OMG, you guys, I'm so sorry this has taken me so long to post. I hope you love it, because it took me forever to do, and I'm experimenting with looking at three parallelp points of view for most of the story, so I had to make sure it was fluent. I'm sure that once my beta gets this chappie, you need to give him UNDUE thanks, because he makes it readable for you guys. It was difficult to write, and it should be smooth sailing from here on out, and into Blood Heritage!
OOOOOH, AND I HIT 500 REVIEWS! I WANTED A MIN OF 200 FOR THIS STORY! THANKS SO MUCH GUYS!
V.IMPORTANT: Last time I'm gonna say anything about the Cassius incident. I'm gonna say this once and once only. I'm trying to enjoy this story too much to take this argument any further. I won't waste time insulting Cassius, however much I feel like it, simply because said flamer isn't worth the time, effort or story space. I don't care about the comments some people make about the story, cause not everyone's going to like it. That's life. But when you personally attack me, not the story, which is what I want people's opinion on, things upgrade to a whole new level. I will not be insulted on the turf of my own story, which I greatly love, and if it's not being too bigheaded, other people do as well. Cassius didn't even outline a single reason why Caught in the Flash was so "boring" and "cliched". That is the only reason I'm writing this. Simply because it was so very unnecessary. I'd like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for supporting me through this little crisis. It means a hell of a lot, guys.
A final word of advice to Cassius: I won't dignify your sorry ass with anything more than this note. Just stay the fuck away from my story, and my readers, who I'm sure don't appreciate being called, ditzy empty-headed fangirls. They have done nothing but enjoy my story, and you have the fucking nerve to insult them for that. Maybe, Cassius, if you're sad enough to be reading this, you should write and succeed in your own damn stories before bitching on mine. I almost pity you. But then again, pity's better spent on those who deserve it, don't you think?
I DO NOT WANT TO HEAR ANY MORE FROM ANYONE ON THIS TOPIC, OKAY? IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT I'VE JUST WRITTEN ABOVE, FINE, LET ME KNOW, BUT NO MORE AFTER THIS CHAPTER, OKAY? Thank you xxx
SPECIAL THANKS TO: Togu, Wolfgirl21 (x 2 for both of her lovely reviews!), Inu Youkai Wanna Be (especially for her insight on this), littleduck, Inuyasha D2K, Fallen-Angel-101 4ever, Pure Rain, angelfan2000, Laetita Messi (for encouraging Blood Heritage on as well, I am SO over the moon about that, you wouldn't believe), Decedi, inuyashalover15, BrokeHisFace, Lord Sesshoumarue, Moony, DymondB and jezebelsmua. If I forgot anyone who also offered support, let me know, and you'll get an extra BIG mention in the next AN, okay?
OH YES, AND V.IMPORTANT! MY BETA, DA KILLAH, IS ACTUALLY A GUY! I GOT IT WRONG, BUT HE DID LET ME KNOW, AND I'M LETTING YOU KNOW OUT OF RESPECT FOR HIM, OKAY! HE IS A GUY!
THERE IS NOW AN OFFICIAL BAN ON ANY FLAMES FOR ME. ANY MORE, AND I'LL BE FORCED TO DISABLE THE WHOLE PRIVATE MESSAGING THING, WHICH I'D REALLY RATHER NOT DO, CONSIDERING SO MANY OF MY READERS KEEP IN TOUCH THAT WAY. I'LL JUST DELETE THE REVIEWS AS WELL. THIS WHOLE FIASCO CAN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.
On a lighter note, I'd like to warn you guys of a few things before this chapter starts. I have twisted the point of the Shikon no Tama a little, but I think you'll like it. Also, no one will die. Honest. Well, except the evil people, but that was a given. Second, in reference to the bargain waaaaay back in Chapter 1, those loose ends have been left purposely, to provide material for the epilogue. This really is the penultimate chapter, though. So please, enjoy it!
Definitions (just so everybody gets it.)
Hanyou – half demon
Youkai- demon
Katana – sword
Miko – priestess
Otouto – little brother
Aniki – big brother
Koi/Koishii – love, dear, any term of endearment you want!
Otou-san – father
Okaa-san - mother
Chapter 22: Armageddon II
Inuyasha whirled around, his Tessaiga gleaming in the dark light of the dungeon as the crow oni attacked.
A particularly large oni, feathers grimy and sharp, descended on Sango's head, eliciting a shriek from the slayer as it attempted to tear off her anti-poison mask. Sango fumbled for a knife as the oni flapped mercilessly in her eyes.
As Sango tussled in her own battle, Inuyasha observed as he dodged the bombing of the oni; everyone else had their own battles to fight. Miroku was beating off the oni as they came with his staff, valiantly trying to get closer to Sango so his shield would extend onto her.
Ayame and Kouga were fighting off about twenty of the smaller oni, who were pecking and cawing malevolently as they continued to inflict tiny wounds on the two wolf youkai. Ayame had already pulled out her nine-tails and was using it fiercely, pulling the oni down to the ground, stunning them as fast as she could. Kouga clawed bravely, throwing as many to the floor as he could.
Sesshoumaru had almost half the flock of oni upon him, almost lifting him off the floor with the strength of their attack. They must have sensed his power, Inuyasha thought as he paled a little with worry for his aniki. Suddenly, with a guttural yelp as one oni clearly bit a sharp spot, Sesshoumaru stopped attempting to shoot the swift demons and swept Tokijin from the scabbard at his hip, slashing wildly through the air. A whoosh of cold air seemed to sweep through the room as the oni combusted. Sesshoumaru shot Inuyasha a triumphant, but tired grin as he continued his onslaught.
Inuyasha remained mentally paralyzed, his body working on autopilot to avoid the oni claws. All he could hear was flapping and squawking, terrified shrieks breaking through the din, a cacophony of noise. It was in that moment that Inuyasha realized what could truly be at stake. His friends could die here. And, Inuyasha thought with resolution, he was fucked if he wasn't gonna do something to stop it. Inuyasha sprang into action.
"KAZE NO KIZU!" Inuyasha bellowed into the chaos, raising the newly-transformed Tessaiga in an attack against the oni plucking at his hair, his ears, his face. In a huge flash of red light, there was momentary silence as the several oni circling Inuyasha dissipated with almighty shrieks of anger.
Inuyasha was left panting heavily in the aftermath of his attack, everyone else oni-free now that Inuyasha had destroyed them. The dust settled around them, the scent of death hanging in the atmosphere. The large stone room was entirely empty but for Inuyasha and his family.
Sango was the first to speak.
"That was pretty, Inuyasha." She quipped as she stood slowly, getting her breath back.
"Pretty?" Inuyasha scoffed. "I don't do pretty! It's a man sword!" he insisted.
