Sesshomaru found his way to the great ball room. Everyone was talking but stopped as soon as he came in. Kagome ran over to him and threw her arms around his neck. He returned her affection and gladly hugged her back. He was so tired and her hug was very welcomed. She pulled her head back and placed a hand on his cheek. "Your alright. We were starting to worry." Her eyes showed so much love and worry.
"I am glad to see you are safe as well." Arm and arm the couple moved their way over to the other two men. "So Sessh what happened to your other lady?" Inuyasha stated with a little more venom than he had intended. "She is dead Inuyasha." Kagome looked up at him with a shocked look on her face.
"And I am the one who killed her. Hello my fellow demons and little miko. So glad you could make it. Pleasure to see you again Inutaisho." The man continued to come into the room. "Naraku what the fuck are you playing at." Inuyasha had stepped forward first. " Oh, Inuyasha I wish I could say it's a pleasure to see you again."
Sesshomaru's face turned very dark and he moved in front of Kagome. "You must be Sesshomaru. Such a fine brood Inutaisho. Well except for that whole half breed thing. But your other son, hmm, what a fine specimen of demon heritage he is. Lucky you." He shrugged his shoulders and continued into the room. Following behind him was another demon carrying a large sword.
"You will pay for killing my brothers." The second demon yelled. "Ha, we killed 'em and we are easily going to kill you too." The young demon threw a sword at Inuyasha and said "Prove it." Inuyasha easily caught it. A large smiled spanned his face. Sword play was his strong suite. He could sword play all day. Still smiling he took a stance and then started running full force to the other demon. Slamming his sword against the other man's.
Naraku began to grow larger, tentacles emanating from all over the lower half of his body. An evil maniacal laugh could be heard echoing throughout the hall. Kagome whispered in Sesshomaru's ear. "The jewel around his neck. Get it. Without it he will be weak and easy to defeat. Please be careful." He nodded and told her to get out of the way.
Kagome took the opportunity to run over to Kikyo. Kneeling down in front of her she proceeded to slap her several times across the face. "Please Kikyo, please come around. I am going to need your help. I can't purify that jewel alone. Please." She grabbed the woman's shoulders and began shaking her mercilessly.
Sesshomaru moved over to stand next to his father. Leaning over to him he whispered about getting the jewel. His father nodded and both men converted themselves into their dog demon forms. Snarling and gnashing there teeth. Scraping and digging their claws into the wood floor. Instantly they lunged forward attacking the demon before them in unison. Nipping, bighting, and clawing while trying to avoid the tentacles coming at them.
Inuyasha was still enjoying himself clashing swords with the other demon. A deep clanging could be heard in the room even louder than the sound of the demon fight going on. Inuyasha was seriously impressed by the talent of the other swordsman fighting him. The entire fight so far had been a perfect match of aptitude. Both demons being of near equal, Inuyasha almost wished he could spar with the man everyday.
Sesshomaru clawed his way up to the spot where Naraku was wearing the jewel around his neck. However one of the tentacles he was standing on moved and caused him to loose his footing. The tentacles immediately moved in wrapping themselves around him completely. He clamped his teeth around the one near his face and began to tear at it.
The tentacles began freely slamming him around the room trying to shake his hold loose. Slamming him through a balcony door and crashing through the railing. causing a rain of stone to fall onto the cliffs below. Sesshomaru freed one of his arms and dug his claws deep into the monster and releasing large amounts of poison into the limb holding him.
This caused Naraku to cry out and distracted him enough to let Inutaisho close enough to grab the jewel. Yelling Kagome's name, he threw it to her and screamed "Purify it now!" Kagome didn't hesitate. She thrust the jewel between Kikyo's hands and covered them with her own. She began to concentrate on every happy and beautiful thought she could come up with. Including Kikyo coming to and helping her out.
A small pink glow started enveloping the girls hands, but it was weak. It was nowhere near strong enough to complete the task at hand. Kagome started to doubt herself and the warm glow got weaker. Then suddenly her hand started to become increasingly warm. She opened her eyes to see the glow was much stronger now. Looking up she saw Kikyo smiling back at her and telling her it was going to be alright.
