InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Jewel of Four Souls ❯ InuYasha's Lost Soul ( Chapter 7 )

Last chapter was what you'd probably consider “a down time” chapter. All movies, books, etc have it… where there's a down moment in the plot or overall story. A “break” in the action if you would. Well, to remedy that, I give you a nice action-packed Chapter 7!

 

Before we begin, I'd like to thank madosie from mm.org for your review to Chapter 6. …Well, guess you can say he might just get a little time away from his emotional pain here. …maybe… enjoy!

 

Disclaimer: Still don't own anything but this plot!

 

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Chapter 7 “InuYasha's Lost Soul”

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Dawn cracked slowly over the murky horizon. The cool air slowly dissipated by the warming sun. Laying face down in the dirt, a heavily wounded hanyou rested after a monumental battle just hours ago. Though being a hanyou, his wounds were still severe and weren't healing very quickly. Even the smaller ones were still lingering quite visibly on his barely healed body.

 

Myoga stayed nearby, trying to protect his friend in any way possible. Tired and weary, he managed to make it through the night. Thankful that nothing attacked them during the nightly hours. Especially one of the remaining dragons, if any. Sighing in relief as InuYasha began to stir, he remained rather calm and quiet. Coughing momentarily, InuYasha groaned as he flopped over on his back. Sending the poor flea-demon on a short flight. Landing harmlessly nearby, Myoga scurried back near InuYasha to check up on him. The hanyou's eyes slowly preyed open as a soft moan escaped his lips.

 

“Lord InuYasha, are you ok?”

 

“Urgh…” He groaned, holding his head in agony. Staggering, he managed to get to his feet after a minute or two. Taking a moment, he tried to remember what happened yesterday as his body swayed gently with the breeze. All the memories flooded in from the past two days as he sighed and lowered his head. Feeling a little light headed and dizzy from too much thinking at one time. Expressionless, he limped over and plucked Tetsusaiga from the ground and sheathed it. Myoga climbed onto his shoulder just as InuYasha began to limber away quite slowly. Wondering if the hanyou has calmed any…

 

 

“What is it Kirara?” Sango asked her companion as she sat up from her bedding. The little kitten-youkai mewed as it stared off into the semi-lighted distance. As though she was trying to get her master's attention. “Do you sense something?”

 

“Merw.”

 

“Hmm…” Everything appeared normal. So what could be the problem?

 

“Merw.”

 

“Sango, what is it?” Miroku sat up and yawned slightly. Rubbing his head in grogginess.

 

“I think Kirara picked up on something.”

 

“Whatever could it be?”

 

“I'm not sure, but we should check it out.”

 

“Do you think it could be InuYasha?”

 

“Perhaps. Come on…”

 

“Merrw.” Kirara exploded into a ball of flames as she transformed into her large saber-toothed-cat-like state. With little hesitation, Sango and Miroku sprang from their bedding and quickly got ready to depart. Just minutes later they were ready to go and climbed aboard their faithful friend and took to the skies. Each wondering what lied ahead as the sun drew higher and higher into the daytime sky.

 

Miroku felt the restlessness in the air as his senses wakened. Something just didn't seem right to him. Though the feeling wasn't that of evil, it was still chilling. Hatred and revenge seemed to permeate. And as Kirara kept flying, the feeling became stronger.

 

`What could it mean?' Miroku wondered. He could only hang on and speculate for the time being.

 

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“Master, are you sure you're ok?” Myoga said nearing the afternoon hours.

 

“Leave me alone Myoga. I don't want to hear it.” The hanyou said annoyed as he limped through the thicket of trees slowly. Obviously tensed and uptight.

 

“You surely are looking for your death bed aren't you?”

 

“Why do you care? I failed! Not once, not twice, but three times!” He shouted at his shoulder where Myoga resided. Still visibly upset over the whole situation.

 

`Ah, so it has been bothering him…hmm, if I didn't know any better, I'd say he's more like his father than what he wants to believe. Much less even realizes. What is it about them that drew their attention towards humans? …In all my years, I'll never come to completely understand either one of them.'

 

`Damn you Naraku…how could you do that to my friends? …Even in death, he still wins…'

 

InuYasha came to an abrupt halt once a familiar and annoying scent caught his severely weakened senses. Clearly not in the mood, he snapped his head around, ignoring the cramping pain, and scowled at the presence before him. Trying to appear unhurt or at least un-intimidated. Even though that was visibly futile.

 

“Heh, so I've finally found you.” Said the figure with a hint of spite.

 

“Kouga.”

 

“You bastard! How could you let Kagome die!?” Kouga bellowed, clearly enraged.

 

“I…” InuYasha was about to snap back at him, but once Kouga's words got though, he hesitated and stopped. He tilted his head downward slightly as his hair drooped over amber eyes. Yet another accusation of him failing. Just after he chewed himself out a moment ago too. And yet those accusations were painfully true. But what made it worse was Kouga of all people saying it. Kouga loved Kagome, which he couldn't stand. But the wolf was right. How could he have let Kagome die? InuYasha's spirit seemed to slowly crumble further by the constant reminding of his failure. The breaking of a promise he made not just her, but himself.

 

Still, he may not like the guy, but he did respect Kouga. And the protection he offered was second to none. Maybe he was right… Kouga would have protected her better. He wouldn't let something like that happen to her. He wouldn't have failed…

 

“You damn stupid mutt! I can't believe I trusted you to protect her! You truly are a worthless half-breed!”

 

Myoga expected InuYasha to lash out at the wolf-youkai due to the hanyou's violent nature, especially towards that remark. But instead, he remained oddly quiet and motionless. As though he didn't hear a word. The growling was coming from Kouga, one could be certain of that.

