InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Edge of Heaven ❯ Level 3 ( Chapter 3 )

Edge of Heaven

By Devon Masterson-Bond

Level Three

"Kagome!" Inu Yasha screamed out as he quickly assessed the situation. Amber eyes widened. Kagome was in danger, two of the people that hated him the most were close to his mate, too close. The Tetsusaiga gleamed in the sunlight as he removed it from its scabbard. There was no way he was going to let them have her or his friends. They were all he had to live for. Weakness, yes, they had become his weakness as he had fallen in love with Kagome and enjoyed the others' company. He was not going to let any of them go.

Sesshomaru smirked inwardly as his peripheral vision and nose told him the lustful commitment his brother and foreign girl made. He was even more determined to not let anything happen to Kagome. The two brothers may not see eye to eye or even talk for that matter, but he was family. No one took down members of his family, not while he still lived and breathed. It was one thing for him to be hard on Inu Yasha another when outsiders got involved. "Get behind me," he said forcefully to Kagome just in time to block Naraku's assault.

"Very good Sesshomaru," Naraku commented watching the dog demon carefully. "You surprised me, but then you always were the clever one. Always thinking and scheming. Where as Inu Yasha…" his sentence trailed as he blocked the hanyou's attack. He laughed. "So predictable? Quick to jump in and not think."

"What do you want?" Inu Yasha asked. He looked from each of his enemies to the other as he tried to figure out how to get Kagome away from them. There were too many demons around for Miroku and Sango to be of any help. It was quite obvious that this was a trap of Naraku's thoughtful design not some spur of the moment. However, the conundrum that left him dumbfounded was Sesshomaru's protection of Kagome. He'd figure it out later. "Get away from her, Sesshomaru."

Keeping his eye on the devious demon in front of him, Sesshomaru motioned to Kagome to go to Inu Yasha. "I have no interest in harming your mate, Inu Yasha. I have become a party to this against my will. A matter I will soon rectify."

"Inu Yasha," Kagome sighed once she was back in his realm of protection. She did not think that Sesshomaru would hurt her, she just felt more assurance with someone who would not turn on her the moment her safety was an inconvenience. "Sango…Miroku.." She watched as her friends all fought. She reached for her quiver instinctively when she remembered that she didn't bring it. Her only weapon was still her bag. Myoga assured her that she would not need it for the forest and she would be fine. Of course if she knew the flea just a bit better, she would have put together that she had been set up and the old guardian just did not want her to shoot Inu Yasha upon seeing him as a youkai.

"I can see this is going to be entertaining," Naraku smiled.

"I do not have time for games," Sesshomaru replied. He raised his hand to attack as green glow surrounded his claws. "Die, Miroku!" he exclaimed just before quickly rushing and striking the demon. Naraku smiled wickedly as his body disintegrated into a green miasma, burning attacker's hands. For one second, two sets of amber eyes widened and shared the same thought. "It's a trick."

"No!" Inu Yasha called out in surprise as Naraku appeared out no where with his claws extended. There was no way he would be able to get to them in time. He was only able to watch as helplessly as Naraku took Sesshomaru's head. He dropped to one knee and punched the ground in anger.

"That's twice he surprised me. I didn't think it would be that easy," Naraku commented. "Arrogant bastard…there's always someone more clever." He smirked when he saw the look on faces of his enemies. They were all in various degrees of shock and dismay, especially Inu Yasha. "Don't tell me he meant something to you?"

"Bastard," he said lowly. "You bastard!" He swung the Testusaiga and a surge of energy cut through the remaining lesser demons.

Everyone stood in shock, however Inu Yasha did not notice his feat or their facial expressions. He was moving on pure anger. "No one was to kill Sesshomaru but me," he said lowly.

"You can join him in hell and fight about it later," Naraku laughed.

"Kick his ass, Inu Yasha," Kagome declared then dropped her voice. "He has two large shards in his arms."

"Kagome, I want you to get out of here," he said lowly, "all of you. I'm going to do this alone."

"No, I'm staying here," she replied.

"I am staying as well," Miroku commented. He wiped his brow. He had to remain disciplined and focused. This would all end today. "I have business with Naraku and I'm not going to lose a friend to that bastard simply because he's hot headed."

"Baka," Inu Yasha snapped but kept his eyes forward. "Are you staying here too, Sango?"

"I am going to see this through to the end," she answered raising her boomerang. She flinched slightly in pain. Six of her ribs were broken. She was pretty banged up, both she and Miroku were. It was probably all a part of Naraku's plan so they couldn't be as much help to Inu Yasha. There was a strong possibility that they wouldn't make it. Miroku was already fighting to stay conscious from the hell wasp stings. None of that mattered. She refused to let that bastard live for what he did to her, her family and friends.

