DISCLAIMER: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author; Rumiko Takahashi/Shogakukan - Yomiuri TV – Sunrise. No money is being made from this work. The author (Evellin) is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media.
AUTHORS NOTES: I'm not going to lie: I really put myself into this chapter. I know, it took a long time to get you guys an update. I am sorry for that. However, I really wanted this chapter to be... effortless. (Effortless for you guys, I mean; it was a pain in the butt for me! Hehe!)
Anyway, I really, REALLY hope you guys like this chapter. I want you all to get feely-feels from this one.
With that, I say, enjoy!
Autumn
Chapter Twelve
By Evellin
'He won't let me go...'
These words were all that remained. Trapped within a void of numbing shock, she was capable of little else. For though these words repeated within her mind, the ability to process her reality had been rendered impossible. Kagome went unblinking. She went unmoving. Though her heart continued to beat, and her lungs continued to draw breathe, the Miko was held hostage by grief. Trapped within this vacuum of silence, the ningen Miko, now ensnared by a necklace of subjugation, was nothing more than a mere onna. All that once was, was no more. All that could be, was destroyed. She was no one. She was nothing. She was lost.
Nestled upon the lap of her predator, the subdued ningen did little else, other then be. She simply was; her identity revoked to a hidden location within her mind in an attempt to garner some form of safety. Already the Miko had lost too much; her innocence, her freedom, her right to choose... Now, upon these last few minutes, even a portion of herself was taken: her holy powers as a Miko. The Inu Lord, now entitled Mate, had taken everything from the onna, everything but those closest to the Miko's heart. However, this too would soon be stripped from the desolate ningen, leaving nothing but her waking mind and her physical form.
'Not like this...' came her broken thoughts, a voice crystal clear within an otherwise silent mind. Reduced to her most basic self, Kagome's soul slowly began to fray, the fabric of her spirit losing its intricately woven design. This unraveling was the undoing of her mind; once lucid awareness turning in on itself as a means of survival. With every breathe taken, she felt her mind unhinge. With every heartbeat, she felt her very will ebb into nothingness. And though the Miko fought against this mind shattering sorrow, such abilities alluded her like smoke upon a gentle breeze. She was lost within the stillness of her thoughts; the reality which now smothered her world created a weight far too great to bear.
Through the mist of stillness came the sounds of great doors, mammoth in size, jolting from their places of rest. The vibrations from such force was hardly missed, yet deemed unimportant for recognition. However, as the thrumming base created by these titans of oak came to a close, there came a sound which tore through the Miko like a splinter of glass.
"KAGOME!" came the screaming voice's of her most dearest of friends, now rushing into the Reception Hall. It was this solitary scream of panic that sliced at the numbed Miko, cutting through the stillness within her mind and pulling at her consciousness. Because of this, blue eyes fluttered, allowing the tear-rimmed orbs to slowly twist from her captors lap and towards the source of the sound.
The moment her eyes fell forward, looking down from her raised perch upon the golden dais, Kagome felt her heart constrict as her world began to swim. There, not thirty feet from where she was placed, stood her three friends; Inuyasha standing center, with Miroku and Sango on either side. They stood alert, weapons drawn, muscles taunt, with looks of terror and rage plastered across their features. It was the sight of her friends in such a state that began to crack through the thick film of despair that currently engulfed the Miko.
"Inu...Yasha..." Kagome whimpered so lowly even she had a difficult time hearing his called name. The mere sight of her friends seemed to rekindle a small spark that had been extinguished. However, this progress was instantly cut short when the voice of her Mate sliced through the air, causing the Miko to shutter out of fear.
"Inuyasha..." Sesshomaru purred, his silken, baritone voice booming with authority, a hint of fiendish humor playing with its quality. "How kind of you to join us." The Inu Lord sadistically announced, his amber eyes glittering with anticipation as he extended his grip upon the nestled Kagome, calling attention to his placement upon her waist.
