The True Holder of Shikon

Disclaimer - Don't own Inuyasha.

Chapter 31 - The Battles; Good Bye Kohaku

XxXxX

Later on in the evening, when everyone was asleep, Sango stirred. She opened her eyes and stared into the darkness above her before realizing that she was awake. It was odd because she had been sleeping so soundly. She sat up and pushed the blanket back a little. Her eyes went to the fireplace and she noticed that there were still a few burning embers but most of it was out and reduced to cold ashes. After a moment, the cloud that had previously been covering the moon moved and allowed a sliver of light to shine down. It was barely enough to see by but it was enough to allow her to see that someone across the fireplace was staring at her. She knew it was Sesshoumaru. She just had the strangest feeling about it.

"Sesshoumaru? Why are you awake?" She crawled over to him. "What is it?" For some reason, she had a sinking feeling. Something wasn't right. He said nothing but pulled her close to him. "Come on, let's go back to sleep. We need rest in order to continue tomorrow." Before he did as she said, she caught a glimpse of his face in the brief light of the moon. He was very pale and his eyes were watery, like he was going to cry. As soon as she had laid down, he had his arms around her waist and his head resting on her chest. She continually ran her fingers through his hair until she felt his body relax.

That's it. Rest easy now. I am here with you.

XxXxX

Kagome looked curiously from Inuyasha to Miroku when she woke up. A fire was already started for breakfast and the houshi was currently remarking about their location.

"Naraku must know where we are." He frowned. "Why else would he send one of his insects to hunt us?" The hanyou he was questioning returned the frown with one of his own.

"That thing...it had to be sent around to track us down. I just don't like it. Why only send one? As a warning?"

"There could not have only been one, Inuyasha. Think about it. How many did you smell?" As they continued to talk, Kagome looked around and noticed Sango and Sesshoumaru. The two were still fast asleep, wrapped in each other's arms. The miko smiled.

I wonder...will we make it, Inuyasha?

Then her eyes widened. She stood up and whirled around. She couldn't see anything past the shadows in the trees. Her senses were screaming at her that there was a jewel shard in the area. Sango stirred; her senses picking up the same shard that Kagome was concerned about. It was tainted. She roused Sesshoumaru before getting up out of his grasp.

"Naraku..." Grabbing her bow and arrows, the taiji-ya ran past the miko. Kagome picked up her quiver and bow before chasing after her friend. Only the boys and the children were left in the campsite. The miko was behind by a little bit but she could still see her friend crash through the bushes and little trees that were about waist-high.

"Sango! Wait!" She realized that instinct was pushing the taiji-ya. After pushing herself to run faster, she stumbled and fell, rolling down a small drop-off and falling right behind Sango. "Ouch..." She rubbed her head then looked up to see Kohaku standing there. "What...? Sango-" The taiji-ya pulled an arrow from her quiver and engaged her bow.

"Kohaku, it is time that you rest in peace." Before she had a chance to release the arrow, a furious wind erupted from somewhere in the sky. "Damn..." Kagome stood up and engaged her own bow. Her eyes sought out Kagura, the one she knew was controlling the wind.

"Sango! Up there!" The miko aimed and dislodged as fast as she could. Her sacred arrow flew at the wind sorceress. "We have to-" Her breath was sucked from her as a gust slammed her into the wall of the drop-off.

"Kagome!" Sango had seen directly where her friend had aimed and redirected her own aim to that spot. "Now, you die, witch." She dislodged the arrow, waiting to see the brilliant flash. Kagura fell to the ground, her feather falling in pieces around her. The wind briefly died down. Kagome coughed, struggling to regain her ability to breathe.

"You missed me, wench." Kagura stood up and flicked open her fan. Sango smirked.

"At least I got you down from your safety perch. What's the matter? Didn't want to fight me and lose again?" The taiji-ya armed herself with another arrow. Kagura had enough troubles and she hated Naraku more than anything. The youkai wanted him to die. She hated the fact that she wasn't free. But she hated the mortal more and wanted her to die. In fact, the incarnation had strict orders to capture her and make sure that death did not come to her.

I do not care for his wishes. Why does he want this wench, anyway? What... What is this? There is a...different scent with her own. It is Sesshoumaru's scent. D-Did he mate with a human woman?

She was confused but it wouldn't look good if she just stared so she got ready to fight.

