Just a Little Rivalry

A/N: Yeah, I am going to do one of these things straight off right now. Darkened Naruto, thanks so much for asking all of that that was confusing you. In this fic, I am releasing some of that really slowly. But, I am going to answer what I can without giving too much of what I am not ready to yet.

First Question: Why did Kagome leave when Sesshomaru did?

Alright, that one I can tell you even though I haven’t really made it plain within the text, it is still kinda there if you know how to read between the lines. The Shikon jewel was drawing her. That whole part about her just feeling the need to go… that was what I was hinting at. I was really trying to let my readers make of that what they would. As for Sesshomaru letting her go… Well, she is a miko. Her aura would have communicated to him that need that she would have felt to go.

As far as Sess not staking out the place before he left, I have to agree with you. He should have, but he was wanting to make the place secure. Kagura would not have wanted to pulled Kana out of bed since she was already asleep and tucked in. The road to hell is often paved with good intentions. (Old Proverb. I know…)

The questions about getting everybody into the van will be answered soon. I promise. I had that planned to go into this chapter. I know. My ability to string you all along and make you wait for the answers is uncanny, but enjoy it. (Author is grinning.)

The questions about Kikyo will also be answered a bit better soon as well. (That is for everybody.) As well as what is about to happen.

Well, now that I have made you muddle your way through a long author’s note, I hope you enjoy. Thanks all and take care.

Chapter 23: No Fucking Way


Kagome clutched the necklace closer to her. Whatever it was, it was calling to her. It was begging her to protect it. Kagome could feel herself calming.

Something in her soul and aura was strengthening.

She had been instinctively looking for it without even realizing it.

Naraku’s laugh was beginning to grate on her nerves, and the fact that her mate and his brother were bound as well as her friend made her furious.

How dare this fucker think that he can just have power over her. She was not about to let that happen again. No way in hell.

She glared defiantly up at Naraku.


~~*~~


Koga was stunned when he saw that everybody was gone. He began to gather up Sango, Kagura and Kanna when he saw someone who made him do a double take.

No fucking way should she be here.

“Kikyo? How did you… I mean… er uh… How did you get here? How did you leave the hospital? When did you get out? How did you know to come here?” He knew right then wasn’t the best time to asking questions. It was time to get out of there and figure out how they were going to get their friends and pack back.

He needed to get Ginta and Hakkaku to help as well. The more demons helping, the better.

He finished getting everyone including Kikyo in the car and pulled out his cell, intent on calling his friends and cousins as well as Inu Yasha’s and Sesshomaru’s parents.

When he hung up, he nearly jumped out of his skin when a cool hand touched his shoulder.

“Kagome needs me right now. I know it. I can feel it.” She really knew how to off set him. Something about her really made him wary, especially now.

He nodded. “We have to find where he took them.”

Kikyo gave him an eerie grin. She spoke softly but ominously. “I know where to go, but this car will not be able to reach them.”

Koga followed her directions, turning when and where she told him to. He only hoped that his questions would be answered later.

He was somewhat surprised to be lead into a gas station that was just out of town. He stopped and they waited just barely anytime it seemed before their reinforcements to arrive.

Inu Tashio and Izayoi were told to wait with the vehicles while everybody began to run. Sango and Kanna were riding on the feather that Kagura had conjured.

Kikyo was carried by Koga, so she could still give him directions as he lead everybody to where they would hopefully find their friends.

What they saw nearly stunned them.

Somehow, Sesshomaru and Inu Yasha were bound with enchanted chains that deflected their youkai.

There was a barrier up that Kikyo helped everybody sneak into.

She held up a hand and looked to simply purify it. A purple glow was emanated before it shattered noiselessly.

Hakkaku looked curiously at a net that seemed to have the same attachment as the chains did. He grinned as he picked it up. This could come in handy.

He could hear Koga challenging Naraku who was now using Kagome as a shield.


To say that Kagome was relieved to see the rest of her friends show up was an understatement. Inu Yasha continued to growl, getting louder and louder.

She looked at Koga and saw Kikyo with him.

She was stunned that the girl who she had talked to and had freaked her out was standing over there seemingly sane. Kagome felt her utter disbelief increase as that woman spoke up to this tormenting, evil and vile being. She silently cheered to woman on.

“Do you have nothing to say, Naraku? I bet you never thought to see me again after you ‘tested’ me. I know that I didn’t quite meet your demanding standards, but I was good enough to burn you. Rape wasn’t bad enough for you. You wanted my very life’s blood to grace your hands. You know… I still have one of your disgusting appendages still stuck in my side to prove it. Left quite a nasty little scar there. It even pierced my lung and would have killed me just as you wished, except that piece also saved my life as it kept my very lung you tried to puncture from collapsing.” Kikyo smirked as her tormentor began to growl quite viciously at her.

Naraku reached down to grab the jewel from Kagome, who was still stunned.

