InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Fragments of Memory ❯ Die Naraku! ( Chapter 11 )

Fragments Of Memory

Story © Akiko (Krystal)

Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi

Sesshoumaru x Kagome

 

Chapter 11 - Die Naraku!

 

“Than again, I suppose I could always give her body to Inuyasha as a parting gift. He seems to enjoy the company of dead women, wouldn't you think so, Lord Sesshoumaru?” Naraku asked, his lips close to Kagome's cheek as Kagura continued to hold her.

 

“Inuyasha?” Jakken questioned aloud, blinking as his gaze darted from his lord, back to the monster near the miko.

 

“He's on his way here now, with the wolf and that dead miko of his,” Sesshoumaru answered, gaze never moving from the hanyou standing there. “He's been on the move a little after we headed out.”

 

“He's getting closer,” came a sullen voice as Kanna appeared out of the door behind Kagura. She focused on her mirror for a moment before the image of Kikyou, Inuyasha and Kouga came into view. “He'll be here soon, Naraku.”

 

“Now what is it you plan on doing, Naraku?” Kagura questioned, her ruby eyes placed upon her master before they drifted over to the demon lord standing there. She was curious as to why he had yet to make a move.

 

Naraku shifted, brushing his fingers through Kagome's hair a moment, then paused suddenly, smirking even more. “I already planned on Inuyasha and that wolf arriving, my dear Kagura. He's been with Kikyou, after all, she's always trying to watch my movements.”

 

“That disturbing bitch is coming here?” Kagura growled, her eyes narrowing at the mere mention of that woman's name.

 

“Someone has to lead Inuyasha here,” Naraku explained, brushing his fingers along Kagome's neck slowly, having found the hidden bite marks there. “Kikyou can find my barriers, whereas Inuyasha is unable to do such a task.”

 

“Then how was Sesshoumaru able to find you if he couldn't follow your scent?”

 

“He followed yours and Kagome's, Kagura. I told you, someone had to lead them here,” he chuckled.

 

“He's inside the barrier, master Naraku,” Kanna spoke up softly, her mirror still watching over Inuyasha and his company. “Do you want us to deal with him, master?”

 

“Hm.” Naraku scooped Kagome's dead body from Kagura's hold and looked at the sisters. “Let them come, you two. I want to see Inuyasha's reaction to being unable to save another woman he loves.”

 

“Jakken.”

 

“Ye-Yes Lord Sesshoumaru,” Jakken stumbled, nodding quickly before he ran off into a safer section, away from where the battle would pursue. Clenching the staff tightly he knew his lord wanted this battle over with quickly, Inuyasha closing in, and would try and keep his lord out of the battle.

 

Sesshoumaru's hand grazed over the hilt of Tokijin, pulling the sword from his side and placing the tip of the weapon upon the ground. He knew he caught Naraku's full attention once more when his amber eyes locked with those crimson ones.

 

“Oh? Do you no longer wish to chat, Lord Sesshoumaru?” Naraku questioned, mockingly.

 

“I did not come here to talk with you in the first place, Naraku,” Sesshoumaru responded with an icy tone. “You're death will come to you this time, there is no mistaking that, Naraku.”

 

“Is that so? It couldn't be because I've killed this girl right here, could it?”

 

“If you believe I would fight for the life of a mere mortal girl, Naraku, you have sadly misjudged me.”

 

“Then, these are Inuyasha's bite marks upon her neck?” Naraku questioned, his fingers merely a centimeter below the holes in Kagome's neck. He smirked. “Or were they inflicted when I sent Kouga to go and kill her?” he questioned, keeping the girl's body close to his own.

 

“NARAKU!”

 

Both amber and crimson eyes drifted towards the shout, but only the amber ones flickered back before crimson could. Sword pointed right at the hanyou's throat, the girl's body dropped upon the ground, Sesshoumaru had made his move.

 

“Seems you were waiting for Inuyasha to arrive for your moment to attack, is that right, Lord Sesshoumaru?”

 

“You will die,” Sesshoumaru spoke, about the lung his sword through the hanyou's neck. A faint growl slipped out from Sesshoumaru before he grabbed the girl's body and jumped right out of the way of the Kaze no Kizu. When he landed her dropped Kagome's body beside Jakken, glaring over in Inuyasha's direction when his brother showed himself.

