My Heart Will Go On
Chapter 20: The Final Battle Part 3
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Inuyasha's eyes widened. In the room stood Naraku, right beside the bed where Kagome lay. On another bed, lay Kikyo, barely hanging onto life with the souls that Naraku had let into the castle. He could smell Kagome's blood everywhere, it was nauseating, to say the least. He tried not to feel sick and lose control of himself to his demonic side as he stared at Naraku, such hatred in his eyes it shocked everyone, even Naraku himself.
"Ah, Inuyasha, you've come," Naraku smiled wickedly, running one of his hands through Kagome's darkened hair. She whimpered and shivered, for his touch was cold, and not who she wanted to feel at the moment. Inuyasha's eyes flared red the moment he saw this, and Naraku smirked at seeing this, continuing his torturing of the young miko. His hand ran over her hair, her cheeks, and finally a finger pressed to her lips.
This last touch caused Inuyasha to finally lose it. He started growling angrily, while Kagome struggled to break free and get to Inuyasha before he transformed into his full demon state. "Inuyasha, calm down, please!" she exclaimed, looking worriedly over at her hanyou.
At hearing Kagome's voice, it seemed to bring him back to normal. She sighed with relief, though this left Naraku pretty mad. It seems they had grown closer, much closer since they had last seen each other in battle. What ever happened, he could care less. They would all be dying here anyway. He didn't care if he died himself, so long as he took care of these three thorns in his side.
"Are you okay, Inuyasha?" Kagome called to him from her place on the bed. When she saw his eyes return to normal and look over at her, she sighed in relief, but this caused her to wince in pain from the injury in her side. This made him angry again, but able to control himself.
"What did you do to her, Naraku?" Inuyasha hissed through gritted teeth, not taking his eyes off Kagome. Kagome was surprised though she didn't show it, he hadn't mentioned Kikyo at all.
"A little genious plan of my own," Naraku said with a nod. "A tentacle through the side, leaves the victim motionless and bleeding internally...even if you do choose her, she may not survive the night."
This caused Inuyasha to look a little bewildered. "Choose? What the hell are you going on about?"
"Who you love more, and whom you are willing to let go of," Naraku smirked as he looked back and forth between both girls. Inuyasha's eyes widened, and he looked at Kagome first, then slowly over to the undead miko Kikyo. Her eyes were saddened, as always, but this time it seemed so more so, like she knew what was going to happen and there was no way she could stop it.
"I. . ."
"Think carefully and choose wisely, Inuyasha," Naraku smirked. "You only have minutes to choose. Because, if you run out of time, this whole place will explode in thirty minutes, killing all of you. . . except me, of course."
'I know you'll choose her, even if it costs you your life, and mine,' Kagome thought sadly. 'That way you can spend an eternity in hell together. You can both be happy . . . while I can be with my family in heaven.'
Just thinking about this brought tears to the young miko's eyes. This made Inuyasha stiffen right up upon smelling them, and he instantly knew his choice. Naraku had disappeared with his cruel laughter being heard, but Inuyasha knew he wasn't completely gone. He would be watching from somewhere safe, enjoying his sick little game with the love-triangle. He looked over at one bed, and noticed Kagome was starting to fall asleep, the bleeding becoming worse. He bit down on his lip, then looked over at Kikyo. The young miko wasn't looking at him, but down towards the ground, her bangs covering her eyes, as she knew who he would choose. It pained her yes, but she couldn't stop him from loving another, that much she learned in her afterlife.
He ran foward, beginning to destroy the chains holding her with all of the strength he had left. He didn't get the chance to destroy Naraku yet, but he would later, he promised himself. He would not leave here without taking Naraku's life, once and for all.
She looked up towards him, her eyes widening with shock. He . . . had chosen her? Why? Why not just let her die so she wouldn't have to suffer any longer in this world?
"Inuyasha, I-"
"Don't talk," Inuyasha shushed her, destroying the chains and picking her up in his arms. Just as he did, the other woman faded into the night with a terrifying scream. A blinding light filled the room, and Inuyasha shielded her eyes from it's blindness.
When it faded, the woman was gone. They both sighed, and Inuyasha jumped out of a nearby window while holding her close to his chest. Moments later, the entire castle, as Naraku had said, exploded.
"It's okay. You're safe now."
~*~
Meanwhile, Miroku and Sango were busy battling Naraku. Rather, Sango was fighting Kohaku, and Miroku was fighting Naraku. Shippo and Souta stayed close behind so they wouldn't get hit, but would be able to see what was going on incase they needed any help. They wondered where Kagome and Inuyasha were, but didn't really have time to look right now. It seemed Naraku was trying to distract them from finding their friends.
But...why?
