Chapter 13: Forgiveness and His Secret Weapon.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha!

"But isn't acceptance the same as forgiveness?" Sango asked a little unsure if she was actually ready to forgive the monster that ripped her family and community apart.

Kaede sent an understanding smile towards Sango. "No, dear one, acceptance is the easy part - forgiveness is much harder to do than to accept."

Kikyo nodded her agreement. "However, hard as it may be, you must forgive who caused you any hardships that changed your life forever."

"How do we go about the forgiveness process?" Kagome spoke up.

"Meditation." Kikyo answered easily.

Miroku groaned and rolled his eyes, and though Inuyasha didn't speak his displeasure - he agreed wholeheartedly with Miroku. They both hated meditation, they personally saw no benefit from meditating.

"This is the last step to your goal of having your life force completely free of any clogging. After this step you'll immediately notice the difference within yourself." Kikyo explained.

Inuyasha and the others nodded and - already being in the correct position from having not moved - easily sunk back into the world of meditation.

Sango's Meditation State.

Sango opened her eyes and quickly realized that she was back to that horrible day that crashed all around her in the most in the most terrible way. She looked around her at the destruction and death that was surrounding her, still frozen in time, threatening to rip her still beating heart out of her chest and stomp it into the bloodied dirt. She felt the tears prick her eyes and blur her vision as her gaze shifted towards the monster that took her family and friends away from her.

Sango felt as a sob bubbled up and escape passed her mouth. She may have accepted what had happened, but that didn't make it any easier to see and it sure as hell didn't make it easy to forgive this beast. She didn't think she could do this, she tried as she stood her ground looking at the thing that took her parents life, as well as her neighbors' lives, away from them. She tried to make words pass her lips in for of giving forgiveness but found the words were blocked by a lump that obstructed not only the words but also her breath. She began to panic, she couldn't breathe - couldn't talk - couldn't move, it was like she was frozen in place not able to even blink in fear that the monster in front of her would somehow unfreeze and come after her.

Kikyo was right. Forgiveness was so much harder than acceptance, and she wasn't sure she was entirely ready to forgive this horrible person for what he did.

After what seemed like hours but was only a few minutes, Sango was able to break away from the trance she was in. She took a deep breath, looked away and started running away from the scene as fast as she could. She wasn't ready for forgiveness, and she doubted that she'd ever would be - it was just too much.

You must forgive! The voice sounded making Sango stop.

"How!?" Sango screamed out as her breaths came out in huffs as she tried to regulate, not only her breathing, but also her heartbeat. "How can you possibly ask me to forgive this horrible guy for what he did!? I can't! It's too much, I can't do it! Please, make it stop!"

If I make it stop, not only you, but Kagome and the others will die! If you die, you won't be able to find your brother!

My brother? Sango thought then gasped. "Kohaku, is he alive?" Sango asked the bodiless voice.

There is a possibility. I am not allowed to give you a yes or no answer, however, if you perish - you will never know.

Sango looked around the battlefield with a careful eye, searching for her little brother but not seeing him amongst the carnage. Hope began to bloom in her chest as she began to realize that there was a great possibility that her younger brother was still alive and out there somewhere. She vowed right then and there that she would survive, and she would find her brother.

Sango took a deep breath and marched right up to the despicable creature that turned her life upside down, sighed and in three simple words said. "I forgive you."

Right as she said that the scene turned to dust and blew away.

Miroku's Meditation State.

Miroku opened his eyes and realized he was facing the still frozen image of his mother and father. He stared them both in the face, wondering how in the world was he supposed to forgive these horrendous murderers. They've hurt and killed more people than he'd cared to count - one being himself - how was he supposed to forgive that!?

As Miroku stood there, he felt every punch, kick, knee, elbow - felt every slap, headbutt, bite and scratch that was delivered to him. He felt as his body ached from head to toe, he gave a humorless laugh because he was expected to forgive these people. The people that beat him. The people that degraded him by calling him names and talking down at him. The people that left him for dead. His parents that tried unsuccessfully to kill him!

"And they want me to forgive you?" Miroku asked with a scoff followed by another humorless laugh. "Yeah." He said as he started walking away. "Not happening." He scoffed again. He might have accepted it, but he still wasn't ready, nor did he think he'd ever be ready, to forgive these scum bags. As he walked away, he thought about how hard it was to even think about forgiving these despicable beings - he could only imagine how hard it'd be to actually say the words.

You have to forgive! If you walk away, then you and everyone else will die! The voice shouted.

"I'll take my chances." Miroku mumbled under his breath as he continued to walk.

Oh, you'll take your chances? You'll really put Sango's life on the line? What about Kagome's or Inuyasha's? Or, what about the entire world? The disembodied voice said, sounding strangely exasperated.

