22nd May 09 - chapter revised - at 11:30 pm!!
Ritey, here's the next chapter...
I'm going to try and make it as realistic and true to the anime and manga as possible, so characters won't be too OOC. Hopefully :3
2. Kagome, Naraku and Kikyou: Battle Inside Me
Kagome awoke to a searing pain in her chest, and found it very difficult to move at all. She noticed she was laying on the cold ground floor in what appeared to be some sort of badly scorched precipice. She was laying next to a large tree, one of the only trees that seemed to be standing in the vast, tattered landscape.
Her body soaked due to the rain, and she could feel her hair being tossed about gently in some sort of small stream. She tried slowly to sit up, but the pain that escalated from her chest made it impossible.
Wh-where am I? W-What happened? Kagome mentally asked herself. Ahh! My chest! It hurts soo much!
Kagome's hand clutched her shoulder area desperately, and she felt something wet and sticky all over her shirt. She slowly inclined her head towards it. H-Huh? B-Blood? I'm... I'm bleeding...
Kagome new she wouldn't last much longer like this, she was loosing so much blood, and hell was it painful.
"I-InuYasha!" Kagome managed to croak out. "W-Where are you? InuYasha!"
-Ku Ku Ku Kagome, do you not remember what happened?- A cruel, sinister voice spoke from somewhere. From her mind.
Huh? W-Who are you? Kagome asked mentally, fear creeping up inside of her. The voice sounded frightengly familiar.
-Ahh young Miko, do you not see me?- It continued.
N-...Naraku!! Kagome finally recognised the chilling voice. How can you be here?! You're dead!
Wait. Dead. Naraku... was dead? No. Everything that had taken place before in the final battle came back to Kagome. Naraku's deadly tentacle piercing her, the white-hot pain she felt, the complete darkness as she blacked out. Naraku had been killed, and it looked like he was planning on taking her with him.
A thought filled with dread and worry came to her mind. InuYasha.
Where is he Naraku?! Where is InuYasha?! And what about Sango, Miroku and Kirara?! Kagome mentally screamed at Naraku.
-Patience young Miko, patience. They are all fine, and will be here in due time. It is your current condition that should concern you...-
Naraku! What are you planning?! How can you be here if you're dead?! I saw it! We destroyed you! You can't really be here at all!
-Oh but I am Kagome, at least what's left of my spirit is. The Shikon jewell is gone from my body, so I could not survive your combined attack with InuYasha, but my spirit remains, at least for a little while. I plan to use the time I have left to make your life hell... I want you and your pathetic friends to suffer.-
"KAGOME! Kagome! Kagome say something! Where are you Kagome?!" InuYasha's voice brought Kagome to her senses.
"INUYASHA! I'm here InuYasha! I'm over here!" Kagome screamed to him with as much volume as she could muster given her state, though she couldn't see him.
-Ku Ku Ku Kagome, it's no use. He can't hear or see you.-
What? Why not?! What have you done?!
-The dark part of the Shikon no tama is hiding you, using your very own spiritual power it sealed. InuYasha can't get to you, at least not until I want him to find you.-
What are you planning?! Kagome screamed at him.
-As I said before Kagome, I want to see you all suffer, especially InuYasha. It's what I do best. With you gone, there will be nothing left for him to live for. When Kikyou died, it nearly destroyed him inside, and the only thing that kept him going was knowing he had friends and you especially to protect. Can you imagine what it will be like for him to lose another woman he loves? I can, and it brings me great pleasure to know that even after my death he will suffer...-
NO! You're wrong! He won't suffer like with Kikyou! He won't let you do that to him again! He's better than that! Kagome felt herself losing it big time.
-Thats where you're wrong, Kagome. Losing you will be like losing a part of himself. I've watched and seen how he has tried to stop it, how he has tried not to get close to you like he did with Kikyou. Pathetic, it was. He couldn't escape the inevitable, and against his own wishes, he came to develop feelings for you, while still holding his love for Kikyou.-
InuYasha may care for me, but he doesn't love me! Those are feelings he has for Kikyou and her alone! It doesn't matter how much I might love him! I can't compare to what he feels for her! Even in death!
