A/N: Lots of notes this time, bear with me...
One, this chapter may sound tired because I am dead tired from our crappy senior trip. I won't go to the details other than it was outside, until the early hours of the morning in 30 degree weather, and then on a bus with no heating. And because of that, I have a cold. Wahoo.
AN IMPORTANT NOTE: Okay, my next fanfiction which I had planned to be T might be bumped up to M not for lemons (I REFUSE to write a lemon) but because it mentions sex...a lot. Sex is a major part of this plot (which BTW, is also a AU), and I thought because it is mentioned practically every chapter with lots of innuendo and "sexual situations" it might be rated M. If this bothers anyone, please say so, because I'm not even sure if I will go that far, and I need some feedback on this before I make a decision on how 'sexual' I will make it.
And to BBC Robin Hood fans: Yay last night's episode! Though it ended sadly, this cliffy was AMAZING, and reminded me of why I love Robin Hood, even though I know how it ends, which kinda spoiled the surprise. (Plus, who could not love Jonas Armstrong? He's incredibly HOT!)
Chapter 32: Balance of Fate
The smell of death and the dying covered the battleground of the human lands, the palace grounds littered with the bodies of the brave, while the courtiers huddled themselves in the palace, safe only for the moment. Ryuukossei had killed many men, and yet, the reduced army of the Human Lands fought on, for their country and for their queen.
While the soldiers, not used to fighting a creature of this scale, were mowed down like insects, Lady Sango, Lord Miroku, and Sir Kouga kept on fighting. Though tired, they knew the consequence of giving up was much worse then to keep at it. Because they were used to fighting demons, as captains were killed, they began to take over, the men following them without a word.
"Fire!" Kouga yelled, and behind him, dozens of archers let loose a wave of arrows, whistling through the air as they mat their target. But Ryuukossei merely knocked the arrows that flew at his eyes away, turning with a howl of rage to charge back.
Miroku jumped forward, and in an instant, put up a barrier that stopped the dragon, to make it reel back with a screech. The barrier could not hold forever, and as it dropped, so did the monk, on one knee, panting as he slowly drained his energy. Lady Sango was at his side in an instant, helping him up without a word. Both humans glanced back at the dragon, panting with the energy spent. This had lasted for hours, and would be for many more, if the demon kept up its resilience.
There was an angry, cat like growl from behind, and Sango turned, to see a familiar face. "Kirara?" she asked, seeing her pet fly from the sky, transformed into her large form. Kirara landed beside her, accepting Sango's pat on the head. "She must have flown here when she sensed danger…" she explained to Miroku, before turning back to the demon cat.
"Is she up for a fight?" Miroku asked, glancing back at Ryuukossei as he spat another jet of flame. "We need all the help we can get."
The cat nodded, as if it could understand human speech. "She's more than ready," Sango grinned, grabbing her boomerang and jumping on Kirara's back, hauling Miroku with her. Together, they took off to the skies, to meet the dragon's gaze. "Hiraikotsu!" the exterminator cried, throwing her boomerang.
Up here, she could see clearer why the boomerang had no effect; it seemed to bounce off, but when it hit the dragon, there was a tiny shimmer…of what?
She didn't have time to think as the large boomerang came flying back, and Ryuukossei with it. Sango caught it and then Kirara lurched out of the way, the dragon flying past. At least there will be time for the army to clean up and regroup, she thought, as they began the aerial battle against Ryuukossei.
Another joined the battle, as Kagura, on her feather, flew towards the scene, her red eyes opening wider at seeing the damage Ryuukossei had done already. The dead far outnumbered the living. The humans were getting killed, just as a mere outlet of Naraku's rage. Sighing a moment, the demon pulled out her fan. It would be better to disobey Naraku then to go along with his plan, because in good conscience, Kagura couldn't just sit by and watch all these humans die.
Swooping down, Kagura swished her fan and unleashed a torrent of her wind blades, all heading towards the dragon. For a moment, she thought her blades had penetrated, but as she flew closer, she saw that instead of hitting, they had gone through. A mere shimmer was all that was seen as the blades passed through Ryuukossei's body, to land harmlessly on the other side.
What? She thought, her eyes opening wide as she watched the two humans perched on the demon cat fight in the skies with the dragon. Why doesn't he die? Is he really invincible after all?
