To Protect the One I Love

Author's Notes:  Okay, so leaving the last chapter one a cliff hanger was mean, I know but I couldn't help it!  I've been able to write pretty smoothly for this week without any writer's blocks, so let's hope this keeps going.  Here's the end of Onigumo!

Blessed Be the Damned

            Onigumo's body began shifting and taking on a different form.  This caught Inuyasha by surprise.  Kuso, he's not attacking with any energy, but somehow his youki is getting stronger!  He knew he had to stop it, so he ran forward and swung his sword. 

"Kazu no Kizu!"  The attack ripped apart Onigumo's lower half and took off his arms too.

But Onigumo's body began recovering even faster than before except this time his hands were large scissor like claws and a large scorpion tail grew from his back.  Eight long skeletal legs grew from his ribs and raised him above the ground a good five feet.  Inuyasha recognized it as the same form Onigumo took on when they first battled.

"Sometimes it's best to stick with what you know."  The demon said smugly.  He immediately started attacking with his tail, trying to stab Inuyasha multiple times.  Inuyasha was able to dodge them, but he was growing tired and couldn't get enough time to counter-attack.

Kagome opened her eyes more and saw Inuyasha in danger of being stabbed again.  She remembered the last time he had been literally impaled on Onigumo's tail and remembered seeing his body hang limply in the air.  I can't bear to see it again, not when I love him this much. 

Kagome looked over at her wrist and remembered when Princess Kaguya wanted to change Inuyasha; Kagome had been able to break free of her bonds with the help of the Shikon shards.  Now, she didn't have Shippo to throw them at her, so she'd have to do it herself.  She felt the jewels' warmth under her shirt and focused her energy on them.  They responded and she could literally feel her miko powers increase tenfold.

She gritted her teeth and tried to will the energy into her arm.  There wasn't enough energy to free herself completely, but if she could just get one arm free…

Pulling with all her might, Kagome saw the magical bonds holding her right wrist down crackle and resist, and with one last pull they shattered like glass.

Looking over at Inuyasha, she saw he was barely avoiding the attacks now.  He dodged one of Onigumo's claws and landed, only to slip on the dirt and gravel covered floor.  He stumbled and couldn't move out of the way from the tail that was coming down right on top of him…

"I-Inuyasha!!!"  Kagome's horsed voice rang out and she threw her hand forward, miko energy coming together and fusing in her hand before lashing out towards Onigumo.  Several streaks of uncontrolled energy ran through Onigumo's body, severing the tail before it could harm Inuyasha.

Onigumo's anger was evident in his eyes and he turned towards Kagome, rage only making his youki stronger.  "You!!!"  His claws lit up and he swung both of them, energy being released much like Kagura's Fuji No Mai attack.

That was all Inuyasha needed.  "Onigumo!!!"  Inuyasha jumped forward between Kagome and Onigumo and raised Tetsusaiga.  The sword became a black hole, sucking in all of Onigumo's attack in a swirling whirlpool.  "Right back at ya!!  BAKURYUUHA!"  Inuyasha brought the sword down and three large tornados of demon energy exploded all around Onigumo.

"N-Nani?!"  He was easily enveloped by the attack and screamed as Bakuryuuha ripped his body apart piece by piece.  Any parts left that tried to regenerate were shredded even more.  The center heart tried pulsating and collecting itself, but the tornadoes easily ripped that apart as well, leaving nothing in its wake.

During the attack, Inuyasha had been thrown back and wouldn't hit the wall had a soft pink-hued shield not protected him.  After the attack the shield dissipated.  He gasped and turned to Kagome, who still seemed asleep against the wall.  He noticed her one hand hung limply on her side and her head was resting against her chest.

When he was satisfied Onigumo wouldn't be coming back, he went over to his miko and held a hand against her shield.  She must be getting stronger if she's able to do this.  He thought.  Even he couldn't get in, not that he would force it.  "Kagome…" He said gently.  "It's okay.  It's all over."

Kagome moaned and slowly opened her eyes.  She looked around and saw nothing left of the demon once called Onigumo.  Then she saw Inuyasha.  He was cut up a bit, but he was alive and in one piece.  "Inu…ya…sha?"

He smiled.  "Yes, it's me.  I'm here now."

She smiled and the shield lowered itself.  Inuyasha came forward and caressed the bruise on Kagome's cheek.  As much as she was trying to hold it back, she winced, bringing a worried look to her hanyou's face.  "Mou, its okay.  I'll survive."  She tried to assure him.

"Did he…?"  Inuyasha didn't even want to finish that sentence.

