Disclaimers Notice: It will be someday..
Authors Beginning Note: OOOOH! Here I go at it again. You know what though, it is stinking cold up here, it was 50 degrees below 0! Sheesh, no way, no how, I am leaving the comforts of my nice and HEATED place. Not to go outside at least. ****
Chapter 25
And Her Revival
****
***
"No, it cannot be. Both dead. Woe be this day, the day Inuyasha had to kill both of his loves, both of the greatest Miko's, all at once. Woe be this day, that his heart is shattered, knowing that he had to, to save others and for Kagome's sake. Woe be this day for those who cared deeply for both Kikyo and Kagome. And woe be this day for I have now lost a sister, and a daughter." Keade declared in village, her heart breaking as she felt the aura that Kagome possessed and Kikyo while in her, be smothered, like a candle being blown out. Tears streamed down her face.
"Keade, They're dead now, aren't they. It was that Hanyou, Inuyasha we heard. Both Kikyo and Kagome are dead." Whimpered a village man.
"Hai. Even the heavens themselves mourn." Keade said silently and water poured down." **** ` `
"No.Kagome.I am so sorry.Kagome." Inuyasha whimpered as he held her body close to his, not caring about the blood that spilled on her out fit, or hers on his. Inuyasha's breathing began to come in slow painful gasps, until finally, he fell over unconsciously while holding the delicate body of Kagome. Her raven tresses fanned out on the ground, and her body almost molded into Inuyasha's. Blood covered the ground like red silk. Inuyasha was healing slowly, and Kagome seemingly not at all.
***
"Oh no. Miroku, they're.they're not." Sango managed to utter as the Four saw the two bodies that lay before them. Sango had tears already running down her eyes, and had to look away, for fear of heaving, and completely emptying her stomach. Shippo's dam of clear liquid was about to break as he stood there, frozen in shock. Kirara mewed incessantly as she kept rubbing her face against Sango's cheek. The air was permeated of fear, hatred, guilt, confusion, sarrow, and love. Echoes of the battle seemed to cry out through the forest, like ghosts that cannot rest.
"Kagome, Inuyasha?" Shippo said tentatively before walking slowly to two of the people he had come to love the most. His foot stepped in a thick liquid, and he quickly jumped back. None of them even paid attention to the rain, their sole focus on their friends. Kagome's face was almost completely buried in Inuyasha's chest, while his arms were wrapped tightly around her. Kirara jumped off of Sango's shoulders, and ignoring the crimson blood that was pooled all around, walked up to Inuyasha and Kagome. She nudged her head against Kagome's back, but nothing happened. She licked Inuyasha's cheek, but he too did not move.
"Was it Kagome, or Kikyo that Inuyasha last saw?" asked Sango silently. She hoped it was Kagome, but at the same time, did it really matter? It was almost ridiculous to ask Miroku, he wasn't there. He was with her and Shippo. There was a moment of silence.
"I guess.I guess there's no way.of telling, is there?" She said sadly. Her body trembled. Kirara walked back to her mistress and rubbed against Sango's legs.
"No, there is a way." Miroku said slowly.
"How?"
"The Shinkon no Tama. Did you notice, that while Kagome wore it when Kikyo was in control, that the shards she wore on a necklace changed to a dark purple? Then when Kagome tried to regain control, it became a softer, brighter color?" He said while walking over and kneeling pulled on the necklace that held the Shinkon Jewel, which was only part of the whole sphere. He snapped the cord and stood up with it.
"It's a soft pink. Kagome was the one. Thanks to her, the jewel was purified as she died. In a way, she has saved many people in that small act. I bet she didn't even notice what she had done." Miroku said calmly. His words almost sounded cruel, but Sango knew better. It was something to keep his mind slightly off track. Something to try and ebb the pain, logic to stir the mind on something else. Miroku put the jewel in his robes. It was his burden for the time being until they got to Keade.
"I suppose we should burry them." Miroku said, absently.
"But where?"
"Burry them? Why? They aren't dead! They can't be dead! We can't burry them!"
"Shippo, please come here." Sango said kneeling and her arms wide open. Shippo slowly came and jumped into her arms. Sango enveloped the small little Kitsune in her arms.
"Shippo, Kagome and Inuyasha.they.they're.they had to go on a small trip." Sango said, not able to bring herself to say it.
