A/N: Oh, this chapter is going to be FUN. It's probably the first real battle chapter in this story, considering most of it was angst.
Also, as always, there is a twist, so this chapter may SHOCK you!
;D Happy reading!
Part V
Chapter 25: Battle Between Lovers
Kikyou, who was hidden behind a line of trees, glanced at Naraku's castle from afar. It was hidden inside a barrier that only mikos could see through. The castle looked ordinary enough, except for the ominous purple glow surrounding it, and the feeling of incredible jyaki all around.
But something about this scenario didn't feel right. The dead miko couldn't quite place what it was, but something was definitely out of place.
It took her a second, but soon Kikyou realized what it was. This jyaki…despite it being all around…There's some jyaki missing. She glanced back at the castle. I don't feel Naraku here, he's gone.
Kikyou gave a little chuckle to herself as she prepared to string her bow. Where did you go, Naraku? And for what purpose?
Kagome continued following the path leading her to Inuyasha through the woods. He was closer now, she was beginning to slightly feel his presence once more. With this new feeling, it became harder and harder to do what she needed to do.
She knew he wasn't himself, that the youkai she had to fight wasn't the Inuyasha that she loved, but despite that, she couldn't get rid of the images of her Inuyasha, his amber eyes twinkling in love as he gazed at her, the way that she would always feel safe in his arms…
Collapsing to the ground, Kagome gripped her left hand, the mating scar in plain sight. "I can't do it…" she whimpered, tears filling her eyes. "I can't kill him again…"
Kagome started shaking, knowing what she had to do. But she hesitated, just wanting to remember being in his arms once more. She reached up on her toes, whispering to Inuyasha, her heart breaking as she spoke, "Inuyasha, I love you…" More tears erupted from her eyes as she squeezed them shut, "I'm sorry…"
She pressed her lips against his, forcefully, hungrily, wanting that love once more. But it wasn't the same; it wasn't her Inuyasha, it was his youkai form that wouldn't hesitate to kill everyone in sight. A tear transferred from her cheek to his as Kagome kissed him, feeling sadder than she ever had been in her life. She felt claws dig into her arms, trying to push her off.
In one blast of energy, Kagome ejected all of her miko powers of purification. The clearing was bathed in a soft pink light as her friends gasped, and as she felt Inuyasha shrink back, yelling in pain. The swirling light enveloped them, as Kagome fell on to the ground, eyes leaking tears as she watched his pain. He twitched as the light entered into his body, crying out as it worked its way into his soul…
Inuyasha, the man she loved, fell slowly to the ground, his white hair fluttering behind him, lifeless.
A sob escaped her as she remembered that…that terrible thing she had to do just four months before. She clutched herself across her chest, her knees curling up so she was in a protective ball as the tears came to her eyes.
"I can't do it again…" she whispered between tears. "I can't kill Inuyasha…I love him…I can't do it…"
But Kagome knew what Kikyou would say. You don't have a choice…You must…Because you have created the problem, you have to take responsibility.
"No…I can't…Not again…please, not again…"
There was no arguing. If he endangered your life, what would you do? What about the lives of your friends, or the innocent villagers, like the ones he slew mercilessly days ago? Would you endanger them all, to a youkai possibly worse than Naraku, because you cannot cannot let go of the memory of the one you loved?
The tears continued to spill down her cheeks as she gripped her bow, squeezing it tigher in her inner pain. "Inuyasha…I don't want to do this…but…I don't have a choice!"
Pulling herself together, preparing for what she knew must come, Kagome stood up, not even bothering to wipe her tear-stained cheek. "I'm sorry, Inuyasha…" she murmured, taking one last look at the mating scar on her palm. "Please, forgive me…"
As she walked deeper on the trail, her heart pounding in dread with every step, she suddenly came upon a strange mist blocking the way. She couldn't see anything through it, but it didn't seem to go too far in. She swung her bow in front of her as she squinted, making sure she wouldn't hit anything, and walked through, following the sense that led her toward Inuyasha.
What Kagome failed to notice was Naraku sitting high up in one of the trees, watching her enter the mist with a smirk, before disappearing back to his castle.
Inuyasha slowly opened his eyes after coming to. The hanyou felt as if he had fallen off a cliff, since every part of him ached in some way. He glanced around, noticing that he was in a very different place from where was when he fainted. Naraku must have dragged me into the woods, huh?
