Chapter Twenty Five
The beginning of the end
Her eyes took in everything before her that was occurring. The other warriors were fighting relentlessly against Naraku's lower demons, but the number of them was overwhelming. She brought her gaze onto Sesshomaru and Naraku, watching as Sesshomaru dodged and struck out against Naraku. He unleashed his Dragon Strike onto the dark hanyou.
No sound reached her ears, save for the beating of her own heart. The Dragon Strike only causes the barrier to tremor, but does not destroy it. It wasn't strong enough against the barrier.
Her breathing was slow and shallow.
Thump, Thump, Thump
Naraku attacked Sesshomaru and caught him in the side opposite of his other wound. Blood splattered from the newly created wound and Kagome moved her mouth to call out to him, but she could not find her voice. Her throat felt constricted.
Thump, Thump, Thump
She had to stop Sesshomaru before he got himself killed. They needed to leave this battle before anyone else died. She couldn't bear losing him like she did Miroku, Sango and even Koga. She didn't think she could go on if that were to happen. She had to do something. She had to stop Naraku. She needed to do something!
From the corner of her eyes she saw Inuyasha running towards her, his lips moving to the pronunciation of her name. The closer he approached her form, the more the sound of her heart beat within ears died down. "Kagome!" She heard him call out in worry. "We have to get out of here." He told her seriously with furrowed brows as he kneeled down for her to climb onto his back.
Kagome just stared at him in disbelief.
They couldn't just leave Sesshomaru and the other youkai here to fight Naraku alone.
Kagome went to protest, but she could not find her voice, instead she shook her head feverishly. Inuyasha frowned. "We don't have much time Kagome, GET ON!" He ordered with narrowed eyes. "Sesshomaru wants us to flee from here." He started while staring at the miko deeply before adding, "He will meet us as soon as we're far away from here." He lied roughly. If he told her that Sesshomaru might die then she have would definitely stay.
She still shook her head in protest. She could see it in his eyes. He was lying and if she were to leave now Sesshomaru will die. Looking back to the tree where she had dropped her bow Kagome made a dash towards it. If Kikyo could break through all barriers of all type of magic and now that her soul was whole once again maybe, just maybe Naraku might not win just yet. Maybe she would have enough power to destroy the barrier erected around the coward. As she ran she ripped away an arrow embedded within one of Naraku's minions. Notching it onto her bow she aimed it at the shield.
As spiritual energy gathered to the tip of the arrow, the miko glared hard at the dark hanyou. She needed to wait until Sesshomaru was out of the way to fire it.
"You, foul being, will regret this dearly." Sesshomaru growled out darkly, indicating the wounds that now adorned both sides of his abdomen. His kimono top was shredded and revealed patches of his pale skin that was now stained red. Naraku fought without any shred of honor or dignity. He hid within a bubble of protection while he fought with only his armor and sword. Naraku chuckled darkly at the Taiyoukai. "I would like to see that happen." He replied with an amused smirk.
Sesshomaru snarled before unleashing Dragon Strike once again. Like the last time the attack only caused Naraku's barrier to tremor. The Taiyoukai's eyes narrowed in displeasure and frustration. If this keeps up he would have to transform into his beast and it only be used in a last resort. With his wounds and the amount of energy he will use for the transformation he would become that much weaker if Naraku managed to survive.
Sesshomaru glanced over to the field to see if Inuyasha had followed his orders and frowned deeply when he saw the pup besides the miko just a few yards away. His eyes shone in realization as he saw the arrow aimed towards Naraku.
In one smooth motion he distanced himself from the dark hanyou.
'Do it now Kagome.' Sesshomaru thought with eagerness.
Kagome saw the opening and fired her sacred arrow. The large streams of holy energy swirled violently around the wooden arrow as it flew rapidly in the air towards it target. The sound it made stirred Naraku and caused him to look over his shoulder. His eyes widen in surprise, but before he could move out of the way the arrow connects to the shield surrounding him.
Nothing happened for a moment as the arrow drove in deeper into the barrier, small cracks forming around it as it buzzed with immense energy.
