InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Jewel of Four Souls ❯ Showdown ( Chapter 3 )

After some thought, I've decided to go ahead and give you Chapter 3, which will officially start the story along on a more interesting note. I really would love for some reviews to know how I'm doing. I can't get better without any input from you, the reader.

 

I want to personally thank my only two reviewers to this story thus far: essis (ff.net) and Twinkle (mediaminer.org).

 

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.... what else is new?

 

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Chapter 3 “Showdown”

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“Naraku!”

 

The dark-lord chuckled gleefully to himself as he floated before the entire group. His demonic aura radiating the evil he brought forth. Kouga gritted his teeth by the mere sight of the vary being he's been chasing all this time. The being that sent Kagura to kill his comrades so very long ago. But to him, it was only yesterday. InuYasha was noticeably growling while Sesshomaru stood at the immediate ready. There wasn't a soul around who didn't despise Naraku in some way.

 

“This is truly a perfect day indeed!”

 

“Damn you Naraku! I'm gonna tear your head off for what you did to my comrades!” Kouga shouted clinching his hands tightly into fists.

 

“Oh? I see the young wolf boy has come as well.” A sinister smile came to his face as he took direct notice to Kouga. “And you Sesshomaru? My, and to what do I owe this pleasant visit from you? Are you here to perhaps avenge Kagura's death?”

 

Sesshomaru stared more intently at Naraku, not saying a word. He chuckled to himself again in a mocking sort of way. Thoroughly enjoying the pain and suffering of others. And enjoying it all the more knowing he was the cause. Such was the pleasures he found in life. And such was the abilities of his powers. The dark-lord turned and took notice of Miroku. He smiled and smirked knowing exactly why the monk despised him so.

 

“The young monk. Here to rid your family of the curse I placed upon you?”

 

“It's been far to long. I shall rid this curse you placed upon my family!”

 

“I'd love to see you try. …And if it isn't Sango, Kohaku is doing well wouldn't you say?” He was really beginning to tread the line of everyone's patience.

 

“You're despicable! Turing him against my family and comrades! You don't deserve to live!”

 

“Perhaps Kohaku feels the same way about you.” Naraku said glaring at the young woman. Sango half-growled as she desperately wanted to attack that very moment. But she held herself back as Naraku turned his attention elsewhere. There would come a time to attack. Now just wasn't quite that moment.

 

“And you InuYasha. You're here to avenge Kikyo's death aren't you?”

 

“Heh, I've got more reasons than that to kill you Naraku!” InuYasha drew his sword and pointed it threateningly. “I hope you're ready to die by my blade!” Naraku seemed unimpressed. Much less even threatened.

 

“My, my, each one of you has a reason for being here. And yet, all you'll get is your pitiful demise. Shame really.”

 

Naraku smirked as a tentacle drove out of the ground and snagged Kouga by the leg. Quickly reacting, he severed it and hopped aside.

 

“I'm not that easy to fool!”

 

“Kagome, get back.” InuYasha said shielding his friends momentarily. He charged, poised to strike. “Die!” Before getting too close, he struck a pinkish barrier, which held his attack fast. Growling lowly he pressed harder into the barrier as yellow sparks of energy began to flow. But the pink orb wasn't showing the slightest bit of wear or weakening.

 

“You fool!” Naraku shot out an entanglement of flesh that struck InuYasha square in the jaw like a fist. The blow sent him backwards and into the ground with a long skid.

 

Sesshomaru took the distraction as a chance to strike. From the side, he attempted to strike Naraku but was too met with the deep-pink barrier. The orb again didn't seem to be phased even by the power of Sesshomaru and the Tokijin.

 

“Wind Scar!” A sudden blast flew towards Naraku. The barrier again still held up, shielding Naraku and even Sesshomaru as the attack blazed around the barrier on each side of it. InuYasha couldn't quite believe how strong Naraku's defenses were. But it would make it all the more fun. Or so he thought anyway.

 

“Fools!” Naraku shot a shockwave of dark energy through the barrier, throwing Sesshomaru back to his original position as he recovered from the fall. InuYasha was knocked to the ground once again by the force of it as everyone else braced his or her self. The attack kicked up dust and dirt, temporarily shrouding the battlefield.

 

“You're mine!” Kouga, whom avoided the attack by launching himself into the air, dove straight for Naraku from above. Naraku didn't notice him, but didn't seem the least bit concerned as Kouga's fist made contact with the orb.

