InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Heartless ❯ The Monster's Day ( Chapter 19 )

Disclaimer: I neither own Inuyasha nor make any monetary gains by torturing him.

 

Author's Note: Thanks to inuyashaloverr for nominating this fic for Best Inuyasha/Kagome Romance Fiction in FA. I am deeply touched and flattered to see that she found the little bit of romance in this story worthy of recognition. Unfortunately (and contrary to some of my precious reviewers' hopes), there's nothing romantic in this chapter. Well… almost. Heed the warning!

 

 

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Special thanks to my lovely betas Ai Kisugi and Hedanicree.

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Warning: Lots of blood and violence.

 

`Thinking'

“Talking”

Dreams or memories

 

 

 

Chapter 19: The Monster's Day

 

 

Reddish flames attacked and dodged, fighting against the chill of the dark cave. The hanyou sat cross-legged in front of the small fire, mindlessly stroking the sleeves of his slightly damp haori for warmth. His ears stood erect to catch even the smallest sound in case someone tried to sneak up on him — a habit ingrained into his core after a lifetime of fighting. But, his eyes… his eyes stared blankly at the fire; his mind was somewhere else.

 

It was somewhere darker than the tomb of a cave in which he had found shelter from the rain; somewhere he couldn't escape the onslaught of tears as they fell upon his heart from desperate sapphire orbs like a string of pearls.

 

He had run until he couldn't feel his legs, but no matter how far he had traveled, the pull on his heart didn't lessen. In his mind's eye, Kagome continued to cry, begging him to not leave without her. And, he… He wanted to comply. He wanted to go back and take her with him. Her place was by his side. Without her, he was only half the man he could be. She was his strength; she always had been.

 

But, not this time.

 

In this place where he had already lost too much to bear alone, even the thought of seeing her hurt was enough to bring Inuyasha to his knees. This time, Kagome was his greatest weakness.

 

The crackling of the burning wood drowned out the soft sound of his even breathing, ringing in his ears like the desperate cries of his soul. The hanyou ignored both. He had learned long ago that if one had too much to mourn for, the only way to keep sane was to hold on to what you had left. Once, it had been his anger and his hopes that had kept him going. Now…

 

Now, there was no hope left. Only her…

 

And, the unrelenting need for vengeance.

 

Outside, dawn broke slowly. Weak streaks of sunlight illuminated the narrow entrance of the cave. The rain had stopped a while ago, but Inuyasha had been too tired and too cold to continue his journey to what was sure to be a trap to bring him down.

 

He fisted the dry fabric of his haori in determination before he abruptly stood up. Extinguishing the fire with his foot, he adjusted the Tetsusaiga on his waist. He had been in such a hurry to leave before Kagome managed to stop him, he hadn't even thought about his sword. He was lucky that he still had it on his person. He could remember that they had taken it from him when he had been captured.

 

“Kagome,” he murmured with longing as he fingered the battered hilt of his sword, knowing that she must have put it back where it belonged while he had been unconscious. She had always been thoughtful, had always taken care of him. The hanyou swallowed against the lump in his throat before he whispered, “I'll keep my promise. I'll come back to you.”

 

His eyes hardened as he looked up at the bright sky from the cave's entrance. He was going to return to her side and never leave again. But first, he had to deal with Keiko. Golden orbs narrowed and strong muscles oozing demonic power tightened before the hanyou took off in a blur of silver and crimson.

 

~*~

 

The sound of leaves fluttering in the wind reached her ears as Sango slowly became aware of her surroundings. She took in a deep breath, savoring the fresh air she had been deprived of for the last few days. She certainly was not in the dungeons anymore. The last thing she could remember was being in the dark cell with Miroku when the soldiers had barged in and tried to drag the couple out. Naturally, the slayer had resisted.

 

She clenched her eyes shut against the sunlight and lifted her head up. She groaned in pain when her head throbbed where it had been hit by something hard — most likely the hilt of someone's sword. She tried to raise her arm and hissed as pain shot through her arm from her wrist. She peeked over her shoulder and was surprised when she was met with a familiar sight. As if to mock her by using her precious weapon against her, they had bound Sango to the Hiraikotsu, which was buried to the ground on its one end.

 

She writhed and tugged at her wrists despite the pain her struggles caused her. She remembered the small knife she had hidden in her sleeve. Her fingers reached for the edge of her sleeve and probed. She smiled in relief when the tip of her fingers came in contact with hard metal. In no time, she had the knife in her hands. She twisted her hand to bring the knife's cutting edge to the rope and hissed as the movement caused the rope to cut her wrists deeper. “Damn you, Keiko,” grumbled the slayer as she proceeded to cut her binds.

