(Inuyasha and Co do not belong to me. I just like to write about them.Ahhh! Did you think you'd ever get here? Well I think this will be the next to the final chapter, so I did reach the 30 chapters after all. Thanks for all your critiques and on with the story!)
Kanashimi no Hate ni - End To Sorrow - Thirty
Return of Sesshoumaru/Battle for the Bone Eater's Well
"Gods, those villagers!" Sango cried out as Kirara flew past the burning huts and screaming villagers.
"We can't stop, Sango!" Shippo's eye were on the small sphere zipping ahead.
"I know that but still - !" Sango bent over Kirara lower as the demon-pet strived to catch up to Naraku.
"Hey I think we're getting close!" Shippo said. "It smells familar!"
"Let's hope Kaede will know in time.." Sango's eyes darkened. If she could somehow get close enough with the Hiraikotsu, she might be able to alter it's course, after that she wasn't sure.
****
Kagome saw the glowing white thing draw closer and closer and her heart leaped with joy, even as she feared that Onigumo would sense Sesshoumaru's soul returning and do something worse to him.
She would have to distract him - even if the thought of it disgusted her. As Onigumo lavished his attentions on her body, Kagome sighed his name softly as she tried to move. Onigumo looked up at her face and saw the dreamy look upon it. He grinned happily.
"I knew you would enjoy this, Kagome.." He murmured.
"Yes, Onigumo, yes..please, I - cannot resist any longer.." Kagome turned her head away slightly.
He chuckled and bent to lick the area between her breasts and Kagome saw the white glow emanate from the Shikon no Tama.
~Come Sesshoumaru! Come on! We need you! I need you!~ Kagome thought desperately. Ah! She could move her hands!
"Miko.." Onigumo muttered. "Your skin - so soft.." Kagome repressed a shudder as she felt Onigumo hands roughly move against her body again. Suddenly Onigumo's head shot up, his golden eyes wide.
"No..NO!!!" Onigumo raised up and clutched his head, but he was too late to stop Sesshoumaru's soul emerge from the Shikon and surround his body.
"Damn you, demon! I will not be forced out!!" Onigumo staggered up, clutching his head, trying to force Sesshoumaru's soul back into the Shikon no Tama. Kagome was able to sit up - just barely - but she said, "Sesshoumaru, I love you! Come back! Fight! Fight Onigumo!!"
Onigumo turned, his eyes wide with shock. "You - bitch!! Ahhhhh!!!" He clutched his head as the glow increased and suddenly he collapsed on the ground. Kagome saw the Shikon no Tama float out of Sesshoumaru's forehead as it spun around crazily in mid-air. She knew she should get it, but her first concern was Sesshoumaru. Stumbling and nearly falling, Kagome reached him and as Sesshoumaru opened his eyes, she knew it was him.
"Sesshoumaru!" Tears sprang to her eyes.
"Where is he - that bastard Onigumo.."
"And I love you too, Sesshoumaru.." Kagome smirked.
He drew her in a quick kiss and said, "I came back for you, Kagome. Now let me up so I can kill the bastard.."
Sesshoumaru got up and saw the Shikon no Tama as it floated - dark sparks coming from it.
"You think you've won, eh Sesshoumaru!" A hoarse voice came from behind them. The two spun around.and saw Onigumo, his body burnt and charred. He smiled as he suddenly disappeared, the Shikon no Tama with him. Jaken was nowhere to be found either.
Sesshoumaru's eyes darkened. "Is Rin all right?"
"Shippo had her." Kagome said. "That I do know."
"Are you all right?" Sesshoumaru frowned.
"I am."
"I will rip his testicles off and make him eat them.." Sesshoumaru said.
If that wasn't a declaration of love from Sesshoumaru, Kagome didn't know what was.
"I'll help you.." Kagome said. "Get the Tensaiga and the Tetusaiga..I'll get my bow and arrows. We'll defeat him together. "
Sesshoumaru nodded and he picked up the swords, surprised that the Tetsusaiga, which had always repelled him, accepted him this time. Kagome came running back to Sesshoumaru, her eyes wide with fear.
He's at the castle! My family is in there!" Kagome's looked scared, not for herself but for them.
"No one will harm anyone under my roof." Sesshoumaru snarled as they both raced for the castle.
