Amethyst Visions

OK, fun here, I like this chapter for the sole purpose of its ending and the demise of character (s). Particularly one I don't like much. Future fun to be had!

Disclaimer: I make no profit and all I own is Kaiya, nothing else and no other characters. I do this solely for my own enjoyment and hopefully the enjoyment of others.

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Sesshoumaru slowly blinked open golden eyes, finding it difficult to focus over the pounding in his head. The sky was streaked in shades of red and pink indicating sunset had begun. His eyes narrowed in annoyance. He didn’t remember how he came to be lying on his back in the dirt staring up at the insufferable sky.

“You’re awake?” a voice asked timidly, the salt of tears evident on the wind and carrying it to his nose. Insufferable.

Turning his head as he slowly raised his body with indignant grace, he took in the disheveled appearance of the young miko. His eyes slid to his half-brother, soaking wet and slowly pulling out of his own unconscious state, and then moved his attention to the arrow still embedded in the shore only a few feet from him. The events which led to his current state came flooding back. With a growl he jumped to his feet, his eyes wild, his senses stretching to try to find the calming, seductive presence of the princess. He stalked over to the miko, danger and anger in his eyes which barely concealed the wild panic and fear. “Where is she?”

Kagome had never been as terrified for herself as she was at that moment. His voice held a dead calm to it that bellied his appearance, and she was reminded of their first encounter when he had attempted to kill her without a thought. A groan from Inuyasha diverted her attention and she glanced down, his head in her lap as he slowly blinked his eyes open.

“What the fuck was that?” he growled, slowly pulling away from Kagome to sit up, only to come flat against Sesshoumaru’s legs. With an annoyed growl, he glanced up, only to stop as he took in his brother’s appearance. That could only mean- “Kagome, what happened? Where’s Kaiya?” he turned quickly only to see tears begin to course once more down Kagome’s face.

“She wasn’t coming for me,” Kagome sobbed, burying her face wretchedly in Inuyasha’s chest. She had failed her friend. “She took her, Kikyo took her. She said she would make Naraku pay. I couldn’t stop her.”

Brokenly Sesshoumaru stared off into the distant sky, searching for her as if he could prove Kagome wrong. He extended his senses as far as he could, but he couldn’t smell her, he couldn’t feel her…she was gone.

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With an unceremonious plop, Kaiya was dropped onto the ground, biting her lips to silence the cry of pain as she landed once again on her foot. Using her arms, she pushed herself from the ground to sit up, leaning back on her arms to scoot herself away. There was only darkness, the crinkle of leaves and twigs beneath her palms her only indication that she was in the forest. A swish of air past her cheek signaled a soul stealer slithering past her face, whisking her dark hair off her shoulder as it passed. Slowly she tried to get her racing heart to calm. Even if she had full use of her legs, it would be pointless to try to run. Her hands slid over the roots at the base of a tree and she slowly backed into it, her injured foot dragging in front of her. Craning her head to the side, she listened, trying to find the location of her silent captor. She heard the near-silent snap of twigs underfoot to her right and ceased her movements as a cold hand grasped her chin and lifted her face towards the sky, her violet eyes unseeing. There was no breath, nothing but the cold, clammy touch that alerted her she wasn’t alone.

Kikyo’s cruel eyes studied the girl dispassionately. Amusement flickered in her dark eyes, her voice full of contempt. “I knew he was hiding something from me that night. I didn’t expect it was a blind child.”

Now that she had some bearings, a voice to accompany the darkness, Kaiya felt more in control; or at least a confidence that would take pleasure in annoying her captor. “You know, for all intents and purposes, I’m older than you are. After all, you spent fifty years taking a beauty rest which-from what I’ve heard-has done little to help. All it seems to have done is made you an even bigger bitch.” Fingernails clawed into her chin before her head was thrown back with anger. Apparently the princess had been picking up nasty habits from her companions.