"Sesshomaru, you prick!" Inuyasha yelled, his own golden eyes flashing with rage as his sharp fangs snapped with a sneer. Standing tall and proud, the Inu Hanyou held the fully transformed Tetsusaiga out before him, his feet planted wide, preparing himself for battle. "Let Kagome go. Right. NOW!" What started as a low growl, quickly escalated into a howl, his mouth twisting further in a display of teeth and fangs. It was not a second later that he lifted the tip of his drawn sword, his muscles beginning to tremble from barley contained wrath.
Inuyasha would never forget the scene currently on display. Sitting tall upon the ancient Throne of the West, sat his despicable half-brother, Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands. It was not this typical sight that caused the Hanyou's heart to race. Rather, it was the appearance of Kagome, currently nestled upon Sesshomaru's lap. She went unmoving, unblinking; a look of perpetual shock and dismay plastered across her features. Where once a bubbly, happy woman lived, now, a sullen, unresponsive mass remained. She looked destroyed, both mentally and emotionally; her eyes telling the story of her tribulations. What's more, her once calming aura was no where to be found, and it was this odd detail, that called attention to yet another.
Her scent. Over the years, Kagome's unique essence had changed little; a delicate aroma of lavender and earth, mixed with the intoxicating essence of feminine innocence. However, this was no longer the case. True, Kagome's scent was much the same; the sweetness of lavender still clung to her flesh. It was, however, her lack of innocence that turned her once light essence, into a more heady aromatic fingerprint. Inuyasha could smell her heat; the scent of her musky essence so apparent that he could practically taste the female. However, what truly set the Hanyou on edge, was a far more frightening addition to the onna's natural scent, and it was this new addition, that caused any and all patience to dissolve.
"Let 'er go now, you fucker!" Inuyasha hissed, his amber eyes never pulling away from Sesshomaru who looked down upon his half-brother in mock-boredom.
"I am surprised by you, Inuyasha." Sesshomaru announced, a single brow slowly lifting as a whisper of a smirk played with the corners of his lips. "Have you no manners?" Sesshomaru paused for the briefest of moments as his left hand slowly caressed Kagome's side in a provocative manner, his smirk deepening upon such contact. "Surely that is no way to congratulate a newly mated couple?"
The silence within the room was deafening; a tangible stillness that suffocated the three individuals looking on in horror. An expression of nausea crossed Inuyasha's face; his skin blanching as amber eyes began to widen in disgust. Miroku was stilled by shock; his plum colored orbs enlarged by fright as his lips whispered a minute prayer of mercy. Sango, however, seemed only to tighten her resolve; her eyes hardening, and posture stiffening. The slayers energy seemed to flare with rage as a sneer began to twist her simple yet pleasing features, all the while her right hand clung onto her massive boomerang with ferocity.
"Dog, you had best be joking..." Sango hissed lowly, her hazel eyes flashing as the desire for violence began to pull at her well practiced resolve. It was true that Sango knew of Sesshomaru's attack on Kagome; the evidence of her friends raping had been apparent. However, these words issued by Sesshomaru indicated something far more horrendous then a sex crime; an act the demon slayer was certain would never happen... Such a violation was not only an abomination against her friends soul, but against nature and the Gods themselves.
With a flash of his fangs, the Inu Lord granted the ningen Yokai Slayer a moments notice as a look of annoyed boredom crossed his noble visage. "This Sesshomaru never jests; You would be wise to retain this fact, slayer."
"Then you're lying!" Sango instantly responded, her tone growing in volume as her barely controlled aggression edged ever closer to the surface. "Kagome would NEVER agree to mate with the likes of you! And to do so against her will... It would be an abomination against the Kami!" Sango cried out as she took a single step forward, her hazel eyes ablaze with righteous anger.
Silence was the only given reply, and it was this silence that caused a seed of doubt to bloom within the Yokai Slayer. Shaking her head vehemently, Sango twisted her gaze from Kagome and Sesshomaru, looking to Inuyasha instead. "Tell him Inuyasha...!" She shrieked, her voice tearing with apprehension as her anger began to warp. A lump had formed within her gut, the heavy weight causing the slayer to grow uneasy. Somewhere deep within Sango's mind a small voice spoke, informing the onna of a simple fact; Sesshomaru never lied.