"Alright, alright, before we get even more immature," Miroku interrupted, sweeping feathers of his shoulders, "Let's figure out where we go next."
"Up." Ayame said simply, pointing towards the ceiling.
"If only it were that easy..." Kouga grumbled, pulling an oni talon from his bicep, swiping the blood from the wound.
"No, but it is." Ayame repeated, looking up.
"You're not even blond, sweetie, you remember how long it took us just to get to the other side of the damned basement?" Sango said, putting an arm around the insistent youkai.
"But honest, it is that easy!" Ayame repeated, looking at Sango seriously.
"Okay," Sesshoumaru began, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "If we follow the scent of Kagome's blood, we should manage to reach upstairs, but there's no telling what else Kikyou could have up her sleeve. Odds are, due to the geographical location in relation to the solar position in the room, there'll be sensors, because we haven't had those since the seventh sector of that labyrinth, and we're due some. This way, if we go in with the throwing stars, Rin can use the laptop to pinpoint the motion sensors which I'm sure are placed strategically around, and – "
"OH!" Sango gasped suddenly, catching Ayame's drift.
"What?" Sesshoumaru asked, mad at being interrupted.
"Sesshoumaru, stop talking, because a) no one's listening, b) no one understands and c) there's an elevator." Sango replied.
"You what?" Sesshoumaru asked disbelievingly, his jaw dropping.
"She's right, Fluffy. It's highly guarded and kind of hard to see, but it's there." Rin chirped happily through the earpiece plugged into Sesshoumaru.
"Shut up!" Sesshoumaru said, incensed at the total dissolution of his amazing plan.
"Yeah, it's just there, in that crevice." Sango pointed, focusing everyone's gaze.
"Fine, so maybe it is." Sesshoumaru conceded.
"But, it can't be this easy..." Inuyasha said, walking slowly up to the elevator and reaching out to touch it cautiously.
Instantly, Inuyasha was rewarded by a bolt of electricity traveling through his body at hyperspeed, rattling his bones in a moment of blindness. It was over almost as soon as it begun. The room held its breath as Inuyasha coughed spasmodically, clearing smoke from his lungs as his pupils swam in and out.
"Well, thanks for demonstrating that, Inuyasha." Kouga quipped, carefully helping the sparking man up.
Sesshoumaru merely cocked an eyebrow at Inuyasha's wheezing, and turned back to the elevator, thinking hard.
"Rin, how many security measures are on this thing?" he asked, holding the earpiece.
"Well, there's the electric jolt current, as Inuyasha's so kindly found out, three steel fences, a loaded bazooka...no, five loaded bazookas, and another electric barrier!" Rin replied chirpily, her light voice crackling through the earpieces.
"Okay...I say we sacrifice Inuyasha, and carry on without him!" Miroku said brightly, interrupting the silence.
Inuyasha growled amidst his heaving breaths.
"So, smartass, what's the best way to get through this one?" Sango snapped, eyeing Sesshoumaru venomously.
"Excuse me, bitch, I don't see you and your huge ass hunk of wood doing anything to solve the situation!" Sesshoumaru replied, stalking up to Sango, eyes narrowed.
"Oi, stay away from her!" Miroku stepped inbetween the pair. "One demon attack per day!" Miroku yelled, glancing Inuyasha's way.
"I apologized already, jackass!" Inuyasha snapped back, wrestling Miroku round to face him, eyes ablaze.
"GUYS, GUYS, GUYS!" Ayame shouted.
"WHAT?" The red-faced people chorused, breathing hard.
"I know this hasn't damn well been easy, okay?" Ayame started, staring the group down. "But we're here to save Kagome! Not to fight and possibly alert Kikyou to our presence even more! I have to say, I'm disgusted with this childish behavior. Miroku, stop trying to piss Inuyasha off, he just lost brain cells to a wall, he's feeling pretty damn stupid anyway! Sango, don't challenge Sesshoumaru! I know you're both of the leader-ish type, especially in this kind of situation. Try the whole teamwork crap! Play to each other's strengths and whatnot!"
Ayame's tirade halted momentarily as Rin spoke to her. "Sorry Lieutenant Rin, they are not in any way romantically linked. At all." Ayame said sheepishly, rolling her eyes.
"Oh yeah, and I've unlocked the security measures." Ayame finished, irritation emanating from her, as she disconnected from Rin.
"You what?" Sango said, confusion marring her features.
"I – unlocked – the – security – measures." Ayame spelled out sarcastically.
"How?" Sesshoumaru asked incredulously.
"I input the password." Ayame said simply.
"And you knew that, how?" Sango asked, standing next to Sesshoumaru.
"I guessed." Ayame replied, shrugging.
"What is it?" Inuyasha asked, dragging his claws through his hair to diffuse the worst knots.
"I'm not sure I should tell you." Ayame said, a sly smile perking up the corners of her mouth.
"Why the fuck not?" Inuyasha asked suspiciously, eyes narrowing.
"Cause, it's a little funny!" Ayame replied.
"Do tell, then. Everyone likes a good joke!" Inuyasha bit out, crossing his arms.
"Well, there were a couple of clues underneath the panel over there," Ayame indicated. "Evidently in case Kikyou ever needed a little help. And the clues were your name Inuyasha, and well, Intimate Time, with a little thumbs down sign after it. We'll just say there was a little graphic imagery as well. So I put two and two together, and input the password."
"Which was..." Inuyasha prompted, still not getting it all the way, despite paling in anticipation.
"Jeremy sucks." Ayame quipped, fleeing to hide behind Sango.
Inuyasha blushed hotly, and pursed his lips, his fists curling into his palms. His entire body trembled with indignation as his left ear twitched madly atop his head.
"Okay?" Miroku asked tentatively.
Inuyasha didn't reply, but walked purposefully into the elevator, and pushed the only button without warning, a face made of stone. Everyone else dashed into the elevator, aware that Inuyasha didn't care whether or not it left without them right now.
Once everyone was in, Inuyasha smirked, with a cocky eyebrow, and said, "You mess with him, you mess with me. The bitch is going down..."
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Kikyou grunted as she pushed the last coffee table to the sides of the room, sweeping her sweaty bangs from her face.
Dressed in black fingerless gloves, a tight black wifebeater, black drainpipes with her trademark black leather spike heel boots on over them, Kikyou was dressed for combat. Her shiny dark hair was scraped back into a high ponytail, the hair swinging gently down to her waist. Dark eye make up accentuated her face, and she looked formidable.
She sat on the coffee table she had just moved, and put her hands on her knees, getting her breath back. And gathering together her scattered thoughts.
She cast her steely gaze around the room, the great old-fashioned banquet hall that was now nothing more than an expanse of polished, dark mahogany flooring. The emptiness, the silence filled the room more loudly than anything Kikyou had ever heard.
