InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Solace ❯ Shock ( Chapter 1 )

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

Title: Solace
Author: Eloy Brightdreamer
Rating: NC-17 for later chapters
Genre: Angst/Romance
Summary: After a terrible tragedy strikes, how will Inuyasha and Kouga cope?
Warnings:
1. YAOI! This means romance and/or implied sex involving two male characters. Don't like it? Bug off! I will not tolerate flames from people who just don't like yaoi. No one's forcing you to read this. Consider yourself warned.
2. Character death.

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Chapter 1: Shock

Inuyasha felt somewhat relieved as he stared at the now-unconscious Kouga. He didn't relish the thought of explaining the recent tragedy to the wolf prince. The memory was still too fresh, too painful. It took all of the hanyou's will to keep his feelings subdued as he remembered the events of three days ago...

*~*~*~*~*

A seemingly endless mass of viciously spiked tentacles writhed as far as the eye could see, cutting off any hope of escape. Naraku was stronger than he'd ever been, having re-absorbed all of his detachments. Kagura had fought the hardest, screaming curses at her maker even as he drew her in to his demon-patchwork body. Now, he seemed invincible... but they had to try.

Inuyasha and Kouga fought side by side, their rivalry forgotten as they battled their common enemy. Kouga's legs were bleeding heavily from the wounds he'd received when the monstrous youkai had ripped his Shikon shards away. Dead bodies littered the ground--the last of Kouga's wolf tribe, who had joined their leader in this final fight.

"Kukukuku..." Naraku's demonic laugh boomed through the air. "Do you think you weaklings can destroy this Naraku, now that I have the complete Shikon no Tama? Fools!" A swirl of miasma flooded the two fighters, causing them to gag and choke. A split second later, two shining streaks pierced the dark, poisonous fog, dissipating it like mist in the noon sun. Inuyasha glanced to his left and saw both Kagome and Kikyou firing purified arrows one after another into the monstrous entity.

Hearing a whirring sound overhead, he looked up and saw Hiraikotsu sever a clump of tentacles before whizzing back to Sango's waiting hand. The demon slayer looked pale, and her uniform was slashed across her stomach. The wound there had killed her already at the beginning of this battle... but thanks to Sesshoumaru's sword, she was back on her feet and fighting.

Miroku stood nearby, occasionally casting worried glances Sango's way. However, he didn't have much time to help her, as he had his hands full with throwing ofudas and striking with his staff. The monk's curse, his Kazaana, was useless in this battle. Swarms of Saimyousho waited overhead, ready to dive at the monk should he open the wind tunnel. He would be dead within moments, should he try to use his weapon.

Even Sesshoumaru had joined the fight, his normally deadpan expression now showing slight strain as he swung Toukijin. His father's heirloom, Tenseiga, lay broken on the ground nearby. Naraku had been quick to destroy the healing sword, after seeing its power used on the injured Sango.

Turning his attention back to the fight, Inuyasha leapt forward and sliced off a few more tentacles, leaving Kouga to fight on his own for a moment. However, it seemed that for every one he lopped off, another three grew in its place with no effort from Naraku. This fight was going nowhere, and the hanyou was becoming increasingly fearful and frustrated. After Naraku had re-absorbed Kanna and her mirror, he had been able to reflect the Kaze no Kizu attack with ease. Inuyasha was wary of even trying the ultimate attack, the Bakuryuuha, for fear of what it might do to his friends if it were deflected. So he clenched his teeth and chopped at the looming creature, annoyed at having his father's sword reduced to little more than a carving knife.

A tormented cry from behind him caused Inuyasha to whirl around. Kouga's spiky-haired companion was huddled on the ground, his shaking arms cradling the limp body of his friend. Even from a distance, Inuyasha could tell that the grey-haired youkai was dead, or would be soon--dark red blood was pouring from a terrible wound in his throat. The other wolf was so lost in grief that he didn't notice the lethally spiked tentacle that swept down from above. Inuyasha leapt forward, but it was too late... and the young wolf slumped over his friend's body, his head mostly severed.

"Ginta! Hakkaku! NO!" Kouga's choked voice sounded from Inuyasha's left. He turned to see the wolf prince desperately fighting his way through the writhing mass.

"It's too late," Inuyasha yelled, reaching out and grabbing for Kouga's arm. "You can't save them, don't... ugh!" Searing pain shot through him, centered around his stomach. Looking down, he saw two wicked brown spikes protruding from his abdomen. As he fell to his knees, feeling the life drain out of him, he heard Kagome scream his name.

But it was Kouga who severed the tentacles, which dissolved into thick, black miasma. Inuyasha doubled over, gagging and coughing up blood. He heard another cry of pain, and forced his gaze upward just in time to see Kouga fall face-down in front of him, pinned to the ground by three tentacles through his back. With the last of his strength, the hanyou lifted his sword and sliced through the spikes, hearing his rival gasp in pain as the poisonous mist swirled around him.

Inuyasha collapsed to the ground, fighting to stay conscious. It can't end like this... it just can't... I've got to fight... He tried to get up, but the pain was too great.

