Disclaimer: I do not own any of the copyrighted/licensed/trademarked materials mentioned in this fanfiction (from InuYasha to my references to Nine Inch Nails or Harry Potter). They are the properties of their respective copyright holders and I in no way am insinuating that I own them. (Consider it free advertising.) I only own the storyline and any new characters that may crop up.
Chapter Twenty-Three: The Destruction of the Shikon Jewel
Kagome screamed in terror as she saw Naraku's deformed claw-like hand stretching towards her. As her comrades sprung into action, the young priestess' hand instinctively shot for the whip bound at her waist and unfurled it. Without thinking, Kagome blindly swung the whip at the impending claw with a resounding "CA-CRACK!" Naraku roared as the dragon bones hit their mark. Kagome slowly opened her eyes and she saw Naraku's hand retreating and bearing a great gash from the whip.
Sango lifted her weapon high, ready to take aim. Megami, Senkotsuke, and Sesshomaru charged with their swords held high. Naraku anticipated their move and extended his arms down. The arms morphed and stretched, seeping into the earth. Soon the ground began to quake beneath the three dog demons' feet and Naraku laughed maliciously. Jagged spikes constructed of the earth and rock sprang from the ground around their feet and they all fought to maintain balance. Senkotsuke drove his claymore into the floor and held to it for stability. Sesshomaru spread his feet apart and maintained his footing on his own. Megami held to the base of a spike and sheathed her sword. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at Naraku. Her hands became wreathed in flame and she flicked her right wrist to summon her whip. The flames burned blue and intense along the whip, and the tip was white hot. Megami soared into the air and began lashing at Naraku's arms.
Naraku pulled his arms from the earth and began to engage Megami's attacks. When her feet reached the ground again she began to strike at his chest. The floor slowly receded and leveled. Naraku blocked Megami's whip with his contorted hands, laughing at her attempts. "Is that the best that you can do half breed?" he taunted her.
Sesshomaru ran forward swinging the Tetsusaiga at Naraku. He turned to Megami and shouted, "Get back!" as he attacked Naraku. She obeyed him and jumped back by Sango and Kagome. Naraku blocked the Tetsusaiga and Sesshomaru growled, "Don't you dare call her a half-breed! At least she was born a demon and didn't sell herself to become one!"
"I seem to have struck a nerve with you, Sesshomaru," Naraku casually said. "How has it come that you are taking offense to calling a half breed for what they are?"
"Silence!" Sesshomaru cried as he pushed against Naraku with the blade of Tetsusaiga. Naraku was sent back a few feet.
Megami looked to Sango. "You have a clear shot."
"I'm on it," the slayer said as she poised herself to launch her boomerang. Sango twisted around and took a deep breath. She began her war cry but was cut short. Sango collapsed as Kanna assaulted her with her mirror.
"No!" Kagome shouted. She readied her bow and drew an arrow. Megami pulled her sword from its scabbard and Shippo came forward. The little kitsune's hands were coiled with fox fire. Kanna paid them no heed as she continued to suck Sango's soul from her body. Kagome knocked an arrow and issued an ultimatum. "Release her, Kanna. Release her or you will join your sister in hell."
Kanna slowly faced them, still holding the mirror over Sango's body. Her eyes were black as onyx and they shone cold and without remorse. Naraku's voice called out to Kanna as he continued to fight with Sesshomaru, "Kill them, Kanna!" The nothing demon turned back to her victim and continued with her master's bidding. Megami and Shippo growled as they motioned to attack, but Kagome whispered for them to stop.
"Look, in the shadows beyond Kanna," Kagome whispered just enough to be heard by Shippo and Megami. The two demons focused their eyes past Kanna and saw Senkotsuke lurking in the shadows. His face was calm yet wrathful. Senkotsuke slowly lifted his claymore as he crept from the dark corner towards Kanna's back. Kagome took aim for Kanna's mirror as Senkotsuke moved in to strike. Senkotsuke's eyes burned with vengeance and fury as he swung the enormous blade at Kanna's neck. Kagome's bow sung as she let her sacred arrow fly for Kanna's mirror. There was a flash of sacred energy as Senkotsuke's blade severed Kanna's head from her shoulders and the arrow shattered Kanna's mirror. Ghostly light poured from the broken glass. Some sped back into Sango and she opened her eyes dreamily. The remaining stolen souls sought their rightful bodies. Kagome steeled herself and knocked another arrow. The string twanged as another sacred arrow was sent to demolish Kanna's head.
