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In a New Light	By : Sylean Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > Naraku/Kagome Views: 17606 -:- Recommendations : 5 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha nor do I make any profit from this story.

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In a New Light
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha nor do I make any profit from this story.
Warning: There will be lemons in this story, some non-con as well.
Chapter 29: Demise
(A/N: I almost forgot how far ahead I am in this story; this scene seems so long ago for me. I'm finishing up writing chapter 45 (depending on where I decide to break it) and only 1 or 2 chapters from being done. Anyways, enjoy!)

(A/N: Spoiler alert! Episode 110 and 111.)
"Not a single person left alive?" Bankotsu asked as he dipped his bowl into a cask of sake. "That's rather inconvenient." They had just obliterated a rather sizeable fortress and retrieved his giant halberd, Banryu, after letting them squirm in fear for a few days. The Lord had foolishly believed a few extra villagers would be enough to defend him. They were cut down like the weaklings they were. "You weren't really thinking, were you Jakotsu? You could have at least kept a woman or two alive for some entertainment." It would have been the perfect end to the day. Ten years was a long time to go without.
"How can I think of little things like that, Big Brother? I've got much more important things to worry about. Like when am I going to see my beloved Inuyasha again?" Jakotsu sighed longingly.
"You mustn't worry, Jakotsu," Renkotsu reassured, knowing from previous experience, "Inuyasha has a keen sense of smell."
"That's true, all we need to do is sit patiently, and Inuyasha will follow the scent of blood right to us," he sipped his sake with a carefree air. It would be the first time he would see his opponent, supposedly, a battle worth fighting.
"You think so, well, I guess we just wait then," Jakotsu relented.
"Big Brother, are you not worried about Naraku?" Renkotsu broached once again.
"What about him?" was Bankotsu's short, curt answer. He was not pleased about Renkotsu pressing something he thought he had already made clear was not for him to know.
"Why do you think he brought us back from the dead?" Renkotsu elaborated.
"To help him deal with his enemies, such as the ones named Inuyasha and Kouga, that's why?" he gave the same word for word reason he told before, refusing to give up any more.
"Big Brother, you're the only one of the Band of Seven who's met Naraku. Do you think you can you tell us a little bit more about what he's actually like?" Renkotsu persisted, seeking out clues as to how to escape his grasp.
Bankotsu just stared at him blankly before closing his eyes and giving the only piece of advice he was willing to spare, "Listen, Renkotsu, we've been resurrected and we can wreak havoc just like the good old days, isn't that good enough for you?"
"Y-yes," he finally got the message and stopped beating a dead horse. 'Big Brother is determined not to tell me anything more than he already has, why? He's hiding something, but what? He's never lied or hidden information from us before. Perhaps Naraku has offered him all of our shards for this deception. He's probably just using us to get them all for himself so he can gain more power like he's always wanted. I will not allow that, he will not get mine. I will have to make sure I get rid of him, before he can get rid of me.'
