InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Mind Reader ❯ So it Begins ( Chapter 35 )

Mind Reader

 

Chapter 32: So it Begins

 

oOoOoOoOoOo

 

Sesshoumaru stared with cold indifference at his multiple adversaries. This would prove to be most difficult indeed. Not only were they grossly underpowered compared to Naraku and Akki, but they also only had a one man advantage. That, and half their force were human. Yes, this would prove to be a most difficult battle. Their chances of survival were slim to none. Sesshoumaru wasn't one to give into defeat, but nor was he one to fall into the chasm of false hope. Yes, what he told Kagome earlier was true. Their best plan was to pray for survival.

 

Akki's eyes slowly roamed over Sesshoumaru and the others. When his eyes made to land on Kagome, both Inuyasha and Kouga stepped forward to effectively block her from his view. He smirked. They would fall easily enough and soon the girl would be dead before she could discover the power she could have over him.

 

Grinning mirthlessly, Naraku broke the silence. “Ah, how nice of everyone to make it. I think this is a most fitting place for your demise. Don't you agree Sango? Even your brother came to wish you well on your way towards death.”

 

The poor pathetic demon exterminator. She'll be so enraged she'll very easily slip up and die. Once she's gone the other's confidence will crumble. An easy victory indeed.

 

Clenching her fists in anger, Kagome moved to Sango and grasped her upper arm. “Don't let him bother you Sango. He wants to anger you so you'll be the first to fall. He's hoping once you fall we'll all follow suit,” she whispered so only Sango and her friends could hear.

 

Giving her friend a grateful smile, Sango unclenched her fists. “Thanks Kag. Naraku's a fool if he believes that will work.”

 

Miko. Listen to me. Only way we have a chance is if we take them by surprise. That will mean no vocal commands. Soon I will start the attack when no one's expecting it. I will hopefully distract them long enough for you to tell the others what to do. Inuyasha will want Naraku. But tell him not to go for the kill for that will tire him out too easily. He must hold Naraku off so we can finish the others. I will distract Akki. You and everyone else must destroy the others as quickly as possible. Hopefully by then I'll know how to deal with Akki and Naraku. Do you understand?

 

A slight nod that could have been confused with sheer fright from the situation at hand was the only sign Kagome gave the demon lord.

 

Flicking her fan dispassionately open and shut, Kagura stared with disdain at her opponents. Too easy. With both Naraku and Akki, the others didn't stand a chance. How boring. She was taken completely by surprise when Sesshoumaru suddenly flicked some of his poison at her from across the clearing. Swiftly jumping out of the way she stared in shock as the demon lord had both his whip and sword out and was almost upon them. Did he wish for suicide?

 

“Sesshoumaru! You idiot!” screamed Inuyasha in rage as he watched his brother flick his whip at the wind demon while parrying Kohaku's sickle with his sword. “You're going to get yourself killed!”

 

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes in concentration. There. Swiftly jumping in the air he narrowly avoided getting hit by a gust of Akki's ferocious wind attack. Without a moments hesitation he spun and thrust tokijin up when his feet hit the ground. The demon sword effectively blocked the miasma Naraku had sent his way. A second later he sent his whip out once more towards the wind demoness, causing her to abandon her attack on him.

 

Chancing a glance towards his comrades he was relieved to see Kagome whispering urgently to the others. He hoped she'd finish soon for it was harder than he made it look to fend off four high caliber attackers at once.

 

“Going kamikaze for your friends Sesshoumaru?” sneered Naraku. “Got a soft spot for those fools? Especially that little miko? Going to throw away your life for her? Pitiful.”

 

“I would be more concerned with your own welfare than mine Naraku,” stated Sesshoumaru calmly. “For you shall be the one to die today.”

 

Sensing a presence behind him, Naraku turned around in time to produce his own sword and block Inuyasha's incoming blow.

 

Pushing against the evil hanyou's sword with tetsusaiga, Inuyasha snarled in Naraku's face. “Your fight with my brother is over. You're mine now!”

 

Smirking, Naraku pushed Inuyasha back. “So you wish to be the first to perish? Very well Inuyasha, your wish has been granted!”

