The next issue is reeased! In this chapter, a lot of things will be revealed, but there are still room for more mysteries!

Chapter 3

I kinda cannot remember what happened after that. I woke up in a room. I was lied down in a futon, and at the end of the room was Inu-Yasha, who was looking at me. The room wasn't as big as the Naraku's, of course, so I could see him perfectly.

— What are you looking at? Do I have something in my face? — I asked since he wouldn't stop to look at me.

— Shut up. He only glares at you and you go fainting like this? How weak you are. — He was teasing me again, but not like before we came here. He was completely serious.

— Weak you say?! — I stood up. — It's not like I'm meeting people like that Naraku every day, ya know! On top of that he says my brother is his damn reincarnation and he kidnaps me for some reason I don't know! — My voice got louder as I spoke. — What role am I supposed to play here?! Tell me, Inu-Yasha! — Finally, tears came out.

— I told ya to calm down. Listen midget. That old geezer wants to use you to threaten Shôta. In other words, you're Shôta's weakness. When he awakes, you'll be the key to control him. The reason why the Soul inflicted damages to the brat's body is coz' he wanted to possess the body entirely. However, it seems that the brat is not as weak as you and now he's fighting the Soul. When one of them wins, he'll wake up and one of the souls will have died.

— What?! And how long is going to be that fight? There must be a way to save him…!

— The fight can last one minute, one year or forever. It depends on them. But there is one way. You must let the Soul inside Shôta become the next "Naraku". If you do so, it will go outta the brat's body. But that implies you must get rid of the current King, that old geezer.

— Are you saying I must kill Naraku?! You must be nuts! How can I kill someone like him?! And besides of that, we would need another extra body for the Soul, wouldn't we? — That's funny, me killing the King of Hell. At first I thought Inu-Yasha was playing around, but he seemed so determined. And there's no way we would joke about than man or my brother's life like that.

We spent all the afternoon discussing about what to do. Unlike he seemed to be at first, he was very interested in this matter. Then, I asked:

— Hey, Inu-Yasha… Tell me something. Why are you willing to help me?

— Don't think so highly of yourself, girlie. I'm not helping you coz' I want to.

— You don't have to talk like that, man… If you don't wanna tell me is alright. — I said so because he definitely hiding something important. Whatever his reasons are is ok with me. I didn't want to ask further since he looked a bit uncomfortable. — By the way, you can stop calling me "midget, girlie" and stuff like that. Just Kagome is fine. — I just only wanted to be gentle and soften things with him since we were to cooperate together, so I didn't expect such a reply:

— Look "midget". I don't give a damn about your name or you. Don't get things wrong. I'm going to use you to finish that old geezer. So from now on, you call me Inu-Yasha-sama. Got it? — And suddenly, he stood up and left the room. But, before he closed the door, he looked back at me and he said:

— Ah, another thing. Don't dare to ask anything about my life or why I'm cooperating with you. — And then, he left definitely. Somehow, I had hit the bull's eye, even though I didn't know in what way. Inu-Yasha seemed really annoyed with me asking things about him, so I supposed he had a hidden past he couldn't tell to anyone or something like that.

I passed some hours in my room (since I couldn't tell if it was morning or afternoon or whatever), hoping that Inu-Yasha would come and talk things over. But that never happened. Instead of keep waiting forever, I decided to go out of the room and look for Shôta. I still had many questions but none seemed to feel like answer them to me so I kind of went to look for something. When I went through the door, I found myself in a large corridor without ending. I never knew that castle was that big by looking at the outside. Anyway, I walked until I saw another door. I opened it. And there he was, Shôta, chained against the wall all by himself in a room a lot of bigger than Naraku's. I ran toward him and I tried to undo his chains.

— Don't worry Shôta, everything will be okay! We are getting outa here! — I said all desperate. Nevertheless, we were far away from get out of there and I realized that when I saw Naraku along with Miroku and Sango-chan behind me.

— Did you think by chance I wouldn't know you were coming? — Naraku said. — I told ya your lil' bro is a big danger for me. I cannot let him get away while he's carrying the Soul.

The Soul this, the Soul that… All I've heard since I got here is the damn Soul! But his word made me determined. He cannot leave Shôta alone because he's the Soul's recipient and he has him under control. And Inu-Yasha told me the only way to escape this fate is killing the King, and for that I need that Soul. In other words, I need what Shôta had.

— Soul or whatever you're called. — I said now with a straight and loud voice, while I walked backwards until I stood in front of the chained Shôta. Then, I looked at him and I continued:

— Come to me. I'm willing to be you recipient. — Then, something entered my body and I stopped seeing my surroundings.

The last thing I saw was Inu-Yasha barging in the room trying to reach me with his hand.

I'm sure I was teleported to another dimension since I wasn't in the room anymore but I didn't seem to be dead either. In front of there was "someone", or "something", ethereal. Suddenly, I heard words in my mind:

— I'm the next Queen of Hell, what everyone calls the Soul, even though my real name is Kikyô. I've been waiting for you all this time. — Of course it sounded in my mind, since something ethereal like that doesn't have mouth. It seemed to be a girl though. — Are you willing to accept me, Higurashi Kagome?

