Fallen Souls 24/25 by Cassandra

[paxbanana]

Eien:




Inuyasha bowed his head slowly, his amber eyes meeting Kagome?s dark ones. She looked angry, but evil as well. Cold-hearted. The haori fluttered around her frame from where she floated before them all and the Shikon no Tama hovered on a delicate chain before her, wound around her slender neck. She glared at them all, her gaze shifting from Miroku and Sango to Kagura and Naraku before finally coming to rest on Inuyasha.

?Inuyasha?she?s so angry??

He returned her gaze, his heart cold. Yes, she was angry. Very angry. And miserable. He rose from his protective crouch and his gaze slipped passed her figure to the darkening sky above.

No moon.

?Are we all accounted for then?? Kagome asked, her skin pale, her eyes dark. She resembled Kikyo all the more with the expression on her face. Even with the way she held herself, the resemblance was uncanny.

Naraku?s eyes had narrowed upon Inuyasha?s arrival and he looked from the hanyou to Kagome. ?How dare you approach me? How dare you come when you have not been called,? he said to her in a coldly wrathful tone. He stood tall upon his demon body, the head of his furs tossed back and his hair fluttered across his face as he stared up at Kagome. Behind him, hesitant, Kagura stood emotionless, playing with a small feather.

Kagome tilted her head in what seemed to be confusion. ?I did not know I needed permission?? she murmured, her own eyes becoming slits as well. ?But then, am I not doing you a favor by coming to you with the Shikon no Tama? Is this not what you wanted?? And she paused as the demon glared at her. ?No. That isn?t what you wanted. Poor, lost Onigumo. You wanted not the jewel but?Kikyo. Me,? she whispered quietly and her form pulsed with power, black energy floating about her frame. ?After all this time you still wanted me??

Naraku smiled faintly, his eyes hooded. ?Do not flatter yourself, Priestess. I am Onigumo no longer. Onigumo gave himself to the youkai and he was lost. I am Naraku, now and always.?

Inuyasha looked toward Naraku and then slowly to his group. Miroku was looking worse than usual, Sango hesitating stiffly beside the monk. He faced forward once more, looking towards Kagome as she smirked faintly.

?Are you really? You have so many names, so many faces?? Kagome said, looking down her nose at him, her head held high. ?Onigumo. Naraku. Musou. Such a powerful youkai you fancy yourself to be but in the end what are you really but a mixed bag of nothing??

Naraku?s eyes narrowed into slits.

Kagome smiled faintly. ?Nothing,? she repeated in the softest whisper and she slowly lifted a hand, pointing at the half-demon. ?But you have something that belongs to me??

Naraku did not look the least bit intimidated, a small smile also forming on his face. ?Do I?? he purred at her. ?I haven?t the vaguest idea what you seek, priestess, but I assure you that whatever it is you want will not be yours to take.?

Kagome?s smile faltered a bit as she stared at him. ?I hardly think you are in any position to tell me what I can and can not take,? she said dangerously. ?Now, before I destroy everything in a twenty mile radius, it would be wise of you to hand over what is rightfully mine.?

Sango looked ready to dive forward in fear, her form trembling.

?Rightfully yours,? Naraku murmured. ?You mean?the boy with the shard in his back?? And he paused thoughtfully.

Sango took a step, her eyes wide. ?Naraku, no-? she cried, holding out a hand frantically. ?I beg of you, don?t-?

Naraku looked over and he had amusement on his face as his gaze fell on the exterminator. Kagome looked over as well, an eyebrow arching. Sango looked from Naraku to Kagome and fell silent, her face pale.

The half-demon raised his head once more toward Kagome, his smile widening. ?I think?you are a fool for coming here, Priestess. Although it makes my heart tremble to see you looking as beautiful as ever. You resemble your predecessor more and more with every encounter?? he tilted his head a bit, his dark hair floating. ?How is Kikyo, by the way??

Kagome?s eyes narrowed, her form glowing with a darker light.

Naraku?s smile was impish. ?Of course she is dead. I could not have expected less of you. However, perhaps you expected too little of me??

Kagome did not reply, hovering like a dark fairy surrounded by waves of pulsing power. And beneath her but almost lost in the shadows of the darkening night was a small girl, frail looking and silent. She stood silently, her face expressionless. And she rotated the mirror she held in her small hands, her long white hair floating lazily.

?Perhaps my expectations were correct,? Kagome said through clenched teeth and as the small girl?s mirror began to glow Kagome flung a hand out behind her and swept it forward roughly, her eyes trained on Naraku in a deadly glare.

The child made a small sound as she was suddenly lifted and flung forward, flying through the air. Inuyasha lifted a hand, lips parting, but the girl was thrown at Naraku?s feet roughly, her hands losing their grip on the mirror. Kagome looked down toward the girl, her jaw clenched, and the small child rose silently, looking toward her broken mirror as it leaked small clouds of mist.

?How pathetic of you, Naraku,? Kagome murmured, looking down at the small girl. She cocked her head at the child and asked quietly, ?What is your name??

The girl looked up at Kagome, her face innocent, her white hair blowing gently about her face. ?Kanna,? she answered in the softest of voices.

Kagome gazed at her, her eyes shifting about the girl?s features. ?Kanna,? she echoed quietly. ?You are very beautiful, Kanna,? she said quietly.

The girl did not reply to her comment.

?Very beautiful,? Kagome said again and she suddenly lifted her hand, swiping it roughly through the air before her.

From the ground, the broken pieces of her mirror shifted and a moment later they were lifted into the air and flung at the girl.

Sango shrieked, Inuyasha?s jaw dropping open, as the slivers sliced through the small child cleanly, tearing flesh and splattering bright red blood. The girl stood silently for a moment, the crimson fluid trailing down her limbs and her face and Kagome whispered softly, ?Beautiful?but worthless.?

Wordlessly, without so much as a sound, Kanna slipped to her knees, her expression one of sadness, before slumping to the ground in a heap.

Behind the child?s corpse Naraku sighed impatiently from where he floated.

?Kagome-? Inuyasha uttered in disbelief, his eyes staring at the child?s body. He lifted his gaze as the woman turned to look at him wearily and he couldn?t find the words to say to her. He couldn?t make sentences form, his entire body stiff and stunned.

Behind him Sango lifted a hand to her mouth, her face crumbling as tears rose in her eyes.

