Chapter 35

Living Nightmare

"Koga! KOGA!"

Kagome couldn't believe this was happening. Koga wasn't supposed to be like this.

He was supposed to be invincible; an unstoppable force like the rushing wind in a storm. Instead, he lay in practically a dead-faint on top of her, pinning her down to the packed dirt while their enemy was closing in on them.

His eyes were open but there was no recognition, no vision or activity what-so-ever. As if he stared into death itself.

"Koga, come on," Kagome prompted as she struggled to push herself upright from under him. "You gotta snap out of this. Please. Come on. Come on!"

Smacking him soundly on the back, Kagome prayed Koga would react but…..nothing. He was gone to the world.

And, if the footsteps growing closer was any indication, they were all about to leave this world if they didn't get out of there.

"Miroku!" she called frantically as she pushed against Koga's bulk. "Miroku, where are you?"

"My here, my lady," the monk's voice answer beside her. "What do you need?"

"What do you think?" Kagome demanded. "Get Koga off of me!"

The hoshi's added help finally allowed Kagome to fill her lungs as her gaze zipped all about.

"Hoshi, what…."

However, the tightening around Miroku's eyes showed Kagome the true weight of his exertion.

"Hoshi, what's the matter?" Kagome asked, as she crawled up to her knees. "Why are you….?"

"Army is….thinned," Miroku answered, causing Kagome to look over the cleared battle-field.

"Thinned?" she asked in confusion. "It looks like you got them all."

However, little dots in the distance caused Kagome to squint.

"What is that?" Kagome asked as she draped one of Koga's arms over her shoulder.

"More," Miroku replied. "We have time but….they will be here soon."

"How can there be so many?" Kagome asked. "What we do? Koga's—"

"We have to get him back to the village," Miroku stated. "He'll rest and….maybe he can regain some strength."

"Regain strength?" Kagome demanded. "Look at him! He's practically dead to the world. If he tries to use his Goraishi again…..it could kill him for real."

"Then, we really need to get him back," Miroku replied. "Hakkaku may know what can help him."

"But,….. do we have time?" Kagome asked, glancing back to the ever-growing army.

"We'll have to," Miroku answered, concern causing his brow to furrow as he followed her line of vision. "There's no other choice."

A sudden shaking against her had Kagome snapping her gaze towards Koga, panting with great exertion against her.

"Koga?" Kagome asked.

However, it apparently took everything he had just to breathe as his panting became near frantic. It was like he was trying to claw his way back.

"Lady Kagome," Miroku replied. "We need to go."

Kagome knew he was right. She'd already be on her feet if it wasn't for one thing. The distant army wasn't as far as they thought. Already, Kagome could tell them would be on them soon.

For the dead, they moved fast. And, they would reach the village before anyone could stop them. Unless….

"You take him," Kagome ordered as she leaned Koga's frame against Miroku.

"My lady?" the hoshi asked, stunned.

"Get him to Hakkaku," Kagome explained. "I'll buy you some time."

"You...you think that's….?"

Kagome couldn't help but smile at her friend. Miroku always wanted what was best for them all. Despite all the insanity, he wanted to still do the right thing.

"It's alright, Miroku," she reassured. "I may not have the Jewel inside me anymore but, I am still a miko. I can keep them back, at least."

"But—"

"Get Koga to safety," Kagome ordered. "Send Sango out, if need be. She's been itching for a fight, right?"

"Koga would never forgive me if—"

"Miroku," Kagome interrupted as she stood to her feet, gripping her bow tightly. "You are a hoshi. Have some faith."

Kagome knew Miroku didn't want to leave but there was barely a moment of consideration before he nodded in grudging agreement. Throwing Koga's arm across his shoulders, Miroku stumbled towards the village.

When they were finally out of sight, Kagome took a deep cleansing breath.

She could do this. She just needed to stay calm.

With a set of her shoulders, Kagome rolled up her sleeves to start. She didn't have long.

SSS

"How? How? How?" Shipo stammered as he stared at the figure he never wanted to see. "How can you….."

"Be alive?" Naraku asked as he stepped towards the quaking kit. "I don't die so easily, kitsune. Certainly not as easy as you will."

