Battle of the Shikon

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from InuYasha. But I do own this plot line, I suppose.

Chapter 7: A Leaving Gift

"So," Kagome said after a small breath. "What do you think?"

The air in the small hut was pleasantly warm, partly from the fire heating the tea kettle and partly from the comforting whisks of cool air seeping in from the edges of the door. The sun was high, just past its ten o'clock mark, and the sky had been cleaned from its racing clouds.

"I am very sorry to hear this news, Kagome," Myouga said with a melancholy expression. "But I must admit that I am impressed with it."

"I agree," Totosai added alongside the nomi youkai. Both blacksmith and youkai had the same contemplative looks on their faces alongside crossed arms and closed eyes. "But are you certain you can trust this Kagura of the Winds?"

Miroku gave a breath of exhaustion, but it was towards his own battling thoughts. "We cannot be as positive as we wish to be, but we do not have any other choice. Kagura has kept InuYasha's secret from Naraku and she has obviously made some sort of pack with Sesshoumaru. I do not know if she will keep the secret oath she gave to us, but Kagura did show her desire of being free from Naraku. It is not much, but it should be enough to trust her as far as we have." He gave a slow nod to the blacksmith, making the golden rings on the staff that balanced against his shoulder jingle.

"Still, it is a great risk we are taking. We do not know if Naraku ordered her to give us that oath to try and trick us into a trap again or if she did it on her own," Sango stated as she absent-mindedly smoothed the fur on Kirara's head, who was sitting in her lap with a purr. "She said she would not tell her betrayals and oaths to anyone, but that does not necessarily mean that Naraku does not already know."

"It is a necessary risk. If we don't trust her, then we cannot even begin our plan. We need her to lead us to Naraku's castle." Miroku stared at the tea kettle as if it was holding secrets from him. Just at that moment, it began to whistle loudly.

Kaede took the kettle off and began pouring steaming water into several cups. "And what of young Kouga of the Wolf Demon Tribe?"

"He's coming as well. He gave me a promise to fight alongside us the day before yesterday," Kagome explained.

"And the shards in his legs?" the elder woman added.

Kagome saddened slightly. "He will give them to me just before I am absorbed into Naraku. The shards need to be together for all of them to be reforged again."

"I see," Kaede mumbled softly. Carefully she handed each person a cup of tea. They sipped quietly, pensive expressions identical on each face.

There was nothing left to say by this point. The plan was laid out in plain black and white. It had been for several days already. Still, there were so many risks and dangers possible of shattering everything that they were taking. Kagura could betray them and allow Naraku to know of their secret. She could lead them to a false barrier and allow Naraku to attack before they knew. Naraku may kill Kagome from the start so she could not purify him. He may have created more incarnations or reformed his body to make himself stronger. Anything to slow them down from reaching their task. Any moment could spell disaster.

Kagome frowned deeply. She hated having to keep all this fear inside. She knew the others must have their doubts as well, but her end was coming so close that it felt as if her bones were trying to shrink as if trying to make her disappear. Would Kagura betray them? Everything was balanced on her loyalty. Everything, including the lives of her friends. Could she risk something like that? Kagome clenched her fingers around her cup. She would have to.

"Ah, Kagome, I've just remembered," Totosai said suddenly, looking up at her. All eyes were drawn up to him as he began rummaging inside his haori for something. Even Myouga watched, though he looked expectant.

Finally Totosai found whatever he had been looking for. Drawing it out, he revealed a small package wrapped with brown paper and string. A small white paper was attached to it, its black inked marks spelling Kagome's name. Totosai held it out to Kagome, waiting for her to take it.

Kagome blinked and reached out to accept the package. Placing it in her lap, she began to untie the strings. Once removed, she began unfolding the brown paper to reveal a magnificent gift. Her eyes opened wide at its sight and she heard Shippou gasp at it, leaning over her leg to get a closer look.

She had never seen a dagger like this one before. Beautifully crafted, its handle was elegantly curved with blue paint and a black characteristic engraved on one side reading "Farewell". Kagome pondered on that for a moment, but then moved on with her examination. The blade was even more majestic. Roughly twice as long as the handle, it was slender and had the strangest colour imaginable. Instead of the plain silver shine of steel, it was nearly see-through, almost like crystal. Kagome rolled it in her palm and the blade caught every reflection and light, doubling it and casting it away to make it appear as if it was glowing.

"Thank you so much, Totosai! It's beautiful!" Kagome exclaimed, eyes still turning over the dagger.

"There's no need to thank me, Kagome. I did not make it," the blacksmith replied. His face was stoic, but approving as if this had been the first time he had seen it as well.

