InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Beautiful Souls ❯ To Battle ( Chapter 10 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: BrethlessM 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure / Hentai / Romance | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 08.21.2005 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.6K | Visits: 781 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure / Hentai / Romance | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 08.21.2005 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.6K | Visits: 781 | Status: Completed
Everyone stood frozen for a moment. The sky above the looming mountain to the North had grown heavy, and dark. The air around them thrummed with an oppressive energy, making it difficult to breathe. With the suddenness of a tsunami, each person sprang into motion.
Sango, with one last look at her brother, called for Kirara to change into her larger form. The two warriors took to the air, searching for the source of the change in the atmosphere.
Miroku ran to his position beside the mountain, watching Sango circle the valley. Saying a brief prayer for his soul, should he fail to survive, Miroku crouched, ready to move at the first sign of their foe.
Kouga was at the other end of the valley within an instant. Cracking his knuckles, he grinned in anticipation.
Kagome gasped, as a sudden wave rushed through her body. Opening her eyes, she searched the trees to her right. “Kikyou,” she murmured. Turning, she met Inuyasha’s eyes. He stared at her, looking as though he wanted to say something. Kagome ran to him, hugging him tightly. Standing on tiptoe, she kissed him fiercely and whispered, “I love you,” before running as fast as she could towards where the dead Miko waited for her.
Inuyasha watched her go, fearful for her. ‘Stay alive, Kagome,’ he pled, turning to face the boy who’s arrival had been interrupted only moments before. Sprinting to Kohaku’s side, he picked him up with one arm, carrying him back to position in seconds.
“ Are you ready to kill this bastard, kid?” Inuyasha asked as he dropped the taijiya into place between himself and Miroku.
With a grin, Kohaku nodded and pulled his Kusarikama(1) from where it was attached to his armor.
Grinning back, Inuyasha moved a few steps forward and to the right. Drawing Tetsusaiga, he took his stance. ‘Any minute now...’
Shippou stood in place as everyone around him ran to prepare themselves. Taking a deep breath to shove back his fear, the kitsune climbed onto the rock where Sango had sat all day. Off to his left, Inuyasha glanced over at him, nodding his approval. With one last look ahead to the right side of the valley where Kagome had disappeared into the trees, Shippou turned left again, staring at the mountain that fenced in their valley.
A sudden crash shook the earth as rock exploded from the bottom of the mountain. Stepping forward, Miroku removed the beads and glove that covered his wind tunnel.
“Kazaana!” Sucking up the stone and debris before anyone was hurt, Miroku coughed through the dust, straining to see. As the sediment cleared, a figure stepped forward from the now gaping tunnel through the bottom of the mountain.
Naraku grinned, moving directly into the center of the valley. The silent figure of Kanna stood just behind him, holding her mirror. Naraku’s eyes shone with triumph, as he faced Inuyasha, smiling.
“Inuyasha.... This Naraku, should thank you for your efforts. Now I can destroy you and your friends... and gather the remaining Jewel shards as well.”
“Just try it, bastard!” Inuyasha gripped his sword above his head. Hoping to catch his opponent off guard, he brought it back down, crying loudly, “Kongousouha!”
Diamond shards blasted out from Tetsusaiga, but failed to hit their mark as a red barrier surrounded the villain.
Naraku laughed. “Fool,” he challenged, “have you not yet learned that This Naraku, cannot be taken so easily?”
Inuyasha didn’t answer. Concentrating on the fang, a red glow surfaced in the blade.
“You’ve tried that before as well,” Naraku grinned, “This Naraku, grows weary of your futile efforts.” The hanyou began to grow. His head and upper torso remained intact, but his lower body morphed into tentacles, each one as thick as tree branches. However, Naraku stopped his transformation, staring curiously at the glowing Tetsusaiga.
Inuyasha grinned fiercely as scales began appearing on his blade. The hanyou had recently defeated a powerful youkai sword whose power had been enhanced by a scale from a dragon man. In cutting down the sword, Tetsusaiga had sucked in the energy, giving it the power to counteract those who could absorb the energy from other youkai to gain strength, such as Naraku and Mouryoumaru. In addition, Inuyasha had won a fighting chance at cutting them down. “ Since you’re so bored with the old stuff, why don’t I show you something new!”
Swinging the newly empowered blade, Inuyasha effortlessly cut through Naraku’s barrier, “Kekkaigiri!”(2)
Naraku’s eyes widened in shock as the red shell surrounding him melted away and the energy from it was absorbed into the Tetsusaiga. A sudden whoosh of air behind him, made Naraku turn.
In the moment the barrier had disappeared, Sango had loosed Hiraikotsu from high above, sending the boomerang sailing at Kanna. The girl shattered into pieces without a sound, returning to the lumps of grey flesh from which Naraku had first molded her body.
With an angry cry, Naraku raised one of his tentacles, capturing Sango’s right arm, just as she caught her weapon. The woman taijiya cried out in pain as the bone cracked.
A Kusarikama flew into the air, severing the tentacle holding Sango, before returning to Kohaku. She fell quickly towards the earth.
As Miroku rushed to her side, a large pink balloon grew beneath her, cushioning the impact. Thanking Shippou for his quick thinking, the monk used his staff to purify the remaining pieces of Naraku still wrapped around her arm, quietly asking, “Are you alright?”
Sango nodded. With her left arm, she removed the katana from it’s sheath on her back, ready to continue fighting as best she could with her good arm broken.
Kirara flew forward, attacking the mass of writhing limbs with her teeth. Biting into one, the nekomata was flung backwards, hitting a tree to the left of Kouga before falling to the ground, unconscious.
The night was suddenly filled as a hoard of demons flew through the sky above. All posed, ready to attack if signaled by Naraku. Miroku once again unwrapped his hand to suck them in, when a cry from Sango stopped him. Looking closer, Miroku could see the Saimyoushou mixed in with the other youkai. “Damn!” Miroku swore. The poisonous insects would prevent him from using the Air Rip. As the hoard suddenly descended on him, the monk readied his staff, smiling grimly as Kohaku joined him, ready for action.
From behind Naraku, Kouga flexed his fingers before thrusting his arm downward with a loud battle cry. Several powerful arcs of lightening sprung forth from the power of the new weapon embedded in his hand, Goraishi(3). The lightening flew at Naraku, charring and destroying a large hunk of his back section. With a triumphant exaltation, the Wolf Prince leapt backwards, out of the way of any retaliating attack.
Suddenly, Kouga found himself raised into the air by his right leg. Twisting around, he was shocked to see Mouryoumaru holding him, an evil grin on his face.
“You’re Jewel shards are mine, wolf!” Mouryoumaru wrapped one hand around Kouga’s calf and the other just above his knee, attempting to break the lower portion off of the wolf’s body.
