Author's Note:
I am so sorry this took so long, but I appreciate your patience. In this chapter I have converged both of my Inuyasha fanfics into one universe. To fully understand the ending, I recommend also reading Web of Hurt (the first half of Chapter 1, and Chapter 2) As always I do not own Inuyasha, its characters, or its plot. This is simply a fanfic. Thank you all for your interest in my fanfics. I hope you enjoy this chapter too. Please review this if you like it or if you have some ideas on how I can improve my writing. I am also willing to take requests. Thank you again, and enjoy. :)
I stared down at my feet trying to make sense of those words. An abomination that could be the last hope for humanity? It makes no sense.
The dragon sighed deeply, impatient that I had not yet realized what he meant. The dragon blinked his large blue eye, and then stared at me as if he could help me think faster by staring into my soul. Or, maybe he was waiting for me to accept the truth of what we were both thinking. My face contorted with horror and dismay. "No! I will not kill my baby!" I shouted at the dragon, hoping that maybe if I was loud enough my words would be true. I could save humanity by killing my child before it became a danger. It wasn't the child who was the last hope, but me. It was my decision whether it was one or many who died.
The dragon sighed again. "How unfortunate," His deep voiced boomed and echoed throughout the cave. "And here I was hoping I wouldn't have to kill you."
My fear turning into arrogance. I stared down the monster and laughed. "Are you honestly this scared of a half-human child? What can a baby do?"
"You humans are far too short-sighted. You assume that you will still be alive when ─" The dragon stopped mid-sentence and sniffed the air. "Well, it seems I won't have to worry about that anymore.
The dragon slinked back to the darkness it came from, his harsh blue eyes the last thing I could see until they too were swallowed by the depths of the cave. In the quiet of the dragons absence I could hear the sound of footsteps. They were faint, but footsteps none the less. Hoping that maybe Kagura had come back, I ran to the cave entrance. No one was there waiting for me. Only the clouds greeted me, well - the clouds and the footsteps. They grew louder as I approached the opening. I waited where I was until the sound hammered in my ears. Was someone trying to drive a giant nail into the mountain side? The wind started to howl, and I was beginning to worry that the dragon and his death threat were the least of my problems.
I had been found. This was supposed to be a safe place, and yet there was no where to hide, The dragon would not have to worry about me or the tiny demon baby. Somethin else was going to kill me after all. Tears ran down my face. I failed. I would die and Naraku's son would die. I failed as a mother, a lover, and a slave. A gust of wind rushed into the cave, billowing my hair away from my face and instantly drying my tears. Before me stood a man? The silhouette had long hair in a ponytail. But the shoulders were too broad to be female. Of course. I shook my head and chuckled under my breath. The only men with hair this long are demons. Of course I was found by another demon. Just my luck.
"I guess it wasn't a complete waste of time after all," The man growled. As he walked towards me I could see his - fur armor? Does this guy really use pelts as armor. Well, he does have a metal breastplate on too. The man grabbed my hair and pulled me to my feet. "I was hoping I would find that witch Kagura after following her here. But you can lead me not only to Kagura, but to Naraku as well. Now, tell me where they are."
"I don't know."
"LIAR!" You must know where they are. You are one of Naraku's incarnations."
"No I'm not!"
The man tugged again on my hair. "Then why do you smell like Naraku? Who are you?
I needed to think through the pain. This guy would not be happy to find out that I've been living in Naraku's castle, or that I happen to be carrying his child. Who am I? Who am I besides Naraku's slave? Before I was a slave─ Before I went to Naraku's castle-there was─ "Kagome Higurashi!" I shouted, unable to contain my excitement.
The man gave another hard yank on my hair. "Don't lie to me! I know you're not Kagome!"
"Ow! Ow, ow, ow. No. I'm not Kagome. Kagome is how I got here." The man loosened his grip a little. Maybe he'll let me explain. "My name is Kawayui. I went to school with Kagome Higurashi. Kagome Inuzuka is my best friend."
"You know Kagome?" The man released me. I rubbed my tender head hoping that the pain would go away.
"Yes, both of them. My best friend is the one with long brown hair and blue-green eyes."
