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Chapter Ten: Raging Winds
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Last chapter… Lifting her head, her eyes blazing, she said angrily, "HEY YOU! You're wrong Naraku. And now you are finished!" She raised the bow, and notched an arrow. Her lips wore a parody of a smile as he drew back in fear. Her arrows had nearly destroyed him before; they would complete the job now. …
As she let her arrow fly, it flamed to life, burning with her power. Her power flowed strong, strong enough to cause the demon it targeted to blanch and dodge its path. Another arrow followed, and this time he wasn't so lucky. It skimmed over the top of his shoulder, burning its way through his body, and down his arm.
With his hand, Naraku ripped out the flesh the arrow scored wildly. Trying to rid his body of the purifying power before it cleansed through to the heart of him. Seeing Kagome search the ground for more arrows, he took the opportunity to flee. "Impudent girl! You might have won this round, but I'll be back!" He screamed down at her as he took flight.
Coming up with another arrow, Kagome notched her bow one last time. She concentrated on her target, knowing she could end all the suffering with this shot. He was physically gone from sight, but she could sense his aura as he fled. She sent her aura after him in the attempt to find a vulnerable spot in his shield. As it pierced his barrier, the realization she could do so startled her. She lost herself in the feel and texture of how it was made, and its unusual consistency. She marveled at her own power and ability for when her aura touched him, his barrier crumbled.
Eagerly she sought him. She hunted his aura sure of the knowledge she needed to just touch it to see the same happen with him. She could feel the panic he emanated, and thought she had him. As she prepared herself to wrap Naraku in her aura, and wash him with her power, she was slammed to the ground.
As she rose up, she reached for the lost contact with Naraku. She could not find him. 'Sesshoumaru' Kagome thought weakly. His aura flooded her. The emotions rolling through his contact kept her from standing. Her head was ringing, and she could feel vessels behind her nose burst and blood flow. Her eyes became unfocused and cloudy. She tried to wipe them clear, but her sight continued to blur as though she was trying to see through opaque coverings.
As if he were standing in front of her, it felt as though he shoved something in her hands. With the curt command, "Hold this. Don't let it go." before he turned and walked away. His aura lifted, leaving her stunned. She 'held' what he had given her, trying to focus her mind, trying to determine what had just happened. Her thoughts turned to Naraku and where he was now. She felt frustration rise in her, and almost 'dropped' Sesshoumaru's gift.
Quenching her ire, she internally examined what she held. The shock of her discovery nearly drove her to the ground again. She held within her aura's grasp, the faint thread of a very battered soul. She recognized who it was immediately, Inuyasha. Wrapping herself around it, holding onto it securely, she wondered what had happened to him; how it is his soul was so lost and worn out its hold to the world was fragile at best. Fear rose inside her stronger than Naraku's presence invoked. 'If my hold is what keeps him here…' Afraid to continue that train of thought, she grimly held her precious gift and sought the one who could assist her.
"Kaede!?" She cried out. Her eyes still not focusing, she held her hands out, trying to find the old woman. "Shippou?" Kagome hoped the kitsune would be awake and hear her.
His tiny paws touched her hands tentatively. "Kagome?" he asked in a small voice. He had woke from his nap hearing Naraku and Kagome yelling at one another. It scared him to watch her, to feel the power roll off her and fill the space in front of the hut. The way she looked while attacking Naraku made him think of something very dangerous and not his usually kind sweet adopted mother.
Her voice sounded scratchy to her own ears as she asked, "Where's Kaede? Is she alright?"
Shippou shook his head, and when he noticed Kagome couldn't see him, he said, "She's laying over here. I can't wake her." His little voice sounded scared.
Taking a moment to pet his head and smile reassuringly, she said, "Shippou, for some reason I can't see. You need to take me to Kaede, and help her for me. Can you do that?" She could feel his head nod under her hand. "Good. Where's Rin?"
A hand tugged at her hakama and a small voice made itself known. "Kagome-sama, Rin is scared." As the owner of the voice buried her face in the garment's material, she added, "I want Sesshoumaru-sama."
Kagome's other hand stroked the girl's hair. "It'll be alright Rin. Sesshoumaru will be back soon, I'm sure. Please be a big girl for me, and help me take care of Kaede." With calm patience, she was able to free herself enough to move. Shippou led her to Kaede who seemed to be coming around and making soft pain filled noises.
Kneeling to the ground at the old miko's side, Kagome asked, "Shippou, could you go find one of the village women? Yumika-san if she's in her hut, please." The young miko felt worn out and drained suddenly. Using her powers as she had, keeping the village barrier up, and now holding as tightly as she could to Inuyasha's soul, she knew she wouldn't last long if she didn't find somewhere to trance safely.
A withered old hand patted hers. "Kagome. What happened with Naraku?"
Breathing a sigh of relief, she clutched at the old woman's hand. "Kaede I'm so happy you're alright. Naraku's gone, but…" Tears sprang to her eyes. "But… Sesshoumaru he…. Well, I'm not sure what he did or how he did it. He gave me Inuyasha's soul to hold on to." As the old miko's arms held her she continued choking back her sobs. "He's hurt… dying. I need to hold it… to keep him …here."
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Sesshoumaru looked at the bundle he held in his arms. His lips twisted in bitter irony as he swiftly sped over the land. He carried his half-brother, Inuyasha's body back to his human woman. Not a few short months ago he would have walked away without a second thought. Something, though, something he couldn't explain, and wasn't really sure he wanted to know, created the compulsion in him to save his brother. He felt he needed to keep him alive, and return him to where he belonged.