— If this can save Shôta, then I'm willing. — Then, I became interested in something it said before. — But… Aren't you supposed to possess Shôta instead of me? Why did you say you were waiting for me?

— Mmmm? Ah… I see. That bastard Naraku told you that that child Shôta is supposed to be the next "him" (the King). But, in reality, the Next is not Shôta but you, Kagome. You were born with me inside you, but some years later your brother was born, so Naraku made sure to transplant me to him from you. — Wait. Another surprise? Me, being the next "Naraku", the Queen of Hell? You've got to be kidding me!

— Then, if you come back to me, what will happen? — I asked without showing any of the emotions I had inside.

— I will show you now, Princess of Hell.

And before I could say anything, the Soul named Kikyô came to me, and even though it can seem estrange, I felt like something empty in me had been filled up. It may be my lost Soul? Then, I found myself above my old home, all the Hôjô' s land, but this time I was floating and none could see me. There must be something Kikyô wanted me to see, and when I looked closely at the main house, I realized: Shôta was there, with Hôjô-kun's parents. He was living in luxury and he was so happy. Kikyô explained:

— At the moment you accepted me, that was what happened to Shôta. He's replacing your old friend, Hôjô, whose existence has been forgotten by everyone here. For them, the only son they ever had is only Shôta. But he also has forgotten about you and his previous life in misery. He was only a tool which isn't needed anymore.

— It's fine. — I said crying. — It's not like he had anything to do with all this anyway. He better live his life like that. Now, I don't know what I have ahead of me, and I'm scared. Good-bye my little brother Shôta. I really hope you will lead a good life... — And I couldn't say anymore since, once again, I came back to the room.

I was still crying but I got to see Naraku's dog face, Miroku and Sango-chan's "I dunno what's happening" face and Inu-Yasha's worried face. But Shôta nor Kikyô wasn't there either. His life of misery had finished, so from now on, I must take the burden on my shoulders. After all, all what I always ever wanted was him living a happy life, and that wish is fulfilled now. Then, Naraku broke the tense silence:

— You… Did you just let the Soul become one with you?! It can't be!

— Yes, it can. Since you seem to know everything, you must know I'm the new Princess of Hell who will succeed you. And... You also must know that the Soul is called Kikyô! — I felt like I had all the power but I got too carried away and this happened:

— You? My successor? Don't make me laugh little girl. You made me plans fall apart but I'll kill ya now. — Then, I remember our first meeting, when a man was killed like that. Like I said before, I got too carried away and now I was in danger. But certain someone gave me a surprise:

— You stupid midget…! — Inu-Yasha told me while grabbing my hand. — Don't do anymore stupid things and stay behind me. – And then he pushed me behind himself.

— Are you protecting me, Inu-Yasha? I though you hated me…

— I do not. — What`s with him? He didn't even let me finish talking. — It's ya or that barstard, so it's not like I have any options left. Anyway, hold tight. We are flying and getting outa here once for all.

— Whaaaaat…?! — And I couldn't say anymore because he lifted me up and went fliying, while he was still dodging the killing gazes of Naraku. Miroku and Sango-chan looked at the scene like all this hadn't anything to do with them. But I guess it's more like they believe in Inu-Yasha so much.

Then, the real fight between Inu-Yasha and Naraku began. Since he couldn't possibily fight while protecting me, he put me down next to Sango-chan. She scolded me because I had caused trouble for everyone, since I didn't even know how control my new power as the Princess of Hell. I didn't even think of that, but she was right. Now, Inu-Yasha had revealed his true face in front of Naraku, who didn't hesitated for a second to kill him. In fact, he hadn't moved a single centimetre since the fight began. On the other hand, Inu-Yasha had to dodge all the killing attacks, filled with the most powerful poison which was able to kill a normal man in seconds. The room had also fallen apart a while ago. Suddenly, the current King of Hell stopped his attacks and said:

— Are you tired already Inu-Yasha? You know if I shot you directly with this miasma of mine, you are done for. But it's also my less powerful technique.

— What the Hell are ya talkin' about? — Inu-Yasha said all covered in sweat and almost run out of breath. — Are ya freakin' underestimatin' me or what?

— Not really… I just wanted you to die like your beloved parents did, that's all. I was being considerate. — Whaaaaat? So, he killed Inu-Yasha's parents? That was why he wanted to get rid of Naraku so badly, even though he even had to save me? I was starting to understand everything.

— Shut yer freakin' mouth up, you damned bastard. — Inu-Yasha's voice sounded like it wasn't coming out of him but some demon hiding beneath him. Then he jumped at the King in a fierce way, and suddenly, he shot miasma. Oh no!

— Inu-Yasha! Don't let him provoke you! — The, until now, quiet Miroku, got into the scene.

But it was too late. A direct shot was about to hit Inu-Yasha and all happened so fast: I ran into the middle of the battlefield and tried to stop them but it was no use with my current strength. So both, Inu-Yasha, who shouted at me how of a stupid girl I was again, and me were hit. All what I remember after that, was Miroku making a strange barrier and Sango-chan making a way out for us. I lost conscious with the impression that this battle might have come to an end, but the real war had just started.

This is only the beginning...! Now, what do you think they will do next? :O Thanks for reading!

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