 

“Damn you InuYasha! I'm gonna avenge Kagome's death here and now!” He clinched his fists and took a prepared-dash stance. “Prepare to die you stupid mutt!” Kouga took off at surprisingly blinding speed directly for the still unmoving hanyou. Myoga panicked and leapt off of InuYasha's shoulder as Kouga slammed his fist directly into InuYasha's wounded body. Flying backwards, the hanyou landed shoulder first into the dirt. Skidding and rolling to a halt in a greatly, wounded heap.

 

Kouga's rage was ever present on his face as he readied his next strike. “Come on, it's more fun to kill prey that fights back!” He taunted as he took off again as InuYasha staggered back up slowly. His body still soar from his previous battle.

 

Again Kouga's fist slammed into InuYasha's chest just as Miroku and Sango arrived at the scene on Kirara. Watching as Kouga was getting the upper hand. Sango gasped at Kouga's apparent speed. And by realizing that indeed Kirara sensed their friend. But what made Kouga upset with InuYasha? She feared she knew the unfortunate reason…

 

“Miroku…”

 

“I know. He must have stolen his jewel shards back…”

 

“But I thought InuYasha had them?”

 

“Apparently not. Or else Kouga has somehow overpowered him and took them.”

 

Kouga sensed their presence, but paid them no mind as InuYasha once again stood, still unable to make any offensive move. He didn't even appear to be trying very hard either. Kouga cracked his knuckles and smirked.

 

“So you admit it then? You are worthless… that's why you want me to finish you off quickly? Well then, have it your way!”

 

“Kouga!” Miroku called, trying to stop the attack. This was beginning to be so uncharacteristic of Kouga. But then again, when it came to Kagome he never was his usual self. One had to admire his faithful and determined spirit at trying to win over the young miko. Still, this senseless attack on each other wasn't going to prove anything. Miroku and Sango knew that. InuYasha…perhaps he did too…

 

The wolf-youkai again paid him no heed as he dashed off again. This time taking off into the air. At the peak of his launch, Kouga spun and thrusted his foot directly at InuYasha. The devastating kick landed square on InuYasha's jaw, knocking his head sideways as he slammed into the ground once again. Somehow it didn't break any bones or even dislocate anything. But it still severely hurt the already wounded hanyou as he plowed the hard dirt.

 

“Sango… he's…”

 

“He's not even trying to fight back.”

 

“I don't understand. What's wrong?” He said unsure of InuYasha's actions as well. Normally he wouldn't pass up a chance to fight. But since Naraku's defeat, he didn't seem the least bit enthusiastic about fighting. As though his fighting spirit lost its way. Course, he also didn't know what happened earlier either…

 

“Master InuYasha is still wounded from an earlier battle he had.”

 

“Earlier battle?” Miroku and Sango asked in unison, recognizing the voice of Myoga. It came to as a little bit of a surprise to hear that.

 

“Indeed. He was so upset, he seeked out a powerful demon: The Dragon Lord of the Southern Mountains! Somehow he was able to win, but at great physical harm!”

 

InuYasha remained facedown on the ground as Kouga stalked around him, baring his fangs slightly. The frustration was still evident as Kouga heaved the seriously wounded hanyou from the ground. Rearing his fist back, he punched InuYasha right across his jaw where he'd just been kicked a moment ago. His head moved in unison to the blow as Kouga held him firmly. The hanyou seemed dazed as he struggled to remain conscious. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth in thick coves. Kouga stared coldly into the glistening eyes of his opponent. Uncaring of the injuries inflicted.

 

“I'm gonna avenge Kagome mutt face! You failed! You let my woman get killed!” Kouga reared back and punched him hard again. InuYasha breathed hard as he refused to look directly at Kouga. Refused to speak, let alone make a sound of pain. Another shot, this time to the side of his head. Blood dripped from the hanyou's mouth further as he tried to keep his senses intact. But his vision was going blurry. He barely knew left from right, up from down. Even his sense of smell was beginning to fade slightly.

 

InuYasha's guilt and the truth of Kouga's words devastated his fighting spirit. Even Sesshomaru's words were ringing in his head as yet another fist was slammed into his battered body. Further re-opening several of the barely healed wounds. A crack was heard as bones broke. InuYasha winced and tried to shield his ribs, showing that one if not more had been broke. InuYasha panted tiredly and almost whimpered in pain.

 

“Stop this Kouga! InuYasha tried his best to protect her…” Sango pleaded, unable to take anymore of this senseless assault. InuYasha was her friend. Her comrade. Kouga was being way too hard on him. Taking things too far. This was no way to remember the fallen miko. She wouldn't want them to fight like this… why couldn't they just get along and honor her life together?

 

“Stay out of this!” He shouted at the pair, trying to dismiss them before glaring back at InuYasha. “Come on, fight back!” He shook InuYasha roughly.

 

“…No.” Came an almost inaudible reply from the hanyou. Feeling utterly disgusted with himself. He was too physically hurt to fight. And despite his stubbornness, he knew that.

 

Grumping, Kouga slammed InuYasha's face back into the ground. “Time to finish this.”

 

Miroku and Sango could only helplessly watch as Kouga stalked around InuYasha once again. The hanyou stirred as he slowly attempted to get back on his feet. His blood was dripping everywhere from the re-opened wounds and those that still have yet to heal. Plus, some new ones Kouga gave him. His arm bent across his chest at the severity of his wounds there. InuYasha's will to fight nearly lost. He truly did feel worthless knowing he failed three times to protect someone he cared for, if even only a little. What's worse, Kouga wanted him to fight despite his condition. The coward didn't want to wait till he recovered. Clinching his still-free right fist, InuYasha struggled to get his footing as he stumbled. Kouga continued to stalk him, even taunting him as he approached the rather dazed hanyou. Feeling the urge to at least defend himself, InuYasha seized the moment and got in a good sucker punch before Kouga could react.

