{Disclaimer: See chapter one big baby! ^.^}
Chapter Seven: In Mourning of the Rightful Priestess
"Kagome!" Shippou cried as he leaped out of the tree. Sprinting across the battlefield toward her, he screamed her name again, bringing the fighters around him to a halt.
"KAGOME!!!!!!!!!!"
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Inuyasha dropped to his knees as Kagome slumped against him. He rocked her gently, much like she did him whenever he was too hurt to move. Kagome smiled at him, her hands fisted in his haori.
"You stupid girl," Inuyasha whispered, cradling her, being mindful of her back. "Why did you do that?"
Kagome winced as one of the arrows moved, but refused to leave his gaze. "I'm sorry, Inuyasha. I know you love Kikyou, but I couldn't let her hurt you. I love you too much for that."
She gazed around at the others, giving each a small, weak smile before returning her eyes to his. Raising her hand to tweak his ears, she whispered before passing out from the pain "I'm sorry. I know you don't love me, but I…can't let her…kill…you."
Inuyasha wept into her hair, his arms encircling her small frame. Sango grasped Sesshoumaru's arm, tears streaming down her face. Sesshoumaru allowed her to cry against him for a moment before shaking her off.
"We must remove the arrows."
Inuyasha nodded and reached for one of the four. 'These were meant for me,' he thought grimly as he carefully extracted the first arrow. She winced in her sleep. He and Sango removed the last four before Inuyasha wrapped her in his haori. He whispered in Kagome's ear earnestly, locking out the world in his grief.
"Kagome, don't leave me, please. I'm so sorry. I love you. Don't leave me. For the love of God, I couldn't take it."
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Kikyou watched this, her eyes soaking in everything. 'Is he really crying?' she wondered. 'I didn't know demons could cry.' Something inside her cracked as Inuyasha's words floated to her on the wind.
"Kagome, don't leave me, please. I'm so sorry. I love you. Don't leave me. For the love of God, I couldn't take it."
'He loves her,' Kikyou realized, shocked. 'Is it possible he loves her more than me?'
One look into his face, stained in Kagome's blood and his tears, told her all she needed to know. 'Kagome proved her love for him. Now I'll do it as well.' She stepped off the castle landing and crossed the clearing to Naraku.
************
"What is she doing?" Miroku shouted as the others fawned over Kagome through Inuyasha's arms. Sango lifted her head to the unexpected. She jerked Inuyasha's inner haori, gently at first, but as he ignored her, she nearly ripped the fabric in two.
"Look!"
Inuyasha raised his blood-shot, glazed eyes toward Sango's sudden interest.
Kikyou moved past them, stealing a glance at Inuyasha as she went. Her hands found Naraku's as she stood by his side. Sango stood up and raised her boomerang, ready to strike the two down.
"You will PAY for what you did!" she shrieked, running toward them. A hand grasped hers and yanked her backward. She turned to fight when Sesshoumaru jerked her into his embrace. Sango struggled to get free, but Sesshoumaru's grip only tightened around her.
"You must stay with Kagome. Do you really want your last memories of her to be you fighting instead of saying goodbye?"
Sango started to cry again, holding on to his haori. Sesshoumaru sighed and caressed her head, lowering them both to the ground. Kikyou stared at them, then turned to Naraku.
"Its time we finished this," she whispered.
Naraku smiled. "As you wish, my love." He raised a tentacle at the group. As it started to glow, Kikyou pressed her hands to his chest, a glow coming from it as well.
"Farewell, Onigumo."
The blast sent waves of excess energy across the field. As Sango and the others prepared to be country-fried chicken, Kikyou's energy stopped inches from them, crackling against an unseen shield. Sango gazed into Inuyasha's lap and found Kagome's eyes wide open. The gray in them was completely gone, replaced by a white light. Kikyou's energy disappeared and Kagome's eyes closed, sending her into unconsciousness.
'Even in such pain, she's still trying to protect us,' Sango mused as she hiccupped against Sesshoumaru's chest. Inuyasha kissed Kagome's forehead, his eyes still closed and unaware of the power she just projected. The jewel shard around Kagome's neck suddenly untied and levitated to the middle of the clearing, between her and Kikyou. Kikyou stared at the jewel as the last pieces Naraku held merged with Kagome's pieces, becoming whole. Where Naraku once stood was only dust and smoke.
Naraku was no more.
The Shikon no Tama glowed, then started to spin. Faster and faster it turned, with little flashes of light escaping from inside it. Finally it stopped, hovering over their heads. A collection of voices sighed in relief, then spoke to them.
