A Change of Heart
Chapter 7: A Fallen Comrade, Inuyasha's Decision
Inuyasha jumped out of the well, cursing under his breath for taking so long to retrieve the medication Kagome desperately needed. After vaguely explaining to her mother that 'someone' had been injured, not mentioning who, the woman had scurried about for various bottles and boxes, all of which made no sense to the half-demon. Never the less, he piled them into the bag and thanked Ms. Higurashi for her help. She even added a paper with a bunch of instructions on how to use the different remedies.
"Good woman," he mumbled, gripping the small, dark bag in his hand tighter. His amber eyes glanced about the clearing before he dashed in the direction of Kaede's hut. Not a moment later, the scent of graveyard soil hit him like a ton of bricks, stopping him in his tracks. The wind blew softly about as his gaze searched the surrounding trees. Orbs of white hovered in the distance, shadows protruding from the edge. Inuyasha knew Kikyo lay beyond the foliage, but he couldn't bring himself to run off to the undead priestess. He had more pressing matters to attend to. A blur of red sped through the forest at break-neck speed.
His nose twitched as the breeze settled, searching for the familiar scent of lilacs and vanilla. Confusion crossed his eyes as the old woman's hut came into view and Kagome's intoxicating scent did not linger amongst the medicinal herbs. "Damn it," he growled as he propelled himself towards the village, the trees vanishing behind him as he broke the forest's edge. Dread built in the pit of his stomach as each step brought him closer, knowing that the girl he sought wasn't lying safely inside.
Inuyasha threw open the door cover and his eyes immediately searched the empty space where he had left Kagome hours before. His snarling must have made quite a commotion, for Miroku and Sango woke from a dead sleep. The demon slayer rubbed her eyes sleepily, peering at the doorway where her comrade now stood. "Inuyasha?" she questioned hesitantly, her eyes adjusting to the darkness of the hut.
"What is it?" Miroku asked, standing abruptly, concerned about the wild look in the half-demon's eyes. He followed Inuyasha's molten gaze to the empty cot, absent of warmth and a certain time-traveling priestess. "Where is Kagome?"
The bag of medicine fell to the floor, a resounding thump occuring seconds after. Inuyasha, too upset to answer the monk's question, turned on his heel and disappeared through the doorway, leaving his friends to rouse from sleep and ponder his rash movements.
Although very faint, he had managed to pick up Kagome's scent trail. Blades of grass crumpled beneath his feet as he dashed in the direction the scent led him: straight towards Kikyo. He ignored the sting as leaves whipped against his face and tree limps tore at his fire-rat robe. His thoughts only consisted of the many possibilities that would occur if the two women he cared about most were to ever meet alone.
He continued running, even as the trees cleared and the sight before him became visible. Suddenly, Inuyasha felt a jolt through his body, stopping him in his tracks. He shouted in pain as he was flung backwards, crashing into the ground. Annoyance and surprise crossed his features, but only for a moment as he gazed up to see a barrier surrounding the Sacred Tree, along with Kagome and Kikyo.
"What the hell?" he mumbled, peering through the wavering barricade. A soft white light danced about the clearing, encircling the God Tree. His breath hitched in his throat as he eyed Kagome's injured form. She was in worse shape than he left her. She fell to her knees in pain as blood pooled out of her stomach, splattering the grass crimson. Her beautiful black hair was draped across her shoulders and her auburn eyes brimmed with tears.
Kikyo's hand came closer to the jewel around her reincarnation's throat, a knowing smile flitting softly across her lips. Inuyasha watched the scene unfold in front of him as his beloved ripped the Sacred Jewel from Kagome's neck. "Kikyo!" he screamed, noting the fleeting glance she sent his way. So she knew he was here. She could see him. Did that mean that Kikyo created this barrier? The half-demon's thoughts swirled with confusion, not having a clue as to her purpose.
"I will use these shards to defeat Naraku," he heard Kikyo say as she turned away from Kagome, heading back toward the Sacred Tree.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha shouted, as she made no recognition of hearing him. Growling, he unsheathed Tetsusaiga, bringing it out into a fighting stance and directing it towards his target. A red glow seemed to wrap around the weapon, bringing forth dormant powers. With a battle cry, the half-demon swung his barrier-breaking sword onto the barricade. Sparks flew about as he made contact, but it did nothing to the barrier, did not make its powers waver in any way. With a cry, he was shot backwards into the ground once more.
