Where I Belong
*
Last time:
I had a very rude awakening when Inuyasha threatens me to give him the Shikon no Tama, or face his claws.
Was he serious? I cast a nervous glance at his hand with very sharp nails. . . err, claws. Even after looking at those things, I tried to put on a brave face and refused him, after seeing what it could do to the centipede. No one should have that kind of power.
I'm guessing he didn't like the look on my face, because before I know it, he's lunging at me with the intent to kill. Things really aren't looking up for me.
Thank God Kaede decides to step in. Somehow, she managed to put a rosary around Inuyasha's neck. She told me to say a word to subdue him. It's kind of hard for me to think of something while and angry half demon is chasing me, but I manage. One look at the ears, and I know exactly what to say.
"SIT!"
You wont believe my pleasure in seeing him slam to the hard, unforgiving ground.
Ah, justice.
*
*
"A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world." -Oscar Wilde
*
*
I may be easily amused, but after all the bad stuff that happened that day, none of it seemed to matter anymore. Everything was good, and I owed it all to Inuyasha. I mean, come on. How would you feel if you could subdue someone with one single word? For the first time in a long time, I actually felt in control. Sure, Inuyasha threatens me and calls me bitch, but hey, he knows his place once I say 'sit'. He goes right where he belongs; face down in the dirt.
Oh yes, life was good.
We spent the day repairing the damage that the centipede demon caused. I tried to help as best I could, but I couldn't do much other that carry things and look after the children. I wish I could have been more useful but I had no idea how to build a house, much less a medieval cottage.
But back to the point, I ended up wearing the Shikon Jewel around my neck, with Kaedes instruction. She told me if it were to ever get in the hands of a demon, it could have any wish it wanted. I agreed to keep it from demons, but then what about humans? A tool this powerful would be a danger in anyone's hands, including mine. I felt nervous about accepting this responsibility, but then Kaede said since it came from my body, it was mine to protect. Of course, Inuyasha started to protest saying that I was too weak to take care of it. He actually tried to reason with me that since I was too weak to protect it, I should give it to him! He just wanted it to turn full demon. As if insulting me would prove him worthy! Hell no. I told him such, and he decided to sulk.
At least Kaede had faith in me. She actually told me that I was her sister's reincarnation. I wasn't sure how I felt about that; it sure got a reaction out of Inuaysha though. I later learned that he actually once loved the dead miko, which bring us to our journey.
It turns out I wasn't all that great at keeping the jewel safe (who would have thought?). I accidentally shattered it. Boy was Inuyasha pissed. We ended having to hunt down every single shard before they wreaked havoc. We were stuck with each other.
Eventually, our journey becomes much more. We learn the truth about Kikyo's death, and why Inuyasha was sealed to the sacred tree. It was all because of one demon, Naraku. Naraku got between Inuaysha and Kikyo by causing them to doubt each other. He fooled them so thoroughly, they didn't even know they had been tricked. Now, it wasn't just about collecting jewel shards. It was about getting the shards before Naraku did, and Naraku's death.
By then, Inuyasha and me had grown close, but we were never able to move forward beyond friendship and get past the doubt. Doubt because somehow Kikyo had been raised from the dead, and doubt because he wasn't sure whom to choose between us, and I wasn't sure if I was just a replacement in his eyes. She was the first person he loved, and I wanted that love. It must have been hard for him to face her again. She wasn't the same person he remembered. She had grown bitter and resentful. She was even selfish enough to want Inuyasha in hell with her. I didn't like her. I'm sure she must have been a wonderful person; so many people still praise her name, even after death. I pitied her because she was only a shadow of what she once was. I didn't hate her and I didn't wish bad things on her. I just wanted her finally at rest, for all of our sake.
Because Naraku was so evil, many others felt the need for revenge, too. Pretty soon our group of two became a group of five. First there was Shippo, a cute little orphan fox cub in need of a family. Then there was Miroku, a priest/full time lecher whom Naraku placed a curse on. And finally there was Sango, out for revenge for the destruction of her village and for her brother who was brainwashed by Naraku. We were all fighting for the same cause; kill Naraku and make sure there was no more damage caused by the Shikon no Tama.
