New Author's Notes: In honor of the one year anniversary of the first chapter of 'The Confessions Trilogy' I have decided to perform a massive edit of this story, and will be going over every single chapter. Below you will find all the original author's notes from the story, because I hadn't the heart to part with them, and then beyond that the new and improved story. Maybe this will become a tradition...we'll just have to wait and see!
Though not described in detail, this story does deal with rape so be warned if that sort of topic bothers you
Original Author's Notes: Sorry this update took a few days, everyone, but I've been really busy getting back into my normal life. I promise to try and be more frequent from now on. I don't have much to say other than thanks again for all the reviews, and in response to one request in particular I have received from a few of you, I'm sorry, I just don't have time to send out individual emails to people when I update the story. I wish I did...but I don't.
This is the last of the cliffhangers, or at least I think it is, so yeah for that. We'll have to see to be sure, but I'm not planning at this time on making any more, so don't be too mad at me for the way this chapter ends! Enjoy!
Title: Confessions of a Broken Heart
Author: dolphingirl0113
Chapter: Thirteen
Rating: PG-13 (rated for violence, language, and implied sexual situations)
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.
It had all happened in an instant, no faster then what it took to blink an eye. Kikyou had fired her arrow, surprisingly not at Naraku but rather Kanna's mirror. The mirror had absorbed the attack as soup would swallow something solid, and then time had seemed to stop momentarily before suddenly the mirror shattered into thousands of pieces, and now...Inuyasha could hardly believe it. Now Kagome was lying in his arms with her eyes alert and full of life, her body engulfed in a halo of pink.
He couldn't find the words to speak, though he could feel the prickling of grateful tears at the corners of his eyes.
"Inuyasha..." Kagome's voice was soft and serene, and he felt himself instantly relax despite the presence of his enemy. She was alive, and she would be okay. So long as he knew that, nothing else really mattered...other than keeping her safe, that is.
A deadly silence filled the forest, the kind that only foreshadowed bad things to come. Pieces of glass, all once part of Kanna's magical mirror, littered the ground, glittering like thousands of tiny knives waiting to attack, while Kanna herself stood still, her eyes and face expressionless, as though nothing had happened. A slight wind whipped through her hair.
Naraku was dumbfounded, utterly and completely. How had Kagome possibly broken free? No one ever broke free of Kanna's mirror once their soul was gone, and he had been sure her soul had been securely captured. So how could she be wide awake and in Inuyasha's arms at that moment? It made no sense.
Just as the demon was about to turn and rail against Kanna for failing him, however, the sound of labored breathing reached his ears, and Naraku turned to see Kikyou on her knees, her hair free of its restraining white ribbon, her forehead beaded with sweat and her breathing coming in rapidly erratic gasps. He narrowed his eyes, and a scowl marred his otherwise handsome features. "Kikyou," he hissed, and realized then that she, as always, had been the one to foil his plans somehow.
As though to defy him yet again, she merely turned, her eyes blank, her face devoid of any and all emotion, bravely meeting his gaze head on. Naraku couldn't help but feel an old twinge of admiration for the woman, who could so easily mask what she was really thinking; her features were flawlessly protecting the inner turmoil he was sure she was experiencing at that moment.
At the sound of Kikyou's name on Naraku's lips, Inuyasha raised his head to see the demon and the miko locked in a heated gaze, though the woman looked like she was at much more of a disadvantage with all the blood leaking out of her wounded side, staining her blouse as red as her pants.
The hanyou realized then that it had been Kikyou who had brought Kagome back to him. It had to have been, since the mirror had only shattered after she had fired her arrow. She had saved Kagome's life, and was now, judging by the look on Naraku's face, in for a swift and brutal revenge. He had to protect her...but how?
Not for the first time, Inuyasha felt horribly torn between the two women in his life, one of them currently lying in his arms, vulnerable but apparently okay, the other equally as vulnerable and alone two feet away. In this case, however, the difference was that Kikyou was currently in the sight of Naraku, and Kagome was not.
He knew what he had to do.
Gently setting her down so that he was sure she felt no pain, feeling a small sense of loss as her warmth left his arms, Inuyasha swept a stray strand of hair out of Kagome's eyes in a tenderness that shocked even him. What had this woman done to him? Whatever it was, he didn't mind so much any more...in fact, he welcomed it.
