Love and War
Disclaimer: I do not own, or make any money from, the stories of Inuyasha.
All Inuyasha characters are the sole property of Rumiko Takahashi, Sunrise and Viz
All original characters belong to me.
Chapter Fourteen
The Final Countdown
The four sat around the table in Dumbledore's office. A small elf entered the room with a tray of food and drinks,
"Ahh, Winky. Thank ye so very much.", Dumbledore acknowledged the small elf. Kagome's eyes widened,
"So that's Winky.", she said, softly.
Dumbledore smiled at the young girl and lifted up a mug to her,
"Have ye ever had the chance to try Butterbeer?", he asked his guests.
Kagome smiled wide as she gratefully took the mug, "No, I haven't. I would love to try it.", she said, lifting the mug to her lips, "Mmmm. Delicious."
Miroku sniffed the drink before taking a sip. He held up the mug, "Amazing drink.", he spoke in Japanese as he analyzed the glass.
Kagome smiled, "Miroku says he likes it, too.", she told Dumbledore.
"Ahh.", said Dumbledore, "Lady Kagome, please, I am very interested in thy story. Since ye do not come from the Japanese school, how is it ye know of the wizarding world?"
"I cannot reveal too much, Professor, but, I will tell you that someday you will meet a young witch named Joanne and she will be amazing.", revealed Kagome.
Dumbledore rubbed his chin, "Hmmm. Really. And, ye travel from what ye call the "modern age" to Medievel Japan?"
"That's right, yes.", Kagome agreed, between bites of her sandwich.
"And, ye are wed to a 'demon'? What is this demon like? Is he mean?"
"Oh no. Not at all. Inuyasha is a bit rough around the edges but, he's not mean. Actually, he has a heart of gold. But, he's not a full-blooded demon - his mother was human and his father was a full-fledged demon. Inuyasha is a half-demon."
"Fascinating.", Dumbledore said, quietly.
"Inu? Isn't that Japanese for 'dog'?", questioned Wetherby.
"Yes, it is. Inuyasha is a dog demon.", answered Kagome, "Most Japanese demons are animal oriented. Such as the kitsune, or fox demon."
"I wasn't aware that humans and demons could mate - especially if they are animals.", mused Wetherby.
"The stronger demons are able to take on a human appearance. And, I guess that is how they mate with humans.", explained Kagome.
"Ye guess?", asked Wetherby, "Isn't Inuyasha a ..."
"Dog?", Kagome finished his sentence, "No. Actually, he's sort of caught in mid-transformation. He appears human ... but, he has dog ears instead of human ears. He also has fangs and claws. His eyes are a different color. When he does transform into a "true" demon, he really doesn't change much. His eyes change color, his fangs and claws grow longer and he gets stripes on his cheeks - which is his father's mark. Pure demons will actually transform into their demonic selves. His brother, who is full demon, transforms into a giant, white dog. His father was the same way."
"Very interesting, to say the least.", said Wetherby, "Wouldn't ye agree, Albus?"
"Definately.", agreed the wizard.
Finishing their meal, Dumbledore directed them to follow him and Wetherby to a room upstairs. Miroku stared in wonder at the moving staircases and screamed in horror when a picture greeted them,
"WHAT THE?", he yelled, shocked.
Kagome giggled loudly as Dumbledore winked at her. Another picture was totally empty,
"I see the fat lady has taken a stroll.", Wetherby spoke in Japanese, eyeing Miroku with a grin.
"HUH? A WHAT?", Miroku stared at him in disbelief.
"Well, ye cannot expect her to hang around all day awaiting us, do ye?", Wetherby smiled. He was obviously enjoying Miroku's discomfort.
"N-n-n-no ... I ...guess ... not.", Miroku gulped, then looked to Kagome for salvation, "K-kagome?", he stammered.
She put her arm around his waist, "It's ok. I'll explain everything later.", she whispered, as Wetherby chuckled under his breath, causing Kagome to smile slightly and shake her head, 'Wizards.'
