AN: I'm a little unsure how you guys are going to react to this chapter. Be sure to tell me in reviews!
And while you're at it, check out my blog for a deleted/alternate scene from chapter 35!
Band of Seven: A lime is where characters have some sexual contact, but it either isn't described in great detail, or doesn't result in sex.
theycallmeQueen: I'm really glad you found me too :) Thanks so much for the review!
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JOHNXgambit: Oh, it gets worse. Thanks for reviewing though!
DnC4ever: I just wish it hadn't taken six months, lol. Thanks for your review!
Kovia: Oh silly, I would hardly admit to my plans for world domination here ;) Though I am tempted by your offer of waffles...
Crazyponygirl: Careful you don't tip your chair over now. Especially after this chapter.
The Band o'Seven: Oh, wow, thanks for even bothering to read Snow White. That was one of my first stories I ever wrote and the writing style reflects that, lol. I actually did throw the Band of Seven in the story though. They're part of another very, important group. Saved them for something else ;) Thank you so much for the reviews!
Lexi: Thank you! (Glad you agree ;)
caitlin: Thank you so much! I'm really glad you love this story so far. And don't worry, it won't be on-going much longer!
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha and I make no money off this story.
November 17: 11:57 PM
"That's...that's impossible." Kikyo sputtered. "Don't you think I've tried?" She looked furious, spreading her arms out, indicating the treasury room and all the chaos within. "Do you really think this was my first option? Resurrecting Kaede with Naraku's power funneled through the jewel was my third."
"I think with my way, you'll have a fourth option." Miroku coaxed. "Like I said. I know how to do it. I can bring your sister back from the dead. And what that requires."
She went still, the nervous disbelief fading to be replaced by wary suspicion. "Prove it." Kikyo dared. "Show me you actually understand what you've researched."
Miroku nearly had her. She held the jewel loosely in her hand, paying more attention to him then to the revenge she had been screaming about while battling Sango. Her power had died down to a dim glow, caressing her instead of shielding. Only her face remained guarded, still marked by Kagome's nails.
"Give me your vow first." He insisted. "The lives I want for your sister."
He had to make sure his sacrifice would be worth something, after all.
She nodded once. "If you actually prove to me you mean what you say. I'll save Sango, and I will leave Kagome and Inuyasha alone." She crossed her arms over her chest. "But make it fast. Your mate can't wait much longer."
Sango was slipping away in his arms, her body stiff and her eyes milky white. He looked at her for a moment, memorizing the feel of her in this last moment together.
Decision made again. He couldn't save them, but at least he would save her.
He bent his head to hers, brushing his lips across her forehead. His arms trembled, and he hardened his resolve when he felt her chilling skin. "Forgive me." He murmured, praying she understood him.
Gently, he laid her on the ground, being sure to keep her hair clear of the glass shards and dead insects littering the ground. He stood up, refusing to let himself look back at her as he approached Kikyo. "May I borrow a knife?"
Kikyo narrowed her eyes at him. "I've still got the jewel and the antidote. No tricks." She warned, sliding her hand back towards her belt.
Miroku held his hands up, trying to look earnest and innocent. "No tricks, I promise. Just proof."
With one more warning look to his mate dying on the ground, Kikyo passed a small dagger to him. Small enough that it wouldn't cause much damage to her, but large enough for his own purposes.
"Thank you," he said politely, rolling up his sleeve. "As I said before, I know about your sister, and her death. I am sorry for your loss." He said genuinely, really feeling it. Losing a family member could drive anyone insane.
Kikyo only acknowledged him with a small nod. "Get on with it."
Miroku flicked his thumb across the blade, testing its sharpness. Blood welled up easily, leaving a sharp sting behind. Perfect. "But before I ever had reason to research you or your family, I researched dark spells." Back when he thought Sango was a demon sent to torture him for his sinful ways, and was eager to find any way to get rid of her, good or bad. "I found a spell book, written by an old necromancer named Urasue."
Kikyo gasped, "You found her spell book? I lost track of it, centuries ago."
Oh, but she hadn't been as motivated as Miroku had been to rid himself of Sango. The book hadn't been overly useful to him, only as a last resort if everything else failed. He wanted to be free of her, but he hadn't been quite that desperate. "Then you know the spell I'm thinking of."
"Of course I do, it's the only one in that whole damn book that works!" Kikyo gritted out. "I'm waiting to see if you'll actually go through with it."
He imagined she would have tried the entire book. That explained the giant X's that marked out the majority of the spells on the ancient paper.
