InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Changling ❯ Chapter 1 ( Chapter 1 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Sziraface 
I'm no good at summaries so the chapter summary field will contain this message instead of a summary.
Read away! :D
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Hentai / Drama | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 07.24.2012 | Pages: 2 | Words: 5.4K | Visits: 677 | Status: Work In Progress
I'm no good at summaries so the chapter summary field will contain this message instead of a summary.
Read away! :D
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Hentai / Drama | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 07.24.2012 | Pages: 2 | Words: 5.4K | Visits: 677 | Status: Work In Progress
So, at first this was going to be a rehash of my story Don’t Walk Away from Me but I didn’t like the beginning so I couldn’t commit to it. This ended up taking the other fork in the road and I like it more. I suppose I’m trying to make something unique… it is probably not but let us see what everyone thinks! I’m all for criticisms so don’t hold back but don’t be rude about it either. Post it constructively or not at all. I do enjoy positive feedback, it makes me smile. I won’t lie to you and say it will motivate me to write though and I will warn you now that update will likely be very sporadic. I’ll try to commit and finish it to the end but I suppose we’ll see what the future holds.
The title is potentially temporary
I’m usually a fan of Kagome/Sesshomaru but I’ve decided I’m tired of them and Koga needs a shot. So without further ado on with it!
Disclaimer: o: I do not own any character from Inuyasha, or the plot, I’ll consider owning my own characters though.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Naraku nearly smiled at the information Kagura had just provided him. Sesshomaru had joined up with Inuyasha while the slayer and the monk were away. Without the distractions of the two humans now was the opportune time to attack the small group. Naraku’s arrogance clouded his judgment he thought he was powerful enough at this point to take down both Sesshomaru and Inuyasha. The little miko who held the jewel shards was of no consequence. She couldn’t focus her energy even enough to purify a flea demon if it were in the palm of her hand! The small group was headed right towards him. He cackled maniacally as he waited in the small meadow. The Sacred Jewel would finally be his!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kagome’s head snapped up, her piercing gaze locked in the direction of Naraku. “He’s close…” she whispered knowing they were headed right towards the dark hanyou.
Sesshomaru turned his head slightly to the young woman to his right, contemplating whether he should believe her or not. He knew who she was talking about when she said he was close. He knew the final battle was quickly approaching. With a slight nod Sesshomaru placed his hand on Tokijin.
Inuyasha seemed to have ignored Kagome’s warning and just kept walking towards the small meadow uttering a quiet ‘keh.’ It wasn’t that he didn’t believe in Kagome’s abilities to sense the jewel anymore, it was that he honestly didn’t think Naraku would be so arrogant to think he could take on both the Inu brothers and a miko whether he had half the jewel or not.
After a small amount of time walking the three of them entered the clearing. Inuyasha could immediately tell he was so wrong. This time it was obvious this Naraku was not a puppet but the real thing. Now was as good a time as any for the final battle. Kagome was in possession of half the jewel and Naraku with the other half, minus Koga’s three shards of course. The Jewel would be complete, today. Inuyasha would no longer have to hang around Kagome anymore. He could finally go try and sweep Kikyo off her feet. Who was he trying to kid? Try? He would sweep Kikyo off her feet, she was his mate and nothing would change that. With a growl Inuyasha unsheathed his Tessaiga.
Kagome gripped her bow, a look of determination gracing her face. She was ready for this. After everything with Inuyasha she just wanted to go home. She was so over the feudal era she was considering saying screw it all and just leaving. How nice of Naraku to just show up so she could finally be done. She glanced at both of the Inu brothers on either side of her, both had looks that screamed death for any who tried to get in the way.
Tired of waiting Naraku let loose his miasma in a pathetic attempt to weaken the three. Kagura cast her Dance of Blades upon the three, Kagome purified the blades coming for her while the Inuyasha and Sesshomaru dodged. Inuyasha charged towards Naraku Tessaiga poised to attack. Upon bringing the sword down on the dark hanyou Inuyasha cursed seeing Naraku was no longer where he once stood, instead Naraku had dodged and sent a tentacle towards Inuyasha. A glancing blow, looking down at his thigh where the tentacle scathed him he scowled. The first injury of the battle and he was the one to take it.
Sesshomaru wasted no time using Inuyasha’s reckless charge as a well enough distraction to attack Naraku. Using his poison whip Sesshomaru snapped it at Naraku’s back, shattering the armor protecting it. Quickly he snapped his whip again removing Naraku’s right arm just below the elbow.
Kagura after her vain attempt to thwart the group watched with a small smile from her feather. She had no desire to destroy the group. She simply wanted to be as free as the wind. Noticing Kagura’s inattentiveness, Kagome loosed an arrow of pure energy at Kagura. Kagome watched as the arrow soared towards Kagura’s head. (A/N either I’m playing too much Halo or let’s be realistic and say heart shots aren’t cool head shots are) Kagura turned her head just in time to see the arrow meet her nose. With a small explosion of light the feather slowly floated to the ground, the dusty remains of its occupant scattering to the wind. Kagome swore in the second before contact she could hear Kagura breathe a sigh of contentment.
Upon seeing his child, as two faced as she was, Naraku roared with rage, sending tentacles out in every direction. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru swiftly cut the tentacles heading towards them to pieces while Kagome was left standing, staring at where Kagura had once been. Remorse filling her heart as she realized Kagura could have actually been an ally and held no allegiance to Naraku. Sensing the tentacles speeding towards her, she erected a purifying barrier around herself, unable to focus enough to simply purify the tentacles as they came. Her mind was swirling with confusion, ‘Why would Kagura be content with dying?’ It was mind boggling to Kagome.
Naraku howled in pain as his tentacles met the purifying barrier and charged towards Kagome, ready to end her pitiful existence. Kagome turned to him ready to fire an arrow but realized he was too quick and already upon her, she jumped to the left, sliding away from him on her side. The impact of hitting the ground caused her bow to fly out of her hands landing a short distance from her.
