Author's Note: Happy Valentine's Day!!!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha...
Chapter 16: Destruction & Death
The wind blew through the trees, making the branches creak and sway from the force of the wind. The sounds echoed throughout the woods, pain and destruction floating like a sea within the woods.
The ground rushed beneath Inuyasha's feet as he raced along the ground, dodging branches and trees. His grip on Kagome was unbreakable, he wouldn't let her fall. He turned his head slightly to glance up at her. Kagome smiled back at him and he smiled, looking back ahead as he bounded along the ground. His father and brother were right on his tail, with Kikyo on Inutaisho's back, Miroku on Sesshomaru's and Sango on Koga's. Koga and Ayame followed right behind the Inu-demons. The five race along the ground, covering miles of forest quickly and easily.
They broke through the trees to see where they were. As they were free falling back to the trees, they all looked around.
Kagome suddenly pointed ahead. "There." She could feel demonic energy flowing near an area just ahead, beneath the trees. Once Inuyasha touched a branch, he bounded along the treetops, the others following suit.
They headed towards the area where the demonic aura began to get stronger the closer they got. Suddenly, the branches and leaves broke off a few trees in front of them as a light blue boomerang-like demonic energy zipped towards them. Inuyasha grunted as he leapt high into the air, trying to dodge the attack. The others had to test their timing as the energy streamed by them. They all gazed down at the tree tops where the damage of the trees seemed to originate.
Kagome grabbed an arrow and steadied her aim. She waited for another attack so she could find the precise whereabouts of the group of demons. And then the attack came streaming out of the trees. She released her arrow, hearing the whizzing sound as her miko energy engulfed the arrow and the air itself around it. The sacred arrow broke the demon's attack and continued towards the trees. The sound of screams was her prize and they fell back down quickly to head towards the injured demons.
Some demons burst out of the treetops right beneath them. Inuyasha grunted as he felt a demon snatch his ankle, and he looked down to see the satisfied smirk of a wolf-demon. The demon gave a tug and Inuyasha jerked towards the Earth, losing his grip on Kagome.
Kagome moved out of Inuyasha's hands so that she could attack the wolf-demon. The sounds of metal against metal told her that the others were also under attack. She pressed her lips together and chanted, pointing her middle and index finger towards the wolf-demon as it kept its grip on Inuyasha's ankle and twirled around once to forcefully throw Inuyasha towards the ground. Inuyasha went flying, the perfect time for her attack. Kagome brought her hand out in front of her and a beam of her miko energy shot out towards the demon, purifying it easily. Ashes floated around her as she fell towards the ground.
"Kagome…" Inuyasha said, quickly recovering in mid-air. He fell towards the trees and braced himself on the branches as he caught Kagome as she fell towards him. He smirked. "Show off…"
Kagome shrugged with a giggle. They both looked up to see that the others were dealing with the demons that had appeared out of the trees. "We need to get to the others."
Inuyasha nodded and gripped her against his chest. He jumped and fell through the trees, touching the ground soundlessly. He placed her down and then drew Tetsaiga, the stench of the demons all around him. On his head, his ears twitched, hearing movement in all directions.
"We're surrounded," he said softly.
Kagome nodded her head. "I know." She was reaching slowly behind her for another arrow, trying not to draw the demons' attentions. And just as her fingers clutched an arrow, the demons burst out from the bushes and trees.
The two only had mere seconds to face the demons on all sides of them. Inuyasha raised his Tetsaiga and blasted away at the demons. Their screams and roars could be heard through the destruction. Kagome released her sacred arrow, quickly going for another one easily and swiftly. She blasted through the demons that weren't expecting an attack. Suddenly, the demons retreated into the trees and branches above.
The two were left alone on the ground, gazing cautiously around and above them. Inuyasha and Kagome slowly walked backwards towards each other, protecting their backs. Almost as if they fought together for so long, they knew how to move as one.
"Hiraikotsu!" The two glanced up as the branches of the trees broke with loud sounds as the demon slayer's weapon shot at the demons hiding in the trees. Their screams meant a hit as some fell to the ground, all cut up. Kagome watched as the Hiraikotsu went back towards the source of the voice and she saw her best friend fall towards the ground.
Sango grabbed her Hiraikotsu and placed the other hand on the ground as she braced herself from the jump. Sango got up to her full height as she gazed above. Leaves fell down as she heard branches cracking. "Miroku," she said worriedly, her eyes scanning the treetops of him.
Inuyasha swore. "Dammit!" He was gone the next second, going to help his friend.
Kagome glanced at Sango and then around her. She reached out with her aura to see where everyone was. Sesshomaru and Inutaisho were still high above the trees. But they were alone. Obviously, the occupants that rode on the demons had fallen from the surprised attack. She found her sister with Koga and Ayame, and her heart calmed.
A rustle behind her brought her out of her thoughts as demons began to charge at her. She gasped and jumped back, just as a demon brought his claws down where she once stood. The other four were on her in a second, following her moves as she backpedaled, trying to outrun them. Kagome grunted as two demons took the lead and used their speed to get right on the side of her. Using her aura, she blasted them back and only had to deal with two. They rushed at her, one using a sword and the other using his claws. Kagome wielded her Kusanagi with one hand and grabbed an ofuda with the other. At the same time, the demons made their attack. She quickly through her ofuda to the demon on her right, the demon erupting in a blue glow of fire before it was purified, and then drew her sword to cut the head clean off the last demon.
Huffing, Kagome turned to see that more demons were coming out of the trees. 'Damn.' With so many trees, they hid the surrounding landscape from the eyes, making it hard for them to work through the trees and locate their enemies.
Some gooey, green substance whipped out in front of her from behind and her eyes widened. She gasped as the substance whip-lashed back at her. It felt like a gel-like rubber band against her throat. She was brought back against a tree, the force blowing the air from her lungs and making her see stars from her head hitting against the solid tree.
"Kagome!" Sango screamed as she noticed her friend in trouble. Demons began to rush at her, some of those who were fighting her as well. It seemed like they were all going after the jewel when they thought the priestess cornered.
"Don't you touch her!" Inuyasha yelled as he dropped from above, the Tetsaiga in front of him. He struck a demon on its back and attacked the others who now turned towards him with snarls on their faces, angry to be interrupted of their prize.
Kagome watched as Inuyasha easily struck and dodged the demons and their attacks. A gel-like head began to creep its way slowly from behind her, over her shoulder. She scrunched up her face, disgusted with this creature touching her. The green demon had a smile on his face, as he thought he was the victor. Without a second thought, Kagome watched as the demon erupted in a blue flame, his head tossing and turning in front of her eyes before it completely vanquished. "Disgusting…" she said softly, touching her neck as if to get rid of the feel of that demon.
"Kagome," Inuyasha called as he came to her side. He reached for her. "Are you okay?" he asked, looking her over to see if she was harmed.
"I'm fine, Inuyasha," she said with a smile. Movement caught their attention from above as they stepped back from each other. Four demons broke them apart and they fought against the demons. Sango had her work cut out for her but the Hiraikotsu fought alongside her. She dodged the demons' attacks with her weapon or using the trees for her advantage. The Hiraikotsu was also helpful to clear the land from the trees as she threw her weapon to chop down the demons against her.
Above, Miroku and Kikyo fell towards the ground and regained their height. "Thanks, Miroku," Kikyo said with a smile. He smiled and nodded back, and the two were helping the others with the demons coming out of the trees.
Soon, demon bodies scattered the ground, their blood oozing into the earth. Everyone looked around, catching sight of their friends and the evidence of their enemies.
"Everyone okay?" Kikyo asked, sheathing her katana. She walked towards her sister and Inuyasha as everyone gathered towards them.
"Yep," Sango said, slinging the Hiraikotsu against her back, thrilled to have killed so many demons. She felt proud and pacified.
Inuyasha sheathed his Tetsaiga and then gazed up at the sky, waiting for his father and brother. Just then, their figures came flying down through the trees, landing softly on the ground.
Inutaisho looked around, nodding his head at their uninjured forms, and then looked towards Kagome. "There is a huge demonic energy just east of here."
Kagome frowned. To the east was Honshu Island, which meant they would be heading towards the coast. But she didn't want to go to the coast, it was the mountains that caught her attention. She turned to her right, gazing at the mountains that loomed close by. They were near to the base of the mountain, and she just had to get to the tallest mountain to find Raige. She couldn't feel his demonic energy anymore, but she knew he must be there, watching his work unfold.
"No… we head towards the mountains." Her body faced the mountains and Inutaisho nodded. Everyone understood and began to head to their partners so that the demons could carry them along the ground. Kagome got onto Inuyasha's back and they were off towards the mountains, not waiting for the others to follow.
Up above, Raige smirked with glee. 'So Kagome… you wish to find me as soon as possible.' He chuckled at the thought of her desire for him. He desired her too. Raige turned around to glance at the shores where another battle was going down. Inutaisho's demons must have split up in groups and gone out to exterminate all of his demons. 'No matter. They are no use to me, anyways. Mere pawns to keep Kagome to myself.' Raige turned back around to follow the group heading towards the mountains. The barrier he had put up around himself would easily mask his scent and energy from them.
The ground was filled with destruction. Scratches that gouged into the earth lay in the aftermath, though it wasn't over. Metals clashing still could be heard as the land was filled with demons and humans, dead and alive, fighting against each other. Roars erupted as the demons clashed with their claws, swords, fists, anything that could do harm.
"Hideaki!" Amaya screamed as she plunged her katana into the neck of a demon, and withdrew her blade as blood spurted out. The demon fell backwards and hit the ground, just as she hit the ground running towards her husband. She ran over the dead bodies on the ground, trying to make it to her husband swarmed by demons.
Hideaki grunted as he ducked from a blade, but then got cut on his shoulder from another blade. He brought up his katana with one hand, blocking another attack, while using his Kusarigama with the other as an offensive weapon. He kept the demons back from closing in on him, but there were still too much. He glanced to the side to see Amaya running towards him, and watched as she jumped in the air. He used his strength to push against the demon in front of him, catching it off guard and slicing at its neck. Amaya fell back down with a roar, slicing at a demon's back. She moved just in time as another demon attacked, and came back with her sword gripped in her hands. She fought with her husband until all the demons were dead.
