InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Say Goodbye ❯ Chapter 9 Before ( Chapter 9 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: blueangel326 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Romance / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 05.27.2005 | Pages: 4 | Words: 3.6K | Visits: 359 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Romance / Drama | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 05.27.2005 | Pages: 4 | Words: 3.6K | Visits: 359 | Status: Completed
9 Before
Before I loved
Before I hated
Before time stopped for me
I was alone without the enjoyment of friends
Before I smiled
Before I laughed
Before real feelings occurred to me
I was mad at the world and sad inside
Before I saw
Before I heard
Before I felt the care of a true love
I was walking alone down the dark path of despair and hatred
But before I saw the light
Before my solemn promise
Before I felt this pain of leaving
I was there as she waited for me to come
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‘So you’re just gonna give up?’
Inuyasha opened his eyes slightly. ‘Kagome?’
His vision was blurry but not too much so as for him to not see he wasn’t in the field anymore. In fact, everything had gone black.
‘Am I dead…’
‘No, you’re not…Inuyasha.’
Inuyasha raised his head and noticed that he felt no pain whatsoever. In fact, his whole body felt numb.
‘Kagome, what is this place? Where are we, and why are you here?’
Kagome bent over to stare into his face. ‘You are still in the field with the incarnation, and yet, you are not. I am here only because I exist in your heart.’
‘My heart?’
‘Yes, so long as you live, I exist in your heart,’ she explained as she held her hand over his chest, ‘And so long as I live, you exist in mine.’ She held her other hand over her heart to suggest what she meant was indeed true.
‘You mean, we’re in each others’ heart?’
‘Yes, exactly.’
Inuyasha sat up. ‘But, how is it that you’re talking to me when we’re more than a day’s trip away from you?’
Kagome started walking slowly in front of him. ‘Hm, I really don’t know. One minute, I was in Kaede’s hut resting, then next thing I know, I see you fighting against another of Naraku’s incarnations. You said you were sorry and sounded like you were gonna give up. That’s not the Inuyasha that I know. What made you want to give up?’
‘Kagome, I’m sorry. I couldn’t hold up against Gaijin, not like this. I’m not powerful enough. I’m sorry…’
‘Stop saying you’re sorry! That’s not like you. You realize that you’re not that strong in your human form, but you’ve never let that stop you. You even faced Kouga when you were human the first time he saw you like that. Kagura even. You’ve never let that stop you, so don’t let it stop you now. I know you can do it.’
‘It’s not that simple, Kagome. He’s too powerful. I can’t defeat him without my powers or Tetsusaiga. He mocks everything that I can do. He knows my attacks, and worse of all, he has his own youkai sword that’s wounded me badly.’
‘Inuyasha, stop it! All of this has happened to you before, and you’ve never let any of this stop you from doing what you had to do. How is this time different?’
‘You don’t understand. I have much more to lose if I don’t get out of this. It’s you, Kagome, you. If I don’t get that flower to you in time, then I’ll lose everything. You’re all I care about. I broke my promise to Kikyou before. If I break my promise to you and you die, then I’m not worth anything. Without you, I hold no meaning. I live to protect you, so, if you die, then I have no reason for going on living. Living in pain and misery, I’ve done that for so long. I can’t go through with it again.’
‘Inuyasha…’ Kagome knelt down before him and held him close. ‘Inuyasha, each time we’re off on our journeys, I’m always in the same risk of being killed or attacked. Each time, it’s the same, because of the jewel shards or Naraku. Each time, you’re there and you save me. This time is no different. The only thing that is stopping you is you yourself. You can’t do it only because you say you can’t. A youkai is a youkai. If you thought it would save me, you would kill it. Just because it looks and acts like you doesn’t mean it’s you. You can’t let that stop you.’
‘Kagome…’ Inuyasha buried his head into Kagome’s shoulder. Right there, he cried.
‘Kagome, if I thought it would save you, I would kill myself just so that you could live. I couldn’t bear to go on with life if you weren’t there with me. And if you did die, I would kill myself just so that I could be with you, even if it was impossible. You’re the only thing I live for. I already know that I can’t make it now, even if I did escape this. My body’s too wounded to make it there, so I would probably die before we reach you. If you survive this, then I would at least be happy to know that you’re okay. And if not, then there’s that tiny hope that we’ll be reborn again together and meet each other. All I really want is for you to be happy.’
‘So you’re just gonna give up?’
