InuYasha Fan Fiction / Wolf's Rain Fan Fiction ❯ A Wolf's Cry ❯ Goodbye ( Chapter 23 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

“The White Flower.

After winning the favor of the lord of the night.

Will share her sent.

Preordained and eternal in Countenance.

Her form is of a lily white supple Maiden.

She distills and condenses all of time.

Until it becomes a precious frozen mass.”

A Wolf's Cry

Warning Graphic Violence and Death.

Chapter Twenty-Three- Goodbye

The weather changed rapidly as they got closer to the mountain. It went from a warm climate to below zero in a matter of moments. The worst of it didn't come until the pack was at the bottom of the mountain looking up. The wind whipped around the falling snow almost dangerously. When some would hit them in the face, it would actually hurt.

They could not see far up the mountain because of the snow, only a few feet in front of them. This had happened when they were heading to Darcia's keep so this condition wasn't hard to get used to again.

Kiba's eyes narrowed to see up the mountain, his fur blowing around rapidly in the wind. “This is it. No turning back now.”

His words had an underlying meaning. Get through this to Paradise, or die trying. The pack understood this fully and accepted it.

The group moved together up the mountain.

This would be their last and final adventure.

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The feeling of numbness came over the group the farther they went up the mountain. Although their fur coats did keep them warm, the wind didn't help at all.

Blue, who had been walking next to Hige, noticed something strange about the collared wolf out of the corner of her eye. “Hige?”

He nodded towards her. “Yea?”

“You're limping a little. Are you all right?” concern was filled in her voice.

Both Kiba and Tsume halted their pursuit to look at Hige.

Hige stopped and looked at the others warily before putting on a brave face. “I am?” he asked, with a little too much surprise than needed. “I don't think anything's wrong with me since I don't feel any pain. Maybe I'm just doing it subconsciously?”

Deciding not to press the issue, the group started up the mountain again, although, there was a little bit of tension.

In all honesty, Hige was hurting beyond belief. The fall back at the castle had hurt his leg badly. He didn't want the others to worry though so he kept it to himself. He didn't want to slow down the others from getting to Kagome and Cheza or from getting to Paradise so he bit his tongue.

Pretending as if the last conversation he and Blue had never existed, Hige asked, “How long do you think it will take to get to…”

He let his voice die down when he realized what he was staring at beneath him.

Footprints. Two sets of wolf footprints to be exact.

“Kiba. Look!” said Hige.

“What is it Hige?” asked Kiba, slowly making his way over.

“Footprints.”

Kiba's widened eyes followed the footprints until they parted. There was one big thing that he noticed. Instead of one pair being wolf footprints and the other a humans', they were both wolf footprints.

“You noticed it too?” came Tsume's voice from beside Kiba. The first thing that jumped out at him was the fact that there were no human footprints, just animal.

“I don't get it,” stated Hige in a huff, “Why aren't there any human footprints? Where are Darcia's footprints?”

“Good question.” Dropping her head to the snowy ground, Blue tried to capture any clue with her sense of smell but was unsuccessful. “I can't tell who these tracks belong to.”

“We should split up and search,” said Kiba. He never once stopped gazing at the tracks in the snow. What was Darcia up to?

The man basically radiated with evil so there must be some surprise in store for them. That was the only thing that worried Kiba.

“Blue and I will take the footprints that go off to the left, you take the ones on the right,” announced Hige. Deep down, he hoped he had chosen the safer ones, although neither of them was as safe as the other. For a moment Hige felt fear.

He feared the possibility of not being able to make it to Paradise. He feared of what was to come. More importantly, he feared of seeing someone he loved like family get killed. He would try to mentally prepare himself for any of these possibilities but he was sure he wouldn't be able to.

Tsume, who Hige heard call him “Porky”, brought him out of his thoughts.

“What?” answered Hige.

“Are you sure you're going to be all right Porky?” asked Tsume. Tsume knew something was wrong with Hige even before Blue pointed it out. Hopefully he would be able to make it.

“We'll be fine! Let's just get this over already, I'm tired of waiting around!” growled Hige before turning to follow the tracks.

“Hige!” called Kiba. He didn't continue until the collared wolf stopped. “If anything should happen, howl and we'll find you. If you don't find anything we'll meet back here.”

Hige nodded his head in understanding. Then he once again started to follow the footprints.

Both Tsume and Kiba watched Blue and Hige's forms disappear. “Do you actually think they'll be all right?” asked Tsume.

Kiba glanced at Tsume. “I can't really be sure. The only thing that's letting me believe that they will be fine is the fact that they are wolves.” He looked into the direction in which the other two members had disappeared in before turning to follow the other set of footprints.