Her locked elbows shook as she tried to clear her head, tried to clear the thoughts of bloodshed, heartbreak and death she felt tonight would bring.
This was what Kikyou's life, Kikyou's existence had come to. After years in London, bending to her perverted father's every degrading request, after watching the corrupt family, the only one she had ever known, dissolve before her very eyes, she had needed someone to blame. Anyone, anyone but her father. Anyone. Despite all he had forced her to do, despite the nightmares she still had, recalling every incident of abuse he'd put her under. She loved him. She did. Kikyou's eyes hardened.
Her mommy had always told her she was a daddy's girl at heart. And if there was one thing Kikyou hated herself for every day for, and yet embraced with her entire being, it was that she loved her daddy. She loved her daddy very much.
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"For fuck's sake, Kasha, I cannot keep doing this much longer!" Kagome insisted, wringing the water out of her hair, past caring how unhygienic that was.
"Well, it's not like you have a choice, sweetie," Kasha said soothingly, from her place between Kagome's spread knees. She got up and walked to the head of the bed.
"I know, but..." Kagome sighed, closing her eyes tightly. "I feel like Inuyasha should be here. I don't want this baby to arrive if he's not here to see it. I feel guilty." Kagome admitted, changing her nightdress as best she could for the fifth time today. Pulling on lightweight pink cotton short dress, Kagome lifted her head to Kasha, searching for answers.
"Kagome, please, don't start feeling that this was your fault. Because God knows, it isn't. It really isn't." Kasha said, stroking Kagome's damp cheek.
"Besides, I thought I should warn you, they're getting closer." Kasha said, grinning brightly.
"How do you know? Your youkai's still trapped in the bracelet." A perplexed Kagome asked.
"No force on earth can take away the innate sixth sense every demon has, sweetie. I reckon we've got about five minutes. Ten tops." Kasha said, chewing her lip solemnly.
"Ten minutes before all hell breaks loose." Kagome stated. "Ten minutes before a life changing battle begins. Ten minutes before the lives of almost everyone I care about are endangered. Ten minutes before Inuyasha fights a miko and her psychotic father to the death, and I am laying on my ass, thrusting a toaster-sized hanyou out of me? God, I hate my life." Kagome muttered darkly, her eyes squeezing together tightly as the next contraction shot through her system.
"Kagome, listen to me." Kasha said, chuckling dryly at Kagome's outburst. "Listen. When they arrive downstairs, I will go and get Inuyasha to release me. Then, whilst the battle goes on down there, I'll take you to someplace safe, understand?"
"No." Kagome replied instantly, looking at Kasha as though she was crazy.
"What do you mean, no?" Kasha asked, mopping Kagome's brow, holding her hand through the waves of pain.
"No!" Kagome repeated. "I won't just leave him here. If this kid is any relation to Inuyasha's, it'll be able to stand up to a little miko shockwave!"
"But it might not just be that, Kagome! You have to think about the baby's safety, first and foremost!" Kasha argued, becoming irritated.
"Are you suggesting I abandon my mate for my baby? How can you even ask me to make that decision, Kasha?" Kagome asked disbelievingly.
"I'm not asking. I'm making it for you!" Kasha replied, pacing anxiously. They were getting closer, she knew it.
"I'm not a child! Don't make decisions like this for me! I want to stay! Maybe I can help in some way, but I won't leave him. If...if..." Kagome faltered, tears welling in her eyes.
"If what, Kagome?" Kasha asked, cooling her temper on seeing Kagome's tears.
"If...if something were to happen to him...I want to be here. I don't want to hear it from somebody else." Kagome whispered brokenly, trembling as the last pain waves washed away from her.
"Are you sure? Because if that's what you want, you'll have to wait. You've still got another centimeter to go before you're fully dilated, and even then, you've gotta push." Kasha stated, eyes sad.
"But I'll be here. I'll be here for him, and that's all that matters." Kagome said, conviction lacing her tone.
"Are you sure?" Kasha asked.
"I've never been surer of anything in myy..." The last world trailed off into a high pitched scream as the worst contraction yet tore through Kagome's womb, a gush of blood coming from between her legs.
"AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
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"AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Inuyasha's blood ran cold as his ears flattened instinctively against his head. Kagome's scream.
As he swiftly picked his way across the laser beamed hall Kikyou had laid out, Inuyasha kept his eyes on the obnoxious sign on the door ahead : Inuyasha and the Gang,The Battle Awaits!
He looked back carefully, checking that no one had gotten injured on the way towards what was evidently the battle hall. After seeing everybody make their way across the hall, Inuyasha let his thoughts drift back to the issue at hand. Here he was, about to have a huge showdown with his psychotic ex-girlfriend whilst his current mate was having their first pup upstairs. See, under any other circumstances, this would've been funny. Real Jerry Springer material. But not only was he entirely confused as to why Kikyou would do this to him after all this time, but he was worried about his family's welfare too. He could smell blood, sweat and tears from upstairs, all of it Kagome's. Not only was he worrying about her, he was worried about the people he so valued walking behind him.
Inuyasha exhaled as he crawled under the lowest in a line of flashing red lasers, lost in thought, his lithe body working on autopilot.
Not one of them had complained or protested when he enlisted their help in this. They must have known they would be risking their very lives for him and Kagome, and their pup, and yet not a word of reluctance sprung from any of them. Not even from Kouga, or Sesshoumaru, who could be prone to hissy fits when asked to do favors, Inuyasha thought wryly. He realized, there and then, as he somersaulted over a particularly high beam, that he valued these people behind him, second only to Kagome.
Inuyasha's thoughts were interrupted as he hopped the final laser and stood in front of two foreboding wooden doors, complete with obnoxious sign. He looked behind him, waiting impatiently for the others to catch up. He had a few things to say before they went in, and he wasn't going to waste time doing it.
"This is it, then." Sesshoumaru said, nodding somberly as he was the first to leap the last laser.
"I guess." Inuyasha replied softly. "Wait here, I have something I gotta say to you guys."
"Holy fuck, Inuyasha about to make a meaningful contribution that isn't cursing out of his mouth; bring on the apocalypse." Sesshoumaru quipped, grinning lopsidedly at his otouto.
"Shut up." Inuyasha replied listlessly, waiting for Sango to help Miroku over the final beam.
"We're all here, guys. This is it." Sango said, unconsciously echoing Sesshoumaru.
"And I have something to say." Inuyasha said, sighing.
He looked around his odd little group, dressed in fitted black garments from head to toe. He smirked as he remembered Rin's little comment about refusing to have ugly soldiers in her regiment.
"Do tell, Obi Wan." Miroku said, joking weakly.
"Fine, Skywalker, I will." Inuyasha replied. He took a deep breath.
