InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Intended Mate ❯ Battle Formations ( Chapter 11 )

SPOILERS for end of animation. Do not read this note unless you want to!

 

No no no no NO. I finished all of the Inuyasha episodes very recently. And while the last few eps did a great job of putting Miroku and Sango together without the usual comedic relief, and did some touchups with Kohaku and Sesshomaru with Rin that I enjoyed, the ending itself was a…disappointment.

Knowing Rumiko-sama's work, I could only hope it would have a `Maison' ending. That is, wrapped up and resolved and finished. Not quite. It ended much like some of her work, with the air of a summer breeze carrying you down the path with your friends, forever and ever. Rather picturesque, but I wanted an ending!!

I'm trying not to ruin things for the people who've only seen the stuff on Cartoon Network…but people who should have been dead, were not, and the jewel was never resolved yet either. I'm assuming the fourth movie will put some of these demons to rest, but I was largely unsatisfied.

 

The dissatisfaction DID hit me with a huge plot stick though. I had a huge wind for the chapter before this, this one and a few to come. I knew what I wanted to happen, and while I felt it was how the show SHOULD have maybe ended, it more or less began to form that way after seeing the last episode. Wow. I rambled on and on about how the director ended the animation. I hope you enjoy this!

 

Now for the honor section for reviewers

 

Inugrrl…(bows again) Thank you so much for your wonderful review. You are one of the reasons this chapter came out as quickly as it did. I sincerely hope you like this outcome, and hopefully I continue to please and surprise you. Let me know what you think!

Andrea Moon Dog, once again, one of my loyal reviewers ^_~

Sapphire blade, you're a favorite too! Thanks for your thoughts, sweetie. They make my day!!

Shinimegami, I hope you enjoy! Another chapter for you to absorb into your head here (laugh) I value your review. You truly inspired me along with Inugrrl to continue quickly.

 

Zabchan, Kawaii Bell, Hitomi Daremo, Tosuko Higurashi, Silver Magik 131, and if I've forgotten someone, I apologize. I'm sure you want to skip this part anyway and get right to the battle as it is! Thank you everyone (bows) It's been a pleasure to write for you.

 

Please review!

 

 

And remember, while the characters have mates, there can still be Intended…

 

Disclaimer: Penpaninu does not claim to own the Inuyasha series, animated or otherwise but does claim to be Inu. If I owned the animation, I would have written it differently!

 

 

“Intended Mate” chapter eleven

Battle Formations

 

There was a sense of finality as the Inu-tachi packed up their campsite the next morning. Not a word was spoken as tents were packed up, the fire was put out, breakfast was chewed quietly, and weapons were lifted. Eyes met eyes and everyone knew the final battle was coming soon. Comrades and enemies were coming to one area, and even an idiot could feel the mass of youki gathered at the foot of the mountain.

 

Sango shouldered Hiraikotsu and stood beside Miroku. Inuyasha took Kagome's hand, his other on Tetsusaiga's hilt. Shippou stood between the two couples, his small fists clenched. No matter what happened today, there would be a battle. And it would change them forever.

 

Kagome felt the last shard against her chest sparkle and glow, straining to be pulled to the rest of the Jewel.

 

On the other side of the mountain's base, Koga felt the shards in his legs throb and pulsate.

 

Lined up with Naraku's lackeys, Kohaku felt the shard in his back throb and start to give.

 

Small steps became longer strides and each group walked to meet the other. As the Inu-tachi traveled forward, they could see Naraku's tiny army waiting across the clearings.

 

Inuyasha sighed raggedly and turned Kagome's chin up to look at him.

 

“Kagome…. It's gonna start soon.” Tetsusaiga rattled against his hip, threatening to unsheathe itself. “Tetsusaiga says it's gonna be a big battle.”

 

Hope, fear, determination, sorrow were in his eyes. Kagome radiated only determination at her mate and touched his cheek.

 

“Things will come out all right. They always have before….” She leaned up and kissed his lips softly. “We have the future before us.”

 

Inuyasha smiled and cupped her belly in his hands, then took her in his arms quickly. “We'll get out of this in one piece. And Naraku's going to die today.”

 

A few feet away, Miroku and Sango were having their own private conversation (while Shippou merely stewed by himself, trying to kick start his courage). Sango pressed herself against the monks' chest, letting one of his arms encircle her waist.

