Shayril: Well, here's the next chapter, all edited and typed and ready for
reading. I know you expected it much sooner and you're probably saying that
all of the chapters should be edited and typed by now but...
Navi: They're not. So get over it.
Aliri: Navi! Don't interrupt Shayril.
Navi: Why not?
Shayril: Because, I'm really on edge and on the verge of insanity. And if
you do it again I'm going to let you get reacquainted with a certain purple
dinosaur and blue dog.
Navi: (Visibly paling.) I won't do it again.
Shayril: Good. Now, as I was saying, the other chapters are not typed and
edited yet. I could give you excuses about being incredibly busy with
school and work, but that would just be a lie. The only excuse I have is
the fact that I didn't feel like doing it. I don't really feel like doing
many of the things that I usually enjoy nowadays.
Kalika: That's not healthy. You should see someone about that.
Shayril: I'm working on it. Get off my case. Anyway, please bear with me,
people. Right now my mental state is not very stable and I'm reaching my
limit. I will get through this, but it will take time and patience. I hope
you understand. Now, on to the chapter.
Chapter Twenty-Six – Time for War
The room was gray in the predawn light. Any and all colors seemed muted, not as bright and vibrant as usual. She stared up at the face of the man she loved. As always her heart swelled, but her thoughts were tinged with sorrow. In a couple hours they would be heading out and if what he said was true, and there was no evidence to the contrary, they would never see each other again. As those thoughts ran through her head it took her a moment to realize that he was looking at her. He leaned down and kissed her. As the sun rose in the sky they made love. It wasn't anything to be proud of. It was clumsy and frenzied, one last attempt to show each other just how much they loved each other. When the sun had completely risen in the sky they rose from bed and went to shower together. As the water fell on them they once again made frenzied, clumsy love.
* * *
They looked like a couple who didn't realize just how much they loved each other until now. They also looked like they knew that they would be torn apart, never to see each other again. Not once throughout breakfast did they release each other's hand. It was like they were trying to hold on as long as possible. Inuyasha couldn't help feeling his heart ache for her. That's what love was, after all, even after your feelings are no longer reciprocated.
Breakfast was a quiet affair that morning. Conversation was limited to "Pass the eggs." or "Roll?" No one was willing to break the silence. They didn't think it was right to be boisterous and happy on a day like this. Even the children were subdued as they ate. It seemed like forever before they were all finished. One by one they rose and headed outside. Kagome saw to her men before saying a tearful goodbye to Shippou, Rin, and Sakura.
Take care of Yue, Sakura-chan. He'll need you and Akemi and Shippou to help him through this.
Sesshoumaru waited until the others joined the armies waiting outside before saying his goodbyes. Rin clung to his leg, begging him not to leave. Finally, Sakura crouched down beside the girl.
"Rin-chan, Sesshoumaru-san has to go punish the bad man that hurt you. He'll come back."
"You promise?"
Sakura nodded. "Hai. Now why don't you find Jaken and tell him to play with you. Do you remember the game I taught you yesterday?"
"Okay!" the girl said happily.
The taiyoukai watched as she and Shippou ran off with wicked looking grins on their faces. He actually pitied the toad should they find him and he had no doubt that they would. After a moment he turned his attention back to the young sorceress.
"I know you will take excellent care of her," he said. "Perhaps one day we both will."
Sakura nodded. "I'd like that." Taking a deep breath, she gathered her courage and stood on tiptoe to press her lips to his in a quick kiss. She gave him a small smile. "You remember your promise and come back to me."
He graced her with one of those small smiles reserved just for her and fleetingly touched her face before turning to leave. Sakura's heart constricted in her chest as she watched him walk away, possibly for the last time.
