Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! As of today, I am officially a legal adult. Finally, a real license! So, as a part of my gift to the world on my birthday, I am updating an extra chapter for you guys. You're welcome!
Last Time:
At first, nothing happened. Then a sense of rightness filled Sesshoumaru. "Kami, it's true." He whispered. "I love Kagome."
Mamemitsu glowed white, and a soft voice filled the room. "Sesshoumaru, Son of InuTaisho, Lord of the Western Lands. You have learned your lesson." Amaterasu's voice resounded through the room. "You are free."
CHAPTER 22: BATTLES AND VICTORIES
Kagome sat with InuYasha, frustrated at the slow rate of healing that was forced upon her. "I hate being human." She whispered.
"So do I." InuYasha answered. "Luckily, I don't have to deal with that anymore."
Kagome chuckled weakly, wincing as that simple movement caused her pain. She closed her eyes and pretended for a second that Mamemitsu hadn't beaten her within an inch of her life, and that she wasn't going to die from internal bleeding. It was nice to pretend.
"Kagome, how do you feel?" InuYasha asked. He felt helpless, something he wasn't used to. Damn it, he should be able to help!
Kagome smiled. "I'm fine, InuYasha. It'll just take my miko powers a bit longer than normal to heal me since they're bound and all."
"Liar." InuYasha muttered. "You can't even move."
Kagome shut her eyes again. "Just let me pretend, InuYasha." She whispered. Let me pretend that I'm okay. Let me pretend that I'm with Sesshoumaru. Let me pretend that he's smiling down at me. Let me pretend he's saying "I love you too."
"Did you mean what you said to Sesshoumaru?" InuYasha asked.
But she was already asleep, dreaming of the could have beens. With a sigh, InuYasha leaned over her. "Five years ago, I would have said you'd picked the wrong guy to love again." InuYasha told her. "Now, I'm not so sure."
! Sesshoumaru !
Sesshoumaru waited for the other shoe to drop. There was no way he was free, just like that. These gods had caused him too many problems over the past two months to simply disappear now. There had to be a catch.
Tentatively, he thought to himself. I am going to save Kagome. He took a step forward. Then another. And another. And then he started going faster. Then he started running. After a few moments, he smirked. I really am free. He gathered his youkai around him, and with all the speed he could muster, he started flying. Kagome, I'm coming.
! Kagome !
Kagome's breathing became shallower, and it was all she could do to force her lungs to cooperate. Looks like I'm finally at the end of my rope. She thought.
"Kagome, just hold on!" InuYasha cried, desperately trying to keep her in place. "You'll be okay! Just don't give up!"
"Inu. . .Yasha. . ." Kagome breathed, struggling to make herself heard. "Don't. . . be. . . Stupid."
InuYasha glared. "Don't waste your breath insulting me. You can do that once you're well." He became desperate as Kagome's breathing worsened. "Damn it all! Are you really that weak that you're going to die?"
Kagome eyed him. "Sit." InuYasha fell forward, and though he felt like cursing her out for wasting time, it was worth it to hear her whispering chuckle. "InuYasha. . . Help. . . One. . . Last. . . Time."
InuYasha was immediately at her side. "Anything."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
"Shikon. . . No. . . Tama." Kagome managed. "Get. . . It. . . Out."
InuYasha stared at her. "Kagome, that could kill you!"
"I'm. . . already. . . Halfway. . . There." Kagome said weakly. She could almost feel herself slipping away. "You. . . Promised."
InuYasha stared at her, knowing that he'd broken enough unspoken promises that this one had to count. "You're a damn idiot!" He announced.
Kagome just smiled. I know.
InuYasha reached towards her, or more specifically, to the star shaped scar that had remained when the Shikon no Tama had left her body. His ghostly hand slipped into her side, and she shivered on contact. "Sorry." He whispered.
"It's. . . okay." Kagome bit her lip. Just a little pain. Just a little, and it'll all be over.
InuYasha focused, and his hand became tangible. With all the force he could muster, her ripped the jewel from it's hiding place inside her body. Kagome let out a small cry, then went silent. The jewel fell to the ground as InuYasha lost his focus.
