InuYasha Fanfiction

Sango was on Kirara’s back, on their way to the demon-slayer village, when Sango looked down and saw Sesshomaru lying against a tree. Kirara headed down, and landed by the tree. Sango got closer, and realized he had been crying. Why would he, Sesshomaru, have a reason to cry? Sango thought to herself. Sango was so confused and trying to figure out why Sesshomaru was crying that she didn’t notice Sesshomaru stand up.

“What do you want?” he asked. His voice brought Sango back from her thoughts, and she noticed that she could see Sakura’s reflection in his eyes, and she was lying down, and she soon noticed, looking closely at the image of Sakura, that she was dead, or at least Sango thought she was.

“Uh……I just saw you lying against the tree, and I came to check if you were okay. I know you’re a demon, but……” Sango explained.

“I don’t need your sympathy.” Sesshomaru turned around, and Sango noticed a curved scar on his back, and it had happened a few hours ago. Sango soon realized that the scar must have come from Sakura’s blade in her fan.

“What happened to Sakura?” Sango asked, even though it was obvious that Sakura was most likely dead.

“Why do you ask?” Sesshomaru replied, turning around to face Sango.

“It’s because you need my sympathy. Once Kirara landed, and I got a closer look at you, I noticed you had been crying, and I know you never cry.” A gust of wind came up behind Sango. It was a strong gust. Sango looked back, and realized that Sakura was there. Sango quickly looked back at Sesshomaru, and saw that he was shocked. I shouldn’t blame him, Sango thought. He thought she was dead...as did I.

“Sango,” Sakura said. “When I sensed your presence mingled with Sesshomaru’s presence, I was surprised.”

“Oh, really?” Sango replied. “Would you mind telling me why you cut Sesshomaru’s back like you did?” She found out it was Sakura? Sesshomaru thought to himself, looking at Sango.

“Why are you so curious to know?” Sakura replied. Her voice was stiffening, yet, it was shaking, as if Sakura didn’t really want to.

“Did you want to hurt him, Sakura?” Sakura looked away, and then flew off. Sesshomaru stepped forward, and Sango stopped him.

“I’ll go after her, Sesshomaru,” she said.

“Are you sure?” Sesshomaru replied.

“Yes, I am. But first, what are your feelings toward Sakura?”

“My feelings toward her?”

“I have a feeling you love her. Am I right?” Sesshomaru stood there, thinking about his feelings for Sakura, and then nodded, realizing Sango was right.

“Kirara!” Sango called. “Let’s catch up to Sakura.” Kirara took off, and Sesshomaru watched Sango ride on Kirara’s back into the distance. Soon, InuYasha, Kagome, Shippo, and Miroku came running into the clearing. They all stopped dead in their tracks, and surprise ran through them because they saw the tears running down Sesshomaru’s face.

“Sesshomaru, what’s going on?” InuYasha asked awkwardly.

“It’s none of your business,” Sesshomaru said, glaring at InuYasha.

“Where’s Sango?” Shippo asked right when Miroku was about to ask.

“She went after Sakura,” Sesshomaru replied.

“You saw Sakura?” Miroku asked.

“Who else did I see if I mentioned Sakura, and Sakura alone?” Sesshomaru walked off, and InuYasha, Miroku, Kagome, and Shippo were left standing there, still in shock at the sight of Sesshomaru’s tears.

“What just happened?” InuYasha asked.

“If you looked, InuYasha, Sesshomaru was crying,” Kagome said coldly.

“I’ve never seen Sesshomaru cry before,” Shippo stated. “So, I never expected to see him cry.”

“You’re right, Shippo,” Miroku agreed. “When I first met Sesshomaru, it looked as if he was a cruel, hard-hearted, emotionless demon, but, I think that since Rin, and Sakura came into his life, they’ve softened his heart and soul in a way no one else could have.”

“Miroku, do you think that Sesshomaru could…” Kagome started.

“Do I think Sesshomaru could love Rin or Sakura?” Miroku replied.

“I was going to say Sakura.”

“Well, it works both ways, for Rin and Sakura. It seems, that it most likely would be Sakura, since she understands her feelings on a deeper level than Rin does, and, if you noticed, he…”

“He never mentioned Rin’s name.” Shippo said, finishing Miroku’s sentence.

“So, it seems more likely that it would be Sakura, and he seems more of a fatherly figure to Rin.” They walked off, understanding a little bit more of why Sesshomaru was crying.