"We are the souls inside the Shikon no Tama. For eons, we have been passed from protector to protector, watching over her just as we were being watched over. When we came to you, Kikyou, it was because of your power to purify the jewel. Your love for the half demon could have been enough to purify it into nonexistence, especially since he was so ready to do as you asked.
"If it had been a selfless love.
"But in your selfishness, you failed to see the sacrifice he was willing to make. Even as a human, the half breed still would have been sought after. Demons and humans alike would have persecuted him, and he in his weakened state would not have been able to fend for you or himself. Your selfishness would have killed him.
"We would not have granted his wish, for it wasn't his. It was yours."
Inuyasha raised his head, his disbelief and shock the same as his friends around him.
'My wish…wouldn't have been granted.' He blinked in astonishment. 'All because of her?'
The voices continued:
"Naraku with his cruel ambitions prevented the wish from even becoming a problem, even though it cost you your life and the half demon fifty years of his. But your reincarnation, Kagome, is different. She seeks to protect all, demon or human, and wants none to suffer. Kagome doesn't care if he's half demon, or that the kitsune that sees her as his foster mother is full. She wants what's best for her friends, what will make them happy. If after today Inuyasha still wants to be a full demon, his wish will come true.
"Because of her.
"Her selfless love for him.
"And so her soul is pure, uncorrupted. Your soul, Kikyou, is dark, filled with only hatred. We inside the Shikon no Tama have made our decision. We will stay with our protector, our rightful protector, and anyone she wishes. We will stay with her, even as her life energy slips away. Kagome is no longer merely Kikyou's reincarnation. Now she is more. She always was."
The jewel floated to Kagome's throat. She gasped as it touched her skin, but quickly went still. Inuyasha touched it, and it glowed under his caress.
"Yes, beloved of our protector."
"Can I wish for anything?" Inuyasha whispered.
"Yes, of course you can."
"Then I wish for Kagome's life."
The jewel flickered for a moment, then sighed. "I'm sorry, beloved, but the miko must make the wish for you." Inuyasha lowered his head as the others rested their hands on his shoulders. Kikyou stared at the jewel around Kagome's neck.
'It refused me,' she thought, her hand shaking at her sides. 'Am I really as dark as it says I am?' Kikyou crossed the field to the others, stepping lightly as she passed the bodies along the battlefield. Kouga spotted her before she came any closer and stepped in front of the group, Sesshoumaru standing by his side.
"I don't want to cause trouble," she whispered. Kouga snorted, his claws stretched at her chest.
"Killing Kagome is no trouble?"
Rin ran up to Sango's side, holding her hand as she turned to look at Kagome.
"Kagome be ok?" she asked. Sango hugged her close, not knowing how to tell the child that Kagome was leaving them forever. Kagome's breathing slowed slightly, then struggled to pick up its original pace. Kikyou lowered herself to one knee, her head to her chest.
"I ask for Inuyasha's forgiveness."
Inuyasha glared at her, pity replacing the love that once shone in his eyes. "You've avenged yourself, Kikyou. I won't be following you to Hell."
Kikyou sighed sadly. "I don't want you to. You swore to protect her. Now keep your promise."
The others stared at her in confusion, waiting for her to explain.
"If you kill me, then my part of her soul will help her to hang on until you find some way to help her. You have to do it, Inuyasha."
Inuyasha shook his head. "I can't kill you, Kikyou."
Kouga stepped toward her, seeing red. "I can if you won't, dog breath."
He reached for her when Sesshoumaru picked him up by his collar. Kouga sputtered and growled, desperately trying to get out of Sesshoumaru's grasp. Sesshoumaru dropped him, and he crashed to the ground.
"Try not to be so stupid for once, Higher Mountain."
Kouga growled, but stayed where he was. Inuyasha stood up, bracing Kagome in his arms, as he stepped forward. He stopped beside Sesshoumaru, glancing up at him expectantly. Sesshoumaru nodded and lifted Kagome from his arms. Inuyasha stepped forward, Tetsusaiga drawn from its sheath. Kikyou brushed her hair away from her neck as he raised the sword. He stood for a moment, watching her as she waited for the blow.
"Do it, Inuyasha. I am already dead. Just return me to where I belong."
Inuyasha dropped the sword and sank to the ground, tears streaming down his face. "I can't do it."
Kikyou gazed at him, sadness and compassion for his position in her eyes. Her hand reached for the fallen blade.
"You love her. Be happy with her. You deserve to be."
She plunged the rusty weapon in her chest as he moved to stop her. She smiled at him as it sank deeper, ripping out her back.
"Don't worry, Inuyasha. You won't have to pull it out."
Kikyou jerked it free and exploded into ashes and dirt. The wind picked up the particles and scattered them into the four winds. A light shimmered in front of Inuyasha, then zoomed past him and into Kagome. She jerked forward in Sesshoumaru's grasp, then settled down. Her breathing steadied, but her heartbeat continued to weaken. Inuyasha stood in front of them.
