CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: In This Life...Or the Next

Sota ran as fast as his tired limbs would allow him.

"Damn Half-Demon!" he breathlessly moaned "One minute he's pushing me like cattle through the forest…next he vanishes without…ANY EXPLANATION!" The young priest cried out into the night.

With his shoulder still badly injured, he was moving at a frustratingly slow pace, but pressed on. A terrible feeling swelled within him, as he trudged through the night air, thick with hostility. Even a mid-level priest such as himself, could sense the battlefield brewing from miles away, with hateful demonic ora at the heart of it.

Somehow, he knew that was where the Half-Demon had gone.

"H-He…looked worried…s-scared even." Sota was thinking out-loud, to keep himself calm before the upcoming battle, but more so to find some understanding.

The Half-Demon was grumbling about him being too slow, when suddenly he halted. With his chin up, he began aggressively scenting the air. His eyes were distant and concentrated, intensely concern.

Once he confirmed…whatever it was…he leapt into the air and disappeared into the night.

"He…saved my life from…S-Sesshomaru, a Demon Lord. Yet…he leaves me here…in the dust! It…just doesn't make any fucking…"

That's when Sota halted all together. Exhaustion and terror enveloped the boy, since there was only one thing he truly knew about this Half-Demon. Not his name, nor his origin, but his objective.

"Kagome…"

At that moment, Sota was paralyzed by the overwhelming force. A dark presence consumed the sky. Flying far above the tall trees of the forest, surrounded by a thick cloud of miasma. Sota couldn't make it out, it was far too dark to see, but he could sense one presence amongst a heinous hoard of demons. It was pure evil and flying at a rapid speed…in the same direction the Half-Demon had gone.

Now he knew for certain, Kagome was in this forest and she was in terrible danger.

His frozen limbs were revitalized by a wave of strength only a brother can describe. He sprinted blindly into the night, towards the hellish battle that would change the lives of his family forever.

The stench of blood overwhelmed his senses. Both demon and human alike, all mixed and pooled together on the forest floor, soaking into the soil and undoubtably cursing the land for years to come.

It sickened him to his core. Not the carnage, the scent would be forever embedded in his memory. He could unconsciously recall every scent of blood he has ever come across.

There was only one…one scent of blood that held his focus. Obsessively, he breathed in the air surrounding him, seeping more of it within his lungs so that he would know exactly how many drops fell from her open wound.

Her blood's slightly sweet scent drew him unconsciously closer. He needed to protect that sweet scent from the ravenous hoard that surrounded them.

What a terrible place to find her in after all this time…Kagome holding a sacred blade in one hand, and admitting a purification pulse from the other.

Any demon would just love to sink it's filthy fangs into his…ah…not his anymore. To dull the ache in his heart, he swung his blade clean through yet another demon that got a little too close to the radius. He needed to stay focused.

This wasn't how he had pictured their reunion, but there was no where he'd rather be.

The remaining Shrine soldiers held their defence around their wounded troops. The hoard was thick with every type of lower level demon known to man, but there was no end to them.

The unit moved together inch by inch. At one end, Inuyasha released blow after blow of his powerful Tessaiga. From the other, Sango throwing her Hiraikotsu as best as she could, her wounds were gaining on her fast.

Looking around, Kagome realized there wasn't much time for her people. "We need to get them out of here!" She called, knowing Inuyasha was listening for her. "I'm working on it!" He called back, while relentlessly swinging his sword.

Quickly, Kagome made her way to Inuyasha's side, they held a back to back formation. She hit the demons overhead with her purification blasts, while Inuyasha continued cutting down the ones on the ground.

"Cut a path for them towards the south west side of the hoard…that's the clearest way to the Shrine's home-base." Inuyasha grunted at the suggestion. "If we run now we'll be picked off from the sky! I can't hold these things back long enough for a retreat!"

But Kagome shook her head "Not a retreat for us…You and I will head North as a distraction!"

He didn't dislike the idea of separating from the Shrine, he would be able to focus on protecting only Kagome. However, her wound was spilling more and more blood. Her purification energy would give out before her body.

"What makes you think they'll follow?" Inuyasha shouted back, but she didn't respond right away.

If her hunch was right, then this hoard was sent for her. Kagome had to have faith that Sango and the others would be able to hold their own until they could get back to the barrier. Knowing the Half-Demon all too well, she decided to simply say "Just trust me!"

With a deep breath Inuyasha cried out "Wind Scar!" The forceful blast obliterated the demons to the south west of them, just as Kagome instructed. Followed suit, she ordering "Retreat! Take the wounded back to the Shrine!"

Without a word between them, Inuyasha scooped up Kagome bridal-style and leaped into the trees above. Sango cried for Kagome to come back, but they were already out of earshot. The demonic fleet racing after them, leaving the surviving warriors in the dust.

Knowing her duty, she followed the retreating soldiers and knocked off the remaining demons that surrounded them. A pit was left in her stomach, leaving her friend behind was not no easy task…and leaving Kagome in the hands of a demon, was done right revolting to the Slayer.

