Recap:

Angered by his failure to find Kagome, Inuyasha provokes a fight with Injitsumo, a reincarnation of Naraku, only to find that the demon was not sent for Inuyasha's head.

Injitsumo informs the hanyou that he contains the heart of Onigumo, that very bandit that surrendered his flesh to demons and that he was acting according to his hearts desires. The demon tells Inuyasha that he is able to bring back what was once dear to his heart and directs him to go to the barren lake of Oguru; there he will find Lady Kikyo.

Meanwhile, during Inuyasha's journey to the barren lake; Kagura followed by Injitsumo travel out to Kaede's village to collect what the hanyou had unwillingly bargained for his wishes. Upon arriving at the home, Kagome's state takes a turn for the worst as the two intruders come face to face with unwelcome resistance. Falling helpless to the sorcery of Injitsumo's hands, the friends are rendered frozen in their tracks as the demon pursues after the injured Kagome. To complete the bargain, Injitsumo enters the home and takes the soul of dear Kagome.

Chapter 10

"A Sad and Harsh Reality"

Inuyasha rushes on through the thickened forest, brushing vigorously past bushes and undergrowth. The slaps of the branches made his skin tender but the swift wind quickly numbed the pain making it cool to the touch. The wounds he received from Injitsumo had dried up, but their traumatic affect still remained stained on his kimono.

The eerie shadows blurred as he quickened hastily in search for Kikyo; to find her at the barren lake of Oguru. The journey was very long and very tiring, but his constant driving ambition only quickened his pace. His heart was clashing against the protection of his rib cage and it knocked furiously with every heavy breath.

His soul was secretly seeking to be within her presence as he unwillingly pushed on in need to see for his own eyes the truth behind this matter. His conscience was scattered and torn between realities as he constantly questioned his decision to trust Injitsumo's words.

The hanyou pursued further as he ignored the coiled knots that tightened in his muscles and burned with each body motion. He let a fang slip out from his pursed lips and pressed its tip gently into the plush of his bottom lip.

The moon was rising as its mystical glow seemed to show the way as its hallowed beam pierced through the forest top. The hanyou had now made his way to a beaten path that leads him through abandoned homes that were ridden with growth. Inuyasha pressed through, not letting the eerie homes shake him from his purpose; he had a feeling that he was getting close. Making his way further through the thickened forest, Inuyasha came to a complete stop as his eyes took witness to the destruction before him. It was a plain that was stripped of all forest life and what little that remained was slowly decaying back into the earth's soil. The moon here seemed to beam brightly down as it accentuated the ghostly shapes of homes in ruins. There were rotted tree trunks twisted and debilitated and ridden with stains of white ash. It was apparent that nothing had lived here for a long time. The hanyou was certain that he had reached the forest of grief.

The forest of grief is a landmark, some would say; that burdens the earth in the feudal era and its legend has been passed on through the centuries as a reminder of that tragic day.

To many the forest provided refuge for those who fled the persecution and injustice of a war stricken era. The vast forests in the feudal era were thick and they provided hidden shelter, but it was this area of forest that became a place of hope and solitude because of the lake that protected it. The lake was named Oguru and it was said that it possessed a spiritual barrier that protected the life growing within.

A wandering priest; named Taturamo stumbled upon the Oguru Lake a thousand years ago. The lake provided many years of food and water for the priest, that before he died of old age he blessed the lake; making the lake able to protect what ever it grew within. The Oguru Lake became a story of a safe haven and many searched for it.

When evil was running at its ultimate high and many innocent people lost their lives to the gluttonous ambition of power hungry warlords and their merciless followers, many set out to search for the Oguru safe haven.

After years of searching, only a select few were able to find the lake and its surrounding forest, only to have met their demise, when a warlord named Takume, desired the land that the innocent had made homes and found peace on. He was a warlord who was selfish, bent on power and took anything that he pleased. When he stumbled upon the village, Takume ordered a demon called Natsuya to ravage and destroy the village and its people on his behalf, so that Takume could take the land for himself. All men, women and children were slaughtered and their homes left in ruins that day.

Natsuya had completely wiped the village from the earth and what made the story of the "Forest of Grief" so tragic is that the warlord, Takume, had no longer desired the land after it was sullied with death and ruins. The blood of the innocent was shed for Takume's gluttonous ways; a sin that could never be forgiven, so the land is said to remain this way for eternity as a reminder.

