Xstasy

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Chapter 19: -Death-

The leather cord tightened around her neck. It was becoming harder to breath, harder to see, harder to think. And she was loving every sinful minute of it.

Naraku's hot breath whispered in her ear 'you like this don't you?'

Barely remaining conscious Isane could only nod dumbly as stars began to appear before her eyes.

She leaned into Naraku's hard body and Naraku in turn pressed his body against hers. He growled with pleasure at the mixed feelings he was sensing from Isane. She was truly a fascinating woman, although he didn't love her. But she did have her uses and so he had decided to keep her around. He knew that she loved him and only used this knowledge to his advantage.

Naraku tightened his hold upon her neck with the leather cord and Isane knew no more...

Sesshoumaru woke with a start. He covered his face with his hand and peered through his fingers in disbelief. Just what was that...?

Soon anger replaced his indecision and Sesshoumaru flinging off the covers got out of bed and was soon on his way to Isane's room.

Isane was startled when Sesshoumaru suddenly burst through the door. She brought her covers closer to her in a protective fashion. Sesshoumaru had a murderous gleam in his amber colored eyes. Her eyes traveled down to his hands and she swallowed when she saw what was in his hands--a leather whip.

"Isane..." Sesshoumaru acknowledged. "I have a few questions to ask you. And I hope for your sake that you answer truthfully."

Isane only nodded as Sesshoumaru continued his approach, her eyes never leaving the leather whip that was held in his powerful hands. Even then she trembled caught between fear and anticipation. Hoping he would do something...something horrible and fearing what he would do. Sesshoumaru brought the whip tight between his two hands causing a cracking sound to resound getting her attention so that she looked back up at him.

"Tell me...what spell is it that you have cast upon me?" Sesshoumaru questioned in a deadly tone.

This was the last thing Isane had been expecting. She blinked back at Sesshoumaru in surprise. "Spell?...what spell...?" Her hands were trembling too.

"Don't play the innocent with me." Sesshoumaru growled. "Something...is not right and I am certain you are the cause! Just now...just now I shared a memory. One of your own."

Isane's eyes widened. He saw one of her past memories...and seeing the whip in his hands she had a pretty good idea which one it had been.

Sesshoumaru was upon her before she could even bat an eye. In seconds the leather cord was wrapped around her neck and Sesshoumaru was already tightening it. "You like this don't you?" He told her echoing words told to her by Naraku long ago, words which now held nothing but spite. Was he jealous of her past trysts with Naraku perhaps?

"Answer me!" Sesshoumaru demanded of her.

"Yes...yes I do enjoy this!" Isane said as tears formed in her eyes.

"And you enjoyed him." Sesshoumaru spat the last words at her, spittle hitting Isane's cheek.

Isane wanted to lie, say she had never desired the foul hanyou Naraku but...he could sniff out her lie anyways. Isane took a deep breath. "I did."

Sesshoumaru's golden eyes flickered with anger until Isane whispered under her breath, "But it is only you that I ever loved."

"Rubbish. I will not fall for you lies and deception!" Sesshoumaru told her not sounding so sure. Then something made Sesshoumaru change tactics. "You belong to me and only me now, my pet." Sesshoumaru's hot breath whispered in her ear. "I am a real man, unlike that dark hanyou Naraku. I will show you what a real man is capable of." A cruel smile formed on Sesshoumaru's lips and Isane only found herself numbly nodding despite herself.

'This is all wrong.' Isane thought as Sesshoumaru's powerful hands caressed her. 'This is sooo blissfully wrong.' Isane let herself give into to the harsh touch of her demon lover. Wondering...if she could get used to this and hating herself for thinking so. This wasn't the man she had fallen in love with...this was nothing but...a shadow of that man.

And through the pain and the pleasure the scent of salt wafted through the air.

Surya had wanted some time alone to think and so left the others at camp. She heaved a heavy sigh. She felt so torn lately ever since she had started this journey along with Spark and...Flash. The three of them had been friends as long as she could remember. They would die for each other, she knew that. That was the kind of friendship the three of them had. But it also made certain things difficult at times too. She knew that Spark harbored feeling for her but...wasn't sure if she felt the same way about him. He was sweet, funny, a bit of joker, couldn't keep serious for more than five seconds, but these were some of the things she especially liked about him.

