InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Sage ❯ Balance and Rebirth ( Chapter 27 )

~*~*~*~*~Edited version~*~*~*~*~*

 

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Balance and Rebirth

Part I

 

Sorano slowly opened her eyes. She was flowing in an abyss of nothingness. Everything around her was covered in darkness. I guess this is the realm of the dark. Who would want to live here? There is nothing here. At least the light realm is beautiful and full of laughter and happiness. This place feels cold and dead. Sorano tried to raise her hand but found that something was holding her down. Great. I guess I'm going to be stuck here. At least here I am not the mate to Duane. Just the thought Duane made Sorano want to slash out at something.

 

Suddenly a light erupted in front of Sorano. She smiled for the first time in a while at the feel of warmth and hope that the light brought. Slowly the light formed into a figure. It was short and square in shape. Sorano gasped as finally the light took a form.

 

“It can't be…”

 

The figure smiled and bowed to Sorano, “It can be and it is. It has been too long Sorano-sama. I was hoping to see you again when I was alive. That is why I told the others that I wished to come to speak with you.”

 

“But you're dead.” Sorano shook her head in disbelief as she stared at the smiling face of Kagome's Jii-chan.

 

“That is true. I am dead. But my spirit lives on within the light realm. All the Higurashi that have died live on within the light realm. It is by your father's order that our spirits rest in peace within his realm. But I don't have the time to speak of such things to you now. I have something very important to tell you and I need you to listen.”

 

“Something important to tell me?”

 

Kagome's Jii-chan nodded, “You coming to this realm was all apart of Kaeda's and my plan.”

 

“Nani?!”

 

He raised his hand, “Please allow me to explain briefly. Kaeda knew of the Higurashi Family Fortune. She knew of it but not what it was. I had been secretly meeting with her for years on how to release the Fortune. You see Sorano-sama the key to unlocking the Higurashi Fortune is within you.”

 

Sorano shook her head. I don't think that I have been more confused then I am right now. “Seiko I don't understand.”

 

Seiko laughed softly, “I didn't think that you would. Long ago when you first walked the physical plain the Higurashi Family was entrusted with a powerful weapon. You did not know it at the time as it was sealed within you. In order for it to be released you had to come to the dark realm.”

 

“Why would I need to be here?”

 

“You need to be here because the weapon is that of Darkness. Tell me Sorano-sama what are the light youkai truly trying to achieve?”

 

“I thought you of all people would know that. We of the light are trying to bring forth balance in the world. Ying and Yang.”

 

Seiko smiled at Sorano, “And how do you intend to do that when you are not balanced?” Sorano stared blankly at Seiko. “Are you balanced like the Ying and the Yang?”

 

“I…” Sorano looked away from Seiko, “No…”

 

“The weapon that is locked away within you is the key to your balance. It is a weapon of darkness that balances your light youki. However in order for us to release it you had to come to the dark realm.”

 

“So you mean Kaeda asking Duane to come here was all part of your plan to get me to the dark realm?”

 

Seiko crossed his arms behind his back, “Yes but I must say that he took it a little to far. He was never meant to try and mate you. He was to lock you within the realm. But I believe Sesshomaru will see to it that he is punished for what he tried to do.”

 

Sorano shook her head, “So let me get this straight. I was sent to the dark realm because I needed to be here in order to get this weapon that you speak of? Well I'm here and there is no weapon.”

 

Seiko sighed and looked grim, “Unfortunately the weapon is within you. You must embrace the dark and the weapon will be born from within you. The weapon is the key to the Higurashi Fortune. It will all become clear to you once the weapon is born. Kagome holds the map and you have the key.”

 

“I can not embrace the dark realm. I will not!”

 

Seiko sighed as he shook his head, “You must.”

 

***

 

Sesshomaru could feel his blood rushing through his veins. Duane was a powerful youkai and he seemed to have the ability to move through the shadows themselves. Sesshomaru growled out as Duane sprang at him. The two of them had been locked in the heat of battle for a while now. However all that Sesshomaru could sense was the blood rage that was coursing through him. He wanted Duane to pay for what he almost did. He wanted the blood of Duane to stain his hands. No one touched what was his and lived to tell the tale. Sorano was by all rights his and the mere fact that Duane dared to take her insulted his pride and honour as a youkai prince.

 

Sesshomaru's claws lit up as he released a youki whip at Duane. Duane grinned at Sesshomaru as he melted away into the shadows. Sesshomaru suddenly felt Duane's youki behind and barely managed to get out of the way of an attack.

