Traitors Are Met with Death
Naraku's Hidden Lair
Hakudoshi scoffed as Naraku watched Kikyo slowly follow Mouryoumaru and Kanna into the ravine. Though he was born from Naraku, he didn't feel love or hate as his "master" seemed to. It's true that Naraku had been successful in eliminating all the human love Onigumo felt for the miko Kikyo, enabling him to attack and almost kill his previous love, but his obsession in her destruction was crude and pointless. There were so many more interesting, devastating measures they could be making. Like destroying Inuyasha and retrieving the final shard.
It's this weakness that Hakudoshi knew would bring about Naraku's true downfall and before he did that, both Hakudoshi and the baby decided they would have to take the shikon jewel away from Naraku and destroy him first. Destroying Inuyasha and even those annoying mikos would prove easy after that. Naraku…to me, you are still that worthless, weak hanyou first created fifty-years ago. The true demon, in the end, will be me…
Deep Canyon
Kikyo followed the strong sense of jyaki, hoping to come across Naraku's heart and end his miserable existence once and for all. Ahead she could see the soul-catchers racing back towards her, their thin-eliminated bodies materializing out of the fog.
Behind them, an appendage-like vine grew and tore through them before they could reach their mistress. Kikyo tensed and tried to jump out of the way, but she wasn't fast enough and the vine stabbed through where Naraku had struck her heart once before.
Crying out, she struggled to stay on her feet as the vine retracted and the monster from before appeared. He stood besides his master and creator – Naraku.
Midoriko's soul began floating out of Kikyo's wound as she held a hand in vein over it. She had been forced a while back to absorb the ancient miko's soul in order to fully repair herself from Naraku's devastating attack. Though Kagome had been able to save her, it was only temporarily. This, though, she kept hidden and had yet to tell Inuyasha.
Kanna held the baby – also well known as Naraku's heart and only weakness – gently and emotionlessly on his other side.
"So…you finally think you can be rid of me?" Kikyo asked, becoming weaker by the moment.
Naraku laughed. "Kikyo, you are no better than the average lowly human – pursuing me after all this time in the name of revenge and now you will die in failure."
Kikyo still had one arrow left and she wasn't going to let it go to waste. "I will not stop until your evil is sealed away forever!" She exclaimed and let her purity arrow fly. It soared towards Kanna but instead of striking the pale girl, it mysteriously and suddenly veered to the side and struck something else entirely.
More like someone else.
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "It – it can't be!" Struck solidly in the heart, pinned to the tree of Goshinboku…was Inuyasha.
His eyes glared at her as he winced in hurt and betrayal. "Kikyo…you bitch! How could you…?" Then his eyes closed and both he and Goshinboku began to face into nothingness.
Kikyo reached out a hand and called out. "No! Inuyasha!"
But her pleas were drowned out as Naraku laughed and extended his hand into deadly branches that flew forward and struck Kikyo's shoulder…releasing more of her spirit into the night.
Knocked back, the injured miko stared up as the ravine she had been in faded away, much like her hanyou, only to be replaced by the blue sky of a very familiar field.
She couldn't sense Naraku nearby, but then again she couldn't sense much of anything right then. This place…yes, this is where it happened. She thought.
Indeed it had been the same field she'd been killed in before. But why?
"Kikyo…" A gentle voice coaxed.
Looking over she saw Inuyasha with the black hair and brown eyes of his human form. "Inuyasha?"
"Ready to go?" He asked and pulled her to her feet.
"Go where?" She asked in confusion.
The breeze picked up and daisy petals were swept into the sky, circling the couple gently. "Anywhere…"
Jolting, Kikyo looked around and wondered what had happened. She was sitting on a rock waiting for her servants to return. Not requiring sleep she knew it wasn't a dream and vision was unlikely because sealing Inuyasha happened fifty years ago. So then what was it?
Surely she wasn't afraid of banishing Naraku. She created Naraku – in a way – and she was the only one who in the end had to destroy him.
"It doesn't matter how you feel about it now! Do you think I will leave you to Naraku?" Inuyasha shouted at Kikyo. Backing up, she was speechless. "The only one who can protect you from Naraku is me!"
Rushing forward, the hanyou wrapped his arms possessively around the miko and wouldn't let go no matter how hard she fought. "What? Get off of me! Let me go, now!" She exclaimed, only to give in and embrace him back. She missed his warmth so much. It had been too long…
"I will kill Naraku, do you don't have to fight anymore." Inuyasha's voice sounded like it was weak and cracked slightly as his body shook with the fear that he would loose his first love. "I will protect you." He swore.
