Bleach Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ New Life ❯ Aftermath ( Chapter 18 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or Bleach or any of the anime/manga characters.

Warnings: Mild Language

Aftermath

 

Kagome's body shook, and she came awake with a groan at the various aches that shot through her right arm, and back.

And then, she felt a pair of small, warm arms wrapping around her neck, and her eyes shot open to find Shippo sitting atop her, eyes red and puffy.

“Momma!”

“Well, good to see you awake,” a voice said nearby.

She craned her neck to find Uryuu sitting on a chair next to the bed she was currently lying on.

“Did we win?” Kagome asked, groaning as the burning on her chest made itself known.

“You passed out after Aizen ran away. The Captains have all been waiting for you to wake up.”

“Ugh… How long have I been out?”

“Well, it's been a few hours. Orihime and Unohana together couldn't completely heal you. Every time they tried to work on you, that jewel pulsed and shocked the hell out of them.”

At that, Kagome stared down at the jewel, hanging over her neck. Kagome noticed that it didn't even attempt to shock her son, and that brought a smile to her face.

“So… is it bad?” she asked, really not wanting to look down.

“Surprisingly, no,” Uryuu said, adjusting his glasses. “There was a lot more blood then the wounds warranted.”

“It was probably my powers trying to teach me a lesson,” Kagome groaned. “I don't think I'll ever go straight into my second bankai again.”

“So, that's why it happened? Even Kurosaki's power was never that volatile.”

The comment, for some reason, raised Kagome's hackles.

“Maybe so. But we're not the same person.”

“Well, thank god for that,” Uryuu said, smirking. “Two of him would be a headache.”

“Yeah…”

“But you still underwent almost all the same things he did,” Uryuu added, frowning.

“Maybe. But let's count the ways I'm different. Ichigo had already been a Shinigami prior to coming back. I wasn't. Ichigo's Zanpakuto is always in its Shikai state. Mine isn't. He becomes a Shinigami to use his Zanpakuto. I don't have to. And, most importantly, he had at least a few weeks between learning Shikai and Bankai. I had a day between them. I've only been a Shinigami for two weeks, now. And, there's the fact that I have two different kinds of bankai… Geez, am I really a freak?” she suddenly asked, not having realized how different she really was from the other Shinigami.

“Freak's not the right word,” Uryuu said, frowning. “You're… unique. And a little abnormal.”

“Gee, you're such a nice person,” Kagome said, her voice laced with sarcasm. “Well, actually you are. I'm just not used to such open honesty. Unless it's Shippo,” she added as an afterthought, running her hand through the kit's hair.

“So… what're you going to do now?” Uryuu asked, his tone guarded.

“Huh… Well, that's a good question…”

Kagome sat up, cradling Shippo away from her burn.

“Well, I promised Yamamoto I'd think about it… Can you go and tell them I'll be there in five minutes, tops?”

The Quincy nodded, and he was gone. And then, Kagome was up, noticing that she was in a lot better shape than the poison she'd inevitably been hit by should've allowed. She chalked it up to the Shikon, however, and was quickly on her way.

Yamamoto gestured for her to follow the second she appeared, and she figured out her plans in the few seconds it took to reach his quarters, away from her friends and all the Shinigami.

“Have you decided?” he growled out.

“At this time, I cannot truthfully give you an answer. There's something I have to take care of. But, if it goes well, then you'll have my answer in the next few days.”

“Very well, then,” the Head Captain said, placated.

Kagome gave a bow, and soon, she and all of her friends and allies were around the well.

“So, this is all finally over,” Miroku said as he stared at the hole.

“Not yet.”

Kagome drew her dagger, and quickly got to work, digging into the structure's floor, several feet from the well. And then, she had a shimmering, white jewel shard in one hand and a massive, almost-perfect orb in the other.

“I don't honestly know what will happen when I complete the jewel. It's up to all of you. Do you want to stay in my time, or yours?”

They all looked between themselves, and Sesshomaru was the first to break the moments' long silence.

“This Sesshomaru will remain in my lands.”

“And I'll remain with Lord Sesshomaru wherever he goes!” Rin squealed delightedly.

“I believe that it would probably be best if we were to return to where we belong,” Miroku sighed reluctantly.

“I agree,” Sango seconded, though she, too, didn't seem particularly happy about it.

“And you, Shippo?” Kagome asked the kit, clinging to her side.

“I'm staying wherever momma is! If you want me to, that is,” he added quickly.

“Of course,” she said, kissing him on the cheek.

Kagome nodded, and gave tearful hugs to her friends.

