Disclaimer: as always, nada, nothing, anything, or zip is mine.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kagome had not moved for three days. Her body still lay in the position in which she fell. The others had run towards her as soon as they got to their feet, only to be repelled by another powerful barrier. Inuyasha had attempted to break it with the Tetsugaiga but the blade hadn't came anywhere near its mark, the barrier had shoved it away at such a force that Inuyasha slammed straight back into the wall. Miroku's holy powers had failed, as had all of Sango's exterminator tricks. Shippo had tried all his illusion magic and Jaken had tried his staff. All had failed. They were forced to watch for any signs of her awakening but nothing had happened. They were not sure how she was surviving without food or water but the shallow rise and fall of her chest told them all that she was still living. The mark on her forehead pulsed steadily with a dull gleam. Rin and Shippo had taken watch over the still girl, the others had given into their pleading on the condition that they would be told the instant Kagome made any signs of waking.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
'It's all my fault,' Inuyasha was once again sitting in the tall branches of the God Tree, 'I should have stayed with her. I should have watched her.'
'Well, there's no use worrying about it now then is there?' Inuyasha nearly groaned as the voice made itself known once again, 'Oh, stop complaining, I'm here to help you, you ungrateful bastard,'
Inuyasha growled but said nothing.
'Kagome will be fine, her body just needs to rest, it was hurt worst than I thought, or I wouldn't have had her perform the ceremony so soon.'
'What did that 'ceremony' do?'
'It's simple really, it bound my blade to her.'
'WHAT!!'
'It bound my sword to her. Really Inuyasha, you should try to pay attention sometimes. Why Kagome-never mind' The voice cut off the last sentence surprisingly fast.
Inuyasha ignored the insult, much more intrigued by the unfinished sentence, 'Why Kagome what?'
'It's not for you to know until you have made your decision.'
'What decision?'
'The Choice naturally.'
'What choice is this?'
'You will know when the time comes but whether you make the right choice or not is unknown.'
'What 'right choice'?'
'Like I said before, it's not for you to know.'
Inuyasha sighed, realizing that he wouldn't be able to get anymore of an answer from it, when a sudden realization dawned on him, 'O-Oi.you are Hikari right?'
'Correct.'
'Then if you are in my head right now, why does Kagome still wear your mark?'
Hikari chuckled, 'I do not know. I can only assume that it is the sword's doing.'
'NANI??'
'I said-'
Inuyasha cut it off, 'I know what you said and you know what I meant so explain.'
Hikari laughed again, 'So impatient young one, but all right, the sword is mine, it is, by name, the Saber of Light. Your companion, the monk, saw my mark on it. The sword is now joined with Kagome. It will protect her and help her. The sword is like another presence, almost but not completely. It is a part of the universe and myself combined. It makes its own decisions but I haven't the faintest idea why it chooses to keep the mark on her.'
'When will Kagome wake up?'
'I do not know, you may ask her yourself though.'
'What do you mean by that?'
'She is in the flux right now as her body repairs itself. If you wish it, I would be able to send you into the zone, it may be painful because you are not a destined, but I am not certain.'
'Do it.'
'Excuse me?'
'Do it.'
'Do what?'
'Send me to the zone now.'
'Very well, but be warned that there may be trouble. The barrier between this zone and the next has yet to be restored. Child of Dark, the one you call Kikyo may be there and you may have to make your choice sooner than expected.'
Inuyasha hesitated for the briefest of seconds, 'Do it.'
Inuyasha felt the most peculiar draining sensation as he left his body. He could fell himself being guided towards a portal and being shoved into it. And then, Inuyasha knew true hell.
His body felt as if it was trying to rip itself apart, every cell trying to be free of its neighbor. Searing agony coursed through him, he pulled against Hikari's hold, whimpering to leave this place of pain. Hikari refused to release him, offering neither help nor harm, just that steady pull that alerted Inuyasha that he was still being pulled. And then it stopped.
