Disclaimer: I don't own Kagura, Sesshoumaru and the rest of the Inuyasha characters mentioned here. They all belong to Rumiko Takahashi. But I do own Kagura's new identity.
A/N: Whoo-hoo! The last chapter! Whew, after a month and a half of writing (and some idling around), I've managed to complete this story:) Well, a big thanks to all of you guys who reviewed, even though you guys were only a handful. :) But still thank you, and I will take this time to give my thanks and responses to each of your reviews.
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LaDy PnAi: My first reviewer. Well, I'm happy that you think my story is good and it's good to know you love ninjas, too. Thank you so much. :)
katkat-kwee: Halloo Kat:) Salamat dude sa pagbabasa mo ng aking crappy fanfiction. You know that this is poorly written shit, but you still stuck by and gave me reviews! Ikaw ang may pinaka-maraming review para sa story! Heehee, well, thanks again, dude! Wabshu:)
JJ: Whoa! I didn't expect JJ to review! LOL! Haha, thanks for reviewing, J. Sorry if the story bored you because of its length. Kasi, I can't just squeeze all events in only a few chapters, kaya inabot ng ganito :)) Thank you rin dun sa review mo sa A Valentine For The Void! Thanks talaga, JJ. :)
samma440: I took your review as constructive criticism, and I thank you for that. It's good to receive stuff like this once in a while, so that I could iron out some wrinkles in my future stories. Again, thank you. :)
kyuuketsuki-san: Thank you for reading my story and for finding it entertaining! Yes, I agree with you on the last trial. I liked making the trials and I had fun writing them, too. :)
Lady-jolly: I was pleased to see a review such as yours for my story, 'cause it makes me happy for a reviewer to actually empathize with the characters in the story :) And for being such an empathic reader, I give you a big thanks. :)
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Well, there you go, guys. Thanks again for your reviews! And since due to come certain turns in this chappie, I'll be using Kagura's name again instead of Koeshi. This chapter will also be long, since it's the conclusion and stuff. Now, on with the last chapter of Out Of The Ashes!
-o-o-o-o-
Dusk approached faster than anyone thought. After packing all of their supplies, Rin, Ah-un and Jaken have taken a nap, so that when they will already leave, they would be bursting with energy. Koeshi had practiced all morning and afternoon with her katana, hacking and cutting the bark of nearby trees and trained her evasive maneuvers. She saw the sun setting on the horizon, which cued her to return to camp. I've waited long enough. Tonight's the night. She thought heatedly inside her head. Back at the campsite, Sesshoumaru noticed that the sun was now slowly setting, casting an orange tint at everything it can shed its light on.
"The big event has arrived." He said to himself. He then turned around and saw Koeshi entering the campsite. Koeshi slid her katana back into its scabbard and was ordered by Sesshoumaru to wake up the rest of the crew. Koeshi agreed, but rambled unintelligible things under her breath.
"Come on, you guys. It's nightfall. We have to get a move on!" Koeshi said, trying to wake up Rin, Jaken and Ah-un all together. Rin yawned widely, then rubbed her sleepy eyes. Jaken shook his head and cleared his groggy eyesight, while Ah-un made yawning noises and stood up.
"Oh! Tonight's the night we strike!" Jaken squawked excitedly, pounding his Two-Headed Staff repeatedly on the ground.
"Sesshoumaru-sama! We finished packing all the provisions!" Rin reported happily. "And we're fully charged to kick some Naraku-behind!"
"Got that right, Rin!" Koeshi confirmed the kid, giving her a high-5. "And I've got the water. But we have to drink sparingly. We only have one canteen." Koeshi held up the water container. Ah-un made happy and eager sounds and showed emotions of excitement. Sesshoumaru had a very unnoticeable smile on his face, brought about by the enthusiasm of his crew.
"Make your last minute arrangements." Sesshoumaru told them all like an army general, but only calmer. "We are leaving soon!"
"YEAH!" The three of them yelled, while Ah-un supposedly was saying the same thing. Rin tightened the single pigtail on her head and tightened the fastening of her yukata. She also cleared some dirt off her face and had this eager grin formed on her lips.
"Rin is ready for action!" Rin jumped up and said happily. Jaken was showing off some tricks that his Two-Headed staff can do, and twirled it like a huge baton (you know, like in those old kung-fu movies:)).
"I can take anything that Naraku dishes out!" Jaken said bravely, donning a heroic stance. But then Rin showed up and taunted him, completely destroying his pose. Koeshi adjusted her gauntlets and adjusted her bandana as well. She drew her shiny katana and posed in her usual combat stance.
"I've waited long enough for this!" She said, brandishing her sword. Sesshoumaru on the other hand, stared at them like they were putting on some kind of freak show. He had this irritated look in his eyes.
"What are you cretins doing?" He asked in an annoyed voice. "You're wasting time with your stupid poses!" The three of them looked at each other and sweat dropped, apologizing to Sesshoumaru with big stupid grins. The youkai lord rolled his eyes and asked everyone to ride Ah-un and quit any more horseplay.
-o-o-o-o-
Meanwhile in Naraku's fortress,
"They are approaching." Kanna told Naraku, showing an image of Koeshi and company riding Ah-un towards Naraku's bastion in her mirror. Naraku had his usual evil smirk on his face.
"Good." He uttered venomously. "Our little ninja is heading directly towards her doom." He allowed himself a short but ominous laugh, as a black, pulsating heart materialized in his right hand. Kanna stared at the beating heart, an intense desire to kill it filling her eyes. Naraku saw this and said,
"Don't worry, Kanna. She'll be dead in no time." Naraku deviously said to his detachment. "Just be patient, my dear, be patient." A faint smile contorted on Kanna's lips. But then, she remembered something about Naraku's heart.
