FOREWARD

The following novel is a work that I originally wrote over the summer of 2006. Ultimately, I ran out of time to complete the final chapter of the 200+ page novel. Over the years, I revised, edited, cleaned, restructured the existing work. The past couple of years I intended to actually re-write the entire work, but alas, I chose not to. The writing style is based on my early techniques, which is to say, I was developing them as I went. Revisiting this work brought back a lot of memories. This year, I made a choice to complete my novel and maintain my early writing style.

The inspiration for this novel came from tiring of the show Inuyasha failing to reach a conclusion. In fact, after 165 episodes, multiple movies, and a continuing manga series, the story refuses to end as of this publishing. So I took it upon myself to finish the story the only logical way the plot lines set things up to be. 

During development, I was inspired to include a couple original characters of my own. As I kept writing, I really enjoyed developing my character so much that I do intend to write a series of novels based on his adventures. His adventures are already developed. Over the past few years I've studied history, foreign languages, actual locations, and mythology for my next series of novels. 

But I digress.

These Final Chapters of the Inuyasha story will forever be the literary work that inspired my future works. I do hope you enjoy reading these chapters. Yes, expect to find some typos. There will be some corniness. There will be slow moments (which novel doesn't have them?). And, there will be plenty of action.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and embarking on this adventure with me!
-Andres
11/12/14

WHAT IS IT ABOUT

Inuyasha (犬夜叉, "Dog Demon") is the eponymous main protagonist, in the manga series InuYasha and its anime adaptation. The half-demon son of a great demon father, known as the Tōga, and a human mother named Izayoi. He was bound to a sacred tree by a magical arrow from the priestess Kikyō's bow while attempting to claim the Shikon Jewel. Inuyasha sought the Jewel, thinking it could transform him into a full-fledged demon. Fifteen-year-old Kagome Higurashi, Kikyō's modern reincarnation, released him from this spell, but soon after, she accidentally shattered the Shikon Jewel into hundreds of fragments. They reluctantly agreed to work together as a team on Kaede's behalf to recover all of the fragments that had scattered across Feudal Japan before they fell into the wrong hands. (Source: Inyasha Fandom Wiki)

CAST OF CHARACTERS

 

Inuyasha

 

Kagome

 

Miroku

 

Sango

 

Shippo

 

Kirara

 

Myoga

 

Kikyo

 

Lady Kaede

 

Sesshomaru

 

Rin

 

Jaken

 

A-Un

 

Koga

 

Ayame

 

Ginta

 

Hakkaku

 

Naraku

 

Kanna

 

Kagura

PROLOGUE

Onigumo. An evil, deceiving man played his last trick on fellow thief Rasetsu. He set up Rasetsu to get the Shikon Jewel (Jewel of Four Souls) from a priestess named Kikyo. In his attempt to assault Kikyo, Inuyasha the half-dog demon defended her and wounded Rasetsu.  Rasetsu discovers he was setup by Onigumo and returns to carry out his revenge. At an inn near the thieves’ previous encampment, Onigumo and the thieves are interrupted by Rasetsu. Rasetsu torches the inn sparing those thieves that begged his forgiveness.  Not convinced Onigumo was killed in the blaze, Rasetsu inspects the charred remains of the inn finding Onigumo fatally wounded. Onigumo is carted away and thrown off a cliff.

              The wrappings around Onigumo were for naught. He was so terribly injured he could not move. He lay dying in what was an abyss. As fate would have it he was found by the beautiful priestess Kikyo. She nursed his wounds and cared for him. He recovered enough to be able to speak again. He fell for Kikyo, but he was immobilized the rest of his life. Onigumo’s evil soul called out to the demons to come devour his body that they may grant him a new body to which take Kikyo and the Jewel of the Four Souls. Many demons came answering Onigumo’s request.  While the demons feasted on his flesh they absorbed one another. The result was the birth of the powerful half-demon Naraku.

              Naraku possessed powers beyond a normal man but carried all of man’s weaknesses.  Kikyo was in love with another half-demon: Inuyasha. Kikyo promised to give Inuyasha the Shikon Jewel to grant him the ability to become a full-blooded human free of his demonic nature. Naraku would not let that happen. He impersonated both Kikyo and Inuyasha to pit the lovers against one another. In a dramatic confrontation, Kikyo lay mortally wounded by the Inuyasha imposter. She was unaware that Naraku impersonated Inuyasha. When she saw the real Inuyasha escaping with the Shikon Jewel, she used her last sacred arrow to pin Inuyasha to the Tree of Ages where he was to sleep for all eternity. 

              As her dying wish, Kikyo asked her younger sister Kaede to burn her along with the Shikon Jewel. The Shikon Jewel, Jewel of Four Souls, or Shikon no Tama as it also was known as, is a jewel influenced by its barer or guardian. The jewel was under guard by holy priestesses from demons and evil men alike so as such a powerful jewel would not land in the wrong hands. The only way the Shikon Jewel would have faded away for good was for it to be purified completely. Had Naraku not succeeded in turning Kikyo against Inuyasha, Inuyasha would have used the jewel to become fully human thereby purifying the Shikon no Tama, and it would have ceased to exist never to be used for evil again. Unfortunately, the jewel became corrupted when it was cremated with Kikyo’s angry and hateful soul.