CRACK
Naraku's eyes widen as his shield began to crack all around him. With no other option, but to flee from his safe haven, the dark hanyou escaped the confinement barely missing the arrow as it scorched his right arm. Landing below onto the ground Naraku hissed painfully before grabbing his wounded arm. At the sight of bone he narrowed his eyes in anger.
"You bitch!" He yelled out angrily, his eyes turning into a deep red. From the corner of his eyes he saw Sesshomaru running his way and quickly turned to his dog. "Take care of him and make sure he dies." He told his creation, who only nodded in understanding and was off in a flash. Looking back over to Kagome the dark hanyou began to stalk towards her madly.
Inuyasha pushed Kagome behind him roughly as Naraku approached them. Drawing Tetsaiga, Inuyasha held it towards the bastard. "Get out of the way." Naraku growled out darkly. "You're not getting anywhere near Kagome, you bastard!" Inuyasha quickly raised his fang above his head and brought it down swiftly, "Wind Scar!" The golden gales trotted towards Naraku in fury.
With a frown Naraku dodged out of the way to only dodge the fang once again as it took a sweep at his head. "This is the first time I see you do anything besides sitting on your lazy ass." Inuyasha commented with a deep scowl. Not taking the comment too lightly, Naraku shot one of his appendages out towards the other hanyou.
Inuyasha dodged the appendage and swiftly sliced it off. However, as soon as the appendage was cut, purple gas spurted out wildly smacking Inuyasha straight in his face and spreading rapidly. Instantly holding his breath, Inuyasha covered his nose and mouth with his sleeve while moving away from the poisonous gas. 'Kagome,' He thought suddenly and quickly turned to see that she was covering her mouth and nose with her forearm.
'She's won't be able to protect herself with just her damn forearm.' He thought as he made his way towards her. Just as he was two yards from her, a figure appeared behind her. From the way her eyes were still closed and hunched over slightly the poison was entering into her system, distracting her to the figure that was behind her.
"Kago-" He immediately broke into a coughing fit when he inhaled some of the poison gas in an attempt to call out her name. With his sensitive senses he quickly became disorientated and dizzy. Narrowing his eyes he pushed himself to focus on Kagome and to get to her before Naraku did. He would never forgive himself if he allowed Naraku to take Kagome yet again.
At the sound of Inuyasha's voice Kagome opened one eye, but the gas surrounding her concealed everything around her. She couldn't see anything, but she could sense Inuyasha and he was close. "Inu," She broke into a small coughing fit before pushing the urge away. "Inuyasha!" She exclaimed in a high yell while scanning the area before her for her companion. "Kagome!" She smiled despite the condition surrounding her and made her way forward towards his voice, but stop when Inuyasha's voice carried once more, "He's right behind you!" Her eyes widened considerably before she made a run for it towards Inuyasha's voice.
She felt an arm wrap around her waist and soon felt a chest behind her back. "Let me go!" She screamed hysterically. She did not receive a response. Her eyes widen fearfully. "Now why would I allow him to do such a thing?" Naraku finally said darkly. "You will pay dearly for firing that arrow of yours at me." He started, his voice laced with suppressed anger. "But that will take place later on." He revealed to her with dark promise. Now he needed to take care of the Inu brothers once and for all. Only then will he be able to build his new world without any interference.
A world where everyone will bow down to him like the god he was. His queen will soon learn her place even if he had to force her through the whole ordeal. He glanced at her from the corner of his eyes and smirked at the fire burning within her stunning eyes. He wondered how long that flame will be lit before he burned it out.
He hoped it wouldn't burn out too soon.
Glancing over to where Inuyasha was at, he couldn't help, but smirk as the other hanyou swayed dizzily towards them. The look in his eyes told Naraku that the hanyou was extremely disorientated. He may not die from the poison as quickly, but that was not what he wanted.
He had other plans for the hanyou and his brother.
Kagome watched Inuyasha coming towards them and felt tears gathering in her eyes. "Inuyasha!" She exclaimed fearfully. His ears twitched at the sound of her voice and his haze filled eyes cleared slightly. "Kago-me?" He muttered brokenly while furrowing his brows. A strong wind passed by blowing the gas eastwards and away from the silver haired hanyou.
