Hey people, haven't updated in awhile because, well, to be honest I was grounded from the internet. Don't ask. Well only one more chapter left after this one so get ready!...
Chapter 13- The Never Ending Battle
Rin was on Ah and Un's back, flying through the morning sky, yet her mind was clearly elsewhere. The whole group had taken to the air so they could arrive faster at Naraku's castle, providing that he was still there. Sesshomaru was on his cloud and Kagura, as usual, was riding in her feather. So far the trip had been passed in silence; Rin dared not to talk to Sesshomaru until Kagura was gone. Rin sighed and rested her head in her hands. She could wait a day or two longer, although her questions were burning to be answered. Sesshomaru noticed her quietness and regretted not answering her question. He shook his head; he couldn't answer because he hadn't known the answer then. Now he knew for a fact he was falling in love with the human. This is one demon lord who isn't going to show it though... he thought to himself. With that peace of mind he kept on flying, determined to take that secret to his grave. Finally they arrived at the castle and Kagura led them inside. There were traces of a fight and blood was spattered all over the walls.
Kagura looked shocked and muttered, "This is human blood. But what is it doing inside this castle?" Sesshomaru scanned the castle, unfazed by the slaughter in front of him. After all, he had done some slaughters himself.
Rin gasped in horror as her leg bumped into a corpse. Whirling around, Kagura paled and kneeled in front of the body. "Judoka... my loyal servant..." she whispered. Sesshomaru turned to the wind sorceress and stated,
"This is a trap, Kagura. Naraku has already disposed of your servants and has moved to another place." He clenched his fist up in anger and then unclenched it. "But why has he deceived us? What are his intentions?" His face returning to its usual impassive state, he walked out of the gates without an explanation.
"Wait Lord Sess-!" Rin yelled but was cut off by Sesshomaru.
"Rin stay here with Kagura." He turned around to Kagura, narrowed his eyes, and threatened, "Do anything to her Kagura and you will wake up tomorrow morning dead. Do you understand?"
Who is he to just... order me around? Kagura thought furiously. Yet she disguised her anger and nodded. Sesshomaru turned back around and ran into the forest. Kagura turned with an evil smile to Rin. She began to get uncomfortable and Rin shifted her gaze to the castle but Kagura's stare still made her uneasy. Finally, after what seemed like ages, Rin whirled around, frustrated, and said heatedly, "What?" This just made Kagura smile even deeper which added to Rin's uneasiness. Trying desperately to find a chore to preoccupy her mind she settled on cleaning the castle. Rin stood up and walked to it, a determined expression on her face. Kagura smiled and laughed .This is exactly what she had planned for Rin to do since Kagura hated housework.
Sesshomaru zipped through the forest, avoiding trees with ease. He wasn't sure he should've left Rin with Kagura, but that was the safest place for her to be right now. Dodging another tree, he wondered where Naraku was hiding. Sesshomaru knew that Naraku had distracted him so he could fight Inuyasha alone. What Naraku hadn't expected was that they had gotten there a day earlier. Good thing we walked all night, Sesshomaru thought grimly, slowing down slightly to avoid a cliff. Reverting back to full demon speed, he rushed off to find his annoying half demon brother.
"Will ya be quiet for a moment!" Koga snapped at his wolves, which whimpered and backed down. He was frustrated that he didn't know what Naraku had planned, and it made him super edgy. Stepping out of the den into bright sunshine, he waited for his eyes to adjust to the light. When they did, he noticed one of his comrades coming to him with a cup of water.
"Oi, Koga! Want a drink of water?" he yelled to the wolf prince. Little did both of them know that this water had been poisoned just seconds before. The young wolf demon had no idea either; he was just trying to be friendly. Koga gladly accepted the drink and gulped it down in two seconds.
"Tasty," he complimented. Suddenly his throat burned like hell and he felt like his stomach was on fire.
"What the hell was in that drink!" Koga yelled and the young wolf demon panicked and ran to someone for help. Koga was thrust forward onto all fours, and then he began to violently throw up. Suddenly he went rigid and collapsed as help arrived. "Naraku you bastard..." were his last words before everything went black.
