Darkness was closing in; hazel optics lifted to the starry skies high above her. Trouble was brewing and she could feel it. A shudder ran the length of her spine, the eerie feeling creeping into her heart and taking up permanent residence. It had been silent far too long, they all knew it; the power Naraku held was growing stronger with each passing day. He fed evil and darkness into his nearly completed Shikon no Tama, tainting it to beyond recognition. If only… If only she could get it into her own hands. Then perhaps she would be able to purify it, to make it holy once more. Kicking at the ground with the toe of her shoe, she sighed, thinking for a moment that she might return to the camp. This was not her first sleepless night- no in fact she'd been up and out of bed many nights the last month. Though, that night in particular she couldn't quite say what kept her up. She felt as if something was calling out to her… Calling her to that very spot.
Footsteps sounded and she turned slightly, lips curving into a smile as the silver-haired hanyou approached. "InuYasha," she greeted softly, sounding apologetic as she stepped back to face him completely. His face was impassive, although his golden eyes were tinted with concern. "I'm sorry I woke you," she said, feeling guilty, always forgetting just how amazing his hearing was. There never was a chance of sneaking off when InuYasha was around. InuYasha shook his head, hands tucked into the sleeves of his red cloak; he had been awake when she had slipped from the campsite, but he had let her go off for a few moments. He had followed only after his nose had detected something besides her scent. Now that he stood there, the scent was gone and he supposed it had been nothing. He could not stop himself from staring at her, silent, taking in the sight of her, hair tousled from sleep, face aglow in the moonlight. Kagome was a creature of mystery to him… Beautiful, stubborn, strong…. Did he mention stubborn? Long ago, he would have looked into her face and seen another…But now he looked upon her and only saw who she truly was. He knew the feeling in his stomach, in his heart, as he had felt it one time before. He had sworn he'd never feel it again, and yet there it was. Kagome had breathed life back into him.
He opened his mouth to speak but at that moment a scent was inhaled and his calm demeanor darkened. He spun on the spot, his sword unsheathing and literally coming to life "InuYasha?" Kagome's voice was full of surprise, but being human, she did not react to scents as he did. Instead, she had to rely on her mystic powers that she was still coming to understand and control. It was only a moment later that she sensed it, the Shikon no Tama! "Naraku," she breathed, the familiar aura making itself known to her senses.
InuYasha didn't have a moment to even speak before the demon was appearing, manifesting himself before their very eyes, with his wicked barrier around him. "So, you finally show yourself," InuYasha snarled, his golden eyes narrowing, though a mocking laugh escaped his lips. "We thought you'd finally given up," he continued, all cocky confidence as usual. Naraku's calm demeanor was not unusual, but Kagome felt a knot twisting within her stomach as his eyes fell upon her. Her own eyes locked on the dark resonating glow of the tainted Shikon Jewel, before they returned to Naraku's face, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. From behind came running footsteps, as the others within their party arrived on scene, both Sango and Miroku with the demon cat Kiara full-sized and growling.
"Stand aside, for once it isn't you I'm interested in." Naraku spoke, his booming voice causing a snarl to leave InuYasha's lips. The hanyou could see where his line of vision went- right over his shoulder. InuYasha glanced back, to where Kagome stood behind him, clutching tightly to her bow that Sango had apparently brought to her. Kagome? He thought, turning back around, the Tessaiga gripped tightly in his hands. Naraku could not help but to chuckle as the half-witted hanyou stayed his ground, that blasted sword of his held a little tighter, his body protectively before the girl's. Well, no matter… He'd have what he wanted either way.
"Kagome, stay back," InuYasha commanded with a toss of his silver hair, his golden eyes narrowing slightly. He would never let Naraku take her- he would die before he let that happen. The howling wind began to surround the blade, the Kaze no Kizu beginning to manifest. InuYasha wasn't sure what he would do- that damn barrier of Naraku's was impossible to break. But he had to try- if nothing else, he could protect Kagome.
Heeding his words, Kagome stepped back, not wishing to be in the way, nor an easy target. The others flanked her, Sango standing to the left and Miroku to the right, their faces set with determination. "Protect her," InuYasha barked, before he leapt off the hillside, his sword raised high. The Tessaiga began to glow and in an instant became encrusted with diamonds. "Kongosoha!" He bellowed as he brought his sword down; the sword unleashed a barrage of diamond shrapnel that slammed against Naraku's barrier. As the dust cleared and InuYasha landed back on his feet, they could all see that it was as if he had not even attacked. Naraku folded his arms across his chest, laughter bubbling from his cruelly twisted mouth.
