InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Into the Fire ❯ Battle on the Mountain of Gods - Part 1 ( Chapter 22 )

Title: Into the Fire

Author: Chiaztolite

Rating: NC-17/M for lemon, rape, and violence

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Inuyasha

 

Into the Fire

 

Tenkei: Literally translation is “divine punishment”, the second realm of the afterlife.

Runin: The undead souls who are imprisoned within Tenkei.

 

Summary of Previous Chapter:

 

Shouri disobeyed her brother's command to stay within his protective barrier. Hoping to bring her mate back to his senses, she left for the holy tiger's palace on the peak of the Mountain of Gods. Soon after, Sesshoumaru went after her, followed by Inuyasha and friends, and lastly, Yuusou and Kishi. Sesshoumaru managed to trace her sister's trails but encountered Naraku instead. The raven-haired demon was determined to let Shiyuu have his way with Shouri, and therefore decided to fight Sesshoumaru to keep the youkai lord within the palace's courtyard.

One more time, Shouri had to face Shiyuu, the cursed spirit who resided in Ryoushin's body. Aiming to overthrow the rule of the Gods, Shiyuu laid his hands on Tenken, the sword with the power to rouse the runin of Tenkei. Her will to fight had angered the restless soul, who in turn cursed her with an incurable poison called Kurobara, the `Curse of the Black Rose'. Caught in despair from her failed efforts to call Ryoushin back from his realm of remorse, driven by the urge and instinct to protect her unborn children, determined to send Shiyuu back to the oblivion, she plunged the wooden dagger into her mate's body…

 

Chapter 22: Battle on the Mountain of Gods-Part 1

 

A female youkai, her hair as black as night, sat on the tatami floor within a chamber. An unexplainable frown was on her forehead as she worried her lower lip, chewing the tender flesh in great distress. She appeared to be lost in deep contemplation. Several minutes had passed since her master took Shouri away, undoubtedly to present the inuyoukai princess to his latest ally, Shiyuu. She had remained in the empty chamber ever since he left, mulling over her next move.

 

Sesshoumaru's little sister… Should she blatantly oppose her master and try to save the female inuyoukai in danger? Her thought drifted back to the time when Hakudoushi was slaughtered. The male who killed him possessed a pair of haunting scarlet eyes, a sadist's smile. He who was strong enough to crush Hakudoushi's head with one bare hand, powerful enough to easily give Naraku what he had longed for… Would she be able to defeat him and save the female he was currently toying with?

 

Her head perked up when the clashing noise of metals reached her ears. The sounds of a duel roused her curiosity, lured her towards the shoji that enclosed her within the chamber. A pale, slender hand slid the screen open, a pair of pink magnolia-colored eyes widened the moment she revealed what lay beyond the partition. The scene she witnessed took her breath away.

 

Flash of silver and white captured her attention, her scarlet lips parted for a sharp intake of breath. How could she not recognize the white-clad youkai who was fiercely battling her master? The two males in combat were moving in lighting speed that they both turned into blurs of black and white. Like light and shadow they merged, fiery sparks flickered from where their swords collided. Clamping her hands on top of her chest, she was unable to avert her ruby gaze from the duel ground.

 

She could not say that the youkai lord's arrival was something unexpected, considering it was his little sister whose life was at stake. Even so, she could not deny that the sight of him took her breath away. Had she possessed a heart within her body, it would have skipped beats the moment she lay eyes on the silver haired male.

 

The unforgettable memory of their last encounter flooded her thought. His mouth was warm on hers, hard and demanding at the same time. The sensation was so vivid that she instinctively raised her hand to touch her fingers to her lips, tracing the sweetly plump curve, wishing it was his lips that brushed against hers. Yet the fierceness of the duel ripped her away from her clouds of dream, tossing her back into the reality that took place before her.

 

`…Sesshoumaru…' She whispered his name inwardly, repeatedly like a litany. Clenching her fists, she dug the tip of her claws into her tender flesh.

 

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Sesshoumaru was not yet aware of the wind youkai's presence, his attention was narrowed to his opponent only. His eyes widened as he felt himself being pushed back by Naraku's strength. The baffled expression on the youkai lord's face was so amusing that the raven-haired male could not suppress his chuckle.

 

“…What's wrong, Sesshoumaru?” Naraku asked in a mocking tone. The satisfied, disdainful grin was still smothered on his lips as he pushed his blade forward, letting his opponent taste more of his newly acquired power. “I don't remember you being this weak…”

 

The youkai lord bared his fangs as he tightened his grip on Toukijin, exerting his strength to push back. Naraku's strength caught him off guard, he had to admit, though the fact that the lowly hanyou had decided to fight him instead of running away stunned him even more. It seemed that the Shikon no Tama had increased not only his power, but also his confidence.