A large grin crossed Naraku's face as his eyes glowed in pleasure. "This seems to be my day." He brandished his long claws. "So who's first?"

"Me," Inu Yasha replied quickly.

"Perfect," the demon smiled. The two enemies rushed toward each other in a fury and locked claw to sword. "You won't defeat me pup. Even with your little trick it won't be enough to take me down. I made sure of that. The crystal and that girl will be mine." He pushed against Inu Yasha hard.

"What… happened…to Kikyo?" Inu Yasha asked pushing back against Naraku. He succeeded in knocking the red-eyed demon a few feet.

"She's nothing without her soul just a parasite," he answered, "besides I much rather have what you possess."

"Kagome is my mate," Inu Yasha said furiously as he attacked again.

"He has to keep his head," Miroku commented from the sidelines. "He'll be killed this way. I'm going to end this." He pulled at his rosary when a hand grabbed his free one quickly.

"Don't," Sango replied. "You've already been stung enough. I don't want to lose you."

Miroku sighed noting the sudden appearance of hell wasps waiting for the chance to poison him in vengeance for their fallen. He really shouldn't care, it looked like he might be finished anyway. Feeling in his limbs was already slipping from him bit by bit. There one more thing he had to do before all was lost.

"What do you think you're doing?" Sango asked peeling his hand off her already sore chest.

"I wanted one last time," he said before leaning forward. Out of instinct Sango caught him and lowered him to the ground. She flinched in pain. If this kept up she might actually pass out.

"Miroku," Kagome called out. She turned from the fight and rushed to her friends. As she reached their sides, it was then that she realized how bad they actually were. She had been so worried about Inu Yasha doing something stupid that she did not realize everything that was going on. Stings covered Miroku's arm and out portion of his cursed hand. "Sango?"

Sango shook her head as a tear trailed down her cheek. "Stay with him Kagome," she said forcefully as she struggled to her feet.

"No, Sango…"

"I have to do this Kagome. I let him go without telling him how I feel. The least I can do is avenge him." She lifted her bone boomerang and took a deep breath. "Inu Yasha! I have business with Naraku that can not wait!"
The crimson clad warrior glanced briefly in her direction then continued on with his fight. "This is my fight. You're too weak to take him on even for revenge. Getting yourself killed isn't going to bring him back. Protect Kagome."

Sango balled her fist in anger. She knew he was right but she couldn't let this go. "That pervert…I never told how I really…" her thought trailed as she squeezed her eyes shut and turned away from the world. The world tuned out as she tried to get a grip on her grief. Inu Yasha was right

"Sango!"

In response to being called, dark eyes fluttered opened. A puzzled look crossed her features as she witnessed the distraught look on Kagome's face. She took a step toward her friend when her senses became overwhelmed with danger. A sharp pain in the middle of her back drove her to her knees. She blinked and saw her family standing all around her. Out stretched hands welcoming her back, called to her. A smile crossed her face as she reached out to take her brother's hand.

"Sango!"

The dark haired girl turned around then frowned as she saw Kagome running toward her looking so sad. "No, this isn't right. She'll be alone, what if he…I have to stay." She swatted away the hands stretching towards her and struggled to her feet when she felt hands around her waist pulling her away from Kagome.

"You must part for now," her father said in a soothing voice, "You will see her again."

"No, let me go," She screamed as she pulled away. It was not her time yet. She had to avenge Miroku, Inu Yasha might need her help. What if…

"Sango," Kagome sobbed as the battle continued around her. She cradled Sango's head in her lap and watched helplessly. They were both gone. Miroku…Sango. They were dead and she was fine. This entire battle was all her fault. Inu Yasha was the only one left… and if he died. "I still haven't told him." She looked toward the battle. She was going to find away to settle this.

"How am I going to settle this? The only thing I know how to fight with is my bow and arrow and it's still in my.." her thought trailed as an image of Sango turning away in embarrassment flashed in her mind. Sango brought her bag to her and she was able to put on a fresh set of clothes. She looked around desperately.

"Looking for this girl?" Naraku asked holding a bow in a tight grip. He knocked Inu Yasha back then waved the bow in front of them. "You're nothing without this and she won't save you this time half-breed." He crushed the bow in hand. Now their fates were in his hands.

"She doesn't fight my battles for me," Inu Yasha growled watching his enemy's arms for a chance to strike. As long as he had the Shikon shards, they would remain at this stalemate. The longer the battle went on, the longer Kagome was in danger. This had to stop. At least he had one advantage; knowledge. He raised his sword.

