CHAPTER FOUR:
FINISHING TOUCH
Disclaimer: I don't own Inu. Blasé, blasé, blasé.
Oh & this chapter goes out to WindEmpress, my sole reviewer-person.
Rin giggled. "'No one talks bad about Rin and goes away unscathed.' Rin remembers that..." Her hand went to her mouth. "Uh-oh. Rin forgot about Jaken-sama again!"
"What a big word." Red XIII said sarcastically. "But shouldn't you replace it with slaughtered?"
"He'll live." Sesshomaru said emotionlessly. Tifa smiled at them. Sesshomaru turned his eyes to her.
"Sephiroth or Jaken?" Tifa tore her eyes away from Sesshomaru.
"Both, Rin thinks. Sephiroth looks mad..." Rin snuggled closer to Tifa. Tifa put her chin on Rin's head. "Dakara, Rin has lots of protectors."
"Who does he think he is?" Sephiroth snarled.
"Sesshomaru, ruler of the Western Lands." Sesshomaru smirked.
"Taiyoukai!" Rin sang out. Kagome laughed. Cloud just raised an eyebrow.
"I think you two should cool off." Red XIII rolled his eyes. "Let's concentrate on that odor of blood." Kagome looked into the distance.
"I can sense twenty, no forty..." Kagome's eyes widened.
"Forty what?" Tifa cocked her head.
"Shikon no kakera..." Kagome gulped. "I think it's... Naraku."
"Naraku?" Sephiroth growled.
"No one else has that many." Kagome frowned. The group could see smoke, no miasma in the distance.
"Rin can smell too much blood..." Rin shook her head. "Rin feels dizzy again." Sesshomaru looked at Ah-un and he immediately began to descend.
"Matte!" Kagome jumped of Ah-un. "I'm coming!"
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at her. "Don't worry. I'll stay and protect Rin." Tifa sat down next to Rin. Cloud looked at her. "You go, Kagome-chan."
Kagome nodded happily. "I'm not babysitting you." Sesshomaru snarled. Kagome ignored him and started running. Red XIII stayed behind as well.
"Inuyasha!!!" Kagome called out. I should run in the direction of the shikon no kakera. Kagome sharply turned left, leaving the others.
"What is that onna doing?" Sephiroth scowled.
"She can sense the shikon no kakera." Sesshomaru frowned. "She must know where Naraku is." Cloud wordlessly ran after her.
Kagome ran by Grandma Kaede's hut, already knowing that no one was in there. Shippo, Marlene, Yuffie, Miroku, Kaede-bachan.... She started to cry as she was running. The entire village was in flames. I'm getting closer, closer... THERE!
Kagome stopped running. She was right in front of Naraku. "Where are they?!?" Naraku didn't answer her at first.
"Hn? Oh the reincarnation." Naraku smiled sinisterly. "And I see you've brought friends with you."
"Where are they?!?" Kagome grit her teeth in anger, not even aware that she was glowing purple. "You better not have done anything!"
Naraku made a gesture with his hand and a big mirror appeared. It showed Shippo, Kohaku, Yuffie, and Miroku fighting off youkai. The image disappeared and the picture was Inuyasha, Vincent, Sango, and Kirara doing the same.
"Satisfied?" Naraku barely finished when Kagome fired an arrow through his chest. "You wench! I'll destroy you!" He staggered at bit.
"Stay out of this human." Sephiroth pushed Kagome back. He drew his sword. "Your fight is with me!" He leapt at Naraku and slashed through his back. Now Naraku was exposed. It was the real one, not a kugustu.
"I have to find the others!" Kagome shouted.
"Good. Help that good-for-nothing brother of mine." Sesshomaru drew the Toukijin. "Take the blonde one with you." Red XIII was already running ahead of them. Kagome and Cloud looked at each other and then began running.
"They're somewhere in this forest! I just know it!" Kagome panted.
"You're pushing yourself." Cloud said looking at her.
"Iie! My friends are in danger and I must help them..." Kagome shook her head. "INUYASHA!!!!" She screamed and passed out for some reason, her body glowing purple once again. Red XIII sat by her side, worried.
Inuyasha was there in a heartbeat, with Vincent and Sango right behind him. "Kagome..." Inuyasha held her close. "What did you do?"
