Nightly Radiance
CH 8: Scars of Sacrifices
Koya awoke to find chains wrapped around his anklets and wrists, bruises surrounded his form and his neck ached from his uncomfortable situation. His eyes followed where the chains lead to, only for them to get caught by the candles that lit up the place. He bowed his head as he noticed that strangely familiar footsteps could be heard walking towards his direction. For a few seconds, his mind didn't think of anything, but only the need for water and to see a certain image of a person.
The door slid open and a short, armoured figure drifted in. The figure was similar to the previous ones that had been in and out of the dreaded room. And as always, like the past week, the man would go in, place the plate of food on the ground and leave. Though, some of them before leaving would use him as a punching bag for a couple of minutes, leaving him defenceless and with only enough energy to eat and stay alive.
Doubtless that the soldier or enemy would just leave him be for now...he tried to sit up straight, preparing himself for the blow that was sure to come.
"Hmpn," spat the soldier. "So prepare for a blow? - Pathetic!" Without another word, the soldier left, and Koya could just see that smug on his face. But he doubted he could do anything about it now.
However, if he was free from this chain and had his normal strength back. He doubted that he could do anything to stop him from ripping that man's head off. But for now, that was the last thing on his mind. First, he knew that he needed to eat to survive. After all, he wasn't just doing this for himself, but for someone...
I have been here for too long... He thought grimly, interrupting where his thoughts where leading to. I need to concentrate of getting out of here. But, was that even possible? He looked at the chains. Maybe... He shook them slightly. ...Not.
But he must admit, it had been days since he had so much energy as to have enough to think carefully, without his mind getting crazy. With much effort, he grabbed the food on the plate and began to eat. It wasn't the best he had ever had, but for now, it tasted that way to him. Even though he could tell that the food he was given where from leftovers.
In less than five minutes, he finished, surprised by the comfortable feeling in his stomach. Now that he thought about it, it had been a day since the last soldier had beaten him up. Most likely, the reason why he felt much better for now. He wondered how the others are doing, but mostly, how was Kagome doing? He swore, that if Naraku did anything to her...he would…
That bastard...His thoughts were interrupted as a loud and quick cried of terror -from the man before- past his ears. It came from the other room, he could tell.
A second past and Koya wondered what it was. But after a couple of seconds in little hope that the door would swing open, and a familiar, now comforting figure would walk in, he stopped hoping. Who was he kidding anyway? Surely, no one would sacrifice...and he didn't want anyone to, especially not her.
With that last thought, he once again let darkness fill his eyes as he felt a dull thud on the floor, as if someone landed. He ignored it, trying his best to preserve his energy as much as he could. The dull thud on the floor continued, which made him open one eye as he looked towards the door. No one was there. Again, he was imagining things.
Then, he felt it, hands trying to remove the chains around his wrist. This time, he opened both eyes and saw something he thought was his imagination.
"K-Ka...?" He asked, unsure and surprised.
A smile graced Kagome's lips as she smiled at him. "It's ok," she said firmly. "I'll get you out of here." She continued trying to remove the chains around his wrist, only to see red lines form around his wrist. She frowned, and after a few seconds, an idea struck her mind as she smiled cheerfully. She unsheathed her sword and cut through the chains.
"What are you doing here...?" Koya said while trying to stand up.
She could see the bruises that surrounded his body, and how he lost so much weight. She watched as he looked at her. However, it wasn't a smile that was on his lips, but a frown. In his eyes she could see an undeniable anger mixed with some sort of warmth.
"You idiot, you could've been killed!"
Kagome gave him a look, simply stating that she wasn't. And in no time, Koya recognised this "look" like the one he had given her in the past, only his was much more sarcastic. And better. He added in his thoughts.
"I'm not dead..." She added, annoyed. "I can fight." She said much more firmly.
Koya stared at her with a scowl, frustration clinging to him. He knew already that she could fight. But she was still a girl. No matter how much she looked like, or how she tried to...she will always remain a girl. And it was not after a couple of moments of staring at her, and watching as she started to take out something from her bag that he saw that she did in fact looked more like a girl.
Mentally, he slapped himself. Why didn't he noticed it before! She changed. If a person looked closely, as hard as he was looking at her now, you could notice that there was at least a slight change on her skin, or the way her body was shaped. Though her face did still looked like a monster, it was not as worst as before. She was also shorter, thinner, and was appearing more fragile...especially with the bruises that he now noticed had surrounded her form.