 

“…You talk too much for a coward, Naraku…” Sesshoumaru hissed, swinging his sword to drive his opponent away from him. He leaped backwards before landing on his feet gracefully. “…You who rely on a piece of jewel for power…How pathetic…”

 

“Watch your words, Sesshoumaru…” Naraku chuckled as he moved swiftly to launch another attack on the awaiting silver-haired inuyoukai. “For soon enough your life will end in the hands of this pathetic creature…”

 

The youkai lord's response to his opponent's cheeky remark was a smirk. He waited until Naraku was close enough before he launched his Souryuuha, letting the arrogant demon taste his powerful force. His surge of youki that took the form of blue lightning washed over the courtyard where the battle took place, swallowed his opponent completely that he was almost certain Naraku was blown to pieces by his power. From such a close distance, nothing could survive the immeasurable power of his ougi.

 

Or so he thought…

 

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at the sight of his foe, still alive and unharmed within the protection of a transparent sphere barrier. It seemed that Naraku had generated a protective barrier to shield himself just before the flood of youki had the chance to swallow and destroy him.

 

“What an amazing display of power…” The raven-haired demon said with a hint of amusement in his voice. “As a token of my gratitude, I will let you taste mine…”

 

He raised his gleaming sword and aimed its sharp tip at the taiyoukai. A sphere of concentrated force appeared at the tip of the sword, a ball of youki that gradually increased in its size. With one slashing movement, Naraku released the lump of power, sending it straight to his opponent. One second before the globe-like energy hit him, Sesshoumaru held his sword before him, using Toukijin to create a protective barrier. He could feel Naraku's power when it crashed against his shield, as it forced to break his barrier. A moment later, Sesshoumaru's golden eyes widened when he felt Toukijin's shield started to crack.

 

`…Impossible…!' He hissed inwardly. `…He is breaking through Toukijin's barrier…?'

 

The taiyoukai gasped in disbelief when the barrier that protected him shattered before his eyes, when the waves of energy crashed into his unprotected front. The unbelievably powerful energy pushed him backwards, forcing his hand to release his grip on Toukijin. The sword landed on the ground not so far from its owner. Sesshoumaru flinched as he strived to raise himself from the ground. Naraku's youki had gotten more powerful, indeed. However, such level of power was still insufficient to injure the Lord of the Western Lands.

 

Alas, Naraku was not finished with his attack yet. Once the youkai lord was forced to recede, he lunged forward with his sword, aiming to kill his opponent with one last blow. Sesshoumaru, with his body still kneeling on the ground, raised his silver head to catch the sight of Naraku leaping in the air with his sword raised high above him. With unwavering gaze, the taiyoukai of the west flexed his fingers to lengthen his venomous talons.

 

“…Die, Sesshoumaru…!” Naraku roared as he plunged his sword downward, his murderous intent blazed.

 

Both males were stunned when a blur of pale blue approached them in great speed, placing itself between the kneeling and the soaring males. Naraku startled when his sword was answered by another blade and unlike Toukijin, its aura was in the shade of purple. He glared at the strange sword that had stopped what he thought was his finishing blow. A pair of shimmering green eyes stared right into his scarlet ones. He stood face to face with a male youkai he had never seen before, a male inuyoukai with long bluish silver hair. The deep purple markings on his cheeks and the upside-down crescent moon tattoo on his forehead were proofs that he was of noble birth. Naraku frowned. The interruption had annoyed him, ruined his fun, yet a part of him could not help but to feel intrigued by this new arrival.

 

“What is the matter, Sesshoumaru …?” The strange male said in a calm, yet amused tone as he turned his head slightly to the side to glance at the kneeling youkai lord. “…Are you waiting for your onii-sama to come to your rescue?”

 

The frown on Naraku's forehead deepened when the unknown inuyoukai's words reached his ears.

 

`Onii-sama…?' He mused.

 

Those teasing words, that thin smile that appeared devious caused Sesshoumaru's blood to boil in anger. Not only had Yuusou unnecessarily interfered with his battle, but his cousin had also taken the liberty of placing himself in such an intimate position.

 

`Onii-sama?' Sesshoumaru repeated inwardly. `How ridiculous…'

 

“Stay out of this…” He growled. “This does not concern…”

 

“Shut up…” Yuusou hissed, returning the livid gaze with a pair of cool emerald orbs. The unusual coldness in his voice did not fail to stun the younger inuyoukai. “It is time for you to learn that pride does not mean you have to do everything by yourself, that strength does not lie in solitary battle.”

