Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha
Recap of last chapter:
Miroku and Shippo reached Sango, and saw her collapsed form, Shippo ran to her followed by kirara, she snuggled up against her mistress and tried to get to look up, but she wouldn't, "Hey Miroku …Inuyasha and Naraku are over there in that direction" Sango managed to get out before closing her eyes again. Miroku nodded and took off.
He reached Inuyasha and pulled out a scroll, he mumbled something then a red barrier enclosed around Inuyasha and himself, guarding them from Naraku and his insects.
Chapter 8: Free at last
"Miroku, thanks" Inuyasha half whispered. The monk was lucky enough, that he got to the fight in time, any longer and the poison effect of the insects would start to take heave.
"Humph Inuyasha, you hide behind that barrier and yet you call me the coward" Naraku was mocking Inuyasha, and the Hanyou didn't like it.
"Shut the hell up Naraku, im gonna kill you right now" Inuyasha exclaimed, then turned to his friend, "Miroku let the barrier down, and let me kill Naraku"
Miroku nodded and was about to let down the shield when inuyasha grabbed his arm and whispered " and…Miroku, take care of Sango, I don't know where she is, just make sure she is safe got that?" Miroku once again nodded then lifted his staff and the red barrier disappeared.
After turning to Inuyasha one last time, he ran off, back to where he saw sango, he wasn't going to let Inuyasha kill Naraku on his own, he had his own reasons for killing him too.
He wanted to get rid of the cursed wind tunnel, He wanted to be happy, settle down, live his life, but with Naraku, he couldn't, "I wont let this black hole in my palm take my life, I will get even "Miroku said to himself as he ran back, looking back occasionally, he reached Sango, who was sitting down, looking at the sky, she wasn't crying anymore.
Inuyasha gave Naraku the death glare then said "Naraku, Im going to slice your head off!!" Inuyasha tightened his grip on his Tetsusaiga, "Hmn Hmn Hmn Inuyasha, do you think, that you, a measly half demon, could defeat me? Naraku?" The Miasma dripping off of Naraku, "wait a minute Naraku, your one to talk, you a damn half demon too!" Inuyasha was angry ten times more then before, But it was true, Naraku is a half demon, and he had no right to say such a thing, Today just wasn't the day for Inuyasha, first he started out having fun and now he is stuck with Naraku.
"Shit, Naraku, im sick of you, die now!" Inuyasha yelled as he jumped up in the air, Tetsusaiga at hand, he sliced Naraku's arm completely off, it reminded him of the time when he had cut Sesshomaru's arm off,
Naraku felt a tingle in his arm, Kagura made it back to Naraku's fortress and she winced when she felt her arm, it had a burning sensation, 'Naraku, no matter what I am always going to be his slave' she thought as she grabbed Kohaku, and thru him in the dungeon.
"Stay here kid, and look, I don't mean to be so…uh harsh, but im gonna get us out of here, both of us." Kagura was sincere, she hated it, she couldn't be free, and Naraku held her life, in his hands, everyday she hoped to get away from him, and just when she thought she was there, she had to go back, Kagura was about to walk out when she noticed something, A hand holding onto hers, "listen, thanks I. mean, for all this, hey at least you aren't going to beat me or nothing…are you?" Kohaku said while standing up, Kagura looked at him she felt something she never felt before, she felt…warm hearted, not like that bastard Naraku, his heart was colder than ice. " no im not going to beat you, I will be back and im going to kill Naraku, and then I'll let you go, its just I have to make it look good, so uh, play along would ya." Kohaku nodded and Kagura left the dungeon, she walked out the door, when she felt it again, this time it was her other arm, she knew what was happening, Inuyasha the half demon, was slowly killing Naraku, then something shot into Kagura's mind 'If I can feel when Naraku is getting hit, and…what's going to happen to me when he dies? Will I die too?' she shook the thoughts away, and headed towards the on going battle between her 'master' and Inuyasha.
Back with Sango and Miroku
"Hey Miroku, do you think I will ever …see my little brother again?" she asked stifling a tear, she couldn't cry anymore, she had cried to much that day, she needed to be strong.
