Author's note: Ok, I had this chapter ready for you guys last Sunday, but ff.net decided to have a field day with my url formatting, and no WAY did I want you to see the chap at a lower quality. I'm sorry for the wait.
REVIEW! REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! I want to try and hit 200 before I finish this story…and I only have a couple chapters and an epilogue to go. I may be writing a sequel to this, but that all depends on what happens at the end. This story has spun out of control so many times; it may jump out with something I never expected…0_0
Disclaimer: Bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh…*drool *
* * *
The wind howled as a massive feather floated through the sky. Folding her slender arms across her chest, Kagura frowned at the approaching mountains, then at the quiet, pale girl before her.
"I still don't understand how Naraku got his message to you if he's truly in the future." Kagura peered at Kanna's mirror, then frowned deeper at the murky gray depths of it. I'm not even sure I buy that future story at all…but it would explain why his presence has disappeared. Her frown turned into a scowl. Figures that even when he's gone, he can control us. Control ME.
Kanna blinked slowly at the woman beside her. "Naraku can send a message to my mirror easily if he's in our era," she quietly replied. "This message was faint, but it was still there."
"Hmph. I'm not sure even Naraku has that kind of power."
"Or perhaps he is more powerful than you thought."
Uneasy, Kagura shifted her position on the feather and shot a glance at her sister's face, but as always, the girl had no expression. Kagura huffed again and turned away. She's nothing but a doll. Where Naraku leads, she follows without hesitation. How can she have no will? Grumpily, she shot a look at the quiet boy behind her. Kohaku merely gazed at the ground passing below.
And he's no better. Am I the only one of Naraku's underlings who has a will of her own?? Her scowl deepened. I could never face him alone…dammit. I have to play along, whether I like it or not.
"Fine," the woman stated after a moment's silence. "Then where is our target? I'd prefer to get the job done quickly, if you don't mind."
Kanna shifted her mirror slightly, clearing away the swirls of white to reveal a tornado racing around the mountain to their left. Without a word, Kagura turned the feather in that direction and increased the speed of the wind around them.
After a moment, the tornado blew into their line of sight. Smiling, Kagura dipped the feather into a dive.
At least I'll get to have some fun with this.
* * *
Ishiyana's father groaned as he slowly came to. Blinking blearily, he scowled at the bright region around him. Slowly, his son turned to look at him, a cool expression on his face.
"Boy…what have you done to me??"
Ishiyana cracked a humorless smile. "No less than you did to me. I'm nowhere near as weak as you made me think I am." He turned away, hesitating before his next words. "Look, I don't know how to get rid of you, but I REALLY don't feel like wasting energy on containing you."
His father growled and struggled, but he couldn't quite get his limbs to move.
"…But, I'll make a deal with you, if you'll listen."
"You think I'll work with you? Are you insane??"
Ishiyana turned back, his expression self-depreciating. "Perhaps. I am new with this soul stuff." He fell silent, then spoke again. "Still, I thought you said that Naraku was your main enemy. After what he did to you, wouldn't you give anything to return the favor?"
His father stilled. It wreaked havoc on his pride, but he didn't see any immediate way to get free unless he cooperated. Sure, he would eventually release himself from his son's bonds, but by then, Naraku could be long gone. Gritting his teeth, he relented.
"Well?" he snapped. "What does my idiot son propose?"
Ishiyana smiled again. "I'll give you the opportunity…and you'll become Naraku's problem."
The man thought for a moment, then slowly smirked.
"Deal."
* * *
Naraku smiled softly as the group approached him. Growling, Inuyasha landed a short distance away, nearly tossed Kagome and Ishiyana off his back, and whipped out Tetsusaiga.
"You two stay back!" He charged forward, took aim, and swung. "Tetsusaiga!"
Naraku calmly reached out a hand, levitated a smashed police car, and threw it in the heart of the blast. Wincing at the blinding light of the explosion, Inuyasha ground to a halt.
"Dammit. Why don't you quit using toys, Naraku, and fight me yourself for once!!" As the smoke cleared, Inuyasha started to run forward again…
…But nothing was there.