And then there was Flash.

She had never thought of Flash as more than a friend but then seeing him with Lumina she got to see a whole other side of him she never knew existed. She admitted to herself that she had been jealous, pee green with envy even. He had always seem so unreachable to her, distant like the North Star. But how had Lumina managed to break through the barriers that Flash had kept around his heart? He had always been so serious but even so he had always been kind to her. Kindness...was that all it was? She had remembered instances...yes, there had been moments between them where she had thought that perhaps...but no. Then Spark had made it clear he desired her and suddenly Flash had become more distant than ever.

Surya sighed again. Men. She just couldn't understand them. Nor could she understand herself sadly enough. But she knew she'd have to come to terms with what lay in her heart eventually. She just wasn't sure how or when. She had to decide. Decide? Was that really what it all boiled down to? Did she actually feel something for Flash to doubt her feelings for Spark?

Surya soon came to a clearing in the center of which was a dying oak tree. She decided it would do nicely and removing her bow from her back drew it and unleashed an arrow made entirely of the holy god-power that flowed in her veins. The arrow of light sped through the air and hit the center of the oak, the energy dissipating on impact. But then just as suddenly something began to happen. A bright light enveloped the dying tree until little green shoots began to appear all over the once dead branches. The tree was coming back to life again. In seconds the tree had new, silvery green foliage that glistened in the moonlight.

Surya smiled to herself and was just about to loose another arrow when she heard a twig snap to her left. Aiming her bow in that direction she was thoroughly surprised when Spark came out into the clearing. She lowered her bow automatically and gave him a warm smile.

"Spark...you scared me half to death you idiot! I could have killed you!"

Spark merely grinned at the prospect. "Ah, to be hit by the arrow of such a Venus! I don't know what I would do after that without your love! Not even cupid's arrow could compare to yours my peach."

"So now I'm a peach?" Surya raised an eyebrow. "Yesterday I was a babe, you jerk." She finished with mock anger.

"Ah, your harsh words wound me!" Spark said clutching his heart.

"Humph!" Surya replied in turn.

The two looked at each other seriously for a moment before both breaking out into laughter.

Surya clutched at her sides. "Oh Spark you're always good for a laugh!"

"Is that all I'm good for?"

Spark's tone made Surya look up. He bore a look she had never seen on him before...it was so serious. Surya laughed nervously. "Spark...when did you get so serious? That look...stop it you're freaking me out!"

"Oh?" Spark asked in a dull tone. "So I can't be taken seriously by you? Is that it?"

"No, that's not it at all." Surya quickly replied and sighed running a hand through her hair. Men! "Spark...what are you doing here?"

"I came to find you." Spark revealed walking closer to her. "There is something I must find out before I rectify certain inequities, so to speak."

"Spark this isn't like you..." Surya began suddenly feeling nervous and not really knowing why.

Before she knew what was happening Spark was in front of her and had both of his hands on her shoulders. He then brought Surya closer to him and looked down into her eyes. "Surya...I must know." Spark lowered his head to kiss her before she could so much as utter a protest. His soft lips landed on hers and all she could so was let him. She found herself giving into the kiss, his lips were so warm, and soft, she wondered if Flash's lip's would feel the same way.

Surya's eyes shot open and she pushed herself away from Spark. "Spark...I'm so sorry."

Spark's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean, Surya? What do you have to be sorry for. I've wanted this for such a very long time..."

"Spark...I care for you deeply, truly I do but...my heart belongs to someone else." And just as she said those words Surya knew it to be true. She loved Flash! She loved him! She had finally figured it out. And all it had taken was a kiss from Flash's brother...

"You love Flash." It wasn't a question.

Surya looked back at him in surprise. "How did you-"

"Oh Surya it was painfully obvious!" Spark croaked. "I had only hoped that perhaps one day you could feel the same for me but I see that's impossible. Maybe if Lumina were still alive but now...now that you are free to love him I see how things are. I guess you could never love a joker like me huh?"

Spark sounded so hurt it made Surya's heart clench. She wanted to reach out to him. "Spark..."

"No Surya," Spark began, "This ends today. I had hoped I could turn you to our side but it seems to be an impossibility. As long as you love him, I know you would never truly be loyal to the Dark Order."