One could only ignore facts for so long. When the hazel eyes of the demon slayer fell upon the silent Inu Hanyou clad in red, Sango suddenly felt her stomach heave from the awaiting sight. His pose had not shifted, nor his sword sheathed; Tetsusaiga remained fully transformed and held at the ready. However, as her gaze took in her Inu ally, Sango took note of Inuyasha's change in demeanor. His amber eyes were turned downward, casting a heavy shadow below his brow. A sneer once twisting his masculine lips now slowly ebbed into an enraged frown. Strong, massive hands rung at Tetsusaiga's handle, his clawed fingers turning white from the shear strength of his grip. Though she was no Miko, Sango could feel the energy radiating from the Hanyou, and it was this, that gave the slayer pause.
"Inu...yasha...?" Sango whispered, her eyes widening further as she felt an icy chill run through her heart. "He is...lying... Isn't he?" Sango asked, her voice trembling as a rush of fear filled her to overflowing. Because of this, the onna's knees began to shake, and thus led to the sudden crumbling of her posture.
As her boomerang lowered, Sango turned her gaze back to the marble dais, avoiding Sesshomaru's penetrating stare in search of something familiar. When hazel eyes met the Miko's blue orbs, rimmed by tears and swollen from use, Sango felt her heart constrict. Deep within these swimming pools of sapphire awaited a torrent of such dejection, that it pulled at Sango's very soul, causing her breath to hitch within her throat. Where a joyful twinkle once resided within her cerulean eyes, now, a flat, desolate stare remained. Not a single word was spoken; none were needed. Sango knew.
It was true.
"No..." Sango gasped, her eyes widening to their limits, her jaw slacking as blood drained from her upturned face. "No..." She whispered yet again, this time paired with the adamant shaking of her head, and the release of her boomerang which clattered loudly upon the marble floor. It was with this introduction of noise, that the slayer collapsed to her knees, her eyes never tearing away from the ensnared Kagome who looked on with mournful, tearing eyes. Even as Miroku rushed to her side, collecting the trembling Sango within his strong embrace, the Demon Slayer could not look away from Kagome's expression of consternation.
"What have you done...?!" Sango gasped, her hazel eyes filling with tears as a deep repulsion filled the onna. With every passing heartbeat, a new level of realization slammed into Sango, which in turn, lead to a new level of disgust. Her friend... Her sister... Kagome, the most kind spirited individual she had ever met was now mated for all eternity to that...that... monster?! How could this be? How could such an atrocity occur? Where were the Gods? How could They let this happen? Where was the justice in this?!
It was with this last thought, that the avalanche broke free. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" Sango screamed in agony, her eyes drowning in tears now freely falling from her eyes. Racking pain suffocated choking lungs as her heart surged from birthed rage. It was through the murky haze of swirling emotions that thoughts bore down upon the slayer, and it was these thoughts that demanded retribution.
"Miroku...He took everything... Everything!" Sango sobbed, her hands pushing against her lover only then to pull at him in desperation. It was when his hands tightened around her waist that Sango turned her hazel eyes upon the Monk. "Miroku... He didn't just rape her...! Oh Kami... He took her! He took everything...!" Sango gasped for air, shaking her head wildly as she clung to her love. "He had no right! No right!"
Turning her drowning gaze from Miroku, past the silent, trembling Inuyasha, and up toward the Inu Lord, Sango felt vicious accusations explode past swelling lips. "You are an abomination to nature! You dare sully her soul with your own? How could you?! How could you force her to bond with you? How could you do this to another living creature?! Do you know what you have done?!" Pushing at Miroku in preparation for a fight, Sango snarled her rage. "You WILL die for this, you son of a bitch!" Her threat was paired with a wild attempt at freedom, pushing and clawing at the Monk who held onto the onna with impressive strength.
"Let me go Miroku! I'll kill him! I'll kill that monster!" Sang screamed in frustration as she scrambled against her lovers arms. However, despite her desperate attempts, his hold remained strong around her waist, his mouth finding the shell of her ear where he whispered reassuringly to his frantic woman.
"Be still Sango... Justice will be done. But now is the time to be still. You are no match for the Yokai Lord, my love. We must not add to Kagome's grief with our own deaths." His words where uttered lowly in an attempt to keep the privet moment between the two of them. However, being surrounded by those with superior hearing, his warnings were on full display.