Senkotsuke knelt next to Sango and helped her sit up. Kagome turned to see Sesshomaru and Naraku dueling fiercely; meeting each other hit for hit. "You guys, it's time to get serious. It's just us and Naraku now. No incarnations to help him. We have to do this right." Megami and Shippo nodded. Senkotsuke helped Sango to her feet.
Sango brushed herself off and picked up her boomerang. Senkotsuke tried to help her, but Sango insisted, "I'm all right. I can handle this." She lifted the boomerang over her shoulder, leaving her hand looped through the handle.
The five of them turned to face Sesshomaru and their mortal enemy. Kagome readied her bow yet again by placing an arrow against the bow and loaded in the string. Senkotsuke lifted his claymore ominously. Megami held her sword with a determined expression on her face. Shippo jumped up holding a leaf to his forehead crying "Multiply!" and six more Shippos appeared out of thin air. They marched forward silently. The seven little Shippos leapt about, keeping the real Shippo hidden amongst the copies. The creak of Kagome's bowstring echoed between steel of Tetsusaiga clanging against Naraku's armor. The dueling stopped as Naraku and Sesshomaru turned to see Kagome with an arrow pulled taut in her bowstring. Her voice developed a dangerous tone as she aimed her arrow at Naraku's chest. "Sesshomaru – step away."
Sesshomaru cautiously backed away whilst still holding his father's fang defensively. Naraku chuckled at the young priestess' actions. "Now now, Kagome. We all know that you do not have the strength to fight without InuYasha at your side. Don't try to fool yourself into thinking you are strong enough to destroy me."
Kagome glared at Naraku and said, "That's where you're wrong, Naraku. I do have the strength, even without InuYasha." She released the arrow and it lit up like an airborne sparkler. Naraku darted to the left but the sacred arrow still pierced his side. He clutched at the gaping hole in his right side with one hand while sending the other at Kagome. Megami sped forward slashing at Naraku's hand. Seven little Shippos formed a line before Naraku and began throwing wailing mushrooms at him as a diversion. Megami's blade dug deep into Naraku's arm. The arm whipped around and knocked Megami across the room. She slammed into the opposite wall and slumped to the floor. Senkotsuke and Sango dashed at Naraku. Slayer and demon assailed Naraku with their weapons only to find themselves in a similar deadlock as Sesshomaru. Naraku blocked every move and mocked them along the way.
"A slayer fighting beside the very kind she was trained to kill. It's so very modern. It's almost charming," Naraku jeered at the pair. Senkotsuke and Sango did not give in to his tactics and continued to put up a fight. Naraku laughed in their faces, "Oh-ho, your anger will only make your destruction even sweeter. Your hate taints the Shikon Jewel and makes me crave it all the more." He raised a contorted arm and swatted them both away like gnats. Senkotsuke and Sango were thrown back and nearly rammed into Kagome and three of the Shippo copies.
Sesshomaru ran to take Sango and Senkotsuke's place fighting with Naraku. Naraku did not falter in his continual taunts. "Ah, the once Lord Sesshomaru graces me with his presence again. The Lord of the Western Lands who has again lowered himself to fight beside humans and half breeds. I hear you have even taken the half breed as mate. Was it out of pity, or are you more like your father than you thought?" Sesshomaru growled and shoved Naraku back slightly. Naraku chortled, "There's that nerve again." Naraku charged at Sesshomaru. He blocked Naraku's attack, but Naraku put his face as close to Sesshomaru's as he could. "Tell me; while you tortured my servant did he fail to mention that he promised his sister to me as a trophy?" Naraku's face split into a cruel grin as Sesshomaru's face contorted in disgust and rage. Sesshomaru thought, I should have killed Kintotsuke. Naraku continued to aggravate his opponent quietly, "Oh, I see this is new information to you. Well rest assured, Lord Sesshomaru, that I shall enjoy your precious Megami time and time again once you are dead. Perhaps I'll take her right here, beside your lifeless body, as she screams in sorrow for you."
