InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Fallen Samurai ❯ Chapter 12 ( Chapter 12 )

Already shaken from her nightmare, she panicked even more. Sesshoumaru's castle rang out with her frightened screams of oncoming peril

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With youkai speed, Sesshoumaru rushed to her bedside and covered her mouth with his hand.

"Keep quiet, demon slayer," he growled.

Sango's cries were muffled, her heart beating wildly like a bird struggling for life in a trap. His face was so close, his hand clamped firm on her mouth. She knew, by looking at his claws, that he could easily kill her then and there. So...so why didn't he? Was he planning to torture her first and have her die slowly and agonizingly?

Sesshoumaru inwardly smirked; he could smell the fear radiating from her. 'Not so tough are you?' he thought. Of course he thought too soon, for as he began to move his hand away, her eyes flashed and she bit his hand. The Taiyoukai drew back and glared at her.

"Get your filthy hands off me!" she hissed. She spat on the floor to indicate her disgust to have the taste of him in her mouth. Sango had her bearings now, and was prepared to fight with all she had.

"I suppose this is the thanks I get for rescuing you."

"Rescuing me?" she asked. "Hardly! I don't see how a rescue can result in the one rescued being tied hand and foot to a bed in a flimsy nightgown!"

"The restraints were put in place to prevent you from thrashing so your injuries wouldn't worsen. If you notice, your wounds have been treated and almost healed. You've been asleep for quite a while. Your kimono needed mending so i took the liberty of having that arranged and gave you not only something comfortable to wear, but a comfortable bed and chamber. I don't see why you're complaining."

"Maybe because I'm in pain?!" she retorted. "And if it weren't for you I wouldn't be injured."

"If you'd just listen to why I came to see you-"

"Sure, you just wanted to 'talk' then."

"I came to rescue you whether you wish to believe it or not. In your present condition I know you wouldn't understand. I'll come back when you're in better spirits." With that he turned and headed for the door.

"Ugh, spare me," Sango spat.

"From death?" he asked briefly pausing to glance at her. "We shall see." A small deadly smirk graced his features as he took his leave.

Sango glared all the while he turned his back on her, as if she could send daggers through her eyes. 'Great,' she thought to herself, 'What have I gotten myself into. Oh my God! What happened to Miroku, Kagome, and Inuyasha? Did that demon..." She had to get free, but her bonds were firm. She continued to struggle, though the ropes started to tighten and cut the circulation in her ankles and wrists. No matter what she did, she could not free herself.

"DAMMIT!!!"

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'She's persistant,' Sesshoumaru thought when he heard her cursings. 'That girl is different.' No one had ever shown such fervor in their eyes like she had. No one was ever that stubborn or daring to pick a fight with him either. In every way she was human, but her aura held something more.

"She will be your downfall if you keep her alive."

Sesshoumaru let out a low growl. "I doubt that Naraku."

"What happened to our plan?"

"Oh, you mean YOUR plan? I doesn't suit me anymore. I have better plans and more important issues that are in need of my attention at the moment."

"Better issues?!" Naraku exclaimed angrily. His long black hair flowed in a sudden burst of ki. "What nonsense have you conjured up this time?! If we don't-"

"Watch your tounge." Although Sesshoumaru did not yell this command it was deadly none the less. He looked down at Naraku through slitted eyes as he continued. "You are becoming a nusience just as that Dream Weaver Demon and you are seriously in danger of losing your life if you dare speak to me that way again. Remember to whom you speak and who's province you now temporarily reside."

Naraku glared. "My apologies."

"I haven't forgotten the plan, but this Demon Slayer could be useful to us. With a few spells and manipulating-"

The Taiyoukai stopped short and both turned to look down the hallway that led to Sango's room. Naraku left and Sesshoumaru walked down the corridor once more, his senses fully alert.

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While this conversation was taking place, Sango was becoming more and more frustrated. She was getting nowhere and any moment Sesshoumaru could just pop up and scare the hell out of her. Although she would never let that show. The LAST thing she wanted was for him to know that she was afraid. She'd rather die. Now if she could only escape.

