Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha – or anyone else for that matter - sadly
for all involved, I'm sure. Well, except probably for Takahashi Rumiko who
does own them. *sigh*
With a flash of light, it was all over. Naraku slowly dissolved into thousands of tiny balls of light and his energy scattered until it was gone from sight. The look of disbelief with a touch of arrogance that was on his face as he faded away was forever burned into all of their memories. It had taken all of them, together, to beat him at long last. Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, Sango, Kirara, Shippo, Kikyou, Kouga, Ayame, Sesshoumaru, and, at the last moment, Kagura showed her first and last open act of rebellion against Naraku and added her spiritual powers to that of the other ten fighters.
The battle had lasted for days. Naraku had gathered all but the final shard of the Shikon no Tama. The only remaining shard lay deep in Kohaku, and it was this shard that allowed him to live still.
It had started with near-even numbers. Naraku, Kohaku, Kanna, Kagura, Hakudoushi, and the baby battling against Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, Sango, Kirara, Kikyou, Kouga, and Ayame. However, as the first few tress fell in the forest, the Lord of the Western Lands was soon drawn to this forest clearing. He didn't bother asking who was at fault for this destruction on his lands. The smells of Naraku and his younger brother pervaded the land so much so that the scent was inescapable for a nose as keen as his.
Soon after that, Naraku decided that Kohaku's time had come. Kohaku, who had been contemplating on which side of this battle he would remain, was standing beside Kagura when a sharp stinging in his back drew his attention. Since he had been back to back against Naraku, he had not noticed Naraku's movements shift so that his attack would strike Kohaku's back, thus allowing him to remove the Shikon no kakera that lay there.
However, when Kohaku understood what Naraku was trying to do, he realized that he had only two options – forfeit his life or fight against Naraku. He had to think quickly; knowing that he was destined to die regardless of whether Naraku was defeated or not, he thought back on all of his wrong doings while under Naraku. He thought of the innocent lives he had claimed and how he had done so with no remorse. Then, he recalled his own father and the night on which he, himself, had murdered him. With those thoughts in mind, Kohaku knelt in the dirt and bowed his head, waiting for the inevitable.
But, before it came, he heard Sango's voice shout over Naraku's, "STOP! NO!", and Kohaku was suddenly pushed to the side. Before he could react, he was picked up, thrown over Kirara's back and flown out of Naraku's Grasp to the edge of the clearing just barely hidden by trees. Sango refused to let him die yet.
He had no choice but to stand and attempt to help the fighters however he could. Being unable to get too close to Naraku posed some difficulties, but he aimed his weapon where he could. Despite, he still felt inept.
He could help, however, by alerting the others of Naraku's movements. Over the last few months, while he had had his memories back, he had spent his time watching Naraku closely. He watched his movements, his fighting style, tried to understand his twisted plots and understand the way he thinks. He did everything in his power to learn any tiny bit of information Naraku knowingly or unknowingly tossed his way. Using everything he'd learned, he could easily tell what Naraku would do in response to the actions of Inuyasha and the others.
Although it would be the easiest way to spread the information, Kohaku knew better than to shout out Naraku's intended attacks. Yet, all of the fighters need to know as quickly as possible if his input was going to be useful at all. However, if Naraku heard him, he would surely change his intentions, and, with all his knowledge, it would mean nothing if Kohaku couldn't keep the others informed fast enough. Instead the fighters formed a type of information chain.
As soon as Kohaku had discerned Naraku's intended attack he would tell Sango, who stayed near him intentionally for the information but also unintentionally out of love for her brother. He hadn't been whole and himself since before they met Naraku; while he was, she wanted to be close to him at all times. Once Kohaku had alerted Sango, she would go to Miroku, who stayed near to Sango similarly because of the chain and because of concern and care for his fiancée. They had never said their I love you's but he was so protective of her that it was unnecessary. Once Miroku had the information, he would relay to Inuyasha who did what he could to stay in easy reach. Meanwhile, Sango told Kagome, who remained close on her other side. Despite her limited knowledge of how to use her spiritual powers, Kagome still did whatever she could by shooting arrows at Kanna and Kagura when necessary. Although, at the end of the day, Kagura hated Naraku with every atom of her being; she wasn't up to open revolt – not unless she was sure that Naraku would die. From there each other fighter told another until all ten knew what Naraku's next move would be and each had designed their own counterattack. All it took to set this complex chain in motion was Naraku's slightest movement, and the entire system took under 30 seconds to go to completion. It was an amazing feat.
