InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Daybreak ❯ Confessions of a Twisted Mind ( Chapter 23 )

A/N: Me again! Thank you for always being patient and for the reviews! ^_^

 

I took a long time because I was working out the last half of the story, plus I had work to do so I sincerely apologise! My exams are over in two weeks, so expect the new chapter after then.

 

Silver Dog of the Snow- Thanks for patiently waiting! Hope school's going well!

Nowyouseemenowyoudont- Whoops! Sorry for making you nearly die all the time! I hope this chapter was worth waiting for! :D

Kagome_rocks- Sorry sorry sorry for taking so long! Thanks for waiting! I didn't mean to take this long!

Laur- Oops! Thanks for that! I'll remember. But I think `defences' is the UK/Australian way of spelling. I think… :P

Moonlightprincess- Sorry for taking so long! Thanks for reviewing! It was so passionate!

Dangitsesshoumaru- Wow, thanks for reviewing! :D Yeah, Onigumo really is jerk, isn't he?

Taeniaea- Thanks for the review!

Blueyedevil586- Oh wow! Thank you! You're awesome too, you know!

IDoInuyasha31- Ouch. Sounds like it was tough for you and your mother!

Shaun- Sorry that you always have to keep on my back! Thanks for letting me know when it's taking too long!

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 23- Confessions of a Twisted Mind

 

 

Onigumo's hollow eyes seemed to pierce down on them, malicious intent gleaming from within their black depths. Kagome swallowed nervously and unconsciously gripped at Inuyasha's haori. She could tell exactly what this man turned hanyou was thinking by his mocking, cruel smile and didn't like it one bit.

 

She felt Inuyasha tremble in fury as his inhumanely strong arm crushed her against his torso. He took one step forward, turning them so that she was nearly hidden behind his chest.

 

“ONIGUMOOO!!” screamed Inuyasha. His eyes were dilated in a rage she had only beared witness to once before; when he had come crashing through the roof of the castle to rescue her from Onigumo's first attempt. Kagome shivered. Inuyasha was right. There really was nothing stopping Onigumo coming to try that again. Naraku wouldn't need a pure human anymore to find and transport the pearl (especially since it wouldn't have worked anyway). She really could only rely on Inuyasha now. No matter how much she hated putting him in danger.

 

Onigumo's fanged grin widened. “Good day, Inuyasha. Glad to see you're so happy to see me.” He jumped down from the boulder and stood opposite them. “I must say, I am excited to be here too. Because I think we both know we're finally going to settle this today…”

 

“You're right about that, bastard,” spat Inuyasha. “Today you're gonna finally meet the end of your fucking pitiful existence!”

 

“W-what are you doing here?” stammered Kagome, irritated by the lack of control she had of her voice.

 

“What?” said Onigumo innocently. “It's not like I was following you and Kagura, waiting for you to get to the pearl and to snatch you away the first chance I got. What a delight it was when I saw the pearl was gone! And now Inuyasha's here, I can kill two birds with one stone! Talk about luck!”

 

“Well, don't think we're gonna go down, ya fucking freak of nature!” growled Inuyasha viciously.

 

Onigumo threw his head back and laughed. “Oh, Inuyasha, you kill me! Here's something I've observed from the brief moments we've spent together: though you talk big, that's all you really have, isn't it? It's true; the weakest dog barks the loudest.”

 

Much to Kagome's surprise, Inuyasha grinned. “Then why are you talking so much?”

 

Onigumo's chuckling ceased immediately. A dark look flickered across his face before regaining his smug composure. “So, the dog has learned to keep a calm head. I must say I am impressed.”

 

Relishing in Inuyasha's small victory, Kagome shouted out in her bravest voice she could. “Onigumo! If you start this fight you're gonna be sorry!”

 

“Hush, Kagome-chan. I'll get to you later,” murmured Onigumo, his eyes never leaving Inuyasha's gold ones. It seemed Inuyasha's insult was the one thing that made him snap. He was completely focused on the inevitable fight now.

 

Kagome looked at Inuyasha. His eyes were the same, completely focused Onigumo, unblinking. There was something primal, something fundamental about the stare-off that had Kagome thinking this was something only two men could ever understand. It was like an ancient, silent awareness between the two that this really was the fight to end it all and the winner would be the one to get…

 

Kagome swallowed again.

 

Something was definitely going to happen.

