"..." Normal chat.

ABC Thought.'

Chapter 50

Back to the present.

"Since you are so confident of being invulnerable. How about having a taste of your own kind."

As Konohana speaks, hundred ball of lights appear around her and it lights up the whole place.

Kagome gasps in horror once seeing her fires those souls at them. They travels so fast that looks like a ray of light and turns into a rainfall within seconds. Everyone has to seek for a place to hide while Sesshomaru decides to evade her attack by flying around instead.

Being distracted by one of her giant tails swinging at them, Inuyasha gets hit by one flying straight at his chest and falls onto the ground. Concerned, Kagome rushes over to his side to check and finds that he's completely fine.

"It feels as if being hit by a breeze."

Touching his chest all over to search for any injuries, Inuyasha comments nonchalantly.

Didn't Konohana say just now that she would use something of Kasenada's kind to fight against him? Don't tell me... these are soul?!

It's only then Kagome realizes that the one Konohana is aiming at isn't them. But Kasenada himself.

"Watch out Kasenada-sama! She's after you!"

Kagome alerts him and Kasenada casts a small barrier around him to protect himself. However there are too many of them being fired all at once and at result, his shield's being broken within seconds. Hurt by an enormous energy, Kasenada's instantly brought down onto his knees.

"Kasenada-sama!"

"Kagome, try to purify them!"

Following what Inuyasha suggests, Kagome holds up her bow and shoots. Despite using a borrowed spiritual power to purify for the first time, it works wonders. Much to her relief. And with that, she continue firing more to clear them off. Saving some time for Kasenada to recover.

Still, there is an endless wave of souls coming straight at them and Kagome fears that she won't be able to keep up long enough.

"My arrow will be running out soon! We have to figure out something fast!"

As Kasenada's searching for of a proper spell to disable Konohana's shield, Inuyasha and Sesshomaru are trying to figure out to break it on their own by attacking with any special moves they can think of.

Kagome also provides them her aid by firing arrow at Konohana, it does damage but only slightly.

"This isn't good. Her shield is too tough!"

Kagome curses inside and all of the sudden, she feels a chills at her legs. Surprised she yelps and immediately looks down to check.

Turns out it's a small soul which seems to have strayed from its path. Figures having gained Kagome's attention, it starts floating up to her face.

"You can hear me, right?!"

There is a childish voice coming out of it, much to her shock.

"It took me a lot of effort to get to you, you know! Your arrows were so scary!"

Not letting Kagome to answer, the soul proceed crying out. Recalling to how Kagome has been purifying a bunch of them within seconds and it has to hide itself inside a bush nearby to avoid being hit.

"Who are you? What do you want?"

Once finally calm down, Kagome questions its motive.

"It doesn't matter who or what I am right now. Can you please bring me to Kasenada-sama?"

Instead it asks for her help, as it cannot go through his barrier to reach to him and Kagome hesitates.

"How do you know about Kasenada-sama?"

"There is no time to explain. You will know once we get there!"

The strange soul urges her to make decision since they are standing idly in the middle of a battlefield. Thinking that a single soul like this won't be powerful enough to hurt Kasenada, Kagome decides to take it to him.

The moment seeing Kagome approaching his spot with a ball of light floating on her hands, Kasenada shoots her a confused look.

"Uhm.. This may sounds like a strange request but it wants to talk to you."

Therefore she explains and it takes Kasenada a whole minute to consider lowering his shield. Once the route is clear, it jumps at Kasenada and hurls around him. Chirping nonstop.

"Kasenada-sama! It's been so long! Do you still remember me?!"

Not even for one day Kasenada's able to forget that clear voice he adored wholeheartedly.

"Impossible! Haru is that you?!"

Cannot believe what she just has heard, Kagome gasps. "What?! You're telling me this is Haru?!"

Needless to say Haru's overjoyed when his old mentor recognizes him. However their happy union quickly dies down once being interrupted by another one of Konohana's attack.

Not wasting more time, Haru starts to explain his doings.