 

Seeing Naraku being taken care of, Sesshoumaru turned his attention back to Akki. He saw the hell squirrel preparing to attack Kagome and the others so without a thought he formed his cloud beneath his feet and within a second had landed between Akki and Kagome. “You are a disgrace to all servants of lords Akki Kodomo,” he said in a cool, drawling, voice. “You should have stayed in hell where you were welcome. Allow me to return you to your home.”

 

A slight darkening of Akki's red eyes was the only indication the demonic squirrel had been affected by Sesshoumaru's words.

 

Sesshoumaru inwardly smirked. It appeared even the devil's underlings were affected by taunts. With luck it would prove enough to keep Akki's attention on him while his comrades took care of the others. Now the problem was easy part was over. Everyone was in position. The hard part could now commence for the dog demon brothers. Staying alive against their “sparring” partners. But not only staying alive. They had to have energy to spare to finish Akki and Naraku after distracting them for who knew how long. Setting his jaw in a firm line, Sesshoumaru readied both his whip and tokijin. One of the hardest fights of his life was about to begin.

 

A cloud of dust suddenly rose over the newly created battlefield. When it settled it was seen that Naraku and transformed into a giant mass of writhing tentacles.

 

“You think extra arms will help you Naraku?” scoffed Inuyasha while tightening his grip on tetsusaiga. “You're nothing against me.”

 

Kagome held her breath. It looked like Inuyasha wasn't planning on simply distracting Naraku, but rather going straight for the kill. She let her breath out when he unleashed a quick wind scar. He wouldn't have done that if going for a kill. He knew it was pretty useless against a fully charged Naraku.

 

Sure enough, Naraku easily withstood the attack and soon began his own attack with his numerous tentacles. As quickly as Inuyasha would chop them off they would regenerate. But that was all right. Naraku's full attention was on Inuyasha, that was the important thing.

 

Dammit miko, attack! We can't hold them off forever!

 

Promptly snapping out of her daze Kagome sent a meaningful glance to her other friends. After seeing all of their battle ready poses, she notched an arrow and filled with as much of her miko power as she dared to use. The trademark smirk of Inuyasha then took the place of her calm features.

 

“Hey Kagura!” she called out. “Catch!” And with that she fired the arrow at the wind demoness who looked on with confusion plainly evident in her eyes.

 

What are you playing at miko? You know that is easily dodged by me.

 

And sure enough Kagura deftly jumped out of the way. And landed directly in the path of the enraged wolf prince.

 

”You bitch!” snarled Kouga. “You're finally gonna die today. At last I can revenge my fallen comrades.” Before Kagura would erect a proper defense Kouga had spun on one leg and kicked her viciously in the stomach. Following through with a few quick punches and jabs, he then flipped over her head to avoid getting hit by her wind.

 

“Is that all you have Kagura?” sneered the wolf demon. “Pitiful. But I shall nonetheless take pleasure in ripping your head from your neck.”

 

Kouga's eyes suddenly went wide with pain and surprise. Kagura finally found a smirk of her own. Flicking her fan open again, she lazily cut Kouga's armor off with her razor wind before making a few deep gashes across his chest. “Well Kouga, what happened to your threats of revenge? Weren't you going to avenge your fallen comrades? And didn't you say something about beheading me? Or does someone have your soul?”

 

Arching his back, Kouga let out a small gasp of pain. It was the oddest of feelings, having your soul being forcibly removed from your body. He felt the very essence of who he was leaving him, and the more that left the more his body shut down on him. Soon he wouldn't be able to move a muscle. But his mind he still had at least for a little while longer. He would take advantage of that. Squeezing his eyes shut, he strengthened his mind as much as possible.

 

Kagome! KAGOME!

 

Kagome was nearly driven to her knees with the force of Kouga's invading mind. She had been busy purifying lesser demons that had begun spilling out of the surrounding forests when the fighting had started. She had been protecting Miroku and Sango while they battled Kohaku. But from the sound of it Kouga now desperately needed her.

 

Purifying a demon that had been trying to sneak up on Miroku, Kagome yelled for his attention. “Miroku! Kouga needs me. Can you and Sango handle this by yourself?”