 

“…that's for… stealing Kagome's shards… you bastard…” It was motivation enough.

 

“Oh-ho, so you can fight! No matter, you're not worth my time anyway.” Kouga forearmed InuYasha in the gut, doubling him over. Obviously not even feeling the cheap shot the hanyou gave him. A good uppercut sent InuYasha a short distance through the air and into the dirt again.

 

“Kouga please stop! He's in no condition to fight!” Sango pleaded again. Tears formed in her eyes. It was hard enough living with Kagome's death. She couldn't bare losing another friend. Not like this…

 

The wolf-youkai again ignored her as he took to the skies. Spring-boarding himself into the air at near treetop height. He went fist first at InuYasha intent on ending the fight and the hanyou's life with one last fatal blow.

 

Kouga connected with a bone-shattering punch that drove InuYasha completely into the ground. Dust and sod flew everywhere, enshrouding the area. Miroku, Sango, and Kirara could only take cover until the dust settled.

 

The sight wasn't pretty as the seriously wounded hanyou laid motionless at the bottom of the half-meter crater. Kouga hopped out and smirked triumphantly while some of the dirt settled.

 

“Finally… I've beaten you InuYasha. You have died by my hand. And Kagome's death avenged.” He clinched his fist in victory.

 

Miroku wasn't too sure of that. He sensed a shift in InuYasha's aura. A very ominous shift. Tremendous demonic power seemed to vibrate from within the rather large crater in the ground. He feared what was about to happen. Through what remained of the dust, Miroku saw movement. Very slow, but nevertheless movement. His fears were confirmed at that moment.

 

Kouga looked to Miroku, Sango, and Kirara, taking note of a worried look from the monk. Not feeling the danger through his confident victory.

 

“Kouga, you must run!” Miroku shouted down to him.

 

“Why should I monk? There's nothing here!”

 

“InuYasha isn't dead!” He called out.

 

Kouga's face showed signs of slight panic. “What?! How?!”

 

Slowly, he turned to see for himself, only to meet a vicious slash across his chest. Reeling, he covered the wound and tried to see what just hit him. Before his eyes stood a bloody, bruised, battered, but nonetheless alive InuYasha. But something was different. Kouga stared in complete surprised shock. InuYasha's normally amber eyes were now almost blood red. Purple markings lined his cheeks as he growled fiercely with enlarged fangs. His aura and scent completely different than it had been before. It radiated pure rage and power. But what really got Kouga's hair standing on edge was that InuYasha had no scent of fear or even pain, no remorse, no mercy.

 

`He's… no… his scent. It's that of a full-blooded demon. But… damn…how did I miss it?'

 

“Master InuYasha!” Myoga called, also in shock.

 

“Miroku, doesn't he still have Tetsusaiga with him?”

 

“He does.”

 

“Then why did he transform?!”

 

“I'll kill you all!” InuYasha's enraged demon voice sneered as he attempted to slash Kouga again. He barely managed to dodge the attack as yet another strike swung his way. Rolling, Kouga tripped InuYasha, which served almost no purpose since he recovered quickly enough. Still, it bought Kouga some time to at least defend himself.

 

“Kouga, you should run while you still can!”

 

“What? I'm not running for anything. I told you, I'm gonna avenge Kagome!” He shouted back, stumbling from another attempted slash from InuYasha. “Even if it costs me my life.” He said quietly to himself. Sidestepping yet another attack, Kouga managed to thrust InuYasha backwards onto the ground. He shot back up and growled frustrated. His crimson eyes noticed the sword dangling from his hips. Almost evilly smirking, he took hold of the hilt and drew Tetsusaiga from its sheath.

 

Myoga was stunned. The sword didn't reject him! Nor was it suppressing his demon blood! Something was a miss with the former hanyou and the Tetsusaiga. He cowered behind Miroku's neck. Sensing the urgency, Miroku knew that if InuYasha in his demonic form could wield such a deadly sword, chaos and destruction was about to ensue. But how was it possible? Why did his demonic form want to fight with the sword instead of his claws?

 

“Die!” InuYasha called forth as he one-handed-slammed his sword into the ground unleashing a blazing Wind Scar. Kouga managed to dodge the enhanced blast as he prepared for a counterattack. Seizing the moment, he sprinted around and clobbered InuYasha from behind. Tumbling head over heels, InuYasha stood back up sneeringly mad. Taking off he attempted a high-flying downward slash. But Kouga was still too quick as he not only dodged the attack but nailed the former hanyou in the chest with a high-end kick.

 

Winded, and despite further hurting his broken ribs, by all means he wasn't about to stop. InuYasha took a low stance as he growled viciously. Kouga looked puzzled but decided not to debate it and charged.

 

“Kongousouha!” InuYasha called, firing his most devastating attack. With his now full demonic powers, the attack was even stronger and deadlier than ever.

 

“What?!” Kouga tried to stop, but the spears flew too quickly and one small spear drove right into his gut before he could avoid the attack. He was lucky that more didn't pierce his flesh and fur.

 

Gasping for air, he kneeled hunched over. Kouga knew he was in deep trouble. The spear opened a large wound and blood poured out profusely. Grasping the new wound, he flinched as he even attempted to move. The demon before him was beginning to appear too strong. No matter how much you hit him, the former hanyou didn't seem to care. He didn't even seem bothered in the least by the broken bones he's suffered either.