"What about your heart? What if they get to it?" Kanna asked. "Who will guard it?"
"Do not worry…" Naraku cunningly reassured her. He lifted Kanna's chin with one, cold, white hand and stared craftily into her eyes. "I'm putting my best…child…on that job…" He then let go of the girl. Kanna's smile grew more noticeable, as she complied willingly to what Naraku wants her to do. Naraku smiled evilly as diabolical thoughts swarmed in his head. Foolish Kagura…you are falling into your own demise… He then let out a laugh, even more aggressively frightening than before.
-o-o-o-o-
"Huh?" Koeshi suddenly gasped, a cold and uncomfortable shiver running down her spine. Sesshoumaru heard her let out the startled sound. He asked her what was wrong. Koeshi shook her head. "I…I thought I heard someone laugh."
"Maybe it's the excitement talking." Sesshoumaru said, his ashen locks softly flying in the wind. "Calm yourself down. You won't win if you're fidgeting."
"Y-You're right. Silly me." Koeshi forced out a chuckle. But she could've sworn she heard a menacing cackle. She looked sideways and saw Rin eating some of the provisions. Jaken sat there doing nothing, while Ah-un kept a swift, but steady pace in the air. Sesshoumaru gazed at her and saw that something wrong was plaguing Koeshi.
"What's wrong? You want to kill Naraku, don't you?" He asked coldly, not making eye contact. "You've come all this way and you're going to let your nervousness hinder you? That's just sad."
"It's not about that!" She retorted. "I was just thinking…what it's gonna be like, after this. After we destroy Naraku…what will happen? Will anything change?" Sesshoumaru then allowed himself to smirk a little.
"For one thing, that hatred in you will finally disappear." Sesshoumaru responded. Koeshi half-smiled. "You will also be able to avenge your friend. And more importantly, you're doing many people one great favor by destroying Naraku."
"Oh…yeah. I guess." Koeshi sighed. She then looked at Sesshoumaru. "What about you? Have you ever thought about what's gonna happen to you after this?"
"…" Sesshoumaru kept silent for a short while. "I don't know. I guess the vengeance in me will dissipate." He then broke the silence with his answer. "I mean, that's the only thing that would happen. I can't bring back the past, you know. I can't…bring her back." Sesshoumaru whispered his last statement. Koeshi felt sorry for Sesshoumaru but said nothing to console him, seeing that he might just scold her for treating him like a weakling. Koeshi didn't say anything anymore, as her usual fleet of thoughts swam inside her mind again.
I can't believe I got this far. It all started from that plan I had of using one of Naraku's demon puppets… Koeshi thought, closing her eyes. I gave up who I was, I gave up all that I did, I turned my back on my creator, and I went through all the trouble of getting this amulet… She held the amulet in her hand. At first, my objectives were simple…I just want to kill Naraku so I could be with you again.. She side glanced at Sesshoumaru, who didn't seem to notice. She wanted to hold his hand…she wanted to embrace him, but she restrained herself. But during my journey, I have met really great people… An image of Yosaku and Chiba appeared in hr head. And I will avenge them…I have to. Suddenly, Ah-un made strange noises. Rin listened and for some reason, understood what the dragon just said.
"Ah-un-chan said that he can see Kogato Isle!" Rin reported to the three of them. "But we still have ways to go. He says, it may seem near but it's not!" Koeshi nodded in response and then looked downwards at the ocean. Violent waves crashed on some rocks that were protruding in the middle of the waters. Great waves rippled along, making Koeshi sigh in relief to be flying above it and not sailing across it! The atmosphere then started to turn foggy, distracting Ah-un a bit. After a while of waiting, Kogato Isle became clearer, despite the thick fog. Ah-un could see better now and headed even faster for the isle. Sesshoumaru could make out a huge wooden structure in the elevated part of the isle.
"That must be Naraku's mansion! Do you see it, too?" He asked Koeshi. The ninja nodded and informed that there was also a pagoda-like structure behind it. Sesshoumaru saw the tall tower. "What is that pagoda there for?" Koeshi was also baffled.
Strange…I don't remember a pagoda being part of the mansion… Koeshi thought. Ah-un, upon reaching within the perimeter of the island, landed on the shore. The four passengers of the dragon got off and looked at what lies before them.
"So this is Kogato Isle…" Koeshi found herself talking alone. "I never ever thought it was real." She then looked upwards. There was a sort of a path from the shore leading up a hill. They looked up on the small hill and saw Naraku's mansion there.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Koeshi beckoned all of them to get a move on, but Sesshoumaru stopped her.
"Stop! Some of Naraku's Saimyosho are near." Sesshoumaru said in a low whisper. He could hear a buzzing fluttering of wings with his sensitive hearing. "We have to minimize our noise as much as possible." Koeshi, Jaken, Rin and Ah-un confirmed. Just then, a single bee-like creature emerged from the darkness. Sesshoumaru and the others hid behind a large rock. The youkai lord gestured everyone to be quiet until the Saimyosho was gone.
"How do we get past them? Many of those bugs are scattered in the mansion!" Jaken said immediately after the hornet was gone.
"Don't worry! I've got more tricks up my sleeve than you think!" Koeshi showed them an orb, similar to the one she used on the Saimyosho back then, when she tried to kill Naraku as a ninja for the first time.