"Kagome-chan!" Sango practically threw herself on the ground by her. "Why is she glowing? What happened?"
"She wore herself out somehow." Cloud though back to when Kagome shot her arrow. "When she fired that arrow at Naraku."
"Naraku?" Inuyasha growled. "Where is he? I'll kill him!"
"You already forgot about Kagome." Cloud knelt down by her. "You're truly pathetic. You should be lucky she hasn't been killed yet."
"Huh?" Sango cocked her head. Vincent examined Kagome for any injuries.
"Nani?!?" Inuyasha made a fist.
"I bet you're willing to drop everything so you can destroy Naraku." Cloud looked Inuyasha in the eye. "While Kagome lays here, unconscious."
"I didn't forget anything!" Inuyasha moved Kagome away from Cloud. "You just better remember your place!" The purple light from Kagome began to fade.
"And what is my place?" Cloud stood up. "I'm going to look for Yuffie."
Kagome stirred and opened her eyes. "N-nani?" She sat up and didn't that Inuyasha was holding her. She looked around and saw Sango. "Sango-chan!" She tried to leap forward, but then felt something around her waist and turned around.
"Kagome..." Inuyasha embraced her. "Why did you scare me like that?"
"Eh? Gomen ne." Kagome placed her head on Inuyasha's chest. "What happened?" Then she remembered. "Oh no! Naraku! And Miroku..."
"I don't care!" Inuyasha shouted. "Baka...just be safe."
"Inuyasha?" Kagome pulled her head back and looked at Inuyasha. "Daijoubu? Hmmm. You don't look like you're sick. Did the miasma..."
"Kagome-chan." Sango started crying. "Your body was glowing purple. And I thought if the light went out you would die..." Kagome cocked her head. Sango hugged Kagome tightly. Kirara meowed and rubbed herself against Kagome.
"Purple?" Kagome blinked. "What is going on?"
"And once you shouted 'Inuyasha' all the youkai were destroyed by purple light." Vincent explained. "You were emotionally distressed at that moment."
"Perhaps Marlene was right about you." Red XIII said pensively.
"Me? Ancient?" Kagome pointed to herself. "I don't think so."
"Vincent." Cloud looked at him. Red XIII began running.
"Right." Vincent nodded. They sped off in search of Yuffie and the others.
"What should we do?" Sango asked Inuyasha.
"Feh. Isn't it obvious?" Inuyasha stood up. "Fight Naraku!"
"I'm going with them." Kagome pointed in the direction that Cloud, Vincent, and Red XIII went. Inuyasha looked at her in surprise.
"Nani? You'd rather be with spiky over there?" Inuyasha growled, already jealous. Kagome rolled her eyes and walked off.
"Baka." Sango hit Inuyasha in the head. "She wants to help our friends."
"Go take care of her." Inuyasha ordered and ran off in search of Naraku. Sango rolled her eyes and hopped on Kirara.
"Kagome-chan!" Sango grabbed Kagome's hand and pulled her on.
Cloud, Vincent, and Red XIII could hear Kirara behind them. They chose to help their friends, rather than fight Naraku. Naraku has his hands full with both Sesshomaru and Sephiroth. And probably that Inuyasha. Cloud frowned.
About two hundred youkai were in the area. Cloud could know see Yuffie and the others fighting them off. "Miroku can't use Kazanna because of the Saimyoushou!" Sango cried out. "Hiraikotsu!" Kagome fired an arrow. Vincent shot through a bunch of them. Cloud sliced right through ten youkai.
"What took you so long?!?" Yuffie shouted angrily.
"Kagomeeee!!!" Shippo jumped into Kagome's arms.
"Shippo!" Kagome hugged him tightly. "Daijoubu?" He looked tired and a bit bloody. Sango ran over to Kohaku and held him tightly.
"I'm daijoubu neechan." Kohaku spoke. Sango looked at him in amazement. "Miroku explained to me what happened. Iie, Naraku told me what I did." He said quickly, seeing Sango's face.
Miroku smiled at Sango. "He's just fine." Sango hugged Miroku.
"You all look so tired..." Kagome's face looked pained.
"They just keep coming." Marlene came out from a bush. "Shippo is my protector!" Kagome smiled a bit.