-You are truly mistaken Kagome, and you will see how blind you are in time.-
No... Kagome didn't know what to do, then suddenly...
Leave now Naraku!
-What?!- Naraku's voice suddenly cracked, taking on an unusual note of fear.
I command you to leave! Leave and go to hell!
Kagome knew that calm and sophisticated voice. A voice she didn't think she'd ever hear again.
Ki... Kikyou? Is that really you...? Kagome thought.
-How is this possible?! You are a dead woman Kikyou! You cannot be here! I killed you myself!- Naraku's tone held untold fury and terror.
The same can be said for you half-demon, now leave! Kikyou countered.
-You cannnot make me bitch. I possess far more power than you, even in death! I will drive you back to the depths of hell!-
Very well Naraku. If you will not pass on and meet your own fate, then I will certify that you for you. You will no longer be a cause of the greatest of suffering.
-NO! YOU CANNOT DO THAT KIKYOU! I HAVE THE GREATER STRENGH AND POWER! I GOT RID OF YOU, DID I NOT?!-
It seemed that the voice of Kikyou was not listening, and Kagome could only watch from within her mind's eye as Kikyou's very own will power sent Naraku back into the depths of hell. Naraku's true scream of defeat as Kikyou's light pierced him was tremendous. At last, Naraku was truly gone, spirit and all.
Kagome was left in awe and shock.
Kikyou had come back some how and saved her? Or was just her spirit like Naraku? Was she really there at all? Was she seeing things? The blood loss would explain...
Do not be afraid Kagome. I am not here to hurt you. Kikyou said, her voice warm and soothing now that Naraku was gone.
How can I be sure it's really you? How can I be sure that you're not just another part of Naraku's plan?
Kikyou laughed. This must seem confusing Kagome, but I can asure you it is really I, Kikyou, priestess and former protector of the Shikon no tama, a duty I passed on to you in my passing.
Kagome wasn't sure why, but she found it hard not to believe the kindly voice.
I am here in spirit only Kagome, for my body is long gone.
Kagome became aware that an image of Kikyou was kneeling beside her battered form. She may have only been a spirit, but that did nothing to supress Kikyou of her calm demeanor and beautiful face. She looked just as she had before she died, the scars of Naraku's poison spiderwebs long gone. There was a difference though. Whereas Kikyou had always been so troubled and melancholy before, she was smiling now, something Kagome had rarely seen in the time they'd known eachother.
Kagome, I owe you my gratitude. Kikyou said.
.
Wha...? Why are you thanking me Kikyou? What did I do? I've failed you, I failed to keep my promise to you. I couldn't purify the Shikon no tama or save you from death. Kagome tolf the dead miko, truly confused.
You did more for me than you realise Kagome, more than I had ever come to expect from you. Kikyou replied.
What do you mean?
You stayed with him. You stayed with InuYasha. It was something I had never been able to do.
Huh? Why would you thank me for that? I was always going to try my best to be with him, by his side, just like I promised him. Kagome was utterly confused at why Kikyou would want to thank her for something she'd do without a second thought. It was ludicrous to think otherwise.
Kikyou chuckled quietly once again, smiling as she explained her reasoning.
Because, Kagome, when I was alive, I never had the chance I wated to truly be with him, and I suppose, in a way... I did not deserve to. I wished to live as a normal woman, with him, but only if he was willing to become human. I was willing to change him for my own happiness, something I know you would never ask of him. I only ever knew my mistake after I had passed on, and by then it was far too late. I did though, in a way, get a second chance in life.
What do you mean? Kagome asked, growing ever more curious.
I recieved a second chance through you. You are my reincarnation. We have the same soul, so in a sense we are the same person, just having led different lives in different times. Yet we are very different still Kagome. Tell me, why do you stay with InuYasha?
Because I... Well... I... Kagome sucked in a painful breath. I love him Kikyou, I'm sorry.
Silly girl, why are you sorry for loving him?
Well, you love him too, don't you Kikyou? Kagome asked.
