Chapter 13-Severed Strings: Love, Vengeance, and Betrayal on every level

(A/N: I once apologize for Rin's death I know weren't exactly happy with it, but my fingers have a mind of their own when they do this sort of thing. Any way I just thought would let oyu all know I have two more chapters to post after this meaning were coming tothe home stretch of the story. I know its hard to believe, but trust me when I say this that even though SOME people didn't like Callisto I think deep down thats how I thought of her when I wrote her. I kinda pictured her like Visas from KOTOR II: Sith Lords with her quite voice and being blind and stuff. When I was thinking about creating Callisto I was looking along the lines of Visas personallity. Any way before I babble on any further I just want to say don;t stop now and just keep on reviewing.)

Kikyo ran for what seemed like hours as she tried to get away from Inuyasha in his newly acquired form. "How did this happen?" thought Kikyo as she turned to see if Inuyasha was behind her as she ran.

When she turned back to where she was headed Inuyasha was right in front of her with a blank, but serious look on his face. Kikyo looked up at him horror as she now feared what Inuyasha was going to do to her. "Hello Kikyo its time for you die...again!" said Inuyasha as he cracked his hands getting the claws out to their proper extension.

"NO!" said Kikyo who pushed Inuyasha several feet back with her powers, but she realized that it didn't hurt him at all.

"Yes Kikyo. You have been walking around in this world for too long. It's about time you were put in your place...six feet under. And this time you can blame your death on me," said Inuyasha as he took out Tetsuigia and Tokijin one at a time.

"I won't die Inuyasha. At least not until I feel it is time for me to die," said Kikyo as she fired a sacred arrow at Inuyasha who knocked it away with Tetsuigia.

"Strange how things come full circle when you least expect them to. Right Kikyo?" said Inuyasha as he fired energy from Tokijin that Kikyo barely dodged as she readied another arrow.

"You're not at that point yet Inuyasha," said Kikyo as she fired another arrow right at Inuyashas chest who used both Tokijin and Tetsuigia and created an X formation over the arrows intended target of his chest that protected Inuyasha from the attack.

"I...would have to...disagree," said Inuyasha as he knocked the scared arrow away into a nearby tree and raised Tokijin and Tetsuigia over his head into another X formation.

"What are...you doing?" said Kikyo in horror as the two blades glowed with a powerful energy.

"Showing you what happens when you combined the two most powerful demons swords ever forged. Apart they are legendary in their own right, but combined...they can create a power never before unleashed! I call this The X-factor Attack!" said Inuyasha who swung both blades down sending an energy wave in the form of an X at Kikyo who could not dodge it.

"AHHHHHHH!" screamed Kikyo as the wave of demon energy consumed her in its power.

When the energy wave settled Inuyasha walked overtoa still surprisinglyalive Kikyo who had no arms, no legs, and was now scarred all around her clay body. "So you're still alive I see. Not surprising really. You always did have a gift for survival, but I think I know how to deal with you...correctly," said Inuyasha as he put away his two deadly swords and to Kikyo's surprise took out Tenseiga.

"What...what are...you...going to...do...with that?" said Kikyo who found it hard to move much less try and speak.

"I've seen this being used on the dead before by my now deceased brother Sesshomarru on one of my father's old enemies who was being brought back from the dead. Though it can't kill anyone of the living I think it can kill those not living or rather in your case Kikyo...the undead," said Inuyasha as he raised Tenseiga over head ready to strike down Kikyo with it.

"No...Inuyasha...don't. What...I...I did...was out...out of...love...and jealousy. I'm...I'm sorry," said Kikyo with a sad look on her face as actual tears rolled down her eyes.

"The old me would have taken pity on you Kikyo for what you did to me...past and present, but I am a brand new me and I see no future for us being together. In fact were going to be worlds apart now. Oh...and for the record...I did love you...once, but not anymore. Rest in peace Kikyo the Gods know you deserve that much!" said Inuyasha as he sliced into Kikyos clay like body with Tenseiga releasing the remains of Kikyo's soulfrom it and sending it into the direction Kagome and the others were.

Kikyos clay like body turned to dust and a faint wind picked it up into the air never to be seen again. Inuyasha put Tenseiga away and stared up at the clear sky feeling a great pain leaving him as Callistos honor had been avenged by those who killed her. He closed his eyes and breathed a sigh that seemed long a needed for what he had just done to those close to him. He opened his eyes and saw a mental image being projected from his eyes of Callisto looking at him with a warming smile on her face. "My beloved you have avenged my death all that I am and for this I thank you from the center of soul," said Callistos image.

"I will forever love you no matter what. The only question is what I do now?" said Inuyasha as his voice became lighter and even happier sounding.

Before Callisto could answer Inuyasha felt a surge of dark energy hurting him causing Inuyasha great pain as if part of himself was being removed from the inside as fell to the ground. He heard a familiar laugh as he looked up to find Naraku staring down at him with Tokijin in hand. "I'm alive again!" said Naraku as he looked from his body to Inuyasha lying on the ground bleeding from wounds he never thought he had.

"What...is going...on?" said Inuyasha as he struggled to move despite the shock of what just happened.

"I couldn't stand being in your body anymore Inuyasha despite what I taught you. So I disconnected all that was me...from you. By doingthatI granted myself a new more powerful body free from the negative affects of the miasma," said Naraku as he stared at Inuyasha who was still struggling to move much less survive.

"So that...means I am...your apprentice...no...no more?" said Inuyasha as he stared up at Naraku in fear.

"That is correct my boy. I no longer need an apprentice, which means I no longer need you," said Naraku with a smile.

"You said...there...there were no...strings...at...attached. You...you lied," said Inuyasha as he tried to grab Naraku only to find his arms could barely move.

"You created the strings Inuyasha when you pledged to be my apprentice only to turn away from it again. By pledging your loyalty to your love for Callisto over everything I taught you I was forced to sever the strings and ties between us. Though I must admit it did turn out better for me then even I had hoped for," said Naraku.

"What are...are...you...going to...to do...to me?" said Inuyasha as he tried to move.

Naraku just laughed at Inuyasha who struggled to get up. "Don't worry Inuyasha I won't kill you. You have been loyal to me and served me faithfully enough to let me show you mercy this one time. You have killed my enemies that were also yours and you involuntarily brought me back to life and made me stronger. What kind of person would I be if I didn't show mercy to you," said Naraku as he put Tokijin away.

"What...will you...you do...now?" said Inuyasha as he spit up some blood from his wounds.

"Isn't it obvious my boy? I'm taking the sacred jewel back. I think Kagome has it since Kikyo didn't and his no longer here thanks to you. And when I take it from her the sacred jewel will make me stronger then I am now," said Naraku as he walked away from Inuyashas bloody body.

Inuyasha tried to move to try and stop Naraku, but found his body wasn't responding to his mental commands. "No...I must...stop...stop him" said Inuyasha as he fell into an unconscious state.