Brother in Arms

Kohaku was still unconscious like he was in a coma. Rin tried to stay positive by saying that sleep was good for children. Max knew, however, that Kohaku would stay like this as long as his Jewel shard was defiled. Unfortunately, there was nothing she or anyone else could do to purify the shard. For Sango, it was ironic. Seeing her brother rest so soundly in such a terrible state was somehow putting her mind at ease. Perhaps it was because she hadn't been with her brother for such a long time like this.

A dark cloud suddenly descended upon the village. However, this was no cloud of nature. It was a horde of demons. Miroku began drawing them in with his wind tunnel and Sango helped by cutting them down with her hiraikotsu. Then Miroku wondered if the demons were after Kohaku. When he and Sango turned around and headed back to Kaede's house, he gasped as he saw Magastsuhi above Kohaku. Max saw it too and held Rin close to her to protect her.

"This boy possesses the final shard," Magatsuhi said, speaking through Kohaku. "It will now complete the Shikon Jewel."

"Let Kohaku go!" Max demanded.

"Worry not," said Magatsuhi. "I shall return his body when I'm finished with it. Rather, I shall return his corpse considering that his life is sustained by the Shikon Jewel shard."

Max realized his plan. "He plans to take Kohaku to Naraku with the Jewel shard inside of him!"

"We won't let you do that!" Sango shouted.

A horde of demons broke through the house and began surrounding Kohaku. Miroku managed to catch the boy and hold him close. He unveiled his wind tunnel once more, hoping to take in Magatsuhi's spirit. But it wouldn't work. Magatsuhi's very being was bound to the defiled Sacred Jewel shard and as long as Kohaku had the Jewel shard, the boy would be under Magatsuhi's control.

Damn, Max thought. Emily and her friends sure picked a bad time not to be here.

By the power of Magatsuhi's evil will, Kohaku's weapon changed and attacked Sango from behind. "Kohaku, stop!" Rin cried.

"No, Rin," Max cried, holding her back. "It's not Kohaku. He's under Magatsuhi's control." And under Magatsuhi's control, Kohaku escaped with the horde of demons.

A few minutes later, Kagome, Inuyasha, and the Heroes of Millennia returned. When they saw the devastation done to the village, they gazed in shock. "What happened?" Joey asked.

"Where is everyone?" Yugi asked.

Emily knew Max was still in the village because she could sense her Cobalt Star shards. She led her friends back to Kaede's destroyed house and saw everyone leaning against the rubble. Quickly, she began using her magic to heal her friends starting with Max. "Max, what happened?"

She replied, "Couldn't you have picked a better time to come back?"

Kaiba was worried that Miroku used his wind tunnel, so he checked his body. The brunette lad gasped as he saw the wounds and realized that the miasma was spreading. "You overdid it again, didn't you?" Kaiba scolded.

"I wasn't aware that I was," Miroku weakly responded. "Because of the master of potions' remedy, I wasn't able to feel pain from the miasma."

"Jesus," Kaiba hissed. Then he heard the sound of a breeze coming from Miroku's right hand. This meant that the hole in his hand had expanded. "You idiot," Kaiba snarled. "This is why we keep begging you not to overexert yourself."

"Kaiba, we don't have time for this," Miroku told him. "We must go after Kohaku."

"No," Inuyasha barked. "You sit tight until we get back. Kagome, Yugi, and Emily and I will go."

"I'll come too," Max immediately said.

Sango felt torn in two different directions. One was her fear for her brother's life and the other was her fear for the monk's life. Which would kill Miroku first? His wind tunnel or the toxicity in his body? She thought it over enough and decided to find her brother. She knew if she could somehow set him free from Naraku, Miroku wouldn't have to keep using his wind tunnel and end up overexerting himself for her.

Kaiba understood her feelings and decided to join her. Having a younger brother himself, he felt just as determined to rescue Kohaku.

The heroes managed to find Kohaku riding on a large red serpentine-like demon. Kagome sensed that Magatsuhi's hold on Kohaku had defiled the shard even more. The girls sensed Naraku's Cobalt Star shard and knew he was coming for Kohaku. Emily stopped the demon with her Lucent Beam. Once again, through Magatsuhi's will, Kohaku's weapon expanded and changed shape.

