Chapter 12: Coming to Terms.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha!

A/N: This chapter is going to be a long one. I want to be finished with the whole Kikyo part lol. Oh, and so sorry about the many spelling errors/grammar errors!

"Come to terms?" Kagome scoffed in disbelief then let out a homerless laugh. "How the fuck do you expect me to just come to terms when my whole fucking tribe was murdered in cold blood all because I'm a fucking half-breed?" She growled. "How could I even forgive myself, let alone anyone fucking involved with the massacre!?"

"Yeah." Sango agreed adding her own bit. "I can never forgive myself for cowardly hiding while that demon killed everyone that I loved!"

Though the boys didn't contribute in words, though, they did nod their heads in silent agreement that them too couldn't just let go what happened with them.

Kikyo sighed. "Then all of you have doomed yourselves of death!" She harshly spat out wanting them to see how important this was to their survival. "You have to accept the hard times you all have been through, as well as Kagome, you need to accept that Inuyasha needed to stay - and Inuyasha you need to accept that Kagome had to go - in order to free and open up your life force to be all that you can be!"

They all grew silent as they let Kikyo's words echo in their minds.

"How?" Kagome was the first to speak up eliciting nods from Sango and Miroku while Inuyasha just stared at Kagome waiting for her to continue. "How do we just let it go? How can it be that simple - that easy?"

Kikyo's gaze landed on Kagome and her eyes softened just a tiny bit. "I am not telling you to let it go. To ask that of you to do something like that would be impractical, impossible even. All I'm asking from you is to accept what has happened in the past and to accept the choices made by other people. I know it's hard but it's important that you complete this task so you can complete the jewel, defeat Naraku and save the world."

Kagome sighed and nodded. "Tell us what to do."

Kikyo's lips turned up at the corners just slightly in a secret smile. "Meditation." Was the answer they got as they watch as Kikyo maneuvered herself to where her legs were cress cross and feet was resting on each knee, then she laid her hands face up on her thighs and touched her pointer fingers to her thumbs. She waited for the others to mimic her stance and when she was satisfied that they were sitting correctly and closed her eyes and started saying "Ooom" In a deep voice as she went to the world of meditation - they rest following her example.

Sango's Meditation State.

Sango sighed as she crossed her legs, resting her feet on both her knees and moved her hands in the correct place on her legs. She wasn't for sure if she was ready to face what had happened but knew she didn't really have much of a choice. She sighed once more and started up the long drawn out "Ooom."

Sango didn't notice her heartbeat slowing down, her breathing slowing and evening out or her body relaxing. What she did notice was the faint smell of smoke, the distant cries for help and - when she opened her eyes - she was surrounded by darkness and..

Chickens? What? Where am - Sango thought before her eyes grew wide with realization and her breathing got stuck in her throat. No! I-it can't be! She thought as the smoke grew thicker chocking her making her cough and the sounds of screams were abruptly silenced. She quickly found a hole to peek out of and wished she didn't even bother. The sight that met her was grotesque to say the least. Everything was on fire; blood painted the ground and dead bodies littered the ground as well. She chocked out a sob when her eyes caught sight of her lifeless mother and her father before smashing her hand to her mouth so as not to be heard. She noticed the fire was getting closer to where she was hiding, she knew she couldn't stay there unless she wanted to die. She shot to her feet and quickly ran out the door, running as fast as possible to get away and not be seen.

Sango was running blindly. She was scared. All she could think was to run away, run fast and far away. She couldn't handle it - what she saw, she knew would haunt her the rest of her life. She would never be ready, to be able to face this head on. She would never be able to forgive herself for being a coward and running away when her family and tribe needed her the most. How could she?

As she was running, however, a voice stopped her. You mustn't run away. You must accept what happened. What you couldn't change.

