A/N: Hi everyone. I must say that this was a rather hard chapter to write due to me using a lot of the manga conversations, but also mingling it with my own and adding the actions, so that everything ran smoothly. I don't know if I managed to do this…but here is the chapter anyway. Please keep in mind that there are many spoilers for this chapter, and a lot of the actual dialogue is taken directly from the manga itself.
I want to thank all my reviewers for their words of encouragement and tips. You have all been great. Next chapter will be called …something…lol here's the chapter.
Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Wind and The White Tower
Inuyasha flopped onto his back once his transformation completed and he groaned loudly. "I can't believe this is happening. Now of all times." 'Just when we were getting closer to Naraku's trail.' He thought silently.
"It can't be helped Inuyasha. It's the new moon and we must keep your human night a secret. Naraku is lurking nearby and we must be careful." Miroku stated, settling himself against the wall of the tattered hut they had found just before night had fallen.
"I know that, baka!" Inuyasha snarled as best as he could in his human form.
Everyone else was sleeping and Inuyasha glared daggers at the monk as Miroku spoke. "As usual you can't sleep while in your human form. Is it because you are still afraid?"
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at Miroku and barred his teeth. "Don't you dare insult me. I ain't in the mood."
Miroku held up his hands and shook his head. "It's not an insult Inuyasha." The monk dropped his hands and sighed before he quickly turned his head to the entrance to the hut. A faint thumping drifted into the hut signaling the approach of horses and whatever it was they carried.
Inuyasha gripped the hilt of his sword tightly. "It's them." He hissed under his breath.
"Shush." Miroku replied and got to his feet. Sango and Kagome woke quickly at the distinct sounds of horses running and a very faint cry from the village woke them fully.
A loud boom caused the earth to rumble and Miroku and Kagome exited the hut quickly, weapons in hand. Inuyasha clenched his teeth and growled in frustration. "The bandits have attacked it haven't they?"
Miroku ran into the hut quickly with Kagome in his grip and he pushed her towards the hanyou in human form. "Inuyasha, you stay with Kagome." Sango and Miroku both made for the exit.
"Hey! Wait!" Inuyasha ran toward them, and gripped Tessaiga eagerly. Kirara gripped the back of his obi and pulled him back. "Hey!" He protested. Why were they so hell bent on keeping him from the battle? Sure he was in his weakened form, but they had seen him battle as a human before, why was this any different?
Sango snapped. "Miroku and I are enough." Without another word, the monk and youkai slayer jumped onto Kirara and were gone from sight.
"Damn it!" Inuyasha grumbled to himself before dropping to the ground in frustration. "Just when all the good stuff happens, I have to sit back and wait until morning."
Kagome sighed and shook her head. "It will be okay, Inuyasha."
"Shouldn't they be back by now?" Inuyasha growled, ignoring Kagome's comment completely.
Kagome raised a single brow. "They just left you know."
"Feh." Inuyasha slumped against the wall of the hut and groaned. "This is irritating just sitting here."
Kagome and Shippo glanced at one another and shook their heads.
"Where's my damn brother, anyway?" Inuyasha snarled and glanced around, his foot twitching impatiently.
"Stop it, Inuyasha. There isn't anything you can do when you're in human form." Kagome snapped at him.
Inuyasha shot her a glare but bit his tongue. Everyone remained silent as the sounds of battle outside filtered into the hut. Soon everything became quiet and Kagome glanced at Inuyasha confused. "It's gotten so quiet." She whispered.
Shippo grinned widely and jumped onto Kagome's shoulder. "Miroku and Sango have probably finished off the bandits."
Inuyasha furrowed his brows and inched towards the window. Something was wrong. Warning bells rang out in his head, and he heeded them instantly. He knew when to react or when not to in his human form. His gut had never been wrong before.
A deep rumbling in the earth had his hackles up instantly and he quickly glanced over his shoulder to Kagome and Shippo.
"What's that sound?" Kagome gasped.
Inuyasha jumped to his feet and whirled around to face Kagome, just as the side of the hut crashed in beside her. Kagome spun around, screamed as the tentacle grabbed her, and pulled her towards the hole in the wall.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha cried out and drew Tessaiga. As fast as his human form would allow, Inuyasha raced to her side and hacked at the large pulsing arm that held his Kagome.
"Damn it! Let go of her!" Inuyasha raged, slashing with all the force he had at the tentacle.
The arm tightened around Kagome, and drew her out of the hut completely. Inuyasha raced for the hole in the wall and gasped when he looked up. One arm flung towards him and he ducked just in time.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha shouted, watching as Kagome was lifted high into the air. His hair rose on the back of his neck in warning and his eyes moved instantly. A large surge of white light raced towards him and he gasped fearfully.