"Keh... who said anything about dyin'?" came the sudden insertion of Inuyasha's voice, its texture rough and filled with determination. "I only see one dead son of a bitch 'round here..."
With a low growl Inuyasha's amber gaze suddenly lifted, seeking out his brothers. It was when their eyes met, that a sneer tore at the Hanyou's facial expression, his fangs flashing his challenge. He was heartbroken, the very fabric of his soul mourning the tribulations dealt to his closest of friends. Kagome... his best friend, his sister... The one person who was always there for him; the one person who loved him for who he was, and nothing more. How could such a tragedy fall upon her life? Why? Why Kagome? Inuyasha felt his rage begin to mount once more with a final thought; And why was it his brother, who did it?
"I grow weary of your tedious presence." Sesshomaru bluntly announced, his golden eyes glaring upon the Hanyou as he pulled at Kagome, keeping her locked upon his lap. He was surprised to find his annoyance over this entire matter. His plan called for this confrontation; to declare his superiority over Inuyasha, and perhaps kill him at the end. However, shortly into this interlude, the Daiyokai found a startling truth; his taste for such gloating, was lacking. Rather then reveling in the turmoil bestowed by this wicked scheme, the Inu Lord found nothing but a desire to end such interactions. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes further as a single thought spurred his actions; It was time to be rid of Inuyasha and his allies, so he may return to his chambers with his newly claimed Mate.
Holding onto his fragile female with his left arm, Sesshomaru stood from his seated position. Refusing to release the Miko, he kept her plastered against his person, her feet dangling in the air due to her miniature stature. With this movement came some resistance; her hands pushing at his forearm in an attempt to break free. However, with little recourse, she soon gave up this endeavor, relaxing within his embrace out of frustration. It was during this small episode that the Yokai Lord turned his burning gaze upon his Hanyou brother and his ningen allies.
With head held high, Sesshomaru sneered at his guests, looking down his nose in distaste. It was time to dispel their irksome presence. The deed was done; the desired task completed, and Sesshomaru was satisfied with the general results. Inuyasha knew the truth; he was nothing in comparison to his own greatness. All that Inuyasha had, was due to his charity. His life, his fathers sword... even those closest to him were gifted by the great Inu Lord, for it was he, who allowed them to live. With the claiming of this Miko, this message was clear. If Sesshomaru so desired it, he would have it.
"Leave..." Sesshomaru ordered, his voice flat with indifference, "...Or I shall dispatch your souls from this plain of existence." Looking down upon the ragamuffin team of misfits, Sesshomaru narrowed his gaze out of annoyance. He would not leave his station, standing tall upon the gold colored dais; he would not turn his back toward his brother. Though the Inu Lord was superior to the Hanyou in all ways, Sesshomaru would not put it past the runt to attack when his back was turned. Inuyasha was without honor.
"Nothing would please me more than to leave your stinking hell-hole." Inuyasha snapped, his voice growing in volume as his frustrations began to mount "But not until you give me back Kagome!"
A single silver brow rose in surprise. His brother was an imbecile. "She is no longer your concern." The Yokai Lord informed, his voice flat with boredom, yet hard out of warning.
"Let her go, you son of a bitch! I don't care if you mated her, or not! She ain't yours!" Inuyasha growled, stepping forward in warning, his amber eyes returning his brothers icy stare. Suddenly a smirk pulled at his lips at a sharp threat was issued, his voice gruff with smug confidence. "Either you give me back Kagome, or you will lose yet another arm to my Tetsusaiga."
This inspired a low growl to issue forth from Sesshomaru, his eyes narrowing from this barbed threat. Tightening his grasp upon his silent, bewildered Mate, the Yokai Lord flashed his fangs in warning, declaring his acceptance of Inuyasha's challenge. "Clearly..." the Inu Daiyokai hissed, his eyes burning with impatience, "...You are incapable of understand this new arrangement. Shall I explain?"
With strong, threatening steps, the Inu Lord slowly began to walk forward, reaching the every edge of the top tier as his words pierced the air. "Kagome is no longer of your concern." With a pause, Sesshomaru offered the Hanyou a wicked smirk, "For years you had the opportunity to claim this female. You did not. Instead, being the fool that you are, you chose to bed a dead whore..."
