I think... I might be crazy, but I think this has been updated in less than a month? Insanity!

I'll be honest, escaping into the Inu-Yasha fandom has been a blessing as of late. The world is going flipping mad on the whole, and then there are some struggles in my life at the moment. My dad had an unexpected visit to the hospital with a horrible infection that has taken him weeks to recover from. My grandmother is not responding well to her treatments for her cancer, and we are very concerned for her. And I worry for my mother, who is trying to shoulder all the burdens of taking care of two very ill people on her own.

On the whole, I am very blessed. I don't mean to complain. The world doesn't need any more complaints in it right now. I still have my grandma here, and my dad is improving everyday. I'm blessed to be able to work from home and keep away from the crazies in the world. But sometimes, you just need an escape. So thank you, dear readers, for allowing me to do this. :)

Please, enjoy the latest edition of Guilty Hero. Or perhaps, for this chapter, 'enjoy' is not the right word. Kukukukuku...

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Guilty Hero

Chapter 58: Loss

"All right," Koga grunted, skidding to a halt on the filthy rooftop of an abandoned office building. "How's this, Kagome? Think you can make it from here?"

Trying to keep a quiver out of her voice, Kagome peered over the wolf's shoulder. "Uh... Yeah, I think we should be c-close enough." Inwardly, she cursed her stutter. Koga was nervous enough without hearing the fear in her own voice.

During the ride to the battle's hub, the demon had been unusually quiet. And since she was riding on his back, she could easily tell how tense his muscles were. Inu-Yasha was the same way when he was afraid or stressed.

Kagome couldn't blame Koga. Their journey from City Hall to their observation point had showcased the full extent of Naraku's power. So many city landmarks were destroyed and vandalized. Deep gouges had been carved out of the streets and buildings as the scars of vicious battles fought. The bodies of dead demons and humans alike littered the road, tossed among flipped vehicles and overturned streetlights, benches, and signs. Monumental skyscrapers had been razed, and their remains lit alight. Smoke poured out from practically every city block as a result. To see the destruction Naraku had already caused was enough to make any seasoned warrior's blood run cold.

As Koga gently set Kagome down on the roof, she reached in her pocket to tug out her trusty crossbow. She felt much better with it in her hand. "I-I guess now we wait?" Again there was that damn quiver.

Koga nodded, settling down against the edge of the roof. "Yeah. We don't make our move until we get the signal from Kaede. Until then, we have to keep out of range of that... creature." He sneered out at Naraku's monstrous form in the distance. "Damn ugly thing, isn't he?" He cast a glance at her, and she could see he was trying to put on his trademark cocky grin. "Are you ready to take him on?"

"Um... Yes, sure." She let out a dry chuckle. "Oh, who am I kidding? Hell no, I'm not. Would you be, knowing the fate of the entire city rests on you?"

Shrugging, Koga glanced back to Naraku and frowned when a loud boom echoed over the cityscape. It seemed the demon had leveled another building. "Fair enough. I can't say I've ever been in your shoes, and I sure as hell don't want to be. I saw what happened to that mutt the last—erm, w-well... yeah." He swallowed his words, having almost forgotten that was not the best subject to discuss with Kagome.

The sudden snap of crossbow prongs springing out cut the air. Already on edge, Koga started at the sound.

"Don't worry, Koga." Despite her pale face and the slight tremble of her body, she gave the wolf a warm smile. "Inu-Yasha is waiting for me back at City Hall. I have everything to live for, and every reason to survive this. I have to do my best. A-and I will."

"Heh." The wolf chuckled softly. "You are an amazing woman, Kagome."

Blushing furiously, she leaned against the ledge and focused on the horizon. They sat in silence for a few moments, watching their enemy destroying more of their home. "I wonder how long it will take them to reach Naraku...?"

"Eh, I dunno." His tail twitched in agitation. "They need to get his complete attention, and make him focus solely on them. The fighting will have to get pretty intense."

She nodded worriedly. "Yeah... It's not that I don't have faith in Sango and Miroku's abilities, but... I am relieved Sessho-maru is with them. I know he'll be able to keep them alive long enough for me to get a shot in."

Koga snorted in response. "You sure have a lot of faith in that ice cube."

That finally got a laugh out of Kagome. "He is rather cold and emotionless, that's true. But he is a brilliant strategist and fighter, and he's a surprisingly good instructor as well. I'm quite glad he's on our side instead of Naraku's."

"Hmph." Koga crossed his arms and scowled down at the street below. "If you put that much stock in his abilities, then I suppose I can tolerate the stench of mutt a while longer."

The deep voice that spoke next caused Koga's tail to frizz out in fright.

"My 'stench' isn't even enough to get your attention, wolf." Sessho-maru's icy gaze bore into Koga without reserve. "I have been standing here for several seconds."

