InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Halves ❯ Earth-shattering ( Chapter 16 )

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

Halves

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Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and I do not make money from writing this story.

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The paths were sun burnt as the man walked them quickly. He wasn't a fool, even if he hadn't been to his homeland in a long time. The minute he'd heard about Mount Hakurei from a very close demon friend, the healer wanted to inspect for himself. Somehow, the barrier of the pure mountain had been corrupted. Somehow, humans could enter it now. It wasn't an opportunity to pass - they said herbal plants on Mount Hakurei had the oddest qualities.

He didn't expect to see an old hut secluded from the rest of the world there, and he certainly didn't expect to see a young, pregnant woman lying peacefully on the ground.

A helper as he was, the healer let his rusty sword fall to the ground beside him as he rushed at the woman's side, trying to take her into the hut. Once he accomplished that, he analyzed her to see if she was hurt in any way. Exterior physical damage was nonexistent, so he breathed out a sign of relief.

But when her eyes opened, when the pained depths caught his gaze, he found he couldn't look away. She was such a beauty, exuding the distinctive innocence he knew his homeland held, he'd missed it so much. He could always find it here, in the people of this land, in the dreams they shared. For he, the nameless man who helped a hopeless woman, was always homesick.

“Zhang Suikotsu,” he stated with silky ease, wearing his name proudly. He saw the woman's soft features twist along with her furrowed brows, it was surely about his name, she certainly couldn't pronounce it.

He watched different emotions cross her face for a moment, but he wasn't expecting her eyes to widen impossibly large as she almost flew away from him.

“Are you one of Naraku's spawns?” she assess, glaring daggers at his head.

“Naraku?” He tested the name on his lips, no, he did not know any person by this name.

She was thrown back for a moment, but she tried not to let it show.

“Don't play with me, I'm not to be trifled with!” And just like that, she reached for the arrows she'd left at her feet, forgetting to wonder how she hadn't died, forgetting to thank the Kami for letting her see the end of another day.

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His heart was crushing under its own weight, but he couldn't have it. Not now, not when he was about to do the most important thing of his life. Kaede had told him he wouldn't be successful, Kikyou had warned him not to try it, but he couldn't listen to them, couldn't listen to reason. The pain of Kagome's death had blinded hi, he supposed he should be grateful he wasn't her Half anymore - he didn't know how he could have stood it otherwise.

Nothing made him angrier than the thought that Kagome was dead while the monster kept living, kept scheming. He had to die, the bastard had to have a taste of his own chaos, Inuyasha would ensure it.

Wait for me. Wait for me, love.

He was running at top speed. His feet were sore, but he didn't care, couldn't bring himself to care as he sought to avenge the woman he hadn't forgotten. Months had passed, he couldn't even tell how long, because it seemed like weeks and months had melted together, forming a lump of pain that remained inside his throat, refusing to budge.

But it was okay, it was fine, because he needed it to remind him of who he was, of what he had to do. He'd let Kikyou go, they weren't exactly on speaking terms, but she had come to warn him not to go after Naraku when she'd learned of his plans.

He'd told his Father not to meddle, and - surprisingly - the Emperor had done exactly as told.

I'll come. I'll move mountains and come to you.

He promised himself that. It was the only thing that kept him running, the only thing that gave him courage to confront his enemy.

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The Empress wasn't happy at all. It seemed like her husband's son was being foolish. Still, Inu no Taishou had prohibited her to interfere with `Fate' as he liked to call it. She trusted no such foolish ideas, what did `Fate' mean anyway? Fate hadn't been kind to her when she'd needed it. Fate had abandoned her when she destroyed the bond, Fate didn't even allow her to find the man that could have been her bond, the one destined to cherish and treasure her for all eternity.

Fate… hah!

Inuyasha was entirely reckless, what was with the decision about destroying Naraku? Did he think he was as powerful as to stand a chance against the devious demon all by himself? However, there was noting she could do but curse him in silence.

How stupid you are, Inuyasha.

He wasn't her son, no. She didn't care for him, either, but… he reminded her of her husband and her when they were younger. When they made mistakes. When they were ignorant.

You're running towards your own end.

As much as she disliked the idea of Inuyasha being the son of Inu no Taishou's Half, she couldn't hate him. She couldn't help but feel bad for him, because she knew what it felt like to a certain extent. Masami understood him. And for him to seek revenge now was utterly expected, though entirely imprudent.

