A Love That Transcends Time: Book I
folder
InuYasha › Het - Male/Female › InuYasha/Kagome
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
49
Views:
14,187
Reviews:
338
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
InuYasha › Het - Male/Female › InuYasha/Kagome
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
49
Views:
14,187
Reviews:
338
Recommended:
1
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Inuyasha or the characters in it, nor do I make profit from this story. Everything else is the product of my over-active imagination.
~*~Chapter 30�Beyond Death~*~
~*~Wow, I've got 9700+ hits and 210 reviews!!! *sniff* I'm sooo.... touched by you guys!
To Cylana: WEEBEE!!! *hug* Thanx for making the time to read and review once again, and for thinking good of the story. Thanx for promising to continue reading and hopefully, reviewing too! :D Love ya lots!
To Kellie: New Reviewer!!! *hug* Sorry for the cliffy, but here's the next chappy for you. ;) Glad you liked the last one, and hope you continue reading and liking the story too. Love ya lots!
To Kathie: Glad I could be of some help to the hanyou... er, you're a girl!? *gasp* Kiddin'! hehehe. And yeah, someone else is writing for me. Fluffy's actually doing this chappy right now. mwahahaha! Hope you get to read this one, and thanx for reviewing. Love ya lots!
To ramona grimalkit: Hey, you're back!!! *big hug* I forgive you for not reviewing earlier; the things you said to me made up for that! :D And wow, you actually like me! *blusshhyyymee and another big hug for you!* Sorry for all the angst & the drama that's going on, and would go on, I think. But trust me when I say I've got something special in return for all of these. *wink* I'm sorry your friends don't know who Inuyasha is-it's their loss. *sigh* And yup, not everyone can be addicted to anime like us *giggle*. Thanx for thinking of my story as one of the best--that one made all the hard work I've put into this fic worth it. And there're lotsa other fics around that have more hits and reviews--and every one of those deserve it. Believe me. I can't thank you enough for everything, and I just want to ask 1 more thing: could you also be my beta? *puppy eyes flashing* hehehe. Hope you enjoy this one, and Love ya lots!
To maria: You know, with your POV I've actually been inspired to write another story plot so fast... but that's after I finish this one. hehehe. It's hard to update two stories at a time and finish it too, so i'm postponing it. *wink* And I actually agree with you too-- I don't know where Kag gets her patience and guts to stay with the impossible Inu. *giggle* Here's the next chappy to let you know what's going on. Hope you like it. Love ya lots!
To Zandy: I'm getting you out of those Kleenexes now!!! hehehe. You're second-guessing me now huh. *gasps in horror* I'm done for! Joke! :D And I'm handing you another dozen of the Kleenex 'coz this one appears to have your waterworks in OT (at least for me, it did. my eyes still burn...). For your last triple question *wink*, uh, er, ummm... Kiddin'! Read on to find out. Love ya lots!
To monsterkittie: Thanx for reviewing, and sharing your wonderful morning with me and my story. *hug* Chicken flavor's one of my fave's too! Chodai! :D And here's the update you asked for, girly. Hope you'll review more often! Love ya lots!
To Stefanie: Thanx for really trying to drop your notes, I appreciate it. *hug* Yeah, Kikyou sucks! hahaha. I'm a meanie. :D Here's another tear-jerker for you, so I'm handing the tissues over. ;) As for the ending... it might be something you wouldn't have expected in this story, but just trust me okay? *wink* And thanx for promising not to hate me or be mad at me whichever way the story ends. That helped out a lot. Whew. *big hug to you again* And i hope that even after the story ends, you'll still come and see me on my other upcoming stories, okay? Love ya lots!
To MegaBorX: Hang on, I'm getting to the end of it!!! Well...almost. :D But soon, okay? I'm racking my brains out for this one, so I apologize if it's not ending as quick as you guys expect it to. And I am making some of the angst stop for now, if not all of it. Here's the next one and pls. still don't hate me? Love ya lots!
To SilverFox: Good luck with killing the bastard off!!! I hope you succeed!!! hehehe. Thanx for reviewing and for beating up the bad guys for us. *hug* Love ya lots!
