Wow- 400 reviews! Did I mention you guys are great? -LOL- Well, hopefully this chappy will be brighter than the last...but- I doubt it...this one has some twists that are going to make things very dark...just read n see... Enjoy!
A/N- I'm throwing a song in here...I heard it and fell in love with the lyrics! 'Britney Spears: Shadow'
Chapter 31
Kagome was curled up in the darkness of a cold space-misery dripping from her brown hues like tears, her breathes were short and ragged as she began to fade, already giving way to Kikyo who was standing before her, both of them arguing about the events that had just transpired. Kagome's blue and Kikyo's red auras were the only light to be seen inside the pitch black expanse. Kikyo could feel herself getting stronger as Kagome began to drift further into the oblivion. "Kagome...you can't just give up here...you will return- I promise..." Kagome sighed lightly. "It's alright Kikyo...just- just tell Inuyasha I did this for him, and it wasn't at all his fault..." Kikyo watched her dispondent and distant form on the floor, listening to the broken words that fell from her lips- feeling guilty for the regretful smile that curved Kagome's lips as her eyes stared off. "He'll be alright...when he sees you, he won't even remember me..."
Kikyo turned her back, knowing Nanashi would free her soon- whispering softly as she was taken and Kagome disappeared. "That isn't true..." Nanashi's slender fingers encased the rim of the necklace as she prepared to released Kikyo. "The red aura is dominent- the blue has dispelled...meaning Kagome's soul has turned already." She smiled wickedly as she stared at a lifeless body before her, it was Kikyo's body- one she had raised in flesh and blood herself. "Now...to breathe life into this flesh..." She grinned cruelly as the necklace flared, her fingers extending gently toward the body as Kikyo's soul burst from the necklace with a bright light and entered the body with a great force, knocking her to the floor as her body shined brilliantly.
The majo waited impatiently for the miko to rise, and it took only several moments before her brown hues parted and she picked herself up from the floor, looking over her hands with a forelorned look of sorrow. Finally her hues raised to Nanashi. "Kikyo...you have returned to life- now, do you remember our deal?" She raised a brow curiously, waiting for the girl's answer. Kikyo picked herself up from the floor, looking at her coldly. "I do..." She turned, ready to walk from the dark cave that the two occupied.
Nanashi called her back fiercely. "KIKYO! MATTE! Where do you think you are going? Are you going to show me the way to Shadou no Tsuki?!" Kikyo clenched her fists as she paused by the doorway of the cave. "I will tell you the way to the place you so desire upon my return...but when I do tell you the path to Shadou no Tsuki...you will return Kagome and I to our former places and never return to the outside world..." With that, Kikyo walked out into the rain and disappeared into the forest. Nanashi mumbled angrily to herself, rolling her eyes with a sigh.
----------------
Back at the village, Kouga had left for his den and Sango was helping Kaede bandage the many extensive wounds on Kagome's bruised body. Miroku was out helping Shippo gather fresh water, as every few moments the buckets were tainted with crimson from cleaning Kagome's injuries. Inuyasha, who couldn't stand around any longer, left the hut without a word and disappeared into the wet forest. He headed toward the previous battleground-vowing he was going to find Nanashi and slay her for what she had done. He ran quietly through the scanty rains, his haori becaming damp again rather quickly.
He finally came upon the place where he had seen his Kagome fall-the last place he had seen her brown hues watching him, the place where she had kissed him goodbye. He could smell her blood, but only faintly as the rain was beginning to wash every trace of crimson from the ground. He looked up- seeing Kagome's bow and quiver on the ground, then lifting his eyes further to see her sword lodged in a tree deeply. He walked over, hesitant to touch it at first- but as he neared it, nothing happened, and when he grasped its hilt in his hand-nothing still. His wet ears drooped sadly as he pulled the sword out and looked it over- knowing that her energy had dispelled completely from the sword for the time being.