"Damn it, Kagome! I told you it would kill you!" InuYasha shouted, panicking now.
Kagome ignored him. "Shikon. . . No. . . tama." She whispered.
InuYasha snarled. "You're a total moron! You deserve to die!" Why are you forcing me to watch you kill yourself? He focused and managed to drop the Shikon no Tama into her lap.
Kagome concentrated on the jewel, and its power flooded through her. The binding spell burst, but Kagome was so far gone that she didn't even feel it. She was slipping away much faster than she thought. She closed her eyes, concentrating her power on the jewel in her lap.
You called, daughter? The image of Midoriko floated before her. You are ready to make your wish?
I am. Kagome answered, now unable to speak.
Midoriko frowned. Healing yourself will solve nothing, child.
Than I guess it is good that I am not trying to heal myself. Kagome's answer startled the ancestral miko. May I make my wish?
It has always been your right. Midoriko answered.
I wish for Sesshoumaru to have the power he needs to change the world. She said. She had read her history books, and with her knowledge, she also knew an essential fact. Every major thing in Japan's history centered around the Western Lands. And with his lifespan, it was almost certain that Sesshoumaru would still be in charge in 500 years. He had made her world what it was. That is my wish.
The Shikon no Tama glowed, and rose from its place on her lap. "Good thinking, Kagome!" InuYasha crowed. "Now you'll heal real-"
The Shikon no Tama's light faded, and after a moment, disappeared, taking the Shikon no Tama with it.
"Kagome, what the hell just happened?" InuYasha demanded. He turned to her, furious. "You were supposed to wish that you were healed! So why is the Shikon no Tama gone?"
Kagome was ignoring him again, and he growled. "Hey, I'm talking to you!" She still didn't answer. With a growl, he focused enough to nudge her. "Hey!"
That's when he noticed that she wasn't breathing. "Kagome?" He asked. "Please, tell me you're still here." He looked at her face, really looked, and the world stopped. The light that always emanated from her, even moments before as she lay dying, was gone. Even the joy that always lived in her eyes had disappeared.
Kagome Higurashi, the now former Miko of the Shikon, was dead.
InuYasha stared at her body, afraid to move, afraid to move at all. As if by staying frozen, he could bring her back.
He didn't even bother to move when something glowed behind him. It wasn't until he heard the one voice he thought he'd never want to hear that he finally came back to life.
"Move, half-breed."
InuYasha whirled, and saw Sesshoumaru standing in front of him, standing in full glory with his arm restored. "What the hell are you doing here, bastard?" InuYasha demanded, not even realizing that tears were falling down his face. "Aren't you supposed to be killing something?"
"Move."
Something in his voice made InuYasha really look at Sesshoumaru. He finally saw his blood red eyes, and the way that he was barely holding onto his control. And suddenly, it all clicked. "You love her too." He whispered.
Sesshoumaru was out of patience. He unsheathed Tenseiga to bash InuYasha to the side before stepping forward. He stood over her and instantly saw the death gods. With a single slash, he sent their heads rolling. Then he pushed her soul back into her body with the flat of Tenseiga's blade, not trusting it to return as it should. After all, nothing else had gone as expected with the damned girl.
InuYasha watched as Kagome's wounds slowly healed, speeding up as they did so. In mere seconds, the color returned to her face. Then her breathing started, shallow at first, then becoming more regular. Her wounds healed faster than he could see, and in a few moments, Kagome opened her eyes.
It didn't take a genius to figure out what had just happened. Kagome stood slowly, testing her body to make sure it worked. Once she was sure, she turned to Sesshoumaru and bowed as low as possible. No words were necessary.
Sesshoumaru took the extra steps forward and wrapped his arms around her. Even though a part of him was screaming that this wasn't right, for this one second, he didn't care. He pulled her as close as he dared, and just stood for a moment, breathing in her scent.
Kagome let him hold her, knowing that he needed to be soothed as much as she did. But after a moment, she pushed him away. My heart can't take this. She decided to be angry instead. Anger was easier.
"What the hell are you doing here?" She hissed. "I distinctly ordered you to go away!"
