Wow… 20 page chapter. Again, I'm sorry for being so late, but I'm already drowning in college. Anyways, enjoy… my fav chapter, and I hope yours too. Cue dramatic music!

Chapter 31: The Butterfly Keeper- Prt 2

Inuyasha landed with a hard thud on the ground, gasping at the contact of rock upon his back. Both hands went to grasp the Tetsusaiga, which was already ringing something awful. Its cry at having clashed with Naraku's steel time and time again was a truly ear-splitting sound. The hanyou grimaced with a growl as he sank the blade into the ground so that he might hoist himself up. Kagome came to his side, "Inuyasha…"

"Damnit, wench! Why are you still here? I said I'd take care of him!"

She helped him to his feet despite his attempts to shoo her. "First of all, how can I just leave when you are going to get yourself killed? And second..."

He cut in, "If you don't leave now, the well will close and you won't be able to go back! So for once could you just be reasonable and run?"

"Inuyasha, I don't…"

"GO!" He commanded, and leaped once again for Naraku, "Kaze no Kizu!"

The yellow light emerged from his magic sword once again, breaking through the abdomen once but not nearly doing as much damage as before. He growled at his sword rather than his enemy. Whatever that blue light was from their last meeting, he could sure use it now. At least that caused Naraku pain if nothing else. But why had it happened and why wasn't it happening again?

Naraku came for him with his many monstrous limbs, which Inuyasha severed one by one before he could be knocked out. In the corner of his eye, he saw Kagome hoisting her arrows in the bow. 'Why is she doing this? She hates me. She said so herself. If she stays, she'll never be able to see her family again. Why is she stalling?'

The miko let the arrow fly. The engulfing purification energy burst from it right before it tore through Naraku's right shoulder. His eyes widened for but a moment and his face fell into an angered contortion. He reached out for her with an appendage.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha screamed.

Kagome could only wait for the blow. She shut her eyes tight and braced her body.

"Hiraikotsu!"

Kagome opened her eyes again just as the flesh of their enemy's arm fell in pieces around her. She looked up as Sango and Miroku descended next to her on Kirara. "Kagome-chan."

"Kagome," the kitsune shouted as he scampered over the hill.

Inuyasha heaved a sigh of relief, then proceeded to cut himself loose with many swipes of his claws. "About time! Where the hell have you been?"

"Shut up and let us work!" Sango demanded as she lifted her boomerang into the air.

Naraku lashed out at the exterminator as well, and Miroku only made it in time to push her out of the way as the tentacles drew his blood instead. They both fell to the ground. Inuyasha called to them, "Sango! Miroku!"

He flew through the air, chopping off as much of Naraku's body as he could on his way towards his fallen friends. All he knew was that he wasn't going to lose them too. Not when Kagome was going to leave him, that is, if she ever wised up and got out of there. He landed in front of them and held the Tetsusaiga firmly in his hands, growling at the monster before him. Naraku merely laughed, "Haha! You truly have gone soft, Inuyasha, protecting such humans this much."

His voice was barely a whisper, so that only Naraku could hear, "They are my friends, you bastard."

"Or is it simply because you know you'll be all alone when you lose them as well as your miko?"

Kagome and Shippou ran to their friends as they began to move. Kagome tried to help them up to a sitting position. "Sango-chan. Miroku-sama. Are you alright?"

Inuyasha glanced over his shoulder at Kagome for but a moment. That must have been why she was still here even after Inuyasha was there to protect her. She was worried about her friends and how they would fare against such a powerful enemy. It surely had nothing to do with him. He held back the lump in his throat. How stupid it was to think that she had changed her mind about him.

Naraku continued, "What's the matter, Inuyasha? Did I strike a chord? Surely you know as well as I do just how much you have failed."

"Enough!" Inuyasha leapt for him again.

Naraku pulled out his sword to parry the onslaught of attacks. He blocked every one, and looked inquisitively at the look of rage exploiting his opponent's every movement. Every swing was unsteady, irrational. He found it somewhat comical to see how flawed his form was. It caused his lips to curl into a wicked smile, "Does it make you angry, Inuyasha, to know that she hates you?"

"Shut up!" His cry was slightly raspy as it scraped against his throat, and he continued his careless blows, all of which were deflected.

Sango put a hand to Miroku's shoulder, which was slightly bloody but nothing too serious. Kagome looked to Inuyasha in worry, speaking to her friends, "What do we do? We didn't even work out a plan of attack yet."

"But I did," Sango replied as she made it to her feet, "Shippou! Go!"

Kagome eyed the kitsune curiously as he leaped from her arms bravely towards Naraku's grotesque form. Being preoccupied with Inuyasha, he didn't even notice as Shippou climbed up his body and up to his face. Kagome watched on in worry, and in awe that Shippou was being so daring, but Sango distracted her, "Kagome-chan, get your bow ready."

Shippou emerged on Naraku's shoulder, at this point feeling rather good about himself for having made it this far. And even more proud that he had a part now in taking down Naraku. Sango had told him her plan before, and he had practiced many times in preparation for the big fight. The little one jumped up and held his hands out, "Kitsunebi!"

The blue flames signature to his fox magic emerged from his small hands and made contact with Narkau's face. In response, Naraku shut his eyes tight and groaned loudly due to the heat of his burning skin. His appendages shot out, unfortunately managing to knock Shippou out of the way. His little cries echoed as he was hurled into the air and away from the battlefield. "Shippou!" Inuyasha yelled as he jumped up to catch him.

They landed safely some feet away, and the hanyou instantly began berating him, "What the hell were you thinking, runt? You could have gotten yourself killed!"

"Look," Shippou pointed to the others.

As Naraku was unable to see at the moment, thanks to the foxfire being used as a distraction, Sango took her chance. She swung her Hiraikotsu threw the air, with the monk's staff attached. It sliced through Naraku's lower body, breaking a good piece of flesh off and immobilizing him as planned. Before the boomerang came back, Sango called, "Inuyasha! It's your turn!"