She's in a far worse shape than me! He thought, a little surprised and scared at the same time. And because of this, when he saw her take out the herbs that he presumed was for him, he instantly grabbed it from her.
She looked straight at him. "Koya, you need to heal." Said Kagome firmly, giving him a questioning look. "At that shape, you won't be able to walk properly."
He scoffed, annoyed by her undeniable concern from him. "Me! You're worried about me?" He asked, loosing temper, and fast. "Look at you - you're half dead! Just how many of those fucking soldiers did you fight?"
She didn't answer, but merely tried to grab the green herbs from his hands.
It was nice to know that she cared for him, but it wasn't nice to know that she was nearly half dead because of him. Obviously, before she got here, she had to fight with some of those soldiers.
"You're using this - not me." He stated simply, but only got a sign of disproval from her. He never knew she could be so dumb. Other than those times when she didn't know what to do because of the reason that she was locked up.
However, before he could say another word, noises of guards headed towards them stopped the words from coming out.
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"Naraku," said a man with a confident voice. "I see that you have returned."
Naraku gave a slight nod, whilst he looked straight at the slightly purpled jewel on the floor. The person who stood before him was Lord Sojiro and the jewel was his price, Shikon no Tama. - A jewel that could grant any wish.
Why the army didn't just use this jewel to conquer the Western lands was no surprise to him. Though the jewel was known for it's great powers to grant wishes, it was also greatly known for the darkness that surrounded it. It was said that some wishes were never meant to be made, and that sometimes, after the wishes came great tragedy. And, of course, Lord Sojiro was never one to do anything rash.
It was better of going to another person. - A person like Naraku. He had nothing to lose and no one in particular to care for. As Naraku thought about it now, with this jewel, he knew that he could become powerful. Maybe even far more powerful than Lord Sesshoumaru.
He looked up, staring back at Lord Sojiro with a smirk. "I would always return for my price." He said confidently.
Lord Sojiro smiled at Naraku. "A price that will be given now." With that, he gestured for the soldier beside him to take the jewel and give it to Naraku. "Happy?"
Naraku's smirk got wider. "Never." With that, Naraku headed straight for the door.
"Aren't you going to stay for the battle?" Lord Sojiro asked.
His stopped as he looked over his shoulder. "I have enough problems. But, just a reminder, a rat has freed your hostage." With that, he started to walk towards the door again. But before he was fully out, Lord Sojiro's voice stopped him.
"Then, to make up for the great price - kill the rat." Ordered Lord Sojiro. "But not the hostage."
"More than happy to do so." Was Naraku's cold reply.
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Five hundred and thirty five. Four hundred and thirty four... Four hundred and… Inuyasha mentally counted as he stared straight ahead at the large amount of army men on front of the field.
Beside were Inuyasha sat on his horse, sat Miroku on the horse. "Inuyasha...?" Miroku whispered.
He stared at Inuyasha's serious face. They had arrived at Mito province. Now, he knew that this battle was far more dangerous than any of them thought. Why...I had never seen him this serious before. He thought, a little worried. Once again he called out Inuyasha's name, concerned for his Lord's confusing behaviour. "Lord Inuyasha...?"
Inuyasha's eyes wondered from the army straight ahead and to the man on the horse beside him. Mentally, he still tried to count the other army's men, though he had already lost the number. Four hundred and...Forty... He shook his head slowly as he sighed. "What is it, Miroku?"
"Serious is not good for you." Miroku said as he looked straight ahead at the army. "It gives you wrinkles."
A frown marred Inuyasha's serious face. "Wrinkles are the least of my worries."
It wasn't until they saw the signal from the other army for Lord Inuyasha to come towards them that Miroku replied. It was while Lord Inuyasha was leaving. "Wrinkles come with problems - future problems." Was Miroku's firmed answer.
After a couple of seconds, he could only watch as Inuyasha nodded and continued to walk towards the middle of the field, separating the two armless. Beside him, he felt a comfortable presence appear and without looking, he knew who it would be.
"Then maybe, once the problem is gone, also the wrinkles." Tsuko said, as he stared towards the other army's direction.
"Not quite." Miroku replied as he smiled into the sky. "Some will remain, but those are just to show that you can handle future problems better."