Blood leaking off her blade, Amaya went to her husband's side. "Hideaki," she said worriedly, seeing his injured shoulder.
"It's nothing, Amaya," he said encouragingly. His leather jacket had a cut right where the blade struck him, and blood flowed from. "It's a mere flesh wound."
"Doesn't look like it to me," she said impatiently. She tried to inspect it further, but he brushed her off.
"It is nothing, my love." His smile was reassuring as he turned from her. Amaya frowned at his back, but said nothing. From what she could see, it didn't seem that bad. But still.
"We need to find a village to seek medical aid." Hideaki said nothing as she got to his side and looked at the demons ahead of them. Their demons were fighting strongly, but so were the enemies. And their numbers were greater, but thankfully they were all split up in groups so it wasn't too overwhelming.
"Let's go," Hideaki said, walking forward to help out the others. Amaya followed her husband, droplets of blood dripping from her sword and onto the land littered with demon bodies.
On a flat plain, Ichiro and Kazuko both flew along the land. Demons ran after them, dodging the dead bodies on the ground as they tried to catch up to the wolf-demons.
"Don't let them lay a scratch on you, Kazuko," Ichiro warned.
Kazuko turned her head to face him with a smile. "Don't worry about me. You just worry about yourself. It seems like you're getting slow, honey," she taunted, just as she turned around in mid-air and raked her claws through the air, watching as her attack hit its target a few feet away. She smirked and turned around, bounding along the land with her mate.
Ichiro hid his satisfied smirk at his mate's accuracy and drew his katana just as he sensed a demon coming up towards his left. He spotted the demon to his side and took one leap into the air, the demon following him. They met blades, and other demons began to catch up to him. He swiftly put an end to the demon he was fighting with and blocked the blade of another demon. He growled, gazing into the black eyes of the demon in front of him. The demon smirked, his teeth yellow and decayed, but Ichiro cared less. The other demon was already trying to get in front of him to catch him from the back.
Kazuko rushed towards her mate, drawing her blade as she roared towards the demon trying to corner her mate. The demon's eyes went to her and they clashed blades in mid-air. She grunted at the strength of the demon as it pushed at her blade and she stopped running. The demon stayed with her as well, huffing from the run but itching for blood spill. Kazuko smirked as the demon ran towards her and they clashed again.
Roars of war could be heard all around her as she danced with the demon, avoiding the carcasses on the ground beneath her feet. This plain held the aftermath of their battle with one of the groups of demons that Raige had. Though it had been sort of an ambush, they were still winning, with only a few losses. Some of their demons were killed and she mourned for their loss, but was proud of their strength and loyalty to Kagome.
Kazuko gasped as she lost her footing and stumbled backwards, tripping over her feet as she made a last effort to block an attack. That force from the demon pushed her right to her back and she gazed up at the demon's victorious eyes. Kazuko growled and glared up at him, just as he raised his sword and did a triumphant roar.
Blood splattered on Kazuko's white kimono. She looked down at the blood in disgust, forgetting about the demon above her as it fell to the side with wide-terror filled eyes.
"Disgusting," she said with a frown.
Ichiro could only laugh at his mate as he sheathed his katana and reached for her hand, pulling her up. He made sure it was only the demon's blood and then kissed her pouting lips. "Do not worry about it, koi. It'll come off."
Kazuko glared at him. "It better. You were the one who stained it."
Ichiro looked aghast as Kazuko held her blade to the side, finding more demons along the field fighting with others that she could have a try at. He watched her walk away, finding new prey. "Uh… I saved your life…" he said.
Kazuko shrugged and kept walking. Ichiro sighed and shook his head at his mate. "I do not understand women…" he said to himself. He followed his mate towards new prey and saw her head turn, and over her shoulder he saw her smile. He could only shake his head and chuckle as Kazuko bounded off, he following her.
Gaining ground, the group ran quickly towards the plateau up ahead. The trees were still numerous, creating obstacles in their running path as the demons had to avoid the trees around them.
"The scent of fire," Sesshomaru said, his face still looking ahead, saying it to no one in particular.
Miroku gazed at the back of Sesshomaru's head. "A village?" he asked.
"Yes," Kagome said. Miroku turned to view the hanyou running alongside them. Kagome's face was serene, though he saw the hard set of her jaw as they bounded along the ground. He frowned, but said nothing.
They covered the ground easily and soon the trees had departed suddenly and they were left in an open field where a village once stood. Fires blazed at the burning houses, easily eating them. The walls and roofs creaked and splintered as the houses crumbled to the ground, ashes flying into the air around them.
"We need to help them," Kagome said, nudging against Inuyasha so he would put her down. He let her down, as the others began to get off their friends, and face the dying village.
Screams tore through the village. Kagome clutched at her bow. 'Damn you, Raige.'
"Kill the demons. Save the villagers. Forget about the houses." Kagome ran forward with Inuyasha right on her heels, unsheathing his Tetsaiga to give her backup. The others followed, ready to destroy the demons.
The Shikon no Tama glowed brightly from Kagome's purity as she tried to catch the attention of the demons in the village. A bright light like the sun shone from her chest, blinding her and the others following her, but as it dimmed, the screams became silent. Kagome smirked. 'Good…' It worked.
Demons sprang over the burning houses, leaping over the rubble and heading towards the source of the power. Kagome drew back an arrow and shot at the demons, easily destroying them. Inuyasha then went next, running in front of Kagome as he brought down his Tetsaiga, obliterating more. But more demons kept coming towards them, jumping over dead villagers and burning houses to create more destruction.
Inutaisho and Sesshomaru then ran in front of the two. Inutaisho slowly drew his Sounga, the sound of 'The Sword of Hell' was eerily loud. Inutaisho ran in front of his eldest son and raised his sword. He struck twice, once to his left and another to his right. The demonic energy was blackish-purple, like flat crescent moons, heading straight towards the demons. Some demons were successful in avoiding it, jumping over, but some weren't so lucky.
Sesshomaru then moved in front of his father and drew his Tokijin. Allowing his demonic energy to flow around the blade, he raised the sword above him as clouds began to form above. Thunder crackled and one shot down towards the blade, striking it and filling it with power. "Dragon Strike," he said, bringing the Tokijin down in one swift move. Thunderbolts erupted from above as white lightning erupted from the sky, down towards the sword, and then out towards the demons as a head of a dragon. The thunder destroyed most of the demons, their screams all they could hear and see through the destruction.
As the dust settled, more roars could be heard as demons still charged at them. Everyone began to draw their weapons and ready themselves as the distance was closing in. Kagome brought her bow to her back and drew her Kusanagi. With a roar, they clashed against the demons, their blades striking hard and relentlessly. Growls and grunts could be heard as movement claimed the field. Metals clashing sounded over the crackling of the burning houses as they fought the demons.
Suddenly, Kagome's eyes widened as she struck at a demon. 'What the…' She looked at the ground around her, where her friends and family fought, and saw some sort of green, vine-like things creeping their way onto her family. Kagome gasped, but the demon she fought with growled and pushed at her, making her having to catch her footing. She glared at it and went for the attack, needing to kill it before whatever those things were hurt her family. In three strikes, the demon was down, and she used the moment to her advantage.
Quickly, Kagome glanced around to see that everyone had the vines wrapped around their ankles, slowly slithering higher onto their calves. She watched confusedly. 'They can't feel it?' Which means they wouldn't know what's happening to them until it was too late. Kagome searched the ground for the source, since she was the only one who could see it. 'There!' She ran towards the source, dodging demons and running through the fray. As she neared, Kagome jumped in the air and brought her Kusanagi down straight into the ground, where the vines were boiling out of.
A loud roar erupted from beneath the ground, making Kagome wait for the demon's next move. And then it came.
"Ugh!" she said, flying into the air as those vines she saw were lifting her high into the air, wrapped around her abdomen. Kagome's hair flew in front of her as she gazed down at the land getting father away.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled, slashing at the demons around him in order to get to her.
Kagome cut at the vines, hearing the demon scream again. She chopped and chopped until suddenly, a demon burst out of the ground, sprays of rocks flying into the air. She gasped as a huge stone demon barreled straight towards her. But the vines that were wrapped around her waist seemed to be sucking the energy right out of her. 'So that's what it does,' she thought, feeling tired already. She needed to get out of this hold before the demon reached her.
"Kagome!" Sango yelled, seeing her friend in the air but unable to see what held her up there. It seemed like Kagome dangled, but there was nothing that held Kagome up there, nothing that she could see. "What is it, Kagome?"
Kagome looked down towards Sango's voice. 'Sango!' "Sango! Quick! Use your Hiraikotsu and hit right below me!"
Sango frowned. But she trusted Kagome. Something must be there that she was unable to see, but Kagome could. Without asking why, Sango braced her footing and flew her Hiraikotsu into the air. The Hiraikotsu whipped through the sky, slicing right below Kagome, as she saw Kagome begin to fall. She smiled, grabbing the Hiraikotsu as it obediently came back to her side, and another demon just happened to want to jump in. "Punk!" she said, banging her weapon on its head and waiting for another attack.
Kagome held her Kusanagi in both hands as she fell towards the approaching demon. His arm shot out, an arm made of rocks suddenly shooting straight towards her, elongating. Kagome's eyes widened as she raised her Kusanagi and brought it down against the demon's hand, cutting it in half. Her miko energy burned the layers of rock as she cut straight through his arm, the two halves falling away, until she got to its body. The demon was shocked, trying to use his other hand to ward her off, but she chopped it away. She yelled as she brought her Kusanagi down right at its chest, a huge light bursting from her sword as she tried to purify the demon.
"Bitch!" it grounded out, its huge-stone face glaring at her. It made another arm and shot it out through his belly.
Kagome gasped as the rocks hit her full-force, sending her flying back into the air and then down towards the ground. She clutched at her abdomen, the pain slicing through. She tried to get her bearings in the air, but her stomach hurt too much.
But then arms were around her and she was in Inuyasha's embrace. Kagome smiled thankfully up at him as he brought her to the ground gently. Inuyasha settled Kagome on her feet but she went to her knees.
"Kagome," he said worriedly. He saw where her arm clutched at. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she said, smiling up at him, though the pain made it seem like a wince to her. "I just need to rest a bit. He really got me that time."