?Are you going to tell me I?m wrong?? Kagome asked Inuyasha, sounding as if she didn?t want to hear it. ?Are you going to tell me that I shouldn?t have killed her? Even though she would have stolen my soul from me??

Inuyasha stared at her, unable to look away from her evil beauty.

?She would have taken all the souls I have inside me and she would have had the Shikon no Tama under her command,? Kagome whispered to him, her hair floating about her face. ?Imagine the power she would have had then, with the souls of Kikyo, Midoriko and Shiki himself, and tell me that I was wrong in killing her-?

?You were wrong!? Sango cried, tears trailing down her face. And she pointed at Kagome, her hand trembling. ?You were wrong to take the life of a child, any child! Having the power does not allow you to make the decision!?

?Sango-? Miroku murmured warily.

?You?ve doomed us all!? Sango continued on, shrieking. ?Having you in control of the Shikon no Tama is hardly any better than having Naraku take control of it-?

Kagome?s face darkened as the exterminator screamed.

?And I will stop you here! Before this night is over you will no longer have control of the Shikon no Tama! I will see to that!?

And without another word she took a step and swung her bone boomerang. ?Hiraikotsu!?

Kagome floated backwards a bit as the bone boomerang was released and lifting her hand, she gestured quickly. The weapon slowed in mid-arc, abruptly changing direction and Naraku shifted sideways as it suddenly arced in his direction. Even as he was moving to avoid the boomerang Kagome was darting still, and she swooped low, touching down to the ground before flying in Sango?s direction.

The exterminator recoiled in confusion and Inuyasha understood why. Kagome moved uncannily fast, her figure a blur. He shoved Sango sideways, throwing himself in the way and Kagome seized him by the neck instead, the entire force behind her attack lifting Inuyasha off his feet and tossing him to the ground roughly. She followed through, her hand latched around his neck and her figure landed on his, straddling him, as he choked for a moment. ?And yet, here we find ourselves in the same position,? she purred, and her other hand met her first, increasing the pressure on his throat. ?Funny how you didn?t mind this position before-?

?Inuyasha-? Miroku managed to say and he appeared behind Kagome, lifting his staff over her head and shoving it between her chin and her collar.

Kagome grimaced, caught off guard, and she staggered backward onto Inuyasha?s legs as Miroku attempted to drag her off the hanyou. He bared his teeth, yanking even more and Kagome made a small sound, her figure straining as she struggled.

Inuyasha bucked his hips upward and Kagome went falling backwards, Miroku also taken off guard but a moment later he had her shoved to the ground and he kneeled above her head, shoving his staff down onto her neck, his shoulders shaking. Barely wasting a moment Inuyasha drew forth the Tetsusaiga.

And still it did not transform.

Kagome laughed raspily, managing to snicker even through the staff pressing down on her throat. ?You?never learn-? she uttered to the hanyou and she lifted her gaze to Miroku crouched beside her head. Taking hold of his staff, her jaw clenching, she kicked upward, catching Inuyasha in the face and flinging him backward. The same foot was shoved under Miroku?s chin and she pushed upward, tossing him back and off her as well.

Inuyasha dove to his feet almost at the same time she did and his eyes widened as she swung the staff expertly, advancing on Miroku?s form. ?Kagome-?

With a simple breath Kagome lifted the staff, the small bands clinking together, and she stabbed downward, driving the staff into Miroku?s chest.

?Hoshi-sama!?

Blood flew. It was all Inuyasha understood. He came to a dead stop, his figure stiff and straining and Miroku managed a small hiss of pain, his frame trembling. Kagome maintained an angry grip and with a growl she shoved the staff further, punching through Miroku?s chest and into the dirt ground.

Oh my God?

With a cry Sango dove forth, pulling out her blade and Kagome lifted her head quickly, her grip on the staff weakening momentarily. With a bitter shout Sango rammed the blade deep into Kagome?s side, her shoulder pressed to hers and Kagome faltered, a cry breaking from her lips, her eyes widening.

Over Kagome?s shoulder Sango bowed her head, tears falling down her face. ?Forgive me, Kagome-chan,? she whispered and she rammed the blade deeper, causing Kagome to convulse. A deep drop of blood trailed from Kagome?s mouth and she grimaced, her eyes squeezing shut as Sango hesitated before moving to rip the blade from Kagome?s figure.

Kagome?s hand moved, blocking the attempt as she took hold of the hilt as well and Sango lifted a stunned face to her, her own eyes widening. Her hands passing over Sango?s, Kagome managed a firm grip and she forced the blade out slowly, Sango?s hands trapped under hers. ?Sango-chan,? she murmured as she winced, as she pulled the blade out gingerly, ?there is nothing to forgive??

And she yanked the blade out, shifting the hilt to one hand, her free hand taking hold of Sango right beneath the chin.

The exterminator gasped, her figure flailing momentarily, and her hands released the hilt of the blade as Kagome ripped it from her, wielding it with one hand. Coldly, Kagome lifted the blade over her head, hoisting Sango off the floor roughly, and she drove the blade into the exterminator?s shoulder, stabbing clean through. Sango?s cry cut the air, her face straining against the pure pain that swept through her body.

Inuyasha dropped the Tetsusaiga silently, ignoring the blade as it clattered.

This is it, then. This is where it all ends after all?

Kagome slowly pulled the blade from Sango?s shoulder, sliding it out of the exterminator almost lazily and Sango whimpered, still suspended off the ground by Kagome?s hand wrapped around her neck.

Below, Naraku merely watched, floating upon his demon coils, and a small smile curled his lips, his hair blowing gently.

Fire streaked across the ground suddenly, from Inuyasha?s right and Kagome whirled quickly, instantly dropping Sango and the sword, and recoiling as the fire swept passed the two women, forking just passed Miroku?s fallen form.

Sango toppled to her knees, clutching her shoulder and she whispered, ?Kirara-?

The feline came suddenly from the direction the fire had originated from and the beast roared furiously, jaws open. The creature dove and landed upon Kagome?s slight frame, ripping and slashing with sharp claws and Kagome cried out as gashes opened on her face and her arms. The haori protected much of the onslaught but the large feline crushed her to the ground under his enormous weight, and his jaws opened once more, clamping down on Kagome?s throat.

Inuyasha looked toward Miroku slowly, his lips parting, and the monk lay silently, his figure soaked in blood, his limbs limp, and the staff standing upright where it pierced his chest still. To the side Sango hunched over, straining, before also slumping to the ground, blood trailing from her wound.