This was the hardest point in my life. The only thing normal teenagers had to worry about were school and their social lives. Now me, I had no social life by then. And as far as school went, I was barely getting by with passing grades. While most kids wanted to get away from their families as much as possible, I was lucky if I even got to see mine once a month. I had never felt so out of touch with my family then I did then. Sota was growing up, Grandpa was getting old. I was missing so much of their lives. The pressure was unbelievable. Inuyasha was never willing to let me go back to my time so I could secure my future and bond with my family. I didn't hate him for it though. I knew he needed me as well as Shippo, Sango, and Miroku. But my family needed me too. And the only thing Inuyasha cared about were shards and Kikyo. I felt used and I didn't like it. But by then I was just too tired to care. I had a duty to him and my comrades and I intended to fulfill it.
I had changed a lot since I first started out on this journey. I knew in a lot of ways I was stronger, but I couldn't help but feel a little resentful about it. I practically had my childhood stripped away from me. Before, I would have cringed and feel faint about a little scratch of blood. But now, I see blood everyday, whether it's mine or Inuyasha's or an innocent villager, and I have learned to accept it. That's just the way life is here; your lucky for every day you live and aren't eaten by a demon or swallowed up by sickness that there are no cures for. In my heart I was sad about it, but I knew I couldn't change it. I could try though, and I always did. I always wish I could do more for the people here, but I knew that if I used too much of my modern miracles, it would threaten to change the future. I lost so much of my innocence. I feel like I have seen too much and that I don't even belong in my world anymore.
Love always kept me strong.
Yes, I learned to love Inuyasha deeply, and I knew that deep down he cared for me too, but wasn't sure if he could ever love me for who I am, and not who I reminded him of. So I decided to keep my distance. I was always there when he needed me, but I never forced him to love me. Love is never forced, either you care about someone that way or you don't. Besides, there was a lot on his mind and I didn't want to burden him or have him feel obligated. I didn't want it to get in the way of our friendship; simply having him in my life was enough.
We all knew the final battle was drawing near and we were all getting restless. Tension in the group was high and I knew that everyone was trying their best not to let out their anger on each other; they had to save it for Naraku. I mostly kept my thoughts to myself. How could I say anything encouraging when my mind was so filled with doubt and fear? What if we failed? What if we didn't make it out alive? Though I think they were thinking along the same lines, we all knew it shouldn't be voiced. We had hope, and with that hope were promises.
All of the anxious waiting had not been in vain, and the day did eventually come. The setting was perfect for such a battle to take place. It was cold, and bleak. I don't even remember there being any wind, everything was so silent and my body was so tense. My hands were visibly shaking and I gripped my bow tighter to hide my obvious fear. God, I was so scared. I was afraid that I would never get to see my family again, and I was afraid that my best friends wouldn't come out alive. I was still so young and there were so many things I had yet to understand. But I would never turn back. I was all about ready to pee in my pants, but I would never turn my back on this; it needed to be done and I knew I had the power to help this cause.
Besides, I had no regrets. I had said my goodbyes, and I was thankful that Shippo decided to cooperate and stay behind, out of danger. And since I didn't want to leave anything left unsaid, I told Inuyasha I loved him. He. . . was shocked and there was so much emotion in his eyes. He hugged me and told me that he wouldn't let anything bad happen to me, that he would always protect me. I think he had finally made up his mind between Kikyo and me. I no longer saw that troubled look in his eyes whenever he looked at me. Instead I saw determination and something else, but I could be mistaken. He never said he loved me back, but he cared enough about me to hug me and hold me so tight I thought I might die. It would be a nice way to go though, dying in his arms.
Naraku was waiting for us when we arrived, and the evil was so thick in the air I nearly choked on it. There were dead bodies scattered everywhere and I wanted to weep for them. It was so hard to make anything out because my eyes were so filled with blood. But then I saw the look on Inuyasha's face and the amazing people standing with me, and all I could do was try to breath.