Kagome smiled, and her face was cool, though much warmer then it had been before, and her entire body was still surrounded by that strange pink halo. The gesture gave him courage, and Inuyasha found himself smiling back, his heart full of love and devotion to an extent he had never thought possible, his eyes pleading with her to understand. She understood his silent message, and nodded. "I know," she whispered, and that was all he needed to rise to his feet and go defend Kikyou.
The miko had not moved, refusing to give an inch to Naraku in their endless dance of love and hate...well, love on his part, and hate on hers. The demon stared back with equal intensity, the ground between them practically rumbling, and Inuyasha could tell right away that he was about to walk into a dangerous battlefield. There would be no going back once he chose to fight...this time it was all or nothing, and someone, at the end of the day, would be dead. He just hoped it was Naraku, since he now had every intention of spending the rest of his life with Kagome.
Thinking out of instinct, the hanyou placed a hand on Kikyou's shoulder, alerting her to his presence, and he noted the way she lowered her eyes and sighed softly in relief. So she had been afraid after all, and was grateful now to have the support of someone else. It made him feel good to know that he was helping her out after all, since normally she always seemed so untouchable.
But to Naraku, seeing Inuyasha come to Kikyou's side, determination etched into his features with his fingers tightly clutching the hilt of his sword, it was the funniest thing in the world. He couldn't help but laugh. "So this time you shall fight me together, rather than fight one another for me? How ironic..."
Neither of his former victims budged, their faces fixed steadily into glares, their eyes brimming with hate. He merely chuckled again and flicked his eyes to his left, where Kagome still sat, recovering from her recent struggle. "Are you sure you should leave her alone, Inuyasha?"
Without meaning to, the hanyou blanched slightly, and that was all Naraku needed to know that he still had the upper hand. So long as Kagome was in danger Inuyasha would not fully protect Kikyou, and vice versa...which, as a result, left both women vulnerable. How predictable that poor sap was...
But his plans were foiled once more, to his frustration, when he turned at the sound of snapping branches to his right, grumbling in what almost could have been a growl deep in his throat as he watched those damnable companions of Inuyasha's, the monk and the exterminator, enter the clearing atop the flying cat demon. So things would be harder than he'd first expected.
"Kagome!" Sango efficiently read the scene before her, noting that Inuyasha was once more with Kikyou while Kagome was sitting all alone, her body engulfed in pink light. The exterminator also observed the shattered mirror and Kanna standing off to one side, seemingly paralyzed. Dear god above...what was going on? What had already happened?
Inuyasha felt himself instantly relax as he saw his friends, never more grateful to have two people with him then he was at that moment. He grinned in Naraku's direction to indicate that he was saved from his dilemma, and smirked even more as he noted the demon's sudden uncomfortable posture. "Sango, Miroku," he called out to the humans, "Watch Kagome for me!"
Sango nodded, but Miroku took a step forward, clutching his staff, looking curious. "Inuyasha, what's happened here?"
The question was simple enough, but it came at the wrong time, and Inuyasha growled in frustration. "Why the hell would you ask me that right now, monk? Are you really that stupid?"
Unfortunately for all of them, the moment the hanyou turned his head to respond to Miroku, Naraku attacked.
It was a swift and deadly attack that had Inuyasha pinned against a tree struggling to get free, a knife circling his throat and preventing him from moving. His body was held just inches off the ground, and at that moment the hanyou had never felt more vulnerable. Where had such an attack come from, anyway? He hadn't even seen that Naraku'd had a knife.
The demon smirked at his prey cruelly. "Haven't you learned by now, Inuyasha, never to underestimate me?" His smirk widened into a full on smile full of malice. "Now I have you right where I want you, and you will die."
Inuyasha fought with all his might to get free, putting his hands up around his neck and pulling up to relieve the pressure on his windpipe, but it was no use. Whatever the balde was made of, he could not get it to budge. He was utterly and completely trapped...useless to either Kagome or Kikyou.
