InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Choosing your Path:An Inu-Yasha Tale ❯ It's over already? ( Chapter 4 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Author's notes: I never put the time of where this story is supposed to be. It's a time interval between the episode where Miroku injures his Wind Tunnel/Air Rip and Sango seeing Kohaku alive. But, things are going way different in this story.

Choosing your path:An Inu-Yasha tale

Chapter four:It's over already?!?!



It was a day later now, since the group was last seen. And they now found themselves in a village. Not a normal village, though. This village had been completely slaughtered, and they found that traps had been set all over the village. "This is... horrible! What kind of bastard could do this?!?!" Inu-Yasha yelled, then thought. If he hadn't changed, he might have been the one who did this. No, even when he was 'evil' he would have never done a thing like this. This was too horrible. "I'm going to find the person who did this and do even worse to them!!!!" Inu-Yasha yelled, running forward.

"Inu-Yasha, no!!!! The traps!!!!!" Sango yelled.

And just as Sango yelled this, Inu-Yasha landed on top of one of the bombs, but managed to leap off before it completely blew his leg off. Luckily, he managed to just get some dust in his face. "Fuck! I could've just killed myself.." he muttered. And as Inu-Yasha looked up, he saw a blade, attatched to a chain headed right for him. Quickly the Hanyou pulled Tetsusaiga and counted the attack, knocking it back. When Inu-Yasha saw his opponent, it was just a young boy. "No way... you managed to slaughter this village?!"

"It can't be...Kohaku..?" Sango said softly under her breath.

'Did she say..Kohaku? That's her brother..?' Kagome thought to herself. 'And he is dressed like Sango... but she said her brother died..'

"Inu-Yasha, there is no way that boy could have slaughtered this whole village!" Miroku yelled.

"Well he's the only one here, Monk!!!!" Inu-Yasha yelled back.

But, as Inu-Yasha was going to attack, Kohaku ran off. Sango, however, wasn't going to let her brother get away. Not if he was really alive. "Kilala!" Sango yelled, instantly grabbing the cat like creature and tossing it into the air. Midair she transformed to her larger form, and Sango quickly leapt up and grabbed her pet, flying off after Kohaku with her. 'Kohaku, are you really alive...?' she mentally questioned as she caught up with her brother, watching him go through some kind of portal. Not thinking twice of it, she followed her brother through to a different realm.

Once Sango and Kilala landed she saw Kohaku, standing alone, staring her down. "Show me your face!!" she ordered, readying her weapon just in case.

The supposedly dead demon slayer removed his mask, which protected him from his own poison mist, revealing Kohaku's face. It WAS him. "Kohaku..." Sango said, a faint smile on her lips. "You're...alive? How?"

And then, there he was. Naraku appeared from the shadows, walking up to Kohaku. "The Shikon No Tama has given your brother life...aren't you happy to see him again? You should thank me.." Naraku said, giving his normal evil smirk.

"Why should I thank you?!?! You're just enslaving my brother!!..." she yelled, pulling her weapon. "I'll kill you, Naraku!" But, as Sango ran forward, Kohaku readied his weapon, then released his poison mist. "Damn you!" she yelled, leaping back and shielding her nose and mouth with her weapon.

"If you wish your brother to be free, and have eternal life....bring me the Tetsusaiga..." Naraku said. And with that, both were gone, leaving Sango and Kilala.

Sango didn't know what to do now. Closing her eyes, she just walked back the way she came with Kilala, making her way out of the portal to see Inu-Yasha, Kagome clinging to him, and Miroku and Shippo all waiting. "What happened?" Inu-Yasha simply questioned, but Sango just ignored him, walking past, back to the village. "...what's her problem..?"

