(To Naraku)
(Naraku's POV)
Walking out from the trees, I look over to see the mortal unconscious against the Tree of Ages, causing me to quickly rush over to her. Seeing that she was breathing caused me to let out a sigh, but realizing my reaction just now caused me to scoff. "These emotions are because of you, not Onigumo!" I think as I glare down at the unconscious mortal, but then the Hairpin I had given to her started to glow.
"I shouldn't be surprised since this was how I found her..." I trail off as the Hairpin flies into my hand, causing me to stare at it for a moment. Looking up at the mortal, I reach up and place my hand on her face. Feeling her soft, plump skin against my fingertips set off numerous emotions inside me that could not compare to what Onigumo felt for Kikyo.
"(Y/N)..." I trail off.
( (Y/N)'s POV)
My eyes begin to flutter open as I start to see someone in front of me. "Who-" My thoughts were interrupted when I saw red eyes staring back at me, causing my whole body to tense up.
"I see you're awake." The voice I knew all too well insists, causing me to stare at him in disbelief.
"Naraku..." I trail off as I then look around to see I was sitting on the trunk of the Sacred Tree, while Naraku was bending down in front of me.
"You continue to surprise me. I would have thought you'd thrown this away." Naraku points out as he holds up the hairpin I was wearing in my hair, causing me to scoff, while turning away from him.
"I could say the same thing for you. I mean, why didn't you kill me while I was unconscious?" I ask as I glance over to Naraku, who was staring at me intensely, causing my heart beat to quicken.
"I thought perhaps those Sentiments were caused by Onigumo, but I was wrong," Naraku answers as he slightly grabs my chin with his hand and turns my face towards his. "Something doesn't feel right... Where did all my hatred for him go?" I wonder, but I then slightly shake my head, while smacking his hand off my chin.
"I don't know what you're talking about or who this Onigumo guy is." I insist as I distance myself from Naraku, who goes silent for a moment, while trying to calm my heartbeat.
"You broke free of my grasp..." Naraku trails off, making me nod.
"Yeah, and don't think I'll let it happen twice." I counter, causing Naraku to smirk as he walks over to me.
"We'll see about that." Naraku re-counters as he places the hairpin back in my hair, causing my heart to begin pounding once more. Walking past me, I quickly look back to see Naraku was gone, causing me to place my hand to my heart.
"What is going on with me?" I ask with a concerned expression. "Could it be because he looks so much like Aoki and Midoriko's feelings are seeping through?" I wonder as I glance back over at the Sacred Tree.
"I should find the others first." I declare as I look away from the Sacred Tree and in the direction I'm sensing the shards, causing me to run towards it.
(To Inuyasha)
He was fighting Muso again when he jumped up from the tall grass.
"Die!" Inuyasha demands as he brings his sword down.
"Windscar!" Inuyasha shouts as a blast of energy rushes towards Muso, engulfing him.
"Is he dead?" Kaede asked as Kagome was standing beside her.
"We can't be certain- not with his ability to regenerate," Miroku answers as the smoke begins to clear.
"Ah!" Inuyasha sounds out as one of Muso's tree arms runs Inuyasha through, causing Songo to grab her Hiraikotsu and throw it. Hitting the tree arms in two places, Inuyasha falls to the ground with a groan as Muso stands up in the tall grass.
"Your efforts are futile," Muso states, causing Inuyasha to quickly get up and slam his sword on the ground.
"Windscar!" Inuyasha calls out as another blast of energy rushes towards Muso, engulfing him once more.
"Inuyasha!" Miroku calls out.
"There are only so many times he can keep regenerating." Inuyasha declares, causing Kagome to put on a worried expression.
"I hope you're right about that." Kagome hopes.
(To me)
I finally make it out of the forest only to see someone standing in front of me at the edge of the cliff.
"There was Muso, Naraku, and now you... Is everyone coming out to play today, Kagura?" I ask, causing her to glance back at me with an annoyed expression.
"Unfortunately, I'm only here to observe," Kagura answers as she narrows her eyes at me.
"Well, I should thank you..." I trail off, causing Kagura to put on a suspicious expression.
"For what?" Kagura questions, making me chuckle slightly.