Kagome’s body was trembling. ‘What?’
‘You’re gonna give up just like that?’
Her voice was quivering. ‘Kagome?’
‘Do you really think that I would be happy knowing that you’re dead?!’
Something heavy was falling in Inuyasha’s hair. Is she…
‘How could you be so stupid?!’
Inuyasha looked up with his teary eyes. She was crying.
‘Kagome…’
‘How could you even think like that? You should’ve known me better! If you died, I don’t know what I would do!’
‘Kagome… I…I’m sorry.’
‘No, stop saying that,’ Kagome placed her hands on his cheeks. ‘Just listen to me. Not so long ago, someone told something. I had fallen, and I wasn’t believing in myself like I should’ve been and was giving up too easily. You see, I had lost something very important to me, and I was giving up on finding it. I told this person that I had tried my hardest trying to find it but I just couldn’t do it. It was too hard; my despair was overpowering me. I was letting my failures get in the way. But then that someone came to me and told me not to give up, no matter how hard. This person said that I couldn’t give up so easy, not when I have friends that really care about me enough to help me try to get through it. That person gave me the courage to go on and keep going. And whenever I feel like giving up, that person’s words come back to me, to give me the strength hope that I need to keep going. That person I sorely trust and believe in.’
Realization hit Inuyasha. He smiled as he bowed his head. ‘You love this person very much, don’t you?’
‘With all my heart.’
‘And you trust and believe in this person?’
‘With every fiber of my soul and being.’
‘This person is lucky to have a friend like you.’
‘Maybe, but we’re more than just friends.’
Inuyasha looked up to see Kagome smile brightly at her.
‘This person means more to me than anything in the world. But the problem is, how can I believe the words he said if he even doubts his own self?’
‘Maybe because he had a hard time trying to figure himself out. Maybe he just hadn’t excepted himself and didn’t believe in himself. Maybe, maybe it was enough to just believe in someone else than to try to understand himself.’
‘But, how could someone say something that they themselves can’t except in them?’
‘Perhaps that just believing in that one person was enough to satisfy him, just to know that that person would stay with him and still be happy. Maybe he knew her more than he knew himself.’
‘Maybe, but I guess this person really did know me better than himself, but I believe that he did know himself, that he did know and believe what he said.’
‘What did he say to you that makes you so confident in you?’
‘So you’re just gonna give up?’
Inuyasha’s eyes widened in surprise. He bowed his head. ‘So, you really believe in me?’
‘Mm-hm.’
‘And you really believe everything that I said?’
‘Yes.’
‘And you think that I can do this?’
‘No, I know so.’
Inuyasha looked up at Kagome with renewed confidence. He reached out for and grabbed her. ‘Thank you, Kagome,’ he said as he embraced her tightly.
Kagome gasped slightly but recovered and smiled back. ‘No, thank you, Inuyasha. If it wasn’t for you, then I would have never gotten back my memories.’
‘And if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have discovered everything about myself and how much life someone can enjoy, especially the love you can share for someone. If it wasn’t for you…I would still be sealed to the tree or dead.’
‘Everything’s gonna be all right, Inuyasha. I’m here for you. Now,’ Kagome stood up and held out her hand, ‘You have a promise to keep.’
‘Promise?’
Kagome nodded her head. ‘To protect me. Now, get up, Inuyasha.’
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“Get up, Inuyasha.”
Inuyasha opened his eyes. He saw that he was in the plain again. Suddenly, blinding pain smacked him in the face, hard. He slowly picked himself up as he tried to cope with the painful gash in his side.
“Inuyasha!” he heard Sango call.
“You are not dead, I see, little brother.”
“Sesshoumaru? What the hell are you doing here?”
“Be grateful, you insolent half-breed, for you are lucky that Sesshoumaru-sama decided to save you. If my lord were not here, you would be no more.”
“Shut up, you little imp.” Inuyasha turned to the great inu-youkai as Jaken started ranting over his remarks of the green toad. “You saved me? Why did you of all people want to even think about doing that?”
“Just be thankful for your life. It was not for you. I will not let Naraku have his way, even if it deals with you. Think nothing more of it.” Sesshoumaru was holding Tokijin up and pointing it at Gaijin. “You, did Naraku send you just to deal with Inuyasha?”
“Those are my orders. I do not wish to battle with you, but I will if you interfere with my duties.”
“Tell me where Naraku is, and I just may leave you with your life.”