Naraku has been plotting things recently, she'd kept track by means of her most powerful, devoted guards. After all, the Empress couldn't keep her arms crossed while the vile creature killed any more of her subjects.

Naraku had a plan. He'd been lurking around Mount Hakurei for too long, it was like a twisted obsession. He wanted to enter, she'd realized, but why? What did he need that was on Mount Hakurei?

Lately, the mountain's pure aura had dimmed, she didn't know why, but she suspected it had something to do with Naraku's constant presence there. At the beginning, he'd sent his servant, that wind sorceress, but afterwards he'd started coming himself. There seemed to be a certain desperation in his stride, the guards had informed her.

She'd have to share this with her husband, Inu no Taishou surely knew more.

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“So… you're a healer?” the beautiful woman asked sheepishly, he'd learned that she was a miko. A powerful one, she seemed, too. He nodded a response and the woman sighed. “My mother… is a healer, too,” she disclosed, maybe talking about her hurt? It seemed to, what with the way her brows furrowed in distraction, he found himself wanting to soothe her. What was a future mother doing all by herself in a pure mountain?

“I come from China,” he told her, wanting to make it all clear, entirely grateful that he had been able to convince her he was not a offspring of Naraku's. “I was born here, but I went to China to learn about their cures and changed my name there when I entered the Zhang clan. They have been particularly kind to me, especially since I was a fast learner and soon I became much better than them because I knew the cures of this land, too,” he said, wearing a proud look on his face.

Kagome meant to smile, she did, but a searing pain made her grimace instead. Her breast… it was hurting too much. And now with the mountain's barrier fading, she was no longer safe. Perhaps it was her fate to die.

She was lucky she hadn't died now, as she'd suspected.

“How did you find me?” she found herself asking, curiosity sticking its ugly nose.

“On the ground, you were unconscious. Is there something wrong? I noticed you're hurt.”

“It's… I'm fine,” she bit her lower lip in worry, no, she was not fine. He was a healer, but she hadn't heard of anyone that could cure her condition. It was quite cruel, really, but there was nothing she could do, was there?

“No, you are not. I told you, I am a healer, maybe I can help you.”

His eyes widened when the woman did something he wasn't expecting - she grabbed his hand and placed his open palm on her left breast. He panicked, wondering if there was something more she wanted from him, but when he felt the texture there, he stopped. There was clearly a lump, as in…

Suikotsu's lips parted a bit, maybe to let air escape, maybe to show his shock.

The woman, he'd learned her name was Higurashi Kagome, she was pregnant and ill. Not many survived this, but he could help her. He could try, although he realized the tumor was quite advanced.

“Will you let me help you?”

His question startled her. He could… help her? Yes, if he could, she'd be ever so grateful, she'd never be able to thank him enough.

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“I heard he's going to catch Naraku,” Sango commented, sitting beside her husband. For some reason, the Emperor had blessed their marriage, contrary to their previous fears. Masami-Hime had been against it from the start, but she'd relented when Inu no Taishou made it clear he was not going to have more lovers hurt.

“We should go with him,” Miroku replied, knowing their promise, remembering how they'd vowed they would be the ones to cause Naraku's fall.

“I know… I wanted it, it's why I became taijiya. Becoming a slayer was so that it could help me kill Naraku,” it was also what made Inu no Taishou convince Masami-Hime to give in - the servant-turned-taijiya was powerful now, fit to be part of the Imperial family.

“But he left already,” Miroku complained, looking straight ahead. He wanted to avenge Kagome, too, and he wanted the bastard to pay for what he'd done to his wife. Sango had never deserved what she'd got, but she was slowly recovering now.

“I know that too. But I think we should let Inuyasha do this. He needs it. He has to do it alone. You've seen him, Miroku… I never thought…” her sobs stopped her from talking and her ever caring husband wrapped her in his strong, soothing arms, rocking her gently.

“I know, my love.” Yes, he'd witnessed it, too, the gradual fall of the brave hanyou. There was not much left of him now that Kagome was dead, and it was a painful realization for all of them. Kikyou had moved on now, she was dedicating all her free time to her miko powers, but Inuyasha was destroyed. He was…

Miroku shuddered. “Even if they didn't know each other for long, there was something very strong that connected them.”

