Imitation of Life
Everything that is done in this world is done by hope - Martin Luther
Chapter One
Even through the searing pain, she could feel their presence. The pounding rain was a mere nuisance to them, doing nothing to slow them down. They wouldn't give up until she was dead and they got what they wanted. She had to keep going…had to get to him.
'Hear my plea, Midoriko. Give me the strength to carry out this final task.'
A cry escaped her pale lips as she fell to her knees, her hands clawing at the slick pavement. The pain was unbearable, so much so that she was rendered immobile, her limbs refusing to operate.
'Please! Please hear me!'
Suddenly, as if her body were attached to minute wires, her body rose slowly, her feet moving her forward. She ignored the blood that oozed from the jagged tears in her shirt, her bruised and battered body screaming at her to give up. As long as she had a breath left in her body, she would complete this one thing.
Instinctively, she reached up and grasped the glowing jewel around her neck. Its pulsing warmth reassured her, gave her renewed hope that all was not lost. All she had to do was reach him and –
The sky shook with a resounding roar, but she knew that it wasn't thunder. No, this sound came from something more frightening than anything nature could produce. This sound could only come from something created in the very bowels of hell.
They were getting closer, no doubt following the trail of blood she left with every footstep. A series of screeches sounded from above, sending a shiver of fear down her spine. She had to move faster.
Gritting her teeth against the pain, she pushed her legs to move faster until she was running, her footfalls keeping time with the frantic beating of her heart. She was almost there, the buildings around her becoming familiar. Just a few more feet and she'd be there…
She heard the arrow whiz through the air just seconds before it pierced her left shoulder, causing her to stumble slightly. They were upon her now. There was no time to protect herself, which would do no good anyhow. Even now she could feel her time on this earth ticking down.
'Keep them at bay, Midoriko. Let me finish this.'
In answer to her silent prayer, a sudden flash of lightning illuminated the sky, sending an electric bolt down to earth. A chorus of hideous howls of pain echoed through the streets. She didn't dare look behind her as she continued on towards her destination.
A feeling that could only be joy washed over her as she collapsed on the front stoop of a nondescript brick building. With shaking hands, she reached up and pressed a buzzer, praying with everything in her that he was home. The lightning was an obstacle that they quickly overcame, the rumbling of their hurried footsteps making the ground quiver.
She pressed her finger to the buzzer again, repeating the action in quick succession. She was almost ready to kick the door in when she heard a familiar voice bark,
"Who the fuck is it?"
She closed her eyes tightly against the swell of tears that threatened to fall. "It's me, Inuyasha! Please let me in!" He must have heard the urgency in her voice because there were no questions asked as another buzz was heard and the door clicked open.
Before closing the door behind her, she closed her eyes and mumbled a few words, touching her hand lightly to the dull gray metal. Pink light pulsed over the door and seeped out into the walls. This would shield the building from them for a short time, hopefully long enough for her to complete her business.
A sound from above caught her attention and she turned to look up at the man staring down at her. She took a single step before tumbling forward. The man raced down the steps, a look of panic on his face.
"Kikyo! Are you alright?" He bent down and gingerly scooped her drenched body into his arms. Her eyelids fluttered and a few incoherent words fled her lips. He scanned her form quickly, his heart wrenching at the sight of her injured body. The overwhelming stench of blood assaulted his senses and a low growl formed in the back of his throat. This could only mean one thing…they were free and they had come for the jewel.
For once, reason overcame his anger and he quickly carried her motionless body up to his apartment. He laid her gently on the couch before going off in search of a washcloth. Once found, he wet it with cold water and returned to Kikyo's near-lifeless form. Kneeling down beside her, he pressed the cloth to her forehead, grimacing when she sucked in a breath, her eyes flying open.
"Inuyasha they're here!" She cried out, her voice thick with alarm. She turned her head to look at him, her cinnamon orbs glittering. "I-I tried to stop them but…"
Inuyasha nodded his head, lifting a hand to brush her cheek reassuringly. "I know," he responded, wiping away a tear that trailed from the corner of her eye. He had to fight back his own tumultuous emotions as he gazed down at her, knowing deep in his heart that she wouldn't be here long.
She shook her head, her lips pressed tightly together. "No! You don't understand, Inuyasha! They've gotten stronger! My spells barely injured them!" Her voice shook with a mixture of fear and anger. "They slaughtered the monks, every single one of them. I-I couldn't save them…"
Inuyasha's jaw tightened, but that was the only emotion he allowed himself to show. "And the temple?" He asked.
"Destroyed." She whispered brokenly.
Inuyasha took a deep breath, trying to quell the swell of anxiety building inside. There'd been warnings, signs that this was coming, but he hadn't wanted to believe…He'd been so sure that they would stay sealed in hell for all eternity. Fate had other plans it seemed.
"We've got to get you some help. Maybe I can phone Myouga or…"
Kikyo shook her head slowly, her expression one of stoic resolve. "No, Inuyasha. My time here is almost spent, I can feel it. I knew this day would come and I'm ready."
Inuyasha shook his head in denial, unwilling to face the truth. How could he willingly accept the fact that Kikyo, the strongest woman he'd ever known, the only woman he'd ever really loved, was going to die?
"Please Kikyo, just let me –"
"No," she said in a forceful whisper. She reached out and cupped his cheek, her fingers trembling. "I have a sacred responsibility, Inuyasha, and that responsibility includes protecting this jewel with my life." With her other hand she ripped the necklace from her neck, holding the jewel tightly in her balled fist.
"I need you to promise me something, Inuyasha."
