A/N: So, here is the chapter you've all been waiting for! Now, a couple things, one, I have finally gotten the title for the fanfic going to be released next weekend. If you want to see the title, go here: www . deviantart . com / deviation / 40747717 / (Without spaces, of course). You might wanna do this before the chapter, cuz you arn't going to be in the mood after the end, I assure you.

Also, before you go all psycho and want to kill me for this, notice that some of the things I have said before, which may prove as points against this, can also mean more than one thing. You'll see what I mean with the coming chapters. Also, there are three more chapters after this, so don't think I'll just leave it hanging here.

So, that's about it. Sad chapter. If you get emotional, then you might want to get some tissues. And don't kill me. hides


Chapter 47: Sacrifice

Naraku's grin only widened as he looked upon the shocked group. "How sweet," he remarked, floating down to settle on the edge of the plateau, Shikon no Tama in hand. "Lovers are finally reunited before death."

Inuyasha was still holding Kagome to him as he growled, "The only death that's going to be here today is yours, Naraku."

"We shall see," the evil hanyou said, before adding, "Do you think all that's happened the past two years I have been missing was a coincidence?"

"What?" Kagome asked, her voice trembling. Her hand instantly went to the bulge in her belly. "You mean, you…"

"Going into hiding was the only way to assure you might have some time to yourselves," Naraku smirked. "I knew with time, Inuyasha would eventually discover that his true feelings, while you, Kagome, would only encourage them. You would have to be lured into a false sense of security before you did anything rash, but I was willing to wait…only more time for me to perfect the curse," he finished, gripping the Shikon no Tama tightly.

"You spent two years in hiding, just working on that damn curse?" Inuyasha growled, but Naraku cut in.

"Don't be ridiculous, Inuyasha. The curse was only half of it. There was another reason as well…I told you before that you would never consider doing anything rash, as long as I loomed overhead. You would never consider making Kagome your mate with me around, and for that, I hid."

Kagome gripped her hands into fists. "You waited for us…to become mates?"

Chuckling, Naraku continued, "Do you remember the village with the youkai birds? I had seen that you two were restraining yourselves from finally giving in, like what had almost happened at the Lover's Glade, which I drew you two there for the same purpose as well. But in that village, I succeeded in far more than helping you over your petty differences…after all, Inuyasha, youkai instincts to mate are strong, aren't they?"

"What's your point, bastard?" the hanyou demanded.

"Don't you understand, Inuyasha? I had succeeded once, I didn't need a setup again. Your youkai instincts would make you mate with that worthless human as often as you could, and I would wait to allow nature to take its course…I knew it would only be a matter of time before you pupped her."

Both of Kagome's arms crisscrossed over her belly. "Our baby has nothing to do with you!" she snapped, but it only made Naraku's smile wider.

His icy thick voice spoke in seductive tones, "That child has everything to do with me. Did you think that baby was conceived out of love? Never. It was conceived out of the human and youkai instincts to carry on their breed, to mate. Because you had tasted the pleasure of taking a mate, you would only want more, and more. Humans may disguise this as "love" but youkai know the truth—mating is only a natural urge. You became mates through my intervention, and you would continue only because this instinct would drive you on."

"Why would you care if we were mated?" Kagome yelled. "What is it to you?"

Naraku looked down at the Shikon no Tama, holding the dark purple jewel up to the light. "A child of a hanyou and miko must be powerful, don't you agree? In fact, it may be even more powerful than a youkai…who knows. But I wonder, if the blood of a frail human is enough to give the jewel power to take lives mercilessly…what could the blood of a child of a hanyou and miko do?"

Inuyasha thrust Kagome behind him, drawing the Tessaiga. "You son of a bitch! That's enough! I'm going to kill you so slowly, that you'll wish you have died a long time ago!"

Not paying attention to him, Naraku continued, "And you two finished the mating ritual, you marked yourselves in blood, signing your souls to each other for all eternity…another thing to aid me in my plan. Youkai who are marked think of it as a clan ritual, nothing more. But because you two claim to "love", the marking had a different effect…You cannot bear to be separated without immense pain. If you had not been so weak, and allowed yourself to feel such pain like this…then perhaps you would have been able to spare her as you wished, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha's knuckles turned white on the Tessaiga as he held himself back from attacking. "Kagome…get behind me…and stay there…"

She nodded, "Yes," but she wasn't thinking about it at all. In her mind, she kept thinking over the terrible mistake she had made. What have I done?

