InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Trust ❯ Chapter 33

Here's the latest installment. I'm not quite happy with it, but I want to put something out for those of y'all who have been waiting. I'll be going back and fixing anything that jumps out, so feel free to let me know if anything doesn't seem quite right.

Thanks to everyone for being understanding about my writer's block. I'd rather wait until I have something halfway decent than rush and post crap, so please bear with me. The saga is winding to an end…

Hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 33

The wind blew lightly over the ogre's remains. For all his posturing, Goshinki had been an easy kill for Sesshomaru. As his brother taunted their foes, he shook the blood from his blade and sheathed it.

Smoothing the look of shock from her face, Kagura gave a low laugh. "You flatter yourself, boy. Goshinki was hardly the strongest of us. The next to die will be one of you."

"Don't be so sure of that." Sango snarled. Miroku placed a restraining hand on her arm.

The man with the long braid smiled, while his grotesque brother laughed. "She's pretty, Hiten! I want her!"

"She is pretty, Manten." The man's voice matched his form, smooth and pleasant. "If you want her that bad, I'll help you take her."

Miroku stiffened, and his brows came down forbiddingly. "What did you say?"

"You heard us. My little brother wants that girl. And what he wants, he gets." Hiten shrugged. "You think you're gonna stop me?"

Miroku barely moved, but danger began to radiate from his form. "Nobody touches my woman, bastard."

"Oh!" Hiten paused while his brother gave another unnerving giggle. "Then I guess you're the next to die, then."

"Try it." He brandished his staff. The sun glinted off the metal head. Sango brought Hiraikotsu around in front of her as others moved back to give them space.

Miroku was furious at the thought that someone would threaten his woman. He looked over at Sango and smiled with grim pride. She showed no sign of fear as she regarded their opponents; only cool alertness.

"You're not man enough to take me," she said calmly.

Hiten's face brightened. "You may have to share, little brother. I like her." He rose into the air, born aloft by two flaming wheels attached to his feet. "Just got to get rid of that man first." He grinned at Miroku. "Let's see if that staff can stand up to Raigekijin, holy man."

"Whenever you're ready." Miroku's voice was low and rough, sounding remarkably like his cousin on a bad day.

Hiten shot forward, brandishing his weapon. Lightning spat and crackled from the head of the halberd.

Letting out a yell, he leveled his weapon at the monk and loosed a bolt of lightning. Miroku leaped between Hiten and his wife, taking his staff in both hands and forming a barrier of energy, deflecting the strike.

"You don't have to worry about me hitting her, monk. We don't want her hurt." Hiten laughed. "Just you."

"And what makes you think I'll stand by and watch?" Sango demanded. Muscles bunched and released, and Hiraikotsu flew out towards the airborne fighter.

He dodged it easily on the trip out, but it clipped him in the arm on the return trip. Sango caught the boomerang easily, eyes still on the two brothers.

Hiten hovered a few feet above the ground, the boomerang having stopped his advance. Rubbing his arm, he gave a wry grin. "I think I'm in love." He turned to his brother. "Manten, you're definitely gonna have to share."

Sango looked at him, incredulous and more than a little disgusted. "I can't believe this…" she muttered.

Miroku clenched his fists as the other man laughed. "Don't turn your back on me!" He shouted, leaping forward. Feinting towards one side with the head of his staff, he brought the other end around, slamming into Manten's ribs with a satisfying crack.

The other man sucked in a pained breath, the smile finally leaving his face. "Shit." He hissed. "Bastard."

Miroku didn't bother to respond, readying himself for the next strike. Sango divided her attention between the two brothers, making sure the other one made no unexpected moves.

Manten also frowned. "Are you alright, brother?"

"Nothing I can't handle. Just go and get her." Hiten replied.

Sesshomaru eyed the fight critically. The younger had yet to do anything, so it was impossible to gauge his fighting skill, but the older one was definitely a handful for the monk. Sango's bone weapon would afford her some protection against the attacks, but there was a way to further fortify it.

*Inu Yasha. Have your mate shield the bone weapon. It will afford them both better protection against the lightning attacks.*

Inu Yasha nodded, and relayed the message to Kagome. They needed to hurry, since Manten seemed no longer willing to leave her out of the fight.

Kagome thought for a moment. She had never shielded an object before, only formed barriers around people. She supposed the concept was the same, though, only with finer control.

"Sango!" she called. "Stick Hiraikotsu in the ground! Quickly!"

