InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Hidden Strength Within ❯ Chapter 30 ( Chapter 30 )

Previously:

“And who will perform this task that you have discovered? Which of you here has the power, the strength, or the conviction to try this other way that the spirit Hotaru speaks of?” Virbius and Egeria stated together.

A footstep was taken forward as all eyes turned to the noise.

“I will do what is requested. I will have the power, the strength, AND the conviction to succeed.”

Virbius and Egeria inwardly smirked at the arrogance while Hotaru looked between shocked and horrified, ‘Would Kagome really want him to do this for her?’


Chapter 30:

“You, Wolf, will step down.” boomed a masculine voice.

“She is my sister and as such it is the responsibility of her elder siblings to take care of her. I failed to protect her from him and now she is close to dying; I can not stand here and do nothing to help my fallen sister, my pack-mate.” Koga stated while whirling around on the demon lord.

“Hn” the look Sesshoumaru gave Koga could have frozen Hell itself. “She is under the protection of this Sesshoumaru; therefore I am the only one that is responsible for her well being. Naraku used this Sesshoumaru’s form to defile the Demigoddess and it will be I that will destroy Naraku and his claim on her. A claim done under my guise.” he snarled out.

Koga had no choice but to bow his head to the superior of the two; he knew that in battle he would always loose to Sesshoumaru and this was no different. ‘You are in good hands Sister; you only need to hold on to his strength that he is willingly giving to you.’

“Come we don’t have much time. You will have to bring her with us my lord for I am but an apparition and thus for unable to carry her myself.”

Sesshoumaru carefully cradled Kagome’s crumpled form in his arm as he followed Hotaru into the castle to her basement dwelling; unbeknownst to all that he was in fact giving to Kagome the antidote needed to break the concealment spell on the body and powers.

“Egeria you know we must give Lady Kagome these two items regardless of what they are able to accomplish down there; how ever Lady Kagome wishes to use these gifts will be totally up to her.”

“Yes Virbius I know, but can’t we at least hold off on these until we see what it is that they can do. Even now I can feel our Lady begging with me to give her this gift so she can die. I can only hope that they will gift her with something that might cause her to use these two gifts for something other than death to herself.”

With that stated the two loyal guardians vanished with their gifts to stealthily follow behind the three retreating forms.

Kanna watched as the five figures, three visible to all and two visible only to her, entered into the castle to finish the last of the preparations for the downfall of Naraku and Onigumo.

“Where did those two guardians go too?” Koga snarled.

“They are where they must be my lord. Fear not for Lady Kagome is a lot stronger than even you know. Those two servants would gladly give their lives if they knew that it would cause their Lady to live.”

“Then why were they just now so hell bent on helping Kagome kill herself?”

“Did you not notice their hesitation Wolf? Did you not see the sorrow and guilt ridden in their eyes? Did you not see the spark of hope when Lord Sesshoumaru stepped forward for his ward?” Kagura hissed out as the winds picked up around them.

“Kagura calm yourself; Lord Koga did not see or notice for he was solely concerned with Lady Kagome and keeping her away from those that will help her. Our role here is over Lord Koga, we must merely sit back and watch as the last battle is about to take place.” Kanna stated with such authority and dignity that Koga was hell pressed not to do as she had stated.

As the three sat on the hill side watching as the two remaining forms continued to glow and take shape Koga kept stealing glances of the once void demoness.

‘Though she has emotions and a heart again she is still almost as unemotional as she was when she was a void demoness. How can a creature that is so closely tied to the earth be so cold and uncaring?’ he pondered.

Kanna noticed that the wolf prince kept looking at her and could only wonder why he would suddenly find an interest in her, much less at a time like this.

“Wolf, why do you keep looking at my sister?” hissed Kagura protectively.

“Feh!” was their only answer and so Kagura used the winds to pick Kanna up gracefully and place her back down beside her, far from Koga and his glances.

‘You Wolf will have hell to pay if you think you are going to steal my sister from me when I just got her back.’

In the cellar of the castle Sesshoumaru noticed the alter and many herbs, incense, and candles throughout the structure.

“What is this place?” he questioned Hotaru.