The quartet entered a room. Various sized cases lined the walls. Inside the cases were numerous timepieces,
"Time turners.", Kagome spoke, as she examined the cases.
Putting her hand against a case, she jumped back in shock when it tried to bite her,
"Yeow!", she yelled, then she reached out and slapped the top of the case, "That's not nice. You should mind your manners.", she scolded the case.
Miroku stared in disbelief, 'She's scolding a wooden case. That just BIT her!', he rubbed his head, 'I think I need to rest.', he thought.
The chest appeared to pout at Kagome, "Don't hit me!", it cried out.
Kagome knelt down in front of the chest as Dumbledore approached, "Don't pay him any mind, young lady. His bark really is worse than his bite."
Kagome rubbed the side of the chest, "You're just a child, aren't you?", she spoke.
Dumbledore studied Kagome in amazement at her reaction to the magical world.
Wetherby brought over a small time turner, "Albus, do ye think this will do the job?"
Dumbledore studied it, "No. We have to travel back a year. We would be turning that thing forever to get back that far.".
He handed the turner back to Wetherby and walked over to another case. Opening it, he reached inside and pulled out two larger time turners and re-closed the case. Returning to Kagome and Miroku, he showed the time turner to her,
"This is a brand new type of time turner. All we need to do is enter a date. It will do the rest."
Kagome took it from him, "It's digital. I didn't know you had this sort of technology in this time."
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, "Digital, ye say. Hmmm. Fascinating. I was trying to think of a name for it."
Wetherby explained a bit more, "Wizards generally create things before the muggles do. But, we usually let the muggles take the credit. It keeps our world a secret."
"I didn't know that.", Kagome mused.
"My dear Kagome,", Dumbledore addressed her, "I will give a time turner to ye and I will keep one. Allow me to actually use the device to send us back. But, should something happen, and I fail, I will need ye to be a backup.", he explained to her, with a nod. Miroku wondered why Wetherby did not translate Dumbledore's last words.
Kagome nodded, "I understand."
Dumbledore nodded back, "Come now. Shall we relax for a bit? It is still early and we need to make sure that Malfoy is in London before we proceed."
Miroku bowed slightly and looked at Wetherby, "I would like a tour of the school, if you would be so kind, Lord Wetherby.", he spoke in Japanese.
Wetherby bowed back, "It would be my pleasure, Lord Monk. Lady Kagome? Would ye care to join us?"
Kagome smiled and bowed, "Maybe later. Thank you."
"Of course.", Wetherby replied, "Follow me please, Miroku."
Kagome watched Miroku and Wetherby depart. She turned to Dumbledore, who was smiling at her,
"I could tell by your expression, professor, that you had more questions of me.", Kagome smiled back.
"Ye are very perceptive. Please, follow me."
Dumbledore led her to another room in the rear of the castle. Walking into the room, her eyes lit up,
"FAWKES!", she looked at the bird in amazement.
"Ye know of Fawkes as well, young lady. I am much surprised. Ye must know this Joanne witch very well."
Kagome smiled, "You could say that, yes.", she replied, as she searched the room. Her eyes fell on other items,
"The Pensive Bowl. Amazing. Oh ... and The Sorting Hat!", she squealed in delight.
"Hmmm. I do wonder how that got here.", Dumbledore said, picking up the hat, "Bored of your other spot?"
The Sorting Hat spoke, "Yes. The headmaster is such a bore."
Dumbledore placed the hat up on the shelf and proceeded to sit down. Kagome took that as her cue to follow suit. They two chatted idley for a while before Dumbledore probed Kagome further about Feudal Japan and demons. Specifically, Inuyasha, since she knew him intimately. Kagome answered his questions and told him everything he was curious about in regards to demons. Dumbledore seemed especially touched by Inuyasha's sad life,
"Ahhh. To lose one's mother so early in life. How so unfortunate.", he sighed, "Especially, when one lives as long as demons can live.", he shook his head, then changed the subject to the mission and the time turner, "When ye return through the portal, ye shall not remember all that ye have seen here.", he told her.