Through the dripping of the constant downpour- Inuyasha heard a rustling, turning on a heel as he placed the Kinjai in his sash and gripped a hand on Tetsusaiga- awaiting the figure to step from trees. His clawed fingers fell away limply as his gaze rested on a familiar figure drenched in rain before him. His heart could hardly believe what he saw, and so many emotions began to course through his body as the long forgotten scent blended with the scent of rain. "Kikyo...you're..." His words failed him, but Kikyo began to speak none the less.
A sad smile barely approached her lips as her brown hues took in every inch of his figure. "Yes...but so were you Inuyasha...it seems neither one of us could stay dead for very long..." She diverted her eyes- the smile fading as an apologetic and remorseful tone took hold of her. "Gomen nasai...for what I have done..." She shook her head regretfully. "I never meant to hurt you..." Inuyasha recalled the final battle with Naraku, but it was only a small memory in his mind now. "Kikyo...I..." He shook his head in confusion. "How?" Kikyo sighed. "I wish I could stay Inuyasha...in fact- I could, but..." Inuyasha knew what she was staying and he tilted his head with a heavy sigh. "I don't- " He looked at her with burning honey embers, but diverted his eyes. "You're not Kagome..." Kikyo smiled painfully, looking away also.
Your body's warm
But you are not
You give a little
Not a lot
You coup your love
Until we kiss
You're all I want
But not like this
I'm watching you disappear
But you, you were never here
It's only your shadow
Never yourself
It's only your shadow
Nobody else
It's only your shadow
Filling the room
Arriving too late
And leaving too soon
And leaving too soon
Your body gives
But then holds back
The sun is bright
The sky is black
Can only be another sign
I cannot keep what isn't mine
You left and it lingers on
But you, you were almost gone
It's only your shadow
Never yourself
It's only your shadow
Nobody else
It's only your shadow
Filling the room
Arriving too late
And leaving too soon
And leaving too soon
I cannot tell if you mean what you say
You say it so loud, but you sound far away
Maybe I had just a glimpse of your soul
Or was that your shadow I saw on the wall
I'm watching you disappear
But you, you were never here
It's only your shadow
Never yourself
It's only your shadow
Nobody else
It's only your shadow
Filling the room
Arriving too late
No, no, no
It's only your shadow
It's only your shadow
Nobody else
It's only your shadow
Arriving too late
And leaving too soon
It's only your shadow
Her figure slowly stepped closer to Inuyasha's tense form. The rain beaded and ran down their faces gently as she watched his eyes, her warm hand pushing his dripping wet bangs from his soft ember hues as they watched her intently-his heart dropping as he could feel the warmth from her touch-something he hadn't felt for a long time. "You need not say anything Inuyasha- your heart screams for you..." Her tone was sad and disappointed as she pulled her hand away and took a step back.
Kikyo turned, ready to leave with the true realizations that her time here had passed. She touched her cheek gently with her fingertips as tears clouded her eyes. 'Tears...yes-of course...at one time, I wasn't able to cry...my body wasn't allowed such a thing...I once clung to this life at all costs...but it was more than I could bare- and now...I am flesh and blood...I have a soul but- I no longer have a reason to stay...' She blinked the tears away instantly as she paused.
Inuyasha watched her, listening as she paused momentarily-not bothering to face him as she spoke. "Take good care of Kagome's body...it can only survive without a soul for a short amount of time...but she mustn't be allowed to die..." She tilted her head down slightly, touching her chest gently. "But I fear her body will not be the problem...her soul is barely clinging to its dormant state..." Inuyasha raised a brow with confusion. "What...what does that mean?" He was almost afraid of the answer.
Kikyo sighed. "It means she barely has the strength or will to keep herself together...if she were brought back in this state...it might not matter how well her body has healed..." Inuyasha wasn't quite sure he understood. "But- Isn't there some way? Can't she be saved?" His eyes were as pleading as his voice- which sounded torn with concerns, this tightly grasped at Kikyo's heart, squeezing out her last drops of pity to pour on him. "Inuyasha- ..." She sighed, wanting to give him any kind of hope she could- even if they were false hopes. "I will try my best...all is not lost for her- she is a strong girl..." Kikyo then began to walk off into the darkness, leaving Inuyasha to his puzzled and concerned thoughts. Kikyo also had her concerns- she could feel Kagome's pain deep within her soul, and as much as she tried to help her- Kagome was fighting a losing battle against her own thoughts.