 

Tersely nodding, Miroku reached into his robes and pulled out a small stack of his wards. They weren't as effective as Kagome's arrows, and wouldn't last long, but for now he could continue protecting Sango's back while she battled her brother. Flinging a ward on an approaching demon, Miroku eyed Naraku's wasps with hatred and disgust. He could have easily destroyed all of the lower demons in a minute if it weren't for them. Blocking another demon's incoming claws with his staff, he slapped a ward on its forehead and jumped back as the demon filled with light and burst into nothingness.

 

Kagome looked frantically at her two battling friends. Sango's entire focus was on her brother. But she needed to focus entirely on him. If not, Kohaku would easily find an opening and he wouldn't second-guess killing his sister like Sango would in killing him. What was frightening was now that she had stopped purifying demons even more had appeared and were quickly surrounding her friends. Filling one last arrow with her powers, she let it fly and cut a clear path through the demons, giving Miroku a little more room to work. He sent her a gratifying smile before she began searching for Kouga.

 

She had grown worried. Only a few seconds had passed since his first desperate calling of her name, but already she could barely feel his presence in her mind.

 

Kanna's sucking out Kouga's soul. You must break her mirror.

 

Silently thanking the demon lord, Kagome continued her search with renewed vigor. She knew precious seconds had already been wasted, seconds in which Kouga could have lost the battle for his own soul. But the area was surrounded in dust from the numerous fights taking place. Any kind of visibility was severely limited.

 

The shards! Sense the shards, dammit!

 

Kagome could have cursed herself for sheer stupidity. Luckily for herself, and Kouga, Sesshoumaru was wise enough to keep tabs on everyone while continuing to fight Akki.

 

She located the wolf a moment later and sprinted to his aid. As she neared them she saw Kouga valiantly trying to hold onto his soul while Kagura continued to slash at him. Not even thinking, Kagome lunged at Kagura and placed both hands on the wind demoness's back. A bright light shone out of her hands and blasted Kagura violently off her feet. Sliding to a halt a few dozen feet away, Kagura lifted her head an inch off the ground then fell limp.

 

Breathing hard, Kagome stared down the soulless Kanna who had started fighting harder for Kouga's soul. While fighting for a soul she was defenseless against any other attacks.

 

Notching an arrow, Kagome let it fly into the mirror. Without surprise, the mirror absorbed it. In quick succession, Kagome fired three more, each filled with her miko powers. She saw Kouga slowly strengthen after each arrow was absorbed. The mirror was weakening.

 

Kanna was stuck between the hammer and the anvil. Release Kouga's soul and he would kill her right there. Continue to fight for his soul and the miko's arrows would shatter her mirror. Either way, she was finished.

 

Firing one more arrow, Kagome watched with satisfaction as a crack appeared in the center of the mirror. Traveling outward, the crack reached the rim and spread even further.

 

Kanna dropped her mirror and stared with blank eyes as Kouga's soul was returned to him. A moment later her head was rolling on the ground and her body falling to rest in a heap.

 

Catching his breath, Kouga looked from the decapitated girl, to his bloodied sword, to the shocked face of Kagome. Sheathing his sword, he frowned at the miko.

 

“I am sorry Kagome. I didn't wish for you to see something like that. But it had to be done.”

 

Slowly shaking her head, Kagome recovered from her shock and gave Kouga a reassuring smile. “I'm just glad you're ok. But the others…we need to help them.”

 

As if on cue, a bloodcurdling scream shook the air. Flinging Kagome onto his back, Kouga sped off to where the scream had originated. As they neared their destination something appeared off. They saw why a second later.

 

Miroku had unleashed his wind tunnel and was pulling in demons and poisoned wasps with equal rage. Kagome saw why. At his feet was the fallen demon exterminator, a deadly sickle protruding from her stomach. Kohaku was kneeling a dozen feet behind Miroku, his head bowed and tears streaming down his face.

 

Sis…no…NO! I didn't want…I didn't mean…

 

Kagome was heartbroken. Kohaku broke free from his imprisonment after he had already delivered the blow to Sango. Sango…Sango…NO!

 

Letting out a strangled sob, Kagome jumped off Kouga's back and rushed to her friend's side. “Sango…Sango!” she cried through her tears. “Sango…no…what happened…?”