Kagome looked down, not wanting to remember.  "I don't think so.  But he…if you had come any later…"

Inuyasha came forward and held her as close as he could.  He snuggled his nose into her hair and Kagome could've sworn she hear him purr.  "I'm sorry.  I'll never leave your side again."

Unlike when Onigumo had gotten close, Inuyasha was a welcomed presence.  One she could never get enough of.  She closed her eyes and snuggled back.

After a few moments, Inuyasha backed away, easily breaking her of her bonds with his claws, and gave her one of his rare smiles as she fell into his awaiting arms.  "Are you ready?" She nodded.  "Then let's go get Naraku."

* * *

Sango and Miroku, along with Shippo and Kirara, raced over the vast forest below, trying to spot any sign of Inuyasha or Kagome.

Sango didn't bother to hide her worry.  "I've got a bad feeling about this."

Behind her, Miroku squeezed her shoulder reassuringly.  "Don't worry.  We'll probably find them fighting with each other they're both be just fine."

Sango smiled affectionately and would've slapped him across the face for the grope she felt with his other hand when Shippo's shout drew her attention. 

"Look down there!"

Below them was a giant hole in the middle of the forest.  Its edges still slightly glowed with Kagome's miko power.  "Kirara!"  Sango commanded.

They flew down and all three hopped off, staring down into the ominous pit.  "Do you think this is where Naraku's been hiding?"  Shippo asked.

"Most definitely."  Miroku said gravely.  He stared at his cursed hand and clenched it shut in anger.  Naraku did this to me and ruined any chances I had at a normal life.  He took my father away and today is the day I finally get my revenge and lift myself of this damn curse!  Miroku stared down at the hole and almost smiled.  You thought you had the upper hand when you went into a coma and temporarily lifted Kazaana from me.  But what you didn't realize is it just fueled my spirit to be free from you once more.  This time for good!

Sango walked over, noticing the change in his demeanor.  "Houshi-sama?"  She said gently.

Miroku answered, but avoided her inquisitive gaze.  "Sango, when we fight Naraku, you may see a side of me that…if different than the usual me."  He warned.  Closing his eyes he remembered past moments in his life he rarely thought of.  "There were times when I was little and the other children wouldn't go near me or touch me because they were afraid they'd be cursed like I was.  That's why I trained at the temple for most of my life, shutting out everyone else except for my mentor, Mushin."

Sango was unsure what to say because Miroku so rarely told her about his past.

"With the death of Naraku, this curse will finally be lifted and I'll be…normal."

Sango smiled and decided it was her turn to put a hand on his shoulder.  " I was never afraid of you."  She stated.  The monk turned to her and for the first time he didn't look like a composed full-grown man but rather a scared child who'd seen too much death in his young years.  "I for one am kinda glad you have kazaana because then you never would've left on your quest and joined Inuyasha and Kagome and…" She paused.  "I never would've met you either."  By the end of the sentence her voice had dropped to barely a whisper and a bright blush tinted her cheeks so much that she turned and started staring at the ground for fear he would see it.

Miroku was too shocked to say anything.

Smiling, she turned back to him.  "Besides, kazaana has saved your life and everyone else's life more than once."  Looking unconvinced she continued.  "Who changed the direction of Ryuukotsusei's attack on Inuyasha when he was on his quest to make Tetsusaiga lighter?"

"Miroku!"  Shippo piped up.

"Who was it that saved me from that bear demon at the castle?"

"That wasn't because of kazaana."  He corrected her.

"But would you have been with Inuyasha if you never left on your journey?"

Miroku finally smiled.  It was all true.  Blushing, he took her hand in his.  "It's just that, I don't want you to be disappointed in me while I battle Naraku."

"I like all your sides, good and bad."  She squeezed his hand and pointed downwards.  "Ready?"

He nodded and turned to Shippo.  "When the battle starts, find a rock to hide behind and stayed there."

"But!"  The kitsune cub protested.

"If any of us get hurt, we're going to need someone to protect them."  Sango added.

Shippo stopped his whining immediately and nodded.  "You can count on me!"

"Okay then, let's go!"  They all mounted Kirara and dove into the hole.

* * *

Inuyasha and Kagome were nearing Naraku's layer, which both confirmed because Kagome's shards were glowing and the entire area reeked of Naraku's stench to the point where even Kagome picked up on it.

Both had decided that they were going to have to battle Naraku now because if he sent Onigumo, he already knew they were coming.  Inuyasha just hoped Miroku and Sango were on their way and weren't in any present danger.

