As Death Gives Life

Looking at the child inspired thoughts of snow. Not the first snowfall of winter. No, not the light flurry of gentle flakes that fall and build into a wonderland of fluffy fun for the young or young at heart. She reminded one of dark snow. White and beautiful, an unstable mass situated precariously on a high peak. Packed and dangerously shifting many kilometers above, waiting until the dead of night to become loosed on an unsuspecting village below. A snow that decimates and leaves nothing in its wake.

She was Kanna of the void.

Kanna, a child born of Naraku, a slave to an evil being bent on chaos and iniquity. An adult trapped forever in the body of a child. A Paradox. One could not judge Kanna by simply looking upon her. Those who did thought her to be emotionless, heartless, and totally loyal to her master.

Things are not always what they seem.

She was no child. She held no childlike innocence. She had never laughed, or loved. Behind the emotionless mask Kanna held her thoughts and dreams to herself, hidden deep inside, where even she could not find them without a strenuous search. It was the only way she could stay alive, for if Naraku were to ever catch a glimpse of her inner mind, she would be doomed.

Kanna was far from emotionless. Oh, yes, Kanna felt strong emotions. Emotions such as hate.

Hate and fear.

Naraku had inspired these things in the childlike demoness at her un-natural birth. His malice dripped off of him like a slimy coating of decay. One only had to be near him to know it, and Kanna knew it all too well.

Naraku used her. She and her sister Kagura, were only tools. A means to an end. Without a doubt Naraku would destroy them both in the blink of an eye if he ever suspected any sort of betrayal to his supreme dominance. Kagura had learned that lesson the hard way. Her brief play for freedom had earned her a week of painful torture. However Kanna would not fall so easily.

Kanna was an expert at hiding her true feelings. Nothing stirred her visible or physically.

Nothing.

She would bide her time, and do his bidding, and one day she would escape his iron hold upon her. When that day came she would be free. Free to make her own choices. Free to live.

Kanna gazed into her demonolatry mirror. They were approaching. Naraku would not be pleased. He liked to be in control. He was always the one to choose the time and place for confrontation, but today they would bring the fight to him. Kanna silently made her way through the dank hallways of the castle toward the main chamber.

Towards her master.

On her way she wondered what would come of this latest situation. Could her long awaited freedom be close at hand? Thoughts of betrayal played in her mind. She could so easily turn the tide in her favor by keeping their approach to herself.

It was a gamble she was not willing to risk.

If the approaching group failed to slay Naraku, she would pay for her betrayal with her life.

Kanna continued on her way, finally arriving outside of the shoji screen door where her master resided beyond.

“Enter Kanna,” Naraku called. He waited patiently for his smallest and most trusted minion to enter his dark chamber. Once she stood before him, in all her errie luminescence, he said, “Do you have something to show me?”

She raised the mirror in her hands to reflect the image of her hated father, but it soon began to swirl, mingling his reflection with other skewed colors, finally clearing to reveal another person altogether.

Inuyasha.

Naraku’s ruby eyes narrowed as he watched the vision before him change and zoom soon revealing the other travelers that accompanied the hanyou just outside of his saku (barrier).

Of course there was the miko. That cursed bitch, that so favored Kikyo, the undead priestess. Hanging from her neck was the prize he valued above all else. Twelve shards lying just above her ample breasts.

The insignificant kitsune youkai skipped along just ahead of the miko.

The demon slayer, Sango, carrying her two-tailed neko, walked alongside the strangely dressed miko. He had a very adequate weapon ready for her. She can not fight her own blood.

On the right-hand of the miko walked a new creature. A female demoness. ‘Interesting. She carries a shard of the Shikon jewel. Good. Bring it to me lovely one.’

Behind the women walked the monk, but Naraku knew that the houshi’s wind tunnel was no use against his saimyoshou (insects from hell). He would prove no real threat.

