Sympathy

"Talking"

'Thinking'

Memories

Stressed

Kagome stared at Naraku's broken form as she slid off Inuyasha's back. She stalked over to him with Inuyasha closely behind her. His armor was ripped off and he was missing an arm. Kagome could feel the Tama, but it wasn't with him. Laughter filled the air and their eyes searched the forest. Moryomaru dropped down from the sky with flesh like wings. Kagome's eyes narrowed as she spotted the Tama where his heart was. His lavender hair softly fluttered in the wind as hisvolet eyes glared at them. Naraku pushed himself up and Kagome grinned.

"This is beautiful," Kagome whispered as she noched an arrow.

Naraku had finally been done in by one of his detachments. She couldn't feel sympathy for this monster. She could, but she refused to show sympathy. Moryomaru softly laughed as his gaze landed on her.

"Attacking the weak…Miko?" Moryomaru taunted. Kagome quickly spun around and released her arrow.

The Miko ki flared to life and Moryomaru's eye widened in shock as half his face blew apart. Inuyasha didn't bothering drawing Tetsusaiga. Moryomaru fed off youki based attacks. Sango quickly swung her Hiraikotsu and cursed when Moryomaru smacked it away. He jumped a distance away and his body quickly regenerated. Kagome figured that they needed to catch him off guard in order to get any hits.

"Pathetic, you're just as weak as your incarnation," Kagome sighed as she flashed him a look of disappointment.

"It saddens me that he is so weak," Miroku agreed as she pulled out an ofuda.

Sango watched the two of them in confusion before grinning. Moryomaru was frowning at them.

"Quite a shame," Sango sighed.

Inuyasha unsheathed his Tetsusaiga and it quickly transformed. On the dull side of the blade a few dragon scales appeared. Kagome noched an arrow and aimed for his head. She didn't want to risk breaking the Tama again. The Tetsusaiga pulsed and Kagome knew that Inuyasha was preparing to absorb Moryomaru's youki.

"You are all mistaken!" Moryomaru shouted as he blindly attacked them.

They separated and Miroku landed behind the enraged youkai. He chanted and sent the ofuda flying towards Moryomaru's back. A scream tore through the air as the ofuda began to bind his power. Moryomaru turned around and lunged at Miroku. Sango flew by on Kirara and grabbed Miroku from the sharp claws.

"Thank you Sango," Miroku whispered as his hand slid to her rear.

"Not now!" Sango hissed as she slapped him and pushed him into a tree.

Kagome charged her Hamaya and released it. It hit the ofuda and the combined spiritual powers tore at his body. Kagome smiled as the Tama slowly began to purify. Inuyasha grinned and jumped at Moryomaru. The Tetsusaiga cut into Moryomaru's body and began to absorb the youkai. Kagome quickly fired another arrow. If the Tetsusaiga absorbed too much youki, then it would turn black and cause Inuyasha pain. Her Miko ki purified him even more. Inuyasha pulled away once the Tetsusaiga began to turn black. Sango flew back around used her Kusarikama to bind the youkai. He struggled against the bonds and cursed.

Miroku quickly placed an ofuda on Sango's weapon. The ki traveled through the metal and Moryomaru screamed. Kagome ran towards him and stuck her hand inside the clay body. She grimaced as she felt him pull her inside him. Her hand clutched the Tama and she yelped. He was trying to absorb her. Inuyasha grabbed her by the waist and ripped her away from the youkai.

"Thanks Inuyasha," Kagome gratefully said.

"Stupid girl," Inuyasha teased.

Kagome showed him the now purified Tama and he grinned. Inuyasha set Kagome on the ground and held the Tetsusaiga in front of him. The blade transformed into a giant diamond. He brought it down against the ground and thousands of diamonds shot out toward Moryomaru.

"Diamond Spear Blast!" Inuyasha shouted.

Moryomaru screamed as his body was torn apart by the diamonds. Sango landed on the ground and kicked a piece of his clay body. This monster had tried to kill her brother for his shard. She silently prayed that Kohaku would still be alive. Kagome turned her attention back to Naraku; he had left the area once more. A scowl made its way to her face as she cursed. She wanted him dead, and she wanted his corpse at her feet now. A hand squeezed her shoulder and she smiled at Inuyasha.