To lil_angel: Thanx for dropping by and reviewing! *hug* And thanx for finding my story as one of "the best". *blussshyyymeee* I'm glad your friends suggested this to you, and that you actually took the time to read. And for you to actually like it... I love ya for that! *wink* Thanx for finding my writing filled with passion, and I'm sure you can even surpass this one if you just let your imagination fly. The things you say to me makes my toes curl! Really. :D Anyway, here's the update you asked for, and I'm sorry for the delay. Hope you like this. And by the way, could you tell me who your friends are so that I could thank them properly? Appreciate it, and Love ya lots!
AND TO YOU READING THIS: OMG, I'M NEARING 10000 HITS!!! God really blessed me with you guys. I'm so glad!!! I'd just like to thank each and every one of you readers, and to the reviewers who made the time and the effort just to tell me what they think, I love you guNeveNever would've made it this far without you. You inspire me to give out the best I have for this story. Hope you guys never get tired of reading and reviewing!!! And to my missing reviewers: KagoKitty, hope your show ends soon and with a bang! hehehe. ReiHino: Better get high grades with the finals, and all the luck to you! To nina, catesy, kohana, snowfall, DreamAngel, MelMuff and the others, hope you get to read again and review soon... miss reading your notes. And to my long-lost reviewers: Sabi-chan, Ickabod119, Mija and everyone else: WHERE ARE YOU GUYS!? Hope you get to drop by again here. Miss your presence.
I'm handing out the Kleenex again for free, and hope you won't be disappointed. Enjoy reading, and LOVE YA GUYS SO MUCH!!! MWAAH!!! ~*~
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha... I share. ^_^
~*~Chapter 30—Beyond Death~*~
The fight between Sesshomaru and Naraku continued. The battle is ruthlessly fast, and terrifying. But it was apparent that the Inu-youkai would start losing…
~*~
“Kohaku,” Sango continued to clutch her brother’s dead body in her arms, as though her warmth could somehow suffuse him and he’d be alive. Only he’s so cold…
She looked over to where the monk lies unconscious; knowing he needs her help more than Kohaku. But her battered emotions just won’t let her brain acknowledge it. Just a little more time…
Then she happened to look up at the dark gray skies above. And saw the cause of her brother’s death fighting with none other than the Lord of the Western Lands. Both seemed to be equally matched, but with the added strength of the Shikon no Tama…
No. She cannot allow him to win. For their sake… and for her family’s.
She stopped her weeping over her brother’s death, the tears drying in an instant as she felt her resolution restore her strength. After giving her brother one last kiss on the cheek, she rose like Ane Angel of Retribution, her eyes flashing with some kind of fire lit from within.
She strode to where the Miroku is, and after lifting him into her arms and assuring herself he’s still breathing, called out to her devoted pet.
“Kirara!”
The fire-cat demon landed gracefully beside her, in spite of the wounds she’s got on her body. The taijiya placed the monk on Kirara’s back before claiming her weapon and riding on her pet, intent on making Naraku pay…
~*~
Kouga opened his eyes as the final wisps of the tornadoes lingered in the air. Blood sputtered from his lips to the ground, and more flowed from the gashes in his body. But what really surprised him is the fact that he’s still alive…
‘That blow should’ve killed me. There was no way I could’ve evaded Kagura’s attack. What happened?’
Then the mists lifted, and there stood his mate—standing in front of him with her arms splayed wide open, as though to protect him. Several cuts and wounds appear on her body at his inspection, flooding the earth with her blood too.
‘She shielded me!’ Kouga thought in astonishment and alarm.
“Ayame!” he called out for her, her name torn from his chapped lips. He crawled his way over to her, each movement an agony. But he had to know. He had to make sure…
The moment he was aligned directly to her body, she collapsed. He caught her in his arms, his eyes automatically searching her face for signs of life.
Her eyelids are closed, her lips parted. He wondered frantically for a moment that she left him, when he felt her sudden intake of breath, and the air that exhaled out of her mouth as he pressed his ears close to it.
‘She’s alive… and she really does love me too,’ the wolf-prince thought in awe as he clutched her more tightly to him.
“You’re lucky, wolf-prince. Your mate loved you enough to risk her own death. If it weren’t for her—“ Kagura appeared before him, her fan now snapped shut. It appears she misdirected her wind to not hit Ayame directly when it came upon them.
“Why?”
The wind-sorceress turned up her nose haughtily, red eyes flashing indiscernibly.
“I do not need to explain myself to you, Kouga. Only know that I saved your life and your mate’s. You should be groveling at my feet now, okami!”