 

“Miroku….no matter what happens…” she whispered. She had a foreboding sense of dread, as the Jewel could be felt even to an untrained human as herself, and knew one of the last shards was in her brother. “No matter what…”

 

“Sango….” Miroku whispered, his hand tracing patterns across the small of her back. “I love you….we'll get through today and see what happens…” he left the subject of Kohaku silent for now, though both knew the other was thinking it.

 

They both pressed close, dropping their weapons and embracing the other solidly with their arms. Sango laughed when one of Miroku's hands squeezed her bottom, hinting at pleasures to come later. It was an embrace of promise and passion.

 

Inuyasha and Kagome locked in a similar fast embrace, kissing softly.

 

As always, Shippou sighed and felt the responsibility of the group pressed onto his small shoulders.

 

After moments that seemed like eternity, but really barely only lasted five minutes, the couples came back to themselves and to their duty. They left Kagome's backpack of wonders and camping supplies at the foot of a tree by the clearing and traveled the remaining distance. Coming to a stop, they stood in a row, weapons at the ready. Sango held Hiraikotsu over one shoulder, and her other hand rested on her katana's hilt. Miroku grasped his staff in one hand tightly, his sealed hand fisted at his side. Sparks of fox -fire burned around Shippou periodically as if to trust his powers would not fail him. Kagome's bow hung in her hands, sure and ready as she shifted her quiver to the side to better reach her arrows quickly.

And Inuyasha's left hand held Tetsusaiga's sheathe, thumb cocking an inch of the blade loose.

 

Naraku chuckled in the air as the five settled before him and his army.

 

“You could not hope to avoid this day no matter what, Inuyasha,” he called, eyes dead in amusement. Inuyasha growled, another inch of the rusted katana showing.

 

“So you got some of the jewel. Big deal, we'll take care of that,” he snarled. Kagome's eyes narrowed at the almost completed orb against Naraku's chest. It glowed darkly, mocking her. Naraku was tainting the vast majority, and if it were completed now…. The shard against her chest rattled along the chain she put it on and Kagome gasped.

 

“Oh I think you will help with that,” Naraku laughed.

 

“Kagome-sama!” Miroku called, feeling the jewel call for it's shards. Kagome pressed a hand over her breast and yelped when the necklace snapped and the shard zipped across the sky towards Naraku's outstretched hand. Inuyasha yelled in outrage as Naraku's strong fingers took the shard and pressed it to the orb. One more sliver was added and there were only a few scrapes left to complete it.

 

“One,” Naraku said boredly.

 

“Naraku! Stop right there!” Kagome yelled and notched an arrow to her bow. Her purifying powers surrounded the shaft and glowed around her. Naraku watched her silently and snapped his fingers.

 

A stream of lesser youkai swarmed to meet the group as the servants of Naraku watched in their line.

 

Inuyasha, Miroku and Sango sprang to battle, weapons flying and talents showing. When the moment was clear, Miroku's Kazaana took care of almost all of the population of creatures. Blades and boomarang and staff easily took care of the rest. Kagome let loose a few more arrows to aid her friends while Shippou guarded near her.

 

Coming to a stop, the five glared at Naraku, weapons and clothing stained with youkai blood. But they were successful. Naraku laughed and spread wide his arms, summoning the rest of his armies forward to the field.

 

Kagome gasped and Shippou leaned against her leg. The numbers were overwhelming and the higher servants hadn't even joined formation yet. Inuyasha merely smiled and roared, letting loose torrents of power from Tetsusaiga, Miroku and Sango at his side. As the friends became engaged in the procedure of cutting, slicing, bludgeoning and hitting, they were half conscious of calls from comrades meeting their ears.

 

“YA!” Koga leaped high into the air and came down hard across three lesser youkai, shattering their bodies beneath his speed. He flashed a grin across to Kagome and darted to battle near her and hold back some of the line. His comrades ran into battle and slashed out valiantly with claw and fang. They weren't as strong as Koga, but they were fast enough to avoid some big hits.

 

“Got im, brother!” Ginta called out triumphantly, his claws dripping in gore and blood. His comrade leaped around his opponent, and decapitated it with two decisive slashes.

 

“Great, just keep it coming!” He called back, joining his brother. Koga could take care of himself, so they let him whip across the fields and slay whatever was in his path.

 

As the greater parts of his youkai horde began to be dented and slaughtered, Naraku smirked in the direction of his underlings. Kohaku began to sweat. Soon he would receive a command to join the battle and he didn't want to. He didn't want to betray his sister again.

