Readers--Okay everyone, we're coming down to the wire now. Only one more chapter to go after this, and I guarantee to leave everyone stunned at the end of this chapter! I just pray you, no bodily harm...I bruise easily. Enjoy!
Whyndancer Sez:
Give Jesse the benefit of the doubt on this one. Don't kill her.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or anything that is a characteristic there of. This story is only the result of way too much free time and an excess of sugary by-products.
WARNING:: I'm doing shout-outs first here, plus, I want everyone to know...THIS IS NOT THE LAST CHAPTER! There is another one coming and I plan a sequel, so keep that in mind here people!
pruningshears: Nope, no implaing...yet...muhahahaha!
Dragons Maiden: Thanks for forgiving me. This one is short too, but chapter 15 is longer. I still want a 'Holy Miroku' folder, even if it only has a picture on it, muhaha. Thanks for the review!
inuphoria: Your wish is my command, a sequel will be made. Thanks for the input and the review!
Sesshomaru13: I'm glad you love it, hehe! Thanks for reading and reviewing!
hush: Sorry about all the cliff-hangers, it's how I want to work this. Here we go, I'm almost done with this story, so no more cliffies after this one!
Mustard Yellow Sunshine: I know, only one chapter left! Hehe, don't worry, I got teary eyed when I wrote chapter 15 too. But fear not, I will be writing a sequel! Don't hate me for this chapter, 15 is reeeeeeeeeeeeeally good, I swear!
CorruptedAngel: LOL, I'm sorry if my cliff has arrgavated you. I'm sure this one will piss you off even more. But like I've been saying, you gotta stay tuned and watch for Chapter 15. Thanks for reviewing!
Jaded Hanyou Girl: Well I told you someone would die, and here it is! Remember, read Chapter 15, it'll make you feel better. All will be revealed in chappter 15, including how I plan the sequel! Thanks for the review, hehe.
simplesticself: I'm glad you like my story. I work really hard on it, that I do. I'm a hopeless romantic too, hence the lovin'. The sweet and cuteness is what I'm all about, but it's just hard for me to write. *sigh* I'm bad at love, I'm glad you think I did an okay job at it. Thanks for the review!
funmaker: Well, I doubt you'll love this chapter as much as you loved the other one, but to tell the truth, this is my favorite chapter! It was soooo much fun to write! I love death scenes, I'm weird! Thanks for the reviews!
Reina1: When I got your review, I went back and reread all of my chapters too! I think this one is a PERFECT ending for what I envisioned, though it's not the ending, really. It's merely...a climax in a long line of climaxes. There will be a sequel, yes indeedy. And I hope this chapter is a big enough shocker! I'm happy for such praise! I wanted to go for that, get everything in the open first. The fight scenes are my favorite, hehe, but a good plot is what I'm all about. And as much of a hero as Inuyasha is, I just don't see him as the Superman type, busting in and saving the distressed female because it's what he does. I wanted to really make it seem a spur-of-the-moment incident that he did without clear thought. He has the soul of a hero, but the mouth of a sailor, lol. And both your predictions are correct! Muhahah! But remember--another chapter--and then sequel, so therefore, I can't leave him dead for long.
TheSilverMirror: I thought about this idea for a while before writing it, and I thought it was a unique one. I always like putting myself in the character's mind, to make their feelings as realistic as possible. And philosophical...I did rev a little of that in there, you were the only one to pick up on it. Thanks for the review, keep reading too!
demon angle: Here you go, another chapter! Thanks for reading, remember to review!
Kilila: Lol, um...read and find out...heh heh...Remember, chapter 15--it's good! Read it! Remember to review.
Chapter 14: Heart of the City--The Final Confrontation
Last time you heard from me, Kagome and I had just reached the top level of Naraku's Tower. About to engage in the fiercest battle of our lives. But before I continue with the gripping near-end of our almost-saga, which was really more of a misadventure, I want to say that this is probably the hardest part of my life that I have ever had to recount. And as you can imagine, after the events of this chapter, the future is very foggy for me...
"Welcome," Naraku said to us, smirking and looking thoroughly pleased with himself. He looked calm, his face serene and not in the least threatened by our presence. His hands were at his sides, casually. He didn't even have a weapon. The ease in his stance told me that he thought he didn't need one. He was dressed formally, like some kind of perverse king presiding over a kingdom of death and mayhem. It was some kind of twisted fairy tale. "Kagome," he said, eyes not leaving her. "I'm so happy you have come."