Inuyasha found himself pulled from the torment as he stumbled into the area. He gazed around curiously at the area that appeared to be made of nothing. The whole zone seemed to stretch forever, seeming to be both light and dark all at once. He looked down and realized, with some alarm that he was standing on nothing. He looked around for Kagome, becoming increasingly worried as he saw no one. But then he saw her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile.
Sango and Miroku had been in various stages of thought when it happened. Sango had been polishing her weapon and Miroku once again in his meditation. Then all at once, the youkai appeared, huge swarms came all at once, led by Kagura and Kohaku. The pair leapt to their feet, back to back at being surrounded. Miroku realized with some anguish that the Saimyoushou were apparent everywhere. The pair was hopelessly outnumbered, with no one else of their group in sight or range. Rin and Shippo would be of no use, endangering them would not be to the best and Jaken had gone off hunting, to replenish their meat stores. The youkai came more and more and a dawning fear struck.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Inuyasha stepped into the zone and saw her. Kagome was there. She had the blade out in front of her. Her eyes were closed and she stood in a stance. The mark glowed on her forehead and she appeared to be concentrating very carefully. Inuyasha stepped forwards, preparing to call out to her when she moved. It was almost like a dance of the most graceful sort. The sword was guiding Kagome into a attack form, blocking and slashing.
'Ah, so it seems that they are bonding faster than I had-' Hikari cut off abruptly and starting swearing so violently that Inuyasha's eyes widened, 'It's up to you to reach her now. I'm borrowing your body. I'll be back.'
"Oi! Wait a minute!" but the voice had left. Inuyasha turned his focus once again back to Kagome. She had stopped her movements and stood still, her forehead creased as if debating with something. Her face turned to him and her eyes opened slowly. Not to the warmth and joy that he was so used to seeing but to a cold emptiness that registered no recognition as she stared at him. Her moves were faster than the light of whose mark she bore, now blazing. She attacked him. Inuyasha was barely able to dodge in time as her blade came down in a sweeping arc towards his neck. She wore a blank expression and nothing happened as he called her name repeatedly. She just attacked with speed and a deadly skill. Inuyasha drew his sword, barely blocking her blows. Finally, frustrated with her unresponsiveness, he attempted to disarm her. He attacked, only to be blocked and struck at one more, with more skill than Sesshomaru had possessed and more speed than Kouga could have acquired in two lifetimes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hikari shook off the stiffness that often accompanied the control of a new form. Standing, Hikari leapt out of the tree, landing perfectly as if they had had this form for all its life. Training its senses on one thing that it had in mind, Hikari swore and raced forwards to the newest concern.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Miroku gave a shout as more of Naraku's bees came into view. Kagura lashed out at his distraction, binding him with more of her winds. Miroku and Sango had been attacked without warning. Sango had turned her back to her brother, attacking as many youkai as she could while Miroku used his Air Rip and sucked up as many as he could. The Saimyoushou appeared so suddenly that Miroku shouted as he absorbed them along with the youkai. He turned as he heard Sango cry out. Kagura had wrapped him with her binding winds as she was doing to Sango. Miroku couldn't seal his hand and shouted as more of the Saimyoushou came, flying directly into his hand. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as the poison began to take affect. He turned to Sango, who was being slashed at violently by her brother. She was crying, her head was down. Neither of them could attack nor run, being bound still. Miroku struggled against his bonds with more ferocity as Kohaku made to strike the final blow.
Miroku looked up as Inuyasha burst into the fray. Miroku's eyes widened as he sensed Inuyasha's aura. Flaring wildly, it had changed form. Inuyasha raised a clawed hand, releasing both and binding Kohaku. Sango slumped to the ground, bleeding heavily. Miroku went to her side, turning to shout at Inuyasha for help when his eyes grew even more than before. Pulsing on his arm where the fabric was separated, was the mark. Glowing fiercely and beating in time with the aura. That was the last thing he recalled before he passed out.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kagome hooked her blade under his and jerked immediately, disarming him. Inuyasha fell backwards. He made to get up when the sword tip at his throat stopped him. He looked up at the girl that he had once known.
