Sesshomaru's senses led him to a secluded cave nestled within the dense foliage of the forest. As he approached, the familiar scent of death and decay filled his nostrils, accompanied by the subtle presence of the Shikigami that had once followed the dead priestess.
Entering the cave, Sesshomaru's eyes scanned the dim interior until they landed on the figure of Kohaku, sitting huddled in a corner. The boy's eyes widened in surprise at Sesshomaru's sudden appearance, but he made no move to flee.
"I have been instructed to retrieve you," Sesshomaru stated, his voice cool and authoritative. "You will travel with me until the danger has passed for the dead priestess."
Kohaku nodded silently, his expression a mix of resignation and determination. He understood the gravity of the situation, knowing that his presence had put Kikyo in harm's way once again.
Without further hesitation, Kohaku rose to his feet and followed Sesshomaru out of the cave, his steps steady and resolute. It wasn't the first time that he had traveled with Lord Sesshomaru before, however, he took note that Rin and Lady Kagome were absent. He didn't bring it up and instead followed silently.
"Ah, if it isn't Lord Sesshomaru." Byakuya smiled, standing atop of a branch and leaning against the tree. "Why are you guarding such a pitiful human creature?"
"You're Naraku's newest creation."
Sesshomaru's gaze narrowed as he took in the appearance of the pale demon before him. Byakuya's striking features were unmistakable—a cascade of long black hair tied back in a ponytail, his lips adorned with a vivid red hue that seemed to contrast against his pale complexion. His attire was equally distinct, adorned in a light blue haori with intricate red patterns, complemented by brown hakama and a dark blue vest embellished with yellow markings. Socks adorned his feet, paired with traditional sandals, while a bladeless sword and gourd were secured to his back.
Observing Byakuya's presence, Sesshomaru's demeanor remained composed, though a flicker of wariness lingered in his golden eyes. This incarnation was different from the ones before yet familiar.
"So you have come to save Kohaku then?" Byakuya smiled ruefully, "It seems a bit out of character for you."
"You will die at my hand," Sesshomaru drew his blade
"I hate to disappoint," he held a paper crane in his hand before swiping it in the air and throwing it up in the sky. "But I must take my leave."
Sesshomaru watched as he flew away. His eyes narrowed, only for him to realize why he was familiar yet different. Naraku made his ninth incarnation to have a trait from each of his previous incarnations, and that little move he did was from Kagura.
Sheathing his blade, Sesshomaru resumed his stride, his expression unreadable as he led Kohaku away from the encounter. "Let's go, Kohaku."
"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru," Kohaku replied, falling into step behind him.
As they walked, Sesshomaru couldn't shake the weight of his koi's words from his mind. Her intuition had proven correct once again; had he not intervened, Naraku might have succeeded in capturing Kohaku and his shard. The necessity of staying away from his intended for the safety of the boy and his shard weighed heavily on him, knowing the pain their separation would bring her.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Sesshomaru remained resolute in his determination to protect Kohaku and honor his koi's wishes.
As they raced towards their friends, Kagome's grip on the bow tightened, her heart pounding with a mix of determination and worry. The spirit guardian's test had been a mere formality; her love for Sesshomaru was unwavering, her heart solely his. But now, as they faced the imminent threat of Naraku, her thoughts were consumed by the safety of her friends.
Inuyasha's growl of anger mirrored her own feelings as they closed in on Naraku's location. The urgency of the situation hung heavy in the air, propelling them forward with a sense of urgency.
"There isn't much time," Kagome snapped, her voice edged with urgency as she clung to Inuyasha's back.
Following the scent trail, Inuyasha pressed on, his determination unwavering.
"Will you still be able to save Kikyo?" Inuyasha's question cut through the tension.
Kagome's throat tightened. "It depends," she admitted, her voice heavy with uncertainty.
With every step, Kagome's mind raced with the possibilities. Could she still save Kikyo? The uncertainty gnawed at her, but she knew she had to try. The weight of Midoriko's plan bore down on her, a reminder that their fates were intertwined whether they liked it or not. As they neared their destination, Kagome braced herself for whatever challenges lay ahead, determined to do whatever it took to protect her friends and see Midoriko's plan through to its end. Whether or not it meant that Kikyo's life would end today as Midoriko predicted.
Inuyasha had set her down away from the battlefield, "stay here, I can't protect you and Kikyo and fight him."
Kagome watched helplessly as Inuyasha charged towards the battlefield, his determination echoing in his battle cry. Despite his words, she couldn't simply stand by and wait. With a determined huff, she began to follow him, her feet carrying her swiftly across the terrain until she reached the edge of the cliff.
Gripping the bow tightly in her hands, Kagome knew she had to act. She couldn't let Inuyasha face Naraku alone, and Kikyo needed her help.