I felt, rather then saw, Kagome stiffen. Her arrow was pulled tighter, the bow string creaking from the effort. "Naraku," she said, her voice icy. "You will not leave this tower alive." Even Naraku winced at the disturbing tone of her voice. It was deadly, holding a promise of immeasurable pain and suffering. I shuddered involuntarily.
"We'll see about that, my dear," he said, taking a few gliding steps toward us, across the room. This room was unlike the rest of the tower. It was well-kept, the floor covered in polished black tile and the walls were marble white. But it was empty of any furniture or decorations. It was like a clean-room, bare and cold. It fit him. "Kagome, if you give me the Shikon, I'll let you live," Naraku offered, a smile on his face.
"I will keep the jewel, and kill you anyway," Kagome responded.
"Pity," Naraku continued, almost sadly. "You would have made me a wonderful queen."
I couldn't stay silent for this. "Leave her alone, you bastard." That was when his black eyes shifted to me, finally leaving the form of my companion. He suddenly smirked at the very sight of me.
"Inuyasha, correct?" he inquired. Naraku crossed his arms over his chest and looked thoughtful. "You got past your brother, did you? It's so hard to find good help these days." His tone was pensive and he shook his head sadly.
"Well maybe if you didn't blackmail people, they'd try a little harder," I snapped.
"Touché," he sneered, giving me a quick once over. "But if I didn't blackmail people, then I'd never know if I was being given their complete cooperation. Holding on to something that a person holds dear insures that they will do everything that they are told."
"So where is Rin?" I asked.
"Oh, he told you about the girl, did he?" Naraku's smile deepened. "She's around, somewhere, not that she matters now. Once I take the Jewel, I'll have no further need of Sesshomaru."
I cracked my knuckles menacingly in his direction. "I'm going to rip you apart," I growled. "Before you ever get near Kagome or the Jewel."
Naraku's eyes began to glow an odd shade of violet, dark and frightening. "Oh, really? There is no chance of you defeating me, Inuyasha. Kagome is mine, and you're life will be forfeit!"
"She's not yours!" I shot back, getting into a defensive stance. My instincts told me to be ready for anything.
"Enough talk!" Kagome yelled, loosing her arrow. It glowed as it sliced through the air between her and Naraku, a high pitched whistle marking it's passing. It broke the barrier that had been surrounding Naraku that I never even saw. The arrow disappeared, but so did Naraku's defense. Suddenly, the demon in question, glowed darkly and dozens of tentacle-like appendages sprouted from his body, heading straight for us.
I was stunned at first, but not so much so that I wasn't immediately fighting. Naraku still retained a human-like appearance, despite the brown tentacles curling round him like snakes. I hacked away at all the arms reaching for me. I saw Kagome shooting arrows left and right, destroying the arms on contact. But it seemed that the more we destroyed them, the more came at us. It was like the heads of the Hydra. If you cut one off, three grew in it's place.
"Fuck," I muttered to myself, hacking away at anything moving with my sword. "Kagome, what can we do?"
Kagome was a few feet away, being slowly backed into a corner of the room. Her supply of arrows was growing dangerously small. "We have to get at his body!" she yelled at me, dodging a few blows. "Otherwise the tentacles will keep coming!"
"But the more I cut them, the more come! At this rate, we'll never get through." I destroyed another group of tentacles as they launched at me, leaping to the side and rolling out of harm's way. I got to my feet quickly, wincing at the pain in my side.
I then saw that Naraku had all but forgotten me, concentrating all his attacks on Kagome. Even with her lightning fast moves, she couldn't shoot enough arrows to stop all of the tentacles that were about to impale her. I rushed forward, re-sheathing my sword, desperate to get to her before the last arrow was gone. I took three tentacles to the back. Sharp, searing pain struck my skin, piercing flesh and muscle. Hot, sticky blood leaked from the wounds, dipping down my back. I didn't care. I grabbed Kagome, and covered her with my own body as the tentacles struck. Then I pulled her out of the way as another onslaught of pain came on us. I pushed off from the ground, jumping over the attack and taking Kagome with me. We got a few second breather for my trouble.
"Inuyasha, your back!" Kagome gasped. I couldn't see it, but from the look on her face I knew it had to be bad. What was worse was the burning sensation that was beginning to run through my system. It took me a few seconds to register that I had been poisoned by the wounds.
"Kagome, look out!" I yelled, grabbing her around and pulling her out of the way of an attack. "The tentacles are poisoned, don't let them touch you."
"Poisoned! Inuyasha!" She looked at me, horrified.
"I'll be fine, but right now we have bigger things to worry about." She nodded grimly and we turned to face or quarry once more. At that moment Luck decided to throw us a bone, sending Miroku and Sango bursting through the door at our side, not a second too soon.
