Always My Soul
By: dragonfly-rising
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters
Kagome bit her lip in concentration. Though the bulk of Inutashio's power was filtered through the mikos she was being bombarded with a backlash of bone deep ache. The miko energy was not meant to mix with youkai energy so completely and it seemed there was a price to be paid for doing such a thing. She kept her mind centered on her breathing, on the feel of silky fur against her upturned hand, the look of confusion and uncertainty that had spread across Ferlias's face when she had begun to take power from Inutashio. She was hard pressed not to release her hold on the dog youkai, relieving herself of the throbbing that clawed at her internally. The other mikos had returned their attention to the battle, their powers raced through her being like wildfire. And yet instinctively she had known it would not be enough, would never be enough to fully destroy Ferlias. She required powers that she did not posses and somehow without prior planning she had communicated to Inutashio her need.
Her body trembled with the all-inclusive power, but she did not release it. Something inside of her told her to wait, that there was an event that needed to occur before she could possibly alter this destiny
~ Last time counts for all child...take what you need and destroy him as it should have been done so long ago ~ Inutashio whispered to her, his voice full of assurance and purpose.
~ I'm afraid ~ she whispered back, her heart yearning to do what was right but her knowledge of what was about to be done seeming too monumental for all of them.
~ Kagome, if you were not afraid then you would not be alive. This is the time that will change your life in ways you have yet to imagine. Remember bravery is not in facing youkai when you are certain...it is in doing so when you are stripped of everything. Know in your heart that everything that must happen will happen and that it will not be at a cost that is unbearable. Trust yourself, you will know what to do. ~ Inutashio responded in his way.
Kagome took a deep breath and returned her full attention to Ferlias. It wasn't hate that filled her now, only an unfathomable sense of finality, which she welcomed in place of her apprehension for herself and the others. Of its own accord her freehand raised and then curled, calling to itself her sword that had previously lain forgotten behind Inutashio where it had slipped from her grasp due to her impact with the ground earlier. She tightened her grip on the weapon, finding comfort in its weight.
Ferlias took an uncertain step backwards as he watched her and she found that Kee was amused by this show.
~ He can feel his demise Kagome...be swift and certain. ~ The dark miko advised her.
"You cannot run Ferlias. There is nowhere for you to hide from us anymore" Kagome said aloud.
Ferlias glowered at her, "You are a fool miko. There is nothing you can do to change your destiny. All of you will die by my hand. That is the way it has always been...the way it will always be!"
As his tone of voice rose into a roar Ferlias's hands that held his swords began to glow with a fierce green light. Kagome felt the ominous power that came out of the youkai lord in menacing waves. At the same time she noticed that her friends had begun to range behind Ferlias. Sango and Miroku went to the sides, Inuyasha stood behind Ferlias. All were well beyond Ferlias's physical reach but not beyond his power's reach. Kagome's heart beat more fiercely.
~ It is their right. Do not try to deny them this. ~ Said the first miko.
~Why are you doing this? I can win this battle. ~ Kagome snapped back.
~ Our's is not the only destiny that must be corrected. It must be this way miko. ~ Was the angered reply.
Though she did not agree with this action Kagome let it go, knowing this was something she had no say in. Despite that fact she resolved to watch over her friends, she was not willing to sacrifice anyone for this clash.
Just as she thought this Ferlias braced himself, pointing his swords straight at her. His concentrated energies rolled at her at a mind-blowing speed. She felt Inutashio tense readying to put himself in the path of the dangerous power.
~ NO! ~ Screamed the combined mikos in fury at the threat to Inutashio, THEIR FRIEND.
Without hesitation their powers reached out and surrounded the dog youkai, then flung him away from them, out of harms way. Kagome crossed her arms over her face, bracing herself, as the attack enfolded her body. She stubbornly ground her teeth against the cry of agony that ripped at her throat as the green energy wrenched her soul tearing at the binds that completed her connection with the other mikos. Her insides felt as if they had been set into acid. She fought against the power's attempt to rupture the combined personalities within her. Her own power rose up and consumed the attacking energy within moments.