"I just wanted you to know that...that it means a lot to me that you're prepared to risk your lives just for me and Kagome, and that I appreciate what it is you're doing. I promise I won't let you down." Inuyasha said quietly, refusing to make eye contact with anyone in the ensuing silence.
"That's it?" Ayame asked, quirking an eyebrow as she smiled.
"The big, epic speech you had us all geared up for?" Kouga said, smirking.
"Think of it this way, he's never said anything even close to this before, so appreciate it while we still can." Sesshoumaru reasoned, patting Inuyasha on the shoulder.
This brought home the reality that there was a chance, however slim, that there wouldn't be eight people and a baby returning to Inuyasha's mansion tomorrow.
Just before the gang made their grand entrance, a shadow crossed Inuyasha's eyeline, and he turned aggressively, brandishing Tessaiga above his head.
"Show yourself!" He commanded.
"Inuyasha, you ass, it's only me." Kasha whispered, appearing from a tiny window none of the others had been small enough to get through.
"Shit, where were you?" Inuyasha asked incredulously.
"I've been with Kagome." Kasha asked. " I need you to do something for me."
"How is she? How's the pup? She hasn't had it yet, has she? Is it a boy? Is it a girl? Is it healthy? Can she – " Inuyasha asked, babbling at the confused youkai.
"What is wrong with you?" Kasha asked, cocking an eyebrow in amazement.
"What the fuck did you want, bitch?" Inuyasha grumbled, reddening under the teasing gazes of his companions.
"I need you to remove this youkai sealing bracelet. It'll mean you'll have someone extra to stay with Kagome and protect her adequately." Kasha asked, holding out her wrist.
"I thought you smelled weird. How come you can't remove it?" Kouga piped up.
"Only a hanyou can, Kikyou fixed it like that. She figured you'd be too tied up with her to free me." Kasha replied.
"Fine." Inuyasha said, effortlessly slicing the bangle down the middle.
Kasha's youkai surged, surrounding her in a red glow as her ears and real hair color returned, her teeth and nails lengthened into fangs and claws and the super muscles reappeared in her limbs.
"Okay, you get your ass back up and watch Kagome, she's hurting again." Inuyasha commanded.
"Good luck, you guys." Kasha said, smiling hopefully at the gang, before leaping to the window and scaling the wall back up to Kagome's room.
And with that, Inuyasha and the gang prepared for the battle of a lifetime.
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"Naraku, they're outside the door." Kikyou said coldly into her slim silver cellphone, aware of the hanyou's presence outside the door.
"Good. I will be there in a short while. I trust you and the oni can hold them off until I am there, with the Shikon, correct?"
"Of course." Kikyou agreed in a clipped tone.
"Kikyou dear, don't be so cold to your own father!" Naraku admonished greasily. "After all, he will be the most powerful hanyou on the planet after tonight!"
"Screw you, Dad - Naraku." Kikyou said, kicking herself for making the slip up again. She would never get over him if she didn't stop acknowledging him as her father...
"But you already do, my dear. And very well, might I add." Naraku replied, more lecherously than Miroku ever could.
Kikyou hung up, shuddering in shame and indignation.
However, she wasn't allowed to wallow in it long, for five seconds later, Inuyasha and Co. appeared in the doorway, ready for the ultimate battle.
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Kagome looked at the Shikon no Tama, clutching the sparkling pink jewel in her hand as she held it in her sweaty fingers.
Could Naraku touch the jewel if it was already purified? No. Unless she died, of course. And if she was smart, she'd purify it now, that way Inuyasha and the guys would be in with a chance of winning. Right? Right? Kagome then realized that no one was around to confirm her logic.
Silently, Kagome decided to try it. Clutching the jewel tightly in her right fist, Kagome focused inwards, pulling out her own innate power. A pink glow emanated from the jewel, engulfing Kagome's entire form. Sounds like wind chimes seemed to ring through the room as the jewel was purified.
Kagome took a deep breath as the light of her aura faded around her and her miko became dormant once more. She couldn't be sure if she'd done the right thing, but then again, as the next contraction slammed into her, thinking became impossible anyway.
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"Fancy seeing you here, Inuyasha!" Kikyou said, a mask of bravado covering her quaking insides.
"Cut the crap, Kikyou." Inuyasha bit out in reply, slamming the mahogany doors behind him.
"Fine. I see you brought your little people with you." Kikyou quipped, raising an eyebrow coldly. "Nice to see you again, Sesshoumaru."
Sesshoumaru growled, a vein in his forehead popping fiercely.
"Kikyou, before we start, I'm gonna ask why. And if I don't get an honest answer, I swear to Kami I will slice you open from top to toe." Inuyasha growled, pulling Tessaiga from the scabbard at his hip.
"Inu, Inu, Inu..." Kikyou said patronizingly, pushing the oni summon button she had attached to her shirt subtly.
"Don't call me that." Inuyasha snapped harshly, golden eyes flashing.
"Don't you understand that I can't let you get away with screwing my life over? Again?" Kikyou said incredulously, yanking two pistols from the holster strapped to her back. "Do you think that you can breeze in here with your minions and high-tech weapons and destroy me? Think again, asshole, because you're not getting out of here alive." Kikyou finished menacingly, allowing her heartbreak to turn to rage.
"Kikyou, I did as you fucking well asked! I released you, to London, with your family, just as you asked! What could I have fucking well done, bitch? You tell me, because I sure as hell don't know!" Inuyasha yelled back, stepping closer to Kikyou.
"Didn't exactly consider the knock on effects of what you were doing though, did you? You, you and that whore you had for a mother – " Kikyou was cut off as Inuyasha angrily backhanded her across the face, his cheeks flaming red in fury.
"Don't talk about my mother. You have no right on this earth to discuss her." Inuyasha snarled, following Kikyou's form as she rose from the floor.
"Well, the way I see it, it was an eye for an eye," Kikyou replied, the slightest quiver lacing her voice. She knew she was talking bullshit, and every word was killing her. She could feel Naraku's hold slowly loosening, now she was face to face with Inuyasha.
"Why?" Inuyasha asked.
"My mother recently committed suicide. Hanged herself. Minutes before I arrived to take her on a little field trip out of the mental health institution we had to put her in after she found out about the affair." Kikyou said in clipped, matter-of-fact tones.
"But...That was not my fucking fault! You dealt your fucked-up punishment! You screwed me over for a decade! How is that not enough?" Inuyasha asked incredulously, golden eyes wide.
"Revenge never gets old, Inu-kun." Kikyou smirked coldly. "And I'm done talking. Bring it on."
Before Inuyasha could muster a reply, the skies seemed to split above him as a rain of oni fell onto the group. This time, it wasn't just crow oni. Oh no. This was the fucking Bronx Zoo of oni. There were leopard oni, pig oni, every variety of oni under the sun, and each one was making a beeline for Inuyasha and his friends.
