Chapter Twenty Five – The Ritual
Naraku carried Maru by the scruff through his new lair and to the dungeons, the pup was continually squirming and shouting. No doubt he got those traits from the damned miko "Cease your movements immediately brat or I shall ripped your limbs from your body"
"Let me go! I want to go back to mommy and daddy, I don't want to be here with you!"
"You have no choice in this matter brat, you shall never see your parents again. The last thing you will ever see is the realm of hell swallowing you up" Maru shuddered at his icy tone
"My daddy will kill you for kidnapping me"
"If your father is smart he will stay away from here, if he tries to interfere the girl will die"
"Girl?" Naraku then opened the prison door and threw Maru down onto the cold hard floor, the sounds of whimpering filled the room causing Maru to look up. He gasped in shock when he found his little cousin cowering in the far corner of the dungeon, she had been badly beaten and the scent of her blood was thick in the air "Yukiko!" Maru pulled himself to his feet and ran over to her, he held her close to his small person and glared up at Naraku "How could you be so mean? She's only a girl, hitting a girl is low"
"Just be grateful I need your blood" Naraku then smirked "If I didn't you would be in the same condition as her. Now you two play nicely until I need you" And with that the dark hanyou left them alone in the dark and gloomy prison
"M-Maru" Yukiko weakly looked up at her cousin "W-where's my daddy?"
"I...I don't know" He gave her a small squeeze and cuddled closer to her "But I bet he and my daddy are on their way to save us right now"
"I want to go home" She cried "I want my mommy"
"So do I" Maru whispered as tears began to stream down his own eyes...
"SESSHOUMARU" Inuyasha shouted as he ran around frantically "KAGOME, WHERE ARE YOU?!"
"Here Inuyasha" The hanyou followed his brother's voice to find him standing at the top of the stairs with Kagome at his side. Tears were streaming down Kagome's cheeks whilst Sesshoumaru's eyes held sorrow
"I picked up Naraku's scent and came straight back here, I also smelt Maru's blood. Please tell me the pup's still here"
"I wish we could" Kagome whimpered
"Inuyasha there is something else" They both descended the stairs and neared the hanyou "It's about Yukiko"
"What about her? Where is she? Where's Sango?"
"They went shopping with Jen. Sango hasn't returned yet"
"Naraku has taken Yukiko too" Sesshoumaru explained as he reached out and caught Inuyasha's shoulder, the hanyou's eyes flared up in a deep crimson as he growled "Calm yourself little brother, if you transform now we won't be able to plan out a strategy"
"Why would he take her?!" He took a deep breath and let his eyes return to their normal golden shade "Naraku doesn't need her"
"Kanna came and told us that he's taken her so that we won't try to save Maru, if we dare try anything he'll kill her" Kagome breathed as fresh tears began to fall from her eyes "I want my baby back" She began to rub her shoulders as she bowed her head "I want him, I want to hold him in my arms
"I'm sorry Kagome" Sesshoumaru pulled his mate into his arms and kissed her brow "I promised both you and Maru that I would protect him, I failed you both"
"Keh" Inuyasha snorted "Sounds like you've already given up" Sesshoumaru moved his gaze to his brother and frowned "You haven't failed anyone yet Sessh, if we all work together we can bring both our children back home"
"You're right. At some point Naraku will need to return here to perform the ritual, we need to be ready to strike him down"
"How can we? He has the complete Shikon no Tama" Kagome cried
"I will not allow a damned jewel get in the way of our son and niece" Sesshoumaru stated "Inuyasha we need to attack him with both Tetsusaiga and Tenseiga, that should be enough to bring him to his knees. Kagome can then purify him with his arrows" Just as he said this Sango and Jen dived through the entrance doors huffing and puffing
"Inuyasha" A crying Sango ran into her lover's arms "Naraku...Yukiko..."
"Shh I know" He kissed her lips "Sesshoumaru and I will bring them back"
"Them?"