"Kasenada-sama, What should I do?! Mama couldn't listen to me at all!"

Turned out for all this time Haru had been trying to communicate with Konohana but clouded by vengeance, she couldn't notice him or hearing his voice. Therefore Haru had tried everything he could to reach to her, even to the point letting himself get absorbed into her soul realm just to meet with her and yet, all of his effort turned into vain.

"At result, I was stuck within the soul realm until losing count of days."

It's all thanks to the moment Konohana opening the door to release those lost souls she has collected to attack them that he's being released as well. Just as his luck, the first person Haru sees after being freed is Kasenada, whom he has been seeking for ages.

"Wait, if you're saying that you are from soul realm. Does that mean you've seen senpai?!"

Realize that there maybe a way to save Shiomi without hurting her. Kagome asks him.

"I don't know who this senpai you mention but I do know there is a stranger coming to soul realm from time to time."

One day inside Konohana's soul realm appeared a girl around Kagome's age in strange costume. At first she looked lost like any of their first time being here though she soon got used to it.

And while everyone else who were being stuck under, she's able to stay on the surface and wandered around. Completely unaware of all the lost souls since she could not see them.

However what shocked Haru the most was that Konohana searched for her deep within the soul realm just to talk to her face to face. Not just once or twice, but regularly.

"Her name is Shiomi."

Realize having miss saying her name, Kagome adds.

"Shiomi, you say? I think I've heard of it before."

Haru remembers Konohana mentions that name for several times when he's trying to eavesdrops one of their conversations from below. Finally he confirms that girl is indeed Shiomi, the very person they are looking for.

"I can't believe she even possesses a soul realm just to imprison all the lost soul that she has collected."

Kagome frowns once realizing that their opponent is much more powerful than they've imagined.

"Haru, if you was released. Would she be as well?"

Hoping there is a chance that Shiomi's soul has yet to be devoured by Konohana, Kasenada asks him.

"It could be."

And Haru claims to never see Konohana devours any soul before. Although it's not going to be a surprise if she actually does it just to get rid of Shiomi once and for all. Because after Shiomi's soul is dragged down into the soul realm and get mixed up with the others, he hasn't seen her ever since.

Therefore Shiomi's whereabouts and condition at the moment is unknown to everyone except for Konohana herself.

"Even so, how do we know which one is her?"

Leaning against Tessaiga, Inuyasha chimes in. Unbeknown to them, he has been standing right beside the group and listening to the whole story. Having run out of ideas trying to break Konohana's shield and returned for a short break.

"Oh no! If this is true... What if one of my arrows has hit her?!"

Kagome freaks out at the thought, trying to recall whether she has purified her soul by accident.

"Her soul is shining a bright blue light. It's hard to miss."

Haru recalled to when Shiomi's falling into the soul realm, her body turned into a ball of light like any of them there. But in a clear blue color instead of white.

Blue?! Good, that means she's still safe.

Figure that she hasn't encountered any blue light, Kagome sighs in relief. Realizing that there is still one more member in the team, she shouts to Sesshomaru to alert him as well.

"Sesshomaru, try looking for a shining blue light. That can be Shiomi's soul!"

Despite not knowing what is going on inside their heads, Sesshomaru obliges and flies around to search for a specific color soul. As they too, looking for Shiomi from below while avoiding Konohana's attack and not acting suspicious.

After suffering through more rain of souls coming from her for a good while however, nothing is found blue. Much to their irritation.

"Of course. Konohana won't let her out that easily."

Therefore Kasenada comments. Gradually realizes that the reason behind Shiomi's soul being different from everyone else is actually Konohana's doing. In case having yet to devoured her soul, Konohana has marked Shiomi to prevent her from being released by accident.

"Are you telling me that we're back to step one again?!"

And Inuyasha groans out loud. Getting tired of all the bullshit they're having to go through.

"Not slightly."

Just then Kasenada informs them that he has figured out a spell to negate that irritating shield, only for a short moment however. And it requires Konohana shifts her complete focus away from maintaining the barrier around her in order to work perfectly.