 

InuYasha sheathed his sword and flexed his claws before taking off towards the wolf-youkai at a full run. Kouga narrowly rolled aside to miss a devastating slash that even scarred the ground. InuYasha recovered from the miss and quickly took to the offensive again. Reeling, Kouga hastily tried to get a little distance to plan his next move. InuYasha dawned on him too quick as his long claws viciously tore through his skin and fur. Kouga fell to the ground as his back stung with immense pain. The former hanyou stalked his prey, fully intent on killing. And Kouga knew it.

 

Sango bit her lip before stepping forward. InuYasha just had to be stopped. One way or another. His demonic form was just too dangerous to be free like it was. “Hiraikotsu!” She called, heaving her giant boomerang at InuYasha.

 

He easily dodged the attack, snarling with annoyance. Sango's Hiraikotsu spun back around into her possession. She barely managed to block a sudden attack from her companion as InuYasha repeatedly struck her weapon in an aggressive frenzy.

 

“Snap out of it!” She shoved him backwards only to have him retaliate with a high slash. The impact of the blow actually bent the top portion of her Hiraikotsu. Startled, Sango knew she couldn't hold him off much longer as she blocked another harsh strike.

 

“You mangy mutt!” Kouga hollered as he spin-kicked InuYasha right in the gut. Sending the Inu-youkai hard into a tree. Miroku seized the chance to expand the barrier he just erected to encase Sango. The little kitten-youkai emerged from in behind her master, mewing. Kirara had also sensed a change in InuYasha's aura, but didn't know how to react to a friend. She seemed to sense something with him. Something the others couldn't.

 

“This isn't good Sango. Without Kagome we can't stop him!”

 

“We have to get through to him somehow!”

 

“It's impossible!” Myoga shouted in a panic.

 

“Heh, I have to admit, this is more interesting.” Kouga called out, smirking despite his condition. Sweat rolled down his forehead at the moderate fatigue he felt.

 

InuYasha rose to his feet and growled in his demonic way. He took hold of his sword once again. In a fluent motion, InuYasha pulled the Tetsusaiga from its sheath and fired off a quick Wind Scar. Kouga easily avoided the attack but stumbled, preventing any offense.

 

“Die!” InuYasha emerged from the dust in the air attempting a downwards sword slash. Kouga hardly noticed him coming but still managed to roll off to the side. InuYasha turned his body and swung again, missing by mere millimeters. Again and again the Inu-youkai swung his sword in vicious random slashes. Kouga could only dodge and defend himself. The rate of InuYasha's attacks was just too fast for him to take to the offensive.

 

Ducking a high-end slash, Kouga bounded backwards with an acrobatic-like showing. Taking a quick breather he tried to formulate a plan to slow the former hanyou down so he could get back on the offensive. Easier said than done really. It was impressive to see the demon-InuYasha keep up with the jewel shard enhanced legs of Kouga.

 

Miroku and Sango helplessly watched from within a barrier. Their friend was too quick and too strong for either one of them to take on. All they could do was pray that he didn't use the Tetsusaiga to break the barrier. Sango kept her damaged Hiraikotsu positioned to deflect an attack should the barrier fail.

 

With a meager flick of his wrist, InuYasha sent another blazing Wind Scar at Kouga. Easy enough, he high tailed it to the air to avoid the attack. This time it was Kouga's turn to come through the dust as a fist connected into InuYasha's left leg. Bending it at a weird angle, knocking the demon off his feet. The former hanyou scrambled to get back up but Kouga came at him too quick.

 

“This will finish it! …Fists of Rage!” A small glow developed on his right fist as he drove the tremendous shot into the chest of InuYasha. Driving him down into the ground once again. Dust and dirt flew everywhere, shrouding the entire area with a thicker coat than before. The Tetsusaiga went flying high through the air, somersaulting before landing point down into the ground.

 

“Oh master.” Myoga cried out from within the barrier. The dust began to settle, revealing a shadowy figure.

 

“Heh, it's over this time…” came the voice of Kouga as he became more visible. Smirking victoriously he made his way wearily out of the large crater, panting slightly as his wounds stung irritatingly.

 

Lowering the barrier, Miroku had a disapproving look on his face. Sango could only stare at the crater in the Earth caused by Kouga's attack. She appeared horrified at the apparent loss of yet another friend. First Kagome, then InuYasha…who's next? She feared that it could be her, or even Miroku. Maybe even Shippo. …It just couldn't be so.

 

“Can't say he didn't deserve it.” Kouga told the other two.

 

“Kouga…while I can't condole your killing of InuYasha… he did need to be stopped. And I fear that in his demonic form, and with Kagome unable to stop him, he could have caused grave harm to the lands. Especially nearby villages.” Miroku glanced down to see InuYasha wasn't moving in the slightest way. He didn't even seem to be breathing. Kouga had actually done it. He had killed InuYasha. But what he said was right. He had to be stopped. Without Kagome, InuYasha in his demonic form was a Demon of Death. A demon who desired only to kill. A demon that was virtually and almost unstoppable.

 

Sango sighed as she tried not to cry, “Still, don't you find it odd he was able to wield the Tetsusaiga in his demonic form?”

 

“Indeed. Myoga, do you know of anything?”

 

“No, I'm afraid not. I don't even know why Lord InuYasha transformed despite having the Tetsusaiga in his possession. The sword was supposed to keep his demonic blood in check.”

 

“Do you think that his demonic blood has become too strong for him to control?”

 

“Eh, who cares? I took care of that worthless mutt.”