A sudden shock of energy tore through Kouga’s body, making Mouryoumaru drop him just as the leg-bone snapped in two. Wondering what had happened, he suddenly remembered the dispensation of the Wolf Elders, given to him when he’d gained possession of Goraishi,
“the power controlling the Shikon fragments in your legs is limited against protecting you from the will that should not be in this world, and will work, only once!”(4)
‘So that was my one protection,’ Kouga thought, grimacing at the pain in his leg, ‘better make it count!’ Thrusting himself into the air using his arms, the Wolf Youkai delivered a powerful swinging kick to Mouryoumaru’s chest with his intact leg, sending the creature flying into the valley.
Kouga braced himself for landing, when a series of tentacles from Naraku wound themselves around him, midair, preparing to absorb him, and the Jewel shards in his legs.
******************
Kagome stood, just within the shelter of the forest with Kikyou, watching as the battle steadily grew. Inuyasha was heavily engaged in combat with Naraku, and had taken a few hits that were bleeding slightly.
Miroku, Kohaku and even Shippou were holding their own against the swarm of youkai that had appeared from nowhere minutes before, and Sango was valiantly slashing at anything within range, using her left hand to hold her katana, pressing the right one close to her body.
As Naraku’s flesh engulfed Kouga, Kagome cried out in anger and fear. Stepping forward, bow at the ready, she was surprised when Kikyou stopped her.
“The Shikon no Tama must be completed,” the Miko said, impassively.
“I am NOT letting someone die! Not if I can prevent it!” Kagome felt her anger overcome her fear as she jerked away from the dead priestess.
“Even if it means your own life?” Kikyou eyed her carefully.
Kagome turned from Kikyou, searching for where Kouga had been overcome, “If it means that my friends live and that Naraku doesn’t succeed? Damn right I would!” Kagome didn’t notice the look of sad triumph on Kikyou’s face as she raced to help her friends.
Searching the squirming leviathan before her, Kagome finally found a section that appeared large enough to contain the Wolf Prince. Aiming for the throbbing tentacle attached to the mass, she pointed her arrow carefully so as not to purify Kouga as well. The Hamaya flew forward, striking the intended spot and severing it with a bright flash of pink light.
Running forward, Kagome used the tip of another arrow to loosen the wall of flesh that contained Kouga. As the thick substance was purified, she was able to easily pull it away from him in chunks.
Kouga gasped, taking in air as his mouth was suddenly free. Staring at Kagome as she continued working, he renewed his vow to not give up on taking her for his mate. She was a woman worthy of sharing the rule of his domain.
Turning from Kouga, Kagome looked for Inuyasha. The hanyou was mid leap, preparing to cut through Mouryoumaru, who had engaged him as he blocked the detachment’s path to Kohaku. His swing was interrupted as a serrated, insect-like limb shot out from Naraku and wrapped around his neck, choking him.
Without hesitation, Kagome raised her bow and fired again, freeing Inuyasha in time to force Mouryoumaru backwards and away from the younger taijiya. Firing another arrow at the tentacles heading for Sango, Kagome gasped in surprise as a hand rested on her shoulder. Turning, she stared in confusion at Kikyou, who was smiling at her.
“You chose well. It is time.” Taking Kagome’s hands in hers, a white light began to engulf the two incarnations, lifting them into the air.
Everything stopped as if frozen in time, and all eyes turned to witness the event.
Kagome stared down, suddenly hanging high above the earth. Not understanding, she met Kikyou’s eyes, questioningly.
The miko appeared to be sad, “Thank-you,” she whispered, before the white light that surrounded them exploded, making Kagome shield her eyes and turn away from it’s brilliance.
Kagome faintly imagined she could hear Inuyasha calling to her from somewhere far away. Other voices came to her as well, but she ignored them. In front of her, several orbs of light floated as dust and earth fell away from their brilliance. ‘Souls...’ her mind whispered, as all but one of them floated away from her with soft cries of freedom.
The final orb pressed itself gently against Kagome’s chest, passing through her to rejoin the rest of her soul. Kagome gasped as an electric rush consumed her body, gently carrying her back down to the earth. Landing on her feet, she realized she was breathing with exertion as the white light surrounding her slowly began to turn pink.
Another pulse rocked her and suddenly, she could see clearly through the haze surrounding her body. Everyone stared at her, friends and enemies alike, not sure what to do. Pink glows began rising in some of them, who cried out in pain.
Kohaku fell to the ground as the shard in his back shot into the air, too close to Naraku.
Naraku’s nearly completed fragment emerged from his torso, leaving a hideous wound in his chest.
Kouga yelled in shock as the two shards in his legs tore from him, joining with the others.
Mouryoumaru made an attempt to stop his shards as they too came forth, completing the Jewel in mid air.
The Shikon no Tama hung before them all, almost completely black, tainted with evil.
Suddenly in motion again, Naraku shot an enormous tentacle out to grab the glowing orb. “Mine!” He screamed.
With a flash of green light, a thin whip sliced neatly through the limb, severing it. Sesshoumaru appeared from behind Naraku, his one arm raised to control the attack. He had appeared as if from no where, having come through the trees at his enemy’s back.
Naraku’s flesh sizzled where the poisonous whip had cut through him. He reached again, just as Mouryoumaru sprung forward, eager to reach the Shikon no Tama before his sire.
A moment of sudden silence fell over the valley, when without warning, a gust of wind rose in the calm air, and a faint voice could be heard on the breeze, “Fujin no Mai!”(5) From out of the gust came dancing blades of wind, flying forward as if enraged, to once again cutting through Naraku’s tentacle.
Mouryoumaru cried out as he approached the Shikon no Tama, when a second blast of wind sent the Jewel straight into Kagome’s uplifted hands.
Sesshoumaru lifted his head, listening. As the breeze died and faded away, he heard a familiar voice cry out, “Now, I am free....” (6) before disappearing altogether.
“Kagura,” he mused, with a faint smile curling his lips.
Naraku sprang towards Kagome, who stood with the Jewel still clasped in her hands. Another whip of poison wrapped tightly around him, preventing his movement with a sizzle as the acid from Sesshoumaru’s attack ate away at his body.
Before Mouryoumaru could react, he was blinded by the pink light surrounding Kagome, which suddenly grew, both in size and in excellence.
Kagome’s head shot up, staring over her head at the hands she held tightly around the Shikon no Tama. An energy entered her body, making her cry aloud with the force of it. Someone was near her. From the corner of her eye, Kagome could make out the figure of a woman dressed in ancient armor. ‘Midoriko!’
With a smile, the figure faded into her.
“Kagome!” Inuyasha could just see her through the light. She had a pained expression on her face and her mouth was open in a scream. Before he could move, the pink aura receded, making Kagome fell limply to the ground.
The Shikon no Tama was gone from her hands.
“Where is it!” Mouryoumaru stared at the girl in fury. “Where is the Jewel!”
A much smaller aura of pink light rose to frame Kagome as slowly, she sat up.