*    *     *

Sakura has to be around here somewhere, Sango thought. I know I saw her in this direction when she flew off. Finally, after two hours of searching, Sango found Sakura. She was lying against a tree at the edge of a meadow full of flowers and animals of all kinds. Sango, in a trans, stayed on Kirara’s back, even after Kirara landed. Sango, who was soon back in reality, got of Kirara’s back, and started walking toward Sakura.

“Sango,” Sakura said, turning to face Sango. “I thought it was you, but why you are here, I cannot say.”

“I came to…er…check on you,” Sango replied.

“Why...why would you do that?”

“It’s because in your voice, I noticed that it stiffened, but it was shaking, like you really didn’t want to hurt Sesshomaru. So why did you?”

“I was being controlled. I didn’t want to, yet I didn’t have a say in the situation. I hated it. It was…” Sakura nearly chocked the words, and she started crying. Sango brought Sakura to her shoulder.

“I’ll be a shoulder you can cry on,” Sango said, comforting Sakura. “I have one more question. Who was controlling you?”

“It was Naraku. That son of a…” Sakura didn’t even finish her sentence when she started crying again. Sango let Sakura cry on her shoulder, so Sakura wouldn’t have those feelings inside her.

“You really do love Sesshomaru, don’t you?” Sango asked.

“Yes, I do. I never wanted to hurt him the way I did, but I had no control over my actions.” Sango sympathized with Sakura, and after a few minutes, stood up.

“I have a feeling you weren’t a slave of Naraku from the start. Were you?” Sango asked.

“No, I wasn’t,” Sakura replied. “I was a sixteen, and I ran away from home. Sesshomaru’s father was looking after me. Naraku came during the night, and took me away. When we reached his castle, he took my heart out, so he could control me.

He gave it back a few years later, and I ran away. I ran, and I ran. Soon, I came to a clearing, and I collapsed. I was dead. Awhile after, Sesshomaru used the Tensagia and revived me. Sesshomaru watched out for me. He left me by a tree, and would come check on me every day–morning, noon, and night.”

“And then you feel in love,” Sango said.

“Correct,” Sakura replied. “Naraku found me, and took my heart out again. A year went by, and I ran into Sesshomaru. I slashed his back. I didn’t want to, but I had no control over my actions.” Sango was overwhelmed with feelings of sorrow and sympathy for Sakura and Sesshomaru. She knew the happy life that Sesshomaru and Sakura would share was hanging on a thread while Naraku survived. Sango decided to find Rin and see what she knew.

“Hey, Sakura, I’m going to go look around. I just want to get an idea of the lay of the land,” Sango said, hoping Sakura wouldn’t get suspicious.

“Okay,” Sakura replied. Sango ran to Kirara and got on her back. Kirara took off, and Sakura was left lying against the tree, deep in her thoughts.

*     *     *

Sango was looking around for Rin, hoping for some time alone so she can talk to her. To tell the truth, Sango and Kirara were getting an idea for the lay of the land, so she hadn’t exactly lied to Sakura. Soon, Sango found Rin, walking with Ah-Un. At least that imp Jaken isn’t with her, Sango thought. I probably would have been in trouble.Sango and Kirara went down, and they landed in front of Rin.

“What do you want?” Rin asked with a trembling voice.

“It’s okay. I just need to ask you a question or two about something,” Sango replied. Rin didn’t really get her need that drove Sango to come look for her, so Rin was a little bit confused.

“...Okay,” Rin said. “I’ll answer the questions the best way I can, if I know the answer.”

“Thank you, Rin,” Sango replied gratefully. Sango and Rin sat down, leaning against Kirara. (Since Ah-Un is a dragon like creature with a saddle on, it would have been uncomfortable to lie on his back.)

“Your name is Sango, right?” Rin asked.

“Right,” Sango replied. “Do you want to ask a few questions first?”

“Sure. Um……let’s see. Oh! Where do you come from? I see you with InuYasha and the others all the time, and it just made me curious where you came from.”

“Well, Rin, I come from a demon-slayer village. We slayed demons, then we exorcise their bones, and make them into weapons.” Rin was fascinated.

“What happened to the village?”

“Well, while my father, younger brother, other demon–slayers,and I were at Naraku’s castle, he had sent a hoard of demons to the unprotected village, and it was destroyed.”

“What happened to the slayers that were with you?”

“Well, my younger brother survived, but is under Naraku’s control.”