 

“You coward! You dare to attack this Sesshomaru from behind!” Sesshomaru could feel his youkai blood commanding him to kill Duane. But if he let his youkai blood take over would he stop to think about attacking the others? The only one that would be safe would be Sorano.

 

Duane crossed his arms and grinned at Sesshomaru, “I am no coward. I merely know where the weak points of my opponents are. You do not watch your back Sesshomaru therefore making it an easy target for me to attack. But like I said before you cannot defeat me. I am more powerful then you are.”

 

Sesshomaru raised an elegant eyebrow at the dark youkai before him, “More powerful then this Sesshomaru? We shall see.” Sesshomaru lunged forward and grinned as Duane did exactly what he thought he would. Duane stepped back and just before he melted into the shadows Sesshomaru raised his poison claws and shot behind Duane.

 

The shadow vanished and caused Duane to look over his shoulder. Sesshomaru brought down his other poison filled claws and slashed Duane across the chest. The smell of burning flesh filled the air as Duane staggered back. Bubbles and pus formed along the wound tracks. Duane looked down at his chest, as the hissing grew louder.

 

“Very impressive Sesshomaru. I must admit that you are the first person to wound him in many years. But if you think that your poison claws are going to stop me you have another coming.” Duane's eyes glowed red as his whole body lit up with his youki. Deep violet tendrils of youki flowed off of him in tiny rivers.

 

“Now you are getting serious.” Sesshomaru growled out as he let his youki flow from him. Now I will show you I am not someone to mess with.

 

***

 

Kagome ducked as a tentacle came flying at her. The battle with Mystic wasn't going as she had hoped. The puppet was aiming mostly at Kagome, which in turn was making it very difficult to attack. He's after the Shikon no Tama. Sango can't get an attack off with him coming at me so often. I need to try and break away.

 

Kagome flipped over a cable on the roof as she backpedaled. Mystic was now half puppet youkai and half a mass of tentacles. Without Sorano we don't really stand a chance. She was the one that ended that battle before. She has the power to destroy him. Kagome notched an arrow to her bow and fired it at two tentacles that were making a beeline to Inuyasha and Miroku. The guys had stayed behind to make sure that Sorano was kept safe.

 

We need to end this. Sorano's youki is getting dimmer and dimmer. I can barely sense it as it is. Please Inuyasha keep her safe. She holds this team together. Kagome's arrow hit the mark and instantly disintegrated the two tentacles. Kagome knew that Inuyasha didn't like the fact that she was fighting and he wasn't. She could feel his pull on her mark. He was worried about her safety and frankly so was she.

 

<Miko this is Central Command. Kaeda is on her way to the weaponry. She believes that there may be a weapon there that can help you.>

 

<As good as that sounds Innocence we may not be here that long. Mystic has improved since the last time we battled him. What we need is Haven.>

 

Kagome notched another arrow to her bow and suddenly the Tama pulsed. What the… Kagome looked down at the Shikon no Tama and gasped. It was glowing an intense pink and was giving off a lot of energy. That's when it happened. Kagome felt something wrap itself around her and lift her into the air. She instantly felt the wind leave her lungs as it tightened its grasp around her.

 

“KAGOME!” Kagome looked down and saw that Inuyasha was now standing and was growling. Wrapped tightly around her midriff was one of the tentacles of Mystic.

 

An eerie laughter broke the air as everyone stopped. Mystic's eyes were flooded blood red as he stared hungrily at Kagome. “The last of the Higurashi line. I will kill you like I killed the rest of your family. Then the Shikon no Tama will be mine!”

 

Kagome felt an anger boiling deep within her. A hatred that had been sealed away within her for far to long. She had never known who had killed her family and now the one that had done it was before her now. Kagome stared coldly at Mystic as he continued to laugh.

 

“You're the one?! The one that came to the Shrine all those years ago. My family let you come and pray out of the pureness of their hearts and you killed them! I will never forgive you!”

 

Mystic cocked his head to one side as he grinned at Kagome. “You are going to stop me? Your newfound power in raw and untrained. The most you can do to me is burn my flesh. I will not die by your hands. No miko. You will die by my hands!”

 

“What the…!” Kagome looked away from Mystic at the sound of Miroku's voice. Sorano was slowly getting to her feet but something was wrong. Kagome couldn't sense her youki anymore. Her skin was a dull grey and her hair had paled so much that it looked dead.

 

How she is standing? Is she… dead?

 

<No!! It can't be!!>

 

Kagome flinched as Rin yelled into the communicator. <Innocence what is wrong!>

 

<It's Haven!! She isn't giving off any vitals!! Miko… Miko Sorano is dead!>

 

***

 

Inuyasha could feel himself starting to loss control. Kagome was in danger and if he attacked it would only proof to cause her death. Mystic was the one that had killed his mate's family and by the laws of the youkai that meant that Mystic was going to be put to death. Now it was just a choice of who was going to deliver the killing blow.

