InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ DarkWorld ❯ Face-Off ( Chapter 9 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. I am not profiting from this fanfiction.

Note: It’s been forever, hasn’t it? I thought most people had either forgotten about this fic or given up on it. To my surprise, I got a review (though granted on a different story) asking about DarkWorld just recently. I guess somebody is still interested. Right, well, who am I to leave things unfinished?

For this, I’m trying to align it more correctly with the actual Inuyasha manga (which is now finished, if you didn’t know). In it, Sesshomaru regains his lost left arm the moment he realizes that he must let go of his bitterness towards Inuyasha. With it, he gains a sword which had been hidden within his body via his father, called Bakusaiga.

DarkWorld

Chapter 9: Face-Off

Inuyukio’s castle was much, much less than expected. This was mainly because hardly anything stood anymore.

When they arrived, Kagome had been slightly hopeful that she would see something grand, something that lived up to such a ruler’s reputation. But the “castle” had been reduced to its foundations, rubble providing the least cover possible.

For a long moment, Inuyukio and his three offspring merely stood and stared at it. Their silence kept everyone else from saying or doing anything, some realizing only then just what kind of family ties the four of them had. It was enough to make you stop and think, “Something is terribly wrong with this world, but something is equally right with it, too.”

Kagome could only wish, fruitlessly, that Inuyasha could’ve had such a family once.

Inuyukio didn’t wait long. He was the first of the foursome to tear his gaze away from the rubble, facing the rest of the troupe again. “We don’t have a choice, now. We have nowhere to hide and we cannot continue running. We have to face him.”

No one had to ask who “he” was.

Inuyasha immediately barked, “We kicked his ass once, we can do it again.”

“We won’t have any trouble,” Shippou added, a strength in his voice that belied his size.

Inuyukio’s expression was a mix of surprise and disbelief. “He has the Shikon no Tama, if you’ve forgotten.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Inuyasha said with a laugh. “We have Kagome.”

She blushed slightly at the way he said that.

“This is true,” Kiori agreed. “I could teach Kagome-san to cast spells with me – spells which would render the Shikon no Tama powerless, if temporarily.”

“You never mentioned this before,” Inuyukio told the Light Demon.

“It was impossible before,” Kiori replied.

Shoda and Ran’gawa, leaning on each other, met gazes for a moment. “We,” Shoda began, “would not be able to accomplish much.”

“That’s why we’re here,” Miroku replied, pointing at himself with a hook of his thumb.

“Arrogant,” Sango chided.

Inuyasha grinned broadly. “Admit it, oyagi. You’ve got a better chance of killing Naraku now than ever before.”

“Don’t get overconfident,” Hiei snapped. “We’ve tried it before.”

“You didn’t have us before,” Kagome shot back smartly.

“This Sesshomaru may not like it,” Sesshomaru threw in, “but I have fought alongside this party many times. I have confidence. . .in them.” He sounded horribly pained to say such a thing.

Jaken stuttered.

Kimi drew herself up as tall as she could be, adding, “I want to be of use – to both my brothers. I won’t let anyone down.”

Jeanie clapped her hands together, saying, “I’m always up for a good fight.”

Inuyukio bowed his head briefly, thinking. Then he nodded to himself and looked around at everyone. “If everyone is prepared, we could leave now and arrive at Naraku’s castle in a few hours.”

“On foot?” Sesshomaru asked.

Inuyukio grunted an agreement.

“No.” Eyes swung on Sesshomaru. “That is not sufficient,” he said. “Those of us with larger demon forms can transform – we can all fly. We will get there much sooner this way.”

Inuyasha gave a laugh. “And you’re willing to be transportation, Sesshomaru?”

“This Sesshomaru will not offer passage for you, half-breed,” Sesshomaru replied, voice scathing.

“We can do this,” Sandira murmured wonderingly. “We can do this! Father, we could really do this!”

With brotherly affection, Hiei threw an arm around Sandira. “We could do this,” he agreed.

Tsurumaru then said, “We will do this.”

