The following may seem as if I began in the middle of the story, but the beginning is very significant. It is the reason for all the consequences that happen in the following chapters. This is the Prologue to the story.
Some of the references made in the story may be unknown and seem could not be part of the actual storyline of Inuyasha. Most of these come from the manga series which differs—slightly only, but some. If ever you get your hands on the manga, read it devoutly, it is a beautiful story—not to say that the anime was not close to the manga, it really is.
Standard Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha—that is really sad, if only I was that imaginative—nor any are any of the characters of Inuyasha the manga or anime of my creation. I will not receive anything from the publishing of this story. I will say this, this story, however, is mine. It is from my mind. Any new characters that I create are also mine. Enjoy!
The Significance of Letting Go: A Story of Inuyasha and Company
Prologue
His eyes shined with the intensity of his emotions, "Don't you dare hurt her, Naraku," Inuyasha growled. A chill went down Kagome's spine. He sounded different; she knew what that difference was, Inuyasha had transformed.
She glanced down at his right hand; he still gripped the Tetsusaiga! How could he transform if the Tetsusaiga was still firmly gripped in his hand. Tetsusaiga was more than a weapon, it held the demon side of Inuyasha in check; but, yet, he still transformed to save her.
Sesshoumaru was thinking along the same lines but he knew even more. Inuyasha, his half-breed half-brother, was radiating a power that was greater even than their father. And his scent—that was the most curious thing. Inuyasha's blood smelled as both full demon and human. The scent was not mingled denoting a half-breed, but each distinct of each other and yet the same. Right now the demon scent was overpowering the human scent. What's more, his scent and power seemed to be wrapping around that human girl he was always with.
Even if Kagome could not smell the scent surround her, she could feel the power. The tinkling fear that had been creeping down her spine gave way to a much warmer feeling. She felt comfort and safety surround her and she was no longer afraid for herself or Inuyasha. She felt something else also, but she could not quite place the feeling. This feeling was also causing something to happen with herself.
Suddenly, Inuyasha turned to face her, his demon-red eyes burrowing into her brown ones. Yet, she felt nothing but a softness, gentleness, and…love.
"I would never let anything or anyone hurt you, Kagome," he said, "If anything where to ever happen to you it would be like a piece of me died."
"Inuyasha…" Kagome sighed.
"How touching," Naraku sneered, "looks like I'll have to kill you both then. He shot black miasma toward the engrossed couple.
"Kagome!" Sango and Shippou cried at the same time Mirouku shouted at Inuyasha.
Sesshoumaru's eyes widened when he felt it. The girl's power grew and began to encompass Inuyasha, then…explosion!
The group stood in shock as the dust hid the sorrowful sight.
Sesshoumaru stood up from his fighting stance and looked to Naraku, "You are a fool, Naraku; you are no different than my brother was, Half-Breed."
"Ku ku ku," Naraku crackled, "But I am still alive and stronger."
Sesshoumaru smirked as the dust began to clear from where the couple had stood. Everyone started at the scene that was before them.
Within a glowing silvery white barrier stood Inuyasha and Kagome, not even bothered by the blow Naraku had dealt. Kagome stood glowing with the same glow as the barrier. Inuyasha was also giving off a flow but it was a deep red and instead of encompassing the couple, it seemed to be passing into Kagome. And most shocking, they were…KISSING.
"Hey, what do you think you are doing with MY Kagome," Kouga yelled. Inuyasha looked up and Kouga swallowed his tongue. As Inuyasha turned to face Naraku, Kagome turned her face to see Kouga, sorrow and apology evident.
Kouga bowed his head in acquiescence. He had lost her. Maybe, I had never had her, he thought morosely, but couldn't fault me for trying. He looked at Inuyasha again and felt the change that had occurred within the dog demon. Maybe the better man won out.
"Now, Naraku, I am going to kill you," Inuyasha growled.
"Ku ku ku," Naraku sneered.
"Kagome, your arrow," Inuyasha said, "Show me the path."
"Right," Kagome nodded as she drew her bow. She began to sight Naraku and with a quick movement, shot her arrow.
"It's too high, Kagome," Shippou shouted.