              Fifty years would go by when a witch would try to resurrect Kikyo with a body of clay. The problem came when the witch tried to recall Kikyo’s soul. Kikyo was reincarnated in another time in the form of a young girl named Kagome. Kagome would one day stumble through the Well of Time, be held captive by the witch in the attempt to extract Kagome’s soul to Kikyo’s clay body. However, Kagome’s body recalled the soul and left Kikyo’s clay body “lifeless” again. Kikyo’s soul collectors collect the souls of deceased women and bring them to the newly formed Kikyo to maintain her clay body “alive”. 

              Kagome, the reincarnated Kikyo, is captured by a demon that removes the Sacred Jewel from Kagome’s body unaware that she had it within her the entire time. Inuyasha, the half-dog demon was freed from the Tree of Ages when Kagome removed an arrow from the tree nearby the Well of Time. He destroyed the demon attacking Kagome and retrieved the jewel only to have it swept away by a crow demon. Kagome aimed an arrow at the bird, released and shattered the Shikon no Tama spreading the shards wherever the wind would carry it.

              Kagome and Inuyasha then embarked on a journey to collect the shards of the Sacred Jewel. Along their journey, they met new friends: Miroku, the perverted monk who bares the wind tunnel curse in his hand applied by Naraku to his father before him; Sango, the demon slayer who’s family is slaughtered by her younger brother possessed by Naraku; Shippo, a small fox demon who wants to avenge his father’s death; and Koga, the wolf demon and wolf clan leader.

              Each of the adventures has been affected in one way or another by the evil half-demon Naraku. Each seeking retribution. Most of the jewel shards have been collected.  Only a few remain including those carried by Naraku, Kagome, Kohaku (Sango’s younger brother), and Koga. 

              These are the final chapters of the Kagome and Inuyasha journey to complete the Shikon no Tama, the Jewel of the Four Souls.

PUBLISHED March 22, 2015

The kettle pot whistled loudly and longer than usual. It's been a long day at the office. I simply wanted to relax with some hot tea and wind down for the evening. But I came home late. Traffic on the main was awful. The police closed down a section of First Street. Hostage negotiations, the radio said. Not my problem. I'm the District Attorney again. I'm sure I'll come across this case later when it goes before the judge. Right now, I just wanted to get the hot water off the fire and into the tea pot.

I carefully move the kettle off the burner with my surgically-repaired left hand testing to see if has gotten better. There's still some pain there from the skin grabs. I try not to use it too often since my skin feels like elastic, but I have to practice or how will it ever fully heal? I carry the kettle and pour the boiling water slowly into the tea pot with difficultly. Such a simple task. Those with good hands should count their blessings. I know I'm counting my second chances. It's hard returning back to normal.

It's a cold night. The fireplace is going in the living room of my penthouse. I carry the tray with the tea pot, tea cups, and biscuits to the coffee table. Funny. I don't remember the last time I drank coffee at this table. No matter. Tea is better for me. I place the tray down and adjust the tea cups that moved from their plates as I carried them. Biscuits are accounted for. Tea spoons, check. But it looks like I forgot the paper napkins. Got to have everything ready for my guest. My guest's time is always short. Wouldn't want to waste any time having to get up to get something as mundane as napkins. I make my way to the kitchen and pull a couple napkins from the holder. As I make my way back to the living room, I notice the balcony window open. He's here already.

To You, years From Now

It’s not easy being lonely.

There was a time I had many friends. I experienced success and respect at my position. I was even promoted to supervise and lead a great host of personnel. Then, it all changed. I was removed from my position and eventually turned away.

“Too ambitious,” they said.

“Too prideful,” they claimed.

Why?

All because I strived for greatness. Isn’t that what we all should aim for?

There were those that supported me. No one of real influence or consequence, however, when things were not looking so bright for me and my supporters, I decided to make my own endeavor. I had vision. I had drive.

Since my style and goals were not appreciated in the place I used to be, I assembled a team to challenge them. Competition, if you will.

Many years have come and gone. I have enjoyed a great deal of success! All it took was some elbow grease, dedication, a vision, and ultimately, a purpose.

My supporters could not be happier! Our numbers continue to grow despite a few hiccups along the way. But such is life.

I am always on the lookout for new recruits to add to my enterprise.

I remember the day I scouted you. You were standing in line with others contemplating your future aspirations. While the whole lot of those with you bought into the offer being sold over there, you seemed reluctant to receive. You did not look convinced when you left the facility.

Immediately following that day, I assigned a team of scouts to observe you. As disturbing as that might sound, my suspicions were correct. You were not happy in your new place. My investigators did research your files there. The reviews on you were quite harsh. When the recruits gave me the report on you, I strongly disagreed with the assessment made of you. There was no respect for your potential. No one helped you understand why you could not do better. The system was rigged for you to fail.

I waited for the opportunity to present our offer to you. When the time came to show you what you can benefit, earn, and enjoy over here, you rejected it. You did not understand it. Then, came the day I dreaded. You actually got promoted! I feared you would accept the false sense of security that promotion offered you. That’s when I assigned an agent to your case. Someone with drive and ambition. Someone that could not easily be turned away. He is my best sales representative!

I am glad you two have met on occasion, but you have yet to accept our offer. Remember, our offer, like any offer, has an expiry date. In your case though, I am extending our offer especially since your place has begun to realize your capabilities.

We will not be out-offered!

If my best sales representative cannot entice you on our offer, I will personally deliver our final offer to you!

Just remember this: hoping for eternity beyond this life is a lie. Why wait for something you can easily lose merit for? You can be the best you can be and enjoy life without fear today!

My sales manager handed you this letter with my compliments. I strongly look forward to seeing you join our team, Enoch!

-Lucifer