Chapter 12: Fight to the Death

"Naraku!" Inuyasha yelled out, causing a disturbance throughout the entire square. The townspeople knew who Naraku was and they were all quite afraid of him.

Inuyasha lept from the hut and landed behind Naraku. When Naraku turned around, his face was seething with rage. Inuyasha took a step back, baring his claws and teeth. "You..." he growled.

"What's wrong?" he laughed lightly and placed a kiss on Kagome's lips. "Jealous. Inuyasha?" Naraku laughed out loud at the angry and jealous look on his face.

Inuyasha rushed forward, his claws going straight for Naraku's midsection. As he reached Naraku, he was thrown back violently, landing unceremoniously on the ground. "Bastard," he scoffed lightly and pulled himself up, wiping the blood from the side of his mouth. He'd forgotten Naraku had a very powerful barrier and without his Tetsusaiga in hand, he had no way of breaking it.

"Inuyasha, you dare to challenge me? Here in the open of the market?" Naraku pulled himself up to his full height, staring Inuyasha dead in the eye. He tightened his grip on the already close Kagome.

"I challenge you for Kagome and--"

"I will not be with you, hanyou. I'd rather be dead." Kagome replied indignantly, throwing her back towards him.

Inuyasha held his composure, reminding himself she was under Naraku's control, that it really wasn't her speaking. Still, the words cut deep. He sighed deeply continuing his original sentence. "For Kagome and the truth."

Inuyasha heard her scoff, but ignored her this time as Naraku stepped up. "I accept."

Kagome pulled herself away from Narkau's arm and stepped in front of him. "Naraku, you--"

"kagome," Naraku started. "I will win, so you do not hear any of this hanyou's lies."

"Lies, my ass!" Inuyasha launched himself at Naraku, managing to shred his haori. The spider-shaped scar stood out against the paleness of his skin. Inuyasha leapt back up on top of the hut and grabbed his Tetsusaiga from its place in the straw. He had originally left it there to try to get Kagome without force, but now it was impossible for that outcome. Inuyasha pulled the Tetsusaiga from its sheath and aimed a blow at Naraku, who blocked the attack with his barrier.

Kagome stepped forward to join the fight, but Naraku pushed her back. "Do not help, Kagome. I will do this for you."

Kagome quietly stepped back as Inuyasha and Naraku battled. After twenty minutes or so, Inuyasha began to physically tire. Naraku took the opportunity and swung at him, catching the side of his head.

Inuyasha fell to his knees, unconscious, his grip still tightly on Tetsusaiga's hilt. As Naraku stepped close enough for the kill, the sword reacted on its own, shattering Naraku's body into a thousand pieces.

Kagome broke out in tears at the loss of Naraku. Minutes later, as Inuyasha regained consciousness, her sadness turned to rage. It was his fault Naraku was gone.

"Kagome," he whispered sweetly, reaching up to touch her cheek. She backed away and hissed loudly.

"Don't touch me, disgusting hanyou," she spat back, her eayes filled with hatred. "I will fight you now. To avenge Naraku."

Inuyasha's eyes turned confused. "But Kagome, I was only--"

"I don't care what you were trying to do, but I will not allow Naraku's death to go unpunished." Kagome hissed again and closed her eyes. She held out her hand and whispered a few jumbled words. Moments later, a sword appeared in her hand. It was large, but looked light.

Inuyasha's eyes turned dark as Kagome charged at him with the sword. He easily blocked it, and jumped back and placed himself in a defensive position. Blocking all of her blows, he looked for an opening. It was his only chance to help Kagome.

Quite some time later, Kagome jumped back trying to catch her breath. Her eyes turned pink and Inuyasha knew it was his only chance. He rushed forward and pushed Tetsusaiga forward as well.

Nose to nose, Kagome's eyes changed back to their violet color. She stared at him for a moment then looked down. She could see Tetsusaiga's hilt against her chest. Wondering momentarily where the rest of the sword had gone, she looked behind her. Tetsusaiga's blade was behind her covered with blood. A bright light surrounded her as Inuyasha pulled the blade out.

Looking once more at Inuyasha, she could see the tears flowing freely down his face. She closed her eyes slowly and whispered, "I can't bear to see you cry over me, Inuyasha." As she reached up to wipe the tears from his eyes, her hand fell back to her side.

As she fell, Inuyasha dropped Tetsusaiga, catching her right before she hit the ground. Inuyasha curled around Kagome's body and wept as she changed back into her original cat form.

END OF CHAPTER TWELVE...