InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Soul Stealer ❯ Seven - Nowhere To Run ( Chapter 7 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: salvatore-shan 
She was here. Now. In the village… Callisto… The Soul Stealer.
The battle commences. Will Inuyasha and Kagome escape the one known as the Soul Stealer? And is it true? Is Kagome pregnant after all?
Contains character death.
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama / Action | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 03.02.2006 | Pages: 4 | Words: 6.0K | Visits: 281 | Status: Completed
She was here. Now. In the village… Callisto… The Soul Stealer.
The battle commences. Will Inuyasha and Kagome escape the one known as the Soul Stealer? And is it true? Is Kagome pregnant after all?
Contains character death.
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama / Action | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 03.02.2006 | Pages: 4 | Words: 6.0K | Visits: 281 | Status: Completed
Soul Stealer
Chapter Seven - Nowhere To Run
Chapter Seven - Nowhere To Run
She was here. Now. In the village… Callisto… The Soul Stealer.
Inuyasha fell back a step. His mouth was open in horror and… and fear. Not for himself but for his friends.
He'd heard the legend of the Soul Stealer. She had once been engaged to the eldest Thunder Brother: Hiten.
He'd heard the legend of the Soul Stealer. She had once been engaged to the eldest Thunder Brother: Hiten.
She dressed like him - almost exactly. Yet her robes were more elegant - yes, they were the same colour and style but she wore them so much better. She and Hiten could've had passed for twins instead of betrotheds. But that had been when Callisto was much, much younger. When she had barely passed the century-old mark.
Callisto had turned bitter ever since her engagement to Hiten turned nasty. They were too alike to be a good couple. But worst yet, she hadn't stop loving him. She hadn't hated the way he used to run off with other women - not because he ate them afterwards but because deep down she knew he loved her, too.
That soon came to a halt. Who knew the real reason why? They drifted apart, but Callisto would never forget the only man she ever loved.
She had reason to be evil, if ever anyone had reason to. She was evil because love had made her that way.
She had reason to be evil, if ever anyone had reason to. She was evil because love had made her that way.
She also was grieving. When you put evil and grieving together, you don't have a good combination. Hiten was killed almost a year ago now, but she'd never forget it. Never forget the name of the person who murdered her ex-fiancé. The murderer's name was Inuyasha.
But of course the half-demon didn't know that. Inuyasha was standing there and not thinking about Callisto's love life, he was thinking about her crimes. Or rather, her massacres.
Wiping out entire towns. Sucking souls from unsuspecting humans. Bottling them and selling them onto demons that would pay anything to have a pretty ornament - or a little something to stare at.
Wiping out entire towns. Sucking souls from unsuspecting humans. Bottling them and selling them onto demons that would pay anything to have a pretty ornament - or a little something to stare at.
Inuyasha started walking backwards.
Callisto was blessed with the power to steal. And instead of taking things like money and livestock and jewellery - she ended lives and stole souls. With one whip of her tentacle she could kill you. Just. Like. That. SNAP!
Callisto was blessed with the power to steal. And instead of taking things like money and livestock and jewellery - she ended lives and stole souls. With one whip of her tentacle she could kill you. Just. Like. That. SNAP!
And you'd be dead.
Inuyasha kept walking on backwards, gripping onto Kagome tightly.
Callisto's footsteps were closer.
Inuyasha kept walking on backwards, gripping onto Kagome tightly.
Callisto's footsteps were closer.
In appearance, Callisto didn't have any slithery appendages like tentacles. It was something… something in her mind. An invisible weapon that she could control - only visible when it had found its prey.
Inuyasha gulped, the first time - he believed - that he'd ever done so.
Inuyasha gulped, the first time - he believed - that he'd ever done so.
It wasn't just himself in danger, it was Kagome. And she was still unconscious - an easy target.
“I know you're out here, Kaede… Come and face me like you did once. All those years ago…” Callisto cooed in the distance.
Kaede? What does she want with Kaede? Inuyasha was back in the hut now, the flap that was the door swung loosely in its place.
“I know you're out here, Kaede… Come and face me like you did once. All those years ago…” Callisto cooed in the distance.
Kaede? What does she want with Kaede? Inuyasha was back in the hut now, the flap that was the door swung loosely in its place.
Miroku and Sango were pressed, defensively, against the wall - their backs to it. Shippo was digging his head in the crook of Miroku's elbow, whimpering.