Since that tragic day, no tree or any form of plant life has hence grown back and all that remains is a saddened and sorrowful vision of what was once there.

Inuyasha continued to keep his focus as he drew nearer to a beaten path up ahead. He could sense his muscles wanting to halt but his soul and mind insisted he keep in motion. As he looked down upon himself, the hanyou noticed that his wounds were beginning to seep once more through his kimono. The constant movement he had kept up had kept his blood vigorously flowing and the wounds that were once dried up were now moist again with pain.

He slowly slid his hand to the wound on his side and he pushed further on, knowing that time was of the essence. Letting his bare foot press into the softened sands of the beaten path, a chilled breeze wisped his hair off his shoulders and sent a shiver down his back. Taking a slight pause he quickly walked on with one foot in front of the other, pacing his way through the looming shadows.

Up ahead an opening gave way and Inuyasha began to take deep breaths as his heart started to thump within his chest.

"I can see the opening…" the hanyou thought feeling the slightest feeling of hope.

That thought helped Inuyasha push past the pain that was buckling in his side. The opening came and then gone as the hanyou stopped walking. There, about 10 feet in front of him, was the barren lake of Oguru that nestled itself calmly in the middle of nowhere. As he approached nervously he could see that the lake was much smaller than he had thought, in fact it could have been passed as a large pond. There was only one real entrance to the edge of the water that you could walk right up to, otherwise the rest of perimeter was ridden with high protruding rocks. These rocks were obstructing Inuyasha's view of the lakes entire surface. The hanyou stood for a moment, taking in the reality of this moment and then quickly headed towards a towering rock.

Making an almost effortless leap he balanced at the top of the rock where he now had a birds eye view of the water. The Oguru Lake's surface was so still, like that of a mirror, that the night's sky seemed captured in its serenity. As Inuyasha stared down at the waters surface, he could see the weary in his eyes and the shadowed stains in his kimono.

"I can't see anything…" Inuyasha huffed in defeat to himself, "the waters too dark…" he added.

Squatting down, the half-breed leaned over the rocks edge to get a closer look. He focused in his eyes to try and get a better look along the surrounding sides of the lakes edges. Inuyasha couldn't see what he was looking for; he couldn't see Kikyo.

The hanyou pulled himself back slightly as his doubts began to seep in. It was starting to slowly dawn on him that maybe Injitsumo had tricked him into sparing his life. He was growing angry knowing he had let himself fall victim to the unfulfilled wishes of a demon.

Turning his head off to the side in utter detest, he took one last look at the lakes surface in hopes that maybe he was wrong. Then in that instant a dim glimmer shot up from the shadowed lake's bed. His eyes went wide as he saw the dim light pulse far down in the lake once again. The hanyou's body quickly leaned forward in utter disbelief and the anger that was coming over him washed instantly away and he was filled with dire hope. Without any hesitation, Inuyasha leapt into the water completely submerging his head. Rising up to the surface for air, he winced as the lake water seeped into his wounds. The water was crisp and cool as he wading over the glimmering pulse below him. Glaring down into the water below his chin, Inuyasha drew in a desperate breath and submerged his body deeper into the chilling water.

As he drew further down to the lakes bed the pulsating light grew more intense. Inuyasha immediately stopped all motion at the sight just a few feet below him. There along the bottom of the lakes bed was the body of Kikyo. The sight of her caused a wave of body heat to rush through his body and his heart began to beat furiously. With his arms outstretched desperately he grabbed a hold of her weightless body and drew her into his arms.

Climbing his way to the surface he breached and drew in a long awaited breath. The air tasted warm yet stale as he used one arm to draw the two of them closer to the waters edge. Lifting his body out from the water, Inuyasha scooped up the unconscious naked Kikyo in his arms and carried her on shore. Placing her agile body carefully on the forest floor, he pulled at one sleeve of his kimono and slid his jacket top off and wrapped it around the pale priestess.

With a gentle hand, Inuyasha pushed away the clinging hair that covered her face to reveal her sleep like state. Inuyasha could feel the faint beat of her heart as he held her up in his arm. The hanyou's eyes were shaking in complete shock at the reality of this moment. As he looked down upon her face and her familiar features he could feel the regret and heart ache come over him. He was truly ashamed for all that she had been through and all he could do was blame himself. Using his other arm, he scooped her body into his arms and he turned to head home. As he walked on out on the beaten path he came in on he headed off into the night for Kaede's village, utterly unaware of the tragedy that awaits him.