"H-huh??" His eyes widened as he felt Naraku's slimy presence slip behind him. He tried to turn, swinging Tetsusaiga in an arc…
"Hmph. Pathetic." Naraku's arm turned brown and shot out from his sleeve, piercing Inuyasha's right shoulder before drawing back.
"Gah!" Gasping in pain, Inuyasha clutched his shoulder and knelt on the ground. A vicious growl rumbled in his chest as he turned around. "Why you—"
Leaping to his feet, Inuyasha slashed again, but Naraku simply shifted out of the way. A chase ensued, a stream of curses spilling out of Inuyasha's mouth as swing after swing missed its mark.
Dammit to hell. Why can't I hit him?? Inuyasha doubled his speed, but for some reason, he just couldn't catch up with Naraku's maddening smile. What's his angle??
Watching the fight with growing unease, Ishiyana clenched his fists. At this rate, Inuyasha's going to wear himself out before he lays a finger on Naraku! He glanced down at his sword. Unless he has a distraction…
Well, why not. Now's as good a time as any.
Closing his eyes, Ishiyana delved into his soul.
You remember our deal?
Yes.
Then let's get this over with.
Kagome notched an arrow in her bow and kept it at the ready, biting her lip in worry. Inuyasha, please be careful! Your wounds haven't healed yet… She lost her train of thought as a surge of evil energy erupted from the boy beside her.
"I…Ishiyana?"
When the boy opened his eyes, they were black.
Kagome backed away. "Oh no…not again!!"
To her surprise, the boy turned and smirked at her. "It's too bad we couldn't have more time together, my little Kikyo, but a man does have to get his priorities in order." Scowling, he faced the fight with Naraku. "First and foremost…Naraku has to pay. But don't you worry." Reaching out, he trailed a finger down her cheek. Kagome flinched.
"I'm sure we'll run into each other again in Hell."
Ishiyana raised his sword and walked closer to the fight. Watching Naraku slip away yet again, he smirked and called out.
"Naraku, you piece of slime! Did you really think you could get away from me??"
The demon's head swung in the direction of the voice, his face momentarily shocked. Immediately, Inuyasha took advantage of his distraction.
"H-raaah!"
Tetsusaiga took a chuck out of Naraku's chest.
With a roar of pain, Naraku released a cloud of poison vapors in Inuyasha's face and landed in front of Ishiyana, a hand over his wound. Naraku's expression darkened as he peered into the boy's face.
"You can't be…it's impossible…!"
Ishiyana's expression darkened to match Naraku's. "I've waited centuries to get back at you for locking me up." His black aura erupted. "Your time is finally up!"
Ishiyana swung at Naraku, but the demon dodged easily.
"Do you really think you could defeat me, Onigumo??" Rage suffused into Naraku's face. "How could a human ever—"
"Then maybe you should pay attention to a demon!" Inuyasha caught Naraku in the back with a swing. Enraged, the demon started to turn.
Ishiyana rammed the sword into Naraku's heart.
And everything fell apart.
The sword's aura warped and seeped into Naraku, and the black aura surrounding Ishiyana ripped itself away and slammed into the demon's chest. With a surge of power, Ishiyana was blasted into the wreckage in the street.
"GGRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHH!!!!!"
Naraku clawed at the sword, but it melted into his body. His heartbeat audibly accelerated, and the demon dropped to one knee. Deep within, the introduced soul of Onigumo wrapped around Naraku's human heart and fed it, making it fester and grow.
Hissing, Naraku clutched his chest as his body started to fall apart and recombine in various places. Tentacles exploded out his back, then pulled back in; his arm sprouted a green head, and then healed.
Inuyasha closed his dropped jaw and raised his sword. He focused on the wildly clashing demon winds before him.
"Naraku, prepare to die!! Wind Sc—"
Eyes glowing a violent red, Naraku flung a massive clawed arm at him, crashing through the wind scar and knocking aside the Tetsusaiga. His heart throbbed painfully, throwing his reason (and his temper) out the window.
"Fool!! I will NEVER succumb to a human heart!! NEVER!!!"
Nearly insane with rage, Naraku threw hundreds of misshaped claws, tentacles, and spikes at Inuyasha. The hanyou tried to dodge, but the bullet wounds in his back made him sluggish.