Ever so slightly, Inuyukio’s shoulders straightened. “Yes, we will.” His eyes went to Kimi first. “Kimi, you will carry Kagome, Sango and Miroku. Sandira,” he threw over his shoulder, “carry your brothers, and Inuyasha as well.” He looked at Sesshomaru, “You --”

“I know my part,” Sesshomaru interrupted, though unpleased with it.

“Kirara can carry us,” Sango protested.

“No,” Inuyukio told Sango firmly. “It is better this way.”

Kimi didn’t bother to voice any fears of humans – she was already used to this group, anyhow. She knew she wouldn’t have any trouble carrying anyone present, weight notwithstanding.

“Guess I’m with you,” Jeanie said to Sesshomaru, her voice teasing.

The joke fell on deaf ears. Sesshomaru didn’t grace her with even the slightest glance.

“What will we do?” Rin asked, eyes wide.

“We cannot leave them alone,” Inuyukio answered, referring to everyone not specifically battle-orientated.

“We won’t,” Kimi agreed. “Kai’rei, I’ll ask you to stay here.”

Kai’rei gave a nod of understanding.

With a glance at Echo, Jeanie smiled. “Echo, you stay here, too.”

“Try to find a safe place to hide in the rubble,” Sesshomaru told Rin and Jaken.

Then, as one unit, Jaken leading the charge, he, Ah-Un, Rin, Kai’rei, a miniature Echo, and Myouga all headed for the rubble that was once Inuyukio’s home. Now, there was no more time for reminiscing, not even a moment dedicated to doubt or wonder. They had waited long enough. Fifty years, Inuyukio told himself, was far too long.

They saddled up as necessary, then took to the skies. Inuyukio didn’t change for this, leading with Sesshomaru directly behind him, Kimi and Sandira flanking their larger brother.

As soon as they reached the castle, imposing and tall, black against a black sky, they wasted no time. Inuyukio led the charge by slashing mercilessly at the demons circling in the sky. It undoubtedly alerted the demons within of their approach -- Naraku specifically. But they all knew Naraku quite well, including the fact that he had endless arrogance. He would wait for them to come to him.

Blasts from Sesshomaru, Kimi and Sandira aided Inuyukio’s descent, as well as the riders. Kagome rationed her arrows well, even as one arrow could clear a field of demons just as Kaze no Kizu could. She kept an eye on the demons gathering behind them, and soon enough, those demons had little choice about where they would gather.

With all sides covered (and being decimated), they simply destroyed the castle in their search for Naraku with little resistance.

On Sandira’s back, Tsurumaru was worrying over his effectiveness in battle. His sword could do damage enough -- but he couldn’t move well. He grasped Hiei’s haori with an order, “Break it.”

Hiei knew what Tsurumaru was talking about: his wounded knee. Trying to avoid the severe pain Tsurumaru would feel (and Hiei would share) led them to the decision to never try to break his leg, but instead, wait for the eventual heal that would fix it. Hiei disagreed with his brother’s order.

But then, Tsurumaru figured it would happen this way. He and his siblings had a strong bond. In fact, he already had a backup plan, one he’d been planning since a few nights ago. He saw the way his other self and ’Inuyasha’ fought, he knew they had little care for one another. Although it saddened him, it posed an opportunity.

He rounded on Inuyasha, riding alongside Hiei and himself. “Break it, shater my knee!” he ordered the red-clad hanyou.

Even Inuyasha looked surprised, but even so, he fisted his hand and drew it back for a punch. Tsurumaru braced himself -- Hiei caught Inuyasha’s hand.

“What are you thinking?!” Hiei snapped. “This is your brother!”

“Your brother,” Inuyasha corrected, just as pissed. “And we don’t have time to argue -- you should’ve done this long ago!” He pushed Hiei away, and then his fist came down.

The pain was blinding, more so than any torture he’d ever felt. Tsurumaru threw his head back and bellowed involuntarily, despite readying himself for the impact and all control he’d had a moment before. The pain shot up his entire thigh and side, making it feel akin to having dull hooks forced into his skin, muscle and bone, only to be yanked on to tear his leg apart. For a moment, everything went completely black and his ears began ringing.

Oh yes, Naraku knew how to cause pain. This was more than proof enough, and certainly more proof than he’d ever like to have.