"I will not lose to a puny weakling like you!" She unleashed one of her many attacks and Sango dislodged her arrow, watching as it went through the attack. It struck Kagura's arm, automatically releasing a burst of energy. Kagome crawled to her weapon frantically. Sango was about to be hit by the wind blades that Kagura released. Without any real spot to aim, she released an arrow, striking the ground somewhere in front of the taiji-ya. It created a barrier by blocking the attack that threatened to hit her friend.

"Kagome, are you okay?" Sango asked; turning around and going back to check on the miko.

"Yeah, I'm fine. But where are Inuyasha and the other two? Shouldn't they be here by now?" The two exchanged glances before the older one shook her head.

"I have a feeling Naraku had a special distraction for them, as well." She helped the younger girl up. "It's just you and me against Kagura and Kohaku."

"We can beat them together." The miko looked around where she fell and noticed that she had dropped some arrows from her quiver. After retrieving them, she realized that Kagura was ready to attack again.

"I cannot construct a barrier by myself. Do you mind?" The two each put one hand out and created a wall of energy that surrounded them. "This should only last for a few minutes. We have to kill them before they kill us."

XxXxX

Just after Kagome disappeared from Inuyasha's sight, they were attacked. Rin screamed when she saw the huge grotesque youkai that crashed through the trees.

"Have fun with this new incarnation!" Kagura cried to them from her feather before she took off. Sesshoumaru glanced in the direction that the wind sorceress had gone.

"She must be going after Sango and Kagome." Miroku voiced as he looked to his hanyou friend. Inuyasha growled and pulled the Tetsusaiga from the sheath.

"They'll be fine. They can take care of themselves." He narrowed his amber eyes at their new opponent. Just the appearance of the youkai made him feel nervous.

I'm just worried about this new incarnation. What the hell can this bastard do?

Kirara hissed and transformed, standing in front of the children to protect them. Jaken stood next to her, watching the creature they were about to face. Sesshoumaru pulled out Tokijin, smirking at the grotesque youkai. He was going to enjoy pissing Naraku off by killing the incarnation. Inuyasha sent his older brother a look before they both attacked the youkai at the same time.

XxXxX

Sango suddenly sensed a presence behind them and turned around just in time to see a puppet of Naraku appear as though from nowhere. Between him, the wind, and Kohaku, the two girls were trapped. The barrier they had around them faded. The taiji-ya grabbed Kagome's wrist and pulled her.

"Come on! We have to run!" They crashed through the brush, trying to leave their enemies far enough behind to turn and get prepared. Kagome glanced over her shoulder and let out a small cry.

"They're right behind us!" She cried. The ground was no longer beneath their feet. Kagome twisted in the air and landed on her side, facing toward Sango, who slid to a stop on her stomach. The miko acted quickly enough to find her bow and pulled an arrow from her quiver. Kagura laughed at the girl's attempt to save herself and her friend. "Sango, look out!" The taiji-ya rolled to the right and just missed getting slashed by Kohaku's sickle. She got to her knees and punched the boy in the face when he turned to get her. Trying to catch her breath, Sango looked for her bow. It was just too far away... Amused laughter made her look up. Looming over her was the puppet of Naraku.

"You certainly do not give up, do you?" He asked in amusement. "Fight all you want but you will not escape my grasp forever." One of his tentacle-like arms lifted her by the front of her kimono. Almost a second later, Kagome's sacred arrow pierced through it and the taiji-ya dropped to the ground. Kohaku caught her shoulder with his sickle. She twisted around and activated the concealed blades.

"I will never...give in!" She screamed. "Kagome, help me get my bow!" The miko nodded and began to run toward it.

"Where do you think you're going, little mortal?" Kagura smirked at her. Kagome dove to the side to avoid getting hit with the wind blades.

"Go away!" She cried; engaging and dislodging an arrow. It was enough of a distraction, as it landed right in front of the wind sorceress and released a bright flash. The miko grabbed her friend's bow before standing up. "Sango, catch!" As soon as the taiji-ya turned and looked at her, she threw it. Sango caught it before rolling to the side to avoid Naraku's attack. Kohaku threw his sickle and she blocked it with one of her blades. Kagome took aim at the puppet and dislodged. It blew apart and left only the wooden statue. Then she focused on distracting Kagura while Sango battled it out with Kohaku.

XxXxX

Inuyasha fell to the ground, blood beginning to run down the side of his face from a wound on his forehead.

"Dammit!" He got back to his feet and nearly fell backwards. "How strong is this bastard?" Jaken rushed forward with a cry.