And below them, at the foot of the hill, Naraku smiled still.

Kirara growled angrily as Kagome took hold of the thick fur of his neck and black power burst from her palm, burning at the fur as she maintained her grip on the feline. Kirara?s growls became hisses, his large eyes sliding shut, the horrid smell of burned hair rising from the contact.

Inuyasha took a step forward numbly, his heart cold.

No?

With a furious shout Kagome flung Kirara aside, glaring as the feline crashed into the ground and slid, slumping wearily.

No?

Kagome turned to Sango once more, staring down at the exterminator silently. And with a limp to her step, she moved toward her, already reaching with one blood-stained hand.

No!

Kagome hesitated, as if she had heard the cry herself and slowly, so very slowly, she turned in mid-step, her eyes widening.

And behind her stood Inuyasha, his eyes large and crimson stained, his hands curled into claws.

Kagome stared at him, her face paling and behind her, at the base of the hill, Naraku tilted his head in what could almost pass as surprise.

Wordlessly, but with an animalistic growl, Inuyasha dove forward, his clawed fingers raking across Kagome?s face and they both toppled to the ground, the demon landing on top of the priestess and forcing her to take the brunt of the fall. Kagome cried out in surprise and she flailed, eyes immediately falling closed as Inuyasha tore at every visible piece of skin. His clawed hands took hold of the haori as well, yanking it off her shoulders and Kagome shrieked, fighting to keep her torso covered by the firerat skin but Inuyasha furiously yanked at it, piercing her skin with his sharp claws and digging them in.

Sango shifted a bit, her eyes opening into slits and she stared, paling, as Inuyasha tore Kagome?s skin in chunks, ripping and slicing, blood splattering his white top.

?Inuyasha!? Sango screamed, and the demon roared wrathfully at her, seemingly annoyed that she would disturb him. Beneath him Kagome hunched into a ball, hiding her trembling figure, and Inuyasha rose from her, a clawed hand lifting to his lips. Hungrily, he lapped at the blood for a moment and then he reached down and took hold of Kagome?s thick dark hair and he yanked on her, dragging her as he began to storm toward the edge of the hill.

Sango stared at him, fearfully, as he passed by her, dragging Kagome?s gasping figure, and she watched the demon as he stopped at the hilltop, looking down at Naraku.

?Nothing but an animal, aren?t you, Inuyasha?? Naraku asked in a soft voice, his tone dark. Kagura?s eyes were wide behind him, her lips parted as she stared from Inuyasha to Kagome in disbelief.

?Inuyasha-? Sango managed to make out, reaching a hand out to him and he barked at her furiously, making her recoil in terror. ?Inuyasha!?

Wordlessly, but growling, Inuyasha lifted Kagome by her hair alone, taking a bunchful of it in his hand and hoisting her up off the ground. She made a small sound, wincing, her skin lashed, and on the smooth bloodied curve of her breast lay the Shikon no Tama, glittering darkly. Inuyasha stared at it, his teeth bared in a feral growl, and he reached up to take hold of it, examining it like a fascinated beast.

?Careful, Inuyasha,? Naraku called up to him and the beast whirled to face him as he spoke. The evil demon smiled up at the hanyou and from behind his back he yanked forth a boy, maintaining a firm grip on the boy?s shoulder. ?We wouldn?t want you to destroy that jewel before its completion??

?Kohaku!? Sango shrieked and she pulled herself up on trembling knees, her figure straining to rise. She made it to one knee before falling forward once more, shaking weakly. ?No, please, Kohaku!?

Inuyasha glared down at her, Kagome flailing in his grasp, and as Sango stared up at him she understood. That was not Inuyasha. It was the demon half of him taking over. And she glanced over her shoulder to where Tetsusaiga lay on the ground, rusted and unused.

To the side, Miroku stirred, bringing Sango?s gaze to come flying to his, and he blinked wearily, grimacing as he rolled a bit.

?Now, Priestess,? Naraku called again, smiling coldly. ?What was that about underestimating me??

Kagome?s eyes opened slowly, her face streaked with blood, and she turned her glare down on Naraku, her frame hanging limply from Inuyasha?s grip.

?Would you like me to reunite the Shikon no Tama with its last shard?? Naraku asked politely.

?Iie!? Sango cried and she suddenly threw herself to her feet, catching herself on Kagome?s waist as her knees faltered under her. She slid a bit, bowing her head against Kagome?s ribs as she tried to hoist herself back up and Inuyasha roared at her furiously, lashing out at her. The exterminator cried out as his clawed hand raked her across the face but as she fell away she recoiled with the Shikon no Tama clutched in her palm, her body slumping to the floor.

Naraku made a small angry sound from below as Inuyasha dropped Kagome dismissively, turning on Sango.

?Sango-? Miroku whispered, and he lifted trembling hands to the staff stabbing into his chest.

Inuyasha reached out and took hold of Sango, the exterminator choking as he lifted her into the air and Sango gazed at him, grimacing. ?Inuyasha-?

Kagome lifted her head from where she lay, her frame shaking in weakness.

?Bring me the jewel!? Naraku ordered and Inuyasha snarled at him over his shoulder, his clawed grip on Sango?s neck tightening reflexively. Sango winced, her hands lifting to pry at Inuyasha?s fingers, and she clutched the Shikon no Tama still in a tight grip.

With a small sound of fury, Naraku lifted his other hand and tore into Kohaku?s back.

?Kohaku!? the exterminator flailed, kicking outward and her foot caught Inuyasha in the waist but did little to affect him.

From below Naraku held up the last shard, its brilliant pink light bursting out in rays and beams in the night and he released the boy, merely watching as he crumpled to the floor soundlessly.

Sango shrieked, tears trailing down her face. ?Kohaku! Iie!?

Kagome rose slowly, staggering on weak knees as she straightened.

Reaching down from Inuyasha?s fingers, Sango lifted something from her side and placed it over her nose and mouth wearily, her eyes closing. And her other hand, clutching the Shikon no Tama, carefully pulled out something else, also from her waist, and with one quick gesture she threw the object to the ground.

Smoke instantly rose around herself and Inuyasha, the hanyou recoiling at its sudden appearance before he began to cough, growling. Flailing in his grip, Sango managed a small cry of surprise as he abruptly dropped her, staggering away from her, inhaling raspily.

