THE FINAL BATTLE.
This chapter is named after a line from the song "42" by Mumford and Sons.
Chapter 17: In My Darkest Hour
Inuyasha and Kagome rose with the sun, not having slept a wink. Just for something to do, Inuyasha announced he would go hunt for a small animal or something to cook up for them, knowing neither of them would have the appetite to eat it but wanting the distraction anyway.
Before they could set off, because of course he wasn't going to leave her alone at that point, three figures in the sky distracted him.
Kagome squealed happily at the sight of Kirara landing in front of them with Miroku on her back.
"Kirara!" she said happily. "Welcome back!" Kirara mewed her greeting at Kagome then aimed one at Inuyasha, which he returned with a forced smile and a nod.
"Hi, Miroku!" Kagome greeted as she hugged him once he'd gotten off of Kirara's back. "We're so glad Kirara found you. How are you?"
"Hi," Miroku greeted, hugging her back. "I'm fine. So are Sango and the babies." He walked over to Inuyasha and hugged him, too, obviously fine with it after they'd drunkenly rebonded.
Inuyasha didn't mind. He hugged him just as tightly.
"Hey," Inuyasha said. He looked at Kirara and gave her a few pats on the head. "I see you've met our friend here. She's very reliable. Thanks for your help, Kirara." The neko growled and affectionately rubbed her nose against Inuyasha.
"She certainly is," Miroku agreed. "I also met, uh, your brother. He's exactly as you described him."
Inuyasha frowned, not liking that Miroku had to travel with Sesshomaru, who had just landed on the ground a short ways off from them.
"Was it okay on your way here?" he asked. Miroku nodded.
"Yeah, just... quiet."
Inuyasha sighed. Better quiet than violent.
Realizing he should address his brother, Inuyasha gently moved Kagome behind him before turning to Sesshomaru.
"Kirara was a big help," he said. "Thanks for sending her with us."
Sesshomaru hummed. "Indeed. Now go. Your presence is not needed. Leave your human woman and go back to the castle to await your trial."
Inuyasha's jaw dropped. "What? I can't-"
"You can and you will," Sesshomaru interrupted. "That's an order from your daiyoukai. Kirara will escort you back. My guards are expecting your arrival and there is a cell waiting for you."
The nekomata made a questioning mew, obviously displeased at the order and voicing it as respectfully as possible. Sesshomaru considered her for a moment before shaking his head, turning his attention back to Inuyasha.
Kagome looked at her husband with a desperate expression on her face, silently asking him if that was an order he had to follow.
Before Inuyasha could speak, Kagome turned to Sesshomaru and spoke.
"Please let him stay," she said, her tone bordering on begging. "He deserves to be here. Lord Toga was also his father who was killed. Plus, Inuyasha's motherwas killed, too. He deserves this just as much as you do, if not more."
"Kagome," Inuyasha chided quietly.
Sesshomaru glared at her but didn't argue.
"You are delusional, woman," he droned. "But Kirara prefers his presence as well, and makes a good point about his strength. I will allow him to stay, if only so he may prove himself with the sword my father left him."
Stupid bastard, he was our father, Inuyasha corrected silently. He can't even include me as a proper son.
Sesshomaru stalked off, obviously having grown weary of being in their presence.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes when he was out of their line of sight before turning to Miroku.
"I told you he hasn't changed," he said. "Well, if anything, he's gotten worse since meeting Kagome." He winced and looked at his wife. "I know you knew that already, but I'm still sorry."
Kagome shook her head. "It's okay."
Miroku frowned. "Why doesn't he like Kagome?"
Inuyasha scoffed. "Stupid stuff about me marrying a human just like my father did and following in his footsteps."
A gasp was Miroku's response, which caught Inuyasha off-guard.
"You two got married?" he asked. Kagome laughed.
"Yeah!" she replied. "We got married the day after Inuyasha's birthday, so very recently, but…" She smiled at Inuyasha, turning his insides to mush. "We're really happy."
"Well, congratulations!" Miroku exclaimed. "That is wonderful news. Sango will be thrilled when I tell her."
Kagome smiled brightly. "I can't wait! We were actually talking about maybe moving to your town, if that's something you'd be okay with us doing."
