InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Gates of Heaven and Hell ❯ I Have Chosen My Path ( Chapter 7 )

The Gates of Heaven and Hell

 

ChapterSeven

I Have Chosen My Path

 

Yuki-hime

 

AN: This is an alternate reality fanfiction to where I, Yuki-hime, am in complete control of this story. ^^ power trip alert! Warning: this fanfic is a KagomexSesshoumaru pairing. I'm going to do a short introduction that will lead into the first chapter. I don't want you completely confused. As I stated before, the only similarity to the series is that I am using the characters and likeness as well as certain plots, twists or etc from the series to push this little story along. To be sure that there is no confusion, I am listing the following characters the will appear. I hope this helps.

 

 

* I will not be listing my own original characters with the guide below.

 

 

romance: the romantic development between characters.

angst/drama: emotional developments.

action/adventure: adventurous content {battles, quests, journeys}

 

 

RATING: R

 

 

Character Guide:

Kagome

Sesshoumaru

Jaken

Rin

Inuyasha

Myouga

Kikyou

Kaede

Miroku

Sango

Kohaku

Kirara

Shippou

Kouga

Toutousai

Naraku

Kanna

Kagura

Hakudoushi

 

 

Guide:

“ ” the spoken words.

Any thoughts are in italics.

* for definitions or notes at the end of the story.

 

 

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Their voices faded from her ears. A warm and gentle sound filled the empty space. It sang a sweet song of innocence. Cherry blossoms littered the sky, raining down and cutting the woman off to the present. The world around faded and Kagome found herself floating with the tree in front of her. `The Goshin Boku?'

 

`Beautiful isn't it?' a female called to her, appearing from thin air. The young and inexperienced miko turned to her right. The nude woman filled her eyes. Her long and flowing hair floated about her form.

 

`Yes but, who are you?' Kagome asked, not noticing the crystal blue sea that appeared under their feet. Her white hiyoku clothing disappeared leaving her a mirror reflection of the woman to her side.

 

`Kagome,' the female spoke softly. `You must listen to me. There is little time.'

 

`You know my name?' The heavenly maiden nodded. `You have come to me before. Why? I must know what happened to my memories.'

 

`You must help us, miko. The evil that is rising was not quenched and you are the key to locking it away forever. I'm sorry,' she bowed her head for a moment before continuing, `but we had to take your memories from you.'

 

`What?!' she cried, her form jerking in surprise and confusion. `But why?'

 

There was a long silence and Kagome began to fear that she may not answer her question. `We were afraid that you would not help.'

 

`We? Who are you referring to?' she asked as the woman moved toward the tree. Kagome followed her.

 

`There was a horrible war where many humans and demons lost their lives,' the woman's voice held mixed emotions. She turned and waved her hand over the surface of the never ending lake. The images that had filled the young miko's nightmares were reflected in the mirror-like surface. `I thought that I had sealed that evil away but,' she paused, taking a deep breathe for her next words. `I was wrong. It has shown itself again.' Her gaze shifted to meet the faltering blue-green eyes of the girl. `Now, again, it has returned. It is up to you to defeat him, Kagome. You are the only one who has the power.'

 

`What do I have to do?' The female remained silent. `Then please at least tell me your name,' the young girl pleaded as the woman finally began to fad away, leaving only her and the old tree. Her gaze returned to the water below. There was no sign of those deadly and frightful memories. She turned, feeling a hand on her back. “Sesshoumaru?” The world came rushing back around her.

 

“What happened?” She looked confused. “Kagome you must tell us what happened when you were with Naraku.”

 

She glanced at the priestess and then her gaze fell. The red cloth at her feet was dirty. She was sure that she had been wearing the hiyoku.

 

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Human blood filled his nose. Whatever had attacked the camp were not the demons he could smell approaching. It was something else, something more brutal and vicious than he had seen before. The dismembered bodies of Sesshoumaru's youkai were strewn about. He could feel the child's fear and desperation. Instinctively, he placed a hand on her head as she clung to his leg.

 

The women that Rin spoke of were not near. Although he hoped the youkai blood was not covering their scent, he had no choice but to go back to the village. He would take the child with him to find his brother later; right now the village needed him. He could not help himself. Inuyasha smiled inwardly at Sesshoumaru's blunder and miscalculation. His brother would be pissed, his guards slaughtered and women missing. His thoughts turned to Kagome. “Where's the miko?” he asked, almost too afraid to know.