Inuyasha and the gang were walking towards Juyokuyo's forest. Tension was mounting and, like Koga, they were all on edge. Miroku walked in the back with Sango and Kilala while Inuyasha and Kagome were in the front, with Shippo resting on Kagome's shoulder. All was pretty much quiet, since each of them was thinking of a different thing. Inuyasha was nervous about how this battle would fare, Sango was worried about Kohaku and what would happen to him after this battle, and Miroku was getting ready to end the curse of the Wind Tunnel once and for all. Shippo was peacefully snoozing and Kilala was just, well, Kilala. Kagome had nothing personal against Naraku except the fact that he desired her, which was really creepy. Yet she trusted Inuyasha and she knew that he battled harder and better when he was protecting her. With that information she came along, and also to give the others moral support.
Trying to break the silence Kagome asked, "Are we almost there?"
"No," Inuyasha said curtly and continued to walk. So much for breaking the silence... Kagome thought miserably. She walked glumly on, aware of the fact that Shippo was waking up. At least now there will be someone to talk to...
Shippo was now fully awake and questioned, "Hey, where are we?" Kagome looked down and reassured him,
"We are almost there; don't worry."
Inuyasha stopped and corrected her. "We are not almost there."
Kagome glared at him and said, "I would've known that if you had told me! You practically ignored me when I asked!"
"Well I didn't feel like talking at that moment!" he snapped back. Kagome shook her head and averted her eyes.
"Well I didn't feel like talking to you right now, yet you started to talk to me!"
"Well then shut up!"
"What if I don't want to?" Kagome yelled then stopped to wait for Sango. Getting close to Kilala, she got her bow and arrows and waited for everyone to revert back to their usual quiet self. I'll be fine as long as I've got my bow and arrows, she thought to herself. With that peace of mind she ran off into the forest to get away from everyone for a while. Creeping along stealthily, she stopped at a clearing to rest. Scanning the area Kagome commented, "This looks peaceful enough. From what I gathered, I will meet up with Inuyasha if I cross this meadow. Man, I can't wait to see the expression on Inuyasha's face when I walk right in front of him from the front!" Giggling madly, Kagome practically ran across the clearing, hoping to reach Inuyasha first. Suddenly she heard a roar and whipped around to find a demon running at her, fangs bared. Sliding an arrow into her bow in record time, she shot it straight at the demon. It hit its mark with excellent accuracy and purified the demon. Kagome smiled and thought, I don't need the others! Unknown to Kagome, a demon approached her from the back and knocked her unconscious.
Sesshomaru zipped through the forest when he sensed the strange miko Inuyasha always hung out with in distress. Deciding that he might as well save her since she might prove useful in the battle, he changed his course and came to a large clearing. Sesshomaru immediately spotted the demon who was attempting to pick up his prey, Kagome. With inhuman speed he rushed over and slashed the demon to ribbons. Picking up Kagome bridal style, he ran to get to Inuyasha.
Inuyasha was storming ahead of everyone as usual, his bad mood getting the better of him. He knew that he had been too harsh with Kagome before, but there was no way in hell he was gonna apologize. Sighing, he trudged on until he picked up his brother's scent. Yelling back to the others, he told them, "Hey Sesshomaru is coming."
Sango hoisted her Hiraikotsu up onto her shoulder and Miroku placed his other hand on the beads which held his Wind Tunnel in. Inuyasha just stared blankly to the direction Sesshomaru was coming to, but then he started to sense another scent with his brother. Realizing suddenly who was with his brother he yelled, "Kagome!" before rushing up to get her. The others were all following close behind him, wondering how the hell Kagome had ended up with Sesshomaru.
Inuyasha stopped in front of Sesshomaru, and he looked down at Kagome. She was unconscious but, thank god, not hurt. The others caught up and Sango came up, worried. Angrily looking at Sesshomaru he asked bitterly, "What happened to Kagome, jackass!"
Calmly staring back at his brother, Sesshomaru stated, "She was getting attacked by a demon. You should be thanking me for saving her."
"Liar," Inuyasha breathed, "she was with us the whole time!"
Sango put her hand on Inuyasha's arm. "It was awfully quiet after your fight with Kagome… She could have just run into the forest."