“That is of no concern to you. Now get out of the way before you join your brother in hell.”
Sesshoumaru released some of Tokijin’s demonic aura, and it shot towards Gaijin. He moved just in time before the power surge burned him. “I will ask again. Where is Naraku, or do you wish for your death by my hands so much?”
“You’re tactics don’t phase me. I know all about you, O Great Lord of the Western Lands, Sesshoumaru. The master wishes to have your demonic power. Maybe I should give you to Naraku as a gift. He would be so pleased with me.”
“Is that so? Then, since you know me as you claim, then I advise you tell me your name so I may know who I will have just killed for Naraku.”
“My name? Of course, how rude of me. I am Gaijin, a reincarnation of my Master Naraku. I am here to destroy Inuyasha, for it seems the master has grown tired of this nuisance. Now, I believe it is time for me to finish my job. I have grown tired of playing games. Now, move, or you will be slaughtered in the process.” Gaijin charged to strike Inuyasha again, but Sesshoumaru stepped in the way.
“Do not think that my dealings with you are over. I care not what happens to Inuyasha, but you will not escape the deal we have made. You shall perish,” Sesshoumaru stated as he held off the Suishougin with Tokijin. Sesshoumaru instantly overpowered him and sent a burst of energy towards Gaijin. Gaijin stilled the attack by holding Suishougin up like a shield as the flames enlarged.
“You are formidable but no match for the likes of me, Sesshoumaru.”
Inuyasha growled as Miroku helped him up. “Sesshoumaru, what the hell do you think you’re doing fighting my battle? He’s mine, so back down!”
“Back down, Inuyasha, and leave now. You can hardly stand by yourself, so do not think you are in a position to order me. Go run and save your precious miko.”
“Hey, Sesshoumaru, why don’t you stand down? We had this fight under control before you came, so you can buzz off. We don’t need your help,” Kouga said as he ran to them. Before he reached them, he punched the ground and sent a ground attack towards the both of them. Sesshoumaru jumped out of the way, as did Gaijin.
“I forgot all about you, wolf cub. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to end your life,” Gaijin said as he dodged one of Kouga’s punches. “I’ll deal with you as soon as I deal with the inu-youkai brothers.”
“You dare put me beneath those two dogs? You’ll pay dearly for that!” Kouga sent a flying kick at Gaijin and managed to kick the sword out of his hand. “Let’s see you fight without your sword!”
“Inuyasha, are you okay?” Sango asked as she knelt down to inspect his wounds. “Oh no, you’re bleeding badly. We need to get you somewhere safe until dawn comes.” She tried to take Inuyasha so they could escape to the forest.
“No. Let go of me. I’m not leaving until I destroy this pathetic youkai. I’m tired of seeing him pose as me. He tried to besmear Kagome’s name and is parading around as me. He’ll pay for what he’s done. No one gets away with what he’s done to me.”
“But Inuyasha, the sun isn’t close to rising anytime soon. We have to go before anymore damage is done,” Miroku persuaded.
“No, I’m not leaving without settling my revenge upon this imposter. You two go on ahead and take the flower to Kagome. I’ll be fine by myself.”
Sango looked at Miroku concerned. Kirara growled lowly as she waited for Sango’s answer. “No way am I leaving you here, Inuyasha. I wouldn’t leave a friend in need behind. Besides, I know Kagome would be sad if we came back without you.”
“Yes, I would have to agree. Kagome believes in you. She trusts that you will come back with the cure,” Miroku said as he held a firmer grip on Inuyasha. “Now, shall we, Sango? We can’t leave Kagome waiting for too long.”
“Right. Kirara, stay with Inuyasha until the sun comes up. It shouldn’t be too long.”
“You guys…thanks.”
“No problem, Inuyasha. Anything to help a friend. Now, Miroku, shall we?”
“Of course, my dear.”
‘Kagome was right. Everyone believes me because I can believe in myself. I promise, Kagome, I’ll make it back in time. Don’t give up on me now.’
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Kagome opened her eyes to see Kaede and Shippou still sitting next to her. They were there just like that when she had initially passed out after awakening in the hut again.
“Kaede? Shippou?”
“Kagome, ye have awakened with us again. Do ye remember what happened?”
“Yes. I sealed the barrier again, and then I saw Inuyasha again.”
“Oh my, are ye sure? Inuyasha has returned not with the flower yet. Maybe ye are just seeing things.”
