Shayril: Okay, people, here's the next chapter of 'Shards and Cards'. It's
all typed, and edited and everything.
(Aliri's staring at Dragonwing.)
Aliri: What are you doing here? I thought Shayri kicked all the guys out.
Dragonwing: She let me come back because I'm special.
Navi: In the head maybe.
Shayril: Actually, I only let you come back because you're already married.
If you were a guy that's around my age, single, and straight I wouldn't
have agreed to let you come back.
Dragonwing: Oh.
(Kalika points and laughs at him. Navi stares at her.)
Navi: Why are you doing that?
Kalika: (Shrugs) I just felt like pointing and laughing.
Shayril: O-kay. And that's my cue to say on to the chapter.
Chapter Twenty-Seven – Kagome's Last Stand
Through some sort of unconscious movement the traveling companions soon found themselves fighting as a group and they were unstoppable. They cut a swath across the battlefield leaving piles of dead and dying youkai in their wake. It wasn't long before they had to take the fight to the youkai because the enemy forces went out of their way to avoid them. Inuyasha had that arrogant smirk on his face and for once no one minded. They were all feeling pretty good about themselves. They could almost forget that their dearest friend was fighting the most evil creature they knew. Then, the ground began to shake because of the battle within the castle. Miroku noticed Yue freeze and look towards the castle. The look in his eyes was one of terror and intense pain.
* * *
Kagome dodged Naraku's blast of power. It slammed into the ground just behind where she stood. The entire castle shook with the impact. The room was already in shambles from their battle and it didn't look like this battle would end soon. They were both too strong. Which meant that she couldn't rely on that. She'd have to think of something else.
* * *
Sonya paced before Kanna's mirror. They had been relocated to one of Naraku's other hideouts. The mirror showed the battle between her lover and her wretched half-sister. With the power boost she had given him he should have easily been able to destroy that raven-haired bitch. Instead they were at a standstill, neither one gaining any ground. It seemed that they were evenly matched. She growled low in her throat. She wanted that bitch dead! And it looked like she would have to help.
* * *
She was just about to attack when a cloud of smoke heralded the arrival of the Dark Mistress. Kagome was cursing inwardly. There was no way she could defeat them both if they had the same amount of power. She was surprised when Naraku didn't look too happy at Sonya's appearance.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded.
"I said I'd go somewhere safe. I didn't say I would stay there."
"You don't have the power to fight her."
The Dark Mistress smirked. "What makes you think that? I gave you my power, but I also replenished it within myself. Besides, your legacy grants me power."
"Which you will use to leave and protect it."
She snorted. "I don't think so. You're not getting anywhere. You're too evenly matched. With twice the power she'll be no match for us."
"If that's what you believe, then by all means, join in," Kagome said. "I've been wanting to beat your ass for a long time."
And the fighting renewed as they clashed together, Kagome against the two of them. She was hard pressed to keep them at bay while her mind whirled to find a way to defeat them. There was no way she would let them survive this. The world had suffered enough because of them.
* * *
Finally, after two long hours of battle the remains of Naraku's forces fled. The victors cheered before seeing to the casualties. Tobikuma and Akemi had to forcefully keep Yue from going into the castle, especially when the castle began to quake again.
"Let me go," he ordered.
"No. You can't, you know that. You'll only go through this another lifetime. Isn't twice enough?" Tobikuma said.
"Yes it is, which is exactly why I have to go in there!"
Akemi looked at him curiously. "What are you talking about?"
Yue sighed. "I've been through this before. This exact event. In my past."
Her eyes widened in comprehension. "She didn't survive, did she?" she asked quietly.
The pain in his eyes and his silence was answer enough. She was tempted to release him and let him rush to her mother's side. But her sense soon overtook her again. Her father wouldn't be able to change anything. She'd just lose them both again. It would be bad enough losing her mother she wouldn't lose both of them. She wouldn't endure that grief again. She would at least have her father at her side. Her grip on his arm tightened.
"If you go then you will just ensure that events will repeat themselves again. Do you want to go through this again?"
Yue had a determined look on his face. "I'll go through this again and again if I have to until we both come out of this alive. I'd rather die thousands of times beside her than live without her."
Akemi desperately held him back. "You can't. I won't let you!"
"And I won't go through this again."
"What about me?"
Her father froze. "What?"
"You said you'd rather die thousands of times at her side then live without her, but what about me. Would you put me through the pain of losing my parents over and over?" She said. "And what of Shippou. He already loves you like a father. Would you make him suffer the pain of losing both his parents once again? He's already lost his biological parents, he's about to lose his heart's mother. Don't let him lose his heart's father as well."
