AN: (-) and (/) denotes mind links.
Kagome opened her eyes and blinked several times. Wow. That was weird. She sat up off the floor and looked around the room. This is definitely not my grandmother's house. She stood to her feet but then fell back down because her legs felt like jelly. Whoa. What in the world…? She looked around nervously and realized that she was in some kind of old fashioned room. There was only one door which was behind her. There was only one window and there was also a chair in the room that had rope tied around it. Odd. A cool wind blew in from the window and she instantly folded her arms across her face shuddering. The sharp wind also made her cry out. She looked down at her arms and realized they were bleeding. Oh no! How'd that happen? Kagome was starting to get scared. I'm really not at home anymore…Wait. I hear voices.
SANDS-OF-TIME
"Lady Kikyo! Lady Kikyo, please wake up!" Kikyo's eyes fluttered open to find Myoga bouncing up and down on her chest.
"Myoga…what…what happened?" she managed.
"You said something about 'stopping time'. Then you muttered some spell and fell out. You've been out cold for at least five minutes. Sesshomaru was starting to panic. He wasn't concentrating on fighting and has been cut all over his body. His clothing has been ripped to shreds!"
"Oh no." Kikyo quickly sat up and reached for her bow. "Where's Kagome?"
"Sister Kikyo, I'm afraid she's still in the tower but…something weird happened while you were asleep." Kaede moved away from Sango and Miroku who were laying together trying to endure the painful poisoning.
"What happened Kaede?"
"Well…an orb of light entered the tower in which Kagome is being kept and another one went somewhere else but I did not see it." Kikyo closed her eyes folding her hands in prayer. Kagome…Kagome can you hear me?
Kagome's heart stopped and her body began to shake. I…I hear voices in my head…
-KAGOME! KAGOME! PLEASE…CAN YOU HEAR ME?-
The voice was a little bit louder this time. She closed her eyes forcing her body to relax.
-Kagome, if you can hear me, come to the window.-
Kagome did as she was told and poked her head out the window. Her eyes immediately fell onto a beautiful woman who was staring right back at her as if she could see through her. She was the most beautiful woman she'd ever seen and yet…somehow she had the feeling she knew her from somewhere.
THREADS-OF-FATE
"Sister Kikyo! She can hear you!" Kaede exclaimed. "Now what are you going to do?" Kikyo closed her eyes once more and was about to start talking with Kagome again when someone pushed her to the ground. She looked up to see Sesshomaru standing over her.
"Sesshomaru…what's the meaning…oh no!" He stepped aside and her eyes instantly locked with bright red ones.
"Kikyo please…my brother's not himself so please run!" Sesshomaru shouted.
"But…" He turned his head and looked down at the priestess.
"I could never forgive myself if you got hurt."
At that instant Inuyasha lunged at Sesshomaru swinging his claws violently. Sesshomaru tried to block his attack with his tokugen , but Inuyasha easily pushed him back nipping one side of his arm. Sesshomaru was thrown backwards up against a tree where he fell slowly down the trunk.
"SESSHOMARU!" Kikyo started towards him but a low, menacing growl stopped her in her tracks. She slowly stood to her feet and turned around slowly. Inuyasha was on all fours glaring at her, his eyes full of hunger and blood lust. She took a step towards him and he growled even louder, his mouth drooling from his blood lust.
"KIKYO! KIKYO GET BACK! HE DOESN'T RECOGNIZE YOU!" Kaede shouted. But Kikyo did not listen. She slowly continued to approach the hanyou hoping, praying that she could reach him. Inuyasha…come back to me!
EYES-OF-LOVE
Kagome watched the events unfold from her tower window. She was afraid and yet…As she watched the beautiful young miko that she guessed was Kikyo a strange feeling over came her. It was as if she could sense that Kikyo was in danger. Without thinking, Kagome picked up the bow that her grandmother had given her. She stood at the window and aimed it at the hanyou but then she stopped suddenly when she saw a familiar face. She lowered her bow and just stared at her fixedly. Grandma?
"GRANDMA! GRANDMA KAEDE!?" Kaede looked up at the tower, her face contorted and confused. Why does she look so confused? Does she not recognize her own granddaughter? Kagome's eyes went from her grandmother's to the really good looking man with dark colored hair. He was standing there looking around wildly as if he was mildly confused. He suddenly looked up towards the tower and their eyes locked. That's when Kagome felt a pang in her heart. His eyes…why are they so familiar?