Confidently, Inuyasha rode his white horse towards the middle of the field, watching carefully as the leader of the other army did the same. It was when he got to the middle that he stopped his horse and glared towards Lord Sojiro's direction, noticing that beside the few soldiers that were with him, there was no Koya.
Barely, he restrained himself from unsheathing his sword. "Bastard, where the fuck is Koya?" He asked, infuriated. "You fucking liars."
Lord Sojiro regarded Inuyasha darkly as he looked towards the army behind Inuyasha and towards Inuyasha once again.
"Me? A liar? You, Lord Inuyasha, had been the one to try and get off without a fight. One of your men had been discovered trying to free our hostage. And for this, one will die and one will survive. Currently, Naraku is playing the game cat and mouse as we speak. It would appear that they are both pretty weak." He said the words loudly, that it echoed through every man's ears.
The silence was deep, but the deep intake of breaths from the men behind him was not unnoticeable. It was now that he knew that inside, they really did care for Kaji. Inuyasha's face twisted. His thoughts were jumbled up, but it lead to one thing after the other. Trying to free, one will die, Naraku, forest...NARAKU! That could only mean that Kaji had tried to save Koya. And that his and Sesshoumaru's presumptions about Naraku was indeed true.
"Naraku, huh?" He whispered huskily. "That fucking double crosser." Though he was frowning, he managed to change that frown to an evil smirk. "I guess he really was desperate to be in my army, after all. That fucking bastard not only fooled you, but me as well. I understand now, he did all this just to get to me."
The frown that instantly formed on Lord Sojiro's face did not surprised Inuyasha. "You still don't know, don't you?" Inuyasha asked, gesturing towards his army. "Did you really think that I'd come here with only this little number of men? - Don't think so."
As Lord Sojiro tensed Inuyasha called out to his men. "Now!" He yelled, and almost as if nothing was going to happen, he yelled again, this time louder and another word was added, "Sesshoumaru!"
After a few minutes, hundreds of men in well-formed armours and some with arrows appeared on top of the highlands. Amongst them, Lord Sojiro could see the infamous Lord Sesshoumaru and he knew that it was his death that was soon to come. And that now, he had learned a lesson he will soon never be able to use for his life.
The battle started, arrows flew out towards Lord Sojiro's army and men yelled out to fight, most of them young and powerful and most of them will die an ugly death.
In the middle of the battle, Inuyasha stayed in the same spot, cutting and slicing through one enemy after another in no time. However, he was not surprised to find that when he looked towards Sesshoumaru's direction, he was not there. There was no doubt in his mind that his brother would save Kaji and Koya. And with a taunting smirk that no one would ever see, he whispered to himself. "Fuck, he does have a heart."
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In the middle of the forest, Koya's form slammed against the tree and an audible crack was heard from his bones. In an instant, Kagome looked towards his direction and watched as Naraku walked towards him with a huntsman's movements. As much as she wanted to she couldn't run towards him for before her were at least ten enemy army men.
The past hour had gone so fast, and now both of them, Koya and herself, was stranded in the middle of the forest surrounded by the enemy's army men. Confrontations of Naraku's deception were already made and everything was cleared.
She couldn't let herself get killed now, not after she found out about Naraku's plan to secretly kill Sesshoumaru after they are than with her and Koya. Also, she had gone so far as to try and help Koya, she cannot let Naraku take away what she had gone so far as to do. But somehow, she didn't know how to beat him. From what she had noticed as she blocked the enemies on front of her, was that Naraku seemed far stronger that she had calculated in the past.
"Koya!" She yelled, as she watched Koya from the corner of her eyes get slammed against another tree.
The herbs before did help a little, but it would have helped much more if it weren't shared between them.
Koya gave her a look and turned back to look towards Naraku with furious eyes. He could only watch as Naraku walk towards him, Naraku's eyes wondering from his form to Kagome's form. And with a speed that Koya was sure that Naraku had never had before, he watched as Naraku ran towards Kagome and landed a punch on her stomach.
"Is this the friend you were trying to protect, Koya?" Naraku asked, watching as the monster before him crawl, because of the pain his power caused.
Without thinking, Koya tried to stand up against the tree. "Dammit! Leave her alone!" He screamed, desperation in his voice as he tried to walk towards Naraku and Kagome's battered form.