 

“You finally joined us!” exclaimed a familiar voice, surprising the young woman and stilling her attempts to break free. “Good. I was getting bored of waiting.”

 

Her head shot up, and Sango gasped as she saw the executioner standing a few feet away from her. “Tadashi? What the…?” Her voice trailed off when her gaze landed on her husband.

 

In front of the headsman, Miroku stood on his knees facing her. He was gagged with a piece of cloth, and his hands were bound behind his back. His hair was disheveled, so were his clothes. His brow was split open and a large bruise marred his swollen eye. Blood oozed from his nose and his mouth, painting his gag an angry red.

 

“Miroku,” whispered Sango in fear. At the sight of her husband, panic settled in and dread filled her heart. “What is going on here?” she asked as she hurried to cut the rope that kept her writs together. “Why are we here?”

 

“For this,” declared Tadashi and stepped forward. Standing behind Miroku, he pulled the monk's head up by his hair. A flash of light caught her eye and stilled her efforts to free her hands. Before Sango could blink, the sword in the executioner's hand cut through her husband's throat.

 

Her heart skipped a beat.

 

As she watched with wide eyes, unable to comprehend what happened, blood gushed out of the deep cut on the monk's throat and flowed down his chest like a crimson river. His life's essence left his body as fast as the light left his beautiful eyes.

 

Tadashi stabbed his bloody sword to the ground and released his grip on Miroku's hair. A strangled cry escaped Sango's lips as her husband's lifeless form fell down. The executioner smirked at Sango. “Told you he was going to be first,” he mumbled. “Now cry, traitor. Indulge in your beloved's death. I'll be back for you once you've had enough.”

 

All senses left the slayer as disbelief gave way to comprehension. She didn't know how she broke free of her bonds, or how she ran to her fallen husband's side. All she could feel was his dead weight in her arms, and all she could see was the color of blood.

 

“No,” she whimpered as she stroked Miroku's cheek, trying to coax him to look at her, but it was already too late. “No, Miroku. No…” Tears dripped down her chin to join the crimson liquid that marred his handsome face. She clenched her eyes shut, unable to bear the dull blue of his eyes.

 

“Tadashi, you monster!” she shouted. “I swear I'll kill you!” When she looked up, the executioner was nowhere to be seen. An anguished cry broke out of her chest as the fearless slayer hugged her husband's broken body helplessly.

 

~*~

 

Among the trees behind the distraught slayer, Keiko watched as the fruits of her careful manipulation grew slowly. She was surrounded by her guards that helped her set up her trap.

 

When the guard that had confronted Sango came to stand before the priestess and bowed in respect, Keiko beckoned him to stand straight before she nodded in approval. “You did well, soldier. I'm pleased.” She turned to the rest of the guards and raised her hand to the one that carried her intricate bow and arrows. Once she had her exquisite weapon in her hands, she addressed all of the soldiers. “You can go back to the castle now. I won't need you anymore.”

 

“But, my lady…” started a young guard in objection, but he was silenced by the priestess's stern voice.

 

“You heard me,” said Keiko with authority. “Your presence will only distract me and endanger my plans. I may not be able to protect all of you.”

 

The soldiers looked confused as they glanced at each other and then at the prisoner bound to the tree next to the high priestess. Deciding that he was harmless, they nodded curtly. “As you wish, my lady,” said the highest ranking one before all of the guards retreated into the forest.

 

Beside Keiko, Miroku watched aghast as his wife cried her heart out in the distance, calling his name between sobs and hugging a piece of wood to her chest as if it was her baby. “Sango!” he yelled again, but she didn't hear him. He fought against the strain of the thick rope that kept him in place. “Damn,” he cursed when his restraints did not budge. “Sango!” he tried again, hoping that his voice would somehow pass through whatever spell Keiko put on his wife and reach her ears.

 

When his efforts went unnoticed by the slayer, he turned to Keiko, shooting daggers out of his eyes. “What's wrong with Sango?” he demanded furiously. “What did you do to her?!”

 

The priestess shrugged nonchalantly. “Nothing serious. Just a simple illusion.”

 

“An illusion?” The monk glanced at his crying wife in perplexity. “Is that why she called that soldier Tadashi? Was he who she saw?”

 

Keiko nodded excitedly, causing her veil to flutter with the motion. “Anyone that enters that barrier is Tadashi in her eyes,” she explained with a little bit of smugness in her voice. “Brilliant, isn't it?”

 

“A barrier…” mumbled Miroku in understanding. “That's why she can't hear me, isn't it? Why are you doing this and why Tadashi? What are you planning, Keiko?”