Sesshoumaru stiffened as she pulled away, and his hackles rose when she dared to yell at him. "You presume that this Sesshoumaru will follow your orders." Sesshoumaru growled.
"Well, wasn't that the point of the curse?" Kagome snapped.
Sesshoumaru was tempted to smirk. "This Sesshoumaru knows of no curse."
Kagome visibly twitched, but managed to remain calm. "Did you drink stupid juice this morning? Or did that thick head of yours finally crack?"
Sesshoumaru kept his face expressionless. "I assure you, this Sesshoumaru is quite well."
Kagome tried taking a deep breath, but gave up halfway. "Screw it. Bad dog!" She waited, a smirk on her face.
But nothing happened. Kagome tried again. "I said, bad dog." Again, there was no reaction.
Sesshoumaru watched in amusement as comprehension dawned on her. Instantly, her anger melted away. She turned her brilliant smile on him, and he almost stopped breathing. "Congratulations, Sesshoumaru."
Sesshoumaru merely nodded before turning away. "Miko, leave."
Kagome froze. "Excuse me?"
"I said, leave." He turned to her, and all the feeling he had tried to lock away returned with a vengeance. He was drowning, and the only life boat he could think of was to hide it all away. "I do not wish for your presence to interfere. A weakling like yourself would only be in the way."
Kagome marched up behind him and grabbed at his arm. "I don't care if the curse has ended. I am still going to help."
Sesshoumaru whirled on her, clasping a hand around her throat. "I believe I told you what would happen when this curse ended." He looked at her, waiting for the disappointment that would follow the fear that would creep into her eyes.
But it never appeared. Kagome just stared back at him. "If you're gonna do it, then do it." She snapped. "Cause otherwise, I have just as much reason to fight this bitch as you do."
Sesshoumaru stared at her. "Why are you unafraid?" He asked.
Kagome smiled. "Cause if you wanted me dead, you wouldn't have saved me."
Sesshoumaru glared at her before dropping her. "I have better things to do than kill a miko." He announced.
Kagome just kept grinning. "Of course." She turned away and started for the stairs. "Now, where in the hell is that bitch? I'm going to murder her!"
Sesshoumaru blinked at her sudden mood switch. But before he could move forward, InuYasha's voice stopped him. "You really do love her." Sesshoumaru didn't answer, but he didn't deny the charge either. InuYasha sighed. "Of all the people in the world, it had to be you."
Sesshoumaru turned. "Is there a point to this, half breed?"
InuYasha ignored him staring up to about where Kagome would be at the moment. "I lied to her, when I said I didn't know why I stayed behind." He whispered. "When I was getting dragged down to hell with Kikyo, I saw Kagome standing off at the side. She was crying. She hadn't said a word against my choice, and had smiled and supported me. But when she thought I wasn't looking, she cried for me.
"That's when it finally dawned on me. I didn't see Kagome as Kikyo. I saw Kikyo as Kagome. I wanted to stay with Kagome. She'd never been able to protect herself, whether physically or emotionally. I wanted to be able to protect her.
"When I opened my eyes next, I was floating next to her. That crazy goddess was next to me." InuYasha thought for a moment. "Her names starts with an A."
"Amaterasu." Sesshoumaru growled.
"Yeah, that's her." InuYasha agreed. "She told me that in light of my deeds in life, she would allow me to stay behind in death to protect the one I loved." He turned to Sesshoumaru then. "On the condition that if ever someone else became her protector, I would move on."
Sesshoumaru stiffened. "This Sesshoumaru never said-" He stopped when he saw how transparent InuYasha was becoming.
"Yeah, whatever." InuYasha dismissed his claim. "You don't need to say it. Your actions say it for you." His form flickered, wavering between this plane and the next. "I'm counting on you, Sesshoumaru. Protect her." And with that, he disappeared completely.
! Kagome !
Kagome smiled as she loosed another bolt of purifying energy on the next guard. "Take that, you jerks!" She shouted, rounding on the next one. He was already flying towards her, so she erected a barrier, putting a bit of juice behind it. He slammed into the barrier and screamed as he was instantly purified into ash. Kagome used her senses, and found that there were no longer any guars in the surrounding area. She dropped her barrier with a smile. "I am just that good."
