InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Miko's Love Story. ❯ The Final Battle ( Chapter 23 )

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

Disclaimer: I do not own or make profit from the Inuyasha series Copyrights to Inuyasha and Characters belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. I only own the plot, and story line to this story and Tara. There. I said it. (sighs)

A HUGE Thank you SangOtaku6 for your many ideas, suggestions, and mostly your advice :)

The Final Battle:

Kikyo answered calmly, "He is in a field about fifty feet from here. He has made a spider web forty feet high and fifteen foot wide."

Bankotsu blinked.

Kagome thought back to the first time she and Inuyasha had faced a spider demon. "Beware of his venom."

Everyone nodded.

Sesshomaru informed her coolly, "No venom can harm me. I am immune to poison."

"Lucky for you," Kagome smiled.

Bankotsu snapped, "Enough, let's go!"

Everyone nodded and the groups set off together.

They all walked in silence, even Rin was quiet. She knew that everyone was serious about something.

Kohaku stayed right beside Rin and Ah-un, with Jaken grumbling beside them.

Everyone ran up to the spider web, save for Kohaku, who was forced to stay back at the edge of the field with Rin, Ah-un and a pissed off Jaken.

Inuyasha unsheathed his Tetsuiga. "Naraku! Face me you coward!"

With Kagome on his back, Bankotsu ran past Inuyasha, hacking at the web with Banryu.

Kagome's head rested between his shoulder blades to give him more room.

Banryu whooshed around chopping down the thick cotton-like webs that were enclosing around them, as he ran toward the center of it.

Inuyasha followed running along behind and hacked at the webbing and then at the demons that had started creeping out from behind the broken webbing.

Kagome's eyes widened. 'The jewel shards are tainted black and they are focused in the center of the web.'

Bankotsu yelled over his shoulder, "Hey mutt, I'll leave these small fry to you and the others."

Kagome's slender hands grabbed his shoulders holding tight and he sped away before Inuyasha could respond.

In his huge spider like form, Naraku rose from the middle of the web and let out an evil chuckle. "Kukuku…"

Bankotsu glared disdainfully at him. "Naraku! Time for you to die!" He continued twirling Banryu.

Kagome notched her arrow. "This is the end of the line Naraku!" She released her arrow.

The purifying arrow flew straight toward its target, only to shatter harmlessly against Naraku's barrier, having no affect much to the surprise of the heroes.

Naraku sneered. "Looks like you're still too weak, miko." Focusing on Bankotsu he informed him darkly, "It seems someone is very eager to see you. He has been awaiting your arrival."

Out from behind Naraku stepped the one person Bankotsu had been searching for all these years. He stood just taller than Bankotsu and was of a slimmer build. He had jet black hair down to his shoulders and piercing blue eyes. "Hello little brother," the man sneered.

Naraku allowed a huge smirk to cross his face. 'So… He's his brother. This will work even better than I had planned.'

Feeling confident with his new found information, Naraku laughed evilly with a wicked grin. "Kukuku . . . How does it feel Bankotsu, to have your own flesh-and-blood destroy everything you once held dear?"

Bankotsu was about to make a remark at the vile demon, only to be cut off by his brother.

"Don't you have anything to say to me, little brother?" Ryori's eyes narrowed. "Is this the gratitude I get for having to come look for you myself?"

"It wasn't like that… I looked for you… for years, but I couldn't ever find you, Ryori!" Bankotsu stood stock still, trying to get over the shock of seeing his beloved brother once more.

Remembering the name and face from Bankotsu's nightmare, Kagome gasped in shock. Losing her focus, she slid off Bankotsu's back, remembering just in time to land on her feet.

Unaware she was no longer on his back Bankotsu cringed and made a fist as his brother's innocent blue eyes had now become red with hatred. With his lips trembling as if there was no way that it could be real, Bankotsu mumbled, "Ryori?"

Kagome looked over to him. 'It's not him Bankotsu! That thing isn't your brother!'