A fury of tentacles lashed at them, but they seem to have been expecting that. Sango lashed out with her sword and Miroku parried a few with that staff of his before making a break for me and Kagome. Sango had his back, coming right behind him. "Are you two alright?" he asked, noticing my bloody appearance.
"Yeah, we're okay," I muttered.
"We have to get at his body, to destroy his heart! It's the only want to kill him, otherwise the tentacles will keep coming," Kagome said hurriedly. She shot a glance at me, then back to Miroku and Sango. "The arms are poisoned."
Miroku looked to me, worry in his eyes. I shrugged it off. "Listen people, we can worry about me when there ISN'T a homicidal maniac trying to kill the entire city, okay?" Everyone thought this good logic.
"Where's Kirara?" Kagome asked.
"She's making sure none of Naraku's lingering men make it to this room," Miroku commented, knocking an arm away from us.
"The way I see it," Sango commented, slicing a number of tentacles in a single slash. "Someone needs to draw the tentacles away from defending the body. If Miroku, Inuyasha and I distract Naraku, Kagome can fire an arrow and kill him."
Miroku gulped, not liking the plan. "If there is no other way," he conceded. I nodded grimly, looking to Kagome. Her face had gone pale, and her dark eyes were wet with tears as she looked from us to the demon and back again.
I took her in my arms for a brief second before pulling back and making a dash for the left, drawing a fury of attacks in my wake. I hacked away with my sword and claws, dismembering what I could and dodging the rest. Miroku and Sango broke right, drawing the tentacles in half and leaving Kagome with a perfect shot down the middle. But Naraku must have known our plan, for suddenly a number of his appendages veered and headed for Kagome. She pulled an arrow and destroyed all the threat before her, but I was horrified to see that it was her last arrow.
My attention was drawn to Sango and Miroku. Sango's sword had been lost and saw now drew upon the weapon given to her by Katia. The scythe and chain. She sent it forward, slashing at any exposed limbs of flesh. It was razor sharp and particularly effective at cleaving flesh down to the bone. She made short work of the opposition around her, until they began to grow back in a force stronger then she could dissemble. I heard a scream and turned back to Kagome.
She was defenseless and open, with her dagger lost on the stairwell below during a previous battle. She looked to the left and dodged at the last second. Sango, seeing her friend's distress, attempted to come to her aid and was almost struck by the poisonous arms. Miroku pulled her away just in time, but both of them were knocked aside and roughly slammed into a wall. I watched them slide, unconscious to the ground. I was alone here in protecting Kagome.
I feinted left, vaulting the hurdle-like arms and racing toward the arrow-less archer. "Kagome! I'm coming, hold on!" I yelled to her. She looked up at me, her face a mask of horror.
"Inuyasha! LOOK OUT!" she screamed. Instinctively, I dropped to the ground, just missing getting an unwanted body piercing, courtesy of tentacle aimed at the back of my head.
I breathed a quick sigh of relief before rolling to the side and crawling along faster now. Kagome huddled on the floor, backing away from the dangerous arms of the enemy. I heard him laughing, evilly, demonically. The sound sent a rush of hatred through my soul.
"Kagome, we have to get out of here," I told her once I reached her sigh. "I can grab Sango and Miroku, we can retreat!"
"No!" she yelled at me. "We can't leave until he's dead, or it'll never end! Everything will be in vain. He'll still win." The arms were a fury of offered pain and suffering if we dared to more a centimeter closer to Naraku. "We can't let him win!" she told me, hand clutching at mine. "I still have the arrow that Katia gave me. We can still beat him!"
I looked back to Miroku and Sango, both laying on the ground. Sango rested on Miroku, Naraku's blood splatter across their bodies. They looked dead, but I could see the steady rise and fall of their chests and knew they were simply unconscious. At least they were safe for now. It was my turn for sacrifice. I alone would draw the fire.
"I'll clear the path for you," I told her, getting to my feet and pulling her with me. The pain in my back was for the moment forgotten. Everything but this one goal was blanked from existence. "Kill that fucking bastard, Kagome."
She gripped my arm. I looked down at her and she pulled me in for a quick, hard kiss. "We have only one chance," she told me, her lips a breath from mine. "If I fail, take Sango and Miroku and go, no questions asked. Just go." Then she pushed me forward and pulled the arrow from Katia and notched it to her bow.