“This was my place of work, my shrine so to speak. This is where we will do what we can to save Lady Kagome’s soul.” she whispered the last part not realizing that Sesshoumaru heard it none the less.

“What must we do?”

She noticed that they were both already in some form of white clothing so she did not think it necessary for either to don the traditional white robe.

“We must simply cast a spell to rid one’s self of negativities and impurities. You will have to hold her and help her do her part while speaking when she can not. Are you prepared to do this my Lord?”

He raised an eyebrow at what she just said but knew that this must be the only way. ‘For the one I protect I would do anything.’

With that thought he nodded his head and she began to explain to him what must be done.

“Please place Lady Kagome on my cot so that you can retrieve the items that we will need to cast this spell.”

As Sesshoumaru did this Hotaru started to think about which incense and herbs would be best to use.

“Okay I will need you to first grab the empty cauldron and two white candles and place them on the alter, with the cauldron in the middle. Now if you look on this shelf to the left you will see the incense of cypress and frankincense; you will need to grab one of each and place them on the alter as well. On the right side’s shelf you will need to find the herbs betony, burdock, furze, oak, and holy thistle. You will need to bring the jars of each to the alter.”

As he started to collect the ingredients and place them near the alter she remembered about the hops. “Lord Sesshoumaru it might behoove you to take and keep the hops for yourself to use on her. If you were to stuff her pillow with this herb it will not only help her sleep peacefully but it will also help to heal her; no doubt she will be wounded from her dreams after what he did.”

Once Sesshoumaru had all the ingredients near the alter he went back and placed the jar of hops in his haori.

“Ok now that we are ready you must light the candles and the two incenses, hold Kagome to you as the two of you stand before the alter and breathe in and out; evening out your breathing until the both of you are calm and centered.” she stated as she waited for their breathing to calm down.

“Now place the cauldron in her hands and hold both her hands, the cauldron, and your hand high over the alter in salute to the gods. Bring down to Kagome’s chest level.” as she saw him do this she noticed a slight blush cross over Kagome’s slightly pain ridden face. ‘Hn, very interesting.’

“Lady Kagome you must slowly breathe into the cauldron and silently name each person, experience, and/or habit you wish to remove from your life.”

Ever so silently Kagome whispered, “Naraku, Onigumo, my rape, my false mark of a mate.”

Sesshoumaru’s eye brow rose as he had just barely heard her last request. ‘So she has someone that she wishes to be mated too?’

“Lord Sesshoumaru once she is done you must place the cauldron upside down on the alter and both of you must chant; ‘The contents of this vessel I give to thee, Great Ones. Exchange these experiences for better.’ Now place a handful of each herb into the incense censer and burn them once each herb has been placed there.”

As soon as Sesshoumaru lit the herbs Virbius and Egeria decided it was time to make their presence be known.

Hotaru watched in horror as Virbius threw the glowing blue light at Kagome while Egeria threw the Shikon Jewel at her mistress.

Kagome’s body absorbed both gifts greedily, while Sesshoumaru snarled and swiped his claws at the two guardians.

“What is the meaning of this? Don’t you want your mistress to live?” Hotaru snapped.

“It is her destiny to have these two gifts, though it is her decision on how she will use them. These gifts can either help her or kill her, which ever she chooses.” the guardians chimed simultaneously.

Suddenly a pulsing blue and white light shot out of Kagome’s body and engulfed all the inhabitants in the room; the light transported them back to the battlefield.

The four figures quickly glanced around trying to find Kagome while also trying to figure out what exactly had happened. When none had been able to see or feel Kagome, Hotaru turned back towards the palace to go and see if she was still in the cellar but found a barrier around the palace instead.

A snarled from Sesshoumaru, though, stopped all further investigation of the barrier as she spun around to see the once two glowing forms had finally taken shape.

Before them stood two bodies, on the right was a man’s body with rich dark brown wavy hair, reddish brown eyes and looked to be about mid thirties. While the one on the left was a demon with black straight hair, red glowing eyes and looked similar to the human on the right.

Instantly Hotaru knew what had happened; Kagome had divided the two beings when she listed them separately on the binding spell.