"Hmm. A Pyrethrum bomb." Sesshoumaru said idly. "I guess you do have brains under that bandana." He added. Koeshi frowned. Sesshoumaru then redirected his attention to the mansion. "We will take the hill path."
"But what about the guards?" Rin asked nervously. Koeshi curled her hand into a fist and grinned aggressively under her mask.
"Nothing a little butt-whooping can't take care of!" Koeshi declared belligerently. She then looked at Sesshoumaru. "Ne, Sesshoumaru-sama?" But Sesshoumaru just looked at her with blank, but riled gold eyes.
"…Mugaku no dôkeshi." Sesshoumaru muttered to her, looking straight at her face. Koeshi sweat dropped. "Ugh, enough fooling around! Let's go."
-o-o-o-o-
Sesshoumaru and the others sneaked up the path carefully. Jaken was instructed to keep an eye on Rin, while Koeshi was trailing behind to guard the rear, just in case any demon would attack. Ah-un was carrying Rin on his back and Sesshoumaru led the way. So far, there were no Saimyosho along the path. It was like they all disappeared.
Where did all the demon insects go? Sesshoumaru asked himself. Could they be in the mansion? He then realized that the Saimyosho were gone. But he didn't take any chances. He still ordered the rest of them to keep quiet.
"Ah-un-chan…this island is giving me the creeps." Rin whispered to Ah-un, clutching one of the two necks tightly. The two-headed dragon made a soft grunting sound. It didn't take long until they arrived at the top. They hid in the bushes and readied for an attack. But then, Sesshoumaru noticed that the gate was unguarded.
"Wait…there aren't any sentries at the gate." Sesshoumaru informed all of them.
"I bet this is just another one of Naraku's tricks." Koeshi told him. Sesshoumaru agreed with her.
"Are we going to go in?" Jaken asked, readying his staff.
"…Hmmm…" Sesshoumaru thought.
-o-o-o-o-
Koeshi and Sesshoumaru destroyed the gate with two forceful kicks. Bits and pieces of wood flew into the courtyard, as the two made their way in. Sesshoumaru had left Jaken with Rin and Ah-un to take care of things and standby for backup. Koeshi and Sesshoumaru didn't put their swords away, scanning the area for anything strange.
"…There are no Saimyosho coming." Koeshi said to him. Sesshoumaru noticed it too. It just seemed too weird. "Something is definitely wrong here, Milord."
"It's obvious that this is a set-up." He responded. "Let's proceed with caution." Sesshoumaru instructed. Koeshi followed. They went forth into the mansion's interior. Koeshi looked around and noticed that it was the exact same structure of Naraku's mansion, and only the location was changed. She knew every hall, every room and every turn in the mansion, and decided to utilize it to their advantage.
"Where do you think he is?" Sesshoumaru asked Koeshi, as they took another turn.
"Definitely 'waiting' for us in his main room." Koeshi answered. "This mansion's interior is the same one as where I first fought Naraku. This mansion is the same as the one in the northern mountains."
"Okay…" Sesshoumaru merely said. "…Hrrmm, you can start showing the way anytime now." He added, obviously wanting Koeshi to lead the way. The ninja smiled behind her mask. Koeshi took over as "leader" and guided Sesshoumaru through the turns and halls of the bastion. Sesshoumaru noticed how easily Koeshi navigated through the mansion.
"Do…you have photographic memory or something?" He asked mockingly. Koeshi shrugged her shoulders and didn't answer. "I have been thinking about what you asked when we were riding Ah-un." Koeshi kept on walking.
"What were you thinking about?" She asked, keeping a straight eye on the path.
"What…will you do with your life after this?" Sesshoumaru asked. Koeshi stopped. She turned around and faced him.
"I…will go back to him." She said shortly and then continued walking. But Sesshoumaru called her again.
"Wait." He said. Koeshi turned around and raised her eyebrows as a sign of question. "…I guess you do your purpose well. For taking care of Rin and helping us get here." Koeshi side-glanced and smiled under her mask.
"I'll take that as a 'thank you'." She winked. "You're welcome, Milord." She added. Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes and let out a sigh. They then came to the last corner before the main room. Even the entrance to where Naraku is was unguarded! Sesshoumaru's eyebrows knit together at the sight of this.
"This is it…are you ready?" Koeshi looked at him, with eager, ruby eyes. Sesshoumaru looked back at her and gave a small nod, serving as a signal to rush in. Koeshi took a deep breath, and then both of them went into the main room where Naraku was waiting.
-o-o-o-o-
"Naraku!" Koeshi yelled furiously, raiding the room. Sesshoumaru merely walked slowly behind her. Naraku, as usual, was sitting behind a wall of screens. His silhouette was visible through the translucent panels. Sesshoumaru and Koeshi could see him cock his head to their direction.
"Ah, the ninja I fought in the mountains." Naraku calmly said. "I knew you'd come back."
"Shut up! We're here to destroy you once and for all!" Koeshi shouted, positioning herself for an attack.
"Hmm, we?" Naraku set his dark eyes on Sesshoumaru. "Oh, you brought the great Sesshoumaru with you! Tell me, have you finally gone soft, so you needed this ninja's help?"
"I require no help. She and I just share the same resentment against you." Sesshoumaru said coldly. "I'm here to avenge Kagura." Upon hearing that, Naraku laughed in an aggressive and sinister way. Sesshoumaru frowned and lunged at Naraku. The youkai lord tore the screens, giving him a clear shot of Naraku. He lifted Toukijin and swung it downwards on Naraku's head, cutting the villain in half. But the absence of Naraku's heart within his body gave Sesshoumaru quite a shock.
