[Disclaimer: I own Inu Yasha .…. . … what, you don't believe me?]

Special thanks to LadyRainStarDragon, for your review.

and Hawkeye's Seductress (my beta). Without your support, my creativity would definitely not be as free. It sucks that you are on vacation currently, because I wanted you to edit these chapters!

What it Takes to Be Whole

Chapter 6: The Power of the Moon

Ningen ran furiously down the mountain. He felt himself getting weaker as the power gently escaped his legs.

'Oh no…' he thought to himself. 'The jewel's power is weakening!' Even though his legs ached with the fire of exhaustion, he ran faster and faster, hoping to reach Kaede's shrine in time. The Shikon no Tama (Jewel of Four Souls) sat in front of Kaede, hovering in a dance of ash and smoke that rose from the fire. The jewel was powerful, with so much energy the world could fall to its possessor. But to sustain the blood of a human and a full demon was too much. The life energy that was given to both the Inu Yashas were less than what is necessary to live. Their hearts did not beat as often as they needed to. So without the power of Kaede's spiritual essences, the Inu Yashas would fade into death, like the night sky swallowing the light of the day. So Ningen continues to run over stone and rock, because every step could be his last.

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"Naraku is dead!" he shouted at the Priestess. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. Youkai's claims were farfetched, and as the priestess thought over his words, she couldn't believe him.

"No," she whispered. "How could Naraku be dead?"

"We killed him," Youkai answered. She was struck by his blunt response, but searched his mind for a picture of the past. She wanted to believe him. "Naraku was a foul demon. I slit his throat with my…" before he could finish his sentence his body was choked of air. His eyes shook with pain, as a burning sensation flooded him. Kagome laid in his arms, barely conscious from the earlier attack.

"Inu Yasha?" she whispered. "Inu Yasha, what's wrong??" She felt weak herself, but her worry for the hurting demon brought her up.

"You are dying," said the priestess. Her body glimmered in the light of the sun, like her skin had hid itself from the day for years past. "You shouldn't have left Kaede. You are on her life-support." Youkai looked at her with worry, his hand clutching his heart. Tetsusaiga was laying beside him, lifeless and small just as it once sat in his sheath.

"What do you mean, dying?" Kagome pestered the priestess with concern and anxiety. But she simply turned away from her, tending to the gentle MoonFlowers that blossomed in the dark shadows of the mountain. Kagome held Youkai, trying to ease his pain.

"Leave me alone," Youkai said, pushing her away. "I'll be fine." His scarred face began to slit with cuts, as his skin faded into the ash of the dead.

"Help him!!" she screamed. "You have to help him!!" Her fear was contagious, and soon Youkai was fearing for his life. The priestess slithered over to him, his face turning black from its original colour. She pressed a flower to his forehead and watched as the petals gently fell onto his face. They shone like they contained a thousand tears, and as Youkai felt the gentle flower press against him he felt calm.

"I am not a witch," the priestess confessed. "I cannot bring to life, what is already dead," Her body squirmed on the cold stone. "Inu Yasha, your body will forever be black as the dead. You will bear these marks like a fire breeds cinders, just as it is something for you to accept. Be thankful for your life."

"What will this flower do?" The priestess turned to Kagome and handed her a bouquet.

"Each flower will give to its bearer a day of immortal life," she said. "Without them, my hunger will overtake me and I will die." Kagome's eyes were opened wide in disbelief.

'Why is she making such a sacrifice for us?' she thought. The priestess turned to her. She realized that she must of heard her thoughts and looked to the ground shamefully.

"Because of you, my soul can rest with the truth of Naraku's slaying," she said to her. "Because of you all, I now do not have to live a life of misery, and finally enjoy a passing of happiness," Kagome traced the outline of the petals in her fingers.

"Thank you," she told her. For the first time in 100 years, the priestess smiled.

"No," she replied. "Thank you."

* * *

Ningen had collapsed on the outskirts of Kaede's village. His legs had finally given him no more use, and collapsed from underneath him. Blood poured from cuts on his arms and legs. His body didn't need as much energy as Youkai's, and because of his lower usage his body remained the colour it was, but with black scars grazing his limbs. Now he sat unconscious in Kaede's shrine, resting from his ordeal. He loved Kagome so much, as much as he loved life itself. He wished he was stronger, so that he could prove to her his love. That night he dreamed of what Youkai must feel. The power, the control. Maybe being a demon wasn't that bad after all.

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Thanx a lot for all your reviews. This story was hard to create because the idea was so original. Usually I just have a small idea that incorporates the show. This is way out there. Anywayz, thanx a lot for your support guys. I'll be sure to update soon. (And I know that this chapter is short, but come on, I'm tired!)