InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Desert Rose ❯ Finale ( Chapter 27 )

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

By: ji-an

I was surprised how many reviewers complained about Jordan's death. When I first came up with the story, Jordan and Levion had really minor roles, but they kind of came back on their own. The closer I got toward the ending I felt that there were some holes that needed filling. Even so, I did love Jordan and I hated having to kill her. I'm SO glad that my readers cared for her as well.

On another note: finals are OVA! So I finally got the chance to sit down at my computer and start writing, but I had no idea how I was going to write this chapter. So I wrestled with more writer's block until a few days later my sister finally convinced me to buy Prince of Persia and what do you know, a few good levels being ripped by traps, attacked by sand monsters, falling off cliffs and crashing my chariot got the old juices flowing. Before I knew it, I was on the computer again.

Granted this chapter didn't turn out as I had envisioned it in my head, but hey, it's better then nothing and I just want to FINISH the story already! When, and if, my writing ability improves, I will probably re-write this monster chap! But anyway, enough of my rambling!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, nor will I take credit for Romiko Takahashi's brilliance.

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Finale

A heavy mist fell over the desert like a blanket while the purple clouds above roared. Thunder was heard as though it were cheering the battle onward. Vicious shouts from opposing sides came forth and clangs from swords striking one another echoed alongside the bellows of the clouds.

Inuyasha paused on his way toward the capital, Sango and Miroku halting at his heels. He spared a brief glance back toward the struggle he had waded through. So far the misty distraction provided by Sarina and Suzuna had made it so they could approach the castle unnoticed. Though Jordan was gone, the clouds she had summoned remained. Although he could ponder why that was so, he had to get to Kagome before the sun went down and with the heavy cover of storm clouds, he could barely tell the time of day.

As the light became dimmer, the three of them crept through enemies and allies alike. Several yards away from the city gates, a dozen or so guards flew at them at once. With a swipe of his sword, Inuyasha obliterated them, entering the fortress. The sickening stench of poison and blood was everywhere. Hundreds of enemies caught them the moment the entered.

“Damn it.” Inuyasha hissed as he fought through the endless horde. “We'll never get to Kagome if he can't pass these bastards!”

Gasping, the three of them stood in a small circle, enemies surrounding them on all sides. They were trapped. Inuyasha felt a heaviness tug against his chest as he futilely swung his blade against the endless enemies in the capital walls. Fatigue began to set in and he became desperate, using his abilities and weapon more then he should.

A gust of wind blew through the castle walls. Sango and Miroku covered their eyes, and it took all their strength to stay standing. When he was sure the dust wouldn't hurt his vision, Inuyasha took his hand away from his face to find that their surroundings were empty. Unfortunately, it hadn't taken too long for him to learn where their “savior” had come from.

In the distance, he saw five figures. Their scent confirmed who they were: the remaining members of the band of seven. He hissed but before he could even lunge forward, Miroku had pulled his arm back, placing a beaded bracelet on his wrist. “What are you doing?” Inuyasha demanded.

“You've got more important things to take care of. Use this charm to sneak by. We'll take care of them.” Miroku answered. Sango nodded behind him.

Inuyasha shook his head stubbornly. “I can't leave you two behind.”

Sango came forward. “You'll give yourself away if you talk! Go, we can handle this. You're running out of time.”

Clamping his teeth together, he barked. “You two better survive.”

“Have we ever done anything else?” Miroku smiled. “Get out of here.”

With one last glance at them, he turned and rushed passed the band of seven, set on a straight path into the castle while the five enemies ganged up on Sango and Miroku. Hoping that he hadn't made a wrong decision, Inuyasha sliced through the remaining guards and pushed the castle gates open.

The smell of rotting flesh and poison brought her to her senses. Gagging, she opened her eyes to find a stone floor beneath her. Some gooey purplish liquid covered the floor in puddles. She brought her hand up to her cheek and as she pulled it back, the slime dripped from her fingers. Not having the stomach to wonder what it was, she brought herself to her feet and tried to understand her new surroundings.

To say that this place was gloomy was an understatement. The dark four sides of the cold, cavern-like, walls looked like they were brought up from hell. The stench clogged her senses to the point that she could barely see straight. How could anyone live in a place like this?