"What... what..." It was a rare occasion when Koga was caught off-guard. "W-what the hell are you doing here?! You're supposed to be with Sango and Miroku! Where are they? What's happened?" He was legitimately concerned. From his and Kagome's conversation moments prior, he knew it was absolutely imperative that Sessho-maru's presence was with their superiors.

Sessho-maru regarded him coolly. "There has been a change of plans. Stay here, if you value your life." Then, without warning, he gripped Kagome around the waist and hefted her in the air with one arm.

"Sessho-maru?! What are you doing?!" Kagome's surprised shriek fell on deaf ears.

Shocked that a man who he thought was their ally was now abducting the most important figure in the Order, it took the wolf a moment to spring into action. Letting out a snarl, he lunged for Sessho-maru with his claws bared. "I don't know what the hell's gotten into you, but you need to drop her right-"

Koga's demand was cut short by Sessho-maru's right fist smashing into his face. The blow was delivered with such force that the wolf was flung across the roof and smashed head first into the opposite ledge. He dropped like a stone, unconscious with that one punch.

"Sessho-maru!" Kagome shouted once again, this time with anger. "How dare you! He is our ally, what are you thinking?!"

"Be still, Higurashi. As I said, there has been a change of plans, and we have no time to waste. We cannot afford that wolf chasing after us and giving away our position to Naraku."

"Change of plans?" She tried not to cry out again as Sessho-maru leapt off the twenty-story high roof. "What change?"

His cold gaze flicked down briefly to regard her. "...Inu-Yasha has joined the fray."

Her reaction was instantaneous. All her fears from their flying leap off the roof were gone. She gripped the arm wrapped firmly around her waist and stared hard at the demon. "Inu... Inu-Yasha is fighting? O-out here?"

"Mm." With effortless grace, Sessho-maru sprung off another rooftop. "He is facing Naraku as we speak."

"He WHAT?!"

He couldn't help but wince at the piercing quality of Kagome's shriek. "Be quiet, woman. He is doing this of his own volition. My ward is with him to assist."

"But... but... H-he couldn't even stand when I left him at City Hall! He'll be on his deathbed without receiving medical attention!"

"Which is precisely why we must reach Naraku in due haste, Higurashi."

"Then hurry up, Sessho-maru! Go!"

Sneering at the demand, Sessho-maru continued on in silence. It took him only a few seconds to close the gap between them and Naraku. Dropping down to street level, he quickly ducked behind massive chunks of asphalt that had been cleaved from the earth and released Kagome's waist.

"Be silent, and keep you aura as subdued as you can. You must not alert Naraku to your presence until the opportune moment."

"'Opportune moment'?!" Kagome whispered furiously. "Inu-Yasha is facing Naraku! And, no offense, but Shippo being with him doesn't exactly fill me with confidence! We need to help them!" Hefting her crossbow, she made to stand up from behind the rubble.

Frowning, Sessho-maru's arm snaked out to grip her waist once more, but this time he covered her mouth with his other hand. Ignoring her sudden struggles, he lifted her just high enough to give her a clear view of Naraku. "Inu-Yasha is doing what he can for the city in this fight. He is playing the bait. If you charge out there now, what would happen if you were unable to produce the blast needed to purify that creature from existence? You would destroy everything Inu-Yasha has risked. Inu-Yasha must fight through this himself, until the time is right."

Since she was held firmly in place with no hope of release, Kagome settled for a low growl of disapproval. As usual, Sessho-maru was annoyingly right. But what on earth was the opportune moment? And why was he the one to decide when that was? Giving him a sharp elbow to the ribs that had almost no effect, she settled down and turned her attention to the scene before her.

At first glance, she was shocked that Naraku, in his hideous new body, had not spotted her or felt her presence. They were relatively close to his monstrous body, and his intense demonic aura weighed down the air with incredible pressure. However, a quick scan of the battle told her why.

An exact copy of herself was standing straight and tall on a pile of rubble off to the left, pointing her favored crossbow at the overgrown arachnid. Immediately, Kagome realized it was the young fox Shippo facing down Naraku. Not only had he transformed into a perfect replica of her, but he even managed to simulate a small amount of holy aura focused at the tip of the crossbow bolt. Despite the extreme danger the boy was in, she couldn't help but be impressed. Not only was being able to simulate holy aura an impressive feat for a kitsune, but he was also incredibly brave to face Naraku head on. She hoped Sessho-maru was taking note of his apprentice's achievement.

With one movement, the warm feeling of pride was ripped from her breast. One of Naraku's arms shot forward with wickedly sharp accuracy, and it plunged clean through Shippo's abdomen.

A strangled shriek squeaked out of Kagome through Sessho-maru's fingers. She struggled vainly in his grip, desperate to run to the fox's aid. But Sessho-maru held firm. His face was unreadable, but Kagome did feel the grip around her waist stiffen. She knew he was not entirely unaffected by the sight.