Bankotsu gasped. 'My brother looks like a demon.'

Ryori practically warped himself in front of him.

Bankotsu's eyes were locked on his controlled brother's face as he watched every movement and took in every single breath slowly.

Taking advantage of his hesitance, Ryori sucker punched him right in the gut and smirked. "What's wrong little brother? Cat got your tongue?" Malice glowed in his eyes and he immensely enjoyed the pain etched on the mercenary's face.

Bankotsu held his stomach trying to breathe through the pain. He looked up at Ryori again. 'There has got to be some part of the true Ryori in there somewhere.'

Gripping Banryu's hilt firmer in his grasp, Bankotsu cringed as he coughed out from the blow.

Naraku was enjoying Bankotsu's torment thoroughly. "What's wrong Bankotsu? You're a mercenary. You live to kill. Yet you can't defeat this one human?" he inquired mirthfully.

Sickened by his obvious pleasure, Kagome held out her bow as she notched another sacred arrow. "Shut up Naraku! You die here and now!"

"Ha. As if a mere human girl could destroy me," he taunted, waving his hand as swarms of his demons descended upon her.

Having had enough lip from the vile bastard, Inuyasha yelled, "Windscar!" and obliterated the hoard of demons.

Kagome began taking out the demons with her arrows, swifter then she had before, thankful for her training with Bankotsu and Kikyo. She bit her lip and her eyes took on a pained look. 'Bankotsu, snap out of it! I know he looks like it... but that thing isn't your brother!'

The desperation in her voice finally broke through to him. 'Please Ban, stay with me here. I know you think we found him, but this monster isn't your brother. Ryori would never hurt you like that.'

Images of his raven haired beauty filled his mind and he scowled. 'She's right. The Ryori I knew wouldn't be so cruel.' Bankotsu snapped out of his shock, and cleared his mind of thoughts of his beloved. He glared at the demon before him and swung Banryu.

Ryori jumped back and shape shifted, his hands becoming like swords. He dodged the blow and slashed, stabbing at Bankotsu.

Bankotsu smirked and blocked with Banryu.

Kagome looked back at her lover, sensing his hesitance as she fired another arrow into the hoards of demons. 'Don't give up Bankotsu!'

Emboldened by her faith in him, Bankotsu stared into the red, emotionless eyes as he pushed his blade against his brother's. He growled with deep seated hatred for the beast that had corrupted his kin, but he could not kill Ryori. 'Some part of my brother is still in there… he has to be.'

Sango and the others arrived, jumping into the fray and fighting the demons, slowly working their way closer to Naraku.

Once the demon hoards had been defeated, with guts and atrophying limbs lying all across the ground to attest to the battle that had been waged, the attention of the group shifted toward the vile bastard that was chuckling heinously from behind his barrier.

Kikyo shot an arrow taking down Naraku's barrier. Kikyo, Kagome, and Sesshomaru began attacking Naraku.

Noticing the distance between Kagome and Bankotsu grow exponentially, with a rare look of surprise on his face, Naraku scowled. "What? How is this possible? You two should be screaming in agony by now since you're out of range."

Kikyo stated, "It seems your curse has been broken, Naraku."

Kagome's eyes widened. 'He's right… we are out of range…. Bankotsu you must finish that monster off! I'll take care of Naraku.'

Bankotsu smirked. 'Be careful Kags, but I'll leave him to you for now.' His Banryu struck Ryori's blades again. "You will pay for all that you have done, including slaying my village."

Ryori chuckled evilly. "Bring it out warrior. I have your brother and soon I will have you as well."

Bankotsu's eyes narrowed and flashed with anger. "Not in this life time, vile beast!" His Banryu clanged against the beast's sword again.

Now a bit nervous as his plan continued to fall apart around him, Naraku began sending his tentacles out towards the two priestesses.

Kikyo and Kagome began shooting arrows into the tentacles as fast as they could.

Kikyo frowned. 'Something's not right… with all this firepower Naraku should have died by now," She continued to fire into the mass of tentacles undulating from his body like those of a hydra.

