InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Kagome's Teacher ❯ Ashes to Ashes...Dust to Dust ( Chapter 18 )

Disclaimer: Please refer to all the previous chapters…nor do I own the song Broken.

 

Chapter 18: Ashes to Ashes…Dust to Dust

 

“Talking”

Thinking

`Hiei'

`Youko'

`Kurama'

 

 

 

They found Kohaku's body in a clearing not far from the battle site. The shard had already been removed from his body before they met Naraku. Sango's already heavy sobs became more labored as she clutched the body of her dead brother closer. They all knew it would end this way. Even if they found a way for Kohaku to live, the memories of killing his family would shatter not only his mind but his soul.

 

Kagome lay lifeless in Hiei's arms. Her sapphire eyes were unseeing as she clutched the completed Shikon no Tama in her hand. Everyone was silent as they trudged forth. Kurama remained far behind the group, within his own arms held what was most precious to him.

 

Raven's lifeless body.

 

His emerald eyes were hazy from the tears he shed. Youko had receded back into his mind…from shock the kistune avatar wasn't sure. But one thought kept running rampant through his mind.

 

They had never marked her.

 

She had left them alone on this plain of life. Perhaps she knew all along that the final battle would claim her life. But it was hard to accept that the bright light that was once Raven was gone from their life. It was too short for them to accept.

 

Sesshomaru had joined the group as they headed back the Kaede's village. He dispatched a messenger not to long after the battle. Jaken would bring Rin and Shippo to the group as they traveled. In fact, the group of somber travelers could feel the ki of the dragon Ah-Un.

 

InuYasha turned and looked behind them. The small dot in the sky was getting steadily closer. They were close to Kaede's village. He did not want to stop and make camp. In respect to the dead they were carrying, they had to reach the village.

 

Kuwabara was heavily injured but somehow he found the strength to walk as Kirara was carrying Kohaku's lifeless body. Sango had tended to the human's injuries since Kagome had gone unresponsive.

 

“Take a break, guys.” InuYasha's voice was hoarse as he spoke. No one moved for a moment before everyone collapsed where they stood. Sesshomaru remained standing as he waited for his vassal and ward to land. Every now and then his golden eyes would stray to the kistune clutching the demoness's body like it was a lifeline. They did not understand his action against Raven. They never would. How could they know that only what seemed like moments ago she demanded him to promise. On his honor he swore that if it came to it, he would give her the merciful ending she sought. If only it turned out that way. As a fire shadow hound, her connection to the plains of the afterlife was much more defined. It matter not if he gotten to her before her soul departed, Tensaiga would have done nothing.

 

That didn't mean he didn't like seeing the only female he could honestly say he could tolerate die in such a dishonorable fashion. To think, the being that destroyed not only a full grown male shadow hound but Naraku had to die because she could not control herself.

 

Perhaps, if he had not known her before the final battle he would have simply left without turning back, calling her weak for not being able to control her instincts.

 

But the female once known as Raven was anything but weak. Her continued existence was proof of that. The miko the hybrid cradled close to him was also worming her way to his respect. If she didn't have it already.

 

“Lord Sesshomaru!” a small body collided into his legs. He glanced down to see his ward's bright smile. At least the world allowed some beings to never understand bloodshed. “Where's the pretty lady, Raven? Rin likes her.” Unfortunately, the fates had a cruel sense of humor. It seemed Rin was about to learn a lesson in death.

 

His eyes immediately went to Raven's still form as Kurama sat cross legged with her in his lap. Rin smiled and skipped to Kurama who looked up at the happy child with sad dark green eyes.

 

“Is Lady Raven sleeping?” she asked innocently. Shippo came over after getting no response from Kagome and stood beside Rin. He gave an attentive sniff and recoiled at the stench of death that came from Raven. His lower lip trembled as he looked at the elder kitsune. His aura was heavy with sadness and depression.

 

“She's not sleeping Rin.” Kurama's voice was soft and weary. Rin looked at him in confusion.

 

“What does he mean?” Rin looked at the demon lord. Sesshomaru looked at the red head that seemed to have withdrawn into himself again.