 

The youkai were never ending! Miroku could sense large patches of youki being decimated as they and Koga and his friends battled, but it was enough to make you tired to see streams of monsters descending upon you and your loved ones.

 

Large streams of purification rained down on the monsters, creating safe paths for the comrades. Kikyou stood alone across the plains, raining purity down upon the youkai. Her time was almost out. Her body was slowly giving. But she felt she should do this much. She had to see the destiny of the jewel that killed her before.

 

Sesshomaru strode out of the forest at the edge of the clearings and Kagura's chest throbbed seeing him. He had come! Things were definitely going to be in her favor now. At the wind demon's side, Kohaku slightly relaxed, though not much. He knew what the arrival of the Inu lord meant for Naraku, an exercise for survival at least, but knew the Lord had no regard for him as he had almost killed Rin under command.

 

`Never again. Never again will I lose myself to Naraku!' Kohaku yelled mentally. Kagura groaned to herself and winced. Naraku was looking over his shoulder at them.

 

`Baka, I bet he heard that! He wasn't born yesterday,' Kagura began to rethink her evaluation of her involuntary comrade. She tensed, fan ready.

 

At her left, Hakudoshi laughed. “What's wrong, Kagura? You're anxious to join the fray?” He tapped his pole arm against his shoulder, the length and weight of the weapon belying his size.

 

Kagura stood stock still, ignoring him. A bead of sweat dropped off of Kohaku's jaw.

 

“Naraku! I think our two friends want to join the battle,” Hakudoshi suggested. Kohaku closed his eyes but didn't break his loyal stance. Kagura hissed and glared openly at the offspring.

 

“I think you do too!” she snarled. Hakudoshi smirked and tapped his polearm again. How the child could wield a huge weapon with one arm only hinted at his strength.

 

“I know when my time is coming. Naraku has granted me a special body to slay,” his pupil-less eyes gleamed hungrily and Kagura shuddered.

 

`Is he talking about me??' Her gaze was brought back to Naraku as he called her and Kohaku by name.

 

“Kagura. Kohaku. Both of you, join the army. You've been unsuccessful before, but slay Inuyasha's comrades.” Naraku suggested lazily. His barrier kept him safe from purification blasts and debris so he could afford to act at leisure.

 

“……” Kohaku stood there, scythe and chain in hand regarding his `master' solemnly.

 

“Kill your sister, Kohaku. I want her dead,” Naraku gently demurred. Hakudoshi laughed beside Kagura.

 

Kagura frowned at the kid, then looked at Kohaku out of the corner of her eye. The boy's sister and lover were fighting their way toward them little by little. She looked furiously intent on reaching her brother's side, whether to slay him or help him, Kagura didn't know.

 

A tear slipped from Kohaku's eye and ran down his cheek as his sister risked all to reach him.

 

“Sango! Sango look out!” Miroku yelled as the swarm of youkai intensified around Naraku's minions, forcing the lovers back to back. Sango lashed out with Hiraikotsu and pulled her katana out with her free hand. She fought with both weapons as Miroku stabbed desperately with his priest's staff, keeping the horde at bay.

 

Out of her corner of her eye, she saw her brother standing,defying Naraku's orders.

 

“Kill her! Kill your sister and that man!” Naraku yelled, angry now. Kohaku screamed finally and slashed his weapon upwards at his master.

 

“No!” he screamed, tears spilling down his cheeks. “I won't lose myself again!”

Kagura laughed at Naraku's look of mild surprise as the scythe bounced off his barrier.

He wasn't expecting that one, that was for sure! Might as well lend her hand while he was distracted.

 

“YOU die!” the wind demon added, standing by Kohaku and slicing torrents of wind at her parent. Naraku only shook his head, his barrier in tact. Until a new cry joined the rebellion.

 

Shards of razor sharp diamonds sliced into the barrier neatly and pierced Naraku like a pincushion. His eyes widened, surprised as he was not prepared for that. He had been distracted momentarily and the pup had finally managed to surprise him once again. Inuyasha howled and let loose a torrent of Kazu no Kizu once the barrier was down, and Kohaku and Kagura leaped together to aide him.

 

“Kohaku!” Sango cried, fighting off her foes, to try and reach him. He was himself! He was fighting Naraku! And he needed her help. Miroku gasped and stayed at her side, though a few demons got through and slowed him down with bites and slashes.

 

Naraku pulled a diamond shard from his chest and threw it at the hanyou, piercing his thigh.

 

“Ah!” Inuyasha yelped, as he grounded and knelt down, pulling the shard out in a hurry.