HEART-OF-HATE
Haku continued to look around wildly as if he were lost. Where am I? What's going on here? Why am I…? Haku looked around and gasped at the sight of all the blood he saw. Oh my God. He first spotted a couple whom he assumed were hurt. They were lying curled up together under a tree holding onto one another. Right beside them was a pretty lady with black hair. She was slumped over and seemed to crying hysterically for some reason or another. A few feet away was an old woman who looked terribly frightened. She was staring up at the tower window at some girl who looked strangely familiar. A sharp pain shot through Haku's body all of a sudden and he clasped his hands over his ears. Ahhh….that hurts! What's happening?
-Listen to me Haku. Kill the priestess. If you can't do it then get out of the way and let me take control of my body again-
/Huh? Who are you? Why are you in my head?/
-On the contrary Haku. You are in my head-
"AHHHHHHHHHH IT HURTS! WHAT THE HELL'S HAPPENING TO ME?"
-KILL THE PRIESTESS! STICK OUT YOUR ARM AND STRIKE HER WHILE SHE'S TENDING TO THAT PATHETIC HALF DEMON! DO AS I SAY NOW!-
Haku's arms just started moving on their own. He could feel his arms stretching farther and farther towards the young maiden whose back was turned.
-That's right Haku. Kill her now and everything will be alright-
TIME-WAS-NOT
Kaede looked up at the young girl who was standing at the window. Her face twisted in confusion because for some reason she felt as if she knew Kagome on a deeper level than she had once before. Maybe it's nothing, but why is she calling me grandmother? Kaede saw something out of the corner of her eye that caught her attention. It was Naraku and he was heading straight for her sister. She was going to call out to Kikyo but then she realized that her sister was probably in even more danger right now than ever. She was undergoing a stare down with her ex lover Inuyasha who was now in his demon form. If I call out to my sister and she looks away, he'll kill her. Kaede looked over at the window again and noticed that Kagome was staring at Naraku strangely. What is she doing? She should be trying to kill him!
"KAGOME! KAGOME MY CHILD! AIM YOUR ARROWS AT NARAKU! DO IT NOW BEFORE HE REACHES MY SISTER!" Kagome seemed to be reawakened out of her trance at the sound of Kaede's voice. She immediately took aim with her arrow and shot one right through Naraku's left arm. He stopped dead in his tracks and looked up at the window. He immediately reached out and grabbed her with a tentacle pulling her out of the window. She kicked and screamed but it was no use. She was caught.
BUT-A-LONG-AWAIT
Naraku stared at Kagome with a look of utter disgust on his face.
"Why couldn't you have minded your own business? If you would have continued to aim for the mutt then I would have ignored you."
"LET ME GO YOU…YOU…WHATEVER YOU ARE! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT!"
"And you just tried to kill me. I think I have all the right to squeeze the life out of you here and now." All of a sudden Naraku dropped Kagome on the ground and clasped his hands over his ears again. "AHHH STOP IT! STOP TRYING TO INTERFER YOU PATHETIC HUMAN!" Kagome watched as Naraku argued with himself. What the hell is going on? She inched away from him slowly but a part of her couldn't help but feel drawn to the handsome man. He's evil. I know he is and yet there was something about the way he looked at me before.
"Ka…Kagome…get…away…from me. I can't…stop…him."
"Huh? Naraku?" Naraku dropped to his knees clasping his head in pain. All of a sudden he looked up and met Kagome's eyes.
"No. Not…Naraku…Haku…It's me Haku…please…get…back…he won't…I can't control it…AHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"Ha…Haku?" I knew I recognized him but what the hell's going on here? Is it…wait a second. He's…if he's in Naraku's body…so we're trapped…we came back in time! "Oh my God! This…this can't be!" she stammered.
"Kagome…no time…don't be…afraid…we have to…you have to help…Kaede…and Kikyo. I'm trying to stay…in control but I…his voice in my head…it's so strong Kagome…" Haku screamed out in pain again before collapsing onto the ground. He rolled around and twitched, screaming in pain. Meanwhile, Kagome just stood there wondering what to do. I…I know I'm supposed to help but…but what do I do? I can't kill Naraku. It's really Haku! If I kill him then I'll be killing Haku and I just can't do it! Somebody…please…tell me what to do?