"Gotcha!" he responded as he got to his feet, and didn't hesitate as he let the Kaze no Kizu go.

Although yellow, much to his dismay, when Kagome shot her arrow towards its power, Inuyasha's hope was lifted a little. At least then, they had some hope of being able to break through. This hope was confirmed, as Naraku's body shattered into countless pieces. Miroku took control instantly, and held out his right hand, "Kazaana!"

Just as they had planned, now that Naraku was rendered powerless, Miroku would suck up the pieces before they could reform. Inuyasha watched in triumph as the small pieces of flesh began to disappear into the void.

However, the relief was short lived, for he saw the pieces reforming even as they hurled towards the hole. A limb shot out, grabbing a hold of the monk's wrist before he could get sucked in. Miroku gasped as the arm grabbed a hold of his neck and hoisted him into the air. Naraku's face and body reformed almost to its original state, now brandishing an outraged scowl. It was obvious to the monk if no one else, that Naraku had been at least somewhat injured by their attack plan.

Inuyasha luckily snapped out of his disappointment in time, and came to release Miroku. Again slicing off Naraku's arm, he made quick work to pull the monk away from the writhing body. Naraku's eyes glowed deep red as he fought to regain his passive composure. Raising himself up, he hovered well over the trees nearby. From the way he seemed to grow taller and taller, the team knew he was up to something. They were proved correct, for he uttered the words, "Come out, youkai, and feast upon these humans."

Out from behind him, they came in vast numbers. His youkai, the ones he always kept handy whenever he came out of hiding. The first to make an appearance was Kagura, followed by a group of about ten oni. The oni charged. Miroku was the first to swing his staff, but looked up wide-eyed at the realization that the muscle was rather tough to break through. He was tossed like a rag-doll to one side.

Sango turned to his fallen form, "Hoshi-sama!"

She wanted to run to him, but two more youkai came after her and she was forced to keep defending herself. Kagome was the one who ultimately ran to help the fallen monk. Miroku opened his eyes at the sound of his name, and yelled out when he saw one of the ogres leaping for an unknowing Kagome. "Kagome-sama!"

"Kagome!" Inuyasha shouted.

He quickly shoved the Tetsusaiga through his latest opponent, then leapt towards the miko. As quickly as ever, he pulled her up against him and jumped out of the way just before the oni plowed into the dirt. When the dust began to settle, Inuyasha landed at the outskirts of the forest and set Kagome down. He glared at her hard once, "Kagome, go now! I'll take care of the others, I promise!"

There was something in his eyes, something he wanted her to say to him. An odd way of pleading with a simple look about him. It called to her as never before, telling her of the hanyou's insecurities, of his greatest fears. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could utter a sound he was off again. She clutched her hands to her chest in desperation, so that maybe somehow her heart would calm down enough. Fear, yes, walked beside her, but even more so, it was devotion that was her companion. It was so conflicting, to know that she had to run and hide, but to know that she had not the will to do so. She could only stand there, seemingly frozen in time.

Inuyasha charged through Kagura's blades of the dragon, and through the oni blocking his path, slicing up violently anything he could make contact with. He could hear the faint whisper of wind swirling in his ears, as though he himself were a storm. Any hurricane he had faced in the past few months seemed now a frivolous thing. And through the winds of himself, he could still hear that voice. The memory of one he still held dear to his heart.

"Every story begins with a waiting…"

He called out in anger and determination as he lifted his sword into the air, managing to severe the oni through the middle of the forearm. Then, he pushed the opponent to the ground, stabbing him through the chest in the process. And he got up again.

"…I believe you're waiting for something far too special for just any youkai or human…"

He more or less repeated the process twice again on the two ogres that stood between him and the ultimate enemy, Naraku. And the rain began to fall. He caught glimpses of Kagome at the edge of the woods, hoping to God that she remain safe. Hoping that when Naraku was gone, it wouldn't mean she was gone too. He still wanted her, and he knew now more than ever that he always would. But would she have him? He doubted it.

"… You're life is the story of love, Inuyasha. It was from the moment I fell in love with your father…"

'My life was never about love, mother. It has always been about being alone…'

He jumped up high towards Naraku, seemingly floating in air lightly as he came down with his sword raised. Naraku jumped up too to meet him. The Tetsusaiga glimmered in the fading light of day as one streak of lightning emboldened the white edges. Why did it still feel like there was hope for them? She was still there, even though she should be retreating as fast as she could for the well. He wanted to believe, how he wanted to believe that she still cared for him. But he couldn't. The evidence he had seen along this journey were proof enough of that.

'…When you find the one whose happiness you would die for,…'

'As long as she could make it out of here alive, then I would gladly give my life for her. I don't care anymore.'

He did care.

Tetsusaiga cried out as it clanged with Naraku's katana, and Inuyasha kept going. Eventually they landed on the ground and faced each other once more. As they did, Miroku diminished the last of the oni, and everyone looked up towards their leader as all time slowed to a crawl. Sango, Miroku, Shippou, Kirara, Kagome, Kagura, and the very air they breathed… stopped. It seemed as though all they could do was watch. All along, it had been Inuyasha who pursued Naraku with the most fervor, even if it was the revenge of them all that they fought for. In the end, they knew deep within themselves, it had to be Inuyasha. For no other reason except his heart. The heart that he had hidden away for so many years, the one so powerful they had witnessed its fire.

They pushed against each other with their swords, one snarling, the other smirking, "You didn't think this would change anything, did you, between you and the girl?"

"Temee…" he growled, "We'll see what you have to say once I slice you to pieces."

"Tell me, Inuyasha. How does it feel, to know that you're about to lose again?"

"I won't lose! Not to you! Not to anybody! You heard it from me…"

They fell apart, about fifteen feet. Inuyasha grasped the hilt of the sword with two hands as he flung it over his shoulder in preparation for the Kaze no Kizu, "… I make my own destiny!"

"She was leaving you, Inuyasha!" Naraku shouted, a little louder than what could be expected from him.