 

“U-uh,” said the priestess as she shook her head slowly. “I've already told you enough. No more questions, Monk.” When Miroku opened his mouth to object, she added with finality, “Patience, my friend. You'll find out soon.”

 

The monk grumbled under his breath at her use of the word `friend.' Ignoring him, Keiko sat on her knees, laid her weapon on the ground next to her and started praying.

 

Miroku eyed the exquisite bow embroidered with delicate designs. So unlike the simple bows every other priestess used, that piece of wood alone was a sign of Keiko's unhealthy obsession with greatness, a sign of her passionate nature that was unbecoming of a priestess.

 

He dismissed the weapon, angry with himself for having missed these little signs. His gaze returned to his wife and he wished that she would miraculously sense his presence and fight against the spell Keiko had put on her. He struggled against his binds, desperately trying to get his hands on the ropes. However, the ropes held tight, keeping his arms glued to his sides. After minutes of struggling, his only accomplishment was earning several scratches on his back as he writhed against the tree's rough bark.

 

He finally stopped when he sensed the appearance of a new barrier; this one was around him and Keiko. The priestess successfully concealed them from the rest of the world. There was no way he could reach Sango now, and fighting against his binds was fruitless. Accepting defeat, he asked tiredly, “Why?”

 

Keiko sighed in irritation before she stood up slowly. “Why, why, why… So many questions. What is it this time?”

 

“Why all this hatred?” the monk clarified. “What happened to you?”

 

“That is simple,” said the priestess as she rested her bow and sack of arrows against the nearest tree. She faced the clearing and the huddled slayer before she continued, “I can see the evil surrounding us while you, unfortunately, cannot.”

 

“Evil?!” cried out Miroku, unable to keep in his fury. He didn't even stop to breathe as he finally threw his accusations to her face. “Evil is separating a devoted couple with twisted games! Evil is stealing their kids from them! Evil is sealing two innocent children to a tree for years!”

 

At that, Keiko's head turned sharply to look at him, betraying her surprise. His eyes widened in understanding, and the monk gasped in horror. “I'm right, aren't I?” he whispered. He fisted his hands at his sides before he yelled, “You did seal them! Kami, how could you?”

 

“I…” started Keiko but stopped when her voice wavered and cleared her throat. When she continued, she sounded uncharacteristically timid, reminding Miroku the young priestess in training he had known years ago. “I didn't plan to keep the children there for long. I was going to release them once he finally saw that…”

 

Thrown off by the change in her, the monk cocked his head to the side in curiosity. “Saw what?”

 

“That Kagome wasn't right for him.” A bitter chuckle rose behind the white veil as Keiko shook her head in self-reproach. “I didn't realize what a monster he was then. I ended up doing Kagome a favor by saving her from him while I thought I was doing it for him. But, that stupid woman doesn't know what's good for her.”

 

“I don't understand,” uttered Miroku, confused by her revelation. “Why would you think that she wasn't right for him?” He knew too well that the miko from the future was the best thing that had ever happened to the hanyou. He had been one of the few witnesses to what he had been through with and without her. It infuriated him that this woman claimed the right to think otherwise. Even if he hadn't been by Inuyasha's side for years, he knew one thing about the hanyou for certain and he shouted it to Keiko's face. “He loved her with all his heart!”

 

“But, she wasn't good enough!” came the priestess' screeching reply. “She didn't love him as much as I did!”

 

Miroku looked at her in stunned silence for a few moments. His mind reeled with the information Keiko, without a doubt, unwillingly revealed. He couldn't believe his ears. How could he have missed something as profound as a young woman's love? How could a priestess let such feelings develop for a married man? Thinking back, he could recall a younger Keiko, excited to start working for the great priestess Kikyo's village. She had looked up to Kagome and regarded Inuyasha with wonder; those two had been living legends in her eyes. It was highly possible that her adoration had turned to infatuation without their notice. He could understand that. But, how could anyone commit such horrible actions against someone they supposedly cherished?

 

His brows furrowed and his nose crinkled, disturbed by her forbidden obsession and disgusted by the twisted creature she had turned into right under his nose. “Love?” he spat out before he snorted in disdain. “You're delusional. You can't love anyone but yourself.”

 

“On the contrary,” objected Keiko with her head held high and her shoulders straight. “I love everything and everyone that's pure and innocent.”

 

“Why didn't you release the children then?” shot back Miroku with his eyebrow raised in challenge. “They were innocent!”

