Author's note: Alright, I want mucho reviews on this chap, cuz it means a lot to me. Thanks to everyone who reviewed last time!
Disclaimer: *Run from the green eggs! Run! ** * *
White lights sparkled and swirled about the priestess' armor as she stepped towards the tremendous demon before her. A grim expression on her face, she tipped her chin up and spoke.
"This has gone on for too long." Her voice floated through the air, golden and fluid as it settled upon the ears of the bystanders. "I grow weary of this endless battle between us."
The Demon writhed, swinging its tail towards her and allowing it to slam the ground before her. "Then end it! If you had surrendered to your death centuries ago, we wouldn't be here now." Its voice sounded like the wail of a hundred massacred people and crunching bones. The Demon grinned, baring every fang in the process. "But I suppose you realize now that your time is short. How much longer could you fight, with my aura always fed by negative energy?"
The woman lifted her hands. "As long as I needed to." A spark of purple fire ignited in one closed fist, arching slowly until it formed a bow. Another sliver of fire flew out from her other hand, quickly solidifying into an arrow. Without another word, Midoriko aimed at the Demon's heart.
"This ends tonight."
The Demon's grin grew, its red aura burning brighter.
"Gladly." Its face melting into a feral mask, the Demon released a horrid roar and lunged at the tiny woman. "Enjoy HELL!!"
Midoriko calmly leapt to the side, releasing one of her arrows.
"KREEEEEERRRR!!"
Infuriated, the Demon glared at its wounded torso, then turned back. "You'll pay for that!!"
A bulge worked its way up the Demon's throat, strange gurgling noises slipping from its lips. Eyes widening, Midoriko let her aura build up around her into a shield.
SPLERRRR-KSHH!!
A torrent of murky green acid spewed out of the Demon's mouth, crashing down on the priestess. Her aura sizzled and sparked as it burned away the sludge.
Quickly forming another arrow, Midoriko fired through her shield at the Demon's mouth. Eyes glinting, it shut its mouth and lurched away in time to dodge the arrow. It growled menacingly at her.
"What's with the arrows, wench?? I thought you preferred a sword!"
Midoriko showed no sign that she'd heard. Narrowing her eyes, she concentrated a ball of her white aura at the tip of the purple arrow. She could see the separate auras of the different demons, so if she aimed correctly…
Holding her breath, she fired.
The Demon released an agonized roar as the ogre on its shoulder was obliterated.
Midoriko's eyebrows rose slightly as she took in the arrow's damage. Not bad. Perhaps the girl knew what she was doing.
Recoiling slightly, the Demon searched for a way to counteract the damage. A soft, dark whisper in its brain came to the surface.
Recombine. Rearrange the demons you have left!
Blinking, the Demon focused on shifting its demon parts. Sure enough, the wound was repaired. Hn. Perhaps this creature will be useful after all.
* * *
Sango watched in amazement as the two beings from her village's legends battled before her. She balanced her weapon over her shoulder, hesitating before making a move.
How can I possibly make a difference during a battle between such powerful people? Frowning, she glanced at the woman hiding in the shadows. Kagura restlessly opened and closed her fan, watching the proceedings out of the corner of her eye. Locking eyes with Sango, she mouthed, "Don't forget our deal!" and gestured towards the dead boy on the ground.
Gritting her teeth, Sango fought down a wave of rage and pain. How dare she use my brother's LIFE as a tool?? She's as bad as Naraku! She narrowed her eyes at the fighting pair as they dodged each other's attacks. How am I supposed to get her heart from Naraku when Naraku doesn't even seem to EXIST at the moment??
At that moment, the massive demon was hit in the chest by an arrow. As it roared, its form went slightly transparent, revealing a slumped Naraku in its depths. It quickly recovered, scowling viciously down at Midoriko.
Sango gasped and ran to Miroku's side. "Did you see that? For a second there, you could see Naraku!"
The monk nodded in fascination. "Yes…it would seem that he and Kagome are not completely gone." He turned to her. "Have you ever heard of this happening before?"
Sango shook her head. "Never! None of the legends about the jewel had the two resurfacing!" Biting her lip, she turned back to the pair. Kagome-chan…please be safe!!
You have to get her away from the jewel.
The two turned to see Kiori approach in his cat demon form. He didn't spare a glance for them, instead training his eyes on the monster before them.