Kagome raised her eyes to face Totosai. "But then, where is it from?" she asked. The others seemed to wish for an answer as well.

Totosai only shook his head. "I'm afraid I cannot tell you that, Kagome. All I can say is that you will need it and you will know when to use it," he answered in his gravelly, old voice.

Kagome blinked again and considered his words. She would need it? What for? And who was it from? Clearly Totosai did not wish to say anything else about it. Either that or he did not know himself. Dropping her eyes back to the dagger, she reread the character on the handle. Farewell. What could this mean? Totosai just said it was not from him so he obviously was not the one giving her a goodbye. Then who was telling her farewell? Who did they know that could acquire such a weapon besides the blacksmith? Either way, it was probably safe for her to have if Totosai gave it to her. She didn't sense any demonic energy and InuYasha would have spoken by now if it had had a demon scent attached to it. But then, where was it from?

When they had drank all the tea and filed out of the hut in preparation to leave, the time for their final farewells had come. Everyone had a sullen face of determination and disgruntlement as they gazed back at the road to the old forest and the rest of the village.

"Thank you so much for everything you've ever done for me, Kaede," Kagome said warmly, giving the elder woman a firm hug. "I'll never forget you." Sadness had begun to grip Kagome's heart for a final time. The cool air gently caressing her skin seemed to fit the strange atmosphere around them. There was a bitter taste in her mouth, but it seemed faint and distant, as if her mind was miles away from her body.

Kaede returned the embrace with just as much compassion. "You truly are my sister's reincarnate. I will pray for everyone's safe return, Kagome," she replied with a light in her eye. Strangely enough, 'everyone's safe return' seemed to imply Kagome's safe return as well. The young miko couldn't help her watering eyes and the wide smile she gave. After they released one another, Kagome turned to Totosai and Myouga. She opened her mouth to speak, but the nomi youkai piped up first.

"Good luck, Kagome! Take care of Master InuYasha for me!" Myouga stated with a smile as he sat on Totosai's shoulder.

Kagome blinked at him in surprise. "But, Myouga, I thought you were coming with us?" She stared at the demon as if disappointed.

Myouga's eyes shot wide and sweat began rolling down his head. "Well, I am…uh, that is. I-I'm very sorry Kagome, but I…you see, I can't because I…have to…"

Kagome wasn't even listening by this point. She, along with the others, were too busy laughing at the babblings of the small demon. Thoroughly confused, Myouga watched with fearful anxiety in his eyes.

"Oh, Myouga. We never expected you to come. Kagome's just playing a joke on you," Sango explained after the laughs calmed down. Smiling at the demon, Kagome nodded in agreement.

Myouga stared at them for a moment before nearly collapsing. Wiping his bald forehead with the back of his sleeve, he gave out a nervous chuckle. "Ah, yes, of course. But you must understand that if I just hadn't been so terribly busy, I would have already offered to come along," he said with a hopeful grin.

Kagome smiled with sympathetic nods before turning to Totosai. "Thank you again for the dagger, Totosai. Please thank whoever gave it to you for me." She gave a small bow to the elder.

Totosai took it all in with his own head bow. "Not to worry, Kagome. You just be careful and remember to use it. Oh and Kagome," he said with a toothy grin. "Watch out for InuYasha. Knowing him, he'll probably try to save you from Naraku at the last moment, eh?" Laughing loudly, he did not notice InuYasha's death glare or the fist rising up above his head.

After a bang, Totosai's laughter was as silent and impassive as the lump on his head. "I suppose we should get going now. Don't you think so, Myouga?"

"Yes, I think so," Myouga replied with a serious face.

Swallowing her giggle, Kagome watched them remount the three-eyed cow demon. The two turned in their seats for a final wave and a wish for good luck. Returning their waves, the group watched the cow demon take flight with white clouds at its hooves. Winds pushed at them, but they remained steady as they went higher and higher until they were only a speck in the sky.

It was harder to sustain balance while so high up, but years of flying had made them immune to it. Myouga, busy looking back at the ground, had a thoughtful look planted on his face. "I wonder if their plan will actually work," he pondered aloud.

"I think it will," Totosai answered, eyes staring straight ahead. "But I'm surprised InuYasha didn't seem as angry as I thought he would be. Kagome probably had to work very hard to calm him down."

"Indeed," Myouga agreed quietly. Turning back around, he crossed his arms and closed his eyes in concentration. "By the way, Totosai, I'm surprised that you had to lie about where you got that dagger from. Though I am impressed at its craftsmanship. How did you make it?"

