Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha or any of its characters. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi. However, this story and created characters are mine.

A/N: This is one of my favorite chapters!! I was hoping to make it into two chapters, sinc it is so long, but I could never decide on a spot where to split it. Warning to all, strong feeling may occur when reading this chapter. Please do not be offended, but you are allowed to write me a review if you would like to blow of some steam.

Chapter 22: Family Ties

Midori stood over the body of Kagura. She lay dead on the ground, chest covered in multiple wounds. The blood now seeped slowly, staining the surrounding terrain. Her massive amount of blood loss sucked the life from her, leaving her immobile. The winner knelt down towards her victim. The grass was sticky, topped thick with blood. Her once pounding heart now cried. Killing was not her favorite thing, yet it was necessary to reach her goal.

Pain shot through her arm, reminding her of the wound Kagura planted. She ripped her kimono, tearing off a piece of cloth. Carefully, she wrapped her injured palm. Her emotional pain was replaced by physical pain as she tended the wound. Blood seeped slowly. The wound was small, but deep. She stared at her palm, knowing that she was no longer invincible.

She returned to Kagura's decaying body. Her expression was left in a state of fear, frozen on her cold face. Midori recalled her conversations with Kagura, her unnatural sister.

"Even if I hated you, we shared a common enemy and a common creator," Midori began as took her blades from their respective hilts, "and a common fate."

Using her finger, she sketched an oval on the ground, surrounding Kagura's body. Like a dog she brushed layer upon layer of dirt with her hands. After an hour of work, the body was masked with soil. Finding some violets, she placed them over the freshly made grave. She prayed, not knowing if her prayer was even being heard.

"I hope you find peace, your freedom, beyond this life," Midori wished to the mound. She bowed her head, showing respect for the dead. This is my destiny, to kill for my family. But, why does it hurt?

Miroku fretted over his sister's situation. Her new life was forged from Naraku, planned since the beginning. His only sister was now under the influence of his mortal enemy. She had attacked Kohaku and was now seen as a foe to Sango. Now, it would be harder to protect Midori.

Sango laid her armor on the ground. Her hands swept the shiny metal. Rage filled inside her as she recalled the wound Kohaku endured from Midori. Her only brother became prey for the newest incarnation of Naraku and now that he left, was more vulnerable than ever. Bending her knees, she landed hard in front of her battle suit. Slipping one hand through her bracer, she knew what must be done. Midori had to be stopped.

Hearing the clashing metal cease, Miroku entered the intense hut. He saw Sango, dressed in full armor. His heart sank as she turned around.

"Miroku," Sango said with a bit of surprise. Her expression faded as she read the monk's face.

"I can't let her kill my brother." Her eyes shifted to the floor, no longer wanting to see his face. She did not want to see his sad expression.

"It wasn't her fault," he said, hoping to get her attention, "She was cursed by Naraku, just like me."

The monk tried hard to capture Sango's gaze as his words reached her ears. Maybe if she saw his pain, then maybe she would change her mind. Her expressionless eyes never connected with his. Sango made every effort to avoid his sight.

Even more sorrow entered his heart as the truth set in. Midori was right, he thought, I must choose to stay true to my family or my love. He bowed his head, not sure of what to do. The young demon slayer stopped as she whispered next to him.

"I am sorry."

Miroku sensed her leave his side. Once again he felt helpless. His one love was leaving to kill his only sister. No matter what path he took, someone he loved would get hurt, if not die.

Midori wiped her eyes of the silent tears. The pain of killing forced her to think of something else. Rising, Midori looked at the sky, hoping to revisit some past memories of her childhood. All she saw were stars.

"The stars look faded tonight," she whispered to herself. Her body ached from her battle with Kagura.

"I wonder if she is finally happy, being free." A small smile appeared on her face as she closed her eyes. One day, I hope to be free.

Midori's thoughts were interrupted by the rustling of leaves. Straightening herself, she looked over her shoulder. Kohaku, silent as usual, stood behind the girl. She turned to face him, not in the mood to kill again. Her jade green eyes, moist from the last battle, shimmered at the boy.

"Are you following Naraku's orders as well?" She asked the boy. He responded without words. His body, dress in full armor, answered her question. Taking a deep breath, the girl cleansed her soul from her depressing emotions.

"So here we are," Midori stated to the boy, stepping towards him. She stared at his expressionless eyes. The glare from her hurtful eyes never shocked the boy. She knew why he was here, so she told her story.

"I wanted to kill Naraku. That was my goal in life. Now, I know that will never happen." Kohaku remained silent.

"That's when I realized I could weaken him." Slowly, she reached for her blades, Gaia and Kitsu. The jade pearls squinted at the boy.

"I could weaken him by taking out his minions." The young girl lunged forward, both blades pointed at him. Kohaku dodged the attack, causing Midori's blades to strike the ground. Lifting her blades, Midori turned around, just before dodging the Kusari-sama. She leapt into the air, hoping to evade another attack. She felt a tightening around her ankle. Looking down, she saw a chain had encircled her ankle. Midori came rushing down as Kohaku pulled on the chain. The girl slammed the ground. Running was no longer an option. Her foot tied, she looked at the boy. His eyes are not glazed over. The thought intrigued her. Maybe he does want me dead. Kohaku raised his weapon atop Midori's body. His face was expressionless, even though his actions were not controlled by Naraku. Maybe I could change that.