When his vision and hearing returned, the pain was dull in comparison, but still intense. He found that Hiei and Inuyasha were on opposite sides of him, both holding an arm down. Had he flailed? He didn’t remember. But, he noticed ironically, while Hiei was wincing and looked concerned, Inuyasha was keeping an eye on the skies.

Although not one for human food and drink, Tsurumaru was wishing for sake just then. Perhaps being drunk would lessen the agony in his leg.

“We’re landing!” Sandira told them, urgency in her voice. No doubt she knew what had happened upon her back, and no doubt, she was disturbed.

As they landed, Tsurumaru pushed through his pain to give orders. “Hiei, Inuyasha, stay together,” he said sharply. “Watch each other’s backs. Sandira will stay with me.”

Inuyasha’s expression was one of annoyance, but he didn’t argue. “I’ll get rid of the castle,” he growled, and Tessaiga’s blade turned black.

“Meidou!” he roared, and a giant black ball filled with stars flew from the sword, sucking into itself the very castle and all demons in the area. When it dissipated, a hole remained where it had been, pieces of demons halfway pulled into the hole lay strewn about.

Hiei and Tsurumaru were taken aback, though Sandira accepted it quickly and continued fighting, using her Lei Long to blast dozens of demons at a time.

Nearby, Sesshomaru drew his Bakusaiga and, silently, stabbed into the castle wall. If he said anything, nobody heard him, so loud were the demons and fighting around. The castle began dissolving, and the trail that did it continued to eat away like acid.

Sango rode Kirara, Hiraikotsu doing its job better than ever before, while Miroku stayed close to Kagome with ofuda flying in all directions, and Kagome herself was handling the situation well. Jeanie was smashing heads in with punches nobody would think a human was capable of, but she was still tearing through and beating down the demons around her, Kiori backing her up.

Light itself shown from Kiori’s staff, throwing up the ground and burning the demons it touched. Kimi was shredding demons in the sky, the bright blue tendrils she created with her very fingers leaving them in pieces, raining down on those below. She and Sango made a magnificent team.

Shoda and Ran’gawa were practically glued to one another, near enough to Kiori and Jeanie that they could easily watch over one another. And the lovers were very effective together, Ran’gawa able to clip any demon’s wings that was out of range of Shoda’s glaive. Alternatively, Ran’gawa’s chain was also used to fetch Shoda’s glaive in times when it was out of reach, allowing them to stay right where they were.

Shippou and Toshiro teamed up, both making a dozen clones of themselves. The most they could do effectively was confuse the attacking demons, distracting them, while the two real boys stayed out of reach. Kyuubi bi flew left and right from all clones, unable to do much more than singe the demons.

And Inuyukio practically dove through demons, leaving bloody chunks in his wake, dead set on reaching Naraku before exhaustion could set in. With everyone else remaining close together, watching over each other, injuries were few. They followed after Inuyukio (which grew easier as the castle continued to dissolve), though at a slower pace, allowing no demons to reach their fearless leader.

They split up underground in groups of three, Kimi sticking with Sango and Miroku as they veered off, Kagome joining with Hiei and Inuyasha, Shoda and Ran’gawa trailed by Toshiro and Shippou, Jeanie taking off after Sandira and Tsurumaru, Marise awaiting them (among piles of demon) and following alongside Sesshomaru and Kiori.

Kimi stumbled upon human slaves and stopped short. It took effort for her, aided by Sango and Miroku, to make herself help them out. Once the ceiling above had been eaten away by Sesshomaru’s first attack, she transported a dozen humans at a time to the surface, where they huddled together, protected by Sango, Miroku, and an especially vicious Kirara.

The group of Kagome, Inuyasha and Hiei tried keeping up with Inuyukio, but the elder demon was far from slow. They got separated, and even with two hanyou smelling the air, they couldn’t pick up the scent -- this castle didn’t carry smells. It seemed to be a barrier, which Inuyasha tried using the red Tessaiga to break. It didn’t reveal the scents of those it’d been hiding, but it did allow the new scents to be followed. Again they went after Inuyukio.

Tsurumaru, though still injured, chose to fly through the corridors. He tried not to use his flight, unsure of his own power since losing his tail, but now was the time to use every bit of his strength. There would be no holding back. Sandira flew with him, and though Jeanie was on foot, she was keeping up well. She ricocheted off walls when necessary, not even out of breath. They kept the hanyou team ahead of them in sight, receiving no real battle in this setup.