*Back at the slaughtered village*

After Kilala and Shippo had sought out all the traps laid by Kohaku and Miroku and Inu-Yasha were done burying the bodies of those lost, and Miroku performed the usual ritual for the lost, the five settled in one of the non-destroyed homes for the night. But, even as Inu-Yasha and the others slept, Sango lay awake in thought. 'Naraku said... if I take the Tetsusaiga to him, he'll free Kohaku. But... I can't trust him, can I...?' she wondered, sitting up and staring at the sleeping Hanyou, staring mostly at the Tetsusaiga, though. Slowly she made her way closer to Inu-Yasha, reaching for the sword, and just as her fingertips graised the sheath Inu-Yasha grabbed her hand.

"...what were you doing, Sango?" he asked angrily.

"...I'm sorry. It's just that, Naraku promised to free Kohaku if I brought him your sword.." she said and looked down.

Inu-Yasha released her hand, then headed from the hut, signaling for Sango to follow. She did as told. "After all he's done to You, me, and Miroku, you would trust him?"

"Well, no, but..." Sango was cut off.

"No buts. Tetsusaiga is our only chance to beat Naraku. If I don't have it, it's over." Inu-Yasha said softly. "We all have our reasons to kill Naraku. Me, I promised Kikyou that I'd kill him to free her soul."

"Do you really care that much for her still? Kagome and Miroku told me about her and, well, Kagome knows you still love her." Sango explained.

"I don't love her anymore!" snapped the hanyou, shocking the youkai slayer.

"But, I thought..."

"I don't love her, okay?" Inu-Yasha said, turning away and closing his eyes. "She's not MY Kikyou. She's just a lump of clay. And when Naraku dies, she should be free."

"So you lied before. You DO love Kagome!"

"..........so what if I do?" Inu-Yasha said, blushing somewhat. "I do, all right? Is that what you were so insistant on learning?!?!" he yelled even more angrily now, almost wanting to just attack Sango, but didn't.

"I'm sorry, all right..? I'm just...glad. Kagome and you would make a great couple."

"No. She doesn't love me." he said simply. "I know she doesn't, I piss her off too much."

Before the two could continue their conversation, Inu-Yasha's keen nose sensed something coming near. "No way... not him, not now..." Inu-Yasha muttered. He was sure of it; Naraku was coming. Preparing to pull Tetsusaiga, Inu-Yasha awaited his adversary, but, just then came a large worm demon, much like what Inu-Yasha fought when he saved Miroku and utilized the full power of the Tetsusaiga, and knocked the hanyou over. "SHIT!" he screamed, dropping the Tetsusaiga, sheath and all. As Inu-Yasha scrambled to go grab it, the worm scooped it up and took off once more.

"Thank you, Inu-Yasha... I'll enjoy your sword..." Naraku's voice echoed.

"You bastard!!!! KAGOME! MIROKU! SHIPPO! GET OUT HERE, LET'S GO!!!!!!!!" Inu-Yasha screamed, awaking the three as he quickly began running after the worm.

Once the three others were awake they, as well as Sango, climbed atop Kilala and followed Inu-Yasha and the worm at full speed, though weren't able to fully keep up. Just the same, they were close enough as all five warriors found the castle in which Naraku had been residing the entire time.

"That castle has a dark aura.." Kagome pointed out, the evil energy almost making her shake in fear.

"Kagome, stay here. I don't want Naraku to get the Shikon no Tama!" Inu-Yasha said as he raced into the castle. 'I don't want Naraku to hurt you...' he thought, being honest only in his mind.

"Forget what Inu-Yasha said, we can't leave Kagome here alone." Sango said. The others nodded and all followed Inu-Yasha as swiftly as they were able.

*Within Naraku's castle*

The demon, Naraku, had just received the Tetsusaiga, and was now more than happy to receive Inu-Yasha and his friends as guests, since that meant Inu-Yasha was greatly weakened without his blade. But, Naraku was still aware that Inu-Yasha was a strong warrior. One not to be underestimated. "Come, Inu-Yasha... try and get your revenge against what I've done to you and Kikyou..." he said smirking evily, looking to the Tetsusaiga which now hung from his wall, almost as if a trophy. And the next trophy he wanted would be Inu-Yasha's head.

