A Change of Heart
Chapter 8: Tears of Sorrow
A never ending darkness hung over the castle, shrouding the grounds in a black night. Red spheres of hatred burned in the shadows as they peered at the looking glass. A little girl dressed in a ghostly white held a mirror in her hands, waiting patiently for her master's instructions. Her dull eyes watched his every movement as her ears listened to his whispers.
Naraku grinned as his flesh continued to mold together once more. He watched the scene of Kagome's death play over and over again, observing the choice Inuyasha made towards Kikyo. "So, she was able to kill that wretched girl. Kikyo has saved me a great deal of trouble."
Ever so slightly, a shiver crept down Kanna's spine. She had always played the faithful dog towards Naraku, but never had she believed in his goals. It was true she had no emotions, but in her mind she did not wish to bring darkness upon others. To see him so close to success made her almost anxious and worried as to what would happen if his goal would be reached. Her sister, Kagura, was already walking on thin ice and there was no doubt that she, too, would die. But would that be the fate of all of Naraku's followers? Would they die after he had no need for them?
Inuyasha staggered through the forest with Kagome in his arms. Naraku's smirk widened as he observed the scene and couldn't help but give a slight chuckle. "Now, there is no one standing in my way." As his eyes left the mirror, so did the image. Bowing slightly, Kanna turned and made her exit, closing the wooden door behind her.
Her master's words were true. When his body became complete, he would be able to get rid of his human heart for good. Then Kikyo would have no protection against him and all hope would be lost. It was just a matter of time.
The sun slowly crept over the horizon, sending waves of light across the land; day break had come. Inuyasha's legs felt like lead, weighed down by guilt and sorrow. His bangs covered his eyes as he desperately tried to hold back tears. It was all his fault. If only he had known Kikyo's intentions sooner. If only he had never let Kagome get hurt in the first place. If only he was stronger, faster, wiser ... then maybe none of this would have happened.
Why couldn't he save her?
He continued to repeat the question over and over again in his mind, trying to come up with a logical answer. Did the fates not deem him worthy enough? Was it destiny for him to forever wallow in guilt and pain? Would it always be he who was left behind?
"I tried," he whispered, trying to apologize to the dead woman in his arms. A single tear fell from his amber spheres and dropped onto Kagome's cheek. "I'm so sorry." Nothing he said would ease the burden from his shoulders.
Miroku walked steadily behind his half-demon companion, making sure he kept space between them. To lose Kagome made his heart feel as if it were ripping open within his chest. He could not sympathize how hard Inuyasha was taking it. He probably blamed himself for the young priestess's death. "Inuyasha, it is not your fault," he said, trying to console his friend's heartache. "There was nothing that could be done." He only got silence in return.
"I have an idea of what he's going through," Sango said from beside him. Tears no longer fell from her auburn eyes, but the sorrow could be heard in her voice all the same. "When my brother and comrades were killed, I blamed myself for their deaths. Maybe I could have done something to change what happened." She wrapped her arms around her body in order to bring some sort of comfort. "It wasn't until I realized Naraku manipulated Kohaku into doing those things that I finally began to forgive myself. I still have yet to completely release the blame."
The monk peered at her, not saying much and allowing her to speak. He didn't know the burden Sango and Inuyasha carried. Although he had been hurt by his father's death and the curse of the wind tunnel, never in his life did he feel so hollow and dark. Without Kagome to brighten up the day, it seemed no hope remained among the travelers.
Kaede's hut came into view and the smell of medicinal herbs wafted through the window. It seemed as if the old woman suspected something had occurred and prepared whatever she deemed necessary. The night before, she heard a little commotion in the hut. She opened her eyes to see Miroku and Sango grabbing their weapons and preparing for battle. "What is it?" she had asked them, sitting up to watch their movements. "Where are ye going?"
Sango had looked at her, a strange mix of worry and confusion in her eyes. "We're going after Inuyasha." Before more could be said, the demon slayer ran out of the hut with Miroku close behind her.
The monk paused to give the old woman a grim expression. "Be prepared for the worst, Lady Kaede. It seems trouble has come once again." She watched as he dashed after Sango and the door fluttered close behind him.
Since the disappearance of the group, a horrible feeling had settled in the pit of her stomach and nothing but Kagome occupied her mind. She had been missing when everyone had left, leaving only ill thoughts behind. And she was not the only one who sensed it. Shippo was distraught with worry as he awoke to find that his surrogate sister, along with the rest of his friends, had disappeared.
He sat beside the old woman, sitting with his legs and arms crossed. His head was slightly bowed in thought as he struggled not to run after his comrades. "Where are they and why aren't they back yet?" he suddenly asked, only to receive silence from Kaede. Kirara let out a pained meow as she yearned for Sango's return.