Marise transformed into her cat form, following behind Sesshomaru and Kiori. The two she trailed behind were blasting straight through walls and floors, their main goal being the destruction, total and utter, of the castle. They weren’t following anyone, simply tearing everything in their way apart, save for any human slaves they encountered -- which Marise obligingly took to the surface, finding groups of humans already gathering, and well-guarded.

The lover-and-child foursome found Naraku first -- or rather, he chose to appear before them first. Stopping them dead, he floated a few feet above the ground, smiling at them. Long, deadly spikes grew from his back, a thick, scaled tail extended from his backside, his fingers and toes brandished wicked talons, and in the center of his chest, a black orb glowed. He wore no armor nor clothes, tentacles of his own deadly miasma circling around him.

All four knew what was coming; they had no chance, even by pooling their resources, of surviving this. That didn’t mean they weren’t going to try.

Inuyukio, ahead of everyone else, found himself in a dead end. He was expecting this, knew it was going to happen, but was still infuriated. In a blast aided by his sword, he blew apart the wall in front of him and many beyond.

The ceiling above dissolved, revealing Sesshomaru, who only glanced down before moving on. Passing behind him, Kiori paused long enough to say, “Most of the castle is no more.”

His twin hanyou sons caught up to him, Kagome out of breath but keeping up. In one glance at Inuyasha, he conveyed his wish to destroy more of the castle, and Inuyasha smirked in reply. He sent out a ball of pure blackness, eating away at yet more of this damned castle. It won’t be long now. . .and then Naraku would be theirs.

But when the castle was nothing more than piles of bodies, blood and foundations, they regrouped with no Naraku in sight. And they were missing four members of their party. . .

Maniacal laughter was their warning that they weren’t alone, and every single person looked up. There Naraku was, lounging in midair, not in the least fazed by his castle’s complete obliteration. Four prone forms were before him, held up by his own power, no doubt. Inuyukio recognized them as Shoda, Ran’gawa, Toshiro and Shippou. Kagome cried out.

Kimi and Sandira, enraged, flew up side by side. Naraku threw the bodies of their companions at them, forcing the two girls to catch the prone bodies and take them to the ground. Kiori assured Inuyukio of their lives, but couldn’t wake them.

“Let us fight,” Naraku drawled, “on my terms.” He came at them, the Shikon no Tama emitting a black cloud, seemingly absorbing what little light there was.

Inuyukio and his group prepared for the battle ahead, only to find it wasn’t time just yet.

Between them and Naraku, a white light appeared, taking the form of a person, although no details were discernable. Naraku flinched at the onslaught of light as the figure answered, “No, the terms will be equal in all ways.”

The light spread, engulfing Naraku as well as the entire group awaiting battle. For a moment, there was nothing except a feeling of warmth.

---

When vision cleared, everyone was surprised at the change. All around them, there seemed to be nothing but an open, airy mountainous area, no life whatsoever around. Swirling grey clouds blot out the stars -- not much of an improvement over their previous state of location, despite it looking vastly different. No one, not even the residents of the shadowed world, recognized the place.

What else had changed was their placement: before, they were in a tight-knit group, with four members totally unconscious. Now, everyone stood apart from one another, and in a circle, at that. They were grouped together, the doubles, side by side. Kirara and Marise were both in cat form, across from Sango and Ran’gawa. Shoda and Miroku stood across from Shippou and Toshiro. Kagome and Kiori were facing Inuyasha and Hiei. Kimi and Sandira were across from Tsurumaru and Sesshomaru. And in the very center, Inuyukio was beside Jeanie.

They were all confused.

“This battle needs to end,” a voice told them, the same voice that had transported them here.

“Where are we?” Kagome asked, before she could stop herself.

“A separate world, apart from either of yours,” the voice answered. They all looked, but no one could see the body behind the voice.

“Why have you brought us here?” Inuyukio inquired next.

“The time has come for unity,” was the answer.