Gasping, Sango turned back to the carnage. "What I couldn't change?" She whispered to herself. She looked at all the blood and lifeless faces and a gasp left her lips. "My brother! I never noticed! I don't see my brother! Does that mean he survived?" She quickly looked around and saw everyone that she held dear to her heart and felt her heart shatter. "I'm so sorry." She whispered as tears ran unchecked down her face and she knelt down and smoothed her mother's hair from her face. "I wish that I was older and stronger then maybe you, father and everyone else would still be alive. But Kohaku might have survived." She did a half sob and half laugh. "He could still be out there. Maybe looking for me? I wonder if he knows that I survived." More tears leaked down her cheeks and pooled at the hollow of her neck as her gaze moved from her mother to her father. "I promise, I will find him and take care of him!" She promised as she ran her fingertips across her father's cheek bone.

As Sango stood up, she noticed the scene in front of her had frozen. With a deadly expression on her face, she marched up to the culprit that murdered her parents, her friends and destroyed her whole life. She gasped and froze in her footsteps. "Destroyed my life?" She whispered to herself as she thought back on the day that Kagome found her. A small trace of a smile curled her lips as she remembered the kind smile she saw on the captain's face as she reached her hand out to take her on an adventure - to make her life better than it ever was! She could see the intense feelings that came from Miroku's eyes as he looked at her. She could see the friendship coming from Captain Inuyasha whenever he was around her. She might still wish that her parents were saved from the ghastly way they perished - might wish that they were still alive. However, she realized now that, no - her life wasn't destroyed, it is alive - with maybe a few pieces missing, like her parents and wondering where her brother might be if he was, indeed alive. But her life, it was colorful, full of new people that she cared about and promised within an inch of her life that she would protect them at all costs, full of adventure that she loved - craved even - she loved the thrill of being a pirate, the adrenaline of what was the unknown of never knowing what was to come next, her life was full of, well life! She was happy and content with how everything was, she could see that now.

With that realization, she continued on her way to the person that took one life away from her but also opened the door to the wonderful life she was now a part of. "Though I am not happy with what you did, and I never will be, I want you to know that I now accept what you did. And, weirdly enough, I want to thank you. Though, I wish you would've left everyone alive you've opened up the opportunity to make my life so much more than what it would have been." With that said she nodded and turned to walk away.

Miroku's Meditation State.

Miroku took a deep breath, he wasn't one for meditating - never saw the merits of it. Now, though, he supposed it was necessary for what they had to do. So, with a resigned sigh, he closed his eyes and began to ooom.

The first thing that Miroku noticed was that he was in searing pain. Everything hurt, even breathing hurt. The next thing he noticed was that even more pain was being inflicted on him - someone was still beating the shit out of him. He realized that he had his arms over his face and the top of his head trying to protect his face and his head, though, he did notice that he couldn't open his left eye and his head was pounding.

"What do you say now, Miroku?" A harsh male voice grunted from somewhere to the side of him.

Father? Miroku thought as he tried to seek out the man's face and start begging for forgiveness. His eyesight, however, was failing him - he couldn't see straight and couldn't focus on anything.

"Are you done being a fucking ungrateful brat and do as we say?" His father continued, uncaring that his son seemed to be having difficulty breathing.

"C'mon, Miroku stop being difficult! We've all done it, it's not that big of a deal!" His mother gritted out between clenched teeth and with a kick added to his lower back. She rolled her eyes when her son cried out in pain.

No! Miroku thought. It is a big deal! Please, stop! He inwardly begged. Please I don't want to hurt anyone! Please, just kill me! He begged closing his eyes again.

"No!" Miroku managed to cough out not aware of the blood that came out with the spit. He prayed that would be enough for them to just end his miserable life.

Instead of more blows to his body, however, he heard a voice - a voice that didn't belong in the scene that was now playing. You can't die. You must stand up and accept this. Accept what you couldn't change.

Accept what I couldn't change? Miroku thought as he opened his right eye, the left still being swollen shut, and noticed the scene was frozen in place. With strength he didn't know he had, he got to his feet and staggered over to where his parents stood. As he stared at the people who was supposed to love and nurture him but instead beat, degraded him and used him for their sick game. He looked the people in the face that was supposed to give him everything yet took everything from him and gave nothing back.

Wait a minute. Miroku thought. They did give me something. He mused as he thought about how Inuyasha found him sprawled out in the ally hanging on to life by just a thread. He thought about how he carried his limp body back to his ship and nurtured him back to good health. Thought about the life he had now and how full of everything he ever wanted it to be filled with. They gave him a life he's always wanted - what he dreamed of - a life full of happiness and adventure. He thought about Sango and how much he really did care for her. He thought about Captain Kagome and her welcoming personality and easy friendship they had with each other.