"A trip? But they're right here. "
"It is a trip for the soul Shippo. None from our world can follow them now. They are going to meet the Gods themselves." Miroku replied, his voice was void, and he seemed to stare at something that wasn't really there to begin with.
"When are they coming back?" Shippo whispered.
"They won't. But.we.we'll be with them again." Sango said trying her hardest to stay strong for the little Kitsune.
"We need to bring them to the village. Then we can do what we must."
"Miroku, how are we going to carry them back?" A moment of contemplation was made. "I'll do it." Shippo whispered.
"But Shippo."
"I said! I'll do it." Shippo said with such sharp conviction, all Miroku and Sango could do was exchange sad forlorn and hopeless looks.
"I'll change into a stretcher and you two can put them on top of me."
"Are you sure you can."
"Yes." Was his short reply. Miroku shook his head. Such angry determination wasn't good for a soul. Not for anyones. This situation should have a better, quicker solution, Shippo shouldn't have to carry the dead bodies of the parent figures he had come to love, but what other options did they have? So, Shippo changed into a large stretcher, and Miroku laid down one layer of his robes, leaving only the first layer, the darkened-almost black robe. Setting down his Shinjoku, him and Sango prepared to lift up Inuyasha first, because both would be almost too hard.
"On my count."
"One"
"Two."
"Thr..Holy Kami above save us!" yelped Miroku as Inuyasha let out low menacing and painful sounding growl, but he didn't move, or give any sign of waking. Miroku quickly composed himself and looked at Sango. For a moment both of their hearts leaped into the air, but them they remembered.Kagome.
` `
Maybe.maybe if Inuyasha is alive.than Kagome.she could be.
` `
Sango's hopeful eyes met Miroku's. He bent over Kagome and checked her vital signs. The lines on his face darkened. No breath escaped her cherry lips, and no beat was felt in her heart. His bangs covered his face. Sango's eyes and heart fell. Her hope had shattered.
"Lets get them onto Shippo." Both Inuyasha and Kagome had to be lifted together, Inuyasha's deadly growl and death grip on Kagome was so fierce, that they could do nothing else.
"We must hurry and take Inuyasha to Keade. Even if he is a Hanyou, these wounds are deep and he will need to be tended to."
"Miroku?" Sango asked as she stared across to the monk. His eyes locked onto hers, and she quickly looked away. The pain was unbearable. Sango's heart was broken almost completely, but she knew she had to stay strong, at least for Inuyasha. They trudged through the forest silently. Kirara walked gingerly behind them.
***
"Ye have made it back safe and sound." Keade said walking up to Miroku and Sango.
"Yes. We have Keade, Inuyasha is badly hurt though. You must tend to him." Sango said trying her hardest not to let her voice crack. Keade gave her a pained expression.
"Follow me. There is a temporary hut set up for the wounded." Keade turned around and all of them walked down the hill.
"And the Shinkon Jewel? Does Kagome still wear it?" Keade asked painfully, keeping her eyes straight ahead.
"No. I have it in my possession right now." Miroku said gravely.
"You will be its new guardian then." Was all the words that were exchanged.
As they passed by, it looked like a funeral, and all the villagers that saw stopped their work to lift up a prayer.
"Lay them down here, and let poor Shippo have a rest." Keade said pointing to the corner in a large tent that had almost 15 other patients in there as well. Most were sleeping. Once layed down, both still together, Keade rolled Inuyasha on his back, and surprisingly he didn't growl, but his hand grasped Kagome's and his deadly grip could not be loosened.
"This is not good." Was all she said seeing all of the blood before taking off his haori top and white under shirt so that she could let her healing skills take over. Time slowed and everything seemed to move like syrup as memories and thoughts tried to cloud the old priestess's mind.
***
"Sango?" Miroku whispered. The forest was quiet and seemed haunted. Whispers seemed to come from everywhere. No sound other then the rhythmic beat that fell could be heard. Sango had wandered into the forest, though far from where the battle had been. It was not safe to be wandering around on your own. Not here. Not now. A new noise came to Miroku's ears and he quietly followed.
When he found what he was looking for, he softly put his arms on Sango's trembling shoulders. She stopped, a sharp intake of breath could be heard. She slowly looked up into dark violet eyes. Sango's face was crumpled and painfully red with the aggressive rubbing away of tears, and was completely soaked with water. Miroku took his hands and wiped the new drops of crystal that slipped over her cheek. His touch gentle and warm.
