InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Under a Crimson Sky ❯ Final farewell... ( Chapter 5 )

Disclaimer: Inu-Yasha and all of Rumiko Takahashi's characters are not mine....!!! Warkarimasu ka?

Final farewell…

The flames licked the cool evening breeze. The group was preparing to settle down for the night. Sango was unpacking her sleeping roll alongside Kagome's as Inu-Yasha went off to scout the surrounding area, unsure of how safe it really was. All was quiet until a violent slap shattered the serene atmosphere along to the cries of a lecherous monk who was vigorously rubbing his cheek in pain and pleasure.

The ghostly white demons snaked through the luscious green foliage, finally catching site of their prey. Hurriedly, they returned to their master who was lying on the branch of a magnificent cherry tree. She noted the information and coolly waited for him to arrive.

He is mine…his soul belongs to me…he and I will be entwined for eternity…she reflected as he neared her hiding place.

The translucent glow of the soul-collectors caught the perceptive hanyou's eye and then…her scent…unmistakably made up of clay and earth.

By the gods...what in the hell is she doing here? Not now…not ever…I don't need this…not when I just got Kagome back!

He could feel the bitter gray shadows intertwine his soul with hers. He could feel her everywhere…he could not help but be drawn to her hideout. He could taste her, and abruptly became sickened and hardened. His conscience was frantically pleading with him, screaming for him to keep clear… just go back to Kagome…but her presence was intoxicating, tearing a hole out of his soul. Her seductive tactics were becoming more than he could handle, he stumbled through the trees and discovered her.

Her milky white skin was so pure in appearance, it was almost translucent. Her waist-length hair framed her delicate features, whilst the light of the moon gave it an unearthly blue-black sheen. She was wearing her usual shrine maiden attire while her weapon of choice, a bow and arrows lay dangerously by her side. Her eyes unopened but totally conscious of his presence. He took a few tentative steps closer, unsure of the outcome, until his gaze suddenly met hers.

"Why are you here Kikyo?" His questioning stare left her noticeably untouched.

"You know why…I've come to take you with me Inu-Yasha, my love."

"You know I will never go with you to hell! I have a new life now, the old version of me died with you fifty years ago. I have Kag…."

She laughed wickedly while still staring at him untouched by all emotion. "Her….oh yes…my reincarnation. Tell me Inu-Yasha, what is it about her that makes her so appealing to you? No…wait…you don't have to tell me…she is more beautiful, kind-hearted and trusting or you both love each other unconditionally and there is nothing I can do to change that now."

"What about what we had Inu-Yasha? I loved you, and remain so even though my body is dead and my spirit remains. I exist because of you…you belong to me as I belong to you. Have you forgotten all that Inu-Yasha? I gave my life for you…and yet…you still plague me with these ill conceived excuses of your new life. I am your life….and always will be!!! Why can't you comprehend that??? All those years…how can you leave me stranded here now?"

Her heated outburst, calm in the beginning, left her broken and weeping. She stumbled towards him until he unconsciously caught her before she hit the cold earth. He didn't know what to do…he felt obligated to her…He did belong to her as much as his conscious protested. His heart was drowning in a pool of misery and confusion, his mind absolute in its decision, whilst his soul cried out in shame.

He held her in his arms, strangely comforted by this embrace as if it was meant to be somehow…NO…this isn't right, I LOVE Kagome! I thought I already made this decision…But…She looks so helpless…I…I…can't abandon her when I promised…NO! I have to stop this now…before she can take a hold of me.

He felt weak, his mind was losing grip on reality as he sank into the cold embrace further losing consciousness until he sank limply into her arms, his bangs covering his eyes.

"Yesss…..My powers are draining him…my plan worked! Soon we will be together my love; no one will bother us, least of all my reincarnation."

Kagome felt a sinister air in the cold night's breeze and awoke with a start. She looked up, gazing into the depths of the starry twilight. She realized Inu-Yasha had not returned yet and became increasingly worried. She stealthily wormed her body out of her sleeping bag, the innocent kitsune unconsciously releasing his hold on her.

"Kagome…?" The sleepy kitsune mumbled almost inaudibly.

"Shhh…Shippou…everything's alright…just go back to sleep….oyasumi my sweet"

She turned and quickly gazed into the murky depths of the forest, and then a faint glow caught her eye. Are those soul collectors? Kikyo! Oh no….Inu-Yasha!

She entered the wood, her body shaking in repose. Her breath was forced and harsh, she felt a pressure in her chest….I am losing him…She ran fervently trying to duck the underbrush. A twig slapped her face leaving a cut in its stead which ran along her ample cheekbone. She came across the clearing only to witness them embraced and slowly sinking into a grotesque hole in the earth of which an eerie purplish glow lashed out from.

She ran towards them stopping right at the edge of the abyss; her arms reaching out towards him, desperately feeling for contact.

"InuuuuuYaaaasshhaaa……WAKE UP!!!! Can't you see what she's doing? She's dragging you down to hell!!!! You can't die!! You can't leave me here….alone"

She fell to her knees in shock, he did not stir….she screamed his name once more….his amber eyes opened, startled and then suddenly angered, he squirmed roughly out of Kikyo's embrace and leapt out of the crevice landing directly in front of Kagome.

She opened her eyes to witness him crush Kagome into his chest and then sadly whispering…

"So that's your choice my love….fine….but I can't live in this body, this façade any longer….farewell my love….sayo…nara…"

The anguished miko sank into the abyss with a faint ghostly cry until the earth sealed her up in its fury, as if nothing had ever happened.

"She's..gone…? Oh Inu-Yasha, I thought you were ….I saw…I'm so glad you came back…!!"

The startled hanyou pulled her closer as she sobbed into his strong, comforting arms. He kissed the top of her head and whispered…

"Shhh….it's ok….I would never leave you! I promise you that…Kagome…its okay love, I'm here now, and I'm safe."

She looked up into his languid amber eyes and stifled her sobs. He was right she thought, he's here and safe, and Kikyo is gone, never to return…

He knelt, the dew laden grass soaking into the knee of his pant; she climbed on top of his back, straddling him. He leapt into the forest under the moonlight's shadow until they came upon the camp site, everyone still deep in slumber. He found his favorite tree branch, drew her into his lap while covering her with his haori. She yawned and looked into his golden eyes once more until her subconscious took over. He lay watching her body slip into sleep wanting nothing more than to watch her and keep her in his arms in this moment, forever…

A/N: Let me know what you think….review plz! Until next time….!

ja ne, beautiful-cherry-blossom