“I didn't understand it then and I can't understand it now, but you're right,” Sango agreed with a curt nod.

“I hope he'll do it,” he wished he could watch Inuyasha return home victoriously, they all did. He knew Kaede was praying for it, Kikyou probably was, too.

“Why did she die?” he heard his wife ask on a whispered tone, it was a question he'd heard so many times. And he had an answer he gave Sango ever time, but maybe… maybe just once he'd speak his mind. Maybe just this once he'd share with her his hope, his faith.

“Would you believe me if I told you… I don't think Kagome is dead?”

Silence ensued. Sango didn't know what to think, what to say, sometimes she was convinced of it, too.

“Do you think Naraku lied?” she asked optimistically, searching her husband's eyes with her own.

“He always lies and deceives, maybe he wanted to crush Inuyasha.”

Sango felt like cheering, she knew it was wrong, she knew Kagome was probably dead like Naraku had said, but…

“I'm sure he lied, I'm sure of it. Kagome has to be alive, she has to,” she wanted her to be.

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“You can really cure me?” she asked hopefully. His grimace said everything.

“You shouldn't… put your hope in this,” he lowered his head, “your tumor is advanced, so I am not sure I can help you, but it's worth a try.”

Kagome nodded, a hand going reflexively to her swollen abdomen, she wanted to live for her child. She had to.

“It's a root,” Suikotsu-san explained, “I discovered it back in China, I studied it for a long time and cured a lot of ill people with it. But they were at the beginning of the same condition, hence my doubt.” He was very kind, Suikotsu-san, it was true luck that he'd found her.

“I think it's because of the barrier,” she commented aloud, startled when the healer's head turned abruptly.

“What is?”

“My tumor. I shouldn't have got it if the mountain was still completely pure.” And it was true, there was no way she could have got ill like this with the mountain unpolluted. But Naraku was relentless, she'd learned, so he found a way to slowly corrupt the mountain's purity. He couldn't get through the barrier, yet, but he'd soiled it immensely.

“I'm glad you're human,” she told the healer and he smiled.

“I know, I wouldn't have been able to get through if I weren't. And I wouldn't have got through if the mountain hadn't been corrupted, either.” She'd told him everything about Naraku, about the Jewel, he'd heard of it. He was quite surprised that she was the current priestess guarding it, that meant she was strong. But she was to be a mother, and mothers were always frail. Suikotsu-san asked her about the father once, but she refused to answer. It seemed it hurt her too much to think about, he hadn't tried to find out more ever since.

“I'll be back,” he promised, strapping a cloth around his body, “I'm going to find that root.”

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Dammit, Kagome.

His tears didn't feel like his, it was as if they belonged to someone else, as if he were watching himself from the shadows as he ran desperately, finally knowing what to do.

I love you.

Inuyasha was finally going to kill the monster for what he'd done to the woman that had been his Half. He was going to make him pay.

His teeth gritted as he ran, nothing else mattered but the fact that he was going to smell the bastard's blood, he was going to relish killing him. Enjoy it to the fullest.

Why did you have to die, Kagome?

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“I found it,” he declared with a warm, wide smile. Kagome's heard thumped deliriously, she couldn't contain her hope, her excitement.

“You returned!” she ran to greet him, “Suikotsu-san, thank you. You didn't have to go through all this trouble,” she started, but he cut her off.

“It is my pleasure.” He caught her gaze with his intense one and she stifled the urge to gulp loudly. She knew that look, she could read it clearly. Kagome wasn't a fool, she knew that Suikotsu-san liked her, and he probably assumed she didn't want anything to do with her unborn child's father, she'd made that impression.

“If we get out of this, Kagome-san,” she knew what he meant, `if you will live', “will you marry me?”

Her eyes went wide with surprise, her heart broke. What could she do? Inuyasha was surely happy with his wife right now, why wouldn't she accept to marry this wonderful, warm man? He was good for her, she knew, but she didn't love him. It wasn't fair to either of them, it wasn't fair to the child, to never know his true father.

“Suikotsu-san,” she was breathless, but he placed a finger on her lips.

“You don't have to answer now, just… think about it.”

He really, really liked her, she realized, as he went to prepare the cure.

Zhang Kagome… it… had quite a nice ring to it.