But just as his thoughts ended, the five travelers managed to get through the defenses, or, lack there of, since Naraku had the upper hand and wanted them to come. "So, you managed to take my sword, huh? Well I'll gladly take it back now, Naraku!!!!!" Inu-Yasha yelled, leaping forward, pulling his arm back and then pushing it forward once more, punching the white baboon. Naraku stumbled back, a bigger smirk on his lips than ever. "What's so funny?!?!" Inu-Yasha yelled. But, all Naraku now did was chuckle. "Answer me, you bastard!!!!!"

"Take your sword, Inu-Yasha. Go ahead, strike me down." Naraku taunted.

Inu-Yasha couldn't, for the life of him, figure out Naraku's logic here. Shrugging it off, Inu-Yasha walked to the wall, reaching for the Tetsusaiga, but was quickly shocked as he grabbed it. Falling backward, Inu-Yasha landed on his back, groaning in pain. "What the Hell..?" he muttered.

"Heh heh heh. You won't get that sword back unless you kill me, Hanyou." Naraku said smirking.

"Fine, to Hell with you! I'll avenge Kikyou, Kohaku, and break the Air Rip curse!" Inu-Yasha yelled noblely, shocking all the others. But, before they could question it, Inu-Yasha slashed his claw forward and screamed, "Iron reaver soul stealer!!!!" And with that yell, five blades of what appeared to be energy slashed right at Naraku, and, within an instant, his white baboon skin fell, and the true Naraku leapt into the air. "Damn it!" Inu-Yasha cursed, leaping after him. "I don't think so! I won't let you get away this time, Naraku!!!!!" Inu-Yasha yelled and once more slashed at his opponent. "Iron reaver soul stealer!!!!!!"

And with the last attack, both the youkai, Naraku, and the Hanyou, Inu-Yasha fell to the ground, each landing on their feet. It was almost like Inu-Yasha hadn't hit him, but then Naraku's words came, or at least attempted to come, as a large amount of blood came from Naraku's mouth as he fell forward. Just as Naraku fell, so did the Tetsusaiga, which fell from the wall which it had been hanging. Inu-Yasha stood, walking to his bladed and taking it. Quickly Inu-Yasha took notice of the shards of the Shikon No Tama which Naraku had held on the ground. Smirking, the Hanyou took them and then unsheathed his blade. "See you in Hell, Naraku." and with the last words of Inu-Yasha, Tetsusaiga came crashing down, slamming through the evil demon. The spurt of blood shooting up made it obvious. It was over. Naraku lay slain by Inu-Yasha, and everyone's suffering should now end.

"Is it...over?" Miroku questioned, looking at his right hand and blinking. "It is..." Miroku stated, staring at the Wind Tunnel which was now gone.

"Oh, no..." Sango said as she noticed out in the distance Kohaku laying on the ground. The Shikon shard had fallen out of his back as well. He was dead. Sango stared down at the ground, letting tears fall from her eyes as she tried to look away from the others.

"Sango, I'm so sorry.." Kagome said, hugging her friend who began crying on Kagome's shoulder.

Inu-Yasha walked to the boy slowly, kneeling down, then said a prayer for the boy's soul, almost as the others would have expected Miroku would beat him to. Inu-Yasha then stood again and walked to Kagome and Sango, who had been joined by Shippo, who was perched on Kagome's shoulder. "Sango, I'm sorry." Inu-Yasha said softly, placing one of his hands on her shoulder.

Sango forced a smile and just nodded, moving away from Kagome's arms and looking to Inu-Yasha. "T-thank you... You freed Kohaku.." she said, trying to be as happy as possible. But still the tears fell.

Inu-Yasha gently hugged Sango, just trying to calm her down. "Sango, we have the Shikon no Tama's shards now, we might have them all. If we do.."

"No. I want Kohaku to rest with the others.." she said.