"Next time," Inuyasha promised her.

"He's weak now, his heart has been destroyed," Miroku stated as he turned toward the area that Naraku was at.

"How long do you think it will take him to recover?" Kagome asked.

"Last time it took him a few months, maybe it'll take him a year," Inuyasha suggested.

"I hope so," Kagome whispered as they nodded in agreement.


Four Months Later

Kagome glared at the figure in front of her as she noched her arrow and took aim at him. His back was to them and she knew that shooting a man or youkai in the back was wrong. Inuyasha was currently knocked out; his battle-tired body was leaning against a tree. Miroku held a barrier as he protected Sango's body. She was cradling her brother's corpse. Kagome's eyes flashed with hate as her Miko ki gathered at the tip of her arrow. The energy was turning a soft black as Naraku turned his gaze to her. His laughter filled the air as he pointed at her.

"I have finally corrupted your soul!" He claimed as he sent a tentacle toward her.

Kagome didn't bother to notice that her arrow was consumed in black ki as it traveled toward Naraku. Since the ki was corrupted, it just ended up pinning him to a tree through his shoulder. Naraku grinned as the corrupted ki spread through his body. Inuyasha grunted and opened his amber orbs to watch the scene. Naraku was still a powerful youkai, save for the fact that his body was weak. Kagome pulled out an arrow and held it in her hand like a knife. She wanted to make him suffer for his crimes. Miroku collapsed to the ground as he heaved in breathes. He watched Kagome walk toward Naraku with an intent to kill.

The Tama around her neck flashed a dark purple as she approached Naraku. Kagome held the arrow above her head as she prepared to attack. Inuyasha quickly got to his feet knowing he had to stop her. He wanted Naraku dead, but Kagome would be further tainted by his death. Sango stopped her mourning and her eyes widened in fear. Kagome brought the arrow down as Naraku grinned.

"Use my death to seal your tainted faint," Naraku whispered as the arrow came closer.

The arrow fell from her head and Inuyasha fell to his knees as he watched the scene. Sesshoumaru swatted the arrow from her hand and restrained her in his Mokomoko-sama. He unsheathed the Tenseiga and brought it down on Naraku's body. Naraku screamed as the black arch from the Tenseiga consumed his soul. Kagome growled in annoyance and screamed her frustration. She had been denied her revenge. Sesshoumaru sheathed the Tenseiga and glanced at her with a look of pity. Kagome ceased her struggle as she recognized the pity.

"You are being foolish," Sesshoumaru stated as he raised her to his eye level.

"I don't want your words of wisdom," Kagome growled at him as she glared at him. His Mokomoko-sama tightened its grip in warning.

"Miko, you are a Miko and will act like one," Sesshoumaru warned.

"I just wanted my revenge," Kagome softly hissed.

"You would seal your fate to darkness for revenge, your act would have been in vain," Sesshoumaru stated as he watched her calm.

"You would never understand my reasons," Kagome whispered as she looked away from his amber orbs.

"Don't misunderstand my intentions. I only wish the Shikon no Tama to remain pure. If that was to be corrupted then my lands would be thrown into chaos," Sesshoumaru clarified.

Kagome smiled at him with pity as he scowled. She knew how he gained the new attack with Tenseiga. Toutousai had reformed the Tenseiga because Sesshoumaru had shone anger for another. Kagura, the wind youkai had opened Sesshoumaru's heart from the cold ice cage. No matter what the Taiyoukai said, he cared. He showed he cared because he watched over Rin and kept Jaken around. There had also been times when he had offered advice to his brother. Kagome sighed and looked away from him in shock.

'I would have killed Naraku…and not for the right reasons,' Kagome realized.

Sesshoumaru watched as the Tama reverted to its soft pink color. He was pleased that the human had come to her senses. He didn't want a rampaging Miko on his list of problems.

"I will not fall prey to darkness again, Sesshoumaru-sama." Kagome firmly assured.

"Good," Sesshoumaru calmly said as he released his grip on her.

She followed him with her eyes as he walked over to his brother. Inuyasha glared at him, he was ready for a taunt. Sesshoumaru looked away and unsheathed the Tenseiga. He stood in front of Kohaku's body and brought the sword down. Kohaku's brown eyes shot open and he sat up. Sesshoumaru silently continued on his way until he vanished into the forest. Kagome sighed and walked over to Inuyasha. It was time for them to all go home and relax.