“Tell me, do you honestly have faith in your companions? Their sole purpose in keeping you with them is the same reason I have taken you. All they want is revenge upon your father, and you are their way to that.” A cruel smile tilted her pale lips. “Did you think they cared about you, that they loved you? It’s an act, just a way to throw you off-guard.”

With defiance, Kaiya tilted her head up to look at the dark priestess. “I trust them. And nothing you say will change that.” Her voice was calm and controlled. This woman wouldn’t get to her, she wouldn’t allow it.

“Such misguided faith,” Kikyo scoffed. “You believe you know so much about those around you, yet you remain blind to yourself…to the truth.”

A smug smile graced Kaiya’s soft lips. “Actually I’m blind to everything.” Her lips pursed together, “My sense of smell is quite good, though, and you reek of decay and deceit.”

Kikyo’s lips twitched in anger, hatred flashing in her eyes. She hadn’t thought that she could loathe anyone as much as the miko and Naraku. To put self-doubt in those violet eyes would bring great pleasure to her. “Do you know what your father has done to them?”

Doubt flickered in her eyes for a moment. “They don’t hold my father’s actions against me.”

“Don’t they?” Kikyo responded conversationally. “Your friend Sango, Naraku murdered her village. He even had her own brother kill her companions, her father, and now he holds her brother hostage to use against the demon slayer.”

Disbelief clenched the princess’ jaw shut as she thought back to the hostility Sango had shown her in the beginning. But her father, who loved family with such passion, could never destroy another’s.

“Or let’s consider your perverted monk. Naraku cursed his grandfather to have an air void in his hand. This void will eventually suck the person in, very painfully, and then be passed onto the son. Miroku’s father died from the curse, and now so will Miroku.”

Horror flashed across her face, remembering the feel of beads pressing into her back as Miroku helped her walk. He had said it was nothing, just protection from an injury. Miroku….

Glee tugged at Kikyo’s mouth at the distress the girl was in. “Your Lord Sesshoumaru has fared better, though his arrogance will never allow him to let Naraku’s transgressions go. Naraku kidnapped Sesshoumaru’s human ward, a child. He tried to get Sesshoumaru to kill his brother, and then tried to absorb Sesshoumaru into his body for strength. When it didn’t work, he tried to manipulate Sesshoumaru into killing Sango’s brother after he tried to get Kohaku to kill the girl.” Without glancing at the girl, she continued, “Then there’s Inuyasha, your ‘loyal’ friend. He hates Naraku more than any of them. Naraku manipulated Inuyasha and his love into killing one another, so Inuyasha would think the only one he has ever trusted had betrayed him. It left him sealed to a tree for fifty years. That’s not even to mention all the countless humans and villages Naraku has destroyed for pleasure.” She knelt in front of the girl and hissed, “You know I speak the truth. Do you really believe they would all forget and love you when they have finally found the bastard’s weakness? Surely you’re smarter than that.” With a smug grin, she stood, turning her back on the girl and walking out of the clearing. Her barrier was in tact, the girl would not escape. And she needed souls to replenish the energy she had spent. The girl had proven difficult to track, even if she had been with the shard hunters.

Kaiya trembled, tears gathered in her large amethyst eyes as they slowly slid down the corners and fell on her pale cheeks. Shocked, she lowered her head, her breaths unsteady as she began to weep.

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Kaiya was lying on the dirt floor, her hands acting as a pillow for her head as she stared blankly ahead. It didn’t matter what Kikyo said, her friends would come for her. In her mind she could see Sesshoumaru as clearly as if he stood before her, his silver hair blowing in the breeze, swirling his kimono about his long legs. He wouldn’t abandon her; none of them would. She moved her hand, adjusting herself in an attempt to find a comfortable position as she awaited her captor’s return. Her hand hit something sharp and she gasped, the light coppery scent of blood filling the air from where it had pricked her palm. Her eyes widened and she slowly wrapped her hand around the rock.