And with that, they all broke into action. Claws flew, whips stung, speed flamed and the battle for their lives burst into full swing.
Kikyou soared above the group, watching the chaotic battle go on beneath her, held aloft by her soul stealers. Though making sure Inuyasha could hear every peal of her vicious laughter, tears flowed steadily down her face, smearing her jet-black eyeliner.
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"Sweetie, you haven't got long, really you don't," Kasha coached, shooting a tired smile from between Kagome's trembling knees.
"I can hear the screaming, Kasha. People are hurting, she's hurting them..." Kagome moaned as she screwed up her eyes in pain.
"I know she is, but they'll get through it, I know they won't have let her beat them just yet." Kasha replied surely.
"I...I can't be here...doing this...I have to...to help them..." Kagome stuttered, moving her stiff limbs gingerly.
"What do you MEAN you can't be here doing this? You're giving birth to Inuyasha's firstborn, and you don't have TIME?" Kasha rounded on Kagome angrily, regardless of her condition. "I don't know about you, but I'll bet that Inuyasha figures that delivering his child safely is more important than sacrificing this baby and having to protect you, because you're in no shape to walk, let alone battle." Kasha snapped.
"But...I need...I need to get the jewel to him...This Naraku...I don't want anyone hurt over it...I need Inuyasha to...to give it to him..." Kagome panted.
"But the jewel is the last thing you want him to get. Him plus unpurified jewel equals world domination, there is NO giving it to him!" Kasha responded.
"What if I told you that I'd...I'd found the power to purify it...the jewel, I mean?" Kagome said, smiling a tiny smile at the look of disbelief on Kasha's face.
"But...you don't have that kind of power, not yet anyway." Kasha replied, cocking a suspicious brow.
"But what if I did?" Kagome asked, grinning a little more.
"If you did, then Naraku would be unable to touch the jewel but it would still be volatile in the wrong hands and need guarding with your life. It's better than this situation though. Kami Kagome, have you really purified the Shikon no Tama?" Kasha asked hopefully.
"I think I have." Kagome replied tiredly, yet happily.
"Keep it close, okay, and don't move until it's necessary." Kasha said, sobriety lacing her tone instead of excitement.
"Why?" Kagome asked incredulously.
"We need Inuyasha to get as far ahead as he can without having to use the jewel. Remember, in the right hands, this jewel could change this world for the better. We don't want to have to waste it on scum like this Naraku guy." Kasha pointed out reasonably.
"So, all I can do is keep this, until he comes for me?" Kagome stated with defeat, too tired to argue with Kasha anymore.
"I think that's the best course of action, sweetheart." Kasha said, pulling on her eighth pair of latex gloves.
"Kasha, this is getting soooo repetitive..." Kagome moaned sarcastically as yet another contraction rose in her belly.
"You don't say, sweetpea, you don't say..." Kasha replied.
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Sango grunted as she swiftly reloaded her small pistol, crouching under the onslaught of the wild youkai.
She and the other had been fighting for almost thirty minutes now, and the going was tough, but not too tough, she figured.
As she roared in anger as a leopard oni attempted to pounce on her from behind, only to be shot swiftly, Sango's heart began to race.
The taijiya blood in her meant that she wasn't one to buckle in the face of danger, but her pulse echoed noisily in her ears as she searched for Miroku. Panic rose in her chocolate eyes as she searched for him among the flurry of feathers and fur in her way.
Glimpsing him, Sango ducked and dived five crow oni heading her way. If this was the last time they would be together, in case the worst was to happen, she would fight by his side, the way it was meant to be. And if Kikyou, some bitch she didn't even KNOW, thought she could stop her, she had another fucking thing coming.
"Hey, babe!" Miroku said with false cheer, as he used his staff to wallop a few buzzard oni hurtling into Ayame.
"Sorry!" He yelled, as Ayame yelped in surprise at the stunned oni hitting her in the back.
"How're...you...holding...up?" Sango panted, inbetween impaling a tiger youkai on her longest carving knife.
She marveled at how easily slaughter had come to her and her friends, despite none of them having a real killer instinct. Maybe that's what it was like when you were fighting for your life.
"Oh...just...dandy, considering...there's some maniacal crazed freak hanging out above our heads...watching as we get mauled by bloodthirsty youkai for kicks...I'm fine!" Miroku said, putting up a shield around them as he stopped to reload and catch his breath a little.
Sango chuckled as several flying oni smacked into the barrier and slid down to the floor, dazed.
"Well, well, well, for someone who was a vegetarian for five years, only stopping due to an intense craving for burgers until you were forced to kill and make your own, you're sure enjoying the bloodbath..." Miroku said, grinning as he raised a quizzical eyebrow.
"Well, I was just thinking about that. Don't you find it gets easier after the first few kills?" Sango asked, wiping oni blood off her forehead.
"I suppose..." Miroku half-heartedly agreed. "Just...just don't let this change you, okay Sango? I couldn't be more proud to be with a taijiya, but I fell in love with who you are, not who killing would make you." Miroku finished quietly, staring at the floor.
Sango was silent for a long moment.
She looked back, and remembered the freakish rollercoaster their relationship had been. Meeting him, being groped by him, crying over him, making love to him, laughing with him, drinking with him...simply loving him. Sango's eyes filled with tears as she looked at the earnest, strong man she loved.
"Thank you Miroku. Thank you so much. I love you." Sango whispered as she wrapped her arms around him.
The hug ended as quickly as it begun when Miroku's concentration lapsed and the shield dissolved, once more leaving them at the mercy of the relentless oni.
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Unbeknownst to Sango and Miroku however, Inuyasha was on top of the world. He, with his youkai senses, along with Kouga and Sesshoumaru, could sense the thundercloud of youkai dissipating bit by bit in front of them, as more and more bodies littered the ground.
Searing another Wind Scar into the air, obliterating three dozen youkai around him, Inuyasha actually grinned. If this was all Kikyou had to throw at him, he'd have Kagome back in no time. Speaking of Kagome, he thought, the smell of blood was growing stronger. Her time was nearing, and he didn't want to have to miss it.
As Inuyasha continued to cut and slash, automatically destroying anything in his path, he felt a chill creep over his shoulders and down his back.
This wasn't good.
He had to talk to Kikyou.
There was something wrong.
He'd been right when he'd said Kikyou was smarter than this.
There was no way this was all she had for him.
"KIKYOU!" Inuyasha bellowed to the ceiling, as she lounged lazily on her soul carriers, surveying the battle scene below her.
Kikyou froze as she heard Inuyasha's yell. Shit. He knew. Just as well, because Naraku was here, and despite her relaxed position, every fiber in her body radiated anticipation of his nearness. This was going to be huge, and it was coming fast.