Though he ached, and had many cuts over his arms, most of them he remembered giving himself when he was fighting his youkai side, he was able to sit up, noticing that he was still wearing the white shirt he wore at Naraku's castle.
He rubbed his temples, his head having a massive headache, and thought, So, I passed out, huh? The last thing he remembered was trying to fight his youkai side at Naraku's castle…Inuyasha could remember trying to hurt himself to keep himself a hanyou…and how it seemed like the youkai was winning.
But then, suddenly, the youkai had retreated. But why was that? And then he remembered. Kagome… Inuyasha had practically begged himself to stay a hanyou for her, not wanting to hurt her again, physically or emotionally. His love for her was stronger than any hold the youkai had over his soul.
So, I couldn't turn, and Naraku dragged me out here. But…why? That bastard doesn't usually just let people go…
His fuzzy white ear twitched as he heard a sound from behind him. The hanyou turned sharply, only to see a sight that he dearly wanted to see. "Kagome!" he said running closer to her. "You're all ri—"
But Inuyasha froze when he saw she had a bow and arrow pointed at him, with ferocity in her eyes.
"Kagome…?" he breathed, hardly daring to believe what he was seeing.
Kagome had felt Inuyasha strongly before walking through the brush, to see Inuyasha standing at the base of a tree, a deadly smirk on his youkai face, as if he had waited for her. He came closer, his crimson eyes lighting up in bloodlust. His claws and shirt were stained with blood, and the insanity in his eyes made Kagome shiver.
As he raised his claws, saying in a deep voice, "Kagome…" with a mocking smile, Kagome had to pull herself from her hesitations.
No...I can't stop now…This isn't Inuyasha. It's some monster in his body…but its not him…It's not the man I love!
Despite this, there was still a tear in her eye. But…it's still painful…Having to see him like this…
"Inuyasha…" she said softly, tightening her grip on her bow. "I'm sorry that this happened to you…Please forgive me…"
She expected youkai Inuyahsa to attack her, but he didn't. He just stood there, smirking, expecting her to make the first move.
A tragic smile appeared on her face, her eyes holding only despair. If that's how you want it, Inuyasha…
Inuyasha stared back at her, wondering why she was attacking him like this. "Kagome…" he said, his amber eyes wide with shock. "Why are you doing this Kagome? What are you talking about?"
Suddenly, he saw her release a purity arrow, its dangerous pink trail flying behind it. With only a gasp in surprise, Inuyasha managed to move out of the way quickly enough for the arrow to hit a tree, a small pink explosion sending bits of timber everywhere.
When the hanyou regained his footing, Kagome had come closer, and he could see her clearly. She wore his haori over her clothes, and by the look of it, she had once again kept it close. There were tears in her eyes, that held the tragic look of sorrow he knew so well. Kagome seemed to be limping slightly when she walked; apparently her ankle hadn't healed yet.
"Kagome…" Inuyasha spoke again, trying to reason with her. "Can't you tell it's me? Why are you attacking?"
She only responded by glaring at him through her tear-filled eyes, stringing another arrow.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled, running closer. "Stop this! Stop trying to fight me! I didn't do anything—!"
Just as he came close enough to take her in his arms, she gave a frightened shriek and reached towards him, pink light collecting in the palm. He, more than anyone else, knew how dangerous that was. Inuyasha pulled back so that only a little of the light hit him, but nonetheless, it still was enough to send him flying into a tree, knocking the wind out of him forcefully.
Kagome took deep breaths after using that much energy. Because she wasn't technically a miko anymore, it took more strength then it should from her. She didn't mean to do it like that, but youkai Inuyasha had suddenly rushed for her, his claws raised and his face set in frightful anticipation. She did the only thing she could do.
It looked as though he was in pain after that hit, but nonetheless, he regained his footing, a deep snarl escaping him as those crimson eyes glared at her once more. The way he was moving…something didn't seem right to her.
He's not as fast as he used to be…it's odd…she thought, watching him move into a battle stance. Maybe…there's something wrong here…is there…?
No! she restrung an arrow, blinking away a tear that had been forming. If I start thinking like that, I won't be able to do what I need to…I won't be able to stop him if I keep this up…
Inuyasha looked at Kagome, his lover, the woman he loved, who was now trying to kill him, despite him doing nothing wrong. So identical to what happened to him and Kikyou fifty years ago…
Kagome had been saying something about being sorry that something happened to him, and wanting him to forgive her…And the look in her eyes…it was as if they were glazed over, looking far away…
The hanyou glared with his amber eyes and a small growl escaped him as he understood. Of course! Naraku! He wanted me to turn youkai so we'd destroy each other! But when that didn't work, he framed me and put her under an illusion!