Miroku chuckled. "More than okay. That would be excellent."
"We just have to get through this," Inuyasha added, still blushing at their topic. "Hopefully it won't be too bad."
They all went quiet, knowing that was wishful thinking.
Inuyasha knew that this would be the hardest thing they'd ever done.
Sesshomaru remained separated from them for the rest of the day, out of sight but close enough that Inuyasha could still sense his presence.
Kirara caught a deer for dinner, and as the two humans and the hanyo sat around the fire eating, they started making a plan.
"Kagura and Kanna will probably be with Naraku," Kagome said. "I need to be against him, so can you guys hold them off?"
"Now hold on a minute," Inuyasha interjected. "I'm not leaving you alone to fight Naraku. I'm gonna be by your side."
"But-"
"No," he insisted. "I let you talk me into saying yes last time I didn't wanna do something that involved putting you in danger. I won't...I can't do it again. This could end with you getting something worse than a bad bruise on your arm."
Kagome frowned at him. "Inuyasha..."
Before they could continue their argument, Miroku spoke up.
"I can handle Kagura and Kanna on my own. No problem."
Sighing, Kagome nodded. "Fine, but I'm annoyed."
Inuyasha patted her hand, fully intending to sneak her out of earshot later that night and hopefully making it up to her.
"Sesshomaru will be against Naraku with us, too," Inuyasha said. "So we'll have a good defense against him. Then Kagome can purify him and finish all this mess." The others nodded their agreement.
"How do you plan to do it, Kagome?" Miroku asked. Kagome bit her lip and hesitated.
"Uh...I just have to touch him," she replied. "And just channel all my power and all the power of the jewel into him."
Inuyasha knew she was thinking about Sesshomaru's warning about her potential death, but he refused to think anymore about it. He refused to believe anything like that could happen after everything they'd been through together.
Miroku nodded despite the surprise and concern in his eyes. Inuyasha could tell he knew it was a sore subject, so he wasn't pushing for more answers.
They all let the subject drop, allowing them to have a peaceful rest of their dinner.
When they decided to rest for the night, Inuyasha waited until he heard Miroku fall asleep before tugging on Kagome's sleeve. He smiled at her and nodded toward the forest.
She sat up and followed him into a secluded part that Inuyasha knew was out of earshot but still close enough to hear any threats near their camp.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, hugging her tightly and breathing in her chocolate-cherry scent.
"I missed you today," he murmured.
Kagome laughed quietly. "We were together all day."
Inuyasha shook his head. "Not like we usually are."
His wife ran her hands up his back and into his hair, smoothing out the locks with her fingers.
"Yeah, you're right. It's nice to have right now."
They sat down on the ground, and Inuyasha held her tightly. She wound up laying on her back with him on top of her, gently covering her body with his.
Inuyasha wasted no time in kissing her, cupping her cheeks in his hands as she continued to comb out his hair.
Her taste was as marvelous as it always was, the curves of her body felt as perfect against him as they always did, and she responded to his touches in the most delicious ways as she always did.
Despite the mutual call of their hearts and bodies, Inuyasha knew it wasn't a good idea to go any further than their kisses, but he would indulge in them as long as possible.
Kagome pulled away a little while later to breathe and smiled up at him.
Inuyasha brushed her hair from her face and kissed her forehead.
"Am I too heavy?" he asked. Kagome shook her head and tightened her arms around him.
"I like how you feel on me," she said. "You make me feel safe."
Inuyasha softened. "I'm glad. That's how I always want you to feel." He paused, his mind drifting. "Can I tell you something?" He looked back into her eyes, waiting for an answer.
"Of course," Kagome replied with an encouraging smile.
The hanyo blushed. "I know this is a weird thing to bring up now, but...when Miroku left with Sango over a year ago, I was pissed, obviously, like I've told you. I didn't know why the hell he would do that to me. Anyway, before he left, he said 'One day, you'll understand why I'm doing this.'"
Inuyasha reached his hand up to cup Kagome's cheek. "I didn't then, but I do now. I understand why he would drop everything for her." His thumb stroked her cheek. "I would do the same for you."
Kagome's eyes widened. "Inuyasha...thank you. I'm so proud of you."
Confused, Inuyasha frowned. "Why...what?"