If you don't get the girl away from the jewel, you could lose her permanently.
Inuyasha, who stood a few feet away, turned towards them. "What do you mean, 'lose her permanently'? You actually know what's going on?"
The cat looked at him. I've seen something similar before…just nothing this intense. A few centuries ago, a demon and a miko both got their hands on the jewel and tried to conquer each other. They were both possessed by the two entities in the jewel…though not quite like this. He sniffed at the warriors. The previous two simply acted out the fight that created the jewel. Unfortunately for them, they were not powerful enough to withstand the jewel's power…and their souls were ripped out.
"WHAT??" Inuyasha grabbed the cat's shoulders and heaved him awkwardly up to eye level. "How could their souls be ripped out??"
The cat scowled at him. PUT ME DOWN! The hanyou complied, a concerned and aggravated scowl on his face. The longer they remained in contact with the jewel, the more they were taken in by it. Even though this is a far more extreme case, I suspect something similar will happen…perhaps even worse.
Miroku frowned, tightening his grip on his staff. "Why are you telling us this? Aren't you the very person who wanted us dead…or at least, wanted Naraku destroyed?"
The cat's eyes widened before they promptly fell away from the monk's face and darted to the side. Within moments, Kirara burst out of the trees, roaring desperately.
"Ah…"
Midoriko turned at the sound of Kirara's roar, hands up to ward off an attack.
"Kirara!" The woman's grim face brightened. Glancing up, she jumped aside to avoid a massive arm as it swung towards her. With a second roar, Kirara raced across the clearing and dove under the woman's legs.
With an ease born of practice, Midoriko balanced atop the cat demon and prepared her weapon. The cat flew in a spiral above the Demon as Midoriko aimed a new arrow.
"Ha!" Spotting another separate demon aura, she fired. Growling, the Demon threw itself to the side. Another bulge flew up its throat.
SLPEEEEEESH!
Kirara darted out of the path of the acid and flipped over the Demon's head, allowing Midoriko to fire several arrows while upside down. The woman's hair flew out behind her, a mask of determination on her face.
With a low growl, the Demon planted both front feet on the ground and ducked its head, swinging its massive body up and over its head…
CRACK!!
Despite her efforts to dodge, Kirara was knocked painfully out of the sky. Yelping, she crashed to the ground and rolled. She came to a stop near the well and lay there, unmoving. Midoriko was thrown through the air, clothes billowing as she fell.
"OOMPH!!"
The woman hit the ground hard, creating a trench as the force of the hit dragged her across the ground. For a moment, her image wavered, showing a wincing Kagome within the white aura. Within seconds Midoriko's image reestablished itself, and the priestess rose to her feet.
Before she had the chance to defend herself, the Demon swung a mighty arm towards her and knocked her off her feet. It grinned as she sprawled upon the ground. Lumbering closer, it lifted a clawed hand and brought it down on her.
Eyes snapping open, Midoriko rolled onto her back and lifted both hands.
"SHI-RUDO!!"
A white light erupted from her hands and formed a solid plane before her in time to stop the Demon's claws.
Crrrack!!
"GROOOOWRRRR!!" The Demon's claws shattered as it collided with the priestess' shield. Growling, it retracted its arm and cradled it against its chest.
Infuriated, the Demon lashed out with its uninjured arm. Midoriko leapt to her feet and jumped over the attack, landing daintily on the edge of the well. Her white aura grew, sinking slightly into the wood.
Kagome!
The priestess blinked, glancing down into the well while ducking to avoid another attack. She could feel a presence, one that was vaguely familiar…
…Oh yes, the second double. Reforming her bow and arrow, she fired at the demon's claws and back-flipped, landing on the opposite edge of the well. He may be necessary. Crouching, she pressed a hand against the cold wood and searched. The instant she touched the boy's mind, she yanked hard.
"Huh-RAAAARRRR!"
Gripping the wood, she swung herself backwards behind the well, landing on her side in the cool grass. Kirara groaned beside her.
* * *
Ishiyana felt his stomach lurch as the dark well turned white beneath his knees. Before his mind registered the new development, he was dragged through the white spot and hurled through time. He landed roughly at the bottom of the well in the Feudal Era.