"You said you'd free me from Naraku's grasp when you tried to kill me last time, remember? Well, I found out what you meant, and guess who freed herself from his grasp." I respond, causing Kagura to glare at me for a moment.
"You're a fool." Kagura insists with a grin, causing my eyes to slightly widen.
"What do you mean?" I ask as she begins walking towards me, but as she goes to walk past me, she stops.
"Just because he can't tell you what to do anymore doesn't mean you aren't still tangled in his web," Kagura answers, causing me to turn to her, but a rush of wind nearly blows me backwards. "Then I'll just have to untangle myself." I think, as I see, Kagura was gone.
"Inuyasha, look out!" I hear Kagome call out, causing me to rush over to the cliff to see Inuyasha pierced by what looks like Muso's tail.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome cries out as Inuyasha is dangling above Muso, who now looks like a scorpion. "I'm sorry, Midoriko, but Muso needs to be put down." I think as I hold out my hand, causing Spiritual Power to form in front of it.
"Go!" I demand as it shoots towards Muso, freeing Inuyasha.
"What was that?" Miroku asks as they all look over to see me jumping down from the cliff.
"(Y/N)?" Songo questions, and I nod.
"Damn you, woman!" Muso calls out, causing me to look over at him.
"My name is (Y/N), not woman," I state as my heart feels a little heavy.
"Inuyasha, are you okay?" Kagome asks as I glance over to see her beside him by a rock, causing Muso to chuckle.
"What's the matter, Inuyasha. Can't move?" Muso questions, causing Inuyasha to get up and glare back at Muso.
"Oh, save it. (Y/N), Protect Kagome. I'll take care of this bastard!" Inuyasha proclaims as he goes to rush towards Muso.
"You'll take care of me?!" Muso exclaims as his arm rushes towards Inuyasha and grabs a hold of his neck with his tree arm, keeping Inuyasha suspended in the air. "That Dog-Boy and his stupid pride are going to get himself killed!" I think with a scoff.
"Damn you!" Inuyasha curses as Muso puts on a malicious grin.
"Inuyasha, this time I'm going to slice you to pieces." Muso declares as he pierces the same opening in Inuyasha's stomach with his other arm.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome calls out as Muso begins pulling Inuyasha closer to him.
"Come to me." Muso demands.
"I'll destroy you! Cocky bastard! Windscar!" Inuyasha bellows as he slashes his sword at Muso, while energy engulfs him and blasts Muso's body to pieces.
"Hands off," Inuyasha remarks as he grabs Muso's hand that was on his neck and throws it on the ground.
"This is getting a bit redundant..." I trail off as the severed body parts begin moving.
"Damn it! He's not dead yet." Inuyasha made known.
"This will never come to an end." Kaede insists.
"Huh! Look at that!" Miroku points out, causing us all to look over and see Muso's body parts rushing towards a piece of flesh with a spider tattoo on it.
"A spider!" Miroku proclaims. "That's got to be his core." I think as we see Muso's body building itself back up again.
"He's transforming again." Songo addresses as Muso, who turns himself into what looks like a Scorpion with spikes.
"What do you think his body is made of?" Kaede asks with wide eyes.
"Naraku is basically an amalgamation of Demons bonded into one by the bandit Onigumo. If Muso was created from Naraku's flesh, then perhaps..." Miroku trails off, causing me to look over at him. "Onigumo... That's the name Naraku spoke of, wasn't it?" I wonder as I look back over at Muso.
"Perhaps several other Demons were released from Naraku when Muso was expelled," Songo adds. "Could Muso be this Onigumo guy everyone's bringing up?" I wonder as I narrow my eyes at Muso.
"Why you!" Inuyasha growls.
"I told you, you would never destroy me." Muso asserts, causing Inuyasha to rush towards him.
"Curse you!" Inuyasha calls out as he jumps up, but Muso swats him away as if he were a fly, and Inuyasha lands on the ground. Quickly getting up, Inuyasha jumps away, but is then slapped back down to the ground, causing Kagome to gasp.
"I can't watch! Isn't there something we can do?" Shippo questions.
"Inuyasha is starting to fatigue. That's to be expected after using the Windscar so many times." Kaede responds.
"Yeah, he also withstood Muso's relentless attacks. He can't take much more of this." Songo specifies. "Midoriko would probably intervene if I tried to go after Muso with a killing blow." I think as I grit my teeth.
