InuYasha Fan Fiction / Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Not Your Normal 9 to 5 ❯ Final Destinations ( Chapter 10 )

a/n: well all its been awhile, hope your enjoying this little story as much as I. This is the pre beta version, I tried to do it justice in correcting it but when I get it professionally proofed I'll put it up. I just want to get it out there for those of you who are as hungry to read another chapter as I am to write one. Were winding down and I hope to have the next chapters out in quick succession, but I am moving in a week to another state so it maybe a bit, nothing new there in my updating habits right? Well enjoy this chapter and if you have the time, drop me a review.

 

 

 

Chapter 10: Final Destinations

 

The first thing Lennex did when he awoke was immediately bring his hand to this throat. He winced as he gently touched the area that Inuyasha's half brother had gripped the night before like a vice. He could imagine the bruise that was there. The next thing he did was check his surroundings for danger. He didn't feel any power levels that he had learned to classify as demons and was glad for that. He rolled onto his side and propped himself up on his elbow to watch his new friend.

 

Shippo, it looked, had been up for a bit. A small cook fire was going in the fire pit that they had dug out and a pot was boiling over it. He wasn't sure what the fox had made for breakfast but he would find out shortly. While whatever it was warmed itself over the flames, the young fox stood in the fighter stance Lennex had taught him and remained motionless. If he was using the stance correctly he was deep in meditation, visualizing a fight against an opponent of his choosing. Lennex felt the kit's power coursing through his body as he spared in his mind. Piccolo had taught Lennex this technique early in his own training. Using the body's own Ki in a sort of dream state.

 

The effects were almost like enduring a real fight, after all, whatever the mind perceived as real would create a real effect to the body. Lennex checked his own ki level, once more running into that invisible block. He could almost feel the power he possessed but it still remained out of his grasp and the more he pushed, the more fatigued he became. It was really starting to annoy him He also checked his previous injuries he received so far in this journey. Aside from some minor cuts, bruises and scratches, the only real hindrance was the stab wound to his side. It was healing quicker then it would have had he really been human, but it was still causing him pain if he over extended himself. He hoped to have all this cured by today.

 

He was so close. Korin's Tower was rumored to be in the area, and if they could reach the small cat God, healing would be a piece of cake. Or so he hoped. He felt Shippo's energy drop and focused his attention on his friend once more. The fox slowly opened his eyes and let out a breath, bringing a hand to swipe at his brow, removing the sweat that had accumulated there.

 

“Did you win?” Lennex asked.

 

Shippo turned his head and nodded. “it was a tough fight but I managed to get the victory. You were right though, even though it's my imagination, the opponent almost seems like its own entity,” He walked over to the fire and scooped some of the substance into a bowl and brought it to Lennex.

 

“Nothing fancy, just some porridge. Filling and quick to make, I know you want to get moving as soon as possible.”

 

Lennex nodded, taking the bowl and frowning into it. The kit was right and he did want to get moving, but porridge was defiantly not a Sayjin's favorite meal. He started to choke the stuff down as he responded to the kits earlier statement.

 

“That's the beauty of the fighting mentally. It's like splitting your awareness into two. While you have control overall, you can only focus on yourself. While the other half of your conscious does its best to compete against you. It sounds confusing but it works trust me. I haven't learned it yet, but one of my teachers can split himself into two exact copies and fights himself. It adds the extra bit of realism into the fight.”

 

Shippo nodded as he filled his own bowl and started to eat happily. Apparently the fox didn't have the same reservations to the meal as Lennex had. The joys of youth Lennex thought to himself. They finished their breakfast quickly and packed up their campsite. Lennex mounted the horse, a trusted stead after almost a weeks worth of travel and the two set out to find that which they sought.

 

 

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

 

It was one of the rare times in their companionship when Kagome was the first awake and rousing the rest of the party. Inuyasha always blamed it on the `cushy' life style she was used to in her own time that she was able to sleep so long into the morning. She always argued with him that day break wasn't exactly that late but she never did sway the half demons opinion. Today however, she had an internal alarm go off in her head. The alarm was also what she called her jewel sense. And right now it was saying two shards had come into her sensory range.

 

She had roused Inuyasha, which wasn't hard to do since he always slept lightly when on a journey and went to raise Sango, leaving Miroku to him. After everyone was awoken and advised of the situation, they quickly gathered their things and left the room they were given for the night when they had saved the village. Apparently the stragglers of the destroyed villages had made their way here and so the people knew that the battle could have been a lot worse for them had Inuyasha and company not arrived. They were fed, bathed, much to the girls delight, and housed free of charge.