She smiled. "You were so closed off when we met. I wasn't sure if you'd ever let me in." She brushed Inuyasha's bangs out of his eyes before gently pinching his cheek. "Now here we are. I'm glad you let me in. I'm just so happy that you love me and that you're letting me love you, too. Thank you."
Inuyasha could only stare down at her with wide eyes, wondering how she still managed to catch him off-guard with how she felt about him even after all of their time together.
"I feel like I should be saying that to you," he murmured. "Kagome...I don't know what else to say except that I love you."
Kagome hummed. "Kiss me a little more?"
He would never deny her, so he leaned down to her lips, keeping it slow and soft rather than hot and heavy like their previous ones.
When they finally parted, they took a few moments to lay together, hands gently roaming each other's bodies before getting up to return to their campsite.
Inuyasha told her that he would remain awake for the night as a precaution, so she nodded and lay down next to him, taking his hand and pulling it against her cheek.
"Good night," she murmured. "I love you."
"Good night," he echoed. "I love you, too."
He tried to focus on her words and the sound of her breathing evening out as she fell asleep, the peace of it warming up his insides.
Somehow, he knew it would be their last night of peace before all hell broke loose.
o.O.o
The next day, they were all on edge, aside from Sesshomaru who seemed as calm and cool and collected as always, feeling Naraku's aura begin to call them from nearby.
It was an invitation they'd gladly accept. They were ready, finally ready, and it was time.
When they finally came across Naraku, there was a resounding shock that went through the group.
It had been years since Inuyasha had seen Naraku, and the evil youkai was gravely injured then, near death.
The youkai that was in front of them now was not gravely injured, and he looked nowhere near perishing. His eyes were bright and hateful, an eclectic kind of joy in them at what Inuyasha knew was the prospect of him murdering them all.
But Inuyasha would never let that happen.
He had to admit the sight was jolting, though.
Naraku still bore a resemblance to the injured being he'd become back when he killed Inuyasha's parents and was injured by Inuyasha's father, but he now rose far above the ground, raised on tentacles coming from his body.
They were innumerous, floating about him and ready to strike at any second.
Inuyasha sucked in a breath at the sight, wondering how they were even supposed to land any hits on him with the tendrils moving all over the place.
Shaking his head, Inuyasha focused on the fight ahead and pulled out his sword, allowing the Tessaiga to transform as he braced for the battle.
Inuyasha yanked his sword out of its sheath and nodded at Kagome and Miroku.
Sesshomaru's eyes had narrowed into a furious glare as he looked at Naraku, and Inuyasha wondered if anyone else would even need to take part in the fight. If looks could kill, this battle would have already been over.
But he knew that wasn't the case.
Kirara growled, voicing her hatred for Naraku. She'd never met the youkai before, but she'd heard countless tales of him.
She then voiced her support for the inu-youkai brothers, and that extra note of confidence helped Inuyasha.
The hanyo braced himself, taking in the sight of Naraku with all of his tentacles wiggling everywhere. It was rather disgusting, and it only made the hanyo's hatred for the evil being even stronger.
Having expected three opponents rather than just Naraku, Inuyasha subtly glanced around, looking for Kagura and Kanna.
They're not here...why? I figured Naraku would have them with him for this, especially.
But Kagura and Kanna weren't present, their auras nowhere nearby to pick up.
He looked at his wife, and her look of confusion at their absence was mirroring his. They didn't speak about it, but they didn't have to. Regardless of who was there, Naraku was the one they needed to focus on destroying.
Forcing himself to buckle down, Inuyasha gripped his sword and prepared to fight.
"Naraku!" Inuyasha shouted. "It's time to die!"
Naraku laughed evilly. "So you think."
Before Inuyasha could respond, Sesshomaru moved, obviously having grown impatient with the few words exchanged.
The daiyoukai swung his Baksusaiga at the same time he lashed out with his poison claws, but Naraku was too quick for him to land a hit.
Inuyasha knew he shouldn't be surprised; this was the youkai who had killed his father, who'd been the strongest youkai that ever lived. Even though Naraku was nearly killed fifteen years earlier, he'd had all that time to rest up and regain his strength. The battle wouldn't be easy.
Inuyasha was right.