"Take a look at your pathetic self, Inuyasha. Had enough already?" Muso asks as he sees Inuyasha breathing hard.
"Inuyasha, use the Backlash Wave! Use it on Muso to blow him to bits!" Shippo calls out, causing me to put on a confused expression.
"Backlash Wave?" I question as Inuyasha looks over at Shippo.
"Don't you think I would have done that already if I could, Shippo?!" Inuyasha exclaims with an annoyed expression.
"It won't work on him?" Shippo asks. "So Inuyasha learned another move?" I wonder as I narrow my eyes on the Tessaiga.
"The move utilizes the opponent's Demonic Aura, but Muso's only been using brute strength," Songo responds as I put my hand to my chin. "If the Spider Mark is really Muso's core, then wouldn't striking it kill him..." I trail off as Muso begins heading towards Inuyasha, causing Songo to step forward, but Miroku grabs her shoulder.
"The Windscar's the answer, Inuyasha," Miroku assures, causing Songo to turn to him.
"But, Miroku..." Songo trails off, causing me to turn to her.
"I think Miroku's right." I point out. "If we can confirm that the Spider Mark is Muso's core, we can do this." I think as Songo stares at me with uncertainty.
"Try striking him one more time with you Windscar!" Miroku instructs, causing Inuyasha to rush towards Muso once again.
"No need to tell me that! Windscar!" Inuyasha bellows, causing Inuyasha to bring his sword down, invoking the Windscar to blast Muso to pieces once again.
"How's that?" Inuyasha questions, causing me to look amongst the flesh to see the Spider Mark pulsate, causing the other pieces to rush towards it.
"I knew it..." I trail off as Miroku looks over at me, and we both nod.
"He's coming back! This is going to go on forever as long as he can regenerate." Inuyasha states as Miroku rushes over to him.
"Inuyasha... The piece of Muso's flesh always accumulates at the Spider Marks." Miroku informs, causing Inuyasha to turn to him with a confused expression.
"What are you talking about- Spider Marks?" Inuyasha asks causing Miroku to point at Muso.
"Look. The Spider-shaped scar on his back- Muso regenerates by drawing his parts towards that scar. The mark was pulsating. That's probably where his heart is." Miroku answers, causing Inuyasha to glare at Muso.
"I get it. Then it's worth a try to aim right there." Inuyasha declares as Muso gets up off the ground.
"You're wasting your time, Inuyasha. You're already out of breath, and we've only just started." Muso jibes, causing wind to begin swirling around Inuyasha's sword. "Inuyasha should be able to end this now." I think, as I feel a slight pain in my chest.
"Die, Inuyasha!" Muso demands as he rushes towards Inuyasha, who smashes his sword onto the ground, causing the Windscar to hurl towards Muso.
"This is it." Inuyasha insists as the Windscar was about to strike Muso.
"Dance of Blades!" Kagura bellows as a blade of wind forms from the sweep of her fan.
"Kagura!" Inuyasha calls out as the blade of Wind hits the Windscar, causing it to change paths, but it still hits Muso, causing a bright light to shine.
"Huh?" Shippo sounds as the light diminishes, causing us all to look back over to see that the only thing left of Muso was the Spider Marked flesh. "So much for just observing..." I think as I let out a sigh.
"Is it over?" Miroku questions.
"Hardly. Kagura used her dance of Blades to divert my Windscar." Inuyasha responds, causing Miroku to look back over.
"At least we've discovered one thing. Muso's vulnerability is his heart." Miroku specifies, as the flesh begins to pulsate, poison insects rush towards it.
"And he's not hiding that fact, either." Inuyasha points out as the poisonous insects begin flying away with the flesh, making the severed body parts fly after it.
"Come on! Let's follow them." Inuyasha insists as he stares, running.
"Right." Miroku nods, but then looks over at us.
"Songo, stay here and look after Kagome and the others," Miroku instructs.
"Will do." Songo agrees.
"Don't worry, Miroku. We'll look after them." Shippo adds, but I rush to turn to Miroku with a determined expression.
"I'm going!" I proclaim, causing everyone to look at me.
"(Y/N)..." Kagome trails off, but I shake my head.