Inuyasha nodded his head, holding in his growl. He turned around and brought out his Tetsaiga, glaring at the demon in front of him. The huge rock demon smirked triumphantly, seeing that the hanyou was now protecting the miko.
"Foolish hanyou," its deep, booming voice said. "You cannot possibly defeat me. Especially with that crummy sword of yours."
Inuyasha smirked, taking no heed to its words. He simply clutched Tetsaiga close and ran towards the demon. The rock demon smirked and elongated his hands, using them like spears as he tried to pierce Inuyasha. But he kept easily dodging the hands, jumping over or away from them. He growled and swung Tetsaiga. "Wind Scar!" The attack made the demon's hands crumble into little rocks as the Wind Scar continued towards its body. But before the Wind Scar could hit its body, the demon retreated into the Earth, its body melting to become one with the Earth.
"Bastard!" Inuyasha yelled, looking down along the ground for any signs of movement. He kept his senses flaring out, but he couldn't feel the demon's aura anymore, as if it became like the ground itself.
Kagome winced as she moved to grab an ofuda from her robes and said a chant, pointing it towards the ground. She placed the ofuda onto the ground and the flimsy ofuda became stiff as it electrified with her miko energy. The ground shook and the demon burst out, as was forcefully pushed out. He fell onto the ground, glancing towards Kagome with hatred.
"Bitch!" it said, struggling to get to his feet.
But Inuyasha was quicker. "Wind Scar!" he yelled, watching as the demon became nothing but rubble from his attack. He smirked. "Take that."
"It's not over, Inuyasha!" Inuyasha turned around, hearing Kagome's voice. He glanced at her, sitting on the ground, and cocked an eyebrow.
"Eh? You mean he's still alive?"
Just then, the ground began to shake and the rocks rolled along, all going together. Inuyasha whipped around to look at the rocks, watching as it began to join together. 'Shit…' He gripped Tetsaiga and growled, facing the demon, waiting for it to regenerate.
Kagome shook her head. 'It'll keep regenerating.' She brought her sword in its sheath and tried to get to her feet, clutching at her stomach as the pain swamped her body. She bit her bottom lip and stood up, taking a deep breath before steeling her body. Without another thought of the pain, she ran towards the demon. Her face was set in determination and you couldn't tell that she was in pain at all. Kagome ran towards the demon, hoping to make it there before it actually took its body shape.
"Inuyasha!" she called, watching the hanyou turn around. His eyes were on her with curiosity. "Take me to the demon!" He seemed like he was going to object, but didn't. He ran towards her, grabbed her with one hand, throwing her onto his back and then ran towards the demon. The rocks were still rolling and levitating in the air as it began to form a tall mass, taking shape in arms and legs.
"Destroy it again," she said, needing the demon to be weak and defenseless.
Inuyasha obeyed, using the Wind Scar to tear up the rocks again. The demon's roar could be heard around them as the rocks fell like rubble against the land, but then began to roll towards each other again. Kagome sighed, satisfied. Inuyasha landed on the mass that began to form and Kagome placed an ofuda on the rocks. The rocks suddenly stopped, her miko energy shocking the rocks as they heard the demon's roars of pain. Inuyasha pushed back and they watched as her miko energy fought with the demon's until it was purified and the rocks were just merely rocks falling to the ground.
"How did you know?" Inuyasha asked as he bent down once they touched the ground to let her off. He slowly helped her to sit, knowing that she was still hurt.
Kagome shrugged. "It would have kept regenerating so I had to destroy its spirit and not its physical form."
Inuyasha smiled, proud of her. He looked towards her stomach where she clutched and moved her hand aside. "Let me see."
Kagome placed her free hand on his arm and smiled tenderly up at him. "I'm fine. It's getting better, actually." She could see he wasn't convinced, but then stood up on her own, not wanting to linger on it. She glanced around to see that some demons were still alive, but the others could handle them. "We need to help the villagers."
Inuyasha pressed his lips together, thinking about objecting since she was injured, but decided against it. Kagome always had a strong mind, and that was why he loved her so. "Okay."
Getting on top of Inuyasha's back, Kagome hung on as he sped over the land filled with demon bodies. She was glad that their attacks took out most of the demons from afar so they didn't have to spend too much time in combat with them. Now, she could aid the villagers. Inuyasha slowed once he got into the village and they looked around at the destruction. The fires were still blazing, bright in the night, and some of the villagers were walking around wearily, as if lost.
Kagome got off Inuyasha's back and all eyes fell on her immediately. They recognized the robes and knew she had come to help them.
"Priestess!" those walking nearby said, and all ran to her to bow at her feet. She could hear them mumbling, some calling her the 'High Priestess', some calling her 'Lady Kagome', but it seemed clear that they knew who she was. Kagome looked at the villagers all bowed before her.
"Please… don't bow," she said, waiting for them to rise. Slowly, their heads popped up and she could see the helplessness in their eyes. She nearly cried for them. "I will help with whatever I can," she said.
The people all looked towards each other, shocked that she would help them. They rose slowly, tentatively, and then a man was brave enough to ask her.
"My Lady, we ask for you to help us in healing our wounded."
"We have lost many… My Lady," a woman said as a man, probably her husband, had his arm around her.
"Many of our people's bodies lay scattered among the rubble," another man said, looking around to prove his point. She saw the bodies of the villagers. They were only left out in the open like a sore thumb.
"We are only a small village here on the island compared to the other towns and a few cities. So most of us know each other well."
"We ask for your help, My Lady."
Kagome smiled with a nod. "Of course, and you have it. We will help you with anything that you need." The villagers all smiled at her, their happiness and gratefulness apparent on their ashen faces covered with dirt and their troubles. They all began to show her where the injured were, and Kagome followed them. Inuyasha stayed behind, his eyes scanning the ground and taking in the aftermath of the destruction of the demons. He frowned, seeing all the dead bodies.
"Kagome… I'll go dig a grave for the bodies," he said, looking ahead.
Kagome stopped and turned around, a smile on her face at his request. "That'll be a great idea, Inuyasha." She turned back around to call out to the villagers. "Is there a place where you would like the bodies to be buried?" she asked in respect.
One of the villagers spoke up. "It doesn't matter. Just near the village." Kagome nodded her understanding and turned to look at Inuyasha. He nodded his head and turned to leave. First he needed to find a spot for these many bodies and then dig it deep enough.
The villagers took the priestess to one of their remaining huts that were still standing, though it did have patches missing. Kagome glanced around as the sounds of the injured reached her ears, but her eyes saw it first. Bodies littered the outside of the hut as the injured leaned back against the hut, some of the able villagers helping them. She frowned at all of the bodies lying injured. 'Raige…' The villagers took her into the hut where one of their elders met them at the doorway.
"My Lady Kagome," the elder man said, his face set in wrinkles but a smile graced his ashen face.
Kagome could only smile in welcome as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you for allowing me to heal the injured."
The elder waved off her comment, his eyes wise and cunning. "My Lady, we are to be thanking you." His eyes went around the room as her hand fell from his shoulder and she followed his gaze. "We have lost many tonight, and I fear that this demonic presence near the mountaintops is the reason for all of this."
Kagome nodded her head, her eyes watching him intently. "Yes…" She was shocked that he still believed in the older ways. "So you can feel the demonic auras."
The elder's eyes went back to her and she saw the years he had seen. "Yes, My Lady." He smiled and knowing smile. "And I have also heard of your abilities as a miko."
Kagome smiled and looked away from his eyes, taking in the injured. "I cannot say that I will be able to do it for these people. I do need my strength to defeat this demon."
The elder sighed heavily and nodded. "I knew you could not afford the loss of strength. But, I still am happy that you can help us in some way."
Kagome smiled with a nod. "My boyfriend is outside preparing a grave for the dead and my family will help him when they are finished killing the demons just outside the village."
"Oh thank you, My Lady," the elder said, as the others also voiced their thanks. She smiled at them and then turned towards the injured, starting with the one near the doorway as she worked her way around the room.
"Well… let me see what I can do."
Outside, Inuyasha had found a few more villagers that were still alive beneath the rubble. Some were walking around, lost, as he tried to guide them back to reality. He noticed some children, covered in black smoke on their faces, as they peaked around their parents to view him. He smiled back, seeing their hesitation and their frown. But he couldn't blame them. Now was not the time for them to be smiling.
"Excuse me," someone said, as Inuyasha turned around to see a young boy walking towards him. He smiled in welcome as he met the boy. The boy kept his head down, a bit shy, but his clothes were ripped and dirtied in some places. "Are you from Mayonaka?"
Inuyasha smirked, squatting down so he could view the child's eyes. "Yes, I am. My name's Inuyasha. What's yours?"
The boy glanced up at him, his light brown eyes so innocent in this aftermath. "Tomoy. Are you going to help us?"
Inuyasha nodded his head. "Yep. Hey, do you know where you guys keep your shovels?"
Tomoy nodded his head. "I'll take you there."
Inuyasha smiled and nodded as he stood up, following Tomoy through the village. He counted even more dead bodies and couldn't believe at what had happened here. It was like a massacre. He held in his growl, knowing that it would only scare the kid, but he felt like making Raige bleed. 'Bastard…' Now, walking through this destruction, he understood what Kagome was fighting for. Back then, he hadn't seen this much damage to a village. Kano was more intent on getting the Shikon no Tama than anything else. However, here, he saw what Kagome was truly fighting for, what she was trying to prevent. This destruction, this needless killing and suffering, was what she was trying to prevent. These lives were what she was trying to save. That and these people's future. 'Kagome…' He couldn't blame her for being so adamant about her choices and decisions that she made, those that he most always went against because it usually meant her suffering. But Kagome, was Kagome, and he truly understood now the situation she was in to have to make the decisions that she does.
The boy took him to one of their huts and gave him a shovel. He took two more and thanked the kid, telling him to go home to his parents. Tomoy nodded and wished him luck as he ran through the blazing streets. Inuyasha set back towards the spot he found for the bodies. As he got back, he noticed Miroku, Kikyo and Ayame walking towards him from the outskirts of the village.
He nodded towards them in acknowledgement. "Where's everyone else?"
Miroku nudged behind him. "There's a few more left, but we knew your father guys could take care of them."
