Alive, Just Shattered

Chapter 6: Genocide

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or YYH

It had been years since this amount of deaths accrued on such a large scale. Hundred of years ago the species had been divided in to two. There were the demons who considered themselves the better race. Demons ruled over the humans and the lands were divided equally between demon lords who looked over the lands. Then there were the Humans who were considered the weaker race. Humans unlike demons had an extremely shorter life span. They were easily sickened and weakened. Very few came to any kind of power and only the determined and gifted were bestowed with power.

Humans never did like the idea of demons ruling over them. So there were human lords that 'ruled' and looked over a given amount of land. These warlords governed the area and the demons did nothing to oppose the idea. In fact it made things a tad bit easier. The demon lords had large amounts of lands to observe and it made things easier for these human lords to take care of the smaller issues. Because of the convenience the demon lords aloud these 'warlords' to govern the area in which they lived.

Humans were in fact very weak whether from their mortality or their weakened senses. Very few actually came to power. Some strived all their lives for power and there were a few that demons actually respected for this and their desire for something more. Though there were those few selected groups that did appose some kind of threat to the demons. The demon exterminators apposed a threat, their name expressed it all. In some ways they were a convenience. They went and took care of the lesser demons that caused trouble in the demon's lands. Though there would be the times when these exterminators would go and kill innocent demons. They killed demons that had never even harmed anything unless for food. They would go out and kill new born pups and never feel anything because they considered demons a threat to their society. In truth the demons did not mind the humans as long as they didn't cause trouble and were not a nuisance.

Another group that cause much trouble for the demons were the 'holy' and the spiritually 'gifted'. Yes it was these humans that had the power to kill a demon. They were considered the stronger of their race and were greatly despised by demons. Humans with holy powers consisted of Monks, Priests, and Priestesses. They thought their acts upon the demons were righteous and noble. They killed without remorse never thinking of the innocent lives they killed. It were these group of humans that would bring about this massive war of the species.

Demons by nature were really not all that bad. They protected their own like any human would. Sure there were those that did kill for sport but you had that in any race. Usually demons wouldn't kill unless for food or protection. Wars among demons were few despite what some may think. Though when there were wars they were massive and long.

Demons governed their land thinking of both themselves and everyone that lived within them no matter the race. It was actually better that demons were in control of the lands. Humans were rash and never in their lives would be able to learn all that was needed to govern the lands properly. Demons had much longer lives and were able to learn all that was needed to govern the lands like they should be. They could learn every inch of their lands and understand the vegetation. They would know the history and would have the knowledge on how to react to problems. Because demons had longer life spans things would remain more stable without the worry of a new ruler and their ideas. The power as a Demon Lord was passed down the family. The family would have all the knowledge and would be able to prepare the upcoming lord on all they would need to know thus keeping the stability. Ideas that one had would pass to the new lord because most likely the ideas would stay in the family.

Demons were more powerful than demons and would be able to protect their lands properly if and when attacked. Demons have years to grow stronger and gain more skills. Despite what humans think Demons provide the lands with strength, reliability, and stability.

Humans by nature always strive to be more. As time grew they became envious of the demons and their power. It grew to a point where they were afraid of them and so the rebellion accrued. The humans were tired of the demons ruling and considered them a great threat. It was the demon exterminators and 'holy' ones that lead this idea and brought it into action. This group of humans convinced the rest that the demons were a threat to their lives. The rebellion was brought to life.

For years the war on Humans against Demons continued. Humans trained in the art of killing all their lives to try and bring an end to the demons. The 'holy' ones gathered training any who might have the power. Going out it waves they 'purified the lands' of demons. Demons could protect themselves against the exterminators but could not from the ones with spiritual powers. This war was not something the demons had predicted and were left open to attack. The Demons acted quickly to this threat. This massive was could only be described as genocide. Both species were out to destroy the other.

Even now years later after it came to an end demons hate the humans though the humans remember nothing of demons. They remain apart and will remain as so. It is all for the best and things have been better this way. It can be clearly seen the two can not live together.

There are a few demons that still reside within the human world. They live there out of request from the Spirit World to keep stability. As long as the humans don't find out about this things should remain well.

Confusion and tiredness weighed heavily on Koenma's mind. He hadn't slept or even stopped to rest in days. It had been three days since the event that had caused utter chaos upon the Spirit Realm. They had yet to straighten out the mess. Thousands of souls had yet to be counted and sorted on top of the normal flow of souls. Each one had to be questioned trying to get some kind of clue as to what caused this.