While everyone is wrecking their brain out to find Konohana's loopholes. Haru volunteers to distract her. Not only Haru wants to be useful to the team, but he also wants to be able to interact with her. Something that he has yet able to do up till now.

"I will be fine. Mama's attacks can't hurt me!"

Being a soul with no body, Haru doesn't afraid of any physical contact. What he worries most are Kagome's purification power, the other souls pushing him out of the way or dragging him along with them to attack Kasenada.

"Don't worry. I will keep you safe."

Therefore Kagome promises him and with that, Haru's able to join their fight.

"Now, Haru stays still."

Following the plan, Kasenada gives Haru's soul a physical look, which is Haru's body when he's last seen being alive. Able to see himself again after centuries, Haru grins and jumps around in joy.

So this child is Haru.

Staring at the central being of all chaos standing right beside her. Somehow Kagome finds him quite resemble to Shippou, except he's being a bit taller and having black hair.

"However, Haru. You have to realize that we are not here to talk to her."

Cannot hide from Haru forever, Kasenada decides to explain what they are about to do to Konohana. Giving Haru another chance to reconsider before letting him go facing against his own mother.

"I know."

Haru stops Kasenada before he can. His face looks like he's about to cry yet he still detemines to stop Konohana. Even if having realized from the start that this will cost her own life.

"Then I shall not stop you any further."

Kasenada casts a small barrier to protect Haru from the other souls, also to make him touchable to the others. Despite being able to fly, his speed is too slow and Inuyasha suggests giving him a ride there, having Kagome's help to clear the route.

"Alright, Are ya ready?!"

Holding Haru in his arm, Inuyasha turns to him and he nods. Waiting for Kagome to shoot her arrow, he charges forward. Evading her claws and tails, not to mention blue fires all at once as if it's nothing.

"Wow, you are good!"

Impressed by Inuyasha's skills and strength. Haru praises him and he smirks.

"Hah! You haven't seen the best of me, kiddo."

When Inuyasha's only a few feet away from her, hundreds of her clone from the sky drops onto his back to keep him from running. And they success as it's too heavy for him to move a muscle.

"We are so close!"

Watching from afar, both Kagome and Kasenada gasp at the turn of event.

"Hey, Sesshomaru! Catch!"

Using all of his strength to lift his arm above the mountain of clones, Inuyasha throws Haru at Sesshomaru, who is flying around not too far away. Fortunately Sesshomaru listens to him and and grabs Haru with his free hand. Not waiting to be asked, Inuyasha yells to him from below.

"Just take him to that bitch! He's our ticket to get out of this mess!"

In instant Sesshomaru passes several layers of clones up ahead and finally reaches to where she is. Sitting on his hand, Haru calls and waves his arm to gain her attention.

"Mama! It's me! Your Haru is here!"

However the sight of him only angers Konohana more than ever. And she growls, swinging her tails at Sesshomaru to bring him down while cursing Kasenada nonstop.

"I will not fall for your tricks, Kasenada!"

As Sesshomaru's busy avoiding and countering her attacks, Haru jumps out of his hand to gets close to her.

"No, there is no trick! I'm the real Haru!"

The moment his hand touches her barrier, Haru gets pushed away. Not giving up so easily, he gets on his feet and jumps at her again. Over and over to the point that Kasenada's shield is about to break, shouting while hitting Konohana with his little bare hands.

"I'm sorry for always disobeying you! Haru knows that he is bad now. So please, don't get angry anymore!"

His voice still cannot reach her and Haru gets hit by another wave of soul. Due to the strong impact, Kasenada shield's broken into pieces and he falls onto the ground. Yelping in pain.

"Haru!"

Notices Haru's in danger, Kagome holds her bow and aims at any soul coming to him to purify them. Instead of finding a place to hide, Haru sits there crying and flailing wildly. Heartbroken from being rejected.

"I hate it whenever mama is like this! I hate that you act violence toward to innocent people!"

