Disclaimer: Inuyasha and all other related characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi.
A/N: Just to let you know, the ideas for this chapter are Bedard's, and I thought they were awesome. So, naturally, I incorporated them into my story. I'm relieved, because I was running out of ideas. -- Well, I have no clue how much longer this story is going to be, so I'll just keep typing for all it's worth. Here's Chapter 13!
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Chapter 13 - Far Away
Sango watched Kagome helplessly, refraining herself from getting too close. Shippou sat quietly in her lap, and no one had tried to stop the kit's wails. Sango merely patted his head, her mind going blank not too long ago.
The trio turned to watch Inuyasha instead, as he swung Tetsusaiga's giant blade over his shoulder. He swore under his breath and raked a clawed hand through his silver mane. Worry and anger was etched clearly on his face as he turned to glance at Sango and Miroku. "You watch over Kagome. If anything happens, tell me. I have some important matters to take care of."
Inuyasha growled and furtively scanned the darkness that now encased nearly the whole room.. He could feel Naraku's presence, and it wasn't too far ahead of him. Naraku had never actually left the room, he just merely sat in the darkness like the coward that he is. "Come out here and face me, Naraku! You can't hide forever. And once I find you, there'll be no where to hide."
An almost silent chuckle resonated from the darker portion. As Inuyasha's eyes grew more accustomed to the absence of light, he could just make out Naraku's form. This only made Inuyasha's growl grow louder, bringing Sango to face Inuyasha's back. Kouga, not one with nearly enough patience, had been pacing the floor. Now that Inuyasha seemed prepared to attack, the wolf decided he was ready for some action as well.
The attention in the room shifted to Naraku's emerging form. His expression was unreadable as he stared at each of them in turn. His eyes then locked on Kagome's pale and seemingly lifeless body. "She is strong, Inuyasha. But it won't be long before she's completely defeated."
Sango attempted to stand, causing Shippou to fall from her lap. Had Miroku not forced her to sit back down, she would have charged after Naraku herself. Instead she turned back to Kagome, holding back the pool of tears that threatened to fall.
Kouga extended his claws, his whole body set with firm determination. "You won't get away with this, Naraku. Not until I've had the pleasure of ripping your body to pieces," he proclaimed vehemently, ice blue eyes unblinking.
Inuyasha shifted the grip on his hilt. With a fierce cry, he charged towards Naraku. He jumped in the air, and when he was right over Naraku's head, thrust the blade down. It didn't meet its target, and was sent through the floor instead. Inuyasha spun around in frustration, searching wildly for Naraku.
He was hovering over Kagome, watching her intently. He was about to attack again before he heard the low growl rumble deep in Kouga's throat. The wolf jumped in the air, right leg extended, and delivered a hard kick to the side of Naraku's face. Kouga landed safely on the ground, while Naraku stumbled to the floor.
Inuyasha smirked and glanced quickly at Kagome to ensure she was alright. 'Good, he didn't touch her.' "What's wrong, Naraku? Upset that you were brought down by a mangy wolf?"
Kouga flexed his claws and glared at Inuyasha. "I resent that. It's not like you were able to deliver a blow, now was it dog breath?"
Miroku's eyes darted from Naraku's rising form, to Kouga and Inuyasha. "Would you two knock it off?" he shouted, gaining the bickering pair's attention. "Now is not the time to argue," he stated, more calmly, and turned back to Kagome. He wanted to fight Naraku just as much as they did, but he was still trying to revive Kagome's consciousness.
Naraku stood up at his full height, glaring triumphantly at Inuyasha. "Your death awaits." One of Naraku's tentacles shot out towards Inuyasha.
Inuyasha was caught off guard, spinning around to face Naraku just as the tentacle's sharp end impaled his stomach.
Time seemed to freeze as everyone (except Naraku) watched in horror as Inuyasha fell to his knees. Blood began seeping onto his kimono, the stain increasing in area within each waking second. Inuyasha kneeled, clutching the wound tightly in order to hinder the bleeding. His face was contorted in pain, marks of furiousness and revenge written like a story in his eyes. "You...bastard," he muttered, lips moving only slightly while his teeth were clenched.
Sango clenched her fists tightly as she stood. "NO! Inuyasha!" The image of the tentacle stabbing his gut ran like a marathon through her mind, replaying over and over. She gritted her teeth in pure frustration, her mouth set in a grim line as she watched Inuyasha double over in pain.
Miroku caught hold of Sango's wrist, firmly yet carefully. "Sango, we should get Kagome-sama out here. We don't want her getting hurt." He glanced back at Inuyasha, who seemed to be trying to ignore the pain while he fought to stand.
Miroku grabbed onto one of Kagome's arms and Sango grabbed the other. Together, they put Kagome in between them with her arms wrapped limply around their shoulders. Her chin rested against her chest as she was dragged towards the door.
