Oh hey everyone!
I cannot believe how many reviews my first chapter got! Twenty-nine is a record for me, so I'm pretty darn proud. All of your reviews continue to brighten my days. I read them over as I write my chapters and they make the writing flow so much faster! Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!
I apologize for the lateness of this chapter. Before you get too excited, no this is not the final chapter. Remember how I said that this was going to be a two shot? Yeah, I should really have learned by now that I should just keep my mouth shut. I have a terrible habit of putting my foot in my mouth. The bad news? I'm not sure how many chapters this will be. The good news? I already have the next chapter done. :) Hopefully my fingers will just keep typing the story along so you guys don't have to wait too long. I don't expect it to be much longer than five chapters, six at the most with the epilogue that I'm planning, but who knows.
Also, just a quick warning...er...there is character death in this chapter. It breaks my heart to say it, but that's where my muse took me. Please don't hate me. :'(
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or YuYu Hakusho.
"And why exactly did his Oh Great One not help Kagome while this was all going on in the first place? If he knew about her in the past, wouldn't it have been a good idea to keep an eye on her?" Yusuke crossed his arms irately. It would just figure that he would have to drag his butt to a fight because the King was too busy to get his act together.
Koema's eyes shot open. He leaned across his desk and slammed his palms against the poor, obviously often abused, wood. "YOU NITWIT! The Great King YAMA has a great many things to take care of! What makes you think that a girl that disappeared 500 years ago is going to cross his mind daily?!"
"So are you saying that your dad…forgot? Seems like a pretty important thing to remember if you ask me." Kuwabara chuckled as he scratched the back of his head.
The great prince growled as his birdbrained spirit detectives laughed at his father's expense. "I'll have you know that my father had a lot going on around that time." He crossed his arms, mirroring Yusuke's stance. He stuck his nose in the air and turned to the side.
"What? Were you taking your first steps around the same time the universe changed forever? You're right. That IS a great excuse." The youkai prince and Kuwabara burst out in laughter.
"Grrrrrrr….Listen you! It doesn't matter what-"
"Pardon me, but aren't we getting a little off topic?" The words were quietly spoken, but the menace behind it was clear. Kurama's patience wouldn't last much longer. The red head's mind had been sufficiently blown while the conversation had been going on. To find out that his girlfriend was actually the one person that held the fate of the world in her hands 500 years ago was astounding. And I thought that I had problems. That would explain her "illnesses". He huffed and looked up at the supposed 600 year old spirit prince who was currently holding on to the shoulders of his spirit detective with his legs while he slapped the boy silly. "So why exactly are we stealing this jewel from her? It sounds to me like she should be the one to keep it once the completed Shikon makes it to our time."
"As if a silly teenage girl could keep a bauble that powerful safe on her own." The cutting remark that came from the fire demon's lips was less that complementary. Emerald eyes glared at Hiei. "Don't get so upset fox. She's the one that broke it in the first place. The girl was lucky enough to have a few friends in the past, but what will she do once she is back here? The well will close, leaving all of her friends behind." Red eyes searched for Koenma, who had finally sat back behind his desk. Boton held an ice pack to Yusuke's cheek while Kuwabara lay on the floor, still snickering at his friend's plight. "Get off the ground you idiot."
"Shut up shrimp. Just 'cause you never have any fun doesn't mean the rest of us have to be miserable too."
Kurama rolled his eyes. This was all typical Team Urameshi behavior, though it was much less amusing today. "In any case, although her friends are in the past, we could always be her protectors."
Pudgy toddler fingers crossed and held Koenma's chin while he looked down his nose at the fox. "I understand that you have a personal tie to this case Kurama, but unfortunately my father has made his decision. I am asking that you put your feelings aside and do your job as a spirit detective." Serious brown eyes stared down at the group. "No matter what, as soon as Kagome Higurashi returns to your time, she must be cornered and the jewel taken from her. Under no circumstances should you hurt her, but use whatever force necessary to get that jewel from her and bring it to me. Understood?"
Yusuke glanced at Kurama, but couldn't meet his eyes. Red bangs covered the green orbs so that no one could see the emotion running through them. The youkai prince heaved a heavy sigh and glanced back up at the toddler. "Fine you big baby. When do we need to complete the job?"
