Author's Note: I've taken a few weeks (okay, more than a few) to really think about where I want this story to go, and where it is coming from. Manga chapter 500 was my original starting point, slightly modified, but I never really made that clear. Think of this as the canon universe, that has slightly veered off track So, beginning here I will clean up, or remove each chapter to improve what I saw in my head; hopefully completing this soon (maybe.)
Dark Dreams or Endless Nightmares ~ Prelude
"Draw."
"Bastard, have you lost your mind. This is ridiculous, you're still obsessing over the swords?"
Sesshomaru swung Tenseiga; a large circular meido spanned between the brothers just inches from Inuyasha's face, nearly knocking Jaken into the underworld.
"You're serious? If that's the case I'm not going to hold back. Kaze no Kizu!"
Inuyasha struck out with the full force of Tessaiga, or at least he intended to, but when he struck the powerful wind didn't appear. Inuyasha stared at his brother in shock. Suddenly, Tenseiga gave several pulses and transformed into the mirror image of Tessaiga.
With a calm expressionless face Sesshomaru spoke low and clear, "Kaze no Kizu." The powerful wind flew forth from the altered Tenseiga just missing the younger brother and the fool Jaken who was still standing too close to him.
"Gah! Sesshomaru you bastard, have you sold your soul to Naraku," Inuyasha exclaimed, eyes wide gasping for breath and sniffing hard, as he glared at his brother and the transformed Tenseiga. Inuyasha heard exclamations from his friends coming from behind him. Ignoring them he yelled at his brother again, "Naraku's scent is coming from your sword!"
"Oh, my apologies… that would be my scent," Byakuya declared from the back of his paper crane. "You see I gave this memento to Sesshomaru-sama, I really thought he might have a use for a fragment of Kanna's mirror demon."
Inuyasha could hear his friends talking again, and frankly he felt their comments were unnecessary; his ears lowered slightly in annoyance.
"Goodness, such a commotion," sighed Byakuya. "How about I take the two of you somewhere to fight at your leisure." Byakuya then drew forth his gord and shook it, while flying over the sons of Tōga'on the Inu no Tashio, and casting water around them. Inuyasha looked around in shock wondering what the hell was going on; he chanced a glance at his brother whose expression didn't change, but he could have sworn Sesshomaru's eyebrow quirked up at him ever so slightly. The water roared and swirled around the brothers rising over their heads, and as the water formed a dome above them there was a loud audible pop then they were gone.
"W-where did they go," asked Rin. "Sesshomaru-sama! Sesshomaru-sama," she shouted crouching adorably, Kagome thought, patting the young girl on the head.
"I think," pondered the young miko as she glanced into the hole in the ground, "I think that Byakuya moved them."
Kohaku stood looking into the hole, "I don't understand, why would Sesshomaru-sama even think of borrowing Naraku's power."
"I know they can handle themselves, but more worrisome is Tenseiga's sudden ability to absorb power," Miroku said thoughtfully placing his hand on his chin. "This reversal will allow it to absorb Tessaiga instead."
"I'm more concerned about where Byakuya disappeared to," Sango spoke softly turning to look at Kagome. They knew full well that Naraku would come after her and the last jewel shard her brother held without the added protection of Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. The taijia called Kirara to her, hoping to get the children and Jaken to safety.
"Ane-ue I can fight!"
"Me too Sango, I've always been able to help in the past," chirped Shippo hopping from foot to foot.
"Kohaku, don't argue, I need you to take these little ones to safety!"
Jaken snorted, "Who are you calling little?"
"Master Jaken, you are little compared to me."
Sango rolled her eyes and stared pointedly at her brother. It was so good to see him well and in his right mind, however if the little ones could make it to Kaede's village they would be away if the trio had to make a stand. She held no illusions that the children and Jaken would remain safe from Naraku, but if Kagome, Miroku, and she could fight off Byakuya they might be able to catch up and protect them.
"Kirara, take them to Kaede," the taijia warrior scratched the nekomata under her chin and she mewed in acknowledgment before taking off into the sky.
Meanwhile, Kagome and Miroku were scanning the sky for Byakuya. The young miko reached out with her spiritual powers seeking not only their enemy, but any sign of their friend or his brother.
"Kagome-sama do you sense anything," Miroku queried, concerned that they might be in danger.
"I feel Byakuya nearby, but the brothers are just gone," she sighed softly knowing that the two of them could fend for themselves, but if they were distracted by fighting Naraku might gain the upper hand. Miroku stretched out his spiritual powers as well; he felt the departure of Kirara, the spiritual power of Kagome washing over him like a gentle wave, and the dark sinister force of one of Naraku's incarnations.
"I feel him too Kagome-sama, he's still in the area, but where?"
Sango began to scan the sky hoping against hope that he would target them and not Kirara's precious cargo.
"There monk," Sango pointed to a faint dot high above them, "damn he's too high for Hiraikotsu!" That's when Kagome felt it, that same strange spiritual energy she felt right before Inuyasha and Sesshomaru disappeared.
"He's attacking," Miroku warned a moment before Kagome could and the three friends began to run for the cover of some nearby trees.
"Monk this won't protect us."
"I know Sango my dear, but if we are under cover perhaps Kagome-sama can get off a shot or two while we seek a better place to defend ourselves." That said both the monk and the taijia began scanning the surrounding area as they ran.
"Monk I don't see anything!"
"He's gaining," Kagome shouted, as she stopped to notch her arrow and take aim. Her friends continued running until they heard the familiar stretch of sinew and the softly breathed prayer 'Hit the mark.' She fired, but too late. Then they heard a soft spoken voice behind them.
"Oh goodness are the three of you looking for me? Please, don't make my job more difficult by fighting back. I just need to send you some where for a little while." Once again, a swirl of water formed building a dome around them. The rushing became louder and louder, the sound was intolerable. Right before everything faded to black, Kagome could have sworn she heard Inuyasha calling her name.