Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or anything associated with it. I have written this story solely because I enjoy writing.

Legacy of the Cursed Mask: Battle Across Time

Chapter 9: On The Brink

"Well, that's everything," Densuke declared with a tired breath as he surveyed the many carts brought to Tsuzumi Village. Carts that were now laden with large quantities of food and medicine for the wolf-demons and Demon Slayers. "I certainly hope it helps you and your people. Especially with…well, how many of you there are."

"Yeah, I know," Koga muttered. Painfully aware that, while these supplies would buy some time for the allied tribes, it didn't solve the overarching problems confronting them both. "But at least now we can tend to those who are worst off. And with any luck, we'll find some fresh game on the way back to the mountains."

"Sure hope so!" Hakkaku declared with a wide grin. "There was certainly plenty of prey to be found on the way here! Haven't eaten that good in a long time!"

"I'll say!" Ginta chimed in, smiling just as broadly.

Recalling how quick the two of them and the other wolf-demons had been to track down fresh meat on the way to Tsuzumi Village, Koga paused to consider such things happening on the return to the mountains and groaned. This has to be the one downside to being as fast as me; when I have to slow down for others, it feels like I'm standing still! Then he scowled even harder. On top of that, I have to make sure that these supplies get back home! My people's lives are depending on it! So I have to stick with them and make sure that they stay safe! Which means that…I won't have a chance to get in closer to Kagome…!

Koga groaned at this point, thinking of how his recent plans hadn't exactly worked as he had hoped. After Kagome had run off, he had wandered around the village, waiting and listening for anything to indicate that InuYasha was getting ripped a new one by her so he'd be in the perfect position to swoop in and give her a shoulder to cry on. But that hadn't happened, not for the longest time. Instead, he had wandered around and waited. Even positioning himself to observe Kagome and the others standing around, talking. Taking care to stay downwind of them to make sure that the mutt wouldn't detect his scent.

And so he had waited, watched, and listened as Shippo returned. And while Koga hadn't been able to hear everything, he had been able to tell that something bad had happened back in the mountains. Not to mention he had heard indicators that Kagome was indeed mad at the mutt.

So while it's clear that I got that argument I wanted, I still need to find out what's going on back home! Koga grumbled inwardly. As much as I want to get closer to Kagome, I still need to take care of my people! If anything crazy is happening with the Demon Slayers, it might wreck our alliance! And I can't have that happen! Pausing to shake his head, the alpha wolf then looked at the other demons and their cargo. Which wouldn't be nearly so bad if I didn't have to go as slowly as they do!

Wishing that there was some way he could share his speed with his fellow wolf-demons, at least enough to help them get back to the mountains faster, Koga returned his focus to Densuke. "Anyway, thanks again for everything," he declared before turning towards his people. "Alright, all of you! We've got a lot of wolf-demons and Demon Slayers waiting for these supplies! So I better see nothing but air beneath your feet all the way back to the mountains!"

The wolf-demons groaned audibly at this declaration. But before any of them could voice any measure of protest, Densuke cleared his throat. "Uh, before you go, Koga…there's one other thing that I wanted to speak with you about."

Surprised by this, Koga turned towards the human and wondered, "Oh? What is it?"

"It's about… the night of the battle with the demons," Densuke carefully began even as several villagers moved about in the background. "Neither I nor any of the others here have forgotten how you and the others fought to protect this village from the demonic hordes."

"Hey, it was no problem!" Koga promptly assured them, despite his impatience. "Besides, fighting creepy demons like Naraku is what we do!"

"It might have been nothing to you…but it was far from nothing for us," Densuke assured him. "Also, you should know that…ever since the metal bird was empowered, our harvest has grown exponentially. We've brought in vast amounts of fruits, grains, vegetables, and medicinal plants. Far greater than anything we've ever seen. So much so that, even after providing you with these supplies, we've run out of space to store it all. And the grass and the plants in the lake…they've grown tremendously. So our livestock has plenty of food to eat as well."

"Well, good for you," Koga nodded in a disinterested manner. "But what about it?"

Pausing to heave a deep breath, Densuke then looked back at his fellow villagers. "Well, I and many others…we've given a great deal of thought about what you've done for us. And as a result…we've decided to return this."

Frowning in confusion, Koga followed Densuke's gaze. And felt a jolt of surprise when he saw several villagers marching forward, holding a golden orb. The same gold that the wolf-demon, along with Michiru and Kaname, had retrieved so that he might have something to barter for the desperately needed supplies. And was now being presented to him by the villagers.

"Huh?!" Koga got out, utterly baffled by what he was seeing. "But – hold on! We gave you that for these supplies!"

"I know. But you and the others gave us something far more valuable than gold. You saved our lives, our village, our futures," Densuke explained even as the villagers deposited the gold before the wolf-demons. "We already have plenty of gold. So…here. Take it."

Koga realized that the villager had good intentions behind his actions, as did the others humans present. But as the wolf-demon looked blankly at the golden sphere, he found himself at a loss. "But – what are we even going to do with it?!"

"Yeah, that's right!" Hakkaku seconded, equally perplexed. "We don't use gold! It's too soft to use in weapons!"

"But humans use it for bartering purposes," Densuke reminded them. "So if you ever need to barter with humans in the future, perhaps this gold could help you then."

Though he would never admit it aloud, Koga hadn't thought about that. And until we find a solution to the shortages, we might have to trade with other villages for food and other supplies, the alpha wolf grimly realized. And I definitely don't want to have to go through the hassle of scrambling around, looking for more gold or whatever anytime soon! We can't count on getting lucky again!

And with this thought in mind, Koga finally bent down and hefted up the golden orb. "Well, if you insist, then…sure! Thanks!"

Smiling and giving a polite bow of his head, Densuke then took a step back before he and the other villagers turned and went about their business. Leaving Koga to address his fellow wolf-demons. "Now as I was saying -!"

"Hey, Koga! Been a while!" came a loud, forceful voice.

Wincing in annoyance at once again being interrupted, Koga growled in his throat before turning to face whoever was speaking. And was confronted by two Demon Slayers who were approaching. "Oh, it's you two," the wolf-demon muttered, still marginally annoyed at being once again interrupted. "Uh…let's see…argh, what were your names again?!"

The smaller of the pair, a male clad in green, smiled and replied, "I am Ienobu. And she's Teruyo. We're both on the Demon Slayers' council."

"Not surprised that you don't remember us," Teruyo noted with a wry smile. "You spent more time hanging out with Daisuke and other warriors like him."

"Uh – right. Sure," Koga replied, vague memories of the two Slayers resurfacing as he dug through his mind. "So, uh…look, I hope you're not here just to chat. We're just about to head out and get this stuff back to the mountains!"

"Of course not!" Teruyo assured him, the muscular blacksmith smiling broadly as she drew closer. "But – well, here's the thing. We ran into InuYasha, and he told us that he needed us to help protect the village so he and his friends can head to the fort. You know, to check on their friends?"

"Uh…and what about it?" Koga grumbled, not caring one whit what InuYasha wanted.

"Just that we would appreciate it if you were to remind Daisuke of the situation here. And that we could use additional Demon Slayers to guard the village, what with the trouble coming this way," Ienobu explained. "Although it's unlikely, it might have slipped his thoughts with everything that's been happening."

"Hmph. I can't see anything slipping Daisuke's mind. But I'll be sure to remind him as soon as we get back," Koga assured the Demon Slayers. "Is that all?"

"Not hardly!" Teruyo grinned as she shifted her hammer about on her shoulder. "You're not the only one who wants those supplies back home as fast as possible! And Ienobu here's gonna help make that happen!"

"Oh, really?" Koga muttered, eyeing the smaller Demon Slayer disbelievingly. "And how's he gonna do that? Give them an inspirational speech?"

Giving a soft smile, Ienobu stepped closer. "Not quite…but close enough," he softly replied before approaching the other gathered wolf-demons. "Please, listen to me. For I will help you if you let me."

The wolf-demons looked at Ienobu with clear surprise, even Koga. There was something different about the Demon Slayer's voice; it was more intense, commanding. It had a force to it that the alpha couldn't ignore. "You legs shall not tire, your feet will feel no pain. Far across the land you will sail, heedless of the terrain."

The words penetrated Koga's ears. He could feel them all but powering through his brain, his entire body. It was like they had a presence, a force that was permeating his very being. But even as he struggled to process this, he noticed the other wolf-demons making noises of confusion. "Whoa…" Ginta started, giving a quick shake of his head. "What the – hey, did something just happen?"

"I – I think so," Hakkaku muttered, sounding as perplexed as his fellow wolf-demon. "Did you do something to us?"

"You could say that," Ienobu smiled enigmatically.

