Author's Note:
Okay well it's been a while since I've written for Inuyasha, seeing as most of the cool ideas were used up in "To Protect the One I Love" and "Inuyasha's Kin and the Son of Darkness" series, but finally I've come up with more ideas that take place at the end of the supposed anime. We all know nothing was finished so calling it the ending is BS and I plan to make it change. So here, starting with the last episode is a nice, interesting beginning which will again lead to a series….enjoy!
The Couple's Bond – Use the Shikon Shard!
Stone DemonHaving chased Kagura to this new location, Inuyasha and his friends dove into the stone demon in hopes of finding Naraku's heart. Kagome could sense the Shikon shard, while Inuyasha trusted his nose beyond a doubt. "There's no mistaking it!"
Naraku was down there.
Both miko and hanyou landed at the base of the cavern inside. "Kagome, stay close to me." He instructed. There was no way he was going to let Naraku harm even one hair on her head. Inuyasha growled low and his grip on Tessaiga tightened in pure hatred for the creature in hiding.
Kagome looked around suspiciously. Inuyasha already knows…who's here.
Naraku had done everything he could to completely defile the Shikon no Tama now in his possession. He'd viciously attacked Kikyo twice – one injury taking her life, making her the walking corpse she was today. He kidnapped and hurt Kagome – the human girl that had so incorporated herself into Inuyasha's life that he wasn't sure he'd be able to go on living if something happened to her.
And all for the sake of power.
The winds of Kazu no Kizu began to form around the dog fang at Inuyasha's command and he swung it right at where he knew Naraku was. "I know you're here! Show yourself!" He shouted, releasing the powerful attack.
Rock and debris were blown apart as the laughing form of Naraku finally appeared. "You've finally come, Inuyasha."
Tensing up, Inuyasha glared at him. "Naraku!"
"What's wrong, Inuyasha?" The cocky demon asked. "You finally get to see me, and you don't look happy at all."
It was then the rest of the party came down on Kirara and together they faced off against their nemesis. Raising his hand, Naraku revealed the darkened Shikon no Tama. The usually healthy pink jewel was blacker than night and pulsed as deadly as ever. This was what Naraku had been after ever since his first meeting with Kikyo – back when he was Onigumo. Inuyasha berated himself a million times for not being there to protect Kikyo when she needed him most.
Kagome could tell the power of the jewel had only gotten stronger while in the hands of ultimate evil.
"Now, before you depart for the Underworld," Naraku began. "Leave behind…a gift." He smirked.
Inuyasha brought up Tessaiga. "What?"
Looking to the miko behind him, Naraku met her gaze evenly. "Kagome, I'm referring to the Shikon shard you carry." Yes that was the last shard he needed and the Shikon jewel would be completed. He would have ultimate power and would be unstoppable.
On Naraku's command, the supposed cave began to shift and rock transformed into pulsing tissue. The water at the cavern floor began to bubble and Kagome winced as she and the others were forced to higher land.
Sango raised Hiraikotsu to block the stinging rain that had begun to fall from the ceiling. "Acid!"
Miroku instantly caught on to Naraku's plan. "For this is the inside of the demon's stomach."
Naraku's chuckle brought everyone's attention forward. "You will melt and disappear inside here…leaving behind the shikon shard."
Ready to rip Naraku a new one, Inuyasha smirked. "Before that can happen, I'll take your jewel!" He announced. "Take this! Kazu no Kizu!"
The winds of Kazu no Kizu did nothing to Naraku's barrier as he rose higher in the chamber. "Struggle all you want. You will never get out of here." And the jewel will be mine at last.
Miroku wasn't about to let Inuyasha have all the fun, nor was he about to let Naraku escape again. If he destroyed Naraku here, his curse would be lifted. Raising his hand as he removed the protective prayer beads, Miroku called out, "Kazaana!"
Naraku seemed to be getting closer, but Shippo called to attention the poisonous saimyoushous that were being sucked into Kazaana instead. But the monk ignored him and continued to keep his eye on the prize. If he didn't remove the curse, he would fall to it… the same way his father had.
Inuyasha saw his friend struggling and rushed over to close his hand. "Miroku, you idiot! Don't be so rash!" Came the comment from the impatient hanyou.
Miroku was weak, but he didn't want to give up. Not when they were this close. "B-but…"
"Leave it to me." Anger fueled the hanyou anew and Tessaiga's blade transformed into pure diamond. "I'll rip through the demon's stomach and take Naraku down with it! Kongousouha!" The giant projectiles launched themselves at Naraku and ripped apart his smelly excuse for a body.