 

“Kouga, Miroku, Sango… all of you were lucky to have survived. We all know how Master InuYasha is a ruthless killer in his demonic form. Being able to wield such a destructive sword, the Tetsusaiga, could have been disastrous! Any one of his attacks could wipe out an entire village in seconds!” Myoga internally quaked with the thought of the power InuYasha could have unleashed.

 

“That's true. The Wind Scar alone is powerful and deadly. So is the Kongousouha.”

 

“He can't use the Backlash Wave unless it's a strong demon he's fighting.” Sango confirmed.

 

“Precisely.”

 

“Bah, I'll just destroy that sword so no one can ever use it!”

 

“Kouga no!”

 

Too late. He struck the still transformed sword with what power he had left. It remained perfectly intact as it sang a vibrating sound of sadness and pain. Again and again Kouga struck the blade but was getting nowhere fast. He was getting some nice bruises on his fist though.

 

“Why…won't…this…damn…thing…br eak!?”

 

“Because you're nothing but a wimpy wolf.” Came the voice of the demonic powered InuYasha. Kouga was too focused on the sword to have noticed the Inu-youkai, still very much alive, sneak up behind him. With no time to defend himself, he felt a hand go right though him. InuYasha impaled his clawed-hand through the back and stomach of the wolf-youkai. A silent wail of pain emitted from the depths of Kouga's throat. Still latched onto him, InuYasha flung Kouga off his arm, landing with a sickening crack in front of Miroku.

 

“Kouga!” Sango called reaching out to check on him. Amazed at how InuYasha was still moving, much less even alive. It just couldn't be…

 

“Sango!”

 

A careless move by her allowed InuYasha to claw her right on the left arm. She grimaced with sheering pain as she struggled to fight it off. Her hand unable to contain much of the blood that poured out of the deep slash. Miroku dove into the fray and tried to push their friend back so Sango could escape. Perhaps Kouga too, who seemed rather winded.

 

“Come on InuYasha! Snap out of it!” Miroku did his best to block each slash from the demon's claws. With a good twirl of his staff, he was able to smack the Inu-youkai across the side of his head. It barely even phased him and only seemed to aggravate the situation further.

 

A strong uppercut-slash sent Miroku's staff flying. Quickly InuYasha brought his other hand back down to finish off the monk. Miroku made a dive and retrieved Sango's fallen weapon and narrowly blocked the attack.

 

`Clank, clunk, clunk, clang, cling.' InuYasha's claws sounded on the Hiraikotsu, trying to get at Miroku. The weapon was beginning to show wear as deep slash marks were starting to show. InuYasha repeatedly hit the same spot over and over, denting and bending the Hiraikotsu with each attack.

 

`This isn't good! No matter how much we hit him it doesn't work! …Isn't there any way to stop him?'

 

The only way known was to kill him. But with his demonic blood, even that wasn't going to be easy. Especially when said blood fueled his very life force and made the former hanyou defend itself to complete death and attack anything in sight. Miroku wasn't even sure if InuYasha could be held off long enough for the demon to get tired and finally stop. It was beginning to seem apparent that InuYasha wasn't about to stop until he killed everyone in sight, or he ended up being killed himself. But the later of those options was apparently nearly impossible. Perhaps only Sesshomaru wielded the power needed to stop his brother. However, there was no sign of the demon lord.

 

The Hiraikotsu was bending further. It was around a good twenty degrees or so in angle, but somehow managing to stay intact. He was fortunate that Sango made this one particularly durable. But the demon-bones, metals, and other various materials couldn't withstand this forever. Miroku hardly noticed that the attacks suddenly stopped and InuYasha was not quite visible. Looking up and forward he noticed Sango holding his staff in her still good hand. Blood dripped from around her other arm. And even though InuYasha has been seriously wounded and was in fact bleeding profusely himself, he still was fighting as though he was a hundred percent. Perhaps no one could tell how dangerous his demonic blood really was. At how powerful it was as well. Though they were getting a pretty good idea at the moment.

 

Panting she stared InuYasha down. He growled and sneered with anger at being bashed over the head by the staff. Taking a chance she threw it like a javelin towards the demon. InuYasha meagerly caught it and snapped it in half with his bare hands as though it were a twig. Sango clutched her wound in pain as her vision began to go blurry by the extreme blood loss she's suffered. Miroku pushed himself up, using the badly damaged Hiraikotsu as a hopeful shield. InuYasha stalked towards Sango who held her ground about to accept her fate.

 

“InuYasha no!” Miroku charged trying to stop him from slaying the woman he loved. It was no use; InuYasha slammed his fist into the Hiraikotsu, driving it hard into Miroku. Both the monk and Sango's weapon went flying backwards and into the dirt.

 

Sneering with power, InuYasha turned his attention back to the wounded demon-slayer. Kouga was out of it as he laid motionless nearby. Kirara however wasn't about to let her master get hurt any further. After sensing another shift she leaped out, transformed, and growled at InuYasha, trying to sound intimidating. That failed miserably as the Inu-demon wasn't the least bit threatened. She still didn't know if it really was ok to fight a friend. But this friend was harming her master and another friend. She knew had to defend them at all costs. Especially with his sudden aura shift.

 

“Gnaahhhh!” He growled, trying to slash at the cat-youkai. Kirara took off, distracting the former hanyou momentarily. Sango took the opportunity to try and distance herself from InuYasha. But her body was just too weak. Collapsing down only a few meters from her original position, Sango gasped tiredly for air as her consciousness began to fade.

