Why, how is everyone? Am I catching you in a good mood? Well I sure hope
so. I know I'm happy that I actually have *some* time to type this, even
though I'm supposed to be doing French.........tant pis.
SORRY I'VE TAKEN SO LONG TO WRITE THIS...I'M A LAZY PERSON. IF YOU'RE MAD, YOU CAN HIT ME.
Yay review responses!
KougasMyMan—Thank you for the lovely review! But do I have to get you with Sesshomaru? As dang sexy as he is (OMG if I ever saw him walking down the street I'd faint), I'm not sure how.........receptive he'd be towards me. He might think I'm a crazed fan (which technically I am) and I'd send him away screaming and then I'd feel bad. But I could try though..........if only for Kouga. For one night. Oh bad brain, don't think that way.........Thanx for reviewing!
shadowedtears—hey that is one cool name. It gives me tingles just saying it. Yay I'm on your favorite author's list!! That makes me so excited! Oh and about Shippo.........in chappie five I suggested that he eloped with a walrus demon. Well (seeing how he's aged *cough cough, hint hint* and got more mature) he's gone off with her to have half fox/half walrus demon children. He does make every story happy though. He is coming back, though. Glad you though the feeling up Kagome's leg thing was funny; I'd totally forgotten about it! GASP! Thank you!
Whatever (which is not your real name)—Well, I'm glad you liked it. I think I can write more (French teacher permitting.........). You can most likely guess (should you read this chappie) that no, Saru did not die. I didn't think that it sounded like he had. Oh well. Thank you for a lovely review!
KuroMiko Neko—oh a rhyming name (unless of course I'm pronouncing it wrong.........won't be the first time). You know, I was always under the impression that Naraku was about 98.5% demon. So I suppose that Saru would be what, 49.25% demon? Close enough for me to decide he's half demon, I suppose, since I'm just a tad lazy. I'm so happy you think my story's great and I believe I shall keep updating! Thank you!
Dancing barefoot in my socks AND Brekke—You had too many reviews to ever respond to. I don't think the story's going to be happy, though.........
No one saw the misplaced modifier? Or did nobody care? Well, the last sentence of the chappie 6 is "He took a huge swig of his miasma brew and chuckled as his son's eyes rolled up into his head and slumped onto the forest floor". It sounds like his eyes rolled up AND slumped onto the forest floor, which they didn't! Whoopsies!
Now I know that sometimes people like to infringe on copyrights. I am one of those people. But, because I don't want to be whacked by an anonymous person, I'll add this as a side note: I DO NOT NOR WILL I EVER OWN INUYASHA. Although if you give me some pliers and a welding torch I could—I mean, um, of course I'm not doing anything stupid. I am certainly not going after Inuyasha or his sexy brother Sesshomaru. Don't even think that.
And now (drum roll please), the moment some of you have been waiting for (others dreading): THE NEXT CHAPTER! (me1: I don't think you needed a drum roll for that. Me2: Shut up, yes I did. It's exciting! Me1: No it's not. It's just the bloody next chappie. Everyone ELSE can update his/her stories without breaking into song. Me2: I didn't break into song; I just wanted to be involved in some excitement. Me1: Well lalala to you. Me2: WTF does that mean? Me1: Wouldn't you like to know? Me2: Not really, but thanks for being weird. Me1 (turns towards readers): NOW do you see what I mean? Do you see how nuts she is? Me2: I am NOT! I just have an overactive imagination.)
If you read all that, wow. I am impressed.
BTW—the point of view in this chappie is omniscient. It gets a little screwy, but if you just bear with me, I'm sure it will make sense. I put little asterisks so maybe it will make more sense when the POV changes. Helpful?
The Child Within—Chapter Seven
Saru could feel his eyes draw open, slowly and groggily. He couldn't remember what had happened except for laughter and passing out. He knew that he should feel awful and his muscles should be weary, but it was quite the opposite. He felt like he could take down anything.
As he rolled over and sat up, he gauged his injuries. Nothing hurt when he stretched, and he could find no evidence of scratches or breaks. Oh well, he thought, hungry. Find food.