What ever had caused this couldn't have come from a living being. The power was to strong and large to have cause something like this. The amount of deaths reminded him of the stories of the war against the species that he had heard about when he was young. He of course was very young at the time when it was going on.

During that time he remembered his father was always gone, hidden by the stacks of papers behind his desk. Enma was always troubled, trying to find a way to sort so many fresh souls at once. That of course was many years ago and he was barely old enough to remember any of it. Now he had to wonder if this was like what his father had to deal with.

A tired and stressed sigh escaped his lips. Botan was at least well now and that was one last thing he had to worry about. Seeing as Yusuke and the others had school he had Hiei off in Maki. Hiei knew the land very well and had the time to maybe get some kind of clue. He hardly heard from the apparition and he could only assume he was fine. Hopefully he would return soon with some information. So far he had no information or leads from the demons that had been questioned so far. It seems that they were all asleep or killed before they even knew what happened.

The fact that many were asleep complicated things. Not only did they posses no information but it caused problems. Thousands of demons woke up to find out they were dead and in Spirit World. The confusion caused much chaos that had finally been brought down.

"Koenma sir! We've found a witness!" The blue colored ogre said in a rush bursting though the double doors to Koenma's office.

"Well hurry up; bring him in!" Koenma said quickly.

At last they had found someone who may have some answers. Sitting up straight trying to look dignified even though the bags under his eyes easily gave away his lack of sleep. Moving his pacifier to the other side of his mouth he prepared himself. Finally after what seemed like forever they were going to get some answers.

A shaggy looking demon came in. His long black hair was a mess and his old blue clothes were in horrible condition. Dirt painted his face and clothes along with dried blood. His claws and wolf tail were the only signs he was demon other than his aura. Koenma cleared his throat getting the demon's attention.

"Take a seat." He said gesturing to the chair in front of his desk that had been brought in.

"So you're the prince of this place huh? Your just a baby!" Koenma glared at the offending demon.

"Yes I am. Now would you please tell me the information you have on the events leading up to all of this." Koenma said seriously wanting to get the low class demon out of his office as soon as possible.

"Yeah I know who did it." He said smugly. "It was none other than that cold bloodied demon. The one from the -."

"I know who your talking about." Koenma said quickly cutting him off. "Take him away!" He yelled to one of his servants in an annoyed tone.

"What? Just going to throw me out? It was him, I swear it!" The demon said angrily.

"I know for a fact he wasn't because he was with my father during the time." Koenma said as the nameless demon was carried out of his office.

"Um - Koenma sir?"

"What is it now?" He said wearily.

"I've found more people. They all say they know the cause of all of this."

A tired sigh escaped his lips, his head resting in his hands. This was going to take awhile. Maybe somewhere in all of those demons who had nothing for him but lies their might be an answer.

"Line them up and let them in." Koenma said shaking his head. "And someone find out if Hiei has found anything."

It was cold and the air was frigid. The snow fall was growing thicker and more abundant. Kagome's checks had grown a bright red from the icy winds. Silence hung in the air, the cold had managed to freeze that as well. Kagome's eyes were glued to Sesshomaru's golden eyes. They felt so familiar.

'Inuyahsha…' Her mind drifted off to the only man she had ever loved.

It felt like forever since she had seen him. Her body cried out for his touch. What wouldn't she give to see him again. What wouldn't she do just to feel his lips press against her own just one more time.

"Tell me how you are alive?" He said in a demanding tone bringing Kagome out of her thoughts.

"What?" Kagome said confused.

"It has been fifty years since and yet you still look as you did years ago. I will admit a few things have changed but your youth still clings to you."

"Fifty years?" Kagome said taken aback a bit. "That cant be."

"It has been fifty years since it has been rumored that you were alive. I know that dark priestesses have the power to keep their youth but I sense to evil from you."

"So.. It has been fifty years?"

"My brother had mentioned once that you had left and presumed you to be dead." His voice came out strained and harsh upon mentioning Inuyasha.

Closing her eyes she saw his face. A soft smile on his face, the corners of his mouth raised just enough to tell you he was. His golden eyes shown like the sun on a clear summer day. His bright silver hair shined under some unseen light.

'Kagome..'

