“…No.” All the happiness, all the relief–all the sheer joy and elation Kagome had felt upon defeating Naraku and reclaiming the Jewel, upon returning home with her friends, upon reuniting with Sesshoumaru–all of it was being stripped away, torn out from underneath her until nothing remained but that dark place of pain she’d prayed she’d

With the tinny sound of breaking crystal, the portal closed behind them, Kagome and the others descending toward the village square. At once a cheering crowd swarmed around the returning heroes as cries of “Kagome-sama–Kagome-sama is back!” rang out through the fields and streets. Swept off Ah-Un’s saddle, the weary miko found herself half-escorted, half-carried

As the last of Naraku drifted off glittering into the ether, Kagome sank to her knees. It’s over, she thought, closing her eyes with a sigh that welled up from the very bottom of her soul. When she opened her eyes again, she saw the Shikon no Tama lying before her. Dark amethyst in color,

Swiping a furious hand across her lips, Kagome scrambled back from Naraku in revulsion. The hanyou laughed, assuming the form of Hitomi Kagewaki once more. “Does Sesshoumaru’s kiss so revile you now, Kagome?” The miko glared. “It’s you who disgusts me, Naraku. You can put on whatever face you want, but I see what you

Perhaps his power alone was not enough, but— Channeling his full strength into Tessaiga, Sesshoumaru unleashed the Wind Scar in a torrent of blinding light, directing it toward that divergence in Magatsuhi’s youki and his own. His attack blazed through the gap, prising into it and driving the demon’s own power back onto himself with

“It is unspeakably foolish,” Magatsuhi’s cold voice sneered, “to turn your back on your opponent.” Blood spilled from Sesshoumaru’s clenched fangs as he glared behind him. Serrated and envenomed, the tentacle spearing him through withdrew in a sharp, shredding lash–its course diverted from his heart and the Jewel shard above it by Tenseiga’s timely intervention.

The wide castle window disappeared, Kagome gasping as Naraku gathered her to him and launched them both through the empty frame. Higher and higher they climbed through the tumultuous violet sky, landing at last atop the tallest tower of the castle. Trembling, Kagome fell to her knees as Naraku released her. In the courtyard far

Sesshoumaru growled again, his vision going red as he summoned his power to him in waves of blinding light. Magatsuhi’s head tilted faintly in question a moment before the bonds of demonic flesh around Sesshoumaru exploded, the daiyoukai charging through the youki storm in his true and terrible form. Liquid poison seared from his gnashing

When Kanna’s shining mirror re-focused, Kagome saw her friends and Sesshoumaru yet again–the daiyoukai’s tall, statuesque figure faintly glowing against the dark backdrop of the surrounding canyon. A pensive frown creased her features at the sight. She recognized this place. This was the same burned-out valley where Inuyasha had fought and defeated the evil dragon