The wolf surprised her by accommodating her. With head bent, he thanked her.
“Arigato… for both our lives,” the wolf-prince muttered sincerely.
The lives she’d taken are repaid by theirs… the debt of the okami-youkai is now over. He would no longer hunt her, nor long for her death. They are at peace now…
The startled Kagura only nodded her head, barely. Thoughts circled in her mind as she stared at the near-horizon where her master fought.
‘I would only hope that you would spare mine too when the time comes,’
~*~
Miroku groggily opened his eyes, only to shut them back down again as he felt the nausea carry over him at the height and speed they’re flying. He is disoriented, but only for a moment.
As the sounds of battle ring through his ears, he braved the queasiness and the light-headedness he feels to look at the warriors in front of him.
‘So the final battle starts…’ he shifts into sitting position, only to get dizzy and hang onto his lady for support.
“Houshi! You’re awake! You’re alive!’ Sango managed to squawk in surprise as she felt something grab onto her waist.
“That I am, dear Sango. That I am,” Miroku murmured close to her ear and gave her a reassuring squeeze.
“Are you okay? Are you too weak to fight?” The taijiya asked him worriedly as she readied her large bone boomerang to action.
“Me? Weak? Never, my dear Sango. What with my lady-angel riding with me,”
Sango had to smile at the houshi’s voice. Though weak, it carried his usual mischievousness and arrogance. Her monk would be all righhey hey would both be all right.
~*~
Sesshomaru ran at the speed of lightning to avoid Naraku’s limbs to reach him. When the dark hanyou conspired to sandwich the Inu-youkai between, he gracefully leaped into the air and shot at the enemy with Tokijin’s energy.
“Hiraikotsu!” A decidedly strong female voice rang out, just as the whistle of the large boomerang sounded in the air; effectively cutting off a few of Naraku’s irritating branches.
The Lord of the Western Lands turned his eyes into the north to see the taijiya and the monk riding on the fire-cat demon’s back, ready for battle.
“You fools! You dare join this contest of strength and will! I will crush you, you pathetic excuses for humans, for defying me!” Naraku’s voice shook with anger and murder in them as he gathered some of his energy.
“Houshi, taijiya. Move,” Sesshomaru instructed in his usual unemotional tone as he swung the Tokijin high above the air to counter the attack Naraku has planned on them.
Kirara ducked just in time.
“Sesshomaru-sama! Where are Inuyasha and Kagome-sama?”
“Locked in their own nightmare. We cannot help them now. They have to get out of this on their own,” Sesshomaru commented as he prepared to thrust and parry once again with the evil in front of them.
Both the humans said nothing, though in all their minds, one thought rang out:
That both the hanyou and the miko’s souls will be strong enough to survive this…
~*~
Kagome knew that Inuyasha would kill her now… and their child. There is no question in it. No matter how hard she tried to break through the darkness in his mind, he remained there…
Tears come to her eyes, begging to be freed; but she held them back ruthlessly. So it has come to this: her mate’s life or her child’s. She told herself to choose her child and kill its’ father…
Their only survival lay in the bow and the single arrow that is in her hand. All she had to do is aim and shoot for his heart… Kagome knew the moment Naraku released the control of her body to her; he wanted her to kill her mate by herself, knowing her guilt would know no bounds once she kills the man she loves of her own free will.
But she would not…
And so she lowered the weapon to her sides and let it clatter to the ground, closed her eyes and prayed for a miracle as she waited for him to get to her…
It wasn’t long in coming. Onnd wnd wrapped around her throat as he slammed her down to the ground, hard. The other rose, ready to tear her heart out of her chest, when he stopped.
The actions of the human confused him. She could’ve killed him when she had the chance, should’ve pierced his heart before he could get to her… yet she didn’t.
Then she opened her midnight blue eyes; her gaze connecting with his and let her tears fall freely. Inuyasha is taken aback, it even reflected on his face. He cut her so many times; a lot of them deep, but she didn’t shed a tear. Yet now…
Kagome looked at her mate, seeing the blood-red eyes and the hand that waited to kill her. She imagined his golden gaze filled with love for her instead of the one filled with blood lust. She imagined that the hand that’s reaching for her throat is one full of tenderness and passion…
Funny how Fate seemed to always turn against them both. And she never even told him about the baby…
“Inuyasha,” she began to speak, her tears unchecked.
