InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ His Wish ❯ The End of Evil ( Chapter 1 )

A/N: Yeah, another story! This was supposed to be a one-shot, but I chopped it up a bit. So it'll probably be 4 chapters long. Enjoy!

Remember all, Inuyasha belongs to me in my dreams.

Please review or e-mail me with questions, compliments (not fishing, I swear. Maybe just a little.), etc. I love to know what people think.

 

 

His Wish

Chapter 1

The End of Evil

 

 

Kagome woke slowly. The morning light filtered through the slit of her curtains, causing dust motes to dance languidly through the air. She lay on her side and watched the movement with half-open eyes as her brain slowly returned to its normal functioning levels.

 

It was over.

 

The quest for the Shikon Jewel shards was complete. Naraku was defeated, the jewel was whole, and the world was a safer place.

 

Kagome sighed and rolled onto her back. She threw an arm across her forehead so she could stare at the ceiling morosely. `I wish that I'd had some advance warning it was going to end that day.'

 

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The day in question had started like so many days before it had started. After everyone awakened, breakfast served, and Miroku's wandering hands beaten into submission for the moment, the group of friends had set out to continue their journey. Around mid-day, Kagome sensed an obscene number of jewel shards. Only one person had that many shards nowadays and he was not on anyone's happy list.

 

Inuyasha growled when Kagome told him of her suspicions. With a confidence that infected his friends, the inu-hanyou raced off in the direction the miko indicated, closely followed by everyone else. They caught up with him on the edge of a pleasant forest clearing. An ironic choice of scenery considering the battle that would take place there shortly.

 

Naraku was sitting in the middle of the glade with his back to the group, seemingly unaware of the presence of his greatest adversaries. All of his attention was on the slight form of the boy in front of him.

 

“Kohaku,” whispered Sango.

 

For it was indeed the slayer's younger sibling. He had disappeared several days prior, following the call of the Shikon Jewel. Kohaku believed that by answering this summons, he could somehow repent for all the murders he had committed while under Naraku's influence.

 

“Boy,” Naraku's deep baritone sent shivers up and down Kagome's spine. “Do you plan to defy me? All I need to do to stop you is to remove the shard in your back.”

 

“NO!”

 

Hiraikotsu sweeping between former master and ex-slave drew Naraku's attention to his audience.

 

“Well, I see that you've finally joined us, Inuyasha,” Naraku smirked.

 

“Shut up, you bastard!” Inuyasha snapped, drawing Tetsusaiga. The fang blazed to life, the wind scar swirling around the blade in eager tendrils. “This is the day you're going to die, so prepare yourself! Kaze no Kizu!”

 

Inuyasha released the attack that he had been holding in check. The energy waves flowed harmlessly over Naraku's barrier. Without missing a beat, the hanyou activated Red Tetsusaiga and swung the sword once more. This time the blast disintegrated the barrier, leaving Naraku open to more attacks.

 

“You fools cannot possibly hope to defeat me.” Naraku chided, with a sinister chuckle. “You have already failed on too many occasions to count. What could be any different on this day?”

 

Kagome was wondering the same thing, when she suddenly felt the tingle that announced the arrival of more jewel shards. `Kouga-kun.'

 

No sooner thought then appeared, the wolf demon slid into the battle well prepared, the Goraishi fading into being over his left hand.

 

“Naraku!” Swiping his new toy at the villain, Kouga managed to separate Naraku from one of his arms and a number of tentacles. This surprise attack left the evil hanyou at a slight disadvantage. Unfortunately, it also meant that his attackers could no longer catch him off his guard, for he would now be ready for almost anything.

 

“A lucky shot, wolf. One that will not be repeated.”

 

“Keh. Hey Kouga! Couldn't you have aimed a little more towards the middle of his body?” Inuyasha taunted.

 

“Shut up, inu-kuro! I'd like to see you get a better hit.”

 

“I will if you get out of my way!”