Suddenly, he felt as though Naraku's evil youki had just... backed away. A gentle hand touched his shoulder, and he forced his eyes open to see Kagome's concerned face come into focus above him. Kikyou stood behind her, her arms upraised--the source of the shimmering barrier which now surrounded them. "K-Kagome? What...?"

"Shh..." Kagome reached out and stroked his cheek. "It's going to be all right. Kikyou and I have a plan to destroy Naraku for good. It's the only way." She looked sad, and Inuyasha felt a pang of fear shoot through his heart. She sounded so... resigned, and he couldn't help but feel that the plan would not end happily. He opened his mouth to ask her what she was doing, but before he could speak, Kagome leaned forward and kissed him tenderly, silencing any protest before it could be voiced. "I love you, Inuyasha," she said quietly after they parted, tears glimmering in her eyes.

Stunned, the hanyou couldn't seem to find his voice to reply. The feel of her soft lips lingered on his, and he wanted more than anything to take her into his arms and hold her close... but he didn't have the strength to move from the ground. He reached out to her, but she was already standing and moving away.

"You can't hold me off forever, girl!" Naraku's voice roared from overhead. Sparks flashed across the barrier, and Kikyou looked strained.

"Hurry, Kagome," she said through clenched teeth. Kagome nodded, walking toward the miko with her back straight and head held high.

"Ka... go... me...." Kouga's voice rasped. Inuyasha turned his head, shocked that the wolf prince was still conscious. Kagome hesitated, then quickly moved around Inuyasha and knelt beside Kouga.

"Kouga-kun," she began, touching his hand. Inuyasha felt a familiar stab of jealousy, which quickly faded as she continued. "I hope you find someone who can return your love." She patted his hand once before turning away.

As Kagome stood, Inuyasha suddenly felt very, very afraid. He recognized her words to him and Kouga for what they were: a farewell. His sense of foreboding grew stronger as the girl from the future moved close to her dead predecessor, placing her hands on the miko's shoulders.

Kikyou turned her sad eyes down, gazing at the hanyou who could have been hers. "Goodbye, Inuyasha," she said, her voice the kindest it had been since she was alive. "I loved you."

Inuyasha's dread suddenly became a physical thing, centered deep in his gut. "Kikyou... Kagome... what are... don't..." But even as he spoke, the undead miko dropped her arms and threw her head back, closing her eyes. Glowing orbs detached themselves from her body, swirling around the priestess and her reincarnation. The spheres increased in frequency, pouring out of the miko to become ribbons of light that entwined and looped around the two girls.

Abruptly, Kikyou went limp, collapsing as the shimmering streamers condensed around Kagome. As her body hit the ground, it shattered into a million pieces, returning to the clay from which it was formed. "No..." Inuyasha managed to choke out. He looked up fearfully at Kagome, who was now standing in the center of a web of light. She raised her hands, and the glowing essence began to move into them, suffusing her being with power. I have to stop her... whatever she's doing, it can't be good... Inuyasha thought desperately. He struggled to rise, but immediately fell back, dark patches swimming in his vision.

Suddenly, the shield around them dropped, and Naraku's evil presence filled the area. "You think you have a chance against me, little human?" he bellowed. Several tentacles lanced out toward Kagome, and Inuyasha cried out in alarm, sure that she would be impaled as he and Kouga had been. However, the writhing appendages sizzled and crackled as they approached the defiant girl, disintegrating as soon as they touched her glowing aura.

"What?!" the hideous creature roared in surprise. It attacked again, only to be repelled in the same manner. "What's happening?"

Kagome made no reply, but reached one hand out toward the monster. Tendrils of violet light formed at the tips of her fingers, burrowing into the writhing mass. When she pulled her arm back, out of the dark center of Naraku's body there appeared a dark purple glow--the light of the Shikon no Tama.

Lifting her arms as if to embrace the massive youkai, Kagome tilted her head back and closed her eyes. As had happened with Kikyou moments before, streams of energy began to flow out of her body, winding toward--and through--Naraku. Inuyasha could only watch in horror, in too much pain to move. As the young miko's power moved through Naraku's body, it seemed to gather the evil one's essence with it. Soon, the two were encompassed in a swirling mass of light and dark energy, moving faster and faster until their forms could barely be seen within. Between them, the Shikon no Tama hovered in the air, its light a bright beacon in the midst of the chaos.

Now realizing just what Kagome had in mind, Inuyasha struggled even more to get to her, to stop her... but he was helpless. "Kagome!" he cried out, hoping she'd hear him. "Don't... please... I-I love you!"

But it was too late. Slowly, the cocoon of energy began to contract. "No! What are you..." Naraku's voice boomed out, sounding panicked for the first time. The sphere grew smaller, starting to touch the creature's outer tentacles. Naraku screamed, a horrible, inhuman sound that hurt the ears and caused trees miles away to shake. It was cut off abruptly as the web collapsed completely with a bang. A flash of pure purple light exploded through the clearing, causing Inuyasha to wince and close his eyes. A split second later, a shock wave sent him flying, aggravating his wounds and bringing him to the brink of unconsciousness.