“I know you don’t understand a word I’m saying—or that you can’t even hear me… but I want you to remember,” Kagome felt as though her throat would close in on her any moment.
“I’m sorry I doubted you. I’m sorry I began to believe all the lies Naraku fed me. I’m sorry I put us into this whole Goddamn mess. Sorry if we can’t complete the shards now… together. But listen to me: you can still win—with Kikyou. She can still hold the power of the Shikon no Tama. Join with her,”
That is probably the hardest thing she ever said. His claws start to dig on her throat now, but she forced herself to continue.
“I-I want to… tell you. I forgive… you… for what… ever will… happen. A-and that… I… will al…ways love… you. Even after… d-death. O-our ch-child… will under…stand too. I-I’ll… make h-him… under…stand,” Kagome promised Inuyasha for the last time.
“I…L-LOVE YOU…INU-INU…YASHA…”
Kagome succumbed into nothingness after…
~*~
Inuyasha’s POV
I saw her lips moving into words I couldn’t decipher. The sadness in her eyes tore at me as her tears fell from her face to his hand. Her tears bothered me…
I flex my hand at her throat, cutting her once again. And still she continued…
I told myself to get it over with and satisfy my thirst for blood. But something inside me held me mesmerized as I stared at her lips and committed their movements to memory. And then it happened.
As the girl before me closed her stormy eyes; her whole body going limp in my hold, I heard it.
~Thump~
The sound drew my attention away from her, distracting me from my purpose.
~Thump~
There it goes again, from faint to getting clearer. I find myself searching for it.
~Thump~
~Thump~
I li my my head in surprise; the sound is getting louder and with an echo to it, as though two things are making the noise.
~Thump~
~Thump~
I pressed my ears to her everywhere—her forehead, her cheeks, her throat—until I came to her breasts and found the source of my distraction. I was satisfied; intent on getting back to where I left off… it’s only her stupid heart beating. But it happened again, only this time a faint thrumming can be heard underneath it.
~Thump, thump~
I growled in frustration and annoyance, almost ignoring it, but it won’t leave me alone.
~Thump, thump~
It’s going faster now, the sound reaching a tempo and crescendo that drove me mad. I search for it again, my crimson eyes roaming the human’s body in front of me; convinced that there are two inside of her.
~Thump, thump~
If only I knew how right I am…
I pressed my ears to her belly; and there, the sound resonated strongly for a second… and then it disappeared.
~Thump, thump, thump, thump…~
I waited for it to reappear, and when nothing happened, something deep inside of me panicked and then snapped. Thekneskness in my mind clouded until light dissolved it completely…
I close my eyes and shake my head, wanting to rid myself of the confusion and the bewilderment. I open them again to stare at her; amber orbs replacing blood-red ones.
‘Kagome…’
Her white dress is in tatters; most of the fabric destroyed or cut into strips. Her beautiful eyes are closed, her complexion deathly pale and cold…
The scent of her blood is overwhelming me, making me want to gag. I raise my hand to my nose to cover it, and that’s when I saw…
My hands—my whole fucking claws—are drenched in her blood…
I raise stricken eyes to her face; the confirmation I saw there and the memory of her last words…
~I…L-LOVE YOU…INU-INU…YASHA…~
…made me throw my head back and howl in fury and anguish…
~*~
The bone-chilling roar reached everything and everyone, as far as it can. The forest and the surrounding land seemed to halt for that one heart-stopping moment; no sounds can be heard, only the whisper of the wind as it passed through the leaves of the trees, echoing the grief.
The final battle paused for an instant. Their comrades locked in battle stop for a moment to absorb it’s meaning—even the devil paused himself to listen.
The dark miko and the youkai surrounding her seemed to lower their weapons concurrently; eyes drawn from where the sound came from.
The wolf-prince and the wind sorceress froze in their trek to the battle as the haunting quality of the cry reached them with unwavering clarity.
And the village…
The village recovering from its’ terror hushed to deathly silence as one thing resounded in all their minds: something terrible has happened…
The wise old miko snapped her eyes open as the howl and the chill following it went right through her, assuring her that all is not well. But it was the small kitsune cub who gave voice to her fears.
In one trembling sob, he collapsed to his knees and screamed one name out loud:
“KAGOOMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!”