To her credit, Sango did not hesitate, and immediately did her friend's bidding. As soon as she stepped back, Kagome extended her hand, letting a beam of energy flow and mold itself around the weapon, careful to leave the strap untouched.

At her friend's nod, Sango picked her weapon back up and watched as Miroku deflected another attack. Her body shook with the need to go to his aid, but knew she would only hamper him by being in his space.

Hiten rose from the ground again, his face fixed in a scowl. Lightning once again began to flicker around Raigekijin.

Miroku was not waiting for him to attack, however. He let loose a bolt of energy of his own, hitting the staff and knocking the lightning bolt off course. It flew towards the red-eyed woman and the little girl. Miroku watched in disbelief as the little girl stepped in front of her companion and held up her mirror.

The attack was absorbed into the mirror and the glass glowed. Silently, she tilted the mirror, and the blue bolt streaked back towards Miroku and Sango. Kikyou's heart clenched as she saw her childhood friend in danger, but she gave no outward sign.

Miroku was too busy dealing with Hiten's charge to notice, but Sango rushed forward and blocked it with Hiraikotsu. The barrier around the weapon crackled at the impact, but held. Sango was knocked back a few yards, but quickly regained her feet.

Kagome gasped and Inu Yasha's eyes narrowed. They'd have to keep their eye on that little girl.

Kagura sighed. This was very old-fashioned and gallant of everyone to stand around and watch individual battles, but she preferred an all out brawl herself.

"Kanna, how about you take care of the berserkers? There's no sense in prolonging this." The woman snapped her fan, looking bored.

The girl did not bother to respond, but turned her body and her mirror towards the rest of the group. Adjusting her mirror so that the big Scot was reflected in it, she channeled her energy, causing it to glow. Concentrating, she began to draw out his berserker blood, shattering his self-control and giving the rage dominance over his mind.

Sesshomaru spun around quickly as he heard Douglas gasp. As he watched, his mate's grandfather's eyes dulled, and his face distorted into an expression of mindless rage.

A bloodcurdling howl burst from his throat, and his comrades watched, stunned as he drew an enormous sword and attacked the person nearest to him, which happened to be Conn.

Conn barely drew his axe in time to block the claymore as it streaked towards his trunk. As it was, his hands stung with the force of the blow and he knew it would have been fatal had it connected.

Kagura looked on in interest at the beginning of the second battle. Maybe Kanna could get them to all kill each other off, and she wouldn't need to lift a finger.

Zi looked on as her grandfather battled her friend. She wasn't at all surprised at Douglas' skill; no one else in her family was a warrior, so she had to have gotten it from somewhere. Her first instinct was to jump in and help, but she knew she would only be in the way.

Besides, as much as she hated to admit it, she did not fight to disarm or disable. She was a killer. She had never questioned that before, only knew to keep any sparring sessions short, and made sure to withdraw whenever she became angry. There was no way she could fight her grandfather without losing control of herself.

Suddenly a searing pain shot through her, and she dropped to her knees.

"No…no…" she breathed. She could feel her control being chipped away.

Apparently, that hellish mirror had been turned on her. Zi could barely hear Sesshomaru's harsh voice as he called out to her. She felt him grab her arm, but she pushed him away, not wanting to risk him. She knew she could not beat him in a normal fight, but if her control was taken from her, she knew he would not dare use his full strength against his mate and child.

So she remained on her knees, fighting against the rising rage with all her might. She would die before attacking one of her friends.

Looking around, she saw identical looks of horror and helplessness on her friends' faces. No one wanted to hurt either man, but knew that Douglas had to be stopped.

"Dammit, old man," she growled. "Ruining my life…" As her anger rose, she felt her control slipping, and tried to rein it in. Shit.

***

Kagome was shaking with anger and fear for her friends. As she watched, Sango blocked another attack of Manten's attacks, while Miroku was barely holding his own against Hiten.

Hiten smiled grimly. The monk was almost finished. Unknown to him, the spread of the poison had been accelerated, and it was apparent in the way he fought. Sheer will was all that was holding the man up now.

So he hammered him with lightning attacks, keeping him off balance and not giving him a chance to recover. Finally, an opening appeared. Sango cried out as she was knocked to the ground, and Miroku's head involuntarily swung in her direction, leaving him vulnerable.

There.

