InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Second Chance At Love ❯ A New Big Baddy In Town ( Chapter 25 )

Disclaimer: Nothings changed here.

Thank you to my betas Wendy and Deborah for another wonderful job! And thank you to everyone who has reviewed my story You guys are great!

“Death is but the next great adventure!”

~Albus Dumbledore from “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone”

 

Chapter 25: A New Big Baddy In Town.

 

 

Kagome stared at the now dark haired little girl. She looked into the child's eyes and blinked at what she saw. Kanna had no pupils. Her eyes were completely black. Kagome tilted her head at the thing in front of her and wondered just what it was.

 

She knew it wasn't Kanna, because its aura felt far too powerful to be Kanna's.

 

She looked down at the black colored jewel sitting very still in the middle of the little girl's hand. Kagome stood up slowly as she watched the demon child, whom she was sure was no child at all, stared back at her.

 

“Who are you?”

 

The entity tilted its head to the side as it regarded her. She could feel the immense power that all but pulsed from its being. It terrified her. She tried to hide the wave of fear that sent a shiver down her spine. Her fingertips itched with the need to purify the jewel in its hand even as her instincts told her to keep away.

 

Kagome watched the being nod its head slightly as if it had come to some decision. She warily kept her eye on him when he began to speak.

 

“You do not care for this form?” he asked with an inquiring look, before it continued on, answering its own question, “No. Of course you do not, priestess. Perhaps I have one that you would find more to your liking.”

 

The face of the little girl gave a feral grin that caused the hairs on the back of Kagome's neck. She exchanged a nervous glance with Sango before returning her gaze back to the image of Kanna.

 

A dark cloud began to swirl around the body of the girl until she could no longer be seen. Kagome didn't bother with thinking that the entity might have left. She knew it didn't go anywhere. She could sense him.

 

Kagome gasped audibly when the dark cloud cleared. Everyone else went still as they stared at the demon that was now stood taller then six feet with a mane of long hair as dark as night. His eyes were now a silvery gray color, but it was his face that caused everyone to freeze. He looked exactly like Sesshoumaru. The only difference was the markings on his cheeks were a blood red and the color around his eyes was of a deep blue that appeared black.

 

Kagome stole a quick look at Sesshoumaru to gauge his reaction to the new turn of events, but she could read nothing from the side view of his countenance nor could she see his eyes. She was willing to bet a lot of money that he was far from happy though. She knew she wasn't.

 

Taking him in from head to toe; she noted he wore the outfit of a samurai except he had the same sort of boots on his feet that Sesshoumaru wore. She hated to think of him as beautiful, but it was inevitable with him wearing the face of the Lord of the Western Lands.

 

Kagome swallowed audibly as her senses caught on to his aura once more. It seemed that with the new form his powers had risen. He was now even more powerful then he was when he walked in as Kanna… which was already more powerful then they were individually. Now he was more powerful then all of them combined.

 

He still held the blackened Shikon no Tama in his palm.

 

She had to get it away from him, but how?

 

“What are you?”

 

“A different question, but no less the same as the first,” he responded in a voice as smooth as silk, but dark with hidden agendas. “You want to know who and what I am miko? Then come closer and I'll show you whatever you wish to know.”

 

Kagome's eyes widened as she tried to keep from trembling in fear. Though she could feel no true evil coming from the demon she sensed nothing good either. Just power. Pure, unadulterated power… and he was addicted to it.

 

“Have you decided you don't want to know now?” he arched an eyebrow as he looked her up from head to toe. “Come priestess. I won't bite.”

 

Kagome held his gaze, because she was afraid to take her eyes off of him than out of any kind of false sense of courage. Her eyes fell to the hand he still had stretched out towards her, holding the jewel in its palm, before flickering back to his eyes.

 

Silver met blue.

 

Her eyes widened as she stared at him. She felt as if she was falling as her senses began to swim and all around her was silver. She reached a hand out towards him as she took a step closer.

 

“No.”

 

Inuyasha moved to stand in front of Kagome at the same time as Sesshoumaru spoke. Blocking her from him. Inuyasha didn't know what was going on, but he could sense the power in the demon in front of them and there was no way he was letting that thing get anywhere near Kagome.

 

“Don't touch Kagome!” he growled as he pulled out the transformed Tetsusaiga.

 

“You can't stop me hanyou,” said the demon with a grin that did not reach his eyes.

 

“Wanna bet?” said Inuyasha as he spread his legs into a defensive stand. “You just hand over that jewel!”

 

The moment her vision was blocked from the silver gaze Kagome felt her head start to clear. She shook her head to rid herself of the disorientation as she brought her hands up to rub at her eyes. Kami, she had a headache!

 

“You think you can beat me hanyou? I've killed stronger demons then you. You are nothing.” The grin fell from the demon's face as his eyes flashed, “Step aside boy. I will have what I want!”

 

“You ain't touching her!” he gritted out. He held Tetsusaiga by its hilt with both hands in front of him.

 

“So be it hanyou.” He pocketed the jewel then. “I had no concern with you, but now I see I will have to kill you.”

 

“Do you always talk this much?” asked Inuyasha in irritation.

 

Something dark flashed in the silver eyes, but was gone before anyone could identify it. The demon gave a slight nod at the smirk on the hanyou's face then his eyes began to glow. He decided he'd enjoy ripping the hanyou's tongue from his mouth before he killed him. With no warning at all, he lunged at the hanyou. Inuyasha, eyes wide, leapt neatly to the left and swung Tetsusaiga at the demon's head in one smooth motion. The demon easily dodged and parried the attack with a wakizashi blade. Its length couldn't have been much more then twelve inches long, yet it took the force of Tetsusaiga in its transformed state and came out intact. The demon shot his other hand out and slammed it flat against Inuyasha's chest. The strength of the blow had Inuyasha flying through the air and into the far wall.

 

“INUYASHA NO!” screamed Kagome as Sango pulled her away from the fight.

 

At the last possible moment, Inuyasha twisted his body in the air and bent his knees to take the impact. Using the power of the throw to his advantage, Inuyasha immediately pushed against the wall with his feet and used the momentum to send him sailing back in the direction he'd come from. He grimaced at the pain in his chest, but did not let that distract him from his purpose. He swung his sword in an arc as he came into contact with the demon. With a fluid move the demon moved back out of the way of impact then lashed out as he tried to get him in the chest again. This time Inuyasha was prepared for the blow and brought Tetsusaiga up to block the attack.