"He has Maru too"
"I feared that" Jen sighed "I shall be accompanying you in this battle, I shall send the monster to hell along with the jewel"
"No, the jewel must be purified from this world" Kagome stepped in with determination written all over her features "Naraku will pay for taking my only child from me" Miroku, Shippo and Rin then entered in total bewilderment
"What's wrong?" Miroku asked "I see pain in all of your eyes"
"Naraku's back" Inuyasha replied "He's kidnapped both Maru and Yukiko"
"No..." Rin and Shippo gasped
"Now that Naraku has Maru he won't wait around, he will open the hell-mouth as soon as he can. He will most probably be here by sunset, we need to be ready"
"We also need your father" Jen stated "Go get him Sesshoumaru"
"I need to be here to fight"
"We cannot defeat Naraku without your father's aid. Sesshoumaru, you're faster than all of us. We can hold Naraku back until you arrive, now go!" Reluctantly Sesshoumaru agreed and left without another word "Kagome, Sango go arm yourselves; Miroku got get AhUn and Kirara; Rin, Shippo I do not want you two in this fight, take Kirara and head to Totosai's; Inuyasha go gather all the guards and tell them of our plans. I shall place a barrier around the seal, it won't stop Naraku for long but it will hopefully prevent him from using it until Sesshoumaru and Inutaisho arrive. This will take up most of my power so it is highly doubtful that I shall be able to fight after" With a nod everyone then went about and did what was ordered.
Inutaisho was annoyed he had been called from his home to inspect a so-called attacked village, they had a rat infestation for crying out loud. Since he was here he thought he had might as well pop in and check on the old sword smith Totosai, it wasn't as if he was in a rush to get home. Sighing to himself the King of Japan landed in the cave that belonged to his old friend and looked around "Totosai where are you hiding at?"
"Oh it is you King Inutaisho" Totosai sighed in relief as he jumped from his hiding place "I'm sorry I thought it was your eldest, the last time I saw him he was demanding that I forge him a new sword. I must say you have two ungrateful sons"
"I assure you they have changed a great deal since you last set your eyes on them. They even have pups now"
"Oh that I know" The old man replied as he set himself on a boulder "Kagome and Sango have visited me on a few occasions to sharpen some of their weapons, they have brought the pups with them on every trip. I must say Maru and Yukiko are far too adorable for their own good, they will most definitely break some hearts when they are older"
"I know, I am truly blessed to have such beautiful grandchildren" Inutaisho smiled "How have things been since my last visit?"
"That was a long time ago my lord" Totosai chuckled "Nearly five years to be exact, but all is well"
"Good to hear. Have you completed it?"
"Yes, has your son forgiven you for knocking his fangs out yet?"
"I doubt it" He mused "Though he'll be grateful when he sees what they were used for"
"Here's hoping" Suddenly a bright ball flew straight at them and landed mere inches away from them, the light vanished to reveal Sesshoumaru "Oh no" Totosai fell from his seat and hit behind it "Not him"
"Sesshoumaru?" Inutaisho looked into his son's eyes "What's wrong my boy?"
"I need you back at the palace now, Maru and Yukiko are gone"
"Gone? What do you mean they're gone?"
"Naraku has kidnapped them both" The Prince stated
"What...how?"
"I don't know. We need you. Inuyasha and I cannot defeat Naraku alone"
"Do not worry Sesshoumaru, I shall aid you through this" Inutaisho reassured "And we shall win"
"Then we must leave immediately" Sesshoumaru turned to leave but Inutaisho caught his arm and pulled him back "What..."
"Before we leave I have something to bestow you with" Inutaisho then moved his gaze to Totosai "Could you get it?"
"Are you sure he is ready my lord?" Totosai asked as he stood from his hiding place
"Most definitely" He then pulled Sesshoumaru further into the cave "This shall help you destroy Naraku, it is my gift to you" Totosai then went into another room and began to rummage through his things
"What are bestowing me with?"
"Patience Sesshoumaru, you shall have it now"
"Could this not wait father? I want to get back to my family. I want to have my son back" Sesshoumaru asked
"My my your father's right" Totosai smirked as he re-entered the room holding something covered under some red silk "You have most definitely changed since the last time I saw you. You are no longer a cold, arrogant, power seeking daiyoukai" Sesshoumaru then narrowed his eyes "Calm down, it was supposed to be a compliment"
"Do not worry Totosai, Sesshoumaru won't harm you" Inutaisho then took the object from Totosai's hands and pulled the fabric from it "You will find this is far more powerful than Tokijen" Sesshoumaru's eyes widened as he looked down at the beautiful fang in his father's hands "This sword is all yours, it is even forged from your fangs. It is far more powerful than any of your blades, it rivals that of Tetsusaiga"
"Fantastic" Sesshoumaru took the blade from his father and swung it to get the hang of it "If I use this and Inuyasha uses Tetsusaiga then Naraku will most definitely die"
"That's it? You're not even interested in how powerful it can make you?" Totosai asked in shock
"Like I said Totosai, he's changed" Inutaisho smiled
"As long as it saves my family I could care less, though" Sesshoumaru then paused "If this sword fails me I shall run you through with it"
"He hasn't changed that much" He muttered under his breath
"This sword is called Bakusaiga, it is yours and yours alone" Inutaisho explained
"Thank you father" Sesshoumaru then slotted the sword – along with its sheath – into his sash "We should leave"
"Agreed" Inutaisho nodded "Until next time Totosai" And with that Sesshoumaru and Inutaisho left the cave and made their way back to the palace.
