A Change of Heart
Chapter 3: Torn Apart
"Stupid Inuyasha," Kagome mumbled, still fuming as she wandered deeper into the forest. "The nerve of him!" Her eyes glazed over in anger and her thoughts filled with memories of her unfaithful, stubborn half-demon. The young priestess was oblivious to where she was going or the dangers in the surrounding forest, too busy shouting insults in her head.
Seeing a rather large pebble on the ground, she kicked it in rage. It sent pain through her foot as she found it wouldn't budge; being practically concreted into the ground. She clutched her foot in agony, hopping around like a lunatic in an attempt to stop the throbbing sensation. A string of curses were mumbled under her breath as she swore to every kami she knew. After a moment, the pain subsided to where she could place her foot slightly on the ground; limping as she managed to shuffle to a nearby rock. Kagome sat down to soothe her injured foot. "I'm more pathetic then I thought," she sighed, recalling how she allowed her anger to overpower all other emotions; along with common sense.
Sadness crept into the young priestess's eyes. She stood up, wincing slightly as she put pressure on her foot, before beginning her walk once more. Hopefully the pain would subside after a few hours, along with the noticable swelling. Kagome hung her head as she fingered the half completed Sacred Jewel hanging around her neck. I wonder how much longer I will be able to remain here. Once the jewel is complete, what reason will I have to stay with Inuyasha?
Just then, her head shot up as she felt the presence of a pure shard. Her eyes searched the forest around her, trying to detect the exact position. Finally, the ghostly priestess, Kikyo, stepped from the shadows of the trees; soul collectors by her side.
"Ki ... Kikyo ... " Kagome stuttered. Her mind begged to find out the reason behind the woman's appearance, seeing as how the two rarely made contact with one another. An image of Inuyasha flashed through her thoughts and her spirits immediately fell. She sighed in defeat. "Inuyasha's not around here. So you're wasting your time."
The more experienced priestess studied the young girl for a moment, as if to size up her reincarnation. "Do you believe in pure intentions?" she suddenly asked, her cold demeanor cutting through the air like a knife.
Confusion became evident in Kagome's eyes. "I don't understand ... "
The undead woman took a few steps into the clearing, silently commanding her soul stealer's to stay hidden in the trees. "If you were to do something horrible with pure intentions, would it still be a pure action?" Only bewildered silence met her question. "I see, even you can not answer such a thing." The women studied each other as a few seconds passed, admiring the soft breeze shifting the grass and the flock of chirping birds taking flight overhead.
"No," Kagome finally spoke, her voice soft but strong. "I can not answer that, not without knowing what you're talking about." She paused for a moment, as if to collect her thoughts. "Besides, if someone were to, I don't know, kill someone in order to protect another, then yes, the act would still be pure," she responded hesitantly, eyeing Kikyo warily.
Kikyo stayed silent, only nodding her head slightly in understanding. "Do you wish to be free of the Sacred Jewel's fatal curse?"
"I'm not sure what you mean ... " her reincarnation replied hesitantly. "I hardly see it as fatal. Its just a jewel with incredible power, coveted by demons."
A soft chuckle of amusement rose from the undead woman's throat. Her rarely seen smile flitted across her lips. "If you do not believe such a thing is fatal, then you are so naive. Has Inuyasha not told you of my fate fifty years ago, caused by the jewel's power?"
Kagome's face blushed crimson, unable to come up with a response. After all, it was a touchy subject with the half-demon, especially when going into details, so she hadn't been able to gather much information about the priestess's death. The only thing she knew for certain was the fact that Naraku had played a huge role in her demise. "I know that what happened to you was horrible ... "
"You wretched girl," Kikyo suddenly snapped, cutting off the young woman's words. "How dare you believe you could ever understand? My life ended because the jewel was desired by demons and I allowed my powers to weaken because of my mortal heart." Kagome was speechless to the woman's words. How could she console someone who endured so much tragedy? Especially when she had little experience with it herself. "Give me the Sacred Jewel shard," Kikyo said, a fire brimming in her auburn eyes.
Immediately, Kagome raised her defensive barrier. "I can't do that, Kikyo," she said, knowing full well the undead priestess would not accept that as a valid answer.
"Fool!" she shouted at the teenager, anger evident in her usual cold voice. "You do not have the power to protect it and it certainly does not belong in the hands of a mere child."
A sheen of sweat covered the younger woman's brow. "What are you talking about?" she questioned, grasping the jewel in her hand protectively. "I need to finish gathering the shards before I can return home for good. I'm sorry, Kikyo, but I can't give it to you." Kagome was stubborn; guess she picked up the habit from a certain half-demon.
Just as quick as it had come, Kikyo's anger dissipated as a smirk graced her features. "I do not wish to waste arrows," she said, notching an arrow in her bow and pointing it at the lively girl. Fear overwhelmed Kagome's spirit as she watched Kikyo's eyes from behind the arrow. Although she knew that she could fend the skillful priestess off, she wouldn't be able to do it for long; especially with no weapon. And even if she did have her bow and arrows, could she really bring herself to fire one at Inuyasha's first and only love?