 

His eyes widened when the demon's hand touched the large tooth despite the crackling current of the barrier to deflect the touch of a demon.

 

The demon grinned when golden eyes fell on his.

 

“I'm full of surprises, aren't I?” said the rich voice with a deep chuckle.

 

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes and snatched his sword out of the demon's grasp before swinging it at him again. He marveled at the demon's speed as he moved out of the way of his attack. The demon was nearly as fast as his brother, if not faster, thought Inuyasha observantly. He spun out of the way of a lethal kick at the same time as he flung his arm out coming around to bring his sword against the demons cheek.

 

The demon moved, but not fast enough to keep from getting nicked. His eyes came to rest on the hanyou as he stood still; his attention riveted on him. He took in the smug look as his blood boiled. He was through playing games with the hanyou.

 

Inuyasha took satisfaction from the, albeit small, hit. If the thing could bleed, then it could be killed his brother once said. He frowned to himself at the unwelcome reminder of things better off forgotten.

 

Moving faster than the naked eye could see, the demon closed the distance between him and Inuyasha, coming to halt just behind him. Before anyone could call out a warning he hit the hanyou in the back of the head with the hilt of his dagger sending him flying forward. Moving just as quickly as before, he came to the front of the hanyou and punched him twice, rapidly, in his ribs. The demon grinned with satisfaction at the sound of his opponent's ribs cracking.

Inuyasha coughed up blood as he fell to his knees leaning his weight on his sword. He spit the blood from his mouth as he stood gingerly to his feet and glared at the entity.

 

“Inuyasha. Stop, please,” called Kagome frantically; taking a step in his direction.

 

“Stay Kagome,” responded Inuyasha, his eyes still on the demon. “I can handle this. I'll get the jewel back for you.”

 

He attacked immediately after finishing his words. His eyes widened momentarily when the demon blocked, hands crossed over his head with two identical blades, one in each hand, not knowing where the other had come from. Inuyasha didn't have time to ponder the mystery long though, when the demon pushed him back and attacked in kind instead of taking the defensive like he'd assumed the foe would do.

 

In a series of spins, twirls, and lashes that were nearly too fast to track he'd cut Inuyasha in both his upper arms twice, across his stomach three times and put a deep gash in his upper left thigh. With the last blow Inuyasha stumbled and dropped Tetsusaiga when the outside of his hand was sliced. In the next moment he found himself dangling in the air with the demon's right fist clutched around his neck.

 

Inuyasha gurgled as his air flow was drastically cut off.

 

“NO! STOP IT!!”

 

Kagome gasped at the end of her scream when a white blur crossed her vision. In the next instant the demon stood with his back ramrod straight, chin in the air, and the sharp tip of Tokijin pressed, none to gently, at his throat. Inuyasha was a gasping heap on the floor being blocked by his brother.

 

A stunned silence filled the room as everyone took in the unimaginable: Sesshoumaru was protecting Inuyasha.

 

“You will not kill the hanyou, demon,” everyone's mouths fell open then. “His death belongs to me and me alone.”

 

The demon lifted a brow, but said nothing as he tried to comprehend this new turn of events.

 

Kagome and the rest shut their mouths and rolled their eyes as they exchanged knowing looks. They knew it was a little too good to be true.

 

The demon brought one slender finger up and silently moved the sword tip away from his throat as he lowered his gaze to look at the demon lord before him. He'd been observing the Taiyoukai since he'd entered the castle with the others and had come under the impression that the proud lord did not care for the hanyou much, if not at all. So why was he protecting him now? Did he truly seek the hanyou's death? Weren't they family? He thought about putting these questions to the taiyoukai, but he doubted the lord would answer. No, he had a much better way of finding out the answers he wanted. After all, just as ningens were prey to their own emotions, demons were prey to their own sense of superiority.

 

He was going to enjoy this.

 

His eyes began to glow with an iridescent light. Slowly and methodically he tried to probe the taiyoukai's mind. Carefully he reached out to weave his power around the lord; quietly winding his way into his mind to coax the demon into doing his bidding, as he stood before the demon lord. He brushed against a part of the lord's mind and saw something flash in the golden orbs of the youkai, but it was gone too quickly for him to identify. Interesting. He made a silent promise to himself to come back and find out just what that was all about. He kept up his steady pull on the mind of the lord before him and grinned wickedly inside. He knew the others wouldn't know what hit them when he had the lord on his side. With the love of her heart beside him, he knew it was only a matter of time before he had the miko in his clutches and then he would get what he wanted from her.

 

He would be ready for the full moon that was slated to arrive tomorrow.

 

Sesshoumaru watched impassively as the demon's eyes changed. He didn't know what he was up to and didn't particularly care. All he knew is that this demon held more power within him then any he'd come across before and there was no way the hanyou would ultimately win in a battle with him. Not that he actually cared whether Inuyasha died, but he wouldn't allow the dead priestess to kill him and he wasn't going to allow this demon to, either. Inuyasha would die by his hand and no others.

 

He held Tokijin steady as the demon's finger sat against its point. Sesshoumaru tensed slightly when he felt something pressing on his mind. Almost like a storm cloud had settled over him and was slowly trying to seep inside. When he felt a pressure brush against his memories realization hit him as he focused his vision on the demon. He couldn't believe this demon's audacity. That he would dare to intrude upon this Sesshoumaru's mind and memories?! They were none of his concern. A formidable adversary, but he would pay for his transgression.

 

`Look at me Sesshoumaru.'

 

Sesshoumaru focused his attention on the demon giving him an unreadable look.

 

`Yes. Good. You do not want to fight me. I am not your enemy. No, the one behind you on the floor is who you wish to fight. To kill. Do it!'

 

Sesshoumaru listened to the voice while at the same time paying it no heed. He had stayed still so he could find out what the demon was up to, but obviously he was after him killing Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru was no one's puppet. He turned his head to look down at Inuyasha, who had regained his feet, but was still clutching at his throat. Yes he would kill the hanyou, but on his own terms and in his own time. He was no one's lackey.

 

`Yes, look at him. You want to kill him. Do so, and he will no longer bother you again. You shall stand with me.'

 

It was a good thing his father had taught him how to protect his mind from prey. “With a strong awareness of one self and understanding of ones own mind it is easy to build a block from those who have powers of mind control, my son. It is something I insist you learn and master.”—His father's voice came to him as he remembered a long forgotten moment, though the lesson had not been lost.