"I'm tired of all this. I'll take care of all of them." Cloud scowled angrily. "Stand back, everyone!" And everyone obeyed. Kagome watched in awe as Cloud's sword began glowing.
A large whirlwind sucked in the remaining youkai into oblivion and all of them were instantly killed. "That was Cloud's 'Finishing Touch' attack!" Yuffie said excitedly. "He's so cool... I mean, he was pretty decent." Miroku turned and smiled at Yuffie. Huh? He has a nice smile... Yuffie blinked back at him.
"Let's go!" Cloud shouted, already running in Naraku's direction. Anyone could tell where Naraku was, all you had to do was follow the explosions.
"Cloud!" Kagome called out. "I'm taking the others back to the village!" Cloud turned and nodded at her, locking eyes with her. Sango got off Kirara and Kohaku, Marlene, Shippo, and Kagome got on.
"Kagome-chan! I'm going after Naraku!" Sango cried out and without looking back she ran after Cloud.
"I'm staying with Yuffie and the others." Red XIII stated.
"Kagome, Inuyasha needs you. You'd better head over there. Yuffie and I will take care of the kids." Miroku said seriously. "Hayaku, Kagome-sama!" Kagome leapt off Kirara and ran as fast as she could towards Sango and Cloud.
Why am I worried about finding them? I can sense the shikon no kakera, ne? Kagome shook her head as she ran. I can't even think right today... It's all Kikyo's fault! She soon caught up with Cloud and Sango.
"I thought you were going back to the village." Cloud said. Why am I even making small talk with her? This is stupid. He shook his head.
"Inuyasha needs me, dakara..." Kagome couldn't finish her sentence. They kept running in silence, until they found Vincent lying on the ground, weakened. Sango dropped to her feet, to inspect Vincent.
"Naraku got him good." Sango scowled. "I'd better take him back. Let's see... Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, and Sephiroth are fighting him right now..."
"Naraku is going up against all of them?" Cloud's jaw dropped.
"He probably has someone else fighting for him." Sango sneered, thinking about how much she hated Naraku. She picked Vincent up and put him on her back. "I'll stay with the others, since they're still weak."
"Bankotsu!" Kagome blurted out. But... he's dead! How... Sure enough, Bankotsu was standing right in front of them, holding his Banryuu close to him.
"I got a second chance from Naraku." Bankotsu grinned widely. "So good to see you again. Too bad Jakotsu didn't get another chance. Oh well. If I kill you, maybe Naraku will bring him back."
"Kagome, go on ahead." Cloud narrowed his eyes. "I'll take him."
"Are you sure?" Kagome looked at him worriedly. "I can tell you're strong, but Naraku might ambush you. He's a dirty-"
"I'll be fine." There was a certain look in Cloud's eyes that made Kagome agree. His eyes looked furious, a fury that could only be released by fighting. "He's going to taste my Meteorain attack soon. Go on, Kagome. Inuyasha needs you."
"Right." Kagome nodded and ran past Bankotsu, who winked at her. "Nani?" Oh no... what happened now?!? Inuyasha, please be okay!
"I have a feeling that Inuyasha won't be needing you much longer." Bankotsu laughed and laughed. Kagome's face paled and she ran as fast as she could in the direction that Bankotsu had come from.
Kagome didn't even know she could run that fast. Regardless of all that's happened, I still care about him. I mean, what else am I supposed to do? Inuyasha means a lot to me. He made me so happy, so free. But... Kikyo always comes in between us. I can't change that, so I tried to accept it and move on. But now... now... I can't lose him! Without knowing it, Kagome began to cry.
Kagome ran into a clearing and gasped in disbelief. "Hakudoushi!" Kagome shouted out, seeing him. "Nani?" Hakudoushi was currently engrossed with his fight with Sesshoumaru. "Sesshoumaru, where's Inuyasha?"
"Ha, ha, ha. That Inuyasha is such a fool. Getting himself possessed." Hakudoushi laughed, throwing back his tiny little head.
"Why don't you ask that dead wench?" Sesshoumaru answered darkly, slashing at the small purple-haired child with his Toukijin. Kagome gulped and ran past them both. She ran for about fifteen minutes straight.
Possessed... Dead wench? This can't be good... Kagome finally reached Naraku, who was fighting Sephiroth. But... where's Inuyasha?
