Disclaimer: I do not own nor claim to own Inuyasha or the other characters. I do not gain any money through this fanfiction based on the Swan Princess movie.

Recap: Inuyasha and Kagome met again…for possibly the last time as the beloved woman died within the hanyou's arms. The final battle had commenced between Inuyasha and Naraku…although it turned to be more of a mercy kill. Before Inuyasha's torture could begin, his friend Kouga stepped in, but only succeeded in prolonging Inuyasha's inevitable doom. The end is here…

Last time: …Naraku cupped Inuyasha's face with one hand, forcing him to look directly at him. Inuyasha was unable to do otherwise. He tried to turn his eyes away, a desperate and futile attempt. He held Kouga's stare, quietly yet loudly begging (which rarely occurred) for his aid, fully knowing that the wolf could not do anything further. Naraku caught the hanyou's gaze and the irises of his eyes glowed with the luster of black pearls. The mixing and swirling of the color entranced Inuyasha. He was being pulled out of his physical body, only to be yanked back in. Time seemed so long, yet it had only been some minutes. Then, he was lost.

Beauty? Is That It? - Chapter 29 (Omniscient) In All That's Primitive
It was dark. Inuyasha did not know where he was. He probably wasn't resting against that boulder anymore. He didn't feel it. All he could do was feel.

He felt drunk, although more hung over. Nauseated. The urge to release the contents from his stomach seemed ever so tempting, but he knew that if he did, the snakes would bite. He had to slow down his breathing while his body's reflex wanted so much for hyperventilation…snakes hated sudden movement.

Inuyasha could not see them. In fact, he couldn't see anything, but he felt them. Coiling, slithering, and winding around every inch of his torso. He groaned every so often to keep from screaming…it was so unlike him to be so helpless at this time in his life. It was somewhat understandable if he was still a child, but this was incredulously ridiculous.

He shivered; the snakes were so icy. He wished he could warm himself, if only he could move. But then again, if he could move, warming himself would be one of the last things on his mind, at least in a situation like this. Then, realization dawned upon him.

Kouga gave up moving, only to watch in horror.

Snakes. Scores of them were circling, weaving and hissing over the entire top half of Inuyasha's body. Some found their way around his throat, into his hair, lifting it. They were everywhere, slithering down his arms, completely covering his torso. The wolf observed the hanyou's golden eyes deepen, the irises vivid and intense. Inuyasha was there physically but not mentally, yet a determined look pasted itself on his face.

Kouga almost panicked, having to struggle not to scream out at him to do something. Inuyasha couldn't just stand there. A bite from one of the foul evil creatures would probably kill him; Naraku's snakes would be full of lethal venom.

Inuyasha began to perspire. Was he getting nervous? Beads of sweat formed on his brow, running down the sides of his face; and still the snakes hissed and weaved around him. Dear goodness, maybe he was so scared that he was trying not to wet his pants. One snake arched outwards, shifting its long diamond-shaped head to look Inuyasha straight in the eyes, its venomous fangs exposed in threat. Only seconds remained before this vile creature would strike.

The hanyou's face turned a dark, dull red, and sweat poured out of him.

The snakes began to slide down his legs, their movements all hurried, as if they could not get off him fast enough. Even the one staring at him threateningly, suddenly turned away and slid down Inuyasha's leg to the ground, and into surrounding dry bushes.

Inuyasha, now free entirely of the wretched snakes, shrugged his shoulders as if he had just resettled his clothes after a minor disturbance. Even his red face started returning to normal. His now lively eyes showed that he had come back from whatever world he was in. He was surprised to be standing and to find that his major wounds had either healed or disappeared. He was no doctor and he did not particularly care how it had happened as long as he could fight again.

He had won that round, but it was not anything to jump and shout about. He may have outsmarted Naraku by raising his own body temperature to a point that made the snakes want to get off, fast; but now Naraku was incensed. Inuyasha made him look the fool.