His heart! It isn't inside of him! Sesshoumaru thought inside of his head. Both halves of Naraku dissipated into dust. Koeshi and Sesshoumaru then started looking for him. Just then, an idea hit Koeshi. She remembered the pagoda at the back of the mansion.
"Sesshoumaru-sama! The heart must be in the pagoda!" Koeshi shouted to Sesshoumaru. "It can't be just there for nothing, you know!"
"You may be right." Sesshoumaru affirmed with Koeshi, still looking around for Naraku. "You make your way towards there, while I hold off Naraku!" Koeshi was ready, but Naraku's voice stopped her.
"For a sharp youkai such as yourself, you sure are blind, Sesshoumaru." Naraku taunted, while he was nowhere to be seen. "You couldn't see what was before you all along!"
"Be quiet!" Sesshoumaru said sternly, desperately searching for Naraku. "Come out, you coward!" He added, while Koeshi was about to leave for the pagoda. But little did she know that Naraku was materializing behind her! Naraku appeared vaporously behind the ninja. Koeshi felt a cold, stinging sensation running down her spine. She grabbed the hilt of her katana, but Naraku was quicker. Naraku coiled his left arm around Koeshi's neck, as his right arm transfigured into a sharp, spike-like appendage. He held his right arm close to Koeshi's neck. The ninja struggled to be free, but no avail. Naraku started to laugh manically again.
"I'm surprised that you didn't see who was with you all along!" He taunted Sesshoumaru. Koeshi then froze in Naraku's grasp. The awful truth then hit her. All this time, she thought she was the one who tricked Naraku…but it was the other way around. Naraku was the one who tricked her! Koeshi tightly closed her eyes shut and gritted her teeth underneath her mask. She couldn't accept the truth of her situation. Naraku knew she was alive the whole time…and he has planned a set-up to trap her.
I'm so stupid! Naraku knew all along! He is right…there is no way I could escape him. I am him. Koeshi then began crying, pearls of tears rolling down the sides of her face. She then remembered the spider mark on her back. Koeshi cringed at the thought. The whole journey was a big trap, set by Naraku. Koeshi's tears flowed in a salty deluge.
"Yes, 'ninja'! I know what you are thinking!" Naraku said to Koeshi triumphantly, putting an emphasis on "ninja". "There is absolutely no way you could outsmart me! You think you could use my own tricks against me? I know all that you have been doing, my dear ninja…and, perhaps it is time we told Sesshoumaru your little…'secret'." Koeshi's blood-red eyes shot wide open. Naraku will reveal her identity in mere seconds…and there was nothing she could do about it. Sesshoumaru's frown worsened.
"I don't understand a thing you are saying!" Sesshoumaru said to Naraku irately. Naraku chuckled to himself.
"How sad. Just sad, Sesshoumaru." Naraku said in a fake "concerned" voice. Koeshi's face was twitching from uneasiness. "You and this ninja have spent time together, and yet you do not know who she is?" Sesshoumaru's fangs began to show. "Well, maybe this should give you a clue!" With that, Naraku used his spike-like limb to tear Koeshi's mask off her face. Sesshoumaru's face immediately lit up with recognition. The ninja reluctantly lifted her head up for a better view. She knew it was pointless to keep on hiding it. Her secret was out. Sesshoumaru recognized the features on the girl's face.
"…K-Kagura…?" Sesshoumaru's eyes have become wide, his one good hand instantly dropping Toukijin. Kagura's eyes saw the utterly shocked expression on Sesshoumaru's face. Sesshoumaru shook his head a little, not believing who was in front of him. "Why didn't you tell me you…you…you're…"
"Alive. Yes, Sesshoumaru, your beloved Kagura didn't die!" Naraku taunted, nearing his creepy face to Kagura's. Kagura inched her head as far away from Naraku's as possible. Sesshoumaru clenched his fist in fury. "She is an example of a desperate insect who actually thought that she could outsmart a dominant being. She was so foolish to go against me." Naraku penetrated Kagura's soft neck with his spine-like limb. Kagura recoiled in pain, adding to Sesshoumaru's anger.
"Step away from her." Sesshoumaru commanded coolly, picking up his sword. Naraku just smirked and laughed to himself. "I said, step away from her!" Sesshoumaru jumped and attempted to attack Naraku from above.
"Sesshoumaru, no!" Kagura shouted, as Naraku unleashed his miasma on the youkai lord. Sesshoumaru fell on the ground, coughing and trying to regain his breath, as he was enclosed in a cage of miasma. Kagura cried while shouting his name, while Naraku laughed frenziedly. Kagura gritted her teeth, as Sesshoumaru perished within the miasma. Kagura also heard Naraku's evil cackles as she screamed her beloved's name. She grimaced and closed her eyes. You…you have taken many things from me, Naraku…and I won't let you take the only treasure I have! Have thought of that in her head, Kagura managed to grab her katana and cut Naraku's arm that was around her neck, freeing her in turn. Naraku was surprised and was kicked by Kagura on his chest and was knocked off balance.
"Gah!" Naraku snarled, as Kagura broke free from his grip. He lost concentration and the wall of miasma around Sesshoumaru disappeared. Kagura rushed over to Sesshoumaru and held his head in her arms.
"Are you alright?" Kagura asked him anxiously, worried if the damage to Sesshoumaru was high. The youkai lord brushed some stray strand of hair from Kagura's face and half-smiled.
"That depends. Are you?" He asked lovingly, but not in the tone of his voice. Kagura looked at him with happy ruby eyes. "Why didn't you tell me you were alive?"