As if on cue, the smile dropped from Kikyo's lips as she retracted her arrow and pointed her bow downwards. Without warning, a bright light shot out from her shoulder and flew towards the heavens, leaving a terrified woman behind. Another ball of light escaped moments later, followed by another. The souls that kept her alive were beginning to leave her.
Her thoughts raced. How was this happening? The dying priestess raised her eyes to her reincarnation and felt a strong pull from within her body. Obviously the piece of Kagome's soul she had stolen long ago was fighting to return to its rightful owner. Has Kagome really become more powerful then I, that she is able to take away the souls of the dead, sentencing me to my own demise? Kikyo grimaced, not happy about the thought of retreating when she was so close, but what could she do? If she stayed any longer, her reincarnation would be able to empty her body completely, leaving only a clay shell behind.
Kikyo clutched her heart, holding her weapon in one hand. Her cold glare was directed towards the confused girl before her. "I am warning you," she seethed, a twinge of anger evident in her voice. "I shall get my hands on the jewel. A girl such as you could never protect it." Pain filled the older woman's eyes as a soft gasp escaped her lips. A final piece of soul left her before she managed to retreat a safe distance away into the shadows of the trees.
Kagome watched her disappear until the presence of the pure shard vanished. She was stunned for a moment, unsure of what had just occurred. She was able to ward off Kikyo ... but how? A mix of emotions swirled in her heart as she breathed a sigh of relief. Its not every day you come face to face with your enemy and survive. Then again, her and her friends did that every day. Kagome suppressed a giggle and decided to walk back towards where she came. There was no point in being angry anymore. It was such a stupid thing to fight about in the first place.
She wasn't able to take more then a few steps when she sensed yet another jewel shard. It was darkened with evil and Kagome immediatly knew who held it in their possessions, especially with how large it was. Her gaze swiveled around the clearing, once more searching for the shard propelling itself towards her at high speed. Auburn eyes fixated themselves to the right, anxious to find where the jewel was coming from. It can't be ...
Naraku's face appeared moments later as he stepped out of the trees. "Naraku," Kagome whispered, terror reverberated through her body, paralyzing her movements. Instinctively, she reached behind her back to remember that, in her anger, she had forgotten her bow and arrows. She couldn't fight him. Her only option was to run back and get Inuyasha.
Her thoughts were interrupted as Naraku spoke. "Heh, heh, heh ..." he chuckled, his blood red eyes glaring at her. "I see you have no weapon to fight me with." A smirk appeared on is face. "And it seems as there is no half-demon to protect you as well."
Kagome backed away as he taunted her. Before she could react, a tentacle shot out from his body straight at her. She put her hands up to shield her face, having no time to dodge it.
Inuyasha grunted for what seemed like the millionth time as Miroku and Sango told him to go after Kagome. "It was your fault she ran off in the first place," Shippo said, glaring at the accused half-demon.
"She's the one that got mad and left!" Inuyasha yelled at everyone inside Kaede's hut, trying to defend himself against a battle already lost.
"Yes, but you are the one with no heart," Sango said, refraining herself from screaming at him. After all, with Inuyasha and Kagome's fight earlier, she believed the silver-haired man had taken enough punishment.
Miroku sighed. "Even if you do not want to apologize to Lady Kagome, you have to."
"Why? She should be the one to apologize!" He knew he was losing, especially being the brunt of everyone's rage.
"Because," Miroku replied calmly as he stood. "She is the only one who can find the jewel shards, along with Naraku."
Inuyasha glared at him, knowing the monk was right. "Keh," he grumbled before turning and stalking out of the hut. What do they know anyways? It wasn't like he meant to hurt her feelings. He just needed to learn to keep his big mouth shut. Crossing his arms, he allowed silence to hover in the air for a few moments; replaying the memory in his mind. Come to think of it, he probably should have been grateful she had given them food at all, considering how many times he had done something to make her cry. Eventually, a sigh escaped his lips and all anger he felt towards the priestess dissipated.
The half-demon's ears twitched as the wind blew softly, bringing with it an intoxicating scent. His eyes hardened as vanilla swirled with lilac before mixing with the sickening scent of blood. Fixating his eyes on a spot in the forest, he found his feet flying across the grass, recalling the smell of a certain vile half-demon swirling with Kagome's scent.
Miroku and Sango had agreed to calm their enraged friend down and were just exiting the hut when they saw Inuyasha take off into the trees. "Where do you think he's going?" the demon slayer asked, watching his red clothed figure disappear into the shadows.
"Sango, do you feel that?" Miroku asked, his tone laced with unexplainable emotions. "The ominous aura."
"Naraku," she stated with malice, already running after her half-demon friend. "Kirara!" Her feline transformed into a large fire cat, waiting anxiously as her mistress and the monk jumped on her back. As soon as their feet left the ground, the demon cat took to the air, following Inuyasha into the forest.