 

Sesshoumaru turned his gaze back on to the demon. He figured he might as well bring this part of the game to an end now. Since the demon had no hope of controlling him. He lifted one finely arched brow at the demon in a silent question. He lowered Tokijin, the sharp point facing the floor. He would have laughed at the look on the demon's face as he realized his little trick wasn't working if he was prone to such displays. Did the demon really believe it would be so easy to control him? Insulting!

 

The demon tensed when it slowly dawned on him that his mind control wasn't working on the taiyoukai. He narrowed his eyes in rage as he stared at the beautiful passive face of the inu-youkai. He had been sure the demon was listening to his every command. His eyes began to glow again as he tried to enter Sesshoumaru's mind once more, but this time the taiyoukai wasn't having it. No matter how he probed or how hard he could not get back in!

 

He growled in frustration and hit at the demon lord's mind again. He figured the taiyoukai didn't care for it that time, because next thing he knew the demon was right in front of him with a clawed hand wrapped around his throat and his own feet dangling in mid air. He'd never seen him move! He couldn't help noting the irony of the situation: he'd just had the hanyou in the same position that he was now being held in. Pathetic, really.

 

Sesshoumaru had felt the demon trying to enter his mind again and at first he thought the demon would show some common sense and drop that particular line of attack when he learned it hadn't worked the first time. Instead, he'd tried again and kept trying. His disrespect had quickly annoyed Sesshoumaru to the point of him needing to show the demon just what he thought about his insolence. He quickly seized the demon by his throat and lifted him from the floor.

 

He watched as his own face twisted with suppressed hatred. He had no idea why the demon chose to look like him, and he really didn't care why, but he did find it interesting that he'd even copied the markings that told his rank and house. When the silver eyes of the demon began to glow for a third time he dropped his train of thought and immediately tightened his grip on the demon's throat. His hand glowed with a green light as he let his poison seep through his claws.

The demon winced as he felt the burning of the taiyoukai's acid touch his skin. He didn't stop what he was doing though. If he couldn't control the demon lord he'd control the other one. Either way he'd get what he wanted and get the inu-youkai off of him. He'd seen the way the lord had been studying his face… well the face he'd chosen. Briefly he wondered if the youkai found it unnerving staring into his own face, then after one look into the inu lord's frank gaze he doubted there was much out there that could unnerve the stoic being.

 

Sesshoumaru was about to spread more of his acid when he felt a disturbance coming from behind him. He heard the arc of the sword long before it was anywhere near him. Releasing the demon he quickly moved to his left and turned to see who was foolish enough to attack him from behind. Inuyasha. He lifted a brow thoughtfully as he took in the sight of a heavily breathing Inuyasha clutching Tetsusaiga tightly in his fist. Sesshoumaru kept his face neutral as his eyes locked with the similar ones of Inuyasha. He noticed the hanyou's pupils were severely dilated. There was barely any gold to speak of, just a slither around the black.

 

Sesshoumaru calmly dodged as Inuyasha kept attacking him. He observed that Inuyasha was fighting with force and no finesse or skill to be seen. It was almost like a crazed animal attacking an enemy for sport. He really didn't have time for this! Sesshoumaru dodged right to get out of the way of another blow, then he had to back up. He waited patiently for his moment, eyes gleaming, and then he moved with an unseen speed as he with drew Tokijin from its scabbard and with three strikes and a twist of his wrist, he sent Tetsusaiga flying through the air to land point down in the paneled floor.

 

Out of the corner of his eye he saw the demon standing a distance away, eyes still glowing and a smug grin on his face. Sesshoumaru understood what was happening now. He couldn't believe he hadn't realized it sooner! He knew the demon was working his mind control, but it hadn't occurred to him that he'd moved on to another person when he couldn't get it to work on him. It would seem once again someone was playing with the hanyou's mind. Sesshoumaru wasn't having it!! Did this demon's tricks have no boundaries?

 

He would not let someone manipulate him into doing their work for them.

 

With a swift kick to Inuyasha's chest, using the momentum from the kick he spun around in mid air and threw his arm out and sent Tokijin flying. No sooner had the demonic sword landed, in the wall not an inch away from the demon's cheek, was Sesshoumaru across the room and directly in front of him.

 

“You test my patience demon. Most would not find it a wise move,” he said quietly to the face that was a replica of his own.

 

The demon had been expecting an attack to come from the lord the moment he realized that the hanyou was under his power. He had not expected such a severe attack. His eyes cut to the blade that was extremely close to his face, but he did not try to move or get away. In preference for the expected attack he had already turn his sights away from the hanyou and on to another; one who the taiyoukai, he doubted, would not be willing to risk so easily. No matter how fast or powerful this demon lord was he was no match for him. In the end, the power of the Shikon no Tama would be his and he'd decided that he'd keep the taiyoukai for himself as well. Perhaps he'd found a new host body, though he would miss the child, her body was no match for the lithe, muscular form of the Lord of the Western Lands.

 

He nearly licked his lips in anticipation.

 

“Sesshoumaru…”

 

Sesshoumaru's attention immediately left the demon when he heard the gentle call of his name from a familiar voice.

 

His eyes quickly searched out the miko and stilled when he located her hunched form on the ground. She was clutching her head and whimpering as if she was in intense pain while the taijiya and the houshi knelt on either side of her. Without a second look for the entity, he grabbed Tokijin's hilt and pulled it from the wall as he made his way over to the hunched figure on the floor.

 

He came to a stop in front of her as he stared down at her bent head.

 

“Kagome.”

 

She didn't respond. In truth, she could barely hear anything through the pain in her head.

 

At one moment she'd been standing, transfixed, as she watched Sesshoumaru first battle with the enemy and then with Inuyasha. She could tell there was something wrong with Inuyasha; she'd known the moment he'd moved to grab Tetsusaiga as if there wasn't any pain going through his body. Inuyasha had ignored injuries before, countless times, but somehow this was different. His movement this time was stilted and almost mechanical; it was like he didn't even know he was injured. That he was somehow being controlled. When she had thought to call a warning out to Sesshoumaru it had seemed as if he'd already known. The way he kept dodging all of Inuyasha's attacks and not fighting back had made her think Sesshoumaru knew what was going on. Then he had attacked, but the attack was such a weak one compared to what he would usually do to his brother, Kagome had been sure he knew something was a amiss.