But Kaede… she looked tired. Ready to give up.
They'd all heard Callisto approaching.
But Kaede… she looked tired. Ready to give up.
They'd all heard Callisto approaching.
Inuyasha put Kagome down on her mat. She was fully clothed now, unlike earlier. Sango and Kaede had dressed her when she'd arrived. She landed softly on the fur pelt of some unknown benefactor. Her face creased up - then she calmed.
Inuyasha crouched in a fighting stance. He was fully alert, fully tuned to the steps of the doomsday girl walking around outside. Her voice had sounded so certain. So commanding.
Kaede sighed. “I must meet with her,” she whispered. “I must - otherwise she'll think low of me.”
“Keh, what do you care?” Inuyasha muttered back, under his breath. His voice was barely audible. “Let her go on past. Otherwise she'll see where you came out and try and get in here - she'll know you're hiding something…”
“Keh, what do you care?” Inuyasha muttered back, under his breath. His voice was barely audible. “Let her go on past. Otherwise she'll see where you came out and try and get in here - she'll know you're hiding something…”
“No. She only wants me,” Kaede reasoned, holding out her hands. “Better to be one soul lost than six,” she stared heavily at the others.
Inuyasha growled. “Don't be stupid, hag. I won't let you throw your life away.” Even though he understood why she should sacrifice herself. He understood because most of the time he wondered whether he would have to do such a thing himself.
Kaede smiled.
Inuyasha growled. “Don't be stupid, hag. I won't let you throw your life away.” Even though he understood why she should sacrifice herself. He understood because most of the time he wondered whether he would have to do such a thing himself.
Kaede smiled.
Miroku and Sango exchanged empty glances - unsure what to do. Shippo was stammering, his voice muffled.
Inuyasha glared hard at Kaede. “I won't let you go out there, Kaede - you'll lead her back here and then she'll just finish us all off. What would she want with you anyway?”
Inuyasha glared hard at Kaede. “I won't let you go out there, Kaede - you'll lead her back here and then she'll just finish us all off. What would she want with you anyway?”
Kaede smiled sadly. “I gave her the scar on the back of her right hand.”
Inuyasha blinked furiously. “And?”
Kaede shook her head, pitifully. “It's not the most beautiful scar in the world. It's right deep and… well, ugly.”
Inuyasha blinked furiously. “And?”
Kaede shook her head, pitifully. “It's not the most beautiful scar in the world. It's right deep and… well, ugly.”
Sango's eyes widened. “So…?”
Kaede looked up. “Callisto thought she was so beautiful. I had to do something to pay her back for wrecking all those poor men's lives. She used to bewitch them and they'd love her till the day they died, wondering why they would never be good enough for her. Some would even do the job themselves…”
Kaede looked up. “Callisto thought she was so beautiful. I had to do something to pay her back for wrecking all those poor men's lives. She used to bewitch them and they'd love her till the day they died, wondering why they would never be good enough for her. Some would even do the job themselves…”
“They'd kill themselves? Because they loved her?” Miroku breathed. He was liking the sound of this Callisto more and more. Sango somehow managed to understand what he was thinking. She elbowed him in the ribs - hard. Miroku let out a gasp of air in pain and clutched his side. “Ow…” he muttered, winded.
Kaede sighed. “Like I said. Callisto thought she was perfect. I had to do something… so I gave her that scar. She hates it almost as much as she hates me,”
Inuyasha frowned. “I heard she was going after the Shikon Jewel - is that why? To get rid of her scar, I mean?”
Inuyasha frowned. “I heard she was going after the Shikon Jewel - is that why? To get rid of her scar, I mean?”
Kaede laughed. “Possibly. And maybe so she can get enough power to revive the Thunder Brother she used to love.”
Kaede looked down at the floor. “Seems a bit pointless, doesn't it? Going after something with such power because you want to be perfect.” She looked up at Inuyasha and held his gaze. She wasn't just talking about Callisto…
Kaede looked down at the floor. “Seems a bit pointless, doesn't it? Going after something with such power because you want to be perfect.” She looked up at Inuyasha and held his gaze. She wasn't just talking about Callisto…
The half-demon's mouth dropped open. Kaede was continuing, her eyes trying to make him understand. “Nobody's perfect. And nobody should change what they are. Callisto is beautiful, yet the scar blinds her to that. It drives her insane. If she caught hold of the Shikon Jewel, then she wouldn't be beautiful. She'd be…”
“The ugliest creature who ever lived,” Inuyasha breathed. “Not in appearance, but in personality.”