Maru held his still crying cousin close in his arms, he was so afraid but he refused to show it. He wanted to be big and brave like his father and grandfather; his father wasn't afraid of anything, neither was his grandfather...well except of his grandmother. The pup didn't want to scare Yukiko either, if she could scent his fear then she would most definitely be even more hysterical than she already was. Luckily for him she was mostly human so her sense of smell wasn't that strong. Looking up through the barred window Maru shuddered, it was already sunset. They had been locked in that disgusting dungeon for six hours, they were both very hungry and very tired.
Just as he was about to nod off the prison door gently opened to reveal a youkai dressed in various colours of blue with long black hair tied into a high ponytail and deep blue eyes, he had a white sword tied to his back with a red gem at the hilt "Ah so you must be Prince Maru and Princess Yukiko. Well aren't you two the most adorable things" He smirked "How about we go on a little trip?" Yukiko whimpered and gripped onto Maru
"Who are you?" Maru growled
"Oh please forgive me, my name's Byakuya. I am one of Naraku's incarnations" He then took a step forward "Now come along children, Naraku and myself shall be taking you home"
"Really?" Yukiko timidly asked "Can I see my mommy?"
"Of course little one"
"You're lying" Maru shouted as he stood up in front of his cousin
"I'm not" He then smirked "You two shall see your parents but that will be about it, especially for you Maru"
"W-what do you mean?"
"You're going to die today"
Back at the palace everyone was in position and were awaiting both Naraku and Sesshoumaru to show their faces, Kagome prayed her lover would be the first to return. She didn't want to face Naraku without him, she needed him by her side. Sure she had her friends and family but that Sesshoumaru was her rock, her strength, the secret to her power. Inuyasha sensed her uneasiness and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder "Don't worry Kags, we'll get them back"
"Here's hoping" She whispered. She then took a deep breath and notched her quiver in her bow from her hiding place, she then aimed it at the sky ready just in case Naraku made an early appearance. 'Please hurry Sesshoumaru, I can't do this without you'
"He's here" Inuyasha breathed as he quietly unsheathed his sword
"Sesshoumaru?"
"Naraku" He spat
"Just remember to stay where you are until I give the signal" Jen warned as she held her invisible barrier "If you move to early it will ruin everything" A swirl of miasma then circled the air, Naraku and his accomplice was standing in the middle of it. Naraku had Maru under his arm who was covering his poor sensitive nose whilst Yukiko did the same in the other's arms
"My baby" Sango gasped. Inuyasha was about to charge out at the sight of his daughter's distress and condition but Miroku grasped his arm and pulled him back
"Remember the plan Inuyasha, if you move now Naraku will sense us and will kill Yukiko"
"Damn" Inuyasha muttered under his breath as he restrained himself "What has that bastard done to her?!"
"And who the hell is holding our little girl?" Sango almost growled as she got her giant boomerang at the ready
Naraku and Byakuya landed with ease in front of the hell-mouth and looked around for any possible nuisances "It seems they are not as stupid as you made them out to be Naraku. They have also seemed to have abandoned their only children, perhaps they are cowards"
"Don't get your hopes up Byakuya, Sesshoumaru wouldn't let an opportunity like this pass. He wants to kill me so badly and he's a dog, that makes him possessive of things he owns. He'll come mark my words. Make sure you have that blade ready at that girl's throat. I can't wait to see the look on Inuyasha's face when you slit his only daughter's throat" At this Yukiko shrieked in horror causing Maru's protective nature to take over as he growled threateningly at Naraku "Hush brat!" He then backhanded the pup causing him to cry out in pain.
Kagome saw the abuse Naraku had given her son and clenched her fists, oh how she wanted to shoot the asshole. What made it even more painful was Maru's cry, it ripped at her heart. Naraku would pay for this in the most painful way possible. Jen saw the fire in Kagome's eyes and quietly called to her "Kagome please keep yourself in check"
"I am" She unintentionally spat
"Keep it that way. As soon as they land shoot Naraku's vassal so that he drops Yukiko, Inuyasha can then get to her and then we can save Maru" Kagome nodded and turned her attention back to the enemy.
