Chapter Twenty Two: A Moment of Beauty

Over the course of the next year, Kaede began to train with a bow and arrow. It was not swift progress that she made, for she did not have the talents of Kikyo. That spring, when the snows had come and gone, she launched arrow after arrow at a tree. Each time hit nothing but the ground.

'It's no use,' reflected Kaede, 'I'll never be as good as sister Kikyo.' Stringing another arrow, she prepared to fire it.

'I'm impressed Kaede,' said Kikyo as she approached.

'Kikyo, it's you!' Cried Kaede. As Kikyo approached, Kaede remembered how she had looked with the makeup on her. She wanted to see her sister look beautiful like that more often, and she wanted to do what she could to help her. 'Uh… can I tell you something.'

'Of course.' said Kikyo.

Kaede remained silent for a long moment, trying to think of how to say it. 'Never mind forget it.'

'Alright,' said Kikyo, before making her way onward.

From where he lay atop a tree branch, Inuyasha watched. The nightmares had decreased since that day and even disappeared for a time. Yet gradually they had been creeping back. Even now, he felt a desire to see how Kikyo would look covered in her own blood. Voices filtered through his mind, and among them was a voice he knew, yet had never before heard.

A shadow moved in the darkness of the wood, and he burst upright, seeking it. Yet it was gone now, as though it had never been there, to begin with. Even so, he felt its presence. That which he desired more than anything not to meet. He leaped down from the trees and tapped Kaede on the shoulder.

'What is it, Inuyasha?' asked Kaede.

'Go find your sister.' he said. 'Something is coming. I'll deal with it.'

'What are you talking about?' asked Kaede. 'There is nothing out there-'

'Do as I say you brat!' snarled Inuyasha, his eyes flaring. 'Get to safety!'

Kaede ran, looking very frightened. Inuyasha turned to the darkness which seemed to grow ever darker around him. The clouds thickened and closed over the sun, leaving the land in darkness. Then out of the trees came blood, in waves, soaking the grass and trees in red liquid. Two bright and terrible red eyes peered out of the darkness.

A feral roar came from Inuyasha's mouth as he charged at it, claws bared.

A host of birds flew from the trees in fright as rage and fear consumed Inuyasha.

A host of birds flew out of the trees in a fright, as Kikyo heard an animalistic roar echo throughout the trees. Looking up, Kikyo saw Kaede rushing towards her. 'Kaede, what happened?' she said in concern.

'I don't know,' said Kaede, 'Inuyasha told me to find you. He seemed afraid of something.'

'I'd better go see what this is all about.' said Kikyo ruefully. 'Head to the village, I'll be back.' She set down what she was carrying and drew out her bow.

'Inuyasha!' said Kikyo's voice, cutting through his vision of red.

Inuyasha came to and found himself standing in the clearing, breathing heavily. There was no blood on the ground, no eyes stared out at him from the trees. It was just him and Kikyo, alone. 'Yes, what is it?' he asked.

'You scared Kaede half to death.' said Kikyo. 'Are you alright?'

'Something was here.' said Inuyasha. 'I felt it in my soul. It was coming here… the skies clouded over and there was blood everywhere.'

'Inuyasha, have you been getting enough sleep?' asked Kikyo.

'…I've been having nightmares,' admitted Inuyasha, 'but this wasn't a nightmare. Something was here!'

'It might have been a spirit of some kind,' reflected Kikyo, 'however, I don't sense anything. I should have picked up on its presence.'

'Oh yes, because you're infallible!' snapped Inuyasha. 'Don't pretend like you notice everything Kikyo, because you don't.'

'…Alright, there might be something out there.' admitted Kikyo. 'We'll have to watch for it. I actually have someplace I need to be right now.'

'Where?' asked Inuyasha.

'I…' she paused 'some time ago I found a man horribly burned and crippled, lying by the side of the road. He will never walk or move again. I keep him alive.'

'And you never mentioned this before, because?' asked Inuyasha.

'I don't feel the need to tell you about every action I take to help other people, Inuyasha!' Kikyo snapped. 'Now I need to go.'

'I'll go with you.' said Inuyasha. 'Just to make sure whatever is out there doesn't ambush you.'

'Inuyasha,' she said, 'I'm quite capable of taking care of myself.'