Sesshomaru snapped his whip at Naraku once more gaining his attention. “Why pick on one as weak as a human?” Sesshomaru mocked.
Naraku’s eyes narrowed at Sesshomaru as he sent more tentacles his way. Sesshomaru took care of them with ease and charged Naraku, Tokijin in hand. He was done playing games! This battle had gone on long enough as it was.
Watching Sesshomaru charge Naraku filled Inuyasha with rage, there was no way he would allow his half-brother to have all the glory. Inuyasha flung his Wind Scar towards Naraku, in turn Naraku dodged upward leaving Sesshomaru to take the hit of Inuyasha’s attack. Naraku twisted in the air towards Kagome, who was crawling slowly towards her bow. Naraku shot out a tentacle straight towards Kagome’s chest. He would have the rest of the Jewel and end her life. Naraku smirked has he felt the tentacle go through the soft flesh of her back and wrap around the jewel in the front.
Kagome’s eyes widened in shock, how did she not sense this one coming? She sputtered and coughed up some blood, glancing down her chest to see Naraku’s tentacle wrapped around her half of the jewel slowly retracting back the way it came. It felt like everything was in slow motion. She couldn’t even feel the pain she knew she should be feeling. Coughing again she felt her body give out and collapse flat against the ground. She could vaguely hear someone yelling her name but thought she was hallucinating, why would Sesshomaru and Inuyasha care she was dying.
Sesshomaru staggered to his feet after being hit with the Wind Scar in time to see Kagome’s Jewel in Naraku’s grasp. He may not have cared for the girl but this was still wrong. How could they have misjudged Naraku so badly? Sesshomaru retrieved his Tokijin and once again charged Naraku. There was no way he would allow such a disgusting abomination have so much power. He glanced to his left to see Inuyasha with the same idea. Together the two brothers impaled Naraku on their swords ripping him apart. Kagome’s half of the Jewel fell to the ground with a dull thud while Inuyasha retrieved the other half from Naraku’s chest. Among the pieces of Naraku that littered the ground, a small heart sized spider began attempting to scurry away. Sesshomaru pounced over to it impaling it with his sword, giving the sword a twist for good measure. The thing squealed in pain while the rest of Naraku began disintegrating.
Sesshomaru stared at the spider at the end of his sword, “Hn, so this is the real Naraku…” He flung the creature against a tree and it flopped to the ground with a squishy type sound as it landed. “I trust you’ll be able to take care of the jewel Inuyasha?” Sesshomaru asked not really expecting an answer as he walked away into the forest. The battle was over there was no need for him to be there anymore.
Inuyasha nodded and picked up the other half of the Jewel, walking over to Kagome’s dying body. He shoved her onto her back with his foot and looked at her with the coldest emptiest eyes she’d ever seen on him. “Right where you belong bitch, dying on the ground with Naraku.” He spat at her dropping the halves of the jewel on her chest. He turned away from her body and took to the trees, leaving Kagome to die in the destroyed meadow.
Kagome’s heart clenched at Inuyasha’s words, though she shouldn’t have been surprised. Inuyasha had been acting more and more hostile towards her since Kikyo was given a real body. The Kami’s decided after having had to roam the Earth as a clay pot she deserved another chance. The portion of Kagome’s soul Kikyo possessed was returned to Kagome and Kikyo was given her own. Since then Inuyasha blamed Kagome for Kikyo’s disinterest in him ever since. She grasped the halves of the jewel against her chest. Using the rest of her energy to purify and fuse them together. She couldn’t understand why Inuyasha would just leave them after so long. She felt the tears pooling in her eyes overflow and slide down the sides of her face. She turned her head to the side and closed her eyes. Resigning to death, no one was coming to help her after all she’d done. It was likely Sango and Miroku didn’t even know where she was surely they at least knew Naraku was dead though. She smiled slightly knowing they could finally start their life together with Miroku’s wind tunnel gone. At least they could be happy.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Koga was on a mission, he was heading towards Kaede’s village to find Kagome. He was going to try a new approach this time. Failure was not an option. Kagome would be his he’d make sure of it. A burst of power pulsed through the air, feeling like the air was knocked out of him Koga stopped abruptly and fell to his knees. His mission would have to be put on hold. He looked in the direction the power came from and took off. With his speed he arrived swiftly in a destroyed meadow. There was blood on the ground and everything looked brown and dead. He knew Naraku had been here. Looking around he noted something peculiar off to the side. A group of worm yokai was gathered around a flickering pink barrier. Curiosity got the best of him as he marched over shoving the worms out of the way. Looking down into the barrier he was horrified at the sight. Kagome lie there, her breathing labored, with her eyes screwed shut and something clenched in her fist against her chest.
Sensing the threat the group of worms foolishly attacked Koga. Landing killing blows on each one they crumpled to the ground. He snorted and turned back to Kagome. Filling with rage at what could have done this to her. He kneeled down and attempted to reach through the barrier, only to get his fingertips slightly singed as he pulled back quickly.
“Kagome…” He whispered to her. He could smell death upon her and knew she was close. He couldn’t let that happen. There was no way! Not after so long. With new determination he crashed through the barrier and pulled her body close. “Kagome please don’t die on me. Not like this! Not right now!” Koga whispered pressing his lips against the top of her head. Seeming to recognize the aura, Kagome loosened the grip on the Jewel and let it roll across her chest, it tinked lightly as it collided with Koga’s chest armor. He looked down seeing what had hit him noticing it was the jewel. With his free arm he plucked the Jewel from between them and peered at it cautiously. It was only missing three pieces, his three pieces. Gently he placed Kagome down and dug out his shards, stuffing each one into the small crack in the jewel. As he inserted the last one the jewel pulsed and glowed a vibrant pink. If anything could save Kagome it was this Jewel that she sacrificed so much for. There was no way any wish made pertaining to Kagome’s happiness would be selfish. He could hear Kagome’s breathing becoming more labored as she struggled more and more to hang on to the last shred of life and Koga knew he had to act quickly. He gathered Kagome’s hands in his own the Jewel clasped between their hands and wished a simple wish. ‘I wish Kagome would heal’
A bright light erupted from the Jewel and Koga had to look away. When the light died down Koga peered down at Kagome and where their hands were held together. The Jewel was gone. Who knows where it went but it was finally gone. Kagome’s breathing evened out and though there was still a hole in her chest he could no longer smell the scent of death on her.