 

Turning her head painfully to Kagome, Sango smiled. “Kagome, Kohaku broke free before this. Soon after you left I got through to him…he began helping me and Miroku fight the other demons. Then…Naraku…took him over again…and…BASTARD!”

 

Nodding, Kagome looked to Miroku's billowing robes. “Miroku,” she cried. “No! You gotta stop…”

 

Violently shaking his head, Miroku yelled, “No, I'm the only thing keeping these demons away from Sango. I can't…I won't stop.”

 

Kagome saw the sweat streaming down his pain filled face. At the clang of two swords meeting, she turned her attention to Kouga.

 

The wolf had blocked the blow of the risen Kohaku, his eyes once again emotionless. Things had grown from bad to worse. Sango had fallen. Miroku was bound to fall soon. Kouga was already badly injured and now fighting Kohaku. And who knew how Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru were faring. Her heart suddenly filled with anger and the injustice of it all. Her friends didn't deserve death, and yet they were being given death anyways.

 

Squeezing Sango's hand tightly, Kagome stood up, her eyes narrowed with concentration. Grabbing her bow and an arrow, she readied her attack.

 

All her pain, all her anguish, all her despair, and most of all, all her love for her friends, flowed into that one arrow. She saw Miroku falter and the arrow exploded into a brilliant display of pure, white, light.

 

Her power and energy pulsed around her, a whirlwind of dirt and debris started at her feet and traveled up and around her body. And yet the arrow continued to grow into an even greater strength.

 

Miroku saw Kagome from the corner of his eye. He was awed by the power coming off her. But he couldn't hold the wind tunnel open any longer. He was completely spent. After how many wasps he had sucked in he was already doubtful about his own survival. But to keep it open risked it ripping and sucking in everything, friend and foe alike.

 

“Kagome,” he mumbled, not able to get anything else out.

 

Nodding, Kagome said, “On three. One. Two. THREE!”

 

At the same time Miroku closed his fist and wrapped the rosary around it, Kagome fired her arrow.

 

It was brilliant. Utter brilliance that left Kagome's bow and shot forward into the surging mass of demons. Demons in the direct path of the arrow barely even knew what hit them before they were obliterated. As the arrow traveled through the swarm it would unleash rays of purification and cut swaths through the demons on either side of it. All in all it was a pretty impressive sight, no demon within ten feet of any purification ray survived.

 

Even the demons standing behind Kagome and out of harms way felt the strength of Kagome's attack. In fact, the only demons that survived were those behind her: Kouga, Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru, Naraku, Akki, and Kagura.

 

When the arrow's power finally died out the battlefield was frozen in silence. Everyone stared at the scene of destruction in front of the miko. Everything had simply vanished. It was a barren wasteland of destruction with not an ounce of movement coming from it.

 

Kagome blinked, let out a soft sigh, and then dropped to her knees. She hung her head in exhaustion, she was completely drained. At a tentative touch on her shoulder, she turned around to see Sango had inched her way towards her.

 

“Kagome,” she whispered. “Are…are you ok?” Never before had Sango seen such power come from the younger girl. She wasn't sure if Kagome's body handled it without causing harm to itself.

 

Akki stared with coldness as the two girls, one unknowingly his mortal enemy, crawled into each other's arms to seek relief. He watched when as one they turned to the fallen monk; fresh tears evident in their eyes. He grew tired of the petty human emotions.

 

Sesshoumaru saw the attack a second too late. The slightest flicker of Akki's ears. A cold smirk filtering across the squirrel's otherwise emotionless face. Knowing he couldn't stop the attack from occurring, he took the next best course of action. He ran.

 

Kagome paused in aiding the monk when Sesshoumaru appeared in front of him. A moment later the demon lord's body was ripped apart by Akki's attack.

 

Seeing what was happening, Inuyasha chopped off a tentacle that had snaked around his ankle and unleashed a wind scar towards the hell squirrel. He nodded in grim satisfaction when Akki stopped attacking Sesshoumaru to dodge the majority of the attack. He watched his brother drop to one knee then immediately rise again with an eerie grace.