"Who are you?" the voice was neither hers nor was it of the presence. It contained none of her warmth or life. Inuyasha shivered at the new voice coming from her mouth. "Who are you youkai and what do you want?"
"Kagome." his voice was barely more than a whisper.
"Kagome? Who are you talking to youkai?"
"Kagome, snap out of it. You know me. I'm Inuyasha remember?"
"Inuyasha? I know no such person. Are you trying to attack this village?"
"Come on Kagome, you have to snap out of it. I'm not trying to attack any village. There isn't one here anyways."
"I am not this Kagome."
"Then who are you?"
"I am a miko."
That was as far as she got before her eyes flickered once again. Her whole aura seemed to waver. For half a second, Inuyasha saw two souls before him. One was Kagome's and the other was familiar but he didn't recognize it. Kagome was back and shaking. The sword tip was still at his throat and it was shaking along with her body. Inuyasha moved the edge away from his throat, worried when she didn't notice. Her eyes had closed. Inuyasha sat up. Kagome dropped her blade and fell. Inuyasha reached out and caught her before she hit the ground.
"What happened to me Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha looked at her in surprise. He had fully been expecting Kagome to be unconscious but she was just lying in his arms. Tears tracked silently down her face.
"O-Oi Kagome, Now's not the time to be crying.'
Kagome said nothing, just kept staring at his face with unfocused eyes, 'I.I attacked him!' As that realization hit, the tears ran faster and she started shaking once again. Inuyasha frowned when fear entered her scent. "Gomen ne Inuyasha," her soft voice was so quiet that he almost didn't hear it, even with his demon hearing, "I . . . I attacked you didn't I." Her voice was trembling almost as much as her body was, "I . . . gomen Inuyasha. I lost control and . . . and . . . " her voice broke and she closed her eyes, silent sobs wracking her chest. Kagome pushed him away suddenly and stood on shaky legs. She walked to where her sword was and picked it up. Her eyes widened as the blade started to glow. The glow grew, Kagome cried out when the light first touched her.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha was on his feet, running towards her.
Kagome turned to him, "No Inuyasha! Run! Quickly Now!" There was panic in her voice when he just kept on coming towards her, "Inuyasha onegai! Go!"
Kagome saw that he was trying to reach her. She cried out in alarm when the glow reached out towards him. "Gomen ne Inuyasha," her voice was soft but rose as she shouted at him again, "but you must leave now! It's not safe for you! I'll return soon." Kagome lashed out with the arm that the glow hadn't reached yet. Power lashed from it, wrapping around him despite his struggling. The power surged backwards with him, throwing him back into the vortex between the worlds. "I promise I'll be back Inuyasha. Please, forgive me." Kagome's voice was barely audible now. The glow consumed her body.
"No Kagome!" Inuyasha struggled against the bonds that pulled him back to the physical world. Her scream echoed in his ears. He was jolted back into his body and realized that it wasn't an echo and that her body was screaming. He raced towards her writhing form, only to be repelled once again by the barrier. He looked around frantically, to see both Miroku and Sango struggling to their feet. Sango was wrapped in bandages and Miroku had a pale tinge to his face. Both were looking worn and battered. Rin, Shippo and Jaken were nowhere to be seen. Inuyasha turned to Kagome, when the screaming stopped. Her body was still convulsing and squirming. Her mouth still open in a scream but her body was now encased in the strange glow that he had first seen in the flux. He was pulled back suddenly and he tried to wrench away but the staff at his chest prevented that.