"Shut up..." Inuyasha hissed lowly, his voice trembling with hurt rage, his golden eyes closing as if warding off his brothers words.
"...Rather than enjoying the pleasures of this rare beauty..." Sesshomaru paused to lift Kagome ever higher within his embrace, allowing his mouth to nuzzle into the soft curls of her silken hair, "... you chose a corpse; a mere shadow of this pedigreed bitch." Inhaling the sweetness of his Mate's scent, Sesshomaru allowed yet another smirk to play with his lips. "A shame for you, really..."
"Shut up...!" Inuyasha growled eagerly, his voice growing in volume as his fangs flashed with growing hatred.
"...Such a fine delicacy... The sweetness of a virgin. Wouldn't you agree, Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru allowed his golden eyes to stare upon his brother, malice glittering within their depths. "There is no sweeter song, than a female begging for release..."
"I SAID SHUT UP!" Inuyasha screamed at the top of his lungs, his brilliant gold orbs widening from indignation. No longer did Inuyasha see. No longer could Inuyasha think. Blinded by rage, and torn by hate, the bastard son of the Great Inu no Taisho felt his heart rip in half while his mind crumbled. Because of this, he acted without thinking. During his cry of fury, the Hanyou took action by raising his massive sword, and with a mighty swing, began his attack.
Blinding light burst forth from the massive fang which began to chew into the marble floor, ripping apart the ancient stone as it carved its way up toward Sesshomaru and his captive Mate. This light, crackling with glittering bursts of energy, moved with unimaginable force as it shrieked away from the enraged Hanyou. When the powerful wave reached the dais, the Inu Hanyou lifted his amber eyes brimming with tears, his anger and sorrow blinding him to all that he attacked.
"Fool!" Sesshomaru hissed as he watched the Hanyou release the power of Tetsusaiga, its blazing wave of light rushing toward him and his own. Without a seconds hesitation, the Daiyokai was forced into action. In the time it took for Inuyasha's attack to reach the top tier, Sesshomaru and his prone Mate made a quick exit.
Dodging this massive wave of blinding power, Sesshomaru quickly released Kagome, nestling her upon the floor at the base of the raised dais. It was here that he turned on his brother, his amber eyes swirling with animosity as his temper began to flare. 'He dare risk that which is mine?!' Sesshomaru mentally hissed as he stared upon the Hanyou currently huffing from exertion. There was no doubt in the Yokai's mind that Inuyasha would attack; the fool always thought himself an equal. However, for him to lose all control, and risk the life of his woman... Sesshomaru found his instincts burst to life as appalled rage filled him, bringing the Daiyokai to the edge of his control. The bastard runt must die.
"You dare endanger my Mate?!" Sesshomaru seethed, his golden eyes glittering with the need for retribution as his voice boomed throughout the hall. It was with these heavy words that Inuyasha's amber gaze twisted from the floor to Sesshomaru, their eyes locking together as energies began to erupt.
"Are you so incompetent, that you would risk her life, just for a chance at this Sesshomaru?!" the Daiyokai growled, slowly rising from his knelt position next to his overwhelmed Mate. When the Yokai Lord stood at his full height, his fangs began to protruded past his lips while brilliant eyes threatened to bleed red. "I was correct in my theory: you were and are, undeserving of her, little brother."
"SHUT UP!" Inuyasha howled into the room, his head thrown back as his aura began to pulse. Muscles shaking, hair swirling, Inuyasha released a low growl of rage as his own power began to thrum into being. It was in this moment that his eyes twisted back onto his brother, and once there, lead to his next attack.
"YOU WILL DIE!" Inuyasha screamed at the top of his lungs, his fangs flashing from the ambient glow of the Reception Hall. Lunging forward, his clawed hand held aloft, Inuyasha moved in for the kill while the great fang Tetsusaiga was lifted once more. However, unlike the last swing of his mighty weapon, his blade was prevented by another; Toukijin.
