Complete the Circle
Chapter Thirty-Three: The Jewel's Lure
Darkness. He couldn't see. The absolute absence of light was suffocating. He could feel the black air around him press onto him, squeezing him, willing him to his death. He did not know, he could not know if his surroundings were real, or if it was just something his mind had conjured up. He put his hand in front of him, but saw nothing. Did his hand even exist in this world? Was he even a physical being in this world?
"I see you've finally entered this realm," an all too familiar voice said. He turned towards the direction of the voice, but he really couldn't tell where the sound was coming from.
"Do not bother to find me, for you will not," the voice said.
"What do you want?"
"To offer you a deal you cannot refuse."
He didn't trust the voice, but he was nonetheless curious. And he was starting to feel the darkness eat his soul. If the deal was to escape this hellhole, then he would do it.
"What is it?" he asked cautiously.
"Do you wish to live with your family again?" he asked. Family? What?
"You know well what has happened. If you wish to live with them again, then you will do as I order you. Obey me, and I will remove this spell from you." He knew well what had happened. Or did he?
"I don't know what you're talking about," he replied to the familiar, yet foreign figure.
"The power of your…gift kills any and all youkai surrounding you, including your family," the voice answered his unspoken question. My…gift?
That's right… Okaa-chan… Everyone…because of me… My power. My "gift." My curse.
"What do you want?" he asked again.
"Give me the girl's part of the Shikon no Tama…"
Shikon no Tama?
"…that is your first mission."
He woke up, gasping for air. It had almost seemed like he had been drowning in eternal darkness, but the morning light brushed such thoughts gently away from his mind. There had been something… Something important, but he could not, for the life of him, remember what it was.
He quickly performed the morning necessities and hurried downstairs. He hadn't wanted to fall asleep, but finally, he couldn't help himself, and had fallen asleep in his friend's home.
"Any word yet?" he asked nervously. Please let her be okay… Please.
"Musashino," Miroku's mother greeted him. "Good news. Your mother is fine. She hasn't completely recovered, but she'll live."
"You're lucky Sesshoumaru appeared when he did," Miroku smiled, hoping his friend wouldn't blame himself for what had happened last night.
I know… I know that I'm lucky Onii-chan appeared when he did. I know that it was my fault that all of this happened. I… I want to make sure my mom's all right. I want to thank Onii-chan. But how do you tell someone this when you can't even move close enough to them for them to even sense you?
"Yeah! Onii-chan's the greatest!" he said enthusiastically, hoping that he wasn't giving too much of himself away. Miroku raised an eyebrow at his statement, but went along with him. He couldn't tell if he had successfully fooled his best friend or not.
"But because Sesshoumaru-sama used his youki to help most of the youkai over there, I'm afraid he isn't that well," Miroku's mother said.
"I… I understand," Inuyasha said quietly. But then he grinned, remembering to slip his mask in place. "So, is there anything I can help you with? I feel guilty for intruding on your privacy."
"Don't be ridiculous, Musashino," she said kindly. "We're always glad to have you over."
"Okaa-san, is it okay if some of my friends come over later?" asked Miroku.
"That's fine, Miroku," she said. "I'm going to have to be out for the remainder of the day, so I expect you to keep an eye on the house. If you're going to go out later, remember to lock all the doors and windows."
"I know," Miroku said. He turned to Inuyasha. "Since you're so eager to work, go clean my room."
"Clean it yourself, you bum," Inuyasha said, rolling his eyes.
"Hey! You're trespassing on my property," Miroku said.
"You don't even own a pot of dirt, much less a house," Inuyasha said.
"Be that way," Miroku said, sighing. "I'm going to call Kagome and Sango over here. Can't go over to Kagome's like we did before because…well, you know."
"Yeah."
Miroku quickly left, looking uncomfortable. But he was right. He did know. How could he not know what had happened? How could he not remember the look on his mother's face as he ran out into the night?
He sat down on the sofa, rubbing his face. What am I going to do? I can't stay at Miroku's house forever. I can't go back home unless I want everyone to die… What do I do?
He looked out of the window, watching the morning sun rise high into the sky. He wished that he could shine as brightly and as confidently as that orb of light. Mask beneath mask he hid, fearing rejection for what he was, fearing contempt for what he could never be.
