A/N: I do not know if a disclaimer is necessary. If so, allow me to say that I own nothing affiliated with any InuYasha characters. I don't want to put a disclaimer in every chapter but will if I must. Does anyone know if it's required?
Mirrored Future
by Amazonian21
Rated M
Chapter 2
Recap from last episode:
"I need to see the future," she told it. "I need to see the future with...," and trailed off as she tensed and felt the presence of a very strong youkai behind her.
"Sesshoumaru," she gasped, as the tall, cold lord came into view behind her, regarding her with cruel disdain.
She was distracted from that sight, however, as the mirror in her hand began to glow.
Kagome was not a stupid girl. The mirror in front of her was calling for her attention, but she was in no immediate position to humor it. The last thing she wanted to do was turn her back on the cold blooded killer who'd been willing to end her life as a side note whenever she stood in the way of something he wanted. She did not survive four years of high stress battle situations by being frivolous with her life.
Well, she supposed it could be argued that she often had been careless, but always had friends to bail her out of the consequences of her frivolity. But right now, that was neither here nor there.
All that ran through her mind was that instant stress response; chemical signals trying to get her to either fight for her safety or fly from immediate danger. Neither, she knew, would ensure her continued existence. Sesshoumaru would swat away any attacks she could make and catch her before she even knew she was running.
It was best to keep very, very still and hope he wanted a live hostage rather than a dead message.
The mirror was still glowing, however. She looked at the TaiYoukai in front of her and noticed that his eyes were no longer on her. He had his attention fixed on the glowing mirror behind her.
She slowly turned her head and allowed herself to look at it as well. She wasn't sure what she'd been expecting, but the image in the mirror caused her to momentarily forget the white menace behind her and focus entirely on its contents.
It was the last battle. Smoke and poisonous haze abounded. In the center of the mirror, Naraku was surrounded by the shard hunting group, tentacles flying, miasma pooling in waves. There was no sound to go with the images and Kagome had a hard time following the movements of everyone involved from her bird's eye view, but she could make out the forms of an exhausted Sango fighting back to back with a wounded but determined Miroku. Kirara darted around them, viciously tearing at any demon that dared threaten her human friends.
The horde of demons Naraku summoned to wear the team down was now almost depleted, but not without fulfilling their intended purpose. The monk and demon slayer were weary and would not be in top form when the cloud of youkai thinned enough to make an attack on Naraku possible.
She looked towards the middle when flashes of red caught her eye. She saw InuYasha waving his Tessaiga left and right with a fierce determination. He was furious and deadly, his demon side barely restrained by the powers of the sword. He launched attack after attack on Naraku, growling in rage as the evil hanyou's body regenerated itself instantly after each attempt. It was obvious that InuYasha held nothing back, using tooth, nail, and sword to defeat his arch enemy. InuYasha would not be able to continue his efforts indefinitely, but stoically would not let his fatigue get the best of him.
Kagome's counterpart was pushed out of the way along the sidelines. All of her contributions to the effort required her to use her miko powers and archery skills and to avoid getting hurt or in the way of the more physical fighters. She launched arrow after arrow into the thinning swarm of demons, cutting their numbers down significantly. She even took aim at Naraku himself when it wouldn't get in the way of InuYasha's efforts. Shippou stood by her side and helped kill any demons that got too close with his fox fire.
She wondered where Naraku's minions were and looked to see Kagura off to one side, deep in a heated battle with Kouga and a few from his wolf tribe. The wind witch seemed the worse for wear, obviously sustaining a lot of injury from Kouga's fast and deadly accurate attacks. Kouga and his wolves were not without damage; all bore lacerations from Kagura's wind attacks, but it was apparent that they would soon be victorious. Kanna already lay dead at their feet, her broken mirror still clutched tightly in her hands.
There was no sign of Kikyou and no sign of Sesshoumaru.
The battle raged for what could have been hours. Naraku was slowing and showed signs of wear. His tentacles were no longer regenerating at the same rapid pace and his injuries healed more slowly. He seemed to have sustained one or two injuries that did not heal at all. Unfortunately, the shard hunters were in a similar condition.
They were now all able to focus their energies on the evil hanyou in front of them, the demon horde long destroyed, but they were moving more slowly and their attacks had less accuracy. It did not look especially good for them since it was apparent they would wear out more rapidly than Naraku would.
At this point in the battle, Kagome had moved in closer to the action. She let her arrows fly in the pauses between the others' attacks as they regrouped. So far Naraku had been able to deflect them with large blasts of youkai energy, but their heads were stopping closer and closer to his body. If they could hang on for a while longer one of her arrows might hit its mark. Kagome just wasn't guaranteed to have any power reserves left to complete the job when that happened.
Just when it appeared that no advantage would be gained by either side, and with all fighters locked in a stalemate that left them weary and hopeless, a new party walked calmly into the clearing.
Sesshoumaru walked forward, sword drawn and battle ready, and coolly faced a surprised group of fighters. It was unclear what words he spoke, but it was obvious there was a small argument between brothers before InuYasha nodded in temporary agreement. With nothing further said, both brothers launched a simultaneous attack, working together once again, however reluctantly.
