She held the small piece of the Shikon no Tama in her hand. She had connected this small portion of the Shikon no Tama to another chain, but she wanted nothing more than to break the chain and throw the Shikon shard away. The stupid jewel had caused so much suffering, and now she was going to reunite it, which would only cause more suffering in the long run. If she did complete the Shikon no Tama, that would mean that Kohaku would definitely die, and she didn't want Sango to feel sad after her brother's second death. The other option was to keep the Shikon no Tama as it was now, but that really wasn't an option at all. Perhaps once the jewel was complete, she could wish Kohaku back. Then Inuyasha wouldn't have to make the difficult decision of becoming human or full youkai.
She smiled sadly to herself. Inuyasha… She had been thinking about him a lot lately. What was going to happen once they completed the jewel? Was she going to leave the feudal era forever? Would she never see her friends again? Would she never see Inuyasha again?
Mou, when did I come to care so much for him? Didn't I already ask this question before? Really, what was there to love about him? He is rude, arrogant, hotheaded, insensitive, unavailable…brave, sweet sometimes, cared for people more than he let on, strong, determined, and he has a big heart. Why am I even asking myself this question anymore? It's so obvious that I love him, so why do I bother trying to convince myself that I have no reason to love him? I just wish he would for once love me back, instead of always chasing after a ghost that has a clay body.
She looked at the hanyou that currently seemed to have a glazed look, almost as if he was thinking something. He's probably thinking about Kikyo, she thought bitterly. But, I already know he chooses Kikyo before me. He would probably allow her to kill me if he thought it would make her happy.
No, he wouldn't, a little voice in her head said. But she already knew. She looked fondly at the back clad in red. I hope this isn't the last time I get to see him. Even if the Shikon no Tama is complete, I will always return here, to Inuyasha. I know nothing will ever happen between us, but, still, I am happy when I'm near him.
And it's because of him that I feel the greatest sadness, another voice said. It doesn't matter. I'll never abandon Inuyasha!
Stupid Inuyasha. Why did he have to hit me so hard? All I did was state the truth. He rubbed his head, hoping that the bump would go away soon. Whoever knew that a hanyou could have such strength? Shippou remembered the first time he met Inuyasha, he had thought he was a weak hanyou that could do nothing. But his travels with him had changed that.
Inuyasha, I would never say this to your face, but you're the strongest person I've seen. I'm not talking only about physical strength; I'm talking about strength on all levels. Really Inuyasha, I don't know how, or why, but when I'm traveling with you I feel safer. Almost like an older brother is watching me. I guess you and Kagome gave me a family when I lost mine.
He watched Inuyasha from his perch on Kagome's shoulder. Inuyasha almost looked like he was thinking about something. He looked at the other's faces, wondering if they noticed Inuyasha's strange behavior. He wanted someone to confirm that Inuyasha was being weird, and he didn't want to be the first to mention it to Inuyasha. He had a swelling bump on his head that warned him of what was to come if he interrupted Inuyasha with his questions.
Stupid dog demon. You're afraid to let others show that they care about you, and you don't show anyone either. The only reason I know that you care about me is the time you saved me when you were badly injured. Shippou looked at the others faces again, and saw that everyone was too engrossed in their own thoughts to notice Inuyasha. He saw that Miroku and Sango had the same expression that Inuyasha had on, except to a lesser intensity. What was wrong with everyone? Inuyasha would beat Naraku, then everyone would be happy again.
Or would they?
Shippou had a slight bad feeling about this battle. I have faith on Inuyasha, but I'm scared. What if Inuyasha loses? I don't think I'm powerful enough to protect Kagome. Then again, Kagome can protect herself.
He clenched his fists tightly. Why am I so useless? I never help, and I am always being a burden to everyone! Fine, maybe I help once in a while, but I can never do anything when someone's life is in danger. And I'm a full youkai, for crying out loud! I should be able to do something other than stand at the sidelines. Why can't I be strong? Strong, like Inuyasha?
Inuyasha lost his family when he was a kid, like me. But he raised himself and became strong so that no one can bully him. Why can't I become strong, like him?
Okay, let me think. What similarities are there between Inuyasha and me? Hmm, nothing. Except we're both orphans. I wonder if Inuyasha ever realized that. Probably not.
Shippou saw Inuyasha scowl at the crows. Why is he getting mad at the birds? Then again, he gets mad about everything.
Sango wondered if Kohaku was still alive, or did Naraku already kill him for the Shikon shard in him? The thought sent anger in torrents rushing out of her. Another reason to kill Naraku. Inuyasha was right. They were going to go and kick Naraku's ass.
It's strange. Sometimes he acts so optimistic, and others, especially when he wants to scare someone, his pessimism cannot be compared. But it's strange... His optimism cheers my spirits and allows me to believe for a brief moment that I am strong enough to defeat Naraku by myself.
I'm glad that I met Inuyasha. Even if the first time we met, I was trying to kill him. How can such a gruff person be so forgiving, anyway? First I try to kill him, then I try to steal Tetsusaiga, and he still forgave me. At first glance, I would never expect him to forgive anyone. Well, it's true that he doesn't forgive Kagome for the littlest things, such as letting Kouga escape, but when it matters, you can always count of him to forgive you.
It's like Inuyasha understands a lot more than he lets on. Sometimes I wonder if I know him at all. I wonder what drives him to do the things he does. Even though he talks and insults a lot, I don't think that anyone knows much about him. He never says anything about himself unless it is absolutely necessary, and not even then. How can I even consider him as my friend if I don't know the first thing about him?
She paused briefly, wondering. Does Inuyasha consider me as his friend? A year ago, I wouldn't have wanted a hanyou as a friend, but now that's all changed. Like it or not, Inuyasha, I'm a friend you can count on. You may not have wanted this many people to follow you around, but it's too late to change that now. You're stuck with us, and even if don't want to admit it, any one of us would do anything for you.
Miroku followed Inuyasha, trying to ignore the numerous crows that were flying around.
Crows are a symbol of death. Someone's going to die, and I hope it's someone I don't care about.
But who did he care about? A year ago, there would have been only one person whom he cared about, and that was his foster father, the monk who was always drunk. But now there were so many people that he had let into his heart. He shouldn't have done that. If they were unable to defeat Naraku, and his air void swallowed him up, he would leave many sad people behind. He shouldn't have gotten close to anyone.
How do I even know that they really care about me that much, anyway? Kagome cares about everyone, and hopefully I'm no exception. Shippou and I are always spying on Inuyasha and we get stuck with each other a lot, so I suppose he might be somewhat sad. What about Sango? Somehow, my perversion failed to drive her off. She's going to get hurt. She shouldn't have gotten so close to me. And Inuyasha? That hanyou is always trying to be tough, but if I die, will he care?
He cared when you all were poisoned, a voice replied. He cared so much that for the first time in years he cried.
He was crying because of Kagome. He really doesn't care that much for me, especially since I keep pestering him about not becoming a full youkai with the Shikon no Tama.
But what about that time you were drugged and your air void was ripped? Didn't Inuyasha come to save you? And when you used your air void to save Inuyasha he became angry with you because he was afraid the air void would kill you sooner?
Damn you. Why is it that the voices in your head always tell you what you don't want to hear?
He saw the crows land on the dead trees, and Inuyasha scowling. So he had noticed the entourage that had been following them. Of course. Inuyasha was a hanyou after all.
He saw the door of Naraku's castle before him. So it was going to start.
"Shall we enter?" he asked calmly. He noticed that everyone had a grim face on, especially Inuyasha.