"He did it!" Kagome exclaimed. But she was wrong. Naraku's head and some of his torso remained floating in the cavern, two diamond shards still bisecting him.
Inuyasha was in disbelief. Kongousouha…can't tear through the demon's stomach?
Kagome, though, her powerful sight telling her their plight. As long as he held the jewel, not only could he reform a million times, but its power would also strengthen their soon to be tomb. "Then, if I can purify that!" She shouted as she loaded and arrow and let it fly. It exploded with her holy miko power – or horiki – and became the purity arrow of her predecessor. Unfortunately Naraku wasn't stupid enough to get caught in something like that and his image faded from view, only to have the arrow embed itself in the rock.
Inuyasha became worried for his friends and turned behind him. "Miroku! Can you erect a barrier?"
The weakened monk looked up with one eye closed. "Y-yeah." He confirmed and gathered his friends around him.
"Take care of everyone!" The hanyou commanded. I can't take too much time! He heard Kagome say his name ever so quietly in worry and thought to himself. Don't worry Kagome. I'll save everyone!
Inuyasha glared at the spot where Naraku has disappeared, the mere scent of that monster making him growl. Gathering his youki once more into Tessaiga, the hanyou raised the mighty dog fang and release the shards right into the side of the demon's stomach.
When the projectiles did nothing but become stuck, Inuyasha cursed. "Kuso!"
Miroku's body shook as he begged Inuyasha to hurry. Unable to hold up his barrier any longer, his head slumped and the last thing he remembered was the one he loved the most calling out his name. Sango…I'm sorry…
"Stay under this!" Inuyasha tossed his fire rat robe over Kagome and Sango before any of the dangerous acid could harm them. "The demon's shouki is getting stronger. This is my last chance!" Turning his piercing gaze across his shoulder, he called out to his miko. "Kagome! Give me the shikon shard!"
"Inuyasha." There was no hesitation as she handed him the small vile.
Walking back into the acid, Inuyasha looked at the shining shard. I'm counting on you! He smashed it against Tessaiga and the sword responded instantly, pulsing in his master's hands.
Sango was confused. "On Tessaiga?"
Shippo had a smile on his face as he watched. "That's it! If he can strengthen Tessaiga…!"
But already Kagome could see something was seriously wrong.
Black electricity lanced out from the demon blade and Inuyasha instantly felt the effects. This is…! His body seemed frozen in place. Something is flowing inside me from Tessaiga!
Kagome gasped as the pink of the shard became dark black. The shikon shard!
Outside the cave, Naraku smiled in his newly reformed body. "Inuyasha using the shikon shard…means it leaves the hands of Kagome." Perfect. Seeing all this occur through the demon's body, Naraku smirked. "She had been purifying it, but within the demon's stomach, it draws out jyaki." The shard would be the Kazaana of Inuyasha's demise – sucking in all the negative energy within the demon. "Inuyasha…you cannot hold back that jyaki. No one who has the blood of a weak human, and a wicked youkai…"
Inuyasha struggled to keep control of his raging blood, but it was a loosing battle.
Fear wrapped a cold hand around his heart. While in his demon form, Inuyasha didn't know what would happen to those he cared about behind him. The shard continued to absorb the evil jyaki and as much as he fought, he could feel his nails grow and his fangs sharpen. Shit, my body…wont' listen to what I say!
Kagome gasped as she watched the shard become completely defiled. Inuyasha!
Inuyasha felt like his body was being ripped apart. It was ten timed worse than when Kaguya had attempted to force his transformation. My head! He thought. He didn't want to… He didn't want to transform!
FLASH!
"I felt like your heart was far away and somehow… I was afriad you would forget about me…"
I don't want to forget…
FLASH!
"Inuyasha…I understand." Kagome said as she slowly comforted the hanyou in his time of need.
Kagome…the next time I transform…my claws…may rip you apart as well.
NO!
FLASH!
As the jyaki became too much, Inuyasha let out a cry of anguish, which rang out as a triumphant roar for his demonic blood.
It was at that moment, Kagome couldn't stand it anymore and left the safety of the fire robe. Running straight into the acid, the miko could already feel the corrosive splashes of her footsteps eat away at her socks and shoes. "INUYASHA!"
In all the swirling confusion of the hanyou's mind, the instant he felt the warm arms of a certain human girl, he froze. He could feel her hold tighten on him as she trembled slightly against his chest. As the seconds passed he felt the raging blood within him diminish.