Kikyo melted in his embrace and whispered his name ever so quietly. "Inuyasha…"
"Kikyo…"Raising a hand to her heart where even now Midoriko's energy was holding together Kikyo's body made of dust and burial soil. She could feel a growing sense of unease. Not about destroying Naraku, but should she fail, she and Inuyasha would never be together. What do I do?
Home Village near Inuyasha Forest
The tweeting of the birds awoke Kagome from her sleep and opening her eyes revealed the bright sunlight of morning. Looking over also revealed the sleeping face of Inuyasha no more than mere inches from her own. Gasping in surprise, Kagome's body stiffened as she barely stopped herself from squeaking in surprise. The movement of her body was enough to coax the hanyou from his tender sleep. Looking around his ears twitched as he listened for any sounds nearby, before he finally smiled softly at Kagome. "Morning."
"Did I…fall asleep here?" She asked cautiously, fighting to keep the blush from her cheeks.
"Yeah…you don't mind right?" He asked, suddenly worried he'd done the wrong thing by letting her sleep in his arms. It was just that when it happened, he couldn't think of a safer place for her to be and with her injured, he wanted to keep her warm and protected from any side effects of the demon's acid.
She shook her head and smiled in return. "No, thank you."
They were quiet for a moment and Inuyasha began to fidget. "So um…are you feeling better today?"
"Actually yeah, Kaede's herbs really help." She replied. Why is he so nervous?
"Well, you must be hungry. Let's get you some breakfast." He suggested suddenly getting to his feet.
Kagome looked away, unsure. "Actually…I don't really want to eat." She admitted.
Kneeling down in worry, Inuyasha tried to peer into Kagome's face. "You have to regain your strength. What do you feel like eating?"
Again she shook her head and wrapped her arms around her stomach. "Nothing. Just the thought of food makes me feel sick." She hadn't lied when she said she felt better because her legs didn't hurt nearly as much as they did the night before. But her stomach felt like she'd been riding roller coasters all day. Oddly enough he idea of Inuyasha going to a theme park gave her a sense of dread. She could just imagine him attacking the rides with Kazu no Kizu, thinking they were metallic demons after her shard. Defiantly wouldn't want to try and explain that if it happened…
Inuyasha sighed and thought about what to do. Chanced were inhaling some of those fumes from the demon's stomach were making her nauseous, but if she didn't eat, she'd just feel worse later. "How about this, I'll bring you a little bit of different things and you can pick what you think you can hold down. Deal?"
Kagome looked over shocked. "Inuyasha…"
"Please?" He begged. "For me?"
Unable to deny those puppy eyes (literally) any more, she nodded. "Alright."
"Okay then." Picking her up, Inuyasha jumped down from Goshinboku, only to land right in front of Miroku, Sango, Shippo and Kirara.
"Minna…"
Miroku had this devious look in his eye as he leaned over towards Inuyasha. "So where were you two all night?"
Shippo, the opportunity too good to pass up, jumped on the monk's shoulder, "Yeah, the two of you didn't sleep in Goshinboku together did you?"
"Shippo!" Sango scolded.
Kagome was shocked as well. "Must be from hanging around Miroku too long." She deduced.
"Come on, we saw you two up there. Did something happen?" Miroku persisted.
This made both hanyou and miko bright red. "I-I was sleeping!" She exclaimed.
Inuyasha growled and crossed his arms, looking away in a huff, "Feh, like I need to tell you anything?" Then he sped off into Inuyasha Forest and disappeared.
This left everyone in silent shock, Kagome included.
Not sure what to believe, Sango leaned in towards Kagome, "Did something happen?"
"NO! I already told you I was sleeping!" She protested, but her blush made them all wonder.
Youkai-Wolf Ancestral Graveyard
Kouga jumped to avoid the attack of his present opponent. In order to get stronger he and his two comrades, Ginta and Hakkaku, had come seeking the ancient treasure of their tribe, located in a graveyard. The monster before Kouga was a huge three-headed wolf, with three tails, and a whole bunch of teeth. This was the guardian of the treasure – no weapon – he so sought.
The creature was fast, but the wolf tribe leader was putting up a good fight with the two-shikon shards in his legs. He had been tempted to make a dive for the weapon when an opening came, but when the creature aimed for Ginta and Hakkaku, Kouga dove instead to save his comrades.
Jumping high onto a cliff, Kouga released his comrades and stared down at what seemed like an impossible enemy.