After several seconds the haze look in Inuyasha began to clear up quickly and he was no longer swaying with each step he took. When he fully came to he saw Naraku holding Kagome captive.
"Let her go." He demanded sternly while raising his fang to level with Naraku's neck. Naraku ignored the demand and instead brought his sights onto Kanna. "Kanna you know what to do." He spoke smoothly with a malicious glint in his red eyes. The young teen stepped forward and held her mirror in front of her. As Kanna looked down into her mirror it began to glow a blinding white. "Your soul." She muttered emotionlessly, her eyes shining with minute anxiety. She still had Kagome and the Taiyoukai to defeat Naraku, but she wasn't so sure now. Naraku already had Kagome and once she took the soul of Inuyasha, Sesshomaru will be next. There will be no hope left until Naraku drank the miko's blood.
Kagome recognized the attack and fought against Naraku's hold. "Inuyasha run away! She's trying to suck in your soul." She exclaimed feverishly before wincing in pain when Naraku tightened his hold on her arms. The silver haired hanyou growled at the pained look on Kagome's face. He ignored the albino teen and raised his fang for an attack. "My Wind Scar should take care of her and that mirror of hers." He said and unleashed his attack.
Kagome's eyes widen and she quickly shouted out in warning, "Inuyasha, you baka, don't you remember her mirror can return the attack!" At that Inuyasha cursed deeply. "I forgot about that." He muttered out while the mirror absorbed his Wind Scar and soon after shot it right back at him.
Inuyasha turned to run and narrowly missed his own attack unleashed upon him. He rolled onto the ground before kneeling on one knee and looking over his shoulder. The girl was nowhere to be seen only Naraku and Kagome, who held a hand over her mouth. "Hey, get your filthy hand off of her!" Inuyasha exclaimed angrily when his body suddenly started to pulsate.
His eyes widen in surprise and from the look in Kagome's eyes, he knew that brat was behind him. He turned around and saw her standing in front of him just two feet away. He never remembered her being so fast before. Another pulsation racked through his body and a few seconds later the pull of his soul. The tug feeling on his soul was painful and Inuyasha with all his might tried to move away from that mirror.
He was stuck in place and could do nothing, but resist the pull and keep his soul intact. "Your attempt is futile." Kanna spoke out softly. Inuyasha stared at her harshly. "That's what…Argh….you say." He managed out with a scowl. "There was only one who was able to resist my mirror and it is the miko." She told him and swiftly tugged on his soul once more. It caused the hanyou to yell out in pain and arched his back involuntarily.
Another tug to his soul had the hanyou screaming out in pain once more. Soon a bright light appeared within the center of his chest and was slowly sucked into the mirror. His soul was large, but that was to be expected since he was a hanyou. He possessed the soul of both a demon and a human.
Two stream of tears flowed down Kagome's face as she watched her friend's soul being taking from him and into Kanna's mirror. This was far worse than any death one can experience. She could see the light in his eyes dying down until there was no life left inside them. Then and only then did Kanna stop and walked away as Inuyasha's body slumped to the floor motionless.
A demon appeared and picked up his limp body and carried it over his shoulder. Kagome protested and pulled against Naraku. "Inuyasha," She exclaimed brokenly, her distraught voice carrying out into the battle. She watched broken as her body shook uncontrollably as the demon that had Inuyasha's body run off into the distance.
"Do not fret Kagome his body will be store away until I decide to use it." He told her, his voice laced with a mocking tone. Kagome did not hear a word the dark hanyou had said and instead was filled with indescribable hate and anger. Naraku raised a brow when he felt his ability to move restricted.
His hold on the miko soon fell as she turned to face him. There was a pain in his chest and as he looked down to gaze at the Shikon no Tama his eyes widen in shock. Its entirety was swirling with darkness and malice. Black currents of power that resembled electricity roamed his body causing him tremendous pain.