 

“Stand back, Kagome,” said Inuyasha, strangely calm.

 

Feeling just a little uncomfortable by Inuyasha's stoic face (and by little, she meant A LOT), Kagome gently pulled away from Inuyasha's warmth. Again, they made no sign of recognition of her movement. She gingerly kept walking back to the tree line, never taking her eyes off them either. She finally came to a stop at the very edge of the decimated clearing and stood by a tree.

 

Inuyasha pulled out Tessaiga and leapt.

 

 

*****

 

“Houshi-sama, do you feel that?”

 

Miroku swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded. He stood with Sango in the clearing of the castle ruins staring towards the direction the very powerful and (unfortunately) very familiar youki. Even more unfortunate, it was coming from the direction Inuyasha and Kagome had disappeared to.

 

Miroku had been shocked beyond all words when he saw the bright flash of light engulfing their young female friend, only to return her wearing clothes fit for a princess and looking completely heart broken. What on earth had happened to her? He distinctly remembered Kagura say something about the peal being gone after that, before she left… So that light must have been the time pearl activating! That was the only explanation he could think of.

 

He felt the brush of Shippou's tail as the little fox demon cowered behind his foot, his tiny hands gripping onto his purple robe. “Oh no… I don't like the feel of that!” his teeth chattered.

 

“It's his dark aura,” said Miroku hoarsely. “I didn't think he would come here so quickly…”

 

He felt Sango step up beside him and shiver. “It's coming from their direction, Houshi-sama…! What should we do?”

 

They were suddenly assaulted by a cloud of dust. Shielding his eyes with his sleeve, Miroku just managed to make out the brown and black blur of their wolf companion racing towards the forest.

 

“Kouga, wait!” called out Miroku.

 

“No fucking chance!” yelled Kouga, over his shoulder. “You said yourself you felt the demonic aura of that Onigumo bastard! Kagome's in danger!”

 

Without further comment he disappeared into the greenery.

 

“Houshi-sama, we must chase after him!” cried Sango as she hopped onto Kirara's back. Without thinking he scooped up Shippou by his feet and jumped on behind the taijiya. With a roar, the fire neko took to the air following the path of their speeding friend.

 

“They can't have gone far…” murmured Miroku as he scanned the trees up head. He watched his beloved Sango shake her head silently. “What's wrong, Sango?” he asked.

 

“I've just been thinking… Kagura said the time pearl was gone. How? Yes, there was that light, but don't you need to be youkai in order to open the path of time?”

 

“Yeah! And Kagome's definitely human!” said Shippou from Miroku's lap. “I'd be able to smell it otherwise!”

 

Kirara roared in agreement.

 

Miroku sighed and nodded his head. “Yes, I understand exactly what you mean. But since Kagome left the castle grounds I've been thinking about our encounter with the weasel who gave us that `valuable' piece of information. Do you remember it?”

 

The weasel youkai gulped. “He wanted information about some sort of pearl.”

 

“What did you tell him?” asked Inuyasha gruffly, his arms crossed.

 

“I-I told him that there's only one left… a-and that the size of the pearl determines how far back in the past you go and for how long… and, um… youkai can't touch the pearls without being transported…”

 

Miroku stopped him. “You said `youkai can't touch the pearl'. What about humans?”

 

The itachi looked around nervously and continued in a hushed voice. “I've heard rumours that humans aren't affected by the pearl's youkai power.”

 

Miroku finished repeating their conversation with the ill-fated weasel youkai and sighed again. “It seems I missed a very important word in that sentence.”

 

Sango looked at him over her shoulder. “What do you mean, Houshi-sama?”

 

Miroku raised his eyes to meet hers solemnly and muttered two syllables.

 

“Rumours.”

 

Sango's eyes widened. “You mean… it was a lie? The weasel tricked us?!”

 

Miroku shook his head. “No, I believe he was telling us the truth. It was a genuine rumour, but whether the rumour was a genuine truth… well, that's another matter. And today's events have shown us that is not the case.”

 

Sango turned back to face the forest in front of them. “So everyone thought the rumour was true. Even Naraku, considering he kidnapped Kagome-chan to get to it.”

 

“He must have seriously believed it!” added Shippou.

 

“But where on earth could such a rumour have started?” asked Sango.

 

“That is another concerning matter,” said Miroku darkly. “Sango, did you happen to notice how quickly Onigumo got here? It was only a few minutes after Kagura left. He couldn't have heard that the time pearl rumour was made up and come all the way here within that short amount of time…”

 

“What are you trying to say?”