With all of them working together, Naraku didn't know which way to attack next. While Inuyasha attacked with Tessaiga on one side, Sesshoumaru attacked with his own sword from another direction. However, it still seemed like this could be a never-ending battle.
Yet, right at the point when they all began to wonder if the battle would never finish, Kagura made a crucial change. She switched sides of the battle. It had finally occurred to her that the fighters were going to continue to battle until one of two things took place. Either Naraku was going to die, or all of them would. She wasn't prepared to let all of the battlers die. They were her only chance for freedom from Naraku. With the realization that if she aided them, they could defeat Naraku, and her act of treachery would cause her no penalty, she turned to Inuyasha and said in that sickening smooth voice, "Use your ultimate attack, Inuyasha, and everyone else add your own attacks to it. I will add my winds to yours."
"What are you saying, Bitch?" came Inuyasha's response.
"Take Tessaiga's ultimate attack and use it against Naraku, but also, have everyone add their own strongest attack to yours. I will give you whatever I have left of my own spiritual powers. If that won't finish off Naraku then nothing we can do will defeat him." Kagura elaborated on her earlier command, as she dodged a kick from Kouga, who was using most of his energy battling the wind youkai.
"Keh! Like we would listen to you as you battle along side him!" Inuyasha lifted Tessaiga, "Kaze no Kizu!"
Kagura tried not to flinch, but kaze no kizu wasn't aimed for her. It hit one of Naraku's tentacles, about 20 feet in front of her, that was headed for Kagome. "Kagome! Run!" Inuyasha shouted. Kagome quickly retreated out of reach, just barely escaping as two new tentacles grew to replace the one that Inuyasha had destroyed. "Kuso!"
"Inuyasha, I may have been fighting alongside Naraku, but look at what attacks I've launched during this battle!" Kagura defended quickly; she needed Inuyasha to listen to her, and quickly, before Naraku took her out completely.
"It's true, Inuyasha," Kohaku was actually defending Kagura?! "Kagura has launched attacks only at Kouga. And all her attacks have been in defense, not offense. She has long hated Naraku – listen to her!"
Sesshoumaru too the initiative before his brother could respond. "Alright, witch, you came to this Sesshoumaru knowing I would have the power to destroy Naraku. What do you suggest?"
"Inuyasha, use Tessaiga. I will add my winds to the powers of yours. Kagome and Kikyou – fire you arrows. Miroku, add charms using your Houshi powers. And Sesshoumaru-sama, use your ultimate attack as well." Kagura explained her plan rapidly, yet understandably. "Don't aim for him! Aim for his heart!"
"What about me? What should I do?" Kouga shouted before anyone could act. "Attempt to be useful, wolf. You can't do much," came Kagura's response, and Kagome couldn't help but notice a slight smirk cross Inuyasha's face.
Inuyasha raised Tessaiga to attack with Bakuryouha and through the twisting winds of his ultimate attack shot two purifying arrows, one of Kagome, one of Kikyou. Kagura did as promised and added her powers to Inuyasha's, and, with all the poison he could gather, Sesshoumaru turned the whirlwinds green with his deadly venom.
The arrows hit their mark - for they were not aimed for Naraku but for the baby in his arms. As the empowered slivers began their purifying work, the only sound that could be heard over the winding winds was the faint cracking of glass somewhere not too distant. The winds broke as the arrows destroyed the baby leaving Naraku defenseless against Sesshoumaru's poison. The smell of dissolving flesh filled the air and Naraku's tentacles were absorbed by the acidic toxin. All looked on as the poison continued to travel up the monstrous body. However, as the poison reached the tentacles' base its effects began to slow, leaving Naraku's ragged torso hovering ominously in the air above the group.