"Are you done with your childish antics, Miko?"
Kagome yelped and whirled to see Sesshoumarustanding behind her. "Don't do that!" She shouted.
Sesshoumaru merely raised an eyebrow mockingly. "Do you have a plan, or do you make this up as you go?"
"Hey!" Kagome shouted, poking him in the chest. "I have a very good plan, thank you very much." With that, she ducked around him and sent off another ball of purifying energy. It hit the demon who had been trying to sneak up on them in the face, and he purified instantly.
Sesshoumaru waited as Kagome checked the area again, then nodded. "Okay, here's the plan." She turned to Sesshoumaru. "You go find your mother. I certainly don't have the power to beat her. But you do. So don't waste your time fighting her minions. Leave that to me." She turned and shot off another blast, catching another demon.
Sesshoumaru nodded. She actually had the basic idea of a plan. And it wasn't half bad either.
Not half bad! She's putting herself in danger!
If she cannot help herself against a small batch of weaklings, then what good is she?
You don't mean that, and you know it! You're just as worried as I am. Now tell her no!
She can handle herself.
His beast didn't even bother to answer. Instead, he showed Sesshoumaru an image he'd rather forget: Kagome dead in his mother's dungeon.
"Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked.
Sesshoumaru shook his head. "Miko, you must leave. You will only get in my way."
Once, such a thing would have put Kagome into a rage. But she knew him much better now. "Screw you." She said, turning towards the stairs to the next level. "You say I can't order you anymore. Well you certainly cannot order me. " She marched up the stairs, knowing that he was following. "A friendly suggestion might be listened to. But I'm not leaving when we both know I am perfectly capable of helping."
"Like you did the last time?" Sesshoumaru growled.
Kagome whirled on him. "I had my power bound last time, you idiot!" Kagome hissed. "You try fighting anyone without weapons and with your power trapped behind bars!"
Sesshoumaru remained calm. "I, at least, would have my own strength to rely on. Without your holy powers, you are nothing."
Kagome gaped at him. It took a moment before she could answer. "Go kill your mother already." She whispered. "Before I accidentally purify you." She turned around and kept going up the stairs, power crackling around her. She made it to the top quickly and started purifying every demon in sight.
As she fought, Sesshoumaru managed to force himself to leave. I think I was wrong to say she was in danger.
You think? Maybe that would have been good to have said about 30 seconds ago!
Give me a break! We're new to this!
Then how about you keep quite for three seconds!
Sesshoumaru ran, making sure to kill more than a few demons as he ran. Less for Kagome to worry about. But even with that, he made it to his mother's room in exactly two minutes.
Mamemitsu waited for him, her eyes blazing. "So, Sesshoumaru. I see you've returned. Didn't you enjoy retreating?"
Sesshoumaru forced himself to remain calm. "I have come to settle this at last, Mother."
Mamemitsu stood slowly. "Do you think you have the power to take me on, pup?"
Sesshoumaru cocked an eyebrow. "I do not think. I know." He strode forward, stopping when he was only a few feet away from his mother. "I am finished playing games with you, Mother."
Mamemitsu tensed. "Then let's stop playing."
The two taiyoukai lunged forward, death written on their faces.
! Kagome !
Kagome purified the last one on the third floor, and could feel her power was only at half its normal strength. She wiped some sweat off her forehead. I'm not going to fall. I'm going to get this done just like I told Sesshoumaru I would. And then I'm going to laugh in his face and do the perfect victory dance!
She ran up the next flight of stairs and found three demons guarding the door. She saw the youkai that surrounded them, and knew they were probably Mamemitsu's personal guards. Shit! This is not turning out well.
One of the guards stepped forward. "Well, well, little miko. Having fun?"
Kagome ran several different ideas through her head, but none of them seemed to be able to work. I did not come this far to turn back now. Quickly, before the three demons realized what was happening, Kagome sent two ball of purifying energy. When the smoke from the explosion cleared, only on guard was left standing.
