The Jewel Completed

"Die, you filthy half-breed!" I snarled at the pitiful half-demon kneeling before me. It would be easy. Just a simple slash of my sword, and Naraku's archenemy would be a distant memory. And yet, I felt something. It was faint, but something seemed to pull at me, compelling me to stop. That what I was doing was wrong. I hesitated. Naraku, with his keen senses, detected my hesitation. "What are you doing, Musume? I command you to kill Inuyasha now!" Naraku's voice boomed. Upon hearing that voice, everything became foggy again. I felt a sickening feeling of pleasure overwhelm me as I prepared to slaughter my victim.

"Yes," I automatically replied, against my will, in a monotonous sounding voice. I had no will of my own. My only thoughts were destroying Naraku's enemy, Inuyasha. Of the numerous ways I could slaughter him. I felt myself display a malevolent smile as I made up my mind. No. It was Naraku's. A voice only I could hear that repeated this command to me numerous times. His voice was tainted with sick joy and anticipation. "Skin Inuyasha alive, my daughter! Bestow! upon him the agony of losing his meager flesh! A worthless hanyou has no need of such...reveal his heart, both literally and figuratively, to all those watching! Make him suffer a long and agonizing death!"

Inuyasha's eyes moved nervously from my own eyes to Tetsusaiga, then back again. Sweat trickled down his face. "Get back!" Inuyasha shouted, "I'm warning you! You won't like what will happen if you don't back away!" He then continued his pathetic attempt to reach his sword. I wondered why he was so desperate to reclaim it. I shrugged it off. It was obvious he wanted the sword to prevent his imminent demise. But something was amiss. He didn't seem to be afraid of me, of the gruesome fate that awaited him. But rather, he was afraid of something else…Something far worse…

I smirked. I was simply imagining things. He was so pathetic. Giving me threats when I held my sword at his throat. It was I that held his life in my hands. I laughed. I relished in my imminent victory. Naraku's victory. Inuyasha's head would be my trophy. I would then present it to Naraku and he would bestow on me great rewards! Sango looked from her dead brother to me, tears flowing freely down her face. "Why?" Only to see me with a sword at Inuyasha's throat,
about to slaughter him. Her expression suddenly from the sorrow of losing her only brother, to panic and rage. Gently placing Kohaku's body back onto the grass, she raced towards Inuyasha, ignoring the jewel shard lying on the grass.

"Sango, no! Stay back I'm about to transform," he cried out in desperation as he felt his body pulsate, the first sign of his impending transformation. He gritted his teeth. He was fighting an apparent losing battle with all his might. His claws dug into the grass and dirt.

"Don't move!" I threatened the both of them as I pressed my blade, Kurushimi against his jugular vein, "It will be over soon!" A feeling of sick pleasure overwhelmed me. It was very faint, but somehow, deep inside, it still felt wrong, but I was unable to control myself. Sango froze.

"Otome!" Naraku bellowed, "Forget the pathetic kitsune and retrieve the final shard from Kagome." Naraku then walked over to the jewel shard that had once maintained Kohaku's life. Looking at Kohaku's body in contempt, he bent down and reclaimed the jewel shard. "You traitorous little bastard!" muttered Naraku at Kohaku's corpse, as he turned away from his former slave, the jewel shard held tightly in his hand. The jewel was nearly complete, and he was contemplating his
first wish. His attention now turned at the many battles unfolding around him. The battles being fought for him.

Inuyasha changed in form and demeanor almost instantly before my eyes. Never in my life had I felt such terror. Instead of a helpless half-breed kneeling prostrate before me, awaiting his gruesome fate, he was now a terrifying beast! Death and hatred seemed to emanate from him. Keeping my sword pointed at Inuyasha, I took a few steps backwards, slowly releasing the sword from his throat. The influence of the jewel then suddenly quelled my fears. I stopped and stared in defiance at my intended victim. He returned my stare with one of pure hatred and malice. His eyes now glowed a blood red with blue pupils, his claws grew in size. His fangs grew. His fangs and claws glistened in the sunlight. Drool slipped down his large, sharp fangs in large drops. A single purple jagged streak marked each side of his face. He smirked evilly at me, then suddenly lunged. A sick, demented smile crossed Inuyasha's face, as though he were relishing in his attempt to slaughter me. I did not notice it before, but I felt the jewel shard guide my movements, helping me to avoid Inuyasha's speedy and deadly attacks. Either that, or Naraku's miasma infused in it had something to do with my expert dodging abilities.

Swipe after deadly swipe, Inuyasha growled in rage each time he missed his target. He paused, as though planning his next move. I chuckled and pointed Kurushimi at him. "You should die as the rabid dog you are!" I taunted. Inuyasha roared with rage. He lunged at me, claws glistening in the sunlight, promising a quick, excruciating death to whomever they impale.

Giving a smile that would creep out even the bravest of men, Otome nodded at Naraku's request. She turned her full attention from the dissolving Shippo to Kagome.