Realizing that it had been too quiet after his little quarrel with her, Inuyasha sighed. Geez she sure is sensitive if she runs off after that little fight…. At that moment Kagome stirred and sat up in Sesshomaru's arms. "Where… where am I?" she groggily asked.
Taking Kagome from Sesshomaru's arms defensively, he answered, "You're back with us."
Miroku leaned over to Sango and whispered, "The little doggie is sure loyal. He won't even let us get near her…" Sango giggled and lightly punched Miroku in the chest.
"He's gonna hear us," she whispered.
Inuyasha's ears flicked and he said suddenly, "Too late. You're dead Miroku." Miroku grumbled and hid behind Sango. Kagome finally woke all the way up and stood up in Inuyasha's arms.
"How did I get here? All I remember is killing a demon then getting hit from behind…"
Sesshomaru stood up at that moment and replied, "I saw the demon trying to eat you and decided that you might be useful in the next battle."
Kagome gaped and sputtered, "That's the only reason you saved me?"
Sesshomaru looked bored and stared up into the sky. "Yes."
Shaking her head she said in a low voice, "I guess you can't teach an old dog new tricks." Inuyasha laughed loudly and Sesshomaru hissed,
"You're treading on thin ice, miko." Stretching, Kagome said happily,
"Well let's go to find Naraku!" Falling into step they continued in their usual formation. Sesshomaru was in the front because quote, 'Sesshomaru does not enjoy the stench of you humans' unquote.
Inuyasha leaned over and asked Kagome, "Why the hell did you run off? I- I mean Shippo- was worried about you."
Kagome looked up at him and said with a sad smile, "What? You weren't worried? I should've known that you wouldn't be I guess."
He looked dumbstruck and Kagome walked on, avoiding his eyes. "Wait I didn't mean it like that!" he yelled to her and caught up. "Geez you women jump to conclusions."
"Just forget it, Inuyasha. Forget I said anything," she muttered in a voice barely audible but Inuyasha could hear it clearly and it broke his heart.
"Look I'm sorry." Inuyasha admitted finally, much to the joy of Kagome. She cried out and gave him a hug. "Thank you," she whispered before pulling away.
Wow, if that's all it takes to make them happy, I should do it more often, he thought in shock. Uncertain of how Kagome would react, he slipped his hand into hers. Kagome gave out a small gasp as she felt Inuyasha's hand find hers and give it a squeeze. She looked up and said, "Well you're in a considerably better mood. I guess all it took was a hug, eh?" Inuyasha grinned in a doggish way and they continued on while Miroku and Sango stared at their entwined hands with interest.
"Looks like they've gone public," Miroku stated, saying exactly what Sango was thinking. She nodded her head in agreement then thought, me and Kagome will definitely talk about this later… Miroku surprised Sango by playfully bumping into her. Sesshomaru looked back at the couples, an eyebrow raised.
Well the mood has certainly improved. Seeing all these couples made his heart ache for Rin. Shaking his head to clear himself of these obnoxious thoughts, he focused straightforward on the problem at hand, how were they going to defeat Naraku?
Inuyasha seemed to be thinking the exact same thing because he suddenly asked the group, "Hey, do we actually have a plan?" Everyone stopped and looked at Inuyasha.
"Usually we don't have a plan, Inuyasha." Sango said, confused. "But if you want to make one, give us a suggestion then."
"Look demon slayer," Inuyasha growled, "I was just asking; don't bite my head off." Kagome lightly hit Inuyasha in the shoulder. How could he be so rude? she thought irritably. Just at that moment Sesshomaru stood up and walked back to the group.
"I think that one of us should take care of Atoka and the other 'offspring' of Naraku. That way we could have a clear path to Naraku himself." Sesshomaru stated.
"That sounds logical enough," Miroku complimented, stroking his chin, "But who would?" They all looked to one another and then their eyes lingered on Sango and Miroku. "Oh no!" Sango said firmly.
Inuyasha folded his arms and sneered, "Too bad, we anonymously chose you." Sango looked about ready to strangle Inuyasha and Miroku furrowed his eyebrows in annoyance. Kagome decided to do this her way, and fix Inuyasha's meanness.
