I am having such a hard time getting this damn thing done! Such a pain to have to go back but I know it's necessary. You know what is painful dealing with relationships? (Completely random) There is an area in a relationship, a gap if you would like to call it. Considered to be the falling out period, I myself am in such a thing and I tell you it can drive you mad. I'm not going into details because it will either piss me off or make me sad. But that gap sucks so bad! Anyway..:WARNING: Character death up ahead.
I can see hell in your eyes, a damnation that wants to swallow me whole. We are too far different and yet I still yearn for you. For something more than this, but if I reveal this to you. What would you do?
--
Kagome bedded down for the night as did the others. Rin and Shippo climbed to their respective sleeping areas and even Inuyasha seemed to relax against the nearest tree. Sango and Miroku had been gone for a while and Kagome smiled.
It was obvious that the young couple took the next step in their relationship. At the moment she looked to Inuyasha who opened his eyes once she did.
"What are you looking at wench?"
Now if there was someway that I could get him to reach out to me.
She turned away from him and let out a gusty sigh.
"Nothing, good night Inuyasha." He watched her cuddle into her sleeping bag the scent of resignation covered her. His ears flattened and he folded his hands into his sleeves.
I want to tell her how I feel but everything seems so tangled up with Kikyou in this world. I don't want to hurt either of them.
Sesshomaru stood and left no longer seeing the urge to stay. Rin and Jaken were all ready asleep so his departure was undisturbed. It would seem that he had a lot to think on, mostly the concern of what would happen after the demise of Naraku.
I'm going to make an empire, I all ready am sure of it. But that taijya...
He could still see her rolling eyes and unimpressed scent.
Obviously she doesn't think I'm anything special. But when she was dressing she kept me in her sights not trusting enough to put her back to me. Which was a very standard move of warriors..at least the woman's smart.
He came to stand on a great oak near the top of the tree. The smell of sex was finally clearing out and he was grateful. The taijiya's scent was still her own meaning the monk did not claim her fully.
Pity for him..I doubt anyone would make the same mistake. I certainly wouldn't if I were to have a mate.
He relaxed onto the branch and sat down closing his eyes, a light sleep came to him under the cover of branches.
--
Kouga decided to make camp further away from the others. He had just finished eating a fat boar and the blood was thick on his hands and face. It took him a while to find a body of water that wasn't anywhere near mutt face's camp.
The scent of sex reached his nostrils and they flared momentarily. His heart had jumped before relaxing. It was the slayer and monk not his precious Kagome and mutt face. Relief filled him as he washed the blood off in a pond, he examined his reflection giving it a charming smile.
There is no way that my woman could say no to me!
Returning to Ginta and Hakkaku they both gave questioning looks at the stupid grin on their leader's face. Shaking their heads, not needing to wonder what Kouga was thinking about. Both brothers stretched out on the forest floor and slept, surrounded by a few select wolves.
Kouga nodded his consent to the situation, leaning up against a tree he too slept but not before checking for anyone who could pose a threat. Sleep reached many of the occupants except for her.
Sango was still uneasy, Miroku had fallen asleep peacefully but the worry was etching deeper into her soul. She wanted to enjoy the moment..back in the afterglow but knew that it was impossible. A warm pair of lips kissed her cheek and she looked to see cobalt eyes half lidded.
"Relax Sango and live in the present. Whatever happens from here on in will be for fate to decide." Nodding and yawning, Sango curled up next to him it was a few minutes but suddenly her silent mantra for sleep allowed her the privilege.
--
The sun hadn't even come up when Kagome was shaken awake. She slapped the hand away but it persisted and then finally disappeared. Nuzzling into the pillow she was finally going to-- Her body was heaved into a strong body and the air pressed down on her when that body jumped.
There wasn't any time to think as the air was pressing down again. She had only relaxed minutely when silver strands and a red haori met her vision.
