Author's Note: I do not own Inuyasha or anything affiliated with it. The rights to it belong solely to their respective owners.
Author's Note: I'M NOT DEAD! This is Deiru Tamashi, back with the next chapter. I apologize for the extended wait, but my family is currently moving, and thus all the time I normally spend writing is instead spent packing up stuff in boxes. The house we'll be moving in to will be better than our current one, so that will be nice though. But enough about me. It's time to get on with the latest chapter and replies!
J4RRE77: Naraku won't be taking Michiru or Kaname as slaves, thank goodness. As for your other idea, you're not far of the mark.
Carlisle Fan 22: The situation is dire indeed. But rest assured, things will get better... eventually.
Greymon leader Batx flashpoint: Yeah, a direct confrontation with Naraku is the last thing they need right now.
The Queen of Water: Well, ye need not wait any longer.
Mickol93: I hope so as well.
Elfen Children: Bankotsu, you say? Hmm... that's an interesting idea. Would certainly add a new dimension to his and Kaname's characters. On another note, as I said before, Bruce Lee cannot be defeated by Chuck Norris!
Gry19: I have already decided the origin of Yume's flute; sorry. I will, however, take some of the suggestions for its powers and put them into consideration.
And Guest: No, Yume will not be awakening a new attack this chapter. I have something in the works that will make that possible, though.
And now, let the chapter begin!
Ch.25 Overwhelming Power
I glared at Naraku, the demon responsible for just about every bad thing that had happened to us, and certainly some of the largest. This man, and I use the term loosely, had been the one to set Kikyo and Inuyasha against each other, resulting in their deaths, cursed Miroku's family, and held Sango's brother Kohaku under his control. And in several of these endeavors, my own grandfather Tenbatsu had helped him.
Knowing that Tenbatsu was my grandfather always sent mixed feelings. Having known known my actual father, to see someone else from my rather small family (my mother's family having cut ties for reasons I now see- like marrying a demon) was a joy. Yet at the same time, I knew that Tenbatsu's greatest interest was in obtaining my powers and bringing the rest of our clan back. And to do that, he had worked with Naraku.
Tenbatsu must have sensed my thoughts, because he smirked at me. "Well, well, Yume. Always a pleasure," he said formally. Glaring at him, I spat venomously "I wish I could say the same, grandfather." His smile faded, but before he could say anything, Naraku began laughing. "This was remarkably easy. I came here to personally see what it looked like to have your own power turned against you," he taunted.
Miroku glared at him. "So this is the real you that we're talking to and not some doll? How honored, are we. You're someone who never gets his own hands involved, so you must have been quite confident in this trick of yours," he said, loosening the beads on his arm. Naraku was unthreatened by the gesture, and said "The Wind Tunnel? Monk, you are free to use it and absorb everything around us. Just beware of what will happen when you." He glanced pointedly at the girl in white, and Miroku eyes widened.
'The souls of Michiru, Kaname and the villagers are still in that mirror. Dammit!' he thought. Naraku chuckled. "All I did was create Wind and Void as incarnations of myself, and look at all the damage that was created. Pathetic," he taunted. I paused. "Incarnations?" I parroted, before looking at Kagura and the girl. We had fought Kagura before with her wind powers, and had also seen the spider mark on her back. This explained it. But that would make the other girl an incarnation of Void?
"That would explain why we didn't realize things until it was too late. That girl has no scent, no aura. No presence that can be detected other than by sight," I said, and Miroku nodded. Tenbatsu grunted. "We've spent enough time talking. Now, are we going to take Inuyasha's head and Yume with us, or not?" he questioned. Naraku looked at him, and he shrugged. "What? I thought telling that woman that you killed Inuyasha was part of your plan," Tenbatsu stated.
"True. It was, after all, only through her cooperation that it was able to create Kagura and Kanna. To see her face when she gazes upon Inuyasha's corpse is something I find tempting," he admitted, before reaching into his pocket. I tensed, waiting for an attack, but then, to my shock, what Naraku pulled out was the Sacred Shikon Jewel. I stared for a second, horrified. How in all the hells did he manage to finish it?! Then I took another look, and saw that the Jewel was not finished. Just nearly.