****
"Kaede-sama!!" Kaede rose as she heard the panic from her hut. She saw one of the elders, and his eyes were round with fright.
"A great wall of fire! It came from the West devouring villages, everything! Nothing will put it out and it's headed here!"
Kaede grunted and got her bow and arrows. She had not heard from Miroku or the others and so she had feared the worst.
"Get everyone out. I will stay to defend." Kaede said grimly.
"But Kaede-sama!" The elder said.
Another man ran and grasped the elder by the shoulder. "It's coming along the far side of the village - towards Inuyasha's Forest and the Bone Eater's Well!"
Kaede blanched. That did not bode well at all. It had to be either Onigumo or Naraku or both. She compressed her thin lips and hefted up her quiver of arrows.
"We go to the Bone Eater's Well." She said.
*****
"Ah, what a happy sight.." Onigumo appeared in the outer hall of the castle in front of the Higurashi family. Mrs. Higurashi's looked up from where she was tending Miroku and she gasped. In front of her was a man as burned up as anyone could be without being dead. He was grotesque and she sensed that this thing had been in the handsome man before. She could not say how she knew this, but she knew.
"Where is Kagome!" Kagome's mother's eyes darkened with anger.
"She is - safe. In fact she is coming this way..you do look a little like her." He licked his lips. "If I did go for older women I would - "
Suddenly Kagome's grandfather leaped in front of Kagome's mother and fanned the scrolls in front of Onigumo.
"Begone you vile youkai!" The old man shook his fist at Onigumo.
"Youkai!" Onigumo laughed. "I suppose you could say that I am.." The Shikon no Tama appeared back in his hand again, and Onigumo let it dance across his fingers. "But your silly scrolls are worthless old man."
"Leave them alone!" Sota leaped up.
"Ah, the boy.." Onigumo mused. "I could use you, but then no..Puberty was not kind to me the first time. I suppose I have to use the toad again.." Onigumo sighed and snapped his fingers.
Jaken appeared in front of Onigumo, his eyes dull with hate for this thing.
"Well, toad your master is coming, so I will have to use you once more."
"No!" Jaken backed away, his eyes filled with fear.
"Come - here!" Onigumo stepped forward.
"Get - away - from - MY - servant - bastard." Sesshoumaru was now at the entrance.
Onigumo smirked, "Ah, Sesshoumaru. It was nice being in your body.." He saw Kagome behind Sesshoumaru. "Being in HER body!" Onigumo chuckled at his own joke, hoping that Sesshoumaru would take the bait once more.
"You never had her.." Sesshoumaru said dangerously. "You never will. I shall eradicate you, Onigumo."
Onigumo grabbed Jaken and held the youkai in front of him. "You do and your servant will suffer. Oh but then I forgot you have no sentiments."
Jaken croaked as he regarded Sesshomaru. "Forgive this Jaken..Sesshoumaru-sama. Your father, the great youkai lord commanded me to see to your welfare and to all those in your household. Death would be a mercy now.." He said eloquently, shocking both Sesshoumaru and Kagome.
Then Jaken added, "Kill the bastard! Kill him dead before he sets his disgusting presence in me again!!"
Sesshoumaru simply stood there and carefully watched Onigumo as he kept a tight hold on Jaken's neck with one hand and controlled the spinning Shikon with the other. Kagome watched the dark Shikon. If she could but purify it - wait!
"Sesshoumaru, force him into the Shikon no Tama somehow.." Kagome said in the High Language of the youkai.
Sesshoumaru did not give any sign that he even heard Kagome, but Onigumo frowned.
"Keeping secrets from me, love? That doesn't happen until after marriage.." He smirked. He turned to Jaken as the Shikon started to glow again and the youkai souls within howled. Jaken visibly trembled.
It was then that Sesshoumaru attacked not Onigumo but the Shikon no Tama itself. He grabbed it within his hand and then tossed in the air as the shocked Onigumo looked.
"Kagome!" Sesshoumaru yelled. "Hit it with your arrows!"
"N- nani?" Kagome's eyes widened. "Are you NUTS!?"
"Do it, wench!"
"NO!" Onigumo leaped for the Shikon no Tama, letting Jaken go. He would not let the Shikon be split again!
