#Naraku: *kills you on the spot*

[shinidamachu]

Inuyasha character's reactions if you ask for their pronouns

"What the fuck are pronouns?"

"She/her."

"I dunno. Yellow?"

"How many can I get?"

"Nor/mal."

"Meow."

"Huh?"

"Let me ask my dad."

*stares at you in silence*

*stares at you in silence*

*stares at you in silence*

"I'm not paid enough for this shit."

*calls you a slur*

*calls you a slur*

*calls you a slur*

*calls you a slur*

*calls you a slur*

"They/them." (still calls you a slur, somehow)

*calls you a slur*

"Beep-boop-beep."

*calls you a slur*

*calls you a slur*

*calls you a slur*

*dad joke*

"I'm afraid you lost me."

"How dare you speak to me?"

"She/her. Thank you for asking."

"He/him. Duh."

"Old."

"You see, 50 years ago..."

#Naraku: *kills you on the spot* #Inuyasha #Kagome #Inukag #Inugang #Miroku #Sango #Shippo #Sesshomaru #Rin #Kohaku #Kirara #Kaede #Izayoi #Inukimi #Sota #Mama Higurashi #Toga #Inuparents #Grandpa Higurashi #Koga #Band of Seven #Kagura #Kikyo #Kanna #Sidposting #Mirsan

[encantadiafan12]

Young Severus Snape x Ravenclaw! Priestess! Half-blood! Reader (Feat. Sesshomaru, Naraku, and Voldemort a.k.a Tom Marvolo Riddle)

The Priestess’ admires 🌜🕷️🐍

Introduction: The 70s Modern era Priestess doesn't know what she gotten herself into as three men were interested on her. How is this going to end?

Warnings: Death, Stalking, and Swords.

This is a continuation to this: Link

When they had come the village held a small party for the return of their friends and the ladies were wearing a very elegant kimonos.

Severus saw Miroku flirting with other women to where Sango wants to hit him with Hiraikotsu. The Slytherin teen sighs at his friends behavior. Miroku will be a lecherous monk.

The perverted monk had been flirting with other woman to the point his other friend get jealous.

Miroku introduce some women to Severus making Y/n and Sango smack his head so hard. The Demon Slayer will literally slap Miroku's face so hard that the other women will scattered away.

The Ravenclaw girl then glares at Miroku. “Lecherous Monk.” she mutters under her breath before grabbing her boyfriend's hand.

Y/n took Severus to a more quite and peaceful place so that she can spend some alone time with him.. And as they both cuddling a cold wind suddenly make their skin crawl and when the other Priestess turn to other side it was Naraku. The Slytherin teen then glares at the mask Half-Demon.

The Ravenclaw girl glares at him as Severus holds her close. “What do you want, Naraku?” She snarls.

Naraku smiles at her “Y/n the brave Priestess from other world...” Naraku never move from his spot and the Slytherin teen Took out his wand and pointed it out to Naraku “Human? *Scoff* Do you think that your funny looking weapon will harm me?” He said making Severus clench his hand in anger.

Y/n places her hand on her boyfriend's shoulder before glaring at the Spider Half-Demon in front of them. “What do you want exactly?” she asks in a monotone.

It wouldn't be obvious on what the Spider Half-Demon wanted. “Knowing you. You're looking for more sacred jewel shards but we have none.” she says keeping her eyes narrow at him.

Naraku grins at her making Y/n to feel disgusted. First, was Evans, then Sesshomaru, and now Naraku? Who would've thought her day would get any worse.

But she oddly feels fine with the Great Dog Demon except when he threatened to kill Inuyasha.

The Spider Half-Demon then tooks off his mask as he then smiles at the Ravenclaw girl. He had to admit she was so beautiful no wonder why Sesshomaru is attracted to her.

Severus then notice he was staring at his girlfriend. He then later stood in front of Y/n. “Quit staring at her Naraku.” he says glaring at the Half-Demon in front them.

The Spider Half-Demon remember looking at her through Kanna’s mirror. Beautiful and brave which is fits her very well. However, he notices how Sesshomaru looks at her every now and then.

He then starts approaching the two. The Slytherin teen was about to point his wand at him before Y/n stop him. As Severus move a side. Naraku then finally approaches her before he holds his hand out. The Ravenclaw girl was sure he would attack her but he didn't instead he just caresses her cheek gently with his hand.

“You are indeed such beautiful and fine woman.” He says still caressing her cheek. She looks away from him as he continues to do this.

Y/n widens her eyes. Okay, first off Sesshomaru is acting oddly towards her and now Naraku. This day wouldn't get anymore weirder.

The Ravenclaw girl was then snap out off her thoughts when the Spider Half-Demon chuckle. “We’ll meet again....” He says before disappearing. Y/n blinks a few times. “What just happened?” she asks to herself.

Severus then made his way towards his girlfriend. Naraku real pissed him off when he caressed her cheek.

The Slytherin teen caress his girlfriend’s cheeks and started to check on her “Are you okay, my love?.. Did he do something?” He ask worriedly and Y/n shake her head in respond still not believing what has just happened.. Did Naraku was attracted to her like Sesshomaru did? Why is this happening?! She ask to herself.

Speaking of Sesshomaru, the Demon Lord was following his scent along with Jaken and Rin.

However, another familiar scent fills his nose. Scent of berries, books, the sweets ate in a different era. He recognize this scent this the other Priestess’ scent who accompanies his brother.

“Jaken, stay here and watch over Rin.” The Dog Demon says to his Vassal. Sesshomaru went ahead there he saw was the Ravenclaw girl who he wouldn't stop thinking about and of course her lover who was often around her.

“Y/n....” He calls out her name. The two widen their eyes when they heard a familiar deep voice. The two look up to see the Demon Lord. “Sesshomaru?” The 70s Modern Era Priestess calls out in disbelief.

Strange, he address her by her name. Severus then glares at the Demon Lord. First Naraku and now Sesshomaru again.

The Great Dog Demon approaches the Ravenclaw girl “I smell the scene of Naraku in here.. Are you okay?” He ask making the Priestess look at him in confusion “Why do you care?” the Slytherin teen ask with the hint of jealousy into his Voice “For you information, mortal.. The only reason that I came here is because I smell the scent of Y/n and at the same time Naraku's smell was lingering all over the place so I rushed here immediately just to make sure that she's alright” Sesshomaru responded making Y/n gasp in disbelief... The Demon Lord turn on his back “You needed to br careful at most of the time, Y/n.. That mortal you're with can never protect you like I did.” He said before disappearing throughout the deep forest.

The Ravenclaw Priestess couldn't believe that Inuyasha’s brother was worried for her. But how dare he insult her boyfriend in front her.

Y/n drag Severus to the village the tell their friends what had just happened and how Naraku was sort of interested in her. Kagome and Sango were the first to approach her.

The two women then comfort their friend as she also told them that Sesshomaru also came out of nowhere. Speaking of the Demon Lord he then shows up to the village with Jaken and Rin following behind him.

Inuyasha growls when he saw his brother. “Sesshomaru, what are you doing here?!!” He demands.

However, as usual the Great Dog Demon was ignoring his brother's ranting.

His attention was focus on the Ravenclaw girl but the Slytherin doesn't like how he looks at his girlfriend.

“Naraku was after Y/n.. And you know how dangerous and risky it is so I wanted to take her with me just to make sure she's safe” Sesshomaru says making the whole group surrounded Y/n with their weapons “You can't take her away from me!” Severus says while holding Y/n’s Hand “You can do nothing, you filthy mortal!!!” He spat.

The Ravenclaw Priestess has enough for one day. The argument is getting out of hand. “Stop!!!” she says as they all stop arguing. “Guys, I had enough dealing a lot of craziness for one day. So please can I have a break?” she says. The 70s modern era Priestess then walks away from them as she was on her way to the well.

The Slytherin teen then runs after his girlfriend. Kagome then figure out something. Y/n seems to be stuck in some kind of love quartet even though she's already taken.

The Half-Demon growls a his brother “Stop your craziness and stay away from her” He said.

But the Demon Lord doesn't care at all and he will get Y/n no matter what may happens.

With Y/n and Severus....

They jump in the well. Returning to Hogwarts however Severus decided to allow the Ravenclaw girl to stay with him in his dormitory.

The Slytherin teen then took her to the Dungeons as they enter the Slytherin common room after that they made their way towards his dorm. Where they spent the rest of the night.

The next morning....

They were both in the Great Hall. Lily was watching both of them as she was paying little attention to what her boyfriend's saying. Severus was comforting Y/n because of what happened with Sesshomaru and Naraku.

The Slytherin teen felt familiar eyes on him and his girlfriend but he just ignore it.

After eating breakfast while on their way towards their classes. The two saw Inuyasha, Kagome, and surprisingly Sesshomaru in the Hallway.

The Ravenclaw Priestess then sighs in annoyance. Severus sighs. “Inuyasha, Kagome. Not now she's still not alright because of what happened yesterday.” he tells his friends.

The reincarnation of Kikyo sighs. “Sorry, Sev, but Inuyasha wants you guys to come back. But I kept telling him that you guys can come back once Y/n’s mood get better.” she says.

Before Inuyasha could say anything he was interrupted when his brother punch by his canine's. He drop to the floor holding his mouth. “You bastard..... That hurts....” The Half-Demon says while wincing in pain. Sesshomaru just ignores his brother.

Severus sigh “I wish we could but as you see Y/n was still not in the mood to go back.. She needs some time to process everything” He said before turning his attention on Sesshomaru “And you.. I wanted you to stay from my beloved or else-” The Slytherin teen's words were Interrupted by the Great Dog Demon “Or what?? You think you can stand against me? *Scoff* don't make me laugh, you lowlife mortal.” He said making the Ravenclaw girl snap at him and use her wand “Stupefy!” Y/n send Sesshomaru flying making the group look at her in shock “I already told you not to disrespect my man!!” She said when a familiar voice calls their Attention “Miss L/n! What's happening in here!” Professor McGonagall calls out.

Kagome sighs “I told you two that we can't go here. Y/n’s not in the mood to go back to the Feudal Era. To the point we cause her trouble.” she says scolding Inuyasha.

Y/n’s face pale when McGonagall approaches them. ‘Dang it. I'll get detention for this but Sesshomaru should know better not to insult Severus in front of me.’ she thought.

Severus then sighs before he made his towards the unconscious Demon Lord when he was hit with the Stunning Curse.

Professor McGonagall puts Y/n in detention with Professor Slughorn which she didn't mind at all “Now all of you take that person to the Hospital wing so he can treated” She said before taking her leave.

And his girlfriend has detention with Slughorn after classes.

The Slytherin teen held Y/n's hand and kiss her forehead “Everything will be fine My Love *smile*” His smiles warms the Priestess's heart “I know.. as long as you're with me and our friends, i know that everything will be fine” she replies.

Severus then glares at Sesshomaru. They wouldn't be in this situation if he hadn't followed his friends.

As the night has come Y/n spent her time on detention with Slughorn and making some sort of Healing Potion.

She never really regret hexing the Demon Lord but he deserves it for insulting her boyfriend. She wouldn't admit that to anyone.

After her detention the other Priestess make her way to her boyfriend's dormitory and before she can get there a voice suddenly calls her. “Y/n... The daughter of Y/m/n come with me my child” Y/n's Eyes got widen it was Voldemort.

“You’re... The Dark Lord....” The Ravenclaw Priestess says before narrowing her eyes at the man in front her.

“Come with me.. don't waste your talent in this place” He says.. The Priestess can't believe what has just happening.. First Sesshomaru, second Naraku and now even the Dark lord himself wants her?!!! She step back only for the Dark Lord to step forward “Y/n my dear.. Come with me and join my alliance” He said.

“Come with my child.....” He says to her again. However, the Priestess just shook her head. She knew her boyfriend originally intends to join the Death Eaters however that change when they both ended up in the Feudal Era.

“No, I'm not coming along with you.” The Ravenclaw girl says as she had no intention in joining him.

Before Y/n could say anything she hears a familiar voice. “Y/n, there you are!” She turns around to see Inuyasha.

He then approaches his friend. The Half-Demon then diverted his attention towards Voldemort before he snarl taking out Tessaiga from it's scabbard. “Who are you and what do you with my friend?” he demands.

Voldemort smiles at him and said “A Dog Demon.. What a pleasant surprise” He said before Entering on Inuyasha's Mind and see his past with Kikyo “Ohh I see that you're holding a deep passion with a certain Mortal named Kikyo” The Half-Demon’s eyes got widen. “Don't speak her name!” He says before attacking the Dark Lord “Avada Kedavra” Voldemort said and just in time Y/n pushes Inuyasha out of the way only for her to hit by the Killing curse.

In the commotion Sesshomaru heard what's happening.

Severus runs to his beloved and knelt besides her “Y-Y/n? Love?” He ask but no response.

Seeing Y/n’s lifeless eyes made the Demon Lord’s eyes turn red. However, the Tensaiga on his waist pulse. Sesshomaru push Severus out of the way and use his Tensaiga on Y/n. He then took out the sword as it then glow. The Demon Lord could see the minions of the underworld were about to take her soul. He then immediately slay them.

As a bright light surrounded the Ravenclaw girl.

As Severus was crying Y/n's eyes suddenly opens only for her to see the Demon Lord's worried gaze.

The 70s Modern era Priestess just looks at him in confusion before turning to look at her boyfriend before she gently place a hand on his shoulder.

That startles the Slytherin teen when he Y/n or what he thought to be her. Is he dreaming? The Ravenclaw girl then gives him a hug. Severus sighs in relief she came back. Sesshomaru must've used the Tensaiga to revive her. The Great Dog Demon then frowns that she doesn't pay him any attention.

Y/N Stood slowly up and approach to Sesshomaru “I know it was you.. Thank you” She said before give the Demon Lord a Hug.

Sesshomaru was stunned he did receive hug from Rin but coming from the other Priestess it was very surprising.

The Demon Lord was so stunned and slowly hug her back.. Severus on the hand was happy but kinda jealous at the same time because feels useless for not being able to save his beloved like Sesshomaru did.

The Half-Demon then growl when he saw his brother hugging his friend. “Hey, keep your hands off her!” he snarls out.

Voldemort on the other hand grips his wand he unintentionally killed Y/m/n’s daughter. However, he was impressed of the other Demon managing to revive her with a stroke of his sword.

He then chuckles getting the group’s attention before the Demon Lord tighten his grip on the Priestess.

The Ravenclaw girl then narrows at the man in front of them. “What do you want from me?” she demands.

“My, how surprising to see someone who can bring the dead back.” He says.

Kagome then glares at him. “Yeah, what do you want with Y/n?” she asks.

The rest of the group glare at the Dark Lord in front of them.

“Hmmm as you see Y/n was a daughter of a great witch named Y/n/n L/n and I wanted her to join my alliance and become a death eater” He said casually.

“No! I would never ever join your silly troupe!” Y/n shouted making the Dark Lord smile at her. “Someday you will.. and there's nothing you can do about it” He said before disappearing.

The Ravenclaw girl then narrows her eyes when he mentioned her mother. Her mother was a great witch but she was also a Priestess.

Kagome then approaches her friend. “Y/n, are you okay?” she asks as the other Priestess sigh. “Yeah, I'm fine.” she says before diverting her attention towards the Demon Lord who still has his arm around her. “You can let me go now, Sesshomaru.” she says to him.

The Great Dog Demon frowns but nonetheless let's her go.

After that Severus's arms suddenly wraps around his girlfriend in a protective way “You need some rest now” He said making Y/n smile at his kindness “Alright. Can I sleep in your room?” She ask and her boyfriend agreed “We have to go now.. Y/n needs her rest.” The two say their farewells to their friends and leave.

They then return to the Dungeons all the way to the Slytherin common all the way to his dorm. They spent the rest of the night cuddling.

The next morning.....

After they took a bath and brush their teeth. The couple then made their towards the Great Hall. Only to find their friends and Sesshomaru in the Ravenclaw table. “Why are you guys still here?” The Ravenclaw Priestess asks the three quietly. Kagome scratches the back of her neck. “Well, your headmaster sort of found out what happened last night so offered us to stay in the Ravenclaw dormitories.” she explains.

The two looks at them confused. “He let you stay in Ravenclaw Tower?” Severus asks in disbelief.

Inuyasha nods. “Yeah, and also there's something he wants to talk to us after breakfast.” he says while munching on his pancake.

Sesshomaru was just listening while eating his pancake.

The Priestess looks confused is it about the Dark Lord wanting to recruit because her mother was a great witch and of course was also a Priestess.

She knew she has an ancestor who was Japanese. So it would make her a Japanese descend.

After breakfast Y/n and Severus Went straight to their classes while their friends went to the Headmaster's Chamber.

When Inuyasha, Kagome, and Sesshomaru made it to the Headmaster office they were then met with McGonagall. The one who caught the Ravenclaw girl after she hexed the Great Dog Demon for insulting her boyfriend.

“What a pleasant surprise to see all of you again..” She smiles warmly. “Have a seat.” Dumbledore offer and after the three of them went to their seat Dumbledore started to ask them a couple of questions.

“So Tom wants to recruit her?” Dumbledore asks. The three looks confused. “Tom?” Inuyasha asks. “That was the Dark Lord's true name but he hates it.” The Headmaster explains.

Kagome then nods her head in confirmation. “Yeah, he try to recruit her when she was alone after she left her detention.” She starts. “He also found out about Kikyo to the point I attack him but I made mistake he nearly killed me but Y/n jump in the way and got hit by the spell when it was supposed to hit me.” Inuyasha finish.

That made Sesshomaru angry on what he just heard from his brother. “That wouldn't happen if you didn't foolishly attack him, Half-breed!” he spat to his brother.

The Half-Demon then glares at his brother. “Take that back, Sesshomaru.” he says as they both glare at each other.

The reincarnated Priestess sighs. There they go again.

“Well it's a great thing that she's okay now.. And that's thanks to you young man..” The Headmaster points out on Sesshomaru “No need for that.. She's important to me too after all” He says “Do you really think that she actually cares for you that way?” Inuyasha provokes his brother “Not for now..but someday she will” The Demon Lord respond.

Kagome then remembers something. “About what he said about Y/n’s mother being a Great witch. Is she also Priestess like me and Y/n?” she asks. That seem to caught the two Dog Demons’ attention.

The Headmaster then clears his throat. “Well, as a matter of fact yes, Ms. Higurashi. You see she and her mother has an ancestor who was a Japanese. Making Ms. L/n a Japanese descend.” he reveals as that surprised the three.

“And what is it something to do with Tom going after her?” Inuyasha asks not getting where does this lead to.

Dumbledore then clears his throat once again. “You see when the Dark Lord is known as Originally by the name of Tom Riddle. During his time here at Hogwarts he uses his charm to manipulate those around to get what he wants. Particularly he was in love with her mother that is until she met and fell in love with her father. Her mother was in Ravenclaw like she was.” he reveals.

The three were in shock. That the Dark Lord was originally in love with Y/n’s mother. Sesshomaru was more surprise than Inuyasha and Kagome.

“He’s really a creep for trying to go after Y/n.” The reincarnation of Kikyo points out.

Dumbledore smile lightly “That's what a love can do anyway..”He said “Do you think the Dark Lord only wants Y/n because she was looked like her mother?” Kagome ask “Well maybe that's the case for him to want her.” The Headmaster says.

“How unpredictable!!” The reincarnated Priestess exclaimed “that's why I called the three of you in here” Dumbledore admitted “I wanted the three if you to take Y/n with you so that she can be safe from the Dark lord” He says. “Maybe she has a relative from the Feudal Era and then maybe 100 years or so Y/n has another relative who came to this country. Which explain why she looks a bit like a Japanese.” Inuyasha points out.

“A relative who's a native Japanese?” The reincarnation of Kikyo asks before the Half-Demon then nods. “Yeah, which would explain she was a Japanese descend.” he points out.

“Actually she has a relative she can live with” Dumbledore says.“She has?” Inuyasha asks.

“They Lived on Akita Japan” Dumbledore Added “That's It!” the Half-Demon says happily “We can take her there.” The reincarnated Priestess added.

“But are they aware of their relation?” Kagome asks.

Sesshomaru on the other hand Interrupts the conversation “Do you think that she'll let you to take her away?” He asks. “No, will never let any of you take her especially from that mortal she was with” He added “Then what can you suggest??” The Headmaster then asks.

Just before he could speak his brother interrupts him. “Oh no way, Sesshomaru. She can't go back to Feudal Japan she's not safe there either. Because Naraku was also after her.” he snarls.

The Demon Lord then glares at him. “Stay out of this, Half-Breed!” he says coldly.

Inuyasha was about to attack his brother when Kagome ordered him to sit “What are we supposed to do?” She ask the Headmaster “If she doesn't want to leave then we had need an alternative Solution” Dumbledore says.

The Half-Demon then stood from his spot. “You do have a point she wouldn't want to leave but it's not for in the Feudal Era either. And Naraku is after her not to mention Sesshomaru here.” he says as he looks at Sesshomaru on the last part.

The Great Dog Demon glares at his brother for him also being after Y/n but that's only because he was concern for her safety like Severus was.

“Maybe we can take her with us” The Demon Lord says “No! You know that Naraku was after her too!” Kagome said “I'm not leaving her side.. I'll be protecting her” Sesshomaru says making Dumbledore and McGonagall smile at him “Then it's settled then.. Y/n’s safety was into your hands” Dumbledore says along with a satisfactory huff “I had one request” Sesshomaru says “Yes?” The Headmaster responds. “I don't want that filthy mortal to come with us” The Half-Demon and the reincarnation of Kikyo were shock about the Demon Lord's statement.

Kagome then remembers how Y/n hexed Sesshomaru yesterday. “Do you want her to hex you again?” she ask in disbelief.

“*scoff* I was just caught off guard at that time.. And it will never happen again” He adds but Inuyasha was angry at him “You can never separate Severus from y/n!” He shouts at his brother “Well i can.. I had my ways so that she can forget that merely mortal” Sesshomaru responds.

Before the two could reply there was a knock on the door.

McGonagall open the door to reveal the Ravenclaw girl and Slytherin teen.

She then looks Inuyasha, Kagome, and Sesshomaru. “Ummm.... What's going on here?” she asks as she and Severus enter before the Head of Gryffindor close the door.

Kagome then scratches the back of her neck nervously. “Nothing, Y/n.” she says. The other Priestess raises an eyebrow towards her.

Y/n approach them and sit st the nearest chair along with her boyfriend Severus “Kagome.. You know that you can't lie to me.. So tell what is it” she says while holding Severus's cold Hand on hers.

“We-Well, ummm.....Y/n.....ummmm” Kagome was stuttering and can't form a right words to explain to their friend.

Inuyasha sighs. “We managed to figure out why the Dark Lord is after you. You see back when he was Tom Riddle. He was originally in love with your mother before she met and fell in love with your dad.” He explains as the Ravenclaw girl and the Slytherin teen looks at their friend in shock.

“He’s originally..... In love... With my mother?” Y/n questions not believing what she's hearing.

"Yes" Inuyasha says. Severus then holds her hand trying to calm her down.

"And obviously that person sees you as your mother and that's the reason why he wants you so bad like Naraku did” The Half-Demon adds.

“Also about your Priestess powers. You have a relative who was a Japanese who came to live here on Britain centuries after Feudal Era which would explain why you look a bit like a Japanese.” Kagome then adds.

“My guesses were if I have a relative who's completely Japanese and I was right.” Y/n says.

"Yes" her friend says. The Slytherin was comforting the Ravenclaw girl. “You’re not safe here.” Kagome points out.

The Half-Demon nods in agreement. “Yeah, with this Tom Riddle and of course Naraku after you.” he says. The Ravenclaw Priestess then sighs. “Why did this happen for the past two days?” she questions to herself.

“My love, don't worry I'm here” Severus says giving his girlfriend a comforting smile “As if you can protect her” Sesshomaru says and The Slytherin turn his attention on him “Yes I can” He says “Oh Really? Not obvious actually” The Demon Lord coldy says “At least she believes and loved me” Severus sarcastically says making Sesshomaru glare at him fiercely.

The other Priestess then took out her wand pointing it at the Demon Lord “Flipendo!” she says as that hits the Great Dog Demon as he was thrown against the wall.

The Ravenclaw girl just glares at the Sesshomaru. “I told you not to insult my boyfriend in front of me.” she says as she had enough of him doing that.

McGonagall then realizes the reason why she hex the Dog Demon was him looking down on Mr. Snape.

The Great Dog Demon groan in pain as he stood up “Ms. L/n, I never expected you to be so feisty when it comes to Mr. Snape” McGonagall said making Y/n and Severus blush in embarrassment.

Inuyasha tries not to laugh at his brother after he was hexed by his friend. Kagome on the other hand sweatdrop.

The Great Dog Demon then glares at his brother. “It’s not funny, Inuyasha.” he says coldly. Half-Demon tries his best not to laugh so hard.

“Really??” Inuyasha provokes along with a breathy Laugh “Sit Boy” Inuyasha fell on the ground “Why did you do that?!” He ask Kagome.

The Priestess just narrows her eyes at him. “Rather not have him kill you if you continue to provoke him.” she says.

The Ravenclaw girl then turns to look at Sesshomaru but she just narrows her eyes at him when he looks at her.

She never completely likes Sesshomaru because he hates humans and Half-Demons in general but that change after he met Rin who travels around with him and Jaken. Of course, another human he enjoys being around was technically her but he hates her boyfriend. If he keeps insulting him she'll keep hexing him for that.

The Demon Lord on the other hand couldn't believe it. This is the second time she hex him for insulting her boyfriend in front her. The girl often narrows her eyes at him when she caught him staring at her. However, he wouldn't forget how she felt in his embrace. She smell of berries, books, and of course sweets of this era.

