A/N: Enjoy the chapter everyone. Sorry for the late update.
Disclaimer: Nothing from Inuyasha belongs to me.
Chapter 10
(With Kagome)
Kagome awoke the next morning in the same position she'd been when she'd fallen asleep. She was surprised that Inuyasha had kept his word.
After a moment she hesitantly stared up at him. His hair had returned to its silver color and his dog ears had returned as well. Kagome smiled as she listened to him snore lightly as a devious scheme worked its way into her mind.
"I haven't done this in a while," she thought as she reached up and grabbed his ears. He woke up almost immediately.
"Kagome, what are you doing?" he asked groggily.
Kagome blushed as she pulled her hands back. "Oh nothing, nothing at all Inuyasha."
"Yeah, whatever," he said as he released his grip on her. "Come on, we've got a big day ahead of us."
Kagome didn't like the sound of that. "Are you saying that…"
"We're going to have to put an end to Kikyo," Inuyasha interrupted. "By now she must have absorbed millions of human souls. At this point we can only assume that we're the only ones left in the area who can stop Kikyo."
"I hope Sango and the others are okay," Kagome stated aloud.
"Me too, but in case they're not, we have to take down Kikyo and make sure all the souls go back to where they belong."
"You're right," Kagome replied. "Still, we have no idea where to look."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that," Inuyasha inquired. "I've got a good idea of where she is."
(With Sango)
Sango and Miroku had been searching all night, but they found no sign of Kagome anywhere they looked. The sun was now high in the sky, the birds were busily chirping, and all seemed perfectly peaceful.
Too peaceful.
"This is bad Miroku," Sango stated uneasily. "Where do you think those soul collector's could have taken her?"
"Probably to Kikyo," Miroku replied. "But we have no way to find Kikyo without Kagome."
Sango sighed. "We should try to find Inuyasha. He knows Kikyo better than anyone and probably knows where she is. If we find him we'll be that much closer to finding Kikyo and Kagome."
"True, but what about Kohaku and Shippo," Miroku asked. "We can't just leave them at the village."
"I know, but I don't want to involve Kohaku in this mess with Kikyo," Sango told him. "I believe that he and Shippo will be safer with Kaede."
Miroku nodded. "Yes, I suppose that's best."
Sango didn't respond. She was busy scanning the area below. The subtle wind chilled her face as the worried feelings within her grew. Miroku lightly touched her shoulder in order to reassure the demon slayer, but to no avail. Sango was a nervous wreck.
Miroku sighed, he was a nervous wreck too, but he didn't dare admit that to Sango. She needed him to be strong, so he continued to scan the area as he gently squeezed Sango's shoulder. He noticed that there was a slight blush on her face.
After a few more minutes, Miroku spotted two figures near a cave. One of them was wearing a red kimono and the other was wearing a school uniform.
"Sango, look down there," Miroku ordered excitedly. "I think that's Inuyasha and Kagome."
Sango turned her gaze toward the two figures. "It is them! Kirara, fly down there."
Kirara flew towards the two figures and it became clear after a few moments that it was indeed Inuyasha and Kagome.
"Sango!" Kagome shouted as Kirara landed and Sango ran to hug Kagome.
"I'm glad that you're safe," Sango replied while she hugged Kagome. Miroku sighed in relief and Inuyasha chuckled to himself. However, all of them realized that they still had a huge issue to deal with.
Inuyasha in particular, was going to have to do something he never wanted to do. In his heart, he'd hoped that Kikyo would find peace within the life she lived even though it wasn't real. It was naïve of him to hope for something that would never happen. Kikyo was brought back against her will. She walked the Earth in sorrow and pain everyday. Her soul couldn't find peace. It hadn't been able to find peace while she'd been dead and it wouldn't be at peace now.
Unfortunately, Inuyasha was going to have to push past his feelings. He didn't necessarily love Kikyo anymore, but he still cared about her. He certainly didn't have a desire to kill her, but what else could he do at this point?
Upon realizing this, Inuyasha's expression fell into a determined scowl. As Sango released Kagome from their hug, she caught that expression and understood what it meant.
"Inuyasha," Kagome began, "are you sure that you want to put an end to Kikyo?"
Inuyasha sighed. "I never wanted to hurt Kikyo, but there's no way to save her now. We have no choice but to stop her."
Kagome narrowed her gaze at him. "And you want to do this alone?"
