Life's Energy
Kagome opened her eyes to see that she was no longer out among the woods with her friends. Koinu and Kagome were nowhere in sight. "Where am I?" She asked. Her voice echoed in this empty place. She had been placed on a pedestal, which was raised slightly above the rest of the floor. The floor held an intricate floral design surrounding her, which was bordered by a circle. Plane tile flooring surrounded the large circle. Within the circle there was a single complexly designed flower with her in the center atop the pedestal. "You, darling, are within your soul." A voice echoed. Kagome couldn't force her self to move to follow the voice. "Who's there?" She asked without moving her mouth or releasing a sound from her throat. "Those forgotten to the world." The voice answered. Kagome wanted to ask more questions but couldn't bring herself to ask them. "You want to know who we are. Correct?" Somehow the voice knew her desire for answers. "Yes" Kagome admitted. From the shadows stepped a man. He was tall with dark hair pulled back in a small rattail and dressed in a monk's robes. Even though the monk reminded her of Miroku, he was definitely not that was apparent by his age and less cocky personality. The man glanced over his shoulder as men, women, children, monks, mikos, demons and probably hanyous as well, but Kagome couldn't tell stepped out from the shadows. "We are the forgotten." The man's voice resonated. Kagome stared out amongst the crowd in disbelief. The crowd approached the edge of the circle that bordered the flower.
A miko stepped forward, a miko that she recognized. "Kikyo?" Kagome asked. "Yes." The miko answered. Kagome stared hard at her face; somehow she was not the same cold-hearted person that was obsessed with Inu-Yasha and revenge. "This is what I have become thanks to your kindness. Similarly, These individuals that you see before you are those that you've cared for at some point throughout your years here in the futile era." "I am the exception." The man stated standing next to her. "I am Miroku's father. You've helped Miroku in no way I ever could. That's why I am here. I am here to thank you for what you have done." Kagome smiled at the warm reception she got from them.
Kagome's desperate situation saddened her high spirits. "I am in trouble." Kagome barely told them. "…and I need your help." She pleaded almost in tears. "Do not worry, Kagome. This is what we've been waiting for." Kikyo responded turning to look at the others. They all started to glow. Right in front of her eyes she watched them turn into lights of energy. Kikyo looked Kagome square in the face. "We can help you, but you must help yourself. Do not worry; I will guide you. To survive this battle, you must listen to your heart." Kikyo started to glow as well. Throughout all the excitement, Kagome yearned to hold her broken and beaten Inu-Yasha, but she didn't remove her eyes from the light that was Kikyo. The light circled around Kagome. She watched in awe as the others filed in behind her following Kikyo, their leader. Kagome smiled at the different Kikyo that she saw before her. Kikyo's magnetic personality brought a smile to Kagome's face. Now Kagome understood Inu-Yasha's unconditional love for the miko.
Something about their offer to help lifted her worried spirit. She couldn't believe this sight; she couldn't believe it. The souls spiraled around her. Kagome closed her eyes feeling their energy revolving around her. She opened her eyes to see her other self in front her holding her hands like before. Kagome smiled as her elder self took on the same glow that Kikyo had. Kikyo's spirit led the other sparkling souls into Kagome's elder self. Kagome became pure energy; Kagome could feel her awkward transform. Her now energy based self repeated the spiral pattern that the souls had carved out of the darkness. Kagome heard her elder self's voice even though she knew she wasn't hearing the voice; it was all in her head. "Your pure love for lost and broken souls allowed this transformation, Kagome. Follow your heart and you will not falter."
In the energy, a creature emerged more like a sleek energy being fly away. It had long legs and three flowing tails. The creature sparkled with the glow of the Shikon No Tama. The being turned soaring back toward Kagome. A bright blast of light radiated outward as the being collided with Kagome. Pure energy surged through the darkness in the woods. A light mist replaced the dark, deadly smoke. The energy blast left Kagome alone in the woods. She collapsed and the being was gone.
"Did you see that?" Sango asked. Kirara growled confirmation and Miroku nodded. "What the fuck was that?" Inu-Yasha yelled joining Sango and Miroku. "You alright Inu-Yasha?" Miroku asked. "Fine." Inu-Yasha stated with a slight cough for the suffocating smog, which was now gone. "The question is: What is capable of causing a bright flash like that?" "Look around, Miroku. What do you see?" "Nothing but trees, the fog is blocking out everything else." "Right. Fog." Sango stated. "The smoke is gone." Panic hit Inu-Yasha's face. "Shit." He yelled bounding away. Sango motioned for Kirara to follow him. "What is it Inu-Yasha?" She asked. His response… "Kagome!"
Kirara closely followed Inu-Yasha through the woods, but Kirara was having a hard time keeping up with him. "I've never seen Inu-Yasha move so fast." Sango said. Miroku commented. "Well, You know as well as I do how worked up Inu-Yasha gets over Kagome and for Inu-Yasha to move this fast means only one thing…" "…Kagome's in trouble." Sango finished. "Kirara…" Kirara growled flying as fast as she could, but Inu-Yasha suddenly stopped. Shit. He thought. How am I supposed to find Kagome when I can't smell her? Her scent is everywhere… Where are you, Kagome? Help me find you. Inu-Yasha looked around; he couldn't see much either. Suddenly, a small streak of light shot up through the fog in front of him. That'll do. Inu-Yasha thought racing toward where it came from.
