I am extremely sorry to those readers who have been eagerly awaiting the next chapter. It has been far too long! I have been so busy with school, work and everything else in my life, writing took a back seat. But rest assured, little by little I chipped it out. I have not forgot about the story, you can be sure of that. For a while, I had a severe case of writers block and would just sit staring at my screen! I am hoping that my next chapter will not be such a long wait as far as updating. The good news is I end school May 6th and then I'm free for the most part to write! Again sorry, thank you to all the readers who have kept up with the story thus far! I love you. Here is an extra long chapter for you! Enjoy!
Chapter 33- Sacrifice
Patches of light filtered through the darkness. From under heavy lids, Kagome's eyes fluttered to consciousness. Sitting up she noticed the rapid drop in temperature. Her breath came out in short breaths as puffs of frigid air left her quivering lips in wisps of white smoke. She was in the ice cavern once more. While she did not particularly like the frigid land incased in bitter frost, she preferred it to the dark caverns of her own conscious.
Kagome shuddered, as she let her mind drift back to the time she had spent, trapped in her own mind, confused and alone, left to sift through her memories that she could not remember. If it hadn't been for Inuyasha's intervention she might have very well still been there, a prisoner in her head.
Rising to her knees, she noticed her kimono was fully intact, just as she had left it, not torn to shreds like she so vividly remembered Yamashi doing. Running her hands over the flawless silk, she shivered. It had all seemed so vivid, so real. Yamashi had forced himself on her and…. Shaking her head, her eyes clenched shut Kagome wrapped her arms tightly around her middle, trying to block out the horrendous picture.
"Kagome?" A soft voice spoke into her nightmare. The miko whirled around, tears brimming in her eyes. One trickled down her cheek, leaving a tiny wet trail behind. In an instant Inuyasha was there, his arms enveloped her, silver tendrils swaying.
"It all seemed so real," She choked out. "You were there and you had transformed. He trapped you and then made you watch while he… oh god!" Her throat tightened and she collapsed onto his shoulder in a fresh wave of sobs.
After a few moments, her cries subsided into sniffles. He continued to hold her. Neither spoke. They didn't need to. Their silence alone spoke volumes.
The burning in her wrist was what caused Kagome to finally break away. Staring at her hand in confusion she inspected the long, thin gash that was oozing blood.
"How did I… She began, but her voice trailed off when Inuyasha abruptly grabbed her injured wrist. His golden orbs fixated on her, he bent his neck ever so slightly. Kagome was slightly shocked when he lowered his lips to the wound.
It was so light she barley even felt it. Inuyasha's lips puckered against her skin as he slowly ran his tongue over the cut. Kagome felt the most unusual sensation, a tingling on her palm. After a moment he raised his head again. Satisfied that the cut had been efficiently cleaned he gave a quick nod before lowering her hand.
Kagome stared at the wound in shock. Instead of a bleeding cut, there was now a small scar. It was so small it was nearly invisible. What would have taken days to heal properly on its own, he had healed in mere minutes.
"That still doesn't explain how I got this." She reminded him softly.
"It doesn't matter." He replied gruffly before turning away.
But Kagome would not take no for an answer. She placed a hand on his shoulder. He turned towards her his eyes taking on a softer look, almost regretful.
"What is it?"
"Nothing, just forget about it."
"No, not until you tell me."
Inuyasha snorted. His voice spilled out, thick with bitterness and frustration. "You don't need to know, what's done is done. I fixed it, so let's just move on."
"Inuyasha." Her voice was firm. He knew that tone. She wasn't going to give up was she?
What happened next caught him by complete surprise. She threw herself towards him full force, intent on knocking him down. He felt the brunt of her slight weight collide, before instinctively wrapping his arms around her. Her legs wrapped around his waist as he cradled her easily, holding her body against his own. Her arms wrapped around his neck in a gentle hold.
Leaning in close, until their noses nearly touched her words came out in a whisper, her warm breath gently fluttering his bangs.
"Why won't you tell me?" Her cinnamon brown eyes stared back at him with such emotion he had a hard time trying to ignore her.
Dam. He had to admit, she was persuasive.
"Stubborn woman", he growled to her, his amber eyes burning.