Breathing hard she slowly lowered her arms. Again Ferlias seemed amused by her. Kagome reached inside of herself recalling the energies that she had combined. They answered her in a second, flaring around her body. Coldness swept all the way through her causing her skin to tingle as if she was standing outside during winter. Her focus became narrowed to one point. She raised her own weapon and allowed her force to flow throughout it, the jewel fragments enhancing it as the youkai energy touched them directly. A smile of anticipation came to her face as Ferlias was encircled this time. His cry of rage and pain so deeply satisfying to her that she was forced to laugh, releasing the feeling into the air. She had never felt so intensely the reward of wounding her enemy. She gloried in it.
The energy tapered off as she pulled it back to see the damage she had done. Ferlias was breathing just as heavy as she had been; a growl escaping with each of his exhales. His robes were tattered now, his hair released from its holder flared wildly about his head. Blood ran from the corner of his mouth and down his chin. He coughed and spat blood onto the ground. His eyes burned into her's, his fury palpable.
Neither of them spoke, both understanding that at last they stood on equal footing.
Kagome stepped forward, her approach gaining in speed as she ran at him. Her blood again was aflame with battle, her energies rising in response to her need. Ferlias also ran forward an earsplitting bellow expressing his anger.
Their swords met with a loud clash of metal. Kagome did not pause, slipping under their swords to place her hand on Ferlias's large chest. The youkai lord grunted in pain as the power flowed into him, surrounding his body in a nimbus of exploding colors. Kagome then moved out from under him, knowing she needed to conserve her power, drawing her blade from his, allowing him to stumble forward as she moved back. Ferlias spun and launched himself at her, flinging his smaller sword away. She brought her sword up, blocking his downward swing. Ferlias reached out with his freehand and grasped the hilt of her sword, his large hand enveloping her smaller one. She bit her lip against the pain of his crushing grip and fed her power into the sword again. It ripped outward, surrounding both of them. She met his eyes in pleasure as a pained grunt came from him. He smiled at her with his own pleasure. She had only a moment to realize just what he intended when his power, now amplified by the jewel fragments, forced itself into her. Her shoulders automatically rounded in a protective motion as a more intense fire swallowed her. Sweat formed on her face instantly as she strained against Ferlias to free herself. Ferlias tightened his grip, his face twisted in repulsive gratification.
Kagome felt the pain threatening her consciousness, attempting to free her from the onslaught of an agony she had never known could be endured. She blinked her eyes rapidly, forcing herself to stay aware. His power clawed at her linking personalities, which fought to remain intact. The battle grew inside of her sending wave after wave of torment through her body. She tasted blood and knew soon it would rise into her throat. Frustrated she spat into Ferlias's face hoping to distract him. His grin only widened. Her reservoir of power was draining from the continued use.
One of her legs gave out and with a cry of furious irritation she fell to one knee. Ferlias bent over her his grip becoming stronger.
"I told you miko, you should have run when you had the chance." He whispered to her.
She glowered at him, "There is always another time Ferlias...always another destiny to right the wrongs you have committed."
"And I will kill them too" He spat as his power flared and intensified.
She finally gave voice to her suffering. A strangled roar that was full of the entirety of her frustration, anger, resentment, and fear. Ferlias began to laugh in triumph. Kagome closed her eyes momentarily attempting to push back to rising misgivings inside of her.
His laugh was cut short as the end of what looked to be a steel staff erupted from his shoulder. Immediately the assault of his power withdrew and Kagome gasped trying to regain her breath. Ferlias, in obvious confusion looked at the protruding end, his face full of bewilderment. Kagome recognized her opportunity and tore her weapon out of Ferlias's grip, throwing herself back out of his reach if he attempted to regain it. Ferlias seemed frozen and unable to cope with the idea that he had been attacked.
Kagome rose shakily and found Miroku standing behind Ferlias, his staff still in his hands. The monk's face was full of fury. With a strong jerk, Miroku brought his staff out of Ferlias and moved back. Ferlias's hand rose to the wound and covered it, as if he could erase it by doing so.
Miroku looked at Kagome then who involuntarily flinched away from the emotions that displayed themselves in his eyes. Miroku shook his head and looked away from her his cheeks beginning to burn with some unknown shame. Kagome longed to speak with him, to understand what exactly was happening. She knew Miroku had to have been affected by his nearness to her unleashed powers; it should have thrown the monk into unconsciousness.
A flash of red was her only warning to the next attack on Ferlias.