 

“She's with Sesshoumaru-sama.” He grunted at her response. As they turned to go, rustling from behind Inuyasha caught his attention in time to clear the oncoming attack. A crazed bear youkai charged toward the girl, violently lashing out. “Shit!” His sharp curse cut the air as another unseen blow knocked them over. `How the fuck did I miss him?' The hanyou could feel the child under him, and he quickly scooped her in his arms as he jumped skyward avoiding another swinging blow.

 

In a quick glance, Inuyasha could see more lowly youkai emerging from the forest. `Where the hell did all of these demons come from?! I can't fight them with her.' He looked at the child in his arms. `Damn, I don't have a choice!'

 

The half-demon suddenly stopped, drawing his fang with his free hand. “Fuck this! KAZE NO KIZU!”

 

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Her eyes focused on the fading fabric. `What is going on?' She looked at the two in front of her, confused. Could they not see her clothes? Sesshoumaru's eyes harden. “Kagome, answer me.” The young woman began to feel like a child that had been scolded; had she been lost in her own world? Yet Kikyou's words washed away the numbness that had suddenly engulfed her.

 

"Kagome, tomorrow at dawn you must meet me at the river's edge not far east of here," she spoke as she pointed her finger in the direction. "Please do not be late; we have a lot of work to do." Her hazy, hooded eyes met the dark lord, seeing that he understood her words and actions. He was not to bully this human and she would not allow it.

 

Kikyou would aid him but only for the purest of intentions. She had made that clear. He would have to watch Kagome around her. The girl could be swayed away from him, and he was not entirely sure that her intentions were honorable. Not giving a moment to ponder his `true' intentions, Sesshoumaru glanced at the woman several feet away as she was pulled by the tree's unseen power. “Kagome, come, we are going back to camp.” He extended his hand to her as she turned.

 

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The flames cast little light around the dark room. The wind could be heard through the screens. The figures stood still, gathered around the healing barrier. A small girl with a mirror stood facing her master. Watery images floated across the reflected surface. The broken hanyou grunted as he watched their `secret' meeting. It was not a loss, but Kikyou's aid to Sesshoumaru was going to make it harder on him to get the Shikon.

 

“Hakudoushi,” Naraku's voice echoed. A child with long waist length hair emerged from the darkness, standing beside Kanna. The two were encompassed in white. It was a strange sight as their emotionless faces stared into his bloody eyes. “Send the Chimu no Shi to Sesshoumaru's camp and then to Kikyou's village. I want that little girl and Kagome.”

 

The vessel nodded and stepped back, giving a quick glance at the hemp of flesh under the floating head as he disappeared into the surrounding night. His piercing pupils focused on the boy in the corner, and the infant he carried. “Kohaku, go with Kanna. I will call for you later.”

 

The girl nodded and was followed out by the boy and child as well as another figure that emerged from the pitch black. He was about six feet with silvery white hair in a high ponytail, which fell to below the waist. “Do not let them out of your sight, Jiromaru.”

 

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Their eyes met and the demon lord stood frozen. The smell of human blood tainted the air. Kagome spoke before he could even blink. “Rin.” Her words hung like a blanket over them. “I see…” The youkai was caught completely off-guard as a red clothed figure swiftly appeared out of the forest.

 

Inuyasha stood between the couple, with a child squirming in his arms. “Heh, should've known I'd run into you. Here.” He dropped the girl who scampered to her protector's side.

 

The harsh smells of demons and blood had hit him suddenly. Though he did not spare Kagome a glance, he wondered about the barrier that had been up; why he had not noticed it and how she was able to slide that one by him? “What did you do Inuyasha?” There was a dangerous tone in his voice. The liquid was so pungent he could taste the human blood, as well as youkai, that all over Rin and the hanyou.

 

He shrugged the remark off. “You should ask the kid. She ran to me askin' for help. Maybe you shouldn't leave your camp and puny humans unguarded if ya ask me.”

 

“Unguarded?” Surprise rang in his voice. `The guards had been killed?' “Rin, what happened?” He looked to the child for her answer. Tears were in her eyes.

 

“They are coming.” Kagome's voice broke the child's waited response as she stood still and strong like an angel against the dark surrounding her. She seemed so alive at that moment as her white hiyoku hugged her slender form. “The women are fine, but we have little time until the horde reaches the village.” Her voice seemed different as she spoke. Then the priestess turned swiftly moving towards the village before demon or half could stop her.

