A Change of Heart
Chapter 4: Purity
"Damn!" Inuyasha shouted, feeling his feet fly across the grass as he raced towards Miroku and Sango's unmoving forms. His Adamant Barrage was shot back at the group and diamonds flew everywhere, just missing the dashing half-demon. He managed to awkwardly throw Sango and Mirou over his shoulders, dodging shards of diamonds as he raced towards the safety the forest offered.
Slipping behind a cluster of trees, he waited as the attack subsided before placing his companions on the dirt packed ground. Luckily, the three of them had escaped without injury. Then his thoughts flickered to a certain priestess he had left near a tree moments earlier. "Kagome?!" he shouted, his amber eyes darting around the forest.
"Up here, Inuyasha," she called from trees. He looked up to see her straddling Kirara's back, holding herself steady by gripping the demon cat's fur with her uninjured arm. Kirara jumped down the branches to stand beside the half-demon, crouching to allow Kagome an easier time to step off.
"Are you alright?" he asked glancing over her quickly for injuries, his eyes lingering on the wound in her arm from Naraku.
She nodded. "I'm fine. She saved me," she responded softly, gesturing to the large feline beside her.
"Thanks, Kirara," he said, turning his attention back to the clearing just peeking through the leaves. "Take care of Kagome." And then in a blur of red, he was gone.
"Inuyasha," Kagome mumbled, watching him maneuver through the trees before disappearing. She wished there was something she could do to help.
How can I defeat him? He wondered, circling the clearing, using the forest as cover, to search for a weak spot. He only had to manage to scare the bastard off so he could get everyone to safety. The faster they got to Kaede's, the better. With a battle cry, he shot from the trees and rushed Naraku, only to be swung hard into the ground. The vile half-demon chuckled in amusement as Inuyasha got up and wiped the blood from his mouth. "Die you bastard!" Propelling himself off the ground, he struck Tetsusaiga towards Naraku, only to be deflected by his barrier, sending him crashing into the ground again.
Kagome made her way through the foliage to get a better view of the battle. She told Kirara to stay behind in order to protect the unconscious forms of Sango and Miroku. Assuring that they were still breathing, even if it was faint, Kagome was convinced they would be fine for the time being. She watched as Inuyasha continued to thrust towards Naraku, tiring with each swing and getting nowhere fast.
Again, a tentacle shot through the barrier and swung Inuyasha into a nearby tree. It retracted within the shield as Inuyasha fell to the ground face first. Using his sword as a crutch, he slowly brought himself to a standing position. Kagome gasped, noticing the blood seeping through his fire-rat robe from the wound Naraku had inflicted. His breathing labored and he groaned which each movement, coughing up blood.
"Inuyasha," the young priestess whispered, watching in horror as their sworn enemy once again prepared to lash out at the fallen half-demon. Inuyasha dug the tip of his father's fang into the ground in front of him to shield himself from Naraku's attack, but it had little effect.
"Die," the evil man chuckled, shooting a swarm of tentacles upon him. In the weakened state he was, Inuyasha had no strength to put up much of a fight and was flung into the ground; a crater created from the impact.
After the dust cleared, Inuyasha was seen struggling to pry himself out of the rubble. Tetsusaiga had transformed back to its rusty state and lay at his side. "Inuyasha!" Kagome screamed, watching as Naraku took measurable steps towards the injured man. She rose from her hiding spot and ran as fast as her injured body would allow. She knew there wasn't much time before her energy dissipated, as the loss of blood from her arm made her weak.
Naraku drew his attention away from the pathetic half-breed at his feet to see a mere mortal with no weapons, coming to Inuyasha's aid. He chuckled. "Foolish girl. Do you really believe you could save this worthless half-demon?" He turned his evil gaze back to the motionless man, who had slumped to the ground once more. A tentacle poised itself outside his barrier, aiming to pierce through Inuyasha's gut.
With Naraku's defenses down, Kagome ran head on into his barrier. He turned towards her in surprise as she used her priestess energy to burst through his shield. She jumped up and grabbed onto his chest with her hands. She knew she only had this moment to send jolts of purification through him. "Die, Naraku!" she screamed as she pooled all her strength together, concentrating on the energy seeping from her hands into the vile man's body.
Inuyasha managed to turn to his stomach and crawled to the edge of the crater, watching streams of purple light pierce the sky. "Kagome!" He gazed on in fear and before he could will his body to aid the girl in her fight, Naraku swung a tentacle, sending her flying into a tree. A loud crack echoed through the clearing as she made impact. Slowly, her body slipped off the bark, leaving a bloodied tree limb behind. She hit the ground with a thud; motionless. "Kagome!"
However, she dealt Naraku a great deal of damage. He surrounded himself in a barrier; his body parts dissolving from the purifying powers of Kagome. "Curse you, wench! I will not die so easily!" And with that, he disappeared in a burst of miasma.
Finally pulling himself off the ground, Inuyasha struggled across the clearing to where Kagome had fallen. He used his father's fang as a crutch, wincing with each step he took. "Kagome," he mumbled, struggling to speak. He battled to where she lay, praying to the kamis that she was okay. When he arrived, Kirara came to Kagome's side; Miroku and Sango slung over her back, having yet to regain consciousness.
Kagome's breathing was labored. Turning towards the demon feline to his left, he said, "Get them to Kaede's." Kirara growled in understanding before taking flight, disappearing through the trees. Once they were gone, he knelt down beside the dying girl and gently turned her over. Even with his careful movements, a hiss of pain erupted from her lips. Fear flashed across his golden eyes as they landed upon the torn hole in Kagome's stomach.
He brought her close to him, her head resting in his arm. "Kagome," he whispered, trying to rouse the priestess from slumber. When she didn't respond he shook her gently. Her chestnut eyes opened, wincing with pain.
She could barely breathe and it felt as if her throat was closing up. "Inu ... yasha," she gasped, cringing with each syllable. Bringing her arm to his chest, she fisted his robe in her hand as the pain subsided. He looked down at her and knew she was in a great deal of agony. "I'm sorry ... for yelling at you," she choked out. "I shouldn't ... have run off."
"What are you apologizing for?!" Inuyasha practically screamed at her. "If I hadn't been such an idiot, I would have been able to pick up your scent and known you were in danger. I would have been able to get here in time!" His expression filled with concern and regret, cursing his name for his selfishness. He brought her even closer to him so her face was buried in his chest. Finding new strength, he stood up preparing to bring Kagome back to the old woman's hut.
Kagome clutched his chest again as she winced in pain. He couldn't tear his gaze away from her. "Inu ... yasha," she almost whispered. "It hurts ... I can't-"
"Shut up!" Inuyasha reprimanded. "Don't talk that way! You're going to be alright! I will save you!" Tears dotted the corners of Kagome's eyes. She smiled weakly as her eyes fluttered close and her hand went limp at her side.
He watched her chest rise and fall as it struggled for oxygen. Without hesitation, he began to run as fast as his body would allow towards Kaede's hut, hoping he would make it in time.
A/N: There is chapter four. I know it was short but the next one will be longer, promise! Let me know if you like how the story is going so far. Believe me, there is much more to come. Thanks for reading!
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