He smelled the air, looking for something. Catching the scent of a dog, he drew his lips back in a smirk. Dog was always a good, tender meat.
But the scent changed. This was a huge dog, one just about his size. It seemed angry and fearful, not a meal to be tangled with. Bristling slightly, Saru flopped over limply and played opossum, waiting for the dog to go by so he could hunt again.
He could just barely make out its figure in the distance that was rapidly closing. The dog was yelping something, as far as Saru could tell. The sound was systematic, almost like it was calling something. The animal was sprinting and stopping at once place after another, barking at regular intervals.
It then turned its silvery head and saw him. Saru slit his eyes, hoping to look dead so that it wouldn't come and bother him yet so he could still watch this odd animal. The dog started barking at him, scent changing from more anger to more fear. It began galloping towards him on two legs, never stopping the barking. Growling mentally, Saru tensed, preparing for an offensive maneuver if the situation went south.
The sound was beginning to make sense, oddly enough. "Saru!" was what the thing was saying. It crouched down and placed a paw on his arm, shaking him. "Saru, you've got to be okay!" The dog wasn't as bad up close as it had seemed far away. Its golden eyes were moist, and it was wearing people clothes. It was even carrying a weapon. This made Saru smile internally. Stupid thing can't even defend itself; it has to resort to people sticks. Gathering up strength, Saru waited.
**POV CHANGE**
Inuyasha was crestfallen. He had sent Saru to his death. The kid was just lying there, not moving at all. Some animal instinct in him told him something was wrong here, but Inuyasha was too focused on his sadness to realize it. "Dammit, Saru........." he trailed, lowering his head sorrowfully, but unbeknownst to him, foolishly.
Saru chose that moment to leap up and rake his claws across Inuyasha's face. Staggering back, Inuyasha watched in shock as Saru crouched and snarled, saliva pooling in his mouth and dripping out the side. "Saru?" he asked, reaching a hesitant hand out. The creature snapped at his fingers and Inuyasha quickly drew them back, confused. "What the hell?" he asked, watching the animal carefully as it gauged him as well. "C'mon, wake up, kid! Don't let your damn demon side take over!" He was getting more and more frustrated as Saru just glared at him, bristling and growling. This was not his friend, his almost son.
"Don't be like Naraku!" he screamed at the feral creature as its muscles bunched and it leaped out of its crouch (a/n: not to be confused with crotch, which I mistakenly re-read it as) and slammed onto his chest. Inuyasha kicked him off and stood back up as Saru pounced at him again, this time missing. Jumping off a tree, Saru came sailing back at Inuyasha and crashed into his legs, making the dog demon fall once more. They wrestled on the ground, both equally strong. But Inuyasha's strength was ebbing as he fought the younger, more heedless demon.
"Dammit, you idiot!" shrieked Inuyasha, tossing Saru to the side. With a solid thwack he hit a tree, stunning him. Shaking in anger and frustration, Inuyasha whipped out Tetsusaiga and was about to do the wind scar when he paused and remembered that he couldn't kill Saru; it wasn't even a question of willfulness, he just wasn't able to. Groaning, he lowered Tetsusaiga.
Saru jerked up and shook his head to clear it. Then he snarled, smirking as he drew closer to the wary dog demon. Drawing back his head like a cobra, he spat purple phlegm (a/n: is phlegm nose gunk, or am I wrong? Well, he shot nose gunk) which then formed a bubble around Inuyasha. The dog demon struggled, but he couldn't move far in all the mucous, nor could he breathe. He began to feel woozy and his throes began to weaken. He heard a searing noise, and felt the sticky substance around his legs dissolve. Tetsusaiga! He thought faintly as the rest came off and he slumped to the ground, narrowly avoiding landing on his sword (a/n: a terrible way to die, non?)
He gained his strength back rather quickly and sat so he was kneeling. Saru was approaching, grinning like a damn monkey, and there was nothing Inuyasha could do except kneel there.
