InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Inexcusable Nature ❯ The Gratuitous Battle Scene ( Chapter 18 )

Inexcusable Nature

Just A Starving Writer

Disclaimer: nope, not mine.

Author's Plea: My apologies for the hair. Never would have expected that much response on it… *evil grin*

I'm new to the whole action thing, so I can only hope this is up to par.
Enjoy if you can.

Part 18: The Gratuitous Battle Scene

In an instant, the morning was transformed into something different.

The children were instantly sent into the cave along with a frightened swordsmith. Jaken was set before the entrance as guard.

Inuyasha was already cutting through the swarm of youkai with Tessaiga. Sango was doing her job well enough with her oversized boomerang. Miroku was using his Kazaana in short bursts, using the technique to suck in attacking demons without risking taking in one of the many Saimyoshou. Kikyou was covering the fighters as best as possible with her arrows.

However, the most interesting segment of the entire chaotic scene had to be the vicious argument occurring between the lord and miko.

"Stay back."

"I can't, you idiot!"

"You will."

"IMPOSSIBLE!"

After several attempts at disconnecting himself from the miko, in between killing attackers, he finally gave in to the mere five foot leash. It was not going to be broken, especially not now. Instead of pointlessly struggling, he resigned himself to another tactic. Within seconds the protesting miko was thrown over his shoulder and he had actively entered the foray.

Kagome was not pleased. Of course, now that she was finally capable of lending a hand she would be stuck on this bastard's shoulder, hanging like some damn decoration as he relentlessly attacked. The sudden smooth motions as he gracefully slaughtered the attacking youkai was enough to make her slightly ill but she pushed it aside and tried to watch the progress being made when he was still enough for her to see anything.

While it looked like her companions were holding their own currently, she was slightly surprised at Kagura. She had heard the sorceress's claim that she did not intend to fight and pondered over it as she watched the incarnation clutch something to her chest and keep to herself. She apparently did not want to enter in the battle.

However, she was not given a choice. While the evil swarm did not attack her directly, she was knocked over by a worm-ish youkai. In her awkward stumbling, she somehow lost her grip on the red sphere. It rolled off into a particularly deep section of battle and the sorceress followed it without hesitation, the panic on her face striking a chord with the miko.

Her struggling on the lord's shoulder increased as part of her soul called to aide the frightened sorceress.

"Remain still," the lord's cold voice ordered but she ignored him and continued, thankful that his armor had remained off as she had yet to finish mending his haori. All she needed was more bruises.

"I have to talk to her!"

"You will do no such thing."

"Can't you see that something is wrong?"

He did not pause in his attacks but did spare the wind youkai a glance as she scrambled after the rolling red ball through the ongoing battle, somehow managing to evade injury though she barely seemed to notice her surroundings.

"She said she didn't want to fight! Can't you see?!"

He seemed to understand that something was not quite right regarding the scene and began to work his way toward the clueless sorceress. Pleased that she was getting her way, Kagome was content to remain still and keep an eye out for attackers.

As luck would have it, they reached the glowing red ball before Kagura could. Picking it up, they couldn't help but notice the stark fear present in the incarnations eyes as the lord unwittingly but literally held her heart. Holding the sphere steady, he allowed his burden to slide off and land with a slight grunt to the ground.

"You are not fighting." The youkai lord's statement almost made the miko want to slap him for stating the obvious. Instead, she stared relentlessly into the sorceress's eyes, seeking answers.

"Please," Kagura said, her voice unused to the pleading tone.

"What is it?" asked the miko.

"Please give it back."

Before any other comment could be made, the battle took a turn for the worse. Inuyasha took a blow and was flung at the small gathering. While the youkai present were quick enough to step out of the way, Kagome was taken to the ground. Unfortunately for the lord, their tether was strong enough to make him stumble as well, sending the red ball once again into the foray. Once again, the sorceress went running after it.

When Kagome had regained her breath, she grabbed her sword from her companion's side and went after the incarnation, doing her best to clear a path through the swarm of lesser youkai. She was joined by the lord and the two did the best they could to kill the attackers without killing each other. It was easier said than done.

