Wow, I took my time this time. - - Atleast Shippo's problem is resolved, but another begins!
Chapter 10: The Sound Of Wind
At great speed, the sharp, ripping winds of the Kaze no Kizu slammed towards The two fox demons. Shippo, refusing to move, clung tighter to the neck of the enemy demon.
" Shippo! " Inuyasha and Kagome screamed. A look of horror was on Kagome's face, fear and anger on Inuyasha's. Standing further back, Miroku, Sango and Kirara merely stood, shocked at the young Kitsune's actions, as the attack powered towards them. Suddenly the enemy fox demon wrapped a clawed hand around Shippo. Then, with great speed, the demon dashed to the side. It barely escaped as the Wind Scar blew past them shredding multiple trees, shrubs, grass and rocks before dying down and disappearing.
" He dodged the Wind Scar! " Miroku uttered, amazed.
" He protected Shippo! " Kagome stated, her tone identical to Miroku's.
" Shippo! " Inuyasha barked. " What the HELL do you think you were doing!.? That could have KILLED you! "
" I won't let you kill him! " Shippo argued. Though only his words were strong. Upon facing the wind scar, Shippo could barely contain tears of relief, his face twisted in fear.
" Why, Shippo? " Kagome asked. She now stood next to Inuyasha, having run over during Inuyasha's rant.
" Because he's not evil! He.. just.. " Shippo's voice trailed off. Suddenly the demon's grip on Shippo tightened. In a swift movement Shippo was flung away, barely caught by Kagome who rushed forward to grab him.
" Gotcha! " Kagome exclaimed happily.
" Get back! " Inuyasha cried when the demon suddenly rushed forward, talons raised once again in an attempt to rip through Inuyasha. Kagome ran over to Sango and Miroku as Inuyasha ran forward to confront it.
" Inuyasha, don't kill him! " Shippo continued to plead.
" And why shouldn't I?.! " Inuyasha growled as he dodged a wisp of fox fire.
" Inuyasha, he has a Shikon Shard in his chest, near his neck! " Kagome informed.
" And why didn't you tell me sooner?.! " Inuyasha snapped.
" Inuyasha, " Miroku spoke up, " It was obvious the demon protected Shippo when it dodged the Wind Scar! It wasn't just protecting itself! "
" So?.! " Inuyasha urged.
" So the Shikon Shard is controlling the demon! " Miroku stated. " Only threatening the life of his kin can falter it! "
" Feh! " Inuyasha grunted. " I'm gonna cut right through his chest! "
" Inuyashaaaa! " Shippo wailed. Quickly Inuyasha glanced at him. Shippo's eyes threatened tears as he stared pleadingly at Inuyasha. It was clear the thought of the demon dying tortured Shippo's mind. Argh! Inuyasha growled in frustration. Inuyasha charged at the demon.
" This ends here! " He stated as he swung the Tetsusaiga. The end of the blade cut across his chest, right under the collar bone, the force sending the demon to the ground.
" Inuyasha! " Shippo cried. He leaped out of Kagome's arms and dashed over to the fallen demon. " Inuyasha, you killed him! "
" Feh, don't be ridiculous. " Inuyasha snorted. " A scratch like that wouldn't fell such a demon, even if he is weak. " The others walked up to Inuyasha, standing beside him as they watched the two Kitsunes. Kagome bent down near a blood splatter from the wound. She picked up the Shikon shard, it's taint instantly purified.
" How this got there..." Kagome's voice trailed off.
" Nnhh.. " The demon grunted. His eyes flickered open.
" Your awake! " Shippo exclaimed, grinning.
" Wh... " The demon murmured. " ... What..? " His voice no longer sounded cold and gravely. The demon now had the voice of a young man. Holding his head, the fox demon sat up. " Who-.. who are you people!? " Nervously he glanced down at his bleeding chest. " What--? "
" How convenient you don't remember our little brawl. " Inuyasha stated rudely.
" Wh-what? " The demon muttered, looking up at the scowling Inuyasha. Kagome knelt down beside him.
" This jewel shard seemed to have been controlling you. " She explained. " Do you remember.. how you got it? "
" Uhh.. " The demon sighed. " All I remember is seeing the face of a large, white baboon. Maybe a cloak.. "
" Naraku! " Inuyasha growled. " What is he doing setting this weakling on us? "
" Perhaps this demon has been used as a distraction. " Miroku suggested somberly.
" Then what was the other Shikon Shard? " Sango wondered.
" I think it was Kohaku luring us here, but I can't say that confidently. " Miroku replied. " Perhaps Naraku gave a shard to Taimu? "
" Do ya think he's that stupid? " Inuyasha scoffed. " Naraku knows Kagome can sense shards, he would know we'd track her down in an instant! "
" Naraku has shards, and we haven't found him yet. " Miroku argued.