 

Kouga was already dodging to the side, as Inuyasha began to sweep Tetsusaiga in another Kaze no Kizu.

 

While this display of testosterone was taking place, Kagome, Sango, and Miroku were conferring on the continuation of the battle.

 

“We have to track down Moryoumaru and that baby,” Miroku offered. “Otherwise we cannot win.”

 

Kagome puzzled over this fact. “But how can we track them down. We have no idea where they may be.”

 

“Perhaps I can help with that.”

 

A quick indrawn breath, then a whispered “Kikyo,” was Kagome`s reaction. The resurrected priestess emerged from the trees to join the huddle that the three companions had created. Meanwhile the fight in the glade raged on without pause.

 

Kikyo turned to Kagome, because, for some reason, she seemed most comfortable speaking with her reincarnation, regardless of past actions. “Kagome, I have already disposed of the carrier of Naraku's heart.”

 

Kagome gasped. “By yourself? But how…?”

 

Kikyo raised a hand to stop the question. “That is unimportant. I was able to severe the connection between Naraku and the baby, so he is unaware of my actions. Now all that remains is to purify the Shikon Jewel and banish Naraku from this world. Will you aid me?”

 

“Do you need to ask? Of course, I'll help.”

 

“Good.” Kikyo nodded, “Since all of the shards are present, all that is needed is to gather them together.”

 

“But that means Kohaku-kun will…”

 

“It's alright, Kagome-chan,” Sango sounded resigned. “I've been thinking and it seems like Kohaku has already accepted his death. I'm the one who needs to come to terms with it. And besides, all I really want is for him to be happy and not suffer anymore. If this is the way to do that, then you have my permission.”

 

Miroku placed his hand on the slayer's shoulder. “Sango, that is very brave of you. And I'm sure Kohaku will trust your judgment in this matter.”

 

“Arigatou, Houshi-sama.” Sango smiled wanly, “Do what you must, Kikyo-sama.”

 

With a nod, Kikyo turned to Kagome. “You must concentrate on completing the Jewel. Since Naraku has the majority of the Jewel, we must send the remaining shards towards him. Then, once the Jewel is complete, I will send him to Hell.”

 

“Right. How do we reunite the shards?” Kagome asked.

 

“Remember the day we were trapped in that miko-eating cave. This will be similar to then.” At Kagome's nod, Kikyo continued, “Good. Just take my hands and focus all your energy on where the final shards are.” The priestess grabbed the younger girl's hands, “Now visualize the shards rejoining the whole.”

 

Taking a deep breath, Kagome closed her eyes and concentrated. She could feel the resonance of the shards in the bottle around her neck as well as in both Kohaku and Kouga`s bodies. Holding the image of the shards, Kagome reached out spiritually for the rest of the Jewel.

 

Naraku held the remainder in his possession and whilst there the Jewel had become corrupted with his evil. His tainted jyaki caused Kagome's stomach to lurch until she was barely able to maintain the vision she needed to fulfill Kikyo's plan. Steeling her nerves, Kagome took a deep breath, cleared her mind, and centered her attention back to her task.

 

Slowly, painstakingly, the feel of the shards changed. They listened. There was no other way to describe the sensation Kagome was receiving. It felt like the Jewel was listening to Kikyo and her's request to become complete. As slowly as it started, the feeling from the shards changed again. Now they were disappearing from where they had been and were realigning themselves with the whole. In almost no time at all, Kagome could tell that the Jewel was now complete.

 

Kagome breathed a sigh of relief as she opened her eyes, just in time to witness Kouga stumbling as his powers returned to normal and Kohaku slump to ground on the other side of the clearing.

 

“Kohaku,” Sango whispered. She then darted forward in an obvious attempt to reach her brother.

 

“Sango, be careful!” Miroku shouted to the retreating slayer, before chasing after her.