"What should I do?" he asked Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru passed her back to him. "You already know."
Inuyasha nodded and sat down, crossing his legs. He cupped Kagome's face in his hands and brought his lips to hers.
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Cloaked Figure: {::still holding SF::} There, you see. SF wouldn't kill Kagome. You scared her for nothing.
Inu-chan: But Kagome's not awake yet! She's still dead, and I'm still going to kill that bird! {::charges toward SF and Cloaked Figure::}
Cloaked Figure:: Any closer and I'm not responsible for what I do. {::Inu-chan ignores him, coming closer with his fist balled up::} Alright then. Don't say I didn't warn you. {::A stream of water knocks Inu-chan down, then an icicle forms over his heart::} Now listen closely. I'm not for this crap today. You sit still and don't move until I say.
Inu-chan: Forget you! I'm gonna cut off your head! {::moves to stand up, but the icicle shoves him back down::}
Cloaked Figure: {::watching as Inu-chan struggles::} Well, it seems like we'll have some peace until SF wakes up. The preview and the responses are below.
Chapter Eight: The Purity of the Blood
His eyes suddenly snapped open, his stomach knotting as the breath left his lungs with a woosh.
'Oh shit.'
He grimaced, but refused to let go of the recovering girl in his grasp. Inuyasha doubled over, mentally calling for Sesshoumaru. He was at Inuyasha's side in an instant, already cradling Kagome in his arms. Inuyasha stared up at him as he grasped his stomach. He tried to stand up, but the force of the pain sent him back down. Sango and the others stared at him and Sesshoumaru.
"What's happening?" Sango called to him.
Sesshoumaru couldn't even shrug. "I don't know. I've never seen this before."
Responses:
Dark Dragon34: Your wish is my command.
Suzuko: It's coming to a slow end, but not for a few chapters. Don't worry, there's another story to this four-part series.
Ookami Spirit Hishaha: Thanks! The best one thought is 'Soladad' by Thunk. That's what inspired me to write this one.
LadyoftheDragons1: I know...I'm such a meanie. I hope this chapter fixes everything.
TuEsDaY: Thanks a lot!
Tessa3: Hey, I said I'd introduce the cloaked dude on Wednesday. I'd never leave you guys hanging like that on purpose!
Tranador: Thanks! I'm glad you're one who has an open mind! I've been flamed at least once for every story.
Em Starcatcher: I don't care, she's evil and that's it for me. Cloaked Figure: So closed-minded SF-chan. Can't you at least try to see things from her point of view? SF: Ummmmmm....nope. Don't think so. No prob though. That's your opinion and believe it or not, I value them. Oh and in 'To Bear' I've found a special place for you. You're in the 'Sesshoumaru's Influence' chapter.
Jack Sparrow1: I so feel like a street pharmacist. Cloaked Figure: Can you even spell 'street pharmacist'? SF: Shut up. You're supposed to be nice to me, not pick on me.
Del_Kaidin: You know me, the usual evilness. I'm good at that sort of thing. No, seriously, I'm going to do something surprising in the next chapter, so be ready for it.
Bikutoria: Cloaked Figure: See, people are already interested in me! SF: No they are not! They only want to know why you use water. Cloaked Figure: Should we tell her now? SF: Nah, let's wait until the next 'To Bear Witness' update. Then we'll tell her.
Aipora Tsuki: I surely will! Thanks for the love and welcome to the nut house!
Sugarhigh:P: Thanks a lot, I think! Was I too mean to leave it like that?
Sukuri: Did you copy and paste the first chapter of 'Tested'? If you did, please send it to me. My computer ate it! Can you believe it did that?! Oh, don't worry about a review. Now that school has started, I'm grateful for the ones that I get and I totally understand when one's too busy to review.
Roh-Talin: Oh Lord! My computer does that all the time! Stupid things! -_-' But no worries, because any question you have, I'd be more than happy to answer.
Amethyst Hanyou: Thanks a lot! Yup, Kikyou offs herself. I don't know about you, but I feel somewhat lacking. I always thought Kagome would do it. {::shrugs::} Oh well.
BeyondWords: I didn't know you read this story. Wow. I never tire of hearing that! ^.^ Not a prob. How is class anyway? And did you say you had a...rat?
Hoshi-chan1: What's the matter? {::tries not to cry too::} Did you think I'd really kill Kagome? I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do that to you. Don't worry, I'm working on that as we speak.
Sailor Mini Venus: Thanks for the love! It's always welcome!
AkiraDruid316: Don't worry, I'm coming with more soon!