"Something doesn't seem right" Byakuya said more to himself as he took in the area "It seems too quiet" They slowly began to descend to the ground keeping an eye out for any interferences
"You're right, stay on your guard" Naraku ordered. The two then landed in front of the seal with the children still in their grasp and scanned their surroundings "We must hurry" Naraku then moved closer to the seal and pulled out a dagger "Sesshoumaru will likely show up any minute now" He was about to step on the hell-mouth itself when he was suddenly pushed back "What the hell?!" A sacred arrow then shot out of nowhere and hit Byakuya directly in the head, he screamed in agony and grasped the arrow causing Yukiko to slip and fall to the ground.
"Yukiko" Inuyasha called as he dived from his hiding place and straight to his daughter, he swept her into his arm whilst aiming Tetsusaiga at Byakuya "Let me guess you're one of his incarnations" Kagome and the rest then ran out and armed themselves
"Why yes I am" Byakuya smirked as he snapped the arrow that was now in his arms "My name's Byakuya of the heavens" He then turned his gaze to Kagome "A simple sacred arrow will not harm me for long miko, especially from one such as weak as you"
"Does it matter?" Kagome frowned "You've still lost your hostage"
"That may be so but we still have your son" He grinned as he unsheathed his blade "Don't worry though miko, you two will be reunited in hell" He then jumped into the air and went straight for her, Inuyasha tried to run to his sister's aid but Byakuya was too fast.
"KAGOME" Everyone shouted in fear just as the incarnation brought his blade down on the black haired beauty but instead of hearing blade meeting her flesh they heard blade meeting blade. They look to their friend to find her holding her own sword against his
"I will not die so easily" She snapped as she pushed him back "I'm not the same as I was five years ago, you're not the only one who has changed Naraku" Naraku watched Kagome in curiosity, it was true the girl had grown in strength but she would never match his alone. The dark hanyou simply laughed at her words
"Foolish wench, no matter how hard you train you'll never match my strength" He then lifted his hand and sent an attack in her direction, strangely it missed her completely. Kagome looked at the smug smirk on his face in confusion, well that was until...
"JEN" She shot back at Sango's screech to find her mother-in-law laying unconscious on the ground "Kagome the barrier..." Kagome turned back to Naraku just as he stepped onto the seal with her precious son in his hold
"Let him go Naraku" She lifted her blade to attack him but it was knocked away by Byakuya who she hadn't been concentrating on, her sword collided with Miroku's shoulder causing him to collapse to the floor screaming in agony "No, Miroku are you...?"
"I'm fine" He winced "Just take Naraku down, you'll have to do it without me"
"It seems you're losing your comrades one by one" Byakuya laughed as he lifted his sword to a now defenceless Kagome
"Stay the hell away from her!!!" Inuyasha growled as Sango took Yukiko into her arms "I'll kill you!"
"You won't get to me in time" He laughed as he raised his blade
"Hey!" Byakuya turned to the offending voice only to be greeted with a fist colliding with his face, he flew onto his back and looked up at his attacker. There stood Sesshoumaru with his arm wrapped protectively around his mate's waist whilst all his men stood behind him armed "Vermin" He growled just as Inutaisho landed beside Jen and inspected her
"Ah Prince Sesshoumaru, it's nice to know you've shown your face at last" Naraku smirked as he raised his dagger to Maru "You're just in time to see your son's end"
"DADDY" Maru's fear finally got the best of him as he looked at his father "SAVE ME" The pup squirmed so much that Naraku missed his throat and ended up slitting the boy's cheek, suddenly a jolt of purification power shot from Maru and hit Naraku. The dark hanyou dropped the child to the ground and he screamed in agony. Maru's face collided with the seal causing his blood to sink into it.
Crimson lights shot up from the seal causing the sky to darken into the same shade, Maru pulled himself to his knees to take in the new surroundings when the seal began to jolt open "Ah" The pup tried to keep his balance but it was useless, he clenched his hands together to protect something that was even unknown to him. He looked through the slits of the opening seal and gasped in horror as he saw a dark, dreary and dismal world that was about to swallow him hole, creatures from that world spat and clawed up to him but couldn't quite reach the top yet. The seal opened even more causing Maru to cry out for help, Sesshoumaru tried to get to his son but a demonic barrier had prevented him from passing "HELP ME" His son screamed.
Kagome couldn't take it any more, willing her powers to aid her she dived straight through the barrier and caught her son in her arms just as the hell-mouth opened further and dragged them down to hell itself "KAGOME!" Sesshoumaru shouted after her as hers and Maru's screams hit his ears...
Here's another chapter people :)
I think I'm getting better with my updating
I'm trying to finish this story before next Saturday as that date is my birthday and I won't have much time between then and now since I have mock exams, wish me luck
Reviews please :)
Inuyashasesshy4eva