 

“I'm saying,” said Miroku, slowly. “That it was almost like he was waiting. That he was expecting this to happen.”

 

Sango gasped and looked back at the monk. “You don't mean that Onigumo…!”

 

Miroku nodded. “It seems we are dealing with an incredible master mind as our foe. So much so that he even fooled Naraku…”

 

Sango swallowed. “…by making up that rumour.”

 

 

*****

 

 

Kouga cursed under his breath as he sped through the foliage. That fucking Onigumo! The bastard that was forcing Kagome through all this hell just wouldn't quit!

 

The wolf demon was beyond the point of anger now. Everything was just so damned messed up! He wanted to know what the hell was going on with Kagome and that weird white light and he wanted to know why The Mutt hadn't protected Kagome well enough! And then, being his kind and generous self, he had let the said hanyou be alone with her. And where the hell did that lead her? Straight into danger again! Namely, fucking Onigumo!

 

Kouga sniffed the air. Yep. They weren't far away. A few more seconds and he would be there. Sure enough, he quickly burst through the last bush to come across a wide clearing.

 

“Kagome!!”

 

The young woman spun around, her wide eyes with surprise to see him running towards her. “Kouga-kun!”

 

“Are you alright, Kagome?!” shouted Kouga as he gripped her shoulders.

 

She nodded, her eyes flickering towards the clearing. A little confused as to what caught her attention, he followed her trail of sight.

 

The earth was completely destroyed, as if a huge shock wave had torn the forest apart. The ground was a mess, and yet there was no debris. It looked more like a waste land then anything. Kouga's head jerked towards the middle of the clearing as a wild clang of swords rang out.

 

There, blade against blade, was The Mutt and The Bastard, duelling with the most ferocity he had ever seen. Both of them had their lips turned up, their fangs bared in vicious snarls giving each other livid, murderous glares that promised death and a world of excruciating pain. Even Kouga's fur was beginning to stand on end from the intense hatred coming from the battle, and considering how in sync he was with detecting danger, that was pretty impressive.

 

“Kagome-sama!”

 

“Kagome-chan!”

 

The two spectators turned to see the giant fire cat carrying the rest of the crew bursting through the trees and settle down beside them.

 

“Everyone…” murmured Kagome, as the two humans and youkai child dissented.

 

“Kagome!” cried the kitsune as he ran towards her, his arms outstretched. Kagome smiled softly and bent down to scoop him into her arms. Shippou tried giving her a squeeze before pulling back and smiling at her.

 

“Welcome back, Kagome.”

 

Kagome smiled. “Thanks, Shippou-chan.”

 

“How long have they been at it?” asked the monk. They all turned their attention back to the fight at hand. Inuyasha dodged another strike from that strange white spine-looking thing that Onigumo was wielding, only to step forward with another immense thrust again.

 

“It's only just started,” answered Kagome.

 

“What a terrifying battle!” exclaimed the kit.

 

Kouga turned to the young woman beside him. “Say, Kagome, what do you say we get away from here?”

 

She immediately answered him with look as if he was crazy. “Kouga-kun! We can't! What if Inuyasha needs us?”

 

Kouga crossed his arms and shrugged. “Well, if last time was anything to go by, The Mutt won't be able to beat this Onigumo freak.”

 

Out of the corner of his eye he saw her head bow and jumped in alarm. Had he just made her cry? Again?! Dammit! He could never read women's emotions very well!

 

“Uh, hey, Kagome!” he stuttered, arms waving frantically. “Wait! I didn't mean it like that-!”

 

“You're right.”

 

Kouga stopped and looked at her in surprise. She raised her chin to look darkly at the duel, her eyes calculating. Still they could hear the mighty clashes and clangs that resonated all around them.

 

“That's why Kouga-kun, I need you to do me a favour.” She reached into the fold of her kimono with her free hand (the other balancing the kitsune on her hip) and pulled out a little glass jar.

 

“I'm going to need a bow and arrow.”

 

 

*****

 

 

Inuyasha gritted his teeth as he braced against another immense blow from his life-long enemy; the force so strong he felt his feet sink into the hard rocky ground. Cursing under his breath, he managed to bring a foot up to Onigumo's chest and kick him away with a mighty roar. The half dog demon took a quick moment of satisfaction from hearing the wind knocked out of that green scaly chest before he brought down Tessaiga with as much strength as he could muster.