"I have to see this through." I decide as I turn and begin running after Inuyasha. "Those insects are likely taking Muso to Naraku... I have to say what I couldn't say to him before!" I think with my eyes fixated on the poisonous insects.
"One of you want to explain who this Onigumo guy is?" I asked, causing Miroku, who was running beside me, to look over.
"Technically, it's Muso, or rather Muso used to be Onigumo. A human man, who was unable to leave the cave we were fighting by. Onigumo was in love with Lady Kikyo, who used to take care of him, which caused him to summon demons to the cave. Offering up his very body and soul to them is what brought about the Demon Naraku." Miroku explains, causing my eyes to widen.
"So, you're saying Mus- no Onigumo is Naraku's human heart?" I ask, and Miroku nods as he turns away from me.
"For Naraku, Onigumo was a liability. That must be why he cast Onigumo from his body." Inuyasha answers, causing my eyes to widen. "It makes sense... But why did Naraku come to me, and what did he mean by sentiments?" I wonder, but I shake my head.
"Stay focused, (Y/N)," I whisper, while staring back up at the insects.
(To Muso)
He was whole again, but was in a misty marsh.
"Ah. Damn that Inuyasha. I was so close to killing him. Where am I? What is this place?" Muso asks as he begins looking around, but then hears something, causing him to look in that direction.
"Onigumo, or shall I say Muso... Imagine meeting each other like this, face to face." Naraku answers, standing at the brim of the marsh.
"You- I know you. Are you Naraku?" Muso questions as he stands up and faces Naraku.
"Did you enjoy the outside world after 50 years' absence?" Naraku asks.
"50 years? Is that what you said?" Muso questions.
"Muso, I demand that you return to me," Naraku responds, causing Muso to glare at him.
"You must be joking!" Muso retorts.
"The thought repulses me, as well, but you were released too early, I'm afraid... And that is why you must come back to me now." Naraku explains.
"Too early? How dare you say that after keeping me locked up for 50 years!" Muso bellows.
"It couldn't have seemed but a second to you." Naraku points out.
"I remember what happened now. You're the one who killed Kikyo 50 years ago!" Muso proclaims as he points at Naraku, who grins.
"And in your twisted greed, you summoned the Demons right to your side. Those same Demons which devoured your flesh wished to kill Kikyo." Naraku specifies causing Muso to put on an angry expression.
"It was your desire, not theirs!" Muso shouts.
"I was not the one to blame. I am Naraku, and you should know that by now." Naraku made known.
"I've heard enough! The only thing I desired was to make Kikyo my woman. Damn it!" Muso curses as he turns away from Naraku.
"Kikyo has been resurrected. She looks exactly as she did before." Naraku informs, causing Muso to look back over at him.
"She's... Back?" Muso asks.
"Yes, although she's not exactly the same as before," Naraku answers, causing Muso's eyes to widen.
"Kikyo is alive?" Muso questions, making Naraku chuckle.
"Want her?" Naraku asks.
"Where is she? Where is Kikyo?!" Muso exclaims.
"I'm afraid I cannot grant your wish. Return to me." Naraku instructs as several demon arms rush towards Muso, causing him to dodge and run away from Naraku.
"I'll never go back to you!" Muso bellows as he continues running.
"This time, I will make Kikyo my woman!" Muso proclaims with a grin.
"I don't think so," Naraku states, causing Muso to look over and see Naraku beside him, and he goes to grab him with a demon arm, but Muso knocks it away with his tree arm.
"Persistent bastard! Go away and leave me alone now!" Muso demands.
"Not this time." Naraku declares as Muso continues fighting back, as Kagura was hiding amongst the trees watching their advances. Suddenly, as Muso was trying to run from the 3 of Naraku's arms that pierced Muso's back.
"Aah!" Muso groans as Naraku suspends him up in the air and then against a tree.
"You will return to my body," Naraku instructs.
"What's going on, Naraku?" Inuyasha asks, causing Naraku to look over to see Inuyasha standing there.
"Inuyasha," Inuyasha answers.
"What's the deal? You couldn't possibly have any use for Onigumo's human heart. You don't need him. That's why you dug him out of your flesh and cast him out. So tell me, how come you're trying to take him back now?" Inuyasha questions as he looks over at Muso.