 

“That actually hurt, Inuyasha,” he murmured, deflecting Kohaku's scythe and Kagura's wind attacks with one arm. The two children dared fight back against him? He sighed as if pained at the decision, and his tentacles streamed forward, slamming through his errant servants with sickening speed, tearing open flesh and bone.

 

“KOHAKU!” Sango screamed as her brother reeled, his eyes wide in pain. His shard was taken out and pulled to Naraku. Naraku laughed as Kohaku fell to the earth, Kagura at his side.

 

Kohaku's eyes darkened, but barely made out his sister and her monk before they went out. “Sister…”

 

Naraku laughed. “Two.”

 

Kagura still twitched at the exterminator's side, merely damaged but not dead.

 

“Naraku, I swear you bastard…” she hissed, red eyes gleaming in promise.

 

Naraku reached at his side and an object floated to existence within his grasp. Kagura saw her life end as her heart settled into Naraku's outstretched hand.

 

“You swear what? That you'll die now? You've outlived your usefulness,” he smirked and crushed the organ swiftly. Kagura's eyes went blank and she fell beside Kohaku. A swarm of youkai immediately covered the two, feasting noisily.

 

“Kohaku! Kohaku! KOHAKU!” Sango screamed, fighting through the youkai to reach her fallen brother. Miroku grabbed her from behind by the waist and held her back. In her panic, Sango turned on her lover for holding her back.

 

“Let me go! LET ME GO!” she howled. Miroku shook his head, tears in his eyes.

 

“He's already gone! They'll kill you too!” he hissed. Sango squirmed in his grasp, forced a shoulder against his chest to turn and strike at him. She punched him in the face with all of her might and the monk went down stunned. He fell on his back and could only allow a second to feel pain and shock before the swarm of youkai on Kohaku and Kagura turned to go for the next prone body.

 

“…Kazaana!…” he whispered, opening his seal and sucking up the stream. The pressure of the demons flying into the void pressed him into the dirt. Sango was crying ahead of him.

 

Sesshomaru walked up through the debris, his pristine kimono splattered errantly with youkai gore. He paused beside the grieving woman, watching her dispassionately. Bits of armour and the mask were all that were left of Kohaku. Splattered near these remains were tatters of a once regal kimono. Kagura hadn't been able to be free. But this Sesshomaru was still here to kill Naraku.

 

Naraku was laughing, as Inuyasha battled his tentacle monsters valiantly. Kagome Woman was still being guarded by that kitsune, and that wolf demon across the way. Sesshomaru sighed, remaining stoic in his splattered gory. The youkai were almost destroyed and the end was coming now.

 

Koga leapt in front of Kagome as she notched another arrow, raining blood down upon both of them with the ferocity of his attack.

 

“Thanks, Koga-kun!” Kagome called, turning to dispatch another creature to the side. The monster's mouth gleamed with light, then the light spilled out of his whole body from the arrow embedded in his chest and he exploded.

 

Koga laughed as more blood rained upon them. “Quite a messy job you do, Kagome!” he teased. He was weary, but his speed would see him through. While Dog Shit was battling the main enemy up front, he would protect Kagome with his life.

 

The three had no idea what had happened while they had been fighting, but Sango's crumpled form, and Miroku kneeling at her side were all they could see. The numbers were dwindling and almost gone, so slaying could be done in ease.

 

“I wonder what happened?” Koga wondered, standing at Kagome's side. She panted for air and he patted her back gently.

 

“You guys! Inuyasha needs help!” Shippou pointed across the body strewn battlefield. Kagome gasped, her heart pounding hard.

 

An extra burst of warmth spread through the hanyou from Kagome's emotion, and he leaped against Naraku again and again, taking down his barrier with his diamond shards as easily as Naraku could erect it again. Frustration was twitching Naraku's eyebrow as he hissed at the hanyou. When Sesshomaru joined his brother offhand, Naraku's face contorted in outright rage.

 

“I don't need your help!” Inuyasha snarled, not sparing his brother a glance. Sesshomaru danced in and slashed at Naraku's unprotected back, making the hanyou yell.

 

“It is apparent that you do,” he commented. He looked across the gory fields to see Kagome Woman running up with that Wolf and her kitsune. Her eyes bled with worry for her mate. Sesshomaru chuckled and slashed at Naraku's arm lazily, dancing back as a stream of tentacles followed him.