Understanding hit Mouryoumaru, “You are the Shikon no Tama!” With a quickness none of them could match, he sprang forward, instantly absorbing Kagome into himself with a triumphant laugh.
“NO!” Inuyasha threw himself at the creature, swinging Tetsusaiga. The blade sunk into Mouryoumaru.
Mouryoumaru laughed, “Go ahead, Inuyasha! I will absorb you as well! I can already feel the Jewel’s power of the spreading through me!”
His laugh was cut off as the look in his eyes changed to one of horror. He began to shudder uncontrollably, and he turned his eyes to the still captive Naraku, as though pleading for help. Mouryoumaru opened his mouth to cry out when an powerful explosion rendered his body into heaping piles of grey flesh.
Inuyasha was hurled backwards by the force of the blast. Connecting solidly with the hard earth, he still didn’t hesitate to force himself back to his feet. With fearful desperation, he forced himself to search the ground for any sign that Kagome could have survived. Looking up, he saw her, standing with her back to him and once again exuding a large aura of light. Her hands were in front of her and as she turned, he saw that she held a small baby in her arms.
Naraku cried out in alarm, still unable to move as his flesh fell away from him in sections.
Inuyasha stared in wonder at the look on Kagome’s face. She appeared older. The age in her eyes made the eighteen year-old girl look ancient. The baby began to cry, fury twisting its features as she held him before her, extending her arms away from her body.
With a bright flash, the baby’s body melted away in her hands as another burst of energy issued from Kagome. Spots danced before the eyes of the on-lookers, but that did not prevent anyone from seeing that the only part that remained was Naraku’s still beating human heart.
Closing her eyes, Kagome began murmuring to herself, as waves of energy flowed from her body into her palms. She opened her eyes, staring at the pulsing organ.
Inuyasha’s mouth fell open. Kagome’s eyes shone red now; as red as his own did when he became full-youkai. In another moment, the heart jumped in her hands and a diaphanous black mist began oozing from it as the beating slowed, then stopped.
Kagome dropped the heart as the black mist formed into a floating orb.
“His soul!” Inuyasha suddenly sprang into action, knowing what must be done. Facing Naraku, who was staring at the scene with a look of furious hatred on his face, Inuyasha lifted Tetsusaiga, shouting a warning to his half-brother to get out of the way.
Inuyasha slammed Tetsusaiga into the ground as Sesshoumaru withdrew, “Kongousouha!” The diamond shards ripped into the evil hanyou, sending pieces of him flying everywhere.
Kagome raised her hands to the black soul as Naraku’s flesh strove to reanimate itself. “Be gone!” she commanded, sending Naraku’s soul flying as it too exploded in a bright flash of light.
Miroku stepped forward, uncovering the Air Rip, “Kazaana!” The valley roared under the force as the remains of Naraku, Mouryoumaru and all the remaining demons were sucked into the void in his hand.
When the last piece of flesh disappeared, the Air Rip suddenly stopped. Unable to believe, Miroku slowly turned his hand palm upward, facing him. Staring in wonder, the monk fell to his knees, tears forming in his eyes. His family’s curse was gone. Naraku was finally dead.
Inuyasha stepped forward, calling to Kagome, and was surprised when she continued past him. Her eyes still burned red as she approached Sango, who was huddled over the motionless body of Kohaku.
Sango looked up as Kagome knelt before them. “Kagome,” she sobbed, tears streaming down her face. He was gone. Her brother was gone. She had failed to save him after all.
Kagome didn’t acknowledge Sango. Placing her hands on the boy, she closed her eyes.
Sango sat up, surprised as the pink aura that still surrounded Kagome now engulfed her brother as well. Kagome gasped, eyes opening widely. With one last pulse of energy, the glow faded from Kohaku, and Kagome suddenly collapsed, unconscious.
“Kagome!” Sango reached for her friend when a sudden moan caught her attention. Looking down, her brother twitched, before rolling over and opening his eyes. “Ko...haku?” Sango whispered.
The boy’s eyes fluttered, “Did we win?”
Laughing and crying at the same time, Sango swept Kohaku into a one-armed hug, unable to speak.
Pulling out of her embrace, the boy smiled shyly. Wiping the tears from her cheeks, he whispered, “Don’t cry, Ane-ue.”
Sango continued to sob. Looking around wildly, she spotted Miroku as he approached her, hand uncovered. Sango began sobbing even harder, as laughter overwhelmed her. Miroku pulled her from the ground, into his arms, giving a reassuring nod to the bemused boy sitting at their feet. She would be alright now.
Sesshoumaru eyed his brother as the hanyou approached the motionless girl... Kagome. With a shake of his head at the enigma that was a mortal, he turned and went off in search of Rin and Jaken.
Inuyasha knelt slowly beside Kagome. Shippou warily approached from the other side, tears in his eyes.
“Will she.... Is she okay?” The kitsune asked worriedly.
Inuyasha swallowed, but couldn’t answer. Kagome was still breathing, but faintly. Her heart continued to beat, but slowly. She wasn’t dead, but he had the feeling she was dying. The aura around her pulsed, fading in and out in the same pattern as her heartbeat.
Lifting her into his arms, he turned to Miroku and the others, who were now watching solemnly. “Check Kouga, Kirara.” Before they could answer, Inuyasha ran as fast as he could towards the village. Towards Kaede.
******************
Kaede was waiting for them. She hadn’t seen any of the fighting, but she had known the moment her sister had departed from this plane of existence, and she had felt the dark aura of Naraku dissipate. One way or another, the battle was over. A look of relief came over her as Inuyasha appeared through the trees, but instantly vanished when she saw what lay in his arms.
Without a word, Kaede led him inside, motioning for him to place Kagome on the tatami mat(7). “What happened?” She asked quietly, checking the girl for signs of injury.
Inuyasha told her everything, realizing the old miko wasn’t surprised to hear about her sister. When he finished, he looked to Kaede expectantly, hope in his eyes.
Kaede nodded, “There’s no physical injury. It appears that she may have been poisoned when Mouryoumaru absorbed her into him. She may also be in shock. The energy of Kikyou and the Shikon no Tama would be far too much for her to control right now. I can give her some herbs to try and counteract the poison but it may not be enough.” Suddenly, she stared at Inuyasha.
“Inuyasha, what has happened to thee?”
Inuyasha blinked in surprise, not understanding. Looking down at himself, he realized that his hair was black. His claws had vanished as well and reaching up, he felt no ears on top of his head.
Kaede suddenly understood, “Ye must have been purified while carrying Kagome.”
Sango suddenly burst in, carrying Kirara. Blinking at Inuyasha, she handed the nekomata to him. “She was poisoned when she bit Naraku. Also...” she trailed off, stepping back so that Miroku could enter, supported by Kohaku. The monk collapsed to the floor, clutching his stomach.