A single ward cut through the smoke, streaking and flattening against Inuyasha?s back, and the hanyou howled as streaking forks of electricity burst from the paper, seizing the half demon and staggering him. Inuyasha fought for a moment, red eyes narrowed in fury, his clawed hands tightening into fists and then, with a whimper he fell to the ground.

Sango rose into a crouch stiffly, pain flitting across her face and Miroku sat on the opposite side of the smoke, his figure barely visible through the mist dragging across the ground.

?Kagura,? Naraku ordered simply.

The woman stepped around him and she lifted a hand up, her angry eyes fixed on Sango. Winds rose up around the exterminator and Sango blocked her face as the winds pushed aside her poison gas, clearing the space almost immediately.

?Sango-? Miroku?s voice cut across the expanse between them and she looked toward him in time to see Kagome rise up before her, the sword in her hand once more. With a cry Kagome stabbed downward, one furious strike, and the blade slid in cleanly, through Sango?s chest.

The exterminator stared for a moment, her eyes wide, and above her Kagome?s evil was overwhelming. Her hand dropped away from her face, the mask falling soundlessly.

?You have something that belongs to me,? Kagome whispered.

Sango made a small sound, even as Miroku shouted for her once more, and wordlessly she fell forward onto her knees, her figure straining around the blade stabbing through her torso. Kagome backed away a step, her jaw clenched, and the exterminator could only gaze at her, tears rising in her eyes.

?Kagome-chan??

Kagome merely returned her gaze, her face pale and yet dark in the night. ?Kagome-chan died a long time ago?? she whispered. And she reached down to Sango?s hand, prying the tight fingers open and reclaiming the Shikon no Tama. Sango murmured a small protest but Kagome merely released the sword, leaving it embedded in the exterminator?s chest, and she turned on her heel, floating back toward the edge of the hill.

?Sango-? Miroku?s voice was tight with fear and she hunched forward over the sword, her figure trembling. He staggered toward her and fell to his knees before her, his bloodied staff in his hand once more and she looked up at him, tears in her eyes.

?I wanted to save him?? she whispered. And she fell forward into his arms, her form weak.

The monk lowered his staff to the ground, holding her to his chest and she looked at him once more, aware of Inuyasha several feet away, unconscious, and Kagome at the edge of the hill, merely staring at them.

?We should never have come?? Sango murmured to him, and her hand lifted to his chest, to his wound and the bloodied cloth surrounding it.

?We had to come,? he shushed her and he pressed his palm to her face, embracing her gently. ?There was no alternative.?

?There was,? she disagreed and she felt the blood that trailed from the corner of her mouth. Her tears fell as well, running down into his hand. ?I could have given it all up, become a normal woman. I could have married a lord and forgotten it all??

Miroku smiled at her gently. ?Why didn?t you, then?? he asked her.

?You weren?t the lord,? she whispered and she gazed at him for a long moment, merely staring at him as if committing his features to memory. Then, slowly, she smiled at him and she closed her eyes.

Miroku didn?t say anything as he held her. He listened to her breathe, listened as her breath grew faint and he leaned forward to press his lips to hers softly, his fingers brushing away her hair from catching on the drop of blood that stained her chin. And he tasted that blood, tasted her skin and already found it growing cold.

?Would a monk have been enough?? he asked her faintly. And he lifted her limp frame against his, embracing her tightly, his vision blurring as he looked up into the night sky.

Behind him, Naraku called to Kagome darkly. ?What will you give me for this shard, Priestess?? he asked her, and he held up the last Shikon no kakera.

?Your head on a platter,? she answered. And she clutched the Shikon no Tama in her hand, black winds rising around her.

Kagura turned her attention to Kagome, studying the black winds as they swirled about the Priestess? frame. Lifting her hand, her own winds blew toward Kagome, clashing against the black winds of the Shikon no Tama.

?Do you really think you can stop me?? Kagome asked her quietly. She lifted the Shikon no Tama above her head and the black winds suddenly became more powerful, rising upwards with the force of hurricanes and Kagura stared in disbelief, her lips parting.

But from behind them all, a different kind of black wind rose, even more powerful than Kagome?s winds. Naraku looked passed Kagome, Kagura hunching a bit to hold herself to the earth.

?This will not happen,? Miroku growled quietly and he had risen, Sango?s form crumpled on the ground behind him. His staff in the air, he had his other hand up as well, his fingers splayed to unveil the Kazaana.

Kagome?s legs slid from under her at the sheer force of the black hole, Naraku?s hair blowing about his angered face. Kagura?s jaw tightened and she took a step forward, attempting to correct the direction of the winds. Miroku didn?t waver. Naraku had created the black hole in his hand and now the demon would have to live with it. Kagome glared through the winds and her eyes widened as the winds increased, as she slid across the pebbled ground against her will.

To the side, Inuyasha stirred.

With a cry, the Shikon no Tama was released from Kagome?s fingers, flying through the air and she took a step after it, her face paling. ?Matte-?

The jewel shot into the Kazaana?s path, halting a moment before the monk?s hand and Miroku lowered the Kazaana then, snatching the Shikon no Tama in his free hand. It rested in his palm, the black hole still ripping at the ground powerfully where he pointed it absentmindedly. ?All this for a small jewel,? he murmured, gazing at it sadly.

Naraku lifted off the ground, floating upward and as he moved, the tendrils of demon flesh suddenly wrapped together, a brilliant glow issuing forth as he touched down on the hill beside Kagome. Legs formed as did the lower torso and as the light died away he stood dressed in his animal skin, his hair floating down to rest on his shoulders.

Miroku lifted his glare to the demon, his fingers closing around the Shikon no Tama.

Wordlessly, Naraku strode passed Kagome, looking ready to destroy anything in his path, and from the ground Inuyasha suddenly leapt up, crashing into the demon and taking him down. Naraku let out a muffled growl, his face darkening, and they toppled to the ground, claws bared, black power raging.

?Give me the jewel,? Kagome said to him softly, gazing at Miroku over the flailing figures that were Naraku and Inuyasha.

The monk lifted his eyes to her. ?It isn?t worth it, Kagome-sama,? he murmured faintly, his Kazaana still tearing up dirt and pebbles. ?At the expense of a human life, it was never worth it-?

?You don?t understand!? Kagome shrieked and she lunged forward, rounding about Naraku and Inuyasha. ?That jewel can right everything wrong in this world! The jewel can make slaves of millions, can bend the world any which way one desires! Give me the jewel-?

