A Fox's Heritage
Chapter 12
Inuyasha stood a little ways off from the battle. Although he tried not to show it, it was tearing him apart from the inside out. He should be the one fighting Naraku. He should be the one getting his revenge, not Youko. Inuyasha lost far more than he did. He lost his love Kikyo. He was sealed to a tree for 50 years. His life was ruined by the very existance of Naraku. So then, why was he just standing there?
He gripped the hilt of Tetsusaiga. Youko had promised him the finishing blow. All he had to do was stay out of it long enough to kill Naraku. He scowled. The fox had better hurry up.
Youko dodged another tentacle with ease. Naraku may be powerful, but he was very predictable. Then, the half demon stood exactly where the fox wanted him. Youko smirked evilly and raised his hand slightly.
"Time to eat. Die."
Naraku eyed him suspiciously. There was a rumbling underneath him. He looked around, startled. Five long stems the size of tree trunks shot up from the ground. Each one had a large vicious bulb with a row of jagged teeth. Saliva rained around Naraku.
"What manner of attack is this?"
"These are my lovely Ojigi plants [1 . Don't more or they'll eat you." The plants already locked onto Naraku as their target. He had foolishly tried attack them. "Nevermind, you moved."
Inuyasha stood as still as a statue. The plants had already chosen Naraku as their little snack. He did not want to give them any inkling of the presence of another meal in the area. Only his eyes moved, watching the scene unfold.
Naraku was feverently dodging the hungry mouths of the deadly plants. A few crashed into the ground, and the two half demons were sure they died. Too bad for Naraku that wasn't the case. Naraku lashed out against one using his tentacles. The plant shrieked as part of its stem was torn off. The other four retaliated.
Naraku was caught off guard. He looked at the approaching mouth with fear. His scream was cut short as the others latched themselves onto him. Youko chuckled.
Inuyasha growled. "I thought you said I could kill him!"
"Change of plans half breed."
Inuyasha would have retorted, but the incredibly loud shrieking cut him off. Naraku stood in the middle of the wilted plants. He brushed their remains off his clothes.
"That was a mistake," he said. "All I had to do was use my poison miasma and they died."
It was Youko's turn to growl now. "You have been on my last nerve for too long! It's time for you to face your worst nightmare!"
Suddenly, Naraku staggered back. He clutched his chest and doubled over in pain. He wheezed and gasped. His back arched and vines shot up from inside him. The encased his torso. From his shoulder, a tree trunk sprouted out, letting its roots find the ground. The tree itself has a monstrous look about it, enough to give the strongest of demons nightmares. It was a strange color. The vines that were attached to Naraku turned into suction cups that began feeding off his very soul.
"What is that?" asked Inuyasha, walking forward warily.
"My Death Tree." Youko watched, smirking. He had planted the seed when they met for the first time. The moment when he and Kuronue had put their arms around Naraku's shoulders...
The sounds of Naraku's screams echoed. He was yelling about Youko, Inuyasha, and the others that had given him grief. But mostly, he was yelling about Kikyo and the fact she never loved him.
"Feel free to kill him. He won't die otherwise," said Youko, walking away.
"What do you mean?"
"He regenerates everytime he's hurt, which means the tree won't kill him. Uusually, it feeds off fear, eventually turning the person into a husk. Not Naraku though. He will be trapped for all eternity."
Inuyasha did not need to hear anymore. He raised his sword and let it fall. "Wind Scar!" he yelled. With that, he unleashed the fury and revenge everyone held against the evil half demon.
A pink light shot up into the heavens. The Shikon Jewel was shattered once more.
"Inuyasha, please take care of Shippo a little longer. I want to give my friend a proper burial," said Youko mournfully.
"No problem. You helped us out a lot." Inuyasha extended his hand out to the fox. Youko looked at it for a moment and shook it. He even smiled.
The two friends departed.
After Naraku's demise, it was as if the earth was recleansing itself. It rained terribly hard and the winds only made it worse. Days passed by like this, but Youko did not stop his journey. It was a full week before he reached his destination. He spent nights just watching the sleeping figure of his friend, not being able to cope over his death. Any second it seemed like he would wake up.
Youko reached a thundering waterfall. The rain was still pouring from the heavens. Thunder and lightening were a new addition. He walked forward with his friend slung limply over his shoulder. Demon corpses did not undergo rigor mortis, the stiffening of joints after death, or decomposition until a month has passed from their death. This gave ample time for their demonic energy to leave their body.
The silver fox waded through the strong currents of the water until he reached the waterfall. It was a good thing he was already wet. It was a little difficult going through the waterfall, but he did it. He entered a dark and eerie cove. He laid Kuronue onto the floor and walked deeper into the secret room. His special light plants lined the floor of the cove, creating a trail.
He stopped at a spot where the ground was covered with vines. Blood red flowers bloomed on top. He knelt down in front of it. His hands traced over the plant.
"I found our son, Sakura. He's the same from when we left him. He's a fine young kit," said Youko. He stood up. "You won't be alone anymore. Kuronue is here to keep you company until I can join you both."
He dug his hands into the moist dirt next to the grave of his love. He couldn't believe he was back to dig yet another grave for his best friend. Hours passed and he finally laid his friend out in the ground. He murmured his last words and buried him. Like Sakura's grave, a mess of vines shot up and covered it. Instead of red flowers though, blue violet flowers bloomed, filling the cove with a sweet aroma.
Youko positioned himself in the middle of the two graves. He rested his head against the stony wall and his eyes closed.
Almost a week had passed since Naraku's demise and Miroku still stared in wonder at his right palm. His Wind Tunnel. It was gone. It was truly gone. Naraku was dead. He, Sango, and Kagome wept together. Although, he ruined the moment with his lecherous ways, which resulted in a resounding slap from the demon slayer. Then, they did the most unexpecting thing: they kissed.
