A/N- Yay, here it is, and it's updated on New Years! Yes, I finished this chapter at 2:22pm on January 1st, 2006. I pretty much proof-read it late at night, so there may be some mistakes, and for that I apologize. Oh yes, props go out to my dear Pwalefriend for everything she had to go through to read my last chapter. I am quite honored that you chose to read my chapter, and I hope this next chapter is just as enjoyable as the last!
Yeahh, I know it took me forever to update…but I wanted to make this chapter as good as I possibly could. There is a lot of stuff happening (lots of dialogue) and lots of action!
As always, I would appreciate any comments/ideas/criticism/praise you may have! Please Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I still don't own Inuyasha & co…nor will I ever. -Sigh-
These Hands: The Beginning of the End (Chapter 6)
'This can't be real. It's only a dream…I must wake up. I need to wake up.'
"Oh, I assure you priestess, this is no dream."
Kagome lifted her head slowly, her eyes wide. 'This voice…it couldn't be.' Instantly, her gaze locked with a pair of blood-red eyes. They stared at her coldly, scanning over her tattered body in triumph. A smirk adorned his face as his voice filled the crisp air. "And what will you do now, little priestess?"
"Naraku…" She growled softly through clenched teeth. Her gaze remained locked with the demon that stood before her in his humanoid form; her dark eyes pulsating with a mixture of hate and despair. "You…you did this to Inuyasha!"
Naraku chuckled lightly. "How does it feel, Kagome? How does it feel to have the one you love…" He cast his hand in the direction of Inuyasha, who now stood only inches away, his sword held high, "…try to kill you?"
Kagome could feel built-up tears of hatred forming in her eyes. She lowered her head, casting her gaze from his face to the ground. "It was all because of you…" Her voice was barely a whisper. "This is all because of you…" Her tears broke and began to run down her cheeks; her whole body began to quake as she clutched the earth in her fists. "It was you…" With a trembling hand, she slowly reached out to grab her weapon. "You did this…" Her voice was growing stronger with each phrase. "You did this…"
In one swift movement Kagome was on her feet, her bow drawn - pointed directly at Naraku. Her eyes burned with unshed hatred and pain. "YOU DID THIS!" With a streak of pink light, she released the arrow.
Naraku merely scoffed, as he held his hand out, "Impudent wench."
Kagome gasped as Naraku caught the arrow in his right hand, and snapped it in half. "Did you really think an arrow would destroy me?" He narrowed his red eyes, dropping the broken arrow at his feet. "Don't make me laugh."
Kagome dropped her bow; her face was lavished in both fear and shock. "Y-You…" She felt her knees begin to buckle under her weight. "My arrow…you…" Her lip quivered as she shook her head, unable to comprehend the true danger that now stood amidst her. She was powerless…and Inuyasha-…Kagome paused, glancing over at the half-demon, who still had his sword at ready. 'Inuyasha can't protect me…I-I need to get away.' She began to back up, searching for any way of escape.
Naraku narrowed his eyes at her movement, "Don't even think about running."
In a flash of red, Inuyasha stood before Kagome, his blank eyes transfixed on her face. His clawed hand grasped her shoulder, piercing her skin forcefully. Kagome winced as she felt a strong rush of pain adorn her right shoulder. Her eyes slowly opened to meet the empty pools of gold, which stared back at her blankly. "P-Please…Inuyasha." She whispered, letting the tears flow freely from her eyes. "Please wake up. You have to remember." Kagome gently leaned her head on Inuyasha's chest, allowing her tears to fall freely onto his shirt. Inuyasha appeared startled at her movement, yet remained his tight hold on her arm.
Kagome ignored the pain, and continued to speak softly. "Remember the others, Inuyasha…Sango, Shippo, Miroku, and Kirara…" Her voice grew stronger, "Remember me…"
Inuyasha gasped slightly, loosening his grip on her shoulder. His empty eyes grew wide as he felt a strange presence begin to grow within him. Memories of a woman filled his thoughts. Memories of love and longing began to drown out the voice that plagued his heart and soul. And at that moment, the very same woman was fighting so hard to regain his heart. It was…
"Kagome." Inuyasha spoke softly, slowly regaining control over his thoughts.
"Yes, Inuyasha…Yes!" Kagome looked up at him, hope shining brightly in her eyes.
Remember me…
Kill her…
Remember me…
Kill her…
Inuyasha shook his head violently; the voices battled within his mind.
