group around them.

Kagome could scent a demon fast approaching them. She flexed her claws, readying herself for a confrontation. It was then that she felt the presence of two shards. She realxed her stance slightly, dropping her claws to her sides as Kouga's tornado raced into the clearing. It stopped in front of her and she heard Inuyasha growl in annoyance.

"Kagome, my love, you look as beautiful as ever." Kouga spoke as he grabbed her clawed hands. Inuyasha growled in annoyance at the wolf touching what he considered his.

"Back off, flea bag! Get your hands off Kagome!" The hanyou rushed forward with claws at the ready. Kouga laughed and danced out of the way. He always enjoyed baiting the half breed dog demon.

"Chill out, mutt face. I just came to investigate the new scents around your group. I know Kagura, but who is the child?" Kouga inhaled deeply. Normally, when he would see Kagura, he would attack first and ask questions later, but since Kagome had allowed her to join their tachi, he would see what was going on first.

"Kouga, the child is Kanna. I restored their hearts to them. As such, they have vowed to help us kill Naraku." Kagome calmly explained as she pulled the young demoness to her side. Kanna eyed the wolf prince in curiosity. She had always seen the wolf prince attacking her sister whether it was provoked or not. For him to use his head was unusual, at least to her.

"Ah. I see, then you have betrayed me, Kagura, Kanna. I should have known that you would seek out the Miko Youkai for assistance." A dark chuckle was escaping what they thought was Kouga. Miasma began to fill the air as Kouga's skin bubbled and peeled to reveal Naraku.

Immediately, Kagome's hand snatched out her sword and she lunged, only to jump back as a glowing arrow passed her shoulder. She jerked her head up to see Kikyo standing behind Naraku's figure.

Inuyasha froze at his past lover's presence. He had been about to lunge when she had shot the arrow toward Kagome. His amber orbs widened in shock. He had not seen her in a month.

"Ki-Kikyo. Why are you with Naraku?" Inuyasha stuttered out. His mind couldn't process what he was seeing. They were stopped in a clearing on the edge of a cliff, the wind howling its outrage at all the power amassed in one place.

"Oh Inuyasha. Why couldn't you have just followed me. I would've kept you safe from Naraku. I was giving him jewel shards in exchange for leaving you alone, but you just couldn't leave well enough alone. Now, I will be forced to kill you. Today is the day you join me in Hell, Inuyasha. Just like you promised." Kikyo stepped forward and notched another arrow as Naraku chuckled in malicious glee.

"What will you do now, Inuyasha? Keep your promise to a long dead priestess who was brought back, or keep your promise to the Miko behind you who still lives? Make your choice carefully." Naraku grabbed Kikyo by the throat and lifted her up, his claws digging into her clay skin as her bow dropped to the ground. Kagome switched weapons to her bow. She could not let Naraku make Inuyasha choose between her and his first love.

She let her sacred arrow fly. Naraku laughed maliciously and flung Kikyo in front of himself, using her as a shield. Kagome's eyes widened in horror as time seemed to slow and her arrow struck true. It pierced Kikyo's throat and her body shattered, the souls that had been sustaining her flying away.

"No! Kikyo!" Inuyasha lunged forward to catch her disintegrating body as Kagome collapsed to her knees. Inuyasha let out a howl of anguish as Naraku disappeared into his miasma and Kikyo turned into dust, blown away in the wind.

"Inuyasha, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean-" Kagome choked on her words as Inuyasha turned darkened amber orbs on her. Her voice died in her throat at the look of utter despair in them. It was her fault. If only she hadn't fired that arrow. Kagome stood and fled, her body disappearing into the tree line.

"Kanna, follow her. I'll deal with things here." Kagura ordered. She would not allow her savior to become hurt. The wind witch slowly approached Inuyasha's collapsed form.

"She was already dead. Being brought back made her bitter and hate filled. She would not have wanted to live like that. The Kikyo I knew from back then was wise, peaceful, and loving. The Kikyo that had been brought back was malicious and embittered. Tainted. What the Miko Youkai has done was not intended by her, but in the end, ultimately this is the best course of action. Otherwise, it would have been you that would have had to kill her." Kagura stopped there and began to walk away. "Monk, Demon Slayer, we must leave now and catch up to Kagome and Kanna. It is not wise to leave them by themselves with Naraku still lurking about and waiting to use her vulnerabilities against her."