But knowing her she hated him for insulting her boyfriend and of course his attempts to kill Inuyasha to get the Tessaiga.

The Ravenclaw then remembers something. “Wait a moment I remember something.” She then says as she stood up from the chair. The Slytherin teen then looks at his girlfriend. “What is it, love?” he asks.

Y/n then made her way towards the door Severus, along with Kagome, Inuyasha, and Sesshomaru follow her.

Before leaving the Headmaster's office she bows to both of her Professors before she then opens the door with her friends and boyfriend following behind her. Sesshomaru close the door behind them.

#severus snape x reader #harry potter #inuyasha #inuyasha crossover #harry potter crossover #sesshomaru #naraku #tom riddle #Young Severus Snape x Reader #lord voldemort

[elendsessor]

because someone was interested here’s some flynn headcanons, mostly which involve issachar!!!

i think a lot of the villages outside of the eastern kingdom of mikado’s boarders would struggle in general, so keeping kids and the elderly alive and well is hellish. based on what little npcs from kiccigiorgi that can be interacted with, many of the adults (at least who we see alive) likely have to juggle tending to the usual farm work and caring for the kids. both flynn and issachar living to be 18 was likely a miracle, or having capable youth in general was one. i also like to think they were born in a really close timeframe, or even on the same day, so off the bat their families got along well and they were sorta just. born best friends.

flynn was definitely influenced by issachar in many ways but i think it’s because he genuinely looked up to him. i mean, dude’s pretty outgoing. he probably helped with a little bit of everything and might’ve been more physically capable of things than flynn.

that being said, issachar also did a lot of stupid shit. i’m pretty inspired by this post for this hc. flynn would always end up doing the same stuff even if he knew he could get hurt/in trouble just because he didn’t want issachar to take all the blame for something or the only one suffering an easily preventable injury.

despite physical differences, both ended up succeeding in different areas when it came to usual tasks. flynn was much better with animal handling.

you can’t tell me he didn’t grow out his hair just because issachar did, but low key flynn is bad at actually using hair ties and the like. he always has to get help.

they were basically inseparable from day one. can’t do shit without the other present.

they started visiting lake mikado for fishing purposes despite the trip being pretty long. it gradually became their usual spot on rest days, and both of them started training to become samurai by the lakeside.

flynn was actually the one who presented the whole becoming a samurai no matter what idea, though it was originally him thinking issachar would be the perfect fit while he’d stay back home. a little convincing lead flynn to eventually promise that. both were constantly motivating one another in the first place for everything. as the day of the gauntlet rite neared, though, anxiety surrounding the worst case scenario increased.

first few nights without issachar being there were hellish for flynn. the idea of being the only one of the two to become a samurai in general hurt. he initially considered seeing if he could find a way to drop out but i bet either sometime before or right when they got separated issachar encouraged him to stay.

it’s not like he could if he wanted to. samurai business outside of them protecting people was hush-hush, and due to how little end up getting accepted during the rite combined with how many likely died in naraku, yeah no take backsies. communication with anyone outside the samurai was likely strictly forbidden. even on holidays they had strict regulations on what they can and can’t talk about with folks.

didn’t stop flynn from trying to get in touch with issachar (to no avail).

in regards to the black samurai incident as it was deemed, he likely did end up mercy killing issachar. idgaf about the choice to not do so. aside from that being what issachar wanted, realistically speaking, he’d likely be killed either way, so better to die by your best friend’s hands than a stranger’s. i would imagine that the tragedy overall did leave kiccigiorgi unable to recover and those who turned into demons before death weren’t given any proper burial or respect. they were treated like the lowest of the low. i do think flynn ended up finding a way to hide issachar’s body just long enough so he could bury him at lake mikado.

for a long while after the fact, flynn tried his hardest to recover by never thinking of issachar by name or even saying it. worked for a little while, though occasionally he’d end up asking himself what he’d do if issachar was there with him still whenever he got stuck.

part of what inspired him to help out tokyo was because he felt like it was his duty to defend those who couldn’t defend themselves. it’s not their fault they’re in constant life or death situations. though i think he also overworks himself.

he’d take constant trips back to mikado while he could just to gather supplies for the people of tokyo to use regardless of what rules that broke.

oh and he’d turn down buying certain things if he felt like that would deprive others of materials they likely needed more.

flynn really did become better overtime at fighting but adopted the ability to use magic because he’s secretly not that great at sword wielding. using guns also just feels too unnatural. learning from demons does make him feel a bit guilty though.

you could so easily guilt trip him into doing stuff it’s not even funny.

last hc for now i guess but i really like thinking that the option for nanashi to give flynn the fishhook helped put his mind at ease in 4a’s bonds route. he just automatically knew it was something that belonged to issachar despite looking nothing special. it’s kinda like having a piece of him there.

sorry this was so long btw. wouldn’t mind putting more headcanons out there in the future tho maybe idk ;-;

#shantien rambles #headcanon hell #smt

[cryopathiic]

'we were a mistake.'

angst prompts || accepting ( 4 /5 )

SURROUNDED BY ENDLESS INTERTWINING bridges, the ponds allude to an endless expanse that borders on infinity itself. The deeper in their maze one ventures, the more each spot resembles the one before it; and the one after it is just as treacherous. A starless sky and glorious moon paint the background of a heated exchange. The tone between the two demons is harsh and bitter, a stark contrast to the serenity of the beauty surrounding them.

A few seconds ago even he had been boasting and giggling — treating Naraku's plan as if it were a bad joke. And where Dōma's hands had been bracing to send a freezing net forth and stop the deviant as ordered, he now stands still as a jade statue. His reflection ripples as a toad bounces from one lily pad to another and for a moment the gaping maw within it resembled something less of a smile — no, it was no play of the light, no cheeky trick from the water's surface. Naraku would be wise to trust his eyes this once -- as the expression on Upper Two's face contorted into something less than perfect.

He begun to shake his head slowly.

❝ ... no. No, you don't mean that. ❞ Dōma's lip quivered lightly over the words. The pout he wore wrinkled his chin in an unflattering manner. He almost made that step closer; his eyelids begun to flicker moisture away. The weapons in his grip were languidly folded and lowered in front of his hips. The more he saw Naraku through wet eyes, the more every thought in his head gave way to a singular one; the image of his friend taking back those words. 'Sorry, I did not mean it', his lips would say; in a softer tone, a placating one. Dōma would prance to him for a hug. It would all be solved; Muzan-sama would forget about this unfortunate incident soon enough, what with all his memory issues. And it would all go back to the way it was before.

'We were a mistake.'

❝ No. It's-- You c-can't. ❞

'KILL HIM. NOW, UPPER TWO.

It's only a distant reverberation. Such is the power of that thought that Dōma can't hear anything else but Naraku's voice telling him it's going to go back to that way. No one has to die. No difficult choice has to be made. And yet, against all instincts, he speaks his mind. The Lord's most devout priest indulges a most visceral vice — he allows himself to feel the comfort of a pure touch and the warmth of an intimate joke, the feeling of knowing what another's happiness looks like and yet wanting naught more than to make it your secret. Every memory of what they shared in the last century flashes before his eyes. And the short lived elation of that revelation ( ' I felt it! It was real! ' ) is soon followed by a sharp pang in his chest.

❝ You can't— You can't tell me this was a mistake, because this-- if this was a mistake then, then wha'— ❞ His breath begun to pick up - and it was not pretty. Not with the way his shoulders heaved rhythmically with each hiccup, not with the way his eyes darted to the side and the whites within them showed.

He feels something land on the back of his hand. And when he brings it up to witness it ... it's a tear.

For a moment, the demon merely watches it reflect the moon's perfect glow on its crystalline surface. When was the last time he had experienced something like this? A pain so true that it gave him something to live for.

Claws curled into his skin as he begun to grip his own chest; a breath held too long rattling out of him as he sunk down to his knees. Like some tremendous weight was pulling him to the floor, an anchor tied to his neck. And he stayed there, squeezing those agonizing breaths out against the wood. The frigid beauties born with the intent to stop Upper Three's exit begun to weep - silently, yet each motion left a soft echo of chimes as the ice beat into itself. They grabbed their wispy hair and swayed their heads, in deep mourning. And so there's no longer a wall of freezing air between Naraku and his freedom. As the second moon lay quivering in shock, curled up on the floor like some motherless infant, he would be free to walk away.

DŌMA.

It was Muzan's voice, he knew; but that was the time it fell into deaf ears.

#VERSE 005. ( hell is frozen over ) #ANSWERED. #arrachnes #DYN ♥ ft. Naraku

[the-broken-truth]

If you don’t mind can you do half-demon sibling meets Rin by either coincidence or they meet her in a bad situation and saves her. (P.S. I like your work)

SUBTITLE: THE LITTLE HUMAN...(AND GREEN DEMON)

Summary: [Name] is traveling again when they run into the little green demon - Jaken - and the human Sesshomaru travels with that goes by the name of Rin. What happens when [Name] has a conversation with the small human?

[Somewhere in the Feduel Wilds]

[Name] rode on the back of [Horse Name] just as they broke out from under the tree line of the forest, focused golden eyes on the path ahead that led to a large paster of pink flowers before they pulled on the reign, making the horse stop in its' tracks. [Name] looked at the vast flower field with calm golden eyes, slowly blinking before closing their eyes as the breeze blew it, blowing their hair and cloak before it ceased; [Name] opened their eyes again before giving [Horse Name] a swift but gently heel, making the horse move again through the field. While listening to the sounds around them - the beating of their own heart and [Horse Name's] heart, the gentle blowing of the wind, and the rustling of the flowers against one another - [Name] picked up on another sound, a voice and it sound familiar.

"I can't believe Lord Sesshomaru left me behind again and ordered me to look after you while he searches for Naraku on his own." The Little Green Demon exhaled.

"Lord Sesshomaru will come back soon, Lord Jaken, all we have to do is wait for him." The little human smiled as she picked a flower and added it to the cluster of flowers in her arms.

'That's Sesshomaru's Vassel - Jaken, I believe his name was - and the human girl...I haven't seen her before. I always thought my elder brother hated humans yet he has one traveling with him. Maybe there's more to Sesshomaru that I don't yet know.' [Name] thought as they started moving again but another yell - in their direction this time.

"Lord/Lady [Name]?!" The voice of Jaken echoed throughout the field.

'Damnit, Jaken has spotted me.' [Name] exhaled before looking toward the little green demon and the human girl making their way towards [Name].

"Lord/Lady [Name], it's been a while. Have you finally come to your senses and decided to join Lord Sesshomaru on his journey to destroy the vile Naraku?" Jaken asked as he bowed to [Name], who narrowed their eyes at him.

"I have expressed no interest in following my brothers on their journeys and never will. I have my own goal and I won't give mine up for someone else." [Name] said before they looked at the girl, who smiled at them, "Who is this human girl?"

"My name is Rin, My Lord/Lady." The girl - Rin - introduced herself as she bowed.

"Rin... It's nice to meet you." [Name] said as they bowed their head in greeting.

"Lord/Lady [Name], you don't need to greet Rin, she is only a human." Jaken said.

"Have you forgotten that I am half-human? Do not disrespect humanity around me again or I shall turn you into a pile of green meat." [Name] growled, making Jaken gulp in fear. "Now, Rin, what are you doing traveling with my brother?"

"Lord Sesshomaru saved me after a wolf pack killed me. I am in his debt." Rin smiled.

'She was killed? That must mean he used his fang to revive her. She must mean something to him.' [Name] thought before sniffing the air, "Sesshomaru is coming."

"That's perfect! He would be happy to see you." Jaken beamed.

"I have no interest in seeing him. Goodbye." [Name] tsked at [Horse Name] and the creature began walking again.

"Wait, Lord/Lady [Name]! Come back, please!" Jaken called out.

"Farewell, Lord/Lady [Name]. I have a safe trip." Rin spoke as she waved at them.

'The girl... You brought her back, brother, you better take care of her.' [Name] thought.

#inuyasha #rin #jaken #half demon reader

[thebladeblaster]

Shin Digimon Tensei (SMT X Digimon)

Finally another chapter 😅.

Chapter 5 Fight For Freedom Part 2

The next day…

Flynn looked determined as he stood in Naraku with Masakado. Navarre had challenged them to see who could complete a certain three quests the fastest. Thankfully Flynn had one of the moss he needed for one of the quests and he just needed two more. However, before that he spotted the big strong demon he needed to beat. It was an adult demon which looked like a black and brown Doberman with red eyes and metal spikes.

He held in a wince as he watched the demon from behind cover. Flynn formed an angel statue in his hands which he launched at the demon while it wasn’t looking.

“Now, Masakado!”, Flynn said as the demon winced in pain from Flynn’s attack.

“Vee Headbutt!”, Masakado called out as he jumped at where Flynn struck the demon with a head butt.

“Gray Noise!”, the Doberman demon called out as it barked at Veemon.

Masakado gasped as he felt something was wrong. He hit the demon with his fist, but it lacked the same strength as normal. As the demon charged a black beam to fire at Masakado, Flynn suddenly formed two angel statues in desperation.

“I won’t let you kill, Masakado!”, Flynn thought as his heart beated rapidly against his chest.

“Freezing Wing!”, Flynn called out.

The demon looked stunned and surprised as Flynn launched the two statues which swiped at him multiple times before crashing into him.

“Now, I got ‘em!”, Masakado said.

Masakado bombarded the demon with a barrage of punches. His punches stabbed the shards of the statues further in as the demon cried out. Masakado roared as he was determined to beat the demon for Flynn. Flynn’s eyes widened as Masakado’s eyes glowed for a moment and he delivered a crushing blow to the demon’s jaw. The demon fell over as it howled in pain. The Samurai froze feeling bad as he felt it howl in pain.

“W-wait!”, Flynn said, for a moment as he put his hand out.

Masakado stopped looking confused as Flynn approached the demon. The dragon was wary as he stood in front of Flynn.

“Umm…just surrender and leave. If you don’t want to get hurt stop trying to enter Mikado.”, Flynn said as he put his hand over his chest.

“You…arrogant, Samurai scum! These lands aren’t yours to begin with! You're the invader! Black Beam!”, the Doberman demon replied before it fired at Flynn.

Flynn’s heart rate increased dramatically as he was right in the line of fire. He sweated as the beam neared him. The Samurai bent backwards narrowly avoiding the beam in time. Masakado roared in fury after seeing the demon attack Flynn.

“Why you!”, Masakado roared, before he punched the demon harshly in the stomach where it was already injured.

This made the demon fade away into particles. Flynn looked pale as he stood back up. He looked down at his hands.

“It could have killed me…”, Flynn murmured.

“Why did you do that, Flynn? I thought you said we need to beat the bad demons!”, Masakado said, sounding worried.

“I…I just thought…you’re right…I’m being silly. We just need to defeat them. It’s obvious they can’t be negotiated with.”, Flynn said as he shook his head and Masakado looked confused.

“You look like you’re overthinking things again.”, Masakado said as he pouted.

In Kiccigiorgi…

“Hoy, have you seen, Nathan? It seems like all the young folk are vanishing.”, a Casualry man asked.

A bearded balding man looked wary when he heard this.

“That deadbeat Issachar has been missing too. You don’t think…”, the man said as he suddenly stopped working.

The two looked nervous for this to happen after Flynn left. They had a very bad feeling about this.

Outside Naraku…

Isabeau looked around the streets warily. Her guard had been raised after finding that demon yesterday. That meant there could easily be more.

“Mistress Isabeau, I’m detecting a demon nearby.”, Burroughs said as Isabeau looked at an inconspicuous bakery.

“There’s no way…this is…”, Isabeau thought as she sweated nervously.

She remembers coming to this bakery since she was a kid. There’s no way it’s been…

Isabeau dove behind a building as she looked over at the bakery. She sneaked over into the back door. Renamon was silent but she could detect even more demonic energy. She summoned Renamon who sniffed around the place as she snuck around.

Renamon stopped over a piece of false ground which she moved to reveal a secret passageway.

“I sense the most demon energy down there.”, Renamon whispered.

“Hoy, Isabeau, what are you doing here?”, a round man in an apron asked as the two flinched.

Neither of them even detected him approaching. Renamon tensed as she threw her Diamond Storm at him without hesitation. Isabeau was about to say something before a metallic beast head hand opened up on the baker’s hand and ate the attack. She looked down at her chip deciding she couldn’t afford to hesitate.

“Even if I know him…he’s become a demon. So I need to defeat him!”, Isabeau thought.

She jammed the chip into her gauntlet.

“Initializing…Armor Digivolution activate!”, Burroughs said.

“Renamon digivolve to…Kabukimon!!!”, Renamon said.

Renamon was suddenly surrounded in petals which formed a red and yellow kimono and mask. The mask had red markings and fake red hair. Flowers bloomed from her hands.

The baker growled before another of his hands turned into a skeletal beast head.

“Cherry Blossom Storm!”, Kabukimon said as she blinded the baker with a stinging light from her hands and a storm of petals.

“Ah!!! How could you do this to me, Isabeau?!”, the baker said.

“Don’t fall for his tricks, Mistress Isabeau. He has become a demon through and through.”, Kabukimon said as she saw Isabeau’s hesitation.

She could easily blast him with Diamond Storm now that he was blinded, but should she?

“I…”, Isabeau thought as she remembered getting bread at the bakery as a kid.

She remembered the baker’s satisfied face as he served his customers.

“Wedge Attack!”, Kabukimon called out as she hesitated.

She made a circle with her head and launched her petals at the baker like a shuriken. It cut him and he cried out, making Isabeau’s eyes widen. Kabukimon looked back to her for a moment.

“I don’t know what kind of relationship you may have had with this man, but he must be stopped. If we don’t stop him now innocent people shall die. So, you must fight.”, Kabukimon said as the baker got to his fear growling.

Isabeau shook for a moment before she looked at the baker whose skin turned blue.

“Diamond Storm!”, Isabeau called out, before striking him with various shards she materialized.

They stabbed into the growling baker’s wounds causing him to bleed more profusely.

“That’s it! Wedge Attack!”, Kabukimon said, before firing more petals at the baker.

The baker roared in pain as he started to fade away still mid transformation. Isabeau looked away as the baker faded away. Kabukimon was silent as she returned back to Renamon.

“We need to get the others.”, Isabeau said, sounding quiet.

In Naraku…

Flynn and Masakado gathered the rest of the mosses and defeated demons as per the quests. They returned to K’s Tavern.

“…Pardon me. You there, the prentice.”, a Master Samurai said, drawing Flynn’s attention.

“Another Master Samurai. Hopefully he’s nicer…”, Flynn thought.

“I saw your outstanding performance in those challenge quests.”, a Master Samurai said.

“Does he not know about the trial?”, Flynn thought.

“And I have a favor to ask of a Samurai of your skill, Flynn. You see, Navarre has actually gone missing in Naraku…Would you please go find him?”, a Master Samurai said.

Flynn’s eyes widened in shock hearing this and he nodded.

“Definitely.”, Flynn replied, though he felt wary of the Master Samurai.

“There is a catch, alas. You must do this as quietly as you can. Navarre is very proud of himself. Even should you rescue him safely. If such a stain to his reputation becomes public knowledge…He may go so far as to choose death over the humiliation it would bring.”, the Master Samurai explained.

“I see…I shall be careful then…”, Flynn replied.

“I must ask that you begin searching for Navarre at once in Naraku.”, the Master Samurai said.

“I’ll register that as a new quest to the list.”, Burroughs said.

“Do you really trust this guy, Flynn?”, Masakado questioned inside his gauntlet.

The Master Samurai held in a snicker glaring at Flynn’s gauntlet. Fortunately for him Masakado had Flynn’s attention.

“Damn demon…”, the Master Samurai thought.

“Just because he is a Master Samurai that does not mean that he is the same as sir Kenny or Wilson.”, Flynn replied in a neutral tone.

“But he’s acting real suspicious to me.”, Masakado replied.

“Don’t jump to conclusions. We’ll see for ourselves.”, Flynn replied.

He didn’t want the Master Samurai to know about his suspicions. The Master Samurai tried to hide his annoyance and put on a smile.

“I would never try to trick my fellow Samurai.”, the Master Samurai said.

“Bleh…even just pretending that Casualry is my fellow makes me sick.”, the Master Samurai thought.

Flynn was silent for a moment as he stared at the Master. He put on a light smile.

“Of course.”, Flynn replied, before he left.

When they entered Naraku…

“Do you really trust that fellow?!”, Masakado questioned.

“Not in the slightest.”, Flynn replied.

“But you said-“, Masakado replied.

“I didn’t want him to know that I distrusted him just in case he’s being genuine. If Navarre is really lost I shall save him. If not…we both need to keep our guard up.”, Flynn replied as he summoned Masakado.

“Oh okay…I’ll be extremely cautious!”, Masakado replied as Flynn sweat dropped.

They looked throughout the first and second floors killing demons on their way. Flynn and Masakado stopped before the third floor.

“He isn’t on these two floors so that only leaves the third floor…Commander Hope told us not to go down here until we have adult demons but I suppose we don’t have a choice.”, Flynn said.

“I’m detecting very strong demons nearby. Are you sure you want to proceed?”, Burroughs said and Flynn nodded.

The two shivered as they felt an ominous wind and a disembodied roar. Masakado looked nervous and Flynn kept a neutral expression though he was wary. They descended to the third floor noticing some purple liquid on the ground.

“What is that?”, Flynn questioned.

“Let’s see-“, Masakado said.

“Wait!”, Flynn said, putting his arm out as a yellow ape demon with a bone club appeared and swiped at them.

“Bone Strike!”, the demon said.

Flynn got in front of Masakado and was sent flying back. He gasped in pain coughing up spit when he crashed against the wall.

“Why you…Vee Headbutt!”, Masakado said in anger as he launched himself at the demon.

The demon laughed in amusement as he raised his club. Suddenly something cut the club in two. It was angel statues which Flynn had summoned. Masakado hit the demon’s chest head on. The demon growled as he punched at the angel statues and got shards stuck in his fists which bled.

“Vee Punch!!!”, Flynn and Masakado said as they punched the demon in the face while he couldn’t guard.

Flynn grabbed Masakado by the nape and ran further in.

“Woah we could have beat him!”, Masakado said.

“We don’t have the luxury to fight ever demon here just look!”, Flynn replied.

Masakado looked around and noticed every demon on this floor was fully grown. They were all adults. Flynn winced when he stepped into the purple liquid. He looked paler as he didn’t feel very good all of the sudden. His adrenaline allowed him to keep running. He stopped when he saw Walter on the ground and DemiDevimon flickering. The latter seemed to be near death.

“Hoy, Walter wake up!”, Flynn said as he tried to snake him awake.

“DemiDevimon, are you okay?!”, Masakado questioned.

Suddenly an energy beam hit both Flynn and Masakado, sending them flying back onto the purple liquid.

“Energy Cannon!”, they heard.

When they looked up they saw hooded men. They paled from the liquid and seeing a group of hooded men with adult demons. Flynn felt worse as he was exposed to the liquid more. He felt very lightheaded. Masakado jumped up standing in front of Flynn.

In Kiccigiorgi…

More and more young people disappeared with the older folks looking everywhere for them.

“Where have they run off too?! We need to finish lending these crops.”, a villager said.

In Naraku…

“It’s you! That jerk! Vee Punch!”, Masakado said as he tried to strike a demon which appeared to be the same one Kenny had.

However Masakado was suddenly barraged on all sides by multiple attacks making him cry out in pain.

“Ah, it’s you, the Casualry. I shall show you that there are limits that cannot be overcome by exerting oneself.”, hooded man 1 said.

“Sir K-Kenny…why…? Are you trying to kill us?”, Flynn questioned as his vision was becoming increasingly blurry.

His limbs felt like jelly and he could barely stand. He felt like all his strength was being sapped out of him.

“How do you like the third stratum’s poison? It was laid by a very powerful demon, it can affect you through any clothes and can kill a full grown man in mere minutes.”, hooded man 2 explained.

Masakado was face down on the ground looking extremely pale. Flynn reached out for Masakado.

“Hehe. That weird demon of yours is toast. It’s so small he’ll die in seconds.”, hooded man 3 explained as Flynn’s heart skipped a beat.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

Flynn’s heart rate was accelerating rapidly. The hooded man laughed over them.

Suddenly Kenny’s demon cried out in pain as blood rained. Its cannon hand had been severed. The other demons ran at Flynn who had a dangerous look in his eyes as his body seemed to be in autopilot. He created ten statues which he launched at the demons. It was more than he’s ever made before making the hooded man and demons gape.

“Freezing Wing!!!”, Flynn called out.

He made more statues than there were demons. They bombarded all of them and swiped at them and the hooded men completely overwhelming them.

“What the hell is going on?! How are you doing th-“, Kenny questioned.

“Vee Punch!!!!!!!!!!!!!”, Flynn called out punching Kenny on the cheek and sending him flying back and hitting the wall.

The punch left a massive bruise on Kenny’s face. Kenny shakily got to his feet.

“You filthy Casualry…ohh…”, Kenny said, his rage giving way to a smirk when he saw than Flynn froze in the stance he was in.

His normally olive skin was white as a sheet. His eyes were very hazy as blood dripped from his mouth.

“It seems all that moving around made the poison spread even faster. You’re dead.”, Kenny said with a smirk.

“F-Flynn…”, Masakado murmured worriedly as he rolled over to see his master frozen in place.

The statues vanished into nothing and Flynn collapsed on the ground like a puppet with its strings cut. There was a loud thud when he fell.

Masakado tried to crawl over to Flynn who was unresponsive.