I looked at Naraku and swept pass the gaze with the intent to kill and focused on the jewel in his hand. I fingered the other half around my neck. We were just standing there, waiting for someone to make the first move, and it was inevitably Inuyasha. He had too much pent up anger to stay still for long and pretty soon he was fighting and dodging Naraku's attacks while the rest of us faced of his minions.
And then Kikyo came.
I wasn't really surprised. I knew she would come; it was all a matter of when. I saw her look at me and saw as her hands fingered her bow. I glanced in the direction of Inuyasha and he either didn't notice her or didn't care. Probably the latter. I knew it was dangerous, but suddenly I just knew that I could heal her bitter soul. I just wanted her to have peace so much and I was so tired of her haunting us, that suddenly the knowledge just formed itself in my mind. I reached out to her with the power rising to my fingertips and saw the panicked look in her eyes as I reached out to touch her. And then she backed up and had an arrow aimed at my chest before I could blink.
That was the only warning I had when I felt the arrow piercing my body. And after that was the pain and my scream. I braced my arm out as if it would block the pain in my body but I only succeeded in grabbing hold of Kikyo's surprised form towards mine. I felt my energy brush hers and saw her triumphant face be one replaced with agony. Her shell crumbled next to mine and shattered. I tried to open my eyes and could barely make out a strange fog of power in front of me. There was a light caressing of my face and I could see the beautiful portrait of Kikyo's soul rushing through my hair and to the sky where it belonged. After that I was left feeling desolate and cold. The moment of comforting warmth was gone.
I heard the screams of others around me. Very gently, I pulled out the arrow nestled in my right side. I gasped for breath and saw the blurry red beneath me. As if by a reflex, I looked to where Inuyasha was for help and in my haze I saw him stare at me in horror and chanting my name on his lips. He made a move to come towards me but was blocked by Naraku's attack and tried to fight through him. Miroku was supporting Sango as they made a move to help me but were stopped by the severity of their wounds. I closed my eyes and when I opened them I found everything hard to make out. In his haste, Inuyasha became reckless and the evil scored. I saw two forces battling in light and dark. And then I saw them crumble. The light vanished. My body hurt like I had never known, but nothing torn at my soul the way it did when I saw my friends fall.
I saw the victorious smirk on Naraku's face and fought down a sob.
'Please. . . no'
I tried to stand up but only succeeded in falling back down. I desperately tried to fight an overwhelming sense that I may never find the strength to change how helpless we had become. He started toward me, victory already in his eyes. No matter how tired I felt, I fought through the drowsiness and forced my eyes to focus on the scene in front of me. I wished I could find a way to smash my fist right through the glass reflecting ugliness and pain, and watch it shatter into millions of pieces and pray that those pieces never form again.
Tears rolled down my face as I tried to keep myself from falling apart. I struggled to stand. I didn't want to feel like I wasn't strong enough.
'I'm sorry, so sorry'
Naraku stood before me and I stared at death. If I wasn't injured, I could have run for cover, but it would have just been a waste of time. I couldn't keep the power from him and he would find me and kill me. I couldn't let it end like this. This wasn't what was supposed to happen.
We were supposed to destroy him and get back the Shikon no Tama and all live happily ever after.
And just like that, a strange force started stirring in my blood. I could feel it filling up the emptiness inside me and warming my chilled body. I didn't question its presence. It was as if it was there the whole time, just beneath the surface, and it reacted to my anger and need.
I saw the confusion on his face. He was surprised and his smile faltered when he felt the pressure of my power pushing against him. I took my chance.
The heat that had been slowly building up in my body burst forth and the blinding light that came with it. It wrapped around the screaming demon and I watched as his body began to spasm and burn away.
I didn't feel anything when I looked in his eyes that seemed to spit at me and anger and hatred. I watched indifferently as he died by my hand. I wish I could say that even I could mourn for a soul like his, but I cant. I only regretted that I hadn't been able to do it before all the damage he caused. I regretted that I hadn't done it before he hurt my friends.
We were still surrounded in the thick pink light as I approached his ashy corpse, where I fell down to my knees and unsteadily picked up the other half to the Jewel we had been trying to collect for so long.