For a few precious moments she thought she hadn't gotten through to him. Then he seemed to deflate and stopped fighting her and Tobikuma. He gently pulled her into an embrace, his chin resting on her head.
"You know I wouldn't do anything to hurt my children."
Relief filled Akemi as she hugged her father back. They could help each other through this. Things may never be perfect but they would survive. Then, she felt the ground begin to tremble.
* * *
Kagome panted for breath as she exchanged blows with Naraku and Sonya. The castle was shaking with the force of their attacks. For some reason her opponents remained on one side of the room, refusing to go past a certain point with anything but magic. The miko looked around trying to find why. After a few minutes of dodging attacks and looking around she found the source of their weariness. The support pillars were full of fractures that would soon cause them to crumble, bringing half the ceiling down on her. Now she realized that they were purposely missing her with their attacks, thinking to crush her instead. A plan immediately formed in her mind. She sent a barrage of energy balls at them knowing they'd easily dodge them. Kagome watched with satisfaction as the energy balls crashed into the support pillars behind them. Three could play at this game. Three more times she let her energy balls hit the pillars and gradually hairline fractures appeared, unseen by Naraku and the Dark Mistress.
"What's wrong, sis?" Sonya taunted. "It looks like you're losing your touch."
Kagome snorted. "Not really. And don't call me 'sis'."
"Admit it, Kagome. You're no match for us," Sonya continued. "You'll never destroy us."
"You want to wager on that?"
Lifting her hands, she produced her energy bow with two arrows on it. Without blinking she released the arrows and they flew through the air. Instead of hitting her opponents, they blew into the pillars. Taking off a dangerous amount of support. She quickly manifested two more arrows and pulled the bow taut. The two before her stared in disbelief as the castle quaked.
"You wouldn't dare," Naraku said. "You don't have it in you. It'd kill you, too."
"Perhaps Kagome, the girl who crossed time doesn't. But I'm Heaven's Priestess now, High Lady of the Sky Kingdom," Kagome said. "I can deal with dying. I have before."
Without further warning she released the arrows. The others' eyes widened as the arrows blasted through whatever support was left. As the arrows did their work, Kagome focused her eyes on the tainted Shikon no Tama hanging around Naraku's neck. Willing her power to do its work, the jewel was cleansed in an instant and transferred itself back into her body. With the loss of such a powerful aid and being as exhausted as they were, Naraku and Sonya couldn't teleport out and began to panic.
Kagome closed her eyes and sent to her people. You have fought well and your fighting has not been in vain. Naraku and the Dark Mistress are defeated. She switched to contact with only her friends and family. You have all brought me such joy in the time we were together. Remember me fondly and please do not grieve for too long over me.
The sound was deafening as stones fell in on each other, crushing whatever lay inside. Yue couldn't move or speak as he thought of her laying under all of that. She couldn't possibly die this way. It wasn't right. But it was happening and as the rumbling began to die down one last thought floated out of the ruins. It was so faint that he barely heard it.
I love you, Yue. Even in death, I'll always be with you.
Soon all that remained was a pile of rubble where a castle had once stood. Before anyone had a chance to move, Yue's wings burst from his back and he flew to the remains. They all watched sadly for a few moments as he clawed desperately at the stones, not caring that his hands were being scraped raw as he tossed them aside, searching for her. He was stopped when Inuyasha grabbed him and pulled him away. Naturally, the moon guardian struggled against him.
"Let me go! I have to find her!"
"Stop!" Inuyasha shouted. "It's over, she's gone."
Yue was shaking his head. "No. She can't be. Not her. Not my Kagome."
"Don't you think I want that to be true?! I love her too dammit! But she's gone."
Still Yue struggled for a few minutes. He knew it was irrational. He knew that the hanyou was right. After all, he'd seen it before. He'd known before the day even started that it would happen. That didn't mean he liked or accepted it. But finally, Yue deflated and fell to his knees. A wordless scream of anguish echoed over the battlefield and everyone could do nothing except look on as he broke down into heartbreaking sobs.
(Shayril hides behind the muses.) Shayril: Don't kill me!!! Navi: Kill her! Kill her! Kill her! Dragonwing: Love, do you really want that? Navi: YES!!! Shayril: If I die you don't have a job anymore!!! Navi: Don't kill her! Don't kill her! Don't kill her! Kagome: I can't believe you killed me. What did I ever do to you? Shayril: It's not like you're going to stay dead. There's still a sequel, remember? There can't be a sequel if you stay dead. Kagome: Oh, well then, it's okay. (To readers) Don't kill her. Aliri: At least wait until after the epilogue. Shayril: Only one chapter and then the epilogue to go. I'm gonna miss this story. Kalika: (Sobbing) M... me too. Aliri: It's not even over yet. Navi: Technically it is, she just has to finish typing and editing. Kalika: WAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! Aliri: Oh, shut up! Don't you have work to do on 'Of Youkai and Gypsies'? Kalika: Oh yeah! See ya later. (Kalika runs off to her little corner.) Shayril: Okay, folks, time to go. Please review. Ja!