Kikyou did something she knew her dear father would approve of. Bowing her head and muttering a small incantation, all of the remaining oni collapsed into dust, blinking away out of sight. In an effort to cheer herself up, she left the bodies. Naraku would prefer to have a playing field between them and him alone.
The gang looked around curiously as the oni simply disintegrated around them, leaving an eerily quiet hall.
Kouga broke the silence, panting softly.
"What the fuck?" he asked no-one in particular.
"Kikyou, what have you done?" Inuyasha asked, hairs on the back of his neck rising rapidly.
"Not her," a deep voice boomed from the entrance doors, "But I."
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Kagome eyes flicked open swiftly as she heard a voice, the words stifled, rumble through the floor beneath her. Suddenly, she was seized by a feeling of nausea that had nothing to do with her labor, and her breathing intensified as the feeling of pure evil washed over her, thick wave after thick wave.
Kagome panted as the heat in the room seemed to close in around her, dizziness reeling her sight. She leaned instinctively over the side of the bed and emptied her stomach into the nearby bowl. Kasha came rushing in, holding Kagome sweat-drenched hair back as she continued to retch.
"Kagome, what's wrong! You're between contractions, you should still be okay!" Kasha exclaimed, face pale with worry.
"It's...It's not the labor, it's...I think Naraku's here, Kasha!" Kagome gasped, her throat raw.
"I know, Kagome, we just have to stay here. Please, that's all we have to do!" Kasha reasoned, seeing the weak determination in Kagome's eyes.
"No, Kasha. You know I won't. I know you know I won't because I know you know me, and knowing me means you know that I know that you know I'm going." Kagome growled angrily, a hint of a chuckle gracing her voice.
"Kagome, don't joke. Not now. I need you to stay here, your baby needs you to stay here, and more than anything else, Inuyasha needs you to stay here." Kasha tried, knowing it would be useless.
"See, that's where you're wrong Kasha. Inuyasha needs the jewel. It's the only way he'll truly defeat Naraku. And I have the jewel. It's not like he gonna call a time out to come up here and get it, so I have to get it to him. I can't let you carry it, because your youkai could be damaged by it. Now I'm thinking about it, Inuyasha's the only one who can use it anyway because his human side lets him at least carry the jewel. Screw it, Kasha, I love you. I'm so sorry, but I have to go. I have to." Kagome said, heaving herself off the bed, pulling her loose nightdress down to her knees again.
"KAGOME!" Kasha yelled, seizing her by the arm. She couldn't let her go, she jsut couldn't.
As Kagome felt Kasha grip her arm, she was suddenly aware that Kasha was an Inuyoukai, and that she was a weak, pregnant miko. What could she do if Kasha really wanted her to stay? Wait, miko...Oh God.
"Kasha, I'm sorry..." Kagome said under her breath, shutting her eyes slowly.
"For- " Kasha started, her sentence immediately cut off as she was engulfed by a pink light and fainted, releasing Kagome.
"I'm sorry..."Kagome repeated, beginning her slow journey downstairs.
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Naraku stood in the doorway, filling it with his sheer height. Long, lustrous black hair flowed down his back, longer than Sesshoumaru's, and he was adorned with furs and robes from top to toe. Purple eyes so much less warm than Miroku's pierced into Inuyasha's, a smirk on the milky face.
"Naraku, I presume?" Sesshoumaru boomed, breaking the silence.
"Give the taiyoukai a cookie." Naraku slithery voice hissed.
"What do you want?" Inuyasha asked bluntly.
"Well, first I want revenge for my baby girl," Naraku began, sickeningly conversationally, looking up at the terrified Kikyou floating above them. "And then, I also want to control the world. And all I need from you, hanyou, is the Shikon no Tama."
"The what?" Inuyasha asked, genuinely confused.
Sesshoumaru's eyes widened as he realized what Naraku was looking for and who was in possession of it.
"It can't be..." Sesshoumaru whispered incredulously.
"Naraku, a) you are a hanyou, and b) how the fuck can you want to wage war to the death against us when we barely know who you are, and we don't know what you want? I thought this fight was between me and Kikyou." Inuyasha asked, surprised at his own calmness and reasoning.
"It is." Naraku agreed, his eyes flashing as he began to grow tentacles underneath his heavy robing. "I'm just intervening to collect what's mine."
"Would you at least tell us what it is?" Sango piped up, stroking Hiraikotsu.
"It is an ancient jewel passed down through a line of powerful mikos, created by a legend I'm sure you have all known. It possesses the power to grant one wish of the owner, whether they be dark or light. In short, it can make anyone the most powerful person in the world. Sadly though, as it was born of a miko's sacrifice, only those with some semblance of human blood may touch it. Sorry, Sesshoumaru, and you, common wolfling."
Kouga growled.
"Your mate has the Shikon, Inuyasha. Did you know that? Did you know the secret behind it?" Naraku asked, stalking closer to the group.
"Fuck you." Inuyasha said simply, unable to formulate a better answer.
"Not you," Naraku began, unable to resist shaming Kikyou this way, "but her, all the time."
A feeling of pain washed through Inuyasha's heart unannounced, a feeling of intense pity for Kikyou spreading through him. Naraku was raping her?
"But," Naraku eyes darkened dangerously as the thick, black tentacles, glistening in the dim light, snuck out at increasing speed from the folds of his furs. "I don't think you have time to worry about that, do you?"
And with that comment hanging in the air, Naraku sent five puppets out, deadly accurate to their targets.
Kikyou continued to cry.
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Kagome whimpered as she reached the next floor down, only five more to go. She had been wracked by several contractions on her way down, and had left a trail of water and blood behind her as she crawled, clutching the Shikon in her fist.
I'm coming, Inuyasha, she thought, I'm coming, baby.
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Kikyou sobbed silently as she watched the frenzied battle unfold below her. Inuyasha slashed at Naraku, disposing of tentacle after tentacle. Sango and Miroku fought as a pair, fending off everything he sent their way. Ayame and Kouga worked as lone wolves, Kouga dodging everyone of Naraku's puppets, leading them away from the others and using himself as bait. Ayame stifled Naraku's tentacles with her nine-tails, effectively rendering him unable to pull them back in to regenerate.
Kikyou surveyed the misery she had caused. The pain, and the hardship. All because she had allowed Naraku to poison her body and her mind. Every day of her life, Kikyou had fully been aware that she was a...a mannequin, a puppet to her father. Her knew just how to pull all her strings. As Kikyou watched her father's eyes flash over the mayhem he was creating, the people he was hurting, the lives he was destroying, Kikyou mentally clipped her strings. Suddenly, a shine went over Kikyou's body as her soul cleansed itself.