“No, Kaede, I saw him, in my sleep. He was fighting in his human form and was wounded. I talked to him and encouraged him to come back to me. He promised to come back and protect me.”
“Kagome, maybe you’re just tired. You were just dreaming. Inuyasha is too far away for you to talk to him,” Shippou said as he took the cloth from her head to dampen it again.
“No, I did talk to him and see him. He was even talking back to me.”
“Kagome, ye are being delirious. Ye fever must have risen.”
“But Kaede, I’m telling the truth. He even told me that he was on his way back with the flower. I saw it for myself.” Kagome then sat straight and started up a round of coughing.
“Enough, Kagome. Ye must rest to fight this poison and these delusions if you do hope to see Inuyasha come back.”
Kaede gently pushed her back to lie down. ‘But I know what I saw. Inuyasha was there with me. He’s here with me right now, still holding me,’ Kagome thought as she was falling asleep again. ‘Everything’s gonna be all right, as long as he’s here.’
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Okay, this chapter was a little shorter than the one before, but I couldn’t find a better place to stop.
My updates are coming up pretty well. I just updated Engaging Enemies two days ago, and I’m already done with this chapter of Say Goodbye. I’m getting back on track. Yay! Strawberry-flavored pocky for everyone. I just wish I knew what pocky looked like. Okay, I have been delayed with my updated until recently, but hopefully, that’s all going to change since summer’s almost out. Well, now, I have to go and do something useful for once. Jaa!
Oh, and PS, if you want chapter hints, check out the Final Words. You might actually find something useful. Ja ne!
Final Words
Gaijin: Why do you interfere? You could’ve saved your life, Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru: Only because you stoop so low as to do Naraku’s bidding. If not for that, I would not have even bothered coming.
Human Inuyasha: Sesshoumaru, get back. This is my fight and my fight alone.
Sess: You are weak. Stay out of my way or you too will be slain. Go running back to your precious miko.
H IY: Keh, I ain’t finished with this pitiful creature Naraku sent yet. I said I was gonna kill him and I will.
Kouga: Hey, mutt, what did I tell you? You’re supposed to be back there hiding. So tell me why you’re out here!
H IY: How many times do I have to tell you? I’m fighting Gaijin so back off!
Sess: Fool. You are wounded and a human, no less.
Half-demon Inuyasha: What were you saying about being human?Converting /tmp/phpWxXyss to /dev/stdout
Before I loved
Before I hated
Before time stopped for me
I was alone without the enjoyment of friends
Before I smiled
Before I laughed
Before real feelings occurred to me
I was mad at the world and sad inside
Before I saw
Before I heard
Before I felt the care of a true love
I was walking alone down the dark path of despair and hatred
But before I saw the light
Before my solemn promise
Before I felt this pain of leaving
I was there as she waited for me to come
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‘So you’re just gonna give up?’
Inuyasha opened his eyes slightly. ‘Kagome?’
His vision was blurry but not too much so as for him to not see he wasn’t in the field anymore. In fact, everything had gone black.
‘Am I dead…’
‘No, you’re not…Inuyasha.’
Inuyasha raised his head and noticed that he felt no pain whatsoever. In fact, his whole body felt numb.
‘Kagome, what is this place? Where are we, and why are you here?’
Kagome bent over to stare into his face. ‘You are still in the field with the incarnation, and yet, you are not. I am here only because I exist in your heart.’
‘My heart?’
‘Yes, so long as you live, I exist in your heart,’ she explained as she held her hand over his chest, ‘And so long as I live, you exist in mine.’ She held her other hand over her heart to suggest what she meant was indeed true.
‘You mean, we’re in each others’ heart?’
‘Yes, exactly.’
Inuyasha sat up. ‘But, how is it that you’re talking to me when we’re more than a day’s trip away from you?’
Kagome started walking slowly in front of him. ‘Hm, I really don’t know. One minute, I was in Kaede’s hut resting, then next thing I know, I see you fighting against another of Naraku’s incarnations. You said you were sorry and sounded like you were gonna give up. That’s not the Inuyasha that I know. What made you want to give up?’
‘Kagome, I’m sorry. I couldn’t hold up against Gaijin, not like this. I’m not powerful enough. I’m sorry…’
‘Stop saying you’re sorry! That’s not like you. You realize that you’re not that strong in your human form, but you’ve never let that stop you. You even faced Kouga when you were human the first time he saw you like that. Kagura even. You’ve never let that stop you, so don’t let it stop you now. I know you can do it.’