"Wh-what the hell??" He blinked and jumped to his feet at a horrid roar thundered above him. The kitten cradled to his chest, he watched a beast from his nightmares stretch over the well, only to be thrown back by a blinding white light.
"What the hell is going on??"
He struggled to climb up the side of the well, but with the kitten tucked under one arm, he couldn't easily force himself up the wall. His hand kept slipping the few times it actually found a handhold.
"Kagome, are you all right?? Kagome??" Despairing, he slid down the wall and stared up at the stormy sky above. "Kagome!"
* * *
Inuyasha tightened his grip on Tetsusaiga and growled as the two battled. "How the hell am I supposed to get Kagome away from the jewel?? I can't even SEE the jewel anymore!"
Kiori glared at him. You idiot. Those two are bound together by the jewel. It can't be far from them!!
"But—"
You have demon eyes, don't you?? Use them!
Scowling, Inuyasha squinted at the priestess and the Demon. It didn't make any sense! All he could see was…wait!
As the two fought each other, Inuyasha could just barely make out the breaks in their forms. It seemed that with each blow, their images were damaged, and the real people could just barely be seen. Naraku usually had his head bowed, but Kagome was always active, her face alight, and her pose mimicking that of Midoriko's.
The nearly transparent jewel glimmered faintly, hovering in the air between them.
Gasping, Inuyasha lunged towards them. He ignored Miroku's shouts as he aimed for the air between the grappling fighters.
"Wind scar!!"
Midoriko and the Demon paused in their fight long enough to watch the blast come towards them. They parted wordlessly, allowing the yellow blast to go between them.
Smirking slightly, Inuyasha raced towards the newly formed gap and leapt, hand outstretched for the jewel…
"Yah!!" Blinking in surprise, Inuyasha swung in midair, hanging under the jewel. His hand gripped the tiny orb tightly, but it refused to budge. He growled and released Tetsusaiga, lifting his other hand to yank furiously at the jewel. It still didn't move.
A low chuckle drew Inuyasha's attention. Still hanging precariously in midair, he glanced up at the mighty Demon above him. Grinning, it parted its jaws and released a stream a drool. Inuyasha scowled in disgust as the drool dribbled down onto his head.
"Could you PLEASE cut that out??"
The Demon chuckled. "You do realize that should I strike you, you would die?"
Inuyasha growled. "Just try it!"
"…Unless you used the jewel's power to become a full demon right now." Its grin grew. "Wouldn't you prefer to have complete power?"
Inuyasha blinked. I…I could become a full demon…right now?
"No!" Midoriko's arrow flew between them, forcing the Demon to rear its head back. "I won't have you corrupting the jewel any more! You've gained enough power from dimwits over the centuries!!"
"Hey!" Inuyasha growled. "Who's a dimwit??"
"I'm simply suggesting that the lad become more than a mere half-breed." It grinned down at him. "Isn't power what you've always craved?"
Inuyasha hesitated. He glanced at Midoriko, who watched him with a mild frown on her face.
Inuyasha…
Kagome's image filtered through for a brief moment, her hands clasped and eyes pleading. She seemed slightly paler than normal, and her eyes had shadows under them. Is…is her strength being used up by Midoriko? When he squinted, he could just barely make out a trail of purple light slowly funneling into the empty jewel. A dark aura filtered in from Naraku's side as well.
Th…they're being consumed! His heart started pounding. If I don't get this jewel away from her, she could be sucked up completely! Eyebrows furrowing, Inuyasha tightened his grip on the jewel.
He yanked furiously at it again, but it didn't budge. There was no way for him to get it away from Kagome and save her, unless… He gritted his teeth.
"I'm going to end this right here, right now!" Heart pounding, he scowled. I know what will purify this jewel. If I can do it, it'll be wiped from existence, and Kagome will be safe. I…I have to do it.
Swallowing hard, he closed his eyes.
I wish…I w-wish…
He gritted his teeth and squeezed the jewel hard.
I WISH TO BECOME HUMAN!!
The jewel vibrated in his hand, sending heat through his fingers. Inuyasha let all his dreams of being a demon wash over him. Forget it. It's all gone now…
The jewel went cold.
Inuyasha frowned. What the… I don't feel any different… Peeling open his eyes, he saw a tendril of his white hair float past his face.
"I'm still a half demon!" He brought one hand down to pat his chest. "What gives??"