Inuyasha was masterfully moving between the branches, trying his best to create distance between Kagome and the hoard. With each demon that came just a bit too close, Kagome released purification blast from over Inuyasha's shoulder that demolished them to dust.

He wasn't sure how to keep them from being devoured, his legs could only carry them so far. "Now what?!" He shouted irritably, not liking their odds. Kagome kept her eyes on the hoard that followed just behind them, relieved that her plan had actually worked and the other soldiers were retreating.

"We have to outrun them until their Master arrives, we take him down, they'll disperse."

"Master?! Where the hell is he?"

Kagome signed "…I don't know."

If literal demons weren't nipping at his heals, Inuyasha would have deliberately fell to the ground in shock. "What?! I'm just suppose to run forever?!"

"I'm making this up as I go!" She shouted over the sound of snarling demons, which led Inuyasha to shout back "Clearly! You never think shit through!"

"This isn't the time Inuyasha!"

"Well sorry! But unlike you, I have to carry us away from certain fucking death!"

"Shut up and go faster!" She ordered while continuously firing into the hoard. With flying demons swooping from overhead, they tried to knock them down into the land demons racing bellow.

Suddenly, the trees in an endless forest disappeared before a large clearing. Inuyasha cursed under his breath, using all the force in his legs he purpled off the final branch before free-falling forward into the empty meadow.

Now that this fight was back on the ground, Inuyasha was prepared to attack. He quickly dropped Kagome (as gently as possible due to her injury), withdrew Tessaiga from it's sheath and turned back, ready to face the hoard head on.

However, as he turned, Inuyasha was shocked to find that each and every demon had stopped. They all stood perfectly still at the very edge of the clearing, none dared move an inch closer.

Before Inuyasha or Kagome could question their actions, a sudden presence came from above. Looking up, they were engulfed in a tornado of miasma, crashing down over their heads.

Inuyasha was blown off his feet and lifted into the gust of harsh wind, far from where he had placed Kagome. With Tessaiga still in hand, he attempted to absorb the demon energy swirling around them, or even to cut through it with his Wind Scar, but knew he couldn't. Inuyasha was spinning around so fast he couldn't find his bearings. If he carelessly swung his sword, he might hit Kagome.

Down on the ground, Kagome had no time to erect a barrier, she was consumed by the cloud and could hardly breath. It felt like death as the poison entered her lungs. She coughed violently, not having any strength left over to try and purify her surroundings.

There was a sudden hush over the roaring winds as a man's feet appeared in her vision. She lifted her head up as best as she could, but Kagome was practically paralyzed by the tremendous evil force.

Seeing her struggle, the man bent down to his knee, placing his hand under her chin and lifting her head high enough to face him. Blood shot eyes met her startled brown. A pale and almost sickly looking man stood before her, with long black hair that stretched down his back.

His voice was calm and she could hear him evenly as he called to her "Kikyo."

Kagome looked up at him with hatred, knowing exactly who this was. Between gritted teeth, she answered with a raspy voice "Naraku."

Sango collapsed just inside the Shrine's barrier. She panted harshly as the remainder of their forces crossed over the threshold into safety. They survived. It was almost too good to be true. The injured were immediately being carried to the infirmary, anyone else still on their feet were running to the armoury to restock on their arrows. Even without orders they all knew that this fight was far from over.

"Sango!" Miroku shouted as he sprinted to her side, her head whipped in his direction and was tears of relief poured down her cheeks. For a while, she thought she wouldn't see him again. The Monk dropped to his knees and embraced his fiancé. Gently kissing her temple as she buried herself into his robes.

"What happened?" He asked, having felt the horrific demonic energy from the temple, he feared the worst sitting at the High Priest's side. She trembled to catch her breath, but Sango lifted her head and looked at him with tear streaking down her face "Kagome…she's still back there! We have to go back!"

But Miroku held her tighter, Sango was not an overly emotional person. She was a calculated warrior and if she went back into battle like this…she would never return. Carefully he asked "Sango…tell me what's in the forest, what is Kagome fighting?"

Sango shook her head "A terrible hoard! I've never seen so many demons at one time…they killed so many of us…but Kagome led them away…but now she's alone…she's alone with…" the shock of their near death experience and running for their lives and made Sango forget an unbelievable sight. She still wasn't sure she believed it!

"With…who?" Miroku asked, surprised by her pause. Sango shuddered only thinking what had become of their dear Priestess, between trembling lips she whispered "With…a demon."

Inuyasha was still being flung around the tornado of miasma, like a leaf in the wind. Any human would have died from the poisoned air or be ripped apart by the sheer force of the winds, but this Half-Demon wouldn't die so easily.

He needed to get back to Kagome, he didn't know if she was on the ground or blowing around the tornado as well. He couldn't see anything through the thick purple smoke. All he knew was that she was injured and a powerful demon had dropped right on top of them.

Just bellow, Kagome was indeed in danger. She sat with one hand over her bleeding side, the other gripping her sacred dagger. Naraku's eyes were studying her face, he couldn't stop the cold smile slowly taking over his features. If she hadn't been looking into pure evil, she would have thought him sweet.

"Fifty years have felt like an eternity…but your here now." He said kindly, suddenly moving closer, as though he wanted to kiss her.

