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Chapter 4 Akagai's true power revealed, The Battle Showdown!
Curse of the New Moon
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!!Warning!! This chapter contains graphic violence. You have been warned.
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Akagai frowned. Her seduction plans were not working well. Inuyasha truly didn't care for Kagome or else he would have jumped at the opportunity to be with her.
"I don't have time to worry about the girl's pathetic feelings." Akagai told herself.
It really didn't matter what the hanyou/ human felt. In just a day or so, she would be able to confront Keade and retrieve the ancient scroll.
She had complete control over Kagome's body and mind. The girl's miko powers were increasing her strength every moment. Akagai fed on her emotions. She had indeed chosen well, when she wished to take over a body. But she never would have guessed to be lucky enough to be in the reincarnated body of the same woman who defeated her all those years ago.
Akagai focused on concentrating all her power within the girl's body, storing it, for when she would need it most.
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Kagome joined the others, who awaited her return from the spring. She held a dark look on her face as she approached them.
"Hurry up Kagome!" called Shippo.
Sango and Miroku stood ready to continue, Kirara at her masters feet.
Shippo pranced over to Kagome and scampered up onto her shoulder, "Have a nice bath Kagome?" he asked sweetly.
"Ecstatic." Kagome said without showing any emotion.
She stole a glance around the campsite, her eyes searching for...
She saw him, he stood leaning against a tree. His black hair covering his face, and his head bowed. He clutched Tetsugaiga with both hands, and held it near his chest.
He looked up as Kagome came closer. Their eyes met briefly, they both spoke no words.
Kagome turned up her nose and headed towards Sango and Miroku.
Inuyasha took a hesitant step forward, as if to grab her and bring her to him. He seemed hurt by Kagome's body language. She was deeply upset at him, far beyond just getting a simple 'sit.' Her mood was so dark and closed off to him.
'Had she wanted me to come to her at the hot spring? Is that her way of expressing her feelings toward me?'
'Could Kagome ever...ever feel...feel emotion toward me?'
His mind was thinking irrational thoughts, the human blood surging through his veins stronger than it ever had before. He found himself thinking before he acted. The demon in him was asleep...gone. Only left, was this...this human...with its human emotion...human ideologies...human feelings...
They tore at his heart, something he hadn't used in a long time, to truly feel with. He was thinking...caring...for others, worrying what they thought...how they felt.
Concepts he never dreamed could be part of his reality, now arose as bright as the morning sun, in his soul.
His heart no longer beat to keep him alive...it beat to drive him into compassion.
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The days came and ended quickly. Soon the group broke through the forest and into the clearing of the village.
It stood just as it always had, with its small huts and grand miko shrine.
They all stood in a straight line, staring at the pleasant village. It was always welcoming to return too, after the violence they all faced.
Kagome took a step forward...
Suddenly, Miroku thrusted his staff out and blocked her path.
"Wait..." He hissed, "Something is not right..."
"I sense it too." Sango said. She shook slightly. "I dare not believe it..."
"But it is...it is unmistakable." Miroku said.
Inuyasha cocked an eyebrow at the pair, "What is it?" he asked, pulling Tetsugaiga closer to his body, as if he could use it.
"Naraku." Sango and Miroku spoke together.
With their word, the group tore in a blind sprint towards the village.
This time, Miroku ran in front. As they entered the village, he led them through, following Naraku's aura.
They ran until Miroku stopped them, in front of Keade's hut.
"Lady Keade!" Miroku shouted as he thrusted the bamboo screen out of the way.
They all scrambled in to see Keade kneeling over a figure lying on the ground with his eyes closed, and bandages around his entire body and face.
"Miroku? Sango?" Keade said, glaring at them, "What ails ye?"
Miroku whipped his staff out to point at the man lying on the ground. "That is Naraku!" He cried.
"Aye," Keade answered, "yet it is not...this be Onigumo...Naraku is gone."
Miroku blinked in surprise, and lowered his staff. Sango wined softly in shock.
"You are caring for Naraku?" Sango said sharply. She didn't know if Naraku should be killed now that he was powerless or if it was considered murder.
"He still be human, I am doing what I can." Keade said.
Keade's eyes turned to look at Inuyasha as he stood in the doorway. "Ye to Inuyasha, the moon had effected."
"Of course," Miroku said softly, "Naraku was only half-demon...he too has been reduced to his human state."
"And his human wounds." Keade answered.
"Lady Keade, do you know of the cause of this...this shift?" Miroku asked.
"I know not. Only the increase in half breed suicide, as they awoke to their state." Keade answered. "I dare say we are dealing with strong powers that have gained control over the moon phases...yet...for what reason I know not."
A gasp fell over the group, all minds melted together as one. This was certainly a nightmare turned loose into reality.
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A few hours later, the group had only slightly relaxed. Food was welcoming to the stomach, yet their minds were too full.
Miroku sat on the ground with his legs crossed, deep in thought. His staff lay across his knees. Sango sat on a tree stump, her boomerang jabbed into the ground near her. He kept casting a glace to the hut where Naraku lay, as if she anticipated an attack.
Kagome was kneeling on the ground, staring into the flames of the small fire. Shippo sat near her with a look of sadness and boredom on his face.
Inuyasha stood the farthest away, leaning against a small tree. With his head bowed, his dark hair covered his eyes.
Sango shifted uneasily, "I hate just sitting here." She mumbled.
"What can we do though?" Shippo asked.
Sango turned her head back to gaze at the hut Naraku lay in. Her gaze was cold and burned with hatred.
"I know your thoughts, Lady Sango." Miroku said, without looking up. "I to am having to restrain myself from seeking revenge on the man that has caused us all so much pain."
"I just can't stand sitting so close to the enemy, and not being able to do anything about it!" She cried out.
"Patience Lady Sango...patience..." Miroku said, even though he fought within himself to say those words.
Kagome turned her head, she watched Keade enter Naraku's hut carrying a pail of water. Kagome rose to her feet and walked toward the hut.
"Kagome?" Sango called.
"I'll be back." Kagome said, as she continued toward the hut.
Sango stood up briefly, but then sank back down with a deep sigh. Her eyes turned to see Inuyasha sulking against the tree.
"You have been awful quiet Inuyasha..." Sango said.
"Feh." Inuyasha answered.
"Are you worried you might not be able to be a demon again? Let alone a hanyou?" Sango continued.
"No." Inuyasha answered sharply.
"You're not a very good liar Inuyasha." Sango said. He said nothing.
"Let him be, Lady Sango." Miroku said to her, "He has enough things to worry about, since his fight with Lady Kagome."
Inuyasha felt his rage boil. He marched over to Miroku, his human hands in fists. "That is none of your damn business monk!" He roared.
"I never said it was." Miroku said calmly. "You just have a hard time facing the truth, Inuyasha."
"What truth!?!" Inuyasha shouted.