Sesshomaru howled, "She would rather die!" Swiftly, Sesshomaru raised his free hand and summoned the deadly poison to his claws. With an accurate swipe he lacerated Naraku's face with his talons.
Naraku stumbled back and shrieked, "Worthless bastard!" Naraku wiped the poisons and blood from his eyes. The eye in the center of Naraku's chest began to glow as the pupil dilated. A short burst of miasma shot towards Sesshomaru. The blast hit him in the chest and shattered his armor. Lord Sesshomaru was jettisoned and the real Shippo jumped up, morphing into his pink balloon form to act as an air bag. Naraku laughed deeply, reveling in his small victory. As he opened his eyes the laughter was cut short. Naraku's expression turned from mirth to terror as Kagome released another arrow from her bow.
"Hit the mark!" Kagome screamed as her holy energy glittered around her attack.
Naraku gasped as the arrow sped for his chest. In the blink of an eye, the arrow blew apart the great eye in Naraku's chest and burrowed itself in his flesh. Naraku howled in agony as the sacred energies burned him. Not even resorting to an insult, Naraku stretched an arm out and grasped Kagome around the waist in a contorted hand.
Sango and seven Shippos cried, "Kagome! No!"
Kagome pushed against Naraku's grip to no avail. Naraku narrowed his eyes at the priestess and growled, "Now you meddlesome bitch, you will know pain." A deadly miasma began to pour forth from his palm and into Kagome's belly. Kagome shrieked as the toxins seeped into her abdomen.
"No!" Kagome screamed as tears flowed down her face. "My baby! Please, no! Not my baby!"
Naraku's face split into his evil smile once again as he remembered. "Ah yes. You mated that pathetic hanyou … and he got you with child. This is beyond my wildest dreams." His malicious laughter rang throughout the chamber, mixing with Kagome's screams and pleads.
The roar of a multitude of young fox demons emerged through the din. Seven Shippos flew at Naraku from all angles. They each latched onto him and bit, clawed, scratched, and punched as they tried to help the one Shippo regarded as his mother. Naraku just laughed harder.
Sango thought rapidly. I have to help her! That miasma will kill the child for sure! I can't let this happen … not if there's something I can do! She suddenly remembered a move that she and Miroku had once used against Naraku. "Senkotsuke," Sango said sternly, "Give me your claymore." Under normal circumstances, Senkotsuke would have questioned her, but this was not the time for twenty questions. He handed his weapon over and Sango took the belt that held her sword round her waist and began to tether the claymore to her boomerang. He quickly caught on to her strategy. Senkotsuke unclasped the holster for his weapon and handed it to Sango. Before Sango could finish she was interrupted.
"Over here you son of a bitch," a voice calmly rose above their racket to gain Naraku's attention.
Naraku looked over to see a conscious Megami holding Kagome's bow with an arrow knocked and drawn. He quirked an eyebrow at her and wryly said, "From what I hear, you have an uncanny ability to rejoin the battle at miraculous moments."
"Indeed I do. Now put her down or I put this arrow right through your fucking skull," Megami said coolly.
Naraku gave her a condescending giggle, "Sure, little one." He squeezed Kagome in response.
The bow sung for Megami as she released the string to send an arrow straight into Naraku's eye socket. The arrow did not fully penetrate the skull, but it remained lodged firmly in his right eye. Naraku's grip slacked and Kagome fell to the ground hard. Sesshomaru sped by and removed Kagome from harm's way. The arrow eerily swiveled around as Naraku evaluated his environment only to end up pointing at Megami once again. Naraku reached up and without hesitation he pulled the arrow out, removing the eye along with it. He grunted softly as he tugged at the arrow that held his eye and roughly severed the nerves and veins attached to it. With his remaining eye, Naraku gawked as he saw Sesshomaru set Kagome on her feet. She stood strong of her own free will and her mystic energy encompassed her.
"How could this be?" Naraku muttered in shock.
Megami swiftly walked over and handed the bow and quiver back to Kagome. With the stance of a true priestess, Kagome shouldered the quiver and held the bow in her left hand. Her energy crackled around her as she drew an arrow from the quiver. "This ends now," Kagome said firmly.