As if to answer her, Kirara jumped through the window in her full form. Upon seeing her mistress on the bed she rushed over and with one bite on each rope, set her free.

"Oh Kirara!" she exclaimed, hugging her feline friend. "I'm so happy to see you!"

"I've looked all over for you!" Kirara purred. "You had us all worried!"

"Yeah, well, it's not my fault," Sango said as she quickly changed into her armor that was tossed in a corner. "That Demon Lord kidnapped me and then tells me that he did it to rescue me!" She huffed as she firmly tied up her hair.

"From what?"

"He didn't say. He said that I wouldn't be able to understand, tsk, like I'm stupid or something." Sango had finished dressing and gathered her weapons. "Let's hurry and get out of here."

They both climbed out the window and onto the roof of the castle. It was the dead of night, and only faint outlines could be seen of moving shadows. The only thing that lighted their way was the brief flash of lightning. A drizzle had already begun, and Sango carefully watched her footing.

"Which way, Kirara?"

"There is no way," came a deep, chilling voice.

Sango jumped and saw in the dark the Lord Demon's piercing, golden glare. In the glow of the lightning she saw his calm yet dangerous stance, ready to jump at her at any moment. Hairs of silver silk blew in the ever increasing wind.

"You can't keep me here Demon!"

He had to admit, the girl was remarkable. Despite her wounds she looked like she was in perfect health. She stood her ground and glared at him like a noble samurai princess; ready to fight. Ready to kill him...if she could.

"What makes you think you can escape?" he asked.

"I will escape by storm," she smirked. "Your senses are dulled by the rain so you won't find me so easily."

"Ah, but I will find you."

The wind grew fierce on the rooftop. While the Demon Lord stood unaffected, Sango stepped back to adjust herself. The moment she set her foot down she slipped on the wet surface. Before she knew she was tumbling down the side of the roof and off the side into what seemed like nothingness. Not even the heavy din of thunder could drown out her frightened screams.

She would die, she knew she would. Why would he save her? He had no reason to do so. He would watch her plumet to her death. Perhaps it was better to die this way, without facing the cruel torture he would inflict upon her. But no, there was no honor dying this way. To face the Demon Lord to the end would be noble, and she wouldn't have it any other way. That is, if she wasn't getting oh so close to the ground below her.

However, this time she would cheat death and found herself being lifted off into the wind. Sango opened her eyes and found that she was safe within the fur on the back of her feline friend.

"Oh thank you Kirara!"

"That's twice in one night I had to save you. Pull yourself together!"

"You and I both know that this is different. This demon isn't like the ones we've fought before. This is the Taiyoukai of the Western Lands."

"And that's exactly why we're getting out of here right now!"

"We're running away?"

"Umm, as Kagome would say, 'Duh!' or like Inuyasha, 'like fuckin' yeah we're outta here!' "

"I highly doubt that. Inuyasha wants to fight his brother as much as I do."

"You're not serious!"

"Like hell I am Kirara. Just think! I'll be the most feared Demon Slayer if word gets out that I killed the Taiyoukai. That would put Naraku cowaring at my feet."

"That's it. She's cracked. She's gone nuts."

Both their thoughts were interupted by an increasing red mist. Sango panicked. The miasma was growing thicker and she and Kirara were struggling for air.

"Hang in there Kirara!"

Kirara started to descend; slow at first but then rapidly increased as they went through the lush forest. The pair crashed through tree limbs, one blow after another. Sango felt that the assult would never end, as she kept her head low. They finally landed harshly on the floor.

Sango groaned and struggled to stand up. Her bruised ribs hurt terribly, not to mention the ever increasing headache. Upon seeing Kirara motionless on the ground, she rushed over, but she was abruptly stopped by that chilling voice behind her.

"If that was your brilliant plan of eluding me, then you have seriously failed."

"Out of my way demon," Sango growled.