"I realize that.", she replied, "And, actually, I like that idea.", she spoke softly, "I just want my life to return to the way it is supposed to be."
He touched her hand, "It will, my dear. Trust me. It will."
The door opened and Wetherby and Miroku walked in. Kagome jumped up,
"I didn't realize we were talking that long ... Miroku ... what's the matter?", she asked her friend.
Dumbledore analyzed the monk. His skin was pasty white and he was mouthing something but not making a sound,
"My,", spoke Dumbledore, "It looks like he saw a ghost."
"A ghost?", Kagome repeated, "OH NO ..."
"The poor monk has never seen a ghost before, has he?", Wetherby spoke with a Cheshire Cat grin, "We met Nearly Headless Nick in the ha ..."
Kagome began laughing so hard her sides ached. She held her stomach as she chortled and choked on her glee,
"O ... oh, p-p-p-oor M-mi-ro-ku ha ha ha ...", she spoke between fits of laughter. She found it difficult to stand as she held onto a small desk for support.
Miroku finally recovered and stared at his friend,
"I'm thrilled I gave you a good laugh, Kagome.", he said through clenched teeth, his eyes closed and arms folded across his chest.
"I-I-I'm so-so-so s-s-s-s-sorry ... pfffffffffffffffffft.", her laughter continued, stamping her foot down to try to dispell the laughing fits.
Miroku eyed the girl through eye slits as he sighed heavily. Kagome gulped hard three times as she got the giggles under control. She went over and patted him on the arm,
"It's ok. Really. You're not crazy.", she reassured him.
"Oh. Sure. You know all about this place. I want to explore and you don't warn me that a ghost might suddenly pop up and greet me while taking off his hat which PULLS OFF HIS HEAD ... well ... nearly anyway."
Kagome smiled and choked out, "That's why he's called Nearly Headless Nick."
"Of course.", Miroku replied, sarcastically.
Dumbledore continued to smile, bemused at what Wetherby was translating to him, "We should get to London. I have a feeling that Malfoy will be in town by tonight."
"Oh?", asked Kagome, curiously.
"Yes. Tonight there is a town meeting regarding the possibility of invading the colonies to try and restore them under British rule.", Wetherby informed her.
"Then we should hurry.", agreed Kagome.
--
Later that afternoon, the group reached the bustling downtown area. Dumbledore motioned to a building across the street,
"There. That is where the muggle Parliament meets."
Kagome stared. Outside the building, a huge mob was gathered. People shouted for an end to the independent colonies and for a war to bring them back in line under the crown. From the open windows, she could hear Nishimura/Malfoy addressing people,
"THE BEST TIME TO ATTACK THEM IS NOW. THE COUNTRY IS AT ODDS. THE NORTH AGAINST THE SOUTH. NOW IS THE TIME FOR US TO BRING DEFEAT TO THEIR SHORES AND RETURN THEM BACK TO THE CROWN."
Kagome's mind raced. She knew this time in American History ... but, her mind was failing her. The colonies attacking each other ... she had learned that ...
"THE CIVIL WAR!", she exclaimed out loud, slamming her fist into her hand for emphasis.
"WHAT?", the two British men chorused.
"Kagome?", asked Miroku.
"That's it! That's why the modern world changed. Malfoy prevented the Civil War in the States. The war between the North and the South.", she replied.
"The colonies went to war with each other?", Wetherby asked, disbelieving.
"Yes.", she replied, "Over slavery. If that war doesn't happen, my world is doomed."
"Then we must stop Malfoy now.", said Wetherby, emphatically.
"I agree.", said Dumbledore, "Kagome, I showed you how to use the Time Turner. You will need to get back to the portal and make sure that Malfoy doesn't escape. And, if I should fail ..."