"Do you intend to play games the entire time?" Inuyasha teased.

Naraku's eyes narrow, his lips drew into a straight line. "Oh? Am I to assume that you have only been testing me…" He would not say it aloud, but he was awfully frustrated in seeing the hanyou on his feet and in good condition, at least better than the way he was several minutes ago.

"Feh, think what you want, Naraku. I'm still gonna kick your ass back to hell."

"So eager to die, Inuyasha." He bowed formally, "I shall be only too pleased to oblige."

Kouga let out a slight sigh, relief washing over him. He tried slowly to get up and off the ground, but only succeeded in situating himself into a sitting and reclining position against a local tree trunk. He bulked a bit, the movement stinging him. He concluded that he had some broken ribs, but he didn't understand why his chest was throbbing…in places where there weren't any ribs to begin with, half wondering what happened to his other companions.

(Inuyasha…)

Inuyasha's dog-ears twitched. Someone was calling out to him…and that someone sounded a little demented. The voice was so raspy and hoarse that it made his name roll coarsely with the gentle wind.

(Inuyasha…)

It came louder. The hanyou could not pinpoint where it was coming from.

Perplexed, Naraku watched. "This isn't a time to daydream!" Naraku's hand morphed, the flesh wrinkling. His hand became withered and elongated, similar to a branch (1). At the ends of his "fingers" were sharp spikes. He lunged them at Inuyasha, the "fingers" growing.

The surrounding air shifted and, as if in slow motion, Inuyasha turned his head in time to sidestep Naraku's attack. Inuyasha smirked. He finally realized why he had lost the first round. He wasn't attentive enough to the element that held most of the answers in combat: wind. He was such an idiot; he got all riled up and angry with what happened to Kagome and threatening Naraku that he forgot to stay collected. The tactic he tried in the first part of the battle was the same as the one he used the first time against Naraku: pull out Tessaiga and blindly swing the enlarged fang until the enemy let his guard down enough to release Wind Scar. Inuyasha mentally slapped himself.

After almost dying, he was glad that something inside him helped to get rid of the snakes. At least, now he knew he wasn't that dumb.

Inuyasha had a look at the weapon attacking him. What the heck? That's just nasty. Just as Naraku scoffed, miasma sprayed out of the pores. Inuyasha grimaced and fell back. The fingers whipped down to cut him in half, but he rolled away and dashed off.

I have to find Tessaiga…

(Why? It didn't help me in my time of need…)

Yeah, but…wait…what? Who…

(Oh? Forgetful much?)

Inuyasha had no idea why he was apparently talking to himself. He zigzagged between trees, attempting to feel Tessaiga and hopefully throw off Naraku long enough to do so. Then, realization rang within him. He could use the sheath to get the demon fang to come to him.

(No!)

He froze unintentionally. His hand half an inch away from grabbing the scabbard.

What!

(I won't rely on that piece of crap…I have more than enough power on my own…)

W-what!

Ba-bump! Inuyasha fell to the ground in sheer pain, crouching over and holding his chest. His head pulsated the most. He rested his forehead against the soil since he didn't have more hands to hold that as well. Ba-bump! His whole body burned; his stomach clenched. Ba-bump! It felt as if his blood was rushing and pounding within his contracting and pulsing blood vessels.

He let out a gasp of acknowledgment.

(That's right…I finally get it…)

No! This isn't it! What the fuck is this!

He cried out in pain as he tried to fight against this growing menace within himself – his demon side. That's what saved him with the snakes. He wasn't being "smart"; he was being instinctual. This only happened once before, in that sparring battle with Miroku, but back then, his other self spoke as if they were two separate entities within the same body, using second person terms such as "you" (Chapter 16).