"Miroku…" Inuyasha said, not turning to the monk. "Make a barrier…keep it around Kagome…" He then glanced back at him, his eyes deadly serious. "And whatever happens, don't let it fall."

"Right," the monk said, turning to Kagome. "Kagome-sama…" He gave her a beaded bracelet from off his wrist, which she slipped on her own. "Keep that on; it will connect the barrier to me."

The monk chanted for a moment, before a blue colored barrier sprung up around her, making what she saw outside a little distorted. It felt wrong to be hiding behind a barrier like this, while all her friends fought for their lives against Naraku, but she knew she had made a mistake in coming, when what Naraku was after was their baby. If she was protecting the baby by hiding behind the others, than she knew she was doing her part.

"You cannot possibly think that you will kill me," Naraku spoke smugly, "I have the Curse of the Shikon no Tama on my side, before the end of the day, you will go to Hell."

"Save me a seat," Inuyasha growled, before leaping towards Naraku with a snarl.


Furious slashing and sounds of battle were heard on the wind as Kikyou turned towards the plateau in the distance, seeing the dust rising from the battlefield. She didn't need to be closer to know what was going on. Naraku is fighting with Inuyasha…and this shall be the last time they meet.

She had felt the energy in the air stir since that morning, and knew Naraku was planning something. The Curse of the Shikon no Tama? she wondered. She had followed Inuyasha and their friends to the village where Kohaku had been buried a week ago, and had come to her own conclusions very early. So he plans to use the curse to take their lives…and use them to carry on the legacy of the curse?

I am the only one who could not be killed using the jewel, but… Kikyou walked closer, to where she sensed Naraku's energy at its strongest point. She reached out her hand, and was suddenly repelled with a sharp bolt of purple light. Suddenly, a large barrier, covering the entire valley appeared. I see…a barrier to keep me out…This must mean he is afraid of my immunity to the curse…holding this up must make him weaker, but they do not know that…

Kikyou heard the noise of one coming up behind her, and she turned sharply, to see someone she barely recognized, from long ago…He was tall, and had long while hair and pointed ears—a youkai. He also had the half-moon mark of an inu clan upon his forehead, but the most distinguishing mark was the loose sleeve of his left arm.

"You are Inuyasha's brother…Sesshoumaru?" she asked, remembering the name from the back of her mind.

Sesshoumaru did not answer, but stared at the barrier which he seemed to have no trouble seeing…or at least sensing. "You know the barrier is there as well, miko?"

Kikyou looked back at the battle going on down below, catching a glimpse of Inuyasha darting across the plateau towards Naraku. "It seems he does not wish for me to interfere in this confrontation."

"You are not the only one," Sesshoumaru said, reaching out and getting zapped by the barrier as well. "Naraku wanted us both kept out of this."

"He didn't want us fighting…It doesn't matter to him if he dies, as long as he takes a life along with him…" Kikyou replied, her eyes always on Inuyasha's charging form. "But it remains to be seen which life it shall be."


"Kaze no Kizu!" Inuyasha roared, sending the golden wind at Naraku. Like always, it was easily deflected by a barrier.

Naraku scoffed, "I'm not that easily beaten, Inuyasha."

"Keh, you wouldn't be worth the fight if you were," he muttered, glancing over at his friends. Miroku and Sango were working together, using his ofudas and her boomerang to try to tear down Naraku's barrier, but they were having no luck so far. Kouga, when he had the opportunity, would jump up and try to do some damage, but he wasn't of much use when Naraku was hiding behind a barrier.

And Inuyasha took one quick glance at Kagome, who was still safely behind the barrier Miroku had created, looking afraid for all of them. Inuyasha knew she would rather be in the fight with them, rather than watch and worry, but she knew her first and foremost duty was to protect their child.

Don't worry, Kagome, he mentally assured her. Once I defeat Naraku, we'll all be safe…we can go home to our hut and live our days happily, just like I promised.

