InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Concrete Rose ❯ The First Scythe ( Chapter 11 )

Concrete Rose

 

Chapter 11: The First Scythe

 

 

 

The only one who had not fallen victim to the rocks and minor quake was little Inari. She watched from the shadows as a heap of white began to move from under the rocks. She squeezed the whip around her shoulders.

 

Sesshomaru was the first one up. Dust covered the area, distorting his vision. Unable to rely on his sight, he searched the air for Kimi's scent. Following it, he saw her hand sticking out from underneath a rock in front of the statue. He removed the rock just as everyone else was regaining their countenance. Kimi groaned as the heavy weight was lifted off of her.

 

“My head...” Kimi rubbed her head. Her hair was still red, the color of her inu-youkai form. Sesshomaru pulled her up with less grace than he had intended. Kimi opened her eyes. Something was definitely wrong.

 

Ryomaru burst out of the rocks, looking infuriated. His gray hair was disheveled and his clothes were dirty. This apparently irritated him as he began to dust himself off furiously. Ikeike stood up. She saw Kimi staring ahead and Sesshomaru standing next to her.

 

“Well, well. I'm glad to see you could make it, Sesshomaru,” Ikeike crossed her arms. Sesshomaru looked over at the smug female youkai. She, as usual, was still covering her face. Sesshomaru noticed a glint in her eye. That was when he realized that everything had frozen around him. The only ones that were moving were himself, Ikeike, Inari, Ryomaru, Kimi, Masoto, Suzuka, Akio, and Yukiko. Yukiko was holding her hand to her head. Her eyes were closed. Sesshomaru glared at Masoto.

 

“What is she doing?”

 

“A little trick she learned. She has paralyzed your friends,” Masoto said. Sesshomaru grit his teeth together but looked very tranquil at the moment.

 

Ryomaru glared over at Kimi. He held up his hand and cracked his fingers. He looked over at Inari. He inclined his head slightly. Inari nodded and removed the whip from around her arm. She swung it towards Kimi.

 

Kimi was still in her minor trance when she felt the whip wrap itself around her neck painfully. It seemed to lock itself around her neck. She looked to where the whip was coming from. Inari, the girl with the pigtails, was looking very placid as she held tight to the whip. She yanked it forward. Kimi flew into her uncle. Ryomaru grabbed her.

 

“What do you see?” He was staring down at her. Kimi's left eye was totally black, devoid of any color. Her right eye remained green. Kimi shook her head.

 

“I see nothing,” she lied. Ryomaru could tell she was lying. He held her tightly around the arm. Kimi winced as she felt his nails puncturing her arm.

 

“If you don't tell me, I will tell Yukiko to kill your friends. You wouldn't want that, would you?” Ryomaru asked. Kimi looked over at Inuyasha and the others. Their eyes were moving from side to side, but they could not move themselves. Kimi shook her head in defeat.

 

Sesshomaru grew tired of waiting. He drew Tokujin in one swift motion. Inari's eyes widened as he looked ready to strike her. She closed her eyes. When the blow did not come, she opened them and looked up. A figure with silver hair was standing between her and Sesshomaru.

 

Ikeike looked up at Sesshomaru. She held both of her swords crossed between the two. Sesshomaru could see through her veil that she was smirking. She threw him off of her and he landed gracefully of his feet.

 

“She's just a child, Sesshomaru,” she said. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes as he examined her swords. They gave off a very strong demonic aura. Everyone was now watching Sesshomaru and Ikeike.

 

“I see you have brought Senketsu and Ryuuketsu,” Sesshomaru said. Ikeike nodded.

 

“Yes they're my babies. I never leave home without them. They yearn to fight with you, Sesshomaru,” she said. Sesshomaru squeezed Tokujin and got ready to pounce on Ikeike. Ikeike held Senketsu out to him. Sesshomaru sighed. “Take one more step and I'll tell Inari to snap the hybrid's neck,” she said. Sesshomaru stopped in mid-step and put Tokujin back under his breath. Ikeike smiled. “Good boy,” Ikeike taunted.

