InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A New Way of Thinking ❯ Kagome and Sango vs Manten ( Chapter 6 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Varan: Hello again everyone! Thanks to those of you who did update and once again I’m sorry for the delay and any screw ups that my computer causes! I’m doing my best to fix it, but if the format comes out strange please review and tell me!
Shippo: ::looks curiously at computer:: what’s wrong with it?
Varan: I have no clue, but it’s very frustrating!
Miroku: Allow me to relieve your stress Varan-sama!
Varan: ::glares:: You stay away from me lecher, unless you want to miss some teeth.
Miroku: ::sweatdrop::
Kagome: You shouldn’t mess with a girl when it’s getting close to final exam time Miroku-sama.
Inuyasha: Explain to me again why those things are so damn important.
Kagome: ::rolls her eyes:: I’ve already explained it ten times!
Varan: Heh, OK, no more sulking. On with the chapter!
Shippo: Yay! I’m in this one!
Disclaimer: I don’t own Inuyasha, I’m just twisting it’s plot to suit my own needs.

Miroku used his holy powers to heal the worst of Shippo’s wounds as the boy told them what had happened.

“It all started a few years ago, “ he began. “The village I lived in with Mama and Papa was small, but everyone there was very kind and friendly. We all lived together peacefully, trading with other villages for our crops, and spending times with our families. Then one day, they came to the village.”
“They?,” Sango asked.
“Two of the slimiest, ugliest demons ever,” Shippo replied. “The thunder brothers, Hiten and Manten.” Kagome’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I’ve heard of them. They terrorize villages and demand sacrifices in exchange for the village’s safety. Most of those sacrifices are young women who become their play things for a brief period of time.” Shippo nodded clenching his fists angrily.
“That’s exactly what they did to my village. They took all of our girls, and later on our crops and homes. Then...this morning...they....they...” He lowered his head so that his bangs shadowed his eyes, hiding the tears that Kagome could smell on the wind. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
“Let me guess, they decided your village was useless and destroyed it?,” she asked softly. The boy sobbed quietly.
“They burned all the huts and crops, and killed everyone!,” he whispered. “I saw my Mama and Papa burn to keep the brother’s attention off of me while I ran.” Tears began to fall rapidly into his lap and he buried his face in his hands. “They died protecting me!” Kagome reached over and pulled the child into her lap, holding him close.
“It’s all right Shippo-chan. Just let it all out,” she murmured, stroking his bangs in a maternal gesture. Inuyasha stood, his right hand moving to grasp the hilt of his sword.
“Rotten bastards,” he hissed. “Wait till I get my hands on them!”
“Only if you get there first,” Kagome stated coldly, reaching over to grasp Zenaku’s hilt with the hand that wasn’t comforting Shippo. “Because the second I get a whiff of them, I’m going to hunt them down and chop them to pieces.” The jewl set between the blades of the ax began to pulse with energy as she stood, cradling Shippo in one arm. “Where is your village located Shippo-chan?” Shippo sniffed and looked up at her.
“N-nani?”
“Where is your village located?” Shippo wiped his eyes and looked up into her icy blue eyes. He realized that she meant to go after the dangerous demons and immediately protested.
“But...you can’t go after them! They’ll kill you!” He swallowed hard before continuing. “It’s bad enough that Mama and Papa died because of me! I won’t let that happen to anyone else ever again!”
“Oh don’t worry about us Shippo,” Sango told him as Kirara changed into her larger form. “We can take care of ourselves. Just point us in the right direction.” Shippo looked at each of them in turn, and could see their power and determination. Slowly, he nodded.
“All right, but I’m coming with you. My village is...was...nearby, just outside of the border to the western territory.” Inuyasha gave a feral grin.
“Perfect. We were heading there anyway.” Sango nodded and jumped on Kirara’s back.
“All right, climb on everyone. Kirara can get us there quickly.” Inuyasha and Miroku climbed up behind their friend. Kagome merely shook her head and handed Shippo to Sango.