"You tell me." Miroku told him bleakly.
Inuyasha raised his fist to strike him...with a quick smack from his staff; Miroku countered; Inuyasha flew back about five feet and landed hard.
Inuyasha shook with anger as he pulled himself up out of the dirt. "You fucker!" he roared, standing up again.
"Save it Inuyasha." Miroku said, lowering his staff, and using it to stand up. "Save all your anger...all your hatred...all your emotions...we are going to need everything we got to defeat this power that has set over the land."
"Do you think it's beatable?" Sango questioned.
"I don't know...I can't feel anything...not one sense of evil...the aura has masked itself from all senses...I can only imagine what kind of being we are up against..." He answered strongly.
Inuyasha calmed slightly, as Miroku's words spread through him. He turned and gazed up at the sun in the sky.
'I can only imagine what kind of being we are up against...'
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The End
(Just Kidding! ::ducks from flying fruit and objects:: OK OK chill chill...I'm sorry... I just wanted to see what you'd do...::sweat drop::)
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Kagome pushed the bamboo covering away from the doorway; her eyes scanned the room, coming to rest on Onigumo's body lying on the ground. Her lips raised in a half smile.
Keade had her back to her, she was by the fire. She turned at the sound of the bamboo moving. "Aye child, tis only you." And turned back to the fire.
Kagome's head snapped in her direction, her eyes narrowed. She pulled on the small red bow on her school uniform. The red ribbon undid and slid off her neck. Kagome held the ends, one in each hand. She moved closer to Keade.
"Yes, Keade. It's only me...Kagome." She said.
She pressed forward toward Keade.
"I've been meaning to ask ye, child... What do ye think of the situation?" Keade asked.
The sparkle in Kagome's brown eyes fell away. She pulled the ribbon tight, as she stopped; standing over Keade's body.
"I think all are doomed." Kagome said.
"Wha-...." Keade began, turning slightly.
Kagome flung her arms over Keade's head and forced the ribbon in between Keade's lips, she pulled tightly from behind.
Keade fell backwards slightly, the cloth in her mouth made her unable to scream.
Kagome shifted both ends of the cloth into one hand. With her free hand she placed it on top of Keade's head.
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Akagai forced her power into Keade's head, surpassing all her mental barriers.
"You weak old hag..." she said, sinisterly.
The old miko priestess held her own, as Akagai searched through her memories. Pulling out the information she wanted.
"Do not resist me...Keade...sister of Kikyo...where is the ancient Scroll of the Feudal Solaris!?!"
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Outside the hut, Miroku, Sango, Shippo, and Inuyasha stood together in a joined argument.
"But if we don't know what we are up against...then how can we fight it?" Sango asked.
Miroku didn't answer, he stared at the ground.
"We don't even know what are enemy is after...if anything." Sango continued.
"No shit." Inuyasha grumbled.
"Cut it out Inuya-..." Miroku began. An overwhelming aura of power struck him. He turned his head in the direction of the power source. It was coming from Keade's hut...the hut she, Kagome, and...NARAKU were in.
He turned quickly back to Sango to see if she had felt it as well, but she had already rushed past him, boomerang in hand.
Miroku charged after her, Inuyasha close on his heels.
They rushed for the small building. Upon reaching it, Sango tore the bamboo covering off as she rushed in.
Her eyes fell upon a site that made her very soul cry out in torment.
Kagome's back was facing her, and she held Keade by the head, the other hand gagging her with a red cloth. But the horrible thing about it was Kagome had a dark outline surrounding her form. The deep black color pulsated with evil power, as it consumed her and Keade.
"Kagome!" Sango screamed. "Kagome!" Miroku cried out. Inuyasha was silent, but his eyes were wide.
In a haunting, slow turn, Kagome twisted her face around and faced them.
The three drew back as they stared at her face.
Her eyes were colorless...a deep endless white. The shell around her neck was glowing with a color as rich as blood. A gust of wind came out of nowhere and blew Kagome's clothing and hair.
Her skirt flapped in the rush. Her blouse top, without the ribbon to hold it, fell open slightly. The underwire of her lacy bra became visible under the wild gust. Revealing her cream colored skin, and the curves of her breasts.
Her hair was wild under the wind; it coiled like snakes and flapped like prairie grass in a winters wind.
For a brief moment, no one dared to move. The sight was too shocking.
Finally, it was Inuyasha who stepped closer to her. His eyes scanning her body, his mouth open in confusion. "Kagome..." he called. "Kagome!"
Kagome's mouth opened, her tongue didn't move to create sounds, her lips stayed still, but a voice came out of her throat.
"Kagome is gone...only Akagai remains."
With dead motion, she dropped the hand on Keade's head and held it, palm out, at Inuyasha. A small round sphere of black light formed in her palm.
"Do not interfere."
The ball of black light, grew in size, it spread around Kagome's and Keade's bodies. The walls of the small hut began to shake under the force, then with an awe inspiring dark blast the walls disintegrated into piles of ash.
...
When, Inuyasha opened his eyes and found himself staring down at the village far below him. The wind was in his face, his feet dangled below him.
He turned his head up and saw Sango and Miroku, both on Kirara's back, staring down at the village as well. Miroku had his hand gripping the collar of his red robe.
They all said nothing. Kirara brought them down to the ground, just outside the village. Directly in front of the god tree.
A long stream of black smoke arose from the village; people were running in every direction to get away. Many cries could be heard. Every hut was either burning or gone. The smell of roasting flesh was everywhere. People ran by on fire, or attempted to crawl away missing limbs.
There was charred ash on Sango's face. Kirara was breathing heavy. Miroku held his hand over a wound on his left arm. Shippo was no where in site.
"Kagome..." Inuyasha said. Remembering the look of her before the blast.
"KAGOME!" He cried, and he began to run forward.
"Inuyasha...Inuyasha wait!" Miroku said, grabbing a hold of his collar again.
Inuyasha fought him, "Let me go Miroku! Let me go! Kagome! KAGOME!"
Miroku let him go, but he only dropped and fell to his knees. His body heaved in sobs, his shoulders quivering.
Sango turned her head away, tears streaming from her cheeks, making clean lines in the ash on her face.
Miroku's gaze was sad; he gripped his staff until his knuckles were white. His mouth formed a straight line.
Suddenly, the wind picked up again. The breeze caused them all to look up and steady themselves. Inuyasha stood up and look a few cautious steps back. Kirara growled low.
The smoke of the burning huts filled the streets of the destroyed village. A wavy shadowed figure moved behind the smoke.
It moved closer to them, walking at a slow, steady pace. As the smoke moved on, the figure became more visible. Then, another figure emerged from the smoke shadows. This form hovered in the air, following the first.
They ascended closer to the group. Their forms becoming clearer with every step.
Finally, the smoke subsided... and the body of Kagome was seen. Directly behind her, floating just a few feet off the ground, the body of Keade.