 

`These lowly demons could not have attacked our camp. Sesshoumaru's guards are much stronger and smarter than that.' A flash of ninja demon-warriors echoed in her eyes. She did not question her knowledge or how exactly she might have come to know these things… they just seemed natural. Like a sixth sense. All of this new information was very frightening but she did not have the time to be scared. There were innocent people about to be slaughtered. `If there was something I can do, then I have to try,' she kept telling herself. `Sesshoumaru will understand.'

 

The woman's words echoed in her ears. `You must help us, the evil is rising.'

 

Inuyasha quickly followed her, the red cloth of the Fire Rat disappearing in the dark. The youkai lord was left standing with Rin. He growled in frustration. Were his guards dead? Kagome's words had been sure, but how did she know? She did not seem herself.

 

His words were short when he spoke. “Come Rin,” he motioned as they turned to follow the two. The camp would have to wait. He trusted Kagome but not enough to leave her alone, she was still weak and unsure of her hidden self.

 

His whispered name floated to his ears, stopping him in his tracks.

 

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The priestess carefully made her way down the path to the village. `Sesshoumaru is a fool if he thinks that I will let­­ him take a hold on that girl. I will never let demons get their hands on the Shikon.'

 

The winds picked up sending her black mane into a chaotic waltz, blinding her momentarily. Kikyou reached to pull her loosened hair from her eyes, suddenly seeing the God Tree. “What?”

 

`Kikyou, you must put aside your hatred for demons. Sesshoumaru does not desire the jewel.' The female's voice sang in her ears. `If humans and demons can not live in peace then there will be no future. Naraku will win and gain control, destroying everything in his path.'

 

“What do you mean?” Her voice faltering as she continued to speak, “That…”

 

The woman finished her thought, `…that the hatred and resentment that hides in your heart will be the end of everything, Kikyou.'

 

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Were his ears deceiving him? Sesshoumaru's golden eyes darted around the forest. Who had spoken his name? “Rin, tell me who was it that attacked you?” He kept his attentive stance.

 

`Sesshoumaru you must listen carefully. If you do not heed my words, Naraku shall gain control of the Shikon's power and destroy both humans and demons.' The female voice echoed in his ears. Rin's voice was drowned out as she continued. `You must put aside your differences and combine your father's fang.'

 

`Woman you do not know who you are speaking to.' He growled, forgetting about the lost reality around him.

 

`If you can not overcome this fear of humans than you shall never be as great a demon as your father. Put aside the resentment that you have against your brother.'

 

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Kagome could feel the evil energy racing toward her. `What am I doing?' she thought but the female had no time to dwell on her impulsive actions. She planted her legs apart, making sure her feet were secure as she turned to face the oncoming assault. The young priestess could feel the power pulsing in her body then through all the life around her, spreading outward.

 

Time seemed to stop as she spoke words that came from some unknown memory. The woman filled her mind; her words reaching out to her again. `Kagome you must choose. Choose to live and fight or die and let the innocent blood flow.' Peace washed over Kagome as a barrier was erected around the village. She understood that she was weaponless but that fear never surfaced because of the deep power embedded and emerging out of her soul, out of her core.

 

Inuyasha came upon her as she began gathering the strength, faintly hearing her mumbled words. He could see the jewel materialize from within her body. The white light engulfed her, blinding him and yet not. Only her form was visible through the purple waves rolling off her body. The hiyoku fluttered under unseen winds of power. Slowly, before his eyes, the white cloth was replaced with ancient armor, similar to Sesshoumaru's and his father's, which covered the priestess garb. Inuyasha was jolted, unable to understand how a human female had come to possess such demonic shields, and how the sight of her could make his heart skip.

 

Although he could feel the enormous youkai energy on top of them, Inuyasha could not tear his eyes off of the woman. A large serpent demon burst through the mass thicket of trees before them. “Kagome!” he screamed as the snake charged toward her. His feet had a will of their own as he rushed to aid her, calling again.

 

He watched as her eyes slowly closed. “Don't close your eyes stupid! Move outta the way, Kagome! KAGOME!”

 

“I have chosen my path.” She spoke as she finally let go of the hold she had. The power burst forth as the reptile dove into her body. He was frozen in place. More youkai appeared and as the first, were absorbed into her body. The violet light engulfed her until she glowed with its color.

 

Inuyasha moved his lips but his voice had abandoned him. His warnings were in vain. She remained quiet, her arms still in the open pose inviting the youkai. Suddenly, the earth purged a sword in front of the female. She opened her eyes leisurely as the pupils focused on the hilt. Her arms lowered as the right hand went for the blade, singing as it was brought to life.

