Of All Possible Worlds by Chickahominy Creek

Prologue: The End of a Fairytale

Chickahominy Creek

Of All Possible Worlds

Prologue: The End of a Fairytale

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, its characters, or its plot.

This fanfiction is a response to a challenge posted by AiVixen on A Single Spark (http://kagsess.eternal-adoration.net).

The air reeked of blood. It's coppery tang permeated the forest, clogging her senses, filling her head, forcing tears through her eyes. It soaked through the ground, through her shoes; red mud mixed with brown threatened to slow her pace, wishing to ensnare her for the nightmare at her heels. The girl's raven locks, unbound, twisted around her face and caught in low-hanging branches. Wooden claws tore the black strands from her scalp, leaving dark threads to hang in their wake. Inuyasha Forest, usually full of the cacophony of life, was silent except for the sound of her labored breathing and pounding feet. Panic clenched her throat--the forest was closing in around her. Wide eyes flickered over the ground before her. The direction she ran was out of habit. She knew where she had to go, her feet automatically carrying her over one well-traveled path to another.

The girl ran like death itself was flagging her--and it was. She could feel Naraku's presence.

They hadn't been ready for him. Initially, the plan had been to go after the demon. With a complete Shikon Jewel in their possession victory, though not assured, was within their grasp. Naraku must have thought so too. Instead of going after the jewel hunters, he had gone after the villagers. She could still smell it, the mixture of smoke, blood, and death. They tried to drive him back. Turning the village into a battlefield was unthinkable; but they couldn't manage it. There were too many villagers in Naraku's path that could not leave the crumbling shelter of burning homes: the too young, the too old, the injured, and the dying. She could still recall pulling bodies from the rubble. Charred flesh in her hands, blood slick limbs sliding through her fingers. Screaming, too much screaming. Sometime during the struggle, Kaede's voice had risen above the battle and ordered them to flee into the woods in hopes Naraku would pursue them.

She saw the opening in the trees and dove for it, stumbling into the clearing on unsteady feet. An amethyst sky greeted her, the setting sun casting shadows that hid the danger lurking all too near. She unslung the bow on her back, grasping it firmly. The old wood was cool against her palm. Smooth, sleek, and after over a year of practice, lethal. An arrow rested on the string, pulled taunt.

Her lips set in a grim line; she reached for her miko power. She found it, at her core; it was there, in that tiny space at the back of her consciousness. A wellspring of pure energy that responded to her slightest nudge. Strength flowed through weary muscles and lungs. Energy ripped through her veins, carrying it through her body until she could hear every molecule around her hum in anticipation. It poured out of her skin, washing over her and flooding the clearing in purple luminance. Like an electric current, it spread around her, pulling at her skirt and top while lifting her hair off her shoulders. She pulled at the energy the same way a weaver pulled thread from a distaff and wove it around the tip of her arrow, wrapping it securely with her mind and tying it off. She was ready for Naraku--as ready as anyone could be for the attack of a homicidal madman.

A familiar growl resonated over the clearing followed a few seconds later by a large cat-like shadow. Kirara landed softly next to her, pawing the ground with impatience. The cat sniffed the air and barred her teeth, hair standing on end.

Two people jumped off the large cat's back. The woman was a little taller than herself with black hair tied into a long ponytail. She wore a demon hunter's protective armor: tight body suit from the hide of a water demon, wrist guards, and a mask to prevent poison. The clothing alone made Sango look like a threat; the Hiraikotsu in her right hand was the telltale mark of a hunter. Light from the young miko's aura reflected of the large boomerang.

Miroku climbed down behind Sango. Whereas the demon hunter was intimidating, the monk looked like he wouldn't lift a finger to swat a gnat. Billowing blue robes hid whipcord strength and the staff he held was a mere twig in comparison to the Hiraikotsu. Sango's power was obvious, Miroku's was misleading. Countless demons had thought the monk an easy target, but the he was far better with his staff than his form let on, and his true danger was sacred charms and seals--and the medieval version of a black hole in his hand.

Sango drew her giant boomerang into fighting position, easing herself beside the other woman. "Kagome, where is Inuyasha?"