"I thought Muso would be able to kill you, but it seems that I was mistaken. So he's coming back. It's as simple as that." Naraku responds, causing Inuyasha to look back over at Naraku.
"Nothing's that simple with you. Something very precious got mixed in and accidentally released with Muso. Otherwise, there's no way you'd take back his heart after you went to all that trouble to get rid of it." Inuyasha hypothesizes, causing Naraku to smirk.
"Oh, my. How clever. Don't tell me you're actually using that head of yours to think." Naraku insists as he then retracts his demon arms from Muso, who slides down the tree and onto the ground.
"What will you do now?" Naraku questions as he turns to Inuyasha.
"I can destroy Muso anytime, which means you're on the top of my to-do list," Inuyasha responds as he draws his sword and jumps straight towards Naraku, who quickly dodges his advances. As Inuyasha started fighting Naraku, Muso fully regenerated and sat up from the tree with a grin. Kagura, who was still hiding, watches as Muso begins running away.
"Don't just stand there. Kagura, go after Muso. Don't let him escape." Naraku orders.
(To me)
"Great, where the hell did those guys go?" I ask as I look around, but I didn't see anyone, causing me to sigh.
"Looks like I'm just going to have to go where I sense the Shard," I answer as I make my way towards them. The miasma begins to block my vision. "What the hell?" I wonder as I then feel something wrap around me.
"Naraku!" A familiar voice rings out from in front of me as the miasma begins to clear. I see Muso's tree arm wrapped around me. Suddenly, I'm lifted into the air, allowing me to see Inuyasha, Miroku, and Naraku below me.
"(Y/N)!?" Miroku and Inuyasha chorus.
"Put me down, Damn it!" I demand as I look over at Muso, who has a cocky smirk on his face.
"I finally remember who you are!" Muso bellows as he looks over at Naraku.
"This is your woman, isn't she, Naraku?!" Muso exclaims, and my eyes widen. "Naraku's woman?!" I wonder as I look over at Naraku, who was looking up at me as well.
"Muso," Naraku warns as he glares over at him. "Does he really care about me like that-"
"Ahh!" I scream out as Muso's tree arm squeezed tighter around my body.
"Stay right where you are, Naraku, or do you want me to squeeze her to death?" Muso questions. "I'm too far off the ground or I'd use my Spiritual Power." I think as I open my eyes to see a flash of worry appear on Naraku's face, but Muso then pierces Naraku with his other arm.
"Nar-aku." I stuttered as I stared at him in disbelief.
"It can't be! He killed Naraku!" Miroku proclaims, causing my heart to feel as if it had been crushed.
"I no longer have need for you!" Muso shouts as he throws me, causing me to shut my eyes. "No, he can't be dead, there's no way!" I think, as I didn't feel the impact of the ground, but someone's warmth.
"You're feelings are your own. I can't influence how you feel, remember that." A voice rang out inside my head, and I felt my consciousness fade.
(3rd person POV)
Inuyasha had caught the unconscious (Y/N), causing Miroku to rush over to them.
"Is she okay?!" Miroku exclaims, and Inuyasha nods as he looks down at her with a sigh.
"My arm's being absorbed!" Muso made known, causing Inuyasha and Miroku to quickly look back over to see Naraku in front of Muso, letting out a villainous chuckle.
(Naraku's POV)
"You saved me the trouble, Muso. I need you to come back to me now." I state as Demon arms begin to surround Muso.
"Damn you!" Muso curses as a light begins to shine from my chest as Muso is being forced in.
"No! I've lost control of my body!" Muso bellows.
"Let me go! Release me at once!" Muso shouts. "You shouldn't have touched what doesn't belong to you." I thought, glaring down at Muso.
"Let me see Kikyo! I must see Kikyo! Kikyo!" Muso screamed and continued to repeat her name until he was almost fully absorbed back into my body.
"Such bitterness, such festering greed. Kikyo is exactly the same as you- made of nothing but clay and dirt. Her soul is a mere phantom of the past." I specify.
"AAAH!" Muso screams as a bright light shines out.
"He absorbed Muso!" Inuyasha declares as he glares at me, as I chuckle.
"You see, I required Onigumo as a link for my own body. You're conjecture was indeed accurate, Inuyasha." I inform.
"A link?" Inuyasha asks with a confused expression, causing me to look back up at him.