 

Returning Sesshoumaru's brief nod of thanks, Inuyasha turned his attention back to Naraku just in time to avoid getting stabbed through the chest. Every bit of him was screaming for him to go to Kagome. He needed to protect now that she was worn out. But he also realized the best way to protect her was to stay where he was, fighting Naraku away from her. And he also had to admit to himself, Sesshoumaru had just saved her life again. His brother also wouldn't let harm fall to Kagome as long as he was able to stop it. Pushing all thoughts of his Kagome being hurt to the back of his mind, he once again focused almost entirely on Naraku.

 

Pleased that Inuyasha hadn't come bursting over to check on Kagome, Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and willed all control of his body back to him. He was bleeding profusely from several wounds and his spilled blood was causing his inner beast to want to become free. But to transform now would be detrimental, if not deadly, to their survival. With his eyes taking on the slightest of red tinges, Sesshoumaru opened his eyes. In the blink of an eye he was behind Kohaku and holding the boy by his neck. He nicked the boy's neck with a claw and seeped a small amount of his poison into the fresh wound.

 

Gasping in pain, Kohaku kicked his legs out once then slumped over. When Sesshoumaru released him Kohaku dropped bonelessly to the ground and lay in an unmoving heap. From the distance he would hear the demon exterminator's cry of pain and hurt and betrayal.

 

He paid her no attention. He had more pressing matters to attend to.

 

Kouga stared with frozen shock at the demon lord. Then…bam. He killed Kohaku who had been standing harmlessly in front of him. He stiffened his shoulders and slowly walked past the dead boy. Sesshoumaru had to have known what he was doing. The dog demon wouldn't attack in a blind rage, besides, that attack had been too smooth, too calculated. Sesshoumaru knew exactly what he was doing. He, Kouga, wouldn't question the boy's death. For now.

 

Kagome grasped Sango to her chest with fierce protectiveness as the older girl sobbed uncontrollably on her shoulder. Too much. It was too much pain.

 

Kagura, Kanna, and Kohaku had fallen. But Miroku and Sango were also down, and she knew she was rather useless now as well. Kouga was severely injured. Sesshoumaru was injured. Only Inuyasha remained untouched. But it was only a matter of time before he became injured as well. After all, the hard part of the fight was about to begin. In fact, it had begun. And it didn't look pretty.

 

Sesshoumaru and Kouga had teamed up against Akki and were barely holding the demonic squirrel at bay. In fact, it almost seemed like they took turns taking blows from the squirrel. Kouga was almost entirely drenched in his own blood. But everytime Akki would blast him off his feet he'd simply stand back up and try again. It wouldn't be long until he was too weak to make it to his feet again. Already she could see him faltering more and more on his feet, Kagura's attack had taken too much out of him. His wounds were too deep from her wind blades to be of much use against Akki.

 

Sesshoumaru fared a little better. He had grace left at least. But he still couldn't land a blow on the hell squirrel. Every time he'd get close Akki would throw up his shield to block tokijin from making contact. It was frustrating, yes, but also painful. He lost count the number of times Akki had touched him after blocking tokijin and bursting his skin open. He had numerous bloody welts over his body. Luckily the squirrel barely made it up to his knee so it was mostly his legs that were severely injured. His legs which he needed to run and dodge and attack with. Yes, he was slowly getting worn down. But Akki had already rendered him completely helpless once; Sesshoumaru wouldn't give the squirrel the pleasure of rendering him helpless twice.

 

It hurt Kagome watching Kouga and Sesshoumaru get torn apart from the squirrel. Kouga was bordering on exhaustion and Sesshoumaru was tired. They wouldn't be able to last much longer. Looking towards Inuyasha, she also grew worried. She could tell he was beginning to tire as well. It wouldn't be long. Wouldn't be long until one of Naraku's tentacles found its target and plunged into her hanyou's yielding flesh.

 

Setting her eyes into a fierce gaze of determination, she gently maneuvered Sango until her friend was lying alongside Miroku.

 

Kagome…don't do it.

 

She locked eyes with Miroku and he sighed softly.

 

Fine…but please, take care of yourself.

 

Nodding, Kagome stood up and grabbed her bow and arrows. True, she was spiritually depleted, but an arrow could still hurt even without her miko powers aiding it. She eyed both of the abominations until her eyes locked in on Akki.

 

Completely regardless of her own weakness to him, she walked steadily forward until she was outside the battle. No more. There would be no more pain.