As they rounded a corner, Inuyasha started feeling unusually nervous.  His gut instinct telling him to be wary.  This was Naraku they were going up against.  He didn't fool around when it came to Inuyasha and his friends.  He might even target Kagome to hurt Inuyasha more.  Was it really a good idea to waltz in there and put her at risk?

"Inuyasha?"  Kagome questioned when he stopped walking.

He looked up and locked his golden eyes with her deep brown ones.  "I just got you back and…Naraku might…"

She smiled with understanding and gave him a friendly hug.  "If I don't think I have a clear shot, I'll get out of the way, but you can't expect me to stand aside while you fight him all by yourself."

Remember, your combined strength is stronger that either of you realize.  Kikyou's voice came to him in his mind.  He smiled and pulled out of the hug.  "You're right.  Just be careful, okay?"

"You too."  She replied.

Kagome, you mean the world to me.  Naraku has already taken one love from me, I won't let him take you too.  For Miroku, Sango and all the countless other people Naraku's hurt and betrayed…I…No!  We must defeat him!  Together!

* * *

Kanna walked slowly, but found Kagura sitting at the edge of a cliff overlooking the vast valley below.  It was chilly out and a human probably wouldn't have been able to stand it very long, but Kanna didn't feel so it didn't bother her.

Kagura had decided to sit and start thinking about things.  Since she was mistress of the air, the cold night wind that blew across her face soothed her and it almost seemed like the wind was singing a sad, sorrowful tune for her.

"Kagura…" Kanna said, approaching her from behind.  "Naraku wants you to report what happened."  The little child-demon's voice never rose and fell in pitch.  It was always monotone and mundane.

The wind user turned around and when she noticed it was only her "sister", she turned her gaze back at the landscape.  "Do you like being Naraku's slave, Kanna?"  She asked.  "Have you ever dreamed what you would do if you were free?"

Kanna's black eyes remained dull as she replied, "I have no choice.  I do as Naraku commands me."

"But why?  Why must we lower ourselves to work with a mere hanyou like Naraku when we could live our own lives?"  Kagura often thought about what she'd do if she were free, but the problem was Naraku had her heart and so controlled everything she did.

"If we don't do as Naraku says, he will merely absorb us and we will cease to exist.  It is for survival."  Kanna monotonously replied.  For her everything lay in black and white, except for one thing…

"When he has no need of you, and you sit in your dark room with no one, what do you dream of Kanna?  What you do think about?"  The older woman asked.

Kneeling besides Kagura, Kanna seemed to hesitate before speaking.  "Even though I take others' life essences, their souls into my mirror…I often wonder…do I have one of my own?"

This caught the Wind Mistress off guard and she turned to the child sitting next to her.

"We were formed from Naraku.  If Naraku has a soul, do we have a part of it, like our bodies are a part of him, or were we granted our own?  Those who are born are granted a soul and that soul returns to the other world when their life is complete.  But when Naraku absorbs the bodies of other demons, no souls escape into the sky.  Does that mean maybe one of theirs is in us?  That we are just continuing someone else's life and in essence have none of our own?"

Kagura didn't know.  That was something she'd never really thought about.

Kanna turned her mirror towards herself and stared at her reflection.  "If I were to use this on myself, would my soul be sucked in as well?  Or would I find out that I don't have one?  I have often thought about doing so, but there isn't any real point.  Soul or no soul, Naraku would still control me."

Kagura looked down at Kanna a moment more before returning her eyes to the horizon.  This time, both stayed there and thought about their dreams and wishes.  Maybe with Naraku's defeat, they would find the answers they desired and freedom would be theirs.

* * *

Naraku stood still and quiet awaiting Inuyasha and Kagome to arrive.  He had no need to run.  Those brats had no idea whom they were dealing with.  Naraku had increased his power enough since his run-in with Princess Kaguya to deal with the annoyances.  Onigumo had held them off longer than he'd expected.

"Naraku!"  Inuyasha's voice rang out as he barged into the demon's layer.

Right on time.

Inuyasha already had Tetsusaiga out and was poised for battle.  "Now you face the punishment for all the evil you've done!  I'm going to kick your ass!"  The hanyou said confidently.

Besides him, Kagome had her bow and arrow pointing straight at the dark manipulator.  "For Kikyou, Miroku-sama, Sango-chan, Kohaku-kun and most especially Inuyasha!  This ends here!"

Amused, Naraku smiled.  "Oh?  So you're here to rectify everything I've done?  Save yourselves the pain and torture of the past?"

"What you've done cannot be erased, but at least this way history won't repeat itself!"  The fledging miko replied.

"Miroku's father, Sango's little brother and father, Kikyou's life- you destroyed them all and for what?  Power?"  Inuyasha accused.