Kaede nodded gravely. Their eyes were still locked. “And…” she breathed. “So would you, should you use the Shikon Jewel for your original purpose,”
Kaede nodded gravely. Their eyes were still locked. “And…” she breathed. “So would you, should you use the Shikon Jewel for your original purpose,”
Inuyasha opened his mouth. “Kaede, no... I've decided to-”
“KAEDE!”
Everyone in the hut crouched down low, fearful. Inuyasha stared at the old human, watchful. She had tremors coursing through her body. She looked afraid.
“KAEDE!”
Everyone in the hut crouched down low, fearful. Inuyasha stared at the old human, watchful. She had tremors coursing through her body. She looked afraid.
Callisto was in the town-square - right outside Kaede's hut. “Come out and face me now, you old crone!”
Kaede screwed up her face in detest and straightened up. She glanced at Inuyasha and smiled sadly. “Remember, Inuyasha. The Shikon Jewel severs true beauty for those who want it for power. Those who use it for acceptance… can find enlightenment,”
Kaede screwed up her face in detest and straightened up. She glanced at Inuyasha and smiled sadly. “Remember, Inuyasha. The Shikon Jewel severs true beauty for those who want it for power. Those who use it for acceptance… can find enlightenment,”
“What's that supposed to mean?” Inuyasha asked.
Miroku and Sango sighed, impatiently. Kaede laughed, then winked. “It means that if you wish to use the jewel to become human… you will finally be accepted at last. And you'll be happy,”
Miroku and Sango sighed, impatiently. Kaede laughed, then winked. “It means that if you wish to use the jewel to become human… you will finally be accepted at last. And you'll be happy,”
“How do you know?” Inuyasha asked, disbelieving.
Kaede motioned at Kagome on the floor. “Because you'll be with her.”
Inuyasha looked down at Kagome. His expression wavered. He looked sad for a moment, and then looked back up at Kaede. Don't go… he prayed, eyes searching for any doubt in Kaede's. Any fear.
Kaede motioned at Kagome on the floor. “Because you'll be with her.”
Inuyasha looked down at Kagome. His expression wavered. He looked sad for a moment, and then looked back up at Kaede. Don't go… he prayed, eyes searching for any doubt in Kaede's. Any fear.
There was none. She seemed proud. A martyr.
Inuyasha opened his mouth to speak, but at that moment the hut was ripped apart by a gigantic explosion. The world was thrown into darkness.
Inuyasha opened his mouth to speak, but at that moment the hut was ripped apart by a gigantic explosion. The world was thrown into darkness.
Coughing. No feeling in his legs. Screaming, reaching out… Pushing upwards. And then the heavy piece of ceiling was off Inuyasha's back and he could breathe again. The world was a screaming mess of chaos and distant crying.
Inuyasha looked up. There was no hut. The walls had caved inwards like a collapsed tower of cards. Dust was being kicked up into his mouth and Inuyasha found it hard to speak - his throat was knotting up.
“…Guys?” he croaked. No answer.
“…Guys?” he croaked. No answer.
“Agh…!” he jerked himself out from under a pile of rubble and looked around him. There, in the corner of what had been the room, where the crying was coming from, was…
“Kagome!” Inuyasha tried to sit up. He couldn't manage. His legs simply wouldn't move.
“Kagome!” Inuyasha tried to sit up. He couldn't manage. His legs simply wouldn't move.
There was another figure next to Kagome. The person were propped up against the wall - out cold. No. Not out cold. The person wasn't breathing… wasn't moving. Kaede.
Inuyasha opened his mouth to holler, but he couldn't. He couldn't find the words to speak.
Inuyasha opened his mouth to holler, but he couldn't. He couldn't find the words to speak.
But who was crying? Who was the one crying? It was coming from over by Kagome… but Kagome was still knocked out, right? Right? Wrong.
The bitter sound of sobbing was coming from the dark-haired girl, and now that Inuyasha watched he could see the lurch of her chest as each whine escaped her throat.
The bitter sound of sobbing was coming from the dark-haired girl, and now that Inuyasha watched he could see the lurch of her chest as each whine escaped her throat.
“Kagome!” Inuyasha cried, hoarsely. But no sound was coming out. No sound had been coming out from the beginning. He was simply mouthing the words, a mute.