Miroku solemnly lifted his Kazaana into the air, his hair blowing.

Kagome came to a stop, her teeth clenched.

?If I swallow this jewel, it will be over,? the monk said to her over the rushing of the winds. ?We can be rid of all this evil. It can all be as it once was!?

?No!? Kagome shouted and she stared at him angrily. ?I won?t let it be that way again!?

And she lunged toward Naraku and Inuyasha, her hands reaching down and digging into Inuyasha?s shoulder and tearing into the hanyou?s flesh. Inuyasha?s growl echoed in the darkening night and he turned on the priestess, tearing at her with his claws but she flung him away, turning to Naraku.

The demon glared at her, rising onto his rear and Kagome latched onto him, throwing him to the floor once more and standing over him, her hands taking him by the neck and thrusting him back down roughly. A small rumble of a growl reverberated from Naraku and Kagome smiled at him faintly, glaring at him with almost maniacal glee.

?I?m going to have to kill you now, Naraku,? she whispered to him almost apologetically. ?The Shikon no Tama can only have one owner and I choose to be that person.? And she dug her hands into his chest, black power rising around her as she straddled the demon.

Naraku?s eyes widened as his form began to darken, his figure pulsing with his demon energy. ?What are you-?

?I?m going to devour you,? she purred to him, her eyes swimming in sudden darkness, black orbs of obsidian. ?I?m going to eat you up, just like the youkai did to you before. And I?m going to wield all the power you have accumulated in the last few years and use it for my own ends.? She smiled once more. ?I hope you?ll forgive me.?

And pure powerful force rose up around them, splitting the ground and sending dust and dirt flying about in small whirlpools. In the center of the chaos were the shadowed figures of Kagome and Naraku, her fingers piercing Naraku?s chest and the demon was shouting, screaming, his figure stiffening in the darkness.

Inuyasha sat up on his rear, staring with confused red demonic eyes.

The winds became stronger, the sound of them deafening somehow, and Miroku brought an arm up to block his face against the madness. Beside him, his Kazaana raged just as powerfully and it was then that Naraku shouted into the dark power, his voice dwindling as blackness burst from the energy that surrounded him and Kagome.

At Miroku?s side, the Kazaana suddenly lessened, the winds reaching from his hand slowing. He looked down quickly, his eyes widening, and as he lifted his hand warily the winds diminished, the skin of his hand slowly closing over and sealing away the Kazaana. Down at the bottom of the hill Kagura suddenly staggered, hunching over, her teeth bared through parted lips as she clutched at herself. ?Naraku-? she cried, and she fell to her knees, her figure stiff and straining. Miroku stared in disbelief, his frame taut, and his skin had already healed over as if the black hole had never been there to begin with. He quickly turned his attention back to Kagome just as the whirlpools of darkness burst outward in one last display of power.

And then all settled and only Kagome remained, kneeling in the dirt, her hands glowing with black energy. Kagura below let out a shriek, her frame breaking apart abruptly into pieces of light and flesh and even as the black energy vanished she was already disappearing as well, fading into nothingness. Miroku backed away a bit, his fingers clutching the Shikon no Tama tightly and Kagome slowly looked up at him, her eyes solid blackness. She smiled faintly and she lifted her hand, producing the final shard.

?I?m about to get very angry,? she said simply.

Miroku maintained a defensive stance, lifting the Shikon no Tama to his face. ?Kagome-?

?Do not go begging for your life now,? she stated as she rose, her fingers closing around the Shikon no kakera. ?It?s too little, too late.?

The monk backed away a step, clutching his staff. And he didn?t see her when she moved, didn?t understand what had happened until she was already before him. Even then, his thoughts were a mad rush of voices, anxious, desperate and fearful.

I?m alone in this. She will kill me now. And it would all have been for nothing?

She took hold of him by the face, shoving him to the ground roughly and stooping slowly she ripped the staff from his grip, flinging it away.

?This is almost?anti-climactic,? she murmured as she held out her hand.

Miroku glanced down sharply as his hand began to glow and he felt the Shikon no Tama waver in his grip, felt it come to life. And he looked at her quickly, tightening his grip. He was delaying the inevitable, he knew, his jaw clenching. But one more moment that Kagome didn?t have the jewel was another moment that the world was safe yet.

Behind Kagome Inuyasha rose and Miroku looked at him quickly, seeing the demonic red eyes of his friend and there would be no help there either. Inuyasha growled, sitting on his haunches and studying the pair almost critically and Miroku shouted anyway, desperately, ?Inuyasha!?

Kagome glanced over her shoulder, her attention shifting toward the hanyou and even as she turned to face him the Shikon no Tama suddenly burst through Miroku?s hand, cleaving clean through his flesh and floating up lazily into the air. Miroku bit back a cry, clutching his wounded hand to his chest and Kagome smirked at him as the Shikon no Tama came to float into her palm, as she turned back toward Inuyasha. ?It?s almost like having the Kazaana once more, ne, Miroku-sama??

Miroku merely glared at her, wordless.

Kagome floated toward Inuyasha thoughtfully, gazing at him. He returned her gaze, growling faintly, his hands clawed before him.

?Like a caged animal,? she whispered to him and she reached a hand out to him, recoiling when he erupted into a frenzy of growls and snapping bites. She shook her head at him, soothingly. ?I can release you,? she said to him. ?I can make you the full demon you wish to be-?

With a snarling bark Inuyasha dove at her, smashing into her, and they tumbled to the ground, a cry breaking from Kagome as he went at her once more, clawed fingers tearing into her flesh and sliding off the haori that protected her. He ripped at the haori, lashing at her skin and she lifted a hand to him to stop him, to cringe against him.

Miroku stared, heaving for a breath.

He can do it, he can kill her. We can still survive this-

And in that moment, even as he thought it, Inuyasha suddenly faltered, a high-pitched whimper breaking from him as if he were a puppy who had just been abused. He staggered backward, falling to his knees before Kagome as she achingly sat up and he lifted his clawed hands to his head, shaking.

?Inuyasha-? Miroku whispered, his eyes widening. ?What-?

And the white of Inuyasha?s hair suddenly darkened, his claws shrinking away into fingers, into nails. His whimpers became groans, gasps, and Kagome stared wide-eyed, her lips parted wordlessly.

Miroku felt iciness shoot up his frame.