Thinking for a moment, Kagura flipped her fan open once more. Better death here then death at Naraku's hands when he learned I have disobeyed him. And with that, she swooped down once more, attacking ruthlessly alongside the humans.
The crashes and sounds of metal meeting metal filled Kagome's ears, hearing the battle far below. But as she tried and tried to get the door to open, even to the point of using the powers of the royal family, nothing worked. The princess's heart was pounding as she heard the sounds of Inuyasha gasping in pain, knowing her lover was getting hurt at her expense. She had to get down there, she had to be beside him in this fight, but…there was no way out!
Tears came at this realization, but Kagome would not let them fall. She would not show her weakness now that Inuyasha was here. But…what to do? She sat back on her knees, her dark blue skirt pooling around her as she tried to think. Her eyes glanced about her room, seeing nothing that would help...until her eyes lay upon the sapphire ring Naraku had presented her hours earlier.
Gently, Kagome picked it up, glancing at its deep blue stone. She knew the first ring he had given her was magicked, but what about the second? If it was…then maybe…
Glancing back at the door, the princess picked up the ring, hoping this would work as she heard another cry of pain from below. Inuyasha…please, let this bring me to you! With that, she shoved the blue ring into the keyhole.
Two magical objects with different magic repel each other, she had learned years ago. And as blue and purple sparks flew from the keyhole, she knew this to be true. The ring grew hot, and it burned Kagome as she fought to keep it inside that hole, with light nearly blinding her as the power increased. If this worked, then perhaps the different magics would cancel each other out. Please let this work…
There was a large burst of light as Kagome was thrown back, against her bed and the ring went flying. The wind was knocked out of her for only a moment, as she glanced back at the door, creaking gently open. She was up in an instant, a small smile on her face at the fact that it worked. Inuyasha, here I come!
She ran down the hall, and down the long stairs, hearing the sounds of battle becoming louder and louder. The dark castle didn't seem gloomy now, as she was too worried to notice the dark stone pillars and gargoyles that haunted her at every corner. There was only one place she stopped at her long descent; in the armory, to grab a bow and some arrows.
Inuyasha, this time, I will fight with you, she promised, strapping the arrows on to her back, and wielding the bow in a fierce grip. We will stand beside each other, equals at last, be it death, or life.
There was a blast and a cry of pain as Inuyasha flew backward, to land hard against the stone wall. He gave a small gasp and clutched his chest, feeling several ribs snap. Even so, with blood running down his forehead, the hanyou picked up his sword once more to glare at Naraku, not giving up even if he was battle weary.
Despite Inuyasha's injuries, Naraku was injured as well. The evil hanyou had suffered several wounds from that infuriating wind attack Inuyasha had mastered. His tentacles seemed to be the only thing that could damage Inuyasha, since whenever he tried to get the Shikon no Tama to fight Inuyasha, it refused. He had not joined himself with Kagome, yet the jewel was being unnaturally stubborn! Why was it denying him power when it had submitted already.
With a battle cry, Inuyasha leapt forward, only to be thrown aside at once by a grey tentacle shooting from Naraku's back. But, as Naraku glanced at the jewel, he noticed something odd…the jewel seemed to turn slightly pink when Inuyasha came by, only to retreat back to purple when Naraku pushed the hanyou away.
What? He let Inuyasha charge again, and get a bit closer before knocking him aside. There it was again—the pink within the purple grew larger, and as soon as Inuyasha was out of the way, it disappeared once more.
What was happening? Why was the jewel seemingly reacting when Inuyasha came by, whereas in Naraku's grasp, it had never done such a thing as—
Suddenly, the maroon eyes of Naraku went wide as he remembered something he had learned about the Shikon no Tama, long ago. The Shikon no Tama was originally created in the Demon Lands, as a gift of peace towards the Human Lands. In the Human Lands, it said that in order to use the Shikon no Tama, the wielder must be part of the royal family by birth or by marriage.
But—Naraku merely laughed at his stupidity at the realization—in the Demon Lands, the term 'marriage' is interchangeable with 'mate'…and since Inu demons mated for life, there could only be one reason why it would react to Inuyasha as it had for Kagome.