Kagome realized in an instant what Sesshoumaru was trying to do and she aimed the arrow at the Shikon.
"No, you don't, lover!" Onigumo hissed as he flew into the Shikon no Tama.
"Now, Kagome..now!" Sesshoumaru yanked Kagome's arm and tossed her up in the air, her family watching flabbergasted as she leaped high in the air, one hand clutching her bow and other catching the Shikon no Tama.
"Got it!!" Kagome shifted her bow to where it hung on her shoulder and then clasped the Shikon no Tama with both hands. A soft rosy glow emanated from it as she closed her eyes, focusing her energies into it.
"Ka - kagome!" Sota's mouth hung open
*****
"Look, it's the youkai exterminator!" Kaede was alerted to Sango and Kirara racing at great speed after the wall of fire. Her one remaining eye was old and she could not see as sharp as she once did, but she sensed the dark sphere that held Naraku within it.
"Kaede! Keep it from the Bone Eater's Well!" Sango stood on Kirara, her Hiraikotsu poised and ready to hit at the sphere.
"It's Naraku and he's gonna use the well to get through the other side!" Shippo called out.
"Hai.." Kaede cocked her bow and arrow.
"HIRAIKOTSU!!" Sango flung her weapon at the sphere and Shippo said, "You got it!"
"Yes!" Sango caught the weapon as it came back to her.
"Shit!" Shippo cursed. "It's still going! Kaede, fire at it!"
Kaede's tried to focus at the thing with her eye but it was difficult in the dark like this.
"Onee-sama..though you are in hell and disgraced, give your sister one more time your unfailing aim!" Kaede muttered under her breath as she stretched the bow taut, ignoring the ache of her muscles as she did so.
Naraku's sphere headed towards the well and everyone could hear Naraku's voice from within it's prison.
"I will destroy everything!" He raged. "And then I will come back and - "
Kaede aimed and let loose the arrow as the sphere dropped into the Bone Eater's Well.
"No!" Sango cried out.
"Kaede fired too late!" Shippo despaired.
Kaede shook her head. What had she done! Damn her age!
And then a flash of light emited from the very depths of the well, and a agonized scream came from within as a white blinding light covered them all.
****
"Ka - kagome!" Sota's mouth hung open as he saw his sister rise up in the air, a glow surrounding her form.
"Nooooooo...!" Onigumo's voice came from the Shikon no Tama. "NOOOOO! Stop it! Stop it, bitch!! I will destroy you all! Stop! I cannot stand this! AAAAAHHHH!!!"
Kagome seemed to be in a trance as her eyes came open. She looked at Sesshoumaru and then opened her hands. The Shikon no Tama blazed like a firestorm now but it didn't seem to affect Kagome in the least.
"I am the Keeper of the Shikon no Tama.." She said. "You - will - get - out - evil - ONIGUMO!!" She clasped her hands over it again and the skies glowed pink as the pure light from the Shikon no Tama emanated from Kagome's hands, forcing Onigumo out.
Sesshoumaru smiled grimly. Now he would slay this thing, this Onigumo. He looked upon the vile thing that was Onigumo now and without thinking about what he was doing, crossed both the Tetsusaiga and the Tetsuaga in front of him. The blades did not clang together as they hit, but instead they hummed as if they were in harmony with one another.
Onigumo panicked. He needed the Shikon no Tama, but most of all, he needed a body! He saw the injured monk on the ground. He would do for now. Sesshoumaru saw the thing hurtle down towards the dark haired human and knew just what it would do. For once there was one thing Sesshoumaru hated more than humans, and it was Onigumo.
Leaping high in the air, Sesshoumaru came down, almost on top of the Onigumo thing. Onigumo turned and flew back upwards but Sesshoumaru was relentless. Kagome still floated in the air, her hands around the Shikon no Tama as it glowed with her pure light.
"Die.." Sesshoumaru said simply. This thing would hurt neither human nor youkai again. His lips in a feral snarl, Sesshoumaru hit Onigumo with the Tetsusaiga and the Tetsuiaga just as Kagome focused the pure light upon Onigumo. Onigumo screamed in agony, his cries joined by endless trapped youkai that were within him now. They tried to escape, but nothing -
Nothing could escape the blinding cleansing light of the Twin Swords and the pure Shikon no Tama held by it's priestess..
