AT LAST! Wow. this took me sooooo long. I'm sorry. I really am, but I think it's worth the wait. please enjoy and leave lots of reviews!
In the minutes prior to the assault, Kagome wandered silently through one of the larger gardens on the Brothers' residence. She remembered Izanagi describing how important the magnificent gardens were to the brothers, how they had watched as their sister planted and cultivated them it herself. Now Takeshi made sure that the gardens were well taken care of in memory of his sister. She admired her skill. Back at home, she had a flower in her window, one in a long line of many failed attempts at honing her green thumb. She was certain she killed it, seeing as she hadn't watered it in several days and plants often died on her or simply failed to grow. She reached out and touched a frail looking flower, then frowned; she wasn't much better at nurturing relationships either apparently. She continued her search for Sango, roaming deeper into the lush maze of flowers, shrubbery, and other vegetation. She realized now how silly it all had been, trying to make Sango jealous. She loved the Taijiya and that was all that mattered anyway; they were meant to be together and her love was strong enough to endure any obstacles. She hoped Sango felt the same. She just wanted to be at Sango's side again, she missed her gentle voice and touch. Kagome stole away from her thoughts to look at her surroundings. The garden seemed to be alive around her, she quivered as a chill ran down her spine. There was a sudden unease in the garden, it was noisy, leaves rustled, animals skittered restlessly on the ground, and the wind gusted from behind her, blowing her hair into her face. She turned toward the wind and saw someone walking toward her in the distance. The wind stopped abruptly as he spoke. "Hello, Miss Kagome" said Izanagi, grinning warmly as he often did, "Admiring our gardens?"
"Oh, Izanagi-sama, I'm sorrying. I was just…well, this flower is very beautiful." Replied Kagome, reaching toward a very large yellow and orange blossom.
"Careful!" advised Izanagi, "That plant is tricky, it's beautiful and inviting, but it's spores cause paralysis for a few hours…And the one next to it, the purple one, that can knock you unconscious for two days!"
Kagome pulled her hand back quickly, "Thank you for warning me, Izanagi-sama! …I should know that, I suppose I should pay more attention to Kaede's lessons." she murmered.
"What brings you out here so late in the night?" he asked.
"I- I need fresh air. And…uhm.. Have you seen Sango?" she asked, still relieved it was only Izanagi who found her and not one of Naraku's demon minions.
Izanagi shook his head, "No, Miss Kagome, I have not seen theTaijiya tonight…Perhaps you should go check in your room again? It is not safe to be wandering out here during the night." As he spoke, Kagome saw something different in Izanagi's smile, his teeth gleamed in the moonlight like fangs. He took a few steps closer to her and put out his hand, "Allow me to take you?"
Kagome drew back, away from his hand and smiled uncomfortably. "N-no thank you, Izanagi-sama, I can make it back on my own." Izanagi did not withdraw his hand; instead, he advanced closer.
"But Miss Kagome, there are dangerous creatures lurking about." He said, his hand arching toward her. Perhaps it was the moon's luminescence, but Kagome was certain she saw his skin and hair turning white. She gasped and retreated backward. "Take my hand, Miss Kagome…don't make this a struggle." He warned, his eyes turning crimson in the night. He picked the purple flower as he seized her. Kagome screamed, but her voice was stifled by darkness as he pressed the flower to her face.
Back in the house, Inuyasha's ear twitched. "K-Kagome?" He looked at Shippou, who looked back silent and stunned. "..Stay here." he told the Kitsune. The Hanyou jumped up and grabbed Tetsusaiga, then rushed off toward the scream.
In the next room, Sango had also sprung to her feet. "That was Kagome's voice!" she screamed, running towards the door. Miroku was up a second later, grabbing her arm.
"Hold on Sango, we don't know what is out there and you don't even have Hiraikotsu. You don't have any chance to save her if that's Naraku." He advised.
Sango pulled her arm away from him furiously, "And what if it's not Naraku?! What if it's just some demon that plans on eating her!"
"It's not just some demon…" a voice groaned from the center of the room. Miroku was shocked to see the town leader sitting up. Almost mechanically, he jumped to defend Sango. The man raised his hands to show he meant no harm. "He's extremely powerful…he's devoured hundreds of souls by now." He rubbed the sore spot on his head. "It's strange that he has let any of you survive..you must have powerful souls."
Sango leapt at him and grabbed him by the collar, she lifted him up and began shaking him, "Who is he?!"
"I'm not sure...A demon, some evil spirit?...Whatever he is, he is not my son." Replied the village head, pushing Sango away from him, "Come, we haven't much time." The older man, though injured and weak, managed to limp out of the room.