Inuyasha barely had enough time to drop to the ground as the blast blew into the hut, shattering it completely.
Kagome's mouth dropped open in horror as she saw the hut crumble around the man she loved. "Inuyasha!" She screamed.
"I got you…"
She glanced behind her at the youkai who held her and gasped in surprise. "Eh…Goryoumaru?!" Kagome winced as the tentacles tightened around her, crushing her chest making it harder to breath.
"I thought that the group would come out of hiding if we caused a ruckus with the Goryou pots." Goryoumaru sneered bringing Kagome closer to his face.
Kagome caught sight of movement from behind Goryoumaru and she widened her eyes in shocked surprise. "Kagura?" 'What is going on?' She thought silently.
Goryoumaru laughed and forced Kagome to look at him as he squeezed harder around her chest. "So why am I alive? I am no longer Goryoumaru."
Kagura leaned against the tree she had been hiding behind and flicked her fan somewhat hesitantly. She really didn't want to be involved in all this, but she had gone against Naraku. It had been a spur of the moment decision to release Goryoumaru from his prison and she knew that once Naraku found out he would kill her. Not only had Naraku tested her in her guarding the cell, but also he must have known what the out come would be.
Kagura sighed and lowered her gaze to the ground. In all reality she didn't want to go against Inuyasha, or his brother Sesshoumaru. However, it was her life on the line, and she needed to figure out a way to have Goryoumaru defeat Naraku once and for all. Not only that, but Kagura sensed that her demise was drawing closer, and she actually felt fear fill her soul at the thought. Was it a crime to want freedom? Had it always been her fate that death was at her heels from the moment Naraku had given birth to her?
Kagura shuddered and glanced over at the destroyed hut and saw movement. Furrowing her brows, she squinted and stared as a human Inuyasha stood up shakily and she shivered. If Naraku ever found out about Inuyasha's human night, he would not hesitate to eliminate the hanyou immediately. It was Naraku's nature after all to destroy the weakest rather than face the stronger force.
It was his detachments duty to destroy the strong, even at the cost of their own lives. Naraku would only stand by and watch with amusement. However, if he felt he had gained enough power, he would confront those who were strong, just to test his abilities to see if he could defeat them. It always ended the same way, him running away as a coward.
Kagura swallowed and sighed.
"Let go of Kagome, you bastard!" Inuyasha raged, crawling out of the ruins of the hut. Blood ran out of a large gash on his forehead and Kagome gulped as more air was crushed out of her lungs.
Goryoumaru started to turn around, and Kagome shouted in warning. "Inuyasha…you mustn't!" If he found out Inuyasha was human, Naraku would find out immediately, wouldn't he?
Shippo shook his head frantically, perched on Inuyasha's shoulder. "Don't, you'll let them see!"
"This is hardly the time for that!" Inuyasha raged, hefting Tessaiga out in front of him. He rushed forward. "Let go of her or I'll kill you!" He shouted.
Kagome squeaked as the tentacle holding her swung around and she flew through the air right for Inuyasha, who immediately stopped and gasped. She flew into Inuyasha heavily and both crashed to the ground. Inuyasha jumped to his feet, pulling Kagome up with him and he shoved her to the side.
"Look out, Inuyasha!" Kagome cried out as the tentacle shot out for Inuyasha's exposed back.
Before Inuyasha could move the tentacle sliced up his back and he winced as he felt it rip through his flesh. His world spun and he toppled to the ground in a heap.
Kagome dropped to her knees and reached out for him. "Inuyasha."
Goryoumaru stilled and glanced down at them curiously. "Inuyasha…you said?"
Kagome gasped fearfully at revealing Inuyasha's secret. 'Oh Kami, what have I done?'
Goryoumaru turned to look at Kagura just as she rested herself against the tree once again. She had seen the attack on the hanyou and she had almost run to his aid, but Kagura held herself back, barely.
"Kagura, what is the meaning of this?" Goryoumaru asked menacingly.
Kagura remained silent and glared daggers at the youkai. 'Damn him.'
A rush of air above them caused all eyes to lift skyward. Kirara landed near Kagome and Inuyasha. Sango and Miroku jumped off, standing in between Goryoumaru and their companions.
Sango glanced over her shoulder and asked carefully. "He's still alive?"
Kagome nodded as she placed her hand on Inuyasha's head. His eyes were closed and his breathing was rapid and shallow. She was so worried about the amount of blood that was seeping into the material of his fire rat that she was uncertain as to help him.