And Inuyasha stopped mid swing. Face falling in an instant, the air around him suddenly grew freezing cold. The fire in his eyes began to dwindle, making his eyes suddenly barren. Naraku saw the feeling consume him, and he took his chance. Glancing down at the miko below him, who ran to the others to assess their injuries, he began the path to the destruction of the mighty hanyou Inuyasha. "Your Kagome was leaving you."

Inuyasha's eyes followed his, towards the girl who had stolen his very soul, his will, his fragile heart. All sounds stopped as he gazed at her. Even her screams went unheard. There was only the sound of Naraku's voice, echoing wickedly in his white ears and blocking out her sweet tones, bringing forth the doom he had been dreading but could never really grasp. It… was because of him, wasn't it? All hope, any hope he might have had still holding onto her was lost, by the voice of his enemy, no less. Any hope of living a life without her at his side slid away from his trembling fingers. What happy ending did his story hold? Suddenly there was none, only blackness without light.

Naraku's grin grew more and more, more than overjoyed that his mere words could overturn Inuyasha's power. He continued to press into the bitter reality, "After all, why should she stay? What have you to offer her?"

It was something so out of character, one may not have noticed it hadn't they been staring at him so sternly, but Naraku could have sworn he saw Inuyasha's lip slowly quiver into a deeper pout. "You are... worthless."

Now that Inuyasha was distracted by his own self-loathing, Naraku took the chance to strike. Inuyasha was just in time to remember himself, and blocked more in luck than in skill with the Tetsusaiga. Naraku pushed the swords to their waists so that when he hovered between the blades, his nose practically touched his opponent, "She'd rather leave her friends than stay with you."

With a sweep of the sword, Inuyasha and the Tetsusaiga were thrown back. His feet touched the ground, but did not grab onto the soil as they usually did. He stumbled back and fell, rolling a few times before stopping. Inuyasha pushed Tetsusaiga into the ground as he forced himself up, ignoring the growing pain that came with the countless flashes of Kagome's smile in his head.

Naraku hovered above him, sword resting idly at his side in just as much passiveness as the carrier. "…Shall we now take a look into the future?"

Inuyasha yelled out long and hard as he charged, still hearing Naraku's hateful words. The power of his gruff voice would not make them go away, nor could the clash of thunder as the rain continued to drench him. The wet ground proved even more of a disadvantage as he ran. He nearly lost his footing a few times. Leaping again into the air, he missed the strike, and Naraku took the advantage to kick him to the ground below. As the hanyou slowly peeled his face of the ground, he peered into the nothingness of the valley, into the nothingness of himself. Naraku spoke, "I believe I can see something. Ah, yes. It's the fair miko…"

Inuyasha growled as he pushed himself to his feet and turned back to face his enemy with the Tetsusaiga at hand. "…She's in her world and the well is shut. What will you do, Inuyasha, where will you go?"

"I'll find her!" Inuyasha shouted as he charged, his voice hoarse.

Naraku managed to dodge the sword as Inuyasha confronted, "… I'll wait 500 years if need be! Just as long as she forgives me…"

Naraku moved quickly with his weapon, and Inuyasha cried out a little as he only just managed to block it. The enemy seemed so tall from this angle. He was hovering over him menacingly. The piercing red eyes bore into him, pronouncing his fate before words could even be spoken. Inuyasha bared his teeth in anger, but the sound that came from within him sounded more like a desperate whimper than a true growl. And in his eyes, Naraku knew there was fear. Crystal clear. He was so frightened he couldn't even finish his own thoughts. The evil hanyou pursued the fear even further. He gave to the inu-hanyou a fake apologetic look, and what could have been considered a sad smile if his eyes hadn't given him away. "Forgive you? Inuyasha, by now she can't even remember. She can't see you…"

"No…"

"She can't hear you…"

"Kagome." He uttered like it was a silent scream.

"She's forgotten all about you."

"No! Stop it! Now!" Inuyasha commanded.

The look of agony on his face was more than Naraku could have asked for. He pushed off of Inuyasha and into the air, managing to slice the end of the blade across the shoulder. Inuyasha grunted in pain, but ultimately ignored it and jumped up with Tetsusaiga held in front of him. His muscles tensed hard, as though it would make his mind stronger by doing so.

Their blades danced again. Inuyasha was so slow in his movements, it would be an easy chore for Naraku to strike. He smirked as the broken hanyou panted in his futile attempts to fight. So very flawed, he wasn't even trying to block his own body. Finally, Inuyasha stopped swinging out of exhaustion, and slowly he began floating back down to the ground, his head bowed low. Naraku saw fit to deliver the final blow, "But as long as she lives, isn't that right, Inuyasha? And with you gone, I would have no need to take her life as well, would I?"

Inuyasha gasped lightly as he looked up. Did Naraku really mean that? If he died that day, would Naraku let Kagome go? Did he need to cause her any harm if Inuyasha was no more? The idea that he would let her go seemed completely impossible. And yet…

"When you find the one whose happiness you will die for…"

And the crackling sky stopped short, lost its breath. Distilled clouds caved in on each other, quieting as they collided. Curving to each other and rocking along with the gentle winds, the valley lay in discontent. Wet, exhausted, defeated, life fell down.

Inuyasha… would have given anything for Kagome's happiness. He would give even more for her life than he had the power to measure. He had failed her. Time and time again. Now, if nothing else, there was but one chance. His life for her life. There could be no contest. No matter how improbable, it was the only thing left for him to believe in. For love was as strong as death. Even as the rain stilled to watch the disheartened hanyou. As fleets of air parted against his battered body. His salvation, his religion, his Kagome… there was but one way out. Perhaps this would grant him the peace he had always hungered for.

Naraku came for him. He saw it well enough. The sword was raised high and the tip was aiming right for him. The world cried out as Inuyasha's fighting arm became lax and fell to his side.