Miroku stopped walking, growled and whipped around looking all around him - hoping to see someone to yell at. The only people he saw were his still frozen parents. "How would my, not forgiving these people, put everyone's life at jeopardy!?" He screamed out in the air. "How do you know that I'm, that we, aren't strong enough to defeat Naraku?" He didn't like this shit; he didn't want to forgive these people. Why should he fucking have to!?

Because, as I've already told you, you have to be free from every burden - from everything that is blocking the flow of your life force! Your life force has to be flowing freely to unlock your true potential! If you don't do this, everyone you know - will die! Your friends need you! Without you at your best, you all will fail!

Miroku considered those words and realized that the voice was right. Taking a calming breath, he walked up to the frozen image of his supposed parents. He sent a heated glare at both of them as he once again took a calming breath, closing his eyes. Opening his eyes again and taking in the faces of the two he hated the most in the world. "I forgive you." He said sincerely and watched as the image turned to dust and flew away.

Inuyasha's Meditation State.

Inuyasha opened his eyes to see the frozen image of Kagome, bruised and battered staring back at him with tears running down her face. He sucked in a breath, and it got stuck in his throat nearly making him gag and cough. If he never sees her face and body in this condition again, well it'll be the best damn wish that has ever came true.

"Well." Inuyasha grunted out. "This is a no brainer, course I forgive you wench." He said with sincerity and love in his voice. He held a peaceful expression on his face as he watched the image of Kagome turn to dust and blow away in the breeze.

The scene Inuyasha was now standing in was of his brother frozen in time. He felt a growl bubble in his chest and escape out passed his lips. How was he supposed to forgive this fucker? There's no way he was ready to do that. This piece of shit is the one who forcibly made him leave the place he called home - the place that he wanted to spend his whole life at. Growling even louder, he had no idea that it'd be this hard to forgive when he'd had already accepted what had happened. He turned away from Sesshomaru - there's no way that he'd forgive this bastard! He snorted and began to walk away from his older brother.

You cannot walk away! You have to forgive! If you do not, then this is all for naught! The voice had said.

Inuyasha scoffed. "Then let it all be for naught! There's no way on God's green earth that I'd ever forgive that bastard!" He growled.

Then you've doomed Kagome to death! That made Inuyasha pause. Kagome, you, Sango and Miroku! You all will die!

Inuyasha clenched his hand into fists and took a deep breath. He brought up the face of Kagome, if he hadn't left, he wouldn't know the world she knew for two years that she was gone before he decided to join her in that life. He brought up Miroku's face, if he had stayed would Miroku had lived, or would he have died? Inuyasha was pretty sure he would've died, Miroku was in horrible shape and Inuyasha had been afraid that he would've died anyway despite him treating his wounds to the best of his capability. He brought up Sango's face, though she didn't sail on his ship - the times that they did cross paths and the little time he got to know her, he considered Sango to be one of his very good friends. If he had stayed there would have been no chance of him meeting someone as great as Sango was. Lastly, he brought up Shippo's face, the little tyke was orphaned - his mom and dad being viciously killed by a larger demon just for sport. Inuyasha had found him shaking like a leaf, hiding out in a hollow tree. He remembered walking by seeing two murdered foxes then smelling a fox child close by, so he went to investigate - finding him in the tree too terrified to even come out. He had to sit there for a good two hours talking softly, trying to calm the kid down without the ability to touch him for fear that it'd do more harm than good. So, he sat there, talking quietly until he had emerged from the tree and ran at him seeking the comfort the dog demon offered. Inuyasha sighed, knowing that if he had stayed there's no telling what shape Shippo would have been in - or if he'd been even still alive.

Huffing out another sigh and running a hand through his silver hair, Inuyasha turned and stomped back over to his half-brother. "I forgive you, you bastard." He grumbled and watched as his brother turned to dust and floated away.

Kagome's Meditation State.

Kagome opened her eyes and found that she was standing in front of Sesshomaru and the general once again. She took a look around and saw her dead family and people of the village laying all around - lifeless. Even though she had accepted what had happened, it was still hard to see - and tears started leaking from her eyes. How was she supposed to forgive what had happened here? She didn't see any possibility of any forgiving's happening any time soon.

Kagome shook her head and chocking out another sob she turned her back and began walking away from the two people that changed her life forever. She had no idea how incredibly hard this would be. Accepting was easier than trying to forgive anything these two men did, there wasn't any way that she could do anything close to forgiving.

Don't walk away! You must forgive these men if you want to win this battle!

Kagome stopped walking only to stomp her feet on the ground in a temper tantrum type of way. "This isn't fair! Why do I have to even be the chosen one!? I can't forgive these monsters for what they did! I just can't, it's too hard!" She yelled at the bodiless voice.