Kagome opened her eyes to meet gold again only it was Sesshomaru not Inuyasha. It always amazed how similar yet how completely different the two were. Each were strong though their strengths came from different things. Inuyasha had the strength from his friends where as Sesshomaru got his from years of practice and his pure will to come out on top. Sesshomaru was patient and Inuyasha didn't have an ounce of anything near that in him. They both shared gold eyes and the same silver hair. Inuyasha's eyes were rough yet soft at the same time and Sesshomaru's were hard and icy cold like the snow around them.

Looking into his eyes she saw no softness that Inuyasha had only seeing his calculating gaze. He looked as though he was trying to determine something about her. Though what exactly she didn't know. Was he looking for a weakness or a point to strike? What was it he was looking for?

"You are sick." He said finally breaking the building silence.

"No I'm not." Kagome said denying his assumptions turning to Kirara who stood by silently.

"Even demons can become ill in this kind of weather." Anyone else who said this might have sounded like they cared but even now he expressed no emotion in his voice.

"I am fine Sesshomaru though I thank you for your concern." Kagome said as she began to walk past him making sure to step over the dead corpse.

"I do not care for some mere human girl. I was stating a fact nothing else." He said not bothering to turn around to look at her.

Kagome continued to walk away from him. The snow fell softly determined to turn her raven locks white. Kirara followed her, looking at Sesshomaru as she passed. Sesshomaru was a reminder of what she lost. Yes he was completely different than him but the resemblance in appearance was undeniable. The empty void that had over time replaced her heard was sucking her in.

"You do realize you are in demon territory girl." He said making her come to a stop.

"So?" Kagome said turning around to look at him.

"You are human." He said as though the problem was obvious.

"That doesn't mean ill be killed." Kagome said glaring at his back at the offence.

"This is a very different time incase you have not noticed." He said turning to meet her hard gaze with one of his own.

"I've survived against demons before-."

"He is not here to save you girl." The words cut through like a knife through butter.

In her mind she could see him before her. No matter how fast she ran he would always be out of her reach. Finally as she fell to her knees crying out his name he disappeared from her sight. He was gone and there was no one there to keep the living nightmares at bay.

"I have no idea how you managed to survive till this time or how you managed to keep your youth but nothing will help you survive alone in this time." He said with a blank look.

"I need no one." Her voice was as cold as the air around them.

She had come to terms with that a long time ago. When she gave up Inuyasha she knew she was really alone. Building up her skills training day in and out she prepared herself for the lonely road ahead. That was her biggest mistake, she had relied on him way to much. She loved him without holding back never thinking she would have to make it without him. Now she saw things more clearly and she had become more self-reliant.

"Your physical state says otherwise." He said with a slight smirk.

"I don't need help, I am fine on my own." She bit out angrily. "Kirara, come on."

Before she could take a step Sesshomaru walked off ahead of her. Turning to walk the other way determined that the nearest village wouldn't be found walking in his direction. She would show them all that she didn't need help. She wouldn't get caught again helpless like Inuyasha had left her, she really couldn't afford it. She hated being weak and left helpless in the in the end. It was like something crawled under her skin, an itch she couldn't scratch.

"I will show every single last one of you…I will show you Inuyasha that I never did need you." Kagome made out through clenched teeth.

"I am not him." Sesshomaru said stopping once again.

Even when Kagome thought the snow had fallen thick as it could it seemed to pour down even harder. Looking through the dense snow falling down she could see him. His long silver hair and his golden eyes that even now pierced her to the soul. Looking at him she couldn't hold back her anger. She has always loved him but he never returned her feelings. Even as she cried for him when he was on the verge of life countless times. AT night in his sleep he would call out for her. Why wasn't she good enough. If the jewel had never been in her - she would have never met him.

"Kirara…lets go." She said leaving.

A harsh wind blew, seemingly taking her breath with it. Collapsing into the cold snow everything around her seemed to blend into together. The sound of crunching snow as though someone were approaching her echoed in her ears.

"You're to weak to continue on."

His words caused pain in her heart. A pain that brought a truth she didn't want to believe. She was weak, not just from weariness. She was weak emotionally for a long time now. No matter what she did she couldn't seem to get rid of it.

'I will never be good enough…will I?'

Finally giving in her body collapsed into sleep knocking Kagome unconscious. Looking down on her Sesshomaru pitied her. There was a time that he held some kind of respect for her, as much as he could for a human. She pulled out his fathers fang and could bring his brother to his knees with a single word. Even though she was a mere human she had knowledge beyond her years. Now she had grown so weak and full of sorrow and hate. Even though she tried to hide her emotions with training and other things he could see past all of that.