"Give me your jewel shard, and I will consider sparing you pitiful life!"

Hakudoushi stepped up to Otome's side, smirking, holding his weapon at his side, it's base resting on the grass. "I would listen to her, you wench, lest you desire your precious kitsune companion to perish!" he motioned his head towards Shippo. Miasma continued to escape his wound, threatening to dissolve him into nothingness.

"Don't worry about me!" cried Shippo, collapsing to his knees while grasping his wound, "You mustn't let Naraku get your jewel shard! If he does, he'll have completed the sacred jewel!"

"No! Shippo!" she cried as she reached out to him. She then stopped in her tracks. Renee had positioned herself between the two. Taking a single step backwards, Kagome replied desperately, "Renee, is that you? What happened to you? Why do you have a jewel shard? It's tainted. Naraku must be controlling you with it as he did Kohaku! You have to let me remove it!"

"Not a chance! You are implying my great father, Naraku is some sorta sick bastard who does not care for his children! I won't stand for that!" Then pointing Taikai at the frightened girl, she continued, "I shall repeat myself. Surrender your jewel shard and I will consider allowing you to live, but ultimately it is up to my great and powerful father!"

"Renee! Please! Fight it!" she pleaded, tears filling her eyes, blurring her vision. She could not stand seeing her friend under the influence of Naraku. It was unforgivable. Another ghastly deed committed by her worst enemy. She swore Naraku would pay.

Once again, Renee seemed to partially break free. "Kagome? What's going on?" She lowered Taikai. Placing a hand to her forehead, she closed her eyes. She seemed to be struggling with something inside her. It seemed she were waging an internal battle… Naraku's influence versus her humanity. "I feel strange…"

Kagome began to sigh in relief, only to see Renee's eyes reopen, glazed over once more.

Kirara pulled back her lips, revealing her sharp, feline fangs. She jumped, positioning herself between Kagome, Renee and Hakudoushi. She narrowed her eyes and let out a low, threatening growl at the two enemies. She leaned back and pounced, pinning the two on their backs. Roaring inches from them, warm drool dripped on their faces. Seeing her chance, Kagome inched herself around the three and reached Shippo. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the small glass bottle that held the final jewel shard. She quickly opened it, shaking it upside down above her open palm, where the jewel shard landed perfectly. Concern flooding her face, she reached out and gently grasped Shippo's arm. Shippo cringed in pain.

"I'm sorry Shippo. Hang on!" she said as she picked up the shard from her hand with her thumb and index finger. She gently placed it in his wound. Amazingly, the miasma dissipated. The jewel shard had purified the miasma, eliminating the danger. Both Kagome and Shippo breathed a sigh in relief. "Thank you Kagome," said Shippo. Kagome nodded. Kagome gently removed the shard from Shippo. She had no desire to make him a target, and possession of the final shard was a prime example. Both turned to Kirara and her two captives. Hakudoushi was reaching for his dropped weapon, as was Renee…

Miroku placed a hand on the beads sealing his Wind Tunnel and began to unwind the beads. He was desperate. The battle was now two against one. Kagura and Kanna against him. The battle was physically draining him. He stopped at the sight of dozens of saimyosho suddenly appear around his opponents. He growled in frustration and gritted his teeth at Kagura's taunting laughter as he resealed the Wind Tunnel.

Sesshomaru dashed to his out of control brother. With great speed, he swung Tokijin down, striking the ground at Inuyasha's feet. Rocks and dirt flew everywhere. With an enraged roar, Inuyasha ceased his attack on me and turned his full attention to his new attacker. Swinging his claws, the enraged Inuyasha attacked Sesshomaru. Each swing of his claws was trailed by lines of energy. Sesshomaru smirked as he easily dodge each and every attack Inuyasha attempted.

Kirara let out .a warning growl. She was losing her grip on her captives. Kagome and Shippo nodded at Kirara's warning. She was begging them to get clear. No sooner than she tried to warn her friends, Hakudoushi grasped his weapon and in one swift sweep, drove his blade into Kirara's side. Letting out a wail of agony, Kirara was thrown several feet away and landed with a thud. She slowly rose to her feet, and then fell back down. She began to clean her wound as best she could. Hakudoushi let out a victorious grin. Renee turned to face Hakudoushi and nodded. In one swift motion, Renee rushed at Kagome, who had virtually no time to react. She pushed Kagome to the ground. The two tussled for several minutes. Kagome let out a cry as Renee held her hand on her throat and squeezed. Her other hand held Taikai on her cheek. "Give me the shard!"

Kagome was losing her strength fast. She couldn't breathe. Her hands grasped Renee's wrist, in a futile attempt to release the grip that threatened to squeeze the very life from her. With a grin, Renee pulled the blade from Kagome's face and drove it into the ground. With her now freed hand, she reached into Kagome's shirt and retrieved the shard. Holding it tight in her hand, she roughly released her grip. "Now was that so hard a request to fulfill?"