He didn't cry out as the blade entered between his ribs, nor did he push the offending weapon away. All that escaped his lips was a painful grunt, and somehow, it had been enough. Sango, Miroku, Shippou, Kirara, and Kagome, all looked up from their own wounds to see his. They gasped, and let the first aid supplies fall through their hands and to the mud. So lightly it was hardly even heard. The stillness of time wore away at them. The seconds stretched so long they had not the strength to move. To defy time was too impossible a task. Because who had ever fought against time?

With a curdling sound, the sword was ripped from the newly formed wound, and for a moment Naraku eyed his work. Inuyasha fell forward and landed face first, hard, into the dust. Tetsusaiga clanged against the rock, fallen and now a rusty katana a few feet away from him. Inuyasha dry heaved, coughed up a bit of blood as his body slowly gave in to the wound. Damn near fatal, he had never known he could feel his insides in such a way. Where before they had been a feeling of wholeness, now lay the empty battlefield within him. There was nothing left to fight for. Only to die for.

Naraku's sword rested under his chin. The red of his blood still soaked it. Pressing against the throat, the evil hanyou encouraged the fallen one to stand. Slowly, with much strain, Inuyasha forced himself to his feet. His eyes evaded Naraku's until he could no more. Hesitantly, his gaze fell upon the creature who had ruined his life repeatedly. The one he had promised to kill for Kikyo. The one he would now let free for Kagome. Perhaps it should have mattered to him that he would never avenge Kikyo's death, and that Naraku would continue to terrorize this land. Yet somewhere between yesterday and today, he had let go of Kikyo. She had never really needed him the way he had wanted her to. And Naraku… his friends were strong. With all his heart, he believed that they would bring him down. They didn't need him the way he had wanted them to.

His chin collided hard with his chest as he was sent flying backwards and into a large rock. He fell onto his knees and panted for breath. Naraku appeared in front of him moments later, grabbing a hold instantly of his white hair.

"No!" Kagome screamed.

Snapping out of reality, she bolted up and ran, soon followed by the others. Kagome nearly made it to them when Kagura seized her by the waist and held her back. Kagome wriggled hard, but couldn't break loose. The others came, one by one, starting with the kitsune. "Inuyasha!"

Had he seen the look on the little ones eyes, he might have thought differently of just how important he was. In the eyes of a child, Inuyasha was a dream. Bravery, chivalry, love. No matter how many fights they had had, Shippou now had tears adorning his cheeks.

"Inuyasha!" called out Sango.

Did he not know what he had done for her, for what little family she had left? Because of him, there had been hope. There had always been hope, because he was too stubborn to admit that they couldn't win. So foolish, he fought to keep her brother alive. For giving her that strength, she lifted Hiraikotsu high into the air.

Last came the monk, "Inuyasha!"

Many threats lay in their history. More bad and uncomfortable memories than good. But the monk remembered well how Inuyasha had looked to him in battle. The trust in his gaze that he would back him up, like a brother. He held his prayer beads in preparation to defend not only his partner, but his friend.

They were all stopped as Naraku's limbs grabbed hold of them. Held in midair, they couldn't even move. He smirked at their naïveté. Coming behind the injured hanyou, he lifted his head up by the hair. Inuyasha clenched his teeth hard through ragged breaths. Staring up at the sky, it all seemed so calm to him. The clouds were dispersing, and at least before he died, he could see the sky. Blue, warm, and blissful. He had never truly appreciated an autumn sky, until this moment when he knew it would be the last. His eyes searched hopelessly through space and heavens.

Kagome… If she would mourn him and bring him to peace, then autumn sky, be beautiful. Always beautiful… always beyond him.

Naraku leaned over to whisper, "And so, Inuyasha… wretched, unloved… you die alone."

In his ears he knew he could hear Kagome's gentle cries, but he didn't really hear them. It didn't register with him what it meant to know her tears. As far as he knew in this moment, they were just simple things, items. But his heartbeat boomed in his ears as he turned his eyes to look at her.

When he glanced at her, his face was so dead. There was no life left in his eyes, no fire that called to her. It made Kagome whimper. How could this happen? Why did it seem like he was… giving up? No! Not Inuyasha. She saw the blood covering his clothes. It would heal, wouldn't it? They always did. Any second now, Inuyasha would jump up and kill Naraku. Why wasn't he moving? Tetsusaiga, he didn't have it. Why didn't he transform? His life was in danger, after all. Was he really so sure to die that even the youkai in him had lost hope? Tetsusaiga, if she would get it to him, then he could attack.

He heard his own breathing echoing in his ears as he stared back at her. As though the body already knew what was to come, a sudden numbness came over him. His entire body just relaxed. For a moment, his lungs almost lost the strength to inhale. His heart thundered in between, blocking out every other sound.

Yanking him to the side, Naraku sent Inuyasha hard into the rock at his feet. His friends' screams echoed loudly in his ears. But he didn't even hear them. When he stopped, he had ended up on his back, peering up at Naraku, who no doubt wanted to see the look of fear and heartbreak before the kill. Inuyasha's back and head were elevated slightly on the rock, as though he had been just resting there. Just resting. How would it look to the rest of the world, to see him like this? They might think that he had been murdered in his sleep. That he had let his guard down once too many times.

His exhale became light as a feather, an unsteady breeze upon his lips. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Naraku lifting his sword, slowly, high into the air. His black hair flowed like water, so slow he looked magnificent. But Inuyasha's eyes fell to Kagome. The emptiness filling him couldn't comprehend the color in her features. Eyes sparkling in agony, pink lips trembling every so lightly, pale face blooming with wet tears. Be beautiful, autumn sky, be beautiful.

He almost smiled.

He turned towards Naraku. The great and powerful hanyou clenched the sword tighter and moved his arm out to strike.

"NOOOOO!"

With an unusual release of strength, Kagome broke free of Kagura. The sorceress tried to grab her but the miko was already gone. Leaving a mist of tears in her wake, she bounded towards Inuyasha. Naraku looked up in slight shock as she came for them, sobbing as she made a sad attempt to push the sword out of his hand. He threw her down onto the bloodied hanyou. Her body curled into his instantly, but Inuyasha was looking away from her, not even acknowledging that she was there. A small scowl appeared on his lips, like he was angry with her, but his sad eyes gave him away. He couldn't look at her.