* * *
As they neared Naraku and Sonya's castle the large army separated into different attack forces. Kagome and Yue shared one last, desperate kiss conveying all their love. Then, Yue flew to the head of the aerial force to lead them in the battle. Kagome watched sadly for a moment before she landed to continue on foot. It was pathetically easy to get into the castle. She swiftly and silently padded through the halls following her senses towards Naraku. She wasn't at all surprised to find him in the throne room. Her eyes scanned the recesses of the room for her half-sister. Suspicion filled her when she didn't find the other girl.
"Your sister is not here," Naraku said as if reading her mind.
"Half-sister!" She snapped. "Where is she?"
"I sent her away for the time being. She's attending to some business for me. She asked me to send her apologies."
Kagome shrugged. "That's fine by me. I'd rather not have to worry about her popping up when I least expect it. Now, can we drop the chit chat and get to the fight?"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. That's the problem with young people today, no patience." Kagome snorted at him and he sighed. "Oh, all right let's get to it."
The miko wasted no time in flying at him with her scais drawn. He surprised her by meeting her head on with a sword. Apparently the evil hanyou had grown a backbone.
* * *
Sakura sat in the garden watching the children as they raced about the garden. Her mind, however, was not on them. It had been an hour and a half since everyone left, which meant that they had been fighting for at least half an hour by now. She worried for her friends, especially a certain taiyoukai who had somehow found his way into her heart without even intending to. She also worried for Kagome and Yue more than any. She worried for Kagome because of what Yue remembered. Her friend had told her about it that morning and Sakura desperately feared that it would come to pass. She worried about how Yue would react once it happened. She had no idea if he would be able to cope with the pain a second time. She couldn't even imagine what it would be like to lose the one you love twice in one lifetime.
* * *
Chaos reigned over the field. Ookami, kitsune, and inu youkai battled ferociously against the beasts that prowled the battlements of Naraku's castle. In the air avariels battled against winged creatures. Both sides refused to back down. The defenders out of fear of their master and the invaders out of the desire to preserve the lives of the billions that populated the world, as well as love and respect for the woman inside the castle battling the most evil of all creatures.
Inuyasha fought back to back with his brother. The inu hanyou was shocked at the savage way the taiyoukai fought. It seemed as if there was some driving force behind Sesshoumaru's fighting. Always before it seemed that his brother didn't care whether or not he was killed. Now it was like he'd do anything to prevent himself from dying. The hanyou couldn't help feeling proud.
Kirara, Sango, and Miroku formed a small triangle that no youkai was able to sunder. They couldn't be separated if their lives depended on it. All three were determined to destroy as many of Naraku's followers as they could. For too long they had been plagued by these nuisances. It was time for them to receive their just desserts for all the pain they and others like them had suffered over the years.
Yue flitted about, never staying in one place for too long. He refused to fight by anyone's side, preferring to take out as many as he could, as fast as he could, as savagely as he could. He was determined to make them suffer as much or more pain than he had felt when he first lost Kagome and would feel again by the end of the day. Then they would suffer twice that for the pain Kagome must've felt the first time and would feel again by the end of the day. All who watched him swore that he was the perfect picture of an avenging angel.
* * *
Kagome rolled back, kicking Naraku's hand from below and sending his sword flying. Now they were both weaponless and took to hand to hand combat. Not once did the evil hanyou bring out his tentacles. Not yet, anyway. She did not doubt that he would when he saw that it was to his advantage. She wasn't the least bit surprised when that was just as she started to force him back. She found it hard to focus on attacking while defending herself from his waving appendages. It wasn't until he sent her flying against the stone wall that she brought out her flame sword. Once again they were on even footing.
* * *
He couldn't believe it. He had been careless enough to let them isolate him and as much as he hated to admit it, there were too many for him to defeat by himself. He was sure to be a goner now. After all he'd done this was how he was going to die, at the hands of some lesser youkai that he should've been able to beat. He flexed his claws and growled low in his throat. Well, he was going to go down fighting. Just as he was about to lunge at them, they separated as if ordered. He pulled up short as the familiar face of one of Naraku's favorites came into view. He immediately dropped back into his attack stance.