Koga gingerly gathered Kagome in his arms and took off to the east. She would be able to recover at his den and from there decide what she wanted to do. He hoped she’d want to stay with him but seeing her alone and so close to death made him realize he just wanted her happy.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Miroku was in the crater where his father’s grave site was praying they would find and defeat Naraku soon. He knew his time in this world was short. The wind tunnel increased in size any time he used it and now required a second set of prayer beads to help keep it in check when not in use. A strong gust of wind blew by ruffling Miroku’s robes. Miroku lifted his head and stared at his covered palm something felt different. His hand didn’t feel the same as it used to. Facing his palm away from himself, gingerly he moved the prayer beads bracing for the wind that always accompanied the action. When it never came Miroku opened his eyes and pulled his palm inward, staring at it in disbelief. Why would it just disappear like this? He wrapped his hand back up and rushed towards the shrine where he knew the monk Mushin and Sango would be. He burst through the door, earning quizzical looks from the room’s occupants, as he marched towards Sango he uncovered his hand and shoved it in her face.
Sango blanched as she saw Miroku uncovering his hand. What was he doing! When she realized she was still sitting where she ought to be she opened one eye to see skin! There was no hole in Miroku’s hand! She gasped and tears filled her eyes. She tackled Miroku to the ground embracing him for all he was worth. She couldn’t have been happier to see his wind tunnel gone. There would be no more playing hard to get she could finally start a relationship with him. She was eager to get back to Kaede’s village to celebrate with the others, “We have to get back to Kaede’s village! We need to find out what happened!”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Inuyasha bounded from tree to tree towards Kaede’s village. Naraku was gone and Kagome was dead. Maybe now Kikyo would have her proper soul and love him again. Inuyasha could see Kaede’s hut in the distance and increased his speed excited to see his beloved Kikyo once more. It seemed as if even the weather was excited for him. The sun was shining brightly, there were big puffy clouds in the sky. Inuyasha stopped in a tree on the edge of the forest. He could see Kikyo sitting outside Kaede’s hut, Inuyasha’s breath caught in his throat. This wasn’t the Kikyo he remembered. This Kikyo was smiling, no longer was the serious, focused, calculating Kikyo, she seemed more like Kagome. Inuyasha’s ears flattened against his head at the realization that he still cared for Kagome. He left her alone in the clearing to die. Inuyasha glanced at Kikyo again realizing she was surrounded by potential suitors. A new feeling of determination rushed through him. He’d do it right this time. Kikyo would be happy, he’d make up for leaving Kagome. Inuyasha turned into the forest again. He was going to make Kikyo the most architecturally advanced house ever seen in this era.
Kikyo glanced up from where she was sitting, it felt like someone was watching her in the forest. Her senses weren’t wrong. Brown locked with gold briefly before the man in the forest disappeared. She felt her heart skip a beat but didn’t understand why. She had no idea who the golden eyed man was but she felt like she’d seen him before. Why was he looking at her like that and where did he go? She stood up, tired of the men who surrounded her. None of them were even remotely appealing. She was more interested in the man she saw peering through the trees at her.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Koga arrived at his wolf den hidden behind a large waterfall. He paused before entering and looked down at Kagome. Her expression looked so troubled. Koga only wished he could understand why. He couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in her head. The condition she was left in filled him with rage at those who left her there. He raised his head and walked into the wolf den. Ginta and Hakkaku jumped up seeing Koga walking through with a woman.
“Sister Kagome!” They shouted jovially charging towards Koga skidding to a halt in front of him.
“What happened to her?” Ginta asked his features instantly clouding over with worry as he noticed the hole in Kagome’s chest.
“Inuyasha and his group left her to die after the battle with Naraku.” Koga growled. While he was happy to know Naraku was no more the resentment he felt for Inuyasha’s group boiled over. “I wished on the Sacred Jewel to keep her from dying.”
Hakkaku stared at Koga in disbelief. “You wished on the Sacred Jewel? And nothing bad happened? That was such a selfish wish though!” He looked to Ginta to see if he shared the opinion, “Wasn’t it?”
Ginta shook his head, “After all Kagome has sacrificed for the Jewel I don’t think anything would be a selfish wish for her. And I think the Jewel knew that.” He stared down at Kagome and breathed a sigh of relief that she would be okay.
Koga pushed past his two pack mates, he wanted to lay Kagome down so she could be more comfortable.
The wolf den was extraordinary. The huge cavern had a main gathering area with his tribesmen scattered about doing various things. Towards the back there was a series of tunnels and smaller caves. Various families occupied the small caves. Koga stopped at one of the front most middle caves. Most leaders would have chosen a more private location but Koga felt he needed to be closest to the front and in the middle so he could be close to anything that may happen. He laid Kagome down on his furs. She moaned slightly at the loss of heat but she was still too weak to do much more than that. Koga brushed a stray strand of hair from Kagome’s face. She looked so troubled, like she was still fighting in her mind. He began stroking her hair in an attempt to soothe her troubles away. He looked down at her chest again, remembering her wound and called Saeko and Ryoko over. Kagome needed to be washed and bandaged.
“Please get some water and fresh bandages. I’d like Kagome cleaned up and bandaged.” The two yokai nodded as Koga walked off. While he may have sincere interest in Kagome he didn’t think her modesty would appreciate him seeing her half naked so soon.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kagome sat up and pressed her hands to her head, it felt like someone smacked her over the head with something. She attempted to look around and analyze her setting. It seemed as though she was in a dark room with a small light shining down on her. She tried to look past the light into the darkness but could see nothing, the light ruined any amount of night vision she might have had. “Hello?” She called out into the darkness. Her words echoed in the darkness but no reply. She attempted to stand up but her legs felt numb. She glared at the light above her willing it to go out so her eyes could adjust.
