InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Sage ❯ Hunting within the Higurashi Shrine ( Chapter 13 )

~*~*~*~*~*~Edited version~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

A/N: THANK-YOU FOR REVIEWING!!!!!!! *hands out chocolate, Pocky, pop (soda if you live in the State ), and gummies!!!!*

 

A/N: FYI < > means that the girls are talking to each other within the helmets and ~ “” ~ means that they are talking to everyone.

 

Chapter Thirteen

Hunting within the Higurashi Shrine

 

Inuyasha glared at Miroku. He is going to get me killed tonight! He needs to learn to shut the fuck up! I swear to all the Kami-sama that if this lecherous houshi doesn't stay quiet I will kill him myself. Inuyasha stared at Miroku long and hard before he finally turned back to the scene before them. It was like a weird stand off scene from a really messed up Western movie.

 

With his hanyou sight Inuyasha finally figured out that the three people in the clearing dressed in red, silver, and pink were females. Other then that he had no idea what was really going on. The one dressed in silver still had her hand on her hip and it looked like she was waiting for the youkai to say something. If that were me out there I would have taken those females down. They aren't that powerful. Why is the snake youkai hesitating to answer them or to at least attack them?

 

Suddenly the snake youkai started to laugh. Inuyasha shuttered involuntarily at the sound of it. A sudden feeling of foreboding settled over Inuyasha.

 

“Do you honessstly think that I would ever go back to that prissson? You will never take me back alive. I would sssooner die then go back.”

 

The silver clad female stepped forward and crossed her arms. The strange synthesized voice once again came from the female, ~ “Konala it is by the order of the United Alliance that we take you in. If you resist us we will be forced to take you back by force. You will not be dying this night but you will be coming back with us.” ~

 

The snake youkai knelt down and instantly Inuyasha knew what the youkai was going to do. He was getting ready to pounce. Snake youkai were known for their speed and deadly strikes. This is just perfect I could be at home right now talking to Kagome on the phone but noooo I had to go out with this idiot beside me.

 

The snake let out a deadly hiss as he sprang forward. Inuyasha was about to yell out for her to watch out but the youkai slammed right into something and was thrown right back and across the clearing.

 

“Inuyasha did you see that! That was one powerful kekkai!”

 

Suddenly the pink figure that was standing right in front of their hiding place stiffened. Inuyasha slapped his hand over Miroku's mouth while, with his other hand, grabbed onto his belt loop on his jeans and leapt soundlessly into the trees. Just as Inuyasha landed on the branch of the tree the pink clad female turned around and checked the shrubs for the source of the sound. The pink female shrugged and turned her attention back to the battle ahead of her.

 

Inuyasha slowly released his hand from Miroku's mouth and growled, “I swear Miroku learn to shut up. If we get spotted they will come after us. They're probably thinking that we are with him or something like that. So do me a favour and shut up!” Inuyasha kept his voice as quiet as he could. It was taking everything within him not to beat the ever-living shit out of the monk.

 

Miroku raised his hands and grinned sheepishly. Inuyasha shook his head as he turned back to the scene below them. Inuyasha sat back and hid himself as best he could in the boughs of the tree while he still made sure that he could see what was going on.

 

***

 

Kagome muttered a sutra under her breath the minute she saw that the snake youkai was about to pounce. What an idiot. Does he really think that we would be taken down by a single pounce? The snake youkai hissed menacingly and pounced at them. Kagome finished the sutra just as the snake was about to strike. The snake nailed the kekkai and was instantly shot back. I could have easily purified him if I used a stronger sutra but we need to bring him back alive.

 

<Hey did you guys hear something?> Sango started to turn around. Kagome could have sworn that she saw something jump out of the shrubs.

 

Kagome turned slightly so that she was still watching the snake but now she could see Sango better. <Did you see anything Taijiya?>

 

Sango turned back to the others and shrugged her shoulders. <I guess I was just hearing things. Anyway lets get this over with. I want to get back to the Headquarters and relax. I already worked out today.>

 

<I think that you can handle it Taijiya.>

 

Sango crossed her arms. <Of course I can handle it Haven. I just want to get a good nights sleep tonight. We do have school tomorrow you know.>

 

<Sage this is Central Command we have a problem!>

 

Kagome blinked hard as suddenly her eye patch flashed to life again. <Oh my god! This is not good!> Kagome couldn't believe it. There is in eye patch was the image of Inuyasha. He was sitting in a tree and she could just make out the snake youkai in the background. He's watching us from somewhere.