"Relax, wolf. I'm not here to fight you."
As if to instantly disprove her claim, she pulled out her razor fans. But rather than attack him as he thought, she lunged for the youkai that stupidly trusted her. After a shocked moment he too lunged at the youkai that had just had him cornered.
* * *
Despite his obvious attack strategy, Akemi stayed somewhat close to her father as she fought. She was worried for him. This wasn't what he was normally like, even in battle. It was almost as if he were making this a personal vendetta because of something or someone. The look on his face was too complex to read. The only emotions she could recognize were anger and pain. It was beginning to frighten her.
The two Keros were quite a force to be reckoned with. They were obviously spurred by their dear friend's pain. They had both been through too much with him to let it just lie. So they fought as ferociously as he. Soon the enemy youkai were going out of their way to fight anyone other than the three guardians.
Sesshoumaru sprayed his poison into the mouth of his victim. He fought with more determination that he could ever recall. Each youkai he killed was one less youkai that stood between him and the path back to Rin and the young sorceress that had more of a hold on his heart than he realized.
Shayril: Well, there you go. The final battle has begun but who will come out the victor? Kalika: The good guys, of course. Navi: And what makes you so sure about that? Kalika: Because I'm the one giving the inspiration for this story. Shayril: (Shakes her head) No. I've reassigned everybody. This story and the sequel are Aliri's, you get 'Of Youkai and Gypsies'..... Aliri: Which you should really get started on, by the way. The reviewers are restless. Shayril: Yeah, they're gonna want more once I'm out of my funk. Chapter Six is about to go up, but that won't tide them over for long. Kalika: I'm going, I'm going. Navi: Hey, what's my assignment? If I don't work, I don't get money. If I don't get money I can't feed my family. Shayril: You and Dragonwing are on Labyrinth detail. There's a multi- chapter I promised the people and I need inspiration for it. Now get moving. Navi: I can't. Shayril: Why not? Navi: Dragonwing is my partner and I kicked out all the guys. Shayril: (Sighs) Fine, bring him back. I don't hate him anyway. Just all the men that aren't married, gay, or too young for me. (Navi leaves to find her husband.) Shayril: Anyway, I hope you guys liked the chapter. The next one should be up soon, but don't count on it. There are a lot of things that factor into my ability to update. The main component being whether or not I feel like it. Please review, they always cheer me up and I reeeeeaaaaaaly need to be cheered up. Ja.
Chapter Twenty-Six – Time for War
The room was gray in the predawn light. Any and all colors seemed muted, not as bright and vibrant as usual. She stared up at the face of the man she loved. As always her heart swelled, but her thoughts were tinged with sorrow. In a couple hours they would be heading out and if what he said was true, and there was no evidence to the contrary, they would never see each other again. As those thoughts ran through her head it took her a moment to realize that he was looking at her. He leaned down and kissed her. As the sun rose in the sky they made love. It wasn't anything to be proud of. It was clumsy and frenzied, one last attempt to show each other just how much they loved each other. When the sun had completely risen in the sky they rose from bed and went to shower together. As the water fell on them they once again made frenzied, clumsy love.
* * *
They looked like a couple who didn't realize just how much they loved each other until now. They also looked like they knew that they would be torn apart, never to see each other again. Not once throughout breakfast did they release each other's hand. It was like they were trying to hold on as long as possible. Inuyasha couldn't help feeling his heart ache for her. That's what love was, after all, even after your feelings are no longer reciprocated.
Breakfast was a quiet affair that morning. Conversation was limited to "Pass the eggs." or "Roll?" No one was willing to break the silence. They didn't think it was right to be boisterous and happy on a day like this. Even the children were subdued as they ate. It seemed like forever before they were all finished. One by one they rose and headed outside. Kagome saw to her men before saying a tearful goodbye to Shippou, Rin, and Sakura.
