"Well, well, well, so this must be Inuyasha?" Shoji asked smiling down at him.
"I am usually not one for giving out warnings but in this case I think you should know that my brother doesn't understand a word you're saying. In fact, the only thing he knows right now is that he's thirsty for blood."
"Oh, really? I'm intrigued. So what about the girl?"
"He'd kill her too if given the opportunity, but alas I'm sure he'd have to get through your so called impenetrable defenses first."
"I don't think he's going to get the chance."
Inuyasha let out a low growl and started running at Shoji. Shoji put up his barrier but Inuyasha was able to break it with one swing of his right hand. His claws tore right through the barrier. Shoji took a hop back and looked at Inuyasha disgustedly.
"I see you've been frightened by a mere hanyou. How pathetic."
"You shut your trap Sesshomaru! I'll finish him and then I'll get you."
"I'm not interested," he said before putting his sword away and turning to walk off.
"Oh, no you don't!" Shoji made a break for Sesshomaru but was caught by Inuyasha who threw him towards the tree that Kikyo was tied to. Kikyo moaned a little but remained as she was.
Inuyasha stood there and watched as Shoji groaned in pain. He did not care though. His eyes soon wandered towards the lady Kikyo. He released his claws once more and made his way towards her, thinking only of shedding more blood. Before he could reach her he was struck across his back.
"I don't think you want to do that little brother." Inuyasha backed away and stared wildly at his brother.
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"This is getting interesting," said Miroku.
"You find two brothers fighting interesting?" Sango asked hotly.
"Well, I mean, the situation…it's all very interesting. Didn't you notice how quick Sesshomaru got there to save Kikyo? I never would have guessed that he'd genuinely care what happened to his brother or Kikyo."
"At the moment he doesn't seem to care too much for Inuyasha though," said Shippo.
Kagome just watched through the barrier as Inuyasha, Shoji, and Sesshomaru continued to fight. She was leaning against the barrier when she suddenly felt her arm push through.
"Hey…hey you guys! I think I can get through!" she cried happily.
"That may be because of your priestess powers but given the circumstances, I don't think it would be wise," Miroku replied.
"What do you know? She's the only one that can bring him back to his senses!"
"That may be true too Sango, but it's still too dangerous. I'm pretty sure Shoji wouldn't hesitate to kill Kagome and Inuyasha's not quite himself. As for Sesshomaru, he's too unpredictable. I wouldn't put my life into his hands if someone paid me to."
"I'm going inside. Inuyasha needs me."
"But Kagome…" It was too late for she ran through without daring to look back.
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"Why does it seem as if he's getting stronger?" Shoji asked swinging his claws at Inuyasha. He was panting hard now to catch his breath.
"That's because he is. The longer he's like this, the stronger he'll get. Just one more reason to hate my brother," Sesshomaru replied nonchalantly.
Shoji ran at Inuyasha once more but they both hit each other and bounced back. Shoji had a cut across his left arm that was now oozing with blood. He stood up and tried to swing his left arm but cried out in pain. Inuyasha growled once more before running towards a frightened Shoji.
"INUYASHA SIT BOY!"
The beads around his neck started to vibrate and there was a force trying to pull him down but he was too strong. He turned to see where the voice had come from and saw a young girl. He smiled and started to make his way towards her, releasing his claws and fangs on his way.
"In…nu…yasha…"
Kikyo had opened her eyes and was trying to get his attention. Inuyasha stopped dead in his tracks and covered his ears with his hands. He fell to the ground for his body was searing with pain. "Inuyasha…ple…please stop…" Kikyo pleaded weakly.
Inuyasha twisted and turned on the ground, fighting with himself. What's…what…is…going…on? Kagome ran up to Inuyasha and threw herself on him.
"Wake up Inuyasha! Please…this isn't you…"
She was now close to tears. Inuyasha continued to twist and turn but the demonic power was too strong. He opened his eyes, grabbed Kagome, and tossed her like she was a rag doll near the place where Shoji was kneeling. Inuyasha turned his attention once more to the priestess but before he could get to her some of Naraku's demons appeared.
"Now's my chance," Shoji whispered. He grabbed Kagome with his right arm since she was knocked out at his feet, and proceeded to rise into the air on his cloud making a get away.
"HEY INUYASHA! SORRY I CAN'T STAY AND PLAY BUT YOU KNOW HOW THAT GOES!" he yelled from up high.
Sesshomaru frowned as more and more of Naraku's demons appeared. He disposed of a few of them but noticed that they were more concerned about Inuyasha, who was having no problem getting rid of them. If he kills all of the demons then Kikyo will surely be his next target. Sesshomaru dodged a few of Naraku's demons and made his way to the tree where Kikyo was tied. He cut her loose and she fell right into his arms.
"In…nu…yasha."
"No, it's me. He's a bit demonic at the moment." As soon as he grabbed Kikyo, the barrier broke and Inuyasha's friends were able to get in.
"Sesshomaru, where are you going with Kikyo? Put her down now!" Sango demanded.
"As if I'd take orders from the likes of you. Besides, I believe you have more pressing matters to deal with." He made sure Kikyo was nestled safely in his arms before riding off into the night.
"So he takes the girl and leaves us with his brother to deal with…how thoughtful of him," Miroku said with a chuckle.
"Uh…guys…do you see…Kagome?" Shippo asked curiously.