Footsteps were heard just outside the hut, drawing the attention of the trio. The bamboo door was pushed aside to reveal Inuyasha. His bangs covered his face to hide the tears swimming in his eyes and Kagome was draped in his arms. He set her down without a word and sat beside her, crossing his arms and legs.
"Inuyasha?" Shippo mumbled, his heart pounding furiously in his chest. Something was wrong. He watched as Miroku and Sango stepped through the doorway. The demon slayer's eyes were red and she leaned against her companion for support. The monk led her over to the opposite side of the hut and sat down, resting her head against his chest. Kirara jumped onto her mistress's lap and offered her condolences, knowing Kagome's fate.
The small fox demon turned his gaze back to the young priestess. He hesitantly walked over as tears stung his eyes. Her skin was pale and no color touched her lips. When he placed a hand on her arm, he quickly drew back from the cold. No breath escaped her lips and he couldn't detect a heartbeat. A whimper slipped from his lips as he glanced up at the half-demon to confirm his suspicions. When Inuyasha refused to meet his eyes, he knew it was true. Kagome was dead.
Shippo began to ball his eyes out as he collapsed to the floor. Incoherent words fumbled from his mouth as he cried out his anguish. "Don't cry, Shippo," Inuyasha said softly, causing the young kit to silence his bawling. "You have to be strong."
He rubbed his sleeve across his face to clear away the tears. "But I don't wanna!" he replied as more cries sounded through the hut. He shut his eyes, hoping that all of this was just a dream, but no such luck. All the times they had escaped death had them confident. Only when it was too late did they realize how hard reality could come crashing down upon them.
Moments passed as a grieving silence settled over the group, each morning the death of a fallen comrade who had become a friend, and to some, she was more than that. Suddenly, Inuyasha stood up and prepared to walk out the door. Sango sniffled and withdrew her head from Miroku's chest. "Where are you going, Inuyasha?" she asked, wiping away the tears in her eyes.
The half-demon glanced back at them, one arm holding open the door. The early sunlight shown into the room, lighting up his shadowed features. His golden eyes no longer held spark, but were instead dull and lifeless. "I'm going to bring her back," he said softly before disappearing from the hut.
Miroku sighed, feeling his friend's pain. He doubted there was much hope to bring Kagome back from the dead. Unless .... His eyes widened in realization. Inuyasha didn't plan to bring Kagome back like Kikyo had been, did he? Doesn't he realize that his former love is no longer alive? To bring Kagome back as a lifeless corpse would be cruel.
He moved to stand, anxious to get to the bottom of Inuyasha's reasoning. "I don't believe Inuyasha would do such a thing," Kaede said, causing him to freeze. She turned towards him. "My sister was killed by a vile being and brought back from the dead unwillingly. He knows she is not meant to walk amongst the living. Why would he force such a fate on Kagome?"
The monk took a moment to absorb the old woman's words. So she had been thinking the same thing. But her reasoning was correct. The half-demon understood the torment Kikyo endured as she walked among the living. He wouldn't dare inflict the same devastation on Kagome. So what was his plan?
Trees bent back and forth, swirling in the strong winds that passed through the forest. A tornado scattered leaves in its path as it sped through the brush. Two wolf demons followed after it desperately, calling for it to stop for just a moment. Finally, already aggravated, the winds died down the the whirlwind ceased, leaving Kouga standing in its wake.
"Would you two stop whining and hurry up?! We're never going to catch Naraku at this pace!" he yelled as Ginta and Hakkaku struggled to keep up. He placed his hand on his hip and waited for his two pack members to catch up.
"Please, Kouga," Ginta moaned as they came to a stop and plopped down on the ground. "We've been searching for Naraku nonstop for days now."
Hakkaku nodded slightly, eyeing their leader with pleading eyes. "Yeah, we need a break."
The wolf prince grunted and turned away, annoyed he had to waste time with bumbling idiots while he could be off destroying his arch nemesis. "How are we going to defeat Naraku if we're always resting?" he asked, turning back and pointing a finger at them. "It would be better off if-" Suddenly, he stopped mid-sentence and took a whiff of the breeze once more.
His companions looked on with confusion. "What is it Kouga?" Hakkaku asked.
"Is it Naraku?" Ginta added.
His crystal blue eyes widened with terror and the sheer thoughts of what the scent could mean. He traced the direction it was coming from and turned his head in the direction of the old woman's hut. "Kagome's scent," he mumbled, taking a few steps forward. It's different. Without another thought, he raced off towards his beloved, leaving his comrades in the dust behind him. What if that mutt couldn't protect Kagome? The blurs of the forest flew by him as he sped on in rage. "If he put Kagome in any danger, I'll kill him!"