A lightning bolt streaked towards him, decimating his barrier and leaving him open to Hiten's advance. Miroku braced himself, but the other man's charge so soon after the strike was too much. Hiten drove Raigekijin into the monk's midsection, then smashed it into his jaw. A pained cry was torn from Miroku's throat as he flew through the air, slamming into the ground.

He managed to whisper his wife's name before his eyes closed. He did not hear her responding cry, or the laughter from his assailant.

Sango could not believe it. Manten simply stood and laughed gleefully, thinking she was finally his. Her warrior's mind took over and she coldly assessed the opening in his defense.

Holding Hiraikotsu like a club, she coolly swung it at Manten's head; it connected with a wet thud. As the grotesque man staggered, she followed with a backhand swing to his midsection. He fell to the ground and she eyed him critically; he was moving feebly, but you could never be sure…

She didn't care if she died, but these men would not leave here with their lives.

Her opponent's lack of movement brought her back to herself, and she suddenly became aware of the burning in her arms from the many blows she had hammered on the enormous body. Exertion caught up with her at last, and she dropped her weapon.

Looking up, Sango saw Hiten's horrified face as he saw his brother's remains. With a howl, he started towards her. She closed her eyes, knowing she had no chance against him in her condition.

Hiten's charge was drawn up short as Kagome, tears streaming down her cheeks, loosed two arrows in quick succession, each one destroying the burning wheels allowing him to fly. He crashed to the ground, snarling. Quickly regaining his feet, he hesitated, not knowing which woman to attack first.

The choice was made for him. Before he could take a step towards either woman, a dark blue bolt of energy caught him in the back. Hiten screamed as it ripped him apart. As the sound died away, there was nothing left of him but dust.

Sango looked up to see her husband leaning heavily on his staff, before he fell to one knee. Her heart jumped to see him still alive, but she could do nothing more than fall to the ground in exhaustion.

"Inu Yasha," Miroku breathed. It was all he could manage, but his cousin understood.

He sniffed in his cousin's direction; Miroku was still in no immediate danger, merely battered and exhausted. With a leap, he was at Sango's side. He picked her up and leaped again to place her next to her husband.

"Is she…" Kagome could barely get the word out.

Inu Yasha's eyes flicked over to his mate. "She's alive." He swore to himself. So many of them were down already, and they still had Kikyou, the red-eyed bitch, that freaky little girl and the guy in the cage to deal with.

He looked over where his brother stood helplessly just out of his mate's reach. Nzinga was still on the ground, shuddering, fighting to keep control of her berserker blood.

"How is she able to withstand it when her grandfather couldn't?" Kouga wondered.

"Most likely because her blood is diluted. If she was pure Scot like her grandfather, she would be as insane as he is right now." Another enraged bellow and clash of metal served to drive home Miroku's words.

"Dammit, woman, stop blocking the Bond! Let me help you!" Sesshomaru roared.

Zi shook her head. "I don't know how this works…but if they can control you, none of us would stand a chance. We can't take that risk." She panted with the exertion.

Her mate saw the sense in her words, but did not like them. It was already apparent that any attack towards that girl would be reflected back, but he did not see any other choice.

Zi looked up, trying to find anything to keep her mind off the pain. Conn was quickly weakening, unable to keep up with the older man's rage-fueled fury. He was hampered by his desire not to kill the other man.

Douglas caught Conn's sword on his own and the two men panted with exertion. Drawing one arm back, he punched the younger man in the face, then followed with a sweeping kick that took his legs out from under him.

As Conn crashed to the ground, he swore to himself. It may be the coveted warrior's death, but he hadn't planned on the "honor" this early in life.

He forced his eyes to stay open, planning on meeting his death face on. Even so, he almost missed the dark blur that shot forward and rammed into Douglas' side. The old man hit the ground, rolled and gained his feet again in one smooth motion.

"Get out of the way, Conn. I won't stand by and watch this anymore." Zi's voice was harsher than he had ever heard it. She drew her blade slowly, moving between the two big redheads.

Stumbling to his feet, Conn began to protest, even as his aching muscles screamed for rest.

She cocked an eyebrow at him, muscles taut. "He's my kin, Irish. I should never have let you fight him in the first place. This is my responsibility." Her face grew darker. "Besides, we have the matter of a couple of decades of abandonment to work out."

Conn stepped back, but looked towards Sesshomaru helplessly. The pack leader looked grim, but made no move to stop his mate.