I had no time to respond, I just surged forward. The tentacles were a wall of flesh and poison and pain as they bit into my shoulders and legs and chest. I fended them off the best that I could, slashing and slicing and maiming. I just cut and cut and cut, not knowing where I was going or if I would get there. But my strength was failing and my blood was falling. I was weakening and my blows were slowing. The tentacles pierced me faster, stronger. The poison raced through my blood until I just could no longer stand. I had to fall, I had to put down the heavy sword and rest.
That's when I saw him. Naraku himself. I had cut my way to the core of his demon-self. To his body. I was about to yell to Kagome when Naraku smiled that evil, deadly, blood-curdling smile of his. Then a tentacle ran through my stomach to come out the other side.
I looked down, in shock and horror as the crimson blood gushed from my abdomen. Even when the tentacle was retracted, I stared from my stomach to Naraku. The man who killed me. I looked down at the pool of blood forming at my feet and I just couldn't stand up another second longer. I went to my knees first, then down to the side. The weight of my body was now too much, the pain in me too great. My muscles flexed and tensed, trying to expel the pain, but only causing more blood to pour from the gaping hole in my stomach. My vision clouded red and I tasted blood in my mouth. Coppery, metallic blood. My fingers flexed around nothing, my leg spasmed and twitched. The last thing I saw before darkness claimed me was the blinding flash of light that came from an arrow, as it sliced through flesh and air to embed itself in Naraku's chest, in his heart. I heard him scream, then it faded away.
I wonder if all people who die of injuries like this, from car wrecks or fights or whatever have a moment of clarity. I think that there is just that moment for some people that you simply know. You know when that familiar little voice that says that you're going to sleep and never waking up again. I had that little moment, I had that voice. A little voice, a soothing voice, was whispering to me about all the rest I would get. How I'd never have to fight again. I'd be free of everything that caused me pain and suffering. I was going home, and at the same time, being ripped from it. It was just that moment that I knew that I was going to die.
They say that your life flashes before your eyes when you die. My life didn't flash. If it did, that would have been kinda boring and pointless. I'd like to say that the life flashing bit is bull. That probably only happens if you have the luxury of dying slowly. If you die in the heat of battle, a split second before you know it's the end, an entire lifetime can't just run past your inner eye. But I did see a few things, the good things. The important things.
I saw my mother's face. Her beautiful, porcelain face that was always smiling that sad smile of hers. Her long black hair, bound behind her head to leave her breathtaking face open to view. The woman who had loved a demon enough to give him a son. And a woman who loved her son more than anything in the world. Even though she was dead and gone, I could still feel her soft, cool skin. I could hear her voice humming me a lullaby. I smelled her scent, peach blossoms. My mother, how I loved and missed her. She was the only good thing of my childhood.
Then there was Miroku, my best and only true friend. I saw the day we met, clear as a bell. I could never forget the mischievous sparkle in his violet eyes at the chance of danger, adventure, money, or women. The wicked smile that would grace his face at the chance of fun. The way we bickered over the simplest of things and the way we laughed at the dumbest. My best friend, with the best slight of hand I ever saw. The scent of rice clung to him, rice and wood fire. (I have no idea why he smelled like that. It's not like wood fires were something we did regularly, but I guess that doesn't really matter. Maybe it was just that cheap colonge he wore. ) He made my days as a teen and mostly an adult, bearable and even occasionally worth getting up for.
And then there was Kagome. The most gentle, beautiful creature to have ever graced my life and my world. The only woman who had ever bothered to see me as who I was, rather then what I was, and to even love me. The sight of her smile took my breath away. The sound of her laugh sent shivers down my spine. I loved her in ways I never knew existed. I would have treasured her all of my days, been thankful for every second she was by my side. The scent of her hair, the feel of her warm skin, the taste of her mouth, were things that were burned on to my soul and would be in my heart eternally. I think that the saddest thing about my death would be the pain that it would cause her, the girl I loved, who had suffered enough already.
As her face faded into the darkness of my mind, I felt the slowing of my blood. I was scared and giddy and sad all at once. I didn't want to die, but I didn't have a choice, now did I? I tried to breath, but the air wouldn't come. I felt the burn of my air deprived lungs for a few seconds, then there was a moment of numb nothingness. And then...I died.
Okay, here we are, chapter 14 done and ready. One more chapter to go, and that is chapter 15. See why I can't do it in first person? It's kind of hard to make the dead guy tell his tale. *snickers, then hides* No one hurt me okay? I have been planning to kill him from the beginning, you should have asked if you wanted to know if that was the plan! *sticks out tongue* Nah! Remember to review! And yes, it is okay to hate me, for now. But Chapter 15 will beout as soon as my beta finishes with it (it's already written). Review--yell at me--I want to hear it!!