Inuyasha nudged his chin towards Miroku as he dropped the shovels on the ground. "You're bleeding."
Miroku lifted his eyebrows. "That bitch of a bitch got me good."
"Knocked him out," Ayame said as she went towards Inuyasha and bent to grab a shovel. "I had to rescue his ass." She smirked over her shoulder at Miroku and the boy just wiped the blood from his head on his robes.
"Yeah… thanks Ayame." She beamed and looked towards Inuyasha.
"So… what are we digging?"
"A grave." Inuyasha looked towards the others. "There's a lot of bodies so it needs to be big and deep." Kikyo and Miroku nodded as Kikyo went to pick up the last shovel.
"Go take a break, Miroku," she said with a smile towards him. "You need to let my sister see it when she returns." Miroku groaned and went to sit down on the hill right above where they were digging. He touched the wound on his head, right next to his hairline. Red blood remained on his fingers as he groaned. 'Great…'
Inside the hut, Kagome had made her way around the entire hut in an hour or so. She hadn't used most of her energy, but she was tired, and her stomach still hurt. But no one could tell by the graceful moves she made and the amount of energy it took her to help heal the injured. Kagome looked towards the elder as he sat next to a young child, encouraging the young girl to hang on.
"I will go outside and see what else I can do." The elder looked away and nodded with a grateful smile.
She walked outside and started with the injured next to the doorway. She knelt towards the man, seeing the blood dripping from his mouth. His eyes were closed and his breathing was shallow. She closed her eyes and relaxed her body as she knelt in front of him. She searched for his spirit as she touched his hand. It was there, but it was faint. There would be no way she could heal him without using much of her energy.
As Kagome came back into her own body, she looked at one of the helpers and she caught the woman's eyes. "Make him feel comfortable as best as you can. He's not going to make it," she said softly.
The woman pressed her lips tightly together but said nothing. She nodded her head and walked towards Kagome, bending down to wipe the man's forehead. There was a hole in the man's stomach, which was probably the wound that would soon take his life.
Kagome stood up and placed a hand on the woman's shoulder. "I am sorry." The woman didn't look up and she didn't wait for her to say anything as she moved to the next person and tried to see what she could do. Though she did feel bad, unable to truly heal them when she knew she could, she just couldn't do it if she wanted to defeat Raige. And defeating him was the most important thing to do right now. But she cleared her mind and got back to the work at hand.
On the outskirts of the village, the others were gathering as the demon bodies lay dead on the ground. Inutaisho nodded at the others as they came near.
"Is everyone okay?" he asked, scenting their blood.
They nodded their heads. Sango checked herself over and noticed a few scratches on her arms and one on her leg, but it wasn't anything serious. Koga had a cut on his back but the wolf-demon just shrugged it off as nothing serious. Inutaisho looked to his eldest and noticed blood staining Sesshomaru's hair.
"You need a bath," Inutaisho said with a smile, humor filling his eyes through the damage around them.
Sesshomaru glared at his father, but simply said nothing, breezing past Inutaisho. The others only chuckled at Sesshomaru's lack of words and followed him to the village. Though the fires still continued, they weren't has high and mighty as before. The fires had died down a bit as the houses were now eaten away.
Sesshomaru followed his brother's scent until they saw the four near the side of the village digging a hole. They all went to join them.
"Koga!" Ayame said as she stopped her digging to run towards him. Sango ran towards Miroku as he got to his feet and went to meet her, the two checking over each other to see the extent of their wounds.
Sesshomaru and Inutaisho both went to Inuyasha and Kikyo who continued digging. "This is for the bodies?" Inutaisho asked his son.
Inuyasha nodded his head as he brushed his bangs back, sticking the shovel into the ground. "Yeah. And there's a lot of them." Inutaisho watched his son's expression and he looked towards the hole they were digging.
"Where's Kagome?"
"Helping the injured."
Inutaisho nodded his understanding and placed his hands on his hips. "Well…" he looked towards Kikyo and smiled. "Do you mind if I take over?"
Kikyo arched her eyebrow. "Why? I can do it just as fine as you men can," she said, teasing him.
Inutaisho chuckled but Kikyo walked towards him giggling, giving him the shovel. Inutaisho then helped Inuyasha to dig the hole, thinking it better if they got it done sooner than later. Inuyasha glanced up at his father, smiling. He was grateful that his father would help him out. He was dying to go see how Kagome was doing. It's been a little over an hour and time was of the essence. But he couldn't hold it against her. Kagome had a duty to help out the people here, it was her responsibility and her nature.
Koga looked towards Sesshomaru, expectation in his eyes. "Let's go get the bodies and start piling it here."
Ayame nodded her head. "Okay," she said, leaving no room for the males to object as she walked away from them.
Koga watched Ayame's back in shock and confusion. "Hey! I wasn't talking to you!"
Ayame shot around with a glare. "And? Doesn't mean I can't help out. I am a demon if you haven't forgotten." Koga was aghast as she whirled back around and strolled away from them. He sighed and shook his head just as Miroku whistled at Ayame's temper. Koga looked towards Miroku, his face asking the boy for help, but Miroku just rose his hands up in defeat.
With each body that Ayame, Koga and Sesshomaru brought to them, Miroku would send a prayer, hoping to help the souls come at ease in the afterlife. He knew that Kagome would want to offer her blessings as well. But he was worried as to what was taking her so long. He turned towards the burnt houses and wondered what she was doing.
With a sigh, Kagome stood up from the last person outside, and pushed her hair back over her shoulder. She sighed, her weariness starting to sink in. The demon that she had fought with earlier had taken some of her energy, and now, healing these people had taken more of her energy. She swayed, keeping herself as collected and calm as possible without allowing anyone to notice. Kagome glanced towards the door as the elder walked out, looking around at the villagers that seemed to be getting better. Although he did notice some that were seemingly worse.
"I could not save them all, just like those inside the hut. But… I did my best." Kagome felt sorry for not being able to heal those, because she knew she could, but she just couldn't afford it. It was their lives for everyone else's lives. She looked at the elder's face, grateful and calm, though she wondered if deep inside he would hate her for not helping out those she could.
The elder just smiled at her, his hands clasped behind his back, and walking towards her slowly. He nudged with his head, wanting her to follow him, which she did. Their steps were slow as the crackles of the houses around them were the only noise in the night. Kagome just looked at the ground in front of her as she followed the elder. She could feel the others and she was getting closer to them, which meant that the elder was leading her towards them now that she had done all she could. Kagome knew she should be happy that she had helped them, but somehow couldn't find the strength to be happy.
"You know, My Lady… you are the most powerful priestess that ever lived." The old man nodded his head, though she had not said anything. "Yes… this I believe to be true. I know of what you had done and I know of Lady Midoriko as well." The elder kept his steps slow and unrushed, though he knew they would have to depart soon.
"Do not beat yourself up for something that was out of control. You cannot save every life, My Lady. You can only try. And that is all I, and everyone else, can ask of you." He turned around then, stopping them in their movements. Kagome looked down at him with wonder and with pain, allowing his words to help make her feel better about her actions.
"You have more important things to do." He smiled up at her, his wrinkled face reminding her so much of her grandfather. Her heart clenched at the thought of Jii-san, and her eyes stung with her tears. But she kept her mind calm and all thoughts of her grandfather's smiling face disappeared. Her emotions couldn't control her now.
"Thank you, elder. And I thank you for your understanding. Sometimes it is good to receive forgiveness from others when I cannot even forgive myself." She smiled weakly at him and carried on, leaving behind a shocked and sad, old man. The elder was taken aback by her words, and knew that the burdens that Kagome carried could never be understood by any other. What she went through was something that would be hard on anyone, and he couldn't blame her or think bad of her for any of her decisions. What she did was not for herself, but for others. It was who a priestess was.
The elder held in his sigh and continued following her towards her companions. Kagome felt her family's aura getting stronger and the path she walked on had no bodies laying on it. 'They must be done with the grave.'
Just as she predicted, Inuyasha, Sesshomaru and Inutaisho were just covering the last of the dirt over the hole. She smiled at everyone as they realized her presence and met her in front of the grave.
Kagome gazed at Inuyasha as she smiled, thankful for what he has done. "Thank you guys," she said to all of them.
Koga just brushed it off as if he was the only one being thanked. "No problem." Ayame, at his side, smacked his chest with the back of her hand. Koga looked down at her with a wince as he rubbed his chest, but said nothing.
Shaking her head, Kagome walked onto the soft dirt that had been disturbed. The elder had just arrived at their group and was saying his thanks to them. Kagome went to her knees and began to send a prayer to all the souls of the bodies that remained beneath her. She wished them a safe journey to the afterlife and to assure them that their life was not wasted, so that they wouldn't remain lingering in the realm of the living to finish business. She just hoped that they would take her blessings and go peacefully.
After a few minutes, Kagome stood and walked off the unmarked graves. "It is done. We should get going now." The others nodded their heads and looked towards the elder.
"Thank you for all your help," the elder said again, truly grateful.
"Of course," Sango said, smiling at the old man.
"Although, elder, would you be so kind as to lend us some medical aid before we leave?" Miroku asked, remembering that he had a wound and some of the others did as well. "It would be good for us to take some with us."
The elder nodded. "Of course. Of course. Please, back at the house with the injured, there should be some medical supplies. Take all you need. We have more in another storage and some men are heading out tomorrow morning to a nearby town to get more."
"I don't recommend leaving your village," Kagome said as they all began to head back where Kagome and the elder came from. "The island is crawling with demons and it is very dangerous."
"Yes," Kikyo said, worried for the villagers. They had gone through too much and didn't need anymore deaths. "It's best if you stay in your village until you feel the demonic auras gone."
The elder nodded his head. "Thank you for your concern, but our people needs aid and the men are willing to go get it for them." Kagome could say nothing that would change his mind, because she knew that if she was him, no one would change her mind. So she remained silent and followed the elder back towards the hut with the injured people. After they grabbed their supplies and Kagome checked on her friends, they were off towards the mountains.