Inuyasha's eyes focused on a figure standing in the town-square. Miroku. Miroku was alive - thank God.
He was in a defensive stance, his staff held out in front of him.
Sango was at his side.
Inuyasha's eyes focused on a figure standing in the town-square. Miroku. Miroku was alive - thank God.
He was in a defensive stance, his staff held out in front of him.
Sango was at his side.
She was holding her boomerang in front of her - the full length of her body - and was using it as a shield.
Callisto was playing with them.
Kaede had been right, she was beautiful - but, Inuyasha thought, not as beautiful as Kagome. Callisto's oily black hair shone in the moonlight like obsidian, ruby-red eyes flickering with enjoyment and pleasure. Her lips were curved in a malicious grin and her coffee-coloured skin looked warm and alive compared to the pale faces of her enemies.
Callisto was playing with them.
Kaede had been right, she was beautiful - but, Inuyasha thought, not as beautiful as Kagome. Callisto's oily black hair shone in the moonlight like obsidian, ruby-red eyes flickering with enjoyment and pleasure. Her lips were curved in a malicious grin and her coffee-coloured skin looked warm and alive compared to the pale faces of her enemies.
Inuyasha realised why his legs wouldn't pry free from paralysis. They were trapped under a wall that had collapsed on top of them. He cursed and tried to pull himself forward. One leg shifted. But only slightly. He cursed again.
Callisto wasn't fighting Miroku and Sango with her full power. Instead she was crouching with a samurai sword (which curved slightly at the tip) held out before her. She seemed to be enjoying every second that went by. She licked her lips hungrily.
Miroku shifted uncomfortably. She was too… too gorgeous to actually kill. It was too hard for him to believe that someone so beautiful would kill so many people. But, that was just Miroku's way. Sango was glaring at him with heavy eyes and he knew what had to be done.
Inuyasha pushed forward. His other leg pried loose a little further. Again he tugged and again he felt the weight slowly give. And then he was free. The feeling of full body control rushed back to him. He was filled with this strength that he'd never felt before - almost as if he were on a high.
And all he knew was that he had to protect Kagome. Had to get her out. And where the hell is Shippo? Where is he? Inuyasha cast a futile glance around what was left of the building. Nothing. The little fox-demon was nowhere to be seen.
Inuyasha felt his insides churn and his heart beat slowly in pain, but he didn't have anytime to waste.
Inuyasha felt his insides churn and his heart beat slowly in pain, but he didn't have anytime to waste.
Kagome was sitting up. Any minute, Callisto would see her. She was not that far away. Even now, Callisto's head was turning to look behind her two opponents - trying to see the person who was moving.
Inuyasha crawled along the floor on his stomach like a centipede, ignoring the rubble that threatened to shred his belly to pieces. His mind and body were tuned in to watching Callisto, but his heart was set on getting to Kagome. And he was getting there all right…
There was a throb in Kagome's chest as she sat up. Her heart was pounding and the wetness spilling out of her eyes was making her blind. But then she saw it… the boy slithering towards her slowly - looking worried, happy, angry and alert all at the same time.
“Inuyasha?” she whimpered, but he held up a finger to his lips as she opened her mouth. Kagome shut up.
She looked around. What happened? Where am I? She began thinking these questions only now, when it was apparent that Kaede was dead and she could do nothing about.
She looked around. What happened? Where am I? She began thinking these questions only now, when it was apparent that Kaede was dead and she could do nothing about.
It was only now that she'd remembered that the last place she had been standing was hip-deep in a waterfall. Now she was in Kaede's hut - with the walls apparently blown out by some imaginable force, and her friends were dispersed.
Inuyasha reached her legs and tugged her softly down. Kagome followed suit and fell to the floor, her back to the ground.
Inuyasha clambered on top of her - inspecting her. “Are you all right? Are you numb anywhere? Does anything feel broken? Have your stomach pains gone? When did you wake up? Where's Shippo?” All these questions he fired at her in one quick gasp of air.
Inuyasha clambered on top of her - inspecting her. “Are you all right? Are you numb anywhere? Does anything feel broken? Have your stomach pains gone? When did you wake up? Where's Shippo?” All these questions he fired at her in one quick gasp of air.
Kagome felt like she was drowning all over again. Then she shook her head wordlessly. She took to answering the last question. “Shippo woke me up somehow. Then just scampered off. I think… I think… Miroku was yelling something at the time. Maybe he told him to run away.”