 

Then it had begun.

 

A sharp piercing pain had lanced through her head causing her to drop to her knees with its suddenness. A cloudy feeling had come over her brain causing her to feel a bit disoriented as images began to swim in front of her eyes. She had called out to the first name she thought of for help. Images that were so out of focus that there appeared to be two or more of the images transposed over one another.

 

She'd blinked in confusion when an image of her mother in the kitchen had come into her mind and began to speak with her.

 

`Oh sweetheart, why do you do this to yourself? This is not your fight anymore. You've put right your mistake, now let someone else deal with the jewel. Com home, honey.'

 

Kagome gave her mother a funny look. Why was she saying that to her? Her mother knew that without the jewel she couldn't go through the well, because then she would never be able to go back, but every time she opened her mouth to ask her mom just that question another wave of pain would pierce her head. She could barely hold a thought in her head much less express it.

 

`Go home, Kagome. You're no longer needed here. Just leave the jewel to us. Go home!' Tears sprang to her eyes as the image of her mother changed to the image of her best friend standing beside the well with his arms crossed over his chest.

 

“Inuyasha…” she tried to ask him why, but she couldn't get the question out. Kagome didn't even know she'd spoken his name. Her mind was in a whirlwind of pain and sadness. She couldn't believe Inuyasha would tell her to go away. Okay, so maybe he didn't need her anymore, but didn't he at least want her around? Weren't they friends? Why would he say that to her?

 

`It's time for you to go home now, Kagome,' said the taijiya. `This isn't your time. It's time you left.' Her friend materialized in a seated position on the ground beside the well, wearing her pink and lavender kimono, as she looked up at her.

 

Sango too! What? Did they only want her around to help find the shards? Was everything else a lie? She knew that most of the time they had to rescue her, but she'd learned to protect herself after awhile. She'd learned how to fight with a dagger as well as a katana and she was much better with her bow and arrows. She barely ever missed a target now! She didn't want to leave them. Yes, she wanted to go home and see her family, but she didn't want to stay away. Didn't they know that Shippou, Miroku, and they were here family too, now?

 

Had she been wrong about them?

 

Part of Kagome knew that what she was seeing and hearing wasn't real, but the severe pain in her head and the hurt she was feeling at the false words was making it very difficult for the truth to get through. So, what she would have known under any other circumstances as a lie was being treated as a heartfelt truth.

 

`Go home, miko.' Kagome's heart nearly stopped when the next image spoke. Sesshoumaru. `This is not your world. You are not meant to be here. Leave.'

 

Wrong. Whatever or whoever was in her head had made a mistake and with that little slip they allowed Kagome's mind to see truth from lie. She knew Sesshoumaru still had no idea she came from another time. Oh, she knew he thought she was from a different land, probably believed she came from across the ocean, but she knew he had no idea about the well or that she came from another time. All he knew is that she needed the jewel to return.

 

“Kagome? Are you all right nee-chan?” called Sango in worry. Her friend was still holding on to her head, but she was no longer whimpering in pain.

 

“Lady Kagome can you hear us?” asked Miroku from the miko's other side.

 

Sesshoumaru stared down at the young woman. He'd been about to lift her up when he'd heard her call out for his brother. For some reason the thought of her calling for Inuyasha had stopped his movements. Now he wasn't sure what to do, but he wasn't ready to leave her. He'd told her he would protect her and he would keep his word. His sense of honor would not allow for any other option.

 

Kagome could hear her friends calling her name, though it sounded like they were calling her from the other side of a long tunnel. Slowly she was remembering what had been happening before she'd felt the pain in her head. She knew that the demon was somehow causing her pain. She tried to open her eyes. Everything was so bright, she blinked, but nothing changed. If anything, they became worse as she shook her head to clear her vision a bit. It didn't work. The pain in her head had intensified and was causing her vision to blur. She could see three pairs of the same feet in front of her. She knew those feet anywhere.

 

“Sesshoumaru…” she whispered as she reached for him.

 

She grabbed a hold of his pants leg. The white fabric was smooth to the touch as she fisted it and used the leverage to pull herself towards him. He had to help her. She needed him to make the demon stop.

 

Sesshoumaru bent to help her up. He didn't want to, but he couldn't deny the plea he heard in her voice. He could still hear her calling out for the hanyou in his mind.

 

Kagome clutched tightly to his clothing when she was on her feet. She didn't even flinch when she scraped her cheek on his armor as she leaned her head against him; she was so happy to be near him. She sighed when she felt his arms go around her and felt the armor disappear from beneath her head.

 

“Sesshoumaru help me. He's in-- AHH!” she tried to get his help when the pain grew dramatically.

 

“Kagome.” He could feel that she was in a lot of pain. More than she was a moment ago.

 

He looked into her eyes and immediately saw what the problem was. Apparently their guest had decided to up the stakes. He recognized the dilated and glazed look. It was the same as the one Inuyasha had earlier.

 

Just then Inuyasha came to stand beside him. His eyes were back to normal and he had Tetsusaiga at his side.

 

“What's going on? What's wrong with Kagome?”

 

“We don't know,” said Sango with a shake of her head. “Are you all right Inuyasha?”

 

“I'll live,” he grimaced as he cut a menacing look towards the demon still standing near the wall, but was now facing them. His eyes were still glowing.

 

“Watch her,” said Sesshoumaru as he handed the miko over to the monk. His eyes glowed with a dangerous light as he turned to regard the demon. In the next instant he was across the room with Tokijin pressed to the demon's throat once more. His eyes were now a blood red.

 

The demon couldn't believe he had fallen for the same move twice. The taiyoukai was no faster then himself.

 

“Release her,” spoke Sesshoumaru in a silky voice, but deadly in its intent. “I will not ask again.”

Inuyasha, Sango and Miroku exchanged looks as an identical feeling of dread went down their spines. They knew what that look in Sesshoumaru's eyes meant; he would not hesitate to sever the demon's head from its body. The Lord of the West did not make idle threats.

 

“I don't recall you asking,” responded the demon. He immediately went still when he felt the sharp edge of the blade press into his flesh. “Are you sure you want to do that Lord Sesshoumaru? I can still pop her brain like that of an arrow piercing a sack of air.”