It didn't take long until the energy made him yell out in pain. "You deserve far much worse pain than this Naraku." Kagome said darkly her long bangs overshadowing her eyes. The same current of black energy that caused him pain roamed throughout her body as well, but unlike him she wasn't screaming out in pain.
What was going?
Sesshomaru scowl at the suppose replication of himself. He was insulted that such a creature would attempt to appear as him. Naraku would surely die after he defeated this clone of himself. Although it resembled him in appearance, he did not think it would also have the same attacks and abilities as he did. It made it that much more difficult to take it down.
With a vertical swing of his sword Sesshomaru grazed the arm of his copy. It did not whimper, gasp, or yell in pain. It did not even wince upon contact with the blade. This creation was unfeeling to pain. He would have to dislodge its head from its shoulders. Sesshomaru was certain that it would not die until that happened or at least rip out its heart.
The Taiyoukai swiftly dodged the copy's poisonous whip and struck out with his own, catching the thing around its neck. The copy reacted quickly and cut the whip with his claws. Sesshomaru growled. He almost had him and if he had just been a second quicker he would have dislodged his head right now.
Sesshomaru felt a body crash against him from behind and quickly glanced to see that it was one of the warriors that the wolf had brought with him. The wolf demon barely cast him a glance before chagrining towards his foe and kicking Naraku's demon's neck off with a powerful roundhouse kick. The others were doing well against the numerous demons Naraku had unleashed upon them and slowly and surely they were lessening.
Sesshomaru felt a breeze swipe at him and dodged it before it could connect to his face. He stabbed the copy's abdomen and smirked inwardly when his entire hand had gone through to the back. Without hesitation Sesshomaru quickly brought his claw hand back inside the copy's abdomen to take hold of his heart.
He smirked when he felt the beating organ in his palm and efficiently tore it out. The copy remained still and motionless before collapsing to the ground dead. Sesshomaru's blood covered hand held the organ before tossing it aside and forgotten in the ground. Now he had to get to Inuyasha and Kagome and find Naraku.
He took several steps towards where his pack was located at and his body protested each step he took. Being the Lord he was he ignored the pain and made his way through the battle, taking out Naraku's demons as he went to lessen the numbers greatly.
As he took out the lower demons in quick session a scream caught the Taiyoukai's attention and snapped his head towards the hill that held a single tree. The scream belonged to Inuyasha and it made Sesshomaru's blood run cold. He briefly caught what was occurring and snarled deeply. Just as he was about to make a run towards his little brother, a spear pierced through his abdomen from his back.
He stared at the spear head with annoyance before pulling the weapon out with a silent hiss. He turned around and saw the demon that had done it and before the little runt could escape Sesshomaru threw the spear right through the back of his neck. He successfully dislocated its neck and the demon fell limp to the ground.
Without a second thought Sesshomaru made his way to Inuyasha when he was left immobile. "What is this?" He questioned himself out loud. He couldn't move. He looked around and saw that it was occurring with the others, both Naraku's demons and Koga's warriors. He furrowed his brows and forced his legs to move.
His left leg only moved less than an inch. His ears caught onto another scream of pain that was not Inuyasha's and realized that it belonged to Naraku. It was then that he felt Kagome's aura spreading throughout the field, in a dark heavy haze, leaving everything in its path unmoving. Something must have happened for her to be distraught and filled with so much hate. He searched for Inuyasha, but saw no sight of him.
Where had he gone to?
He tried to move again and after many failed attempts he stopped. Only Kagome will be able to stop Naraku.
He will wait until Kagome finally ended Naraku's life and reclaimed the Shikon no Tama and make it pure once again. Then he will bring everyone that had died tonight back to life with Tenseiga and hit his brother over the head for disappearing at a crucial time. After several seconds there was no change and wondered if his miko was taking her time killing Naraku. It would be understandable, but it was not like her to draw out one's death.
He wondered why it was taking so long.
Then all of a sudden a dull pulsation erupted throughout his body, seemingly resounding from his soul to his flesh. His eyes widen as it pulsated again and then the feeling of a tug deep within his chest. It was a searing burning pain and he resisted the pull and growled at what was causing this.