Kagome nodded solemnly, "I know.", she replied.
Miroku looked at Kagome curiously and noticed how she fingered the time turner around her neck. He wondered what the man meant by his words.
Dumbledore nodded imperceptively to the others and Miroku took Kagome's arm and walked away towards the alley with the portal. Inside the Parliament House, Malfoy felt a shiver creep down his spine and wondered why. He tried to pay attention to the murmers of those present as the debate to wage a war against the colonies continued. He rubbed his hands together nervously, sweat covering his palms and temple. He reached inside his suit coat and felt for it. Good. His wand remained easily accessible.
Suddenly, he felt nauseous. He held his stomach with his arm. He felt the world begin to spin and fade away. As he regained his composure, he realized the world was different. In place of a debating Parliament, he was standing before an angry group of military leaders and government leaders,
"Colonel Tennyson Malfoy. You are hereby ordered to death by hanging for High Treason and Murder. Do you have any last requests?", one of the men spoke.
Nishimura/Malfoy panicked. He looked around confused,
'What happened? This can't be happening! My work! My plans ...'
Nishimura/Malfoy turned around and ran out of the building, shocking everyone. Exiting the structure, he saw Dumbledore and Wetherby approaching, wands extended,
"GIVE IT UP, MALFOY!", shouted Wetherby, "THE DEMENTORS WILL BE HERE SOON ENOUGH!"
"NO! I REFUSE TO GIVE UP!", he screamed, as he turned and ran towards the alley, 'I'll start over. The people in Japan are foolish enough to follow me again.', he thought, as he ran helter skelter down the street.
Dumbledore watched in horror as Malfoy headed towards the alleyway. He started to run ...
Nishimura/Malfoy turned the corner and ran right into Miroku and Kagome. Kagome's hand was extended and air swirled around it,
"It's the end for you, Nishimura!", Miroku stated, smiling a wicked smile, "You're going where you belong!"
"YOU FOOL!", Nishimura/Malfoy screamed, "IT'S NOT OVER YET, MONK!"
Malfoy grabbed his wand and screamed out, "CONFRINGO MAXIMA!"
--
Sesshoumaru studied the scene in front of him. Nishimura's entire Western forces had gathered in front of him. The Western lords armies' prepared to meet them. Behind Sesshoumaru, demons stood at the ready,
"Sesshoumaru."
He turned, "Mother. Why are you here?"
"This is it, my son. You must defeat those humans.", she spoke.
"You are telling me to forge an alliance with the human lords? For what purpose? Why should I involve myself in a petty ningen battle?"
"Lord Sesshoumaru,", spoke a demon, "Our lands have been ravaged. You are our only hope."
"I tend to agree, my lord.". The voice was that of Rin. Sesshoumaru studied her facial features, finding himself admiring her strength.
"My son. Do you truly want the Western Lands to be ruled by those ningens? The Western lords respect your power and authority."
Sesshoumaru turned back to stare at the two opposing armies. He pulled out Bakusaiga,
"Rin. Take Ah-Un and find somewhere safe. I do not need to be rescuing you."
Rin nodded and grabbed Ah-Un's reins. Jaken stared at her as she flew off. He gulped hard. He wished his lord would send him away as well but, he knew better.
Sesshoumaru walked and then picked up speed as he headed towards the enemy, sword drawn, legions of demons behind him ...
--
Kohaku stared at the dying fire. The troops were growing restless. Food was lacking and so were other supplies. Nishimura had not ordered them anywhere so they had remained rooted in their current location. Kohaku had taken noticed that some former loyal Nishimura supporters were begining to fall to the side desiring freedom.
Some had tried to flee and return home only to be cut down by the loyalists. Hunger and thirst began to fuel thoughts of banding together instead of trying to escape alone. Kohaku kept adding more wood to the fire,
"We can take them down. I know it.", he whispered around the campfire, "Even the captain is weak from lack of food. And I cannot keep hunting for us because "us" keeps growing larger. Sooner or later, the loyalists will discover we are not as weak as they are."