The Demon chuckled again. "Your heart did not make the wish, your brain did. You withheld yourself, so your wish was not granted." Tipping its head back, it roared with laughter. "I thought too highly of you, half-breed! Make your wish to be a demon. If you're lucky, it might be granted."
Growling, Inuyasha yanked on the jewel. "Dammit…" So if I don't want it with all my heart, I can't make it happen?? Glancing at Midoriko again, he focused on the faint image of Kagome. It's worth it, for her. I'll do whatever it takes to set her free, even if it means I'll be a human for the rest of her life! I won't let her be hurt!
Closing his eyes, he tried again. Please, PLEASE make me a human! For her sake!!
Nothing happened.
He opened his eyes in despair. "Why can't I do it??"
Midoriko looked sternly at him. "You are not pure of heart. Do you think it so easy to erase centuries of power from the earth?" She turned her face away. "You are not good enough to accomplish such a task."
Inuyasha opened his mouth to argue, but he cut himself off as a clawed hand wrapped around his middle. His hand slipping free of the jewel, Inuyasha found himself face to face with the Demon.
"Go sit down, little half breed. You have proven
yourself completely useless."
With that, the Demon tossed him aside…like someone tossing garbage away.
Inuyasha rolled as he hit the ground and leapt to his feet. "Now just a damn minute…"
He trailed off and slumped as the two promptly started fighting, ignoring him completely. It was as if he'd ceased to exist. But…why didn't the jewel work?? I actually made the right wish… He lowered his head, his spirits falling. I had the chance to protect Kagome…and I failed.
…I failed.
* * *
Deep within the depths of Midoriko's impressive aura, Kagome slowly lifted a hand to her temple. She dimly watched as the priestess used her body to attack the Demon over and over, with little progress. She could already feel her body beginning to tire. Shimmering faintly between them, the Sacred Jewel pulled at her, weakening her faster than normal.
"This will never work," she whispered soundlessly. "They'll just keep fighting until our bodies can't take any more. Nothing will be resolved, unless…"
Her hand fisted. "Unless I take action."
Taking a deep breath, she spoke directly to Midoriko's spirit. "Please, Priestess, let me help you. You've been fighting him for eons! If we don't stop him now, you never will!"
Silence reigned for a long moment before Kagome felt the spirit give her its full attention.
"What did you have in mind?"
Kagome swallowed hard, glancing at Inuyasha. He stood with a defeated air, his head bowed. Kagome's face set in determined lines. For that boy, I will do whatever I must. I will purge the earth of the evil that has plagued him, and I will set his spirit free. I will do whatever I can to protect him.
She closed her eyes, then opened them determinedly and braced herself.
"Just trust me."
* * *
Midoriko paused before firing yet another arrow. Taking advantage of her hesitation, the Demon lunged and snapped its mighty jaws upon the priestess. She tugged at its teeth, ignoring the crushing weight of her armor. The Demon tilted its head back, trying to force her down its throat.
Sango gasped, a hand lifting to her lips. "No…that's the same way it trapped her before! It could kill her!!"
Inuyasha lifted his head. "What?" His eyes widened at the sight of Midoriko being devoured. "Oh HELL no!!"
Enraged, he ran to his discarded sword and transformed it. "Kagome, hang on!!"
BOOM!!
Everyone watched in amazement as the Demon's mouth erupted with white light. Howling, it spat out the priestess.
She landed gracefully upon the ground. Her white aura mixed with Kagome's purple, the priestess' image nearly transparent upon the girl's. Strangely, both mikos could easily be seen, their movements blurring together.
The girls blinked, lifted their arm once more to form a bow. Holding out their free hand, they started to form an arrow…
Lightning crashed in the sky as power swelled into their hands. White and purple auras smashed together, forming a tremendous ball of power. A small portion of it straightened, forming a narrow arrow with a growing, pulsating ball at its tip. Power crackled about it, little streaks of lightning matching the electricity shattering the sky.
Everyone watched in amazement as wind drew towards the mikos. Midoriko's image wavered, Kagome growing pale within. The power converging at the tip of the arrow grew steadily, dwarfing the girls holding it.
Abruptly, Miroku stepped forward. "No!! Lady Kagome, don't do it!! If you release that much energy, you'll have nothing to sustain yourself!"