When he finally came to a stop, the hanyou forced his eyes open, dreading what he would see. The energy had dissipated, along with Naraku's miasma, and Inuyasha struggled to lift his head, desperately fighting the pain. His gaze frantically darted around, searching for Kagome. When he finally found her, he felt as though he'd been stabbed again.

Where Kagome had last stood, there was now what appeared to be a statue. The stone girl still had her arms raised as though reaching for a lover, a mysterious smile on her face. Inuyasha didn't want to believe it was Kagome... but her hair, her clothes, her beautiful face... all were replicated exactly in this motionless form, now frozen for all time. Directly across from her, Naraku's hideous body stood, now a dead figure of granite. Between them, the Shikon no Tama lay on the ground, still pulsating with barely restrained power. But Inuyasha could only stare at the lifeless statue of his love...

"No..." he gasped, unwilling to believe what he was seeing. "It can't... K-Kagome..." His chest heaved several times as he tried to contain the emotion that welled up within him. Before long, it became too much, and a tortured scream tore itself from his throat. "Nooooo!!" The last think he heard before he lost consciousness was Kouga's voice echoing his own...

*~*~*~*~*

Inuyasha was brought back to reality by an anguished cry. Focusing his eyes across the room, he realized that the wolf was in the throes of a nightmare. Kouga's head thrashed from side to side as his fingers clutched the homespun blanket. His gasps and moans eventually formed themselves into words. "Naraku! Kagome... no... no... Kagome..." Inuyasha looked around for Kaede, but the old miko had apparently slipped out while he was lost in memory.

Reluctantly, he crawled toward the wolf prince, wincing as the pain from his injured side redoubled. He reached out his hand, intent on shaking the other boy awake, but was startled when Kouga grabbed him by the sleeve and pulled him down. Suddenly, he found himself gazing into two wide, fever-bright cerulean eyes. "Tell me," Kouga choked out. "Tell me it was just a dream."

Kouga struggled to keep his arm from shaking as he searched Inuyasha's face for any reassurance. The nightmare had been too horrible...

Ginta and Hakkaku lying dead...

...it couldn't have been true...

Searing pain in his back, as vertebrae and nerves were shattered by Naraku's spiked tentacle...

...there was just no way...

A brilliant flash of purple light, Inuyasha's agonized scream...

He stared intently into the hanyou's golden eyes, desperately seeking the answer. Slowly, deliberately, Inuyasha shook his head. "You know it wasn't," he whispered, his face devoid of expression.

Suddenly, the air in the hut seemed too thick to breathe. Kouga clung to the hanyou's shirt, gasping. He needed to get out of this stifling room. He had to run, run until he couldn't think or feel, lost in the wind and sun and dust...

Throwing back the blanket, he prepared to leap up and escape... and found that he could not. He glanced down at his legs fearfully, verifying that they were still there... he could neither feel nor move them.

In his shock, he released Inuyasha, who scrambled back out of reach. Kouga pushed himself up onto his elbows, ignoring the pain in his back. "Wh... why... why won't my legs move?" he managed to ask. Inuyasha didn't answer, but moved quickly to the door and yelled for Kaede.

Kouga fell back onto the pillow, still struggling for breath. He felt like he was drowning, as if all the air in the room had randomly turned to water. Breathing in shallow pants, he squeezed his eyes shut as black spots began to gather in his vision and nausea threatened to overwhelm him. Am I dying? he thought in panic, his lungs laboring to bring the needed oxygen to his body. Through the roaring in his ears, he faintly heard a female voice telling him to relax, to calm down, but that soon faded as he fell unconscious again.

Inuyasha waited to speak until Kaede had finished tending to Kouga. "Is he okay?" he asked, trying not to sound too concerned.

The old miko stood up and nodded. "Aye, I believe he will be. He's resting, now." She moved over to the hanyou. "Now, let me check thy wounds as well."

Inuyasha complied, slipping his shirt off his shoulders. He was silent as Kaede unwrapped his bandages, wincing only a little as she touched the inflamed flesh around the wounds in his side and stomach. Only after she began to re-apply a poultice did he speak. "He said he couldn't move his legs," he stated quietly.

Kaede hesitated a moment, then sighed. "I was afraid of something like that," she said, tearing off a length of bandage. "Both his wounds and thine are not healing as they should, because of Naraku's poisonous miasma. But do not worry. Miroku and Sango have gone to Jinenji's village to get herbs to help ye both." Finished with the bandage, she placed her hand on Inuyasha's forehead. "Ye still have a fever," she commented. "Try to get some sleep." She pulled a few herbs out of a pouch at her belt and began mixing them in a bowl. "This should help ye to relax."

Inuyasha wanted to tell her that he'd sleep when he damn well felt like it, but could see no real reason to stay awake. In fact, the dreamless sleep offered by her potion was preferable, as he would not have to suppress the pain and grief that was now a part of his every waking moment.

To be continued...

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A/N: Oy! This was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to write. I love Kagome, and I just hated killing her. Damn my sadistic muse!! *prepares marshmallows for the flames*