Up in the sky, a dark blue ball appeared as it traveled towards the burning village. The villagers all glanced up towards the approaching ball, wondering what it was. The elder stood up from helping one of the injured outside of the hut as he took a few steps towards the approaching ball. He frowned, a scowl on his face. 'I can feel a strong demonic aura…'
As the ball settled on the ground, it began to disappear and a demon stood within. The elder gasped, unable to do anything but watch this demon that looked like those demons that had just left.
Glancing around with a smirk on his face, Raige could care less about the houses that burned around him. The smell of death still lingered in the air and he reveled in it. He looked ahead and watched the few remaining able-men and women stand behind the elder. He could smell their fear, but saw the determination set on their faces. Raige had to give them credit. They were afraid of him, but didn't fear death.
"So be it…" he said, lifting one hand in the air as three white balls began to form and swirl around and pass each other until a huge blue ball of energy formed above him. Raige watched as the humans gasped and moved back. They had no where to go, no where to run. Everything was already taken from them and they couldn't run with the injured. He smirked. These people who Kagome had given hope to would soon be given relief. They had nothing left here and it was obvious that they could do nothing now to save themselves. Their looks of helplessness shown.
"Hm… I do not see why Kagome would even consider trying to help you dying humans." That said, Raige released his demonic energy and leapt into the air, cloaking himself again in his barrier. He then went in the direction that Kagome's group had gone, wanting to watch her even more. Behind him he heard the cries of the villagers and the destruction of whatever remained of their village, and the land itself. A huge blast came from behind him but he didn't even turn back, keeping his thoughts on Kagome. He smirked.
The group traveled through the forest until they got into a clear field. Up ahead, the demons noticed a town.
"There's a town up ahead," Inutaisho said as he ran alongside his family and friends.
Koga snorted. "A lot of people too. We going through?"
Everyone glanced at Kagome, waiting for her answer. She remained silent, allowing the wind to tell her the answer. She closed her eyes and reached out with her aura, trying to find any demons in the area that would threaten to harm the town. She wouldn't let another massacre happen if she could help it.
Kagome opened her eyes and looked towards everyone. "We go through. Noticed. I want to see if they have any news on the events that has been happening on the island."
The others obeyed, running towards the village at full speed. Once they got there, Kagome introduced herself and began to ask around if anyone has heard or seen demons nearby. Most of the people said 'no' as they wondered what was happening. But she didn't tell them, not wanting to worry them. Though she did warn them to stay in their town and prepare for anything bad that could happen. Although some of them didn't heed her words, for they were too enthralled in modern day living, others heeded her words and thanked her for her blessings. Kagome began to realize that though some of the world still believed in religious beliefs and values, others were speculative now that facts and Westernization was brought into the mix. So people were beginning to doubt certain things as development prospered.
Monk Kiyoshi grunted as he hit the ground hard, sprawled on his face. He looked in front of him, spotting his Shakujo, and got to his knees.
"My Brother!" Monk Kenshin said, trying to get to his Brother's aid. He warded off the demons with his barrier and purification spells as they ran away from the purified energy. But he was far from his Brother's side. Monk Kenshin turned his back on his Brother to pay attention to the demons at hand, too many for him to lend a hand to his Brother.
Monk Nobu stayed close to Monk Kenshin, though he fought his own battles. His face was set in concentration, blind as he was, as he listened and felt the auras around him to time his attacks. Though he was blind, he wasn't incapable of fighting. He used his ofudas, shooting them out where he felt the demon's aura and was rewarded with the demons' roars of pain and death. He smirked to himself as he continued to fight off the many demons.
Some of Inutaisho's demons had remained with them, but the group they had encountered was overwhelming in numbers. The enemies obviously had planned their attack and had sprouted a good sneak attack on them, killing off some of their allies. But thanks to the monks, they had protected some of their group. Now, they fought for their lives against the hoard of demons against them.
Monk Kiyoshi was able to reach his Shakujo just as a demon was coming on him. He spun around, holding his Shakujo in front of him as his spiritual energy flew from the staff and the rings sounded as the demon was purified by the pure light. He gasped, glancing around to see still more demons fighting on land and some even in the air in their true forms. Worm-like demons and bird demons tried to destroy them from above. Monk Kiyoshi glanced towards his right where he saw Monk Arata and Monk Minoru fighting together. He spotted Monk Kenshin and Monk Nobu fighting close to each other. He inwardly sighed, relief to see his Brothers alive.
He got to his feet and heard a demon's roar. He quickly turned around, throwing an ofuda out as it hit the head of the demon and purified it immediately. Monk Kiyoshi frowned. There were so much more demons left.
"Monk Kiyoshi," a woman's voice said from behind him. He turned around to see Hira walking towards him over the demon bodies along the ground. Her white kimono was tainted with the black and red blood of the demons, but she still carried herself with the pride and respect of being a priestess.
"Hira," he said in greeting.
"Are you injured?" she asked, her eyes roaming over him.
Monk Kiyoshi shook his head. "No. These demons are proving to me how old I have become. My speed is not what it used to be," he said with a smile through all of this.
Hira nodded, a small smile gracing her face, yet her eyes held hardness to them. "I see. I do not understand why Kagome has brought you monks here to help her fight," she said, a bit of distaste within her voice.
Monk Kiyoshi looked sternly at the woman, understanding that she lived by a different set of rules than they did. "We were not forced by My Lady Kagome," he said strongly, wanting Hira to address Kagome with the status that she deserved. "We came on our own to help My Lady. It is by our own desire to be here. We live and die for her, that is all there is to it." He watched as Hira remained silent, taking in his words. "You can accept it or not, does not matter. What does is that we all fight for the same purpose." That said, he turned around and walked towards his Brothers, going to offer them support.
Hira just watched with a small smile on her face as the monk walked away. Not only did his clothes show his years and status of his service, but his voice and actions did as well. She marveled at those monks' courage and fearlessness.
The roars of demons interrupted her as Hira spun around, her eyes taking in the demons that charged at her from the sky and the ground. She suddenly changed her demeanor. Her body language spoke volumes as she found her bearings and brought her hands out in front of her, her hands forming a triangle. Within the triangle, the empty air began to glow, as if a mirror between her and the demons coming towards her. Hira concentrated and then directed her miko energy towards the demons as the blast disintegrated them instantly, their ashes and guts falling to the ground. Hira looked disdainfully at the remains as her hands slowly fell to her side.
"My Lady," one of her priestesses called as the woman came to her side, carrying her staff. Hira smiled thankfully and took her staff back.
"Thank you."
"We have many demons left," her other follower said, and Hira nodded.
"Yes, but we must stay strong. We have to destroy them and move on." Hira turned around and looked at all the demons fighting against the enemy. She marveled at their dedication to a priestess, or maybe to the Great Inutaisho. She shook her head and went towards the demons in front of her, intending to kill them.
The battle went on between the two forces. The ground was littered with dead demon bodies, splattered with blood and pieces of the bodies. The stars above paid no heed to the killing below as the combatants paid no heed to them. The night sky was only a peaceful illusion now. And as the battle began to die down, and the dust began to disappear, the winning side glanced around with weariness and satisfaction on their bloodstained faces.
Everyone began to gather together as they slowly moved along the desecrated land. Some were tired, others were relieved and sluggish, while some just wanted more. Their emotions mixed together with the mission still ahead.
"Is anyone badly injured?" Monk Kiyoshi asked the group as they began to settle in. He looked at the demons and noticed their shaking heads. Some had smiles on their faces, obviously enjoyed the fight they just had and wanting more. He then looked towards the priestesses and noticed their stained clothes, but nothing more. He nodded his approval. "Then we carry on."
"We should head north," one of the demons said. Monk Kiyoshi looked towards the wolf youkai as the demon's red eyes remained on Monk Kiyoshi. "I can scent the others to the west. We need to cover as much ground as we can."
Monk Kiyoshi nodded his head. If they could meet up with another group that made a circle around the other side of the island, then they would be able to travel higher into the mountains. They would cover the sea level first. "Then let us be off."
Some of the demons walked towards the monks and priestesses to offer their speed. The monks got on the demons' backs and the priestesses were held bridal style as the demons took off towards the direction of awaiting enemies.
Inuyasha bounded along the treetops as his father followed. Sesshomaru, Koga and Ayame ran along the ground below, needing eyes above and below. Inuyasha could see the trees ending up ahead and a plateau in the distance. He gazed further as the mountains sprung up. They were getting closer as they finally reached the base of the mountains and were now working their way higher.
"Demons," Inuyasha said with a growl as the scent of demons floated towards him.
Inutaisho nodded his head. "There's trouble up ahead. I scent many."
Kagome furrowed her eyebrows as she looked at the plateau. The trees finally gave way to open land and the Inu-demons jumped down just as the others burst from within the trees. They joined Sesshomaru and the others as they all ran together now in a line, with Kagome and Inuyasha in the middle.
Kagome glanced next to her at Inutaisho. Kikyo remained on his back, her face looking ahead at what lay in their way. She could see the intention written on Kikyo's face, the determination set, but she couldn't help but feel worried for her sister. For Kikyo has already chosen her fate, and Kagome feared that her sister might give in to her desires, soon. She didn't like this. Something was wrong on the wind, something up ahead would prove to be a challenge.
As the group got closer, the plateau shot higher into the sky until they were standing at the base of the cliff. The demons stopped, gazing up, contemplating their options.
"We have no choice but to fall into their trap," Sesshomaru said, knowing that the demons had already seen their approach and would be waiting for them at the top.
Inutaisho nodded his head. "They'll be waiting. But with so many demons, I wonder what their intentions are."
"Kagome," Inuyasha said matter-of-factly, as he gazed up the cliff.
Inutaisho nodded his head towards his son but said nothing more, not wanting to rile him up. Kagome shifted her weight on Inuyasha's back as she glanced around at everyone.
"Everyone just stay close to me and Inuyasha. I'll erect a barrier around us as we reach the top to ward off any attack they might have coming first. Then I'll take care of the front lines and then take down my barrier."
Everyone nodded their heads, agreeing with her plan. When they were close to each other and ready, Inuyasha lead the way. Everyone followed close, readying themselves to attack. As the demons leapt up the cliff, avoiding loose rocks, they got closer to the top. Kagome readied her bow. Right before Inuyasha appeared above the top, she placed a barrier around her family.