Kagome's eyes flickered over the tree tops, darting from place to place while her hand remained steady on the bow string. There was no sign of the hanyou. "I'm not sure. I thought he was right behind us."

"Could Naraku have gotten to him already?" Miroku asked from behind them.

Kagome shook her head. No, that wasn't possible. Inuyasha would never let himself be caught. Never. He promised they would come out of this alive, he promised that afterward...

"...we will be together. I want you to be mine forever, Kagome. It doesn't matter what time: now, or the future. When Naraku is gone, we can finally begin to live, I promise."

"No!" she replied, pushing away all seeds of doubt. "He's coming. I know it."

She could feel Miroku behind her. "Kagome, you must accept that fact that..."

"He's coming." The words came out as a strangled hiss. Kagome ground her teeth together, clenching her jaw tight. Her arms began to quiver, but she held them steady. Tremors were moving through her and she could feel the first onslaught of tears at the corners of her eyes. He would be here at any moment.

A clamor rose from within the forest. Suddenly, hundreds of black forms shot out from the canopy, cawing and screeching. The crows beat furiously at the sky, tearing it in an effort to get away. Behind the sound of rushing wing beats, the trees trembled and began parting.

Kagome tightened her hold on her bow and took aim, pointing her arrow at the form that was about to emerge from hiding. Behind her, Miroku was muttering under his breath, left hand hovering near his lips, index and middle finger up as if he were making an effort to hush the noise over the clearing. Some of his preplaced seals along the trees' edge roared to life, characters etched in blue fire; what would happen in this clearing, would remain within it.

She shuddered as the trees nearest them parted and a near human creature emerged. The creature's face and upper body were still human--black hair and eyes, strong torso--but beneath that made her skin crawl. Naraku's lower body resembled a tarantula. Black, hairy legs sprung out from the sheltered wood, uprooting trees and undergrowth and tossing them aside like toothpicks. Stray pieces of splintered wood brushed Kagome's face, but she kept her eyes open.

She released her first arrow. Pale violet light burst from the projectile like a comet and buried itself deep in the demon's right arm. Kagome shouted in triumph when the arrow hit its intended mark, but it lasted only moments. Naruku ripped the protruding piece of wood out and sent it tumbling to the ground. His eyes rose to Kagome. He rushed her.

The miko didn't have time to scream before a hairy leg sent her scrambling. She could feel a breeze passing over her head--he almost had her. The power that she had gathered earlier crumbled like a fallen wall, leaving her vulnerable. Her panicked mind forced her legs to move. The Shikon Jewel bounced against her heaving chest as she ran; the pink orb attracted Naraku like a magnet.

A cry of "Hiraikotsu!" sounded behind her and Kagome turned in time to see Naraku swat away Sango's giant weapon with one arm. His eyes never left his prey. He was bearing down on her, looming to block out the setting sun on the horizon.

Kagome didn't see the dip in the ground. She only noticed that it came up to meet her. Pain registered. Panic clutched her throat, choked her. She tried to crawl away, backwards on her hands and heels. Rocks skimmed the soft flesh of her palms, grinding into her skin. There was no way out...

Kagome squashed her rebellious nerves. There had to be a way out. A future was waiting for her, the best possible future she could imagine. With him. She could see it. This wasn't the end of the fairytale, it was the prologue...

"...to the beginning. Just think Kagome! When this is over, we can live here, in this village, visit your family once in a while in the future..."

"It sounds wonderful, Inuyasha." She smiled. "I can't wait."

"It will be perfect."

"Finally. Where I want you." Naraku's voice rumbled, sounding low in this throat--amused. "Kikyo's descendant indeed." A leg reached for her, seeking her. "You are nowhere near as powerful. I'm surprised you're still here at all. Goodbye, miko, it's been...a pleasure."

Kagome finally screamed as Naraku sped towards her, arm outstretched, fist covered in dark energy, ready to deliver the blow that would surely kill her. Her eyes widened, and then slammed shut. A deep breath, her last. She held it as time stretched to infinity, holding, waiting for the end.

And then she was flying. The ground dropped out beneath her and it was like she had suddenly spouted wings. Wind rushed past her, carrying her upward into safety. Familiar warm hands were beneath her legs and back. Her cheek rested against a comforting shoulder. She buried her face in a thick red haori, breathed in the scents of oak and pine.

