Silver

Disclaimer: Don't own.

Chapter 11: The Battle

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Kouga was bored and depressed. Nothing was going right. He hadn't seen his pack in days but that wasn't what was bothering him. Kagome's agony radiated in her aura. He tended to his wounds on his right leg as he sat there.

"Let me help you." She tore her sleeve off and wrapped it around the gash on his leg. He smiled at her but it faded quickly.

"Thanks." He muttered quietly. The scent of Sango's blood was driving him mad. He was a youkai, after all. Youkai craved blood more than anything else. Bloodshed, gore, and the kill. She then looked shyly and painfully up at him. He spread his arms and wrapped them around her when she fell into his chest. Shippou was mourning by himself, staring at Sango and Kohaku. She was just alive and with him before...

"Kouga, why did all of this happen?" Kagome asked quietly. "We were all fine and Sango was recovering... Now, Miroku, Sango, Kohaku, and Taketa-sama are... gone." She could hardly get the words out.

"I can't answer that." The youkai's voice was soft as he stared up at the sky. Dark masses of clouds were rolling in and he could smell the rain that was coming. A wind rustled their hair and clothes as they sat there in each other's arms. Kouga's ears picked up a howl. A howl so sad that he could hardly supress a response.

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A howl escaped Sesshoumaru's lips. A mournful, sharp howl. Just like a dog who's best friend had died. He whined. He felt overcome by his emotions, overcome by horrible thoughts and images. He felt his chest tighten. Then he felt it. The first teardrops he had ever shed since his mother. The image of Sango's limp, cold body kept pushing forward. He drew the Tenseiga, anger and grief swirling inside of him. Inuyasha saw his brother stumble and fall to his knees with the sword in his hands.

"Why...?" The Tai-youkai whispered as his tears fell onto the blade. His amber eyes widened as it began to glow blue. His father's words washed over him.

"Totosai, I want my eldest son to possess the Tenseiga." Inutaisho said with a slight pause. "I want him to understand why I chose a mortal woman to hold my affections. He needs to understand that not all humans are revolting, that he would someday come to love one so deeply that he would gladly give his life in exchange for hers."

"Sango..." Sesshoumaru whispered despondently. He would give his life for her, he realized. When had he changed so much? He then realized that maybe now the sword would work. He paused. More of his late father's words came to him.

"I am willing to believe that a human woman will melt the ice around his heart... so that one day, he will be free."

Sesshoumaru stood up, his hot tears rolling down his face.

I am free.

He sped off, going back to Sango. Kagome and Kouga were still sitting there when the two brothers arrived back there, since Inuyasha followed him. Sesshoumaru fell to his knees once more before Sango and Kohaku. He looked once more at the glowing blade before swinging it at the youkai he now could see. After a moment, Sango gasped for breath and Kohaku opened his eyes, letting go of his sister in his curiosity. Sango's chocolate brown eyes fluttered open and she looked at Sesshoumaru before gasping and sitting up.

"Sesshoumaru..." He dropped the Tenseiga and wrapped his arms around her waist. He rested his head on her chest, listening in relief to her beating heart. He continued to let his tears flow, shaking with the effort to control the emotions he was just experiencing. She wrapped her arms around him and began to soothe him. Then he pulled away and gazed at her flushed face before kissing her passionately. She pulled from him after savoring the moment. "What's going on?" Her eyes went to everyone and she noticed Inuyasha and Kagome look away. Kouga gazed at her steadily but betrayed nothing in his eyes. "Why are you..."

"Miroku got sucked into his Wind Tunnel. Nothing is left." Inuyasha answered, not looking at her.

"N-No..." She gripped Sesshoumaru's shirt. Then she looked away and buried her face in his bright silver locks. Kohaku stared at them in surprise.

"What's going on?" Sango stiffened and looked back at him, her tears shining in her eyes. She gestured that he come to her. When he did so, she swept him into her arms.

"Kohaku, this is... not how I wanted it to be. But... now is not the time." She kissed his dark mass of hair. "I will explain everything after this last battle."

"Yes, Naraku must be killed." Kagome stood up and helped Kouga to his feet. "We have to get there fast, before he has time to do something about the fact that he's barely anything."

"Let's go, then." Inuyasha grinned at them. "Sesshoumaru, I take it that you're taking Sango back to the village to get her weapons?"

"Yes." The Tai-youkai nodded and stood up, bringing Sango with him. Kohaku let go of his sister and pulled his sword from the ground.

"I am helping, as well."