"Ahh, Inuyasha, I really hope you get here soon," Jakotsu swooned. Only a moment later, Kouga whirled in to see the Band of Seven barely even fazed by his arrival, joshing back and forth. This dismissive behavior only ticked Kouga off quicker and they began scrapping, five on one, but he was effectively evading all of their attacks, except Bankotsu's who had his instincts running in overdrive. The feeling he got from that giant weapon was similar to the feeling he got from Inuyasha's sword; there was something just not right about it.
"Quit jumping around!" Bankotsu yelled as he went in for the swipe that would send both the wolf's jewel shards flying, but he was stopped by Inuyasha, just in time. Facing off, he finally laid eyes on all of his targets in one place. Scanning over the people before him, Inuyasha and Kouga were easily identified. The monk, that must be Miroku, he was not all too formidable without being able to use his Windtunnel, and the woman in tight clothes, that must be the slayer, Sango, strong for a human, but still, no match for them. Last, was a girl wearing something even a concubine wouldn't dare flaunt, but using the process of elimination, that could only be the priestess Naraku had seemed so protective of, Kagome. Not that he said that specifically, but why else would he forbid them from touching her? 'I wonder if Naraku has a perverse interest in this girl, her outfit is certainly enticing enough.'
"Be very careful, Inuyasha," the girl gasped and pointed straight at him, "the leader, he has three sacred jewel shards in his neck."
'So that's why he wants her alive, is it?' he contemplated how useful a power hungry demon would find her ability. "They belonged to Mukotsu and Kyokotsu," Bankotsu answered.
'Just as I thought, he is taking our shards,' Renkotsu fretted, cementing his false fears.
"I'm going to tear you apart," Inuyasha declared, starting the battle as they each paired off and began scrapping. It was quite obvious to Kagome that the threats of death were empty since many opportunities to kill them where not taken, except those from Renkotsu as he came straight for Kagome.
'I understand now, that girl can see the sacred jewel shards,' Renkotsu realized as Kagome glared at him accusingly. 'If Bankotsu finds out that I didn't tell him about the jewel shards, there will be hell to pay.' "Ginkotsu, aim for that girl," he ordered, more afraid of Bankotsu than some demon he hasn't even met. "Hurry up and kill her." 'I must get rid of her, before she gives me away.' Luckily, between Kouga and Kirara, Kagome escaped the metal man's canons and her trinket did not fire.
In the middle of the fight, Naraku's insects called for retreat, but Bankotsu refused, wanting to incapacitate Inuyasha first. That way he would not have to worry about keeping him occupied and could go off and have fun while he could. After he was nearly killed by the Windscar, he relented and they made their escape with the help of Naraku's sweet-swelling puppet. The puppet was easy enough to remove, and Kouga made pursuit as Inuyasha and his group wondered over the odd scent of the puppet: water and flowers.
Naraku could not allow his decoys to be obliterated so quickly, he may not have time to reconstruct and strengthen himself if his enemies were to explore the mountain closer. He still had a few more hoops to make them jump through, a few more wild goose chases, beginning with this unique scent they were wondering over. He also didn't want Renkotsu to use Kagome's untainted shards. He was not following the plan like Bankotsu was and with those shards, untainted by his influence, Naraku would not be able to weaken him when he decided he wanted him dead, which was soon.