"Sango, I do think that we will get him back, and you will see him, I promise you that" The monk wasn't being perverted, but he was being, nice, and truthful, he did believe that they would get him back., he wanted the slayer to be happy, and he knew that the only way was to have her brother, and Inuyasha,…Miroku felt his heart drop, when he thought that, He loved Sango, even though she didn't feel the same, he still loved her, and wanted her to be happy, so he would help her out in any way…just to make her smile.
Inuyasha and Naraku had been fighting for a long while now, every time Naraku would make a move Inuyasha would counter, and every time Inuyasha would make a move Naraku would dodge it, Inuyasha was getting tired, not tired as in out of breath, but tired of seeing Naraku, he wanted to get rid of him once and for all, millions of things raced through his mind, all the happy things that could be if Naraku would die, Miroku would be free of his Kazanna, Kikyo, she could have her revenge….Kikyo, he felt hurt about what he did, but he couldn't go to hell, not now, not when he is so close to happiness, Sango…she could be happy, knowing he was gone, she could have her brother back and be back to normal, after having all of this in his mind, he wanted to get rid of Naraku even more, Naraku lunged out his roots, and grabbed Inuyasha by his neck, " I will not be the one who's blood will be spilt…not today, you will die!" Naraku screeched he was just about to stab Inuyasha with his vines, until a familiar wind kicked up, it was Kagura, "Naraku, do not lay one more, hand, or vine whatever you are, do not touch Inuyasha! I will be the one to slay you today! Im tired of being your servant! I belong to no one!" With that Naraku dropped Inuyasha who quickly stood up and tilted his head to the side" what the hell?...Kagura what are you doing?" he said with a nothingness to his tone, he was shocked why would Kagura do that? ' What is she doing…could she …yes, she wants to kill him herself ' he thought then grasped his sword again, and yelled "damnit Kagura you can't have all the fun!" Naraku looked at Kagura, with a death glare then said "do not forget, Kagura, I hold your life" he then reached into his sleeve and pulled out a crystallized looking orb, then began to squeeze it, Kagura feel to the ground in pain, she panicked ' what was I thinking….no I wont give in' she fought with herself in her mind, she no longer wanted to be with Naraku, she wanted to be herself, she wasn't evil deep down but when she needed to be she could conjure up a storm of events." Dance of blades" she said softly and flicked her wrist which held her magical fans, a gust of wind picked up, then a group of yellow blades flew from Kagura into Naraku, he stumbled back a bit, and grabbed his torso, ' what. I didn't feel it, maybe if I kill Naraku, I can be saved, maybe my life will be spared, I just have to get that globe from him' Kagura thought.
Inuyasha was a bit confused but then decided to join in on the action "Wind scar!" he screamed as he saw his opportunity to hit Naraku while he was facing the opposite, and down from kagura's recent attack, "Wait!" Kagura screamed, but it was too late Inuyasha had let loose his weapons power, Inuyasha's hit barely grazed naraku's left leg, Naraku was stunned and lost his grasp on kagura's life, she quickly ran to the fallen orb and picked it up, "im…free..free at last" Kagura put the orb into the sleeve of her kimono, then walked up to Inuyasha "uh this is going to sound dumb, but thanks Inuyasha" he nodded and then said " your welcome, just don't expect me to go easy on you the next time you cross my path" he said with a smirk.
Back with Kohaku, he couldn't take it anymore. He was wondering how Sango was, he already missed her, he wanted Kagura to come back and free him, she had left him in there, but he was free to roam around the dungeon,
" Ane, are you safe?" he asked while looking up at the dripping ceiling, he had always wondered that same question about his sister, her loved her a lot, and wanted to be with her. He walked around looking for a good place to sit, where the wet drops of water wouldn't hit him, he sat underneath a dry ledge, he was anxious, he couldn't wait for Kagura to come and bare the good news, ' I wonder if she did it…maybe she is dead already' he thought, while scratching his arm, it itched like hell, he couldn't satisfy his itch with the sleeve's of his Taijiya outfit, so he slid them up, and noticed that his fresh scars were all scabbed up, he didn't want to re open them but they were scratchy he remembered the time long ago when he had been taken by Naraku, and tossed into the same room as he was in now.