 

Kirara dove for InuYasha, missing. She gained altitude quickly in order to keep InuYasha from counter-attacking. Her plan worked as he missed terribly with his claws. Looping around Kirara tried another aerial strike. But again she missed as InuYasha easily sidestepped the attack. However he was unable to gain any offensive advantage as Kirara made several bounds in various directions. She darted for him in attempt at a direct attack. He was too quick as the Inu-youkai not only halted her attack, but drove the cat-youkai into the ground. Shaken but not done yet, Kirara rose and took off before InuYasha slashed her with his claws. She boldly tackled him, sending both victims into the dirt with a great deal of speed.

 

Kirara panted as she stood a moment later. Narrowly she dodged another slash as InuYasha came for her again. Taking to the skies, Kirara took the opportunity to rest and strategize on how to bring her companion down.

 

A sudden rustling noise was heard just meters away alerting both demons. The bushes parted as a small girl stumbled out into the open, unaware of her imminent danger. InuYasha almost had a sickening smirk on his face as he took off for the girl, ignoring Kirara. She didn't notice the demon until a clawed hand held her high up by her shirt. She shrieked with fear as InuYasha growled with malice and glee.

 

“Put her down InuYasha.” Came a rough command as more bushes rustled.

 

He ignored the call. He raised a clawed hand into the air as he lowered the terrified little girl slightly. Footsteps rapidly approached his position as InuYasha brought his hand down to slash the girl to pieces.

 

“Lord Sesshomaru!” The little girl wailed. She closed her eyes tight and waited for the impact to send her to her demise.

 

…Nothing came. The girl still felt her feet dangling beneath her, but still felt to be in one piece. Opening one eye, she saw a clawed hand shaking visibly only millimeters from her face. She whimpered seeing it was still InuYasha who held her. His gaze was affixed firmly on her face as he panted tiredly. Trying to force his claws down onto her, but yet hold them back.

 

“InuYasha, put Rin down this instant!” commanded Sesshomaru, sword drawn.

 

Again, InuYasha either didn't hear him or ignored him as he held Rin and continued to stare at her. His hand trembling. Rin didn't know what was going on with him. He seemed like he was struggling internally with something. Slowly, she felt herself being cradled by the Inu-yokai. Rin seemed to ease up and actually dissipate her fears seeing his eyes slowly fading back to their usual color. Sesshomaru set Tokijin back in its resting place before closing the small gap between he and his brother. In one swift motion, Rin was standing safely on the ground and InuYasha was being held up by his throat high up in the air courtesy of Sesshomaru.

 

“Sesshomaru!” Miroku called weakly as Kirara landed near him. “Please…” He said liming towards the demon lord. “InuYasha didn't harm her… try to understand that he just hasn't been himself lately.” The dazed monk pleaded. Still feeling the effects of the shot InuYasha gave him.

 

“Are you finished? This… half-demon will know his place. I warned you InuYasha, next time you transformed, I would kill you.” He squeezed a little harder. Obviously coming once he sensed the transformation. Though it was uncertain as to why he allowed Rin to fall into such a predicament in the first place.

 

“…Then kill me.” he said not even looking at his brother. Staring blankly into the sky as he dangled freely in the air. InuYasha's voice even sounded uncaring.

 

“Killing you will prove nothing!” Sesshomaru threw InuYasha to the ground. Not even trying to recover, he simply went shoulder first into the ground. Creating a long indentation in the ground from his skid.

 

Sighing heavily, Sesshomaru turned to Rin. “Are you sure you're ok Rin?”

 

“I… I'm fine M'lord. He…he didn't hurt me. …and I'm sorry for disobeying you.” She cocked her head in shame and apology.

 

“Why do you act this way InuYasha?” Sesshomaru calmly asked. His brother said nothing as he laid there on the ground. Miroku watched on in curiosity. Was Sesshomaru curious himself? Or did he perhaps come to accept InuYasha after defeating Naraku? Probably neither. He was almost sure of that.

 

“M'lord, when he held me… I could see the sadness in his eyes.” Rin perked up and admitted. Obviously not very fearful of Sesshomaru like the others around her. She had no reason to fear him. And she never has even before accompanying him.

 

“Sadness?”

 

“Yes M'lord. I think he misses that nice lady… Kagome.”

 

Sesshomaru looked towards his brother. “That young miko. Hmm…”

 

“…Sesshomaru.” InuYasha weakly said. “…I… I'd do anything to save Kagome. She deserves life, not me. …I know my place. In Hell is where I belong…where I should have been after Kikyo shot me fifty-years ago.”

 

“Is that what you truly desire InuYasha?”

 

“Heh, it's not like it matters anymore.” InuYasha said not looking at anyone in particular as he lied there on the ground.

 

“InuYasha?” Rin bravely knelt before her near-attacker. “…why… why is it that you didn't attack me?”

 

Sesshomaru cocked his head at Rin in a semi-stunned fashion. Indeed, why didn't InuYasha strike Rin? Why did his demonic form stop and then cradle her much less? How is it that she somehow made him revert back to his hanyou self? Or at least enough for him to regain control? Clearly an explanation was at hand.

 

“Keh, stupid girl.” Came InuYasha's reply.

 

“Is it… is it because I remind you of someone?”

 

The look on InuYasha's face told it all. His rough and tired expression changed into that of a soft and dreary look. His eyes cast away from Rin as he sighed softly.

 

“For a moment… you looked like…… her.”

 

“A mere half-demon like you, is that concerned for a mortal girl?”

 

“No. She just deserves her life. She was dragged into this battle with Naraku-”

 

“I see.” Sesshomaru halted him and calmly strode over next to Rin. “So you value her life more than your own I suppose?”

 

“Maybe I do.” He replied.

 

“M'Lord? Couldn't you use your other sword to save Kagome like you did me?” Rin innocently asked.

 

“Tenseiga? …hmm…”

 

“Please?”