"You can protect Shippou." Kagome said helpfully. "We can't lose anyone else." They all nodded and split up. Sesshoumaru lifted Sango into his arms and took off. She held onto him tightly, hoping against hope that this was not real. Miroku could not be dead... Kuranosukai did not commit suicide...

"Did it happen?" She asked quietly and he slowed down a little at the approach of the village. Then he changed direction and went left for a moment. She looked over to see a large hole in the ground... A whimper escaped her lips and she buried her face in his chest.

"Sango, everything will be fine." She bit her lip. Then she nodded slowly and he ran off to the village again. He set her down inside their room. "Where are your weapons?" She quickly changed into her taiji-ya uniform. Then she tied her hair up and tied the sash around her waist. She slid her sword through it.

"Hiraikotsu is in the shed." She ran outside and grabbed her gas mask and her bone boomerang and a bow and arrows for Kagome. Sesshoumaru took them and lifted her in his arms. "Let's go join the fight."

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"What the hell are you doing!?" Inuyasha screamed at Shippou. "Do not pull on the ears!"

"Well, if you weren't going so fast-"

"Do you want me to slow down? If I slow down, Naraku might go somewhere else, we won't be able to defeat him for another couple months, maybe more, and a lot more people will die. Do you want that? Do you think we're going too fast now?" The hanyou ranted. Kouga rolled his eyes.

"Oh, please." He snorted.

"You got something to say, wolf? I could drop you off right here and make you run on your own." The wolf was on Inuyasha's back, since his leg was injured, and Kagome was in his arms with Shippou on his head. Kohaku was next to Kouga and Kirara was at his back.

"Inuyasha..." Kagome sighed. "Now is not the time to be bickering."

"Feh. Spare me."

"I would sooo say the word if I wasn't in your arms." She glared at him.

"Coward."

"Inuyasha, I think you should sit down." He slammed face-first into the dirt and she was caught under him. Kouga and Kohaku and Shippou went flying forward. Inuyasha lifted his head from the ground and spit out a lump of grass.

"Nice work, Kagome." The irate hanyou growled.

"At least..." Her voice was muffled by his shirt. "At least you won't mouth off anymore now that you know I'm not kidding." He got up.

"Look at this sorry sight, Sesshoumaru." Sango stated with a slight laugh. "We may as well meet you guys there!" She couldn't help but feel anxiousness inside of her. She just wanted so badly to see Naraku die, to see her family avenged. Kohaku got up and Sango pulled away from Sesshoumaru. She went to Kouga and helped him up. "Geez, what happened?"

"Kagome said the word when all of them were on me, that's what." Inuyasha brushed off his haori. "You want a ride, get one from my brother." He snapped at the miko.

"But..." Before any word could be uttered, Sango was in Inuyasha's arms.

"Inuyasha..." Sango started. Sesshoumaru did not look happy.

"I am not carting a miko-"

"Kirara!" Sango flew out of Inuyasha's grasp, grabbed her weapon and the bow and arrows from her lover's shoulders and grinned at Kagome. "Will you give us a ride?"

"Does she have room for me?" Kouga whined. "I don't want to ride with dog-face."

"Fine, fine." Sango gestured that he get on in front of her, considering the positions involved. Kohaku didn't mind riding with Inuyasha but Shippou vouched for Kagome. Sango fastened her arms around Kouga's waist, noting the dark look Sesshoumaru was giving off. But she didn't care. They all had to get there, one way or another. "Let's go!" They began once more, Sesshoumaru in the lead. He could smell Naraku's scent.

"He is not very far away." The Tai-youkai's voice broke all of their thoughts.

This is it... Finally, we are going to end this bitter war and my family will be avenged. I don't know what to think about what will happen when he is finally dead. Inuyasha... Kagome... Shippou... Will you all leave? Will I ever see you after this?

"What wish should we make on the complete Shikon no Tama?" Kagome's question brought Sango back to reality.

"Whatever you want, Kagome. After all, the jewel is your inheritance from Kikyou. You are her reincarnation."

"Well, I want the well to be open so that all of you and my family can travel through it."

"That sounds like a wonderful wish." Sango knew that they were unable to wish Miroku back. It was a curse. He had to live with the curse; he had to die with the curse. It was not broken before he got swallowed. He could not be brought back from the confines of no return. It was hard on her but she couldn't grieve anymore. She was vacant of tears. She was sure that she would cry when this was all over.

"I really want everything to go back to normal but the damage has already been done. We've all changed. Miroku, Kuranosukai, your family, and all of those others who were killed by him." Kagome sighed. Sango unconsciously rested her head against Kouga's back. "Nothing can change the fact that they are gone but..."

