InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Afraid to Love ❯ Pieces ( Chapter 23 )

Inuyasha is the property of Rumiko Takahashi.

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23: Pieces

Fire… Everything was smoldering, the flames crackling noisily. Lifeless bodies lay strewn everywhere. Her heartbeat quickened rapidly. She stood too close to death. She carried no bow and arrow with her. Nothing… She felt vulnerable, powerless. Kaede cried, kicking her tiny feet at the woman who held them. The woman… Who was she? Where were they and what were were they running from?

Kikyo sat up, her head hammering. Where had that come from? Mikos obtained the power to block false nightmares, so how had the dream come to be? She'd received dreams like this one before, but those had truly occurred, so her powers couldn't thwart them. In this one, though, Inuyasha was absent…and Kaede had only been an infant. The woman's face had been burned into her mind. She was so familiar, but Kikyo couldn't remember where she recognized her from. Her life was similar to a puzzle. You never knew that a piece was missing until the end was near. A significant piece of her life was missing…but what was it?

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"You've changed a lot in the short while that I've been here," Kagome began, "and for the best, too. If Rin comes, that's not actually her. The Rin that I knew would on no account injure you." The sound of a quill scratching on parchment paused. "How can you be so certain that Naraku has the Shikon no Tama?" Sesshomaru asked. "Naraku wouldn't go through all of that difficulty if he was gaining nothing. He always has the whole thing planned out. That's just how he is. I've encountered him before, so I would know."

Deep within, though, Sesshomaru still couldn't bring himself to kill Rin, whether it was her or not. In the matter of time that she had lived at the castle, she had brought joy into the lives of everyone. Killing her while fully conscious was just something that he could not bring himself to do, no matter the circumstances.

"I can't just sit here and watch Naraku destroy everyone like this," Kagome whispered, sadness filling her voice. "If Naraku died and the Shikon no Tama was in your hands, what would you do?" Sesshomaru asked curiously. Kagome leaned back against the chair. "I would wish for every innocent person that died during the time of Naraku to live once more, and then I would go back home if you allow me." Sesshomaru felt a tinge of disappointment.

"What about your goal? What about Midoriko?" "I don't know… It all seems so impossible…" Sesshomaru looked away. "What if I told you that it wasn't?"

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Kanna's already emotionless eyes saddened drastically when Kagura and Rin left the room, leaving her alone. Her emotions never were displayed freely before others, but in private she allowed herself to express. Her eyes sparkled with tears as she traced the outline of the mirror, wishing that she could just shatter the mirror so that she could be free and not have to abide to Naraku's every whim. Death was easier.

She couldn't, though. Although Kagura never showed it, she could tell that Kagura needed her. She had to be strong in front of her sister, but all she truly ever wanted to do was break down and cry. All of the guilt inside of her felt ready to burst. She had done so many horrible things, but her latest deed felt like the worst.

She stole the soul of Lord Sesshomaru and forced him to harm the woman he loved…and kill the child he cared for. Even though it was all Naraku's fault, she was the one that had to do it. She was the one that had to see the horrified looks on the faces of the innocent victims. Kagura, though, had to kill. Kagura had to act as if she was satisfied with slaughtering the wolf demons, the humans, and whoever Naraku thought didn't deserve to live.

No matter how powerful Naraku made them, they could never kill him. Everything rested on Lady Kagome's shoulders now. In her mirror, she had seen everything, from Inuyasha and Kikyo's evil to the death of the loyal humans. She lived waiting for the day that she would be free, free to smile, free to laugh, and free to do as she pleased without following orders. "Kanna!" Naraku called.

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Kagura led Rin to the top of the hill, her eyes downcast. "Please, Rin, try to remember the truth. Please, do it for me," Kagura begged, falling to her knees. "Sesshomaru destroyed my village and killed my family. I must avenge my people," she stated in a monotone voice. `She had emotions before, but now she seems to only feel hate…' Kagura thought.

"No, there's more. Naraku was lying, Rin. Please, believe me. He put those memories into your mind to turn you against Sesshomaru. Don't you remember? Sesshomaru saved you from the wolves and took you in. He treated you as if you were his own daughter. Please," she pleaded. "Don't lie to me." "Lady Kagome! Do you remember Lady Kagome?" "Kagome…" Rin whispered. Naraku had made a flaw! The memory of Kagome still remained.

"Lady Kagome is honest right?" Rin nodded. "If she told you, would you believe her?" "Depends…" "Before you do anything, ask her. Ask her what really happened. She should know," Kagura urged. Rin reluctantly agreed, helping Kagura off of the ground.

Kagura felt a sharp pain where her heart should've been and she fell back down to the ground, clutching her chest. "N-Naraku…" she gasped. A chuckle rang through the air. "Kagura, if you disobey me one more time I will make sure that you regret it," Naraku said.

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"Father…" Miroku whispered in shock. The man turned around slowly and gave him an unbelieving look. "You cannot be…Miroku?" Miroku smiled as he wiped the tears from his eyes. "Father, I have failed you. Our line no longer exists."

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