The Pain of Letting Go
Chapter 7
X***X
He was gone. One moment, we were walking, the next he was running like a maniac. 'Where was he going?'
"Sango, we should follow him."
"Right, Kirara!"
The cat burst into flames. Her tiny growl grew into a deep roar as her body grew in size. She was now a large, fanged cat. The three jumped on her back, and she took off, leaving a slight trail of flames to disperse into the sky as she ran across the tree tops.
"Why does Inuyasha do that? He is so unpredictable!"
"Yes, he has gotten worse since Kagome's passing. I can't explain his erratic behavior." Miroku held his staff, which he wrapped around Sango's waist. He held it loosely, but still tight enough that he would not fall should Kirara make a sudden movement.
"I guess, all we can do is trust him. But what about Sesshomaru?"
"I don't know where he wanders off to, but he will catch up. His senses are incredible. Far more developed that Inuyasha's."
Once again, no sooner had they said his name, he appeared beside them. His robes flapped viciously in the wind and his tail trailed behind. He still looked so noble. His hair flowing behind him as his face held its emotionless expression. He said nothing, only glanced at them and gave a slight nod of his head, signaling them to speed it up. Sango nodded her head, she understood. "Kirara!"
The demon cat screamed, its voice lost in the wind as it ran a few more steps, propelling itself higher, and there for faster. Inuyasha was nowhere to be seen, and Sesshomaru chose to stay with the others.
X***X
The wind whipped my face as I flew over the trees. I thought of all the reasons I was compelled to go back, and none seemed reasonable. 'It sounds crazy. A dream compelled me to go back. I put our whole journey on standstill just because a little dream got me all paranoid. But still, it would be a great comfort to see her again. And I won't leave her behind, I just couldn't relax if I did.'
The sun was just dipping below the horizon, and I landed loudly by the tree line. I looked down on the village, it seemed peaceful. I took off again, I had to know. I landed outside Kiadea's hut. The warm glow of the fire was visible through the curtain. Shadows danced under the curtain as I stared intently at the hut. 'Still awake are they?' I burst into the hut, surprising everyone inside. Everyone but one old woman.
She sat across the room holding a sleeping Sashomea. "Shh, quiet Inuyasha, the baby's sleeping."
"Kiadea! It's good to see you old woman."
"Aye, I knew ye would be coming back, and I tried to get Sashomea to sleep before ye did. This was the only way she would rest."
I walked over and took her in my arms. I stared down into her face as I sat cross legged by the fire. "Sashomea," I whispered, "You're okay."
"Aye child, it's sure been quiet since you left. Now tell me, why is it ye have returned so early?"
I took a deep breath, relieved, "Well, I had a feeling that Sashomea needed me. So, here I am."
She looked at me, as though she was unconvinced of my little story. "Tell me. Why is that?"
I huffed, "What do you want from me? I'm back for my daughter!"
She narrowed her eyes, "Inuyasha. Ye best tell me."
I sighed. There was no way to dodge her questions. "I had a dream. Kikyo was coming for Sashomea."
"Aahh, a premonition of sorts yes? Well Inuyasha, I fear that dream is much more of a reality than ye would like to think." She glanced to the back of the hut, her eyes showing signs of desperation.
I took the bait, slowly making my way across the worn floor. I sniffed, but the air was clear. Unnaturally clear. I stiffened. 'Why haven't I noticed it before? I smell nothing, not even Kiadea or Sashomea. They are not alone here.'
I grasped the hilt of my Tetsuiga, the blade humming with power. I growled, "Show yourself! I know you're here Kikyo!"
Her laugh was light and airy, her voice just a whisper in my sensitive ears. I was frightened beyond belief. "Inuyasha. I'm surprised you took the meaning out of your dreams. You don't usually catch on so fast."
"Shut up! What do you want Kikyo?"
Her face fell, her eyes darkening. "Your death by my hand. When you're finally gone, my revengeful soul will be stated, and my immortal body will be free to do as I please."
I growled again, drawing my blade. It took all my power to keep it from transforming. She laughed. "Touch a nerve did we? Well then, let's go play outside. Dogs don't belong in the house!" Her hand swiped up sending me flying with a small blast of her vile energy. I landed hard on my back in the dirt, the lack of air leaving my lungs burning. "Sashomea, Kiadea, hang on."