"Or you'll do what? Kill me like all the others you've slaughtered?"

"Don't you dare accuse me of slaughtering when you too have taken part in bathing in the blood of humans!"

"I despise of the humans that taint this world. Why would I go bathe in their filthy flesh?"

"You're the criminal mastermind, why don't you tell me."

"Touche, my samurai princess."

Sango formed her battle stance with her Hirakotsu. "What sort of jest is this?"

"I should ask the same of you. You cannot be serious in fighting me?"

"That's right I'm not interested in fighting you," she said with a smirk. "I'm more interested in killing you!" With that she launched her attack, her Hirakotsu flying swiftly towards Sesshoumaru.

In one swipe of his claws the Hirakotsu was turned to shreds and splinters. Sango stood wide-eyed upon seeing her attack fail. However, that didn't mean she couldn't win.

"A meaningless effort," Sesshoumaru replied against the wind.

"That so?"

Sango drew the samurai sword, praying for protection from the samurai soul who protects it. The sky was illuminated by the display of lightning and a bolt descended upon Sango's sword. The light was intense as the sword somehow became alive. The lightning had long gone, but the sword had seemed to capture its light. The forest was dark, but was now illuminated by the soul spirit of the sword.

Sango smirked and glared at Sesshoumaru, completely confident and looking for some sort of reaction. To her dissapointment, she received none. The Western Lord just starred at her with pure evil in his eyes, eyes that could slice through her and separate her soul from her body in an instant. Without a word he drew a sword tied to his belt and stood his battle stance.

"Don't waste your life," he said.

Was he giving her a chance to live? Sango was confused, but kept her face stern. She had to remember that he could smell her emotions, so she had to stay fearless no matter what.

With a battle cry she raced towards the Demon Lord and leaped into the air, sword held above her head. As soon as she brought it down upon her opponent's sword, a strong ki wave errupted from the two, sending the surrounding trees and brush crumbling to the ground. The rain continued to pour and the lightning hissed and sizzled in the night sky.

Sesshoumaru was in fact suprised that such power radiated from her weapon. How did a ningen receive so much power? This human woman was unusually powerful, and he could vaguely sense an unusual wave in her aura. No matter, it still wasn't strong enough to defeat him. He had no time to waste so he would end this quickly.

With one shove, Sango was sent stumbling backwards. Now she had to take the defensive as her opponent advanced, swords continuing to send out waves of ki. Sesshoumaru then leaped back, distancing himself from her before he dropped his sword to the ground. Was he surrendering? No, she thought, not that easily. What did the youkai have up his sleeve?

"And so it ends," he declared.

Sango readied herself and both ran towards eachother ready to strike. There was a flash of light and a moment later they were standing at opposite ends. Sango's sword had been flung from her grasp and now laid blade first in the ground. The sleeve of Sesshoumaru's garment had been torn and now hung on his bloody arm. Sango's ribbon that held her hair snapped off and her hair fell and cascaded around her shoulders. Both turned to face eachother, their stern faces unchanged.

"A draw then?" she asked.

Sesshoumaru chuckled. "Hardly."

He held up a clawed hand and she noticed on the very tips of it...drops of blood...her blood. 'No' she thought. Her neck throbbed and she clutched it, feeling the poison slowly eating at her. He advanced towards her, stalking her, and in her final attempt she launched her ninja stars followed by her daggers; each of which he dodged with ease. He kept stalking her slowly, and Sango knew she was slipping away.

"...D-damn..you.!" she chocked.

With that final breath she collapsed on the muddy earth. The Taiyoukai quickly uncoiled his tail from about his body and encircled it around Sango, lifting her up. Her hair clung to her face, mixed in with the rain and mud. He carried her lithe form as he rode on a mist of miasma back to his castle. He had to act quickly before the poison took full effect on her.

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So Sesshoumaru "saved" Sango once more. But for what purpose? He could have let her die. For what purpose is she to serve and what interest does he have in her? Thanks again for reading and your reviews and emails.

~*~Lady Pheonix~*~