Rings began appearing around the feet of the groups, save for Jeanie and Inuyukio in the center. Kagome and Kiori’s ring was yellow, Inuyasha and Hiei’s violet, Tsurumaru ad Sesshomaru’s silver, Sandira and Kimi’s pink, Sango and Ran’gawa’s blue, Marise and Kirara’s red, Shippou and Toshiro’s green, and Miroku and Shoda’s tan.

There was no fear. Each of them felt curiosity, but no fear. When the voice ordered for union, no one was frightened, or even wary. There was only a feel of alignment, as though it was meant to be.

Colored light flooded each ring accordingly, encompassing those within for but a split second. When it cleared, only one person stood in place of two (including Kirara, who was now humanoid, and Shippou, who was adult and very tall), each one’s outfit changed, some more radically than others. And each outfit was color-coded, had its own recurring symbol, and had many colored gems matching the color of the previous rings.

All at once, they all understood: these rings, their colors, were very particular. They were each special, all of them, for one large reason. . .they were gifted with affinities for elements. It was done purposefully, awaiting this day, this battle. They all governed a specific element just for today.

The placement of them in a circle was particular, as well, putting opposites of the elements across from each other. Kagome was Light, Inuyasha was Dark. Sesshomaru was Power, Kimi was Lightning. Sango was Water, Kirara was Fire. Miroku was Earth, Shippou was Wind. And in the center. . .

“Life and Death stand,” the voice finished for them. “But alas, Life requires Death to live. You must do so.” A black ring appeared around Jeanie’s feet. “You, who has no double, for you cannot.” She was enveloped in darkness. “The daughter of Death himself.”

The shadow cleared, and Jeanie now stood, more changed than any of them. Her hair was very long, very light, and pure white, if not for jagged black streaks. Black feathered wings adorned her back. Her skin was pure white, with a mist about her ankles. When she opened her eyes, her irises had turned black, but her pupils were white -- and glowing lightly.

“Now, child of Death,” the voice continued, “you must raise the dead.”

Jeanie turned to Inuyukio, smiled, and crouched down. She plunged her hand into the ground, which went in like pudding. Then she whipped her hand back out, stepping back. A skeleton pulled itself from the ground, then rapidly grew muscle, flesh, and armor. A tall man with long white hair stood now, recognized easily as Inuyukio’s double -- Inutaishou.

He opened his eyes, spotted Inuyukio, and offered his hand silently. The voice said, “Life, pure and unified, lives.” A white ring surrounded both men’s feet, then had bathed them both in pure white light. When it cleared, only one man remained, flexing his fingers. He smiled.

And then Jeanie said, in two voices, “This is all well and good, but why did we need to be so roundabout?”

“With the Shikon no Tama, so tainted and impure,” the voice replied, “Naraku himself personifies Death. It is required, regardless of complications.”

“Then I have to kill him,” the newly reborn Inutaishou said.

“It is not so simple,” the voice advised grimly. “Only Life can fight Death to a standstill, but only Death may kill him now. And only with the powers of the Elements can Life remain empowered against such an opponent.”

“We’re all needed,” Kimi deduced. Her hair was light violet now, and her eyes were bright pink.

“This Sesshomaru will be happy to slay Naraku,” Sesshomaru told them, his eyes silver. It was a recurring trait, they saw now, looking from face to face: all of their eyes matched their element.

Or mostly, in the case of Jeanie.

“He approaches,” the voice said sharply. “Defend!”

Everyone turned in one unit, meeting the sight of Naraku as he strode towards them, confident, arrogant, and powerful enough to allow for both. He bowed before them, grinning broadly. “Who wishes to die first? Of course there’s little chance I’ll kill you in such an order, but I might.”

“Over-confident as always,” Inutaishou said, walking out of the circle of Elements. “I will fight you, and only you will die this day.”

“Be wary!” the voice resounded before dissipating. Whatever presence had kept them calm and informed until now was gone. They were alone. They were ten-on-one, but they were alone.

Naraku clapped his hands together once before launching into attack. Inutaishou met him head-on. The battle was fierce, destructive, rapid, and most of all, ultimate. Everyone knew that if they failed here, both worlds were doomed. Yet somehow, a plan was in their heads, a quiet knowledge that told them what to do and when. They all took to the air, sans Jeanie (who disappeared from sight), lifting off their feet, watching the battle from above.