“Who is your younger brother, Sango?”

“Kohaku.”

“...Oh...I’m out of questions. You can ask now.” They sat a while, and Sango was thinking of a way to ask Rin her question in a way that Rin would understand.

“Rin, can you tell me things you’ve seen going on between Sesshomaru and Sakura?” Sango asked.

“Um…let’s see,” Rin thought. “I noticed that when Lord Sesshomaru first met Sakura-chan, she was wounded, and he took care of her until she was completely healed. We ran into her again a while after that, and she was different. Her eyes were blood red, and her eyes are such a pretty blue color. It was as if she was being controlled. Lord Sesshomaru turned away, as if he didn’t want to hurt her, and Sakura slashed his back with the sword in her fan.

Then, I knew she was being controlled because she would never do that. I looked at Lord Sesshomaru to see if he was alright, and he looked like he was in complete shock. I looked back at Sakura, and I noticed tears running down her face, running down from her blood red eyes. From that, I knew she didn’t want to do it, but she couldn’t control her actions.”

“Do you have any idea of who might have been controlling Sakura?” Sango asked.

“I’m not exactly sure, but the person who comes to mind that would do something like that would be Naraku.”

“Why do you think it was him?”

“The reason is because Naraku is a bad person, and I sometimes overhear your conversations on how Naraku controls people sometimes. He’s kidnapped me once before as well, so, I know how it is, being kidnapped by Naraku. Well, I suspect that’s what happened to her.” A dark cloud swirled over head, and came down in a funnel shape to reveal Naraku’s face. He landed a little ways away.

“Ah-Un! Kirara! Watch over Rin!” Sango called running out to confront Naraku. Kirara and Ah-Un quickly circled around Rin, just in case Naraku went past Sango.

“Sango, how nice to see you after so long,” Naraku said, greeting Sango with an evil smirk once Sango reached Naraku.

“Nice? In your dreams, Naraku! Running into you is the kindest thing fate could do for me,” Sango replied.

“Oh, is that so?”

“It is so.” Sango said. Sesshomaru soon came running into the clearing. And after him, to the left of Naraku, InuYasha, Miroku, Kagome, and Shippo came into the clearing.

“Sango! You’re all right!” Shippo exclaimed.

“Thank goodness you are all right Sango! We were so worried!” Kagome said.

“You were?” Sango asked, confused.

“Of course we were. You were gone for so long.”

“Sorry for making you worried.” Sango looked at Miroku, who looked happy that Sango was alright.

“Why, everybody’s here, except for…” Naraku said.

“Except for who?” InuYasha asked.

“Everyone’s here except for Sakura,” Sango said boldly. “I know what you did, Naraku. I know a lot of details, and they all lead to your treachery and deceitfulness. ” InuYasha, Kagome, Miroku, and Shippo looked at Sango with confusion, while Sesshomaru looked at Sango with surprise.

“You must think you are smart. You don’t know everything, like how I……” Naraku started.

“Like how you controlled Sakura? Like how you took out her heart to control her? Like how you gave her back her heart, and then took it out again after a while? Like how when you took out her heart the second time, she was recuperated? Like how when you gave her back her heart the first time, she died? Like how the second time you controlled Sakura, you made her injure the only person she truly loved?

Believe me Naraku, I know all of that. I was able to gather information, and each detail, even the smallest of details, led to my conclusion that you did control Sakura, and that you’ll attempt to do again soon. So, I have made a commitment to protect Sakura, even if it costs me my life.”

“What a commitment,” Shippo said. “And how much does she know about what Naraku did too Sakura?”

“I know,” Miroku replied. “It’s astonishing how much she knows, but where did she get the information from?” Miroku and Shippo were deep in thought that they completely forgot that the fight was still going on. Soon, Naraku flew off in a cloud of miasma.

“Come back and fight you coward!” InuYasha yelled, but Naraku was already gone. A while after Naraku left, a faint scream was heard in the north. Sango and Sesshomaru both recognized the voice, even at such a distance.

“Kirara!” Sango called, running toward Kirara.

“Ah-Un! Take care of Rin!” Sesshomaru called out as he started flying north, toward where the scream was heard, and soon, Sango and Kirara were up in the air, going north toward the scream as well.

“I guess we’d better get going as well,” Miroku said. Kagome got on InuYasha’s back, while Shippo was on Miroku’s shoulder, even though they didn’t know who screamed, or why Sango and Sesshomaru followed the voice. Soon, they were off as well.