Inuyasha yelled through clenched teeth, taking deep breaths to soften the smoldering combustion within him. The throbbing advanced to pulsing, his whole body. His silver hair whished around as the surrounding air became turbulent. The golden irises and dark pupils of his eyes transformed together into slits of blue green dotted with a pure white speckle in the center of each eye. The usually white sclera turned blood red. Bruised scars formed high on his cheekbones, one under each eye.

No! I don't want to win like this!

(Fuckin' lies!)

The gushing and coursing pain multiplied. It felt as if a thousand needles pierced his body, injecting him with scorching fire and hailing ice at the same time. His physical body could not handle the strain for much longer. Inuyasha seemed so centered on his own predicament that he could barely register the commotion around him: Naraku caught up, his hand long since returned to its human form. Fear swelled within Inuyasha, but it only further strengthened his demon side. The fear of dying, the fear of being absolutely cornered always did that.

The raven-haired demon instantly took notice of the morphing and growing aura around the hanyou. He was almost worried, but not long.

Miroku, Kirara, and Kikyo were finally in view of the miasmic barrier. They had expected neither to take so long nor to get into battle so soon with Naraku, especially not Kikyo. Her original mission did not require her to have any weapon, aside from what Naraku adorned upon her. She insisted on having a weapon. When Miroku suggested on going within the barrier and finding something, she did not want to take the chance.

They continued to bicker for several seconds before it eventually ended with Kikyo proclaiming for Miroku NOT to ever question a woman's intuition. By that time, she was raising her voice; Miroku knew better than to further grill on the subject. He would blame Sango. After so many years with her, he was psychologically scarred; every time a woman yelled at him, he would turn around, expecting Sango to pop out of nowhere and either punch him in the face or kick him in the groin, depending on the severity of his stupidity. He sighed at this, but still loved Sango regardless.

The trio had to make a side trip.

The town was known as Emono, meaning specialization in weaponry and skills. Unfortunately, consideration for others wasn't one of its highest qualities. Apparently, the weapons shop owner could not notice that the three were in a hurry and continued to push them, advertising other weapons and forcing them to squander what he considered their "wealth". He mentioned that poisoned arrows known as dokuya would be better although Kikyo insisted that regular arrows would do well for her. Then, he switched over to Miroku, asserting that the ex-monk purchase hamaya – ceremonial arrow used to drive off evil spirits – to which Miroku declined. Lastly, the weapons seller feigned understanding and assumed that they should get some hamayumi (toy bow and arrow) with which their children may use for play. Kikyo became so disgusted and impatient that she nearly pummeled the poor ignorant man to death before Miroku finally pulled her away from the shop owner, only to accidentally touch her chest and be beaten himself. Kirara was outside, waiting tolerantly and obliviously.

On their way out, Miroku inquired…mostly to himself, "Would a priestess really use such primitive punishment for an accidental mistake?"

Kikyo gritted her teeth to restrain from striking him again, "I am a woman, and as such, I do react as one would when having my personal space violated…"

The barrier stirred in amethyst smoky-velvet waves; electric currents dangerously garnished it. "That is so odd," commented Miroku.

"I agree…," Kikyo quietly added, feeling slightly light-headed.

"What do you suppose –"

"I do not know…" Kikyo quickly spewed out her sentence before suddenly thumping her head into Miroku's back.

"Lady Kikyo! What's wrong?" Miroku leaned his head back so that his neck rested upon her hair. He could not exactly turn around since they were on Kirara's back.

"Just dizzy…do not mind me," murmured the priestess, trying to get comfortable to ease her vertigo. It did not last long until they found themselves right outside of the barrier. Unfortunately, there didn't seem to be any way inside, at least not with the miasma being so aggravated and provoked.

"What about your sacred arrows, Lady Kikyo?"