"M'lord!" Sesshoumaru just barely dodged a bone-breaking attack. When he landed, the cut on his face became visible. The little youkai vassal attacked the incarnation with the staff. The fire barely even burned the thing's thick hide. Miroku took this as his cue to try his luck. He quickly circled around it.

There has to be some kind of weakness on this thing. It cannot be invincible.

He tried hitting where the burn mark was on the youkai's back. No such luck. It whirled on him and sent him flying through the air to land right next to a tree. The houshi breathed a sigh of relief that he hadn't hit it. Inuyasha waited until he could stand properly before trying the Wind Scar once again.

I hope Kagome and Sango are all right.

The attack hit the incarnation and sent it into the trees right next to where Miroku had landed. He jumped out of the way and glared at his friend.

"What was that for?" The hanyou growled.

"Would you rather I just sit and watch your pathetic attempts?" He snapped. Sesshoumaru grabbed a fistful of his little brother's hair and pulled, causing Inuyasha to nearly fall backwards. "What the hell-"

"Look, little brother. There is a light patch of skin on his underbelly. I will provide a sufficient enough distraction so that you hit that spot with the Wind Scar. Do not screw it up." The younger sibling nodded before crying out in pain. He had forgotten his brother had his hair. The Taiyoukai let go of him and nodded. Hopefully, their plan would pull through. If not, they had to form another one.

XxXxX

This isn't good. How can I defeat Kagura like this...?

At that point, Kagome had lost a nice amount of arrows. Either they had been dropped or used but she was unable to move because she had to do something that instant. She still had some arrows left...maybe about five. Suddenly, Kohaku flew into Kagura and the two fell to the ground.

"Kagome, now!" They both engaged their bows. It was then that the miko realized that Sango was right beside her. Taking careful aim, they dislodged at almost the same time. The two sacred arrows pierced the fallen ones and created a large explosion. Kagome was suddenly pushed down to the ground. She knew it was Sango that was protecting her.

I-Is it over?

When everything settled, the two opened their eyes. The taiji-ya stood up, trying to see past the cloud of dust. Within moments, everything settled. Kohaku's body was alone. Kagura was nowhere to be seen. Kagome looked around to find the wind sorceress.

There's no way that she could have survived that explosion. Maybe she was blown to pieces... No, that's too unlikely. There would be something left of her...right?

She narrowed her eyes at a black figure moving further away. She knew it was Kagura fleeing from death.

"Sango?" She turned around to see her friend lifting her little brother into her arms. The sacred arrow had been removed from his side.

"This ends now." Sango stated in a cold voice. "Tonight, I will burn his body and scatter the ashes wherever I can find a field of flowers. I know he would like that..." She opened one of her hands to reveal a newly purified jewel shard. It had been in the boy's back. "Kagura...got away, didn't she?"

"I don't know how she did but...yeah. She's gone now." The miko strapped the bow across her back before turning to look for the dropped arrows. "I wonder how the boys did... Who do you think they're battling?" The taiji-ya blinked before shrugging.

XxXxX

Sesshoumaru went at the incarnation's face, beginning to launch a quick attack to distract it from Inuyasha.

This has to work... Now...where is that spot?

The hanyou's sharp eyes caught sight of the light patch he was seeking. He crouched down and slid closer, unleashing the Wind Scar when he was right in front of the youkai. Sesshoumaru dropped down behind him and covered his face to protect himself from the pieces of flesh and splashes of blood that flew into the air.

"Get out of the way!" Miroku called to them before unleashing his Wind Tunnel. After every last bit of flesh was sucked in, along with a tree or two, he sealed it back up with his prayer beads. "Well, that was a pretty nice victory." Rin and Shippou cheered on the team before quieting down when they noticed the girls returning. Inuyasha noticed Kohaku in Sango's arms.

"Sango..." He frowned and took a step forward, putting away his Tetsusaiga while doing so. "What happened?"

"We were attacked by Kohaku, Kagura, and one of Naraku's puppets." Kagome answered softly. "Kagura got away but..." She trailed off as she watched Sango stare down at her brother's face.

"Miroku..." The houshi was shocked to hear his name pass her lips. "Will you pray for his soul?"

"Yes, I will." He answered; watching as she hugged the boy tightly. "But-" He was cut off when Rin gasped and rushed forward.

"Kohaku? Is he dead, Sango-chan?" The little girl asked in dismay. The taiji-ya nodded and smiled.

"He is free now. His soul can rest in peace now that he is no longer being controlled by Naraku." Her gaze went to the wood. "Let's go. As soon as we find a field filled with flowers, then we can have the funeral." Sesshoumaru put Tokijin away and closed his eyes. He knew that Sango would go through more pain when her little brother was really gone.