'It wasn't worth' I thought. 'It wasn't worth the sacrifice of my friends only to rescue a jewel with a power that I didn't even want. I just wish that this world heals from the damage Naraku inflicted upon it. I wish that my friends could live and see the hope that they have restored. I want them to have a chance at the life they fought so hard for.'
The perfectly round object in my hands suddenly sprang to life and white power poured out of the jewel. It surrounded me and spread out over the vast area of destruction.
It was. . . overwhelming.
It traveled through me and I felt my body reacting to its power and slowly healing itself. It was so disorienting. I couldn't tell where I was or how long it lasted. All I could see was light and all I could feel was warmth, as if the bone deep cold that was present before had never even existed in the first place.
And as quickly as it appeared, it was gone.
I opened my eyes and saw the Shikon no Tama gently pulsing in front of me. And then it shattered. The tiny fragments went flying towards me and soaked into my body. I was so surprised and gasping for breath when I finally decided to sit up. But I had barely recovered when I felt by body being pulled towards the direction of the well.
'What?! I-I'm going home. I'm not needed here anymore.'
It felt like a powerful wind had captured me and was picking me up to take me back. In my peripheral vision I saw movement and a great sense of relief flooded over me when I could make out Inuyasha's form with Sango and Miroku behind him.
'Oh God, they're alive.'
It was only a fleeting image, but I saw the look of rage on his face as he rushed to me screaming my name.
"DAMNIT! KAGOME YOU CAN'T LEAVE! I-"
I closed me eyes so I didn't have to see his panicked face. I could barely hear what he was saying, my ears felt like they were filled with wax. But it didn't matter, because I was swept away.
When I opened my eyes, I was at the bottom of the well. There were no vines to climb up, only a latter, and I could already smell the pollution hanging in the air.
I didn't want to open my eyes, afraid of what I wouldn't see. I was afraid I wouldn't see Shippo's cute toothy face or Miroku's lecherous grin, and Sango's easy smile. I was afraid of not seeing Inuyasha's mocking golden eyes.
I was so afraid to find that I was alone.
*
*
There you have it. In the next chapter we will start moving forward. Hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading!
*
Last time:
I had a very rude awakening when Inuyasha threatens me to give him the Shikon no Tama, or face his claws.
Was he serious? I cast a nervous glance at his hand with very sharp nails. . . err, claws. Even after looking at those things, I tried to put on a brave face and refused him, after seeing what it could do to the centipede. No one should have that kind of power.
I'm guessing he didn't like the look on my face, because before I know it, he's lunging at me with the intent to kill. Things really aren't looking up for me.
Thank God Kaede decides to step in. Somehow, she managed to put a rosary around Inuyasha's neck. She told me to say a word to subdue him. It's kind of hard for me to think of something while and angry half demon is chasing me, but I manage. One look at the ears, and I know exactly what to say.
"SIT!"
You wont believe my pleasure in seeing him slam to the hard, unforgiving ground.
Ah, justice.
*
*
"A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world." -Oscar Wilde
*
*
I may be easily amused, but after all the bad stuff that happened that day, none of it seemed to matter anymore. Everything was good, and I owed it all to Inuyasha. I mean, come on. How would you feel if you could subdue someone with one single word? For the first time in a long time, I actually felt in control. Sure, Inuyasha threatens me and calls me bitch, but hey, he knows his place once I say 'sit'. He goes right where he belongs; face down in the dirt.
Oh yes, life was good.
We spent the day repairing the damage that the centipede demon caused. I tried to help as best I could, but I couldn't do much other that carry things and look after the children. I wish I could have been more useful but I had no idea how to build a house, much less a medieval cottage.
But back to the point, I ended up wearing the Shikon Jewel around my neck, with Kaedes instruction. She told me if it were to ever get in the hands of a demon, it could have any wish it wanted. I agreed to keep it from demons, but then what about humans? A tool this powerful would be a danger in anyone's hands, including mine. I felt nervous about accepting this responsibility, but then Kaede said since it came from my body, it was mine to protect. Of course, Inuyasha started to protest saying that I was too weak to take care of it. He actually tried to reason with me that since I was too weak to protect it, I should give it to him! He just wanted it to turn full demon. As if insulting me would prove him worthy! Hell no. I told him such, and he decided to sulk.