"Inuyasha."

She could feel his heart pounding in a quick staccato against her. He shifted her in his grip. "What are you, an idiot?" he shouted, not caring that his mouth was right in front of her face. "How could you let him get so close to you, Kagome? Why did you release your powers? Answer me!"

"You were worried, weren't you?" Kagome said, lifting her head as Inuyasha set her down next to the well, away from the battle.

"Of course I was worried! Why wouldn't I be worried? I care about..." Kagome cut him off with her lips, pressing her mouth against his desperately. All the fear, adrenaline, and panic she had built since Naruku first appeared in the village was in the kiss. She needed to feel him against her, thigh to thigh, hip to hip, body to body. She needed his embrace to keep all the darker points in her life at bay.

Despite the situation, Inuyasha readily complied. She felt the instant the tension left his body as he molded himself against her in an effort to make two physical beings one. His mouth was between coaxing and demanding as he added his need to hers. Her arms went around his neck, pulling him to her. Hands slid up her back, clawed fingers...

...twined within her hair, pulling it just short of pain. She could feel every inch of him, was crushed against him, and held up only by a pair of strong arms. The other hand ran over her thighs, tracing their way upwards and igniting small fires in their wake. Her right hand found its way to one of his ears, which she rubbed gently. Inuyasha leaned into the touch, a low growl resonating in his throat. He pulled back slightly and traced her lips with a moist tongue, eliciting a gasp from the girl in his arms. He took it as an invitation and tasted, running his tongue along the roof of her mouth, tracing every crevice as if he were trying to memorize it all by touch. He moaned...

...and pulled away, eyes filled with regret. "We can't do this now."

Kagome nodded. He was right, of course, but she was still reluctant to pull herself from his embrace. He dropped one final kiss upon her brow. "Later," his whispered.

Inuyasha stepped back, pulling the Tetsusaiga from its sheath. He spared her one last longing glance and with great effort, pulled away, rushing back towards the battle to help the others.

Later. The single word rang with hope as Kagome watched the hanyou pull his sword back for the first attack. With renewed determination, she grabbed onto the jewel around her neck and began gathering her power again. She would fight alongside him and together they would defeat Naraku. She couldn't wait.

"It's over."

Kagome jumped at the sudden intrusion, but instantly recognized the voice. Her brown eyes narrowed with caution. She didn't know yet whether the intruder meant her good or ill. The woman had brought both with her equally in the past.

A figure in red priestess robes emerged from the shadows of the woods, a long bow held securely in her hands. Kagome swallowed thickly. The woman wore her face. It was just like looking into a mirror, except this reflection had a mind of her own. It was unsettling to say the least.

Kikyo stopped beside Kagome, her gaze also drifting to the battle at the other side of the clearing. "He will win," she said softly. "He has you, and he will win."

Kagome's eyes widened. "You honestly believe that?"

The priestess nodded. "It is his fate, just as the well is yours." She turned to Kagome and shoved her roughly against the well. She grasped the Jewel of Four Souls. "This is my choice, Kagome. I'm sorry, but this must turn out right."

Kagome struggled in the other woman's grasp, but couldn't get away. "I don't understand."

"You will. Black is white, and white, black. Good is evil, and evil, good. Death and life, life and death. Peace and chaos, harmony and discord. This is my choice."

Kagome felt the shove, felt the jewel being torn from her neck. Her arms flailed, searching for a hold to stop her plummet. She could feel time rushing past her, moving across her face in a gentle wind. She fell--and hit the bottom of the well.

Above her, the sky had disappeared, replaced with the wooden beams of the shrine. Desperately, she turned around, clawing at the dirt ground.

"No, no please! Let me go back. It's not supposed to end like this! Please." No one heard, but she kept pounding on the earth beneath her, as if punishing the ground. She punched the floor until her knuckles were raw and throat sore. When she could no longer find the strength to continue, she collapsed bodily to the floor, tears still streaming down her face--a hollow shell.

Words could no longer escape her mouth, but her lips still muttered over and over again--no.

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