He set her on her feet. Taking her wrist gingerly, he examined it. "You got this wound from me. I did this to you." His amber eyes held so much self loathing he looked like he might explode at any moment.
Kagome stared at him, her eyes ablaze with a mixture of anger and such tenderness, it bewildered him.
"You listen to me. Her voice was shaky with pent up emotion. If you even think for one minute that I would abandon you over some ridiculous accident caused by someone who was out to hurt us, then you have some serious re thinking to do about the two of us. I know that we have had our hardships in the past, and that doesn't mean that you have to put such a burden on yourself. You helped me face my demons, now it's your turn to let me help you."
Inuyasha was so shocked, he was speechless. When he finally found his tongue, he took a moment to collect his thoughts. She was right, although he hated to admit it. All along she had followed him, through memories of sorrow, guilt, grief, and the utmost violence and gore that no human her young age should have to face. But follow him she did anyway. Because it was her duty he had told her then. He scoffed now at his audacious and inconsiderate behavior. All for the price of something he only thought he wanted.
Reaching into the folds of his haori, he withdrew the small, pink orb. The sacred jewel, he was amazed he had managed to keep it safe this long. He would have to make a wish soon, and the thought scared him to death. But now was not the time for that, so he returned it to its hiding place.
"I'm sorry. He whispered his eyes soft. I just, don't want to see everything I've worked so hard for disappear. I don't want to see you disappear."
Kagome approached him. Gently, she placed her hands on his shoulders before pulling him into a hug. "Newsflash Inuyasha, If I had wanted to disappear I would have done it years ago. I'm not going anywhere."
Inuyasha placed his hand on hers, running over the smooth skin with care. "I know that now."
Kagome's eyes widened with realization. "You're not pinned anymore. How did you get free?" She asked, mollified.
Inuyasha's mouth morphed into a smirk. "It will take more than a little ice to stop me."
Kagome smiled a merry twinkle in her eyes. "It's a good thing it wasn't a sacred arrow. Then where would we be?"
The half demons eyes were suddenly glassy looking. "Who knows?" He replied unsurely.
He seemed to notice he was getting too sentimental and snapped out of it, his eyes becoming hardened amber steel.
"We have unfinished business to attend to."
Kagome nodded, forgetting the tender moment the two had just shared. Now was not the time, not when danger lingered so close.
Inuyasha's eyes swept over the glittering cave, searching for any sign of Yamashi. He knew the traitor had to be in the cave somewhere; after all there was no way he would leave them unharmed. He would not give them the easy way out.
"So you have finally solved my little riddle."
Kagome's blood ran cold. She knew the silence was too good to last. She heard Inuyasha growl and felt his arm rest protectively around her waist.
Kagome noticed something shiny laying some distance away from them. Looking closer she realized with hysterical relief that it was the tetsiaga. Very subtly she nudged Inuyasha. He looked down at her, wondering what was wrong. Her eyes met his and then traveled over to where the tetsaiga lay.
Inuyasha's heart pounded as he saw his precious sword lying mere yards away. They might still have a chance to get out of this. But how to get it?
"Kagome on my signal, you make a break for it and try to grab the tetsaiga." Inuyasha whispered through tight lips.
Kagome nodded.
"What are you two whispering about over there?" Yamashi taunted from his perch.
"Ready…. Now!" At the signal Inuyasha flung himself at Yamashi, claws outstretched. The maneuver happened to catch the demon off guard and he stumbled for a mere second. That was all the time Inuyasha needed. He lunged, successfully slicing through Yamashi's fine suite and leaving a gash in his chest.
Kagome scrambled across the slippery floor, careening toward the fallen tetsaiga. Once within reach she snatched the rusty blade and held it to her chest with quivering hands.
"Inuyasha!" She yelled, her eyes frantically watching the two demons struggle. She sprinted across the cave, trying to get to them in time.
The two demons were swiping and slashing at one another as they balanced on the towering edge of the cliffs. Inuyasha was having a hard time inflicting any damage to Yamashi, and the older demon was faster, darting just out of his reach at the last possible moment.
Inuyasha snarled in frustration, his target had evaded him once again.
Yamashi cackled grimly as he nimbly avoided the half demon. "Too fast for you?" He smirked, revealing a fang. He jumped nimbly out of the way, avoiding a swipe.