“If I never see you guys again, I just want to tell you that I'll always love you guys! And, have happy lives!”

They nodded and reciprocated the sentiment. And then, they all vanished through the well after a moment of collective hesitation.

With a sigh, she connected the shard and the other portion. Suddenly, a blinding flash of light enveloped the entire shrine. And when it cleared, Shippo was alone in the destroyed well house, staring at the glowing white orb floating in the air…

 

Kagome's vision finally cleared, and she frowned in confusion.

“Where am I?” she asked, casting a gaze around the vast expanse of blank darkness that surrounded her completely.

“Where are you? Well, that should be so obvious it doesn't even deserve asking,” a dark voice sneered, the voice echoing all around the confused miko.

And, with a grimace, Kagome realized it really was that obvious.

“I'm in the Shikon.”

“Ding-ding-ding! We have a winner! So, step up and take your prize!” the voice sneered.

“Yes, please do. What is it that your heart desires?” another voice, lower and more effeminate whispered, the words making Kagome shiver.

“I don't know.”

“Ah… Well then, let's give her some suggestions. You could wish for… Naraku to never have been created,” the first voice said.

“Or that Inuyasha were alive and in love with you, and only you,” the other added.

“Even if those weren't selfish wishes, I wouldn't ask for them,” Kagome said, frowning.

“Oh? Why?” they asked simultaneously.

“Well, they are selfish wishes. And I wouldn't want someone like that hanyo, now that I've seen what he's truly like…”

Suddenly, her wish formed, and she closed her eyes.

“Shikon no Tama, I have my wish. I wish that the Shikon no Tama were to disappear from existence, and that my friends would receive their hearts inner-most desires.”

“Really? Are you sure?” the first voice asked, sounding somewhat nervous.

“You could wish for anything. Wealth, fame, love-”

“Your wish has been heard, and shall be granted,” a female voice suddenly cut in.

And then, everything went black…

 

Kagome's eyes opened to find was instantly filled with peace and happiness. She rose from the floor and stared down at the very happy-looking kitsune. He instantly shot into the air, burying himself in her arms.

“Momma!”

“It's over, Shippo,” she whispered. “How long has it been?” she added, seeing it was now night.

“It's been two days! I didn't leave, even once!” Shippo said proudly.

“Thank you, Shippo. It's finally over. The Shikon doesn't exist anymore. And the well's still working, to boot,” she added, loving that she still felt its hum of power.

Without any further delay, she dove in. And she came out to find that things had definitely changed.

In the well's clearing, there were a lot of very happy friends.

Miroku sat against a tree, Sango smiling in his arms. And, in her arms, lay a very-much-alive Kohaku. Kagome's eyes suddenly returned to Miroku's arms. Or, rather, his hand. It was bare, holding no cloth or barrier to seal it. And the Wind Scar was somehow still there.

Kagome quickly figured out what his wish had been, and moved on.

Nearby, Sesshomaru stood next to a girl, but she was only Rin in slight resemblance. Her skin had lightened, and she'd grown a few inches. Her hair had lightened and grown silver highlights. And her every other feature had become demonic, and had a similar elegance and aristocratic feel to the inu taiyoukai at her side.

Suddenly, all eyes were on her, and Kagome was suddenly tackled by the monk, taijiya, and ex-human.

“Kagome!”

“I'm so glad! The wish worked!” Kagome exclaimed, hugging them back.

“What was your wish to bring about such miracles?” Miroku asked, eyes wide.

“I wished the Shikon disappeared and that everyone have their hearts' deepest desires.”

“So, that is how it is,” the monk said, staring in wonder at his hand.

Suddenly, Sango gasped, apparently having not noticed the hole until then.

“Miroku, the Wind Tunnel!”

“It would seem that I've always wished to have the Wind Tunnel, without the risk of my death or losing control,” the monk mused. “Of course, this will also aid me in my goal now. That is, to enjoy your company for the rest of my life,” he said, gripping her hand.

The look in his eyes was so full of love that Rin actually began `happy-crying,' in her words upon their questioning.

“But, what about you, Lady Kagome?” Miroku suddenly asked.

“Huh?”

“I can live my life to the fullest with my lovely wife now. Sango has Kohaku back. Rin is now able to live forever with Lord Sesshomaru. But what about you?”

At that, Kagome smiled and cradled Shippo to her chest.

“I couldn't ask for more. The jewel's gone, Naraku's dead, I have my friends and family, and the well has stayed open. Even more open, actually. I think that this time, I could make a barrier that only you guys can get through. And, of course, I have more love than I could have asked for,” she added, nuzzling Shippo.