 

The mental image his words brought up did not ease his anger. Nope. It just pissed him off. A royally pissed Sesshoumaru was not a comforting sight. Sesshoumaru had never felt anger this strong before. It was puzzling that the thought of the miko being hurt by this demon brought such a strong a reaction from him. He didn't even think he was that angry when his mother and sisters were killed. Granted he didn't have the closest relationship with his mother, but he had been angry on her behalf and went for his revenge. He did not like this. Anger clouded the judgment he knew and that was why he usually didn't submit to it.

 

Truth was, besides Rin he hadn't cared about anyone or anything to cause him to be truly angry. Except for now with the miko… and even Inuyasha had caused such anger if he were to be honest.

 

He froze and blinked.

 

`He cared? About the miko and the pup?' He already knew he felt a strong affection toward the miko; he had decided to keep her after all. But the hanyou? He needed to think on this, but as his eyes focused on the smug demon before him, he knew it wasn't the time or place for such contemplations. Sesshoumaru could tell by the look on the demon's face that he was feeling superior over something. Methodically he pushed his anger to the side and assessed the situation logically. Fact was the demon would not kill the miko. At least not yet; he still needed her. She was the reason he was here, was it not? So his earlier threat was just that; a threat.

 

He was not.

 

“You need her,” he said as he pressed Tokijin closer, breaking the skin and causing the demon's black blood to flow, “the same can not be said for you from me.”

 

The demon's eyes widened then. He had not anticipated that reaction. He had figured that the demon lord cared so much he would let his anger guide his actions and not his brain. The sting of the demon blade was acute and not entirely unexpected. The demon entity knew he could easily extract himself from the lord's hold without causing injury to himself, but he did not want to tip his hand just yet. `Let's allow the young lord his illusions for now.' He would continue to play the game a little longer.

 

“Yes I do,” he agreed graciously as he watched the demon's face closely waiting to see his reaction to his next words. He wondered if he would catch it. The lord was very good at hiding his emotions. “But, I do not need all of her. What I want is innate to her. Her mind is not necessary. But, tell me my lord. Can you say the same? That you do not require all of her?”

 

Just to add more effect to his words he decided to add a bit more pressure to the priestess's mind causing her to eventually cry out with the pain. He watched as Sesshounaru's head turned quickly in the direction of the miko. He couldn't have planned it better if he'd tried. At the moment he saw the lord's attention was no longer on him he struck.

 

With a move too swift to catch and counter he knocked Tokijin away from his neck with one hand as he slammed a fist into the demon's chest sending him flying back across the room into the opposite wall. A huge body print was in the wall where he'd impacted he noticed as he watched the lord's body slide to the floor. He was impressed; the inu-youkai had kept a hold of his sword.

 

“SESSHOUMARU!” cried out the taijiya as Inuyasha and the monk exchanged worried looks.

 

Sesshoumaru sat stunned on the floor. Tokijin's hilt was still clutched tight in his fist. His otou-san had taught him to never let go of his weapon in battle. It could easily be the deciding factor in any fight. Sesshoumaru wasn't hurt; he was in a mild state of shock though. He'd known it wasn't a good idea to take his attention off of his opponent, but did anyway. He would have taken the opportunity as well if he was in the demon's position. What surprised him was the power behind the attack. He'd known the demon was stronger then he was letting on, just as he was doing, but he had not expected so much power. The strength of the hit had broken his armor completely in half and that was from the force of the demon's punch alone. He knew, because he'd felt his armor break before he'd hit the wall. If it weren't for the chest guard he knew he would have undoubtedly sustained injury from the attack. He looked up then.

 

Their eyes connected instantly.

 

The demon had been waiting for the Lord of the West to look up and the moment he did he didn't waste any time launching his next attack. He immediately burrowed into the demon's head and instead of trying to look around like before he sent the same pain through his head as he was still giving the miko; just stronger.

 

No one refused him. No one.

 

Kagome, though she couldn't keep her eyes open for long moments, had watched everything that was happening around her and between the two demons. So, she was immediately aware when the demon was about to cause her more pain. She'd gritted her teeth and tried to take it in silence since she could no longer fight it. She knew from his words he was trying to use her against Sesshoumaru. Since he knew that such a thing was possible, she figured the demon had been watching all of them over the past few days closely, so she tried her hardest to not bring any attention to herself. She clutched tightly to Miroku's arm as her other hand flew to her head. Kagome knew she was digging her nails into the houshi's arm causing him a lot of discomfort and was thankful he didn't say anything about it; understanding that she didn't want to cause anymore attention. She'd bitten into her bottom lip in an attempt to force herself to stay quiet.

 

She'd been sending the monk a silent thank you for taking the pain in silence when the pain had intensified to an extent that sent an involuntary cry from her bleeding mouth. Kagome knew the instant Sesshoumaru's eyes had fallen on her. She'd opened her eyes in a silent bid to tell him she was fine, but the moment their eyes connected she'd known his attention had already been on her. Seeing the anger in his eyes on her behalf she'd shut her own to hide the pain she knew he was reading in them. In doing that, she missed what had come next, but her eyes had flew open at Sango's cry and immediately searched for the demon her friend had cried out for. That's when she'd seen his body slide down the wall and come to a stop. She saw that his armor had been broken from the impact and hoped he was all right.

 

Her chin fell again as the pain continued to surge through her mind. She stood draped between Miroku and Sango. The taijiya's arm was around her waist with the houshi's. She couldn't help thinking how close the monk's arm was to her behind yet he was not taking the opportunity. Kagome would have laughed at the silly thought if she had the energy to do so, but she barely had the energy to stand, much less show any mirth at the situation.

 

She froze when she heard the hoarse growl of pain and anger that came to her ears. There were only two people around her who growled and she knew that the sound hadn't come from Inuyasha who standing in front of her and a little to the right. She knew he was trying to block her from seeing what was going on just as much as he was trying to block the demon from seeing her, but she could still see since he wasn't exactly positioned right to block her vision.

 

Kagome eyes came to rest on her love and she, for the first time, forgot about her own pain as she saw his. He was clutching desperately to his head and she could tell the hurt he was in, but she stared in amazement at the depth of anger he was aiming at the demon. He still looked capable of killing the demon if he so desired. The white of his eyes had become a blood red and the irises a deep blue. She knew what that look meant, but she knew he wouldn't transform inside the castle. The force of the magic and his true size would bring the building down on top of them. He cared more than he would ever willingly admit. She wondered briefly if he showed no feelings because he thought if he didn't he would care too much? She'd never thought of the situation that way. If it was true, she wondered who had told him he cared too much.

