My Heart Will Go On

Chapter 18: The Final Battle Part 1

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Everyone was walking in a forest, towards Naraku's scent where Inuyasha had picked it up from. They were almost there. They had a well-deserved rest at Kaede's hut, and had gotten some weapon from Midoriko's cave. Everyone was allowed in there ... except Inuyasha, of course. Everyone couldn't help but laugh. It was the same reason as the last time: his greediness prevented him from entering the gave.

It was dark when they left the forest, just as it had been in the forest because of the tallness of the trees. Kagome stayed closed to Inuyasha as he had advised, he didn't want her to get into any danger. But they were both nervous, for if he felt any pain, so would she. It wouldn't be as severe as his own, but it would still be painful.

Miasma, thick and powerful, was all around the whole castle. This made Kagome worried. Souta was only young, and he was heading into the battle with the rest of them. Would he be alright? She knew he had pretty strong powers from what she had witnessed, but still... it made her worry. She had never been affected by the miasma personally, but she knew people like Sango and Miroku (who also had a bit of spiritual powers) were. She wondered why she wasn't affected, maybe it was because her powers were stronger than Miroku's? They had told Souta to stay close to Shippo and Kilala, only coming out when needed. He would be needed to help deliver the final blow. They would need all the help they could get for that.

Surprisingly, Kouga was not at the castle. You'd think he'd be there to avenge his tribe, but after what he had mistakenly done to Kagome, the wolf didn't dare show his face. He knew there would be two battles that day if he had; one between Naraku and Inuyasha, the other between Inuyasha and Koga. Both would have been a fight to the finish, for life or death.

A shiver went down through Kagome spine at the thought. She couldn't bear to see Inuyasha die. Though the possibility of it was very high, especially after what the Sesshomaru in her time had told them. Everyone had died except for the young ones, who weren't even near the battle sight and were left unscathed. Hopefully, the fact that Souta had come to the feudal era to help would change things for the better.

At feeling a comforting hand on her shoulder, she looked up and saw Inuyasha, looking down at her with concerned and worried eyes. She just had to smile. He had changed so much over the past few weeks, and it just made her love him all the more.

"Are you okay, Kagome?" he asked her softly upon hearing the shiver come from her. She nodded slowly.

"Yes, I'm just thinking, that's all, Inuyasha," Kagome told him, and he suddenly brought her into a hug, surprising everyone. "Don't worry, Kagome. We're going to change the...future." He paused as he said this, unsure of what to call it. It had already happened, and yet it hadn't. To Sesshomaru, the Kagome and Inuyasha he knew were in fact gone, but these group of people were still alive and kicking. This was...a lot more complicated than it looked.

She nodded, agreeing with him and enjoying the warmth of the hug very much. It calmed her, made her feel relaxed as she was in the arms of her mate. Sango and Miroku smiled at the public display of affection, for it proved he really had matured and grown to trust people. It also proved that he had become more open with his feelings, because Kagome had taught him how to trust. For that, she was happy.

A dark chuckle could be heard all around the area, and everyone froze. Kagome remained in Inuyasha's protective, not to mention possessive, grasp, as a dark purple miasma cloud floated towards them. His grip tightened on Kagome a bit, but not painful, and everyone gasped (except Inuyasha, of course) as Naraku stepped out from it.

"Well well, it has been sometime, Inuyasha," Naraku sneered. Even he noticed the sudden change in Inuyasha's emotions, he wasn't stupid. The way he held onto that mortal girl to protect her from every thing that wanted to harm her? It made him want to laugh. So he did.

"Is the mutt relying on a miko to give him strength?" Naraku cackled, and Inuyasha sent a glare his way. It was so powerful that it actually made Naraku shut up.

"Shut it," Inuyasha growled, and brought Kagome behind him. She obeyed, remainding behind him, knowing that was what he wanted. "I've been waiting a long while to see you, so that...I can destroy you!"

"Well," Naraku sneered. "You've got what you wanted, haven't you? You've seen me again. Now....do you think you can kill me?"

"No," Inuyasha smirked, and at this they all raised an eyebrow. "I know I can kill you."

They all smiled. There was the Inuyasha they all knew and loved.

It was time...time to battle.

Inuyasha then charged, transformed Tetsusaiga in his hand, towards Naraku.

"WIND SCAR!"

The final battle had begun.

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TBC

A/N: Another chapter. Hope you enjoyed. Next that will be updated is One Truth Prevails. Enjoy while you can and review! Next chapter....LOTS OF ACTION! Whoot? Character death? Who knows. And just for a question, do any of you think I should up the rating to Mature? It won't have a lemon, but a bit of citrusy goodness, and of course the bloody final battle. Just wat your opinions there please beore I post the next chapter (coming today or tomorrow).