Naraku raised a delicate eyebrow, and looked from the monster's form to Koya. The slight sound of the monster's heavy breathing didn't go unnoticed by him. He ignored it, knowing full aware that the monster will die soon.
"Her?" He asked, curious about Koya's mistaken words.
Koya's eyes widened as his eyes locked with Naraku's. And for that moment in his life, he knew that he had been the dumbest idiot in the whole world. With the smirk that appeared on Naraku's once curious face, he knew that he did made an incredible mistake.
Kagome didn't think, with what's left of her strength she grabbed Naraku's anklet, and tried to lift him up, but it was futile, she was too weak.
However, Naraku didn't fail to miss this, and his eyes landed on her form with great anger and an evil smirk upon his lips. "A monster..." He said, more to himself. "An ugly, hideous creature...misjudge by my friend that he is a she." The tone held within his voice didn't leave the undeniable insult of his words.
"But then again," Naraku continued. "How can I call you a he or a she when you are nothing but a monster." With incredible strength, Naraku's hand wrapped around Kagome's neck as he lifted her up to face him. "An it, a nothing, a creature that brings misfortunes and curses towards others. You are not worthy of any name, any friends or even a life." His hands wrapped Kagome's neck much tighter.
A few meters away, Koya with all his strength stood up. Though his body was filled with bruises, all his wounds bleeding, he still struggled. No one deserves what was happening to Kagome - especially not her.
"Naraku!" He yelled, this time Koya ran towards him, grabbing a sword from one of the defeated soldiers. The left soldiers ran towards Koya, delaying him from reaching Naraku sooner.
Naraku's eyes never left Koya's form. For once, it made him wonder why Koya would go so far to try and help this hideous creature, other than 'they were friends'. No, he knew Koya far better than that. Nothing had ever made Koya fight this hard before. And it made him wonder, could this monster really be a she?
Curiosity filled him as he watched more intently on Koya's form. It would make great sense. Everything almost fitted at its place. But he never really thought that an emotion, such as love, could ever take control of Koya in such a way. Was he wrong upon his calculations? Truth was, he thought it maybe.
It was only a few minutes before a certain pain were felt on the hand that wrapped around the monster neck. And when Naraku's eyes looked towards the monster, he could only see that the monster had beaten him! Surrounded by both great curiosity and great anger, Naraku threw the monster against a tree and drew out his sword.
The sound of Kagome's body slamming against the wall wasn't missed by Koya. His eyes turned slightly red as he killed the last of the enemy's army men. Blood dripped from his sword and he ran towards Naraku, jumped and in mid-air tried to sliced him in half. Once again, it was futile, for with Naraku's sword drawn, he was able to block Koya's advance.
Koya and Naraku looked at each other, with Naraku blocking Koya's attack and Kagome a few meters away against the tree. Koya's eyes observed Naraku's smirking face, and for once that day, he noticed something different about Naraku's normal clothes. Just above of Naraku's armour, Koya noticed the shining purple jewel and as it grew darker, Naraku's eyes also grew darker.
The power that was radiating out of it didn't take long to make Koya realized why Naraku was stronger than usual.
"Noticed something?" Naraku asked in a taunting voice when he saw Koya's eyes land on the Shikon no Tama. And without really knowing why, he continued to talk. "The jewel, Shikon no Tama, held great power. It can make one, such as myself, ten times stronger and also, can grant any wish. You know about it already..."
Naraku did not continue, for within a second and with smooth movements, Koya's armour was smashed in half. "Don't you understand?" Naraku asked. "I was always more powerful than you, and always will." He looked towards Koya with a smirk as he watched him dropped to the ground with blurred eyes. "Now, you lay there and I'll finish off your friend." He said, giving Koya a glare.
Almost instantly, as Naraku turned around, Kagome's sword headed towards him like lightning. The damage it caused wasn't enough to kill Naraku but enough that it smashed his armour in half and with it, the Shikon no Tama jewel fell to the ground. With everything that was happening, Koya grabbed his sword with the final of his strength, and stabbed Naraku behind the back.
Naraku's eyes widened as he felt the incredible pain, and with a not concentrated aim and the very last of his strength, his sword stabbed flesh. No scream of pain was heard, but only the sound of swords being drawn from the two bodies. After a couple of moments, both bodies that were stabbed fell to the ground, dead.