She was free from the shackles Naraku had placed on her. At last.
Free to do what was right.
Kikyou leaned down, and searched for her moment of intervention.
She no longer had a daddy. And she was proud of it.
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Inuyasha's breathing was becoming more and more labored as the battle wore on. Everything he seemed to do, he thought brokenly as he kept slashing at Naraku's relentless onslaught, seemed to be so pointless, and so primitive. What was Naraku waiting for? And WHY WAS IT TAKING SO DAMN LONG? And where was Kagome, for that matter? Hang on, was she coming...
Inuyasha's thoughts were swiftly cut off when Naraku wrapped a tentacle around his middle and hoisted him into the air, preparing to toss him into the opposite wall. He winced as his head hit the wall, and he peered at the one on the other side of the room. Now if there was one thing he wasn't hitting, it was THAT.
Inuyasha unleashed a Kaze no Kizu onto the tentacle wrapping itself around his waist, as he squirmed mightily, ignoring Naraku's incessant cackling.
Under the force of his sword, the tentacle disintegrated from around Inuyasha. It was only then he remembered that he was being held fifteen feet in the air by that tentacle. That was now helpfully gone.
Inuyasha yelped as he fell to the ground, expecting to land painfully and heavily on...Sesshoumaru?
"Fluffy, what the hell did you do that for?" Inuyasha spluttered as he disentangled himself from Sesshoumaru.
"I'm sorry, maybe I should have let every bone in your body disintegrate into smithereens once you hit the floor. Shoot, I never knew you were one of those people who don't appreciate LIFE-SAVING ACTS OF BRAVERY from your sibling." Sesshoumaru grumbled, getting up quickly, thankful to the others for tempting Naraku away from them temporarily.
"I mean, you could have gotten hurt, dumbass." Inuyasha said, sticking his tongue out at Sesshoumaru.
"First off, put that creation back where it belongs, and second, you weigh a whole fifty odd pounds less than me? You were more likely to get hurt, fuckwad." Sesshoumary replied, grinning wolfishly, and dissolving back into the fray.
Inuyasha shook his head as she smiled at his aniki, and lost the smile when he smelled his mate coming closer.
The smile was a part of ancient history when there was a bright flash of green light, and he was blinded.
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No...Kikyou thought disbelivingly as Naraku seemed to feed off his enemies' power, and watched his entire body flare green as he sent a huge wave of electricity ricocheting off the walls, shocking everything and everyone below her.
Bolts of colourless shock bounced everywhere, striking everybody. At once, a deafening silence fell across the room in a sheet, as everyone felt their muscles seizing up in pain, unable to scream.
Silent expressions of agony were written on each face Kikyou saw, and it almost broke her heart to see Inuyasha hang onto a wooden statue. However dense she remembered Inuyasha being, he was no idiot. He'd remembered the wood did not let electricity pass through it, and was using it as a shield.
The time was coming near. Naraku was drawing this battle to a close...
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Kagome's lungs burned, hot in her chest. Her stomach heaved with the pressing weight of her unborn child, whose head she could feel between her legs every time she moved.
Yes, she knew this was stupid. Yes, she knew she could die. Yes, she knew her pup could die.
As the physical exhaustion almost threatened to take her over, Kagome was empowered by two things.
Firstly, the jewel that could and would end all this in her right hand, bleeding she was clutching it so tightly.
Secondly, the man fighting for her life in the next room. She was doing a reckless, stupid thing, she knew that. But then again, Kagome thought drowsily as she struggled to push open the heavy mahogany door, where an unnatural silence reigned, that was love, wasn't it?
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"Well, well, well Kikyou, it seems I have overpowered the itty bitty demons." Naraku cooed up towards her.
Kikyou's skin crawled.
"Shocking, I think you missed one." Inuyasha put in, lowering the statue slowly, grasping Tessaiga once more.
"Clever little thing, aren't you, hanyou?" Naraku said, injecting all his venom into the last word.
"That's fucking rich, Naraku, coming from you." Inuyasha scoffed, despite the feeling of terror growing in his stomach. Kagome was coming, and she wasn't doing well.
"You're worse than hanyou. I can't even smell a part of which youkai you are. Not exactly discerning, your parents, were they?" Inuyasha replied coldly, proud of his long word, despite the circumstances.
"You know, half-breed, I was going to toy with your mind a little longer," Naraku hissed, eyes flashing at Inuyasha's insult. "But I think you've just earned yourself a fast track ticket to hell."
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Now was as good a time as any, Kikyou thought. Here goes nothing...
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Kagome's double vision could just make out Inuyasha standing, facing off a threatening, and yet cowardly demon.
Everyone else lay littered around him, and Kagome's blood ran cold. How many of them were still alive?
She loosened her hold on the jewel slightly, aware that there was only one way she could get it to Inuyasha.
Simple and ordinary as it was, it would work, wouldn't it?
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Everything seemed to happen in slow motion after Naraku's snide comment.
Kikyou jumped down from the hold of her soul minions, causing Naraku to turn around, curious.
"I don't think so, Daddy." Kikyou snipped, pegging an arrow to her bow and aiming at Naraku.
Those few second were all Inuyasha needed.
He followed his nose to the nearest door, and he saw the weary, tired, and yet beautiful face of his mate looking happily at him, a smile brighter than the stars on her face.
She held up the jewel, and both their smiles grew wider. Kagome's face crumpled a little in pain as she sat up.
The jewel flew through the air.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Naraku bellowed, reaching for the small pink orb as Inuyasha jumped for it.
A set of claws found the jewel, holding them tightly.
For one demon, all seemed lost for a minute.
The demon looked at his panting mate, looked at his stirring family on the ground, and knew what had to be done.
Kill Naraku with the one thing that could give him world domination.
With a roar of satisfaction, love, anguish and sadness, Inuyasha plunged his Shikon-filled fist into Naraku's chest, in the hole where his heart should have been.
At first, there was nothing.
But then, the event that had taken place seemed to finally register with the universe.
Which then acted as it should.
Naraku's roar of pain increased in volume and length as the pure, white light of Inuyasha and the jewel combined radiated through his bleak, gloomy body, destroying him from the inside out.
And then, in an ironically anti-climatic way, Naraku simply blinked out of sight. The carcasses of his puppets disappeared in blinks, flashes of simplistic white light.
Inuyasha pulled back his fist, now empty.
He smiled as he realized the jewel had fulfilled its real purpose. A true force of good used to destroy of true force of evil.
Inuyasha suddenly realized, that his problems were far from over.
He had a wife who had come from who-knew-where to save the day, and was still giving birth to their first child in the hall, a few stunned/passed-out/semi-coherent friends on the floor, a crazed ex-girlfriend, who seemed to become less crazed as she too saved the day, or more crazed, whichever way you thought about it.