Kagome's face set into a grim line. I know what I'm doing! It has to be this way, or the jewel's cycle will never end! It will just keep going from good to evil, good to evil, until the end of time!! I just can't allow that!
She and Midoriko drew back the arrow, the ball nearly three times their size.
It HAS to end now. For our sake, for future generations…She glanced again at Inuyasha, at the fear and concern on his face. …And for him. It ends…
Roaring in rage and fear, the Demon threw itself down upon the mikos. Jaws wide, it prepared to deal them a fatal blow…
…NOW!
They fired.
FWOOM!!!
"GREEEEEEEEEARRRRRRRRR!!!!"
The Demon howled as the purifying power of two mikos hit it square in the chest and melted, wrapping around its torso. Its image trembled, revealing a screaming Naraku deep inside. The barely visible jewel suddenly stood out in stark relief, every wild crack of lightning in the sky reflected in its depths.
Its heart pounding audibly, the Demon threw itself down upon the vastly weakened mikos. They looked up wearily, all their strength depleted. Slowly, Kagome's head turned within Midoriko's aura and locked eyes with Inuyasha. Her lips tilted slightly in a sad smile.
Believe in me, Inuyasha. I will always be here for you!
The hanyou blinked, lifting a hand towards her. Everything seemed to float in slow motion. "Kagome…"
She shook her head slowly, her lips parting in silent words.
"Inuyasha…I love you."
He blinked in shock as she turned back to the monster before her.
The Demon lifted its claws…
…And fell apart, hundreds of demons crashing down with an ear-splitting howl. Claws, fangs, and balls of fire, poison, and acid obliterated all sight of the mikos. The purifying auras from the arrow spread across them like wildfire, decimating the mass of demons.
Slowly, the howls and screams came to a stop, the entire clearing enveloped in a dwindling purple and white light. Eventually, the light diminished and the lightning above ceased, the dark clouds rumbling.
Kagome lay sprawled on her back upon the ground, her form horribly mangled and bloody. Naraku's body (what was left of it) had separated into its various demon parts and lay in a big mess, writhing and pulsing weakly. The jewel gleamed wildly for a long moment before it dropped from the sky, landing on Kagome's stomach.
Nothing moved.
After a long moment, the sound of Inuyasha's sword hitting the ground broke the deafening silence. His throat worked visibly.
"K…Kagome…?"
Slowly, Inuyasha took one heavy step towards her, then another. His feet felt like they were filled with lead, and all of his demon strength seemed to have deserted him. As he built momentum, his steps became more frequent.
"Kagome…" His voice croaked out of his throat. "Kagome…"
Stumbling, he started to run towards the girl. "Kagome. Kagome!"
As he reached her, his feet slipped in the pool of blood surrounding her body. Trembling, Inuyasha dropped to his knees and reached towards her.
"No…no, Kagome!" His hands shook as they hovered over her torn face. The beauty her features had once known had been obliterated, leaving only its tattered remains behind. Heart clenching, he slipped his hand under her head and lifted it. It rolled limply back into his palm.
"Kagome…please…" His breath shallow, he slipped his other arm around her waist and pulled her onto his lap. The smell of blood was overwhelming. Her body draped limply across his.
"No. This isn't possible. It…it can't…" Holding her head up, he lifted his free hand to her face, hesitating before he touched it. "This isn't…isn't r-right. You weren't supposed to…you weren't…supposed…to get…h-hurt!"
Abruptly, he pressed his hand to her face, feeling the many gashes with desperation. His skin felt clammy, his heart racing.
"Kagome, say something!! Say something! Anything!!" His entire body began to shake. "I have faith in you! You're the strongest woman I've ever known! You can't…you can't l-leave…"
In one horrible, gut-wrenching movement, he collapsed over her, pulling her torn body close against him. His free hand pressed against her chest, then her throat, searching desperately for a sign of life, a pulse, a breath, anything.
"NO!! Kagome, you have to survive!!" He brushed furiously at the blood on her face. "Wake up!! WAKE UP!! Open your eyes, lift your hand, 'sit' me for all I care, just wake up!! SAY SOMETHING!! SAY SOMETHING!!"
Tears streaming down his cheeks, he buried his face in what was left of her hair.
"COME BACK TO ME!! COME BACK!! KAGOMEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!"