Somehow, I have to break her out of it! Inuyasha ran at her once more, too fast for her even to catch. As Kagome gasped in surprise, he grasped her wrists firmly, so she couldn't attack. "Kagome, snap out of it!" he yelled. "Naraku put you under an illusion! I'm not a youkai; I don't want to hurt you!"
But Kagome couldn't hear his voice. Her face was completely frightened, as if he would kill her in an instant. Her hand closest to his face turned pink again, making him let go instantly before he got himself killed. She swung at him, making him dodge just in the nick of time out of the way.
No matter what he tried, it was no use. Kagome couldn't see him. She was trapped in the illusion, and if she couldn't break out of it, they were both going to die.
A grin grew on Naraku's face as he watched in Kanna's mirror Inuyasha continue to try to break her free, while retreating when she used her power. He chuckled, saying, "Inuyasha, now you see the nightmare I have prepared for you. You watch your lover attack you, while you are powerless to stop her, you love for the foolish human girl keeping you from defending yourself properly. This battle between lovers will continue until she has killed you. And then the illusion will be released, and once Kagome has seen what she has done, she will kill herself."
Naraku laughed once more. "Once again, you find yourself in my trap, like the one I planned fifty years ago. I wonder, Inuyasha, how does it feel to be killed twice by two women you both love, who were forced to fight because they believed you an uncontrollable monster?" Remembering Kikyou, Naraku added, "A truly befitting end for you, Inuyasha, you who seem to cause tragedy for every woman you love."
Naraku's thoughts were cut off when he felt something penetrate the barrier he had placed around the castle. The image in Kanna's mirror instantly faded, as Naraku stood up, a smirk in place. "So, they come. But they will not be able to defeat me. Not as long as despair plagues their hearts for their two friends who are now meeting their bitter end."
Inuyasha, in a move of desperation after he had just dodged another one of Kagome's blows, lunged to grab her bow out of her hands. But with her despair aiding her, she was quick to shoot an arrow through the sleeve of his white shirt, and the second it pinned him to a tree, another one followed, trapping him.
His amber eyes went wide as he realized what she was preparing to do. "Kagome! Stop! Don't let the illusion take hold of you! Fight it!"
She slowly walked up to him, her face so tragic, like that of a dead person, while her eyes only produced more tears in her despair. "I'm sorry Inuyasha…" she whispered, coming close enough so Inuyasha could see himself, in his youkai form, reflected in her eyes. "I love you…" she murmured, gently reaching out and touching his cheek, where Inuyasha sawthe youkaistruggle against it in her eyes. "Please, forgive me…" Kagome sobbed, looking at the mating scar on her left hand once more.
"Don't do this, Kagome!" the hanyou yelled at her, and she didn't hear though he was screaming in her ear. "This is what Naraku wants! Don't play into his hands like this!"
Tears streaming down her cheeks like an endless waterfall, Kagome raised her left hand, which was beginning to glow. "I'm so sorry, Inuyasha…" she cried, hesitantly coming closer, ready to purify him once more.
Knowing he had only second, Inuyasha had to think of a way to break her free. He tried pulling against the arrows, but they were embedded too deeply. Glancing around frantically, his eyes landed on the mating scar on her left hand. That's it!
Though he couldn't bring his hands together, he curled the fingers of his right hand into a fist, his nails piercing the skin underneath, reopening the mating scar. Her hand was centimeters away from him when he pulled against the arrows with all his might, ripping his sleeve as his right hand grasped her left. In one swift movement, he cut open her scar, and grasped her hand, despite the pain from the purification energy flowing up his arm.
With his quick movement, Kagome lost her balance, Inuyasha falling on top of her after his escape from the tree. They fell on to the ground, Inuyasha still gripping her hand, though he was twitching and clenching his teeth against the pain. Kagome…please break free…
Kagome was frightened as suddenly youkai Inuyasha burst free from where she had trapped him, and had pounced on her, pinning her to the ground, snarling up at her. His right hand had grabbed her left for some reason, while his other was raised above her, ready to strike.
He was touching her, she could purify him before he killed her…but something held her back. A warm, presence that felt like him…as a hanyou. But that couldn't be right, he was a youkai right now…he wouldn't be.
