Chapter one: The Final Battle (Revised)

A/N: I'm going to try to fix the mistakes 15 year old me made haha.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho

My mother told me I had a chameleon soul
no moral compass pointing due north, no fixed personality;
just an inner indecisiveness that was as wide and as wavering as the ocean...

-Lana Del Rey

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Kagome's POV

My vision is blurred. I can't stop the trail of tears that continue to fall steadily. Sango is ahead of me, grabbing my hand, running. She's caked in blood, as am I. Is this it? The grip she has on my hand is tight, as if she's scared that I might slip away. I glance at my other hand, Kiara. She's too injured to even walk. Looking back I see the gruesome battlefield getting more and more distant. The final battle is over. Naraku is dead, but of course there's a catch.

I've been training for this day, training to make a difference to the group, and here I am, running. Sesshomaru had taken the liberty of training me in the art of hand to hand combat and sword fighting. My two katanas feeling heavy at my side this very moment. Kaede had helped me perfect my archery, my precision and accuracy were deadly. Even Midorku spent countless of hours training me. She came to me in my dreams teaching me all there is to know about myself and my powers, which have far exceeded hers.

Yet the battle was still close, too close.

It was tough, we were evenly matched. Inuyasha was fighting, not letting up on Naraku, attack after attack; that is, until Kikyo showed up, Inuyasha's one and only weakness. "KIKYO!" My head snapped in time to see Kikyo snatched off her feet by Naraku. "Inuyasha, do you dare take a step closer? In a flick of my wrist I can have your precious Kikyo ripped to pieces" Naraku taunted.

All the while, Sango was battling Kohaku. She's bleeding heavily, a large gash across her shoulder. I can hear her sobs from where I stand. Her frame is shaking from the exhaustion, I can feel my heart ripping at the scene. To the far right of her, Miroku was close by, battling side by side with Kouga against Kagura. Kouga was bleeding from his torso but he was still in better shape than Miroku. Miroku's speed has slowed considerably but his eyes burn with a fire I've never seen the Monk have before this day. Pulling back an arrow, I can sense Sesshomaru was surely on his way.

Shooting quickly and accurately, I dismantled Naraku's arm. He hissed out in pain as Inuyasha took the chance to swiftly catch Kikyo and jump out of harms way. I felt my heart skip a beat. I knew this wasn't the time and this wasn't the place but the dread that filled my very bones was way too prominent to ignore. I'll always be second to the dead priestess but as long as he's happy and we make it out alive; she'll be happy as well.

Diverting my attention to Sango, I saw her on her knees. Kohaku's weapon lifted high in the air. My eyes widen with realization as I sprinted towards her.

"SANGO! NO!" In that split second Kohaku's hand came down, hitting a slightly pink barrier. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. I managed to put up a barrier just in time. Sango's head snapped towards me, her eyes hollow and swollen. "Kagome, why? Just let me die" she begged. I ran over to her, swiftly kicking Kohaku's weapon out of his hand as he moved to attack again.

"No Sango. I will never let you die if it is in my power. You're my sister and I refuse to let anything happen to you. You know Kohaku isn't himself. He's controlled by Naraku and until Naraku is destroyed he can't rest in piece." Sango looked up at me, her eyes held pain but her strength was returning. She stood up slowly, hanging her head, I can see her tears falling to the ground.

She looked up at Kohaku and softly whispered, "I'm sorry Kohaku, I love you.", and in one motion she jumped over him, pushing him to the ground. He struggled under her as she hesitated to reach for the shard. Screams were heard in the background as Kouga flew into a tree and Sesshomaru mercilessly destroyed Kagura. Time seemed to slow for the demon slayer though, as she dug her hand into his back, finally removing the shard. She turned Kohaku around and wiped the tears from his young face. His breathing was light but rought as he looked at Sango for the last time; finally seeing her for who she is. Hardly above a slight whisper Kohaku spoke tenderly for the very last time, "Thank you Sister. I'm s-so sorr-y."

Sango closed his eyes as he breathed his last breath. Glancing at me, I felt helpless. Her hair was a mess and her bottom lip quivered as she fought the tears that were threatening to spill. "Sango.. I'm so sor-", she interrupted me with a slight smile, catching me off guard. "It's okay Kagome. At least he's free.", looking her directly in the eyes, I nod. I watched her straighten out, "Let's finish that retched demon" she said, glaring over at Naraku. I gave her one last worried look and with that we both took off.