Immediately after they stepped onto the porch outside, Inuyasha's body flew out of nowhere and smashed into the wall. He laid there for a moment before straining to push the rubble aside as he got up. He clutched Tetsusaiga and swore repetitively. He looked at the people standing around him with a horror-struck expression, "WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU GUYS BEEN!? IZANAGI HAS KAGOME AND I CAN'T HANDLE THIS BY MYSELF!" Then he noticed the town leader, "AND WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS CRAZY GEEZER DOING HERE?!"
"My name is Ishikawa Tokutaro, I am the leader of this village and you will respect me as such, idiot!" Demanded the man, grabbing Inuyasha by the tufts of hair where his ears should be. "That is no ordinary Demon! When Izanagi returned from his trip…he had changed…I knew immediately he was...possessed, but he made me the enemy and told the people I was possessed by the shard I protected. He killed my daughter and many of my faithful servants. He is severely powerful, you cannot defeat him half-demon." He paused, "Where is Takeshi?!" Inuyasha was surprised by the man's strength but tried to shrug off the evidence on his face.
Inuyasha managed to pull his head away, "Hell if I know, the brat's probably hiding. Your other bastard son has Kagome, what're yah all standin' around for?!" he growled. In all of the commotion, none of the men had realized Sango had already run off in the direction Inuyasha was thrown from. She leapt over a garden wall and into the brush, her bare feet padding against the soil. She didn't have Hiraikotsu nor her katana, she wasn't in her battle attire but casual robes, and even her hair was left untied and flowing; but she had no time to waste. She didn't know what she intended to do when she found them, but she needed to know that Kagome was still alive. She ducked under the low branches of an Osakazuki tree and onto a stone yard in the middle of the garden, surrounded by foliage. She saw him, lingering next to a cherry tree. His long hair had turned white, his skin pale, and his scarlet eyes glinted as he turned to face her.
He cackled, "Are you the only one who will fight me?" He stepped out of the shadows and into the center of the yard, leering and baring his jagged fangs.
"Where's Kagome?!" Sango yelled, challenging him as she walked into the middle of the enclosure as well.
He smirked at her, "Why, Miss Kagome is asleep at the moment. I haven't hurt her..yet. Is it you who strive to be her knight in shining armor? I was certain the Hanyou filled that role…" Sango flinched, and his smile grew. "What, you thought I couldn't tell? You'd have to be a complete fool not to see, any worthy demon can smell the sexual tension in the air! I saw you watching her all day, all night. I see you glare at that mutt. You're in love with the Miko, but you don't stand a chance!" Sango tried to focus on finding Kagome rather than listening to his foul words, though they stung every time he spoke.
" I can't blame you, she's beautiful, truly." He admitted, circling her like she was prey. "But what attracts me even more this that resonant soul inside her…though these were a nice bonus as well." He snickered; holding up Kagome's vial of jewel shards. "I'm not quite sure how to use them…but I'll figure it out. I've already swallowed one and I can feel the malevolent powers coursing through these frail human veins and turning this skin into armor." He clenched his fists and tightened his muscles. "You are just going to waste my time, woman." He hissed, walking over to the cherry tree and into the shadows. Sango almost pursued him but he returned a second later carrying the Miko's body. "As pretty as you are, I'm not interested in your brooding soul. It would be a waste to kill you." He set Kagome down at the bottom of the tree, and then returned to his previous position across from Sango. "I suggest you run off now, as I cannot wait to consume this fascinating girl's soul and see how powerful I become..but as I said, she is quite lovely. I will have my fun with her first." He touched his own lips with the tips of his fingers and grinned arrogantly. Sango lunged at him and hit him hard in the face with her bare fist. It felt like punching granite and her knuckles screamed as she jumped back. Izanagi stood still, his head turned from Sango's forced, but he was otherwise unaffected. His smile faded. "I hoped this would be easy and you would heed my warning..but as you wish..I will have to destroy you." He growled. He revealed his claws, his nails grew long and sharp like daggers. He slashed at Sango, who kicked his arm away and jumped back. He attacked again, this time grazing her neck with his nail as she avoided it. He laughed and licked the blood off his finger tips. "You do taste..quite extraordinary." He taunted, "I wonder how she will taste…do you know? Or is that the Hanyou's territory too?" Sango grimaced, she could not let his words distract her as he wanted them too. She was trying to figure out a plan, as much as she wished she could save Kagome on her own, she knew that she needed Inuyasha's help. "Nevertheless, I'm so looking forward to tasting her…maybe I'll keep her alive for a bit and make her my mate."