 

Her mind came back to the current situation when she heard another growl. The pain in her head had reasserted itself then as well. Kagome nearly closed her eyes again, but popped them back open when she saw Sesshoumaru's right hand, the one holding Tokijin, shake slightly. The pain was starting to get to him and she wondered just how bad the demon was making it for that to happen. Just the thought made her angry. She felt her power surging through her in angry waves and focused her eyes on the demon, which still had his eyes trained on the taiyoukai. She could see from the corner of her eyes that Sesshoumaru had gained his feet and stood facing the demon. Her eyes began to glow with a fuchsia light as her power grew. She would not allow that thing to hurt her taiyoukai.

 

Kagome released the houshi's arm as she took a step forward, when he and Sango tried to stop her she gave them a look and shook her head for them to leave her be. Seeing the glow in her eyes they relented and seeing she would have no more trouble from her two friends she turned to Inuyasha and touched him lightly on the shoulder for him to let her pass. She didn't have time to waste for she had no idea how long she could hold the pain in her head back and needed to get over there to help Sesshoumaru while she could.

 

Inuyasha turned when he felt the light touch and froze. He saw the power emanating from her eyes and decided to let her have her way. As if he could stop her when she was like that, short of knocking her out, anyway. He watched as she silently moved passed him as he stepped to the side. He'd never seen her move with such grace and power. For a moment, he could see just how powerful she would one day become and felt a flash of pride that she was one of his friends; the closest person to family he had, even more so then his true family. She walked over to Sesshoumaru and stood in front of him. Inuyasha watched as they stared down at one another and for the first time he could see the love between them that was so obvious to anyone who chose to look for it.

 

Kagome stared up at the taiyoukai, eyes blazing with power, as she reached up to place a hand against his cheek.

 

With a touch of her hand Sesshoumaru felt the pain in his head lessen dramatically. He could now hear himself think and the fog that had seemed to settle over his brain had dissipated. Sesshoumaru watched her give him a little smile before she turned her back on him and faced the demon.

 

The demon stared at the miko and saw the power coming from her in waves. He licked his lips in anticipation; he'd never seen a more desirable sight. Her long hair had come down from the strength of her power and was swimming in the currents of said power. She was desirable on more then one level. Maybe he'd keep her after he was finished with his business after all.

 

“You will stop,” she said quietly as she raised her right hand up, palm forwards and fingers spread, as she stared him down. Her hand glowed brightly with her power and with just a slight widening of her eyes fired a large ray of power at him.

 

He slammed hard against the wall at his back as he felt a sharp pain run down his spine and fire along his sides. One of his ribs had broken from the impact. Her attack was the first one to cause him true injury all night. Kami-sama he wanted that power! Even now, he could feel the jewel hidden in his breast pocket reacting to her. He would have the jewel, but first he needed the power from the miko that the jewel had chosen as its True Guardian… and he had to get it before the jewel made it permanent or all would be lost to him.

 

Kagome could feel the power the demon held over Sesshoumaru stop as she held the demon pinned to the wall with a large arrow of purification power through his chest. She watched as the demons' head slowly lifted from its chest, where it had fallen, to look at her.

 

Once again their eyes locked. Silver meeting fuchsia in a silent battle of wills.

 

“Keep the taiyoukai miko,” his eyes cut to the other four occupants in the room before coming back to hers, “There is more than one way pluck a chicken.”

 

`It's to `skin a cat' you baka!' she frowned to herself. Kagome saw where his eyes had strayed. She wasn't fooled though, she knew he had done it to see how far she could spread her power and still hold enough to protect herself. His mistake was that he believed she would protect herself. She too knew that he would hurt her, but he wouldn't kill her because he still needed her. And she meant to use that knowledge for as long as she could.

 

She raised her other hand then and using her power erected a shield with Sango, Miroku, and Inuyasha on one side and Sesshoumaru, her and the demon on the other.

 

The demon started laughing then, but grunted when the large arrow started to press farther in him causing more pain.

 

“Nice, miko,” he grated out as he stared at her. He shot a beam of power at the shield and his eyes widen when the beam was sucked in and seemed to add its power to the shield. That was new, he blinked. He hadn't thought she could do that. Her shield was made of pure light power, his powers of darkness should not be able to aide her. He looked at her in wonder.

 

Kagome caught his confused look and lifted an arched brow at him. So, it seemed she knew something he did not. Interesting. She decided to enlighten him.

 

“Your power is neither good nor evil, demon. Only your intentions are. This leads me to believe that some, if not most, of the power you possess did not always belong to you. Tell me, who was it you stole the power you have from?” her voice was serene as she spoke calmly to him.

 

Sesshoumaru blinked at this revelation. He had not imagined that the demon was fighting with stolen power.

 

The others exchanged anxious looks, the barrier kept the demon's power out but, it did not keep them from seeing or hearing what was going on. They also hadn't thought of the demon's power not being his own, but now that Miroku thought about it, it did help explain why something that seemed to hold so much aggression towards them didn't seem to emanate any evil vibes. It explained why the power he'd been sensing these past few days didn't feel good or evil, there must be an equal amount of both in him… but, why could he not sense anything from the demon personally? That still puzzled him and from the looks of it, it confused everyone else too. Inuyasha had a deep frown on his head like he was trying to solve the great question about the chicken and the egg all on his own and was lacking the resources to do it.

 

“Many have… contributed to my greatness,” he shrugged. “They no longer need it where they are anyway.”

 

His conceit was disgusting. Kagome vowed she'd never call or think of Sesshoumaru as conceited again. The demon across from her held the monopoly on that certain characteristic, besides there was a difference between arrogance and conceit.

 

She narrowed her eyes at the demon with a frown then repeated her earlier question. “What are you?”

 

“What am I? You really want to know?” at her slight nod he continued, deciding to appease her curiosity, something he normally would not have done, “To answer your first question: who am I? I do not recall my true name. It has long since been forgotten with the passage of time. Long years have I been roaming this world miko, plenty of time to nurture a true hate for all things living. For all things that are, what I can never be again.”

 

“You are dead,” she breathed aloud.

 

“Yes, for many centuries now,” he replied though he knew she had not asked a question. “As for what I am; I am the Obake. I'm sure your friends have heard of me. I am more commonly called Bakemono or Bake. Ah, I see your lord has heard of me. Isn't that nice?”