He shoulders slumped, there was nothing she could do until her legs decided to work again. She thought about the events leading up to how she got there. “Inuyasha…how could you be so cold!” she screamed her words just echoed in the darkness around her, “This is your fault… I wouldn’t be here if you had just been there to protect me…” Tears threatened to fall but she refused to let them. She would not let Inuyasha control her emotions anymore. He would not be able to affect her like this ever again, if she ever got out of here… wherever here was. She sighed as she realized she had no idea where she was or how she got there. The tears began to fall. “Why won’t anyone help me?” she sobbed and the light above her flickered almost sympathetically, “You’re no help!” She shouted at it, slowly it dimmed till it went out completely. She sighed, “Wow, I can even offend a light to the point where it doesn’t want to be around me.”
“You’re not alone Kagome” a voice whispered in her ear before she was enveloped by a warming pink light.
“Midoriko?” Kagome questioned, why would Midoriko be here?
“Please don’t fear me Kagome. Your friend freed me. I wanted to thank you for all you’ve done.” Midoriko attempted to soothe Kagome’s fear. “Do you still wish to live child?” Midoriko inquired
“What’s there left to go back to! Inuyasha hates me and seeing as you’re here I can only assume someone wished on the jewel so I can’t go home. Sango and Miroku will be better without me. They need their time now to start their family and Shippo… my dear kitsune.” Tears were freely falling from Kagome’s eyes. “He’s all I have left… but would he really want me back? I’m not his real mother and I’ll never be the same. I’ll never be able to teach him about his yokai abilities.” Kagome’s shoulders shook, she didn’t want to abandon the kit, he’d already gone through enough.
“I could send you back with the knowledge of his kind if you like or perhaps like another species if you prefer. You also have the option to stay human, however I warn you now. Should you decide to stay human you will not see your family again. You were correct in thinking the well would be closed. Your companion Koga wished on the jewel, I cannot tell you what he wished but it was honorable enough to vanquish the evil from the jewel.” Midoriko explained, the pink around Kagome seemed to feel more comforting after the whole speech.
“I think I’d like to be there for my kit. I’d like to be there for him in the best way I can. I think it would be best for him if you send me back as a kitsune. He deserves better than what he’s had and I’m going to give him everything I can.” Kagome squared her shoulders, determination setting in her face.
“As you wish my child.” Midoriko whispered as the pink around Kagome glowed bright for a moment and faded away.
As soon as the pink left her a searing pain shot through her body. Kagome clutched her chest and curled into the fetal position. Why was she in so much pain! She realized what was happening as she felt her canines elongating and becoming sharper than her former human ones. Her ears stretched into elfin points while her nails lengthened and became more pointed, she rolled onto her stomach as she felt her tailbone stretching beyond what she was used to. Her eyes screwed shut, this transformation was the most excruciating thing she’d ever experienced. Her body went limp and she passed out on the ground.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Koga!” Saeko screamed, the hole in Kagome’s chest was gone when she had gotten back with the water and rags but the girl was writhing in pain.
Koga rushed to Kagome’s side in time to see the transformation affect her physical body. What he was seeing was so beyond Koga, he couldn’t understand what was happening. A human turning into a yokai was unheard of! He watched as all the joints in her body shifted to accommodate the new more athletic and agile build she would have, her nails elongate into claws, her ears change and even a tail grow. “What happened!” He snapped to the girls behind him.
“She just started changing! Saeko came back with the water and the hole in her chest was gone then this!” Ryoko cried.
Koga pulled Kagome to his chest, and began stroking her hair lovingly attempting to soothe her pain. “I’d take your pain away if I could Kagome.” He whispered into her hair, which had begun changing as well. Her raven locks now had rusty streaks giving her a kit fox like look. Koga just looked at her in awe, he knew she was beautiful before but now he didn’t know if he would ever be able to take his eyes off her now. “Leave us. I will watch over her and make sure we are not disturbed.” Saeko and Ryoko nodded quickly and scurried out in a hurry. They couldn’t even fathom what was happening.
Kagome seemed to have settled down. Koga sighed in relief, he hated seeing her in pain physical or emotional. He hated how dejected she looked after hers and Inuyasha’s fights. Often he would follow their small group just far enough out that Inuyasha couldn’t sense him. After their fights he followed her to make sure she was never attacked, at least till she disappeared in that strange old well. He laid Kagome down on his furs, mindful of her new tail and curled up next to her.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Shippo had been so excited when he sensed Inuyasha arrive near the village, he gleefully leapt up from his spot in Kaede’s hut and charged outside, avoiding where Kikyo and her suitors were. He stopped abruptly when Inuyasha fled into the forest again and Shippo realized Kagome was not with him. The two had already been having problems getting along and after the pulse of power he felt a short time ago Shippo feared the worst. He took off in the direction he felt the pulse come from. ‘Please be ok Kagome-mama’ Shippo thought to himself frantically, willing tears not to form. There was no way she was dead. She couldn’t be! He couldn’t be alone again, he’d already lost his parents, not Kagome too.
Upon arrival at the clearing where the battle had taken place he gasped at the scene, there was blood everywhere it was difficult to tell whose was whose. After sniffing around a bit he came to the spot where Kagome had once lay and the tears he was willing not to fall erupted from his eyes. “You can’t be dead! You can’t be! Inuyasha was supposed to protect you!” He whispered frantically to himself. He continued to sniff around the area where Kagome had once been hoping he could find a scent trail for her. The scent of death was so pungent he was having difficulty even picking Kagome’s out. After a bit more sniffing around he managed to pick up the faint scent of wolves leaving the clearing and heading east with Kagome’s scent mixed in. Shippo sniffled and took off in that direction. He wouldn’t breathe a sigh of relief until he knew Kagome was safe.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Notez! With a z because I’m cool like that. I’m thinking of Shippo taking on the characteristics more of a Red fox, whereas Kagome will take on the characteristics of like a San Joaquin Kit fox. They’re so cute! Squee! You can google either fox to get an idea of what I was looking at. Initially she was going to be a wolf like Koga since I love wolves they’re so pretty and Shippo was going to be part of a different colony of foxes but I didn’t like that sooo you get this :D
Also, as much as I wanted this to be longer I felt this was an adequate spot to leave off. My goal is between 5000 and 8000 words per chapter.