 

“…Stranger…”

 

Yuusou turned his attention away from his enraged cousin when he heard the raven-haired demon spoke.

 

“You must excuse me…” The heir to the eastern lands said to the youkai who was waiting for him to introduce himself. “It is not in my nature to meddle in other's battle. But I cannot just stand aside and watch this boy getting pummeled to the ground.” He strived to hide his grin when Sesshoumaru let out a furious growl behind him.

 

“You are…?”

 

His answer to Naraku's query was a smile.

 

“Me…?” He said lightly, swinging his sword back into position to attack. “…I need not give my name to a creature whose life is about to end…”

 

A dangerous smirk slowly appeared on Naraku's lips when the inuyoukai's answer reached his ears.

 

“Well then…” He said. “It saves me from giving you mine…”

 

Without waiting for the inuyoukai to launch his first attack, Naraku charged at him, challenging the odd looking sword he gripped in his hands. Yuusou's sword was a short one, its length was only a little more than half of a typical kind. The sparks that were ignited from its blade were in the deep shade of purple. It was the color of amethyst, identical to the transparent wisps that snaked along the short length of the weapon.

 

Sesshoumaru stood still, his golden eyes were constantly following the flow of fight between his cousin and Naraku. It was not in his nature to stand to the side and watch, but the sword in Yuusou's hands had sparked some curiosity within him. The somewhat transparent blade seemed more illusory than real. Its appearance was almost fragile, as if it would shatter at any moment. The thought caused the youkai lord to frown. Why his cousin decided to use the frail-looking sword against Naraku's well-forged blade, he could never tell.

 

“…How arrogant…” Naraku hissed as he eyed Yuusou's steady expression. “You think your shabby little weapon would be sufficient to defeat me?” He pushed his sword forward, expecting to hear the crack of a poorly-made sword anytime soon. His eyes narrowed when he heard the soft chuckle that came out of his opponent's mouth.

 

“Shabby?” Yuusou repeated, the quiet laughter still colored his voice. “What a naïve assessment…” Still with the same cunning smile on his lips, he tightened his one grip on the hilt of his sword as he raised his other hand, opening his palm to the sky.

 

`…Come…' He whispered inwardly. `…Yuukyouiga'

 

In a blink of an eye, his left hand was no longer grasping the empty air, but the hilt of a sword identical to the one he used to block Naraku's attack. With one swift swing, before anyone realized what had taken place, he jabbed the newly summoned blade deep into his opponent's chest. Gasping in both pain and shock, Naraku lowered his eyes to stare at the hilt of the sword that had sunk into his flesh.

 

“These twin swords... Yuukyouiga and Kyuukyouiga are formed by my youki…” Yuusou said quietly, his strong grip on both swords did not falter. “You may think of them as the extensions of myself…As long as I still have the strength to fight, they will not shatter…”

 

There was a brief pause before Naraku's chuckle echoed in the silence that filled the courtyard, causing the eastern prince to frown.

 

“What is so funny?” He asked coldly, annoyance started to creep into his formerly calm voice.

 

“…Swords formed by youki, you said…?”Naraku repeated once his laughter subsided. A wide and vicious grin, a reminiscent of his laughter, remained on his lips. “Well then… I am grateful you are willing to share this information…”

 

The frown on Yuusou's forehead deepened when he heard Naraku's words,

 

“What…?” The inuyoukai uttered the confused whisper, his eyes narrowed to a pair of emerald slits.

 

But soon enough, his eyes widened in shock. He glared at the sword within his grasp, the blade which was still stabbed deeply in his opponent's chest. Shadows that appeared like black veins emerged from the spot where the blade and the flesh met. He watched in astonishment as the veins grew, slowly creeping along the length of the sword. He jerked in alarm when he felt an invisible force sucked his energy out of its core. Feeling the danger of being sucked out of youki, he immediately recoiled, pulling his sword out of Naraku's body with much difficulty before he leaped backwards and landed on the ground far away from the raven-haired demon.

 

Once he stood on a safer ground, Yuusou raised the weapon to the level of his eyes. A deep frown appeared on his forehead as he stared at the sword within his grasp. Could he still call it a sword when it had lost half of its blade? A broken sword, perhaps…

 

`How strange…' He mused. Yuukyouiga only retained its lower half portion, one half of its original length. The part which was buried in Naraku's flesh had disappeared, as if it was absorbed, swallowed by an unknown force.