He gulped in huge breaths of air as Kaede helped Kohaku pull him onto another tatami mat. “Saim~youshou...” Miroku gasped, “I must... have sucked some... in.”
Kaede nodded, giving instructions to Sango for treating Miroku and Kirara.
Sango went to work, gathering the supplies. “Kouga’s still out there. His leg is broken and he can’t walk.” Turning to Inuyasha she continued, “I couldn’t lift him alone and with Kohaku supporting Miroku and Kirara sick....”
A sudden cry of pain came from outside.
“I’m sorry!”
Shippou appeared in the doorway in him balloon form, carrying Kouga on his back. Squeezing through the small entrance, he untransformed, causing the wolf to drop the short distance to the ground.
“Ouch!”
“I’m sorry!” Shippou ran to hide behind Inuyasha as Sango helped Kouga onto a third mat.
Kaede worked swiftly, with the help of Inuyasha, Shippou, Kohaku and Sango. Soon, herbs had been administered to Kagome, Miroku and Kirara, and Kouga’s leg had been bound. Kohaku was looked over and was in surprisingly good shape. A small scar on his back was all that remained of his possession by Naraku. It was only after everyone else had been seen to that Kaede noticed Sango favoring her right arm as she worked.
“Child, ye should be resting as well! Let my bind thine arm.”
All was quiet as the last patient was looked too. Inuyasha sat beside Kagome holding her hand, despite the fact that she continued purifying him. Shippou sat at the girls feet, careful not to touch her. Miroku was breathing more easily, and even sitting up, watching Kagome with eyes full of concern. Sango went to sit next to him and her brother, a similar expression of worry on her face. Kouga sat across the room, not looking at Kagome, but his ears twitched in her direction, showing he was monitoring her all the while.
A sudden start from Shippou made everyone stare at him. The kitsune rose to his feet, meeting Inuyasha’s eyes. Kouga turned to look at Kagome so quickly that all the mortals in the room jumped in surprise. He seemed to want to speak, but wasn’t able to form the words.
Understanding lit Inuyasha’s eyes. Bending down, he placed an ear to Kagome’s chest, straining to hear. Seconds ticked by as the others realized what had happened. The youkai’s could no longer hear Kagome’s heart.
Shippou started shaking, “I... I can’t....”
Inuyasha shushed him, a look of profound relief spreading over his face. “She’s okay,” he breathed, “she’s still okay.” Frustration entered his eyes as he turned to look at Kaede, “She’s getting worse. The herbs aren’t working.”
Kaede hesitated, then nodded in agreement, “I’m afraid... I do not have the means of helping Kagome.”
Inuyasha stared at her while everyone else watched him. Suddenly, he jumped to his feet. Lifting Kagome into his arms, he headed for the door.
“Inuyasha! Where are ye taking her?” Kaede rose along with everyone, except Kouga, who watched from the floor.
“Home. I’m taking her home. They can help her there.” Inuyasha ran as fast as his human legs could carry him, ignoring the loud protestations from Kouga. Just as he prepared to jump through the well, voices behind him made the hanyou turn around. The rest of his traveling companions, plus Kohaku, were fast on his heels. “What is it?” He yelled as they drew nearer.
“We’re going too,” Sango huffed.
“What? What makes you think you’ll get through? You couldn’t before!”
“Inuyasha, Kagome saved all of us. We have to try it,” Miroku’s face was still pale, but the expression was determined. “ I believe that with the energy Kagome has right now, we’ll all be able to make it through if we hold on and focus our energy on the task.”
Inuyasha stared, too worried to argue, “Grab on... Gently! Shippou, you hold on to me, don’t touch Kagome.” Looking around as the others took hold of Kagome and Shippou clutched at his Nenju necklace, Inuyasha readied himself, “On the count of three... Ready? One, Two, Three!”
The group closed their eyes as one, concentrating as they fell into the Bone Gobbling Well.
************************************************************ ******************
Chapter Glossary:
1) Kusarikama - Chained sickle... Kohaku’s weapon.
2) Kekkaigiri - Barrier Destroyer. Tetsusaiga’s 3rd attack. Breaks through barriers. Also known as Red Tetsusaiga. Earned by severing the orb protecting a bat youkai tribe when helping little Shiori, a bat hanyou.
3) Goraishi - ‘Five Lightning Fingers’. Kouga’s new weapon in the manga - doesn’t make it to the anime. Kouga visits the grave-site of his ancestors and fights this wolf youkai spirit to get it. When he saves the lives of his two friends (called Ginta and Hakkaku in the anime) instead of taking the weapon, the tribe’s spirit gives it to him. It is a part of his hand, and goes inside his body, only activating when he uses it. It’s actually his claw! Very cool!
4) “the power controlling the Shikon fragments in your legs is limited against protecting you from the will that should not be in this world, and will work, only once!” - Direct quote from the manga, Vol. 39, Ch. 382. After winning the Goraishi, the wolf youkai spirits tell him they are granting him divine providence, but say that since something ‘not of this world’ is after his jewel shards, they can only protect him from it once.
5) “Fujin no Mai”- ‘Dance of Blades’. One of Kagura’s attack.
6) “Now, I am free....” - Okay, this isn’t a quote, but a paraphrase. I’ve met some people who don’t know, and though I mentioned it in the story before now, I still hate to be the one to break the news. In Vol. 38, Ch. 374, of the manga, Kagura is given back her heart, and then poisoned by Naraku. She had just helped our gang against Naraku, and I guess he’d finally had enough. Inuyasha had even promised her that when he destroyed Naraku, he’d get Kagura’s heart back for her. (Aaaww!) Anyway, as she’s dying, Sesshoumaru comes to her. She asks if he’s disappointed she’s not Naraku, and he says that he knew it was her! She’s so touched that he came that she tells him how happy she is to have seen him one last time. (He even tries to save her with Tenseiga, but he’s unable to.) Her last thought before dying is ‘At the end... I got to see you.’ (Oh gods, I’m gonna cry!!) Finally, her body turns into a gust of wind, and as it blows away, you can hear her voice saying “I am the wind.... As free as the wind.” It’s soooooo touching! Everyone knows she’s gone (Inuyasha and gang I mean.) This is a much longer explanation than I’d intended, but I’m such a fan girl sometimes, so I hope you forgive me and are enjoying it. I wanted Kagura to get one last good lick in, and thought it would be cool for her to return during the battle and win one for the good guys!
7) tatami mats - Woven grass mats that cover the floors of Japanese houses. Thicker ones are used for bedding.
A/N: Almost all of the characters in this story are brought to you by the genius of Rumiko Takahashi, and the letters S, A, and N. I do not own the characters, they own me.