Suddenly Saru's eyes widened and their red receded. He fell to the ground, screaming and smoking a little. Inuyasha gazed on in shock. When Saru raised his head slightly, he looked normal, although pale, sweaty and tremoring faintly. "Inuyasha, I'm sorry," he gulped out, convulsing again. Once he had more control, he continued, "I can't fight it! Help me, please!" His groan bubbled out of his mouth with some blood and he shook again. His nails were shifting length wildly.
"How?" asked Inuyasha, clutching a gash on his stomach.
"I don't know ARRGH! Naraku ergh made me like this!" He was panting heavily and shaking non-stop now.
"HOW?"
"I drank something with Kingswort and friggin miasma in it! Ah, I can't hold it off anymore!" He shuddered violently then was still. He looked up, eyes bright red, and grinned slowly.
"Oh shit," said Inuyasha, leaving Tetsusaiga and leaping away as a set of claws came after him. He dodged again and again, but he could only keep it up for so long. He was panting and sweating, but the demon-Saru wasn't even breathing hard. He just kept swinging his claws without care.
Saru stopped abruptly and smelled the air. A smile lighted his face and he leaped away. "Where do you think you're going?" Inuyasha took off after him. He began to go faster when he smelled Kagome's scent. "Oh dammit," he cursed as he tried to reach her.
"Saru!" Kagome said, spreading her arms to hug her son. Instead of leaping into her embrace, he grabbed her upper arms and threw her down on the ground with a solid thwack, sitting on her.
She squealed and flailed when she saw his drooling face. "Ah, it's Kikyo!" he said in a horrible, raspy voice. "No wait......it's not Kikyo. Her scent's different. Ah well, you'll do for now." He chuckled and pinned her thrashing legs down, straddling her.
**POV CHANGE, I THINK**
A fist connected into the side of Saru's head and he went flying. Flipping in the air and landing on his feet, he looked at the white figure standing over his woman. "Naraku, back down! My woman!" he said as he stood up hesitantly and walked forward, studying his father's movements.
"No, Saru, it's my woman. Just because I made you stronger doesn't give you any more rights." He advanced on Kagome, who had been sidling away. "Ah, ah, Kagome. You are mine." She locked her jaw and glared, not moving.
Inuyasha had stopped running and stood still, waiting. He had the gut feeling that he shouldn't interrupt the feud unless he wanted to die a slow and painful death.
Naraku wheeled back at the sound of Saru's harsh laughter. "You think she want you? No one want you. At least I half and half, but what are you? You a mutt; you not know what you are. Not even Kikyo the Goddess (a/n: erlack, even typing that makes me sick) like you. You only able to steal other's women and rape them."
The full baboon demon snarled, eyes reddening. "You did not just say that." He took a forceful step forward, every muscle in his body tense. His eyes flared and he charged forward. He cried out in fury like a mother would when she found her child dead.
Saru steeled himself and parried a kick and a fist, feeling invincible......
Until a clawed hand rammed into his stomach, causing a sizeable hole.
Screaming in pain, he slumped over his father's fist. Naraku threw him to the ground, anger vanishing as he watched his son writhe. "Hmph. Not as strong as I have a need for. Now you can die knowing that you have no purpose."
Naraku shot out sticky webbing at Inuyasha, pinning him (yet again) to a tree. He struggled, trying to get free.
Saru felt the pain increasing as his body transformed back into its normal form. He groaned miserably and opened his eyes. The image was foggy, but he could just see Naraku slowly stalking his mom, who had stood up now. He pulled himself onto his forearms, despite the shoots of pain throbbing from his stomach. Inching slowly forward, he kept his eyes focused on his mother, so he could remember her. 'She has fearless eyes' was all he could force himself to notice.
Kagome turned toward him slightly and saw his movement. He shook his head slowly and marginally, continuing to her. She gave the barest of nods and turned back, tears welling in her eyes.
