Don't have much to say so I'll make this short. Read and enjoy.
Chapter 11: Solution
The sun was beginning to sink below the trees as the Inuyasha gang finally reached the village of Kaede. The sky was filled with a beautiful collage of colors and everything was calm. Seeking the elder the group entered her hut and found the old woman meditating on the floor.
"Good evening Kaede." Kagome greeted as the group gathered around. "We have returned from our quest to check up on you and brainstorm."
"I don't want to spend any more time like this if I had it my way." Inuyasha added helpfully. "I'm looking forward to participating in the fights and not cowering on the sidelines. In fact. . ."
"In fact." Miroku cut in. "We are here to see if you have made any progress in the mystery of returning everyone's bodies to their rightful owners."
Kaede opened her eyes to look at the people before her. "Yes I believe I have discovered some significant insight on the subject."
"Well what is it?" Inuyasha asked eagerly.
"Be ye warned Ye will not like my solution." Kaede said.
"Get on with it old hag!" Inuyasha growled impatiently.
Kaede gave Inuyasha an annoyed glance and continued. "I believe that if ye wish to return to your natural bodies the Shikon no Tama is the key."
"That makes sense." Shippo said. "The jewel was the only thing that had enough power to make the switch possible."
Kaede nodded. "My reasoning precisely. I think that since Kagome is the guardian of the Jewel It chose to save her when she was on the brink of death. Being Kikyo's reincarnation, the Shikon no Tama felt that it needed to preserve her life in any means possible. This resulted in thy transformation."
"Blah blah blah. We know all that already." Inuyasha yelled "So how do you reverse the damn thing!?"
"Shut up Inuyasha." Sango remarked "She's getting there."
Inuyasha looked ready to Sango a lesson but a stare by Kagome was enough to pacify him.
"Anyways." Kaede started "In order to undo the effects of the Jewel I'm afraid that we will have to put ye at some discomfort." She turned to look at Kagome. "I'm almost certain that the circumstances of the switch must be recreated in order for it to occur again."
The group looked shocked as what they were told sunk in.
Miroku spoke aloud. "So you're saying that Kagome must be poisoned almost to the brink of death?"
"That is correct." Said the priestess unhappily. "Though I don't believe that Kagome has to be poisoned. Poison is extremely hard to control, and using it could result in an unplanned death. Kagome must be on the verge of dying and Inuyasha must be the closest soul to her."
"NO WAY!" Inuyasha raged. "There is no way in hell I am going to let Kagome die!"
"There is no other way of going about it child." Kaede responded "Besides she will not be killed. She just needs to be hurt badly enough so that the Shikon no Tama will respond. Unless you have a better notion?"
Inuyasha was nullified though he still looked very doubtful about the plan.
While this was being discussed Kagome was very still. "I have to allow myself to be injured to the point of death?" she thought to herself. The very topic of death sent a shiver down her spine and the thought of her own demise was even harder to think about. Suddenly Kagome was seized by fear as it fully sank in. "Is there any way that we can be sure that you won't kill me all the way on accident?" Kagome inquired in a shaky voice
"We shalt use a more controlled method of getting ye to the state that ye need to be in. Perhaps ye will have to be pierced with a sword to get the effect we need."
Sango put a reassuring arm on Kagome's shoulder. "Don't worry Kagome. We will be with you at all times. If you want I can help you with the initial thrust. With all my years a youkai exterminator I have a good notion of where I need to stab you."
"No." Inuyasha interrupted. "She is in my body and I know it better than anyone. If anyone should deliver the blow it should be me."
The group looked at him in surprise.
"He does have a good point." Miroku said at last. "He knows all of his weak spots and limitations."
Everyone agreed that this was the suitable way to go.
"Kagome maybe you should rest another day to prepare for your ordeal." Sango suggested. "Perhaps we can execute the plan tomorrow afternoon?" she asked.
"That is a very good plan." Kaede said to the huntress. Turning to Kagome she said "Relax and calm yourself. Then we will do what needs to be done."
Kagome nodded sullenly. "Yeah. . . Sounds like a good plan. Well I guess I'll start on my rest right now. Good night everyone." She said excusing herself from the hut to go find a place to sleep.
The party stayed up a little longer discussing various scenarios and different alternatives. However, finally a decision was reached and everyone turned in hoping that Kagome would be strong.
************************************************************************
Meanwhile in a castle far away a man with a spider shaped scar on his back sat staring into a small mirror held by a little girl.
A small smile crept across his face as he heard about the difficulties that his enemies were experiencing. He had heard everything about their plans for correcting the problem, and it seemed like a perfect opportunity to create some more mischief. Already a plot was forming in his mind.
