A.N: Thank you everyone for being patient! I'm finally off grounding and had the time to update! WHOOHOO! Anyway, I hated the way my story ended up, Sess was sooo OOC (actually Chapter three wasn't supposed to be up there…don't ask), so I decided to redo Chapter two and three. But it still doesn't go the way I want it too, oh well, here ya go.
Always There
Chapter 2
The first thing that registered in the group's dazed minds, once the bright agonizing light had diminished, was the laughter.
An insane, hysterical cackle that roared in their ears and sent cold shivers of revulsion and terror down each of their spines.
It was certain to haunt their nightmares for many a night to come.
A foreboding feeling gripped at all their chests, they were terrified to open their eyes. What had happened? They were all still alive but…
With great willpower and heavy hearts, they rubbed away the spots dancing in their vision and strained to focus and comprehend the horrific sight before them.
"Oh, please God….no."
A terrible sight that was destined to haunt them for much longer.
A few feet in front of them, burnt and broken, was the mangled body of Inuyasha; lying on his back in a pool of his own blood.
Naraku was howling now, but no one took any notice. All they could hear was the frantic 'thump thump' of their hearts, pounding in their ears. It couldn't be…but he's not moving…Inuyasha was…
"Still clinging to life I see, Inuyasha, you still don't cease to amuse me. But it's all for naught. I knew that these pathetic creatures you call friends would be your demise. Your greatest weakness, the lives of the people you care for." Naraku gave a malicious grin.
The five stunned friends, hope beginning to bloom in their eyes, stared intently at the dog hanyou. It was true! He was breathing, shallow and barely noticeable, but he was! He was alive!
"Oh, thank God." Kagome gave a shaky smile, but their relief didn't last long as they were brought back to attention of what Naraku was saying.
"I can sense the darkness surrounding you, half-breed. Tell me, are you having difficulty breathing? Does your mind seem to be slipping away? Death is slowly claiming you, Inuyasha, and it won't be long before your soul is dragged to hell. You certainly have saved your precious friends for now, but once you're gone, how long will they last? Hmmm…a month…a week? I suppose I should let them wallow in their grief for you, that is…if they even feel—"
"ENOUGH!" Everyone turned, wide-eyed, to the young miko, tears streaming down her face. Her chocolate brown eyes were swirling with fear, sorrow, and most of all anger. Of her hatred of the wretched demon who had cursed all their lives, who had caused so much pain. Especially to the boy she had fallen in love with, who was slowly regaining painful consciousness.
It was all too much. To have Inuyasha selflessly jump in front of the blow that would have killed them effortlessly, and now Naraku was making fun of him. That was it, he was going to pay.
Kagome's hard core fury made her clenched hands tremble, her fingernails digging in to the soft flesh of her palm. Her mouth strained from the enormous pressure she was grinding it to, and the air seemed to spark around her.
In other words…Kagome was downright pissed.
She wondered vaguely if this was how Inuyasha felt when turning demon. Unless it was her imagination…but was she starting to see red?
"How DARE you mock, Inuyasha. He saved all our lives! I will make you pay for hurting him, you vile thing! You…you…BASTARD!"
Oh, boy.
Everyone's eyes, even Naraku's (f you could see under his mask), widened in shock. Apparently the young woman was spending a little too much time with a certain dog-demon. Of course…under the circumstances…it was understandable. Once shaken out of their stupor, the rest of the gang nodded determinedly and stood tall by her side.
Inuyasha, stubborn and dense, had proven how deep his feelings went for them. Leaping nobly into the range of fire, he showed how a true leader and friend would act. Nobody was going to make fun of him for that. Naraku was going to pay for hurting him.
Readying themselves for battle, an engulfing emotion swept their bodies. Making their hearts feel light and strong. Pride for their leader, love for their friend. They were going to be certain that Naraku did not leave this battle with the last laugh.
With a powerful cry, they lunged for their revenge. Naraku's thin, wiry lips twisted into a disturbing sneer. Arrows ripped in a flash of pure light through his twisting tentacles, ofudas sparked on his grimy demonic skin, demon bone and claws slashed, and the air erupted in a bright blue light. But no matter how hard they tried, the Inu gang couldn't seem to be able to wipe that frustrating smirk off his face.