Inu-Yasha stopped at the scene. He couldn't believe what he saw. Kagome lay on ground next to Inu-Yasha. Inu-Yasha was trying to get up, but his strength was all but spent in his human form. Kagome was unconscious or worse dead. Around her, a perfect circle was imprinted on the ground. Inu-Yasha slowly made his way to Kagome's side. "Kagome?" He asked touching her shoulder. He thought for sure she was dead. He couldn't hear her heart beat or see her chest rise and fall with rhythmic breathing. Turning her over, he laid Kagome across his lap. Miroku approached Inu-Yasha very cautiously. Inu-Yasha didn't seem to notice Miroku's arrival.
Sango found the children gathered together still protected by a small and weak magical barrier that Naiya erected around them before the battle. Sango helped the children on Kirara's back then went to check on the weak Inu-Yasha. Kirara followed Sango over to him. Houseki jumped off Kirara's back and ran into the woods. "Houseki" Naiya yelled at her friend. "I can help. Trust me." The girl yelled back as she disappeared into the fog of the woods. Tora was next to jump off Kirara's back. "Shippo! Kohaku!" She bellowed racing over to them. They were limping out of the woods and over to the group. Naiya then looked over to Kagome and Inu-Yasha. She risked her life to protect us all. Naiya thought as a tear came to her eyes. She too dismounted Kirara then took a few steps toward Kagome and Inu-Yasha when she noticed Koinu lying on the ground next to the limp body of Kagome. Naiya quickly scooped Koinu up in her arms holding him to tightly to her chest.
Miroku knelt down next to Inu-Yasha. "Let me see her." He stated. Inu-Yasha reluctantly allowed Miroku's kind gesture to help Kagome. Miroku extended his hand over Kagome's chest. "Her magic has been drained from her body." Miroku stated withdrawing his hand. "There's nothing I can do." Inu-Yasha pulled Kagome into a tight embrace. He was determined to hang on to her as long as possible. Naiya tightened her grip on Koinu at her thought; if Miroku couldn't help Kagome then no one could.
Sango helped Inu-Yasha up and joined Kagome and Inu-Yasha. Shippo, Kohaku, and Tora slowly walked over behind them. Kirara lay down on the ground. "I've got it…" Houseki yelled emerging from the woods in a full sprint with an herb in her hand and her father hot on her heels. Kouga froze in his tracks. Houseki slowed down at the sight she came back to. Everyone was mourning. They were crowding around Kagome and Inu-Yasha. Kouga wanted to run up to Inu-Yasha and take Kagome from him. Inu-Yasha simply stood up with her limp body staring at nothing with death in his eyes. Something inside him died. Everyone could see it in his face as tears swelled in his eyes. Inu-Yasha turned from the group casually heading back towards Kiada's. Everyone knew this would be hard for both Inu-Yashas. With all the death they always saw, no one thought Kagome's death would bring the demon to tears, but as he walked away tears fell from his soft amber eyes.
One by one tears streaked down Inu-Yasha's face. A few tears fell onto Kagome's cold face. Inu-Yasha pulsed once. He froze feeling incredibly weakened. He pulsed again falling to one knee clutching Kagome's body tightly. Inu-Yasha pulsed yet again. "Inu-Yasha?" Miroku asked with concern. With his concern placed on Kagome, Inu-Yasha held Kagome with all the strength he had left. The mist began to glow. He pulsed again releasing a small yelp that he tried to suppress. This time the effect was so bad that Inu-Yasha could barely hold his head up in the position he had taken holding Kagome. The mist turned into energy, which enveloped Kagome as she was locked in Inu-Yasha's strong arms then it disappeared. Kagome's body absorbed the mist. Inu-Yasha didn't seem to notice as he held onto Kagome with all the strength he had left. "Um," Kagome moaned. Inu-Yasha loosened his grip on her. She was weak, but she was alive. Kagome twitched her eyes open just barely able to see Inu-Yasha. Her eyes to locked onto his large teary black eyes. After a few shallow breathes she spoke, "Inu-Yasha?" She mouthed his name just barely audible to Inu-Yasha's ears before she fell back into her comatose state. Inu-Yasha's mouth dropped. He didn't know what to say. He tilted his head to the side and dark locks of hair fell across his shoulder. "I'm here, Kagome." He whispered back to her; then he drew her back into his warm embrace. "We're all here." He whispered to himself relieved that he could feel the warmth returning to her skin.