 

Luckily for the two of them, Inuyasha and Kouga were managing to distract Naraku with their attacks. Kagome stood, amazed at how well the inu-hanyou and wolf demon could work together. The battle now seemed more like a ballet performed with swords and punches. Not the best analogy, but it was the best the girl could come up with on such short notice.

 

“Kagome.” A slight tug on her hands brought Kagome's attention back to Kikyo. “There is still more to do.”

 

Kagome blinked. `More to do? What the heck is she talking ab… oh yeah. Dummy, how could you forget?' Pulling her slightly sweaty hand out of Kikyo's cooler dry one, Kagome reached up to examine the jar which contained the shards. To her mild astonishment, the jar was empty.

 

Kagome raised her head back up and fixed her gaze on the priestess. Kikyo allowed a small chuckle to escape her lips at the younger miko's slightly dazed expression. “Yes, Kagome, the shards have disappeared. Though you shouldn't be surprised. You have more power than you know. All that is left to do is to send Naraku to Hell.”

 

Shaking off her stupor, Kagome questioned the older miko, “But, Kikyo, how am I to do that? I didn't even know I could meld the shards together like that until just now.” Kagome was now wringing her wrists, since Kikyo had released her other hand. “I don't think I'm ready to do anything that powerful yet.”

 

Kikyo smiled once again at the girl's nervousness. “Do not worry about dealing with that aspect. I will be the one to personally escort Naraku into the depths of Hell.”

 

Kagome gasped. “But, Kikyo, what about Inuya…” Kikyo's raised palm cut short Kagome's inquiry.

 

“No more questions. It is my decision and my responsibility to deal with Naraku in this manner. Besides, I would not deprive Inuyasha of you. I am dead and should have remained so, while you are alive and can heal Inuyasha of his soul-wounds, which I can no longer hope to do.” Kikyo sighed in a melancholy fashion, “He deserves to be taken care of by someone who loves and trusts him wholeheartedly. I can no longer say, nor could ever have said, that I trusted him completely. There was always doubt between us and my resurrection served no purpose, save misery.”

 

“That's not true, Kikyo! Your resurrection had a purpose,” Kagome fidgeted after her outburst. “If it hadn't been for you, we would never have known about Naraku's connection with you and Inuyasha. Not to mention we wouldn't be standing here without you. You have helped us in the past the same as we have helped you. Plus, Inuyasha still loves you and I'm just in the way,” Kagome hung her head at her own admission. `I am completely useless here anyway,' she thought.

 

A sudden hand under her chin, forced Kagome to look into Kikyo's eyes. The eyes that were so similar to her own and yet were so completely different. The sorrow in the priestess's gaze was almost enough to make Kagome start bawling. But the flicker of another emotion made Kagome pause. `What was that? Was it… amusement?'

 

Kikyo passed her hand over Kagome's cheek as she smiled at the girl sadly. “Kagome. You are a fool.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“You still do not see how much he loves you. I never held his heart as firmly as you do. Besides, you are my reincarnation. Your soul was my soul. Because of that, he need not lose either of us. Only one physical body will be destroyed and that one shall be mine.” Kikyo then turned and moved closer to the fight, where Sango and Miroku had joined Inuyasha and Kouga in attacking Naraku. The foursome was holding up pretty well, though Inuyasha was beginning to look a little worse for wear. Even without the shards, Kouga was still amazingly quick and agile. However, Naraku was pulling ahead. His attacks were timed out so they could inflict the most damage with the least amount of energy. He had to be stopped. And soon. Otherwise, their little group would drop dead from exhaustion long before Naraku managed to land the killing blows.

 

Kagome trotted over to where Kikyo was now standing. “So what do you want me to do?”

 

Kikyo angled her face towards Kagome, “All I need you to do is to shoot an arrow.”

 

“An arrow?”

 

Kikyo nodded. “Yes. When I tell you, shoot your purifying arrow, aiming for Naraku's heart. With the baby destroyed, his heart should have returned to his chest.”

 

Kagome just had to ask, “How did you kill the baby and Moryoumaru?”