"Look!" Shippou cried from the girl's shoulder. Sango leaned forward and Kouga moved a little so she could see.

"That's it... Naraku's castle. I can sense him. He's in there." The taiji-ya frowned. The wolf youkai stared down at her determined expression, watching her raven hair being pulled by the wind that swirled around them. Her scent was changing. She was growing anxious and determined and nervous. He went deeper into her scent and caught Sesshoumaru's scent. It was very faint but he knew why. He knew she was off-limits and he wanted Kagome, anyway. But he felt weird being this close to her.

"His scent is getting stronger." Inuyasha skidded to a stop. He let Kohaku off of his back and narrowed his amber eyes. Suddenly, the earth rumbled and Inuyasha dodged Kagura's attack, grabbing Kohaku around the waist.

"Kagura..." Kagome whispered. She gripped her bow and arrows that Sango had just given her.

"Ready, Kagome? This is a battle to the end." Sango looked back at her and gave her a small smile. "No backing out now."

"Right." Kirara took them close to the ground and Sango jumped off with Kagome. Kouga got down with some difficulty but managed it.

"Kirara, stay close to Kouga." Sango's statement surprised the wolf but she was gone before he could open his mouth. Kagome ran off to become part of the battle with Kagura.

Sesshoumaru looked around. A feral snarl escaped his lips. The mist was the wrong color. It was a miasma. He pulled his hand up and used his sleeve to protect his nose.

"Naraku..." His amber eyes shifted.

"Kanna!" A voice said behind him. He turned around to see a white youkai standing before the miko, preventing her from getting near Kagura and Inuyasha. Sango was to his right, further off than he wished for her to be. Her mask was up, guarding her from the poison. She looked ahead before starting to run.

Sango noticed Kagome handling Kanna and Inuyasha with Kagura. Kohaku had his mask up and was now with Kouga and Kirara and Shippou. She saw Sesshoumaru looking around. Then she looked ahead and noticed a shadow moving.

Is that just my imagination?

She narrowed her eyes and ran forward anyway. It seemed to play games with her, darting in and out of her vision like a ghost.

"Dammit." She looked around and suddenly had the feeling that she was lost. She closed her eyes, expanding her senses.

Where the hell are you, Naraku? Why are you playing this game with me?

She stiffened, hearing a sound behind her. Turning around, she quickly drew her sword and attacked. The shadow dodged, chuckling.

I-I can't sense him! Is he a... new incarnation that we didn't know about?

"Ah..." She winced and fell backwards when something solid connected with her stomach.

"Little taiji-ya, you are fun to play with." It teased with glee.

"W-Who are you?" She rolled when she sensed a movement and his attack slammed into the earth next to her.

"That is none of your concern." She rolled again and jumped to her feet. She darted to her sword and grabbed it off the ground, not even knowing when she dropped it. She closed her eyes. He would just confuse her if she looked for him.

Wait for it...

She sensed and heard a slight rustle of clothing before doing a back flip and throwing her sword directly where the attack was from. She landed, crouched on the ground, her hands resting on the ground between her feet, like a cat. She closed her eyes again, waiting for any hint of movement or an attack. All she heard was a thud. She drew a dagger from her belt and walked cautiously forward.

Never think it is over until there is proof. Solid proof.

She could see the body. Her katana was lodged in her foe's throat. She had almost cleanly decapitated it without knowing. She was still cautious, however. When she got over to him, her right foot braced in the middle of his back, she drew out her sword. Then, with a quick motion, she beheaded him. Cut it clean off. Then she slipped her dagger back into her belt and looked around.

How could he even have the power to create an incarnation on such short notice?

She snapped her fingers.

That's it! He used the power of the sacred jewel. He used the large shard he has to help him create this monster. Not unless... Naraku is a hanyou. He is made up of different youkai. What if he is... falling apart? Just looking at this creature... Onigumo's body was burned and there was a scar on his back. This only has a portion of the scar.

She noticed a part of the spider burn on the youkai's back.

But Naraku wouldn't just let that happen for nothing. He's been holding together for a while now. Why now...?

She heard a cry behind her and turned in that direction.

"Kouga..." She ran quickly back toward the cry. She ran into someone and fell backwards, onto her rear.

"Taiji-ya?" She heard Kouga's voice. The miasma was getting thicker by the minute. She could hardly see. The wolf's voice was hoarse and he started coughing. She got up and dug around in the sack at her waist until she pulled out a mask.

"Here, Kouga. The miasma already started getting to you. This will prevent more from getting into your system." He took it from her and put it on, looking a little uncomfortable with it on.

"This'll mask my sense of smell a little..."