The others suddenly gained their mobility back save for himself. His eyes hardened when he finally realized that Naraku was using him to get the miko to let him go. "Do not do it!" He shouted from his spot, knowing his voice had carried up to their ears. "He will win!" He added in warning before growling out at the intensity of the pull.
Small thin streams of light began to escape from within his chest and he watched eerily as it traveled to the one stealing it. His gaze finally landed on Naraku's creation, Kanna. She was standing near Naraku with a void expression. Sesshomaru glared hard at Kagome's form. "Kagome!" He growled out while trying to hide his pain. He saw her face turned towards him and her eyes widen in fear.
She turned her face back to Naraku and spoke words too far for him to pick up on. As they spoke the streams of light escaping his chest was increasing in portion. He could feel his beast stirring wildly within his mind. It was agitated, anxious, and for the first time fearful. The sound of battle between Naraku's demons and the warriors had continued.
"It is over yet?" Kisho asked monotonously as he watched Kagura appear before his cell. There was a weird tinge to her scent and it wasn't until she came into the light did he see what was the cause of it. His eyes widen as he stared bluntly at her swollen midsection. It protruded through her kimono and obi most predominately.
Kagura scoffed at his shock expression and questioning dark eyes. "No yet it is unless we do something about it." She told him in a stern tone. With a flick of her fan she shattered the cell and stepped aside as the metal fell to the ground with a heavy thud. "It had been three hours since that bastard and his bitch have left. We need to assist Kagome and the others if we hope for our freedom." She told him with hard eyes.
Kisho scowled and walked over to Kagura, his gaze piercing and hard. "This is the result of your punishment," He started while glancing at her swollen womb, "…and you still wish to fight while carrying a child?" He questioned with a raised brow. Kagura angrily snarled at him and flexed her fan to shield her growing abdomen.
"I will do anything to ensure this child's arrival in this world, but in order for me to do that I need Naraku dead." She told him through clenched teeth. Kisho suddenly smirked at her outburst. "You sure are overly protective of a child that was spawned by that bastard." Kisho commented with a glint in his eyes.
Kagura scoffed at him again and sent him a dirty glare. "This child belongs to me and only me." She said with finality in her voice. "We need to stop the bastard instead of idly annoying one another." She told him with a stern glare. "You are right hag and if things are going as plan Naraku will be dead as soon as he drinks the miko's blood." He revealed to the wind witch who in turn stared at him with surprise.
"What are you talking about?" She asked with raised brows. "Kanna filled the vile of the miko's blood with the soil grains of Onigumo." He told her. "She told me that it will greatly affect Naraku to the point of death, am I right?" He said while folding his arms across his chest.
Kagura nodded silently.
'So, Kanna decided to want freedom instead of being Naraku's servant for eternity.' Despite her anger towards her younger sister Kagura smirked extremely pleased. "Naraku will not suspect Kanna." Kisho nodded in agreement. "Yes, we figured as much and now we need to make sure that bastard drinks her blood and once he does steal our hearts back and kill him." He went over for her benefit. Kagura took the plan and was grateful for it.
When she came down here to free the little runt she had no plan on how to stop Naraku. Now she praised Kanna's plan and hoped that it will go well. Freedom was just a grasp away from them all.
She glanced down to her child nestled safely in her womb and her eyes softened slightly. "We all will be free by sunrise." She whispered gently in meaning. She would raise this child completely opposite of Naraku and will spear her child of his existence. Glancing over her shoulder she regained her composure, "Let's go brat, I want to see Naraku's death and a chance to repay him for his treatments over the years." She said with a wicked smirked on her red painted lips.
The look in her eyes was nothing he has ever seen in them before. They were hard and merciless much like his own, but to a whole different level that he could only dream of achieving. The iciness of her gaze was astonishingly even for a human, much less a miko. "What is this power?" He asked with wide red eyes. His response was a condescending small smile, barely considered a smile as it was a small lift of the corner of her lips.
"Surely you would recognize it. It is what you were searching for all these years." She told him with narrowed eyes. "The Jewel reflects its guardian's soul." She started while sending dark energy into the dark hanyou once again. Naraku cried out in pain, his hands clawing into the dry soil in an attempt to bear with the pain. This dark energy was much more painful than any purification energy he has ever come upon.