 

“She's dead, Rin.” Kagome's voice came to them. She sat in Hiei's lap and was looking at Raven's body. “She didn't deserve to die.” Rin's eyes filled with tears.

 

“Couldn't Lord Sesshomaru bring back pretty lady like he did Rin?” she asked. Sesshomaru gave a deep sigh before slightly shaking his head.

 

The child's sobs were heart wrenching to everyone.

 

“Kurama.” Kagome's whisper was strangled. Hiei held her closer as he placed his chin on the top of her head. “Will he be okay?” Hiei looked at his friend and partner closely.

 

“The fox is strong. He will make it through this.” Hopefully. Hiei wasn't about to say that he had never seen the kistune avatar this way before. In fact, he was reacting much differently then the way he had acted when Youko had lost his partner Kuronue. They could only hope the best.

 

 

 

 

The villagers must have sensed the somber group because they were not greeted with the cheers. Word had spread within the day of Naraku's defeat. It was like people could breathe a little easier with him gone.

 

 

I wanted you to know I love the way you laugh

Kaede watched them enter the village. Her aging eyes looked at their faces and immediately understood. While they were successful, it wasn't without loss. She saw the lifeless body on the back of Kirara and knew instantly that Sango's brother was in a better place. What shocked her the most, was the dead body of the demoness, Kagome's teacher…Raven.

I wanna hold you high and steal your pain away

The young woman had been through so much in her life and it seemed wrong to look at her lifeless body in the arms of the kitsune avatar.

I keep your photograph; I know it serves me well

The time for rejoicing would come later. Right now was the time for mourning. Sango would wish to return to her village and bury her brother with the rest of her family. Kaede's eyes sought Kagome who was cradled close to the Forbidden One…Hiei.

I wanna hold you high and steal your pain

She looked as if her world had ended around a single event. The older miko could feel the Shikon jewel that was clutched to her chest. The jewel was whole once more. It was such a cruel thing that so many lives were sacrificed for something so small.

`Cause I'm broken when I'm open
And I don't feel like I am strong enough
`Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel light when you're gone away

That night, under the full moon and the stars, they built the funeral pyre with their own hands. Nothing was sad amongst them, even the villagers helped out finding the rich cherry wood they would use. Kaede watch the group work together for perhaps the last time. It was in honor of their lost companion.

The worst is over now and we can breathe again

Now they stood around the pyre with Raven's body placed upon it. Her bloody and battered haori and hakamas had been stripped and she was placed instead in beautiful white kimono with silver jasmine blossoms upon it.

I wanna hold you high, you steal my pain away

Her dark tresses were fanned about her and for a moment she looked as she was only asleep. Her hands were clasped across her chest and one of her twin blades was placed in her hold. Kagome gripped the second one tightly to herself. She planned on giving it to Kurama when this was all over.

There's so much left to learn, and no one left to fight

The males in the group each held a torch high above them, the flames creating a ring around the pyre. The villagers had gathered around to honor the demoness that was in their presence for such a short time.

I wanna hold you high and steal your pain

 

Hiei was the first to step forth. He owed it to his friend to send her with honor into the afterlife. No one saw his hand tremble as he walked towards the pyre. From the corner of his crimson eyes he watched the others approach as well. Then tension cut once on of them had moved.

`Cause I'm broken when I'm open

As one InuYasha, Hiei, Yusuke, Kuwabara, Sesshomaru, Kurama, and Miroku placed their torches or the pyre and watched in silence as the flames engulfed the female form. The smell of burning cherry wood with an underlying scent of jasmine engulfed the clearing.

And I don't feel like I am strong enough

They stepped back and watched as the flames rose higher and higher. Ryo, Raven's faithful neko had made a move to join his mistress and go with her into the afterlife but something held him back. That something was currently clutching him close as she cried softly.

`Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome

Rin held Raven's neko as she watched the flames go higher and higher. The fire danced along the wood as if dancing in sorrow, joy, and revelation. Sparks danced around the clearing as the wood crackled.

And I don't feel right when you're gone away

The flames rose up, as if reaching for the full moon. They took on the form of a large dog, its massive head thrown back and howling in joy and freedom.