"Over my dead body!" Sango screamed, running at him.
"But my dear, when I'm done with you, there won't be any body left!" he leered. Just before she collided with him, she reached under her skirt and pulled out a dagger from its holster at her thigh. He slashed at her but she thrust the dagger into his arm and leapt over him. She dashed, barefoot, across the yard and towards Kagome. She got to her side and picked her up in her arms. The Miko's flesh was colorless and cold, her limbs heavy and her body limp, but her eyes were wide open.
"What have you done to her!?" cried Sango, holding the seemingly lifeless corpse in her arms.
Izanagi pulled the dagger out of his arm and tossed it into the garden, despite the large gash no blood came out. "Well now, you shouldn't have done that…" he hissed.
"What are you?!" the Taijiya cried, hugging Kagome closer as if she could wake her with such an embrace.
"He's a Kyonshī, a walking corpse that eats the flesh of the dead and preys on their souls, and a powerful one at that…" said Miroku, emerging on the other corner of the yard. He carried Hiraikotsu at his side, Sango's katana as well. Inuyasha was directly beside him, wielding Tetsusaiga, and Tokutaro followed behind, armed with a bow and arrow.
"Aha! So the cavalry arrives, here come the real heroes, not some foolish girl with a vendetta over unrequited love. " taunted the demon. Sango leaned Kagome's motionless body against a tree and stood up angrily.
"I will end you…" she vowed, lifting her hand in the air in order to catch Hiraikotsu when Miroku threw it to her. She gripped it firmly and prepared to attack him. The Kyonshī simply laughed.
"So you claim..but I am not alone." replied Izanagi, motioning for something to come forward. Out of the brush emerged four dozen villagers, their limbs limp at their sides, their expressions utterly vacant, and their eyes covered in a thick white film. Inuyasha covered his nose with the sleeve of his robe and hunched down.
"Ugh, that smell! They're all dead!" he said in a muffled voice. Miroku looked on in awe, but Tokutaro was not surprised.
"They are also Kyonshī, weaker ones...villagers he killed and made his minions." Said the monk.
"This is what my daughter looked like…the day she came to my house. I'd seen it before, in the servants Izanagi sent to 'take care' of me. They all attacked me, as did she. I slit her throat..but she didn't die, she kept coming at me. I couldn't do anything to stop her, I smashed a statue over her skull and she fell." Tokutaro whispered, his voice just as shaky as his hands clenched around his bow.
"Oh my, don't get all choked up on me now …father." cackled the demon, "You had no trouble killing her or any of those weaklings. If you wanted her to live..you shouldn't have hid yourself in that house, behind that barrier. You should have given me what I wanted and maybe..I would have spared her. Though, she did have a rather delicious soul. Your soul, however, is tainted by cowardice and regret!" Tokutaro could not stand idle for another word; he launched himself at the demon, forgetting his weapons and screaming curses at him. Izanagi caught him by the neck and gripped it tight. "You've been so careful, why are you throwing your life away now? I haven't even told you how I tricked my 'baby sister' into following me into the shadows. Oh, how she trusted her dear elder brother! Even when I touched her in ways a brother should not. She begged for it, you know. Your daughter was nothing but a incestuous whore! It was so simple to consume her soul!" Tokutaro could not reply, he struggled to get free but it was impossible. His face was red and turning purple, he gasped and gagged, but Izanagi did not let go.
Sango took the opportunity to attack the demon while he was distracted. She threw Hiraikotsu, which swiftly flew toward him. Izanagi saw the weapon and was forced to drop Tokutaro and leap away to avoid it. "How rude to interfere on matters that do not concern you!" he grumbled. Miroku dashed in and picked up the older man, who was once again unconscious. Inuyasha, who finally regained from the effect of the awful stench, jumped into battle. As Izanagi landed, Inuyasha swung Tetsusaiga hard in his direction. Izanagi quickly pulled out a blade of his own and defended himself. Sparks shot up as the two blades met and Izanagi laughed again. "Finally! An opponent worthy of my time, a real combatant, unlike that wench!"
"YOU TALK TO MUCH! Shut up and fight me!" yelled Inuyasha, striking again only to be blocked once more. Sango felt a twinge of jealously shoot through her body, but she shook it off, as it was exactly what Izanagi wanted. As much as she hated it, she knew it was up to Inuyasha to take out Izanagi and save Kagome. She had to focus on the weaker Kyonshī, so the Hanyou could put all his efforts into the real Demon. Miroku had already set Tokutaro beside Kagome and begun staving off the dead villagers, who were actually quite a challenge because of their numbers.
