Convergence

Blanket disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha or any of its characters. This work is no way intendended to infiringe on the copyrights of Rumiko Takashi or various others who liscense InuYasha, or make me any money. This applies to all chapters contain within...

And it really sucks because who doesn't want dog boy...

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At last, they thought the time had come. Naraku only lacked Kagome’s four shards and the jewel would be complete. A plan had been formed and they walked forth to face him as the sun set. Kagome sought each of the faces of her friends and of those unlikely allies that had joined them as well.

Sango smiled bravely at her, before turning to Miroku and throwing her arms around him, kissing him. She smiled as Miroku’s eyes opened wide, before closing and succumbing to Sango’s affection. When they parted he took hold of her hand. She turned to Kouga, he was standing proudly at the head of his tribe. He turned his gaze to her and she understood. He had come for her. Sesshomaru was there as well. He had always despised Naraku, but Kagome knew what was never said. He had come to destroy the one who had killed Kagura.

Then there was InuYasha. She took his hand, wanting to let him know that no matter what happened to day they would stand together and face what was to come. He looked into her eyes as if there was something he wanted to say, but couldn’t. A foul wind crossed the meadow and Kagome shuddered. He was coming.

Inuyasha spared one last glance at Kagome. He had felt her shudder at the approach of their greatest enemy. He would give anything to be able to tell her, to let her know how much she really meant to him, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t tell her that he loved her only to die. InuYasha didn’t doubt that he would die this day, but he also vowed that Naraku would be joining him.

And so it began. Kagome knew when he approached that they were facing the true Naraku and not a puppet or an incarnation. She felt the jewel almost whole and an evil energy so great it chilled her very soul. Naraku didn’t hesitate to launch his attack.

InuYasha was first to jump into the fray. He swung Tessiaga in a broad stroke severing a tentacle that had reached out for Kagome.

“You’ll never touch her you bastard.” he yelled.

Kouga and his wolves surrounded Kagome. InuYasha hadn’t really liked this part of the plan, but he knew Kouga would protect her, and with his sword he had a better chance of defeating Naraku. Miroku was her second line of defense. With the poison insects, he could not use his wind tunnel, so it was his job to cast a barrier around Kagome. Sango a top Kirara was to fly over the battle and use her hiratkotsu to deflect any attacks against InuYasha or Sesshomaru that they might not see in the heat of battle.

In the beginning things appeared to be going well, but by dawn things had changed. Many of Kouga’s wolves had been killed. A few fled and some were injured too badly to fight. Kouga however still stood before her slashing at any tentacle that came too close.

“Don’t worry Kagome. I will protect you.” he told her.

Kagome watched in horror as Sango blocked an attack on InuYasha only to be struck from behind. Kirara took the brunt of the attack and she and Sango were thrown into the trees.

Miroku who was standing behind her cried out. “Sango.”

The barrier started to falter. “Miroku the barrier.” she said softly. “We will find her and she will be fine, but we can’t do that if we’re dead.” He pulled himself together and nodded. The barrier returned to its full strength.

Without Sango Naraku was able to land blow after blow upon both the brothers and Kouga was knocked away from his place in front of her. A tentacle smashed against the barrier, but it held. She knew that she was going to have to do something or they would all be killed. She drew her bow and waited. She screamed when she realized that she might have waited too long.

Both InuYasha and Sesshomaru had been impaled and were fighting against Naraku, trying to keep from being absorbed. She focused on the faint pink glow, coming from with in Naraku. She knocked an arrow. Please don’t let me be too late. She released her arrow and watched, hoping it would hit its mark.

As it sailed through Miroku’s barrier, it absorbed some of his spiritual energy as well. The usually bright pink glow turned dark as the arrow continued on its way. It struck the jewel Naraku carried with in him shattering it once again. Naraku dropped both InuYasha and Sesshomaru, and diminished. He went after the shards that had fallen near by before fleeing. Kagome ran to where InuYasha and Sesshomaru had fallen and Miroku ran into the trees to find Sango.

Sesshomaru looked at her as she approached. He was badly injured but would recover. He cursed himself as he realized that he owed his life to the miko. He could smell death threatening to over take InuYasha, as he laid beside him, but as Kagome approached the smell of death receded some. How is that possible? What power does this miko hold over him, to keep him in this world when he should be dead. He would have liked to get up and leave but his wounds would not allow it, so he remained.

Kagome knelt between them. She looked back and forth trying to figure out who to help, what she should do. “Will you be all right?” she asked Sesshomaru.

This girl, how is it that she continues to surprise me? Why would she care if I lived? “I will recover.” he told her.

Once it had been said, she turned her full attention to InuYasha. She pulled open his haori and undershirt. She put a hand to her mouth and held back the retch that was threatening to spill out of her.