Tsume's gaze followed Kiba's retreating form, letting his words sink in. The white wolf was right. They really had nothing else to believe in. The fact that Hige was hurt didn't help things either.

The only thing Tsume could do now was hope they weren't going to get themselves into a huge mess before he followed after Kiba.

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The atmosphere around both Blue and Hige became full of suspense. Although they were walking quite comfortably, they were alert at all times; any movement caught their eyes. As they were traveling up the mountain, the weather had actually lightened up a bit but the wind was still strong.

“Hige?”

“Yea?”

Blue's gaze dropped when Hige turned to look at her. “When we get to Paradise…will you stay with me?”

When she looked up at Hige, his breath caught in his throat. Her eyes were shinning and she seemed a little embarrassed. He smiled down at her.

“Of course Blue. I wouldn't leave you for anything.”

She smiled up at him. She had grown rather attached to him since she had been asked to join the pack. He was her comfort from the evil glares from the other members and he stood by her. She was glad to hear that even when the got to Paradise he would continue to stay with her.

Their gazes returned to the snowy ground only to be met with just snow, no footprints. They quickly stopped and looked around. They moved so that they were standing back to back.

“Why aren't there any more footprints? They couldn't have just disappeared!” exclaimed Blue hurriedly.

A thick chuck of snow fell beside Hige head and he looked up.

There, standing only a few feet above them on a ledge was Kagome. She growled at them menacingly, teeth bore, fur standing straight up.

She jumped from the ledge and walked towards them slowly, saliva dripped from her mouth.

“Kagome?” asked Hige. She looked the same now as she did when they were at the castle. “Kagome we've come to bring you back.”

His only response from her was a bark followed by a deeper growling as she kept advancing on them.

“Blue?”

“What?”

“I think you should get out of here,” stated Hige. With every step Kagome took towards them he took two steps back. “Kagome doesn't look so good…”

Blue came to stand beside him. “I'm not going to leave you Hige,” she said sternly.

When Blue spoke, Kagome's eyes immediately went to her form. It was as if she had just noticed Blue's presence. Kagome's growing instantly became louder and more threatening than before.

She was obviously not pleased.

“We're going to have to fight her. It doesn't look like she'll come easily. We'll have to try and wear her out” came Hige's voice from beside Blue.

“Okay.”

Their eyes never left Kagome's form as she crouched low to the ground. The familiar sense of fear sprouted in them.

Before they knew it, Kagome jumped into the air, poised to attack Blue.

They were easily able to avoid it.

When Kagome's body connected with the snowy ground, a large think coat of snow erupted all around her, shielding them from sight.

Both Hige and Blue's eyes were whipping around widely to try and find her.

And then Hige saw her, red eyes blazing. She was in the air once again, aiming to grab Blue's back.

“Get out of the way Blue!” screamed Hige and he shoved her aside and out of the way of Kagome's attack.

The consequences of his action cost him dearly.

Kagome's teeth sank deeply into his back, tearing into his flesh unmercifully. Blood sprayed from Hige's body, staining the pure white snow red, as Kagome brought them into a summersault.

Blue watched this scene play out in front of her horrified. It all seemed to go in slow motion. First she was standing in one spot, the next she was pushed roughly to fall slightly in the snow. Now she was watching Kagome tear into Hige.

All she could do was scream his name. “Hige!”

She watched, horrified, as they tumbled until Kagome released herself from him. Once their contact was broken, he was sent flying into the snowy ground with a loud thud.

Blue's eyes were glued to him but he didn't move an inch. He lay on the snow-covered ground bloodied and steaming.

She was now left with Kagome to deal with by herself.

The familiar sense of fear engulfed her once Kagome turned towards her. She had been in a fight with this wolf before and even then it wasn't easy. Kagome hadn't looked like this at the time so Blue didn't know what to expect. Looking at Kagome as she was right now didn't make Blue feel at all confident.

Kagome's face was expressionless although Blue could tell when looking into her red eyes that Kagome wasn't going to let her go without a fight. There was no doubt in Blue's mind that Kagome hadn't forgotten what she did to her and her family.

But Blue wanted Kagome to forgive her. She wanted to repent. If she could help Kagome, could she forgive her?

Puffs of smoke appeared from her panting form; saliva mixed with blood dripped from her mouth.

Hige's blood.

If Kagome could do that to Hige with no second thoughts then there was no telling what she could do to Blue.

She couldn't help Hige right now, if she did, she could be killed. For now, Blue would try to slow Kagome down without killing her. It didn't look like Kagome would come with them if she were in perfect shape so Blue knew there was going to be a bit of blood on both sides.

Blue glimpsed at Hige's body. It wasn't moving. In the pit of her stomach she sensed something wasn't right.