Chapter Twenty-Seven – Kagome's Last Stand
Through some sort of unconscious movement the traveling companions soon found themselves fighting as a group and they were unstoppable. They cut a swath across the battlefield leaving piles of dead and dying youkai in their wake. It wasn't long before they had to take the fight to the youkai because the enemy forces went out of their way to avoid them. Inuyasha had that arrogant smirk on his face and for once no one minded. They were all feeling pretty good about themselves. They could almost forget that their dearest friend was fighting the most evil creature they knew. Then, the ground began to shake because of the battle within the castle. Miroku noticed Yue freeze and look towards the castle. The look in his eyes was one of terror and intense pain.
* * *
Kagome dodged Naraku's blast of power. It slammed into the ground just behind where she stood. The entire castle shook with the impact. The room was already in shambles from their battle and it didn't look like this battle would end soon. They were both too strong. Which meant that she couldn't rely on that. She'd have to think of something else.
* * *
Sonya paced before Kanna's mirror. They had been relocated to one of Naraku's other hideouts. The mirror showed the battle between her lover and her wretched half-sister. With the power boost she had given him he should have easily been able to destroy that raven-haired bitch. Instead they were at a standstill, neither one gaining any ground. It seemed that they were evenly matched. She growled low in her throat. She wanted that bitch dead! And it looked like she would have to help.
* * *
She was just about to attack when a cloud of smoke heralded the arrival of the Dark Mistress. Kagome was cursing inwardly. There was no way she could defeat them both if they had the same amount of power. She was surprised when Naraku didn't look too happy at Sonya's appearance.
"What are you doing here?" he demanded.
"I said I'd go somewhere safe. I didn't say I would stay there."
"You don't have the power to fight her."
The Dark Mistress smirked. "What makes you think that? I gave you my power, but I also replenished it within myself. Besides, your legacy grants me power."
"Which you will use to leave and protect it."
She snorted. "I don't think so. You're not getting anywhere. You're too evenly matched. With twice the power she'll be no match for us."
"If that's what you believe, then by all means, join in," Kagome said. "I've been wanting to beat your ass for a long time."
And the fighting renewed as they clashed together, Kagome against the two of them. She was hard pressed to keep them at bay while her mind whirled to find a way to defeat them. There was no way she would let them survive this. The world had suffered enough because of them.
* * *
Finally, after two long hours of battle the remains of Naraku's forces fled. The victors cheered before seeing to the casualties. Tobikuma and Akemi had to forcefully keep Yue from going into the castle, especially when the castle began to quake again.
"Let me go," he ordered.
"No. You can't, you know that. You'll only go through this another lifetime. Isn't twice enough?" Tobikuma said.
"Yes it is, which is exactly why I have to go in there!"
Akemi looked at him curiously. "What are you talking about?"
Yue sighed. "I've been through this before. This exact event. In my past."
Her eyes widened in comprehension. "She didn't survive, did she?" she asked quietly.
The pain in his eyes and his silence was answer enough. She was tempted to release him and let him rush to her mother's side. But her sense soon overtook her again. Her father wouldn't be able to change anything. She'd just lose them both again. It would be bad enough losing her mother she wouldn't lose both of them. She wouldn't endure that grief again. She would at least have her father at her side. Her grip on his arm tightened.
"If you go then you will just ensure that events will repeat themselves again. Do you want to go through this again?"
Yue had a determined look on his face. "I'll go through this again and again if I have to until we both come out of this alive. I'd rather die thousands of times beside her than live without her."
Akemi desperately held him back. "You can't. I won't let you!"
"And I won't go through this again."
"What about me?"
Her father froze. "What?"
"You said you'd rather die thousands of times at her side then live without her, but what about me. Would you put me through the pain of losing my parents over and over?" She said. "And what of Shippou. He already loves you like a father. Would you make him suffer the pain of losing both his parents once again? He's already lost his biological parents, he's about to lose his heart's mother. Don't let him lose his heart's father as well."
For a few precious moments she thought she hadn't gotten through to him. Then he seemed to deflate and stopped fighting her and Tobikuma. He gently pulled her into an embrace, his chin resting on her head.
"You know I wouldn't do anything to hurt my children."
Relief filled Akemi as she hugged her father back. They could help each other through this. Things may never be perfect but they would survive. Then, she felt the ground begin to tremble.