He stilled when the barrier that had held her began to glow. It pulsed and expanded. Pulsing brighter and brighter until it opened and the top and shot up, forming a column of light around her. Kagome screamed again, her body flinging open and arching upwards and the barrier exploded.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author's Note: *sigh* I guess that I'm not done with rewrites after all.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kagome had not moved for three days. Her body still lay in the position in which she fell. The others had run towards her as soon as they got to their feet, only to be repelled by another powerful barrier. Inuyasha had attempted to break it with the Tetsugaiga but the blade hadn't came anywhere near its mark, the barrier had shoved it away at such a force that Inuyasha slammed straight back into the wall. Miroku's holy powers had failed, as had all of Sango's exterminator tricks. Shippo had tried all his illusion magic and Jaken had tried his staff. All had failed. They were forced to watch for any signs of her awakening but nothing had happened. They were not sure how she was surviving without food or water but the shallow rise and fall of her chest told them all that she was still living. The mark on her forehead pulsed steadily with a dull gleam. Rin and Shippo had taken watch over the still girl, the others had given into their pleading on the condition that they would be told the instant Kagome made any signs of waking.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
'It's all my fault,' Inuyasha was once again sitting in the tall branches of the God Tree, 'I should have stayed with her. I should have watched her.'
'Well, there's no use worrying about it now then is there?' Inuyasha nearly groaned as the voice made itself known once again, 'Oh, stop complaining, I'm here to help you, you ungrateful bastard,'
Inuyasha growled but said nothing.
'Kagome will be fine, her body just needs to rest, it was hurt worst than I thought, or I wouldn't have had her perform the ceremony so soon.'
'What did that 'ceremony' do?'
'It's simple really, it bound my blade to her.'
'WHAT!!'
'It bound my sword to her. Really Inuyasha, you should try to pay attention sometimes. Why Kagome-never mind' The voice cut off the last sentence surprisingly fast.
Inuyasha ignored the insult, much more intrigued by the unfinished sentence, 'Why Kagome what?'
'It's not for you to know until you have made your decision.'
'What decision?'
'The Choice naturally.'
'What choice is this?'
'You will know when the time comes but whether you make the right choice or not is unknown.'
'What 'right choice'?'
'Like I said before, it's not for you to know.'
Inuyasha sighed, realizing that he wouldn't be able to get anymore of an answer from it, when a sudden realization dawned on him, 'O-Oi.you are Hikari right?'
'Correct.'
'Then if you are in my head right now, why does Kagome still wear your mark?'
Hikari chuckled, 'I do not know. I can only assume that it is the sword's doing.'
'NANI??'
'I said-'
Inuyasha cut it off, 'I know what you said and you know what I meant so explain.'
Hikari laughed again, 'So impatient young one, but all right, the sword is mine, it is, by name, the Saber of Light. Your companion, the monk, saw my mark on it. The sword is now joined with Kagome. It will protect her and help her. The sword is like another presence, almost but not completely. It is a part of the universe and myself combined. It makes its own decisions but I haven't the faintest idea why it chooses to keep the mark on her.'
'When will Kagome wake up?'
'I do not know, you may ask her yourself though.'
'What do you mean by that?'
'She is in the flux right now as her body repairs itself. If you wish it, I would be able to send you into the zone, it may be painful because you are not a destined, but I am not certain.'
'Do it.'
'Excuse me?'
'Do it.'
'Do what?'
'Send me to the zone now.'
'Very well, but be warned that there may be trouble. The barrier between this zone and the next has yet to be restored. Child of Dark, the one you call Kikyo may be there and you may have to make your choice sooner than expected.'
Inuyasha hesitated for the briefest of seconds, 'Do it.'
Inuyasha felt the most peculiar draining sensation as he left his body. He could fell himself being guided towards a portal and being shoved into it. And then, Inuyasha knew true hell.
His body felt as if it was trying to rip itself apart, every cell trying to be free of its neighbor. Searing agony coursed through him, he pulled against Hikari's hold, whimpering to leave this place of pain. Hikari refused to release him, offering neither help nor harm, just that steady pull that alerted Inuyasha that he was still being pulled. And then it stopped.