 

Ignoring the hostility in his voice, the priestess nodded in agreement. “They sure were. But, they carry the same evil in their blood as their father. If I released them, one day they would turn into monsters just like him. This way, they will stay as they are; they will always be innocent.” She dismissed the monk's appalled expression and turned her back to him to appraise the clearing. “Besides,” she added after a few moments. Her voice was cold with the rise of her decade old anger. “Releasing them would be giving the hanyou the greatest gift he could ever hope for. Why would I do that after what that monster did to me?”

 

“Don't you dare call him that,” hissed Miroku between gritted teeth as his glare burned into the back of her veil-covered head. “What did you expect?” he spat with venom. “You took his family away. He didn't need to have demonic blood to react like he did. I would have killed you if it were my family. You're the monster that you accuse him to be!”

 

Keiko looked at him over her shoulder. Silence stretched as she appraised him, his clenched fists, heavy breathing and scowling face. “Think whatever you want, Monk,” she finally uttered. “Soon, you'll be gone from this world, and all your thoughts will be forgotten along with your name. But, I…” Her voice trailed off as she turned away from him. “When this war is over, I will forever be remembered as the priestess that saved the world from the evil of demons.”

 

Miroku snorted at her ridiculous ambitions. “You're insane.”

 

The high priestess chuckled in amusement. “Insane? I may not have always made the best decisions, but do not forget what I am fighting for. Even if you do not agree with me, I will not give up on my dream to create a safer future for your offspring.”

 

A safe future…

 

As Miroku watched his beloved wife's sorrow with a heavy heart, that thought kept popping up in his mind. Was that what Kagome's world was like? Miroku knew that, apart from a few minor exceptions, Kagome's world was free of demons. Inuyasha used to call it `safer.' But where had the demons gone? Was this war the reason for the lack of demons in the future? If so, did it mean that no matter how hard the demons fought back, they were going to lose? Were his friends going to survive, or against Miroku's struggles, were they going to be extinct in the end?

 

~*~

 

The world was an endless sea of greens and browns on his sides as Inuyasha raced with demonic speed among the trees. He had passed by the castle a while ago, following a wide arch around the monstrous structure that housed humans and the barrier that surrounded it. He had been traveling through the forest that lay to the west of the castle, hoping to catch a familiar scent that would lead him to his friends and his enemy. He had drawn several circles in the area before he found a faint trail that carried the three distinct scents he had been looking for.

 

He stopped and crouched down on his hands and knees to sniff the ground once more. His nose crinkled, and his upper lip raised to reveal his fangs as an involuntary growl rose in his chest at the hated fragrance that filled his nostrils along with the others. He was on the right path.

 

He stood up, hissing at the sting of the wound in his abdomen. Just like he had done for hours, the hanyou ignored it along with the protests of his tired muscles and bolted in a spring. The sooner he killed that bitch and rescued his friends, the sooner he could go back to his mate.

 

As he jumped from tree to tree, he noticed that only one scent was getting stronger. It didn't make sense, which only meant that a trap was most likely waiting for him. Remembering that he promised Kagome to return to her in one piece, he dropped to the ground. His hand grasped the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it at any moment as he moved forward with caution.

 

Soon, the mass of trees gave way to a large clearing. The first thing Inuyasha noticed was the Hiraikotsu, standing across the clearing like a grave stone with its one end buried to the ground. Next, his gaze landed on the huddled form of its owner. Sango was hugging what looked like a large piece of wood as she sat a few feet away from the giant weapon.

 

His eyes narrowed as he scanned the scene carefully, but nothing seemed out of place — except for the sight of the slayer and the lingering stench of other humans, including her. He suppressed the growl that built up in his chest and stepped forward. Expecting someone to jump out of nowhere, he tightened his grip on the Tetsusaiga. His ears rotated left and right, trying to catch even the smallest sound as he moved farther into the clearing.

 

That was when he noticed it. One second, he could hear the chirping of a bird's wings as it flew high over his head and in the next instant, it stopped abruptly. His brows furrowed in concentration, and he took a step back only to find out that he was pushed into the clearing by an unseen force. He whipped around and raised his free hand. He probed the air cautiously at first, and then pushed with all his might to no avail. He was surrounded by a barrier — one that let him in but didn't let him out. Despite being careful, he had walked right into Keiko's trap.

 

“That bitch,” he grumbled agitatedly. He knew that he was in trouble but he also knew that if he played along, Keiko would eventually show her face. And, that was enough for Inuyasha. All he needed was a chance to get his claws in close proximity to her blackened heart.

 

The sound of a choked sob brought his attention back to the slayer, and he turned to regard her carefully. She was still sitting on the ground, oblivious to his presence. Her slim frame rocked back and forth, and her strong arms cradled a large piece of wood. Occasional whimpers escaped her lips between words the hanyou couldn't pick up in spite of his superior hearing.