*     *     *

“Sesshomaru! Get on!” Sango called out to Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru got on, only for time’s sake. Well, to tell the truth, it was for Sakura’s sake. They flew over forests, mountains, valleys, and villages. Soon enough, they were finally able to make it to the destination. Naraku was not there, but Sakura was. Sakura, who everybody eventually learned to love, had just died, at Naraku’s hand. She was lying on the ground.

“Would you protect her, even if it ended up in her death?” Naraku’s voice said, echoing through the clearing. A life can only be revived by the Tensaiga only once, and a life that is truly lost, can never be revived, Sesshomaru thought. The wind rustling the leaves brought Sesshomaru back from his thoughts. He looked over at Sango, who was crying. He knew that she understood what he understood [except for the Tensaiga part]. Soon, Sesshomaru’s mother came walking into the clearing. Sesshomaru had noticed, but he wasn’t responding. Sango, on the other hand did respond. Sheesh, she’s pretty, Sango thought. I bet she’s a dog demon. She looks like Sesshomaru a bit. Could she be his mother?

“Why Sesshomaru, won’t you say hello to your own mother?” she asked. I was right, Sango thought. She is Sesshomaru’s mother. Sesshomaru just walked off, ignoring his mother, and not even saying a word to Sango.

“Excuse me, but is Sesshomaru usually like that?” Sango asked after who knows how long.

“Sometimes,” she replied as she looked at Sakura’s dead body. “Sakura’s dead, I see. She was a loveable person. She never got on the wrong side of anybody.”

“She was a loveable person. This monk named Miroku would always get on the wrong side of her...that’s a pretty necklace you have on. Does it have any special powers or anything?”

“Well, it does bring people back from the dead. By the way, my name is Inukimi.”

“My name is Sango……Sesshomaru could have done that with the Tensaiga! So why didn’t he?”

“You can only revive a life once with the Tensaiga. That is most likely the reason why he didn’t use it.” Sango had remembered what Sakura had told her: that Sesshomaru had used the Tensaiga to revive her after Naraku gave her back her heart the first time.

“I can try to use this Meido Stone to revive her, though,” Sesshomaru’s mother, Inukimi, said.

“You can?”

“Yes, I can…I’ve decided I will use it to revive her, for Sesshomaru’s happiness.”Inukimiput the necklace on Sakura’s chest.

“You know,” Sango said, “I can picture a couple who would have quarrels and disagreements, but when I put Sakura and Sesshomaru in a place where a couple is fighting, it just doesn’t seem right. While Naraku is still alive, while Naraku was controlling Sakura, that happiness seemed to hang on a thread.”

“I guess it does,” Inukimi replied. “I heard the whole story from Rin.”

“I see. I guess I don’t know how it feels to live a life like that. I do know what it is like to have a lecherous monk as a comrade.”

“I know what it feels like to lose a loved one to another. It’s not the most pleasant of my feelings, but it isn’t the saddest of my feelings as well. Just seeing him happy made me happy.” The conversation ended there, and Sango and Innuki looked down at Sakura, who was stirring. It took her long enough, Sango thought.

“What happened?” Sakura asked. “How did I……?”

“It’s alright, Sakura,” Sango replied. “You don’t have to speak.” Why does she look like she is so sad? Shouldn’t she be happy that she is alive again? She’s getting a second chance at life…so why does she look so sad? Sango thought. She watched Sakura lay there, in complete stillness, as if she had died again. Sango looked up at Innuki and she was watching Sakura as well. Why am I alive? Sakura thought. I should be dead. It would be better for me that way.

“Dear Sakura,” Inukimi said. “It would not be better if you were dead. You are the kindest person I have met, and the only one who was able to capture Sesshomaru’s heart the way you did.”

“Are you reading my mind?” Sakura asked, narrowing her eyes.

“For me, it is easy when you are in this condition.”

“Oh, please!” Sakura said, standing up. “I don’t need your sympathy.” Sakura flew off into the blue sky. Sango and Innuki watched as it happened.

“Sakura can be sassy, can’t she?” Sango asked.

“Yes, she can,” Inukimi replied. “Even if she can get sassy, it is really hard to not love her.” Sango and Sesshomaru’s mother smiled at each other. Once again, InuYasha, Kagome, Miroku, and Shippo ran into the clearing. They were surprised that they didn’t see Sesshomaru, but they saw Sango and Inukimi, even though they didn’t know that it was Sesshomaru’s mother.