Kagome continued to move closer and closer. Inuyasha could now see her face. It was covered with her blowing hair, and her eyes were still the ghostly white color. Her clothing was torn and falling off her body.
Then, she stopped. Only about twenty feet away from where they stood. Keade continued to hover behind her.
Inuyasha stepped forward, "Kagome!" he called to her.
She didn't move, the shell around her neck only flashed.
She slowly raised her arm, and with it Keade's body moved in front of her. It flew towards Inuyasha and the others.
Then, with a quick shift of her arm to the left, Keade's body flung to the side and landed heavy in the dirt.
Miroku took a few steps toward Keade's body, but then he stopped when she stirred.
Keade winced in pain as she tried to rise up, but her arms gave way and she fell again. She began to call to them, "Kagome has been possessed... Akagai's after the ancient scroll...don't let her get it!" With that shout she stiffened and didn't move again.
Miroku and Sango gasped, and then turned to Kagome with hatred in their eyes.
"That...that...that...shell..." Miroku stammered. "That's what's controlling her...we have to get it off!"
Inuyasha turned to stare at him, "Are you sure?" he said.
"Yes, the evil aura is radiating from it." Miroku answered.
"We have to get it with out hurting Kagome." Sango said. Miroku nodded.
"I'll distract her. Sango you go for it." He said.
"Ok." Sango said.
"Wait!" Inuyasha cried. But the two had already begun their attack.
Miroku charged forward, towards Kagome. He swung his golden staff up over his head, about to bring it down on Kagome's head. Miroku wasn't intending on hitting her, he'd figure she's counter.
Kagome's head turned slightly and her eyes faced his. Miroku's eyes widened as he felt his body stop midair.
He was frozen in dead air, half way in a leap. He couldn't move one muscle.
"Miroku!" He heard Sango call.
Then, with just as much energy as he put into the attack, it came flying back at him. It struck him hard and he flew backwards. He soared through the air, his body in shattering pain. He landed heavy in the dirt, rolled a few times, and then came to a painful stop.
Sango watched Miroku get thrown to the ground. Her lips curled into a sneer, "Go Kirara!" She called, as she jumped off her comrades back.
Kirara bounded forward on fired paws. She roared loud, her fangs protruding from her jaws. She heaved her body at Kagome.
Quick as a flash, Kagome raised her hand out at Kirara. Another small orb of black energy appeared and began to grow. With a dark flash, the energy light struck Kirara and wrapped itself around her.
Kirara roared in pain, and tried to throw it off. It spread through her body like poison. Kirara gave a great roar and fell to her side. In a burst of flame she transformed back into her smaller self, defeated.
Sango knew Kagome would attack Kirara, so she used Kirara's distraction to her advantage. He thrusted her boomerang just so it would wheeze by Kagome's head, not hitting her.
After she sent her boomerang into the air, Sango drew her sword and charged at Kagome's neck from behind.
Kagome didn't flinch a muscle as the boomerang soared past her face. She turned on her heels and faced Sango's attack from behind.
Sango saw Kagome move to face her; she shifted her attack and leaped to the right. Skidding across the dirt she threw her sword like a dagger at Kagome. Praying her accuracy would be perfect; the blade would whip across her neck and cut the cord the shell was attached to.
The blade was inches away from Kagome's neck, when a black bubble-like wall formed around her body. The blade struck the force field with a metallic clang and fell to the ground, at Kagome's feet.
Sango gasped at her failed attack. She now stood, without a weapon, directly in Kagome's glare.
Slowly, Kagome raised her hand at Sango. Sango drew in a deep breath as she felt the breath of death on her neck.
Again the small sphere of light appeared in Kagome's palm. It grew bigger and brighter...as did Sango's eyes.
Miroku had pulled himself up slightly; he gazed at Sango, who was helpless to the attack that would claim her life.
"SANGO!!" He screamed. His eyes wielding tears.
Then, astonishingly, a small zip of yellow light flashed by him and darted for Kagome. The flash of speed reached her and blazed across her neck, taking the shell.
"SHIPPO!" Miroku cried out, his heart jumping for joy.
The kitsune whizzed away, and then stopped once it had gotten far enough away.
Shippo held the shell in his tiny paws; he was breathing in short panic gasps. His eyes narrowed and he threw the shell on the ground next to him.
Shippo jumped up into the air, and shouted "Fox Fire!" His fox-demon attack. The tiny puff of blue fire struck the shell, and it was just enough to shatter the shell into pieces.
Kagome's head snapped in the direction of the running Shippo. As the shell was destroyed, her knees buckled below her, the dark attack dissipated away, and her arm fell. She fell onto her knees, her hair falling down around her body.
Was it over?
"Kagome!" Came a cry from across the battle field. Inuyasha had come running to her.
Sango pulled herself out of shock, and ran to her as well.
Kirara had recovered and now helped Miroku over to her.
After triumphantly crushing the evil shell, Shippo scurried to Kagome.
They all seemed to meet at the same time. Inuyasha threw himself down and grasped her shoulders. "Kagome! Kagome, are you alright?" he cried to her. Sango and Miroku bent over to get a closer look. Shippo pushed himself as close as possible.
Kagome didn't move, her long hair covered her face and shoulders. As well as her hands were clasped up over her nose and mouth. Her eyes seared shut.
"Kagome! Kagome, say something!" Inuyasha pleaded with her.
Kagome brought her hands down from around her nose and mouth. She opened her lips to speak, but all that came out was an echoed laugh.
The laugh rang out over the group; its evil snapped their very hearts.
Inuyasha let Kagome go and flung back, as did the others.
"You fools!" a voice, that was not Kagome's, came from her body. "I can never be defeated!"
The wind picked up around them again. Kagome's hair was blown straight up, and her face was visible.
Her eyes were still stark white, that now adorned black eyelids and long, deep black lines that extended from her eyes like eyeliner.
Inuyasha and the others brought their arms up to block the dirt that was being blown around by the wind. Peering from beneath his arms, he saw Kagome's body rise up off the ground.
She flew up with the wind; her arms extended out at her sides. Her chest high and her head back. She was a swirling cyclone of dark power. The sky above their heads turned dark as night...as night when no moon filled the sky. A sinister shadow was cast over the feudal land.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha called under the high wind.
He watched as she pulled her head back up, her white eyes fell on them all.
"Did you think by destroying the shell that you could destroy me?" the dark voice echoed from Kagome's throat from up in the air. "I have full control over this girl, my old prison is worthless!"
The whiteness of her eyes extended around her entire eye, and whipped out in a flickering flame.
Bravely, Inuyasha took a step forward, "Let her go!" He roared up to Kagome's possessed body.
At his words, the wind subsided. The deep cyclone of energy fell away with the wind. They all lowered their arms and stared up at Kagome who still hovered in the air.
"Kagome?" Inuyasha whispered. His heart praying she was alright.