"I don't know what to do! These are villagers! How can we kill them?" asked Sango, knocking a group of rather violent women down to get closer to the monk.
"I know it's hard for you to attack innocent people..but these ones…are already dead." grunted Miroku, struggling with a strong younger man who was trying to tear at his face. Strikes that would kill an ordinary person did not work on these undead attackers, in fact they barely slowed down. Miroku learned this the hard way and was overcome by a group of them he thought he had already finished off. They clawed and snapped at him with their jagged teeth. Kyonshī not only hungered for souls, but had an insatiable appetite for living flesh as well. Sango saved him with Hiraikotsu, cutting several of them across the center. She cringed when she saw the top halves still crawling toward her. Miroku bashed one in the skull with his shakujo, breaking the bone and splitting it open. The kyonshī fell hard, a motionless corpse again. "Sango! You must aim for the skull!" yelled the Monk, hitting another with blunt force. He then tossed the Taijiya's katana to her. She tied it at her waist. She then proceeded to bash a farmer in the head with Hiraikotsu.
Izanagi was thrown back by the Hanyou. He blocked the attacks well, but Inuyasha proved to be stronger than he expected. He fell against the stone ground and cursed. "Izanagi…he was a resilient soul. Noble and proud…disgusting wretch," said the demon, "but he had one great weakness." He grinned at his thought and how he had intrigued Inuyasha, "Would you like to know what destroyed him? It's repulsive really." He laughed, "He fell in love with his own sister! And he could not bear to live such a shameful life, but he also could not continue to live without her. Fool. He left his home to commit suicide in the mountains. When he killed himself, I was awoken. I was weak at first, but a powerful demon told me how to get stronger. I attacked a farmer, then his family, and then the entire village at the foot of the mountain; I consumed their souls and made an army of the undead. We burnt the village to the ground and attacked another; where I did it all over again, and my minions harvested the souls for me. Izanagi still burned inside me though, so I returned to this town, pretended to be him, and gave him what he wanted..his sister. And he allowed me to possess this body entirely. This body is no longer weak!" exclaimed Izanagi, then he smirked at Inuyasha, "Oh yes, and then I consumed the little bit of spiritual energy I could from that…corpselike Priestess. LOOK HOW POWERFUL SHE MADE ME!" yelled the demon.
His words stopped Inuyasha in his tracks, "C-corpselike Priestess? What priestess?" he asked, fear overwhelming his formerly hardened expression.
"What does it matter to you?! Kikyou, I believe. Did you know her, Hanyou?" replied Izanagi, standing up. Inuyasha's face made it quite obvious. "Ahahaha, so you did! She came into this town seeking the shard…that clay doll. She made it too easy to steal her soul! Now that I've got her power and the power of this jewel, I will not allow myself to lose to you!" The demon pulled out Kagome's vial and shoved several shards into his mouth. He swallowed them before the blindly infuriated Hanyou could reach him.
"YOU KILLED KIKYOU?!" he roared. Inuyasha lunged at Izanagi, aiming Tetsusaiga at the demons head. He was no longer in control of his actions, anger made him reckless, exactly what Izanagi wanted. The shard's power took effect; Izanagi caught the blade in his hand effortlessly. Inuyasha stumbled back, the recoil after hitting Izanagi's hand was similar to that of hitting diamond encrusted armor. Izanagi threw Inuyasha across the yard.
Miroku was struggling with the prayer beads on his wrist. He tried to pull them off so he could suck the attackers into the hole in his cursed hand. "Are you going to use the Wind Tunnel? I'd like to be warned so I don't get sucked in as well!" yelled Sango above the grunting and moaning from the kyonshī, as she smashed a rather fat man over the head with Hiraikotsu. As if summoned by her words, Naraku's poisonous Saimyoushou appeared in the sky and flew down to fly among the Kyonshī. "Damn that Naraku…he is involved here!" shouted the Taijiya. Miroku cursed.
"I had a feeling he was part of this! Otherwise that Kyonshī would not be so powerful!" yelled the Monk, kicking down a man dressed like a merchant and shoving his shakujo through his eye. In the center of the yard, Izanagi was now beating Inuyasha mercilessly. The demon had sliced his way through Inuyasha's fire rat robe and somehow deflected his every attempt at the wind-scar, giving the impression he had known everything to expect when fighting the Hanyou. Inuyasha could barely touch Izanagi, the Kyonshī was quick for an undead man and his skin was nearly impenetrable since he swallowed the shard. His attacks were relentless, falling on Inuyasha without slowing down. The Hanyou was losing stamina and will, but he staggered on, determined not to be defeated. Sango saw his depleting strength. She had to help him, but she could not leave Miroku to fight the dozens of cannibalistic monstrosities on his own, and what would happen if they reached Kagome? Would they try to devour her too? Sango decapitated an elderly man who tried to bite her throat. Inuyasha would have to deal with Izanagi on his own for now. Someone grabbed her arm and she swung around to stab the assailant in the eye with her Katana.