Taking the shards he had gathered from both Naraku and Kohaku, Inu-Yasha looked to Kagome, then handed them over. "Put them with the others. We get to see how many we've gathered now." he said, and Kagome nodded, taking her necklace off and placing all the shards in her hand, clasping the hand closed.

When Kagome opened her hand, there it was. The full, glowing orb known as Shikon no Tama, the Jewel of Four souls. It was hard to believe let alone that they had gotten it all, but also that Kagome's power had once more formed the Jewel together, just as she had once destroyed it. "It truly is over..." Kagome said, staring at the complete jewel, which now hung onto her necklace.

"Then, are job's over, right?" Shippo asked in question.

"Yeah, looks that way." Inu-Yasha agreed. "Now, what do we do with the Jewel?" he said. Inu-Yasha no longer desired to be a full youkai, though he wasn't sure why he no longer wanted to be. It just seemed like a worthless dream now.

"Won't you use it to become full youkai, Inu-Yasha?" Miroku questioned.

"No."

"That's good news, my friend.." Miroku said smiling.

"Kagome, you'll be heading home now, won't you?" Sango asked.

"I suppose so..." she said in a weak tone. "I mean, I wasn't supposed to be here in the first place, so, me leaving won't make a difference to the time."

'Yes it will. Kagome, it'll make all the difference to me....' Inu-Yasha thought. "If you're heading home.. why don't the four of us come with you?" Inu-Yasha questioned, trying not to act like he was the only one who wanted to go. "With the Shikon no Tama with you, demons will seek you out."

"But, if all four of you come, where would you stay? My shrine is small and.." Kagome was cut off by Miroku.

"Just Inu-Yasha can go then." Miroku said. "Me and Sango and Shippo could always start a demon slaying buisness together or something. This land still is ripe with evil, and as long as the three of us work hard, we can keep this land safe til we die, right Sango?"

"Right." Sango said. "Now you two go ahead, and promise to think of us, okay?"

"I'll miss you guys very much..." Kagome said softly, tears beginning to fall from her eyes. "I.. better head to the well before I look like a total crying lump..." she muttered softly, blushing a bit. "You coming, Inu-Yasha?"

"I'll catch up, just don't jump into the well without me, all right?" he said, causing the fifteen year old girl to nod before she walked off, leaving Inu-Yasha with Miroku, Sango, and Shippo. "You guys will be all right, won't you?" the three nodded. "All right. I don't know if it'll work, but if you guys can get through the well, come visit us, okay?"

"Inu-Yasha, take care of her." Miroku said.

"Yeah, you guys better be a couple when we come and check up on you!" Sango teased.

"Bye, bye, Inu-Yasha! Now nobody'll hit me anymore!" Shippo said gleefully, only to be smacked over the head by Inu-Yasha. "Meanie.."

"Anyway, I'll see you all someday, bye." Inu-Yasha said and walked away, acting as if the parting did nothing to him. It did hurt a bit, though. He'd miss his friends. But, he'd be worse off if he let Kagome go and stayed with the others. When he caught up to Kagome at the well, he knew he had to say what he now knew in his heart. He loved her, and, regardless of how she felt, he had to tell her. If nothing else, what she said might leave him here and he might never see her again. "Kagome, I have to say something to you..."

"Um, sure, what's up, Inu-Yasha?" she asked, smiling her classic smile.

"Well.. before I can go with you, I need to know something about you. It's just that..." he mustered up all his courage and looked at her, weakly smiling. "I love you, Kagome...and before I can go with you, I just want to know how you feel.."

Kagome just stood there, dumbfounded. 'What did he just say?...' she wondered to herself. Inu-Yasha was just staring at her, almost longingly. In her heart, she knew how she felt, but how could she tell Inu-Yasha that...?

*~*~*~*
Ha ha ha! CLIFFHANGER!!! XD How does Kagome feel? Find out next chapter! Read and Review too!!!!!!