It was long and grueling as Naraku changed his form, growing even more long, massive tentacles and showing off his true power.
Every time they cut one tentacle, three grew back in the same spot.
Inuyasha was already exhausted, and he knew that finding a decently-safe opportunity to get close to Naraku would be almost impossible.
Miroku was throwing sutras at him, destroying tentacles as well, but nothing was working.
Kirara was flying all over the place, biting off tentacles when she could and avoiding being impaled at all costs.
Even Sesshomaru's Bakusaiga that killed the source of what it touched, its power couldn't bring Naraku down.
Tentacles were coming at them from all angles, making it difficult to keep on their feet.
Inuyasha cursed as he swung his sword, barely doing any damage. He glanced at Kagome next to him, releasing arrow after arrow and trying to find an opening for her to reach Naraku without being impaled by a tentacle.
Inuyasha evaded yet another attack from Naraku, who barely seemed exerted from the fight. All he had to do was attack with his tentacles; even when they were cut off, they still emitted a deadly miasma, which was a powerful weapon on its own. All he had to do was use his tentacles and the miasma that had begun to seep through them whenever cut. It had become so thick and acrid that even Kirara had to stop her aerial attacks, unable to continue biting into the tentacles with such putrid miasma hitting her after each one.
It felt like a losing battle, the frustration that they were all unable to get anywhere even remotely close to Naraku becoming nearly unbearable, but Inuyasha refused to give up.
"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru growled as he swung Bakusaiga again. "Your human?"
He didn't need to elaborate more; Inuyasha could tell he was expecting Kagome to put their plan into action.
"Timing, Sesshomaru," Inuyasha replied, not bothering to keep his irritation from his voice. There was no way Kagome could get close, not when Naraku's deadly tentacles and potent miasma were all around them.
Inuyasha heard a cry of pain and turned in the direction of it, seeing Miroku doubled over and gripping his arm.
"Miroku!" Inuyasha shouted at his friend, wishing he could run over but knowing he had to focus on dodging tentacles. Kirara had run over to his side and was allowing him to lean on her, providing support.
"I'm okay," Miroku called, not sounding believable. "Just got hit on my arm." He managed a smile at the neko. "Thank you, Kirara."
Inuyasha growled, but he was grateful Miroku wasn't as injured as he knew he could be, so he focused back in and swung his sword at another of Naraku's tentacles, the effort fruitless.
"I thought he'd come straight for me," Kagome said in a voice only meant for Inuyasha. "Why isn't he?"
Inuyasha scoffed. "Probably showing off." He swung at another tentacle and paused, allowing Sesshomaru to swoop in and take over to allow a desperate second with Kagome.
"What do you want to do?" he asked, focusing on her as best he could for a few precious seconds.
Kagome bit her lip and looked at him a moment before turning back to Sesshomaru and Naraku, then Miroku who was gripping his arm and looking deeply concerned.
Inuyasha watched a hundred emotions cross Kagome's face in just a couple of seconds before she finally looked at him, her face fierce in determination.
"Throw me at him," she said firmly. "Throw me at Naraku."
Inuyasha's eyes widened. "What? No! Are you insane? He could impale you on one of those tentacles!"
She tried to smile encouragingly. "Then make sure your aim is good."
He shook his head fiercely. "Kagome, I'm not-"
"Just do it," she pleaded, her eyes fierce and determined. "I want this to be over. Miroku is injured and you and Sesshomaru can't just keep dodging and cutting off singular pieces forever. Naraku is probably trying to see how far he can push you until he needs to come for me. Let's get him before that happens, okay?" She set a hand on his arm. "Trust me."
Inuyasha hesitated a moment more before nodding. He needed to trust her.
He'd already trusted her with everything else: his heart, his very soul, and now his strength and hers, the combination so powerful that it almost seemed foolish to doubt it.
But...knowing that losing her in the battle was a very real possibility, especially with this new plan she had...he was finding it hard to go along with it. He was finding it hard to not doubt.
"You better be careful," he chided, his voice more scared than firm like he'd intended. "I love you."
"I love you, too," Kagome said, taking a quick second to touch his cheek before readying herself.
Inuyasha lifted her up and waited for her to pat his shoulder to silently indicate she was ready, and then he propelled her toward Naraku.
