INUYASHA: SEALED FATES UNLEASHED
By: Lady JenDragon
Disclaimer: Yeah…we all know the routine…not mine.
Author Notes: Wow, the end is coming. Sadness. But happiness that I finally get to finish the story after how many years? It has to end eventually. I keep telling myself this is a good thing.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Broken Curse
At that moment, the silver collar around Sesshomaru's neck grew bright. The pain within his neck grew so strong then migrated out and traveling through his torso into the extremities. The pain began its slow paralysis, keeping him stationary and unable to fight. Tir stepped back to gather with the others now watching the scene unfold.
Inuyasha and Sango stood in awe of the sight of a full demon like Sesshomaru being brought to his knees by such a simple collar. Though Atokiyada was more powerful than a full-blooded demon, she underestimated her half brethren. Sesshomaru would not take this insult lightly and once the session ended, he would find his revenge.
"Unless he dies." Inuyasha realized was a possibility.
But how was he to help Sesshomaru? What the hell was he saying even thinking of such a gesture? Wondering how his brother suffered and watching were two different things at the moment. Inuyasha was torn for helping Sesshomaru or risking his own life to defeat Atokiyada. It was rare to find Sesshomaru brought to his knees. Inuyasha stood beside Sesshomaru unable to help his brother. But part of him wondered if there was anything that could be done. Inuyasha did not put much thought into Sesshomaru's situation.
His teeth grit closed fighting against the chaotic electrical impulses the collar bestowed upon him. No wonder the collar was placed on him. Sesshomaru loathed the demon celestial even more. He suddenly dropped to his knees despite fighting back the pain it inflicted upon his body.
It was then Inuyasha looked up towards the others. Sango and Miroku found a break from the battle as Atokiyada laughed out loud for some reason. Inuyasha looked over to Kagome near the wall. His eyes widened as he realized the danger heading towards her.
"KAGOME!" Inuyasha immediately leapt into action.
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But he would be too later.
It was not one but two arrows coming at her! Kagome's eyes were wide watching the barrier wave spread across the room. It was tall and wide with no visible means of backed up against the wall unable to avoid the arrow making its directed path towards her. Everywhere she moved, the arrow adjusted its course to match her like those patriot missiles the Americans liked to build.
"Oh god…" Her voice trailed off.
She closed her eyes waiting for her fate to come. The barrier wave felt hot and angry as it barreled towards her. She felt the vibration in the floor grow harder and faster on the approach. Kagome could barely breathe.
It was then that Asaia threw herself in front of Kagome.
The arrow pierced her back dead center. Kagome's eyes focused on the arrows and how deep they penetrated into the little girl. Asaia's eyes widened as physical pain registered for the first time. Kagome held Asaia in her arms as the little girl went limp against her. She fell to her knees tears forming in her eyes and escaped down her cheeks.
"ASAIA!" Kagome screamed.
Atokiyada began laughing out loud at the sight of her sister in Kagome's arms. She staggered back with glee at the sight. The others stopped around them to witness Asaia's final moments.
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Kagome fell to her knees holding Asaia tightly. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her eyes shimmering with grief. She knew not what to do at this point. Somewhere in her heart she thought Asaia could not be killed. She was wrong.
"So, this is what pain feels like." Asaia spoke shakily.
Kagome felt Asaia's little body grew limp. Her eyes closed, her head fell off to the side. She tightened her hold on Asaia, kissing the top of her head and laid her down on the floor. Kagome did not see the crack in the necklace form then slowly spread out.
"I'm…I'm s…so..sorry, Asaia." Kagome whispered barely able to speak without quivering as Asaia went still. "Th…thank you."
Kagome got to her feet and looked to Atokiyada watching her with elated happiness on her face. That made her angry that Asaia's own sister would look upon her sister's death with such joy. That someone who believed they had just won the race. She wanted to slap Atokiyada up side her head.
She felt every inch of her body tingle with hate. For the first time she understood what the cold taste of revenge was and she wanted Atokiyada to feel every bit of it.
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Atokiyada began a new assault focusing solely on Inuyasha. He looked at his opponent with a determined face, his determination to defeat her set in his eyes. Both hands gripped Tetsusaiga tightly. But she did not require a barrier wave to take Inuyasha down. No, she had other plans for Inuyasha.
"Inuyasha." Atokiyada wanted his undivided attention. "How does it feel to know you raped Kagome? The woman you've sworn to protect."
"What are you talking about?" Inuyasha raged then her words sunk in, his arms lowering Tetsusaiga.
Kagome's eyes widened, her hands slapped over her mouth, her anger suddenly vanished. She backed away from Inuyasha hoping to avoid his eyes. Her face flushed a bright red at the memories. However, her humiliation was complete by Inuyasha turning to her, his eyes searching for answers to the accusation.
Atokiyada continued knowing she would soon get Inuyasha riled up enough. "Oh my! Did Kagome fail to mention that it was you who hunted her down like some animal that night? That it was you who tracked her down and had his way with her? All night. Just like an animal."
The room fell dead silent.
Sango and Miroku stared at Kagome blushing a deep purple. She stopped breathing as Atokiyada's words sunk into Inuyasha, her body began to convulse from the hatred Atokiyada chose to use this against them at this juncture. Her face was buried into her hands unable to hide from her own embarrassment.
Inuyasha stumbled backwards, turning from then back again to face Kagome.