"The boy speaks the truth.", agreed an older man, "Now is the time to act. Nishimura hasn't been here for a while. Right now, there are more of us than there are of the loyalists."
"Maybe so.", said another, "But, many of us are injured. Some cannot walk. We cannot rely on all of us to defeat them."
"No.", agreed Kohaku, "But, many of us are strong enough to perform the fighting of two men. Maybe even three. Plus, we'll catch them by surprise. It will be in our favor ..."
"Let's take a vote.", said another soldier, "All those in favor, raise your hand."
Hands flew up eagerly.
"Opposed?", the soldier asked.
Two - then a third hand raised,
"Fine. You three can stay and suffer."
"I say we attack at dusk during changing of the guard.", offered Kohaku.
"Agreed.", chorused the group softly.
The men waited quietly for dusk. As the intended time came nearer, a few of the group quietly strolled away to take up positions in the forest. Kohaku kept a close eye on the captain and his men in the distance. His eyes scanned the trees. Seeing one of his men at the edge of the forest, he nodded and stood up. The guards began to change their positions. The mutineers launched their assault ...
--
Toutousai stared into the distance and shivered. Something in his old bones told him death was in the air. He wrapped his arms around his body,
"Oh my. I sense trouble."
--
Grandpa and Lady Kaede exited the hut and looked into the sky,
"I see nothing there but, I feel an air of dread. I like not the feel of it.", Kaede commented.
Grandpa found an early star, 'Kagome. Please be alright.'
Sango looked at Kaede and Kagome's grandfather before saying a silent prayer,
'Return to me soon, Miroku. You, too, Kagome and Inuyasha.'
--
Nishimura/Malfoy grinned at the monk and miko as he yelled those words. The ground began to shake violently all around them, knocking Miroku and Kagome off their feet. Screams were heard from the streets as buildings collapsed, horses reared and neighed in fear, loud explosions rang throughtout the town and people ran for their lives,
"AN EARTHQUAKE?", Miroku yelled.
"NO!", screamed Kagome, "A CURSE!"
Nishimura/Malfoy laughed as he began to float over the two. Miroku reached up and grabbed the man's pants and yanked him back down to earth,
"OH NO YOU DON'T!", Miroku screamed.
Nishimura/Malfoy tried to aim his wand at Miroku,
"AVADA ..."
Kagome managed to get on her knees with her arm raised and hand extended,
"NOOOOOO!", she screamed, as she sent off a burst of energy towards Nishimura/Malfoy.
The quaking earth knocked her off balance, sending the spell off kilter but, still managing to dislodge his wand,
"WENCH!", he screamed at her, his eyes bugged out wide.
Miroku took his chance and slugged Nishimura/Malfoy knocking him aside. He barely recognized the sight of Dumbledore as he felt his head grow faint. The shaking earth knocked him flat as his stomach grew queasy.
Kagome stared in front of her. She felt faint and weak. Looking up, she recognized from their descriptions, the presence of the dementors. She gulped hard and tried to reach an unconcious Miroku and pull him towards the portal. Malfoy's agonized screams filled her ears as she tried to escape the dementors powers. She felt like she was dying, like she could no longer get a breath. She felt her world go completely black ...
--
A/N: My apologies for the lateness of this chapter. I was on vacation for a while and then I decided to wait and see if Takahashi-sensei would open up anything I could add to the story. Actually, I'm surprised the manga is still going. Judging from what I've heard about previous stories, she has a habit of leaving loose ends open. After Naraku bit the dust and Kagome disappeared into the Meidou I kind of expected ... "SURPRISE! Last Chapter ... make up your own minds about what happens to her and Inuyasha.". Well, we'll see what happens. Anyway - Final Chapter will be up by this weekend. Enjoy.