Kaya's Story (An InuYasha Fanfic)

Chapter 100: The End of the Wind Sorceress

It didn't take us long to get the Demon Slayers' Village. It hadn't changed much, aside from the wrecked houses and outer wall. I hadn't realized how bad the destruction was when Naraku said the village had been attacked. His demons had torn the place apart and had killed every inhabitant. Another large regret I have from working for Naraku. Without my cooperation, Naraku's plan never would have worked and the demon slayers would still be alive. I noticed the group had split up, so I followed InuYasha and we ended up at a cave near the edge of the village. There was an aura coming from the cave, but I couldn't tell what kind. I heard the mention of an anomaly and knew something was about to happen. When we reached the large corridor at the end of the cave, I stared in awe. The stories were true, there was a priestess who had created the Jewel of Four Souls. She was the original demon slayer, and a very powerful priestess. According to the stories mother told me, she was stronger than all of the priests, monks, and priestesses of our time combined. Judging from the number of demons she had been fighting with nothing but a sword, I feel like she lives up to the legend. I heard Myoga ask about the glow coming from the whole in Midoriko's chest and I looked over. That was where the aura was coming from, not necessarily the chrysalis but the barrier that protected it. InuYasha had sensed it too and when it was suggested we keep an eye on it, InuYasha volunteered almost immediately. He all but chased everyone else out of the cave because he wanted to guard it alone. I had a bad feeling this wasn't going to end well.

When we reached the others, they had found one of the few huts still standing and decided to use it as shelter. Kagome was surprised that InuYasha had stayed, but honestly, I had the feeling that Lady Kikyo was involved, or at least that's what InuYasha thought. I wish I had gotten the chance to ask, but he sent me and Myoga out after we offered to stay with him. I only half-listened to the conversation until Kohaku's Shard started glowing. I no longer just sensed the Shard's aura, but I could physically see it and it was partially purified now. He then ran out the door quickly followed by Kagome and me. Soon the others followed as well, just in time for us to find Lady Kikyo's soul collectors. About the time we were all together, we ran into a barrier but not a barrier put up by Lady Kikyo. The barrier was pure, but it wasn't her spiritual power I was feeling. It was an unknown aura much like the one in Midoriko's cave. Much to my surprise, InuYasha was able to pass through it. Not too long after that, Kohaku ran through it as well. After several minutes, the barrier dropped, and we ran after InuYasha and Kohaku. When we reached InuYasha, he was standing in front of a waterfall. Lady Kikyo's and Kohaku's scents were fresh, but they were fading quickly. I looked over at InuYasha who looked concerned, presumably by something Lady Kikyo had told him. I had the strong feeling that the something he was concerned about involved Kohaku and completing the Sacred Jewel. InuYasha explained to us what had been said as we ran. My suspensions were unfortunately confirmed. We eventually lost the trail to Kohaku and Lady Kikyo but continued to look. About midday, InuYasha and I caught the scent of Kagura's blood. We again took off after the scent.

The closer we got to her the more we realized how bad her injuries truly were. I could tell there was more than just blood in the scent we had caught. It was true, Naraku had found her and he intended to take care of the problem; just like he had with Hakudoshi. All this time, Kagura had been biding her time to get her freedom. We finally reached the meadow where Kagura was and watched as she faded into the wind. The freedom she had wanted was finally being granted. I was surprised to see Sesshomaru there when we arrived. Even though Sesshomaru said Kagura was smiling at the end, I knew she had endured a lot of pain at her end. Naraku made sure of that. He had released her just to kill her for betraying him. Somewhere, deep down, I knew that was the only way she was going to be free of him. We left the meadow and decided to return to Lady Kaede's village. Everyone needed some time to figure things out and determine our next move. I feared the endgame was here.

When we got to the village it was late afternoon. I waited until Kagome and InuYasha had returned to Kagome's world before leaving. As peaceful as this little village was, I didn't feel like I belonged there anymore. I also didn't tell anyone I was leaving, so I needed to be back before InuYasha and Kagome returned. Even after several days, my thoughts continued to wander towards Kagura. I knew, even when I was working with her, that she wanted was to be as free as the wind she controlled. She never got that chance because she was Naraku's pawn. He literally held her heart in his hands and used it until she was no longer useful to him. The more I thought about her fate, the more I realized that I could've easily been in her place if I hadn't left when I did. Unfortunately, Kagura never had the luxury of escaping and leaving. She was his until he returned her heart willingly or not. My thoughts stopped when I felt the point of a sword pressed into my back. "What is a girl doing wandering around the forest alone?" the person with the sword questioned. "I don't know. Why are you out here with a sword?" I retorted. The person pressed the sword further and I realized this person was a human, probably a bandit. I quickly turned around, taking the blade of the sword in my hands, and pulled it from the bandit's hands. I plunged the sword as hard as I could into the ground, "I suggest you leave before I get mad. I'm not some human girl you can intimidate." The bandit began sizing me up but stopped at the top of my head. He then looked down at his sword that was bent and shoved most of the way into the ground. I let out a subtle growl and the bandit ran away. Once he was out of earshot, I began to laugh. That wasn't the first bandit I had dealt with, but it was the funniest encounter. Normally, I have to fight them a bit to get them to leave. "Lady Kaya, is that you?" I heard a voice question. I turned to see one of the young men from the Village of Half-demons, Aoki, with his sword drawn. "Yes, it is me. Aoki, are you alone?" I asked. "No," he stated as he sheathed his sword, "several men, including me, are out on patrol. Master Ryu will be pleased to see you." I was glad it was dark so he couldn't see me blush. "Well, I guess we should get going then," I told him. Just before I left, I pulled the sword from the ground and brought it along. Aoki gave me a confused look, "Why bring the human sword? You have no use for it." "I know, but I figured someone at the Village could use it," I told him. He just shrugged and we headed towards the Village.