"WOULD YOU STOP THAT!?" demanded the miko as she barely avoided getting her head chopped off as he killed a nearby villain.

"You will do well to stay out of my way," he responded coolly.

"You stay out of MY way!"

Between the two, they were able to make it to the sorceress, who was clutching onto the red ball for dear life.

"Tell me!" shouted the miko over the clamor of battle. "Why is that so important?"

"It's my heart," responded the sorceress.

"WHAT?!"

"My heart!"

It became obvious to the poor miko at that moment that whatever was going on was simply too complicated to be understood in mid battle. So she did the only thing she could think to do, and luckily enough for both females, it was in her nature to be forgiving. She accepted then and there without question that the sorceress meant no harm and instead fought around the former minion, making sure all attackers stayed away and no more instances of Keep-Away occurred.

"You are far too trusting," noted the youkai lord as his current opponent met a horrific end.

She merely grinned at him brightly, completely forgetting they were in the middle of a rather difficult battle. He had no such difficulty and promptly saved her life by suddenly pulling her forward then thrusting his sword into the gut of the youkai that meant to attack her from behind. Turning around, still in the safety of his arm, she was astonished at how close she had come to death.

"Thanks," she breathed and he smirked.

Once more her blood roiled in indignation and she took it out by promptly killing a nearby demon. Triumphantly flicking her blade, she smirked back at him before she was suddenly snatched by a passing flying demon. However, her current state of attachment caused a tremendously more difficult situation. Instead of being carried away to certain doom, she was jerked backward when the bird-like thing reached the end of her leash. It was loath to give up its prize though and strove to tear her away from the invisible connection, pulling the miko none to gently.

Not about to be bothered, the lord jumped up and killed the bird, but not before realizing his mistake, or miscalculation rather. When he had relented and moved toward the youkai, he had allowed the struggling bird to shoot upwards. By the time the bird was killed, they were a decent enough distance in the air. The miko, no longer being held aloft by the bird, began her descent to the ground in sheer terror - until the leash proved itself of value and stopped her in midair, a mere fight feet from the lord's floating feet.

"HEY!" she cried as she silently pleaded to every deity in existence to let her survive this one, to let her companion return her to the ground without injury, for the tether last long enough for him to kill enough of the thick swarm of youkai to remember her presence.

Her prayers went unanswered. She was certain she could hear the devilish laugh as she spotted the sinister baboon clad enemy as he pulled out a glowing string from somewhere in the voluminous fur. To her complete and utter terror, he snickered menacingly as the string dissolved and she began to fall back to earth.

She was still screaming when her descent was stalled once again. Once more seeing no cause for it, she looked around frantically. Her gaze was taken by the sorceress who was still clutching the glowing red ball in one hand while she directed wind to brake the miko's fall with her fan.

Kagome could only smile graciously and hope that the incarnation could read the plea to be returned safely to the ground in her eyes. Apparently, she could, and slowly the miko was lowered...until the cushion of wind beneath her collapsed.

Her screaming seemed to alert her formerly tethered companion and he finally decided to rescue her. When she was finally on solid ground again, she ran toward the minion, fully intent upon bitch slapping her for the ploy, until she noticed the arrow firmly lodged in the youkai's shoulder. Her surprised eyes fell to a presently possessed, formerly dead miko who was preparing another arrow with a vacant expression.

"Shit!" she cursed as she flung herself upon the stunned sorceress, barely saving her from another loosed arrow.

However, after another arrow nearly collided with the suffering sorceress, Kagome decided her incarnation had to be wakened from her spell. Running toward the undead miko, she barely avoided death several times before she finally grabbed the bow from the doppelganger. Her screams were not enough to knock sense back into the puppet so Kagome chose more physical means. Not daring to consider the implications or possible meanings lest she break into hysterical giggles, she slapped Kikyou.

Immediately the glazed eyes warmed and Kikyou responded without thought by slapping her slapper. For a good while both mikos were caught in a glaring duel as they held their stinging cheeks. They were rudely awakened from their silly stare down when blood rained down upon them.