"All right." Inuyasha agreed. "Let me carry the boy. We'll need you two in the air to find a place so call down when you spot one."

"Sure." Kagome smiled.

"Now that all of that is settled, our wounds need to be taken care of before we go."

XxXxX

Kagome hugged Sango tightly, hoping that her friend wouldn't hurt so much after this.

"Hey...what do you say we take his body back to your village? You can bury his ashes there and visit the other graves. It's been a while since we've been there." The miko suggested. Sango didn't say anything for a long moment.

"I...I guess so. We will have to tell Inuyasha." Kagome smiled and nodded.

"When we stop for dinner, then we'll tell him the plan. I think Kohaku would rather be put to rest at the place he calls home."

A few hours passed by and Inuyasha was getting impatient. He noticed that the two girls weren't even looking for fields. So, he figured it out on his own. They were heading in the direction of the taiji-ya village now so it wasn't so hard to do.

"Hey, Sesshoumaru... You can't revive him?" The Taiyoukai drew his Tenseiga and glanced at the boy. He put it away after waiting a few moments. Rin tightened her grip on his shoulders.

"No, I cannot. His soul...was forced back by a shard of the Shikon jewel. My sword cannot touch him now that his soul returned to where it was meant to be." He explained. He really wished that he could revive his love's brother but it was impossible. Miroku looked up at Sango as he ran far below them. Shippou was clinging to his shoulder and Jaken was on his other shoulder, whimpering as he felt the wind whipping at his face.

"Are we going back to Sango's village?" The houshi asked curiously. "Is that why we haven't yet stopped?" Inuyasha nodded.

"Yeah, I think that's the plan. She's probably going to bury him there with the rest of the family." He was worried.

I know Sango's strong and all...but this is the one thing she's fought for. There isn't any way that we can change the outcome of this. I...wish this didn't have to happen at all.

One thing that he knew was that Kohaku was killed by his sister's sacred arrow. That meant that his soul was purified before it left his body.

I hope the best for you, kid.

XxXxX

After a quick and trying journey, the group made it to the taiji-ya village. Sango got off of Kirara and gestured to them that they should follow her. She led them to where the graves rested.

"I wish to bury him over here. Right next to father and the others." It had been a while after Sango had joined them that they had retrieved the bodies. After the battle when Naraku had fled from them. After preparing a spot to burn the body, they waited until Sango gave them the signal. She nodded and watched, tears stinging her eyes as the flames engulfed her little brother's body.

At least...Naraku can never use you again. Now, you can rest in peace. Good bye, Kohaku. I love you...

After it was over, Miroku gathered the ashes in a glass bottle that Kagome had provided. Then they buried it and marked the grave with a small wooden cross. Sango carved his name and the date into the wood. Rin and Shippou placed flowers over it. Kagome cried silently, hiding her eyes beneath her dark bangs. It was over. Sango was alone. Completely and utterly alone. She had no family left. There was no way that the boy could be brought back. Then she looked over at Sesshoumaru. The Taiyoukai was keeping his face blank but she could see that he was hurting because of Sango's pain. Miroku was still praying for the boy, whispering the words that houshi always say. Inuyasha's ears twitched. He could hear the houshi's voice crack at certain parts. Even the hanyou was having a tough time keeping his tears at bay.

"Good bye, Kohaku. I hope I will see you again in heaven." Rin's soft voice startled everyone into making them stare at her. The little girl's face was wet from her tears and strands of her black hair were stuck to her cheeks. "I'll miss you." Sango smiled and kneeled down, her mahogany eyes going to the cross. Everyone left a few moments later to give her time by herself.

"I will miss you, too. We will all be reunited someday. When that time comes, I will be willing to accept it and I hope to have seen Naraku's downfall." She closed her eyes and pressed her hands together, praying.

Kohaku...

This is all I can do for you right now. But I promise that before I give in to death, Naraku will die.

I have so much to be thankful for. It was so wonderful to have you as my little brother. I wish that we could have been together longer but I will not be selfish. I enjoyed the times I had with you before your real departure. I know that while you were inside that body, you were longing to be free. You fought him off to the best of your abilities. I realize now that you were not cut out for violence. I wish we could have prevented that awful day. It will always be painful to live without you but I know that I have to be strong.

Wait for me... I'll be with you someday.

Just know that...I love you with all my heart.

XxXxX

This is where the end of chapter 31 lies.

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