Shaking his head, Inuyasha sat up from where he lay, rubbing his head in pain. His father's fang lay on the ground beside him, no longer transformed into the mighty sword. With a growl, he was on his feet once more, watching the scene before him unfold. Kagome struggled to stand, leaning over slightly to clutch her stomach with her uninjured arm. Blood shot from her mouth as she coughed and she slowly staggered forward, her visage twisting in pain with each step.
"Kagome ... " the half-demon mumbled, gazing on in horror as the girl continued forward.
She held her arm against her stomach, trying to steady her blurred vision. "I can't let you take it," she mumbled softly.
Kikyo turned around. Her eyes watched the young priestess carefully as she staggered towards her and Inuyasha knew Kagome was in a great deal of agony. His ears strained to hear what whispered off the undead priestess's lips, but it was no use, for the barrier prevented him from doing so. His beloved, no longer smiling, brought her bow and arrow together, aiming them at Kagome's heart.
"No, Kikyo!" the half-demon yelled as the arrow was released from the bow. It was absorbed in a brilliant pink light before crashing into its target. Kagome's body lurched as the arrow hit the mark, causing her to fall backwards. Tears fell from her eyes as a serene expression took over her face. As if in slow motion, she fell backwards, not knowing she was being watched by her beloved half-demon. When she hit the ground, the barrier around them dissolved and Inuyasha wasted no time running to her side.
He picked the girl's head slightly off of the ground. "Kagome?" the silver-haired man questioned, locking her eyes with his.
Tears trickled down her cheeks as blood seeped from the corner of her mouth. The fatal weapon protruded out of her chest, piercing her heart. Inuyasha's eyes roamed from the wound to her auburn gaze, noting the ragged breaths she struggled to take. "Inu ... yasha ..." she whispered, using a great deal of strength for such a simple task.
Inuyasha used the pad of his thumb to wipe away her cascading tears. "It's okay. I'm not letting you die on me, wench." He tried to force a smirk as he reassured her. Kagome returned the smile, glad to see his stubborn attitude even in such a dark time. Gently, she shook her head, ignoring the tingle that prickled her skin.
Miroku and Sango ran up from behind Inuyasha and stopped dead in their tracks when they noticed the horrible scene before them. A pure light shined from Kikyo's hands as she joined her shard of the Sacred Jewel with the piece she stole form Kagome. Only a short moment passed before the light dimmed and she draped it around her neck.
Kagome's breathing was becoming short. Taking in their comrades mumbled conversation, the monk and demon slayer knew the young girl's life was nearing its end. Immediately, Sango swiveled her gaze to the undead priestess, glaring as tears pricked the corner of her eyes. "How could you?!" she screamed, arming Hiraikotsu over her back. She attempted to charge the girl, but was stopped with Miroku's hand around her waist. "How could you?" she continued to repeat, her tears falling faster as her voice broke with desolation.
Finally, with no more strength left, she dropped the large boomerang and allowed Miroku to take her into his arms. He made soothing sounds, trying to comfort the broken girl.
The half-demon's face fell at the sight of Kagome's negative response. "What do you mean?" he almost shouted, fear evident in his voice.
She gripped onto his kimono, holding her limp body off the ground. "I'm so sorry ... Inuyasha. I ... wish I had ... more time ... with you." He brought her close to his chest, still gazing at her angelic visage. With all of her remaining energy, Kagome pulled herself up to his face, pressing her lips to his in one last attempt to relay her feelings of love.
Surprise flashed across his visage for a moment, but before he could respond, she had drawn away, gently falling back into his arms. Her grip on his robe of the fire rat went limp as the light disappeared from her chestnut eyes and she was gone. The arrow that had been her fatal wound disappeared, leaving Inuyasha paralyzed at what just happened.
"Kagome?" he whispered in disbelief, his eyes widening in shock, unable to grasp the concept. "Kagome!" Her name continued to come from his throat, over and over again, piercing the night sky. "This can't be happening!" Inuyasha's eyes brimmed with tears as he shoved his face into her lifeless body, trying to ignore the scent of death and breathe in her unique smell.