"Kohaku, please, you must remember me!" Sango pleaded with her brother as she dodged his attacks, not attacking him. This still confused Naraku, but Miroku grew worried. Sango would eventually start to get tired, and then Kohaku would strike. But, for some reason, Kohaku's attacks were not as strong as usual. That made him think...had his memories returned at all? Usually he attacked with such strength that it threw Sango off balance, or even injured her. But she wasn't bleeding, just a few scratches on her body existed. He wondered if Sango noticed this change inKohaku's behavior.
Distracted while watching their battle, Naraku took his chances. Smirking, he snapped his fingers, and suddenly, Miroku screamed.
The pain in his right hand was unbearable. His wind tunnel was stretching, and a lot. He hadn't even opened it. So why was it doing that?
Oh no . . .
Miroku came to a sudden realization. Naraku was doing this of his own will. He didn't care what happened to them, he was going to suck Miroku into his own hand.
Another scream tore from Miroku's throat, and this caused Sango to look up. Eyes going wide, she immediately forgot about Kohaku, rushing to Miroku's side.
"Miroku!" she wrapped her arms around his waist and held on tightly, not letting go even when he tried to push her away. "I won't let go, so stop trying to push me away," she said to him in a stern voice.
"Sango, please . . . let go." Miroku told her, also in a stern voice, and hissed as the pain in his hand became even greater in only seconds.
Sango shook her head, holding onto him as tears started falling from her eyes. She was losing everyone she loved . . . first Kohaku, who was under Naraku's control and didn't remember her, and now Miroku, who was being sucked into his own hand.
Kohaku seemed to go still as he watched them, barely clutching the scythe in his hand. He couldn't take his eyes off them. His sister was dying right before his eyes, all to be with the man she loved. He smiled faintly and closed his eyes, knowing what he now must do. Distract Naraku from spreading the wind tunnel any further.
He charged at Naraku, attacking him without a second thought, his scythe aiming for Naraku's head. Though he knew it would probably do no good, at least it might provide them with a distraction so they could escape unscathed. If nothing else, he would help his sister during what was probably going to be their last battle together.
Sango gasped, her eyes widening the moment she saw Kohaku rushing towards Naraku, scythe in hand. Naraku's eyes widened, that even had him shocked for a minute, but he quickly moved backward, aiming a tentacle for Kohaku's chest.
Miroku panting, the spreading of his tunnel having stopped. It was too dangerous to use it now, if he did use long enough both of them, maybe even Kohaku would be sucked into the void. He couldn't risk that, not at all. He panted, sitting down on the ground, and Sango did the same, her arms still wrapped around his waist.
"Are you okay, Miroku?" Sango asked softly as she rested her head on his shoulder. He looked over towards her, giving a faint smile and a nod, not able to do much else. She held onto him and looked around for Naraku.
"Looks like he's disappeared," Miroku said after a while, catching his breath. She looked around, and saw Kohaku sitting down on the ground, his head bowed.
Sango gave Miroku a hug before standing up and walking over. Miroku tensed when he saw where she was going.
"Kohaku . . ." Sango spoke softly, this causing him to look up towards his sister. Sango's eyes widened at the smile that was on his face.
"I'm glad your safe," he said quietly.
". . . You remember, don't you?" Sango asked, kneeling down beside him, her hand resting on his shoulder. He slowly nodded.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you," he said to her softly. "I couldn't. Naraku would know my memories have returned, and then he wouldn't trust me at all again, meaning I couldn't get close to him to destroy him."
Sango's eyes widened. That's why he didn't tell her? 'Oh Kohaku. . . ' she thought to herself, giving him a warm hug. He tensed, before relaxing, hugging her back and enjoying his sister's warmth.
"I missed you, sister," Kohaku said softly, smiling a bit as she kissed his forehead.
"And I you," She told him softly. "Let's do this together, shall we? Defeat Naraku."
Kohaku nodded, and both of them stood up.
~*~
Shippo and Souta were still hiding, though watching from afar. They looked back and forth between each other.
"When do you think it's our turn to go out?" Shippo asked and Souta shook his head.
"Not until they tell us-" Souta gasped as he saw the castle nearby exploding. His sister and Inuyasha were in there!
"Kagome!" both of them called, and received no answer. Souta bit down on his lip, and gasped, his eyes widening when Inuyasha jumped out of the blast, carrying his unconscious and bleeding sister in his arms.
"The smell of blood... it's so strong," Shippo's eyes widened when he recognized it as Kagome's.
"We have to stop the bleeding, and fast," Inuyasha growled out as he placed her gently on the ground next to Shippo and Souta. They both nodded and helped by putting pressure on the wound. She yelped, even in her unconscious state. It hurt...so much...
"Don't give up, you hear me!?" Inuyasha exclaimed, looking down at her pale face. "You better stay alive, if you know what's good for you!"
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TBC
A/N: One last part to the battle, next chapter. The finishing act. Yes, they will beat him. But at what price?