 

His gaze fell back over to Naraku, who was standing just off to the side of where the kaze no kizu had torn its way through. Naraku had dodged the attack, just seconds, if not less, after he had moved.

 

“Your aim seems to have gotten worse, Inuyasha,” Naraku mused as he watched the hanyou standing there, Kikyou to one side and Kouga at the other. “And you even brought a wolf and miko with you, how charming. I take it you've come for Kagome then, Inuyasha?”

 

“Where is she Naraku!?” Inuyasha shouted. “You better give her back!” His amber eyes darted quickly over Kagura, who was covered in the scent and sight of Kagome's blood. “Where did you put her Naraku!? What did you do to her?!”

 

“I would look over to where your brother is, Inuyasha. You might find your answer there.”

 

Inuyasha, followed by the other two, looked over to see Sesshoumaru standing in front of Kagome's limp body, the girl beside the small toad standing there. She wasn't moving and her skin looked pale as blood covered the kimono she was wearing. “Ka-Kagome?!”

 

Kouga's eyes widened in shock, it couldn't be that outcome! She was…Kagome was dead. He had failed to protect her. He had been the cause of it all. He bit back a growl, his fangs biting at his bottom lip as his blue eyes glared death upon Naraku. “You bastard! First my brethren and now Kagome?! You'll pay, I swear it!”

 

Sesshoumaru continued to stand there as he watched Inuyasha and Kouga start their attacks, only to have to deal with Kagura and Kanna before getting near him. His gaze diverted to the dead miko standing still, just watching the battle.

 

“If you are wondering why I have come, it is merely to see for myself what has become of the events that were laid into place over fifty years ago,” she spoke up, her eyes watching the demon lord. “I have no place in this current battle. I cared not whether that girl had lived or died.”

 

Sesshoumaru merely watched her for a few more moments before his eyes went back to the battles going on, with Kagura on the offensive with her dance of blades, and Kanna on the defensive with her mirror, taking in the attacks. They were getting nowhere and Naraku was standing there, enjoying watching the battle.

 

“Jakken.”

 

The toad perked up, having been kneeling beside Kagome's body to check and see if she was truly dead and how she had been killed. “Yes my lord?”

 

“Get those bow and arrows from the castle, understood?”

 

“Ye-Yes,” Jakken nodded, looking to where his lord mentioned, and then froze. “Ho-how?”

 

Sesshoumaru took firm hold of his Tokijin and darted off, making his attacks on Naraku, forcing the hanyou into a battle with him. He attacked enough to make Naraku move from the porch of the castle, moving him away from the weapons he told Jakken to take.

 

The toad took notice to this and moved from his spot quickly, leaving his staff there to move easier and grab everything better. He watched his lord come close to almost stepping upon him when Naraku made an attack, causing his master to step back. A sigh slipped out when he was out of danger and back beside the girl's body, dropping the weapons to the ground, picking his own back up.

 

Landing back beside the girl and toad, Sesshoumaru quickly called Jakken forth to action. The small toad stumbled forward with his staff and set it firmly to the ground, fire appearing from the mouth of one of the heads upon the top of the weapon. Sesshoumaru kneeled down beside Kagome's body; Tokijin placed down on the ground beside him, within a quick reach, and pulled the Tenseiga from its sheath.

 

Tenseiga, I won't beg you or ask you to save her life. Just do it. The weapon pulsed in his hand, the blade glowing as he concentrated on the minions working their way over the girl's body, working to place their chains, getting her ready. He swiped the blade over her body, slicing each of them into halves and vanish. He placed Tenseiga back in its place, watching the woman.

 

[[[]]]

 

Naraku flinched and backed off slightly from his battle with Sesshoumaru when the toad had stepped into the way and started throwing fire around at him. He frowned and backed away from the scene to try and get a better view of what the demon lord was up to. He smirked when he saw it. The great demon lord was using his sword Tenseiga to save the mortal girl he didn't care for.

 

He glanced over towards Kagura and Kanna to see how his two `daughters' were holding up in the battle. They were doing fine. Kouga and Inuyasha were easily getting worn down, neither being able to get close enough to make a direct attack on them, and unable to make an attack from afar as well because of Kanna's mirror. He knew how deadly Kagura and Kanna could be in battle. One to take away the souls of the living and the other to manipulate them to one's bidding.