“And you? Kagome, did anything hit you - are you all right?” Inuyasha demanded, his voice barely steady.
Kagome smiled slightly. “I'm… fine.” She replied. Inuyasha's eyes roamed over her. Kagome's hair was mussed at the top where she'd been lying down and the strands of her fringe were stuck with sweat to her forehead.
Kagome smiled slightly. “I'm… fine.” She replied. Inuyasha's eyes roamed over her. Kagome's hair was mussed at the top where she'd been lying down and the strands of her fringe were stuck with sweat to her forehead.
Her brown eyes were droopy and tired - but she didn't look like she was in pain. She was covered in dust and there was some dirt on one side of her cheek - scratches lined her bare arms and legs but she didn't look badly hurt.
When Inuyasha decided that `fine' just about covered how she was, he sighed and hugged onto her, tightly. “Thank God,”
Kagome smiled limply. She brushed her fingers through his long, white hair - not once hitting a tangle. A house falling down on top of him wasn't enough for his hair to get wrecked.
When Inuyasha decided that `fine' just about covered how she was, he sighed and hugged onto her, tightly. “Thank God,”
Kagome smiled limply. She brushed her fingers through his long, white hair - not once hitting a tangle. A house falling down on top of him wasn't enough for his hair to get wrecked.
Inuyasha sat back up. His amber eyes bored into hers. “I'm glad you're safe,” he whispered.
Kagome nodded. “Mm,”
Inuyasha bent down and kissed her fiercely on the lips, then pulled away. “We have to get out of here,”
Kagome nodded. “Mm,”
Inuyasha bent down and kissed her fiercely on the lips, then pulled away. “We have to get out of here,”
Kagome opened her mouth to speak, her lips wobbling. “But the others…”
Inuyasha snarled. “They're distracting Callisto to get us out! Come on!” he grabbed her hand and sat up in a crouch, tumbling off of Kagome and making his way out of the destruction.
Inuyasha snarled. “They're distracting Callisto to get us out! Come on!” he grabbed her hand and sat up in a crouch, tumbling off of Kagome and making his way out of the destruction.
Kagome, still latched onto his hand, didn't move. Inuyasha didn't force her to either. He stopped and sent a pleading look over his shoulder. “Kagome…”
She looked sad. Her eyes were still wet. “No, Inuyasha. I… I can't move. I really can't. I feel fine, but…You go on, I've just gotta face it. There's no escape for me. I'm too weak…”
She looked sad. Her eyes were still wet. “No, Inuyasha. I… I can't move. I really can't. I feel fine, but…You go on, I've just gotta face it. There's no escape for me. I'm too weak…”
She let go of his hand and sighed, looking up at the dark sky. The stars were out. The night was a beautiful one.
Inuyasha felt his throat tie up. He tried to clear it, to cough, but he couldn't. Kagome looked sad in a happy way. A tear rolled out of her eye and made its way down her cheek.
Inuyasha felt his throat tie up. He tried to clear it, to cough, but he couldn't. Kagome looked sad in a happy way. A tear rolled out of her eye and made its way down her cheek.
She smiled. “Look. There's the Big Dipper,”
And, strangely, Inuyasha did look. He saw the constellation of stars she was pointing at. He smiled too.
Kagome laughed. “And there's the Plough.”
She let out a sigh.
Inuyasha went over to her and lay down beside her.
And, strangely, Inuyasha did look. He saw the constellation of stars she was pointing at. He smiled too.
Kagome laughed. “And there's the Plough.”
She let out a sigh.
Inuyasha went over to her and lay down beside her.
They stared at each other then, for a long time. And slowly, Kagome grinned. “I'm not afraid.” She said.
Inuyasha felt the same burning sensation in his throat that he had felt a second ago. He swallowed thickly and nodded. “Uh huh,” he gibbered.
Kagome laughed and rested her head on his shoulder.
Inuyasha felt the same burning sensation in his throat that he had felt a second ago. He swallowed thickly and nodded. “Uh huh,” he gibbered.
Kagome laughed and rested her head on his shoulder.
“You know what?” she whispered after a while.
“What?” Inuyasha replied.
Kagome's eyes twinkled. “I think I know why I'm so ill.”
Inuyasha's muscles locked up. His face twisted into a sign of grief. He didn't need to hear what Kagome said next.
“I think I'm pregnant, Inuyasha. Ha! We… we could've started a family.”
“What?” Inuyasha replied.