Kagome walked up to them and begged, "Please could you guys do it? It would be a big favor and would help us immensely with our battle." Sango's eyes softened as she saw her friend give her a pleading look and she releculantly agreed. Kagome gave her a warm smile then turned her smoldering chocolate eyes on Miroku and silently begged. Giving in to her, Miroku commented,
"Wow, Kagome. That look actually works for you."
Inuyasha interrupted him and guessed, "Don't tell me, she gave you the puppy dog plea?"
Kagome turned to him, confused. "The puppy dog plea?"
Nodding, Inuyasha confirmed her question. "Yes, the puppy dog plea. You use it all the time when you want something Kagome."
She flushed a pretty pink and mumbled, "Well, I do seem to get what I want when I give people that look."
"Yeah, you cheater!" he teased then stretched. "Well let's get cracking if we wanna kick some Naraku ass before sunset."
Miroku peered at the sun and said, "Inuyasha's right. We better leave." The group walked in comfortable silence for the remainder of the journey until they reached the new castle. Inuyasha stopped Kagome and faced her.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked, concerned for her safety. Kagome, touched by his words, replied,
"I will stay by your side Inuyasha. Even if it means dying with you." Inuyasha felt his heartbeat quicken and he was shocked at her loyalty.
"Kagome…" he sputtered. She cut him off with her soft lips then said,
"If we survive this, more will come like that." Inuyasha grinned devilishly and whispered just loud enough for Kagome to hear, "Well then I'll fight extra hard." He gave her one last fleeting glance before staring straight ahead of him, focusing hard on the upcoming battle.
Mean while Miroku and Sango were having the same talk. He suddenly told her, "Sango… if this battle turns out for the worst… I want you to know that I-I love you."
Sango was shocked and would've fallen forward if Miroku didn't catch her. "Thank y-you" she mumbled and shifted her gaze to the ground. He wasn't sure if to take that as an 'I love you too' or 'go away lecher'. Miroku waited for a few tense minutes before Sango looked up, her cheeks red.
"I love you too" she said firmly, giving Miroku a tight squeeze and a light peck on the cheek. They both turned, too, to face the castle. Sesshomaru was the first to walk toward the castle, his jaw set. He would have to survive this battle to see Rin again, to tell her what he had been dying to tell her for weeks. Inuyasha followed next, determinedly trying to swallow the growing lump in his throat. Kagome grabbed onto his arm and walked with him. Miroku and Sango followed, their hands now entwined. Shippo jumped on a now transformed Kilala and shouted, "For father!"
With each step they took, the foreboding feeling increased. Kagome passed it off as Naraku's miasma but it kept nagging at her in the back of her mind. As they slowly reached the gates of the castle; Atoka and Naraku appeared through the miasma. Kanna stood a little way back, her face emotionless.
Naraku smirked and sneered, "I am honored that you have to bring so many people just to kill me." Atoka just nodded and put a smirk identical to Naraku's on her face.
Inuyasha scowled and yelled, "Hah. It'll only take me to kill the likes of you. You had to come back by getting that bitch over there to think that you loved her. Pathetic."
Kagome looked to Inuyasha and whispered, "You aren't getting points for telling people off!"
"Ah, shut up!" Inuyasha muttered and Kagome glared at him briefly before turning back to Naraku. His eyes roamed over everyone and rested on Kagome. Smiling widely he said sweetly, "Don't worry Kagome I won't kill you; I'm saving you for me."
Inuyasha wrapped an arm around Kagome protectively and sniffed, "I'd like to see you try."
"You will," Naraku said before releasing a cloud of toxic gas into their group. Grabbing Kagome and jumping, Inuyasha barely made it out in time. He coughed and commanded, "Kagome stay here." Unsheathing the Tetsaiga with a swipe, he zipped over to Naraku with his unreal speed and sliced the Tetsaiga, missing Naraku. Naraku had jumped to the side but Sesshomaru had met him halfway, cracking his energy whip just inches from Naraku's head. Inuyasha caught Naraku's side with a slash through his gut, leaving a deep cut.
"Afraid I scratched you," Inuyasha cracked his knuckles and headed once more to Naraku.