 

Disturbed by the scene, Inuyasha tentatively approached the slayer. His ears stood erect once he was close enough to decipher her delirious mumblings. “Oh, God…” she whispered. “It's so red… so red… Please, no…”

 

“Sango?” he called softly, finally taking her attention away from the annoying log. She was still talking about something being red when her head snapped up. The only red Inuyasha saw in this scene, apart from his clothes, was in the slayer's bloodshot eyes as she looked up at him with hatred.

 

“You've returned,” she spat with hostility, causing him to take a step back by the force of her glare.

 

“Of course,” said the confused hanyou before his brows furrowed and he huffed in annoyance, offended by her attitude. “What did you expect, you idiot? I returned for you.”

 

With unusual care, Sango laid down the log she had been holding. “So, you did,” she said as she stood up slowly. “But, I have bad news for you, you monster.” Never breaking his gaze, she grabbed the sword that was half-buried to the ground next to her. “I won't be an easy prey!”

 

Her words made no sense to Inuyasha, and the distraction they caused almost cost him his life when Sango suddenly lunged at him. He jumped back at the last moment and escaped the sharp tip of her sword by a mere inch.

 

His hand went to his throat reflexively, checking for blood. “What the fuck?!” he cried out in perplexity as he saw Sango running at him again. She thrust her weapon with both hands, targeting his stomach. With the help of his demonic speed, Inuyasha managed to dodge her strike by turning to the side on his heels. But, the slayer lost no time to swipe the sword around in a wide arch, forcing him to jump away from her once again.

 

“Run as much as you can, Tadashi,” she said to the flabbergasted hanyou as she took her stance, getting ready for her next move. “I won't stop until you're a bloody mess at my feet!”

 

While Inuyasha tried to comprehend her words and finally realized that she did not see him for who he really was, Sango took five long and fast strides and leaped high into the air. Her sword faced downward as she raised her arm, aiming for his jugular.

 

In his surprise, the hanyou had no time to gather enough strength to jump away and opted to throw his body sideways to the ground. “Snap out of it, Sango!” he yelled, rolling away to put as much distance as he could between his already tired body and the deadly weapon that pierced the earth instead of his throat. “I'm not Tadashi or whoever the fuck you think I am!”

 

“I'll tell you what I think!” shot back the slayer, digging her sword out of the ground with one mighty pull. She wasted no time to attack the hanyou, who was on his feet once more and held his still shielded Tetsusaiga in his hand. “Now that you're up against someone that you can't murder without effort…,” she started before she grunted with the force of Inuyasha's push as he deflected her strike with his sword. She whirled around and faced him again. “…you're not above lying!” she finished, bending her knees and gripping her weapon with both hands. “But, your pathetic attempts won't save you!”

 

When she lunged at him again, Inuyasha dodged and grabbed her by the arm that held her sword. While he was focused on disarming her, the slayer turned sharply and elbowed him in the stomach — hard. With a hiss, the hanyou doubled over in pain and pushed her away.

 

As Sango staggered a few steps back and took her stance, Inuyasha felt something warm on his abdomen. “Shit!” he cursed when he saw and smelt the blood on his shirt. His wound had reopened. Knowing that he couldn't stand against her assault for long, he tried to reason with her again. “Keiko's fucking with your head, Sango!”

 

Paying the half-demon no mind, the slayer attacked once more, forcing him to parry her strike with the Tetsusaiga. Her sword pressed against his shielded one, bringing the two opponents close. Golden orbs glared at furious brown ones as he gritted out, “Look at me, dammit! I'm Inuyasha!”

 

Snorting at his words, Sango attempted to knee him in the groin. The hanyou growled in frustration and pushed hard with his Tetsusaiga, causing her to jump back instead.

 

“I know what I see!” she shouted once she was steady on her feet. Her knuckles turned white as she tightened her hold on the hilt of her sword and mumbled, “I know what I saw.” Her eyes widened in terror even as they filled with moisture. She clenched her eyes shut and shook her head as if to dismiss the images in her head. “You,” she growled out as her face contorted in agony. The low timbre of her voice screamed her rage. “You killed my husband right in front of my eyes!”

 

Inuyasha's heart jumped to his throat. Was Miroku really dead? He had caught his scent along with the others on his way there. As far as his nose could tell, the monk was not anywhere nearby. But, he had been around this place and he had certainly been alive then.