6.5 pages 4,791 words.
The title is potentially temporary
I’m usually a fan of Kagome/Sesshomaru but I’ve decided I’m tired of them and Koga needs a shot. So without further ado on with it!
Disclaimer: o: I do not own any character from Inuyasha, or the plot, I’ll consider owning my own characters though.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Naraku nearly smiled at the information Kagura had just provided him. Sesshomaru had joined up with Inuyasha while the slayer and the monk were away. Without the distractions of the two humans now was the opportune time to attack the small group. Naraku’s arrogance clouded his judgment he thought he was powerful enough at this point to take down both Sesshomaru and Inuyasha. The little miko who held the jewel shards was of no consequence. She couldn’t focus her energy even enough to purify a flea demon if it were in the palm of her hand! The small group was headed right towards him. He cackled maniacally as he waited in the small meadow. The Sacred Jewel would finally be his!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kagome’s head snapped up, her piercing gaze locked in the direction of Naraku. “He’s close…” she whispered knowing they were headed right towards the dark hanyou.
Sesshomaru turned his head slightly to the young woman to his right, contemplating whether he should believe her or not. He knew who she was talking about when she said he was close. He knew the final battle was quickly approaching. With a slight nod Sesshomaru placed his hand on Tokijin.
Inuyasha seemed to have ignored Kagome’s warning and just kept walking towards the small meadow uttering a quiet ‘keh.’ It wasn’t that he didn’t believe in Kagome’s abilities to sense the jewel anymore, it was that he honestly didn’t think Naraku would be so arrogant to think he could take on both the Inu brothers and a miko whether he had half the jewel or not.
After a small amount of time walking the three of them entered the clearing. Inuyasha could immediately tell he was so wrong. This time it was obvious this Naraku was not a puppet but the real thing. Now was as good a time as any for the final battle. Kagome was in possession of half the jewel and Naraku with the other half, minus Koga’s three shards of course. The Jewel would be complete, today. Inuyasha would no longer have to hang around Kagome anymore. He could finally go try and sweep Kikyo off her feet. Who was he trying to kid? Try? He would sweep Kikyo off her feet, she was his mate and nothing would change that. With a growl Inuyasha unsheathed his Tessaiga.
Kagome gripped her bow, a look of determination gracing her face. She was ready for this. After everything with Inuyasha she just wanted to go home. She was so over the feudal era she was considering saying screw it all and just leaving. How nice of Naraku to just show up so she could finally be done. She glanced at both of the Inu brothers on either side of her, both had looks that screamed death for any who tried to get in the way.
Tired of waiting Naraku let loose his miasma in a pathetic attempt to weaken the three. Kagura cast her Dance of Blades upon the three, Kagome purified the blades coming for her while the Inuyasha and Sesshomaru dodged. Inuyasha charged towards Naraku Tessaiga poised to attack. Upon bringing the sword down on the dark hanyou Inuyasha cursed seeing Naraku was no longer where he once stood, instead Naraku had dodged and sent a tentacle towards Inuyasha. A glancing blow, looking down at his thigh where the tentacle scathed him he scowled. The first injury of the battle and he was the one to take it.
Sesshomaru wasted no time using Inuyasha’s reckless charge as a well enough distraction to attack Naraku. Using his poison whip Sesshomaru snapped it at Naraku’s back, shattering the armor protecting it. Quickly he snapped his whip again removing Naraku’s right arm just below the elbow.
Kagura after her vain attempt to thwart the group watched with a small smile from her feather. She had no desire to destroy the group. She simply wanted to be as free as the wind. Noticing Kagura’s inattentiveness, Kagome loosed an arrow of pure energy at Kagura. Kagome watched as the arrow soared towards Kagura’s head. (A/N either I’m playing too much Halo or let’s be realistic and say heart shots aren’t cool head shots are) Kagura turned her head just in time to see the arrow meet her nose. With a small explosion of light the feather slowly floated to the ground, the dusty remains of its occupant scattering to the wind. Kagome swore in the second before contact she could hear Kagura breathe a sigh of contentment.
Upon seeing his child, as two faced as she was, Naraku roared with rage, sending tentacles out in every direction. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru swiftly cut the tentacles heading towards them to pieces while Kagome was left standing, staring at where Kagura had once been. Remorse filling her heart as she realized Kagura could have actually been an ally and held no allegiance to Naraku. Sensing the tentacles speeding towards her, she erected a purifying barrier around herself, unable to focus enough to simply purify the tentacles as they came. Her mind was swirling with confusion, ‘Why would Kagura be content with dying?’ It was mind boggling to Kagome.
Naraku howled in pain as his tentacles met the purifying barrier and charged towards Kagome, ready to end her pitiful existence. Kagome turned to him ready to fire an arrow but realized he was too quick and already upon her, she jumped to the left, sliding away from him on her side. The impact of hitting the ground caused her bow to fly out of her hands landing a short distance from her.
Sesshomaru snapped his whip at Naraku once more gaining his attention. “Why pick on one as weak as a human?” Sesshomaru mocked.
Naraku’s eyes narrowed at Sesshomaru as he sent more tentacles his way. Sesshomaru took care of them with ease and charged Naraku, Tokijin in hand. He was done playing games! This battle had gone on long enough as it was.