Sesshoumaru scented the air and knew instantly that the two beings before him were both indeed Naraku, though not nearly as powerful as he was together with the Shikon jewel fragment inside of his body. The demon Naraku before him now was only as powerful as the lesser demons that made up his body were.

As Sesshoumaru moved to attack the two forms a barrier shot out protecting them from the castle. He stopped and narrowed his eyes at the opening of the castle were a figure stood glowing in a silvery blue light.

A female stood in the opening with knee length straight black hair with a sheen of blue to it when the moonlight hit is just right, on her forehead was a baby blue crescent moon encasing a purple star, she held two strips on each check one midnight blue while the other a dark plum, her brilliant bluish silver eyes kept flashing to reddish silver. She had one an intricate silver necklace with a crescent moonstone and a star made of green beryl in the center; similar to her marking on her forehead. Her scent was that of moonwort, water lilies, willows, and jasmine. She held a wand in her right hand that was pointed towards the West.

“I am the Maiden of Mysteries, a Queen of the Heavens, and I shall be the one that brings down that vile scum Onigumo. What you do with those vermin of Naraku is up to you but you shall not interfere with my plans for Onigumo, good Lord.” she stated.

Suddenly Sesshoumaru realized that this was indeed Kagome; this is her true form, were the wolf’s and the goddess’s blood coincided together to form one being. ‘Hn, so by giving the Demigoddess my blood to drink was enough to break the concealment spell after all.’ he mused.

Kagome stood there watching her protector, her guardians, and all of her friends. She knew that she would be able to survive as long as she had them with her, ‘But will I be able to forget?’ was the question that bothered her the most.

Hotaru wasn’t sure how exactly Kagome managed to transform completely, were the two sides of her blood were finally whole but she was happy none the less.

All watched on baited breath as Sesshoumaru easily destroyed Naraku’s true demon form with one swift Wind Scar. As soon as Naraku was destroyed the fang pulsed and quickly disappeared, ‘back to Inuyasha’s side I am sure.’ Sesshoumaru thought silently.

Suddenly movement was heard as Kagome made her move towards Onigumo, who was smiling smugly. Even though he was now fully human he could still easily sense and feel Kagome’s fear and repulsion of himself.

“What is the matter Demigoddess, finding it hard to kill your mate? Come now did you really dislike it as much as you are claiming to your friends?” he asked smugly.

Kagome quickly shot a glance at Sesshoumaru than back to Onigumo. “I will give you your punishment for what you have done to me. I will give you your justice for what you have done to this world. You will receive your prize in the afterlife; I can only hope that you will like it as much as the lord of the underworld does!”

Sesshoumaru was puzzled as to why she had glanced at him but brushed it off as his ward was looking for reassurance that she was not alone.

All ears tuned in to what Kagome chanted next.

Kagome lifted her wand in the air and all watched as a light engulfed the wand and quickly transformed it into a sword.

“Great Mother, guardian of your children, I stand in great need of your protection. There are those who are against me by thought, word, and deed. Let their efforts fail. Let their evil return to the lower darkness. Great Mother, I ask for and accept your protection.”

As the incantation was finished the sky darkened while the earth itself rumbled with a furious shake, ‘I wonder if this is the first earthquake they have experienced?’ she wondered silently as she approached Onigumo.

“Little Ones, come join with me and the Justice Deities. Change my luck. Make me bold. Bring me wealth and love to hold, accomplishments and friendships true. For this aid, I do bless you.” Kagome chanted again though this time she placed a poisonous kiss upon Onigumo’s brow.

Kagome stepped back from the stationary man as all impurities were cleansed from his body and the earth shook to take him under. When the last of the impurities left the old man’s body Kagome waltzed up to him and whispered ever so silently to him.

“I forgive your transgressions done unto me, my loved one, and this earth. However it is the Gods that you must answer to for what you are and have done to avoid their judgment.” as she finished she brought her sword forward and thrust it into his heart.

As his body fell to the ground a small crack was seen to have formed from under him and all watched as his body was absorbed into the earth.

Kagome looked to the moon, that was high in the sky my now, and chanted. “Blessings to all, who come to my aid. Between friends is this bargain made. Ashes to gold, no more strife, for the teachers shall guide me the rest of my life.”

Her gaze shifted to Hotaru who was surprisingly still present.