Sesshomaru watched with interest as the miko began to care for his brother. He had smelt the wave of nausea wash over her and was sure that her weak human nature would cause her to break down, but once again she proved him wrong. He watched as she steeled her countenance and put aside her fears. This girl, is not like most humans.

“InuYasha, I know you can hear me.” she said. His ears twitched. “I am going to help you, just hold on.”

From somewhere deep inside, he heard her plea and answered it silently with one of his own. I’m trying. I don’t want to leave you.

Kagome acted on pure instinct and desire. She placed her hands over him and poured her love into him. It came out as healing energy and she watched as his wounds began to heal. When she was sure that she had done enough to save him, she allowed herself to collapse to the ground beside him.

“Kagome.” He said softly as his eyes fluttered open.

“Your miko has passed out from exhaustion.” Sesshomaru said. InuYasha went to sit up. “Baka, do not undo the damage she has repaired.”

InuYasha fell back. He wanted to hold her, to be close to her. She had saved him, and what he had felt as she poured her own energy into him had taken his breath away. He had felt a depth of devotion, of love that was almost painful. How does she stand to carry that all inside? He had to know, if she really felt that way about him, or if she had only done it to save his life. He was thinking about it, when he smelled Miroku, Sango, and Kirara.

Miroku laid both Sango and Kirara on the ground beside Inuyasha. InuYasha could tell that they were still both alive. “What happened to Kagome?” Miroku asked.

“She healed me.” Inuyasha replied.

“InuYasha, you must wake the miko if you wish the other to live.” Sesshomaru said. Normally, he would not have interfered, but the exterminator had prevented him from getting injured several times. InuYasha then realized that he could smell the scent of death starting to come from Sango.

Miroku gave InuYasha a panicked look. InuYasha sat up slowly and pulled Kagome to him. “Kagome, wake up.” he said, shaking her gently. “Kagome wake up, Sango needs you, she is dying.”

Kagome heard InuYasha and forced herself to wake. It took everything she had to open her eyes. “Where is she?” Kagome asked. InuYasha moved Kagome so that she could see Sango. “Closer.”

InuYasha didn’t want to let her do this, but he knew he had to. He laid Kagome beside Sango and Kagome took her hand. “I need you to want to live my sister.” Kagome whispered. “I am too weak and I will need your help.”

InuYasha and Miroku watched as the pink light of Kagome’s miko energy flowed into Sango. “Stop her baka.” Sesshomaru growled.

Inuyasha realized what was happening. Sango had been healed enough to live, but Kagome was killing herself. He pulled her away. “Kagome, please, don’t leave. We need you.” he whispered. “I need you.” he said even more quietly, so quietly that only Sesshomaru had heard.

Kagome found herself looking down on the scene beneath her. She too heard InuYasha’s plea. It was enough to call her back to herself. She had promised to stay by his side.

Sesshomaru was puzzled. He had smelt no fear from InuYasha at any other time, but now, holding this human in his arms, it poured out of him, as if her death meant the end of his life as well. “It seems like you, she has chosen to live.” Sesshomaru said at last.

InuYasha looked at Sesshomaru. “Why did you bother to say anything in the first place?” he asked.

“I was simply repaying my debt to her for my life. Now I own none of you anything.” he said. Sesshomaru looked to the sky as Ah-Un approached. At last he would be able to leave the company of these humans and InuYasha. They watched as Sesshomaru climbed on his dragon and flew away.

InuYasha growled as Kouga came limping out of the trees. “What happened to my woman?” Kouga asked.

“She is exhausted from healing Sango and InuYasha.” Miroku told him. “She will probably need to rest many days.”

“Then I will take her to my den and watch over her.” he said.

“The hell you will.” InuYasha growled.

“What will you do dog turd? Are you going to just sit here in the middle of this field until she wakes?” he asked.

“If I have to, but you aren’t taking her anywhere.” Inuyasha yelled.

“What about you monk? Are you too stubborn to bring your woman to my den until she is well? Though the scent of death has faded, she is still seriously injured.” Kouga told him.

Miroku looked at InuYasha. “Why the hell didn’t you say you’d let all of us come?” InuYasha growled.

Kouga smirked. “That wouldn’t have been any fun mutt face.” InuYasha stood with Kagome in his arms. “Why don’t you let me carry her? You are still injured.”

“Forget it.” he growled. “Just lead the way.”

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Kouga’s den wasn’t far and they made it by midday. “Kouga has returned.” one of the wolves called.

“Kouga you’re still alive.” another said.

Kouga stopped and faced the wolf demon that had just spoken to him. “No thanks to you.” he growled. “You and those who fled, leaving your brothers to die, are no longer part of this tribe. Flee before sunset, or die.” Kouga continued on into the cave.