Naraku looked slowly over the remains of his usual pristine form, only to find himself lacking. How could they beat me? This is not possible. These thoughts ran through his head leaving him unable to comprehend the situation. However, the look of mixed confusion, horror, arrogance, and finally acceptance that graced his face was easily read by all who onlookers. It was that image that remained with them all. Naraku, determined not to be defeated that easily took advantage of the silence among the fighters to begin his next slew of mocking commentary, yet when he opened his mouth a faint sizzling sound was heard. It was followed shortly after by a burst of light from the center of Naraku's chest. With a scream of defeat and frustration, the light spread forth from his chest and slowly dissolved the remainder of his tattered body, leaving nothing but the Shikon no Tama lying in a dark circle in the dirt.
For several moments, it felt as though time stood still. No one moved; it seems as though no one even breathed. Did they really do it? Had they really – finally – defeated Naraku once and for all? They each looked from one to another waiting for a sign that might show Naraku returning. None appeared.
It was a faint breeze through Miroku's hair that reminded him that if Naraku was really gone, he would no longer have Kazaana. He hadn't un- wrapped his hand for the fight. With the multitude of Saimyoushou that flew in the air above the battlefield, it would have been reckless for him to use Kazaana.
But now, slowly and deliberately, he turned his palm away from himself and the others, pointing it straight up at the dusty sky above them. Then he carefully removed the beads binding his hand and arm. He waited for the inevitable – the whirring and hissing of Kazaana. All he heard was silence.
As all the fighters turned to watch his actions, he lowered his arm and looked at his hand. There was nothing there; he was at last whole and complete. And, for the first time ever, Miroku was stunned to speechlessness. He was too happy to utter a single word.
This was too good to be true, however. Miroku remembered when Naraku had feigned defeat in the past and he refused to say the battle was over just like that.
It was at this point that Kouga noticed what none of the other fighters had. Kagura and Kanna were nowhere to be seen. Where had they gone during the battle? Looking around the circle of fighters one to the next, and finding none of them to be Kagura, just added to his frustration at the situation. He walked around the dirt covered forest area that the fighting had thoroughly destroyed; he searched through the trees to find nothing. He walked over the darkened area where Naraku had been standing yet no aid was found there either. He didn't understand it. They were there with Naraku one minute and the next all of them were gone. If Kagura and Kanna were not there, had they really defeated Naraku, or was it just another trap? Finally muttering a few choice words, the wolf prince brought her absence to the attention of the others, "Where the hell is that bitch, Kagura? I don't care if she did help defeat Naraku; I'm not done with her yet. She killed my clan."
At that point, everyone felt the slight wave of confusion as no one could find Kagura. Ayame joined Kouga in searching in the forest area near the ruined clearing. However, even if Kagura was hiding among the tall trees, within feet of the former battle arena the forest became too dense and dark to see clearly. Inuyasha jumped up into a nearby treetop to search the circular battleground from above, yet found no new advances. Noticing both the absence of Kanna, in addition to Kagura, Inuyasha added his own sentiments.
"Kuso! Kagura's gone. Kanna isn't here either!"
Kagome slowly wandered the destroyed area of forest that had become an empty dirt-floor cleaning from the battling over the last few days. Searching for something but unsure for what exactly she searched.
That's when she saw it. The glare of light on glass caught her eye and she wandered toward it. As she got closer to the origin of the light, she realized that she was looking at pieces of broken glass. Slowly picking up and rearranging the pieces, she discovered they formed a circular mirror. It was that moment realization struck her. These pieces were shards of Kanna's mirror, but where was Kanna?
"Hey guys, come look at this. I think I've found Kanna's mirror."
As they all surrounded the pieces of broken glass, now arranged in a circle, on the ground in front of Kagome, it was Kikyou to speak first.
"Kagura and Kanna were both created from segments of Naraku that he separated from himself. However, Naraku still held both of their hearts. When Kagome and my arrows destroyed Naraku's heart, there is a good chance we destroyed theirs as well."
"That's highly possible," Miroku's response was the only spoken one. The remaining soldiers merely nodded their agreement.