“Boom bubble!”, they heard before the hooded man and remaining demons were blinded by bubbles.

“Flynn! Walter!”, Isabeau called out.

Isabeau hastily pulled out a dis-poison. She tried to make Flynn eat it, but he wasn’t responding. Worry soared within her as she tried to think fast.

“W-what? Jonathan? Isabeau? Why are you helping this Casualry scum? ”, Kenny questioned.

“The only scum here is you fellows! To think you would try to kill your fellow Samurai!”, Jonathan replied with Patamon sitting on his hair.

“We weren’t just trying. That one over there is already dead.”, hooded man 2 said.

Renamon force fed a dis-poison to Masakado which cured him. He instantly jumped up in tears.

“You’re lying. There’s no way Flynn could be dead!”, Masakado cried.

“I have too…”, Isabeau thought as she put the dis-poison in her mouth.

She blushed lightly as her lips touched Flynn’s and pushed the dis-poison in. He swallowed but he still wasn’t moving. Isabeau checked his heartbeat and paled. His heart wasn’t beating which made her panic. She did chest resuscitation to desperately try to make his heart beat return.

Masakado looked absolutely furious as he roared. He attacked the injured demons as Patamon blinded them again.

“Diamond Storm!”, Renamon called out as she hit the ones nearing Masakado with her shards.

The adult demons were pushed to near death before they were hastily de summoned and their masters looked fearful. Masakado glared at the hooded man with hatred about to attack them too.

“Stop, Masakado. They’re human. The demons of the Samurai aren’t allowed to harm humans.”, Jonathan said, putting his hand in front of him.

“Those jerks are bad! They k-killed Flynn and hurt Walter and DemiDevimon…they deserve it!”, Masakado yelled full of emotion.

Kenny swung his blade trying to kill Masakado as he moved at rapid speed. The others didn’t notice until the blade neared the dragon.

…

…

…

Clang!

A blade stopped Kenny’s.

Kenny’s eyes were wide in disbelief as he saw who stopped the blade. He staggered back.

“Flynn!”, Isabeau called out as she hastily got to her feet.

“Vee Punch!”, Flynn called out as he sent a barrage of the punches at Kenny.

There was a loud crack as Kenny’s bones were shattered by Flynn’s fists which rained down like meteors.

“Vee Headbutt!”, Flynn called out as he slammed his car against Kenny’s chin.

Kenny had bruises everywhere and he coughed up blood. Flynn was breathing heavily, seeming to be in the feral state he was in before. Jonathan stopped Flynn holding him back and shaking his head before he could strike him again.

“It’s over. You beat him.”, Jonathan said as Flynn blinked.

“W-what?! Where am I…?”, Flynn thought as he slowly started to regain himself.

“What…?”, Flynn questioned shakily and Isabeau forced him to sit down.

“You and Masakado need to relax. You just recovered from the poison so you’re weak right now.”, Isabeau said.

“This is beyond the pale…”, hooded man 2 said fearfully as he stepped back grabbing Kenny.

“Your vile actions against your fellow Samurai is beyond the pale.”, Isabeau said as Jonathan touched Walter’s gauntlet and made it de summon his demon.

Walter just seemed beat up. He wasn’t poisoned like Flynn was. Jonathan was trying to wake him up.

“You fellows are jerks!”, Patamon said.

“You really could have gotten them killed. Thankfully we got here in time to save them.”, Jonathan said as Walter’s eyes started to open.

“Why did you do this? You fellows are the ones that started all of this.”, Flynn said as hooded man 3 snickered.

“Because there’s no way a true Luxuror would accept Casualry pigs among their ranks!”, hooded man 3 replied as pointed.

“Your actions don’t make sense. You seriously tried to kill an ally because you don’t like his social class?”, Renamon questioned.

“Shut up, demon!”, hooded man 2 said.

Suddenly some demons grabbed many of the hooded men except hooded man 2 and Kenny. The prentice’s gasped hastily, getting up including Walter. The hooded men grabbed were gruesomely torn apart and eaten by adult demons. The two masters cried out hastily running towards them and away from the demons. They completely bailed leaving the prentices alone.

“Those jerks…!”, Walter said, before they turned their attention back to the demons.

Their demon’s stood in front of them except Walter’s and they had their swords drawn.

Deeper in the third stratum…

Navarre, his demon Candlemon, and a master along with his demon were tied up by webs. They all looked fearful and horrified as a giant spider demon approached them.

To be continued…

#shin megami tensei #smt iv #smt4 #digimon #smt flynn #isabeau smt #walter smt #jonathan smt #Navarre smt #veemon #renamon #demidevimon #patamon #candlemon #gorrillamon #my crappy writing #my crappy edit

[casliveblog]

Custom Toonami Block Week 159 Rundown

Spy X Family: We’r eback to the small vignette episodes now, Bond has a premonition of his own death and since they’re out of dog food he fears that if Yor makes his dinner he will just fucking die and if he refuses to eat Yor will murder him. So he tracks down Loid on a mission and does a fucking Air Bud spy mission deal and Loid is just kinda like ‘okay guess this is a thing data dogs can do’ and assumes it’s a conscious choice to get back at the company that turned him into a data dog when he’s really just avoiding his assassin wife. Loid’s weirdly okay with this and they manage to pull off the mission and get Bond some non-Yor food, it’s cute but between this and Anya building a pipe bomb last episode feel like they’re kinda pushing what some of the gag characters can do even for a comedy. Also with Bond’s premonitions already being cutaways and him having no dialogue it’s kind of hard to tell when one of his imagination spots is a premonition or one of the ‘exaggerating consequences’ deals that the other characters do. The B-story is Damian and his gang getting in trouble for lapsing on etiquette because Damian’s fucking burned out pushing himself to meet his father’s goals for him from the season finale. So his two flunkies get in trouble with him but the adults see what’s really going on and send them on a nature hike so Damian can relax for a day and shift gears instead of keeping his nose to the grindstone. I really hate his goons’ voices in the dub and I assume that’s intentional but it’s still a nice little fleshing out episode for all three of them.

Inuyasha: Man this fucking episode is like a third recap, it takes like seven minutes to get back to where we were last episode, I thought I clicked on the wrong episode for a moment since they basically just give you a speedrun of last week. Sango’s ready to attack Kohaku and break the rat shrine meanwhile Hakudoshi… summons demon slugs to attack Kikyo’s tree because I guess that’s something he can do now. It’s funny they have to tell Inuyasha not to Wind Scar the tree on accident to get at Hakudoshi but they end up clipping him and killing the slugs but the tree’s already dead and Sango can’t destroy the shrine because it has a barrier and she never almost killed a bat child to get the Red Hiraikotsu that’d be obsolete in a season anyway. Sango, Kohaku and Kilala all get swallowed by the rats while Sango’s trying to protect Kohaku and Kohaku’s trying to pretend to hate her so Naraku doesn’t know he’s not a meat puppet anymore. Like you’d think that’d be something you could feel, like if the guy whose brain you’re directly interfering with suddenly had autonomy you’d think you’d know. Still Kikyo comes out to break the barrier but Hakudoshi’s been Wind Scar’d so not much he can do about it. Sango angsts about Kohaku and how even though he’s directly tied to countless deaths today along she still wants to protect him as his sister which is fine because as far as they know he’s still being controlled but it’s actually a lot worse because he’s letting people die to get a shot at Naraku that we all know will never come, not that him not being there would dial down the death toll any, if anything using Kohaku as an envoy to fuck with Sango actually makes Naraku’s murder spree less efficient since he’s just a kid with a scythe and if he just starts sending poison demon puppets to blight the whole countryside it’d probably be a lot worse. Either way Kikyo gets the message that as long as Naraku’s looking for her he can just keep pulling filler demons of mass destruction out of his ass until he finds her so she might as well come fight him. I mean Naraku basically does that for fun as it is but this time he’s specifically pinning blame for it on Kikyo like a ‘you did this by not doing what I wanted’ because Naraku is a gaslight gatekeep girlboss.

Yu Yu Hakusho: We just jump a hundred days after Yusuke announced the new tournament and it’s time for the prelims. Kinda speedrunning the arc here because we just have to take Mukuro’s word for it that Yusuke’s gotten stronger again since we have no clue what he’s been doing. It’s kinda funny that despite being the literal ringleader of the tournament Yusuke is still out of the loop on how it works, guess that’s his Goku instincts trying to keep things exciting. Most importantly Koto’s back to announce again, honestly one of my favorite parts of the series in general. Turns out there’s so many demons out there hoping for a lucky break that they had to have 128 preliminary brackets just to weed out all the mooks, luckily because there’s that many basically no one who’s named has to fight each other and everyone we already know advances except for Chu who gets knocked out by a sexy lady that’s way stronger than him, and Yomi and his son Shura have to fight each other which kinda sucks but guess we can’t have too many enemies off the bat. Also apparently Shigure is alive which I know he’s a really good surgeon and Mukuro has bacta tanks but dude got the top half of his head cut off, like not even just the head Hiei went right through the guy’s brain, that’d even kill a zombie but okay. Also there’s some kind of sexy monkey lady that Yoyo kids wants to bang so good luck with that I guess. The only halfway decent fight for this will be Shura vs Yomi and the show knows that so we just get a quick montage of everyone using their special techniques and blasting everyone who doesn’t have at least three degrees of separation to Yusuke.

Jujutsu Kaisen: Feel like this is the second time we’ve done the ‘shit’s going down’ cliffhanger only for Geto and Gojo to solve the problem off-screen, like I get that it’s to build them up as invincible badasses that can solve arc-spanning problems in an instant so when shit really does go down it hits harder but how many times are we gonna do this? So yeah the gang’s in Okinawa now with some time to kill after the kidnapping arc wrapped up quicker than expected so Gojo gives Riko the quick and dirty two day tour of Okinawa, I swear I don’t know whether the JJK author is using the series as an excuse to hit the tourist spots of Japan for ‘research’ or is just already well-traveled within the country and using that knowledge as inspiration because sometimes this feels like Adam Sandler levels of ‘the story’s set here because I wanted to go here’. Geto tells Gojo it’s not good for him to keep his infinity shield shit on for this long which I guess it’s something he has to turn on which was never really established nor is it something the fans seem to realize given I’ve seen memes of Riko slapping Gojo being the only thing to get through to his skin. Anyway they show up to Jujutsu High a day late but once they’re safe inside JJH Gojo turns off his barrier and IMMEDIATELY gets stabbed by Megumi’s dad, turns out the Arkham City Bane Plan worked and he’s officially snapped Batman’s back because Gojo being on high alert for two and a half days straight gave him enough leeway to ninja his way in and stab Gojo though this ridiculous Machiavellian planning is kinda pointless because Gojo reveals the surprise stab didn’t do much and it turns out Megumi’s dad also has a ‘cut everything even if it’s an infinity barrier’ sword so idk why he even needed the whole Arkham City plan. Anyway instead of both taking him on and having two people fight and protect Riko, they split up and Gojo fights Megumi Sr. (I’m prolly not gonna learn his name) while Geto takes a leisurely walk to let Riko make her choice. Gojo does his Almighty Push shit but Megumi Sr. ninjas around long enough for Gojo to think it’s a feint and he’s going straight for Riko but it turns out the feint was a feint and he actually just carves Gojo up like a Christmas Turkey. I mean we know Gojo doesn’t die so I’m really confused about what kills curse users in this universe which is why I’m only mildly perturbed that shots of dead bodies tend to be memes for this series because for all I know that person could just get back up and keep going.

Geto tells Riko that he and Gojo always planned to let her make the decision for herself if she wanted to be sacrificed and that even if it meant fighting the world they’d do right by her and themselves and not let the way people say things should be entrap them into doing something evil. She’s inspired by everything she’s seen over the past few days and has her ‘I want to live’ moment and… immediately dies. God that’s so simple yet effective, like Riko feels like a character that is deliberately not given much screentime or development, like it’s supposed to hurt like that, normally she’d be a manic pixie dream girl that inspires the heroes to live and want to see the world but that’s absolutely not her role here, she’s a deliberate anti-climax, she’s barely a person because she never got the chance to develop her own personality and is punished the moment she decides she wants to grow and it hurts so much worse than any kind of saccharine filler you could throw in there about her developing feelings for these two because she’s a girl with a lot of possibilities cut short, it’s the point where literally not fleshing her out too much gets the point across all the better. Also I have no idea what this means for Barrier Buddha given he still exists in the main story but doesn’t get his sacrifice here so I guess either they find someone else or it’s like a global warming thing where ‘it’s not gonna fuck us over right now but the next generation’s screwed’ which would be the main timeline’s period which that’ll suck. Also also, I guess Megumi Sr. passed by the maid on the way there so either she’s dead or let the guy that murdered the only girl she loved like a daughter ninja right by her without even knowing and I dunno which is worse. Anyway Geto hears Megumi Sr. ‘killed’ Gojo and is ready to bust out the demon dragons.  

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off: There’s a lot of gay in this episode and I have many questions but still it’s pretty good. There’s a thing about a screenplay that doesn’t come back up this time around so I’ll skip it and get to the part where Ramona has discovered Scott was actually kidnapped by a Rick and Morty portal and idk if turning into coins is a normal thing in this world or if that should’ve been their first clue but yeah Ramona does have trans-dimensional imagination powers and I can’t tell if magic is just a thing that exists in this world or if some people are just not phased by it because they’re world-weary twenty somethings. Knives and whatsherface do a very gay little jam session and that’s pretty cute and Ramona continues her investigation by talking to people that knew/dated Scott which is kind of a neat inversion on how I thought the plot was going to go with Scott learning more about Ramona through her exes, kinda interesting to have the title character be so absent and be an ephemeral presence in the background. Anyway while Ramona is questioning drummer girl who was Scott’s first girlfriend, Roxie shows up and she’s what I imagine that kid from Craige of the Creek that roleplays as a knight is gonna grow up to be and they have a cool trans-dimensional movie ninja Amy Rose airplane samurai fight and do the Soifon/Yoruichi thing of ‘I’m fighting you because you left me weirdly’ because there’s apparently only one lesbian fight in all of fiction. Still it is fun and I do like Roxie and how quick she is to check if every girl she meets is a lesbian just in case. Though this does make me kinda question Ramona because with Matt we did establish it was a fling on a whim from when she was young but then with Roxie we saw that it was just… no real reason, just kinda grew apart which obviously happens but the fact that Ramona has so many of these types of relationships makes her seem like someone that has a lot of hyperfixations and then burns out quickly, like not a deal breaker but if the series is going for ‘yeah her and Scott are the one’ deal it’s gonna have some work to do to prove this isn’t Ramona just liking someone for a while and then pissing off when she gets tired of it like the color of her hair (though assumedly Scott would be cool enough about it to not go off on an evil tirade and be a jerk) also Gideon’s in his Poor Kaiba phase which never happened in Yugioh but the comedy basically writes itself so I’m down.

Ranking of Kings: So we’re still in filler but this one’s actually pretty interesting, the story of Ouken’s descent into madness. It’s basically just an elongated version of the flashback of Desha, Despa, and Ouken overthrowing their dad and committing war crimes but also with the added wrinkle that Satun tried to posess Ouken when they killed him and they may not have driven all of him out completely. It’s really kinda creepy to see Ouken go from ‘I can use infinite healing as a superpower for fighting to help people’ to ‘I am a murder machine because I must keep fighting’ to ‘I wonder why people have to die at all, lemme just run some tests…’ and then finally he starts seeing his ghost dad everywhere and stards murdering people, donning the armor and going on a rampage, wanting to see more death thinking if he sees enough he can cure himself until that much blood just kills his soul and without fear or compassion he becomes the rampaging Dark Souls boss we know from the main story. Not really much in the way of new information but seeing the whole journey is pretty neat.

Vinland Saga: So Olmar’s still being a whiny little pissbaby about how no one treats him like a man while he’s rolling on the floor drunk crying like a baby, so his dad’s bodyguards Fox and Badger convince him the quickest path to toxic masculinity is murder, like not even war duel murder like the shit Thorfinn was on, shooting fish in a barrel ‘bring out a guy to kill’ murder. And of course the guys they randomly pick to have him kill are Einar and Thorfinn (dunno why they picked up both in the first place, like having a witness is probably a bad thing and killing two slaves is twice the monetary loss) so they interrupt Thorfinn and Einar’s nice morning of waking up screaming and hitting on handmaids respectfully to come get them killed. Obviously Einar’s not a fan of the plan but Thorfinn’s just like ‘yeah sure why not’ and this kinda pisses Fox off because if people don’t value their lives he doesn’t feel a macho when he kills them and then he’s out of a job. He just starts cutting chunks out of Thorfinn and Thorfinn’s like ‘why should I fear death? Life’s been nothing but dead father figures and slavery so go ahead, fucking do it, DO IT’ and before Fox can go too hog wild on him, Snake steps in and shows who’s the real badass, punching out Fox and making the lesser guards piss themselves while being impressed by how Thorfinn was cut to ribbons without even flinching so looks like these guys may be up for a promotion.

#ooc #Toonami #Custom Toonami Block #Spy X Family #Inuyasha #Yu Yu Hakusho #Jujutsu Kaisen #Scott Pilgrim Takes Off #Ranking of Kings #Vinland Saga

[mustardyellowsunshine]

When the End Comes, II

(Chapter 1)

A/N: I was going to wait to post this until next weekend, but y'know what? Consider it a holiday special. Happy Labor Day.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter 2: Exeunt

The hell I am!

Kagome rammed her knee at the man’s groin. He blocked it by swiftly maneuvering his thigh. She swung her elbow up between their bodies, aiming for his face. His hand left her shoulder, darting sideways to seize her elbow midswing. His hand was so big his fingers circled all the way around her arm, squeezing in a painful grip.

She reared her head back, fully intending to bash her forehead into his nose—but he yanked hard on her elbow and she lost her footing, falling forward into his body. She felt the hand covering her mouth glide purposefully across her cheek, fingers sliding into her hair and cupping her skull just behind her ear. His thumb was poised at the side of her neck, sharp claw digging into the skin over her jugular vein.

To anyone else on the street it probably looked like a lover’s embrace: their chests pressed together, his hand around her arm as though drawing her closer, the side of his face resting against her temple, mouth near her ear.

They wouldn’t, of course, see his claw breaking the skin of her neck, a streak of blood trickling down past her shirt collar.

“Listen,” he growled, breath gusting over her ear as he pressed his claw that much harder into her skin. “How about you don’t make a scene, and I don’t slice your jugular where you stand. Sound fair?”

She froze against him.

He twitched his thumb, widening the cut. It stung like hell. She could feel the warmth of her own blood rolling sluggishly down her collar bone.

“You gonna be reasonable, or does this have to get messy?”

He sounded almost bored as he said it, as though he didn’t care one way or the other. It sent chills down Kagome’s spine.

She risked a tiny turn of her chin, just enough so she could sweep her gaze up and down the street. None of the people bustling by paid them any attention. In fact, it almost seemed as if people tried to avoid looking at them, turning their gazes away and hurrying past.

No one liked watching PDA, after all.

That’s why he’d done it, Kagome realized. Yanked her against him like that. He’d tried to make them as invisible as he could in the middle of a city street.

So he probably wasn’t an idiot. Dammit.

Kagome slowly exhaled. “And you think killing me here won’t make a scene?” she asked in an undertone.

He twitched his thumb again. She winced at the tearing sensation.

“Heh,” he husked against her ear, “I’d be blocks away before your body even hit the ground.”

He didn’t say the rest, but Kagome heard the subtext loud and clear: he was going to avoid a scene—it was up to her whether she was alive or dead to help him do it.

So much for the safety of being in public.

Her brain ran some rapidfire calculus. Setting aside whether he might be bluffing, Kagome was certain at least that he was capable of doing what he threatened. He clearly had yōkai speed and strength. As quickly as she could draw in the breath needed to shout for help, he could plunge that claw into her jugular, slit her throat wide open. She had no way of knowing if he would: all she knew was that he could.

Grinding her molars together until they hurt, Kagome hissed, “Fine. I’ll do as you say.”

The stinging pain in her neck eased away, sharp claw replaced by the pad of his thumb resting against her bloodied skin. “At least you’re not completely stupid.” The fingers in her hair squeezed against her scalp as he said gruffly, “Listen good. You and I are about to be a couple strolling the town. You’re gonna put your arm around me, nice and easy, and you’re going to smile and put that pretty face to good use. Make a nice show for the people, understand?” She felt the barest prick of claws against her scalp as he added, “You even think about screaming, or running, and it won’t go well for you.”

She couldn’t manage to push words out of her throat, so she just nodded once.

“Good. Now—start acting the part.”

Keeping his grip around her elbow, he took a step back. Gold eyes glinted at her in the afternoon light, hard and unyielding.

Taking in a shaky breath, Kagome forced her lips up into a wooden smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

His arm snaked around her waist, tugging her against his side. Then he forced her into an about-face and practically frogmarched her down the street.

She felt the tips of those yōkai nails through her shirt, just above and to the side of her navel. Someone passing by would have thought he was caressing her, perhaps. But Kagome couldn’t help thinking about the vital internal organs in that area of the body, and gulped.

She was staring straight ahead of her, neck and shoulders rigid as cement, her steps jerky and fumbling as his arm forced her forward. She tried to think. What could she use, what distraction or blind spot could she exploit? He wasn’t the first of Naraku’s hunters to find her. She’d gotten away from them before. She just needed to capitalize on the right opportunity.

Suddenly he growled under his breath, “This how you think couples act, sweetheart?” He injected an acerbic bite into the last word. “Get your shoulders down from around your ears and act fucking normal.”

She glared at him from the corner of her eye. His jaw was clenched, his mouth twisted in irritation, revealing an inhumanly sharp canine. “Maybe,” she said, “acting normal would be easier for me if I wasn’t being abducted.”

Suddenly his nails were digging into her stomach, slicing through the fabric of her shirt to scratch at the skin beneath. They didn’t cut — yet.

“Dammit,” she hissed, trying to jerk away from his fingers, which only brought her into closer contact with his body, “don’t—”

“I already told you how this was going down,” he replied, lip lifting in a snarl, “so get with the program or I can end you right here.”

His tone was so biting, edged with a genuine fury—yet there was an undertone of something else in it, too. Something Kagome couldn’t place.

“Now fucking smile and act like you’re having a good time,” he said, arm heavy around her waist.

Even while Kagome did as she was told—stiffly sliding her hand across his back as she’d seen couples do before, slinging her arm loosely around his hips—something in the back of her mind clicked into place.

That undertone in his voice. It was fear. Thoroughly buried beneath anger and volatility, maybe, but fear nonetheless. She should know: she’d heard it in her own voice for years.

He didn’t actually care about convincing random strangers that they were a happy couple. Why should he? It didn’t make sense. Most people weren’t paying attention to them, anyway. He didn’t have to work this hard to fly under their radar. And though she hated to admit it, he’d said it himself: he could have either slaughtered her or made off with her in a heartbeat if he’d wanted, and likely no one on the street would’ve been the wiser. So if he wasn’t avoiding a scene for the sake of fooling bystanders, why was he?

Maybe he was worried about avoiding someone else. A specific someone.

A chill rippled through her body at the thought, but in the same moment, Kagome knew she had her opportunity. Time to make hay with it.

Kagome casually angled her head towards him, so he could get a good view of her face. She directed her gaze over his shoulder, as though she was observing the storefronts across the street. After a few moments of this, she deliberately widened her eyes, dropping her jaw open in a quiet gasp.

He took the bait. His head whipped around in the direction she was looking.

She dropped down, twisted her body, and slammed her fist into his kidney.

His body flinched hard, and she heard him groan, but by then she’d already spun out of his hold.

Turning in the direction of her car, she ran like her life depended on it.

#Inuyasha #Inuyasha fanfiction #Inuyasha AU #InuKag #Inuyasha fanfic #my writing #When the End Comes

[lordymaru]

I'm about to refute this entire essay with the simple explanation being:

The only interaction we've seen of these two is when she's a freaking 8 year old. Your self insert shows no boundaries.

And this is probably the last time I'll make a post about the stupidity behind the way the pair is viewed:

Note: I know there's people out there with a brain who ship these two in a more conventional way. In the end you do you, ship whatever you want, no one can prevent you from doing that, just don't be gross about it.

One of the parts being the Significance of their first encounter:

She’s a poor peasant girl who’s suffered immense trauma, suffering, and loneliness. Her initiative to help Sesshomaru came from her generosity

Exactly, she's alone for her family had been killed before her eyes, the villagers treat her like garbage. When she meets Sess he's wounded and simply in a bad state, both mentally and physically. Both of them are, the difference being he's a demon, a powerful one and for him to have ended in such a bad shape only stabbed at his pride- Rin on the other hand is a child, a human tiny child who is vulnerable and to him she poses no threat. Both of them are weak then.

At this point, it’s observable that despite knowing her story, her scars, and her difficulties, humans do not even empathize, let alone sympathize with Rin. It is the feudal era, after all. She’s a young, disabled orphan and the villagers only see her for what she lacks: a voice, a family, and a place of belonging.

Again with your feudal era shit. I can assure you the world is just as ugly today as it was before you and I existed. Next.

When he asks about her bruises, this is the first time anyone had ever afforded her a second glance.