Kouga motioned toward a straw bed covered with several animal skins over it and a few pelts of fur. Miroku and InuYasha set Sango and Kagome down upon it. Kouga left them and returned followed by two female wolf demons.

“Kita and Hana will see that you have anything you need.” Kouga said. “I have to go make sure those traitors are taken care of.”

Kouga was furious with those of his tribe that had fled. If Kagome had died, he wouldn’t have even given them a choice, he would have simply killed them. Everyone knew that he intended to make Kagome his. They should have stayed and protected her.

For InuYasha, Kagome couldn’t wake soon enough. He was worried about her, but also the stench of wolves was over powering. He also couldn’t stand to be helped by Kouga. It only took two days for his own wounds to heal. Sango woke on the fourth day.

“Kagome.” she said softly, catching the attention of both InuYasha and Miroku. She tried to sit up.

“Easy Sango.” Miroku said. “You were near death. You must rest.”

“I know.” she replied. “Kagome, how is she? I know she saved me.”

“She’s unconscious and has been just like you, for four days.” InuYasha told her. “She was exhausted after healing me and almost died healing you enough to save your life.” Sango looked to Miroku. She could tell by the look on his face that it was true.

Three more days passed. Sango was finally able to move around. Miroku went with her on a short walk to help he get her strength back and as always InuYasha sat at Kagome’s side, waiting.

“InuYasha.” Kagome’s whisper reached his hanyou ears.

“Kagome.” He said, hoping he hadn’t imagined it.

“Inuyasha, where are we?” she asked, opening her eyes.

“We’re at the den of the wolf demons.” InuYasha told her. “What were you thinking baka?”

Kagome was surprised to find herself held tightly in InuYasha’s arms. “InuYasha what...” she started.

“You can’t keep risking your life.” he interrupted. “You’re too important.”

Suddenly he released her. “Kagome.” Sango cried. She ran over to her and hugged her. “Thank you my sister.”

“Kagome it is good to see you awake.” Miroku offered.

“Yeah, now we can get out of here.” InuYasha announced.

“Not before we thank Kouga.” Kagome told him.

InuYasha growled. “No need to thank me Kagome.” Kouga said as he strode into the cave. “You’re my woman and I have to make sure you are taken care of.”

“She’s not your woman.” InuYasha yelled.

“InuYasha.” Kagome cautioned. “Thank you for helping us.” Kouga took her hands. InuYasha’s growling increased. “Don’t make me say ‘it’” InuYasha quieted.

“Kagome, why not stay with me here and be my woman.” Kouga said.

“I’m sorry, but since I broke the jewel again, we have to hurry and gather the shards to keep Naraku from becoming as strong as he was before.” Kagome told him.

“All right, but if you ever get tired of traveling with dog turd over there, I’ll help you find the shards.” Kouga offered.

“Thanks again for helping us, but I’m sure I’ll be fine with InuYasha.” Kagome replied.

Much to InuYasha’s dismay, Kouga walked with them until they reached the edge of his territory. “I’ll see you soon Kagome.” he called before speeding away.

“InuYasha.” Kagome said softly as the others walked ahead.

“What?” he asked.

“I just wanted to say I’m proud of you, for not attacking Kouga.” she told him.

“Keh.” he replied. “It wouldn’t even be worth the effort to kill that wimpy wolf.”

“Still, I didn’t even have to say ‘it’” Kagome said.

“Kagome is right InuYasha. Maybe you have finally grown up.” Miroku offered. InuYasha glared at the monk, who turned back around and continued walking.

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It took several days to get back to their village. Shippou was overjoyed to see them all. He jumped straight into Kagome’s arms. “Did you defeat Naraku?” he asked.

“Not exactly.” Kagome said.

They sat together eating dinner with Kaede and told the story of the battle with Naraku. Kaede seemed most interested in Kagome having healed InuYasha and Sango. Kagome brushed it off. She didn’t want to talk about everyone almost dying, when they were all fine now, so she changed the subject.

“I think I should go home for a few days.” she said. “We probably won’t be back for a while once we set out to collect the shards.”

“Two days wench.” InuYasha said. “Then I’m coming to get you.”

They all looked at him. “You aren’t going to say I can’t go?” she asked.

“I just told you two days didn’t I.” He told her. “And the rest of you quit looking at me like that.” InuYasha got up and stormed out of the hut.

“He sure is acting strange.” Sango said.

“He’s been acting like this since the fight with Naraku.” Miroku added. “He didn’t leave Kagome’s side the entire time she was sleeping.”

“I’m going to go out and talk to him.” Kagome said, and she went outside.