Kagome straddled him and put her hand to his cheek, hoping against all hope that her touch could release him. His eyes were still so cold. "Inuyasha…" she rasped out, "Here…"

She hadn't forgotten to grab Tetsusaiga as she broke free of Kagura. She brought it to him, placed it in his open hand on the ground, "Take this. You can do it."

She watched his hand. It didn't close around the hilt. She looked back at his face, mortified, her voice shaking with the boom of emotion, "Inuyasha…"

More tears fell from her eyes, "What is it? Why aren't you fighting anymore?"

In a long blink, he turned his gaze to her, lifeless, hard. So melancholy she nearly fainted. Her fingertips grazed his cheekbone. He didn't even flinch.

"Don't think that any of your magic could save him," Naraku remarked, "If you want to say your goodbyes, now is the time. And be sure to hurry it along before I lose my patience."

Naraku lowered his sword, looking rather proudly at his soon-to-be prey, and stepped two feet back, just so that Inuyasha could still see the sword that would claim his life. Inuyasha didn't even seem to notice it. Kagome collapsed into him, buried her face into the collar of his haori as she sobbed. Gripping the fabric next to her face, her ragged words were only barely audible. "I don't understand why you're doing this. Please, please stop it."

For a moment, his nose lingered on her hair, blowing the strands and breathing in the smell that clarified him. Dying this way, wasn't as he had expected. Never had he pictured himself being the one to lose in a battle, against Naraku no less. But he had had such a life. He had seen the illuminated grounds of the glowing grass, he had fallen through earth and air, he had felt the touch of wind, embracing him as he soared through the vibrant forests. He had felt his heart boom against his chest. He had heard the waves that don't emit a sound. Every sensation, every adrenaline rush, and it was Kagome who had truly made him feel like he had lived.

His head fell to the side again, away from his intoxication. It was just far too painful for him to think about. The fact of the matter was that she didn't want him, she was too good for him. He had ruined her life. If she spent the rest of her days hating him, then so be it. As long as he could cherish her before he died, as long as he could be the one to catch her, one last time…

Kagome turned her face out of his clothing and pressed her cheek against him. Her arms encircled him tightly, as though if it were any looser, she might lose control and fall to pieces. It wasn't that far from the truth. She saw how he was turning away from her, his scowl still in place. Why wouldn't he hold her now? Nothing could calm her quite like his embrace. His embrace had the warmth of months that the winds could never break. She ached for it. The things he had said to her on the hill, words of necessity, of desperation. He had said he needed her. Wouldn't he say those words to her again? She clutched him closer, encouraging him to come back to her, to know that if he needed her, then she needed him, now more than ever. "Inuyasha," she sobbed, "If I cannot follow you, what will I do? Where will I go if you are not there beside me? You've always been with me. You've always protected me…"

Inuyasha clenched his teeth harder and blinked back the tears. "… Who will keep me safe when you leave? What is there to make me happy? You asked me what I wish for, so here it is: I wish you would catch me! You've always been there to catch me, Inuyasha, you always have!"

She struggled to hold back the sobs. Her whole body shook with the build up of agony that tore through her skin and into her blood. Her cries were silent now, too powerful to have any sound.

Slowly, shakily, hesitantly, Inuyasha's free hand rose off the ground. It twitched slightly as it traveled upward, till it hovered just above her. Another moment of hesitation, and he laid it down gently on the small of her back. It made her gasp ever so slightly. Amazing what a simple hand could do to her at a time like this. The touch spoke to her and ravaged her will. Not quite a hug, but not quite a rejection, his fingers curved just right into her, like it was where they truly belonged to begin with. How the fates curled around them, pressing him into her in some immeasurable force. A feeling of rebellion erupted in her. The overwhelming desire to overcome. Had they not done that countless times? Had they not even overcome time itself, every single day they found each other?

He felt it too, the phenomenon that she was there with him. Her aura had a different time flow, and he sensed at times how separated she was from him. He had recalled the moments of feeling hopeless when she was gone, and feeling blessed when she returned. If that had been all there was to her, it would have been enough. But she was so much more. The fact that she had fought against time to be with him, just as he did her, that was something he could always treasure. And when they were together… like this, it was like there was no future. Her time would flow against his, intertwining until they became absolved in each other. She had always been there. Always.

His eyes softened for only a moment, and he inhaled shakily. He gazed at the stars as he sighed. His hand tightened ever so slightly on her back as he spoke just above a whisper, words that came from the simple recognition that he didn't want to be released from the sounds of his torrent, "My heart."

Kagome's eyes opened, wide. 'What?'

The voice was so lifeless, but the words… It came back to her, all the things he had done for her. All the times he had risked his life for her, all the times he had followed her home, all the times he had fused over Kouga, all the secret glances, all the moments she could have shown she saw something special in his eyes. The stars realigned, destiny remade. The greatest detail of life grabbed at her fragile body, shaking her loose of the obscurities that had haunted her for years. 'He… loves me?'

"Say goodbye now, miko!" Naraku spoke up loudly.

Her breathing came to a halt, coming out in only hushed whispers against Inuyasha's haori. The crash of emotions that fell over her suspended her in both time and space. The realization that the truth had been no idle fantasy. Within, she swam in vast seas, drowning willingly. Like falling. The rush of rushes. Like flying… like being free.

Her face muscles relaxed, her tears stopped falling. Like finding herself, her eyes glowed bright and twinkled. Tenderly, she lifted her body off of his chest, but did not move from his lap. His hand fell from her back, as if he was too weak to hold onto her any longer. She gazed down at the hanyou who had given her life, given her time itself. With such a fire that was envious of Gods, he had been proof enough to her that all could be strong, all could be loved. He had shown her a world where she could be whatever she wanted to be. What she had wanted to be… was the one by his side forever, just as she had promised, long ago.