He got up quickly and found some paper, writing a note to Miroku. He taped the note on the door and exited the house. He had nowhere to go, so he would be back, but before he did, he wanted some peace. He didn't know why, but ever since his coma, things had taken a turn for the worst. He couldn't understand anything that was happening, and his friends didn't really try to enlighten him, either. But he didn't blame them. They had their own problems. Sango and Miroku, dealing with their past… And Kagome. What was he to make of her?
She had told him herself that she loved a youkai who had been dead for five hundred years, one that she was willing to lose everything for. How could he compete with that? He was nothing, and he knew it. A youkai that had no powers. He was worst than the weakest hanyou. He was weaker than the weakest youkai child. How could he amount to anything as he was? He was lucky to even have such a loving family. Had it been anyone else, he would have been killed the moment they discovered of his lack of powers.
He crossed the crosswalk, paying little attention to the traffic. He was headed towards the park, and hopefully, there would be less traffic on the way there. Not that it mattered to him. He was in no hurry.
The world was spinning out of his control. He had tried his best in his sixteen years, but it was not enough. He was not strong enough to stand against the events that were happening. How did that Inuyasha that Kagome loved deal with his problems? He seemed so much stronger, so much more confident, so much better than he. How could he even live up to him? Did he even want to?
I'm Musashino. But I am also Inuyasha. I am myself, but am I? Kagome, Miroku, and Sango seem to believe that I am this Inuyasha of the past. Can I say that I'm not? How do I know if I'm not?
The park echoed with the laughter of children, and he smiled slightly. They reminded him of when he was small, when he was five years old, when he was still a "true" youkai. He laughed to himself. His story sounded similar to "Inuyasha's." He who lost his way of life when he was a child, and was forced to accept the truth of the world when he was young. He who was different from the others; different from both humans and youkai.
He saw a child start to look a bit ill as he walked closer to a bench and realized that the child was a youkai. He quickly moved away from the child and found a silent grove of trees that was absent of any humans or youkai. He sighed softly to himself and sat down at the base of a tree.
He wondered how this had all started. Had it started when Miroku got his air rip? When he met Kagome? When he fell into a coma? Or was it longer ago? So long that he had forgotten what had happened?
And why was he suddenly forgetting so much? His family, his friends, himself… Were the heavens trying to punish him? Or was it because of the one called "Naraku"?
Naraku… He didn't have any evidence that Naraku was really doing anything. Sure, he was a good person to blame, but he really didn't know if it really was Naraku that was behind all of this. What if he was mistaken? Kagome and the others blamed Naraku for all the misfortunes that had befallen them, but was this Naraku really the same? What if he had changed? What he just looked the same and happened to be named the same as his past life?
Yeah, and it just so happens that Naraku in this time is a hanyou just like the Naraku in the past. I should just give in and say it's his fault. Must be my grandfather's side in me. "Always get concrete evidence before assuming things" was what he always said, but yesterday, he violated his own words. So where does that leave me? To assume, or not to assume? Maybe I should just wait to see what happens. But what if by the time I find out, it's too late?
There was a strange rustling in the bushes, and he got up to leave when he saw his friends appear.
"Inuyasha! Why'd you run off like that? Do you know how hard it was to find you?" asked Miroku, taking a leaf out of his hair and brushing himself off.
"What do ya want?" asked Inuyasha, slightly irritated with him.
"Inuyasha, I think it is time that you see what it is that we're fighting Naraku for," Kagome said. Inuyasha noticed that Sango was unusually tense and she seemed to be alert for danger. He started to feel nervous. Something… Something… What was it?
Kagome reached to her neck and pulled out a chain with a broken jewel at the end.
Shikon no Tama…
He started to feel very uncomfortable near it, but some part of him wanted to touch to jewel, to take it, to hide it, to keep it…
"This is the Shikon no Tama," Kagome said. She noticed that Inuyasha was looking very strange.
"Beware of the friend you love and trust."
She started to doubt her decision to show Inuyasha the Shikon shard, but quickly scolded herself. Inuyasha would never betray her. That was just a kooky fortuneteller that cheated people's money. She wouldn't believe such rubbish.
"This isn't the complete Shikon no Tama, but…" Kagome cocked her head slightly to the side. "I think you might have the rest."
"Huh?" asked Inuyasha.
"That time that you were attacked by the Scorpion Lady, the Shikon shard seemed to appear from your blood, so I'm guessing that you have the shard hidden somewhere…" Kagome ended nervously.
"So what? You want to cut me up to look for it?" asked Inuyasha. Strangely, his voice had lost that joking lilt that he usually had.