"Ienobu's a Kotodama Master. Or to put it more simply…his words are literally magic," Teruyo grinned broadly. "Just the thing to light a fire under those feet of yours!"

His eyes widening as realization sank in, Koga got out, "So – wait! So he just cast a spell to make them faster?!"

"That's right." Then Ienobu gave him a knowing smile before adding, "Of course, it will wear off eventually. But even if it doesn't last enough to get you to the mountains…well, at least you'll be a lot closer."

Grinning wildly at this, Koga eyed his allies in appreciation. "Well, why didn't you just say so?! This will make the trip back home a hell of a lot simpler! Not to mention faster!"

"Well, if it's fast you want, you better get going!" Teruyo reminded him. "Like he said; that spell's gonna wear off eventually! So the sooner you leave -!"

"The more time we'll have before it wears off! Got it!" Koga grinned enthusiastically. Then he turned to the other wolf-demons and declared, "Well, you heard her! Let's get moving!"

And without another word, Koga shot off. Still carrying the golden orb and looking forward to getting back to the mountains.


"Wow, I can't believe it!" Ginta grinned as he and the other wolf-demons hauled the various carts and their precious cargo. "Look at how fast we are now!"

"I know!" Hakkaku agreed, grinning just as broadly. "We've already left the village and the forest behind! I bet we're almost as fast as Koga now!"

"Or at least as fast as he is normally," Ginta reminded his friend. "Did you see how fast he was moving when we last saw him?! I bet he's already back at the mountains by now!"

"You wanna bet he still complains about how long it takes us to get back home?" Hakkaku wondered.

"Like anybody's stupid enough to take that bet!" Ginta muttered with a roll of his eyes.

The wolf-demons continued onwards, their surroundings a blur as they moved the carts across the lands. They had to exercise some caution, as the various bumps and ruts they encountered would sometimes dislodge some of the vital supplies. But despite having to retrieve a bundle of rice or some other bit of their precious cargo every now and again, the trek back to the mountains continued swiftly and relatively smoothly.

The wolf-demon convoy was about halfway back home when Ginta heard one of their number making a contemplative noise before muttering, "You know…I've been thinking about something."

"Oh? What's that?" asked another wolf-demon.

"Well…okay, here's the thing," the first wolf-demon carefully began. "Back when we had those human villages – you know, before Toma had them wiped out – we'd raid them for food. We'd fight them, they fought us, and they also hired the Demon Slayers to protect them. And a whole bunch of us died."

"Yeah, I know. But what can you do?" the second wolf-demon muttered solemnly. "Just because an animal is prey doesn't mean you can expect it to roll over and die for your convenience!"

"I know that!" the first wolf-demon countered. "But – anyway, the reason we're in this mess is because Toma did those raids and wiped out those villages before the Demon Slayers could respond. Leaving us without any food."

"Right. But so what?" the second wolf-demon wondered.

"Well, here's the thing," the first wolf-demon proceeded. "Those humans were so grateful to Koga and the others for saving them that they were willing to share their food with us. And so, I was thinking…maybe that's what we should've been doing all along!"

"Huh?!" piped up a third wolf-demon. "What the heck are you saying?!"

"Just that – well, humans in villages like that grow their own food, right? They herd cattle for food, they grow crops, so they have plenty of food. But – farmers like that aren't fighters like the Demon Slayers. And the Slayers, they would protect those villages, and in return, the villages would give them food and so on," the first wolf-demon persisted. "So…maybe that's what we should've been doing! Protecting humans instead of raiding them! And in return -!"

"Are you crazy?!" the third wolf-demon demanded. "Look, I get the whole 'alliance with the Demon Slayers' thing! And yeah, sure, some of them have some nice tricks! But we're wolf-demons! We don't accept handouts from humans!"

"I wasn't talking about getting handouts!" the first wolf-demon protested. "We would protect the humans, and they would repay us by giving us some of their food! What's wrong with that?!"

"Even forgetting the fact that all of those villages are gone, you would seriously have us – we're warriors, idiot! Hunters!" the third wolf-demon growled irately. "Don't you remember that?! Tracking down our prey and taking it?!"

"Yeah, I remember. And I also remember there used to be a time when I didn't have to worry every single day about where our next meal was going to come from or where we could find it," the first wolf-demon countered. "And I for one would rather lose out on the thrill of the hunt if it meant having a food source we could count instead of having to worry about starvation in situations like this!"

"Hmph! Can't argue with that logic," the second wolf-demon muttered sourly.

As the third wolf-demon visibly struggled to come up with some kind of counter, Hakkaku muttered, "That ain't a bad idea. Too bad Toma wiped out all of those villages, though."

"Still…there are other humans out there," Ginta pointed out. "Who knows? Maybe someone will set up another village near us! Maybe a bunch of them!"

"Are you two even listening to yourselves?!" the third wolf-demon howled in patent disbelief. "We're wolf-demons! We're hunters! We don't 'trade' or 'barter'!"

"You mean all of the stuff we just finished doing?" the second wolf-demon inquired in a deceptively mild tone.

"That was just a one-time thing!" the third heatedly countered. "The only reason we're stuck doing this is because of Toma! Once this is over, we won't need to bargain with humans ever again!"

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," Hakkaku stated.

"Me neither!" Ginta seconded. "Don't forget that it wasn't just Toma! Naraku was the one backing him! And as long as he's out there…well, who knows what kind of trouble we might have!"

The third wolf-demon looked like he was about to say something, but then the first announced, "I get you don't like the idea! I'm just saying that – we should at least have something to fall back on the next time we're in trouble!"

After several seconds of blessed silence, it was clear that the third wolf-demon had no counter for his argument. But the ugly expression that spread across his face made it clear that he was far from satisfied.

I sure hope that Ienobu's spell doesn't wear off before we reach the mountains, Ginta thought sourly. If there are more wolf-demons who feel like this guy, then this is something Koga, Ayame, and everyone else should know about!


Okay…I talked to those two Demon Slayers, and they're ready to help protect the village, InuYasha muttered inwardly. Even so…I can't see them being a match for Sesshomaru! And then there's everyone else that's going to be after the jet! Growling his frustration deep in his throat, the half-demon shook his head as he wandered closer to the manor that had been their temporary home. Which means that I'm not going anywhere…dammit!

Shaking his head in badly restrained frustration, InuYasha looked this way and that. Taking in a village that had just barely weathered the demonic storms that had been unleashed upon it thus far. Knowing full well that the forces that were presently being drawn to it could easily wipe it out of existence. I hate to admit it, but every time we've had to fight Sesshomaru, we've just barely been able to handle him! the half-demon thought, feeling like his throat was being rubbed raw as he forced himself to swallow his pride. And…it's not like we've won…every fight against him! And with all of these people around -!

Not even wanting to think of all of the bloodshed that would ensue if it came to a fight with Sesshomaru, InuYasha continued to consider the matter. Sesshomaru doesn't usually fight unless there's something in it for him to make it worth it. But…since he's obviously coming here to get the jet, I can't see him deciding to pack it in if we told him, 'No, you can't have it!' Shaking his head at the absurdity of such a scenario, the half-demon then considered other possibilities. Our best chance would be to get some more Demon Slayers. Really powerful ones, like some of the Shikigami Users we saw at the fort! But can they even spare people like that?

The more InuYasha thought things over, the less optimistic he became. The people he knew he could trust were either too far away to help or dealing with some other problem or both. Leaving him to turn to allies whos capabilities he didn't know and didn't trust. And with all of the problems we're having and more people coming after the jet, things are going to be getting bad and fast! the half-demon grimly concluded. I just hope that we can hold things down until we can get some extra -!

A cry of pain caught InuYasha's ear.

The half-demon immediately froze as his canine ears twitched in the wind. Ears that soon caught successive cries of pain, along with sounds of battle. These things were far too distant for human ears to detect, but his demonic senses were more than capable of detecting them. Just as they allowed him to pinpoint the direction they were coming from.

The Feudal Manor that they had been staying at.

And as InuYasha realized this, he also realized what might have happened. And found himself instantly dreading the possibility.

"Oh, dammit!" the half-demon swore vehemently before launching himself into the air. Swiftly reaching top speed, InuYasha bounded about, heading towards the manor.

Less than a minute later, InuYasha arrived at the manor. And was instantly greeted with cries of alarmed dismay. Something that made him swear even more. "Kagome! Kaname!" the half-demon cried out as he shot into the manor, his every sense keened and fully alert. Scanning his surroundings for any sign of his friends and whatever was threatening this place.

And so it wasn't long before he detected the scent of blood.

Gasping in alarm, InuYasha flew through the manor and shot up the stairs, orienting on the blood scent. And as he did so, he picked up on other scents. Two of them unmistakable as belonging to his allies.