By: dragonfly-rising
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters
Kagome bit her lip in concentration. Though the bulk of Inutashio's power was filtered through the mikos she was being bombarded with a backlash of bone deep ache. The miko energy was not meant to mix with youkai energy so completely and it seemed there was a price to be paid for doing such a thing. She kept her mind centered on her breathing, on the feel of silky fur against her upturned hand, the look of confusion and uncertainty that had spread across Ferlias's face when she had begun to take power from Inutashio. She was hard pressed not to release her hold on the dog youkai, relieving herself of the throbbing that clawed at her internally. The other mikos had returned their attention to the battle, their powers raced through her being like wildfire. And yet instinctively she had known it would not be enough, would never be enough to fully destroy Ferlias. She required powers that she did not posses and somehow without prior planning she had communicated to Inutashio her need.
Her body trembled with the all-inclusive power, but she did not release it. Something inside of her told her to wait, that there was an event that needed to occur before she could possibly alter this destiny
~ Last time counts for all child...take what you need and destroy him as it should have been done so long ago ~ Inutashio whispered to her, his voice full of assurance and purpose.
~ I'm afraid ~ she whispered back, her heart yearning to do what was right but her knowledge of what was about to be done seeming too monumental for all of them.
~ Kagome, if you were not afraid then you would not be alive. This is the time that will change your life in ways you have yet to imagine. Remember bravery is not in facing youkai when you are certain...it is in doing so when you are stripped of everything. Know in your heart that everything that must happen will happen and that it will not be at a cost that is unbearable. Trust yourself, you will know what to do. ~ Inutashio responded in his way.
Kagome took a deep breath and returned her full attention to Ferlias. It wasn't hate that filled her now, only an unfathomable sense of finality, which she welcomed in place of her apprehension for herself and the others. Of its own accord her freehand raised and then curled, calling to itself her sword that had previously lain forgotten behind Inutashio where it had slipped from her grasp due to her impact with the ground earlier. She tightened her grip on the weapon, finding comfort in its weight.
Ferlias took an uncertain step backwards as he watched her and she found that Kee was amused by this show.
~ He can feel his demise Kagome...be swift and certain. ~ The dark miko advised her.
"You cannot run Ferlias. There is nowhere for you to hide from us anymore" Kagome said aloud.
Ferlias glowered at her, "You are a fool miko. There is nothing you can do to change your destiny. All of you will die by my hand. That is the way it has always been...the way it will always be!"
As his tone of voice rose into a roar Ferlias's hands that held his swords began to glow with a fierce green light. Kagome felt the ominous power that came out of the youkai lord in menacing waves. At the same time she noticed that her friends had begun to range behind Ferlias. Sango and Miroku went to the sides, Inuyasha stood behind Ferlias. All were well beyond Ferlias's physical reach but not beyond his power's reach. Kagome's heart beat more fiercely.
~ It is their right. Do not try to deny them this. ~ Said the first miko.
~Why are you doing this? I can win this battle. ~ Kagome snapped back.
~ Our's is not the only destiny that must be corrected. It must be this way miko. ~ Was the angered reply.
Though she did not agree with this action Kagome let it go, knowing this was something she had no say in. Despite that fact she resolved to watch over her friends, she was not willing to sacrifice anyone for this clash.
Just as she thought this Ferlias braced himself, pointing his swords straight at her. His concentrated energies rolled at her at a mind-blowing speed. She felt Inutashio tense readying to put himself in the path of the dangerous power.
~ NO! ~ Screamed the combined mikos in fury at the threat to Inutashio, THEIR FRIEND.
Without hesitation their powers reached out and surrounded the dog youkai, then flung him away from them, out of harms way. Kagome crossed her arms over her face, bracing herself, as the attack enfolded her body. She stubbornly ground her teeth against the cry of agony that ripped at her throat as the green energy wrenched her soul tearing at the binds that completed her connection with the other mikos. Her insides felt as if they had been set into acid. She fought against the power's attempt to rupture the combined personalities within her. Her own power rose up and consumed the attacking energy within moments.