"Ka…Kagome." His voice asked in a lowly growl. "I…is this…true?"
Kagome said nothing, feeling her face turned a deeper shade of purple from embarrassment and humiliation of the truth. The truth she kept from everyone until now. She could not stop the tears forming in her eyes. Atokiyada wanted something from Inuyasha and she was using these words to get it from him. Was it his transformation?
Suddenly everything made sense.
With a flick of her wrist, she caught Inuyasha in a web of her magic. In her cold and deceitful hand, she allowed the images from the Night of Chaos play out for him as though a movie. His life as a raging demon clearly appalled him. She smiled that finally she got the upper hand in this fight.
Inuyasha felt his strength weaken as the images from his dreams played out in his mind. He knew not what was real or a memory from his sleep. However, he longed to learn the truth to tell the difference between them. He staggered back unable to grasp the words. How could this be true? He would never…even as a half-demon he never once forced himself on anyone!
"W…why didn't you tell me!" Tetsusaiga fell from his grip, Inuyasha collapsed onto one knee.
'I didn't know how.' Kagome replied in her head.
Sango ran and took Kagome in a hug, holding her tightly. "It's okay, we're here! It doesn't matter what happened that night! Atokiyada did it on purpose!"
Miroku joined them certain they were all about to be sent to their deaths.
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While her attention was focused on Inuyasha, the collar around his neck suddenly stopped its physical torture. Immediately, Sesshomaru got to his feet deciding on the best course of action for revenge.
Sesshomaru understood the anguish his brother felt, the realization finally hitting the younger half-demon. The memories were indeed real after all he once thought imagined. Inuyasha's and all who lived through the manipulation of the world named the Night of Chaos was by Atokiyada's doing.
'This Sesshomaru was not immune to the torture of that night.' A new anger rose within him. His grip on Tokijin tightened in anticipation of dispensing with the wretched Atokiyada once and for all.
'Her musings shall not go unpunished by this Sesshomaru.' He vowed silently.
The half-breed demon celestial forced him to share the miko with his brother. For that, she would pay dearly for her manipulations. He finally found an opponent worthy of battling. It was then he noted Rin's expression Apparent his young ward possessed knowledge of this event.
Rin lowered her head, knowing the truth. She witnessed it and found she could not look away. Jaken stared wide-eyed between Kagome and Inuyasha. He shifted his gaze to Rin then back to Inuyasha and looked at Sesshomaru last. There was much more to the Night of Chaos than he was originally led to believe.
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Suddenly, a bright light pierced the room, blinding all inside. Kagome turned towards the body of Asaia, the source of the light. Sango and Miroku moved towards one another unsure what to expect but wanted to be ready. The light faded quickly revealing a tall, slender feminine form standing where Asaia once laid on the floor.
"Asaia." Atokiyada's voice barely voiced the name then spoke huskily. "You've returned to your natural form."
"Atokiyada." Asaia eyed her sister.
Kagome looked up at Asaia in her true form in awe. "You taking the arrow for me broke the spell."
"I see you found a way around the spell after all." Atokiyada said unapologetically. "Doesn't matter! I still win!"
Asaia's hands pushed out from her sides, sending a shock wave radially out from her location.
Sango and Miroku embraced each other. KiRaRa slightly groggy from her recent unconsciousness pushed her way between Sango and Miroku. Inuyasha jumped over to Kagome pulling her close to him. He leapt away from Asaia to get out from between the two sisters.
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Rin pulled Jaken with her from the threshold where they remained safe for the duration of the battle. They stopped when they reached just short of Sesshomaru. The green Imp lost his balance falling over next to Rin. Sesshomaru fought the pain beginning again from his collar and remained standing. Rin's small hands gripped his kimono tightly but said nothing.
"Asaia's been released." Rin spoke softly. "Maybe she can remove Lord Sesshomaru's collar now!"
Suddenly the silver collar dissolved from Sesshomaru's neck. Quickly, the dog demon recovered from his torture. His eyes grew crimson in anger, his hand on Tokijin's hilt as he stood his full height. Rin understood that Lord Sesshomaru would not allow this infraction against him to go unpunished.
Kagome watched Sesshomaru's collar disappear. "That's not good."
"He doesn't like being treated like a dog." Inuyasha replied.
"Can't say I blame him." Kagome agreed. "He looks a bit angry, doesn't he?"
"Come on." Inuyasha was more concerned about the half celestials in the room. "Let's get everyone and be ready to move out if things get ugly."
Kagome realized there was another task to do before she left the castle. But how to go about doing it?
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The two sisters eyed one another from across the room.
"For too long you've had your way with the world, sister." Asaia walked towards Atokiyada. "Your influence among this world is at an end."
"You believe so, little sister?" Atokiyada walked towards Asaia. "And you believe you can defeat me?"
"I am at full strength now." Asaia smiled. "Unlike you who must generate power once you've been released into this world, your demon traits weakens your celestial abilities. My captivity has taught me how to gather and store my strength for this day."
Kagome wound her way around them looking for her bow. If she could just find it, she could help Asaia. Her head perked up finding what she needed just behind Asaia. The celestial human must have sensed her intentions drawing Atokiyada towards the center of the room. Kagome quickly crossed over and retrieved the bow finding the arrow used to initially kill Asaia lying on the floor where she once lay in child form. Picking it up, it retained a celestial hum to it.
"Got it!" Kagome knew what she had to do.