As his hand touched hers, Kagome’s aura flared protectively.

She glared at Naraku.

He began to back up step by step as she stood and advanced on him. Kikyo glided to Kagome’s side, and they stalked the predator that had haunted their very realities and nightmares.

As Naraku continued to back up, preparing himself to make his escape, a fist collided with his head.

Stunned, he lost his balance and was moved to the side by the force to see who had landed the blow. His eyes widened as he spotted Onigumo.

“You dare turn on me, brother?”

He uttered the words as Sango threw one of the nets over him. She grinned over at Ginta and Hakkaku as they used the other one on Muso.

Kagome looked at Kikyo then at her mate, who was still subdued.

She ran to Inu Yasha and began to release him from the bonds that held him. He immediately grabbed her and growled out his contentment at having his mate back in his arms. His youkai was still mostly in control of him, letting its natural protective instincts motivate him.

He sniffed her over and crushed her to him tightly before moving his face down and nuzzling her. He swore to himself that once he got her home and safe and taken care of, he was going to tie and trap her safely in their bed and never let her out of it again after this escapade.

He was surprised by the hand on his shoulder.

He turned and looked into his older half-brother’s eyes. He could see the concern and love in his eyes.

Those emotions reflecting in the golden depths that were so similar to his own but usually completely opposite shocked him. His youkai was receding now that Kagome was back with him.

He looked over the scene before them.

His friends were standing around and looking quite stunned.

Sango and Miroku were together. Ginta and Hakkaku were standing with Koga, who was talking to Kagura. The wind witch was checking over her daughter carefully and holding her close to her side.

Koga seemed to have taken an interest in rekindling at least a friendship with her.

Their gaze traveled over to Kikyo.

She was talking to Onigumo and had a serene but yet satisfied look on her face. The one brother that was not caught in the net was holding one of Kikyo’s hands and stroking her knuckles with his thumb.

He seemed to only have eyes for her.

There was a question that everybody had to ask her.

Sesshomaru and Inu Yasha could no longer hold their curiosity at bay. The trio made their way over to the couple, knowing they were encroaching on something that they did not really expect to be seeing.

“Kikyo? How did you make it here? How are you out of the hospital at all?” Inu Yasha was the one to voice their mutual questions.

Kikyo answered without really turning toward him.

“I knew all along what Naraku was up to. I felt so lost in my own horror and thoughts that I just couldn’t get out of my own head. I knew what was going on, but I just couldn’t work past it. They,” she gestured toward Naraku and Muso, “forced me to… And then when they finished, Naraku said I was of no use and that I would be less of a nuisance dead.” She shivered.

Kikyo finally turned to the trio. She stepped forward and put her arms around Kagome’s neck before either Sesshomaru or Inu Yasha really registered the movement.

Ginta, Hakkaku and Sesshomaru began to drag the Naraku and Muso to the van, bumping them on and over everything within sight along the way.


~~*~~


Inu Yasha grinned as he tucked Kagome in their bed.

He had gotten her home and past his parents finally. They were very worried and had wanted to be sure that she was all right.

His youkai was placated after he showered her, checking over her entire body from the very bottom of her feet the hair at the top of her head. Her scent was clean and completely void of Naraku’s. That made his senses sing in relief.

Kagome just savored his pampering. He had washed her gently and had sniffed and studied her entire body.

He didn’t bother dressing her. He just pulled the covers down and laid her down before joining her in the bed.

Tomorrow they would have to check up on the case against the Archaline brothers.


A/N: Hey all. Thanks so much for reading. I hope you all enjoyed my fic here. I really want to thank those who reviewed and rated my story.

I would also like to say sorry for not updating sooner. This chapter was hard to get right. I just couldn’t decide how to write this.

Lord of the Flames: Thanks. I updated. SEE! Grins. Well, I hope you don’t feel the need to follow through with that. Talk to you later.

Danny’s Girl: Yup, oatmeal raisin cookies can really get those chapters out faster. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I am so happy that you have let me know that you have continued to enjoy this story. Don’t worry. I plan to add at least one more chapter. I figured they need a good lemon.

Madmiko: I hope this answers your questions about what was going to happen. I really liked Kouga with Kagura in this. It just worked. I wanted Kagura and Sess to just be friends. You were right. He was after the jewel. He just had to find the one to open its seal. He had managed to get his hands on the pendant that contained the jewel but was unable to free it. There will be at least not another chapter if not two or more. I do so hope you continue to enjoy my story. Thanks for faithfully reviewing and letting me know what you think.

Darkened Naruto: Hey. Thanks for letting me know what was confusing you. I was enjoying the suspense I was building up and just taking my sweet time revealing what was going on. I know some picked up on it. Well, I hope the author’s note at the top helped you understand. I do also hope that you enjoyed this story. Let me know if you have any more questions.

All right all- Take care.