InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Children of Light ❯ The Final Battle Part II ( Chapter 36 )

Chapter 36

 

It had suddenly come to her, when she saw them standing together. The final piece of the puzzle had snapped into place somehow. “When all the spirits are in place.” Kagome was amazed she hadn't seen it before. But she had no time to beat herself up about it.

 

“Wait! You guys! I've got it!!!” Kagome rushed to her friends, the jewel cradled in her palm.

 

“Huh?” Inu Yasha glanced over at his mate, keeping an eye trained on Naraku and his still growing energy bomb. “What do you mean?”

 

“The jewel, I know how to activate the jewel! Ummm… I mean, I think I do.” Kagome gave a shy grin. At least, she hoped her hunch was right. But then again, all of the other ones had been, why not this one?

 

“Umm, Kagome? Not that I want to rain on your parade or anything, but what do you mean you `think' you know?” Miroku was more then happy to try any suggestion Kagome had, providing of course, it meant that after the fight was over he'd be able to go home with Sango and finally put Naraku and the jewel behind him once and for all.

 

“The riddle said that when the spirits were in place, I'd have the power of the heavens in the palm of my hands. We'll we're the spirits! We know that. I think you have to funnel your energy into the jewel to empower it, and then I can direct it!”

 

Everyone blinked in surprise. It actually made sense. Why hadn't they thought of it before?

 

“But how do we do that?” Sango asked as she gripped Hiraikotsu before her.

 

Kagome faltered. “I'm… I'm not exactly sure. But!” her eyes sparkled again, “we can't forget what we learned. How we finally repaired the weapons. We have to be strong, we have to have faith. And more then anything, more then believing in each other, we have to believe in ourselves!”

 

“A very stirring speech, really, but I'm afraid you're too late little girl.”

 

Kagome's head snapped up as she watched Naraku prepare to throw his dark energy bomb. A force of energy that was so massive, it had to hover high above him, blocking out half of the already darkening sky.

 

“No! I won't let you!” Kagome screamed as she ran out a little ahead of the group, ignoring their calls to her.

 

“Give up Miko, you can't change the past!” Naraku roared.

 

It was then that something had suddenly erupted in Kagome's heart. Blossoming in the forefront of her mind as she let her thoughts and emotions spill over, allowing for revelations to spring forth. Her fear and anger at herself for all that had transpired in her past, had kept her shackled. She had tormented herself continuously over her failings, over the things she could not change. Things she had no control over. She readied herself as she let go of control, let go of power. Whatever their outcome would be, in her heart she knew, it had already happened. She had already chosen it. It had been decided by fate. She could not change that. All she could do was hold onto faith in herself and in the moment. The only control she had ever truly possessed was over herself. Over her own thoughts and beliefs. Her own power. It was with a renewed sense of self that Kagome stared down, unwavering, the being that had tormented them for so long. As she spoke, the very passion and fire of her being ignited and charged the air around her, as it crackled with her power. “Maybe I can't change the past, but it sure as hell doesn't mean I can't change the future! This is my life, my moment! And I have the power to do whatever I want, right here, right now!”

 

As if on cue, Naraku released the massive ball of energy that could simply not be outrun. Its massive size slowed its decent upon the little group, but not by much, as they watched the ball of energy completely black out the sky.

 

No one knew what had begun the energy transfer. It had seemed almost natural, almost instinctive. But just as Naraku released his destructive power, Kagome reached out with the jewel, and held it before her. Hoping somehow that the tiny glass shell would be enough to protect them. She had to believe it would. She understood that she alone would not be enough, but she knew that with her loved ones at her side, they had enough power to do anything!

 

Instinctively, instantly, the jewel reacted to Kagome's need, but it had no power. Not yet. So it did what it had been created to do. It pulled. Simultaneously, from somewhere behind her, Kagome could hear the surprised cries of her friends but she could not turn to look for fear of loosing hold of her concentration.

 

Shippou and Kirara didn't understand what was happening. They only knew that they could not interfere. Somehow, Kagome had been able to activate the jewel, and Inu Yasha, Miroku, Sango and Kouga, who had been standing in a semi circle behind Kagome, had been hit with a blast of white power that seemed to stem, unknowingly, from Kagome's back. The power had split off into 4 directions, imbedding itself within the chest of each friend. As the power stream had touched each of them in turn, it lifted them from their feet, holding them suspended in the air behind Kagome, as the power beam fed their energy directly into Kagome, who in turn, funneled and purified the energy into the now humming jewel. Unknown to Shippou and Kirara however, Kagome's words had stirred the friends into action. Had reminded them all of their true purpose. As the beam of energy tapped into the very power of their souls, it was pure love and light that they sent out as they thought of who they were fighting for, and what they were trying to protect, just as Inu Yasha had done, on a similar field, long, long ago.

 

Kagome glowed with a brilliant white fire as she held onto the jewel. She could feel the power of everyone filling her as she struggled to keep up with funneling their energy into the jewel. The mahogany light that came through her, was touched with friendship, strength and determination. Kouga's energy. She blessed him for his unwavering friendship, love and strength. The strong purplish energy that came next to her, that spoke of peace and of harmony, could only belong to Miroku. She smiled inwardly as she thanked her friend for his gift. The powerful white energy, tinged with gold, had startled her for a moment as it came through. It was so strong, so determined, and yet, so completely giving and forgiving. Kagome smiled as she placed Sango's energy within the jewel. She knew who was left and she prepared herself as she felt the immense gold and red energy come pouring through, stronger then any of the others. Inu Yasha's energy carried the power from both his human and demon heart. But Kagome wept inwardly when the only thing she could feel from him, was undying love and devotion. It was this last bit she poured into the jewel, and sealed the power within with her own energy.

 

It seemed like an eternity as she swam within the energy of the jewel and of her loved ones. Never had she known them so intimately, as when she touched each of their energy, each of their spirits. The gifts they poured into the jewel were those of friendship, strength, forgiveness, peace and of love. The very ingredients needed to bring fourth the true power of the jewel. As the last whips of energy fell into place and Kagome came out of her trance, she looked up to see Naraku's dark power directly above them, mere inches from their unprotected forms. But there was no fear. No doubt.

 

Kagome smiled as she opened her eyes and released the fully empowered jewel, allowing it to hover before her. She whispered softly, “The greatest power I hold is that which brings light to a dark place.”

 

The sudden eruption of light was so bright, so powerful and so intense, that the very sky itself burned as though it were midday. Naraku had little time to register the sight of the jewel exploding with a pure white force that completely decimated his most powerful mass of dark energy. Never had he witnessed such a massive display of power. Never had such power been born into the world. As the powerful energy that was more blinding then the sun, devoured the darkness, it drove itself onwards, towards an open mouthed Naraku who didn't even have a chance to utter his scream of fury and denial, as the awesome power completely overcame him.

 

When the awesome display of power finally dissipated, the landscape itself was completely wiped clean of every bit of demon that had littered the field. The exhausted little group collapsed to the ground, huddled together under the now visible stars that began to peek through the clear, beautiful night sky. They gave an exhausted sigh of relief, reaching hands out to each other, too exhausted to speak, as they basked in the blissful knowledge of knowing that Naraku had finally been defeated, that they had won, and most importantly, that they had survived together, unwavering in the conviction that their strength and love would be enough.