 

When the exited the building they had spent the night in, they noticed that very few of the village's population was up. Only those that were getting ready to open shop and local eateries were awake. The sun was barley peaking over the mountains in the east as they set out of the village.

 

“You sure it's just two shards and not Kalin and his little collection?” Inuyasha asked for what seemed like the fourteenth time to Kagome. She sighed and tried counting backwards to alleviate the desire to sit him multiple times.

 

“Yes, Inuyasha, its only two shards and they are very close.” She heard him exhale quickly, it sounded like keh to her and continued on, letting her lead the way but sticking very close to her in case of danger. Miroku, Sango and Kirara followed behind, watching the two argue about the shards, sharing a glance with each other and smiling with mirth at the two friends. They continued walking for the better part of an hour before they heard signs of a battle. They quickened their pace and crested a hill to see two demons trying their best to tear each other to shreds.

 

The first demon was a large hulking bear demon. It stood almost seven feet tall and easily massed around 1500 pounds. Its opponent was dwarfed by the size of the bear, but the lynx demon made up for it in speed and agility. They both showed the scars of battle and must have been at it for quite some time. The lumbering bear was doing its best to crush the lynx, while in turn the lynx was trying to do enough damage to put the bear down for good.

 

“They each have a shard.” Kagome stated quietly as she watched the fight. Inuyasha grunted. It made sense to him. Bear demons were not ones to be picking a fight with unless there was a good reason. Their shear size intimidated most, luckily, he wasn't most demons.

 

“Hey,” he called out to the demons, stopping them in their fight as each warily looked up at the group, trying hard not to loose site of each other in the process. “We're going to have to take those shards from you now. Hand`em over or I'm going to show you what a real fight is like.” The others quietly sighed and shook their head at their half demon companion's brashness but readied themselves for the reply.

 

“If you want my shard, you'll have to take it. I warn you though, it wont be easy, ask this weakling and he will tell you.” The bear's booming voice came to them as he motioned to the lynx. The lynx glared at him but chose to focus on this new threat.

 

Inuyasha grinned, pulling Tetsusaiga from its sheath, the sword transforming into the great fang of legend. “I wouldn't have it any other way.” He quickly looked at Sango and Miroku “you two take care of that lynx, this bear shouldn't take long, and you,” he said finally resting his gaze on Kagome, “stay put and out of trouble” he then turned and started advancing on the bear, missing the glare Kagome focuses on his back. Sango motioned for Kirara to stay with the girl from the future and started down the hill with Miroku. Kirara Transformed into her larger demon form and stood next to Kagome.

 

The lynx moved away from the bear as it watched Inuyasha closing in with the mammoth sword. He would let them fight it out and then take care of what was left, letting them wear each other out. As much as the words stung, the bear was right in that he was a tough kill. It looked however, that he wouldn't get the rest he wanted as the two humans started for him.

 

“Come to end your miserable lives humans?” he heckled across the space separating them. He'd killed many men of that pathetic spiritual power caste, one more holy man wouldn't be a problem, and a woman, it made him chuckle. The two spread out to flank him and he noticed the woman shuck the traveling kimono she wore. He had to reevaluate his opinion when he saw the exterminator garb she wore. This might be tougher then he thought.

 

The monk charged him suddenly, the gold staff readied for attack. The first swing was easily side stepped and the lynx took a moment to grin as he readied to end the man's life. His eyes widened in shock however when the monk's free hand threw three slips of paper onto his body. The holy energy ripped up and down him and he howled in pain. This monk was good. He jumped away and clawed at his own body, opening up wounds on himself to shred the sutras. The monk had a small smile on his face and the lynx's blood boiled.

 

“Your better then most of the holy men I've killed, but that isn't going to save you.” He called out. The monk dipped his head in acknowledgement, the smile never leaving his face as he replied

 

“That may be my friend, but those whose lives you have taken didn't have such a lovely comrade to help them.”

 

The lynx cursed himself as he remembered the woman. He dove to the side out of instinct and a giant bone boomerang came crashing into the ground where had been. The weapon left a small crater as it rebounded back into the sky and whirled back into the exterminator's hand. This fight was going to be anywhere close to as easy as he once thought.

 

Across the way, the bear demon was thinking the same thing. This dog demon was as quick as his previous opponent, but the weapon he possessed hurt a lot more then the lynx's claws had. He already had a deep gash across his chest, the blood flowing freely down his fur and clothes, matting the hair and staining the cloth red.

 

“You will die pathetic half demon.” He growled as he charged and swung his massive hand, claws intent on impaling the upstart.

