Hey! I know this isn't very long, but it's all I could do right now. Kinda brain dead, so to speak. I'm trying realllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyy hard to make the giant fight scene really cool, full of suspension, and a thrill. But, I can't get it the way I want it, so bare with me. You'll see it posted soon enough. Thanks for your reviews, I love em!

Warning!!! Graphic gory scenes to ensue, please avoid reading this fic if you are not of a suitable age, or do not have parent consent! You have been warned!

I do not owe either the InuYasha characters or those of YuYu Hakusho

Bitter Memories

Chapter twenty-two : Evil incarnate

Clouds built overhead, their dark masses seeming to choke off all the life, love, and general goodness that were the world. Everyone was tense with tension. Hiei's hands were involuntarily clutching and releasing the hilt of his sword. Kurama's back muscles were twitching beneath his shirt, his face drawn and pale. Botan looked terrified, her entire body shaking as she fought to not go to Kurama. Yukina was in a similar state to Botan. Yusuke's jaw was set and jumping, Kagome could hear his teeth gnashing together in anticipation. Even Kuwabara was silent and strained. InuYasha was placed protectively in front of Kagome, his only real sign of nervousness. Hiei had situated himself on the other side of Kagome, both staring ahead of them waiting.

Kagome and Genkai seemed to be the only ones not showing a care in the world. Genkai was staring towards the horizon in an almost contemplative way. What no one knew was that she was just as worried as the rest of them were. She knew the outcome of this battle; Kagome would die. She only hoped that her interference was enough to allow for a sliver of mercy from Fate. Perhaps, even the cruel Goddess wouldn't have the heart to rip Kagome from Hiei at the time they had just begun to realize their true feelings.

If anyone had bothered to glance at Kagome, they would have done a double take. She stood facing the oncoming danger with a peaceful, serene air about her. Before she had made it out the door, Genkai had handed her a sword, in fact everyone had a weapon of some kind. That sword was loosely held in Kagome's hand, the only thing keeping her grounded at that moment. The look on her face showed her to be at complete peace with the world. She, too, knew what was to come, and suddenly she had been able to accept it and let rest all the bitter sorrows that haunted her. She wasn't afraid to die; she just hoped that Hiei wouldn't take it too badly.

As the world was cast into darkness, Kagome's muscles tensed. The powerful, tainted aura she had sensed was finally here. This was the moment of truth. Wicked black and neon purple lightening lit the sky, seeming to come from the ball of glowing energy heading their way at an impossibly fast speed. All the blood was roaring in her ears, drowning out the sounds of the howling wind and the explosive boom of the thunder. Time to face the music.

The evil power flared, the neon purple energy crackling like the snap of a whip, and then all was silent except for the hum of energy. Taking a deep breath, Kagome brought her head up to see what had stopped not even thirty feet from her. All the air she had swallowed forcibly left her lungs in a whoosh, leaving her breathless and shocked.

Narrowed, bleeding lavender eyes pierced her own, searing her brain and leaving her weak kneed. The thing before her very well could have been the devil himself, or more acutely, themselves. Yellowed, dead skin, peeled from around the eyes, mouth, nose and almost anywhere joints connected exposing grayed muscle tissue. There were no lips; they had been ripped off, leaving a bloody, gaping, grinning whole in its place. The teeth were as yellowed as the skin, blood seeping from between them. Pieces of skull showed through places the skin and muscle had been ripped away. Ribs, cracked and splintered, protruded from its sides. Several organs were seen spilling from where it's stomach should have been. But the worst had to be its heart. The protective breastbone was nonexistent. Black blood oozed from the large puncture wound, more spilling with every heartbeat. Kagome could clearly see the black, pulsating organ, contract and expand, a new wave of blood spilling from its depths. It's eyes were wild, yet intelligent, holding a malicious glint only befitting a serial killer, and indeed that's what this thing was.

No matter how decayed, or twisted, Kagome would know those faces anywhere. All the horrors of her past stared her in the eyes, daring her, condemning her, and filled with unspoken promise. Every evil she had ever helped vanquish, every nemesis she had overthrown, every maniacal, evil, dead ex-priestess she had watched die, was a part of this thing. It was the evil incarnate, and it had come to collect. It's target, Kagome.

Before you complain……….I'M WORKING ON IT! The next scene anyway! J I promise you'll have it even if it sucks reallllllllllyyyyyy bad and kills me. Soooooo, keep reviewing so maybe it will magically appear faster! (just joking, when I finally get it right it will be up for you!)

~blackheart