Watching Sesshomaru charge Naraku filled Inuyasha with rage, there was no way he would allow his half-brother to have all the glory. Inuyasha flung his Wind Scar towards Naraku, in turn Naraku dodged upward leaving Sesshomaru to take the hit of Inuyasha’s attack. Naraku twisted in the air towards Kagome, who was crawling slowly towards her bow. Naraku shot out a tentacle straight towards Kagome’s chest. He would have the rest of the Jewel and end her life. Naraku smirked has he felt the tentacle go through the soft flesh of her back and wrap around the jewel in the front.
Kagome’s eyes widened in shock, how did she not sense this one coming? She sputtered and coughed up some blood, glancing down her chest to see Naraku’s tentacle wrapped around her half of the jewel slowly retracting back the way it came. It felt like everything was in slow motion. She couldn’t even feel the pain she knew she should be feeling. Coughing again she felt her body give out and collapse flat against the ground. She could vaguely hear someone yelling her name but thought she was hallucinating, why would Sesshomaru and Inuyasha care she was dying.
Sesshomaru staggered to his feet after being hit with the Wind Scar in time to see Kagome’s Jewel in Naraku’s grasp. He may not have cared for the girl but this was still wrong. How could they have misjudged Naraku so badly? Sesshomaru retrieved his Tokijin and once again charged Naraku. There was no way he would allow such a disgusting abomination have so much power. He glanced to his left to see Inuyasha with the same idea. Together the two brothers impaled Naraku on their swords ripping him apart. Kagome’s half of the Jewel fell to the ground with a dull thud while Inuyasha retrieved the other half from Naraku’s chest. Among the pieces of Naraku that littered the ground, a small heart sized spider began attempting to scurry away. Sesshomaru pounced over to it impaling it with his sword, giving the sword a twist for good measure. The thing squealed in pain while the rest of Naraku began disintegrating.
Sesshomaru stared at the spider at the end of his sword, “Hn, so this is the real Naraku…” He flung the creature against a tree and it flopped to the ground with a squishy type sound as it landed. “I trust you’ll be able to take care of the jewel Inuyasha?” Sesshomaru asked not really expecting an answer as he walked away into the forest. The battle was over there was no need for him to be there anymore.
Inuyasha nodded and picked up the other half of the Jewel, walking over to Kagome’s dying body. He shoved her onto her back with his foot and looked at her with the coldest emptiest eyes she’d ever seen on him. “Right where you belong bitch, dying on the ground with Naraku.” He spat at her dropping the halves of the jewel on her chest. He turned away from her body and took to the trees, leaving Kagome to die in the destroyed meadow.
Kagome’s heart clenched at Inuyasha’s words, though she shouldn’t have been surprised. Inuyasha had been acting more and more hostile towards her since Kikyo was given a real body. The Kami’s decided after having had to roam the Earth as a clay pot she deserved another chance. The portion of Kagome’s soul Kikyo possessed was returned to Kagome and Kikyo was given her own. Since then Inuyasha blamed Kagome for Kikyo’s disinterest in him ever since. She grasped the halves of the jewel against her chest. Using the rest of her energy to purify and fuse them together. She couldn’t understand why Inuyasha would just leave them after so long. She felt the tears pooling in her eyes overflow and slide down the sides of her face. She turned her head to the side and closed her eyes. Resigning to death, no one was coming to help her after all she’d done. It was likely Sango and Miroku didn’t even know where she was surely they at least knew Naraku was dead though. She smiled slightly knowing they could finally start their life together with Miroku’s wind tunnel gone. At least they could be happy.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Koga was on a mission, he was heading towards Kaede’s village to find Kagome. He was going to try a new approach this time. Failure was not an option. Kagome would be his he’d make sure of it. A burst of power pulsed through the air, feeling like the air was knocked out of him Koga stopped abruptly and fell to his knees. His mission would have to be put on hold. He looked in the direction the power came from and took off. With his speed he arrived swiftly in a destroyed meadow. There was blood on the ground and everything looked brown and dead. He knew Naraku had been here. Looking around he noted something peculiar off to the side. A group of worm yokai was gathered around a flickering pink barrier. Curiosity got the best of him as he marched over shoving the worms out of the way. Looking down into the barrier he was horrified at the sight. Kagome lie there, her breathing labored, with her eyes screwed shut and something clenched in her fist against her chest.
Sensing the threat the group of worms foolishly attacked Koga. Landing killing blows on each one they crumpled to the ground. He snorted and turned back to Kagome. Filling with rage at what could have done this to her. He kneeled down and attempted to reach through the barrier, only to get his fingertips slightly singed as he pulled back quickly.
“Kagome…” He whispered to her. He could smell death upon her and knew she was close. He couldn’t let that happen. There was no way! Not after so long. With new determination he crashed through the barrier and pulled her body close. “Kagome please don’t die on me. Not like this! Not right now!” Koga whispered pressing his lips against the top of her head. Seeming to recognize the aura, Kagome loosened the grip on the Jewel and let it roll across her chest, it tinked lightly as it collided with Koga’s chest armor. He looked down seeing what had hit him noticing it was the jewel. With his free arm he plucked the Jewel from between them and peered at it cautiously. It was only missing three pieces, his three pieces. Gently he placed Kagome down and dug out his shards, stuffing each one into the small crack in the jewel. As he inserted the last one the jewel pulsed and glowed a vibrant pink. If anything could save Kagome it was this Jewel that she sacrificed so much for. There was no way any wish made pertaining to Kagome’s happiness would be selfish. He could hear Kagome’s breathing becoming more labored as she struggled more and more to hang on to the last shred of life and Koga knew he had to act quickly. He gathered Kagome’s hands in his own the Jewel clasped between their hands and wished a simple wish. ‘I wish Kagome would heal’
A bright light erupted from the Jewel and Koga had to look away. When the light died down Koga peered down at Kagome and where their hands were held together. The Jewel was gone. Who knows where it went but it was finally gone. Kagome’s breathing evened out and though there was still a hole in her chest he could no longer smell the scent of death on her.