 

“Keh, better demons then you have tried and failed.” Inuyasha replied leaping above the strike and coming down to land on the outstretched arm. The half demon quickly ran up the arm and leapt in the air again, turning around and raising his sword to strike.

 

The bear screamed out in rage and pain as the sword removed his arm from his body. He staggered back clutching at the wound glaring at Inuyasha, who propped Tetsusaiga on his shoulder and spoke.

 

“Give me the shard and the arm will be the only thing you lose today. Fair trade I think.”

 

The bear roared in fury, forgetting the wound and charging once again, its bloodlust skyrocketing.

 

“Stupid move.” Inuyasha muttered, readying his weapon. The Bear's remaining hand came down in a massive over hand strike, and had Inuyasha still been standing in that spot, he wouldn't have been crushed into the ground. But the half demon move left and forward, crouching inside the bears reach. The bear looked down surprised to see his foe so close. Inuyasha leapt forward, swinging the Tetsusaiga and cleaving the bear in half just above the waist. The two halves feel to the ground, the last breath escaping the bear in a slow groan. Inuyasha swung the blade a few times to remove the blood and sheathed the sword, glancing over to Miroku and Sango.

 

The lynx demon was fast, but against two opponents with the skills that these two had, he didn't stand a chance. He kept trying to kill one but they were trading attacks. One would feint, the other would attack and they would alternate. Between the monk's staff and the exterminators boomerang and hidden blades, he was bleeding freely. His left arm hung uselessly, the shoulder having been crushed by the Hiraikotsu, lacerations and bruises ran up and down his torso from the staff. He lunged again at the woman, intent on spilling her entrails on the grass under her but was blocked, the boomerang making just as effective as a shield as a weapon.

 

Sango used the weapon to send the blow down and to the right standing almost shoulder to shoulder with her attacker. He turned to glare at her, but before he could reposition for another attack, Sango's nimble hand was under her shoulder armor and when it reappeared the hand let loose a powder into the lynx's face.

 

His eyes instantly burned and watered as he started choking. He backed off clawing at his face and throat. Miroku took the opportunity and threw another sutra at the lynx, this time the sacred paper, didn't cause pain but immobilization, allowing Sango to finish the job with her main weapon. The lynx fell to the ground, all life leaving him as Sango caught the boomerang and slung it over her shoulder. Miroku walked over and congratulated her on another win and the two turned to face Inuyasha.

 

During their fight, he had already dispatched his own opponent and called Kagome down to him. The poor girl looked a little green as she picked out the shard from the top half of the corpse. She quickly put the shard into the container with the rest and they both walked over to the lynx body to repeat the procedure, Kirara following behind in her kitten form now that the danger had passed.

 

“As much as I have been through, I don't think ill ever get used to all the blood and gore.” She muttered as she knelt to retrieve the shard from the lynx's chest.

 

“It's probably best you never get used to it Kagome. Death isn't something to take lightly or ever get used to.” Miroku said, Sango nodding her head in agreement.

 

“Keh, they asked for it, I don't know why you get all squeamish every time you have to get a little dirty. Its just blood, it does wash.” Inuyasha stated. Kagome turned to glare at him a sit on the tip of her tongue, when she felt something on the edge of her awareness. She focused on the feeling, her eyes going wide.

 

“He's heading for the village!”

 

The four quickly turned and made haste in the direction of the village.

 

 

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

 

They had rode for most of the morning before coming to a path that lead into a small range of bluffs. Lennex had suggested that maybe they find another way around but Shippo was adamant about going forward. The fox demon had said he felt some kind of spiritual aura coming from the direction of the bluffs and it didn't look like there was any other way around.

 

So they started forward, the path taking them between to large cliff faces making them ride at the bottom of a canyon. Lennex's eyes kept darting from side to side, thinking to himself that this would be the perfect place for an ambush. However they rode through the small range with no hostility directed towards them. They crossed paths with a family that was traveling the opposite direction, and while they didn't seem hostile, they looked upon Lennex and Shippo warily.

 

Lennex paid it no mind as they rounded a bend and saw that the sides were gradually coming down. They were almost out of this place. He didn't consider himself claustrophobic but being trapped between so much high ground did unnerve him. He kicked the horse up into a canter and finally exited the canyon. He looked to his left and saw lush grassland that moved in the wind. It looked like it stretched for miles and was a peaceful site compared to before.

 

“Is that what we are looking for?” Shippo said in a strangely quiet voice.