She tried reaching Inuyasha with her mind, but for some reason, she couldn't project her inner voice. All she received was a throbbing headache every time she tried.

“Awake are we?” That chilling voice had to her searching frantically for its owner. Looking upward, she found that there was no ceiling to her four-walled prison and a monster in the skin of a man looked down at her from the balcony.

“And here I was worried I would have to kill you without causing you pain.” The monster said.

“Oh that makes me feel just peachy.” She snapped with bared teeth. “So what's the itinerary, Naraku? Are you going to kill me now, or are you going to wait till Inuyasha gets here to kill him with me?” She knew she was grasping at strings, but Kagome felt that if she could stall, maybe she could find a way out of her predicament.

“Wait for Inuyasha? I hadn't thought of that. I suppose it would be quite a show to see his host die as a sacrifice to make the desert spell permanent.” Naraku cackled.

Kagome ignored his first statement. Sacrifice? It was as thought Naraku had read her mind. “Did he not tell you? Oh that is just delicious.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Kagome spat.

“Hosts are the perfect sacrifices for powerful spells. Killing you at sundown will release all of your accumulated host and sorcerer powers and make it absorbed by the desert.”

Kagome gritted her teeth. Reaching over to her back, she was surprised to find that her bow and arrows weren't' confiscated. Before she could think, she had pulled an arrow out and fired it in the demon's direction, but it rebounded as though it had bounced of an invisible wall.

“What?” Kagome growled.

“My barrier. I highly doubt you'd be able to pierce it with your pathetic toys.” Naraku turned and beckoned toward the door behind him. Kagome saw a white figure in the balcony. Kanna appeared beside Naraku.

“Make sure our guest feels at home.” Naraku told her before disappearing through the doorway Kanna came from. Taking his orders, Kanna brought up her mirror and in an instant Kagome found herself unable to move, stuck to the wall as though she were chained to it.

Pocketing the beads, Inuyasha walked through the empty halls. He couldn't believe the interior was deserted. Perhaps Naraku believed that no one would enter the palace with such a war in the way, but then again, he shouldn't get confident.

How much time did he have left? When would the sun go down? He could hear his heartbeat in his ears. It was the only sound in this barren palace. Slowly, he opened the door he had reached at the end of a long passageway. A torrent of disgusting smells assaulted his nose. The nastier the stench, the closer the enemy, he thought as he entered the room.

It was a round space with no window and no door other the one he had just entered through, but Inuyasha had more important things to look at.

“Kagome!” Just as he was about to run to her where she stood against the wall as though she were attacked to it, she lifted her head and shouted, “Stay away!”

Unfortunately, Inuyasha had come close enough. Kanna appeared at Kagome's right and the force of her mirror had attacked him straight on. Inuyasha felt his strength drain and he could barely hear Kagome's grunts as she struggled to get free.

Gritting his teeth, Inuyasha brought the sword in front of him and pulled away from Kanna's hold, his head spinning. Gasping, he looked up from his kneeled position to see that Naraku had materialized between Kagome and Kanna.

“You bastard.” Inuyasha hissed, straightening.

“Such name calling.” Naraku chuckled.

“Afraid to fight me by yourself now that Jordan sealed your powers?” Inuyasha challenged.

“Hardly. Once I'm finished with your host, I won't have to worry about the power your friend drained from me. On that note.” Naraku snapped his fingers. Kanna raised her mirror.

“What the hell are you doing?” Kagome barked as Kanna got closer to her. She managed to get her leg free but only kicked at that air as Kanna stepped away and held up her mirror. Suddenly all the color from Kagome's face faded as her head sunk and her body became still.

Growling, Inuyasha rushed forward and attempted to slice Naraku in half, but an unseen force blew him back. His back hit the wall before he fell back to the ground.

“You two are a lot alike, battling with my barrier.” Naraku laughed.

“What are you doing to Kagome you bastard!” Inuyasha demanded.

“I not doing anything. It's Kanna who is stealing her soul. If you want to save her, strike Kanna down. Or are you afraid to do so because you might regret it?”

“Just because she looks like a child, Naraku, does not mean that I will hold back!”

“Oh? Then by all means.”