" Well Naraku's a coward! " Inuyasha argued back. " I doubt a demon like Taimu would go into hiding just because of us! "
" If she's conspiring with Naraku, he might have suggested it. " Miroku replied.
" What's with you and the thought that Taimu has a shard, anyway?.! " Inuyasha asked.
" Merely wishful thinking.. " Miroku replied after a moment, sighing. " It would be easier if she had a shard. "
" If. she. had. a. shard. we'd. have. found. her. by. now! " Inuyasha yelled in Miroku's ear, as if it was something the monk didn't understand. Miroku's eyes narrowed slightly.
" What is going on? " The demon spoke up. He was staring at the two with a confused look on his face.
" Don't mind them. " Shippo replied. " I'm Shippo, who are you? "
" I am Biyoku. " The demon answered. " I haven't seen you around.. "
" We're just passing through. " Kagome spoke up. " We were looking for someone.. Have you noticed any other demons? "
" Demon? " Biyoku repeated. " What made you think we would allow any demon to reside here, let alone pass through? "
" The villagers said that it went this way! " Shippo replied in a whining tone.
" We would have known if it were hiding here, or even passed through. " Biyoku stated firmly. " The villagers never were very bright. "
" Well you must have seen something! " Inuyasha snapped. " The trail leads here! "
" No demon can pass through this forest without being noticed. " Biyoku argued stubbornly, folding his arms.
" How would you notice? " Sango asked.
" By scent! " Biyoku replied, as if it were obvious. " We would smell any demon that entered the forest. And we have smelt nothing. "
" Feh. " Inuyasha grumbled. " This guy is no help, lets go! "
" Go? " Kagome repeated.
" Yes, 'go'! " Inuyasha replied.
" But Inuyasha, we don't have a lead yet! " Kagome protested.
" Precisely! " Inuyasha growled. " We're getting nowhere with this guy, and fast! "
" Listen. " Biyoku interrupted. " If said demon did pass through this way, the only explanation I can offer is if it went over the forest, not through. Does that help? "
" A little, but it still isn't much.. " Kagome sighed. " What is on the other side of the forest? " She added.
" A valley. " Biyoku thought for a moment. " A valley filled with dead trees. "
" Dead trees?.! " Inuyasha gaped. " Why didn't you mention it earlier!.? "
" Because they're always dead! " Biyoku snapped back. " Trees there haven't been alive since a fire demon went through it centuries ago! "
" Isn't it a little strange though that nothing grew back? " Sango pondered.
" That isn't of the fox demon tribe's concern. " Biyoku folded his arms again. In a huff he stood up. " We never go down there, there is no reason, so we don't care what's down there. "
" Will you please lead us to the edge of it? " Kagome asked, clasping her hands together, as if pleading.
" Why should I? " Biyoku grumbled, clearly still miffed with Inuyasha.
" Please? " Shippo begged, clinging to Biyoku's shoulder. " Inuyasha could have killed you while you were being controlled, but he didn't! Isn't that enough to help us, even a little? " Biyoku's face softened.
" Alright, little one. " He nodded. " But keep your dog under control, I will not tolerate his blundering mouth much longer. "
" What did you say!.? " Inuyasha practically screamed.
" Sit! " Kagome yelled.
" How much further? " Shippo wailed. Even though he had been riding on Biyoku's shoulder the entire time, he slumped exhausted.
" The Fox Forest is big, little one, " Biyoku replied, " We are still quite a distance away. "
" How long does it usually take you? " Kagome asked. She walked behind Inuyasha, who stubbornly walked beside Biyoku, who lead the gang along.
" A day, but it will take us longer as you humans are slower than demons. " Biyoku answered.
" Feh. " Inuyasha grumbled. " I could get there in half a day, if i didn't have to drag you all along. "
" You don't even know the way! " Shippo argued.
" If I did I could get there sooner! " Inuyasha retorted.
" Of course you could, Inuyasha, but we all need to get there, so we'll just have to travel at this pace. " Kagome interrupted the demons quarrel.
" Damn right! " Inuyasha growled, though he now sported a wide grin.
" Kagome's ability to calm Inuyasha will forever astound me. " Miroku murmured to Sango, the two walking furthest back.
" Mm. " Sango agreed.
The group followed Biyoku through Fox Forest, though the further they walked, the thicker the surrounding woods seemed to get. This forest must be huge if we are still only reaching the center. Sango mused. Do the Fox Demon tribe control all of this?
" Is that Dog Hanyou always fooled by patronization? " Biyoku asked Shippo.
" What?.! " Inuyasha growled.
" Yup. " Shippo replied calmly.