 

“Kagome, get back!” Inuyasha called over his shoulder. Kagome notched an arrow and aimed it at Naraku's bare chest. The demonic hanyou was hunched in rage, his face promising death. Koga stood at Kagome's side and decided to cheer on his rival.

 

“That's it! Get im good, Dog Shit! Come on, you can do better!”

 

Kagome sighed. “Koga-kun, I don't think that's helping….”

 

Naraku could not see the shards in Koga's legs, but through scouting with his bees over the last few months, he had obtained the knowledge the last two shards were housed in the Wolf Prince. His tentacles lashed out, ready to end all of this annoyance.

 

“Ah!” Koga yelled in surprise, the tentacles slashing through his knees.

 

“Koga-kun!!” Kagome shrieked, running to his side.

 

“KOGAAAA!” his brothers wailed, running up at the last second to help support their prince. The shards were easily removed and floated upward to Naraku's fingers. Everyone watched helplessly as those fingers closed around the slivers of the Shikon jewel and the world stopped.

 

“Three. Four.”

 

Naraku chuckled and broke out laughing hysterically. His usually normally calm façade was shattered and he no longer had to fool or trick his opponents. He had all the pieces. He had won!

 

“No…” Kagome whispered. Inuyasha knelt on one knee, Tetsusaiga embedded in the mud. The skies darkened with storm clouds instantly as the evil hanyou held the shards to the partially completed orb. The ground beneath their feet throbbed and pulsated as the world wailed at the overwhelming power. The Jewel throbbed gleamed, turning black. It was whole once more. But it was tainted. Time had run out.

 

* * * *

 

High above the battlefield, in the deserted shrine house, the heart of Naraku smiled and giggled. Kanna watched the baby dispassionately and patted it's back.

 

* * * *

 

Kikyou gasped and knelt down, clay fingers clawing the mud. Evil, so much evil…the jewel was used for darkness and her body gave out at the sensation of it's backlash.

“I've failed,” she whispered, kneeling and waiting for her end. All she could do was watch.

 

* * * *

 

Lightning flashed overhead as Naraku roared his approval, glimmers of jyaki shimmering around him openly. Even those not trained in the mystical arts could see and feel it, and everyone shuddered openly. Miroku and Kagome, having been trained in those arts, almost became physically sick at the horrible sensation of powerful taint. Sango, holding onto Kohaku's mask, stood at the monk's side, their faces hallow with grief and defeat.

 

“It's over…it's all over…” the exterminator whispered as the world and the thunder screamed it's pain at Naraku's power. Miroku shook his head, his stomach almost in his throat.

 

“I told you we'd get through today…. Sango, we'll get through today. No matter what,” his bleak eyes filled with sorrow-filled tears as they looked at each other briefly. They wearily raised their weapons and stood beside their friends.

 

“Kagome! You stay there with Mangy Wolf!” Inuyasha barked, readying Tetsusaiga tiredly. Kagome, holding the ookami prince with his comrades, nodded, numb with worry and sorrow. Koga winced and hissed in pain, but refused to scream at the sight of his ruined legs. His knees were torn open at the caps, and he couldn't get his lower legs to respond.

 

His brothers wailed and sobbed at his side, promising to take care of their liege always. “We'll be your legs, Koga! We promise!” they howled. Koga hissed and slammed a fist into the mud a few times.

 

“Stop your blubbering! I said I'd give my blood for the clan, and it's bleeding plenty now!” he growled. Kagome wiped sweat from the prince's brow with her sleeve, pale from the sight of a massive injury that her friend stoicly endured. She turned her gaze back to Inuyasha and Sesshomaru taking turns to leap at Naraku with blades drawn.

 

It would be a laughable situation, the two half brothers working together without talk or complaint or that matter. Kagome's throat itched. If she laughed now, she wouldn't stop until she screamed in hysteria. Everything had ended horribly wrong, but if they killed Naraku, Japan could be saved. Somehow, things would be all right… They had to survive! They had to!

 

Naraku laughed loudly, his arms spread wide as the Jewel rested in his chest, pressing into the flesh and breastplate. It gleamed like obsidian and howled unrest, making the Inu brother's ears twitch. All the blood in Inuyasha's blood boiled, at one with his mate's link. Determination flooded between the two as the skies opened with rain.

 

Naraku didn't erect a new barrier as his use of the Shikon jewel was invincible. And it pissed Inuyasha off that the rain didn't even bother to touch him! Sesshomaru landed beside Inuyasha, his fine long white hair hanging against his shoulders and back damply.