Miroku was just as shock, wondering how in the world this could have happened. Naraku chuckled much more loudly. "You mentioned that I never sully my own hands. However, in this case, there is someone working at an even higher level than me. A woman who used me to kill Inuyasha," he said. I gasped. A woman? No... it couldn't… but that would explain the Jewel… Naraku finished "She's some piece of work, that Kikyo." I grimaced; so I had been right.
Tenbatsu curled his lip at the twisting of the truth. Kikyo had hired them for no such thing, only given the Jewel to Naraku because he was the one who would be able to reassemble the Shards the fastest. And once the Jewel was complete, she and Xiram would cast both Naraku and the Jewel from this life. Not that Tenbatsu had a problem with that- he could eventually work without him.
I could hear Inuyasha gasp in shock and looked over. He was still injured heavily, but it appears he had regained consciousness enough to hear and understand people. Shippo, who had been searching for signs of life, called "Inuyasha, you're alive!" Kagura raised her fan. "So he is. But not for long!" she called, and unleashed a Dance of Blades. Miroku moved in front of them and called "Shippo, get down!" He raised his staff to block them, but some got through and cut him on the right arm and just above his stomach.
He flew back and Shippo called "Miroku!" I growled and sent out a wave of Fire Darts to intercept the rest of them. "Hand over your head!" Kagura called, swinging again. But then, out of nowhere, an arrow pierced the ground in front of us and created a barrier, which blocked the blades. My eyes widened. "That's Kagome's arrow!" I called, and looked around. I found her in the air, rising on top of Kirara with Mei nearby and ready to catch her if she fell.
Kagura's own eyes widened, and she looked over at Kanna. "Kanna, I thought you removed that girl's soul! How is she still moving?" she demanded. Kanna held up her mirror, whose surface was glowing and releasing tiny wisps of light. "Her soul is too large- it's spilling out of the mirror," she said in her usual soft whisper. Kagome landed down next to us, and weakly said "How's Inuyasha?" Looking back, I said "He's still breathing. But those injuries are bad even for him. He won't be moving anytime soon."
Kagome smiled. "I'm glad… that's he alive… at least," she said, looking down at him. Inuyasha struggled to turn his head enough to look at her, and muttered "Kagome…" Naraku broke up the moment, saying "When he's able to move, give Inuyasha this message. It was Kikyo that wanted him to die. His death is her wish." My rage grew, and I drew my sword. "I'll be sure to relay that once you die!" "Mom, stop!" Shippo called, but I didn't hear him as I flew forward.
Tenbatsu got in the way though. With a stomp, the ground in front of him burst apart, and the pebbles that flew into the air came together to form the rough shape of a stone sword, which he blocked with. Sparks flew from the clash of stone and the rubies of my blades, and I continued looking at Tenbatsu in anger. He was unaffected, and said "So, I see that you have a found a phoenix to be partners with."
"Maybe. What's it to you?" I demanded. Tenbatsu sighed. "Despite what you may think, Yume, your safety is very important to me. So to hear that you may have met a potential bond partner, yet have no way to become bonded to them is… worrying," he said truthfully. I blinked. Tenbatsu, someone who had tried to take control of me before… was worried? But then I shook my head and pushed harder against him. "Likely just making sure that your future puppet is growing well, I countered.
A flicker of something- was that sadness?- appeared in his eyes, before we separated and he reached for a pocket on the inside of his cloak. "Believe what you will about what I desire. Regardless, my goals and your growth can be achieved by the same means, in this instance," he said, pulling out a scroll and tossing it. I caught it and inspected the kanji written on the outside. I managed to catch the words 'bonding' and 'ritual', and I glared back at him. "The hell is this?" I demanded.
Tenbatsu crossed his arms. "As I said, your growth and my goals can currently be accomplished by the same means. The scroll details the Bonding Ritual that you may conduct between yourself and that phoenix. And before ask, there's no addition to it that will place you under my control," he said. For a second I looked at him, wondering whether or not to trust him. Eventually I simply placed the scroll in the pocket of my hakama.
Naraku raised an eyebrow at the scene but decided not to comment, while Kanna was naturally silent. Kagura had no restrictions, and said "What the hell are you doing?! Why are you literally giving her a way to become stronger?" Tenbatsu looked back at her. "I already said why twice; I will no do so a third time," he stated. The Wind Sorceress silently fumed at the response, Kagome aimed at arrow at Naraku for what he had said.