" Hey! " Inuyasha snapped. " What did you say!.? "
" He said you are not easy to fool. " Miroku commented.
" Don't try to confuse me! " Inuyasha shouted at Miroku before turning back to Biyoku. " You just insulted me, didn't you?.! "
" Just drop it, Inuyasha! " Kagome interrupted again. " Don't make me use the 'S' word! He's the only one that knows the way! "
" Stay out of it, Kagome! " Inuyasha snarled, not removing his eyes from a scowling Biyoku.
" Why do you have to pick fights, Inuyasha? " Shippo whined.
" I'm not picking fights! " Inuyasha argued.
" He's been edgy ever since we met Biyoku. " Sango informed Miroku, her voice kept low.
" Perhaps he still doesn't trust our new friend.. " Miroku replied, just as quiet. " I couldn't blame him, but to persist like this.. "
" I can hear you, you know! " Inuyasha growled at them.
" I am losing my patience. " Biyoku sighed. " Lets continue, and get this journey over with. "
" I'm getting sick of you too! " Inuyasha retorted. " Why can't you just point us in the right direction and get lost!.? " For a moment the two merely glared at eachother before Biyoku spoke up.
" Fine. " He said simply.
" Huh? " Kagome uttered.
" Keep going in this direction. " Biyoku seemed to speak only to Kagome as he pointed ahead of them. " If you go straight, you'll reach it eventually. " He pulled Shippo off his shoulder, placed the little Kitsune in Kagome's arms, and then with a swift movement he had vanished, disappearing into the trees.
" Oh, thanks a lot, Inuyasha! " Shippo complained. " You scared him off! "
" Good riddance! " Inuyasha growled. As if trying to end the conversation he stomped off, arms folded and muttering curses under his breath.
" Well all we can do is follow the directions.. " Miroku sighed. He started walking, passing both Sango and Kagome.
" Is it me, " Kagome murmured to Sango, " Or does Miroku seem a little on edge himself..? "
" I've felt it too. " Sango whispered back. " I think his Kazaana is bothering him more than he wants us to know.. "
" Inuyasha? " The girls heard Miroku utter. They both looked up. Miroku stood about a meter ahead of them, Inuyasha not too far ahead of him. Inuyasha had stopped walking, and was now staring at Miroku, a look of surprise and confusion on his face. Kagome could only imagine the same expression on Miroku's faced as he watched Inuyasha's strange behavior.
" Do any of you hear that? " Inuyasha asked.
" Hear what? " Sango asked, concerned.
" Wind. " Inuyasha replied. " I hear wind.. coming from... " He murmured.
Coming from what? Kagome pondered. Though before she could voice her question a loud crackling noise- like wind and thunder- erupted from nowhere, causing Miroku to jump, startled.
" Miroku? " Kagome gasped. Miroku held his right hand out, as if what was attached to it disgusted him. Kagome could see the cloth around his hand flapping violently, as if it alone was caught in a hurricane.
" Th-the Wind Tunnel! " Miroku gasped as the sound grew louder.
" Lord Monk! " Sango cried. Hastily she tried to run over, though Kagome grabbed her arm, forcing her back. " No, let go Kagome! " She struggled desperately, but Kagome maintained her grip.
Inuyasha, still shocked, took a few steps backward. The Kazaana shouldn't be doing this! He shouted to himself. We still have time! Due to the girls' position, they could not see Miroku's face. But Inuyasha could see it clearly. Miroku looked terrified. Beads of sweat dripped down his face as he struggled to hold his hand away as far as possible. The sound coming from the Kazaana was the same as if Miroku had opened it himself. Just as it looked like it was going to begin drawing in his hand, and the rest of Miroku... it stopped.
" What..? " Inuyasha uttered, his mouth hanging open. It... stopped?
" It stopped.. " Kagome uttered aloud, as if confirming Inuyasha's thought. Inuyasha watched as the panic and despair in Miroku's eyes slowly faded, revealing only shock and confusion. After a pause Miroku's legs buckled and he sank to his knees.
" Lord Monk! " Sango cried again. She tore out of Kagome's grip and ran over to the shaken monk. Now Sango could see his face. Miroku stared, still wide-eyed, at his open palm, the purple cloth still, miraculously, in place. Sango couldn't help but note that Miroku was breathing short, sharp gasps, and his entire body shook under her touch.
" Y-your shaking.. " She commented as Inuyasha and Kagome approached.
" What... " Miroku mumbled, as if thinking aloud. Sango didn't think he had even noticed her yet.
" What happened...? "
I keep saying I'll post faster, though i don't seem to. - - Also now that I've started year 11 I'll have less time( My maths teacher is a homework monger ). Sorry. (sigh) But atleast I still remember this is here, so expect another chapter! (grins) Until next time!