Sunlight slid through the cracks in the doorway, sending a wave of golden light over Kagome's lifeless corpse. A slight breeze rustled her hair, giving her an ethereal appearance. Sango watched the wind twirl through the dead woman's clothes, making it appear as if she were alive and breathing. But with a heavy heart, she knew that wasn't the case. Kagome was gone and there was nothing she could think of to bring her back.
After all, the Jewel of Four Souls was only half completed. It would take too long to collect the remaining pieces without Kagome's ability to see the shards. And even if they were to make the jewel whole again and defeat Naraku, too much time would have elapsed. Kagome's soul already would have moved onto the afterlife. Then there would be no return.
She sighed deeply. Why did she have to lose yet another person close to her? Wasn't taking her family and entire village enough? Would there be any end to this torment? Unfortunately for her, she would never know the answer. For now, her only hope is that Inuyasha would pull through and find someway to bring them back from this darkness.
"What are you thinking about?" Miroku whispered quietly, although he already knew the answer.
Sango shifted in his arms to peer up at him. "Do you think Inuyasha will find a way to save her?"
He tore his gaze from her and eyed Kagome's corpse. "He cares for Kagome and he has always tried to do what is best for her. I do not believe he would lie about such a thing. If he knew of a way to bring her back, then he will fight to his last breath to obtain it."
The demon slayer nodded slightly, glad for his words of reassurance. But it did not quell the sorrow within her. What if he failed?
Outside, the wind howled furiously as it rapidly picked up the pace, thrashing wildly against the hut. Immediately, Sango and Miroku were alerted and jumped up into battle stances, preparing to defend their home base as well as their comrades.
Just as fast as it had come, the wind stopped, and all was calm again. Slowly, the door was pushed aside to reveal Kouga. His face seemed full of fury and concern, but it quickly vanished as he took in the sights around him.
Kaede turned from stoking the fire to glance at the newcomer as Shippo hid behind her. She eyed him cautiously, uncertain of what his intentions were. Although she never spoke to him, Kagome had often told her of the wolf demon who had feelings towards her. Finding out about her death, Kouga could very well be unstable and go out into an all out rampage. "What is yer business here?" she asked gruffly.
He ignored her as his piercing blue eyes landed on Kagome. The scent of death hung heavily in the air and he could not stop a lump from forming in his throat. Her cheeks were no longer rosy and her skin was as white as snow. A bluish tint had formed across her lips and blood stained her abdomen, although it no longer flowed freely. He took a few steps forward robotically and knelt beside her without saying a word. Grabbing her hand, he found it to be ice cold.
"Kagome," he whispered hoarsely, hoping to wake her. When she didn't move, he felt his heart lurch. Her breath did not come and her heart did not beat. As his worst fears came to life and slowly seeped into his subconsciousness, tears came to his eyes. He heard a heart break and felt pain from his own chest. "Kagome?" he called again, hoping it was just some sick, twisted joke. When there was no response, he bowed his head and allowed tears to roll down his cheeks. "Why?"
After a few minutes of silent grieving, he raised his head to glare at the demon slayer and monk, noticing their desolate stares. Sango's eyes were flowing with tears once more. "What ... what happened?" he demanded, not yet releasing Kagome's hand.
"There was a battle," Miroku stated, trying to ease the truth upon the wolf demon. In this state of mind, there was no telling what Kouga could do. "Naraku attacked and -"
"Inuyasha tried to save her," Sango interrupted, crying through her tears. "Except Kikyo ... she found Kagome." With no more strength to hold her own, she fell to her knees and broke down, shielding her face with her hands. Mumbled words were forced out as she desperately tried to finished her sentence, but it was of no use.
Miroku sighed. "Lady Kikyo was angry with Kagome and decided to take revenge on her own accord." He knelt down beside the broken girl and placed an arm around her. "She managed to erect a barrier, one that Inuyasha could not break, and pierced Kagome with a sacred arrow. She died in his arms."
Kouga stared at the monk as he began to whisper soothing words to the woman. His blue eyes found the dead girl's face once more. Kagome was gone and he couldn't do anything to save her. Anger began to boil over his heartache as Inuyasha came to mind. "He didn't save her," he mumbled, too soft for anyone else to hear. "I put Kagome's life in his hands ... and he didn't save her ... "
A/N: Sorry for taking so long to update. Got back from Florida Sunday night and have been busy catching up with things around here so writing has been at the back of my mind. Updates will be slow this month, but they'll pick up again soon. Hope you liked it.