"What are you doing?" Miroku asked as Kagome soared through the air.
"I'm trusting my wife," Inuyasha replied as he watched her.
Kagome landed at the top of his tentacles, Inuyasha's aim getting her in a good spot.
"You stupid girl!" Naraku shouted. "You've just made your death wish!"
"Not hardly!" Kagome yelled. She put her hands on him and began to glow brightly.
Inuyasha felt that familiar bit of hope that they'd had since deciding on a plan return full-force; their plan was unfolding, and Kagome's power was overwhelming around them as she kept her hands on Naraku, channeling what Inuyasha knew could be the final blow before his demise.
But then…
As quickly as the hope appeared, it blanched as Naraku absorbed Kagome into his body, and Inuyasha watched, his eyes wide in horror as Kagome disappeared inch by inch, too quickly for him to even begin to move toward her.
With a scream, she was gone.
"No!" Inuyasha screamed. "Kagome!"
Inuyasha could only stare up at the spot where his wife was only a mere second ago, his mouth agape and his eyes wide in horror.
Every ounce of strength faded from him now that Kagome had disappeared.
Everything froze, time stopped, and Inuyasha forgot to breathe.
He couldn't see her, couldn't smell her, couldn't sense her.
Does that mean...is she dead?
"You fool!" Sesshomaru shouted at him. "Focus and finish this fight!"
Inuyasha felt a hand on his shoulder and looked at Miroku standing next to him.
"Kagome would want you to keep fighting," he encouraged quickly. "I'm sorry, but I can't give you more comfort than that right now. Let's go, okay?"
Feeling the sting of tears in his eyes, Inuyasha nodded. His throat was tight and his limbs shook, but he allowed Miroku's words to fuel him.
Kagome would be fine. She had to be.
Inuyasha gripped his sword, ready to strike again after Kagome's unsuccessful plan, but then a loud rumbling sound began to resound around them.
"What is that?" Miroku asked.
Naraku laughed evilly. "I have absorbed Kagome, which means I have absorbed the Shikon Jewel as well. I am the strongest youkai in the world! I will have my revenge and all the power I've desired for all these years. Die!"
Another blast of power came off from the side, and Inuyasha recognized it as Kagura's Dance of the Dragon attack.
His eyes shot to the source, seeing Kagura and Kanna flying toward them on a large feather.
"What the hell?" Inuyasha shouted. He was shocked to see the murderous glare on Naraku's face as his reincarnations approached.
Kagura and Kanna landed and came to stand opposite Naraku, but at a safe distance from Inuyasha.
"Sorry we're late," Kagura said sarcastically to her preincarnation. "We figured they would have killed you by now, but I guess not."
Inuyasha's eyes widened. "What?"
Kagura turned to him, looking desperate, which was something he had yet to see from her.
"Kanna and I caught the nekomata's trail when she and that other human were on her way to meet you and we recognized her so we've tailing her. We eavesdropped and heard your plan and thought it was a good idea, so we've been concealing our auras nearby. Yeah, yeah, cowardly, but whatever. Anyway, we just saw Kagome get...I hate to say this, but when someone goes in, they don't come out. We're here now and we want to help."
Inuyasha was in shock, unfeeling, incapable of completely processing the sheer insanity of what was happening, from his wife getting absorbed to this new turn of events with Kagura and Kanna facing off against Naraku with them. He could barely move, could hardly think, choosing to go off of pure instinct and sheer willpower from that point on.
Of course, Kanna mostly stood by Kagura's side without speaking or even really seeing, but the intent was there.
"...when someone goes in, they don't come out."
Kagura's words echoed in his head, and Inuyasha found himself terrified to ponder them even a moment longer, too terrified to admit that she might be right.
"Aim for the middle of his tentacles!" Kagura called to the others as well as Inuyasha. "That's his point of weakness!"
"You wretched woman!" Naraku roared. "How dare you defy me like this? Have you forgotten who holds your very life?"
Kagura snarled. "Not after today, bitch." She looked at Inuyasha and nodded firmly. "We'll help."
Inuyasha was too...something, call it shocked, overwhelmed, distraught, or maybe he'd just plain lost his mind, but he found himself nodding. Kagura had just given them some powerful information, so Inuyasha planned on taking advantage of it. He was pissed that they'd been hiding but not stupid enough to deny any kind of help at that point.