He looked to the body again, his brows furrowed in what would have been called concern had it been anyone other than Sesshoumaru. Though he had healed the body, the hanyou's soul was still lost. He could see the rents, scorch marks and bloodstains the recent battle had left on his brother's clothing, though none marred the skin. Tensaiga had done its job well.
When Naraku's barrier fell, Sesshoumaru found him quickly. Stopping on a knoll, he looked across the small valley to his most impudent and hated emery. The panorama below unfolded as Inuyasha fell, shot once again by the miko he had loved years ago. Lifting his eyes to Naraku, he was instantly in front of him.
The smirk never left the mixed breed's face. "Sesshoumaru." He sneered. "Come to bid your brother farewell?" His evil chuckle rang out.
A slight frown of annoyance crossed Sesshoumaru's face. His eyes flicked to Inuyasha's dying body and back. "What a waste. All of this just to kill him?" Naraku did not respond. Ignoring the body behind him, he added, "But then you enjoy your elaborate plans too well not to do so."
"You have it wrong, Sesshoumaru. This set up wasn't to rid myself of your brother." He smirked. "But I will use it to rid myself of you." He spun as he spoke and multiple tentacles flew out to wrap around Sesshoumaru.
His eyes never leaving Naraku's, a pulsing flash could be see from between the fleshy vines binding him. As each second passed, the pulses of energy became stronger when suddenly the tentacles blew away in chunks, leaving him free. Toukijin in hand, he stepped forward, striking the tentacles out of his way as they sped towards him.
Naraku stood chuckling as the youkai lord moved closer. "Are you sure you want to do that?" he whispered unafraid and unsurprised, as Toukijin sliced through him. A ghost of his laughter could be heard as his body tumbled to the ground, melting as it went. A cloud of miasma exploded out, covering everything within a few feet of where Naraku stood.
Sesshoumaru blocked the miasma with his sword, knowing it could not hurt him. He looked about, an irritated expression on his face. "Hrmmph." He snorted. "Another puppet." He kicked the clay doll left where the explosion of miasma erupted from. Turning, he spied Inuyasha laying still.
A flicker of remorse crossed his face and was quickly gone. A slight sigh of aggravation rippled through him as he sheathed one sword and drew the other. Slicing through the afterworld imps, Tensaiga performed its magic on the body; removing wounds, breathing life. Sesshoumaru watched, waiting for Inuyasha to rise. As his body regained life, consciousness continued to lay dormant.
Frowning in displeasure, Sesshoumaru looked closer, reaching out with his aura, touching the body briefly. He nearly recoiled in shock, realizing the soul was nearly gone. Without thought he grabbed at the lingering tendril in a near panic. He held it while shuddering in disgust he had allowed himself to feel emotion. Knowing there was much left to do, and not the time to complete the tasks, he sought the one who could assist.
Swallowing his pique, he bent to pick up his brother's body. His eyes spotted Tetsusaiga. He looked from the sword to his brother before straightening. Growling his frustration, he glanced at the two humans he had so far ignored. Their beaten bloody bodies attested to the battle they had fought. Drawing Tensaiga once again, he revived the humans.
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Shippou sat by Kagome's head, anxiety making his small body tremble. She lay where she dropped after he led her back to the hut. His small paw reached out and stroked her face, silent tears making tracks down his cheeks. He tried to be brave, but the thought of loosing Kagome made him want to cry in despair. She had filled the empty places in his heart; not where his parents were, but all other areas meaning family, meaning home.
He stroked her cheek again, wishing he could do something for her, cursing his young age, lack of skill, and limited magic. If he were someone else; Miroku, Sango, Kaede, even Inuyasha, he could help her. Hearing soft sniffling noises, he looked up to see Rin slumped at Kagome's feet, crying. Wiping his tears, he rose to go to her. Even if he wasn't big enough, or strong enough to help his adopted mother, he could help the one other person in the hut; she needed him.
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Kirara landed as Sango and Miroku revived. Her mission a failure in locating Kohaku. She nuzzled her master, growling at the smell of blood covering the girl's hair and clothing.
Sango looked from Kirara to Miroku, confusion written on every line of her face. "Houshi-sama? What happened?" She whispered. The little valley they sat in was empty of life except for the three of them.
The monk gazed off in the distance where he'd seen Sesshoumaru disappear. "We were saved." He turned a disbelieving smile to the exterminator. "By Sesshoumaru." A genuine smile crossed his lips watching the horrified fascination cross her face. "He said to bring Tetsusaiga and left." All humor left his visage "With Inuyasha's body."
Sango gasped. "Did he not save him then?"
Shaking his head, he replied, "I don't know. I think more happened here than we'll ever know." Rising he turned and held his hand out to her. "We should do as he says, however, and take Tetsusaiga back to Kagome-sama."
As he went to retrieve Inuyasha's sword, Sango checked Kirara for wounds. She was relieved to find very few. Those she did find were minor, and would heal quickly. Between them, their bond being as strong as it was, she felt the fire cat's disappointment at not finding her brother. She sought to soothe her, reassure her they would have another chance, one of these days.
Miroku called out to her and she hurried to his side. He stood, Tetsusaiga in hand, staring down at a patch of earth. His face troubled, his eyes filled with unspoken worry. Sango looked to where he pointed. She stifled her own cry of alarm.
Mixed with clumps of dirt lay the miko clothing Kikyou wore. Her bow and quiver cast to the side. Nothing was left but the earth and bones that made up her imitation body.
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