Chapter Two: Naraku's Castle

Kagome's POV

It felt like I had been running forever in the forest, when in truth, only seconds ticked by. It was hard for me to leave my friends, but in order to succeed, I had to operate alone. My thoughts swam around; part of it was the memories of Kikyou's last moment, and what she had whispered to me in secret.

"Kagome… The rest lies in your hands now. I have done my part by sealing a silver of hope into the Shikon Jewel. Your job is to fully purify it along with Naraku. Seal him into the Jewel, the fragment of my soul will keep him there forever. Like Midoriko, I will continue fighting him," Kikyou whispered, her voice gradually getting softer. She stared at me expectantly then, and I stared back into those warm eyes that I just knew about. A silent agreement between us was reached, like our souls connected.

I pondered about it as I ran, dodging low branches that my snag my uniform or hair. It just doesn't sound sufficient enough. Anyway, Kikyou has done enough for us already; her sacrifice was the biggest among us all. She had given away her love, her life and her powers to defeat the wretched Naraku, but yet he still survived. He is a living nightmare, and a god that demons might look to. I thought of Inuyasha, the tears starting to form in my eyes again. I just can't bare it, leaving them behind. Will they cry for me…?

I abolished the thought, trying to focus once more on my current solo 'mission'. I could sense the Shikon Jewel's presence. That means that it is somewhere very close, and that Naraku's protective barrier is failing. I trudged through the messy undergrowth full of vines, twigs and rocks. While I slashed through the tall grasses that emerged, with my bow, my uniform got snagged in a low-lying branch. For a moment, I had thought that Naraku found me. I sighed in relief when I found out that it was just a regular branch. I tried to undo myself from the branch, noticing that I had a cut inflicted on me. The blood soaked my uniform, turning the white to crimson red. I shrugged my bag off my shoulder and tried searching for the small first aid kit I always had with me. I smiled when I found it, and quickly rummaged through the small box. I finally found a roll of bandages, and ripped off a little to bandage my arm. (AN: Correct term? Bandage my arm? Dx )

A rustle sounded among the tall grasses. My head snapped up to glance around me quickly. No sign of danger so far, but I must hurry. I slung my bag over my shoulders in record time and sped off in the direction of the presence. It felt like aeons, when I got out of the forest, to face countless mountains in front of me. They were just shapes in the dark, but it was easy to tell they have dangerous ridges that might crumble under my weight. I shifted, feeling uncertain. But my senses clearly told me that the Shikon Jewel lies ahead, that it will lead me to Naraku.

I gripped my bow tightly, my knuckles surely turning white with the tension. I feel afraid, thinking that the time to face Naraku is getting closer and closer. I felt terrified, what if I fell from the rocky ridges? Inuyasha is not here to save me, I am alone. Crazy thoughts implanted themselves in my unstable mind. Didn't I already resolved to defeat Naraku? I cannot always rely on others, this time I must rely on my own powers. I gritted my teeth to stop them from chattering and started walking.

Sometime later, I found myself clinging to the mountain's rocky surface. Naraku's hiding place right ahead, which I was certain about. The evil clung to the air like a spider on its web, never letting go. It was all clumped in one area. Using one last ounce of energy I possessed, I pulled myself up, over the edge of the cliff. Perspiration trickled down my forehead, swiftly travelling down my face. I slid my bow off my shoulder, now grasping it as hard as I could.

Naraku's castle loomed in the distance, a visible barrier covering it slightly. It was already dissolving. I took a few deep breaths before I stepped forward, getting closer to Naraku's castle with every step.

AN: Sorry I took so long! Dx Looks like I will have to write a few more chapters? O.o I don't think I got Kagome's character right… She seems a bit OC, hahahah… Well I hope you guys like it. Don't hesitate to let me know if there is any mistakes…