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In another part of the forest a terrible scream of pain were heard from a certain direction. He ran as fast as he could, but his legs could only run so fast. And when he arrived at the place where it came from, he knew that he was too late. Though there were many dead bodies that lay before his very eyes, he could only recognise two so far.
Kaji and Naraku.
Sesshoumaru stared at Koya, his eyes narrowed, and inside him, a grief emotion filled him. An emotion that even he, Sesshoumaru, had never thought could ever come to overtake him. Seeing the form of Kaji's in such a horrible way felt...like something was dying. He couldn't move, only stare, his once emotionless eyes filled with remorse.
"She sacrificed herself for me." Koya's voice was beaten as he said those words to Sesshoumaru. "Kagome..." He whispered, tears beginning to form at the corner of his eyes. "Dammit, I...love you." But it was futile for she was dead. No one would return his feelings.
Though no one knew it, a curse was lifted, not one but by two people. One who had admitted his feelings far more than anyone and another who hide it with deep melancholy.
After a couple of moments, Sesshoumaru could only watch as Koya cradled Kaji's body. It was an odd image, yet an understandable one. And then, he saw it. Like the changing of the sky when the night take over the day, like if the sun would change into the moon, like darkness turning into light, and something hideous, ignored and unwanted turning into the real radiance of beauty.
He watched with great surprise and curiosity as Kaji's form completely changed into Kagome. – He quickly recognised the beautiful form as his future mate, the suppose sister of Kaji's and the one he indeed cared for. Yet, even with the great surprise that filled him, he knew that deep inside, he had known that even without the beauty held by Kaji, a part of him knew they were the same.
Certain words passed through his thoughts.
"Well, unlike all the other flowers, this one suits me the best - I think."
"My sister might tell you...if you ever meet her again."
"...You fill you head with facts and only results. Another reason why you will never find out why that flower, Nightly Radiance, suits me in anyway.
In that moment and at that time, when those passing words from the past hit him, he knew that everything fitted well and that the flower, Nightly Radiance, did suit her in everyway.
He observed her, watched as her body radiated light from her body. After a couple of seconds, he checked his pocket, and found a flower of Nightly Radiance. Though it was day, and the sun was shining fiercely on their skins, Nightly Radiance was in his hands, in its beautiful form.
Koya cradled Kagome in his arms. It was too hard to give it all up. From the corner of his eyes, he saw something sparkle as if it was the only hope he had left. Out of all the dullness that surrounded him, only two were radiating: The form of Kagome's and the Shikon no Tama. And as all the stories of its great power came to his head, he knew instantly what he had to do.
Make a wish. Not for himself, but for her. He knew that he would not live to see his wish.
I rather die...than her.Gently, with care, Koya stood up, placing Kagome's dead body on the ground. His eyes gently left Kagome's form and landed on Lord Sesshoumaru's. Deep within Lord Sesshoumaru's eyes, Koya saw something and that something made the decision for him. Deep within, he knew exactly what to do.
He walked towards the jewel and when his shadow covered the radiating jewel he picked it up. He grasped the jewel in his hands and turned to face Sesshoumaru, who stood where he was before.
A gentle, soft and remorseful smile graced his lips as he looked towards Lord Sesshoumaru. "Take care of her." His voice was full of deep melancholy as he whispered his last words.
Sesshoumaru's eyes widened as the jewel in Koya's hands began to glow. Instantly, he ran towards Kagome's form and picked her up. However, a light appeared from the middle of Koya's chest and went straight towards Kagome's form. When Sesshoumaru looked towards Koya's body, he could only watch as the eyes that were filled with grief became emotionless, and Koya's body dropped to the ground like a lifeless, soulless toy.
The price for his wish was his life.
Inuyasha knew he had arrived at the wrong moment, for what was before him could all be imagine as wrong, yet believable. Koya's form lay dead amongst the many, Kagome held in Sesshoumaru's arms and Sesshoumaru, staring right into his mate's form with undeniable concern.
Surrounded by his now quiet army men, Inuyasha stood still waiting for the woman in his brother's arms to breathe. After a couple of seconds, the bruised and yet still beautiful form of the woman did move. And through the deep sorrow the army felt from Koya's death, they all knew that Koya would have liked this ending much more than the other way.
Like little babies, most of the army men couldn't help but let tears corner the corner of their eyes. Not many of them would admit it, but the boy, the monster and the woman, Kaji, had grown on them.