Inu-Yasha was clearly distraught as well. They heard his cry of rage, and soon he leapt at Naraku with his claws bared. Unfortunately, he was batted away with ease and crashed back to the ground, but still he tried to stand.

Kagome, while unable to hear the conversation between Inu-Yasha and Naraku, watched with rapt attention. Inu-Yasha was in bad shape, as her nurse's eyes quickly picked up on. Blood dripped down his head and out of his mouth, both his arms were clearly broken, and his legs visibly shook as he tried to stand. And now, worst of all, he was well and truly alone against his most hated enemy. Why was Sessho-maru holding her back still?

Twice more Inu-Yasha tried to attack his foe, and twice more he was batted away like a fly. As he attempted to climb to his feet yet again, it was clear to Kagome that he had lost hope. Each time he tried to stand, the slower he was and the more his body trembled. He was at the end of his tether.

Kagome squirmed furiously in Sessho-maru's grasp. She'd had enough. Inu-Yasha was going to perish with Naraku's next blow. If Sessho-maru did not let her go, then she was going to use her holy powers against him so she could be released.

But then, two things happened at once that changed her plans.

First, the crushing power of Sessho-maru's restraint was lifted. He finally released her.

Second, Naraku attacked.

It was like watching a horror film in slow motion. The instant Naraku's body moved forward, Kagome knew what was going to happen. She knew, but she couldn't tear her eyes away. In a breath of time, her worst fear played out before her.

Inu-Yasha was run through.

Inu-Yasha. Her Inu-Yasha. The crass, rude, foul-mouthed half-demon who had climbed out of his pit of depression not once, but twice to be with her. The man who had at last started to live life again under her care. The man who had taken her heart.

Naraku had impaled him.

And she knew, with the extent of his illness and injuries, that survival was not possible. So rather, instead of impaling Inu-Yasha... Naraku had killed him.

All the sounds and distractions of the surroundings fell on deaf ears. Only her blood pumping in her ears registered in her brain. Her body acted without conscious thought. She may have shrieked, she wasn't certain. Her crossbow suddenly was pointed at that pinprick of light glowing in the depths of Naraku's hideous flesh, unconsciously aiming for the Shikon Jewel. Any care or concern for her surroundings was gone as she focused all her power, her very essence, into that tiny metal bolt resting in the flight groove. It was rattling in her weapon, desperate to be released.

She took one final look at her love. Inu-Yasha's hands had shakily lifted to grip Naraku's tentacle that had ground through his abdomen. He said something, but she couldn't hear what. It must have been enough to alert Naraku to her presence. The demon's gaze zeroed in on her. She could see the whites of his eyes, and the glint of mania in his blood red pupils.

Naraku wrenched his tentacles out of Inu-Yasha and Shippo as he turned toward her. Shippo collapsed, his form melting away to his normal body. Inu-Yasha dropped like a stone to the ground, and did not move again. With that, the dam in her broke. Screaming with rage and sorrow, she pulled the trigger.

The bolt sliced clean through the air, faster than could be seen by the human eye. It literally cut the air around it, leaving behind a thin glowing thread of holy aura in its wake. Hitting Naraku before the demon even realized it, the bolt struck the Shikon Jewel with deadly accuracy. And after a beat of silence, the explosion happened.

Kagome was vaguely aware of the monstrous boom as the jewel's power met with her holy aura. The massive ball of pure holy energy that was swallowing Naraku's body from the inside out was barely visible through her tear-blurred eyes. A strong hand grabbed her from behind. Someone's voice—Sessho-maru's, perhaps—bellowed something at her, but she couldn't hear from the ringing in her ears.

A strange sensation of weightlessness enveloped her, but it lasted for only a moment before she was dropped to the rubble-strewn ground. Before her lay Inu-Yasha. The sight and smell of his blood roused her slightly. She faintly heard Sessho-maru's command of, "Protect him, Higurashi! Hurry!" before the dog demon disappeared.

Unable to compute or process any higher levels of thought, Kagome crawled over to Inu-Yasha. He was laying in a pool of his own blood, cold to the touch and deathly pale. She had seen him in so many states of ill health and sickness, but this... This was by far the worst. Tears streaming down her face, she mindlessly did what she had been instructed to do. She flung herself over his body and raised a protective shield.

It wasn't a moment too soon. Her holy powers, having purified the Shikon Jewel and absorbed Naraku's vast demonic aura, at last released. With an almighty explosion, the world was covered in a wash of white light.

And with that, Kagome sank into darkness.

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My apologies for such a short chapter, but this was the perfect spot to end it. Please, let me know your thoughts—I've been awfully nervous about these past couple chapters. I've never gotten to the climax of a story before, so I'm not confident in my abilities to drive the sense of urgency and emotion through such an important point of the storyline. So please, ease my mind and let me know what you think!

Take care, everyone. Be kind, and remember that we will get through the craziness of this year. If there is one thing human beings are good at, it is adapting. :)