 

“Kagome no longer seems to be yours, Inuyasha. Why fight so hard to avenge someone who doesn't even want you near them anymore?” he sneered, rubbing it all in even more. He wanted to see Inuyasha suffering. “Those weren't your bite marks upon her neck, were there?”

 

Inuyasha flinched at remembering that his brother made the bite marks on Kagome's neck. That Kagome was Sesshoumaru's now, and no longer wanted him near her. He glared at Naraku, his fangs bared slightly. “You'll pay for it all, Naraku!” Inuyasha shouted, making an attempt to get near the demon that seemed to enjoy ruining his whole life, only to get forced back by Kagura and Kanna once more. “Dammit it to hell.”

 

[[[]]]

 

Brown eyes blinked multiple times before anything came into focus. “Sesshoumaru?” the voice whispered, looking up from the ground to the demon kneeling beside her, silver hair slipping over his shoulders and even brushing against her cheek slightly. A simple, slight, nod confirmed it was indeed the demon lord beside her.

 

She sat up quickly. “You shouldn't be here!”

 

Jakken huffed. “You should be thanking him instead, wench! My Lord Sesshoumaru saved your insignificant life with his Tenseiga!”

 

Kagome looked down at Jakken and then glanced back to the demon lord, her hand going up to her neck where the shard was still embedded. She pulled it out, flinching slightly at it. “He wanted me to kill you. I couldn't, I wouldn't,” she explained. “He placed a tainted shard in my neck to force me to do it, but… I couldn't. I fought it and…”

 

“He killed you instead,” Sesshoumaru finished, glancing up and towards Naraku.

 

“I missed hitting him with my arrow,” she gritted her teeth, clenching the fabric of the color kimono she wore. “I was so close to hitting him but I missed!”

 

Sesshoumaru picked up the bow and handed it to her. “Then keep trying,” he stated, then stood up and walked away from her, waging his own fight again with the hanyou that dared to cross him more than once.

 

Kagome took the bow and watched Sesshoumaru go to fight. She glanced around and then stood up, running into the nearby building. She quickly pulled off the torn clothing she was wearing and changed into a red hakama and white kimono once more, tying her hair back with a strand of fabric.

 

She slammed the door open when she finished and ran back over to Jakken, scooping both the bow and quiver of arrows up into her grasp. Slinging the quiver over her back she pulled an arrow from it, placing it in the bow and aiming. Her eyes carefully watched all of Sesshoumaru's movements; waiting for the moment she could fire on the bastard that tried to use her.

 

The atmosphere of the battle all felt familiar; the hatred for Naraku eating away at her once more. Everything felt familiar, and she could recall why. She had fought a battle similar to this one with Inuyasha once. Her eyes darted over towards where the dog hanyou and wolf were, watching them fight.

 

[[[]]]

 

“So those bite marks on the girl's neck were made by you, isn't that so, Lord Sesshoumaru?” Naraku questioned as he blocked Sesshoumaru's next attack, backing away from the demon lord every few attacks, trying to get in his own. “I thought she meant nothing to you, but you came here to get her back, didn't you, Lord Sesshoumaru? You came to save her from her death, just like you did when Kouga was ready to kill her.”

 

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed as he took another swipe at the demon. “I came to kill you, Naraku. You won't get away this time,” he explained, keeping the demon's focus completely on him. Naraku had no choice but to stay fully focused on Sesshoumaru. The demon lord was more than he could handle at the moment, and one false move he knew Sesshoumaru would notice, take advantage and kill him, if it was possible.

 

 

[[[]]]

 

Kagome watched as Sesshoumaru continued on with the fight. She had to help, but she wasn't sure what she could do to help him with the battle. Her eyes darted around the scene, there seemed to be something calling out to her. She tried to ignore it but it kept calling, drawing her towards it.

 

She shifted her gaze back to Sesshoumaru once more, and she noticed him glance at her a quick moment, then continue the battle with Naraku. He was keeping Naraku focused on only him.

 

His heart. That was how she could help. She could help by finding Naraku's heart and destroying it. Be careful. She slipped back into the castle, following the aura that was drawing her. Climbing down steps she then knelt down by a hidden door in the ground, pulling it open.