Where the fuck do I start? Inuyasha wondered.
"INUYASHA! You will get your ass over here and you will deliver your damned child because there is no one else to do it, and I refuse to have another contraction! EVER!" Kagome screeched from the hallway, sobbing loudly.
I guess that's my answer, Inuyasha conceded, jogging over to his stricken mate.
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Miroku's eyes cracked open slowly, the light hurting his head as he took in the mess in front of him.
The forms of his friends, shifting slowly just as he was, in front of him. Kikyou, on her knees and in floods to his right. Inuyasha and a shrieking Kagome to his left. And something squishy behind him.
Well, squishy, but not to squishy. Squishy in a firm, round kind of way.
Miroku investigated further, running his foot up and down the object behind him contentedly. He didn't know why, but it reminded him of Sango's behind...
Miroku's feeling of comfort was swiftly replaced by one of satisfaction and a little pain as the round firm object disappeared and he caught a glimpse of Sango's angry dark eyes before a sound blow was dealt to his cheek, accompanied by much cursing and grousing.
Well, no pain no gain, Mirokui thought, sitting up gingerly to face his mini nemesis.
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"Kagome, WHAT IS THAT?" Inuyasha asked, after the customary warm greetings. Kind of.
Inuyasha had Kagome's knees spread in front of him, and was investigating the scene that beheld him with a mixture of disgust, nausea, and sheer confusion.
"WHAT KIND OF FUCKING QUESTION IS THAT?" Kagome shrieked at him, propping herself up against the doorjamb.
"I don't get it! It doesn't normally look like that!" Inuyasha complained, screwing up his eyes.
"Well, there's not usually a blood-soaked child coming out of it when you see it, is there now?" Kagome snipped sarcastically.
"What do you expect me to do?" Inuyasha griped angrily, looking sheepish. "We pay Kasha to do this so I wouldn't have to corrupt myself this way! Where is she, anyway? She was meant to be protecting you!" Inuyasha asked.
Now, it was Kagome's turn to look sheepish.
"I...uh...kinda half-purified her so she wouldn't stop me coming to you...Eh heh..." Kagome said nervously, grinning a little.
"Fuck, you must really love me." Inuyasha said, half in jest, half in all seriousness.
"I do, you know." Kagome said somberly, stroking Inuyasha's hair tenderly.
"Me too, and what do I do now, I see hair. Though I'm not sure who it belongs to, come to think of it..." Inuyasha quipped.
"It's hers, not mine." Kagome panted, feeling the need to push swamp her.
"True, it is HIS." Inuyasha said pointedly.
"Shut up, I'm pushing it out, it's a damned girl, I tell you." Kagome griped.
"Whatever you say..."Inuyasha mocked.
"Shut the fuck up, hold the baby's head and tell me to push already!" Kagome whined, the pain becoming almost unbearable.
"Ummm...PUSH!" Inuyasha tried, holding onto the slipper round thing Kagome figured was their pup's head.
"That was PATHETIC." Kagome growled, pushing anyway.
"PUSH! PUSH! PUSH, KAGOME!" Inuyasha yelled, feeling the desperation setting in as more of a tiny body came free.
"I am, damn it, I am!" Kagome screamed, opening her lungs to the heavens.
And all at once, suddenly, another pair of lungs joined her mother's in her song.
Inuyasha held a tiny, bloody little girl in his arms, shaking with joy.
"Jesus, and I though tweezing my eyebrows was bad." Kagome panted good naturedly.
Both chuckled as Inuyasha quickly whipped off his rollneck sweater and wrapped it around their new daughter.
It had all happened so fast, Inuyasha thought, one second he was still childless, next he had a daughter in his arms.
"She's beautiful." Kagome whispered, as Inuyasha scooted up near her head, leaning on the doorjamb with her. Delicate, sweating fingers pushed aside the folds of the cashmere rollneck as Kagome looked at her daughter's face for the first time.
The baby had a head full of dark hair, golden eyes like her fathers, and, to Kagome's immense delight, a tiny, damp pair of ears nestled in her hair, white, just like her otou-san's. Her mottled little arms moved slowly, and her eyes looked everywhere, taking in her new world.
"Just like her mother." Inuyasha couldn't resist saying, knowing it would annoy Kagome.
"I can't believe you, we just became parents, and you still antagonize me!" Kagome sighed. "I love you anyway."
"I love you too, Kagome." Inuyasha whispered, kissing his mate softly.
"What should we call her?" Kagome asked, breaking the comfortable silence a few minutes later.
"I say Sango, after her favorite auntie!" a new voice broke in, easing open the door gently.
"Sango! I'm so glad to see you!" Kagome whispered excitedly, gladly receiving Sango's hug.
"Are you kidding? After all we went through to save you, we're glad to see you!" Ayame replied, kissing Kagome's forehead lightly.
Everyone else followed slowly into the hall, sitting around the new parents, basking in their triumph, and the new life that survived onwards.
"What are you gonna call her?" Miroku asked, breaking another comfortable silence.
"We couldn't decide, seeing as Inuyasha's was so convinced she would be a boy, he pouted and refused to help choose." Kagome said gleefully, ignoring Inuyasha's flattened ears and huge pout as he handed the baby to her.
"Since you all risked everything to save us, I say one of you can name her. Okay, Inuyasha?" Kagome asked.
Inuyasha grunted, but nodded all the same.
"Who actually has an idea?" Kagome asked, smiling at her dumbfounded family.
"OWWWW!" Sesshoumaru suddenly yelped, throwing his earpiece swiftly to the ground.
"What's the matter!" Kagome asked urgently.
"Rin squealed when she heard about the pup, I only just told her..." Sesshoumaru asked. "I may never hear again."
"Fluffy, did she say anything else, asswipe?" Inuyasha asked, smirking at Rin's personality.
"She does have a name for your firstborn." Sesshoumaru said, smiling a little.
"Well, what is it?" Kagome asked, anxious to know.
"Yuri." Rin herself said, her smile sparkling as she walked into the hall.
"Hi, sweetie." Kagome said, another megawatt smile on her face.
"So, Yuri, huh?" Inuyasha said, breaking up the moment happily.
"Lily...I like it." Sango mused.
"Pretty, short, easy to spell. S'all I need." Inuyasha agreed.
"Hi, Yuri," Kagome said softly, loving the name. "You were born under a pretense of darkness, but light prevailed in the end, sweetie. You are loved, you are wanted, you are wise, and you are pure. We love you. Welcome to your new family."
AN: Oh my God, I'm so glad that's over. I'm posting this without it going to my beta first, which I am sorry about, but I don't want this to get postponed any longer. I so hope you liked it, and, for the second to last time,
CLICK THE DAMN BUTTON!