With an accepting sigh he looked at the people, that were supposed to be his parents, in a different light. "Thank you." He whispered with a ghost of a smile curling his lips. "You may not have been the parents that I truly deserved but you've opened up the opportunity for the life that I truly wanted - a life that I needed. If you didn't do what you did, I wouldn't know what true happiness felt like." He gave a final nod and turned to walk away.

Inuyasha's Meditation State.

Inuyasha had a scowl on his face as he grumbled under his breath having a little difficulty getting in the right position for his meditating session. He huffed in annoyance as he finally was able to get in the right position then laid his hands on his thighs as was shown to him. Scowl still plastered on his face, though he ceased his grumbling and started oooming instead.

Inuyasha's eyes shot open when he felt the sensation that he was on a ship. Looking around his breath caught in his throat when his eyes locked on his father and his eyesight started to blur as he stubbornly held back the tears that wanted to escape. He hasn't seen his father for a long time, and it brought back the same emotions that he had when he lost him.

"Father." Inuyasha whispered.

"Look, son, I know that you're not too happy with me right now, but you have to understand that what I'm doing is in your best interest." Inuyasha's father said with a sigh.

Inuyasha scoffed but didn't say anything, just like when he said those words all those years ago. In that moment the gang plank was put in place and Inuyasha stomped towards the plank walking down as fast as possible he knew that Kagome was about to get on that pirate ship and be gone. He just couldn't accept that she wanted to leave - he wouldn't!

Running along the beach to where he could see Kagome talking to the then captain of the pirate ship.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha called out pushing his legs to go faster. "Kagome! Wait!" He called out again and watched as Kagome lifted her head towards him. Her face was bloody and bruised - the sight making his chest squeeze in pain - and she was crying.

"Inu-Inuyasha, you're back?" Kagome asked looking in his eyes.

Inuyasha stopped right in front of her and raised his hand to run the tips of his claws down her cheek but quickly removed them when she winced in pain. "What happened?" He whispered.

Kagome's breath caught in her throat, and she looked away. "It doesn't matter. I have to go and never come back." She turned her gaze to look back at Inuyasha with a hopeful gleam in her eyes. "Come with me, please, Inuyasha!"

"I can't go." Inuyasha said shaking his head. Even though he knew why she left maybe if he could talk her into staying then it would erase everything that happened. Maybe having her stay would fix everything that was wrong with the world. Maybe if he can get her to stay, he could even get his mother's throne. "Kagome, please stay. Don't go." His words came out in a whisper. He watched as more tears came out of her eyes and closed his eyes at the sight, he couldn't stand seeing her cry. "Please stay."

Inuyasha heard a chocked sob escape pass Kagome's lips and he felt like complete dirt for making that sound come out of his Kagome. "I can't, Inuyasha. I can't stay."

Inuyasha wanted to argue, wanted to shake her until she understood just why he wanted her to stay. He wanted to rule over this tribe, and he wanted her to be right there beside him. He didn't know why, he just felt like he needed to do this - for his mother.

Inuyasha sighed. "Kagome." He opened his eyes but before he could say anything else he noticed she was frozen in time. He growled, how the fuck was he supposed to tell her anything now!? He needed to get it through her head that they both have to st-

You must accept that she couldn't stay. The voice came and stopped his track of thought. You have to accept what you couldn't change.

Growling, not liking that the voice was right, he knew he couldn't change the fact that she left. And as he thought about it, he really couldn't understand why he wanted to stay here either. If she never left, he probably would have never left. He would never have met Miroku or Sango or Shippo or any of his other men that are on his ship. He would have never known of the wonderful life of a pirate, never would have known the freedom of being a pirate. He absolutely loved the life he lived now so why was he still trying to get Kagome to stay? What was the point?