I'll be there soon Hige, just hold on! she thought to herself before her eyes returned to Kagome.

They both stood unmoving sizing each other up and waiting for the other to make the first move.

Blue tried to stay calm, every once in a while she would shake, not just from the weather but from the sound and intensity of Kagome's growl.

And then Kagome started to move slowly. Blue's eyes never left Kagome's hungry ones as they both started to circle one another.

Kagome would lash out towards her, trying to scare her when she faked an attack. When Blue was starting to get used to her behavior and became more confident, Kagome made her think twice.

The crazed wolf ran at her through the snow with ease and tried to grab Blue's neck but she was able to avoid it, although she did come away with it with a scratch on her shoulder. A small electric shock went through her body and Blue winced. `What is this?'

Blue swiftly recovered and they once again stood to watch each other before Kagome went after Blue again.

This time Kagome was able to grab Blue's hind leg painfully with her teeth and began to viciously bite.

In a natural reaction, Blue whipped her head around and was able to latch onto the scruff of Kagome's neck. They bit down viciously on each other as they growled threats at one another until Blue was able to bite deep enough to make Kagome let go. Shocks shook her body.

Just as fast as they had leg go of one another, Kagome was on Blue once again. She jumped into the air and landed on Blue's back. They tumbled together biting and scratching once another.

Their fight became frenzy and uncontrollable. Kagome fought Blue with all of her might and it didn't surprise Blue one bit. She had become stronger and faster, but Blue knew she could keep up with her. This fight would end when the weaker of the two fell.

Kagome pinned Blue down on her back and tried to get at her neck but Blue was able to stop it with a scratch to Kagome's face, causing her to jump off and away from Blue to shake her head.

Blue tried to stand but fell when she felt the immense pain from the wound on her leg. It was steaming and bleeding. She couldn't let this get to her though, she had to fight though the pain to try and help Kagome.

She tried to get to her feet and this time she was successful. Once Blue was steady she looked up to see Kagome shaking her head violently before she stopped to meet Blue's gaze.

Once their eyes met, Blue made the first move and ran at Kagome with all the force she could muster. Kagome turned to get out of the way but Blue turned just as fast and was able to get a hold of her tail. She latched on and before Kagome was able to turn around and get her, Blue spun her and tossed her away to hit the ground painfully and roll for a few feet.

All was silent other than Blue's fierce panting. The pain in her leg intensified and for a moment Blue didn't know how long she would be able to take this. She turned to look at the wound and found it bleeding profusely, the snow around her stained red. The scratch on her shoulder hurt somewhat but wasn't as near as painful as her leg injury.

Her eyes returned to Kagome's body, which wasn't moving with the exception of her rapid breathing.

Had she done it? Was it over now?

Blues eyes traveled to Hige once again. Tears sprang to her eyes. She briefly wondered if he was in a great deal of pain, the wound on his back was deep and looked like he lost a lot of blood already.

…This should have been her.

Anger filled Blue. “Why?”

All Blue could do was stare at him.

“Why Hige?” yelled Blue. “Why did you have get in the way?” her voice was desperate.

There was no answer.

Blue's eyes began to fill with tears as she turned to watch Kagome begin to struggle to her feet.

Determined, Blue spoke. “I know what I did to you was horrible and I will probably never be forgiven for the rest of my life…but I want to repent. I want to be forgiven, that's why I'm here. Hige and the pack want you back Kagome. They all want to see you again and if I can help you, I will…please Kagome, come back.”

Once Kagome was at her feet, she shook the snow from her body. Her eyes bore into Blue.

Kagome began to growl venomously at her, the fur on the back of her neck stood straight up. Her growl became a snarl as she bore her fangs.

“Why won't you listen?” pleaded Blue, “What's wrong with you?! Don't you care about them?”

Blue let the tears she had been holding back fall. She knew then, looking into Kagome's eyes that she could never help save her. The deep hate Kagome harbored for her would never waver in the state she was in now. This hate would never end.

She took one last glance at Hige. This was it and she knew it. Hige hadn't move once since his body hit the ground and she was loosing blood by the second. Her journey would end here.

It had been fun meeting this pack and getting to know Hige in a weird way. She knew she wasn't accepted in the beginning but she knew that after time, she was accepted just a little bit. She only wished they had met on better terms. Blue knew they could never fully trust or accept her because of what she had done to Kagome and she had come to terms with that early on when she joined them. She never really had expected them to anyway.

Blue stared Kagome dead in the eye as the red-eyed wolf made her way towards Blue. With her death, Blue knew that some of the pain Kagome was experiencing would be taken away. It was what Kagome had wanted and it didn't offend Blue. If her death could help Kagome in any way, Blue would gladly die.