 

`…Absorbed…?' He repeated the thought inwardly, then startled when he had realized what Naraku had done. He fixed his emerald gaze on the male who stood still a few feet away from him, looking so satisfied with himself.

 

“It looks like you have realized it…” Naraku said, there was a hint of mocking chuckle in his voice. “What a superb youki you have there…” He added, sensing the extra surge of power that flowed within his body. “But I wouldn't expect any less from someone who claimed to be the Lord of the Western Land's onii-sama…”

 

Yuusou lowered his twin swords, Yuukyouiga and Kyuukyouiga. He closed his eyes briefly to make both weapons vanished, to return the materialized youki back into its source. When he opened his eyes, those emerald orbs showed he had fully regained his composure.

 

“The ability to absorb youki…” He calmly said. “To steal the enemy's power… Such a degrading skill fits you very well…”

 

He opened his right palm and once more, summoned a sword to come to his aid. His youki took shape of a sword that was unlike the two short, twin blades he had wielded earlier. It possessed an unusually long, yet slender and elegant blade. Just like Yuukyouiga and Kyuukyouiga, its aura was in the deep shade of purple, resembling the color of amethyst. Soft tendrils of dark purple snaked along the slim length of its blade, making the sword to appear so ethereal.

 

`…Toushimaru…' He whispered the sword's name as he laid his firm grip on its hilt. `It's your turn to soar…'

 

The sight of the eastern prince's newly summoned blade caused Naraku to throw his head back and laughed.

 

“Have you not learned your lesson, dog?” He asked once his condescending mirth subsided. “None of your illusive weapons will work on me… But if you are so eager to offer me your power, I would be more than happy to consume them. All of them…”

 

Once his last word was spoken, Naraku lunged forward, as if impatient to prove his intention. Right away, he pushed Yuusou into a defense mode. The eastern prince did not have a single chance to attack and reverse the flow of the fight. All he could do was block Naraku's vigorous assaults, strike by strike.

 

`What are you doing, Yuusou?' Sesshoumaru mused. His golden eyes were still tensely following the battle that took place before him. `Those swords that are formed by your youki will not work on Naraku, not as long as he still holds the ability to absorb power… If Naraku ever managed to drain your youki, not only would you vanish, but he would also grow even stronger…'

 

To anyone who was witnessing the fight, the outcome of the one-sided battle was clear. It was evident that the heir to the eastern lands was being pushed back. Naraku, no longer considering the sword in his opponent's hand as a threat whatsoever, appeared to be more eager to stab the blade into his flesh than to avoid it. Determined to get more of the power he just tasted, he relentlessly tried to grab the sword, aiming to take possession of Yuusou's youki.

 

Sesshoumaru leaped to pick up Toukijin which was still lying a few feet away from him. His eyes did not leave the two males who were still clashing their swords against each other's. Yuusou seemed to be overwhelmed by Naraku's resolve to sap his youkai energy, he could barely keep his opponent away from Toushimaru.

 

`Yuusou… If you want to throw your life away, I will not stop you…' Sesshoumaru said inwardly as he tightened his grip on Toukijin's hilt, readying himself to enter the fight. `But I will not allow Naraku to gain more power than he already has…'

 

Naraku's roar of triumph caused the taiyoukai to freeze in his place. His eyes were fixed on the scene before him. The raven-haired demon had managed to grab a hold on the Toushimaru and in one swift movement, he plunged the amethyst colored sword into his chest. There was silence as the three males remained motionless, as if waiting for something to happen.

 

“…Wha…” Naraku hissed, his hand was still gripping Toushimaru's blade. “…What…?”

 

He coughed and unexpectedly, thick, red blood poured out of his gaping mouth. He coughed and coughed, and more of the red fluid spilled out of him. Beads of blood started to trickle down from where the blade and the flesh joined, creating rivers of red that started to drip onto the ground.

 

“It is true you managed to consume some of my power… That incident happened because I underestimated you and I learned from that mistake…” Yuusou spoke in his usual calm, quiet voice. His head was lowered as his eyes were watching the droplets of blood that continuously fell to wet the earth. “But you have been underestimating me from the start, and you keep that perception until the end…That is your mistake…” With his two hands, he pushed his sword deeper into his opponent's dying body.

 

“You thought my swords could only remain as such… Lumps of youki which you could easily devour…” He paused to chuckle. “How naïve… At that time, I did not materialize my youki to its full extent. But when I do…” He pulled a little bit of the sword out of Naraku's flesh, only to show off the blade that was no longer transparent and purple, but gleaming with the sheen of the finest metal.