Kagome relaxed and let the breath she had been holding. 'Everything is going to be alright.' She thought smiling back at Kikyo. A tenatacle wrapped itself around her waist crushing her and pulling her into the air away from Kikyo. Kikyo screamed and Kagome called out the first name that came to her mind. "INUYAHSA."
Inuyasha stopped and looked to see what was going on. Kagome was wrapped in several tentacles leaving only her head showing. Her face was growing red and it was easy to see she was finding it hard to breathe. Inuyasha started to run after her but his new found sparring partner wasn't having it. He slashed Inuyasha's back with his sword and told him he was not through with him yet.
Inuyasha could feel his demon coming to the surface, no one was going to keep him from protecting Kagome. Kagome tried to call out his name again but it only came out in a gasp of a whisper. Inuyasha heard it though and that was all it took. His demon side came roaring to the surface. He turned to the demon he had been fighting and sliced his head off with one blow. He then shouted "I'm commin' Kagome hold on."
Sesshomaru was still fighting against his bonds. Ripping and tearing at it with his teeth and claws. The appendage was not happy about it though and kept slamming him painfully against the floor of the balcony. Causing it to crumble and fall apart beneath him.
Inutaisho clawed and ripped at the flesh on Naraku's chest making him scream out in pain. " I am not going to let you get away with this you know." He managed to force out between cries of suffering. Inuyasha easily bypassed the tentacles to get to Kagome. Slicing off the one holding her. He caught her just before she hit the ground. He immediately worked to free her from the binds. "You alright Kagome?" finally pulling away the remaining tentacle. She threw herself at him and began to cry. He pulled her tight to him and told her it was all over she was ok.
He took her over to Kikyo and asked her to watch over Kagome. She smiled and said it would be no problem. Inuyasha turned back to the fight. Looking at his brother he decided to go and help him. Inutaisho gave Naraku a particularly deep gash in his chest causing the demon to slam Sesshomaru hard against the floor of the balcony again.
Inuyasha yelled out to his brother "Havin' a little trouble there bro." Laughing he sliced the tentacle restraining his brother. Sesshomaru began peeling the tentacle away from him when another tentacle came crashing down next to him causing the balcony to give way. Seshomaru reached out grabbing a piece of the crumbling structure trying to hold on. Inuyasha called out to him telling him to hold on.
He jumped toward his brother but another tentacle came at him knocking him back about five feet. Shaking it off he got back up and tried again. Slashing at the tentacles coming at him with the sword. One came up from behind throwing him across the room again. Inuyasha was furious now, he jumped and slashed with incredible speed and made his way over to Seshomaru.
Getting down on his belly he leaned out to grab at Seshomaru and pull him up. Another wave of tentacle came at him slamming against him and the floor around him. Inuyasha ducked his head trying to avoid being hit. " Son of a bitch will ya give it a rest for just a minute." He pulled himself up to the edge again and peered over to grab at Sesshomaru again. But when he did he found his brother was not there. He looked down to see his mangled body twisted onto the jagged rocks below. He was furious. He started to pull himself back up when a tentacle came and smacked him on the back of the head. He lost it. His eyes bled red, his claws grew long and his fangs protruded from his mouth. A scream left his mouth that caused everyone's blood to run cold.
He jumped passed all the tentacles ripping and slashing many of them in the process. He got to his father, grabbed him and mercilessly threw him across the room causing him to slam into a wall and fall unconscious. Naraku laughed " Oh my is the creepy little half demon going to hurt m…" but he never got to finish his sentence. Inuyasha clamped his throat in between his jaws crushing his windpipe. He then ripped out his throat and tossed it onto the floor.
He began to gnaw on Naraku's flesh, growling and ripping at it. Tearing at his chest and howling with the satisfaction of his kill. Kikyo and Kagome watched in disgust as blood covered his face and claws. His beautiful silver hair was tinged red matching the red glow of his eyes. Kagome somehow knew he wouldn't hurt her though.
She carefully approached him gently calling his name. He turned to look at her, blood dripping down his chin. She tried to smile hoping to cover how sick she actually felt at the sight of him like that. He started to run towards her, causing her to take a step back. She however caught herself and decided to stand her ground. He came at her but stopped right in front of her.