"WAIT!" cried the attacker, Sango's blade stopped mere centimeters from his pupil, "It's me, Takeshi! I came here with your demon cat." He let go of Sango and stepped back. "I'm no coward like my father, I'm here to help! This is my brother's fault afterall!" he exclaimed, pulling out his own sword. Sango's blade flew past his face and he thought she was going to kill him until he heard blood spurting behind him. He turned to see a Kyonshī falling to the ground.
"If you are here to fight, then do so without talking. I won't be able to protect you every time!" scolded Sango, remembering her own little brother for a moment, "Aim for their heads and watch your back!" He nodded and headed toward a small crowd of undead villagers. Sango watched him for a moment, for a younger man he did have skill, he reminded her of an older Kohaku. His blade met their necks swiftly and accurately, cutting straight through with ease. Now that he was entirely focused, he could help Miroku. Kirara was also already tearing apart the kyonshī, one after another. Sango had faith they could handle the gathering. Shippou had come with Takeshi, he ran over to Kagome and tried to find a way to wake her up. Sango set her sights on Izanagi. He was standing over Inuyasha, who no longer looked conscious. Sango gasped, she had to act quickly. She flung Hiraikotsu at him. Izanagi looked up but it was too late, the boomerang hit him hard in the abdomen and set him soaring into the trunk of a tree. Sango sprinted to Inuyasha. The Hanyou was badly injured and covered in blood, his eyes were barely open.
"Sango, he's strong..real strong…and he killed Kikyou." He whispered, "I don't think..you can beat him..you should grab Kagome and run…this bastard is mine." Inuyasha tried to sit up, but fell back down. He grabbed Tetsusaiga and used it to elevate himself. What was the idiot saying? Leave him here to die and run off with Kagome? ..Sango paused, At least he wouldn't be in the way anymore. NO! How could she run away? Sango stared at him frantically, and then over to Izanagi who had gotten up and looked tremendously infuriated. He walked towards them. "What are you… lookin' at, stupid? go damnit!" the Hanyou commanded, wincing in pain.
"SHUT UP, YOU IDIOT!" yelled Sango, "I will never run away from a battle, and I won't leave you behind." She readied her Katana and stood in front of the Hanyou, glaring Izanagi down.
"Imprudent girl, if that half-demon can't even touch me, how do you intend to defeat me?" laughed Izanagi, his eyes red and burning. He smiled. "Your soul..is changing inside you..how interesting. There's no resentment!...how delectable. I would enjoy consuming such a soul. Prepare to be devoured!"
"Fuck you." Replied Sango, bluntly. Inuyasha tottered to the side and fell over. He had lost too much blood already. It was only up to Sango now.
"Feisty and foolish as ever!" taunted Izanagi, "I shall like to tie you up in the hide of that Hanyou and force you to watch me devour the Miko." Sango didn't wait for him to continue, she ran towards him with her katana drawn. She thrust it at him but he blocked it with his own blade easily. Their weapons clashed repeatedly. Sango had always been fast, but she had trouble keeping up with all of his advances. She barely managed to block him when he slashed down at her legs and then aimed at her chest. He was toying with her. He grinned at her deviously, amused by her futile efforts. He dropped his sword, "Come, cut me if you can." He taunted. She swung her sword fiercely toward his neck and the blade struck his skin with a terrible force. It did not cut, like she had hit steel, there was no mark on him. He grabbed the blade and pulled it out of Sango's hands. He threw it away and snickered. Sango staggered back, he was invincible. He approached her, "I warned you, did I not? Now look where we are! Have you any more tricks?" Sango did not answer, she was thinking too hard. Izanagi had swallowed the shards, by now they would be entirely absorbed by his body. His skin was as hard as diamonds, she could not break it. Had he no weaknesses?