"You'd have to catch me first," Shipo snapped, his tail bristling in agitation.

"Oh, I've caught you, kit," Naraku crooned. "The key, now, is what do I do with you?"

Shipo chuffed. "Ha! You might as well kill me,…..if you can."

"Perhaps," Naraku replied. "Or, perhaps, you are the one thing I need for victory."

"You're insane," Shipo snapped. "I won't help you!"

"Not willingly," Naraku informed. "But, that requires permission. And, I'm not asking. I have decided you will help me get what I want. And, you will do it happily."

"And, why would I do that?" Shipo demanded.

"Because, if you don't, every one of your friends will die," Naraku replied. "They are all in danger. They all need help. And, soon, it won't just be that pathetic village that suffers.
'You've undoubtedly heard of the fate of your friend, Sango's, village. It will be nothing compared to what Kagome's home suffers."

"Koga will stop you!" Shipo shouted.

"He will try," Naraku answered. "But, do you really want to take the chance?"

"Ch-chance?" Shipo stuttered.

"Yes, chance," Naraku stated. "You were there in the mountains. You know I can destroy him any way I wish."

"And, he nearly ripped you to shreds," Shipo countered, fully expecting the monster to break at the jab.

However, Naraku simply nodded in agreement.

"Yes, that was unfortunate," he replied. "But, we both know that was one lucky attack. One, that won't happen again."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," Shipo jeered. "If Koga could do it once, he'll do it again."

"So brave," Naraku crooned, drawing ever closer. "So loyal. Rare for your kind. But, with that loyalty comes something else. Blind devotion.
'You think just because you are loyal to him, he will win. But, I want you to consider something important."

"Alright, what do I have to think about?" Shipo sneered.

"At what cost?" Naraku asked, causing Shipo to freeze.

"What?"

"You see, to you, this as a simple quest, heroes fighting to defeat the villain," he informed. "And, perhaps it is that, in one way or the other. But, if it is, are you prepared for the fight such a struggle would bring? Are you prepared to lose any of your friends? All of your friends? And, all to keep a jewel out of my hands."

"You…. I….."

"And, that doesn't even count the innocents that will be caught in the fight," Naraku informed. "For, I assure you, there will be. Countless, I imagine."

"But, but, but….."

"You see, little kit," he crooned. "This is the reality of war. People die, sometimes needlessly, and nothing will stop or prevent it…so long as those who will fight continue the struggle."

"Wh-what do you mean?" Shipo asked, shrinking in on himself.

"Wouldn't you like to help your friends? End the fighting and running and loss of life?" Naraku pressed. "You see, this whole thing, is due to the Jewel, wouldn't you agree? The Jewel is what I want, the Jewel is what I'm constantly denied. If I had it, this would all stop. Wouldn't that be worth your help?"

"Wait, what?"

"Listen carefully, kit," Naraku announced. "I'm about to give you a rare opportunity. And, you won't get it again.
'I want the Jewel. Everything begins and ends with it. If I get the Jewel, this foolishness stops and your friends are spared a horrible death. Maybe not today but by the end of this, they will die if they don't surrender the Jewel to me."

"And, what do you want me to do about it?" Shipo asked. "They won't abandon it."

"Of course not," Naraku states. "Which is why you're going to steal it."

"You….you want me to—"

"Steal the Jewel and bring it to me," Naraku repeated. "Come now, wouldn't you want the chance to save your friends? To stop the bloodshed? The Jewel started this trouble. Wouldn't it be better if it was gone?
'This is the only option."

"And, if I don't?" Shipo challenged.

"Then, you will lose everyone you care about," Naraku informed. "You will be all alone. And, responsible for every life lost in an avoidable slaughter. That's a heavy burden for such small shoulders."

All breath suddenly froze in Shipo's body as he shook with terror. This couldn't be possible. There….there had to be another way. Didn't there?

He wanted to do the right thing. He did. But, what if…this was the right thing? What if it was better if the Jewel was gone?

"I…..I…."

"Don't waste my time," Naraku snarled. "Either you do as I ask or you don't. So, make your choice."

Tears pricked the kit's eyes as he swallowed the lump in his throat. Forgive me, Koga.