Niroku's Story

Chapter 8: Likea Family

Angel: School's out, and our new computer came with Microsoft Word! Now I can type at home, which means more chapters more often! Just in time for the story to end… Ah well, I still have Maraku's Story that I have to do. Anywho, I think I gave Naraku way too much credit in this chapter. That's my personal problem, though. I have a tendency to romanticize and think people would be kinder than they really would be. He would probably never… Well, you can read for yourself what he did. But beware, a bit of OOC-ness ahead.

Reviewers: Tolea—Thank you! I like cookies! Now all I need's some Mountain Dew and I'll be all set. Thanks for reviewing again.

Disclaimer: I. Do. Not. Own. Inuyasha. Or. Anyone. Else. Besides. Niroku. And. Maraku. And. My. Computer. Is. Getting. Mad. At. Me. For. Fragmenting. Sentences.

CHAPTER START

The twins strode up to Naraku's mansion side by side, their faces set with cold fury. Their father met them at the door, composed and seeming to be resigned to the future.

"So. You've come to kill me. I knew you would someday. It was to be expected," Naraku said calmly, standing to face them. In his hands, he held a sheathed sword.

"Then why didn't you run, like you always do from others?" Niroku spat, eyes filled with hatred's fire.

"I won't run from my own children. I'll give you the fight you deserve."

"Then let's not waste any more time chatting."

With that, the twins drew their swords. With a nod to the inevitable, Naraku drew his as well.

Niroku lunged forward, striking a blow towards Naraku's stomach, which the hanyou parried. Maraku then struck from the side, aiming at his throat. Again, the strike was turned away. The twins worked like a well-oiled machine, never missing a beat, never taking a hit or letting the other be hurt. Naraku, for his part, used every bit of his guile and Onigumo's experience in battle not only to survive but also score some very near misses. It was easy to tell they were all related. They were all dangerous warriors.

However, in time, the teenagers began to tire. Their blades slowed; fewer and fewer blows came, and those that did were warded off almost without thought. I'm going to win, Naraku realized. They cannot beat me!

However, the thought did not bring the exultation and exhilaration that it should have. Instead, he felt a deep, cutting grief that felt like a razor-sharp sword was cutting away a part of him. Perhaps two parts. What is this? he wondered. What could make me feel like I am beingcut apart?

Motherly instincts, he recognized wryly. I am feeling love for my children.

A surge of conscience washed over him, causing him to nearly miss a parry. I cannot kill my own children, the new motherly instincts declared.

Why not? his ruthless side asked. They are trying to kill me, after all. Besides, why have I ever cared if someone, anyone, died?

I created them!

That never stopped me with my incarnations.

But this is different! One of them I raised from birth. I protected him and took care of him. I brought both of them into this world. I cannot escort them out of it.

IDIOT! the merciless side of him raged. I WILL DIE IF I DON'T FIGHT BACK! The voice was frantic with fear for his life, preserved thus far with cunning and cowardice.

Then I will, the protective, maternal part affirmed. I will die so that they can live. I cannot murder my own children.

Naraku the Cold. Naraku the Heartless. Naraku the Pitiless, the harsh voice mocked. You are not truly any of those! When it comes down to it, I am just the rotten part of the fruit, and it seems you are not fit for the garbage after all.

Thank you. Now let me die in peace.

Niroku readied his sword for one final strike. He was spent, his energy gone. Maraku, too, was nearing collapse. It was kill or be killed now.

Niroku sent his blade on the path to Naraku's heart, making himself as brutal andunfeeling as he could.

He suddenly caught sight of his father's eyes and was astonished. There was no hatred or anger at all in them. His eyes were filled with unequivocal love. They were truly a parent's eyes looking at his child.

But nothing could stop the blade. It was too far gone. It bit into Naraku's flesh, sinking its cold deadly steel deeply into his newly-replaced heart. It would happen that as soon as he was sure his heart would be safer in his body his own son killed him, wouldn't it.

Nevertheless, Naraku had no regrets. His whole being was set in acceptance for his fate. "I love you, son, daughter," he whispered as his consciousness slipped away and his world went black.

Niroku's sword slipped from his fingers and dropped to the ground with a thump. "My god, what have we done?" He fell to his knees by Naraku's body, tears beginning to stream down his face.

"We killed him. We got our revenge. We have nothing to repent for," Maraku told him, but she, too, sounded less than sure of herself.

"No. Just before I killed him, I saw his eyes. They were caring, for once. I never saw them like that, ever. I think he let us win. He wasn't evil, not completely. He loved us."

"There's nothing we can do about it now. It's over and done with," Maraku said logically.

"No, it's not. We can still change what we've done." Niroku stood and began running in the direction they'd come from. "Sesshomaru! We need your help!"

Maraku ran beside him. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Making things right. Sesshomaru!"

"What?" Sesshomaru asked. He and his group were standing nearby.

"We need your help. Come with me!"

"Everyone, stay here. I don't want any of you to get hurt," Sesshomaru commanded.

"Now, when has that ever worked on me?" Airi asked. "I'm coming too."

Sesshomaru sighed, yielding. "Fine. Niroku, lead the way."

Niroku brought them to where Naraku lay dead. "Can you bring him back to life?"

"Didn't you just train for six years to kill him?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Yes, but we made a terrible mistake. Could you please bring him back to life?"

"No," Sesshomaru said shortly.

"What?" Niroku was stunned. "Why not?"

"A beast like that should have been put down years ago. He never caused anyone anything but pain. Finally, he's gone for good. I'm not about to undo that."

"You won't undo it! He changed. Airi was right. Somehow, I think our birth changed him."

"See? Having children changes everything," Airi declared. "As you are about to find out in about eight months," she murmured into Sesshomaru's ear, eyeing the slight roundness forming at her belly.

An almost imperceptible blush grew on Sesshomaru's face, as well as a look of pride. "Fine. I'll do it."

What did she tell him? the twins wondered uneasily.

Sesshomaru drew Tenseiga and slashed over Naraku's body, then stepped back.

The hanyou sat up slowly and blinked, squinting at the light. "What's happening? I was just dead."

"Father!" Niroku hugged him tightly, something he hadn't done since he was five years old. "You let us win, didn't you?"

"Yes," Naraku admitted. "Then you forgive me?"

"Yes," Niroku agreed.

"Never," Maraku asserted. "You killed Kagura."

"Well, he certainly tried his best," a voice said from the shadows.

"Sister?" Maraku gasped.

Kagura stepped into the light and hugged Maraku. "Of course. You didn't think I was going to leave you alone, did you?"

"No, not if you could help it." Maraku smiled.

"Exactly. But now I think I might not be able to help it. Do you think you'd be okay with Niroku, under Naraku's care, for a while? I'd like to adventure a little without the threat of being found and killed hanging over my head. I'm the wind, after all, and I have to gust across the world."

"Okay. I'll be fine."

"One big happy family," Airi sighed happily.

"Not exactly. But we're going to try our level best to make one," Niroku beamed. "It will take some effort, but we can do it. We will."

THE END

Angel: Ah. The story draws to a close at long last. I think it ended up okay. Not exceptional, but not waste material, either. I like it, anyway. Also, I'm going to begin construction on Maraku's Story ASAP. Be sure to check it out, okay? And with that, I leave you. Wind to thy wings.