"Shhh. It's okay. Just cry." He said softly and held her to him. She gladly rested her head on his shoulder and let her body go limp in his strong arms as she cried. Soon, she became calmer.
"Miroku?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
"It's nothing to thank me for."
"I don't mean just this.I mean.when Kohaku.when he.you were there for me as well.I didn't think I would be able to take the pain.but you were there for me.and for all of the other little things.but.I thought.all of us would be together.in the end.I didn't.I couldn't.even begin to think.something this terrible.Kagome was like a sister.after what I went through with Kohaku.I thought he was dead.and he's still.but now.with Kagome.It's not the fact that.that she's.but that I won't get to see her.not tomorrow.not the day after.maybe not the year after.She won't be there.I know.it's selfish of me.but.Miroku. I don't know if I can be strong anymore.I just can't.I don't know how much.how much more I can take." She began to cry even more, all attempt to talk through her struggled sobs; were cut off.
"You are the strongest person I know. Sango, you will get through it. And I'll be by your side when you need help." Sango cried a little more and breathed in deaply.
"Y-you really mean it?" She whispered.
"Yes, I do. Now let's get back to the village. Keade will worry about us." He said. Sango barely nodded, but stood up with Miroku. A light blush, though hard to see, had crept all along her face, as well as Miroku's. They walked side by back to the village.
***
The rain stopped and the night sky became clear. The moon was out as were all of the stars. Everything seemed sharp and clear, like metal that had been grimy for years, and was washed off one day left only to shine. Small fires were set up where the village was. No houses were there, not since Kikyo's bravado of power. Instead tents made of hides and beams were scattered everywhere. Sango and Miroku fell asleep at the campfire next to the temporary healing hut, Shippo was leaned against a tree in a deep sleep, and Kirara paced back and forth as if expecting something. Keade sat near the entrance of the hut her patients were at. Her eyes were closed, though not in sleep, but in painful thoughts. She was wondering about all that had went on, but had dared not asked Sango, Miroku, or Shippo. Their pain was deep and asking them to tell of what they knew right now, would be like a slap in the face. No, all questions would be answered in do time, but not now.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump. Thump.
Thump Thump.
Keade's eyes shot wide open.
"What could that be?" She asked in bewilderment. She looked into the corner of the dark hut where it seemed to come from. It was almost more of a vibration that she could feel ripple out in all directions, than a sound.
"How can it.what is the cause of this?" She asked out loud and she walked to where the ripples seemed to begin and found herself starring at Kagome. Every time a 'thump' was heard, a pulse seemed to ripple through the air.
"It's, it's her heart. But I do not understand. What craft is at work here?" Slowly life flowed through Kagome's veins, and color returned. Small breaths escaped her lips and her chest began to rise and fall, barely noticibly, but it was there. Life had somehow crept into her. Suddenly Keade understood what that pulse was, but was puzzled by all else.
"It's her heart beating. But how can this be? Kagome was dead! Is it a demonic trick? But I see nor sense any demons about here. Unless." She quickly bent down and took the girls shirt off. Her fingers tingled with a soft, warm, and almost irritating sensation as she touched Kagome. Ignoring this, she looked at the dry encrusted blood that was plastered on her milky skin. Two colors of red blood were seen over where the wounds were. She looked over at Inuyasha. How could she not have thought of this before? She knew that their blood had been intertwined and mingled, but why had she not thought of the result of this coming? A smile played on her lips.
"Well Inuyasha. Ye have managed to save Kagome. You have given back a joy thought to be lost to this world." Keade murmured. Inuyasha's hand moved and squeezed Kagome's hand even firmer. Keade quickly set out to clean Kagome's wounds as well and bandage her up, but she didn't notice that one particular single strand of hair had turned silver without her knowing it.
***
Authors Ending Note: Now honestly.you peoples really seriously didn't think that I would kill Kagome and Inuyasha? Well, technically I killed Kagome, but she was brought back to life, and Inuyasha wasn't dead to begin with, just mortally wounded to the point of near death. No I could never do that. I care about 'my' characters too much. Besides, how are they going to defeat Naraku without her? She's a definite 'need' to this story!
I may be cruel enough to make you hang on my evil cliffies, but not that evil!