"I will have Boton give you a call on the communicators once I get wind that Kagome is coming back. Wait for her." Koenma's eyes never left the red haired fox. "And make sure you don't mess this up. The fate of the world lies in your hands." He always felt a debriefing should be left off on a dramatic note.
"Yeah, yeah. The world's fate is always in our hands. We get it already." Long legs carried Kuwabara away from the desk, a hand waving flippantly in front of his face to show that he was used to the dramatics of his job.
Hiei nodded to the toddler once before he also turned to leave. His eyes drifted over to his friend. Kurama was still standing in front of the desk, glaring up at the spirit prince.
The avatar bowed respectfully before the desk just as he began to say, "I respectfully oppose this decision Koenma. You do not expect us to-"
"I expect you to complete your job, just as you have always done, Kurama." Yusuke and the others stopped just before leaving the room, all of them turning to see what was about to transpire. Koenma glared down at Kurama, remorse clearly absent from his features. "If you would like to discuss the discrepancies of your contract as spirit detective and what the job entails, we can have that conversation. We can also discuss your future as a spirit detective. I can always throw you in the dungeon for obstructing justice, instead. Is that what you'd like?" Clearly aggravated, the toddler stood up in his chair, his arms crossed in front of him.
Kurama gritted his teeth as he stared up at Koenma, his fists clenching so hard that his nails drew blood. "That is unnecessary," he gritted out through his clenched teeth. He bowed stiffly once again before he turned on his heel and walked out of the room.
Kuwabara hurried after him, obviously wanting to console his friend. As he passed by Hiei, he could see the dark haired shrimp shake his head.
"Foolish fox." The words were whispered in contempt as the demon stalked out of the room.
Only Yusuke stayed behind. It was clear that the prince was irate by the distain that shown through his eyes. "Damnit Koenma! What the hell is your problem? There was no need to act like an asshole. The poor guy is obviously torn over this mission. Couldn't you just take him off of this case?"
Lilac eyes were also locked on Koenma. Boton had been wondering the same thing, but knew that it was better to keep quiet through the whole exchange. Adding fuel to the fire was the last thing that she wanted to do, especially when she knew that this briefing was already going to be a difficult one for the spirit prince.
A few months back she had caught wind of the relationship that Kurama was in, and knowing that the mission was coming up, thought it best to inform Koenma before he found out himself. The normally apathetic, unless provoked, toddler was distraught. The fox avatar was one of his best detectives, and he had always done his job efficiently; the last thing that Kurama deserved was to have his one selfish relationship torn out from under him.
Unfortunately, Koenma's hands were tied. His great father trusted no one, and even though the miko had successfully put the jewel back together, there was just no knowing what would happen once the past became the present.
Koenma let out a great sigh, one that showed his burden. Brown eyes opened to stare back down at Yusuke. "I'm sorry Yusuke. This is the last thing that I want to make you all do, but we don't have a choice." He stared to the side and met Boton's eyes. She gave him a grim smile as he continued. "Kagome is about to lose everything that she holds dear to her. Her companions will all die in the final battle. She will simply be too unstable to keep the jewel safe on her own. This must be done. Don't tell Kurama."
Root-like tentacles shot past Kagome as she flew towards the evil hanyou on Kirara's back.
The houshi was down, and Sango was at his side, destroying any demon that dared come near them. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were right in front of the taijiya and were trying their best to fight through the thick tentacles that refused to give way. Even the diamond shards of Inuyasha's Kongosoha could not break through the barrier that Naraku had surrounded himself with.
Kagome knew that it was up to her to finish the ordeal. It seemed that nothing but her arrow could pierce his flesh. Miasma swirled around her, but the barrier that she had thrown up around her and the fire cat easily sliced through the poison. She grit her teeth and clenched her fists in Kirara's thick white fur. It's up to me. Only I can do this. Slowly, trying to keep her balance, Kagome drew an arrow from her quiver.
"Alright Kirara. You can stop here." She only had seconds to get the arrow off and into the hanyou. Her plan was the last resort. She only hoped that Inuyasha and his brother could get out of the way in time.