Kohaku's POV
"What's this?" I said as I lifted a floor board, inside lay a black box I picked it up and examined it for a minute, finally deciding to open it, I looked inside and there it was a sharp shiny object, under it lay a note, it read 'Save me, I'm falling fast, I thought I was stable, but I was wrong
The only thing I can do is sing this song
It has a comfort , a meaning
I've been leaning
On a faith that was never there
But where is it?...where?
I just can't believe that anyone would even care
This pain I cannot bear
Save me, I'm falling fast, I thought I was stable, but I was wrong
That, my friend, is a worn out song ..."
' Who does this belong to?' I thought, as I placed the parchment of paper back in its spot, I looked at the blade I had found, and then it hit me….Kagura, she was the only other person that had ever been in this room. Could this belong to her? Does she…'no way, Kagura has no reason….' I thought as I stood up and walked over to the place where little light shown thru, I sat there under it and saw the crimson stain on the metal object. I heard foot steps, and mumbles, 'sounds like her, I better put this back' I said to myself, then stood up and ran to the box, and put everything back in its spot, 'hopefully she wont notice my scent, I went and sat in a dark corner, she looked around a bit, I noticed her lift that same floor board as I once did, and pick up that same blade, she then sat down and lifted her kimono sleeve, " I hate you God Damnit, Fuck you Naraku!" I had never heard her use that kind of language, she then ran the blade across her arm,"Kohaku what are you doing here?" I heard her say, then I figured she had noticed me, I stood up and walked towards her " what are you doing to yourself Kagura?" I asked genuinely concerned for her, she was the one who took care of me so naturally I was kind to her back, she just stared at me and said " you just don't under stand what it feels like Kohaku, your just a kid, no one knows my pain." She then slid the now red tinted blade thru her arm again, creating lace like marks, that intertwined within each other, "yes I do know, Kagura, I was possessed and killed my whole family, I know how it feels I have a sister I will probably never see again, there is now no reason for me to be alive, any day now I expect Naraku to come and slice me to pieces, but he doesn't, he would rather taunt me and make my life more miserable, Kagura, you are not the only one who is practically dead inside." I looked at the blade, and then at Kagura's arm, dripping with her essence, it looked tempting, "Kagura, does that help? Take away the pain?" I asked determined to get more information on this ritual she had picked up, "well kid, if you wanna know the truth, it does, but that don't mean you can go and do it!" she said while stifling her tears, "Kagura, I,..Want…to, if it helps, don't hold me back" I said eying the blade.
"hmn, a week later, I had the same scars as her" he said while running his finger across his scars, they looked like webs, webs of lies, hurt, frustration, 'I remember that time I almost died if it weren't for Kagura, she is like…my mom, she takes care of me, and I cant sit here and wait for her to return, ' he thought then stood up and grabbed his scythe like weapon from his sash, then began to walk up the pathway to where the door was, he stopped when he saw a note on the door, it said " Kohaku, stay here, if Naraku see's you, he'll kill you, and don't you dare think about going after I told you not to move, I know you are anxious, but don't worry, everything will be fine, until I come back, there is some food and water for you under the floor board, and just so you know I took the blade with me, I cant risk you slashing your arms again, Kohaku, your life is going to get better you will be with your sister in time, as soon as I get back, I will take you."
---Kagura"
She had taken the blade, she wanted Kohaku to stop, and he obeyed, he knew not to do it, but he couldn't help it, it released his pain, and she knew it helped but his life was going to be good again, and he had a long time to live, and she wanted him to live it to its fullest.
Sango and Miroku were sitting down when kirara had growled, "what is it kirara?" the slayer asked her Neko youkai, "Oh I forgot, I left Inuyasha to come and protect you, he didn't want you to be hurt." Miroku said with a smile, "I know, but I cant let him do that on his own, I want a piece of Naraku too" she stood up and kirara transformed, she and Miroku got on top of the cat and were about to get ready to head out when shippo's voice came, "Sango Miroku, Im going too!" The little kitsune jumped into Miroku's arms, "Shippo, are you sure?" the kit nodded he was ready, he despised Naraku as much as the others. With that they were off.
"well, mom im off, I'll be back in a few weeks okay" Kagome said while entering the shrine, where the bone eaters well rested, she jumped in and within seconds she was climbing out, she ran to lady kaede and asked "where are Inuyasha and the others?" kaede had noticed she came back and she knew why, she wanted to make amends and be-friend everyone once again.