"That's not Kagome anymore..." Miroku stated from behind him.
"Shut up!" Inuyasha roared, "Kagome! Kagome hold on!"
Suddenly, Kagome's arms began to rise up from at her sides. They extended up and over her head. Palms up toward the sky, a dark cloud of power began to form above them.
Flashes of light emitted from the cloud like a thunderstorm.
They all drew back, the power was incredible. They shuddered at the dark aura.
A beam of black light struck out from the cloud and towards them. They missed it by centimeters, jumping away.
But the black light continued to travel past them, even as they moved away. It erupted along the ground, breaking a path in the grass and causing rock to erode from the earth.
In a flash, the dark light struck the god tree behind them. It coiled around the god tree like a serpent. Every branch of the tree began to pulsate with the dark power.
Akagai had found the ancient scroll's hiding place, within the god tree. She had sucked the information from Keade's skull, and now the scroll would be hers.
Then, in a violent eruption, the tree exploded. Fragments flew towards them, cutting at their skin and scraping their faces.
After the dust of the explosion settled, Inuyasha and the others looked up to stare in amazement at the god tree, which now had a huge hole blown into it.
Just inside the hole, a roll of parchment lay against the hollowed trunk. It emitted a low yellow light.
The group's mouths fell open as the scroll became visible. They turned to gaze at Kagome, whose lips had curved into a sinister smile.
Inuyasha sensed movement at his feet; he turned his eyes to see Keade crawling on the ground towards him. Miroku saw her too, and he rushed over to her.
"Lady Keade!" he cried, as he kneeled by her. Inuyasha and Sango joined him surrounding her, as she lay in excruciating pain on the ground.
She raised her bloody face to gaze up at them, "...the...the scroll...she...she can't..."
"What?" Miroku said to her, "What will the scroll do? What is it?"
"...the...secret...secret...Solaris..." Keade struggled.
Inuyasha turned away from Keade to look back up at Kagome. She still hovered in the air, with her arms extended above her head. She seemed to be fighting a deep power.
"Ye...ye must...stop her..." Keade said, under great pain.
"Keade!" Sango cried. As the old woman's face fell back to the ground. Her body didn't move.
"...youkai..." were her last words, before her body failed her.
The pick up of the wind, tore them away from Keade's body. They all turned to look at Kagome, who had dropped one of hands from above her head, now it was straight out in front of her and her finger was pointing towards the scroll in the god tree.
She scroll moved slightly, as Kagome called it to her.
Inuyasha charged forward toward the god tree, "Quick! Grab the scroll!" he yelled over his shoulder. Sango and Miroku ran after him.
Even though he couldn't use Tetsugaiga, he still drew the sword from its holster. He charged forward, he had to get that scroll before Akagai did.
The others ran along side of him, Kirara beating them all and coming out ahead. Even when the cat-youkai reached the tree, as her body came near it, it struck an invisible barrier.
The barrier pushed her body back, with a giant surge of dark power. Her body flung backwards and struck the others running behind her, knocking them all to the ground.
Inuyasha groaned as he felt the weight of the transformed cat-demon strike his stomach. As he was flung to his side, his eyes caught the site of the scroll slowly flying up towards Kagome's out stretched hand. "...Kagome..." he mouthed in pain.
The scroll moved up into the sky, and then it was seized in Kagome's fist.
When the scroll was in her possession, she pulled her arm back towards her chest. Gently unraveling the scroll, Kagome's white eyes began to glow a more haunting white. The outstretched scroll, flashed with yellow brilliance.
Inuyasha and the others pulled themselves up off the ground and stared at Kagome.
Suddenly, Kagome's body began to ascend down towards the ground. Her feet touched the earth, and her powerful aura dropped slightly.
Then, her mouth opened, and the voice of Akagai spoke. She read off of the ancient scroll, in a language that was unfamiliar to their ears.
As the words came from her mouth, the earth itself began to tremble. A shock wave spread itself over the ground, and spread out over the entire land. More words were still being read from the scroll.
They all stared with no hope as the secret scroll's words were echoed out into the world.
Then, the words took hold; their power grabbed the objects of its desire. Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango, watched in horror as Shippo and Kirara suddenly began to move forward towards Kagome.
"Kirara!" Sango yelled to her companion. Yet, Kirara didn't head her master's words.
Miroku ran forward and grabbed Shippo by the tail, trying to stop him from moving forward. "Shippo stop!" he cried.
He turned Shippo around to stare at his face. He gasped at the site; Shippo's eyes were as white at Kagome's! Shippo squirmed in his arms, to be put down.
He dug his tiny claws into Miroku's arm, forcing Miroku to drop him. Shippo landed and then turned and continued to move towards Kagome.
Meanwhile, Sango had ran and tried to stop Kirara from pressing forward. But the cat-youkai's strength was too much for her, and Kirara shoved her aside.
"Sango! Don't try and stop her!" Miroku called. "It's that scroll! That scroll is giving her power over the youkai!"
"No...NO KIRARA!" Sango cried. She tried to rush forward again, but Miroku caught her.
Sango struggled in his arms, "Miroku...let me go...let me go!" she wailed.
Inuyasha watched this site with a heavy heart. His eyes watched as more full blooded youkai began to appear from within the trees of the forest, or from the air.
A thundering sound of foot beats filled the air and Inuyasha turned around to see...Koga...and the others of his wolf clan close behind. All their eyes were as white as snow.
Miroku, Sango, and Inuyasha pressed closer to each other; their backs all together. Inuyasha held Tetsugaiga out, even though he couldn't make it transform. Sango held no weapon, so she stood slightly in between the two boys. Miroku only held his staff out and his hand ready to unleash his wind tunnel.
Youkai all flew, crawled, slithered, or walked past the three of them. Taking no interest in the fact that they stood there.
Miroku suddenly began to stiffen, "Look Inuyasha!" he said.
Inuyasha turned slightly and gasped in wonder at the site... His brother...Sesshomaru...appeared from the trees; he too, taken under control.
The youkai all moved towards Kagome, as she still read the words from the scroll. They formed an impenetrable circle around her, all silent as ghosts; heeding the call she spoke to them.
Inuyasha's eyes flashed in an emotional collision. He felt helpless to everything happening around him. Was this truly how everything would end?
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OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo Evil Cliffy!! Lol I'm sorry... but I have to stop here... cause...well...just cause it is a good stopping point...Please don't hurt me...I promise to have the next chapter up soon...But for now...
Preview to Chapter 5:
Akagai now has all the demons of feudal Japan at her disposal. Her power is beyond comprehension.
She now turns her sites on a new target...Kagome's era!!
How will Inuyasha defeat Akagai without hurting Kagome? Is Kagome truly gone forever?
Plus the return of the Shikon Jewel shards! All in Chapter 5: An impossible task, Akagai's defeat.