"So you've come to take back the shard?" Magatsuhi asked. "Come any closer and I shall tear this boy's body apart limb from limb! Remember, I am immaterial. Whatever happens to the boy will not affect me in any way. His body is only a vessel for the shard."

Kagome knew that her only chance was to try and purify the defiled shard. She shot her sacred arrow, but it was repelled by a barrier. "Foolish girl," Magatsuhi jeered. "Don't tell me you've already forgotten that I've sealed your spiritual power. Kikyo's spiritual power has no effect on me nor does Millennia's power. The Sacred Jewel will be made whole again."

Inuyasha tried calling out to Kohaku, but the boy couldn't hear his voice. Magatsuhi advised Inuyasha that though he was not present in body, Kohaku was still seeing visions of his past from the time he killed his father and comrades. "If Kohaku were to awaken and face this reality, it would break his soul. No, I'd say his soul has already been broken."

"Even so, you still have to wake up, Kohaku!" cried Sango's voice. Everyone looked and saw her riding on Kirara with Kaiba flying beside her.

"What a cruel sister you are," said Kohaku's voice. "If I wake up, I'll die."

Sango wouldn't give up. Once more, she pleaded, "Wake up, Kohaku!"

The defiled Sacred Jewel shard continued to show Kohaku those dreadful memories, repeating the scenes over and over again. Somewhere, deep in his soul, the boy was crying, begging for help. Then a strange light in the form of a soul collector appeared and began guiding him. The light was showing a scene of Miroku and Sango together. Kohaku knew that they were in pain because of him. Kohaku attacked his own sister once again and the monk put himself in harm's way not only for the demon slayer he loved, but for her brother too. This ordeal was causing all of them a great deal of suffering.

He heard Sango's voice calling out to him, begging for her brother's help. Then Kohaku's surroundings began illuminating brighter. Finally, he came to his senses and regained control over his body. Faintly, Kagome saw a small spark of light inside Kohaku's shard. There was no other explanation. This was Kikyo's light. That was why the light Kohaku saw earlier took on the form of a soul collector. "Sister, is it really not too late for me?"

"No," she answered. "It's never too late."

Kohaku came up with an idea. Magatsuhi needed a vessel to control. The evil entity saw Kohaku hanging from his weapon. "Fool, do you think I'll worry if you jump to your doom? As long as your Jewel Shard is surrounded by your flesh, I'll be able to control your body."

"You won't be able to escape in time," said Kohaku. "Inuyasha and my sister will take the shard from my body before you get the chance." He loosened his grip and began falling. As Kohaku was getting further down, Magatsuhi felt his hold on Kohaku slipping. Riding on Kirara, Sango hurried to save her brother. From the sky, Naraku used his tentacles to catch Kohaku. Sango used her hiraikotsu to cut him free and get him to the ground safely.

Inuyasha unleashed his Meido Zangetsuha at the sky, sending the mass of demons to the underworld. Naraku wasn't among the demons, however. Kagome could still sense the defiled Shikon Jewel and Max and Emily could still sense Naraku's Cobalt Star shard.

Suddenly, more of Naraku's tentacles started coming out of the cliffs. Magatsuhi managed to get Kohaku back in his grasp when Sesshomaru suddenly appeared and attacked. He used his Baksaiga to destroy the tentacles in the cliff.

"It ends here, Magatsuhi," said Sesshomaru. Earlier, the dog demon fought against an illusion of Magatsuhi created by Byakuya of the dreams. With the dog demon occupied, the evil entity was able to buy some time to attack and take away Kohaku. Sesshomaru wondered if it was Tenseiga Magatsuhi was so afraid of. It had the power to kill creatures that were not of this world and Magatsuhi was one of them.

Sesshomaru was able to attack Magatsuhi with Tenseiga, but the evil being wasn't killed in the process. He promised everyone that he would return soon.

"Sessomaru," Max called out. She flies over to him and tells him, "Before coming here, Magatsuhi attacked the village. He also infected Rin and Miroku with his poison."

Sesshomaru wasn't showing it, but he was concerned for Rin. He was the first to head back to the village. Before the others could follow, Naraku suddenly appeared behind Kagome and Emily and held them in the grasp of his many arms.