"Soon." He said to himself. "Soon I shall inflict great pain upon my nemesis. No one crosses paths with Naraku without paying dearly."
An evil laugh pierced the air and the aura of darkness surrounding the castle grew even more vile. Death was on the horizon.
************************************************************************
Kagome awoke from her perch on top of the sacred tree in the forest of Inuyasha. Birds were singing, the warmth from the sun felt pleasant as it played across her skin, and a cool breeze soothed her with whispers of reassurance.
Kagome sighed. "Everything is so beautiful for such a dreadful day." She said to herself. She had a hard time getting to sleep the night before with nightmares of the grim reaper looming. These dreams always ended with a sharp pain in her abdomen and a sword protruding from her chest.
Kagome shivered from the rapidly fading memories and regarded the tree on which she sat. It was the place where Kagome had been freed of nightmares. Once she had settled down on the tree's limbs she felt somehow protected by it and Inuyasha.
"Nothing bad will happen with Inuyasha to protect me." She reminded herself.
She sat, musing to herself until she was started back to reality by a voice.
"Kagome!" Someone was calling her.
Kagome leaped from the tree and landed softly on the ground. Then using her senses she discovered the speaker.
Inuyasha was sitting standing on the temple steps waiting expectantly. "We all wondered where you disappeared to. You've been missing all morning. Not having second thoughts are you?"
"What do you think?" Kagome asked the girl standing in front of her "Of course I am. I don't like the idea of willingly submitting to the cold that I experienced the last time." She shivered. "You have no idea how terrible it was."
Inuyasha's face immediately changed from jocular to serious. "Yes I do."
Afterwards a long silence reigned.
"Would you take a walk with me?" Inuyasha asked finally.
Surprised Kagome just nodded and followed Inuyasha's lead as he went down the steps and into the forest.
For awhile the two just admired the scenery, but things got more interesting when Inuyasha slipped his hand into Kagome's. The couple walked on in silence just taking comfort in the other's presence.
Finally, Kagome and Inuyasha returned to the village. Kaede had placed a mat upon the floor of the hut and made sure that medical supplies and water were handy in preparation. Tetsusaiga lay sheathed upon a nearby table.
Miroku, Sango, Kirara, and Shippo were all on hand to give Kagome hugs and words of encouragement.
The time had come. Wordlessly Kagome took of the haori and white undershirt, folding them neatly, she placed them on the ground. She lay in the designated position and clasped the Shikon no Tama around her neck.
Grimly Inuyasha drew his finger upon the floor, and traced an X on Kagome's chest with the dust. He drew Tetsusaiga, which transformed in his hands. He placed the blade's point on the X and paused.
Inuyasha took Kagome's hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I'll be right here." He promised her.
She nodded and took a few deep breathes in anticipation. Finally, she nodded.
Inuyasha looked deeply into Kagome's eyes and noiselessly mouthed "I Love You."
He drove the blade into Kagome's chest. Kagome's eyes went wide in shock and her mouth opened slightly. Her hand tightened around Inuyasha's as if it were her anchor to life.
Quickly Inuyasha pulled the blade from Kagome's body and watched as his loved one lay in pain. "This better work or I will follow you." He thought to himself as he gritted his teeth to wait.
************************************************************************
The Shikon no Tama around Kagome's neck began to pulsate slightly with power.
************************************************************************
"Look!" Shippo cried. "The Jewel is beginning to glow!"
"That's right!" Sango shouted with glee "It is going to work!"
BOOM! A huge explosion ripped the roof off of the hut. It landed a few yards away and a large wall of dust spewed forth from the impact.
"What?!" Miroku yelled as he looked through the blanket of dust for the attacker.
Suddenly a white baboon cloak burst forth from the gloom and a tentacle seized the Shikon no Tama from around the dying Kagome's neck.
As suddenly as it had arrived the puppet of Naraku vanished into the murk and could be seen no more. A horrible laugh filled the air that accompanied a voice. "Now the Shikon no Tama is mine. These shards will complete my collection, and so it seems, condemn Kagome to death."
Inuyasha charged out of the decimated hut in search of his foe. "Where are you Naraku! Show yourself!"
"May she rot in hell with your conscience Inuyasha." A cold voice returned. "You murderer! You have slain her with your own hand! As much as I'd love to see Kagome's final spasms I'm afraid I must be leaving. I have too many plans."
With that a whirlwind drove the dust away. When the screen cleared there was no trace of Naraku and all that could be heard was Kagome's labored breathing.
