Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha or any of its characters. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi. However, this story and created characters are mine.
Chapter 24: Time to Decide
"What?" Midori was filled with bewilderment. The creature she just destroyed, and buried, was now standing right in front of her.
"How...How did you…?"
"Surprised?" Kagura laughed with newfound confidence, "I thought you knew everything about me." A grin spread rapidly across her face. "Did you forget that I carry no heart?!" A wave of silver crescents flew from her fan, dispersing among the ground. Midori, still in shock, narrowly escaped the blast.
"Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!" Small streaks of yellow raced towards Kagura. Smile unwavering, the wind witch knocked the attack out of the way.
"Please InuYasha," she chuckled, "You know that won't work."
"You don't have to get involved."
"The hell I don't!" InuYasha retorted in a huff, still upset of Midori's act of deception.
"I can see you still have life in you Midori," A low hiss came from the trees. Midori gritted her teeth. There was only one person with that voice. The young girl cocked her head around towards the rustling, allowing her to see Naraku appear from the greenery.
Kagura's grin left her face. Dammit. Naraku's here. Now I can't kill her.
"You task is complete Kagura, whether you did it or not." Naraku walked towards his newest servant and newest betrayer. "Now, Midori, I have one final task for you."
"Stay away from her!" Miroku shouted as his legs pushed him towards her. He was not going to lose her again.
Hearing his voice, Midori turned to him. "Stay back!" She watched Miroku stop as she felt something on her head. It tugged on her hair, forcing her back to look at Naraku who chuckled at Midori's futile attempt to free herself.
"Let's make you more reasonable, shall we?" Midori screamed as Naraku electrocuted her mind. She felt her ability to move fade away. The things she fought for, her freedom, her sanctuary, her family's redemption, began to disappear. This is how Naraku erased Kohaku's memory, leaving a blank slate which he could control. The fear that was growing dissipated as her livelihood, her dreams were sucked dry. The scream silenced along with her free will. Her mind cleared of her desires and memories; she became a complete puppet of Naraku. The master smiled at the girl's glazed-over eyes. Now, she would cause no more trouble.
"Now Midori, get the rest of the shards and kill InuYasha." At the command, Midori turned with blades in hand towards Kagome. All that was in her mind now was getting the shards of the shikon jewel. She could not register the fear in her victim's eyes.
"Kagome!" InuYasha shoved her, forcing her out of Kitsu's path.
Kitsu clanged against Tetsusaiga, sending a sad humming into the air. InuYasha held his blade tight, fearing for Kagome's safety. He saw Midori's eyes; they were blank, lifeless. It was as if he was fighting Kohaku again. Using his strength, InuYasha forced back the attacker with his trusted blade. He watched the girl slide backwards on her feet, causing dust to rise in the air. The girl stood erect, lifting her soulless eyes towards him.
"Get out of here Kagome," he said, never moving his gaze. He knew that Midori would go after the shards Kagome carried; he would have to deal with her first.
"InuYasha," Kagome said softly, hoping he would protect every one. Midori is now a puppet. He wouldn't kill her, would he?
"Go!" InuYasha now shouted at her, hoping fear would cause her to move. He felt her slightly jump before rising to escape. With his ears he heard delicate footsteps head towards Sango, still shocked from her brother's death. His eyes never wavered, still transfixed on the girl controlled by Naraku.
Midori had only one thing on her mind; get the shards and kill InuYasha. The thought seemed okay, but something was wrong. The commands had no reasoning, no logical explanation of why it was okay. Is this what I really want?
InuYasha raised his blade again, ready for another strike. His eyes determined to protect those he loves, but was also willing to save the controlled girl before him.
The girl charged once again, knowing her task was to kill her opponent. Kitsu and Gaia were pointed towards the dog demon. Internally, she wanted to create a new pool of blood; it had been her goal since she took on her solo mission. Blood had to be spilled, that much was certain. But is it this demon's blood I want to spill?