Okay guys.... I worked extra hard on this chapter, so I hope it’s enjoyable! Note to self... battle scenes are really hard! You can’t be all angsty, people actually have to, like, do stuff! Man, it was rough, but it was the first scene I conceived when I decided to do the story, so I had to find a way to get what was in my head onto paper (or disc, whatever). I found that I also had to figure out creative ways to explain some of the newer weapons and attacks that didn’t detract from the story! Please, if there’s anything that’s too hard to understand, let me know and I’ll try and fix it!
Sango, with one last look at her brother, called for Kirara to change into her larger form. The two warriors took to the air, searching for the source of the change in the atmosphere.
Miroku ran to his position beside the mountain, watching Sango circle the valley. Saying a brief prayer for his soul, should he fail to survive, Miroku crouched, ready to move at the first sign of their foe.
Kouga was at the other end of the valley within an instant. Cracking his knuckles, he grinned in anticipation.
Kagome gasped, as a sudden wave rushed through her body. Opening her eyes, she searched the trees to her right. “Kikyou,” she murmured. Turning, she met Inuyasha’s eyes. He stared at her, looking as though he wanted to say something. Kagome ran to him, hugging him tightly. Standing on tiptoe, she kissed him fiercely and whispered, “I love you,” before running as fast as she could towards where the dead Miko waited for her.
Inuyasha watched her go, fearful for her. ‘Stay alive, Kagome,’ he pled, turning to face the boy who’s arrival had been interrupted only moments before. Sprinting to Kohaku’s side, he picked him up with one arm, carrying him back to position in seconds.
“ Are you ready to kill this bastard, kid?” Inuyasha asked as he dropped the taijiya into place between himself and Miroku.
With a grin, Kohaku nodded and pulled his Kusarikama(1) from where it was attached to his armor.
Grinning back, Inuyasha moved a few steps forward and to the right. Drawing Tetsusaiga, he took his stance. ‘Any minute now...’
Shippou stood in place as everyone around him ran to prepare themselves. Taking a deep breath to shove back his fear, the kitsune climbed onto the rock where Sango had sat all day. Off to his left, Inuyasha glanced over at him, nodding his approval. With one last look ahead to the right side of the valley where Kagome had disappeared into the trees, Shippou turned left again, staring at the mountain that fenced in their valley.
A sudden crash shook the earth as rock exploded from the bottom of the mountain. Stepping forward, Miroku removed the beads and glove that covered his wind tunnel.
“Kazaana!” Sucking up the stone and debris before anyone was hurt, Miroku coughed through the dust, straining to see. As the sediment cleared, a figure stepped forward from the now gaping tunnel through the bottom of the mountain.
Naraku grinned, moving directly into the center of the valley. The silent figure of Kanna stood just behind him, holding her mirror. Naraku’s eyes shone with triumph, as he faced Inuyasha, smiling.
“Inuyasha.... This Naraku, should thank you for your efforts. Now I can destroy you and your friends... and gather the remaining Jewel shards as well.”
“Just try it, bastard!” Inuyasha gripped his sword above his head. Hoping to catch his opponent off guard, he brought it back down, crying loudly, “Kongousouha!”
Diamond shards blasted out from Tetsusaiga, but failed to hit their mark as a red barrier surrounded the villain.
Naraku laughed. “Fool,” he challenged, “have you not yet learned that This Naraku, cannot be taken so easily?”
Inuyasha didn’t answer. Concentrating on the fang, a red glow surfaced in the blade.
“You’ve tried that before as well,” Naraku grinned, “This Naraku, grows weary of your futile efforts.” The hanyou began to grow. His head and upper torso remained intact, but his lower body morphed into tentacles, each one as thick as tree branches. However, Naraku stopped his transformation, staring curiously at the glowing Tetsusaiga.
Inuyasha grinned fiercely as scales began appearing on his blade. The hanyou had recently defeated a powerful youkai sword whose power had been enhanced by a scale from a dragon man. In cutting down the sword, Tetsusaiga had sucked in the energy, giving it the power to counteract those who could absorb the energy from other youkai to gain strength, such as Naraku and Mouryoumaru. In addition, Inuyasha had won a fighting chance at cutting them down. “ Since you’re so bored with the old stuff, why don’t I show you something new!”
Swinging the newly empowered blade, Inuyasha effortlessly cut through Naraku’s barrier, “Kekkaigiri!”(2)
Naraku’s eyes widened in shock as the red shell surrounding him melted away and the energy from it was absorbed into the Tetsusaiga. A sudden whoosh of air behind him, made Naraku turn.
In the moment the barrier had disappeared, Sango had loosed Hiraikotsu from high above, sending the boomerang sailing at Kanna. The girl shattered into pieces without a sound, returning to the lumps of grey flesh from which Naraku had first molded her body.
With an angry cry, Naraku raised one of his tentacles, capturing Sango’s right arm, just as she caught her weapon. The woman taijiya cried out in pain as the bone cracked.
A Kusarikama flew into the air, severing the tentacle holding Sango, before returning to Kohaku. She fell quickly towards the earth.
As Miroku rushed to her side, a large pink balloon grew beneath her, cushioning the impact. Thanking Shippou for his quick thinking, the monk used his staff to purify the remaining pieces of Naraku still wrapped around her arm, quietly asking, “Are you alright?”
Sango nodded. With her left arm, she removed the katana from it’s sheath on her back, ready to continue fighting as best she could with her good arm broken.
Kirara flew forward, attacking the mass of writhing limbs with her teeth. Biting into one, the nekomata was flung backwards, hitting a tree to the left of Kouga before falling to the ground, unconscious.
The night was suddenly filled as a hoard of demons flew through the sky above. All posed, ready to attack if signaled by Naraku. Miroku once again unwrapped his hand to suck them in, when a cry from Sango stopped him. Looking closer, Miroku could see the Saimyoushou mixed in with the other youkai. “Damn!” Miroku swore. The poisonous insects would prevent him from using the Air Rip. As the hoard suddenly descended on him, the monk readied his staff, smiling grimly as Kohaku joined him, ready for action.
From behind Naraku, Kouga flexed his fingers before thrusting his arm downward with a loud battle cry. Several powerful arcs of lightening sprung forth from the power of the new weapon embedded in his hand, Goraishi(3). The lightening flew at Naraku, charring and destroying a large hunk of his back section. With a triumphant exaltation, the Wolf Prince leapt backwards, out of the way of any retaliating attack.
Suddenly, Kouga found himself raised into the air by his right leg. Twisting around, he was shocked to see Mouryoumaru holding him, an evil grin on his face.
“You’re Jewel shards are mine, wolf!” Mouryoumaru wrapped one hand around Kouga’s calf and the other just above his knee, attempting to break the lower portion off of the wolf’s body.
A sudden shock of energy tore through Kouga’s body, making Mouryoumaru drop him just as the leg-bone snapped in two. Wondering what had happened, he suddenly remembered the dispensation of the Wolf Elders, given to him when he’d gained possession of Goraishi,
“the power controlling the Shikon fragments in your legs is limited against protecting you from the will that should not be in this world, and will work, only once!”(4)
‘So that was my one protection,’ Kouga thought, grimacing at the pain in his leg, ‘better make it count!’ Thrusting himself into the air using his arms, the Wolf Youkai delivered a powerful swinging kick to Mouryoumaru’s chest with his intact leg, sending the creature flying into the valley.