The guard growled. "How dare you." He hissed, drawing his sword and taking a stance.
Kagome just knew he was going to charge at her. So when he did, she stood there waiting. I really hope this works. When the demon swung at her head, she ducked and rolled forward. The demon sped past her and crashed into the wall, unable to stop in time.
"Yes!" Kagome shouted, grinning from ear to ear. "Just like in the movies!" Then the guard started to move. "Uh oh!" She sprinted forward to the other two guards' remains. She'd spotted a bow and a few arrows before she'd purified them. She spotted them and smiled. "And bingo was his name-o." She said with a grin. She strung the bow and turned, firing a warning shot.
"Now we're even!" She shouted.
! Sesshoumaru !
Sesshoumaru rolled and stood once more, panting as he faced Mamemitsu. She certainly hadn't let her skills rust while she'd been gone. Hurriedly, he wiped the sweat from his face, and nearly grimaced as pain shot up his arm. He would have given up by now, if he hadn't known that Mamemitsu was in just as bad of shape.
Mamemitsu was plotting as the two of them circled. She would be damned if she would let tiredness stop her from winning. She wouldn't lose to a pup!
Sesshoumaru shifted to the right, and Mamemistu responded in kind. She watched him move, and saw he was just as dangerous as when they'd first started. Well, she wouldn't let him win just because she was tired.
The two of them rushed forward, and the dance began again.
! Kagome !
The battle raged on, miko versus demon. Kagome's aura was visible to all as a pink glow that stopped any attack from reaching her. She shot off another arrow, which the demon narrowly escaped. With a hiss, the demon shifted, returning to his human form. "You're rather strong for a miko." The guard crouched, her nails lengthening to form claws.
"And you are quite resilient for a demon." Kagome returned, stringing another arrow. "But I cannot simply allow you to stop me." She released the arrow, smiling with satisfaction as it grazed the guard.
Slowly, the guard drew his sword. "If you continue attacking me, I will have to kill you." Kagome's answer was to shoot another arrow at the guard. "You've asked for it, Miko!" the guard yelled. He lunged forward, his sword sending out a wave of energy, which Kagome quickly ducked.
"This just couldn't be easy, could it?" Kagome muttered, before firing another arrow.
! Sesshoumaru !
Sesshoumaru dropped as Mamemitsu slashed at his head. He swept her legs out from under her, but she quickly flipped, pushing off with her hands to stand across from him. "You've gotten better, Sesshoumaru." She whispered.
Sesshoumaru didn't bother to reply. He slashed Tokijin, and the attack forced Mamemitsu back. She growled and slashed her own sword, forcing Sesshoumaru to jumped to the side. "Do you think any common sword could harm me?" Mamemitsu growled. "I wield the sword given to me by my mate!"
Sesshoumaru glared at the sword at his mother's waist. Yet another gift that Father should not have given. He slashed again, and the sword moved of its own accord to block it. The attack was immediately deflected. Mamemitsu smiled. "Mamorimasu. It protects me against all attacks." She frowned. "The only worthwhile thing your father gave me."
Sesshoumaru growled, trying to think of a way around the sword's power. He blocked his mother's next attack and tried to slash at her, only to have the sword jump into his path. How am I supposed to beat her when she's using that damn sword?
Try taking away the sword, idiot!
Sesshoumaru dodged Mamemitsu's next strike, and went it for a hit. When Mamorimasu moved to block, Sesshoumaru grabbed at it. A burning pain shot up his arm, and he jumped back immediately. Mamemitsu laughed. "Mamorimasu recognizes only me as its mistress."
Sesshoumaru kept his sword at the ready, trying to ignore the pain in his new arm. So much for that idea.
I really thought that would work too.
Sesshoumaru tried to focus. There has to be some weakness.
Let me take over. Instinct rules all!
Running around in a form the size of a building just randomly slashing away will not help anything, you imbecilic- Sesshoumaru froze. Mamemitsu slashed at him, and he rolled away with a grimace.
"Frozen in fear, Sesshoumaru?" Mamemitsu taunted. "Maybe you should just give up."