But the fight kept on, making no progress, while Naraku, aided by the Shikon no Tama, seemed more powerful than ever. Occasionally, he would swing a tentacle outside of his barrier, and they had a tough time fighting just that. While the fight continued for what seemed like hours he glanced down at the Shikon no Tama, which only seemed to be getting hotter in his hand. He grinned, It is as I predicted, the Curse is powering up...a life, or many, shall be taken for it today.

"Miroku!" Sango cried, as Miroku was thrown back against the ground by one of Naraku's tentacles.

"Watch it, monk!" Inuyasha yelled, jumping forward and slashing at their enemy.

"Miroku, are you all right?" Sango asked, running up to him, as he wiped the dirt off his face.

"Miroku?" Shippou asked, who had now been reduced to being the medical aid in the battle.

He didn't answer them, just glanced at Naraku and said, "This isn't working…"

"What?" Sango asked. "But Miroku, what do you mean?"

"This fighting," the monk replied, watching while Inuyasha and Kouga slashed at Naraku, getting nowhere. "Naraku's much stronger than we anticipated; he'll keep blocking us until we are exhausted, and then kill us when we are too weak to defend ourselves."

"But…" Sango glanced back at Inuyasha and Kouga, and knew this was true. Even they looked a little bit weary with the fight. "Naraku might…"

"Don't worry, Sango, I have an idea," he said, indicating to his cursed hand.

Sango shook her head. "No! What if something happens? You know you could be in grave danger if you—"

"There's not a saimyoushou in sight," Miroku cut in, standing up and giving a small tug on the rosary beads that concealed his cursed hand. "And besides, Even if I can do a little damage, a little is enough!" He thrust his hand out towards Naraku, yelling, "Kazaana!"

The wind void emerged, making Inuyasha and Kouga pull back once they realized what he had done. Naraku felt himself being pulled towards the monk, but he held his ground. "You think a curse given to you by me can be the very thing of my destruction?" he asked, smirking.

"Well, why don't we find out?" Miroku snapped, feeling rocks and some small trees being sucked in, but not yet their enemy.

But Naraku had other plans. His long dark hair swept wildly around him because of the Kazaana, yet his red eyes still held their mocking look in them. "You should know better than to use that when I'm around, monk." All time froze as Naraku seemed to throw something at him, and all too late he realized what it was—a saimyoushou hive. The instant it hit the ground, more than a fifty bees shot out.

"Miroku!" Sango cried, as many of them were sucked in. Miroku closed the Kazaana, but not before he had already been poisoned. She ran to him, looking nearly in tears with worry. "Miroku, don't you die on me!"

He coughed for a minute, before grinning back at her. "Don't worry, dear Sango…I've been poisoned enough times for me to be slightly immune to it…Though I won't need help until later…" It was true, though Miroku felt the poison in his veins, he hadn't sucked up enough to be in desperate need of aid yet. There would be a few hours before it came to that. Even so, he felt sweat build on his forehead, and glanced over at Kagome. The barrier he had erected was weakening. The barrier! I've got to keep it up!

"Go, Sango," he ordered, "I'll be fine…I just can't break my promise to Inuyasha now!"

Sango took a moment of looking at him in fear before, turning away and running back into the fray, while Miroku closed his eyes and began chanting again. Although…I don't know how much longer I can hold it...Please, defeat Naraku quickly, Inuyasha!


"Is the monk all right?" Inuyasha asked, as Sango ran back up to them.

"He's fine for now, but we need to hurry, Inuyasha!" she told him, and the hanyou nodded. He wasn't going to argue with that. But as they glanced at Naraku, they knew that the situation was getting worse and worse. Originally, it had been anticipated that it would be five against one. Now it was three against one, and they had barely laid a scratch on him.

Because of that barrier he's holding up…Inuyasha thought. And he's pretty much invincible, except…he noticed the Shikon no Tama in Naraku's hand, and he could also smell a second barrier encasing them in the fight. So he's got two barriers…that's stretching his strength pretty thin, which means…

He raised the Tessaiga up, transforming it to its crystal form. A heavy blow might just kill him!