InuYasha felt Gaia and Kitsu slam into Tetsusaiga, sending more humming into the air. He never attempted to attack his opponent, only blocked for his safety and hers. He wanted to free her somehow, yet make his friends happy. What am I going to do?
Miroku watched as his only sister, now under Naraku's complete control, attack his friend. When I decided to go with Sango I wanted to reason with them, so no one got hurt. His plan fell through the moment Midori killed Kohaku, even if it was to help him. Now his love lay motionless, paralyzed by the death of her only brother while Midori no longer listened to herself. In the process of trying to save both, he lost both. What am I going to do?
Midori continued her assault, clashing her treasured blades against Tetsusaiga. She felt her opponent attempt no force against her, no will to attack. Her eyes, though seemed clouded, saw everything that was happening. This isn't what I want. I want to be free, even if it means…
InuYasha forced Midori back, causing her to flip in the air. He heard Kagome gasp in fear of the young girl. Even if Midori attacked her several times, Kagome wanted her to be safe, just like Kohaku. She could see InuYasha felt the same, but feared that he would break at any moment.
Miroku watched in horror as his friend and sister fought. He wanted neither to lose. He glanced at Naraku, who seemed happy at everyone's torture. The monk gritted his teeth in anger. He would end this plight, for everyone.
Midori landed softly on the ground, lifting her eyes from the ground. This isn't right. I shouldn't be doing this. She began to remember her past battles, when she was in control, when she held her fate. Yet since I was brought back, I was always under Naraku's control. What makes this any different? She remembered her last battle with Kagura and what the wind witch told her. Midori looked at the half demon. His sword was raised, ready for the next blind attack she was going to try. The young girl knew she would try again.
This has to end, this torture, both for me and my brother. Midori charged at InuYasha again, her swords crossed in front of her chest. Naraku's intend was no longer on her mind. She felt Naraku tug at her, trying to stop what she was going to do. Ignoring the feeling, she raced faster towards her target.
InuYasha watched the controlled girl come, her weapons pointed his own. He body began to fatigue from the constant onslaught from Midori. Despite how he felt, he stood his ground. For Miroku's sake, he would continue to defend, and not attack. It was the same for Kohaku.
But Kohaku is gone, he thought, because of her. His heart ached. One friend wanted the girl puppet dead, the other wanted her alive. She was conscious when she did it. Does that mean she deserves to die? His thoughts filled his mind. Now was the time to decide. Defend or attack.
Miroku's heart cried at the smirk on Naraku's face. His left hand reached for the rosary which concealed the cursed mind tunnel within his right palm. Maybe I could remove Naraku; then Midori would be released from his grasp. He inched closer towards the mind lord, hoping to end his reign over his sister. Quietly his feet brushed over the ground, avoiding any noise they could make. Wind rushed past his face as a gust knocked him down. Looking up to his attacker, Kagura smirked within her grin. Miroku gritted his teeth as he stood. Blocked by the wind witch, his plan was foiled.
InuYasha braced himself, keeping his original position. What should I do? Kagome flashed in his mind. What if Midori gets to Kagome? What if she… InuYasha shook the idea from his mind. No longer was he undecided. He would protect his friends, even at the cost of a life.
He saw Midori's eyes, intense like fire. He saw no intension of her backing down. Confident of his decision, InuYasha began to sprint towards the girl.
Midori saw InuYasha change his position. Now, she thought, he is ready to fight. She kept her eye on Tetsusaiga, the sword of the Earth, the one that protected humans from death. She smiled internally. It would never protect her.
Miroku, who was left at a stand still, returned his attention to the battle. He watched as the two came closer to each other. He heard the sound of his own heart sink as he saw InuYasha's new stance. The half-demon had established a set goal; it was the same every time that look occupied his face. Fretful, his focused turned to Midori. Her swords continued to protect her chest. He prayed for her safety, to be released from Naraku's grasp. His prayer was cut short as he witnessed Midori, now only a few feet from InuYasha, dropped her blades.
Miroku screamed as Tetsusaiga lodged deep within Midori's right palm, almost disappearing from sight.