"Don't worry about that now. You can't smell anything but the poison in the air. Can you sense anyone close?" Sango felt Kirara nudge her hand.

"I sense mutt-face. He's back there with Kagome. Your brother is with Sesshoumaru to our right." They had gotten all separated from their rightful places but that didn't matter now. She had to get to Inuyasha.

"Let's go to Inuyasha. I need to tell him something."

"Gotcha." He grabbed her wrist and pulled her along behind him. Kirara followed at an easy pace, the poison beginning to even get to her. Within moments, they were next to the hanyou.

"Inuyasha!" He looked over at her.

"What is it?"

"Naraku... he's..." She suddenly found a lump in her throat. What if he heard her? But he couldn't do anything about it if the youkai inside of him were really rebelling. "Naraku is..."

"Spit it out!" She gave him a look.

"The youkai inside of him are rebelling. They want out. He is made out of several, right? I just fought with one! There was only a portion of the scar on his back." The hanyou's eyes widened. Kagome snapped her fingers.

"This is the perfect opportunity, then!" She grinned. Sango nodded.

"Hey, Kagome? Do you think it could have been the use of your powers against him?" Kouga asked. "I mean, you used your arrows on him before but this was raw power from your hands, right?" The miko nodded.

"It is possible, I guess. Whatever the reason, though, this is the time to attack." Sango looked at Kirara.

"Kirara, take Kagome, Inuyasha, and Kouga out of the miasma. You should get a clear view of where he is if you use an arrow, Kagome." They nodded.

"What about you?" Inuyasha asked. She smirked.

"I have some fighting to do. Be careful!" She then turned and ran. They watched until they couldn't see her figure any longer. Then they went into action. Sango closed her eyes and allowed her senses to take over. She could barely sense anything, since the place radiated Naraku's fading aura. She tried to pinpoint it but then had to take a very rough estimate. She ran at an angle toward her left, her hand clutching Hiraikotsu's band. She ran with a sure confidence, hoping not to get lost. Suddenly, most of the miasma was blown away and she saw the arrow not ten feet away. She looked up at them before running forward. Her rough estimate had been almost correct, anyway. She felt something charge into her from the front, causing her to fall back as she felt that something tightly grip her throat. Blood-thirsty crimson eyes glared down at her. "Naraku...?" It looked almost as if he had tried to consume more creatures and they only got half-way.

"Taiji-ya, you are alive..." He smirked; his lips curling back to reveal his fangs.

"And it will stay that way." She stated, struggling with his tight grip on her. She saw something on his chest; something that seemed very familiar. It looked like a circular scar the size of a marble with a little chunk missing.

The Shikon no Tama...

She switched her gaze to her foe, who was too busy looking at the mark on her neck to notice anything else.

"Ah, yes. What say that I drain you from this?" He touched Sesshoumaru's mark and she froze. She clenched her fist and punched him in the face.

"Don't touch that!" She screamed at him. Fire blazed to life in her eyes. "Never!" He gazed at her in thrill.

"Such fire, taiji-ya." He touched it again to get her going. She then held her arm against his skin, right above the Shikon jewel scar.

"I told you not to touch it. It is too precious to me. I do not want your filthy hands touching such a sacred mark." Her secret blade released, slicing his skin and covering her in blood, and he jumped back in surprise, only to get hit by a sacred arrow in the right shoulder. Sango jumped forward and drew her katana, slicing at him. Before he knew it, she was holding something bloody in her hands. A round, pink marble... the Shikon jewel. "Inuyasha! Kagome! NOW!" She cried up to them. Inuyasha released the Wind Scar and Kagome let her sacred arrow go. Sesshoumaru threw Tokijin at Naraku, piercing him right where his black void of a heart was. Sango was in the path, they knew it. Suddenly, she was against someone; in their arms. She felt something soft brush against her cheek and saw silver.

"You are very brave, Sango." She smiled and rested her head against his chest. Suddenly, something appeared in front of them. Another youkai. Sesshoumaru shifted her so he held her in one arm and raked his claws through the thing. Blood spattered all over them. After a moment of silence, Sango began to laugh. She turned her head to muffle it in his shirt.

"Sango!" Kagome ran over to them and the taiji-ya stiffened and quieted. Then he let her down and she unclenched her fist, slowly opening her hand to reveal the jewel in the middle of her palm.

"Here, Kagome. This is rightfully yours. You are the one who can purify it." She placed it in the miko's hand and felt tears come to her eyes. The battle was over.

All over.

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That's all of 11! Boy, I guess this was a really long chapter, huh? Made up for the last chapter's shortness. Please review!

See ya in 12!