“What is the matter my Lady?” Hotaru asked.

“You have been saved my friend, my teacher.” Kagome said with a pleased smile.

Suddenly Hotaru knew what Kagome had just chanted, “You told the gods to forgive me?”

“Yes, you have made up for what you did when you were still alive. You were not meant to spend eternity making up for what you did in one lifetime. Go now and hopefully one day we will see each other again once you are reincarnated!”

Tears fell from Hotaru’s eyes as she disappeared into the light of the heavens from above.

“May the Gods always bless and look upon you with a smile my friend, my Demigoddess!”

Koga slowly approached Kagome and asked, “Sister how is it that you have ridden yourself of the mating mark completely?”

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow towards Kagome because he too was curious, ‘Surely that spell did not do that good of a job.’

“Lord Sesshoumaru helped me perform a simple incantation that nullified the effects of the mark from killing me. However it was the purification orb of my grandsire that completely removed the mark and purified my body of the rest of the impurities.” she said stoically.

“You mean…Kagome please tell me that he did not pup you.” Koga tried to whisper but all heard none the less.

“No Koga, the actions done unto me never preceded that far, for my body kept purifying him as soon as I had enough energy to do so. Naraku finally realized what was happening and decided that if I would not bare him a child, no one would be able to.” she paused for a moment. “Though I am not certain I will be able to bare pups now all I can do is hope and wait for the day I find a mate; that will take me now. Hopefully by then my body will be completely healed but I know that I am now going to be considered dirty and defiled so…”

“You will not be considered as such Kagome.” Sesshoumaru interrupted her as he walked closer towards her, never letting his eyes leave hers.

“My Lord you should not lower yourself to look, speak, or even acknowledge me. I shamed you and your honor for not being able to stop what he did. Though I knew it was not you, I could not bring myself to kill him when he was disguised as you. I ALLOWED HIM TO DEFILE ME!” she screamed out finally letting it all sink in.

Sesshoumaru wrapped her in an embraced and silently whispered in her ear, “You are my ward and what he did was the disgrace not you. I failed you Kagome and therefore the blame is on me for not protecting you from him.”

“You are wrong Lord Sesshoumaru; I am no longer your ward.”

He looked at her in puzzlement and shock, ‘What did she do?’

“When I realized what he was doing and going to do in your guise it removed the mark you gave me as your ward. He had wanted to shame you into having to relinquish your lands to me as an apology for failing me. I could not let him do that to you and your people, so I have severed the link permanently; this is my burden to carry and mine alone.”

Sesshoumaru growled as he released her completely. ‘That explains the pain and loss that I felt after Egeria related what Naraku was doing to her, she has denied this Sesshoumaru and all that I have to offer her.’

Kagome stood there like a statue; she was prepared to leave on her own. She knew that no respectable demon, half-breed, or human would want a woman who had been dirtied in such a way. ‘I will not be the cause of Lord Sesshoumaru’s name and reputation to be tarnished.’

“My Lord may I ask one favor of you?” she waited for him to nod his head before she continued. “I have seen a glimpse into the future and I would like to ask that Shippo remain with you. My son will understand why I am leaving him with you and he will be a great asset to you and your lands.”

“Though you have severed your link with me, Shippo is still a ward of the West and as such he will stay at the palace where I will raise and train him like I have my ward Rin.”

With that stated Kagome took to the sky and headed south east; away from her home, her loved ones, and her future. ‘It is time I begin a new journey to my new destiny. My protector will find a new mate and be happy, I can not and will not be the cause of his unhappiness.’ she thought never realizing that Egeria stealthily traveled with her while Virbius went west with Sesshoumaru.

Author’s Note:

Okay there you have it!!! This chapter came out a lot sooner than I thought it would…does it seem rushed or missing something??? Yes Naraku is dead, No he will not be coming back. What is in store for Kagome and Sesshoumaru now? Well you will just have to wait for the next chapter!! LOL I know you all hate me but love the story!!! LOL I am learning to live with the heated glares and the daggers flying towards me!!!! PLEASE R&R let me know what you think. BTW do I possibly sense a future love/hate relationship blooming…guess we will have to see where this goes won’t we!!!