Kikyo's figure could be seen in her priestess robes- walking steadily through the forest trees in the late summer shower that drenched her thoroughly, heading back toward Nanashi's cave. "Kagome...you have to hold on...for Inuyasha..." It pained Kikyo to give up the only thing she truly ever wanted, but now she realized how terribly wrong she had been for trying to grasp something that wasn't there any longer.
As she walked along, replaying thoughts of Kagome's words had crossed her mind. She had considered telling Inuyasha this, but decided against it- she wouldn't dare burden him by throwing this upon his mind. She smiled regretfully as she remembered their encounter. 'You were wrong Kagome...very wrong...he has not forgotten you-not for a moment...' And as much as Kikyo wanted it- as much as it broke her heart, she didn't dare even think what was screaming inside...that- she wanted to be remembered too- even if Kagome were forgotten, SHE needed to be remembered...but Inuyasha wouldn't have it.
Back in the village, everyone's fear for Kagome was deepening- her pulse was weakening and she seemed to be losing the scant color in her cheeks, even though she was deathly pale to begin with. Sango seemed as if she would break out into tears again with each moment that passed. Everyone knew what was around the corner- the only thing they could do...was watch her drift further away from them.
Inuyasha on the other hand, refused to believe such things. 'Kagome...you wouldn't leave me here...not like this- I won't allow it...' He raced back to the village to care for Kagome- reassured that Kikyo would send her back to him.
»--------------------------«
Welps- that was twisty...anyways- I didn't put as many Jap words in there this time cuz I was a little pressed for time and didn't really know where to stick 'em. But I will be putting sum in the next one. Hope you liked this chappy- AGAIN, this twist was inspired by Jules- thanks again! -R&R-
Ajikenai- wretched; irksome
jo- woman; girl
shiisu- sword sheath
Shadou no Tsuki- (if I'm right it means "Moon's Shadow" or "Shadow of the Moon")
Matte- wait
Gomen nasai- I'm sorry; my apologies
Kijo- demoness; she-devil; witch
Un- Yeah
A/N- I'm throwing a song in here...I heard it and fell in love with the lyrics! 'Britney Spears: Shadow'
Chapter 31
Kagome was curled up in the darkness of a cold space-misery dripping from her brown hues like tears, her breathes were short and ragged as she began to fade, already giving way to Kikyo who was standing before her, both of them arguing about the events that had just transpired. Kagome's blue and Kikyo's red auras were the only light to be seen inside the pitch black expanse. Kikyo could feel herself getting stronger as Kagome began to drift further into the oblivion. "Kagome...you can't just give up here...you will return- I promise..." Kagome sighed lightly. "It's alright Kikyo...just- just tell Inuyasha I did this for him, and it wasn't at all his fault..." Kikyo watched her dispondent and distant form on the floor, listening to the broken words that fell from her lips- feeling guilty for the regretful smile that curved Kagome's lips as her eyes stared off. "He'll be alright...when he sees you, he won't even remember me..."
Kikyo turned her back, knowing Nanashi would free her soon- whispering softly as she was taken and Kagome disappeared. "That isn't true..." Nanashi's slender fingers encased the rim of the necklace as she prepared to released Kikyo. "The red aura is dominent- the blue has dispelled...meaning Kagome's soul has turned already." She smiled wickedly as she stared at a lifeless body before her, it was Kikyo's body- one she had raised in flesh and blood herself. "Now...to breathe life into this flesh..." She grinned cruelly as the necklace flared, her fingers extending gently toward the body as Kikyo's soul burst from the necklace with a bright light and entered the body with a great force, knocking her to the floor as her body shined brilliantly.
The majo waited impatiently for the miko to rise, and it took only several moments before her brown hues parted and she picked herself up from the floor, looking over her hands with a forelorned look of sorrow. Finally her hues raised to Nanashi. "Kikyo...you have returned to life- now, do you remember our deal?" She raised a brow curiously, waiting for the girl's answer. Kikyo picked herself up from the floor, looking at her coldly. "I do..." She turned, ready to walk from the dark cave that the two occupied.