~~Jesse the Wolf Demon~~
Whyndancer Sez:
Give Jesse the benefit of the doubt on this one. Don't kill her.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or anything that is a characteristic there of. This story is only the result of way too much free time and an excess of sugary by-products.
WARNING:: I'm doing shout-outs first here, plus, I want everyone to know...THIS IS NOT THE LAST CHAPTER! There is another one coming and I plan a sequel, so keep that in mind here people!
pruningshears: Nope, no implaing...yet...muhahahaha!
Dragons Maiden: Thanks for forgiving me. This one is short too, but chapter 15 is longer. I still want a 'Holy Miroku' folder, even if it only has a picture on it, muhaha. Thanks for the review!
inuphoria: Your wish is my command, a sequel will be made. Thanks for the input and the review!
Sesshomaru13: I'm glad you love it, hehe! Thanks for reading and reviewing!
hush: Sorry about all the cliff-hangers, it's how I want to work this. Here we go, I'm almost done with this story, so no more cliffies after this one!
Mustard Yellow Sunshine: I know, only one chapter left! Hehe, don't worry, I got teary eyed when I wrote chapter 15 too. But fear not, I will be writing a sequel! Don't hate me for this chapter, 15 is reeeeeeeeeeeeeally good, I swear!
CorruptedAngel: LOL, I'm sorry if my cliff has arrgavated you. I'm sure this one will piss you off even more. But like I've been saying, you gotta stay tuned and watch for Chapter 15. Thanks for reviewing!
Jaded Hanyou Girl: Well I told you someone would die, and here it is! Remember, read Chapter 15, it'll make you feel better. All will be revealed in chappter 15, including how I plan the sequel! Thanks for the review, hehe.
simplesticself: I'm glad you like my story. I work really hard on it, that I do. I'm a hopeless romantic too, hence the lovin'. The sweet and cuteness is what I'm all about, but it's just hard for me to write. *sigh* I'm bad at love, I'm glad you think I did an okay job at it. Thanks for the review!
funmaker: Well, I doubt you'll love this chapter as much as you loved the other one, but to tell the truth, this is my favorite chapter! It was soooo much fun to write! I love death scenes, I'm weird! Thanks for the reviews!
Reina1: When I got your review, I went back and reread all of my chapters too! I think this one is a PERFECT ending for what I envisioned, though it's not the ending, really. It's merely...a climax in a long line of climaxes. There will be a sequel, yes indeedy. And I hope this chapter is a big enough shocker! I'm happy for such praise! I wanted to go for that, get everything in the open first. The fight scenes are my favorite, hehe, but a good plot is what I'm all about. And as much of a hero as Inuyasha is, I just don't see him as the Superman type, busting in and saving the distressed female because it's what he does. I wanted to really make it seem a spur-of-the-moment incident that he did without clear thought. He has the soul of a hero, but the mouth of a sailor, lol. And both your predictions are correct! Muhahah! But remember--another chapter--and then sequel, so therefore, I can't leave him dead for long.
TheSilverMirror: I thought about this idea for a while before writing it, and I thought it was a unique one. I always like putting myself in the character's mind, to make their feelings as realistic as possible. And philosophical...I did rev a little of that in there, you were the only one to pick up on it. Thanks for the review, keep reading too!
demon angle: Here you go, another chapter! Thanks for reading, remember to review!
Kilila: Lol, um...read and find out...heh heh...Remember, chapter 15--it's good! Read it! Remember to review.
Chapter 14: Heart of the City--The Final Confrontation
Last time you heard from me, Kagome and I had just reached the top level of Naraku's Tower. About to engage in the fiercest battle of our lives. But before I continue with the gripping near-end of our almost-saga, which was really more of a misadventure, I want to say that this is probably the hardest part of my life that I have ever had to recount. And as you can imagine, after the events of this chapter, the future is very foggy for me...
"Welcome," Naraku said to us, smirking and looking thoroughly pleased with himself. He looked calm, his face serene and not in the least threatened by our presence. His hands were at his sides, casually. He didn't even have a weapon. The ease in his stance told me that he thought he didn't need one. He was dressed formally, like some kind of perverse king presiding over a kingdom of death and mayhem. It was some kind of twisted fairy tale. "Kagome," he said, eyes not leaving her. "I'm so happy you have come."
I felt, rather then saw, Kagome stiffen. Her arrow was pulled tighter, the bow string creaking from the effort. "Naraku," she said, her voice icy. "You will not leave this tower alive." Even Naraku winced at the disturbing tone of her voice. It was deadly, holding a promise of immeasurable pain and suffering. I shuddered involuntarily.