 

“I shall take your Shikon Jewel shards.” Naraku looked up and wrapped four tentacles around Kouga's ligaments before he was able to completely stop his attack. Tied down, Naraku shot a fifth tentacle right through the chest of the defenseless wolf-demon.

 

“Urgh…” He half gasped. Struggling to break free.

 

“Kouga!” Kagome called concerned. She notched an arrow and fired, severing the middle tentacle with a forceful blast of spiritual energy.

 

Sesshomaru again struck the barrier as lightning bolts of energy from sword-on-barrier contact shot in every imaginable direction. Unconcerned for the time being, Naraku enveloped Kouga's legs with the same fleshy material that struck InuYasha earlier.

 

“Get- off me damn you!” Kouga weakly called as he snapped the tentacle holding his right arm. Naraku extended his hand and grabbed Kouga by the throat, squeezing.

 

“You're pathetic!” Naraku shouted as he pulled the two jewel fragments from Kouga's legs. Chocking him all the more. Kouga's vision was blurring slightly from the lack of oxygen and his sudden drain in power from the shards.

 

“Not so fast!” InuYasha flew high, intent on hacking every little bit of Naraku's extensions on Kouga as possible. He may not like the guy, but he wanted to be the one to kill him.

 

“You're too late!” Naraku hardened yet another tentacle and swung it like a club, batting InuYasha into a tree behind his friends. Surprisingly the tree held up as the hanyou went crashing into the lower part of the trunk. Naraku smirked sinisterly, enjoying every moment.

 

“InuYasha!” Kagome ran to his side. Leaves still falling from the vibrations of his impact a moment ago. He seemed to be in a daze as he sat there unmoving for the time being.

 

“I can't use my Wind Tunnel on him. The Saimyoushou are bound to show up as soon as I do. Plus, he has the Sacred Jewel in his possession.” Miroku said aggravated.

 

“Tend to InuYasha, I'll take him down!” Sango said hopping on Kirara.

 

Sesshomaru stayed persistent, as his Tokijin remained lodged in Naraku's barrier. The barrier still didn't seem to be affected the slightest bit as Naraku absorbed Kouga's two jewel shards into his body. Pulsing with each shard pressed into his fleshy being. Sango took to the sky as her patience ran out. Diving, a weapon narrowly missed her, diverting her attention to where the weapon came from. Her eyes went wide with shock at whom she saw there.

 

“Wha…Kohaku!”

 

Down at the end of the tree line was indeed Kohaku. Returning his sickle, he hurled it back up at her again. Sango blocked with her Hiraikotsu, stunned. She didn't quite expect her little brother to even be here. Naraku was truly despicable. He made sure she'd suffer some more. He made sure to remind her of Kohaku's actions. He wanted her to kill him. Or him to kill her. The bastard probably wanted them to kill each other.

 

`I have no choice… I… I have to…' Both brother an sister thought simultaneously.

 

She squinted to hold back the tears, knowing what she must do as Kirara began to descend. Gripping her weapon tightly she charged at her younger brother, wishing things didn't have to come to this…

 

“Kohaku-!!”

 

Naraku socked Kouga once more for good measure before hurling him into the forest. Kouga crashed into the branches of the trees before slamming unconsciously into another. Falling a good distance, his mangled body landed hard onto the forest floor.

 

“Damn…” InuYasha said getting up and shaking off the blow. “You asked for it you bastard!” Running past Kagome he readied Tetsusaiga for a strong offensive attack.

 

Naraku smirked again as he attempted to impale InuYasha, ignoring Sesshomaru who still remained on the other side of his barrier.

 

“Kongousouha!” InuYasha slammed Tetsusaiga into the ground unleashing the diamond spears. They hurtled towards Naraku, severing the tentacle, and imbedding their selves into the pink orb. The barrier rippled slightly as each spear connected with the barrier, but still they didn't pierce through very far. A little startled by the attack Naraku flinched before giving a look of disprovement.

 

“Fool! Take this!” Naraku drew in the spears and fired them back at InuYasha and his friends. Miroku dove out of the way as InuYasha quickly scooped up Kagome and dodged his own attack. Spears slammed randomly into the ground harmlessly as everyone breathed in slight relief.