"I didn't lie, Myouga. Someone gave it to me," he answered, avoiding eye-contact with the youkai.

Myouga blinked at him. "Really? Who?"

Totosai remained silent for a moment. Frowning, he answered, "I cannot tell you."

Myouga frowned as well, but did not question him any further. Still turning it around in his mind, Myouga suddenly grew apprehensive as Totosai began to mutter something softly. The wind carried most of it away, but the youkai did manage to catch, "…wonder why she wanted me to give it to Kagome…" She? The person who gave it to him was a woman? How strange. Totosai didn't seem to be the kind of man that knew many women. Then again, what kind of woman trusted an old youkai-serving blacksmith? Especially one with eyes protruding out of his head? Frowning, Myouga continued to pick at the puzzle.

Down on the ground on the path leaving Kaede's village, the group were pacing down the road with faces of steel and melancholy determination. The only sound was the heavy footsteps of a transformed Kirara and the golden rings of Miroku's staff. Besides that, each person had brooding looks planted firmly on their faces while turned down to the gravel before their feet.

"How are we going to contact Kagura?" Sango suddenly asked, looking up at Miroku. The others stopped their walk and turned to look at her, surprise clear.

Miroku furrowed his brow in thought. "I'm not sure. I'm not very familiar with oaths such as the one Kagura gave us," he answered uncertainly. Looking at InuYasha and Shippou, who sat on Kagome's shoulder, he asked, "Would you know if that oath grants some sort of summoning link between the master and servant? I'm sure it would not work with humans, but perhaps something happens with demons…?"

"Feh," InuYasha grunted, crossing his arms. "How should I know? I've never given an oath like that."

'No kidding,' Kagome thought sarcastically, though it ended in a brief grin. Looking at Shippou, Kagome said, "How about you, Shippou? Do you know anything about it?"

With a frown the kitsune youkai shook his head sadly. "Nope, none." After a moment, he suddenly raised his finger to his chin in memory. "Oh wait. I think I remember my father once talking about this oath. A lesser mouse demon that wanted his protection from some villagers gave it to him a long time ago," he said slowly, trying to pick out the details from the vague recollection. "I think my father said something about the master having to 'call' the servant, or something…" He trailed off to scratch his head.

"Well? Which is it?" InuYasha demanded impatiently.

Face puffing up in annoyance, Shippou glared back at the hanyou. "Don't rush me. I'm trying," he retorted. InuYasha glared heavily at him, which spooked Shippou back to his memory. "Um…I think he said the master has to call out the servants name and concentrate on what they want in their mind."

Kagome nodded in understanding. "Okay then. InuYasha?" Looking to the surprised hanyou, she blinked as she waited for him to start.

"What? Why do I have to do it?" he questioned defensively.

"Because when she gave us the oath, she named you first. So I guess that makes you the main leader," Kagome explained. "Go on," she urged.

Grumbling, InuYasha looked at Sango and Miroku as if hoping they would volunteer instead. Neither moved or blinked. Finally the hanyou growled and turned from each of them to gaze into the forests. Pausing for a moment, he seemed to be trying to concentrate his mind on summoning Kagura to them. Then, clenching his fists and holding himself as if readying for a battle, he closed his eyes angrily and took a breath. Raising his chin, he loudly called out, "Kagura!" in a voice of thick irritation. It was more a voice of challenge than calling a servant to stand. Not only that, but the unspoken "get your stupid self over here" seemed to ring in the air.

A wind tossed itself through them, but as soon as it passed, everything was silent. They waited, but they could see no movement, no mounted feather speeding towards them. InuYasha glared at the skies as if suspicious that Kagura was simply hiding. Minutes rolled by until the attempt had obviously been exhausted. Turning to see the others, InuYasha shook his head angrily. "Well? What now?"

Miroku frowned in thought. "Hm…perhaps InuYasha's summon wasn't enough. Kagura did name all of us her masters, so maybe we all have to call her." He looked to Sango and Kagome, who were nodded in comprehension.

InuYasha, however, was not thrilled with the houshi's thought. Glaring at him he crudely growled, "You figure that out now, after I go and make a fool of myself, monk?"

Miroku simply ignored the irritated hanyou and continued with, "Right then. We should try it together. Ready, InuYasha?" An annoyed growl was the answer.

"Come on, InuYasha. We need to work together to do this. We've already wasted enough time. Now let's go," Kagome insisted, giving him a firm, though pleading look. InuYasha watched her for a moment with a contemplating look, but then finally gave a low, "Feh," and turned to the forest once again. Kagome grinned and turned to the woods as well.