 

The scent of tears was back, and Inuyasha stared at the droplets flowing down the young woman's cheeks with dread. Raising his hands in a gesture of peace, he tried to approach her. “Sango, please…”

 

The slayer's eyes snapped open, and the fathomless hatred in the depths of her brown orbs froze him in his place. Holding his sad gaze, she slowly raised her sword. “Yes, start pleading, monster,” she hissed with venom. “Beg for your life, and perhaps, I'll be merciful enough to kill you with one blow like you did to Miroku!”

 

After that, Inuyasha had to accept the fact that he wouldn't be able to get to Sango. He couldn't escape the confines of the barrier and avoid her altogether, either. That left him no choice but to defend himself and hope that she would run out of stamina before he did. He stayed in close proximity to her, trying to knock her out every chance he got. However, Sango was too skilled a fighter and her rage was deadly. To make matters worse, his wound was giving him a hard time and he was already exhausted from his previous ordeals and the long trip he had taken there. In his state, it was next to impossible to restrain the enraged slayer.

 

She attacked and he dodged. She lunged and he parried. When he pushed especially hard on her sword after he met a powerful strike with the Tetsusaiga, she lost her footing and landed on the ground with a grunt. Excited at his chance, the hanyou stepped forward to kick her sword away. But, the slayer was not one to give up. With a sharp leg sweep, Inuyasha was also on his back.

 

Tetsusaiga flew from his slackened grip with the force of his fall and landed on the ground a few feet away, close to the Hiraikotsu. He dove to reach his sword, but Sango was fast. He hissed as he felt a sharp pain on his arm when Sango swiped at him to block his attempt. The slayer immediately lunged for another blow. Seeing that, he leaped high and landed on the other end of the clearing after a series of somersaults.

 

Once he was on his feet again, he looked down at his bleeding arm. It was impossible to cut through the fire rat fur with a regular human weapon that easily. “Damn that bitch,” he cursed, realizing that the sword had to be imbued with spiritual power. Keiko was certainly trying to have him killed by the hand of his friend.

 

When he looked up, Sango had put her sword in her belt and had the Hiraikotsu in her hands. “Fuck!” he cried out as the giant boomerang flew toward him. This time, he was in deep shit.

 

~*~

 

Under the safety of Keiko's concealing barrier, Miroku watched with horror as his wife landed blow after blow to the almost defenseless hanyou. She was going to kill their friend under the wicked priestess' manipulation and regret it for the rest of her life. It was disturbingly similar to what had happened to Kohaku all those years ago. Miroku was not sure Sango could survive under such a heavy burden; she was too emotional.

 

“Damn,” he cursed under his breath as the slayer's sword almost caught Inuyasha's leg. She had been too close to rendering the hanyou incapable of escaping her attacks. The monk had prayed for the hanyou's success when he tried to knock her out several times. Unfortunately, his enraged wife was impossible to handle. Miroku could tell that his friend was exhausted from the way his movements became sloppier by the moment. He suspected that the bleeding wound he could see from afar also took from the half-demon's strength. Trying to avoid the Hiraikotsu had tired the hanyou out even more, and after a few rounds, he had stayed close to the slayer, forcing her to abandon her giant weapon. This only ended in more cuts to Inuyasha's body. The more he bled, the fiercer Sango's blows became as if his pain fueled her strength.

 

Severing his gaze from the heart-breaking scene, Miroku glanced at Keiko, wishing her to disappear from the face of the earth. “Why Sango?” he asked with irritation. “Why not me?”

 

“Because, she's more emotional, more temperamental,” was the priestess' quick reply. “She acts before she asks questions.” She turned to look at him. “Remember when Tadashi visited you in the dungeons? He's a good soldier and did everything I asked of him. Now, your dear wife thinks that he killed you, and she will listen to no one until she avenges you. You see…” she said as she returned to watching the ruthless fight in the clearing. “Sango is much easier to manipulate. She always has been.”

 

Once again, Miroku gaped in shock. Right before his eyes, Keiko was turning into Naraku. He could no longer control his anger. But, it was hard to decide what infuriated him more: that she could be such a heartless manipulator, or that he had not seen it before. “I can't believe you,” he muttered. “All this hatred… and for what? Because, you're a simple woman who can't get over the fact that the man you wanted didn't want you.”

 

Keiko's head turned sharply at his comment, but Miroku ignored it. “You used to say that Kikyo was your inspiration. Don't you see? Kikyo would have forgiven him long ago. You are so blinded by your anger that you can't see what has become of you. And I can't see where the Keiko I knew has gone. I wonder…” His voice trailed off as he appraised her rigid posture and clenched fists before he landed his final blow. “Is there really someone named Keiko, or are you just a bad imitation of a long dead woman?”