This was a huge step forward for Sess, a huuuuuuge one for he showed interest in another living creature, not just any creature but a human. And for her it was probably like Christmas, for no one had showed her any mercy or interest. Ok you get a point. But oh, boy, how I'm about to spit on the next one:

The audience can see Sesshomaru calculate her body language, recognizing that she is mute. Instead of pressing her further or ignoring her outright, he attempts to comfort her (in his own way), making her feel that it is okay if she chooses not to answer him; that her desire to reply to him should only be a desire, not an obligation. I think, on one hand, that was the first moment of something that would resemble compassion that Sesshomaru had ever administered, trying to put himself in her shoes — if someone had asked him to do something that required, for example, his left arm, he probably would have appreciated them saying “you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to” so to provide him agency for something that he actually cannot do. And the same goes for Rin. He recognizes her disability, maybe even resonates with it and decides to empower her with a choice. Choice is important when it comes to the Sesshomaru/Rin dynamic and it’s a word that will come up often. 

Ok why are you comparing the loss of his arm to her not being able to talk? Not all disabilities are the same, you moron. Or am I dumb for thinking this way? If so, feel free to call me out on my lack of common sense kr whatever you wanna call it. Sess physically couldn't do shit with his left arm because well- it was gone! That's a physical disability. Rin had "lost" her voice after what she witnessed and so she wouldn't speak anymore. Have you heard of Psychogenic Dysphonia? If not, you can click here and give it a reading or do your own research. The more you know: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0892199703000158

So you say he "empowers her with a choice" that is "important when it comes to the Sesshomaru/Rin dynamic" let me get this straight, a choice because why? She's a child? A female? Because you said so yourself, it's the Feudal Era after all and therefore women had no choice in life, no voice, no agency, no nothing. So he was being magnanimous then? You know... This is where you start edging into the gr00ming territory. Can't you see? No? Alright, moving on.

BRUH WHAT THE FUCK?! Are you fucking good? See how you self insert? Bye. Next

The next time Sesshomaru sees Rin, it is suggested that he actively sought her, whether it be by curiosity or concern for well-being

He did... It is not suggested, he actually did asdfhkl. For both curiosity and he probably was worried. He also states he wants to test out his sword, what a perfect chance to do so for Rin is pretty much dead and that's the only way to make his sword work. So she was both being a guinea pig and an itch he wasn't quite sure how to scratch. Next.

Silence Rin.

Rin screams endlessly, annoying Sesshomaru. Firstly, this is the first time we hear him call her by her name. Secondly, Sesshomaru is visibly annoyed by her noises, however, he does not tell her to “shut up” as he normally would with Jaken or even InuYasha. He simply says “enough of that Rin, stop it.” (In Japanese he says, “Silence, Rin. You make too much noise.”) Even analyzing the Japanese dialogue, it is evidently softer than Sesshomaru’s usual ‘kisama’ (貴樣) manner of speech that we see depicted usually. This is the first time he’s had a companion who is not a demon, someone with compassion, and who has had his general best interests at heart with no expectations in return. His softer tone is a logical deduction to make.

Ok... "someone with compassion, and who has had his general best interests at heart with no expectations in return." Bruh... As if he would even consider meeting someone's expectations. Are you sure you're talking about Sess? Another thing is, he always speaks in a calm tone, he rarely yells or loses his composure- he had no reason to be rude to her either, you're excusing his regular behavior simply because she ain't Jaken. Anything else?

Rin doesn't change Sesshomaru overnight, it's a gradual and long process

Well duh!!! Just like you don't lose the pounds you gained from eating in one sit 12 donuts a week ago. Stating the obvious and for what? What's exactly your mf point?

The silence part is important, idk how to tell you there is a power imbalance in their relationship from the moment he tells her to be quiet. He didn't say please, he didn't ask her to, he told her to be quiet. Like a parent would, if I could count the times my mom told me to shush.... That's your first indicator he is not her friend, he is not her equal.

Letting you Be Yourself: The Panther Demon Arc

the first frame the audience sees in the anime sets the scene, painting the Sessshomaru entourage in a serene manner, indicating a level of comfort between group members (episode 75). This is vastly different from our last depiction of Sesshomaru and Rin’s relationship. In episode 44, he was unable to withstand her (albeit annoying) childish antics. But here, it’s observable that Sesshomaru can accept her and her package of unconventional fun. Not only does he tolerate and even more so, accept Rin, but he accepts her influence on his vassal, Jaken and allows them to be free around him.

Is called developing patience. I can assure you that when you're a parent or an older bro/sis and your kid/younger sibling is noisy af you either learn to tolerate that or get used to it for kids are kids abd you have to let them be kids. Next.

She's a child, she's not stupid.

The Abducted Rin: Calling her Name

The respect that Sesshomaru shows Rin is insurmountable. However, the InuYasha franchise is clever to portray the subtlety of Sesshomaru’s respect for her. KV on Twitter points out how highly he regards his companion and never relegates her to anything less than the value that she as a person embodies (@KVndie via Twitter). He consistently humanizes her. 

He only sees how important she is to him after her ass dies a second time. What do you mean? He respects her enough to not coddle her, she is independent and taught her to be self sufficient from the very start. That's respect. He consistently humanizes her because... She ... Is ... Human! OMG WHAT A SHOCKER!

As Naraku remarks on his hostage to Sesshomaru, "Naturally, the girl you're looking for is not here…,” he continues, “the girl is in custody outside of the castle..." Naraku never makes an attempt to give her personhood, leaving her unnamed, disposable, and relegating her to a mere "girl." But Sesshomaru doesn’t take any of this. He is a cold-hearted Daiyokai, yet he still makes an effort and upholds his principle to refer to her as Rin — not a replaceable “girl.”

Naraku is a mf genius. It didn't quite click until now he wanted to see if she was important or not to him and to what extent. For he planned his moves that way, making people turn against one another. While he wouldn't have made Rin turn against Sess he set everything up so he would end up wanting to kill Kohaku and in doing so, Inugang would have engaged against Sess.

Sesshomaru’s insistence on using Rin’s name isn’t only highlighted in this isolated incident though. It pays off. It is an ongoing theme in their dynamic throughout the series.

That's her name ... How you want him to call her? Baby?

I could go on and on but... This is a fucking essay. And then I stumble against more bullcrap:

The second point I want to highlight here is Sesshomaru’s reaction to Rin’s fall and her risky expedition. At this point, it’s unquestionable that Rin has a special place in his heart.

Of course she has a special spot in his heart. I won't deny that. What worries me is how you're trying to justify the way she's important to him since she was a child. As if his way of seeing her had changed.

I'm gonna disagree by agreeing with you in a few pointers. Kagome and Kikyo were rivals, they both romantically love the same guy. Kagome being the only one who could save Kikyo chooses to help her, knowing damn well Inuyasha would have suffered if Kikyo had died- further more, if it was in Kagome's hands to do something about it.

Rin on the other hand, I will applaud to her how she grew past her fear of Kagura after being kidnapped by her, she saw her body in the river and said fuck it and did her best to try to pull her from the water. I loved how stubborn and brave she was, even tho Sess had to pull everyone out of the water- she deserves a gold star. You go baby girl!!!

Rin later makes a cheeky comment, noting Kagura’s romantic interest in Sesshomaru. Jaken brushes this off as childish naivety. But for the spectator, this establishes two things: (1) That Rin does not see Kagura as a rival for Lord Sesshomaru’s attention, let alone affection; and (2) that Rin is still a child. Rin is certainly a child, with a youthful and fresh outlook on life that brings out the best in people. But even as a child, her relationship with Sesshomaru is incredibly healthy, clear, and surprisingly communicative.

Why would she? She's not a spoiled brat

Nah? I thought her double D indicated otherwise. OF COURSE SHE'S A MF CHILD.

Why do you keep mentioning is healthy? Do you need reassurance of it? Communicative in what way? Cuz if you wanna talk about communication let's talk about how he didn't even acknowledge her ass when she gave birth. He didn't even say her name, didn't even look at her. Tell me now how they are communicative and healthy?

I could go on, I really but all I'm getting from this load of bullshit I'm forcing myself to read is how you do in fact need to reassure yourself thr ship is god tier and is... How you said it was? Ah, healthy.

Anyways, thanks for reading and if you see any typo ... My apologies, I tried. Also if you have any input or I was out of line in some way, my apologies once more.

#anti sessrin #antisessrin #anti-sessrin

[akitokihojo]

Monster - Chapter 15

chapter index

..... sorry guys

She’d been having strange, ominous dreams for days now. Dreams that were so vague, Kagome could barely describe them to Inuyasha once she’d come out of it. He’d said she seemed uncomfortable in her sleep, woke her up once or twice to see if she was having a nightmare, but the moment Kagome roused, it was like the pressing vision faded. She recalled bits and pieces, but she couldn’t remember the emotion present, she couldn’t remember what was happening, and she wasn’t even sure if she knew what was going on while in the dream to begin with.

All she could remember was red.

Everything was in red.

Her hands were red.

The sky was red.

The world was red.

And, waking up to see natural colors, to see the light shade of Inuyasha’s tied back hair, to see his golden eyes reflected with the humble flames of their midnight fire was almost like a shock.

She’d blink, she’d take deep breaths that she wasn’t able to while captured by the vivid nightmare, and after just a few moments, Kagome would come down and forget anything that wasn’t red. She was fine. She’d fall back asleep just fine, and unless she was dragged right back into the vision - which had only occurred once - she’d rest well, thereafter.

Kagome had reduced it to nothing more than an odd string of subconscious play. They were dreams without a meaning. Only a couple of times had they really stolen any energy from her, but other than that, Kagome dismissed what she couldn’t remember and apologized for worrying Inuyasha.

The hanyou chose a high tree branch to perch in one night. Something was off, he could physically feel it, but there was nothing in the air that could guide him to what stung at his instincts. He’d covered Kagome in his crimson robe, and she’d been curled up on her bag as a makeshift pillow, undisturbed and about as comfortable as she could get. Not a single line creased her brow, and her lips were relaxed as she slept through the night, the hoot of owls, the chirp of crickets, and the crack of burning logs the only sounds that stood the potential of waking her. But still, Inuyasha couldn’t shake this feeling. Something was wrong.

There was a sharp twinge of dread hitting his chest, so he stood from his seat, trying to get a better eye over the tops of trees to hopefully spot something. Nothing. There was a scent, but he couldn’t place it. There wasn’t noise to back it up. He heard no yelling, no conversation, no roars, or calls, or even the crack of twigs being broken from the weight of bodies stepping over them. In fact, with this sensation of apprehensiveness hanging over him, the silence was only making it worse.

Below him, there was a small shuffle from Kagome and immediately his eyes fell down to her. She’d merely readjusted herself, laying more on her back now than her side. Her cheek hit her shoulder, one arm was at her hip, and the other rested over her stomach - his robe only managing to cover her belly and down now. Taking a moment to observe her carefully, he gathered the steady rise and fall of her chest. Everything seemed to be as it should. She was fine. So, steadily, his attention shifted back out to the horizon of the forest they dwelled in.

That aroma. He knew it. It was coming closer, and the nearer it grew, the more powerful it became. At this point, it was all a matter of patience. With the direction his body faced, the scent was coming from his right. It smelled of the woodlands and an extremely subtle campfire that he could have easily dismissed as his own immediate surroundings. The only thing that tipped him off was the staleness of the fragrance. It was old, it was laced with an abundance of sweat, and just as he caught the startling odor of that monster appear, the metallic smell of blood singed at his nose.

Kagome opened her eyes, feeling her feet on the hard, packed dirt of the forest. There were whispers around her, but she couldn’t tell what direction they were coming from, feeling incoherent, even dizzy where she stood. She stared at the setting, again shrouded in a haze of red, but everything was so blurry. No matter how many times she blinked, nothing would focus. The world was spinning around her, growing deeper in shade, bringing Kagome to feel nauseous and slap the heels of her hands around her temples to silence the blaring headache that slammed into her out of nowhere.

Her feet stumbled backward, unable to keep her footing, not knowing left from right, up from down, and her back hit the rough bark of a large tree, scraping as she inadvertently slid down to a squat. That was where she was safe from falling, safe to keep her eyes squeezed shut.

Where was she? This time, she was in her own body, she could tell. With a little wiggle of her ankle in her boot, Kagome felt the shape of her father’s blade rub against her, she felt the top beneath her shirt that kept her chest secure with each heavy inhale that pressed her ribs outward, she heard her own voice as she grunted shakily from the bile that threatened her esophagus. Why? What had she done? Where was Inuyasha? Where was she?

The whispers were beginning to reach her ears more clearly now. Kagome could feel the nausea gradually passing. Her fingers still trembled, but they were steadying little-by-little with each focused breath she exhaled. Again, she blinked her eyes open, noticing that now her surroundings were more centered. But, why, why was everything red again?

It felt like looking through stained glass. Every direction she turned was hued all the same. No greens, no browns, no blues, or violets, but the shadows of the night still remained black, terrifying, menacing in this particular environment.

The voices were no longer whispers. They were clear. Two women. From somewhere behind her. Kagome pushed herself from the tree, appreciative to have her own mobility this time around. She moved carefully, watching her step, walking as lightly as possible so as not to give her position away.

“Don’t take me back to him.” One said demandingly. The voice was deep, weighted, muttered between alarming breaths. “I don’t want to die in his arms.”

“I only need your blood. While it’s warm.” This voice was stable, somber.

“Don’t come near me!”

“Look, I didn’t want to do this! I had no choice! I’m telling you he didn’t request for your body; he just wants your blood!”

“For what!?”

“Proof!”

“No!” She sobbed. Kagome recognized that waver, that desperation. She’d known it all along, but had been too in denial to accept that this may be a possibility. Kikyo.

It was Kikyo.

Heedless with her movements now, Kagome rushed through the trees to close the distance, physically stopped by a forcefield that felt to grasp her and hold her captive as soon as she turned the corner and caught sight of the actual scene. It felt as if invisible vines had wrapped around her body, gluing her arms to her sides, immobilizing her and wrapping around her mouth so she couldn’t make a sound - forced to watch but not allowed to interact.

Kikyo was on the floor, trying to sit up against the trunk of a tree, bleeding profusely from her shoulder and chest, covered in sweat and crimson and tears. Her large, beige blouse was sullied horribly, drenched, clinging to her thin frame as if to emphasize her life-threatening wounds.

“Kikyo, I have to! He’ll kill me if I don’t!” She was a tall woman. Beautiful. But, her eyes radiated fear. Her skin was peached, complimented by the moonlight, her short, brown hair tied half up, though strands had escaped to fall down by her cheeks in their charade. Her lips had been painted with a dark rouge, faded but stained.

“I’m not going to survive this! Is that not enough!?”

Kagome tried to scream, to fight, to let this woman know she had a new opponent to take on, to let Kikyo know help was here and she’d be okay, but she couldn’t do a thing. This felt like more than restraints now. She felt like she was under a spell. Or, that maybe she wasn’t even actually there, merely watching on through a red-tinted window. Neither of them had acknowledged her loud footsteps approaching before she’d been caught, neither of them had turned to see her as she ran into the narrow clearing. Even if she was being held at bay right now, the enemy should have at least noticed her.

Quickly, she’d deduced that this was Kikyo’s dark magic at play. And, for the first time, she wished she knew at least a little so that she could subdue the opposite conjurer’s and stand a chance at saving her.

“It’s not! I’m sorry! You know him as well as I do, you know it isn’t enough for him!”

“You’re his creation! You’re practically his child! Don’t act like you pity me! That only makes you appear more vile!”

“You think I care how vile I look right now!?” The enemy snapped, screaming brokenly. “I had no choice, Kikyo! He’s got a little girl in captivity! If I die, what chance does she stand!? I am the only thing protecting her right now, so if it’s between you and me, I choose me! Do not mistake my obedience as admiration for that monster! I hate him! I loathe him! Naraku is the bane of my existence, and I wholeheartedly wished for you to kill him! He knew you were weak, though! He made the call! He sent me alone, because he knew with that little girl’s well being on the line, I wouldn’t come back without my objective complete!

“I do pity you, conjurer. You deserved better. And, I’m sorry I had to do this. Now, I’ll ask again: May I take your blood while it is still warm? Or, must I force it?”

“I hate him! I hate him! I hate him! I hate him. I hate - I hate him.” Kikyo had shattered. Her strong demeanor crumbled into little pieces on the earth, her blood slowly beginning to pool at her seat. The powerful confession shifted to one of saddened pleads, and she wept. She trembled and she wept. “I - I hate him. I hate… I hate…”

The demon respectfully kneeled down, taking the presumably white feather from the bun in her hair and bowing her head an inch. “I am sorry.”

“You promise not to take my body?”

“I swear to you, I will leave it here.”

“You won’t tell him where you left me?”

“If he asks, I will have no choice but to say. But, knowing Naraku, he won’t have the courage to face you. Dead or alive.”

“This is the end?”

“Unlike me, you are free now, Kikyo. Be free.”

“Take my blood. See this through. Protect the girl.”

The woman dipped her feather in the gaping wound of Kikyo’s shoulder, dousing the ends in the thick liquid that seeped out at an unforgiving rate.

“Go.” Kikyo ordered. “I wish to at least be in peace.”

Without another word, the demon nodded, rising to her feet. She didn’t bother to brush the dirt from her black dress before using her powers to create a large feather to fly off on, a powerful gust of wind taking the woman up into the sky to disappear over the treetops.

Within seconds, the world was back to normal. The stained glass had been smashed, and Kagome was looking at the setting in the normal hues their luna provided. The vines had released her so aggressively that she was nearly dropped to the floor, stumbling on her feet and to her butt as she failed to catch herself. But, she wasn’t thrusted back into the reality she’d expected to be. This wasn’t a dream. Ahead of her sat a crumpled Kikyo, trying to hold herself up as she grew weaker and weaker, more and more pale, pained, melancholic, and destroyed.

Scrambling, Kagome crawled as far as she could before she forced herself to her feet to hurry over to the conjurer. Her emotions were all over the place, like she didn’t know what to feel first, if anything at all. Panicked, horrified, angry, anxious, helpless, and they all got in the way of her nonexistent action plan.

“Wh-what? What?” Was all Kagome could stammer. Was she really here? Was this really happening? “Kikyo, you’re… what happened? I don’t -“

“I’m sorry.” Kikyo cried, breathing erratically in the hopes to swallow her own fear. “I couldn’t fight anymore. I just couldn’t fight anymore.”

“Where are you hurt!? What happened!?” Kagome frantically implored, trying to be gentle at first. It was too difficult to see in the night, and there was an awful amount of blood that made it impossible to avoid. It was terrifying, but with a swallow that Kagome forced down her throat, she grabbed Kikyo’s shirt and ripped the buttons apart, looking for the wounds to see what she could do.

The gashes were massive in comparison to her frame. They stretched from her right shoulder to the center of her chest, wide, like cracks in a carefully sculpted clay pot that could no longer contain the contents inside. It brought Kagome to gasp so horridly she choked, coughed, quaked with trepidation.

“I couldn’t fight anymore.” Kikyo repeatedly sullenly. “I’m so sorry, Kagome.”

“You’d been trying to get my attention.” Kagome said in realization, her voice low, broken, her brown eyes never leaving the large wound on Kikyo’s chest. “You needed my help.”

“No, you were too far. I had to find myself closer.”

“You needed me. You were trying - and - and I - you needed my help.” Kagome began to cry, the tears burning at her eyes as they fell to mix with the blood.

“There was no saving me.”

“I could have done - you needed me.”

“I needed you to heed my warning.”

“What - what warning?”

Kikyo took her stained hand, mustering as much energy as she could to softly brush Kagome’s cheek and pull her attention away from the ghastly wound. “That I’m out of picture now. That the responsibility is yours.”

“No.” Kagome’s bottom lip quivered as the words penetrated her mind. She didn’t want to allow them to ring with validity. This wasn’t reality. “No. No, no, no. That’s not true.” She shook her head, softly pressing on the worst portion of the wound and gradually applying more pressure. Kikyo grunted loudly from the pain it added, but didn’t move to stop Kagome as she tried to halt the bleeding. “I can still save you! Inuyasha - he can - I’ll go get Inuyasha! I’ll have him bring my bag so we can patch you up! We’ll take you to a healer! You’re still here, Kikyo! You can still live!”

“Kagome!” She cried. “It’s over! You know as well as I that there is no closing up this wound! I’ve lost too much blood as it is! Please! Just -“ Her voice died down some, gurgled slightly as she coughed and blood rose out of the corner of her mouth.

Kagome moved to sit her up some so she wouldn’t choke on it, putting all of her muscle into pulling Kikyo into her arms to support her body weight.

“I am not afraid of death.” Kikyo whispered as the blood trickled from her lips. “I’ve been dead for years as it is. I don’t have to run anymore. I don’t have to hide or - or fight. I’m tired, I’m so tired. Naraku cannot haunt me anymore if I die.” She smiled. And, Kagome clung to her tighter, trying to stifle her sobs.

“Yeah,” Kikyo breathed, almost happily. “He can’t haunt me anymore. He didn’t win. He merely released me.”

“I’m sorry.” Kagome wept, losing the battle against herself. “If I had figured it out sooner -“

“No, Kagome. I wasn’t asking for help. I needed you to - I needed you to know. I wasn’t running to you to seek your assistance. I showed you bits and pieces only to test how far I still was. It was like a map that guided me your way. I needed to show you, myself. I’ve done all I can. The rest - the rest is on you. And, I truly believe you are capable.”

“I can - I can go get Inuyasha.” Kagome offered again, fruitlessly. It felt wrong to give up, it felt wrong to accept this fate, but she could feel in her gut, in her heart, in her brain that there was nothing she could actually do to fix this. To save her.

“Please, no.” Kikyo breathed. “I don’t want to die alone. If it’s not too much to ask, stay with me. Stay with me, Kagome. Speak of beautiful things.”

“Okay.” Kagome agreed, hugging the conjurer a little closer. She tried to stabilize her breathing, but her heart was breaking. She shook and she gasped, sobbing over Kikyo, but no matter what, she was going to tell her everything wonderful in this world that she’d seen. Everything that had nothing to do with Naraku. Kikyo wouldn’t end her life with that horrible creature tainting her final thoughts, her final breath, the final beat of her heart. Kikyo was going to leave this realm in serenity. “I-I’ve never seen so many flowers as I have since leaving home. Most of the flowers in my area are weeds, or dandelions. Some roses, maybe. Tulips are so pretty. And, I really, really love night flowers. The ones that bloom under the moon. I - I don’t know what they’re called.”

Kikyo smiled, unbothered by the pause Kagome had to take to breath, to calm herself, to allow tears to fall so they didn’t hinder her sight. She reached up, carefully stroking tears from Kagome’s cheeks, apologetic for the blood she stained her skin with in its place.

“A few days ago, I saw a bear cub for the first time. It was so cute, but I think that’s the most scared I’ve ever seen Inuyasha.” Kagome giggled wetly. “Where there’s a cub, there’s a mama. He backed off the trail so fast, Kikyo.”

Even the dying conjurer laughed. “You and he.” She spoke, her voice raspy and weak. “Your chemistry is strong. You make a good team. I was entirely wrong.”

“I love him. And, I’m really glad I didn’t listen to you.” Kagome cried, her smile wavering.

“If that’s the case, then so am I.” She wept. “Not all love is bad.”

“No.” Kagome shook her head, searching for anything she could speak of to bring Kikyo’s smile back. “Kaede. Kaede, she’s - she’s incredible.”

“My sister?” Kikyo asked, her eyes large and hopeful, brimming with tears that streamed down her face.

With a nod, she continued. “She’s headstrong, and brilliant, and a quick thinker, and I’ve never seen a woman bully so many men and put them in their place before. It’s inspirational.”

Kikyo giggled. “Tell me more about her.”

“You’d be so proud of her. The texts about - about enchantments that she got while you two were still together, she never stopped learning them.”

“She didn’t?” Kikyo inquired with astonishment.

Kagome shook her head in reply. “No, and she helps so many with what she can do. People like us, and like Inuyasha. Those who deserve a chance, who haven’t done wrong to deserve the hands they’ve been dealt. She sets up these - these deterrents around her village and it wards demons away from scents they may be tracking, and she has special rooms designated for those on the run. Kaede’s a savior. The first time I met her, I was sick. I used too much strength and hurt myself, so Inuyasha took me to her. She had some remedies at the ready and took such good care of me. She’s sweet, Kikyo. Kaede’s a good person. She’s such a good person.”

Kikyo was reduced to sobs, but the sadness was of her own regret. Of how she couldn’t have witnessed this for herself. Overpowering that was her happiness. Kaede was healthy. She was fighting for something. She wasn’t this frail girl that hid behind people, but in fact was the person others stood behind instead.

“You’ll also enjoy that she constantly puts Inuyasha in his place.”

“I thought they were friends.”

“They are.” Kagome giggled. “But, she’s a take-no-shit kind of woman, particularly with the opposite gender, I’ve noticed. It doesn’t seem to matter who you are, if you step out of line, she’ll be the first to remind you to back up.”

“She’s always been like that. I’m so happy to see that it hasn’t gotten her into any trouble. I was always worried about that.”

“No, Kaede holds her own just fine.”

“I am. I am proud of her.” Kikyo confirmed quietly.

“I think she’d be proud of you, too.” Kagome whispered.

Kikyo trembled as she cried.

“I think she’d be unbearably proud, Kikyo. And, I think she’ll understand everything better than you think.”

“Does she know yet? About our last discussion?”

“No. Not yet.”

“Please - please tell her I love her. Add that in. Tell her I said I’ll meet her under the willow tree.”

“The willow tree?” Kagome’s voice cracked as she clenched back her sob.

“In our - in our village growing up, there was a willow tree. We always sat beneath it.”

“I’ll tell her.” She promised, gently stroking the matted hair from Kikyo’s sweat-soaked cheeks. “I promise, I’ll tell her.”