Surprising to the rest of the group, Sesshoumaru was the next to speak. "Well, if they are all destroyed, then no reason remains for this Sesshoumaru to stay."
Before anyone else could respond, Sango quickly attempted to stop him. "Wait! Sesshoumaru-sama, we still need your skills." She had already carefully phrased in her mind exactly what she was going to say to the demon lord.
"What do you need of me, woman? I see nothing here that requires my attention." He responded, cold and emotionless, as always.
"You see, Sesshoumaru-sama, one shard of the Shikon no Tama is still missing –" Sango began, but was abruptly cut off.
"I care naught for the Shikon no Tama, so I still don't see why that is any concern of mine." Sesshoumaru easily interrupted Sango's carefully rehearsed speech, flustering her further.
"Well, that's not the problem, your lordship, you see, the shard is in my brother, Kohaku. It allows him to live despite fatal injuries given to him by Naraku..." Sango continued, determined to save her only surviving family.
"And you wish this Sesshoumaru to use Tenseiga to restore his life." It was not a question; it was a statement. Yet, Sango nodded in affirmation despite. "Whether your brother lives or dies is no concern of mine." Sesshoumaru continued with out so much as a pause of hesitation.
"But, I thought that since you –" Sango started her protest, but was quickly interrupted.
"You suspect this Sesshoumaru of becoming soft because I restored life to the girl, Rin." He looked at Kohaku with a look that could have frozen water.
"No! You see, I was just hoping...you the only one...and..." Sango allowed her sentences to trail off.
"Don't be so foolish, human. I have better things to do with my time than to save every human that needs it. Do not assumer that I will save that human child simply because I did another." And with those words, Sesshoumaru casually turned, looked at Jaken – who got the hint – and left.
"Sesshoumaru – You bastard!!" The voice was not Sango's, but Inuyasha's.
"I will take care of you later, Inuyasha." The youkai replied without so much as slowing his step. Then he was gone from sight.
A/N: This is my first attempt at a real story, so it's going to be a bit of a labor of love on my part. That doesn't mean I don't want feedback though! Please R/R! You see that little button in the corner? Yeah, that one! You know the one! Click it!
With a flash of light, it was all over. Naraku slowly dissolved into thousands of tiny balls of light and his energy scattered until it was gone from sight. The look of disbelief with a touch of arrogance that was on his face as he faded away was forever burned into all of their memories. It had taken all of them, together, to beat him at long last. Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, Sango, Kirara, Shippo, Kikyou, Kouga, Ayame, Sesshoumaru, and, at the last moment, Kagura showed her first and last open act of rebellion against Naraku and added her spiritual powers to that of the other ten fighters.
The battle had lasted for days. Naraku had gathered all but the final shard of the Shikon no Tama. The only remaining shard lay deep in Kohaku, and it was this shard that allowed him to live still.
It had started with near-even numbers. Naraku, Kohaku, Kanna, Kagura, Hakudoushi, and the baby battling against Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, Sango, Kirara, Kikyou, Kouga, and Ayame. However, as the first few tress fell in the forest, the Lord of the Western Lands was soon drawn to this forest clearing. He didn't bother asking who was at fault for this destruction on his lands. The smells of Naraku and his younger brother pervaded the land so much so that the scent was inescapable for a nose as keen as his.
Soon after that, Naraku decided that Kohaku's time had come. Kohaku, who had been contemplating on which side of this battle he would remain, was standing beside Kagura when a sharp stinging in his back drew his attention. Since he had been back to back against Naraku, he had not noticed Naraku's movements shift so that his attack would strike Kohaku's back, thus allowing him to remove the Shikon no kakera that lay there.
However, when Kohaku understood what Naraku was trying to do, he realized that he had only two options – forfeit his life or fight against Naraku. He had to think quickly; knowing that he was destined to die regardless of whether Naraku was defeated or not, he thought back on all of his wrong doings while under Naraku. He thought of the innocent lives he had claimed and how he had done so with no remorse. Then, he recalled his own father and the night on which he, himself, had murdered him. With those thoughts in mind, Kohaku knelt in the dirt and bowed his head, waiting for the inevitable.
