InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The 2 Great Swords ❯ A Problematic Enemy ( Chapter 16 )

“He's your brother?” Kagome asked shocked. Sango nodded.

 

“He was in the attack at the village… he was… killed.” Shippo looked confused.

 

“How could he have been killed if he attacked us now?” Miroku spoke up.

 

“Obviously, he wasn't killed or at least was taken to Naraku wounded.” At Kagome's questioning look he added, “He would have used the corpses to create his drugs. He uses fresh blood among other things to create his abominable potions. In fact, Kohaku is probably under the influence of one now.”

 

“Now that you mention it he did look odd.” Inuyasha said. “Kid didn't have any expression. He just looked… dead.”

 

“These drugs are quite potent if they are to control demons. A human mind would probably be shattered by constant doses.” Miroku said.

 

“Well anyways, what happens next?” Inuyasha asked looking at Sango. “There's no way this is the last we'll see of him. If he comes after us again then what do we do?” Sango shook her head sadly.

 

“I don't know.” Inuyasha growled.

 

“I don't care for all this sentimentality crap.” He growled. “I won't have him hurting any of us. If he comes after us again I'll have to kill him.”

“Inuyasha!” Kagome yelled shocked. “How can you be so heartless? That's her brother!” His angry eyes went to her.

 

“And just what do you suggest I do? Let him kill you?!” He bellowed. Kagome opened her mouth to speak but couldn't find the words to. “In this world you hesitate, you die. That's the way it works. I can't let this continue.”

 

“But still, isn't there any way?” Kagome pleaded.

 

“The only way is to kill Naraku.” Miroku supplied. “However, he will undoubtedly use Kohaku against us before then.” He grimaced. “His defenses are formidable with Kohaku and Kouga and the whole of the East…it won't be so easy…”

 

“Hear that? There's still a way to stop him from hurting us without killing him. Please don't kill him Inuyasha.” Kagome begged.

 

Inuyasha growled before turning around in defeat. “I'm not making any promises but I suppose I can let him live. Besides, it would really piss off Naraku when he's in hell and the kid's himself again.”

 

Kagome relaxed and beamed at him. “Thank you so much, Inuyasha.”

 

“Thank you all.” Sango said. “But why do you care?” She asked looking at her four companions.

 

“We're friends aren't we Sango?” Sango looked down to see Shippo speak up. “Friends help friends.” He grinned up at her causing everyone but Inuyasha to laugh.

 

“Thank-you Shippo, everyone.” Sango looked up at them with a smile on her face. Inuyasha snorted.

 

`Friends? Who in the hell needs friends' HE looked over his shoulder to see them all chatting happily. `Well…I guess this isn't that bad…I suppose…' Inuyasha thought.

 

 

They reached the road the next day and found a village on the trek east along the road. Deciding to stay the night they went to the nearest inn. Miroku immediately went about grifting his way into accommodations and fifteen minutes later they were settled. They were all in one room this time around.

 

It had been hard to convince Inuyasha into staying as his demon powers had deserted him for tonight. The moon was beginning its cycle again and only after Kagome's pleading did he give in.

 

It was about midnight when they heard the noise of hooves and clinking armour coming from outside the inn. “What's that?” Shippo asked shaking a bit. Kagome hugged him trying to soothe him.

 

“Here let's go see.” She got up and was surprised to see that Inuyasha got up with her.

 

“You're not going anywhere without me. Remember last time.” She nodded as the three left the room. They walked down the hall before Inuyasha stopped and stared down the hallway.

 

“Inuyasha, what's wrong?” He grabbed her and shoved her into an unoccupied room and semi-closed the door. Shippo opened his mouth to question this, but Inuyasha motioned for them to be quiet as voices came closer.

 

“Please, sir. I'm telling you we don't have enough rooms to accommodate you and your forces.” They heard the innkeeper say exasperatedly.

 

“And I'm telling you to shut up.” There was the sound of a sword being drawn. “Or else I'll shut you up! You don't talk to the great general of the east with that tone!” There were whimpering noises outside.

 

“I'm sorry sir; I will be careful how I talk to you O Great Shazar.” A sword was sheathed and they heard a satisfied grunt.

 

“Good.” The footsteps continued until the pair passed into view of the group. The innkeeper was walking besides a giant wolf demon. The demon had war markings painted all over his body and a giant sword at his right hip. His eyes scanned everything with a piercing gaze like a hawk.