No. No, no, no. Not now-

Inuyasha fell forward to his hands and knees, his hair as dark as the moonless night, and as his eyes came open they also had darkened, the amber gone from his irises. He heaved for a moment, breathing raspily and, slowly, almost fearfully, he lifted his head to look from Miroku to Kagome.

?Inuyasha-? Miroku said again in defeat.

And Kagome stared for another moment before lifting her eyes to the night sky. The absence of the moon brought a giggle to her lips, a sudden relief almost, and as she continued to stare at the sky the giggle became malicious laughter, hanging in the air eerily as the monk and the hanyou stared at her.

?Oh,? she murmured in between peals of laughter, ?the new moon??

Inuyasha gazed at her, only too human and too aware then of everything that lay in ruins around him. His gaze shifted toward Kohaku in a limp heap, Sango lying lifelessly only feet away from himself, Kirara unconscious to the opposite side, and Miroku weakening even as he lay there.

And then there was Kagome, her skin torn and bleeding under the haori, the crimson fluid splattered across every inch of visible pale skin, her eyes shut merrily, and laughing maniacally. She heaved with her laughter, heaved for a single breath that seemed to elude her and she was darker than he had ever seen her.

?I?m going to enjoy this now,? she said to the hanyou and she was suddenly on her feet, standing before him and taking hold of him by the throat. Inuyasha reflexively choked, grimacing as she hoisted him up before her and behind her Miroku attempted to rise as well, straining. Inuyasha looked at him quickly, even as the monk pulled free a ward and prayed for a moment.

?Miroku-? Inuyasha gasped, grimacing, ?No-?

Kagome whirled as the ward landed across her forehead and she shrieked as electricity burst from the paper, stumbling backward but maintaining a grip on Inuyasha. The electricity forked, streaking across her entire form and she furiously flung Inuyasha at the monk, lifting both hands to the ward fixed to her forehead.

Inuyasha crashed to the floor, sliding to a halt before Miroku and the monk came forward a step, falling heavily to his knees beside the hanyou and wordlessly, he bowed his head and became silent.

Inuyasha looked at him. ?Miroku-?

Kagome shrieked furiously, staggering under the electricity breaking from the ward and, blindly, she lifted a hand and shot forth a blast of black energy, her face twisted in rage. Inuyasha instinctively ducked his head, but the blast ricocheted off a sudden field of power surrounding them and he looked toward Miroku once more, his lips parting.

?It?s up to you now, Inuyasha,? Miroku said quietly, not lifting his head from his prayer.

Inuyasha stared at him, eyes widening. ?W-what?? he asked faintly.

Miroku smiled in his prayer, not flinching in the least as a second burst struck the field encasing them. ?It?s up to you,? he said again, his voice quiet. And he opened his eyes then to look at his friend, his gaze gentle. ?I?m not going to last much longer??

Inuyasha didn?t even want to hear it. ?Miroku, don?t do this. I need you-?

The monk?s smile widened as if there was nothing wrong with the world. ?You don?t need anyone but yourself, Inuyasha. To finish this, all you ever needed was yourself.? And even as he spoke Inuyasha caught sight of the blood that flowed from his wound. The hanyou?s eyes trailed downward fearfully, his breathing becoming rapid once more.

?Miroku-?

The monk merely stared at him for another moment, his smile peaceful. And then, wordlessly, he faltered and slipped to his side, his eyes sliding closed.

?Miroku!?

Kagome came to a stop as the ward suddenly fell from her forehead, as Inuyasha cried out fearfully and bent over the monk frantically. She stared at the paper as it floated to the ground and then she lifted her head to the hanyou, to the fallen monk.

?Miroku?? Inuyasha murmured, staring with wide eyes blindly.

Wordlessly, Kagome turned away, clutching the Shikon no kakera in one hand and the Shikon no Tama in the other. And with Inuyasha tending to the monk at her back she lifted the pieces together before her, gazing at them both with dark eyes.

?Let this be the end,? she murmured. And she merely stared as the last shard floated from her palm and rejoined the jewel, black power glowing through the cracks before fusing the entire item into one. She gazed at the orb as light and shadows played across its surface, as darkness overcame the glow of white that shimmered deep inside. And she allowed the jewel itself to float off her hand, to hover before her and send rays of black across the land.

From behind, the rusted Tetsusaiga suddenly tore through her, breaking out cleanly through her chest and she gasped, her eyes widening at the sudden pain that swarmed up her entire being. A small whimper came from her lips as she lowered her eyes to the battered blade protruding through her chest and before her the Shikon no Tama fell to the ground, bouncing and rolling to a stop only a few feet away.

?Nani-? she whispered faintly.

Turning, she encountered Inuyasha, his head bowed, his eyes hidden under his long dark hair, and his shoulders shook with tears, his teeth bared through parted lips. He stood stiffly, trembling, his human hands stained with crimson blood and Kagome merely stared at him for a long moment, teetering on suddenly weak knees.

?Inuyasha-?

?I?m sorry,? he whispered to her, tears trailing down his face even as his eyes remained hidden under his black bangs. ?Kagome, I?m sorry-?

Kagome fell to her knees, heaving, her hands lifting to the blade and he fell to his knees before her as well, suddenly sweeping her roughly into his embrace and holding her fiercely, the tip of the blade sliding against the side of his ribs. She fought him for a moment, whimpering faintly, and Inuyasha took hold of Tetsusaiga?s hilt behind her, grasping it tightly.

The blade suddenly morphed, transforming, and a shriek burst from Kagome as the blade tore her chest open, growing inside her. She choked, clutching Inuyasha?s blood-splattered top with tight, trembling fingers, and she whispered painfully, ?How-?

Inuyasha held her nevertheless, trying to comfort her as she convulsed, blood spilling to the ground around her. Mournfully, he uttered, ?You stopped being human a long time ago?? and he shook with tears as she did, holding onto her just as she held onto him.

Kagome flailed even then though, shuddering, clutching him with a painfully tight grip and she murmured almost absentmindedly, ?It can?t end this way. It can?t-? and she reached behind her blindly, searching for the Shikon no Tama, frantic.

Inuyasha shushed her, fighting back the sob that threatened to break free. ?Let it go,? he whispered to her, lifting a hand to the crown of her hair, running his human hands through the soft locks. ?Just let it go and it will be ok??

?No!? she shrieked, her cry dying away into a moan. ?No?it isn?t fair. It isn?t?fair-?