 

<Central Command this is Haven. Where is that image coming from?!>

 

<I knew that someone was there when the cameras first arrived but I didn't see where they went. After the snake youkai attacked the kekkai they jumped into the tree right behind Taijiya.>

 

<WHAT! Then there was something there.> Sango made to turn around but Sorano shook her head in Sango's direction.

 

<Taijiya if you look at them then Konala will know that someone else is here. We need to get them out of here.>

 

Kagome was torn between wanting to run and get Inuyasha out of the way of the battle and between stopping the snake as soon as possible. Why is he here!! This is not supposed to be happening tonight. I can't let him know what I do!

 

<Miko look out!> Kagome looked up and saw the snake coming right at her. It was coming fast, much to fast for her to draw her bow. Suddenly a roar filled the air and Kagome was flying through the air. Kagome looked down and saw the ground far below her. What the hell? Kagome glanced up and smiled.

 

<Thank-you Kirara! Now take me back down>

 

Kagome and Kirara flew back down and just as they landed Kagome spotted Sango running in the opposite direction. Sorano was running straight at her. <Miko I will be getting Inuyasha and who ever is with him out of here. Team Nova has set up a safe house. Taijiya is chasing the snake as we speak. She will not let him out of her sight. I need you to follow her. If he changes shapes you are the only one that will be able to sense what his new form is>

 

Kagome nodded and took off in the same direction as Sango. Inuyasha please don't fight against Sorano. If you don't do as she says then she will force you and you will end up getting hurt. Kagome jumped over a decorative bench and was soon right on Sango's tail. <Taijiya which way did he go?>

 

<I hate to say it but I think he's heading for the shrine>

 

Kagome almost tripped. No! Anywhere but there! I can't go there. I just can't <Taijiya…>

 

<Look Miko I know but there is nothing that we can do about it. As it is Haven is going to have to answer to Kaeda about us splitting up. We are to hunt, track and attack as a team but because of Inuyasha and the other guy that is with him we had no choice.>

 

<Miko. Taijiya. This is Central Command. The safe house has been set up. The Shrine is the safe location and Haven is in route to the shrine.>

 

<NO! Central Command Konala is heading for the Shrine. We can't let them go there>

 

<It can't be helped now. Everything is all set up. The snake youkai is still wearing his tracer but the signal is getting weaker.>

 

Sango jumped over the hedging that lined the perimeter of the city park. Kagome followed and they came to a stop at the long staircase that lead to the shrine. <How come his tracer is getting weaker? Central Command just boost the signal.>

 

<The signal is at the max. Something else is blocking the signal.>

 

<I didn't think it was possible but I guess it is. The Shrine is a Holy place. I always had problems with even picking up radio stations when I lived here. Jii-chan always told me that anything electronic that required a signal to go through the air was distorted because of the spiritual energy of the Goshinboku.>

 

<Well this is going to make things interesting.> Sango turned and nodded at Kagome. Kagome sighed to herself as she looked up the stairs. Come on girl you can handle this. You knew that you would have to come back to this place someday… just not when you were chasing a youkai.

 

***

 

Inuyasha watched as the silver clad female leapt on the back of the neko and flew away. Thank god that's over. I can't believe that the snake got that close to the red one. She could have been killed. Why the hell should I care? It would be totally different if that was Kagome down there and someone was attacking her. Inuyasha shuddered at the thought as he turned to see if Miroku was still breathing.

 

Miroku looked like he had just seen the most amazing thing ever. His eyes were glazed over and his mouth was hanging open. “Miroku shut your mouth your attracting flies.” Miroku blinked a couple of times and closed his mouth. Inuyasha just shook his head as he leapt down from the tree.