Naraku's smile faded. 'He's breaking my control…' Pushing his dark hair off his shoulders, he reached for the Shikon Jewel. His brows furrowed slightly, disgusted at the scene that was unfolding before him. A sly smile spread across his face as he tightly grasped the jewel in his outstretched hand. "Inuyasha…you forget- you are in my complete control…you gave up on love…and now you can experience true power."
The jewel's rays radiated through Naraku's hand, casting an eerie glow over the entire clearing. The locket that hung around Inuyasha's neck turned a deep, blood red, reflecting the same light as the jewel. Kagome looked up into Inuyasha's face. The spark of life that had passed through his body was now gone, leaving the emptiness in his cold, glazed, golden eyes. He stood, emotionless, as Naraku's puppet once again.
"Inu…yasha." Kagome tried to back away, but Inuyasha regained his firm grasp on her shoulder.
Naraku opened his hand to reveal the Shikon Jewel, which had, like the locket, turned a deep shade of red. He quickly lifted his gaze to Inuyasha, his eyes narrowed, "Now, Inuyasha…kill her."
Inuyasha nodded and turned to face Kagome. He thrust her to the hard ground in a swift movement of his arm. She yelped as she felt her body come into contact with the solid ground. Her body shook slightly, feeling the pain of the impact. She slowly lifted her torso, using her hands for support, and faced the puppet that stood before her. He began to approach her, the Tetsusaiga resting lightly on shoulder.
"That's right, Inuyasha. Make her suffer." Naraku egged him on from the opposite side of the clearing. His hand remained a tight hold on the jewel.
Kagome winced as she felt Inuyasha grab her hair roughly. He slowly lifted her off the ground and brought her to his eye level. She could feel his hot breath on her face and neck. "Open your eyes." His cold, unearthly voice rang out loudly in her ear.
She kept her eyes tightly shut, out of pain and fear of what would be staring back at her. "Look at me, Wench!" He yelled, slapping her across the face.
She was totally helpless; there was no one to save her. She, like many others, had fallen prey to Naraku's trickery, and Inuyasha would surely kill her soon. Kagome silently cursed Naraku, for it must've been him who subdued the sit-beads. He had left her totally helpless; a sitting prey to be killed by the one man who she would've risked anything for…the one man she would die for. And it seemed, that this statement, was about to come true.
Slowly, Kagome opened her eyes. She stared into his lifeless eyes and waited for the end. Inuyasha held his Tetsusaiga high above her head, ready to strike. His eyes burned with Naraku's hatred.
"I'm surprised…" Naraku spoke, a smile on his face. "I thought you would've at least attempted to save yourself, wench…how boring. It seems you cannot bring yourself to even harm the person who is about to end your life."
Kagome said nothing, merely continuing to stare into Inuyasha's empty eyes. It was true, she could try and escape by using moves she had learned in self-defense, but her heart would not allow her to even touch Inuyasha. Instead, she hung there, her body limp, the searing pain in her scalp washing over her entire body. She only wished for it all to end.
Naraku scoffed, turning his back. "Hurry up, Inuyasha. Kill her now. I am bored."
He nodded, complying with the voice that rang loudly inside his mind. Inuyasha raised the sword high above the girl in his grasp, ready to strike; yet something in the back of his mind held his arm from attacking. Tears were running down her cheeks, yet she put up no fight. Those eyes, they pierced his very soul. Why could he not bring himself to end her life?
He was unable to find the answer, for a loud voice broke his hold on the girl.
"Hiraikotsu!"
Sango's weapon came flying through the trees, barely missing Inuyasha's head. In shock, he dropped Kagome, who fell sprawled on the ground.
"Kagome-sama!" Miroku appeared, followed closely by Sango and Kirara. Shippo gasped when he saw the matted Kagome lying face down. He attempted to run down to her side, but Miroku stopped him with his staff, "No, Shippo. We must first find out what has happened here…for all we know…" He stopped, seeing Sango quickly running towards Kagome. "Or not."
Sango stopped and knelt down next to the motionless Kagome. She carefully turned her over, brushing away her bangs to inspect her face. She leaned over, listening for any signs of life. Raising her head to Miroku, she spoke; her face etched in both worry and relief, "Miroku…she's okay, but she's unconscious. Her wounds look pretty bad. We need to get Kagome-chan to Kaede as soon as possible."