But, before it came, he heard Sango's voice shout over Naraku's, "STOP! NO!", and Kohaku was suddenly pushed to the side. Before he could react, he was picked up, thrown over Kirara's back and flown out of Naraku's Grasp to the edge of the clearing just barely hidden by trees. Sango refused to let him die yet.
He had no choice but to stand and attempt to help the fighters however he could. Being unable to get too close to Naraku posed some difficulties, but he aimed his weapon where he could. Despite, he still felt inept.
He could help, however, by alerting the others of Naraku's movements. Over the last few months, while he had had his memories back, he had spent his time watching Naraku closely. He watched his movements, his fighting style, tried to understand his twisted plots and understand the way he thinks. He did everything in his power to learn any tiny bit of information Naraku knowingly or unknowingly tossed his way. Using everything he'd learned, he could easily tell what Naraku would do in response to the actions of Inuyasha and the others.
Although it would be the easiest way to spread the information, Kohaku knew better than to shout out Naraku's intended attacks. Yet, all of the fighters need to know as quickly as possible if his input was going to be useful at all. However, if Naraku heard him, he would surely change his intentions, and, with all his knowledge, it would mean nothing if Kohaku couldn't keep the others informed fast enough. Instead the fighters formed a type of information chain.
As soon as Kohaku had discerned Naraku's intended attack he would tell Sango, who stayed near him intentionally for the information but also unintentionally out of love for her brother. He hadn't been whole and himself since before they met Naraku; while he was, she wanted to be close to him at all times. Once Kohaku had alerted Sango, she would go to Miroku, who stayed near to Sango similarly because of the chain and because of concern and care for his fiancée. They had never said their I love you's but he was so protective of her that it was unnecessary. Once Miroku had the information, he would relay to Inuyasha who did what he could to stay in easy reach. Meanwhile, Sango told Kagome, who remained close on her other side. Despite her limited knowledge of how to use her spiritual powers, Kagome still did whatever she could by shooting arrows at Kanna and Kagura when necessary. Although, at the end of the day, Kagura hated Naraku with every atom of her being; she wasn't up to open revolt – not unless she was sure that Naraku would die. From there each other fighter told another until all ten knew what Naraku's next move would be and each had designed their own counterattack. All it took to set this complex chain in motion was Naraku's slightest movement, and the entire system took under 30 seconds to go to completion. It was an amazing feat.
With all of them working together, Naraku didn't know which way to attack next. While Inuyasha attacked with Tessaiga on one side, Sesshoumaru attacked with his own sword from another direction. However, it still seemed like this could be a never-ending battle.
Yet, right at the point when they all began to wonder if the battle would never finish, Kagura made a crucial change. She switched sides of the battle. It had finally occurred to her that the fighters were going to continue to battle until one of two things took place. Either Naraku was going to die, or all of them would. She wasn't prepared to let all of the battlers die. They were her only chance for freedom from Naraku. With the realization that if she aided them, they could defeat Naraku, and her act of treachery would cause her no penalty, she turned to Inuyasha and said in that sickening smooth voice, "Use your ultimate attack, Inuyasha, and everyone else add your own attacks to it. I will add my winds to yours."
"What are you saying, Bitch?" came Inuyasha's response.
"Take Tessaiga's ultimate attack and use it against Naraku, but also, have everyone add their own strongest attack to yours. I will give you whatever I have left of my own spiritual powers. If that won't finish off Naraku then nothing we can do will defeat him." Kagura elaborated on her earlier command, as she dodged a kick from Kouga, who was using most of his energy battling the wind youkai.
"Keh! Like we would listen to you as you battle along side him!" Inuyasha lifted Tessaiga, "Kaze no Kizu!"
Kagura tried not to flinch, but kaze no kizu wasn't aimed for her. It hit one of Naraku's tentacles, about 20 feet in front of her, that was headed for Kagome. "Kagome! Run!" Inuyasha shouted. Kagome quickly retreated out of reach, just barely escaping as two new tentacles grew to replace the one that Inuyasha had destroyed. "Kuso!"