They didn’t travel by foot, the ground wouldn’t leave a trail to be followed. If the gang would find her, they needed help. And the strongest call to a demon was blood. Sitting up, she pulled the silken kimono up her legs, revealing the creamy skin, the dirty bandage. Pressing the sharp end of the rock to the flesh of her calf, she took a deep breath then ran it across the flesh, parting it and allowing red to swell at the gash. Ripping off a piece of her kimono towards the bottom, she pressed it into the wound, allowing the silk to soak up the blood as it clotted. Throwing the material back over her legs, she turned around, her hands sliding around the base of the tree. Parting a pile of dead leaves, she placed the blood-soaked cloth into the hole and tossed the leaves back on top. At the crunch of leaves underfoot, she turned back around as Kikyo slowly entered the clearing. The now-familiar feel of the serpents around her waist informed her that they were leaving once more, increasing the distance between her and her friends.

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“We’ve hardly stopped in two days, Inuyasha, we’re human and we need a break,” Sango sighed, letting hiraikotsu drop to the ground. “You haven’t even found a trace of her, we don’t even know if they came in this direction.”

“I must agree with Sango. As much as we all wish to find Kaiya, if we’re too exhausted, we will do her no good,” Miroku reasoned, holding his hands up as if for peace.

And in a way it was, for Sesshoumaru’s eyes had begun to bleed red in fury and irritation. In his opinion the humans had done nothing but complain and slow them down. Inuyasha’s patience fared little better. “I don’t fucking care, every moment we rest is another moment in which Kikyo could be hurting her.”

“Inuyasha’s right,” Kagome said softly. Dark circles of exhaustion lay beneath her eyes, but determination set her jaw. She shouldered the blame upon herself…they all did. “If I had been stronger, Kikyo couldn’t have taken her. She’s helpless out there with only Kikyo’s mercy.”

Sesshoumaru tilted his head, a low growl rumbling his chest. Without a word, he disappeared, seeming to fly rather than run. Catching the scent himself, Inuyasha ran after him. With a look at one another, Kirara transformed and the humans hopped on her back in an attempt to keep up with the unnatural speed of demons. When they caught up, the two brothers stood in an empty clearing. With narrowed eyes, Sesshoumaru bent over, reaching into a pile of leaves. What he withdrew made Kagome’s heart leap in her throat. “That’s Kaiya’s-”

“It’s covered in blood,” Miroku’s face paled.

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes, lifting the cloth to his face. Lightly he sniffed and beneath the aroma of blood he could smell sakura and jasmine. For a moment the beast within him calmed and when he opened his eyes they locked onto the knowing eyes of his brother, twin orbs of gold which matched his own. Inuyasha understood…understood more than even Sesshoumaru wanted to admit.

“She’s alive,” Inuyasha’s voice seemed too loud in the pained silence of the clearing. “If that was inflicted upon her, there would be more blood here, not just on the silk.” A soft smile tilted his lips, admiration in the set of his jaw. “She’s trying to lead us to her.”

“And it hasn’t dried. They can’t have gone too far,” the elder dog demon smirked.

“I-I think,” Kagome timidly stumbled over her words, her own self-doubt evident, “that I may be able to find them. I just need to concentrate.” Dark eyes slowly slid to the ground in apprehension. With a deep breath, she set her jaw and slid off Kirara’s back. Kaiya had faith in her so she would do it, she had to.

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Kaiya slipped the stone back into the bodice of her kimono, holding the piece of cloth over her wound with a grimace. Angry slits criss-crossed her calf from where she had deliberately cut it each time they stopped. Though she hadn’t lost much blood on any occasion, she hadn’t eaten in the days since her capture and the blood loss coupled with fatigue was beginning to wear on her. With a sigh she rested her head back on the bark of the tree.

“Clever little bitch.”

The words hissed in her ear and she jumped, startled at the now-familiar taunting voice. She had thought Kikyo had left her alone as usual. Sharp pain in the back of her head alerted her that Kikyo had taken a chunk of her hair and was yanking on it, exposing the front of Kaiya’s pale throat. Pressure at her side followed by the pricking pain at her throat meant that Kikyo now had her weapon.