"No…" Kagome answered. She felt her heart contract painfully. It was her fault that any of this happened. Had she never appeared, Inuyasha may never have died, and this Inuyasha may never have fallen into Naraku's play.
"What do want to do then?" asked Inuyasha, sounding so incredibly tired.
"I… I don't know…" Kagome admitted. "But I was thinking, maybe you can keep this shard for me?"
Inuyasha gave her a sharp look that tore through her defenses.
"I wouldn't trust myself with the jewel," he said softly. What? Kagome thought.
"What do you mean, Inuyasha?" asked Miroku, concerned for his friend.
"I know this may sound strange, but something in me is telling me to stay away from that jewel," he said, his brow creased with confusion and concern. "But another part of me wants it… It wants it so badly…"
His words were sending chills down Kagome's spine. He was wary of the jewel, yet he desired it… Inuyasha of the past desired the jewel. Perhaps this was just a lingering effect of his past life? Or did he really yearn for the jewel as much as he had just sounded?
"Though their heart is true, they will fall prey to evil."
She couldn't believe that. That fortuneteller was obviously only after money. She wasn't so stupid as to believe that such a person could truly predict the future. Was she?
But she had been so vague about everything… Her words could have applied to anyone. Miroku could have been the friend that would fall prey to evil. Maybe the evil was just groping people? But he wasn't the one that she loved, was he?
But she didn't love this Inuyasha, right? She knew she had feelings for him, but she wouldn't dub them love just yet. So she didn't love him, which meant that he wasn't the one that would betray her. But what if the fortuneteller was referring to the old Inuyasha?
Inuyasha suddenly rubbed his head as if he were having a headache.
"Are you all right?" asked Sango, looking at his direction for a moment.
"Get away from me. NOW!" Inuyasha shouted suddenly, making them all jump in surprise.
"Wha—?" Kagome was about to ask when Inuyasha suddenly leapt at her, his arm extended, aiming for her throat.
"Kyaa!" Kagome screamed, rolling away from Inuyasha's attack.
"Get away now!" Inuyasha shouted as he charged at her again. He was stopped by Sango, who had hit him with a large stone.
"Kagome-chan, come over here!" Sango shouted. Miroku had his hands on his prayer beads. Kagome ran towards them, but Inuyasha tripped her. She fell with a thud and saw the Shikon shard fall out of her hands. Everything seemed to slow down. Someone caught it.
"Excellent performance. You looked just like that worthless dog when he had lost the Shikon no Tama to Kikyo," his icy voice rang out. She looked up angrily at him.
"Naraku," Sango spat, placing herself in front of Kagome. "Return the jewel to Kagome-chan now, or I'll have to kill you."
"Do as she says," Miroku said, his beads partially off. "We outnumber you."
"Two to three," Naraku smiled. "Or rather, two to two. Without a bow and arrow, that girl is useless," Naraku said to Miroku. "I would say the odds are quite equal, if not better, for me." Miroku gritted his teeth in anger. "As you can see, your 'friend' here is under my control."
"Surrender, Naraku," Kagome shouted, getting up. "I have learned more tricks since the last time we've met." Sango looked at Kagome in surprise, but Kagome didn't dare look at her friend. She hoped her bluff was going to work.
"Let us see, then," Naraku said. "Why don't you test out your paltry tricks on your friend here?" he asked, gesturing to Inuyasha, who walked in front of Naraku in a protective gesture.
"Damn you, Naraku," Inuyasha said through clenched teeth. Naraku only smiled in response.
"Try your tricks, Miko, or I shall get impatient with you," he said. His cool voice struck fear in Kagome's heart. What was she going to do? She didn't know any new tricks. And even if she did, she wasn't going to try it out on Inuyasha.
"Kagome," Inuyasha strained against the spell. "You're a miko. Use your power as you should. No feelings should be attached to your duty." What is he trying to say? It looked like Naraku had no idea what he was talking about either for no snide remarks were made. Then again, it didn't look like anyone there understood what Inuyasha was talking about.
Do my duty? My duty?
A miko's duty… What is that?
Kagome looked at Inuyasha and uttered a silent apology. She closed her eyes and felt the power of both humans and youkai floating around her, as well as her own special power. The vacuum that was Inuyasha was absent, replaced by a strong spell that no doubt was used to control him. She could feel Miroku's monk powers coming from him, as well as a trace of youki surrounding his hand, and that strange emptiness that his hand carried. Sango's ki was at its maximum, and Naraku's youki was trying to elude her senses, but she could still feel him. This was the real Naraku.