Behind her, Miroku, Kirara, and Takeshi were fighting hard to keep the kyonshī villagers back, but were surrounded and being forced into another section of the garden; Tokutaro laid next to the comatose Kagome as Shippou tried to use his foxfire to protect them; and Inuyasha was unconscious, bleeding to death. She was the only one who could save them, but with no weapon how could she even hope to take him down? She noticed her dagger on the ground a few feet away. She jumped towards it, grabbing it and rolling back onto her feet. She stood in an aggressive stance but did not attack him. "Oh no, not a dagger!" he cried sarcastically. Sango glared at him again. He smirked and lifted his hand to look at his sharp nails. "I think I'll kill you now." He said. He darted towards her, laughing as he ran. He leapt at her and jabbed his hand into her chest, ripping open her skin. Sango screamed in pain but bit her tongue. The dagger would have no effect of his skin, but she had a plan. They hit the ground, the Taijiya's back arched at the impact and Izanagi was thrown slightly off balance as he landed on top of her. Before he could regain himself Sango drove the knife into his eye.
The demon shrieked in pain and scrambled off Sango. She rolled away and got up, she put her hand over the large gash in her chest, he could've ripped out her heart if she had been a second later in her attack. Her ribs were definitely broken, she winced. He pulled the dagger out, his eye with it. He looked at it in horror as it slid off the blade in two halves. He covered his face with his hands frantically, though there was no blood coming from the wound. Only a strange luminescent fog seemed to escape. He growled and his head whipped up to leer at her with his remaining good eye, still covering the empty socket. "Wretched woman..." he hissed, "you've destroyed my eye and caused some of my souls to escape!" He stared at her for a long while, then titled his head curiously. His enraged face was replaced by the most sinister grin she had ever seen. "No bother.." he said, "I shall just have to take yours instead!" He threw himself at her, hitting her against the ground and clawing her face. She managed to kick him off her and roll away again. She caught sight of her Katana, at the feet of a burly kyonshī. She looked at Izanagi, who saw her eying her weapon. They both dove at it at the same time, Sango landed on her chest and cried out in pain, but she reached for the weapon anyway. Izanagi was forced to uncover the socket, but his sacrifice proved profitable when he managed to seize the weapon and pull it away from Sango. He hovered over the Taijiya, holding her weapon and laughing maniacally. He kicked her in the side with brutal strength and she curled to protect her already broken ribs.
"I want to see you cry…I want to watch you squirm! But with only one eye, that won't be nearly as much fun." He teased, touching his empty socket, which was still releasing the radiant souls, "Perhaps I'll cut out your eye now, and then take my time torturing you to death." He shoved the Katana into the ground and knelt down. "Come now, let me see that pretty face so I can mutilate it!" He tried to force her to turn over, but she would not budge. He frowned and struck her on the side of the head with his fist. "STOP BEING SO DIFFICULT!" he yelled, hitting her again, "Naraku warned me of your impudence, you and all your friends. He told me your weaknesses, the bugs for the monk, the priestess for the Hanyou, and…your stupid brother, he is your weakness right? Ha! I didn't even have to use him against you. Yes, Naraku told me how none of you were very cooperative without... Persuasion, but he said it would be well worth the effort! However, even the satisfaction of collecting these jewel shards and consuming all those souls could not compare to the pleasure I will get from tearing you apart."
Sango listened but did not make a sound. Her body tensed in an effort to protect herself. Is this how she would end? Being beaten to death by a deranged corpse, a mere pawn of Naraku? Her mind willed her to fight, everyone depended on her, she could not lose now! -- But her body refused to respond. She thought of Kagome again, as she did when she nearly died before at the hand of the wolf demon. How wrong it had all gone, how terribly wrong. She wanted to be back in the shack during the days she was healing, with Kagome cuddled up at her side, kissing her tenderly and saying sweet things. She opened her eyes and looked for the Miko, but could not find her. She rolled over. Izanagi seized her chin and looked at her furiously, "Come now, don't be so quiet! Won't you scream for me? Just a little?" Sango was still silent, if he did kill her, she would not give him the delight in hearing her cries. She wouldn't look at him, instead she focused on the unexpectedly beautiful glowing mist that the souls formed as they still continued to seep from his hollow eye. "No fun, no fun at all, I won't let you ruin my mood. I suppose I'll just have to decapitate you!" He stood up and found his sword. He returned to her, lifting the blade above his head. "What a pity, I could've had such a fun time with you! Then again, I am a corpse myself, so what would stop me?" he laughed, "Say goodbye!"
Just then, a brilliant arrow pierced his stomach. He stumbled back and dropped the sword, completely in shock. He pulled out the arrow, and with it came a large jewel shards, the five he swallowed had joined together inside him. It bounced on the ground. The blue mist flowed out again, he screamed as his powers seemed to drain away, "w-WHAAAT!? WHO COULD'VE DONE THIS!"