Inuyasha…Please don't lose to it!
"Kagome…" Was that Kagome I heard?
The pain beneath her made her slip deeper into the dangerous acid, but she refused to let go. Kagome heard Sango and Shippo call out to her as she fought to keep standing.
Slowly she could feel the shard purify with her mere presence and looking up she saw the hellish red fade from Inuyasha's eyes. "Inuyasha, are you ok?" Even now those strange purple markings remained on his cheeks, evidence of what might have been…
Turning in her embrace, Inuyasha nodded. "Yeah, but could you hold me…a little bit longer?" Should he call upon the swords yoruyoku again, he didn't want the shard to become defiled.
The request reminded Kagome of one other dear time she'd had with the hanyou. It had been the first time she saw him in his human form, and he lay poisoned by a spider demon. It was then he had asked her, "Could you…lend me your lap?" She was shocked, but the answer was obvious.
Just like now. "Yes." Kagome complied and held on carefully, the happenings at her feet becoming numb. She could feel the jyaki of the demon's stomach being absorbed into the shard. Resuming her efforts, Kagome tried her hardest to keep it pure.
"Take this! Naraku!" Inuyasha began calling upon the sword's hidden strength but unknowingly forced Kagome to add in a huge amount of energy to purify the shikon shard.
"Kongousouha!" The hanyou released the attack and light flooded the chamber as the demon's stomach exploded. The giant shards of diamond broke not only through the demon – turning it back into stone – but also threatened to destroy Naraku as well.
The evil lord knowingly made a retreat, leaving the cave and the shikon shard behind.
"We're outside!" Exclaimed little Shippo.
Sango was shocked and her hold on the unconscious monk in her lap loosened. "We're saved."
Inuyasha, pride filling him where demonic energy almost resided, turned to the miko behind him. "We're ok, Kagome!"
But the girl who'd saved him merely nodded before falling backwards unconscious.
The hanyou gasped and called out her name, cradling her gently against him. Kagome! Hand in here Kagome! Please don't leave me!
"Oi Sango, let's get these two back to that old lady's place!" He commanded as he secured Kagome safely on his back.
The demon exterminator nodded and called upon Kirara to carry Miroku and the group raced back to Kaede's immediately.
"I see…" Kaede began work on the antidote for Miroku, while Inuyasha carried Kagome into the back room. The story the group had returned with shocked the old miko but also saddened her. Should Inuyasha and his companions succeed in destroying Naraku, she knew her sister would have no more reason to remain in this world and perhaps her spirit could move on.
Now though she knew Kikyo would continue to search for Naraku, despite the danger he posed to her specifically. "Shippo, perhaps you could tear up these herbs and add them to the boiling water for me?"
The kitsune cub nodded. "Sure!"
Standing up, Kaede walked into the room where she knew Inuyasha remained by Kagome's side. When she came in, he almost didn't register she was even there. Tessaiga rested against his shoulder, his ears were drooped, and his eyes were locked on Kagome's still form. "She'll be fine."
"Eh?" Looking up, Inuyasha finally realized Kaede had been standing there. "Oh…that's good to hear."
Walking over, Kaede sat down and regarded the young girl for a moment. "She's just drained of her horiki for the moment. Once it replenishes, she'll wake up. I promise."
Remaining silent, Inuyasha still continued to berate himself for allowing Kagome to get hurt. There had been a time when he'd foolishly been led away from her side, only to have her fall into Naraku's detachment's hand. That day he swore never to have Kagome suffer again. And today he broke that promise.
If only I'd been a little stronger…then Kagome wouldn't be… He sighed. He talked big but as Naraku got more powerful, Inuyasha began to question his strength again the power-hungry demon lord.
"You shouldn't blame yourself, Inuyasha. If Kagome hadn't helped you…I doubt you would have been able to get out of that place." Kaede told the hanyou. "And it's not because of the shard…"
Inuyasha's ears twitched and he looked up for the first time at the aged miko. It was hard to imagine she was the same six-year-old he'd met around the same time he met Kikyo.
"Using the shard would've strengthened Tessaiga and perhaps even Kongousouha, but if the jyaki had been powerful enough to corrupt the shard while it was still near Kagome, then the attack would have been repelled against you upon Naraku's will."
"What the hell? You're saying even if I hadn't transformed, Kongousouha wouldn't have been powerful enough?" Inuyasha remembered the injured girl still in their mists and cursed himself for being so loud.
"You once told me there had been a time when you fired Kazu no Kizu within Mount Hakurei, right?" Kaede asked calmly.