"We'll see about that, my dear," he said, taking a few gliding steps toward us, across the room. This room was unlike the rest of the tower. It was well-kept, the floor covered in polished black tile and the walls were marble white. But it was empty of any furniture or decorations. It was like a clean-room, bare and cold. It fit him. "Kagome, if you give me the Shikon, I'll let you live," Naraku offered, a smile on his face.
"I will keep the jewel, and kill you anyway," Kagome responded.
"Pity," Naraku continued, almost sadly. "You would have made me a wonderful queen."
I couldn't stay silent for this. "Leave her alone, you bastard." That was when his black eyes shifted to me, finally leaving the form of my companion. He suddenly smirked at the very sight of me.
"Inuyasha, correct?" he inquired. Naraku crossed his arms over his chest and looked thoughtful. "You got past your brother, did you? It's so hard to find good help these days." His tone was pensive and he shook his head sadly.
"Well maybe if you didn't blackmail people, they'd try a little harder," I snapped.
"Touché," he sneered, giving me a quick once over. "But if I didn't blackmail people, then I'd never know if I was being given their complete cooperation. Holding on to something that a person holds dear insures that they will do everything that they are told."
"So where is Rin?" I asked.
"Oh, he told you about the girl, did he?" Naraku's smile deepened. "She's around, somewhere, not that she matters now. Once I take the Jewel, I'll have no further need of Sesshomaru."
I cracked my knuckles menacingly in his direction. "I'm going to rip you apart," I growled. "Before you ever get near Kagome or the Jewel."
Naraku's eyes began to glow an odd shade of violet, dark and frightening. "Oh, really? There is no chance of you defeating me, Inuyasha. Kagome is mine, and you're life will be forfeit!"
"She's not yours!" I shot back, getting into a defensive stance. My instincts told me to be ready for anything.
"Enough talk!" Kagome yelled, loosing her arrow. It glowed as it sliced through the air between her and Naraku, a high pitched whistle marking it's passing. It broke the barrier that had been surrounding Naraku that I never even saw. The arrow disappeared, but so did Naraku's defense. Suddenly, the demon in question, glowed darkly and dozens of tentacle-like appendages sprouted from his body, heading straight for us.
I was stunned at first, but not so much so that I wasn't immediately fighting. Naraku still retained a human-like appearance, despite the brown tentacles curling round him like snakes. I hacked away at all the arms reaching for me. I saw Kagome shooting arrows left and right, destroying the arms on contact. But it seemed that the more we destroyed them, the more came at us. It was like the heads of the Hydra. If you cut one off, three grew in it's place.
"Fuck," I muttered to myself, hacking away at anything moving with my sword. "Kagome, what can we do?"
Kagome was a few feet away, being slowly backed into a corner of the room. Her supply of arrows was growing dangerously small. "We have to get at his body!" she yelled at me, dodging a few blows. "Otherwise the tentacles will keep coming!"
"But the more I cut them, the more come! At this rate, we'll never get through." I destroyed another group of tentacles as they launched at me, leaping to the side and rolling out of harm's way. I got to my feet quickly, wincing at the pain in my side.
I then saw that Naraku had all but forgotten me, concentrating all his attacks on Kagome. Even with her lightning fast moves, she couldn't shoot enough arrows to stop all of the tentacles that were about to impale her. I rushed forward, re-sheathing my sword, desperate to get to her before the last arrow was gone. I took three tentacles to the back. Sharp, searing pain struck my skin, piercing flesh and muscle. Hot, sticky blood leaked from the wounds, dipping down my back. I didn't care. I grabbed Kagome, and covered her with my own body as the tentacles struck. Then I pulled her out of the way as another onslaught of pain came on us. I pushed off from the ground, jumping over the attack and taking Kagome with me. We got a few second breather for my trouble.
"Inuyasha, your back!" Kagome gasped. I couldn't see it, but from the look on her face I knew it had to be bad. What was worse was the burning sensation that was beginning to run through my system. It took me a few seconds to register that I had been poisoned by the wounds.
"Kagome, look out!" I yelled, grabbing her around and pulling her out of the way of an attack. "The tentacles are poisoned, don't let them touch you."
"Poisoned! Inuyasha!" She looked at me, horrified.
"I'll be fine, but right now we have bigger things to worry about." She nodded grimly and we turned to face or quarry once more. At that moment Luck decided to throw us a bone, sending Miroku and Sango bursting through the door at our side, not a second too soon.