`Cause I'm broken when I'm open
And I don't feel like I am strong enough
`Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel light when you're gone away

 

 

 

 

Far within the plains of the afterlife, a lone bat youkai sat bored by a river. He huffed in boredom as he tossed a couple pebbles in the clear flowing water. He watched lazily as the ripples disturbed the smooth surface before returning once more to its perfection.

 

Everything about the place was perfect. No one fought, no one hungered. But damn if he wasn't bored! At first, he enjoyed being carefree. Yes, he did miss his old partner terribly and he hoped one day they could cause mischief again, only in this place.

 

His dark wings stretched lazily in the warm sun as he took a deep breath…

 

Only to inhale the scent of roses.

 

It wasn't strong…very faint…with the underlying scent of jasmine.

 

Did his partner finally kick the bucket? The bat youkai stood up, it was worth the look. He had nothing better to do. With that in mind, he took off in the direction of the smell. His black hair flew behind him as he picked up the pace. The closer he became though, the stronger the smell of jasmine became. The scent of roses was still there.

 

He crashed into a clearing with a single Sakura tree. He watched in amazement at the dark silky tail that twitched. He followed the tail to find a demoness sprawled back on a branch. Her eyes were close and her silken dark tresses fell carelessly around her as Sakura petals became caught in it. She wore a beautiful white kimono with silver jasmine blossoms.

 

She must have sensed his presence because he found himself pinned to his spot by a pair of lovely dark eyes. Those eyes were sensual yet sad. She slowly sat up on the branch but made no move to join him on the ground.

 

The bat youkai moved further in the clearing into he was standing directly beneath her branch, their eyes watching each other wearily.

 

“Who are you? And why do you smell like my old partner?” he demanded. The female raised her brow at him before bursting into peals of laughter. The sound echoed around the clearing and he felt kind of disgruntled at being subjected to her laughter, even if the sound was enjoyable.

 

“You must be Kuronue.” Her voice was sexy and flowed like silk. Kuronue stiffened before he narrowed his eyes at her.

 

“How do you know me?” he demanded. She shrugged her shoulders at him.

 

“I know Youko.” She said softly. “Well…I did.” Her eyes became darker as her thoughts turned inward. “I hope he isn't mad at me.”

 

“Why would he be mad at you?” he asked, suddenly very curious. Damn that kitsune for rubbing off on him!

 

“I left him alone. I know he wanted me to become his mate, but I couldn't. I had to stop Xerxes. I hope he doesn't hate me.” She leapt gracefully from the branch and he could see her features more clearly. She was small…so short and she had a set of scars on her cheek which only added to her appeal.

 

“His mate?” whoa…he was being slow on the uptake. She laughed softly.

 

“Yes, I love that damn perverted kitsune and his human half.” She smiled.

 

“Human half?” she nodded. She proceeded to tell him the story as she heard from Kagome about Youko. She continued on with how the two met and all the way up to her ending with Naraku. By the time she was finished, both were sitting on the ground beneath the tree as if old friends. “I never got your name.”

 

“Raven.” She answered him and he smirked at her.

 

“So…you know me and Youko use to share bedmates...” he grinned, knowing it would rile her up. He watched in satisfaction as she bristled.

 

“Really?” he suddenly didn't like the look in her eyes. Her dark eyes lazily roamed his body and he with held the urge to move. He raised a brow at her.

 

“So tell me,” her voice was a purr, reminding him of a kitten about to pounce. “Are the rest of your body parts” her eyes flicked to his groin “Proportional to the rest of you?” her darks orbs went to his wings.

 

Kuronue grinned before letting out a hearty laugh. There was no doubt that waiting in this place wasn't going to be boring after all. The kitten had spunk, it would admit that. Maybe that's why his partner picked her. Well, he would protect the little demoness until his old friend joined them. It was the least he could do.

 

 

A/N: It's not over yet! Next I will work on a chapter for `Fingering Moonbeams'. Still nothing on `Faces of the Highwayman' I have about a page but I'm not even satisfied with that. ~EvilLilVixen