 

“Let's get out of here. I want to get home and see if Kagome called me.” Inuyasha heard Miroku land behind him as he walked around the shrubs and into the clearing.

 

“Inuyasha can you believe it! The United Alliance really exists! I mean I heard the rumours and I read the articles in the paper about this kind of thing but I was a little sceptical about the Alliance really existing.”

 

Inuyasha jammed his hands into his pockets as he started to walk away from the babbling monk. “Look Miroku it was probably just some kids having fun.” Inuyasha stopped as something shiny caught his eye.

 

“Inuyasha I highly doubt that kids would be doing this. I mean didn't you see what just happened. No kid could make a kekkai that powerful. I was differently sensing some strong spiritual powers coming from that red one. Well at least I think I was… I'm not really sure because it was something I never felt before…”

 

Inuyasha stumbled forward as Miroku walked right into him, “Dude you can plainly see me!”

 

Miroku wasn't looking at Inuyasha. He was looking over his shoulder with that same dumb expression that he had on when the people left the clearing. Inuyasha sighed and shook his head, “Yes Miroku those are the bikes that they rode in on. I bet anything that they will be back for them.”

 

Miroku raised his hand and pointed over Inuyasha's shoulder. I swear he has to be dumber then dumb. For Kami-sama's sake Koga drives a motorbike. Its not the first time he has seen one before.

 

~ “I did not return for the bikes.” ~

 

Inuyasha nearly jumped over Miroku. No way! There is one right behind me! Why didn't I smell her coming? Inuyasha slowly turned around and came face to helmet with the silver clad female that was talking to the snake youkai earlier. “Uhmm… hello…”

 

The silver one crossed her arms and inclined her head towards him, ~ “What are you doing here?” ~

 

Inuyasha looked at Miroku for support but he was still staring dumbfounded at the female before them. Except this time he looked like a fish out of water as he mouth opened and closed. “We were on our way home from the movies. And now that we have seen the bikes we will be one our way.” Inuyasha turned around and grabbed Miroku by the arm. They had both barely turned around when they were once again face to helmet with the silver clad one.

 

~ “I don't think so. I know that you two have been here the whole time. As much as I wish that you hadn't seen any of that I am afraid that since you have you will have to come with me.” ~

 

“What?” Oh now you can talk you baka houshi!

 

~ “I don't believe that I stuttered. You will be coming with me. This is not open for discussion. Now you will get on the neko's back and she will take you to a safe location.” ~

 

A growl from behind them reminded Inuyasha that the neko was with the silver one when she left and that the neko would obviously still be with her. Well that doesn't really leave us with any options now does it. “Keh.” Inuyasha crossed his arms and turned towards the neko.

 

Inuyasha approached the neko and as he got close to it it knelt down and Inuyasha climbed up and onto the neko. Miroku soon joined him on top of the neko. Once the neko was sure that the two of them were secure she leapt into the air and took off into the night.

 

It was an amazing feeling riding on top of the neko. Sure he had leapt around town as a way of getting from point A to point B faster but this was totally different. Miroku gasped and gripped onto Inuyasha tighter as a flash of silver leapt past them.

 

“Miroku you are too jumpy for your own good. Did you think that the silver one was going to just let us ride this neko and not follow us?”

 

“I wasn't expecting her to jump that high.”

 

“What are you talking about? I can jump higher then that any day.”

 

Suddenly the neko started to descend. They were heading for… No way! Were heading straight for Goshinboku! This is just getting weirder and weirder. The neko circled the shrine ground once before coming to land softly in front of a small house. Goshinboku was standing in all its glory just to the left of them. Inuyasha leapt off the neko and patted her head. Miroku slid off and looked around.

 

“Are we… are we at the Higurashi Shrine?”

 

Inuyasha nodded as he headed towards Goshinboku. As if out of nowhere the silver clad female landed right in front of Inuyasha and blocked his path to the tree. ~ “You're heading in the wrong direction.” ~ The female raised her hand and pointed at the little house that stood off to the corner of the shrine grounds. ~ “You and the monk are to follow me. Stay close.” ~

 

Inuyasha shrugged as the silver one walked passed them both and towards the house. The neko was the first of the three to follow after the female. As Inuyasha pasted Miroku the monk held out his hand and stopped Inuyasha was following. “Look Miroku she said follow closely and I don't really want to mess with them right now. I have no idea what is going on but I can sense that she doesn't mean us any harm.”