It's only for Haru's sobs that Konohana pauses to look at him in the eyes. Her mouth and limbs are trembling when she calls for his name.

"Haru? Are you really Haru?"

Having recognized as long last, Haru runs to her in joy. Ignoring everything around her, Konohana returns to her human form to hold him.

"Mama, I miss you so much!"

Konohana tries to stroke his hair while Haru's crying within her embrace. Only to painfully realize that his body is simply a product of spiritual power. Haru is long gone, what left of him is a regretful soul that wanders on earth and cannot pass on.

"Our chance has come!"

Notices a stir within her energy flow, Kasenada immediately casts his spell and aims at her. Within seconds, the barrier surrounding both Konohana and Haru vanishes. Leaving her completely vulnerable to the enemies.

"What have you-"

Cannot let Konohana sets her shield up again, Kagome calls Sesshomaru for his aid. Since he's the one being closest to Konohana at the moment.

"Sesshomaru, now!"

In a blink of an eye, Sesshomaru appears standing right before her with Bakusaiga in his hand and without a word, he strikes. Everything occurs way too fast for Konohana to react and only thing she can do in reflex is holding onto Haru tightly, protecting him from Sesshomaru's attack.

As Bakusaiga's sharp edge is about to reach to her skin however, Sesshomaru halts and his grips on Bakusaiga begins to loosen up.

Will I lose Shiomi forever?

That same old question appears like a reminder, causing Sesshomaru to hesitate.

"If you fail, everything will be gone!"

Then he hears Inuyasha's irritating voice ringing by his ears, while having Kasenada's voice playing inside his head all over and over.

To free Shiomi, You will have to kill her.

This is their final moment and he has to make a choice. Erasing those lingering thoughts, Sesshomaru shuts his eyes tightly to calm himself and focus. Tighten his grip on Bakusaiga again, he continues with what is left half-way.

And a long line of sharp cut swiftly appears from Konohana's shoulder down to her waist. Wounded and shocked, she loses her balance and Sesshomaru rushes over to catch her from hitting the ground.

"He got her!" Within seconds, everyone gathers around them.

Infected with spontaneous destruction, Konohana cannot regenerate and blood keeps on pouring out from the deep cut on her body.

"Mama, I'm so sorry! It's my fault that you-"

Sitting by her side, Haru keeps on crying and apologizing for having betrayed her trust. It's not until Konohana caresses his face that he stops.

"I know that this day will come, eventually."

Lying within Sesshomaru's embrace, Konohana whispers weakly through her breath.

"So you have finally made your choice... Sesshomaru."

And yet Sesshomaru looks hurt over her final moment, so much that Konohana's starting to take pity on him. If only Sesshomaru had not carried such deep affections for her, then he wouldn't have to suffer as much as he is right now.

Fate has brought them up together, and it's also that same cruel fate that has torn them apart.

"It's your win, Kasenada."

She sighs as Kasenada watches her, silently and painfully.

"At least thanks to you, I've got to see him again. One last time..."

As Konohana takes her last breath and closes her eyes. Every youkai's traits on her body begins to be washed away. Konohana's long white hair returns to Shiomi's original color as her fangs, claws and finally her long tails are gone.

"Shiomi! Senpai!"

Focusing every last of his remaining power onto Shiomi, Kasenada manages to heal her body back to normal. However there's still no sign of life from Shiomi and Sesshomaru draws out Tenseiga in attempt to revive her, but there is nothing for him to strike.

"Is she... gone?!"

Judging from Sesshomaru's pained expression, Kagome figures that even Tenseiga cannot help and she turns to Kasenada in tears, praying that he can somehow think of a plan to save her. Yet Kasenada remains silent and shakes his head, breaking all of her hopes within a moment.

"Sesshomaru?! What are you doing?!"

All of sudden Sesshomaru lifts Shiomi up and flies away before anyone can react. And Haru's soul can also be seen following them right behind.

"Sesshomaru! Where is he taking her off to?!"