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Chapter 4 Akagai's true power revealed, The Battle Showdown!
Curse of the New Moon
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!!Warning!! This chapter contains graphic violence. You have been warned.
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Akagai frowned. Her seduction plans were not working well. Inuyasha truly didn't care for Kagome or else he would have jumped at the opportunity to be with her.
"I don't have time to worry about the girl's pathetic feelings." Akagai told herself.
It really didn't matter what the hanyou/ human felt. In just a day or so, she would be able to confront Keade and retrieve the ancient scroll.
She had complete control over Kagome's body and mind. The girl's miko powers were increasing her strength every moment. Akagai fed on her emotions. She had indeed chosen well, when she wished to take over a body. But she never would have guessed to be lucky enough to be in the reincarnated body of the same woman who defeated her all those years ago.
Akagai focused on concentrating all her power within the girl's body, storing it, for when she would need it most.
.................
Kagome joined the others, who awaited her return from the spring. She held a dark look on her face as she approached them.
"Hurry up Kagome!" called Shippo.
Sango and Miroku stood ready to continue, Kirara at her masters feet.
Shippo pranced over to Kagome and scampered up onto her shoulder, "Have a nice bath Kagome?" he asked sweetly.
"Ecstatic." Kagome said without showing any emotion.
She stole a glance around the campsite, her eyes searching for...
She saw him, he stood leaning against a tree. His black hair covering his face, and his head bowed. He clutched Tetsugaiga with both hands, and held it near his chest.
He looked up as Kagome came closer. Their eyes met briefly, they both spoke no words.
Kagome turned up her nose and headed towards Sango and Miroku.
Inuyasha took a hesitant step forward, as if to grab her and bring her to him. He seemed hurt by Kagome's body language. She was deeply upset at him, far beyond just getting a simple 'sit.' Her mood was so dark and closed off to him.
'Had she wanted me to come to her at the hot spring? Is that her way of expressing her feelings toward me?'
'Could Kagome ever...ever feel...feel emotion toward me?'
His mind was thinking irrational thoughts, the human blood surging through his veins stronger than it ever had before. He found himself thinking before he acted. The demon in him was asleep...gone. Only left, was this...this human...with its human emotion...human ideologies...human feelings...
They tore at his heart, something he hadn't used in a long time, to truly feel with. He was thinking...caring...for others, worrying what they thought...how they felt.
Concepts he never dreamed could be part of his reality, now arose as bright as the morning sun, in his soul.
His heart no longer beat to keep him alive...it beat to drive him into compassion.
............................
The days came and ended quickly. Soon the group broke through the forest and into the clearing of the village.
It stood just as it always had, with its small huts and grand miko shrine.
They all stood in a straight line, staring at the pleasant village. It was always welcoming to return too, after the violence they all faced.
Kagome took a step forward...
Suddenly, Miroku thrusted his staff out and blocked her path.
"Wait..." He hissed, "Something is not right..."
"I sense it too." Sango said. She shook slightly. "I dare not believe it..."
"But it is...it is unmistakable." Miroku said.
Inuyasha cocked an eyebrow at the pair, "What is it?" he asked, pulling Tetsugaiga closer to his body, as if he could use it.
"Naraku." Sango and Miroku spoke together.
With their word, the group tore in a blind sprint towards the village.
This time, Miroku ran in front. As they entered the village, he led them through, following Naraku's aura.
They ran until Miroku stopped them, in front of Keade's hut.
"Lady Keade!" Miroku shouted as he thrusted the bamboo screen out of the way.
They all scrambled in to see Keade kneeling over a figure lying on the ground with his eyes closed, and bandages around his entire body and face.
"Miroku? Sango?" Keade said, glaring at them, "What ails ye?"
Miroku whipped his staff out to point at the man lying on the ground. "That is Naraku!" He cried.
"Aye," Keade answered, "yet it is not...this be Onigumo...Naraku is gone."
Miroku blinked in surprise, and lowered his staff. Sango wined softly in shock.
"You are caring for Naraku?" Sango said sharply. She didn't know if Naraku should be killed now that he was powerless or if it was considered murder.
"He still be human, I am doing what I can." Keade said.
Keade's eyes turned to look at Inuyasha as he stood in the doorway. "Ye to Inuyasha, the moon had effected."
"Of course," Miroku said softly, "Naraku was only half-demon...he too has been reduced to his human state."
"And his human wounds." Keade answered.
"Lady Keade, do you know of the cause of this...this shift?" Miroku asked.
"I know not. Only the increase in half breed suicide, as they awoke to their state." Keade answered. "I dare say we are dealing with strong powers that have gained control over the moon phases...yet...for what reason I know not."
A gasp fell over the group, all minds melted together as one. This was certainly a nightmare turned loose into reality.
...........................
A few hours later, the group had only slightly relaxed. Food was welcoming to the stomach, yet their minds were too full.
Miroku sat on the ground with his legs crossed, deep in thought. His staff lay across his knees. Sango sat on a tree stump, her boomerang jabbed into the ground near her. He kept casting a glace to the hut where Naraku lay, as if she anticipated an attack.
Kagome was kneeling on the ground, staring into the flames of the small fire. Shippo sat near her with a look of sadness and boredom on his face.
Inuyasha stood the farthest away, leaning against a small tree. With his head bowed, his dark hair covered his eyes.
Sango shifted uneasily, "I hate just sitting here." She mumbled.
"What can we do though?" Shippo asked.
Sango turned her head back to gaze at the hut Naraku lay in. Her gaze was cold and burned with hatred.
"I know your thoughts, Lady Sango." Miroku said, without looking up. "I to am having to restrain myself from seeking revenge on the man that has caused us all so much pain."
"I just can't stand sitting so close to the enemy, and not being able to do anything about it!" She cried out.
"Patience Lady Sango...patience..." Miroku said, even though he fought within himself to say those words.
Kagome turned her head, she watched Keade enter Naraku's hut carrying a pail of water. Kagome rose to her feet and walked toward the hut.
"Kagome?" Sango called.
"I'll be back." Kagome said, as she continued toward the hut.
Sango stood up briefly, but then sank back down with a deep sigh. Her eyes turned to see Inuyasha sulking against the tree.
"You have been awful quiet Inuyasha..." Sango said.
"Feh." Inuyasha answered.
"Are you worried you might not be able to be a demon again? Let alone a hanyou?" Sango continued.
"No." Inuyasha answered sharply.
"You're not a very good liar Inuyasha." Sango said. He said nothing.
"Let him be, Lady Sango." Miroku said to her, "He has enough things to worry about, since his fight with Lady Kagome."
Inuyasha felt his rage boil. He marched over to Miroku, his human hands in fists. "That is none of your damn business monk!" He roared.
"I never said it was." Miroku said calmly. "You just have a hard time facing the truth, Inuyasha."
"What truth!?!" Inuyasha shouted.