"Coward!" Inuyasha screamed. "Fight me like a true demon would!"
Inuyasha saw Yamashi's eyes glaze over and knew he had pushed too far.
"Very well, we shall fight your way Inuyasha, brandishing your weapon about like the foolish half breed you are. You're no better than a human, fighting completely unaware, not knowing when to stop, or when to run, like sheep lead to slaughter, you follow blindly."
He flung out his hand toward the pile of swords. The blades began to tremble, until the sound of cracking ice was heard. One sword flew from the rest, toward Yamashi's outstretched hand. It was a long blade, gleaming in the perpetual light. Intricate designs were carved into the blade, running along its flawless surface. Inuyasha noted the swirling ripples of black that glinted off the sword. It must have cost a fortune indeed, and was used by only the highest regarded people. Yamashi held it expertly in his hand, gazing at the weapon in gloating satisfaction.
Inuyasha suddenly found the tip pointed at the hollow of his throat. He was left to stand there, without his own weapon, practically defenseless. His eyes swiveled over to where Kagome had been, and saw her slinking toward them, tetsagia in her hands. Good, they still had a chance.
A sharp prick brought him back to facing Yamashi. It wouldn't bode well for him to get killed and leave Kagome alone with the psychotic killer. No, that would not be a good way to end things.
"Best pay attention Inuyasha." Yamashi murmured silkily, his dark eyes fixated on the half demon.
Inuyasha growled lowly. Damn, if Kagome didn't hurry up with the sword, it would be too late.
Kagome crept on silently footsteps. She knew how to be stealthy, having years of experience sneaking off to the well to escape Inuyasha. She chuckled darkly. How ironic it was, years ago she couldn't wait to take a break from the hot headed, brash half demon. But now things had changed, she hated being away from him, it made her heart ache. She couldn't wait to tell him how much she loved him, if they ever got out of this that is.
She was almost there, and so far she hadn't been spotted by Yamashi. Just a few more steps and she'd be close enough to risk throwing Inuyasha the sword. Kagome set her eyes in firm determination. And if she hadn't been so determined to get there quickly, she would have noticed the jutting piece of ice that stuck out from the slippery floor. But she didn't.
Kagome felt her toe hook on the rock, and her mouth opened in a surprised 'o' as she stumbled for a second, trying to keep her balance on the treacherous terrain.
Time seemed to last an eternity as she pitched forward, her body flailing in a useless effort to stay up right. With a painful crash, Kagome slammed into the granite hard floor. The sword went flying out of her hands and clattered across the cavern, well out of her reach.
Ignoring her burning palms, and scrapped knees, Kagome focused on getting to her feet. She had to get to that sword before Yamashi noticed.
A shadow clouded her vision and she looked up. Yamashi stood towering over her, his sword now pointed at her pale throat. Kagome cursed her clumsiness. Before she could think of a strategy as to how and get out of the situation, she was lifted bodily to her feet.
Yamashi had snatched her from the floor and was now holding her roughly by the shoulders at arm's length.
"Foolish girl." He hissed. "Trying to save your mate, when you know it is inevitable." He slapped her across the face, leaving a burning in Kagome's cheek.
She glared at him defiantly. She would not show weakness to beasts like him. She had learned long ago that showing weakness meant death. It meant submitting. And Kagome would never submit to anyone. Ever.
This beast had mocked her, used her, and nearly taken her for his own. Even if it had only been a foolish illusion, the intentions were still there. He had driven her against the one she loved, and it was only through the most unbearable pain and sorrow that she had been able to find her way back. The pain had been real. The tears were real. She needed neither scars nor marks to prove that.
"It is you who is the fool. You who prey upon weaker demons, only to steal their power because you are too weak to fight your own battles. You, who hides behind a wall only to lash out when others are at their weakest point."
Yamashi was quivering with rage. His black eyes had narrowed into slits as he stared at the miko. How dare she talk to him like that! The audacity of it was unbelievable, that she a mere woman would have the impudence to speak to him in such a way that no one had ever done before. Those who dared to challenge him ended up dead. This girl would be no different.
"Very well, you shall go first, my lady." He spat through clenched teeth.
He brought down the cleaving blade with a mighty thrust, intending to slice through her delicate flesh. So he was quite surprised and frustrated when he did not hear the sound of the blade on flesh, nor see the beautiful splash of her blood on the ice.