 

“KAZE NO KIZU!!!”

 

The mismatched freak of nature quickly brought his weapon in front of him and tried to brace for the attack. Onigumo's face contorted into an angry snarl as he desperately tried to hold off against the fierce attack.

 

Taking the opportunity, Inuyasha spared a glance towards Kagome. He was surprised to see Sango, Miroku and the rest watching him intently by her side. They must have caught up when his attention was occupied. Inuyasha almost missed the brown streak and cyclone that zoomed back into the forest. He snorted. So the wolf was running away already, huh? Well, he always said Kouga was a coward…

 

Swivelling his head back to his opponent, he was just in time to see an explosion, the full extent of his wind scar, engulf Onigumo in a fiery, inferno. Without blinking, Inuyasha calmly returned to his usual stance and waited, poised to attack. He knew that wouldn't have defeated him. There was no way a simple wind scar would have won against a hanyou as powerful as this guy.

 

As the cloud of dust began to fade, a dark chuckle filled the air.

 

“My, my, Inuyasha,” laughed Onigumo quietly as he emerged from the dust, eyes gleaming in amusement. “It seems you've gotten better since our last encounter. You're not nearly as much as a push over as last time.”

 

“Keh! Is that supposed to be some kinda compliment?” he spat.

 

“Why, coming from someone as strong as me, then yes,” said the evil hanyou, lips curling into a smirk.

 

Inuyasha scoffed. “Bah! If you're so strong, then how come you're still subject to that bastard, Naraku?”

 

“Ah, ah, ah!” tutted Onigumo, waving his finger. “I'm not anymore, Inuyasha. Not since the time pearl disappeared. And I only have myself to thank for that…”

 

Inuyasha's eyebrows knotted in confusion. “…yourself? What the hell do you mean by that?”

 

Onigumo closed his eyes and smiled smugly. “Let's just say, when I want something I use all my assets to get it. Including my wits.”

 

Completely irritated by the vague answers he was getting, Inuyasha growled and raised Tessaiga. “Feh! Whatever! I don't know what you mean and I don't fucking care!”

 

Onigumo's grin widened.

 

“How was that little weasel when he died? Was he still stuck on his God-complex?”

 

Tessaiga froze in mid-air. Inuyasha looked at the wild thief, his golden eyes dilated in anger. He hadn't said what he just did. Did he? How the fuck did he know that? Inuyasha quickly swallowed and tried to control the fury quivering in his throat. “What?”

 

Onigumo chuckled again. “The little weasel who told you about his encounter with Naraku.” The wild thief put a blue finger to his chin as if trying to recall. “What `information' did he give our common enemy again? Ah, yes. The pearl having no effect on humans… that was it, wasn't it?”

 

Inuyasha glared at the twisted hanyou. “Thought you said Naraku doesn't tell you anything. So how the hell do you know about that?”

 

“Inuyasha!” called Miroku from the sidelines. “It was Onigumo!”

 

Inuyasha turned to look at his friend. “What was Onigumo?”

 

“It was him that started the rumour about humans being able to touch the pearl! He tricked Naraku and us!”

 

Inuyasha froze.

 

“What was that?” he heard Kagome say.

 

Onigumo's shoulders began to shake with quiet laughter before he pulled his head back in a raucous guffaw. “AHAHAHA! And Naraku thought he was the only evil mastermind!”

 

Unable to say anything, Inuyasha stared transfixed at his adversary as his maniacal laughter died down. Slowly, Onigumo raised his black eyes at the inu-hanyou and coughed twice in an overly-acted effort to stop his giggling.

 

“Like I said, one of my best assets is my wits. Although throughout my human life, many assumed me to be nothing but a common wild thief, it was thanks to my intelligence as well as my brutality that I survived so long. Me, used to being free… it was painful being under Naraku's control. But he was more powerful than I was, being only a human trapped inside a young boy's body. And I would only get Kagome once Inuyasha and his comrades were out of picture. Oh, it was agony; not being able to chase after the object of my… desire…”

 

Inuyasha's jaw locked.