 

“… This sword is no less tangible than a real sword…” He completed his words.

All of a sudden, he pulled the sword completely out of Naraku's body. With moves as swift as lighting, before his opponent had the chance to counterattack, he swung his sword, slicing the still body before him into little pieces.

 

There was blood everywhere, turning their visions into deep red. Blood spewed forth as tattered limbs fell onto the crimson lake. Kagura clamped both of her hands on top of her mouth, her magnolia eyes stared wide open at the grisly scene.

 

`He's dead…?' She gasped in disbelief. `Naraku is dead…?!'

 

Yuusou shook his sword to rid the beads of blood off its blade. In a blink of an eye, Toushimaru disappeared from his hands. He stared at the sleeve of his kimono and frowned when he saw the deep red stains on the rim of his garb.

 

“Oh no…” He muttered softly as he rubbed one blot with the soft pad of his index finger. “I seem to have soiled myself…”

 

The heir to the eastern lands had started to walk away when his well-honed intuitive told him to turn around, to gaze at the pile of dismembered limbs that lay in the center of the courtyard. He narrowed his eyes when he saw thousands of mysterious white dust floating in the air, surrounding the torn carcass. The particles were so fine they were almost invisible to the naked eye. They seemed to shimmer even in the dark, each particle appeared like a minuscule crystal. So stunned he was when he saw those cut up pieces began to move. Slowly, little by little, one chunk of flesh joined itself with another. The amount of crystal dusts gradually receded along with the progress of the regeneration. The disturbing process continued until Naraku's body was formed, restored to his original state. Not one scar of the recent battle remained in his physique. With eerie laughter, the regenerated male rose to his feet.

 

“How naïve…” Naraku echoed Yuusou's own words. “You think such a cute trick would kill me?”

 

Yuusou snorted in disgust as he summoned Toushimaru once more. The long and slender sword appeared in its fully materialized state, gleaming even underneath the dark sky, ready to slash down its foe one more time.

 

“You are an interesting opponent…” Yuusou said. Though still calm, his voice was more grave and somber than usual. “But the life of someone very dear to me is in danger… I am sorry I have no time to waste on you…”

 

With the corner of his vision, he caught the sight of Sesshoumaru who was standing to his side. A thin frown appeared on his forehead when he saw his cousin there.

 

`What are you doing, Sesshoumaru…?' He wondered. `Why don't you go and save Shouri?'

 

Before Yuusou had the opportunity to say one word, Sesshoumaru took the matter into his own hands. The taiyoukai lunged at his awaiting enemy with Toukijin within his grip. He did not even hear Yuusou shouting his name, his vision was reddened by the urge to kill. This infuriating male who had the nerve to deceive him, the Lord of the Western Lands, in order to consume his body… And furthermore, he still had to return the favor Naraku gave him earlier, when the blasted demon broke Toukijin's barrier and sent the sword flying. When their swords met, blue and white lighting sparked in the air. Sesshoumaru gritted his teeth with mounting rage, while Naraku chuckled in amusement as he watched the youkai lord's tense face.

 

“You are angry…” The raven-haired demon said, his tone half-teasing. “Did you just recall the reason you hunt me down in the first place?”

 

“…Shut up…!” Sesshoumaru growled as he increased the force on his sword, pushing forward until Naraku's razor sharp sword almost touched its owner's face. Naraku smirked and concentrated his power on his arm that wielded his sword. He swung his weapon and sent his opponent flying, increasing the distance between the two of them, giving him another chance to launch an aggressive attack.

 

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Kagura, who was still watching the fight from a safer ground, was no less baffled with her master's prompt recovery. Prior to completing the jewel of the four souls, he did already possess the power to regenerate his limbs, although it was only made possible with the aid of millions of demons that resided within his body. But after claiming the power of the completed jewel, after getting his wish fulfilled and became a full-blooded youkai, he still sustained the ability to regenerate himself? The wind youkai shook her head.

 

`…Impossible…!' She thought. `When the Shikon jewel transformed him into a full-blooded youkai, all those demons within him merged together to form his flesh and blood… He is now a creature with body anatomy like any other youkai. The blood he spilled when the inuyoukai from the east slashed him was enough proof…'

 

But then, how did he revive…? Did Shikon no Tama give him enough power that he became so close to an immortal being?

 

And his ability to absorb power, to absorb youki, those white crystal dusts that surrounded him right before he regenerated…Where did those fine particles come from? They seemed to be drawn to his carcass… She startled when she seemed to find the answer to the queries that occupied her thought.