‘It’s not that simple, Kagome. He’s too powerful. I can’t defeat him without my powers or Tetsusaiga. He mocks everything that I can do. He knows my attacks, and worse of all, he has his own youkai sword that’s wounded me badly.’
‘Inuyasha, stop it! All of this has happened to you before, and you’ve never let any of this stop you from doing what you had to do. How is this time different?’
‘You don’t understand. I have much more to lose if I don’t get out of this. It’s you, Kagome, you. If I don’t get that flower to you in time, then I’ll lose everything. You’re all I care about. I broke my promise to Kikyou before. If I break my promise to you and you die, then I’m not worth anything. Without you, I hold no meaning. I live to protect you, so, if you die, then I have no reason for going on living. Living in pain and misery, I’ve done that for so long. I can’t go through with it again.’
‘Inuyasha…’ Kagome knelt down before him and held him close. ‘Inuyasha, each time we’re off on our journeys, I’m always in the same risk of being killed or attacked. Each time, it’s the same, because of the jewel shards or Naraku. Each time, you’re there and you save me. This time is no different. The only thing that is stopping you is you yourself. You can’t do it only because you say you can’t. A youkai is a youkai. If you thought it would save me, you would kill it. Just because it looks and acts like you doesn’t mean it’s you. You can’t let that stop you.’
‘Kagome…’ Inuyasha buried his head into Kagome’s shoulder. Right there, he cried.
‘Kagome, if I thought it would save you, I would kill myself just so that you could live. I couldn’t bear to go on with life if you weren’t there with me. And if you did die, I would kill myself just so that I could be with you, even if it was impossible. You’re the only thing I live for. I already know that I can’t make it now, even if I did escape this. My body’s too wounded to make it there, so I would probably die before we reach you. If you survive this, then I would at least be happy to know that you’re okay. And if not, then there’s that tiny hope that we’ll be reborn again together and meet each other. All I really want is for you to be happy.’
‘So you’re just gonna give up?’
Kagome’s body was trembling. ‘What?’
‘You’re gonna give up just like that?’
Her voice was quivering. ‘Kagome?’
‘Do you really think that I would be happy knowing that you’re dead?!’
Something heavy was falling in Inuyasha’s hair. Is she…
‘How could you be so stupid?!’
Inuyasha looked up with his teary eyes. She was crying.
‘Kagome…’
‘How could you even think like that? You should’ve known me better! If you died, I don’t know what I would do!’
‘Kagome… I…I’m sorry.’
‘No, stop saying that,’ Kagome placed her hands on his cheeks. ‘Just listen to me. Not so long ago, someone told something. I had fallen, and I wasn’t believing in myself like I should’ve been and was giving up too easily. You see, I had lost something very important to me, and I was giving up on finding it. I told this person that I had tried my hardest trying to find it but I just couldn’t do it. It was too hard; my despair was overpowering me. I was letting my failures get in the way. But then that someone came to me and told me not to give up, no matter how hard. This person said that I couldn’t give up so easy, not when I have friends that really care about me enough to help me try to get through it. That person gave me the courage to go on and keep going. And whenever I feel like giving up, that person’s words come back to me, to give me the strength hope that I need to keep going. That person I sorely trust and believe in.’
Realization hit Inuyasha. He smiled as he bowed his head. ‘You love this person very much, don’t you?’
‘With all my heart.’
‘And you trust and believe in this person?’
‘With every fiber of my soul and being.’
‘This person is lucky to have a friend like you.’
‘Maybe, but we’re more than just friends.’
Inuyasha looked up to see Kagome smile brightly at her.
‘This person means more to me than anything in the world. But the problem is, how can I believe the words he said if he even doubts his own self?’
‘Maybe because he had a hard time trying to figure himself out. Maybe he just hadn’t excepted himself and didn’t believe in himself. Maybe, maybe it was enough to just believe in someone else than to try to understand himself.’
‘But, how could someone say something that they themselves can’t except in them?’
‘Perhaps that just believing in that one person was enough to satisfy him, just to know that that person would stay with him and still be happy. Maybe he knew her more than he knew himself.’
‘Maybe, but I guess this person really did know me better than himself, but I believe that he did know himself, that he did know and believe what he said.’
‘What did he say to you that makes you so confident in you?’
‘So you’re just gonna give up?’
Inuyasha’s eyes widened in surprise. He bowed his head. ‘So, you really believe in me?’