Shimmying forward, he stretched out his hand to grasp Naraku's calf. Power surged in him as he wailed "I have a purpose to destroy you!" The pain dulled, and he could feel feathery lightness coming from deep within him and leaving through his hand. Naraku screamed pitifully and boiled like water until he became a bubbly puddle of brown slime.
The pain kicked right back in as he fell the short distance back to the ground. He was so tired, he could barely see Kagome come up to him or feel her hand stroking his shoulder. "I'm sorry for being such a burden," he whispered.
"You never were, Saru," he heard her say. Inuyasha came, now that the webbing had dissolved as well. He put his hand on Kagome's kneeling form, allowing a small smile to cross his face.
"I guess this means I'm out of the club, right?" Saru chuckled weakly.
Inuyasha shook his head. "You're gonna be our honorary hero. I mean, you killed Naraku. You finally got to fight demons."
"I did, didn't I? Well, at least I still have my family." He looked at them for a moment, and then closed his eyes. His chest stopped its rhythmic rise and fall, and Inuyasha smelled the horrible scent of death fresh in the air.
Inuyasha sat down next to Kagome, still watching Saru. Kagome rested her head on his chest. "That's our Saru," she said as the tears started falling. Pulling her into a hug, Inuyasha buried his face in her hair as he began to cry to. She hugged him back, squeezing with all her strength. They sat with their son, crying and hugging in despair.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Well, that was......DEPRESSING. Sorry, all those who wanted a happy ending. I'm especially sorry to Whatever, because I told you Saru wasn't dead. Well, um, ergh.
Hey, um, things will be happy now. I mean, Naraku's gone! Everything's hunky-dory!
Kikyo: Except I'm still here.
Me: Yeah, I'm going to have to work on fixing that.
K: What?
Me: You heard me. I mean hell, you're already dead. All we have to do is get the gigantic soul catcher demon back and it can eat you. It's not like you'll feel any pain.
((AWKWARD SILENCE))
Sorry about that. Well, anyway, we all knew it was coming, so we can't be too shocked. Questions or complaints, review the story and TELL ME. Otherwise I won't know what you want to happen to—never mind, I can't give away my next story! Well, actually, I don't have one, but I have a one- sentence semi-plot!
SORRY I'VE TAKEN SO LONG TO WRITE THIS...I'M A LAZY PERSON. IF YOU'RE MAD, YOU CAN HIT ME.
Yay review responses!
KougasMyMan—Thank you for the lovely review! But do I have to get you with Sesshomaru? As dang sexy as he is (OMG if I ever saw him walking down the street I'd faint), I'm not sure how.........receptive he'd be towards me. He might think I'm a crazed fan (which technically I am) and I'd send him away screaming and then I'd feel bad. But I could try though..........if only for Kouga. For one night. Oh bad brain, don't think that way.........Thanx for reviewing!
shadowedtears—hey that is one cool name. It gives me tingles just saying it. Yay I'm on your favorite author's list!! That makes me so excited! Oh and about Shippo.........in chappie five I suggested that he eloped with a walrus demon. Well (seeing how he's aged *cough cough, hint hint* and got more mature) he's gone off with her to have half fox/half walrus demon children. He does make every story happy though. He is coming back, though. Glad you though the feeling up Kagome's leg thing was funny; I'd totally forgotten about it! GASP! Thank you!
Whatever (which is not your real name)—Well, I'm glad you liked it. I think I can write more (French teacher permitting.........). You can most likely guess (should you read this chappie) that no, Saru did not die. I didn't think that it sounded like he had. Oh well. Thank you for a lovely review!
KuroMiko Neko—oh a rhyming name (unless of course I'm pronouncing it wrong.........won't be the first time). You know, I was always under the impression that Naraku was about 98.5% demon. So I suppose that Saru would be what, 49.25% demon? Close enough for me to decide he's half demon, I suppose, since I'm just a tad lazy. I'm so happy you think my story's great and I believe I shall keep updating! Thank you!
Dancing barefoot in my socks AND Brekke—You had too many reviews to ever respond to. I don't think the story's going to be happy, though.........