X***X
"Kirara hurry! Inuyasha may not have much time!" Sango urged her demon cat forward.
Miroku held tightly, his eyes closed as they flew through the trees. "Were getting closer. Look, there's the Village!"
Shippo yelled out in is high pitched voice, "and there's Kiadea's hut! Awe, Sango! It's Inuyasha!"
He pointed to the hut where Inuyasha flew from. They were close enough to hear Kikyo's voice.
"Inuyasha," they all screamed in union.
Kikyo looked up at them as Shippo cowered.
Kirara screamed, her voice not in rage or intimidation, but in pain. She faltered in the sky, dropping her load as she did. The ground was far off, but not so far as to kill them. Sesshomaru lunged forward, catching the little kitsune and demon cat. He was unable to reach the others. He hit the wall and was sent flying back by an invisible barrier. He grunted in surprise as he landed on the ground, wiping his lip on the back of his hand. He stood by, watching through the wavering wall, unable to help in any way.
Sango and Miroku hit the ground, one after the other. They lay in pain, but not for long. Sango cried out in agony as she sat up, her traditional war garb tore along the leg. "Sango, where does it hurt?"
X***X
Miroku sat up slowly, feeling his limbs for any skin of injury. 'None.' He glanced at Sango as she cried out, her pants torn. He crawled over, "Sango, where does it hurt?"
She gripped her leg just below the knee, 'good, it's not a joint,' Miroku was relieved. He reached into his robes for some healing cream, spreading it generously on my leg. The pain was blinding, and I passed out as he called my name.
X***X
I sat up, my insides burning as I gasped to bring air into my body. I looked up at her, Kikyo. She leaned in the doorway, her hands crossed over her chest. I looked to my side, sidetracked as I watched my friends hit her barrier. They fell hard and fast, hitting the ground with clear thuds. Sango cried out in pain as she landed funny while Sesshomaru stood still, fuming with Shippo and Kirara in hand. I growled, a pitiful sound coming from my aching lungs.
"Inuyasha, you ought to pay more attention to the fight." She stepped out of the doorway, her robes flapping viciously in the calm air. 'What is this?'
Her arms rose, the air crackling under the pressure of her power. I stood, my sword transformed and ready. 'If I attack in my usual way, she will just dodge and hit me. But if I blast her with my adamant barrage, she will send it back. And I can't use Medo Zan Getzuha; that would destroy Kagome's soul. There is only one option. I'm going to have to break the barrier and let Sesshomaru in.'
My sword glowed red, blood red. She seemed to understand what I was about to do. She screamed. "Inuyasha, you will not call for help like a wounded puppy!"
She shot me. Bursts of blue lightning coursed through my body at high speed. I flew back, dropping my sword. I howled in pain, my robes smoking and singeing. My body was covered in burns from where the lightning entered and escaped. It was a bearable pain, but my will was not as strong as it used to be. I struggled to stand, but forced my body up. I eyed the Tetsuiga, halfway between us. She was smirking, but was replaced with a frown. "Inuyasha, why do you not fight? Have you finally realized that Kagome belongs to me? And now for my promise."
My legs went weak. "Kikyo no! Your fight is with me! Don't touch her!" I ran at her. Grabbing my sword, I raised it above my head. "Adamant Barrage!" I fired at her, but she used the same technique. She stopped them dead and sent them flying back. They pierced my skin, sending me flying back. I hit a wall, and slumped down. I could not move.
She walked to me, "Inuyasha. Why must you make things so difficult? Can you not accept this? Your friends will die. Your child will die. Kagome will die! And you are going to watch, and then you will die."
She sashayed away, heading straight towards Kiadea's hut. She reached inside, pulling Sashomea out by the collar. "No! Sashomea! Don't you touch her Kikyo! You're not like this! What happened to the Kikyo I knew?"
"Inuyasha. She died a long time ago when you did. Since my reincarnation, I've learned things. I was never really yours. You were never really mine. We were never meant to be. And if I can't have you, no one can!"
With that, she whipped her petite sword from her robes, positioning it just right. Sashomea cried, her body not yet strong enough to fight. I just screamed.
