Fallen Souls 11/25 by Cassandra

[paxbanana]

Fallen

Chapter 11



The new moon had arrived and gone and he watched the sun rise, his black hair fading to silver, dark eyes turning amber once more. It was a cool morning against his flushed skin and he sniffed the air gently, eyes closed.

He missed her scent.

Shippo was still angry. Even after weeks had passed, the small fox demon was as furious as the moment when Inuyasha had left her. And Miroku and Sango had given up trying to change his feelings toward the hanyou. He was angry, and angry he would remain.

He could only guess as to how Kagome was.

He opened his hand and looked down to see the Shikon no Tama nestled there. It glowed faintly, a purple pink swirl but with a darkness. Since she had left, perhaps a bit before, he had noticed that darkness in the jewel and it frightened him now. Such a brilliant glow but with the small mist of blackness in its core, swirling about threateningly. He didn?t understand it. And his expression hardened the more he stared at it. Such a pain the jewel had been, since the beginning. It had brought him Kikyo. It had brought him Kagome. Only to take them both in the end. And it had yet to grant him either mortality or immortality. He lifted his eyes once more, fingers closing around the jewel possessively.

I?ll guard it for you, Kagome. I?ll keep it safe.

He exhaled, chest falling, and only with his next breath did he catch the scent. His eyes narrowed, a frown furrowing his brow as he searched the area. He saw nothing but he smelled it coming from everywhere.

Youkai were nearby, a large amount of them, and they were all heading directly for him.







Miroku was already standing when he joined them back in the village. He cast a quick glance at the hanyou and nodded, relieved to see him in half-demon form once more. ?They are coming?? he said quietly.

Beside him Sango already had her extermination gear on, lifting the bone boomerang to her shoulder. She stared out toward the morning sun as it rose and her figure was stiff, her eyes hard. ?It?s almost impossible not to sense?? she whispered and she looked toward the both of them. ?Why are they coming??

Inuyasha did not answer. He didn?t know what he could have said to her. He didn?t know why there were so many coming, only that they were, and he was wary, his skin prickling. At his side Tetsusaiga seemed to pulse and he lifted his hand to the hilt readily. And not for the first time was he relieved Kagome was not with them.

?Kirara,? Sango called and floating down silently came the large feline beast, flame springing about his powerful form. Shippo rode on his back and his face was not happy. The creature touched down and promptly shrunk, looking as adorable as a stuffed animal and Shippo bounced off.

?There?s a whole slew of them coming!? he cried to his group, easily ignoring Inuyasha.

?What?s a whole slew?? Inuyasha demanded, becoming angry. He had been jumping to anger a whole lot more over the passed few weeks, especially around the fox demon and he would be damned before he let a worrisome little creature like the Kitsune get the upper hand.

?It doesn?t matter,? Miroku cut him off and his jaw was clenched as he lifted his head back the way Shippo and Kirara had come. ?If it is enough to sense??

?That?s not the half of it,? Shippo said slowly, cautiously, and all of them looked down at him as he hesitated. The Kitsune turned his gaze on Inuyasha and this time there was no anger, only dread. ?They?re following Kikyo.?







She stared down into the darkness of the well, eyes heavy. Such a deep darkness, leading so far down. She had been sitting in the blackness of the shrine for so long that her eyes had adjusted and now all she could do was stare at the floor of the well. Alone.

Had the new moon arrived yet? Had Inuyasha gone through his transformation already? Had Inuyasha completed the Shikon no Tama?

Was Inuyasha now full demon?

She stared blankly into nothingness. It felt like years had passed, an eternity. And still the sun rose and the sun set, and still she was alone. Her hand lifted to her neck only to find the Shikon no Tama missing. Still. Beside her rested her bow and arrow and every time she looked at it she felt a shiver course through her. She had threatened Inuyasha with that. Just as Kikyo had, so long ago. In the end, was she really any better than Kikyo?

Her homework went unattended. And she had taken so many days off, had cut so many classes, always to sit beside the well and stare into its black nothingness.

I am withering away. I am going to die like this, horribly. In so much pain. Why does it hurt so much..?