'I know.' said Inuyasha. 'Just… let me go along with you alright. It will help my peace of mind.'

'Very well,' said Kikyo. 'but you will not say anything.'

She led him through the forest, back to where she had set down a bowl of gruel, and picked it up. Kikyo and Inuyasha made their way through a field of long grass and finally came to a cave. Kikyo entered it, and Inuyasha waited behind.

'Kikyo… it's you…' said a very familiar voice.

It was all Inuyasha could do not to shout.

Onigumo was a shadow of what he had once been. His arms and legs had been crushed by beams and had to be amputated. Several of his teeth had been knocked out. His face was bandaged to hide the horrific scarring. He could not walk or move from the spot where he lay. All he could do is stare up at the ceiling, and the walls around him and wait for Kikyo to return to him.

This time another came with her. He knew him at once, for he was of the Band of Seven. Inuyasha stood looking down at him, hatred in his eyes. It was a hatred which was mutual. So, Kikyo had found love, or something close to it. The frustration of his desire only added to his loathing of Inuyasha. His desire to see him dead.

He did not show any of this. His only hope for vengeance was to somehow turn Kikyo against Inuyasha. I would be best to let him take the first move. 'Kikyo… it's you…' he breathed.

'Yes,' she said in a kind tone, 'I brought some gruel for you.'

'Forget me,' said Onigumo, 'don't even bother coming.' She ignored him, spooning some of the soup. 'Go away.'

The pain was something Onigumo had become used to. The touch of food on his tongue was a blessed distraction from the never-ending agony. For a few minutes, Kikyo fed him before, at last, it was over, and she departed.

There was a tense silence between Kikyo and Inuyasha as they made their way back from the cave. Inuyasha wondered if he should break it, reveal what he knew.

'Do you know who that is?' asked Inuyasha.

'His name is Onigumo,' said Kikyo, 'he was a bandit betrayed by his gang.'

'Betrayed?' asked Inuyasha. 'More like he betrayed them and got what he deserved.'

'No one deserves that.' said Kikyo.

'Then why not put him out of his misery.' said Inuyasha.

'I thought we'd established by now that you can't solve all your problems by killing people.' snapped Kikyo.

'Not all my problems,' said Inuyasha, 'just this one.'

'We're not killing him.' said Kikyo.

'Do you know how Renkotsu found out about the sacred jewel?' asked Inuyasha. 'Because Onigumo came along and convinced him to abandon his post. To take your sister hostage. He then told our leader, Bankotsu, that Renkotsu had done so. He was trying to get us to kill each other. If I hadn't arrived then, you would have been raped and murdered because of Onigumo.'

'You act as though the Band of Seven is not responsible for its own actions?' noted Kikyo. 'You can't just blame everything on a crippled man because you're jealous.'

'Jealous?' asked Inuyasha. 'Is that what you think this is about? Onigumo is dangerous! He nearly got the Band of Seven to kill each other with a few idle words. He stole a bandit leaders gang out from under him, after convincing him to seek the sacred jewel. He may not be able to move on his own anymore, but he can still speak.'

'And aren't you dangerous, Inuyasha?' asked Kikyo, turning to face him. 'Aren't you far more dangerous than he is right now.'

'Kikyo….' he paused, 'you know that I'd never do anything to hurt you.'

'I can't choose to give one person a second chance, and then kill another.' said Kikyo. 'I serve others, not my own desires.'

'Well fine!' said Inuyasha. 'But what kind of life do you think he'll be leading? He sits in that cave, without limbs, lying there day in and out without hope. It's not murder its a mercy killing!'

'We are not killing him.' said Kikyo.

'Fine!' snapped Inuyasha. 'But when this backfires horribly, don't come crying to me!'

Then he rushed off into the trees without another word. Kikyo sighed in resignation. 'I knew he wouldn't take it well.' she reflected. 'I'm going to have some tea.'

Little did they know, Onigumo's presence had been observed by powers unknown.

That winter, Inuyasha and Kikyo went abroad. She was seeking to slay a powerful demon in another country. Thus it was that Kaede was assigned to watch over Onigumo. It was not a duty she attended with any enthusiasm.

'You…' said Onigumo, 'young lass…'

'Its Kaede,' she said as she washed him.

'Your sister guards what is known as the Shikon Jewel, does she not?' asked Onigumo.