"Right now my soul is raging in hate," She started and promptly kicked Naraku in the face. She heard a satisfactory crack and knew his nose was likely to have broken, "A deep hate for you Naraku." She revealed to him in a snarl. "You took the lives of all my friends and the soul of my best friend." She listed angrily, memories of each one flashing before her eyes.
"Kagome, let's go to the hot springs!" Sango's voice suggested with a small smile.
"Lady Kagome what is this play-boy in which you call me? I hope it is something good." Miroku asked with his charming smile.
"Hey Kagome what took you so long and did you bring me my ramen?" Inuyasha questioned with perked ears and awaiting eyes.
"You took them all away without a shred of remorse!"At the rise of her voice the pain increased ten-fold.
Naraku was left trembling in both pain and new found fear before a woman.
By his mate no less.
It was humiliating.
Kagome caught sight of the vile, glinting within his armor and took hold of it. As her hand came into contact with the vile she could sense what was inside it, 'Grains of Onigumo's soil.' She thought to herself mentally. She glanced at Naraku and hardened her gaze. Whoever placed them inside the vile wanted Naraku dead and she was more than happy to oblige to their case.
She removed the cap to it and roughly pulled Naraku's face towards her. "You said my marking as your mate wouldn't be completed unless you drank my blood." She said with steely. "Well, open up." She roughly shoved the vile into his mouth and tilt the vile up, disposing the blood down his throat.
As the blood flowed down his throat both hissed in pain, more Naraku than Kagome. The mark on her neck burned and tightens her skin in branding. She angrily took hold of the tainted Shikon no Tama and yelped in pain at the malice expelling out of it and onto her skin.
Kagome stared at Naraku.
He will die soon.
All she had to do was wait and watch.
She didn't expect him to shout orders out to Kanna.
When he had realized it was the soil grains of Onigumo's soil that was burning his throat he panicked. He needed to escape and take care of it before it spread throughout his whole body and died. His gaze landed on the form of Sesshomaru. He had just been struck with a spear and looked agitated.
The Inu Taiyoukai will be his ticket to flee.
"Take his soul now!" He cried out momentarily ignoring the burning pain in his throat. Kanna will know who he was referring to and as soon as he flees from here Kanna will be severely punished for her betrayal. She was the only one who he gave the vile to hold. 'I would have never suspected her to do such a bold move.' He thought seething.
Kagome stiffened and quickly turned her gaze onto the young preteen, her expression one of shock. Kanna remained still as she stared at the pained Naraku and the shock miko. He drank the vile of blood and was suffering. It will only take minutes for the soil grains to spread throughout his system.
When she did not move to attack Naraku had growled out angrily while Kagome had sighed out in relief. Sesshomaru was safe. "Are you forgetting yourself Kanna?" Naraku shouted outraged. "I hold your heart!" He exclaimed madly his grip on earth tightening. "Take his soul or I will kill you as you stand." He revealed darkly from his spot on the ground.
Kagome watched as Kanna's expression became fearful. It was the first time she had seen an expression on the girl throughout her three years. Kagome shook her head and quickly intervened. "Don't listen to him Kanna, he can't hurt you anymore!" She saw the teen bring her gaze onto her and a shimmer of hope shone in her dark orbs.
Naraku glared hatefully at the miko. She was turning his own creations against him and if he didn't do anything soon he will die. He moved his hand and froze. He stared down at his hand and realized with a smirk that he could move again. The Shikon no Tama hanging in the miko's hand was swirling between malice and purity. 'Her hate is weakening while she speaks to Kanna.' He mused as he silently reached into his kimono and pulled out Kanna's heart.
Just as Kanna began to believe in the miko's words an unfamiliar squeezing of her heart caused her to gasp out in shock pain. Dark orbs widen in mute fear as she released one hand on her mirror to clench onto the area of heart. "No!" Kagome whimpered fearfully as she quickly turned besides her to Naraku. He was kneeling on one knee and squeezing a red vibrant heart in his right hand.