"Kaname?! Kagome?!" InuYasha cried out again as he shot through the second floor of the manor. And was soon greeted by the sight of the two girls.

And was immediately flooded with relief.

"InuYasha!" Kaname responded even as she knelt down next to an injured villager. Using her healing magic to close the bloody wounds that were one of the sources the blood smell. "Thank goodness you're here! It's Kohaku!"

"Kohaku?!" InuYasha blankly repeated before surveying the scene. Several villagers were hurt, but none fatally. The worst of the damage was all but healed by Kaname's magic even as Kagome assisted those that were already recovered. Then the half-demon spat vehemently. "Naraku must be after the jet!"

"Yeah, and – erg!" Kagome rasped out, her throat clearly still hurting her. "Kohaku…probably bait…for trap…!"

Growling in his throat at how Naraku was once again trying to steal back Sango's brother and hurt her and the rest of them even more, InuYasha took hold of the Tetsusaiga. "I'm not letting him get Kohaku back again! We need to go after him!"

"Uh – right!" Kaname nodded as she released her spell. "I'm sorry, but I don't have time to finish healing you right now!" she apologized to the guard she had been tending to. "I'll be sure to finish treating your wounds when we get back!"

Nodding, the guard clutched his injury. "It's alright…it's not that bad now," he assured them. "Just…please protect the village…!"

Nodding to this, Kaname placed her hand on his shoulder. "We'll do everything we can!" Then she rose to her feet and asked, "InuYasha, can you smell where Kohaku went?"

"Sure can!" he declared before bending down to let the girls get on his back. "Climb on, you two!"

Kagome immediately heeded the half-demon's instruction. As for Kaname, she frowned slightly, giving the raven-haired girl an ugly look before muttering, "Uh…maybe I should go find the Demon Slayers first? If Naraku's about to attack, then –"

"Then we need everybody to be ready! Good thinking!" InuYasha replied. "Just be sure to get there as fast as you can!"

Kaname gave a quick nod to this…right as Kagome made a noise of some kind. A noise that prompted the Kururugi girl to look towards the reborn priestess and scowl once again. Prompting InuYasha to groan.

Looks like warning the Demon Slayers isn't the only reason Kaname doesn't want to get on right now! InuYasha grumbled inwardly even as he rose to his feet. I hate to admit it, but we could sure use some help! Shippo, Miroku…hell, I'll even take that scrawny wolf right now!


"What do you mean, Miroku's gone off on his own?!" Shippo cried out as he looked in astonished horror at the bearer of bad news.

"Just what I told you," Mushin muttered, the drunken old monk's nose red from his excesses. "Miroku…he's taken losing that Sango girl very hard. He's so hurt and confused over himself that he's decided to go off on some fool journey by himself!"

"And you have no idea where he is right now?!" Shippo screeched, very much beside himself at how what he had hoped would be a simple errand had gone pearshaped on him.

"Well…I'm not sure," Mushin hesitantly admitted. "You see, I made the mistake of telling Miroku about some artifacts that his grandfather owned. Sacred objects that gave him the power to help fight Naraku. I was…hoping that the prospect of being able to wield such power might make him feel more confident, especially with his Wind Tunnel gone. Like he had something to offer you and your friends. Give him a reason to join you all again." Then the old monk gave a pitiful snort. "As you can tell, that didn't work out like I had hoped."

"So he's looking for these artifacts?!" Shippo asked hopefully. "And where are they?! Are they close?!"

"Ugh…I gave Miroku my only map, and…this old head doesn't remember things as well as it used to," Mushin muttered, punctuating this statement with a boozy belch. "But, uh…Miroku made it pretty clear that he was going after the Sanko first. And that's on Mount Fuji."

Frantic at this bit of bad news, Shippo began pacing wildly about. "Okay, so, uh…there's no way Miroku's gotten that far already! So if Kokoro and I search from the air, we might be able to catch up with him!"

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," Mushin glumly admitted. "You really think you'll be able to spot Miroku from the air if he's traveling in the woods!"

Wishing that the old monk hadn't pointed that, as it only served to increase the pressure on Shippo, "Ugh! I've got to keep it together!" the little fox cried out before running about for a short time. When he had finally expended enough of his frustrations, at least so that he didn't feel like he was going to explode, Shippo ground to a halt and looked squarely at the nearby Kokoro. "Rggghh…I guess we better see if we can find Miroku!"

Kokoru made an avian noise of confusion, prompting the little fox to sigh. "You think that we should go back to Tsuzumi Village?" When the silver phoenix squawked in confirmation, Shippo frowned. "I don't think that would help. We need InuYasha there to protect the – the metal bird. Not out here, trying to find Miroku." Then the little fox lowered his eyes and added, "Besides, he has Kagome and Kaname to help protect the village. It's not like…they really need me there…"

His insides shifting about as he thought about how little power he had compared to his friends and allies, Shippo then sighed. "So, anyway, we better get going!" he announced, returning to the current dilemma. "We need to find Miroku, wherever he is!"


"I don't believe this!" Koga growled as he looked this way and that. "Just where the hell am I?!"

As Koga continued to look around, he found himself at a loss. Not that long ago, he had been leaving Tsuzumi Village behind, running at top speed as he always did. At first, he had been stunned by the way the world had blurred around him, still not quite used to his new speed. Then he had been dumbfounded, for the blurring effect had been even more intense than he was used to.

It had been at this point that Koga realized that Ienobu's spell had affected him more than he had anticipated. And he had ground to a halt…only to find himself unable to recognize his surroundings. Then he started running in a different direction, again at full speed, only to stop again. And he repeated this several times over before realizing that it wasn't helping his situation.

"I – I don't – I didn't recognize – any of these places!" Koga gasped in realization. "Ienobu's spell…just how much faster am I?! How far did I go?! And – how the hell do I even get back home?!"

Groaning somewhat, Koga smacked himself in the head. "Dammit…I'm too fast now for me to really control my speed! And by the time this spell wears off, it'll probably take me forever to get back home! And that's even assuming I can figure out which way home is!" Pausing to shake his head in disgust, the alpha then grumbled, "About the only good news is that the mutt isn't here to see me in this mess…!"


There. That should be all I need to draw InuYasha out into the open, Kagura thought with a mild sense of satisfaction as she waved her fan gently about her person. Just enough to carry the scent of her body, the scent of Naraku, into Tsuzumi Village. Unless his nose has failed him, he should be here any second. Just in time to see his former lover fall.

And as Kagura looked about, she saw that she was none too soon, for one of the combatants fighting not too far away was already faltering. Kurogasa is easily as skilled as ever, she noted even as his foe was driven back. This is just a business, Kikyo. I have no grievance with you, but I -

A deep crunching sound caught Kagura's attention. And as she turned towards the source of the sound, she realized it was a tree being crushed. Effortlessly shouldered aside by the truly massive figure that was now approaching. "What in the -?!"

"Hmph! Be careful, you lumbering brute!" came an older voice, one that caused Kagura to frown. A low growl was heard in response, followed by a more exasperated voice retorted, "I know you're not used to your new body yet! None of us are! But if you keep this up, the entire village will know we're here before we're ready to -!"

"And what are you supposed to be?!" Kagura hissed in disgust even as she sized up the two figures below. "Did Naraku send you?!"

The smaller of the two figures gave an ugly smile, suitable for such a creature. "Ah…you must be Kagura," he grinned even as his tongue swirled about the interior of his mouth. "Naraku said you'd be here…but he didn't mention what a fine creature you were!"

Taking this as confirmation of her suspicions, Kagura proceeded to her next questions. "And who or what are you?! What are you doing here?!"

The smaller figure just smiled some more. "I'm Mukotsu of the Band of Seven. As for my compatriot, his name of Kyokotsu."

A moment's thought was all it took for Kagura to recognize those names. "You're part of the Band of Seven?!" she gasped. "Naraku said that he'd brought you back, but – I've heard the stories about you! You're supposed to be human!"

The monstrous brute that was Kyokotsu grunted, showing off a mouthful of sharp teeth, while Mukotsu snickered. "Yes, we were human once. But as you can see, Naraku has taken care of that." Then his laughter faded as he glanced down at himself, "Though I wish he'd taken care of other things while he was at it…damned Jakotsu, why'd he have to be so fortunate…?!"

As Mukotsu continued to complain beneath his breath, Kagura scowled worriedly. Did Naraku…use those statues Utsugi gave him?! He never said he was going to do that! Hissing beneath her breath, the incarnation of the wind realized that this bode ill for her. The fact that he had empowered the Band of Seven, transformed them into something more than mere humans, meant that he didn't have to rely on her nearly so much. And while he still held Kagura's heart and thus her life, this development made it clear that she was in a bad position. And that she needed to work fast to free herself from Naraku's control.