At least Kaede had faith in me. She actually told me that I was her sister's reincarnation. I wasn't sure how I felt about that; it sure got a reaction out of Inuaysha though. I later learned that he actually once loved the dead miko, which bring us to our journey.
It turns out I wasn't all that great at keeping the jewel safe (who would have thought?). I accidentally shattered it. Boy was Inuyasha pissed. We ended having to hunt down every single shard before they wreaked havoc. We were stuck with each other.
Eventually, our journey becomes much more. We learn the truth about Kikyo's death, and why Inuyasha was sealed to the sacred tree. It was all because of one demon, Naraku. Naraku got between Inuaysha and Kikyo by causing them to doubt each other. He fooled them so thoroughly, they didn't even know they had been tricked. Now, it wasn't just about collecting jewel shards. It was about getting the shards before Naraku did, and Naraku's death.
By then, Inuyasha and me had grown close, but we were never able to move forward beyond friendship and get past the doubt. Doubt because somehow Kikyo had been raised from the dead, and doubt because he wasn't sure whom to choose between us, and I wasn't sure if I was just a replacement in his eyes. She was the first person he loved, and I wanted that love. It must have been hard for him to face her again. She wasn't the same person he remembered. She had grown bitter and resentful. She was even selfish enough to want Inuyasha in hell with her. I didn't like her. I'm sure she must have been a wonderful person; so many people still praise her name, even after death. I pitied her because she was only a shadow of what she once was. I didn't hate her and I didn't wish bad things on her. I just wanted her finally at rest, for all of our sake.
Because Naraku was so evil, many others felt the need for revenge, too. Pretty soon our group of two became a group of five. First there was Shippo, a cute little orphan fox cub in need of a family. Then there was Miroku, a priest/full time lecher whom Naraku placed a curse on. And finally there was Sango, out for revenge for the destruction of her village and for her brother who was brainwashed by Naraku. We were all fighting for the same cause; kill Naraku and make sure there was no more damage caused by the Shikon no Tama.
This was the hardest point in my life. The only thing normal teenagers had to worry about were school and their social lives. Now me, I had no social life by then. And as far as school went, I was barely getting by with passing grades. While most kids wanted to get away from their families as much as possible, I was lucky if I even got to see mine once a month. I had never felt so out of touch with my family then I did then. Sota was growing up, Grandpa was getting old. I was missing so much of their lives. The pressure was unbelievable. Inuyasha was never willing to let me go back to my time so I could secure my future and bond with my family. I didn't hate him for it though. I knew he needed me as well as Shippo, Sango, and Miroku. But my family needed me too. And the only thing Inuyasha cared about were shards and Kikyo. I felt used and I didn't like it. But by then I was just too tired to care. I had a duty to him and my comrades and I intended to fulfill it.
I had changed a lot since I first started out on this journey. I knew in a lot of ways I was stronger, but I couldn't help but feel a little resentful about it. I practically had my childhood stripped away from me. Before, I would have cringed and feel faint about a little scratch of blood. But now, I see blood everyday, whether it's mine or Inuyasha's or an innocent villager, and I have learned to accept it. That's just the way life is here; your lucky for every day you live and aren't eaten by a demon or swallowed up by sickness that there are no cures for. In my heart I was sad about it, but I knew I couldn't change it. I could try though, and I always did. I always wish I could do more for the people here, but I knew that if I used too much of my modern miracles, it would threaten to change the future. I lost so much of my innocence. I feel like I have seen too much and that I don't even belong in my world anymore.
Love always kept me strong.
Yes, I learned to love Inuyasha deeply, and I knew that deep down he cared for me too, but wasn't sure if he could ever love me for who I am, and not who I reminded him of. So I decided to keep my distance. I was always there when he needed me, but I never forced him to love me. Love is never forced, either you care about someone that way or you don't. Besides, there was a lot on his mind and I didn't want to burden him or have him feel obligated. I didn't want it to get in the way of our friendship; simply having him in my life was enough.
