Y'know, I'm getting bored with writing disclaimers… So…last time.
Disclaimer: The only thing I own in this story is the story line. Sorry.
There. *smiles* So, shall I continue? First of all though…
Yami+Hoshi: Girl, you rock. You always review first on all of my stories! *big hug* I love you! *stops* I mean… in a friendly way. Currently. Yeah. Babbling. I'll shut up now.
Nick Hiryu: Thank you. ^_^ I'm known for crazy ideas. I just always sorta pictured Inuyasha eventually accepting Shippo in a fatherly way… I can't see him always beating the poor child. *laughs* Thanks again!
Amakara: Interesting thing happened. I read your review and wanted to keep writing. *blinks* Anyway though. I agree with you. It always bothered me that Kagome was always the hurt one… Constant question was 'How would Inu feel?' (HWIF. I like it. *laughs*) I'll keep going on this story for now… and I fixed the anonymous review thing. Thanks muchly! ^^;
Back to the story!
~End of Days~
By Alpha-Parvani
It took me another two weeks to find the dead miko… She was obviously amazing at being discreet and laying low. When I discovered where she was, I started moving faster. I rarely stopped to sleep, even less to eat. Shippo ended up being left in a nearby village as soon as we got as close as we could to Kikyo without being noticed yet.
When I went to Kikyo, I did the one thing I never thought I'd be able to do.
I set her free.
I killed her.
I'd been wandering for hours. I decided to rest for a few minutes in a meadow I had passed. I doubled back and was soon reclining against a rock, letting the sun heat my skin. I took a deep breath as I opened my eyes. Then I froze and the air whooshed out of my lungs. Kikyo stood four or five yards away, staring at me emotionlessly… bow and arrow ready.
The corners of her eyes wrinkled and her mouth turned down slightly. She was angry. I dove out of the way just as the arrow clattered against the rock. Leaping to my feet, I readied myself for another arrow.
Kikyo watched my every move before lowering her bow. "Why are you here, Inuyasha? You chose Kagome over me, remember? I mean nothing to you now. So why have you tracked me down after so long?" I hesitated before scowling in determination. "I've come to put you to rest."
Her eyes widened marginally. "Inuyasha, what are you-" I lunged at her, claws ready and teeth bared. She slipped to the side. My body twisted in the air and I landed on my feet. "Inuyasha, what are you talking about?" I growled near inaudibly. "I'm going to put you to rest, Kikyo! Dammit, don't you understand?" My teeth were bared again. She took a step back. "I need to settle everything… Then I will sleep!"
I jumped again as I saw her lips mouth the last word I had spoken. "Inuyasha, no!" She threw her arms up to defend herself… exposing her stomach. I lowered my hand, aiming there.
There was the sound of cracking, shattering… Breaking pottery.
Kikyo rasping out one word that I could hear over my panting.
My name.
Cracks spread up and all over her body. She was only clay. Clay could only take so much beating. I removed my hand and stared at the glowing substance on my fingers. A horrified look came to my face as I realized it was her version of blood…a soul.
"I…nu…yash…a…"
She crumbled into dust. The souls of the dead rose from her body slowly, glowing brighter and brighter. I flung my hand up to shield my eyes just as they disappeared in brilliant flashes of light.
Shippo was waiting for me back in the village, agitated and nervous. He jumped onto my chest, clinging to my haori. "What took you so long! I saw the light and…and…" I patted his head, a small smile on my face. I hadn't smiled in a while. He tentatively smiled back. "The first step is complete, youshi*… Next we head for the Western Lands."
His smile slipped off his face as he looked at me like I had just told him my best friend was a fluffy bunny.
As if.
"Next we deal with Sesshomaru."
Shippo cried that night. I think he feared for what would happen to us. I comforted him the best way I knew how. I told him a story, some little thing that my mother had told me but I can no longer recall. He fell into a dreamless sleep. I sighed and turned onto my stomach on the futon before closing my eyes, praying to the gods to show a little mercy and let me sleep.
I guess I did something right that day.
I didn't wake until the sun had reached its highest point…two days later. Shippo had told the villagers not to worry. Apparently, some of the young women of the village were interested in me.
I hoped my standoffish attitude would chase them away. It brought them closer. I finally told them that they had no chance with me because I was in love with someone else. They avoided me mostly, but I could still see wistful looks when I walked through the village.
Shippo and I were in the village for a month or more. I built the two of us a small hut and the village gladly welcomed us… a change, compared to the way people tended to act toward youkai…and the hostility shown towards hanyous.
I was getting restless though. I wanted to finish this soon and just…sleep. I finally set out again…leaving Shippo behind. He'd kicked, screamed, done everything a child did when something he or she didn't want to happen, did. I ended up telling him that I would never come back unless he started to grow up. Instantly, he acted more mature… but I could see he was grieving.
But I couldn't worry about that now.
I had a long walk ahead of me.
My brother liked to hop around a lot.
~~~Well… 3rd chapter. I think I'll manage to keep writing… This chapter's kinda dull, I know, but it's just setting the stage. Really, the last two chapters, this one, and maybe…two, three, maybe four more will be doing that. It's gonna be a while before it gets to the point…R&R please! *smiles happily*
~Alpha-Parvani
By the way….
Youshi: adopted son