It was the very last page, blank and untouched, that Kikyo would want to try next. The only way Urasue had ever been able to raise the dead. A resurrection fueled by a willing sacrifice.
Miroku held his hand up, fingers spread and palm facing the ceiling. The flickering lights shone off the red mark embedded in his skin. He wanted to take his time, to study the mark that had caused him so much pain and anger. But there was no time left. He had to save Sango, and he would die happy knowing it was the last thing he ever did.
And the only way to do that was to free her.
Miroku didn't let himself think. He slashed the blade across his mark, not pausing between the pain of the second cut, and the third and the fourth and the fifth, until his palm was a mass of raw skin.
Until no trace of his mating mark remained.
He squeezed his hand closed, ignoring the stinging and the burning of the wound, grimly aware it was only going to get worse. "I, Miroku, abrogate all bonds to the demon Sango."
A hush settled over the jewel room, a breeze ruffling Miroku's bangs when there was no wind. There was a stillness settling over him, like the universe was paying attention to what Miroku was about to do next. "I see her no longer. I walk by her side no more. Her home is not my home, her possessions no longer mine."
Lights flickered on and off above him with greater frequency, the wound on his palm beginning to feel warm. "I will not share with her my mind. I will not share with her my body. I will not share with her my heart." The words burned like poison on his lips, his hand clenching his staff harder when he wanted to snatch them back. "Our lives and spirits are no longer one. Sango is no longer my mate, but a stranger."
His heart was pounding hard against his chest, aching and hurting. Miroku refused to let himself look at Sango, as he felt invisible lines fraying. "I accept all consequences and take responsibility for taking this curse on myself." He talked around the lump in his throat, even when it made it hard to breath. "I understand my future duty and my future death. I am willing to take this curse instead of remaining bound to the demon Sango."
He let his fingers unfurl from around the bloody mess in his hand, the heat beginning to burn the skin. " I void our ties to each other. "
It felt like a fireball lit itself in the center of his palm, burning through skin, muscle and bone. He sank to his knees, surprised by the scream that ripped its way out of his throat.
Kikyo stared down at him in shock, her mouth freely hanging open. "You...you actually did it." she gasped.
"Sango!" Miroku reminded on a strangled gasp. "Save Sango!"
"Right." Kikyo shook her head, coming back to herself. She reached into her bag, pulling out a vial full of some sort of clear, glittery liquid. Even through the fire eating a hole in his hand, Miroku forced himself to watch Kikyo kneel next to Sango, dribbling the substance into her wound.
"As promised. The lives of your friends for your sacrifice. But don't think I'll always be this nice." Kikyo warned, prying open Sango's hand. Kikyo carefully put the jewel in the center of her palm, whole and untouched. "This is for Kaede. I need to make things right." She confessed quietly.
Miroku hardly cared about her motivations, he wanted this pain in his hand to end, and he wanted to see Sango safe and alive. She would be happier without him. He had given her the demonslayer community, Kiara and friendships with Kagome and Kagura. She could make a life for herself now, free of her duty and her unwanted mate.
Because there was no way in hell he was letting Kikyo live.
Sango could kill Naraku all she wanted once they figured out how to free Kagura. And he would still help Kikyo raise Kaede. The child deserved another chance at life; she had done nothing wrong.
But Kikyo was going down with him.
The burning in his palm died away into a strange, vacant feeling. Like an unending emptiness. Carefully angling his hand away from him, he uncurled his fingers.
Sango's name in kanji was gone. Replaced by a perfect black hole.
Panting, Miroku watched a few glass shards on the ground creep towards him, pulled by the force of the hole in his hand. A weapon in the making. But he knew with the right spell, that force would disappear and change into something else completely. "As promised. A doomed mate cursed with the kazaana."
What better willing sacrifice then a mate who would do anything to break the mate bonds?
Kikyo clapped, beginning to look like her old self again. The insanity in her eyes receded, as plans and backup plans began to form instead. "Wonderful! My very own dead man walking. I will commend your researching skills...Miroku, did you say? I'll have to have you search for good schools to send Kaede to when she's alive again."
Miroku bit back the retort that wanted to spill out, not wanting to risk Sango while Kikyo was still kneeling next to her.
"You're going to need something to bind that closed." Kikyo pointed out, the shards moving with a little more force. "Before it gets too strong and sucks us all in. Or decides to let something else out."
"Miroku." Sango croaked, moving her head slowly towards him.