"Inuyasha what are you doing?" There wasn't any answer and Kagome shifted so she could look up into his amber eyes. Suddenly he stopped and he set her down on the thick branch. "What was that for--" Cut off, Kagome couldn't protest as her lips were being taken over by Inuyasha's. He pulled away from her and brought her into a hug that was starting to hurt.
"I'm sorry I've been so..me. All this time I thought not telling you how I feel would spare you from being hurt but...I'm sorry Kagome." Tears welled up in her eyes and she clung to him tighter.
"What brought this on Inuyasha?"
"I talked to Sesshomaru earlier and he gave me a nudge in the right direction." They parted but still held onto each other. Kagome searched his face..his eyes and saw what he was afraid to voice.
"You can tell me how you feel Inuyasha! I'm not leaving you, I promised I wouldn't." There was hesitation written all over him and she braced herself for being shut out once again.
I was foolish to think he could love me over Kikyou! I was foolish to think he could love me for being me!
He opened his mouth and Kagome inwardly cringed..this was it moment of truth..welcome humiliation!
"I love you."
Well I wasn't expecting that.
"But it's so confusing Kagome because I love Kikyou too. I want to be with you but then I feel like I'd be betray--"
"Shh." Her fingers were pressed into his lips keeping him from continuing. Honestly she didn't want to hear beyond the point of 'I love you.' "Inuyasha you have such a knack for ruining perfect moments. So far now..shut up." He looked taken back but she didn't care...couldn't care. "Let's watch the sunrise with out any words..please?"
A smiled graced his features and she crawled in his lap..each one watching the horizon neither saying anything. It was nice to just be near him..to exist..and to know he existed.
If he chooses Kikyou in the end..I'm just glad that he loves me.
His arms wrapped around her waist and she could feel him set his head on hers.
"Inuyasha..I've always been in love with you."
"Shh Kagome...it should be rising soon." Being compliant..Kagome relaxed once again and enjoyed the silence...the gorgeous sunrise...and the wonderful feeling of being in the arms of her love.
I know everything will be fine..because he loves me. Everything must be coming to a close. Naraku will soon be dead and happiness will come to those who deserve it.
--
The sun had risen and they began on their way, following the rumors of Naraku. It was a day like any other, Inuyasha was hostile and those who didn't want to get involved just kept walking. Rin and Shippo played tag dragging Kagome in with a playful tap to her leg.
"You're it Kagome-chan catch us!" With a lingering mountain of boredness, Kagome chased them around before yanking Shippo off the ground. His squeals of laughter tripled when she tickled him. Rin not wanting to miss out, ran up and tried to save her partner by tickling Kagome.
Which worked for a while as Kagome released Shippo in order to hold her sides. Her laughter drew attention and soon Kouga and Inuyasha stopped fighting. With determination, Kagome held onto Rin and tickled the young girl causing tears to gather.
"Please stop Kagome-chan!" Her laughter continued well on until after Kagome stopped. "That was fun! Can we do it again?" Kagome shook her head, wiping the tears from her eyes but smiling at the young girl.
"Not right now Rin-chan maybe later. I'm so winded!" From behind her so heard Inuyasha's rude remark.
"Keh weak human!" This time when it was spoken there was a fondness hidden beneath his words and Kagome kept pace with the others. To anyone else it would seem that nothing changed but his confession and her mutual response was a step in the right direction.
Sango and Miroku exchanged looks ahead of her and she could only guess that they had sensed a change in his tone but not the reason. Kouga defended her since he had know idea how Inuyasha felt about her. Kagome ignored them all and smiled into the passing wind.
Her heart felt lighter now that she knew he had felt the same about her. For years she had been hoping, waiting, hurting for a response from him. She began to skip and Sango held this adorable look.
"Something good happen Kagome-chan?" The miko's smile grew and Sango felt so much better.
It's about time Inuyasha told her..poor Kouga doesn't even stand a chance.
A hand found hers and she held on as Miroku kissed her cheek. They had bathed before coming back but Sango had a feeling that the demons in the group knew what had happened. Embarrassment rose up high inside her as she thought about them smelling it on her.