Before he decides that I've outlived my usefulness to him, Kagura grimly concluded. "Alright. But still, what are you doing here?! And be quiet! I don't want those two sensing your presence!"

"Hmph! Well, that's too bad," Mukotsu sneered nastily. "Because Naraku…well, suffice it to say that he's none too confident in your abilities. And so…he's ordered us to kill the one called Kurogasa, take the metal bird, and crush anything that stands in our way." Growling in her throat at the poorly masked threat, Kagura continued to look at the vile creatures before. "Ah, yes. There was one other thing that he wanted us to do."

A figure suddenly came into view. A figure that Kagura recognized. That of a small boy in the garb of a Demon Slayer. At which she realized that things were about to get spectacularly ugly.

"Naraku also wanted us to bring back either the boy or his Jewel Shard," Mukotsu smirked. "Whichever is easiest."


Dammit, why can't things ever be easy!? InuYasha spat inwardly as he followed Kohaku's scent. His scowl deepening as another scent pricked his keen nose.

"Kagome, get ready!" the half-demon ordered aloud. When she made a questioning noise, InuYasha explained, "I'm picking up Naraku's scent! Probably means either Kagura or another new incarnation of his is here!" Kagome's response was to issue a pained groan. "Hmph! You said it! And – huh?!"

Now it was InuYasha's ears that were reacting. Reacting to the sound of a battle going on. As well as female noises of pain that caused his heart to clench. "Kikyo! I just – hang on!"

Without further warning, InuYasha quickened his pace. He heard Kagome squawk before she tightened her grip on him, but the half-demon barely paid this any heed. His current focus was on the reality that the woman that he had loved with all of his heart was once again in danger. If Kagura's laid so much as a finger on Kikyo, I'm gonna -!

Images of the horrible vengeance that InuYasha would wreak upon any who harmed Kikyo flashed through his mind as even more scents and sounds were interpreted by him. Unfamiliar smells, sounds of energy attacks and physical combat. Explosions, trees being crushed and more. All of it conveyed a sense of total chaos.

But when InuYasha finally reached the site of the battle, he ground to a halt. For what he had imagined was nothing compared to the reality that now confronted him.

"What in the -?!" InuYasha gasped in patent shock while Kagome tumbled off of his back. The reborn priestess quickly recovered her footing before clumsily drawing an arrow and taking aim.

The section of the forest they were in and had been decimated as a result of the recent fighting, with shattered trees and blast craters everywhere in sight. InuYasha could see Kohaku standing a distance away, his eyes glazed and his expression blank. Kagura was floating a distance away, an expression of displeasure plastered on her face.

Also nearby were three complete strangers. One of them apparently human, the other two considerably less so. The unfamiliar human was dressed in a black kimono with a white, sleeveless haori over it. He was also wielding twin katana that radiated magic. And at present, he was covered in smoke, dirt, and debris even as he faced the other two strangers present.

The larger of the pair was an absolutely huge demon with a mouthful of razors and slitted, deadly eyes. His entire body was a tremendous mass of muscle, coiled and flexing beneath a skin that looked more like stone or metal than true flesh. He also sported six arms, each of his hands sporting a set of deadly claws.

The other was what looked like a cross between an ugly old toad and a dessert InuYasha had had in Kagome's time, what she had called lime jello. His bulbous eyes were narrowed and deadly, and a toxic stench rose up from his body.

I have no idea what they are, but one thing's for sure; they're not some new incarnations of Naraku's! InuYasha quickly realized. Their stench is awful, but it isn't the same as Naraku's! Then the half-demon glanced about his surroundings, trying to get some bearing on what was happening. But who's that guy?! Was he fighting Kagura and the others?! And where's -?!

A hushed gasp caused InuYasha to freeze, prompting him to look at Kagome. "InuYasha!" she wheezed, pointing off to the side. "Look!"

InuYasha immediately followed Kagome's outstretched finger with his eyes…at which point he felt his heart fall into the depths of his stomach.

Kikyo was lying against the remains of a broken tree, her raiments soiled and torn as a result of battle. But even worse was the sight of flaking cracks marring her flesh. Chunks of what looked like human flesh falling away, revealing the onerous truth of her body.

"Kikyo?!" InuYasha shrieked, utterly horrified by what he was seeing.

"I'll – check on her!" Kagome croaked out even as she started towards the decimated priestess. "InuYasha – stay focused!"

Kagome's voice was rife with pain, but her message came through clear. For as much as InuYasha wanted to be able to get Kikyo to safety right then and there, he still needed to deal with Kagura and the others. "You take care of her, Kagome!" the silver-maned warrior pleaded even as he drew forth his Tetsusaiga. "Please, just – do whatever you can!"

"Hmph! Such concern for a broken doll!" sneered the toad-like demon even as his more massive counterpart chuckled menacingly. "Personally, I prefer my women warm and soft! Not made of hard soil and ash!"

Stung by this remark, InuYasha glared hard at the vile monstrosities Naraku had sent. "I don't know who the hell you are, but whatever it was you did to Kikyo, I'm gonna do to you ten times over!"

This hate-filled declaration did not garner a response InuYasha wanted or would have expected. Instead of sneering derisively or recoiling or making some boast…the slimy toad just stood there, staring at the half-demon for a few seconds. Right before he started laughing.

It was a noxious, disgusting laugh, one that sent vile fumes into the air and tempted InuYasha with the possibility of covering his nose. Made even more infuriating when the multi-armed brute next to the toad also started laughing. Which was made even worse by the fact that it wasn't a mocking laugh, or a contemptuous laugh or any of the other kinds of laughs demons in their position would tend to make.

It was the laugh of someone who thought something was genuinely funny. Like they were laughing at a joke that InuYasha had missed.

This laughter throwing further fuel on the flames of InuYasha's anger, the half-demon tightened his grip on the Tetusaiga's hilt. "Care to tell me what you think is so funny?! Before I rip out your tongues and you're never able to laugh again?!"

The toad-like demon continued laughing for a short while longer before finally settling down. "What's funny is that you're assuming that we were the ones who hurt that undead statue you're so concerned about!"

Growling in his throat at this, InuYasha countered, "I don't care which of you did it! I'll just kill each and every last one of you! Then I'll be sure to get the one responsible!" When the vile demonic beasts laughed once more, the half-demon growled furiously before turning towards two of the women he cared so deeply about. "Kagome! How's Kikyo doing?!"

A moment passed before Kagome weakly replied, "Not…good…!"

Growling even more furiously, InuYasha snarled, "All the more reason to take them down fast!" Then he turned his attention to the unfamiliar human. "Hey, you! I'm assuming you know how to fight!"

The stranger turned towards InuYasha. During the time everyone had been talking, he had not relaxed the slightest, possibly recovering from his earlier exertions while remaining combat-ready. "I've been training to be a samurai my entire life. So…yes. I know how to fight."

"Fine! Just do your best to hold your own and not get in my way! We've got to keep those creeps away from Kikyo!" Ignoring additional laughter from the old toad and his brutish companion, InuYasha went on to say, "You just have to hold out until Kaname and the Demon Slayers get here! Think you can do that?!"

The stranger managed a weak smile. "I believe I can, yes," he said with mild amusement. "So…your name is InuYasha?"

Furrowing his brows, the half-demon replied, "Yeah? So?"

"My name…is Kurogasa," the samurai informed him. "And I will do my all to…defend both the village and the women."

InuYasha thought about saying something, but a few snickers from the toad and his buddy dissuaded him. "Fine! Just don't get in my way! I'll take care of those creeps!"

Without another thought, InuYasha issued a guttural roar of purest rage as he shot towards the monstrous creatures Naraku had sent. "I'm ending you both right here and now! Wind Scar!"

Bringing the Tetsusaiga's blade down upon the ground, InuYasha sent massive blades of energized destruction through the ground. The massive blades surged towards the two demons without mercy. The first one to feel the fury of the Wind Scar was the disgusting toad, who exploded into splatters of green sludge. As noxious fumes rose up from his destruction, the demonic blast surged towards the multi-armed brute, who roared in defiance.

And began sucking the Wind Scar into his gaping maw.

"Wha- aw, dammit! Guess I should've known it couldn't be that easy!" InuYasha growled as the last of the Wind Scar's power was devoured by the immense monstrosity. "Still, one down, one to -!"

"No, he's not dead yet!" Kurogasa announced even as he darted forward to position himself between InuYasha and the unfamiliar demons. "Look!"

InuYasha was about to shove Kurogasa out of the way, but before he could even speak, a bit of movement caught his eye. And as he looked towards the movement, he saw globs of gelatinous goo pooling together before reforming into a larger creature.