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“You're aware that your fight could last for months,” Inu no Taishou had said, but Inuyasha had merely nodded. He didn't care if it lasted years, decades, he'd take his revenge, he'd kill the bastard that had dared touch Kagome. He didn't even want to know what else Naraku had done to her, it was too painful.

He remembered what Miroku told him that Naraku had done to Sango, it must have been infinitely more torturous for Kagome, infinitely more haunting. That was why he could never forgive Naraku.

That bastard.

With renewed endeavor, the hanyou jumped high in the air to avoid trees, heading toward Mount Hakurei. Naraku had managed to taint the pure mountain's barrier, so the hanyou knew where to find him. The twisted demon barely left that place these days, and now Inuyasha was sure he could defeat him. He felt Kagome with him in this. He had to win. He just had to.

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She felt really embarrassed to let him see her naked breast, but it couldn't be helped. His touch was gentle, as if not to hurt her. Kagome knew that Suikotsu-san would be the perfect husband. She watched his temple as he rubbed the cure on her breast, his dark hairs that twitched when he gritted his teeth, when his jaw tightened.

He applied the cure, rubbed it on her skin, covered it with a cloth and told her to wait. They were to wait for the result.

He'd have to prepare tea for her, a plant she'd never heard of, but was infinitely grateful to find out that it grew on this mountain as well.

The kind healer seemed very happy just to be with her, which surprised her, she wasn't used to it. Inuyasha had always only seemed eager to get rid of her or to bed her.

“So…”

His word left hanging between them.

She knew what he meant, she didn't want to hurt him, but, “I can't.” Kagome lowered her head when she heard his sigh.

“I understand. I guess I assumed wrong, didn't I?”

What did he mean?

“I thought… I thought your husband left you because of your fate being tied to the Shikon no Tama, but… you still love him, don't you?” he asked awkwardly, rubbing his nose.

“I do.” She couldn't lie to him, he'd been so kind to her, she owed him a lot. If the cure worked, then she'd owe him her life, too.

He nodded, “I understand.”

“I'm sorry” was all Kagome said, all she could give him and she hoped it was enough, even though she felt ashamed.

“You have quite a large belly,” he commented suddenly, avoiding the previous subject and her eyebrows rose.

“Well, I am pregnant, of course I have a large belly,” she insisted.

“May I?” His eyes asked the same question and she nodded. Suikotsu-san touched her protruding belly, rubbing it gently, then took hold of her wrist, feeling her pulse.

His smile was bright, and she felt even more ashamed because of his infinite kindness, “I believe you have twins. Boys, too.”

“What?”

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“Naraku,” Inuyasha spat out with venom, the vile name coming from his lips coated in a torrent of hatred. The monster seemed surprised, he surely hadn't expected the hanyou's arrival, but a wide grin lit his face.

“Came to ask me how your bitch died? We haven't seen each other in a while, half breed,” he taunted, fully enjoying the blinding rage written all across Inuyasha's face.

“That's it! You die today!” he yelled as he unsheathed his pulsing, enraged sword, lifting it towards his opponent.

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“Kikyou-Hime-sama, so you think it was wise of him to do it?” Kaede asked worriedly, her face showing the concern she held for the prince. And even though the former princess tried to hide it, she couldn't conceal her own worry.

“He'll be fine,” she insisted, her poise telling everything about her outer calmness.

“He might not be, Kikyou-Hime-sama,” Kaede reasoned, “Naraku cannot be killed with merely physical strength. Perhaps the Emperor should have let you join him as you suggested.”

“The Emperor is right,” Kikyou said suddenly, “Inuyasha has to do this alone. He will never be whole again if he does not. Maybe he'll succeed, maybe he'll come back,” she grimaced at the thought of him never returning, at the mere idea of him losing his life to that creature.

Not another life lost because of him, please.

She'd been begging the Kami to ensure Inuyasha's safety, it was the best she could do for him at the moment. The truth was, she missed him. She missed what they'd had, but she'd never get that back. It had been amazing while it lasted.

Kaede pursed her lips in meditation, then the question she'd meant to ask for a long time escaped her lips, “Have you forgiven him?”

Kikyou didn't flinch, but nodded once, “I have.”

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After days of trying to get to him, after months of burning hatred, Inuyasha was finally face to face with his enemy. His sword clattered when it hit a rocky tentacle, he jumped back, but he tried again. Naraku's tentacles grew from everywhere, they were everywhere and anywhere at the same time, Inuyasha could barely focus, but he felt calm.