Nanashi called her back fiercely. "KIKYO! MATTE! Where do you think you are going? Are you going to show me the way to Shadou no Tsuki?!" Kikyo clenched her fists as she paused by the doorway of the cave. "I will tell you the way to the place you so desire upon my return...but when I do tell you the path to Shadou no Tsuki...you will return Kagome and I to our former places and never return to the outside world..." With that, Kikyo walked out into the rain and disappeared into the forest. Nanashi mumbled angrily to herself, rolling her eyes with a sigh.
----------------
Back at the village, Kouga had left for his den and Sango was helping Kaede bandage the many extensive wounds on Kagome's bruised body. Miroku was out helping Shippo gather fresh water, as every few moments the buckets were tainted with crimson from cleaning Kagome's injuries. Inuyasha, who couldn't stand around any longer, left the hut without a word and disappeared into the wet forest. He headed toward the previous battleground-vowing he was going to find Nanashi and slay her for what she had done. He ran quietly through the scanty rains, his haori becaming damp again rather quickly.
He finally came upon the place where he had seen his Kagome fall-the last place he had seen her brown hues watching him, the place where she had kissed him goodbye. He could smell her blood, but only faintly as the rain was beginning to wash every trace of crimson from the ground. He looked up- seeing Kagome's bow and quiver on the ground, then lifting his eyes further to see her sword lodged in a tree deeply. He walked over, hesitant to touch it at first- but as he neared it, nothing happened, and when he grasped its hilt in his hand-nothing still. His wet ears drooped sadly as he pulled the sword out and looked it over- knowing that her energy had dispelled completely from the sword for the time being.
Through the dripping of the constant downpour- Inuyasha heard a rustling, turning on a heel as he placed the Kinjai in his sash and gripped a hand on Tetsusaiga- awaiting the figure to step from trees. His clawed fingers fell away limply as his gaze rested on a familiar figure drenched in rain before him. His heart could hardly believe what he saw, and so many emotions began to course through his body as the long forgotten scent blended with the scent of rain. "Kikyo...you're..." His words failed him, but Kikyo began to speak none the less.
A sad smile barely approached her lips as her brown hues took in every inch of his figure. "Yes...but so were you Inuyasha...it seems neither one of us could stay dead for very long..." She diverted her eyes- the smile fading as an apologetic and remorseful tone took hold of her. "Gomen nasai...for what I have done..." She shook her head regretfully. "I never meant to hurt you..." Inuyasha recalled the final battle with Naraku, but it was only a small memory in his mind now. "Kikyo...I..." He shook his head in confusion. "How?" Kikyo sighed. "I wish I could stay Inuyasha...in fact- I could, but..." Inuyasha knew what she was staying and he tilted his head with a heavy sigh. "I don't- " He looked at her with burning honey embers, but diverted his eyes. "You're not Kagome..." Kikyo smiled painfully, looking away also.
Your body's warm
But you are not
You give a little
Not a lot
You coup your love
Until we kiss
You're all I want
But not like this
I'm watching you disappear
But you, you were never here
It's only your shadow
Never yourself
It's only your shadow
Nobody else
It's only your shadow
Filling the room
Arriving too late
And leaving too soon
And leaving too soon
Your body gives
But then holds back
The sun is bright
The sky is black
Can only be another sign
I cannot keep what isn't mine
You left and it lingers on
But you, you were almost gone
It's only your shadow
Never yourself
It's only your shadow
Nobody else
It's only your shadow
Filling the room
Arriving too late
And leaving too soon
And leaving too soon
I cannot tell if you mean what you say
You say it so loud, but you sound far away
Maybe I had just a glimpse of your soul
Or was that your shadow I saw on the wall
I'm watching you disappear
But you, you were never here
It's only your shadow
Never yourself
It's only your shadow
Nobody else
It's only your shadow
Filling the room
Arriving too late
No, no, no
It's only your shadow
It's only your shadow
Nobody else
It's only your shadow
Arriving too late
And leaving too soon
It's only your shadow
Her figure slowly stepped closer to Inuyasha's tense form. The rain beaded and ran down their faces gently as she watched his eyes, her warm hand pushing his dripping wet bangs from his soft ember hues as they watched her intently-his heart dropping as he could feel the warmth from her touch-something he hadn't felt for a long time. "You need not say anything Inuyasha- your heart screams for you..." Her tone was sad and disappointed as she pulled her hand away and took a step back.