Inuyasha didn?t respond to that because deep inside he agreed. It wasn?t fair. It wasn?t fair that after all the years they had searched for the shards, this was the way it ended. It wasn?t fair that even in the end, he would never be with Kikyo?s soul, Kagome?s soul. And it wasn?t fair that once it was all over, he was alone again.

It wasn?t fair.

But he shushed her again soothingly, his embrace tightening around her as she convulsed again, as blood fell from her mouth silently. And he felt his heart break, tear into pieces, his entire frame heavy as he listened to her struggle for a breath. He had never wanted it this way, had never thought it would be this way.

Kagome stopped then, merely resting in his embrace, and he didn?t want to know if she had passed. But in his ear, she said quietly, ?Inuyasha??

The hanyou closed his eyes at her warm breath against his ear. ?I?m here,? he replied.

She sighed faintly, her own eyes closing. ?They?re free??

And from inside her, darkness and light suddenly burst out in rays of brilliant light. Inuyasha recoiled a bit, looking down at Kagome and her eyes were slowly slipping shut, her face stained with blood. Inuyasha stared in confusion, fear, as the dark and the light separated into two orbs, floating lazily up into the air before suddenly streaking outward to form shapes, human figures.

He understood then, as he stared in disbelief over Kagome?s limp shoulder.

Midoriko formed, her face drawn and tired but determined and she stared darkly at the second figure as it formed that of the youkai, the revolving heads shifting furiously. And the two sides faced each other, silent for a long moment.

?Midoriko,? Shiki said to her in a silky voice, the heads shifting, Lust snapping into place on the long neck of the youkai. ?It has been a long time, has it not??

The priestess merely returned his look, and at her side she grasped her blade, still clothed in the armor she had perished in. ?Not long enough,? she said to him, seeming almost saddened by him.

Inuyasha looked from one to the other and he stiffened as the youkai looked down at him, glowing faintly in the night.

?Did you know I loved her?? Shiki asked Inuyasha quietly and the priestess bowed her head mournfully then, her eyes closing as if the statement itself was too heavy to hear.

Inuyasha looked at Midoriko in confusion.

?I loved her more than I loved the life on this miserable planet,? Shiki breathed, looking back to Midoriko. His voice became gentle, tender, and if that was the voice that Kagome had always heard in her mind it was no wonder she had allowed him to take over, had allowed herself to be lead by him. The youkai?s face was twisted, a sharp contrast to the voice. ?I loved her until the end??

Midoriko remained silent, her head lowered still.

?I love her still?? the youkai finished and he stepped away, recoiling slowly. ?But she never loved me.?

The priestess lifted her head and, even as a spirit, tears shimmered in her eyes. Her hold on the blade loosened a bit as she gazed at the youkai and she shook her head, her beauty glowing in the night.

?I loved you, Shiki,? she whispered faintly. ?I loved you just as dearly. But you chose your path and I was chained to mine. It wasn?t the right time for us, wasn?t the right life. Even now it isn?t right-?

?And how ironic that our past would be played out in the lives of two who were just like us?? the youkai murmured. He looked toward Inuyasha once more and his head spun into the Misery, ?Shiki stands for the four seasons. It was the name I took in the end because it signified how long it took for me to reveal my feelings for her. Four seasons. A year. I loved her for a year without her knowing. And I told her and I knew once I had that I should never have spoken a word of it-?

Midoriko bowed her head once more, tears trailing down her translucent face.

?I told her I loved her and she turned me away. She had too many other things to do, too many other things to accomplish and she could never be with me as it was. The mantle of Priestess was one that would be with her always and I was furious with that,? Shiki whispered. ?I wanted her to see me, just me, and I became a demon for her. If I could just, for once, get her to see me, I could make her understand what it was I felt for her, truly. It was one thing to say it, one thing to mean it, and I wanted her to understand that I meant it. But I never knew becoming a demon would make me this?? and he lifted his hands to the faces sorrowfully.

Midoriko turned away from him, her blade hanging almost lifelessly at her side.

?And she turns from me still,? he said to her back, his head bowing. ?In the past I followed her around, before and after becoming a demon. And I could see the pain in her eyes when she would look at me. It hurt me to know that I had put that pain there and I wanted to help her, I wanted to soothe her, but she never allowed me. And in the end she went off to battle the youkai and she sacrificed her soul for those people. Those people who condemned me, condemned what I felt for her. She went to save them and I never saw her again and even now?it wasn?t fair.?

Midoriko turned her head to look at Inuyasha and Kagome, limp in his embrace. Her face was dark with pain, shadowed, and all she did was gaze at them both wearily.

?When Kikyo was alive,? Midoriko whispered, ?she held my soul in her hands, protected it with her life, and I felt her love for you, Inuyasha. And it hurt me, made me weep at times, at the way your love mirrored ours. How fair was it that two people could love one another and be bound by tradition, by rules and orders? How long could one go on loving another before they were inevitably drawn together, casting away everything expected of them? Or in the end, would they break apart from the strain, grow to hate?? she shook her head at him, and Inuyasha felt her pain as surely as he felt his own. ?I could never grow to hate the people I was sworn to protect-?

?And yet it was their fault that you could never love fully,? Shiki said behind her.

?It was my fault as well,? she said and she whirled to face him, gazing at him with tears shimmering on her smooth cheeks. ?I accepted the path of the Priestess because I loved this world and all who lived in it! I loved it all?and I loved you-? she sighed sorrowfully. ?But it was not meant to be.?

Shiki stood before her stiffly, his frame pulled taut.

?It will never be,? she murmured. ?Not for us. No longer. We were dealt a hand that we could not win and it was no one?s fault, Shiki. No one?s fault but our own for feeling what we did.?

The youkai did not reply to that but the air about him was half mournful, and half angry.

?But things can be better between them,? and Midoriko motioned to Inuyasha, her hand on the sword tightening. ?Once the Shikon no Tama is used, fulfilled, we can be free. She will no longer be a Priestess to a jewel of power. We can be together then-?

?You don?t know that,? Shiki cut her off sharply. ?You don?t know anything about that, Midoriko. I would rather be here, knowing that I can hang onto you always, rather than face an alternate path that could very well separate me from you.?

Midoriko gazed at him. ?Don?t do this.?

The youkai seemed to grow larger then, his frame darkening with a sinister power. ?I will do what I must to ensure I follow you wherever you go,? he said to her quietly. And he suddenly began to break apart into clouds of blackness, swarming into the night sky before shooting down to earth once more.