Take care of Yue, Sakura-chan. He'll need you and Akemi and Shippou to help him through this.
Sesshoumaru waited until the others joined the armies waiting outside before saying his goodbyes. Rin clung to his leg, begging him not to leave. Finally, Sakura crouched down beside the girl.
"Rin-chan, Sesshoumaru-san has to go punish the bad man that hurt you. He'll come back."
"You promise?"
Sakura nodded. "Hai. Now why don't you find Jaken and tell him to play with you. Do you remember the game I taught you yesterday?"
"Okay!" the girl said happily.
The taiyoukai watched as she and Shippou ran off with wicked looking grins on their faces. He actually pitied the toad should they find him and he had no doubt that they would. After a moment he turned his attention back to the young sorceress.
"I know you will take excellent care of her," he said. "Perhaps one day we both will."
Sakura nodded. "I'd like that." Taking a deep breath, she gathered her courage and stood on tiptoe to press her lips to his in a quick kiss. She gave him a small smile. "You remember your promise and come back to me."
He graced her with one of those small smiles reserved just for her and fleetingly touched her face before turning to leave. Sakura's heart constricted in her chest as she watched him walk away, possibly for the last time.
* * *
As they neared Naraku and Sonya's castle the large army separated into different attack forces. Kagome and Yue shared one last, desperate kiss conveying all their love. Then, Yue flew to the head of the aerial force to lead them in the battle. Kagome watched sadly for a moment before she landed to continue on foot. It was pathetically easy to get into the castle. She swiftly and silently padded through the halls following her senses towards Naraku. She wasn't at all surprised to find him in the throne room. Her eyes scanned the recesses of the room for her half-sister. Suspicion filled her when she didn't find the other girl.
"Your sister is not here," Naraku said as if reading her mind.
"Half-sister!" She snapped. "Where is she?"
"I sent her away for the time being. She's attending to some business for me. She asked me to send her apologies."
Kagome shrugged. "That's fine by me. I'd rather not have to worry about her popping up when I least expect it. Now, can we drop the chit chat and get to the fight?"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. That's the problem with young people today, no patience." Kagome snorted at him and he sighed. "Oh, all right let's get to it."
The miko wasted no time in flying at him with her scais drawn. He surprised her by meeting her head on with a sword. Apparently the evil hanyou had grown a backbone.
* * *
Sakura sat in the garden watching the children as they raced about the garden. Her mind, however, was not on them. It had been an hour and a half since everyone left, which meant that they had been fighting for at least half an hour by now. She worried for her friends, especially a certain taiyoukai who had somehow found his way into her heart without even intending to. She also worried for Kagome and Yue more than any. She worried for Kagome because of what Yue remembered. Her friend had told her about it that morning and Sakura desperately feared that it would come to pass. She worried about how Yue would react once it happened. She had no idea if he would be able to cope with the pain a second time. She couldn't even imagine what it would be like to lose the one you love twice in one lifetime.
* * *
Chaos reigned over the field. Ookami, kitsune, and inu youkai battled ferociously against the beasts that prowled the battlements of Naraku's castle. In the air avariels battled against winged creatures. Both sides refused to back down. The defenders out of fear of their master and the invaders out of the desire to preserve the lives of the billions that populated the world, as well as love and respect for the woman inside the castle battling the most evil of all creatures.
Inuyasha fought back to back with his brother. The inu hanyou was shocked at the savage way the taiyoukai fought. It seemed as if there was some driving force behind Sesshoumaru's fighting. Always before it seemed that his brother didn't care whether or not he was killed. Now it was like he'd do anything to prevent himself from dying. The hanyou couldn't help feeling proud.
Kirara, Sango, and Miroku formed a small triangle that no youkai was able to sunder. They couldn't be separated if their lives depended on it. All three were determined to destroy as many of Naraku's followers as they could. For too long they had been plagued by these nuisances. It was time for them to receive their just desserts for all the pain they and others like them had suffered over the years.