 

“I believe a new strategy is in order,” he murmured. Inuyasha panted and winced over at his brother angrily.

 

“What else do we gotta do but kill im?? He's got the Jewel! “ Inuyasha growled. Naraku chuckled again, and howled in laughter.

 

Lightning and thunder accented his mirth. Kagome winced as his eyes turned to her and Koga flung an arm over her waist.

 

“Oh I think I've got more than the Jewel,” Naraku's tone teased. His tentacles lashed forward, catching everyone by surprise, and encircled Kagome.

 

“Koga-kun!!” she shrieked in terror, as they dragged her forward. Koga hissed and clawed at the appendages, but they struck him down.

 

“Kagome!….” he yelled, claws outstretched as his vision darkened. His brothers were dispatched easily, and Shippou was thrown back ten feet. Kagome yelled in worry, as Shippou didn't get up.

 

“Kagome-sama!”

 

“Kagome-chan!” Miroku and Sango sprang forward on a new burst of energy, intent on saving their friend. Kagome cried out as Miroku was gashed across the chest, and Sango was thrown hard on her back.

 

“KAGOME!!!” a familiar voice screamed and Kagome's heart was warm again. Her lover sprang forward as he always did, sword raised for battle, and his eyes promised her release. Kagome reached for him, but Naraku jerked her hard, and she was drawn into the tentacles against the evil being's chest.

 

“LET HER GO!” Inuyasha screamed in fury, his eyes tinting red as he hacked and leaped like a rabid dog at the base of Naraku's tentacles near the ground. Sesshomaru lazily followed him, though his eyes followed Kagome Woman at every movement. He would be an efficient backup should his brother go berserk literally.

 

Naraku chuckled as Kagome's curves were pressed into the hard metal of his armor, and the moving mass of his flesh. His many arms encircled her, and pulled her close. Kagome shrieked in terror as her lower body was slowly being drawn into Naraku! Inuyasha went mad, feeling his mate's horror and fought harder than ever. His speed would have impressed anyone ordinarily, but there was no time to reflect on that.

 

Kagome cried and struggled as she was slowly absorbed into him. Naraku chuckled and turned her chin up with one tentacle.

 

“I want a little fight from you,” he laughed at the open terror and anger in her eyes. “Perhaps this will motivate you.”

 

His tentacles lashed out once again, enhanced with speed and force from the power of the Tainted Shikon Jewel. Inuyasha, in mid leap with Tetsusaiga raised, was hit in the shoulder. His arm flailed, as his shoulder nearly severed, (the left one, Sesshomaru noticed) dropping the hanyou quickly. Tetsusaiga landed, detransformed into an old rusty katana sticking out of the mud like an eastern version of the Sword in the Stone.

 

“Ah darn, and Naraku promised I could kill him,” Hakudoshi snapped his fingers. Sesshomaru regarded him seriously, and raised Tokujin to attention.

 

“I guess you'll have to do! Imagine, killing the great Lord of the Western Lands. That's a better title than Pain in the Ass!” the offspring laughed. The two leaped to attack.

 

 

“INUYASHA!!!” Kagome screamed, her heart stopping momentarily. Her panic and terror backlashed through their link and Inuyasha stared up at the raining sky in shock, with widened eyes.

 

“Kagome….”

 

Naraku laughed and more tentacles thudded into the hanyou's prone form, cutting and slicing effectively.

 

Kagome whimpered in pain and loss, then wailed loudly as she felt her link to Inuyasha fade then disappear. Her instincts roared in her mind that her bond was gone, and she turned on Naraku in fury, tears wetting her face, mixing with the rain.

 

“You killed him!!” she screamed, furious. Naraku smirked as Kagome fought back, then stopped, eyes wide in surprise as she pressed harder against him, and into him.

 

“You want to be one with me so badly?” he smirked. Kagome howled in rage and her hands glowed in energy. Naraku stopped, cocking an eyebrow.

 

“You know your paltry powers can not defeat me. The jewel's taint feeds me and I feed it….” He started.

 

“SHUT UP!” her body glowed in light and she pressed her palms against the dark Shikon jewel, and leaned against Naraku. Naraku grew uncomfortable, and tried to struggle to get away from her. His tentacles withdrew from Inuyasha's body and tried to hold her away from him.

 

“Stop…Stop! Stop, human!” he hissed, eyes wide. Kagome glared at him, holding onto him and pushing every fiber of power she didn't know she had through her and into him.