No one saw the misplaced modifier? Or did nobody care? Well, the last sentence of the chappie 6 is "He took a huge swig of his miasma brew and chuckled as his son's eyes rolled up into his head and slumped onto the forest floor". It sounds like his eyes rolled up AND slumped onto the forest floor, which they didn't! Whoopsies!
Now I know that sometimes people like to infringe on copyrights. I am one of those people. But, because I don't want to be whacked by an anonymous person, I'll add this as a side note: I DO NOT NOR WILL I EVER OWN INUYASHA. Although if you give me some pliers and a welding torch I could—I mean, um, of course I'm not doing anything stupid. I am certainly not going after Inuyasha or his sexy brother Sesshomaru. Don't even think that.
And now (drum roll please), the moment some of you have been waiting for (others dreading): THE NEXT CHAPTER! (me1: I don't think you needed a drum roll for that. Me2: Shut up, yes I did. It's exciting! Me1: No it's not. It's just the bloody next chappie. Everyone ELSE can update his/her stories without breaking into song. Me2: I didn't break into song; I just wanted to be involved in some excitement. Me1: Well lalala to you. Me2: WTF does that mean? Me1: Wouldn't you like to know? Me2: Not really, but thanks for being weird. Me1 (turns towards readers): NOW do you see what I mean? Do you see how nuts she is? Me2: I am NOT! I just have an overactive imagination.)
If you read all that, wow. I am impressed.
BTW—the point of view in this chappie is omniscient. It gets a little screwy, but if you just bear with me, I'm sure it will make sense. I put little asterisks so maybe it will make more sense when the POV changes. Helpful?
The Child Within—Chapter Seven
Saru could feel his eyes draw open, slowly and groggily. He couldn't remember what had happened except for laughter and passing out. He knew that he should feel awful and his muscles should be weary, but it was quite the opposite. He felt like he could take down anything.
As he rolled over and sat up, he gauged his injuries. Nothing hurt when he stretched, and he could find no evidence of scratches or breaks. Oh well, he thought, hungry. Find food.
He smelled the air, looking for something. Catching the scent of a dog, he drew his lips back in a smirk. Dog was always a good, tender meat.
But the scent changed. This was a huge dog, one just about his size. It seemed angry and fearful, not a meal to be tangled with. Bristling slightly, Saru flopped over limply and played opossum, waiting for the dog to go by so he could hunt again.
He could just barely make out its figure in the distance that was rapidly closing. The dog was yelping something, as far as Saru could tell. The sound was systematic, almost like it was calling something. The animal was sprinting and stopping at once place after another, barking at regular intervals.
It then turned its silvery head and saw him. Saru slit his eyes, hoping to look dead so that it wouldn't come and bother him yet so he could still watch this odd animal. The dog started barking at him, scent changing from more anger to more fear. It began galloping towards him on two legs, never stopping the barking. Growling mentally, Saru tensed, preparing for an offensive maneuver if the situation went south.
The sound was beginning to make sense, oddly enough. "Saru!" was what the thing was saying. It crouched down and placed a paw on his arm, shaking him. "Saru, you've got to be okay!" The dog wasn't as bad up close as it had seemed far away. Its golden eyes were moist, and it was wearing people clothes. It was even carrying a weapon. This made Saru smile internally. Stupid thing can't even defend itself; it has to resort to people sticks. Gathering up strength, Saru waited.
**POV CHANGE**
Inuyasha was crestfallen. He had sent Saru to his death. The kid was just lying there, not moving at all. Some animal instinct in him told him something was wrong here, but Inuyasha was too focused on his sadness to realize it. "Dammit, Saru........." he trailed, lowering his head sorrowfully, but unbeknownst to him, foolishly.
Saru chose that moment to leap up and rake his claws across Inuyasha's face. Staggering back, Inuyasha watched in shock as Saru crouched and snarled, saliva pooling in his mouth and dripping out the side. "Saru?" he asked, reaching a hesitant hand out. The creature snapped at his fingers and Inuyasha quickly drew them back, confused. "What the hell?" he asked, watching the animal carefully as it gauged him as well. "C'mon, wake up, kid! Don't let your damn demon side take over!" He was getting more and more frustrated as Saru just glared at him, bristling and growling. This was not his friend, his almost son.
