Chapter Sixteen: Half a Mind to Kill You

They plunged downward into the gorge. Inuyasha saw the clay soldiers shatter against the rocks as they careened toward their doom. Or Kaede's doom. He expected himself to survive, as well as Shippo. Catching himself on a tree branch he leaped off it and landed on the ground.

Looking around he saw no sign of Kaede or Shippo. Then he looked up and saw a leaf falling toward him at breakneck speed. Before he could move it landed on top of him.

'I sure hope Inuyasha's alright.' said Shippo's voice.

'An individual such as he would not easily be slain.' said Kaede.

Yet where was he? Kaede could not see him anywhere. Strange that one so destinctive could pass by Kaede's notice.

'Mind getting off me.' asked Inuyasha beneath her.

'Ah well, speak of the devil.' said Kaede, before Shippo unsummoned the leaf.

The dolls arose from the wreckage, swords in hand. They rushed at them in silence. Inuyasha stood and drew his sword, cutting them down in moments.

'Shippo,' he said 'where is Kagome?'

'She got snatched by that Urasue woman.' said Shippo.

'Well at least she didn't fall to her death.' mused Inuyasha.

Then out of the dolls came balls of energy. Souls which rose toward heaven. Kaede watched them go.

'The souls are ascending.' said Kaede.

'Kaede!' said Inuyasha 'What is going on?'

'Urasue must have imprisoned human souls to animate these clay soldiers.' said Kaede. Then she kneeled down by one of the broken dolls. 'Human bones are baked in with the clay.'

'Human bones?' asked Inuyasha.

'It is worse than I thought.' said Kaede 'Urasue's magic is fiendish. Using the bones and souls of the dead. And now she possesses my sisters remains.'

'I don't know what you are getting so torn up about.' said Inuyasha 'Human wear animal pelts don't they?'

'It is not the same thing at all.' said Kaede. 'Where is young Shippo?'

Shippo was gone. He'd probably raced on ahead. Looking up Inuyasha saw Shippo floating toward the top of the cliff. Kaede moved to make after him, but halted and fell to one knee in pain.

'You're wounded old woman.' said Inuyasha 'Stay here and I'll take care of Kikyo's remains.'

'I worry that time is not on our side.' said Kaede. 'We may shortly find ourselves face to face with my sister.'

'What?' said Inuyasha 'But Kikyo's dead!'

'Urasue has all she needs to revive her and if she succeeds we shall face a formidable foe.' said Kaede. 'We must find some way to stop this.'

It had not been a pleasant few minutes.

After the bridge was cut and she got snatched by Urasue things had only gotten worse. Kagome had been tied up and immersed in an open coffin. It was filled with cold green liquid which soaked into her skin. She struggled in her bindings as the demon went about her business.

'Hey, what do you think you're pulling here?!' cried Kagome.

'You are an insolent one, are you not?' asked Urasue. 'That should do it. Good.'

'What's in this water?' asked Kagome, feeling sick. 'It smells disgusting.'

Then she saw something. A stunningly beautiful dark haired woman walked out of the cave. Her eyes were empty but she was very familiar. Who was she? Whoever she was she was dressed in a white and red priestess robe.

'So you're dressed.' said Urasue 'The attire of a priestess is most fitting and flatters your good looks. I've done well to reshape your body with human bones and graveyard soil. Now all that you require is a human soul.'

'What are you talking about?' asked Kagome.

'My magical herbal potion will soon suck the soul right from your very body. Kikyo shall have her soul and you shall be among the living dead.' said Urasue.

'Kikyo's soul?' asked Kagome 'Then this girl is Kikyo?'

The girl was still empty eyed. But just being in her presence made Kagome feel weird. Like she was looking at herself. She was Kikyo's reincarnation wasn't she? The water began to glow and the sensation intensified. Kagome felt like she couldn't breathe. She could hardly even move.

Then light began to shine from Kagome's chest. She felt herself expanding and saw things, saw memories from thousands of moments which she shouldn't remember. They weren't hers. At the same time she felt like she would throw up from all the flashing.

'What is this?' asked Urasue 'Kikyo's spirit pulses with unbearable grief and resolve. I suspect she must have suffered a tremendous betrayal in her former life.'

'Help…' said Kagome 'Inuyasha…'

And Inuyasha was there. She could sensing coming toward her.

'You survived the fall…' said Urasue.

The pressure was unbearable. Kagome couldn't stand it anymore. 'Do not call out to me.' she said, yet it wasn't her. 'Do not call out my name.'

'Kikyo…'

The instant Inuyasha said it Kagome's heart skipped a beat and Kikyo's soul sprang forth. She felt herself rushing out of her body and was heading toward the soulless girl. And as she rushed toward it she found her identity changing, little by little back to what it once was.

Who was she?

Who was she?!

'FOXFIRE!'

An inferno of blue flame arose around the girl. In moment she was consumed in the flame and the restless spirit was forced to flee back. Back to its former body. But she was not unchanged.

'NO!' cried Urasue. 'Cursed fox demon! Now the whole days work has been ruined! I'll rip you limb from limb!'

'Kagome,' cried Shippo 'wake up Kagome!'