"InuYasha!" Kagome gasped, bringing the attention back onto her as she pointed up; all eyes turned to follow her point, to see the tainted glow of the Shikon No Tama. "He's embedded it into his chest," she murmured, the concern written right onto her face. Though not yet complete, it gave him an enormous power boost- even a single shard was enough to give massive power to a demon, so to have him all but a few… It did not bode well for them, in truth. She could feel the strength of its evil power… Of his power. It was frightening.
"Still clinging to the power of the jewel, hah.. You're nothing without it." InuYasha scoffed, clearly unfazed by anything that had yet happened. That was him though, always confident, never worried. At least, not on the outside. "It don't matter, I'll take 'ya down." He shrugged, as if they spoke of the weather and that their very lives weren't at stake. Again he jumped, sword aimed and ready to strike. Tessaiga made contact with the barrier and all around InuYasha black, static energy rose up.
"You know that won't work," Naraku laughed, raising up a hand; a beam of dark energy shot out, striking InuYasha right in the chest. With a loud yelp, he was thrown backwards, Tessaiga slipping from his grip. He hit the ground hard, sliding a few foot before coming to a stop where he lay still, groaning in pain. Kagome gasped, seeing the injury to his chest; without thinking, she ran forwards, past Sango and Miroku who called out after her. "Too easy," Naraku closed his fingers into a fist and the same dark energy began to crackle around it, much like electricity. He threw open his hand a moment later and the black lightning began to rain down, stopping the young miko right in her tracks.
With a tiny cry, she threw her hands over her head, feet dancing as she tried to avoid the wicked lightning. It caught her several times before she felt arms around her waist, dragging her down and away to safety. Opening her eyes, she found herself face-to-face with InuYasha, who despite his injury, had thrown himself her way. "InuYasha," she murmured his name as he rose up, his face set with anger. As he stood, he pulled off his red cloak, draping it across her head and shoulders. He picked up Tessaiga and it transformed at his touch, and he held it up against his shoulder as he turned to look upon Naraku.
Naraku raised up his hands, the lightning forming once more as he cackled maniacally from above them; his eyes turned from the hanyou to the human girl, and then to the others, who had not yet made their moves… He knew, without a single doubt, that he could destroy them. Without lifting a finger, he could crush them into dust. But, though he hated to admit it, he needed them. Well, at least he needed the girl and he needed her alive. She was the only one able to detect the Shikon No Tama shards, aside from Kikyo, but that wretched woman was last on his list. No, this girl would certainly do. Unfurling his fingers, the dark energy released from his palm; InuYasha leapt aside, grimacing slightly as his free hand came up to press against his slightly bleeding wound. It was painful, but certainly not the worst injury he'd experienced. Another wave of the lightning and then another had him dodging, one spark catching him in the left arm. He heard Kagome calling out to him and he could not help but to turn and look upon her: she was standing, his red cloak draped over her head, her one free hand holding it together at her chest. Her dark eyes were wide and round with fear but he had to look away. He had a battle to face. Whipping back around, his sword held tight, he headed straight back to Naraku.
Kagome felt her stomach turn over as InuYasha leapt towards Naraku once more. Her eyes swiveled up, to focus on Naraku and the eerie dark glow of the Shikon No Tama. InuYasha needed her help… She had to do something… Anything… Biting her lower lip, she felt a shiver race down her spine as yet again, InuYasha made contact with the barrier around Naraku. There was no taking it down, at least, not by force. And then it hit her! Throwing back the red cloak, she grabbed a single arrow from the quiver on her back. If the Tessaiga could not break down the barrier, then perhaps one of her purifying arrows could. Taking a deep breath, she put the arrow to her bow and took aim; the tip of the arrow began to glow a soft pink and as she released it, the light grew brighter, stronger. The arrow hit its mark and like she had hoped, the barrier flickered and then faded from sight. Kagome let out a proud cheer, a fist pumped into the air, her eyes falling onto Naraku who's face turned dark with surprised anger.
He had not anticipated such an occurrence, he was strong, too strong for them he had thought. Even Kikyo's arrow had been unable to break his barrier. Turning, he fixed his red eyes upon her, his hand raised up. But before he could make a move, the Kaze no Kizu was crashing into him. Naraku felt his body tear apart, the Shikon no Tama hovering amongst the pieces. That was it, now his anger was rising; the jewel began to flicker and at once he felt his body began to repair itself.