 

Ryomaru turned his attention back to Kimi in his grasp. She held onto the whip, trying to loosen it up. Ryomaru jerked her.

 

“What do you see?” He repeated. Kimi looked slightly past him. What she saw was truthfully amazing. She could only see it with one eye, though. It just so happened to be the eye that was void of any color. Kimi looked back at the statue. It was still standing but there was something different about it. The orb was now a golden substance that rippled.

 

“There is something where the orb used to be,” Kimi croaked. Ryomaru turned around to look at the orb. In his eyes, he saw nothing. All he saw was a golden light. He turned towards Kimi.

 

“What is in this substance?”

 

“I cannot see it clearly. I can only see it through the eye you so graciously stabbed,” Kimi retorted. Ryomaru turned and pushed her forward. Inari released her from the grip of the whip.

 

“Retrieve whatever is in it,” he demanded. Kimi started back at him. He looked over where Rin was and saw that Akio held her tightly within his grasp. She looked back ahead of her and approached the statue. It became clearer what it was.

 

A scythe with a chain connected to hit was floating in the water-like substance. Kimi raised an eyebrow. It was definitely a demonic weapon, but its aura was strange. A barrier surrounded it. Kimi reached out to touch it hesitantly. Her hand slid through the barrier easily and she grasped hold of the weapon. As her hands closed around it a light blinded everyone in the cavern. Kimi shielded her eyes. When she opened them, she was thoroughly shocked.

 

They were once again outside. The cliff was gone. The tomb was gone. It was as if everything had been an illusion. A golden light caught Kimi's eye. She held her head up and saw the orb had become a tiny marble once again. As soon as she gazed upon it, it shot towards her eye at an alarming speed. Kimi gasped in pain and blinked. She looked back down and realized that she could see again.

 

“That's better,” she whispered. She did not notice her uncle stalking over to her.

 

“Give it here,” he said as he approached. Kimi looked down at the scythe. There was something engraved in the side of it. A voice inside Kimi's mind spoke to her. It was the voice of her mother.

 

`Speak my name and I shall become yours,' it said. Kimi blinked. What name? She looked up and saw her uncle fast approaching. Everyone else was at a loss of what to do. Inuyasha and the others still were paralyzed by Yukiko. Kimi stared at engraving on the blade.

 

“Jinrai,” she whispered just as Ryomaru reached out to touch it. A barrier was created and it blasted him away. He fell into Yukiko. The paralysis on the others let up. Kimi smirked at the feat she had just accomplished. She looked down at the scythe in her hand. “Wow,” she said.

 

Ryomaru stood up off of Yukiko. He looked extremely pissed. He was too late. Kimi had already spoken the name of the weapon. Now it was hers until she was dead. He pulled a short stick from under his belt. Everyone but Kimi gasped as the small stick became a giant ax. Kimi looked up. She immediately recognized the weapon.

 

“Daiojin...” She whispered. It was the weapon she had watched her grandfather die by. Ryomaru held Daiojin easily and raised it to swing at Kimi. Kimi was frozen in her place.

 

Sesshomaru cursed himself. He was too far away from her. By the time he made it over to her, her head would be missing. He had to try anyway.

 

Ryomaru swung the giant ax like it was nothing. He was shocked when he heard the clanging of metal. Kimi saw the silver hair in front of her. Inuyasha had stepped between her and Ryomaru. The Tetsusaiga and Daiojin were clashing. Ryomaru frowned and let up. He jumped back a few feet and stared evilly at Inuyasha.

 

“You all right?” Inuyasha asked. Kimi blinked when she realized that he was talking to her.

 

“Yeah. I think so,” Kimi said.