"I was planning to tell you after we kill that bastard." Kagura referred to Naraku. "But the surprise came sooner than we thought." She laughed softly. Sesshoumaru's smiled became more visible, which gave Kagura a sense of strength.
"Oh, that's just touching." Naraku said mockingly. His arms then regenerated into tentacle-like limbs and lashed them out and Kagura and Sesshoumaru. Both had jumped off the ground just in time and avoided the easily.
"Any plans?" Kagura asked Sesshoumaru. He looked back at her and nodded.
"Just one." He responded. "Go to the pagoda and kill Naraku's heart!" Kagura was very happy to oblige. "I'll keep Naraku busy."
"That, I can do." Kagura said, as drew a smoke bomb from her belt and threw it on the ground, buying Koeshi time to escape the room. Sesshoumaru got ready to strike.
"Where did that wench go?" Naraku infuriately asked, as used his own miasma to clear out the smoke left by Kagura's smoke screen. He then directed his livid eyes at Sesshoumaru. "I'll deal with you first, mutt. You've meddled long enough with my business…just like your brother." But the youkai lord just smirked at his remark.
"If there's one thing I hate, it's getting compared with that half-breed." He muttered, as he rushed towards Naraku, carrying his mighty sword. He launched an attack at Naraku, but the villain evaded it with ease. Sesshoumaru glared, as Naraku took off into the air and started assaulting him with his weird whip-like tentacles. Sesshoumaru dodged the attacks from side to side. But then, one of Naraku's attacks hit Sesshoumaru hard on the shoulder. Drops of blood fell on the tatami floor from the cut.
"Nothing but a scratch…" Sesshoumaru uttered, looking at his bloodstained shoulder. But then, Naraku laughed forebodingly. Sesshoumaru knew something was wrong.
"You are now infected with my poison. You won't last long." Naraku said, as he landed. Sesshoumaru started to feel a strange sensation in his body. He felt heavy and dizzy, as the image of Naraku before his eyes swiveled in a distortional whirlpool. Sesshoumaru fell to the ground, wincing in pain.
"Coward…always using your miasma." Sesshoumaru growled. Naraku's right arm turned into a blade-like appendage and swung it on Sesshoumaru's head. But the white-haired demon blocked it off with Toukijin just in time before Naraku disposed of him.
"Give up, Sesshoumaru?" Naraku put all of his effort into his blade-like arm, as he drove it harder against Sesshoumaru's Toukijin. Sesshoumaru didn't speak, but his face tells all of his efforts. He just thought in his head for Kagura to hurry up and kill the heart.
Make haste, Kagura! I can't hold him off forever!
-o-o-o-o-
Kagura arrived at the entrance of the pagoda quickly, using her mental map of the fortress. She felt the blood from her wounded neck drip down. From the entrance, she could hear wings fluttering against each other inside. She then concluded where all the Saimyosho went.
"…Great. All the bugs are in here!" Kagura grumbled, taking out the Pyrethrum bomb. Naraku knew she would be going for his heart and had gathered all the Saimyosho in the pagoda. "Damn! Always a step ahead of me!" Kagura snapped. The sound of buzzing and batting of wings were loud, and it gave Kagura a sick feeling, imagining a whole population of bugs in there. "Well, here goes…" She then opened the door, and what greeted her scared her a bit. The buzzing became significantly louder, as she looked up and saw the whole pagoda infested with Saimyosho! The tall structure was filled with all of Naraku's repulsive insects, buzzing around in an unorganized cloud. Kagura knew that Naraku already knows about her plan, so she had to move fast. But there was a problem…
I have only one Pyrethrum bomb! If I use it on this floor only, nothing will be left for the others! She thought of a plan. Then it hit her! Since she still has her wind magic, why not utilize it? She cracked the orb open, and out came a wispy white smoke from it. Kagura blew on the smoke, and sent it flying upwards in a thick wind. When the smoke had reached the top, it disappeared and hundreds of Saimyosho fell on the ground, stunned by the scent of the Pyrethrum.
"Yuck!" Kagura said in repulsion, looking at the stunned bugs. "Hmm, I guess my power is the only thing I don't resent about Naraku." She then made her way up the pagoda.
Kagura ran up the steps of the tower and traversing the floors. She unable to control her excitement at the thought of putting an end to Naraku.
Freedom, freedom, freedom, freedom. Kagura repeated inside her head, as she made her way to the topmost floor. It was a long way up, but Kagura didn't feel the slightest tinge of fatigue. The desire of long-awaited freedom kept her going. Kagura smiled as she was nearing the top floor. But then, it seems that Naraku won't let her off so easily…
-o-o-o-o-
"The wench is near my heart." Naraku said in an indolent whisper. Sesshoumaru felt himself weaken, but used every inch of his strength to keep on fighting. Naraku had knocked Sesshoumaru to a corner, and was not threatened that the youkai lord might attack. Sesshoumaru was sitting on the floor with his back against the wall. His fair face was now bruised and he had many small cuts on his body now. Naraku raised his other normal arm and stretched out his palm. Sesshoumaru watched as a pulsating heart formed in Naraku's hand. Sesshoumaru saw that it was Kagura's heart…and that Naraku was going to kill her.
"N-No. Don't…don't…" Sesshoumaru struggled with his words, lifting up his hand, as if trying to grab Naraku.
"You will never succeed in killing me Kagura…" Naraku said, as the heart finished forming in his hand. "But I will always succeed in killing you." Naraku squeezed the heart tightly in his hand; disrupting the circulation of Kagura's bloodstream.