Kouga braced himself for landing, when a series of tentacles from Naraku wound themselves around him, midair, preparing to absorb him, and the Jewel shards in his legs.
******************
Kagome stood, just within the shelter of the forest with Kikyou, watching as the battle steadily grew. Inuyasha was heavily engaged in combat with Naraku, and had taken a few hits that were bleeding slightly.
Miroku, Kohaku and even Shippou were holding their own against the swarm of youkai that had appeared from nowhere minutes before, and Sango was valiantly slashing at anything within range, using her left hand to hold her katana, pressing the right one close to her body.
As Naraku’s flesh engulfed Kouga, Kagome cried out in anger and fear. Stepping forward, bow at the ready, she was surprised when Kikyou stopped her.
“The Shikon no Tama must be completed,” the Miko said, impassively.
“I am NOT letting someone die! Not if I can prevent it!” Kagome felt her anger overcome her fear as she jerked away from the dead priestess.
“Even if it means your own life?” Kikyou eyed her carefully.
Kagome turned from Kikyou, searching for where Kouga had been overcome, “If it means that my friends live and that Naraku doesn’t succeed? Damn right I would!” Kagome didn’t notice the look of sad triumph on Kikyou’s face as she raced to help her friends.
Searching the squirming leviathan before her, Kagome finally found a section that appeared large enough to contain the Wolf Prince. Aiming for the throbbing tentacle attached to the mass, she pointed her arrow carefully so as not to purify Kouga as well. The Hamaya flew forward, striking the intended spot and severing it with a bright flash of pink light.
Running forward, Kagome used the tip of another arrow to loosen the wall of flesh that contained Kouga. As the thick substance was purified, she was able to easily pull it away from him in chunks.
Kouga gasped, taking in air as his mouth was suddenly free. Staring at Kagome as she continued working, he renewed his vow to not give up on taking her for his mate. She was a woman worthy of sharing the rule of his domain.
Turning from Kouga, Kagome looked for Inuyasha. The hanyou was mid leap, preparing to cut through Mouryoumaru, who had engaged him as he blocked the detachment’s path to Kohaku. His swing was interrupted as a serrated, insect-like limb shot out from Naraku and wrapped around his neck, choking him.
Without hesitation, Kagome raised her bow and fired again, freeing Inuyasha in time to force Mouryoumaru backwards and away from the younger taijiya. Firing another arrow at the tentacles heading for Sango, Kagome gasped in surprise as a hand rested on her shoulder. Turning, she stared in confusion at Kikyou, who was smiling at her.
“You chose well. It is time.” Taking Kagome’s hands in hers, a white light began to engulf the two incarnations, lifting them into the air.
Everything stopped as if frozen in time, and all eyes turned to witness the event.
Kagome stared down, suddenly hanging high above the earth. Not understanding, she met Kikyou’s eyes, questioningly.
The miko appeared to be sad, “Thank-you,” she whispered, before the white light that surrounded them exploded, making Kagome shield her eyes and turn away from it’s brilliance.
Kagome faintly imagined she could hear Inuyasha calling to her from somewhere far away. Other voices came to her as well, but she ignored them. In front of her, several orbs of light floated as dust and earth fell away from their brilliance. ‘Souls...’ her mind whispered, as all but one of them floated away from her with soft cries of freedom.
The final orb pressed itself gently against Kagome’s chest, passing through her to rejoin the rest of her soul. Kagome gasped as an electric rush consumed her body, gently carrying her back down to the earth. Landing on her feet, she realized she was breathing with exertion as the white light surrounding her slowly began to turn pink.
Another pulse rocked her and suddenly, she could see clearly through the haze surrounding her body. Everyone stared at her, friends and enemies alike, not sure what to do. Pink glows began rising in some of them, who cried out in pain.
Kohaku fell to the ground as the shard in his back shot into the air, too close to Naraku.
Naraku’s nearly completed fragment emerged from his torso, leaving a hideous wound in his chest.
Kouga yelled in shock as the two shards in his legs tore from him, joining with the others.
Mouryoumaru made an attempt to stop his shards as they too came forth, completing the Jewel in mid air.
The Shikon no Tama hung before them all, almost completely black, tainted with evil.
Suddenly in motion again, Naraku shot an enormous tentacle out to grab the glowing orb. “Mine!” He screamed.
With a flash of green light, a thin whip sliced neatly through the limb, severing it. Sesshoumaru appeared from behind Naraku, his one arm raised to control the attack. He had appeared as if from no where, having come through the trees at his enemy’s back.
Naraku’s flesh sizzled where the poisonous whip had cut through him. He reached again, just as Mouryoumaru sprung forward, eager to reach the Shikon no Tama before his sire.
A moment of sudden silence fell over the valley, when without warning, a gust of wind rose in the calm air, and a faint voice could be heard on the breeze, “Fujin no Mai!”(5) From out of the gust came dancing blades of wind, flying forward as if enraged, to once again cutting through Naraku’s tentacle.
Mouryoumaru cried out as he approached the Shikon no Tama, when a second blast of wind sent the Jewel straight into Kagome’s uplifted hands.
Sesshoumaru lifted his head, listening. As the breeze died and faded away, he heard a familiar voice cry out, “Now, I am free....” (6) before disappearing altogether.
“Kagura,” he mused, with a faint smile curling his lips.
Naraku sprang towards Kagome, who stood with the Jewel still clasped in her hands. Another whip of poison wrapped tightly around him, preventing his movement with a sizzle as the acid from Sesshoumaru’s attack ate away at his body.
Before Mouryoumaru could react, he was blinded by the pink light surrounding Kagome, which suddenly grew, both in size and in excellence.
Kagome’s head shot up, staring over her head at the hands she held tightly around the Shikon no Tama. An energy entered her body, making her cry aloud with the force of it. Someone was near her. From the corner of her eye, Kagome could make out the figure of a woman dressed in ancient armor. ‘Midoriko!’
With a smile, the figure faded into her.
“Kagome!” Inuyasha could just see her through the light. She had a pained expression on her face and her mouth was open in a scream. Before he could move, the pink aura receded, making Kagome fell limply to the ground.
The Shikon no Tama was gone from her hands.
“Where is it!” Mouryoumaru stared at the girl in fury. “Where is the Jewel!”
A much smaller aura of pink light rose to frame Kagome as slowly, she sat up.
Understanding hit Mouryoumaru, “You are the Shikon no Tama!” With a quickness none of them could match, he sprang forward, instantly absorbing Kagome into himself with a triumphant laugh.
“NO!” Inuyasha threw himself at the creature, swinging Tetsusaiga. The blade sunk into Mouryoumaru.