“That’s O.K. Sango, I’ll be able to keep up on my own. Just take Shippo-chan so he can direct us.” The exterminator shrugged.
“If you say so Kagome. Kirara, let’s go!” Kirara roared and jumped into the air. Kagome nimbly lept into the closest tree and followed, jumping from tree top to tree top. She would see to it that the thunder brothers got what they deserved. It was just sickening to think that anyone would terrorize innocent people just for kicks. She growled angrily to herself and Zenaku pulsed in her hand, reacting to her anger. It was just as eager as she to avenge Shippo’s village. They were able to find the village quickly thanks to Kirara and Kagome’s demonic speed. The entire village had been burnt to the ground. Huts had been reduced to ashes, all of the village’s crops had been completely wiped out, and corpses littered the streets. Kagome gagged and covered her nose, trying to block out the acrid scent of burning flesh and decay. She head Shippo gasp in surprise and looked up to see him bury his face in Kirara’s fur. The neko landed in a clear spot in the middle of the village and allowed the humans to climb off as Kagome jumped down next to her. Miroku bowed his head and muttered a prayer as Inuyasha scanned the immediate area for any sign of the demons.
“Sango, you and the hanyou stay here and watch the kid. Miroku and I will handle the demons,” he ordered. The two women glared at him.
“I have a name ya know!,” Kagome growled. “And there is no way you can keep me from this battle ningen.”
“That’s right. Kirara can guard Shippo just fine,” Sango added. “And we can take care of ourselves.” She turned her back on the men and started walking. “Come on Kagome, we’ll check this half of the village while those two BOYS, take the other half.” Kagome nodded.
“Right. Shippo-chan, stay with Kirara. We’ll be right back.” Shippo lifted his face slowly, his eyes red and puffy from crying.
“Please be careful,” he choked out. “I don’t want to see anyone else die at their hands.” Kagome turned her head and smiled at him.
“Don’t worry Shippo-chan everything will be fine.” She glared at Inuyasha. “Just yell if you find yourself in trouble. If we feel like it, we’ll come and bail you out.” With that she and Sango headed out, jogging leisurely away from the boys. Inuyasha fumed as he watched them go.
“I hate her,” he spat. Miroku shook his head slowly.
“Let’s focus on the other demons for now, all right Inuyasha?,” he asked with a sigh. “We do have a mission to complete.”
“Feh.” Inuyasha closed his eyes briefly, trying to feel out the thunder demon’s aura. “I can sense a demonic aura on the outskirts of the village.” Miroku nodded and took up his staff.
“Wonderful. Lead the way my friend.” Inuyasha scowled and began running in the direction of the demonic aura with Miroku close at his heels.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kagome followed the demon’s scent, being careful to run slowly enough for Sango to keep up. Once the boys were out of sight, they sped up their jog to a full out sprint. They found the demon-an ugly thing who looked like some kind of twisted lizard with an ugly braid-sifting through the corpses of the villagers. Most of them were burned to a crisp, and Kagome couldn’t help but gag from the smell.
“Ugh! What the hell are you doing?!,” she exclaimed. “How dare you desecrate the dead?!” The demon looked up from his task and blinked.
“Huh?” He registered their presence and grinned. “Perfect! A beautiful human woman who hasn’t been burned!” He moved toward Sango who held up her hiraikotsu protectively in front of her. “You will be the main ingredient in my hair potion!” Kagome growled at him.“Are you one of the demons who destroyed this village, or are you just a scavenger?,” she asked. The demon puffed out his chest.
“I am Manten one of the thunder brothers!,” he declared. “What does it matter to you halfling?”
“Why did you attack this village?,” Sango asked, diverting the demon’s attention.
“I needed women for my hair potion, and Onii-chan wanted some to play with. But the village was holding out on us, hiding all of their beautiful women, so we killed them.” He grinned, his already large mouth extending strangely across his face-if you could even call it a face. Kagome growled angrily and Zenaku pulsed in her hands.