Sesshoumaru stood, a smirk on his face. "You should give up now while you have the chance, Mother."
Mamemitsu froze. "What are you talking about?"
Sesshoumaru sheathed his sword. "I know Mamorimasu's weakness."
! Kagome !
The battle raged, neither side taking an advantage. The guard's attacks tried to take out Kagome, but Kagome kept evading them. Likewise, every arrow Kagome shot was swept aside or dodged. It seemed as if the battle would continue until one of them messed up.
That one was Kagome. She shot a sacred arrow, grinning as it finally grazed the guard's arm. She reached for another arrow and stopped short. She had run out of arrows. She couldn't remember the last time that had happened. The guard smiled triumphantly. "You're mine, Miko!" He shouted, dashing in to slice Kagome in half.
Kagome glared at him. "You're an idiot!" She raised her hands, clasping them together as they began to glow. As the demon grew closer, she pulled back her right arm as if drawing a bow. "I'm not a miko for nothing!" She released the power in her hands, and it shot through the air like an arrow. It hit the guard in the heart as he charged at her.
Needless to say, all that was left was a pile of ash.
! Mamemitsu !
Mamemitsu tried desperately to dodge, but Sesshoumaru's claw caught her side. She bit back a cry as she jumped away, feeling both the poison seeping into her blood and the blood that now trickled down her side. Damn sword! Useless!
Sesshoumaru smirked as he saw his mother's frustrated expression. Father had more faith in you than you realized, Mother. He thought. He used Mamorimasu's power to block non-physical attacks from you. He thought you were competent enough to stop physical attacks. He lunged in again, managing to cut his mother's stomach. She hissed and drew back. Her eyes flickered, and Sesshoumaru grinned.
Almost there.
Would you mind actually telling me what the plan is?
You'll mess it up. I can tell. He lunged again, and this time Mamemitsu managed to raise her sword in time to block. With a smirk, Sesshoumaru reached in with his other hand, slashing her face.
That did it for her. "You've ruined my face!" She screeched. Her already borderline eyes turned completely red, and she began to transform.
Yes! Sesshoumaru said, smirking as he drew Tokijin.
What are you doing? She still has the sword!
Does she really? Sesshoumaru's smirk grew as he saw his mother's waistband snap, and Mamorimasu went flying. Cause it looks to me like the sword has left her side. Sesshoumaru raised Tokijin, and power crackled around him. Mamemitsu charged forward, roaring her anger. Sesshoumaru swung, funneling all his power, knowing that he only had this one shot.
He felt the strike connect, and heard his mother screaming. He could smell her blood coating the room as the power in the strike literally caused her to explode. He could taste the power in the air with each breath. But none of it mattered.
Because all he could see was one small miko, staring at the whole mess in horror.
Sesshoumaru knew he had never had a chance. He wasn't even sure if he had wanted a chance. But this was who he was, and he wouldn't stop being this person, no matter who wanted him to.
She wouldn't accept that.
Sesshoumaru sheathed Tokijin and did the one thing he never thought he'd do: he ran away.
------------------------------------------------------------Author's Rant------------------------------------------------------------
Obsessive_Goddess: Now, what will my next idea be?
Sesshoumaru: You will have none.
Obsessive_Goddess: What do you mean? We had a deal!
Sesshoumaru: The deal was that you could use me in a story IF you killed Kagome.
Obsessive_Goddess: Ah, yes, that was the deal. But we never said anything about her staying dead. [grins maniacally] I win, and I don't even have to sacrifice my story.
Horse Wolves: You are an evil genius.
Kagome: I agree. I really thought I was dead for a second.
Obsessive_Goddess: Let me say this loud and clear: I am a sappy romantic. I love happy endings. Anything that doesn't end happily, even if it means Sess and Kags dying and reuniting in the after life, leaves me with a hollow ache inside. I can't stand sad endings. So why would I even think about writing one?
Horse Wolves: It's quite true. She cried after seeing Armageddon.
Sesshoumaru: What does this have to do with me?
Horse Wolves: Nothing. Just stand there and look sexy.
------------------------------------------------------------End of Author's Rant------------------------------------------------------------