The man knelt down, grabbed my hand, and helped me too my feet. "She's been looking for you. We've actually been searching for you for about four months now."
"Who is 'we'?"
The man was flabberghasted. It seemed that he did not think it was possible for someone to not know him. "I'm Kogu, leader of the wolf-demon pack. I can take you to Kagome."
"How? More importantly, how did you even get up here?"
"I ran. I could probably run us back down." With that Koga lifted me onto me onto his shoulder and I screamed to whole way down the mountain, not stopping as he jumped into a tree to avoid running us into the ground. I fell to my knees, doubled over and considering whether or not to vomit. Well, at least the screaming stopped. Koga waited for a minute or so, tapping his foot with impatience.
"Come on. Quit being a baby. They're waiting for us." Once I looked up at him, Koga helped me to my feet and lifted me onto his back. I was dimly aware that we were headed in the direction of Naraku's Castle, but I was more afraid of the nausea that would come again once Koga stopped running. We eventually reached a clearing where a group of people were waiting for Koga's return. I could hear someone growl from the group. There was also the sound of someone unsheathing a sword. I looked up to see where the sounds was coming from. There was a monk, a woman who appeared to be a ninja, a small child, a large cat, and a man in a red kimono ─ who I assumed was also a demon of some sort. Each one of them brandished a weapon. Right, I still smell like Naraku. Koga's friends don't trust me. A girl standing in the back pushed her way through the people and ran towards us. I know her from somewhere.
"Kawayui!" She shouted. A wide smile broke out on her face. Yes, I did know her.
"Kagome," I uttered meekly, trying to fight this new onset of nausea. Koga helped me down, and Kagome Inuzuka came over to help me stand. The others in the group relaxed a bit, but none of them let go of their weapons. The small child ran up to Kagome and I. Up close I realized he was a demon too. He had a fluffy tail and little animal feet. He looked up at me curiously, yet his emotions were still guarded. Makes sense, I shouldn't be trusted. But Kagome trusts me and Kagome is part of the group. So, what does that make me?
"Why do you smell like Naraku?" He asked with the trademark bluntness of children.
"I'll tell you if you tell me which kind of demon you are?" I smiled down at him. Children love to talk about themselves. Let's divert the attention away from me.
"I'm a fox demon! My dad was the most powerful fox demon ever!" He paused and looked up at me with a sly look, "Your turn."
Do I tell them the truth? Is there a way to explain myself without divulging that I was a willing participant. Yes, they already think Naraku is the bad guy. I'm sure they would believe I was simply a victim without having to stretch their imaginations. "I was a slave at the castle. I was told I could never allowed to leave because the air outside the castle would kill me." It wasn't all a lie, but still left many questions unanswered. The child, the monk, and the woman seemed to believe me right away. The other demon though had doubt and suspicion written all over his. He continued to glare at me.
Kagome on the other hand gave me a hug with the arm already wrapped under my shoulder. She looked at me with pity. "I'm glad we came to save you. But, how did you get out of the castle?"
"I can answer that," Thankfully, Koga came to my rescue. He explained the story of my rescue to them, adding in any detail he could to make himself look like the gallant hero. "Can you tell us how to get to the castle?" Koga addressed me again.
"I think it's a straight shot in the way we were going." I pointed straight in front of me. " I remember passing the forest of the dead to get to the cave where Koga found me. I'm okay now to continue on if you want to start going that way." Kagome took her arm out from under my shoulder, and we continued to walk to the castle. I guessed we were closer to it than I had thought; I expected everyone to start running there. As we walked Kagome told me of her adventures. She had run into this group of people shortly after Kohaku has taken me away. They all had a reason to enact vengeance against Naraku. Miroku (the monk) was cursed with a Wind Tunnel that would eventually kill him if he didn't kill Naraku first. Naraku killed Sango's (the woman) family and kidnapped her brother. Inuyasha (the demon in the red kimono) also lost someone he loved. Most of Koga's wolf pack had been slaughtered by Kagura, who would not exist if not for Naraku. "Why are you still traveling with them, Kagome. You have no reason to go after Naraku now that I'm here."