"Kagome, no! Your arrow will be deflected like Tetsusaiga was!" Shippo said. Kagome shook her head. "Don't worry. My arrows only hurt evil!" she declared, and fired. But true enough, Kanna stepped into its path and held up her mirror. The arrow stopped right as it tip hit the surface, hovering mid-air. Then, slowly, it began to sink into he surface. But then the mirror started shaking, and Kanna said "I cannot hold it." "What? Why?" Kagura said. "The power of Kagome's arrow is made from her soul. The mirror is filled to the brim. Should the souls inside not be released, the mirror will burst," she explained.
True enough, a crack appeared in the mirror as it shaking grew more violent. Kanna held up her mirror and it flashed, before dozens of massive wisps of light flew out if it, flying towards the Michiru, Kaname and the villagers to return to their bodies. Now revitalized, Kagome called "The souls are free now! Miroku, the Wind Tunnel!" "Right!" Miroku replied, removing the prayer beads around his right arm.
Behind us, Koharu woke up from unconscious in time to see him call "Wind Tunnel!" and unleash the abyssal hole. Koharu was beyond shocked at the sight. Words from their previous conversation filtered through her mind. "In my hand, there is a hole. A hold capable of sucking in everything in its path. Eventually, I too will be drawn into the void. Being strong it life... it's not easy. Overcoming uncertainties... is difficult," he had said.
Kagura acted the moment the Wind Tunnel was opened, and sent a blade of wind into the ground. Several rocks rose into the air and were sucked up by the Wind Tunnel. I sent out a wave of red flames to destroy the rocks, but it was countered by Tenbatsu swiping his arm and sending out his own wave of azure flames. The two attacks hit each and exploded, and Naraku and company used the blast as cover to escape.
After the smoke cleared, they were gone. Naraku's voice still could be heard though, and it said "I shall let you live a little while longer. The Sacred Jewel continues to grant me new abilities. Let us all take time to appreciate its power."
The next morning...
Far away from the village, there was a small camp, wherein lied several wounded soldiers. Moving among them was Kikyo, who was tending to their wounds. Several of them thanked her for saving them while others simply fell asleep, the pain no longer keeping them awake. However, she soon noticed something, and once the rest of the soldiers were taken care of, she walked into the forest.
Without a sound, Xiram appeared from the shadows next to her. "You sensed it as well?" he asked, and the undead priestess nodded. They soon stopped in front of a tree, from which the demonic aura they sensed was emanating. "You can come out, now. I knew you were there," Kikyo said aloud. Indeed, the demonic aura pulsed before Naraku appeared, garbed in his baboon cloak.
Xiram had to refrain from drawing his sword at the sight of the demon, vividly remembering his kidnapping of Kikyo and attempts to manipulate her after reassembling his body. His body did tense slightly though, something that Naraku noticed. "My, Xiram, are you not happy to see me?" he said tauntingly. Xiram looked at him balefully.
"Considering that the last time we met, you tried to manipulate Kikyo and use me as a hostage, no. Now tell us why you're here, before a fight breaks out," he said warningly. Naraku was unfazed and simply chuckled, before looking at Kikyo. "Kikyo, Inuyasha is bitter about you. He knows that I have grown stronger because of the power of the Sacred Jewel- part of which you gave me," he revealed. Kikyo's eyes widened at that, but beyond that she said nothing.
Naraku laughed before disappearing, and Kikyo immediately began walking away. Noticing that it was in neither the direction of Naraku or the soldiers she had saved, Xiram asked "So where does our wandering path take us now?" Kikyo looked back. "To find out if what Naraku says is true or not," she replied, before sending the Soul Collectors out ahead of her.
After the events of the previous night, the villagers slowly awoke one by one, none remembering the events of the night before. To prove this, there were several cries of 'What's going on?', 'How did we get here?' and 'I can't remember last night'. Eventually it was all chalked up to a night of restless drunken foolery, and soon forgotten. Koharu, however, was last seen standing in front of the headman's house with one of Miroku's Sacred Sutras held in her hands. She closed her eyes and held it to her chest, before walking inside.
