Chapter 17

A Fateful Night… The Tragedy Begins

Kagome glanced up to the sky & let out a sigh. It'll be dark soon. I'm getting paranoid by the minute. This is not good. She cast a glance to her friends, the eerie feeling can't seem to ebb away. Another sigh escaped her lips, this time not going unnoticed by the kit in her arms. "Daijoubu, mama?" Shippou asked her worriedly. "Hai, daijoubu desu." Kagome tried to smile. Even a fake one for them.

All of a sudden both InuYasha & Kagome froze. The familiar miasma surrounded them. "It's a trap! Kagome hurry! Hide!" InuYasha shouted. Kagome nodded, "Be careful, InuYasha." "I will." With that, she ran to hide while the others were getting ready for battle. Kagome hold Shippou attempting to calm herself with one thing on her mind. It's happening now! Kami-sama! Please keep them safe!

InuYasha unsheathed his sword & it quickly transformed into Tetsusaiga. He leaped into the air & yelled "Kaze no Kizu!" The miasma disappeared as he landed on the ground. Both Sango & Miroku encircled Kagome to protect her & Shippou. "Kazaana!" "Hiraikotsu!"

A shrill laughter echoed through the forest. Kagome shuddered involuntarily. "Kukuku… Well well… It's nice to see you again InuYasha." InuYasha spat at him. "There's nothing nice when you're around Naraku! It's time for you to die!" InuYasha charged again at him. Naraku disappeared as he was about to be slashed. "Damn it, show yourself! You coward!" InuYasha yelled angrily. But only Naraku's laughter answered him.

"Calm yourself InuYasha! You need to concentrate!" Miroku reminded him.

"Damn it! I know!" InuYasha retorted. "Where the hell is he!"

Unbeknownst to them, while they were fighting, the old witch began chanting a spell deep in the forest. A spell that will forever change their lives, especially Kagome's.

Kagome felt it. Her eyes widened as she watched the battle unfold before her eyes. Her scream echoed through the forest. "INUYASHA!"

Everything was moving in slow motion. Kagome looked at the sky & found the sky darkening before her very eyes. Oh no! She glanced at InuYasha to see him changing into his human form, a look of horror in her face. "What the hell?" InuYasha was shocked beyond reason. How is this happening? It's not even suppose to be night yet. She again glanced at the sky & realized something. New moon! Oh. My. God! This can't be happening! Not now!

His hair changed into black tresses, his dog-ears disappeared to be replaced by human ears. His claws & fangs retracted back. The Tetsusaiga he'd been holding changed back into its rusty form. Then in a blink of an eye, Naraku advanced on InuYasha. "InuYasha watch out!" Miroku yelled.

It was too late. InuYasha had no time to react. His eyes shut as pain registered his mind. Kagome screamed at the top of her lungs, "NO!"

InuYasha dropped to the ground, hard. Blood seeped through his haori. He tried to stand up but the pain was too great to bear. In his human form, he won't be able to last with these wounds. Kagome rushed to InuYasha's side in an instant. She hugged InuYasha & cried her heart out. "Please don't die. Please. I can't lose you. Please…" Kagome pleaded. "Don't cry… I always… manage to… make you cry…" InuYasha struggled to hold on. He raised his hand & gently touched Kagome's cheek with the back of his hand. "I'm sorry…" Kagome sniffed. "Please don't… don't give up." "I---I…" InuYasha closed his eyes & gather all his strength to speak. When he opened his eyes, he could no longer see Kagome. "I'm sorry… I couldn't protect you… I… love… you… Kago…me…" He closed his eyes. "I love you too," Kagome whispered. "That's why you have to live. You hear me?" Hearing no answer, Kagome's eyes widened. "Inu—InuYasha?" She shook him. No answer, still. "Why?" She hugged InuYasha's body while Shippou hugged her. They stayed that way for a few minutes, forgetting the battle in front of them.

"No, this is not true. He can't be dead!" Sango's whole body shook in denial.

"Kukuku… I assure you, the hanyou is very much DEAD." Naraku mocked.

In anger, Kagome's ki flared. She could feel her energy coming out of her body. She held her bow & arrow & aim in straight at Naraku. "Naraku, die!" With that, she released the arrow. Seconds before it hit Naraku, Kohaku appeared in front of him & blocked the arrow with his own body. This time it was Sango who screamed. "NO!"

Kagome dropped to the ground, shaking. "What… have I done? I've-I've killed him." She stared at her hands & sobbed. "I-I'm sorry." Shippou hugged her & cried, "Okaa-san!"

