Chapter 28 – Home's Call

"I am so sorry," Sarome said. They were back, all-in-all, but, now the Court of Demons (as Tarja called it with a slight giggle) picked this day for them to say good-bye and send them back home. Everyone was in tears, including Hiei, who tried to hide them. Kurama and Sarome were alone, though, in Dia Legara. She had taken him there so he could say goodbye to Rose and her family.

Everyone else was waiting for them to return.

Starr and Densuke cried when Sarome, her three tails dropped, her ears flopped, told them of what would happen. "You cannot leave!" Starr cried out, gripping Kurama's neck in an attempt to pull him down forever into the water. "Sarome loves you!"

"I have a mother at home as well as you do," he said, carefully hugging Starr and peeling her arms from his neck. Sarome stood in the shadows, watching them, silent tears falling down her face. She knew that this day would come sooner or later, and she had deeply wished that it would be later. Kurama had changed her life. He had given her strength when she was weak, had supported her when she was down, and had shown her the light when she was on a path of darkness.

"Sarome?" Cornello's voice woke her from her thoughts, and she turned to the waterfall. He beckoned for her to follow with his hands. "I want to talk to you about this, Sarome."

"I don't," she snapped back, her ears dropped and her tails sagged. Her voice was weak and upset, still filled with pain. It was as if, to Cornello, Naraku had gotten a hold of her again, and showed her friends died at her paws.

"Sarome, look at yourself," he said, motioning to the water. She did, and shook her head. "You look as if Naraku had you in his grasp yet again," nothing. She sighed and looking at the waterfall falling next to them. They were out of sight, in the safety behind the falls. "What has happened to the flaming cat demon that no one could tame?"

"Tamed," Sarome simply said.

"The fire is gone in your eyes. It -," she cut up off.

"…is still burning, but only just," she said slowly and weakly. "I love Kurama enough to give my life for him, just like you and the others. But, my heart belongs to him, and he is leaving, taken it with him."

"Sarome, the people here trust you not to falter. To defeat Naraku, you have to be strong, and not let your mind drift to your pains. Naraku will take advantage of that weakness." That did not perk Sarome up whatsoever. If at all, it only depressed her more. "I understand what you are going through, Sarome, I honestly do, but, you are a fighter, and you have to stay strong."

"I have to go. Sunset is coming soon." Was her excuse, and she picked herself up slowly, and walked away.

"Sarome!" Cornello called out. She ignored him, transformed and let Kurama climb on, and flew away. Rose swam over to him, and placed a scaled hand on his shoulder.

"She will be alright, Cornello," she said gently.

"She has never been in this kind of pain before. It is all knew to her." Cornello sighed.

"The prophecy will play its course," was all Rose said before diving into the water after her kids.

……………………………

Sarome, Shelbra, Katoma, and Tarja looked at each other, each knowing what they had to do, and nodded. Today was the day two of the demon's lives would come crashing down. Sarome stepped towards Kurama and Yusuke, and slit a small wound at the palms of their hands, and blood trickled into her hand. Both members' blood mixed within her own palm. Tarja, Katoma, and Shelbra did the same thing as well.

A small wooden bowl lay in front of the sitting group, and they placed the blood from all of the newcomers in it. It mixed together in the bowl. Next, they stepped forward and cut a small sample of hair from each, and placed it in the bowl. No one talked. Kagome, Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, and Shippo all sat away; by the large tree they had first had their conversation with these people. They were silent as well.

Finally, the physical rites had been finished and Tarja stepped forward, her voice ringing loud and clear for all to hear. "Step forward, please," she called, her voice stern, but soft at the same time. Hiei, Kurama, Jin, Touya, and Yusuke all stepped forward. "Please place one hand on the bowl and close your eyes. Think of your Spirit World, of Lord Koenma," she looked to Sarome, who nodded, saying that she pronounced it correctly, "and let nothing else enter your thoughts. Let your memories overcome you, let them bring you back home." They did as they were told, some had silent tears falling down their faces. "Now-," but she was cut off.

A figure, small, yet large at the same time, was flying above them. A dangerous scent Sarome knew all-too-well filled her nose, and she growled and snarled. "Naraku!" she cried out. "Out in the open?!" A dark and distant chuckle filled everyone's ears. Everyone called out insults, but only one saw Sarome bend over in pain, gasping for breath. Kurama ran to her side, but she pushed him back and ran. Blood began to trickle down her neck.

"Sarome!" he cried out, and pushed himself of, and followed her at a complete run. "Wait!"