Arms spread, rings of symbols, characters and runes surrounded each of them in their own colors. Power gathered slowly, but they had time. Inutaishou was evenly matched with Naraku, which seemed to infuriate the latter. They threw each other around, both with physical attacks as well as their own brands of power.

Two minutes they were at this, then five, then ten. The two were getting weary, losing energy. They were getting sloppy. Now was the time.

For each Element, a small band of runes appeared around each wrist. White light gathered around their hands. And finally, tiny orbs of light began gathering around Inutaishou, one by one being absorbed into him. As they did, the white light around each Element’s hands began dissipating. With time, the runes around them faded, as the white light was transferred to Inutaishou.

Naraku was beyond infuriated, throwing whatever he could at the interfering Elements -- futilely. They were all surrounded with shields of their own power, impenetrable for someone as weak as Naraku currently was. He was losing, and now he knew it.

He threw himself at Inutaishou, a sword of miasma in his hands. Inutaishou clapped his hands in response, sending a blast of white light into Naraku, hurling him back. Naraku slammed into a series of rocks, making them crumble. Several fell atop him, trapping him beneath them.

Inutaishou approached, clearing the rubble away with a gesture of his hand. The Elements lowered to the ground, watching. Opposite Inutaishou, Jeanie was nearing, once more in sight. Naraku pushed himself up with one arm; Inutaishou shoved him back down with a foot.

Jeanie reached down, crouching by Naraku’s head, and without ever touching it, the Shikon no Tama disappeared. It was in Kagome’s hand now, pure white. At the loss of his power, Naraku bucked hard, yelling in outrage and pain. Jeanie merely covered his face with her hands, and in doing so, Naraku went limp.

When she pulled her hands back, a small black flame was in her hands. She clenched her fists and it extinguished. It was Naraku’s corrupt soul, now no more.

“Finish it,” the voice returned.

Until now, the sword on Inutaishou’s hip was hardly noticed, not used in the fight. He drew it now, slashing down, severing Naraku’s head in one motion. Lifting it again, he stabbed down directly into Naraku’s heart. Destroying head, heart and soul, Naraku could safely be said eradicated.

The world around them shook and trembled. For one disconcerting moment, everyone saw three different images, three different worlds, and then it was over. They took stock of their surroundings and themselves.

Gone were the different outfits, the odd eyes, but they remained as they were physically. Shippou was still an adult, taller than anyone else. Kirara was still humanoid, her hair in pigtails resembling a cat’s ears, blonde. Kimi’s hair was still lavender.

Inutaishou and Jeanie remained as well, although the girl looked as human as ever now, her skin and hair back to normal.

“It’s. . .strange,” Kagome broke the silence. “I can remember everything about Kagome and Kiori, but. . .I feel like ’Kagome’.” She sought confirmation from those around her.

“Me, too,” Sango agreed. “Ran’gawa is there, but I’m Sango.”

Very pointedly, Inuyasha looked over his shoulder at Sesshomaru. The massive differences between them and their doubles were confusing, but it opened Inuyasha’s eyes to what a real relationship with his brother would be like. He hated to admit it, but he longed for things to remain that way.

Sesshomaru saw the look he got from Inuyasha, but was silent, expression giving nothing.

Inutaishou turned to the group, smiling a pleasant smile. He said, “My children. . .my friends. . . We are saved.”

“No,” Kagome had to disagree. “We are whole. For the first time in fifty years. . .” She found herself smiling, too. The worlds had been rejoined, and everyone in them; she could feel it.

“Sesshomaru-sama!” Rin led the charge, atop Ah-Un. She waved frantically. “My lord, Sesshomaru-sama!”

When Ah-Un landed, she was off his back in an instant and running for Sesshomaru -- who knelt down to accept her embrace. Tsurumaru’s influence, perhaps? Whatever the reason, he looked content, holding the child to him.

“Rin missed you,” the girl murmured. “Rin was worried.”

“We’re alright,” Kimi cooed, petting her hair. “And you should be feeling better than ever.”

