A/N: First of all, I would like to apologize for not posting on Monday as promised. I had a family dinner which ran longer than I expected. Second, I must warn you, I am terrible at endings. (Yes, this is the end, but all must come to an end right?) But please respond to the ending, even tips, to help me improve. Please enjoy the last chapter of Under the Stars.
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 25: Final Goodbye
Tetsusaiga lodged deep within her right palm, almost disappearing from sight. Midori smiled at the pain. InuYasha slid the blade out from her hand, which was covered in human blood.
"So you defied me, just like your parents." Naraku's voice carried through the air.
"You thought that by wiping my mind, taking away my memories, that you could control me just like Kohaku," Midori stated as she bended down towards the ground, "And it almost worked." Reaching, she grabbed her prized dagger with her right hand. "But you forgot one thing. Desire. No one can take away desire." Midori rose from the ground, now holding Kitsu in her bleeding palm.
"You can no longer control me!" Midori twisted her body, hurling Kitsu towards the demon monkey. She watched Naraku dodged the attack. Midori gritted her teeth before collapsing to her knees. Her strength was starting to fade. Terror replaced weariness as Naraku released his tentacles right at her.A sinking feeling entered her heart. Is my attempt again futile? The tentacles disappeared from her sight as Miroku stepped in front of her. She looked up at her brother's back. Concern grew inside her for Miroku's life. No, no you must live!
"Wind Tunnel." Miroku revealed his own curse, hoping to suck the creature which plagued his family. I lost Midori once to you. That is not happen again. The determined monk watched the tentacles retract as Saimyosho appeared in their place. He greeted the insects with an open palm. Nothing is going to stop me, not even your wasps.
"Foolish Monk." The tentacles flew again. Miroku stood his ground, awaiting death itself to protect his only sister. You won't win this time, even if it means my life. Eyes of bravery glared at the buzzing soldiers while violent winds sucked them in. Miroku, unwavering from his task, did not flinch as the many stings penetrated within his arm. Even if this is the end, I have no regrets.
InuYasha had seen enough. Naraku was once again torturing people for his own gain. Now, his friend was on his way to the afterlife, all to save his family. Clenching Tetsusaiga, he flicked the blood from it before wrapping his hands tight around the handle.
"Miroku, shut your hand!" Miroku looked to the voice. InuYasha now stood next to him, Tetsusaiga in hand.
"InuYasha, now you wish to be destroyed as well?" Naraku hissed from behind the Saimyosho. InuYasha only gritted his teeth.
"Shuddup!" InuYasha shouted into the swirling vortex. More and more noxious wasps entered Miroku's body. He felt the venom take affect. Strength began to leave his body. Complying with InuYasha's command, Miroku sealed the tunnel. Now was his chance. InuYasha raised his treasured blade above his head. He was tired of Naraku's antics, tired of his style of fighting.
"Backlash Wave!"
Naraku, sensing Tetsusaiga's power, retracted his tentacles behind his shield. His own swirling aura slammed into the barrier, damaging it. Naraku clenched his teeth in anger as pieces of his own shield cut him. Now bleeding, he ascended into the sky, fleeing on the wind which also carried Kagura.
"Wind Scar!"
Swirls of yellow raced towards the fleeting couple. It inched closer to them, aiming to slam into the escaping foes. Kagura, turned on her feather, fan raised by her side.
"Dance of the Dragon!"
The two forces collided, creating a vortex of light. The sky now alit with intense bright light, blinding the group below. As the vortex lifted, the couple had escaped. InuYasha slammed Tetsusaiga loudly into its sheath, angered by Naraku evading his death once again.
"I failed my mission again." Midori's words carried a smirking tone as she held her hand, watching blood ooze from her freshly made wound. She smiled at her brother, who now was holding her, praying for her.
"I am sorry, even if I don't deserve forgiveness." Midori stuttered. All she wanted was to help her brother, to save him from his fate. The things she did to fulfill that goal she was not proud of. Yet, it did nothing to stop Naraku's curse; it only caused mayhem within the group of friends.
Miroku frowned at his sister's words. He wanted to save her, wanted her to live. He planed on killing Naraku before he knew about Midori, before she was a victim of the demon. He had failed, for now Midori, once again, was dying.
"I forgive you, for all you have done."
A small smile spread across Midori's face. She never meant to hurt anyone, especially her brother. The truth of her fate was kept from him. She looked at her bleeding palm, her life force, just like Kohaku's jewel shard. Should I tell him I was doomed from the start? She looked into his eyes. His deep blue were shrouded in worry and sorrow. No, no I won't. I don't want to take away the hope he had, the hope to save me. She smiled in content with her decision. Her brother smiled in return.
"I want you to be happy Miroku." He listened to the solid words from his only sister. "Kill Naraku and settle down with Sango. Have many nieces and nephews for me." Tears streamed from his blue eyes. Those happy expectations struck his heart. His blubbering kept his mouth shut, but Midori knew that internally, he promised.
"And this time, keep your promise." She chuckled at her last comment. Miroku laughed nervously, unsure if he should. He saw, for a moment, the happy little girl he grew up with, his baby sister without the worry of Naraku, without a fear of death. Midori's eyes shifted away from him as she stared into space. Miroku saw a small smile come to her face.
"I see Mom and Dad, smiling."
The words slurred as Midori released her final breath. Miroku cradled his sister. Once again he was left with a dead sibling, a lost relative. He brushed her hair from her face to see her closed eyes.
"I promise Midori," his voice whispered into her ear. Brushing her loose hair, he kissed her exposed forehead, his final goodbye.