“Are you two okay?” InuYasha asked.

“InuYasha,” Inukimi replied. “I hoped I would get to meet you one day.”

“What? Who are you?”

“I am Sesshomaru’s mother.”

“You???”

“InuYasha, don’t be rude!” Kagome said.

“It is alright,” Inukimi said, facing Kagome. A whirlwind was coming fast from the path. Once InuYasha sniffed the air, he got really agitated.

“What timing he made,” InuYasha said. Koga jumped out of the whirlwind, landing next to Kagome.

“Hi Kagome,” Koga said, quite flirtatiously.

“Hi Koga,” Kagome replied.

“Keep your grimy paws off of her, Koga!” InuYasha said, getting in between Kagome and Koga.

“Are you going to do something about it, you mutt?” Koga replied.

“I think I will!” InuYasha said, pulling out the Tetsaigua. Inukimi laughed under her breath as the two were quarreling.

“Sit boy!” Kagome exclaimed, and InuYasha was pulled to the ground.

“What was that for you traitor?” InuYasha asked, looking up at Kagome.

“You won’t be doing anything with the Tetsaigua until we find where Sakura went,” Sango said, and everybody looked at Sango. “We need to find her before we shed any blood.”

“Sango is right. We also need to find Naraku, so we’d best save our strength,” Koga said, siding with Sango (which was unusual).

“So who’s with me?” Sango asked.

“I am!” Shippo and Kagome said.

“I guess I have no choice,” InuYasha said. “I’m in.”

“I’m in as well,” Miroku said.

“I’ll be in if it means killing Naraku…” Koga said.

“That means all of us,” Sango said.

“What’s the plan, Sango?” Inukimi said.

“Find Sakura, and then after that, we’ll just make it up as we go on.”

“Okay, let’s go.” Sango said as she and Inukimi got on Kirara’s back, Kagome got on InuYasha’s back, and Shippo got on Miroku’s shoulder. “Everybody! Go find Sakura!”

“What are you going to do?” Kagome asked.

“I need to find somebody else!”

“I’ll stay with you, Sango,” Inukimi said. “I don’t think Sakura will be very happy to see me right now.”

“Thanks. You and I are going to find Sesshomaru.”

“What’s your plan?”

“We find Sesshomaru, join the others, find Naraku, and attack him. I want to keep it simple.”

“Oh, okay.” Inukimi and Sango looked around for Sesshomaru. Soon, they found him with Rin, Jaken, and Ah-Un.

“Oh, great! The imp is there,” Sango said.

“You mean Jaken?” Inukimi replied.

“Yeah, I mean him.”

“You were lucky he didn’t hear you.”

“I guess I am.” Kirara landed, and Sesshomaru, Jaken, and Rin looked at them. It seemed that Sesshomaru’s heart hardened, because it wasn’t a look of sorrow; it was just a cold stare, as hard as ice.

“Sesshomaru, don’t tell me that you……” Sango started.

“What?” Sesshomaru replied so coldly that it sent shivers down Sango’s back.

“Sesshomaru, it’s because you seem to have no more sorrow in you, no love, or joy. It seems as though your heart has hardened,” Inukimi said.

“Lord Sesshomaru has never felt such feelings!” Jaken exclaimed.

“You’re wrong Master Jaken!” Rin said, and she let out a gasp.

“You stupid girl! Even you know that Lord……”

“Jaken!” Sesshomaru said, glaring icily as Jaken.

“I am sorry, mi lord. I spoke out of line.”

“What do you know, Rin?” Sesshomaru asked Rin, kneeling on one knee to look her in the eye.

“Um…I…” Rin started saying as she was trembling.

“It’s my fault, Sesshomaru,” Sango said, stepping forward. “I told her. She was worried about you.” Sesshomaru looked up at Sango, but didn’t say anything.

“Sesshomaru, as your mother, I know the things you want,” Inukimi said, coming toward Sesshomaru. “One thing you want more than anything else is to kill Naraku, not only for Rin, but for Sakura as well.”

“Sakura,” Sesshomaru said, and just the way he said Sakura’s name made Sango step in front of Inukimi. Sesshomaru walked over to Sango, picked her up with one hand, and held her out to the side. He didn’t choke her, but he didn’t hold softly either.

“You think that I will crouch to you?” Inukimi asked. “You can be so cold-hearted, Sesshomaru.”