:Kagura's scenario:
"Ugnhhh!" Kagura felt a thick, strangling pain in her chest. She grabbed the stairway railing and fell on her knees on the steps. She coughed and desperately gasped for air. "No…not now…I'm so close…no please…" He pleaded, as she tightly shut her eyes and gritted her teeth in pain. She was just a flight of stairs away from the door of the topmost floor. Things then started to turn out of focus. She can't die…she just can't die now…
:Sesshoumaru's scenario:
"Stop…no…" Sesshoumaru strived to speak coherently. He was doing his best to fight the effects of the miasma in his body. He used Toukijin to help him stand up. Sesshoumaru got back on his feet, but still saw flashing swirls of colors in his eyes. He did his best to get to Naraku and stop him from torturing Kagura. Naraku saw him and merely laughed at him.
"What? You can still stand up?" Naraku glared at him. "I should probably end your suffering…NOW!" Naraku was about to strike him with another cloud of miasma, when suddenly…
"Sesshoumaru-sama!" A unison of Jaken and Rin's voices was heard, as Ah-un busted through the roof. Sesshoumaru, although he did not look it, had never felt so relieved and glad in his lie to see his faithful companions there to aid him. Ah-un attempted to land intensely on Naraku, but missed. But Naraku, upon evading the unexpected attack, became disoriented and lost concentration. He let go of his squeeze on Kagura's heart and the heart dematerialized. Naraku turned to face the new intruders.
"Rin…Jaken…Ah-un…I told…you to stay…in case of an emergency…" Sesshoumaru said slowly, looking at his three companions.
"But Sesshoumaru-sama, this is an EMERGENCY!" Rin said, jumping off Ah-un and running towards Sesshoumaru. "We got a strange vibe that you were in trouble, and we rushed right over!"
"Yes, we wouldn't let you perish, Sesshoumaru-sama!" Jaken said, following Rin. Jaken stood by Sesshoumaru and performed a detoxification spell on his master. Sesshoumaru felt the miasma drift away, and slowly felt his strength coming back. Ah-un made happy noises, as Sesshoumaru stood up, regaining his vigor.
"Where's ninja-girl?" Rin asked him, looking around but finding no Koeshi. "Oh no! Is she…?"
"Rin…"ninja-girl"…is Kagura-san." Sesshoumaru told the girl. Rin's face lit up. Jaken was also shocked to hear it. "And she's gonna succeed in killing Naraku." He then looked at Rin, Jaken and Ah-un again, and felt a kind of warm feeling inside of him.
"…I owe you all." He simply said, but his three comrades accepted his gratitude whole-heartedly.
"Enough chatter. It's time for all of you to end your meddling, once and for all." Naraku's face gnarled in an ugly way, as he prepared to unleash an immense assault on all of them…
:Kagura's scenario:
The pain in Kagura's chest dissipated after a few seconds. She gasped and huffed worriedly, thinking how close she was to her death. She then saw that she was so close to the top floor…and not to mention Naraku's heart! Getting up and back on her feet, Kagura continued up the last flight of stairs and opened the door before her. The wooden double doors burst open, and to Kagura's anticipation, the weak point of Naraku was there before her.
"After all those failed attempts…I finally made it this far." She said to herself as she neared his heart. The heart was just like Kagura always imagined: it was black and was dripping with dark blood. It was floating in the center of the room, above a pedestal. Kagura walked towards the heart, drawing her katana from its case. She approached the pedestal and stared at the heart. It was disgusting. And Kagura wanted it to die so much. So, she raised her sword directly above the heart, and was about to strike it when…
"I can't allow you to do that."
Kagura stopped and turned to see a familiar face behind her. Kagura narrowed her eyes at the sight of the one who spoke. The newcomer slowly walked towards Kagura, holding her strange mirror in her hands as usual.
"Humph. I see you're still Naraku's lapdog, Kanna." Kagura snapped at her "older sister". "Go away. I'm kind of busy here!"
"I can't let you live either." Kanna disappeared from her sight, then reappeared beside the pedestal. Kagura readied to fight. Kanna just stared at her with big blank eyes.
"Too bad for you." Kagura leered. "I've gotten this far, and I won't let a shrimp like you stop me!" She then rushed her "sister", jumping up and attempted to do her favorite helm breaker slash. But then, Kanna's mirror lit up and out came four souls. They looked like wispy rope-like lights, and then coiled themselves around Kagura's wrists and ankles. The wind demon was suspended in mid-air.
"Let me go!" Kagura demanded, struggling to be free. But Kanna did nothing. She just stared at her, as she controlled the souls that were binding Kagura. It seems that Kanna was listening to something, but Kagura doesn't know what. The ghostly girl then gave a small nod.
"Do not worry…" She said in a dead voice. "You won't have to endure pain any longer." A faint smile appeared across her face.
:Sesshoumaru's scenario:
"He's too strong, Sesshoumaru-sama!" Jaken screeched, his face dirty and beat-up. Sesshoumaru, who unfortunately agreed with Jaken, tried very hard to get back on his feet and fight Naraku. Rin was unconscious and wounded, while Ah-un was quickly growing fatigued. Naraku had just hit them with a giant dark miasma orb. A sphere of miasma emanated from Naraku's hands, while his eyes became blood red, and then shot the ball at Sesshoumaru and company when it was very large.
"Give up, Sesshoumaru. There is no way you could win." Naraku goaded at Sesshoumaru. Slowly, Kagura's heart formed in Naraku's hands once again. Sesshoumaru looked at it, fear for Kagura welling in his eyes. "Kagura could have reached the topmost floor, but she will never destroy my heart. She will never destroy me."