Meanwhile, after Kagura and Injitsumo had wandered off into the night sky, the sorcery that had bounded our friends frozen was beginning to wear off.

"I…I…can almost move!" Sango blurted out as she used all her strength to fight the force that was holding her back, "KAGOME!" she finally yelled out feeling the enchantment completely dissipate.

Sango rises to her feet and without hesitating sprints into the home. The room was dark, but she was still able to make out Kagome's figure lying on the floor. Running over she reached down a desperate hand on Kagome's head. Leaning in she listened for any sign of life as Miroku rushed his way in.

Looking about the room, Miroku could see that the others in the room had also been under the same enchantment as he helped them to their feet. They all had feared the worst. Sango quickly turned and tears flowed effortlessly from her eyes. All of them deep down knew what it meant. Kagome was no longer among the living and Injitusmo had succeeded in taking Kagome's soul.

Sango's emotions were choked up in her throat and the anger just swelled around it. There were no words and there were no sounds as the hot and heavy tears slid down her flushed cheeks. It was hard for Miroku to hold back his tears as the shaking wells in his eyes blurred his vision. Using his sleeve, he wiped at his eyes to hide the fact that he was crying, mainly because he wanted to remain strong for the others.

Feelings of guilt and hatred smothered the air in the room as the night was drawing nearer to an end. As they all moved in silently closer to Kagome's lifeless body, the late night sky was filled with grieving and tears of utter loss.

Reaching an unstable hand out, Sango brushed aside the hair from Kagome's pale face as a single tear slid down her face and landed on the young school girl's cheek. Hate was beginning to brew within the demon slayer as she felt betrayed and an uncontrollable feeling of loss as she felt the hate for the hanyou come over her. Never before would Sango think that Inuyasha's wishes would lead to something like this.

As Kagome's body lay within the shadows of the home, her soul was now traveling off into the night not quite ready to give into the evil that grasped her….

The moon was drifting off and making its daily exit as the sun peered just a sliver above the horizon. As the second went by the atmosphere began to lighten and the hovering presence of the stars faded into their background. With the new day creeping upon the feudal era, our friends within the home of Lady Kaede were still distraught and drained of all emotion. Everyone was gazing off into the distance, unable to make eye contact with the lifeless body of Kagome upon the floor. Their eyes were tender and the skin on their cheeks had stiffened from the evaporated tears. The tears have come and gone; their source had dried up and all that was left was to remain heavy with grief and mute.

Lady Kaede had been cradling Shippo within her arms as Shippa sought comfort by her side. Sango had leaned her head on Miroku's shoulder with her eyes withdrawn and focused on the wooden floor. The young demon slayer no longer could face the reality that lay just a few feet behind her. As Sango buried her body further into the comfort of her friend, Miroku sat erect and in silence, trying to hold back the anger that was brewing within. Letting his eyes close he drooped his head to try and shut out the reality around him.

"Surely ye would not give up hope…" Lady Kaede spoke out, catching everyone off guard as they snapped to.

"There isn't anything that…" Miroku struggled to say, "that we could…" he continued, feeling the knot in his throat creep up.

Sango quickly lifted her body and wiped the tear forming in the corner of her eye. The look on her face turned stern, "the only reason Kagome's gone is because Inuyasha sold her soul!" Sango spat in anger, "He's the one to blame!" she yelled out in anger. Her vision began to blur as the tears began to well within her eyes.

Miroku's head snapped and looked at Sango feeling completely thrown off by her words, "Sango that's impossible…Inuyasha would never do such a thing!" Miroku responded.

Sango's composure crumbled as she refrained from making eye contact with the monk. She pushed out an arm and placed her weight on it, as she made an effort to keep eye contact on the floor as she struggled to hold back the anger that was brewing in her. The demon slayer was desperate, so she just remained silent.

"Sango?" the monk inquired placing a hand on her thigh. He was puzzled by her removal from the situation. "We have no reason to suspect Inuyasha, Sango…Naraku undoubtedly has something to do with this, we all can be sure of that!" Miroku stated.

"But you heard what Kagura said, Miroku" Sango responded coldly to the monk, "Inuyasha bargained Kagome's soul to bring back Kikyo…" she muttered in irritation as she still kept her eye contact on the wooden floor.

