"Hey Kohaku!!!!" Sango yelled but he took off around the corner in the cave. "Damn," she muttered. Not a second later, Miroku gave a feeble cough and his eyes fluttered open. "Oh, Miroku!" she cried happily.
"S…Sango, we have to move quickly if we're going to catch Kohaku."
"But Miroku, you're not…"
"No, but I feel well enough to get out of this cave. If we lose him then we may never get out." He stuck out his hand for Sango to pull him up. She handed him his Shakujo then wrapped an arm around him.
"I'll walk with you. Come Kirara…help us find Kohaku!"
"I am sick of hearing you talk. I'll finish you off quickly and that will be the end of it," Inuyasha smirked.
"I'm still standing. Bring it half demon!" Inuyasha unsheathed his tetsaiga and ran at Bankotsu, but he quickly side stepped and swung at Inuyasha while his back was turned missing him by just a few inches. Inuyasha steadied his sword, the yellow glow emitting from it showing the signs of the windscar.
"You'll have to be quicker if you ever hope to hit me with that. The windscar huh? Yeah, I've seen you use it but I'm telling you now you'll never hit me with it."
"Let's find out. WINDSCAR!" Inuyasha swung his sword, the windscar missing Bankotsu by several inches cracking the side of the mountain behind him instead.
"Stubborn dog. I told you…my turn…" Bankotsu's sword started to glow a bright red. "I'll show you what real power is hanyou!" He released a giant red orb and hit it like a baseball right at Inuyasha's chest. The hanyou fell backwards into the side of the mountain after taking a direct hit. "See…what I tell you…you'll never beat me. I hope Kikyo's putting up a better fight for your sake and hers."
"Just…just shut up!" Inuyasha shouted as he slowly rose to his feet. Damn that hurt. Oh Kikyo…please…just a little longer and I'll be there…
"Thinking about rescuing that priestess? Think again. You may won't to focus on the enemy in front of you Inuyasha!" Bankotsu took another swing, sending another orb flying at Inuyasha but he quickly rolled out of the way and countered with a windscar cancelling out both attacks.
"Pretty good hanyou. Let's see you deal with this!" He steadied his sword and it started glowing a pink looking color.
"What the…" It's…It's the windscar only…
"That's right Inuyasha. I have one too. Let's see who's the most proficient…" Bankotsu released his Dragon Hammer as Inuyasha stumbled to release his windscar. Both attacks hit each other dead on and exploded forcing both demons backwards into the mountain.
"Mmm hmm…well well if it isn't Kikyo." Kikyo had just made it to the top of the mountain where she was now standing face to face with Naraku.
"YOU!" Kikyo took a step back but cried out in pain. Her leg was still hurt and for some reason the souls inside her body had become restless.What's going on here?
"No need to look and sound so surprised Kikyo. Were you not expecting me?" he asked.
"I was indeed expecting you. However, I did not expect you to show up so soon for your demise. Tell me Naraku, are you that anxious to see the underworld?"
"Priestess, I see you haven't lost your spunk. At a time like this you should be trembling with fear. Then again what is there left for you to fear? You've already faced death once so death should come naturally to a being such as you. At any rate, you don't seem to be in the best health."
"My soul collectors take good care of me so no need for you to worry about my health." Kikyo took out her bow and readied it with an arrow, aiming straight for Naraku's heart. The wind whipped across her face forcefully in a strange way, having noticed her determination and hatred for the being across from her. Naraku just laughed as he inched closer to her.
"Stay where you are Naraku. I don't want to kill you just yet. I have a few questions I would like for you to answer."
"Hurry Sango before we lose him," Miroku said softly. They had just reached the end of the tunnel and was headed towards the light.
"I'm hurrying but Miroku you're still…"
"Never mind me. I'm feeling much better." They sped up and walked briskly towards the light. Kirara got there first realizing that it was a way out. She immediately changed forms and beckoned for her mistress to get on.
"I see…so Kohaku was merely showing us a way out," he said thoughtfully as Sango helped him onto Kirara.
"Yeah, but it doesn't make sense. Why would he want to help us?" She climbed on top of Kirara with a shaken Shippo flying closely nearby and they headed off to look for the others.
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Kagome watched the battle between Inuyasha and Bankotsu from afar. She was only a couple of feet up the mountain but because of the constant attacks being diverted towards the side of it, the mountain was no longer safe to climb. She crouched down and watched helplessly as Inuyasha was being thrown back once again by the pink glow emitting from Bankotsu's weapon. Oh Inuyasha…Please be careful.
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"Is that the best you can do half-demon?" Bankotsu rushed at Inuyasha and sliced at his arm but managed to only graze it a little.
"Damn…you," Inuyasha said through clenched teeth. This guy is as strong as me. How can I beat him?
