Chapter 10: Realization of the mind.......
"Kagomeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!" shouted Inu Yasha, as he watched in horror as a blue light left Kagome's body. He jumped off a tree and ran to her side. Sango, Miroku, and Shippo burst from the bushes, looks of horror etched into their faces. They stood in their places and could only stare. Kagome was lying down, Kikyou's face was in the dirt, and Naraku was flat on his back with terror in his blank eyes. None were making any movement.
Inu Yasha did not take any notice of them as he knelt down and picked up Kagome and set her on his lap. She did not move or take a breath of air.
"Ka...Kagome?" Inu Yasha whispered softly. He slowly and gingerly lifted Kagome's eyelids. His breath left him as he stared at blank, dull blue eyes that looked but not see him. Quickly he felt her pulse, but did not hear any......
"She's....." said Inu Yasha, choking. "Kagome......she's....gone...."
Immediately, Sango's hand covered her mouth to stiffle a cry. Miroku steadied himself carefully with his staff, suddenly feeling weak. Shippo was the only one to cry out loudly, and he rushed over to Kagome's side, tears streaming down his face as he shook Kagome softly.
"Kagome-chan..." he sobbed. "Please wake up. I brought help, see?" He gestured toward Inu Yasha, who could only stare in silence. "Wake up, Kagome-chan. You told me to get help, and I did. You said that you would be alright." Shippo began to cry loudly. "You said you were going to be alright!!!!!!"
He cried too hard to continue and buried his face into Kagome's uniform. Behind him, Sango was drenched in tears, and didn't take any notice about Miroku holding her shoulders. Miroku too, felt tears creep to his own eyes.
Inu Yasha remained silent, staring at nothing with Kagome still lying on his lap. It's....it's over....he thought. Kagome.....He pressed the girl tightly to him. Tears began to form in his golden eyes. I never had the chance to explain to her, he thought, with tears slowly seeping out. I would never hurt her.....I never would....I would do anything for her....even become human...because...I love her......
Finally, the emotions swept over him like a storm and Inu Yasha shrieked. Creatures were startled and all living things in the forest were frightened at the sudden outburst and shrank back from the terrifying sound. Sango and Miroku looked up in surprise and glanced at Inu Yasha. Shippo, too, looked up in surprise and watched Inu Yasha clutching Kagome and screaming up at the moon, tears flowing freely.
"KAAGOOOMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
His cry slowly died down, and as though he became exhausted by the outcry, he hunched over Kagome's body, still clutching her tightly.
"Don't leave me....." he whispered, as his tears flowed and then onto Kagome's lifeless face.
Shippo watched Inu Yasha sadly. He reached up to wipe away his tears, when a figure caught his eye. He turned his body to that direction and cried out in fear.
"Narakuuuuuuu!!!!" he screamed and pointed.
Inu Yasha's head snapped up. His remorse was replaced instantly with red hot anger. He turned abruptly to where Shippo pointed, and to his surprise found Naraku lying on his back, doing nothing.
Carefully, Inu Yasha set Kagome down upon the ground and advanced toward Naraku, his claws extended. I will end it right now and forever, he thought with fury.
Miroku watched Inu Yasha advance to Naraku, but he was filled with wonder why Naraku had not done or said anything since their arrival. Suddenly, Miroku had a great urge to look at his Air Void. What is this feeling? he thought. I've never....had such a feeling before...
Slowly he removed the rosary wounded around his arm. It feels different, he thought, and his eyes widened as he stared at a perfectly normal hand.
The Air Void, he thought excitedly. It's gone! He closed his eyes and held his hand close, savoring that moment of freedom from the curse that befell his family for generations. I am free....he thought with relief. I do not have to worry about the Air Void. I can live in peace....It is the end of Naraku.....
His eyes flew open. End of Naraku?! He watched Inu Yasha again, but this time Inu Yasha was preparing to attack. Naraku did not flinch.
"Inu Yasha!" Miroku shouted, running toward him.
Inu Yasha heard his name and turned, his claw still extended. His eyes showed his annoyance and anger as he watched Miroku come toward him.
"What do you want now?!" he said, his voice stiff with anger. "I am about to kill this stinking bastard, I don't need you to interfere." Inu Yasha turned his attention back to Naraku, but was stopped again when Miroku grabbed his wrist.
Furious, he withdrew his arm and glared at Miroku. "Miroku!" he shouted. "What the hell are you trying to do? Stop me from killing Naraku? I am going to end this right now and I don't want you to stop me! Naraku will die from my-"
"Naraku is dead," interrupted Miroku.
"-own claws.......What did you say?"
"Naraku is dead," Miroku repeated. He gestured toward Naraku. "Do you not think that it's very peculiar for Naraku to be just lying around ever since we arrived here? Do you not think that he would try to harm us?"