Inuyasha pushed down his heartbreak at Kagome's disappearance and turned to his brother, nodding.
Sesshomaru nodded back, and Inuyasha glanced back at Miroku, who was still leaning against Kirara and nodded as well despite his injury, which had rendered him unable to continue the fight. Inuyasha was proud of him, though. He'd fought bravely.
Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, and Kagura all braced themselves with their weapons, ready to strike.
Naraku roared and began to attack, but before anyone could make contact with him, the evil youkai froze and made a choking sound.
A massive beam of light came from him, and the intense power of spiritual energy surrounded him.
All at once, Naraku exploded in a burst of light.
The force knocked them all to the ground, and when the light finally faded, Inuyasha sat up.
Naraku was gone.
All that was left were a few singed tentacles and a box of some sort among them.
Kagura gasped and ran over to the box. She opened it and pulled something slimy out before shoving it into her chest.
"My heart," he heard her say. "Finally."
Kanna's mirror shattered next to her, and the shards that fell to the ground signified the end of Naraku's existence.
Inuyasha couldn't pay much more attention to them.
"What the hell just happened?" he demanded. "Where is he?"
Kagura clutched her chest and looked at Inuyasha. "He's gone. Dead."
It was a relief, but Kagome was still nowhere to be found. Her aura was completely absent and the only trace of her scent was where it lingered on his body.
Inuyasha gritted his teeth and remembered what Sesshomaru had said about Kagome's body being needed to fully purify the evil of Naraku.
Naraku was dead, purified by none other than Kagome's hands.
And when Kagome purified Naraku, she purified the jewel and herself along with him.
"Kagome...she's…"
A horrible, wretched sound escaped him, a sob unlike anything he'd ever vocalized came from his mouth. He slapped a hand over his lips, trying to contain his agony.
"No," Inuyasha whispered. "After everything...how…?"
Miroku came over to set his good hand on Inuyasha's shoulder. "That was the bravest thing I've ever seen. Kagome was the bravest person I've ever seen."
Was. She was the bravest person.
But not anymore.
Kagome was dead.
That same disconsolate sound escaped him again as Inuyasha fell to his knees, not caring that there were four other people around him.
Hot tears fell from his eyes, gliding down his cheeks in warm streaks, so he kept his gaze downward. He heard Miroku kneel next to him and wrap an arm around his shoulders.
"I'm so sorry," Miroku said quietly. Kirara also came to his side, transforming to her smaller form and rubbing against Inuyasha's leg.
Inuyasha sniffled and set a hand on Miroku's arm and his other hand on Kirara's head, accepting both of their comfort as he felt everything inside him break.
Footsteps approached them, and Inuyasha saw Sesshomaru's shoes pause in front of him.
"I will be taking my leave," the daiyoukai said as he wiped the remnants of battle on his sword off in the grass. "Kagome did well today. She will be remembered. I expect to see you back at the castle tomorrow to begin the process of your trial."
Grimacing, Inuyasha found he didn't even care. Kagome was gone. There was no point in dreading the trial. He didn't have anyone on his side anyway.
"You two come with me," Sesshomaru said. His voice sounded harsher, so Inuyasha could tell he was talking to Kagura and Kanna. "A trial is in order for you, too."
Kagura frowned. "But we-"
Sesshomaru's fierce growl cut Kagura off. She heaved a sigh and followed him.
"Kirara, you did well today," Sesshomaru said. "You may return with me or escort the monk home." Kirara responded with her intention to remain with Inuyasha before seeing Miroku home.
Once Sesshomaru had left with Kagura and Kanna, Inuyasha wiped his eyes and stood up.
"What was Sesshomaru talking about?" Miroku asked gently. "What trial?"
"I deserted my position," Inuyasha replied, his voice hoarse from his silent cries. "I have to go on trial for my punishment."
Miroku gasped. "What? After we just defeated Naraku?"
Inuyasha nodded and didn't look at him. "He warned me it would still happen regardless of the outcome of our battle with Naraku. It's not a shock to hear him warn me about it again."
"He's heartless," Miroku spat.