"I thought she was going to die..." One of the men said with remorseful tears covering his eyes.
However, the awakening of the one who they celebrated for and yet felt sorry for, interrupted the deep sorrow and happiness they felt.
Kagome.
Her eyes twitched as she felt the sunlight hit her skin. Many surrounded her yet there was a great silenced, when she opened her eyes, she could only see Lord Sesshoumaru's blurry form. And at that second, the sun disappeared and with it's disappearance came the rain.
That whole day, emotions of sorrow were showed, the weakness sides of all of them were found.
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Inuyasha ate his food bitterly as he stared at the fire. Beside it were tonnes of food, yet most of it were untouched. It had been almost two weeks since Koya's death, yet everyone still refused to forget the sorrow that had overwhelmed them. - Especially Kagome.
It was not that he did not care much more Koya; it was just that he knew that everyone should still try to live on. Yet, even his army of men cannot help but sulk about it. Well, that's what he thought about it anyway. Koya would've wanted Kagome to live on. This is exactly why he sacrificed his life for her, isn't it?
However, it would only seemed that Kagome cannot see that. It would seem that now that Koya was gone, she couldn't see the beautiful side of things. She couldn't see the fact that now she was available to live a normal life, for she was free of her curse. And it annoyed him.
From the corner of his eyes, he could see her tent. Though she was girl, the army men had allowed her to stay, however, Sesshoumaru had left.
The real truth was, Inuyasha exactly know why Sesshoumaru left. It wasn't because Kaji was Kagome; it was because Kagome was Kaji. Inuyasha knew that his brother was scared. For once in his life, Inuyasha knew that Sesshoumaru had treated a female - a woman - fairly. Unlike before, Sesshoumaru has had the chance to get to know the woman and not judge her by her sexuality, but by whom she was.
It didn't even surprised Inuyasha when his brother had cancelled the already prepared set marriage day. He knew far more than anyone that his brother was honourable. And though his brother wanted her to be his mate, his brother would still not stoop so low as to marry a woman who might be in love with another.
And like anything, Inuyasha knew that Sesshoumaru thought that Kagome returned Koya's feelings. However, even Inuyasha could see that she never did felt that way about Koya.
Focused within his thought, Inuyasha had completely not noticed the form that was leaving the purple tent. It was a form of a woman, and with her she carried a box.
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Kagome arrived at the waterfalls in the middle of the night. With her, she carried a box filled with the petals of Nightly Radiance that had grown the past few weeks. Deep within the box, surrounded by the flowers, was Koya's sword, the one he had used to kill Naraku.
Once again, as she looked over at the waterfalls, she saw the pond fairy look back at her. Though, now she knew who it really was. And with the knowledge of who it was, a memory flashed back to her.
The day she found Koya dead. When rain took over the sun filled day and where the army men, Lord Sesshoumaru beside her, surrounded her as she lifted Koya's form onto her lap. Tears that had she had suppressed for so long spread across her face, but it wasn't that that she remembered the most. It was when she looked to the little puddle of water caused by the rain. In it, she saw her reflection, the blurry image of the beautiful pond fairy filled with sorrow and drowned out by tears.
At that point, she remembered that night when she told Koya about the pond fairy.
"That woman can be a fairy if you know her story. However, to your eyes, she should be whoever you want her to be. To me, she's a friend. And I also think she's beautiful."
Those were his words. And while she remembered them she realised who the pond fairy really was, and how maybe that pond fairy would stay alone forever in that image.
But living in the past and wasting her life wasn't the reason why Koya did what he did. If she did waste her life now, then everything that Koya did was futile. And as her last gift to him, she will live. In truth, what awakened her was really because of Lord Inuyasha's swearing.
Once again, with the courage that she had learned from the books, and mostly, especially from her friends, she would live on. Living takes courage. She thought. Thanks Koya for everything, especially for the scar. And she meant it, for with the scars and memories of him, she knew that she grew up at least.
Gracefully, she dropped the box into the water, watched as the pond fairy gave her a sad smile and with that, she left headed for wherever she was wanted.
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His eyes never left her form as she gave him another smile.
"Thanks for everything Lord Inuyasha." Kagome said as she took her bag over her shoulder. "I promised that I'll continue my fighting skills." With that, she took a step up the stairs of the carriage.
Inuyasha frowned. "You don't have to leave, you know. You could stay here and..."