"I have a bunch of jewel shards hanyou. You look surprised. No, I'm not reading your mind, but the puzzled look on your face told me that you were wondering how I had become so much stronger. There lies your answer." Bakotsu's sword began to light up again. This time he produced an orb much larger than the first and sent it at Inuyasha. Inuyasha managed to roll over and duck just in time, as the orb once again hit the mountain with full force.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Kagome. Inuyasha looked up to see Kagome falling to the ground along with the rocks from the mountain wall.
"KAGOME!!" Inuyasha made a dash at Kagome but was stopped dead in his tracks by Bankotsu's orb.
"Not so fast. Focus Inuyasha. I am your opponent. You'll have plenty of time to get the wench."
"In…nu…yasha…" Inuyasha quickly glanced at the spot where Kagome had landed. Luckily she had not fallen too far and the rocks missed her by mere inches.Hold on just a while longer Kagome.
"BANKOTSU! YOU WILL DIE BASTARD!" Bankotsu took a few paces back and began laughing maniacally.
"Well, it seems I have your attention again. Let's end this now."
"As you wish priestess. Tell me what is it that you wish to know? I don't know why you insist on asking questions to which you already know the answers."
"There is still something troubling me Naraku. Tell me, why are you after Inuyasha? He's just a mere hanyou and is no threat to you at the moment. Why is it that you insist on killing him? Why not go after Sesshomaru instead…or is Sesshomaru too much for you? After all, you too are just a mere half-demon."
"So the lovely priestess is in the dark this time about my true intentions? Wow. This is a first for me. Let me relish the moment." Kikyo fired an arrow but it just did graze the side of his arm.
"I don't have time for games demon! Answer me or the next arrow won't miss."
"Fine," he said with a smirk. The samiyousho that had been surrounding him went about their merry way leaving their master behind. "It's quite simple really priestess. Sesshomaru…well, I don't bother with him because he's not a threat to me. His powers are beneath that of my own so why waste my time on someone like him?"
"If that's the case then I guess it's safe to assume that Inuyasha's a threat to your existence."
"Yes, I suppose you could assume that. However, that's not the case."
"Then what is your deal Naraku?"
"You are priestess."
"Don't flatter me with such comments hanyou. Onigumo's heart may rest within you but even so you could never bring your lips to utter a word of approval about me."
"You're very sharp priestess. I actually mean that. Of all the foes that I've faced in my time, you have been the most bothersome. Imagine that priestess."
"Naraku…"
"It's you I want priestess and today I shall rid the world of you once again." Kikyo just stood there trying to keep her composure. There is just no way Naraku would have gone through all this trouble to get me up here…to kill me…
"You lie," she said a minute later.
"Lie?Me? Come now Kikyo why would I lie? I have no reason to now that I am all powerful."
"You know full well that Onigumo's heart wouldn't allow you to kill me. You've tried it once before and it did not work. Now unless you've gone and figured out a way to remove the heart then…Oh no! That's what….Kikyo's shocked expression gave away her thoughts. Naraku just laughed clearly amused at the priestess' nervousness which was now visible due to her revelation.
"Very good priestess. I would expect nothing less from the woman who's been the biggest pain in my side for all these years."
"I…" Kikyo took a step back but almost fell down in the process. My leg…it's still…
"You have no where to go priestess. The end is surely near for you."
Inuyasha ran at Bankotsu wildly swinging his tetsaiga. Bankotsu just laughed as he easily side-stepped each swing and countered some with his own sword.
"Inuyasha, we aren't getting anywhere. Time for me to up my game a little." Bankotsu jumped away from Inuyasha and held his Banryu straight out. A strange orange glow began to surround the weapon, the strange glow now enlightening the surrounding mountainous terrain. What do I do? The orange glow was now swirling, shaping itself into a huge orb—larger than any of the others had been. It must be the jewels…What do I…? Inuyasha smiled to himself and quickly steadied his tetsaiga. Come on…send it this way demon. I'll send it back tenfold.
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"But…I don't understand…you can't just cut your heart out and…"
"Wanna bet?" Kikyo quickly took out an arrow and fired it at Naraku's right shoulder. A piece of his flesh was torn off but to Kikyo's surprise it began to regenerate. Seconds later it was as though she had never hit him. My powers…are they weakening?
"Ok. I am now tired of playing around with you priestess. Watch closely Kikyo for this is the last thing you will see before you perish."
Naraku took a few steps back and poked at his chest using one of the strong, bone like structures sticking out of his back. Immediately a clump of skin fell to the ground, thumping as though it was his…
"Your…heart?" Kikyo watched as the place where Naraku had pierced himself close up again as if he'd never been cut. "How…what are you Naraku?" she asked nervously. The hands that held steady to the bow and arrow had begun to tremble slightly. Kikyo stared at him, disgusted and frightened. If he has no heart then he can…
"Good-bye priestess." Naraku quickly struck Kikyo's bow breaking it in two. Then with one last smirk he pierced her right shoulder, sending her reeling backwards onto the ground. In the few seconds that all of this happened, Kikyo's life flashed before her eyes. Thoughts of Kaede and Onigumo…thoughts of Inuyasha and how they were both betrayed…thoughts of being resurrected…
I, Kikyo, have no place in this world. I should in fact be grateful to Naraku for wanting to send me back to the grave from whence I came, but for some reason…some strange reason I yearn to stay in this world…
"Kikyo…" Kikyo looked up to see Naraku approaching her slowly. I have to…Kikyo stood up carefully for the pain in her shoulder was unbelievable. It was as though she were human again. She looked around wildly, the wind whipping through her hair like a violent storm. She looked up towards the sky, which had now turned a murky gray. A sign…Once again thoughts from her past began to surface…old memories that she had—or rather thought she had—suppressed long ago…
"Kikyo, why do you worry so?"