"Before you start, it's over, slayer." Kikyo interrupted. "He'd rather die than be bound to you any longer."
Miroku jerked, not wanting to word it quite like that. He would rather die than see her hurt or suffering any longer. He would die to give her a real life, free from duty or guilt.
He would just die for her.
"What did you do?" Sango struggled to say, her vocal cords still a little paralyzed from Kikyo's poison.
"He saved your life. I would think you would show a little more respect." Kikyo chided, grabbing Sango's remaining sleeve of her catsuit. "Hold still, now." She set her bag down next to her, digging out a small knife from her waistband. "Don't worry, this one doesn't have any poison on it."
Miroku only stared at Sango, not sure what to say. What was even left to say?
Kikyo ripped the leather free of Sango's sleeve, peeling it down her arms. "Here, you can cover it with this, but we still need something to bind it..."
Miroku caught the leather on autopilot, carefully slipping it over the kazaana, the black hole attempting to suck the sleeve in. "...would a set of prayer beads work?"
He nearly looked away when Sango's eyes widened, gaze boring into him. Knowing exactly who he wanted to use them on.
"Perfect. Put them on so we can get out of here before she's fully recovered." Kikyo ordered.
Fully aware of Sango's accusing gaze, Miroku pulled his prayer beads out, wrapping them around his hand and wrist. Instantly, the sucking feeling of the black hole ceased, the leather sleeve easily resting against his skin.
"Is it tight enough?" Kikyo asked, finally moving away from Sango's side. "Let me check."
"It's tight eno-"
SMASH. SMASH. SMASH. SMASH.
Sango raised another fist above Kikyo's bag, crushing the contents with another blow, staring at Kikyo in challenge.
"No!" Kikyo shrieked, "My aging potion!" Kikyo threw herself at the crumpled bag, snatching it away before Sango could score another hit. "Please, please, please, please...no!" She cried, sifting through. "All my bottles are broken. It's all mixed in with my poisons and my weapons and...and falling out this hole!" Kikyo screeched, finally noticing the dust and liquid that dripped out the rips in the bag cut by her knives and Sango's claws.
Sango bared her teeth at her. "Use plastic next time, bitch."
"I'll kill you!" Kikyo shrieked. "That poison will feel like heaven when I'm done-"
"Kikyo!" Miroku grabbed her around the waist, holding her back even as she fought his hold, narrowly avoiding getting thrown over her shoulder. "Stop! You promised you wouldn't harm Sango."
"That was before she ruined the rest of my supply!" Kikyo raked her nails down his arms, fighting dirty when more honorable methods failed.
Miroku gritted his teeth and hung on. "If she's harmed in any way, I don't help you get Kaede back!" He sighed when Kikyo finally stopped, frozen in his arms. "Remember Kikyo, the sacrifice has to be willing. I won't find myself so willing if you go back on our deal, and anything happens to Sango, Kagome or Inuyasha."
"...oh, fuck." Kikyo muttered.
"Exactly." Miroku let her rip herself away from him, her face red and furious. "As long as you don't harm Sango, I'm on board. But if you threaten her again..."
Kikyo waved her hand. "Fine. You all win today. Congratu-fucking-lations." She sneered. "I'm done with this place. And you have a deal to complete. It goes both ways, you know. No sister, no safety for your precious ex-mate."
"Fair enough." Miroku picked up his staff, trying to get used to the feel of the beads and leather covering his hand. "But can't we do the ceremony now?"
Kikyo rolled her eyes. "Of course not. You're not the only piece I need for the spell."
Miroku blinked in surprise. "You don't know how to-"
"Unfortunately, I never had the chance to learn that particular skill." Kikyo explained grimly. "But I know just the person who does. Now hurry up. Since that bitch destroyed my supply, we've got limited time." She shot a glare at Sango, trying to pick up her bag before giving up and throwing it on the ground.
Miroku hesitated, wanting to look at his mate...his ex-mate one more time. She still laid on the floor, her color better but still only able to shift her arms. She glared at him, her eyes full of fury and some emotion he didn't even want to guess at.
"I'll find you." She gritted out, refusing to break eye contact with him. "No matter where you go, I'll hunt you down. And when I do, you'll know what true torment is." Sango swore, her hand closed tight around the jewel.
Kikyo laughed while his heart sank. "Good luck at that without your mate ties. And this time, I'll make sure you won't be able to find me. Sorry Sango, but this is goodbye. Ta-da." She waved over her shoulder, dismissing her without a second look. "Come along now, Miroku. I have a very special student of Urasue's we need to find."
