InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The 2 Great Swords ❯ The Gift Of Time ( Chapter 28 )

“Hahhhhh!” The ground shook with the fury of the two fighters. Blows were exchanged like lightning; Muramasa's malevolent energy was deflected time and time again, scorching the ground where it fell.

 

“Just DIE!” Kouga roared cutting a wide slash at his opponent.

 

“You FIRST!” Inuyasha roared back blocking the strike and returning it. The blades connected in yet another deadlock.

 

Kouga broke it and slashed, Inuyasha leaping backwards to avoid it. `Damn!' He thought looking at his sword. `I can't get a decent blow in! Kagome's power won't last forever.'

 

He looked back at Kouga to see him panting heavily. `What? How can he be tired already?'

 

`Damn sword… it's trying to get the best of me again' Kouga thought panting. `I won't let it...I'll kill him before it does!' he pushed off the ground and charged.

 

Inuyasha crouched low and waited for him to get close. “Time to die, half-breed!” Kouga roared bringing his sword down.

 

Inuyasha rolled out to the side as the evil sword embedded itself into the ground. Leaping to his feet he stabbed viciously, plunging the sword into Kouga's chest.

 

Kouga gasped out in pain as Inuyasha withdrew the sword, falling to his knees. `Damn… how can…he…' He thought as darkness overtook his vision as he fell to his knees.

 

Inuyasha stared hard at his enemy. `Did that do it?' He thought. Then, Kouga's body went up in purple light bathing the whole landscape in an eerie glow. “What the…”

 

Kouga's eyes shot open. “Ignorant filth. Do you really think you can defeat me?” Inuyasha's eyes shot open as Kouga's wound closed itself up.

 

“Who…Who the hell is that?!” Inuyasha yelled. `His voice… What the hell's going on?!'

 

“Who? I believe you have figured that out lowly urchin.” Kouga said. “I am the supreme sword of darkness and you are, in my way!” He dashed forward sword raised.

 

Inuyasha moved to block, but Muramasa's blade cut through Kagome's barrier like it was nothing and sent the sword right out of his hand, and Inuyasha to the ground.

 

Kouga stood over him laughing insanely, “Now you die!” He raised his sword and brought it down, leaving Inuyasha with no hope to dodge. At the last second, an arrow aglow with a pink light sped through the air aimed at Inuyasha. It exploded on contact.

 

The light faded to reveal Inuyasha lying in front of Kaede with the arrow having taken his place. Kouga growled and pulled his sword out of the ground. “You shouldn't have interfered, hag!”

 

“So…Ye can no longer fight the sword's influence, prince.” She said morosely.

 

He chuckled, “No longer? I think you mean he never could. He's so pathetic. All he thinks about is his obsession with that girl. He's such an easy vessel.”

 

`What?' Inuyasha thought. `This is where the increase in his power came from? Was he really holding it back earlier?' He was taken out of his thoughts by Kaede's voice.

 

“Inuyasha, leave.” He looked at her as if she was crazy.

 

“What the hell are you talking about? If I go what do you plan on doing with him?!” Kaede fixed him with a sad stare.

 

“I am afraid ye can not be victorious in this battle. Ye must flee now.” She looked back at Kouga, “I will stall him.”

 

“Kaede—” he growled but she cut him off.

 

“Go Inuyasha! Ye are wasting time.” Inuyasha got up slowly staring at her. He tried to say something but she shot him a cold glare, effectively silencing him.

 

“Fine.” He grumbled and, after retrieving his sword, left. As he got a short distance away, Kaede barely heard his final words to her. “I'm sorry.”

 

Kaede sighed sadly and fixed her gaze back on Kouga, “Ye do not wish to pursue him?”

 

Kouga laughed, “He isn't a threat. Besides, I just got out after all those years of inactivity! I can afford to take things slowly.” He lowered his sword at her. “You however… die here now!” He charged.

 

Kaede calmly readied her bow and began chanting. As Kouga reached her, a flash of light sent him backwards. `I have to slow him down if this is to succeed.' She thought.

 

Kouga recovered from his fall and charged again. `Damn this body! If I'm not careful I'll lose control!' Muramasa thought angrily. He brought his sword down against Kaede's barrier and smirked when it began to slowly tear through it.

 

“Any last words you old hag?” He said smirking as the sword inched closer to her.

 

“Ye seem to not know who I am.” Kaede said with a calm tone. “Or is it, who my ancestors were.” With that she reached out and grasped the sword's blade wincing slightly as it dug into her palm.

 

Kouga's grin faded to be replaced by a look of horror as he tried to withdraw the sword. “There's no way. You… can't be!”

 

“Aye. I am the descendent of the same person who sealed ye within the sword. I'm sure ye know what that means.” She said as she began chanting quietly and releasing her energy into the blade.

 

Kouga's face went white. Muramasa knew what this was. All those years ago when it had first come to the village after the death of its first wielder it had been sealed.

 

As long as the sword was kept within the boundaries of the village, it could do nothing. It wasn't until that thief of Naraku's had stolen the sword that it had a chance at freedom.

 

He continued frantically trying to pull the sword away. If she sealed it again who knows when he could take Kouga over again. “Heh. At your age are you sure this is wise?” He said, deciding to take a different approach in desperation.

 

“I am aware of the consequences of my actions. If this is to be my fate I will accept it.” She said her voice becoming strained as the seal completed and Kouga roared in agony as he recovered his body from the sword's grasp.

 

She exhaled and fell backwards, her strength leaving her. `Inuyasha… my final gift…is time…use it wisely…' She hit the ground softly and drifted into eternal sleep