 

“And you Sesshomaru…” Naraku used a new hardened tentacle to swat Sesshomaru away. But the demon lord was too quick as he avoided the attack and hacked off the appendage with amazing force. Scowling, Sesshomaru took a defensive mid-air pose to fend off any further attack.

 

“Such pitiful attacks are no match for this Sesshomaru.”

 

A dark-purple miasma streamed out of the severed tentacle enveloping Sesshomaru in its toxic fumes.

 

“Even you aren't fully immune to my miasma.” He said without turning his head, smirking.

 

Sesshomaru dashed out of the toxic fumes and glared at Naraku. Clearly not amused by the feeble attempt. A blue steak sped past as the miasma was disrupted. Kagome stood, notching another arrow.

 

“I've had enough of you Naraku! Heh…” She let go and fired the arrow straight for him. The arrow nailed his barrier square on, creating a large dent. He held out his hand and the arrow evaporated instantly. The pink orb then flexed back into its original state while he laughed almost insanely.

 

“Damn…” InuYasha noted that even Kagome couldn't break the barrier. Not quite noticing that she actually hit something on target for once in a long while.

 

“It's useless! You will all perish!”

 

“Dragon Strike!” Sesshomaru called forth while Naraku was busy with InuYasha and Kagome. The powerful blast descended on his position rapidly. The intense lightning and energy swirled about and completely enveloped Naraku in its blinding power.

 

“Heh, take this! Wind Scar!” InuYasha added his own attack to the mixture. The two demonic attacks merged and exploded harshly upon Naraku. Dirt, dust, and grass went everywhere as the trees swayed with the force of the explosion. Leaves scattered as did any still nearby animals.

 

“They did it!” Miroku exclaimed, noting that there was indeed a few Saimyoushou floating around the area. Feeling almost helpless in this battle, he stood near Kagome, offering his protection for the time being.

 

The dust settled as a dull pink light was seen. The attacks didn't work! Naraku was still safe and sound! He chuckled menacingly as his confidence rose even further. With all but two Shikon Jewel Shards, he was practically invincible. How could they possibly bring him down with such a strong defense?

 

“Damn you Naraku!”

 

He laughed. “Now are you beginning to understand my powers? Let's give this one a try…” He began to glow a dark black and purple as his very being seemed to split. Right before everyone's eyes Naraku duplicated himself!

 

“Impossible!” Miroku stared at the fake.

 

“Humph.” Sesshomaru didn't seem impressed as he fired a blast from his Tokijin. The blast tore through the copy and blew it apart in mere seconds. Even before its barrier could be put up. Some of the resulting attack sped harmlessly around the real Naraku's barrier. “Ridiculous. Such illusionary tricks will not work on me.”

 

Another streak of blue shot past and struck the barrier again. A larger dent formed alerting Naraku whom was still focused on his now nonexistent copy. Disappointed in the apparent failure of the newfound power. InuYasha grinned seeing that his barrier had a weakness after all. Kagome's arrows would work. She just needed more power. Smirking confidently, InuYasha had an idea.

 

“Heh, Kagome! Shoot him again!”

 

“Right!” She notched another arrow and fired just as the previous one exhausted its energy and fell to the ground. The enhanced arrow sailed towards its target with InuYasha running hot on its tail. It struck dead on the same place the previous arrow did, and right before the pink orb had time to regenerate the dent. The arrow pushed the barrier inward towards Naraku. Centimeters from his face the arrow halted as he glared at it.

 

Frustrated, Naraku forced his barrier outward, throwing the arrow back at Kagome. It landed harmlessly into the ground a few meters from her. The barrier continued outward and struck InuYasha as well. His body made contact with the barrier, shocking him with anti-demonic energies.

 

InuYasha whaled in pain as he was being electrocuted by the energy the barrier created. A large gust of wind pulled him from the barrier and tossed him through the air.

 

“I got you!” Miroku called, closing the Wind Tunnel, after its brief opening, as InuYasha was freed from the barrier and before the Saimyoushou got too close. InuYasha slammed painfully into the ground, but was more the less saved.

 

“InuYasha!” Kagome said slightly concerned as she knelt down to check on him. He appeared no wore for ware.

 

“Kohaku!” Sango called from off to the side as she blocked an attempted slash from her brother. She struggled to defend herself as she cried. The inner battle wagging on within her as Sango fended off another attack.