 

Kagome turned to look over her shoulder and stared at the stunned look on Sesshoumaru's face. She couldn't believe what she was seeing and blinked twice just to be sure. She turned to look at her friends and saw identical looks of surprise and disbelief on their faces. Her eyes connected with Sango's and saw a fear in chocolate eyes that she hadn't seen since the days Kohaku was being controlled by Naraku. She turned back to the demon then.

 

“I see you haven't heard of me. Somehow, I'm not surprised at that. While it stands to reason that you should have heard of me, I still had a feeling you didn't. There is a feeling about you that I do not sense from the others present and that, mixed with your odd style of clothing, leads me to believe you are not from here.” He cocked an eyebrow at her as he dragged his eyes from the top of her head to her feet and back up again. “In all my travels and all my years, which are extensive I assure you, I have not ever encountered one such as yourself. Which make me think that perhaps you are from a time yet to come? Am I right?” his eyes gleamed knowingly. He wondered if he was right and she was, somehow, from the future.

 

Kagome stiffened slightly, but said nothing. There was no way she was going to confirm what he asked when she hadn't even told Sesshoumaru yet. What did he think she was, stupid?

 

“What's a Bake?”

 

“He is a demon who changes his form with every kill and with every change becomes more powerful. Some say that power comes from the victim it kills, that even the most menial demon can give him a great amount of power for he can take their life force if he desires. Neither human nor demon is spared,” came the reply from behind her.

 

Kagome wanted to turn around and look at him, but she didn't want to see the question in his eyes she knew was there. They were going to have a lot to talk about by the time this was over… if she lived. She focused back on the demon just in time to see his eyes cut to Inuyasha and the rest again. Kagome waited for his eyes to come back to her.

 

“You will leave them alone.” She lowered her hand after making the shield wrap her friends in a large sphere so they were protected from all sides. Just in case.

 

“I told you once miko, give me what I want and you need not concern yourself with their welfare.”

 

She nodded at the reminder of words that had echoed in her head earlier. She had not paid much attention to it at the time.

 

“And what, exactly is it, you want from me?”

 

“What else? Power. I want your power and I want its power.” He grinned at her as he looked her up and down once more, “And anything else we can discuss later.”

 

She took an involuntary step back and away from the demon and the, decidedly, unsavory look he'd just given her. She felt a comforting arm slide around her waist from behind and sighed at the feel of it.

 

“Power and the jewel is all we will ever need to discuss.”

 

He decided not to address that statement. He remained quiet as he regarded her.

 

“Fix this for me,” he brought out the jewel again. It was slightly pulsing as it sat in his palm. He figured being so close to the miko's powers was causing it to react the way it was. “Purify it and show me how to obtain its true power, not that menial slice of power that others have tapped into, but all of it and I will leave all your friends exactly as you know them.”

 

Kagome stared at him. What did he mean by `true power'? If it wasn't the power of the jewel that others have used before, then what was it? And why did he think she could access it where others before her couldn't? He wanted her to do something to ensure the lives of her friends and she didn't even know if it was something she could do. Kami-sama she knew how to get herself into the strangest predicaments. And she said Inuyasha was a magnet for trouble!

 

She turned in Sesshoumaru's arm then to look at him. She needed to know what he thought of the Obake's proposal.

 

Sesshoumaru stared down into deep blue eyes and saw the fear and worry there. He remembered that look. She had the same look on her face when dealing with the tree and the village all those days ago. She was afraid she couldn't do whatever it was the demon wanted from her. He understood her fear; the demon, if the stories were true, was very powerful, even more so then they'd seen so far. He was a demon that was obsessed with power and if he went through all this to get the `true power' of the jewel then he figured that power must be very extensive indeed… and strongly protected. He didn't like it.

 

“Sesshoumaru?”

 

“It is dangerous Kagome,” he could see that she wanted to do it, at least to purify the jewel. So, he wanted her to be sure of the risks involved, “and he is no mere demon. He has yet to show the extent of his power.”

 

“I know he could have broken free from that energy arrow a while ago, but I need to purify the jewel. It is my responsibility and until it falls to another I have to do what I can for it.”

He saw the conviction in her eyes. She would do what she felt she had to and he would protect her to the best of his ability. He reached inside his shirt and pulled out the item that he'd recently figured out was given to him to give to her.

 

Kagome looked down at his out stretched palm. She stared at the beautiful dagger sitting there. The hilt looked to be made of pure gold and had a beautiful design of a young maiden standing in the sun… no moon… standing in the moonlight. There was a large, beautiful sapphire at the base of the hilt. The blade was not very long but looked to be very sharp. It was beautiful and she told him so.

 

“Take it.” He watched as she grabbed the blade by its hilt and removed it from his hand. “Do what you will.”

 

She closed her eyes and released a breath. She knew he was telling her he would not let her do it alone. As long as she knew he was with her, she knew she could do anything. She opened her eyes and smiled at him before pressing her face into his chest. “I love you,” Kagome whispered the three words into his chess; she knew he would hear her while no one else could; than she breathed in his scent and held it for a moment. She felt the smooth pad of his thumb glide along her left cheek as he cupped her face before she stood back away from him. She turned to the rest of the group and walked over to them, never looking back, bringing down the shield in the process.

 

“Kagome you're not going to do this are you?” said Sango pleadingly.

 

She looked at her friend and sighed.

 

“What choice do I have Sango? I must purify the jewel. It's calling for me to do it and as for the rest… I don't know.” She looked away from them then. “Like I said; what choice do I have?”

 

“WHAT CHOICE DO YOU HAVE?” yelled Inuyasha with a mixture of anger and frustration that stemmed from a fear he hadn't felt in a very long time. “YOU COULD SAY NO DAMMIT! WHAT THE HELL KAGOME?!”

 

Kagome sighed. She understood his fear and anger at her, but she couldn't see any other way around it. She'd purify the jewel and see what the bake would do next. Kagome didn't know what to do after that anyway.

 

She knelt down in front of them and used the dagger to prick her finger just enough for a drop of her blood to show then sheathed the blade in its cover and put it in her back pocket. Calling up a protection spell using her blood, she let the drop fall to the floor and watched as a red shield grew up around them once more and then disappeared. She was glad she'd already done the opening spell for the Blood Ritual Spells all ready.

 

They all blinked at the red orb around them then blinked again when it was gone. Did the spell work, they all wondered for a moment. Miroku tentatively reached a hand out and started when his palm ran into an invisible wall. It had worked. He wasn't surprised; Kagome was far more powerful then she imagined. He had a feeling she was going to find out just how powerful she was before this whole business was over.