She glanced down to the Shikon no Tama and saw that it was slowly being purified. 'Kanna distracted me.' She mused deeply while taking in Naraku's broken and bruised nose. 'Did I do that?' She asked mentally unsure of the answer as she tried to recall the past few minutes. She bit down on her lower lip. She didn't remember all that well, it was all foggy.
Was it because of the tainted Jewel?
All she remembered was the feeling of wanting him to suffer and feel pain.
Kagome took an unsteady step backwards.
That wasn't her. She would never wish for someone to suffer even the most evil of people. Kagome stared at the Shikon no Tama once again and felt her body tremor. "It's not purifying as fast as before." She commented with a shudder that would mean more energy to give it.
"Yes miko that is right. Your aura is tainted with darkness from within your soul. You yourself told me as so." The dark hanyou inputted with a heavy scowl before loosening his hold on the beating organ. "Now, Kanna take it." He ordered out shapely. Kagome watched from her spot as Kanna's mirror began to glow a blinding white.
It didn't take long for a streaming light to appear and be suck into the demonic mirror. Kagome began to breathe heavily. That was Sesshomaru's soul being stolen. What was she going to do? Her question shown in her body language and Naraku gave her his ultimatum. "Either you release me from your hold or suffer in this world without your Lord." He wagered heavily and without hesitation. 'So he isn't completely out of my hold.' Kagome thought with furrowed brows. She couldn't stand it if Sesshomaru was taken from her as well. She couldn't lose his soul to Naraku.
She opened her mouth to voice her agreement when a loud voice stopped her, "Do not do it!" Her eyes widen. She recognized that voice from anywhere. She turned her head and found him frozen in his spot with his soul being taken. She felt her heart thump painfully from within her chest at the sound of his voice shouting out to her in warning, "He will win!" She couldn't let him win.
With conflicting azure eyes Kagome sharply turned her gaze onto Naraku. "Kagome!" She knew what she had to do and she would not regret it. She would do everything in power to save the one she loves. "The whole world would suffer if I let you go, I can't let that happen no matter what!" She exclaimed without hesitation.
She gazed down to the Shikon no Tama and saw that her hands were shaking. 'This is it.' She thought mournfully. 'This isn't how I'd imagined the final battle to have gone.' She brought the Jewel to the center of her chest and exhaled. She closed her eyes and once she did tears streamed down her cheeks. 'Midoriko, I'm probably the worst guardian ever, but I want to make a request.' She asked the Jewel.
The Jewel flickered weakly and warmth filled her body. It was barely there, but Kagome could feel it like a very soft caress. 'What is your request?' The ancient miko's voice was weak Kagome noted and extremely exhausted. This sprung worry throughout Kagome. 'I want you to trap Naraku and me inside the Jewel with you.' She requested with a determined tone. The ancient miko did not speak for a several moments as if contemplating her request. 'Child, are you certain? Once inside you will have to keep the youkai at bay for the rest of eternity." Midoriko told her with seriousness to her tired tone.
'I know and I'm prepared to do just that. I'm prepared to help you fight.' She told the older miko sincerely. 'It's because of me that you're having such a hard time. The Jewel was shattered because of me and now that it is whole it is tainted. It's not purifying as quickly upon my touch anymore.' The tears falling down her cheeks were flowing much quickly now. 'Alright child, I need you to embrace the hanyou and then your souls will be encased within the Jewel.' Kagome inhaled deeply and nodded.
Kagome snapped her eyes opened and quickly charged towards Naraku, but not before casting Sesshomaru one last look. She poured all her heart and love into that one look and she prayed that he got her last words, "I'm sorry." The last thing she remembered before turning her gaze from Sesshomaru was his voice telling her to stop and the look of shock on Naraku's face as she threw her arms around his neck and the feeling of incredible warmth surrounding her.
"Kagome!" Sesshomaru shouted madly as she charged towards Naraku, throwing her arms around him followed by a silent explosion of massive energy. The light blinded him and he was forced to shield his eyes. He noted that he was about to move once again and the feel of his soul returning to him fully. Waves after waves of energy pushed him back several yards away and he would have continued being pushed away if his back had not collided with a tree. The tree snapped upon impact and fell over him, covering him from the others to see.