A white light engulfed them all...
Kanashimi no Hate ni - End To Sorrow - Thirty
Return of Sesshoumaru/Battle for the Bone Eater's Well
"Gods, those villagers!" Sango cried out as Kirara flew past the burning huts and screaming villagers.
"We can't stop, Sango!" Shippo's eye were on the small sphere zipping ahead.
"I know that but still - !" Sango bent over Kirara lower as the demon-pet strived to catch up to Naraku.
"Hey I think we're getting close!" Shippo said. "It smells familar!"
"Let's hope Kaede will know in time.." Sango's eyes darkened. If she could somehow get close enough with the Hiraikotsu, she might be able to alter it's course, after that she wasn't sure.
****
Kagome saw the glowing white thing draw closer and closer and her heart leaped with joy, even as she feared that Onigumo would sense Sesshoumaru's soul returning and do something worse to him.
She would have to distract him - even if the thought of it disgusted her. As Onigumo lavished his attentions on her body, Kagome sighed his name softly as she tried to move. Onigumo looked up at her face and saw the dreamy look upon it. He grinned happily.
"I knew you would enjoy this, Kagome.." He murmured.
"Yes, Onigumo, yes..please, I - cannot resist any longer.." Kagome turned her head away slightly.
He chuckled and bent to lick the area between her breasts and Kagome saw the white glow emanate from the Shikon no Tama.
~Come Sesshoumaru! Come on! We need you! I need you!~ Kagome thought desperately. Ah! She could move her hands!
"Miko.." Onigumo muttered. "Your skin - so soft.." Kagome repressed a shudder as she felt Onigumo hands roughly move against her body again. Suddenly Onigumo's head shot up, his golden eyes wide.
"No..NO!!!" Onigumo raised up and clutched his head, but he was too late to stop Sesshoumaru's soul emerge from the Shikon and surround his body.
"Damn you, demon! I will not be forced out!!" Onigumo staggered up, clutching his head, trying to force Sesshoumaru's soul back into the Shikon no Tama. Kagome was able to sit up - just barely - but she said, "Sesshoumaru, I love you! Come back! Fight! Fight Onigumo!!"
Onigumo turned, his eyes wide with shock. "You - bitch!! Ahhhhh!!!" He clutched his head as the glow increased and suddenly he collapsed on the ground. Kagome saw the Shikon no Tama float out of Sesshoumaru's forehead as it spun around crazily in mid-air. She knew she should get it, but her first concern was Sesshoumaru. Stumbling and nearly falling, Kagome reached him and as Sesshoumaru opened his eyes, she knew it was him.
"Sesshoumaru!" Tears sprang to her eyes.
"Where is he - that bastard Onigumo.."
"And I love you too, Sesshoumaru.." Kagome smirked.
He drew her in a quick kiss and said, "I came back for you, Kagome. Now let me up so I can kill the bastard.."
Sesshoumaru got up and saw the Shikon no Tama as it floated - dark sparks coming from it.
"You think you've won, eh Sesshoumaru!" A hoarse voice came from behind them. The two spun around.and saw Onigumo, his body burnt and charred. He smiled as he suddenly disappeared, the Shikon no Tama with him. Jaken was nowhere to be found either.
Sesshoumaru's eyes darkened. "Is Rin all right?"
"Shippo had her." Kagome said. "That I do know."
"Are you all right?" Sesshoumaru frowned.
"I am."
"I will rip his testicles off and make him eat them.." Sesshoumaru said.
If that wasn't a declaration of love from Sesshoumaru, Kagome didn't know what was.
"I'll help you.." Kagome said. "Get the Tensaiga and the Tetusaiga..I'll get my bow and arrows. We'll defeat him together. "
Sesshoumaru nodded and he picked up the swords, surprised that the Tetsusaiga, which had always repelled him, accepted him this time. Kagome came running back to Sesshoumaru, her eyes wide with fear.
He's at the castle! My family is in there!" Kagome's looked scared, not for herself but for them.
"No one will harm anyone under my roof." Sesshoumaru snarled as they both raced for the castle.
****
"Kaede-sama!!" Kaede rose as she heard the panic from her hut. She saw one of the elders, and his eyes were round with fright.