Nzinga was clearly angry, and he didn't quite like the glint in her eye, but she did not seem to be anywhere near as insane as her grandfather. Sesshomaru himself, however, was feeling decidedly agitated. It was a struggle to maintain his usual calm.

"Let's go, old man." She sprang at her grandfather with a vicious overhand slash that he barely blocked. The force of it almost brought him to his knees, but he stood firm even as his arms shook with exertion.

The discordant clash of metal on metal made Kagome flinch from her position over by Sango and Miroku. Meeting Conn's eye, she motioned for him to join them. She wanted all of the wounded together so that she could shield them if necessary.

As she watched her friend spin and launch another attack, Kagome's anger at Naraku grew. What kind of monster would turn families and friends against each other like that?

Bloody lines and scores began appearing on Douglas' skin, but Nzinga showed no signs of letting up on her kinsman.

"Dammit," Kagome said brokenly. Inu Yasha placed a hand at her back for support. "We have to stop her. He's wearing down, but she's relentless. Why doesn't Sesshomaru do something?"

Inu Yasha shook his head. "He can't attack his pregnant mate. Instincts won't let him."

Finally, Douglas' sword went flying and he stood, swaying in front of his granddaughter. Zi eyed him. "Do you know who I am?"

He growled in response. She slapped his wounded arm with the flat of her blade. He grunted in pain.

"Answer me!" she snapped. "Do you know who I am?" Still no response.

Zi's face grew disgusted, and she raised her blade one last time. "Worthless," she spat.

Kagome broke free of Inu Yasha's hold and screamed, "You can't! He's your grandfather!"

The sword continued to arc smoothly downward, but at Kagome's scream, Zi twisted her wrist and slammed the pommel into Douglas' head, knocking him unconscious.

Breathing heavily, Zi let the tip of her blade fall into the dust. Kagome cried out in relief, and ran to her friend. Zi's head snapped up, and before Kagome could reach her, she leapt back.

"Stay back," Zi called. "That little bitch still has her mirror, so I still feel the need to fight."

"We've got to break it!" Kagome screamed.

Zi heard her mate growl, and Toujikin sang as he pulled it from its sheathe. He just had to hope his speed was up to the task. He would aim at her feet and try to avoid the mirror.

No. It would be. He would save his mate and child.

He leapt towards the mirror, using sword pressure to knock Kanna off her feet. She landed hard, dropping the mirror. As she tried to gain her feet, Sesshomaru sent another pulse of energy out, sending her even further away from the mirror.

Kagura sent wind blades his way, which he easily dodged. His eyes narrowed as he gauged the distance to the mirror and the strength of the remaining opponents. Just because Kikyou had yet to attack, did not mean she would not.

Sesshomaru extended his whip, wrapping the end of it around the mirror. A flick of his wrist brought it back towards him. Kagura snarled in anger, and Kikyou merely looked interested.

The mirror landed on the ground, glass down. Sesshomaru placed the tip of his sword against the mirror and sent his energy through it.

The glass began to bubble, and the metal began to buckle and warp. He kept increasing the amount of energy poured into it, determined to destroy it. Finally, the glass cracked and began to run, and the mirror was reduced to a pile of slag. Kanna gave a high, piercing scream and fainted. Kagura looked at her in disbelief, then turned back to her foes in anger.

Slicing her fan sharply through the air, she sent wind blades flying towards the ground. The companions dodged or shielded themselves from her attack. The wind user used the time to snatch a feather from her hair, tossing it into the air. With a flash of light, she was suddenly seated on the enlarged feather. Hovering above the battle, she sent two small blades to cut the lock on the door of the cage holding the last of Naraku's fighters.

The man shuffled out, still in that eerie stupor. He had white hair, and his mouth was covered with a mask, almost a muzzle. His feet were dirty and bare, and his fingers ended in claws instead of human nails. With a flick of her fan, she sent four more blades, slicing the chains at his wrists and ankles. They jingled and thudded into the dust.

"I'd like to see you handle Juuromaru." She gave a soft laugh.

Quick as a flash, Juuromaru turned and leapt into the air, slashing at her with his claws. She lifted higher into the air, out of his reach.

"Have fun." She purred. She drew away to a safe distance. Kikyou remained on the ground next to Kanna's still form. She looked unconcerned about the risk of being attacked by her own comrade. The last time Juuromaru attacked her, she had blown a hole through his chest. He had left her alone ever since.