 

“That's not what I was going to say.”

 

Inuyasha crossed his arms and tapped his foot. “I'm waiting.”

 

“I can sense that snake youkai. He's on the grounds.”

 

***

 

Kagome and Sango reached the top of the steps and headed straight for the little well house that sat alone in the corner of the shrine's grounds. It had been easily five years since Kagome had even set foot on the grounds and she didn't like the vibe that she was feeling now. Kagome followed Sango as they ran across the grounds, up the five wooden steps that Kagome knew so well, and slid open the doors.

 

Inside was Team Nova. They were all standing at the Bone Eaters Well. On top of the sealed well was a Holo-Projector and four carry packs were leaning across the far back wall.

 

<Aw Team Sage has arrived. Now we can… Wait a minute where is Haven?>

 

Sango jumped down the stairs and walked over to Geisha who was the Team Lead of Nova. <She is on her way. There was little incident in the park that she had to take care of.>

 

<What?! Under no circumstances is the team to split up once contact with the target is made.>

 

Kagome walked down the stairs and came to a halt beside Luc. <We know the rules and the protocol. Haven said that she would take the wrath. Anyways we have more important things to worry about right now.>

 

Luc crossed his arms and nodded his head. <I agree with Miko. An electronic kekkai has been set up around the shrine grounds. We have it set to the correct wattage so that Konala will not be able to leave. Also we have noticed that sutras have already been placed on most of the buildings making it impossible for youkai to enter.>

 

<My Jii-chan set up those sutras and he passed away a long time ago. There is a very good chance that the snake might be hiding in one of the buildings on these grounds.>

 

Jushin stepped forward and touched activated the Holo-Projector. <There is another problem that needs to be dealt with. It seems that the tracer is not longer able to pin point the exact location of the target.>

 

Sango walked over to the Holo-Projector just as a map of the Higurashi Shrine's came up. Flashing green dots were spread all throughout the shrine's grounds. Sango sighed <Well it looks like we do this the hard way. Miko you will need to set up a kekkai over this well house. We need to make sure that at least this location is safe. Once Haven returns with the little problem that she is dealing with we will have too…>

 

Just then the door to well house slid open. Kagome quickly reached for her bow and notched an arrow to it. Kagome shook her head and lowered her bow. <Haven it would have been nice if you announced you presence first.>

 

Sorano walked into the well house and was followed by Kirara, Inuyasha and Miroku. Well at least they seem to have come willingly. Though Miroku looks like he is having the time of his life. Kirara burst into flames and Kagome had to stop herself from laughing as Miroku yelled out and jumped back. Once the flames dissipated the small form of Kirara meowed and ran down the stairs and leapt onto Sango's shoulder.

 

Sorano turned to Inuyasha and Miroku, ~ “Come with me. You are to sit in the corner over there by the carry packs. Don't even think about moving.” ~ Sorano turned around and walked down the stairs. Well at least Inuyasha is listening to her. I wouldn't want to have to stop Sorano from using force to make them listen.

 

Once Inuyasha and Miroku were seated in the corner Sorano walked over to the group of them. Geisha, Luc and Jushin all bowed to Sorano to let her know that she was now the top ranking Agent there and that she was in charge of all of them. <Thank-you for getting everything ready Team Nova. And I can see by the Holo-Projector that the tracer isn't functioning correctly on the grounds. I had a feeling that it wouldn't work. Central Command can you hear me this is Haven?>

 

Nothing happened. Kagome looked to Sorano and saw her raise her hand to her earpiece. <Central Command?> Sorano shrugged her shoulders. <Well it looks like we will be doing this without Central Commands help. No matter I didn't really think that the long-range communications were going to work here. We need to find this youkai and fast.>

 

Luc stepped forward and pressed a button on the Holo-projector. <From what we were talking about earlier it seems that sutras that we saw on the buildings here might not be working any more. That means that we have to do this the hard way.>

 

Sango laughed, <You mean the fun way.>

 

Sorano turned to Sango. <What do you have in mind?>

 

***

 

Inuyasha sat down in the corner and watched as the now six people dressed in weird armour walked around the room. But what caught Inuyasha's attention the most was the strange machine that was sitting on the well. It was projecting the image of the shrine and every once in a while someone would press something on its base and the image would change.