In a way, it was good for both of them. Blue had nothing left for her to lose and Kagome wanted to avenge her family. This was how it had to be.

Closing her eyes, Blue waited for her death to come. In that time, she remembered her first meeting with Hige and all that he had done to help her with. She had known somewhere deep down that she would never make it to Paradise but the thought of it was pleasant. Especially when Hige said he would stay with her even after they reached Paradise. That had made her happy.

Now she only hoped that Hige was waiting for her on the other side where they could be together.

I'm coming Hige.

Her thoughts ceased when Kagome's teeth sank into her jugular, killing Blue instantly.

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When Tsume and Kiba heard a scream farther up the mountain from where they were, they began to run as fast as they could. It had sounded like Cheza and they wanted to get to her as soon as possible.

As soon as they got to where the scream had come from, they were immediately attacked.

“What the hell was that?” asked Tsume who barely missed getting hit by the black blur.

Kiba watched their enemy turn towards them. “It's him. Darcia.”

“Since when did a human with no trace of a wolf's scent turn into a wolf?!” barked Tsume.

The evil laugh that Darcia let loose had both Kiba and Tsume's eyes glued to him. Their eyes narrowed at the sight of Darcia. One of his eyes was blue, that of a human's, while the other was a golden wolf's eye.

Their attention to his eye didn't go unnoticed by Darcia. “Yes. So you've noticed my curse have you? And you've noticed I'm not human anymore, right?” he paused to laugh again before continuing, “This is what I've become. Because of this disgusting eye, I've become a wolf.”

Tsume sneered. “We don't give a shit about you and your eye. We're just here for Kagome and Cheza.”

Darcia snarled back at him. “They both belong to me.”

Kiba growled, baring his teeth. “If you wont give them back, then we'll just have you kill you.” The white wolf flexed his nails in the snow.

“A little feisty are we? I wont give them up so easily. They're going to open my Paradise whether you like it or not,” stated Darcia before he rushed at them.

He was surprisingly very fast on his feet in the snow but both Tsume and Kiba could keep up with him easily.

They surrounded Darcia and the fighting started. Tsume and Kiba lashed out at Darcia, biting and scratching. They were able to land a few wounds on him, nothing deep or serious but it wasn't good enough.

Darcia wasn't easy; because of his speed he was quickly able to whip his head back and fourth to bite at the gray and white wolf before he was able to use his paw to push Kiba down the snowy mountain. Once the white wolf was out of the way, Darcia ran up the mountain.

Without thinking, Tsume followed Darcia up the mountain as fast as he could. He was determined to kill this monster for the group, for himself, but most importantly for Kagome.

With a burst of energy, Tsume jumped and latched himself around Darcia's neck.

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By the time Kiba stopped rolling and was up on his feet again, he wasn't able to see Tsume or Darcia. The feeling of concern for his pack mate sprouted in his stomach. He knew something bad was going to happen to Tsume. Darcia was a large wolf, bigger than both him and Tsume and Kiba knew it wouldn't take long for Darcia to over take the gray wolf.

Not wasting anymore time, he followed Tsume's scent up the mountain.

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The moment Tsume's teeth tore into Darcia's, the black wolf immediately flipped onto his back, crushing Tsume beneath him until he let go.

The gray wolf jumped away from Darcia, small amounts of blood dripped from his mouth. Tsume panted a bit, but never held back the smile that played on his lips. “You're not so tough after all,” stated Tsume while he watched Darcia flip over to his feet to stand.

Darcia laughed at him. “You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into.”

Tsume raised his eyebrows. “Really?”

He wasn't able to say another word. Somehow, Darcia was able to disappear in the blink of an eye only to reappear behind Tsume. Without a second though, Darcia took a large part of Tsume's back into his mouth and bit down.

Pain swallowed up Tsume's whole being and he saw red. This pressure he was feeling was incredible, nothing like he'd ever felt before. He screamed out in agony as his eyes bulged.

The pain was still there even after Darcia threw him against the side of the mountain and into a rock. He could feel every ounce of blood seep from his body and into the snow. His eyes closed tightly as he grounded his teeth together.

I cant give up…I cant.

Tsume's leg twitched to move as he tried to will himself to stand but it wouldn't budge.

I wasn't able to keep my promise…I wasn't able to save her…

He remembered the first time they had met. The pack had saved her beaten and bruised body from being killed out in the storm. It seemed like everyone but he was excited to meet her and get to know her.

He had actually suggested that they not save her, but instead, leave her to die in the snow.

So this is how it feels like.