Yamashi's eyes widened as his sight was suddenly overcome by red, and it was not the miko's blood as he had been hoping. He was now staring at a crimson kimono.
He looked up and was met with blazing amber eyes. "Miss me?" Inuyasha's voice was rough and ragged as he pinned Yamashi with a smoldering look.
The suite attired demon stared down his younger opponent, who also gripped a sword in his hands, a thin, rusty blade that he had traded for a wedding ring. Yamashi did not see what was so extraordinary about this sword. The miko had been able to bring about some form of power from it, but that was only due to his intervention. In the hands of a half demon it looked like an old battered samurai sword, long forgotten and useless in battle.
Inuyasha stared at his own sword, an intense look on his face. He closed his eyes and gripped the hilt tightly. He breathed in deeply, feeling the power within the blade stir to life.
"One last time old friend." He whispered. He felt it then, the comforting warmth within the blade grew until it was a powerful heat radiating in his hands. The familiar pulsing of the ancient sword brought back memories. In a golden flash, the tetsaiga morphed from its rusty katana form to a massive fang. It had protected and guided him for years.
Glancing back at Kagome, she looked so small next to the powerful tetsaiga. He knew the reason his sword transformed. It was for her. This fiery, emotional and at times downright annoying woman meant the world to him. And dam it all if he wouldn't show her just how much he loved her.
All of those arguments, the hateful words, the tears and sorrow, none if it mattered anymore. Inuyasha clenched his jaw tightly and prepared to engage.
Raising tetsaiga steady, he lashed out at Yamashi who parried with his own blade. Unfazed, Inuyasha dashed to the side, thrusting his blade into an opening. Once again he was blocked by Yamashi's quick speed.
Inuyasha kept his face a careful mask. He knew from experience not to show emotion to the enemy in the heat of battle. Such a rudimentary mistake would only lead to his downfall.
They parried, swung, and jabbed their way across the slick ice. In a brilliant blend of crimson and silver Inuyasha flew through the air his kimono flapping in the invisible wind.
Yamashi bounded toward him, forcing the half demon to quickly back track as the darkness bound demon swung his halberd wildly.
All the while Kagome stood stock still, a trembling mess. Her chocolate brown eyes stood out darkly from her pale face in a frozen, terrified stare. She clutched her kimono, twisting it in nervous bunches over and over again. Her breath came out in short, erratic bursts, and she tried unsuccessfully to calm her pounding heart.
Somewhere, in the far reaches of her fear clouded mind, a voice called out.
Fight.
In all rational logic, Kagome guessed that it was her own voice that was talking to her, telling her to contribute to the battle that raged on before her. It was the murky fear that lingered like a nasty thunder cloud in her mind that kept her from taking a step forward toward her forget bow.
The voice called out again, questioning her.
You have fought countless demons, what keeps you from battling this one?
Kagome trembled, the fear clutching her heart once more. What had happened to the fearless, deviant Kagome that had stood up to Yamashi just moments ago? She knew the answer. That girl had vanished just as soon as she witnessed Inuyasha and Yamashi engage in battle. All of the fear had crept back in, filling her head with those images of her and Yamashi…. She had acted useless; she had lied down and taken it.
You are not the helpless girl who at one time stood on the sidelines.
She felt a spark waver in the deepest realm of her conscious. It flickered hopefully.
It was an illusion. Just an illusion. The voice seemed to reassure her. And it was.
Kagome bit her lip, unsure of herself.
He has always fought for you. Will you not fight for him? He has always protected you. Will you not do the same for him? He loves you. Do you love him?
That did it. The spark inside Kagome flared to life. The flame ignited into a burning fire that spread throughout her, driving out all fear and doubt once and for all.
Her eyes narrowed, determined and ready. She took a confident step forward and bent down to retrieve her bow and quiver. She was ready. Gritting her teeth, she strung her bow and knocked an arrow. Pulling back, she took aim.
Have faith.
She let it fly. The arrow whizzed forward at a blinding speed. Cloaked in a pink light it flew towards her target.
Yamashi was startled when an arrow embedded itself in the ice, mere inches from where he stood. He underestimated the girl. He turned his burning gaze on the irritating miko.