 

“Inuyasha.”

 

If it weren't for his hanyou hearing he wouldn't have heard Miroku whispering out his name. Inuyasha nodded his head to show Miroku that he had heard him.

 

“So do you still think that these people are a bunch of kids?”

 

“Keh.”

 

“Look Inuyasha you have to admit that I was right. These people are from the United Alliance and it is real.”

 

Inuyasha glanced at Miroku, “Okay so they aren't a bunch of kids and they could be working for the United Alliance but that just means that they are hiding from the rest of the world and I want to know why.”

 

“That's a good question. I wonder why they don't go public. I mean it would let the rest of the world now that they were being even better protected.”

 

“Miroku I really don't want to talk about this right now. I would like to think about it. They don't seem to even remember that we are here.”

 

Suddenly the green armoured man that was closest to the projector ran up the stairs and out into the grounds. The silver clad female turned to the blue and the white clad males. Of course they still couldn't hear what they were saying but the two of them nodded and followed after the green male that had left moments earlier.

 

Inuyasha watched as the three females moved closer together. Every now and then one would nod or cross her arms. After about ten minutes Inuyasha could smell something that was making him feel nauseous. Inuyasha raised his arm to his nose and tried to block the smell that was slowly feeling the room. The pink clad female seemed to be the first to notice that Inuyasha was having difficulties breathing.

 

She nodded to the other two as she walked over to one of the `carry packs' that the silver one talked about earlier. She opened the pack furthest away and started to rummage through it. She seemed to find what she was looking for as she pulled out a strange looking mask. The pink one walked over to Inuyasha and knelt down before him.

 

~ “We are sorry. We forget that Inu-hanyou have very sensitive noses. This mask will block the scent of the herb smoke that is filling the shrine grounds.” ~

 

With Inuyasha's free hand he took the mask and placed it over his mouth. “Uhmm thanks…”

 

~ “Here let me help you with that.” ~ She leaded forward and pulled the straps gently over his head, mindful of his ears, and secured it in place. Once the mask was on she turned and walked back to the others.

 

All of a sudden the ground shook and Miroku fell into Inuyasha. “What the hell was that?!” Again the ground shook and this time the red one had to grab the projector from falling off the well. “Would someone mind telling me what the hell is going on?!”

 

The little neko jumped off of the pink one's shoulder and burst into flames again. Once she was back to her larger size she positioned herself in front of the guys. What is she doing? Is she protecting us?

 

The silver one turned and looked at Inuyasha, ~ “We have smoked out our target. The neko will protect you. Do not leave this well house for anything. Do you understand?” ~ Inuyasha and Miroku nodded as the three girls run up the stairs and out into the grounds.

 

***

 

Kagome and the others burst out into the grounds. Kagome gasped at what she saw. Sure they had been able to smoke out the youkai but in doing so caused the youkai to take on his true form. Now before them was a huge king cobra. Kagome had seen snake youkai it there true forms before but nothing ever this big.

 

<All right girls it looks like we have to get him to change back to normal. Remember don't kill him. We need to bring him back alive.>

 

Sango touched her nano-tech belt that she was wearing and suddenly the belt flashed a brilliant white before moving to her side and elongated it self into her sword. Kagome reached behind her and grabbed her bow and an arrow. Sorano clenched both her fists as her hands started to glow with her youki.

 

Team Nova came running from behind the cobra and ran until they reached the well house. They had decided inside that Nova would be protecting the guys inside the well house. It was the job of Sage to bring in the youkai after all. Plus I think that Sango wasn't going to let the other guys have all the fun of this fight.

 

The cobra reared itself back and looked at the three girls. Kagome turned and looked at Sorano. Sorano nodded and Kagome leapt back so that she was easily three feet behind Sorano and Sango. After all she was the best at defence and her arrows would do too much damage to the snake.