“Thank you. Thank you so - thank…”

More blood was seeping from her mouth. Kagome was drenched in it. It was warm and thick, dressing her hands, her arms, stomach, and legs. Kikyo’s skin was ghostly white, and her eyes lost any vibrancy they held before. Every swallow could be seen as it went down harshly, her throat bobbing with the movements, and it was more like she was looking through Kagome now. Not at her.

“Shh, maybe you shouldn’t talk anymore.” Kagome hushed, stroking her hair. She spoke as her own mother would to her when she was emotional, when she was devastated; softly, soothingly, patiently. The world could wait for just one moment. Right now, it was just the two of them. That’s all. That was all they needed. Just for right now. “Everything’s okay now, Kikyo. You fought so well.”

Hot tears streamed from her eyes, and the dying conjurer looked up toward the sky. The moon was so big even though it was completely full just two days prior. It felt like a greeting from mother nature. A kind, forgiving smile from the goddess that held her hand out for her to take, her long, black hair swaying behind her feminine frame with the breeze.

“I’m s- I’m sorry.” Kikyo breathed brokenly.

“Don’t be.” She whispered in reply. “You did your best. We’re all so proud of you. Thank you, Kikyo. Thank you so much.”

Kagome continued her tender brushing, holding the woman closer to her so she could hopefully feel her own warmth. Kikyo was cold, was small, her hands unable to grasp onto Kagome’s shirt any longer.

“Everything’s okay.” Kagome repeated sadly, but sweetly. “You’re going to be okay now. You don’t have to fight anymore.”

Kikyo’s eyes fluttered closed.

Her breathing came evenly.

Slowly.

Not as it should.

“You don’t have to fight anymore. It’s okay now. It’s okay.” Kagome was sobbing, shaking, fading away.

Her grip on the woman was growing weaker, she could feel it slipping. With Kikyo’s life dwindling, so was the power she used to keep Kagome to her. Carefully, she set Kikyo down so she wouldn’t chance dropping her, continuing to pet her cheeks, whispering the same, kind statements over and over until she couldn’t physically feel her cold flesh beneath her fingers any longer.

There was a moment of pitch darkness. As she blinked her eyes opened, coming to consciousness, it seemed as if all sounds followed. The song of the crickets, the fire popping just feet away. Kagome was back in her camp, her head against the bag that served as a pillow where she’d fallen asleep just hours before.

It was a dream. It was just a dream.

A nightmare.

Either way, it wasn’t real. It couldn’t have been real. I couldn’t have been.

Slowly, timidly, Kagome moved her arms, instantly feeling the uncomfortable drench of her soddened clothing sticking to her skin. It caused her heart to pound inside her chest, it caused her panic to return, and as she lifted her hands above her face, she saw the blood that stained her skin.

“Inu - Inuyasha.” She couldn’t even call out for him, she was so terrified. Her voice came out small and broken, raspy, as if she’d been screaming for hours and this was the aftereffects. “Inuyasha. Where are you?”

He’d heard her from below, movement, but it wasn’t until he’d caught the desperate whisper of his name that his ears twitched in her direction and he looked down. She was slowly sitting up, looking at her hands, and he smelled blood. A lot of it. Instantly, he jumped down from the branch, landing on his feet so roughly that he stumbled forward but never stopped on his scramble to her side.

“I’m right here, baby. I’m right -“ He froze. He was right. The blood. She was covered in it. How? There wasn’t an inch of clean skin on her hands that he could see, her charcoal shirt sticking to her chest, her abdomen, stained with such a deep red that it had his stomach sinking at a drastic rate. Frantically, Inuyasha yanked his robe off of her lower body, looking to see if there was a source, only to find her legs and boots soaked, as well.

He couldn’t speak. A huge lump had formed in his throat from the fright he felt, and his gaze climbed up her body to find her large, weeping eyes.

It had taken a moment to push passed his initial dread in order to think rationally again, but he knew the smell of Kagome. He knew the smell of her blood. This wasn’t hers. This was the metallic odor he’d caught before. He smelled the familiar scent of a person he couldn’t pin, he smelled a horrible amount of blood, Naraku, and then within a split second, it was all gone. It had him further on edge than he’d been before, but he watched. He waited. All for nothing to rise again. He’d felt like he was in a simulation of sorts and he’d just witnessed a glitch in the system.

So, how the fuck was Kagome now soddened in the very same blood he’d just smelled moments before? She was asleep. She was safe. She was under his watch. Nothing could have gotten her, so how in the hell was she looking at him with finger streaks of blood painted on her cheeks that her tears didn’t even bother to clean?

“Kikyo.” Kagome sobbed, holding her hands out before her as if she was afraid to touch herself, or him, or anything in between. “It’s Kikyo. She’s - she’s dead.”

Kikyo.

That was who it was. He knew he’d caught it. It was only once that he’d met her though, so his olfactory system wasn’t familiar enough to have memorized it.

“What do you mean she’s dead, kid?”

“She’s dead.” Kagome repeated, unable to bite back any emotion. “I saw. I was there.”

“H-how?”

She presented her hands, her arms as if they were statement enough. “Her - her magic! It was one of Naraku’s underlings! They killed her! Inuyasha, they - they -“

He closed the gap, pulling her into his lap, holding her tight. He didn’t care about the blood, or the mess. He couldn’t just watch her shatter like that. Inuyasha didn’t understand the magical aspects that some people were capable of, and he’d come to terms with the fact that not everything could be comprehended by others who didn’t experience it firsthand. He didn’t need to understand. He just needed to listen. Kagome had witnessed Kikyo’s death. There was no possible way she could be lying about that while she sat there bathed in the opposite conjurer’s blood.

Kagome shook inconsolably, sobbed loudly, but she clung to Inuyasha with an unmatched urgency. The heaves that wracked her chest became painful, but it felt like no matter how tight she held onto him, she couldn’t feel her hanyou over the liquid that smeared her body. Kikyo was still out there. Her body was still on the ground. She was cold, and alone, and nobody deserved to be left like that after death. If she was able to pull Kagome next to her in such a physical manner, that meant she was close. Very close.

“Can you - can you find her?” Kagome asked Inuyasha between gasps of air.

“What do you mean?” He asked with a gentleness he rarely presented, using the backs of his knuckles to caress her cheek.

“She’s close. She had to be in order to perform that magic. Do you smell her?”

“I did. Before.” Inuyasha admitted. “You were asleep, and I caught her scent for literally a second before it disappeared. Minutes later, you’re waking up like this.”

“But, do you smell her now? She can’t create a barrier anymore.”

Apprehensively, he spoke. “I - I can’t smell anything over you.” And, as wrong as it felt to slide her from his lap and let her go - horribly, sickeningly wrong - he did so, rising to his feet. “Give me two seconds.”

Inuyasha jumped back up to the tree branch he’d occupied before, taking it a step further to go just a bit higher. The breeze should carry something his way. He really had to focus. His instincts were glued to Kagome, his brain only bringing the noises she made, the aroma off of her his way, and he’d had to mentally shove that aside in order to concentrate on their surroundings. The moment he’d caught the heavy scent of copper, Inuyasha locked on the direction they needed to head in, memorizing what he could. He knew the moment he jumped down to grab Kagome, it’d be hard to smell Kikyo out.

His feet hit the floor, and he quickly grabbed the conjurer’s hand. He hadn’t expected her to be on her feet, he hadn’t expected her to be able to run. She was so unsteady in his arms, he’d fully anticipated carrying her, but the woman had relatively pulled herself together so quickly. They left everything at their camp aside from their weapons, and she followed him as far as he could lead. For a while, she had to stay behind him, downwind from Inuyasha so that he could scout the path, reduced to walking now as they trekked through dark, shadowed trails they could barely see through.

It was vague, but there was a sense of familiarity that Kagome felt twinge in her stomach. She wanted to say she knew where they were, but she’d only seen it in red, so how could she be sure? Noticing some disturbed dirt next to a large tree, she reached for Inuyasha, clutching his shirt to stop him so she could crouch down and look without him going too far.

She’d been here. This was where she’d dropped down. This was where she’d almost puked. The disturbed dirt was where her boots had dug into the earth as she’d sunken and scratched her back on the bark of the tree. She did know where they were.

Kagome took off running, rushing in the direction she recalled from earlier, knowing they weren’t far at all.

And, then she abruptly halted. Her feet stopped worked. Her muscles jolted painfully, and her lungs clenched in her chest. The only thing she could feel was an icy sensation swarm over her and the pounding of her heart as it was being forced to slow.

Kikyo laid motionless in the exact position she’d left her in. The moon shined on her, but it illuminated no color except for the crimson Kagome didn’t want to see. There was no pink in her cheeks or on her lips where there should have been at least a slight hue. She was gone. Kikyo was gone. It was real. This hadn’t been a nightmare at all.

She forced herself to amble forward, her chin quivering as she grew nearer the corpse.

“Baby -“

“No. Don’t protect me right now.” Kagome said with a melancholic shake of her head. She’d already suffered through the worst of it. She’d already witnessed the death of someone she never saw falling. If she’d wanted security, a safety net, she would have never asked Inuyasha to find Kikyo’s whereabouts. She would have stayed in camp, continued clinging to him for dear life, closed her eyes and pretended it had never happened.

Inuyasha respected her wishes. He understood this feeling completely. Right now, Kagome didn’t need someone to stand behind, to shield her, but someone to stand directly beside her in support. He could do that. He would do that. If that was what she needed, it was already hers.

The conjurer stopped just a foot away from Kikyo, noticing the markings she’d left behind before she’d returned to reality. “This was - this was where I… I sat here.” Kagome admitted, feeling the hot tears brimming again as she glanced over her shoulder at Inuyasha. “I held her. While she - while she died. I told her about Kaede.”

“You held her?” The hanyou couldn’t help the sympathetic curve of his brow, or the frown that pushed at his lips.

She nodded, looking back at Kikyo’s body. “She didn’t want to be alone. She was just so happy to not have to be haunted by Naraku anymore.”

“Those dreams you’d been having. They’re connected aren’t they?”

“It was Kikyo. She was using our connection to find me. She wanted me to know what was happening first hand, but she needed to be closer.” Kagome found herself kneeling down at Kikyo’s side, feeling like the right thing to do was pick Kikyo right back up into her arms and continue comforting her, but she resisted. If she’d done that, there was a strong chance she wouldn’t have been able to put her down. “That means, she’d been running, and hiding, and doing everything she could to stay alive for days. What’s it been since the first vision? Four? Five?”

“Kagome, it’s not your fault.”

“She should have told me where she was. We could have helped her.” Though tears streamed from her eyes, she didn’t sound to be sobbing. Her tone was so sunken, so sad it was almost devoid of all emotion.

“But, she didn’t. That’s not on you. What did she tell you? She had to have given some sort of explanation.”

“She said she knew she wasn’t going to survive. That she just wanted me to know that - that she was gone. That she couldn’t fight anymore.” Kagome blinked away the sadness that refused to stop flowing through her eyes. Naraku didn’t win. He wasn’t allowed to even think he’d won. All he’d done was set her free. Much like Kikyo said, he’d released her. “I think it was Kagura. The woman that killed Kikyo. She was apologetic. Remorseful. And, she mentioned having no choice but to do this because she had a child’s safety to ensure. That means Sesshomaru’s family is still alive. They’re okay.”

“Don’t worry about that right now, kid.” Inuyasha sighed, sauntering over to kneel beside her. He didn’t like the way she looked right now, how she wouldn’t even glance at him anymore. Her eyes were dull and listless, drowning in grief. He wished she’d weep again. He wished she’d crumble. At least that way she’d be getting all of it out of her system. But, this? This was the works of the sorrow taking her hostage. “Tell me how you’re feeling.”

“I don’t want to think about me right now.” She confessed. “This isn’t about me. Later. I promise.”

“Okay.” Inuyasha breathed, accepting her compromise. He took a moment, sealing his lips, pushing her hair behind her ear as she stared on at the corpse. With the way her fingers twitched forward, he could tell she was wanting to feel Kikyo again, hold her, console her. Like, she was trying to come to terms with the fact that it wasn’t necessary anymore. She was dead.

“We should,” He sighed. “We should bury her. You want to do that?”

Kagome nodded. “Yeah. But, not here.”

“Not here?” He echoed, more for a reach into her mind to understand.

“Kagura told Kikyo that if Naraku asked where her body was located, she’d have to tell him. Kikyo doesn’t want Naraku to have her body. I don’t want him to find her.”

“Okay. Let’s find some place else, then. Come on.” Inuyasha held his hand out for her, waiting patiently until she took it.

He let her guide their way. He didn’t mind the silence, or the loose grip she had on his fingers. He didn’t mind her minor stumbling, or how she was aimlessly wandering. Inuyasha would be able to find their way back, and he would walk however far Kagome deemed appropriate.

They came upon a hillside that overlooked a valley. It was green, dewy from the moisture in the crisp air, and peppered with wildflowers. Instantly, he knew Kagome’s attention was on the single tree just to their right. Before she’d even pulled him in that direction, he knew.

“In the daytime, she’ll be shaded, but at nighttime, she’ll have a clear shot of the stars. What do you think?” She asked. She’d finally stopped crying, her cheeks positively stained with streaks of old blood and salt. Yet, she was still capable of being kind, of being compassionate. Kagome didn’t choose a spot at random, but put some thought into the scenery that felt right.

“I think it’s perfect.” He answered. Pointing to a spot that he felt would be best covered by the branches above, Inuyasha asked, “Here?”

“Yeah.”

It wasn’t the easiest, but they dug a whole that ran deep, one the average demon's nose wouldn’t be able to catch a whiff of the deceased through. One Inuyasha felt would properly shield Kikyo from Naraku within. They traveled back to grab Kikyo, and Inuyasha was careful with how he carried her, handling the former conjurer with extreme care as Kagome followed immediately behind with her discarded bow to bury her with.

The sun was beginning it’s ascent as they returned to the gravesite, and by the time Kikyo was fully laid to rest, the sky blended with awakening tints of pink and blue. Inuyasha remained quiet, respectful as Kagome continued to pat the dirt to ensure it was packed firmly. It was easy to tell she was hesitant to leave Kikyo. He could physically feel the remorse she waded through, but still, he wished she’d shed tears again. It hurt so bad to watch her suffer in silence, to watch her shut down, to watch her fingers tremble while he could do nothing to ease her heartache.

It was one thing to understand a person you knew had died. It was one thing to learn of it from another, or even to witness it from a safe distance. But, to hold them as it happened? To see the light fade from their eyes, to hear their voice trail away, to feel them grow heavy in your arms, it was an entirely different story. It was traumatizing. He’d been there. He held his mother. He held a few strangers he’d found mauled, on their final breath, and so afraid to die alone. It was hard. He knew firsthand that Kagome was going to continue to feel the weight of Kikyo in her arms throughout the duration that she mourned, as if the woman were still present and there. He knew firsthand that Kagome was going to wash the blood from her body but still see it as if it had seeped through the first layer of her flesh and she’d need to scrape it all off until her skin was angry, raw, and prickling with her own blood. And, there was nothing he could do to save her from that. Those feelings were going to demand her undivided attention, and the only thing Inuyasha was aware he could offer was his unwavering support. No matter how badly he wanted to protect her, even steal the emotions away to be felt as his own so that she wouldn’t have to shoulder them, he knew he couldn’t.

In no way did he plan on allowing her to sink into those dark thoughts he was all too conscious of. The ones that dragged you down while you were weakened by a state of grieving, that made you feel like there was no amount of sunlight that could brighten the darkness. As time had passed and Kagome merely stared at the grave, silent, motionless, the hanyou made the call. It was time to go.

At her side, he held out his hand. “Come on, Kagome.” He’d spoken so softly. Her dull gaze slowly shifted to his extended fingers, and by instinct, she went to place her hand in his, but paused halfway.

It was the guilt. That she got to continue living while Kikyo did not. That Kikyo would be left here alone. All alone. Kagome’s hand faltered back and forth between taking Inuyasha’s and touching the dirt that bedded the former conjurer. All the while, he was patient. He knew she would understand that she couldn’t stay here forever, and he didn’t have to articulate the reminder. Kagome would choose to move forward.

“I’m sorry.” She whispered to Kikyo, and before long, her fingers slid within Inuyasha’s gentle grasp.

The hanyou assisted her to a standing. “She doesn’t have to fight anymore. She’s at peace now.”

“I know.” The surviving conjurer replied quietly. He could tell, at the moment, his statement was in one ear and out the other. She wasn’t in the right state of mind to receive reassurance. Her walls were up. And, he had a feeling he’d know when she was ready.

They made their way back to their campsite to gather the few things they’d left behind. Inuyasha knew she wouldn’t want to stay. He didn’t need to kick out what embers may have still remained because they’d long died off on their own. Instead, he took the bag before she could secure it over her shoulders. He couldn’t do much for her right now, but the least he could do was remove the physical weight from her back.

Kagome wasn’t talkative in the least, didn’t even make a sound when she’d accidentally tripped over a root and stumbled into his arm, the gasp she’d released so light even he had hardly caught it. She needed to rest, he was more than aware, but he knew that if he verbally made the suggestion, Kagome would shake her head to decline. She’d closed herself off so much, he was certain she didn’t even realize they were still covered in dried blood and dirt. As far as he was concerned, it was his executive decision to make. So, he sought out a river, or a lake, or any small body of water they’d be able to wash off in.

He’d thought he’d been following the sounds of a stream, but as the rushing water became more thunderous than expected, he’d realized they were at the bottom of a waterfall. It was secluded, it was peaceful, it was where they were calling it a day. And, he meant that. He didn’t care if she wanted to keep going after they’d cleaned up, and he didn’t care if they got into an argument because of it; Kagome needed to sit down and rest. She hadn’t gotten much sleep as it was, and she couldn’t just walk this feeling off. She, of all people, should know.

To his surprise, as they forced their way through bushes to come out onto the greenery that surrounded the pool, Kagome seemed to have no objections. She knew what they were there for, and as he set the bag down, removing the sheath of his sword from the loop in his belt, she dropped her bow and quiver from her shoulders to the ground beside them. After placing her father’s knife in the pile, she followed the hanyou into the water, neither yet bothering to remove any clothing.

Inuyasha reached for her hands, which this time she didn’t hesitate to take, holding the both of his as he pulled her in deeper. For the first time in hours, Kagome sighed out heavily, a little shakily. The pool was cold, it was a shock to the system, and it served to both cleanse her person while jolting her out of the bleak depths of her depressive state.

The hanyou gently began washing her palms off, taking meticulous care, and finally he heard her voice. It was cracked, it was small, but it was her voice.

“I can do it.” She claimed. And, he gave her a small grin of acknowledgment, releasing his meager grip to give her space.

Kagome dunked her hands in the water, beginning to rub the filth on her fingers away. Some of it washed off easily, but a good portion was stuck to her skin. It would have been easier if she had a rag, or maybe something coarse. Something that could lift the crimson stain so she’d never have to see it again. Utilizing the next best thing that she had, Kagome removed her shirt, balling up the ruined cloth and plunging it into the pool. For some reason, she’d tried to rinse it the best that she could, no matter how much of a lost cause it was from the start.

Grabbing an end that wasn’t stained, Kagome used it to scrub at her hands, finding it helped substantially. She continued up her arms, taking her time, but during which, finding her stability wavering. As she washed the remaining evidence of the last of Kikyo’s life away, she revisited the wounds that marred her flesh, her final words, the way her eyes faded, and hot tears quickly brimmed that had to be blinked away.

“I’m gonna dive.” Kagome mentioned, warning Inuyasha so he wouldn’t worry.

She took a deep breath, and down she went, kicking off of the rocks beneath her feet to swim deeper into the pool. Coming up to the surface, Kagome treaded in the water for a moment, quickly acclimating to the temperature now that she’d fully submerged. She backed up until her feet could reach some of the loose, mossy floor beneath, and then continued until she was only engulfed from the chest down. Even the cold didn’t help anymore. Kagome couldn’t silence her grief, tears streaming from her eyes as her breathing became heavy and sputtered once more.

Kikyo was gone. She was gone. She could still feel her in her arms, she could still hear her cries. She was told it wasn’t her fault, but if that were true, why did Kagome feel such a horrible sense of remorse in the pit of her chest? Why did she feel so guilty? Just because Kikyo felt she couldn’t be saved didn’t mean Kagome shouldn’t have tried. Why hadn’t she figured out the visions were coming from Kikyo? How could she not have pieced that together sooner? It didn’t matter that she had never experienced the detrimental tint of red before, it didn’t matter that she was apparently seeing things through Kikyo’s eyes for just small glimpses at a time. They were reoccurring and precise. How could she have dismissed them as nothing more than dreams without a meaning? She was smarter than that. It felt insensitive to have belittled them as such, it felt cruel of her to shrug them off and carry on with her day while Kikyo had been fighting for her life. Kagome had failed. She’d failed herself, and she’d failed her friend.

Her sobs were beginning to wrack her body, like hyperventilated breaths that made it hard to actually attain oxygen. This sadness, this thick sludge of loss was impossible to ignore, and instead of trying to regain control over herself while it wasn’t necessary, instead of reaching for composure that was miles away, Kagome turned around to face Inuyasha.

He’d been watching her. Carefully. Closely. All while minding her space. He, himself, had removed his shirt using it to scrub clean, but he never had his eyes off of her for more than a second at a time. Each gasp he heard her breathe as she began to cry was like a thorn to his heart. It was difficult to respect the distance she’d created, but as the water rippled, and she turned his way, looking at him with such a sorrowful expression, that was all he needed in order to know that he no longer had to. She was ready for him.

Taking his cue, Inuyasha waded over, his arms catching her as she closed the distance herself by bounding into his chest.

“I’ve got you, baby.” He whispered soothingly into her hair, tightening his hold around her as she cried against him. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”

Inuyasha kissed her head, stroked his fingers over the soaked backside of the top that supported her breasts, gently pet her hair, and waited patiently. He would have stood there holding her all fucking day and night if that was what it took. He didn’t care. If this was what Kagome needed, then nothing stood the chance of pulling him away from her.

As her weeping gradually died down, and the aftershocks of hiccups shook her core, his hands began to massage at her upper back, creating tiny ripples of water with his skillful movements. Her arms had slackened some around his waist, but Kagome still nuzzled into his chest.

“I can’t get all of the blood off of me.” She mentioned, her words raspy. Broken.

“You got most of it. I saw. You want my help?” Inuyasha spoke sweetly.

“Please.” Kagome nodded against him, leaning back the tiniest bit. “Is it - is it still on my face?”

Inuyasha didn’t answer just yet, dipping his hands in the water before bringing his thumbs up and gently rubbing against her cheeks. “Not anymore.”

He didn’t say anything else before his hands traveled downward, washing her chest, applying a little more friction to the mess on her stomach, all the while placing a tender kiss to the center of her forehead.

“I’m sorry. I have to ask this.” Inuyasha whispered into her ear. “But, I wasn’t there, so I don’t know the situation. Were you hurt, kid?”

In response, Kagome shook her head. “Kikyo protected me with her magic. Kagura didn’t even know I was there.”

“Then, what’s this on your back?” He asked, gently rubbing over the scraped area as he had numerous times already.

“That was me.” She said, tucking herself back into his arms so he’d rest his chin on top of her head. “I stumbled into a tree.”

It wasn’t until her nerves had died down and she began to shiver that Inuyasha made the decision to guide her out of the water. Their soaked clothes were set out to dry, and the both of them were soon donned in fresh apparel, sitting around a fire she’d insisted on being the one to build.

Kagome hadn’t wanted to deal with her hair, finding herself growing impatient just by brushing the damp tangles away. As soon as the last of it was smoothed out, she grabbed her hair tie and set to braiding it, uncaring of the uneven chunks of hair that she grabbed while she started at the crown of her head and worked her way down.

“That’s cute.” Inuyasha smiled, crouching before her and taking it upon himself to fix her loose bangs. The only reply she could muster was a lazy crinkle of her nose, bringing a chuckle from his lips as he got some fish cooking over the fire.

At first, he’d figured she didn’t want to talk about anything, but before long, Inuyasha realized it was more that she couldn’t. Kagome looked exhausted. Her emotions were justifiably all over the place, and in her state, how could she be expected to be able to put them into words? He wasn’t the least bit bothered by her silence or how far she seemed to sit from him. Truthfully, he figured it was all absentminded action. At least now she didn’t seem so sunken inward. Her irises were still dull, but there was the glimmer of Kagome in them again. He suspected that slowly, steadily, she would return at her own rate. And, Inuyasha would be right there when she did.

Kagome managed to eat more than he’d expected of her, and though he’d left her alone to rest, he knew she was fighting it. Couldn’t say he blamed her for that. It was twilight, but a monotonous one. No gorgeous colors glowed in the sky to end their day, and from their position behind the mountain, they couldn’t even see the sun as it fell. Before they knew it, the two of them were shadowed completely, the air quickly growing crisp as it lost the warmth that the sun provided.

It was chilly. She sat near the fire, but being so close to the waterfall had a draft hitting them that was hard to ignore. Kagome was trying not to make it obvious. She knew Inuyasha was already worried about her, and he had been so kind, and sweet, and diligent all day, so she was scared that merely shivering would exacerbate his concern. She’d considered laying down, trying to sleep, but it was hard to close her eyes for more than a second without seeing Kikyo’s body. Even now, there was still a hard lump caught in her throat that made it difficult to swallow. She was just all cried out for the moment. Her eyes burned with fatigue, her chest ached from the hiccups that had taken forever to go away, her muscles felt sluggish and heavy, and her head throbbed horrendously.