"You tell me." Miroku told him bleakly.
Inuyasha raised his fist to strike him...with a quick smack from his staff; Miroku countered; Inuyasha flew back about five feet and landed hard.
Inuyasha shook with anger as he pulled himself up out of the dirt. "You fucker!" he roared, standing up again.
"Save it Inuyasha." Miroku said, lowering his staff, and using it to stand up. "Save all your anger...all your hatred...all your emotions...we are going to need everything we got to defeat this power that has set over the land."
"Do you think it's beatable?" Sango questioned.
"I don't know...I can't feel anything...not one sense of evil...the aura has masked itself from all senses...I can only imagine what kind of being we are up against..." He answered strongly.
Inuyasha calmed slightly, as Miroku's words spread through him. He turned and gazed up at the sun in the sky.
'I can only imagine what kind of being we are up against...'
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The End
(Just Kidding! ::ducks from flying fruit and objects:: OK OK chill chill...I'm sorry... I just wanted to see what you'd do...::sweat drop::)
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Kagome pushed the bamboo covering away from the doorway; her eyes scanned the room, coming to rest on Onigumo's body lying on the ground. Her lips raised in a half smile.
Keade had her back to her, she was by the fire. She turned at the sound of the bamboo moving. "Aye child, tis only you." And turned back to the fire.
Kagome's head snapped in her direction, her eyes narrowed. She pulled on the small red bow on her school uniform. The red ribbon undid and slid off her neck. Kagome held the ends, one in each hand. She moved closer to Keade.
"Yes, Keade. It's only me...Kagome." She said.
She pressed forward toward Keade.
"I've been meaning to ask ye, child... What do ye think of the situation?" Keade asked.
The sparkle in Kagome's brown eyes fell away. She pulled the ribbon tight, as she stopped; standing over Keade's body.
"I think all are doomed." Kagome said.
"Wha-...." Keade began, turning slightly.
Kagome flung her arms over Keade's head and forced the ribbon in between Keade's lips, she pulled tightly from behind.
Keade fell backwards slightly, the cloth in her mouth made her unable to scream.
Kagome shifted both ends of the cloth into one hand. With her free hand she placed it on top of Keade's head.
..................
Akagai forced her power into Keade's head, surpassing all her mental barriers.
"You weak old hag..." she said, sinisterly.
The old miko priestess held her own, as Akagai searched through her memories. Pulling out the information she wanted.
"Do not resist me...Keade...sister of Kikyo...where is the ancient Scroll of the Feudal Solaris!?!"
................
Outside the hut, Miroku, Sango, Shippo, and Inuyasha stood together in a joined argument.
"But if we don't know what we are up against...then how can we fight it?" Sango asked.
Miroku didn't answer, he stared at the ground.
"We don't even know what are enemy is after...if anything." Sango continued.
"No shit." Inuyasha grumbled.
"Cut it out Inuya-..." Miroku began. An overwhelming aura of power struck him. He turned his head in the direction of the power source. It was coming from Keade's hut...the hut she, Kagome, and...NARAKU were in.
He turned quickly back to Sango to see if she had felt it as well, but she had already rushed past him, boomerang in hand.
Miroku charged after her, Inuyasha close on his heels.
They rushed for the small building. Upon reaching it, Sango tore the bamboo covering off as she rushed in.
Her eyes fell upon a site that made her very soul cry out in torment.
Kagome's back was facing her, and she held Keade by the head, the other hand gagging her with a red cloth. But the horrible thing about it was Kagome had a dark outline surrounding her form. The deep black color pulsated with evil power, as it consumed her and Keade.
"Kagome!" Sango screamed. "Kagome!" Miroku cried out. Inuyasha was silent, but his eyes were wide.
In a haunting, slow turn, Kagome twisted her face around and faced them.
The three drew back as they stared at her face.
Her eyes were colorless...a deep endless white. The shell around her neck was glowing with a color as rich as blood. A gust of wind came out of nowhere and blew Kagome's clothing and hair.
Her skirt flapped in the rush. Her blouse top, without the ribbon to hold it, fell open slightly. The underwire of her lacy bra became visible under the wild gust. Revealing her cream colored skin, and the curves of her breasts.
Her hair was wild under the wind; it coiled like snakes and flapped like prairie grass in a winters wind.
For a brief moment, no one dared to move. The sight was too shocking.
Finally, it was Inuyasha who stepped closer to her. His eyes scanning her body, his mouth open in confusion. "Kagome..." he called. "Kagome!"
Kagome's mouth opened, her tongue didn't move to create sounds, her lips stayed still, but a voice came out of her throat.
"Kagome is gone...only Akagai remains."
With dead motion, she dropped the hand on Keade's head and held it, palm out, at Inuyasha. A small round sphere of black light formed in her palm.
"Do not interfere."
The ball of black light, grew in size, it spread around Kagome's and Keade's bodies. The walls of the small hut began to shake under the force, then with an awe inspiring dark blast the walls disintegrated into piles of ash.
...
When, Inuyasha opened his eyes and found himself staring down at the village far below him. The wind was in his face, his feet dangled below him.
He turned his head up and saw Sango and Miroku, both on Kirara's back, staring down at the village as well. Miroku had his hand gripping the collar of his red robe.
They all said nothing. Kirara brought them down to the ground, just outside the village. Directly in front of the god tree.
A long stream of black smoke arose from the village; people were running in every direction to get away. Many cries could be heard. Every hut was either burning or gone. The smell of roasting flesh was everywhere. People ran by on fire, or attempted to crawl away missing limbs.
There was charred ash on Sango's face. Kirara was breathing heavy. Miroku held his hand over a wound on his left arm. Shippo was no where in site.
"Kagome..." Inuyasha said. Remembering the look of her before the blast.
"KAGOME!" He cried, and he began to run forward.
"Inuyasha...Inuyasha wait!" Miroku said, grabbing a hold of his collar again.
Inuyasha fought him, "Let me go Miroku! Let me go! Kagome! KAGOME!"
Miroku let him go, but he only dropped and fell to his knees. His body heaved in sobs, his shoulders quivering.
Sango turned her head away, tears streaming from her cheeks, making clean lines in the ash on her face.
Miroku's gaze was sad; he gripped his staff until his knuckles were white. His mouth formed a straight line.
Suddenly, the wind picked up again. The breeze caused them all to look up and steady themselves. Inuyasha stood up and look a few cautious steps back. Kirara growled low.
The smoke of the burning huts filled the streets of the destroyed village. A wavy shadowed figure moved behind the smoke.
It moved closer to them, walking at a slow, steady pace. As the smoke moved on, the figure became more visible. Then, another figure emerged from the smoke shadows. This form hovered in the air, following the first.
They ascended closer to the group. Their forms becoming clearer with every step.
Finally, the smoke subsided... and the body of Kagome was seen. Directly behind her, floating just a few feet off the ground, the body of Keade.