When one disintegrated, two or more took its place lashing and whipping at the trio.

Sesshomaru's eyes searched Naraku's body. 'That's odd… he has no heartbeat.' Sesshomaru stared coldly at Naraku's vile face. "So you think removing your heart will save you?"

Naraku laughed evilly, "Fools! I Cannot die!" Triumph shone in his crimson eyes, as he tried to hide the nervousness that suddenly flared in the back of his mind. 'How did he figure me out so quickly?'

Kikyo coolly focused all her powers into searching outward. A few minutes later she smiled. "You're about to find out how wrong you are Naraku." Turning to the Icy demon lord, she said, "Follow me; I believe I know where to find what we seek."

Sesshomaru nodded and they left.

Sango and the others moved into position around Kagome, assisting her in destroying Naraku's tentacles, which were furiously trying to stop the demon lord and priestess from leaving.

Bankotsu sassed, "Stupid beast, you'll regret taking my brother as well as destroying my parents!" He brought Banryu down hard enough the beast's arms shook.

Hearing this Jakotsu gasped turning to face Bankotsu and the man beast he fought. 'So that's Ryori huh? Please be careful big brother.'

'He'll never attack his own brother, which gives me the advantage!' The beast confidently attacked Bankotsu, striking his bladed hands, slashing rapidly towards the young mercenary leader.

Hesitant of harming his brother Bankotsu slammed down Banryu against the blades. "Ryori I know you are still inside this thing somewhere! Come back!"

The beast snarled and clashed blades against the mercenary again.

Bankotsu blocked the attack, gritting through clenched teeth, "Damn it Ryori, wake your ass up and answer me!"

Kagome snapped her bow and ducked to the ground in time to miss being struck by a flying demon, which was quickly dissected by Kouga who had jumped over her.

Kagome got back on her feet and scowled. She looked back and her eyes widened. "Kouga? What brings you here?"

Kouga grinned. "No way in hell was I missing this. Besides someone has to watch your back."

She shook her head to get it back on the battle at hand. "Thanks," she notched another arrow and fired it.

"Your aim is sorely lacking," Naraku taunted, with a sneer across his face.

Kagome's jaw clenched as she aimed directly for his shoulder and released her sacred arrow, smirking in satisfaction as her arrow buried itself deep inside his flesh.

He screamed as the powers began melting that part of him.

"How's that for lacking?" she retorted triumphantly.

Naraku scowled, "Insolent bitch. You will pay for that," he hissed, sending a tentacle towards her.

Kouga growled, "Over my dead body!" He immediately jumped into the fray "Gorashi!" he yelled, slicing through the tentacles with his new weapon that released an attack similar to Inuyasha's windscar.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Kikyo and Sesshomaru emerged into a clearing and came face to face with the wind sorceress Kagura.

Spotting the barrier Kikyo notched an arrow and released it, effectively bringing it down.

"Sesshomaru over there. That baby is Naraku's heart," she informed him, pointing at the baby.

Kagura held up her fan defensively."Stay your weapons; I have no wish to fight."

Kikyo commanded, "Give us the heart Kagura."

Crimson eyes went to the Tai Youkai and she spoke sadly. "I would, but Naraku has my heart and if I give you the baby… he will know of my betrayal and kill me."

Sesshomaru assured the demoness, "I can promise you, this Sesshomaru will have vanquished Naraku before tonight is over," staring into her ruby eyes.

Kagura smirked and nodded. 'I trust you.' She snapped her fan shut, commenting smugly, "Goodbye Naraku," she passed the heart over to Kikyo.

Kikyo pulled out a sacred arrow from her quiver. With emotionless eyes locked onto the innocent face of the child, she whispered, "This ends tonight," shoving the arrow it into the demonic heart. She shuddered as she heard the baby scream in agony. Watching in satisfaction as the purification powers obliterated the baby, Kikyo said, "It is done."