"Inuyasha!" Miroku sprinted toward his friend, dropping his staff and unleashing his wind tunnel as he did so and aiming it directly at Naraku, who was forced to frantically grab for the branches nearest him for support.
The demon whirled his head around, his beady red eyes glaring in anger, and he narrowed his gaze dangerously. "Unluckily for you, monk, I came prepared for everything." He turned his head towards the sky, and Miroku followed his gaze to catch his breath upon seeing the flying bees which were so deadly.
Steeling himself, the monk returned his gaze to Naraku and firmed his resolve, holding his hand steady. "If you think that will stop me from killing you, you're wrong!" He insisted fiercely. "There is nothing I want more than to see you die the same way my father and grandfather have died...by your damnable curse! And if that means my life as well, then so be it!" Sango forgive me, he added to himself silently.
Naraku just laughed again, though he did clutch the branches tighter. "I doubt you'll make it long enough to harm me."
Miroku narrowed his eyes. "We shall see about that."
The bees were instantly sucked into the wind tunnel, disappearing, but unlike before when Miroku could hold out, this time he suddenly and instantaneously collapsed into a heap on the ground. Sweat tricked down his face, and he turned pale like a lamp after someone flipped the switch. "What...what is...this?" he whispered, his voice raspy with the burning pain wracking his body. The poison was stronger, and different somehow, then it had ever been before.
"Do you honestly think I have learned nothing from our previous encounters, monk?" Naraku repeated bitterly, once more rising to his full height now that the danger had passed. "I wasn't about to simply use the bees you've become so adept at withstanding." He smirked. "I think you'll find this new strain of poison a little stronger."
As if in response, Miroku's body clenched tightly, spasoming, and he curled up into a tiny ball to ward off the pain. "Bastard," he hissed, his eyes shut tightly.
"Miroku!" Sango felt panic overtake her body upon seeing her fiancé, the only man she had ever loved, fall to the ground, apparently unconscious, and without thinking her feet began to carry her forward...she had to help him. She had to be near him. Turning to Kirara, she nodded. "Watch Kagome, Kirara."
And with that she ran to Miroku's side, falling to her knees and pulling him out of the line of fire, allowing him to rest his head in her lap as she leaned herself against a small tree. "Miroku..." Tears filled her eyes. "Oh Miroku, why do you have to be so courageous?" She reached down and touched his face, but pulled back as one who had touched hot coals would, although this time it was actually because of how cold his skin was.
The scent of sakura blossoms filled his nose, and Miroku managed to crack his eyes open slightly to see Sango's worried, beautiful face gazing down at him. He smiled slightly. "Ah, my Sango..." And then he collapsed into darkness once more.
Upon seeing this Naraku laughed again, feeling confident that he was now definitely going to win. He had eliminated Inuyasha's support group, and now all that was left was finishing off the weakened Kikyou and her lover before taking Kagome as his own and turning her into his servant.
Returning his attention to the hanyou, who had stopped struggling to free himself and was now simply staring in shock at his fallen friend, he chuckled. "So what now Inuyasha?" he cooed. "No one can save you...are you as prepared to die as you have always claimed you are?"
Inuyasha felt his face pale slightly at the thought of dying, for once not quite as brave as usual, but quickly put on a brave face as he growled and clenched his fists. "A coward as always, Naraku," he hissed, "For not fighting me in hand to hand combat like a true warrior."
The demon rolled his eyes. "Don't lecture me on courage, Inuyasha...I simply don't have the time to fight you. I have better things to do, such as conquering the world." He glanced over at Kagome, who met his gaze fiercely, and shivered slightly in anticipation as he returned his gaze once more to Inuyasha with a suggestive smirk. "She will make me a good wife, don't you think?"
"What!" The very idea of Kagome, his Kagome, in the arms of that man...no...that monster, and no doubt unwillingly, just as she had been with her rapist, caused Inuyasha's blood to boil, and he felt his demon blood unwillingly start to take over since tetsusaiga had fallen to the ground. For once the hanyou wondered if that would be such a bad thing. Perhaps his demon strength could free him, since his hanyou side obviously could not. He started to struggle again.
Naraku chuckled. "Stop fighting, Inuyasha...you're all alone right now. There is no one to protect you."
"Yes there is."