To think that this could have been Kagome all those months actually made Tsume mad. He cursed himself for thinking that way and wished he hadn't have said anything. But because he didn't know her, he did. He had made it evident that he had not wanted her there and always said things to hurt her feelings.

As he got to know her over time, his feelings changed. He began to like her although he'd never show it. Eventually he grew to love her.

His love for her was the only reason why he was here.

But…it didn't look like he'd ever get to see her again. He'd broken the promise he had made to himself.

I wanted to see you again…

Feeling a presence above him, he opened his eyes to see Darcia standing over him.

“You disgusting creature. You actually thought you could save them by killing me? You're a fool. You and everyone else will die here.” His eyes widened at the end of his statement and his mouth opened to release a cruel laugh.

The reaction Tsume received was nothing short of madness. Just looking at this…thing made Tsume angry. “You monster.”

Darcia's laugh became louder. “You're right, I am a monster! Now I'm going to kill you!”

Even though Tsume could not move, he growled as loud and as threatening as he could while never taking his eyes off of Darcia's.

Darcia lowered his head and revealed his fangs. “Even half dead you wolves never give up. You're all just a nuisance.”

He moved to make a step closer to Tsume but was suddenly thrown back by something.

Tsume's eyes darted around until they landed on a white wolf. Kiba.

A small sense of happiness pushed away the pain Tsume was feeling for a few moments. Just knowing that Kiba had come for him made him happy for once. If this had happened a few months ago, Tsume knew he would have been angry, but looking at Kiba who just stood a few feet away made Tsume feel fortunate. Even though the gray wolf knew of the relationship between the white wolf and Kagome it didn't matter now.

Tsume closed his eyes again but quickly opened them when he heard Kiba shout his name. Kiba was panting loudly, obviously out of breath.

“Tsume…”

The gray wolf looked at him as he always did, angrily. “I'm fine, just go. He's getting away.”

Kiba's eyes landed on the wound on Tsume's back. “But Tsume-”

“Just go damnit! I'll be fine! Go get Cheza and Kagome!” barked Tsume furiously.

Amber eyes met amber eyes before one pair reluctantly turned away.

As Kiba's form disappeared, Tsume let out a long howl before it died out.

Tsume smiled. Now, he could die peacefully alone. This was the way he wanted it to be.

Laying his head down in a comfortable position, Tsume closed his eyes once again. I'm going to get that stupid runt when I get there, thought Tsume before drifting off into an endless slumber.

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What…happened?

“…Blue?” whispered Hige into the wind.

Somehow, he was able to find the strength to make it to his feet, although barely.

His vision was very blurry as he tried to find Blue. When he did spot the dark lump he smiled. “Blue…”

Not saying more he limped his way over to Blue's body. Drops of blood fell from his body unbeknownst to him with each step he took. He nudged her head with his when he got to her body. Realization quickly set in when he felt how cold she was. Tears fell from his eyes as he lay down beside her and rested his head on her neck. “I'll…keep you warm…Blue.”

He took in her fading scent desperately while never once taking his eyes off of Blue before his heart took its last beat.

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Kiba didn't pay any attention to where he was going; his mind was in a different place. He had barely made it in time before Darcia would have finished Tsume off but even then it did not look like Tsume would make it.

Kiba would never forget the image of Tsume's broken and bleeding body. Just remembering it both angered and saddened Kiba. He knew just as well as Tsume himself that he would not make it. Even though Tsume deserved to make it to Paradise, he never would. All because of one person.

Darcia.

The same man that had taken everyone he cherished away had now taken Tsume.

Kiba would make sure that bastard would never make it to Paradise. He would fight Darcia to the death if he had to.

Tsume had sacrificed himself so he could get this far. He had to finish it. Everything would end here.

His pace slowed as he reached the top of the mountain.

Only to be met face to face with Kagome.

She looked the same as she did back at Darcia's castle where she had attacked him. She had the same eyes and expression. The fact she was bleeding both on her neck and tail had caught his attention but more importantly, she didn't seem to be fazed at all.

Letting his eyes travel a little bit he saw Darcia standing beside Cheza, who had fallen to the ground, no more than a few feet behind Kagome.

The Lunar Flower had tears streaming down her face. He knew she was experiencing an extreme amount of pain and it ached to see her like that.

A low chuckle caught Kiba's attention and his eyes were immediately drawn to Darcia who was smiling like a mad wolf. “Here so soon? I didn't think you'd want to rush your death so much but I guess it's your own choice. I'm happy to tell you that you're the only one left. The only one remaining who could possibly stop me.”

Darcia's tone seemed to be amused when he spoke which angered Kiba greatly. He began to growl nastily.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

Darcia laughed. “Didn't you know? Kagome's taken care of both the collard and black wolf. Since I've killed the gray one, the only one left is you,” he paused to shake the snow from his body. “But that will not last long. Kagome seems to be ready for another fight so I'll leave her to dispose of you.”