The six Shippo copies disappeared with a "POP!" and the real Shippo stood beside Megami. Megami drew her sword and blue flames sprouted from the steel. Shippo leaped to Megami's right arm and placed his hands over hers. He concentrated hard and soon the flames increased, lightening to an aqua hue. Shippo added his fox fire to her blade. The little fox then scurried up her arm and perched himself on her shoulder. Megami nodded to the young kitsune and came to stand beside Kagome. Senkotsuke laid his hand on Sango's shoulder. Sango raised her boomerang with Senkotsuke's claymore bound to it as they came to stand beside Megami. Finally, Sesshomaru drew the Tetsusaiga and stood on Kagome's other side. He focused his eyes to see beyond Naraku and sensed the colliding demonic energies that formed the Wind Scar.
Kagome knocked her arrow and pulled back until the feathers on the arrow touched her ear. She looked down the length of the arrow until the point was aimed right between Naraku's eyebrows. Naraku looked cornered and Kagome silently reveled in the fact that she saw fear in his remaining eye. "Now!" she commanded the others.
Sango twisted around three times before she let the weapons fly with a resonant, "Kamisoriga!" The weapons formed a spinning ring of electrified flames that fatally sped towards Naraku.
Megami and Shippo gave a great cry as she swung her blade, causing a jet of flames to burst from the tip of her sword. The flames swirled as they raced for their foe.
Sesshomaru whirled around as he swung the Tetsusaiga and cut through the Wind Scar. Five streams of energy split the ground and barreled for Naraku.
Kagome prayed as she sent all of her spiritual strength into her arrow. She released the arrow and the light of its power filled the room. The missile flew straight and true.
The boomerang and claymore struck Naraku just as the flames poured over his body. Sango and Senkotsuke's weapons severed his body in half; precisely where Naraku had torn InuYasha. Megami and Shippo's flames consumed the lower half and assailed the remaining torso relentlessly. The Wind Scar arrived and raked over what remained of Naraku's body. The torrents of energy threatened to tear Naraku apart. Naraku's left eye dilated in terror as he saw Kagome's arrow speeding at his face.
"NOOOOO!" Naraku yowled. The arrow tore through his forehead and disintegrated what remained of Naraku.
Sango reached into the air to catch her boomerang as the remnants of everyone's attacks dissipated. Everyone held their breath awaiting Naraku to perform a miraculous resurrection … but none came. They all beheld a small smoking crater, and cradled in the hole was an almost complete Shikon no Tama.
The laughter began shakily, but soon Sango and Senkotsuke were whooping and hollering as they hugged each other gleefully. Senkotsuke spun Sango around, holding her high in the air. Megami and Sesshomaru hugged each other and laughed as Shippo danced across their shoulders. Kagome stood there, staring at the jewel with tears streaming down her cheeks. She felt a tugging at her neck and saw the vial being pulled towards the jewel. Kagome felt no demonic aura, only the taint of the jewel. Knowing she possessed the power to purify its evil, Kagome released the shards from the vial. Of its own volition, the shards flew to the jewel and became whole once more.
Kagome took one step towards the jewel and buckled. Kagome curled into the fetal position on the floor and screamed. Everyone stopped celebrating and looked to Kagome writhing on the floor.
"Dear Kami!" Sango shouted.
Kagome's skirt was soaked in blood and it had flowed down her legs. She shivered on the ground while clutching her belly. She was miscarrying. Megami rushed out of Sesshomaru's arms as Senkotsuke set Sango back on her feet. Sango and Megami knelt beside Kagome in a mad panic.
"Oh no," Megami said as tears began to glisten in her eyes. She drew a dagger that was strapped to her leg and cut Kagome's skirt and panties from her. There were slight burns on her skin from Naraku's miasma. Sango cringed from the sight.
Megami tried to examine her friend and Sango asked, "Do you know what you're doing?"
Megami took a deep breath. "I have had to deal with a few births on my own. Grandma has taught me a lot …" Megami shuddered, "There is so much blood."