No it is not, Sesshoumaru thought, it is showing a path. Something shimmered in the trail, something that tugged at his mind. Then he saw what his bother was trying to do. The arrow made a path of pure energy, with the ability to be able to create a larger and more powerful…WINDSCAR!
Yelling out, Inuyasha brought the Tetsusaiga down breaking through Kagome's power stream. Diamond spears and the powered up Cutting Wind flew towards Naraku. Too late Naraku realized the power of this cutting wind; he was hit.
"You got him, Inuyasha," Mirouku shouted.
As the energy dissipated, Inuyasha still stood at the ready. Damn, almost got him, thought Inuyasha frustrated, Where is he?
"Inuyasha," Kagome queried, "Where did he go?"
"I don't know," stated Inuyasha.
Finally, where Naraku had stood, the dust cleared. Nothing of the landscape was at all disturbed; it was pristine.
Naraku stared in wonderment from his hiding place. His blow was that well focused, Naraku realized, all the energy towards the target and nothing more. I need time. Then he vanished.
"What's that," Shippou pointed to the ground where Naraku had stood. Something was…beating…on the ground.
"Kagura-sama's heart," yelled Rin, running towards it. Sesshoumaru stopped her as she went past. "Sesshoumaru-sama," Rin queried looking up worriedly.
Inuyasha finally relaxed, "He's gone; he's escaped again." He sheathed his sword. "Kagome, Kagura's heart…you should purify it and set her free."
"Yeah," Kagome went past and picked up the weakening heart stone. Closing her eyes, the earlier glow surrounded her again and then past into the blackening heart. As the heart stone brightened to a red, it began to rise from Kagome's hand. It flew past the watchful eyes of Sesshoumaru and Rin's astonished face. As it hovered over Kagura's immobile body, it began to pulse. Finally, with a flashed of light, it entered her body. Color finally began to creep back into her face; she moaned but fell unconscious again.
"Kagura-sama," Rin cried as she ran towards the demon-ness.
Kagome collapsed in exhaustion but Inuyasha was already by her side to catch her. "You did well, Kagome," he said to her softly, "Rest now; Naraku won't be back for awhile. I might not have destroyed him, but I did wound him a great deal, so he needs time—a lot of time."
Kagome smiled into amber eyes and shut her own, then promptly fell into a regenerative slumber. Inuyasha kissed her forehead and then cradled her in his arms.
"You should attend to your own mate, brother," Inuyasha finally said. Sesshoumaru startled then narrowed his eyes at his younger brother. He began to open his mouth to say something snide, but closed it as he looked into his brother's eyes in their half-breed state. Inuyasha turned away from Sesshoumaru, "Do not deny it, Sesshoumaru. Don't be a fool."
"I am never a fool," Sesshoumaru's calm exterior returned and then he also turned away. Walking towards Rin, who was kneeling over Kagura, he said to her, "Come, Rin, we are leaving." Rin looked up expectantly. "Jaken!"
"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama," Jaken finally came out from hiding.
"Take Rin," Sesshoumaru looked at her and she stood and smiled knowingly. She turned towards Jaken, and then promptly walked past him. Jaken stopped, surprise written all over his face, then he quickly turned and ran after her, "Hey, wait for me!"
As they disappeared into the forest, Jaken could still be heard scolding her, "Why didn't you do as you were told? You could have died, AGAIN. And why did you protect that woman? That Naraku would have no qualms about destroying you, then where would you have been, DEAD…AGAIN…" He obviously kept up the tirade, but they could no longer make out what he said.
Inuyasha jerked attentively and turned back around to face his brother as he spoke, "Has she really been freed from Naraku." He said it quietly, barely audible. If it had not been for Inuyasha's demon hearing, he would never have heard it.
"Yes," he replied just as low.
Sesshoumaru nodded, a small movement, barely noticeable, then reached down and picked up Kagura's unconscious form. He cradled her just as Inuyasha cradled Kagome, and then began walking toward the forest, where Rin and Jaken had disappeared.
When he was gone from sight, Inuyasha turned towards his friends, "We should go. Kagome needs to rest and we will do that at Kaede's." They all stared after him and he disappeared through the foliage around the clearing. After a second they all looked at each other, shrugged, then followed suit.