Disclaimer: Just like in my other stories, I'm only going to say this once. I don't own the characters, the setting, or anything else!
Chapter 1: The Final Battle
InuYasha raced through the forest, not thinking clearly, not really, just moving, clawing occassionally at trees in his path. Sango, Miroku, Shippo, and Kirara were back at the villiage having their wounds treated by Kaede. He just wanted to get away from it all. But he couldn't stop the thoughts running through his mind. Particularly the images personally witnessed just moments before...
Flashback
He glanced over at his comrades, only to find them all seriously wounded. But Kagome was the worst off... Naraku... InuYasha growled, turning to face his opponent. Naraku laughed evilly. "Kukuku... What now, InuYasha?" Said hanyou rushed forward in a fit of rage, swinging the Tetsusaiga madly. Naraku easily dodged it, still laughing. InuYasha was about to attack again, when he noticed one of Naraku's tentacles coming towards him at an astonishing speed. He tried to block the direct attack, but it didn't work out that way. The next few moments were a complete blur to him. The last thing InuYasha heard was a crack, and then a good portion of the Tetsusaiga flew off to the left.
Being already injured, InuYasha lost control. Attacking and killing Naraku in his demon form had been much too simple...
End Flashback
InuYasha smirked. In a way, that vile creature had helped him win. He slashed another tree, the after-effects of the battle suddenly coming to mind. He had turned towards his friends - and yes, he considered them his friends now - the scent of their blood heavily permeating the air around the clearing. A small sound escaped his throat as he saw the broken and bloodied bodies. But the one that stuck out most was hers... Quickly turning and snatching up the jewel, he turned and ran.
Sango sighed as Kaede cleansed the deep wound on her left arm. Thank goodness it wasn't her Hiraikotsu arm... "Where is InuYasha?"
"That is uncertain." This time, it was Miroku who spoke up, from across the room. Sango gasped as she realized she had spoken aloud. Without waiting for a response, Miroku continued. "There was no sign of him at the sight of the battle, except for the Tetsusaiga. No jewel either..." He trailed off in thought. The taijiya looked to Kaede for the answer to her accidental question. The old woman gave her a somewhat sympathetic look.
"Look ye not here, child. I have no answers." Sango nodded to show that she understood. As soon as Kaede had finished wrapping her wound, she called over Kirara. The fire-cat was not terribly injured, and was still fit for travel.
"Let's go." That was all Sango needed to say. Bounding outside, Kirara transformed into her larger self and Sango climbed onto her back. Waiting until her mistress was settled, Kirara pawed at the ground. Sango was slowed by her injuries, so it was taking longer than usual... "Alright," she said at last. "Let's go find InuYasha!"