InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Evil Eye, The Serpent's Tongue ❯ The Demon's Challenge ( Chapter 21 )

The Demon's Challenge

 

 

 

“This way!” Kagome shouted.

 

“Not so loud!” Inuyasha grumbled, shifting her on his back. The two of them were running on the ground while Sesshomaru, Rin and Jaken rode on their two headed dragon. They had…reluctantly…allowed Miroku to ride as well, but didn't notice. He was in the back, praying that Sesshomaru would simply not bother him if he didn't say a word.

 

“Who is that man with us Lord Sesshomaru?” Rin asked.

 

“Ask him yourself Rin.” The demon lord calmly replied. “Humans don't bite.”

 

“Miroku.” He said.

 

Rin frowned. “Rin didn't ask you yet!” Miroku glanced at her, and with a sigh, nodded. “Who are you?” She asked.

 

“Miroku.”

 

“Rin knew that!” Rin said, disappointed. Miroku glared at Jaken, who was laughing. He was glad it wasn't him facing Rin's little…jokes.

 

They had been running for 2 hours now, since day break. They would have gone sooner, by Kagome was still worried about Shippo, and wanted to look for him. Finally, Inuyasha had told her that it would be safer for him to remain with Kaede, should he show up, then to go following them.

 

Kagome had reluctantly agreed, and after leaving a box of crayons for Shippo, they had gone off.

 

***

 

“WOW!” Shippo shouted, looking around the large room. Sango smiled, watching him from the doorway, her tail gently bopping up and down on the hard stone floors. She had taken Shippo to a large room full of art supplies. “Where did you get these?” Shippo asked.

 

“From the village.” Sango said, and it was true…she just hadn't bought them. Another perk of being a demon was not having much of a conscious. Meaning stealing was just an easier way to get what she, or Shippo, wanted.

 

“I never saw these before!” Shippo shouted, grabbing some paint brushes.

 

“You haven't?” neko asked, entering. Shippo backed away slightly, but the cat demon lowered herself to the ground, so she was laying on her stomach. She smiled, kicking her legs lazily. “You mean Kagome never got you paint?”

 

Shippo frowned. “No.” he finally said.

 

“Hmm.” Neko said. “Sango, what do you think Kagome did with the money she could have been suing to buy art supplies for our little friend here?”

 

Sango frowned. “Ramen for that little hanyou.”

 

Shippo's eyes went wide. “I didn't get more crayons because Inuyasha wanted food?!?” Tears boiled over in his eyes. “That's no fair!”

 

Neko smirked. And I didn't even need Ryu for this one. She licked her paw and used it to wipe his eyes. “My dear Shippo…We can get you all the crayons you need…and paint! You can draw pictures for me and Sango.”

 

Shippo sniffed, and looked up at Sango. “But….Sango, you know I can't paint well! I tried once…I won't be able to make good pictures for a long time!” he looked at Neko. “I'm sorry, but…I can't…” He paused…and Neko focused her eyes on him. He breathed, his body relaxing as he felt something growing in his heart.

 

“Shippo…there is a way to be better at drawing…if you want it.”

 

***

 

“Just a little bit further, just up this hill!” kagome said. Inuyasha nodded, continuing his run. Him, Kagome and Sesshomaru were headed of the hill; Miroku, Jaken and Rin were still getting off Ah-Oh.

 

“Are you sure?” Sesshomaru asked.

 

“Yes.” Kagome said as they made it to the top of the hill to see the clearing below in flames, Ryu standing there, smirking. “Pretty sure.”

 

“Lord Sesshomaru!” Ryu shouted. “So glad you came. Please, join me.” He waved his hand as if her were a butler welcoming guests. He unsheathed his sword and slammed it into the burn earth, leaning on the handle. Sesshomaru walked carefully down the slope, followed by Inuyasha and Kagome. “I, Ryu, the restored Lord of the East, welcome you. Do you know where you are, Lord of the West?”

 

Before he could answer, he heard a curse. Turning, he saw Inuyasha and Kagome on the ground, a barrier shimmering. He turned back. “The Demon's Field.”

 

“The what?” Kagome asked.

 

“The demon's field.” Sesshomaru said quietly. “The ancient battle ground of the demons. Only pure bloods can enter Inuyasha…meaning your lousy half blood won't do, nor the human.”

 

Ryu smirked and took out a jewel shard, throwing it to Inuyasha. “You could, however, use the shard to turn into a full demon. Granted, it isn't a good as using the full jewel to become a demon, since you have to worry about the jewel being rmoved…but hey, then you could enter.” He winked. “Offer goes to you too Kagome.”

 

“My heart is pure.” She said.

 

“So was Sango's, before Neko opened it.”

 

Sesshomaru frowned and drew his weapon. “What do you want?”

 

“I am issuing a challenge. If I win, I get your lands, your castles, everything. IF I lose…you may live.”

 

“I don't except.” Sesshomaru said, turning.

”Coward.” Ryu said, and everyone froze. He licked his fangs. “You heard me…fight me, demon vs demon.” He drew his weapon from the ground. “This is how lords do battle. We both have royal blood in our veins…or have you forgotten the legend of my kind?”

 

Sesshomaru nodded. “I know of your family…and it's faults.”

 

“Faults?” Ryu hissed. “Your family betrayed mine! When we called upon yoru aid, you left my mother to defend the kingdom alone. We lost everything because of your false honor and the false honor of your fathers!”

 

Sesshomaru's eyes began to bleed red. “I will enjoy killing.”

 

“I doubt that. Do you remember this sword?”

 

Sesshomaru arched an eyebrow. “How did you find the Suohdanna?”

 

“Naraku found it…I am merely claiming it. You know the legend behind this sword, don't you? No sword master on his own can defeat it's wielder…care to test your fate?”

 

Sesshomaru growled softly, already hating the demon. He drew Tokijin and nodded. “Let us see if you are more then a large mouth and quick comments dragon.”

 

With that, he charged.