 

Sango fell backwards and onto her back as Kohaku raised his weapon, poised to strike. She flinched momentarily as she hastily tripped Kohaku and used one of her hidden blades to slash at his shoulder. Kagome saw the jewel shard that Kohaku had embedded in his back go flying through the air. She gasped as the young boy collapsed lifelessly onto his elder sister's worn body. Miroku too couldn't believe what he just witnessed. Sango…had just killed her brother. Dread set in as the miko wondered if Sango would even take her own life next. Miroku too thought the same thing and frantically set out to tend to her.

 

“Sango!?” InuYasha and Kagome called complete shock, diverting their attention. Naraku and even Sesshomaru turned at the disturbance.

 

“…Kohaku…” Sango weakly said as she draped an arm over her brother. Holding him close as tears fell silently. Miroku knelt down next to her to offer what condolences he could.

 

Naraku, amused, gathered the jewel shard up and absorbed it into his body before anyone took full notice. Kagome saw it enter his barrier before she could react, too concerned about Sango and Kohaku.

 

“Damn you!” InuYasha said as he realized what just happened. He took to the defense trying to figure out what to do next. Naraku had all but one shard now. His powers had to be incapable of being overcome. But that of course wouldn't stop the stubborn hanyou.

 

Naraku laughed almost insanely. “All but one Jewel Shard! Kagome… I shall take that shard you possess!”

 

“I don't think so!” She notched another arrow and fired. The arrow simply bounced off the barrier harmlessly. Not even creating any sort of dent or disruption. Naraku laughed again by her futile efforts. Apparently with the extra shard, she couldn't even damage the barrier in the slightest way.

 

InuYasha charged, a little surprised to see Sesshomaru next to him, charging as well. Together, they struck the dark pink orb before them simultaneously. Stronger energy bolts flew once again as their swords connected in unison. The barrier rippled from their attacks, but held rather firm. Naraku held out his hands and shot a stronger shockwave of dark energy through the barrier, repelling both InuYasha and Sesshomaru to either side of Kagome a few meters back. Both were able to remain on their feet as they wearily tried to quick recover.

 

“The last shard shall be mine!” Naraku called, sending forth multiple tentacles. InuYasha wasn't about to let that happen as he used the Wind Scar to obliterate the many of the tentacles in one feel swoop. Miroku aided with his Sacred Sutras in ridding the last few of them.

 

`Naraku can't protect what's not in his barrier. Hmm… if only there was a way to draw him out.'

 

InuYasha didn't think much of it as he charged again. A good thrust up, he attempted an aerial strike.

 

“Wretched half-breed!” Naraku shot forth six more of his long appendages. InuYasha had no time to react as the three larger ones impaled him with immense speed. The other three wrapping around his body and limbs tightly. Wounded, InuYasha gasped for air as he dangled almost lifelessly. Unable to move his right arm which barely managed to hold the Tetsusaiga.

 

“Bastard…”

 

“Hmm, hmm… if only Kikyo were here to watch your demise. I'm sure she'd be thrilled.”

 

“Naraku!” Kagome shouted, firing a sacred arrow. She severed four of the six tentacles holding the hanyou captive.

 

“Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!” Weakly, InuYasha slashed off the two remaining ones with his left hand and fell roughly to the ground. He struggled as he slowly tried to push himself back up to his feet.

 

“You wench!” Naraku bellowed, furious.

 

“You're through Naraku!” Kagome shouted as she took aim.

 

“I'll kill you!” Naraku reared back and thrusted a tentacle at Kagome. She fired just as it impaled her with great force. She winced by the sudden pain, but remained standing. Her Sacred Arrow went completely off course and struck a tree. Missing Naraku completely.

 

“Kagome!” InuYasha growled as he saw her out of the corner of his eye. He growled louder with worry and anger. “You damn bastard!” Summoning what strength he could he pushed himself up and ran frantically to Kagome. His sword still drawn while he struggled to remain upright as he ran.

 

Kagome stood staggering slightly as a second tentacle took hold of the vial that contained the last shard. She winced as she reached back for another arrow. She could feel the toxic miasma entering her body through the appendage that was still embedded in her stomach. Even her spiritual powers were no match for the toxins as they continued to flow slowly into her. Her vision began to blur as she finally managed to pull out another arrow from the quiver on her back.

 

“Kagome!” InuYasha called, raising his sword to strike as he continued to make his way to her.

 

“Die you pathetic half-breed!”