The miko shook her head, deeply offended, "Do you not think I haven't thought of that? The barrier has heightened in thickness and in power. If I tried, it would only thin a portion…"

Within the barrier, Naraku watched the spectacle…it was a wrong idea, and he knew it once a deafening burst of raw energy billowed from Inuyasha's body. Naraku had to fight against the ferocious wind to stay on his feet. Instantly, as the wind subsided, Inuyasha rushed him. His fingers were now claws, repeatedly slashing and trying to get a piece of Naraku – actually, more like attempting to tear him to shreds. Since Inuyasha was now relying on his primitive nature, Naraku did not have a difficult time dodging every attack in the onslaught. After all, Naraku was that way himself, being part demon and all.

Naraku scoffed, "So, this is what you have resorted to. Splitting yourself from all that has separated man from animal –" He ducked, his long hair getting a trim from a growling Inuyasha.

"Intelligence from stupidity –" Naraku sidestepped fingernails coming down to detach his shoulder from his body.

Naraku laughed and lightheartedly added, "…all in a figure of speech, of course," while dodging another swiping hand. Inuyasha snarled in frustration. He could not seem to catch his prey. With his patience long gone, he tackled Naraku. It was so sudden that the hanyou caught the demon unguarded. The raven-haired demon slammed onto the ground, strong claws wrapped around his neck.

Naraku struggled only for a moment to yell, "Enough of this!" The Shikon jewel glowed to a darker shade as he summoned a magnified shadowy energy sphere in his hand, smashing it into Inuyasha's abdomen. The pain was enormous as if a blackhole was grazing into him, sucking and regurgitating his insides at the same time. He cried out in an animalistic voice, which could be heard for miles. Shockwaves followed, rolling outward.

All were shaken. Kikyo somewhat yelped at the sudden roar and covered her ears. Kirara in her enlarged form shuddered and pointed her ears downward as if to deafen the horrifying noise. Miroku flinched, trying to make out the sound. He signaled Kirara to land near the miasma, "Lady Kikyo…"

The zombie priestess sighed as the sound faded, but still echoed and rang inside her ears, "Yes."

"What is your judgment?"

The miko was afraid of the worst, so she decided to beat around the bush, "An animal, perhaps…a monster –"

"More like a demon…or, rather, a half-demon. I know that sound…"

Kikyo was confused, but she did not have to question as Miroku whispered Inuyasha's name. Nullifying her previous verdict, she began to shoot her sacred arrows blindly at the barrier. She could not simply stand there and do nothing. Kagome would never forgive her if she could have done something…anything. Just then, a lapse in the barrier came, and a hole ruptured after one of Kikyo's shots.

Kohaku burst out, "Come quickly!" The three outside did not hesitate and just as they ran in, the barrier closed off again. They watched as Kohaku and an imp demon fell on the earth in exhaustion. The imp, whom they found out was called Jaken, had used his twin-headed staff to breach the miasma as the shockwaves weakened the barrier further. Miroku had wondered how the two knew they were outside, especially since the miasma was so thick. Kohaku explained that after he saw Kouga jump in during a previous lapse in the barrier, he knew others would not be too far behind. So he grabbed Jaken out of hiding to keep a lookout. The shockwaves thinned the miasma, revealing some bright shots attempting to breach it. After seeing that the arrows could not completely come through, Jaken used his staff.

"Stop talking! It rather enlightening, but if that cry was Inuyasha's, then he may be fighting a losing battle," shouted Kikyo as she grasped the bow and quiver and made a dash for it.

Inuyasha thumped against the soil. Streams of blood created a pool beneath him. With such a mortal wound to his body, he should not be able to move. The hanyou stumbled to his feet. His arms hung loosely from his shoulders, and his head drooped. In his demon state, he could not comprehend pain, but he understood fear very well as Naraku strolled to him. Inuyasha bared his bloody fangs, an act any cornered stubborn animal would do.

"Inuyasha," spewed the dark-haired demon, "You have fallen prey to regression. You are now as smart as those brainless creatures on which Onigumo experimented."

