InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ New Life ❯ Chapter 43 ( Chapter 43 )

Year: 1536
Month: August

The cry of the babies was what woke Kagome from her slumber near dawn. Glancing over, she saw that the fight had dwindled quite a bit against the barrier. She could dimly see that her youkai friends were watching their location. She could almost feel Miroku's gaze. “An illusion please…” Her voice was rough and soft. Naraku gave a small nod, lifting a hand. When she was certain it was in place, she disconnected her hands from the chains and pulled the twins from her back. Naraku kneeled next to her, offering a bowl of milk.

Taking the bowl, she began to feed them quietly. Naraku watched with sadness and pride. “What will you tell them of me Miko?”

Kagome glanced up at him in surprise before looking back down at Izayoi and Kimiko. “Of you, I will tell them of how you became a lost soul that soon found his redemption. How you were honorable within your death and took on the punishment that was your due.” Kagome kept watching the two silently. “I will tell them that their mother was misled and confused as well. I will tell them that she loved them enough to fight to claim them but in the end her enemies took her away.”

Naraku gave a small nod. It was fair enough. As the two newborns finished eating, Kagome slipped them back in their pouches and placed her wrists once more in the chains. As the sun rose, she gave a determined nod. Naraku rose as well and suddenly the hoard rushed in once more. Kagome spoke up. “Send someone for Ayame's pups. Bring them to me.” It hurt her to say that but she wanted to place a protective spell on them so they wouldn't be used against her soon. Miroku would place the protection spell on Sango himself.

The rush on the barrier woke the ones that had slept. Miroku had remained awake, watching over Sango and enjoying his time with her. Only Sesshomaru and himself had remained awake and watchful. As everyone surged to life, Miroku glanced over at Inuyasha. “Time for some more cleanup.” He grinned. Inuyasha let out a chuckle and a nod before taking Tetsaiga in his hands. Sango jumped on Kirara, smiling down at Miroku. He gave her a small smile himself. “Stay on her and keep an eye on us. You can help us from the air if we get into any tight spots.” Sango nodded. As the barrier fell, the others surged outward in a wave as Sango took to the air.

As the sun rose over the battle, three more of the fake Naraku's were defeated. Sesshomaru, Inuyasha and Hiroki each defeated the one sent for them. Oddly, as they defeated each Naraku, that part of the army vanished. All that was left was four of the fake Naraku's. The others banded together to help the others out.

As the afternoon was waning, there was a sudden screech and cackle. Ayame had been on her own but this had drawn Inuyasha and Zia to her side. Before her, there was a fake Naraku holding her pups. The pups were squirming and whimpering in his hold. Zia immediately moved to Ayame's side, holding her in place. Inuyasha let out a roar of anger. He couldn't very well attack the puppet due to the pups being there. The fake Naraku gave a sinister smile. “I think my own captive could use the company of these little ones.”

Inuyasha moved to intercept the fake Naraku as he moved to where Kagome and the real Naraku was, but a purifying arrow shot by him, almost catching one of the tentacles. Looking back, he saw that Kikyo had arrived next to Ayame's side with Arie. All three females were standing near a livid Ayame, their eyes lit with a fire that he never wished to be turned on him. Transfixed, he missed his chance at the fake, having caught sight of Sango's descending form, her own eyes matching that of the others.

As the fake Naraku arrived, it dropped the pups next to Kagome's form. She moved her hands and gathered them close to her. She smiled softly whispering soft nothings to them to soothe their whimpers. Lifting her head, her gaze crossed the battlefield until they touched upon the eyes of her sisters. The five of them were focused completely on her. Raising her chin, she gave a small nod. They would come to no harm with her. Dropping her chin, she nuzzled the pups and proceeded to introduce them to the little girls on her back.

As one, the females began to move, effectively cutting down the hoards that were advancing toward them. The guys made certain that they were nowhere near them as they could feel the surge in their power and intensity. It made all of them wary.

As night fell, the group met up again in the center. As they began to doze off, Miroku glanced toward Kagome and Naraku. His gaze was worried. He really hoped that nothing would happen too badly.

The next two days passed in this way. The opposing sides fought during the day, slowly taking out the fake Naraku's and resting at night. Only Kagome and Naraku witnessed the protection given during nightfall. The two watched as creatures began amassing outside the perimeter of the guardians. The creatures were unlike anything they had ever seen before. It was as though the gates of hell had been opened, releasing the monstrous things within its depths. They stared and hungered, focused on them all, waiting for their release to attack.

The morning of the final battle came swiftly. It was quick for the final fake Naraku to fall. The groups stood on either side. The finality of this battle weighed heavily on them all. Inuyasha had suffered a heavy wound in his shoulder from being pierced with a poison sword. Most everyone else had minor wounds except for Kikyo who had a wound in her side. The group now surrounded the real Naraku, ready to begin their final strike.

Naraku rose to his feet, glancing at Kagome. She gave him a strained look. “Please make it swift. Don't make him suffer.”

“Of course, Miko. I can feel them coming, it will soon be over, and you will have your own war to face after this.”

Kagome gave a heavy sigh, dropping her chin. “Yes…”

Naraku kneeled and lifted her chin, making it seem almost loving to the others around him. They could both hear the angry snarls the action caused. “You are no lowly woman Kagome. Never bow your head before anyone ever again. I will see you again. Both of us will. In the meantime, you must be strong and stand in the face of the future that is to come. After all, they are all coming because they believe that you can save the youkai races so that a future without them will not be. “

Chi suddenly surged to the fore. “The costs of these battles must come to an end at some point in our lives. Let us hope that this will allow for the process of the end of them to be made clear. Remember, you are not truly dying just yet. You will be able to honor us in the end as you wish to do and help defeat them once and for all once your forms are full grown.”

Naraku gave a sharp nod before rising. “It has been an honor Lady Chi.” Turning, his form began to shift, tentacles shooting from his body. During the chaos, Kagome tucked Ayame's pups and the twins close to her, prepared for her own part to soon play out.