"Don't be like Naraku!" he screamed at the feral creature as its muscles bunched and it leaped out of its crouch (a/n: not to be confused with crotch, which I mistakenly re-read it as) and slammed onto his chest. Inuyasha kicked him off and stood back up as Saru pounced at him again, this time missing. Jumping off a tree, Saru came sailing back at Inuyasha and crashed into his legs, making the dog demon fall once more. They wrestled on the ground, both equally strong. But Inuyasha's strength was ebbing as he fought the younger, more heedless demon.
"Dammit, you idiot!" shrieked Inuyasha, tossing Saru to the side. With a solid thwack he hit a tree, stunning him. Shaking in anger and frustration, Inuyasha whipped out Tetsusaiga and was about to do the wind scar when he paused and remembered that he couldn't kill Saru; it wasn't even a question of willfulness, he just wasn't able to. Groaning, he lowered Tetsusaiga.
Saru jerked up and shook his head to clear it. Then he snarled, smirking as he drew closer to the wary dog demon. Drawing back his head like a cobra, he spat purple phlegm (a/n: is phlegm nose gunk, or am I wrong? Well, he shot nose gunk) which then formed a bubble around Inuyasha. The dog demon struggled, but he couldn't move far in all the mucous, nor could he breathe. He began to feel woozy and his throes began to weaken. He heard a searing noise, and felt the sticky substance around his legs dissolve. Tetsusaiga! He thought faintly as the rest came off and he slumped to the ground, narrowly avoiding landing on his sword (a/n: a terrible way to die, non?)
He gained his strength back rather quickly and sat so he was kneeling. Saru was approaching, grinning like a damn monkey, and there was nothing Inuyasha could do except kneel there.
Suddenly Saru's eyes widened and their red receded. He fell to the ground, screaming and smoking a little. Inuyasha gazed on in shock. When Saru raised his head slightly, he looked normal, although pale, sweaty and tremoring faintly. "Inuyasha, I'm sorry," he gulped out, convulsing again. Once he had more control, he continued, "I can't fight it! Help me, please!" His groan bubbled out of his mouth with some blood and he shook again. His nails were shifting length wildly.
"How?" asked Inuyasha, clutching a gash on his stomach.
"I don't know ARRGH! Naraku ergh made me like this!" He was panting heavily and shaking non-stop now.
"HOW?"
"I drank something with Kingswort and friggin miasma in it! Ah, I can't hold it off anymore!" He shuddered violently then was still. He looked up, eyes bright red, and grinned slowly.
"Oh shit," said Inuyasha, leaving Tetsusaiga and leaping away as a set of claws came after him. He dodged again and again, but he could only keep it up for so long. He was panting and sweating, but the demon-Saru wasn't even breathing hard. He just kept swinging his claws without care.
Saru stopped abruptly and smelled the air. A smile lighted his face and he leaped away. "Where do you think you're going?" Inuyasha took off after him. He began to go faster when he smelled Kagome's scent. "Oh dammit," he cursed as he tried to reach her.
"Saru!" Kagome said, spreading her arms to hug her son. Instead of leaping into her embrace, he grabbed her upper arms and threw her down on the ground with a solid thwack, sitting on her.
She squealed and flailed when she saw his drooling face. "Ah, it's Kikyo!" he said in a horrible, raspy voice. "No wait......it's not Kikyo. Her scent's different. Ah well, you'll do for now." He chuckled and pinned her thrashing legs down, straddling her.
**POV CHANGE, I THINK**
A fist connected into the side of Saru's head and he went flying. Flipping in the air and landing on his feet, he looked at the white figure standing over his woman. "Naraku, back down! My woman!" he said as he stood up hesitantly and walked forward, studying his father's movements.