There was a faint noise outside and she looked up before quickly crawling around to the other side of the well and hiding herself there in the well?s shadow. Her mother had been looking for her for some time and she had yet to tell her that the Shikon no Tama was no longer on her person. She hugged her knees to her chest and made herself small as the shrine doors opened quietly.

?Kagome? Are you here?? her mother?s voice called. And upon not hearing her daughter reply she slowly slid the doors shut once more.

Kagome listened to her mother?s retreating footsteps for a moment before exhaling and slowly releasing her knees. What a shameful thing, to lose possession of the jewel. What would her mother say to that? How disappointed would she be in her daughter? She closed her eyes slowly, feeling sadness inside.

I really am useless after all?

And she slowly stood once more and seated herself at the edge of the well to look down into its blackness once more.







Inuyasha stood upon the branch of the tree, smelling Sango several branches away and waiting expectantly. Down below, standing firmly although cautiously, stood Miroku. He barred the way to the village by himself, standing resolutely between the trees, his staff at the ready. His wound had not fully healed but he moved now as if there had never been a wound to begin with. Inuyasha wondered how long that small deception would hold. Behind him, on one last branch waited Shippo with Kirara. And that was the group of them. One small group to hold off the youkai, although he was not sure the village was even the reason the youkai came. He lifted a hand to his chest, feeling the Shikon no Tama where it rested there, right beside the cursed necklace that Kagome had put on him.

Over the hill, in the blinding sunlight, came Kikyo. He gazed at her as she neared, his heart beating painfully. She was still beautiful and his heart still swelled whenever he saw her. Whenever he thought of everything that had happened and of everything that could have been. But then he remembered once more that things had transpired the way they had for a certain reason.

Although at the moment, that reason was unclear to him. Especially with Kagome trapped in her world.

And then, behind Kikyo, came the small army of youkai. His frame stiffened a bit as he counted quickly and, for a moment, he saw that they were not the most powerful of demons. But they would be a handful with Miroku still healing and Kagome absent. He raised his head haughtily as the priestess approached, refusing to allow truth to shine through.

Within moments she had reached them, walking silently, her face dark.

Miroku lifted his head as she came to stop before them and her legion of demons came to a halt not too far behind her. ?You have no reason to be here, White Priestess,? he said to her quietly.

She looked at him, sizing him up, and around her floated the soul stealers she associated herself with. Her dark eyes shifted to the trees and rested on Sango who waited stonily, her boomerang at her shoulder. Looking to the side a bit her gaze came to Shippo and Kirara, and moving one last time she saw the red of Inuyasha?s fire rat haori. ?On the contrary, I have every reason to be here,? she replied finally.

Miroku straightened a bit more. ?I only ask for one, then,? he said.

The miko smiled faintly and her eyes had not left Inuyasha. ?I sense the Shikon no Tama. In the possession of one not qualified to care for it.?

Inuyasha stiffened as she spoke, his arms crossed over his chest.

?I?ve come to claim it.?

?You?? Sango bit out and her fist clenched at her side. ?You are even less capable of protecting it. And your army of youkai only proves it.?

Kikyo?s eyes hardened a bit as the exterminator spoke but she was still focused on Inuyasha. ?I came today, in the morning sun, because I knew what last night was,? she said to him in a menacing whisper. ?The Shikon no Tama is not safe in the hands of a hanyou. It needs the care of a miko. And I see that you have misplaced yours.? And she searched the trees although by the look on her face it was obvious she knew she would not find Kagome.

Inuyasha slowly lowered his hands and one went to the hilt of the Tetsusaiga. ?The Shikon no Tama is no longer yours, Kikyo,? he said to her quietly, but firmly. And he bit down the sorrow he felt inside, blocking it away. Kagome would not want her to have it, he knew. And even if it killed him he would carry out every one of Kagome?s wishes as if she were there still. ?I think you should go now, while we are still on speaking terms.?

Kikyo came a step closer to him, looking up at him with a withering look. She sidestepped Miroku and the monk turned his head to follow her movement but did not leave his position.