‘Mm-hm.’
‘And you really believe everything that I said?’
‘Yes.’
‘And you think that I can do this?’
‘No, I know so.’
Inuyasha looked up at Kagome with renewed confidence. He reached out for and grabbed her. ‘Thank you, Kagome,’ he said as he embraced her tightly.
Kagome gasped slightly but recovered and smiled back. ‘No, thank you, Inuyasha. If it wasn’t for you, then I would have never gotten back my memories.’
‘And if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have discovered everything about myself and how much life someone can enjoy, especially the love you can share for someone. If it wasn’t for you…I would still be sealed to the tree or dead.’
‘Everything’s gonna be all right, Inuyasha. I’m here for you. Now,’ Kagome stood up and held out her hand, ‘You have a promise to keep.’
‘Promise?’
Kagome nodded her head. ‘To protect me. Now, get up, Inuyasha.’
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“Get up, Inuyasha.”
Inuyasha opened his eyes. He saw that he was in the plain again. Suddenly, blinding pain smacked him in the face, hard. He slowly picked himself up as he tried to cope with the painful gash in his side.
“Inuyasha!” he heard Sango call.
“You are not dead, I see, little brother.”
“Sesshoumaru? What the hell are you doing here?”
“Be grateful, you insolent half-breed, for you are lucky that Sesshoumaru-sama decided to save you. If my lord were not here, you would be no more.”
“Shut up, you little imp.” Inuyasha turned to the great inu-youkai as Jaken started ranting over his remarks of the green toad. “You saved me? Why did you of all people want to even think about doing that?”
“Just be thankful for your life. It was not for you. I will not let Naraku have his way, even if it deals with you. Think nothing more of it.” Sesshoumaru was holding Tokijin up and pointing it at Gaijin. “You, did Naraku send you just to deal with Inuyasha?”
“Those are my orders. I do not wish to battle with you, but I will if you interfere with my duties.”
“Tell me where Naraku is, and I just may leave you with your life.”
“That is of no concern to you. Now get out of the way before you join your brother in hell.”
Sesshoumaru released some of Tokijin’s demonic aura, and it shot towards Gaijin. He moved just in time before the power surge burned him. “I will ask again. Where is Naraku, or do you wish for your death by my hands so much?”
“You’re tactics don’t phase me. I know all about you, O Great Lord of the Western Lands, Sesshoumaru. The master wishes to have your demonic power. Maybe I should give you to Naraku as a gift. He would be so pleased with me.”
“Is that so? Then, since you know me as you claim, then I advise you tell me your name so I may know who I will have just killed for Naraku.”
“My name? Of course, how rude of me. I am Gaijin, a reincarnation of my Master Naraku. I am here to destroy Inuyasha, for it seems the master has grown tired of this nuisance. Now, I believe it is time for me to finish my job. I have grown tired of playing games. Now, move, or you will be slaughtered in the process.” Gaijin charged to strike Inuyasha again, but Sesshoumaru stepped in the way.
“Do not think that my dealings with you are over. I care not what happens to Inuyasha, but you will not escape the deal we have made. You shall perish,” Sesshoumaru stated as he held off the Suishougin with Tokijin. Sesshoumaru instantly overpowered him and sent a burst of energy towards Gaijin. Gaijin stilled the attack by holding Suishougin up like a shield as the flames enlarged.
“You are formidable but no match for the likes of me, Sesshoumaru.”
Inuyasha growled as Miroku helped him up. “Sesshoumaru, what the hell do you think you’re doing fighting my battle? He’s mine, so back down!”
“Back down, Inuyasha, and leave now. You can hardly stand by yourself, so do not think you are in a position to order me. Go run and save your precious miko.”
“Hey, Sesshoumaru, why don’t you stand down? We had this fight under control before you came, so you can buzz off. We don’t need your help,” Kouga said as he ran to them. Before he reached them, he punched the ground and sent a ground attack towards the both of them. Sesshoumaru jumped out of the way, as did Gaijin.
“I forgot all about you, wolf cub. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to end your life,” Gaijin said as he dodged one of Kouga’s punches. “I’ll deal with you as soon as I deal with the inu-youkai brothers.”
“You dare put me beneath those two dogs? You’ll pay dearly for that!” Kouga sent a flying kick at Gaijin and managed to kick the sword out of his hand. “Let’s see you fight without your sword!”