"Spark what are you talking about?" Surya said beginning to get frightened. Just what was he saying?! He couldn't really mean...

"I am one of the Seven Dark Knights."

"No." Surya said backing away from him. "No! It can't be! It's impossible!"

"I'm sorry Surya but it's true. From the day I met you and Flash I have been deceiving you."

"But...what about the missing member?"

"Ah, the Key of Light, she has already been captured by my lord. Do not worry your pretty little head about that." Spark said still advancing on her. He unsheathed his Hikari no Ken and created a blade of light, but this time it showed its true form and was not a blade of white energy but one of dark, midnight black energy.

Surya's eyes widened as she looked at the blade. "So it's true then...you really are a Dark Knight!" Tears streamed down Surya's lovely face. "All this time...all this time we trusted you, loved you. Flash...loved you like a brother!"

"Ah, yes, brothers." Spark sounded amused. "Only in name but not in blood. Blood is thicker than water Surya and the blood of demons flows through my veins making be powerful, more powerful than you could ever hope to be." Spark pointed his Shadow Sword at her.

"Spark...please don't do this." Surya begged lifting her bow with shaking fingers. "I don't want to hurt you."

"You already have." Spark informed as he lunged for her.

A chill went down Flash's spine despite the fact that he was sitting right next to the fire.

"Something wrong Flash?" Li asked with a raised eyebrow. "Because if you need a little comfort. I'm right here for you. Anytime." Li finished with a wink.

Flash shook his head. "No thanks Li, but I think...where's Surya?"

"Oh, she said she wanted to be alone for a while." Li revealed.

"Alone?" Flash frowned. "It isn't safe right now. I think...I think I'll go look for her."

"I'm sure she'll be back in no time." Li was saying before he realized that Flash was already gone.

Flash had the sinking feeling that something wasn't right. He didn't know how he knew in which direction to go but he did. It was as if some outside force was calling to him, pulling him in this direction.

Flash stopped short as he entered a clearing. The sight before him so inconceivable he thought perhaps it was just an illusion. It had to be. The sight before him couldn't possibly be real...

There with his sword still embedded in Surya's stomach was Spark. He pushed his sword deeper into Lumina and whispered something in her ear before removing his sword. Surya began to fall backwards and hit the ground lifelessly.

"SURYA!!!!" Flash cried out in anguish.

He was at her side in an instant and cradling her limp form in his arms. "Surya...just hold on..."

Surya's eyes flickered open and she managed a weak smile when she saw who it was. Flash...he had come to her when she had reached out for him with her heart. "Flash..."

"Don't speak Surya. Save your strength."

"Don't kill him...save him. Flash...I'm so sorry. I never got to tell you..." Surya gasped. "Father!"

"Surya! Surya!" Flash shook her. But she did not respond.

"It's a shame things had to be like this." Spark began raising his sword. "But if I couldn't have her no one could. She loved you. Did you know? Just as you loved her. Oh well."

Flash turned to glare at Spark. "Brother...how could you! How could you kill Surya!"

"I am not your brother." Spark spat. "I never was. You would do to remember that. I am your enemy, a Dark Knight, follower of the Dark Phoenix Gods, and have demonic blood flowing within my veins. I'm not like you Flash...weak, pathetic, human. Now prepare to die!"

Flash hung his head and awaited the death blow. He could not fight his brother, even if it was only in comradery and not blood. That day so long ago had meant something to Flash. The day the three of them all met...

Flash was sitting on the river bank while he sensed that his friend Surya was near to him.

"Flash, I think I'm going to take a dip! So no peeking!" She giggled.

"It's not like I could even if I wanted to." Flash said sullenly. Flash had been born blind and all he could remember was a world of darkness in which the only light seemed to be that of his friend's voice, Surya's voice. It was like his guiding star. She was like the sister he never had. They were close, so very close. But Flash wanted to protect her and it pained him to know that being blind he could never do so as well as he had hoped.

He heard the splash of water as Surya dove into the river. He continued to listen to her swimming until there was an eerie silence.

"Surya?" Flash called. "Surya!"

Meanwhile...Surya had been pulled under by a fierce undertow. Try as she might she couldn't fight against the river's pull and found herself being dragged down the river. Surya tried to swim, tried to figure out which way was up, but to no avail. As she sunk beneath the icy cold water she thought... 'Flash...'