It did not take long for Sesshomaru to cover the distance to Mount Hakurei and circle its perimeter to make sure there was no opening in which Naraku could have entered. He found none; the barrier was solid and beyond his capabilities to pass through. He would have been constantly unsure, if not for Rin wandering off and telling him of demons hiding in the cave. 'So, Naraku has found a way to erect a holy barrier now,' he realized, figuring he must be using some holy person for this task. 'This must be what the girl meant by him being beyond my reach.' Having discovered Naraku's trick and unable to do anything about it, he lingered in the area, beyond the barrier's reach, to await Naraku's emergence. In the meantime, he kept track of other scents, such as the boy servant, Kohaku, and Kagome's whereabouts. She had been here recently, alone, and he could only imagine that she had entered the mountain to visit the filth that lay within. Her scent, would likely be his best bet to follow.

In the pursuit for the scent of water and flowers, they encountered an abundance of sources of water, including hot springs. Kagome and Sango snagged the heated pool first, and dashed off to indulge in the relaxation it would gift. Kagome was careful to turn her necklace around and let it hide against her back, underneath her hair.
Growing impatient with Kagome's avoidance of the truth, Sango decided to confront her sister, "Kagome, how come you didn't tell me about your… um, your lover?" She whispered the last word, making sure no one would over hear, even though they were a ways from the guys.
Kagome stiffened, until she remembered that Sango was referring to Sesshomaru. She swallowed the lump in her throat before answering back in an equally quiet tone, "I, uhh, I guess because I thought you guys would hate me for it."
"Oh, Kagome, we could never hate you," Sango comforted, grasping her hands. "I just wanted to know, is all. I wanted to make sure he treats you right. He doesn't hurt you, or anything, does he?" Both girls were blushing from their line of conversation.
"He, uh, well, he is a bit rough, but that's expected, being a demon and all," Kagome recalled how frenzied Naraku could be, and noted in the back of her mind that Sesshomaru sported that same image. "He never beats me or anything."
"How did you, well, become… together?" Sango struggled for a way to ask how they started out.
"He, started visiting, when I would be alone, and it just progressed from there," Kagome told truthfully.
"And, you're happy?" Sango asked genuinely.
"Yes, I am Sango," she smiled in response, alleviating her sister-friend's worries. She felt much lighter having told Sango this much, even though she thought it was about someone completely different. She didn't like hiding things from them.

(A/N: Spoiler alert! Episode 117, and summary of all before.)
His days passed in a blur, having Kanna notify him if Kagome was placed in any danger, subtly influencing the course of battles, both for and against both sides, all while slowly reorganizing himself to carefully detach his weak, human heart. The Band of Seven was defeated one at a time. Kouga took out Ginkotsu, or rather, the metal monstrosity exploded to save Renkotsu, nearly taking Kouga and his men out with him. Then in an attempt to defeat Sesshomaru, Suikotsu was taken down by Kikyo's arrow. Of all of the mercenaries, Suikotsu was the only one that Naraku could not influence, since he had at one point purified his own shard being in close proximity of the mountain's barrier. His shard did not contain Naraku's influence. All that remained was Bankotsu, Renkotsu, and Jakotsu. Renkotsu, no matter how weakened he kept him, the stubborn fool refused to die.
Scrambling around in the hideout, Renkotsu was gathering up whatever arsenal he could carry himself to go after Kouga's shards once again, cursing at himself for not mounting an extra cannon on his metal friend. "Friend" would certainly be a term used loosely, for he only cared about his pet project in regards to his usefulness in battle. One more cannon might have been enough to end that wolf and steal his jewel shards. He would just not give up on this false life as he again pursued the wolf, but this time, he was in the company of Kagome, so his assault was putting her in danger too. Naraku could not allow that, and made sure to weaken and slow the fool, but could do nothing about his explosive weapons. One attack, under the cover of smoke, even caused the trinket she wore to blaze to life, their survival was pinned on the robe of the fire rat, having no other logical explanation. Playing dead, they lured Renkotsu into the cave, having not a chance at a distance, but up close, possibly. In desperation, he lit a firebomb and held it in his hands, threatening the jewels or their lives, but threw it away last second, feeling the life practically drained from him by his very jewel shards. He understood he would not survive the blast and bailed. The whole walk back was fraught with worries about if Bankotsu would kill him or not.
Bankotsu stood along a river in the bottom of a cannon, listening to the news of Renkotsu's failures and deceit just as the mercenary in question walked up looking absolutely terrified, no matter how hard he tried to hide it. He had warned him not to cross him again, and was debating on whether or not to end him, but since his misdeeds had not been against himself or his companions directly, and he had tried his hardest to make up for it, he would let it slide, just this once. "It's a shame Ginkotsu bit the dust," Bankotsu had expressed, probably more saddened over the loss of his comrades than anyone else, even if he didn't show it. "I am glad about one thing, at least you're still alive." His genuine smile unnerved the older man. "Suikotsu is dead as well, so now there's just the three of us. I'm going to be depending on you now more than ever." He patted him on the shoulder. "Lets be on our way."
'That creep, Bankotsu, didn't he even notice Ginkotsu's jewel shard? It looks like he's got some use for me yet. I guess I got a reprieve this time,' the distrustful schemer assumed.