Breathing hard she slowly lowered her arms. Again Ferlias seemed amused by her. Kagome reached inside of herself recalling the energies that she had combined. They answered her in a second, flaring around her body. Coldness swept all the way through her causing her skin to tingle as if she was standing outside during winter. Her focus became narrowed to one point. She raised her own weapon and allowed her force to flow throughout it, the jewel fragments enhancing it as the youkai energy touched them directly. A smile of anticipation came to her face as Ferlias was encircled this time. His cry of rage and pain so deeply satisfying to her that she was forced to laugh, releasing the feeling into the air. She had never felt so intensely the reward of wounding her enemy. She gloried in it.
The energy tapered off as she pulled it back to see the damage she had done. Ferlias was breathing just as heavy as she had been; a growl escaping with each of his exhales. His robes were tattered now, his hair released from its holder flared wildly about his head. Blood ran from the corner of his mouth and down his chin. He coughed and spat blood onto the ground. His eyes burned into her's, his fury palpable.
Neither of them spoke, both understanding that at last they stood on equal footing.
Kagome stepped forward, her approach gaining in speed as she ran at him. Her blood again was aflame with battle, her energies rising in response to her need. Ferlias also ran forward an earsplitting bellow expressing his anger.
Their swords met with a loud clash of metal. Kagome did not pause, slipping under their swords to place her hand on Ferlias's large chest. The youkai lord grunted in pain as the power flowed into him, surrounding his body in a nimbus of exploding colors. Kagome then moved out from under him, knowing she needed to conserve her power, drawing her blade from his, allowing him to stumble forward as she moved back. Ferlias spun and launched himself at her, flinging his smaller sword away. She brought her sword up, blocking his downward swing. Ferlias reached out with his freehand and grasped the hilt of her sword, his large hand enveloping her smaller one. She bit her lip against the pain of his crushing grip and fed her power into the sword again. It ripped outward, surrounding both of them. She met his eyes in pleasure as a pained grunt came from him. He smiled at her with his own pleasure. She had only a moment to realize just what he intended when his power, now amplified by the jewel fragments, forced itself into her. Her shoulders automatically rounded in a protective motion as a more intense fire swallowed her. Sweat formed on her face instantly as she strained against Ferlias to free herself. Ferlias tightened his grip, his face twisted in repulsive gratification.
Kagome felt the pain threatening her consciousness, attempting to free her from the onslaught of an agony she had never known could be endured. She blinked her eyes rapidly, forcing herself to stay aware. His power clawed at her linking personalities, which fought to remain intact. The battle grew inside of her sending wave after wave of torment through her body. She tasted blood and knew soon it would rise into her throat. Frustrated she spat into Ferlias's face hoping to distract him. His grin only widened. Her reservoir of power was draining from the continued use.
One of her legs gave out and with a cry of furious irritation she fell to one knee. Ferlias bent over her his grip becoming stronger.
"I told you miko, you should have run when you had the chance." He whispered to her.
She glowered at him, "There is always another time Ferlias...always another destiny to right the wrongs you have committed."
"And I will kill them too" He spat as his power flared and intensified.
She finally gave voice to her suffering. A strangled roar that was full of the entirety of her frustration, anger, resentment, and fear. Ferlias began to laugh in triumph. Kagome closed her eyes momentarily attempting to push back to rising misgivings inside of her.
His laugh was cut short as the end of what looked to be a steel staff erupted from his shoulder. Immediately the assault of his power withdrew and Kagome gasped trying to regain her breath. Ferlias, in obvious confusion looked at the protruding end, his face full of bewilderment. Kagome recognized her opportunity and tore her weapon out of Ferlias's grip, throwing herself back out of his reach if he attempted to regain it. Ferlias seemed frozen and unable to cope with the idea that he had been attacked.
Kagome rose shakily and found Miroku standing behind Ferlias, his staff still in his hands. The monk's face was full of fury. With a strong jerk, Miroku brought his staff out of Ferlias and moved back. Ferlias's hand rose to the wound and covered it, as if he could erase it by doing so.
Miroku looked at Kagome then who involuntarily flinched away from the emotions that displayed themselves in his eyes. Miroku shook his head and looked away from her his cheeks beginning to burn with some unknown shame. Kagome longed to speak with him, to understand what exactly was happening. She knew Miroku had to have been affected by his nearness to her unleashed powers; it should have thrown the monk into unconsciousness.
A flash of red was her only warning to the next attack on Ferlias.