Mouryoumaru laughed, “Go ahead, Inuyasha! I will absorb you as well! I can already feel the Jewel’s power of the spreading through me!”
His laugh was cut off as the look in his eyes changed to one of horror. He began to shudder uncontrollably, and he turned his eyes to the still captive Naraku, as though pleading for help. Mouryoumaru opened his mouth to cry out when an powerful explosion rendered his body into heaping piles of grey flesh.
Inuyasha was hurled backwards by the force of the blast. Connecting solidly with the hard earth, he still didn’t hesitate to force himself back to his feet. With fearful desperation, he forced himself to search the ground for any sign that Kagome could have survived. Looking up, he saw her, standing with her back to him and once again exuding a large aura of light. Her hands were in front of her and as she turned, he saw that she held a small baby in her arms.
Naraku cried out in alarm, still unable to move as his flesh fell away from him in sections.
Inuyasha stared in wonder at the look on Kagome’s face. She appeared older. The age in her eyes made the eighteen year-old girl look ancient. The baby began to cry, fury twisting its features as she held him before her, extending her arms away from her body.
With a bright flash, the baby’s body melted away in her hands as another burst of energy issued from Kagome. Spots danced before the eyes of the on-lookers, but that did not prevent anyone from seeing that the only part that remained was Naraku’s still beating human heart.
Closing her eyes, Kagome began murmuring to herself, as waves of energy flowed from her body into her palms. She opened her eyes, staring at the pulsing organ.
Inuyasha’s mouth fell open. Kagome’s eyes shone red now; as red as his own did when he became full-youkai. In another moment, the heart jumped in her hands and a diaphanous black mist began oozing from it as the beating slowed, then stopped.
Kagome dropped the heart as the black mist formed into a floating orb.
“His soul!” Inuyasha suddenly sprang into action, knowing what must be done. Facing Naraku, who was staring at the scene with a look of furious hatred on his face, Inuyasha lifted Tetsusaiga, shouting a warning to his half-brother to get out of the way.
Inuyasha slammed Tetsusaiga into the ground as Sesshoumaru withdrew, “Kongousouha!” The diamond shards ripped into the evil hanyou, sending pieces of him flying everywhere.
Kagome raised her hands to the black soul as Naraku’s flesh strove to reanimate itself. “Be gone!” she commanded, sending Naraku’s soul flying as it too exploded in a bright flash of light.
Miroku stepped forward, uncovering the Air Rip, “Kazaana!” The valley roared under the force as the remains of Naraku, Mouryoumaru and all the remaining demons were sucked into the void in his hand.
When the last piece of flesh disappeared, the Air Rip suddenly stopped. Unable to believe, Miroku slowly turned his hand palm upward, facing him. Staring in wonder, the monk fell to his knees, tears forming in his eyes. His family’s curse was gone. Naraku was finally dead.
Inuyasha stepped forward, calling to Kagome, and was surprised when she continued past him. Her eyes still burned red as she approached Sango, who was huddled over the motionless body of Kohaku.
Sango looked up as Kagome knelt before them. “Kagome,” she sobbed, tears streaming down her face. He was gone. Her brother was gone. She had failed to save him after all.
Kagome didn’t acknowledge Sango. Placing her hands on the boy, she closed her eyes.
Sango sat up, surprised as the pink aura that still surrounded Kagome now engulfed her brother as well. Kagome gasped, eyes opening widely. With one last pulse of energy, the glow faded from Kohaku, and Kagome suddenly collapsed, unconscious.
“Kagome!” Sango reached for her friend when a sudden moan caught her attention. Looking down, her brother twitched, before rolling over and opening his eyes. “Ko...haku?” Sango whispered.
The boy’s eyes fluttered, “Did we win?”
Laughing and crying at the same time, Sango swept Kohaku into a one-armed hug, unable to speak.
Pulling out of her embrace, the boy smiled shyly. Wiping the tears from her cheeks, he whispered, “Don’t cry, Ane-ue.”
Sango continued to sob. Looking around wildly, she spotted Miroku as he approached her, hand uncovered. Sango began sobbing even harder, as laughter overwhelmed her. Miroku pulled her from the ground, into his arms, giving a reassuring nod to the bemused boy sitting at their feet. She would be alright now.
Sesshoumaru eyed his brother as the hanyou approached the motionless girl... Kagome. With a shake of his head at the enigma that was a mortal, he turned and went off in search of Rin and Jaken.
Inuyasha knelt slowly beside Kagome. Shippou warily approached from the other side, tears in his eyes.
“Will she.... Is she okay?” The kitsune asked worriedly.
Inuyasha swallowed, but couldn’t answer. Kagome was still breathing, but faintly. Her heart continued to beat, but slowly. She wasn’t dead, but he had the feeling she was dying. The aura around her pulsed, fading in and out in the same pattern as her heartbeat.
Lifting her into his arms, he turned to Miroku and the others, who were now watching solemnly. “Check Kouga, Kirara.” Before they could answer, Inuyasha ran as fast as he could towards the village. Towards Kaede.
******************
Kaede was waiting for them. She hadn’t seen any of the fighting, but she had known the moment her sister had departed from this plane of existence, and she had felt the dark aura of Naraku dissipate. One way or another, the battle was over. A look of relief came over her as Inuyasha appeared through the trees, but instantly vanished when she saw what lay in his arms.
Without a word, Kaede led him inside, motioning for him to place Kagome on the tatami mat(7). “What happened?” She asked quietly, checking the girl for signs of injury.
Inuyasha told her everything, realizing the old miko wasn’t surprised to hear about her sister. When he finished, he looked to Kaede expectantly, hope in his eyes.
Kaede nodded, “There’s no physical injury. It appears that she may have been poisoned when Mouryoumaru absorbed her into him. She may also be in shock. The energy of Kikyou and the Shikon no Tama would be far too much for her to control right now. I can give her some herbs to try and counteract the poison but it may not be enough.” Suddenly, she stared at Inuyasha.
“Inuyasha, what has happened to thee?”
Inuyasha blinked in surprise, not understanding. Looking down at himself, he realized that his hair was black. His claws had vanished as well and reaching up, he felt no ears on top of his head.
Kaede suddenly understood, “Ye must have been purified while carrying Kagome.”
Sango suddenly burst in, carrying Kirara. Blinking at Inuyasha, she handed the nekomata to him. “She was poisoned when she bit Naraku. Also...” she trailed off, stepping back so that Miroku could enter, supported by Kohaku. The monk collapsed to the floor, clutching his stomach.
He gulped in huge breaths of air as Kaede helped Kohaku pull him onto another tatami mat. “Saim~youshou...” Miroku gasped, “I must... have sucked some... in.”
Kaede nodded, giving instructions to Sango for treating Miroku and Kirara.