Kagome's hands trembled as she held the arrow, her gaze locked with Kikyo's across the battlefield. The words echoed in her mind, Kikyo's voice imploring her not to shoot. Confusion and uncertainty clouded her thoughts as she hesitated, unsure of what to do.
You mustn't shoot. Not yet.
But as she looked into Kikyo's eyes, she saw something that gave her pause. Despite the dire situation, there was a glimmer of understanding and determination in Kikyo's gaze. It was as if she knew something that Kagome didn't, something that could change everything.
Taking a deep breath, Kagome lowered the bow slightly, her mind racing with conflicting emotions.
But as she wavered, a sudden clarity washed over her. Trusting her instincts, she slowly lowered the bow completely, the tension easing from her shoulders.
"Kagome!" Kouga's voice broke through her trance, pulling her attention away from the swirling vortex inside Naraku's body. He stood beside her, his concern evident on his face. "Are you alright?"
"Yes," Kagome replied, her gaze briefly flickering down to Kouga's legs, where his purified jewel shards emitted a bright glow. Despite their proximity to Naraku's malevolent presence, the shards remained unaffected.
Turning back to the chaotic battle unfolding before them, they witnessed Inuyasha's futile attempt to vanquish Naraku's demonic form. The demon's regeneration baffled them all, defying the laws of nature.
"How is it possible for him to regenerate?" Miroku voiced the question that lingered on everyone's minds.
"What is that?" Kagome's grip tightened on her bow as she focused on Naraku's twisted form.
"Inuyasha's dragon scale Tetsusaiga worked," Sango observed, her eyes narrowing with determination.
"That is the inside of Naraku's body," Kouga added, his tone grim.
"And Kouga's jewel shards," Miroku interjected, emphasizing the significance of their role in Naraku's power.
Kagome's gaze remained fixed on the swirling vortex, feeling an inexplicable pull drawing her closer. She recognized the sensation—a familiar tug that resonated with the presence of the Sacred Jewel. With a sense of urgency, she stepped towards the edge of the cliff, her voice echoing with conviction. "I can see it. The Shikon Jewel is inside his body, Inuyasha!"
"I'll cut through you and the jewel!" Inuyasha's voice resonated with determination as he aimed his sword at Naraku, his resolve unwavering.
In a desperate move, Kagome blinked only to see Naraku release Kikyo, sending her plummeting towards the ground. With Inuyasha abandoning the fight to save Kikyo, Kagome watched helplessly as Naraku's body began to close up.
"His body is closing up!" Sango exclaimed urgently. "We have to act fast!"
Without hesitation, Kouga leaped into action, his determination shining through. "My jewel shards are meant to purify Naraku, right? Well, there's no time like the present!"
"If Kouga makes it inside, Naraku and the jewel will be purified!" Sango realized, her eyes widening with astonishment at the unexpected plan.
But Kagome's sudden gasp cut through the tension. "Stop, Kouga! It's a trap! The jewel is gone!"
"What!?" Kouga's expression twisted in shock and disbelief.
Quickly switching arrows, Kagome notched another one, her hands trembling with urgency. However, before she could release it, horror washed over her as tentacles shot out from the opening, ensnaring Kouga and dragging him towards Naraku.
"We have to save Kouga!" Miroku declared, his voice urgent. "If Naraku devours him without the jewel, it will defile the shards in his legs!"
"Kirara!" Sango called out, her heart pounding with fear and determination.
Releasing the arrow, she watched as it pierced through the tentacles, allowing Kouga to break free momentarily. But before they could reach him, a reinforced tentacle, infused with adamant shards, struck Kouga from behind. Kagome fell to her knees, a cry of anguish escaping her lips as she watched Kouga choke on blood.
"Kouga!"
As began to fall, Kagome's heart clenched with anguish. She couldn't bear to watch another friend suffer at the hands of Naraku. With determination burning in her eyes, she swiftly notched another arrow, her hands trembling with adrenaline and fear.
"We have to save him!" Kagome's voice trembled with urgency as she aimed her arrow at Naraku, her resolve unwavering despite the chaos unfolding around them.
"Inuyasha!" Sango's cry echoed through the battlefield, urging him to intervene.
Inuyasha turned his attention away from Kikyo and rushed towards Naraku, his sword poised for a strike. But before he could reach him, Kagome released her arrow, aiming directly at the tentacle constricting Kouga.
The arrow pierced through the tentacle, freeing Kouga momentarily. With a burst of energy, Kouga managed to create some distance between himself and Naraku. However, their respite was short-lived as another tentacle, reinforced with adamant shards, lashed out and struck Kouga from behind.
"Kouga!" Kagome's heart shattered at the sight of him choking on blood, his body wracked with pain.
"We need to act fast!" Miroku's voice cut through the chaos, his eyes narrowed with determination. "If Naraku devours Kouga with the shards still in him, it will only defile them further!"