"S-Sorry Kouga…" Ginta apologized.
Kouga scoffed. "That was close."
"You fool." The monster accused. "What didn't you take Goraishi when it was right in front of you?"
Kouga got mad and shouted back. "You shit! I would never make that choice! In the time it took to take it, my friends would've been shish kabobs!"
The three-headed wolf sneered. "You chose your friends over Goraishi, but take a good look…" Where the magnificent weapon once floated, there was nothing.
Hakkaku's mouth fell wide open. "K-Kouga…the weapon has…"
"Vanished!" Ginta finished in shocked.
"So there you have it…you should have taken it then…"
Both brothers looked down sad. "Sorry Kouga…because of us…"
Kouga, though, only got madder. "Keh, if you think I regret it now, you're making a big mistake, you dumb shit!" He crossed his arms. "Listen up. The reason why I want to get my hands on Goraishi is because I wanted revenge on the enemy who killed my comrades! If I was willing to let them get killed in front of me, I wouldn't need Goraishi, get that moron?"
Both brothers stood with watery eyes and quivering lips. Kouga…we'd follow you anywhere…
The protector of that treasure simply jumped into the air, aiming right for Kouga. "Then die here as punishment for trespassing on our sacred graveyard!" As it came down, its paws erupted into flames. "You should regret it!"
"I never regret anything!" As Kouga jumped up with a punch to counter the attack, lightning exploded and when he landed, the creature fell to the ground – sliced in half – before it disappeared.
Ginta couldn't believe it and pointed at Kouga's arms. "It's-It's the Goraishi!"
Lifting up his arms, Kouga stared amazed at the four-pronged claw that remained connected to his arm. This was Goraishi. This Goraishi has become your claw now. Accordingly you will also receive the divine protection from our souls.
Kouga watched as it slowly faded away once more. "It…disappeared into my body?" He wondered. With this…Naraku and his minions won't stand a chance!
Home Village near Inuyasha Forest
Kagome sat patiently inside Kaede's hut, waiting for Inuyasha to return, when Miroku looked up at her. "Do you know why Inuyasha has been acting the way he has lately?"
The miko thought about it for a second. "Now that you mention it, he has been unusually nice. Not the usual Inuyasha we all know."
"He feels guilty about you getting hurt, Kagome-chan." Sango answered for her.
"Eh?"
Miroku nodded. "Not being strong enough to break free of the demon's stomach, then you getting hurt helping him, makes him feel responsible."
Sango nodded. "He's trying to make it up to you."
Kagome looked down and in a way, it did make sense. The conversation the previous day pretty much spelled it out for her. Why hadn't she noticed? That was why he wanted her to eat. Inuyasha…
On cue, the hanyou entered carrying a huge bag over his shoulder. The others recognized this action from when he'd gathered ingredients for Kagome when she'd fallen ill to a small cold. They knew better to touch anything before she did.
Kagome on the other hand, hadn't been there for the first potluck and was baffled at the large amounts of different food he literally dumped in the middle of the room.
"There we go!" Inuyasha said proudly.
Kagome's eyes widened as there were squirrels, rabbits, fish, fruits, nuts, anything that was edible by human standards and some that she wasn't sure were, had all been collected and present especially for her. It left her speechless.
Sitting next to her, Inuyasha once again peered into her face. "Well? Do you think you can eat any of it?" He asked carefully.
She looked over at the hanyou and could barely come out with his name. "Inuyasha…"
"Hey, we had a deal!" He began to pout on all fours – just like he always did.
"I'll even cook it up for you, Kagome-chan. You won't have to lift a finger." Sango encouraged.
"And you wouldn't want all the hassle Inuyasha went through to be for nothing, would you?" Miroku asked. In truth, he knew another argument would ensue if she didn't.
Kagome knew that too but also didn't want to hurt Inuyasha's feelings. It was the nicest thing anyone ever did for her. On a weird twist, it reminded her of the countless fruit baskets and health presents Hojo-kun insisted on bringing to her whenever he saw her. "O-okay." She agreed. "Thanks, Inuyasha."
"Feh, I just don't want to have to protect you when Naraku comes after us for your shard again. I have my hands full enough dealing with you when you're well!" He covered up. On the inside, though he would never admit it, he was happy.
Miroku nodded gravely on that specific thought as Sango and Kagome began pulling ingredients free from the huge pile. "And Naraku will return. He has to if he wishes to complete the jewel."
"Good, saves me the time of hunting him down. There's no way I'll let him complete the jewel. He has to pay for what he did."