The demons had been prepared just like they predicted. Attacks flew at them, demonic energies swirling together to create a powerful attack, but wasn't able to penetrate her barrier. Even arrows flew at them, but wasn't able to pierce her barrier. Just as the dust and smoke cleared from the demons' attacks against them, their group was shown safe behind the priestess' barrier.
Kagome pulled back her arrow and shot her sacred arrow as her miko energy pulsed around the arrow whizzing towards the demons. Her barrier fell and they all landed on the ground, allowing the riders to get off and everyone drew their weapons just as Kagome's sacred arrow killed the demons at the front of the group.
The roars of the angry demons could be heard as they began to charge at them. Kagome turned around to glance behind. The drop would be long if the demons were able to push them back. So they couldn't allow that to happen. Kagome drew her Kusanagi and waited for the others. Inutaisho was the one to give the move and everyone began to run towards the oncoming demons. The Inu-demons did their attacks first to slow the approach of the demons, but more demons began to shift into their true form as they realized that they were getting slaughtered.
The ground beneath their feet began to tremble like an earthquake. Kagome tried to get her footing but she could feel a demonic presence beneath her.
"In the ground!" she warned, but was too late as the demon rushed with its sneak attack. Vines sprouted out from the ground, snatching her high into the air and squeezing her lower body. The Kusanagi was trapped in its vicious grip against her body. Kagome groaned as the vines tightened, making her feel double the pain when the rock demon had injured her abdomen too.
Vines sprouted everywhere, coming out of the ground like trees, wide and strong as it whipped around them. Kikyo had to stop her running to cut at a huge vine in her way, trying to catch her. Even the others were busy trying to destroy the vines around them.
"Hiraikotsu!" Sango yelled as the weapon destroyed many vines in one swift move.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled as he glanced up at her figure in the air. He used the Tetsaiga's Wind Scar to destroy most of the demon's vines. There was a loud roar of pain as the vines began to retreat back into the ground. He leapt into the air, catching Kagome, and bringing her safely to the ground.
Inutaisho and Sesshomaru began to do battle with the demons coming at them. Some charged past them as they tried to get to the others, especially the jewel. Inutaisho slashed at the demons, bringing them down easily, and then using Sounga's attacks to finish it quickly. He could feel the amount of demonic energy and knew there were a lot of demons. Some demonic energies were greater than others. This battle would prove to be a challenge.
High above, Raige smirked with wonder. "Now what Kagome?" he asked to no one, watching the scene unfold. He watched as that retched half-demon held Kagome close to his chest, making Raige want to obliterate that half-demon right where he stood. He watched with hated eyes as Inuyasha placed Kagome on the ground, wielding his sword as he protected her. Raige had to chuckle at that picture.
'What an idiot.' If that half-demon thought that he could protect Kagome, that idiot better think again. Raige could only watch as the demons surrounded their group. This could get interesting as he crossed his arms, floating high in the air within the veil of his barrier.
The sacred arrow flew out into the group of demons, creating a line clear of demons as Kagome and Kikyo ran in the empty space, trying to head out of the circle of demons. The demons began to rush in towards them, making Kagome draw her Kusanagi as they came at her. Kikyo yelled as she brought up her katana and struck at a demon's sword. Others began to swarm her and she moved back to better face the numerous demons. Kagome had the same predicament as more demons came against her, drawn to the jewel's power. The Shikon no Tama remained silent against her chest, shinning brightly through the ugliness around her. Kagome glared at the demons, moving slowly, waiting for them to attack her. Her breathing was calm as her feet moved slowly, avoiding the body parts on the ground and using her aura to feel their movements.
And then one charged towards her. Kagome shift, turned and sliced at the demon, twisting her body around as the demon fell to the ground. The area that Kusanagi sliced at began to purify the demon as it killed him from the inside out. She held her sword out in front of her, waiting for more demons. Then another one came and she yelled, striking blades as another one tried to take advantage of her. Kagome struck at the demon she fought with and then bent back to avoid the demon's attack as she came up to pierce her Kusanagi into the demon's abdomen. It cried out, rearing back, but she followed him. He began to foam at the mouth and his body shook against her sword and he was purified. Kagome felt a tingle and she jerked her sword out, whipping around to strike another demon as it came at her. She glared at the dying form and then glanced around her, eyeing the demons with the intent of death, waiting for them to come face her.
Kikyo grunted as the demons swarmed her, making her switch focuses on the oncoming demons. A demon caught her from behind and she was too slow to avoid the attack. The metal cut her left shoulder, making her cry out at the sudden pain. She turned and stabbed the demon in the back with a cry of revenge.
She moved back as the body fell to the ground. Kikyo huffed, looked around warily, waiting for someone else to attack her. Her shoulder was stinging and she felt her warm blood drip down her arm, towards her fingers and onto the ground. 'Damn…' she thought. Kikyo watched warily as the demons smirked in satisfaction, smelling her blood, knowing she was injured and now just needed to be finished off.
Suddenly the ground began to shake again, making everyone look around as to what was happening. The Earth exploded just a few feet from the battles. A huge demon of vines came out of the ground in a mass, wiggling vines with the ends shaped like a tulip sprouted from the ground. The demon roared, a high-pitched cry, and then vines shot out from the mass, aiming at the combatants.
Now, everyone tried to dodge the vines as the other demons began to take advantage of their lack of concentration on them. The others found it hard to dodge the vines and fight the demons at the same time. Some got injured, striking back at the demons with anger as they couldn't keep up with the dodging and fighting.
"Kagome!" Inutaisho yelled, as she was the closest to the vine demon. "Kill it!" he said, using his demonic speed to cut down the demons around him while dancing around the vines.
Kagome grunted as two demons got on her and used a burst of miko energy to purify them and the vines that tried to touch her. She burst in a run, heading through the demons and cutting them with her Kusanagi as she avoided others. Kagome ran until she was near the vine-demon and away from the other demons. She quickly sheathed her sword and drew her bow and arrow in one swift move, leaving no time for the demon to attack her as she fired her sacred arrow. As the demon noticed her attack, more vines began to strike at her, but were purified before they got even close as the arrow erupted in her miko energy and purified anything in its path. The sacred arrow destroyed the top half of the demon as it screamed in pain and rage.
The ground began to rumble again as the demon buried itself in the ground. Kagome cursed, as she began to draw another arrow, but she felt the demons behind her coming. She turned around and shot her sacred arrow, watching as the demons coming at her were purified. Kagome huffed, irritated with the amount of demons and interruptions. The demons to her left caught her attention as they swarmed her sister, and Kagome took off towards Kikyo.
Deep in the hoard of demons, Kikyo fought them off as they came at her. But she was losing blood and was getting tired. Red blood dripped from her shoulder and the hilt of her sword was red with her blood as she gripped her katana, needing it to fight with her to the death. Kikyo roared as she sliced at a demon and another one chose that distraction to slice at her back, making Kikyo cry out in pain as she moved away from the blade.
"Kikyo!" Kagome screamed as she cut through the demons and entered the circle. Once Kikyo saw her, she fell to her knees. Kagome gasped and ran to her sister's side, slicing at the demons around her sister in a cry of rage. She kneeled on one knee and placed her hand on her sister's back, seeing the blood on Kikyo's back and shoulder as the leather jacket was cut open to reveal skin and blood. Kagome gasped, fear starting to explode in her gut. "Hang on, Kikyo. I'll get you out of here."
She stood up and glared at the demons around her. Placing her sword back in its sheath, she went to draw her bow. But the ground erupted suddenly and Kagome couldn't do anything as shock took her and the vine-demon came back with a vengeance. As rocks spewed everywhere and the demons avoided the vines, Kagome and Kikyo were caught in the vines as the demon swallowed them in itself, trapping them inside the wiggling mass.
Kagome tried to catch her footing but the vines under her kept moving and she was on her hands and knees trying to get her balance.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled as he saw the demon swallow Kagome and Kikyo. He struck at the demons around him, intending to get to them.
Beneath her, Kagome felt the demon moving and wondered where it was taking them. But she needed to get to her sister. "Kikyo…" she whispered. Kagome tried to hang onto a vine, but suddenly she gasped and pain exploded in her abdomen. Kagome looked down as a vine had pierced her through her stomach, the tip curving towards her as it tried to get to the jewel. She squinted as the pain flooded her but then as the vine touched the Shikon no Tama on her chest, a huge bright light erupted, engulfing Kagome as it blinded her.
Outside, Inuyasha was running through the demons, slicing his way through, as a bright light began to shine from within the demon, coursing its way through the slits of the vines. He saw the shinning light and knew something was happening with Kagome and the jewel because the power emanating from within the jewel was strong and pure. 'Hang on, Kagome…' He roared as the demons charged at him, intending to stop him.
The pain radiated through her body but she could feel a warmth surrounding her. 'Mother…' She could feel her mother's hands on her and knew that Midoriko was keeping her safe. It was the jewel that was purifying the demon as it had touched the Shikon no Tama. Since the jewel still remained on her, it was pure, and the demon had been purified when it touched the jewel. Starting from the vine against the jewel, the vine began to dissolve into light as the light traveled through the vine and into the body of the demon. It screamed in rage and pain as it began to be purified, from the ends of the vines to the source of its body.
"You… kill me…" the demon said as she began to feel her eyes drop at the pain radiating through her and the blood she felt dripping down her torso. "And I kill that woman."
Suddenly her eyes flew open as she realized who the demon was talking about. Kagome began to frantically look around her at the light that was dissolving the vines but couldn't find her sister. "Kikyo!" she screamed, hoping to hear her voice. But nothing. The demon's deep chuckle was the only thing echoing around her.
The area around her dissolved from the jewel's power and Kagome fell through the air, landing hard on the ground. She groaned in pain at the impact and went to her hands and knees. She stared down at the ground and saw her blood dripping onto the ground in pools. 'Shit…' Then, she remembered her sister. Kagome glanced up, looking at the demon as white light began to dissolve all of its vines. But the demon was still moving. And Kagome noticed where they were.
'The cliff!' Kagome tried to get to her feet, but didn't have the strength to. She was losing blood and the wound was fatal. 'No…' She couldn't think about herself right now, or about what she had to do. It didn't matter. Kikyo was still trapped and the demon had something up his sleeve. She needed to get to her sister.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled as he used his demonic speed to close the distance between them. He saw Kagome turn around at the sound of his voice and he saw the pain on her face from the distance he was at.