Sesshoumaru's freshness and naturally superior ability gave him more power and effect than InuYasha in the renewed battle, but the young hanyou held up his end of the efforts. Blades flashed and blows landed. Sesshoumaru whirled and struck with deadly precision while InuYasha's wild and passionate fighting did damage of its own.
Inch by inch the brothers wore the evil being down, taking a great burden off the worn humans. InuYasha's renewed special attacks combined with the blood lust and power of Sesshoumaru's own sword sealed Naraku's fate. When one crucial blow from Tessaiga refused to heal, the crew knew success was near at hand.
Sesshoumaru distracted a flailing Naraku while InuYasha leapt towards Kagome. He brought her closer to the fray and yelled to her. Nodding her head with a fierce look in her eyes, she prepared to launch a massive purification effort at the evil and weakened being before her. She loosed the arrow from her quiver with a practiced motion, said a quick prayer over it, and concentrated all her powers into its head. Then, slowly and smoothly, Kagome brought the fateful arrow up to her eye.
The tip glowed faintly, and for a moment it looked like she might not be strong enough to complete her task. However, Naraku's mocking expression and unheard taunts seemed to give her a renewed sense of determination. It helped to bring her powers up to a much greater level, spurred by her emotion. The arrow was released and flew strait and true. Naraku was struck straight through the heart with a bolt of the strongest purity. His shriek of agony caused those nearest him to cover their ears in self defense.
The allies looked on as Kagome's arrow purified the evil hanyou of all its demonic powers, producing a bolt of blinding light that surrounded their enemy. Flesh stripped form bones in a furnace blast of power and horrible stench. Naraku flailed his arms as the last of his bastardized demonic presence flew away, scattering to the winds, leaving nothing more than a burned, scarred human body behind. Naraku's true human form, as it appeared before he made his terrible deal with demons, lay battered and festering on the field before them.
InuYasha raised his sword to strike down their humbled enemy. He stood proudly over the fallen foe, prepared to deliver the death blow, when he saw that Naraku's attention was not on his upcoming death. It was focused upon Kagome with sick delight.
InuYasha whipped around and saw what held the fallen man's attention at such a crucial moment. As he saw what held such fascination, all he could do was yell and lunge towards her in horror. But it was too late. A purifying arrow, launched from Kikyou's bow, struck her firmly and fatally in the back. Within seconds Kagome hit the ground, twitching as she died.
InuYasha howled and reached her side, pulling her body to him in agony. Sango launched her weapon at the fallen miko, effectively slaughtering her without a moment's hesitation. Once she was sure the surprise foe was unable to rise again to complete more mischief, she too ran to stand by the heartbroken group including monk and kitsune that surrounded Kagome.
Sesshoumaru watched the scene before him dispassionately, sneering at their ability to leave a job undone. He idly walked towards the pathetic being in front of him and lobbed off his head with hardly a thought. Naraku's body shuddered and fell to pieces, its ability to hold itself together obliterated. Sesshoumaru casually kicked the ashes apart and watched as they blew away.
He picked up the half of the jewel he found in the remains, disinterestedly examining it from several different angles. With no more thought spared to the jewel that enslaved all others before him, he tossed it towards the mourning friends surrounding the fallen miko.
InuYasha saw the action from his position on the ground and started yelling. Words could not be heard, but the gestures were clear. The hanyou was motioning towards Sesshoumaru's sheathed Tensaiga emphatically, the despair and desperate hope clear on his face. He made demanding hand signals, beseeching Sesshoumaru to use his powers to return Kagome to life.
The monk, having sat sadly to one side, seemed to contribute his calmer, though no less heartfelt, opinion on the matter. He spoke for a length of time, motioning towards Kagome, her bow and arrows, the purified shards, and the still tainted reclaimed half. His point must have been well made because Sesshoumaru hesitated momentarily and then drew his sword. It responded to his touch and he waved it casually over Kagome's body.
When she shuddered and returned to the land of the living, Sesshoumaru turned and walked back into the forest without a backwards glance, leaving the relieved group to dispose of the Shikon no Tama.
The scene ended and Kagome was able to turn her eyes away back to the demon behind her. He also turned to face her, his eyes clearing after the vision and sharpening on her face.
His features barely changed as he demanded, "How did you activate the mirror?"
Before she could formulate a reply, since she honestly had no real idea, the mirror glowed once more. Kagome had been expecting something along these lines, having assumed the mirror regularly showed alternate possibilities, but Sesshoumaru hadn't. He growled a little as she turned to face the mirror once again but forgot his immediate annoyance as he saw the new scene begin in front of his eyes.
It was the same scene from before. The group fought valiantly, wearing both themselves and Naraku down to their limits. Sesshoumaru made his appearance as he had before and once again joined the fray to bring a much needed advantage.
However, where once Kikyou had risen into sight and shot Kagome with an arrow, in this version of the future she never got the chance. She raised her bow, took aim at Kagome, and was prepared to loose the bolt when a flash of white split the scene.