"Kagome…" she heard her voice spoken, but the youkai snarling above her didn't say it. The voice sounded like they were in pain, but were fighting it. "Kagome…come back, please…"
It sounds like…Inuyasha's voice…but it can't be…
"Kagome…" they said again, pleading, and now she was beginning to see something else. She saw the youkai above her once more, but it seemed like he was…fading? For one second, she would see the youkai…and then hanyou Inuyasha, his face twisted in pain, but nevertheless, it was him…and then back to youkai Inuyasha again.
"Kagome," hanyou Inuyasha begged. "You can fight it, I know you can. What you're seeing isn't real. I'm here…" Just as he said that, the youkai disappered, to be her hanyou…and then back again.
What I'm seeing isn't real? But…can I trust him? What if he isn't real? What if this is something I'm just thinking before I die?
Youkai Inuyasha wasn't attacking…why wasn't he attacking? Was he waiting for her to give up before he killed her, or was it because…could she dare to hope…?
"I kneed you back, Kagome. Don't let Naraku win." hanyou Inuyasha was saying that to her. She could see him, in the spot where youkai Inuyasha had pinned her down. He was looking at her, his eyes twinkling with love, as he said those words, pleading one last time. "Kagome, please come back to me."
But then he disappeared, only to be replaced with his youkai form, glaring at her with malice. Inuyasha…I…Tears fled her eyes. I don't care if it is a dream! I don't want to be here! I want to be with Inuyasha! She closed her eyes, screaming, "Inuyasha!" as her left hand stopped glowing pink.
The blood from Inuyasha's scar meeting hers caused golden light to be emitted from the scars, floating around their entwined hands until it dispersed, fading into nothingness. In Kagome's mind, it shattered the wall of glass that blocked her from the one she loved…making her feel the warmth of his embrace, her heart speeding up as she felt his presence once more.
"Kagome…" he murmured, hearing her gasp as she heard his voice clearly once more.
She snapped her eyes open, seeing him looking down on her, his amber eyes holding love once more. It was almost too good to be real, and she didn't care if it wasn't…hanyou Inuyasha was back again.
It didn't matter that both of them were still sprawled out in an odd position on the ground, Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her and hugged her fiercely, never wanting to let go. "Kagome…you're all right…I was so worried…"
He sat up, carrying her in his arms, and continued to hug her, taking in her scent once more. As Kagome hugged him back, a tear of relief escaped her eyes, knowing what could have happened if he hand been an instant late. "Inuyasha…"
They pulled back, looking at each other, and Kagome could see that there were even small tears in Inuyasha's eyes, though in a few blinks, they were gone. "Don't worry me like that, woman." He said, mostly in relief. "If you didn't come back soon enough…"
Kagome had just noticed that her left hand was bleeding when she asked him. "Come back? What do you mean?"
The hanyou sighed, knowing it would be hard to tell her the truth. "Naraku put you under an illusion, Kagome."
"What?" she asked. "But…why would he…?" Then she understood. "You…you were never…?"
"Last night, he tried to turn me youkai, Kagome." Inuyasha explained. "But I wouldn't let myself do that…I had to stay a hanyou, for you. He probably took my form to make it seem like I was a youkai, and then he must have put you under an illusion, to make you kill me."
Kagome covered her mouth, suppressing a gasp as more tears came in realization. She had been fooled…all by an illusion and Naraku, to make her kill Inuyasha, the one she loved. "I'm so stupid…" she cried, "I thought that you were…and I almost…"
He pulled her back into a hug, as she buried her face in his chest, holding on to him as if he would disappear. "You did what was right, Kagome." The hanyou assured her. "I told you before that if I did turn back, you would have to do it again, before I hurt anyone. But," he looked down at her, his eyes beginning to turn hard with determination. "Now's not the time to worry about this, Kagome. Miroku and Sango went to fight Naraku, right?"
She nodded, knowing what it was leading up to. Inuyasha stood up, helping her up as well. "We have to go help them, they won't be enough to go against Naraku on their own. And besides…" the hanyou gripped Tessaiga at his waist. "For doing this to you…to us…I have a score to settle."
Naraku…for this, for everything you put us through…I'll make sure you pay!
A/N: Woo! I liked this chapter! I usually hate battle scenes, but I really liked this one! Go Inuyasha!
Of course, next chapter goes into the Naraku battle, which I probably will like less. Depends upon a lot of things. (Including school…grrr…)