"HIRAKOSHU!" Sango's boomerang sliced off Naraku's arm, another one growing back in it's place.

" Hn. It's about time you guys helped out" came Inuyasha's gruff voice. I rolled my eyes sending 3 arrows towards Naraku. At the same time Sesshomaru quickly attacked, slicing Naraku right in the back. Blood covered the floor as Naraku jumped away, heavily injured. Just then both Kouga and Miroku joined the battle, Naraku was surrounded. Notching an arrow, I said loud and clear, "You have no were to run Naraku. You're surrounded, it's over."

Naraku let a smile slide as he taunted me, "You really think so miko?" At that moment, he let out Miasma, blinding everyone and attacking instantly. He went straight for the weakened and vulnerable Kikyo. Gasping, I made a move to protect her before even thinking. Piercing my shoulder was a tentacle, blood dripping down my torso quick and thick. Biting my lip to keep from screaming I retaliated by grabbing his tentacle and purifying it all the way to his shoulder. The amount of energy destroying half his body. I fall on one knee, breathing heavy I glanced up to see Kikyo looking at me with an unreadable expression.

"KAGOME! KIKYO!" Inuyasha yelled, annoying me instantly. He was the half demon, why didn't he react quicker? Looking at him, I shakily stood, holding back a groan as the blood continued to flow. "Inuyasha, we're fine, attack Naraku while he's weak." With a slight nod he disappeared. Looking to the left I see a horde of demons coming for Kikyo and I.

I hear Kikyo's arrows whizzing by me. I flinch as I try to grab for an arrow, we won't be able to hold them off.

Before I knew it, a giant boomerang flew past my head as I heard Sango yell to me, "Kagome are you alright?" I look at her with a small smile, worry evident in her eyes. "Yes. Thank you." She smiles and quickly gets up to continue fighting the horde with Kiara. Reaching for my shoulder I wasted no time, focusing my energy into my hand, I healed my shoulder enough to stop the bleeding. Quickly grabbing an arrow, I took the moment to look around.

I see the boys off in the distance, they're struggling to end the battle. Inuyasha is sporting a heavy wound on his leg, slowing his speed and accuracy. Sesshomaru is wounded on his shoulder, affecting him offensively. Kouga is breathing hard, struggling to stay up, bleeding excessively from his back now. Miroku is kneeling, barely conscious as he continuously puts up barriers for him or his comrades on short notice.

Sluggishly I begin making my way towards them, I can't just sit and watch. This was all my fault; the reason for this battle is because of me. I should of never shattered the Jewel, I need to end this. As I made my way over towards Naraku, I see Sango stop, then Kouga.
Miroku looks up as Naraku stops attacking and Sesshomaru steps back allowing me to continue towards the enemy.
Inuyasha glances at me, making eye contact, he nods his head in understanding and follows a few paces behind me.

"So the Miko's still alive eh? Not for long" Naraku chuckles. He shot out a tentacle as I reached for an arrow, ignoring the excruciating pain. His speed has slowed considerably, his tentacles contain half of their usual strength and energy. It was almost over. I shoot my arrow, using all the energy I can possibly muster, slicing the tentacle in half hitting him straight on.

Bingo.

The field is filled with his agonizing screams as everyone attacks one last time.

Then there is silence, it's finally over. My eyes glaze over as I slowly make my way to his half of the jewel. Picking it up, I combine it with my half, it's finally complete.

Then suddenly the earth starts to shake. All the demons that once made Naraku have been are freed. Looking up, the sky is black filled with hungry demons. I turn to stare at the group that so desperately wants a break. "KAGOME RUN! Get away, take the jewel and go back home", yelled Inuyasha. I shook my head, there was no way I would leave now.

"I won't leave you guys. I won't!" I yelled desperate for him to understand. Next thing I knew Inuyasha threw me to Sango, "Go." Sango nodded her head and while giving me Kiara, took off running, holding my hand. "NO!" I tried to protest but my body was too tired. I looked at Inuyasha, tears falling down my face. "No.." I whispered.

He watched us go and barely loud enough for me to hear said, "Be safe Kagome."