Authors Beginning Note: OOOOH! Here I go at it again. You know what though, it is stinking cold up here, it was 50 degrees below 0! Sheesh, no way, no how, I am leaving the comforts of my nice and HEATED place. Not to go outside at least. ****
Chapter 25
And Her Revival
****
***
"No, it cannot be. Both dead. Woe be this day, the day Inuyasha had to kill both of his loves, both of the greatest Miko's, all at once. Woe be this day, that his heart is shattered, knowing that he had to, to save others and for Kagome's sake. Woe be this day for those who cared deeply for both Kikyo and Kagome. And woe be this day for I have now lost a sister, and a daughter." Keade declared in village, her heart breaking as she felt the aura that Kagome possessed and Kikyo while in her, be smothered, like a candle being blown out. Tears streamed down her face.
"Keade, They're dead now, aren't they. It was that Hanyou, Inuyasha we heard. Both Kikyo and Kagome are dead." Whimpered a village man.
"Hai. Even the heavens themselves mourn." Keade said silently and water poured down." **** ` `
"No.Kagome.I am so sorry.Kagome." Inuyasha whimpered as he held her body close to his, not caring about the blood that spilled on her out fit, or hers on his. Inuyasha's breathing began to come in slow painful gasps, until finally, he fell over unconsciously while holding the delicate body of Kagome. Her raven tresses fanned out on the ground, and her body almost molded into Inuyasha's. Blood covered the ground like red silk. Inuyasha was healing slowly, and Kagome seemingly not at all.
***
"Oh no. Miroku, they're.they're not." Sango managed to utter as the Four saw the two bodies that lay before them. Sango had tears already running down her eyes, and had to look away, for fear of heaving, and completely emptying her stomach. Shippo's dam of clear liquid was about to break as he stood there, frozen in shock. Kirara mewed incessantly as she kept rubbing her face against Sango's cheek. The air was permeated of fear, hatred, guilt, confusion, sarrow, and love. Echoes of the battle seemed to cry out through the forest, like ghosts that cannot rest.
"Kagome, Inuyasha?" Shippo said tentatively before walking slowly to two of the people he had come to love the most. His foot stepped in a thick liquid, and he quickly jumped back. None of them even paid attention to the rain, their sole focus on their friends. Kagome's face was almost completely buried in Inuyasha's chest, while his arms were wrapped tightly around her. Kirara jumped off of Sango's shoulders, and ignoring the crimson blood that was pooled all around, walked up to Inuyasha and Kagome. She nudged her head against Kagome's back, but nothing happened. She licked Inuyasha's cheek, but he too did not move.
"Was it Kagome, or Kikyo that Inuyasha last saw?" asked Sango silently. She hoped it was Kagome, but at the same time, did it really matter? It was almost ridiculous to ask Miroku, he wasn't there. He was with her and Shippo. There was a moment of silence.
"I guess.I guess there's no way.of telling, is there?" She said sadly. Her body trembled. Kirara walked back to her mistress and rubbed against Sango's legs.
"No, there is a way." Miroku said slowly.
"How?"
"The Shinkon no Tama. Did you notice, that while Kagome wore it when Kikyo was in control, that the shards she wore on a necklace changed to a dark purple? Then when Kagome tried to regain control, it became a softer, brighter color?" He said while walking over and kneeling pulled on the necklace that held the Shinkon Jewel, which was only part of the whole sphere. He snapped the cord and stood up with it.
"It's a soft pink. Kagome was the one. Thanks to her, the jewel was purified as she died. In a way, she has saved many people in that small act. I bet she didn't even notice what she had done." Miroku said calmly. His words almost sounded cruel, but Sango knew better. It was something to keep his mind slightly off track. Something to try and ebb the pain, logic to stir the mind on something else. Miroku put the jewel in his robes. It was his burden for the time being until they got to Keade.
"I suppose we should burry them." Miroku said, absently.
"But where?"
"Burry them? Why? They aren't dead! They can't be dead! We can't burry them!"
"Shippo, please come here." Sango said kneeling and her arms wide open. Shippo slowly came and jumped into her arms. Sango enveloped the small little Kitsune in her arms.
"Shippo, Kagome and Inuyasha.they.they're.they had to go on a small trip." Sango said, not able to bring herself to say it.