"I won't let you!" Sesshoumaru said valiantly, standing up. Kagura can do it… have faith in her. Sesshoumaru thought. But he was weakened from battle and had not recovered all of his strength. Naraku just laughed at Sesshoumaru's miserable figure. It was a disheartening sight indeed: Sesshoumaru is too weak to fight, Jaken is nearly knocked out, Rin was down for the count, Ah-un couldn't keep his strength up and Naraku was triumphing over them. It looks like Naraku is right. They cannot win. And it is only a matter of time when Kagura will breathe her last…
"Face it. You cannot win. I will always prevail. You are fools who think that you can destroy me, when I am the one who will destroy you. And you, Kagura, are the one who really deserves to die. You are a pest…and pests need to be crushed. You are an insect that doesn't deserve freedom!"
:Kagura's scenario:
"You are a pest…and pests need to be crushed. You are an insect that doesn't deserve freedom!"
"No!"
Kagura somehow heard Naraku in her head and no, she wouldn't let him just trample all over the effort and sweat she sacrificed just to get here. Kagura struggled on the restraint of the souls, tugging and pulling, using every ounce of strength to break free.
"You cannot break free. Just await your death. It is how your destiny is set." Kanna said lifelessly, watching her sister struggle.
"My destiny…huh?" Kagura managed to talk back. "Then I want to change it!"
All of my anger… Pictures of Naraku torturing and tormenting her flashed in her mind. She remembered how it was being "Koeshi". Kagura's eyes brimmed with bitter tears.
All of the people you've hurt… Images of Chiba and Yosaku appeared in her mind. Her memory of the burning village kicked in. Her tears flowed in a salty surge.
All of my sorrow… She remembered how sad she was when she lost people who are so dear to her. Kagura grappled at her restraints. Kanna just watched.
All my dreams… She remembered how she dreamt of belonging to a family. An image of Rin, Jaken and Ah-un appeared. Kagura started screaming.
And all my love… A bright, clear picture of Sesshoumaru, extending his hand with a smile on his face showed. Kagura poured all her verve, serious to become free.
"I want to rid my life of Naraku and live a free life!" Kagura cried unwaveringly. She glowed bright red and the constraints on her wrists and ankles then snapped, freeing her in turn. Kanna watched in alarm, as Kagura slowly drifted down on the floor, clutching her katana tightly. She had her head low, as she approached Kanna with a deadly look in her eyes.
"Why can't you accept that you were born to serve?" Kanna backed away a few paces, seeing the glowing red figure of death nearing her. Kagura then aimed her katana at the mirror, and was ready to give Kanna her "reward of freedom".
"Because, I'm not the complaisant type." Kagura said dryly. "And you should be too, big sister." Kanna was worried, thought it didn't reflect on her face. Her mirror started glowing again, but two quick words from Kagura took care of things.
"Experience liberty." With that, Kagura drove her sword through Kanna's mirror. It shattered, and the blade went through the mirror, eventually stabbing Kanna in the heart. Since Kanna was the "trusted child" of Naraku's, he gave Kanna her heart, knowing that the girl won't betray him like Kagura. The katana drove right into Kanna's core and left the girl to die. Kagura could see the frightened look on Kanna's face, her big black eyes reduced to small dark beads. Her katana had shattered Kanna's beloved mirror and has speared the ghostly girl right in her very core. Kagura dragged her katana out of her sister and watched her as she disappeared. The red light surrounding her disappeared also.
"At least you can experience freedom now." Kagura said, as she watched Kanna disintegrate into little shards of light. Kagura could've sworn she heard a small voice say "thank you", but she wasn't quite sure. Kagura watched as the little shards of lights float upwards and disappear.
:Sesshoumaru's scenario:
"She defeated Kanna…the wench defeated Kanna?" Naraku said in a worried tone, the hand where Kagura's heart is was shivering uncontrollably. Upon hearing this, Sesshoumaru and the others felt a new wave of vigor.
"Looks like…it's all over for you…" Rin said feebly, considering that she still feel a little dizzy. Ah-un made happy noises, too.
"Splendid! You're going down!" Jaken jeered Naraku. Sesshoumaru however kept quiet, but deep inside, her was very happy. I knew you could do it. I trust in you. He thought. But then, Naraku turned to them all.
"But no matter…" Naraku said, the worried face, instantly turning into a smirk. "Have you all forgotten that I still have my…trump card!" He showed them Kagura's pulsating heart. Shoot! They have forgotten about that!
"You…insect." Sesshoumaru got up, his adrenaline pumping extremely. He forgot all about his wounds and bruises, and the only thing that was on his mind was to save Kagura. Sesshoumaru dashed forward, keeping Toukijin in his hand. Naraku smirked at him and without warning, miasma came out of nowhere and engulfed Sesshoumaru. Rin, Jaken and Ah-un watched in horror, as the poison purple clouds swallowed up Sesshoumaru.
"Fool." Naraku ridiculed Sesshoumaru. The miasma cleared up…but Sesshoumaru wasn't there. Naraku was surprised. He was expecting Sesshoumaru to be shriveling up in agony due to the poison atmosphere. But he just wasn't there.
"Looking for me?" Sesshoumaru appeared out of nowhere and lunged at Naraku. The villain, finding himself unguarded, quickly clutched Kagura's heart as hard as he could. Sesshoumaru was alarmed! The heart swelled wildly, as a purplish color started to take over the heart's dark red one. The heart was rapidly becoming purple, and it became clear that Naraku was infecting it with miasma. Sesshoumaru was lunging in for the attack, hoping that we would strike Naraku before it is too late.