Inu Yasha and Kouga ran over to join Sesshomaru, as the exhausted Zi was right in the creature's sights. She was in no condition to defend herself.

"Take her." Inu Yasha told his brother. "You've done enough today. I'll handle this thing."

Sesshomaru nodded and walked to pick up his mate and bring her to a safe distance. All of the wounded were in one place, where Kagome could shield them if necessary. And if it came to it, he could shift to his giant form and take them all back to the fort.

"Didn't you hear me, you mangy wolf? I said I'd take care of it. Go back and help the wounded." Inu Yasha snapped.

"You're an idiot, dog." Kouga said flatly. "Can't you sense something weird about that thing? It even attacked its own comrade."

Inu Yasha hesitated; that had been unnerving, to say the least. "Fine." He growled. "Just stay out of my way." With that, he sprang forward to meet the dull-eyed fighter.

Juuromaru dodged the attack easily, spinning to gouge his claws into Inu Yasha's side. He cried out in pain and lashed out with Tessaiga.

Tessaiga failed to connect, and the fighter sprang at Inu Yasha, who was now on the defensive. He spun desperately to meet the next blow, barely blocking it. He then leaped at the other man with an overhand slash. It barely nicked the side of his face, slicing the cords keeping his muzzle in place. Inu Yasha leaped back for a moment to gather himself.

Kagura laughed from her perch. That idiot dog had done it now. With that muzzle now off, Juuromaru would be unstoppable.

The dull-eyed man jerked his head sharply to the left in order to rid himself of the muzzle, which was still hanging from one side.

Kouga felt a chill as he looked into his enemy's face. There was something just not right about that man. He looked over at Inu Yasha, and shrugged. There was no use saying anything to him about it. He was sure they would find out soon enough.

InuYasha leapt in again, managing to score a glancing hit off the other man's shoulder. Juuromaru gave no sign that he was injured; simply going in for another attack.

***

Kagome's knuckles stood in sharp relief against her skin as she clenched her bow. All around her were her injured friends, while her mate fought for all of their lives. Luckily, no one was in danger, although she didn't like the pallor of Miroku's skin. More than likely, it was due to residual effects from that spelled weapon that wounded him. Sango had awoken some time ago, and kept an iron grip on her weapon.

Douglas was still unconscious behind Kagome's barrier, while Conn took the time to rest sore muscles. The big man's axe was nicked in more than one place, and he was sharpening it with a handy stone.

Sesshomaru kept narrowed eyes focused on the present fight. He did not think his brother or Kouga incapable, but he would not hesitate to jump in if needed. His mate was seated near him, one hand planted in the ground as she drew strength from the earth.

Sesshomaru agreed with Kouga; there was something strange about that man. He showed no sign of pain or anger, he was simply implacable as he hammered attacks again and again.

Inu Yasha charged once again, stubbornly refusing to give in. He managed to knock his foe aside with the discharge from the Cutting Wind, and Kouga took the opportunity to launch a kick into his side, cracking a few ribs.

Juuromaru landed on his side, rolled, and sat up on his haunches. Before anyone could realize what was going on, he turned his head towards Kouga and-something-flew from his mouth. A split second later, he launched himself at Inu Yasha once again.

Inu Yasha was too busy avoiding the man barreling towards him to see what streaked through the air at his ally. But Kouga gave a surprised shout, then a cry of pain.

Inu Yasha leapt into the air, planted one hand on Juuromaru's shoulders, and vaulted behind him just in time to see a silver blur lance across Kouga's side. The sudden tang of his blood in the air was alarming; as was the amount he was currently losing.

Whatever that thing had been, it got Kouga good.

It streaked across the ground, landing in front of Juuromaru.

A horrifyingly mutated version of the other fighter sat on the ground, moving sinuously. It looked like someone had attached Juuromaru's head onto the body of a snake, and given the creature razor sharp tentacles.

Those tentacles now dripped in Kouga's blood.

Kagome shivered as a small white tongue darted out, licking at the sticky liquid.

"Mmm…not bad. I wonder how your liver tastes?" it purred.

"What the fuck?" Inu Yasha breathed. "What the fuck are you supposed to be?"

"Who cares what the fuck it is? Just kill it!" Kouga gritted out, hand still pressed to his side.

The creature gave a smug smile smile and an unnerving laugh. "I am Kageromaru. I was sleeping in Juuromaru's stomach. And I am the only one he will obey." He punctuated his statement with another lick of Kouga's blood.