"Forgive me," he whispered in her ear. "If only I had gotten back sooner ... " After a few minutes of mourning dry tears, he set her down and gruffly got to his feet. Turning towards Kikyo, he drew Tetsusaiga from his sheath and pointed it in her direction. Rage and vengeance flared in his molten orbs as he brought his sword above his head. With a battle cry, he adverted his attack at the last moment, stabbing the weapon into the ground and knelt beside Kagome. "Damn," he swore, cursing his name.
"Why ... ?" he almost whispered, directing his question at his former beloved. With a sigh, he stood up, fists clenched at his sides, as he looked over at Kikyo.
She stared back at him, a cold expression on her face. "She did not belong here, Inuyasha," she stated coldly. "She did not possess the power to protect the Sacred Jewel! It should have been given to me once I was returned to this world, but the foolish wench refused to listen." Inuyasha's anger rose at her words, pain gripping his heart. "Now come, Inuyasha," she continued, her eyes unwavering. "You shall join me in the fires of hell."
A large hold opened beneath the priestess as air shot out from under her, causing her midnight hair to twirl in an ethereal dance. Her kimono was thrust upwards as she reached out her arms, inviting Inuyasha into them. Her skin shimmered in the moonlight, illuminating a heavenly glow around her frame. Her body began a slow descent into the earth as Inuyasha watched, his expression unchanging.
With a heavy heart, he began to walk towards her, hearing Miroku's shouts from behind him. "No, Inuyasha!" the monk yelled, still gripping a tear stricken Sango who was too upset to do much. It seemed as if his calls were in vain as the half-demon didn't even acknowledge him.
A rare smile flitted across Kikyo's lips as the silver-haired man continued to come closer, but he stopped just short form her waiting arms. Leaning down, he put his mouth by her ear. "I will never go to hell with you," he mumbled dangerously, causing the woman to drop her arms. He reached out and ripped the jewel from her throat. The hole surrounding her close as the winds calmed and everything was quiet.
Hurt poised upon her face as she continued to stare at Inuyasha, her eyes pleading with him. Without so much as a glimpse, he turned around and headed back to where Sango and Miroku were kneeling beside Kagome's body. "I see," Kikyo said softly. "You loved her, didn't you Inuyasha?" He could hear the agony in her voice, but his heart did not yearn to comfort her as it often did. She kept quiet, knowing what his silence meant.
With a mournful glance at his back, she closed her eyes, feeling her soul-collectors wrap around her slim frame. The white demons whisked her way into the night sky, leaving Inuyasha and his friends to grieve the girl's death.
The half-demon's bangs fell in front of his face as he knelt beside Kagome, ignoring the stares from Sango and Miroku. He slammed his fist into the ground. "Damn," he mumbled, anger evident in his voice. "Why hadn't I realized Kikyo's intentions sooner?"
Sango sniffled back her tears, pulling herself out of Miroku's grasp. "There was nothing that could be done," she whispered quietly, reaching a hand towards him in an attempt to comfort his shattered heart. "None of us had expected it. We didn't know." The demon slayer felt horrible, uncontrollably detached. She had promised Inuyasha they would watch over Kagome, and they had failed. Her death rests solely on the three of them.
"She's right, Inuyasha," Miroku spoke up, staying strong for the both of them. The death of Lady Kagome had been a blow to his own heart, but he could not bring himself to break his calm stature in such dark times. "You tried your best."
"But it wasn't enough!" he snapped, whipping his head to his remaining comrades. Tears glistened in his eyes. "I was supposed to protect her and I failed!"
Sango winced under his angered expression, guilt washing over her. Miroku gripped her tightly, his violet eyes boring into his half-demon friend.
Inuyasha held out the half-completed jewel in his palm. What can I do? How can I bring her back? Without another word, he picked up Kagome's body very carefully, draping her arms around his neck. Slowly, he began walking back to Kaede's hut in one last effort to save the one he loved.
A/N: I am very sorry for the long delay, but I just didn't have the inspiration to edit this chapter so it took me about three days until I actually finished it. Sorry about that. Maybe because it doesn't have much interest. Oh well, the story must go on! Please review!