Inuyasha stood and charged. A bright flash suddenly came over the room. Kanna yelped, unable to cover her eyes. When it cleared, Inuyasha was just about ready to use the advantage to kill Kanna, but a weight on his leg stopped him. Ready to attack whatever it was, he stopped short at swinging his blade it when he saw the silver figure that was clutching his leg.

“Papa stop!”

“Silva, what are you doing here?” She cringed from the disapproving rumble of his voice.

“Did you return to see your old friends?” Naraku hissed.

Silva paled when he spoke to her, but she grabbed her father's leg. “Don't hurt Ayla!” She pleaded.

“What? Silva I don't have time for this-”

“No! I'm nit lying.”

Inuyasha blinked. “Silva, Ayla is-”

Silva pointed across the room. “NO! Listen! There! That's her, that's Ayla.”

Turning his eyes to where she pointed, Inuyasha saw Kanna stare stoically back at Silva. Naraku chuckled. “Don't be foolish child. You're sister is gone, dead.”

Again Silva trembled when Naraku spoke, but she opened her mouth and stuttered, “S-shut up! Don't lie…y-you know the truth!”

“Truth?” Inuyasha repeated, pushing Silva behind him. “What does she mean, Naraku?”

“Well, I suppose there's no use hiding it now. I was surprised that you didn't recognize your younger child, but then again, sixty years without her heart has changed her drastically.”

Inuyasha felt as though his blood had turned to ice. “YOU BASTARD!” He bellowed and charged but the effect was the same as before: with him hitting the wall and then falling to the floor. “Papa!” Silva rushed to his side.

Inuyasha rose to attack again, but a sudden scream kept him from doing so. It had come from Kagome.

“Let's not do anything drastic, unless you want to see your host suffer.” Naraku warned.

The attack on his host stopped and Kagome once again fell into unconsciousness as Kanna took down her mirror.

“Kagome.” Silva sniffed.

The moment Inuyasha made a move, or even the slightest twitch that would indicate he was going to help Kagome, Kanna tortured her with the mirror, keeping Inuyasha rooted on the spot

“Damn it.” He hissed.

Naraku smiled cruelly at him. “Choose: your daughter or your host. If you don't kill Kanna, she will steal Kagome's soul and I will use it for the desert. If you do kill Kanna, you lose your daughter yet again. Which will it be.”

Inuyasha stood paralyzed, numb from head to toe. “You heartless piece of…” He made a move once again, but Naraku motioned for Kanna and she made a move to hurt Kagome. Inuyasha stopped in his tracks. For the first time in battle, he was giving up hope.

His sword fell clanging to the floor. “How could you ask me to choose?” He fell to his knees, his vexation forcing him to show such weakness in front of the enemy. “My daughter or the woman I love. How could you make anyone decide such a thing!” He shouted.

“Give Ayla and Kagome back!” Silva stamped her foot, running in front of her father.

Naraku laughed. “Do you actually think I'd listen to you child?” Silva gasped as Naraku glared at her. Quickly, Inuyasha grabbed Silva's arm and pulled her behind him before the blade that stretched from Naraku's forearm had stabbed her. It cut through his hand instead.

Ignoring the pain and gushing blood, he turned to Silva but she was no longer near him. Before he realized what was happening, Silva had walked halfway across the room, her eyes pinned on Kanna. “Sister, please, it's me! Please remember!” Silva cried with tear stinging her eyes.

Kanna took a step away from her. “What?” She growled.

“Ayla-”

“Don't call me that!” Kanna pointed her mirror at Silva. A gust blew into the room and Silva barely kept her balance as it scratched her skin like a razor wing. Out of nowhere a hand grabbed her and pulled out of Kanna's assault.

“Kanna, ignore her, kill the girl!” Naraku ordered, but Kanna wasn't paying attention. She focused on where Inuyasha and Silva stood.

“Ayla, remember!” Silva shouted again.

“Ayla.” Inuyasha breathed.