Naraku waved his hand dismissively. "You're attempts to thwart me are useless. After Inuyasha is dead, I will kill you next." He sauntered over to Inuyasha, every ounce of his form screaming triumph and menace. "It's a shame that you are going to be killed so easily, Inuyasha. I thought you would have fought more than that," he chasticed, enjoying the dagger-sharp glares that Inuyasha sent him. He frowned and reached down to grab Inuyasha's neck, lifting him clear off the ground. "It really is a shame," he repeated, eyes never leaving Inuyasha's tight expression. "This won't take long. I promise."
But it was not Inuyasha that was thrown back. It was Naraku. Inuyasha fell to the ground, as did Naraku, and they both sat in stunned silence. Both turned around as a pained voice resonated from the doorway.
"Not this time, Naraku," Kagome chided. Her arms were outstretched and her palms were facing out. Color had returned to her pale skin, and her eyes were no longer lifeless. They were fierce and glowing, their dark brown piercing into Naraku's blood read irises. The aura around her swirled protectively around her body, creating such torrents that Sango and Miroku had to back away. "I am not weak, and I will not fall for your tricks again."
Naraku grimaced as he slammed against the wall behind him. "You forget so soon, that I can put you through as much agony as I desire." As he said this, he reached into the folds of his kimono. The almost complete jewel was held, pulsating darkly with each beat of Kagome's heart. He closed his fist tightly around the jewel, expecting her to scream and crumple to the ground. But no such thing happened.
Kagome reached her hand to her neck, perfectly calm. "NO!" she screamed, balling her hands into fists and raising her face to the ceiling. Heat was coursing through her veins, filling her with a new energy each time the jewel shards throbbed.
The whole room seemed to shake as the jewel in Naraku's hand split. It fell to the ground in two pieces, from which the evil aura seemed to dissipate. His eyes widened as he raised his head to look at Kagome. She had a small smirk on her face, as if to say 'I told you so!'
The pinkish light around Kagome crackled and spun wildly, eventually slowing down as the aura seemed to fade. But even so, she watched in confusion as her hands seemed to double. She raised her eyes to meet with Inuyasha's amber orbs, appearing just as confused as she was. The expressions on Sango and Miroku's faces looked the same. "Wh-what's happening to me?"
Naraku frowned deeply as Kagome's body doubled. 'This...she...this wasn't supposed to happen.'
Kagome gasped as her possessed form left her body. Except the copy was wearing the flowing kimono, and she was in the garb of a miko. She looked down at her change of clothes in shock, and realized the sword was in the hands of her other half. "There's two of me!" She stared on as the possessed half poised her sword.
Miroku opened and closed his mouth, not being able to find the right words to say. "She...her possessed form left her body," he managed to stammer. Sango watched the two Kagomes in deep confusion, trying to make sense of it all.
"They are going to fight," Naraku stated simply. "Whichever wins shall have complete control over the body," he went on, as a smirk lightened his face.
Inuyasha jumped up as a low growl reverberated in his throat. "I'll take care of the fake Kagome..." he started, as he took his place between the two halves.
"Inuyasha, you mustn't. This is Kagome's fight, and she alone must battle with the possessed half," Miroku implied. "Tell me if I'm wrong, Naraku, but if the real Kagome loses, she will disappear. Is that right?"
Naraku merely nodded. Kagome turned her desperate glance from Inuyasha to the possessed form. "But...I can't fight that thing. She has a sword!" she exclaimed, biting her lower lip nervously. Suddenly, a bow and quiver of arrows appeared at her feet. They weren't her own, but arrows nonetheless. She grabbed them hesitantly, examining the bow in her hand.
"So it's fair," Naraku explained as his eyes locked with hers. "Maybe now you won't lose so quickly." His taunting did nothing to soothe the already nerve racked Kagome.
Sango walked up to Kagome, eyeing the miko garb as if it would bite her. "I know you can do this, Kagome-chan. You're strong, and everyone here knows it." She smiled softly for some extra reassurance, before turning and resuming her place next to Miroku.
Kagome sighed deeply and motioned for Inuyasha to step away. 'Alright, Kagome. You can do this. She's your other half, basically. There's no way you can lose. You're the real thing...' She nodded and deftly raised her bow, watching from the corner of her eye as Inuyasha and Kouga assembled by Sango and Miroku. Shippou gave her a thumbs-up from where he sat by Kirara. Hakkaku and Ginta smiled widely and waved a bit. 'Right...as much as I want it to, that doesn't really help.'
The two Kagomes were face-to-face, one with a bow and the other with a sword. 'You can do this...don't be afraid...' she repeated to herself in mental preparation. With a deep breath, she released the arrow and watched it fly.
(Note: I hope this isn't getting too confusing. I know this is lame, but for battle purposes, when you see just Kagome, it's the real Kagome. I'm going to call her other half Possessed Kagome. Now, on with the battle!)
Possessed Kagome jumped in the air, missing the arrow by a few centimeters. She landed softly and swung her sword towards Kagome's stomach. Kagome dodged heatedly, notching another arrow along the bow's string.