"A trip? But they're right here. "
"It is a trip for the soul Shippo. None from our world can follow them now. They are going to meet the Gods themselves." Miroku replied, his voice was void, and he seemed to stare at something that wasn't really there to begin with.
"When are they coming back?" Shippo whispered.
"They won't. But.we.we'll be with them again." Sango said trying her hardest to stay strong for the little Kitsune.
"We need to bring them to the village. Then we can do what we must."
"Miroku, how are we going to carry them back?" A moment of contemplation was made. "I'll do it." Shippo whispered.
"But Shippo."
"I said! I'll do it." Shippo said with such sharp conviction, all Miroku and Sango could do was exchange sad forlorn and hopeless looks.
"I'll change into a stretcher and you two can put them on top of me."
"Are you sure you can."
"Yes." Was his short reply. Miroku shook his head. Such angry determination wasn't good for a soul. Not for anyones. This situation should have a better, quicker solution, Shippo shouldn't have to carry the dead bodies of the parent figures he had come to love, but what other options did they have? So, Shippo changed into a large stretcher, and Miroku laid down one layer of his robes, leaving only the first layer, the darkened-almost black robe. Setting down his Shinjoku, him and Sango prepared to lift up Inuyasha first, because both would be almost too hard.
"On my count."
"One"
"Two."
"Thr..Holy Kami above save us!" yelped Miroku as Inuyasha let out low menacing and painful sounding growl, but he didn't move, or give any sign of waking. Miroku quickly composed himself and looked at Sango. For a moment both of their hearts leaped into the air, but them they remembered.Kagome.
` `
Maybe.maybe if Inuyasha is alive.than Kagome.she could be.
` `
Sango's hopeful eyes met Miroku's. He bent over Kagome and checked her vital signs. The lines on his face darkened. No breath escaped her cherry lips, and no beat was felt in her heart. His bangs covered his face. Sango's eyes and heart fell. Her hope had shattered.
"Lets get them onto Shippo." Both Inuyasha and Kagome had to be lifted together, Inuyasha's deadly growl and death grip on Kagome was so fierce, that they could do nothing else.
"We must hurry and take Inuyasha to Keade. Even if he is a Hanyou, these wounds are deep and he will need to be tended to."
"Miroku?" Sango asked as she stared across to the monk. His eyes locked onto hers, and she quickly looked away. The pain was unbearable. Sango's heart was broken almost completely, but she knew she had to stay strong, at least for Inuyasha. They trudged through the forest silently. Kirara walked gingerly behind them.
***
"Ye have made it back safe and sound." Keade said walking up to Miroku and Sango.
"Yes. We have Keade, Inuyasha is badly hurt though. You must tend to him." Sango said trying her hardest not to let her voice crack. Keade gave her a pained expression.
"Follow me. There is a temporary hut set up for the wounded." Keade turned around and all of them walked down the hill.
"And the Shinkon Jewel? Does Kagome still wear it?" Keade asked painfully, keeping her eyes straight ahead.
"No. I have it in my possession right now." Miroku said gravely.
"You will be its new guardian then." Was all the words that were exchanged.
As they passed by, it looked like a funeral, and all the villagers that saw stopped their work to lift up a prayer.
"Lay them down here, and let poor Shippo have a rest." Keade said pointing to the corner in a large tent that had almost 15 other patients in there as well. Most were sleeping. Once layed down, both still together, Keade rolled Inuyasha on his back, and surprisingly he didn't growl, but his hand grasped Kagome's and his deadly grip could not be loosened.
"This is not good." Was all she said seeing all of the blood before taking off his haori top and white under shirt so that she could let her healing skills take over. Time slowed and everything seemed to move like syrup as memories and thoughts tried to cloud the old priestess's mind.
***
"Sango?" Miroku whispered. The forest was quiet and seemed haunted. Whispers seemed to come from everywhere. No sound other then the rhythmic beat that fell could be heard. Sango had wandered into the forest, though far from where the battle had been. It was not safe to be wandering around on your own. Not here. Not now. A new noise came to Miroku's ears and he quietly followed.
When he found what he was looking for, he softly put his arms on Sango's trembling shoulders. She stopped, a sharp intake of breath could be heard. She slowly looked up into dark violet eyes. Sango's face was crumpled and painfully red with the aggressive rubbing away of tears, and was completely soaked with water. Miroku took his hands and wiped the new drops of crystal that slipped over her cheek. His touch gentle and warm.