Once all of them were facing the distant trees, faces hard with concentration on the summoning call of the demon oath, they unanimously called out, "Kagura!" in a swift, strong voice. The air rang with her name while the wind seemed to scramble to grab the name as it rushed past them. It rustled their hair and clothes and made Miroku's staff jingle like a collection of bells.

Moments creaked by, then minutes and soon their determined gazes melted into tired disappointment. How had it not worked? They had all worked together and concentrated on what they wanted, but then where was Kagura? Kagome sighed and shifted the straps of her backpack as it hung off her shoulders alongside her bow and arrow. "Now what do we do?" she asked no one in particular.

InuYasha growled again. "Damn that stupid demon! How are we supposed to do anything if she doesn't show herself already?" he ranted as he turned from the forest. Settling his eyes on Shippou, he opened his mouth to lash out at the small youkai again when suddenly he froze. Almost immediately after, he grimaced harshly and rubbed his nose with the back of his hand.

"You smell him coming, don't you InuYasha?" Kagome asked with a half-grin. When the hanyou gave an expression that showed his desire to spit as if he had swallowed something disgusting, Kagome sighed and turned to the South-West path. "Kouga's coming," she explained to the others without looking at them. "I can sense his jewel shards approaching."

"Why does that filthy wolf have to come anyway?" InuYasha complained, arms crossed before his chest in sulking resentment.

Kagome sighed. "He promised to help us, InuYasha. You should be thankful; we need all the help we can get," she insisted, though it did not do much to soften the hanyou's disgruntlement. No sooner had her words left her lips when she turned to see a distant whirlwind speeding towards them. Birds that sat along the ground pecking at grubs took frightened flight as he approached. Soon a tendril of wind was pushing against the group until it suddenly vanished along with the whirlwind. In its place stood a tall wolf youkai dressed in furs and black armor with black hair tied back in a high tail.

Kagome opened her mouth to greet him, but Kouga matched the speed of the shards in his legs as he sped past InuYasha and clasped Kagome's hands in his own. Looking into her face with green eyes full of compassion, he began in an affectionately warm voice. "Kagome, I hoped that you would have given up your plan, but it seems that you are going on with it. If only I---," a sudden growling roar cut him off short.

"Get your hands off her, you scrawny wolf!" InuYasha had a glaring look of walking death on his face as he bared his fangs and claws at the wolf. Luckily Miroku was holding back the hanyou's wielding arm, keeping him from drawing the Tetsusaiga. "I told you to stop---!"

"InuYasha."

The hanyou froze in mid-sentence as if suddenly struck by lightning. All eyes turned to Kagome, who was holding a surprisingly stoic face and was watching InuYasha with the heart of tranquility in her straight stature. If not for the almost comical situation of her hands being held by a wolf demon clan leader, she would have seemed the mirror image of Kikyou, regal and commanding.

"Just this once, okay InuYasha?" And with that, her impassive gaze melted and was replaced with a cheerful smile, though still locked on the awed hanyou.

All the rest of them could do was gawk at the young miko as she grinned at the silver-haired half-demon. Even Kouga stared at her with surprise, though his was triumphant and gleeful, but also mocking at his defeated enemy. "Haha, stupid mutt," he taunted, "I get Kago--"

"Kouga," the young miko interrupted again. Immediately the youkai fell silent and smiled down at her with patience mixed with eagerness clear in his bright expression. This, however, began to loosen in surprise when all of a sudden Kagome started to pull her hands from his. InuYasha was nearly rejoicing in delight, but this also ended in a quick moment as Kagome took a step forward and hugged the youkai tightly. Suddenly the group was standing in an opera house as Kouga sported a gleefully conquering grin while InuYasha wore a look of utter terror and fury.

"Thank you for everything, Kouga. And thank you for helping us out with this. I can see you don't want to let me do this, but you understand that I must. That means a lot to me," she said happily as she hugged him, seemingly unaware of the steam rushing out of InuYasha's ears.

Kouga, still wearing the smile, returned the hug with an obvious opinion that it meant more than the friendship thanks that Kagome had intended. "Don't mention it, Kagome. I'd do anything for you, you know that," he answered, looking down at her turned head with fondness clear. Slowly it started to melt into sadness, and although he hadn't said anything, his thoughts were obvious. "If only I could protect you from this. I doubt that idiot mutt will…" The rest of his words were lost amid the incredibly loud growl that rolled from InuYasha's throat alongside his cracking knuckles. Kouga turned to glare at the hanyou, but suddenly replaced it with a gloating grin of mockery.