We all knew the final battle was drawing near and we were all getting restless. Tension in the group was high and I knew that everyone was trying their best not to let out their anger on each other; they had to save it for Naraku. I mostly kept my thoughts to myself. How could I say anything encouraging when my mind was so filled with doubt and fear? What if we failed? What if we didn't make it out alive? Though I think they were thinking along the same lines, we all knew it shouldn't be voiced. We had hope, and with that hope were promises.
All of the anxious waiting had not been in vain, and the day did eventually come. The setting was perfect for such a battle to take place. It was cold, and bleak. I don't even remember there being any wind, everything was so silent and my body was so tense. My hands were visibly shaking and I gripped my bow tighter to hide my obvious fear. God, I was so scared. I was afraid that I would never get to see my family again, and I was afraid that my best friends wouldn't come out alive. I was still so young and there were so many things I had yet to understand. But I would never turn back. I was all about ready to pee in my pants, but I would never turn my back on this; it needed to be done and I knew I had the power to help this cause.
Besides, I had no regrets. I had said my goodbyes, and I was thankful that Shippo decided to cooperate and stay behind, out of danger. And since I didn't want to leave anything left unsaid, I told Inuyasha I loved him. He. . . was shocked and there was so much emotion in his eyes. He hugged me and told me that he wouldn't let anything bad happen to me, that he would always protect me. I think he had finally made up his mind between Kikyo and me. I no longer saw that troubled look in his eyes whenever he looked at me. Instead I saw determination and something else, but I could be mistaken. He never said he loved me back, but he cared enough about me to hug me and hold me so tight I thought I might die. It would be a nice way to go though, dying in his arms.
Naraku was waiting for us when we arrived, and the evil was so thick in the air I nearly choked on it. There were dead bodies scattered everywhere and I wanted to weep for them. It was so hard to make anything out because my eyes were so filled with blood. But then I saw the look on Inuyasha's face and the amazing people standing with me, and all I could do was try to breath.
I looked at Naraku and swept pass the gaze with the intent to kill and focused on the jewel in his hand. I fingered the other half around my neck. We were just standing there, waiting for someone to make the first move, and it was inevitably Inuyasha. He had too much pent up anger to stay still for long and pretty soon he was fighting and dodging Naraku's attacks while the rest of us faced of his minions.
And then Kikyo came.
I wasn't really surprised. I knew she would come; it was all a matter of when. I saw her look at me and saw as her hands fingered her bow. I glanced in the direction of Inuyasha and he either didn't notice her or didn't care. Probably the latter. I knew it was dangerous, but suddenly I just knew that I could heal her bitter soul. I just wanted her to have peace so much and I was so tired of her haunting us, that suddenly the knowledge just formed itself in my mind. I reached out to her with the power rising to my fingertips and saw the panicked look in her eyes as I reached out to touch her. And then she backed up and had an arrow aimed at my chest before I could blink.
That was the only warning I had when I felt the arrow piercing my body. And after that was the pain and my scream. I braced my arm out as if it would block the pain in my body but I only succeeded in grabbing hold of Kikyo's surprised form towards mine. I felt my energy brush hers and saw her triumphant face be one replaced with agony. Her shell crumbled next to mine and shattered. I tried to open my eyes and could barely make out a strange fog of power in front of me. There was a light caressing of my face and I could see the beautiful portrait of Kikyo's soul rushing through my hair and to the sky where it belonged. After that I was left feeling desolate and cold. The moment of comforting warmth was gone.
I heard the screams of others around me. Very gently, I pulled out the arrow nestled in my right side. I gasped for breath and saw the blurry red beneath me. As if by a reflex, I looked to where Inuyasha was for help and in my haze I saw him stare at me in horror and chanting my name on his lips. He made a move to come towards me but was blocked by Naraku's attack and tried to fight through him. Miroku was supporting Sango as they made a move to help me but were stopped by the severity of their wounds. I closed my eyes and when I opened them I found everything hard to make out. In his haste, Inuyasha became reckless and the evil scored. I saw two forces battling in light and dark. And then I saw them crumble. The light vanished. My body hurt like I had never known, but nothing torn at my soul the way it did when I saw my friends fall.