Kanna's eyes widened and fear appeared in her eyes when he said the name. “DON'T CALL ME THAT!” She aimed another blast from her mirror at them. She missed. Inuyasha had rolled out of harms way with Silva in his arms. Kanna gave a malicious howl, aiming and firing at an alarming frequency. Inuyasha could barely dodge her attacks any longer. With the strain of keeping Silva out of harms way, the shock of learning what had become of Ayla, and the speed of the fight, he could hardly keep his mind focused as he jumped and ducked. A blast hit him just above the head. With blood tickling down the side of his face, he fell, Silva slipped from his grasp.

He made a move to grab her as Kanna aimed to fire again, but Silva jumped away from his reach. “Stop!” He yelled, but she ran straight into Kanna just as a blast was released from her mirror. Inuyasha felt his heart skip a beat when a light erupted from where the blast touched Silva. Immobile, he saw the light fade, gasped at the sight.

A large, blue, winged creature made of light floated above the ground, blocking the continuing blasts from Kanna. Silva stood behind the blue, gritting her teeth. As he got to his feet, Silva screeched and pushed the blue light forward. Kanna's face became desperate as Silva came closer. She began firing bigger explosions from her mirror.

Silva pushed through them with her shield till she was an arms distance away from Kanna. Frightened, Kanna dropped her mirror, it shattered and pieces of Kagome's soul sprang forth. Silva let her shield fade. She stepped toward Kanna while the scared girl backed herself into the wall. “Don't come any closer!”

“Ayla, it's me. I came back, I promised.” Silva tried consoling her, but Kanna shook her head, demanding her to go away.

“Don't touch me!” Kanna cried as Silva reached out. Silva grabbed hold of Kanna's hand.

Hissing, Kanna bent down, scooped up a piece of broken glass that used to be her mirror and stabbed Silva in the chest. “Silva!” Inuyasha shouted, running toward them.

“I told you to stay away!” Kanna growled at her, but Silva, wincing, grabbed hold of her shoulder.

She reached into the wound. Kanna struggled to get free, but Silva pressed her claws into her shoulder. A gold and platinum shine erupted between them as Silva pulled a star-shaped jewel from within her wound. Kanna suddenly stopped moving and Silva grabbed the glass she was holding, stuck it into Kanna's shoulder and pushed the jewel into her.

Kanna screamed.

“Ayla, Silva!” Inuyasha didn't know whom it was that cried out, but as he made his way through the two lights, he saw two figures, both on the floor. The moment he reached them, the light suddenly dispersed as though it were blown away. His eyes clearing, he saw Silva lying on the floor, holding the other girl in her arms.

Inuyasha fell to his knees, pulling Silva to him, surprised and relieved to see that there was no wound where she had been stabbed. She groaned and opened her eyes. “I gave it back.” She whispered.

Not sure if he understood, Inuyasha averted his attention to the other child on the floor. Putting Silva down, he grasped the girl's shoulder and turned her over. Ayla breathed quietly where she lay, her ears pulled back against her head, the wound on her chest gone as though it was never there.

Inuyasha felt relief, joy, sadness and hatred at the same time. He held Alya close and pulled her sister to him as well.

“What a touching display.” Silva gasped in his embrace. Inuyasha felt his blood boil. He rose to his feet, Ayla resting on his arm, and searched the room for Naraku only to find that he and Kagome were both gone.

“Kagome!” Silva called out.

“The sun has set.” Naraku's voice echoed through the room. “I'm afraid that in the end, I remain victorious.”

Inuyasha growled.

“He's in the bad room.” Silva whispered.

“The bad room?”

“That's where he took Kagome. We have to save her!” Silva cried.

“Where's the bad room?” Inuyasha demanded. Silva muttered the directions so low he almost didn't hear. Once finished, she moved to go to the designated place, but Inuyasha stopped her. He bent and set Ayla down.

Pulling Miroku's beads from his pocket, he placed them on Silva's wrist. “You're not coming, understand?”

“But-”

Inuyasha didn't listen. He kept a firm hold on Silva's hand as he reached for his sword and ripped open a portal. “I will take care of Kagome. You are going home.”

Silva tried opening his fingers. “I have to help! I have to stay!”

“Listen to me.” Inuyasha growled, bending down to hold her shoulders. “Take Ayla and go back home and be safe. Listen to your father and promise you will stay there no matter what happens.”