 

“Inuyasha there is something wrong with Sorano.” Inuyasha didn't turn around as Miroku continued to talk, “I think that she is dying.”

 

“Sorano is made of stronger things then this. She'll pull through.”

 

Inuyasha could smell the fear and anxiety coming off of Miroku. That's when the scent hit him. Miroku was right. The scent of death was all over Sorano. Her youki was all but gone. Great! Just great! First Kagome is in mortal danger and now Sorano is dying. What the hell is going on with the world!!

 

Inuyasha glanced over his shoulder and watched as Sorano's breathing grew more and more erratic. Miroku brushed her hair out of her face as she exhaled for the last time. The scent of death was the only scent that was now coming off of Sorano now.

 

“You are going to stop me? Your newfound power in raw and untrained. The most you can do to me is burn my flesh. I will not die by your hands. No miko. You will die by my hands!”

 

Inuyasha turned around and growled out as Mystic started to squeeze Kagome. But suddenly a shiver ran up Inuyasha's back. Something was happening and it was very powerful. Inuyasha couldn't seem to shake the feeling that an immense power was being called forth.

 

“What the…” Inuyasha turned around and gasped. Sorano was slowly getting to her feet. But she's dead! I can smell it! I can't even sense her youki… Wait a minute! Inuyasha backed away as Sorano slowly walked forward. The great power that he was sensing was coming from Sorano. It was as if something was trying to come forth from within her.

 

Inuyasha jumped slightly as he felt a hand on his shoulder. “Inuyasha…”

 

“For fucks sake Miroku!” Miroku walked slightly forward and stood beside Inuyasha.

 

“I can sense something coming from Sorano. But I checked her pulse. She is dead. How can this be happening?”

 

“How the fuck should I know!”

 

Inuyasha watched with Miroku as Sorano slowly staggered her way towards Mystic. She was walking unevenly as if she wasn't the one that was compelling herself to move. Inuyasha glanced up at Kagome and saw that she and Mystic were both watching Sorano very closely. It was as if time stopped. Duane and Sesshomaru had momentarily called a truce as they watched Sorano. Sango and Kirara had descended from the air and were now a few feet away from Sesshomaru.

 

Suddenly Sorano stopped. The feeling within Inuyasha only seemed to double as Sorano raised her head and looked up at Mystic. Inuyasha heard Kagome gasp as she gazed at her face. Inuyasha felt his stomach flip as the pre-dawn light illuminated Sorano's face. Her mark upon her forehead was gone and the sakura pedal on her left cheek was barely visible. But what made Inuyasha's stomach flip was the fact that her eyes were completely void.

 

Inuyasha caught Duane grinning out of the corner of his eye but didn't get a chance to comment as suddenly a fog started to roll in. It was like the fog that had spilled out of the Elite Office. It was cold and empty. Inuyasha blinked in disbelief. “Miroku is it just me or is that fog heading for Sorano?”

 

“I think your right Inuyasha. But it doesn't make sense. I don't think that Duane is creating this fog.”

 

No sooner had the words left Miroku's mouth then the fog circled around Sorano and lifted her into the air. Her limp body was now suspended in midair by nothing but the fog. Slowly it wrapped itself around her cocooning her in a strange fog filled orb.

 

“SORANO!!!!”

 

Inuyasha looked up and saw tears running down Kagome's face as she looked on helplessly as Sorano was encased. Inuyasha could feel her pain and sadness running through him as if they were his own feelings. His mate was suffering and there was nothing he or anyone else could do about it. Inuyasha jumped as a howl rent the air. He knew what it was. Inuyasha looked away from Kagome and looked to Sesshomaru. His head was thrown back as he howled out for the loss of Sorano. There was nothing that any of them could do. She was gone.

 

***

 

Kagome ignored the hot tears running down her face as she stared blankly at where Sorano was moments ago. She was completely encased in fog. The warm light of the raising sun didn't feel warm to Kagome. She felt numb. Sorano was like a big sister to her. Sorano had come to the shrine and saved her from her guardian. She had given Kagome a new hope for a better life. She introduced Kagome to a world that only a select few knew about. And now she was gone.

 

The howling of Sesshomaru was heard on deaf ears as Kagome closed her eyes. She may not be a youkai but she knew that Sesshomaru was grieving for the loss of his Sorano. He was calling out in inu youkai. He was howling to the heavens.