"Answer me this, Naraku. You've swallowed Onigumo's heart again, so does that make you a Half-Demon?" Miroku questions, causing me to look over to him.
"Why would you ask that?" I ask.
"A while back, the impenetrable barrier around your castle weakened. Inuyasha and Koga- in fact, anyone with a keen nose- could find it. You couldn't have wanted that." Miroku answers, causing Inuyasha to look over at him with a confused expression, but I narrow my eyes at him.
"I see, Monk. So you wish to know if even I have a period of weakness, don't you- if I am indeed like all Half-Demons." I say.
"I know that your powers had weakened that time, Naraku." Miroku insists, causing me to chuckle.
"But exactly when that occurs is a Half-Demon's deepest secret. Let's hear about you, Inuyasha." I point out as I look over at Inuyasha, but then down to (Y/N), who was unconscious in his arms.
"What?!" Inuyasha exclaims. "How dare this dog lay his hands on her." I think as I look back up at Inuyasha.
"Do you, like so many other Half-Demons, lose your powers and hide in fear of your enemies during such times?" I ask, causing him to glare at me.
"Uh... Why, you!" Inuyasha growls.
"Monk! As you surmised, I have periods when I cannot move. However, I chose that time myself... Of my own will." I informed, causing both of them to put on confused expressions.
"What?" Miroku questions.
"There is no way you can do that!" Inuyasha counters.
"You are vastly different from me because you were born of a Human and a Demon, Inuyasha." I re-counter as I then look back at Kagura, who was hiding behind a tree directly behind me.
"Don't you agree, Kagura?" I ask, causing her to gasp, but I then turn back to Inuyasha and Miroku.
"During my times of weakness, I experiment. What is strong, I take and make stronger. I cast out the weak and become even more powerful." I explain, causing them both to go silent for a moment.
"Damn!" Inuyasha curses, causing me to chuckle once more.
"I'm a Half-Demon right now- there's no mistake. But unlike some other Half-Demons, I don't lose my powers and cower in fear." I jibe, causing Inuyasha to glare at me.
"Huh! I'm sure you could talk about yourself for days, but I've got better things on my mind! Like this girl, for example." Inuyasha points out as he looks down at (Y/N).
"What about that mortal?" I question as I look down at (Y/N), causing Inuyasha to smirk.
"You can't fool me, Naraku. I could tell even without Muso pointing it out, (Y/N)'s you're weak point." Inuyasha responds, causing me to look back up at Inuyasha and narrow my eyes at him.
"Inuyasha?" Miroku asks with a worried expression.
"What of it, Inuyasha?" I question, causing Miroku's eyes to widen.
"So, you don't deny it," Miroku responds, and I grin at them.
"You can't possibly be thinking of trying the same trick Muso pulled, are you? I mean, she is you're precious Kagome's cousin after all." I jibe, causing Inuyasha to scoff.
"I'm not a sick twisted bastard, like you," Inuyasha remarks as he pushes (Y/N) towards Miroku and quickly draws his Sword.
"Die!" Inuyasha demands as he swings his sword towards me, but is then forced back by a bright light.
"What's that?" Inuyasha asks as he sees a purple aura surrounding Kagura and me.
"A barrier," Miroku answers, causing Inuyasha to scoff.
"It won't stop me! Windscar!" Inuyasha calls out as he brings his Sword down, causing the Windscar to rush towards us, but it had no effect.
"The Windscar didn't work. I'm pretty certain that Naraku's barriers weren't that powerful before." Miroku asserts, causing me to smirk.
"I'll say it again. I only continue to grow in power." I informed as I looked over towards (Y/N), who was still unconscious. "I'll get you back, and when I do, I won't let you escape." I think as Miasma begins to encircle the barrier.
(3rd Person POV)
"Get back now! It's miasma!" Miroku proclaims as a tornado begins to rise into the sky.
"He's gone," Inuyasha states as the miasma clears.
"It seems as though Naraku was speaking the truth about his powers." Miroku points out.
"Yeah. I turn into nothing but a weak mortal on the night of the new moon, but Naraku's different from me?" Inuyasha asks.
"Yes. If Naraku is able to reconstruct himself and get stronger, then I'm afraid we might be in real trouble. Especially, since the only known weakness is right here, and she doesn't even know it herself." Miroku answers as both he and Inuyasha look at (Y/N), who was still unconscious.