Our group had made it substantially far from the village before we finally stopped to rest and recoup. We had chosen and old hut in the forest for our hiding spot, and laid Inuyasha inside with Kagome tending to him. Michiru and Kaname were fine after having their souls taken, and were currently trying to meditate to regather their magical strength. Miroku was not far away, siting under a tree and looking pensive.
I was sitting on the steps of the hut with Shippo and my lap, and Mei and a small Kirara were sitting down on either side of me. Shippo had his arms folded and looking around, seeing the depressed atmosphere held by all. Suddenly he jumped up into the air, calling "Hey, cheep up, will you?" But then he dropped back down, and added "Is what I'd like to say. But not this time. Naraku's collected almost all of the Sacred Jewel Shards."
I looked down at him sadly. If even my ever-bright son was this depressed, we were in deep trouble. Then I shook my head. No, I had to be strong, if only to be a good mother. I put on my bet smile and rubbed Shippo's shoulder, saying "hey now, it's all a matter of perceptive. We've fought Naraku and survived before, right. We'll do so again. Right, Kirara, Mei?" Kirara mewed and snuggled into my side, while Mei cooed and laid down next to me.
The door to the hut opened and Kagome walked out, wiping her hands on a rag. We looked up, and Kaname asked "How's Inuyasha?" Kagome smiled. "The herbs are working, and his fever's down. Now he's just sleeping. Now I just need to gather more herbs," she said. I frowned. "Actually, why don't you let Mei and I help with that. We're the least injured, out of all of us," I offered. Kagome's smile widened in response, and she nodded. "Thank you," she said.
Inside the hut, Inuyasha was laying a straw mat, his kimono taken off and his chest covered in bandages. Sango He had heard everything that was said outside, and looked at ceiling. 'Why, Kikyo? With the power of the Sacred Jewel, Naraku has grown stronger. What were you thinking in giving it to him? Do you still hate me that much? Kikyo...!' he thought, before wincing. Shippo has chosen to come inside at that moment, and quickly ran over.
"Inuyasha? Are you in pain?" he asked. When the half-demon merely grunted in response, he continued "it's no surprise. The Tetsusaiga did protect you some, but you still took the full blast of the Wind Scar. Even Sango won't be up for a while. She may act brave, but she still was her with her own Hiraikotsu." Inuyasha grimaced, asking "Where's Kagome?"
"She left with Miroku, Mei and Yume to search for herbs. They thought that if they worked together, they could gather them faster," he said. Before Inuyasha could reply, Sango groaned in pain in her sleep, causing Kirara to meow in concern. "Wait here, Kirara. I'll go get some water," Shippo said, before walking out. Outside he grabbed a bucket Kagome had placed in the stream, even though it was nearly as large as his own body.
Dipping the bucket into the water, he muttered to himself "Both Inuyasha and Sango are badly injured, and the rest of us are pretty worn out too. And Naraku has two frightening demons running around that were made from his own body. Now what's going to happen?!" Apparently fate decided to answer his question, as just then several Soul Collectors flew overhead and dropped down into the hut, passing through the walls as if they weren't even there.
Inuyasha gasped at the sight of them, and slowly rose to his feet. "Soul Collectors... Is Kikyo here?" he asked. In response, the Soul Collectors flew out. Using Tetsusaiga as a crutch, he began following them. Outside, Shippo was trapped with two Soul Collectors wrapped around him, while Kaname and Michiru were trying hold the others off. But it was to no avail, as several phased through the round and wrapped around their limbs, binding the twins to either side of a large tree.
"Let us go!" Michiru called, trying to channel his Fire Shikigami and burn them. But the Soul Collectors also wrapped around their throats, constricting their breathing enough that they couldn't yell any incantations. Shippo could still talk, and once he saw the silverette walking away, he yelled "Inuyasha, don't! You'll be killed! Inuyasha! Inuyasha!"
So the truth has come out, and everyone is trying to recuperate. But what will happen to Inuyasha now? Will Yume and Mei finally be able to go through the Bonding Ritual? Stay tuned to find out!
Please review! If you flame me Bruce Lee will smash you with his nunchaku. (I'm just kidding... or am I?)