Kagome looked over and knew he'd stopped himself from finishing his sentence. He has to pay for what he did to Kikyo…right Inuyasha? You're still fighting for her too. The thought saddened her, but she made sure not to let anyone else notice. After all, she had decided to remain by his side till the very end…
Rocky Mountains Just Outside of Graveyard
Ginta and Hakkaku chatted happily behind their leader, who by some miracle was walking this time. "Wow, with this we can finally defeat Naraku and stop this senseless running around!" Hakkaku commented.
"We should've known Kouga would be successful!" Ginta agreed.
Kouga, on the inside, scoffed. It was a close call though. If Goraishi hadn't appeared, I wouldn't have been able to defeat the guardian. I was lucky… But now that he did have it, and Naraku's destruction was nearing, Kouga knew reclaiming Kagome from Dog-Crap was just as close. He'd allowed her to stay with Inuyasha for this long, and once he got his revenge, she would become his mate and next leader of his tribe, right by his side. Just wait Kagome, I'll defeat Naraku for you too.
Suddenly Naraku's scent jumped to life just ahead of him and he barely had enough time to jump out of the way as Hakudoshi materialized and came down hard with his pike right on top of Kouga. "What the fuck?" He exclaimed.
Seeing the demon made Ginta and Hakkaku instantly nervous and they rushed to hide behind a nearby boulder. "Oh, so you smelled me coming and therefore avoided my attack. This promises to be interesting." Naraku's offspring commented.
Kouga growled from his high standpoint. "What the hell do you want, you little brat? Come to take my shards again?"
Hakudoshi scoffed. "Well there wouldn't be much else use for someone weak like you, would there?" He commented.
Both clan brothers winced and knew what they meant.
"I'll show you who's weak, shit head!" Launching himself down towards the demon boy, Kouga summoned Goraishi at the last minute and as Hakudoshi raised his weapon to block, electricity lanced out – forcing him back against the ground.
Such power? Naraku didn't say anything about a new weapon! Hakudoshi struggled to hold his ground, but instead gave up the stand off and flipped to a farther distance. So, you have tricks and knowledge that elude me, do you Naraku? Well, it'll take more than a wimpy wolf to destroy me. "One little toy like that won't save you from me taking your shards. A weapon, no matter how powerful, is useless to you when you're dead!" He flew at Kouga again and the wolf leader met him halfway. Lightning lanced out again and Hakudoshi glanced down at Kouga momentarily. "Using so much of the shards power just to equal my strength? No, you could never equal me."
Kouga raised his other fist to punch Hakudoshi in the stomach, but the youth jumped up to avoid the attack, then came down and slashed low around Kouga's ankles. "I don't think so!" Kouga flipped around behind Hakudoshi and made a wide arc across Hakudoshi's back. He was repelled by Naraku's red hued shield and bounced back where he skidded to a halt. "A barrier, huh?"
Hakudoshi smirked. "You will never defeat me. As long as Naraku still lives…"
"We'll see about that!" Kouga ran forward, tapping more into the shard's power, and lowered Goraishi to his side.
Hakudoshi merely stayed still, preparing to deflect it like the previous attack.
As Kouga came up with a war cry and ran Goraishi into Hakudoshi's stomach, the detachment's eyes went wide as the four-pronged weapon protruded out of his back, black blood splattering on the cliff side behind him. "I-impossible…" Naraku…you bastard…
"Somehow impossible is what I do best!" Kouga shouted as Goraishi erupted with its divine lightning and completely annihilated the skewered demon. Hakudoshi let out a death scream before vaporizing on the end of Kouga's fist. His black blood remained on the wolf demon and he shuddered at the thought of rinsing out that horrid smell that promised to linger for months.
Naraku's Hidden Lair
Naraku opened his eyes and smiled evilly as the destruction of his detachment came to pass. "Hakudoshi…traitors will only be met with death. May you burn in hell for all eternity…"
Back to the Village with Kagome and the Others
Kagome finished her meal and was surprised when she instantly started feeling better. Inuyasha had gone through so much trouble, Kagome wanted to make it up to him somehow. As a small smile crossed her features, she caught Inuyasha in the corner of her eye stiffen from his position near the door. He sniffed the air and stood up on alert. "Inuyasha?" She asked
"Stay here." He said before rushing out of the hut.
"W-wait!" She jumped up and ran out of the hut after him, but skidded to a halt when she saw Kikyo's soul catchers circling over Inuyasha forest. Kikyo… Her heart felt ten times heavier and she forced herself to look away as he disappeared into the foliage. You made this decision. You want to make him happy…even if it's not with you. That's ok…isn't it?