Can't be helped I suppose. But that's so embarrassing!
Miroku noticed her blush but wisely decided to say nothing. He had what he wanted, all except one thing.
The wind tunnel has grown exponentially. If we don't defeat Naraku soon I won't have a future with the woman that I love.
His grip tightened and Sango frowned over at him. He kissed her lips before heading off to their destination.
"Guys don't do that! Some of us would like to keep our breakfast down!"
"Yeah right shit head if anyone's going to lose their breakfast it's because of your face!" Fighting commenced and all the others sighed. Nothing about them was going to change this was just the way things were. A tug happened in Kagome's soul and she just all of a sudden was serious.
"Guys I feel a whole lot of jewel shards coming this way!" The atmosphere was tense, all joking was put aside as Naraku made an appearance. Kanna and Kohaku faithfully at his side.
"Well I see that my enemies have all gathered against me. Nice of you to all come in at once..to die!" The forest, the sky even the ground was covered in demons. There was a wall of them, hordes of them wherever you could possibly look.
The fight was here, the battle of the century and each fighter did what their specialty was. Corpses littered everywhere as Shippo and Rin were huddled together on the back Ah-un with Jaken by it's feet.
"Hiraikotsu!" Sango threw it with everything she had. For her shoulders were being weighed down by the honor she just HAD to uphold. The revenge she strived to taste upon her cherry lips. For the honor of her clan, her people, for her brother! She had to kill them all to save his soul and so she threw her weapon again and again watching them fall.
"Dragon strike!" Hundreds of demons were cut down but each spot was filled not too long afterwards. It was annoying to not be able to kill Naraku. To rid the world of this hanyou scum but Sesshomaru knew Naraku's time had come. He would die today and that was the end of it.
"Wind scar!" Inuyasha hacked away with claws and sword thinning them out aiming for a clear shot towards his nemesis. He had lost his first love and fifty years of his life because of this wretched being. He wouldn't stop fighting if Naraku was still there laughing at them. No way in hell, he had to finish this for himself, Kikyou and everyone else who had been victimized.
"Wind tunnel!" Miroku sucked in many of the lesser demons into his void. Some of the saimyosho earnestly flew into his open palm turning the veins in his hand purple. He closed it shortly after and fought with his shakujo staff. Hoping for an opening to Naraku so that Inuyasha might defeat him with his tetsusaiga.
A purifying arrow flew through the air taking with it any demons who were fool enough to charge into it. Kagome stood back with the children keeping them well guarded as the demons kept coming. Another arrow flew in, this time though a whole section was purified and Kagome turned in time to see Kikyou notch another arrow.
Thankful that the undead miko was here Kagome shot more arrows only in defense this time. She knew by the way Inuyasha jerked his head to the side that he either saw or smelled Kikyou standing there. It was hurting her but she knew this all along.
Whenever Kikyou would come into the picture it was like she didn't exist. Even if Inuyasha did love her it might not be enough because he loved Kikyou as well. The jaws of an approaching demon snapped shut but the thing was engulfed in flames before any damage was done.
"Careful priestess! These things are everywhere!" Kagome nodded and turned her attention to the fighting all around.
It's so sad that so many demons are dying but it must be done. Please Inuyasha end this before we lose someone dear!
The fighters and battle raged on oblivious to her silent plea for peace. This was going to be the end of her and her friends or the bundle of evil named Naraku. There was just no way to know how it all would end.
--
The fight was coming to a close that much was obvious. There were deep wounds on each side and in a last ditch effort Inuyasha and Kagome combined attacks ripping Naraku's body into pieces. Kikyou charged him, her small hands wrapped tightly around the complete Shikon no tama inside of his chest.
It was far too late to stop the events that happened so rapidly next. Naraku screamed out in a half human cry of pure pain. Kikyou was pierced by a mighty tentacle that ripped off her left leg. His body was being purified and with a hard swing he wrenched the animated body off of him.
With a hateful glare Miroku realized Naraku's intentions. The kazanna grew the holy beads sucked within.