 

Naraku snagged InuYasha by the leg from behind. Swinging him high into the air, he slammed the hanyou into the ground creating a large Inu-shaped crater. Sesshomaru paid his little brother and the miko no mind as he turned Tokijin sideways, intent on giving Naraku all the power his sword could muster. If this couldn't do it, he didn't know what could…

 

Kagome struggled to remain conscious as the toxic miasma continued to seep into her. Her body was utterly sick from the poisons. She finally managed to get the arrow onto her bow and attempted to pull it back. But the strength needed to do so wasn't present in the young miko. Her vision began to fade almost completely as she staggered and nearly dropped her weapon. InuYasha slowly stirred nearby.

 

“Heh, I'll kill you just like I did Kikyo. How does it feel to die by my hands again Kikyo?”

 

Kagome scowled, “I…”

 

Naraku chuckled, “Die! Die by my hands like Kikyo!”

 

“I…I…I Am Kagome!!!” She hollered, summoning every last bit of her strength and spiritual power into firing the Sacred Arrow.

 

“Wind Scar!” InuYasha ferociously called from just to her left, seizing the chance to attack as he fully revived from Naraku's previous attack only a moment ago.

 

“Dragon Strike!” Sesshomaru let loose his own fully charged attack upon his foe.

 

Naraku had little time to react as Kagome's sacred arrow glowed brightly and a large blue crescent of energy began to build. The arrow's spiritual energy formed into an enormous version of Kagura's Dance of Blades. The spiritual blade blasted through Naraku's barrier at incredible speed, bringing in a tremendous Wind Scar and devastating Dragon Strike in behind it. The arrow continued on and struck the large chunk of the jewel that was imbedded in Naraku, purifying much of its tainted power instantly.

 

“What!?! Noooooooooooo…!!” Naraku whaled as the three attacks began tearing him apart rapidly. The tentacle that still was imbedded in Kagome was severed. She instantly fell to the ground as chunks of Naraku began to rain down. From within, the purified sacred jewel burned his insides. “Curse youuuu-!”

 

The attacks merged at the center of Naraku's very being and exploded in a violent hell storm of power. Everyone around took cover or was forced down as dirt, debris, and parts of Naraku went every which way. Several trees snapped like toothpicks by the force of the hellish blast. The lightning from the Dragon Strike continued to circle around the point of explosion while some of the Wind Scar remained blaringly bright. The spiritual energy that had formed into a blade and slashed through Naraku's barrier continued to purify and destroy every little bit of Naraku that it could. Slowly loosing its power.

Not a noticeable trace of Naraku was left as the attacks began to subside and the nearly complete jewel and three shards fell plainly to the ground.

 

As the dust began to dissipate, InuYasha stood panting, holding Tetsusaiga in the final position of the Wind Scar. A strong scent of Kagome's blood filled the air alerting him even further than before. He frantically rushed to Kagome's side abandoning Tetsusaiga. Not fully caring if Naraku was actually dead or not. Cautiously and gently, he held her head in his lap. She was struggling to breathe as she rested. The wound inflicted on her bleeding profusely.

 

“Kagome…are-”

 

“In…u…Ya…sh…a…” she weakly said, looking as if she was in a trance. Her face dirty and sweaty much like his own.

 

“Kagome hang on! We'll get you to Kaede-”

 

“Be…happy…” she said with a small tear in her eye and weak smile on her face. Upon finishing her statement she closed her eyes and fell silent. Her muscles seemed to completely relax as she became eerily lighter.

 

“Kagome? …Kagome!? …Kagome!!?” He panicked as she stopped breathing. “No…” His breathing became labored as he clutched Kagome to him. He struggled to hold back the tears that threatened to fall. “No…”

 

Sesshomaru looked at his younger brother and the young miko in his arms. Turning, his attention went to where Naraku once was.

It was over. Naraku had been obliterated. Gone from existence. The fool was so confident that he kept his heart, his very being, inside him. Why and how Sesshomaru didn't know, nor did he care.

 

`Naraku's heart was once out of his body. Making him invincible. No matter, the fool thought he could protect it so he took it back. He failed, and thus has been rendered dead. For good…'

 

“Kagome…” InuYasha sobbed, not quite crying. “Kagome please…”

 

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…woah. See, I told ya it'll get better! Please Review! I'd really love to know how I'm doing so far. If you prefer to e-mail me, you can do so at King_RTS@hotmail.com.

 

-King RTS-