 

Noise from the treetops tore his eyes from her finally. Inuyasha's expression harden as he saw the demons dressed in black. He growled, moving his hand to Tetsusaiga, but the figures ignored him.

 

Kagome took a fighting stance, waiting for them to make their move first. “One to five, doesn't seem fair now does it?” her words echoed in his ears. She seemed ethereal and Inuyasha could not be sure if he was dreaming or not.

 

One of the ninjas spoke. “You are to come with us or…” he began before she cut him in two. She looked at the remaining demons. “You have two choices. You can leave and tell Naraku that I will send him to hell or you can die here.” Her voice was as hard as her eyes, sending shivers down the demon's spine.

 

A snarl echoed. “I see,” another spoke, but kept his distance. “Then you will suffer the consequences of your decision.” He laughed as two youkai began their decent on the hanyou. Kagome did not spare them a glance as she charged the remaining duo. In an elegant move, the woman sliced the two in half and turned to face Inuyasha's blank stare.

 

He had managed to kill one but the other had disappeared into the thicket. “Kagome?” his voice was uncertain.

 

“Inuyasha,” she spoke as she approached him, her eyes scanning his body. “Are you hurt?”

 

Her question took him by surprise. “What do you mean? You're the human!” He shouted. `Stupid woman!' He briefly took note of her unusual behavior. From what he had been able to observe, she was not the kind to take charge and kill two expertly trained ninja youkai in a single swing.

 

A sudden crack caught his ears as Kagome shoved herself against him. They landed with her on top, covering his upper torso. Her face momentarily buried in his robes, before she quickly rose. “Come,” she ordered as she grabbed his hand. They headed to the village, as the last warrior was on their heels.

 

The scenery flew by as Inuyasha felt himself being pulled by her gentle hand. He was surprised by her speed and a little dazed from her scent and the feel of her body against his. The warmth of her skin dissipated as they abruptly stopped. He trained his eyes on her. She was still as a small group of ninjas appeared before them.

 

“I will not let you pass.” She raised her sword as she stepped between her target and Inuyasha. In a flash, a trio of bodies littered the ground as she stood several paces from him facing the last figure standing. “Go and tell him that it will end with his blood soaking into the earth.”

 

An evil smirk crossed her features as the demon jumped a few feet away and disappeared into the darkness. She turned to stare into Inuyasha's golden eyes. Her characteristics softened before she fell to the ground, the armor, clothing and sword fading into the night.

 

“Kagome?!” Inuyasha's voice echoed as he was instantly at her side. The hiyoku tattered from the battle. He knelt beside her, taking his fire rat robe off to wrap around her half nude torso. He noted the bruising on her body, `what the hell just happened?'

 

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It was like floating weightless above the earth as the mysterious female's voice echoed through their ears. The demon prince and priestess' minds were merged into one as she continued. `There must come a time when the human and youkai races have to combine their powers in order for their species to continue to exist. I am afraid that that time has come. If either of you fail then Naraku will win. Please put aside your hatred and your differences.' Images of the Goshin Boku appeared above a silver lake. It was suddenly engulfed in flames as visions of Naraku's terror manifested itself on the water's mirror surface.

 

Kikyou emerged from the link in a daze. Her eyes focused on the dissipating barrier around the village. Fear filled her body as she flew into a frantic run.

 

With the connection broken, Sesshoumaru's attention was pulled to the child clinging to his leg. Her whimpers received his gentle pat. “Rin, let's go.” Anger began to fill the lord. Not only had he been conveniently detained, Inuyasha was with her. He was not a fool. Sesshoumaru knew that his brother was after the jewel. He picked the child up and quickly headed to the village. Kagome's strong scent and aura had melted away to a faint whisper that pulled at his soul.

 

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Sesshoumaru approached the quiet village. The humans had already departed to their beds for the night, as the demon stalked down the moonlight path to his brother's hut. Kagome's fragrance was mingled with the mutt's. His blood boiled as he reached the straw door.

 

A slender hand pulled the curtain back as he swiftly ducked in. The prince was frozen in place, the child in his arms long fell asleep under his protective care. His growl was low so as not to wake the sleeping humans but his eyes promised an unbearable death as his gaze wafted over Kagome's still form covered in his brother's robes to meet matching golden pupils.

 

Inuyasha did not move. He knew that his brother would not be stupid enough to challenge him tonight. No, Sesshoumaru would wait until the morning's first light.

 

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AUTHOR'S NOTE:

 

Well this was pretty eventful huh? Dramatic and cliffhanging... Now, let's see how long eight will take. Reviews welcome of course.

 

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