 

“You were human once too, Naraku…” her words were ice. “Stop this evil now!” The light shone forth from their entwined forms and spread across the fields.

 

Hakudoshi laughed as he and Sesshomaru easily sparred. The InuLord had a gash in his side from the brat, but he refused to grunt or let it bring him down. Kagome Woman had her hands full and she could use his help. He brought Tokujin down in a decisive slash, expelling streams of power at the offspring.

 

The lash of power slashed Hakudoshi to bits, but he refused to die. His body merely floated and began to reattach, while the face smiled mockingly at the exhausted Lord.

“You can't kill me, you could never kill me….you could never…..” Hakudoshi's eyes grew wide and his taunting stopped. Kagome flared in power and her purifying light circled Naraku as he slowly absorbed her. Blood trickled from Hakudoshi's mouth as his parent was slowly being touched with purification.

 

The pieces of Hakudoshi's body fell to the ground and melted.

 

Light shone down the battlefield, melting and purifying the corpses of youkai as it sped to fill the world.

 

High across the way, Kikyou collapsed, her body crumbling.

 

She smiled softly in pain as the Jewel burst forth, as bright as the sun. It was even more glorious and pure then it was under her own protection.

“Inuyasha….” Kikyou closed her eyes. She let the remainder of her original soul go as her body fell to dust. The empty miko robes weighed down by the ashes, fluttered futiley. The wind slowly swept the ashes out of the clothes and away.

 

High in the mountain shrine house, the heart of Naraku gasped, and went rigid, it's eyes wide with shock. Kanna watched him dispassionately.

 

“What is wrong?” she asked simply. The baby lashed and struggled in her arms, and light spilled out of it's wide mouth, tearing the offspring open from the inside. The heart of Naraku shattered and broke in Kanna's arms and she shrugged. Her mirror opened at her side, and she vanished into the Void, never to be seen again.

 

On the battlefield, Naraku and Kagome battled against each other as the Jewel shone forth white as death. Sesshomaru raised his sleeve to his brow, blinded by the intensity of such purification and he backed off. This was Kagome Woman's battle now. She earned the killing blow for Naraku destroying what was hers. The rains beat down, drenching her unconscious or wounded comrades as they lay in comatose, or watched as the massforms of Naraku and Kagome melded and became one ball of flesh, their battle taken within and out of reach.

 

Naraku struggled futilely against the pure woman in his arms, but she hung onto him and pushed her purity into him. Power lashed through the healed Shikon Jewel and through him, opening his body in wounds and breaking his mind. With the last moment of life, Naraku's mind barely formed an ironic thought.

 

“What I once was , defeated what I turned into….I'm being brought down by my own humanity.” Kagome pressed into him, and they became one. The world shone in light for one brief blinding moment.

 

The mass flesh exploded, expelling Kagome out of the inner spiritual battle and she fell down onto the mud of the battlefield. Naraku was no more. The Jewel was whole and purified. But at so much cost…the price had been too high to save the lands. Kagome's eyes filled with tears as she looked out across at her fallen mate, the red of his outfit barely visible through the mud and rain.

 

Sesshomaru watched her dispassionately as she collapsed to her knees.

 

“Inuyasha…” she whispered, choking on sobs. A high keening of energy shimmered at her shoulder and Kagome looked up through her tears. The Jewel rested before her, whole and new. Voices of the creatures and men the shards had once inhabited or intensified spoke forth for the Shikon. Even if some of the shard users were youkai, their residues were purified and spoke calmly with the others.

 

“Make your wish….make it wisely. We are complete and we will fulfill your call. We will grant good wishes to the pure of heart. And we will grant evil wishes to the dark of heart. You have healed us. Make your pure wish.”

 

Kagome sobbed, hearing Kohaku with the mix of androgynous voices. Her eyes looked out over the rain soaked battlefield at her friends stirring and helping each other up. Her mate was not getting up. He would never get up. She turned wet eyes to the waiting Shikon Jewel, and felt her heart give. She was just so tired. She was just so exhausted. She wanted to die and join her mate, but energy flared from the pup inside her. The baby….she had to live for the baby.

 

`It is my life bond now.'

 

She would make her wish.

 

“I just want it as it was before,” she whispered. Her heart spoke of peace and love for her friends. Of a future for her pup. Her heart was grieving for her lost love and she didn't wish anything for herself. Only that she would raise Inuyasha's pup.

 

The melded voices of the Shikon chuckled warmly. “It will be so,” they promised.