 

`It's not Naraku's power that allowed him to regenerate himself…' She mused. `It was the power of an external source that he absorbed…'

 

Those crystal dusts were the materialization of the unknown power that aided his recuperation. But where did they come from? How could they possess enough power to give Naraku another chance to live after being slashed to so many pieces?

 

`Is it the Shikon no Tama?' She wondered. But that was impossible…Didn't Naraku claim he had absorbed the power of the completed jewel? Has he acquired another jewel of power to aid him in fulfilling his ambition? Then… where is this mysterious jewel? Where is his source of power?

 

`…Naraku's source of power…' She repeated her thought inwardly. `…Is it hidden somewhere in this palace…?'

 

A sudden rustles of clothing startled her, caused her to turn to her side. There she saw Kanna. The child-like incarnation of Naraku was watching the intense battle with her pair of emotionless eyes. Immediately, the eldest of the incarnations turned to her younger sister. She knelt before the silver-haired child, her hands were gripping her shoulders. A pair of troubled ruby eyes stared into the bareness of black orbs.

 

“…Kanna…” Kagura called the child's name. “Naraku's source of power… You know where it is, don't you?”

 

Though she was one of Naraku's creations, Kagura had always known that she was kept out of the loop, as her master had long realized her wish for freedom and her acts of disloyalty. But this quiet child, Kanna, should know where the thing was, or at least had an idea of its whereabouts. The silver-haired child gazed at her for a moment longer before lowering those jet-black eyes. Feeling desperate to scoop that bit of information out of the young creature, Kagura shook the small body she held in her hands.

 

“…Kanna…” Her voice was slightly quivered when she called the name once more. “…Tell me… Please…”

 

But the questioned one was as silent as a tombstone. She avoided Kagura's piercing gaze and kept her eyes lowered to the ground. When it was evident that Kanna would keep her silence and take the secret to whatever end, Kagura sighed in frustration and released her grip on the child's shoulder. The wind youkai rushed to her feet, her troubled eyes searched until she found the blur of white that was undoubtedly Sesshoumaru. He was still fighting. And as unbelievable as it might seem, he was not gaining an upper hand. Not yet, at least…

 

`…Sesshoumaru…' Kagura whispered inwardly. The dreadful thoughts that filled her mind at the moment caused her to bite her lower lip in fear. `If this continues…'

 

A soft tug on the sleeve of her kimono startled her, turned her head to the side. Kanna's dark eyes met her gaze, those little fingers were still tugging the fabric of her garb. The child still refused to say anything, and Kagura was left with no choice but to wait in anticipation. At last, Kanna raised her other hand and pointed her index finger towards one of the corridors nearby.

 

Kagura followed her younger sibling's direction with her pink gaze, her breath was caught in her throat when she saw the dark, dark corridor. It was the pathway that led to the abandoned quarter of the palace, she knew that much. However, during her brief stay in the Mountain of Gods, she had never set foot on that part of the palace. Not even once… Kagura stared at the dim, lonely hallway that disappeared into pitch blackness.

 

`What is this eerie feeling…?' She wondered, curling her fingers into tight fists. But Kanna pointed her to this particular direction and it could only mean one thing… Naraku's mysterious source of power was hidden somewhere along the dark, spine-chilling path. She felt those little fingers left her kimono to release her from the clutch. Kanna took one step back when the elder female took one step towards the corridor. Kagura paused to give the young incarnation a gentle caress on her shoulder, those pink eyes softened as she glanced at the quiet child.

 

`Thank you, Kanna…' She whispered inwardly. `Soon… we will fly away from this place as free beings…'

 

She turned around and resumed her steps, walking towards the darkness that soon swallowed her…

 

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“Sesshoumaru…!” Yuusou called out, hoping to earn his cousin's attention. Alas, the stubborn youkai lord was too engrossed in his battle to care. Both of the fighting males persevered, locking themselves in a test of strength. Their swords collided as they both strived to break each other's defense. When it seemed that the stalemate was going to last for all eternity, Yuusou pushed himself between the two fighters, breaking their collision of swords with his own blade. Naraku soon welcomed the interrupter, greeted him with a series of aggressive strokes of a razor-sharp sword.

 

“What are you still doing here…?” Yuusou hissed to his cousin as he blocked Naraku's strikes with his sword. “…Go to Shouri's side!”

 

Enraged by Yuusou's uninvited attempt to interfere with his battle for the second time, Sesshoumaru shoved the future lord of the eastern lands away from him.