Kagome continued to move closer and closer. Inuyasha could now see her face. It was covered with her blowing hair, and her eyes were still the ghostly white color. Her clothing was torn and falling off her body.
Then, she stopped. Only about twenty feet away from where they stood. Keade continued to hover behind her.
Inuyasha stepped forward, "Kagome!" he called to her.
She didn't move, the shell around her neck only flashed.
She slowly raised her arm, and with it Keade's body moved in front of her. It flew towards Inuyasha and the others.
Then, with a quick shift of her arm to the left, Keade's body flung to the side and landed heavy in the dirt.
Miroku took a few steps toward Keade's body, but then he stopped when she stirred.
Keade winced in pain as she tried to rise up, but her arms gave way and she fell again. She began to call to them, "Kagome has been possessed... Akagai's after the ancient scroll...don't let her get it!" With that shout she stiffened and didn't move again.
Miroku and Sango gasped, and then turned to Kagome with hatred in their eyes.
"That...that...that...shell..." Miroku stammered. "That's what's controlling her...we have to get it off!"
Inuyasha turned to stare at him, "Are you sure?" he said.
"Yes, the evil aura is radiating from it." Miroku answered.
"We have to get it with out hurting Kagome." Sango said. Miroku nodded.
"I'll distract her. Sango you go for it." He said.
"Ok." Sango said.
"Wait!" Inuyasha cried. But the two had already begun their attack.
Miroku charged forward, towards Kagome. He swung his golden staff up over his head, about to bring it down on Kagome's head. Miroku wasn't intending on hitting her, he'd figure she's counter.
Kagome's head turned slightly and her eyes faced his. Miroku's eyes widened as he felt his body stop midair.
He was frozen in dead air, half way in a leap. He couldn't move one muscle.
"Miroku!" He heard Sango call.
Then, with just as much energy as he put into the attack, it came flying back at him. It struck him hard and he flew backwards. He soared through the air, his body in shattering pain. He landed heavy in the dirt, rolled a few times, and then came to a painful stop.
Sango watched Miroku get thrown to the ground. Her lips curled into a sneer, "Go Kirara!" She called, as she jumped off her comrades back.
Kirara bounded forward on fired paws. She roared loud, her fangs protruding from her jaws. She heaved her body at Kagome.
Quick as a flash, Kagome raised her hand out at Kirara. Another small orb of black energy appeared and began to grow. With a dark flash, the energy light struck Kirara and wrapped itself around her.
Kirara roared in pain, and tried to throw it off. It spread through her body like poison. Kirara gave a great roar and fell to her side. In a burst of flame she transformed back into her smaller self, defeated.
Sango knew Kagome would attack Kirara, so she used Kirara's distraction to her advantage. He thrusted her boomerang just so it would wheeze by Kagome's head, not hitting her.
After she sent her boomerang into the air, Sango drew her sword and charged at Kagome's neck from behind.
Kagome didn't flinch a muscle as the boomerang soared past her face. She turned on her heels and faced Sango's attack from behind.
Sango saw Kagome move to face her; she shifted her attack and leaped to the right. Skidding across the dirt she threw her sword like a dagger at Kagome. Praying her accuracy would be perfect; the blade would whip across her neck and cut the cord the shell was attached to.
The blade was inches away from Kagome's neck, when a black bubble-like wall formed around her body. The blade struck the force field with a metallic clang and fell to the ground, at Kagome's feet.
Sango gasped at her failed attack. She now stood, without a weapon, directly in Kagome's glare.
Slowly, Kagome raised her hand at Sango. Sango drew in a deep breath as she felt the breath of death on her neck.
Again the small sphere of light appeared in Kagome's palm. It grew bigger and brighter...as did Sango's eyes.
Miroku had pulled himself up slightly; he gazed at Sango, who was helpless to the attack that would claim her life.
"SANGO!!" He screamed. His eyes wielding tears.
Then, astonishingly, a small zip of yellow light flashed by him and darted for Kagome. The flash of speed reached her and blazed across her neck, taking the shell.
"SHIPPO!" Miroku cried out, his heart jumping for joy.
The kitsune whizzed away, and then stopped once it had gotten far enough away.
Shippo held the shell in his tiny paws; he was breathing in short panic gasps. His eyes narrowed and he threw the shell on the ground next to him.
Shippo jumped up into the air, and shouted "Fox Fire!" His fox-demon attack. The tiny puff of blue fire struck the shell, and it was just enough to shatter the shell into pieces.
Kagome's head snapped in the direction of the running Shippo. As the shell was destroyed, her knees buckled below her, the dark attack dissipated away, and her arm fell. She fell onto her knees, her hair falling down around her body.
Was it over?
"Kagome!" Came a cry from across the battle field. Inuyasha had come running to her.
Sango pulled herself out of shock, and ran to her as well.
Kirara had recovered and now helped Miroku over to her.
After triumphantly crushing the evil shell, Shippo scurried to Kagome.
They all seemed to meet at the same time. Inuyasha threw himself down and grasped her shoulders. "Kagome! Kagome, are you alright?" he cried to her. Sango and Miroku bent over to get a closer look. Shippo pushed himself as close as possible.
Kagome didn't move, her long hair covered her face and shoulders. As well as her hands were clasped up over her nose and mouth. Her eyes seared shut.
"Kagome! Kagome, say something!" Inuyasha pleaded with her.
Kagome brought her hands down from around her nose and mouth. She opened her lips to speak, but all that came out was an echoed laugh.
The laugh rang out over the group; its evil snapped their very hearts.
Inuyasha let Kagome go and flung back, as did the others.
"You fools!" a voice, that was not Kagome's, came from her body. "I can never be defeated!"
The wind picked up around them again. Kagome's hair was blown straight up, and her face was visible.
Her eyes were still stark white, that now adorned black eyelids and long, deep black lines that extended from her eyes like eyeliner.
Inuyasha and the others brought their arms up to block the dirt that was being blown around by the wind. Peering from beneath his arms, he saw Kagome's body rise up off the ground.
She flew up with the wind; her arms extended out at her sides. Her chest high and her head back. She was a swirling cyclone of dark power. The sky above their heads turned dark as night...as night when no moon filled the sky. A sinister shadow was cast over the feudal land.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha called under the high wind.
He watched as she pulled her head back up, her white eyes fell on them all.
"Did you think by destroying the shell that you could destroy me?" the dark voice echoed from Kagome's throat from up in the air. "I have full control over this girl, my old prison is worthless!"
The whiteness of her eyes extended around her entire eye, and whipped out in a flickering flame.
Bravely, Inuyasha took a step forward, "Let her go!" He roared up to Kagome's possessed body.
At his words, the wind subsided. The deep cyclone of energy fell away with the wind. They all lowered their arms and stared up at Kagome who still hovered in the air.