My heart will forever belong to him, but I want him to move on in his life aswell. I do not wish to see him forever over shadowed by me. I am happy that he can love again. I am happy that he loves you. Kikyou informed Kagome with a smile once more.
He doesn't love me Kikyou, he'll only ever love you. The younger miko's voice was heartbreakingly broken.
Kikyou shook her head. You are wrong Kagome. He does love you, as much you love him, more than he loves himself. He'd give his life for you.
Kagome thought about this. InuYasha did always protect her. He had cared for when she was sick, he had opened up to her about his past, and no matter how had always run to Kikyou, he always came back to her, no matter what. After Kikyou had died for a second time, he still stayed with her, though she had been sure his heart was breaking. Kagome had wanted nothing more than to mend it for him. To see him laugh. To see him smile. For him to live again.
Kikyou, this wound in my chest... Am I going to... die? Kagome finally asked.
Kikyou studied her for a few seconds, and her smile faltered a little.
Yes Kagome. Like me so many years before you, you will die. You are destined to.
o-o-o-o
"Damnit all to hell! Why can't I find her?!" InuYasha yelled to the sky.
He was growing increasingly frustrated and worried. He should have picked up some sign of by now - a hint, or something.
A smell suddenly caught his keen nose. It was faint, but still there. Though instead of soothing his worries, it only made them worse.
Kagome's blood!
He bounded off back in the direction he had come, as the rain came down harder than ever.
o-o-o-o
I... I don't want to die Kikyou! I don't want to leave him! I don't want to leave my family, or Sango, Miroku, Shippo, Kaede, Kirara, Kohaku, anyone! Kagome pleaded, as if Kikyou could somehow save her. But the dead priestess didn't possess that level of power.
I know Kagome, but there is nothing you or I can do. You must be brave though. You mus not fear death. It is something that happens to us all eventually, natural or not...
Kagome knew this wasn't what she wanted to hear, but what could she do?
She made a split second decision.
Kikyou, I want to see InuYasha one last time, can you do that for me? Kagome asked, pleading once again. She had to at least see him once more.
At last Kikyou's smile returned. You will see him Kagome. Be sure of that, one last time.
Kagome smiled, relief over-coming the fear she'd felt just moments ago. Thank you Kikyou.
The barrier hiding you will disperse, and he will catch your scent soon enough. You must try to hold on until then though. Kikyou said.
I will, Kikyou. Kagome was glad she'd be able to say goodbye, even if it was for the last time.
Kikyou? Can I ask you one more thing? Will you stay with me, at least until InuYasha gets finds me here? Kagome asked. She didn't want to be left alone, and Kikyou's presense was very calming and welcoming. Kikyou didn't hesitate.
Yes Kagome. I will stay with you, for as long as I can.
The barrier hiding Kagome vanished.
Thank you Kikyou. For everything.
o-o-o-o
InuYasha could hear Sango and Miroku catching up to him. He however, could think of nothing than the metallic scent of blood that was growing stronger every second. He could only pray he wasn't too late to save Kagome.
InuYasha came up along a small stream, and in the distance he could see a large tree, one of the only trees that had been left standing in the aftermath of the battle. He looked at the stream again, and fear gripped his heart as he noticed that there was a thin line of blood flowing with it, gradually growing thicker as he neared the tree. Please Kagome! Just wait for me!
He skidded to a hault. He'd seen a limp figure sprawled out infront of the tree, long black hair fanning out around them, and red blood leaking out of their chest. His eyes could only widen and stare in horror, as he recognised the battered body of the woman he'd grown to care so much for.
Kagome.
xXx
Yay! second chappie up and finished!
Ok, this may have been a little depressing or saddening, but you know, impending death is like that. But anyway tell me what you think please!
So basically Kagome has realised she is going to die, and Kikyou is going stay there with her. I decided to include Kikyou in some way to show that she honestly wasn't a bad person, and thought this might be a good way to demonstrate this.
So what will become of them all? How will they all take it when they find Kagome, and will she really die? You will have to wait and see! But please, keep reviewing!