"Well yeah, Naraku had made the mountain an attachment of his body and bounced Kazu no Kizu back at us." Inuyasha recalled.
"Well the same thing would've happened inside the demon's stomach. Just as the jewel was strengthening the walls, it would have also given Naraku control over your attacks, should he desire it." She explained.
"But then…?" Inuyasha was confused. Looking back down at the sleeping miko, he frowned. "Kagome?"
Kaede nodded. "It was Kagome's presence that purified not only the shard, but also Kongousouha. It was something Naraku could not control and therefore had to accept defeat. Inuyasha, you above anyone should have at least smelled the difference."
Getting huffy in his own defense, Inuyasha growled. "Yeah well just being down there was giving me a headache. That acid was almost as bad as that ink that spilled on me before!" That was an experience he never wanted to repeat.
"On top of purifying the shard, which we've known Kagome to do, she also purified Kongousouha. That is why she is like this now."
Inuyasha's eyes widened a bit upon hearing this. He was once told that in order to attack with Bakuryuuha, his energy had to be stronger than his enemies. Therefore Kongousouha – being even more powerful – used up more jyaki than even he possessed. And for Kagome to purify all of that so quickly then…
The miko could tell she'd explained enough and got ready to leave to the other room. "I'll prepare an ointment to heal Kagome's burns. Stay here if you like, but don't expect her to awaken for a few more hours."
When Kaede left, Inuyasha went back to looking into Kagome's sleeping face. He wanted to say so many things, but in the end decided to wait for her to awaken in Goshinboku. Should Naraku want the last shard, that meant he'd come after Kagome sooner or later and when he did, Inuyasha planned to make it the last thing that bastard ever regretted.
Kikyo slowly called upon her friends and they carried her down into the fog-covered ravine. Naraku's heart was close now and the sooner she condemned him to hell, the sooner she and Inuyasha would be together.
Even though she helped that miko, Kagome, from time to time, she would never release Inuyasha. His life belonged to her and she intended to call upon that debt when the time came. Her body wouldn't last much longer, but she hoped by calling upon Midoriko's soul, as she'd been forced to do in order to carry out her mission, she had bought herself enough time.
The visibility was bad, but Kikyo sent out her soul-catchers to survey the area nearby. Destroy Naraku's heart and she will have gotten her revenge. "Wait for me, Inuyasha. Don't die…yet." Smirking, she walked into the fog and slowly disappeared.
Slowly Kagome opened her eyes and looked around to find herself alone. "Inuyasha?" When there was no answer, she attempted to get up but the pain in her legs made her wince.
With his sensitive hearing, Shippo scurried into the other room and was elated to see Kagome awake. "Hey grandma! She's up!" Running over to her, he practically bounded for her chest, where she giggled and happily returned the hug. "Kagome! I was so worried!"
"Oh Shippo, it's ok, I'll live."
Sango was the next to come in and smile when she saw Kagome had indeed awaken. "Kagome-chan. I'm so glad you're ok."
That was when she remembered everything. "Miroku-sama?"
Upon hearing his name, the taijiya shook her head and saddened. "We gave him the antidote as soon as we got back but he still hasn't woken up."
Kagome could see it hurt Sango to see him like this and smiled encouragingly. "Don't worry. He'll be back to the normal letch we all know and love."
Sango giggled and nodded. "Yeah, you're right."
Coming in behind the demon exterminator, Kaede folded her hands behind her. "Sango, would you be so kind as to help Kagome into the other room. The mixture I've made will help heal her feet."
"Sure."
As Sango came over and slowly helped Kagome up, Shippo crossed his arms and muttered. "Inuyasha should've been here when Kagome first woke up, but as usual he's being an idiot."
Kagome heard this and gave the kitsune a weak smile. "Shippo, you should be nice to Inuyasha. It's because of him you aren't some demon's appetizer."
Still grumbling, Shippo followed the girls into the main room and watched as Kagome placed her feet carefully in the soothing water. "Wow, that does feel good!"
"These herbs should be able to relieve you of the demon's acid." The old miko explained.
Kagome nodded. "Thank you, Grandma Kaede."
"How is the priest doing?"
Sango looked up from Miroku's side. "It looks like the saimyoushou's poison hasn't left him yet." Kirara remained by her mistress' side but also worried for the lecherous monk.
The flea demon, Myouga, bounced up and down in distress. "Even I can't do anything about this!" From time to time, Myouga would come by Kaede's, speaking with the miko in order to find out Inuyasha's whereabouts and see if he couldn't help his Master's son.