With a grin, Rin agreed. “Yes, I do! Rin has never felt better. But what happened? Rin is confused. There’s another Rin in Rin’s head. She says she’s Yuriko. I don’t understand.” She frowned.

“I will explain,” Sesshomaru promised. “For now, don’t worry. Everything is right again.”

---

Afterwards, Jeanie stayed only long to answer some questions, the least of which was why she didn’t get tired once in that battle, despite the way she tore through full-fledged demons. She told them that she’d been badly injured, mutilated even, in a highway accident a few years ago. She was since found and “rebuilt” by the American military, who replaced both legs and her right arm with some prototype limbs. She likened it to the six-million-dollar man.

She also explained about why the voice had called her the ’daughter of death’, saying that there was a being, apart from demons, who quite literally governed death and led spirits to the afterlife. Near her time, he inhabited a human body for a time and conceived a daughter: her. Her mother, while living, never knew the truth of him, though she died since and undoubtedly knew the truth now.

But apparently her power, like all of theirs, had been a one-time thing; she couldn’t change anymore. It left everyone with the same, singular truth: that power had meant to be used only once. It seemed Fate had been guiding them.

Kagome wished for the second Shikon no Tama to join with the first, freeing the spirits of both Midoriko and her double, which had separated when the two Shikon no Tama had been formed. It was then revealed that the being, the disembodied voice, had been Midoriko’s double -- Koritsiko. Neither spirit nor the joined whole Midoriko waited for a response; she merely thanked them and dissipated.

And that was it. Jeanie left the group with the promise to never forget the adventure she’d gone through. Kagome left for home, knowing she’d have to explain the events to her family, who of course knew something big had happened, along with every other living being. Sesshomaru, Rin and Kimi departed as one unit, with the promise to stay in touch with their brother and father.

Everyone had things to talk about to one another, and no more so than Inuyasha with Inutaishou. They walked together, Inuyasha pointing out places, learning for the first time what his father was like. Sure, Hiei’s memories were one thing, but Inuyukio and Inutaishou -- like all doubles -- were different.

Meanwhile, Sango and Miroku were unsure how to continue. Their doubles had been betrothed, and honestly, both they and their doubles were asking for it. Even so, Sango’s biggest concern then was with her brother, if he was alright.

Shippou and Kirara, both having changed radically, had a lot to talk about. This was Kirara’s first time using human words, and she liked it. She could finally convey what she wanted to with words, fitting her intelligence. She could finally tell Sango, as she’d always wanted to, what it was like fighting alongside Midoriko, and how alike it felt with Sango.

Oh yes, everyone had things to talk about, things to discuss with each other. The world would never be the same again, but more than that, everything would always be better. There was one world now, no longer split between two; the DarkWorld had ended.

::End DarkWorld::

Thanks to everyone for reading. Sorry this took so long, but without uplifting reviews, any and all passion a writer can have about a story will only fall flat. This is even more true for stories that the writer has a lot of pride and faith in; without anyone seeming to like it, all of that pride proves to be its downfall. I didn’t want to continue DarkWorld, and in fact stopped thinking about it, because no one wanted to read it -- or so I thought.

For this reason, if you’re a big fanfic reader, please always review. You never know what the writer may be able to pull out, and any review can be helpful. And also please try to review with thought. Remember that the author writes whole chapters, puts thought and effort into it, for those who read. The least you can do is try to do the same.

One review can make or break a story. Even “I can’t wait for the next chapter!” will be a great help for the author’s inspiration.

Lastly, don’t ever flame because the one fanfic doesn’t live up to your personal standards. Authors gain experience with every chapter they write, and just because you prefer more well thought-out fics doesn’t mean that what you’re reading isn’t the author’s personal best.

Put simply, a little encouragement goes a long way. Personally, I’ve abandoned many fics because I received negative reviews -- ones I was happy with, liked, and even was proud of. DarkWorld nearly became one of them.

But I’m only this talented now because I also received uplifting reviews. For other fanfic authors, this goes double for you: always review in helpful ways. Pointing out failures to keep grammar in check or trouble with homonyms is called “critiquing,” and as long as you don’t insult the author (“learn to use spellcheck!!”) the review is in no danger of being removed.

This is my advice for reviewers, as an author who depends on them. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed my fic DarkWorld.