Because Inuyasha had slept with Kagome, he became her life mate as she became his. The jewel would never fully give its power to Naraku now. The Shikon no Tama rightfully belonged to Kagome and Inuyasha.
Inuyasha was about to charge again, when he saw Naraku glance at him, and give a chilling laugh. There was no attacking, just laughing as the evil youkai glanced back at the jewel in his palm. "What, have you lost your mind?" Inuaysha growled, as Naraku turned towards him.
"I see…so the little whore knew what she was doing when she ran away and took this with her."
The hanyou merely glanced at Naraku, stunned. "What the Hell are you talking about, Naraku?"
Readying another grey tentacle, Naraku asked, "Oh, so she didn't tell you? I wonder why, considering she has been so open with everything else…"
"Just tell me, damn it!" roared Inuyasha, raising Tessaiga.
Naraku obliged, showing Inuyasha the Shikon no Tama in his palm. "The Shikon no Tama grants its full power only to those in the royal family. But, since it was made in the Demon Lands, your, ah, special relationship with that harlot means that it considers you part of that family as well, it seems."
Amber eyes opened wider. This means…the jewel belongs to me? "Keh," Inuyasha muttered, preparing himself. "Then if its mine," he lunged towards Naraku, Tessaiga ready to strike, "Then why don't you give it to me!"
Naraku was fast; before Inuyasha got too close, a tentacle whipped out and cut Inuyasha across the chest, sending him flying once more. Inuyasha landed hard on the stone floor, only to look back up as he saw Naraku looming over him. "Which means," Naraku continued his previous speech, "That if I have a bit of your blood, it should be enough to fool the jewel into thinking it is in the hands of a true wielder." And with that, Naraku allowed a droplet of Inuyasha's blood to fall on the Shikon no Tama.
Pink light filled the room, blinding Inuyasha as Naraku laughed again, seeing the jewel in his palms glow a bright pink. He could feel the power radiating from the jewel, and knew, at last, that he had unlocked all there was inside. When he glanced back at Inuyasha, and saw him getting to his feet, Tessaiga in hand, Naraku didn't waste a moment. Using the power of the Shikon no Tama, he created a bolt that came down and drained the hanyou of energy.
The hanyou cried out in pain as he felt himself forced to the ground, pain filling him all over. He couldn't move, he couldn't breathe; the only thought in his head was that he wanted the pain to end, to just let him die, to end the unending torment—
And then it was over. Inuyasha was left panting; his silver hair fluttering all over his face as he tried to get up, and realized he couldn't. There was hardly any strength left in him at all. Naraku, who was standing over him, couldn't help but grin. "In the end, Inuyasha you were only just a bastard hanyou who thought he could win the heart of a human princess."
Knowing he had nothing left to lose, Inuyasha growled, "I thought I did win her heart," before feeling Naraku zap him once more, sending him yelling in agony as the lightning shock pain went through him again.
Naraku released him, continuing to speak as Inuyasha attempted to recover. "You were an inferior, bastard hanyou who never deserved to take the innocence of Kagome. This death was the only thing ever worth of you, and even then, I am too kind."
More cries were heard from the hanyou, as he writhed on the ground, unable to control anything. His eyes shut tight, his fangs piercing his lips as he preyed death would come soon, to stop the pain surging all over.
He was released once more, as Maroon eyes glared back into his amber ones as he opened them slightly, knowing this would be the last thing he ever saw. Naraku smirked back at him, now fully under his control. "You were too much of a nuisance, hanyou. Now, you will finally be out of my way."
Inuyasha cried again as he felt knives piercing him all over, and his skin melt like wax. Explosions were seen behind his eyes, as he knew this was the end—
"Inuyasha!" With that cry, the pain stopped. He heard Naraku give an annoyed grunt above him, and float away, while running footsteps came towards him. His eyes were still closed as Inuyasha felt warm, familiar arms scoop him up. "Inuyasha! Oh God, Inuyasha! Please, be alive!"
Amber eyes slowly opened, to look up into a beautiful face, with tears blossoming at the edges of warm, brown eyes. "Ka…gome…" he murmured, unable to do anything else.
Holding her lover closer, Kagome glared back at the man who had haunted her for months. "Naraku, you will pay for this!" she roared, with more courage then she felt.