For a human she had been strong and her spirit even stronger. There was something about her that just couldn't be broken or so he had thought. She would lay her life on the line for her friends. Now that Naraku had passed she had grown weak and bitter. He would even say that he envied her.

Kirara walked over tiredly to her fallen friend. Kagome needed help badly. She was weak and needed a place to rest. Kirara knew her friend would never ask for help and would never stop herself till her body stopped her like it just had. Kirara knew that she herself was weak as well. Where ever they had been had drained the life from her. With the cold and how long they had been walking she couldn't help her friend much longer. Giving a soft meow she turned to the demon lord.

She believed he would at least be kind enough to help them. The demon lord was cold but he did at one time at least hold respect for Kagome so maybe he would help. Time had obviously passed and things were different in the world. He talked of humans and demons at war. He was probably not against humans so much because if he had he would have killed Kagome already. At least she liked to think that.

"I expect you want me to take her with me?" Sesshomaru asked the fire cat to be responded by a nod.

It would be a dangerous thing if other found out he was helping a human. Though many wouldn't believe it. He wasn't exactly known for being kind to anyone especially humans. He would be safe to bring her with him. He was strong enough to take any attacks that might be made on him. Though did he really want to bother himself with someone else.

Kirara must have read his thoughts because at that time she gave what would have been a glare. Kagome was stubborn enough and she had little energy for Sesshomaru. Kagome had helped him once or twice before, the least he could do was help her now.

Kagome was growing weaker and everyday she felt her friend drifting of to a place where no one could reach her. Like her companion Midoriko, Kagome was distant from the world she lived in. Though what set them apart was that Midoriko never let herself grow to far where as Kagome dived into it. If Kagome wasn't careful she would drift to far and wouldn't be able to come back even if she wanted to. Looking at Sesshomaru she silently pleaded for his help. As if understanding he nodded.

"I will take her with me but only till she is physically well to live on her own." Kirara nodded. "It isn't a safe time for humans so it will be your job to look after her."

Sesshomaru turned to leave expecting Kirara to carry her. When he didn't hear her following he turned to see her curled up asleep, already back in her smaller form. Giving a mental sigh of frustration. Why was he helping this human? This was the very one that did what he could not at his fathers grave. She protected his brother when he would have slain him many times. Though she did help him understand that he didn't need his father's sword. Maybe it was because she stood up to him and did things no one else would that he helped her now.

Picking her up from the snow he looked down on her face. It had been years since he had seen her last yet she wasn't any different. Well yes she had changed but not as drastically as he would have thought. She should be old ready to die of old age and yet she clung to her youth. The only differences was the cold look in her eyes. Her eyes were those of someone who has lost. They had once been trusting and filled with happiness.

With Kagome in his arms and Kirara resting on her lap he continued onward back to his home. It wasn't to far away maybe a day or so with his speed. Even with the winter weather he should arrive there by morning. He would continue on till nightfall. Kagome was human and would grow weaker if she went longer without warmth. For now she would have to survive off of his body heat.

The wind blew against his back causing her to shiver. Taking pity on her he wrapped his tail around her some to offer a little more warmth. Humans were frail and would forever be so. They could try to rid themselves of their weaknesses by training but you cant rid yourself of who you are. There were things about her though that made him wonder at times.

Humans were usually stuck in their ways and their ways were all the same. This was true for most but a select few from what he knew. Kagome was proof of something greater in the human race. That they could maybe go living in peace with other races. Sadly there were not enough people like her. At the end of this war which race would survive?

As he trudged on Kagome small form didn't move. Her beating heart vibrated from her body to his own telling him she was alive. Even though she was alive now he could feel it, he could see it in her empty eyes. Kagome was dying and soon she would be to far to save from death's clutches.

'It's to far late for you girl.' He thought. 'I don't believe anyone can save you now.'

Sesshomaru looked down at her as he walked. What had happened to the strong woman he had known her to be? It almost caused him pain to be around her. For a demon he was graced with extraordinary senses. He could easily feel the sorrow and painful cries of her broken soul. It was like an echo yet still caring the message with full force.

Looking ahead he ignored the cold winds. He hoped to reach his fortress by the morning. Hopefully he wouldn't encounter any problems along the way. Even without problems, it would be a long trip.