'What would ye know about the jewel?' asked Kaede, in no mood for conversation. She had heard from Inuyasha exactly what part Onigumo had played in her being held hostage.

Onigumo seemed amused. 'All who are wicked know of it… and pursue it…'

'Ye included.' noted Kaede.

'I understand that the more evil the jewel absorbs, the more evil it becomes.' noted Onigumo. 'Outstanding.'

'My sister has it under her control.' snapped Kaede. 'It won't be corrupted.'

'Kikyo's manner is self-righteous.' noted Onigumo. 'For once I would like to see her apprehensive and frightened. That would bring me true pleasure…' A dark chuckle came to his lips as the darkness grew deeper.

Kaede left in something of a hurry when she was done.

Some months later, the snows had melted. Kikyo was picking herbs, Kaede explained exactly what Onigumo had said.

'I see,' said Kikyo, 'he said that did he?'

'Big sister,' said Kaede, 'I don't care for that man.'

'Bear him no grudge,' said Kikyo 'his injuries are great. He shall never move from there again.

That was all Kikyo had to say on the subject. For her part, Kaede increasingly began to take Inuyasha's part on the subject of Onigumo.

Kaede spent more time after that working on her archery. Little by little she managed to launch arrows to hit the tree from a farther and farther distance. After getting a perfect shot, Kikyo approached her.

'You've improved Kaede,' said Kikyo, 'considerably.'

'Thanks,' said Kaede.

'Next is the arrow of sealing,' said Kikyo, drawing an arrow from Kaede's quiver and setting it to her bow. 'This is a technique used to defeat otherwise invincible demons.' She launched an arrow that shot through the air and landed in the trunk of the tree with a flash of spiritual energy.

'What happens to the demon?' asked Kaede.

'They fall into a deep sleep which they will not awaken from until the one who shot the arrow desires it.' said Kikyo, before glancing to a particular tree standing forlornly above them. 'Do not use that tree for target practice, Kaede.'

'Why not?' asked Kaede.

'It is known as the tree of ages.' said Kikyo. 'It is said to be able to transcend time itself.'

A silence fell over them then, and they felt as though somewhere evil was afoot. Kikyo sensed something, a presence she had not felt since the Band of Seven had died. At the time, she had assumed that it was just the residual feeling of death. Yet here it was lingering over the land.

Kikyo turned to Kaede. 'Kaede, you had best go. I will deal with this.'

She stalked through the trees, an arrow on her bow. The source of the presence was just ahead, and she slowly emerged. There she found nothing. As she emerged into the clearing, no sign could be seen of the enemy she had sensed.

Had she felt it? Or was it merely her senses playing games with her. She put away her arrow and made her way back to town.

She never reached it. Instead, she found herself wandering, until she came to a hill overlooking the village. From there she gazed upon the landscape for what must have been hours. As dusk fell over the land, Inuyasha appeared.

'Kikyo, I've been looking for you.' said Inuyasha. 'Your sister is worried. She asked me to come tofind you.'

'Yes, I suppose I went off without telling anymore.' reflected Kikyo. 'Inuyasha, are you unable to be yourself unless you are fighting?'

'…I don't really know,' admitted Inuyasha, 'I've been fighting so long I don't know. There used to be a time where when I fought, I went wild. I lost all my inhibitions, went berserk so that nobody who stood in my way would live. No one except Jakotsu and the others anyway.

I used to love it. Jakotsu did. Yet now… I don't know if that is who I am. Or who I want to be anymore.'

'Wouldn't you like to stop fighting?' asked Kikyo. 'Stop fighting all the time. Stop and become human.'

Inuyasha looked at her, eyes wide. 'Me? Become human?'

'It's possible,' said Kikyo, 'you may be half-demon, but you are also half human.' Inuyasha looked down at the ground, reluctant. 'If the sacred jewel were to fall into the hands of a demon, their powers would increase. However, if it were used to turn you into a human, it would be purified. The jewel of the four souls would cease to exist.'

'…No, it wouldn't.' said Inuyasha.

There was a long pause as Kikyo looked at him. 'What do you mean?'

'Oh come on,' said Inuyasha, 'you saw what happened to Tsubaki. You make a wish on the thing, and it twists it to kill you. Or worse.'