"Oh, no! She's been taken! That Sesshomaru! What was he thinking?"
"No, not him…it had to be Shoji. Sesshomaru had Kikyo and no one else," Miroku replied.
"Uh…guys…I think…we should start running now," Shippo cried. Miroku looked up and saw Inuyasha staring right at them with his piercing red eyes.
"SANGO! GET HIS SWORD!"
"Right!..Kirara!"
Sango mounted Kirara and made a dive for the sword as Miroku struggled to hold Inuyasha off. Inuyasha swung and just missed Miroku's arm when his tetsaiga hit him on the head. He turned to see what had hit him and noticed the sword. He reached for it and immediately passed out on the ground.
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Kagome woke up and found herself trapped inside a barrier. She looked around and saw that it was that demon from earlier.
"Hey you! Let me out of here!"
"Shut up girl! Don't make me dispose of you. Unlike the Lady Kikyo, you are disposable. I'm sure Inuyasha wouldn't care."
"He would care dammit! He…he cares about me too you know!"
"You don't sound so sure. I wonder why?" he replied raising an eyebrow.
"I AM SURE!" she cried out before dropping to her knees and sobbing. Shoji approached the barrier and stared at her.
"I think we can help each other."
"What do you mean? I'd never help you! You hurt my Inuyasha!"
"All I want is the girl, the priestess Kikyo."
"What…wha…what do you want her for? She's already dead."
"But she's beautiful…and I don't think Naraku is going to be too happy if he finds out that I lost her."
"What does he want with her?"
"You ask too many questions. Anyway, if you behave yourself I'll keep you alive and maybe help you get your precious Inuyasha."
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Sesshomaru laid Kikyo down on the grass near the bank of the river. Her breaths were labored and she had some cuts on her arms and sides even though she could not bleed. Sesshomaru sat beside her and watched her. She had been through hell the past few hours and he could only imagine the pain she was going through. Why do I care? She let out moan and twisted a little in pain. He moved the hair out of her face and noticed what looked like a burn mark. She opened her eyes and he immediately turned away.
Kikyo smiled as she opened her eyes. She was still in pain but she knew she'd be okay now.
"Thank you…for…for saving me Lord Sesshomaru. I thought…my…time was…surely up."
"You shouldn't be talking. Your soul collectors are out hunting souls for you but I'm afraid they haven't found more than one soul for you."
"It's…Naraku…he's…he's wanting to…finish me off himself. Giant…soul collector…"
"No more talking priestess. Get some rest." She smiled and looked up at the sky watching the stars. She knew she'd be safe with Sesshomaru. She just hoped that Inuyasha was okay as well.
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"Inuyasha! Inuyasha!"
Inuyasha groaned as he sat up off the ground. His head was pounding and his body ached like hell.
"What happened to me? Why do feel like crap?"
"Uh…well, what's the last thing you remember?" Sango asked nervously.
"Uh…we…" He scratched his head. To be honest, he wasn't sure what he remembered. He thought everything had been a dream. "I remember hearing voices…uh…wait, screaming! We heard screaming and so we went to find out where…" He stopped and jumped up. "Kikyo! Where is she? I remember everything until I dropped my tetsaiga."
"More like threw it away," Shippo said sarcastically.
"Oh, shut up you idiot. Now where's Kikyo?!" Inuyasha demanded.
"She's…well…you see Inuyasha, you were fighting and since you were in your demonic state you had no control over your actions…" Inuyasha's face went pale.
"I didn't…I didn't hurt her did I?" he asked softly.
"Well, no but Sesshomaru took her and…"
"HE WHAT?!?!?!"
"Calm down Inuyasha. He only took her so that you wouldn't hurt her. You did charge at her a few times after all. He uh…I'm sure…"
"We have to go and look for her! I WANT HER BACK DAMMIT! How could I have been so…"
"Reckless?" Sango asked curtly.
"Sango, you know he had no choice…"
"Inuyasha, aren't you forgetting something?" Shippo asked slowly.
"Huh? What? What am I forgetting?" he asked irritably.
"Kagome," he whispered. Inuyasha looked around and didn't see Kagome anywhere.
"So where is she? I know she's not throwing a tantrum. Now is definitely not the time for this."
"Uh…well we were getting there. You see, while you were fighting Naraku's demons, Shoji took Kagome and…"
"But there was a barrier. How the hell did she get inside the barrier?"
"She went inside…I guess her powers…she was trying to help you and you threw her right into Shoji's arms!" Sango cried. Inuyasha sat back down on the ground pale faced. He was so sorry that things backfired. He wasn't even able to save Kikyo and now both Kikyo and Kagome were gone.
"Inuyasha, what now? We have to do something?" Shippo said softly.
"He's right Inuyasha. There's no telling what Naraku's up to."
"I guess…without Kagome we can't find the shards so I guess…we have to go and save her."
"What about Kikyo?" Miroku asked.
"She's got three shards already and…I don't see her soul collectors anywhere so I guess we can leave her with my brother for a little while longer. I'll kill him if he touches her."
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
"You know how bad I want Kikyo but Kagome…I caused this and I have to make it right. It's the least I can do after…certain things have happened. I'll never be able to forgive myself if something happens to her. She was only trying to help. Thanks for everything Miroku."
"No problem…let's get moving everyone." And so they headed out in search of Kagome.