Last Time...
Her heart ached before she realized she could feel him. Her eyes found Sesshoumaru overlooking all others there. He was slowly beginning to stand up, completely restored. Tears slowly ran down her cheeks. "Sessh… Sesshoumaru!" She took a step forward before the Shikon no Tama shattered behind her and enveloped her in a white light. And in an instant she was gone.
"Rin? Rin!"
She had to admit that in the last few hours she had grown tired of this floating feeling and bright flashes of light. Rin forced her eyes open and realized that she was once again inside the world of the Shikon no Tama. The blinding white void now contained a few dark cracks which caused Rin to become a bit anxious.
"I apologize for bringing you here like this, but you were the final bridge and I had no choice…" The soft voice of Midoriko called out. She appeared suddenly next to Rin.
"What's happening?" Rin asked. The entire void shook as the cracks became more defined.
"The Shikon no Tama's purpose is to fulfill desires, the deepest desires of one's heart. The last contractor was evil and he has corrupted the jewel. And yet… his desires cannot be fulfilled. For you have found the loophole in all things and have killed him…" She turned her tired eyes towards Rin as a thin frown became apparent on her face.
Rin stared at her ancestor, disbelief slowly radiating out of her eyes. "So what's happening to the jewel is my fault?"
"It is a rebound effect. The jewel could feel Naraku's end drawing near. And with his passing, the entire contract has become null. This means that those brought back through such gruesome and painful means will die once again…"
"This can't be happening…"
Midoriko continued seemingly unfazed by Rin's words. "As we speak, with the last bit of life within her, Kagome is attempting to purify and fuse the Shikon no Tama back together. All before the core, where we are currently, is completely damaged. But she doesn't have much time because once again she is dying from her final wound."
Midoriko waved her hand precariously and a small pond appeared before them. In it a reflection could be seen of a crouched Kagome holding the cracked jewel in her hands. Shards were flying around her and every so often one would come back and rejoin the jewel. But at the same time, she was trying to push a pink light into it to banish the darkness. Blood had already started to drip slowly down her neck. "She attempts to purify the Shikon no Tama, to banish the unstable magics that are now clashing within. But it will all be got naught."
Rin grabbed Midoriko's sleeve. Desperation etched into her features, tears running down her face. "You can't let this happen to them again. There was so much pain to reverse their deaths, why should they have to relive it again? How do I stop this? I'll do anything to stop this!" The young woman cried.
"Calm yourself child…" Midoriko said softly. "That is why I brought you here…"
Once again the young woman was confused. "What?"
"Since the contract was not fulfilled it falls to you to make your own wishes…" Midoriko said softly bringing a comforting hand to caress Rin's cheek wiping away her tears. "Show me what's in your heart child, and I will give it to you. You who have had so much ripped away are at least deserving of that." Midoriko gently kissed Rin's cheek before everything went black.
"Rin, are you even listening?" Kagome asked, snapping her fingers in front of her young cousin. She let out a dry cough. She knew she really should be allowing the girl time to pack, but this was important.
"Of course, you were once again telling me more about the Shikon no Tama…" Rin was annoyed to say the least. She had been called back to the South for some stupid ceremony. Kagome and Kikyo however had gotten out of it and were continuing their stay in the West. But she honestly didn't see how Kagome's wedding preparations got Kikyo a free ride as well.
Kagome coughed again. "It's just that, well, you should be prepared. In case something…" Her voice broke and she had a small coughing fit.
Rin sighed and put her hand on the other girl's forehead. "You need to go lay down instead of telling me about Shikon no Tama lore…"
"I know. My throat has been sore… But Rin…"
"I heard you Kagome…" Rin said ushering her older cousin towards her own room and then pushing her down onto a bed. "The Shikon no Tama grants true desires. And it is possible for desires to be so prominent that it would seem as though the jewel was granting multiple things. But in the end they must all tie together."
"Very good Rin." Kagome smiled as she snuggled into her covers. "These things are important…"She coughed again and was certain she wouldn't be able to talk the following day.
"Silly Kagome, you aren't going anywhere. And you are starting to sound like Kaede. Go to sleep. I'll have Inuyasha bring you something for that cough and fever. And I'll be back in time to help decorate for the wedding." Rin said sweetly.
"Safe travels home Rin. I shall see you on your return."She whispered, closing her eyes.
Rin smiled and exited the room. She had no idea that would be the last time she saw her cousin alive.
"Sesshoumaru, can you stand?" Kagome called over the din of the courtyard. The sounds of agony had come again. They were once again dying. She wasn't sure what was happening but she was sure it had something to do with the corrupt and shattered Shikon no Tama in her hand.
Within a second Sesshoumaru was at her side. "Is Rin inside?" He asked as sweat began to form on his forehead. His poison was once again destroying him, but this time it was from the inside out.
"Yes… But I need your help…" Kagome said as tears began to form at the edge of her eyes. The pain was edging into her consciousness, but she could not afford to become a slave to it. "Quickly, before I can no longer speak. I need you to burn my wound closed so that it takes longer for me to lose blood. We need time."
Sesshoumaru nodded and immediately brought his finger to Kagome's neck. He passed his claw across the reopening wound, his poison actively burning her skin and acting as a blood clot. And then he stood back, no longer sure of what else he could offer.
This new crisis was not one he had foreseen. He had properly guessed Naraku's intentions and exactly what he would wish for, but this was no longer a part of his carefully formulated plan. "Damn it Rin, where are you?" He asked the wind. If he was to die he at least wanted her to be at his side this time.
Kagome coughed up a bit of blood, she knew Sesshoumaru's fix was only temporary. The internal damage was still there. The dying young woman shook furiously but refused to succumb to the pain. But her body felt so heavy. And she was so tired. Suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped around her waist to help support her.
"I'll be by your side this time…" Inuyasha whispered as warm blood spilled from his chest and ran down her back. "I love you Kagome to the end."
"Hold… me… tighter…" She whispered as her wound began to reopen.
Kagome's face became determined and she pushed even more of her energy into the Shikon no Tama. More and more energy until finally, the jewel shattered once and for all. It disintegrated and then released a pink light which covered the courtyard. And when the light receded everything was still.
Yeah... A bit rushed being as I typed it at work... And I'll need to get someone to beta it later... Probably BA326 if I don't bother the magical Mary... Kinda anti-climatic... But I killed Naraku last chapter... Next chapter is in my opinion better and it is also the last chapter. I actually worked harder on it... (Shamed face) I just have a bit of touching up to do on it... And it should be out tomorrow.
Yeah... I'll probably re-upload a better version of this chapter tomorrow with the final chapter... Actually, it isn't even a probably. The only reason I posted this tonight is because I was told, "You have it, let me see it." Which is retrospect is probably not a good reason to show anything...
Wells, I am going to go finish doing my hair and I will catch you guys later. Please don't hate me for this. R&R!