Miroku glared at the youkai and shouted. "Who the hell are you?"
Goryoumaru sneered and chuckled in amusement. His tentacles rose as his face darkened with ill intent.
Kagome widened her eyes and gaped. The pink purple glow was unmistakable. "Ah!" She exclaimed. "He's taken a jewel fragment!"
"That is what I came for." Goryoumaru laughed darkly.
Miroku gasped in surprise. "You've been after it since we met at the temple?"
Inuyasha twitched slightly and Kagome drew her breath in sharply at the surge of power erupting from the jewel shard Goryoumaru carried.
"We met before as well." Goryoumaru scorned.
The jewel surged into a bright light through his tentacles and Inuyasha gulped. 'He's…'
The former body of Goryoumaru seemed to erupt in the light, until he grew to an unbelievable size. The youkai loomed over the group and even Kagura stepped back away from the tree in surprise.
"Do you remember me?" The youkai laughed darkly. The scar on his face was now larger and wider, more prominent and one side of his face was cast in dark shadow.
Miroku and Sango breathed at the large figure standing over them. Inuyasha gulped and shivered as he pulled himself up to his knees shakily. "Mouryoumaru!"
Kagura shuddered horrified. 'He's the youkai Hakudoushi created by stitching together bits of youkai.' She took a deep breath. 'But…he's completely different from when we first met…back then it was like…he was a doll with no soul.'
The jewel surged in power again and Kagome cried out frantically. "He's absorbing the jewel shard!"
Kagura stepped back even more, watching almost horrified as spikes burst out of his back. 'He's using the jewel shard anyway he wants? How is this possible?' She thought, moving to a safer position as Mouryoumaru stepped forward growing even larger then before. 'He's a youkai Hakudoushi originally created. Naraku locked him up in Goryoumaru's borrowed body. Hakudoushi tried to free him from the prison…' Kagura gasped shocked. 'Is Hakudoushi planning on betraying Naraku as well?'
She couldn't believe it. 'Hakudoushi against Naraku? Impossible.' Kagura quickly stepped as far from Mouryoumaru as was safely allowed. If he knew of her uneasiness this youkai wouldn't hesitate on killing her. What was she supposed to do now? She glanced over at the still form of Inuyasha lying on the ground, and Kagome hovering protectively over his human body, seemingly just as confused and horrified as she was.
Kagura suddenly realized that she had done one of the most idiotic things she could have possibly done. Not only was Mouryoumaru capable of absorbing the jewel and other youkai as Naraku was, but also he was fearless. He was not a coward like Naraku was. Mouryoumaru could absorb and most likely take in every member within reach for his own benefits. Not only her, but the humans as well. She shuddered, had she just signed her own fate? Had she just issued a reason for Naraku or Mouryoumaru to kill her? She had no doubt in her mind that once Naraku arrived, her death would be immediate. More than likely he already knew about her betrayal.
Kagura winced as Sesshoumaru's words rushed to her in a soft proclaiming of warning. 'Do not do anything foolish. I do expect to see you again. Alive.' In truth she had seen him again, their next meeting resulting in his owing her a life debt, but he was nowhere to be seen. Had he gone his own way?
Kagura gulped and watched the horrifying scene unfold in front of her. She had just done the most despicable thing, releasing Mouryoumaru from his prison and having him find Inuyasha and his group. No matter how much she desired freedom, she could never forgive herself for this betrayal, when in all truth all her intensions had been was to seek freedom with Naraku's demise, through Mouryoumaru. Now Sesshoumaru's little brother was seriously injured, and the group in great peril due to her recklessness, and there was no way they would ever forgive her for this.
The wind youkai watched horrified as Mouryoumaru prepared an attack against Kagome, and she sucked her breath in sharply, hoping the girl was at least able to hold her own. Both the monk and youkai slayer were in a heap injured, and the small kitsune was not powerful enough to defend them against the enormous mismatched youkai.
Kagome whirled around shocked not able to do anything but watch as the tentacle rushed towards her with so much force it would crush the life out of her in an instant. A loud angry growl of rage caused her to shake out of her frozen state and she watched as Inuyasha darted in front of her holding Tessaiga firmly.
Inuyasha winced as his injuries pulled, but he was determined to save Kagome. He stabbed the tentacle and grunted at the brunt force. He dug his feet into the ground, trying with all his strength to hold it back, and somehow was able to fling the tentacle back.
"I…Inuyasha." Miroku muttered, holding his hand protectively. The poison seeped through his wind tunnel and he broke out in a cold sweat. 'Damn, idiot, showing himself like this.' He thought silently.