'I suppose that will have to be enough, or else InuYasha will wear his throat out soon,' Kagome thought with a silent giggle. Pulling back from Kouga, she smiled at him happily before adding, "Thank you, Kouga. I really appreciate it."

"Alright, alright, that's enough," InuYasha barked, finally tired of waiting. Coming closer, he shoved himself between them with his back to Kagome as if protecting her from Kouga. Kagome couldn't help her giggle at his actions, though she did cover her mouth with one hand. "We have a damn demon to find, we can't spend all day listening to your sappy babbling," he growled.

Kouga glared at him at first but then something seemed to come to his attention. Blinking in surprise, he said, "You have a demon to find? What do you mean?" Suddenly understanding washed over his face. "You mean you still haven't found Naraku?" He threw his hand to his head in exhausted disbelief. "I can't believe how pathetic you are, mutt! What's the point of all of this if you don't even know where---!"

"Shut up, you flea-bitten wolf!" InuYasha shot back, eyes glowing in anger. "We aren't looking for Naraku, we're looking for Kagura!"

Kouga stared at him with confusion. "Kagura? What does she have to do with anything?"

"She---" InuYasha began but was cut off by Miroku. "She is going to lead us to Naraku's castle, Kouga," he explained with a serious face. The wolf switched his gaze from the hanyou to the houshi, but his astonishment did not falter.

"WHAT?" he hollered in fury. "You're going to trust that witch? What on earth are you thinking! That woman killed my comrades and you're trusting her? She's an incarnate of Naraku, for heaven's sake!"

Miroku frowned in thought as he lightly nodded. "We understand that, Kouga, but we have no choice. She gave us a blood oath of servitude so it should be safe to trust. Either way, she is our only lead to Naraku. We can't do anything without her."

Kouga shook his head in skepticism before turning to Kagome. "Kagome, is this true?" he said, not particularly icily but not pleased either.

Kagome, who had lost her cheerful smile, nodded confirmation in serious expression. "It's our only choice, Kouga. Kagura promised to serve us faithfully and she has already shown that she wants to be free from Naraku. If she wanted that, she would not betray us to Naraku. Please, you must understand that this is the only way." Pleading eyes nodding to the youkai, she waited for his reply.

Eyes angry and searching, as if trying to find another way, Kouga pondered heavily. He shifted his gaze from time to time and his tail twitched uncertainly, but apparently he was exhausted of comebacks. Just as he was about to open his mouth to reply, something distracted both him and InuYasha at the same time. Both looked up past Kagome's head towards the sky.

Kagome blinked at the pair of them and turned to see what they were looking at. There in the far distance was a small speck that was quickly growing larger. Closer it came until finally it was recognizable as a floating feather with someone perched on its back. Kagura had finally reached them. Kagome felt a strange wave of emotion go through her; relief mixed with surprise and some regret. She was glad that the beginning of the battle was finally coming, yet at the same time, the prospect was saddening. Her moment of duty was quickly drawing closer.

"Of course," Miroku muttered as he watched the mounted figure come closer. "It would be difficult to escape Naraku's presence without him growing suspicious. Kagura must have felt our call, but was forced to wait until she was set free again." Sango nodded her agreement.

"Damn that witch," Kouga growled before turning to Kagome. "Alright, Kagome. I'll go along with this if that's what you want, but if this turns out to be a trap, I'm going to get you away from there, no matter what the mutt says."

"Watch it, wolf," InuYasha growled hotly.

Ignoring him, Kouga continued. "I'm not going to let Naraku kill you, Kagome. If he knows about us, then I wouldn't put it past him to kill you on the spot. If this is a trap, I'm taking you away no matter what you say. Alright?"

What could she say? Part of what Kouga said made sense that Naraku's knowledge of their plan would almost guarantee their defeat, so perhaps it would be best to retreat if it turned out to be an ambush. That way they could gain a little more time and gather up another plan. Setting her gaze back to Kagura, Kagome answered, "Alright, Kouga. I think that would be best."

Kouga nodded and looked back towards the demoness as well. By now her hard expression was clear as well as her red youkai eyes that seemed to hold much more thought and worry than had been present the last time they had met.


A/N: Didn't think I'd finish this chapter did ya? lol This took a reeally long time to make, but mostly because I'm such a lazy bum. Sorry for the long wait and hopefully I'll keep working at this until it's finished. Please remember to review this chapter! The more reviews I get, the more inclined I'll feel to begin the next chapter. Hehe… Anyway, hoped you liked it and thanks for reading!