Finally he turned his eyes upon the male walking next to the houshi. Another new addition to the group. He appeared to be a taiyoukai, but if that were the case, he would have recognized him. He found this most puzzling. Naraku growled in frustration. He hated not knowing. He made it his business to know something about everyone who was a potential threat. Why then, had he not been informed of this youkai sooner?

Naraku shifted his long leg. The movement sent his raven hair spilling over his shoulder. He looked up to Kanna, and said, “You have done well Kanna. Call the others. We must prepare to welcome our visitors.”

“Yes Naraku,” Kanna uttered, before gathering her mirror and walking quietly from the room.

~~~***~~~

Inuyasha stopped and turned around. He looked past the women trailing along behind him, and sought out the inuGod. “Hey Anubis! Where in the hell is it? Are we even close?”

Anubis continued walking. He sauntered past the females, glancing to Kagome with a small smile, which she returned. He stepped up next to Inuyasha, and made a gesture with his hand. He smirked at the hanyou, who was just as ignorant to the barrier in front of him as his companions. “Are you blind, Inuyasha?”

“Cut the crap, Anubis. You know we can’t see the barrier or we would have killed Naraku years ago,” Inuyasha snarled.

Anubis knew very well Inuyasha could not sense the barrier, but found it rather amusing to flaunt the hanyou’s ignorance of the fact. Once he was sure he had adequately aggravated the boy, he decided to get down to business, but first he needed to say a couple of things. “When we pass through the barrier, Naraku will be there to greet us. His minions will be ready for us. Sango, prepare yourself, for your brother will pass when Naraku meets his demise.” He said the last with a comforting tone. If there was one thing he knew all too well, it was death.

A harsh gasp resounded from the slayer. Kagome immediately went to her side, and placed her arm around her shoulders in comfort. She looked up to Anubis and asked, “Isn’t there something that you can do to help him?”

Anubis looked to Kagome. A frown marred his perfect features. “I wish that I could, my dear. Unfortunately the boy has cheated death for a long while due to the crimes of Naraku. His soul calls for the solace of death. Do not fear, lady Sango, for your brother will finally know peace. The horrors of this life will be washed away.”

Kagome gripped Sango, as her friend collapsed to her knees sobbing. She knew that Sango had always held out hope that Kohaku would be freed from Naraku’s grasp, able to live once more, as her little brother. This was not at all what they had hoped for. Kagome felt her own heart clench with the pain and sympathy for her closest friend. It was just so unfair. Sango didn’t deserve this.

Miroku walked up to Sango, and crouched down next to her. He then placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Lady Sango, I wish that I could do something to take away this pain.” He hated to see her suffer. It made him hate Naraku all the more, for this was why Naraku kept Kohaku alive. He did it simply to make Sango suffer.

Inuyasha wanted to kill something. One of his pack was hurting, and he wanted to make the bastard responsible pay. “Let’s get this over with!” Inuyasha growled as he pulled his deadly sword from its sheath. The old rusty blade transformed to a giant glimmering steel fang, waiting to draw blood.

“Keep your guard up everyone,” Anubis warned. He turned to Kagome and said, “Kagome, my dear, it would please me if you would stay close behind me.”

Kagome looked at him strangely, as she allowed his request to sink in. Surely he did not think that she would cower behind him. She had just as much a right to join in the battle as the rest of them. Anger began to form, and she narrowed her dark blue eyes at the inu. “I will not hide!”

Anubis chuckled at her indignation, “Lovely girl, I do not ask that you hide. I simply wish you to be near me.”

For once, Inuyasha thought the bastard had a good idea going. He would feel much better knowing that Kagome was safe. “Just do what he says, Kagome.”

Kagome looked at Inuyasha in shock. She couldn’t believe that he was actually agreeing with Anubis! “Fine,” she snapped. Of course, she had no intention of staying there, but they didn’t have to know that.

With a nod, Anubis turned back to the forest in front of them. He lifted one graceful arm and waved it slowly through the air until it once again rested at his side. The movement created the most amazing rupture in the scene before them. The image shifted and rippled, as does the calm surface of a lake when assaulted by a single stone.

Anubis stepped forward, and as soon as his form touched the saku, it began to dissolve. Bit by bit, it sizzled, dwindling away, until nothing of it at all remained. Now, instead of a serene forest, a dark haunting palace was revealed.

“Shall we?” Anubis drawled, before he turned away, leading the group of shard hunter’s into their final battle with Naraku.

Kagome stayed close behind Anubis, and just behind, and to the right of her, walked Inuyasha. His sword bounced over his shoulder, appearing to swing carelessly, but with one powerful swipe he could bring on the kaze no kizu (wind scar).

After crossing the barrier, they came face to face with a tall wall that surrounded the palace perched high upon the cliff. Inuyasha jumped ahead.

“Let me take care of this,” Inuyasha said. He pulled his sword around and leapt forward. With one powerful slice he busted through the wooden structure.

Kagome spotted Naraku standing in front of his palace looking as handsome and regal as ever. What a farce. No matter what he looked like, or what he sounded like, the hanyou was literally the epitome of evil. His heart was as black as the darkest night, and his mind was corrupt with foul schemes. No one had ever deserved death more than the beast standing before them.