"Kagome-chan?" Sango and Miroku came back with Shippo and Kirara from getting water at the local well. "Are you okay?"
No, I'm not okay! Her mind screamed. "Yeah…I think I ate too fast. I'm gonna go lie down." She said unconvincingly. Going back into the back room, she laid down and pulled the covers close to her. If I love him…why do I have to hurt this much?
Miroku looked towards the forest and also saw Kikyo's soul catchers, indicating the real reason for Kagome's melancholy. "Poor Kagome…having to go through this every time."
"Yeah but it's not like you can choose who you fall in love with." Sango replied, noticing the same thing. "An unrequited love is never an easy thing to get passed though."
"I don't think it's unrequited." Miroku commented. "When Kikyo was first reincarnated, Inuyasha wanted to pick to be with both. Back when Kagome left for two days, Inuyasha knew that wasn't possible and more especially it wasn't fair to Kagome. Because Kikyo keeps avoiding Inuyasha, I think he clings to Kagome more than he realizes. But in the presence of both, he's confused."
Shippo held his hands in two tiny paws. "I just don't get it. How can he be so mean to Kagome and she still loves him?"
Sango smiled. "Someday you might understand." She looked towards the hut and sighed. She wanted to help her friend, but this problem arose even before she met Inuyasha and Kagome. She doubted she'd be much help in easing Kagome's pain. Kagome-chan…please be okay.
Inuyasha Forest
Inuyasha raced towards Kikyo's scent and was not disappointed when he found her standing before Goshinboku. "Kikyo…"
Raising a hand, Kikyo fingered the hole where her sealing arrow once restrained Inuyasha for fifty long years. "You know, had I not sealed you that day, Urasue would have still revived me and we would be separated by the infinite space of time."
"I've done a lot of thinking too…about back then." He admitted, walking closer. "If Naraku hadn't interfered, I would have stolen the Shikon Jewel and become human…"
Kikyo turned and looked at Inuyasha evenly. "Do you regret it? Promising to become human for me?"
"No!" He denied. "It's just that…" Looking away he sighed. "The person you were then…is different than now. Is it my fault? Is it Naraku's fault? I don't know."
"Hmph, Naraku thinks he is close to ultimate power, but he will find out how wrong he is when I purify both him and the jewel." She reiterated. "That is what both Midoriko and I desire."
"Midoriko?" In response, Kikyo lowered her outfit just enough to reveal the large cracked hole still present in her chest. "A scar!" Inuyasha exclaimed.
"This scar…has gone as far as my shoulder. The scar I got from Naraku at Mount Hakurei." She replied.
"Wha…wasn't it sealed?" He questioned. I thought Kagome purified Naraku's shouki…
Kikyo shook her head. "Only for a little while, the wound has opened once more." Scoffing she added, "This just shows how much Naraku hates me. So you see? That is why I had to extract Midoriko's soul. Once it reopened, I had no choice. If I don't use it, my body would continue to be destroyed by Naraku's shouki before I get the chance to vanquish him."
Inuyasha saddened. "It's that bad then…"
"A miko…who died while killing a youkai…in a way she and I are alike." Kikyo pulled up her outfit and looked up at Inuyasha. "Naraku will come. And I will remain here until he does."
"But…!" Inuyasha protested. "Kagome has the last shard, you can't expect her to just hand it over! What if your plan doesn't work and Naraku completes the jewel? We have to destroy him before he can complete it!"
"My way is the only way, Inuyasha. And should Kagome protect the shard from Naraku for too long, I will be the one to take it from her." The miko said as she walked passed Inuyasha towards the village.
"Kikyo! You don't mean that!" Inuyasha grabbed her arm and stopped her at his side. "I can't let you harm Kagome."
"Why? After Naraku's defeat, you will be coming to hell with me, will you not? Why does it matter what happens to her?" Kikyo asked.
"Because…" Inuyasha wanted to come up with a reason, but somehow the way Kikyo was acting now, it didn't seem like it would make a difference. You've changed Kikyo. You aren't the one I fell in love with. You died because of me and for that I owe you my life, but Kagome…I have to protect her too. The more he looked into Kikyo's empty eyes, the uneasier he became. What should I do?
Author's Notes: Okay so I used a lot of the manga scenes and changed what I needed to fit my story. The love triangle heats up and already Inuyasha is in trouble. How will he get out of this one?