"Good shot!" exclaimed Shippou across the yard.
"Back off, you revolting monster!" demanded Kagome as she stood beneath the tree where she had been laying with Shippou at her side. She held Tokutaro's bow, already strung with another arrow and aimed at his head.
"But how did you wake up!?" he shrieked, trying to cover the hole in his stomach.
"I was conscious the whole time, I heard every word you said! You just paralyzed me and the effects wore off…you should have studied your poisonous plants better!" said Kagome, fuming with anger, "Now step back slowly or you'll get an arrow through your undead skull." Izanagi did as she said, concealing his wounds so the light would stop escaping. The fog was floating up to the sky and disappearing, souls being released into the heavens. Kagome stepped towards Sango and knelt beside her, still aiming at Izanagi. "Sango, are you alright?" Sango just looked at her in awe, she couldn't utter a word because she was so overcome with the fact that Kagome was the one asking if she was alright, that the Miko was saving the Taijiya and not the other way around. "Ok, that was a dumb question.." said Kagome frowning and mistaking Sango's silence. Sango smiled up at Kagome, the only gesture she could manage, a simple sign that she would be ok. Kagome nodded, "Alright then, Izanagi…"
"Put another hole in his face!" shouted Shippou, still standing beside Tokutaro. Kagome smirked.
"N-No, please Miss Kagome. I didn't mean it, I was just…It was Naraku's influence! I wouldn't ever do such terrible things on my own. Inside me..still beats a human heart, I swear it!" Izanagi pleaded.
"He's lying…" said a voice from the corner of the yard. It was Miroku returning, with Takeshi and Kirara. "A Kyonshī has no remnants of humanity once it's consumed its first innocent soul..and you..killing so many people..you do not deserve to exist."
Takeshi looked at the monster that was once his brother, someone he had looked up to and loved. He turned his head away furiously, "He's no longer Izanagi…"
"Kagome.." said Miroku lifting his Shakujo, "I can finish this."
"No." replied Kagome, pulling the arrow back further in the bow and checking her aim. She looked confident, but the demon could smell her hesitance. She looked away from him and towards Sango.
The demon had been cowering in front of her, but he stopped and hissed, "Fine then bitch, Kill me!" he yelled. He decided to take advantage of her tentativeness; if he could knock the bow out of her hands he could take her hostage and escape. He leapt at her, a second later she let go of the arrow. It pierced right through his good eye and burst into a massive light. He did not even have time to scream, his entire body was engulfed. Kagome dropped the bow and jumped onto Sango to protect her as his body exploded. The pieces dissolved before they landed on the ground. The blue light shot up into the heavens and scattered like a meteor storm, all the souls of the people Izanagi murdered were released at last. It was surely a beautiful sight, but Sango did not see it, ebony hair blocked her view. She winced as Kagome's body lifted off hers.
"I'm sorry Sango! I didn't know what was going to happen and I didn't want anything else to hurt you, I ended up doing it myself." She said with a frown, Sango could not help but laugh at her adorably distraught expression. She took the girls hand in her own and kissed it.
"Look at you.." the Taijiya replied in a strained but cheerful voice, "I came to rescue you, but you ended up saving me." She shook her head in disbelief, "Some heroine I turned out to be." Kagome laughed and wanted to argue that Sango had saved her many times, but Miroku interjected before she could.
"Sango, how bad are your injuries?" he asked as he approached them.
"Not so bad…Inuyasha is worse off." The Taijiya responded. He stopped and picked up Inuyasha, slinging his arm over his shoulder so he could stand, the Hanyou blinked and flinched.
"Ah, you bastard…careful." groaned Inuyasha.
"You're an idiot, you could've died, you know." said Miroku, supporting him as he limped toward the girls.
Inuyasha scoffed, "Yeaaa yea…I know." Shippou ran over to the place where Izanagi's body exploded, retrieving Kagome's vial of shards. He trotted over to the Miko and gave it to her. She looked around and saw the shard; she scooped it up and purified it, then put it in the vial and replaced it around her neck. Takeshi was beside his father, lifting him to his feet. The old man moaned as he stood and leaned against Takeshi, but his face was as stern and proud as ever.
"You've probably saved this village." Said Tokutaro, "We owe you our lives."
"It was nothin'.." said Inuyasha. Sango nodded as she sat up with Kagome's help.
"We…will stay and help bury the dead." Miroku stated, "And we will make sure that Naraku has left this area."