“That’s why you did this? That’s why you killed poor Shippo-chan’s parents?!” Sango backed slightly away from the hanyou as her aura spiked. “You rotten bastard!” The crystal embedded in-between Zenaku’s blades glowed brightly, as it had when Kagome had first accepted it, and Sango had to shield her eyes. Kagome lunged at Manten, slicing him across the chest. The demon struck back with his fist, knocking her back.
“You little bitch!,” he snarled. Sango had heard enough.
“Heads up Kagome!,” she shouted., flinging the hiraikotsu. Kagome jumped out of the way, and the large boomerang collided with Manten’s already bleeding body and bounced back. Manten coughed and opened his mouth.
“You will pay for that!” A light collected in his jaws and shot out at the two females. Kagome didn’t have enough time to get away, and was badly burned. She ignored the pain and twirled Zenaku until it pointed toward Manten and jumped over him. Manten had enough sense to dodge when she slashed at him, but she still managed to cut off his braid. It fell to the ground with a soft plop, and Manten swiftly turned, his eyes widening with horror. “No...my hair!” Tears poured out of his eyes as he bent down and picked up the braid, tenderly cradling it in his hands. “I’ll get you for this!” Kagome snorted.
“Like I would lose to someone who cries over losing a bit of hair, she sneered. “You’re lucky I didn’t slice your heart out of your chest!” She dodged as Manten shot his lightning at her again and landed beside Sango. The slayer raised her weapon and stood at ready.
“Kagome, I’ll distract him,” she muttered. “Then you gut him like the pig that he is.” The hanyou nodded minutely.
“Right. Be careful.” Sango nodded and charged forward.
“Hiraikotsu!” Once she had closed half the distance between herself and the demon she threw the large boomerang again. Manten knocked it aside, and Sango jumped the rest of the way, pulling her sword out of its sheath. Gaining strength from his anger, Manten grabbed the blade with his stubby hand and punched Sango in the stomach. The girl fell to the ground with a pained cry, and curled into herself. “D-damn you!” Manten kicked her aside.
“You stay there. I still need you for my hair potion,” he growled. “As for you halfling...” He turned to Kagome, only to find that she was gone. He searched the area angrily. “Where are you wench?! Come out and fight me!”
“Look up dumbass!” The demon’s head shot up as Kagome fell down from above. Swiftly she lowered the still glowing ax and chopped down, driving it into his skull with a sickening crack. Momentum and gravity helped the blade slice through Manten’s body until there were two even halves that fell to the side as the hanyou landed in-between them. The glow in Zenaku’s crystal faded as Kagome wrenched it out of Manten’s body. She spat on the corpse and hurried to check on her friend. “Are you all right Sango?” Sango drew in a shaky breath and sat up with a cough.
“Y-yeah I think so,” she replied. Kagome bent down and helped the girl stand. “How about you?”
“A little burned but otherwise I’m fine.” The hanyou bit her lip nervously. “Come on, let’s go back and check on Shippo-chan. I’m worried about him.”
“I’m sure he’s fine. Kirara won’t let anything happen to him,” Sango assured her friend. “I just hope those boys are doing all right.” Kagome rolled her eyes.
“Oh come on, Inuyasha’s too hard headed to be killed by one of these jokers.” Sango chuckled, then groaned as her stomach throbbed.
“Itai. Yeah, you’re probably right. But what about Houshi-sama?” Kagome grinned.
“We’ll give him a proper funeral.”

Varan: ::smiling:: Wow, that made me feel a lot better! ^_^
Inuyasha: You mean the killing Manten part?
Varan: ::nods:: That and picking on you and Miroku!
Kurama: You scare me sometimes Varan.
Varan: Kurama! What are you doing here?
Kurama: ::shrugs:: Just visiting Shippo. You haven’t updated your Yu Yu Hakusho fic in a while, so I’ve been training the kit while I had the time.
Varan: Hey, I’m working on it! I’m already halfway through the next chapter! Hey, since you’re here would you do the honors?
Kurama: ::smiles:: Of course. Please review, so Varan knows that people are still interested in her story.
Varan: Matta ne!