InuYasha touched down beside Kagome, who reached for him instantly, her hand warm on his elbow. "The jewel is giving him so much power," she said, shouldering her bow, eyes darkening. Already Naraku was fully formed, his laughter ringing in their ears. He lifted a hand and the black energy began to gather, sparking and white-hot in his palm; the attack came straight for them and InuYasha grabbed her, yanking her away just in the nick of time. "Look out!" She cried, pointing over his shoulder to the second wave of power coming right for them. Even InuYasha, with his enhanced skills and reflexes could not dodge in time. But, he could still protect her. He grabbed her, wrapping his arms around her as the attack hit, the dark lightning enveloping them. He could not completely shield her, he could feel each flinch, hear each little gasp as the lightning caught her. He held her tighter as the power around them increased, Naraku throwing a third wave of energy their way. This one was stronger than ever and InuYasha tightened his limbs, as if this would help protect him. In his arms, Kagome was going limp, her knees buckling beneath her own weight; the attack was continually surrounding them, cutting them down until finally, InuYasha tumbled down. Half conscious, he still managed to turn, breaking her fall with his own body. She groaned, rolling to the side, falling still at his side. InuYasha could hear both Sango and Miroku calling out to him- heard the distinct swing of Sango's boomerang as she threw it in a desperate attempt to stop what was about to happen.
From above, Naraku looked down over them, wondering if he should just end things now.. But, he knew he could not control the power of the nearly complete Shikon no Tama- no, he needed that girl alive. And he could not risk accidentally killing her. But, he was growing impatient and was no longer interested in the battle. Lifting a hand, it instead resurrected a barrier around Kagome, who still lay unconscious beside InuYasha. He reacted immediately, reaching for her, unable to reach her of course. "No!" He bellowed as the barrier lifted off the ground and then vanished from sight. Kagome reappeared a second later, dropping into Naraku's open arms, his barrier rising up around the both of them. InuYasha, ignoring the pain of his own body, leapt up with his sword swinging. It came down on the barrier and he was thrown backwards. "Kagome!" He screamed, jumping up once more, sword coming down yet again. He couldn't let her go, he couldn't let him take her! "Kagome!" His sword came down and Naraku raised a hand, a beam of energy throwing him back onto the ground with a hard thud. As he came back up, Naraku was laughing, his barrier beginning to vanish from sight. "No… NO!" InuYasha yelled, jumping up, the sword coming down as the barrier vanished, and the force of the swing brought him back to the ground once more.
Tessaiga cast aside, InuYasha hit his knees, head thrown back to stare at the empty sky above him. Approaching footsteps told him that Sango and Miroku were gathering around him and it was a moment later that he felt Miroku's hand on his shoulder. "I let her go… I let him take her…"
[ x x x ]
She woke with a start, her skin sweaty and hot, fear and pain pulsating through her body. Groaning, she stretched out, every inch of her body screaming out in protest. Her chest felt tight, even tighter now that she woke, and she felt her lungs struggle to catch a breath. Opening her eyes, she blinked, her vision somewhat blurry. Forcing herself upright, she cast her gaze all around, taking in her unfamiliar surroundings. Slowly, everything began to come back to her; leaving the camp, talking to InuYasha, Naraku… Gasping, she spun, dark hair swinging as her brown eyes fell upon his form in the doorway. He smirked, a chuckle escaping as he came towards her, for once walking freely without his barrier. He had no need for that here. "You live," he greeted, standing above her, red eyes meeting hers. "Drenched in my miasma and you still wake so soon, impressive," he continued, her eyes following him as he stepped around her, to stand at her backside instead. Kagome froze, fear immobilizing her… What was he planning on doing with her? Naraku knew he had made the right choice in taking her- it was proving to be profitable for him in more than one way. "But you are weak," he observed, noting the burns across her body all caused by him, he could see the pallor of her skin, the bruises on her face. "Soon you will be strong and then… Then you will help me."
"No!" She suddenly cried out, whipping around, pinning him with her bright brown eyes. "No, I won't help you do anything," she spat, shaking her head, her mouth a permanent frown. A moment later, she knew she'd said the wrong thing; Naraku grabbed her by the throat, yanking her upwards, slamming her into the wall just behind them. A strangled cry escaped her lips as she clawed at his hand, his grip vice-like against her windpipe.
