Blood Tears by Rose Songweaver

The Last Blow

Anyone who had witnessed that moment would not have understood what happened. Too many things occured in that critical second; it was like dominoes- one triggering blow scattered them all.

A battle had broken out. While that, in itself, as not unusual, this one was particularly different. Kikyou had finally joined Inuyasha in the fight against Naraku; she had aided as best she could, firing arrow after arrow infused with her miko energy. Kagome stood with her, firing her own arrows. It was beautiful- the pink fire of Kagome's missles complemented Kikyou's lavender perfectly.

The girl had destroyed as many demons that assaulted their friends as possible; Kagome focused on Naraku's insects, while Kikyou preferred the large, strong, and dumb henchmen that currently assaulted the others.

The others, being Miroku, Sango, and Inuyasha, were faring quite well. Their weapons hacked through youkai flesh like it was paper. Shippou even aided them, perching on Kirara's back and shooting foxfire where it was needed. Kirara kept him as safe as possible, and even managed to wipe out a few youkai that threatened her precious burden.

But the battle shifted when a young man stepped out of the rsing dust. Instantly, Sango's face lost all of its color, and she began to completely disregard the foes she faced. Kagome was hard pressed to defend her, and barely managed to fire fast enough to kill the youkai threatening her friend.

"Ko-Kohaku," the demon exterminator choked out. She lowered her boomerang, and reached for him. The boy's face had not changed upon hearing his sister's voice; it was reminiscent of the gaze of a dead person. His eyes held nothing; his soul was locked away, trapped in Naraku's grasp.

His only answer to her question was a swipe from his blade. His movements were precise and accurate, but she moved easily. She made no move to defend herself, and his next swipe dug deeply into her flesh. Her small cry of pain suggested mental pain, rather than the physical pain from the wound.

Inuyasha spared her a glance, but could not waver in his focus. The Tetsusaiga ( spelled this way because I think it looks nicer) was his only real advantage against Naraku; without it, not only would his demon blood break free, but the evil hanyou would easily kill him. His continued shouts for the Wind Scar were echoing in the clearing more and more. The technique never did any real damage; all it achieved was slicing Naraku's appendages off, but they regrew too quickly.

"Inuyasha, you are becoming sloppy," Naraku drawled. "You haven't managed to put one scratch on me yet!"

"Shut up," he grunted. But it was true, and he knew it. His attention was not fully focused on his enemy. Some part of his mind constantly monitored his friends- Miroku was currently engaged with Kagura, Sango was showing signs of emotional paralyzis, and the girls seemed to be unaware that Kanna was much too close for comfort.

When Inuyasha turned for that brief second to check on Sango, Naraku struck. Her slimy tentacle crushed Inuyasha's ribcage in a relentless grasp- only his demon blood prevented his ribs from shattering under the pressure.

Kagome cried out in horror and quickly trained her arrow to Naraku. Suddenly, her bow was cut by a flying sickle- Kohaku had flung it at her to prevent her from her task. She turned to Kikyou and said frantically, "Help him!"

The girl watched Kagome's face for a split second longer than necessary- for that one brief moment, a fire sparked behind her eyes, the first real emotion Kagome had ever seen on her clay face. Then she nodded slightly, and raised her bow.

"Hold still," she whispered, and released. Then it happened- that one push that toppled everything. Kagome screamed in helplessness as she watched in horror. The arrow sped to Inuyasha, not Naraku!

Her attention was torn away at the arrival of another small child. This one was pale, slightly reminscent of a ghost. Kanna.

Kagomes gasped is shock, and Kanna raised her mirror. Instantly, Kagome felt a brief tugging, then her soul left her body. It was a pure white that shone like a star. But the minute it touched the mirror, the mirror shattered.

White orbs filled the air, so many that it appeared as if all the stars filled that one clearing. An unnatural light lit the scene for everyone to see.

Inuyasha's mouth dropped open as the arrow pierced his heart. Anyone close to him at that moment was surprised by his expression- the anger and accusation glittered there for a second before it was replaced by a peace. Then his whole body relaxed, and another light was added to the souls escaped from Kanna's mirror.

Kagome's body was lifted into the air as her soul returned to her. When she opened her eyes, she immediately looked to Inuyasha. When she saw the light leave im, she knew.

"No. Inuyasha..." Her whisper was soft, filled with unspeakable pain. Them she began to burn. Her body was glowing with her miko powers; however, this time they were not a beautiful pearly pink. Now, it was red. Flames crawled along her flesh.

Then something amazing happened. It froze everyone, even Naraku, immobile and shocked. The souls one by one took the the shape of their revious owners and came to huddle by Kagome. Most were youkai, but there were a few humans. Not just humans- mikos. They looked on the girl, and one by one all reached out to touch her. Their power poured into her body, gifting her with strength. Then the souls faded.

Then Kagome began to change. Her body glowed with her power- she was so bright that no one could look upon her. Her fire filled the clearing. Then a few things happened. Naraku dropped Inuyasha'a body, Tetsusagia and all, and began choking. Inuyasha rose slowly into the air, propelled from an invisible source.

Kagome's voice rang across the clearing. At first it was soft, meant only for Inuyasha. "I am sorry," she whispered. "I never though she would do that. I suppose you were right in the end- I am weak." She brushed her fingers over his cool face, and said quietly, "But no more." He slowly sank back to earth; however, the fang was gone. His skin glowed slightly where she had touched his face.

Then her voice rang out, similar to the pure note from a bell. "Naraku! Kikyou! You will pay for your crimes. I decree that you will live, for now. But beware, for you will both die. By my hand." Then, all at once, the light was gone. Naraku fled, flanked by his demons amd children.

The remaining members of the shard hunters did not acknowledge his actions. In fact, they were still fixated, slightly in shock, at the area Kagome had occupied moments before.

Sango walked forward and knelt beside Inuyasha. She, too, touched his face, tears streaming down her face. "I am sorry, friend," she whispered. "But I promise, you will be avenged."

She stood, and Kirara came to stand by her side. Shippou lauched himself on her and buried his face in her neck. "Snago, where is Kagome," he sobbed.

Sango looked helplessly at Miroku, and turned back to the fox child. "I don't know," she whispered. Miroku put a comforting hand arund her shoulders and pulled her close. "I just don't know," she sobbed.