Kagome's eyes twinkled. “I think I know why I'm so ill.”
Inuyasha's muscles locked up. His face twisted into a sign of grief. He didn't need to hear what Kagome said next.
“I think I'm pregnant, Inuyasha. Ha! We… we could've started a family.”
Inuyasha's chin wobbled. His lips curved into a frown. And then before he knew it - he was crying. He couldn't stop himself. The tears suddenly came then.
Everything was lost. Everything he could've had - should've had - even after all he'd been through… this was his fate. To die.
Everything was lost. Everything he could've had - should've had - even after all he'd been through… this was his fate. To die.
Kagome cupped his face in her hands and looked him in the eye. “Don't cry,” she whispered - tapping his nose in disapproval. “You don't cry, remember?”
But Inuyasha couldn't stop. Instead, he resorted to shaking his head fervently. “You're right, I don't.” he agreed, but he still couldn't stop sobbing.
But Inuyasha couldn't stop. Instead, he resorted to shaking his head fervently. “You're right, I don't.” he agreed, but he still couldn't stop sobbing.
After all the years of holding back his tears - after that incident of letting them out once - he'd still held them in check. And now they were all flooding out of him.
Kagome grabbed his hand. “Try and not listen to that fight over there,” she gestured to Callisto jabbing her sword in the direction of their two friends. Kagome spoke brightly - but her face showed her true pain.
Kagome grabbed his hand. “Try and not listen to that fight over there,” she gestured to Callisto jabbing her sword in the direction of their two friends. Kagome spoke brightly - but her face showed her true pain.
She knew Miroku and Sango were going to lose the fight. She knew, just my looking at Callisto, that she was stronger. Perhaps it was her miko powers that helped… Inuyasha didn't know.
He nodded. “Uh huh,”
That was when Miroku and Sango were flung back with a cry and Callisto marched, triumphantly forward. “Well, well, well. Who should I find in my little spiders-web, but little Inuyasha? Half-breed scum!”
She stepped forward, eyes focused intently on Inuyasha. He squirmed. The tears had settled on his cheeks. He didn't move, didn't try to defend himself. I'll die here with Kagome… if that's my fate I'm not gonna run away.
Callisto spat on the ground, furious. “You. Killed. Hiten. Didn't you?” she growled, pointing her sword at him.
Inuyasha grimaced. “I did,” he said in a flighty tone.
Inuyasha grimaced. “I did,” he said in a flighty tone.
Callisto flinched.
Then a slow smile painted its way across her face. “I don't know what you're so smug about, you flea-bitten hybrid. In fact…” There was a rush of air. And something licked at the night sky, dancing and writhing in the moonlight. It was a tentacle. And it had appeared from nowhere.
“You may not be a bad person, half-breed. But you have done bad things. You've killed. It doesn't matter whether the victim deserved it or not - you still have a bad spirit,”
No… Inuyasha thought. No, I don't have a bad spirit… I haven't done anything wrong…
No… Inuyasha thought. No, I don't have a bad spirit… I haven't done anything wrong…
Kagome clutched his hand tighter. Her eyes were widening as the tentacle grew and grew. It was as black as the night sky. As black as Callisto's hair. It almost seemed like a tornado, ripping it's way out of the body it had been trapped in.
Callisto laughed. “I like collecting bad souls… I don't normally collect demon ones, though. But I think I can sell on yours - who knows? Maybe you'll make me a very rich girl,”
Inuyasha snarled. He was backing up, pulling Kagome with him. If I die, I don't want to die like that. I don't want my soul stolen…
The two were crawling away, hand-in-hand. Kagome was panicking, hyperventilating. Inuyasha was angry, his skin was prickling - his ears were upright on the top of his head.
The two were crawling away, hand-in-hand. Kagome was panicking, hyperventilating. Inuyasha was angry, his skin was prickling - his ears were upright on the top of his head.
Callisto stared at the appendage that had appeared - the tentacle. It wasn't attached to her, but it did as she commanded when she glared at Inuyasha and her intentions became clear.
The instrument of death writhed for an instant more, then plunged towards Kagome and Inuyasha.
The instrument of death writhed for an instant more, then plunged towards Kagome and Inuyasha.
Miroku and Sango turned. Their mouths fell open. “KAGOME! INUYASHA! RUN!”
They didn't really have to say it.
The half-demon and the human girl were on their feet and sprinting before their friends had even spoken.
They didn't really have to say it.