"Inuyasha!" she said as loud as she could as her strength was waning. "Save Kikyo!"
Inuyasha's eyes changed to the demon as he watched it dissolve and then he saw Kikyo. The demon's vines around Kikyo began to disintegrate and the demon had made it to the edge of the cliff. He growled as he watched Kikyo get thrown over the cliff as the demon's body dissolved completely once it went off the cliff. He put on a burst of speed and ran towards Kikyo's falling body once he saw it disappear beneath the cliff.
Kagome watched with anxious eyes as her sister fell off the cliff and she couldn't see Kikyo anymore. A blur of white and red flew past her and Kagome prayed Inuyasha got to Kikyo before she hit the ground. Once he was out of sight, Kagome fell on her stomach, finally losing consciousness and thought. 'No…' This couldn't be the way she dies. But darkness took hold of her.
"Wake up, Kagome."
Kagome smiled as she felt warmth against her skin and no pain. Her mother's beautiful voice floated around her and she felt a sense of peace seep into her pores. Slowly, she opened her eyes to adjust to the light of the sun. She was in the meadow with white Jasmines, one sprouting right in front of her sight.
"Mother…" For this one moment, Kagome forgot everything that had been happening. She forgot about her pain and where her bodily form was. She forgot about her friends and family fighting with her, and she forgot about her responsibilities.
Midoriko smiled as Kagome's head rested on her knees as she stroked her daughter's hair. "You are doing so well Kagome."
Kagome smiled and shut her eyes, allowing those memories of what was truly happening flood her mind again. She moved out of her mother's loving embrace and sat on her knees facing Midoriko. She was the priestess again, the woman with many responsibilities. "I'm dying, Mother."
Midoriko nodded her head, her loving smile still on her face. "Yes. But you will not die."
At this, Kagome felt a sense of relief, instead of feeling happiness or joy. "The Fates won't allow it?" Only the Fates would have the power to bring her to life or "allow" her to die.
Midoriko shook her head slowly, her smile still teasing her lips. "No." Kagome seemed confused as to her comment. "The Shikon no Tama has chosen to protect you."
Kagome's eyebrows rose as she realized the truth. Midoriko nodded her head at her daughter's unvoiced question and carried on. "I believe the Shikon no Tama has chosen you, Kagome, as it was meant to be. It came from your body and you are its protector, as it is yours. The two of you are the same, and yet you are not. Still, I am proud that it chooses to heal you."
"Heal me?"
"Yes. The jewel is healing your wounds as we speak. Your body will be healed when you return to the world of the living."
At this, Kagome's eyes suddenly widened as she gasped. "Kikyo!" She stood up abruptly, gazing down at her mother with anxious eyes. "Mother, I must go back."
"Wait, Kagome!" Midoriko called out before Kagome could go back to her body. She watched as her daughter waited, still looking anxious to find out if her sister was okay. Midoriko took a deep breath and sighed sadly, not sure how to tell Kagome this. "Your sister… has left the world of the living."
Slowly, Kagome shook her head back and forth, not even registering the words. She stared at her mother, her mouth agape, as she tried to take in what her mother said. They were just words that meant nothing to her! "No!" she said, closing her eyes shut as her form disappeared.
Midoriko was left kneeling in the meadow of Jasmines, her head down as the sun beat on her long black hair and her sorrow flowed throughout the forest.
She was beginning to feel her body as Kagome came back into it. Someone was shaking her. Someone was calling her name frantically. Slowly, she opened her eyes and saw Inutaisho above her, his long silver hair flowing over his shoulders.
"Kagome…" Inutaisho said, relief filling his body. He sighed and watched as she sat up.
Kagome pushed herself up with her elbows and gazed down at her body that wasn't filled with pain anymore. Where the demon had pierced her was only a hole in her kimono and her skin, undamaged. Her Mother was right. The Shikon no Tama had healed her, and she felt anew, as if she had slept and eaten and now had more energy than she had just a few minutes ago. But her own welfare was forgotten as she looked at Inutaisho.
"Where's my sister?"
Inutaisho suddenly frowned and his gaze fell to his right. Kagome followed, turning around to see Inuyasha's back as he was rocking back and forth. And she could see legs. 'No…' She shot to her feet and ran towards Inuyasha, getting in front of him and dropping to her knees.
"K…Kik…" Her hands flew her mouth as she muffled her sister's name and sobs took hold of her. Tears fell down her face as her eyes took in her sister's form lying in Inuyasha's arms.
Inuyasha didn't look at Kagome as his bangs covered his face. He rocked back and forth with Kikyo in his arms, squeezing her against him. Her face was against his chest, a small smile on her still face. Kagome shook her head, reaching out towards her sister's body. Inuyasha suddenly stopped rocking and he looked up. Kagome's eyes went to his and she saw the tears that he shed. Inuyasha's eyes were haunted and in pain as he gazed at her, helpless. Kagome chocked back another sob as she knew it to be true. It was there in Inuyasha's eyes, there in Inuyasha's arms. It was all there.
"Kikyo!" Kagome screamed, dropping onto Kikyo's lifeless body and crying onto her sister's chest. There was no movement coming from her sister, no signs of life. And as Kagome hesitantly reached out with her aura to confirm what she already knew, Kikyo's spirit was gone. "No…" she whispered, one hand on her sister's shoulder and the other on Inuyasha's arm that held Kikyo's body against him. "Why… Kikyo… why?"
Inuyasha slowly released Kikyo so Kagome could have a moment with her sister. Kagome took Kikyo and hugged her sister tightly, tears streaming down her face. Inuyasha could only watch. Yes, he missed Kikyo. He couldn't believe that she was gone. After Kikyo had vanished from his view when he was running to her, he put on a burst of speed and tried to get to her. He had jumped off the cliff and plunged towards her. And as he noticed her falling figure getting closer, he saw her smile and heard his name roll of her lips just as her eyes closed in bliss. And when he had grabbed her and dropped onto the ground with Kikyo in his arms, she smelt of death and he was so shocked and stunned that he had shaken Kikyo, trying to get her to talk again. But Kikyo was dead. And he couldn't believe it. He stayed at the bottom of the cliff for some time, until his father had come to get him.
Kikyo was gone. Kagome sniffed and wiped at her tears with her kimono as she slowly released her sister, lying Kikyo's body on the ground between her and Inuyasha. The others took the moment to come closer now that Kagome had her moment with Kikyo.
Kagome just stared up at Inuyasha as the two locked gazes and something passed between them. She was sorry for Inuyasha, knowing how much Kikyo had meant to him. The two had a life together, they had made and lost a child and they had gone through life as a family for three years. It must be hard for him to lose her after all they had been through before she came back into their lives. Kagome frowned, looking away from him. 'Kikyo…'
"I want her on a boat and back to Honshu," she said as the others crowded around. She could hear Ayame and Sango sniffing as they stood behind her, trying to be strong. But Kagome gazed up at Koga standing next to Ayame. And their eyes met. "Will you take her to Honshu?"
Koga nodded right away, knowing how much this meant to Kagome. He not only would do it because Kagome asked but because Kikyo deserved it. He couldn't leave her here in this ugly place of death and destruction. "Of course."
"I'll go with you," Ayame said softly. Koga nodded and moved to pick up Kikyo. As he gathered the woman in his arms, he looked at Inuyasha. The hanyou was silent, his face blank, as he kept his eyes on Kikyo. Kagome kept her head down as Kikyo's body was lifted and Koga and Ayame walked away, then started running. They would take her body to the fishing boats waiting offshore and then send Kikyo back to Honshu. As he and Ayame left the others behind, his thoughts went out to Kagome, hoping she would make it through this so he could see her again. 'Kagome…' He prayed that Kagome would come back to Honshu with the others after this war ended.
As Kagome stood up, Inuyasha followed silently. She turned towards the mountains and then looked behind her at Inutaisho. "Is anyone injured?"
"Just a few scratches," he said. While Kagome had been unconscious, they had been patching up their wounds with the medical supplies that the villagers had given them. Sango had the worst as she had been fighting hard with her Hiraikotsu. And Miroku bore some wounds as well. He only had a few scratches, as did Sesshomaru. And Inuyasha had some scratches as well, but the main thing was that they were still standing and still able to go on.
"Then we keep going," Kagome said, her voice was calm and collected as usual. Sango frowned at her friend's back, marveling at how Kagome could so easily forget about everything and focus on the task at hand. Kagome was able to forget and maybe even get rid of her feelings that would usually bring people to their knees. Sango marveled at her friend's courage and strength, but then again felt sorry for Kagome and the girl's unusual talent.
Inutaisho went to Sango and offered to carry her, as she thanked him and got on his back, and Miroku got on Sesshomaru's. Inuyasha walked up to Kagome with his head down. He still couldn't get over the fact that he had lost Kikyo. Although he didn't love her as much as he loved Kagome, Kikyo had been in his life and he had loved her. He truly did. And now she was gone, and they had to keep going with killing demons, leaving Kikyo alone.
"You must be able to suppress your emotions, Inuyasha," Kagome said, her gaze still looking ahead at the mountain looming in front of her. "You must bury your emotions on the battlefield. There is no room for them here." Slowly, she turned to look at him, but he refused to look at her, still gazing at the ground. Kagome reached out with her aura to encompass him in it, trying to comfort him so they could continue with their journey. "If you can't, then you will find yourself in the hands of the enemy."
Kagome walked behind him and waited. Inuyasha took a deep breath and tried to focus on what Kagome was saying, knowing what they had to do but his emotions were swamping him now. He bent so Kagome could get on, feeling her weight settle against him was a comfort in itself and he drew on the comfort that she was able to give him. Her scent was enough as Kagome wrapped her arms up under his arms and rested her head against his back. Though she had seemed strong and uncaring, Inuyasha realized that Kagome was still hurting, even though she tried to suppress it like she told him to.
The demons took off, now Inutaisho leading as he knew that Inuyasha would need some time to get everything together. Inuyasha allowed the wind and Kagome to soothe him and clear his mind. And he felt sorry for Kagome. He knew she had to hide her emotions, as it was like a priestess. But the way she held him, the way her body molded against his, as if for comfort and support. He knew Kagome was hurting, though she wouldn't show it. She was hurting, as was he. And he was her rock as much as she was his.