Koga gingerly gathered Kagome in his arms and took off to the east. She would be able to recover at his den and from there decide what she wanted to do. He hoped she’d want to stay with him but seeing her alone and so close to death made him realize he just wanted her happy.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Miroku was in the crater where his father’s grave site was praying they would find and defeat Naraku soon. He knew his time in this world was short. The wind tunnel increased in size any time he used it and now required a second set of prayer beads to help keep it in check when not in use. A strong gust of wind blew by ruffling Miroku’s robes. Miroku lifted his head and stared at his covered palm something felt different. His hand didn’t feel the same as it used to. Facing his palm away from himself, gingerly he moved the prayer beads bracing for the wind that always accompanied the action. When it never came Miroku opened his eyes and pulled his palm inward, staring at it in disbelief. Why would it just disappear like this? He wrapped his hand back up and rushed towards the shrine where he knew the monk Mushin and Sango would be. He burst through the door, earning quizzical looks from the room’s occupants, as he marched towards Sango he uncovered his hand and shoved it in her face.
Sango blanched as she saw Miroku uncovering his hand. What was he doing! When she realized she was still sitting where she ought to be she opened one eye to see skin! There was no hole in Miroku’s hand! She gasped and tears filled her eyes. She tackled Miroku to the ground embracing him for all he was worth. She couldn’t have been happier to see his wind tunnel gone. There would be no more playing hard to get she could finally start a relationship with him. She was eager to get back to Kaede’s village to celebrate with the others, “We have to get back to Kaede’s village! We need to find out what happened!”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Inuyasha bounded from tree to tree towards Kaede’s village. Naraku was gone and Kagome was dead. Maybe now Kikyo would have her proper soul and love him again. Inuyasha could see Kaede’s hut in the distance and increased his speed excited to see his beloved Kikyo once more. It seemed as if even the weather was excited for him. The sun was shining brightly, there were big puffy clouds in the sky. Inuyasha stopped in a tree on the edge of the forest. He could see Kikyo sitting outside Kaede’s hut, Inuyasha’s breath caught in his throat. This wasn’t the Kikyo he remembered. This Kikyo was smiling, no longer was the serious, focused, calculating Kikyo, she seemed more like Kagome. Inuyasha’s ears flattened against his head at the realization that he still cared for Kagome. He left her alone in the clearing to die. Inuyasha glanced at Kikyo again realizing she was surrounded by potential suitors. A new feeling of determination rushed through him. He’d do it right this time. Kikyo would be happy, he’d make up for leaving Kagome. Inuyasha turned into the forest again. He was going to make Kikyo the most architecturally advanced house ever seen in this era.
Kikyo glanced up from where she was sitting, it felt like someone was watching her in the forest. Her senses weren’t wrong. Brown locked with gold briefly before the man in the forest disappeared. She felt her heart skip a beat but didn’t understand why. She had no idea who the golden eyed man was but she felt like she’d seen him before. Why was he looking at her like that and where did he go? She stood up, tired of the men who surrounded her. None of them were even remotely appealing. She was more interested in the man she saw peering through the trees at her.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Koga arrived at his wolf den hidden behind a large waterfall. He paused before entering and looked down at Kagome. Her expression looked so troubled. Koga only wished he could understand why. He couldn’t help but wonder what was going on in her head. The condition she was left in filled him with rage at those who left her there. He raised his head and walked into the wolf den. Ginta and Hakkaku jumped up seeing Koga walking through with a woman.
“Sister Kagome!” They shouted jovially charging towards Koga skidding to a halt in front of him.
“What happened to her?” Ginta asked his features instantly clouding over with worry as he noticed the hole in Kagome’s chest.
“Inuyasha and his group left her to die after the battle with Naraku.” Koga growled. While he was happy to know Naraku was no more the resentment he felt for Inuyasha’s group boiled over. “I wished on the Sacred Jewel to keep her from dying.”
Hakkaku stared at Koga in disbelief. “You wished on the Sacred Jewel? And nothing bad happened? That was such a selfish wish though!” He looked to Ginta to see if he shared the opinion, “Wasn’t it?”
Ginta shook his head, “After all Kagome has sacrificed for the Jewel I don’t think anything would be a selfish wish for her. And I think the Jewel knew that.” He stared down at Kagome and breathed a sigh of relief that she would be okay.
Koga pushed past his two pack mates, he wanted to lay Kagome down so she could be more comfortable.
The wolf den was extraordinary. The huge cavern had a main gathering area with his tribesmen scattered about doing various things. Towards the back there was a series of tunnels and smaller caves. Various families occupied the small caves. Koga stopped at one of the front most middle caves. Most leaders would have chosen a more private location but Koga felt he needed to be closest to the front and in the middle so he could be close to anything that may happen. He laid Kagome down on his furs. She moaned slightly at the loss of heat but she was still too weak to do much more than that. Koga brushed a stray strand of hair from Kagome’s face. She looked so troubled, like she was still fighting in her mind. He began stroking her hair in an attempt to soothe her troubles away. He looked down at her chest again, remembering her wound and called Saeko and Ryoko over. Kagome needed to be washed and bandaged.
“Please get some water and fresh bandages. I’d like Kagome cleaned up and bandaged.” The two yokai nodded as Koga walked off. While he may have sincere interest in Kagome he didn’t think her modesty would appreciate him seeing her half naked so soon.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kagome sat up and pressed her hands to her head, it felt like someone smacked her over the head with something. She attempted to look around and analyze her setting. It seemed as though she was in a dark room with a small light shining down on her. She tried to look past the light into the darkness but could see nothing, the light ruined any amount of night vision she might have had. “Hello?” She called out into the darkness. Her words echoed in the darkness but no reply. She attempted to stand up but her legs felt numb. She glared at the light above her willing it to go out so her eyes could adjust.