“So, you can freely move between worlds?” Miroku asked.

“Yep! So, you guys will be seeing me around, still. But, I've now got a goal in my own time. So, I'll leave you all to your happiness, for now.”

She bowed and, after a very happy hug, went through the well, her kit close behind.

And, as soon as she came out on the other side, she found her mother and brother staring at her in wonder.

“What?”

“Kagome… how did you do it?” her mother asked.

“Do it? Do what?” the miko asked, confused.

“Grampa's back!” Souta exclaimed.

“And better than ever,” his grizzly voice added, making Kagome jump in surprise.

And then, she had her arms wrapped around him, and he was introduced to his great-grandson.

“The Shikon must've done it,” Kagome finally said. “Listen, guys. I have to go do something. I say we go out and celebrate tonight. Whaddya think?” she asked, smiling brilliantly.

“Sounds great!” Souta exclaimed.

“Good. Shippo, I need to go take care of something. Why don't you get to know your new family?” she asked, letting him down.

“Okay, momma!”

With a smile, Kagome pointed at the air, and the Senkaimon appeared.

And then, she was moving through the Soul Society, and quickly found herself before Yamamoto once more.

“Have you reached a decision?” he growled out.

“I have, Head Captain Yamamoto. I will join your ranks. I will work as long as I live to protect humans and Shinigami alike from all things evil.”

“Very well. There are currently several Captain's positions open, and we need stability now more than ever.”

“Then I'll do whatever is necessary to become a Captain,” Kagome said with a bow.

The Captain nodded, and he rose from his seat.

“There are three ways to become a Captain. Perform a bankai in front of a panel of three Captains, including myself. Gain the approval from at least seven of the Gotei 13 Captains. Or beat the current Captain in combat; that would be pointless, however, as you're trying for a Division currently without a Captain.”

“Then I'll test with my bankai,” Kagome said, which didn't surprise Yamamoto at all.

As if a signal had been given, Urahara and Yoruichi suddenly appeared to Kagome's side.

“These will be your other two proctors,” Yamamoto said.

“Really? I thought you said they needed to be Captains,” Kagome said with confusion.

“Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shouin have both been Captains in the past. And, due to their recent aid, they have been pardoned of the charges and banishment against them.”

“And, because the Captains are too stressed, of course,” Urahara mused.

“We're picking up some slack, so that Soi Fon and Mayuri don't go insane from stress,” Yoruichi added.

“How many open Captains' positions do you guys have?” Kagome asked, surprised.

“Three. We're not Captains,” Urahara said, smirking. “I'm the new head of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute. It's only right, since I established it in the first place.”

“And I've taken my position as leader of the Onmitsukido to relieve Soi Fon,” Yoruichi said. “The statuses put us in positions to help for this test.”

“Huh… Okay, then,” Kagome said, placated. “So… Do I just bring out my bankai?”

“That's right,” Yoruichi nodded.

“But… perhaps we should go somewhere more open,” Yamamoto said, making Kagome have to bite her tongue to stay her sudden laughter.

The Shinigami took off, and Kagome soon found herself in a very thoroughly open and uninhabited area. She quickly brought out her Shikai, taking care to take her time this time.

“Bankai.”

Power flared, and she once again had the bow covering her arm. She quickly let off five arrows in rapid succession, seeming to impress the Captains with her speed and accuracy, hitting the same identical spot on five spread-out trees.

“Tsukikiba.”

The Chakram dropped over her palm, and she threw it. And then, the five trees she'd shot were in half.

Kagome's arm flashed, and she quickly sheathed her dagger. And then, she turned to find that there were a lot more than three Captains watching.

“So… how'd I do?” Kagome asked, suddenly sheepish.

Yamamoto looked at Urahara and Yoruichi, who both nodded. This apparently held meaning, because the Head Captain suddenly had an authoritative, decision-making air to him.

“When Aizen betrayed us, three Captains left us, and with them went a great deal of power and balance. You've proven you have the skill and power necessary to be a Captain of the Gotei 13. Now, as to your division… As Aizen's betrayal was such a critically traitorous act, I believe that it is best that you take his previous position to being a new time. As such, Kagome Higurashi, you are now the Captain of the 5th Division of the Gotei 13,” Yamamoto's voice boomed as several Shinigami clapped behind him…

 

A/N:

Onmitsukido- Assassin Corps. (not a literal translation, but it's what the English anime dub uses)

Yet another chapter! We're finally there. Be sure to read on for the finale!

And, as always, leave your opinions of my work, be it good or bad!