Dammit! InuYasha swore inwardly as the toad-like demon finished reforming. What happened to the days when all I'd have to do is hit a demon with the Wind Scar and they'd die, just like that?!

Chuckling at the Wind Scar's utter failure, the toad-like demon chuckled. "Alright, Kyokotsu…why don't you put this pathetic mutt and the samurai out of our misery? And while you're doing that…" He then paused to gaze lustfully at Kagome, licking his lips with a thick tongue. "I'll help myself to the maiden!"

"Not happening, you filthy old toad!" InuYasha growled, already moving to intercept the frog-like demon. As the gelatinous horror moved about, spreading more of the toxins he'd released upon exploding, more plants withered and died.

Can't let that thing get close to Kagome or Kikyo! But I can't use the Tetsusaiga or my claws on him, either! All I'll be doing is spreading more poison! InuYasha realized with considerable dismay. I could try using the Reikikaega, but…I still don't know enough about how it works! It could wind up backfiring on me!

Growling as he tried to think of some way of dealing with his filthy foe, the monstrous beast that the toxic fiend had called Kyokotsu rushed in towards InuYasha. Before the half-demon even realized what was happening, two massive fists were sent flying towards him, forcing him to jump backward to avoid the punishing blows. Growling deep in his throat, the half-demon then recovered and shot forward. There's got to be a weakness to this guy! he thought even as he swung Tetsusaiga's blade at the monstrous behemoth, only for it to fail to cleave through his armored hide. I've got to keep attacking! Find some kind of – arggh!

Kyokotsu swatted at InuYasha, and the half-demon wasn't quite able to avoid the blow. And so he was sent flying through the air. And while he was able to recover and land on a nearby tree, he could still feel the blow and his entire body hurting from it.

Argh…not gonna be able to out-muscle this bastard! InuYasha thought furiously. The Wind Scar is out, so…aw, crap!

Kyokotsu opened his mouth wide, and as he growled ominously, a brilliant light shown from the depths of his throat. A light that quickly grew in intensity. And it didn't take long for InuYasha to realize what was about to happen. Quickly leaping from his perch, he was just in time to avoid a series of small blasts from Kyokotsu's mouth. Blasts that ripped through the tree he had been on and the surrounding foliage like it was nothing.

Aw, dammit! InuYasha fumed inwardly. Those blasts are too small for me to even try using the Backlash Wave! And even if I did, he'd probably just eat it up as well! Grimacing as Kyokotsu reached out with two of his hands, the half-demon watched as the monstrous demon effortlessly uprooted two of them. And I've still got to worry about his partner! I've got to come up with something and fast!

Unfortunately, InuYasha was sorely short of ideas as Kyokotsu brandished the two trees like monstrous clubs. Chuckling bestially, the inhuman behemoth once again charged towards the half-demon.

Only for his expression to turn to one of surprise as he tripped over something. As InuYasha looked on blankly, astonished by his good fortune, Kyokotsu fell flat on his face. The massive trees flying from his hands as he tumbled to the earth, causing it to shake in the process.

"Huh?!" Mukotsu gasped in clear disbelief. "Kyokotsu, you idiot! Did you lose what little mind you had left?!"

"That wasn't his fault, you…whatever you are!" came another familiar voice. One that prompted InuYasha to look about in surprised relief…and see Kaname standing a short distance away, along with Ienobu and Teruyo. "I'm the one who sent your partner on that short trip!"

"Kaname!" InuYasha smiled, glad to see the Kururugi girl. Realizing what had happened, he glanced over at the recovering Kyokotsu and saw a series of massive vines wrapped about his ankles. The results of one of the Kururugi girl's spells.

"She's not the only one! Now back off, you oversized toad!" Teruyo roared as she swung her massive hammer at the slimy demon. The toxic horror just barely dodged the strike, hissing his displeasure.

"Hmph! What are you supposed to be? A man in a woman's body?" Mukotsu demanded irritably. Then he shifted his bulbous eyes towards Kaname and frowned. "And while you're…rather cute, I suppose…I much prefer the look of that maiden over there!"

As the toad looked at Kagome, who cringed even as she prepped an arrow for flight, InuYasha called out, "You better look out, Kaname! These bastards have all kinds of tricks! They -!"

"I already know, InuYasha!" Kaname assured him as she held out her left hand…upon which landed a small bird which then turned into a Shikigami card. "I sent a scout ahead to check the battle. I didn't want us to walk into battle without knowing what we were dealing with!"

Blinking a few times at this, InuYasha couldn't help but smile. "Good thinking, Kaname! Knew I could count on you!" Then he turned his full focus towards their foes. "Alright, since you all know what we're dealing with, let's get in there and take them down!"

"Right! I've got the toad!" Kaname declared as she took up station in front of Kagome and Kikyo.

"Toad?!" the demon screeched in clear outrage. "My name is Mukotsu, you little brat!"

"Well, you look like an ugly old toad to me!" Teruyo declared as she moved to join Kaname. An angry scowl on her face as she hefted her hammer. "And for the record, I'm 100% woman!"

"I think I'll help you with this…Kyokotsu, InuYasha," Ienobu decided as he joined the half-demon. "From what Kaname showed us, raw power alone won't be enough to defeat him."

"Hmm…I think it best if I support you from behind," Kurogasa stated in an unhappy tone. "Our enemies might still have abilities we don't know about yet. And don't forget that the woman there has yet to make her move."

Kagura frowned at this. "But I suppose I'll have to, now that all of you are here," she grumbled sourly. "Ugh, this is just such a waste of time!"

"I guess that settles the question of who you'll be fighting," InuYasha decided as he eyed Kagura. "Just be careful and try not to get in too deep! Kagura doesn't look like much, but you don't want to underestimate her!"

Making a thoughtful sound in his throat, Kurogasa took a battle-ready stance. "One could say the same thing about me."

Hoping that the samurai could back up his boasts with some solid action, InuYasha tightened his grip on the Tetsusaiga. "Alright…let's kill these bastards!"


Ooh…I hate this! Kagome fumed as she watched the battle that was now being joined in force around her. Bad enough I have that disgusting slime monster Mukotsu eyeing me, but to have Kaname grandstanding for some stupid tricks she pulled?!

On one level, Kagome knew that this was irrational. Kaname had helped InuYasha, and using her scouts to survey the situation before leaping into a battle was without a doubt the smart thing to do. But at the same time, praise from InuYasha was rare to the point of being non-existent. And now, the Kururugi girl had more chances to shine and show off and grab the half-demon's attention.

And in the meantime, I have to worry about a disgusting toad-demon made of green slime coming after me! While I have to keep an eye on Kikyo of all people! Kagome grimaced even as she turned towards her previous incarnation. Though one thing's for sure; it's not like she doesn't need someone to look after her!

In the short time since she and InuYasha had arrived, Kagome had been aware that Kikyo's condition was visibly worsening. Further cracks were forming in her body, destroying the illusion of a human form. Sections of her 'skin' were flaking off, revealing more and more grave soil and clay beneath. And while Kagome couldn't pretend to like her previous incarnation, this woman that was also such a large part of InuYasha's life, she also couldn't bear to see her deteriorating this way.

"Just hold on, Kikyo!" Kagome urged her, caught between wanting her to live…and wanting at least one of that lived in InuYasha's heart to disappear. "As soon as InuYasha and the others take down those freaks, we'll get you back to the village and fix you back up!"

Kikyo groaned with effort, her movement causing more flakes of 'skin' to fall away. "Kagome...the spells…holding this body together…breaking…" she managed to get out. "I…not much…time left…"

"I – no! Don't say that!" Kagome pleaded, stricken by both horror and guilt over her own selfishness. Bending down to look Kikyo in the eye, the reborn priestess pleaded, "Look, I know you're hurt bad! But if it's magic you need, then – I'm sure that Ienobu or – they can fix whatever those monsters did to you!"

Kikyo frowned somewhat at this. "Was not…them."

"Wasn't them? You mean…they weren't the ones that hurt you?" Kagome frowned perplexedly. "Then – Kagura?"

Kikyo gave a slight shake of her head, prompting a crack to split one of her eyes. "The…samurai…"

The instant this was said, Kagome felt like she was going to fall over.

The samurai?! As in the same samurai that's currently helping InuYasha and the others fight those monsters?! Kagome thought, her eyes wide even as Kurogasa darted nimbly towards Kagura, brandishing his twin blades. Oh, please tell me InuYasha didn't just hear that! If he finds out that that samurai hurt Kikyo, he'll forget all about Naraku's new demons and try and kill him instead!

"Kurogasa…wants bird…" Kikyo went on weakly. "He's…powerful. His swords…magic…"

"Magic? His swords are magic?!" Kagome gathered, looking hard at her past self. "What do you mean?!"