"You will help me. You will do anything and everything I say or else I will take away the one person who matters most to you." He hissed, his face inches from hers, mad in the darkness of the tainted Shikon no Tama- in that moment, Kagome could see that the strength of the jewel was only enhancing his evil, twisting him into a creature of complete sin. Her hand reached out, finger tips falling against the very spot in his chest that held the jewel- at the slight touch of her fingers, a bright, white light began to shine from the inside of the blackened jewel. Naraku let out a yelp and threw her down, leaving her gasping and writhing on the floor at his feet. He stepped back, momentarily befuddled by what had just transpired. At the lightest of touches, she had begun to purify the Shikon no Tama, giving him a slight indication of her power levels. Incredible. "If you want InuYasha and your other friends to live, then consider yourself mine."
[ x x x ]
The girl had survived.
Naraku was hardly surprised by her any longer- in these last few days, as he sunk her deeper and deeper into the darkness, he was becoming increasingly more aware of her strength. Kagome refused, at first, to allow the darkness to take her; she was strong-willed, stubborn, and though her body could not, her mind continued to fight. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he had nearly broken her; there were moments that he saw it in her, rebellion, but it was fading as quickly as it had come. Now, she sat before him, head bowed, long dark hair flowing down her back, someone entirely different from who he had brought here. She was weak, her human body deteriorating from the miasma, but it wouldn't take him long to get what he needed from her.
"Can you see them?" He asked quietly and she nodded, her lips quivering, eyes darkening for one single moment. There it was, that spark of who she once was, fighting to be free once more. "Where?"
"Mount Hakurei." Her vocals were soft, her mind drifting to the face of the person who held the shard. Kikyo would be waiting for an attack from Naraku, that much she was certain of… However… Kagome knew, without a doubt, that Naraku would take her down. There was too much strength brought to him from the Shikon no Tama- unless she could stop him herself, things were bound to go from bad to worse. Kagome looked up, her piercing gaze falling upon Naraku's face as the unspoken words settled between them. "Kohaku carries the others." She finished, as her own jewel shards were no longer in her possession. There were only the two shards left.
A malevolent smile flashed and Naraku nodded, sitting back, his red eyes falling upon her face. He had
[ x x x ]
InuYasha had not spoken for days.
To his relief, Miroku and Sango left him alone for the most part, though both had tried on a few occasions to open him up. But he simply could not, he couldn't bring himself to speak her name, let alone speak of her. In the last few days, he had done nothing but search- he looked everywhere, searched high and low for any sign of her, any lingering trace of her scent. There was nothing. Every time he closed his eyes, there was her face. Every time he lay down to rest, there was her voice. She was everywhere.
It was late, the middle of the night, when something stirred InuYasha from his sleep. Blinking awake, he rubbed his eyes, before the scent caught his nose. Kagome! He was on his feet at once, leaping into the tree above the camp. He heard Sango calling after him, clearly woken by the snapping of a tree branch, but he went on without even a backwards glance. It wasn't only Kagome that he smelled though, Naraku's scent overlapped hers, not as strong, but there nonetheless. Just wait for me, Kagome, I will save you this time!
He broke out of the treetops and into a clearing illuminated by the moonlight; standing in the middle, with her back to him, was Kagome. Gone were her usual clothes, replaced by elaborate robes of dark purple and black; she didn't move as he approached, making him wonder if she had even realized he was there. "Kagome…" His vocals soft as he reached out a hand, gently taking her by the shoulder, turning her to face him. At once, he jumped back, shock and then anger flooding his features. "What the hell has he done to you…" He muttered, shaking his head, amber eyes taking in the sight of her. She was pale, thin, her eyes so unlike the eyes he was used to peering into. Instead, these eyes were cold and distant, her typically smiling mouth down-turned.
"InuYasha!"
Naraku's booming voice erupted across the land, filling his ears and alerting his comrades to his whereabouts. Both Sango and Miroku had woken to find InuYasha gone and had been searching for him; now they raced to his side, to stumble into the clearing and onto the scene. "Kagome!" Sango's surprised voice called out, her dark eyes widening at the sight of her dear friend. "What's happened to her? Look at her clothes…" Miroku felt the demonic aura surrounding her, so unlike her usually bright one; he felt his heart turnover, recognizing the feeling he got only a moment later… She was bathed in Naraku's miasma, drenched in it, and it had changed her. Miroku reached out to gently touch Sango's arm, for he could see the trauma it caused her to see Kagome in such a state; Sango offered him a quick flash of a smile, but it was gone as she turned back to the scene before them.
"I would introduce you… But I think you already know one another." Naraku's voice boomed once more as he appeared in the sky, his barrier around him. His mouth was curling with a malicious smile as he laughed, red eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "She can no longer hear your voices." Below him, InuYasha jerked his head upwards, golden eyes narrowing sharply. "Kagome," he barked, watching with interest as the young woman straightened up, her own gaze lifting to meet his. "Do it."
