The final battle inside Naraku, from Inuyasha's point of view.
Oh no.
That feeling was back. Like a heavy fog, hanging over his human heart. His demon side was awake, and it wanted out - now. But something about this time felt different. Instead of being overcome by the fog, his human heart was still there, aware of what was happening.
Kagome!
He needed to warn her, now! He heard her whimper his name in fear as he turned to face her. It felt like a stab to his human side, but his demon side loved it. He could vaguely hear Naraku's voice, gloating about something.
No! Inuyasha had fallen right into that bastard's trap – and Kagome was going to pay the price. Damn him! His body moved forward, stalking his prey. He couldn't get enough control to stop but if he timed it right …
He felt his claws connect with something soft, and his surroundings faded away as he lost control.
Moments or hours later, he wasn't sure how long, a voice pulled him out of the fog.
Please, just let me stay with you.
It was Kagome!
He fought harder, clawing his way to the surface. Memories crashed over him like a wave: the image of her screaming as she fell into a black hole inside Naraku. The scent of her blood on his hands.
Did … did I kill her?
"Yes."
Faces of Naraku began to appear all around him.
"Just like las time, you failed to protect the one you love," Naraku's voice was like poison inside his mind.
"No," Inuyasha managed to snarl.
"Forget your human heart," his demon heart rose once again, as Narauku's voice echoed all around him. "Forget Kikyo. Forget Kagome."
"K-Kagome … no…"
The names of the two women he loved echoed all around him as he faded into blackness.
A young girl's cry pulled him to the surface sometime later. It was familiar … that scent …
Rin! Run!
His mouth wouldn't obey, and all that escape was a menacing growl. He moved closer, and noticed the girl was trapped: Magatsuhi was behind her. That bastard. He inched closer to the terrified girl, unable to make his muscles obey. He gave in, letting go of almost all of what little control he had – saving his energy for Magatsuhi. If he could just warn her …
"Stay there," he managed to force out. "Don't move."
And he lunged. Thank god, the girl understood – and his claws connected with Magatsuhi.
"What a surprise," the demon chuckled. "Even in demon form, your human heart remains."
Inuyasha felt his control slipping, hanging on by the threat that was his sword. Blurry images and distorted voices surrounded him – then he felt something crash into him. Ice crept through his veins, locking out nearly all of the control he had managed to cling to. All that was left was Tetsusaiga.
Magatsuhi .. you bastard …
He was vaguely award of fighting his brother. Kagome's scent was nearby – or was it just her scent on him? Had he managed to find her? He used every ounce of energy had left to try and ask, but then he felt his sword disappear and everything went black.
An eternity later, a scent pulled him back to the surface. Kagome's blood. Fresh blood. She's alive! Their moment in her home played out in his mind, giving him strength.
"Please … just let me stay with you," she had asked.
"If that's what you want, then I promise I'll protect you with my life," he had sworn.
The fog surrounding him thinned out ever so slightly, just enough where he could feel his demonic energy pulse with Tetsusaiga – it was close.
"You just don't know when to give up," Magatsuhi growled; the bastard wasn't letting go without a fight.
"Shut …" he struggled to force out the words, and make his body obey. "Shut … your … mouth."
He forced himself to let go of Sesshomaru's sword – had they been fighting? Why hadn't his brother killed him yet?
"Kagome … are you there?" he called out.
He heard her response from somewhere above him.
"Kagome … Tetsusaiga … give me Tetsusaiga!"
He felt the sword pulse as it flew toward him. Kagome's scent flew past him. No! She was falling again. She will survive. I need to get control to protect her. Inuyasha unleashed the Wind Scar, forcing his brother back. With his sword, he was able to keep steady control over Magatsuhi, so he leapt down to see if Kagome was okay.
She sat up as he landed beside her, and her entire body tensed. Magatsuhi was trying to take control of her!
No! I won't let you hurt her!
He jumped away, pulling the demon with him. You won't stop me from protecting her!
That's when Inuyasha felt another pulse from his sword, and dragon scales swept over half of the blade. Of course! He knew exactly what needed to happen. He concentrated on his demonic energy, forcing Magatsuhi out. Inuyasha smiled when he heard the bastard scream in pain from Sesshomaru's killing blow. Serves him right for hurting Kagome. He looked up to see her glow, ever so slightly. Her powers were finally back.
He breathed a sigh of relief, but for some reason his demonic side still didn't fully subside. Narauku's energy and the defiled jewel were just too much.
THUMP.
"What?" Kagome's confused voice reached his ears.
THUMP.
THUMP.
The entire cave was pulsing. He heard Kagome cry out and looked up to see her lose her balance.
"Kagome!" He jumped to catch her, and the moment she landed in his arms the fog disappeared. It was like a warm embrace - his demonic side finally subsided.
He landed on solid ground but didn't put her down. After the last few hours, he couldn't. Feeling her in his arms, her arms wrapped around him - it was calming.
"Inuyasha … look at you! You're back to normal!" her voice was so soft, and she was so close. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her right then and there, but there was something they needed to do first.
"Yeah, I am. Thanks to your powers of purification."
She turned to thank Sesshomaru, but he was already gone. He carefully set her down but kept an arm around her waist.
"Inuyasha we have to find the Shikon Jewel," there wasn't a trace of fear in her voice; he really admired her for that.
"Yeah," he agreed. "We should hurry. All this shaking must mean that Naraku is finally getting serious about eliminating us."
He crouched down, and she climbed on his back. They were going to end this battle, once and for all. Then finally, maybe they could just be together.
Naraku … this ends today.