Miroku let the image of her imprint itself into his mind, for something to recall when he was lonely or doubting himself, or tempted to run away from his fate.
Something to remind himself of her utter hatred of him. That he couldn't fix them, that he hadn't even been close.
As he turned around to follow Kikyo, he realized maybe Sango wasn't the only one he had freed.
Awareness crept unto Kagome slowly.
She laid flat on her back, cushioned by what felt like grass. There was no noise around her; no wind that swept over her. She wasn't hot or cold. Her eyes felt glued shut, her limbs unwilling to move just yet.
Her hand was locked in something tight, her fingers tangled in something warm and tangible.
She jerked up, her eyes wide open now, ignoring her body when it ached and protested. "Inuyasha!" She gasped, rolling over to him.
He grunted in response, squeezing her hand. "Wench. Don't pull the crap with the mind meld again." He warned.
He laid sprawled out on his back, wounds and blood covering him. His hair was a messy white halo around his face, drawn tight in tension and pain. He kept his eyes squeezed shut, his lips cut in a tight line.
And his legs...
Kagome swallowed back her gasp, tears gathering in her eyes. His feet were coal black, mangled and misshapen. The rest of his legs didn't look much better, red angry burns mixing with black and ash.
"I'm so sorry." She grabbed his hand with both of hers, holding on tight. "I should have been faster, and stronger-"
"Shut up, mate. You didn't...do anything wrong." His voice was raw and hoarse, like he had spent more time moaning then talking.
Kagome sat up, gently disentangling their hands. Her power quickly gathered in her palms, eager to heal. "I'm going to fix this. I promise."
"Just no melding this time." He muttered again.
Gently, she cupped her hands over the worst of his injuries, careful not to put any pressure on his wounds. She let her eyes drift close, focusing completely. "Please, heal Inuyasha."
Purple petals blanketed Inuyasha's feet, her power burrowing under his damaged skin. Inuyasha jerked a bit, "That tickles."
Immediately the petals slowed, doing their best not to brush against the sensitive part of his feet. They layered on top of each other instead, gently healing the burnt muscle and tissue.
Inuyasha's face slowly relaxed, the black of his legs fading. Just for that, she could forget about the sweat beading on her forehead, and the weariness that made her sway. Her petals weren't burning quite as bright as they normally did. They floated down from her palms a little slower, feeling tired and looking a little wilted.
Finally, Inuyasha's skin shone bright pink, the worse of the burns gone, but the skin still tender. Deciding his demonness would take care of the rest of it, Kagome called her power back to her, struggling to stay upright.
"Inuyasha..." She trailed off, not sure what to say.
His eyes finally opened, bright, and clear and so golden it nearly took her breath away. She had been scared that she would never see those eyes looking back at her. But now they were, and relief hit her hard, letting her collapse over Inuyasha's chest. "Inuyasha!"
"Said I would be back, didn't I?" He reminded her, wrapping his arms around her. "That syrup better still be waiting for me at home."
Kagome couldn't laugh or cry, still marveling that she was really in his arms. "You said you would know even if we couldn't meld together. You tell me."
His smile was lazy and all-knowing. "Feh, of course it is. We both know no one can spread it across you like I can."
She didn't bother to argue or agree, knowing she needed his lips on hers more than she needed words.
"I love you." She panted after she finally broke away from him. "I'm so glad you're safe."
"Same here, mate." Inuyasha stroked a hand down her back, staring at her with more than a little awe. "But fucking hell, did you scare me when you just burst into the jewel room out of nowhere. Don't you dare do that again."
"Don't put yourself in danger again, and I won't have to." Kagome shot back, wanting to purr at his touch.
"Hey, we're leading dull, boring lives after this is all over, remember?" He reminded her again. "Turtlenecks and everything."
Her brow arched. "Did you change your mind about bed at ten?"
Inuyasha's smirk turned wicked. "Mate, we might go to bed at ten, but we won't be sleeping."
Kagome shivered in spite of herself. At least their love lives wouldn't be dull too.
"Well, before we can be boring, we have to save the world. Let's get out of here." Kagome sat up from Inuyasha's grasp.
"Yeah, but where's here?" Inuyasha asked, carefully sitting up.
"Um..." Kagome scratched her head, "I'm not sure. I don't really know what happened. I accidently pressed a symbol on the display case, and that's the last thing I remember."