The smile on Naraku's face vanished as he realized that his secret was out. He cringed in pain and jumped backward, but not without escaping injury. He glared at Inu Yasha then Kagome holding his dismembered limbs. "Damn you." This was not going how he planned, but he should have known better. That woman was Kikyo's reincarnation. Naturally she would be able to detect the shards even inside of him. It was a part of her, the miko made sure of that. Even the best seclusion spell could not fool her. He hadn't counted on that. He would have to recover the shards and regroup. "I see we shall have to play later," he announced annoyed. At least he managed to cut their number by half, but this was still an opportunity lost. "Come forth."

Inu Yasha and Kagome both looked around. He moved closer to Kagome. "Stay close. I don't know where they're coming from…"
"Look," she cried out pointing towards one of Naraku's arms. One of the appendages convulsed on the ground shaking loose the shards within both of them.

"Bring me my shards," Naraku commented as the arm melted and began to form a small hoard of demons.

"Oh no you don't," Kagome replied rushing forward. She was not about to let Naraku get the upper hand. She already lost Miroku and Sango next time…next time she might lose Inu Yasha.

"Kagome!" Inu Yasha called out as he reached for her.

"Perhaps this is my lucky day after all," Naraku murmured to himself. He advanced toward Kagome. Even in his armless state he could deal with the fool hard woman side of her. Just as long as…

"The hell it is," Inu Yasha retorted. He jumped in front Naraku and raised his sword. His eyes widened slightly as he felt the power from it. This was the same feeling that he had earlier when he killed the other demons Naraku dispatched. "This is ends now."

Kagome dived on top of the two jewel shards. "Finally," she sighed then looked around. She was surrounded. "Let's hope this works." She placed the pieces together just as hoard prepared to attack. A warm, white light enveloped her body, decimating her attackers instantly. She smiled. At least she had done one thing right. She turned toward Inu Yasha just as he brought down his sword. "No…No…Inu Yasha," She called out, as the Naraku's other arm flew towards him. She struggled to move towards him, but was paralyzed.

"Uh," Inu Yasha groaned as he felt the arm pierce his chest. The arm burned through him increasing the size of the opening, but he wouldn't let Naraku's triumphant laughter or the pain distract him. He bared down on his sword and cut all the way through Naraku. He fell to his knees and looked towards Kagome. He reached toward her when a deep breeze blew and carried her away. "No…"

"INU YASHA!" she screamed.

"Kagome!" Richard called out as he sat up in bed. He ran his hands through his sweaty hair and sighed. "That same damn dream about that girl." He looked at his clock then pulled back the covers. He had to get up in an hour anyway, he might as well get out of bed. He stepped into his bedroom shoes left the room. He paused for a second then went into the kitchen.

"You had another nightmare," a voice called from the room.

Richard rolled his eyes and opened the refrigerator. "I thought you were meditating."

"That doesn't mean, I'm deaf," the voice answered. "And I'm finished anyway."

"Just what I needed," Richard mumbled under his breath.

"I heard that," a man replied as he entered the kitchen. He stood in the door way leaning. His violet eyes projected worry behind wire framed spectacles. He cocked his head to the side causing his long ebony ponytail to snake down his back. "You might as well tell me."

"What do you care?" Richard asked. He poured some orange juice.

"Screaming out a woman's name in terror or pleasure always interests me," he answered.

Richard rolled his eyes. "I don't want talk about it, Kirby."

Kirby sighed. "You might as well tell me now, because you know I'll annoy it out of you later. I have a right to know."

"Says who?" Richard asked defiantly.

"Natural law. We're twins. We share an egg. By rights I have a share in everything that is yours. So start talking."

"No," Richard replied. "I don't have to tell you anything."

"So it is about sex? Still not getting any? I guess I can let you borrow a pair of my glasses and you walk around as me."

Richard's eyebrow arched in annoyance. How in the world was Kirby able to do this to him every time. "I hate you," he growled. Kirby's response was that of a look of triumph. "The dream is about the past. There's this girl in the past but she seems to come from the future, she meets some people, and everybody dies, happy?"

"That's it?" Kirby asked incredulous. "I had a dream like that once. I was some religious guy and I couldn't get laid. Scariest nightmare of my life."

"Idiot," Richard muttered then left the room. "We can not be related no matter what anybody says." He stopped short. A religious man that couldn't… "Nah! He's been sitting on his brain too long." He walked to the bathroom and shut the door. A hot shower was just what the doctor ordered.

To be continued…

© 2003 Devon Masterson

What is mine is mine and what is R. Takahashi is hers I just write here and for nothing at that;p