Kikyo opened her eyes and sat up. She slipped her bindings with ease and got out of the coffin. The stink of the herbal remedy was still on her, but she remained unphazed. She had work to do. Inuyasha was there, good. But first she should deal with Urasue.

Urasue was rushing at Shippo with a scythe. Kikyo reached out and touched her on the shoulder. The demoness screamed as pure energy tore through her, and she was reduced to mere ashes in moments.

That was one down.

Now she could probably remove Shippo most easily. He was nearest. But then Inuyasha would be on to her. No, she had to act against him quickly. Her memories, no, the memories of that girl, Kagome, told her that Inuyasha was stronger than when Kikyo had faced him last.

She had to deal with him quickly.

As she approached, however, she stumbled. 'Inuyasha, why are you still alive?'

'Kagome, what the hell is going on?' asked Inuyasha.

'I bound you to a tree with a sacred arrow.' said Kikyo.

'What the hell are you talking about?' asked Inuyasha 'It was Kikyo who did that. Not you. Not that anyone ever told me why.'

'Kagome child, what is the meaning of this?' asked an old woman. Kikyo had memories, her name was… Kaede?

It couldn't be her sister.

'Kaede?' asked Kikyo 'How is it that you are so old? What has happened?'

'Kikyo,' said Kaede in a hushed voice.

'What do you mean?' asked Shippo 'That's Kagome!'

'Kikyo and Kagome have the same soul.' said Kaede 'They are different aspects of the same being. When Urasue loosed their soul from Kagome's body her intention was to ressurect Kikyo. Yet you destroyed the vessel which she was to inhabit. So her soul returned. Yet it seems that it returned as Kikyo, rather than Kagome.'

'You… you don't remember at all do you.' said Kikyo 'My wounds… the deaths… none of it…'

'What wounds?!' snapped Inuyasha 'What are you talking about?'

'You were the one who mortally wounded Kikyo, were you not?' asked Kaede. 'Surely you must remember.'

'I don't know what you're talking about.' said Inuyasha 'The whole thing is a blur.'

'Inuyasha,' said Kikyo 'do you not remember when you told me you wanted to become human? I believed your words. That day, I carried the shikon jewel and went to you. Yet when I found you you had gone mad. You wounded me and took the jewel and rampage across the village, causing untold havoc. Many died that day because of you... Because of me...

That is why I gathered up the last vestiges of my strength and bound you to a tree with a sacred arrow.' She made her way forward.

'Kikyo…' began Inuyasha.

Kikyo drew near. She was smaller than she was used to yet her position to Inuyasha was similar. Similar to their position on a boat ride they had taken long ago. 'Inuyasha, you and I were fated never to meet again.'

She grabbed his arms and channeled her power. Inuyasha screamed and was sent reeling. Kaede stepped forward. 'Kikyo, stop this! Inuyasha is no longer possessed by the madness of which you speak!'

'I believed that once before.' said Kikyo 'To my folly. Give me this!' And she snatched away her bow. Launching a shot toward Inuyasha, she cursed her aim as he dodged away. 'Kaede give me another arrow.'

'Kikyo you must stop this!' said Kaede.

'Give Kagome back!' roared Shippo.

Kikyo glanced back to see the fox demon coming at her. He unleashed his foxfire, but his intention was to hold her in place, not injure her. It hardly mattered. The inferno which arose was no more significant than an errant breeze beneath her power. She'd destroy him first. Raising a hand she sent a bolt which struck Shippo.

The fox demon screamed and fell backward to land hard. Not dead, but incapacitated. Something was pressing against Kikyo's mind. The part of her which was Kagome was fighting furiously, but her will was weaker. She could not compare to Kikyo in strength of mind and body.

'Kaede, hand me your arrows.' said Kikyo.

'I'll do no such thing.' said Kaede.

'Kaede!' roared Kikyo 'Show loyalty to your flesh and blood! Not some bloodstained demon! Now hear the demand of your elder sister and give me those arrows!' Snatching them from her by force she swung it over her shoulder.

'Sister!' cried Kaede, but Kikyo shoved her away.

'Inuyasha!' cried Kikyo 'The taint of your past actions has brought death to too many! You cannot be saved!'

'Wait, Kikyo!' said Inuyasha 'This doesn't have to happen!'

'Enough!' cried Kikyo 'You were a fool beyond compare to think you could shed your past! The atrocities you have commited have burned themselves onto your very soul! So long as you live all who cross your path are in danger! Die!'

She launched her arrow. As it shot toward him, energy coursing around it, Inuyasha drew his sword. Blade met shaft and there was a flash of light. The tetsaiga faded back to a rusted blade and the arrow pierced Inuyasha's shoulder. He screamed.

It was the scream which awakened her.

Kikyo felt Kagome arising within her. She struggled against the girl, as their wills strained against one another. For a moment Kikyo kept her control, but then it was forced from her. Kagome awoke. Their two minds warred for control and finally Kagome did it.

She was back. But she could still feel Kikyo, just beneath the surface. The priestess was there, waiting to break out again.

Gasping for air Kagome fell to her knees. Her every muscle hurt. Her head was buzzing. And then she fell forward into unconsciousness.

Authors Note:

This episode was somewhat shorter than the last, owing to the fact that the last segment of this episode was little more than a lengthy flashback. So yeah, next chapter we're finally meeting Miroku.