"Get acquainted with us." Miroku shortly interrupted Inuyasha as he took Kagome by the hand and placed a gentle kiss on it. "I mean, we only got to know you as Kaji, why not give us a chance?" He asked, obviously trying to sound innocent.
Beside him, Tsuko appeared. "Yes indeed, Lady Kagome. You could always..."
A soft laugh rose from her lips, much like that of Koya's. "No thanks, I want to visit my family first. Maybe they would be really angry at me right now, but I really want to see them and my garden." She said, almost happily. "Though, I would really want to have more adventures with you guys again." She said casually.
Miroku and Tsuko bowed deeply. "Why not?" Miroku asked. "You can return here anytime you want."
Suddenly, Inuyasha pushed both Miroku and Tsuko apart. "What the fuck do you both think you are doing! She's a girl." He said furiously, however, still looking towards Kagome, he gave her a look of assurance, "I say, you're welcome here." Said Inuyasha.
Behind Inuyasha, both Miroku and Tsuko gave an audible, "Aww..."
"I knew Lord Inuyasha had a soft side." Miroku whispered to Tsuko.
Tsuko smiled mischievously. "Oh, yeah? I found about his sexual side last night!" He said, giving Miroku a happy smile.
Inuyasha turned to look towards them with a frown. "That's it, I give up. Be gay arses, be perverts, be some sort of freak of nature - but do not include me in it!" Inuyasha yelled at them.
She watched the scene a little longer, knowing full aware that she would definitely miss this. But then again, who wouldn't miss a couple of perverts and a Lord that was not so dignified? I would definitely mss them. However, maybe she would come back.
It was only after a few moments did she found her hands taken from her by Inuyasha, and on it, she felt something being placed. When she had the chance, she looked at the flower curiously.
"It's day," Inuyasha stated and watched as she gave him a curious look. "But it's still beautiful. Sesshoumaru told me about it, he wanted you to have that." He continued, looking above her head towards the blue sky. "Sesshoumaru takes care of the attack force of men. If you want more adventures, go to Sesshoumaru, he just doesn't stay at one place. I would think he needs company, don't you?" He asked her, giving her a smirk.
He looked over his shoulder at Miroku and Tsuko. Though Kagome didn't see the look her gave them, it was obvious that it had held some sort of threat, for both Miroku and Tsuko shook their heads furiously. "Yes, yes! Go to Lord Sesshoumaru!" They both said at the same time.
Another laugh was heard from her lips. "Maybe." She said, giving them a wink, almost like the one Koya gave her before. Almost, but still not quite the same. With that, she wave goodbye to the rest of the army men and went in the carriage, ready to start where it all started.
X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X
Inuyasha, Miroku and Tsuko watched as the carriage left. They all knew that she would return. And with this thought, all the army men behind them started to cry like babies, which instantly made Lord Inuyasha turn around.
"Stop crying you babies!" He yelled at them.
Beside him, Tsuko laid his hands on Inuyasha's shoulder. "Why can't you show your sensitive side more often," he stated, whilst shaking his head. "Like last night." He added and got an instant whacked on the head, making Miroku laugh out loud.
"Feh," Inuyasha huffed walking towards his army of men. "That Sesshoumaru better get to her soon, before all those other fucking nobles in her household ask for her hand in marriage." He mumbled bitterly as he looked over his shoulder and gave Miroku and Tsuko a smirk. "Go to Sesshoumaru."
Both Miroku and Tsuko gave a smirk. "And…?" They probed.
Lord Inuyasha's smirk got wider. "...Make him jealous."
Miroku's eyes turned mischievous. "Just how jealous...?"
Tsuko nodded his head furiously. "Do you want us to give details to Lord Sesshoumaru?" He asked, this time excitement taking over his voice.
Inuyasha shook his head no. "Just enough for him to want to kill."
Instantly, both Miroku and Tsuko ran for the horses. "We'll be back in a week!" They both said as they ran, both pushing the other out of the way like little kids.
END OF CH 8 - Nightly Radiance
Demon Tenshi: Not a long chapter. Had tonnes of problem with this chapter. I'm not really the type of person who can describe fighting well. So, I guess I kind of skipped that part very fast. Anyway, I was just trying to get through this one really fast. I know that I kind of changed the "suppose mood" a lot, but I just couldn't help but hate too much...sadness. Also, sorry for the people who liked Koya, but it was my plan all along.