Kagome fell back as Naraku's tentacle pierced through her left arm. She clutched it in agonizing pain as she slumped against the ground. Shakily, she rose to a standing position, preparing to run, but before she could move an inch, her enemy's arm came at her again. He swooped down and picked her up by the neck. The young priestess's feet left the ground as the evil half-demon held her high in the air. "Please," Kagome begged, gasping for air as she struggled against his grip with her right arm; her left arm laying limp against her body. "I ... can't ... breathe ..." She fought with all she was worth, but his grip only hardened around her throat.
Naraku chuckled. "Perish," he said, a smirk flitting across his lips.
"Wind Scar!" A stream of bright lights appeared out of nowhere and suddenly Kagome was falling. She closed her eyes and waited to feel her body hit the ground. Instead, she landed softly into the arms of her savior. Opening her eyes, she looked up to see Inuyasha staring down at her, worry etched into his molten orbs.
"Kagome, are you alright?" His voice was sincere and filled with concern; regret spilling from his eyes.
She smiled and nodded weakly, unable to tear her gaze from his. A loud crash sounded as Inuyasha snapped his head towards the direction of the blast, Slowly, the injured priestess followed his eyes towards the battle already raging. Naraku had the upper hand as Sango and Miroku continued to fight. Saimyosho hovered in the air around the vile half-demon, rendering the monk's wind tunnel useless. Instead, he jumped off of Kirara's back and headed straight for Naraku, Sacred Sutras in hand. Before he could throw them, one of Naraku's tentacles headed him off.
"Miroku!" the demon slayer shouted, diving down to save him. Her enemy used the distraction to thrash a tentacle into the large, unsuspecting cat demon. Sango flew off Kirara's back as they both flew backwards.
"Sango!" Miroku shouted, running to catch her. He slid to a stop as she fell into his arms with a thud, knocking him down. "Are you alright," he asked in a gentle voice. She nodded her head gratefully and looked back at Naraku with determination flashing through her chestnut eyes.
Inuyasha set Kagome down by a nearby tree, careful not to hurt her injury. Even with his cautions, she still winced in pain.
"Stay here, Kagome," he said, thinking only of her safety. "I'll be right back." He took her face in his hand as he looked into her eyes. The guilty expression had yet to leave his face. After all, he felt as if he was somehow responsible for her injury because he hadn't been there to protect her. She mumbled her response as he dropped his hand and left her to join his comrades in battle.
Inuyasha ran into the fight head on, Tetsusaiga drawn. "Die, Naraku!" He whipped his sword behind his head as he readied himself for an attack. Before he could release the Wind Scar, he heard Sango scream as Naraku whipped her Hiraikotsu back at her. It whipped across her abdomen, causing her to fly up into the air, but Miroku was pinned to the ground and unable to save her.
"Sango!" the half-demon yelled as he made a split second decision and ran to save his friend. Just then, Naraku's tentacles came into play and began to attack him. Inuyasha jumped up and down, side to side, trying desperately to avoid the deadly weapons, all the while trying to make his way to Sango. With a loud thud, the demon slayer hit the ground and didn't stir, even as her comrades yelled for her. Distracted by the well being of his comrade, Inuyasha was slashed across the stomach and flew backwards, skidding through the ground before coming to a stop. Naraku smirked, watching as the group was being torn apart.
"What will you do now, Inuyasha? Your comrades have fallen and you aren't able to save them," he taunted, looking down at his sworn enemy. Miroku managed to free himself from Naraku's grasp, making the mistake of turning his back on the enemy to run towards his beloved.
"San ... !" The monk couldn't finish screaming her name as a tentacle came across his back, knocking the wind out of him. He flew to the ground and hit his head with a sickening thud, rendering him unconscious.
Inuyasha watched as he picked himself up. "Naraku!" he spat, enraged by the turn of events. "You bastard!" He once again charged at Naraku recklessly, his sword above his head. "Adamant Barrage!" Inuyasha screamed, swinging his father's fang. Large shards of diamond flew towards the enemy, giving hope to victory.
But all hope was soon lost. "Inuyasha," Naraku said with a smirk. "Do you really think I'd fall for that?" As the adamant shards came within striking distance of the evil half-demon, Naraku's barrier materialized before them, sucking the attack up like a sponge.
"What the hell?" Inuyasha took a step back in surprise as realization sparked on his features. Naraku smiled, knowing the damage Inuyasha had caused. The diamonds began to show themselves, creeping out of his barrier in every direction.
A/N: Okay, sorry for the wait, but this chapter took a while to rewrite. That's why its so long. Hope my battle scene wasn't too bad, considering I haven't had much experience with writing them. lol. Hope this chapter will satisfy you for a bit and peak your interest. The story really gets moving after this chapter so let me know what you think. That way, I can update faster. Thanks!