"Kagome, it seems your spiritual power has not yet returned," he sneered. "The fact that you were unable to sense my presence surprised even me." He faces Emily and tells her, "I'm just as surprised with you, young princess. You weren't able to sense me coming until it was too late."

"Naraku, you bastard," Inuyasha growled, pointing his sword at him.

The demon laughed. "So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and start swinging. Don't worry, I'm not planning to kill Kagome. It's really just the princess I want for now. After that, I'll take Kohaku's shard."

"You won't have them!" Sango shouted, cutting his tentacles with her hiraikotsu.

Kagome and Emily weren't as powerless as Naraku thought. Kagome was still able to detect where Naraku was hiding the Shikon Jewel. "Emily, can you still use your magic?" Kagome asked.

"I believe I can," she answered.

"Try to aim for Naraku's right shoulder."

Naraku tightened his grip on Kagome's neck, causing her to lose consciousness. "So you had enough spiritual power to see that."

Emily managed to free her arm and strike Naraku's shoulder with her earth magic. Her arm turned to stone and she jabbed him, causing him to lose his grip. "Impudent wench," he snarled. But the attack actually did more harm than good for her and Kagome. Striking Naraku's shoulder released more demonic tentacles and miasma. Also, looking closely, everyone saw that the wound revealed the same armored shell Moryomaru had. "Princess, I allowed you to attack me to see how futile your efforts are. I'm sure you recall how Inuyasha had a hard time penetrating this armor when he fought Moryomaru. Now this armor protects the Sacred Jewel." He faces Kohaku and tells him, "Kohaku, if you wish to save Kagome and the princess, you must surrender your life and hand over the shard."

"I can't let them die," Kohaku muttered.

"You can't give in to him either," Max told him. "He won't let them go."

Before Kohaku could decide, he looked down and saw one of Kagome's arrows shining. That was when he came up with an idea.

"Is your life that dear to you, Kohaku, that you're willing to sacrifice Kagome and the princess," Naraku asked him. More of his tentacles emerged from his back and started making their way to the boy. Max was able to keep them from reaching the boy by cutting the tentacles with her Air Blast. Emily and Kagome began to feel like they were being crushed.

"Give me your word, Naraku," Kohaku demanded. "Promise me that you'll return Kagome and the princess unharmed if I give you my shard."

"You have my word," the demon replied.

"No, Kohaku, he's lying," Emily cried. "He won't let me or Kagome go. Besides, the Sacred Jewel shard sustains what little life force you have left. If the shard is removed, you'll die!"

And when that happens, it'll be too late for Emily to try to save him as long as Naraku has her in his grasp, Max thought.

"It's no matter," said Naraku. "His life was forfeit to begin with. He has nothing to lose." He grabbed Kohaku and began taking him and the girls along. "The day you murdered your father and comrades with your own hands," Naraku was telling him directly, "You died both in body and in spirit."

"That's true," Kohaku murmured. "There have been many times when I thought things would be better if I had simply died back then." For a long time, I spent every day thinking about dying. But things have changed. I'm different now. My sister, Inuyasha, and the others have given me the strength to live and fight on. Whatever it takes, I'm going to save Kagome and the princess. Lady Kikyo's light and Kagome's arrow, the two of them are connected!

Kagome looked and saw Kohaku's Jewel shard carrying a small spark of light. Kohaku pulled out the arrow he found and kept hidden. He struck Naraku's right shoulder, aiming for the spot where Emily tried to strike. Its light began making its way to the Sacred Jewel. "Damn you!" Naraku cried. If I don't break free from Kohaku soon, I'll be consumed by this purifying light! He released Kohaku and began trying to escape with Kagome and Emily still in his grip.

"Brace yourself, Kagome," said Emily. She struck Naraku with her Lucent Beam, causing him to lose his grip on the girls. Inuyasha hurried and caught Kagome in his arms and Yugi and Kaiba saved Emily from falling as well.

Sango found Kohaku hanging from the cliff and brought him back to safety. "Kohaku, you did well," she said with cheer. "I'm so proud of you."