 

Keiko took in a deep breath to answer him but changed her mind when something caught her eye in the clearing. “Well, well,” she chirped lightly. “Look at what we have here. Say hello to the monster, Miroku.”

 

Confused, Miroku stared at the field and its two occupants. Sango was a whirlwind of motions as she attacked the hanyou again and again. On the other hand, Inuyasha looked like a bloody mess, struggling to dodge her strikes. The wind blew, sending his silver hair away from his face and causing Miroku to gasp at the sight of the jagged stripes adorning his cheeks. “No!” cried out the monk in fear. “He's losing control. If he transforms, he'll kill her, Keiko! Do something!”

 

The only response he received for his frantic pleading was a soft chuckle. He snapped his gaze to the high priestess to see her standing with her shoulders relaxed and her hands clasped in front of her chest in anticipation. Looking at her pleased form, Miroku finally understood her real intention. “Who is it that you are trying to get killed?” he asked in fury.

 

Keiko spun to face him. The hem of her red hakama and the loose sleeves of her white shirt fluttered in the breeze along with the tips of her long, dark hair. With her slim frame, she looked graceful like Kikyo, or even Kagome. The main difference was the thin fabric covering her head. For the first time since he had known her, Miroku was glad for the presence of that veil for it hid her hated face and the malice in her eyes from his gaze.

 

“Make no mistakes, Monk,” she said. Her voice was hard with the sting of his earlier accusations. “You have been rightfully sentenced to death, and you will die. But, your blood will not be on our hands. Once Sango's out of the way, it will be your turn. You sided with the devil, and now, he will repay you.”

 

Miroku's blood boiled with rage, and his features twisted in disgust. “There is only one devil here,” he spat with venom. “And, it's certainly not Inuyasha.”

 

The high priestess snorted before she turned away from him dismissively. “We'll see if you'll still think like that after he kills your wife,” she uttered flatly.

 

The monk's blunt nails dug into his palms as he clenched his fists. “Damn you,” he gritted out and for the first time, he really wished it for someone other than Naraku.

 

~*~

 

His muscles screamed in agony, his flesh ached wherever the sharp metal had cut through his skin and his life's essence slowly escaped him in crimson rivulets. The demon in his blood clawed to the surface, demanding control of his body.

 

But, Inuyasha didn't give up.

 

Even after his claws extended, his fangs elongated and his senses heightened, he managed to keep his head clear. He had long given up in his attempts to knock the slayer out in case he lost control and attacked her instead. The blood lust was strong, tempting his claws to dig into her flesh, but he resisted.

 

He jumped and dodged, exerting his strength more with every passing moment until he could feel that he was losing the fight with the demon in his veins. It became clear that he wasn't going to survive and go back to his mate unless he killed his friend. On the other hand, if she didn't kill him soon, he was going to lose control and taint his hands with Sango's blood. He couldn't live with such a burden — not when his heart was already crushed under the heavy weight of his loss.

 

There was only one choice now.

 

Even though Kagome would be upset, she would understand his decision. She would have chosen the same path if it had been her. He only hoped that she would be strong for him and survive. She had to.

 

She was the most stubborn wench he had ever known.

 

With his mind set, Inuyasha made no effort to block the slayer's kick and fell to his knees with the force of it. He gritted his teeth against the violent urge to feel the ripping of flesh beneath his fingers and dug his claws to the earth to keep them away from his friend.

 

As he closed his eyes and braced for Sango's deadly blow, the memory of two beautiful sapphire orbs and a breathtaking smile filled his vision and the happy laughter of two little pups echoed in his ears. “Kagome,” he whispered softly, but it came out harsh with his roughened demonic voice. “I'm sorry.”

 

~*~

 

The trees passed like the waves of a green sea as the unusual group of humans and demons flew over the forest. On her perch upon the giant pink balloon that was Shippo, Kagome kept her eyes open for any signs of her husband, even as she concentrated in search of his aura and held on to her bustling children at the same time.

 

“There's a clearing ahead!” yelled Kohaku from Kirara's back.

 

The miko glanced in the direction the young slayer pointed. “I see it,” she yelled back before she gasped in surprise. She didn't know what it was, but even from the distance, she could sense that there was something different with that place. “That's where we'll go!” she shouted, and Kohaku nodded without question.

 

The closer they got to the clearing, the stronger Kagome could feel the surge of power emanating from there. Soon, she was able to make out two small figures — one red dot, jumping around wildly, closely followed by a black dot. “Inuyasha,” she whispered before she urged her demon friends to fly faster.

 

She could sense the presence of her husband, but she could also sense something else surrounding him. Listening to the gut feeling she had, she directed the group to land among the trees right before they reached the clearing.