Kikyou, who watched the scene, suddenly noticed the change in Tessaiga. So, he plans to use the crystal form of Tessaiga, does he? I see…he knows how Naraku has stretched his power too thin, trying to hold two barriers and pouring his strength into the Shikon no Tama…his barriers may be strong, but he, himself, is weak.

She drew her bow, noticing that Sesshoumaru only glanced in her direction once, but wielded Toukijin as if he knew that soon they would be faced with battle.

Prepare yourself, Naraku…she thought, releasing the arrow just as Inuyasha made his move.

"Should have done this earlier…" Inuyasha muttered, before swinging Tessaiga, releasing the crystal shards. "Kongousouha!"

The diamond spears punctured through Naraku's barrier, hitting him within. Unlike most times where he had shrugged it off, this time he seemed to actually be in pain as he grunted from the impact. But that wasn't all he felt. "What?" he asked, glancing in another direction as he felt his second barrier go down. "Kikyou, huh?" he asked, with narrowed eyes.

"You used too much power, Naraku," Inuyasha glared, raising the crystal Tessaiga once more. "You're finished!"

But Naraku didn't seem to be in as much pain anymore…not as he felt the Shikon no Tama burn white hot. The Curse is trying to take me! he realized. So be it…but not until I have my say…

Suddenly, Naraku noticed Miroku pass out, Shippou running to him. Kagome gasped as the barrier dissolved around her, giving Naraku the ultimate opportunity. Glancing back at Inuyasha, he smirked, "You win, Inuyasha," before sending his tentacles lashing out at the unprotected Kagome.

Time seemed to slow. Inuyasha yelled "Kagome!" as he ran for her, and she tried to turn away but wasn't fast enough…

There was a sickening noise as flesh was punctured, and blood spattered all over the ground. All gasped in horror, unable to do anything in that one, long moment.

Almost afraid to look, Kagome opened her eyes…her jaw falling open to see Inuyasha standing in front of her, face contorted in pain, as several of Naraku's shouki filled tentacles had punctured him through. In slow motion, it seemed those tentacles withdrew, and the hanyou fell backwards, into Kagome's arms.

She couldn't move. She couldn't think. All she knew was she had just seen Inuyasha being gravely hurt…His blood falling onto the ground…onto her…Tears filled her eyes…and then her vision went pink.

Kagome screamed in fury as a pink flash came from her, surging straight for Naraku. The pink light enveloped him, dissolving his body. Even as he died, Naraku went with a smirk of triumph on his face. The Shikon no Tama, which had been spattered with Naraku's blood, now fell to the ground with a plink…still the deep purple it had been in Naraku's hands, and it rolled until it stopped in another pool of blood; Inuyasha's.

No one knew what to say. Naraku had been defeated, finally defeated. Yet everyone there would have given anything not to see what had occurred afterwards. After her sudden release of power, Kagome fell back to her knees, still clutching Inuyasha in her arms, his head resting in her lap. She didn't understand what had made her do that, something she had never done before. She had thought that she couldn't use her miko powers because of the baby, but when she saw what happened to Inuyasha…it just happened. She didn't feel anything, besides a little drained on power, but now was not the time to worry about that.

Inuyasha's eyes were still closed. Kagome glanced back at the numerous wounds to his body…holes of varying sizes through his stomach and chest. He had been hurt before in those ways, but never all at once. And even more, he had been hit with Naraku's tentacles, the very same ones that carried poison in them…the poison that had killed Kagura years before.

Panicking, Kagome said, "Inuyasha…please, Inuyasha, open your eyes!" He didn't respond, and the tears that had been building grew only bigger. "Inuyasha, come on, Inuyasha! Wake up, Inuyasha!" she cried, shaking his shoulders slightly.

Thankfully, he responded, opening his eyes to see a crying Kagome above him. "Ka…gome?" he asked, his breathing labored. "You're safe…"

She nodded. "That's right, Inuyasha…I…I killed him using my powers…"

"You what?" he looked shocked. And to Kagome's surprise, he suddenly reached a shaking hand up to touch her bulging belly above him. She didn't understand why when he felt the baby kick against him, safe and sound, he sighed and removed his hand.