~*~Sad... so very sad... *eyes bright red and still teary-eyed* I don't know what's coming over me, but I'm glad I got Inu out of the nightmare. Whew. So what did you guys think? Drop me a review okay? Pretty, pretty please I'm begging you? *puppy eyes on and tail wagging* huh!? hehehe. Thanx for reading, and tc!~*~
To Cylana: WEEBEE!!! *hug* Thanx for making the time to read and review once again, and for thinking good of the story. Thanx for promising to continue reading and hopefully, reviewing too! :D Love ya lots!
To Kellie: New Reviewer!!! *hug* Sorry for the cliffy, but here's the next chappy for you. ;) Glad you liked the last one, and hope you continue reading and liking the story too. Love ya lots!
To Kathie: Glad I could be of some help to the hanyou... er, you're a girl!? *gasp* Kiddin'! hehehe. And yeah, someone else is writing for me. Fluffy's actually doing this chappy right now. mwahahaha! Hope you get to read this one, and thanx for reviewing. Love ya lots!
To ramona grimalkit: Hey, you're back!!! *big hug* I forgive you for not reviewing earlier; the things you said to me made up for that! :D And wow, you actually like me! *blusshhyyymee and another big hug for you!* Sorry for all the angst & the drama that's going on, and would go on, I think. But trust me when I say I've got something special in return for all of these. *wink* I'm sorry your friends don't know who Inuyasha is-it's their loss. *sigh* And yup, not everyone can be addicted to anime like us *giggle*. Thanx for thinking of my story as one of the best--that one made all the hard work I've put into this fic worth it. And there're lotsa other fics around that have more hits and reviews--and every one of those deserve it. Believe me. I can't thank you enough for everything, and I just want to ask 1 more thing: could you also be my beta? *puppy eyes flashing* hehehe. Hope you enjoy this one, and Love ya lots!
To maria: You know, with your POV I've actually been inspired to write another story plot so fast... but that's after I finish this one. hehehe. It's hard to update two stories at a time and finish it too, so i'm postponing it. *wink* And I actually agree with you too-- I don't know where Kag gets her patience and guts to stay with the impossible Inu. *giggle* Here's the next chappy to let you know what's going on. Hope you like it. Love ya lots!
To Zandy: I'm getting you out of those Kleenexes now!!! hehehe. You're second-guessing me now huh. *gasps in horror* I'm done for! Joke! :D And I'm handing you another dozen of the Kleenex 'coz this one appears to have your waterworks in OT (at least for me, it did. my eyes still burn...). For your last triple question *wink*, uh, er, ummm... Kiddin'! Read on to find out. Love ya lots!
To monsterkittie: Thanx for reviewing, and sharing your wonderful morning with me and my story. *hug* Chicken flavor's one of my fave's too! Chodai! :D And here's the update you asked for, girly. Hope you'll review more often! Love ya lots!
To Stefanie: Thanx for really trying to drop your notes, I appreciate it. *hug* Yeah, Kikyou sucks! hahaha. I'm a meanie. :D Here's another tear-jerker for you, so I'm handing the tissues over. ;) As for the ending... it might be something you wouldn't have expected in this story, but just trust me okay? *wink* And thanx for promising not to hate me or be mad at me whichever way the story ends. That helped out a lot. Whew. *big hug to you again* And i hope that even after the story ends, you'll still come and see me on my other upcoming stories, okay? Love ya lots!
To MegaBorX: Hang on, I'm getting to the end of it!!! Well...almost. :D But soon, okay? I'm racking my brains out for this one, so I apologize if it's not ending as quick as you guys expect it to. And I am making some of the angst stop for now, if not all of it. Here's the next one and pls. still don't hate me? Love ya lots!
To SilverFox: Good luck with killing the bastard off!!! I hope you succeed!!! hehehe. Thanx for reviewing and for beating up the bad guys for us. *hug* Love ya lots!
To lil_angel: Thanx for dropping by and reviewing! *hug* And thanx for finding my story as one of "the best". *blussshyyymeee* I'm glad your friends suggested this to you, and that you actually took the time to read. And for you to actually like it... I love ya for that! *wink* Thanx for finding my writing filled with passion, and I'm sure you can even surpass this one if you just let your imagination fly. The things you say to me makes my toes curl! Really. :D Anyway, here's the update you asked for, and I'm sorry for the delay. Hope you like this. And by the way, could you tell me who your friends are so that I could thank them properly? Appreciate it, and Love ya lots!