Not bothering to say more, Darica grabbed Cheza by her collar and jumped down into the mountain.

“Cheza!” screamed Kiba as he tried to go to her but was stopped by Kagome.

He watched helplessly as Darcia disappeared into the mountain with Cheza in his mouth before returning his gaze to Kagome. Once their eyes connected she growled; the hairs on the back of her neck stood straight up.

Kiba wasn't able to say a word as she quickly lunged for his neck. He was only able to avoid it by rising to his hind legs. He lots his footing and fell backwards but quickly recovered to roll away from her to dodge another attack. Kiba heard her jaws snap together loudly and he knew that could have been his neck.

The white wolf was successfully avoiding Kagome's attacks for a while until he lots his footing when trying to make a sharp turn and fell.

She pounced on top of him and began to bite his body unmercifully. He let out a sharp yelp when he felt the shocks of pain and before he knew it, he roughly pushed her off of him with his paws, unknowingly scratching her deeply in the process.

They broke apart to look at each other.

Kagome was panting just as hard as he was and the wound on her chest dripped with blood. He too was bleeding on his neck from the puncture wounds he had received.

Kiba cringed. He knew he was the cause of that wound on her body and his heart sank. He didn't want it to be like this. None of this was supposed to happen.

He had known from the first time he had seen Kagome in Darcia's castle that something was wrong. Her whole aura had changed and she appeared to be a totally different person.

Her scent had been the only thing that told Kiba it was actually Kagome. Her scent was her own and he had never encountered a smell such as hers.

Kiba's gaze bore into her expressionless eyes. Those same eyes used to hold warmth in them but now they were as cold as stone.

Not being able to control himself, Kiba whispered her name. “Kagome.”

Kiba watched Kagome's fur ruffle with the gust of wind that passed over them, waiting for her to say something…anything.

With each passing moment he could feel her taking his energy but he waited.

She gave no reply.

He tried again, this time louder. “Kagome!”

She only blinked at him, still remaining in the same spot where she had been standing since they stopped fighting.

It seemed too late now as he stared at her helplessly. Even though she was only a few feet away from him, she seemed to be in a different world.

A picture of her smiling face flashed in his mind. His eyes softened. “I'm sorry.” He turned his head to the side.

“You were always there for me when I needed you...but when you needed me the most, I wasn't there. And now look at us. We're fighting because of me. Because I wasn't able to save you.”

A sad grin appeared on his face. “A part of me thinks that nothing will be the same and you'll never come back to me.”

Memories of when he first met her and all of their experiences together flashed through his mind.

The time where he had dressed her wounds, when he had watched her and Toboe sleeping together peacefully, and when he had saved her from drowning in the lake.

He remembered the time when he saw Kagome and Hojo together. The jealousy he had felt then was intense at that time. He had actually thought she might go with Hojo at one point but she ended up staying with him.

That was how it had been and would continue to be. He lifted his eyes to meet hers. Strength that he had thought was lost came back to him.

“But I wont give up Kagome! We'll go to Paradise together!”

For a split second something flashed in her eyes but Kiba didn't have any time to think about it because Kagome attacked him yet again.

He watched her attempts to somehow grab a hold of him, but with Kiba's new determination he was able to dodge them all.

She seemed to want to get rid of him as fast as possible but her body just wouldn't keep up with her. It was slowing down from the blood loss and Kiba was starting to worry if she would kill herself or if she would end up passing out at any moment from blood loss.

After a few minutes that seemed to last forever, Kagome suddenly stopped. Her body was rattled with short breaths and she let her head fall. Her vision became blurred and the world seemed to be spinning around her.

Kiba watched as she stumbled over herself. She was a mess. He looked around himself and noticed her blood was spread everywhere. The snow around both of them was covered to the point where you almost couldn't see any white. He looked back up at her and noticed the red liquid dripping from her mouth.

“Kagome…” concern was in his voice. He tried to go to her but he hesitated when she snapped deliriously in his direction. His heart sank.

“Kagome, let me help you,” stated Kiba as he continued to walk to her.

When he was close enough to touch her, she lashed out and bit him on his neck again, sending a small shock through his system.

He caught himself after he stumbled and then began to pursue her again. “Come on Kagome, let me help you.”

She started to move backwards, growling and snapping in his direction to keep him away. He looked passed her and saw they were getting close to the edge of the mountain that lead to Darcia and Cheza.

“Don't run away from me Kagome!”

Her ears swiveled in his direction. She didn't stop moving back until her leg gave out with a yelp.