Naraku unleashed a torrent of miasma, encasing Kouga within a prison of adamant, preventing Kagome from purifying it with her arrows. No matter how hard she tried, the barrier remained impenetrable.
"Sango!" Miroku's voice cut through the chaos. "Make sure I don't lose control!"
With those words as his only warning, Miroku tore the spiritual beads off his arm and unleashed his wind tunnel. Kagome could only watch in horror as the powerful force sucked in everything around it. Though it created an opening for Kouga and Inuyasha, Kagome couldn't shake the feeling of dread as she witnessed Miroku's struggle to control the destructive force.
"I need to find the jewel," Kagome muttered to herself, her voice barely audible over the chaos. "I have to end this before they're all die."
Climbing to the edge of the cliff, Kagome gazed down at Kikyo, her mind racing with thoughts. "Where is the jewel Ki–"
A sudden realization struck her like a inside her, was the black Shikon Jewel. When had Naraku planted the jewel inside Kikyo? How could she have missed such a crucial detail, one that was so glaringly obvious now?
Before she could react, Kagome stumbled as Kikyo's eyes snapped open, locking onto her with a piercing intensity.
Shoot me now.
Kikyo's voice resonated in Kagome's mind, along with a clear vision of what needed to be done.
Okay.
Notching the arrow, the one Kikyo had entrusted to her long ago, Kagome took aim. But before she could release it, Naraku's attack struck the cliff where she stood, sending her tumbling into the abyss.
"So you've found the jewel, Kagome," Naraku taunted from above.
As she fell, Kikyo's soul collectors reached out, catching her and steadying her. With a firm grip on the arrow, Kagome seized the opportunity, releasing it with all her strength. The arrow glowed with a brilliant pink light as it pierced through Kikyo and struck the black Shikon Jewel nestled within her. In mere seconds, it went from black to a glittering bright pink.
The jewel ricocheted off Kikyo's form, encased in the swirling energy of the soul collectors, and hurtled toward Naraku. With a blinding burst of light, it struck him squarely, engulfing him in its radiance.
"What!? NOOOOO" Naraku screamed as he watched in fear as the jewel slowly burrowed itself inside him.
Kagome watched in horror as Kikyo's fading spiritual energy battled against Naraku's dark aura. Despite her efforts, Naraku's malevolent power overwhelmed her, defiling Kouga's jewel shards in the process.
"It's up to you now, Kagome," Kikyo's voice echoed weakly. "You must fulfill Midoriko's plan. Protect the last shard and Kohaku's light. Midoriko intended for you to stand against him, not I."
"I…I can't do this," Kagome sobbed, her vision blurred by tears. "I'm not as strong as you."
Kikyo offered a faint smile, her gaze drifting upward toward the sky. "You're right," she whispered. "You are stronger than I am."
"INUYASHA!" Kagome's voice cracked with desperation. "It's Kikyo…hurry!"
As Inuyasha rushed to Kikyo's side, Kagome wept, her heart heavy with grief. Despite her best efforts, Naraku had escaped with Kouga's jewel shards, and Kikyo lay dying before her, beyond even her powers to heal.
"K…Kikyo…" Kagome choked on her words, watching as Inuyasha dropped his sword and gathered Kikyo into his arms, his anguish mirroring her own.
Kikyo's passing cast a heavy weight over them all.
She slipped away early in the night, cradled in Inuyasha's arms. Kagome stood by Sango, Miroku, and Kouga, feeling the weight of sorrow settle around them like a shroud. Suppressing her own grief, Kagome watched as Inuyasha and Kikyo shared their final moments together, whispering words of love and remembrance.
Unable to contain her emotions any longer, Kagome embraced Sango as she wept. Kagome felt Sango's turbulent emotions, felt her heart ached with a mix of conflicting emotions—jealousy, sorrow, and a profound sense of loss. Miroku offered a supportive nod, silently. Kagome handed Sango off to Miroku before standing.
Summoning her courage, Kagome approached Inuyasha, who gazed silently at the starry sky, lost in his thoughts.
"Inuyasha…" she began tentatively.
"Kikyo told us not to mourn her," Inuyasha interrupted, his voice heavy with sorrow, grief, and resignation. "That she will protect us forever."
Kagome swallowed hard, her throat tight with emotion. "Oh, Inuyasha…"
Kagome caught Inuyasha as he swayed, his strength faltering. She held him close as he collapsed, his body shaking with sobs. His face buried in her shoulder, Inuyasha's tears dampened her clothes as he poured out his grief.
Wrapping her arms around him, Kagome offered him what comfort she could, holding him tightly as he cried. She didn't speak, knowing that sometimes, in moments of deep sorrow, words were inadequate. All she could do was be there for him, offering her presence and support as he mourned the loss of his first love.