His minions stood protectively around him, eyeing their opponents with respect and hatred. Today one of them would find the end to their life, and neither intended to be the one to fall. A swarm of saimyoshou buzzed in the background. The battle was about to begin.

“Ah, greetings Inuyasha. To what do I owe this visit?” Naraku sneered with a smirk.

“No need to ask that Naraku! You know damn well why were here!” Inuyasha snarled.

“I see you have gained a couple of new allies,” Naraku commented with snide interest. He turned his gaze on the female demoness, who was standing at the rear of the group. “Pretty. It’s a pity that I shall have to rip that shard from her leg.” He laughed at the viscous growling of the inu-hanyou. “Why Inuyasha, you act as if you care. Have you forsaken the little miko here for, yet another, woman?”

“Shut up you bastard!” Inuyasha shouted angrily. How dare he flaunt his protection of Kikyo in front of Kagome like that, but before he could step forward, Anubis held out his hand to stop him. He turned on the inuGod with a look to burn, but something in the inu’s gaze told him to let it slide. Reluctantly Inuyasha held his position, and turned a look of pure hatred on Naraku.

Naraku watched the inu silently command Inuyasha to stand down. This was most definitely new. Only the miko could control the hanyou’s outbursts, but this new male exhibited some sort of control over him as well. He focused his attention on the newcomer.

“And who might you be?” Naraku asked curiously.

Anubis was all business now. He met the hanyou’s gaze with icy narrowed eyes, “I am Lord Anubis, an Egyptian God of the Dead, and I have deemed you unworthy to walk the land of the living.” He lifted both of his clawed hands and waved them both elegantly in a circle. “Your circle has ended.”

Before his very eyes, Inuyasha watched Naraku turn to floating dust. The only ones remaining were Kanna, Kagura, and the limp form of Sango’s brother Kohaku.

He could not BELIEVE this SHIT!

“WHAT THE FUCK HAVE YOU DONE?!!!” Inuyasha screamed at Anubis.

Anubis smirked and shot a sideways glance at Inuyasha. He knew that Inuyasha wasn’t going to like the way he had decided to handle the situation. The boy wanted bloodshed in exchange for Naraku’s crimes, but Kagome was too important to risk being harmed. He would not allow her to be placed in harms way just to appease the hanyou’s bloodlust.

“I have slain the enemy, and in honor to me the Japanese deities have granted the judgement of their souls to be carried out by the Egyptian Gods. Ammit should feed well tonight.” Anubis stated. The Fates were all too eager to let him deal with Naraku. They had no more use for him, and his steady increase in power made them uneasy.

Anubis then turned to the shocked females who he had granted life. “You Kagura of the wind, and you, Kanna of the void, have been found deserving of your freedom. Your days of slavery to Naraku have come to an end. Live well.”

Kagura could not believe it! Naraku was gone. Just. Like. That. No blood and guts. No pain. He was just ‘gone’. This ‘Egyptian’ God had destroyed their creator with the wave of his hands. How utterly fantastical.

If she knew how, Kanna would have smiled. It had happened. Her freedom was gained, and in the most unexpected way. She joined her sister in a low bow of thanks, then uttered her promise, “For my freedom, I am forever indebted to you. Any one of you have but to call upon me, and I will come to your aid.”

Kagura nodded curtly, “And I as well, will come to you in the wind.”

Anubis nodded, and turned to Kagome who with mouth agape, was still staring at the place Naraku was last standing. He chuckled lightly, “My dear Kagome, do you not have a jewel to collect and purify?” His words had the desired effect, and Kagome blinked hard once, then took off toward the dark glimmering portion of the Shikon Jewel lying in the powdery dust that once was Naraku. He watched her in amazement, as the blackened jewel turned to shining pink upon her touch. He smiled and turned to the hanyou.

Inuyasha was sitting on the ground shaking his head in disbelief, pouting, as would a child. Anubis chastised him jokingly, “Oh Inuyasha, get over it.” Then he went to join Kagome.

Sango had ran to Kohaku’s fallen body as soon as he hit the ground, leaving Miroku alone to stare at his hand in wonder. The curse was lifted. He no longer bore the void in his palm. The wind tunnel was now a thing of the past.

“WOOHOO!!!!” Miroku yelled out as he danced merrily about.

Shippo Kirara and Kat took a seat on an old wooden box, to take in the happenings around them. They were still in shock over the display of power that Anubis had unleashed upon Naraku. They knew he was strong, but they had no idea he could do THAT.

Shippo noticed that Kagome had run to Sango, and was trying to comfort their friend during her loss. Even Miroku, who had just been dancing around like an idiot, had gathered his wits and was heading for Sango. “Come on Kirara, let’s go.”

Kat watched her two furry companions walk toward the slayer. She didn’t feel right about intruding on Sango’s grief right now. She had only just met her. She did, however, feel like she could offer a few words to Inuyasha. The hanyou was absolutely distraught over this turn of events. She got up from her perch and brushed her little white skirt off, and then made her way to Inuyasha.

“It could have turned out differently, you know. One of you could be dead right now,” Kat said to the hanyou sitting at her feat. He huffed in annoyance, and she was just about to call him a selfish idiot, when he surprised her.

Inuyasha inhaled deeply, and stood up. She was right, and as much as he wanted to get a piece of Naraku, he was glad that his friends were safe. He wasn’t about to tell HER that though. “Whatever,” he growled, before going to tell Sango that he was sorry for her loss.