Midoriko walked down the bright path towards the awaiting circle where she would have a word with the Fates. She had relayed to them of her need for a counsel and they agreed to listen to her worries. Now, with her hands fidgeting in front of her, Midoriko hoped that she would hear the words that she wanted to hear. Her steps were slow and calm as she walked along the soft ground, lit with a pure white-yellowish light, where all around her was white with a misty appearance, looking like she was in the clouds. Though the Fates never did show themselves, she thought of them as manifestations, hiding behind the lights of clouds. However, Midoriko didn't bother herself with their physical appearance, or lack thereof. All she worried about was their decisions, decisions that affected people's lives, especially the one she loved the most in her everlasting afterlife.
As she stepped up onto the platform that would address the Fates, she saw around her, lights beginning to form on all sides of her. Eight lights hidden behind clouds, eight manifestations waiting to listen to her.
"What have you come to say, Midoriko?" a male's voice in the front of her said.
Midoriko looked ahead at the light, though it seemed far away. "The Shikon no Tama has chosen Kagome."
"We already know of this," a female's high-pitched voice said.
"We know that your jewel, this… Shikon no Tama," another female's voice said, emphasizing the name of the jewel, "has chosen Kagome as its protector and vessel."
"However, we wonder why it has only chosen her now," a male's deep voice said to her right.
"We wonder what will become of the jewel's choice now," a female said.
"Which is why you have come," the male, the most respected of the Fates who remained in front of her, said.
Midoriko nodded her head. "I have come to seek your guidance in my questions."
"Then ask us," a female said.
"Now that the Shikon no Tama has chosen Kagome, it is up to her now to decide her own fate. She will determine her future."
There was a moment of silence as the Fates took in the new information. She held in her smile of satisfaction. The Fates were for once taken aback and confused as to this new information.
"What do you mean?" a male said to her left.
"You say that we have no control over her future now?" a female asked.
Midoriko nodded her head. "The tie between Kagome and the jewel is profound. Should one die, the other would follow. Kagome is not only the Shikon no Tama's protector, but also its vessel."
"But why this change in the jewel now?" the male in front of her said.
"Because the jewel is now in and of its own. It has become separated from Kagome's physical body, yet still is a part of her. And it has grown on its own now, learning from her and learning of her, its vessel. It has become… should I say, protective of her."
There was another moment of silence as the Fates pondered on this. Midoriko had done so herself when she had found out this new information. The Shikon no Tama, that which she had created when she had once been living. The Jewel of Four Souls, passed down in legends and stories of how demons and herself, the Priestess Midoriko, fights within the jewel. Yes, that is true. And yes, she is still here, within the Maboroshi Kokudo. But she kept the smile to herself at how fate is so ironic.
The Shikon no Tama has now become an evil jewel, unbalanced. She was not within the jewel to fight the demons that would threaten to overtake the jewel and corrupt it with demonic energy. However, Kagome was the reason for the jewel's balance and purity. Kagome is the most powerful miko in all of history. She surpasses even herself, and Midoriko knew this would be true when she had made Kagome. She had to make a daughter that would be pure and able to complete the jewel, which she had left half finished in hopes that Kagome could do that. Which she has proven she could. The Shikon no Tama was all evil, but with Kagome's pure light, she provided the purity that Midoriko would if she fought within the jewel. With the jewel being nourished by Kagome's life-force, it has come to realize how important Kagome is it to, and has come to respect her. Protect her.
"So you say that the jewel will just bring Kagome back to life if we choose to kill her?" a female asked, testing Midoriko's belief in this simple object.
Midoriko didn't seem fazed by the question at all. She simply nodded her head, as if the facts were the facts and the Fates were just by chance. "Yes." How else could she put it? The jewel protected Kagome as much as she protected the jewel. Kagome dedicates her life for the jewel, and the jewel has come to see this devotion.
The Fates were quiet as they discussed this among themselves. Though they never once spoke aloud to each other, she knew they were speaking to each other. So she waited.
"With this new turn of events," the male in front of her said, his voice stern. "We have no choice but to release Kagome of her duties."
Midoriko suddenly grew angry at this, her eyes glaring at the source of the voice. "You cannot just simply tell her to stop fulfilling her duties. She lived her whole life learning those duties and fulfilling them. She even died fulfilling that prophecy of yours. Now you want… no, order her to just drop them all?" She was fuming. How dare the Fates do that to her! How dare them!
"Midoriko… we understand your frustration, as we have understood it when we had first made such a prophecy for your own daughter," the male in front said. At this, Midoriko took a deep breath and calmed down. "However, now we have no control over whether or not Kagome dies."
Midoriko nodded her head, glad that Kagome was now free of their control and orders. "Yes. Now, it's up to her to figure out whether or not she wants to live or die. The Shikon no Tama will see this within her soul. Whatever Kagome's most deepest desire is in the end, whether to save everyone by giving her life or by using her powers and the jewel's is up to her."
"What if Kagome has already given up hope that she will be able to live after this war?" a female asked.
And that was the question that Midoriko had been asking herself. She had been too afraid to ask Kagome, for she didn't want her daughter to start justifying her reason if she had already given up on fighting the Fates. One thing she knew about Kagome, is that she had learned to follow those with higher power. And when the Fates had told her she would die, she had fought at first, the first time. But she couldn't do anything about it in the end, and she had lost. Now, Midoriko wasn't sure if Kagome had it in her to fight the Fates again. If only Kagome knew the Fates had no say in her future anymore, than Kagome would be more certain on her decision. But that was for Kagome to decide. Whether or not Kagome chose to live and fight, or die willingly was up to her. Midoriko just hoped that Kagome would fight to live, live a long life the way a human was supposed to.
"The Shikon no Tama will feed on Kagome's deep sorrow and helplessness, and realize that the only way to defeat the enemy is to destroy itself… killing Kagome as well."
The group ran along a path through the trees, already climbing the mountain. They had been running for some time now and they were almost in the clouds. The demons weren't tired and the humans were keeping a close watch around them for any sneak attacks.
Kagome constantly kept on alert, as time had passed and she forgot more about her sister's death. The time for the final battle was coming and she could only think about Raige, how to defeat him, what to anticipate from a demon such as he. Raige was very mysterious in that she rarely saw him use any demonic attacks, so she couldn't plan how she was going to counter his attacks. Plus, he seemed infatuated with her, which meant he didn't want to kill her, but keep her. And the Shikon no Tama.
The clouds began to form around them as the trees up ahead seemed shrouded in mist. The group entered the clouds and continued running. They had avoided areas with humans, not wanting to draw attention to what was happening on the island. They trusted the other groups to kill off the remaining demons on the island while they went after the source.
"There's something up ahead," Kagome said. The feel of demonic energy was getting stronger. There was a group of demons waiting for them just up ahead, hiding in the veil of the clouds. Kagome flared out her aura, anticipating an attack.
There was a rumbling along the ground and a deafening roar as something came closer, breaking the trees and crumbling the ground. Suddenly the trees came crashing down as a huge ball rolled down at them.
Inuyasha and the others jumped out of the way, avoiding the attack. The ball stopped just as the others jumped and opened up to reveal an ogre demon, his smirk taunting.
"Ha ha!" the demon said, placing his hands on his hips as he watched the demons face him.
Inuyasha landed and placed Kagome on the ground. "There's more behind us," she said, glancing around to try and see through the trees. There was demonic energy behind them that was too thick to not notice. There were many demons waiting for them, or maybe coming for them. Whatever the case, they couldn't be cornered.
The ogre simply snorted at the three Inu-youkai demons. "Inu-youkai? How funny that you would choose to side with the Shikon no Tama." He smirked at the two full blooded demons, noticing Inutaisho. "Ah… Inutaisho, it is good to see that you are still alive so that I may have the luxury to kill you myself."
Inutaisho simply smirked. "Then let me see you try."
The ogre smirked and opened his hands above his head, chuckling to myself. Then, he made a fist with one hand and moved back, slamming his fist on the ground. The others took care as the ground began to tremble, the trees around them croaking at the sensation.
"We need to head towards the demons," Kagome said, her gaze still looking behind them. Something was up ahead, and though she couldn't feel Raige's aura, she definitely had a bad feeling about all of this.
Inuyasha glanced behind him, keeping an eye on the ogre in front as the ground continued to tremble. "You sure?"
Kagome looked towards him and nodded, just as the others looked towards her to hear her answer. Inuyasha nodded, his face serious, and she got on his back. The others followed suit and soon was leaving the ogre demon behind as they ran through the wreckage he had created along the ground.
"The land evens out," Inutaisho said as he noticed the sudden change in the ground. The slope was starting to flatten out the higher they went, meaning there was a platform on the side of the mountain that would allow them an easier land to fight on.
And as predicted, a platform was what they got as they approached the demons waiting for them. Kagome got down from Inuyasha's back and walked a few steps in front of him, eyeing the demons ahead of her. The area was shrouded in the mist of the clouds, but she could see the dark figures of the demons in front of her. She could see the dark shapes of the trees sprouting in some places. Kagome's eyes darted around, unable to figure out why she had such a bad feeling.
"Kagome…"
She froze, hearing her name from the very voice that she had been wanting to find.
Up ahead, a figure leaned against a tree, its shoulder leaning against the trunk as its hands were crossed and one of its legs twisted over the other. Kagome squinted as she tried to make out the figure through the mist. Her right hand moved to her Kusanagi, feeling the hilt in her palm as a comfort.
The figure chuckled as the others drew their swords, waiting for its attack. Slowly, it pushed off the tree and began to walk towards them, becoming clear as to who it was as the mist began to reveal it.
Kagome acknowledged the demon, grateful to finally have found him.
"You seem happy that you finally found me."
Kagome just stared ahead at those blue sapphire eyes that held a glint of curiosity as she simply gazed at him with no emotion whatsoever. "Raige."
So frustrating!!! It took me AT LEAST 10 minutes to get this document up and running. I swear! This upload document stuff is just too slow. 10 minutes to place all these lines and these bold words... that's it. Jeez... Anyways, I finally got it up and I hope you liked it.
-Kaleialohalani