 

Lennex turned to glance at the demon and saw that Shippo's eyes were wide and mouth slack. He looked up and to the right and saw what Shippo had seen. He had to admit that from the ground, Korin's Tower was very impressive. It was still a good distance away, but they could see the tower stretch from the ground to the sky, forming a sort of bridge between the two. A small village was laid out around the tower and they were close enough to make out the small shapes of people moving about.

 

“That is exactly what we are looking for Shippo.” Lennex replied with a grin. Turning their horse in the direction of the tower and going into a full gallop. They rode hard for a good twenty minuets before reaching the outskirts of the village. The tower now huge and filling up the sky they were close. Shippo continued to stare up at it, trying to see the top which was hidden by the clouds.

 

Lennex slowed the horse to a slow walk, allowing the animal rest from the hard ride. As they made their way through the village, they noticed the people all giving them cold looks. It looked as if the rumors about outsiders not being welcomed were true. But Lennex refused to be swayed from his goal. They rode to the base of the tower and dismounted from the horse, craning his neck to look towards the towers peak. A man stepped out from the hut near the base and approached them. Lennex smirked to himself. While the village would change over the years, this man must have been the decedent his timelines village chief. The similarities were remarkable.

 

“Greetings travelers. My name is Jun and it is my family's task to defend this tower. Do you mean any harm to it or this village?”

 

Lennex watched the man's hand slide behind and under his shirt; no doubt reaching for a weapon should the encounter turn hostile.

 

“We don't mean any harm at all, only the chance to attempt to scale the tower and the rewards at the top.” Lennex replied. He knew that Korin had made scaling his tower a training challenge for those who wished to train under him or ask his guidance. It was the right thing to say as the man relaxed.

 

“You shall have your chance then, stranger. Be warned that the tower is almost impossible to climb and should you fall, survival is not guaranteed.”

 

“Thank you chief.” Lennex bowed and then turned towards the tower. He glanced down at Shippo. “I know this is supposed to be a test, but how bout we cheat so we can help out our friends?”

 

Shippo nodded and leapt into the air transforming into his giant pink balloon form. Jun gaped at this and Lennex quickly placed the reigns of the horse in his hand.

 

“Take good care of him. He did his task very well and deserves a good retirement. There's good grassland outside the village. Let him roam free out there.” Lennex called over his shoulder and he climbed on top of the transformed Shippo. He sat in lotus position and waved at the villagers that had gathered as Shippo rose off the ground

 

They rose quickly and soon the village was nothing but a speck on the ground. They stayed next to the tower and Lennex looked up once more to see if he could see the top. It still eluded his gaze but he had faith they would reach it soon. He noticed that their ascent started slowing a bit.

 

“Anything wrong Shippo?” he asked

 

The giant eyes of the balloon form were scrunched together and beads of sweat were on what would have been considered the forehead.

 

“It's getting harder to go up. Something is making it hard to concentrate.” Shippo grunted out.

 

Lennex looked up again, they had to be close.

“This is Korin's defense barriers. He only wants those who are very strong willed to climb this tower. It weeds out bad company and unexpected visitors. Just keep trying buddy. Focus your Ki to help you and we should get there in no time.”

 

“Says you, your not the one doing the flying” Shippo bit out but redoubled his efforts They continued to rise for another ten of fifteen minutes when Lennex saw the rounded bottom of the palace section of the tower. He patted Shippo and urged him to go just a little more. Their climb was now almost painfully slow as they neared the top of the tower. The barriers were taking their toll on his little friend. They had just reached the bottom platform when Shippo cried out transforming with a poof back into his normal form.

 

Lennex quickly grabbed the ledge and Shippo at the same time, dangling in the air. He quickly brought Shippo up to the platform and tossed him onto it none to gently as he gripped the edge with both hands. Flying would have come in very handy right now, he thought to himself, but that's why he was here. He strained and used all his strength to pull himself up. He almost lost his grip when the injury on his side reopened due to the strain, but he gritted his teeth and managed to work through the pain and pull himself onto ledge.

 

Once on the ledge he lay on his back for a moment, catching his breath. He rolled his head and saw Shippo shakily getting to his hands and knees. He touched his side and when he looked at his hand he wasn't surprised to see blood on it. Oh well he would deal with that later. He got up, grimacing in pain as he did and motioned Shippo to follow him up the small flight of stairs.

 

When the reached the top they were in the main chamber of the tower. It was oval shaped and sparse of furniture. Not that the cat deity needed it due to lack of visitors. They looked around and saw a doorway leading off into another room. A waist high railing encircled the outside of the room keeping whoever was inside from falling out, because the tower was open to the outside. Shippo eased over to the edge and peered down.

 

“Quite a long way huh,” Lennex said, watching the fox. “I'm proud of you for getting us up here.”