(A/N: Spoiler alert! Episode 118)
Vibrations, there were intruders drawing nearer; Naraku could feel their steps inside the cave just as a spider detects struggling prey in its web. The monk and demon slayer came inside alone, seeking him out, 'How foolish.' Even if they found him in his incomplete form, they would not have a chance, and until the barrier dropped, none who did stand a chance would be able to reach him. He was not ready to emerge, but it would seem his time was dwindling; he would need to hasten.
Kagome stood outside, staring at the mountain and worrying for her friends. Knowing Naraku was indeed in there, and the masses of demons that inhabited the caves, she knew better than any just how perilous it would be. She had tried to dissuade them, but her words would not be heeded. And now, Inuyasha was saying how he was going up the mountain too, despite being half demon. He would be purified for sure, but just as her other two friends, he also refused to listen to her concerns and took off, leaving her in the protective care of Kouga. 'Please, don't let any of them get hurt,' she silently prayed.

"I got the news from the Siamyosho. So, Suikotsu didn't make it, huh?" Bankotsu asked his flamboyant friend who seemed rather down.
"No, it was a pretty sad ending for him," Jakotsu verified.
'There goes one more,' he thought sadly, giving a moment of silence to another fallen comrade.
"Oh, that reminds me," Jakotsu dug into the folds of his Kimono, "I've got something here for you, Bankotsu." He handed over a jewel shard, explaining, "This is a memento from Suikotsu, a shard of the sacred jewel." This shard was different from the rest, since Kikyo had purified it, it did not contain Naraku's influence. The demon would not be able to weaken the one who used it. "Here."
"I-its for me?" Bankotsu stuttered unbelievingly. He had gotten so used to Renkotsu's greed, that this seemed so surreal.
"What are you talking about? You're the one who said to hand it over if we got one," Jakotsu reminded.
'That's right, I planned on gathering the shards as Naraku ordered, and then using them to try to defeat him and free all of us,' Bankotsu contemplated, involuntarily tearing up. "Jakotsu, I, you… You're such a good friend! You're really something Jakotsu and the only person in the whole world I can trust. Really weird, but loyal."
"You really think so?" the two laughed together jovially.
Once the cheerful atmosphere dwindled back down, Bankotsu began thinking seriously again, "Hey Jakotsu, there's something you should know."
"Huh, what's that, Big Brother?" the effeminate man inquired.
"It's no guarantee we will make it out of this alive. In all likelihood, this life is only temporarily; Naraku will not let us live forever," he told him sadly, revealing his lie to one person only.
"Yeah, I kind of figured as much," Jakotsu shrugged it off, holding no grudge. "Just enjoy what time we have, right?" His smile brightened Bankotsu from his slump.
"Right," the leader agreed, "but I'll do my best to free us." Jakotsu nodded in agreement, but fully understood it was unlikely.

(A/N: Spoiler alert! Episode 120)
Bankotsu was heading back to the mountain when he received the news. A Siamyosho dropped a unique hairpin in his hand, the hairpin that could only belong to his dearest friend, Jakotsu. He stared at it as the trembling started. The grief he felt at the other mercenarys' demises was nothing compared to this. Jakotsu was his best friend, had been with him far longer than any of the others, and the only one he trusted. To make things worse, it wasn't even an enemy that killed him, but Renkotsu. "Damn it, I should have killed him myself at the first sign," Bankotsu cursed his mercy at giving someone he thought was a friend too many chances. "If I had just killed him, Jakotsu would still be here." He slumped onto a rock, letting the tears fall in remembrance of his friend. It was soon after that Renkotsu emerged, walking up behind him as if nothing was wrong. His betrayal was sickening. 'Why does the idiot think he needs to kill his friends to survive? Does he really think I would have killed him for his? Not without valid reason, such as betrayal,' he sighed inwardly. Realizing the fool was not going to strike, he didn't have the guts, Bankotsu made the first move instead. He would avenge Jakotsu.
Renkotsu struggled with his perceived to be heartless leader, fighting to his best ability, but failing miserably. He only had one less shard, and yet they didn't seem to be giving him any power, even sapping the strength he would normally have. He couldn't even stand. 'Why do I suddenly feel so weak?' he screamed in his own mind. "Tell me, what is the difference?" he screamed his last wish, but it was not granted, that would be an unearned reward. Bankotsu killed him, mercilessly, as punishment.
As his corpse turned to bones at his feet, Bankotsu finally gave his answer, "The difference is I would never betray my friends." He breathed in a deep sigh, "How sad, it seems that I am the only one left." 'What point is there to this existence now? I was only driven to free us, but I think, I've had enough,' he really couldn't find any purpose to continue living, not with Jakotsu gone, his family destroyed one by one. He had no intention of being a slave to a demon's whims. He would seek out Inuyasha, not for Naraku, but because his comrades deserved to be avenged. After that half-breed is finished, he would hunt down Naraku, a final punishment for using them in such a way. Maybe he would even slay that woman before his eyes. But the chances of defeating the elusive demon were slim. "He's strong, this will be the final battle for the Band of Seven."