"Then tell him to die." Zi muttered from her seat near the wounded.

"Don't worry," the creature responded smoothly, "we'll all get a chance to play once we take care of these two." With that he sprang at Inu Yasha, who barely blocked him with Tessaiga. Kouga was knocked to the ground by Juuromaru's rush, and it took him longer to get up this time.

"He's losing too much blood." Kagome said worriedly. "How can he still stand?"

"Instinct tells him he has to keep standing. Once you fall over, you are almost certainly dead." Sesshomaru answered.

"He won't be able to take much more. And Inu Yasha has his own opponent to deal with." Kagome watched as her mate dodged another attack. Bloody lines scored his arms and chest where earlier dodges had not been as successful. Kageromaru was incredibly fast, and as much as she hated to admit it, was toying with Inu Yasha.

"You've got to get Kouga out of there, love. He's not going to last much longer." Zi looked at her mate.

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. Normally, she would have just suggested going herself.

"I know." She responded. "But I think it's best I stay out of the fighting."

He nodded and turned his attention back to the fight, waiting for the best time to leap in. But part of his mind could not help but worry. The earlier fight had apparently shaken her more than she cared to admit.

Kouga was standing through sheer will, his return attacks not even making contact with his opponent.

Sesshomaru landed in front of him, and pointed Toukijin at Juuromaru, who rushed the pack leader. Expressionless, he concentrated, aiming the sword pressure at the other man. Even as it ripped through him, he made no sound, and showed no sign of pain. After he slammed into the ground back first, he simply regained his feet and attacked again.

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. He was supporting Kouga, but could not fight while holding him, nor did he have the time to flee. With a warning to them both, he heaved Kouga into the air, towards Kagome and his mate.

Kagome shrieked in disbelief before Kouga slammed into her friend. Zi tried to soften the landing the best she could, but the wind was knocked out of both of them.

She struggled to get to her feet and get Kouga's arm over her shoulder. He fought to stay conscious, helping as best he could.

"Come on, now, wolf. I know you can do it."

He gave a weak chuckle. "You don't have…a fucking hole…in your side. Besides, maybe I just want attention."

She laughed. "If I wasn't mated, I wouldn't mind having you draped all over me, pretty wolf, but I think we need to get you to a healer."

After he recovered from his shock, Conn rose and took Kouga from her and laid him on the ground next to Miroku and Sango. Kagome came around and laid her hand on his forehead.

"How do you feel, Kouga?"

"Don't worry. I'll be back out there in a minute. I just need to rest a while…" his voice trailed off as he lost consciousness.

"Can you heal him?" Zi asked Kagome.

She started. "Malia has shown me a little…I don't know if I can handle something like this. I could wind up doing more harm than good."

The friends were silent for a moment, then Miroku spoke up. "It's best that you do what you can, then. At least try to stop his bleeding."

"And if nothing else, you can hold him down while I cauterize the wound." Zi's clenched fists belied her even words.

Kagome nodded, then placed her hands on Kouga's side and prayed for guidance.

***

Inu Yasha was mad. That fucking thing was too small to be a good target for Tessaiga, and too fast for him to get in more than a few hits.

And now it jumped behind a rock outcropping and disappeared. He couldn't hear or smell him anymore, and he was straining his senses to the fullest. A bead of sweat rolled down his temple, and his eyes scanned constantly. Suddenly, the ground before him burst in a shower of dirt and rock, and Kageromaru was leaping for his face, intent on the kill.

Inu Yasha dropped Tessaiga, useless at such close range. Fangs bared, he slashed at Kageromaru as he attacked.

One white tentacle fell to the ground, and the creature hissed in pain. Inu Yasha didn't pause, grabbing Tessaiga off the ground. Landing the hit sent a fresh burst of energy through him, and he was eager to finish off his opponent.

He laughed. "One more arm to go, you piece of shit." Now that he no longer had to worry about Kouga, Inu Yasha felt a weight off his shoulders.

He caught his brother's scent and scowled. *What are you still doing here? I can handle this!*

Sesshomaru did not bother to answer immediately, being too busy dodging Juuromaru's attack. Another burst of gravel signaled Kageromaru's return to the fray. Inu Yasha barely got out of the way in time, receiving another bloody score across his arm for his trouble.

*You did realize there are still two of them, did you not?* Sesshomaru asked his younger brother.

"Shut up." Inu Yasha said sourly.