The tentacle rose with Tessaiga embedded in it and slammed Inuyasha to the ground with crushing force. Inuyasha's face widened in surprise and then into one of intense pain.
"Inuyasha…huh?" Mouryoumaru leered, looming over the human boy.
Kagome cried out frantically, racing towards Inuyasha in panic. "Inuyasha!"
The tentacle pushed down harder and Inuyasha groaned out harshly. "St…stay…back…Kagome."
Mouryoumaru sneered at the hanyou. "How powerless. So this is your other form, huh, Inuyasha. I shall savor it, your pathetic death throws." He laughed menacingly. The tentacle wrapped around Inuyasha tightly and squeezed with so much pressure that Inuyasha's face went white immediately. His mouth dropped open in shock and pain, and he closed his eyes and mouth to hold back the cries that threatened to overwhelm him.
A bright flash filled the sky around them and all eyes turned to behind Mouryoumaru, all except Inuyasha who could do nothing, but remain still in the youkai's tentacles. The arm tightened even more and the hanyou felt his ribs crack and all breath left him in a rush.
Kagura's eyes widened and she stared as the one person she had not been expecting walked into the circle of battle calmly. 'Sesshoumaru!'
Kagome cried out in shock. "Sesshoumaru?"
Inuyasha's eyes flew open and he glanced over at his brother in surprise. 'Bastard, what is he doing here? Thought he had run away.' He tried desperately to suck breath into his lungs, but to no avail, the tentacles were wrapped too tightly around his torso to allow any form of life saving breath. A sickening crack signaled a rib breaking under the pressure and he flinched.
"Kagura…who is this?" Mouryoumaru asked far too calmly for anything sane, and Inuyasha tried frantically to wriggle free from the crushing arm around him.
"He is Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha's older brother." Kagura swallowed. If she could hold off her immanent death for a while, maybe by some miracle, Mouryoumaru and Naraku would kill each other off.
Jaken walked forward in front of his lord and held up a small greenish white crystal.
Kagome and Kagura gasped. 'The crystal of youki is…' Kagura thought silently, now completely terrified.
"Inuyasha, that's a crystal of youki…" Kagome shouted.
Inuyasha opened his mouth to speak but words were not possible.
"The youki is vanishing!" Kagome called.
'In order to hide his heart, Naraku got his hands on a jewel... Fuyouheki, which erases the holder's Youki. The clue to finding Fuyouheki is a crystal of Youki. If one gets close to Fuyouheki, the Youki will vanish... which means, Mouryoumaru has no Youki. Then...' Inuyasha's eyes widened, even though he had no breath of air in his lungs, somehow he was able to manage some form of words. "Mouryoumaru, you're…you're the one with Naraku's heart!" He shouted as hard as he could, with as much anger as he could muster.
Mouryoumaru turned to the human in his tentacle and glared daggers at him. "What are you talking about?" He sneered.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about!" Inuyasha almost breathed a sigh of relief as the pressure around his ribs eased up ever so slightly. "The crystal that shriveled looking Youkai over there is carrying is the ultimate proof."
Jaken's eyes bugged out in annoyance. 'Wha…'
Mouryoumaru's eyes wandered over to Jaken who took a hesitant step back. "Oh? How did you get that?"
Kagura gulped visibly. 'If he finds out I gave it to them….I'm as good as dead.'
Jaken cried out shrilly. "I've got nothing to hide! This was…"
Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes and snarled. "Shut up, Jaken." Idiot toad, what was he thinking? Obviously, Jaken was not aware of how he felt about the wind youkai, however small those feelings might be, but it didn't give Jaken the right to issue her death warrant.
Sesshoumaru stepped forward and moved past the toad youkai easily. "After following the disgusting smell that reached me, I found you..." He spoke smoothly.
Mouryoumaru sneered. "Humph. So what will you do?"
Sesshoumaru smirked and swung his sword in a wide arc. "Kill you."
Mouryoumaru grit his teeth and threw Inuyasha down, just as he rammed Tessaiga into his hand. Inuyasha landed with a heavy thump and groaned in pain. 'Well at least I'm free now.' He glanced around and stared at his brother, who calmly attacked Mouryoumaru.
Kagome rushed over and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Inuyasha?" She whispered.
Inuyasha shook his head slightly and stared at the battle watchfully. He gasped when Sesshoumaru's attack stopped and hovered in Mouryoumaru's control.
"Heh, that doesn't work anymore." Mouryoumaru sneered exuberantly. He lifted his arm and threw the blast right back at the new youkai before him.