Kikyo seemed to stiffen, and Kagome momentarily panicked, wondering if her body had actually failed. But then her prior incarnation looked at her and asked, "You…don't see them…?"

"Don't see what?!" Kagome demanded, at a loss with what was happening. "Kikyo, what are you -?!"

"Dance of the Dragon!" Kagura invoked. And just like that, Kagome had more immediate concerns to deal with as a series of tornados filled the wooded area.


"Not happening, Kagura! Backlash Wave!" InuYasha roared even as a barrage of destruction was unleashed by Naraku's incarnation. Sniffing out the smoldering stench that was the indicator as to where his power was colliding with Kagura's own, the half-demon slashed through it with the Tetsusaiga, allowing its power to take control of Kagura's Dance of the Dragon.

But even as InuYasha looked on, hoping to be rid of at least one of his foes, the multi-limbed behemoth called Kyokotsu interposed himself between Kagura and the Backlash Wave. Right before he opened his mouth and began to feed.

"Dammit, not again!" InuYasha roared in exasperation.

"Hmph. Thank you for being so easily manipulated, InuYasha," Kagura declared even as she shot up into the air, carried aloft by the winds.

InuYasha growled in his throat, but before he could think of doing anything else, Kyokotsu shot towards him. The monster's mouth open and deadly light burning in his throat.

Even as the half-demon readied himself to dodge, he noticed Ienobu rushing in to intercept Kyokotsu. The Kotodama Master thrust his staff into the monstrosity's stomach while calling out in a forceful voice, "Shut your mouth!"

To InuYasha's surprise, Kyokotsu did precisely that. He clamped his mouth firmly shut…right as he fired off a blast that suddenly had no place to go. The result was a massive explosion going off inside his mouth that knocked the hideous aberration off of his feet. And as he came crashing to the ground, he groaned pitifully as he brought two of his hands to his head.

"Heh! Not bad!" InuYasha declared as Ienobu retreated and prepared for further hostilities.

"We weren't having much luck breaking through his skin. So I thought to try turning his own power against him," Ienobu explained. "I'm just glad that he wasn't able to break through his skin, either."

"Kinda wish he had! At least then I'd know where to hit him!" InuYasha grumbled even as Kyokotsu rose up to his feet once more.

Aggrieved at their lack of fortune in taking down their foe, InuYasha looked around to see how the others were fairing. And a quick glance was all it took to see that Kaname and Teruyo were having about as much luck with their adversary as the half-demon was with his.

"Stand still, you dirty old toad!" Teruyo growled as she brought her hammer squarely down upon Mukotsu's head. Which instantly splattered the creature of living ooze, but also caused a dense cloud of poison to explode from his form.

"Teruyo, no! Blue Sky Purification!" Kaname cried out, releasing the bird that was her Wind Shikigami to cleanse the air of the vile toxins. "InuYasha already tried smashing him apart, and it didn't work! We have to try something else!"

"It's easy enough to say that, Kaname, but what else are we supposed to do?!" Teruyo demanded even as Mukotsu reformed once more. "I'm a big gal with a hammer, and I pound on stuff! Not much else I can do here!"

"I'll tell you what you can do!" Mukotsu rasped even as he reformed once more. "You can get out of my way and let me claim my prize!"

Without another word, Mukotsu belched forth waves of poison. Everything that the toxins came into contact with began to rot and die before the half-demon's very eyes. But before they could reach either Kaname or Teruyo, the Shikigami User once again invoked her power. "Blue Sky Purification!"

As Kaname once more cleansed the air of the toxic cloud, Mukotsu sneered. "It doesn't matter how much of my poison you destroy! I am poison! I can always make – gyah!"

"You should really keep that big mouth shut!" Teruyo declared, having driven her hammer down upon Mukotsu's head. Just hard enough to slam his mouth shut and to leave him dazed.

"Now I'm gonna make sure that it stays shut! Slashing Ice!" Kaname cried out, aiming the point of her wooden sword at Mukotsu. A beam of brilliant white struck the vile creature, causing a shell of pure ice to form around the toad-like aberration. Before long, he was completely sealed in a prison of ice, rendering him completely immobile.

"Hey, nice move!" Teruyo grinned happily. "Now how about we find some deep, dark hole and drop him into it? Or even better, how about a volcano?!"

"A tempting prospect, but sadly, I cannot oblige you two! Dance of Blades!" Kagura cried out, waving her fan and sending deadly blades of pure wind flying.

Both Kaname and Teruyo were able to dodge the assault, but the ice containing Mukotsu exploded on impact. Chunks of ice and toad-monster were sent flying, and once again more poison was released into the air, forcing Kaname to purify it once more.

As InuYasha was cursing how readily Kaname's momentary victory had been crushed, Kurogasa was charging into action. His movements betraying a seasoned fighter, the samurai got in close, dodging the various winds and smaller attacks that Kagura conjured. His blades glinting dangerously as he closed the gap between himself and his foe. But just before Kurogasa could get within range of Naraku's incarnation, Kagura once again gave a wave of her fan, summoning a wind that surrounded her. "Dancing Cyclone!"

Making a noise of surprise, Kurogasa was only barely able to stop from colliding with the barrier of wind. But even though he was able to prevent the collision, Kagura was already gearing up for another attack.

"InuYasha, look out!" Ienobu cried out in sudden alarm.

"Huh?!" InuYasha started, only to look about and see Kyokotsu rising up once more. Kicking himself inwardly for taking his eyes off of his opponent, the half-demon braced himself for renewed combat even as Kagura invoked her Dance of Blades.

Kyokotsu loomed large, raising his four uppermost arms over his head. Prompting InuYasha and Ienobu to prepare to dodge.

Only for the both of them to be knocked off of their feet by a sudden shockwave ripping through the ground.

"Gah! What in the -?!" InuYasha howled as he and the Kotodama Master fell on their backs. Only for a quick check of his surroundings to reveal Kyokotsu's lowermost pair of arms rising up from the ground. The bestial behemoth having used his brute strength to cause a small earthquake. Just enough to leave InuYasha and Ienobu horribly vulnerable to the followup attack.

Dammit! Guess there is a brain somewhere in that thick skull of his! InuYasha thought feverishly as he tried to think of what to do next. He saw Kyokotsu's massive fists, the killing grin on the beast's face, Kurogasa leaping far up into the sky –

Wait, what?! InuYasha thought, momentarily distracted by the sight of Kurogasa jumping far higher than any human had any right to. How did he -?!

The Kyokotsu swung all four of his uppermost fists. And the half-demon was brought back to the moment just in time to roll over next to Ienobu and bring the Tetsusaiga up in an attempt to block the brutish assault. There was a brilliant flash from the blade right before four monstrous fists slammed into the flat of the transformed fang.

And InuYasha felt none of the impact.

It took a few seconds for the half-demon to realize that he and Ienobu hadn't been crushed beneath Kyokotsu's fists. And as InuYasha looked about, he realized that the multi-limbed monstrosity was visibly as baffled as InuYasha felt. Pausing to blink his confusion a few times, Kyokotsu then roared furiously before pounding on the Tetusaiga again and again and again.

And every time, the blows failed to translate from the Tetsusaiga to InuYasha himself.

Roaring in insane fury, Kyokotsu opened his baleful maw once more. As the interior of his throat lit up, blasts of energized destruction pelted the Tetsusaiga's blade over and over again. And still, the blade acted like nothing was happening.

But something is happening! InuYasha quickly realized as he took advantage of the situation. Grabbing hold of Ienobu, he then tossed the Kotodama Master clear of the scene before curling into a flip that also carried him clear. Somehow, the Tetsusaiga has a new power! But how – wait!

As InuYasha came to land once more, he recalled when Totosai had demonstrated how the Tetsusaiga and the Reikikaega were somehow connected. How the enigmatic blade had absorbed the Tetsusaiga's crimson power to shatter barriers…while the Tetsusaiga copied powers that the Reikikaega had absorbed.

And as the half-demon paused to look at Tetsusaiga's blade, he saw how brightly it shown. How perfectly polished the sword had become. Reflecting his image as perfectly…as a mirror.

"InuYasha, I – I didn't realize that your sword could do that!" Ienobu declared even as Kyokotsu roared in pure hatred. "For that matter…what did it do?"

"I'm not sure…but I think I have a pretty good idea!" InuYasha declared as he brandished the Tetsusaiga. "Get ready for action! Because this fight isn't over yet!"


"Hmm…not bad, Kurogasa!" Kagura oozed deviously as the samurai came at her once again. "But I see you're still not using your true power!"

Kurogasa just scowled at this. He simply moved in closer, easily dodging Kagura's various attacks.

"You're not going to win like this. You have to realize that by now," Kagura continued, taunting the samurai. "And I was watching your fights from before. I know you can't be so tired that you can't mount a proper offense. So why?"