?Do you really think yourself noble for caring for the jewel?? she asked him questioningly. ?Do you really believe it to be safe? Or will you use it in the end for your own means?? Her expression hardened as she gazed at him. ?I recall a time when you wanted that jewel for yourself, to become a full demon. Have your ideals really changed since then? Do you think you?re fooling anyone??

Inuyasha bit down a reply.

And she continued on, frame stiffening. ?You?ve lost your means, Inuyasha. You can?t sense the Shikon no kakera. And even now, as we stand here, the jewel is turning black.? And she smiled at him as his eyes widened, as his group looked at him, Miroku whirling with a frown on his face. ?You were not meant to have it. No one here is meant to have it.? She looked at Miroku over her shoulder. ?You, with your anger over the Kazaana.? To Sango, ?You, with your anger over your broken family and village.? And then her eyes came to Shippo who bristled under her gaze. ?Do I even need to say anything toward you?? she questioned.

Shippo growled under his breath.

?I come for the jewel,? she said to them as a group, stepping back once more and looking at them all in turn. ?It is the only reason and I come prepared to take it-?

?Prepared to take it?? Sango asked haughtily. ?Does that make you any better than a youkai in the end??

The priestess shrugged gracefully. ?It was mine to begin with.?

?And you passed it along,? Inuyasha barked, frame tensing. This was going to erupt and he was ready for it. ?Now it is with me. And I?m warning you one more time, Kikyo, get out of the way of my blade?or fall under it.?

Miroku looked at Inuyasha quickly before lifting his staff in his hand and taking a ready stance. In the trees Sango glared, Shippo hopping up into Kirara?s back.

Kikyo?s eyes narrowed. ?Our alliance ends here, then,? she whispered to him and she suddenly ducked away from Miroku, shouting, *?Shine!?

Inuyasha lifted his eyes to the army of youkai to see them charge, barreling forth in a mass of swarming darkness. Below him, Miroku jumped forward, swinging his staff expertly, the small rings chiming together as he swung. To his side he caught a quick glimpse of Sango as she shouted, ?Kirara!? and then she was hurling the bone boomerang, throwing herself at the large beige feline as he came flying toward her.

The boomerang cut through several youkai as it spun through the air, hanging and returning. It was a threatening sight, to see the weapon return, but astride Kirara?s back the exterminator fearlessly held up a hand and caught it effortlessly, Shippo hanging onto her for dear life.

Inuyasha nodded inside. This wouldn?t be too hard. Lips pulling back from his sharp teeth he threw himself into the air, pulling Tetsusaiga from its sheath. ?Kaze no Kizu!? he shouted, his voice hoarse with anger. He brought his sword down as he fell and pure yellow light burst from his sword, striking the ground and streaking outward toward the mass of youkai.

To the side Kikyo dove away and she pulled forth her bow and arrow.

?Inuyasha!? Miroku shouted and he lunged for the priestess, swinging his staff.

Kikyo pulled back away from his strike and with a cry she fired an arrow in Inuyasha?s direction, instantly going for a second.

Inuyasha?s frame stiffened momentarily and then he turned his body, barely dodging the arrow as it sailed passed his shoulder in a glowing blur. He managed a quick exhalation before facing them once more and a youkai suddenly came down on him, throwing him to the ground.

A cry came from Kikyo and she stumbled under Miroku?s staff, her second shot firing and going wide.

Above them Sango batted away even more youkai, swinging her boomerang, Kirara?s sleek form biting down on creatures and tearing off limbs. Shippo hid behind the exterminator, ducking his head as flames and boomerangs swung over his red head.

Inuyasha bit back a growl, bucking his frame and setting his attacker off balance. The hideous creature shrieked furiously, stumbling, and thoughtlessly, Inuyasha swung the Tetsusaiga, tearing a gash straight through the beast?s chest and stomach. Black blood instantly sprayed and the demon writhed, convulsing as he fell to the floor.

A third arrow flew and this time he felt it tear into his shoulder. Only with it there was a moment of d?j? vu as the arrowhead stabbed clear through the chain holding the Shikon no Tama around his neck. He hesitated for a moment, a hand having lifted to it, but he saw it again in his mind as it had happened that first time. The jewel flew from between his clawed fingers as it had flown before, as he was forced backward by the arrow, and he watched it as it sailed through the air, gleaming.