 

“As am I, although proud might not be the exact word I'd use” a gravely voice said from behind them. The two looked back towards the doorway and noticed it was now filled with a four foot high white cat, carrying a small wooden staff.

 

“Welcome to my tower gentlemen.” Korin spoke again.

 

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

 

Inuyasha ran across the plain quickly, the ground blurring to Kagome's eyes as she rode on his back. Sango and Miroku right behind them on Kirara as they raced for the village. Shortly in their race to the village Kagome spoke again.

 

“He is leaving the village.” She said as she felt a grouping of shards move away from the village, leaving the single shard in one place. “But he didn't find the shard” Miroku frowned as he tried to puzzle out this turn of events.

 

“Kalin could have only been in the village for a few minutes. Why would he leave so soon without the shard?”

 

“We are about to find out!” Inuyasha said as the village came into view. There were no smoke columns and no panicked screams of people in the village, the usual signs that Kalin had visited. It looked untouched and for the most part, the people on the edge were going about their business. As they drew close to the village square however, there was defiantly a disturbance. There were about twenty five people gathered there, trying to talk over each other. One man sat in the middle, his head cradled in his own hands.

 

“What happened here?” Kagome asked, raising her voice to be heard. The villages stopped talking at once and turned to face the new comers. The man sitting down raised his head and gazed at them before speaking. “So it is true.” He simply said. Kagome repeated her question to this man with a softer tone of voice.

 

“This man, or demon or whatever he was, came swooping down out of the sky and demanded to speak to the head villager, which is me. I was doing my morning rounds with my teenage daughter when this happened. I approached and asked what I could do for him. He just glared at me before grabbing my daughter. Two young men tried to take her back, but he fended them off with ease. He told me and everyone else standing around that when the strangers to this village came, to send them in that direction,” he said, pointing off towards the east. “He said make sure you brought him what he wanted.”

 

Inuyasha clenched his fist in fury. This was a new low for Kalin. Taking a prisoner and making them do his work for him. Miroku stepped forward to console the man and vow that his daughter would be returned. Kagome and Sango went to get the shard from the village. It didn't take long for the young woman from the future to find the shard and she placed it with the others.” They regrouped and without wasting anymore time started off east.

 

They walked coming up to a forest and made their way through it. Picking out a path and pushing on. The sun peaked through the tree tops and the forest was eerily quiet. None of the normal sounds of a wooded area were heard. They walked for almost an hour before the trees started thinning out. And finally they broke through the tree line. A vast short grass plain was set before them with a small rocky ridge opposite the forest, a hundred yards separating trees from rock.

 

Inuyasha spotted her first and quickly bounded over to her. She sat in the middle of the field, hands tied behind her back and tied also around her ankles, keeping her in place, a gag placed to keep her from crying out. The rope used was quickly shredded by the half demon's claws and he gently took the gag from her mouth.

She thanked him profusely, babbling with fear and the beginning signs of relief as the others stood behind Inuyasha. Kagome tapped Inuyasha's shoulder.

 

“He's here” she said. They looked behind them and sure enough Kalin was standing between them and the forest. His hands hung loosely at his sides as he stared at them.

 

“Did you bring the shard?” he yelled to them.

 

Inuyasha stepped forward to put himself in the lead and nodded his head. “Let the girl go back to her home. You got what you wanted bastard.”

 

Kalin looked at the young girl and nodded his head. He really had no interest in the girl. “She may leave. Be sure to tell your village that Kalin spared your life this day.” He said.

 

Sango quickly motioned for the girl to climb onto Kirara's back, and when she was seated firmly the cat demon leapt into he air, flying the girl back to her home. She then flanked Inuyasha on his left, while Miroku moved right. Kagome coming to stand at Inuyasha's side, her bow held tightly in her hand.

 

“Time to end this Kalin!” Inuyasha declared, putting a hand on the hilt of Tetsusaiga.

 

Kalin laughed and nodded. “Your right about that but before I put you out of your misery, someone wants to greet you.” He replied, motioning towards the rock ridge.

 

The group turned and looked up at the ridges ledge that faced the forest. Seeing a ripple in the air as a barrier was dissolved. Revealing the true ridge and the five individuals that stood upon it.. Kagome gasped as she felt the almost whole Sacred Jewel and Inuyasha growled low in his throat as the smell of the individuals hit him. Naraku stood in the lead, grinning down at them from his perch with Hakadoshi on his left, and Kagura on his right. Behind Kagura stood Kanna and Kohaku.

 

“Welcome to your death, Inuyasha” Naraku chuckled.