“Why do you say that?” Sesshomaru replied, and his grip on Sango’s throat tightened.

“Inukimi,” Sango said with what breath she had. “I wouldn’t try to aggravate him.”

“Sesshomaru, you really care for Sakura, but now, you are trying to suppress those feelings because you don’t want anything else to happen,” Inukimi said. Sesshomaru let go of Sango, and stepped back.

“It isn’t like that,” Sesshomaru said, with his voice stiffening. Moments later, Sakura came in on her huge feather that she used to get around. She was a sorceress, like Kagura, but she could use all the elements, unlike Kagura, who could only use the wind. Why Sesshomaru, Sakura thought. You are here. Just as I thought you would be. Inukimi looked up at Sakura, and then back at Sesshomaru.

“Are you sure, Sesshomaru?” Inukimi asked.

“If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have said…Sakura…” Sesshomaru said, looking up at where Sakura was in the sky. She’s still weak, Inukimi thought. It must have taken a lot of the little strength she has for her to get herself here. Inukimi was as right as anyone could get. Sakura fell from her feather, unconscious. Inukimi looked at Sesshomaru, who took off to catch Sakura. Luckily, he caught Sakura in mid-air, and landed right underneath where he caught her. Sesshomaru stayed where he was, not moving. Why are you alive, Sakura? Sesshomaru thought. I thought I’d lost you forever, but now…you’re here, with me now. Inukimi walked over to Sesshomaru, and touched his shoulder softly.

“You still love her, Sesshomaru, as I said earlier,” Inukimi said, and she knelt down right next to Sesshomaru.

“You revived her, didn’t you?” Sesshomaru asked, his eyes did not move from Sakura’s unconscious body.

“I did it for your happiness because if she was gone, even though you have Rin and me, nobody can replace Sakura in your heart.”

“Touching speech,” Naraku’s voice sounded in the clearing, and Sesshomaru set Sakura down, stood up, and turned to face Naraku. Inukimi and Sango did the same.

*     *     *

“This is Naraku’s stench,” InuYasha said. “No doubt about it.”

“I am killing Naraku, you mutt!” Koga said.

“You are not you weakling!”

“Stop it, both of you!” Miroku said.

“I hope Sakura is alright when we find her again,” Shippo said. “She seemed really weak when we found her.”

“You’re right, Shippo,” Kagome said. “Like she had been weak, and then she died, and she was revived, and that weakness went with her everywhere.”

“Rin may know something about it,” Miroku stated. “Let’s find her. We don’t want to rush into things.”

“Did you need me for anything?” Rin’s voice rang behind them, and they turned around and saw Rin on Ah-Un’s back. Was she listening to us? Miroku thought as he looked at Rin.

“Yes, actually we do, Rin,” Miroku replied.

“What do you know about Sakura?” Kagome asked.

“Well, Lord Sesshomaru and Sakura were very close, she was controlled by Naraku twice, and she was someone everybody learned to love.”

“Can you give us any detail about the times when Sakura was controlled by Naraku?”

“Sure, Kagome. Let’s see……I know she wasn’t a slave of Naraku from the start. The first time, we did not really run into her a lot, and I don’t know when Naraku took control of her the first time. Naraku gave her heart back to her, and she was able to run to this very clearing. I believe that soon after she landed here, she died. Lord Sesshomaru found her, and revived her with the Tensaigua. He helped her until she was completely healed. After that, she went her own way, and Lord Sesshomaru seemed pretty sad about it.”

“That cold-hearted bastard could never feel sad,” InuYasha remarked.

“Sit boy!” Kagome said. “I’m sorry, Rin. Please continue.”

“Okay,” Rin replied. “A year went by, and we ran into Sakura. She was controlled by Naraku, because her eyes were blood red, and her original eye color is blue. She slashed Lord Sesshomaru’s back when he turned around, and I know she would never do that.”

“Thank you Rin,” Miroku said. “You and Ah-Un should stay here.”

“Okay.” Kagome, InuYasha, Koga, Miroku, and Shippo went in the direction that Naraku’s stench was coming from.

*     *     *

            “Sango, Sesshomaru, and Inukimi, I hope you realize that there is one thing that will never come to pass.” Naraku said, “You will never win this fight, and this will be the last fight.”

            “Why do I doubt that?” Sakura said, walking up behind Sesshomaru and Innuki. “I don’t doubt that this will be the last fight, but I do doubt that you will win.” InuYasha, Kagome, Koga, Miroku, and Shippo ran into the clearing.