"So…Inuyasha's groupies have finally made their appearance…how entertaining." Naraku smiled, "Yes, this will be quite entertaining."
"Naraku…" Miroku growled, preparing to remove his prayer beads.
"Uh-uh-uh." Naraku chuckled as his poisonous insects encircled him. "Don't even think of opening that…or you too will meet your end today."
Miroku clenched his teeth, lowering his hand. "You bastard. You must be quite confident if you appear here as your true self."
Naraku narrowed his eyes, his smirk growing, "Well, I had to be here. It seemed quite an excitement to see Inuyasha kill Kagome."
"I-Inuyasha?" Sango and Miroku both gasped, finally realizing the half-demon's presence. He had his sword held high, pointed in the direction of his comrades. His eyes were hidden beneath his silver bangs.
Naraku spoke calmly, "Now, Inuyasha. Do away with these humans, so you can return to the task at hand."
The half-demon began to slowly approach Sango, who was holding Kagome in her arm. With her free hand, Sango held her weapon- ready to defend herself. Miroku moved in front of the women, his staff ready. He spoke firmly, trying to bring his friend back to his senses, "Inuyasha, don't you remember us? You don't want to harm us…don't let Naraku use you!"
Inuyasha stopped suddenly. Miroku sighed, "Yes, Inuyasha. Regain your senses. You-" Before he had a chance to finish, Miroku felt himself being thrown across the clearing and into a tree. He groaned, falling to the ground unconscious.
"Miroku!" Sango called out, but the monk did not respond.
Inuyasha turned his cold gaze to the women. He slowly approached them, his sword held tightly in his right hand.
"Hiraikotsu!" Sango threw her weapon with her free hand, but Inuyasha merely deflected it with his sword, sending it flying into a tree behind them. Sango could feel her heartbeat quicken as he approached, coming closer each second.
"S-Sango." Kagome stirred, opening her eyes to gaze into her friends face. She tried to sit up, but groaned and grasped her injured shoulder, falling back into Sango's lap. She glanced over to the tree, where Miroku was slowly beginning to stir. "Miroku-sama!" She called across the clearing.
"Do not worry, Kagome-sama. I am fine." Miroku said, slowly rising to his feet. He frowned in Inuyasha's direction, holding his staff ready, "Inuyasha, I am your opponent."
Inuyasha turned from the women to face the monk. His face remained blank as he mindlessly walked towards him.
"Kagome-chan, you're badly hurt…" Sango glanced at Kagome's bloodied shoulder, knowing perfectly well who had inflicted the injury.
"But…I-Inuyasha-" Kagome stopped when she saw the half-demon advancing on the monk. "Miroku-sama…run! He's being controlled by Naraku!" Struggling, Kagome regained her footing.
"Insolent fools." Naraku was growing impatient. His cold voice echoed through the clearing, "Inuyasha…leave the monk. You must kill the girl...now."
The half-demon stopped in his tracks, and turned towards the young priestess.
"Kagome…No!" Shippo called out from behind a tree.
Kirara growled, and landed in between Kagome and Inuyasha. Quickly, Sango and Miroku placed themselves next to Kirara, their weapons ready. "You will not hurt Kagome-chan!" Sango yelled fiercely, her eyes burning brightly.
Naraku chuckled lightly, raising his hand into the sky. "Impudent humans..." He snapped his fingers, and hundreds of demons appeared in the sky. With a wave of Naraku's hand, the demons began to dive towards Sango, Miroku, and Kirara.
Sango gasped and quickly turned to Kagome. "Kagome…run, now."
"B-but Sango…" Kagome looked at Sango, clutching her injured shoulder. "You…"
"Kagome! Now! Run to the well, it's your only hope! Inuyasha won't be able to reach you when his beads are not in use…we can handle these demons!"
"Sango…" Kagome looked at her, tears filling her eyes.
"KAGOME…RUN NOW." Sango turned to Kagome, yelling loudly. "GO!"
Kagome nodded and began to run in the direction of the bone-eaters well. Tears forcefully made their way down her cheeks. 'Don't look back, just keep running.' She told herself.
Naraku laughed. "Such a fool, this girl. Now, Inuyasha…" Naraku motioned to the direction Kagome had run, "Go get her."
Inuyasha nodded lifelessly and jumped through the air, heading straight for the well.
"Kago-" Sango's warning was soon muffled by the attacking demons. With tear-stained eyes, she and Miroku began to fight.
She could only pray that Kagome would remain safe.