NOW-ITS-TIME
"Inu…Yasha. Please. It's me. Kikyo." The half demon only seemed to get even angrier as he stared at her with hungry eyes. Kikyo slowly raised her arms to reach for her bow but he immediately began growling at her so she chose not to move again. What am I going to do? I need to hit him with an arrow to knock him out of his trance? She closed her eyes and began to pray, hoping that maybe she could get Kagome.
-Kagome? Kagome can you hear me? If you can I need your help. You must shoot Inuyasha with your arrows-
/I…I…Kikyo?/
-Yes. It's me. Please Kagome. I don't know how much longer he'll stay still-
/But…Naraku…Haku…/
-We have to stop Inuyasha first or else we can't stop Naraku. Hurry. Shoot Inuyasha!-
Kagome quickly turned and aimed an arrow right at Inuyasha's chest. Inuyasha caught the arrow with his hand and broke it in half. Kikyo just stood there horrified.
"Oh no." Inuyasha looked past Kikyo at Kagome and broke off into a mad run at Kagome. Kagome was so frightened that her body wouldn't move. In the next instant, all Kikyo could do was scream and watch horrified as Inuyasha swung his claws at her other self.
"NOOOOOOOO! KAGOME!" Kikyo dropped to knees and began to sob. There was blood. So much blood. She didn't even bother to look up for she couldn't bare to see the results of her failure. Kagome…I'm so…so sorry Kagome. I was too weak and too afraid to do anything and now you're…
"HAAAAAAKUUUU! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Kikyo's head jerked up and what she saw confused her more than ever. Naraku was standing in front of Kagome, his body covered with blood. Inuyasha was in front of him and it looked liked his hand had gone straight through Naraku's chest. What is going on?
TO-CLINCH-YOUR-FATE
"NO! HAKU!" Kagome screamed. Inuyasha twisted his arm around inside Naraku's chest causing him to cry out in pain before pulling his arm out. Naraku fell down on his knees and before he could hit the ground, he was caught by Kagome. She propped his head against her chest as she sobbed.
"Haku…Haku I'm so sorry…you saved me and…"
"K…Kagome?" He was bleeding to death and he knew it was only a matter of time before he would never open his eyes again.
"Haku don't talk," she choked. "Please…you're hurt and…"
"I'm sorry Kagome. I…I almost couldn't control him…Naraku. The voice inside my head. I…he'll never hurt you or your friends again. His heart…Inuyasha…hit his heart…"
"But Haku…"
"I was bad Kagome. I…Those dreams I were having…they were memories…I did such horrible things Kagome and for that I deserve to die…"
"BUT YOU CAN'T DIE HAKU! WHAT…what will I do without you?" she sobbed. "When I get back home…I'll be alone and…and…" Naraku reached up and caressed the side of her face.
"I'm pretty sure I fell in love with you the first time we met. I love you Kagome. This is the way it has to be. This is why we were sent back. To…to make things right and I think we have succeeded. I don't…think Naraku ever calculated falling in love but…he did. I did…goodbye Kagome." His eyes closed for the final time and he moved no more. Naraku was finally dead.
D-E-S-T-I-N-Y
"Sister Kikyo. You have to hurry. Shoot Inuyasha now while he's not looking. He seems to be fascinated with the blood on his hands so do it now before he looks up." Kikyo quickly stood to her feet but then she immediately fell back down to the earth again. She tried to stand once again but it was no use. Kaede hurried over to her sister and leaned over her.
"Kaede…I can't…I can't move…my body feels so weak. The souls are leaving my body."
"But why? I don't understand."
"Kagome has been around me too long. Her human body is calling back the dead souls. I know you can't see them but…I feel them. They are stirring which means I have very little time left. I think…I think I might be dying again."
"But sister Kikyo…"
"Help me up Kaede." The old woman leaned over and pulled Kikyo to her feet. She almost dropped her but another set of strong hands grabbed Kikyo's other side.
"Don't worry old woman. I'll hold onto her."
"Thank you Sesshomaru." He smiled before turning his attention to the woman in front of him. Kikyo was leaning back against his body while he held her sides.
"What's the plan priestess?" he asked. He too was feeling very weak for he'd lost quite a bit of blood. Plus, he was certain that there were several deep cuts on his arms, legs and back but he didn't care. For some reason his body just refused to feel weak right now. The only thing that mattered was helping the one he grew to love in such a short period of time.
"I…I have to shoot your brother."