:Kagura's scenario:
Kagura went towards the levitating heart in the center of the room. She gripped her katana tightly with great anticipation. Kagura lifted her katana above the beating black heart once again…aiming it carefully…and then-
"Agggghhhhhh!" The pain in Kagura's chest was back. And it was as excruciating as ever! Kagura tried to keep on standing straight, but the pain in her chest spread outwards, affecting the rest of her body. Her circulation was slowing down, she felt really tired and that she could see the surroundings diffuse in little bits of colors. She dropped her katana, which clanked loudly as it hit the cold wooden floor. Her vision then started to black out. Kagura could feel her energy being drained away, but she kept on fighting, thinking that this is the final level…but she kept on falling into darkness…
I can't die now…I can't die… She thought, as she fell into the abyss. I…I…can't… I feel so weak…
"And there I was, thinking you could actually do it."
Huh? Kagura looked around. There was nothing but darkness. But she kept on hearing a voice. Se-Sesshoumaru…?
"I can't believe you would just give up after all you've been through"
Where are you? I can't see you! She got up and ran around, looking for Sesshoumaru. I can't see you!
"Was I wrong to believe in you? I guess I was."
No! You aren't. I can do it! She screamed, running around in the darkness. I can do it!
"Prove it. Show me you can." With that, Sesshoumaru appeared from the darkness. Kagura saw him and ran towards him, and locked him in a tight embrace. The darkness around them suddenly disappeared and found themselves under the stars once again. They found each other in warm solace.
"Show me you can do it…"
Kagura's eyes burst wide open. She got up, the agony in her chest still tormenting her. She endured it, knowing what she needs to do. Even though she feels extreme pain, she will not walk away. She won't lose. She won't die. Feebly regaining her momentum, Kagura reached for her katana and raised it above the heart.
"…(huff) This…time…(huff) I won't…fail. I will destroy you, Naraku!" And with those words filled with fiery determination and intense passion to be free, Kagura drove her sword into Naraku's evil heart. Blood dripped down the katana's shiny silver blade. The heart immediately stopped beating. Kagura looked up, huffing and puffing all the way, as the pain in her chest seared awfully more than ever. The job was done.
:Sesshoumaru's scenario:
Sesshoumaru struck Naraku right through his chest…but knew the heart wasn't there. Naraku immediately froze in the spot. His eyes became wide as blood dripped out of his mouth. Sesshoumaru stood in front of him, holding Toukijin's hilt, as the blade was driven through Naraku's chest.
"She…she s-s-s-succeeded." Naraku managed to stammer. "She…succeeded." Sesshoumaru couldn't say anything. Rin, Jaken and Ah-un looked at the frozen Naraku, all having mixed emotions of fright, anticipation and joy.
She did it. Kagura did it. Sesshoumaru thought in his head, as he became wide-eyed himself. Naraku then started to laugh again. Sesshoumaru drove Toukijin deeper into Naraku, as if trying to get the whole sword through him. Blood was smeared on Sesshoumaru's hand.
"…Hehehe…" Naraku laughed to himself. "I…will drag her to hell with ME!" Without warning, and to Sesshoumaru, Rin, Jaken and even Ah-un's immediate shock, Naraku managed to put the final ounce of miasma into Kagura's heart. The heart then palpitated and bulged uncontrollably and it wasn't long 'till The heart in Naraku's hand stopped beating.
"No! Kagura-san is…" Rin cried at the sight of the dead heart. Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed in both horror and anger. Rin, Jaken and Ah-un rushed quickly towards Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru pulled Toukijin out of Naraku, and watched at the evil demon turn into dust, leaving only his clothes there. Naraku was finally no more. Sesshoumaru just stared. He put Toukijin back in its scabbard and picked up the dead heart on the floor. He headed for the exit.
"Let's go to the pagoda. Now."
-o-o-o-o-
Sesshoumaru and company made their way to the topmost floor of the pagoda. Sesshoumaru opened the door to the final floor and approached the lifeless figure on the floor. Rin's eyes welled with tears, as she slowly walked up to Kagura. Jaken and Ah-un couldn't help but feel sad also. Rin kneeled by Kagura's side and looked at the corpse. She was smiling. She was happy that she accomplished her mission in life. Rin let her tears flow, hugging Kagura tightly. Sesshoumaru just stood there, as if nothing happened, his face having its usual cold demeanor. He then looked at his other sword.
I wonder… He asked himself in his mind. Naraku's dead now…so…will it work? He then drew Tensaiga from its case. "Rin, step away from her." Rin did as she was told. Jaken was surprised to see that Sesshoumaru was going to use Tensaiga on Kagura again. The youkai lord had put Kagura's heart on top of her chest. Sesshoumaru's three comrades watched in eagerness, as the youkai lord lifted Tensaiga up. Sesshoumaru saw the little impish demons that took people's souls and used Tensaiga to kill them. The four of them waited…and after a few seconds, the heart glowed brightly and went into Kagura's hollow chest, and after that Kagura's eyes fluttered open.
"…Sesshoumaru?"
He looked at her with a pair of strong, golden eyes and enclosed her in his warm, longing embrace. The youkai lord's other comrades: the human girl, the toad demon and the two-headed dragon- couldn't help but let out tears of immense joy. He holds her lovingly in his arms, as the star-strewn night sky shone brightly outside the pagoda's windows. And In their hearts, they are exceedingly thankful that they achieved a wish they truly longed for all this time:
"At last…I could finally be with you…"