A fury of tentacles lashed at them, but they seem to have been expecting that. Sango lashed out with her sword and Miroku parried a few with that staff of his before making a break for me and Kagome. Sango had his back, coming right behind him. "Are you two alright?" he asked, noticing my bloody appearance.
"Yeah, we're okay," I muttered.
"We have to get at his body, to destroy his heart! It's the only want to kill him, otherwise the tentacles will keep coming," Kagome said hurriedly. She shot a glance at me, then back to Miroku and Sango. "The arms are poisoned."
Miroku looked to me, worry in his eyes. I shrugged it off. "Listen people, we can worry about me when there ISN'T a homicidal maniac trying to kill the entire city, okay?" Everyone thought this good logic.
"Where's Kirara?" Kagome asked.
"She's making sure none of Naraku's lingering men make it to this room," Miroku commented, knocking an arm away from us.
"The way I see it," Sango commented, slicing a number of tentacles in a single slash. "Someone needs to draw the tentacles away from defending the body. If Miroku, Inuyasha and I distract Naraku, Kagome can fire an arrow and kill him."
Miroku gulped, not liking the plan. "If there is no other way," he conceded. I nodded grimly, looking to Kagome. Her face had gone pale, and her dark eyes were wet with tears as she looked from us to the demon and back again.
I took her in my arms for a brief second before pulling back and making a dash for the left, drawing a fury of attacks in my wake. I hacked away with my sword and claws, dismembering what I could and dodging the rest. Miroku and Sango broke right, drawing the tentacles in half and leaving Kagome with a perfect shot down the middle. But Naraku must have known our plan, for suddenly a number of his appendages veered and headed for Kagome. She pulled an arrow and destroyed all the threat before her, but I was horrified to see that it was her last arrow.
My attention was drawn to Sango and Miroku. Sango's sword had been lost and saw now drew upon the weapon given to her by Katia. The scythe and chain. She sent it forward, slashing at any exposed limbs of flesh. It was razor sharp and particularly effective at cleaving flesh down to the bone. She made short work of the opposition around her, until they began to grow back in a force stronger then she could dissemble. I heard a scream and turned back to Kagome.
She was defenseless and open, with her dagger lost on the stairwell below during a previous battle. She looked to the left and dodged at the last second. Sango, seeing her friend's distress, attempted to come to her aid and was almost struck by the poisonous arms. Miroku pulled her away just in time, but both of them were knocked aside and roughly slammed into a wall. I watched them slide, unconscious to the ground. I was alone here in protecting Kagome.
I feinted left, vaulting the hurdle-like arms and racing toward the arrow-less archer. "Kagome! I'm coming, hold on!" I yelled to her. She looked up at me, her face a mask of horror.
"Inuyasha! LOOK OUT!" she screamed. Instinctively, I dropped to the ground, just missing getting an unwanted body piercing, courtesy of tentacle aimed at the back of my head.
I breathed a quick sigh of relief before rolling to the side and crawling along faster now. Kagome huddled on the floor, backing away from the dangerous arms of the enemy. I heard him laughing, evilly, demonically. The sound sent a rush of hatred through my soul.
"Kagome, we have to get out of here," I told her once I reached her sigh. "I can grab Sango and Miroku, we can retreat!"
"No!" she yelled at me. "We can't leave until he's dead, or it'll never end! Everything will be in vain. He'll still win." The arms were a fury of offered pain and suffering if we dared to more a centimeter closer to Naraku. "We can't let him win!" she told me, hand clutching at mine. "I still have the arrow that Katia gave me. We can still beat him!"
I looked back to Miroku and Sango, both laying on the ground. Sango rested on Miroku, Naraku's blood splatter across their bodies. They looked dead, but I could see the steady rise and fall of their chests and knew they were simply unconscious. At least they were safe for now. It was my turn for sacrifice. I alone would draw the fire.
"I'll clear the path for you," I told her, getting to my feet and pulling her with me. The pain in my back was for the moment forgotten. Everything but this one goal was blanked from existence. "Kill that fucking bastard, Kagome."
She gripped my arm. I looked down at her and she pulled me in for a quick, hard kiss. "We have only one chance," she told me, her lips a breath from mine. "If I fail, take Sango and Miroku and go, no questions asked. Just go." Then she pushed me forward and pulled the arrow from Katia and notched it to her bow.
I had no time to respond, I just surged forward. The tentacles were a wall of flesh and poison and pain as they bit into my shoulders and legs and chest. I fended them off the best that I could, slashing and slicing and maiming. I just cut and cut and cut, not knowing where I was going or if I would get there. But my strength was failing and my blood was falling. I was weakening and my blows were slowing. The tentacles pierced me faster, stronger. The poison raced through my blood until I just could no longer stand. I had to fall, I had to put down the heavy sword and rest.