Inuyasha didn't want to think about it. He didn't want to think about the trial or the verdict or if he'd be imprisoned or put to death or any of that.
All he could think about was that his wife was dead. All he could think about was that he'd become a widower in the process of trying to save them.
All he could think about was that he would never have Kagome by his side again.
"Kirara and I will stay with you until you go to the castle," Miroku said gently. Kirara mewed her agreement.
Inuyasha shook his head. "I'll be fine. You have a family waiting for you." Then he remembered his arm, immediately feeling guilty that he hadn't asked about the injury.
"How's your arm?" Inuyasha asked.
Miroku shook his head. "It's fine. Nothing serious."
Inuyasha rose and beckoned Miroku to follow him. "Kagome has medical crap in her bag. Let me wrap it or something."
"But-"
"Please," Inuyasha cut in. "Just...let me do this."
Miroku's mouth closed, and he nodded, following Inuyasha over to where they'd left their bags.
As they walked, Inuyasha felt himself draining more and more. The life was slowly seeping out of him, and it took the last remnants of his strength to make it to his wife's bag, kneel in front of it, and go through it until he found her medical supplies.
Kirara sat herself down next to him, providing silent support.
As he went through Kagome's bag, Inuyasha's hands brushed the yukata she had worn at hanami, and he sucked in a sharp breath, knowing he needed to keep it together so he could help Miroku with his injury.
And then...then he could break.
He was silent as he found the medicine and treated Miroku's injury before getting it wrapped up. Once that was done, he put the remaining medicinal items in Kagome's bag so that she could use them next time she needed to make something to sell to an apothecary when-
Oh.
He winced, knowing he'd never get used to thinking of her as gone . He didn't want to.
"Thank you," Miroku said as he adjusted his shirt over his newly-bandaged arm. "And, Inuyasha...would you like to return with me? You can stay with me and Sango for as long as you'd like to."
"It's okay," the hanyo replied as he rose to standing. "I'd like to be alone anyway...if you don't mind."
Miroku nodded. "Of course, my friend. I'm so sorry again."
The two embraced for a moment before Inuyasha stepped back to pat Kirara on her head for a moment, thanking her for her help during the battle.
They parted ways shortly after, and when Inuyasha was alone, he reached back into Kagome's bag and pulled out her hanami yukata.
He felt more tears begin to fall, but the pain that manifested in his heart was still more intense than any amount of tears he could ever cry.
Leaving the bags where they were, Inuyasha found the tallest tree in the area, jumping up into the highest branch and settling himself there.
He buried his face in the fabric, inhaling Kagome's scent and feeling the time he'd spent with her assault him in a barrage of memories. He remembered the way her smile had been bright from the very start. He thought about her sharp wit and the meal they'd shared shortly after meeting, during which Kagome announced she would order the most expensive drink but somehow wound up paying for his lunch.
He thought about the way her hand felt in his for the first time, after she burned her fingers on the match when she was learning to light it. He thought about the surprise in her eyes when his touch had lingered, a foreshadowing to his eventual inability to fight off his feelings and resist her touches.
He thought about that, too, how adamant he'd been about not falling in love with her and how it had happened regardless. He thought about how it felt to have her comb his hair at hanami, how they'd shared memories and smiles and he'd fallen asleep on her. He thought about how it had been a sheer relief to kiss her for the first time, to finally give in only to close himself off even more afterward.
Inuyasha should've known it was inevitable. They were inevitable. He'd known in the moments right before their second kiss, when talking just wasn't enough anymore.
The memories wouldn't stop. Her eyes, her smile, her laughter, the way she loved him so wholeheartedly and without reservations, the way she kissed him and clung to him in the dark. She'd changed him from the closed-off, shattered man he'd been to someone stronger and eager to love. Kagome had made him brave when he didn't know he could feel it in so many different ways.
How would it feel to sleep alone from then on? How would it feel to not wake up with her by his side? How would anything ever feel alright again?
He didn't think it ever would.
He pulled his knees up and wrapped his arms around them, keeping his face buried in Kagome's yukata and getting it wet with his tears. His shoulders shook with sobs that were muffled by the fabric, but it didn't matter.
Kagome was gone.
And he was alone.
Again.
To be continued...
*hides*