The half-demon and the human girl were on their feet and sprinting before their friends had even spoken.
“Don't let go of my hand!” Inuyasha cried, holding onto Kagome's wrist as tight as he could. The two weaved, dodged - did anything to get away from the tentacle following them. But it seemed to stretch - Callisto didn't move an inch from her spot in the square.
Inuyasha and Kagome knew in their hearts that they couldn't outrun it.
“Just… a bit… more,” Inuyasha panted. He had no idea why his breathing had been reduced to short gasps. He could normally run this fast without breaking into a sweat. But a house had just fallen down on top of him. He'd already run through two domains to get here. He was exhausted.
“Just… a bit… more,” Inuyasha panted. He had no idea why his breathing had been reduced to short gasps. He could normally run this fast without breaking into a sweat. But a house had just fallen down on top of him. He'd already run through two domains to get here. He was exhausted.
“Ka-Kagome…” he breathed.
Kagome looked at him sharply. She kept trying to run - trying to drag him but it was useless. “Inuyasha, don't give up!”
Inuyasha felt so tired. He couldn't… he couldn't move. His body was shutting down.
Kagome looked at him sharply. She kept trying to run - trying to drag him but it was useless. “Inuyasha, don't give up!”
Inuyasha felt so tired. He couldn't… he couldn't move. His body was shutting down.
“Save yourself…”
“No! Inuyasha, come on…!”
SNAP!
Kagome screamed. Miroku and Sango let out startled gasps that withered into silence. Then Sango began to sob.
“No! Inuyasha, come on…!”
SNAP!
Kagome screamed. Miroku and Sango let out startled gasps that withered into silence. Then Sango began to sob.
Inuyasha looked, very slowly, down. There, pulsating through his body and sticking out like a stake before him… was a tentacle. And it was real. There was blood staining the tip where it had pierced through his body. It was lodged someplace by his heart. He thought that it had struck his lung - his breathing was raspy and weak.
Kagome was still holding onto his hand.
But he was letting go.
Inuyasha fell to his knees, coughing up blood. And then he felt it. His soul being torn away from his physical body - detachment. The pain - the unspeakable pain.
But he couldn't scream. He shut his eyes, opened his mouth and got ready to - but he couldn't.
But he was letting go.
Inuyasha fell to his knees, coughing up blood. And then he felt it. His soul being torn away from his physical body - detachment. The pain - the unspeakable pain.
But he couldn't scream. He shut his eyes, opened his mouth and got ready to - but he couldn't.
Kagome fell down with him, staring at the tentacle in horror and disbelief. Then it withdrew as sharply as it had come. It took Inuyasha's soul with it. Being dragged back to Callisto was a kicking and screaming apparition - and it was yelling like there was no tomorrow.
No one could understand the words it uttered. It had the shape, form and image of Inuyasha.
Miroku, Sango and Kagome knew it was him - it was his spirit, his soul. And Callisto was holding a jar.
Inuyasha's soul was going into the jar. His body was slumping forward into Kagome's arms.
Miroku, Sango and Kagome knew it was him - it was his spirit, his soul. And Callisto was holding a jar.
Inuyasha's soul was going into the jar. His body was slumping forward into Kagome's arms.
The soul… had no colour - it was like a ghost. But Kagome could tell that its eyes weren't like Inuyasha's. They were large. The pupils were small. And they looked so cold…
The fangs were all wrong too. They were too huge. He looked exactly like he did when he was in demon-form…
The fangs were all wrong too. They were too huge. He looked exactly like he did when he was in demon-form…
Tears spiralled down Kagome's face. A bad spirit…?
Callisto let out maniacal laughter and cupped her chin with her hand. “Oh. Oh, I am so, so bad - aren't I?” she teased, slapping her knee.
The hand that wasn't up by her face was grasping the soul-jar at her hip. And Inuyasha's soul was inside it - pounding on the glass sides. Flipping out like a madman.
Callisto let out maniacal laughter and cupped her chin with her hand. “Oh. Oh, I am so, so bad - aren't I?” she teased, slapping her knee.
The hand that wasn't up by her face was grasping the soul-jar at her hip. And Inuyasha's soul was inside it - pounding on the glass sides. Flipping out like a madman.
“Now,”
Callisto composed herself and flashed a dazzling smile, brushing back a few wisps of her hair. “Who's next?”
Callisto composed herself and flashed a dazzling smile, brushing back a few wisps of her hair. “Who's next?”