AND TO YOU READING THIS: OMG, I'M NEARING 10000 HITS!!! God really blessed me with you guys. I'm so glad!!! I'd just like to thank each and every one of you readers, and to the reviewers who made the time and the effort just to tell me what they think, I love you guNeveNever would've made it this far without you. You inspire me to give out the best I have for this story. Hope you guys never get tired of reading and reviewing!!! And to my missing reviewers: KagoKitty, hope your show ends soon and with a bang! hehehe. ReiHino: Better get high grades with the finals, and all the luck to you! To nina, catesy, kohana, snowfall, DreamAngel, MelMuff and the others, hope you get to read again and review soon... miss reading your notes. And to my long-lost reviewers: Sabi-chan, Ickabod119, Mija and everyone else: WHERE ARE YOU GUYS!? Hope you get to drop by again here. Miss your presence.
I'm handing out the Kleenex again for free, and hope you won't be disappointed. Enjoy reading, and LOVE YA GUYS SO MUCH!!! MWAAH!!! ~*~
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha... I share. ^_^
~*~Chapter 30—Beyond Death~*~
The fight between Sesshomaru and Naraku continued. The battle is ruthlessly fast, and terrifying. But it was apparent that the Inu-youkai would start losing…
~*~
“Kohaku,” Sango continued to clutch her brother’s dead body in her arms, as though her warmth could somehow suffuse him and he’d be alive. Only he’s so cold…
She looked over to where the monk lies unconscious; knowing he needs her help more than Kohaku. But her battered emotions just won’t let her brain acknowledge it. Just a little more time…
Then she happened to look up at the dark gray skies above. And saw the cause of her brother’s death fighting with none other than the Lord of the Western Lands. Both seemed to be equally matched, but with the added strength of the Shikon no Tama…
No. She cannot allow him to win. For their sake… and for her family’s.
She stopped her weeping over her brother’s death, the tears drying in an instant as she felt her resolution restore her strength. After giving her brother one last kiss on the cheek, she rose like Ane Angel of Retribution, her eyes flashing with some kind of fire lit from within.
She strode to where the Miroku is, and after lifting him into her arms and assuring herself he’s still breathing, called out to her devoted pet.
“Kirara!”
The fire-cat demon landed gracefully beside her, in spite of the wounds she’s got on her body. The taijiya placed the monk on Kirara’s back before claiming her weapon and riding on her pet, intent on making Naraku pay…
~*~
Kouga opened his eyes as the final wisps of the tornadoes lingered in the air. Blood sputtered from his lips to the ground, and more flowed from the gashes in his body. But what really surprised him is the fact that he’s still alive…
‘That blow should’ve killed me. There was no way I could’ve evaded Kagura’s attack. What happened?’
Then the mists lifted, and there stood his mate—standing in front of him with her arms splayed wide open, as though to protect him. Several cuts and wounds appear on her body at his inspection, flooding the earth with her blood too.
‘She shielded me!’ Kouga thought in astonishment and alarm.
“Ayame!” he called out for her, her name torn from his chapped lips. He crawled his way over to her, each movement an agony. But he had to know. He had to make sure…
The moment he was aligned directly to her body, she collapsed. He caught her in his arms, his eyes automatically searching her face for signs of life.
Her eyelids are closed, her lips parted. He wondered frantically for a moment that she left him, when he felt her sudden intake of breath, and the air that exhaled out of her mouth as he pressed his ears close to it.
‘She’s alive… and she really does love me too,’ the wolf-prince thought in awe as he clutched her more tightly to him.
“You’re lucky, wolf-prince. Your mate loved you enough to risk her own death. If it weren’t for her—“ Kagura appeared before him, her fan now snapped shut. It appears she misdirected her wind to not hit Ayame directly when it came upon them.
“Why?”
The wind-sorceress turned up her nose haughtily, red eyes flashing indiscernibly.
“I do not need to explain myself to you, Kouga. Only know that I saved your life and your mate’s. You should be groveling at my feet now, okami!”
The wolf surprised her by accommodating her. With head bent, he thanked her.
“Arigato… for both our lives,” the wolf-prince muttered sincerely.