Sango who was frozen in utter shock had no time to defend herself as Kagura appeared behind her. She barely noticed Kagura's fan coming down on her. A gust of wind surrounded her before she was thrown away landing on the spot next to Kohaku.

"Sango!" Miroku yelled, attempting to run to her side. Unfortunately, he was left with very little energy & loss consciousness after that. Only one word came out of his mouth as he was engulfed with darkness, "Sango…"

Naraku stood in front of InuYasha, a devilish smile played on his lips. "Finally, the hanyou is dead." The witch emerged behind him & said, "It is done."

Naraku moved away from InuYasha's body & walked towards Kagome. Kagome realized this told Shippou to run away. He obeyed & rode with Kirara. She picked her bow & arrow before dropping it once again. "I… can't… move…" she stuttered while her whole body was paralyzed.

Naraku raised his hands & snarled, "Prepare to die, young miko!" Kagome closed her eyes & prepared for the blow. But it never came. She slowly opened her eyes to see Sesshomaru with Shippou & Kirara. "Sesshoumaru-sama…"

Kagome can feel her body grew numb. She felt tired & drained. Sheremembered her loss. Her friends. Why? She succumbed to the darkness & barely heard Shippou calling her name. "Mama!"

Guys, I'm so sorry to leave you guys like this. Please don't be mad. I'll try to add a few more lines & edit it. But right now, I'm having serious writer's block. Please understand. Also, I've added another story in my archive. The site is http : www . /read. php? storyid 1652817 (Ignore the spaces). The title is Match Made In Heaven. A Rurouni Kenshin fic. It's a rather deep theme. A bit of lemon in later chapters. Mostly it's a mystery. For those who are into romances, you might like it. Please leave your reviews. Once again, I thank all of you for your never-ending support.

NOTE:

Anyone is welcome to share his or her ideas for the fic.

Voting for the poll will only be concluded before the end of this story. So till then, keep on voting everyone!

I thank everyone who reviewed my fic & for the ones who continuously vote for the pairings! I love you all!

Poll Results:

KuramaxKagome 77votes

HieixKagome 87votes

SesshoumaruxKagome 3votes

KougaxKagome 2votes

InuYashaxKagome 9votes

KoenmaxKagome 7votes

YusukexKagome 2votes

This will be the other pair: (both are already finalized & there will be no changing)

YusukexKeiko

KuwabaraxYukina

Review Responses:

To Mystic Rain:

Nice idea, but that's not what I have in mind. You'll find out sooner what her real powers are & her true form. Anyway, thanks for voting!

To Inu Youkai-Hime:

I know that I wrote R&R in the beginning & in the summary, but I just can't resist a little softy scenes. For me, it spice up the whole story. Don't 'ya think? And don't worry it'll be a happy ending.

To inudemoness247:

Thanks for voting! I've already added your 3 votes in the poll votes. Thanks again.

To Sesshomarus-Girl101:

So glad you understand. Anyways, I'm really flattered. Are you really a fan of this fic? Gosh!

To Valkyrie Nienna Helyanwe:

Well, here's another update. 'Ope you enjoy & thanks for voting!

To Fire Kitsune Goddess:

Oh my God! I totally forgot about it. Thanks for reminding me. "" Anyways, I've already edited it & will upload as soon as I can. Thanks!

To kurama'smiko, God of Death6, Shadow Stone, & brie:

Thanks for voting! Please do vote again.

To Star Silver fox:

Ah… Thanks!

To Knives-girl, AnImEAnGeL97, anonomus, Roxy0729, & Kat421:

Thanks so much for the compliment! And thanks for voting!

To Sakurajen:

Thanks for voting! What did you post?

To kk:

I'm sorry I couldn't make it longer. I'm very busy right now & I can't seem to find the time to write the fic anymore. But I assure you I'll finish it even if it takes more of my time. Thanks for voting! Oh & InuYasha will not be attacking Kagome.

To kagomevskikyo:

Thanks so much! Please continue on reading my fic! Thanks for voting!

To magiabruxa:

Thanks so much! Here's another chappie for you to enjoy!

To Evilblackflame:

Domo Domo! I'm very glad you like my story. Hope you continue liking it.

To Haruka Minamino:

Hey! I knew your name sounds familiar. Thank you for reading my fic. I've added your two votes. Thanks for voting! And of course you can help me with my fic. That'll be very much appreciated.