She could wait no longer, the barrier was fluctuating, the mountain pulsing, and with it, her trinket also seemed to gain a heartbeat; thrumming lightly against her chest. She took off running, leaving Shippo and Kirara with Kouga, answering to Naraku's call. The closer she got, the warmer it became, fire against her breastbone, the reverberations of his heart beating against hers. She had to go, had to see that everyone was alive. She knew she would be safe, she wore his amulet containing his swirling blood, and that would erect a barrier if any threat surfaced. With no one around, she would not be found out, either. Just before she reached it, the barrier fell completely and demons came swarming out, the same demons that stalked her in the dark, waiting for Kanna to leave her side. They came for her, and she instinctually evaded and fought back, until Kouga returned to her side. She wanted to go in alone, follow the same cave from before, if she could find it, but there was no way to convince him to leave her. They headed in together.

(A/N: Spoiler alert! Episode 121-122)
The vibrations, they were converging, coming from several angles. He manipulated the paths of the caves, making some straight, such as the one Kagome traversed, and others twisted and blocked, Inuyasha's. They needed to get to the core at the same time, but not until Bankotsu had been defeated. They had intruded upon his hiding spot too soon. Given more time, he could have reconstructed without the jewel, but since they rushed in, he would need to assemble the severed shards in order to finish his form. For that, he needed to influence the battle beween Inuyasha and Bankotsu. Having seven shards, plus the ones in Banryu, Inuyasha would be hard pressed to survive.
Bankotsu, after telling Inuyasha about his previous encounters with Naraku, the foolish half-breed proceeded to call him an idiot for not seeing Naraku's aim. 'I am not near so blind,' Bankotsu scowled. "You're the only idiot around here," he countered, knowing Naraku had something going with that girl. Was the dog really so blind as to not see that? He was about to say something, until his strength was suddenly and severely sapped in warning, 'Naraku does not want me saying anything about her, I take it.' "You can tell from a glance what kind of man he is, a sharper person would see that." This seemed to placate him, and his strength returned, taking care not to insinuate anything of the sort again if he wished to win. Naraku still had control of his shards, all except the one from Suikotsu and the ones in Banryu. The two continued to clash words and swords, rumbling the entire mountain with their destructive battle. Inuyasha began cutting out Bankotsu's shards one by one, but it was Bankotsu's greed for power that finally did him in. When he completed Banryu's transformation by killing his thousandth demon, it gained a demonic aura, and Inuyasha was thus able to use the Backlash Wave to finish him off. Before Inuyasha could go any further, Naraku bound him and drew him into the walls of the mountain, entangling him into his own body. He did the same thing with Kouga, separating him from Kagome. Everything was falling into place; soon, he would emerge.

(A/N: I was getting tired of going over every episode in detail, although I could twist many of the different scenes. I'm sure you are all way more interested in getting to Naraku.)
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In a New Light