"Look!" Miroku shouted as pulled the prayer beads off of his hand.

The Kazaana finally vanished leaving an unharmed palm. Miroku turned to Sango and pulled her from her brother. She looked at the palm before she hugged him. Miroku tilted her head up and kissed her. Kagome gave a girly giggle as Inuyasha gagged. Kagome elbowed him and he smiled.

"What do we do know?" Inuyasha softly asked.

"We live," Kagome answered.

Kaede greeted them and the sun had finally set. A bomb fire was held in the middle of the village as they celebrated Naraku's death. Kagome watched the flames flicker. She turned to Kaede they left into the hut to talk. Kagome had described what had occurred with her Miko powers. Kaede's face was grim but she hugged the young girl.

"It seems that Kikyo's curse had remained," Kaede whispered.

"What curse?" Kagome asked with a bit of anger.

"Remember Tsubaki?" Kaede asked.

"Yes, but she is dead," Kagome remembered the Kuro Miko.

"I understand that you had fallen out of love with Inuyasha. You cared abut him as a friend, and I thought that would be enough to save you from the curse," Kaede explained.

"I don't understand," Kagome whispered.

"Tsubaki cursed Kikyo, the curse would kill her if she ever held a man dear," Kaede explained.

"It remained with my soul," Kagome whispered.

"The curse will cause you suffer an untimely death," Kaede explained. "I knew that hanyou was trouble."

Kagome chuckled and replied, "It is not Inuyasha's fault."

"You don't love him?" Kaede questioned with confusion.

"I fell in love with another," Kagome whispered as her hand pulled the pouch that carried the ashes. Kaede's eyes traveled to the pouch and she frowned.

"If he is dead…then the curse should not be in effect," Kaede whispered.

"Yet, I am losing my holy powers and slowly weakening," Kagome sighed.

"That is why you have been so pale, your body is weakening," Kaede confirmed.

"I guess the curse can't be removed," Kagome sighed.

"You would have to give up your heart and love for him," Kaede said.

"Then I guess I will die happy," Kagome firmly said as she stood. Kaede reached out and grasped Kagome's wrist.

"I don't want to lose another sister," the old Miko confided. Kagome sighed and sat down next to the Miko.

"Don't tell the others of this," Kagome requested. "They deserve some peace."

"What will you do? You will continue to weaken," Kaede stated.

"I am going to go on a journey in an attempt to cleanse myself," Kagome claimed.

"If you wish to cleanse yourself, then you must get rid of that man," Kaede advised.

Kagome gave a sad smile and replied, "No."

She could feel the warmth from the fire as she drew closer to Sango and Miroku. Inuyasha was perched on a roof a few feet away. Kagome noticed they were holding hands; she stepped away before she could be noticed. She didn't have the heart to ruin their happy moment.

"What are you doing?" Inuyasha asked as he pulled her away from the content couple. Kagome smiled at him as they walked into the shade of the trees.

"I have to leave…on a spiritual journey," Kagome simply said.

"Spiritual journey," Inuyasha doubtfully repeated.

"I must travel alone to cleanse my soul," Kagome dramatically informed as she sighed.

"What temple?" Inuyasha asked.

"I will travel south to the Temple of…temple of…wait a moment," Kagome sighed as she thought of something.

"Kagome," Inuyasha sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I am going to travel to Ise-Jingu in order to purify myself!" Kagome proudly stated.

"How long will you be?" Inuyasha asked. Kagome's face took on a shocked expression.

"You won't stop me?" She questioned.

"What's the point? You'll just yell at me anyways," Inuyasha mumbled.

"True," Kagome sighed. Inuyasha growled at her.

"You're not supposed to agree!" He growled.

Kagome reached up and patted his head with a smile. His face fell as a blush rose to his cheeks.

"Be a good boy," Kagome teased as she skipped off. Inuyasha growled but quickly grinned. There wasn't many times when she smiled like that. He could let the comment pass, if it would keep her smiling.

Author's Note:

I know I skipped a lot of time, but I want to get Bankotsu back into the story.
As for Inuyasha and Kagome, the battle at Mt. Hakurei made them realize that Friendship is most important then petty arguements, even though they will still argue
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