"Those who are weak bow to the strong.  The more power you have- the stronger you become.  Power is all that matters."  Naraku told them.  "Inuyasha- the hanyou, a mere half breed that was loathed and hated from birth.  You know what it's like to have power.  When your demon blood begins to boil in your veins and you have no choice but to kill- you bathe yourself in the blood of others.  Take enjoyment in their suffering.  I've seen the look in your eyes.  Is it not addicting?  Don't you want more?"

Inuyasha shook his head in anger.  "NO!  I am stronger than you are without that and I will always be stronger!"

"Enough!"  Kagome insisted.  "You've ruined enough lives, Naraku!"

"Have I?  I may have been the one to plant the seed of deception, but who let it grow?  Inuyasha stole the jewel of his own free will, not I.  Kikyou shot her sealing arrow at Inuyasha.  I did not possess her.  Sango ran in a rage to fight Inuyasha.  I never forced her to.  You all did exactly what I expected of you."

This brought a feral growl to Inuyasha's throat.  "That's it, Naraku!  Prepare yourself!"  Rushing in, Inuyasha swung his blade in a downwards arch.  But its razor edge found nothing but stale air and rock.

Appearing behind him, Naraku smirked.  "Are you in a hurry to join your dead priestess, Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha swung horizontally, but Naraku was too fast.  Every time he struck, his adversary avoided the attack and reappeared somewhere else.

Kagome watched all this from afar, but could do nothing to help.  If she struck now, she'd risk hitting Inuyasha.  His speed, it mirrors Sesshoumaru's.   According to Inuyasha, his brother was almost absorbed by Naraku, but managed to break free.  What if Naraku was able to take some of his abilities, like this speed, without him knowing it?!  If that was the case, Inuyasha was going to get tired and fast.

She pulled back her bow and called out, Inuyasha!"

The hanyou took one glance and immediately jumped back from Naraku, giving the miko a clear shot.

She released it as soon as she could and it flew in a straight pink line right towards Naraku.  But when it got to him, he disappeared and it ended up hitting the cavern's wall.

"That wasn't very smart, priestess."  The demon said from behind her.

"Kagome!"  Inuyasha shouted in warning.

The priestess barely turned around when Naraku cracked his fingers that began emitting a strange green glow.  He slashed with his poisonous claws, opening three gashes in Kagome's forearm.

She cried out and clutched her oozing wound.  That was Sesshoumaru's attack, I'm sure of it!

By now, Inuyasha had been thinking around the same lines and struck fast, making the demon retreat from Kagome's side.

"Is something wrong, Inuyasha?"  Naraku taunted.  "Aren't you having anymore fun?"

"I will destroy you!"  Inuyasha pledged with more passion.  "Take this!  Kazu no Kizu!!"  He called upon the sword's hidden innate power, then struck it hard against the ground.

This time Naraku disappeared completely and Kazu no Kizu crashed into the wall, spewing rock and dust everywhere.

"You're relying on that sword a bit too much, don't you think?"  His voiced from all around.  "Let's relieve you of it, shall we?"  Suddenly, Naraku appeared a few feet before Inuyasha and six claws grew out of his back, reaching out towards Tetsusaiga and ripping it from his hands.

Both teens gasped as the sword's barrier didn't seem to repel Naraku's touch.

"What's going on?!"  Inuyasha exclaimed.

The sword, still in its transformed state, remained clutched in Naraku's hand, the winds of Kazu no Kizu already forming around its blade.  "Let's see if I can't put it to better use."  With one swing, Kazu no Kizu was released aimed straight at Inuyasha and a weakened Kagome.

Inuyasha quickly scooped Kagome and jumped out of the way, immediately seeing her pained expression.  The poison from the wound had already worked its way through her body.  As soon as he landed he placed her gently down on the ground.

BA-DUM

He could already feel his youkai blood start to boil in his veins.  It was hard to control all the sensations that ran through him.

BA-DUM

Doubling over, Inuyasha tried to calm his raging blood but it was a loosing battle.

"Ka…go…me…" He whimpered her name, begging for the help she always gave him.  He didn't want to lose to himself.  He didn't want to be a mindless demon that might hurt her without remorse or restraint.  But…if he didn't get Tetsusaiga back soon, he feared for her safety.   Kagome…save me…

Author's Note:  The next chapter will include the battle with Naraku and may go into the chapter after that because, seriously people if Inuyasha and the gang have been hunting after this guy for how many episodes?  Do you really think he'll go down after the first shot?  The next chapters promise to get you thinking about both the characters and the series in a different light.  Stay tuned!