 

The miko was not comfortable with leaving her children behind, but she didn't want to endanger their well-being by dragging them into the unknown with her, either. After a brief discussion between the adults, Kagome and Kohaku decided to check the field out together while the demons stayed to protect the children.

 

Kneeling in front of the pups, the young woman hugged them tightly. “Stay here with Shippo and Kirara until I come to get you, okay?” she asked before burying her nose in their hair and breathing in their scents deeply. “I love you both so much.”

 

“But, Mama!” objected Reika with a heartbreaking pout.

 

At the same time, Raiden started excitedly, “Mama! I can smell…:” However, he was silenced by his mother's stern look.

 

“No buts. Stay here,” the miko ordered with finality as she rose to her feet and pretended to brush the leaves off of her red hakama to avoid their disappointed gazes. When she glanced at them from the corner of her eye, the boy was scowling fiercely while his sister's eyes shone suspiciously bright. Fearing that she would give in at the sight of tears, Kagome spun on her heels and left without a backward glance.

 

Kohaku walked by her side as they closed the small distance to the clearing. Once the trees gave way, they both gasped at the sight before them.

 

Inuyasha and Sango were locked in a battle, and the hanyou seemed to be losing. He was bleeding in several places, but what really frightened the miko were the jagged stripes on his cheeks. “No,” she whispered. “He's going to kill her if he…” Her words got stuck in her throat when the least expected thing happened.

 

Inuyasha gave up.

 

She froze in horror as he fell to his knees in front of the slayer and simply waited for her to end his life. While Sango approached him tentatively and raised her sword, Kagome's heart beat wildly in her chest and she ran forward, screaming, “No!”

 

He couldn't die — not now, not ever.

 

She wouldn't let him.

 

~*~

 

Silver strands of hair blew in the wind, long claws dug into the earth and glowing red eyes opened to the sight of a shiny sword and a human woman carrying it.

 

She approached him slowly, looking like a warrior with the muscles on her arms and the calculating scowl on her face. Was she a threat?

 

Hardly.

 

He was going to enjoy ripping through her flesh. Her shiny sword was held high above his head; she was about to strike him. But before that, he was going to kill her.

 

The demon smirked in anticipation.

 

Far away, someone screamed, “No!”

 

He didn't listen.

 

The lust for blood was impossible to resist, and the weapon in the warrior's hand was going to make the kill much more fun. His fingers itched impatiently as he chose where to pierce her flesh.

 

Right as he raised his hand for the strike, a red and white blur came between him and his prey, blocking the woman from his gaze and stopping her arm from descending upon him.

 

The demon growled in irritation. He had been looking forward to cutting that arm off. Baring his fangs to his new prey's back, he swiped at the intruder, enraged with the interruption.

 

The scent of blood filled his nostrils, making his head spin in pleasure. Something at the back of his mind nagged at him as if he should know that scent, but he didn't care.

 

She slowly turned to him as he licked his claws, savoring the taste of the thick liquid. Her face reminded him of someone he used to know, but he didn't try to place it. Her lips moved, saying something about… love? He didn't know what that word meant. He smirked at her pathetic attempt to intimidate him with words.

 

From behind him, a high-pitched voice screamed, “Mama!” His ears twitched at the familiarity of it, but his hand was faster as it plunged deep into the intruder's chest.

 

A strong gust of wind blew through the meadow, sending strands of long silver hair flying wildly. Fresh blood dripped down impossibly long claws like crimson tears as the demon extracted his hand from his prey's chest. The broken body in his arms fell limply at his feet; her shredded white shirt was tainted with her life's essence, and her red hakama darkened fast as it soaked up the thick liquid. Her long, black hair spread over the dirt ground, framing her now ashen face in soft waves. Her eyes were left open as she exhaled her last breath. One could see the disbelief written in them — disbelief, and the remnants of love.

 

But, he didn't.

 

He had already turned his back to her. His crimson eyes were locked on his next target. The warrior woman had run to the edge of the clearing and was struggling desperately to free a human man from his binds. They both glanced at him with wide, frightened eyes. The small knife in her hands was no defense against his deadly claws. They knew it. He knew it.

 

Close to them stood another woman with a white cloth in her hands and fear on her face.

 

More prey…

 

A wicked smirk formed on the demon's face as he cracked his knuckles in preparation.

 

 

End of Chapter 19

 

 

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Oh, God! Who did Demon-Yasha kill?! He's such a bad puppy! Has anyone seen Sesshoumaru lately? We might need the Tenseiga ASAP. But that would be such a cliché, wouldn't it? Do I want to do that?

Press the review button and help me decide!

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