Kaede replied with "my child they are in that direction, I do not know exactly where just follow that path and you might run into them, and kagome take these with you" she handed her a quiver full of arrows and a bow, Kagome took her advice and ran off in the direction the older miko had informed her of.
"Kagura…you take me for a fool?" Naraku said , they thought he was long gone, but that would be too easy, he reached out and grabbed kagura's leg and she fell to the ground, he was pulling her in and right before she was completely there she threw her 'life' to Inuyasha, Naraku had thought she held onto it, for if she did, she would form herself back into naraku's body, and she didn't want that, Inuyasha caught the glassy orb and thought' Kagura…I'll help you, I wont let you die, I want to fight you again' then stuck the ball into his haori,
Sango and Miroku reached the fight, Sango jumped off and landed silently on the ground, she ran to Inuyasha's side, he smiled inwardly then said " I was wondering when you'd show up …Sango" then she looked at him and turned to face Kagura, and Naraku, she saw that Kagura was struggling, she then pulled out her kitana and looked at Inuyasha who nodded they then both took off and lunged their swords at Naraku, they slashed, and sliced, kicked and beat, Naraku, they jumped back and Naraku lost his grip on Kagura's form, she quickly jumped out and away then pulled her feather out of her hair and said "I'll be back, Inuyasha" then flew away, she headed back to Kohaku.
"Sango, throw your boomerang I have an idea." Inuyasha said Sango, pulled her bone boomerang from her back and launched it forward "Hiraikotsu" she exclaimed, Naraku stood up, and tried dodging, but he was badly wounded, and outnumbered he barely made it out of the way in time, "I knew he would do that" Inuyasha said then looked to the side and saw her, Kikyo was standing there, looking at Inuyasha he then smiled at her and said "kikyo, you can do it im counting on you." Kikyo smiled back and whispered softly so that only Inuyasha could hear "I love you Inuyasha…goodbye" she then sent her soul collectors to Naraku, who wasn't paying attention, her souls captured Naraku, and stole his soul, Naraku was still alive, but had no soul, he would be dead soon Kikyo then walked up to sango and Inuyasha then looked at Sango and said "slayer, take care of him, " Sango nodded then the miko turned to Inuyasha and placed her lips upon his, this would be the last kiss she would ever have, she planned on going to hell, Naraku would be dead, the group would finish him off, and Inuyasha would be happy, she kissed him long but Sango didn't mind, she knew they loved each other still, and that it wouldn't change her relationship with Inuyasha, Inuyasha kissed back, he also knew it would be the last time he would get to kiss touch and see kikyo.
Their kiss was ended when kikyo slowly vanished, Inuyasha felt the cold tingle of her lips and she disappeared, "Good bye Inuyasha…my love" Kikyo whispered then vanished completely, everyone stood in awe as they saw Kikyo's beautiful face in the sky, then disappear within the clouds, "wow" Miroku and Shippo said in unison." I didnt think going to hell...would be so beautiful" Shippo said.
Now it was time to finish Naraku, " I think Sango, Kikyo and I have done our part, and killed our part of Naraku, Miroku you should do the rest, and get your hand back to normal." Inuyasha said while looking from Naraku who was squirming on the ground and back to his friends.
Miroku nodded, "it's too bad kagome isn't here to see it" Shippo said sadly, sango looked at Inuyasha then to Shippo and said" so do I kagome was my best friend and I hurt her, …Kagome im sorry" Just then kagome jumped out from the bushes and said "no sango im so sorry, please forgive me" then ran to sango and embraced her, they both had tears in their eyes, yet neither let them release.
"Inuyasha, sango, Im happy for you both." Kagome said as she walked to Inuyasha, "and also, I don't think you will need this anymore" she then lifted the rosary beads From Inuyasha's neck, she handed them to sango, "here if he ever gets out of hand…use this" she chuckled
She then walked to Shippo and lifted him into her arms and hugged him gently not to hurt him, "all right Miroku, go ahead and finish him off" kagome said with a smile.
"right" Miroku said then nodded he walked over to Naraku and said" you gave me this curse, and now I think I will defeat you with it…..Kazaana!" Miroku ripped the prayer beads from his arm, and sucked in the remains of Naraku. With that he looked at his hand, the hole gradually closing, moments later, it was gone, he was set free, and never had to worry about it again.