 

“I'll admit that I had some help with it. Inuyasha's brother brought down the monster, Moryoumaru, while I severed the connection between Naraku and his heart's carrier and disposed of it.”

 

`That was nice of Sesshoumaru,' Kagome thought. `I knew he wasn't such a bad guy.' “Are you still set on your plan to escort Naraku to Hell, Kikyo?”

 

Kikyo returned her attention to the battlefield, her eyes resting on the fallen body of Kohaku. There was no question that he was dead; otherwise Sango wouldn't be fighting so ferociously and with such a pained expression on her face. “Take that boy's body to Sesshoumaru afterwards. He should be able to revive him. Just remind him that he owes a favor to me. Now, are you ready, Kagome?”

 

Kagome shook her head in an attempt to clear her mind. It didn't work so well. `I guess Kikyo is determined to go through with this. All I can do is follow her lead.'

 

Kikyo was waiting for Kagome's answer. “Yes, Kikyo. I'm ready. Just say when.”

 

“Then draw your bow and aim carefully. We shall only receive one chance. I shall only have one chance to do this.”

 

“I understand.”

 

Kikyo sank to a kneeling position in the grass and began praying. Kagome watched as the priestess fell into a trance and the beginnings of the spell surrounded her. Motes of rosy pink spiritual energy began swirling around the two mikos. Slowly at first, but as Kikyo settled further into her trance, the energy flowed much quicker. Soon Kagome was barely able to keep her eyes open for fear of being blinded by the light from Kikyo's spell. Then, suddenly, Kagome was able to see again.

 

`Where'd all that energy go?' Kagome searched about in a perplexed manner, trying to see where all that pink light had disappeared.

 

“Be ready.”

 

Kikyo's soft voice startled Kagome from her hunt. Glancing down, Kagome found the answer of where the weird light had gone. Kikyo glowed with the energy from the spell and Kagome was hard-pressed to look directly at the priestess.

 

“Kikyo.”

 

“Be ready,” Kikyo repeated. “Fire on my word.”

 

Kagome nodded curtly, “Right.”

 

Kikyo struggled to her feet and stood next to Kagome. Placing her hand on the girl's arm that the arrow would be lined up against, Kikyo spoke one word. “Aim.”

 

Kagome notched her arrow and pulled the bowstring taut. As soon as she pulled back, Kikyo began muttering under her breath again. The power from the previous spell washed through Kagome and ran along the arrow. `Amazing. So much power and it all fits in one tiny arrow. Totally cool.' Then Kagome noticed a problem. If she fired off this atomic bomb of an arrow, then Inuyasha, Kouga, Sango, and Miroku would probably all be hit by Kikyo's spell, too. That would not be a good thing.

 

“Um, Kikyo. We need to get everyone else out of the way.” Unfortunately, Kikyo was not paying attention. She had slipped back into her trance. `I guess so she can keep this energy level up. So I have to do something about my friends then.'

 

“Inuyasha!”

 

Said dog-boy had just missed an attack by one of Naraku's tentacles. He dodged quickly back and forth as he tried to reach Kagome, to see what she wanted. However, Naraku's attacks wouldn't let him close to the girl, so Inuyasha settled for yelling at her.

 

“What is it, wench? I'm kinda busy right now!”

 

“I know that. You need to clear a space around Naraku, so I can fire this arrow.” Kagome pitched her voice so that only Inuyasha would be able to hear her request.

 

“Alright, I'll see what I can do.”

 

“Thanks.” She heaved a sigh of relief. Inuyasha would get everyone out of harm's way.

 

“Kagome.” Kikyo was back from La-La Land. “Ready?”

 

“Inuyasha! Now!”

 

“Aim.”

 

“Naraku! This is your end!”

 

“Kagome-sama!”

 

“Kagome-chan!”

 

“Kagome!”

 

“Fire.”

 

The arrow was released.

 

`Good luck, Kikyo.'

 

“AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

 

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