 

The cobra was the first to strike. With the flick of his tail he snapped his head forward and came right at Sango. Sango drew her sword as she easily got out of the way of the attack. Sorano used that opportunity to make an attack of her own. She leapt forward, raising her hand back, and landed on the top coil of its body. Just as she landed she brought her hand down and punched the snake. Sorano youki poured from her hand and into the snake's scales. Gold lightning flashed its way throughout the snake's body as the snake hissed loudly in pain.

 

Konala veered its head back and used its tail to stop Sorano from punching it again. Sorano flipped off the coil and just out of the way of the tail. Kagome could hear Sango laugh as she leapt forward and lunged her sword into the bottom coil of the snake. As quickly as she struck Sango leapt back out of the way and jumped to the other side of the snake to attack again.

 

Sorano flipped back until she was a foot away from Kagome. <Miko I have a reading on his youki. The most power that he holds is in its head. But seeing as he is a cobra his head is the most deadliest place to attack.>

 

Kagome closed her eyes and concentrated on her miko. Soon everything vanished around her. She could feel Sorano's youki right beside her. She could also feel the youki of Geisha and Luc on the stairs to the well house. But the youki that she was aiming for was the one that she could see with her eyes closed. It was Konala's youki. It was strong but the majority of his youki was, true to Sorano's word, in his head. Kagome opened her eyes just as Konala twisted his head back to reach Sango but she was to quick as she leapt out of the way of another deadly attack. The minute Konala turned his head Kagome saw it.

 

<The diamond pattern on the back of his head. That's the key to his youki. It must be hit with one of my arrows.>

 

Sorano turned her gaze away from Kagome and looked at the youkai before them. <All right. Taijiya and I will we try to get you a clear shot. Take it the minute you have a clear shot.>

 

Kagome nodded as Sorano took off and leapt onto the neck of the snake. Sorano extended her claws and thrust them into the tough scales of the snake back. Konala hissed out in pain and started to thrash his head about to get Sorano off of him. Almost Sorano. But you have to get him to stop moving so much!

 

Sango flipped over his tail, landed on his top coil, and then sprang up to latch onto Sorano's back. Once she was on her back she flipped her katana in her hand and thrust it as hard as she could into the snakes back scales. Konala twisted his body and hissed out in pain.

 

That's it! Kagome notched her arrow to her bow and fired it off. The arrow burst into a deep fuchsia pink and sailed through the sky. Sorano removed one of her hands and grasped onto Sango. Sango let go of her katana and together the two of them quickly jumped off the snake and rolled out of the thrashing area of the snake.

 

Kagome watched as her arrow hit its mark. She hit Konala in the dead center of the diamond pattern on the back of his head. Kagome made sure not to use too much power as to pierce his scales but enough purifying energy that it would absorb his youki and force him to return to his humanoid form.

 

Sorano and Sango rolled free of the last whip of his tail and stood up. <Leave it to Miko to have all the fun.> Sango pouted as they watched the snake thrash around as its youki was purified by Kagome's arrow.

 

Kagome walked forward and stood between the two of them. Slowly the snake started to shrink and its hissing turned into anguished yells of a humanoid youkai. Finally Konala stopped thrashing and let the de-transformation happen. Sango walked forward and retrieved her katana that had come loose once Konala had started to change back to normal.

 

Konala slumped to the ground on all fours. He was panting, bleeding and sweating from the fight. Just as he looked up Sango stood before him with her katana just under her chin. ~ “Give me a reason snake.” ~ Konala looked from Sango to Sorano and Kagome who were walking towards him. Konala sighed and bared his neck to the girls.

 

Sorano came to a stop on Sango's right side while Kagome stood on the other side. ~ “Konala you are here by arrested for your escape from the United Alliance. You will continue your sentence and you will be prosecuted once again for your crimes of trying to escape. Do you understand?” ~

 

Konala looked away from Sorano, “Hai…”

 

***

 

A/N: Again I am so sorry about the late update!!! And again THANK-YOU SO MUCH FOR REVIEWING!!!!