"Oh, really?" said Naraku in a sarcastic monotone, allowing her to see the Shikon no Tama, now glowing a bright pink hue. Kagome gasped in the realization of what had happened. "So, you thought you could outsmart me, did you, you little whore? But, I found a way around your little schemes. Now that I have the secret of its power, I have no more need of you." Only a second of the shock of pain that Inuyasha had been given brought her to the ground, panting.
"Now, you can die alongside your lover," he grinned, advancing upon them both. Unable to do anything to stop it, the princess and the knight both glanced up in horror at their doom.
"Fire!" a captain on top of the castle wall gave a shout, and the catapults launched another rock at the dragon. Like expected, the flying rock did not injure the dragon, but made it angry enough to give a shriek and charge at the humans, who had to jump and dodge out of the way, leaving only some to get caught up in Ryuukossei's deadly claws.
Miroku and Sango were back on the ground, both leaning against their weapons for a moment of rest. Both carried small scratches and injuries as proof of their struggle, both tired out from the hours of fighting. The night was dark, only lit by the fires of Ryuukossei and the small torches lit by the humans. But, every so often, Sango's eyes would flicker back to Miroku, and his to hers. Too many unspoken words were between them, and after a few minutes, it was the monk that decided to break the ice.
"You know," he began, making Sango turn to glance at him. "If we end up making it through this…perhaps you would like to…, well…"
He broke off as Lady Sango questioned with a raised eyebrow, "Does this happen to have anything to do with the fact that I am always available to call, with neither betrothed or suitors?"
Grinning with a twinkle in his indigo eyes, the monk replied, "Maybe."
Sango couldn't help but smile back, "Yes," but then her smile turned to a sad one, "But only if we make it through this."
Ryuukossei's cry was heard nearby, and both were drawn back into the battle, though, their hearts were both slightly warmed after the talk.
Far above, Kagura attacked the demon with her wind blades once more, angry that the demon just wouldn't die. It is just like Naraku to make something like this…but there has to be some weakness to it…even he can't make something unable to kill…
Slashing once more with her wind blades, Kagura swooped down close enough to see what it was…when she gasped at the realization.
But she didn't have much time to contemplate this. She was too close, and when Ryuukossei's claws came flying, she didn't have enough time to get out of the way. Iron cleaving claws ripped through her back before she had time to scream, tearing her gown and leaving five long, bleeding gashes down her back. She lost control of her feather and floated down partway, before falling and landing hard on the cold ground.
There was nothing to be done…Kagura had known pain, but never this much before. Blood flowed freely from her wounds as no one came to attend them, much too busy saving their own skin.
Knowing the scent of death on the wind, Kagura gave a sad smile and mused, So this is what it is like…to die…
Kagome and Inuyasha lay beside one another, panting in the memory of the pain Naraku kept inflicting on them to torture them until death. For now, he left them alone, to let them stew until coming back, to unleash a more powerful attack. He would torture them thus until the end, the painful death of the fallen princess and her faithful lover.
They could do nothing but stare at each other, seeing the pain that had grazed across each other's faces, with the love that they had for each other bare beneath, knowing that there was nothing wrong in showing their feelings now, when they were going to die.
A shaking hand reached out to grasp Inuyasha's, and as Kagome felt him grasp back, she asked in a short whisper, "Are we going to die here?"
Inuyasha looked at her gravely, his eyes telling her all the words he couldn't say before. "I will die if you die…living a life without you is worse than death."
Fighting back the tears at such a hopeless statement, Kagome squeezed his hand a little tighter. "Then…do you want to try to live?"
Amber eyes met hers, the determination at her still clinging on to hope was all he needed. Her voice whispered lower, so that only Inuyasha's hanyou ears could pick up her words, "If you really are the strong hanyou that you say you are, then you will find some way to distract him."
Inuyasha's brows furrowed to give her a curious look, before they heard Naraku coming towards them once more. Inuyasha didn't give Naraku the time to hurt him again. Using the strength given to him by Kagome's determination, he managed to stand up on shaking legs, grabbing Tessaiga. Seeing this, Naraku couldn't help but grin. "You think you have enough strength to fight me?"
The hanyou said nothing, but merely panted as his amber eyes shone out from beyond his silver bangs like beacons, lit with a determined fire. Whatever Kagome's plan was, he wasn't going to let her down. Naraku merely laughed at the hanyou's unending stubbornness. "Very well. And I can be generous at some times, Inuyasha. To be fair, you get one hit."
