Greetings Everyone,
This is the first time I have posted to Dokuga and I will admit to being utterly terrified as there are so many wonderful writers here I have been knocking this idea around alot and have the majority of it mapped out though not written so I hope you will bare with me as I write and to let you know now grammer was never my forte. But I will do the best I can.
I do not own any of the characters from the different series I am using Inuyasha Vampire Knight Bleach and Ghost in the Shell and as with most things in my life I don't make a dime from any of this.
With all that said lets get this party started.
Chapter 1: The Past is laid to Rest.
Having smelled the vial stench of Naraku, Sesshomaru sends Jaken off to the fortress with Rin to keep her safe as always with the stern warning that if anything should happen to her his life would be forfeit. Sesshomaru takes his first steps in his long quest to destroy the creature known as Naraku.
A few miles to the east of where the scent of his half-brother’s group is he comes across a man not human but not demon either praying on a village inside his territory which is unacceptable to the great Lord. Confronting the insect that dares attack a village under his protection he growls, "Explain?!" as he tosses the creature off a now motionless woman.
The man lifts up to his feet and grins evilly towards Sesshomaru, "I have no need to explain myself to the likes of you dog!" with that said he launches an attack against Sesshomaru. "Fool" is all Sesshomaru says before easily dodging the man's attack countering it with his poison whip lashing it across the creature’s back the hiss of the acid poison burning a vicious line into the once pristine flesh of the man.
Shrieking with rage the man turns to Sesshomaru his eyes which the Lord now notices are one red and one blue, "hn" he intones as the man before him eyes turn brilliant red and glow. "I will feast on your blood insolent dog!" he screams and runs at Sesshomaru. With the grace only a youki of his stature can attain he side steps the pathetic creature and grabs him by the throat slamming his back into a nearby tree. "Insolent you say and who pray tell dares to speak to the Lord of the Western Lands so?" Amber eyes flash crimson as the man in his claws struggles to escape. "Speak fool or I can assure you your death will be slow and full of agony.", gurgling as Sesshomaru's grip tightens a bit before relaxing just enough for the man to speak he sees that right now he cannot hope to beat the foul dog so he decides to answer just enough to get away.
"My name is Rido Kuran of the clan Kuran we are the leaders of the Vampire race now unhand me cur" growling in Rido's face to show his displeasure at being spoken to that way Sesshomaru tightens his grip. "I have a treaty with you creatures you are NOT to hunt on my lands", Rido scowls even with the lack of air he did not know his foolish brother had done such a thing. "So Haruka made a deal with you dog I should have known." With the last insult Sesshomaru loses some of his renowned self-control and digs a poisoned claw into the man's shoulder his voice biting out each syllable. "If..You...wish...to..live..you..will..hold..you...tongue...vampire!" Rido screams out in agony the acidic poison burns through his veins causing him utter agony.
Damn it I will not survive this if I act as I normally do with this dog, for now he is the stronger of us. Gasping for air to steady the horrendous pain Rido lifts his head exposing his neck in submission and says in a panting voice, "My apologies Lord Sesshomaru I was still in the throes of the hunger I did not mean to offend have mercy on me I did not realize I was in your lands when I began my meal." Snarling at the lie he can smell off the man but having enough of the foul creatures death scent to last him a life time he drops him and demands he leave his lands and never return he will speak to Haruka on this matter soon enough. With his release Rido stands up and barely stops himself from attacking again and instead turns to the south and in a flicker of light disappears from the Lord's view.
Turning back to the direction he was traveling Sesshomaru thinks to himself, I will have to send an envoy to the south with a letter for Haruka informing him of his brother's trespass perhaps he will allow me to be the one to punish him. A warm gleam comes to his eyes as he steps out into the clearing his half-brother’s rag tag group will be entering soon and sets himself down near the trunk of a tree to await their arrival.
InuYasha hollers to the other, "Come On! damn humans are so slow!", that’s it Kagome says to herself, "InuYasha...." the sweet singsongy voice calls his name and his ears immediately plaster themselves to his head. "Now Kagome wait just one damn...", "SIT!". *SLAM* InuYasha finds him mouth full of dirt yet again he thinks back well that is 20 in just one day damn how do I not see that coming it’s not fair I hate these damn beads.. "Oww.", "Damn Kagome why do you keep doing that?" InuYasha whines from his hanyou shaped crater. "I wouldn't have to if you would stop being such a jerk!" Kagome yells into the hole her best friend is buried in.
Sesshomaru hears the two and closes his eyes briefly as he speaks out across the field to the group that has not yet notice him, " I do believe that is the most entertaining thing I have seen all day half-breed. Do you do any other tricks for your human Master?" chuckling to himself he sees InuYasha bound out of the crater and immediately grab the hilt of his sword. "What the hell do you want ass hole!" Shaking his head Sesshomaru stands to his impressive height 6'10" staring down his nose towards the group, "I am here to destroy the filth of Naraku I simply thought it...appropriate to allow you to follow. But if you wish to continue to search fruitlessly for him while I kill him then by all means." with that he turns to move back into the trees.
Miroku quickly moves forward calling out, "Lord Sesshomaru please wait!" Sesshomaru stops at the edge of the woods and turns back lifting his elegant eye brow, "Speak quickly monk I have a spider to kill", Miroku quickly says, "Please my Lord allow us to come with you we apologize for your brother's words we would be grateful to come with you and help in the destruction of our common enemy", from behind Miroku InuYasha grouses, "half-brother monk". Sesshomaru merely nods and turns to continue on his way speaking over his shoulder as he does, "Then I suggest you all move quickly and try to keep up" with that he fades into the forest and the tachi move quickly to follow InuYasha grumbling the entire way.
Four hours later the excitement about finally getting their hands on Naraku begins to fade they were exhausted when they came upon Sesshomaru now they are so tired they can barely stand, but they are afraid if they said anything, Sesshomaru will simply leave them behind and they will not be able to exact their individual revenge on the horrid spider hanyou. Something shocking happens though in the next clearing they come to Sesshomaru stops and moves to the side sitting down beneath a large shade tree and simply rests his arm on his knee.
Kagome, Sango, and Miroku look to each other all of them shrugging their confusion but happily accept that they have stopped all moving about gather wood starting a fire and setting up camp. All that is except InuYasha who begins to yell at everyone, "Why the hell are we stopping! We should be going after Naraku damnit! Sesshomaru get up and lead us to him!". Sesshomaru looks towards the miko and lifts an eye brow as if to say, "shall you do it or shall I?" A mischievous smirk plays across her lips when she turns to InuYasha and tilting her head to the side she calls out sweetly, "Oh InuYasha", having apparently not learned his lesson in thinking before speaking InuYasha ducks his head his ears moving back protectively he mumbles, "Feh, whatever sleep I don't care". Smiling brightly she sings to him, "Thanks InuYasha I will make you some ramen!" that perks up his ears and gives him a glint to his eyes that Sesshomaru doesn't quite understand.
After everyone in the tachi had their ramen she takes a bowl of it over to Sesshomaru kneeling down what she hopes is a respectful distance she holds out the bowl and says softly, "I know you don't eat human food and all but I think if you try this you will like it". Eyeing the steaming bowl skeptically he takes a tentative whiff of its aroma and is shocked to find his mouth watering at the scent though none of this shows on his face he simply takes the bowl and nods to the girl sending her on her way with what he thinks might be a skipping motion. Such a strange human he thinks as he looks into the bowl seeing nothing but noodles he is briefly confused before he takes the chop sticks and brings some to his mouth taking a bite. He was pleasantly surprised that the concoction was actually fairly appetizing though from the looks of InuYasha who is now angry berating the girl for giving him his ramen Sesshomaru smirks and finishes the bowl just to annoy his dear little brother.
For two days the group traveled together in relative peace. InuYasha of course pushed his luck with Lord Sesshomaru until the Lord had had enough of his foolishness and knocked him unconscious for the remainder of the second day. After that he seemed to keep to himself for the most part. On the beginning of the third day they received an unexpected visitor in the way of Kikyo. Sesshomaru seemed displeased with her arrival but the tachi put it down to the fact she was not very pleasant smelling.
Kikyo stepped into the clearing with InuYasha’s group her cool demeanor setting Kagome on edge. “InuYasha, I have come to join your party.” InuYasha the ever doting dog that he is runs over to her accepting her without an iota of thought for the rest of his group. Sango being whom she is looks over to see the distress her heart sister is in and speaks up, “InuYasha do you ever think of anyone but yourself!” moving to Kagome she wraps her up in her arms and takes her off to the hot springs to collect herself. InuYasha looks after them briefly a spark of guilt lights his eyes before he turns back to Kikyo and walks with her over towards the side.
“Kikyo, I am glad you finally came to join us but you know it’s not going to be easy right?” his golden eyes look to her hoping she will not leave. “I know InuYasha but I have a right to face Naraku too he has harmed me more than my reincar…” , “Stop Kikyo don’t call her that her name is Kagome if you can’t use her name I don’t think you should say anything about her anymore.” , “Very well InuYasha as I was saying I have been harmed more than Kagome. I don’t even understand why she is still here.” Her hard eyed gaze placed right on him. InuYasha sighs morosely he knew she would bring this up, “Look Kikyo she has been here from the beginning she has been through a lot because of Naraku and she deserves to see him destroyed as much as anyone else.” Her dark brown eyes gaze to him long enough to cause him to fidget before she relents, “very well InuYasha you are right I will hold my tongue and be civil to Kagome.” A rare smile brightens InuYasha’s face. “Thank you Kikyo.” Their talk done they return back to the camp where the others are getting ready to set out after Naraku.
At noon on the third day Sesshomaru begins to growl and commands the group to prepare. Seconds later they burst through the trees to a large clearing across from them stands Naraku and his incarnations. Kagura floats above Naraku a scowl upon her face everyone that can see her can tell she hates the spider with everything she is. Hakudoshi stands off to Naraku’s right; along with Kanna both show no emotion on their faces.
Sesshomaru was not one to make chit chat when he faces an opponent so it was no surprise when without a word he launched an attack with tokijin the green lighting racing across the field incinerating the ground as it passed. With the opening salvo made the battle began. Hours passed and it seemed the fighting was at a standstill that is until Kagura decided she would rather fighting Naraku then live under his thumb. Sending a blast from her fan towards Naraku she takes his attention off of Sesshomaru to deflect the blow which taking his eyes off the Lord was his first and last mistake for Sesshomaru rushed forward slamming his sword deep through his chest.
The pain in his chest was excruciating he cursed the fact he had to reabsorb his heart but he would not be going alone. Reaching in his robes he grasps Kagura’s heart the traitorous bitch and crushes it in his claws. As Kagura bursts into dust from her creators blow Naraku’s voice lifts above the chaos, “You think you have won but you will never be rid of me mark my words pathetic fools I will return and I will kill you all!!!!” With the last sounding of his voice Naraku turns to dust as a single white orb floats up from the ash and disappears from view.
Once Naraku dies the rest of his incarnations simply turn to dust blown away with the passing wind. The silence that was left was deafening then suddenly InuYasha screams “HELL YEAH! Alright Lord Fluffy you got his spider ass!” Sesshomaru turned to his younger brother lifting an eye brow at his antics then shaking his head he moves over to the side to await for the completion of the jewel and its subsequent destruction.
Kagome looks around the field finding the chunk of the jewel that Naraku had, finding it in the pile of ash she reaches out plucking it from the pile then taking her shards and the ones she got from Koga she forges the jewel back together when she noticed it was total with no missing shards she realizes Kohaku was not in the battle which means he was gone. She wished she could bring Naraku back just to kill him again from what he has done to her heart sister. Turning around she looks to her friends holding the jewel close to her heart she looks to each, Sango is in the arms of Miroku she knows her brother is gone and the tears were not going to stop anytime soon. Miroku met her gaze and nodded his head understanding what she needed without her having to speak the words she gives him a sad smile and nods turning her attention to Shippo as he crawls out of her back pack he hid inside of during the battle and he smiles brightly to her nodding his head as well. Finally she turns her cobalt eyes to InuYasha as he holds Kikyo in his arms her body slowly disintegrating he is speaking softly to her. Kikyo looks over to her and tells InuYasha to look up.
Looking at the both of them Kagome feels a sadness well up within her but she pushes it down as she receives a nod from the both of them with an added comment from InuYasha of, “Do Kagome get rid of that hateful jewel.” Nodding her understanding she closes her eyes and makes the wish, “Shikon no Tama I wish this for all the innocents that have been harmed due to your existence, I wish for you to no longer exist disappear Shikon!”
In a flash of bright white light Kagome is lifted high in the air and spun slowly as a soft voice whispers to her, “Kagome thank you thank you for setting my soul free for this I will give you one thing that I know you want to give your friends this gift will be given at the moment you return to you time.” With that the Shikon disappears and Kagome is set down lightly on the ground where a sudden lethargy over takes her and she falls into a deep sleep.
Looking over at the group Sesshomaru watches as the miko is lifted into the air and then set down a feeling grows in his chest he does not particularly like so he turns without another word and leaves the clearing.
Four days and miles later the inu tachi comes to Edo walking through the village the people within cheering their passing having received word of the hateful hanyou’s demise. Meeting them in the center of the village Kaede opens her arms for the group that has come be her children. Holding them tightly she congratulates each one on a job well done.
That night a feast is done up for the tachi’s victory over the hated spider. The villagers danced and sang the sake flowed and the food was devoured soon people started to wander off to their huts to sleep off the merriment. InuYasha had left the gathering prior to this walking silently up to the shrine at the top of the hill the one that would one day be his friends home, he returned his loves ashes to their rightful place he didn’t feel like celebrating without her it just didn’t seem worth it. After placing the ashes he moves off to the God Tree to rest within its branches the only place he has found that he could sleep easily. Closing his eyes he prays for dreams of his Kikyo and the life they could have had.
Kagome had watched InuYasha leave the gathering and secretly smiled for she remembered the Shikon’s last words to her before it disappeared. Writing a short note she seals it up and walks off to find Kaede knowing she is too old to stay up too long into the night. Hugging her mentor and grandmother thanking her for all she has done and taught her through the years. Kagome hands Kaede the letter and asks her to give it to InuYasha after she leaves and to keep an eye on him for her. Kaede agrees readily to both things.
After leaving Kaede’s she walks off to find the two love birds. Sango and Miroku were sitting together by the fire when she arrived, Sango with a deep blush upon her cheeks as she scoots away from Miroku who chuckles softly at her shyness. Sitting down she speaks to her adoptive brother and sister about her hopes for them to be happy and to live long lives with lots of children and how much she will miss them but knows in her heart that this is what must happen for time to continue as it should. Hugging them good bye while patting Kirara on the head she wishes them luck.
She moves off toward a cluster of village children that Shippo is playing with. Calling out to him she opens her arms to the child she feels could be a son but cannot due to the distance of time and the fact she cannot teach him to be a proper fox demon. Deep blue eyes water at the thought of having to leave him behind as he jumps into her arms and she hugs him tight.
“Shippo, would you come take a walk with me?” she whispers in his ear. “Sure Kagome!” Shippo replies though there is hesitancy in his voice. They walk off their friends watching them go off knowing there would be many tears shed in the next coming moments.
Holding Shippo tight she takes him to the edge of the woods and sits down setting him in her lap. “Shippo sweet heart we need to talk.” The sadness in her eyes telling him what was about to be said he tries to jump out of her lap crying out, “No! You can’t leave its not fair NO!” Grabbing him and holding him tightly. “Oh Shippo baby, I’m sorry” she soothes trying to calm him down. “I know it’s not fair but it is what has to be. I can’t stay here I have to go home to my mom you wouldn’t want me to make my mom sad would you?” holding her breath knowing this was going to be hard but not realizing how hard as the tears stream down her face. “Shippo I can’t be your mama though I wish I could I can’t teach you how to be a demon or how to use your powers it would not be fair to you and I won’t let you grow up not knowing your heritage as you should.” Shippo’s tears flowed heavily his little nose dripping, “But, I want you to be my mama why can’t you be my mama I don’t care about that other stuff!” he is near hysterics now. Kagome turns him to face her and cups his face with, “Shippo please listen to me, as much as I would love to stay here in the past with you I can’t I was never meant to stay here the Shikon allowed me this time to go home on my own so that I could say goodbye to those I love I know you would not wish this but it is what it is and I can’t change this.”
Holding onto each other she allows Shippo to cry himself to sleep before rising up and taking him off to Kaede’s hut to sleep. She stays up the rest of the night next to him and writes him a long letter that he can keep with him for as long as he wishes folding it up setting it next to him to find she realizes she can’t stand the thought of having her friends around her when she has to go so she collects her back pack leaving little mementos for each to remember her by before leaning over and pressing one last kiss to her son’s brow before slipping out into the early morning light.
Stepping into the clearing that holds the well she looks around taking a deep breath of the clean crisp air knowing she is going to miss this. Moving towards the well she hears a soft thump off to the side looking over towards the sound she sees InuYasha standing there silently. Turning towards him she softly calls his name. “InuYasha.” Her blue eyes gazing to him a heart break he knows he caused lilting through her eyes. Stepping to her he looks down into her eyes, his own holding a bit of hurt, “Were you just going to sneak off without even saying goodbye?” closing her eyes she bows her head, “I’m sorry InuYasha I thought it would be best.”
Shocked, “You thought leaving without a word would be best. I see so your promise to stay with me meant nothing?” Blue oceans gaze fearfully, “Oh Inu I…I… I can’t stay here I’m sorry I truly am but I can’t stay. “, wrapping her arms around his waist she places her head on his chest whispering softly so only he can possibly hear. “Inu I can’t you know I can’t but don’t worry I know you won’t be alone just promise me you won’t forget me ok” Holding onto her fiercely he inhales her scent deeply something he has grown to associate with home and lets her go. “You should get going I can hear the others looking for you.” Smiling softly up to him she says, “Thanks Inu take care and know I love you.” Turning around before he can answer or respond she runs and leaps into the well the warm blue light envelopes her and she disappears. Never to be seen in the feudal Japan again. Just as the light dies down the group bursts into the clearing Shippo screaming at her not to go and trying to jump into the well after her only to be caught and pulled into the arms of InuYasha who surprisingly begins to soothe him.
As they are walking back to the village InuYasha hears a ruckus and takes off running holding Shippo close to him as he moves. Busting into Kaede’s hut he falls to his knees for standing there hugging the old miko was none other than Kikyo but not the clay pot from before but the real flesh and blood woman that he has loved then suddenly the words Kagome left him with comes back to him. He looks to Kaede and asks, “She knew didn’t she?” Not knowing what he is talking about and still dealing with the shock of seeing her now alive sister she gropes briefly finding the sealed scroll Kagome left for InuYasha and hands it to him as she moves back to her sister.
Quickly he breaks the seal and reads the words his friend left him tears spring to his eyes and he curses, “Damn girl I didn’t want to cry but here you go making me and you’re not here for me to yell at.” Running forward he plucks Kikyo from Kaede’s arms and kisses her passionately just like the letter from his friend told him too and he swears to himself to do exactly what the letter said grab his love kiss her and never let her go.