'That was because Tsubaki's wish was impure.' said Kikyo. 'It's complicated, but the jewel is formed of several forces, some good, some evil. By making a wish that benefitted only herself, Tsubaki appealed to the evil part of the jewel. As of this moment, however, the evil part of the sacred jewel is weakened. If a pure wish were to be made, the pure aspect of the jewel would likely be able to purify the whole gem.'

'Great, let's go bring back the Band of Seven then.' said Inuyasha in deadpan.

'…I thought we were over this.' said Kikyo with a sigh.

'No seriously, what could be less selfish than bringing one's friends back from the dead?' said Inuyasha. 'How is that any less pure than becoming human?'

'By bringing back your friends, you would be plunging Japan into another dark period.' said Kikyo. 'Or a darker period at any rate. The point is that you would be choosing your own happiness over the lives of thousands of innocents.'

'Oh,' said Inuyasha, before looking away, bitter, 'so I would.'

'Also,' said Kikyo, 'the sacred jewel grants demons terrible power. Yet what if a half-demon were to wish to give up his power. To become human? That would be against the very nature of the jewel.'

There was a long pause as the sky became a brilliant orange. 'And then what? What if this works?' he asked. 'What would happen to you?'

Kikyo smiled. 'My duty is to protect the jewel. Without it, I could live the life of an ordinary woman.'

There was silence between them for a long, long time. It was a moment that had seemed to stretch into eternity. Finally, Inuyasha looked back to her, face serious.

'Give me some time to think about it, alright.' said Inuyasha. 'Let's head back to the village.'

Summer passed into autumn, and still, Inuyasha did not make his decision. Upon a sleepy boat ride over a river, his decision was made. The shadows of the trees had fallen over the water, which appeared orange. Kikyo sat at the back of the boat, as Inuyasha pushed them through the water with a long pole. As they went along, Inuyasha took in the senses he had been given. He wondered if he would ever smell or hear quite as well as he did right now.

Yet he was also afraid. Afraid of the impulses which kept coming at him. Afraid of what might occur if he continued to hear them. Though they had retreated, he could feel them at the edge of his mind. He stood conflicted and had the feeling as though he was at the threshold between two worlds. He must choose one. The way of bloodlust had once been inviting, but he had walked it for years.

He no longer desired the path of hatred, because…

Because he loved Kikyo. The revelation hit him like a thunderclap, though he did not move. He loved her. As he moored the boat by the shore, he stepped off of it and waited for Kikyo to come after him. He loved everything about her, from her dark hair to her dignified bearing. Even the way she tended to be melodramatic. He loved it all.

She looked somewhat unsteady as she stepped onto the pier. As she did so, she tripped and fell forward to run head first into Inuyasha's chest. She caught herself on the oar in his hands. Looking up, their eyes met in mutual realization. The pole fell from Inuyasha's hands as he gripped her in his arms and embraced her. 'Kikyo...' he said 'Kikyo I will become a human. I swear I'm not just saying this. I will become human.'

'Inuyasha…'

'So you can become a normal human too,' said Inuyasha 'and be my-'

'Enough,' said Kikyo 'stop that's all I need to hear.'

'Kikyo,' he said 'I truly am in-'

And then she kissed him. It was not like Jakotsu's kiss, filled with passion and lust; it was simple. Honest, and he kissed back. And for the first time in as long as Inuyasha could remember, the feral anger which had burned in him faded away. The rage and hopelessness departed from him as they held each other in their arms.

It was a single perfect moment. And at that moment Inuyasha was free.

What happened after is not for this tale to tell.

Authors Note:

It's finished at last. Thank you for reading Inuyasha of the Band of Seven.

The decision to end the story here was made by me long before this chapter was even written. Because really, this scene has an air of finality, and it seemed like a perfect place to stop. If on the off chance that I end up unable to finish the next installment in this series. The readers can just pretend as if it ended here.

My biggest regret regarding this fanfic is that I never got a chance to include Shippo's father in a chapter. I really wanted him to get a moment where Inuyasha could meet him. But I could never find a place to put him in, and it is too late now.

It's kind of funny, I never expected even to get this far. I kept waiting to run out of steam and lose all interest before abandoning the fic. Fortunately, that did not happen.

It may be a while before I post the next installment in this fanfic. I think I may give my attention to some other fandoms for a while.