"No, Saru, it's my woman. Just because I made you stronger doesn't give you any more rights." He advanced on Kagome, who had been sidling away. "Ah, ah, Kagome. You are mine." She locked her jaw and glared, not moving.
Inuyasha had stopped running and stood still, waiting. He had the gut feeling that he shouldn't interrupt the feud unless he wanted to die a slow and painful death.
Naraku wheeled back at the sound of Saru's harsh laughter. "You think she want you? No one want you. At least I half and half, but what are you? You a mutt; you not know what you are. Not even Kikyo the Goddess (a/n: erlack, even typing that makes me sick) like you. You only able to steal other's women and rape them."
The full baboon demon snarled, eyes reddening. "You did not just say that." He took a forceful step forward, every muscle in his body tense. His eyes flared and he charged forward. He cried out in fury like a mother would when she found her child dead.
Saru steeled himself and parried a kick and a fist, feeling invincible......
Until a clawed hand rammed into his stomach, causing a sizeable hole.
Screaming in pain, he slumped over his father's fist. Naraku threw him to the ground, anger vanishing as he watched his son writhe. "Hmph. Not as strong as I have a need for. Now you can die knowing that you have no purpose."
Naraku shot out sticky webbing at Inuyasha, pinning him (yet again) to a tree. He struggled, trying to get free.
Saru felt the pain increasing as his body transformed back into its normal form. He groaned miserably and opened his eyes. The image was foggy, but he could just see Naraku slowly stalking his mom, who had stood up now. He pulled himself onto his forearms, despite the shoots of pain throbbing from his stomach. Inching slowly forward, he kept his eyes focused on his mother, so he could remember her. 'She has fearless eyes' was all he could force himself to notice.
Kagome turned toward him slightly and saw his movement. He shook his head slowly and marginally, continuing to her. She gave the barest of nods and turned back, tears welling in her eyes.
Shimmying forward, he stretched out his hand to grasp Naraku's calf. Power surged in him as he wailed "I have a purpose to destroy you!" The pain dulled, and he could feel feathery lightness coming from deep within him and leaving through his hand. Naraku screamed pitifully and boiled like water until he became a bubbly puddle of brown slime.
The pain kicked right back in as he fell the short distance back to the ground. He was so tired, he could barely see Kagome come up to him or feel her hand stroking his shoulder. "I'm sorry for being such a burden," he whispered.
"You never were, Saru," he heard her say. Inuyasha came, now that the webbing had dissolved as well. He put his hand on Kagome's kneeling form, allowing a small smile to cross his face.
"I guess this means I'm out of the club, right?" Saru chuckled weakly.
Inuyasha shook his head. "You're gonna be our honorary hero. I mean, you killed Naraku. You finally got to fight demons."
"I did, didn't I? Well, at least I still have my family." He looked at them for a moment, and then closed his eyes. His chest stopped its rhythmic rise and fall, and Inuyasha smelled the horrible scent of death fresh in the air.
Inuyasha sat down next to Kagome, still watching Saru. Kagome rested her head on his chest. "That's our Saru," she said as the tears started falling. Pulling her into a hug, Inuyasha buried his face in her hair as he began to cry to. She hugged him back, squeezing with all her strength. They sat with their son, crying and hugging in despair.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Well, that was......DEPRESSING. Sorry, all those who wanted a happy ending. I'm especially sorry to Whatever, because I told you Saru wasn't dead. Well, um, ergh.
Hey, um, things will be happy now. I mean, Naraku's gone! Everything's hunky-dory!
Kikyo: Except I'm still here.
Me: Yeah, I'm going to have to work on fixing that.
K: What?
Me: You heard me. I mean hell, you're already dead. All we have to do is get the gigantic soul catcher demon back and it can eat you. It's not like you'll feel any pain.
((AWKWARD SILENCE))
Sorry about that. Well, anyway, we all knew it was coming, so we can't be too shocked. Questions or complaints, review the story and TELL ME. Otherwise I won't know what you want to happen to—never mind, I can't give away my next story! Well, actually, I don't have one, but I have a one- sentence semi-plot!