The lives she’d taken are repaid by theirs… the debt of the okami-youkai is now over. He would no longer hunt her, nor long for her death. They are at peace now…
The startled Kagura only nodded her head, barely. Thoughts circled in her mind as she stared at the near-horizon where her master fought.
‘I would only hope that you would spare mine too when the time comes,’
~*~
Miroku groggily opened his eyes, only to shut them back down again as he felt the nausea carry over him at the height and speed they’re flying. He is disoriented, but only for a moment.
As the sounds of battle ring through his ears, he braved the queasiness and the light-headedness he feels to look at the warriors in front of him.
‘So the final battle starts…’ he shifts into sitting position, only to get dizzy and hang onto his lady for support.
“Houshi! You’re awake! You’re alive!’ Sango managed to squawk in surprise as she felt something grab onto her waist.
“That I am, dear Sango. That I am,” Miroku murmured close to her ear and gave her a reassuring squeeze.
“Are you okay? Are you too weak to fight?” The taijiya asked him worriedly as she readied her large bone boomerang to action.
“Me? Weak? Never, my dear Sango. What with my lady-angel riding with me,”
Sango had to smile at the houshi’s voice. Though weak, it carried his usual mischievousness and arrogance. Her monk would be all righhey hey would both be all right.
~*~
Sesshomaru ran at the speed of lightning to avoid Naraku’s limbs to reach him. When the dark hanyou conspired to sandwich the Inu-youkai between, he gracefully leaped into the air and shot at the enemy with Tokijin’s energy.
“Hiraikotsu!” A decidedly strong female voice rang out, just as the whistle of the large boomerang sounded in the air; effectively cutting off a few of Naraku’s irritating branches.
The Lord of the Western Lands turned his eyes into the north to see the taijiya and the monk riding on the fire-cat demon’s back, ready for battle.
“You fools! You dare join this contest of strength and will! I will crush you, you pathetic excuses for humans, for defying me!” Naraku’s voice shook with anger and murder in them as he gathered some of his energy.
“Houshi, taijiya. Move,” Sesshomaru instructed in his usual unemotional tone as he swung the Tokijin high above the air to counter the attack Naraku has planned on them.
Kirara ducked just in time.
“Sesshomaru-sama! Where are Inuyasha and Kagome-sama?”
“Locked in their own nightmare. We cannot help them now. They have to get out of this on their own,” Sesshomaru commented as he prepared to thrust and parry once again with the evil in front of them.
Both the humans said nothing, though in all their minds, one thought rang out:
That both the hanyou and the miko’s souls will be strong enough to survive this…
~*~
Kagome knew that Inuyasha would kill her now… and their child. There is no question in it. No matter how hard she tried to break through the darkness in his mind, he remained there…
Tears come to her eyes, begging to be freed; but she held them back ruthlessly. So it has come to this: her mate’s life or her child’s. She told herself to choose her child and kill its’ father…
Their only survival lay in the bow and the single arrow that is in her hand. All she had to do is aim and shoot for his heart… Kagome knew the moment Naraku released the control of her body to her; he wanted her to kill her mate by herself, knowing her guilt would know no bounds once she kills the man she loves of her own free will.
But she would not…
And so she lowered the weapon to her sides and let it clatter to the ground, closed her eyes and prayed for a miracle as she waited for him to get to her…
It wasn’t long in coming. Onnd wnd wrapped around her throat as he slammed her down to the ground, hard. The other rose, ready to tear her heart out of her chest, when he stopped.
The actions of the human confused him. She could’ve killed him when she had the chance, should’ve pierced his heart before he could get to her… yet she didn’t.
Then she opened her midnight blue eyes; her gaze connecting with his and let her tears fall freely. Inuyasha is taken aback, it even reflected on his face. He cut her so many times; a lot of them deep, but she didn’t shed a tear. Yet now…
Kagome looked at her mate, seeing the blood-red eyes and the hand that waited to kill her. She imagined his golden gaze filled with love for her instead of the one filled with blood lust. She imagined that the hand that’s reaching for her throat is one full of tenderness and passion…
Funny how Fate seemed to always turn against them both. And she never even told him about the baby…
“Inuyasha,” she began to speak, her tears unchecked.
“I know you don’t understand a word I’m saying—or that you can’t even hear me… but I want you to remember,” Kagome felt as though her throat would close in on her any moment.