 

“Well…,” continued Onigumo. “After Naraku sabotaging my attempt back at the castle, I decided to take matters into my own hands.” Onigumo leaned on one hip and picked up his spiked weapon so it rested against his shoulder, smirking to himself. “Being the sick, evil fiend Naraku is (I would know considering I'm half of him), I knew that any plan he would use to gather the Shikon no Tama would be done creating as much harm to his enemies as possible. Namely, you Inuyasha…”

 

Inuyasha involuntarily flexed his fingers around the hilt of Tessaiga.

 

“So what a delight it was when I heard the creepy bastard was searching for something called the Time Pearl, created by the famous jewel-making youkai, Housenki? Naraku had a plan formed in his head. And I could use this plan to get something I want: get little Kagome-chan away from her friends,” he said grinning over in Kagome's direction. Inuyasha felt a hot white rush of anger burn through him. Kagome just stared darkly.

 

“So, with that, I set off to find somewhere to plant my little seed of a lie about humans being immune to the effects of the pearl. And who was there just begging for any piece of information, not even thinking it could be false, but our dear, late friend, Itachi-san. Famous for being the most sneaky and worldly weasel in the youkai world, he was a sure source Naraku would come to for answers.” Onigumo stopped to chuckle to himself again. “And when the idea of humans touching the pearl entered his warped mind, I knew there was only one person he would think of…”

 

“And yet he could have chosen any human!” cried Sango angrily.

 

Onigumo sighed dramatically. “True, but I'm sure you've figured out why he chose our beloved Kagome. Her absence would create the most suffering for you and Inuyasha. Plus she has incredible spiritual power, which would mean the youkai power of the pearl would be even less likely to be effective. Or so Naraku believed.”

 

“So as Naraku went searching for the Itachi,” he continued. “I hid away learning the dark art of attaching youkai parts to this body, growing more and more stronger, until the day Naraku called on me to help him steal our girl away. I think you all remember how that went down at that village back then…”

 

Everyone was quiet in silent resentment as they recalled the horrific battle at he village that left Inuyasha with wounds that took days to heal.

 

Onigumo began to pace a little, thoroughly enjoying the attention he was receiving. “I had Kagome almost within my grasp, and yet I still couldn't reach her. Despite becoming a hanyou, Naraku was still stronger than me by leaps and bounds. But that was alright. All I had to do know was keep an eye on her and wait while I made myself stronger. Once she got to the Time Pearl her work for Naraku would be over and as a result, the Pearl would be completely gone. A final `fuck you' for Naraku.”

 

He threw his head back in another maniacal laugh. “And now it's over, I'm free from that bastard! No longer being held at ransom! I can do whatever I want!!”

 

Finally able to create some sort of response Inuyasha spat on the ground in disgust. “Keh! Sure, do whatever you want. That is until Naraku finds out you betrayed him.”

 

Onigumo smiled darkly, his fang poking out the side of his mouth. “You should know well by now that I am the furthest thing from a man of honour. And when he does find out, let him come! I've already become stronger!”

 

Inuyasha gritted his teeth. Had he really become as powerful as Naraku yet? Something told him that was impossible. However, Onigumo was still strong enough to beat him up as badly as last time. Not that that was ever going to happen again.

 

Onigumo flicked his spike out to point at the brooding inu-hanyou. “Of course, now all that's left is to claim the prize. Prepare to die, Inuyasha.”

 

Gripping Tessaiga, Inuyasha leapt forwards. “THAT'S MY LINE!!”

 

 

*****

 

 

Kagome watched helplessly as Inuyasha jumped at Onigumo. Again, there was another clash of steel on steel, before he was pushed back and the ferocious fight resumed.

 

Perhaps it had been ages since she last saw him, but Inuyasha had seemed to have improved since the last fight with Onigumo. Kagome's wide eyes followed him as he managed to dodge swipe after jab his opponent tried to lay on him. But despite eluding the enemy's attacks, he was getting nowhere. Suddenly, the evil hanyou threw his spike with deadly precision at the dog demon.

 

Kagome started. “INUYASHA!”

 

She saw him grit his teeth and manage to bend backwards, narrowly dodging the poisonous weapon. Having succeeded with the distraction, Onigumo appeared by his side and brought his blue fist colliding with Inuyasha's cheekbone. There was a large crack as the inu-hanyou hit the earth.

 

Kagome flinched. This wasn't good. Even though it seemed Inuyasha had gotten better, so had Onigumo. He had said so himself, hadn't he? She needed to end this quick or else Inuyasha would end up as badly beaten as last time…!