InuYasha… InuYasha… Please… I can't… Kagome's thoughts were whirling, her mind foggy as it was, still tried to fight for control. The miasma was slowly poisoning her, slowly killing her… She couldn't let these be her final acts. But she had lost all control of her body, she was too weak to do anything against Naraku's evil grip on her heart. Her hands raised up, a powerful black light beginning to gather between her palms; before her, InuYasha started, his eyes widening slightly. "Inu…. Yasha…" Her lips moved, the vocals too quiet for any human to hear. But he heard them… And so did Naraku. Pulling back her right arm, the swirling power still in her hand, she then extended it out, right into InuYasha's abdomen as his strong arms came around her.
The attack was powerful. It hit him like a ton of bricks, throwing him backwards; but he didn't let her go. He couldn't let her go. He dragged her down with him, rolling twice, forcing her below him. "Kagome!" She was shaking her head back and forth, her eyes flickering, her lips moving with silent words. "Kagome, can you hear me? Kagome!" I have to get her back! She was fighting against him then, struggling hard, her distant eyes on his face as she finally freed her hand. Pushing it against his chest, she released another beam of energy, which sent him flying backwards with a yell. Struggling up onto her feet, it all became very apparent to those around her: she was dying.
"We have to do something!" Sango cried, turning to Miroku, grasping his arm, her eyes shining with her desperation. "Look at her!" Both pairs of eyes turned back to the young woman, struggling to remain upright, her face white as death, but her eyes cold despite the tears gathering within them. "The miasma he's using to control her, it's killing her!" They could only watch as a soft light began to glow around her, miasma rising up from her feet, her lips parting to release a laugh that mirrored Naraku's.
InuYasha felt his desperation growing; the situation was going from bad to worse, very quickly. His hand curled into a fist, jaw clenched, eyes narrowed. "Naraku… I'll never forgive you for this," he muttered, eyes flashing, his temper rising. He had never felt such a hatred in all of his life, it was blinding, his fury, and he turned to focus it on Naraku. But he had other plans. Raising up his hand, Naraku laughed as Kagome darted forwards, a shallow cry leaving her lips as she lunged at the hanyou. With every flexing muscle, with every movement of her hand, Kagome executed another maneuver. InuYasha ducked and moved, dodging every move that he could, until one single hit caught him in the rib cage, throwing him backwards. Remaining upright, he slid back, growling in his fury. Kagome was several foot away, her shoulders curving inward, her knees wobbling beneath her.
"N-no…" She was murmuring softly, but each phrase InuYasha could hear as if she were screaming them. "Please… Run…" She was stumbling forwards, hands up over her ears, eyes squeezed shut; from above, Naraku looked on in surprise. Was she truly still fighting his control? The woman was stronger than he had originally given her credit for. And in truth, he could already detect a trace amount of her returning spiritual power. No, I had squashed that… I had made her mine… How is she… Naraku curled his hand into a fist and Kagome let out a piercing scream.
The pain was unbearable, both mental and physical; her eyes opened, her vision blurry, but she could still make out his form in the distance. I won't let him control me any longer. I won't fight InuYasha, I won't hurt him! I'll die first! "I… Won't…! I won't!" Kagome threw her hands down, the poisonous purple light around her suddenly fading, replaced by instead a soft, pale blue glow. She was full of power, overflowing, every ounce of her suppressed spiritual power returning all at once. Taking a deep breath, the light then died away, leaving her to stagger forwards and begin to fall.
InuYasha was there at once, diving to the ground, catching her, saving her. He held her close, well aware of the dire need to get her medical attention. Old Lady Kaede, that was her only hope. But… He looked up, to where Naraku floated above them yet. A battle would still surely ensue… His red eyes were glowing in the darkness, his shock clearly evident, but his tone cocky when he finally did speak. "Enjoy your final moments with that woman. Once she is dead, I will pluck her soul from hell and use it for my bidding. And then, there will be no escaping." He was gone then, to return to his stronghold, to ponder what had just happened… and to plot his next move.
"She needs help and she needs it now," Miroku was upon them, Sango at his heels. "Careful, you mustn't move her much, the poison will spread…" He directed as InuYasha stood, gently lifting Kagome, keeping her as stable as he possibly could. "The village isn't that far," the monk continued, but InuYasha was already taking off, running as fast as his feet could possibly take him. He was aware of Miroku and Sango following close behind on Kirara, their hushed tones still reaching his ears. Don't worry Kagome, InuYasha thought, giving her a gentle squeeze, I won't let you die.