"How could Inuyasha do such a thing?" Shippo concernedly asked, looking up to Kaede for an answer.

Kaede smiled kindly down to the kitsune and ruffled his hair, "I assure ye it is not so…" she softly added.

"But Inuyasha would do anything to get Kikyo back, wouldn't he?" Shippo asked openly, letting the concern fill his face.

"That perhaps may be Shippo, but I recall Kagura stating that Inuyasha did not realize what he had bargained, meaning…" Miroku responded.

"Meaning Inuyasha was not aware at what was at stake, perhaps it is so that he was fooled into believing he had bargained something else, ne?" Lady Kaede asked.

Sango's head shot up and her eyes widened. It dawned on her that Kagura had said that and she instantly regretted that she had forgotten, "Inuyasha didn't know did he?" she unknowingly asked out loud, still in shock.

"Ye should not be so quick to blame…though Inuyasha may have wished for Kikyo's return, perhaps he was unaware of what he would also be losing in the exchange…" the old women started to lay out before them.

"But how could all this happen?" Sango asked trying to hold back the tears.

"Do ye forget that the love that was once between Inuyasha and my sister Kikyo, still lingers within his heart…it is obvious to ye that Naraku is well aware of this and haven taken advantage of our dear hanyou, has resulted in this tragedy before us all…" Kaede reasoned with her eyes closed in thought.

"What is there to do, Kaede from all of this…?" the monk asked with shaking eyes.

Sango sat defeated by guilt and muttered to herself, "I…I can't believe that I accused Inuyasha…it never occurred to me that he would have fallen to Naraku's cruel ways…but" she quickly hesitated.

"You shouldn't blame yourself for feeling emotions of hate, but why do I ask that you stopped?" Miroku asked looking concerned.

"Well," she paused, "if Naraku truly hated Kikyo, why would he offer to bring her back from the dead and take Kagome instead? It doesn't make any sense!" Sango uttered out in her thoughts. She looked up and over to Kaede hoping for some sort of answer.

"Ye be right child, why would Naraku bring my sister back if the heart of Onigumo is within…Naraku still would not allow her return…unless" the old women responded, "unless Naraku no longer possesses the heart of Onigumo, but there is no way of telling. Perhaps it was the heart of Onigumo that brought my sister back amongst the living, but then why the need for Kagome's soul?" Kaede openly talked to herself trying to find reason in all of this.

"Maybe it has something to do with the fact that Kagome resembles Kikyo" Shippo chimed in.

"Ai perhaps so, Shippo" she responded with an agreeing nod.

"But why would Naraku go through all this to get Kagome's soul?" Miroku asked still frustrated with the reality of things.

"I am unsure, but undoubtedly we are missing a bigger piece of this puzzle…and will not wait a moment longer to find out; that is why ye two should go in search for the safe return of Kagome's soul…" Kaede calmly explained.

Just then the room fell silent, as everyone gawked on in shock at what they just heard.

"But Kaede…don't you see, Kagome's…" Sango found herself trying to reason with the women holding back her tears.

Sango was starting to feel her words getting choked up with emotion. She didn't want to say what was apparently obvious, but she had to make it known that it was almost impossible to do Kaede's wishes.

"That perhaps may be true," the old priestess continued, "but a feeling have I that all has not yet failed…I still believe that there is hope in all this sadness" she added as she rested her crossed hands on her lap.

"But how Kaede…what is there to show that we haven't failed already…Kagome's…" she paused knowing the next words about to come out of her mouth, but then Miroku quickly interrupted.

"Wait a minuet!" the monk blurted out.

"Miroku?" Sango questioned as she quickly glanced at him.

"What hadn't I questioned it before? How could I of been so blind!" Miroku spoke out loud.

"What's wrong?" Shippo asked with a worried face.

"It just dawned on me…" he started to say, "if Kagome wasn't of this world it more or less could mean that she cannot pass on to the afterlife…"

"Ai…but we do not know that for sure, Miroku" the old lady responded.

"But it seems plausible, I mean everything here has already existed in her time and the precise moment she enters our world time stand still around her…"

"But if time stands still around her then…" Sango hesitantly let out trying to let Miroku's theory sink in.