"Kagome?" Inuyasha whispered. His heart praying she was alright.
"That's not Kagome anymore..." Miroku stated from behind him.
"Shut up!" Inuyasha roared, "Kagome! Kagome hold on!"
Suddenly, Kagome's arms began to rise up from at her sides. They extended up and over her head. Palms up toward the sky, a dark cloud of power began to form above them.
Flashes of light emitted from the cloud like a thunderstorm.
They all drew back, the power was incredible. They shuddered at the dark aura.
A beam of black light struck out from the cloud and towards them. They missed it by centimeters, jumping away.
But the black light continued to travel past them, even as they moved away. It erupted along the ground, breaking a path in the grass and causing rock to erode from the earth.
In a flash, the dark light struck the god tree behind them. It coiled around the god tree like a serpent. Every branch of the tree began to pulsate with the dark power.
Akagai had found the ancient scroll's hiding place, within the god tree. She had sucked the information from Keade's skull, and now the scroll would be hers.
Then, in a violent eruption, the tree exploded. Fragments flew towards them, cutting at their skin and scraping their faces.
After the dust of the explosion settled, Inuyasha and the others looked up to stare in amazement at the god tree, which now had a huge hole blown into it.
Just inside the hole, a roll of parchment lay against the hollowed trunk. It emitted a low yellow light.
The group's mouths fell open as the scroll became visible. They turned to gaze at Kagome, whose lips had curved into a sinister smile.
Inuyasha sensed movement at his feet; he turned his eyes to see Keade crawling on the ground towards him. Miroku saw her too, and he rushed over to her.
"Lady Keade!" he cried, as he kneeled by her. Inuyasha and Sango joined him surrounding her, as she lay in excruciating pain on the ground.
She raised her bloody face to gaze up at them, "...the...the scroll...she...she can't..."
"What?" Miroku said to her, "What will the scroll do? What is it?"
"...the...secret...secret...Solaris..." Keade struggled.
Inuyasha turned away from Keade to look back up at Kagome. She still hovered in the air, with her arms extended above her head. She seemed to be fighting a deep power.
"Ye...ye must...stop her..." Keade said, under great pain.
"Keade!" Sango cried. As the old woman's face fell back to the ground. Her body didn't move.
"...youkai..." were her last words, before her body failed her.
The pick up of the wind, tore them away from Keade's body. They all turned to look at Kagome, who had dropped one of hands from above her head, now it was straight out in front of her and her finger was pointing towards the scroll in the god tree.
She scroll moved slightly, as Kagome called it to her.
Inuyasha charged forward toward the god tree, "Quick! Grab the scroll!" he yelled over his shoulder. Sango and Miroku ran after him.
Even though he couldn't use Tetsugaiga, he still drew the sword from its holster. He charged forward, he had to get that scroll before Akagai did.
The others ran along side of him, Kirara beating them all and coming out ahead. Even when the cat-youkai reached the tree, as her body came near it, it struck an invisible barrier.
The barrier pushed her body back, with a giant surge of dark power. Her body flung backwards and struck the others running behind her, knocking them all to the ground.
Inuyasha groaned as he felt the weight of the transformed cat-demon strike his stomach. As he was flung to his side, his eyes caught the site of the scroll slowly flying up towards Kagome's out stretched hand. "...Kagome..." he mouthed in pain.
The scroll moved up into the sky, and then it was seized in Kagome's fist.
When the scroll was in her possession, she pulled her arm back towards her chest. Gently unraveling the scroll, Kagome's white eyes began to glow a more haunting white. The outstretched scroll, flashed with yellow brilliance.
Inuyasha and the others pulled themselves up off the ground and stared at Kagome.
Suddenly, Kagome's body began to ascend down towards the ground. Her feet touched the earth, and her powerful aura dropped slightly.
Then, her mouth opened, and the voice of Akagai spoke. She read off of the ancient scroll, in a language that was unfamiliar to their ears.
As the words came from her mouth, the earth itself began to tremble. A shock wave spread itself over the ground, and spread out over the entire land. More words were still being read from the scroll.
They all stared with no hope as the secret scroll's words were echoed out into the world.
Then, the words took hold; their power grabbed the objects of its desire. Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango, watched in horror as Shippo and Kirara suddenly began to move forward towards Kagome.
"Kirara!" Sango yelled to her companion. Yet, Kirara didn't head her master's words.
Miroku ran forward and grabbed Shippo by the tail, trying to stop him from moving forward. "Shippo stop!" he cried.
He turned Shippo around to stare at his face. He gasped at the site; Shippo's eyes were as white at Kagome's! Shippo squirmed in his arms, to be put down.
He dug his tiny claws into Miroku's arm, forcing Miroku to drop him. Shippo landed and then turned and continued to move towards Kagome.
Meanwhile, Sango had ran and tried to stop Kirara from pressing forward. But the cat-youkai's strength was too much for her, and Kirara shoved her aside.
"Sango! Don't try and stop her!" Miroku called. "It's that scroll! That scroll is giving her power over the youkai!"
"No...NO KIRARA!" Sango cried. She tried to rush forward again, but Miroku caught her.
Sango struggled in his arms, "Miroku...let me go...let me go!" she wailed.
Inuyasha watched this site with a heavy heart. His eyes watched as more full blooded youkai began to appear from within the trees of the forest, or from the air.
A thundering sound of foot beats filled the air and Inuyasha turned around to see...Koga...and the others of his wolf clan close behind. All their eyes were as white as snow.
Miroku, Sango, and Inuyasha pressed closer to each other; their backs all together. Inuyasha held Tetsugaiga out, even though he couldn't make it transform. Sango held no weapon, so she stood slightly in between the two boys. Miroku only held his staff out and his hand ready to unleash his wind tunnel.
Youkai all flew, crawled, slithered, or walked past the three of them. Taking no interest in the fact that they stood there.
Miroku suddenly began to stiffen, "Look Inuyasha!" he said.
Inuyasha turned slightly and gasped in wonder at the site... His brother...Sesshomaru...appeared from the trees; he too, taken under control.
The youkai all moved towards Kagome, as she still read the words from the scroll. They formed an impenetrable circle around her, all silent as ghosts; heeding the call she spoke to them.
Inuyasha's eyes flashed in an emotional collision. He felt helpless to everything happening around him. Was this truly how everything would end?
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OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo Evil Cliffy!! Lol I'm sorry... but I have to stop here... cause...well...just cause it is a good stopping point...Please don't hurt me...I promise to have the next chapter up soon...But for now...
Preview to Chapter 5:
Akagai now has all the demons of feudal Japan at her disposal. Her power is beyond comprehension.
She now turns her sites on a new target...Kagome's era!!
How will Inuyasha defeat Akagai without hurting Kagome? Is Kagome truly gone forever?
Plus the return of the Shikon Jewel shards! All in Chapter 5: An impossible task, Akagai's defeat.
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