"Inuyasha, I may have been fighting alongside Naraku, but look at what attacks I've launched during this battle!" Kagura defended quickly; she needed Inuyasha to listen to her, and quickly, before Naraku took her out completely.
"It's true, Inuyasha," Kohaku was actually defending Kagura?! "Kagura has launched attacks only at Kouga. And all her attacks have been in defense, not offense. She has long hated Naraku – listen to her!"
Sesshoumaru too the initiative before his brother could respond. "Alright, witch, you came to this Sesshoumaru knowing I would have the power to destroy Naraku. What do you suggest?"
"Inuyasha, use Tessaiga. I will add my winds to the powers of yours. Kagome and Kikyou – fire you arrows. Miroku, add charms using your Houshi powers. And Sesshoumaru-sama, use your ultimate attack as well." Kagura explained her plan rapidly, yet understandably. "Don't aim for him! Aim for his heart!"
"What about me? What should I do?" Kouga shouted before anyone could act. "Attempt to be useful, wolf. You can't do much," came Kagura's response, and Kagome couldn't help but notice a slight smirk cross Inuyasha's face.
Inuyasha raised Tessaiga to attack with Bakuryouha and through the twisting winds of his ultimate attack shot two purifying arrows, one of Kagome, one of Kikyou. Kagura did as promised and added her powers to Inuyasha's, and, with all the poison he could gather, Sesshoumaru turned the whirlwinds green with his deadly venom.
The arrows hit their mark - for they were not aimed for Naraku but for the baby in his arms. As the empowered slivers began their purifying work, the only sound that could be heard over the winding winds was the faint cracking of glass somewhere not too distant. The winds broke as the arrows destroyed the baby leaving Naraku defenseless against Sesshoumaru's poison. The smell of dissolving flesh filled the air and Naraku's tentacles were absorbed by the acidic toxin. All looked on as the poison continued to travel up the monstrous body. However, as the poison reached the tentacles' base its effects began to slow, leaving Naraku's ragged torso hovering ominously in the air above the group.
Naraku looked slowly over the remains of his usual pristine form, only to find himself lacking. How could they beat me? This is not possible. These thoughts ran through his head leaving him unable to comprehend the situation. However, the look of mixed confusion, horror, arrogance, and finally acceptance that graced his face was easily read by all who onlookers. It was that image that remained with them all. Naraku, determined not to be defeated that easily took advantage of the silence among the fighters to begin his next slew of mocking commentary, yet when he opened his mouth a faint sizzling sound was heard. It was followed shortly after by a burst of light from the center of Naraku's chest. With a scream of defeat and frustration, the light spread forth from his chest and slowly dissolved the remainder of his tattered body, leaving nothing but the Shikon no Tama lying in a dark circle in the dirt.
For several moments, it felt as though time stood still. No one moved; it seems as though no one even breathed. Did they really do it? Had they really – finally – defeated Naraku once and for all? They each looked from one to another waiting for a sign that might show Naraku returning. None appeared.
It was a faint breeze through Miroku's hair that reminded him that if Naraku was really gone, he would no longer have Kazaana. He hadn't un- wrapped his hand for the fight. With the multitude of Saimyoushou that flew in the air above the battlefield, it would have been reckless for him to use Kazaana.
But now, slowly and deliberately, he turned his palm away from himself and the others, pointing it straight up at the dusty sky above them. Then he carefully removed the beads binding his hand and arm. He waited for the inevitable – the whirring and hissing of Kazaana. All he heard was silence.
As all the fighters turned to watch his actions, he lowered his arm and looked at his hand. There was nothing there; he was at last whole and complete. And, for the first time ever, Miroku was stunned to speechlessness. He was too happy to utter a single word.
This was too good to be true, however. Miroku remembered when Naraku had feigned defeat in the past and he refused to say the battle was over just like that.