"Oomph!" Inuyasha gasped in pain as the claws and spikes sunk into him, and then fought for breath as the tentacles squeezed the air out of him. His wounds howled in denial as they were multiplied and aggravated.
"Let go of him!!"
A purple arrow shot between them, decimating most of Naraku's appendages. As Inuyasha hit the ground, Naraku spun around and wildly eyed Kagome. His heart twisted.
"YOU BITCH!! HOW DARE YOU??"
He raced towards her and snagged her with a newly re-grown arm, but a trace of sanity worked its way back onto his face. Using every ounce of his will, he forcibly calmed his heart. "If you're in such a hurry to die, you can at least be useful first!"
"Not so fast! Drop her!"
Everyone glanced over to see a battered and pissed Ishiyana level a gun on Naraku. A dead policeman lay next to him.
"Let go of her now, or I'll blow your head off!"
Naraku blinked at the boy, and a smile worked its way onto his face, his heartbeat finally starting to slow down. "Of course. How could I forget?" Lifting his other arm, he shot an extension at him.
Gritting his teeth, Ishiyana fired, his hands snapping up from the recoil. The bullet caught with a gold fire and obliterated the arm.
"Wh-what the…" Ishiyana stammered. "What did I just—"
Following a roar, another arm raced forward and dug into the boy's back pocket, ripping it off.
"Yaa!" Clapping a hand to his butt, Ishiyana jumped forward and spun around. He watched the hand close around something and draw back to Naraku.
"My jewel shard!!"
Naraku's eyes, though still wild, glinted smugly. "Of course. I could never complete the jewel without it." He tucked Kagome under his other arm, ignoring her kicks and screams. "And with your little miko here, I should be able to find the last shard. The power I've always craved is MINE!!"
Throwing his head back, Naraku roared in laughter and erupted in smoke, spiraling up to the sky and disappearing.
Inuyasha finally freed himself from the rest of Naraku's appendages and leapt to his feet.
"KAGOME!!!"
Heart pounding with fear and rage, Inuyasha snagged Ishiyana, threw him onto his back, and took off for the shrine.
"No way he gets away with this!!" he growled. "NO WAY!!"
* * *
Kouga growled at the despised woman before him. "Wench!! How dare you show your face before me!!" His hands balled into fists. "I'll avenge my pack if it's the last thing I do!"
Kagura yawned and shifted the feather away from him. "Yes, yes, I know; however, I have no time to waste with you today." She turned the feather around, putting Kanna in front. "Just hand over your soul like a good little boy."
Kouga leapt at them and tried to land a kick on Kagura, but Kanna simply put her mirror in the way and blasted him back to the ground.
"Oomph!"
He slid across the ground, creating a trench as he went. Gritting his teeth, he started to pry himself out of the ground.
"Kouga."
The quiet voice made him still, and he looked up at the girl, entranced by his reflection in her mirror.
"Give me your soul."
His eyes went wide, then slowly emptied out. He didn't move as Kagura leapt down from her feather and lifted her fan.
"Feh. Child's play."
A pained howl pierced the air.
* * *
Lost in thought, Miroku wandered along the side of the river running through the village. His staff jingled rhythmically as he poked it into the sand with every other step.
Odd how serene everything is when Naraku is nowhere to be found. Miroku frowned. Which, of course, means that he's probably wreaking havoc in Lady Kagome's world.
Coming to a stop, Miroku tightened his grip on his staff and stared at the ground. Dammit…I hate feeling so useless! As long as Naraku's over there, I can't do a damn thing. Lady Kagome could and probably is in danger!
In an uncharacteristic show of frustration, he kicked a large rock into the river. Dammit, dammit, DAMMIT!
"Miroku?"
He turned and dredged up a smile for Sango. "Yes, what is it?"
She hesitated, then walked over to him. "I'm guessing you feel as restless as I do."
He sighed and stared into the water. "At this point, I suppose we can only pray that they come back safe and sound."