Kikyo turned, ready to leave with the true realizations that her time here had passed. She touched her cheek gently with her fingertips as tears clouded her eyes. 'Tears...yes-of course...at one time, I wasn't able to cry...my body wasn't allowed such a thing...I once clung to this life at all costs...but it was more than I could bare- and now...I am flesh and blood...I have a soul but- I no longer have a reason to stay...' She blinked the tears away instantly as she paused.
Inuyasha watched her, listening as she paused momentarily-not bothering to face him as she spoke. "Take good care of Kagome's body...it can only survive without a soul for a short amount of time...but she mustn't be allowed to die..." She tilted her head down slightly, touching her chest gently. "But I fear her body will not be the problem...her soul is barely clinging to its dormant state..." Inuyasha raised a brow with confusion. "What...what does that mean?" He was almost afraid of the answer.
Kikyo sighed. "It means she barely has the strength or will to keep herself together...if she were brought back in this state...it might not matter how well her body has healed..." Inuyasha wasn't quite sure he understood. "But- Isn't there some way? Can't she be saved?" His eyes were as pleading as his voice- which sounded torn with concerns, this tightly grasped at Kikyo's heart, squeezing out her last drops of pity to pour on him. "Inuyasha- ..." She sighed, wanting to give him any kind of hope she could- even if they were false hopes. "I will try my best...all is not lost for her- she is a strong girl..." Kikyo then began to walk off into the darkness, leaving Inuyasha to his puzzled and concerned thoughts. Kikyo also had her concerns- she could feel Kagome's pain deep within her soul, and as much as she tried to help her- Kagome was fighting a losing battle against her own thoughts.
Kikyo's figure could be seen in her priestess robes- walking steadily through the forest trees in the late summer shower that drenched her thoroughly, heading back toward Nanashi's cave. "Kagome...you have to hold on...for Inuyasha..." It pained Kikyo to give up the only thing she truly ever wanted, but now she realized how terribly wrong she had been for trying to grasp something that wasn't there any longer.
As she walked along, replaying thoughts of Kagome's words had crossed her mind. She had considered telling Inuyasha this, but decided against it- she wouldn't dare burden him by throwing this upon his mind. She smiled regretfully as she remembered their encounter. 'You were wrong Kagome...very wrong...he has not forgotten you-not for a moment...' And as much as Kikyo wanted it- as much as it broke her heart, she didn't dare even think what was screaming inside...that- she wanted to be remembered too- even if Kagome were forgotten, SHE needed to be remembered...but Inuyasha wouldn't have it.
Back in the village, everyone's fear for Kagome was deepening- her pulse was weakening and she seemed to be losing the scant color in her cheeks, even though she was deathly pale to begin with. Sango seemed as if she would break out into tears again with each moment that passed. Everyone knew what was around the corner- the only thing they could do...was watch her drift further away from them.
Inuyasha on the other hand, refused to believe such things. 'Kagome...you wouldn't leave me here...not like this- I won't allow it...' He raced back to the village to care for Kagome- reassured that Kikyo would send her back to him.
»--------------------------«
Welps- that was twisty...anyways- I didn't put as many Jap words in there this time cuz I was a little pressed for time and didn't really know where to stick 'em. But I will be putting sum in the next one. Hope you liked this chappy- AGAIN, this twist was inspired by Jules- thanks again! -R&R-
Ajikenai- wretched; irksome
jo- woman; girl
shiisu- sword sheath
Shadou no Tsuki- (if I'm right it means "Moon's Shadow" or "Shadow of the Moon")
Matte- wait
Gomen nasai- I'm sorry; my apologies
Kijo- demoness; she-devil; witch
Un- Yeah