* * *
Kagome panted for breath as she exchanged blows with Naraku and Sonya. The castle was shaking with the force of their attacks. For some reason her opponents remained on one side of the room, refusing to go past a certain point with anything but magic. The miko looked around trying to find why. After a few minutes of dodging attacks and looking around she found the source of their weariness. The support pillars were full of fractures that would soon cause them to crumble, bringing half the ceiling down on her. Now she realized that they were purposely missing her with their attacks, thinking to crush her instead. A plan immediately formed in her mind. She sent a barrage of energy balls at them knowing they'd easily dodge them. Kagome watched with satisfaction as the energy balls crashed into the support pillars behind them. Three could play at this game. Three more times she let her energy balls hit the pillars and gradually hairline fractures appeared, unseen by Naraku and the Dark Mistress.
"What's wrong, sis?" Sonya taunted. "It looks like you're losing your touch."
Kagome snorted. "Not really. And don't call me 'sis'."
"Admit it, Kagome. You're no match for us," Sonya continued. "You'll never destroy us."
"You want to wager on that?"
Lifting her hands, she produced her energy bow with two arrows on it. Without blinking she released the arrows and they flew through the air. Instead of hitting her opponents, they blew into the pillars. Taking off a dangerous amount of support. She quickly manifested two more arrows and pulled the bow taut. The two before her stared in disbelief as the castle quaked.
"You wouldn't dare," Naraku said. "You don't have it in you. It'd kill you, too."
"Perhaps Kagome, the girl who crossed time doesn't. But I'm Heaven's Priestess now, High Lady of the Sky Kingdom," Kagome said. "I can deal with dying. I have before."
Without further warning she released the arrows. The others' eyes widened as the arrows blasted through whatever support was left. As the arrows did their work, Kagome focused her eyes on the tainted Shikon no Tama hanging around Naraku's neck. Willing her power to do its work, the jewel was cleansed in an instant and transferred itself back into her body. With the loss of such a powerful aid and being as exhausted as they were, Naraku and Sonya couldn't teleport out and began to panic.
Kagome closed her eyes and sent to her people. You have fought well and your fighting has not been in vain. Naraku and the Dark Mistress are defeated. She switched to contact with only her friends and family. You have all brought me such joy in the time we were together. Remember me fondly and please do not grieve for too long over me.
The sound was deafening as stones fell in on each other, crushing whatever lay inside. Yue couldn't move or speak as he thought of her laying under all of that. She couldn't possibly die this way. It wasn't right. But it was happening and as the rumbling began to die down one last thought floated out of the ruins. It was so faint that he barely heard it.
I love you, Yue. Even in death, I'll always be with you.
Soon all that remained was a pile of rubble where a castle had once stood. Before anyone had a chance to move, Yue's wings burst from his back and he flew to the remains. They all watched sadly for a few moments as he clawed desperately at the stones, not caring that his hands were being scraped raw as he tossed them aside, searching for her. He was stopped when Inuyasha grabbed him and pulled him away. Naturally, the moon guardian struggled against him.
"Let me go! I have to find her!"
"Stop!" Inuyasha shouted. "It's over, she's gone."
Yue was shaking his head. "No. She can't be. Not her. Not my Kagome."
"Don't you think I want that to be true?! I love her too dammit! But she's gone."
Still Yue struggled for a few minutes. He knew it was irrational. He knew that the hanyou was right. After all, he'd seen it before. He'd known before the day even started that it would happen. That didn't mean he liked or accepted it. But finally, Yue deflated and fell to his knees. A wordless scream of anguish echoed over the battlefield and everyone could do nothing except look on as he broke down into heartbreaking sobs.
(Shayril hides behind the muses.) Shayril: Don't kill me!!! Navi: Kill her! Kill her! Kill her! Dragonwing: Love, do you really want that? Navi: YES!!! Shayril: If I die you don't have a job anymore!!! Navi: Don't kill her! Don't kill her! Don't kill her! Kagome: I can't believe you killed me. What did I ever do to you? Shayril: It's not like you're going to stay dead. There's still a sequel, remember? There can't be a sequel if you stay dead. Kagome: Oh, well then, it's okay. (To readers) Don't kill her. Aliri: At least wait until after the epilogue. Shayril: Only one chapter and then the epilogue to go. I'm gonna miss this story. Kalika: (Sobbing) M... me too. Aliri: It's not even over yet. Navi: Technically it is, she just has to finish typing and editing. Kalika: WAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! Aliri: Oh, shut up! Don't you have work to do on 'Of Youkai and Gypsies'? Kalika: Oh yeah! See ya later. (Kalika runs off to her little corner.) Shayril: Okay, folks, time to go. Please review. Ja!