"…That…" She hesitated, then slammed Hiraikotsu into the ground. "That's not good enough!! I need to know what's happening!" Fury leapt into her eyes as she looked at Miroku. "How can it be that that scum can travel through the well, but we can't?? It doesn't make any sense!"
"I know. Trust me, Sango, I feel the same way." He frowned. "Perhaps the large jewel shard in his possession allowed his passage through the well. After all, it seems to be augmenting his powers already."
"That jewel." Sango scowled at the ground. "Its powers are so strong…yet it's always used for evil! If only it had fallen into the right hands, it could have done some real good—"
"Hmph. You think so, do you?"
The two turned to see Kiori hobble his way to the riverbed in his damaged man form. With a disgruntled expression on his face, he lowered himself to the ground and placed his wounded leg in the cool water.
After a moment, Miroku walked closer to him. "What did you mean by that?"
The man smiled grimly. "You people seem to think that the jewel will grant any wish you want." He glanced up at them. "Idiots. You really have no clue how it works, do you?"
Sango placed her hands on her hips. "Enlighten us. What do you know of the jewel?"
He chuckled. "Enough to know that any wish you make, whether pure or foul, will always be in conflict with a part of the jewel. Unless the jewel was already pure or already corrupted, the wish could not be granted in its entirety."
Sango huffed and folded her arms. "And how would you know this?"
"Because he already tried." They both looked at Miroku. "Am I right, Kiori?"
The man blinked at him, scowled, and sighed. "Yes, dammit, you're right." Kiori flinched as Kirara walked into view, ears tilted towards him. His scowl deepening, he continued.
"I wasn't content to be a cat in a human's world, so I stole the jewel and wished to have any form I wanted. Instead of the freedom I desired…" He glared down at his wounded leg and said nothing.
"You found yourself frozen. Interesting." Miroku fingered his staff. "I wonder if Naraku knows of the jewel's limitation."
Kiori snorted. "Probably. I have to give the demon some credit…he certainly does his research." He looked away. "Though I'm not sure even he can completely corrupt the jewel. That girl is probably getting in his way."
Sango blinked. "You mean Kagome?"
"Mm. She's probably the biggest threat he has." Softly, he chuckled. "I wonder if he's figured that out yet."
* * *
Kagura smiled at the two glittering jewel shards in her palm. They really are beautiful, in a terrible way. I wonder how much blood was spilt for these before the wolf got them?
As she turned to walk away, Kohaku blinked at her. "Aren't you going to kill him?"
"Why should I bother? A body with no soul isn't going to cause us any more trouble than a dead one." She leapt onto the feather and directed it towards the southwest. "Let's get out of here."
* * *
"PUT ME DOWN, YOU DISEASED PIECE OF SHIT!!"
Naraku ignored her, merely tightening his hold on her middle until she gasped for air. Kagome struggled in his grip, ignoring the fact that even if she got free, she had a couple hundred feet to fall before she'd hit the ground.
Looking back through Naraku's smoke, she could just barely make out Inuyasha. He was obviously trying to catch up, and if she knew him at all, he was probably cursing his mouth off. Seeing him in pursuit made her relax a little.
If Inuyasha's after me, Naraku won't get far before he catches up. When that boy gets mad, no one can stand in his way. She blinked. Wait. He really does get upset if anything happens to me. That's a sign that he cares, right?
She sighed shallowly, struggling for a little more room in Naraku's grip. If he weren't so hung up on Kikyo, I wouldn't worry at all about this. Just because he's always with me, it doesn't mean…
Doesn't…mean…
Hold up. Kikyo can see those shards, too. Why would he stay with me, if he could just go to her and look for the jewel shards, especially if she's the one he wants? Did it even occur to him? A blush tinged her cheeks. Why else would he stay, unless…he…wanted to be with me?
Warmth spread in Kagome's chest, and despite her perilous position, she started to smile. That's good, if it's true, because the only place I want to be…
…Is with him.
Naraku glanced down as Kagome chuckled. She glanced up at him briefly, a smirk on her face.
When he catches up to you, Naraku, you're toast…that is, if there's anything left once I get through with you. Give me a chance, and I'm going to purify your slimy butt!! She thought of Inuyasha again, and courage blossomed in her heart.
I won't let him down.