This time, he turned his head to face her. His eyes were still unusually silent, but there was a new flicker in his eyes, and it gave her hope to do the impossible.

Unconsciously, she prayed to whatever entity she could that this would work as she leaned forward. Her hair tickled him as it fell past his face. She pressed her cheek to his, and whispered the doubt away, as gently as a harp, "Inuyasha, I know you can hear me…"

She sighed with a benign smile, "I know this isn't the end for us. It can't be. I know because… you'll always catch me… and you'll always keep me."

He shuddered as he felt her hand press against his cheek. So warm and soft, she painted his face with the laughter of times, with memories of the cosmos exploding. Why did the earth suddenly feel like it was rumbling? Did it understand the secret of Kagome, the knowing hidden within her voice, unlike him? The warmth of her cheek left his as it rose up. Without hesitation, without fear, but with a smile across her eyes, she pressed her lips into his, giving away to him the simple passion of centuries harbored within her soul.

The others gasped lightly as they saw the contact. Sango's eyes twinkled, "Kagome-chan."

Naraku's smirk faltered for but a moment, turning into confusion and partial disgust, and Miroku shook his head in awe of it all, "And there you have it. As simple as that."

The tiny flecks of gold in his eyes grew and grew, until it looks as though Inuyasha's entire face was trembling. Imprisoned by the simple way her lips curled perfectly into his, he couldn't hold back the light whimper. The wonder that was Kagome slowly filtered into parts yet unknown by mortals, conquering more and more as he lost himself. For a good few seconds, he didn't know what to do, what to think. There seemed to be only one thing to think of, but did he dare to go down that path again? Yet as his heart burst out in rapture, he felt the release of the pain he had held for countless years. All doubts, all fears, completely lost to him as he closed his eyes and returned the kiss.

Simple and chaste, it had been enough. When they parted, they did not break away. She looked into his eyes, seeing now the hanyou she had known all along. The one that had been hidden away beneath his memories. It took her breath away, and all she could do was look at him, tell him through her gaze what he had to know was true. And he wasn't taken a back in the least as he felt her other hand come to caress his cheek, and he leaned into her touch, refusing to hide from her any longer.

He didn't know what it was that had moved him about her, nor did he know the feeling that surged through him. But a part of him did remember, the cool rush of energy through his veins. An innate thing, wasn't it… somehow? What he did know for sure was that one way or another, his hand found the strength to grasp the hilt. There was little strength in the movement, and the shock of his heart wouldn't have been able to recover, had it not been for a voice. Breaking through the dark torture of his mind, past every injury to heart and body, it came through soft, embracing his senses with an unusual joy. His voice… but not one he had known for a long time.

'………She loves me…'

His grip tightened. As the sword transformed, it instantly began to pulse. So fast and hard it was like an earthquake within his hand. Waves of blue burst through the iron confines, spreading to engulf everyone as never before. No longer a hidden wonder but a mysterious overpowering, it boomed against the ground. Naraku's eyes widened as he witnessed the Tetsusaiga change from white to a perfect blue.

Panicking, he reached for the miko, tossed her off of the hanyou before she could do anything more. She cried out as she landed with a hard thud on the ground, passing out. Naraku looked back to Inuyasha and prepared to fight.

But it was too late.

Slowly, Inuyasha's lips curled into a wide smile. His eyes flashed blue three times. Triumphant face laughing into the winds, he appeared god-like. He laughed out loud, "I'm such an idiot."

Thunder shook the earth, and it even frightened Naraku. Inuyasha's laughter especially disturbed him. It escalated, and Inuyasha continued, "… How could I not have known?"

Naraku growled, "Enough of this bullshit. Time to die!"

He charged. But in a flash Inuyasha evaded the attack, and Naraku's blade hit the rock instead. He looked back over his shoulder as Inuyasha stood with the Tetsusaiga slung over his shoulder. His white long hair blew violently in the winds, and Naraku gasped as his aura changed to blue as well. Crouched low for the leap, his muscles seemed to pulse with it.

He rose up like a phoenix from the ashes, sword raised high above him. No longer was there a hard scowl on his face, but a courageous smile, full of the adrenaline he had almost abandoned. The confidence ran through him like electricity. He sprang, running across the field to where his comrades were subdued; chopping Naraku's tentacles off with such speed they were not even prepared as they fell to the ground. With that, he turned back to Naraku and pointed his glowing sword at him, "Sorry for the delay, Naraku."

Anger boiled within the monstrous hanyou. Fear, loathing, disappointment, and above all confusion that this was really happening. He took to the skies, flying towards him in fury, "No! I have won!"

Inuyasha smirked and leapt out of the way, up and over. Naraku came back for him and their swords met again, this time producing sparks of lightning between them. Naraku gasped at the power of the Tetsusaiga's aura. Still, it was pulsing hard and loud. Inuyasha grinned at his enemy happily, though the desire to kill never left his eyes. Naraku jumped back out of fear, further into the air, but Inuyasha would not let him retreat. Not this time. He came after him, "I know why she didn't leave…"

Naraku barely managed to block Inuyasha's quick movements. It was as though the hanyou hadn't even been injured with how fluid every strike was. And he pushed against him with such force that he was falling backwards to protect himself. The sharp sound of metal against metal invaded his ears, accompanied by his opponent's voice, "I know why Kagome didn't disappear…"

He grunted as the sword managed to slice his shoulder, and backed away further as Inuyasha came closer, "… It didn't matter that she was from the future. It didn't matter that the future didn't exist. She could exist because to me she did exist! To me, she was life!"

Naraku's feet hit the ground, and he nearly stumbled as the lightning of the Tetsusaiga wrapped around both of them once more. It was a bright blue, like the flashes in Inuyasha's eyes. Inuyasha drove the fear home, leaning over the space between the blades and close to Naraku's face, "That couldn't happen… because… because I LOVE KAGOME!.!.!"