Heaving out a sigh he lifted his hand and ran his claws through Kagome's hair. "I now realize why you left." He let out a slight chuckle. "I realize now that it was for the best. So, thank you Kagome, because you left, I had the courage needed to leave myself. Thank you for showing me what life could be like without the stress of trying to prove myself to everyone. I accept why you left, and I am glad you did." As he finished talking, the image of Kagome pixelated as a new scene started taking shape.

Inuyasha blinked disoriented as he tried to take in all the decorations - wedding decorations. Realization finally dawned on him as he figured out that it was his wedding day - the day he also found out that he was not going to receive his mother's throne, the day he left.

Inuyasha sighed and looked to his left as his half-brother and several other men came walking up to him. Resisting the urge to growl, he watched as they stopped several feet away from him.

"It has come to my attention, little brother, that you are not adequate for the throne." Sesshomaru, Inuyasha's older half-brother, sneered down on him.

"What the fuck are you talking about, Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha asked even though he already knew what was going on, but it was like his mouth was on auto-piolet.

"Well, dear little brother, I have so kindly pointed out to the entire tribe that you, brother, are nothing but a worthless half breed and are in no way capable of running this tribe." Sesshomaru said coldly.

"Keh, as if they would ever listen to an asshole like you." Inuyasha gritted through clenched teeth. "Get over yourself, like I'd ever believe you."

"Well, start believing - little brother - because you're looking at the new ruler of this tribe." Sesshomaru replied coolly. "The first act of order that I'm going to put in motion is banishment of all half breeds. Your kind, with your tainted blood, are no longer welcomed in this tribe."

Inuyasha felt the sting as it struck his heart and closed his eyes from the pain. Growing up he never understood why his older brother was always cold and distant with him, but on that day, he found exactly why. His older brother that he looked up to so much, hated him just because of his tainted blood.

As the pain subsided Inuyasha started to growl low in his throat and flex his deadly claws with the intent of doing deadly harm to his dear older brother.

This man stole everything from me! He growled in his mind as he lunged forward, however, just like earlier - the voice stopped him.

You must accept this and move on. You must accept his ignorance.

All of a sudden Kagome's face popped up in Inuyasha's mind and a small smile graced his features. Then Miroku's face popped up, then Sango's and even Shippo's. Sesshomaru didn't steal anything from me. His smile grew wider. He gave me true happiness. He gave me true friends and true love. He gave me the sea and the ocean. He gave me freedom.

"I may not like you." Inuyasha sighed. "And I probably will never like you, but I want to thank you for giving me everything I never knew I needed." Inuyasha gave a nod and walked away.

Kagome's Meditation State.

Kagome was no stranger to meditation, in fact, she meditated every morning - and on stressful days she meditated two or three times. The meditation helped to keep her demon in check and helped her keep a level head. She easily got into the right position and easily sank into the meditation state.

"You haven't heeded my warning so prepare for the consequences." Kagome heard an evil male voice shout and her eyes snapped open to see a hoard full of people prepared to take their little village out because they harbored a half demon.

"Kagome, get back!" Her father yelled shoving her behind him and into her mother's arms. Her mother grabbed her and ran towards the forest hiding her in a little hollow out tree then ran back to help protect her precious daughter. There was a little hole in the tree that she could peek out and see what was happening. What she saw, however, she wished she never saw. Blood, there was so much blood. Death, so much death - mostly from her tribe - the general and his people were fighting dirty. With wide eyes, she scanned the carnage she let out a howl of pain when her eyes landed on both her mother and her father's lifeless bodies, and she lost it.

The next thing she knew, she was waking up - badly wounded and dizzy from the lack of blood that she doesn't remember getting. Weakly raising to her hands and knees, she was so shaky that she didn't think that she'd be able to raise to her feet.

"What happened here?" A cold voice asked.

Kagome looked up, and at first, she saw three Sesshomaru's before they focused into one. She vaguely remembered that Sesshomaru decided he didn't want to go on that trip with his father and his half-brother.

"This filthy half breed went on a rampage and murdered her entire tribe, my people and tried to kill me!" A badly injured general grunted out in pain.

Sesshomaru quirked an eyebrow. "Is that so?" He asked coolly. "Well, unfortunately for you, half breed, your kind is no longer welcomed here, and this just solidifies that judgement."