 

Kagome yelped in pain as something on her chest started to burn. Slowly Kagome opened her eyes and looked down at the Shikon no Tama. It was pulsating again. But this time it was in time to a heart beat. But it's not my heartbeat. Can it be? Kagome looked up and gasped. The orb that surrounded Sorano was pulsating in time to the pulses from the Shikon no Tama. A voice echoed out across the early morning skies.

 

Child who ascended from the light

Child who swore to always protect

You were given the greatest treasure to hold

Concealed within your body was its tomb

Locked always until darkness filled your heart

 

Light and Dark are held hand and hand

Balance is its gateway to rebirth

Only when you are balanced can it come forth

Only then will you be whole

 

Kagome screamed and shielded her eyes as the fog solidified and exploded. Kagome was so over come by the immense power that it was making it hard for her to breath.

 

“Why can't you just die!!!” Kagome slowly opened her eyes and smiled.

 

“Sorano!!” Kagome felt tears running down her face as she stared at Sorano. Slowly she flowed down to the ground. She was still pale but Kagome could once again feel her youki and could see her chest raising and falling as she breathed.

 

“Mystic this time when I kill you you will not be returning.” Kagome shivered at the sound of Sorano's voice. It was cold and behind it she held the power to back it up.

 

Mystic laughed, “I will always return. You must have figured it out by now. I am a puppet. There are hundreds of me. You will never be rid of me as long as my Master is alive.”

 

Sorano turned her head and looked up at Mystic. Kami-sama! Sorano's markings were all gone and her eyes were still void. She had not returned to her normal self. “This time is different. The last time we fought I was incomplete. I didn't even know it at the time. But us light youkai are a race of youkai that seek balance. Not only balance of the powers of the world but also balance of the powers of one's self.”

 

Sorano grinned as she raised her hand into the air. “ Darkness within Darkness. Light flowing within a sea of chaos. Sealed away by the powers of those who have left. I, Sorano, hereby call out to you. Blade forged by the beings of Darkness. Staff blessed by the beings of Light. Come forth to your master. Yami no Otaru!!!”

 

Suddenly the lightening morning sky clouded over and lightning rented the sky. The wind picked up as rain poured from the clouds. Sorano's youki flowed off of her as lightning struck the roof all around her. Sorano's eyes suddenly flashed silver as she leapt into the air. Lightning descended the sky and struck Sorano causing the whole area to explode in an array of light.

 

Kagome raised her arms and shielded her face as the light intensified. She had never felt anything like this in her life. The power coming from the light was causing her problems with breathing. The air itself was filling with Sorano's youki. Mystic yelled out in pain and suddenly Kagome felt herself falling to the roof.

 

Kagome tried to see where she was falling when a streak of red and black leapt out of the light and caught her. “Kagome. Are you okay?!”

 

Kagome blinked and smiled at Inuyasha, “Hai. But what is happening? I can't see.”

 

“The light is attacking Mystic.”

 

“Nani?” Kagome tried to see where Mystic was but the light was still too bright.

 

“Baka. I have the vision of a youkai. The light isn't hurting my eyes and I can see just fine. But I can't seem to see Sorano.”

 

The light started to dim as Inuyasha helped Kagome to her feet. “Now you're the baka. Sorano is a light youkai. You can't see her because she's in the light.”

 

The clouds dispersed and once again the sky was calm and bathed in the light of the morning sun. But Sorano was nowhere to be seen. Kagome looked over and saw that Mystic was lying on the ground face down. His tentacles were lying all over the roof and were slowly changing to dust. Miroku walked over to the two and Sango and Kirara shortly joined them.

 

“That was messed up.” Sango stopped beside Kagome and looked over at Mystic.

 

Kagome wasn't really listening to the conversation that they were having. Her attention was on Sesshomaru and Duane. The two youkai weren't facing off against each other. Instead the two of them were growling at the dead looking Mystic. Kagome pulled herself free of Inuyasha and slowly made her way over to Sesshomaru.

 

“Stop right there Miko!” Kagome jumped at the fear in Sesshomaru's voice. What does he have to be afraid of?

 

“Sesshomaru?” Kagome reached out but suddenly the roof shook and Kagome fell to her knees. “What?!” The roof shook again and the sound of bubbling water filled the air. Kagome looked over her shoulder and gasped. Mystic's body was regenerating. The sound that she thought was water was his tentacles growing.

 

***

 

A/N: Evil cliffie mwahahahaha!!! I am you all hate me for this but the next chapter is a huge battle scene and I wanted the whole chapter dedicated to that. Thankies one and all for the wonderful reviews!!! Please keep them up.