She envisioned a ball of energy in her hand. Courage. Friendship. Wisdom. Love… She felt a warm, reassuring power pulse in her hand. She opened her eyes, and threw the orb of energy at Naraku. The orb of light blurred into a sharp blade as it spun towards Naraku. But he used Inuyasha as a shield.
"Inuyasha!" Sango screamed as the blade collided with Inuyasha. Kagome sank to her feet, her hands clasped together. Her throat was tight. She couldn't speak. Forgive me, Inuyasha…
Suddenly Inuyasha grabbed the blade of light, its edges cutting into his skin. He ignored it and swung the blade at Naraku. Naraku evaded the blade and the blade of power smashed into a nearby tree, demolishing it.
"Heh. Bastard," Inuyasha smirked. "All you've got is a big mouth with no brains."
Naraku's eyes narrowed angrily at Inuyasha's comment.
He did it… He used my purifying energy to remove the spell from him… Kagome breathed a sigh of relief. Sango and Miroku were both still in confusion.
"Let's see how you like a taste of your own medicine," Inuyasha grinned. In his hand, he held a small black oval that looked similar to the one that he had used to heal Kagome's bruised toes. He threw it at Naraku, who was too surprised to move out of the way. Upon contact, the black oval exploded, becoming a huge vacuum that sucked all the youki surrounding them. Naraku was not spared.
Soon, the spell wore itself out, and all that was left of Naraku were his clothes. Silence descended upon the park, setting everything at peace.
"He… He's gone," Sango said in astonishment.
"What exactly happened just now?" asked Miroku. Kagome looked to Inuyasha for an explanation.
"The purifying power of Kagome's arrow allowed me to partially purify the spell that was on me and seal it into one of those jewels," Inuyasha explained.
"How did you know how to do that?" asked Sango.
"I've seen my mother seal illusion spells into jewels all the time," he replied. But there was something he wasn't saying. In that moment when the energy touched him… I thought I had made a mistake and my error was going to take his life. In that moment… I thought that he had wanted to die.
"Inuyasha, are you all right?" she asked.
"Couldn't be better," he grinned. "Spell's gone so I can go home now. Yea!"
He certainly seems happy, Kagome thought. But what if he's hiding again? This Inuyasha… He hides his emotions all too well…
"We've defeated Naraku," Sango said in disbelief. "Our mission is over."
"If we've defeated Naraku," Miroku interrupted, "then why is it that I still have my air rip?"
They all turned to look at him. Sure enough, the black hole was still in his hand. Was he cursed to die even after Naraku's death?
"The Shikon no Tama!" Kagome gasped, quickly running to the pile of Naraku's clothes and picking up the small shard. "Miroku's right," she said, putting the chain around her neck again. "Our mission is far from over. We must find the rest of the shards and wish this evil jewel away."
"And after we complete it, we can wish for Miroku's air rip to disappear," Sango said excitedly.
"Yeah, yeah. The important thing now is to go back to Miroku's house and raid his fridge!" Inuyasha said, starting to walk out of the park. The three followed his lead. Kagome smiled as Sango and Miroku started to talk happily to each other. However, she couldn't help but notice that Inuyasha tried to walk as far away from her as possible. She smiled sadly to herself.
I suppose we're just not meant to be. How many people have this many obstacles in their way to each other? In his past life, he lost my incarnation, and when I appeared, I lost him. Now we're both here again, but we cannot seem to get close to each other. She clutched her jewel tightly. Shikon no Tama… I cannot wait to get rid of this Jewel of Curses. All who come in contact with it lose their lives. I just hope I can live long enough to rid this world forever of this jewel. I just hope I can get rid of the jewel fast enough so that Inuyasha's life won't be in danger because of it again.
And she bore this burden of hers quietly, uncomplaining, for that was the duty of a miko.
Author's Note: Huh. This chapter didn't turn out as I had originally planned. Naraku was supposed to be defeat by—whoops! I'm not going to tell you.
Thanks to all those people who've stuck with me for so long. I think this story is nearing its conclusion. Oh, wait… Nope. I'm wrong. There still some stuff that has to happen. After all, we have to patch up Kagome and Inuyasha's weird relationship, right? Or should I just leave them this way?
By the way, sorry for any spelling or grammar errors. I don't have the time to double check my work anymore.