It might not be fair, but you have to forgive them, or the world is in danger of seizing to exist - including you and your friends!

Kagome sighed as more tears ran unchecked down her face. She thought of Sango, Miroku and Shippo - she would've never even known them if she wasn't forced to leave. Then she thought of Inuyasha, she wouldn't have ever known his true self - the self he kept hidden to appease his father and older brother. The self he kept locked away to appease the entire village. The vibrant side, the hyper side, the reckless side and the dangerous side. She loved that Inuyasha could be his true self without having to hide away behind a mask. He was never allowed to be his true self, every time he tried, he got reprimanded by either his father or Sesshomaru. Now, though, he was free to let that part of himself shine - and she was so happy she got to see it - to know his true self. She turned around and walked back towards the two men that stood frozen in place.

With another sigh she looked both men in the eyes as she whispered. "I forgive you both." Kagome gasped as she watched as they turned to dust and drifted away.

The scene changed and morphed into Inuyasha frozen by the pirate ship she was about to board. "At least this one is easy." Kagome mumbled to herself then a soft smile curled her lips. "Oh, silly man, of course I forgive you, Inuyasha - why wouldn't I?" She whispered and watched as Inuyasha turned to dust and shifted away.

They all came out of their meditating state at around the same time with a gasp from each of them. Kaede was already ready with fresh tea, and they all sat around sipping their tea - feeling lighter and better than they did in a very long time.

"The steps have been complete! You all have shown me that you will do whatever it takes to win this battle and so you've have gained my trust. Kagome, I will teach you what you need to know." Kikyo said as she placed her fingertips against Kagome's forehead making Kagome gasp as all the knowledge that she needed to know flowed into her mind. She learned how to find the jewel shards and how to fuse them together once she had a good amount. It felt like it took several hours to learn those things but only took a few short minutes. Kikyo took her fingers away and Kagome let out another gasp.

"You must hurry and complete the mission before Naraku destroys the world. He has came and stollen the few sacred jewel pieces that we did have, now the world is decaying and without the help from the jewel it will die.

"I have three shards with me now, will they help keeping the world stable while I find the others." Kagome asked lifted up her arm, showing off the three shards that hung from her bracelet.

"It'll help, yes." Kikyo nodded. "If you fuse them together it'll be even a bigger chance of them keeping everything stable."

Kagome nodded and took the bracelet off and enclosed it between her hands before closing her eyes.

Everyone watched shocked as a bright pink light encased her hands for about five minutes before Kagome opened her eyes again then opened her hands showing that the three shards had, indeed, been fused together. Kagome then walked over to the little compartment that was there to hold the jewel. Once she placed the piece in the spot, they all bowed their thanks to the two women, bid their farewell and left.

-X-

Sailing towards Florida, about a week has passed since Naraku visited Spain and stole the shards from their holding place - he was surprised that the world was still stable. As he thought about it, his eyebrows furrowed, for the world to still be as stable as it is - someone must have placed more jewel shards back in the compartment. He mused to himself. Clenching his teeth together letting out a low menacing growl, this was not how it was meant to go! The world was supposed to slowly perish, and everyone was to die - well of course everyone but him and the few lucky souls he decided to let live.

As he was so focused on his musings, Naraku didn't hear as Kagura walked up behind him.

"So, what's your plan? How do you expect to win this battle and collect all the jewels without being able to see them?" Kagura asked.

Naraku scoffed as his thought were interrupted. "I have a special mirror that I gave to Kanna, it has a sacred jewel imbedded in it - giving it the ability to locate the shards. As for how I'm going to win this battle. Well, dear Kagura, I have a secret weapon that no one knows about - so winning this battle I think will be far easier than anyone expects." Naraku smirked evilly, however the smirk didn't last long before a scowl took its place.

"Secret weapon? What secret weapon?" Kagura asked.

"Kagura!" Naraku snapped causing Kagura's eyes to widen and her throat tighten with fear. "You are to stop asking me questions this instant! When I'm ready to reveal my plan then everyone will know! Until then, leave it alone!" He shouted before going towards the stairs leading to the dungeons down below.

"Are you ready?" Naraku asked as he stopped in front one of the dungeon cells. "Are you ready to do as a bade you?"

"Yes, master Naraku." The monotoned voice of a young male responded from behind the cell door.

"Are you ready to help me kill; Inyuasha, Miroku, Kagome and Sango?" Naraku asked.

"Yes, master Naraku." The monotoned voice repeated.

A disgusting smirked curled Naraku's lips. "Perfect."

Hope you liked the chapter! Please review! See you next time!