Sesshoumaru smirked as he returned to the ground. The damned miko was good at forgetting the danger she was in. Like right now. She was practically radiating indignant anger as she stalked up to him, wiping demon blood off of her face. Panting in exhaustion, eyes flashing madly, blood soaked, and gripping her sword tightly, at that moment she looked every bit the warrior princess and, as a warrior himself in the midst of battle, he appreciated the image. Making sure nothing of too serious a threat was nearby, he proceeded to drag the miko into his arm and thoroughly attack her lips with his own. He was pleasantly surprised when she returned the action.

However, it simply was not the time for further displays of emotion. Holding her tightly, he quickly made his way to the guarded cave and dropped her there, the instructions to stay put clearly read in his hard eyes. She made a move to follow him regardless, but he responded by throwing her bow and quiver at her. It seemed to be enough, though she was still hesitant to step out of battle.

Kagome resorted to shooting demons, relying on her anger and indignation to lace her arrows with enough miko pureness to take out large chunks of the swarm.

From her new, relatively safe position, she could see how the overall battle was progressing. Miroku had been resigned to fending off attackers with his staff and a tiring Sango was still taking out as many as possible with her boomerang. Inuyasha was also showing signs of strain as his attacks were becoming slower. When he was certain no one was in the way, he would use the Kaze no Kizu but it would only put a sizable dent in the attacker population. The demon lord seemed to be almost enjoying himself, relentlessly and mercilessly killing everything in sight. Kagura had retreated on her feather to the air, waiting out the end clutching her loose heart while she tried to ignore the arrow in her shoulder. Kikyou was still backing up the others but would momentarily become possessed and send an arrow toward the watching sorceress. Luckily she could dodge better in flight.

A gasp from the nearby retainer drew her attention back toward his lord. While he was fighting a particularly nasty and smart demon, Naraku meant to sneak up on him with a tentacle. Knowing that no one else could help him, she reached for an arrow, only to be rudely surprised. She had run out at the most inopportune of moments. Growing frantic as the pointed arm shot toward him, she acted on impulse. Perhaps it was the sword's idea, or possibly she came up with the strategy, either way, it was rather successful. The sword cut through the air straight toward the attacking implement, going farther than she was capable of throwing, and glowing with her natural miko powers. When it struck the tentacle, the appendage instantly dissolved into nothingness even as Naraku made a slight noise of discomfort.

Defeating his present enemy, the lord glanced at the still glowing sword then at the shocked miko. His smirk died before it even started when he noticed another of Naraku's arms reaching for the clueless and unarmed young woman. As he watched, the tentacle shot around her and retreated towards its master with the prize. She was powerless to stop it. The katana still rested in the ground where she had thrown it and was glowing faintly. Pausing one second to consider the possible effects of the miko glow, he retrieved the weapon and threw it back at her. For the second time in as many minutes, the glowing katana sliced through a writhing tentacle.

Kagome emerged from the ashes, dirtier, slightly breathless, but otherwise fine. In fact, she looked positively breathtaking to him. She stood resolute despite her slight stature, softly glowing while her eyes flashed terribly. It was completely obvious she intended to quit being helpless. Gripping the white hilt of her katana, she re-entered the foray, fully intent on Naraku.

Said enemy merely laughed. Now there was no need to capture the girl as she was coming straight toward him. He smiled in anticipation, though it was hardly noticeable under the thick white fur.

Finally coming to a stop in front of him, Kagome looked nothing short of an avenging angel albeit a dirty one.

"My, my, little reincarnation. I see you've been enjoying what I intended for punishment."

Her eyes flashed brighter and her hand tightened on the hilt.

"Perhaps you will enjoy other forms of punishment as well?"

The insinuation was not lost on her. After all she was an adult now. Her jaw tightened in response.

"Naraku, leave us be. Return the jewel and release your curses and I'll make sure you live."

How much it sucked to be so forgiving...Really one of these days she would be allowed to do something spiteful or mean, or at least be able to kill evil without such great guilt.

"My apologies, miko. I am afraid that is not possible."

"Then face your end." The cold tone was not hers and tearing her gaze away from the evil hanyou, she found the lord by her side.

"Ah, Sesshoumaru, I see you cannot live without her company."

"It is your company that is bothersome."

"Very well."