Inuyasha?s jaw dropped open, clutching Kagome?s limp frame to his and pushing himself backward.

Midoriko looked upward, her jaw tightening, and even as tears trailed down her cheeks she lifted the sword purposefully. Waiting silently, she inhaled deeply and as the black mist shot at her she lifted her blade and darted forward, the blade slicing through air and silence.

A choked cry echoed in the night and the mist pulled together behind her, forming the figure of Shiki and he held himself stiff, straining painfully. Inuyasha stared in wide-eyed confusion and he made a sound as the youkai fell to his knees, clutching his chest in disbelief.

Midoriko bowed her head once more as the youkai gasped, and she lowered the blade, dropping it a moment later. The weapon fell from her hands but as it floated to the ground it suddenly vanished, fading away into the night as if it had never existed.

Shiki hunched over, his shoulder heaving and the faces shifted continuously, from one to another and to another still as if he did not know what he felt, what face to wear.

?You are free now,? Midoriko whispered into the air and Inuyasha understood she spoke to the youkai, even as he slumped onto his side, convulsing. The Priestess did not turn to face him as she spoke but her slender shoulders shook, her hair blowing gently as if the constraints of the living world affected her.

Behind her, the youkai made a small sound, agony flitting across the faces, and then, slowly, his form faded away as gently as Midoriko?s sword had. With a faint murmur he vanished and all that was left was Midoriko, weeping quietly, her face lifting to the night sky.

?Wait for me?? she called out softly, mournfully.

Inuyasha merely remained clutching Kagome, stunned beyond words. His eyes widened as the Priestess turned to him finally and the tears on her face reminded him of the tears Kagome had cried over the passed years. Even over the most useless things, they pulled at his heart even then. He watched Midoriko as she floated close to him and behind her the Shikon no Tama suddenly moved, the blackness inside swirling away to reveal the brilliant pink glow of the neutral jewel.

Pausing before him, smiling through her tears, Midoriko lifted her hand and the orb floated upward to rest in her translucent hand. ?Make a wish,? she said to him quietly, gazing at him almost lovingly.

Inuyasha stared at her, at a loss for words, and his eyes shifted to the Shikon no Tama. ?It isn?t my wish to make?? he said numbly. And Midoriko?s smile widened even though she seemed ready to weep eternally.

Kagome stirred in his embrace, lifting her head to him and then to the Priestess who bent toward them and she said in a strained voice, ?It is my wish. My decision.?

Inuyasha looked at her, worry creasing his brow but she looked at him once more, her face streaked with blood and tears.

?I want you to have control of the Shikon no Tama. I want you to make your wish. Just as Kikyo would have allowed you, so will I,? she said to him quietly and she exhaled wearily, her eyes heavy.

Inuyasha gazed at her, fearful. And as she weakened in his grasp he said immediately, ?I wish-?

And Midoriko placed a finger to his lips, silencing him. ?There is no need,? she said to him and she looked at Kagome, who seemed to hover between the dream and the reality. ?She will be returned to her time and all ties will be severed. You will not see her again, Inuyasha, so do not waste the wish on the well, on the future. In that I can not help you.? Her gaze saddened as did his and she lifted her free hand to his hair, smoothing it back and he felt her as if she were real, as if she loved him.

Inuyasha stared at her. ?I don?t?understand?? he whispered.

Midoriko gazed at him, at his confusion and quietly, she said, ?Yes, you do.?

Inuyasha?s gaze turned distant and he did understand.

It will end here after all. After this wish Midoriko will go away. Kagome will go back to her time with no way of ever coming back. Sango and Miroku will still be dead and I will be alone. Even after everything, it will end this way.

And Kagome whispered against his chest, gently, ?I want you to be happy.?

Looking down at her, his vision blurring as tears rose in his eyes, he lifted a hand to her face sorrowfully, trailing his fingers across her skin and marveling how, after everything that had happened, she was still both breathtaking yet painful to touch. As the blood stained his own fingertips, he closed his eyes, searching his thoughts for a wish, one simple yet powerful wish. And he couldn?t find one that would ever make him fully happy. Not one.

And so, he opened his eyes to look at Midoriko and the Priestess understood. Wordlessly, she straightened and backed away and Inuyasha lifted Kagome?s face to his, his fingers pushing aside her hair as he said, ?You?re going home, Kagome. And you?ll be ok, now. There won?t be any more pain or worry. No reason to come back.?

She listened to him silently, her eyes flickering under her closed eyelids and as he stared at her he felt his tears fall, felt a pain inside that he couldn?t have described. Straining against the need to sob openly he pulled her close to him, pressing a kiss to her forehead desperately.

?I will see you one day?? he whispered against her skin.

And Midoriko lifted her hands to the sky, Kagome?s body coming loose from Inuyasha?s arms and floating upward gently, hovering silently. The Tetsusaiga shrank once more, sliding loose of Kagome?s figure and falling to the ground soundlessly. Inuyasha gazed at them both, his shoulders heaving and he no longer fought the tears that overwhelmed him. He watched as Kagome?s form became transparent, as it faded from sight and he felt inside that she truly was gone, that she would never again step foot in his time. And he closed his eyes and hunched forward, lifting a trembling hand to his eyes as he finally understood.

?Inuyasha,? Midoriko said to him and he felt her hand on his shoulder. He didn?t raise his eyes to her but he felt it when she pressed the jewel into his palm, felt her when she kneeled beside him.

?Make your wish, Inuyasha,? she whispered against his ear, ?and set us all free.?

Inuyasha nodded imperceptibly, his fingers closing around the jewel and with a deep breath he made a wish into the night, speaking it with his heart but never aloud. It worked the same and Midoriko lifted his head then, smiling beautifully into his face and as he gazed at her she became transparent, fading into the night as well.

?Arigato, Inuyasha??

He watched as she vanished, as he was left alone. And he sat there, upon the hill, surrounded on all sides by those he had held dear, merely floating in nothingness. The numbness did not fade away, nor did he rise to leave. He remained there, lost in time, lost in confusion and pained heartache and when Kirara awoke he barely acknowledged the feline, only to lean against the creature?s soft belly and wait.

And when the sun peeked over the horizon and the morning came, he did not become demon again.



To be continued...

[takisha16]

you mean half demon?
I love-hate this chapter at the same time!!!
I want to cry and yet I have hope that everything will be okay!
I just have to read the rest!