Kikyo batted Miroku with her bow, catching him in the chest and he instantly fell away, clutching his wound with a grimace.

Inuyasha fell to the ground, his chest heaving painfully around the arrow lodged in his shoulder. And he watched as youkai and human alike raced toward the Shikon no Tama, all of them a blur of movement.

A vague impression of a redheaded child reached the jewel first and he stared, the world slow as Sango shouted to the Kitsune fearfully, ?Shippo-chan! Nigero!?

The fox demon looked up at her and then at the approaching youkai only for a moment. Then, not needing to be told twice, he whirled and raced off back toward the village but keeping left, fleeing.

Inuyasha looked toward Sango and Miroku as they all watched the Kitsune run. And then as one they nodded. Sango was the first to move, barring the way Shippo had taken, and she shot off her bone boomerang, crying, ?Hiraikotsu!?

The boomerang sliced through youkai flesh, ripping and tearing as it flew, and coming up beside her Miroku threw forth several pieces of paper, shouting incantations and halting demons in mid-stride. ?Inuyasha!?

Inuyasha nodded as he rose weakly to his feet and before him stood Kikyo, another arrow aimed at him.

?It belongs to me!? she shouted at him angrily and she let loose the arrow, her hair flying with the gesture.

The hanyou caught it in mid-swipe, a growl running through his frame. ?This gets old, Kikyo,? he snarled, snapping the glowing arrow in two. With a low rumble he took the arrow embedded in his shoulder and ripped it out, breaking that one as well with a single hand. ?I thought after so many years you would have this out of your system.?

She glared, lowering her bow a bit as she reached behind herself for another yet. ?For the likes of you, Inuyasha, I always need to be prepared??

He chuckled inwardly. ?And they say the love is gone??

She armed the bow once more, pointing at him. ?Get out of the way,? she whispered in a ghostly breath.

He straightened slowly, cautiously, gazing at her. And in the air he felt a thickness, a sudden foreshadowing, and he fought the urge to glance back over his shoulder in the direction Shippo had taken. To the side came the sounds of battle, still, and he knew Sango and Miroku had their hands full. But the creature who threatened the jewel the most stood before him and he would be damned before he let her get a chance at the jewel again. ?You know I can?t do that, Kikyo,? he said to her softly. ?You also know that the jewel is no longer yours to care for. You gave it up when you died, when you allowed it to be born in another body. And there is no going back to claim it.?

The priestess? hand did not waver. ?I said, get out of the way,? she hissed.

Inuyasha slowly shook his head at her and he bowed his head, coming forth to stand directly before her. Her eyes widened as he stopped on the other side of her pointed arrow and he placed the tip to his chest, to his heart. Gazing at her sadly, he said, ?It can?t hurt more than it does already.?

She frowned at him, her grip loosening slightly. And her lips parted suddenly, eyes large in fear as he felt something tear into his back. He faltered, staggering forward, and the next moment he was overcome by a youkai, falling under the immense weight.







Shippo came to a stop before the well, his heart beating painfully. Behind him were the sounds of youkai, slithering, running, lunging, and he threw himself to the ground, fighting for a breath. They had followed him the entire way, and only his nimble agility and small frame had kept him ahead of them, out of their reach. But now, as he came upon the well he found himself trembling. What had he been thinking? Had he really thought being in possession of the Shikon no Tama would save him? He fell to his knees, breathing hoarsely, the jewel caught in his fist.

Behind him came the low growl of a youkai and he only had to hear its rumbling tone to know that this was a game for him. They weren?t even tired. The Kitsune bowed his head as he caught a single breath and he slowly looked over his shoulder to see the group of demons that had managed to make it passed Sango, Miroku and Inuyasha. He prayed they were still alive.

The youkai behind him slowly, lazily, came forth, his clawed hands clenching into fists. He spoke something in his language, a mixture of squeals and grunts, and Shippo didn?t have to understand the language to know what he meant. After he had the jewel he would be dinner for the youkai.