~~~***~~~

Many, many kilometers away, far in the West, a lone taiyoukai was just beginning to feel the sensation pass. He had been frozen for a moment. Frozen in the revelation. Naraku had met his demise, and the most amazing thing was that he smelt his half-brother mingled in with the dead hanyou on the breeze.

Had Inuyasha killed Naraku?

This was just too puzzling. He would have to investigate this further. Sesshomaru’s smooth, baritone voice called out to his retainer. “Jaken.”

A few minutes later a short, bustling green form burst through the underbrush to greet his lord, “Yes, Lord Sesshomaru? What can I do for you my lord?”

“Bring Rin and Ah-Un. We leave at once,” the stoic lord ordered.

Shortly afterward, Sesshomaru and his entourage were headed East, as he followed the smell of death floating on the air.

~~~***~~~

Deep within the Underworld, inside the glorious Hall of Two Truths, floated a dark soul. It writhed in horror as the weight of his black heart shifted the golden Scales. The soul of Naraku screamed out, in frantic gabble, as the demoness Ammit, licked her ruby lips.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Go Anubis go! Go, go Anubis, Go!! Haha. Anubis has wiped Naraku off the face of the Earth. You know what that means... Celebration Sex! Yes... soon the much-requested lemon will appear. YAY for smut!!!