"One's all I need," Inuyasha muttered, and lunged forward, slicing with Tessaiga. Naraku dodged out of the way, but not enough to avoid the small gasp on his side from the sharp blade. Though Naraku wasn't wounded, that distraction gave Kagome enough time to grab for her bow.
Naraku held the jewel aloft, glowing with its deadly power. "Let us end this now."
"Naraku!" Kagome yelled, making the hanyou turn. The princess had her bow, and had strung it with a single arrow, aimed at him. "You've done so much to hurt me…now, it's time for your reward!"
The arrow fired, the tip filled with that pink light. It whizzed through the air, the pink glow intensifying as it flew towards the evil hanyou. Naraku just barely moved his body out of the way as it flew past, feeling satisfied.
That is, until he heard the sound of the arrow hitting glass, and looked down. The pink light that shone from the arrow had merged with the light from the Shikon no Tama, as the arrow embedded itself within the jewel. There was another noise; a crack, then another, until, in a bright blast of light, the jewel split into millions of pieces, each one dissolving away into nothing as they flew from Naraku's hand.
"What? Why did you do that, you stupid girl!" Naraku roared, lunging towards Kagome as she stared back with hate-filled eyes. But Inuyasha jumped in front of her, Tessaiga pointed towards him.
"If you ever made one mistake, Naraku," Inuyasha snarled, his amber eyes filled with an intense malice, "It was trying to hurt Kagome in front of her loyal knight." With that, the hanyou fired the wind blades from his sword.
With no more power and reduced to a mere demon of what he was before, there was no saving Naraku. The wind pierced him through, ripping his body to shreds as all went white; Naraku's last view of the world the stubborn princess and infuriating knight at each other's side, where they should have been.
The battle of the Human Lands continued, as the dark night slowly became day. The hours had slowly ticked by as more and more were cut down, with no medical aid to help them. Kagura lay where she had been before, dwindling between life and death, unable to respond to what was around her. No one knew who this mysterious woman was, and decided to let her be, since they had more pressing matters at the moment.
A few humans had assembled by a working catapult, with Sango taking control. "Fire!" she called, and the spring let go, launching the rock straight for Ryuukossei's head. For once, this seemed to have worked, as with a giant lurch, the rock broke through the skull. There were many cheers as this seemed to have killed the dragon, until, to everyone's amazement, the rock seemed to fall out, and the skull mended. Ryuukossei was as invincible as he had been before.
What could it be? Sango wondered, while the humans stared in wonder, whispering to each other about the nature of this demon. There could be only one reason why it healed itself like that… And her eyes snapped open at the realization. "It's not alive!" she shouted, making everyone turn to her. "It is a ghost!"
"A ghost?" One of the human captains asked. "But…if it isn't alive, then how are we supposed to kill it?"
But even with the realization, Sango's heart sank. A ghost could not be killed by normal methods. They were all going to die. "I do not know."
Ryuukossei snarled in anger at the last attack, and now, turned towards the small group that had dared defy him. Glaring, the dragon dove, its sharp talons streaking through the air, giving the humans no escape, nor time to run—
That is, until an unseen force knocked the dragon back. It shrieked, while the only sound heard was that of someone walking closer, and a cold, ill-tempered voice saying, "Pathetic."
Everyone turned, to see a tall, silver haired man walking towards them, carrying a thin sword in his hand. On closer inspection, the man had amber colored eyes, and tapered ears, the mark of a demon. Only Sango knew him by appearance, having heard stories of his greatness. "King Sesshoumaru…"
Sesshoumaru paused to glare at the idiotic humans, who had just figured out Ryuukossei's true nature after fighting with him for hours. A demon that is dead cannot be killed by a sword of the living, He raised his father's memento, Tenseiga, as the dragon whirled around to focus on him. Yet it can be killed by a sword of the dead.
As Ryuukossei was close, Sesshoumaru swung Tenseiga in a flowing move, encircling the dragon in one swipe. Ryuukossei looked surprised, as it seemed a hole in the universe had opened up around him, sucking him in to the realm of the dead. With one final screech as the dragon attempted to cling on to its half-life, it was sucked into the portal to the world of the dead, and then, the hole closed, leaving nothing in its wake.