Tessaiga seemed intent on killing the monster, the hanyou would stop at nothing to do it. He would never even think about his own death, it didn't matter. He even wanted it, it would be sweet oblivion.

Wait for me, love.

He chanted in his mind, in his heart, he wanted to see Kagome again. He was convinced that it would be soon. He would see her soon.

Naraku recoiled when parts of his body were sliced by the hanyou's fuming sword, it seemed that every little part of the prince had a single purpose: to get rid of him. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Naraku feared the prospect of dying, of feeling nothing. He'd felt nothing before, and it was scary, the most frightening thing on earth. He wouldn't feel it again, he'd vowed to himself that, so he couldn't let the half breed win, he couldn't let himself be killed. He had to win.

“She screamed and begged,” Naraku taunted, knowing fully well that it hadn't been so, Kagome had escaped him, but Inuyasha didn't know that. And if hearing this could break the hanyou's will, then it was worth a try.

Eyes were bleeding red, claws lengthening, Tessaiga didn't have a say in the matter. The sword fell to the ground helplessly and Inuyasha found he had no control over his own body, but he couldn't think about it. Something had triggered his transformation and the supreme hatred and rage he felt demanded Naraku's blood.

With a howl of wrath, he tackled his adversary to the ground, pinning his huge, hideous body with his smaller one. Tentacles threw him off and into a tree, but he recovered immediately and jumped against the creature once more. He couldn't feel his own blood trickling down his arms, oozing from his chest, he didn't notice his shoulder being broken, didn't care that tentacles were piercing him, leaving holes in his flesh.

He felt no pain, no emotions other than blinding fury as he clawed at Naraku's body, leaving deep gashes in his wake. A wound for a wound it was, and soon both of them were covered in the other's blood, one weaker than the other.

Inuyasha wiped blood from his mouth with the back of a clawed hand then surprised the monster by throwing himself against him straight into the mountain's invisible barrier.

Naraku released a pain-filled holler, it sliced through the forest, chilling every bone in its path.

War had begun.

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Kagome ignored the pain in her abdomen to focus on the alarming feeling she had. She'd felt it, the massive youki grinding into the mountain's barrier, was Naraku trying to kill himself? Yes, the mountain had been corrupted, but it was still pure to a certain degree, trying to break through meant suicide. The air was ominous, she shivered.

Suikotsu-san was by her side in an instant, he seemed so attuned to her needs and moods, or perhaps he just understood her really well.

“Kagome-san? What is wrong?”

“Did you feel it?”

“Feel what?” he asked, confusion etched all over his face. No, he hadn't.

“Never mind” she wanted to say, but she fell to her knees as a searing pain embraced her. No, it was too early for that, wasn't it? She had a few more weeks to wait, it couldn't be.

“I think,” she whispered through gritted teeth, oh, it hurt so much, “I think they're coming.”

Suikotsu-san understood immediately and his face paled considerably.

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There was no trace of reason within Inuyasha's brain, he could no longer discern what was right or wrong. The only thing he had in mind was that he needed to kill this demon, and if it meant he'd die, then he'd gladly do it.

“Half breed,” Naraku hissed dangerously as he finally threw Inuyasha off him. He meant to make a barrier around himself, but he found he didn't have enough power for such a thing. He wanted to summon Kagura, she'd be able to help him for sure, but he couldn't do it, either. For a second he considered the fact that this could be his end, this could be his doom.

Inuyasha charged at him recklessly, as if he'd been trained for this sole purpose. The passing of days and nights held no real importance, they could go without food for a long while, they could go without water. The only thing that mattered for Inuyasha was to kill this monster, to drive his claws through his throat, relishing the blood flowing out of it.

This was the image he had in mind, his goal, this was what he wanted to achieve - he'd live for this. He'd live and die for this, if necessary.

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Kagome was spent, who'd known giving birth would be so taxing? She'd heard stories, yes, but had never imagined the true intensity of the whole ordeal. Yet now as she gazed at her amazingly sweet sons she felt her heart soar with pride and joy. Her children... and Inuyasha's. She'd love them infinitely, she'd love them for Inuyasha, too, since he couldn't share her joy. The joy of being a parent.

Suikotsu-san smiled, he was truly happy for her, too. She couldn't thank him enough.