The baby's safe…he thought, not understanding why it would have survived such a thing, if miko powers were supposed to have killed it. But he wasn't going to be complaining. Inuyasha suddenly coughed, and felt immense pain as he did…while a trickle of blood fell down his chin.

"Inuyasha, come on, we have to get you some help!" Kagome cried, her face looking more scared. "We need to get you out of here…you need to be—"

"Kagome…" he said, looking in her eyes, trying to make her understand. He slowly reached his hand up, but it seemed he didn't quite have the strength to reach her face. Kagome helped him by taking it and placing it gently against her cheek, his destination. "Kagome…thank you…"

The tear that had been forming in her eye fell onto his cheek. "What do you mean, Inuyasha?" she asked in a watery voice. "Don't talk like that…we'll get you some help….we just need to—"

"Kagome," he cut in, telling her more firmly. "You don't…I can't…" Inuyasha took a shaking breath before giving a slight cough once more, and then returning to gaze into her tear-filled brown eyes. "I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise."

Kikyou, who had finally caught up to them on the plateau, gasped as she saw Inuyasha, in Kagome's arms, and the pool of blood around him. I was too late…

Sesshoumaru, who also saw what had happened, sighed and reached for Tenseiga at his hip. But unlike other times when he used the sword, it did not respond as it should. He understood in a moment. Naraku's shouki destroys the body from the inside out…he remembered Kagura, and how he had been unable to save her as well. It does not give a place for the soul to be returned to…He knew his brother had been hurt protecting his mate and their unborn child…much like their father had died for Inuyasha and his mother. Perhaps…you are more like Father than I would have thought.

Miroku had been coaxed back awake by Shippou, and noticing the somber air, could have guessed what had happened. Sango noticed he was conscious again, and suddenly ran into his arms, crying while he held her close, comforting her while they internally mourned for their friend. Even Kouga, who had claimed to hate Inuyasha, looked on him with pity…and held the wish that Naraku could have been killed before this had happened.

"Inuyasha," Kagome cried, more tears falling down her face. "Inuyasha please…I need you, Inuyasha…please don't say you'll go!"

Inuyasha's amber eyes still looked at her with their softness as he told her, "Kagome…thank you."

"For what, Inuyasha?" she asked, in a sobbing voice.

"You gave me something I never thought I would have had…" He took another rattling breath before continuing. "You gave me trust…friendship…love…and a family…" he said, his eyes glancing at their baby resting beneath her stomach. "You gave me more than I deserve…thank you."

Kagome burst into tears, yelling, "You stupid jerk! Why do you have to do this? Inuyasha…I can't…I can't live without you!"

"Kagome…you're the strongest person I know…" he whispered, a small smile forming on his face. "You can live…you know it. I can't imagine how hard but…please, live…for me…"

Tears continued to roll down her cheeks in torrents as she sobbed, "Inu…yasha…I need you…"

Inuyasha closed his eyes for a moment, cringing in pain before looking back into her crying face. "Kagome…promise me, you'll live on. You'll…raise our child. Please, Kagome…"

She nodded, "I promise, Inuyasha…" She looked down, and noticed that the hand resting on his chest was getting stained with blood, his blood. She gasped a moment, before repeating, "I promise…"

"Good," he sighed, his hand falling back to be caught in hers. He closed his eyes for a moment, scaring her, before he opened them again. It was getting harder for him to speak. "I'll always…watch over you, Kagome…I…love…you…"

His amber eyes had turned dull, losing the life that they were so full of. Kagome gave a final sob as she clutched her hands around him, leaning forward and kissing him, one last time. She felt him close his eyes and respond for a moment, trying to savor the feeling for as long as he could.

Until at last she pulled away, feeling his hand go limp in hers.

"Inuyasha?" she asked, timidly, her whole body trembling when he didn't respond. "Inuyasha…" she asked again, reality hit her when he lay unmoving. Her face showed the pain she was holding in for only a moment, until she gave a tiny sob, then burst into tears, falling on Inuyasha's body and giving a cry of anguish, "Inuyasha!"

All the while the wind swept through the valley, blowing the hanyou's silver hair along with Kagome's dark tresses, as she continued to cry all the pain in her heart—flying, one last time.