Silence was all over after Ryuukossei was sealed away, many came out from where they had been, to glance at this magnificent king of the Demon Lands who had just saved the Human Lands from sheer destruction. When the realization of what had happened came upon them, there was much cheering to be had, But Sesshoumaru merely glanced away from their celebrating, to see a figure on the ground he recognized.
The king knelt by the form of Kagura, who lay on her back, the wounds still bleeding. Her face was turned towards him, and when she felt him near, her red eyes opened, to see King Sesshoumaru kneeling above her, his amber eyes looking almost…concerned?
Kagura glanced at him weakly, while the king asked, "You fought against Naraku, for the humans."
She glanced away for a moment, muttering, "Look how good a decision that turned out to be." But, Kagura allowed herself a moment to look back at him, red eyes holding a look of admiration…of longing. "I hoped that you would come."
For the first time, something touched Sesshoumaru like nothing before, and for a moment, he felt pity. Pity enough to draw Tenseiga and try to bring Kagura back from where she was headed. But, with a feeling of disappointment, he realized that she could not be saved…a ghost had inflicted that wound, and it had left the mark of death upon her.
Kagura saw him attempt this, and knew it was futile. Though, she was touched knowing that the all mighty King Sesshoumaru wanted to save her life. "Are you okay with this?" Sesshoumaru asked, feeling the wind flutter around them, knowing there wasn't much time left.
Even though Kagura, who had been a slave all her life, attempted to be strong, she couldn't help the tear in her eyes at his kindness, in the end. "Yes…" she replied, closing her eyes softly. "I got to see you…one last time…" The wind closed in, dissolving her body away. Her last words were, "In the end…I am free."
She dissolved into nothing more but wind and feathers. Sesshoumaru stood up, watching her essence leave, as he felt the wind, flutter his long silver hair. He remembered her last words well, "In the end…I am free."
King Sesshoumaru said nothing more, but sheathed Tenseiga and left, not wanting to stay any longer and help the humans recuperate—he had matters in his own country to deal with.
There was much healing to be done—several were injured, and many more had died. Sango, who had been separated from Miroku in the fight, knelt over him as he lay unconscious, tears at the corner of her eyes. His wounds were harsh, and even now, she didn't know if he would pull through. "If you die, then you'll never get to ask me the question I wanted to hear!" she cried, not seeing his hand come crawling towards her backside.
Miroku's 'unconscious' face, grinned slightly, speaking, "I didn't you know cared, Sango," while caressing her behind.
That made the exterminator lose it, as she slapped him at his boldness, but then hugged him, crying in thankful tears that he was all right. Unable to keep himself from smiling, the monk hugged her back, also glad that it was all over now.
And while many met others and cried in thankfulness, the dowager queen merely looked out on the battlefield, seeing the destruction, but also the life that had survived. At last…it is over.
Still in Naraku's dark, cold castle, Kagome and Inuyasha held on to one another, still fully clothed as they lay on the first bed they found, exhausted after the fight. The Shikon no Tama had been destroyed by Kagome's attack, without any pieces left; all had dissolved into nothing by the force of her power. Kagome knew people might be angry with her, because she destroyed a relic of the Human Lands, but they knew it was better this way, so no other evil force could get their hands on it and cause so much suffering.
Kagome lay snuggled in his arms, feeling safe and loved…but knew this feeling couldn't last now. "Inuyasha," she spoke softly, as he glanced down at her. "Naraku said that he sent Ryuukossei to attack the Human Lands…"
Inuyasha's heart sank, knowing what she meant. "We have to go back," he spoke softly, his words become blows far worse than Naraku's taunts. "We should go back…just to make sure—"
"That everyone's all right," Kagome finished, closing her eyes as she buried her face in Inuyasha's chest once more. He held her tight, but all the same, wished that their dream of living together in the Midlands could have come true.
We left to get away from Naraku…now that he is dead, we have to go back… Inuyasha thought, the words eating away at his head. It is the right thing to do to go back to her family and let them know she is okay, and to make sure they survived as well…
Even if it is the right thing…I should have known before that it was impossible to think that we could have been together…In the end, she is still a princess and I am still a knight…never equals.