"Exactly Sango…Kagome's soul can't be entirely gone at least I presume as much, but I am certain that we still have a chance to bring her back…all we have to do is return her soul back to her body" the monk instantly paused in mid sentence, "assuming" he lastly added.

His face was now expressionless, as he remained paused. He was sitting just for a moment when he began to realize the reality of the matter.

"Assuming what…tell me Miroku!" Sango demanded feeling unnerved by the monks sudden mood change.

"Well within our world…dormant souls only remain that way until they are able to seek a true resting place then naturally it will fade into the afterlife…" Miroku stopped once more.

"Ai monk…Since Kagome's soul is not of this world then perhaps it might not find rest among this era…" Lady Kaede felt herself join in.

Miroku snapped too, "Correct Kaede, but it's come to my attention that it may be possible now for Naraku to be able to manipulate this, it may just be that he has found a way to overpower a souls connection to this world and destroy that bond…"

"But if that is Naraku's intentions, why does he need Kagome's soul?" the young demon slayer asked.

Miroku sat for a moment pondering over his thoughts in search of a reasonable answer. Letting his clothed hand stroke the edge of his chin he sat in silence as everyone awaited an answer. Then as it hit him he let the words slip from his lips, "the truest form…"

"The…truest form?" Sango repeated back in utter confusion.

"Precisely…I believe that Naraku is after Kagome's spiritual powers in its truest form" he responded knowing he did not like what he was saying.

"But how…Kagome would…I mean her will is too strong to break and…" Sango found herself desperately trying to reject Miroku's response.

"Sango…the soul is a fragile state of life and it can only contain the purest thoughts and emotions…" Miroku tried to explain further hoping to calm Sango's unreasoning.

"But how does this all fit together…" Sango asked further.

"Well essentially with the aid of a human mind, the soul can sustain a physical presence here on hearth and when the human mind fails to maintain this balance, meaning that person has passed on, the spirit becomes an embodiment of their former life…" he enlightened.

"But…" Shippo felt himself ask out loud knowing the matter was way over his head.

Just then Shippa speaks up nervously out to the group, "it's said in my village that memories are all that a spirit has to stay connected to this world…our wisest elder said it was because they admired life so much that they didn't want to pass on to the afterlife…"

"So if Kagome's soul be in the hands of Naraku, eventually he will find a way to corrupt this connection?" Kaede found herself asking in puzzlement.

"If that is the case… then he could cause Kagome's soul to break its connection and…" Miroku added.

The wrenching pain that was nestled deep within Sango's chest was now beginning to surface. It twisted and tightened, as everyone remained engaged in the reality of things. She was certain that she had, had enough.

"I've hear enough, stop it!" she demanded out of nowhere.

"I'm sorry Sango, but I believe that it's the truth…why else would Naraku seek out Kagome's soul…he's…" he hesitantly added then stopped talking altogether.

Sango turned her eyes away as the tears began to well in her eyes once more. The pain in her chest was wrenching heavily as she gripped a hand into her clothing.

"Are you alright, Sango?" Miroku asked as he placed a caring hand on her shoulder.

"I'm alright…" Sango whispered out with her head hung low. Then as she clenched her fist, she quickly looked up at Miroku, "We're getting her back…Kagome is coming back!"

With Miroku's help, Sango rises to her feet and straightens her composure. Her sides were sore from the pain that had been wrenching inside her all night and her head was heavy with thought. Sango was determined to bring Kagome back, no matter what it took and time was of the essence.

As the two prepared for the journey that lay before them, they were stopped by tugs on their legs as they headed towards the doorway. Looking down, Miroku was the first to spot the two young demons standing side by side as Kirara joined their side. It was obvious that they wanted to join the journey as well. A slight nod came from the monk as he swiped up his staff at the door and followed Sango out. Stepping out into the approaching daylight, Sango shielded her eyes and then took a glance back at the others. All of their faces were drawn and weary as the followed in silence.

As they made their way out of the village and up the hill they headed directly for the forests edge. Back within the home, Lady Kaede watched from the opening of her doorway as her companions vanished off into the distance.

"May the bond between ye keep ye protected and the strength within ye guide ye home safely" she silently whispered to herself as she slipped away into the home.

END

Chapter 10 "A sad and harsh reality" – Chapter 11 "The ultimate sacrifice"

more is to come - please be patient...in the mean time I do appreciate all who have reviewed I am much obliged!! giftedanimanga