"You remember the promise," said Miroku, smiling.
"Of course. I'll marry you," replied Sango.
Kagome shrieked in delight. "A wedding! I can't wait. You two will be so happy." Then her smiled disappeared. "Well, I hope you two have a wonderful life together. Inuyasha and I still have the shards to look for." She glared at the half breed. "Who's fault is it now?"
Inuyasha raised his hands up defensively. "There was no other way. I told you the jewel was buried in that tree thing. I had to destroy it to get it out."
"Inuyasha," said Shippo, cutting off Kagome's 'sit.' (The dog demon breathed a sigh of relief. The little kit came in handy sometimes.) "When is my dad coming back?"
"Well," he began nervously, "he said he needed to take care of a few things."
"Like?"
"Oh, I don't know! I can't read his mind!" huffed Inuyasha. The little kit looked like he was on the verge of tears.
"Sit," said Kagome.
Inuyasha slammed into the ground. This time he didn't yell or curse. The shattered jewel meant that Kagome had a reason to stay with him for much longer. He smiled into the dirt.
"Kagome," said Sango, "if you don't mind, Miroku and I would like to stay with you and Inuyasha to aid in the search of the shards."
Kagome blinked. "I can't ask that of you. Your lives are just getting started."
"It's no trouble at all Lady Kagome. You are our friend. We want to help you," said Miroku.
Kagome smiled. "Thank you."
Youko rubbed the crick in his neck from sleeping in that uncomfortable position. He looked one last time at his eternally sleeping companions and left the cove. The rain had stopped and the sun was shining. The sky was clear of all clouds. It was a beautiful day.
He thought he would have an uninterrupted journey back to his son, but he was wrong. He saw the priestess Kikyo waiting for him.
"What do you want?" he asked rudely.
"News of Naraku's death has spread quite quickly. To show my gratitude, and to keep my end of the bargain, I have come to present you a jewel shard. There has been an abundance of them lately."
Youko looked at it warily. He hesitantly extended his hand. "I have no use for it." He let his hand drop to his side.
"Oh, but I'm sure your new friends would like it," replied Kikyo.
Youko scowled. The undead woman was right. He grabbed the shard and pocketed it. He walked away, but then yelled, "Thanks."
Kikyo nodded her head.. She waved good bye as the wind carried her higher and higher into the sky. She can finally rest in peace.
Youko was fiddling with the shard between his two fingers as he walked endlessly through the forest. The pinkish glow was full of untainted energy. It was too tempting for him to use it, but he really had no use for it. A rustle in the trees alerted him to the presence of another. He quickly hid the shard and pulled out a rose from behind his neck.
"I'm free thanks to you and that bat." The origin of the voice was standing behind him. It was Kagura. She stepped forward, placing a feather back into her hair. "Where is he?"
"You don't know?" asked Youko, surprised.
She narrowed her eyes, shaking her head.
"He's dead."
Youko watched her carefully. Kagura gulped and looked down. She tore a leaf apart and let the pieces fall to the ground. She sniffled. She looked up again and faced the silver fox with a blank face. "Pity, he grew on me." She quickly wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.
Kagura took her feather out and transformed it. She jumped onto it.
"Wait, where's that sister of yours?" asked Youko.
Kagura shrugged her shoulders. "Who knows." She flew higher and higher into the sky. Youko did not leave until she completely disappeared.
It was now two weeks since the jewel was shattered once more. Inuyasha and the others were resting at Kaede's village before continuing their journey. It was also because they were waiting for Youko Kurama to come back. Shippo kept a vigil each and every day, looking for his silver father.
Kagome had traveled out of the village, looking for medicinal herbs. She growled in frustration as she pulled out another worthless plant. "I don't understand why Kaede always sends me." She threw the plant to the ground angrily.
"Hey, plants have feelings too."
Kagome looked up. Youko was back. She stood up, wiping her knees. She placed her hands on her hips and frowned. "About time. Shippo is worried sick about you."
"Sorry, I had some business to take care of."
"Right, I'm sorry. I know it doesn't mean much, but-"
"No, it means a lot. So, where is the little monster?" He grinned playfully.
Kagome pointed toward the village. Youko stopped in front of her. He grabbed her hand placed a shard onto her palm. Kagome looked at it, smiling. This was the first time a demon willingly gave her a shard.
Youko found Shippo outside Kaede's hut. The kit ran toward him and jumped into his arms. Inuyasha and the others were around, but they remained in the hut to give the father and son some privacy. Youko carried Shippo into the forest for privacy.
"Kuronue is..." began Youko.
"I know. I could tell by the way Inuyasha came back," replied Shippo, tearfully.
The silver fox sighed. Telling Shippo would make it seem official.
"Shippo, I'm giving you a choice. Do you want to stay with me or Kagome?" asked Youko, gazing at his son solemnly.
"Wha-"
"No, let me finished," said Youko. "I can't promise you a completely safe environment since I'm constantly chased by bounty hunters. And I know that Kagome has become some sort of mother figure for you, and you need a mother."
"Dad, give me some time to think about it."
Youko nodded. "I'll come back tomorrow at the same time."
Tomorrow came by quickly for the two foxes. Shippo met his father in the same spot. "Dad, I thought about it, and I'm ready to give you my answer."
[1 - The wonderful man eating plants that Youko used against Karasu in the Dark Tournament.
CrazyDreamerGirl: That my dear readers, was the second to the last chapter. I feel so sad now. Oh, and use your imaginations for Shippo's answer. I don't think the epilogue, which will hopefully come soon, will give much hints to his answer. Thank you NeonAlchemist, Link Fangirl01, uniqu3s0u7, Pure Shikon, Bloodcherry for reviewing.
Please review, and no flames please!