InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The 2 Great Swords ❯ Similar ( Chapter 31 )

The nameless assassin took in his situation quickly. Against the armed half-demon, he stood no chance. He began to back away slowly to be stopped by another voice. “Who are you? Why do you attack us?” He froze and looked over his shoulder to see the exterminator on his back left.

 

“Were you sent by Naraku?” Another feminine voice along with the sound of a drawn bowstring told him he was surrounded. Now there was no way out and he still stood no chance against the half-demon.

 

Slowly he raised his hands in the air, signifying surrender. Inuyasha snorted and sheathed his sword, “Keh! I didn't expect one of Naraku's cronies to have a brain.” He said as he walked forward to apprehend the man. `I should kill him but he may know something about Naraku.' He reasoned.

 

As Inuyasha approached the man, Kagome lowered her bow. Luckily, ever since they had left the village Inuyasha had been adamant about having her bow at all times. It was because of this that she had taken it to the spring.

 

As soon as her arms dropped, the man crouched and dropped his hands, exposing two concealed explosives in his sleeves. Almost instantly, he had lit them and lobbed them in Kagome's direction.

 

Seeing this, Inuyasha cursed and leapt to get between her and the blast as the man took off past him. The explosion sent him flying into her as the two hit the ground, hard. Sango, out of concern for her friends, forgot about the man and moved quickly to them.

 

Inuyasha's back was badly burned and it was a testament to a half-demon's strength that he was still in one piece. Slowly and with a lot of hissing, Inuyasha got off her to fall into a sitting position.

 

“Damn it! When I get my hands on the bastard I'm going to kill him!” He snarled and made to get up but fell to the ground in pain.

 

“Inuyasha!” Kagome gasped and rushed to his side. “What terrible burns…” She breathed close to crying. `This is my fault…' She was brought out of her thoughts by Sango placing a hand on her shoulder.

 

“Come on Kagome. Getting upset won't solve anything. Let's head back to what's left of our camp and look after him.” Kagome nodded and, with Inuyasha supported on their shoulders, headed back to their now ruined camp.

 

 

The assassin raced through the underbrush just in case he was followed. After getting a fair distance he stopped and sat down on the ground, exhausted. `That was too close! He took a deep breath to calm himself and began to think of another strategy.

 

`I used the last of my supplies back there. All I've got is a sword but against the slayer's weapon it's next to useless. What should I do?' He thought desperately.

 

A short way off in the bushes, he was being watched. `Looks like he's going to stay here for a bit.' A determined Shippo thought. `But then again what can I do? I can't fight so how am I supposed to—'

 

His eyes lit up as an idea hit him. Taking a quick second to memorize the area the assassin was in, he ran off to find the one person who could help.

 

 

Miroku groaned as he sat up rubbing his head. `Boy, Sango didn't have to be that rough, did she?' He thought. “If only Shippo hadn't shown up…” He sighed.

 

“Miroku!” He looked up to see Shippo racing towards him looking flustered.

 

“What is it Shippo?” He asked when he reached him, his tone dripping with apathy towards whatever the kid's problem is.

 

“We got attacked by someone! The camps destroyed and Inuyasha's hurt!” He wailed giving Miroku the basics. Miroku raised an eyebrow.

 

`Just how long was I out?' He wondered as he got up. “Lead the way, Shippo!” His comeuppance for ruining the monk's good time would have to wait. The group came first.

 

 

Shortly after Shippo had run off, the man had collapsed. “Shit! Why now?!” He muttered angrily, his chest felt like it was on fire. The pain was unbearable; it felt like his chest was getting torn to bits.

 

He jammed his hand into his pocket searching for his drugs. Finding the bottle, he uncorked it and drained it in one fluid motion. Almost immediately the pain subsided. “You…” He looked up at the voice to see the monk of the group.

 

“What's wrong with you?” Miroku asked slowly. `He… Just like me…' He thought remembering his episodes of pain because of Naraku's poison. “Naraku did that to you, didn't he?”

 

The man's eyes lit up at the monk's question. “How do you know that?” He asked getting to his feet, his hand darting to his sword.

 

Miroku's face was bleak as he regarded the man, “Because I also endure such pain from time to time. Just who are you?”

 

The man drew his sword with a grimace. “I don't know.” He said. “I'm sure I had a name once but it's gone now. Naraku stripped me of everything.” He looked at the monk with hateful eyes. “You're Miroku, right?” He spat with envy. “Tell me… Why is it you have yours?!” He screamed and charged.

 

Miroku blocked the attack with his staff. “I don't get it! Naraku has done all this yet you fight for him! Why?!” He pushed the man back and lashed out with the head of his staff.

 

The man leapt backwards, dodging the staff and moved to attack again. “I don't have a choice!” He screamed. “If I don't do it Naraku will kill me. I cannot die until I know who I am!”

 

Miroku blocked with his staff and spun around hitting him just under the ribs with the butt of his staff. “Stop this foolishness!” He yelled as the man fell to the ground winded. “You have no reason to fight me!”

 

The man smiled at that. “No reason?” He chuckled coldly. “Naraku holds with him my name, my existence and my life in his hand. If I do not do as he says I will be killed.” He looked up and in his eyes, Miroku saw anguish.

 

He lashed out again but Miroku blocked the strike hard, knocking the sword away. Seeing his opening Miroku thrust out with his staff catching the man in his chest and knocking him to the ground.

 

Miroku raised his staff prepared to deliver a skull-cracking blow to end the fight. But something stopped him. Looking down on his foe, he felt a sort of connection. Here was another like him, living in fear of when he may die and episodes of severe pain. How could he kill someone so much like him?

 

Sensing the hesitation, the man quickly spun around on the ground taking out Miroku's legs. He got above the monk pinning him with his foot and raising his blade, “If it will get me my identity, I will do anything!”

 

The man froze at a whooshing sound, and looked up. He had no time to react as he was torn asunder by Sango's boomerang. “Miroku! Are you ok?” Sango called rushing over to the fallen monk.

 

“Ah, Sango.” He said sitting up slowly. “I am fine, but why are you here? Shouldn't you be looking after the others?” Sango shook her head.

 

“Shippo came and told me you were fighting that guy and I came as fast as I could.” She said. “What happened?”

 

Miroku sighed. “He was just like me.” At Sango's raised eyebrow he continued, “He had the same infection. I…couldn't kill him.” He admitted with a sigh. “That must make me pretty weak.”

 

Sango sighed and helped the monk up. “Weak? Give me a break. The fact that you can take such an infection without going nuts like him makes you strong.” Miroku smiled at the compliment.

 

“Yes, well, he did have it worse. At least I know who I am.” He said solemnly. “Can you imagine not knowing who you are?” Sango shook her head.

 

Miroku glanced over at the fallen enemy with a grimace. “Sango… Do you think you could take him back to camp? I would like to give him a proper burial.” Sango nodded and went to retrieve the corpse.

 

As the two made their way back to the others, Miroku stared off into the clouds. He closed his eyes and said a silent prayer for the soul of the man who had just died. `May he find his true identity on the other side…'