Inu Yasha glanced at the lifeless body and shrugged. "He may be setting a trap." he responded.
"No," said Miroku. "I know he is dead. Naraku is gone forever....as my Air Void curse is gone forever as well." And so saying revealed his hand. Inu Yasha's eyes widened, and Sango gave a small gasp.
"What?" said Sango in disbelief and walking over. She looked at Miroku's hand and slowly took it in her own.
"It's true..." her eyes filling with tears. "Naraku is really dead....." She looked up at the sky. "Kohaku..."she whispered. "You can rest in peace now....."
Suddenly, a bright light was emitted behind them. The three turned around in surprise, and saw the Shikon no Tama floating in the air.
"The Shikon no Tama!" gasped Miroku, but the feeling of surprise subsided. "What is this strange power I am feeling??? It's strange....as though life was taken....."
They advanced toward the jewel slowly. Inu Yasha watched the jewel glow, when a small blue light flickered in it, but disappeared quickly.
"Kagome!" he cried out.
"Inu Yasha?!" said Sango, but Inu Yasha was running to the Shikon no Tama.
"Inu Yasha!" shouted Miroku. "Wait! What do you mean by 'Kagome' ?"
A few inches away from the Shikon no Tama, Inu Yasha stopped.
"I saw her..." he said softly. "She is inside the Shikon no Tama."
Sango stepped back a pace in surprise. "What?" she said. "That can't be possible. Her body is still right there. Unless....it's not her body that was taken....."
"Inu Yasha," said Miroku, looking at Inu Yasha. "When you first arrived here, what was it that you saw that happened?"
Inu Yasha turned and looked at Kagome's body lying on the ground. "I saw a blue light leave her body." he said.
Miroku's eyes lit up. "That was her soul. Her soul has been taken."
"Her soul?!" stammered Sango.
"If I am correct.....Naraku must have taken the Shikon no Tama. He must have been collecting the shards by himself, and had taken the rest from Kagome-sama. He had planned this all along. As we had learned before, Naraku was created by Onigumo, and his love for Kikyou." Miroku saw a shadow pass across Inu Yasha's face. Ignoring it, he continued. "He probably used the jewel to lure Kikyou, and I suppose Kagome-sama was caught up in the action as well. More than likely Naraku tried to convince Kikyou, but obviously she refused. Since you saw Kagome's soul leave her body, Naraku must have used a power that steals the souls away from the target. Kikyou had failed....her souls were taken."
"Kikyou?" asked Inu Yasha. "But she is not here......" His voice trailed off as he finally spotted Kikyou. He gasped and ran to her side.
"Kikyou!" he said, shaking her softly.
"It is in vain to try and wake her," said Miroku. "It is obvious that her souls are gone."
"But what about Naraku?"asked Sango.
Miroku shook his head. "I do not know what might have happened. But it's either Kagome-sama or Kikyou-sama had attacked him and succeeded, or Naraku dropped the jewel. Either way, Naraku's soul would have been taken. That is probably why his eyes are blank, as though there is nothing in him, of which there isn't."
"Then his soul would be in the Shikon no Tama?" asked Sango, eyeing the jewel carefully.
Again, Miroku shook his head. "I highly doubt so. The jewel is emitting a bright light, not the dark color of which we have seen before when youkai had the shards."
"I understand," said Inu Yasha suddenly, standing up. "Naraku's soul is full of pure evil, but the Shikon no Tama was purified by Kagome. And now her soul is in it as well."
Shippo stood up as well. "Then Naraku was destroyed?" he said hopefully.
"I would say so," said Miroku. "The purifying power of the Shikon no Tama and Kagome sama's power was probably too great for him to take."
"But then what will happen with Kagome's soul?" asked Sango, anxiously.
"The Shikon no Tama would return to its master....as its soul would return to its body," responded Miroku quietly.
Inu Yasha walked over and looked at the jewel. Carefully, he took it into both hands. Light shown through his fingers, emitting a small warmth.
"Miroku," he asked softly. "Does this mean that there would only be a choice between Kagome or Kikyou?"
Miroku hesitated. "Yes," he said finally. "But only one can be chosen, and you cannot reverse anything."
Inu Yasha turned around and faced the two females lying on the ground.
"Inu Yasha!" said Shippo. "You're going to choose Kagome, do you hear me?! KAGOME!"
Sango took the small kitsune into her arms. "Shippo-chan," she said. "It is Inu Yasha's choice. We cannot interfere." Then she turned and faced Inu Yasha.
"Inu Yasha," she started calmly. "It is your own choice, but keep this in mind. You are either choosing our closest friend and your promised love, or a body that was made of dirt that was your love-meant-to-be who wishes to see your death."
Inu Yasha did not respond as his grip upon the Shikon no Tama tightened. Then, with his mind made up, he took a step..............toward Kikyou..................
"Kagomeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!" shouted Inu Yasha, as he watched in horror as a blue light left Kagome's body. He jumped off a tree and ran to her side. Sango, Miroku, and Shippo burst from the bushes, looks of horror etched into their faces. They stood in their places and could only stare. Kagome was lying down, Kikyou's face was in the dirt, and Naraku was flat on his back with terror in his blank eyes. None were making any movement.
Inu Yasha did not take any notice of them as he knelt down and picked up Kagome and set her on his lap. She did not move or take a breath of air.
"Ka...Kagome?" Inu Yasha whispered softly. He slowly and gingerly lifted Kagome's eyelids. His breath left him as he stared at blank, dull blue eyes that looked but not see him. Quickly he felt her pulse, but did not hear any......
"She's....." said Inu Yasha, choking. "Kagome......she's....gone...."
Immediately, Sango's hand covered her mouth to stiffle a cry. Miroku steadied himself carefully with his staff, suddenly feeling weak. Shippo was the only one to cry out loudly, and he rushed over to Kagome's side, tears streaming down his face as he shook Kagome softly.
"Kagome-chan..." he sobbed. "Please wake up. I brought help, see?" He gestured toward Inu Yasha, who could only stare in silence. "Wake up, Kagome-chan. You told me to get help, and I did. You said that you would be alright." Shippo began to cry loudly. "You said you were going to be alright!!!!!!"
He cried too hard to continue and buried his face into Kagome's uniform. Behind him, Sango was drenched in tears, and didn't take any notice about Miroku holding her shoulders. Miroku too, felt tears creep to his own eyes.
Inu Yasha remained silent, staring at nothing with Kagome still lying on his lap. It's....it's over....he thought. Kagome.....He pressed the girl tightly to him. Tears began to form in his golden eyes. I never had the chance to explain to her, he thought, with tears slowly seeping out. I would never hurt her.....I never would....I would do anything for her....even become human...because...I love her......
Finally, the emotions swept over him like a storm and Inu Yasha shrieked. Creatures were startled and all living things in the forest were frightened at the sudden outburst and shrank back from the terrifying sound. Sango and Miroku looked up in surprise and glanced at Inu Yasha. Shippo, too, looked up in surprise and watched Inu Yasha clutching Kagome and screaming up at the moon, tears flowing freely.
"KAAGOOOMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
His cry slowly died down, and as though he became exhausted by the outcry, he hunched over Kagome's body, still clutching her tightly.
"Don't leave me....." he whispered, as his tears flowed and then onto Kagome's lifeless face.
Shippo watched Inu Yasha sadly. He reached up to wipe away his tears, when a figure caught his eye. He turned his body to that direction and cried out in fear.
"Narakuuuuuuu!!!!" he screamed and pointed.
Inu Yasha's head snapped up. His remorse was replaced instantly with red hot anger. He turned abruptly to where Shippo pointed, and to his surprise found Naraku lying on his back, doing nothing.
Carefully, Inu Yasha set Kagome down upon the ground and advanced toward Naraku, his claws extended. I will end it right now and forever, he thought with fury.
Miroku watched Inu Yasha advance to Naraku, but he was filled with wonder why Naraku had not done or said anything since their arrival. Suddenly, Miroku had a great urge to look at his Air Void. What is this feeling? he thought. I've never....had such a feeling before...
Slowly he removed the rosary wounded around his arm. It feels different, he thought, and his eyes widened as he stared at a perfectly normal hand.
The Air Void, he thought excitedly. It's gone! He closed his eyes and held his hand close, savoring that moment of freedom from the curse that befell his family for generations. I am free....he thought with relief. I do not have to worry about the Air Void. I can live in peace....It is the end of Naraku.....
His eyes flew open. End of Naraku?! He watched Inu Yasha again, but this time Inu Yasha was preparing to attack. Naraku did not flinch.
"Inu Yasha!" Miroku shouted, running toward him.
Inu Yasha heard his name and turned, his claw still extended. His eyes showed his annoyance and anger as he watched Miroku come toward him.
"What do you want now?!" he said, his voice stiff with anger. "I am about to kill this stinking bastard, I don't need you to interfere." Inu Yasha turned his attention back to Naraku, but was stopped again when Miroku grabbed his wrist.
Furious, he withdrew his arm and glared at Miroku. "Miroku!" he shouted. "What the hell are you trying to do? Stop me from killing Naraku? I am going to end this right now and I don't want you to stop me! Naraku will die from my-"
"Naraku is dead," interrupted Miroku.
"-own claws.......What did you say?"
"Naraku is dead," Miroku repeated. He gestured toward Naraku. "Do you not think that it's very peculiar for Naraku to be just lying around ever since we arrived here? Do you not think that he would try to harm us?"
