A brief note: I tend to stick a lot of Japanese in my stories because I'm learning the language, so if something confuses you, just let me know. Also, the reason for the chapter titles…"Trouble" by Coldplay is a good song for Inu-Yasha, I think, and I'm going to prove it soon when I turn it into my first anime music video. Really, listen to the song. If you've gotten far into the series, you'll understand why I find it perfect. I also hope that you are enjoying this story. Now, on with it.
Chapter Five: They Spun a Web for Me
Thwih. The sound the arrow created as its white heat sliced through the air toward its target. Blackened twilight was bathed in lavender glow, and the warmth radiated, casting aside the normal chill of the night if only but for a brief second. At the end of its flight, the young miko heard the familiar chunky sound of wood cutting through muscle and tendons and hung her head in slight disgust. Good, I hope that hit him square in the grotesque shell where his heart would be.
No such luck. It had only pierced his torso, right beneath his false navel. How could something born of evil have such a humanly thing as a navel?
Because some part of Hakudoshi-Naraku was still Onigumo. Perhaps she could appeal to his humanity…?
It was worth a try.
Kagome bowed humbly before the monstrosity and gauged his reaction with smiling eyes. "I don't wish to hurt you further, but if I must, I must." She heard gasps of surprise and confusion behind her, but she ignored them, knowing that they wouldn't understand why she needed to help Onigumo atone for his mistakes. The side of her that was a simple miko wished kindness on his dark soul and only wanted to help his suffering. Even if the side of her that spoke with blind logic was berating her for being as stupid as this for thinking that Naraku could be anything but evil.
Naraku arched an eyebrow in bewilderment…and then in amusement. "You would actually spare me? Miko-no-baka! Though some of my power has weakened, I can still take you, even now! Do not extend charity on those who would care less!"
Rising, she sighed and pulled another arrow from its place in her carrier, aiming it at him. "At least I tried. That's all I can do. You've made your choice. I guess we leave this up to the fates now, ne?" Suddenly, an idea dawned on her, and she returned his calloused smirk with an even fiercer one, but not before dropping the arrow to the ground. Instead, she ran toward Naraku.
"Kagome-sama? Nani…?" Miroku began but couldn't finish the words that were forming in his head.
But Inu-Yasha knew and ran after her. "Kagome! What the fuck do you think you're doing!?"
Naraku finally figured out her plan as well and frowned down at her as she gripped his neck with her full strength. "You little bitch. I'll see you to the seven hells."
Her smile widened. "Not if I see you first."
The power within her was so intense now, as what miko skills she had inherited united with Kikyou's knowledge. The solution was simple, in her mind's eye, but she'd have to pull Naraku into hell with her using all of her force. She could do it--would do it to save the ones she loved and to save the future. Everyone and everything was counting on her one modest act.
Was it too much to wish that she'd had just a little more time with her family and friends? With…with her beloved??
Iie, not her beloved. Her soul's beloved. Their souls would meet, being as bound as they were, but she as Kagome would never face him again, of that she was certain.
Energy coursed through her veins, resonated in her body, slipped through her pores…the feeling…oh Kami-sama, she felt--
A billion stars burning inside her. The hottest fire bubbling in her blood. Pure light secreting from her skin, forming a shield around her. Heat escaping everywhere. Explosions, vortexes, black holes…the origin of time beat in tune to her heart. Lavender light clouding her vision.
She felt alive! In all the years she'd lived, she'd never…knew…never knew that everything could be such bliss!
She could feel everyone's love for her, in this time and in her own time, enveloping her, cradling her in their collective arms. Felt Inu-Yasha's love the strongest of all. A smile--a true smile on his face. For her. Their souls called out to each other; she desired to touch him, just one last time…to caress a cheek, to stroke silvery hair, to taste sweet lips…anything, anything at all.
"Inu-Yasha," she half-mouthed, half-whispered; amazed that he'd heard her at all. Reached to him with one free hand while keeping Naraku in her death-grip with the other.
With tears in his eyes, he grasped her hand. A heartbroken voice cracked and pleaded, weary from fighting…a voice that sounded as old as time. "You're…you're leaving me, aren't you?"
Like a mother consoling her child, she smiled sweetly and whispered gently, "I won't be gone forever. I'll be in your heart. Our souls are destined." A single, bitter tear slipped down her cheek and into the folds of her mouth. "I'll love you always, Inu-Yasha. I'll never stop."
White light surrounded her, making it so she could no longer see him or hear him. It was just as well. Every memory she had of him was flooding her mind, and she was crying openly now.
Just as well that the light had purified Naraku as well. She couldn't face his evil laughter, not as miserable as she was.
Visions floated aimlessly around her. Onigumo as he had once been, though still cursing her as he was dragged into the pits of hell. Otou-san grinning at her even though he knew his next breath would be his last. Baa-chan as she had last been, sweeping the shrine steps before she'd had her fatal stroke. More people she barely recognized as relatives that had long since passed.
Images filled her eyes…memories that belonged to her, but to her old self. Things she could only remember in that brief space between dream and sunrise. Her memories as Kikyou.
She watched herself running through a field as a young child, but not in joy. She was searching frantically for the sanba because Okaa-san was going to have the baby. Then again as Kaede was born, and still with just a small hint of a smile on her face. Caring for Kaede as their Okaa-san lay on her deathbed, then again as their Otou-san drew his last. Training to be a miko because it was what was commanded of her. Regretting her life. Always sad because she had to watch Kaede be a normal girl while she was far from it. Preparing to throw herself into the river; mouth open to swallow the Shikon no Tama to take the damn thing to hell with her. The feeling of finally being free, and then someone saved her.
The hanyou. Inu-Yasha. The one who'd been following her for weeks in a half-assed attempt to grab the Shikon no Tama. Kami-sama…the sorrow in his eyes. The familiar sorrow.
And then their love began. But it felt so far from what she knew love could be. She cared for him, loved him, but didn't want him with her whole heart. Duty got the better of her as always. A miko and a hanyou could not love.
But her soul yearned for him, called out to him when she couldn't utter his name. Its only desire was to stay with him always. It remembered love when she as a miko could not.
Her soul…the frail human side of her.
And then she knew nothing but pain in both body and heart as she pinned him to the tree and felt the immense heat of the fire as it claimed the rest of her life.
Then she reawakened with her new memories as Kagome. The happiness she felt at having a childhood at last. No expectations placed on her head, other than to be happy, healthy, and to do well in school.
But there was something else.
A forgotten memory of summer days gone by, days spent as a child with an invisible friend. Someone only she could see, and she could never understand why. The boy that climbed Goshinboku with her. The boy with the happy golden eyes and the funny ears. The boy that protected her whenever she began to fall.
The one who was always there for her, even now.
Inu-Yasha….
Really, it was no surprise to her. Sure, she was impressed, but hadn't she always felt like she'd always known him, when she meet him long ago when he was still pinned to the tree?
All she wanted was to live for him! That's all her soul had ever asked for! To never feel alone again! Never alone because their souls spoke when words couldn't.
Couldn't she have just that simple wish?
The light within and around her pulsated, and then she realized that this wasn't just her power--the power of the Shikon no Tama was also with her. And then…darkness.
Oblivion.
Was this it? Was this all fate had written for Kagome? It just didn't seem fair!
Ba-dum.
Ba-dum.
Ba-dum.
Ba….
_______________________________________________
I actually cried while writing this. Is this the end? Hm, that's the ultimate question, isn't it? I'll guess you'll have to find out. ^_^
Sanba is a midwife, by the way. And the "ba-dum" is her heartbeat.