This time, Kagome did not give him the chance to approach her. She let another arrow go. Yamashi only had just enough time to raise his halberd to block it. The arrow hit the metal and with a clunk before veering off into another direction.
"No! Kagome what are you doing?!"Inuyasha's agonized voice was laced with anger as he glared at his mate. Only Kagome could see the fear behind those eyes.
She ignored him and prepared for Yamashi's onslaught. He came at her, his weapon swung, ready to slice through her. She raised her bow in a defensive pose. The blade should have cut the bow in half. A strong weapon such as the halberd should have reduced it to splinters.
But instead it was deflected by the power emitting from the bow, or rather Kagome. Her bow glowed with her miko energy, rendering Yamashi's attack useless.
She lashed out with her bow, sending a powerful shock wave hurtling towards Yamashi.
The blast sent him skittering back. He managed to regain his balance and leapt toward Kagome, a vicious snarl on his face.
His blade clashed with tetsaiga. Inuyasha stood protectively in front of Kagome.
"Impetuous woman! What part of protect do you not comprehend?" He pushed the agitated miko behind further behind him.
Raising his fang he let loose the wind scar. The massive swirling of winds multiplied into a whirling vortex of colossal power.
Yamashi raised the halberd high, trying to deflect the attack. But it proved useless, as it was too overwhelming. The blast buffeted him, sending him flying back, destroying a wall of ice and leaving rubble behind.
Inuyasha dropped his sword, using the moment to rest. Kagome chose this time to storm over to her mate.
"What were you thinking, taking him on full force like that?! You could have gotten hurt!" She seethed.
Inuyasha was shocked. She had the audacity to say that to him after what she did?
"I am not the one who chose to confront my enemy with a weapon that very well may have no chance of defending myself?! You had no idea if that bow was going to hold up or not." His eyes bore into hers, and she knew he was right.
She let her anger fizzle out. She had been thinking pretty rashly. She was usually the level headed one. And here she was running blindly into battle, without even considering the true strength of her weapon.
"If you two are finished arguing I believe we should continue."
Yamashi stood atop the rubble, looking scuffled but not beaten. His halberd had begun to glow with a cerulean light. Lightning sparked from his weapon in sharp crackles.
"You are not the only one with an unusually powerful weapon Inuyasha."
He began to rotate the blade clockwise in the air. The energy began to swirl and crackle as it shrouded the halberd.
Kagome could feel it, the electricity in the air as it wavered and lashed out, without control.
Inuyasha glanced back at her, his eyes obscured underneath his silver fringe.
"When I say duck, you do as I say." His voice was tight with some unfathomable emotion. Somewhere in between rage and anguish, Kagome wasn't sure. He squeezed her hand, and she nodded without a moment's hesitance.
"He is going to unleash his attack full force. It will be incredibly difficult to block the entire wave."
There was a sudden rustle of fabric. Kagome wasn't sure what it was, her eyes were pinned to the ground. She knew if she looked at him, she would lose it. Staring into those amber orbs, so full of depth and emotion, she knew she would crack, and that would be the end of it. So she clamped her eyes shut, and only when she felt a weight being placed over her shoulders did she dare to open them.
Crimson fabric was draped over her. Inuyasha tucked his haori more snugly around her. She pulled it closer on instinct. He nodded. Then in a swish of silver tendrils, he had turned his back on her, towards Yamashi.
She reached forward, wrapping her arms around him, holding him close from behind.
The heat that radiated from his body comforted her, and she leaned closer, pressing herself against him. She closed her eyes once more, concentrating her energy onto flowing into Inuyasha. He would need all the protection he could get.
She felt the rumble first, before she felt anything. She felt Inuyasha lift up as he raised his mighty fang.
The initial shock was unexplainable. Kagome felt a massive weight press in on her. She realized it was Inuyasha. He was struggling to withhold the wave of energy that pressed so close to them, only inches away, held back by only the tetsaiga and Inuyasha's sheer force of will.
Then there was a roaring in her ears, so loud, it smothered all other senses. Then she was flying through the air at an alarming speed. Strong arms wrapped around her, pinning her to a hard chest.
They hit something solid. A wall, Kagome didn't know. All she could see were the tortured eyes of one half demon as they were pinned to the ice. His warmth breath washed over her face, and she instantly felt dizzy.