"Thank you…" said Takeshi, "all of you." He looked specifically at Inuyasha, his gratitude was sincere. Tokutaro patted his son on the head, muttering something along the lines of "good job" or "atta' boy". Takeshi smiled up at his father with pride. "You should lay down, I'll take you back to the house." He said to his father. Tokutaro began to protest but realized he would be of more assistance after he rested, so he allowed his son to lead him home. Inuyasha sat down next to Kagome, who turned to look at him.
"Kagome…how do you feel?" he asked, touching her face with a worried expression.
"Never better, Inuyasha." replied the Miko with a sweet smile. Inuyasha's frown didn't go away, he was looking for something in her eyes. He studied her carefully and then looked down.
"She's gone.." he finally said, "He killed Kikyou…and her soul returned to you. But she's not there. I can't see her." The sorrow that laced his voice was enough to bring tears to his eyes, he tried to cover it up under a large red sleeve but everyone had already seen.
"You're wrong, I'm sorry Inuyasha, but you are wrong." She pulled the sleeve down from his face, "We may share a soul," whispered Kagome, "but Kikyou and I have never been the same…" The Hanyou nodded and looked at her.
"Now..I won't ever have to leave your side, Kagome." He stated, "I can be with you and only you." He half-smiled. Kagome didn't look at him. Instead she reached for Sango's hand and clenched it tightly.
"No, Inuyasha…you can't be with me." She replied. Before he could object or ask why, she continued, "I'm in love with Sango." Inuyasha looked at her in awe, but resigned himself as he put everything he'd witnessed together at last. He looked down and sighed.
"And she loves you…right?" he said, glancing at Sango, "I guess I always knew it, but I didn't want to." He smiled weakly at Kagome and nodded, too injured and heartbroken to argue about anything now. "Yea..yea, I'll guess I screwed up my chance with you anyway..Always chasing after Kikyou." Sango looked thoughtful and then smiled at Inuyasha.
"Besides, Izanagi said that he mentioned her only to make you angry..she could still be out there." said Sango, "And she hasn't let Naraku kill her, how could she allow herself to die at the hands of some weakling demon?"
"That's right..and the souls! If one had be Kikyou's it surely would've returned to Kagome, none went toward her..meaning..she was not killed by Izanagi." Exclaim Miroku. Inuyasha's ears perked up, it was funny how his mood could change so quickly.
"Then..we'll find her!" said Inuyasha, standing up with determination and vigor as if he'd never been heartbroken, then he immediately fell back over because of his wounds. Kagome shook her head.
"We should probably get you sewn up first." said Miroku. Shippou looked confused; he tugged at Miroku's robes.
"I don't understand…I love Sango too..and Kagome..and you, and even Inuyasha! Why can't we be with each other always?" Miroku laughed and patted his head, a 'I'll tell you when you're older' gesture. Sango felt the Miko squeeze her hand again as she giggled and grinned at her sweetly. The Taijiya gazed at Kagome for a moment, taking in her long black hair, her beautiful brown eyes glistening in the moon light, her soft rosy cheeks and lips, and without hesitation or caring who saw, she pulled the girl in and kissed her deeply. Kagome returned her kiss, different than she had kissed Sango before. There was no confusion, no fear, no desperation or hunger, just love. Sango leaned away, beaming at Kagome. For the first time since they had begun their relationship, they were both certain their love could endure anything; they had no more secrets, no doubt, just each other.
"I love you." Said Kagome, touching her forehead to Sango's.
Still smiling as she closed her eyes, Sango replied, "I love you too. Always."
Well, there yah have it. Izanagi was the bad guy! I like the irony in the line "still relieved it was only Izanagi who found her and not one of Naraku's demon minions." in reference to Kagome's reaction to Izanagi's unexpected entrance...cause..he is a minion! And, I dunno, I just liked it. And I gotta admit, I love how evil Izanagi turned out to be, he's really messed up isn't he? who knew I could create such a deliciously evil character on my own! Anyway, Expect an epilogue full of SangoxKagome goodness soon! (and possibly some good lemon after that..after I write a few more shoujo-ai pieces so it's like..worthy. lol.) PLEASE REVIEW! Reviews are very important to me and it only takes a few seconds, think about it, you just spent a long time reading this story anyway, what's 30 more seconds? Also, check out my profile for future updates and new stories! thanks everyone for reading and reviewing! READY? GO!!!!!!!!
PS* if I get a good enough response, maybe I'll do a sequel? tell me if you want one. :)
Sept 3th, 1990 - I'm announcing that The Epilogue is being written right now! It'll be posted ASAP, but give me some time cause I really want it to be good.