Kagura reached Kohaku and told him "hey kid lets go, your sister is waiting for ya." Kohaku was excited "really? You did it Kagura!" he then hugged her, and they flew back to the group. They landed and Sango gasped as she saw her brother…safe and with Kagura.
"Don't worry slayer, im here to deliver your sibling, then im off. Inuyasha you have my life, and I want it." She walked up to the hanyou, and he pulled out the globe and handed it to her and said "see ya around Kagura, but the next time I see you, your going down" he said with a laugh.
She smiled and said "thank you, all of you, it sounds weird coming from me, but hey, it's the truth" she then pulled her feather out and threw it to the ground and she then headed off, she faced the team one last time, then sped off into the clouds, "see you around Kohaku" she yelled
"Bye Kagura and thanks for everything!" he yelled back while waving to her.
She was free….free at last, and she loved every second of it, she took the globe which held her life, and fused it within herself, now no one could take grasp of it.
"Ane…Im so happy, I have returned, and am ready to stay with you" Kohaku was happy, sango looked down at him and hugged him tightly. "So am I Kohaku…so am I" she said then let go, "hey Kohaku, good to have ya back." Inuyasha said while playfully pushing him to the side, Sango sat back and smiled, she was truly happy now, she had her brother, and she had Inuyasha, her friends were there, and nothing could make her sad or angry now.
"Hey Inuyasha I have an idea lets get back to kaede's I think that maybe we could turn these beads, miroku's prayer beads and the incomplete jewel shard into something." They all tiredly headed towards kaede.
The next morning it was complete, another jewel shard, kaede slowly and carefully pulled the jewel shard from kohaku's back, and quickly replaced it with the new life one she and Miroku had created.
Kohaku was alive and now the Shikon no tama was complete.
"Inuyasha are you still going to become a full youkai?" Kagome asked he shook his head "nope, we all decided on something better" he then walked up to kagome and handed her the completed jewel, "now you can come and see us anytime" Shippo said, he was sitting atop of Inuyasha's head. Kagome took the jewel and set it on her chest, right in the place of her heart; she then let it dissolve into her soul.
"So now even in battle it will never shatter? Or fall out?" she asked.
"No it will not "kaede said.
"Ok well thank you so much you guys, I'll see you, "kagome then jumped into the well back to her time. Now she could come and visit whenever, and not worry about it anymore.
"Yo, sango…" Inuyasha said she turned around and walked towards him "are you happy?" he asked, she looked at him "no…not yet" then she planted her creamy lips onto his, she kissed him long and soft, she felt his fangs through his lips, she was tempted to touch them, she glided her tongue across the place where she felt his fang, Inuyasha growled and opened his mouth, she then ran her tongue across his fang, their kiss was broken apart when they heard laughter.
"Oooh " Kohaku and Shippo said.
"Inuyasha and Sango"
"Sitting in a tree"
"K-i-s-s-i-n-g"
They both said taking turns with each part, Inuyasha looked at Shippo and said "you better run boy" Shippo looked scared and took off, and Kohaku ran after him.
"Shippo, im gonna get you!!!" Inuyasha said while chasing, him Sango just laughed and smiled,
"are you just gonna stand there and watch" Inuyasha said while running towards Sango, but before she could run away or say something back Inuyasha already had her in his arms, she looked at him and said "INUYASHA!! N-Not too faaaaaassst" 'now im happy' she thought with a smile.
Miroku looked at the scene that had just played in front of him and laughed, he was cured, and happy, his friends were happy, what else could he ask for?
'Hmmn, maybe that' he thought as a pretty young miko apprentice of kaede's walked by. He ran off chasing her yelling "excuse me, miss, would you consider bearing my child!?"
THE END
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Well that's it, end of story, im going to miss writing that, hmmn maybe I'll do a sequel maybe, it depends if you guys want it or not.
Review me and let me know if you want a sequel JA NE! .
R&R Flames are welcome but not too harsh.
Also I know some of you feel that INUXSAN fictions are so OOC but hey I think they look cute together, so if you didn't like the pairing, please don't review. But if you did like the pairing and the story feel free to review
ARIGATOU!!!!! .