Inuyasha found himself pulled from the torment as he stumbled into the area. He gazed around curiously at the area that appeared to be made of nothing. The whole zone seemed to stretch forever, seeming to be both light and dark all at once. He looked down and realized, with some alarm that he was standing on nothing. He looked around for Kagome, becoming increasingly worried as he saw no one. But then he saw her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Meanwhile.
Sango and Miroku had been in various stages of thought when it happened. Sango had been polishing her weapon and Miroku once again in his meditation. Then all at once, the youkai appeared, huge swarms came all at once, led by Kagura and Kohaku. The pair leapt to their feet, back to back at being surrounded. Miroku realized with some anguish that the Saimyoushou were apparent everywhere. The pair was hopelessly outnumbered, with no one else of their group in sight or range. Rin and Shippo would be of no use, endangering them would not be to the best and Jaken had gone off hunting, to replenish their meat stores. The youkai came more and more and a dawning fear struck.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Inuyasha stepped into the zone and saw her. Kagome was there. She had the blade out in front of her. Her eyes were closed and she stood in a stance. The mark glowed on her forehead and she appeared to be concentrating very carefully. Inuyasha stepped forwards, preparing to call out to her when she moved. It was almost like a dance of the most graceful sort. The sword was guiding Kagome into a attack form, blocking and slashing.
'Ah, so it seems that they are bonding faster than I had-' Hikari cut off abruptly and starting swearing so violently that Inuyasha's eyes widened, 'It's up to you to reach her now. I'm borrowing your body. I'll be back.'
"Oi! Wait a minute!" but the voice had left. Inuyasha turned his focus once again back to Kagome. She had stopped her movements and stood still, her forehead creased as if debating with something. Her face turned to him and her eyes opened slowly. Not to the warmth and joy that he was so used to seeing but to a cold emptiness that registered no recognition as she stared at him. Her moves were faster than the light of whose mark she bore, now blazing. She attacked him. Inuyasha was barely able to dodge in time as her blade came down in a sweeping arc towards his neck. She wore a blank expression and nothing happened as he called her name repeatedly. She just attacked with speed and a deadly skill. Inuyasha drew his sword, barely blocking her blows. Finally, frustrated with her unresponsiveness, he attempted to disarm her. He attacked, only to be blocked and struck at one more, with more skill than Sesshomaru had possessed and more speed than Kouga could have acquired in two lifetimes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hikari shook off the stiffness that often accompanied the control of a new form. Standing, Hikari leapt out of the tree, landing perfectly as if they had had this form for all its life. Training its senses on one thing that it had in mind, Hikari swore and raced forwards to the newest concern.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Miroku gave a shout as more of Naraku's bees came into view. Kagura lashed out at his distraction, binding him with more of her winds. Miroku and Sango had been attacked without warning. Sango had turned her back to her brother, attacking as many youkai as she could while Miroku used his Air Rip and sucked up as many as he could. The Saimyoushou appeared so suddenly that Miroku shouted as he absorbed them along with the youkai. He turned as he heard Sango cry out. Kagura had wrapped him with her binding winds as she was doing to Sango. Miroku couldn't seal his hand and shouted as more of the Saimyoushou came, flying directly into his hand. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as the poison began to take affect. He turned to Sango, who was being slashed at violently by her brother. She was crying, her head was down. Neither of them could attack nor run, being bound still. Miroku struggled against his bonds with more ferocity as Kohaku made to strike the final blow.
Miroku looked up as Inuyasha burst into the fray. Miroku's eyes widened as he sensed Inuyasha's aura. Flaring wildly, it had changed form. Inuyasha raised a clawed hand, releasing both and binding Kohaku. Sango slumped to the ground, bleeding heavily. Miroku went to her side, turning to shout at Inuyasha for help when his eyes grew even more than before. Pulsing on his arm where the fabric was separated, was the mark. Glowing fiercely and beating in time with the aura. That was the last thing he recalled before he passed out.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kagome hooked her blade under his and jerked immediately, disarming him. Inuyasha fell backwards. He made to get up when the sword tip at his throat stopped him. He looked up at the girl that he had once known.