Both men turned to see Kikyou before them, standing once more, though her legs seemed a little shaky. Inuyasha couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked, with her hair about her wildly, her eyes dangerous dark pools of intelligence and determination, her hands seemingly very strong as she notched her bow. She frowned and glared at Naraku. "So help me," she hissed, "If you touch him I will kill you. Now let him go!"
Naraku simply laughed. "Since when did you have ultimate authority here?" He hardened his gaze. "The last time I checked you were not in the best shape, Kikyou."
The miko pulled the arrow back further so that the bowstring was touching her cheek, and aimed carefully, knowing she would probably only get one good shot. "Let him go," she whispered again in a deadly calm voice. "So help me Naraku, I've already pinned one man to a tree...but with you I will not be so kind!"
But the demon still made no move to obey her command and so, with one final breath, Kikyou unleashed the arrow, watching as it flew straight and true towards its target...the demon who had caused her so much pain and suffering. But at the last second Naraku managed to avoid the attack, and the arrow flew past him, sending a breath of air over his cheek before lodging itself in the tree behind him.
Kikyou's eyes opened in shock, and she wondered where he'd developed such fast reflexes.
"Kill me, eh, you worthless woman?" Naraku hissed. "Now it's my turn!" He launched several attacks of miasma in her direction, and Kikyou was unable to prevent herself from falling to the ground, caught up in the sizzling, hot, disintegrating mess that now surrounded her. Her robes began to dissolve, and she hollered, unwillingly, in pain.
"Kikyou!" Inuyasha had to get free. Damn Naraku and his stupid tricks! Now, not only was he failing Kagome but Kikyou too. And no matter what had changed between them, she did not to deserve to die in such a painful way...it was far too cruel a fate.
Everyone watched, helpless, as the miasma made its way through the robes and started searing the woman's skin, souls flying out of her body as she reacted to the fact that her body was dying. Kikyou, the powerful miko who had been the cause of all Naraku's suffering, had finally seemed to meet her end.
But everything halted when another arrow, powerful and practically illuminating the entire forest, flew straight into the center of the miasma, purifying it and turning it white. What had once been a pit of death was now nothing more than a harmless silver pond, and Kikyou sat in the middle of it, her robes in tatters, staring at her reflection in shock that she was still alive.
His plans once more ruined, Naraku hollered in rage and whirled around to find none other than Kagome standing...no, floating...in the air, her hair billowing about her like a cloud, her entire body shrouded in pink. Her bow was in her hands, but it had turned golden, as had the arrows, and her eyes held such hate for him at that moment that even Naraku could not help but shiver slightly in apprehension.
"Don't you ever touch either Kikyou or Inuyasha again," she hissed, sounding very unlike the normal kind Kagome everyone knew. It was as though that girl had disappeared to be replaced by this Amazon warrior before them, and they were all in shock...Naraku included. Sango could only stare at her friend, her sister, feeling awe swell her chest, and Inuyasha's jaw had practically dropped to the ground. Only Kikyou seemed completely unaffected, as though this had been expected all along. In fact, she went so far as to smile slightly at her reincarnation, almost like a mother who approved of her child's accomplishments.
Kagome notched another arrow, her eyes never moving from where Naraku stood, and he actually seemed afraid for the first time since they'd first started fighting him nearly three years earlier. He took a few steps back, as though to escape the scene altogether, and couldn't help but allow his eyes to go wide in shock. What had happened to the girl? He'd known all along that Kagome was strong, but this...?
For her part, Kagome simply smirked cruelly and narrowed her gaze even more, for once not feeling like the weak one. Far from it...she felt invincible! And what was more, she felt no remorse for what she was about to do. It simply felt like the right thing to do. Never again, she swore to herself, would she be the victim. Never again...
"No more games," she whispered dangerously, barely loud enough for everyone to hear, and pulled the bowstring taught, back against her cheek just as Kikyou had done a few moments earlier, her body in perfect form. "I offer you no mercy, Naraku." And with that she fired the arrow straight at the heart of the man who had caused so much pain and suffering for so many thousands of souls...but most especially she fired the arrow for the one soul she loved more than anything else in the world. At long last Inuyasha would have his revenge.