It was at this point that Kouga noticed what none of the other fighters had. Kagura and Kanna were nowhere to be seen. Where had they gone during the battle? Looking around the circle of fighters one to the next, and finding none of them to be Kagura, just added to his frustration at the situation. He walked around the dirt covered forest area that the fighting had thoroughly destroyed; he searched through the trees to find nothing. He walked over the darkened area where Naraku had been standing yet no aid was found there either. He didn't understand it. They were there with Naraku one minute and the next all of them were gone. If Kagura and Kanna were not there, had they really defeated Naraku, or was it just another trap? Finally muttering a few choice words, the wolf prince brought her absence to the attention of the others, "Where the hell is that bitch, Kagura? I don't care if she did help defeat Naraku; I'm not done with her yet. She killed my clan."
At that point, everyone felt the slight wave of confusion as no one could find Kagura. Ayame joined Kouga in searching in the forest area near the ruined clearing. However, even if Kagura was hiding among the tall trees, within feet of the former battle arena the forest became too dense and dark to see clearly. Inuyasha jumped up into a nearby treetop to search the circular battleground from above, yet found no new advances. Noticing both the absence of Kanna, in addition to Kagura, Inuyasha added his own sentiments.
"Kuso! Kagura's gone. Kanna isn't here either!"
Kagome slowly wandered the destroyed area of forest that had become an empty dirt-floor cleaning from the battling over the last few days. Searching for something but unsure for what exactly she searched.
That's when she saw it. The glare of light on glass caught her eye and she wandered toward it. As she got closer to the origin of the light, she realized that she was looking at pieces of broken glass. Slowly picking up and rearranging the pieces, she discovered they formed a circular mirror. It was that moment realization struck her. These pieces were shards of Kanna's mirror, but where was Kanna?
"Hey guys, come look at this. I think I've found Kanna's mirror."
As they all surrounded the pieces of broken glass, now arranged in a circle, on the ground in front of Kagome, it was Kikyou to speak first.
"Kagura and Kanna were both created from segments of Naraku that he separated from himself. However, Naraku still held both of their hearts. When Kagome and my arrows destroyed Naraku's heart, there is a good chance we destroyed theirs as well."
"That's highly possible," Miroku's response was the only spoken one. The remaining soldiers merely nodded their agreement.
Surprising to the rest of the group, Sesshoumaru was the next to speak. "Well, if they are all destroyed, then no reason remains for this Sesshoumaru to stay."
Before anyone else could respond, Sango quickly attempted to stop him. "Wait! Sesshoumaru-sama, we still need your skills." She had already carefully phrased in her mind exactly what she was going to say to the demon lord.
"What do you need of me, woman? I see nothing here that requires my attention." He responded, cold and emotionless, as always.
"You see, Sesshoumaru-sama, one shard of the Shikon no Tama is still missing –" Sango began, but was abruptly cut off.
"I care naught for the Shikon no Tama, so I still don't see why that is any concern of mine." Sesshoumaru easily interrupted Sango's carefully rehearsed speech, flustering her further.
"Well, that's not the problem, your lordship, you see, the shard is in my brother, Kohaku. It allows him to live despite fatal injuries given to him by Naraku..." Sango continued, determined to save her only surviving family.
"And you wish this Sesshoumaru to use Tenseiga to restore his life." It was not a question; it was a statement. Yet, Sango nodded in affirmation despite. "Whether your brother lives or dies is no concern of mine." Sesshoumaru continued with out so much as a pause of hesitation.
"But, I thought that since you –" Sango started her protest, but was quickly interrupted.
"You suspect this Sesshoumaru of becoming soft because I restored life to the girl, Rin." He looked at Kohaku with a look that could have frozen water.
"No! You see, I was just hoping...you the only one...and..." Sango allowed her sentences to trail off.
"Don't be so foolish, human. I have better things to do with my time than to save every human that needs it. Do not assumer that I will save that human child simply because I did another." And with those words, Sesshoumaru casually turned, looked at Jaken – who got the hint – and left.
"Sesshoumaru – You bastard!!" The voice was not Sango's, but Inuyasha's.
"I will take care of you later, Inuyasha." The youkai replied without so much as slowing his step. Then he was gone from sight.
A/N: This is my first attempt at a real story, so it's going to be a bit of a labor of love on my part. That doesn't mean I don't want feedback though! Please R/R! You see that little button in the corner? Yeah, that one! You know the one! Click it!