 

Her heart seemed to skip a beat. There was a small infant down there, wrapped in cloth. Placing the arrow back in her quiver, and her bow over her back she picked the small infant up, it just continued to sleep. His heart. This was his heart. This had been the infant he had been trying to hide.

 

Climbing out of the cellar she left the basement, slamming a door open and gaining everyone's attention. Sesshoumaru still had the upper hand with Naraku, but even his assault stopped when she reappeared with the small infant. Naraku seemed to stop dead when he noticed what she was carrying.

 

Naraku made an advance to attack Kagome, before the deadly hanyou could get closer, Sesshoumaru had cut him off,; Tokijin running across Naraku's chest and leaving a large wound there.

 

Kagome gave a small smirk, still holding the infant. “You're heart, correct Naraku?”

 

Her brown gaze shifted when Kanna appeared a couple feet from her side, mirror held in both her hands. She narrowed her eyes slightly, before an arrow came, slamming into the ground by Kanna's feet.

 

“Destroy the infant, Kagome,” came Kikyou's cold toned voice.

 

Kagome merely set the child upon the floorboards of the walkway, pulled an arrow from the quiver and her bow from her back. She aimed the arrow, took in a slow breath. This will end it all, Kagome. She told her. Kill it, and this will all end. No more pain and suffering for anyone else to endure because of this monster.

 

She kept her arrow aimed, pulled back upon the bowstring and closed her eyes. She couldn't destroy it while she looked upon it. It looked like an infant, something she couldn't kill without hesitating, and that was deadly when fighting with Naraku. She released the arrow, the aura appearing.

 

Her eyes snapped open just as the head of the arrow embedded itself into the infant, killing it instantly. Her gaze shifted to Naraku, watching him cripple in pain.

 

“I told you would die, Naraku,” she heard Sesshoumaru tell the dead hanyou, a blue light streaming from his sword, destroying Naraku's body completely.

 

[[[]]]

 

Inuyasha and Kouga were silent, stunned. There Kagome was, standing with a bow in her hand as though she had never been dead. She was alive. Inuyasha dropped the Tetsusaiga as he just watched, unable to move with Kouga right at his side. Both of them were worn from their fighting with Kagura and Kanna. When had this happened? When had Kagome stood up? When had she come back to life?

 

“Ka-Kagome?” Inuyasha stuttered, taking a step towards the girl, gaining her attention quickly.

 

There she was, watching him. She had just been laying there without moving, blood staining her clothing, and now she was standing beside his brother, wearing a priestess outfit, looking as though nothing had happened to her. “Kagome, you're really alive?”

 

Kouga's eyes widened at the sight when she nodded to Inuyasha's question. She wasn't dead, but how? How could she now be alive? It was impossible for her to still be alive. Naraku had killed her; he had been able to smell death twisted in with her normal scent.

 

He was at Kagome's side in a second, his arms enveloping the girl and holding her tightly. He buried his face into her black hair, taking in her scent once more. “Kagome,” he whispered. “You're alive, I'm so happy.”

 

Inuyasha was there the moment Kouga had left his side, and then looked at Sesshoumaru. “You… you used Tenseiga… to save her?”

 

Sesshoumaru just stood there, not answering; instead his eyes were locked on Kagome and the wolf demon. He continued to fight back a growl at seeing the wolf touching her.

 

[[[]]]

 

Kikyou stood there and watched them; an invisible smile graced her lips at seeing such a relieved and happy expression on Inuyasha's face. She was relieved as well that the girl was safe. Inuyasha wouldn't have to mourn another death, but he would feel guilty for not being there to keep it from happening, to protect her, just as he still felt guilty about her own death.

 

She closed her eyes and sat down beneath a tree, enjoying the fresh air that came as Naraku's barrier vanished from his death, clearing out the stiffening air that was kept locked in there. For once she felt she cold truly relax.

 

[[[]]]

 

Kagura blinked, snapping her fan closed. “Well, that was unexpected, wouldn't you think Kanna?” she asked, looking down to her sister who just stood there. “You think he's actually dead this time, Kanna, or has he gone back into hiding?”

 

Kanna shook her head. “Gone. He is truly dead this time, Kagura,” she spoke softly, her voided gaze looking up to her younger sister. “There was no plan this time around. He truly did not expect this to happen. Naraku no longer controls us, Kagura. He is dead. Kagome destroyed his heart.”