 

“You know what? Never mind, this inn is in terrible condition. We'll go find somewhere better suited to us.” He turned and swiftly left the hallway as the innkeeper sunk to the ground in shame.

 

“C'mon.” Inuyasha turned from the scene to see Kagome open a window and motion to him. They climbed out and into the night to see a good few hundred troops stationed in the middle of the road. They wore the emblem of the east kingdom.

 

“Listen up you lot! We're going to camp out tonight! None of these inns befits our great army!” Shazar had returned to the head of the army and the troops spread out to set up a campsite.

 

When the army was settled, Inuyasha, Kagome, and Shippo moved closer to the group hoping to learn more about why a large army was here. Unfortunately the army had set themselves up that even the people on the fringes of the site couldn't be spied upon without a sentry noticing.

 

“Leave this to me!” Shippo said proudly as he leapt down from Kagome's arms to hit the ground. He said a few choice words and with a puff of smoke transformed himself into a soldier.

 

“Shippo! How did you do that?” Kagome asked in awe.

 

“He's a fox demon Kagome. They specialize in tricks and disguise.” Inuyasha supplied. “Runt, go see if you can get anything.”

 

Shippo entered the camp and sunk into a group. No one paid any notice to his entrance thinking he had just left to do his business. The group was having an avid discussion. “Still, I don't think we should be attacking them for this! There's no proof!”

 

“You know what you're right! How about you go run that by the boss, he'll listen and maybe he'll even give you a great big feast for the trouble!” Another soldier said sarcastically.

 

“Still, we don't even know what the south is supposed to be planning! We've been told nothing about what's going on!” The first soldier countered.

 

“We don't know anything but we're soldiers so we have to do what we're told to do.” A third one spoke up. “If the south is a threat, we have to attack them regardless of the reason.”

 

Shippo had heard enough. He got up and began to head back to Inuyasha and Kagome. His transformation was starting to strain on him and he didn't know how much longer he could hold it.

 

“Hey! Where are you going?” A sentry came up behind him and Shippo stiffened.

 

“I'm going to…to…go to the bathroom!” Was his genius excuse as he turned to face the sentry.

 

“But you just got back from doing that. You're feeling alright aren't you?” The sentry asked looking concerned. “Can't have a sick soldier in this great army.”

 

“Well I just…well I…didn't get it all out the first time! That's all!” He laughed nervously. The sentry gave him with a weird look.

 

“What are you talking about? I think you should see a doctor or something you're obviously not feeling good.” He grabbed for Shippo's arm as Shippo concentration snapped and the transformation dropped. He fell into the bushes at the man's feet.

 

“Hey…What the…” The man looked around confused as Shippo scampered through the bushes away from him. “Boy, maybe I should see a doctor. This marching must be doing something to my head.” He shook his head and walked back.

 

“Well you almost got yourself found out but you got back.” Inuyasha greeted the kit as he rejoined Inuyasha and Kagome. “What do you got?”

 

“Well, the big army is marching to attack somewhere called the south!” He recounted proudly. “They said they were planning something but because they're just soldiers they don't know what.”

 

Kagome and Inuyasha stood there shocked. “The south is going to be attacked?” Kagome asked shakily.

 

Shippo nodded his head wildly. “Damn it all, Naraku must be pulling the strings! Why would Kouga even think of war when all he wants is…” Inuyasha trailed off unable to finish. Kagome spoke up ignoring his last words with disdain for Kouga.

 

“But will the south be ok? With Muramasa what will happen?” Inuyasha shook his head miserably.

 

“They'll lose, then Naraku will have most of the land.” Inuyasha said looking dreary. Kagome tried to cheer him up.

 

“But even if that happens, the remaining west kingdom will be fine! They have the strongest military of all! Naraku won't get past that so easily!” Her words had the obverse effect as Inuyasha solemnly looked west.

 

She walked around him to stand in front of him. “Inuyasha?” He looked down at her and she saw acute sadness in his eyes. “Are you ok? What is it?” She asked concerned as she looked into his eyes. He turned away.

 

“Nothing, I'm fine.” She began to press the subject but he continued. “Come on, let's go back to Miroku and Sango. They need to hear this too.” He began walking off towards the inn with Shippo bounding in front of him still ecstatic about his success.

 

`I've never seen him with those eyes…Is there something about the west that he has a connection to?' She thought. The sadness in his eyes had cut her deep. `I'll ask him later.' She resolved and hurried to catch up.