"I owe them. They all worked to help save you. And now they need you. Don't worry though. Koga has been teaching me to fight. I won't be much help to them; they are all much stronger than I am. But, I can at least protect you." I nodded to show her that I understood.
When we finally reached the castle, Naraku was there to greet us. He had been expecting a fight. Is that why he had me leave? My suspicions were confirmed with the shock on Naraku's face when he saw me. The surprise turned to anger and betrayal. He quickly calmed himself and smirked. He beckoned me to come to his side. I stood where I was. Inuyasha and the rest would kill me if I go. Naraku will torture me if I don't, waiting to kill me until I had fulfilled my duty to him. It turns out, I was much more afraid of Naraku. I ran to him and hid behind him.
"I knew we couldn't trust you!" Inuyasha shouted at me.
Naraku laughed at them. "I fail to see how your foolishness is her fault. Though I am disappointed in you, Kawayui. With your help the enemy has come much sooner than I had anticipated."
"I'm sorry Naraku-sama."
"You will be."
"I won't let you hurt her!" Kagome shouted, brandishing a sword. "I don't know what you've done to her, but there is no way my friend would betray me for you!" No, Kagome, don't. He'll kill you too! I love him, but I don't want you to get hurt because of me.
Naraku laughed again. "Go ahead and try," Naraku assumed his demonic form. Appendages from other demons he had consumed had branched out from his back, revealing something truly monstrous. Inuyasha unsheathed his weapon as well. His sword grew many times larger, and looked too heavy to possibly lift ─ even for a demon. Koga, Miroku, and Sango followed suit. Kilala (the giant cat) took Kagome and Shippo to safety before joining the fight as well. I shut my eyes and buried my face in my hands both afraid of and for Naraku. The fight raged on; the sounds of many weapons clamored. I opened my eyes when I heard Naraku growl in pain. Sango had detached one of Naraku's demonic spider legs with her giant boomerang. Naraku, though, seemed more intent on avoid Inuyasha's attack, any of which could have been fatal. On the defensive, Naraku jumped behind me. He must have needed some time to think of a new strategy. But, Inuyasha had followed him with a stab aiming for his midsection. My eyes flew open in shock and pain. Blood pooled in my mouth and dripped to the ground. Each breath grew more taxing. Naraku gasped. He was planning on Inuyasha hesitating to avoid hurting me. We both weren't expecting Naraku to be wrong. I heard Kagome scream in the distance. That gave Naraku the time he needed to disappear in a cloud of purple mist. before long the castle was gone too. Kagome ran to my side, crying yelling at Inuyasha, and apologizing for not protecting me.
"Don't be sorry for me." I looked up at her with tears in my eyes. "I was able to protect my master." Talking drained my energy; I was no longer able to stay conscious. My last thought was of him.
Epilogue
Kagome laid a pile of rocks and a wildflower she had picked on top of the grave. She had decided to take the body back to Kaede's village to be buried by the Bone-Eater's well. She sat by the grave and cried for a bit. She was angry with herself and the part she had played in the events leading to this point. Kagome heard the footsteps of someone approaching, but she paid no mind who whoever it was.
"I'm sorry Kagome." Inuyasha sat down next to her.
"It wasn't your fault. I had a chance to run away with her. She told me that we could leave."
"This isn't your fault Kagome. It's Naraku's. He sacrificed her so he could escape. But we won't let him run away next time. We will kill him Kagome, and we will avenge your friend. Inuyasha reached into his kimono and pulled out a Shikon jewel necklace. He took Kagome's hand and slipped the necklace inside.
"This is the necklace Naraku gave to Kawayui so that she could come here. Why, why isn't it glowing?" The purple glow that had surrounded the jewel before was gone.
"Naraku had given your friend a tainted shard. I had Kaede purify it so the shard would be safe for you too have. This way you can come back and visit the grave when you want to." Inuyasha turned his head away, blushing slightly. "You can also come back and visit us Kagome."
"Thank you, Inuyasha. I will come back. I promise." Kagome kissed him. "It's time I leave though." Inuyasha hugged her tightly.
"I'll wait for you here. Don't take too long to come back." Inuyasha kissed her again. He watched as Kagome jumped into the well and went back to her own time.