"Dammit Surya! This isn't funny!" Flash exclaimed and knew what he had to do. Even if he couldn't see. Even if his chance was slimmer than none he had to try and save Surya. He just had to. He would never forgive himself if he did nothing. After all, he was her 'older brother' he had to protect her. Just as he was about to throw caution to the wind, throw his own life away, and dive in after Surya, he heard another splash of water.

"Surya?" Flash questioned. A few moments passed on in more silence...

"So that's the name of this gorgeous damsel in distress." Came a cocky voice. "Don't worry buddy she's alright. That was really stupid of you though thinking to go in after her you know."

"Surya? She's alright? You...saved her?" Flash said stumbling towards the voice.

"Still have to give this babe the kiss of life." The other replied.

And before Flash could ask what he meant he heard the sound of Surya coughing up water. He went to her side, letting her coughing guide him. "Surya, are you ok?"

"Flash...yes...I am." Surya smiled at him and took in the sight of the other man. He had white hair and red eyes and she also noticed the red sun adorning his forehead, not to mention the fact that he was sopping wet. "Who are you? Did you save me?"

"Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Spark, fair maiden. And I happen to be one of the Seven White Knights!" Spark bowed.

Surya frowned. "Prove it."

Something flickered in Spark's eyes but he quickly covered it up with a smile. "Of course." He then pulled out his hilt and summoned the holy god-power and formed a blade of light.

Surya gasped. "You are one of us."

Spark raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me that you mean by 'us' that this blind dude is one of the Seven?"

"Yes, I am, a White Knight." Flash said sullenly but shook his head. "Thank you so much for saving my sister."

"Sister?" Spark questioned not seeing the resemblance.

Surya giggled. "Anyone he cares about Flash makes them his brother or sister."

"I see." Spark smiled knowingly. "Well Flash what do I have to do to become your brother?"

"I think...you already are my brother. You've saved my sister and for that I can never repay you enough!"

"Think nothing of it, bro." Spark smiled. "Now about those eyes of yours."

"What about them?" Flash questioned.

"I think it's high time you got a set of new ones!" Spark declared.

Surya gasped again. "You know of that spell, but I thought it was Black Magic surely you cannot perform it."

Spark took a cocky pose. "I can do anything I set my mind to. Now...Flash are you ready to see the light of day?"

Flash nodded. Spark took out a pouch he had at his belt and removed two eyes...he then summoned his god-power and suddenly Flash's blind eyes were removed from their sockets. Flash cried out in pain but the pain was almost gone instantaneously as Spark maneuvered the new eyes into place.

"Flash?!" Surya asked worriedly. "Are you..."

Flash blinked his new eyes...and saw...saw Surya. "Beautiful."

Surya blushed.

But the death blow never came. Looking back up Flash saw that Li and Luna had arrived on the scene. Li was blocking the blow that had been intended for him with his two sided Hikari no Ken, two blades of white light gleaming brightly. Luna was standing nearby with her raised moon-tipped staff at the ready.

Spark simply laughed at Li. "So cross-dresser boy wants to play does he? You are no match for me, human." He said with disgust. Spark then closed his eyes and summoned a great amount of the dark god-power to flow through his Shadow Sword. The energy was then unleash upon Li. Li tried to block the attack with all his might but he knew it wouldn't be enough. Spark, was just more powerful.

And then just as Li knew the attack was to hit him it didn't. Standing in front of him and taking most of the energy into her staff and body was Luna.

"Luna?" Li questioned taken aback.

"Live Li, your sister would want you to live! I knew what was going to happen but I couldn't do anything to stop it. I know that you are to...Li just live!" And with that Luna used the last of her strength to cast a special spell upon Flash. Flash glowed for a few moments before the light dissipated. Luna then fell lifeless to the ground.

"Luna!" Li cradled the lifeless form of Luna in his arms. "Why is this happening? What did we do to deserve this. She was like my little sister...and now I've lost her for the second time. Damn you Spark! Damn you!" Li said getting up and recklessly attacking Spark head on.

"No Li! Don't do it!" Flash warned.

"Ahhhhh!!!!!" Li cried as he swung his sword high overhead intending to bring it down upon Spark.