Naraku's ear caught the sound of a vibrating string, but the second he turned to see, a sacred arrow pierced his arm and exploded. Low and behold, it was Kikyo with a bow at arms length, pointing straight at him. The demon grasped his blown-off limb as if it were there. On will, his arm spouted back instantly without the sleeve. Kikyo noted that the jewel around his neck almost turned pitch black.

"Naraku," Kikyo spouted the name as if it were vomit, "Have you become so weak that you have to rely on a woman's accessory to do what you cannot!"

The demon's rage brimmed. He would not tolerate mockery from his former slave, a woman on top of that. It was just too bad he could not so easily control her as he did before. He could not pay any more attention to her as Inuyasha continued his previous rampage. Again, Naraku was forced to summon another energy ball, but just as he began to curl his fingers, Kikyo shot another sacred arrow. He jolted to his left, making Inuyasha, who almost made contact with the shot, turn also. The priestess hissed relief.

Naraku caught this and smirked, "Can't get your target because of a mutt…it's exactly as before."

The miko blushed from angering embarrassment as images of Onigumo, the cave, and a younger Inuyasha tumble around her mind (Chapter 24). She flinched, providing the perfect opening for Naraku to glide before her. His fist made contact with her face and she collapsed on the ground, still conscious. Kikyo held her injured cheek and desperately tried to scrap her bow up while squirming away. As Naraku attempted another blow at her, she succeeded in deflecting it with the bow as a force field. Unfortunately, it did not work the second time.

Inuyasha wavered numbingly, partially aware that he was almost hit by something. Shuffling in the bushes to his side revealed Shippou…carrying Tessaiga. The mere glimpse of it produced instantaneous wrath and fury within the hanyou, and his natural impulse was to destroy it. Just as he brought his arm up to slash it, Miroku skidded away with Shippou behind the nearest tree. The surprised pony-tailed man held the fox youkai tight as he gathered the situation. Inuyasha did not even see the little fox boy. All morality and principles got smashed into oblivion. With quick reckoning, Miroku concluded that the only way to win would be to appeal to Inuyasha's human side…somehow. The retired monk sighed ironically to himself; he sarcastically loved how he was so smart.

Miroku immediately deviated from the tree as he felt Inuyasha creep closer. It was time to put plan A into action, not guaranteeing that there was a plan B or any other alternatives.

"Inuyasha! Get ahold of yourself!" Miroku was running backwards, trying to direct his words through Inuyasha's ears and into his mind. Miroku swerved side-to-side, trying to increase the distance while occasionally sliding behind dark mossy branches and still holding a super-frightened Shippou. Of course, he dared not run too far from Naraku and Kikyo. The demon boy grasped onto Tessaiga as if it were the only thing keeping him alive. Poor Shippou was so scared that he practically turned into a light stone within Miroku's arms. He did not even know this man or the hanyou, but he did know that they were very important to Kagome – his adoptive onee-san – and that the sword was the only object able to release them all from this terribly real nightmare.

"Do you even see us, Inuyasha!" cried Miroku, "Remember WHY you came here—"

Inuyasha increased his speed, very annoyed with the fleeing sword and partially wondering why the sword was moving in the first place. Then, as if suddenly, he heard something audible, "–ere, Inuyasha!"

His demon ears perked to the sound that was simultaneously foreign and familiar. Inuyasha stopped in his tracks, allowing Miroku and Shippou to breathe easier. Naraku landed a third blow to Kikyo's face, earning a broken tooth from her. Naraku, about to land another punch on Kikyo, had stopped, sensing another change in the hanyou. He still held the priestess's collar in one hand; Kikyo grunted very unwomanly as she strained from the demon's grip and gazed weakly at Inuyasha.

Miroku yelled out, "Remember Kagome!" Inuyasha grabbed his head in pain as the mental struggle fastened. Now, the two halves that made him whole were battling for dominance. The hot icy stings and twinges came back again, but fortunately, not as strong. The images of a temporarily forgotten woman, of a girl that had always captured his heart no matter what she did flooded his consciousness, dissipating Inuyasha's demon side. He stirred around dizzily, still gripping his head, scrunching his eyes, and clenching his fangs. The demon within hungered for the destruction of Tessaiga; Inuyasha had to divert himself to something equivalent.