Disgusted, Kagome slapped his hand away, quickly taking her dagger and plunging it into his chest. She knew that this would not kill him, he had no heart to pierce, but the sheer satisfaction was worth painfully moving her injured side.

Naraku looked down with a bored expression, he then snickered at Kagome, pulling out the dagger and tossing it on the ground. "That was rude." Naraku laughed, making her all the more angry "What do you want with me you bastard?!"

Naraku signed, he stood and extended his hand to her "Come with me. I'll tell you everything."

"I'm not going anywhere!" she spat back, tears pouring from her eyes as she nearly screamed "You filthy demon…it's your fault! She died…because of you! I am cursed because of you!"

Naraku's smile vanished, anger was edged into his features and it became all too real. She was afraid, but refused to tremble, not in front of him. Balling his fists, Naraku grumbled "You don't understand…You are cursed because of your ancestor's crimes."

"Understand…" Kagome huffed, anger consuming her "I will never understand how you could cause so much pain! I'll never understand…why my Mother deserved to die! Your revenge is senseless! You'll die at my hand in this life or the next!"

All fell silent, only the sound of the wind rushing behind them. After a moment Naraku's eyes grew cold as he signed "It's unfortunate…that you were born a Higurashi. I've waited fifty years for Kikyo to return to me…I can wait fifty more. So just die…you miserable girl."

With that, Naraku vanished as though he had been a terrible dream. The miasma tornado dispersed and Inuyasha was released from his hold, the poor Half-Demon came crashing to the ground.

Inuyasha moaned as he forced his head up, instantly looking for Kagome. What he found made his heart still. She was lying face down in the meadow, her entire side was drenched in blood, worst of all…she wasn't moving.

"Kagome!" he screamed, scrambling to his feet. Inuyasha's worst fears become real as he lifted the Priestess into his arms, turning her to face him with blood spilling from her mouth. His breath caught in his throat.

Inuyasha pulled strands of her hair away from her face, desperately looking and listening for signs of life. "K-Kagome…" he trembled "Kagome…please…" unrelenting tears came bursting from his eyes. In the days that had passed, Inuyasha had tried to prepare himself for their reunion…needing to know why she had left him that night, but he wasn't ready for this.

After a moment of terrifying silence, Kagome began gasping for air. She was alive, but just barely. Having inhaled so much miasma, all she could do was cough up more and more blood. Her body was desperately trying to expel the toxins, while her injured side was still open and now gushing.

Inuyasha silently rejoiced at Kagome's breathing, but his heart clenched to see her in such agony. His mind raced, what could he do to help her…was there any hope at all? Seconds later, another entered the clearing.

Startled by the sound of rushing feet, Inuyasha gripped Tessaiga and snarled in the new threats direction. He wanted to kill something, anything that threatened them… but he only found Sota.

His expression was stunned to say the least. He had ran as fast as he could, ignoring his instincts of self preservation in hopes of aiding his sister…but he was too late. There she was, deeply in pain, clinging to life in the arms of the Half-Demon he accompanied.

Inuyasha had anger and pure sorrow covering his features, but what Sota did not expect was the endless flow of tears. He had never seen a demon cry…but crying for his sister's sake was all the more painful.

It took Inuyasha a moment to recognize him, but when he did, his growls grew silent and his sword fell from his hand.

In anguish Sota cried and fell to his knees just beside them "Kagome…Wh…What…" Sota couldn't even finish his question, Inuyasha was looking away from him now, his shame of not being able to protect Kagome consumed him.

Sota was breathing quickly, almost hyperventilating. It was too much for either of them to handle. The sight of Kagome soaked in blood and harshly breathing…it was all too much.

Snapping to his feet, Sota cried "The Shrine! We have to take her to the Shrine now! Hurry…carry her there!"

But Inuyasha only clutched Kagome tighter. He had been in this situation before…when his own Mother laid dying…he begged the humans in their village to help her. Not only did they let her die, they beat him bloody for venturing where he was not welcome. That night, he missed Izayoi's death…she died alone because he went for help.

Looking down at the woman he loved…he didn't want to leave her. Knowing that this could be it, he couldn't bare to part from her.

"She's lost too much blood…" he muttered between sobs "…She…won't make it."

"She will!" Sota screamed in retaliation "She's strong…too strong to die here! In this forsaken place! Please…please I beg you…"

The boy fell to his knees again, now weeping as well. She had such little time, if Inuyasha were a reasonable man, he would stay in that meadow and continue holding her, comforting her until she drew her last breath.

But in his heart, Inuyasha wouldn't be able to bare not doing everything he could to preserve her beautiful smile. The smile that captivated him and made him feel alive. Even if it were true, that Kagome no longer held any love for him, he couldn't watch her die.

In an instant he was on his feet, holding Kagome securely to him. Sota looked up, silently thanking the Half-Demon and any god who was listening. Inuyasha, not bothering to wipe his tear stained face ordered to the boy in a strong voice "Get on my back."

He complied and the three made a dash to the Shrine. Hoping, Kagome live long enough for them to reach it, and that the soldiers wouldn't kill them on site for bringing a Half-Demon into their midsts.