Sango went to work, gathering the supplies. “Kouga’s still out there. His leg is broken and he can’t walk.” Turning to Inuyasha she continued, “I couldn’t lift him alone and with Kohaku supporting Miroku and Kirara sick....”
A sudden cry of pain came from outside.
“I’m sorry!”
Shippou appeared in the doorway in him balloon form, carrying Kouga on his back. Squeezing through the small entrance, he untransformed, causing the wolf to drop the short distance to the ground.
“Ouch!”
“I’m sorry!” Shippou ran to hide behind Inuyasha as Sango helped Kouga onto a third mat.
Kaede worked swiftly, with the help of Inuyasha, Shippou, Kohaku and Sango. Soon, herbs had been administered to Kagome, Miroku and Kirara, and Kouga’s leg had been bound. Kohaku was looked over and was in surprisingly good shape. A small scar on his back was all that remained of his possession by Naraku. It was only after everyone else had been seen to that Kaede noticed Sango favoring her right arm as she worked.
“Child, ye should be resting as well! Let my bind thine arm.”
All was quiet as the last patient was looked too. Inuyasha sat beside Kagome holding her hand, despite the fact that she continued purifying him. Shippou sat at the girls feet, careful not to touch her. Miroku was breathing more easily, and even sitting up, watching Kagome with eyes full of concern. Sango went to sit next to him and her brother, a similar expression of worry on her face. Kouga sat across the room, not looking at Kagome, but his ears twitched in her direction, showing he was monitoring her all the while.
A sudden start from Shippou made everyone stare at him. The kitsune rose to his feet, meeting Inuyasha’s eyes. Kouga turned to look at Kagome so quickly that all the mortals in the room jumped in surprise. He seemed to want to speak, but wasn’t able to form the words.
Understanding lit Inuyasha’s eyes. Bending down, he placed an ear to Kagome’s chest, straining to hear. Seconds ticked by as the others realized what had happened. The youkai’s could no longer hear Kagome’s heart.
Shippou started shaking, “I... I can’t....”
Inuyasha shushed him, a look of profound relief spreading over his face. “She’s okay,” he breathed, “she’s still okay.” Frustration entered his eyes as he turned to look at Kaede, “She’s getting worse. The herbs aren’t working.”
Kaede hesitated, then nodded in agreement, “I’m afraid... I do not have the means of helping Kagome.”
Inuyasha stared at her while everyone else watched him. Suddenly, he jumped to his feet. Lifting Kagome into his arms, he headed for the door.
“Inuyasha! Where are ye taking her?” Kaede rose along with everyone, except Kouga, who watched from the floor.
“Home. I’m taking her home. They can help her there.” Inuyasha ran as fast as his human legs could carry him, ignoring the loud protestations from Kouga. Just as he prepared to jump through the well, voices behind him made the hanyou turn around. The rest of his traveling companions, plus Kohaku, were fast on his heels. “What is it?” He yelled as they drew nearer.
“We’re going too,” Sango huffed.
“What? What makes you think you’ll get through? You couldn’t before!”
“Inuyasha, Kagome saved all of us. We have to try it,” Miroku’s face was still pale, but the expression was determined. “ I believe that with the energy Kagome has right now, we’ll all be able to make it through if we hold on and focus our energy on the task.”
Inuyasha stared, too worried to argue, “Grab on... Gently! Shippou, you hold on to me, don’t touch Kagome.” Looking around as the others took hold of Kagome and Shippou clutched at his Nenju necklace, Inuyasha readied himself, “On the count of three... Ready? One, Two, Three!”
The group closed their eyes as one, concentrating as they fell into the Bone Gobbling Well.
************************************************************ ******************
Chapter Glossary:
1) Kusarikama - Chained sickle... Kohaku’s weapon.
2) Kekkaigiri - Barrier Destroyer. Tetsusaiga’s 3rd attack. Breaks through barriers. Also known as Red Tetsusaiga. Earned by severing the orb protecting a bat youkai tribe when helping little Shiori, a bat hanyou.
3) Goraishi - ‘Five Lightning Fingers’. Kouga’s new weapon in the manga - doesn’t make it to the anime. Kouga visits the grave-site of his ancestors and fights this wolf youkai spirit to get it. When he saves the lives of his two friends (called Ginta and Hakkaku in the anime) instead of taking the weapon, the tribe’s spirit gives it to him. It is a part of his hand, and goes inside his body, only activating when he uses it. It’s actually his claw! Very cool!
4) “the power controlling the Shikon fragments in your legs is limited against protecting you from the will that should not be in this world, and will work, only once!” - Direct quote from the manga, Vol. 39, Ch. 382. After winning the Goraishi, the wolf youkai spirits tell him they are granting him divine providence, but say that since something ‘not of this world’ is after his jewel shards, they can only protect him from it once.
5) “Fujin no Mai”- ‘Dance of Blades’. One of Kagura’s attack.
6) “Now, I am free....” - Okay, this isn’t a quote, but a paraphrase. I’ve met some people who don’t know, and though I mentioned it in the story before now, I still hate to be the one to break the news. In Vol. 38, Ch. 374, of the manga, Kagura is given back her heart, and then poisoned by Naraku. She had just helped our gang against Naraku, and I guess he’d finally had enough. Inuyasha had even promised her that when he destroyed Naraku, he’d get Kagura’s heart back for her. (Aaaww!) Anyway, as she’s dying, Sesshoumaru comes to her. She asks if he’s disappointed she’s not Naraku, and he says that he knew it was her! She’s so touched that he came that she tells him how happy she is to have seen him one last time. (He even tries to save her with Tenseiga, but he’s unable to.) Her last thought before dying is ‘At the end... I got to see you.’ (Oh gods, I’m gonna cry!!) Finally, her body turns into a gust of wind, and as it blows away, you can hear her voice saying “I am the wind.... As free as the wind.” It’s soooooo touching! Everyone knows she’s gone (Inuyasha and gang I mean.) This is a much longer explanation than I’d intended, but I’m such a fan girl sometimes, so I hope you forgive me and are enjoying it. I wanted Kagura to get one last good lick in, and thought it would be cool for her to return during the battle and win one for the good guys!
7) tatami mats - Woven grass mats that cover the floors of Japanese houses. Thicker ones are used for bedding.
A/N: Almost all of the characters in this story are brought to you by the genius of Rumiko Takahashi, and the letters S, A, and N. I do not own the characters, they own me.
Okay guys.... I worked extra hard on this chapter, so I hope it’s enjoyable! Note to self... battle scenes are really hard! You can’t be all angsty, people actually have to, like, do stuff! Man, it was rough, but it was the first scene I conceived when I decided to do the story, so I had to find a way to get what was in my head onto paper (or disc, whatever). I found that I also had to figure out creative ways to explain some of the newer weapons and attacks that didn’t detract from the story! Please, if there’s anything that’s too hard to understand, let me know and I’ll try and fix it!