With a hiss, the two infamous fangs connected, sending sparks of white and gold about the dancing Inu brothers. Blade to blade, eye to eye, Inuyasha and Sesshomaru began to fight; these titans of war clashing head on as their burning eyes, a whirl with determination, bore into one another. Neither backing down, the world seemed to come to a halt as this epic battle began. With every strike, sizzling heat flashed, sending powerful shock-waves throughout; a low rumble accompanying each burst. It was during this herculean event, that opportunity was seized.
The moment the Inu Lord was drawn into battle, Miroku and Sango took action. With hearts racing and souls alight by determination, the two allies pushed from the marble ground, seeking that whom they lost. Kagome. Their dearest of friends and closest of allies was their objective, and with her captive held at bay by Inuyasha's attack, it was time to steal her back.
Within a single breath, the two lovers fell about Kagome, gathering the silent, broken woman within their arms in preparation for departure. However, upon contact with the ningen Miko, they came to realize it would not be so easy. Kneeling beside the curled mass that was Kagome, Miroku and Sango hissed in loathing as the walls surrounding the Reception Hall, seemed to come to life. Fully armed guards, once hovering out of eye sight, came bursting forward, their gazes locked upon their newly appointed Lady of the West, and the two individuals who came to reclaim her.
With narrowed eyes the two companions looked on with apprehension as this party of Yokai quickly moved into place. While avoiding the battle between the two Inu brothers, these guards, numbering at a total count of thirty, began to surround the three individuals. With weapons drawn, and looks of smug indifference, these soldiers of the West slowly tightened their ranks as they prepared for battle. Escape, it seemed, would not come so easily.
Glancing at one another, the Slayer and Monk gave a single, curt nod. This silent communication was all that was needed by the two; their ability at teamwork impeccable. Though outnumbered, these partnered, seasoned warriors were not intimidated. Rather, this particular situation appeared to have the opposite effect. Despite the disproportional balance between foes and allies, both Miroku and Sango felt their drive only spur on their determination. Because of this, their attacks were swift and flawless.
Having reclaimed her Hiraikotsu, Sango jumped to her feet, and with a roar, threw her mighty boomerang at the fast encroaching Yokai. Soon the screams of injured or dying soldiers joined the thrumming base from the adjacent battle. With gore flying, the Buddhist Monk backed up Sango's actions with his own. Remaining on bent knee, he slid before his lover, keeping herself and Kagome well behind his outstretch palm. It was here that he unleashed his wind tunnel, removing the sacred beads once surrounding his wrist with a growl. Within a moments time, those that remained standing were decimated, their bodies swallowed whole by the void. Because of this, the pathway was once again clear.
With the return of his wards, Miroku turned to Kagome who was on her feet with the aid of Sango. "Let's go." the Monk announced, his tone assured of their success. It was, however, as Sango and Miroku encouraged Kagome to stagger forth, that she finally responded beyond her dazed look of despair.
"He won't let me go..." Kagome whimpered lowly, her blue eyes downcast, unwilling and unable to meet her friends gaze. Bound by subjugation, the Miko's surroundings seemed mute. Once the world sang with energy; a beautiful collage of life forces intermingling amongst themselves. However, with a necklace of subjugation about her neck, all had turned black and white. Perhaps if she had not lost her freedom... Perhaps if she did not hurt from her Mate's cruel treatment...
Kagome felt tears overrun her eyes, causing heavy droplets to fall. She couldn't take it; not any more. Twisting her gaze from the floor, her eyes shifted between her two companions as the Miko shared but a piece of her misery, her voice choked with anguish. "...He will never let me go!"
Miroku felt his panic soar at the sound of Kagome's broken voice, her words hollow with indefinite abandon. 'Dear Kami... Have mercy on her soul...' Miroku thought in aghast horror, his plum colored eyes widening from heartache. Kagome was the type of woman who never backed down, never gave up the fight. His friend was a constant support to those around her, offering all that she had for the sake of their happiness. To see the Miko in such a state left the Monk reeling, his mind stunned by the damage wrought upon her mind and soul. It was in this tiny moment that Miroku gained inspiration; either Kagome escaped with them, or face a doomed existence in the here and after.