 

Her worried thoughts were interrupted by gust of wind and a loud screech. She flicked her head around to see Kouga standing proudly, holding up a bow and a set of arrows.

 

“Kouga-kun! You found some!” she cried happily.

 

“Course I did! Don't really know what you wanted them for, but anything, you want Kagome,” he said, putting a hand on her shoulder, his expression dashing. “I'll get it for you.”

 

Kagome laughed nervously. “Ahaha… Where did you find them?”

 

“Let me guess,” said Shippou hopping down from Kagome's arms. “You stole them from a passing human and scared them half to death.” He shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. “You and Inuyasha are so typical.”

 

“Don't compare me to that Dog Turd! ... but he was screaming a lot when I took arrows…”

 

Kagome took the brown glass jar out from her robes (which she had stored away when Kouga had left) and stared at it.

 

“Kagome-sama, what is that?” asked Miroku as he and Sango came over to them.

 

“It's the ashes of a dead goddess,” said Kagome remembering Izayoi's words.

 

`This is an ancient, rare powder said to be made of the ashes of a deceased goddess who met an untimely end. Use this next time you are in close proximity of your enemy. Its purification powers will push the enemy out of your friend's body and he'll be saved. All you need to do is activate its powers a bit with your own beforehand.'

 

“Amazing!” exclaimed Sango at the end of Kagome's explanation. “Houshi-sama, had you known such a thing existed?”

 

Miroku shook his head. “No, but it must be very powerful if it were that of a goddess!”

 

They were interrupted by a loud crack and saw Inuyasha hurled into the trees with a tremendous explosion.

 

“Oh no!” said Miroku.

 

“Inuyasha! cried Kagome.

 

Finally, they saw a figure slowly emerging from the settling dust. “Heh, what the hell was that, Onigumo?” scoffed Inuyasha, wiping some blood off his chin. “Have you gotten worse or something?”

 

“Big words, for someone who's about to die,” said Onigumo suddenly appearing behind him. Inuyasha had no time to react as he received another massive punch to the face that sent him flying.

 

“Kagome-sama! Hurry!” said Miroku. “If this keeps up…!”

 

“I understand!” said Kagome, taking the top off the jar. Taking an arrow, she dipped its head into the grey powder, making sure enough was on its tip. She then picked up the bow and pulled the arrow into position.

 

“Okay…” said Kagome taking a deep breath. `This is it'! Her eyes focused on the battle as the arrow lit up slightly with the usual blue glow of her purification powers. Kagome was surprised when she felt a rush of heat pulsating from the dust on her arrow.

 

“Wow…!” whispered Shippou at the light coming from the ashes.

 

Kagome narrowed her eyes at the battle. It was ready. Now all she had to do was hit the mark. Again, she saw Inuyasha slam back onto the earth and just narrowly miss being skewered by Onigumo's spike.

 

“Just wait for a good opening,” murmured Sango, her eyes fixed on the fight.

 

“I would, but I don't think it's going to come!” said Kagome, beginning to shake from pulling back hard on the quiver.

 

Again, Onigumo zipped around their friend and planted a few more blows. Luckily, Inuyasha had enough strength left to put up his sword to block another strike from the spike. But it was a close call…

 

“He's tiring,” said Kouga dully.

 

“Kagome-sama! Quickly!” cried Miroku.

 

Kagome's eyes were straining. Inuyasha kept getting in the way! She didn't want to hit him!

 

Then she saw it. With his back to her, Inuyasha had leapt in for a strike at Onigumo, Tessaiga raised above his head. Onigumo would be directly in front him. If she timed this just right…!

 

“INUYASHA! OSUWARI!!”

 

 

*****

 

 

“What the FUC-?!”

 

Inuyasha's nose hit the ground with so much force he could have sworn he felt the earth crack. He didn't have time to think before he felt the burning sting of purification power whizz over his head. A sudden flash of light and a guttural cry had his head pop up to look at his enemy.

 

Light pulsed around Onigumo as stood screaming in agony with an arrow sticking out his left shoulder. Suddenly the light intensified and his body burst into blue flames. Green scales, blue skin, and spikes began peeling away as the fire became brighter.

 

There was another horrific screech before the blue light exploded, expelling a half naked body that collapsed to the ground. Something that looked like a swirl of black mass spun into the air and disappeared into the sky.

 

Then there was nothing but echoing silence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A/N: Good luck to any of you with exams!