“Do ye know anything about healing using miko energy?” Kaede asked. Both Miroku and Sango shook their heads. “I assume ye both know how Kagome feels about InuYasha.” They nodded. “When she healed him, he probably felt all of her feelings for him. Since she is untrained, she would not have been able to block those feelings and heal him. Her feeling for him is probably what made it possible. Ye both know how he is.”

“I see.” Miroku said. “He now knows that she loves him, but he can’t just accept it, because of his past, and then there is Kikyou. We all know he cares for Kagome, but his guilt won’t let him let go of the past. This must be difficult for him.”

“InuYasha.” Kagome called. He jumped out of the sacred tree.

“You shouldn’t be walking alone out here at night.” he said.

“I wanted to talk to you.” she replied.

He grabbed her and jumped back up into the tree. “Talk.” he said.

“I was just making sure that you are all right.” she told him. “You seem different lately.”

“Keh.” he replied. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Well, you aren’t arguing with me about going to see my family and you didn’t fight with Kouga like you usually do.” she said. “And you also didn’t yell at me about shattering the jewel again.”

“I told you that wolf isn’t worth it and I didn’t feel like fighting with you.” he told her. “As for the jewel, you saved us, what can I say. I wasn’t doing anything that was working against that bastard.” Besides now you have to say here longer with me.

“InuYasha, could you help me down now?” she asked. He pretended not to hear her. She waited. “Fine, I’m tired and going to sleep, so don’t even think about waking me up later, when you get tired of holding onto me.” Maybe he likes holding me like this. If only that were true. She relaxed her head against his chest and the beating of his heart lulled her to sleep almost instantly.

He held her tighter as she slept. I’ll never get tired of holding you. He sighed. I wish things were different, that I could tell her, but I can’t ask her to give up so much, to be with me. Can I? He let himself relax, and enjoying holding her. He made sure not to fall too deeply asleep and let her fall.

Kagome woke in the morning went to stretch when she felt two arms grip her more tightly. “Careful wench, or you’ll fall.” he said softly. He jumped down and set her on her feet. He held onto her longer than he needed to, but he didn’t want to let her go.

Kagome blushed. Why is he still holding me? He reluctantly released her. Kagome turned and headed for the village to grab her bag, before returning to pass through the well. InuYasha was waiting for her.

“Bye InuYasha. I’ll see you in two days.” She told him, and jumped in.

As always, he felt her absence as she entered the time slip. He supposed he should go back to the village and stay with Shippou. He always had a hard time when Kagome was gone, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave as long as her scent lingered.

Kagome found her house empty when she arrived. She decided to take a shower before her family returned home. She undressed, and as she pulled her shirt over her head, she sighed softly. It smelled like InuYasha. Quit being silly. He loves Kikyou. She shook her head and got in the shower, letting it wash away her sadness.

By the time she had finished, her family had arrived. “Hello dear.” her mother said. “How long are you staying?”

“A couple of days.” Kagome replied.

“Well, it is good to have you home.” she said.

Kagome spent the next two days enjoying her time with her family. She made sure to get to bed early the night before her return to the past.

InuYasha had hoped that Kagome might return early, but she didn’t. He decided to go see her and bring her back in the morning, instead of waiting for her to return. He jumped into the well. Her house was dark. He jumped up to her room and climbed in the window. She was shivering in her sleep. Her blanket was bunched up at her feet. He pulled it over her and sat on the floor by her bed.

“U ‘asha.” she mumbled. “Love you.” Her lips turned up in a smile.

I love you too. He watched her sleep. The scent of her in her room overwhelmed him and relaxed him, so much so that he fell asleep. He awoke early as he always did, and waited for Kagome to wake up as well.

Kagome opened her eyes and had the distinct feeling that she wasn’t alone. She rolled over and found herself face to face with InuYasha.

“‘Bout time you woke up.” he said.

“How long have you been here.” she asked.

“Don’t worry about that. It’s time to go. I’ll be waiting outside.” he said, unwilling to tell her that he had been there all night. He opened her window and jumped out.

Kagome was puzzled by his actions, but did as he told her. She got dressed and went downstairs. He mother had packed her bag and after she ate, she would be ready to go. “Kagome dear, why don’t you see if InuYasha would like some breakfast.” Her mother asked.

“How did you know he was here?” Kagome asked.

“When I got up I checked on you and he was sleeping in your room.” She told her.

Kagome went outside and found InuYasha. “Mama wants to know if you want to eat with us.” Kagome said.

He jumped down. “Keh.” he replied, but followed her to the house.

They ate and he picked up her bag. It was her signal that it was time to go. She said goodbye to her mother and they headed for the well house. InuYasha grabbed her around the waist and jumped in.