His body lurched to go to her but for some reason he couldn't move. The ground beneath them began to tremble and Kiba's eyes began to dart around them.

“What's going on?”

There was a loud crack and golden eyes met pink instead of red.

“Kiba?”

No sooner had she said his name did their bodies' jerk as the land underneath them began to give way.

The sound of her voice captured Kiba's full attention. Her whole aura changed and the coldness in her eyes disappeared.

Her body abruptly jerked down once again but this time it didn't stop. He watched as she tried to get up but couldn't. “Kagome!” yelled Kiba frantically.

The white wolf was only able to take one step towards Kagome before the snow beneath her gave out instantaneously. She was instantly sent plummeting to the ground, a massive amount of snow following after her.

The vibrations under Kiba's feet did not stop and Kiba soon found the snow around him disappearing. He tried to get away but the loss of land was too great and he too was sent plunging to the center of the mountain where Darcia lay in waiting.

00000

Soft crying awoke Kiba from his unconsciousness. His eyes were met with darkness. For a moment Kiba thought he was blind only to remember he was submerged in snow when he tried to move his body but it wouldn't budge. Instead, it kept him frozen in place.

“Kagome?” whispered Kiba. He struggled to move any part of his body, desperately trying to free himself. The feeling of restraint angered Kiba and his movements to be free became frenzied.

After a few tries, he was able to get onto his back and scratch at the snow above him, every once in a while stopping to take a break before continuing once again. When he had made enough room to get his legs beneath him, he started to push upwards, using his back as a plow. The snow didn't seem to want to budge the first few attempts but Kiba wouldn't give up.

He crouched before slamming his back against the snow above him. It hurt the first few times, but Kiba soon became numb to the pain and continued.

When he was on his tenth try, the snow began to loosen.

Don't give up. He kept telling himself. Cheza and Kagome need you!

With one final thrust upwards, the snow on top of Kiba was propelled upwards, revealing Kiba to the cold air. He fell forward in exhaustion and let his body calm down from his rapid breathing.

The scent of Lunar Flowers slowly wrapped around him, comforting him. Looking around, he saw Cheza lying on her side not to far from where he was.

Darcia was nowhere to be seen.

Letting his eyes rest on the Flower Maiden, Kiba noticed that she appeared to be shriveling away. Her limbs became longer and more fragile looking almost that of a skeleton. Green veins ran along her whole body, from the tips of her fingers to the middle of her cheeks. Those cheeks were stained with tears that fell from her eyes. All the pain she was experiencing was finally taking its toll.

Kiba winced as he began to stand. “Cheza.” He breathed the Flower Maidens name as he painstakingly started to limp to her.

She reached her thin long arm out to him and when he was just about to reach it, Darica appeared behind Cheza and brutally sank his teeth into her waist before throwing her aside.

“Cheza!” yelled Kiba as he watched her tossed like a rag doll.

Darcia laughed. “Is she really all that important to you?”

Kiba whipped his head in the monsters direction. A dark green liquid seeped from Darcia's mouth. Kiba narrowed his eyes. “What's wrong with Cheza?”

Darcia licked his lips. “Isn't it obvious? She's wilting. She's just like any other flower. They never last forever and she will die soon. If I don't kill you, I might not be able to open Paradise. I'm surprised Kagome wasn't able to get rid of you, but it looks like she did some damage.”

“Where is Kagome?” bit out Kiba. He couldn't find her scent anywhere.

Darcia lazily started to move. “Does it matter? We both know she's not dead. If she were, Cheza would be dead also. Let's get this over with, shall we?”

Darcia's eyes widened abnormally and he lunged for Kiba. They grabbed each other on the sides of their necks and bit down ferociously before Darcia Quickly broke away and rammed his head against Kiba's head.

The white wolf stumbled back a bit and he could feel the warm liquid trickle down his forehead. He was suddenly pulled backwards by his hind leg and the fighting started again.

Darcia was on top of him, biting and scratching while Kiba was face down beneath him.

Kiba smashed his head into Darcia's jaw and pushed him off. Turning his head, Kiba fiercely grabbed Darcia's neck in his jaw, digging his teeth in.

Darcia managed to make it to his feet and quickly started to whip his head around, smashing Kiba's body against the ground until he let go. Then he grabbed the white wolf painfully around his torso with his teeth and threw Kiba much like how he had thrown Cheza.

Kiba yelped loudly and whimpered when his body connected with the ground. He felt a small crack and didn't move.

Laughing filled his ears and Darcia was standing above him, mouth open and eyes large. “This is it. With you gone I can finally open Paradise! In only moments, I will be reunited with you my love! My Hamona!” He snarled down at Kiba who was growling up at him. “Your attempts were futile. Face it, I've won. Your life is mine!”