“But-”

“No buts.” His tone was final. Holding Silva with one hand, he picked up Ayla and gently put her into the gateway before forcing a wriggling Silva in after her. Before his eldest daughter could jump back out, he closed the doorway and stood to head into the bad room where Naraku kept Kagome.

“I'm impressed…a little. Is it courage or guilt that drives you?” Inuyasha ignored Naraku's voice as he came closer to the door that led to the bad room.

“You are foolishly brave.” He said as Inuyasha opened the door and entered the large throne room. Across from him, Kagome sat motionless on the ground behind Naraku. Inuyasha squinted and saw the circle Kagome sat on. He blanched. Was he too late? He called out to her with his mind and didn't hear her voice, but he heard a heartbeat.

“What's the matter? Aren't you going to challenge me, say some heroic speech, or run to the damsel in distress?”

Inuyasha bared his teeth but said nothing. Instead he unsheathed his sword. “Are we going to fight or not?”

Naraku nodded and Inuyasha charged. He swung the sword inches away from Naraku's face but the demon deftly walked to the side as though he were avoiding a ball. Inuyasha kept hacking and slashing while Naraku walked out of harms way with a speedy, snake-like grace.

“Yell, swing, yell, swing. Even if you did get close enough, how would you hit me through my barrier? Jordan may have succeeded in sealing my abilities,” he dodged as Inuyasha swiped at him again, “but that does not mean I am weak enough to be killed by the likes of you!” He threw a punch into Inuyasha's middle when he was close enough, a blade came forth from his hand, piercing through Inuyasha's stomach but luckily he had pulled away before it could harm anything vital.

Naraku mercilessly attacked Inuyasha with the blades his body was made from, while the half-demon struggled to stay out of harms way, slashing Naraku when he came within reach, but failing as the demon dodge without a sweat every time.

“How pathetic.” Naraku growled. “You're last stand and all you can do is run and hide.”

Inuyasha jumped up as another sharp appendage almost ripped him in half. He pushed himself from the ceiling, and swung his sword, sending a spiraling flash of wind in Naraku's direction. Naraku spun in place as though he were dancing. “Is that all you can go?” He asked as he turned, but Inuyasha was no longer attacking. While Naraku laughed and dodged, Inuyasha had forced him without realizing onto the other side of the room. With Naraku at the far corner, he had made haste and gotten to Kagome and was trying to rouse her.

The sound of steel came his way and Inuyasha only had a second to block the chain with his sword. Struggling to keep his balance and protect Kagome from the continuous strikes Naraku threw at him, he tapped into his sorcerer abilities. Just as Naraku pulled his weapons back to strike again, Inuyasha unleashed a blinding wind spell at him. The tempest did him no harm, but Naraku growled viciously from the light. Inuyasha caught it but had no time to take advantage of his weakness.

“Kagome, wake up.” He shook her but she did no open her eyes. The light from his spell was beginning to fade. Getting desperate, Inuyasha leaned in, passing his energy into in hopes that she would stir. Nothing happened and as the light became dimmer, his heartbeat rose to a painful throb.

The moment the light was gone, Inuyasha saw the tips of Naraku's treacherous poisoned blades flash toward him. He grit his teeth, heart slowing in anticipation for the impact.

Something moved, something flashed, and the next thing he knew, he heard a yelp and, when he opened his eyes, something blue surrounded him.

“Thanks for the wake-up call.” Kagome said from behind him, gasping fro the strain of throwing up her barrier just in time.

Inuyasha breathed in. “You're a lot of trouble you know.” Naraku recovered and began attacking Kagome's barrier in a frenzy.

“Let's finish this bastard.” Kagome hissed, sweat coming down her face from the strain of keeping her barrier up.

Inuyasha pulled her hand and made her hold the hilt of the sword. He brought the weapon up and Kagome could see a red thread form around her wrist. Tapping into her miko and host, she wove out her strength, combining it with his. The sword became a long spear made of light. The two of them rushed forward, deflecting the blows from Naraku's spears, swords, chains, axes, and spikes.

With a vicious scream, Inuyasha and Kagome stabbed the end of their light spear right though Naraku's heart. He bent backward, his mouth and eyes wide. Kagome and Inuyasha stepped back as light erupted from the spear. It covered the room and when it faded…

…Naraku was still standing.