He gazed at her sadly, his eyes glimmering with tears he refused to let fall. "Anything, Kikyo."
"When I'm gone, I need you to keep the jewel safe."
Inuyasha started to protest, but Kikyo quieted him. "I know you have reservations because of your demon blood, but there's no one I trust more than you. Your integrity knows no bounds and I know you'll guard the jewel as fiercely as I have." She stroked his cheek lovingly.
With a strangled cry, he pulled her into a gruff hug. Kikyo winced at the involuntary pain he was inflicting on her, but returned the gesture with as much emotion as she could muster. She hoped he knew how deeply she felt for him, how large a part of her was wrapped up in him. Although she was destined for another place, she knew in her heart that their bond would never weaken.
Their moment was interrupted by a deafening crash. Instantly on alert, Inuyasha went to the window and looked down at the street. What he saw made his heart stop. The street was full of demons of all shapes and sizes, chomping at the bit to get to the jewel. His gaze traveled farther down and he could feel his entire body tensing, his hands fisting at his sides. And there THEY were, back from hell and ready for a fight. Well, if it was a fight they wanted, a fight was what he'd give them. And more.
"I put up a barrier, but my powers are so weakened that it won't hold for much longer," Kikyo said, struggling to rise to her feet. Inuyasha went to her side and helped her up. "It's fine. I can take care of a couple of demons."
Kikyo smiled up at him, the gesture full of sadness and regret. "I know you can, but it's not your fight. Not yet." Before he could respond, she pressed her lips to his, her tears tainting the kiss.
"I love you," she whispered. He looked into her eyes, realizing a second too late that she was saying good-bye. She placed her hand on his chest and let loose a small blast of pink energy, sending him staggering back. His eyes rolled into his head and he slumped to the floor. The blast wasn't enough to kill him, just render him unconscious for a while. Just enough time to do what she came to do. She bent down next to his still body and placed the jewel in his lax palm, closing his fingers around it.
"Keep it safe, love." She murmured softly, her gaze drinking him in for the last time.
'Ok, Midoriko. I need one final favor from you and I'll do the rest.'
Kikyo rose to her feet and made her way to the front door.
'Give new life to the jewel, a form that is not easily detected.'
She walked calmly down the stairs, finally feeling a peace that she had not felt earlier. She knew that she was fulfilling her destiny and there was no more that she could do on this earth. She desperately held onto the hope that all wouldn't be lost, that she was giving her life for a greater purpose.
Once she reached the bottom of the stairs, she braced herself against the palpable wave of power emanating from the other side of the metal door. They were waiting for her. Well, she certainly couldn't keep them waiting.
She raised her hand and blasted the door open, sending demons flying in its wake. With a wave of her hand, she sent another batch of demons crashing to the pavement.
"Priestess, we meet again."
Kikyo's eyes narrowed at the cold voice that addressed her. She turned her head, regarding the two demons that stood at the rear of the pack. She raised her hand to send another energy blast, but the taller of the two held up a hand.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Kikyo." He warned, his tone deceptively calm and emotionless. His crimson eyes glittered dangerously. "That is, unless you have a death wish."
Kikyo let her hand fall to her side. "Well, as a matter of fact I do. And you know what? I think you do, too." The two demons watched her warily as she started chanting, her voice low.
All of a sudden, the earth began to tremble, the buildings around them shuddering. Kikyo's head fell back as a pure, blinding white light emanated from her being. The demons moved away from her, shielding their eyes.
'Let my will be done, Midoriko.'
'As you wish, Lady Kikyo.'
Kikyo looked directly at the two demons that she'd sent to hell so many centuries ago. This time she would make sure that they stayed there. She muttered a few more incantations and watched as a black void opened up in the street, sucking in the frantic demons.
"And now I'll personally take you both back to hell!"
She held up her hands, long tendrils of white energy snaking out to ensnare the two demons.
"Nooooo!" Came a wailing howl.
She walked towards the void, pulling the two with her. They resisted with a great amount of force, but Kikyo's determination was just as strong as theirs. Closing her eyes, she whispered a prayer into the pouring rain before stepping over the side. Instantly, the void closed up, leaving the street silent save for the sound of the pattering rain.
'Please be safe, Inuyasha.'
Inuyasha slowly opened his eyes, his senses coming to him slowly. Realization struck him hard and he sat up quickly, wincing as the movement caused his aching chest more discomfort.
"Kikyo," he muttered, looking around the empty apartment. But he already knew she wasn't there. Her scent was gone and so was…
With a heavy heart, he went to the window. Upon seeing the emptiness of the streets, his shoulders sagged and he sank to the floor once again. She was gone…gone.
Inuyasha was so engrossed in his own misery that he didn't immediately notice that something strange was happening. In his haste to survey the scene outside, he'd failed to detect the object that fell from his hand.
Now said object was beginning to throb with a brilliant pink light. Inuyasha finally became aware of what was happening when the object slowly rose, spinning in slow circles.
"What the hell…"
The jewel became a blur as it spun madly out of control, the light increasing in intensity. Inuyasha had to shield his eyes to avoid becoming blind by the powerful light. A strange whizzing sound could be heard throughout the apartment, doing nothing to calm Inuyasha's anxieties. He wasn't sure what was going on here, but he hoped trouble wasn't attached to it…
As suddenly as it had begun, the light dimmed and the whizzing sound quieted, leaving the apartment as it was before. Slowly, Inuyasha lowered his arm and stared disbelievingly at the sight before him.
"Who…the fuck…are…you?"
end
A/N: I don't own InuYasha or any of the characters associated with InuYasha so please don't sue : )