            “Why are you stronger than earlier, Sakura?” Sango asked.

            “I’m sorry, Sango. I can’t answer that question because I don’t know myself,” Sakura replied.

            “It’s probably because while she was unconscious, she was resting at the same time to help out and make her stronger,” Sango whispered in Sesshomaru’s ear.

            “You are probably right,” Sesshomaru whispered back.

“Let’s get to it, Naraku,” InuYasha said.

“It’d be a pleasure, InuYasha,” Naraku replied. The fight went on hours at a time. Sesshomaru, Sakura, Sango, and Inukimi didn’t have to do anything while Naraku was busy with Koga and InuYasha. Naraku was able to get away from InuYasha and Koga, and he disappeared.

“Where are you Naraku?” InuYasha yelled. Naraku had gone behind Sakura, but Sakura was able to kick Naraku’s stomach with a kick full of strength and pressure. Naraku got behind Sakura again, but Sesshomaru pulled out Baksaigua and cut Naraku’s arms off. Naraku couldn’t regenerate his arms because the power of Baksaigua is strong enough to prevent regeneration.

With Sakura’s Sapphire Whirlwind, InuYasha’s Wind Scar, Kagome’s Sacred Arrow, and Sesshomaru’s Dragon Strike, they were able to bring down Naraku. It was a very long battle. Sakura had used most of the energy she had during the fight against Naraku, she had become very weak, for Naraku had attempted time after time to try to control her. InuYasha, Kagome, Koga, Sango, Shippo, and Miroku had gotten in a circle and started talking.

“Well, we defeated Naraku,” Shippo said. “It was a long fight, and now both the Sacred Jewel and Naraku are gone forever.”

“Shippo’s right,” Sango stated. “If one of us weren’t here, it probably would have been harder.”

“I am glad I got to see Sakura again. It seems like it has been forever since I have seen her.”

“The same goes for all of us, Shippo,” Kagome said. “Well, except for Koga since he never met her.”

“I’m sure he’ll be very flirtatious with her and you Kagome,” InuYasha said.

“He won’t be as flirtatious as Miroku was with Sakura,” Sango said. “It was sickening.”

“Why is everybody comparing me to that monk?” Koga asked.

“It’s because you two are very flirtatious at times,” Kagome said.

“There may even be competition,” Sango said. “You won’t believe what Miroku said to Kagome when they met.”

“What did he say?” Koga asked.

“Well…is it alright if I tell him, Kagome?”

“I don’t care,” Kagome replied.

“How could you not care???” InuYasha asked.

“I did that so he’ll get off of my back for awhile.”

“What did Miroku ask Kagome?” Koga asked Sango.

“You won’t believe it but Miroku asked Kagome to bear his children,” Sango replied. “You’re lucky that you aren’t that flirtatious.”

“Miroku you pervert!”

“What did I do?” Miroku asked, looking at Koga.

“You know what you did!” Koga was already in Miroku’s face. “You should know at the very least.”

“I don’t know! I swear Koga!”

“You asked Kagome to bear your children!” Koga growled.

“Oh, that! I ask that to every girl I meet!”

“You sick bastard.”

“Will you two ever stop?!?!?” Sango asked, and she and Kagome were laughing. After that, they did stop, which was surprising. They all started paying attention to Sesshomaru, Inukimi, and Sakura. Sesshomaru was holding Sakura, since she had fainted again.

“You seem happier now, Sesshomaru,” Inukimi said. “It makes me happy to see that you’ve come back.”

“When she died the second time, I thought I truly lost her forever,” Sesshomaru said. “It would’ve never occurred to me that you would revive her.”

“You are my son, and it my job to see that you are happy. It’ll always make me happy to see you happy.” Sakura stirred in Sesshomaru’s arms, and InuYasha, Miroku, Shippo, Kagome, and Koga were totally confused, and Sango giggled.

“What’s so funny, Sango?” Shippo asked.

“It’s just that all of you are totally confused when you have made the simple situation so complex,” Sango replied, giggling some more.

“What’s going on?” InuYasha asked.

“InuYasha, just watch,” Kagome replied.

“You know what’s going on, Kagome?” Sango asked.

“I think I do.” They started paying attention again, and Sakura had still not woken up, even though she stirred. I think they’ll get it sooner or later, Sango thought. They are pretty dumb right now.