XOXOXOXOXOXO

Bankotsu called out angrily, "Ryori, come out!" he smashed Banryu against the beast's blades.

The beast felt Ryori's consciousness stirring and his hands transformed back to normal. Grabbing his head he snarled, "No!" fighting to suppress the stirring prisoner.

'Enough! Leave my body you wicked beast!' emboldened by his brother's insistence to come out, Ryori called on his suppressed powers and he was finally able to repulse the beast from his body.

An ominous black shape ejected from the body. It jumped up from the ground snarling with red eyes full of hatred and lunged towards Bankotsu, only to be stopped by a pink barrier.

Kagome quickly fired another arrow, piercing through the beast's shoulder, slamming him further against the barrier.

The beast jumped back with smoke billowing in the air and hissed as her purification powers coursed through its body.

Bankotsu vowed angrily, "Now you die!" bringing Banryu down into the beast's flesh rendering it into pieces.

Due to the purification powers of the arrow, the beast was unable to shape shift and was torn into pieces. The beast roared loudly as its body stretched and deflated taking on hundreds of forms. Hundreds of voices cried out in pain before vanishing.

The single drone voice of the demon remained, as it fell to the ground, stretching out its hand towards Bankotsu. With tear-filled red eyes and blood stained black hair. It collapsed to the ground and the roar ended.

Bankotsu knelt beside his brother. His shoulders sagged and his face smiled. "Ryori, I knew you were still inside it somewhere. Sorry it took so long."

Coughing up blood, Ryori tried to sit up. "Father would have been proud of the warrior you have become," he began coughing and spitting up more blood.

Bankotsu moved to cradle his brother in his arms. His eyes watered and he pleaded, "Ryori! You can't die on me, not now…" he stared down, trying to hold back his tears.

Ryori smiled weakly and held his brother's hand. "You freed me, Bankotsu. Thank you..." Ryori smiled weakly at his brother and exhaled his last breath. "Be happy, little brother."

Bankotsu bowed his head holding his brother. He tried to choke back his emotions as he laid the deceased body of his beloved brother on the ground.

Turning to Naraku Bankotsu stood up grabbing his Banryu. "You die tonight Naraku!" All of his anger and the pain over losing his brother fueled his rage. He stomped over to Naraku.

Naraku felt his chest flicker as an emptiness swept through him and pain surged in his body. His eyes widened. 'How... how can this be?'

Kagome noticed a strange flicker in Naraku's aura. 'Now is the time,' taking a deep breath she focused all her powers inwardly.

Feeling her start to focus her powers, Bankotsu, quickly threw up a blue barrier around the miko, so she could focus fully on her task.

Feeling her powers channeled, Kagome held up her hands. "Sacred jewel shards, I call upon you. Come to me now!"

Naraku felt the jewel shards deep within his body begin to stir. His eyes bulged. 'Impossible,' He frantically clutched his hand over them and narrowed his eyes at the woman he'd underestimated. "No, I will not let you have them!"

Bankotsu stood beside Kagome and placed a hand on her shoulder adding his strength to hers.

She took a deep breath. "Come to me now!" The completed two-thirds of the jewel shined a brilliant pink scalding Naraku's flesh with its purifying power as it freed itself from his grasp flying towards the miko.

Bankotsu smirked. "This is your end Naraku," He raised Banryu preparing to strike. Remembering all that he'd lost again at the hands of the vile bastard, his chest heaved with the rage that it had caused. Bankotsu raised Banryu and brought it down. "Dragon Hammer," His blast and Kagome's sacred arrow combined to finish off Naraku.

Naraku screamed in agony, "No...!" his body began tearing apart from the blast and flashed white with fury as he was purified into obliteration.

Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, Shippo, Kirara, Tara, Jakotsu, and Kouga's eyes all bulged at the amount of power the young lovers had released toward the demon.

They watched slack jawed as Naraku writhed and screamed in agony until every last shred of him disappeared.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

Okay that's the improved chapter twenty three. Please enjoy and review.