Which was fine. If he were getting the Shikon no Tama.

With a cry the Kitsune lifted his head and flung the jewel with all his might.

The Shikon no Tama gleamed in the morning sun as if flew, sparkling and shining light and darkness. Darkness. Shippo?s eyes widened as he watched it float. She had been right, the priestess. The Shikon no Tama was slowly being corrupted.

And then the jewel fell into the well, vanishing, and he did not hear it hit the ground.

Behind him the youkai screamed as one, shrieks and yells deafening him, and the demon behind him suddenly took hold of him by the tail, hoisting him into the air to face him. Shippo looked at the demon upside down, trembling, as the creature breathed hot, noxious fumes into his face. He said something more, in a low guttural tone, and his clawed fingers wrapped around the Kitsune?s neck, hard enough to crush bone. Shippo winced, his air cut off, and he writhed, flailing furiously.

?That?s as far as you go,? came Kagome?s voice from behind. And Shippo had no time to even turn to look before a glowing arrow of light suddenly lodged itself in the youkai?s forehead. For a moment he stood upright, his tone cut off in mid-shout. And then the light gleamed powerfully, bursting out and blinding the mass of youkai, and Shippo found himself going down with the youkai. He hit the ground, rolling out of the demon?s grip and, on the rim of the well, stood Kagome, light and color surrounding her form.

?Kagome?? Shippo whispered, gazing up at her.

A small commotion came behind them and Inuyasha burst from the forest. His eyes widened, breath leaving him as he stared at her. He was stained with blood, his it seemed, Tetsusaiga in his hand. And at his side appeared Kikyo, heaving for a breath, clutching her bow.

Kagome lifted her head to the two of them, a look of understanding crossing her face.

I knew it.

?Kagome-? Inuyasha uttered, Miroku and Sango coming up overhead in the sky, riding Kirara.

A youkai burst from the group, lunging toward Kagome, and she whirled to face him, recoiling in surprise.

?Kagome!?

Taking two steps Inuyasha dove, the Tetsusaiga raised over his head. He came down on the creature as it reached the foot of the well and they both went down, Tetsusaiga driven into the creature?s back to the hilt. A high pitched shriek broke from the demon but Inuyasha ignored it, looking up at her from where he crouched at her feet.

?Get out of here!? he ordered furiously. And then, shaking his head, ?What are you doing here to begin with??

Wordlessly, looking down at him, she lifted her hand. And the Shikon no Tama dangled from her fingers, throwing dancing lights.

Inuyasha stared in confusion for only a moment before whirling to face Shippo.

?Kagome-chan!? came Sango?s cry suddenly. And a single arrow flew, brilliant with white light, and lodging itself in Kagome?s chest.

For a moment she stared in disbelief, the jewel hanging from her hand, her bow gripped loosely, limply, in her free hand.

?Kagome?? Inuyasha whispered, eyes widening slowly.

She looked at him slowly, her face confused, and then, bit by bit, she slipped. With a growl he hopped onto the well, throwing one arm around her waist and heaving her up onto his shoulder before hopping down the other side.

And from above came the sudden pull of wind.

Shippo threw himself quickly around the well to sit beside Inuyasha as the Kazaana was opened, Miroku?s face firm from where he held onto Sango on Kirara?s back. Inuyasha glanced over his shoulder, looking through the black winds to see a youkai fly, swallowed by the black hole in the monk?s palm, followed by another. Sniffing, he turned his attention back to Kagome draped over his frame, and he lifted a hand to her chest as blood flowed down her white shirt, staining it crimson. She seemed unconscious on him, the jewel tangled in her fingers.

Behind them arrow after blinding white arrow was fired, demons shrieking as they were swallowed by the Kazaana. Slowly putting Kagome down Inuyasha stood a bit to look for Kikyo, seeing her in the midst of the battlefield, firing arrow upon arrow. Above, Miroku was consuming most and those that went wide were batted away by Sango swinging her bone boomerang.

Shippo peeked around Inuyasha, tail twitching. ?He?s getting rid of them??

Inuyasha nodded, staring at Kikyo.