"Miroku!" Sango dropped her Hiraikotsu and embraced her would be husband. His free hand yanked her head up and he crushed lips to lips. It was sorrowful, a painful kiss that would haunt her deep to the depths of her soul. Her breath was knocked from her as he gave a hearty toss throwing her into bloody mud.
"Live for me Sango!" He knew it could end like this..there was always a possibility that he would have died in the final battle. He began running towards Naraku, the cursed wind tunnel facing his enemy. Naraku's eyes grew wide at the appearance of the never-ending void he himself created.
I have so many regrets! I have so much to live for! I have Sango, my love..I love you! I love you so much I don't want to die! I don't want to leave you..to be brutally pulled to the after-life!
Tears ran down his face and the pain was sucking the strength from his body. This was the last thing that Miroku had to do to prove his love: He'll die in order for her to live.
--
"KIKYOU!!" Inuyasha caught her as she flew her blood was black, black as the poison soaked bone that was her femur. She clung to him weakly and her broken lips whispered.
"Inuyasha?" He held her to his torso, their blood mixing...mingling before turning the dirt at their feet to mud.
"I'm here..please don't die Kikyou! Don't die again! I love you!" Tears were running down his cheeks and with an unsteady hand Kikyou wiped them away.
"I'm so glad to hear that Inuyasha." Tears were dripping from her fake eyes, from her fake body. "I love you to." Her small hands pulled her so close to him and she had all ready felt each soul within her dead body begin to leave.
"Don't die Kikyou." A bloody cough was his reply and he wiped the substance from her lips.
"That's fool hardy..my work here is done. My purpose complete there is no reason for me to wander this earth anymore." Inuyasha held her and cried into her miko garb.
"I love her too! I love you and it's so confusing for me!" Kikyou knew this was always the case and she ran her numb fingers through his silver hair.
"Please set me down and get away, the gates of hell will open. I don't want you to be dragged in with me." Against her chest she could feel him shake his head.
"No I can't..I love you and I love her. But Kikyou...I owe you my life." A sad smiled adorned his face and he turned back to meet Kagome's eyes. There was so much hurt, pain in those glistening eyes that his voice could no longer form. He only hoped his eyes conveyed his soul.
Please understand I do love you. I owe you so much, you gave me the joy of living but Kikyou is the one I must die for. Please Kagome...please...please find it in your heart to forgive me. I need you to understand!
--
Somewhere in the chaos in the deaths of their friends Sango found the discarded corpse of Kohaku. She gripped him to her as sobs shook her from head to toe.
Live? How am I suppose to live! I have nothing left! I have no love, no family, no village and no one to turn to. How am I suppose to live with such horrid, soul-eating pain?
From across the battlefield Kagome was screaming. Her heart was pulled out, smashed up and it's contents poured out onto the bloodied, corpse ridden ground. She was sobbing and screaming..Sango couldn't take such heartache.
Turning to comfort her friend a clawed hand stopped her from moving. Her blurred vision met those golden eyes. Eyes such like Inuyasha but brighter, more lively in stark contrast to his persona. Without a word Sesshomaru kneeled next to her and removed Kohaku from the death grip she had him in.
She went to grab him, to hold onto him but was stopped once again. She glared half-heartily at the demon lord.
"Please let me hold onto him."
"No." That was the last straw. Nobody would keep her brother from her anymore! She lunged at the lord and he caught her in those capable hands. She was not at all aware of straddling him as her punches beat against his broken armor plate.
"Slayer this is quite unwise." She didn't listen, didn't care to know where these consequences would bring her. Sobbing and punching, Sango was stumped at what to do in this situation.
"Stop this slayer." Shaking her head once more she ripped at his torn haori sleeve. "Sango!" The sharp reprimand was followed by two hands on either side of her face. Face to face with the demon lord didn't bother. Straddling him and having each other's hands in what could be considered romantic positions, didn't bother her.