His sight was beyond blurry and his hearing was completely dulled down. He soon fell unconscious against his will, but not before taking in the blurry shape of the moon and calling out his love's name.
"Kagome."
It was close to four in the morning and still the well did not open up for him. He had jumped down into it several times as each hour passed and had ended up with sore ankles and a bruised backside. The sacred well did not feel the same as when his sister had left to return to the other Era and had wondered if it will feel the same if he was to go through.
"Souta, here drink this." The teen turned and grabbed the hot cup of cocoa from Hitomi and gratefully smiled at her while taking a small sip from it. "Any change?" She asked in hope and when he nodded her shoulders sagged slightly. "Oh," She muttered tiredly. They've been here since six and after several many attempts to go to the past there was no change, except a bruised Souta. She giggled at the memory.
"What's so funny?" Souta asked with a pointed look. Hitomi shook her head and smiled secretively, "Oh, nothing." She lied sweetly before turning back to her hot cocoa. Inside the sacred well house there was an electrical lamp, a pile of teen magazines, potato chips and others sweets with the wrappings thrown in a single corner and a sleeping Aiko besides Souta.
There was a soft knock at the well house's door causing both teens to turned around and see the late night visitor. "Any luck yet?" Hina asked with hopeful eyes. In her hands was a tray decorated with sweet snacks. Souta and Hitomi both shook their heads. Hina's smile fell slightly as she set the tray down in front of the teens and accidentally let out a depressed sigh.
At the sound Souta began to doubt that his dreams and memories. "Maybe, maybe the dream meant nothing." He told them with his eyes cast down. Both Hitomi and Hina gave each other glances before Hitomi placed her hand onto Souta's shoulder. "Hey, did it feel like nothing?" She asked with a smile and hopeful eyes. Souta thought about it for a second and finally shook his head in response. "No…" He muttered out softly. "But then why isn't the well letting me through?" He asked with weary eyes. Hina frowned slightly before hugging her son. "Don't worry Souta, when the time is right it will let you through. It seems our Kagome is still keeping up a fight, right?" She asked lightening up the sullen mood.
Souta grinned ruefully. "Yeah, she probably is. She always liked to fight to the very end." He remembered his older sister never giving up on anything. He only wished she had given up on her search for the Jewel Shards. She missed so much because of them. Her High School diploma had been mailed to their home a few days ago and it was proudly held up in display inside their house.
He couldn't wait to see the expression on her face when she saw it.
He was brought out of his musing when he felt Aiko growling besides him. He was on all fours and the pup was glaring at the well. There was a strange power suddenly radiating from the well and Souta quickly looked from the well to his mother and girlfriend before promptly standing up and rushing over to the old well.
Hina and Hitomi watched worriedly as Souta leap over the lip of the well and disappeared into the vibrant mystical blue glow of time. They could only watch and wait until he returned and hopefully with Kagome.
As he flew through time he did not take the time to gaze in awe at his surroundings, but focused on his goal and praying that he wouldn't be too late. "Don't worry Kagome," He started to say with determined eyes. The bottom of his sneakers landed softly on the bottom of the well and looked up to see the night sky with millions of stars.
He grabbed hold of the vines within the well and began to climb up.
"I'm coming for you."
A/N: OMG! This is it, the last chapter! :D
I found so many questions left unanswered in this one chapter alone. What happened to Kagome, is she and Naraku really stuck within the Jewel with Midoriko? What of Inuyasha, Sesshomaru and Naraku's incarnations?
And so many more questions that will be answer in the sequel to The Silver Strand.
I think I might update the first chapter to the sequel in the next week or so depending on how many reviews I get for its demand. I just need to adjust certain things to it and come up with a title for it, so if you guys have any suggestions of a title it would really be helpful. ;)
So the only thing left to say is thank you reviewers and to those who have TSS on their alerts and favorites.
Review and until next time ;)
Lady Manami