Kagome looked back down at the ground and didn't notice as the scene froze. My kind? Not welcomed here? Kagome thought to herself. But I didn't do anything! At least I don't remember doing anything. What happened? She lifted her head again and looked around trying desperately to remember something. Nothing! I can't remember. She screamed in her mind as tears ran down her face and fell to the ground. She looked off to the side and saw the bodies of her parents and her sobs grew in volume. I can't do this! She yelled as her strength left her and she fell landing on her face. Please, just let me die!

You can't give up! The voice said making Kagome gasp and lift her head up as much as she could. You must accept this! Accept what cannot be changed!

What cannot be changed? Kagome asked herself. That's right, I can't change this - no matter how hard I try. And why would I want to? What happened here gave me more than I ever could want and wish for. I got to save Sango and Shippo, I got to meet Miroku and so many others that I hold dear to me. And I have the opportunity to see Inuyasha from time to time so that's a bonus. She smiled and struggled to her feet and staggered over to where Sesshomaru and the general were frozen.

She looked right in the general's eyes. "I might not have my parents or tribe anymore, thanks to you, but I want to thank you. I might still wish my parents and tribe were still alive and well but if you didn't do what you did then I wouldn't know the life I live now or the people that are in it. I accept now what you've done, and I put it behind me." That being said she gave a quick nod and the image pixelated and morphed into a new scene in which she was standing in front of a pirate ship.

"Kagome! Wait!" Kagome heard Inuyasha's voice shout out making her jerk her head in his direction.

"Inu-Inuyasha, you're back?" Kagome asked with a small sniffle as she looked into his eyes. She really did miss him a whole lot and was wondering how his trip was and what he done while he was gone.

Inuyasha stopped in front of her and lifted his hand to run his claws down her cheek but took them away fast enough when she winced from the pain of her wounds. "What happened?" He asked in a whisper.

Kagome's breath caught in her throat, and she looked away. "It doesn't matter. I have to go and never come back." She looked back at Inuyasha with a look full of hope. "Come with me, please, Inuyasha!"

"I can't go." Inuyasha said with a shake of his head. "Kagome, please stay. Don't go." Which made Kagome cry harder than what she was already making Inuyasha look away. He hated it when she cried it made him feel like complete, Kagome knew this, but she couldn't help but to cry - she felt her heart shatter. "Please stay."

"I can't, Inuyasha." Kagome said chocking out another sob. She just had to get him to come with her, she had to! She didn't know what she would do without him, it would be too hard for her to be without him. He had to see, to realize what he meant to her - he just had too! "I can't stay."

"Kagome." Inuyasha sighed opening his eyes but froze right when his eyes opened.

Why can't he see that he needs to come with me!? Why is he fighting this and telling me no!? She screamed to herself. How can I convince him to come with me?

You must accept that he couldn't go at that time! The voice said. Accept that which cannot be changed!

Kagome took a deep breath. This can't be changed. Then a thought came to her head, and she felt horrible for even considering begging him to come with her. If he were to come with me, then would we still be there for Miroku when he desperately needed Inuyasha? Would he have died because of how selfish I was and forced Inuyasha to come with me?

Kagome took a deep breath in and let it out through her nose. "I may have wanted you to come with me, to be with me. I know now, however, that someone else needed you more than I did. I accept the decision you made and I'm proud of you" Kagome sent him a brilliant smile and nodded then turned to walk away.

-X-

A collective sigh came from all four meditators as they came back in the present world. They all greatly accepted the cup of tea Kaede was handing out and greedily took sips of the hot liquid. They all could definitely tell a difference in the way they all felt lighter, like a burden had been taken off their shoulders.

"Phase two is complete." Kikyo announced with a small smile gracing her lips. "Now, on to the third and last phase; forgiveness."

All four pirates looked at each other and nodded.

"We're ready." Inuyasha said.

Oof, that was a long one! Do you all like the long chapter or do you like the shorter chapters? Should I make the rest of them this long? Or no? Let me know what you think. Next chapter will be the ending of having Kikyo (though I might bring her back here and there, maybe in one of Kagome's dreams idk) And we will also see what Naraku is up too in the next chapter as well! Any hooty, hope you all like the chapter! Please review! See you next time!