"He's right here." A cold voice said from behind Kagome. Kagome whirled around and saw Kikyo staring there, glaring at her. And who was beside her? None other than Inuyasha, without his Tetsusaiga. His eyes were blood red and there were those familiar markings on his face.
"Oh no..." Kagome gasped. "Inuyasha... Inuyasha? INUYASHAAAA!!!" She let out a scream as Inuyasha ran at her, with his claws ready to rip out her throat. She managed to barely dodge both Inuyasha and the Purifying Arrows Kikyo was sending at her.
Oh no... What am I supposed to do? Sephiroth is too busy fighting Naraku. I can't take both Inuyasha and Kikyo at the same time!!! Kagome gulped and dodged three more of Kikyo's arrows. She studied Inuyasha and realized that the rosary around his need was now black and red.
"You... you did posses him! Why?!?" Kagome cried out at Inuyasha managed to slash her left arm. Kagome fell to the ground, but had to roll immediately to avoid Kikyo's never-ending arrows. One pierced her back and while the energy itself didn't hurt, the impact of it did.
"Ha, ha, ha!!" Kikyo burst out laughing at Kagome's pain.
"How could you do this... we helped each other that time..." Kagome looked at her sadly. If I am to die, I would rather die by the hands of Inuyasha. At least I know he isn't intentionally trying to kill me... Inuyasha ran at her once again, his bloodied claws making Kagome think if it was him that attacked Vincent.
Then, out of the blue Tifa dropped out of the sky and kicked Inuyasha to the ground. "Kagome-chan! Daijoubu desu ka?"
"I'm... fine." Kagome blinked in surprise. Tifa grabbed her in a quick hug and then ran to meet in battle with Inuyasha. "Tifa-chan, be careful! Kikyo possessed Inuyasha!" It's a good thing Inuyasha doesn't have his Tetsusaiga, then he'd be even more dangerous. But... where is it? I know Sesshoumaru doesn't have it. Could Naraku? She looked over at Naraku and Sephiroth.
Naraku was fighting with one of his bones and Sephiroth was using his deadly blade as well. But... when did he get it back? I thought Sesshoumaru... Kagome shrugged. It didn't matter.
"Who are you?!?" Kikyo shrieked, letting out more arrows towards them. Ah-un flew by and Kagome climbed on. Rin was frantically looking around for Sesshoumaru, no doubt.
"Rin doesn't get it... that lady saved Rin from the weird doctor. Why is she attacking Kagome-chan and Tifa-chan?" Rin cocked her head to one side.
"I don't know, Rin. I don't know." Kagome gulped. "Tifa, let's get out of here!" Tifa grinned at Kagome weakly and grabbed Inuyasha from behind. She jumped into the air, higher and higher, until Kagome could barely see them. And then, Inuyasha came down, crashing like a meteor to the ground.
"And that was my Meteor Strike attack!" Tifa grinned widely and jumped on Ah-un's back. "Let's go, Ah-un!" And with that, the two-headed dragon flew off in search of Sesshoumaru, dodging all of Kikyo's Purifying Arrows.
Inuyasha was coming after them, running as fast as he could. As Kagome turned, she saw that Kikyo was on Inuyasha's back. It almost seems like... we're the enemy, not Inuyasha... Kagome blinked back tears and turned around.
Ah-un flew them directly into Hakudoushi. Literally, Ah-un crashed right into the small child, who uncharacteristically fell to the ground. Sesshoumaru took his chance and slashed Hakudoushi as hard as he could.
"Sesshoumaru-sama!!" Rin called out. Sesshoumaru flew in the air and greeted her by patting her on the head. "Rin was worried. That weird Aeris lady is coming soon. And her thoughts are different. She's angry now."
"Oh no..." Tifa gasped. "We've got to hurry away!" Sesshoumaru turned to her emotionlessly.
"I'm not done fighting Hakudoushi. You head back to the village." Sesshoumaru stated simply and flew back down to meet with Hakudoushi, who surprisingly enough, was waiting for him. They began fighting instantly.