 

“Get over there with Kai,” he said in a low voice. Kimi nodded and moved her feet from their rooted place. Ikeike watched as Kimi ran over to the others. She decided against attacking her right then. Akio, Suzuka, and Inari walked up behind her.

 

“What is your plan of action, Ikeike?” Suzuka asked. Ikeike sighed deeply.

 

“For now, we watch. When I give the word, I want you to get the two mikos. They'll make great snacks for me later on,” Ikeike said quietly. Her left hand tapped the hilt of Senketsu.

 

“Yes, Ikeike,” the three Hunters said together. Ikeike continued to watch the stand-off between Inuyasha and Ryomaru.

 

“That is a rather interesting weapon you have there, Inuyasha. Is that the famed Tetsusaiga that I have heard so much about?” Ryomaru held Daiojin across his shoulders. Inuyasha smirked.

 

“You're right. That's a rather hefty weapon you have there. Must be very hard to swing it around,” Inuyasha said. Ryomaru smirked.

 

“Yes. It will also be the weapon of your destruction,” Ryomaru phased out of sight. Inuyasha blinked. He looked around frantically. Sesshomaru shook his head. He drew Tokujin and slashed downward. Ryomaru appeared in front of him. “Good job, Sesshomaru.”

 

“You really think that my eye cannot see you?” Sesshomaru asked. Ryomaru stuck the end of the ax in the ground.

 

“I would not underestimate you, Sesshomaru. Masoto, Yukiko, take care of the hanyou,” Ryomaru said. Yukiko and Masoto nodded and set their sights on Inuyasha. Inuyasha growled uncharacteristically and watched as the two youkai came towards him. They kept crossing in front of each other.

 

“Oh, this is great,” Inuyasha sighed and began fending them off.

 

Koga watched this. He knew Inuyasha would not be able to fend both of the youkai off for long by himself. They were too fast. Rin nudged Koga.

 

“Go help him. Kai will stay here with us,” Rin said. Koga looked from Rin to Inuyasha. Yukiko had pinned him to the ground. Kagome gasped. “Go, Koga.” Koga nodded and ran quickly over to Masoto. Masoto turned to get hit in the jaw. Koga kicked Yukiko in the chest, sending her flying backwards.

 

“You jackass,” Yukiko growled. She rubbed her chest. Koga stood in front of Inuyasha. Inuyasha got up. They stood with their backs together.

 

“I don't need your help,” Inuyasha whispered. Koga just laughed.

 

“Sure you didn't, mutt. Just get rid of the thunder boy over there. I'll deal with her,” he said. Inuyasha bit his tongue and set his sights on Masoto. Masoto drew his sword and stared at Inuyasha evilly.

 

“Let's get this over with,” he said. Inuyasha nodded.

 

Ryomaru faced Sesshomaru. They each held their weapons to the side, waiting for the other to move. Sesshomaru stared Ryomaru in his icy blue eyes. Ryomaru's grip on Daiojin tightened. Tiring of the standstill, he flew towards Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru raised Tokujin to counter, but before he could, Ryomaru disappeared. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes before putting up Tokujin to block a powerful strike. He slid back on his feet several yards.

 

“Did I take you by surprise, Lord Sesshomaru?” Ryomaru taunted. Sesshomaru regained his poise and stared back at Ryomaru again.

 

“Iie,” Sesshomaru flew towards Ryomaru. Ryomaru smirked and traded Sesshomaru blow for blow, constantly swing the ax around like it weighed nothing. Kai watched this from a distance. Things were starting to look bleak between Inuyasha and Koga. They were both tiring and the thunder youkai looked like they'd just finished a warm-up. Koga tried to punch Yukiko. She merely jumped backwards.

 

“Getting a little sluggish, are we?” She laughed at him. Koga narrowed his eyes.

 

“Why you little...” He spun around and kicked her. Yukiko crossed her arms in front of her, taking the kick. With his other leg, Koga knocked Yukiko in the head, a move she was not expecting. Yukiko flew backwards. She landed hard on the ground. “How's that for sluggish?” Koga asked. Yukiko sat up. She stood up and held her left arm up.