Seeing her 'beloved' wounded, Atoka attempted to rush over and help him but was stopped as the Hiraikotsu tore up the ground just in front of her feet. Turning around and seeing the bone boomerang come back to Sango, she yelled out in fury. Miroku fingered the prayer beads holding his Wind Tunnel in, but immediately stopped when he noticed Naraku's wasps in the near distance. Damn these wasps are always by Naraku; I can't even get one shot at him! Frustrated Miroku held his staff tighter and the rings dangled. Jumping onto the transformed Kilala, Sango flew down swiftly to Atoka and attempted to slice her in half with the Hiraikotsu.
Dodging it easily, Atoka almost succeeded in tearing Sango's arm off if not for a sacred arrow piercing through her own. Staring down in disbelief at the stump where her arm had just been, she swiveled her head around and saw Kagome with her bow still up.
"Wretched girl," she hissed and rushed to her, sword outstretched. Gripping her bow tightly Kagome swung it against the sword and the spiritual power knocked the sword out of Atoka's hand. Her already outstretched hand turned into a balled up fist and she struck Kagome right in the cheek, sending her flying back ward. Kagome got onto all fours and watched as a blurry image of Atoka appeared before her, sword raised high. As the sword came down, Kagome found an inner strength she never knew she had and put up a barrier around her self.
Atoka cursed Kagome and hit the barrier again and again, hoping to break it but with no success. Miroku seized this chance to strike Atoka with his staff, causing the demoness to double over in pain and then become unconscious. Kagome weakly tried to stand up but her knees buckled. Glancing across the field she saw Inuyasha get thrown to the side and instantly pick him self up again and charge. Finding the strength, Kagome stood up with Sango's help and crouched by Atoka. She placed a hand on Atoka's forehead and purified the demoness to ashes.
"Astounding!" Miroku exclaimed. Kagome walked with the help of her bow and slowly began to regain her strength. Sliding an arrow into her bow she shot it at Kanna, making the mirror shatter. As soon as the glass particles fell to the floor Kanna fainted. This left Naraku to deal with and the two dog brothers were already causing Naraku to become tired and so, desperately trying to avoid his demise, Naraku leapt up and tried to escape but a familiar boomerang bone crashed through his body, breaking several of his bones.
Naraku stood, a hand to his still bleeding side, and scowled. "Go to hell."
Inuyasha whipped his sword up onto his shoulder and retorted, "Ladies first," before unleashing the Wind Scar. Kagome ran up beside him and shot an arrow directly into the blast of the Wind Scar, doubling its power. The light from their combined powers made everyone shield their eyes. When the dust cleared, the rest of the jewel stood gleaming in the sunlight and Kagome approached it cautiously. Everyone gathered around her as she picked up the tainted half and purified it, making it shine with a pure light.
Placing it in her backpack, Kagome turned and asked, "Is he really gone?"
Sesshomaru closed his eyes for a second and then opened them again. "Yes. His presence no longer exists on this earth." Inuyasha breathed deeply and said, "There goes another bastard. May dogs eat on his remains."
Miroku looked down at his right hand and cried out, "It's gone! It's really gone!" Sango smiled, tears running down her face. Suddenly she yelled frantically, "Where's Kohaku's shard?"
Kagome inspected the jewel and sadly turned to Sango. "It's right here…" she whispered. Sango burst into sobs, now fully aware that her beloved brother was now dead. Miroku placed a comforting hand on her shoulders. Sesshomaru gazed at the sight a moment before whirling around and walking off.
"Oi, where are you going?" Inuyasha insisted. Sesshomaru stopped in his tracks and slightly tilted his head sideways to look at Inuyasha. "Back to Rin…" he said calmly before resuming his retreat.
"I think he loves her," Kagome suggested to Inuyasha, who shook his head. "Appears so…"
Inuyasha tilted his head upward and thought, it's finally over…
What did cha guys think? Come on, don't be shy, hand over those reviews! Also, this time Naraku is really dead because there's only one more chapter left so we can't fit him in. Whatever.
Next Chapter- How will Kagome face her one true fear? And what will Inuyasha do when he finds it out? Also, I'm tying up odds and ends with pairs like Miroku and Sango and also Sesshomaru and Rin. Of course, there will be a lot of Inuyasha and Kagome fluff, duh, they are the main characters.
Later all you losers! j/k
kikyohater92