Erupting with the most violent of passions, the sword released. Naraku screamed as he was thrown to the ground with a power that felt as solid as a rock. The feeling of lightning becoming one with his blood to tear him apart made it hard to even breathe. Refusing to give up, he transformed into his monstrous state.

The others just managed to wake Kagome as Inuyasha called out, "Shippou! Go!"

The kitsune was ready. Using his fox magic to evade the enemy's sight, within seconds he appeared next to Naraku and burned his face with kitsunebi. Inuyasha called out again, "Sango!"

Standing up quickly, she barely had time to aim as she swung, "Hiraikotsu!"

Unable to block the weapon due to the fire in his face, the boomerang plowed through his abdomen and severed the entire bottom half. Before it could reform, Inuyasha called out again, "Miroku!"

Removing the beads from his hand, the monk held his right hand out, for the last time. He screamed into the air the curse that had become his weapon, "Kazaana!"

The lower half of Naraku along with his miasma disappeared into the wind tunnel, and Naraku didn't even have time to think.

"Kagome!"

She hoisted her arrow in the bow, the triumph now covering her features as well. "Ready when you are, Inuyasha!"

Naraku looked positively terrified. The shock that Inuyasha had managed to recover, that he had managed to create a new power within the sword, that he had managed to do some serious damage was too much for him to bear. Paralyzed by the confusion, he didn't, couldn't move as Inuyasha lifted his sword high into the air.

Inuyasha breathed in the crisp air of autumn, elated in the energy that consumed him. The power of the universe seemed to fill him with their gift, with life. The greatest hopes received by simply living. Magnificent and shining like the stars, he called out to his enemy, the hanyou Naraku, "It's time, Naraku! KAZE NOOOO KIZU!.!.!.!"

Flashes of blue light bombarded the land, so strong they seemed palpable. Intense heat shot through him, electricity, energy. He writhed in agony, screeching out as it consumed him. Kagome released her arrow. It lit up with her miko energy, more powerful than ever, and impaled Naraku straight through the chest. The swirls of energy around him made him nearly impossible to see. The Tetsusaiga continued to pour out its work, and it made the earth quake as never before.

They all watched, eyes brimming tears of utter joy as they saw Naraku's face become deathly white. And as the blue Kaze no Kizu finally subsided, they all watched as Naraku crumbled, atom by atom, into dust. The power harbored inside of him exploded outwards in blinding white lights, pushing against the forest like a hurricane. It engulfed everyone for a few moments, and as Inuyasha floated down, he closed his eyes and smiled into the ruin. It was done.

When the light subsided, there was nothing left of the dark hanyou.

All became quite, for what seemed like an eternity, until Shippou spoke up, "Did… did we really do it this time? Is this really for real?"

Miroku unwrapped the beads, hesitantly pulling off the cloth. He took a deep breath as he revealed his palm to himself. "It's gone… It's gone!"

Picking up Sango by the waist, he spun her round and round in a fit of happy laughter that soon became contagious. Sango and Shippou started to laugh and cheer along with him, feeling somehow that it was truly over. All their work, all their years of fighting had finally paid off. Sango cried, "I can't believe it! We've really done it! It's over!"

Kagome got to a standing position some feet away from the others and looked across the field at the spot where Naraku had once stood. His aura seemed to have vanished in less than a second. Like he had never been there at all. She allowed herself to exhale. It was finally done. Slowly, she took a few steps towards the scorched piece of land where he had been. Bending down, she touched the earth's warmth. It was all so impossible to her, but here they were, victors in the fight that they unconsciously had come to assume would never end.

The wind whispered past her, and she turned. Across the way, the hanyou Inuyasha slowly descended towards the ground. Their eyes locked, never blinking nor faltering. When he landed, all became still again. Out of all the space in between them, the way their eyes seemed so conform to each other made them feel like they couldn't be any closer. Not in spirit. Not in heart. A clatter as a bow and some arrows fell to the ground, a clang as a large sword hit the ground, and they ran.

Leaving weapons, war, and grief behind them, they sprinted towards each other. Kagome already adorned a fresh set of tears on her face, while Inuyasha didn't, but appeared close. When they came together, Inuyasha hauled her hard into his arms, pressing his lips against hers in an instant. She fell instantly into the magic and returned the kiss with the same hungry need. Although hard and fiery, it was also strategically gentle, kind as she knew he always was. Like a living thing, the kiss was a desperate desire and a careful pardon, the gift of something so incomprehensible, it begged repeating, begged study. Both a science and an art, it united all matter invisibly, proclaiming in a symphony of wind what was the meaning of life. What it was that christened an empty void to become the heart.

He picked her up as he continued to kiss her. She was hoisted up against him as he turned around and around, finally giving in to the childlike joy within. Her arms wrapped tightly around his neck as he coaxed her with his tongue. She obliged and fell further into the delirium. When he set her back down, he parted from her just so he could breathe for a few moments, and then placed a variety of quick chaste kisses on her lips. Each one became a living thing, with its own identity, and she cherished every one. He was still panting as his hand came up to her neck, then her cheek. His forehead pressed against hers, his thumb caressed her cheekbone as they caught their breaths.

The pounding in his heart was too much for him. It was a few moments before he could even utter a happy whimper, "Kagome…"

She smiled wide at the sound of his voice, and tilted her head back so she could look at him. She could tell, wetness was right behind his eyes, and he was fighting all hell to keep them from breaking out. She sighed, "When I said I'd be with you always, I meant always…"

Try as he might to hold back the tears, it was becoming more and more difficult. Now that he knew full well what was in his heart, exactly how to define his devotion, it was like he had been reborn. And her sweet words weren't making it any easier. He tried to whine about it, but it came out far too gentle. "Kagome…"

She brought her hands to his face and ran them under his eyelids, picking up the tears in her fingers before they could descend. He shuddered happily. She continued, "…If you release me, I'll always come back to you. If you keep me, I'll always be free."

Another kiss, another embrace. He closed his eyes in bliss, whispering, "I promise I will."