Yue flitted about, never staying in one place for too long. He refused to fight by anyone's side, preferring to take out as many as he could, as fast as he could, as savagely as he could. He was determined to make them suffer as much or more pain than he had felt when he first lost Kagome and would feel again by the end of the day. Then they would suffer twice that for the pain Kagome must've felt the first time and would feel again by the end of the day. All who watched him swore that he was the perfect picture of an avenging angel.
* * *
Kagome rolled back, kicking Naraku's hand from below and sending his sword flying. Now they were both weaponless and took to hand to hand combat. Not once did the evil hanyou bring out his tentacles. Not yet, anyway. She did not doubt that he would when he saw that it was to his advantage. She wasn't the least bit surprised when that was just as she started to force him back. She found it hard to focus on attacking while defending herself from his waving appendages. It wasn't until he sent her flying against the stone wall that she brought out her flame sword. Once again they were on even footing.
* * *
He couldn't believe it. He had been careless enough to let them isolate him and as much as he hated to admit it, there were too many for him to defeat by himself. He was sure to be a goner now. After all he'd done this was how he was going to die, at the hands of some lesser youkai that he should've been able to beat. He flexed his claws and growled low in his throat. Well, he was going to go down fighting. Just as he was about to lunge at them, they separated as if ordered. He pulled up short as the familiar face of one of Naraku's favorites came into view. He immediately dropped back into his attack stance.
"Relax, wolf. I'm not here to fight you."
As if to instantly disprove her claim, she pulled out her razor fans. But rather than attack him as he thought, she lunged for the youkai that stupidly trusted her. After a shocked moment he too lunged at the youkai that had just had him cornered.
* * *
Despite his obvious attack strategy, Akemi stayed somewhat close to her father as she fought. She was worried for him. This wasn't what he was normally like, even in battle. It was almost as if he were making this a personal vendetta because of something or someone. The look on his face was too complex to read. The only emotions she could recognize were anger and pain. It was beginning to frighten her.
The two Keros were quite a force to be reckoned with. They were obviously spurred by their dear friend's pain. They had both been through too much with him to let it just lie. So they fought as ferociously as he. Soon the enemy youkai were going out of their way to fight anyone other than the three guardians.
Sesshoumaru sprayed his poison into the mouth of his victim. He fought with more determination that he could ever recall. Each youkai he killed was one less youkai that stood between him and the path back to Rin and the young sorceress that had more of a hold on his heart than he realized.
Shayril: Well, there you go. The final battle has begun but who will come out the victor? Kalika: The good guys, of course. Navi: And what makes you so sure about that? Kalika: Because I'm the one giving the inspiration for this story. Shayril: (Shakes her head) No. I've reassigned everybody. This story and the sequel are Aliri's, you get 'Of Youkai and Gypsies'..... Aliri: Which you should really get started on, by the way. The reviewers are restless. Shayril: Yeah, they're gonna want more once I'm out of my funk. Chapter Six is about to go up, but that won't tide them over for long. Kalika: I'm going, I'm going. Navi: Hey, what's my assignment? If I don't work, I don't get money. If I don't get money I can't feed my family. Shayril: You and Dragonwing are on Labyrinth detail. There's a multi- chapter I promised the people and I need inspiration for it. Now get moving. Navi: I can't. Shayril: Why not? Navi: Dragonwing is my partner and I kicked out all the guys. Shayril: (Sighs) Fine, bring him back. I don't hate him anyway. Just all the men that aren't married, gay, or too young for me. (Navi leaves to find her husband.) Shayril: Anyway, I hope you guys liked the chapter. The next one should be up soon, but don't count on it. There are a lot of things that factor into my ability to update. The main component being whether or not I feel like it. Please review, they always cheer me up and I reeeeeaaaaaaly need to be cheered up. Ja.