"Are you okay Inu-Yasha?" Naiya asked. Inu-Yasha caressed Kagome's arm with his fingers while she lay in his embrace. He smiled. She's alive. He reassured himself. Inu-Yasha turned to the others no longer upset. He smiled slyly before bounding off into the air with Kagome. "Inu-Yasha?" Sango yelled. "Get back here mutt!" Kouga growled. "Kouga! …no. Don't go after them." Sango stated staring at the direction in which Inu-Yasha ran. Kouga growled louder in frustration. He couldn't stand to see Inu-Yasha escape with his girl. Kouga ran after Inu-Yasha anyways landing in front of him stopping Inu-Yasha dead in his tracks. Kagome moaned in arms when he jerked to a stop. Kouga's face softened at Kagome's gentle moans. Inu-Yasha could see the care in Kouga's face and the hard fact that Kouga wasn't going to let him go anywhere. Inu-Yasha shook Kagome to wake her. She opened her eyes to see Inu-Yasha looking away from her. She turned her head slightly to see Kouga standing there. She smiled at him clutching onto Inu-Yasha's robe. She leaned into his chest before passing out again.
Inu-Yasha pushed himself from Sango's side. "Kagome?" He asked. "Where's Kagome?" "Inu-Yasha's got her." Kouga responded. "I'm not talking about her." Inu-Yasha snapped back. "Where's my Kagome?" Everyone's eyes widened as they realized that they had forgotten about the other Kagome. Inu-Yasha moved over to the circle where Kagome was found. Next to Kagome's imprint in the dirt were the footprints of the other. Inu-Yasha touched the footprints. A miko appeared in front of him. He looked up. "Kikyo?" He questioned. She smiled and touched his face. Naiya still stood where she found Koinu. Kikyo looked at Naiya and smiled. She extended her hand to the child. Naiya took the miko's hand stepping toward the miko. Kikyo then extended her hand to Inu-Yasha. Inu-Yasha stood taking her hand. When he touched her hand, he was overrun by a massive flux of energy. Inu-Yasha glowed. His hair flared out as if caught by an invisible wind. The energy restored him to his demon form. Inu-Yasha licked his demon fangs ensuring he had been restored. Kikyo united their hands. Inu-Yasha was confused at her gesture. She smiled before changing back into a small form of energy. A larger form of energy almost like a powerful demon swiftly floated by the energy spot and scooped Kikyo up on the way by. Inu-Yasha was captivated by Kikyo's change. He thought she was long dead with the hatred that consumed her heart. Now he knew, he knew she was free.
The new energy spiraled around Inu-Yasha and Naiya. Inu-Yasha stared hard at this new thing. In front of him, it landed. It was a creature. A creature made of energy. It had a sleek look including a long muzzle, two small ears, long legs, large paws, and three flowing tails. "It's a fox spirit." Shippo said. "No it's not." Kohaku contradicted him. Naiya's face dropped; "Kagome?" She questioned. Inu-Yasha stared harder at the being because of Naiya's comment. "Naiya, How do you know that?" Sango interrogated. "Because it has the same energy field as Kagome. It's her, I know it is." Naiya confessed. Sango wanted them to believe her. The creature stepped forward. Naiya froze. The creature completely circled around Naiya and Inu-Yasha in only a few steps. "Kagome?" Inu-Yasha finally worked up the nerve to ask. The creature growled at Inu-Yasha before glowing brightly. Inu-Yasha was willing to fight this creature so he stepped back grabbing hold of Tetsusaiga with his right hand. Inu-Yasha grabbed Naiya pulling her behind them like he'd always done with Kagome. He started to draw Tetsusaiga from its sheath when the glowing dulled down. In front of him stood Kagome. "Kagome?" He asked again replacing the sword in its sheath. Inu-Yasha was glad to see Kagome again, but he needed proof that she was whom she claimed to be. "Prove yourself." Inu-Yasha said sternly. This girl casually walked up to Inu-Yasha grabbing hold of the rosary. The rosary broke in a spectacular light. Inu-Yasha stared down at where the rosary used to be in disbelief. He placed his hand around his throat to make sure his eyes weren't deceiving him. Inu-Yasha looked up to see the Kagome he knew smiling softly at him.
Kagome then looked over to Inu-Yasha, Kouga, and Kagome. Kagome lay in Inu-Yasha's arms. The being slowly made her way to them. Once she reached Kagome, She extended her hand over Kagome's chest. A light similar to the one that her body produced in her demon form emanated from her hand. "Awaken." Kagome told her. Kagome opened her eyes to see the girl standing over her with magic stemming from her body. She held the power of the Shikon Jewel; more like was the embodiment of the Shikon Jewel. Kagome jumped out of Inu-Yasha's arms afraid of what this girl had become. "Kagome…" Inu-Yasha stated with concern. She was afraid of this girl. Why…he had no idea. Inu-Yasha growled at the thing. The girl held her hands out flat in front of her. She was glowing again. In her hands appeared Kiada's lost book. "This will help you no longer." She stated tossing the book to the ground. Kagome picked it up and held it close. It had no magical energy left that was apparent. She quickly opened the book. Fumbling through the pages, Kagome dropped the book in shock. "That's right." She stated. "The book is empty."