It took a few more tender moments before Inuyasha noticed that the others were still there, and approaching. He lifted his head up and snarled harshly at them, "Go away!"

Kagome buried her nose in his haori, blushing furiously and giggling at the rush beneath his chest. The others stopped quickly, but didn't move from there. Inuyasha shouted, "Leave! NOW!"

They all backed away and ran from the field before Inuyasha really lost his temper. Inuyasha smirked to himself and buried his nose in Kagome's hair. The pounding of his heart just wouldn't subside, and he could tell, it was the same for her. He sighed in content, 'She loves me…'

Her lips quivered violently. It was unbelievable to feel this kind of joy. As of now, she didn't feel the loss of her family but the gain of a life. His life. And that after such a long time of hopeless wishing and thinking this would never come, her soul was now taking flight. 'He loves me…'

Something caught their eyes, and they looked up. Fluttering past them, white and pure, were two butterflies. How they knew they came from the cocoons in the tank, they did not know. But they had. They danced around each other in beautiful swirls of their wings, until taking off into the sunlight. Inuyasha looked back to Kagome and kissed her once more, "Eighteen."

Looking up at him again, she smiled wider, kissed him back, and shook her head. "Twenty."

TO BE CONTINUED… sort of

This is NOT the end. Not by a long shot. I still have to deal with the prophecy and Kokuei after all, right? So here's what's going to happen. I'm going to be taking a break for a while so I can get my bearings on college. I can't tell you when I'll be back because I honestly don't know. But you can bet that I won't be able to stay away from this story for very long.

Okay, so bit of a dilemma. The moral of this story has been fulfilled, but since there's a whole other moral and story attached to this, I am wondering… should I just keep going on this link or continue on a different link in a sequel? New title and new moral? What do you think? Please let me know what you think is best because I keep going back and forth with it.

Whew! Wow that was a long chapter. I had lots of fun with it though and put a lot of passion into it. Hopefully it was to your liking. As always, please please please respond. Ooh, I got a lot this time.

Lacey Beans: Wow, that was a long response. Awesome! Glad you're loving it. And I'm just crazy about metaphors and all, so it was so fun to write. (hugs)
luvininuyashainatlantaATL1: I'm back!... Barely. Ugh, this college stuff is getting hard. Thanks for being patient with me. That always makes it easier. (hugs)
mooximxaxwhale: Die? Puh… no way! I love them far too much to do that. (hugs)
Caline Daniels: Haha, wow, I have a life? OMG, and to have you comparing my work to an author that great makes me feel REALLY special. Wow! (hugs)
Imperial Angel: They don't call me a linguist for nothing. Ooh, strudel! (hugs)
Kawaii-CherryWolf: Haha, precious. I know, I'm so bad. Lots of making up to do. (hugs)
HelikaAkileh: Oh, I wish. And I love poetic stuff, it makes me feel all fuzzy inside. (hugs)
Kamira: You're welcome, you're welcome, you're welcome. Hurray for Kagome! Boo for cliffhangers. (hugs)
srg1: Lots of fluff, eh? Uuuuuuuuum…. I suppose… of course! (hugs)
a100rinchhead: Amen to that. In terms of there not being an 'of' in Japanese, doesn't there have to be if they want to show possession? Hmm, when I have time I'll have to investigate that. (hugs)
trekker4life: Yeah, school is tough. For me, it ain't so much the school work as it is that I don't have good memory and I have ADHD. Grr, I just hate it when it gets distrac- ooh, look over there… haha! (hugs)
InuyashaGal: I must say I felt really corny at times, with all the butterflies and flowers and happy gooey gooey lovey blah blah blah. But I just can't help myself. (hugs)
NeuroticallyDignified: But he doesn't know that. Oh, well I guess now that you read the chapter, he does know that. Whatever, lesson learned. (hugs)
Inu+Kagome: Well thanks for finally reviewing. And if you're a romantic like me, I don't think I'll end up disappointing you. Thanks for the support, and hopefully in the future I can update earlier. (hugs)
Fanficluv7Inu: Well I'm sorry that it took a week. Tell ya what… take over California and the school system and demand a long holiday for everyone, then we'll be in business. Haha! (hugs)
Jenn-silent breed: Ooh, crying always makes me feel so special… when they're good tears. It's okay, I'm a sap too. Sorry I didn't update on schedule, but I've missed it a lot if that means anything. (hugs)
InuChica: Hahaha, awesomeness… I think. I've done the same thing. Thanks for your support and take care. Don't get caught. Haha! (hugs)
sweetlybeloved: Aww, thanks! It really means a lot when someone likes it that much. I love poetic stuff a lot, even though it's really hard to do, so I'm glad to know that I'm doing it right. (hugs)
butthead24: When I was doing that story, I was in college and updating daily. I just wish I could get back to doing that. Grrr! I don't really have time to be writing, but sometimes I just need a break from all the chaos and have to write things out. Whenever I can do it. (hugs)
paju13: Oh man, if you had seen some of the first fanfiction work I did, back when I was 12, you would see just what a leap I've made. I think anyone has the ability to write well. Music really brings the poetry out of me, so if you find something you're really passionate about, it helps. Thanks a bunch. (hugs)
Caline: (squeals) Yay, I'm a poet! Wow, that's great to hear. That chapter was really fun and I was having a surge of fluffiness at the time. Hurray, emotional outbursts! (hugs)
theLilyLady: I wasn't lying when I said there was an overload of it. Ooh, I'd like a fluff pillow, please! Aaaah, nice… (hugs)
laughingstockstables: Sess is a beauty, no doubt. I just wish he had the dog ears… Then again, he would probably look too cute then to be intimidating. Oh well. (hugs)
LukeShaehl: Thanks a lot for the input. I'll try to keep that in mind as I'm fluffing it up. I know sometimes I can get so carried away with it, it just goes wherever it wants to. And as for spelling errors, my goodness, I keep reading through the chapters over and over again and there are STILL errors that make it to the site. Grr. (hugs)