"Who are you?" the voice was neither hers nor was it of the presence. It contained none of her warmth or life. Inuyasha shivered at the new voice coming from her mouth. "Who are you youkai and what do you want?"
"Kagome." his voice was barely more than a whisper.
"Kagome? Who are you talking to youkai?"
"Kagome, snap out of it. You know me. I'm Inuyasha remember?"
"Inuyasha? I know no such person. Are you trying to attack this village?"
"Come on Kagome, you have to snap out of it. I'm not trying to attack any village. There isn't one here anyways."
"I am not this Kagome."
"Then who are you?"
"I am a miko."
That was as far as she got before her eyes flickered once again. Her whole aura seemed to waver. For half a second, Inuyasha saw two souls before him. One was Kagome's and the other was familiar but he didn't recognize it. Kagome was back and shaking. The sword tip was still at his throat and it was shaking along with her body. Inuyasha moved the edge away from his throat, worried when she didn't notice. Her eyes had closed. Inuyasha sat up. Kagome dropped her blade and fell. Inuyasha reached out and caught her before she hit the ground.
"What happened to me Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha looked at her in surprise. He had fully been expecting Kagome to be unconscious but she was just lying in his arms. Tears tracked silently down her face.
"O-Oi Kagome, Now's not the time to be crying.'
Kagome said nothing, just kept staring at his face with unfocused eyes, 'I.I attacked him!' As that realization hit, the tears ran faster and she started shaking once again. Inuyasha frowned when fear entered her scent. "Gomen ne Inuyasha," her soft voice was so quiet that he almost didn't hear it, even with his demon hearing, "I . . . I attacked you didn't I." Her voice was trembling almost as much as her body was, "I . . . gomen Inuyasha. I lost control and . . . and . . . " her voice broke and she closed her eyes, silent sobs wracking her chest. Kagome pushed him away suddenly and stood on shaky legs. She walked to where her sword was and picked it up. Her eyes widened as the blade started to glow. The glow grew, Kagome cried out when the light first touched her.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha was on his feet, running towards her.
Kagome turned to him, "No Inuyasha! Run! Quickly Now!" There was panic in her voice when he just kept on coming towards her, "Inuyasha onegai! Go!"
Kagome saw that he was trying to reach her. She cried out in alarm when the glow reached out towards him. "Gomen ne Inuyasha," her voice was soft but rose as she shouted at him again, "but you must leave now! It's not safe for you! I'll return soon." Kagome lashed out with the arm that the glow hadn't reached yet. Power lashed from it, wrapping around him despite his struggling. The power surged backwards with him, throwing him back into the vortex between the worlds. "I promise I'll be back Inuyasha. Please, forgive me." Kagome's voice was barely audible now. The glow consumed her body.
"No Kagome!" Inuyasha struggled against the bonds that pulled him back to the physical world. Her scream echoed in his ears. He was jolted back into his body and realized that it wasn't an echo and that her body was screaming. He raced towards her writhing form, only to be repelled once again by the barrier. He looked around frantically, to see both Miroku and Sango struggling to their feet. Sango was wrapped in bandages and Miroku had a pale tinge to his face. Both were looking worn and battered. Rin, Shippo and Jaken were nowhere to be seen. Inuyasha turned to Kagome, when the screaming stopped. Her body was still convulsing and squirming. Her mouth still open in a scream but her body was now encased in the strange glow that he had first seen in the flux. He was pulled back suddenly and he tried to wrench away but the staff at his chest prevented that.
He stilled when the barrier that had held her began to glow. It pulsed and expanded. Pulsing brighter and brighter until it opened and the top and shot up, forming a column of light around her. Kagome screamed again, her body flinging open and arching upwards and the barrier exploded.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author's Note: *sigh* I guess that I'm not done with rewrites after all.