"Are you all right?" He asked through painfully clenched teeth. He was trying to hold it in. She knew he wouldn't let her see him in pain if he could help it. But she knew better.
Kagome managed to nod. Inuyasha hovered over her, his hands braced against the jagged ice wall. Tetsaiga was still clutched in one hand. She noted the red that seeped from his hands.
"It's nothing, don't worry yourself." He said gruffly.
He heaved himself up from his position over her, before pulling her quickly to his side.
"We have to end this." His voice was thick and husky, like it always was when he was serious.
He stalked forward, his face a death mask. Another wave of energy approached them. Inuyasha's muscles tensed as he raised his sword and with a mighty swing called forth the backlash wave.
Yamashi's attack was met full force by the tetsaiga's power. The icy demon was overwhelmed by the sudden force that was upon him could not block it. Thrown back by the massive shockwave, he was slammed to the unforgiving floor.
Wave after energy wave was thrown back and forth between the two demons. Kagome watched as the horrific display of colors collided again and again. Each one would fall, only to get back up again and rejoin the fray once more.
Inuyasha was slowly becoming ragged. His body no longer moved with ease. He stumbled and fumbled with the tetsaiga. His face was sheen with sweat and he breathed heavily. Various wounds littered his body. Kagome knew that his strength was one to be reckoned with, but he could only last so long. If they didn't do something soon, their chances of surviving would diminish.
Fight.
There it was again. The voice in her head echoed the word once more. Kagome ignored her quaking hands and knocked another arrow. Sprinting forward to get a closer range she took her aim.
With a thunk the arrow was released and soared away. Kagome was rewarded with a savage cry. Yamashi stood crouched, his hands clutching at his shoulder, where the shaft protruded. Blood poured from the wound, staining the beautiful ice in dark splatters.
Inuyasha sprinted forward, tetsaiga at the ready. But Yamashi surprised him by grasping his sword before it could make contact. There they stood, Inuyasha battling to slice at him and Yamashi keeping him at bay by his hold.
Inuyasha was shaking violently as he tried to keep his strong hold on tetsaiga. The fang began to vibrate against the constant tension being pressured from both sides.
"Fool!" Yamashi hissed his eyes black slits. They had become so dark, he appeared to lack pupils. He was breathing through his nostrils as he glared in rage at Inuyasha. The two were locked in a death hold, neither could move without getting grievously injured.
"Your stupidity will cost you." Yamashi looked triumphant now. He pushed further on the tetsaiga, causing Inuyasha to slide back. His dark eyes seemed to brighten in satisfaction as he clutched the sword, his claws digging into the blade. It began to glow with an unnatural light.
A horrible noise shattered the quiet struggle. It sounded like the scraping of metal over a hard surface. It took Kagome to realize what it was. When she did, her eyes widened with horror. The tetsaiga was cracking.
Inuyasha seemed to realize this too, as his eyes glazed over with glazed disbelief. His head swung over to where Kagome stood perched, her bow still in her hands. She understood at once what she had to do.
She stared at Inuyasha with such sorrow her heart ached. He only stared back with such intensity it made her legs turn to a quivering bundle of nerves. There, within the amber world that was his eyes, she could see it. All of the sorrow, anguish, disappointment, but most of all there was love. It was there, shining strongest and brightest.
Swallowing the lump in her throat Kagome drew her bow back. She had to do it, for the sake of living. Even though it would surely kill him on the inside, and it would certainly hurt her deeply. But it was necessary in order for them to live. Sometimes sacrifices had to be made for the greater good.
She closed her eyes, concentrating all of her energy on this one arrow. It began to glow with a pure light.
She glanced at Inuyasha once more, and saw the acknowledgment and acceptance that lingered there.
It's all right.
This time it was his voice that echoed her thoughts, driving out her guilt. Drawing her mouth into a tight line she released.
The arrow hit its intended target with a resounding crash. It collided with the tetsaiga, embedding itself into the fang and causing the crack to multiple into millions of miniscule crevices, until with a final resonant crack, the sword shattered into millions of tiny shard like pieces.