Kagome said the first thing that came to her mind. "Inuyasha, sit boy." So he did. He sat down in front of her on his haunches and waited. She gently moved her hand towards him and began to caress his ears. He closed his eyes and leaned into her with complete satisfaction. When he opened his eyes again they had returned to their usual golden hue. She smiled at him only to be met with a frown and a "What the hell, Kagome. Sit boy? What kinda shit is that?" She laughed and stated "Well it worked, dummy."
He fell back on his ass and looked down at his hands drenched in blood. " Yeah I guess it did. Thanks."
A groan could be heard from across the room. Inuyasha turned to see his father shakily trying to get up off the floor. " Dad wait, let me help you." He ran to the aide of his fathers side pulling him up to a sitting position. "Wow kid you can really pack a wallup when your in demon form. No one has ever thrown me across the room before."
"Dad, Sesshomaru is dead." Inutaisho shook his head. "No that can't be." Inuyasha cleared his throat and looked his dad in the eye. "The balcony he was on gave way. He fell onto the jagged cliffs below. I tried to get to him dad. I tried but those damn tentacle things kept me away. I couldn't save.." Inuyasha couldn't finish his sentence. The tears flowed down his face as the sorrow over took him.
"It's not your fault son. I know you did your best." He pulled his son into him and the both shared in their pain. Kagome came over and knelt next to them. In a tiny whisper she said " I am so sorry for your loss. Sesshomaru was a wonderful being and no one will ever take his place." Her eyes swelled with tears and she began to quietly cry.
Inuyasha turned from his father and reached out, grabbing Kagome and pulling her to him. "I am so sorry, Kagome. I am so sorry, I tried to save him. I tried." A new set of tears rolled down his face. " I know you did. He knows you did too, sweetheart. Please don't blame yourself. You did all you could. None of this was your fault. Naraku was to blame for everything. Even Kikyo, remember."
The two stayed holding each other for awhile until Inutaisho cleared his throat. "Son we are going to have to leave here. You and I need to retrieve you brother's body so we can take it back home with us." He said with a somber sadness in his voice. Inuyasha let go of Kagome and stood up to follow his father. "Kagome, one of the reasons we were able to find you was because of a woman named Kagura. She wanted us to help save her daughter from Naraku. Do you know anything about that?
Kagome furrowed her brow trying to piece together what Inuyasha was talking about. "I think he might mean Kanna?" Kikyo had moved toward the group out of the shadowy corner. " Oh right. She usually keeps to herself in the garden." Kagome stated. " Can you two go and look for her. We can't just leave her on the island. My dad and I will get Sesshomaru and meet you at the boat on the Southside of the beach."
Kikyo and Kagome made their way through the corridors leading to the garden. Kikyo broke the uncomfortable silence first. "So what's between you and Inuyasha? Are you together?" Kagome blushed "well, it's kinda complicated. But we aren't dating if that is what your asking. I was dating Sesshomaru."
A gasp left Kikyo's mouth. " Oh Kagome, I am so sorry." Kagome's throat became tight and she choked back a tear. All she could do was nod at Kikyo to let her know she understood. After she forced the lump in her throat to go away, she thought she would let Kikyo in on the tale of her and the Takahashi brothers. It kinda felt nice to actually be able to tell someone.
"After you and Inuyasha went your separate ways he began to sleep with me. We had been friends for awhile and I guess he felt it would be easy with someone he knew. I made the mistake of telling him I loved him and he told me he could never love me because he only could ever love you." Kikyo let out another small gasp. "Oh Kagome, that's terrible."
"Well to make a long story short I met and fell for his brother and I guess you know the rest." She sat down on a stone bench and took in a deep breath. Kikyo sat down next to her and let out a deep breath. "So what happens now?" Kagome got back up and gave Kikyo her hand to help her up. "Honestly Kikyo? I have no idea. But we had better find that little girl so we can get the hell off this island." Kikyo nodded and the two women continued their search.