Kagome rolled over onto her stomach and slowly rose up to her hands and knees, coughing violently. She tenderly rubbed a hand over her bruised throat. Her pleading eyes met Renee's cold ones. Renee grunted and turned away, throwing the jewel shard to Naraku's waiting hand She then picked up Taikai. Mission complete. Kagome stared in shocked disbelief.

Naraku let out a victorious grin followed by terrifying laughter.
"Come here, Otome and Musume. It is now time to return the jewel shards I lent you.

Amidst the chaos, the two of us obediently complied. We calmly approached our father. He grinned at us. Like a father, proud of his children's accomplishments. "It is now time to complete the jewel and to have my greatest desires granted!" He paused. "Turn around, my daughters." The two of us turned around at Naraku's command. Fear missing from our eyes.

Naraku first roughly placed his left hand on Renee's shoulder. With tremendous force, he drove his meaty right index finger into the back of her neck. She immediately dropped her sword. I heard her shriek out in pure agony as he removed his finger, along with the jewel shard. Blood erupted from her newly inflicted wound. I gasped in horror at the sight of my best friend writhing on the ground in pure agony, blood pooling slowly around her head. Then I felt something overwhelm me. Survival instincts. With a look of defiance, I turned around to face Naraku and took a few steps backwards.

Naraku chuckled, slowly shaking his head. "My dear, dear Musume. Do you honestly believe I would allow you to leave with a jewel shard in your possession? Or do you perhaps desire a goodbye kiss before your entrance to the netherworld?" He directed his vision to Renee then back to me. "You shall suffer the same fate as your weak and pathetic friend!" I turned to run, but Naraku was faster. With lightning speed, he thrust out his hand, which morphed into a tentacle. Piercing my left shoulder blade. I let out a shriek in agony as I collapsed forwards, flat on my face. Releasing his tentacle, it changed back to its original form and he smirked. "Now my dear, surrender the jewel shard!" I lifted my head slowly. My face was covered in dirt, and stung from the impact.

Naraku slowly began to advance towards me. I couldn't move. Fear filled my entire body. I looked desperately at Kurushimi, which was only inches away from me, stuck in the dirt. I braced myself for Naraku to make his move. It didn't come. I looked up and behind me. To my surprise, Sango had positioned herself between myself and Naraku. I had killed her brother, but she was still trying to help me. Unfazed, Naraku's arms morphed and drove into the ground. Within mere moments, roots shot out of the ground, surrounding the both of us. Sango struggled against the roots appearing all around her. She dropped her Hiraikotsu and drew her blade, slicing through each root that flew at her, but there were too many. She was almost instantly overwhelmed. The roots grabbed her and lifted her to the sky. Root after root shot from the ground, wrapping around her arms and legs, then her chest. The roots threatened to squeeze the very life from her.

Almost simultaneously, the roots around me easily captured me in my weakened state. With Sango being held in the air in one place, the roots carried me back to Naraku, positioning me with my back to him. All I could do is wait. The wait was not long, for I almost immediately felt his meaty finger reach its target. The jewel shard on my brain stem. I let out a scream, momentarily passing out from the pain. The roots immediately released their grasp from myself and Sango. We both struck the ground with a sickening thud. Blood pooled at my head. I faintly heard the clashing of various weapons for what seemed an eternity.

As I slowly came to, I searched the terrain for Renee. She was slowly rising to her knees, a hand grasping the wound at the back of her neck. Reaching to my own wound, to my relief, had stopped bleeding. I gasped. Naraku had reclaimed the jewel shards! My memories came flooding back to me. I was pissed. Naraku had made us commit such heinous acts! Heck! He nearly made us kill a little girl. I looked around. Rin was still unconscious on the grass. Renee and I made eye contact, telling each other were ok. I then saw Renee's eyes filled with panic. I turned to see what she was looking at…

Naraku held out the nearly completed jewel in one hand. With the other, he held a single jewel shard. He let out a booming laughter. "Behold! The sacred jewel is about to be restored to its former glory!" He then placed the final shard in its place. The blackened jewel glowed brilliantly, its light an eerie black. The jewel was now complete. While hovering several feet in the air, he held it out in his opened palm, smiling triumphantly. The skies darkened. Thunder raced across the sky followed by deafening thunder. The numerous battles ceased, except for the battle between Inuyasha and Sesshomaru, which seemed to be unending. The scores of demons still hovered in the air, growling and snapping. They were getting restless. Those against Naraku stared in shocked disbelief. Naraku's incarnations smiled.

"I wish…."

What will Naraku's wish be? Does this spell doom for everyone? Are Renee and Andrea going to be alright? Will Inuyasha turn back to normal, or is he doomed to perish as a full youkai? You'll just have to wait till next time! Written by inuyashafangirl with WindScar's advice!