It was the blatant exasperation etched into his features that bothered her. The naked emotion so wrong on his perfect god-like features. Her hands crunched pieces of his armor as the sobs took her over again. Their eyes never averted and Sango's voice barely registered in her own mind.
"Please." He released her face and she buried into his warmth. A demon slayer in the arms of a demon didn't matter to her. Nothing mattered to her as she felt his hands rest on her shoulders. Hold onto the living was what Miroku had said. So just to appease him, just to calm his worry she'd do just that.
--
Kagome couldn't believe what her eyes said was completely true. Inuyasha died for Kikyou, he loved Kikyou. He loved her too but he didn't die for her! She would never ask that of him! There was no possible way but from what she could hear of the exchange, Inuyasha didn't want her to die alone.
It was too much and the scream had come from her voice. The sobs were coming from her throat and she hadn't known. Kouga hugged her pulled her into his body and she cried all the harder. Self sacrificing little Kagome, who thought she could change the future by hurting herself. Little Kagome who watched Inuyasha run off time and time again to a priestess who should have remained dead.
To a priestess who still had been so emerged within his heart, that Inuyasha couldn't choose between her and Kikyou. She could never, how could she ever, compete with Kikyou? She was her own person and Kikyou was her..Why? What was the point in coming to the past at all? What was the point to fall in love with someone who could never, ever love her for by herself?
She accepted Inuyasha for the half demon he was but.. Kikyou could never do that could she? The pristine priestess who held herself on her own little pedestal. No one could ever be as good as her, not even someone who came from her. Like Kagome. Maybe somewhere in her heart she likes the pain, likes to feel her heart being ripped out and stomped on.
Maybe she thought that when the final battle came, Inuyasha would love her just a little bit more. Care a little bit more, for the living instead of the dead. But..he didn't say a word, he didn't need to and Kagome would always laugh at this memory.
This hurtful, heart-wrenching, agonizing ache that ate her soul at times. He just looked at her, one look and conveyed in that look was a thousand words. 'Please forgive me.' 'I love you.' 'I can't stay.' 'I promised to die for her.' 'Please understand.' Aw sweet little Kagome, died along with her love and his. Who she was now must have been what remained inside of her all along.
Kouga rocked her against him and she gripped his armor, his shoulders. Hoping to feel life in him where as she felt none in her own. He cradled her as she sobbed, screamed and then finally she calmed. The sobs hiccuped in her chest as a shadow was cast over her and Kouga.
When had he brought me to the ground? Curled my form around his? Why hadn't I met him instead? I could have loved him and then I wouldn't be put in this position.
Sesshomaru looked down at the ookami and priestess, the slayer by his side on the neko. Sango still sobbed as she clutched Kohaku to her on the transformed Kirara.
"Head to old Kaede's village next to Inuyasha's forest. Take Ah-un and the children with you. Make sure you don't lose them. I and the taijiya will meet you there." Sesshomaru watched as Kouga led his entourage into the forest. The sun still shone with life and he wanted it to rain.
If it had, surely it would have suit the atmosphere much better than the bright and cheery sunshine. Sesshomaru turned away from the mountain of corpses, the uprooted trees and the massive hole that had been created by the monk's kazanna.
He headed in the direction of the fire neko, she knew where the demon slayer's village was and he did not. Had there been a body of a comrade he would have buried it but nothing was left except the weapons of those who died. Out of respect, Sesshomaru brought with him the monk's shakujo and the tetsusaiga.
He may not be able to wield his father's sword but in time, if his heart became kind, he might. Until then he decided, he'd hold onto the sword as long as there was no one to wield it properly. With that thought and the taijiya falling into sleep, he put the corpse further from her. Grateful that sobs had ceased and she fell into an exhausted sleep.
Was this destiny? Was this what was suppose to happen? Inuyasha..you were always a fool I told you to live for the miko. So what happens now that Naraku is dead? Who is able to help these women pick up the broken pieces their lives have become?
With too much questions and no answers, Sesshomaru ran behind Kirara as they headed off to bury the boy at long last.