"Foolish, human." Spark declared as his acute senses told him exactly when and where to dodge and how to place a well aimed attack of his own.

Li found himself looking down at his chest in surprise. He brought a hand to the wound and looked at the blood on his hands in disbelief. When?...how...?

Li collapsed to the ground next to Luna.

"Li!" Flash yelled feeling helpless. He just couldn't bring himself to fight Spark. He just couldn't.

"Well, now that I've gotten those pests out of the way I'll finish you off." Spark declared turning to Flash.

"They were your friends Spark. They were your friends!" Tears streamed down the White Knight's face.

"Yea and so what?" Spark frowned. "I was hoping you'd put up more of a fight, Flash. But oh well."

"We won't let you harm Flash!!!" Came two voices simultaneously.

Landing on the ground before him were Dazzle and Sparkle, the twins, one of the sun and one of the moon. They both held up their staffs at the ready.

"You will die for what you've done!" Dazzle cried summoning her god-power.

"You will pay for betraying us!" Sparkle echoed raising her staff.

The two girl's attacked simultaneously, one from the left and one from the right. Spark's acute vision saw that there was no way for him to get out of the way in time unless...

"What the?" Dazzle's eyes widened.

"Huh?" Sparkle looked just as surprised as her twin sister.

Two white bat-like wings had emerged from Spark's back and he had taken off into the air. And before the girl's realized what had happened their attacks, which had been aimed for Spark hit each other instead.

"Ahhh!!!" The girl's cried out in unison as their attacks hit each other.

The girls fell to the ground their body still shaking from the aftereffects of their powerful attacks.

"Dazzle..?" Came a weak voice.

"Sparkle?"

The two sisters weakly raised their heads to look at each other. "Sister...I feel your pain. I'm so sorry."

"As am I, sister."

The sisters reached their hands out to each other but before their hands could touch a dark energy surrounded them both and in seconds nothing was left of the two but two scorch marks upon the ground. Spark had used his dark god-power to disintegrate them.

Flash could only look on in horror. He knew he had to do something, anything.

Don't kill him...save him. Surya's voice echoed in his mind.

I'll try Surya, for your sake as well as his, I'll try. Flash unsheathed his hilt and summoned a blade of holy god-power. In a two-handed grip Flash prepared to face his one time brother.

"Ah, so I see you're finally ready to fight." Spark smiled and got into a fighting stance. It was Flash who was his equal, Flash who had bested him in their little sparring sessions. But now it was for real, playtime was over.

Flash's holy god-power was surrounding him with such force that his short hair was lifted up and appeared to be a head of flames upon his head. His golden eyes weren't filled with anger or hate but of utter sadness for his friend. So...his friend was half albino bat youkai along with the blood of the Gods flowing in his veins. He had always known Spark had an uncanny sense of direction in the dark. If anyone had the upper hand in this fight it would be him.

Spark was the first to attack.

White and Black energies clashed as their two swords met sending sparks into the air.

Slash. Block. Turn. Slash. Block. Turn.

In a series of well executed maneuvers the two 'brother's fought one another. Their speed was so great they were nothing but a blur of white and of black in the moonlit clearing.

Spark was good. Very good Flash noted. He would have to give it his all if he wanted to win this fight. But was winning really what he wanted? Would that really be a victory having killed his own friend? Flash made a decision.

Spark saw an opening and took it.

SPLASH.

Spark looked down at his stomach in surprise. He had stabbed Flash through or so he had thought. What...what had happened?

"Spark!" Flash exclaimed in shock seeing that Spark's death blow had been bounced back upon himself. How...Luna. "Luna must have cast the spell so that if you killed me you would be the one to die instead."

"Clever girl." Spark muttered sinking to his knees. "I guess it's all over now."

Flash came to his friend's side. "No...it's not over. Spark...I know there is some good in you still. Please...let me help you."

"You can't seriously be giving me a second chance? Someone like me doesn't deserve a second chance. For the God's sake man I just killed the woman you loved!" Spark coughed and blood trickled down his chin.

"Everyone deserves a second chance. And Surya she believed in you. Spark...who is the remaining White Knight? We must find him if we are to win this thing." Flash questioned urgently.

