I would just like to take the time to mention that this chapter was a collaboration between Bekotsu and myself. Now that we've gotten that out of the way, enjoy!
Chapter 10 Battle Scars
As he lay awake, Sesshomaru stared up into the infinite abyss obscured by the opaque glow of the moon. The twilight of the stars and the cascade of light from the moon moved him to say one word, "Rin." He turned to see Inuyasha and Koga laying not ten feet from him. The human girl, Kagome, was gone. He averted his gaze back down to his legs which were burdened by Jaken's weight.
"Pathetic."
He brushed his minion aside and rose with great effort. He felt his senses greeted by the scent of blood, human and demon. The village was drenched in it. He pulled his hair back behind his shoulder, turned to face the welcoming darkness of the forest, and continued his procession.
Miroku, who lay awake near Sango, noticed Sesshomaru's lone figure striding towards the forest and decided to follow. After a few moments, Sesshomaru halted, so instantly infact that Miroku would have walked right into him had he not been paying attention.
"What do you want, Monk?" Sesshomaru said icily.
Miroku smiled. "So you knew I was following, did you?"
"Cut the small talk. What do you want?."
Quickly realizing that his opportunity was falling through he replied, "I understand that you weren't successful in your pursuit of Kimaryu."
"Did you come here simply to state the obvious?"
"No. I came here to ask you for your help." Miroku retorted kneeling behind him.
Sesshomaru turned, his eyes showing a mix of surprise and repulsion.
"Am I to understand that you, a lowly human monk, beseeches that I Sesshomaru save you and your miserable friends." he hissed.
Miroku continued to bow nervously.
"That's one way of putting it."
The mild amusement that flickered in Sesshomaru's eyes vanished as almost as soon as it had appeared.
"Get up, human. Your obeisance is wasted. I'll have nothing more to do with you or that half-breed brother of mine."
Sesshomaru turned to leave, when Miroku called out to him.
" Are you telling me that you feel nothing for the life of that girl? I would have thought that the mighty Sesshomaru would at least wish to retrieve what shred of honor he has left, but apparently not. Apparently he's nothing more than a cowa. . . ."
He was cut off when Sesshomaru turned completely towards him in a fury. His eyes never shifted from their emotionless stare for an instant but a powerful wind issued forth from his body that nearly knocked Miroku off his feet.
"It seems you've indulged yourself in the company of half-demons for too long. Make no mistake, I don't bear my brothers tolerance for fools like you. Save the human on your own time. I will face Kimaryu when the time comes and I'll do it without any interference."
With that, Sesshomaru vanished into the night leaving Miroku stunned and silent but grateful nonetheless.
The sky darkened with clouds of miasma as Inuyasha and Kagome stood ready for battle.
"Finished playing hide-and-seek, huh?" Inuyasha said as he unsheathed Tetsusaiga.
Narkau's maniacal laughter resinated through the entire area as he descended from the poison cloud.
"Die!"
A stream of poisonous spikes cascaded upon them only to be thwarted by Inuyasha's sword.
"That the best you got?!", Inuyahsa roared moving in for an attack, "That wont stop me!"
Demon claws burst out from beneath Naraku's cloak ripping past Inuyasha.
"Ha! Ya missed!"
Naraku smiled his arms reached past the half-demon.
"Fool. Once again, you think it's all about you."
Inuyasha turned, horror overtaking his face as he realized Naraku's true target.
"Kagome!"
Naraku's hands seized her by her legs and arms and lifted her up into the air.
"Nooo!"
The arms pulled her straight ahead right into Naraku.
Inuyasha stared on in horror as she was pulled into the monstrous demon.
"You bastard!"
He raised his hands only to realize Tetsusaiga was no longer there.
"What of your strength now, Inuyasha? What of your precious Kagome? Once again you played right into my hands and forfeited the one thing you loved the most! Suffer!!!"
Thousands of spiked tendrils exploded from Naraku and tore through Inuyasha's flesh . . . .
Inuyasha sprang awake, screaming and panting. He looked from Sango, to Shippo, to Miroku as he took in his surroundings.
"Where is she?!" He roared.
Sango and Shippo turned nervously to Miroku whose face was written with guilt.
"Kimaryu . . . has her."
Without another word Inuyasha rose to his feet and wrapped himself in his tattered kimono.
"What are you doing?" Sango inquired.
Inuyasha turned away from her in anger.
"How can you even ask such a thing? I not gonna sit here while that bastard has his hands on her! I have to find her! I have to . . ."
His voice broke off. He was trembling.
"Inuyahsa, listen.", Miroku started, "I understand how you feel but . . ."- "No, you don't!"Inuyasha interjected, " Cause if you did, you'd be out there right now looking for her!"
Inuyasha glared at Koga's wounded body.
"I'm going to save her."
Sesshomaru was making his way back to the village when he spotted Inuyasha.
"Walking with our tale between our legs, are we?" he said in passing.
Inuyasha continued, not even bothering to reply.
"It was only a matter of time. You couldn't possibly have protected her forever."
A low growl escaped Inuyasha's throat.
"Shut up.", he said through clenched fangs.
"And if I don't? You're pathetic. Still nothing but empty threats. Kagome never stood a chance."
"How dare you!"
Before he had time to think, Inuyasha was in the air preparing to rip Sesshomaru apart.
Just as the two brothers were about to clash, Miroku sprang between them.
"Get the hell outta my way!" Inuyasha roared.
"I won't stand here and watch you waste more time by fighting him! Throwing your life away isn't gonna get Kagome back any sooner!"
Miroku glanced over his shoulder.
"Sesshomaru, my offer still stands."
Sesshomaru scoffed at the idea and turned to leave.
"Where the hell are you going, you bastard?! Get back here and fight me!" Inuyasha yelled as his brother vanished into the night.
"Let me go!" He knocked Miroku back and turned to go off into the distance.
Miroku was at a loss for words as the two brothers ventured off in separate directions.
"What now?"
Ch.11 Gifts and Revelations- A familiar pale demon appears before Kimaryu and offers him the key to unleashing the power he seeks. Myoga reveals the origins of Kimaryu's hatred for Inuyasha's father and his role in the Great War. A great darkness lies in the truth of that which was forgotten.