The priestess lowered her bow, hair flying about her face and watching as Kirara floated a bit and then came in closer, facing the priestess directly. Kikyo?s eyes narrowed and then, wordlessly, she looked toward Inuyasha, passed him. With a tightening to her jaw she whirled and fled, long skirt flowing behind her slender frame.

?Kikyo!? Inuyasha shouted over the roar of the Kazaana.

She ignored him and ran, bursting through trees and vanishing into the woods. Behind her, the remainder of the youkai were pulled from the ground, yanked backwards and into the black hole.

Sango leaned into Miroku and said something to him and after a moment he nodded, clenching his fingers into a fist and winding the chain about it to stopper it.

Silence fell, leaves floating to the ground, trees settling. And Inuyasha was left staring after Kikyo, Tetsusaiga hanging limply in his hand. Beside him Shippo came out fully, looking up toward Sango and Miroku.

?Daijobu, hoshi-sama?? Sango asked the monk and he nodded, clutching his chest, which had a suspicious dark stain widening.

Shippo whirled around, his face suddenly worried. ?Kagome-? and he broke off.

Inuyasha turned as well, jaw clenching, and where Kagome had been was only a stain of bright red blood and drops that left a trail toward the other side of the forest. He stiffened, chest tightening and he took a step to follow.

?Inuyasha-? Miroku called to him and he looked up at him, an angry frown on his face. The monk stared at him, calmly. ?Stow your anger. Just find her.?

With a curt nod the hanyou whirled once more and raced off, the smell of Kagome?s blood in his nostrils.







I knew it. I knew it. I knew it?

She fell again, clutching the arrow lodged in her chest, and she hunched in on herself, sobbing silently. Her other hand clutched her bow and her fingers tightened on it, her hand trembling.

I knew it?

How long had she really known? Not suspected, but truthfully known? For a long time now, and she leaned forward even more, feeling as if her chest were ripping apart under the strain of her beating heart. For so long. Her forehead touched the wet grass, cool against her skin, and she felt her tears drop, could almost hear them bounce off the grass blades, off the dew drops.

Further ahead came the insistent sound of rushing water and, blindly, she lifted herself to her feet, staggering forward. She could use the cold water, splash some on her face, and cleanse the wound. But she didn?t have the physical strength to rip the arrow from her chest. It seemed that all strength in her arm had left her, leaving behind limpness. She almost faltered again, stumbling, but she maintained her path, heading for the source of the water.

Behind her she was sure she suddenly heard the sound of brush and trees being shoved aside, punched through. And she looked behind her quickly, fearfully. One of two things could be after her. Kikyo. And Inuyasha.

And she suddenly feared the latter more than the former.

Her foot slipped and she faced forward once more, a cry breaking from her mouth as she found herself looking over the edge of a cliff, the water rushing in a river below.

No. No, no, no!

More brush was thrust aside and with it came the sound of footsteps and she hesitated, terrified. She couldn?t see him, not then, and there was no way she could protect herself against Kikyo. Even with the Shikon no Tama in her possession, she didn?t know how to utilize it, not even to protect herself.

She looked forward once more, her blood spilling to the dirt and grass, staining them.

It?s such a drop. I?ll die?but then?would I really hurt the way I hurt now..?

The sounds came closer. And she stilled, looking down at the drop and feeling a sudden calm come over her.

Nothing can hurt the way I hurt now?

Closing her eyes she inhaled deeply, reaching into her pocket to clutch the Shikon no Tama, the bow at her side. And she allowed herself to pitch forward, no longer aware. No longer caring.

[Noko Marie]

Ooo, and not even half over yet! The tension and all is already giving me a stomach ache. Keep writing and I shall take in small doses followed by tums.

[Kaili Charmer]

~gasp~ It's kinda...not confusing me...anymore...

I was lying.

But it's good!!! I liked the action scenes! I'm not usually one for the action scenes, cuz they get kinda redundant after a while, but you did a good job! Now uh...where's the part that suddenly makes kai aware of the ultimate conflict/reason...makes kai understand??!!

[zipdos]

Ooooo!!! It's getting better every chapter!!! Can't wait for the next chappie!!!