 

“I can play dirty as well,” she said. Lightning seemed to come down from the sky and strike her arm. Koga watched this with wonder. Yukiko smiled and closed balled her hand into a fist. The lightning grew into a ball. Koga noticed the look in her eyes. Suddenly, he felt as if he couldn't move. Yukiko smiled viciously. “Block this,” she whispered. She slammed her hand into the ground.

 

Rin watched the strong bolt of lighting travel through the rocks, destroying everything in its path. She saw that Koga was not moving to dodge. The lightning hit him and he began screaming in agony. Inuyasha couldn't help him. Yukiko was smirking evilly. Rin ran from behind Kai, loading an arrow at the same time.

 

“Rin, come back here!” Kai yelled. She reached out for Rin but missed her.

 

“I have to get closer!” She yelled back at Kai. She turned back around and a large rock fell in front of her. “That's close enough,” she said to herself. She aimed the arrow at Yukiko. The tip of the arrow began glowing purple. She let it fly.

 

Masoto paused for a moment to see the arrow coming for Yukiko.

 

“Yukiko!” He yelled. Yukiko turned her head too late. The arrow was too close for her to dodge. T hit her in her chest. Yukiko screamed as the purifying energy enveloped her body. The attack on Koga stopped. He fell to his knees as Yukiko landed on the ground, her side badly burned. Rin started to run over to Koga.

 

Ikeike watched the younger miko run over to the fallen wolf youkai. She smirked.

 

“Suzuka,” she mumbled quietly. Suzuka snapped her head up and saw Rin running to Koga. “Akio, dispose of Kai. Inari, get the other miko,” Ikeike continued her orders. Akio turned towards Kai.

 

Kai was getting ready to pull out Oniyumi, her sword. Before she could do that, she was kicked in the side with amazing speed. She flew into the rocks. Kagome gasped at Akio. He smiled at her and nodded his head. He then went after Kai. Kagome began loading an arrow. Before Kagome could shoot the arrow, Inari's whip wrapped around her neck. Kagome dropped her bow and the arrow, gagging.

 

Inuyasha felt Kagome's distress. He turned around and saw her struggling under Inari's whip. Kimi saw her also. She ran over to her, but Masoto stepped in front of her.

 

“Going somewhere?” He smiled down on her. Kimi frowned. She stepped back at looked at Jinrai, the scythe.

 

“Kimi, get out of the way!” Inuyasha yelled. Kimi turned around to see him with the Tetsusaiga raised above his head. He seemed to be preparing for some attack. Kimi immediately did as she was told. Masoto got ready to counter Inuyasha. Inuyasha ran forward. His sword met Masoto's in the air.

 

Suzuka grabbed Rin by the arm. She twisted her wrist, breaking it and causing the bow to fall from it. Rin yelled in pain. Suzuka popped her on the back of the neck. Rin fell forward. Before she hit the ground she was out cold.

 

“You're not going to win this,” Masoto said through clenched teeth. Inuyasha growled under his breath. They continued to push each other to their limits. Suddenly, Inuyasha's eyes widened in pain. Masoto raised an eyebrow. Everyone on the battlefield seemed to pause. Sesshomaru turned around to see what Ryomaru was looking at. Kagome stopped struggling when she saw what had happened. Kimi stared at Masoto and Inuyasha with a horrified look.

 

Masoto stepped back and looked at Inuyasha. There was a sword protruding from his chest. It had gone right through his heart. Behind Inuyasha, Ikeike was kneeling. Ryuuketsu and Senketsu had impaled Inuyasha. Ikeike was smirking evilly and looking Sesshomaru directly in his eyes at the same time.

 

Kagome couldn't find her voice at all. The scene before her could not be happening. She watched the Tetsusaiga fall from Inuyasha hands. Ikeike stood up, still grasping Ryuuketsu. She pulled it out violently, spraying Inuyasha's blood all over her.