“Sesshomaru,” Inukimi said, “have you noticed that a life is like a puzzle?”

“What do you mean?” Sesshomaru asked.

“Our lives start with many pieces missing. Most of them are friends and family, but the last one, the one that completes our puzzle, our life, is the one we decide to share our live with.”

“I guess I am just realizing that now.”

“Everybody will realize sometime in their life.” Sesshomaru looked at Sakura and smiled. InuYasha was surely surprised at the smile, and so was everybody else…except for Inukimi and Sango. Sakura finally woke, and Sesshomaru was still smiling, and she smiled back at Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru set her down, but her legs were weak, so she had to balance on Sesshomaru.

“So Naraku is dead, right?” Sakura asked.

“He is dead, Sakura,” Inukimi replied.

“Inukimi, I have to thank you. If we hadn’t seen each other, I probably wouldn’t have had the nerve to come.”

“It’s no problem.” Sakura and Inukimi smiled at each other, while Sesshomaru peacefully watched Sakura, and he was smiling as well. Well, it seems that two puzzles are finished now, and they can truly be finished now that Naraku is gone, Inukimi thought.

“Well, it seems that two puzzles are finished now, and they can truly be finished now that Naraku is gone,” Sakura said. “Wouldn’t you agree, Inukimi?”

“Are you reading my mind?” Inukimi replied.

“For me, it is easy when you are in this condition.” Sakura was smiling, and Inukimi and Sakura started laughing. Well, I guess these two will be happy, but when will be happy with my last puzzle piece? Inukimi thought.

“I wouldn’t worry if I were you Inukimi,” Sakura said, whispering in Inukimi's ear. “You’ll find your last puzzle piece soon, I promise you.”

“Reading my mind again, Sakura?” Inukimi replied.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, yes you do, Sakura.”

“I really don’t know!!!” Sakura had a playful smile, so Inukimi dropped the conversation, and Sesshomaru just smiled at his mother when Inukimi looked at him.

“I wonder how many playful smiles she’s going to give before we have to say goodbye,” Shippo said.

“I think that she is happy that her puzzle is finished,” Sango replied. “She’s probably really hyper as well.”

“You think so, Sango?” Kagome asked. “She does seem happy that her puzzle is finished, but she doesn’t seem to hyper.”

“Well, even though she is weak, her strength has been able to save a lot of lives.” Inukimi started walking over, so Sesshomaru and Sakura could have some space to themselves.

“Not only has Sakura saved lives, she has also softened the hearts of many,” Sango put in.

“It seems that way,” Koga said, “if she can soften the heart of that one.” Sesshomaru and Sakura had walked off, just to get somewhere where they could truly be alone–for the first time.

“That lucky dog,” Miroku said.

“Hey, Miroku! If you didn’t realize, I am half dog, so shut your mouth!” InuYasha said.

“I didn’t mean to offend you, InuYasha, and I didn’t mean to say that out loud either!”

“Oh, is that so?”

“It’s really so!”

*     *     *

“Sakura,” Sesshomaru said.

“What is it, Sesshomaru?” Sakura replied.

“I want you to always be with me.”

“Of course I will stay with you.” Sesshomaru and Sakura kissed……and their kiss was known as the most romantic that had ever happened. Sesshomaru had pulled Sakura into a dip, and Sakura was perfectly happy in Sesshomaru’s arms. Sesshomaru and InuYasha’s father, Inu no Taisho, had walked into the clearing. I don’t want to disturb the two, Inu no Taisho thought. I’ll go through quietly if I can. Luckily for him, Inu no Taisho was able to get through quietly, he was not able to conceal his thoughts from Sakura when she heard them. Inu no Taisho walked into the clearing where Inukimi, InuYasha, Kagome, Shippo, Miroku, Sango, and Koga were.

“Inu no Taisho,” Inukimi said. “I thought you were……”

“I know, Inukimi,” Inu no Taisho replied. “I thought I was dead as well, but something or someone revived me.”

“What about Izayoi?”

“I don’t know what happened to her……”

“Father……” InuYasha said.

“Hello, InuYasha. It has been so long since I last saw you.”

“I guess it has……I don’t even remember the last time I saw you living.” It was true, for the last time InuYasha saw his father alive was when he was a baby. Inukimi had walked off–for she had heard her fill. She saw Sesshomaru and Sakura in the clearing ahead. Inukimi walked back, trying not to think anything, feeling awkward, yet glad that Sesshomaru found someone he loved.