"A great wall of fire! It came from the West devouring villages, everything! Nothing will put it out and it's headed here!"
Kaede grunted and got her bow and arrows. She had not heard from Miroku or the others and so she had feared the worst.
"Get everyone out. I will stay to defend." Kaede said grimly.
"But Kaede-sama!" The elder said.
Another man ran and grasped the elder by the shoulder. "It's coming along the far side of the village - towards Inuyasha's Forest and the Bone Eater's Well!"
Kaede blanched. That did not bode well at all. It had to be either Onigumo or Naraku or both. She compressed her thin lips and hefted up her quiver of arrows.
"We go to the Bone Eater's Well." She said.
*****
"Ah, what a happy sight.." Onigumo appeared in the outer hall of the castle in front of the Higurashi family. Mrs. Higurashi's looked up from where she was tending Miroku and she gasped. In front of her was a man as burned up as anyone could be without being dead. He was grotesque and she sensed that this thing had been in the handsome man before. She could not say how she knew this, but she knew.
"Where is Kagome!" Kagome's mother's eyes darkened with anger.
"She is - safe. In fact she is coming this way..you do look a little like her." He licked his lips. "If I did go for older women I would - "
Suddenly Kagome's grandfather leaped in front of Kagome's mother and fanned the scrolls in front of Onigumo.
"Begone you vile youkai!" The old man shook his fist at Onigumo.
"Youkai!" Onigumo laughed. "I suppose you could say that I am.." The Shikon no Tama appeared back in his hand again, and Onigumo let it dance across his fingers. "But your silly scrolls are worthless old man."
"Leave them alone!" Sota leaped up.
"Ah, the boy.." Onigumo mused. "I could use you, but then no..Puberty was not kind to me the first time. I suppose I have to use the toad again.." Onigumo sighed and snapped his fingers.
Jaken appeared in front of Onigumo, his eyes dull with hate for this thing.
"Well, toad your master is coming, so I will have to use you once more."
"No!" Jaken backed away, his eyes filled with fear.
"Come - here!" Onigumo stepped forward.
"Get - away - from - MY - servant - bastard." Sesshoumaru was now at the entrance.
Onigumo smirked, "Ah, Sesshoumaru. It was nice being in your body.." He saw Kagome behind Sesshoumaru. "Being in HER body!" Onigumo chuckled at his own joke, hoping that Sesshoumaru would take the bait once more.
"You never had her.." Sesshoumaru said dangerously. "You never will. I shall eradicate you, Onigumo."
Onigumo grabbed Jaken and held the youkai in front of him. "You do and your servant will suffer. Oh but then I forgot you have no sentiments."
Jaken croaked as he regarded Sesshomaru. "Forgive this Jaken..Sesshoumaru-sama. Your father, the great youkai lord commanded me to see to your welfare and to all those in your household. Death would be a mercy now.." He said eloquently, shocking both Sesshoumaru and Kagome.
Then Jaken added, "Kill the bastard! Kill him dead before he sets his disgusting presence in me again!!"
Sesshoumaru simply stood there and carefully watched Onigumo as he kept a tight hold on Jaken's neck with one hand and controlled the spinning Shikon with the other. Kagome watched the dark Shikon. If she could but purify it - wait!
"Sesshoumaru, force him into the Shikon no Tama somehow.." Kagome said in the High Language of the youkai.
Sesshoumaru did not give any sign that he even heard Kagome, but Onigumo frowned.
"Keeping secrets from me, love? That doesn't happen until after marriage.." He smirked. He turned to Jaken as the Shikon started to glow again and the youkai souls within howled. Jaken visibly trembled.
It was then that Sesshoumaru attacked not Onigumo but the Shikon no Tama itself. He grabbed it within his hand and then tossed in the air as the shocked Onigumo looked.
"Kagome!" Sesshoumaru yelled. "Hit it with your arrows!"
"N- nani?" Kagome's eyes widened. "Are you NUTS!?"
"Do it, wench!"
"NO!" Onigumo leaped for the Shikon no Tama, letting Jaken go. He would not let the Shikon be split again!
Kagome realized in an instant what Sesshoumaru was trying to do and she aimed the arrow at the Shikon.