With swift movements, Possessed Kagome thrust her sword a number of times, each of which Kagome just barely escaped. A few had ripped her clothing and scratched the skin, causing blood to seep out of the scratches. When they both stopped moving, Kagome released another arrow. She could feel her heart pound in her ears as Possessed Kagome jumped above the arrow and brought her sword above her head.
On instinct, Kagome raised her bow in defense. She felt the pressure on the wooden bow and closed her eyes tightly. 'Oh man...it's gonna break!' Sure enough, the bow snapped with a deafening crack. Her eyes widened in horror as the sword continued towards its target...her neck.
"NO! I WON'T LOSE!" Kagome screamed as she raised her hands in an X in front of her face. She could feel the shards again...pounding and reassuring. Her aura again began to whirl, protecting her by any means necessary. It's faint pink light shrouded her in a protective dome, growing larger as the metal sword and miko energy collided.
Possessed Kagome was flung into the air, and landed upon the ground with a large thud. Kagome's aura still wrapped her in a heated glow, crepitating violently like lightning in a storm. But the possessed form wouldn't move. It lay on the cold wood, still and silent.
Kagome fell to her knees as her aura began to fade. She let the bow's two halves and a few splinters of wood fall to the floor. Her labored breathing could be heard across the room. She raised her head and crawled over to her other half.
With a burst of light, the two forms merged together. Kagome exhaled and spread her arms out wide, flexing her fingers. "It's strange...but, I'm whole again!" she cried with sudden delight. In fact, Possessed Kagome had returned to her original body. "It's over, Naraku," she proclaimed as she stood, still wearing the miko garb. "I won."
The shards in her neck began to pulse again. Kagome closed her eyes and smiled softly as the jewel shards were purified. Two shards fell to the ground, no longer tainted and black. They had their original faint pink glow now that they were free from impurity. She couldn't hide her triumphant grin from Naraku. "You lost."
Naraku grabbed the two halves of the larger portion of the jewel. He scowled deeply and spun around. "I'm not through with any of you. For now, I take my leave." Before anyone could blink, he had disappeared.
Inuyasha jumped up and ran to Kagome's side, sick of waiting for so long. "Are you alright, Kagome? You're injured..." he grabbed her chin and forced their eyes to meet. "You're not...like, dizzy or anything?"
Kagome shook her head as Sango and Shippou raced to her other side, Miroku shortly behind. She wrapped her arms around Kagome's neck and practically jumped up and down. "You did it, Kagome-chan! You purified the jewel shards and now...you're possessed half is gone."
Miroku smiled softly and patted Inuyasha's back. "We could all tell Inuyasha here was sick with worry, Kagome-sama," he joked, although Inuyasha didn't seem to take notice.
Kouga made his way through the cluster so he was standing in front of Kagome, with Inuyasha's face acting as a foot rest. "I'm proud of you, Kagome. But I'm afraid I can't stay any longer. I'll have to be on my way." He gave a quick salute and spun around, winking briefly at her. "C ya around, Kagome." He began running with jewel shard-induced speed, leaving Hakkaku and Ginta behind. They said good bye as well, and then they too began running.
Kagome sighed softly and scooped Shippou into her arms. "It's over, Shippou. And now we can leave." She brushed the kit's bangs away from his eyes, laughing lightly as he scurried onto her shoulder.
Kagome picked up the jewel shards off the ground, fingering them gently. "It's weird, y'know, that two jewels can hold so much power. We still have yet to defeat Naraku and collect the rest of the Sacred jewel. I'm just sorry we weren't able to take the larger piece from Naraku."
Sango put a hand on Kagome's shoulder. "No need to worry about that now. We have you back, and that's all that matters for the moment." She spared a quick glance at Inuyasha, who seemed just as relieved as she was. "We should probably get going, though, before something else happens."
Inuyasha nodded and crouched down, allowing Kagome to climb on his back. She tugged on one of his silver tresses playfully, giggling lightly as he started growling. "Are you sure you can carry me? You still have the hole in your stomach," she observed numbly. "You're going to have to let me bandage that for you when we get out of the castle."
"Keh. I'm just fine, so would ya quit apologizing already? You're normal again, so as Sango says, that's all that matters." Inuyasha bounded off, thankful that Shippou decided to perch on Sango's shoulder instead.
The other three were riding on Kirara's back, tailing Inuyasha closely. She meowed loudly, as if to congratulate Kagome as well. "I'm so glad this is over, Kirara," she confined to the youkai cat, although Miroku and Shippou heard as well.
Kagome rested her head on Inuyasha's shoulder. She watched as the blank halls in the hallway flew by, and was so glad to be so close to him. The day had stretched on, making it seem like an eternity before she was finally out of the castle.
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A/N: Okay, okay, I know. That chapter wasn't that great. I considered restarting the whole thing, but then I changed my mind. It seemed like too much work. Again, I have to thank Bedard for the ideas. I just hope I didn't make them sound too lame. -- Ah, well, I'll just patiently wait for the reviews. Just tell me what you think, because I'm dying to know how that chapter turned out. I hope I'm not like, publicly embarrassing myself or something.