He shoulders slumped, there was nothing she could do until her legs decided to work again. She thought about the events leading up to how she got there. “Inuyasha…how could you be so cold!” she screamed her words just echoed in the darkness around her, “This is your fault… I wouldn’t be here if you had just been there to protect me…” Tears threatened to fall but she refused to let them. She would not let Inuyasha control her emotions anymore. He would not be able to affect her like this ever again, if she ever got out of here… wherever here was. She sighed as she realized she had no idea where she was or how she got there. The tears began to fall. “Why won’t anyone help me?” she sobbed and the light above her flickered almost sympathetically, “You’re no help!” She shouted at it, slowly it dimmed till it went out completely. She sighed, “Wow, I can even offend a light to the point where it doesn’t want to be around me.”
“You’re not alone Kagome” a voice whispered in her ear before she was enveloped by a warming pink light.
“Midoriko?” Kagome questioned, why would Midoriko be here?
“Please don’t fear me Kagome. Your friend freed me. I wanted to thank you for all you’ve done.” Midoriko attempted to soothe Kagome’s fear. “Do you still wish to live child?” Midoriko inquired
“What’s there left to go back to! Inuyasha hates me and seeing as you’re here I can only assume someone wished on the jewel so I can’t go home. Sango and Miroku will be better without me. They need their time now to start their family and Shippo… my dear kitsune.” Tears were freely falling from Kagome’s eyes. “He’s all I have left… but would he really want me back? I’m not his real mother and I’ll never be the same. I’ll never be able to teach him about his yokai abilities.” Kagome’s shoulders shook, she didn’t want to abandon the kit, he’d already gone through enough.
“I could send you back with the knowledge of his kind if you like or perhaps like another species if you prefer. You also have the option to stay human, however I warn you now. Should you decide to stay human you will not see your family again. You were correct in thinking the well would be closed. Your companion Koga wished on the jewel, I cannot tell you what he wished but it was honorable enough to vanquish the evil from the jewel.” Midoriko explained, the pink around Kagome seemed to feel more comforting after the whole speech.
“I think I’d like to be there for my kit. I’d like to be there for him in the best way I can. I think it would be best for him if you send me back as a kitsune. He deserves better than what he’s had and I’m going to give him everything I can.” Kagome squared her shoulders, determination setting in her face.
“As you wish my child.” Midoriko whispered as the pink around Kagome glowed bright for a moment and faded away.
As soon as the pink left her a searing pain shot through her body. Kagome clutched her chest and curled into the fetal position. Why was she in so much pain! She realized what was happening as she felt her canines elongating and becoming sharper than her former human ones. Her ears stretched into elfin points while her nails lengthened and became more pointed, she rolled onto her stomach as she felt her tailbone stretching beyond what she was used to. Her eyes screwed shut, this transformation was the most excruciating thing she’d ever experienced. Her body went limp and she passed out on the ground.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Koga!” Saeko screamed, the hole in Kagome’s chest was gone when she had gotten back with the water and rags but the girl was writhing in pain.
Koga rushed to Kagome’s side in time to see the transformation affect her physical body. What he was seeing was so beyond Koga, he couldn’t understand what was happening. A human turning into a yokai was unheard of! He watched as all the joints in her body shifted to accommodate the new more athletic and agile build she would have, her nails elongate into claws, her ears change and even a tail grow. “What happened!” He snapped to the girls behind him.
“She just started changing! Saeko came back with the water and the hole in her chest was gone then this!” Ryoko cried.
Koga pulled Kagome to his chest, and began stroking her hair lovingly attempting to soothe her pain. “I’d take your pain away if I could Kagome.” He whispered into her hair, which had begun changing as well. Her raven locks now had rusty streaks giving her a kit fox like look. Koga just looked at her in awe, he knew she was beautiful before but now he didn’t know if he would ever be able to take his eyes off her now. “Leave us. I will watch over her and make sure we are not disturbed.” Saeko and Ryoko nodded quickly and scurried out in a hurry. They couldn’t even fathom what was happening.
Kagome seemed to have settled down. Koga sighed in relief, he hated seeing her in pain physical or emotional. He hated how dejected she looked after hers and Inuyasha’s fights. Often he would follow their small group just far enough out that Inuyasha couldn’t sense him. After their fights he followed her to make sure she was never attacked, at least till she disappeared in that strange old well. He laid Kagome down on his furs, mindful of her new tail and curled up next to her.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Shippo had been so excited when he sensed Inuyasha arrive near the village, he gleefully leapt up from his spot in Kaede’s hut and charged outside, avoiding where Kikyo and her suitors were. He stopped abruptly when Inuyasha fled into the forest again and Shippo realized Kagome was not with him. The two had already been having problems getting along and after the pulse of power he felt a short time ago Shippo feared the worst. He took off in the direction he felt the pulse come from. ‘Please be ok Kagome-mama’ Shippo thought to himself frantically, willing tears not to form. There was no way she was dead. She couldn’t be! He couldn’t be alone again, he’d already lost his parents, not Kagome too.
Upon arrival at the clearing where the battle had taken place he gasped at the scene, there was blood everywhere it was difficult to tell whose was whose. After sniffing around a bit he came to the spot where Kagome had once lay and the tears he was willing not to fall erupted from his eyes. “You can’t be dead! You can’t be! Inuyasha was supposed to protect you!” He whispered frantically to himself. He continued to sniff around the area where Kagome had once been hoping he could find a scent trail for her. The scent of death was so pungent he was having difficulty even picking Kagome’s out. After a bit more sniffing around he managed to pick up the faint scent of wolves leaving the clearing and heading east with Kagome’s scent mixed in. Shippo sniffled and took off in that direction. He wouldn’t breathe a sigh of relief until he knew Kagome was safe.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Notez! With a z because I’m cool like that. I’m thinking of Shippo taking on the characteristics more of a Red fox, whereas Kagome will take on the characteristics of like a San Joaquin Kit fox. They’re so cute! Squee! You can google either fox to get an idea of what I was looking at. Initially she was going to be a wolf like Koga since I love wolves they’re so pretty and Shippo was going to be part of a different colony of foxes but I didn’t like that sooo you get this :D
Also, as much as I wanted this to be longer I felt this was an adequate spot to leave off. My goal is between 5000 and 8000 words per chapter.
6.5 pages 4,791 words.