Sesshoumaru, inexplicably and completely out of the blue, pulled Kagome out of the way to safety. He tackled her body, pulling her close into his protective embrace as he darted out of the line of fire. With movements blurring in their intensity, he crossed the field with dizzying speed. Kikyou was slashed and beheaded before her attempted actions fully registered with the others present.
The second it hit the stunned party, InuYasha and the others all rushed forward with a cry. When it was apparent that Kagome was in no further danger from arrows, Sango strode over to make sure that Kikyou was dead, satisfied with what she saw. Miroku stayed behind to finish off the remains of the human Naraku as InuYasha reached for Kagome. He meant to pull her from the tight grip of the demon lord, disliking the sight of her resting against his body. He was met with the growls of a protective TaiYoukai. It was apparent by the looks on the faces of all present that this response from the lord was most unexpected.
As if aware of the absurdity of his actions, the demon lord thrust the surprised girl into the arms of his bristling brother, causing them to both stumble with the unexpected shift. As the two worked to sort themselves out, InuYasha checking for injury and Kagome looking for the other half of the shard, Sesshoumaru strode off alone into the forest without once looking back. He left them to purify and destroy the Shikon no Tama and deal with the emotional repercussions of Kikyou's actions and Naraku's defeat.
Once again Kagome looked away from the mirror with a dazed look. It was a lot to absorb and created more questions than she believed could be answered. She was thoroughly confused. This was the first time she'd ever seen herself die in such a graphic, real manner. It was almost as bad as watching Sango die had been in the dragon's cave.
The mirror's actions confused her. The previous visions she'd been shown all had an air of possibility. Should Kagome fall in battle in Sesshoumaru's presence, she found it very likely that he would leave her dead unless there was reason not to. It was obvious he'd only saved her so she could complete her work with the Shikon no Tama. He'd then walked away without another word, presumably leaving her life forever. That made sense.
There was no possible future that would ever feature a protective Sesshoumaru. It was her experience that if Sesshoumaru wasn't the one actively seeking her death, he was content to allow it to occur.
She turned to risk a look at the distant, terrifying TaiYoukai and saw his scowl. If his expressions, what little showed, were anything to go by his thoughts were traveling along the same path as her own. Disbelief and disgust graced his stoic features, mainly serving to pinch the corners of his tightly controlled expression. He must also have a hard time imagining himself as her protector.
"Miko," he growled, approaching her with a menacing air, "what have you done to bewitch my mother's mirror?" He spoke lowly and deliberately, intimidating with his ruthless control. Kagome felt that nothing he did was without purpose, and his reptilian attitudes caused her to sweat. She would need to proceed cautiously from here out.
"I have done nothing to the mirror, Sesshoumaru-sama," she began. She used the honorific in order to show her respect and fear for the being in front of her. She would not risk his anger. If she were lucky, he would tell her what he wanted from her and leave without causing any blood shed or violence.
"It shows lies," he said, with complete simplicity and directness. His inflection barely changed. His amber eyes were flat and distant, holding nothing that could resemble human warmth or feeling. Kagome shivered. He was an alien. He was a cold statue brought to life, chilly enough to freeze the air around him. He radiated nothing but rigidity, and left a coppery taste in her mouth.
"I know nothing of the mirror or its powers, my lord," she promised, wondering what she could say to make him understand her plight. She didn't want her lack of information to anger the unpredictable and violent TaiYoukai.
"It was stolen from me," the demon prompted, coldly. She didn't know if he was accusing her or asking her what she knew about the situations surrounding it. "I sensed its powers nearby and came to retrieve it. Imagine my surprise to see it in your possession." His voice was flat and monotone, with barely a lilt at the end of the sentence to show he was waiting for a response.
"Yes," she replied, tugging on her skirt nervously. She really wished InuYasha would pick this moment to find her. He always had shown up at opportune times like this in the past. She didn't want the brothers to fight as they always did since it would inevitably lead to more cuts and bruises for her to treat, but she also didn't want to be the sole recipient of Sesshoumaru's intense stares.
"I found it in the cave of a dragon demon that was in possession of one of the jewel shards," she continued. "It showed me possible outcomes for the battle we waged in the cave. I wasn't sure what its powers were. Once the demon was defeated, I slipped the mirror in my pocket to examine later." She peered at the lord from under her bangs, head lowered and shoulders slumped to make herself look smaller. She watched his face for signs of anger but couldn't detect any. He gave no clues, as usual.
"I did not know this was your mirror," she said earnestly, hoping to make things right without any trouble. "I will return it immediately," she promised, holding out the glass in good faith.
The demon made a move to intercept the mirror, barely glancing at her. His attention was drawn to its surface, however, as the troublesome thing proved that it wasn't donemaking mischieffor the evening.
Both demon and miko halted in their motions, each with a hand on one side of the mirror, as the third and most controversial image from the mirror presented itself for their joined viewing pleasure.
A/N: What, another cliff hanger? Someone must teach this author some manners. How disgusting and insensitive.
Thanks to Mab, PurpleRebecca, (for being old favorites of mine)and all other opening reviewers. First chapters are important to an author's courage to continue.