"DAMN YOU NARAKU!" Inuyasha screamed in fury to the open air. "I SWEAR YOU WILL DIE BEFORE THE DAY IS OUT!"
Suddenly he realized. "KAGOME!" he bellowed as he ran back to the remains of the hut. Kaede and Sango were tending to the hanyou upon the floor.
"Kaede you must heal her! We cannot go through with this until we have the Shikon no Tama!" he commanded the elder.
Sadly the older woman looked up from Kagome. "I'm sorry Inuyasha there is no way that I can treat this sort of wound with my resources. It seems you did too good a job."
"You mean. I killed her?!" Inuyasha asked fearing the worst.
"No, child you haven't. However, I give her two hours. . . three tops until death does claim her."
"Well then we will just have to take her to present day Tokyo where they have the technology to save her." Sango said gaining her feet.
"I'm afraid it's not so simple as that Sango." Miroku stated. "Without the Jewel of Four Souls we cannot travel to the modern era."
"But there has to be something that we can do." Shippo whined with tears in his eyes. "Kagome can't just die!"
Inuyasha's look of sadness suddenly changed to one of anger. "We can kill Naraku." He looked at the rest of the part in turn. "It is the only way to retrieve the Jewel Shard."
"But that's impossible!" Sango exclaimed. "We have no idea where he is!"
"Nonetheless we have to try." Inuyasha said with a renewed look of determination on his face.
"So let me get this straight." Miroku said. "First we have to locate Naraku, which is something that we have never been able to do at will. Then after that we have to kill the bastard, which may be completely impossible due to the fact that he is now more powerful than ever with the complete Shikon no Tama in his possession. Then lastly we have to use the jewel to restore you to your bodies and take you (Inuyasha will be back in his body after the exchange) to the modern era to receive medical treatment, which may or may not succeed. And all of this has to be done in three hours at most!
"That's about the size of it." Inuyasha agreed grimly cracking his knuckles. "And we will succeed." He picked up a bow and quiver of arrows and set out towards the forest.
"We have to. . ."
OOhhhh what will happen next? I know! I know! But you, my faithful readers, will have to wait for my next chapter. Wow I feel so evil letting you stew but it can't be helped. Tell me what you thought of this chappie. Review. There will be 2-3 more so enjoy while you still can.
Chapter 11: Solution
The sun was beginning to sink below the trees as the Inuyasha gang finally reached the village of Kaede. The sky was filled with a beautiful collage of colors and everything was calm. Seeking the elder the group entered her hut and found the old woman meditating on the floor.
"Good evening Kaede." Kagome greeted as the group gathered around. "We have returned from our quest to check up on you and brainstorm."
"I don't want to spend any more time like this if I had it my way." Inuyasha added helpfully. "I'm looking forward to participating in the fights and not cowering on the sidelines. In fact. . ."
"In fact." Miroku cut in. "We are here to see if you have made any progress in the mystery of returning everyone's bodies to their rightful owners."
Kaede opened her eyes to look at the people before her. "Yes I believe I have discovered some significant insight on the subject."
"Well what is it?" Inuyasha asked eagerly.
"Be ye warned Ye will not like my solution." Kaede said.
"Get on with it old hag!" Inuyasha growled impatiently.
Kaede gave Inuyasha an annoyed glance and continued. "I believe that if ye wish to return to your natural bodies the Shikon no Tama is the key."
"That makes sense." Shippo said. "The jewel was the only thing that had enough power to make the switch possible."
Kaede nodded. "My reasoning precisely. I think that since Kagome is the guardian of the Jewel It chose to save her when she was on the brink of death. Being Kikyo's reincarnation, the Shikon no Tama felt that it needed to preserve her life in any means possible. This resulted in thy transformation."
"Blah blah blah. We know all that already." Inuyasha yelled "So how do you reverse the damn thing!?"
"Shut up Inuyasha." Sango remarked "She's getting there."
Inuyasha looked ready to Sango a lesson but a stare by Kagome was enough to pacify him.
"Anyways." Kaede started "In order to undo the effects of the Jewel I'm afraid that we will have to put ye at some discomfort." She turned to look at Kagome. "I'm almost certain that the circumstances of the switch must be recreated in order for it to occur again."
The group looked shocked as what they were told sunk in.
Miroku spoke aloud. "So you're saying that Kagome must be poisoned almost to the brink of death?"
"That is correct." Said the priestess unhappily. "Though I don't believe that Kagome has to be poisoned. Poison is extremely hard to control, and using it could result in an unplanned death. Kagome must be on the verge of dying and Inuyasha must be the closest soul to her."