Again, Kurogasa wasted no words. He simply continued to dodge Kagura's wind attacks, exploit every opportunity to get in closer.

"It's because you know you're going to have to fight them, don't you?" Kagura smirked, taunting the samurai as she continued to frustrate him with her defenses and ranged attacks. "You're already thinking of the next battle! You're already realized that they're the friends of the priestess who was guarding the metal bird! And they won't let you -!"

"Enough!" Kurogasa countered, leaping in to strike Kagura with his prized blades. Only for the wind witch to dodge the strike by rising up on the winds.

"Ooh…did I just strike a nerve?" Kagura cooed, smiling at how she had at least bested the samurai in a war of words. Something she knew would bear fruit, should the current battle not go the way Naraku likely hoped.

The same way things haven't been going well as of late, Kagura thought, frowning mildly with annoyance. Damn you, Naraku! You just had to make things so much worse! I could have had InuYasha and Kurogasa at each other's throats with ease! But instead, you sent those two monstrosities of yours to -!

A guttural roar of battle caught Kagura's attention. Prompting her to look to the side, where InuYasha was charging towards Kyokotsu with his sword raised high overhead.

Most of the time, Kagura would have chalked this up to the impetuous half-demon's inability to do anything other than charge an enemy head-on. InuYasha was so blunt and impulsive that trying to outmaneuver him was generally child's play. But today, after everything that had been going wrong, she was frowning in concern. For not only did she not trust Naraku's newest warriors in the slightest, but she could see the reflective shine on the Tetsusaiga's blade. And every time the Tetusaiga changed like that, it more than not meant bad news for her.

I don't know what he's up to, but I better stop him! Kagura thought as she landed. Already drawing back with her fan to unleash one of her wind-based attacks.

But before Kagura could launch her attack, a horrendous burning pain shot through her chest. And to her astonishment, the blade of a katana was now sticking out of her chest. "Gah! Dancing Cyclone!"

To Kagura's relief, the whirlwind she caused to erupt around her was enough to drive Kurogasa back. For while the sword wound itself was a temporary inconvenience that was already healing, allowing someone with his powers to get in that close was incredibly stupid. Giving him an opportunity to wreak further damage could very well be fatal.

As Kagura abandoned dealing with InuYasha in favor of self-preservation, she turned and faced her attacker. Ignoring the pain of her wound as best as she could as Kurogasa faced her.

"You're right about one thing, demon," Kurogasa growled as he brandished his sword. "I will not be able to triumph in this battle with all of my secrets intact!"

And with these words, Kurogasa slammed the butts of his swords together, forming a single weapon as he leaped into the sky.


I sure hope I'm right about this! InuYasha thought as he charged Kyokotsu. Holding out the Mirror Tetsusaiga just enough to absorb the blasts the brute was firing upon the half-demon. Because of this doesn't work, then I'm out of ideas on how to beat this guy!

Continuing his forward charge, roaring the entire time, InuYasha then leaped high up, brandishing the Tetsusaiga even as he thought to where the Mirror power had come from; Kanna's mirror. He recalled all of the times that Kanna had used her mirror to both absorb souls and reflect attacks back at her foes. Here's hoping that I'm right about this! the half-demon thought. Because here goes nothing!

"Time for you to die, bastard! Wind Scar!" InuYasha roared even as he unleashed the power of the Tetsusaiga right into Kyokotsu's face. The monstrous behemoth eagerly opened his mouth as wide as possible.

Just in time to be struck by an overflowing river of destructive power.

InuYasha was in shock by the blast unleashed by the Tetsusaiga, as it released every last scrap of energy it had absorbed from both Kyokotsu's pounding and energy blasts in a single tumultuous strike. Kyokotsu screeched in surprise as the blast hit him full on, sending the misshapen monstrosity flying as the tidal wave of destruction drilled into his stomach with unrelenting force.

InuYasha was momentarily deafened by the sheer cacophony of chaos that the blast unleashed. Trees were shredded and the earth was sundered by all of the power that had been released from within Tetsusaiga's blade. And all around him, the fighting seemed to grind to a momentary halt as a plume of smoke, dirt, and debris rose from the path of annihilation that had been blazed by Kyokotsu and the Tetsusaiga's blast.

"Gah! Kyokotsu?!" Mukotsu cried out in patent dismay.

"InuYasha! That was amazing!" Kaname cried out in celebration.

"That was – quite impressive!" Ienobu noted in a more subdued tone, though no less impressed. "You not only used your sword to absorb the collective energy from all of Kyoktosu's attacks but then was able to release them in a single offensive strike!"

Glancing over at Ienobu, InuYasha thought, He acts like I actually had that all planned out! What he actually said was, "Save the celebration for later! Let's make sure that bastard's down for good, and then – huh?!"

A crackle of magical energy suddenly caught InuYasha's attention, forcing him to look about in surprise. And as he did so, he watched Kurogasa leaping into the sky, his twin swords joined at their hilts. And as he flew higher up, a pentagram spun into existence at his feet.

"What the -?!" InuYasha started, astonished by what he was seeing. "But that – that's just like -!"

Words failing the half-demon, a lion of flame erupted from the pentagram before wrapping around Kurogasa's joined swords. "Form the furious edge of judgment," he cried out as he twirled his joined swords about, causing the sky to seem to burn, "oh brightly burning flames!"


"Ugh…wh-who was that?!" Michiru wondered as he recovered from the explosion of red. An explosion that had already faded, leaving him wandering in a shadowy void. "That – that couldn't have been…huh?!"

"How dare you question me on this?!" came a powerful, authoritative voice. One that jolted the very world Michiru was floating in, giving it shape and form. And it began to grow brighter, the Kururugi boy became aware that he was somewhere else. He was in what looked like a castle of some kind, one far older than the kind that was found in the Feudal Era. "Midoriko, Yuuta, and I have already agreed that this must be done!"

"You would take the counsel of humans over me, father?" Looking towards the source of the deceptively mild voice, Michiru gasped at the sight of Sesshomaru. The demon lord's eyes were narrowed and dangerous even as the Kururugi boy looked onwards from the side.

"They may be humans, but they're exceptional warriors. Both of them wise and powerful in ways you would do well to appreciate, my son," declared a larger, stern-looking figure.

"Oh, my," Michiru gasped as he took in the complete stranger. "You…you're InuTaisho…InuYasha's father!"

"And obviously cowardly and frail. So much so that they would urge you to destroy the greatest sword to have ever existed," Sesshomaru muttered unhappily.

"The 'greatest' sword?" InuTaisho repeated in a dangerous tone. "Don't be fooled by the allure of power, Sesshomaru. Sounga is a powerful sword, but its very existence is an abomination. It is evil in a way that you cannot fathom. An evil I am forced to fight every time I so much as touch its hilt."

"You would allow the sword you wield to control you?" Sesshomaru wondered in a baiting manner. "That's not like you, father."

"I will not allow Sounga to control me, Sesshomaru. But that does not change the fact that this sword's existence is a travesty," InuTaisho countered, his voice even and controlled. "Or the reality that I will not always be there to restrain it's evil."

As if in response to these words, the castle disappeared from around Michiru. In its stead was a beach shrouded in the darkness of night. And as he looked about in confusion, he saw InuTaisho standing a short distance away with Sesshomaru behind him. And to the Kururugi boy's dismay, he could tell that InuYasha's father was visibly wounded, his blood dropping steadily upon the sand.

"So you insist on going, Father?" came Sesshomaru's voice, the demon lord standing a distance behind both Michiru and InuTaisho.

"Do you intend to stop me, Sesshomaru?" InuTaisho asked, his voice even despite his grievous injuries.

"No," Sesshomaru promptly replied. "But before you go…please entrust me with the Sounga and the Tetsusaiga."

There was a deathly pause at this, one that ended when InuTaisho asked, "And if I refuse? Do you plan to kill me, your own father? Do you crave power that much? Why do you even desire it?"

"The path I walk is one of supreme conquest," Sesshomaru stated without any deviation from his usual speaking voice. "Only power will reveal that path to me."

InuTaisho gave a slight snort to this. "Supreme conquest, eh?" the demon lord muttered contemptuously. "Tell me something, Sesshomaru; do you have someone to protect?"

Narrowing his eyes, Sesshomaru countered, "I have no need of such a person."

Several seconds passed, seconds in which InuTaisho turned towards Michiru. "I believe you would disagree with my wayward son…wouldn't you?"

"Huh?!" Michiru started even as InuTaisho approached, heedless of his own wounds.

Smiling thoughtfully, InuTaisho studied the Kururugi boy. "You still have a long path ahead of you before your full potential is realized, Michiru. But…I'm nonetheless proud to see that my friends' bloodline still breeds true, even after all of these centuries," he declared even as his eyes turned a blood red. "Now…let me show you something."