For some reason, her attention kept shifting to Inuyasha. He was leaning back against a tree, sitting nonchalantly as he gazed up at the sky. Why were they so far apart? Why had she sat alone? Maybe because she was worried about bothering him further or seeming clingy. Would Inuyasha actually mind if she was clingy for a little while? She honestly couldn’t see him being bothered by it. At all. She didn’t want him to just allow it because she was in a bad state of mind at the moment, though. Like he pitied her. She didn’t want pity. She wanted compassion. But, this was Inuyasha. This was her Inuyasha. If she wanted to be near him and didn’t act on it, and he found out later, he’d probably call her an idiot. No, he’d call her worse. If she wanted to touch him but kept to herself out of fear of bothering him, Inuyasha would give her the look. The look that said more than his mouth ever could, and that was saying something given Inuyasha was probably the most outspoken person she’d ever met. It was a glare that scolded, a slant of his eyes that condemned her, but there was no frown. His lips were set straight, pulled in no direction, and it was probably what made the expression worse since she couldn’t read what level of upset he was actually conveying. It was rare that he ever looked at her that way, but she’d seen it twice, maybe three times, before. And, it was the one thing he could do to make her truly pout in shame.

Resolved and hopeful for an inkling of peace she knew his arms would provide, Kagome picked herself up from her spot, sauntering over to the hanyou. His eyes shifted her way, and as she grew closer, a small, welcoming smile appeared. The empty spot beside him didn’t suit her liking, though. As odd as it seemed, it just wasn’t close enough. Feeling a rush of shyness mix into her already-swarming emotions, all Kagome could bring herself to do in order to communicate was glance down at his legs while she stood in front of him. Verbal communication was far out of reach, but she knew Inuyasha was the only person who’d learned to understand her with or without.

Inuyasha’s grin only inched wider when she gave such a subtle signal for him to take. She wanted his lap. Honestly, he was just happy she wanted to be near him right now. He’d fully accepted that she needed her space and was going to respect it, but he’d be a lying sack of shit if he didn’t admit that he wanted to at least be within arms reach for his own sense of comfort. Having her sit across their camp was hard while he knew she was struggling and all he wanted to do was help, but he was more than willing if it was what she’d wanted. But, now she wanted him.

He outstretched his bent legs, patting on his thighs for her to lay on as she had several times before, but this time Kagome gave a small shake of her head. At first, Inuyasha was a little confused. He’d read her correctly, right? She does want his lap, right?

“Not like this?” He asked. And, Kagome replied with a shake of her head in confirmation. “Did you want to sit?”

She gave a small nod, pointing in between his legs. In another attempt to get it right, Inuyasha bent his legs as they’d just been, spreading them wider so she had room to sit between his thighs. Again, she shook her head, a bashful flush heating her face as she bit her bottom lip.

“Oh,” He chuckled. “I know what you want.”

Of course. It was foolish of him not to think of it first. Kagome didn’t want to just sit with him, or lean against him. She wanted to be held by him. She wanted to be tucked so securely against him that nothing stood the chance of harming her. She wanted, just for a moment, to not have to put up a strong demeanor. She wanted to shrink into his chest, his arms, she wanted to close her eyes, and she wanted the sound of his heartbeat to mute all other thoughts her mind could threaten her with.

Inuyasha folded his legs, watching the tiniest smile pull at the corners of her lips when he opened his arms to invite her in. She carefully crawled into his lap, her own legs folding over one of his thighs as she curled into his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist and nuzzling against him.

“Better?” He asked just before kissing her temple. Kagome granted him a hum of approval, sighing out deeply as he hugged her close, tight, safe.

Inuyasha relaxed back against the tree, enjoying the feel of how her breath hadn’t yet synced to his. The push of her lungs met his abdomen in disagreement with his own pattern, matching their own rhythm, and it brought him a sensation of tranquility. When their breathing matched, it wasn’t that he didn’t love it. It was more that it just became too second nature and he had to focus to make sure her lungs were really doing their job. But, when she opposed his own, he didn’t need a reminder. He could feel it.

Quicker than he’d expected, Kagome’s weight began to increase against him. She was falling asleep. His arms were snug around her, his chin was resting on top of her head, and if he didn’t risk pulling her from that in between state, he’d be kissing her goodnight right now. It was that in between state that he knew was the most worrisome, though. Where you weren’t quite unconscious so the thoughts that you barely kept at bay during the day could sneak up on you at any given moment without so much as a barrier to hold them back. All Inuyasha could hope for was her serenity. Kagome deserved that much. She deserved to rest right now. And, as he felt her breathing deepen, a small twitch from her fingers on his backside, he knew she’d gotten past it without harm, sleeping soundly in the refuge of his protection.

—

It would be an understatement to say Kagura was shaken. The choice of vocabulary was laughable in comparison to what she’d actually felt. She was no saint. She’d done horrible things in her lifetime. Before she thought to escape her “father,” Kagura had done his bidding without so much as blinking an eye. She’d murdered, she’d robbed, she’d come home covered in blood belonging to numerous people at a time, took a bath, then moved on with her life without feeling an ounce of compunction. It wasn’t that she could claim she had a conscience. In fact, she was sure she was deliberately created without one. If Naraku surely didn’t own one, how could she? That didn’t mean she wasn’t smart enough to know right from wrong. That didn’t mean she wanted to be the same sort of beast Naraku was. That was where he’d made his mistake in creating her. He’d given her a mind of her own.

Naraku was more than vile. His twisted laughter at another’s expense caused her stomach to churn and ache, his malicious smile made her welcome the dark so she’d never have to see it, his unforgiving brutality had her wishing for her own death at times, and it wasn’t all that long after her rise that a switch flipped in her brain and she realized she wanted to be as far removed from him as she could possibly get.

Maybe that meant she did have a conscience. Maybe she’d developed one after so many pleading screams had echoed in her ears. Maybe running away and experiencing love was both the best and worst thing for her, because killing Kikyo was the hardest thing she’d ever had to do.

It was too easy. It was entirely too easy. Why was she ordered to kill Kikyo when she was on her deathbed as it was? The conjurer had run herself dry, depleted her energy, and was so far gone that no matter how well she’d tried to take care of herself thereafter, there was no coming back from it. Kikyo would have died on her own in just a matter of weeks if things continued as they were. So, why the hell did Kagura have no other choice but to savagely murder her?

She knew the story. She knew how Naraku attempted to corrupt Kikyo, how they’d met when she could still be considered a child, how that monster upheaved her life, flipped it upside down, and burned any future she may have been able to create for herself. Naraku had singlehandedly made that woman’s world hell, and Kagura was furious that she had to personally see to the end of it. Naraku killed her spirit, and Kagura killed her heart.

And, she knew what was about to happen. She knew Naraku too well not to know what sort of reaction waited for her on the other side of the manor. As disgusting as it was, while he was still human, he truly did harbor some sort of affection for Kikyo. And, Kagura had her blood dripping down her fingers.

She took a deep breath, easily shoving aside her conflicting emotions so that she could get this over with. She’d been gone for too long as it was, so any feelings that slowed her down were useless right now. Kagura’s heels clicked along the hard floor, a frown curving at her stained lips as she approached the study and entered through the cracked door.

He’d smelled it. He’d smelled her coming, and he smelled the liquid oozing from the feather she held and down her hand. That was why Naraku was already staring at the door, that was why his jaw was hard and set, that was why his red eyes were more piercing than she’d ever seen in her entire life. Kagura instantly understood that she had underestimated the situation. From the way the half demon bristled at the other end of the room, from the way his tentacles curled malignantly, and the spider legs that grew out of the free space of his back appeared and stiffened, from the way his demonic energy began to swirl like she’d only felt a handful of times, things were already appearing to be worse than she’d imagined. It’d caught her off guard. She froze in the entryway, apprehensive, her breathy gasp caught in her throat to emphasize the hollow.

“That - that’s -“ It seemed like her master was in a state of shock. Kagura had never seen his lips twitch this way, or his chin quiver in the manner it did now. “Did you…”

“Miss Kagura, you’re -“ Rin’s small smile of greeting faded as quickly as it had appeared as the man standing just a few feet away from where she sat on the floor playing with dolls screamed at her so loud, his voice cracked.

“SHUT UP!” Naraku had curled his spine some, his thick fingers positively quaking. “Did you do it, Kagura!? Is she dead!?”

“She’s - yes.” Kagura answered unsteadily, eyes wide and breath trembling. “Yes, I did it. Kikyo’s dead.”

“And, that’s her blood?” He didn’t need to ask that question. She knew his sense of smell was somehow stronger than her own.

“It is.”

“You’re unscathed. How? Kikyo is strong, you should have come back half mangled! You’re lying! You betrayed me again, didn’t you!? You made a deal with that cunt and took some of her blood to try and fool me! She’s still alive out there, isn’t she!?” He raced over to her, grabbing Kagura by the throat and pinning her against the wall before she could so much as think to react. She’d had to ignore the little girl’s scream, her broken cry, praying she’d keep the promise they’d made when she’d first arrived. If Naraku were to ever do anything to Kagura, Rin swore to keep her distance. Rin swore never to run up and try and do something her father would, because Naraku wouldn’t hesitate to hurt her. “Isn’t she!?”

“N-Naraku.” Kagura gurgled, trying to push him off, to pry her neck from his grip with her free hand while preserving the evidence she held in the other. “Kikyo’s - Kikyo’s dead.”

It was another moment before Naraku’s eyes went blank, his fingers gradually releasing Kagura, and a thick swallow had his Adam’s apple bobbing.

She gasped in some air, recovering as quickly as she could to give the explanation he was looking for before he could grow angry again. “Kikyo did strike me.” She said, pointing to a tear in her gown on her arm that she’d received days before. “It’s just healed already.”

“She’s a conjurer. You should have been dead from her strike.”

“She was dying, Naraku. She hardly had any power left in her.”

“How is that possible?”

“I don’t know. I don’t know the logistics of their kind. She looked passed the point of fatigue. When I had appeared, she had this look in her eyes. Like, her final chance had just been stolen away. I don’t know how to explain it.”

“Try.” He said through gritted teeth.

“I saw hope, but I saw it gradually fizzle the nearer I got.” Kagura said. “You were the one who’d told me she was weak and sick. Why is this coming as such a shock to you?”

“Such impudence to question me!” Naraku yelled, slapping the back of his hand across Kagura’s face. Forcefully, he jerked the feather from between her fingers. “This will tell me if you’re lying.”

The monster hovered the stained, white object close to his face, observing it intensely, intimately. His red irises traveled over each minor detail of the feather, gazing at the blood with a sense of dedication that steadily shifted into desire. It was grotesque. It was disturbing. It had Kagura pressing herself flush against the wall in an attempt to further separate from the madman.

Dreamily, Naraku dragged the feather over his tongue, the conserved blood coloring the surface of which before he closed his mouth and took his time studying the taste. His eyes blinked hazily, sort of rolling into the back of his head as a vicious grin turned at the corners of his lips. It wasn’t wide, it wasn’t tooth-baring. It was minute, subtle, but speaking volumes of the pleasure he felt. Kagura had to swallow her shudder, tensing her entire body so she risked no involuntary, negative reactions from her muscles.

“I can taste you.” Naraku breathed.

“You sliced her.” He chuckled.

“Your demonic energy is mixed with her mortal essence.” He moaned.

“She still tastes as good as she did before.” He licked the feather again.

“Fuck,” He groaned pleasantly. “I can practically taste her final breaths.”

“She was so pathetically weak when she died.” Naraku laughed, stumbling backward as he grew intoxicated by the blood. “She’s dead. The bitch is dead! She’s dead!” But, then his glee began to dwindle, his crazed eyes glued to the feather as he began to furl his spine forward. The extra appendages on his back began slithering, growing, twitching erratically. His mental state had slipped, his footing was unstable as he continued to stumble backward, to the side, forward, stopping in the center of the floor when his spider legs planted roughly and supported him. He neither blinked nor swallowed, drool with the slightest tint of red dripping from his opened lips to dribble down his chin while his smile fell into a horrible, enraged frown. It was processing. His ex-lover was deceased. She was no more. Kikyo’s existence was gone, and even he, with the decrepit heart that beat within his chest, felt the pain of loss. “She’s dead? She’s dead? She’s dead. She’s - she’s - no.”

With a quick a demanding snap of her fingers, Kagura looked to the terrified and crying girl on the carpet, directing Rin to run to her side immediately with a point. The patter of her feet was rushed as she scrambled up and away from her spot, opening her arms wide for Kagura to grab her and pick her up, securing her against her body.

Naraku’s energy was soaring. It was so irate that a literal strength circled around him, building, growing, sending objects flying, the jar on Naraku’s desk holding Moryomaru’s still and rotting heart shattering against the far wall.

“Kikyo! Kikyo, my beloved!”

As quickly as she could, Kagura tucked rin’s head down against her shoulder and raced out of the room to safety. She’d never seen him like that. She’d never witnessed just how insane Naraku could be. She’d thought she’d seen it all, she’d thought she’d lived through the worst, but the entire place was shaking with his rage, and she wondered if killing the conjurer was truly worth it now.

—

Inuyasha turned to check how far behind him Kagome was trailing. Seeing she was within arm’s reach, regarding him with a small smile had his chest feeling a little lighter. It hadn’t yet been a full week since Kikyo’s passing, just a day shy, and he couldn’t quite claim she was back to normal, but she was handling herself well. He knew the further they got from the place it all happened, and the further they got from the date, the more Kagome’s state improved.

Just recalling how she was a few days ago had a heavy throb making home in his heart. She’d wake up and her irises would seem dull and spiritless, she’d either lay or sit there for a long moment before really coming to, and then she’d check her hands. Every day, she had to make sure they were clean. Kagome said her peripheral vision was playing tricks on her. In the corner of her eyes, she still saw red staining her skin, and first thing in the morning her not-yet-functioning brain would convince her she hadn’t succeeded in cleaning it all off. He’d quickly made it a habit of checking behind him to see where she was. He was so used to her by his side that when she was missing it was unsettling, but he also comprehended that keeping up was a little more difficult at the moment than when she was mentally sound. Inuyasha didn’t want to make her feel like she needed to hurry along, though. Right now, he didn’t mind taking it easy. Their next destination, one he hadn’t brought up to her for the sake of her momentary sanity, wasn’t necessarily one he was eager to get to anytime soon, anyway. As important as it was to get there soon, it wasn’t pressing to get there now. They had a few days to spare; it could wait that long.

Kagome still broke down. She wasn’t an empty shell of herself, and sometimes the pain in her chest became too much to bear and she’d crumble where she stood. It wasn’t difficult at all to be patient, and he hushed her whenever she apologized between shuddering sobs. If she’d stop while walking and crouch down to cry, Inuyasha would stop too. He’d kneel right next to her and either stroke her hair or rub her back. He wouldn’t say a thing unless prompted, because he knew very well that this was just a form of release. If she allowed it to build up, if she swallowed it and pushed the feelings away like she used to, it would eventually become too much to bear and potentially grow worse. It would ultimately effect her mentality, and her spiritual power would be difficult to control. Kagome couldn’t allow her emotions to pave the way, so she had to let them out.

Inuyasha knew that sensation. He knew that stuffiness in the center of your chest where it felt like a literal weight was making your entire body seem heavy. He knew how quickly it expanded, how bleak it made everything seem, how it made you feel like you would never recover and you were bound to be stuck with this burden forever. So, he was glad Kagome was taking care of herself. He was glad Kagome was crying. He was glad when she looked at him with those reddened, puffy eyes and that pouting, bottom lip that jutted out just a tiny bit, and she allowed him to clean the tears from her face and express just how tender he was capable of being.

Gradually, as the days passed, she cried a little less, she fell behind a little less, she replied a little more, she smiled a little wider, and her laughter was beginning to return. Inuyasha reached behind him now, accepting her modest grin by grabbing for her hand.

“Need a break?” He asked.

“I need a snack, is what I need.” Kagome said with a little grumble

“You’re hungry?”

“I mean, I could eat.”

Inuyasha chuckled, squeezing his grip on her hand. “Okay, we can climb down the mountain for some fish and actually sit down to eat a lunch, or we can eat some berries and hope that tides us off for a while. Option A will take at least an hour given we’re pretty high up from the river, option B will take about ten minutes because I’m pretty sure I saw some bushes with berries not too far back. I’m just not sure if they were the poisonous sort or not.”

“Berries!” Kagome chose with a small bounce.

“Okay,” The hanyou had to look away then, standing no chance of subduing his flush. In such a short time, her happiness appeared so far away from him that now that she was beginning to show it again, to be herself again, it made him stupidly flustered. She was cute. Too fucking cute. Irritatingly cute. “How about I go grab the berries and you find a spot to relax?”

“You don’t want me to go with you?” She questioned.

“Nah, you don’t need to. Don’t wander off too far, though.” He replied, slipping his hand out of hers and turning around to backtrack the trail they’d traveled.

Kagome felt a tug on her heart as he grew further. She’d felt so absent this past week that she actually missed Inuyasha, and he’d been right next to her the entire time. He’d kissed her head numerous times, her cheek, her temple, and once even on her hand, but right now she wanted that little bit of affection she’d been too far gone to receive and reciprocate. So, Kagome spun around on her heel, albeit bashfully, as she played with the sleeves of her shirt.

“Hey.” She called out, stopping her hanyou in his tracks.

Inuyasha looked over his shoulder at her, cocking a brow as he waited for her to say something. But, no words came forward. Instead, she pursed her lips, starting small until she lifted her chin, making it evident she wanted a kiss. His heart gave a delightful thud, but his entire body grew uncomfortably warm.

“Use your words.” He teased, trying to swallow his own rush of shyness. She had too much power over him and he was pretty sure she knew it. She knew he was wrapped around her finger just like the red string that knotted around their pinkies, tying them to each other. That didn’t mean he was always going to present himself as the goo his brain turned into. He was still a hard ass through and through, and he’d been nice enough where necessary. Right now, he felt well within his rights to play around with her a little.

Kagome’s mouth fell into a minor pout, finding herself just a bit too timid under his stare to say anything now. He was just taunting her to be a jerk, she was well aware of the games he played. But, she wanted a kiss, dammit. If she gave in and asked, he would only tease her more by saying something like, “Now, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” There was no way Kagome could give him that sort of satisfaction, so again, she tried to communicate her wishes by pursing her lips, this time letting out the smallest whine.

“Is that any way to get what you want?” Inuyasha laughed.

With a skeptic arch of Kagome’s brow, her lips falling into an expression that easily said, obviously, she nodded.

He couldn’t help his sputtering laugh. Yeah, she definitely knew the effects she had on him. With a roll of his eyes and a shake of his head, Inuyasha walked right back over, rushing her at the tail end so she’d squeal and jump back just as he grabbed her, pulling her into a kiss.

“There,” Inuyasha spoke between a peck, his word murmured against her lips. “Happy?”

“Wait, one more.” Kagome replied, just as muted by his affection. “Okay, now I’m happy.” She giggled.

“I’ll be right back.” He lightly stated, giving her rear a small tap before he went to walk away again.

Kagome smiled, turning around to find a good spot to sit down for a moment. They could always just park it on the floor, which they may very well have to do given the trail they were currently on, but it was at least worth looking for a better spot.

They’d been heading uphill for a while already, and she was glad Inuyasha offered a break. She knew she’d been slowing the two of them down for days now, but it honestly couldn’t be helped. And, while she was aware he more than understood her current state, that didn’t mean she wanted to request more stops just because her legs and ass were on fire from the steep mountain they traveled on. If he hadn’t have brought it up, Kagome would have pushed through it all without complaint.

Down below, she could just barely hear the river. It was still so full from all the rain it had recently received, moving wildly along its course. As she traveled just a bit further, Kagome noticed a slim peek of rock through a break in the bushes and trees. It looked like a cliff that extended outward, overlooking the scenery - a wide one that had no previous accessibility until this point, and even now that accessibility was narrow. Still, if she were right, it would be the perfect spot to sit down and rest for a moment.

It wasn’t until she grew closer that she began to feel like something was off. It felt like an object was very subtly radiating demonic properties, yet it wasn’t a demon, itself, she was sensing. In essence, it was similar to Inuyasha’s blade, but for some reason, it also felt very different. Curious, Kagome pushed through the thick shrubbery to come out most of the way onto the cliff - extending longer than she’d anticipated. Immediately, her brown eyes landed on a man at the edge, facing away from her, his hair long, waving, darker than her own, and ruffling in the breeze. Despite the large amount of noise she’d made pushing through the bushes, the man hadn’t seemed to notice her, and if he had, he didn’t bother to turn around. Not straightaway. He was leisured as he slowly glanced over his shoulder, and it was only after the noise had completely died.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Kagome said, trying not to stare into his red irises as he gradually turned around to fully face her. She’d never seen any quite like that. Not where the pupils were white. It was piercing. Intimidating. But, the gentle smile he wore contradicted that, and that was what she chose to focus on. “I wasn’t expecting to find anyone here.”

The man still didn’t speak. His thin lips didn’t even part as if he wanted to say something. He merely gazed on at her, his head leaning ever so slightly to the side.

His silence was unsettling. Worse, his never-dying grin was becoming so, as well. What once was gentle was now disturbing. With the way he stared at her, it would be normal to perceive it as him looking straight through her, but he wasn’t. Kagome could feel it. This man’s eyes were right on her, studying her, eating her up.

“Are you - are you okay?” She asked nervously, unable to help the way her fingers fidgeted. What she truly wanted to know was if this man was mentally present. He was standing unnervingly close to the ledge. One misstep, and he was gone.

To her surprise, he chuckled. His voice was deep, silky. “I can’t even remember the last time anyone’s bothered to ask me that.”

That, alone, had Kagome feeling substantially more uncomfortable. What had he been looking at before she came? What had been running through his mind? What was this man contemplating just before she disturbed his silence and came trudging through the thickets? Her eyes, yet again, fell down to the edge of the cliff just behind his heels, then shifted back up to his face, his mouth.

“If you’re worried I’m going to jump, don’t be.” He said kindly, showing a little more personality with the way he smirked and looked away in amusement. “That’s quite the opposite of what I want. Really, it’d be counterproductive.”

“Oh,” Kagome breathed. While she wanted to feel relieved, there was something off-putting about the man. Severely off-putting. What was the object that drew her attention? She saw nothing on his person. No weapon was belted to his hip, nor his thigh, nor his shoulder. He held nothing in his hands, nor was there a bag strapped to his back. Maybe, it was something else she sensed. Or, maybe she should heed the warning her gut was receiving and leave it alone, back away, find Inuyasha, and rest on the very far side of the mountain. “Well, I apologize for bothering you.”

“You don’t have to leave.” He said before she could even move.

“I have to go find my boyfriend. I promised him I wouldn’t walk off too far.” She quickly stated.

“Then, why did you come out here?”

Kagome tensed. “I - Well, it looked like a nice spot to rest, and the scenery would be pretty. I wasn’t aware you were here, though. The last thing we’d want to do is disturb you. Besides -”

“You want to look at the scenery?” The man offered, his smile widening an inch as he turned to look over the cliff, at the mountains opposite, the green, the trees, the blue sky. “Come. Look. No need to be shy, Kagome. It’s beautiful.”

“Thank you, but I -“ Kagome froze mid-step, turning around to exit through the bushes when it hit her. As a chill ran down her spine, she pushed herself to look back at the man, her lips still parted, her brows furrowed in question.

He chuckled. “You’re not as easy to find as I’d thought you’d be.”

“How do you know my name?” She asked apprehensively.

“Isn’t it funny, maybe even a little ironic, that I would figure out who you were before you would me?” He carelessly ran his fingers through his hair. “Did you even bother to ask what I looked like? Given you’re a conjurer, I’m assuming your vendetta is with me. Of course, that could very well be my arrogance talking.”

No. It couldn’t be. This couldn’t be…

“Oh, there it is.” He laughed, chest and shoulders bouncing with the amusement. “The face of someone realizing just who they’re talking to. So, am I right? Was it me you were looking for?”

Kagome didn’t answer, an alarming sensation igniting in her core. Was this really Naraku? How did he know they were looking for him? Was it because she and Inuyasha had killed Moryomaru and it had gotten back to him? Or, had she been betrayed?

“You look to be in a state of shock. Disbelief? Kagome, it’s really me. Baby, honey, sweetums, pookie, I’m the man you’ve been searching for. In the flesh. Why don’t you seem happier?” He taunted jeeringly.

“Naraku?” She asked. She couldn’t help her skepticism. If she was in the presence of Naraku, why hadn’t she felt his demonic energy? Why hadn’t Inuyasha? It wasn’t a being she was sensing, but an object, and Inuyasha should have picked up his scent given she wasn’t all that far from where they’d parted. But, he hadn’t smelled anyone. Otherwise, the hanyou either would have warned her to be careful, or just purely wouldn’t have left her alone. This couldn’t be right. Naraku was supposed to be insanely powerful, so why wasn’t she feeling him. Was he able to conceal his powers? Was that possible?

“Good job, boo boo.” He said mockingly, smiling.

“But, how?”

“You killed Moryomaru. Did you think I wouldn’t find out?” Naraku shrugged his brows. “If you wanted my attention so bad, there were other ways to go about it. So, what’s up? What did you want to talk about?”

Kagome didn’t know how to read him. She was so thrown off, her perception of this reality was distorted. She needed to get a grip fast, she needed to draw her weapon, but she felt so solid, so confused, so afraid by not only his presence but his carefree demeanor.

“Come on, spit it out.” He wagged his hand in a rushing gesture. “God, for someone with a target on me, you sure seem scared. You sure you can do this?”

“Stop.” She finally spoke. “What are you doing? How are you talking so lightly right now?”

“What do you -“

“You know what I mean!” Kagome intentionally shouted, hoping to catch Inuyasha’s sensitive hearing. “You’re a mass murderer! You’re evil! You’ve been committing genocide, and you want to stand there spewing jokes at me as if nothing’s happened!”