“Inuyasha, are you okay?” Sango asked as she knelt down to inspect his wounds. “Oh no, you’re bleeding badly. We need to get you somewhere safe until dawn comes.” She tried to take Inuyasha so they could escape to the forest.
“No. Let go of me. I’m not leaving until I destroy this pathetic youkai. I’m tired of seeing him pose as me. He tried to besmear Kagome’s name and is parading around as me. He’ll pay for what he’s done. No one gets away with what he’s done to me.”
“But Inuyasha, the sun isn’t close to rising anytime soon. We have to go before anymore damage is done,” Miroku persuaded.
“No, I’m not leaving without settling my revenge upon this imposter. You two go on ahead and take the flower to Kagome. I’ll be fine by myself.”
Sango looked at Miroku concerned. Kirara growled lowly as she waited for Sango’s answer. “No way am I leaving you here, Inuyasha. I wouldn’t leave a friend in need behind. Besides, I know Kagome would be sad if we came back without you.”
“Yes, I would have to agree. Kagome believes in you. She trusts that you will come back with the cure,” Miroku said as he held a firmer grip on Inuyasha. “Now, shall we, Sango? We can’t leave Kagome waiting for too long.”
“Right. Kirara, stay with Inuyasha until the sun comes up. It shouldn’t be too long.”
“You guys…thanks.”
“No problem, Inuyasha. Anything to help a friend. Now, Miroku, shall we?”
“Of course, my dear.”
‘Kagome was right. Everyone believes me because I can believe in myself. I promise, Kagome, I’ll make it back in time. Don’t give up on me now.’
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Kagome opened her eyes to see Kaede and Shippou still sitting next to her. They were there just like that when she had initially passed out after awakening in the hut again.
“Kaede? Shippou?”
“Kagome, ye have awakened with us again. Do ye remember what happened?”
“Yes. I sealed the barrier again, and then I saw Inuyasha again.”
“Oh my, are ye sure? Inuyasha has returned not with the flower yet. Maybe ye are just seeing things.”
“No, Kaede, I saw him, in my sleep. He was fighting in his human form and was wounded. I talked to him and encouraged him to come back to me. He promised to come back and protect me.”
“Kagome, maybe you’re just tired. You were just dreaming. Inuyasha is too far away for you to talk to him,” Shippou said as he took the cloth from her head to dampen it again.
“No, I did talk to him and see him. He was even talking back to me.”
“Kagome, ye are being delirious. Ye fever must have risen.”
“But Kaede, I’m telling the truth. He even told me that he was on his way back with the flower. I saw it for myself.” Kagome then sat straight and started up a round of coughing.
“Enough, Kagome. Ye must rest to fight this poison and these delusions if you do hope to see Inuyasha come back.”
Kaede gently pushed her back to lie down. ‘But I know what I saw. Inuyasha was there with me. He’s here with me right now, still holding me,’ Kagome thought as she was falling asleep again. ‘Everything’s gonna be all right, as long as he’s here.’
;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p; p;p;p;p;p;;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p;p
Okay, this chapter was a little shorter than the one before, but I couldn’t find a better place to stop.
My updates are coming up pretty well. I just updated Engaging Enemies two days ago, and I’m already done with this chapter of Say Goodbye. I’m getting back on track. Yay! Strawberry-flavored pocky for everyone. I just wish I knew what pocky looked like. Okay, I have been delayed with my updated until recently, but hopefully, that’s all going to change since summer’s almost out. Well, now, I have to go and do something useful for once. Jaa!
Oh, and PS, if you want chapter hints, check out the Final Words. You might actually find something useful. Ja ne!
Final Words
Gaijin: Why do you interfere? You could’ve saved your life, Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru: Only because you stoop so low as to do Naraku’s bidding. If not for that, I would not have even bothered coming.
Human Inuyasha: Sesshoumaru, get back. This is my fight and my fight alone.
Sess: You are weak. Stay out of my way or you too will be slain. Go running back to your precious miko.
H IY: Keh, I ain’t finished with this pitiful creature Naraku sent yet. I said I was gonna kill him and I will.
Kouga: Hey, mutt, what did I tell you? You’re supposed to be back there hiding. So tell me why you’re out here!
H IY: How many times do I have to tell you? I’m fighting Gaijin so back off!
Sess: Fool. You are wounded and a human, no less.
Half-demon Inuyasha: What were you saying about being human?Converting /tmp/phpWxXyss to /dev/stdout