"Kagome, I think I may have found something." Kikyo called out to her. Kagome came over to find Kikyo kneeling in front of a little white dress with a golden mirror sitting beside it. A pile of ash was all that was left. "She must have been destroyed when Naraku was killed." Kikyo stood up next to Kagome and stated that they had better go.
The boat ride back to the mainland was terrible. Kagome sat all alone next to Sesshomaru's body wrapped in a sheet. Inuyasha sitting protectively next to Kikyo behind her and Inutaisho driving the boat behind them. Kagome had never felt so alone in her life. The plane ride back was more of the same. Inuyasha and Kikyo sat at the back of the plane whispering non stop to each other. Inutaisho had fallen asleep and Kagome was left alone with just her thoughts to keep her company. How much more pain could she take?
As soon as the plane landed Kagome ran out the door and into the terminal. She kept running until she reached the front and found a taxi to take her to her best friends house. She had no money and she hoped her friend Sango could help pay the taxi. She leaned her head back against the seat and let the tears flow. She couldn't fight it any longer. She was exhausted and had finally had enough.
Inuyasha stepped up to the front of the plane and shook his dad awake. " Hey where's Kagome?" Wiping the sleep from his eyes he said. "Well I suspect she left. The woman lost Seshomaru and the man she loved all in one day. I am pretty sure she needed to escape you and Kikyo. She kinda had a rough couple a days don't ya think?" Inuyasha sat down in front of his father. "Yeah I guess she has had it pretty tough. But why would she care about me and Kikyo? We weren't doing nothing but talking."
" Son you are a great fighter, warrior even. You are very brave and after what I saw today I think you will also be a great demon. That being said you are terrible when it comes to affairs of the heart. It is obvious that that girl loves you. She always has. When you would bring her by the house, the way she looked at you, like you could do no wrong. On the single worst day of her life all she needed was comfort and you let her down." Inuyasha's eyes became angry as he frowned at his father.
"Well why didn't she just ask for my help. Kikyo was only telling me about her plans to take the shikon jewel to a temple in the mountains where monks and priestesses could keep it pure and protect it from future evil. Then she was going to the Bermuda triangle to help in the excavation of an underwater city. She just wanted us to part friends. How was I supposed to know Kagome was going to get all mad about it."
"Inuyasha, think about it for a moment. She was kidnapped and dragged to an island she couldn't escape. While there she finds out the woman she thought you loved may still be in love with you and never would have hurt you if not for an evil spell. Opening the door for you to love her again. Then the only other man she may have loved is now dead as well. How much heartbreak is she supposed to take, son?"
Inuyasha's jaw dropped for a moment. "Oh dad, I really am an insensitive prick aren't I?" His father only nodded. "I have to find her. I have to tell her I love her. I have to tell her it was all just a mistake. Oh, gods what am I going to do?" He pulled out his phone but it was dead. "Shit! Shit! Shit!" He was in a near panic. "Inuyasha! Calm down. Let's go home and you can call her from there." Inutaisho laid his hands on his son's shoulders. "Right, your right dad. I will call her when we get home."
The ride home was a little nerve racking. Inuyasha couldn't sit still. To him it was as if the car was moving in slow motion. It felt like they would never get home. The car pulled up in front of Kikyo's apartment and she thanked Inutaisho for everything. Inuyasha walked her to her door. " I will let you know when the funeral is if you want to come." she smiled and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Of course I will come. Take care Inuyasha." She pulled him into a tight hug. "Thanks for everything and I am sorry for everything else." He smiled as he pulled away from her.
When the limo arrived at the mansion Inuyasha jumped out before the car even completely stopped. Running into the house he grabbed the first phone he came to. Calling Kagome he was saddened to find it went straight to her voicemail. He suddenly realized her phone was probably dead too. He got in the car and drove to her apartment but she wasn't there.
Over the next three days he tried to call, went to her house and her work. No answer from her phone or at her apartment and her work told him she was on an indefinite leave of absence. He needed to find her. He had so many confessions. But more than that it was Sesshomaru's funeral and he knew she would want to go. She would be devastated if she wasn't there. He had to find her.