“Yes, yes, yes, and yes.” Naraku nodded, agreeing to everything she’d just listed. “But, see the thing about being evil is, you don’t really care. I know that’s a difficult concept to grasp, what with the whole conscience and all.” He sneered with a light roll of his eyes.

“And, what for? What’s the purpose of all of this? World domination or something?”

“I wouldn’t go that far.” He curled his upper lip in slight disdain. “Sounds like a lot of responsibility. I would probably have to say power. And, recognition. Like, imagine another region saying, ‘Hey, you’ve heard of Naraku, right? Yeah, I wouldn’t want to fuck with him either.’ To see everyone fear me, to be unbeatable, to know that if I did someday want world domination, I could attain it with the flick of my wrist. Yeah, that’s probably what I’m shooting for.”

“Oh, screw you. You said that all as if you didn’t already know. As if you started all of this because you could.”

“That’s the thing, Kagome. I did. I had the power, so why shouldn’t I be the one to rise to the top? In doing that, I’d have to dispose of the waste, silence the challengers, make a few demonstrations to get the word out, so on and so forth. See, you conjurers are weird folk.” He pointed. “Acting like you’re better than anyone else. It doesn’t make sense to me. What’s that about?”

“We don’t kill for fun.” Kagome replied, a deep scowl forming on her face.

“Oh, no, see that’s not what I’m getting at. Sure, you gotta kill to survive sometimes, self defense, I get that. But, like, you guys act like you’re the peace keepers of the world just because you have the power to purify demonic entities. If you think about it, it’s kind of like you guys are acting like you’re the superior species. It’s the same shit.”

“It’s not the same.” She fired in defense.

“It kind of is.” He chuckled.

“You’re just trying to get me to react.” Kagome said, sighing out a deep breath to regain her bearings. “You really can’t put us on the same level as you. The only thing I heard you admit was that we’re competition. Our existence is a threat to yours.”

“Your existence,” He began, his tone taking a slightly darker note. “Is unnatural.”

She didn’t say anything, utilizing the silence to allow her bow to slide down her arm and into her hand. It would have been impossible not to notice, she was sure, but Naraku mentioned nothing about it, not even bothering to glance down at it in her grip.

“Humans aren’t purposed for supernatural abilities. You guys are the bottom feeders. In the game of the wild, you’re the boars intended for demons to hunt and cook over fires. And, yet here some of you are, popping out of the womb with spiritual powers as if you’re archangels placed on Earth to fight, good versus evil. Allow me to set you straight, Kagome, there is no competition between you and I. Whomever told you that was spitting a pathetic attempt at a lie that you idiotically fell for. If no one told you that and you truly feel I think highly of your kind, you’re delusional.”

“Then, what’s your reason for killing us all?”

“Simply because you’re no archangel. I am as close to a god as you’ll ever get, but you’re meant to join the fallen. So burn, Kagome. Burn.”

“You say it, but you don’t look like you mean that.”

“And, you want to pretend you know me well enough to make that determination? You didn’t even know what I looked like just minutes ago.”

“You’re putting up a front. I know how to read emotions, and you’ve got plenty. What you’re trying to do is conceal them all behind a wall of big talk. Yes, you think my kind is unnatural, but you honestly do think highly of us. I can say that with confidence, because if I recall correctly, you asked a certain conjurer to join your fight toward the very beginning. You thought combining your power with theirs would make you significantly stronger. If you really considered us bottom feeders, you’d have never contemplated such a suggestion. You’ve experienced years of struggle fighting against that conjurer, and have since deemed us all a threat. You’re afraid of us.”

Naraku laughed malevolently, almost appearing taken aback by her insinuation. “Fear. That’s bold to suggest since you’re currently too nervous to even pull an arrow from your quiver.”

“I am afraid.” Kagome admitted without apprehension. “My pride’s not the thing up for question right now.”

His smile was one of incredulity as his red eyes gave a small shift to the side. “Are you sure you want to do this? Fight me?”

“Like I have a choice.” She said through clenched teeth.

Naraku gestured to the ledge. “You do. Jump.”

“Never. I was sure I wanted to do this the moment I recognized the war you were waging. Now that you’ve killed Kikyo, there’s no way I’ll ever back down. You’re cruel, and -”

“Hey, woah, hey, hold on a second there, lady.” The demon braced his hands before him to silence her, pursing his lips for a brief second. “Look, I’m gonna be real with you, you don’t want to mention her. I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that you can’t detect my presence. Where’s you’re half breed boy toy? Who knows, because he has no idea I’m here, right? It’s because I’m not. I’m not real. Naraku, he’s kind of - he’s having an -“ He delayed for a second, bobbing his head as he pondered the proper wording for the predicament. “- an episode at the moment. I’m a puppet. A puppet without any strings, if you will, created to complete this task and then - poof - I’m gone. There’s sort of a tether between my mind and his, and god forbid he’s actually paying attention right now. For your sake, you’d better hope he’s still underground. I mean, I’m not trying to play any sort of good guy - it’s nothing like that. You’re still gonna die today, I’m just trying to show a little mercy. Naraku hears her name, he’ll show up because he’ll be able to locate me real fucking fast, and in the mental state he’s currently in, he’ll literally rip you to pieces. Come on now, that’s no way for a girl with a pretty face to go.”

Kagome was grimacing, a deep frown of disgust pulling at her lips. “He kills her and then has the audacity to cry about it!?”

“Drop the subject.” He warned.

“So, you came to kill me in his stead? Just like he had another underling kill her? And, you want to tell me he isn’t afraid!?”

“He doesn’t like to waste his time squishing bugs.”

“Pathetic.” Kagome said, her voice low, demeaning. “How can anyone be expected to take him seriously as a powerful anything if he can’t even do his own bidding? Naraku is a joke. I’ll bet he’s broken inside. I’ll bet he’s fragile.”

“Stop while you’re still ahead.” The puppet had taken on a serious expression, dark lashes fluttering as he blinked his eyes.

“And, I’m supposed to be intimidated by you? You’re not even him.”

“Oh, no, I’m Naraku.” He corrected. “I’m just not him. Count your blessings. I look exactly like the guy, I can do everything he can do aside from multiply, and you really should learn to watch your mouth.” The puppet began to sprout additional limbs from his back, slithering, green tentacles appearing first, soon joined by long, thin legs looking to belong to a spider, planting themselves on the floor to elevate his body from the earth.

Spider-legged-tentacled creep. Koga had said it, but at the time, Kagome hadn’t known how to comprehend the snide remark at Naraku’s appearance. It was shocking, terrifying, but she knew she didn’t have time to stand there and gawk, to take him in, to actually acknowledge her fear.

As swiftly as she could, Kagome drew an arrow from her quiver, about to aim at the monster before she sensed a powerful energy budding from behind.

“Kagome, down!” Inuyasha ordered, and without a moment’s hesitation, knowing exactly what she was feeling, Kagome dropped her body to the hard surface of the rocky cliff. Air was pushed from her diaphragm from how heavy and quickly she’d dodged, but she remained low, feeling that swarm of demonic power blow directly over her, kick against the surface of the ground, and hit Naraku’s puppet.

With a hasty maneuver, Kagome rolled onto her back, lining the knock of her arrow up with the string of her bow to aim at the demon. It was an odd position, one she wasn’t used to, but she powered through it, pulling back her weapon and releasing to hit just as Inuyasha’s wind scar died away. It seemed as though a barrier had protected Naraku from Inuyasha’s attack, and she’d just caught the way the storm of wind rolled right over him, but her arrowhead stuck in the surface of the invisible barricade, penetrating just passed the tip.

She’d noticed the flinch of his brow, how it pinched inward an inch in observation before relaxing. Was he not expecting such quick reflexes from her? Or, was he not expecting her to make a dent at all?

“So, the half breed finally joins. How long were you listening from the sidelines?” Naraku’s puppet inquired, pretending his expression hadn’t accidentally betrayed him.

Inuyasha didn’t answer. His amber eyes were glowing with anger, his skin was blisteringly hot, and his lips twitched as his glower only managed to deepen. This bastard thought he’d catch Kagome while she was vulnerable and alone? This cheap, knock off, son of a bitch really thought he could kill her so easily? The hanyou was furious.

He’d picked up on Kagome’s voice the moment she’d started talking, and he was sure there was no one on the mountain with them. They were alone, and unless she was talking to a ghost, conversations shouldn’t have been had. Instantly, a bad feeling began to curdle in his stomach, so he headed back. He’d rather be safe than sorry. He’d decided to stay off to the side, listening, peeking through the cracks in the trees to get a glimpse at the man she was speaking to. It was easy to tell something was incredibly wrong. Inuyasha couldn’t smell him. He smelled wood, and just a small piece at that. It was very lightly - very lightly - tainted with Naraku’s scent, though. Something that smelled so far off, it was no wonder he didn’t catch it from down the trail. Then, he admitted to being Naraku, but he knew that couldn’t be the entire truth. He didn’t sense a person. He knew this was an illusion of some sort, but the minute Kagome’s life was so readily threatened was the minute Inuyasha’s anger rapidly bubbled. He was not only underestimating her so disrespectfully, but claiming he was going to put his hands on her. He’d told her to jump off the cliff. He’d claimed to offer her mercy. Inuyasha was going to personally see to this thing’s demise.

This was simply a new message that could be sent the real Naraku’s way. They killed Moryomaru. Now, they would be sending his puppet back in pieces. He was next.

“Tell me you’re okay.” Inuyasha said lowly, stepping through the thickets he’d torn apart with his attack. He didn’t bother taking his eyes off of the underling as he supported his sword in one hand, holding his free one out to help Kagome up.

“I’m fine.” She replied, pulling a new arrow from her quiver.

“Don’t want to bother with small talk? Fine.” Naraku smiled, his tentacles somehow growing. A thick one hastily flew upward to slam down between Inuyasha and Kagome, the two of them dodging but ending up separated.

“Inuyasha, aim at the arrow in his barrier!” Kagome instructed.

“Got it!” The hanyou shouted, dodging another mad tentacle before swinging his sword in another wind scar. Naraku laughed, watching the attack yet again slide over his blockade, missing the arrow entirely.

“What the hell was that!?” He guffawed, his laugh almost choked on as he sputtered to a halt, feeling the disruption of a sharp tear in his wall poking his arm. Another arrow had gotten ninety-percent through, stopping just at the feathers and piercing the surface layer of his flesh through his long-sleeved shirt.

“A distraction.” Kagome stated, pulling another arrow.

The puppet smiled again, but it was daring. Challenging. Kagome could quickly tell he was becoming irate, the way his jaw flexed conveying a lethal threat. She sensed the danger about to come her way, but she fell for his ploy. Naraku sent an appendage shooting at her right, but when she went to swerve left, she was struck by a tendril she hadn’t thought to expect. It sent her flying back onto the ground, a cough sputtering from her mouth from the force, but the puppet failed to pin her. He had lost his grip in the moment, and Kagome rolled away. Still, it would have been impossible of her to get to her feet in time, and again, his tentacle dropped on her, trying to wrap around her waist.

His grip was feeble, sliding away altogether as Inuyasha provided a destructive attack right against the barrier. Kagome looked across the way to see his Tessaiga glowing red, the skin of his face reflecting the bright color, worsening the shade of the fury he radiated. His blade sliced through the barricade, decimating it with the blow, and Naraku’s puppet stood there, stunned.

“Fancy trick you got there.” He growled. “A sword that can break through just about anything, huh?”

“Just about.” Inuyasha said in return, his tone gruff.

Naraku didn’t bother to construct another barrier. If they really wanted to think it would be that simple to take him down, he’d be glad to show them the contrary. To his right, Inuyasha stood with his sword at the ready, the red aura dwindling away to reveal its original appearance. To his left, Kagome stood with an arrow aimed directly at him. She’d shrugged off her backpack in the slim moment his attention was off of her, most likely for better movement control, but the puppet couldn’t help but cock a grin.

He moved swiftly, throwing tendrils of his body outward to distract his opponents. He accepted the hits, laughing tauntingly as he raised his hand and extended it in the direction of the half breed. His demonic powers soared outward, clutching the unsuspecting man in a telekinetic and vise grip, throwing Inuyasha to the ground with a loud thud.

Kagome was trapped, caged, and she didn’t know which appendage to aim at first. It was like they were trying to grab her, closing in to make it harder for her to fight back. It was causing her to panic, to second guess her actions, to back step, and his villainous laughter helped none. She’d heard the loud gasp of Inuyasha colliding with the rocky floor, her panic growing when she called out to him and didn’t receive a response.

Spotting an opening, Kagome aimed between the tentacles, straight at Naraku’s body. One of the slithering things was beginning to snake around her, but despite her trepidation and how badly she wanted to jump away, she stayed perfectly still, waiting for a smidgen of a clearer shot. On an exhale, Kagome released her arrow, her spiritual power demolishing a portion of Naraku’s ribcage, his arm, the tentacles around her dying off, and she quickly jumped out of those that hadn’t yet eroded, shaking them off and scampering toward Inuyasha only to halt halfway.

The hanyou was sitting on his knees, pushing himself back to a standing when his attention flew from Kagome to the monster’s incarnation. Kagome had shot him, had used her powers and blown off a part of his side, but at an alarming rate, Naraku was regenerating.

“I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t impressive.” The puppet spoke, and he almost seemed humored. “I’ll admit, you’re putting up more of a fight than I’d expected of a little girl and a mutt. Bet you didn’t see this coming, though. I’m not real, remember? Your conjurer strength can’t just deteriorate my arm and think it’ll hurt, I’ll scream a little, fall to my knees, and then you’ll be good to serve the finishing attack. It’s gonna take a little more than that, baby.”

“Don’t call me baby!” Kagome demanded, quickly pulling an arrow and shooting it at his body. It nailed the same arm, bringing an annoyed groan from his throat as his skin crumbled, but so rapidly did it heal.

“That make you feel powerful?” He mocked. “Get your point across? ‘Don’t call me baby!’” Naraku echoed in a high-pitched voice. “Stupid ass bitch. You’re not fucking listening, are you?”

Before her very eyes, the puppet’s body seemed to be transforming. More tentacles, vines, slithering demon tails grew from his flesh, entangling around his lower body and plunging into the earth. He was surrounded by a mountain of crawling parts that threatened them and protected his core. Roots began sprouting all around them, loosening the ground that supported the cliff, causing their footing to quake as they stumbled and dodged what grew.

“Kagome, come here!” Inuyasha called, wanting her next to him. He couldn’t protect her this way, he couldn’t adhere to her safety when they were divided, and he couldn’t predict what sort of move this monster was going to make next. In his peripheral vision, he could see the conjurer trying to follow his command, but the puppet was teasing her with his roots, pushing her back. When she finally got over them, Naraku slammed a tendril down in between to keep the two lovers separated.

Ferociously, Inuyasha raised his sword to attack, slashing it down in a formidable wind scar that hit the creature dead on, damaging its faux body. It was insane, the speed at which it regenerated, but the hanyou noticed a small part of his abdomen piecing together just a little slower. That must have been his weak point. That must have been why the demonic parts were protecting his stomach.

“Alright, you’re getting a little annoying.” Naraku commented, swiftly snaking multiple vines around him.

Inuyasha knew it was a distraction, the one that stabbed through his left arm, so he growled and clenched his jaw, but that was the only reaction he allowed himself to give, never taking his eyes off of the damned puppet. Kagome shot another arrow, piercing Naraku’s chest, and as quickly as he could to add his own power to the mix, to end this, Inuyasha swung his sword. His attack rumbled dangerously, shooting over the puppet’s body, but his core was protected in the nick of time.

He hadn’t noticed the tendril around his ankle. He hadn’t noticed the knot it had created. And, it was too late to try and cut himself free before the tentacle yanked his foot back and sent his body crashing forward to the ground. Inuyasha had lost his grip on his sword then, the metal clanking against the rock as he was lifted upward by another root that circled around his waist. He was trying to fight, to free himself, but the root was difficult to slice through with his nails. The ground came flying at his face before he could process as he was wasn’t just dropped, but thrown down heavily, the world going silent and black.

“Inuyasha!” Kagome cried, noticing how he hadn’t attempted to get up or reassure her. The hanyou laid still on the ground, a hand beside his face that neither twitched nor reached for his sword.

It was difficult to focus on what was happening with all the movement around her. So desperately did she want to sprint to her hanyou, but at the moment, she absolutely couldn’t. The second she let her guard down would be the second Naraku would win. It all happened too quickly, though. She’d decided to aim at his body, trying not to be distracted by the wriggling roots and appendages, but just before she could release her shot, something large grabbed around her waist, yanking her back so she’d lose her handling on her weapons, and then thrusting her forward and off of her feet. Kagome was ensnared, the tentacle progressively growing tighter as it wrung around her, pulling her closer to the puppet’s side.

Her groan was pleading, and she pushed fruitlessly at the green flesh around her stomach with her empty hands. It hurt. The closer she got to his burning, red eyes and sadistic smile, the more terrified and panicked Kagome grew.

“So, what now, conjurer?” Naraku asked, hovering her near him. He liked the tiny whimpers that escaped her throat. He liked the way her brown eyes were glimmering with urgency. “Come on, I’m within reach. Now’s your chance. Kill me. Save yourself and your precious mutt.”

She was trying. Kagome was damn near outwardly begging for her powers to work with her. Just once - just fucking once - come through her hands, her skin, anything. Follow the wave through the surface of her flesh. But, nothing was coming. The puppet squeezed her waist tighter and Kagome cried out, but still she tried to utilize that point in her body. She could feel something there. She could feel her powers bubbling where she was being strained, and she pushed, and pushed.

Let it out! Let it out, little bird!

“What a shame.” Naraku lamented. “Who’s pathetic?”

Kagome didn’t have time for this. She wouldn’t, couldn’t, let him win. Reaching behind her, she grabbed an arrow, swiveling the head forward in her fingers and jabbing it into Naraku’s neck.

The demon smiled. The girl was too flustered to apply enough force into her attack. Her powers ran deep, but just an inch further and she would have actually struck his “heart,” protected within his abdomen. It was too bad she’d fallen short. He waited as his body regenerated, plucking the arrowhead from his throat with a disturbed grunt.

“I don’t bleed.” He said, jerking her forward to hover just a couple of inches from his face. His tone died down to a gruff whisper, red eyes staring directly into her stricken irises. “But, you do. Don’t you? How should I do it? Should I make you cry first? Or, would you prefer something quick? Either works for me.”

“You won’t win this.” Kagome whispered, trembling. She was petrified, her heart was pounding, and a thick lump formed in her throat as she felt like the worst was about to happen. It was weird, the way fear would sit in your chest. It made you feel light but jittery, like you should scream to release some of that sensation but you physically couldn’t.

“Famous last words.” Naraku said, stroking the back of his finger over Kagome’s cheek. “How could you possibly take on the real thing if you couldn’t even defeat a puppet, though?”

No. He wasn’t right. They were going to win this.

Weren’t they?

Naraku was moving her over the edge of the cliff, and she fidgeted, gasped, shuddered.

Kagome wasn’t done fighting. She hadn’t seen this through yet. This was just a threat, and she was going to pull out of it. But, why did she get the leadened feeling that she wasn’t?

Why did Kagome suddenly feel so afraid that she couldn’t even breathe anymore?

She heard a sigh, a groan, and Kagome’s attention shifted to Inuyasha as he was coming to, blinking his golden eyes open as he pushed himself up onto his forearms.

Inuyasha was trying to reattain his bearings. His head was throbbing, and blood had gotten into his eye as he opened it, burning. He was still being restrained, his lower body pinned to the ground from the hips down. The battle wasn’t over. How long was he out? Why didn’t he hear Kagome? Where was Kagome?

He blinked some more, stabilizing his lungs as he pushed past the bleary state he was in. At the ledge, held over in a twisted grasp of tendrils, he found her. She wasn’t entirely clear, but he could make out the setting.

And, his stomach dropped.

His vision settled then, and Inuyasha stared on as Naraku grinned, holding Kagome’s life over the edge of the cliff.

| previous chapter | <- -> | next chapter |

#man #talk about a cliff hanger #lololol don't hate me #I had to make the joke before anybody else did #anyway #also #kagome #kagome higurashi #inukag #inuyasha fanfiction #inukag fanfiction #monster #akitokihojo

[heynikkiyousofine]

InuKag Fluff Week Day 4

Day 4: Touch -on ao3-

@inukagfluffweek

Inuyasha’s claws grazed the back of his wife’s soft hands as she laid next to him on their shared futon. In her arms, their raven haired child slept soundly. In the glow of the firelight, he could see Kagome’s eyes flutter under her lids as she slept peacefully, carding their babe closer to her chest, protecting her from the world. Pausing in his touch, he began to recall the many times they had touched over the last five years, more since she had returned to him.

In the beginning of their search, he had awoken to the sound of her voice, but was surprised to see her clinging his body and was confused as to why. When she pulled the arrow from his chest, her other hand gripped his body so tightly, he was afraid she might break her fingers. He would never tell her that though. He had tried to kill her a few times since then, never quite touching her in those moments. He was thankful he hadn’t.

He wondered if she ever realized how dangerous his claws were, that in one swift move, the clawed fingers that were currently grazing her thighs, could cut open the smooth skin that lay beneath. That he was a monster and nobody was ever comfortable even coming close to him, until she came along. He had wondered many a times during their travels, what went on in her head, when she would move closer to him when they went through a village. Didn’t she know that being that close, her fingers grazing his own, that people would stare and talk? She probably knew and didn’t care, but that was his Kagome. That final thought caused a small smile to appear.

Later on, during their adventures, they were plenty moments when she would hug his back, trusting him not to drop her, her touch soothing to him as he carried her across Japan. While there was plenty of rescuing, the both of them gripping each other in various spots as battle wore on, he was more fond of the tender moments. Especially when she came back from her time after he was with Kikyo again. She held his hand like it was nothing, telling him she would stay by his side as long as he wanted her to. He would never tell her, but he wanted her by his side until the end of time, even back then. He was a coward for waiting until she returned to say anything.

When they were in Naraku, fighting against the jewel, it was her touch that had brought him back from the brink. Not his sword, but her touch that helped his realize who he was. It was her touch that he vowed he would never let go of. Then not too long after, she was sucked in to the meido and he couldn’t reach her, feel her warmth beneath his palms. His hand didn’t reach her in time before she had disappeared from the feudal era for three long, excruciating years.

When she called his name in the darkness, he vowed he would reach her. He knew that she was born for him and he for her, deciding to never to let her go again. He wouldn’t let the jewel take away the person he cared about most in the world. He doubt he would ever tell Kagome all the things he vowed to himself in the darkness, that being a tough time for either of them to talk about yet, but when his lips touched hers in those last few moments before separation, he would hold on to that feeling for years.

Time had come and gone. Her scent disappeared, her friends moving on with their lives and sadly, his heart breaking, but he never forgot her touch. Then, on that fateful spring day, he was able to feel her soft skin once again. As he reached into that dreaded well, her grip tightened in his, he pulled her out, determined to never let her go again. He didn’t care if the gods reigned hell on him, he wouldn’t go on without her in this life and the next. He wouldn’t tell Kagome that though, knowing she would say that people here need him and she would always be by his side. 

Now, as she had birthed an even greater gift to him, something he could touch and feel. His daughter, as she lay in her mothers arm whimpered, a frown marring her childish features. Inuyasha brushed the pads of fingers softly across her forehead, smoothing out the wrinkles, cooing his at his baby girl. 

Opening her blue eyes, Kagome watched fondly as Inuaysha calmed their baby back to sleep, whispering a soft thank you, knowing he would hear her.

“For what Koi?” His golden eyes, filled with love and tenderness, as they stared at her own.

“Everything.” She smiled at him, feeling his lips touch her own, the love they shared crossing through time.

#inukag #inuyasha #kagome #inuyasha x kagome #inukagfluffweek2021 #inukagfluff

[encantadiafan12]

Young Severus Snape x Priestess! Ravenclaw! Half-blood! Reader (feat. Kagome and Inuyasha)

The Spiritual love 🏹

In this story Severus change he did not think about continuing his ambition to join the Death Eaters. He has a girlfriend who's a Priestess and a witch. Of course, two people who were his true friends. Inuyasha; a Half-Demon and Kagome; the reincarnation of Kikyo.

Y/n and Severus are both 16/17 in this.

Warnings: Bullying

Y/n was heading to the courtyard to the usual spot where she and Severus would lay back. Only to find he was terrorized by the Marauders. That made the Priestess grip the bow she was holding.

She later took out a plain arrow. Luckily it's not the sacred arrows she usually use while she's at the Feudal Japan with Severus. She places the arrow on the bow before pulling it back. While having it aim at Potter. Who bothers Severus more than the rest.

Y/n later let's go of the arrow as it immediately made it's way to the tree Severus was lying under. As her firing the arrow startle the Marauders and Severus. “Leave him alone, Potter!!” she says as she made her way towards them.

The Slytherin doesn't move at as the girl he love saves him right on time. “Are you insane?! You almost hit us with your arrow!! Why are you protecting Snivellus while he was Death Eater and an ugly git?!” Black exclaims at her.

The Ravenclaw girl narrows her eyes at him. Before she could say anything she was later interrupted by someone saying “Hey, Y/n! Severus! What's taking you so long?!” She and the others turn to see Inuyasha. “Inuyasha? What are you doing here? Did I tell to wait for me by the well so I can get Severus?” she asks.

Inuyasha later crosses his arms. “Well, Naraku’s going to get away if we're just gonna stand around and wait!” he says looking impatient.