Stepping before his friend, Miroku suddenly reached forth, taking hold of Kagome by the chin, forcing her gaze to center upon his own. It was here that his brilliant purple orbs locked with her sapphire eyes, capturing them with his intensity. "Kagome..." the Monk calmly spoke, his tone even and cool with loving authority. "...Let's go."
Tears brimming, lips trembling, Kagome felt something within her shutter. "But... But..." her voice barley choked out as the threat of wailing sobs pulled at her vocal cords.
With a gentle smile and the sweetest of caresses upon her cheek, Miroku extended his other hand, aiding Sango in the support of Kagome's weight. "Let's just... go."
It was the simplest of words that broke the mighty dam which had trapped Kagome in a flooding of mournful despair. With a gasp and a sob, her blue eyes rolled back as screams of horror were finally released, her muscles trembling as she collapsed within the arms of her companions. Weeping bitterly, Kagome found the warm embrace of Miroku and Sango surround her as she gasped for oxygen, her soul facing that which she dreaded. Consumed by the pain that had taken her, the Miko was swept away by the overpowering current of loss. Drowning in this pool of consternation, she clung to her only given lifeline; the support and love from her closest of friends.
Miroku... Sango... Inuyasha... It was the love from these individuals that gave purpose to her gasping lungs, offering strength to a much diminished heart. Where she once thought all was lost, now, a new, enlightening realization filled her with glowing warmth; a truth that could never be stripped away. She was never alone. It was this truth that lent her strength, reigniting her passions and encouraging her soul to creep out from the darkness that had plagued her mind. However, it wasn't until she shifted her gaze, and looked upon the failing Inuyasha, that the Miko found untapped strength bursting from a dormant fountain waiting to be unleashed.
Kagome was uncertain of what occurred first; the loss of her hearing, or the insurmountable pressure that ripped her very soul inside out. When her blue eyes finally shifted from Miroku and Sango, her vision was filled with a heart stopping scene. Some forty feet away, clear on the other side of the Reception Hall, the battle between Inuyasha and Sesshomaru was drawing to a close. There, gasping for his last breathe, Inuyasha was hanging from his neck, held securely by the enraged Sesshomaru. It was this sight that lead to the sudden change within Kagome, the air creating an audible crack, followed swiftly by deafening silence and horrendous pressure.
What occurred next, went beyond her understanding. With her world spinning, and mind screaming, Kagome felt as if placed within a void. She could not breathe. She could not move. However, despite these paralyzing sensations, a storm began to build from within. Every ounce of pain previously experienced, exploded into a glittering dust of power now coating her spirit. And just like the audible crack that deafened the room, so too did her barriers, leaving behind a torrent of destruction ready to be issued.
With a booming pop, an explosion of power erupted from Kagome. These brilliant flames of purification engulfed her tensing form, causing the Miko's eyes to roll back as she screamed in silence. Trapped within a whirlwind of blinding light, this awakening pulled at the very fibers of her soul, drawing them taunt as she became a conduit of power. It was during this immersion, that the bindings upon her abilities became no more. With her head thrown back, the necklace of subjugation around her neck began to evaporate from licking pink flames. It was when the last particle vanished from this plain of existence that her head swiveled forward, her eyes rolling as her vision filled with her awaiting target.
For the briefest of moments, she was where she stood, breaking through the bindings which previously ensnared her powers. However, with the quick disintegration of the subjugation beads, the empowered Miko suddenly found herself at the far end of the hall, erupting into position with a thunderous arrival. Her very existence thrummed with strength as the foundations of the mighty Shiro of the West trembled. She could not feel, she could not hear. However, Kagome could see. And with her waking eyes, watched as the fountain of purification roared from her person, and tore apart the pair of Inu brothers.
She did not understand how it came to be, nor did she recall the precise order of events. However, the first thing Kagome became aware of, was the sight of her Mate, unconscious on the far side of the Reception Hall; his armor in pieces, and his flesh burnt. This awareness was quickly replaced by another; the sensation of strong arms about her waist, hoisting her from the floor. She didn't know what happened, or to what extent the damage had been. This seemed to matter little as her consciousness began to slip away. However, what did matter, was the sensation of cool, crisp air upon her face as she was lifted into the sky, and the realization that her freedom had just been won.