"I don't…know. Inuyasha? What do you think of me?"
"Inuyasha…" More and more thoughts of the hanyou ran through her head.
"Kikyo," he whispered softly in her ear, "I want to become a human. I want to use the jewel to become a human so that you don't ever have to risk your life again. I want you to live a normal life and be happy. I never want to see you hurt ever again and if that means I have to become a human, then that's fine with me. I will stay with you and protect you always Kikyo. Always because I love…"
"Inuyasha! Please, you don't need to…"
"No, I love you. That's right, I love you. I've loved you since the day I met you Kikyo…"
Kikyo dropped her head low as the tears started to flow.
"You listen to me, you are not alone in this world. You will always have me."
"Inu…INUYASHA!" she screamed.
Bankotsu released his orb right at Inuyasha all the while laughing like a maniac.
"Good-bye hanyou! It was nice knowing…WHAT THE HELL?!!" Inuyasha's backlash wave had now formed; the blue electric light surrounding the blade was now forming the twister catching the entire orb within its winds.
"That's right Bankotsu. It really is good-bye this time. BACKLASH WAVE!" Inuyasha sent the huge orb speeding back towards Bankotsu. He didn't event try to move for the orb was so big that he would have been crushed either way. The impact from the orb hitting Bankotsu was devastating. Half of the right side of the mountain began to crumble.
"Inu…yasha…" He looked around to see Kagome laying under some rubble. Oh no…
"Kagome!" He ran over to her and scooped her into his arms.
"HEY INUYASHA! UP HERE!" Sango and the others swooped down low and Inuyasha put Kagome on Kirara's back as they all ran away from the area. The rocks were now pouring down the terrain and it was no longer safe to be there. Inuyasha chanced a glance back but Bankotsu was now completely buried in the rubble. When they were finally a safe distance away, they all landed and began checking each other out.
"Ka…Kagome are you hurt?" Inuyasha asked, setting her down upon a nearby rock formation. She had a few cuts and bruises on her legs but other than that she still looked ok.
"Yeah…I'm fine," she answered weakly. "Just a slight headache but…"
"Kagome…I'm sorry…I…"
INUYASHA!
Inuyasha froze in place, his face now void of emotion and pale with fright. His heart began to race but he didn't know why. What's wrong with me?
"Inuyasha…are you…ok?" Sango asked.
"I…don't know," he replied thoughtfully. "I just…have this feeling…"
INUYASHA!!!!
"I have to go…something's wrong…" he replied. He had a wild and puzzled look on his face but all the same he couldn't shake the feeling.
INUYASHA!
Then it hit him like a rock to the chest. Kikyo
"Inuyasha! Wait…what's…"
"I DON'T KNOW BUT I HAVE TO GO!" He ran off past the crumbled area of the mountain and up the steeper mountainous terrain with only one thought on his mind.
I'm coming Kikyo…Please hold on…
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"In…INUYASHA!"
"Too late priestess. He will not come for you. He only cares for the teenager now…the hopeless reincarnation of you…Kagome. Why waste your last breath calling out to a worthless half-demon like Inuyasha?"
It's because he cares...i think...i hope…and he'll…
"He'll come for me," Kikyo muttered softly, her head hanging low as she wept silently; the wind whipping through her hair softly as it masked her sad face.
"Oh really now?" Naraku's tendons reached out and grasped Kikyo by the neck holding her up in the air. Her feet swung wildly about as she tried to loosen his grip but it was no use.
"A parting gift priestess." He kissed her lips roughly as he pierced her side in mid air. Kikyo's high pitch scream pierced the air like a knife; the echo ringing all over the mountain.
"I think you should let her go now and your life will be spared." Naraku threw Kikyo to the ground and laughed.
"Well, well Kikyo. Looks like your rescuer has come."
AN:Sorry for the long awaited update. Been uber busy but I've had most of this written for about 2 weeks now. I just refused to post something that I wasn't at least 80 percent happy with. I am not entirely 100 percent happy with this update but I needed to go ahead and post because I have no earthy idea when the next update for this story will be. Thanks for being patient. It'll take some time but I'll get it finished eventually. I just can't bear to post horribly written work. Oh and this chapter was longer than most of my other ones so that should make up for some of it. LOL