Ah-un flew off once again, but this time in the direction of the blue lightning. They came across Cloud and Bankotsu, locked in combat. Kagome could see the flames in the distance. Kaede-bachan. Where are you? Please be okay... Kagome sighed. Things are getting too wild around here... If the well gets destroyed, I can never get home again. And... I'm not ready for that to happen! I already lost Inuyasha! If I lose Mom and Souta and Grandpa...
"Ha! You're actually a good opponent! Almost as good as Inuyasha!" Bankotsu let out a cheer and ran at Cloud again. Cloud managed to counter all of his attacks and then went on the offense.
"Cloud! Aeris is coming!" Tifa called out. Cloud froze for a moment, but continued fighting. I'm so sorry, Cloud. I know you didn't want to hear those words. Cloud, you're my best friend and I'd change things if I could...
"She's at a big tree. With the mirror girl." Rin whispered.
"Goshinboku!" Kagome cried out. Her fears were coming true. "Ah-un, hayaku! To Goshinboku and the Bone Eaters' Well!" Ah-un nodded his great head and flew off in the direction of the well.
"But... isn't Rin in danger now? Shouldn't we drop her off at the village?" Tifa asked cautiously. If anything happens to Rin, Sesshoumaru won't hesitate to kill me... That would suck.
"I still have some arrows left. I barely had a chance to use them when Inuyasha and Kikyo attacked me." Kagome looked around. "Speaking of, where are they? I wonder if they met up with Sesshoumaru yet?"
Ah-un hurriedly reached the Bone Eaters' Well, where Kagome instantly jumped off and looked around for any sign of Kanna. Tifa, Rin, and Ah-un stayed behind her, on the ground. "Rin, stay by the well!" She ordered and Rin obeyed, taking Ah-un with her. Then Kagome spotted a girl clad in pink clothing.
"Aeris!" Tifa shouted out. "Aeris, are you okay?" Oh no... Naraku did bring her back to life. Just like Rin said. I was hoping it wasn't true... but... Tifa gulped. She's dangerous now. Just as dangerous as Inuyasha...
Aeris responded by sending out a bunch of ice spells in their direction. Her once happy green eyes were now darker, colder, and emotionless. Kagome let out two Purifying Arrows in Aeris' direction. Aeris held up a hand and a ball of fire burnt the two arrows. Just like that.
"Uh-oh..." Kagome took a step back. Aeris advanced towards them. "Ah-un, take Rin higher!"
"Iie! Rin will use what neechan taught her!" Rin said bravely, climbing on Ah-un. "Go to Aeris!" She commanded and Ah-un obeyed. Kagome and Tifa watched in horror as Rin neared Aeris, who stared back at her emotionlessly. Then, without warning, Aeris sent out a bunch of lightning bolts in their direction.
Rin closed her eyes and concentrated. Rin must be brave. Rin must be brave. Rin must be brave. What must Rin do? Does Tifa-chan have Materia? Well then, Rin must use it. Rin opened her eyes. It was as simple as that. Rin held out her little hands and a red orb flew from Tifa to Rin.
"HADES!!!" Rin cried out, summoning Hades. Hades used his feared attack, Black Cauldron on Aeris, who stumbled a bit, obviously not expecting that one. Tifa-chan has more. Rin needs more... Rin held her hands out again and two more red orbs appeared in her hands. "Titan and Odin! Attack!"
And so the two great warriors did. After being hit by both "Anger of the Land" and "Gunge Lance", Aeris fell to the ground. This time she didn't get up. Tifa and Kagome stared in sheer shock. Ah-un flew back to them and Rin jumped into Tifa's arms. Aeris stirred a bit, but didn't get up.
"Here's your Materia!" Rin politely handed the three red orbs back to Tifa. "Arigato! Rin hasn't used Materia in a while."
"What should we do?" Tifa turned to Kagome. The three got back on Ah-un and were watching Aeris tentatively. "We can't leave her here."
"She might destroy the well. And then I'll never get home." Kagome said sadly. "But... the others could use our help. We need to get out of here."
"No need to worry about that." A voice said from behind them. Kagome turned her head and saw Sephiroth standing there. "Naraku retreated. He took the purple child, the braided boy, and fled. It won't be long before he comes for Aeris."
"Oh." Kagome said carefully, a bit uncomfortable. He's just as dangerous as Sesshoumaru, if not a little more! I've got to watch myself! Kagome gulped.