 

“Kagome…”

 

“I have to,” she said answering the monk's unasked question. She stood and looked them all in the eyes. She saw worry, fear, anger, and understanding. She smiled down at Kirara then looked back up at them. “You know I need the jewel as well.”

 

They knew what she meant. She needed the jewel if she ever planned to go back home. More specifically if she wanted to return to them after going back home to the future. They all nodded in resignation.

 

Kagome smiled at them all then turned towards the demon. She walked over to him and held her hand out to him. There was nothing more to say.

 

He placed the jewel in her hand and watched in fascination as, with just the slightest touch of her skin, the jewel began to purify. It had taken him over a week to taint the jewel completely and it looked like within a matter of moments all his hard work would be undone. She really was the True Guardian. His eyes glowed with the joy of it all!

 

Kagome closed her palm over the jewel and sent the healing power it needed through it. She could feel the jewel sending back its own power in thanks, but frowned for a moment when she felt something strange, but it was gone before she could explore it more. After a few moments she could see the pink rays of the jewel coming from between her balled fingers. It was finished. The jewel was complete and purified again.

 

She opened her palm so everyone could see the, now purified, Shikon no Tama. She looked up and right into the eyes of the Obake.

 

The moment her eyes met his he sent a current of power at her and the jewel. Now was his chance. While she was connected to the jewel he would drain her of her power and that way find how she was connected to the Shikon.

 

Kagome cried out as the power hit her. Her hand involuntarily closed around the jewel as she fell to the floor in excruciating pain. She could feel her energy and power draining away from her and she had a feeling he was trying to take her power. Kagome bit her lip as she tried to keep from screaming out as her back arched from the pain.

 

Sesshoumaru immediately moved forward when she hit the ground, but couldn't get close to her because of the currents of power engulfing her and the jewel. He turned towards the demon then, eyes bleeding red, and moved to attack the one causing his miko pain. He knew the demon wasn't to be trusted, but even he hadn't seen or sensed the attack until it was too late. The demon had to be very powerful to conceal that much power from detection. He swung Tokijin at the demon's head in one swift stroke, but the demon dodged it with a duck and brought up his own sword. He didn't know where the other sword came from, and didn't stop to think about.

 

The room was filled with the sound of clanging metal as the two demons fought. Soon the Obake pulled out another sword and the sound of clashing metal grew exponentially. They were like a blur as they moved towards and away from each other, on the ground and in the air, in a deadly dance. Neither paid attention to the miko in agony on the floor, but everyone in the room knew the demon, even while fighting the taiyoukai, was still concentrating his attack on her.

 

Then all of sudden a blue light came from the middle of the miko's chest and the clashing in the room stopped as both demon's turned to look at her. The light grew until it engulfed her entire form. As the light grew in size it also grew in brightness and intensity until it looked and felt like the very sun was in the room with them.

 

“AHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

 

A piercing scream rang out through the room and then the light and the unbearable heat was gone faster then it had come. Sesshoumaru, Sango, Miroku, Kirara, and Inuyasha all surged forward towards their fallen friend. They all tried not to panic when they couldn't sense her aura anymore.

 

Kagome's aura was always able to be felt; it was so pure and light.

 

Miroku knelt down on one side of the miko with Sango beside him and Inuyasha on Kagome's other side. Sesshoumaru stood behind the miko's head with a transformed Kirara on his left.

The neko nuzzled the girls head and gave a small whimper. She could not smell any life coming from the miko.

 

Miroku touched a hand to the miko's throat and was about to reassure his friends when he felt the warmth coming from her body when he froze. He felt no movement from her skin. He quickly moved his head closer to the miko's face and paled slightly when he felt no air coming from her slightly parted lips. She wasn't breathing. Miroku moved his head to rest on her chest, in one last grasp at hope, then shut his eyes at would he found. He stayed that way for a moment, the silence ringing in his ears. He didn't want to tell the rest, because to tell them would mean believing it and he wasn't ready to believe it.

 

Kagome was dead.

 

“Miroku?” Sango's voice came quietly to him; almost as if from far away, his head swam so much. “Will she be alright, Miroku?”

 

`No Sango, she won't be alright. She'll never be alright again,' he thought with heaviness in his heart and mind that was nearly unbearable. How was he supposed to tell them? How was he supposed to tell Inuyasha Kagome was dead? Sesshoumaru?? Granted, if they hadn't figured it out on their own all ready.

 

Miroku slowly sat up his head bowed and stared at the peaceful face of the miko. No one realized that the fact that he, Sango, Inuyasha and Kirara being able to move from behind the shield was a telling action.

 

And no one noticed the fact the Shikon no Tama, in all its purity, was no longer in the miko's hand that lay open at her side.

 

“She's dead,” he whispered. “He has killed her.”

 

The room was completely quiet for a moment then as everyone tried to process the unwelcome words in their own way.

 

Inuyasha stood to his feet finally and both he and Sesshoumaru turned their gazes on the demon in the air. Identical looks of blood red rage in their eyes.

 

“What the hell did you do!” said Inuyasha in a voice so deadly you had no doubt that he was the son of the late Inu-Lord of the West and the brother of the current one.

 

The Obake gave the brothers an evil grin to hide his frown. He knew they believed he killed the miko. He hadn't expected this. Something was wrong, he knew. If the miko was the True Guardian, and he believed she was—`no one else could have purified the jewel so quickly. Not even the legendary Midoriko could have undone what I had done in so short a time'—then there was no way he could have killed her so easily. There had to be much more power in her then that! Something foul was going on in that room… and it wasn't him. This was not apart of his plans!

 

Someone else had killed the priestess.

 

 

o0o

 

 

Please direct all flames and death threats to my wonderful and lovely beta Wendy. She is offering a reward for the most creative and threatening… Any other reviews please continue on to the purple button and the bottom left corner of the screen. Thank you, Duchess.

 

 

 

 

Obake: (also called bakemono, bake)are creatures that have changed from one form to another, generally becoming more powerful in the process. Usually this change is due to the presence of negative feelings, and as such, obake tend to be violent, or even malicious. (this is the correct definition.)

 

Wakizashi katana: is a Japanese sword with a blade between 12 and 24 inches (between 30 and 60 cm, with an average of 50 cm) similar to, but shorter then a katana, together with which it was often worn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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