 

Jaken, whom had been rather quiet, began laughing. Rolling around on the ground in hysteria. Miroku watched on helplessly as Sango and Kouga rested somewhere behind him. Sesshomaru turned his gaze at the little green-imp.

 

“As if Lord Sesshomaru would save the life of that mortal woman. You should be lucky that he even bothered to save you Rin!”

 

Rin gave Jaken a good evil eye, which didn't phase him much. However, the eerie gaze of Sesshomaru quickly silenced him. After a good swift punch, Jaken was silent once again.

 

“…I suppose I owe that woman something in return for her aid in destroying Naraku. Her arrow pierced the barrier, allowing our attacks through.”

 

“So you'll save her?” Rin smiled with anticipation.

 

“Mmmph…very well.” He had no idea why he agreed. One thing was for sure, he didn't exactly care if the woman lived or died. But he was a gentleman despite his demonic status. If he felt that a deed deserves a reward, then so be it.

 

Sesshomaru turned as InuYasha began to struggle to his feet. Glancing back, he looked onto his younger brother. `A hanyou… cast away from both demon and human society. He has no place in this world. Yet, he tries to fit in. What is it that drives him to find a place instead of giving up and dying like the loathsome half-breed that he is? …No matter. I shall properly kill him someday…when he's at his best.'

 

Staggering and limping noticeably, the badly wounded hanyou made his way quite slowly over to the sleeping Kouga. Flexing his claws tiredly as he tried to ignore the broken ribs amongst all the other injuries he suffered. Acting as though he wanted more of the wolf.

 

“Kirara… take him back to his home. Meet us… back at the village.” He tiredly said.

 

“Rarffff.” Kirara nodded unsteadily still unsure of InuYasha. Miroku and the severely hurt InuYasha wearily hoisted Kouga aboard Kirara, followed by Sango.

 

“Wait…” InuYasha called as he turned back around. Two semi-quick slashes and he removed the two stolen jewel shards from Kouga's legs before giving Kirara the go-ahead. Miroku pulled himself aboard and took off.

 

Sesshomaru was already walking on ahead with Rin in tow. Jaken remained motionless on the ground as his companions began to disperse. Before InuYasha made a move to follow, he went over and took possession of his formerly abandoned Tetsusaiga. He tried not to show any pain as he tried desperately and stubbornly to make it back to the village on his own.

 

What a long day it truly has been thus far…

 

 

By dusk, Kirara arrived at the village with Miroku and the recently revived Sango upon dropping Kouga off with his clan. The monk gave a brief explanation on what happened before departing. He just hoped Kouga would understand. Seemed like his comrades did.

Sesshomaru and Rin were already standing outside of Kaede's hut. Both waiting. Rin simply stood idly by as she stared off into the sunset.

 

“Sesshomaru.” She pauses and looks around, “Where's InuYasha?”

 

The demon lord said nothing. His mind was focused on other things.

 

“Lord Sesshomaru look!” Rin called out, pointing in the general direction of the South.

 

Sure enough, InuYasha was slowly making his way down the path. Using his sword as a cane, the stubborn hanyou limped down the path. Battled, bloody, and a mess, but nonetheless somehow alive. Parts of his kimono dangled freely after suffering a lot of wear and tear during his previous two battles with the dragon lord and Kouga. His face littered with scratches and cuts. The rest of him was mangled with deep gashes and various other wounds. Not to mention at least two broken ribs. How many for sure no one knew.

 

The horrifying experience of his nearly unstoppable transformation marked heavily on the minds of Miroku and Sango. InuYasha may only be a hanyou, but when his life is on the line he somehow becomes inexplicably powerful. A power that not even he himself can control. They wondered if Sesshomaru could even stand up to his half-brother's full-demon state. In any case, it was apparent that they must keep him from transforming lest they suffer yet another ferocious attack. What worried them more was, InuYasha could potentially be even more unstoppable next time should he transform. Indeed, InuYasha could be a dreaded Demon of Death. One that was practically unstoppable. They could only thank the gods that he didn't harm Rin. And that she somehow brought him to regain control.

 

Kaede stepped from the hut, already knowing of Sesshomaru and Rin's presence. Though she wasn't exactly sure what purpose they had here. Nor did she bother asking. The aura of the little girl was all too pure to be of any threat. Perhaps the large demon with her was her protector, she figured. Whether that was true or not was unknown to the elderly woman. He seemed oddly familiar though. Miroku aided the semi-bandaged up Sango off Kirara and helped her into the hut for further treatment. The weary demon slayer didn't protest the slightest bit, as she was half-carried inside. Blushing slightly as her exhausted mind tried to rest. Kaede simply watched them disappear into her hut before turning to InuYasha whom just limped up nearby.

 

“InuYasha, what happened to ye?” She asked, though having a pretty good idea seeing his condition and the condition of everyone else. She was a little glad that Shippo was out with the several of the towns' children in hopes to get over the loss of his stepmother, Kagome. At lest, that's what he saw her as.

 

“Save it, is Kagome still safe?”

 

“Aye she is.” Though what could possibly happen to her that was worse than what has already been done?

 

“Kaede, this is Sesshomaru, my older brother.” InuYasha began, surprisingly calm and not even trying to put any malice towards his brother's name.

 

“I see, come…” She said needing no explanation or further history.

 

Beckoning everyone else inside, Kaede led the way. The entire group piled into the hut and hovered near where Kagome laid motionless. Sesshomaru stepped forward from the crowd and drew Tenseiga and held it before him. Still slightly wondering why he ever agreed to this.

