Between Best Friends

Chapter Fifteen

Hiei leapt threw the air as fury consumed him. She couldn't be dead, he wouldn't allow her to die. A tenacle was striking towards him and he quickly cut it in half. Her words echoed through his mind, "Who will protect me now?" "I will." He had turned his back on her. He knew himself to be a fool. He heard her confess her feelings twice but had been too scared to believe them. He couldn't believe that she would possibly love The Forbidden Child. She had given him what he had always craved and he'd thrown it back in her face. He had to jump back in time to keep from being speared and landed right where he started.

Sesshomaru drew Toukijin, they all watched as Byakuya placed the jewel into his chest and slowly absorbed it into his body. A burst of power rang out as the demon laughed. "You will all die just like that girl."

Kurama unleashed his rose whip to slice through the many tenacles coming for him. The demon's body was changing as they watched. He no longer had legs but dozens of the tenacles. As soon as they were cut they regenerated.

Sesshomaru sent a blast from his sword sending it straight towards the demon. As the blast neared a shield was placed causing the energy to bounce back towards him. He jumped up hoping the others were wise enough to do the same. Yusuke saw the blast coming for him and quickly dodged. 'That asshole did that on purpose!'

Yusuke didn't have time to pick a fight as he saw some of the tenacles coming for him. He shot his spirit gun at the mass only to have them come back.

Inuyasha got to his feet. He was going to kill the fucker for hurting Kagome. His heart told him she was still alive, she was strong she'd make it. Everyone was jumping around destroying the tenacles that seemed to be endless. They had to go for the jewel. "Kikyo, try shooting at the jewel."

Kikyo drew her bow but tenacles where coming at her. Kurama and Hiei jumped in front of her slicing through them. Kurama turned to her, "We will keep them off you long enough." She nodded and notched an arrow. She could see the jewel and aimed for it. Her arrow streaked across heading for his chest. One of the tenacles shot up blocking its path causing the arrow to purify it. It quickly grew back.

"Dammit, we gotta get through that barrier." Inuyasha jumped bringing Tetsusaiga down to slice those coming for him. If Kikyo couldn't get to it then they were in serious trouble.


Kagome found what she was looking for. Under a pile of bones was a bow but there had only been one arrow. She would have to make it count. Her and Keiko found the entrance after several minutes of searching. They cleared the it in time to hear Inuyasha shout, "Dammit, we gotta get through that barrier." She saw everyone not far away fighting as tenacles shot forward from all directions.

Her eyes spotted the jewel glowing in his chest. She notched her arrow aiming at the jewel, 'I have to bring the barrier down long enough for Inuyasha to kill him.' She let her arrow fly as she yelled to him, "Inuyasha."

He turned to see Kagome release her arrow sending it straight into his chest destroying the barrier. He swung the fang down releasing its ultimate power. The blast hit the demon destroying his bottom half and half of his chest. The jewel was still embedded in his chest pulsing.

Byakuya turned to the wounded girl. He sent his hand out to grab the girl. Kagome felt his fingers as they pierced her chest causing her to cry out in pain. She felt her feet leave the ground as she was yanked forward.

The others watched in horror as he grabbed the girl injuring her in the process.

Kurama jumped up trying to get to her, "Kagome." He felt something slam into his shoulder and he was knocked to the ground. Hiei was next but he managed to slice through the demon's back. One of the tenacles pierced his stomach as he went down.

Kagome watched as both men went down trying to get to her. She was pulled face to face with him as he smiled, "They will both watch as you die bitch. I don't take kindly to your meddling, I should have killed you when I had the chance." He placed the barrier back around them. Sesshomaru and Inuyasha both hit it as they tried to free the girl.

Yusuke ran over to Keiko's side to make sure she was okay. After doing so he tried on his own to get to the girl but he too was repelled. "Dammit, we can't just sit here and watch her die."

Kagome could see the jewel within her reach. She knew she was going to die but she would take the jewel with her. "Your first mistake was not killing me when you had the chance. Your second was hurting those I care for." She saw his expression change to one of confusion. She rammed her hand into his chest and closed her fingers around the jewel.

"Just what do you think you can possibly do?" He gloated. Byakuya twisted his fingers causing her to cry out in pain.

Kagome screamed loud enough for everyone to hear. "I'm going to make a wish." She sent her powers into her hand purifying the jewel. "I wish for Midoriko's soul to be released so she can finally rest in peace." She heard his growl as he flung her away from him into a nearby tree. Her head hit the trunk with a loud crack causing her see black.

"Kagome," Everyone screamed at one time. A scream tore from Byakuya's throat as a bright light erupted from his chest. He clawed at his chest, tearing the jewel from his flesh. It flew several feet away landing on the ground. Lights were coming from it shooting in the air. A bright light pulsed then it turned to ash before them.

"No," Byakuya screamed. "The jewel, you've destroyed it."

Sesshomaru leapt up swinging Toukijin, he released a blast that tore the demon apart. Kurama and Hiei reached Kagome's side at the same time. The fox picked her up cradling her in his arms. Tears were streaming down his face as he held her.

Keiko ran to them, "Please tell me she isn't." She looked to see her answer in Hiei's eyes. Black jewels hit the ground as the demon shed silent tears. " NO, she can't die, she can't." She threw herself in Yusuke's arms and cried.

Sesshomaru stared at the remains of Byakuya to make sure he was dead. He heard Kieko's cry and turned. The fox demon had Kagome in his arms. He could see that she was dead. Inuyasha wanted to run and hold her in his arms but accepted it wasn't his place. She belonged to them now and he had to accept it. "Sesshomaru, can you?"

The demon lord walked up to them, "Put her down." They looked up at him through blurry eyes. Once he saw that he had no intention of releasing her, he drew Tenseiga. "Do not fail her again." He brought it down across her instantly reviving her, healing her wounds.

Kurama felt her first intake of breath. She was breathing once more but she didn't wake up. He wasn't sure how Sesshomaru had brought her back, it didn't matter. He held her close to him thankful to have her back.

Inuyasha turned to see Kouga standing there with Kikyo in his arms. "Get your damn hands off my woman you smelly wolf."

Kouga put her down, "Go to hell dog breath. Someone had to protect her. You should be thanking me."

Kikyo merely smiled. After so long one would think they would have gotten over their differences.


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