 

Ryomaru smirked and disappeared from his spot. He appeared in front of Kimi. Kimi looked up at him. Before she could do anything, he had grabbed her. A cloud formed surrounded them and they disappeared. Masoto stepped further back from Inuyasha. He went over to the wounded Yukiko and picked her up. He followed Ryomaru's example and fled.

 

Inari pulled Kagome to her as Ikeike pulled Senketsu out of Inuyasha. It seemed to take him forever to fall. Kagome's eyes followed him. She finally found her voice.

 

“INUYASHA!” She screamed as loud as she could. Inuyasha was on the ground, his eyes wide in pain. He coughed and hacked up an enormous amount of blood. Kagome struggled to try and get away from Inari. Inari would not loosen her grasp on the whip. The little girl was pretty strong.

 

Ikeike picked up Inuyasha by his neck. Inuyasha coughed up more blood on her arm. She held him off of his feet. Ikeike looked over at Sesshomaru and smirked. She dug her nails into Inuyasha skin. Inuyasha tried to get out of her sharp grasp.

 

“Now, we all know that youkai tend to heal faster than humans, right? So, if truly want Inuyasha dead, I would have to do something other than just impaling him with a sword. In about two days he'll be good as new if I just left it at that,” Ikeike said. Inuyasha stared down at her.

 

“You bitch...” He whispered in pain. Ikeike smirked.

 

“Domo arigatou, Inuyasha. I want to put you out of your misery. Consider this my going away present,” Ikeike said happily. Sesshomaru and Kai immediately knew what she was about to do. Ikeike removed her veil to reveal her entire face. Kagome recoiled at the sight of it. She even stopped struggling. Ikeike had quite possibly the sharpest teeth on the planet. It looked as if her lips and gums had been melted away by acid. She pulled Inuyasha face closer. Kagome realized what she was about to do.

 

“INUYASHA! NO!” Kagome screamed. Ikeike bit into the left side of Inuyasha's neck. Sesshomaru flinched as his younger brother screamed. Ikeike dropped Inuyasha on the ground. Blood poured from his neck. Ikeike put her veil back on.

 

“Inari, Suzuka, Akio, get out of here,” she said. The other three disappeared in a large cloud of smoke, taking Rin and Kagome with them. Ikeike faced Sesshomaru. They stared at each other for a long moment.

 

Sesshomaru moved his eyes from Ikeike to his younger half-brother. Inuyasha's eyes were still open. Reality finally set in for him. Inuyasha was dead. He looked back into Ikeike's almost identical eyes. His vision became distorted. Everything around him turned red. He squeezed Tokujin's hilt and flew towards Ikeike. Ikeike, not really anticipating Sesshomaru to move so fast, only drew Ryuuketsu. She blocked Sesshomaru's strike.

 

“Whoa! You're a little feisty,” Ikeike said. Sesshomaru pulled away from her and moved to strike again. Ikeike jumped up. Her eyes were dancing with joy. “Are you a little mad that I killed your baby brother,” she yelled down to him. Sesshomaru growled uncharacteristically and jumped up after her. The enjoyed an aerial battle until Ikeike knocked Sesshomaru to the ground with a very powerful attack. He skidded on the dirt. Sitting up, he saw her standing there. She sheathed Ryuuketsu.

 

“Where do you think you're going?” Sesshomaru asked, sticking Tokujin in the ground. He forced himself to his feet. Kai watched with watery eyes as Sesshomaru for once looked utterly defeated. Ikeike stared at him disdainfully.

 

“You're in no condition to fight me, Sesshomaru. Your determination is admirable though. We will continue this later. I would love to see you die by my hands. I'll be seeing you,” she said. Ikeike raised her hand. Leaves started swirling around her and in an instant she was gone. Sesshomaru abandoned Tokujin and limped over to his brother.