Just as Inuyasha turned towards Naraku, he forced his eyes open, but what caught his attention first…was a bleeding Kikyo who, for a second, mirrored the face of his beloved. That second was long enough to shatter his demon side's resolve and regain Inuyasha's control of his own body. While pulsating, Inuyasha's body lost the long claws, overgrown fangs, blood-colored eyes, and lavender-cheekboned scars.

The reformed hanyou shook like a dog before grinning pompously, "Miss me." The surrounding wind reflected his renewed aura, swimming about him in a confident whirl.

Naraku stared coolly, not quite understanding the stupid mutt but not actually attempting to do so either. Inferior beings needed to understand their place – below that of dirt – not to be comprehended. Of course, he knew that the half-demon had two meanings in the saying, not that he cared.

Miroku, Kikyo, and Shippou were so relieved that they could cry. Inuyasha bulked a bit, grasping his chest. He released an instinctive groan. His previously major wound still hurt, but he didn't know why it wasn't major anymore. After all, it was not as though he had the ability to heal himself…even if slightly.

Finally concluding that all this fiasco was taking way too long, Naraku exploded, "This is the end!" The Shikon jewel radiated its dark luster, violently shaking the earth within the barrier and forcefully granting its possessor more substantial power.

Shit! He was still playing? Damn…Inuyasha thought as he wavered to keep his balance. Miroku had long fallen on his rear with Shippou who clung to the man's head. Tessaiga was rolling away, and just as Inuyasha went to grab it, Naraku ferociously threw Kikyo right into the side of the nearest tree. Kikyo shrieked as her back and left arm sprained against it. Blood spilled out of her mouth as her head slammed into the trunk. The impact imprinted her body on the tree, and she fell facedown onto the soil. Truth be told, the result shouldn't have been as disastrous.

"Kikyo!" Inuyasha took Tessaiga and immediately transformed it, releasing Wing Scar. As bat wings grew from Naraku's back, he easily dodged and laughed mockingly, but Inuyasha did not give a damn since his aim was to get to Kikyo anyway. Naraku waved his hand, rotating his wrist as if he was circling something. Sure enough, multiple thundering energy balls formed, revolving around the demon's fingers. He swung his hand down, raining the orbs onto the four.

Inuyasha reached Kikyo, but when he touched, she screamed, "Move!" She pushed him away from a dark smoldering energy sphere with her good arm, barely getting enough time to reel away herself. The debris covered her and she coughed as she turned to stare at a crater nearly 12 inches wide in diameter. Inuyasha had a small panic attack as he gaped at the deep hole in-between his legs. Since the priestess hardly had any strength left, she only succeeded in forcing him into his back with his legs spread out. He was practically hyperventilating as it dawned that he was literally inches away from losing what made him a man. Whew…too close…

Miroku and Shippou were not so fortunate. Although they avoided any direct impact, the force and rubble left them unconscious. Miroku had thrown himself over Shippou, injuring his spine. Shippou might have had a concussion.

Naraku laughed amusingly until he felt throbbing in one of his wings. Kirara was biting into him, gnawing and growling. The raven-haired demon smirked as his pores sprayed out miasmic poison. Kirara whimpered as her eyes teared up. She refused to give up, and before she strayed too far, she blindly released a giant fire stream. Naraku's fungi fingers morphed back and whipped Kirara from the sky and into the lake, burning himself in the process. Before he could completely recover, a scythe lounged itself into his side. He turned and found Kohaku bravely gripping the weapon at its chain.