The evil hanyou attacked both simultaneously and they were hard pressed not to fall under the assault. While the lord was easily capable, the miko was but human, and worse, new to being a battle participant. Therefore it should not have been surprising that she was overwhelmed quickly despite her best efforts.

Luckily, she was a kind person, and as a result of this, she had backup. The shard hunters, having taken care of almost all the demon swarm, leaving the fire cat and undead miko to deal with the remnants, went to her aide. Kagome was saved from certain doom once by the timely appearance of Sango's boomerang, pulled from death by the hanyou, and rescued from being drowned by the thousands of tiny pieces she had managed to chop off of Naraku by Miroku. She was even saved from a particularly nasty tentacle by a wind blade from Kagura. It was a grand team effort.

Unfortunately, though it was enough to defeat the present enemy, their suspicions and fears were confirmed when out of the baboon fur dropped the wooden doll - proof enough that Naraku had once again chickened out and sent a puppet.

Still, a victory was a victory. Everyone, as tired as they were, was ecstatic, still high with adrenaline, and surprisingly without injuries. Minor cuts and scrapes, a few bruises was all that had occurred.

"We were AWESOME!" stated the miko as she practically jumped up and down, quite the picture considering her questionable apparel and present state of filthiness. She was barely recognizable under the black blood and ashes, had she not already done her best to wipe her face clean. Clearly a bath was in order.

"It was a test," said a cool lord who had already shaken off the joy of battle and was presently trying not to think of the battle worn miko next to him.

"Yeah," added the hanyou as he tried not to think about his brother's emotions. "I think he came for a show more than anything."

"But we still did GREAT!" retorted the miko, not about to have her good vibes ruined.

The siblings looked at her in exasperation wondering how someone could be that happy, especially after what had just happened. With a smirk, the hanyou met his brother's eyes.

"Would you shut her up?"

The lord smirked as well and without preamble pulled the miko towards his unarmored chest and proceeded to ravage her unsuspecting lips.

While they were thus entertained, the wind sorceress saw it as her time to explain. Floating to the ground, she approached the gathering, trying to look as diminutive as possible.

"Okay," the hanyou began as he tried his best to ignore the blissful couple behind him. "You're still alive, so that's one thing. And don't think we didn't notice you helping out there. So what's going on?"

The sorceress couldn't help but smile at his bluntness. It was one of his more redeeming qualities. That and his strength, and soft side, and looks....hell, he was one big mess of redeeming qualities.

"I came to seek an alliance with you."

"And that swarm back there?"

"I can only guess I was being persuaded against doing so as you were being persuaded against accepting."

"Huh..."

"How can we trust you?" asked the monk, ever the voice of reason.

"Were you even watching? I saved the reincarnate several times." At the mention of the reincarnate, everyone glanced over at the preoccupied miko before turning away quickly. "And I never once attacked you!"

"It's true," added the hanyou, taking her side much to the surprise of the monk and slayer. "But what I don't get is how you got away from Naraku."

"He let me go."

"And you just left? After all this time you decided to leave?" questioned the slayer.

"He had my heart! How could I leave without it?"

"Wha???"

"This," she motioned to the red ball in her hand. "This is my heart. He'd been holding it hostage. Bastard..."

"And he just gave it back?"

"No, idiot," retorted a slightly flustered sorceress. Really, did they have to be this interrogative? "He means to watch me suffer."

Everyone was silent at that declaration. It certainly seemed like something Naraku would do. After all, it was sneaky, manipulative, and thoroughly perverted.

"We are going to have to discuss this before we decide anything," stated the monk with sagely authority. Everyone who was not preoccupied nodded in agreement. "But first, let us find a better place. I have a feeling this much death will attract a lot of attention."

The shard hunters went to retrieve their few belongings, leaving behind a content and busy pair...but not before the sorceress performed a public service. Sending a slight gust of wind toward the couple, it was enough to send hair flying everywhere and significantly distract them from their action.

Finally released from her happy confinement, the miko's thoughts cleared as it occurred to her what she had been doing. Blushing profusely, the color distinguishable even through the grime, she mumbled a quick apology before running toward the others.

The lord stared after her and smirked. She could be quite entertaining.

*