Spark smiled weakly and gave in. "The Key of Light...a little girl named Rin. Once she is killed by the Key of Darkness....all of humanity shall perish." Spark struggled to speak. And just as he would have spoked more suddenly he was hit by behind by several arrows of dark god-power.

"No! Spark!" Flash cried out as his friend was hit by the arrows. He looked up to see a woman in miko robes who disappeared as quickly as she had come.

"Do you think if I hadn't been your enemy we really could have been friends, bro?" Spark murmured and heaved one last sigh as he fell over dead.

"Yes, we would have been the best of friends." Flash answered the silent bat youkai.

'This hurts me more than it hurts you.' Spark had told Surya after he had run her through.

Flash entered the camp site with slow, heavy steps. Kagome, Inuyasha and the others all looking up at his approach.

"Gee Flash you look like you've seen a ghost." Kagome began. "What's up?"

"Dead."

"What?" Kagome's brow furrowed.

"Dead...they're all dead. Spark...he betrayed us. They're gone. The Seven White Knights are no more and soon...darkness will flood this earth." Flash sunk to his knees in despair.

Everyone looked back at Flash in shock not believing what they had just heard.

"Your kidding right?" Kagome laughed nervously. "I mean how could they all be dead. They were alive just a minute ago. Who could have killed them so quickly? It's impossible right? Right Inuyasha?" Kagome was beginning to become hysterical, she never could handle death very well.

Inuyasha shook his head sadly at Kagome who's eyes began to well with tears.

Inuyasha then came to kneel by Flash. "Tell me what happened. It's good to talk about it...get it off your chest."

And so Flash told them everything that had happened. A stunned silence followed. It was all so sudden, it was a lot to take in.

"They died honorably." Miroku spoke up.

"Yes, Flash...do not allow their deaths to be in vain." Sango started. "They would want you to live, to go on fighting. This battle...isn't over yet."

Flash looked up with pain filled eyes. Sango nearly bit her lip. Flash hung his head and sighed. "You're right, Sango, they wouldn't have wanted me to give up. And for their sakes I suppose I have no choice but to keep on fighting. You know, I never really liked fighting, hated it actually, as I hated my destiny as a White Knight. All I wanted was not to fight, but to live a peaceful life. But now I realize one can only find true peace in death. When one is alive life is an endless battle. But even so one must fight for what one believes in. So I guess I'll just go on fighting."

Suddenly a bright light filled the camp site blinding the group momentarily.

And there before them were the deceased White Knights...Spark, Surya, Dazzle and Sparkle, Li and Luna. They were there standing before them. And in their outstretched arms they held their weapons of Light.

Flash stumbled backwards. "Spark? Surya? How is it possible?"

"Flash...your work here is not done yet. These people are to be the new White Knights. Our power shall pass unto them. And so shall the battle against darkness continue. I know you shall not fail." White wings emerged from Surya's back and she began to take off into the air.

Suddenly another burst of light filled the clearing.

"Surya!" Flash called and when the light dissipated Flash noted that Kagome and the others all had a Weapon of Light in their hands. Kagome, held Surya's bow. Inuyasha, Li's two sided sword. Miroku had Luna's staff. Sango had Spark's sword. And Ayame and Kouga both had the twin's staffs.

And so the Seven White Knights had been reborn...

Meanwhile in Naraku's evil lair...

"The time is drawing near, my lord." Obsidian simpered.

"It had better be." Naraku drawled from his seat on his blackwood throne. "And what of this power you have promised me?"

"You shall have more power than you can conceive. The power of the Phoenix God, Dark Feng. Immortality."

"Immortality." Naraku smiled. Ever since his defeat at Isane's hands he was unable to have immortality by merely feeding off of the life forces of miko. Now...he would need to feed and feed constantly if he were to live forever. Something that would have been impossible since fewer women were becoming miko these days. "It has a nice ring to it."

"Of course," Obsidian smiled his own crooked smile. "It is nearly time to strike, my Lord."

"Indeed."

To be continued...

AN: I know I promised a chapzilla but I thought a shorter chapter sooner would be welcome since it's been a while since my last update. I'm back in the states now and so things are going to be a bit crazy as I try to get a job and get settled again. But I promise to update at the least once a week, hopefully more. Thanks for the reviews!