A grim thought crossed her mind, but she willed it away for a few minutes. She wanted to enjoy the angelic faces of her cherished children some more as she held them in her arms. There were no real words to describe the spreading happiness that didn't let her breathe, the pressure that settled inside her chest, which told her she was a mother now. It told her she had to live for her children, that she would have to die for her children if the need came.

“Thank you, Suikotsu-san,” she whispered, too tired to speak clearly. He nodded and left her alone with her children for a while, he knew now to intrude.

“I'll be outside if you need me.”

`If you need me…'

Yes, she needed him a little, but she needed Inuyasha more. It hurt her immensely to see the resemblance between the sons and the father, they were truly Inuyasha's children. She missed him, her heart ached for his presence, but she had to be strong. For these two little souls, she had to be strong.

“Kaa-san loves you,” she told them lovingly, giving them her brightest smile yet.

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It was pure chance that Inuyasha tripped and fell backwards, it was sheer luck that Tessaiga was right under him when he fell. He touched the hilt of the sword as he struggled to get to his feet and instantly came out of his youkai-induced haze. He could think clearly now, he knew what he had to do. Without stopping to ponder, he poured every little bit of force he had left into Tessaiga, praying it would help him. It was his last resort, after all. Naraku was spent and tired, too, they couldn't last longer. At this rate, both of them would die, and Inuyasha was painfully aware of his throbbing wounds now.

With a cry, he swung his sword that pierced through both Naraku and the barrier behind him. Tessaiga destroyed them both.

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Kagome sat up abruptly - was what she felt true? She couldn't sense Naraku anymore, but she couldn't feel the corrupted barrier, either. They'd both… disappeared. Vanished. Had the monster tried to bring it down and led himself to his demise along with it?

Suikotsu-san was at her side in a flash, “What is wrong? What was that sound, Kagome-san?”

“Naraku… he's gone.”

But something, a distant feeling pierced her. A youki brushed against her aura, it was faint, it was far, but she recognized it. Her heart beat hungrily, desperate to be reacquainted with its lover.

“Inuyasha,” she whispered, struggling to her feet with furrowed brows.

Suikotsu-san tried to stop her, argued with her, telling her that she was too weak, but she wouldn't listen. She had to do this. She had to see him, even just once.

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The prince froze mid-step. His senses couldn't be right, no, he was delirious for sure. But… it felt so much like her scent, like her aura.

Kagome's scent.

He abandoned reason and ran, forgetting common sense, forgetting anything else but his love for her. He loved her, he wanted her back. It was plain and simple.

Kagome Kagome Kagome Kagome

His heart beat her name, he wouldn't deny it. He would never deny it again.

It occurred to him only now that the bastard could have lied to him, could have only made him think she was dead. Maybe Kagome was alive, maybe… maybe there was hope for them after all.

He stopped and his breath caught when he saw her running weakly towards him, her hair disheveled and her face tired. She smelled… he didn't want to think of it for a moment, but he had to, the moment he saw a man holding two newborns coming out of a hut.

“K-Kagome…”

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She looked at him for a long, long time, he was so bloody. Blood clung to his body, and she couldn't even know if he had any skin left, he seemed so torn. Holes pierced his flesh, it was clear what he'd done - he'd fought Naraku. She didn't want to think about it, couldn't bring her mind to ponder on it, but had he won?

“Inuyasha,” she whispered, the name breaking when it left her lips. She wanted to hug him, she wanted to never let him go, but he'd break, she was sure of it. And he still had Kikyou, he still had his wife.

Kagome saw his gaze stray from her, saw him look behind her and she did the same. A painful worry settled in her stomach, what if he'd want to take her children to raise them with Kikyou?

“Inuyasha?” she said, turning to look at him. His golden eyes had a rough light to them and she realized he misunderstood, that he thought Suikotsu-san was the father of her babies, but a discrete twitch of his nose told her that he already knew. He knew.

Inuyasha couldn't believe it. He'd believed she'd only come here to be with this man, to have children with this man, but the moment his nose started working properly was the moment he thought his heart would stop forever. They were… his children. His children. He was a father and he hadn't even known.

He dismissed everything he might have said and pulled her into a strong, heartfelt embrace, ignoring everything around them. His wounds hurt, they blistered, but he didn't care. He was home, he was whole again.