"You think this would do anything to me—" Before Naraku could finish, he caught scent of gas and oil. Then, Jaken jumped from behind a shrub and yelled, "Twin-headed staff!" The mouths of the two heads opened, discharging an enormous orange blaze. It fed on the gas that drenched Kohaku's scythe, quickly surging angrily along the chain and eating Naraku's abdomen. Naraku flinched, realizing he slightly underestimated them. He had to admit that sometimes that even the weak in numbers had strength.

As Inuyasha watched, he found the perfect opening. He could see it clearly. The wind encircled and collided against itself…so thick that it emitted a white-blue manifestation. Inuyasha gripped Tessaiga, a powerful breeze hustled the surrounding area. A demonic air stream coiled the demon blade while he took it over his head.

Naraku sensed and saw this, and he placed a barrier around himself, sucking even more energy from the Shikon necklace. Kikyo feared the worst. She groaned and grunted, clutching onto her trusty bow with her left hand. She tried to raise it, but it was difficult with that arm sprained. She had to decide quickly, either hold the bow with her right hand, gaining a firm base and aim, or use her right arm to shoot, achieving the velocity need to hit the target…it was obvious what had to be done. All she had to do was weaken the barrier, and it did not require that much accuracy. Her left arm stung as she feverishly pulled back the string, trying to hold the arrow steady enough to fire. She had to do it fast, but she felt she couldn't do it fast enough! She clenched her teeth in frustration, and tears flowed from her eyes. The arrow clacked and shook against the bow.

"Oh please…make it. For Kagome, for all of them…please!" With this last prayer, Lady Kikyo released the arrow. A loud clang whooshed around the shot, and its purifying light pounded. Inuyasha heard and glimpsed at Kikyo, and, for a moment, the afterimage of Kagome flashed in her place. It was as if his beautiful beloved was there with him, aiding him. Inuyasha grinned and focused on Naraku.

"TEMPEST BREAKER!" Instead of clashing it to the ground as he did with Kouga (Chapter 16), Inuyasha swing it diagonally in the air. Six thunder-like shafts of light, making a loud screech, instantly sliced the marking wind and darted towards Naraku. Silver wind-razor-straight blades appeared from the stirring air current around Inuyasha and accompanied the beams.

The purified arrow did more than Kikyo could ever hope for. It not only pierced the barrier, but also made contact with the Shikon necklace. It succeeded in detaching the accessory from Naraku, and the second the jewel hung in the air, Inuyasha's tempest breaker collided into Naraku.

Naraku screamed as the beams sliced into him and the wind blades cut off his wings. He could not regenerate himself now. He was humiliated, being defeated in his own game. However, nothing embarrassed him more than his last thoughts: the image of a sickly yet strong human, a female who had always held a big place within his almost forgotten human heart, his first contact with another who did not scorn him or despised him when first hearing his name. As Onigumo's body fell into the lake, he unconsciously uttered her name, the word reflecting his sorrow. He did not regret anything; he knew what he was getting. He wanted it this way – his game.

Naraku really wanted to fool himself, but throughout his last stream of consciousness, he knew the truth: he was only kidding himself. He really did love her, his beautiful priestess. He wanted her so bad…in his own twisted ways, but he felt that she definitely knew that. Desire was another instinctual thing. He really wanted power and to prove that in any aspect possible: in Onigumo's experiments, in Naraku's control of others. Onigumo and Naraku were one and the same. He really wanted Kikyo, so much that he wanted to hurt her, to hurt himself. Those others were all pawns. All played their parts in his twisted game.

TBC…

(1) – If it is difficult to picture, just think of how Naraku (in the anime) changed his hand after the incidences at Mt. Hakurei when he is about ready to kill Kikyo.

I know it's been a long time and I'm not going to make excuses. Did anyone happen to catch why I named the chapter the way I did? Rest assured that I shall not leave this story incomplete. I will finish it. I apologize for having dragged this for so long. Also, sorry for any inconsistent spelling of names.

THANK YOU FOR BEING PATIENT, if you can, please vote on my poll in my profile. Thanks.