Senkotsuke came forward while keeping his eyes averted. He removed his haori and handed it to his sister. "Use this," he insisted.
Megami handed the haori to Sango. "Hold this for a second," she said as she began to take off her fur cloak. Megami slid the cloak beneath Kagome's rear and took the haori from Sango. She used it to soak up as much blood as she could. Megami began to tenderly feel Kagome's belly.
Kagome bit back her screams as Megami pressed on her abdomen. She gritted her teeth and pleaded, "Save my baby. Please, save my son." Kagome cried and cried as she started upwards, "Oh please, InuYasha, don't let them take our son. InuYasha, save our baby."
Megami and Sango worked as quickly as they could. Sango mopped up blood with Senkotsuke's haori despite the fact that it was already drenched. Megami pressed on Kagome's belly, and then gently sniffed. She hung her head solemnly and whispered, "There's nothing I can do. I'm sorry, Kagome. The miasma has caused too much fetal distress. I'm so sorry." Kagome began to scream frantically. Shippo came up and gently tried to soothe Kagome by petting her hair as he cried.
Megami stood suddenly and rounded on Sesshomaru. "Save the baby!" Her eyes were wild as she demanded this of her mate. "Use the Tenseiga and save your nephew!"
Sesshomaru blandly said, "I cannot."
Megami gaped at him unbelievingly. "What?" she asked quietly. How can he be so cold at a time like this? His nephew is dying!
"I cannot," he said flatly. "Tenseiga cannot revive a soul that has not been born."
Megami's face twisted in sorrow and she sank to her knees. She joined the others as they helplessly cried while Kagome and InuYasha's son slowly faded.
Sesshomaru silently strode across the underground chamber towards the crater. Kagome opened her eyes to see Sesshomaru bending and reaching his hand towards the Jewel of Four Souls.
"Sesshomaru, no!" Kagome cried. "Its evil will consume you! Don't touch it!"
Sesshomaru ignored her warnings and he lifted the jewel between his thumb and forefinger. He stared at the jewel and evenly spoke, "I have no desire for this jewel. I have never wanted it. It cannot consume me."
As Sesshomaru studied the marble sized gem Kagome watched incredulously as its tainted aura faded away. How on earth is this possible? He cleansed its blackened aura!
Sesshomaru enveloped the jewel in his hand and bit back tears as he said, "I do not wish to possess the Shikon Jewel. The only wish in my heart at this moment is that my nephew will live." He opened his hand so that the jewel laid in the palm of his hand as a tear fell from his cheek and onto his haori.
They all bore witness as the jewel began to glow. The light from within it grew brighter and brighter until finally everyone had to shield their eyes from the piercing radiance. The jewel rose from Sesshomaru's palm and filled the chamber with its blinding luminescence as they all closed their eyes tightly. The light became so intense that they all thought it would blind them even though their eyes were shut. An echoing, relieved sigh sounded through the cavern. With a brilliant flash, Midoriko's soul triumphed and the Jewel of Four Souls dissolved. The light was extinguished and everyone opened their eyes.
The jewel was gone, along with the blood that had stained Kagome. Megami looked around before approaching Kagome. She went to press on Kagome's belly and saw that the miasma burns were healed. Megami pressed gently and smelled. A smile crept across her face. She laughed with tears in her eyes, "Your son is fine, my friend."
Kagome sighed and joined Megami in laughing and crying. She sat up and hugged Sango, Shippo, and Megami to her. Kagome was so caught up in the moment that she did not see Sesshomaru approaching her. He tapped her on the shoulder and she released everyone to look to Sesshomaru. He was holding his haori out to her. "What's this for?" she asked.
"To cover yourself, or have you forgotten that you're half naked?" he asked with a small, teasing smile.
Kagome blushed a little and laughed, "You're right. I did." She took the haori from him.
"Given the circumstances, I understand. Do you need help up?" he asked her.
"No. I feel great." Kagome got to her feet and tied the haori around her like a skirt. She leaned and lifted Shippo into her arms. Kagome sighed and looked to everyone, "Let's get out of here. Megami tells me that Sesshomaru's planning a big celebration."
Sesshomaru arched a brow at Kagome, and then looked at Megami. "You have a big mouth, my dear."