"I don't think I can do this alone."
Kagome gasped in surprise. She didn't think he'd want her there with him when he killed Kikyo.
"So then…"
"I need all of you to help me," Inuyasha cut in. The words didn't feel right on his tongue, but he didn't really care. It was important to do what needed to be done.
It was clear now, that Inuyasha had made his final decision.
Kikyo stood within Naraku's castle. It had become her fortress due to recent events that caused Naraku to be destroyed. The sacred jewel was whole again and in her hands. However, it was not pure as it had been earlier. The jewel was shrouded in a dark aura.
Naraku's essence within Kikyo had eventually overpowered her spiritual spell. Kikyo was still under control, but Naraku's evil was slowly seeping out of her. She realized quickly that she would have to grant her wish soon. Otherwise, Naraku would return and she would never find peace.
She raised one hand to her chest and closed her eyes. There was pure evil inside of her soul thanks to Naraku. His evil was feeding into her own evil feelings and that was making him more powerful.
Suddenly, hundreds of soul collectors entered the room where Kikyo stood. Souls of the dead and of the living were absorbed into her body. This caused the goodness in her soul to gain strength. The jewel began to turn back into its pure form. However, there was still a tint of darkness around it thanks to Kikyo's own selfish desire.
The desire to bring Inuyasha to the underworld with her.
"I shall never allow Inuyasha to forget about me."
It was with that thought that Kikyo smiled to herself. She opened her eyes and stepped out of the room and onto a balcony. The cold wind blew through her hair as she stared out at the horizon. Dark clouds were in the sky, signifying that a storm was about to rage through the countryside.
The sound of footsteps came from behind Kikyo. The priestess closed her eyes again.
"I told you that I was going to be the one to kill Inuyasha."
Kikyo smiled, but she didn't open her eyes. "Sesshomaru, I'm surprised that you found this castle."
"How could I not find it?" Sesshomaru asked. "This castle is wreaking in the scent of Naraku's demonic aura. I notice however that Naraku is nowhere to be found and souls of the living and dead are being gathered to this spot.
"So, you intend to stop me?" Kikyo asked. "Since when do you care about the world?"
Sesshomaru's expression changed slightly. "I don't, but without it there won't be anyone to conquer."
Kikyo already knew that the demon behind her was lying. His true purpose for being here was to save the soul of the little girl that now dwelled within her body. The priestess opened her eyes and turned to face the demon.
Within his eyes was a determined fire. His mind was obviously set on saving the little girl's soul. Kikyo chuckled.
"I don't see the humor in your situation Kikyo," Sesshomaru stated as he withdrew his sword from its sheath. "You're about to die."
"That's true," Kikyo replied as she continued to laugh. "But my blood won't be on your hands Sesshomaru."
"He isn't fighting alone," another voice cut in. Kikyo ceased her laughter even though she was still amused by the situation.
"Well, Kagura," Kikyo scoffed as she watched Kagura step in behind Sesshomaru. "So, you've decided to betray me?"
"I have my reasons," Kagura replied as she withdrew her fan. "Prepare to die."
Kikyo sighed in content, then out of nowhere she withdrew one arrow from the pack that was fastened to her back. In a flash, she had the bow in her hand and effortlessly fired. Kagura barely dodged it, but she saw the damage it dealt. The sacred arrow had left a trail on the floor and had blow a hole through the sliding door that led to the balcony. It also left a pretty huge hole in the wall within the room.
The wind began to blow harder as Kikyo smiled. Her hair had been loosely tied, but now the sashes that kept her hair in place blew away.
"You cannot defeat me," Kikyo stated as her hair blew around her pale face. "I'm invincible."
"We shall see," Sesshomaru replied as he lunged in for an attack. Kikyo dodged and watched as Kagura came in with her dancing blades attack. The priestess practically danced across the balcony as she dodged the attacks.
"She's fast," Kagura noted as she watched Kikyo land on the railing of the balcony after she'd attacked. Sesshomaru waved his sword in the air and sent a powerful attack in Kikyo's direction. Kikyo responded by firing an arrow. It cut straight through the blast and nearly pierced Sesshomaru's shoulder. However he continued to attack in an attempt to weaken the priestess. Kagura followed close behind just as Kikyo flew up to the roof of the castle.