She finally looked around, trying to get a sense of where 'here' was. Green grass stretched out around them, peaceful and serene. It was the sky that was strange; it was a mix of purple and blue with a definite curve to it. Almost like a dome shape.
Inuyasha found her hand again. "Mate, you should probably turn around."
Curious, Kagome looked over her shoulder. And stared.
A giant traditional Japanese castle spread out before them. It was beautiful, with turrets that seemed tall enough to touch the sky and blossoming cherry blossom trees surrounding it. A lake sat just beside it, its waters blue and calm.
Kagome was suddenly very glad Inuyasha had grabbed her hand again. "Inuyasha. I have a theory about where we are, but I'm not sure you're going to like it."
"Try me. It can't be much worse than what I'm thinking."
Kagome took a moment before answering, gathering her words carefully. "Well. It was strange that the symbol was blank, and that it seemed to transport us somewhere once I touched it. And since the symbol was on the display case..."
"The jewel." Inuyasha finished shortly. "We're inside the jewel."
"Midoriko must have created some sort of...gate to come and check up on him." Kagome guessed. "Which means-"
"He's here." Inuyasha's hand tightened around hers. "The bastard who killed my parents and forced my sister-in-law to mate him is here somewhere."
Suddenly, he was up, dragging her along behind him as he marched towards the castle. Kagome tried to dig her heels in the ground, "Inuyasha, wait! We have to figure out how to get out of here, Souta might still be in danger!"
Inuyasha stopped abruptly. "Do you have any idea on how to get out?"
Kagome hated to admit it. "...er, no."
"Then we better ask Naraku how Midoriko did it." And he was back to dragging her along, focus intent on the castle.
"Inuyasha this a really bad idea." Kagome tried again. "You're not thinking clearly."
And she wasn't sure if she was ready to meet her great-great-great etc etc, grandfather. She hadn't even gotten a chance to explain that to Inuyasha. How would he take it when she did? "Inuyasha, just let me talk to you-"
Click
Inuyasha, stop!
He finally stopped walking, not seeming to care that they were well within eyesight of the castle. What?
Not sure how to tell him, she showed him the conversation with Kagura, letting her do the explanation for her.
Inuyasha staggered back, but didn't let go of her hand. Naraku was Midoriko's mate?!
Kagome shrugged. So Kagura finally concluded.
Inuyasha flipped her hand over, studying her mark. ...well, at least you're not crazy.
Did you have any doubts? Kagome asked, a little offended.
That's actually kind of hot, you having a little demon in you. Knowing my name, when I knew yours. Inuyasha mussed, easily sidestepping her question. Fuck, how am I supposed to kill Naraku if he's your kin, though?
You're not upset? Kagome forced herself to ask, needing to know.
Mate, I don't care if Naraku, Jakotsu or Inuyasha the Special Fish is a part of your family, you're not getting rid of me for anything. He re-laced their fingers together. You're stuck with me for good.
Kagome didn't bother to fight the smile stretching across her face. Inuyasha-
He squeezed her hand, Hold on. His ears twitched on top of his head, his eyes focused and alert towards the lake. Come on
Kagome followed reluctantly, Inuyasha, are you still heading towards a murderous rampage? Because you and Kagura are the only ones who are going to get hurt.
No, I'm over that for the moment. There's something else... Inuyasha kept leading her towards the side of the castle, attention still on the lake.
Without hesitating, Inuyasha took them around the edge, putting them in full view of anyone potentially waiting for them.
Kagome's heart nearly stopped when she realized someone was.
A wide pavilion sat out in the water, a narrow bridge the only thing connecting it to land. A tall man in flowing purple robes stood guard, his arms crossed over his chest and his red eyes narrowed at the two of them. He had wavy black hair that fell to his back, bangs stopping neatly at his eyes while he glared.
"Leave." He announced with no warning or grace.
A small white hand suddenly appeared on his shoulder. "Now Naraku, there's no need to be rude."
Kagome's stomach fell when she realized she was meeting her ancestor, Naraku, right in front of her. But who was...
A small woman peeked around Naraku, looking at them in curiosity. She was absolutely breathtaking, with long black hair and a lovely face decorated with a single flame on her forehead. She smiled at them, "Lord Inuyasha. And you must be Kagome!"
Inuyasha's hand tightened around hers. "Midoriko." He hissed. "You better explain, and you better make it fast."
Review, pretty please!
Also, check out Fanfiction by Penthesileia on Wordpress for an alternate scene to chapter 35, and a special post I'm planning to upload soon on writing tips. I'll love you forever if you do ;)