"Shhh. It's okay. Just cry." He said softly and held her to him. She gladly rested her head on his shoulder and let her body go limp in his strong arms as she cried. Soon, she became calmer.
"Miroku?"
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
"It's nothing to thank me for."
"I don't mean just this.I mean.when Kohaku.when he.you were there for me as well.I didn't think I would be able to take the pain.but you were there for me.and for all of the other little things.but.I thought.all of us would be together.in the end.I didn't.I couldn't.even begin to think.something this terrible.Kagome was like a sister.after what I went through with Kohaku.I thought he was dead.and he's still.but now.with Kagome.It's not the fact that.that she's.but that I won't get to see her.not tomorrow.not the day after.maybe not the year after.She won't be there.I know.it's selfish of me.but.Miroku. I don't know if I can be strong anymore.I just can't.I don't know how much.how much more I can take." She began to cry even more, all attempt to talk through her struggled sobs; were cut off.
"You are the strongest person I know. Sango, you will get through it. And I'll be by your side when you need help." Sango cried a little more and breathed in deaply.
"Y-you really mean it?" She whispered.
"Yes, I do. Now let's get back to the village. Keade will worry about us." He said. Sango barely nodded, but stood up with Miroku. A light blush, though hard to see, had crept all along her face, as well as Miroku's. They walked side by back to the village.
***
The rain stopped and the night sky became clear. The moon was out as were all of the stars. Everything seemed sharp and clear, like metal that had been grimy for years, and was washed off one day left only to shine. Small fires were set up where the village was. No houses were there, not since Kikyo's bravado of power. Instead tents made of hides and beams were scattered everywhere. Sango and Miroku fell asleep at the campfire next to the temporary healing hut, Shippo was leaned against a tree in a deep sleep, and Kirara paced back and forth as if expecting something. Keade sat near the entrance of the hut her patients were at. Her eyes were closed, though not in sleep, but in painful thoughts. She was wondering about all that had went on, but had dared not asked Sango, Miroku, or Shippo. Their pain was deep and asking them to tell of what they knew right now, would be like a slap in the face. No, all questions would be answered in do time, but not now.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump. Thump.
Thump Thump.
Keade's eyes shot wide open.
"What could that be?" She asked in bewilderment. She looked into the corner of the dark hut where it seemed to come from. It was almost more of a vibration that she could feel ripple out in all directions, than a sound.
"How can it.what is the cause of this?" She asked out loud and she walked to where the ripples seemed to begin and found herself starring at Kagome. Every time a 'thump' was heard, a pulse seemed to ripple through the air.
"It's, it's her heart. But I do not understand. What craft is at work here?" Slowly life flowed through Kagome's veins, and color returned. Small breaths escaped her lips and her chest began to rise and fall, barely noticibly, but it was there. Life had somehow crept into her. Suddenly Keade understood what that pulse was, but was puzzled by all else.
"It's her heart beating. But how can this be? Kagome was dead! Is it a demonic trick? But I see nor sense any demons about here. Unless." She quickly bent down and took the girls shirt off. Her fingers tingled with a soft, warm, and almost irritating sensation as she touched Kagome. Ignoring this, she looked at the dry encrusted blood that was plastered on her milky skin. Two colors of red blood were seen over where the wounds were. She looked over at Inuyasha. How could she not have thought of this before? She knew that their blood had been intertwined and mingled, but why had she not thought of the result of this coming? A smile played on her lips.
"Well Inuyasha. Ye have managed to save Kagome. You have given back a joy thought to be lost to this world." Keade murmured. Inuyasha's hand moved and squeezed Kagome's hand even firmer. Keade quickly set out to clean Kagome's wounds as well and bandage her up, but she didn't notice that one particular single strand of hair had turned silver without her knowing it.
***
Authors Ending Note: Now honestly.you peoples really seriously didn't think that I would kill Kagome and Inuyasha? Well, technically I killed Kagome, but she was brought back to life, and Inuyasha wasn't dead to begin with, just mortally wounded to the point of near death. No I could never do that. I care about 'my' characters too much. Besides, how are they going to defeat Naraku without her? She's a definite 'need' to this story!
I may be cruel enough to make you hang on my evil cliffies, but not that evil!