"Kohaku stop!" The boy froze as he heard his sister's voice. He now stared at his sister's figure, lying helplessly on the ground.

"Sister." Tears fell from his eyes. The image of his sister triggered his mind. Memories poured into his head, revealing his past. From the happy moments of his childhood to the disturbing reality of his betrayal; his father's blood dripped from his blade. His memory continued to play. He watched as his Kusari-sama struck his sister's back, causing her to stumble. He remembered his pain when he saw his sister expression of sorrow.

"Sango. I'm sorry." His weapon fell from his hand, recalling his words he said, letting it hit the ground. He covered his eyes, hoping to stop the tears. He remembered everything, his deeds under Naraku and how he hurt everyone he touched. The emotion left him unable to move.

Now she saw her chance.

Reaching for him, she hugged him, comforting his tears and his sorrow. He buried his head into the likeness of his sister. The moment seemed like a precious one, two siblings embracing the past together. She let him cry, allowing the bottled anguish to free itself from the boy. The shape shifter opened her eyes, remembering why she was here. She hoped, in her heart, that this last embrace would ease his heart.

Releasing her grip, Midori turned him around, facing his back as she shed her disguise. Wrapping her arm tightly around Kohaku's chest, she pinned him. Kohaku allowed himself to be manipulated once more, refused to struggle from her hold. She took Kitsu in her right hand, placing the tip inches away from his jewel shard.

"I am sorry," Midori whispered.

"I understand. I no longer want to hurt my sister," Kohaku responded, closing his moist eyes. Memories of his sister entered his mind. Her soft and caring nature glowed through her smile. Darkness covered the thoughts as images of his father covered in blood replaced the happy memories. The fear which Naraku exploited was now released to Kohaku, relieving him of bondage. His desire for death grew as the memory of his attack on Sango became clear. A split second of pain was all he felt.

She watched as his body collapsed. His flesh melted away as his bones crashed to the cold ground. Midori breathed slowly, gathering her nerves. Another life had been placed in her hands, and lost by them. Dropping her blade, she plopped down hard onto the ground.

The girl gathered the bones in her hands. They were cold and slightly decaying. A tear dropped from her eye. This boy only wanted to be with his sister again. She took his chance away, his chance for life.

He wouldn't have lived again. He was already dead. The thought made her shudder. Even if that were true, he was still someone's son, and Sango's sibling. She gripped the remains tighter to her chest.

"Why did my parents defy him? Why?" She breathed quietly. Tears formed in her eyes. This fate would never have happened if she was never born. The death pool she was creating was all because of her parents' foolishness. She felt the rotting bones in her hand, the artifact that signified the success of her quest, yet the malicious nature of reaching that goal.

Exhausted, the young girl rose, wondering where to go next. She thought of the challenges ahead as she strolled away from the site. Two more minions remained, but the reality of her deeds began to sink into her heart. Was this right? The thought stuck in her mind. Even if it would help Miroku, is it right to kill?

Her mind shifted to her brother, her only living relative. Her life meant nothing without him. Yet, his success in his quest meant her death. She tried to shake away the thought, but it was the truth, a truth she could not escape.

Midori sought for a pool where she could wash the dirt and dried blood from her body. Finding a site, she waded in the water. Her eye caught the image of herself in the water. She stared at her face. It was the face of a dead person, someone who walked the earth but failed to have life. She knew she would never be living again.

"Just like Kohaku," Midori commented to herself. She remembered back to when she started her plan, when she first confronted Kohaku. She glanced at her hands. Though their current state was raw and sore, she pictured them as claws, the ones which stabbed Kohaku's abdomen. She recalled what she said to Sango as she cried for her brother.

"He will die one day, whether by my hand or another. Why do you wait for the inevitable?"

Those words, her words, pierced her heart. She was no different from Kohaku; a puppet that would die, for life had already been taken once from her. And life cannot be restored.

Her words, ones so cruel, applied to her. Am I delaying the inevitable? She looked to the sky, where millions of stars shone. The glorious sparkling lights caused her to smile despite her feelings. Her brother had life; he would continue her quest and save their family.

Miroku stepped into the hut, calmly breathing in the night sky. His eyes were no longer moist from the pain. He wandered towards Sango. Cheeks moist from recent tears, he knew what must be done. A choice had to be made, and made was a choice. Midori told him of the choice and now he was ready to act.

Sango stroked Kirara, whispering in her ear. She was determined to stop Midori before she reached Kohaku, before she killed him. Her eyes burned with passion and desire. She was going to protect her brother no matter what, even if it was going to hurt Miroku. That thought made her frown. She wanted Midori to pay for even thinking about killing her brother, but she was Miroku's sister, her one true love's family. Heaving a heavy sigh, she looked over her shoulder to the man she loved. She saw the pain in his eyes as he spoke.

"I'll go with you."

The End.

Just Kidding! I will be posting the new chapters on Monday instead of Tuesday since that is when I am at school (with high speed internet), so check back on Monday Nights. Only a few chapters left.