“I thought you might have been leaving a trail,” the stone removed itself from her throat and she was thrown forward onto her hands. "I didn't realize you were foolish enough to mutilate yourself."

With a gasp, she pushed herself back, once more using the tree behind her to lean against as her eyes darted about, searching for a sound to indicate where the priestess had gone. Serpents slithered past her cheek and she idly brushed it aside, only to be followed by another. The rush of air across her face alerted her to another one. They seemed to be circling her. With wide violet eyes she realized too late what they were doing, and she found herself unable to move, the soul stealers keeping her bound to the tree. “What you suffer in Hell will be much worse than anything you can do to me.” The snakes tightened, excruciating pressure on her chest that made it difficult to breathe as they continued to circle and tighten at their mistress’ bidding.

Kikyo bent forward, her lips on the princess’ ear. “I will kill you and take your soul with me to Hell. You’ll never escape me, princess.” She would forego Inuyasha’s soul in exchange for this one. To thrust the bitch into eternal agony would create suffering in all her enemies. She snapped up, her dark eyes slitting in anger. Someone was breaking through her barrier.

Kaiya gasped as the pressure increased, the snakes indenting her clothes from where they held her, pushing on her ribs to squeeze the very life out of her. They would take her soul by force and she would be helpless to prevent them. She began to pant for air to no avail, as no breath would stay in her lungs to relieve the burning ache. They’ll come for me, they'll come-

“Release her,” the voice was cold and deadly, the blade of his sword pressed against Kikyo’s throat.

She turned to face her attacker, the great Lord Sesshoumaru towering over her and she smirked. Death would never frighten her, nor would threats. “If you kill me, the soul stealers will continue to crush her.”

“Kikyo, let her go!” Inuyasha yelled as he rushed through the forest into the clearing. Kagome ran behind him, her bow already in her hands and her face flushed from running. Kirara landed beside her as the other two scrambled off, resolve set in their faces as they readied their weapons.

Sesshoumaru’s eyes slid towards the tree glowing blue with the aura of serpents to a barely conscious Kaiya slumped against the trunk and struggling for breath. The scent of blood lingered on her form and her silk kimono was torn and dirty. He growled and pressed toukijin further against her throat. “Release her.”

Kikyo’s response was not with words and caused an agonized cry to pour forth from her prisoner. The group stared in wide-eyed disbelief as something cracked. Bone. Kaiya slumped over, her head lulling to the side.

“Kaiya!” Sesshoumaru bellowed, withdrawing his sword from Kikyo and rushing to the tree. He sliced, destroying one serpent after another in an attempt to free her.

Kikyo whirled around, a triumphant smile on her face. “You can’t kill me, Inuyasha. You promised to protect me always.”

This time there was no hesitation, no doubt, only sorrow in Inuyasha’s eyes as red began to bleed into the gold. “I forfeited my vow the moment you went after my friends. You’re dead to me, Kikyo, and death is all you have left.” There would be no forgiveness.

The snap of wood alerted their attention and they turned to see the tree to which Kaiya was bound being pulled into the ground. Particularly she was being pulled into a dark chasm which exuded heat and anger. Kikyo was pulling her into Hell. Sesshoumaru continued to slash but Kaiya still lay bound to the tree as it sank. “Kaiya! Kaiya, no!” he shouted, his slices becoming more frantic. Dropping the sword, he jumped onto the sinking tree, his arms wrapping around Kaiya’s motionless form. He wouldn’t let go of her, not even if he was sucked into Hell along with her. Recklessly with one arm wrapped about her, he began to use his free hand to slice at the ever-present serpents, his eyes a furious red.

Kagome notched her arrow and pulled it back, aiming at Kikyo’s heart. The arrow began to glow a brilliant pink and as Kikyo turned to look condescendingly at her, she laughed. “You can’t purify a priestess, miko.”