Sango came into the kitchen wearing a black dress and a huge black hat. "Sango, I wanted to just sit in the back unnoticed. But you and that hat will take up three rows all by yourself." She sipped her tea trying to calm her nerves. "Ok, I won't wear the hat." Sango sat down next her "You gonna be ok? You know it is ok if you don't go." She laid her hand over Kagome's.
She let out a deep sigh. "Thanks Sango but I wouldn't feel right. Sesshomaru was very special to me and I just have to tell him goodbye. Inuyasha is no concern of mine. This is all about Sesshomaru and no one else. I wonder how Rin is doing? She loved him so much." A tear rolled down her cheek. 'Poor Rin I wish I could be there for her. She must feel so alone right now." She sniffed as another tear rolled down her cheek.
Inuyasha sat in the limo with Rin on his lap clutching his neck tightly. She had hardly let him out of her sight since they broke the news to her. She would cling to him all the time if he left the room she would follow. She hated being away from him. He didn't mind much though, holding her close somehow made him feel better too. He pulled her in tighter to and she snuggled her nose into his hair. He wanted to tell her it would be alright but truthfully he wasn't sure it would be.
Inuyasha entered the church while clutching Rin tightly to his chest. Scanning the church for any sign of Kagome he resigned his self to the fact that she probably wasn't going to show. He tightened his grip on Rin. Moving up the aisle he found his parents in the front row. They both scooted down making room for him on the bench. Sitting down next to his father he heard him say. "Hey Rinny, you wanna come and sit on grandpa's lap for a while. I sure do miss you." Rin sniffed and shook her head. Tossing her head further back onto Inuyasha's shoulder.
"It's ok kitten. You can just stay here with uncle Yasha, forever if you want." She made a little grunt noise and scooted even closer against him. Several friends and family members came up to them offering their condolences. Even Miroku and Kouga came over to them. But still no Kagome. Inuyasha's heart broke a little bit. Kikyo came over and hugged Inuyasha's mom and dad. Inuyasha made a place for her so she could sit down next to him.
The service began, one of Sesshomaru's favorite songs was sung by Kouga's girlfriend Ayame. Inutaisho got up and began to say a few words about his son. When Rin let out a scream "KAGOME!" She threw herself out of Inuyasha's arms and ran the length of the church to Kagome. Throwing her arms around the womans legs. She cried "Kagome, kagome I missed you so much. Daddy's gone and no one would tell me where you were. I thought you were gone with him." Then she began to wail uncontrollably.
Kagome knelt down in front of Rin. "Oh Rin I am so sorry. I had some important things to do that kept me away. It wasn't because I didn't miss you believe me. I missed you so much." She wrapped her arms around the little girl and scooped her up. Moving over to a bench she sat them down and started rocking Rin while saying soothing things and petting the back of her head.
Inutaisho began again trying to bring the focus back onto his son. Inuyasha turned in his seat and stared at Kagome. She hugged Rin tighter and gave him a nod letting him know the girl was fine. He turned back around so Kagome could only see the back of his head. She noticed Kikyo was sitting next to him. Figuring they were probably back together she sighed and held Rin even tighter.
Inuyasha stood up and told the tale of how his brother had saved Rin. He told how much his brother had changed because of his love for her and how they had only recently become close. All Kagome could do was cry. Sango handed her a tissue. She motioned that she could take Rin. But Kagome was not about to let her go. She loved this little girl and for Sesshomaru she would find a way to be in her life from now on. Inuyasha be damned.
When Inuyasha finished there wasn't a dry eye in the church. Even Sango, who never knew Sesshomaru was shedding a tear. Ayame sang another song and the preacher said a few words and a prayer and it was over. Everyone prepared to head over to the Takahashi mansion. Inuyasha came over to Kagome to take Rin from her. "Inuyasha, if it is alright with you can Rin ride with me? Sango can drive us to your parents house."
"Why don't you ride in the limo with me?" He smiled and tried to usher her out the door. "Because I don't want to impose on you and Kikyo. It will be fine. I came with Sango anyway." She made a move to get around him but he stopped her. "Listen, I wanted to talk to you about Kikyo." Kagome scowled and leaned into whisper. " I hardly think this is the appropriate time or place, Inuyasha. I will meet you at your parents." She moved around him and headed out the door.