“I’m sorry I doubted you. I’m sorry I began to believe all the lies Naraku fed me. I’m sorry I put us into this whole Goddamn mess. Sorry if we can’t complete the shards now… together. But listen to me: you can still win—with Kikyou. She can still hold the power of the Shikon no Tama. Join with her,”
That is probably the hardest thing she ever said. His claws start to dig on her throat now, but she forced herself to continue.
“I-I want to… tell you. I forgive… you… for what… ever will… happen. A-and that… I… will al…ways love… you. Even after… d-death. O-our ch-child… will under…stand too. I-I’ll… make h-him… under…stand,” Kagome promised Inuyasha for the last time.
“I…L-LOVE YOU…INU-INU…YASHA…”
Kagome succumbed into nothingness after…
~*~
Inuyasha’s POV
I saw her lips moving into words I couldn’t decipher. The sadness in her eyes tore at me as her tears fell from her face to his hand. Her tears bothered me…
I flex my hand at her throat, cutting her once again. And still she continued…
I told myself to get it over with and satisfy my thirst for blood. But something inside me held me mesmerized as I stared at her lips and committed their movements to memory. And then it happened.
As the girl before me closed her stormy eyes; her whole body going limp in my hold, I heard it.
~Thump~
The sound drew my attention away from her, distracting me from my purpose.
~Thump~
There it goes again, from faint to getting clearer. I find myself searching for it.
~Thump~
~Thump~
I li my my head in surprise; the sound is getting louder and with an echo to it, as though two things are making the noise.
~Thump~
~Thump~
I pressed my ears to her everywhere—her forehead, her cheeks, her throat—until I came to her breasts and found the source of my distraction. I was satisfied; intent on getting back to where I left off… it’s only her stupid heart beating. But it happened again, only this time a faint thrumming can be heard underneath it.
~Thump, thump~
I growled in frustration and annoyance, almost ignoring it, but it won’t leave me alone.
~Thump, thump~
It’s going faster now, the sound reaching a tempo and crescendo that drove me mad. I search for it again, my crimson eyes roaming the human’s body in front of me; convinced that there are two inside of her.
~Thump, thump~
If only I knew how right I am…
I pressed my ears to her belly; and there, the sound resonated strongly for a second… and then it disappeared.
~Thump, thump, thump, thump…~
I waited for it to reappear, and when nothing happened, something deep inside of me panicked and then snapped. Thekneskness in my mind clouded until light dissolved it completely…
I close my eyes and shake my head, wanting to rid myself of the confusion and the bewilderment. I open them again to stare at her; amber orbs replacing blood-red ones.
‘Kagome…’
Her white dress is in tatters; most of the fabric destroyed or cut into strips. Her beautiful eyes are closed, her complexion deathly pale and cold…
The scent of her blood is overwhelming me, making me want to gag. I raise my hand to my nose to cover it, and that’s when I saw…
My hands—my whole fucking claws—are drenched in her blood…
I raise stricken eyes to her face; the confirmation I saw there and the memory of her last words…
~I…L-LOVE YOU…INU-INU…YASHA…~
…made me throw my head back and howl in fury and anguish…
~*~
The bone-chilling roar reached everything and everyone, as far as it can. The forest and the surrounding land seemed to halt for that one heart-stopping moment; no sounds can be heard, only the whisper of the wind as it passed through the leaves of the trees, echoing the grief.
The final battle paused for an instant. Their comrades locked in battle stop for a moment to absorb it’s meaning—even the devil paused himself to listen.
The dark miko and the youkai surrounding her seemed to lower their weapons concurrently; eyes drawn from where the sound came from.
The wolf-prince and the wind sorceress froze in their trek to the battle as the haunting quality of the cry reached them with unwavering clarity.
And the village…
The village recovering from its’ terror hushed to deathly silence as one thing resounded in all their minds: something terrible has happened…
The wise old miko snapped her eyes open as the howl and the chill following it went right through her, assuring her that all is not well. But it was the small kitsune cub who gave voice to her fears.
In one trembling sob, he collapsed to his knees and screamed one name out loud:
“KAGOOMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!”
~*~Sad... so very sad... *eyes bright red and still teary-eyed* I don't know what's coming over me, but I'm glad I got Inu out of the nightmare. Whew. So what did you guys think? Drop me a review okay? Pretty, pretty please I'm begging you? *puppy eyes on and tail wagging* huh!? hehehe. Thanx for reading, and tc!~*~