As Kikyo landed, she clasped her hands together and then focused all her energy on a spiritual blast that come out from her palms. Sesshomaru noted this and fell back to the outer edge of the castle's roof.
However, Kagura didn't sense the demonic power as quickly as Sesshomaru had.
"Kagura!" Sesshomaru called out, uncharacteristically trying to warn her of the danger. Unfortunately it was already too late for her.
"Goodbye, Kagura," Kikyo whispered while stretching out her hands. A light purple orb blasted from her palms as Kagura whipped up her Dance of Blades attack. Kikyo dodged the blades easily and it seemed that the blast had disappeared.
"Is that all you've got priestess?" Kagura asked as she geared up for another attack. "This is going to be simpler than I thought."
Kikyo smiled as Sesshomaru started to run toward Kagura.
"Kagura, move!"
He grabbed her and forced both of them out of the way of the orb that had been headed for Kagura. It's direction was slightly averted again.
"Dodging won't save you," Kikyo muttered while forcing another blast away from her palms. Kagura noted this and quickly forced Sesshomaru away from her. The orbs swiftly went through her chest.
"Darn it," Kagura stammered out, just as blood started seeping out of the two gapping holes in her chest. It felt as if her soul were about to be ripped out of her.
Sesshomaru stared at her with a mixed expression. He couldn't fathom why his heart was suddenly pounding in his chest. The pounding intensified as he watched Kagura fall toward the edge of the roof. He couldn't tear his gaze away even though he knew the distraction would cost him.
Kikyo, however did not attack again. She waited as Kagura fell off the roof and onto the balcony where she'd been standing earlier. She watched and waited while Sesshomaru stared down at Naraku's incarnation. The priestess glanced over as well. The sight was a gruesome one, but Kikyo did not flinch. She continually stared as Kagura's blood seeped out from her wounds and stained the wood on the balcony floor.
"Now she will understand," Kikyo thought with bitterness while Kagura struggled to stay alive. "Freedom comes with a price. Protecting the ones you love comes with a price. All actions come with a price. The price for loving Sesshomaru shall be your life Kagura, just as the price for loving Inuyasha cost me mine. Sesshomaru will never be able to forget you now and I won't allow for Inuyasha to forget about me. He and I will be together forever."
The priestess looked away and focused her gaze on Sesshomaru. His expression was blank again, but pain could be seem clearly in his golden eyes. Kikyo smiled.
"He will never forget her and so Inuyasha will never forget me."
On the balcony, Kagura was struggling to breath. She had gained freedom, but now her death was upon her. The demon of the wind tried her hardest to get air into her dismantled lungs, but it was a futile effort. Her heart was working overtime to keep her alive and the blood was flowing out of her body rapidly.
"I guess it's over for me then," she thought as her crimson eyes stared up to where Sesshomaru stood. She saw the pain in his eyes and smirked. "So he did have a soft side after all."
Kagura's eyes dimmed and then finally slipped closed. She breathed her last as her body began to disintegrate and disappear into the wind. Her soul was absorbed by Kikyo.
Sesshomaru now stared coldly at Kikyo. The wind was starting to pick up and the dark clouds seemed ominous as a few sprinkles of rain fell. The priestess pulled out her arrow just as Sesshomaru repositioned his sword.
"Prepare to die priestess," he stated.
Kikyo laughed. "I'm always prepared for death. After all I am the living dead."
"That's true," Sesshomaru replied. "You're a creature that's against nature."
"And your not?" Kikyo asked nonchalantly. "You are so hypocritical Sesshomaru."
The dog demon smirked evilly. "Enough of this foolish banter. The time for you to die is now!"
Kikyo closed her eyes as Sesshomaru lunged toward her. "I told you. I will not die by your hand."
Within a few minutes the rain begun to fall more steadily. It wasn't pouring yet, but it would be within the hour.
Our heroes, Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, and Miroku were just a couple of miles away from Naraku's castle. Inuyasha had picked up on Kikyo's scent and on Naraku's demonic aura and both were leading them in the same direction. In a few minutes, the epic battle between Inuyasha and Kikyo would begin.
As for Sesshomaru…he and Kikyo are still battling.
However, Sesshomaru is losing.
A/N: That's the end of this chapter. Tried to leave it at a cliffy, but I'm having issues with this story in general. When I first started I had loads of ideas, but now I'm in a state of complete writer's block for this story. I'll try my best to finish it, but there will be late updates.