"Then I'll help you." Sesshomaru held her steady as she took aim at the hanyou. Inuyasha, return to yourself! Kikyo fired an arrow straight at Inuyasha. The blinding light and speed took the half demon off guard and before he could react, he was sent flying backwards onto the ground. The arrow struck him in his left shoulder, the very same place that held him to the Sacred Tree 50 years ago. The blinding light mixed with the impact of the fall knocked the half demon out and he lay still seemingly unconscious.
"I…I got him," she managed before passing out.
"Kikyo? Kikyo can you hear me?" Sesshomaru laid her down on the ground and hovered over her with a sad expression on his face. "Please Kikyo. Please open your eyes." Kikyo's eyes fluttered open but she was really too weak to do anything.
"Sess…he'll be fine…Inuyasha. You…thank you for…everything. I love you…I love both of you…" She closed her eyes and breathed no more. Sesshomaru threw his head back and cried out in vain. For the first time in his life, he cried tears of love, pain, and guilt…and it hurt so much. As he stared down at the lifeless body before him, he couldn't help but wonder how a person could be so selfless. A tear rolled down his cheek and onto the necklace that was around her neck. All of a sudden the necklace started to glow. The light grew brighter and brighter until Sesshomaru had to shield his eyes from it. Shards of the shikon jewel flew in from every direction towards Kikyo's necklace. Shard after shard united with Kikyo's necklace until it formed the perfect, round shikon jewel.
"Oh my God…My lord…all the pieces of the jewel have been reunited. The jewel is as it once was," Kaede exclaimed. The glowing orb that was floating in air above him floated towards him landing in his hand. The necklace that held the shikon jewel continued to glow brighter than ever in his hand.
"Wow. It's…beautiful," he whispered.
"Hai that it is but you must hurry Sesshomaru. The jewel has chosen you to make a wish!"
"Huh? What?"
"Hai. Your heart is as pure as ever right now and you have the chance to make a wish. You must make a wish so that the jewel will be lost forever. If you choose not to, then the jewel will have to stay here for another ten years. We'd have to protect it from demons all over again and I can't do it my Lord. I'm too old and without my sister it will be a hassel. Make a wish now Sesshomaru."
Sesshomaru looked around the area taking in everything. He spotted Miroku and Sango lying under a tree together. Both were hurt but they were clinging to each other determined to be strong for the other. Kirara and Shippo were near them as well, both knocked out from attacks by Naraku. Kagra seemed to be completely out of it as her head was buried in her hands while she wept softly. His brother Inuyasha, the brother he'd hated for all these years, was lying under a tree bleeding and unconscious from the fierce battle. A few feet away from him was Kagome. She looked completely heartbroken and was crying as she held Naraku close to her chest. And then finally there was Kikyo, who was lying motionless in front of him. Her body was covered in bruises and cuts but she still looked so very beautiful. The expression on her face was one of peace for she truly believed it was her destiny to make things right and then die again. Everything was just sad and it hurt Sesshomaru so much. These people…all of them fought hard because they loved. They fought for the ones they loved and have suffered so much. I just hope that…God, please forgive me. I will make it right. Sesshomaru placed his lips on Kikyo's for a final kiss before he held out the jewel.
"I have but one request. Please…please forgive me for all I've done. My only wish is that you make things right again. Kikyo…she deserves a chance at true happiness. Give it to her. Make it so that she doesn't remember any of this as well as her friends so that they all can live happily ever after. If I have to trade in my life for it then so be it."
Is that your heart truly desires Lord Sesshomaru?
"Hai. Kikyo's happiness as well as the well being of the others is what my heart wants."
"Then your wish shall be granted." There was another blinding light and Sesshomaru was knocked backwards. He soon fell into a deep sleep.
HAS-BEEN-FULFILLED
Sands of time. Threads of fate. Eyes of love. Heart of hate. Time was not but a long await. Now it's time to clinch your fate
The words of the shikon jewel echoed into the darkness. Soon eyes would awaken from the horrible journey that was naught but a nightmare...or was it?
AN: That's it. It is over. I will try to post the epilogue tonight sometime. But yes, it is truly over. I hope you enjoyed the story as much as I have enjoyed writing it. I have been working on this story for about two years and it has been a joy. I'm sorry it took so long to update but I felt so passionate about making it just right that I had to take the time to figure out exactly what I wanted to do. I am quite pleased with the results too. This has been and will always be my favorite story. I think I put more love into this story than anything else I've ever written. It's been quite the journey and I want to thank all of you who took the time to give it a chance. It really means a lot to me. Love to all and I can't wait to hear from you. Ta Ta