Eternityoftears- Oh, thank god that you noticed that Kagome is wise. I agree with you about Kagome's personality, but she's still a little not so smart. But, that should be fix soon. Thanks.
Blue Rhapsody3- A great prediction, very close to what I actually had in mind. She was found out that she was a woman. But, of course, that was after the curse was lifted and after she died. Great prediction. Arigatou for the review.
Hermonine- Nightly Radiance, it just didn't seem right that everyone started of happy and cheerful only to end up really serious because of some battle. But I guess, sad moments and humour have to come in the right times…but I'm not sure if I did it right this time. Thank you.
alchemistgrl09- Well, all I could really do is hope that my chapters are as good as you said. Your comments are just so nice and sometimes, (most of the times) I don't think I deserve so much. However, thank you very much for them.
Darkxnova- Do not worry my friend, Sesshoumaru is not…you know. And as you know or should know, I am quite busy with exams to come. God, you go to the same high school I go to! Anyway, (sniffed, sniffed) you know what I mean "ideas from school". With some of the perverted guys…the talent extravaganza. (Remember)
Endless Despair- I hope this one is ok too. Thanks for reviewing.
Vi3t Babii- You don't have to say sorry, it's a privilege for me that you guys reviews at all. I like Tsuko and Miroku, very much indeed, that I was thinking about one of them with Kagome. However, I guess you can't trust one of them to be…honourable. And it was just a passing thought.
Sesshoumaru's reaction about Kagome's real identity has yet to be written by the way. It's all in the next chapter. And I'm sure that there is only one chapter left. But, I'm not sure if I should do an epilogue, it had just crossed my mind when my friend told me about it. What do you think? Maybe I'll put it all in the next chap… Anyway, thank you for reviewing.
Blue-Moon Sky- Sango and Shippou in the story? I'm sorry, but that would have made the story longer and I didn't want that… Though at the start I wanted to add at least a bit of Shippou. So maybe not…or maybe. Thank you for the review.
Duzzie- Yeah, Kaji is discovered, but that wasn't so much part of the chapter and I skipped through it quite fast. I'll explain what had happened in the next chapter. And in the next chapter, it will explain more about Sesshoumaru's situation.
BlueMonkey89- I hope that this chapter is ok too as well. And I also hope that you can read the next chapter. Thank you.
Sheenachi- Thanks to the reviewers, I had the strength to update. Including you. Thanks.
Kjinuyasha- Glad you liked the last chapter. Thank you for the compliment.
SilverStarWing- Umm… Ok the pairings that are involve are: Tsuko and Miroku. Nah! I'm kidding. Sorry, but there is no Kag/Inu here. I guess at the start of the story people could definitely mistake that and I'm sorry. Thanks for reviewing.
(insert name here)- Well, it's always a great privilege for others to review my story and I thank everyone all very much if they do so. And as you can see, I updated, though it's not a very long chapter.
Kagome21- Yea…It's a Sesshoumaru and Kagome FF. I guess by the end of this chapter that part would be quite obvious. Don't you think? I mean Koya's dead, after all.
Tokyogurl1- You were right about her turning into that person at night when more people like her for the way that she was. That was great that you were able to see that. Thanks for the review.
Skitzoflame- Kagome didn't exactly save the army, but she was the one who was able to get the Shikon no Tama from Naraku so Koya could kill him, so in someway she did. And no sundown for this one…it all happened at day.
Sesshoumaru's child- It's nice to know that you liked the last chapter. Thanks.
DeathByMotorBike (kimonolover)- Eaten by flies? Well, I'm kind of scared of insects. Maybe not much on flies, but they can get a little scary when they are big and if they can eat you. Also, there is a movie that has eating flies. And I'm telling you, it was a horror movie and it looked disgusting! Anyway, I still thank you for reviewing.
AnimeAngelz- Thanks! I'm glad that you liked what she said. Anyway, I hope that this chapter is ok as well.
Me- LOL It's nice to know that you are back to cyber space. And well, I think that after this chapter you have all your questions answered! Thanks for the review.
Fire Mistress- I hate Naraku and his plots to, but we always must have what you would call enemies. Though, I wouldn't call him exactly evil in this FF. He was just bad. And Sesshoumaru's situation will be in the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing.