Title: A Promise Kept
Author: Rose
Email: vampmistress76
Rating: M
Classification: Crossover; action/adventure/romance
Pairings: Yusuke/Kagome, Kurama/Keiko
Summary: Inuyasha's life was the terrible price paid for victory over Naraku in the final battle. Now Kagome returns to her time heartbroken and alone. Will she find love again? Or will she forever be haunted by the memory of the promise Inuyasha made to her, but was unable to keep?
Disclaimer: I own none of these characters, they belong to their creators.
Spoilers: None
Distribution: . . If anyone else wants it, just email me and ask.
Feedback: Yes, please.
Author's Note: This is an old story that I thought I had posted here but apparently haven't.
- Prologue -
'It's not supposed to end this way.'
That thought alone echoed repeatedly through Kagome's mind.
"We were supposed to complete the jewel, defeat Naraku and then finally be together in the end. You promised, Inuyasha. You said you had finally gotten over Kikyou and loved me, not her. You were not supposed to leave me!"
Kagome's voice broke as once again, heartwrenching sobs tore through her, causing her body to shake with the effort. It had taken time, a lot of hardships and dangerous encounters, but in the end they had reached the final confrontation in thier quest. It had been long and brutal, everything they had imagined it would be-and more. They had won, but only after paying an ultimate sacrifice.
Sango, Mirkou, Shippou and Kirara all stood around their friend, who knelt on the blood-soaked ground before them, staring helplessly, knowing that there was nothing they could do to ease the girl's pain.
Kagome's sobs finally receeded and with a shuddering sigh, softly spoke. "Goodbye, Inuyasha...I'll always love you."
With those last words, Kagome clutched the hanyou's lifeless body to her once more and began to cry anew.
It was a few hours later, after the somber burial of Inuyasha, that the group left the battlefield. Kagome kept the Shikon no Tama close to her the entire trek back to Kaede's village. Not a word had been needed. The old miko had taken one look into Kagome's eyes and she'd known what had happened. She tenderly enfolded the grief-stricken girl in a motherly hug that had Kagome suddenly longing for her own. It dawned on her then and with a soft sigh, she knew - she couldn't remain in the past.
It was time to seal the Bone Eater's Well for good.
Shippou cried openly when she told him she was leaving, the small kitsune's tears tearing even deeper gashes into her already wounded heart. But she couldn't take him with her, and she couldn't remain. Of that, she was certain.
Miroku and Sango both agreed they would look after the little kit for her, to keep him safe for as long as they breathed life. Shippou swore that he would find her again when the time came, even if he had to wait centuries. Silently she prayed that he would be able to keep that promise.
And so it was with a broken heart and the completed Shikon Jewel in hand, Kagome Higurashi travelled through the Bone Eater's Well to the present for the final time.
The old shrine stood out against the surrounding wooded area - a stoic structure in the eerie silence. Birds sang, the wind blew gently, all was at peace. And then...
"SPIRIT GUN!"
BOOM
Soon the sounds of fighting shattered the peaceful quiet as two groups-one made up solely of demons, the other a mix of humans and demons-engaged in a violent battle.
"Damn it, you'd think these idiots would know when to give up." Yusuke Urameshi shouted, as he once again shot a burst of energy through his finger at an advancing demon.
"Perhaps they are related to Kuwabara." Hiei, the black and white haired fire demon commented while he sliced through yet another demon with his katana.
"Hey!" an indignant protest came from Kuwabara, who was currently busy fending off another demon with his spirit sword. "I'll get you for that you little shrimp!"
"Hn." Hiei simply smirked, ignoring Kuwabara's threat and returned to slashing demons into tiny bits.
The four Spirit Detectives were currently surrounded by demons, which seemed to be appearing out of the woodworks by the minute.
'Oh boy, Koenma sure underestimated this Sayuki's powers to manipulate the lower class demons.' Yusuke thought. 'If I'd known the battle was going to be this intense, I never would have let Keiko come along.'
Yeah, right. Like you could have stopped her? his subconcious retorted.
Botan and Keiko where huddled within the circle, protected by the four young men whose backs resolutely formed a barrier between life and death. Yusuke risked a glance back at them.
'Just stay there you two, please.' he pleaded silently.
"There seems to be no end to their number." Kurama commented, before lashing out with his own weapon: a whip-like vine covered in sharp, vicious looking thorns.
The tail of the whip wrapped around the nearest demon's neck before tightening. With a quick jerk of Kurama's wrist, a sickening sound occured as the demon's head was neatly severed from its body. The momentum of the move caused the head to fly into the air and over the Spirit Detectives' heads to land with a thunk on the ground, rolling to a stop near Keiko and Botan's feet.
"Ewww." the auburn haired girl exclaimed, and she drew back her right foot, immediately kicking the horrid thing away.
The demon appendage flew back into the air once again, propelled by the force of Keiko's well-aimed kick. It sailed in the direction of a demon who was in the process of sneaking up on an otherwise distracted Kurama.
Bonk
The severed head of the dead demon struck its comrade in its own head. The force wasn't enough to knock the demon out or even down, but it was enough to disrupt the demon's charge, thus giving Kurama the chance to defend himself.
"Good shot, Keiko!" Botan congratulated her friend enthusiastically.
Kurama dispatched the sneaky demon quickly before looking back at the girls briefly, gifting Keiko with a smile, which had the young girl blushing slightly.
"Yes, thank you for the assistance, Keiko." the ever-polite kitsune said before diving back into the fight.
tbc...