“Sit boy.” Another voice says as the beads of Subjugation around Inuyasha’s neck glow and he fell face flat on the ground. Y/n turns to look at Kagome. “You’re here too, Kagome?” she asks as the other Priestess sighs. “I couldn't just let him go off by himself.” she admits.

The Half-Demon then looks at Kagome. “Would you stop doing that?” he almost pleaded. “Stay there and keep quiet.” she says to him. The reincarnation of Kikyo then looks at the Marauders before glaring at them. “So you four are the ones bothering Severus and Y/n, huh?” she says before crossing her arms.

The Marauders then looks at them smugly “Who are you? Do you also knew Snivellus? How this ugly git get your attention? Especially Y/n?” James will arrogantly asks the three making Severus embarrassed and feel litte about himself.

The reincarnated Priestess has enough so she finally snaps. “How would you care? You're the git here. I couldn't believe you bully my friends because Severus was nobody. Give me a break. An ignorant and an arrogant brat like you don't deserve to be in this world. So rot in hell.” she says to him.

Inuyasha then stood up from the ground and later punches James at the face.

Y/n, Kagome, and Severus’ eyes widen at that as they along the Marauders watch as the Gryffindor male drop to the ground.

“You bastard!! That's it I'm gonna beat the hell outta-” Before the Half-Demon could finish he was later interrupted with a “Sit boy.” Before he fell on top of Potter.

Kagome sighs “I think that's enough, Inuyasha. You'll just get Y/n and Severus in trouble if you continue.” she says.

Severus can't help but smirk a bit and be a little happy about the sudden event especially seeing James's Bruised face.. But the Maruaders was in rage seeing that their dear friend was being beat up by Severus' friend which is Inuyasha “Y/n!! Hold your friend!! That freak might kill James!! I suggested you to cage him up or take him to the vet!! That freak does not belong here like Snivellus did!!” Black exclaims.

Y/n glares at them however it was dark than she usually gives. “Insult my friends or my boyfriend one more time. I'll make you guys regret what you did.” she says in a dark tone as the other Marauders face turn pale.

She and Kagome immediately took the Half-Demon away from Potter.

The Ravenclaw girl then hits Inuyasha on the head. When she did that the other guy wince in pain. “Y/n, what was that for?!” He demands while had a hand on the spot where he got hit. “You would've got me and Severus expelled are you that stupid?” she asks her friend.

The Half-Demon then argue; “Well I only did that because I was protecting you and Severus!! And Lastly umm well yeah! Both of you are my friends! So I don't give the damn about them at all!”

The Priestess sighs before she then made her way towards where Severus sat before grabbing his hand not before grabbing the arrow she used to stop any kind of drama from happening and of course her boyfriend's bag. She glares at the Marauders one more time before they walk off following their two friends to forest.

“You’re right about one thing, Sev. They never really leave you and Y/n alone.” Kagome says as she gives her friends a sympathetic look.

Severus sighs “I'm used to it anyway.. Because no one really cares about their bullying, the Maruaders was always getting away with their harassment and bullying and besides the teachers doesn't care at all” After hearing that Inuyasha's head starts to heat up and again in anger “What kind of place is this?! How could they let such things happened?!”

Y/n sighs. “We tried reporting it to the professors multiple times but unfortunately because they were popular around the school. They usually prank the other students mainly Slytherins and a Ravenclaw like me. So nothing works no matter how many times we tried.” she explains as she sighs. The reincarnated Priestess then thought about something for a moment. “Do you guys want to stay in the Feudal Era once after we defeated Naraku and once after you two graduated?” she asks her two close friends.

Inuyasha then notice that suggestion is not so bad and it would be a good thing for his friend who was often bullied by James Potter and his lackeys.

The two looks at Kagome, surprise. She was giving both of them a chance to live in peace.

The other Priestess doesn't know what to say. “Kagome, we....” she starts. She then looks at Severus asking for his side and opinion. “Sev, what do you think?” she asks.

The young Slytherin looks at her with a shock looking face “I don't know what to say.. What do you think??” He ask his girlfriend.

Y/n then gives a soft smile “I think it would be a good thing for both of us. After all I had enough of Potter and his Lackeys ever since first year.” she admits Severus smiles at her and give her forehead a loving kiss “Whatever you chooses I'm with you, My Love.. Always” he says to her.

Inuyasha and Kagome smile as they watch their two friends. The four of them then made it to the well. Inuyasha and Kagome jump in first. The Ravenclaw girl then looks at her boyfriend. “Ready?” she asks as she watch as he nod his head before they both hold their hands and jump in the well. They were later surrounded by colorful swirls.

Once, the four of them reach the other side. They are at the both of the well but different.

Kagome and Inuyasha climb out first. The Dog Demon then divert his attention back to the well before he reach out his towards his Slytherin friend. Severus took his hand as his friend help him out of the well. He then reaches his out to Y/n who gladly took as she also got out.

The four of them start to walk to meet up with the others. They then met up with Sango; a Demon Slayer, Miroku; a monk who possesses the Wind Tunnel, Shippo; a fox Demon who was the only child in the group, and of course Kilala; a twin-tailed cat demon. “Y/n, Severus. You guys are here.” Sango calls out as the four finally approach them. The Ravenclaw girl just rubs the back of her neck nervously. “Sorry, took so long, you guys.” she apologize. “Don’t worry about it.” Miroku then says.

Shippo then hops on Y/n’s shoulder. “What took you guys so long?” He gently ask. The Priestess then gently pats the fox Demon's head. “It’s nothing. Don't worry about it, Shippo.” she reassures.

The group then made their way towards the village. When they there; they saw Kaede (Kikyo’s younger sister) was hanging clothes. The old Priestess then notice them as she then made her way towards the two.

She was very happy to Y/n and Severus again and gave them a warm hug.

“We’re so happy to see you, Lady Kaede.” The Ravenclaw girl says as she greets Kikyo’s younger sister. She likes being around Lady Kaede she was like a grandmother to her. Y/n doesn't like Kikyo though. The gang settle in her hut.

While all of them talks about their second move in collecting more jewel shards and defeating Naraku. They all discussed it until the night has come. Kaede then helps Y/n and Kagome to change their clothes.

The other Priestess made her way towards Severus. The Slytherin teen was so stunned when he sees his girlfriend wearing a very elegant looking kimono.

Y/n sat with and take his hand to hers “Thank you for staying with me, love.. I don't know if we can make it if you say no.” She said. “The only good thing being here in the Feudal Era was that we won't be able to see Potter and his lackeys for a little while.” The Ravenclaw girl says to him.

“Yeah.. And we can be always together without having so much worries” Severus replied making Y/n smile at him “We can create our family in here” Y/n says. “Our future together.” She finishes.

Severus smiles at her and kiss her hand “I love you, Y/n.. Always” Severus Said “I love you, love” Y/n replied.

#inuyasha #young severus snape #severus snape x reader #Inuyasha crossover #harry potter crossover

[avionvadion]

Yashahime just reminds me of that donkeyskin fairytale. Have you heard of it?

Well, if not, here’s how it goes:

Once upon a time, there’s a young princess. Her beautiful mother grows ill, and as she’s dying she tells her husband- the king- that should he ever remarry after her death, it should only be to a woman as beautiful as she. Driven mad with grief, the king does as suggested and scours the lands for a woman as beautiful as his deceased wife. He soon realizes that there’s only one person that matches his wife in beauty, and...

Yeah, you guessed it. His daughter.

Horrified and unwilling to marry her father, the daughter obtains a magical piece of donkeyskin that when she wears it she comes across as a hideous old hag. The princess flees to another country and some prince sees through the curse (pretty sure he caught her bathing, which is pretty gross but hey it’s a dark story so yeah) and she marries him instead to escape the fate of marrying her dad.

It’s fucked up.

It’s also literally Trashahime- what with Pedomaru r*aping the child he protected and cared for, forcing her to become a teen mom to a pair of twins, and then fridging her inside of a tree. He also clearly doesn’t give a single shit about the twins either, unperturbed by Setsuna’s death, and doesn’t care about Rin either or whether she lives/dies.

He hasn’t shown ANY emotion whatsoever after episode 1 of the first season, which really just goes further to show that this imposter isn’t actually Sesshomaru as Sesshomaru DOES have emotions and isn’t a fucking predator. A bully? Yeah, to his half-brother. Petty? You bet your beautiful ass. Is he someone who would condone sexual assault or pedophilia? Hells no. He doesn’t tolerate bullshit.

Why do you think he killed Mukotsu when he tried to r*ape Kagome? He said it was because Mukotsu didn’t answer his questions, but what questions did he ask him? “Where Inuyasha is?” Sesshomaru would know whether or not Inuyasha was there because of his superior sense of smell. He had no reason to head there. To kill Mukotsu. 

But he did it anyway, because he knew they were there and saw that they were in trouble and- just like his brother often does- strongly denies that he was there help. 

When Kagura is wounded and topless, he saves her from the river and does not look at her once after the rescue. He respects her privacy and does not violate it. And, really, why do you think he protected Kohaku despite how Kohaku previously tried to kill Rin? Why do you think he let Kohaku travel with him for so long? Why did he let Rin stay with him, too, when she offered absolutely nothing except flowers crowns and endless annoying questions, and was no more than another person to protect?

She was abused and she had helped him, so Sesshomaru took her under his wing and protected her. Kohaku was abused by Naraku and was being hunted by him, so Sesshomaru took him under his wing and protected him. When Kagura died, Sesshomaru willingly flew to her with the hope of saving her with tenseiga and was greatly distraught after it was revealed impossible. 

Oh, another question: why did Sesshomaru revive the dead father of a badger demon child, Kanta, if he didn’t have a heart for anyone except the little girl he kept unconditionally by his side? Why was Shippo, a fox demon child, able to convince him to use the tenseiga, and why did tenseiga react at all? 

After all, tenseiga only works for someone who has a compassionate heart. It doesn’t react unless something is going on in Sesshomaru’s heart. 

Sesshomaru is a petty little bitch and an absolute asshole towards his brother, but he’s kind towards children and protective over those who are loyal to him. He’s also protective over the half-brother he hates so much, as no one is allowed to kill Inuyasha except Sesshomaru himself, and whenever Inuyasha finds himself in too tough a spot or is not in the right place at the right time to save his friends... who steps in to help? To give some (albeit condescending and asshole-ish) advice?

Sesshomaru.

#anti sessrin #anti yashahime #anti rinsess #donkey skin #potentially triggering #trigger warning #trigger warning rape #tw rape

[savethelastdan]

Sesskagu Week Day 2: Green (Apart)

Idea came from @dearestpartnerofgreatness​

"I was wonderin' when you'd get here." Sliding both hands behind his head, Inuyasha looked his half-brother up and down with more than a little smugness. "Took a week to finally admit to yourself that you were wrong, stupid?"

"I was not wrong," Sesshomaru growled, despite the tinge of relief that the hanyou's statement proved that he'd successfully hunted Kagura down. That he'd spotted his brother sleeping on a curved branch of a tree outside heart of the village was both a detriment (in that he had to listen to him talk) and a blessing (he had no interest in walking around the village looking like a fool while she danced around avoiding him). "She overreacted."

A single dog ear twitched in amusement. "Great apology. Should go over well."

"I would think," Sesshomaru retorted, voice lowering as a group of villagers reached the top of the hill and promptly about-faced upon seeing him, "you would welcome the opportunity to remove her from your home, so that you may have peace once again."

Inuyasha's mouth opened comically wide before snapping shut. "Humph. Fine."

Stretching until several bones in his back cracked, he leapt down from the tree and bounded off. Sesshomaru turned his back to the tree, trying to appear unflappable as possible.

He hadn't been wrong, no matter how much the wind sorceress fussed. If anything, she had taken advantage of his generosity. Had he not lost months of sleep, seeking a way to stuff her soul back in an unmastered body, with an unmastered heart at her disposal? Had he not then allowed her to join his party on their travels despite the constant arguing between herself and Jaken and how his mood suffered because of it?

She had repaid him by deciding, for no reason at all, to start collecting. Nothing of importance; naturally, the bits and bobbles that drew Kagura's interest were as useless as they were commonplace. Withering leaves, sharp stones in muddied colors, feathers and scales and scraps of cloth or petrified wood, all constantly underfoot.

It was childish. It was pointless. And so, after the hundredth time something small and irksome found itself under his foot, Sesshomaru had tossed the whole pile away.

Which was how he'd been left with a blow to his chest that took a full day to heal, while Kagura ran off to invade Inuyasha's stupid little house in the stupid little village. The fact she'd rather be surrounded by humans than be around him was taken with the full force of insult she'd meant it to be. By now she'd probably convinced Kohaku and Rin to take her side…

At least he had Jaken's understanding.

He should not even be rewarding such a tantrum, by marching here to collect her. But…despite the headaches that her presence occasionally brought, her absence had endeared him to certain feelings. Those that, perhaps, could be analogized to how Kagura herself might have felt, back in the days where her much-wanted heart had been miles away.

Not that he could ever bring himself to say something like that out loud. Even to her, who had managed to wring quite a few utterances out of him that even Rin would have had trouble believing had come from Sesshomaru's own tongue.

There had to be a line somewhere.

(Perhaps time would wear it down, eventually, but unless she came home, the situation was moot.)

Annoyance stung the space behind his teeth as Inuyasha returned, no wind witch in tow. From the grumpy expression on the hanyou's face, he wasn't too thrilled about it either.

"She says she ain't interested in talkin' to ya." Folding both arms over his chest, Inuyasha glared in Sesshomaru's direction. "But you're right, she's overstayed her welcome. So start thinkin' how you're going to convince her to leave."

Sesshomaru bristled; demonic energy flooded his veins. "I do not take orders from- "

"Cut it out, you stopped being scary when you let Kagome start callin' ya Big Brother." The last few words were said in a high-pitched mimicry of the priestess, though it was quickly followed by the classically-ridiculous smile that Inuyasha always got when he mentioned his wife. "If it helps, I think she's just being difficult. She stopped thinkin' up creative ways to kill you a few days ago; the rest of the time, she's just been moping around. One gritted-teeth apology'll probably work."

That most certainly did not help, because as soon as they were in the same room again Sesshomaru was sure the reason for her ire would no doubt return in full force.

Inuyasha's brow dropped. "You seriously not gonna do it?"

"Would you?" Sesshomaru retorted icily, before he could stop himself.

"I," Inuyasha said, with the slow relish of someone who had been waiting for this exact question, "would've never thrown out her stuff in the first place."

Tenseiga and Bakusaiga's commentary was, while amusing, not particularly useful. Beating his brother to a pulp for being a know-it-all would do nothing but earn the ire of his sister-in-law. Which Sesshomaru did not need today.

"What's the problem with having stuff, anyway," Inuyasha continued, scratching behind one ear as though this was a casual family visit. "Other than the fan and feathers, it's not like she got to keep any shit around before. From what Kohaku said, Naraku didn't like for any of 'em to go exploring much, either. She's got the time and you've got the space, so it's a stupid thing to fight about."  

As much as he did not want to admit it (and one could imagine just how much that was), that was a fair point. As was his belief that she could have chosen a more interesting and less obnoxious form of self-expression.

"You know, she mentioned somethin' a few times when she was cursing you…" Trying to keep his tone even was difficult, but the thought of Kagura going home helped. Even though this particular statement felt kinda unfair, even against someone like Sesshomaru. "How you didn't lift a finger to save her life, and now you won't even let her enjoy it, or…?"

Sitting with his feet propped on the windowsill, Jaken hummed a happy tune. It had been over a week without the annoying witch around, and he felt in much better spirits with her gone! No more sudden bursts of wind to knock him over in the corridors, or piles of random garbage from who-knew-where cluttering up the place. And there was still at least two weeks before Rin and Kohaku came for their annual summer visit and disturbed his peace.

Granted, Lord Sesshomaru's mood had been…sour since she'd gone, to the point that he'd left the castle in a huff the day before. But that was not a problem for Jaken; if anything, it hopefully meant that soon they'd be back to the old days of 24/7-wandering, offering challenges to whatever foolish yokai crossed their path! Not that having time to rest in the castle wasn't nice, but he certainly missed the days before Lord Sesshomaru had settled down, so-to-speak, and regulated his travels to the fall and spring seasons.  

Suddenly, a powerful aura electrified the air, sending a chill zipping up through his legs. Leaning towards the window, he scanned the landscape with excitement. That must be Lord Sesshomaru! Perhaps he had returned with a task, a quest, just like the days before his Lord's heart had turned -

Oh no. Oh no.

Because yes, indeed, there was his esteemed Lord touching down in the front courtyard. But unfortunately, right at his side, with a smile he could see from here, was that annoying sorceress. As he watched, Sesshomaru brushed a hand against her arm with such uncharacteristic softness that it made the kappa feel ill.

Kagura said something (probably wicked, from the way her scarlet eyes glinted in the sunlight) and then twisted to unload something off her back. To Jaken's horror, she was carrying a knapsack. The same one she used to collect her stupid little trinkets all the time.

And it looked heavy.

#sesskagu #sesskagu week #sesskaguweek21 #sesshomaru #kagura #jaken #inuyasha #savethelastdan #shespitsfire

[kogetanotenshi]

RATING NARAKU'S INCARNATIONS

Yay! Another opinion post!

I really want to do this because as I've already established, Naraku is one of my favorite villains of all time, therefore he will be out of this top, because he would obviously be N° 1.

This top will focus only on the nine children of anime's best single father.

Let's START!

8. These two

Yes, these two. Because I don't even remember their names (I think they both end with "maru'' I guess?). Let's put it this way: I totally skipped these two's arc because I found it to be incredibly uninteresting!

Rate: 1/10.

7. The Infant

I like this little ball of sociopathy more than the first two, but I still think he was too... "meh". He wasn't bad, I think he pulled a good threat but there's not much you can do as a character when you're just a talking baby.

Rate: 4/10.

6. Byakuya

I really like his design, let's start with that. He is a total bishounen and undeniably pretty, his dub VA was very well casted, and that tramp he put Sango in to force her into almost killing Rin? Damn.

The only reason he doesn't have a higher spot? He is basically a replacement goldfish for Kagura (Face it, he is). He has the same way of air transportation as Kagura, fills the same role as Kagura (keeping an eye on the Inugang, giving them info Naraku wanted them to know, all that jazz). Unfortunately he has no deep desire to be free like Kagura so he's just... Fine, for me at least.

Rate: 6.5/7.

5. Goshinki

There's a way to summarize Goshinki's whole character: Small Role, Big Impact.

Goshinki (as much as I can remember) only appeared for like 4 episodes and was an incredibly OP monster (and also I think the only child of Naraku that doesn't look human at all). He was fast, strong, agile, and could read freakin' minds! He might as well be almost the most powerful (behind Naraku himself)... My only problem? Remember I watched InuYasha last year, when I was in my 20s already. Therefore it was almost too easy for me to figure out something was gonna happen. Rumiko wouldn't have introduced such a powerful character so early in the story if she didn’t know there was a hidden reason for it. And lo and behold, Goshinki breaks Tessaiga (very cool moment) but also unleashes InuYasha's Superpowered Evil Side. And I said, I KNEW IT! Because it was kinda obvious. Again, small role, Big Impact.

Rate: 7/10.

4. Muso

For some reason I was unable to find a gif.

Muso was basically introduced to gives us an idea of how was good ol' Onigumo before he was mauled by fire and found by Kikyo. He is a hedonist, a murderer, a (possibly) rapist, and was proud of being a pure son of a b*tch. And you know what? It works, at least we know why someone like HIM would sell his soul to demons in order to move again. And his body horror, turning into a scorpion monster was very squicky, kudos to Rumiko for her body horror! Perhaps the only thing I don't like about Muso is his design, he looks too human. He is still supposed to be an Incarnation of Naraku and therefore should at least have eye makeup like his daddy or pointed ears. But whatevs. I really liked Muso. The Reincarnated Onigumo.

Rate: 7/10.

3. Hakudoshi.

Aka the Only one who acknowledges Naraku as his dad and proudly names himself "Son of Naraku". I really, really like this young punk, I like his weapon, his design, his battlehorse, his voice, and I find it hilarious how his 11 years old ass bosses around Kagura, it’s really funny. The problem is that he doesn't know his place and got killed because of it. Imo he needed more screentime, he had way more potential.

Rate: 8/10.

2. Kagura.

The fandom's favorite.

And I can really tell why. Her story is very sad from a certain perspective, she didn’t want to be working for Naraku and she clearly hated the guy. Her wind powers are on point with her "Lady of War" character and her necromancy is a very interesting contrast to such a lady.

The thing is, while I like Kagura, the only reason she's not number one is because, guys, let's remember she's not a misunderstood puppydog? At least not completely, she (in her first appearances) enjoyed fighting with the Inugang and didn’t seem too bothered with the idea of slaughtering Koga's whole clan. She might hate that Naraku bosses over her but I can't say she's a boohoo poor innocent sunshine baby who deserved better, sorry 🤷‍♂️

Rate: 8.5/10.

And the top spot goes to...

1. Kanna.

Ah yes, the firstborn, the eldest sister, the soul-taking, hole-digging white girl! I LOVE Kanna and you can tell with how much I bring her up in my Incorrect quotes that involve Naraku. This ghost-looking creepy child is a character I'd totally like to adopt.

I'm sorry but I have a soft spot for unemotional characters who end up becoming emotional and having feelings. And also, of all the Incarnations, you can tell Kanna was the only one who was NOT inherently evil. She just followed Naraku's orders but she didn’t enjoy anything she did (because she seemingly didn’t feel anything by the time?) and her death in the anime? My eyes watered more with her death than with Kagura's.

Kanna is and always will be, my favorite Naraku Incarnation.

Rate: 1000/10 because she's perfect and I want to adopt her!

Please remember this ranking is based only on my own opinions, you can share them or you can not, if you want, you can let me know if you agree or disagree with this ranking, I'd love to read your own opinions!

#inuyasha a feudal fairy tale #rumic world #rumiko takahashi #hanyo no yashahime #inuyasha #Naraku's Incarnations #Kanna #Kagura #Hakudoshi #The Infant #Muso #Byakuya #Goshinki #And the other two

[robbyrobinson]

My Favorite Sad Songs

1) Remember You (Adventure Time): Really, one thing I liked about Adventure Time was how it depicted mental illnesses with the best episode of the show IMO being "I Remember You" where we learn that the Ice King looked after Marceline while he was still suffering from the effects of the crown's powers. Calls to mind those who have aging parents or grandparents who develop Alzheimer's. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBm6nemYcNA

2) Remember Me and You Will Be Okay (Coco & Helluva Boss): Both are placed together because of similar themes: a father who promises to always be with their child even if they cannot physically be there. Remember Me is especially sad once you find out that Ernesto stole that song from Hector and perverted it. The latter song is sweet, but also sad with Stolas lamenting on how he thought he was bold and that love would be fun, but it becomes beautiful if you hear the extended version of the song (The Day that you arrived/the Sun went black/An artificial night/you came and stole away the light/And put it in your eyes). It's just cute how in awe he is of his daughter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP_XkN2v7OM and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74xgpkEC7cA

3) You Are Not Alone/Little Susie (History: Past, Present, and Future Book 1): Michael Jackson when alive was a polarizing figure, but these two songs in particular hit more emotional sides. The first song, much like number 2, is a promise to always be there to comfort you even if they were far away. Little Susie, the darker of the two, is a morbid tale about someone killing Little Susie, the girl with the tune, who sings in the daytime at noon. No one cared for the poor girl. Worse is the idea that the song was based on a true story...not that I can actually find the source citing it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAyKJAtDNCw and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVrNK870EzA

4) Naraku no Hana (Higurashi: When They Cry): The opening theme for the second season of the anime. It is very emotional. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHr3g1c11yw

5) My Heart Will Go On (Titanic): Pretty much just someone showing strength that they can go on in life after the death of someone they cherished. The one they love still exists, however, even though they live as memories in their hearts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gK_2XdjOdY

6) You Will Be Found (Dear Evan Hansen): Again a whole "you are not alone" aesthetic, but anyone who knew someone who took their own lives or has suicidal tendencies, the song comes off as very relatable and assuring that you do matter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSfH2AuhXfw

7) My Soul, Your Beats! (Angel Beats): Again, a very emotional song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIFV8UUs1-c

8) Kimi ni Furete (Bloom into You): From a yuri I watched, the opening theme. It is very, very touching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRdNI4XAxRw

9) Worthless (The Brave Little Toaster): A depressing song befitting a dark animated film. It is all about the discarded automobiles going over their lives and what they did prior to getting trashed and can only look forward to their ends. One green truck even drives itself on the conveyor belt leading to the crusher. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UfsEj7AOGI

10) Question (Assassination Classroom): What makes the song pretty tragic is that, from what I have gathered, the song is really about the one who inspired Koro-sensei to teach. Also, the song that played during Koro-sensei's death scene is also saddening. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq_4hj9RrGg

11) Drift Away (Steven Universe: The Movie): Spinel is a pretty good villain with her jester attire and all. This one is basically her recounting how she remembered playing with Pink Diamond/Rose Quartz who had her stay in this one spot. Spinel hoped she'd come back...but she never did, and she remained there waiting and waiting as the thousands of years go by.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRS2ciJ5rOk

12) Daddy (Korn): The story behind it is that the singer was violated by a family friend for a long time and when he tried to tell his parents about his abuse, they did not believe him. The song then dives into the poor guy raging and sobbing wildly as he lets his emotions flow. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me6krWVfN8I

#korn #songs #adventure time #i remember you #the brave little toaster #tblt #higurashi #higurashi: when they cry #michael jackson #little susie #dear evan hansen #helluva boss #you will be okay #pixar #steven universe #spinel #assassination classroom #bloom into you #anime