That's when I saw him. Naraku himself. I had cut my way to the core of his demon-self. To his body. I was about to yell to Kagome when Naraku smiled that evil, deadly, blood-curdling smile of his. Then a tentacle ran through my stomach to come out the other side.
I looked down, in shock and horror as the crimson blood gushed from my abdomen. Even when the tentacle was retracted, I stared from my stomach to Naraku. The man who killed me. I looked down at the pool of blood forming at my feet and I just couldn't stand up another second longer. I went to my knees first, then down to the side. The weight of my body was now too much, the pain in me too great. My muscles flexed and tensed, trying to expel the pain, but only causing more blood to pour from the gaping hole in my stomach. My vision clouded red and I tasted blood in my mouth. Coppery, metallic blood. My fingers flexed around nothing, my leg spasmed and twitched. The last thing I saw before darkness claimed me was the blinding flash of light that came from an arrow, as it sliced through flesh and air to embed itself in Naraku's chest, in his heart. I heard him scream, then it faded away.
I wonder if all people who die of injuries like this, from car wrecks or fights or whatever have a moment of clarity. I think that there is just that moment for some people that you simply know. You know when that familiar little voice that says that you're going to sleep and never waking up again. I had that little moment, I had that voice. A little voice, a soothing voice, was whispering to me about all the rest I would get. How I'd never have to fight again. I'd be free of everything that caused me pain and suffering. I was going home, and at the same time, being ripped from it. It was just that moment that I knew that I was going to die.
They say that your life flashes before your eyes when you die. My life didn't flash. If it did, that would have been kinda boring and pointless. I'd like to say that the life flashing bit is bull. That probably only happens if you have the luxury of dying slowly. If you die in the heat of battle, a split second before you know it's the end, an entire lifetime can't just run past your inner eye. But I did see a few things, the good things. The important things.
I saw my mother's face. Her beautiful, porcelain face that was always smiling that sad smile of hers. Her long black hair, bound behind her head to leave her breathtaking face open to view. The woman who had loved a demon enough to give him a son. And a woman who loved her son more than anything in the world. Even though she was dead and gone, I could still feel her soft, cool skin. I could hear her voice humming me a lullaby. I smelled her scent, peach blossoms. My mother, how I loved and missed her. She was the only good thing of my childhood.
Then there was Miroku, my best and only true friend. I saw the day we met, clear as a bell. I could never forget the mischievous sparkle in his violet eyes at the chance of danger, adventure, money, or women. The wicked smile that would grace his face at the chance of fun. The way we bickered over the simplest of things and the way we laughed at the dumbest. My best friend, with the best slight of hand I ever saw. The scent of rice clung to him, rice and wood fire. (I have no idea why he smelled like that. It's not like wood fires were something we did regularly, but I guess that doesn't really matter. Maybe it was just that cheap colonge he wore. ) He made my days as a teen and mostly an adult, bearable and even occasionally worth getting up for.
And then there was Kagome. The most gentle, beautiful creature to have ever graced my life and my world. The only woman who had ever bothered to see me as who I was, rather then what I was, and to even love me. The sight of her smile took my breath away. The sound of her laugh sent shivers down my spine. I loved her in ways I never knew existed. I would have treasured her all of my days, been thankful for every second she was by my side. The scent of her hair, the feel of her warm skin, the taste of her mouth, were things that were burned on to my soul and would be in my heart eternally. I think that the saddest thing about my death would be the pain that it would cause her, the girl I loved, who had suffered enough already.
As her face faded into the darkness of my mind, I felt the slowing of my blood. I was scared and giddy and sad all at once. I didn't want to die, but I didn't have a choice, now did I? I tried to breath, but the air wouldn't come. I felt the burn of my air deprived lungs for a few seconds, then there was a moment of numb nothingness. And then...I died.
Okay, here we are, chapter 14 done and ready. One more chapter to go, and that is chapter 15. See why I can't do it in first person? It's kind of hard to make the dead guy tell his tale. *snickers, then hides* No one hurt me okay? I have been planning to kill him from the beginning, you should have asked if you wanted to know if that was the plan! *sticks out tongue* Nah! Remember to review! And yes, it is okay to hate me, for now. But Chapter 15 will beout as soon as my beta finishes with it (it's already written). Review--yell at me--I want to hear it!!
~~Jesse the Wolf Demon~~