While another one of Kagome's purifying arrows made its way towards Naraku's chest, he cast one last red eye onto Inuyasha. His smirk soon transformed into a broad grin, before opening wide letting loose another booming crack of wicked laughter. The deafening noise echoed across the valley long after he had disintegrated.
Panting, they all gazed shocked at the place where the evil demon had once stood.
A lone wooden figure stared back with sightless eyes; one slimy black hair wrapped around it blowing mockingly in the wind.
It was a puppet.
Sango gave a scream of frustration and slammed her Hairokotsu to the ground, Miroku's grip twisted fiercely on the cold metal of his staff, Shippo ripped up one of his little leafs and growled, which intermingled with the angry roar of a transforming Kirara. Kagome grounded her teeth but didn't soak long in her frustration as a weak….
"Ka..gome…" reached her ears. Everyone was snapped back to reality by the small whimper and quickly made their way to Inuyasha's side. They slicked through thick blood matting on the grass, and tried to swallow the gritty bile that reared in their throats at the grotesque site they were nearing to.
Inuyasha didn't look too good.
That was a foolish understatement.
Inuyasha looked like hell.
Blood soaked every single part of his battered body, flowing over burnt black skin and once red kimono. His cute little ears were also singed and tweaked weakly at the sounds of their hurried footsteps. One of his legs were twisted sickenly at the wrong angle, while his other had a deep long gash that revealed the pure white bone inside. They also saw with utter horror, that Inuyasha didn't have two arms anymore; his right arm blown completely off at the elbow, now just a shredded stump. His chest, beneath his strong fire rat fur that was shredded beyond repair, was really no better off than his destroyed haori.
The gang fought against their nausea and made their way towards him, relieved slightly by the small beautiful smile that graced his burnt lips, besides the inevitable and unimaginable pain he was going through.
Kagome knelt down beside his decapitated arm and without even acknowledging the blood or mangled joint, placed his head on her lap. He winced slightly but didn't voice any complaints. The rest of the group sat around him as well, all knowing, deep within their hearts, what was going to happen.
Kagome stroked his cheek, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. "You baka…wh-why…did you do that?" A few escaped her lashes but were swept away by Inuyasha's rough bloody fingertips. His face softened but you couldn't miss how his gaze clearly said…'you're the baka'.
"It's my job…remember? I wouldn't let that—"His gentle whisper was cut off as blood flowed into his mouth. His amber eye, the other completely burnt shut, flared with fear as he choked and sputtered.
Oh, hell, not yet. Please, I don't care what happens to me, just please let me talk to them. Let me finish what I have to say. As if someone had really heard his plea, Inuyasha was able to swallow back the metallic taste and take a few quick piercing breaths. Thank you, oh God, thank you. He opened up his one eye once again to the relief of his friends and smiled once more. "Even though I hate to admit it, that bastard Naraku is right, I am dying you guys. But I'm going to leave with all of you around me, all my wonderful friends. You have made me so proud and…happy."
"What are you talking about? You're not dying…we…we can heal you! We'll take you to Kaede and…and fix you up…just wait and see. You'll be just fine…I… I WON'T LET YOU DIE!" Kagome squeezed her eyes painfully against the stinging tears. A warm palm rested on her cheek and she gazed down at Inuyasha once more.
"I'm sorr…sorry for making you cry…I've always hated to see you cry. It's always my damn fault…isn't it?" Kagome shook her head franticly and his hand fell back down limply to the reddish stained ground. He gave another soft smile. "Even when I try to do something…nice…you do. But that's okay…hopefully this will make you happy."
He took a deep steadying breath and stared into her eyes, "Kagome…for so damn long…even though for the longest time…I couldn't admit it… but I…I love you."
The young priestess's voice hitched in her throat and more of those damning tears trailed down. Sango and Miroku smiled, as Shippo pounded his fist in the air. It was about time.
"I'm…really…kicking myself…for not telling you sooner…but…oh, hell! I still made you cry!" Inuyasha's smile fell, and he looked up at her with unconcealed concern.