“What?” Kagome shouted.

“Nice try.” Naraku pulled the light spear from his chest. It clanged to the ground, becoming the Tessusaiga again.

“How?”

“Silly girl. Did you really think that you could destroy something that in not there?” Naraku cackled.

Inuyasha's eyes widened in understanding. “That's correct. I ripped it out. I have no use for a heart that gives me such weakness.”

“That explains why you feel nothing and have no soul, you empty piece of flesh.” Inuyasha spat vehemently.

Naraku's face darkened. “Do you want me to show you the power I have attained without that wretched heart?”

Naraku folded into himself, and a black cocoon appeared, it's black and purple threads covering him. A bang of power came forth, strong enough to force Kagome and Inuyasha back. Kagome covered them in a barrier as Inuyasha pushed forward through the gusts and grabbed the hilt of the Tessusaiga.

The cocoon burst open. Naraku stepped forward, his body black as though he were covered in ash from head to toe. His eyes were a menacing glowing purple. “You two will die here.” His voice had changed to be a low, deathly rumble.

In an instant he began attacking with weapons that disintegrated whenever Kagome and Inuyasha blocked them. The dust of the weapons reformed behind Kagome and Inuyasha to slash and hack them to pieces and with Naraku attacking even more viciously then before, it was a strenuous effort to keep alive, let alone fight.

Kagome sliced at an axe, it melted and before it could re-form, she hit the dust behind her with the metallic end of her bow, purifying it to nothing. She kept using the tactic till she came close to Inuyasha who was using both the Tessusaiga and his abilities to block the blows.

“Damn it!” Inuyasha hissed. “How do you destroy someone who does not have a heart?”

“Good question.” Kagome huffed as she managed to pull and arrow out and fire it toward Naraku. It erupted into light, doing him no harm.

“I grow tired of this game of cat and mouse! DIE!” Naraku threw all kinds of dark weaponry in every direction. Too late to stop the assault, Inuyasha and Kagome could only gasp in horror as the tips of the flying projectiles flashed toward them. They ripped through Inuyasha's right arm, revealing the poisonous tattoos. They cut Kagome's thigh, she yelped and held the side of her leg in response.

Survival instinct kicking in, Kagome threw up her barrier, and Inuyasha shielded himself with his sword, but the weapons ripped through Kagome's protection and it's intensity forced Inuyasha to lose his balance. With nothing to protect them, Kagome and Inuyasha sat motionless in the seconds as the blades came to rip through them.

Slice.

Kagome felt no pain, yet she braved herself to open her eyes and see the damage. Inuyasha rasped, willing his eyes open. Death looked pleasant, it's platinum light surrounding them like a sphere. Inuyasha's heart somersaulted, telling him he was alive and starring at something, someone that had protected them.

“Silva, I told you to stay away!” Inuyasha barked.

“No!” Silva stomped her feet. “He hurt Ayla, he hurt Kagome, he hurt you! I'm staying!”

“YOU SICKEN ME!” Naraku howled through the barrier. Hundreds of weapons bounced off Silva's barrier. With a yelp, Silva felt it shatter. With a newfound urgency Inuyasha grabbed Silva with his injured arm, and Kagome with the other and rolled out of harms way and into a corner of the room behind the rubble that had fallen from their battle.

“You can't be here! It's dangerous!” Silva ignored him, grabbing his arm with both hands. She breathed in and her silver light touched his arm. When she pulled her hands away, Inuyasha marveled at how the cuts on his arms had sealed. Silva struggled out of his hold and put her hand on Kagome's leg.

Before they could thank her, or even breath, the rubble that had covered them was blown away by Naraku. Kagome's reflexes kicked in and she placed a barrier up, gritting her teeth with the draining effort. Silva responded by adding another layer.

As more and more dark, sand swords hit their shelter, Silva pulled Kagome's hand and Inuyasha's, making the two of them hold each other's. “Papa, hurt him.” She said. Inuyasha felt a warmth fill him. Had Silva just used him as a host?