I saw the victorious smirk on Naraku's face and fought down a sob.
'Please. . . no'
I tried to stand up but only succeeded in falling back down. I desperately tried to fight an overwhelming sense that I may never find the strength to change how helpless we had become. He started toward me, victory already in his eyes. No matter how tired I felt, I fought through the drowsiness and forced my eyes to focus on the scene in front of me. I wished I could find a way to smash my fist right through the glass reflecting ugliness and pain, and watch it shatter into millions of pieces and pray that those pieces never form again.
Tears rolled down my face as I tried to keep myself from falling apart. I struggled to stand. I didn't want to feel like I wasn't strong enough.
'I'm sorry, so sorry'
Naraku stood before me and I stared at death. If I wasn't injured, I could have run for cover, but it would have just been a waste of time. I couldn't keep the power from him and he would find me and kill me. I couldn't let it end like this. This wasn't what was supposed to happen.
We were supposed to destroy him and get back the Shikon no Tama and all live happily ever after.
And just like that, a strange force started stirring in my blood. I could feel it filling up the emptiness inside me and warming my chilled body. I didn't question its presence. It was as if it was there the whole time, just beneath the surface, and it reacted to my anger and need.
I saw the confusion on his face. He was surprised and his smile faltered when he felt the pressure of my power pushing against him. I took my chance.
The heat that had been slowly building up in my body burst forth and the blinding light that came with it. It wrapped around the screaming demon and I watched as his body began to spasm and burn away.
I didn't feel anything when I looked in his eyes that seemed to spit at me and anger and hatred. I watched indifferently as he died by my hand. I wish I could say that even I could mourn for a soul like his, but I cant. I only regretted that I hadn't been able to do it before all the damage he caused. I regretted that I hadn't done it before he hurt my friends.
We were still surrounded in the thick pink light as I approached his ashy corpse, where I fell down to my knees and unsteadily picked up the other half to the Jewel we had been trying to collect for so long.
'It wasn't worth' I thought. 'It wasn't worth the sacrifice of my friends only to rescue a jewel with a power that I didn't even want. I just wish that this world heals from the damage Naraku inflicted upon it. I wish that my friends could live and see the hope that they have restored. I want them to have a chance at the life they fought so hard for.'
The perfectly round object in my hands suddenly sprang to life and white power poured out of the jewel. It surrounded me and spread out over the vast area of destruction.
It was. . . overwhelming.
It traveled through me and I felt my body reacting to its power and slowly healing itself. It was so disorienting. I couldn't tell where I was or how long it lasted. All I could see was light and all I could feel was warmth, as if the bone deep cold that was present before had never even existed in the first place.
And as quickly as it appeared, it was gone.
I opened my eyes and saw the Shikon no Tama gently pulsing in front of me. And then it shattered. The tiny fragments went flying towards me and soaked into my body. I was so surprised and gasping for breath when I finally decided to sit up. But I had barely recovered when I felt by body being pulled towards the direction of the well.
'What?! I-I'm going home. I'm not needed here anymore.'
It felt like a powerful wind had captured me and was picking me up to take me back. In my peripheral vision I saw movement and a great sense of relief flooded over me when I could make out Inuyasha's form with Sango and Miroku behind him.
'Oh God, they're alive.'
It was only a fleeting image, but I saw the look of rage on his face as he rushed to me screaming my name.
"DAMNIT! KAGOME YOU CAN'T LEAVE! I-"
I closed me eyes so I didn't have to see his panicked face. I could barely hear what he was saying, my ears felt like they were filled with wax. But it didn't matter, because I was swept away.
When I opened my eyes, I was at the bottom of the well. There were no vines to climb up, only a latter, and I could already smell the pollution hanging in the air.
I didn't want to open my eyes, afraid of what I wouldn't see. I was afraid I wouldn't see Shippo's cute toothy face or Miroku's lecherous grin, and Sango's easy smile. I was afraid of not seeing Inuyasha's mocking golden eyes.
I was so afraid to find that I was alone.
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There you have it. In the next chapter we will start moving forward. Hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading!