Colors of the Soul by Caleesci

Death of a Miko

Hello everyone! Been a while, eh? Life has been... crazy! I have had this thought kicking around my brain for years, and finally decided to give it wings. Enjoy!

Love,

Caleesci

*~O_O~*

It had been a beautiful day when the world went to hell. The sun, a distinct symbol of the warm summer morning, had crested over the hills with a hue of pink and orange, stretching high into the sky. Soft billows of clouds illuminated to a shining gold, and birds wove through the air, as though dancing between the beams of gilded light. It was, as Kagome had thought, a perfect morning. Perfect, that is, until the heavy scent of poison lifted through the air, and the chuckling of a madman consumed all senses.

Naraku.

Inuyasha had responded swiftly. There were no pretentious standoffs, or taunting words filled with arrogance. Only the heat of power, tinged with malice, was exchanged between them.

She should have known something was wrong. Naraku never attacked without the solid assurance of his victory.

“Kagome!” The shrill call of her name, filled with fear, had terrified her. She felt the reason before she could ask, the harsh grasp of a hand enclosing around her arm. How had he snuck up on her?

“Little miko…” Came the soft cooing voice, dripping with smug victory. She managed not a word as a rough appendage covered her mouth, and others wrapping tightly about her limbs to keep her still. His hand slipped beneath the flaps of her shirt, and grasped the tiny glass bottle that hung at her collarbone. Kagome struggled defiantly, her lithe body glowing a shimmering pink. Naraku feel back, the loss of his tentacles phasing him not. With despair, Kagome noticed her attack had been in vain, for within his pale hand he clasped the remnants of the shards.

“Inuyasha!” She called out, falling to her knees. Tears pricked her cerulean eyes. They could not lose! They could not have endured years of jewel hunting, only to have them snatched away at the end! Her hanyou companion leapt from his spot, his eyes hard, a determined edge seeming to strengthen his power.

Their battle had been swift. Too swift. Naraku knew Inuyasha’s weakness. Just when the jewel was within Inuyasha’s grasp, his fingers grazing its service, Naraku exploited it.

The strangled cry of the woman he loved had hit his heart like a bullet, freezing him on the spot. Inuyasha’s eyes immediately sought her, the sight more painful than the bullet. Standing before Kagome, her eyes averted, and her lips set in a grim line, was Kagura. Kagome, whose back was to Inuyasha, seemed unable to move. Then slowly, her legs caved and her body crumbled to the ground. Clutched within Kagura’s hand, was something Inuyasha’s brain was determined not to identify.

“KAGOME!” The gut-wrenching cry left his lips, but Inuyasha knew it was too late. The bloody organ clutched within the clawed hand of the wind witch was something Kagome could not live without. She was gone.

Time slowed. Naraku, assured of his victory gripped the jewel, pulling it away from the shocked hanyou. However, for once, Naraku’s retreat was not quick enough. In that split second where both fingers grazed its smooth surface, two hearts beat with a wish, with a desire. The jewel glowed a brilliant purple hue, before its power erupted.

“Stay with me, Kagome…”

“Give me the power of Gods…”

Pulse.

Inuyasha felt the pull. He closed his eyes, the onslaught of magic more powerful than anything he had ever felt.

Pulse.

Naraku felt the burn begin as his fingertips, before it spread up his arm and through his body. The power was so strong, even he could fell the painful scream lodged in his throat.

Pulse.

A man, far from the battle, stilled in his wanderings, the surge of power immense even to his standards. He turned in the direction of its source, his gilded eyes void of any signs to the workings of his mind.

Pulse.

A dark haired woman, a woman who was both dead and alive, clutched her chest in agonizing pain. Through narrowed eyes and grit teeth, she followed its pull, unable to resist.

Pulse.

Inuyasha sat up, unaware that he had been lying down. Naraku stood a hundred paces away, his body contorted in agony. Between them a figure of purple light stood, the jewel at its center. Eerie words seemed to echo over the clearing.

Half soul, half wish. Mend essence, restore power.

The figure shuttered before disappearing within the Jewel, which, now a dull purple, fell to the ground innocently. Without thought, Inuyasha leaped from his position and ran to Kagome's side, still crumbled upon the blood soaked ground.

He did not notice as Naraku picked up the jewel. He did not notice as Naraku made a hasty retreat. Nor did he notice the arrival of a stoic lord, his face, for once, displaying the barest hint of emotion. All he could focus on was the petite woman he now cradled in his arms.

*~O_O~*

Love,

Caleesci