 

“You're in my way!” He roared. With his shoulder, he drove Yuusou away from his enemy, excluding his male kin from the battle that was solely his in the first place. He glared at the seemingly stubborn male who immediately returned to his side.

 

“Have you forgotten, Sesshoumaru…?!” Yuusou yelled out, his patience was running thin. “Have you forgotten the reason why you rushed to this place in the first place?!”

 

Those words stunned the youkai lord. His stubbornness to settle matters with Naraku had pushed his sister to the back of his mind, made him forget the one thing that truly matter. Shouri's face that appeared in his mind doused his battle spirit, and soon his fighting ceased. Just a few seconds later, he turned around, ready to take flight and go to his sister's aid.

 

“…Not so fast…” He heard a voice, saw the sharp tip of a sword that was suddenly aimed at his nose, forcing him to delay his departure.

 

None other than Naraku was wielding the sword, standing between him and the path that leads to Shouri's rescue. It was quite apparent that Naraku would not let him leave without a fight. A concluded fight, for that matter… Sesshoumaru gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on Toukijin. If ending this lowly scum's life is the only way for him to reach Shouri, it would be his pleasure to perform the task. But before he had the chance to swing his sword, before he had the opportunity to start the new chapter of their battle, Yuusou appeared.

 

“Leave him to me.” The future lord said. Like ripples on a formerly still pool of water, there was a hint of urgency in his usually calm voice.

 

The moment those words were spoken, a deep frown appeared on the taiyoukai's flawless face. Such a phrase sounded strange in his ears. To leave his opponent to someone else meant to rely on, to count on, to place his trust on another. During the nearly three hundred years of his life, the youkai lord could not remember even one time when he failed to finish what he had started, especially when it comes to battle. He took care of his own opponents because he was the only one who knew how it should be done. To include someone else in his combat, to accept a companion in the battle ground…

 

When the youkai lord felt himself nodding, he did not know what possessed him to make such a decision. It was a very slight, very stiff, almost unnoticeable nod. However, no matter how small the gesture was, he had given Yuusou his consent, his acceptance to his cousin's meddling. Alas, there was no time to ponder, no time to blame whatever evil who had messed with his logic. Shouri's life was his utmost priority at the time. Even the cold-hearted Lord of the Western Lands knew he would not be able to bear losing her for the third time.

 

With the new resolution, Sesshoumaru turned around to flee. Yet, as he had predicted, Naraku would not let him leave the battle ground so easily. The raven-haired demon persistently trailed after him, forcing him to remain within the boundary of the courtyard with each swing of sword. Fortunately, Yuusou was quick with his responses. In a blink of an eye, the future lord of the eastern lands was there to counter each of Naraku's strike, giving Sesshoumaru the opportunity to take leave.

 

Between the clashes of their swords, Yuusou glanced at the sky that appeared much darker than the time when they had just arrived to that courtyard. The growing black hole had almost covered the entire ground where they sparred.

 

`We don't have much time…' Yuusou thought worriedly. `What is taking you so long, Shouri…? Is there no hope for Ryoushin's return…?'

 

Just the thought of Shouri in the hands of the merciless sadist caused the inuyoukai prince to shiver. The corner of his vision caught the sight of Sesshoumaru, moving so swiftly across the courtyard that he almost reached the edge of the massive square.

 

`I'm counting on you, Sesshoumaru…' He whispered inwardly. `Please protect Shouri…'

 

The sky above them that was getting too dark to be ignored urged Yuusou to begin to gradually change the direction of his moves. Discreetly, he lured his opponent to move towards the edge of the courtyard. Naraku smirked when he noticed the eastern prince's subtle attempt to get himself out of the black hole's range. Immediately, he launched a series of attack that forced the eastern prince to retreat to the center of the courtyard.

 

`…What a stubborn youkai…' Yuusou sighed inwardly. If the duel took place under different circumstances, if he had more time to spare, he would very much enjoy this type of opponent. But under the current situation, Naraku's persistence was only getting on his nerves, slowly pushing his patience to its limit.

 

“You are quite smart…” The raven-haired demon said. Though his words seemed like a complement, the sardonic grin that was smothered on his lips spoke differently. “You know this entire courtyard has become a dangerous ground… You want to get to a place where it will not be so easy for them to catch you…” He paused briefly to chuckle. “You know who I am speaking of… The undead souls…”

 

“Though it is a complement…Sorry, it does not flatter me.” Yuusou responded coldly. “Such an obvious thing… Only an idiot would be so reckless as to come straight to the danger zone…”

 

He paused all of a sudden when he sensed the change in the air current that surrounded him, the change in its scent. Sesshoumaru, who had perceived the same signs, stopped to turn around.