 

The rains stopped and Kagome watched the sun peek from behind the clouds.

 

“Kagome-chan!”

 

“Kagome-sama!”

 

“Kagome!…”

 

Kagome collapsed in the mud.

 

* * * *

 

Sango and Miroku knelt beside Inuyasha's body, the former dressing his wounds lightly in reverance as the latter prayed for him. Shippou clung to Inuyasha's hand and sobbed.

 

“Oh, Inuyasha! You big baka! Inuyasha”! Shippou sniffled, his nose running. Sango and Miroku looked at each other, tears in their eyes. The price had been too high to have Naraku out of their world. But the world was in peace now. They would all have to find a way to live in that peace without their friend.

 

And as for Kagome…Miroku gulped and looked across at her collapsed form.

 

“Shippou, go to her,” he gently nudged. Shippou rubbed at his eyes and ran to his surrogate mother.

 

“Ya know, I never thought it would end this way,” Koga grumbled, watching his prone rival. He didn't feel any victory at all from his demise. And Kagome would grieve for him. His brothers held him up diligently.

 

“You said it, Koga,” Ginta hung his head. “I thought that Inuyasha would be someone to walk away from all of this.” His brother nodded, feeling sorrow for someone their `sister' loved dearly.

 

As everyone was gathered around Inuyasha's form, they didn't see what happened next. Shippou reached Kagome a moment after Sesshomaru got there first. He knelt down, moving her into his one arm, far more gently than the kitsune could ever have believed.

Sesshomaru regarded her face solemnly. After her tired wish, Kagome Woman had succumbed to exhaustion. Her mate was dead. She needed someone to protect her and her pup. He should take her with him. This Sesshomaru had every claim to her now.

 

“Hey! Put her down….. put her down!” Shippou called out, calling his fox fire. Sesshomaru stood tall and regarded the fox cub silently. Shippou began to sweat under the attention, but after all that had happened….damned if he was going to let something else go on!

 

“Stay out of this,” Sesshomaru murmured, cradling Kagome to his breastplate. Her head tilted back, hair streaming as he turned to walk away.

 

“Ya!” Shippou let loose a burst of fox fire and watched it hit the Inu Lord in the leg.

 

Sesshomaru turned.

 

“Give her back! Give Kagome back to me!!” Shippou snarled, eyes glowing and fur standing on end. There was too much grief to lose Kagome now. He wouldn't let him take her while he could still fight.

 

Sesshomaru held Kagome close and kicked the kitsune in the head. The fox cub flew ten feet and went down hard.

 

Sesshomaru leaped away with the unconscious woman in his arms.

 

“Shippou! Shippou!!” Sango and Miroku ran up to him, leaving Inuyasha with Koga for the moment.

 

Sango picked the kitsune up, and rubbed at the gash over his eye. Shippou cried and sobbed, blood flowing down his brow to mix into his tears.

 

“Shippou, what happened! Where's Kagome-sama??” Miroku asked.

 

“He took her!” Shippou wailed. “Inuyasha's brother took her away!”

 

Sango and Miroku looked wearily at each other in grief. The world was in peace, but Kagome wouldn't be.

 

“We'll get her back,” Sango vowed quietly. “We always do.”

 

End for now

 

 

(Collapses from writing all this in nearly one sitting) GOOD GOD. This took a lot out of me. Gang, I hope you enjoy. This is how I think the end of the animation should have ENDED. I'm not sure how the manga ends under Rumiko's writing, but I felt the last two chapters reflected my wishes on how it should end! Resolution, from the Council of Ending it All, Resolution.

Aside from Sesshomaru doing his thing, that is all me.

 

White is the color of death in China, Japan and other asian countries. That's probably why Kanna is pure white as she's an aspect of the Void. And why Sesshomaru dresses purely in white to match his skin and hair. Death is an end, but it can also be a beginning. Or so my pagan beliefs call out to me to write.

 

And the jewel asking her to make her wish reminded me highly of the end of Legend of Zelda (any game I guess). I know, I'm a sucker for Link. That old manga kicked ass.

 

Weren't expecting that end were ya? Even if I resolved my battle…I have other things in mind for you guys. Like it? Hate it? Have a problem? I'm always open to reviews. I hope you enjoyed this! I made it a little longer for you guys, and wrote it after 7 am on my day off with a pot of coffee.

 

(BOWS DEEPLY) Thank you so much for reading.

 

Very sincerely yours, penpaninu 9/24/05