 

Her fan dropped to her side as she took in a breath of air, her free hand placed to her chest, where her heart beat inside. “It's true. My heart is placed in my chest,” she smiled slightly. “So, where do you want to go to, Kanna?” Kagura asked. Now she was free to be the wind without control. It felt good. For once she finally felt free. There were no worries left that caused her to look over her shoulder or question ever move she made.

 

[[[]]]

 

Once Kouga released Kagome, Inuyasha pushed the wolf away and tugged Kagome over to him slightly, looking her over to make sure she was okay. She was perfectly fine, not a scratch on her that he could visibly see, other than the old wounds from Kouga's attack. It hadn't been long since then, but it would be easy to tell a new wound from those old ones.

 

Kagome let them fuss over her, a smile gracing her lips as she watched and listened to the two, and how relieved they were to find her safe. Gently she pulled away from them, gave a small bow and walked back over to Sesshoumaru, leaving the wolf and hanyou a bit speechless.

 

“Way to go you mutt, you scared her back to your brother!” Kouga started.

 

“I did! Who was the one invading her personal space?!” Inuyasha shot back. The two were now facing each other, shouting in the other's face about whose fault it was.

 

Kagome glanced over at the two, listening to them argue and shook her head. “Those two will never get along,” she whispered softly, but it was enough to catch Sesshoumaru's attention.

 

“You have regained your memories back then, miko?”

 

“Not all, but some. I believe the only reason I got those back was because of the situation I had been placed in. And maybe the fact I was dead for a while could add to it as well,” she laughed slightly at the thought. But her eyes drifted towards the ground as she thought back to that moment. She had gained some memories back even before Naraku had killed her.

 

The moment the shard was in her neck she had started to get fragments back of her memory. It wasn't a lot, but it gave her an idea to the relationship she had with Inuyasha and the one she had with Kouga. But even after having some o those memories back, she had called out Sesshoumaru's name; his image was the one that flashed before her. What was going on? Wasn't she supposed to be in love with Inuyasha?

 

Sesshoumaru watched her closely, ignoring the raised voice of his idiotic brother and the wolf. His posture straightened up and he glanced over to the two children fighting. “You're place is with them, miko; there is no need for you to travel with me,” he informed her, turning and starting to leave.

 

Kagome blinked, standing there as Sesshoumaru walked away. Her heart just felt as if it had been torn from her chest. Her fingers clenched the fabric covering her chest, and her hair slipped in front of her eyes, hiding the forming tears. Sesshoumaru was leaving her now. He didn't want her to continue with him. Why did it hurt so badly?

 

Jakken was right at his heels, but glanced back over his shoulder at Kagome, a sad look to his eyes about leaving the girl there. Kagome had grown on him just as the young Rin had, though he would never tell anyone. Jakken looked back at his lord, upon seeing a tear slip down Kagome's cheek, and was about to say something.

 

“Quiet Jakken,” was all his lord said, but he obeyed. He was powerless to help the poor girl out.

 

[[[]]]

 

Inuyasha paused, letting Kouga continue to shout all he wanted. “Kagome?” he whispered softly, pushing past Kouga and making his way to the girl. He placed a hand gently to her lower back and stepped to her side. He tilted his head down a bit to get a better look at what was going on with her. “Are you all right, Kagome?”

 

Kagome blinked and lifted her face, her eyes locking with Inuyasha's. They were amber, just as Sesshoumaru's were but they held so much more feeling within them than the older brother's did. Inuyasha's silver hair was shorter than Sesshoumaru's, and had more character to it. They were much alike, but very much different. She could pick out all the differences now. Tears fell down her cheeks more now.

 

“Kagome? What's wrong? Why are you crying?” Inuyasha pressed, pulling her close and wrapping his arms around her. “Answer me, will you?”

 

She tensed at first and then just buried her face into Inuyasha's chest, her fingers grasping tightly at the fabric of his kimono while her tears stained his outfit.

 

Inuyasha blinked and then sighed, continuing to hold Kagome close. He rested his head on the top of hers and closed his eyes.

 

Kouga just stood there watching. He knew Kagome wasn't crying because she was happy. She was crying because Sesshoumaru left her. She had been told to stay and not to follow. And there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it to help her out.