Kagome had been thinking about it since she woke up, but had been reluctant to ask. "Where's Inuyasha?"
Kaede looked out the hut's flap leading outside. "He seems to be in deep thought about something…"
Myouga took this time to jump on Shippo's head and crossed his arms knowingly. "Perhaps Inuyasha-sama is thinking about the fact that he lost to the shikon shard's jyaki." He deduced.
Shippo looked up. "That's probably it!"
Just then Inuyasha came in and was listening to the conversation with perturbed interest. Kagome looked up and instantly silenced from anything she was going to say, even if it was in his defense.
Shippo, not having noticed the hanyou's appearance, continued with his rant. "To think he would lose himself in that situation. He still has a ways to go!"
Myouga jumped up in agreement. "Yeah yeah!"
BONK!
Inuyasha punched both in the head and Kagome could see his eye twitch in annoyance. "Kagome…come with me outside." He asked politely.
Kagome made a move to get up, but before she knew it, Inuyasha carefully scooped her up bridal style. Already he could see her feet had been wrapped in bandages, but he could still smell the corrosive acid and the burned flesh. All of it his fault.
"Inuyasha?" Kagome blushed in his embrace, but was also worried with the expression he held.
On the high limb of the sacred god tree, Inuyasha carefully placed Kagome next to the truck and took a seat by her side. Sighing, he looked away. He knew what he wanted to say, but wasn't sure it'd come out right.
"You don't want other people to hear you?" She asked.
Inuyasha almost flinched at her tone. It wasn't because it was harsh or anything, but the fact that she acted as if nothing terrible had happened. Like he'd just picked her up from her world or they'd had another of their little spats. This, he felt, was much more serious. "Your feet…hurt, don't they?"
Kagome could almost hear a small whine come from his throat at he stared at her bandages. "Inuyasha?" It wasn't like him to get all worked up over these things. Naraku was ruthless and injuries were going to happen.
But then again back when Kohaku had cut Kagome's arm while under Naraku's command, Inuyasha had been insistent on trying to help her even then.
Scoffing, Inuyasha openly berated himself in front of the only person he knew wouldn't chastise him back. "Geez, I sure got a long way to go." Shippo was right. I have to become more diligent in my training if I have any chance of defeating Naraku. Otherwise, Kagome – you'll only keep getting hurt until one day…you'll get killed – just like Kikyo – and I'll be left alone. I don't want that to happen. "I'm sorry…that you got hurt." He said finally.
"No, it's ok." Kagome replied gently. "If you hadn't been there, we wouldn't have been saved. Besides…" Her tone and following smile made Inuyasha look over curiously. "I was sorta happy back then…" She turned to her hanyou and her smile only widened as their eyes met. "I was happy to be there for you." Every time she got in the way, Kagome always felt she was nothing but a burden – fighting a battle that wasn't really hers, besides taking back the shards.
She had remained by Inuyasha's side, despite the fact her love would never be returned, because she wanted to help him and elevate any pain he felt or hardships he would be forced to endure. She wanted him to live a happy life…And back then when she'd saved him from being taken over by the shard's jyaki, she felt she'd finally proven herself and her usefulness.
"Kagome…" Inuyasha was speechless. Here was the girl who'd been injured because of his weakness, and she was happy to just be with him. Even though I told her I plan to leave with Kikyo, she's still remained by my side.
Kagome, knowing he felt bad about what happened, conveyed her thanks and feelings by leaning against him gently, the way she'd done after forgiving him for leaving her behind when chasing after a rumor of Kikyo's survival. It was a silent message she knew he got instantly when he leaned back and the two simply stared into the horizon with its reds and oranges of the setting sun.
Kagome, you know what? During that time when the darkness seemed to be closing in…I was happy…Happy that you there too. Thanks…
Ending Thoughts – Okay so nothing really original there, it just covers the last episode. I wanted to start here because I really liked it and wanted to add more thoughts and feelings to it. Now I plan to ease into my saga by ending the plot lines the anime seems to have left hanging. The manga has wrapped up some so those of you who read the manga will know where the scenes come from.
Also, I am not exactly a Kikyo-hater. I am definitely pro Kag/Inu and Sango/Mir but I don't do a whole lot of Kikyo bashing or OOC to make her into a bitch. I keep it about the level of the anime or as I would expect to see her conveyed. I want you now because the next chapter does have a Kikyo/Inu scene and Kikyo-haters will just have to endure. No Flames because you have been forth-warned!