Inu Yasha glanced at the lifeless body and shrugged. "He may be setting a trap." he responded.
"No," said Miroku. "I know he is dead. Naraku is gone forever....as my Air Void curse is gone forever as well." And so saying revealed his hand. Inu Yasha's eyes widened, and Sango gave a small gasp.
"What?" said Sango in disbelief and walking over. She looked at Miroku's hand and slowly took it in her own.
"It's true..." her eyes filling with tears. "Naraku is really dead....." She looked up at the sky. "Kohaku..."she whispered. "You can rest in peace now....."
Suddenly, a bright light was emitted behind them. The three turned around in surprise, and saw the Shikon no Tama floating in the air.
"The Shikon no Tama!" gasped Miroku, but the feeling of surprise subsided. "What is this strange power I am feeling??? It's strange....as though life was taken....."
They advanced toward the jewel slowly. Inu Yasha watched the jewel glow, when a small blue light flickered in it, but disappeared quickly.
"Kagome!" he cried out.
"Inu Yasha?!" said Sango, but Inu Yasha was running to the Shikon no Tama.
"Inu Yasha!" shouted Miroku. "Wait! What do you mean by 'Kagome' ?"
A few inches away from the Shikon no Tama, Inu Yasha stopped.
"I saw her..." he said softly. "She is inside the Shikon no Tama."
Sango stepped back a pace in surprise. "What?" she said. "That can't be possible. Her body is still right there. Unless....it's not her body that was taken....."
"Inu Yasha," said Miroku, looking at Inu Yasha. "When you first arrived here, what was it that you saw that happened?"
Inu Yasha turned and looked at Kagome's body lying on the ground. "I saw a blue light leave her body." he said.
Miroku's eyes lit up. "That was her soul. Her soul has been taken."
"Her soul?!" stammered Sango.
"If I am correct.....Naraku must have taken the Shikon no Tama. He must have been collecting the shards by himself, and had taken the rest from Kagome-sama. He had planned this all along. As we had learned before, Naraku was created by Onigumo, and his love for Kikyou." Miroku saw a shadow pass across Inu Yasha's face. Ignoring it, he continued. "He probably used the jewel to lure Kikyou, and I suppose Kagome-sama was caught up in the action as well. More than likely Naraku tried to convince Kikyou, but obviously she refused. Since you saw Kagome's soul leave her body, Naraku must have used a power that steals the souls away from the target. Kikyou had failed....her souls were taken."
"Kikyou?" asked Inu Yasha. "But she is not here......" His voice trailed off as he finally spotted Kikyou. He gasped and ran to her side.
"Kikyou!" he said, shaking her softly.
"It is in vain to try and wake her," said Miroku. "It is obvious that her souls are gone."
"But what about Naraku?"asked Sango.
Miroku shook his head. "I do not know what might have happened. But it's either Kagome-sama or Kikyou-sama had attacked him and succeeded, or Naraku dropped the jewel. Either way, Naraku's soul would have been taken. That is probably why his eyes are blank, as though there is nothing in him, of which there isn't."
"Then his soul would be in the Shikon no Tama?" asked Sango, eyeing the jewel carefully.
Again, Miroku shook his head. "I highly doubt so. The jewel is emitting a bright light, not the dark color of which we have seen before when youkai had the shards."
"I understand," said Inu Yasha suddenly, standing up. "Naraku's soul is full of pure evil, but the Shikon no Tama was purified by Kagome. And now her soul is in it as well."
Shippo stood up as well. "Then Naraku was destroyed?" he said hopefully.
"I would say so," said Miroku. "The purifying power of the Shikon no Tama and Kagome sama's power was probably too great for him to take."
"But then what will happen with Kagome's soul?" asked Sango, anxiously.
"The Shikon no Tama would return to its master....as its soul would return to its body," responded Miroku quietly.
Inu Yasha walked over and looked at the jewel. Carefully, he took it into both hands. Light shown through his fingers, emitting a small warmth.
"Miroku," he asked softly. "Does this mean that there would only be a choice between Kagome or Kikyou?"
Miroku hesitated. "Yes," he said finally. "But only one can be chosen, and you cannot reverse anything."
Inu Yasha turned around and faced the two females lying on the ground.
"Inu Yasha!" said Shippo. "You're going to choose Kagome, do you hear me?! KAGOME!"
Sango took the small kitsune into her arms. "Shippo-chan," she said. "It is Inu Yasha's choice. We cannot interfere." Then she turned and faced Inu Yasha.
"Inu Yasha," she started calmly. "It is your own choice, but keep this in mind. You are either choosing our closest friend and your promised love, or a body that was made of dirt that was your love-meant-to-be who wishes to see your death."
Inu Yasha did not respond as his grip upon the Shikon no Tama tightened. Then, with his mind made up, he took a step..............toward Kikyou..................