"No, it's just that I'm…s-so happy. I…I love you, too, Inuyasha, for as long as I could remember." The smile made its reappearance once more, and his relief and joy shone in his amber depths. Kagome hiccupped, "Oh, God! Please, don't go! I need you here with me! I…I can't live without you! Please…don't…don't go…"
"You're…going to have to…gome. I know…I really…don't want to leave you, either. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you. But I ca…oh, dammit! Don't cry…I hate to see you cry. Please…just try to smile…for me. I've always…l-loved your smile." After several sniffs, the distraught girl, managed to lift a corner of her mouth upward. "There you go…that's..so…so beautiful. Now, you all have to…do me a favor…okay?" His wounded features radiated of stubborn command as he brought his attention back on the rest of his pack.
"Okay." Miroku nodded, a brave face plastered firmly on, but his bluish eyes were storming with grief.
Inuyasha nodded stiffly back and beckoned them all closer. His voice beginning to strain as numbness began to descend along his body. "You guys…do me a favor…and kick Naraku's ass…okay? He doesn't deserve any mercy…finish…what we started…and win…alright?"
"We'll make him die, a slow and painful death. We won't let you die in vain, Inuyasha." Sango said rigidly, her back straight and tall, though her own tears of sorrow made themselves known.
"Good…perfect…….get rid of that wind tunnel….avenge your people….and avenge…Kikyou as well." His eye clouded with thought and he looked back up at Kagome, "Kagome….can….can you…"
The young woman nodded in understanding, "Yes, I…I'll tell Kikyou, you loved her. And that you—"
"No."
"What?"
"I love you….remember? But do tell her…that I'm sorry….for everything I guess….whatever. She needs to move on…I don't care if she still hates me…just….Kagome you're so good at helping people…much better than me…could you help her find peace?"
Kagome managed to give a small 'yeah' between her newly sprung tears.
"Good…you guys…are so important to me…you know? I'm so glad that you'll all live….make sure you don't die any time soon….okay? Live a long, happy life."
"We can't be happ—"
"We'll do our best to stay strong and do as you wish, Inuyasha," Miroku said, cutting off Kagome's words, "our friend."
"You all…made my life worth living. The only true friends I ever had…my best friends…" Inuyasha's eye began to well up with tears as well, he made no move to cover them up or wipe them away, "My…family…my wonderful pack…I know you all make me proud. But I will find someway…to always be with you. Somehow…I will…no matter what. I still want to keep my promise…of always protecting you….all."
"Inuyasha….please….you big jerk…you can't go now." Shippo sniffled and made his way over to nuzzle the hanyou's large, clawed hand. "I…don't want to lose…another…oh, papa, please don't go!"
"Shippo," Inuyasha gave him an affectionate caress atop his fluffy, orange head. "I…don't want to…but I have to. It's my time to go, I guess. Take care of everyone, okay? You're going to be the top demon now…you have to be strong...for me.You take care and be happy….son. Don't ever stop smiling…"
"Okay, papa," Shippo summoned up as much courage he could muster, and hoped it looked real, for he didn't feel that way inside. "I'll protect everyone just like you…I'll be strong."
Inuyasha gave another brilliant smile, overflowing with fatherly pride, "Good boy…my pup." He moved his gaze slowly, now, onto Miroku and Sango, "Speaking of pups….you guys are perfect for one another, you know? Just stop being such a lech, Miroku…and Sango, admit it….you both love each other. Make sure…when all this is over…with the jewel…to have a big family…that is if Sango…or Miroku, too…can handle that." He chuckled quietly at their blushing faces, "Oi, I'm not that dense."
Sango and Miroku gave him a soft, trembling smile, holding each other's hands. "Okay," Sango whispered, laying her head onto the monk's shoulder.
He seemed a bit surprised at first, but then his features turned into a loving look, turning back to the dying half-breed. "Yeah, we'll even give one the honor of your name." Sango nodded in agreement.
"Heh…that'd be nice."
"In…uyasha." He turned his head back up at Kagome.
"Kagome…you can have pups, too, kay? As long as it's not with that mangy wolf…or that Hoho guy," Inuyasha gave another weak chuckle. "Find a wonderful guy…who treats you kind…and loves you at least a little of how much I do…and live a long happy life."