Kohaku didn't feel deserving of his sister's pride. "To be honest with you, Sister, I still have doubts. After all I did, do I deserve to be alive?"

"You do," she immediately answered. "From this day on, you have to live, Kohaku. You can overcome your past." Sango and Kohaku rejoined the others.

"You were so brave, Kohaku," Yugi said proudly. "The way you used Kagome's arrow to strike Naraku."

Max grinned. "You really did have a plan."

Emily sighed. "Sorry, everyone. I was so helpless back there. Careless, too."

"It's okay, Emily," said Kagome. "We're safe thanks to Kohaku. He saved us both."

"Everything's okay now?" Sango asked her brother. "I mean, you'll be staying with us, right?"

"Yes, Sister," he boldly replied. His sins may have not yet been redeemed, but Kohaku has decided to stop running and start facing his fears as well as his enemies.

Looking behind Kohaku, Max saw parts of Naraku's body approaching him. She told Emily to get ready because they were coming to take his Jewel shard. The blonde understood and started warming up. Her eyes glowed with a green light and that same light surrounded her hands. Suddenly, Max saw a small light pierce through Kohaku's neck and his Jewel shard came out. "Now!" Max cried to Emily.

The blonde girl caught Kohaku in her arms and placed her hands against his chest and back. "Kohaku, stay with me," she begged. Pulses of light were released from her hands through his body.

"Kohaku," Sango cried. "Kohaku!"

"This can't be," Kaiba muttered.

"Don't lose hope," Max told her. "It may not be too late for him. The spell Emily is performing is called Revivifier. It has the power to restore a person's life energy even if they're an inch from death."

She stopped, waiting to see if it worked. It didn't. Kohaku remained lifeless. "I thought it was supposed to bring him back to life!" Inuyasha snapped.

"Inuyasha, no spell can bring the dead back to life," Emily reminded him. "Revivifier can save a person from death. However, certain conditions must be met. That person's heart must still be beating and he must still have a small amount of life force in him. If Kohaku's heart has already stopped and his life has left him, then the spell has no effect. It wouldn't have anyway if he already died before the Sacred Jewel shard was planted in his body."

Sango held her brother close to her to hug him. "No," she sobbed.

Tears began falling from Kaiba's eyes as well. "Oh, Sango, Kohaku," he sobbed, knowing what it was like to have a little brother be taken from him.

Naraku's laughter filled the area. "Princess Emily, have you finally realized how weak you are? Despite your efforts, you couldn't save Kohaku. But you must be used to this. You didn't fare much better when you tried to save Kikyo. You see, Kikyo's light has died and Kohaku's shard has been fully defiled."

When the sound of his voice faded, everyone knew that Naraku was gone. Sango continued crying and holding her brother. As the sun started rising, Max saw a faint light at the back of Kohaku's neck. She also saw his chest moving, as though he was breathing. "Can it be?" she muttered to herself. She raised her voice. "Emily, use the spell again. I think it'll work this time."

Emily wasn't sure what Max was talking about, but she asked Sango to set Kohaku down. Once again, her hands were enveloped with an electric green light and her eyes glowed with that same light. She placed her hands on Kohaku's chest and her magic began flowing through his body again. "Kohaku, you must pull through," Emily cried.

When she finished, Max placed her fingertips against Kohaku's neck. To her amazement, she felt a pulse. Kohaku began stirring and slowly opened his eyes. "Sister," he said groggily.

"I get it," Yugi was saying. "When Naraku took the shard, Kikyo's light must've stayed inside Kohaku. It brought back the small life force Emily needed to fully revive him."

"That means, in the end," Emily was saying, "Kikyo decided that it was more important to save Kohaku's life than to destroy Naraku. In either case, it was only because of her that my magic worked. She's the one who really saved Kohaku, not me."

Sango began gently hugging her brother again. "Kohaku, I'm so glad."

He started crying of happiness as well. "Me too, Sister."

Kaiba knelt down and began hugging the both of them. He was happy for Sango that she finally got her brother back and just as happy for Kohaku that he was finally free.

Kikyo must have known all along that Emily knew the spell Revivifier, Max wondered. I bet that's why she left her light in Kohaku's shard; to leave it to Emily to bring him back to life with a little help from Kikyo, of course.