Evil laughter was heard all around them. "Silly miko. What are you going to do with that? Do you really think that you can defeat me with just one arrow?" Slowly, as if it had to fight its way to the surface, the face of the hanyou appeared amongst the giant trunk of tentacles and pieced together youkai. A sneer was plastered across his face, and pure hate smoldered in his violet eyes.
"Kagome! What the hell are you doing?! Get away from there!" Fear shot through Inuyasha like a bullet, just before a tentacle impaled him from the back. Wide eyes stared up at the raven haired miko.
"INUYASHA!" Insecurity washed through the miko. There was no way that she could get the arrow off without harming her friend. Tentacles flew through the air, heading her way.
"KAGOME! Shoot the arrow!" Sango's voice sliced the air, barely reaching Kagome's ears. Kirara dodged the tentacles as best she could, and it was difficult for Kagome to keep her balance. Glancing down at her friend, Kagome could see the carnage that surrounded them all. Miroku was almost out cold, his staff lay far away from his trembling form. His right hand clutched his left to his chest. It was obvious that he was under a great deal of stress trying to keep his Kazaana at bay. He would not allow it to swallow his friends.
Sango was still standing over him, but the black and red material of her taijiya uniform was torn, and dark red bloodstains littered her entire body. She too had been impaled by the tentacles one too many times.
Sesshomaru was still gallantly trying to fight his way through Naraku's barrier. The vermin flying at him was unending, and the hanyou was making it extremely difficult for him to get to his younger half-brother.
Kagome closed her eyes, not wanting to see the destruction the evil hanyou had caused any longer. Thank goodness we left Shippo and Rin back at Kaede's hut. Though she knew that the likelihood of the small village being untouched was little to none. I hope they're okay.
"You have to shoot the arrow Kagome! Don't worry about us. Get rid of this bastard!" The young miko knew that her friend was right. She knew that she didn't have a choice. Sapphire eyes flew open, and tears flowed freely from her eyes as she nocked her arrow.
Sesshomaru was keeping the hanyou occupied, and Kagome could tell that Naraku was having a difficult time fending off the persistent silver haired daiyoukai and paying attention to what she was doing up above him.
More tentacles flew her way as she pulled back on the string of her bow. She could feel the power of the jewel rush through her, giving her the extra power boost that she would need to end the hanyou for good. "Hit the mark!"
The miko released the arrow just as the tentacles brushed past her, barely missing her by a thread. The arrow flew toward the evil hanyou, a horrible screech piercing the air. An explosion erupted all around her as the arrow obliterated Naraku and everything around him.
The power surge pushed Kirara out of the air. She fell fast. Kagome tried her best to cling to the tumbling fire cat as best she could, but her efforts were futile. One of her hands slipped from the thick fur and the rest of her followed. Thankfully she wasn't as high up as she was when she loosed the arrow, but her landing was nowhere near soft. As she landed, she heard a crunch, and a wail of unadulterated agony erupted from her lips as she felt her ribs crack and break. It was immediately difficult to catch her breath, and she could feel a wetness in her chest whenever she gasped for air.
The raven haired miko knew she was in trouble.
Clenching her teeth from the pain, she tried to roll herself over. She had landed on her back, and she had no idea where she was compared to her friends. A scream burst from her lips as her body rolled, the excruciating pain enough to almost make her black out. Slowly, after taking a few moments to catch her breath, the broken woman lifted her head. She wished she hadn't looked.
All around her, she could see the evidence of a giant crater. She was almost at the edge herself, and she was completely alone. Even Kirara was out of sight. She must have fallen outside of the crater. Warmth radiated out from the necklace that rested against her breast, but Kagome could not feel anything past her anguish and unbelievable agony. It was clear her friends were gone. The diameter of the great basin that she had created was simply too large. Unless a miracle had happened, and she doubted one had, she was the sole survivor.
Black began creeping into her vision and the warmth that she could not feel before turned into a burning heat. As the heroic miko lost consciousness, she was only slightly aware of the blinding light that surrounded her.
Then she felt nothing.
So what do you think? Not the cheeriest of chapters I know. And no Kurama/Kagome action at all. Don't worry, there will be some next chapter! Please drop me a review before you head out. I can't wait to hear what you all think.