The pieces rammed their needle points into Yamashi. Everywhere, the sharp metal penetrated his flesh over and over, borrowing themselves deep into his flesh. The demon screamed in agony as the energy within the shards of tetsaiga glowed and slowly purified him.
His glittering eyes seemed to bug out of his head as he flailed his arms uselessly, trying to pry the shards from his body. His fingers ripped and tore at his skin in a frantic effort to rid his body of the purifying shards.
Kagome looked on with a hardened face as the energy slowly burned him from the inside out. He dropped to his knees as his skin began to burn and crumble to ash. His screams echoed, bouncing off the ice and filling the room with his tortured cries.
A few more moments passed and his screams died out. All that remained was a pile of ashes that were swept away in the wind. Yamashi's death was announced with silent finality.
Inuyasha stood there, the hilt of tetsaiga all that was left of the powerful sword. He looked at it, examining it for a split second. His eyes rose to lock onto Kagome's chocolate orbs.
The clank of metal was heard as Inuyasha threw down the hilt and ran to his mate.
"I'm so sorry. Sorry….sorry….sorry." Was all Kagome could quiver into his chest as he pulled her tight to him. She was trembling so violently her teeth were chattering.
She felt utterly miserable. "I didn't want to…. It was your sword… your companion… It protected you…. And I just…." Her quaking voice was silenced when Inuyasha pressed his lips to hers softly. Her tears splashed onto his hot skin.
"I love you." He simply said. His eyes held such soft tenderness and compassion it made Kagome feel miserable all over again. How could he love her after what she had done? How did he have the grace to forgive her? She had destroyed his most precious possession.
"But I…how can you…?" She sputtered.
He smiled, making her heart flutter. "I told you that it would be all right."
Her eyes widened in bewilderment. That had really been his voice in her head. He had been speaking to her through his thoughts.
She stared at him in wonder. He chuckled at her baffled expression.
"The tetsaiga is a weapon. You are a person. There's a difference." He said simply.
"How?" She whispered.
His eyes narrowed at her doubt.
"Simple. The tetsaiga's shattering is an insignificant blip in my life. It is an inanimate object, a weapon. But you are my mate. It's symbolic death hurts me far less than your death ever could."
Kagome stared at him through blurry eyes. She scrubbed the tears from her face, only for more to trickle down.
He sighed.
"Put it this way. No one has ever loved anyone as unconditionally as I have loved you. Nothing can change that, not even a shattered sword."
Her face crumbled again and she threw her arms around his neck.
He chuckled, his laugh vibrating in her chest. "Foolish woman, have you not grasped it yet? Nothing you do will ever stop me from loving you. Understand?"
She looked at him, her eyes alight with tears. She smiled and let him cup her face tenderly.
"I love you too." She whispered hoarsely.
This time she leaned into him and brushed her lips against his. He wrapped his hands around her waist, pulling her closer. Their bodies seemed to mold to a perfect fit.
After a moment, Inuyasha pulled away. He smirked at Kagome's ruby stained cheeks. Even after all this time, she still blushed.
He walked away to where he had thrown the tetsaiga's hilt. Scooping it up he tucked it away.
Returning to Kagome he picked her up with ease. She still squealed much to his satisfaction. He adjusted the haori so it fit more closely around her.
"Ready?" He asked.
She nodded and he immediately took off at a sprint. Bounding from mound to mound he carefully made his way over to the opening they had jumped through earlier. With a giant leap, they left the ice cavern behind and ascended into momentary darkness.
Seconds later they were in the deterring jewelry store. All the ice seemed to have melted along with the death of Yamashi.
Inuyasha made his way over to the window and leapt out into the welcoming sunshine. Kagome smiled as she felt the pleasant heat warm her face. It was good to be in the sunlight again. She was down in that dark place for so long she was grateful for the sun's rays.
She cringed inwardly as she noted their clothing. They had both suffered injuries while in battle, and their clothing could do with a thorough washing. She giggled. Mama would sure have her hands full with this one!
This was another long one! I hoped you liked it. What do you think of tetsaiga's shattering? You are probably horrified right? Not to worry, I have a strong idea that I have been working on for quite some time now as far as Inuyasha's weapon goes. Sadly, tetsaiga will not be returning, but an unexpected someone will contribute to Inuyasha's new weapon. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, please review, you know I love and soak up the feedback!