Kagome pulled her hand away from Silva, grabbed Inuyasha's wrist and looked at him with fierce determination. She pulled her bow and he connected his powers with hers. They broke through Silva's barrier, avoiding Naraku's attacks with a newfound speed, and flashed toward him, Kagome behind him and Inuyasha in front.

She fired an arrow, he swung his sword and light ripped Naraku in half. He yelled and withered away into nothing. Inuyasha fell to the floor, drained. Kagome did the same. The intensity of their last spell had them hurting all over. Silva rushed to her father's side. “Papa?”

“I'm fine.” Silva breathed in a sigh of relief. “And you are in so much trouble.” Inuyasha scolded. Silva's smile vanished.

“Oh, give her a break. If she hadn't come, we would have lost.” Kagome said as she pushed herself to a sit. “That was very brave.” Kagome smiled. She wasn't called the soul of wisdom for nothing, Inuyasha though, and then a pang came into his heart when he remembered who had told him Silva was one of the four souls.

He struggled to a stand just as the floor began to rumble. Silva whimpered and wrapped her arms around his knee so she wouldn't fall. “What is it?” She cried.

The ceiling began to rain down upon them. “This place is falling to pieces!” Kagome jumped up. Inuyasha wasted no time in reaching for his sword and opening a pathway out.

They watched the palace crumble from outside its walls. Gasping, Inuyasha picked Silva up and gave her to Kagome. “Stay here, I'm going to see if anyone's ahead.”

Silva turned over and hid her face on Kagome's shoulder, sniffing. “Oh, don't cry! You did good.” Kagome soothed her.

“He's mad at me.” Silva wailed.

Kagome would agree with him, but she was too happy too be angry at Silva. They had defeated the monster and come with alive, with no wounds no less. She was grateful. Kagome rubbed Silva's back, cooing words of comfort.

Inuyasha returned, beckoning Kagome to follow. She came close, climbing over rubble. When she got to Inuyasha he held he around the waist and helped her down from the broken steps she'd been standing on.

“What happened to the others?” Kagome asked. Inuyasha didn't answer right away and Kagome felt her heart fill with dread. “The armies have been defeated.”

“And Sango and Miroku?”

“They are waiting for us.”

Inuyasha led her out of the city and they walked across the sand, into the camp. Sarina and Suzuna rushed up to them. “We beat them into dust!” They said together. Inuyasha nodded at them and walked passed. For some reason, he didn't seem as happy as Kagome thought he would be.

They walked into the center of the camp to find, to their surprise, Sesshoumaru waiting there along with Sango and Miroku. Sango rushed forward, giving both Kagome and Inuyasha a hug with tears in her eyes. “It's over? He's dead?” She asked.

Kagome nodded. Sango ran back and threw her arms around Miroku, who looked over his wife's shoulder and gave Inuyasha a congratulating smile.

Inuyasha glared at Sesshoumaru. The demon lord shrugged, his eyes trailing to Silva as Kagome let her down.

“She escaped from me.”

“You were supposed to keep an eye one her.” Inuyasha huffed.

“She's as stubborn as you are. By the time I had realized she had ran away after lying about playing with Rin, you had already sent her back. You have quite a sneaky little girl.” Sesshoumaru glanced at Silva. As though feeling his eyes on her, she blushed guiltily and hid behind Kagome.

“I'll deal with her later. Did Ayla get back safely?” Inuyasha asked Sesshoumaru.

“I was quite surprised when Silva carried her to me. She's safe, sleeping soundly back home.” Sesshoumaru answered. Inuyasha put his hand on his heart, closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath.

“Good.” He turned and reached for Silva. She took his hand with a frown. “Can you watch her once more. I need a moment.”

“By all means. Go and rest, you have earned it. Know that we leave soon.” If anything, that was a dismissal.

Nodding, Inuyasha asked Kagome to follow him. Then they were far from the camp, he turned to look at her, but Kagome spoke first, asking him the question that he had feared answering most.

“Where's Jordan?”

There's still more to come. This last chapter should be easier to write then this one. MAN! Finales are HARD! Anyway, I really hoped you liked and I will update the new chapter when my brain recovers from the whiplash of writing this one.

ALSO, please forgive and spelling errors/ grammatical errors. I wrote this chapter in a hurry before I lost my momentum and went back to writer's block. Thank you!