Suddenly, the beach disappeared from around Michiru, leaving him to fall a short distance through the open air. Right before he landed on something huge and covered with white fur. "Gah!" the Kururugi boy cried out, trying to make sense of what was happening. "Wh-where -?!"

"Hold on, boy," came InuTaisho's voice. And as Michiru looked about, he recalled InuYasha's stories about his battles with Sesshomaru.

Stories that included how Sesshomaru shed his humanoid guise in favor of his true form. The form of an immense dog.

Then…this must be – InuTaisho's true form! Michiru realized even as the tremendous dog-demon flew through the air with complete ease. But – where are we?!

As InuTaisho flew through the air, the terrain below shifted and changed. Winged, skeletal demons appeared in the sky around them both, and ahead was a monstrously huge structure. A tremendous building that looked like nothing more than a huge skeleton wearing armor of some kind.

"Sesshomaru…I failed him, Michiru. Failed him because I wasn't able to teach him the lessons that my dearest friends and allies had taught me," InuTaisho stated in a voice filled with sorrow. Right before he disappeared from beneath Michiru, leaving the Kururugi boy to land inside a massive chamber. "And while I'm grateful to the girl Rin for helping him to understand…I cannot deny that it took him long time to learn what it meant to protect something precious to you. Or the sorrow he inflicted before that lesson was learned."

Blinking as he acclimated himself to these sudden changes, Michiru looked about to see InuTaisho appear, once again his humanoid form. "I – I'm sorry about…Sesshomaru," he honestly stated. "But – why -?"

"Because I recognized the blind desire for power that consumed Sesshomaru. A desire that was one of the driving forces in his life for so many centuries," InuTaisho frowned sorrowfully. "It was this desire that convinced me that I needed to hide both the Tetsusaiga and the Sounga. Both for the good of this world…and for Sesshomaru's own good as well." With these words, the demon lord pointed towards the center of the chamber. And as Michiru looked about, he saw a rusty old sword plunged into the center of some form of altar.

"That's – the Tetsusaiga," Michiru gasped in realization. "So…this is –"

"Where I chose to hide my remains from those that would desecrate what I left behind," InuTaisho confirmed. Gulping as he realized that he was literally standing in the corpse of InuYasha's father, Michiru was taken aback when the demon lord held out his arms, revealing a good-sized case. "It's also where I chose to hide the Tetsusaiga…and something else."

"Something else?" Michiru blankly repeated.

Nodding, InuTaisho studied the case for a time. "Midoriko and Yuuta. They were both treasured friends and allies. And as such, I sought to procure them weapons worthy of them." Then he heaved a deep sigh before admitting, "But…in one case, I was too late. And the other…"

Despite his obvious control over his emotions, InuTaisho then returned his focus to Michiru. "However…perhaps these weren't meant for them after all. Perhaps, without even knowing it…I was having them made for those that my son wishes to protect. Those that wish to protect him."

Blinking a few times at this, Michiru studied the case with astonished realization. "You are not ready for such powers, Michiru. Nor is your sister," InuTaisho declared as he slowly cracked the case open. Releasing a brilliant light from within. "But at this journey's end…you will be one step closer to being truly worthy…"

Before Michiru could say anything in response, the light that spilled forth from the case blinded him. Erasing InuTaisho and his final resting place and leaving him trapped in a realm of pure light.


Author's Notes: Hopefully, the faster update with this chapter makes up for how long I kept you all waiting last time. So please, read and review! And maybe check out some of my other stories?

Frosty Wolf, I personally think that a major reason why the others don't confront Kagome with her lack of training is because they're so dependent upon her. She's the only one who can see the Shikon Jewel Shards, so when she gets mad and returns home, they're left in the lurch without any way of proceeding. So they probably let her slide on a lot of things.

MyHeartBeating-MWMI, sorry for the long hiatus. Life has not been good to me. Glad you enjoyed this chapter, though. It's definitely tempting for me to have Kagome subjected to a taste of her own medicine, but I'm worried that I might do that in a way that would come off as bashing. So if I do so, I'll have to approach it carefully. As for Kagome, in my opinion, she has a hard time focusing on helping her teammates. She frequently freaks out about things like homework, and when things aren't going well between her and InuYasha, she can and does get mad and goes home to sort things out. And you're right about Kagome's powers being corrupted, as we've seen what happens when a priestess goes bad.

Uruz 11, again, sorry about the delay. I definitely wasn't planning on it. Part of it was college, and part of it is my life being a mess. Still, I hope this update helps make up for it. I did feel that it was important for the villagers (as represented by Tamoa) to make it clear to Kagome and Kaname that their current behavior cannot be tolerated. The fate of Tsuzumi Village and everyone in it is hanging in the balance, and the last thing the people there want is for their best line of defense to be bickering among themselves. I am planning on giving Kikyo plenty of screen time (in spite of how bleak things look for her at the moment), and I do agree that she was more-or-less shoved to the side in this series. And I think Kikyo works well as a mediator, simply because she was shown to have great wisdom, both before and during the series. I have to admit that I deeply enjoyed having Kaname give Kagome what-for in that scene. Kagome has been allowed to get away with being a petulant whiny brat throughout the series, and I deeply relished knocking her down several pegs. I'm glad you liked how I used Shippo transforming into the monster. I thought it would work best after the fight, simply because Kagome and Kaname being mad wouldn't end when the fight was over. I did want for InuYasha and Kikyo to spend some time together talking. And I do think that it makes sense for Kagome's anger and jealousy to corrupt her powers. Remember when Kikyo gave InuYasha an arrow for Kagome to use? And how Kagome couldn't use it at first after being jealous of Kikyo? Spiritual purity is a very important component of using spiritual power, so it make sense that things such as jealousy and wrath would erode Kagome's powers, maybe even corrupt them like what happened with Tsubaki. Which would be a complete disaster under the current circumstances. Yeah, Michiru's burial isn't easy for anyone to deal with, let alone Sango. Trust me, you're not the only one worried about Haruna and her agenda. And if you think that Naraku wouldn't exploit a situation like this for everything its worth, then you have another think coming. Well, I thought Michiru asking Kirara to take care of Kanna made sense. Kanna is having trouble dealing with people, so an animal (particularly a small and cute one) would be easier for her to cope with and so on. And yes, Sango definitely has more than her share of emotional baggage. Miroku's going to have a hard time dealing with his old temptations, especially since he's been caving into them and making excuses for his behavior for a very long time now. So I think it makes sense to give him someone to help Miroku find the right path. Well, I did want to do a scene with the Band of Seven getting used to their new bodies and so on. You're right in that Naraku used the statues to grant them even more powers, but you've already seen that much. You're right in that Narakus scheme from the second movie was particularly disgusting, but rest assured that that isn't what's happening with Suikotsu. There is a lot going on with Kurogasa, and I will be going into his origins later on. You're right in that the timing here could hardly be worse. I won't say what exactly is happening with Michiru, but I will say that it's more than just a dream. And I'm glad you enjoyed the scene with Michiru and the young InuYasha. As for what that mystery will turn out to be…well, you'll have to wait and see.

TheEmeraldMage, again, sorry for the hiatus. Trying to get a lot done and not succeeding. I really am trying to give everyone good scenes here. Well, I think that Jakotsu wanting to be with Bankotsu makes sense. Those two were the closest of the Band of Seven, and we know that Jakotsu is a lesbian. So him trying to win Bankotsu over with his new shapeshifting ability…maybe it's me being crazy, but I think it makes sense. And yeah, I do think that scene between Michiru and a child InuYasha worked so well. Glad I'm not the only one who didn't like how Kagome never bothered to learn how to make talismans or set up barriers or any of the other things we've seen people like Miroku and Kaede do in the series. So you can expect for her to be put through some serious training when the time comes.

J4RRE77, well, it seems like people would enjoy Kagome getting a taste of her own medicine. Now the trick is to set everything up so that it doesn't come off as bashing.

Greymon Leader Batx flashpoint, Tsubaki the dark priestess was one of my inspirations for Kagome's current dilemma. I really need to see Black Panther. The idea of Kirara as a therapy pet was suggested to me, but I do think it works. I am trying to give Shippo and the other characters some development here. Miroku's going to be in bad shape for the foreseeable future. You'll be learning more about Akechi down the road, along with Kurogasa. And yes, Kurogasa is the samurai that appeared towards the end of the Wolf-Demon Crisis. As for what happened with InuYasha's mother…I'm going to be leaving that up in the air for now.

Raidentensho I won't confirm or deny your theory regarding Suikotsu. Though I will say that it was…a good guess, at least.