Kagome shook her head violently, exasperated, tears splashing all over the dog-boy's body, "No, no, no! I could NEVER be with another guy! I could never love another! I CAN NEVER BE HAPPY WITHOUT YOU! NEVER EVER EVER--"
"Kagome," She paused, panting lightly. "I understand…I could never love and be with someone else after you...if you died….just, please…try to be happy." The young priestess, her heart breaking, nodded sadly; trailing her fingers softly down his cheek. "I don't want you all to stay grieving…and sad. Don't wallow too much in your pain, move on, and enjoy life as much as you can together….don't waste it." Like I did. "Do you promise?"
Greeted by tiny nods and sad eyes, he growled, and winced against the slight pain "Dammit…what did I just say?" He kept glaring, ignoring the throbbing in his Adam's apple, and waited as they all tried their best to smile. Inuyasha sighed. "Just try…okay? Now…I want you to burn my body…before you do whatever the hell you'll do with it."
"Wha—"
"I don't want…Kagura…or whoever…to use my body against you. So…promise me and burn my body. I'm pretty damn sure I won't feel it."
"Very insightful, my friend, we'll be sure to not let your body be used for evil purposes."
"Thank you…Miroku." His voice was barely above a whisper now. "I…love you guys. Tell the ol' hag…and that wimpy coward of a flea…plus your family, Kagome…the very same thing. I've never felt so accepted…by anyone before. You've all made me so happy….I'm so glad that I met all of you. Thank you…for not letting me die alone…like I thought I would…thank you…for being the best family I got."
"We…WE ALL LOVE YOU, TOO!"
"PLEASE DON'T DIE ON US!"
"I DON'T WANT TO LOSE ANOTHER ONE OF MY FAMILY!"
Miroku was the only one left who wasn't sobbing, and gave a gentle pat on Inuyasha's shoulder. "We all feel the same way for you, Inuyasha, I hope you know that. We'll be sure to carry out your final wishes."
"Thank you…" Inuyasha's eyelids began to grow heavy, and it was getting a bit difficult to take in a breath. "Could you please…also…Miroku…tell Ses…shomaru…that I'm sorry…for being such a disappointment to him…tell him that I'm…I was proud to be called his brother."
Miroku nodded.
"Kagome…" She sobbed and clutched him to her chest. He smiled. "I want to die just like this, thank you." With the last of his strength, he leaned up and kissed her tear-stained cheek. "For everything…I love you…I promise...I'll find a way…to always…be with….you."
Kagome gasped as she felt the last of his warm breath hiss onto her skin. She looked down at him, and was greeted with the dull, lifeless amber eye of Inuyasha; the beautiful amber depths, no longer showing any emotion, or sign of life. She waited with baited breath for her beloved hanyou to perhaps take another inhale, to blink, or yell at her, to make any sort of sign that his delicate soul, hidden under his scowl, hadn't been taken away from him yet.
Nothing.
Instead, his corpse grew cold and rigid.
With trembling fingertips, she closed his eye for one last time. Kissing him tenderly on his chilled lips, her body shaking…..
She exploded.
"AUGH! INUYASHA! YOU BAKA! YOU INCONSIDERATE, EGOTISTICAL, JERK! YOU…you….AHHHH! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT!" Everyone stared, as Kagome breathed heavily trying to calm herself down to some depressed level, at Inuyasha's rosary; amazingly unscathed by Naraku's devastating blast.
They waited.
And, of course, it neither glowed nor pulled Inuyasha's body to the ground.
It was as dead as he was.
Kagome cried out in despair and grief, hugging the hanyou, and rocking back and forth. The rest of the Inu pack stared sorrowfully.
"It…didn't work…?"
"His soul is gone."
Shippo hopped onto the miko's shoulder and tried his best to calm her, but soon gave in to his own tears. Sango, Kirara gripped like a shield to her chest, did as well; Kirara's sad, little mews muffled in her taijiya outfit.
Miroku, surrounded by his sobbing friends, was the only one who didn't shed a single tear. Though he felt like his heart had collapsed onto itself and he still wasn't able to swallow the painful lump in his throat. He suspected that he might never be able to do so.
Goodbye, Inuyasha. Our dear friend.
It was hard to believe and accept.
But it was true.
Naraku had finally done it.
Inuyasha was dead.