"NO WAY!" Inuyasha raged. "There is no way in hell I am going to let Kagome die!"
"There is no other way of going about it child." Kaede responded "Besides she will not be killed. She just needs to be hurt badly enough so that the Shikon no Tama will respond. Unless you have a better notion?"
Inuyasha was nullified though he still looked very doubtful about the plan.
While this was being discussed Kagome was very still. "I have to allow myself to be injured to the point of death?" she thought to herself. The very topic of death sent a shiver down her spine and the thought of her own demise was even harder to think about. Suddenly Kagome was seized by fear as it fully sank in. "Is there any way that we can be sure that you won't kill me all the way on accident?" Kagome inquired in a shaky voice
"We shalt use a more controlled method of getting ye to the state that ye need to be in. Perhaps ye will have to be pierced with a sword to get the effect we need."
Sango put a reassuring arm on Kagome's shoulder. "Don't worry Kagome. We will be with you at all times. If you want I can help you with the initial thrust. With all my years a youkai exterminator I have a good notion of where I need to stab you."
"No." Inuyasha interrupted. "She is in my body and I know it better than anyone. If anyone should deliver the blow it should be me."
The group looked at him in surprise.
"He does have a good point." Miroku said at last. "He knows all of his weak spots and limitations."
Everyone agreed that this was the suitable way to go.
"Kagome maybe you should rest another day to prepare for your ordeal." Sango suggested. "Perhaps we can execute the plan tomorrow afternoon?" she asked.
"That is a very good plan." Kaede said to the huntress. Turning to Kagome she said "Relax and calm yourself. Then we will do what needs to be done."
Kagome nodded sullenly. "Yeah. . . Sounds like a good plan. Well I guess I'll start on my rest right now. Good night everyone." She said excusing herself from the hut to go find a place to sleep.
The party stayed up a little longer discussing various scenarios and different alternatives. However, finally a decision was reached and everyone turned in hoping that Kagome would be strong.
************************************************************************
Meanwhile in a castle far away a man with a spider shaped scar on his back sat staring into a small mirror held by a little girl.
A small smile crept across his face as he heard about the difficulties that his enemies were experiencing. He had heard everything about their plans for correcting the problem, and it seemed like a perfect opportunity to create some more mischief. Already a plot was forming in his mind.
"Soon." He said to himself. "Soon I shall inflict great pain upon my nemesis. No one crosses paths with Naraku without paying dearly."
An evil laugh pierced the air and the aura of darkness surrounding the castle grew even more vile. Death was on the horizon.
************************************************************************
Kagome awoke from her perch on top of the sacred tree in the forest of Inuyasha. Birds were singing, the warmth from the sun felt pleasant as it played across her skin, and a cool breeze soothed her with whispers of reassurance.
Kagome sighed. "Everything is so beautiful for such a dreadful day." She said to herself. She had a hard time getting to sleep the night before with nightmares of the grim reaper looming. These dreams always ended with a sharp pain in her abdomen and a sword protruding from her chest.
Kagome shivered from the rapidly fading memories and regarded the tree on which she sat. It was the place where Kagome had been freed of nightmares. Once she had settled down on the tree's limbs she felt somehow protected by it and Inuyasha.
"Nothing bad will happen with Inuyasha to protect me." She reminded herself.
She sat, musing to herself until she was started back to reality by a voice.
"Kagome!" Someone was calling her.
Kagome leaped from the tree and landed softly on the ground. Then using her senses she discovered the speaker.
Inuyasha was sitting standing on the temple steps waiting expectantly. "We all wondered where you disappeared to. You've been missing all morning. Not having second thoughts are you?"
"What do you think?" Kagome asked the girl standing in front of her "Of course I am. I don't like the idea of willingly submitting to the cold that I experienced the last time." She shivered. "You have no idea how terrible it was."
Inuyasha's face immediately changed from jocular to serious. "Yes I do."
Afterwards a long silence reigned.
"Would you take a walk with me?" Inuyasha asked finally.
Surprised Kagome just nodded and followed Inuyasha's lead as he went down the steps and into the forest.
For awhile the two just admired the scenery, but things got more interesting when Inuyasha slipped his hand into Kagome's. The couple walked on in silence just taking comfort in the other's presence.
Finally, Kagome and Inuyasha returned to the village. Kaede had placed a mat upon the floor of the hut and made sure that medical supplies and water were handy in preparation. Tetsusaiga lay sheathed upon a nearby table.