“No, but I can purify a demon. And your soul is impure,” Kagome whispered as she released.

Kikyo fell back as the arrow pierced her chest, shock on her face. She glanced down at her chest and wrapped her hands around the arrow to pull it out. When she touched it, it burned and the burning began to spread slowly through her body from where it impacted. Fury twisted her features, “You can’t purify me! I am the shikon miko! You can’t do this!” She turned around to see Inuyasha standing a foot in front of her. He was emotionless, cold.

“I want you to see me this time, Kikyo. It’s not coming from behind you, and know that it isn’t Naraku. This is me.” Sorrow flashed in his eyes, though not for the woman before him, but for all the suffering she bestowed upon herself and others. Without another word, he shoved Tessaiga through her chest. Her face rose to his, questioning. Never had she believed he could do it. She cried out in pain as he yanked the sword from her chest as she fell to the ground. “Goodbye, Kikyo.” An orb flew past his face, followed by another.

Kikyo was loosing her control and the stolen souls were breaking free. Wretchedly she clawed across the ground before looking up with betrayed eyes at her former lover. “But I loved you!” He was never supposed to turn on her….

Inuyasha shook his head. There was no regret, no emotion in his eyes. “No, you didn’t.” With one last thrust, Tessaiga stabbed through her chest, pinning her to the ground. As the souls continued to pour forth searching for freedom, her body began to shrink in on itself. Slowly it withered, drying out until it was nothing but the dried clay from which it was made. That, too, crumbled until a pile of scattered dirt and dust was all that remained of the miko.

At the death of their mistress, the snakes slowly disintegrated, disappearing in a trail of blue dust in the wind. The portal to Hell closed and the now-free princess slumped forward into Sesshoumaru’s arms. Cradling her within his protective grasp, he leaped, landing on the clearing floor and gently set her upon the ground. Her porcelain skin was an unnatural tint of blue, her rosebud lips pale, her eyelids covering those sparkling amethyst orbs. No breath parted her lips and the demon lord felt his chest tighten painfully as he stared at her figure. Lightly he stroked her cheek, withdrawing his hand at the cold skin. He fought the tremble within his body, tried his best to remain stoic and expressionless, but his breath came in soft pants as panic began to well within his body. His hand reached for Tenseiga, but the fang remained motionless at his side. No pulse, no indication it could bring back what had been lost.

Amber eyes looked up as Kagome approached, and she fought the hitch in her throat at how vulnerable the demon seemed at that moment. Silently she fell to her knees, leaning over the girl she had come to call friend and wrestled against the tears forming in her own eyes.

“She’s not breathing.”

His voice was so soft that she barely realized Sesshoumaru had spoken. Kagome bent over, pressing her ear against the princess’ chest. There was a heartbeat. Springing into action, Kagome shot up, tilting the girl’s head back. With a breath, she bent over, placing her lips against the girls and forcing breath into her lungs. Kikyo had her creatures suffocate the girl, a painful and terrifying torture in which Kaiya would be unable to save herself, but she wasn't dead yet. With another breath, she forced more air into the girl’s lungs, turning her head to watch her chest rise and fall.

Sesshoumaru watched with avid fascination, never before having seen such an act performed. Did the miko think breath would bring the dead to life once more? Then again if she wasn’t really dead…that would be why Tenseiga remained dormant. A hand clasped tightly against his shoulder, claws digging into the flesh and he would have growled in anger at the intrusion upon his person except that it was his brother standing behind him, the look on the hanyou’s face mirroring the emotions Sesshoumaru was trying so desperately to hide. He could not fault the boy for the worry within his own heart.

A rasping wheeze escaped Kaiya’s lips as Kagome pulled away and painfully her body began to gasp in air on its own. Her head fell to the side, her amethyst eyes sliding open as they came to rest upon twin curtains of silver with matching gold eyes. Yet it was not her physical eyes which saw them and slowly the darkness claimed her once more, her eyes shutting in exhaustion. They had come.