"No, you don't, lover!" Onigumo hissed as he flew into the Shikon no Tama.
"Now, Kagome..now!" Sesshoumaru yanked Kagome's arm and tossed her up in the air, her family watching flabbergasted as she leaped high in the air, one hand clutching her bow and other catching the Shikon no Tama.
"Got it!!" Kagome shifted her bow to where it hung on her shoulder and then clasped the Shikon no Tama with both hands. A soft rosy glow emanated from it as she closed her eyes, focusing her energies into it.
"Ka - kagome!" Sota's mouth hung open
*****
"Look, it's the youkai exterminator!" Kaede was alerted to Sango and Kirara racing at great speed after the wall of fire. Her one remaining eye was old and she could not see as sharp as she once did, but she sensed the dark sphere that held Naraku within it.
"Kaede! Keep it from the Bone Eater's Well!" Sango stood on Kirara, her Hiraikotsu poised and ready to hit at the sphere.
"It's Naraku and he's gonna use the well to get through the other side!" Shippo called out.
"Hai.." Kaede cocked her bow and arrow.
"HIRAIKOTSU!!" Sango flung her weapon at the sphere and Shippo said, "You got it!"
"Yes!" Sango caught the weapon as it came back to her.
"Shit!" Shippo cursed. "It's still going! Kaede, fire at it!"
Kaede's tried to focus at the thing with her eye but it was difficult in the dark like this.
"Onee-sama..though you are in hell and disgraced, give your sister one more time your unfailing aim!" Kaede muttered under her breath as she stretched the bow taut, ignoring the ache of her muscles as she did so.
Naraku's sphere headed towards the well and everyone could hear Naraku's voice from within it's prison.
"I will destroy everything!" He raged. "And then I will come back and - "
Kaede aimed and let loose the arrow as the sphere dropped into the Bone Eater's Well.
"No!" Sango cried out.
"Kaede fired too late!" Shippo despaired.
Kaede shook her head. What had she done! Damn her age!
And then a flash of light emited from the very depths of the well, and a agonized scream came from within as a white blinding light covered them all.
****
"Ka - kagome!" Sota's mouth hung open as he saw his sister rise up in the air, a glow surrounding her form.
"Nooooooo...!" Onigumo's voice came from the Shikon no Tama. "NOOOOO! Stop it! Stop it, bitch!! I will destroy you all! Stop! I cannot stand this! AAAAAHHHH!!!"
Kagome seemed to be in a trance as her eyes came open. She looked at Sesshoumaru and then opened her hands. The Shikon no Tama blazed like a firestorm now but it didn't seem to affect Kagome in the least.
"I am the Keeper of the Shikon no Tama.." She said. "You - will - get - out - evil - ONIGUMO!!" She clasped her hands over it again and the skies glowed pink as the pure light from the Shikon no Tama emanated from Kagome's hands, forcing Onigumo out.
Sesshoumaru smiled grimly. Now he would slay this thing, this Onigumo. He looked upon the vile thing that was Onigumo now and without thinking about what he was doing, crossed both the Tetsusaiga and the Tetsuaga in front of him. The blades did not clang together as they hit, but instead they hummed as if they were in harmony with one another.
Onigumo panicked. He needed the Shikon no Tama, but most of all, he needed a body! He saw the injured monk on the ground. He would do for now. Sesshoumaru saw the thing hurtle down towards the dark haired human and knew just what it would do. For once there was one thing Sesshoumaru hated more than humans, and it was Onigumo.
Leaping high in the air, Sesshoumaru came down, almost on top of the Onigumo thing. Onigumo turned and flew back upwards but Sesshoumaru was relentless. Kagome still floated in the air, her hands around the Shikon no Tama as it glowed with her pure light.
"Die.." Sesshoumaru said simply. This thing would hurt neither human nor youkai again. His lips in a feral snarl, Sesshoumaru hit Onigumo with the Tetsusaiga and the Tetsuiaga just as Kagome focused the pure light upon Onigumo. Onigumo screamed in agony, his cries joined by endless trapped youkai that were within him now. They tried to escape, but nothing -
Nothing could escape the blinding cleansing light of the Twin Swords and the pure Shikon no Tama held by it's priestess..
A white light engulfed them all...