Miroku, Sango, Kirara, and Shippo were all on hand to give Kagome hugs and words of encouragement.
The time had come. Wordlessly Kagome took of the haori and white undershirt, folding them neatly, she placed them on the ground. She lay in the designated position and clasped the Shikon no Tama around her neck.
Grimly Inuyasha drew his finger upon the floor, and traced an X on Kagome's chest with the dust. He drew Tetsusaiga, which transformed in his hands. He placed the blade's point on the X and paused.
Inuyasha took Kagome's hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I'll be right here." He promised her.
She nodded and took a few deep breathes in anticipation. Finally, she nodded.
Inuyasha looked deeply into Kagome's eyes and noiselessly mouthed "I Love You."
He drove the blade into Kagome's chest. Kagome's eyes went wide in shock and her mouth opened slightly. Her hand tightened around Inuyasha's as if it were her anchor to life.
Quickly Inuyasha pulled the blade from Kagome's body and watched as his loved one lay in pain. "This better work or I will follow you." He thought to himself as he gritted his teeth to wait.
************************************************************************
The Shikon no Tama around Kagome's neck began to pulsate slightly with power.
************************************************************************
"Look!" Shippo cried. "The Jewel is beginning to glow!"
"That's right!" Sango shouted with glee "It is going to work!"
BOOM! A huge explosion ripped the roof off of the hut. It landed a few yards away and a large wall of dust spewed forth from the impact.
"What?!" Miroku yelled as he looked through the blanket of dust for the attacker.
Suddenly a white baboon cloak burst forth from the gloom and a tentacle seized the Shikon no Tama from around the dying Kagome's neck.
As suddenly as it had arrived the puppet of Naraku vanished into the murk and could be seen no more. A horrible laugh filled the air that accompanied a voice. "Now the Shikon no Tama is mine. These shards will complete my collection, and so it seems, condemn Kagome to death."
Inuyasha charged out of the decimated hut in search of his foe. "Where are you Naraku! Show yourself!"
"May she rot in hell with your conscience Inuyasha." A cold voice returned. "You murderer! You have slain her with your own hand! As much as I'd love to see Kagome's final spasms I'm afraid I must be leaving. I have too many plans."
With that a whirlwind drove the dust away. When the screen cleared there was no trace of Naraku and all that could be heard was Kagome's labored breathing.
"DAMN YOU NARAKU!" Inuyasha screamed in fury to the open air. "I SWEAR YOU WILL DIE BEFORE THE DAY IS OUT!"
Suddenly he realized. "KAGOME!" he bellowed as he ran back to the remains of the hut. Kaede and Sango were tending to the hanyou upon the floor.
"Kaede you must heal her! We cannot go through with this until we have the Shikon no Tama!" he commanded the elder.
Sadly the older woman looked up from Kagome. "I'm sorry Inuyasha there is no way that I can treat this sort of wound with my resources. It seems you did too good a job."
"You mean. I killed her?!" Inuyasha asked fearing the worst.
"No, child you haven't. However, I give her two hours. . . three tops until death does claim her."
"Well then we will just have to take her to present day Tokyo where they have the technology to save her." Sango said gaining her feet.
"I'm afraid it's not so simple as that Sango." Miroku stated. "Without the Jewel of Four Souls we cannot travel to the modern era."
"But there has to be something that we can do." Shippo whined with tears in his eyes. "Kagome can't just die!"
Inuyasha's look of sadness suddenly changed to one of anger. "We can kill Naraku." He looked at the rest of the part in turn. "It is the only way to retrieve the Jewel Shard."
"But that's impossible!" Sango exclaimed. "We have no idea where he is!"
"Nonetheless we have to try." Inuyasha said with a renewed look of determination on his face.
"So let me get this straight." Miroku said. "First we have to locate Naraku, which is something that we have never been able to do at will. Then after that we have to kill the bastard, which may be completely impossible due to the fact that he is now more powerful than ever with the complete Shikon no Tama in his possession. Then lastly we have to use the jewel to restore you to your bodies and take you (Inuyasha will be back in his body after the exchange) to the modern era to receive medical treatment, which may or may not succeed. And all of this has to be done in three hours at most!
"That's about the size of it." Inuyasha agreed grimly cracking his knuckles. "And we will succeed." He picked up a bow and quiver of arrows and set out towards the forest.
"We have to. . ."
OOhhhh what will happen next? I know! I know! But you, my faithful readers, will have to wait for my next chapter. Wow I feel so evil letting you stew but it can't be helped. Tell me what you thought of this chappie. Review. There will be 2-3 more so enjoy while you still can.