(To (Y/N) )
( (Y/N)'s POV)
"What? You mean, Naraku's barrier held off the Windscar?" Kagome's voice rang out, causing my eyes to flutter open to see that I'm in Kaede's hut along with everyone else.
"Are you alright?" Songo asks, and I nod, while sitting up to see Kagome bandaging Inuyasha up.
"Humph." Inuyasha sounds as he looks away from everyone.
"Yes. Naraku is definitely becoming stronger. On top of that, he's a Half-Demon, but unlike Inuyasha, he doesn't lose his powers during the New Moon. Instead, Naraku says he can choose his day." Miroku informs. "So Naraku did survive..." I think, as I feel an odd sense of relief.
"Are you saying we can't know exactly when his powers will be weakened?" Songo questions. "Something is definitely wrong with me..." I think as I grip a hold of the blanket that was covering me up.
"Correct. I thought we'd be able to beat him if we only knew when he was rendered powerless." Miroku responds.
"Huh. What's everybody getting all serious about? At least we know now that he does have a period of weakness." Inuyasha states as he puts on his shirt and then glances over at me. "Why is he staring at me like that?" I wonder as Inuyasha then looks away with an annoyed expression.
"I just have to get stronger than him, that's all. Just let me handle things." Inuyasha insists, causing everyone to look over at him.
"Inuyasha, I've never heard you sound so positive." Miroku points out, causing Inuyasha to glare at him.
"I'm always positive, you creep!" Inuyasha proclaims, causing Songo to lean towards Kagome and me, with her hand blocking her mouth.
"If this is his good side, I'd hate to see him gloomy," Songo whispers.
"True." Kagome agrees, and I nod.
"Indeed," I add as I let out a sigh.
Uh-oh. I forgot my stuff!" Kagome calls out, causing us all to look over at her.
"What stuff?" Inuyasha asks.
"By the well. I have to go get it." Kagome answers, causing me to stand up.
"I'll go with you." I declare as we both walk out of Kaede's hut, but Kagome then looks up and gasps.
"What's up?" I question seeing her with a bright smile.
"It's gorgeous," Kagome responds, causing me to look up to see the billions of stars and different colors of the sky.
"Yeah..." I trailed off as we both stared up at the night sky.
"In our time, we never seem them this clearly." Kagome addresses, and I nod as we begin heading towards the well.
"Speaking of our time, Kagome... I should go back for now." I informed, causing her to stop and look at me.
"(Y/N), did something happen... When you were with Naraku at his castle?" Kagome asks, causing me to put on a confused expression.
"... I haven't been completely honest with you," I answer, causing Kagome to scoff.
"I could figure that much out myself, (Y/N)," Kagome states, as I let out a slight chuckle, while holding up my necklace that had a Sacred Jewel attached to it.
"The first time I came to this world was an accident. I fell down the well chasing after this necklace. I believe it led me here, and then it led me to the Sacred Tree of this Era." I declare, causing Kagome to put on a confused expression.
"Why?" Kagome asks as I let out a sigh.
"I'm the reincarnation of Midoriko, a Warrior Priestess. They call me the Fate-Twister, or whatever." I answer, but Kagome's eyes widen.
"Midoriko, the creator of the Sacred Jewel?!" Kagome exclaims, causing me to stare at her for a moment.
"I didn't realize she was such a big deal... Anyways, they brought me here to change someone's fate and don't ask me who because they won't tell me..." I trail off, causing Kagome to stare at the ground for a moment.
"Is this why you've been acting so different?" Kagome questions, but I shake my head.
"Naraku had planted a Shikon Jewel Shard in my back. I didn't remember that he had done it or why we couldn't sense it being there... Its light was drowned out, and that's what caused all the darkness in my heart to fester and grow." I explain, causing Kagome to throw her arms around me.
"I'm sorry, I let you go through all this alone!" Kagome cries out, causing me to chuckle as I pat her back.
"It's okay, I would never blame you," I assured, causing Kagome to pull away and wipe her tears that were beginning to fall down her face.
"I need time to get my head on straight. I already know there's no running from destiny..." I trailed off as Kagome stared at me with bewilderment written all over her face.