 

`…If I am not mistaken…' Yuusou mused. `This is…'

 

`…Inuyasha's Kaze no Kizu…!' Sesshoumaru hissed inwardly. One second before the powerful whirl of youki swept over the ground, the agile youkai lord leaped to the side, swiftly dodging the force strong enough to crush the ground. Alas, the power of the blow had pushed him back into the courtyard.

 

Yuusou brushed the dust and small grains of rock off his clothing. His alert and responsive reflect had commanded his own body to avoid the coming strike. His gaze traced the ragged trail imprinted on the earth beneath him until he laid his eyes on the creature stood at the end of the path of destruction. As he had predicted, it was the red-clad hanyou, Inuyasha. A sinister, yet amused chuckle caused Yuusou to glance at the demon he sparred with. Naraku was unharmed, it was likely that he had shielded himself using the barrier generated by the sword in his hands.

 

“…It seems that your idiot has arrived…” He said to Yuusou, an amused tone was in his voice.

 

“NARAKU!” Inuyasha shouted from the other side of the spacious square, his hands were gripping the fully transformed Tessaiga. “At last I found you…”

 

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“…Bitch…” The male with a pair of blood red orbs growled as he trashed the female inuyoukai off his body, throwing her to the ground a few feet away from him. The wooden dagger was still stabbed deeply into his left chest, blood was still pouring profusely from the severe wound. Unable to keep his body standing tall, he staggered forward. And when he coughed, more blood was spilled onto the ground. His quivering hand grasped the hilt of the dagger, pulling the blade out of his flesh. With fuming rage, he hurled the blood-drenched dagger to the ground.

 

With her body still sprawled on the hard floor, Shouri lifted her head to stare at the severely wounded male. His wobbling body lurched forward, his head drooped as blood kept pouring out of his gaping mouth. She knew she should have taken the opportunity to flee, yet no matter how her mind commanded, her body refused to move. She felt so weak, a proof that the poison had started to spread within her body. Her effort to jab the dagger into Shiyuu's left chest did well to drain her energy.

 

`Each time you exert your youki, no matter how small it is, you are aiding the poison to spread throughout your body…' His words echoed in her clouded mind as she lay there. Her vision blurred, a sign that the dark shadows threatened to swallow her consciousness.

 

When he slowly lifted his head, the look in his eyes was almost possessed. The pair of livid red orbs was fixed on the female who stayed frozen in her place. With much difficulty, he forced his body to pick up his sword that was still lying on the ground. With blood-coated fingers he grasped the hilt of the blade. Shouri's eyes widened when she saw him taking one step after another, dragging his leaking body towards her. The sword in his hand gleamed, and it only took a blink of an eye for her to realize his intention.

 

`…Is it not working…?' Her mind whispered. `…That dagger…?'

 

Fear… Waves of terror engulfed her as she watched him getting closer to her, the sword was still within his tight grip. It was the fear she felt for the safety of her pups more than anything else. She pressed her right hand against her belly, a futile effort to protect the unborn offspring, as she strived to get herself away from the looming male. Still, her body refused to move. Only her left hand that budge, the sharp tip of her fingers scratched the wood floor as she struggled to crawl away.

 

`…Cannot move…' Her mind whispered frantically, though her body was limp.

 

Her eyes saw her own sword that lay not so far from her, a thin ray of hope that the weapon might save her and her children's lives. Exerting the last bit of her energy, she flung her arm to reach out for Katsujinken, aiming to have the sword within her grasp before Shiyuu get to her.

 

Alas, he was faster.

 

With the sole of his foot he crushed her stretched out hand, ripping a sharp cry from her mouth. He towered above her with his sword raised high, its deadly sharp tip was aimed at the top of her head. He was like a death god, ready to end the life of his victim and take her soul to the darkness of the afterlife. The sight of the shimmering blade soaring above her was enough to make her blood run cold, to make her breath caught within her throat.

 

“…Die…” He simply hissed before he plunged the sword downward, aiming to spear that spot between those two wide emerald eyes…

 

 

To Be Continued…

 

 

A/N: If you pay attention to each character'sageI specified in previous chapters, you would remember that Yuusou is about 30 years older than Sesshoumaru.

My apology for the long wait, I was extremely busy with school. I am going to try to update as often as I can during this Christmas break. Big thanks tothose who still have interest and patience to continue reading.