Darcia opened his mouth wide and moved in for the kill. Just as he was going to close his mouth around Kiba's neck, Darcia's laughing stopped. His body lurched. Raising his head, Darcia's body swiftly lurched once again but more violently.

“What?!” yelled Darcia.

Kiba watched as Darcia gagged, green liquid mixed with blood rushed from his mouth with a heave. Darcia seemed to gurgle until his body heaved again, this time a black sphere came out.

Everything became silent as both wolves looked at the sphere. Then out of nowhere, Darcia started to scream. He thrashed his head as his body began to vaporize until nothing was left.

Kiba looked on at the spot where Darcia had been unbelievingly. He was gone. He was finally gone.

Barely able to pick his head up, Kiba searched for Cheza but couldn't find her anywhere. He called out her name: “Cheza!”

His answer was silence.

Pushing himself to move, he gradually rose to his feet. Once he found his balance he took a deep breath. Movement out of the corner of his eye made Kiba turn to his right just in time to see the sphere that Darcia had regurgitated roll away from him.

He focused his eyes to look in the direction it was headed and all Kiba could make out was a lump on the ground a couple of feet away. A sense of lightness came over Kiba when he kept staring. Anxiousness burst in Kiba, in the pit of his stomach he knew whom the sphere was headed to and instinctively he limped behind it.

Kiba reverted to his human form as he forced himself to keep going. With each step he took, sharp pains shot through his body. His mind was blank though and he couldn't think of anything other than how to stay on his feet and not fall. He staggered for a moment.

When Kiba lifted his head, he was amazed at what he saw.

The sphere had led him straight to Kagome's human body. Although her body looked the same, it had little flowers protruding from it.

Just looking at her caused Kiba to swell with happiness.

She opened her eyes. Amber met blue for the first time in a while.

“Kiba?” her voice was weak and soft. Tears welled in her eyes as her whole body shook from pain.

He sank to his knees and rested his hand on top of her head. She was finally reunited with him after all this time. “Are you all right?”

She shook her head as she squeezed her eyes shut; the tears she had been keeping back began to fall. She coughed up blood violently. “I'm…I'm going to die here…” her voice was shaking with fear and she winced. “Where are the others? Where's Toboe?” her entire body began to shake at this point.

Kiba's breath caught in his throat before he grinned sadly. “They're all in Paradise.”

He couldn't have possibly told her, he would never forgive himself.

Kiba's eyes started to swell when he saw her smile up at him. “I'm sorry Kiba… I wasn't able to protect Cheza…I'm sorry for leaving all of you…I'm sorry …for everything.” She gulped before she started to breath heavily. Her body was beginning to tense, her joints locking.

The white wolf averted his gaze to the ground beside them. It was covered with their blood, which made Kiba shiver.

“Kiba?”

He turned his attention to Kagome immediately. “Yea?”

“What is that?”

He turned to his left to see the black sphere and picked it up to hand it to her.

The moment she touched it, it turned pink and her eyes widened. It can't be…

Lost memories of the Sengoku Jidai came rushing back. Her memories of Inu Yasha, Miroku, Sango, and Shippou quickly moved through her mind. Thoughts of when and how she met all these people would forever remain with her.

She smiled to herself. Everything will die with me. This is the way it should be.

Her breathing began to slow and Kagome looked at Kiba tenderly. She raised her hand to rest on his cheek just as a tear slid from his eye. His heart was pounding in his chest when he covered her hand with his. He tried to keep her warmth with him but he felt it slipping away.

The smile on her face broadened, a trickle of blood slid down the side of her mouth. She slowly spoke to him. “Being able to love you…is one thing I am not sorry for Kiba…I love you, with every fiber of my being.”

By the time Kagome said her last word her energy was depleted and soon, she was not able to stay with him. She was only able to give one last smile to Kiba before her eyes slid shut and her hand slackened against Kiba's face.

“Kagome! Don't go! Don't…leave me…please!” He crushed her cold body to him and let himself cry for the first time in what seemed to be forever.

He stayed like that for a while until he couldn't keep himself up anymore. He laid them down and wrapped himself around her when the wind picked up, blowing the snow around them. His vision became blurred from blood loss; the only thing that was clear to him now was her face. He clung to her completely, never wanting to let go. “We'll meet again…in Paradise Kagome…I promise I'll find you again…”

He breathed deeply, taking in her scent, the scent that he craved for, needed.

Then, as he watched her peaceful face, he let his eyes slowly slide shut.

00000

When all was silent and calm, the pink sphere as well as the Wolf Maiden glowed a soft pink before both sank into the Earth, giving birth to a new ear.