 

“Tenseiga…”

 

The sword pulsed once as the minions of the underworld began to appear. Sesshomaru, poised to strike, squinted as the demons began to disappear. Then they reappeared only to disappear again. The demon lord stood puzzled as to why this girl was different from the others who have been saved by the power of Tenseiga. The minions of the dead should stay completely visible to him.

 

“Humph…” He sheathed Tenseiga. “This girl… her spiritual powers are too great. Not even Tenseiga can revive her.” He could only confirm that as the most logical reason.

 

InuYasha's face went into a defeated state as he fell to his knees, ignoring his wounds. Especially the one to his left leg when Kouga nailed it. Falling forwards, he caught himself and remained wearily on his hands and knees. Raising a fist he struck the wooden floor with great force. Surprisingly not breaking through the floor.

 

“Damn it, Damn it, Damn it, Damn it!” He said angrily as he struck the floor with each curse. The last shot finally broke through the wooden panels. “If only I had protected her!” He shifted slightly and struck a new part of the floor. “If only I had listened and sent her back home!” He slammed his fist through the wood again. “Damn it all to Hell!” He shouted as he quickly stormed out of the hut, almost ripping down the mat over the doorframe in the process. Again completely ignoring his injuries, making them a little worse.

 

Sango sighed heavily as she bowed her head momentarily while Miroku continued to bandage her up. “Thanks for trying. It… it really meant a lot to us.”

 

“Humph, don't get sentimental.” Sesshomaru said as he took his leave. Rin bowed to the group before she went after her lord. Miroku noticed the trace of tears in her eyes. He prayed for the little girl, hoping that she would recover soon. Yet it was good to know Kagome had touched yet another life.

 

“So now what?” Sango asked.

 

“It's only fitting that we give her the proper burial. Though, I'm sure it'd be better if it were in her own time. However, will InuYasha even allow us to move her is the question.”

 

“I know not why InuYasha is acting the way he is. However, it may be best to honor his wishes. Maybe there is still a way to save her.” Kaede said to the only two remaining occupants. “Being a priestess, her body may yet be preserved for a bit longer than that of an average person. If we are to save her, we must find a way within five days time or I fear it may be too late.”

 

Well, that was one perk to being a priestess. Still…

 

“But what is there?”

 

“I know not of a way within our power.”

 

“What about the jewel?” Miroku wondered, forgetting Kohaku had suggested that already.

 

“Hey, yeah! Kohaku was kept… oh…”

 

“Oh?”

 

“Miroku, if the jewel was ever removed from Kagome, she'd die…”

 

“Using the jewel to revive Kagome could have dire consequences. Since she isn't the one using it, it may very well be possible to bring her back to life. As ye may know, if her spirit had and regrets, any betrayals upon her death like my sister Kikyo, she could come back as a malevolent spirit poised to kill those whom had wronged her.”

 

“I don't think Kagome had any of those.” Miroku confidently said.

 

Sango flinched, knowing the secret Kagome had shared. The secret of InuYasha and Kikyo's meeting two weeks prior to the battle with Naraku. Though Kagome refused to tell everything in detail, Sango knew it deeply hurt her dear friend.

 

“Umm…”

 

Miroku and Kaede looked to Sango.

 

“Kagome… she…”

 

“Yes?”

 

“She had a regret… she felt almost betrayed.” Sango said before she could stop herself. Looking away ashamed, she silently asked for forgiveness. Slowly piecing together some of the mystery.

 

“What do you mean Sango?” Miroku inquired.

 

Sighing, Sango tried to gather her nerves. “Kagome didn't tell me much on what happened, but… …a little over two weeks ago, she had seen InuYasha and Kikyo together.”

 

“They were?”

 

Sango nodded. “She didn't tell me anything they said or did… but I could tell that it really hurt her. We both saw how she had acted these past two weeks… “

 

“Damn InuYasha.” Miroku mumbled under his breath. He should have known. Sesshomaru was right, InuYasha did see Kikyo. InuYasha himself even just confirmed that only minutes ago. A lot of things were beginning to make a little more sense.

 

`If only I had listened and sent her back home!'

 

“Then using the jewel could be disastrous.”

 

“Wait… isn't the jewel supposed to grant your every wish or desire?” Sango remembered.

 

“That is what has been said. However, such a wish upon the jewel could also bring dire consequences. The jewel is cursed mind ye. Not a soul whom has possessed it has become happy. Instead they find great misery or even death. I don't think such a selfish wish could be made upon the jewel without repercussions.”

 

Sango sighed in defeat, “We tried Kagome… we tried…”

 

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Now InuYasha isn't being O.O.C. for saying he didn't care about his life. There were other references through the series in which he himself said he didn't care about his life. A good example is his statement after Sesshomaru “defeated” him around episode 96. There are a few others…

 

It looks like there isn't anything left the group can do to save Kagome. Using the jewel, much like Naraku did to Kohaku and the Band of Seven, wouldn't be a very practical thing to do. Sure, she'll be revived, possibly, but as stated if it were ever removed then she'd die. Plus, demons would constantly be after her. Then there's the “wishing” factor. We all know some wishes have repercussions (consequences). Especially if not stated right. Further more, Kaede did remind everyone the jewel was cursed. Logic would tell you that you shouldn't use cursed items. …how many movies have you seen where cursed objects brought good fortune to the hero's? …I bet there isn't one, or very few. Still, it's mainly a reference to the statement made through the series at how no one whom has possessed the jewel ever became happy.

What are they to do now?

 

More of the mystery is being put together. As to what happened between Kikyo and InuYasha before the battle with Naraku. …how will those events play out now?

 

Please Review! All questions and comments welcome!

 

-King RTS-I'm the King of My World!