Sesshoumaru jumped out of the way and narrowed his eyes holding his anger at bay and controlling his movements. The emotional turmoil his body had been going through lately had left him feeling vulnerable. Right up to the point of seeing his brother injured and near death, he had been sure that his own heart would crush from the emotions. Throwing all emotions aside, Sesshoumaru righted himself and stared at Mouryoumaru.
Angrily, Mouryoumaru lifted himself higher and loomed over the new youkai. "You just turned up swinging your sword with no introduction... You'll regret that. I can "eat" the body and Youkai energy of various Youkai, and increase my strength. The Youkai energy from your sword is nothing more than food to me."
Sesshoumaru stood as stoic as ever, staring at the mismatched youkai before him. Looking unfazed on the outside, Inuyasha wondered what his brother was going through inside.
Inuyasha heard the hushed words from Miroku and Sango behind him and he held back the shudder that rushed through his veins, barely.
"Eat Youkai energy and increase his strength...?" Miroku whispered.
"Just like Naraku." Sango whispered back, in such a soft hushed tone, Inuyasha barely made it out above the loud crackling sounds Mouryoumaru was releasing.
Mouryoumaru rushed forward, preparing for another attack. "Swing around your sword as much as you like. I'll consume all of its Youkai energy."
Growling angrily, Inuyasha darted forward, holding Tessaiga out in front of him. This youkai was just as despicable as Naraku he couldn't believe it. 'Just now when I was squashed by him, my sword pierced his finger. It was because right now Tetsusaiga has no Youkai energy and is just a blunt sword. It's a long shot, but..."
Sesshoumaru dodged another attack from Mouryoumaru and furrowed his brows as his brother in human form leapt in for an attack. 'Is he not terrified of death?' He asked himself. 'Baka.'
Inuyasha jumped onto Mouryoumaru's arm and raised Tessaiga over his head. "Kagome! Where's the jewel shard?" He cried out desperately. If he could get to the shard before it was fully absorbed, maybe they would have a chance.
Kagome blinked and gasped softly, searching with everything she had. Not only was Inuyasha completely vulnerable and within reach of those crushing tentacles, but the blood that ran down the corner of his mouth signaled internal injuries. More than likely broken ribs. She saw it, the pink pulsing, which was slowly turning black from the taint of Mouryoumaru's evil energy. "His right shoulder joint, Inuyasha!"
Inuyasha lifted Tessaiga more and snarled. "Here, huh?" With as much downward force as he could muster, he tried to ram his untransformed sword into the shoulder with the shard. His eyes grew wide as a burst of power erupted around him and a large spike that rose out of Mouryoumaru's shoulder impaled him. His cried out in pain as his body was flung to the side, and he landed on another part of the youkai's body, forcefully.
"Ugh!" Inuyasha groaned and lifted his hand to his injured shoulder.
Mouryoumaru smirked. "How foolish... Even if you had caught me with that blunt sword..."
Sesshoumaru's heart rose to his throat as his brother was injured yet again, and he snarled attacking the youkai. He smirked in satisfaction when Tokijin sliced into the arm easily.
Mouryoumaru moved back and sneered at Sesshoumaru. "Heh…I told you cutting me is futile."
Inuyasha lifted himself and snarled angrily at his brother. "Don't get involved, Sesshoumaru! He's my prey!"
Sesshoumaru's brow twitched. 'His prey, he can't even stand, let alone fight. What is he thinking? Baka. Does he not get it?'
Mouryoumaru lifted an arm to Inuyasha and reached out for him. "Your prey?" He mocked. His arm gripped Inuyasha in another crushing squeeze and Inuyasha groaned as he was caught.
Sesshoumaru sniffed angrily. Inuyasha was acting stupid and he really couldn't take anymore of it. His anger flared and all the previous hatred for his brother surfaced and flooded through him. He no longer hated his brother, but Inuyasha's stupidity was going to get him killed. "Humph, just as well. Jumping around in that disgusting form of yours was getting to be annoying."
Inuyasha felt his heart sink in shock and horror. "Wha…?"
The others glanced over at Sesshoumaru in surprise, looking just as shocked as Inuyasha.
Sesshoumaru lifted Tokijin and let his youki fill it with passive waves of power. "I'll slice the two of you together!" He released the energy and Mouryoumaru smirked as it rushed towards him.
Mouryoumaru shifted his body, caught the charged energy with his arm, and sneered menacingly. "I'll gather all your youkai energy, Sesshoumaru."
"Just you try it..." Sesshoumaru snarled, watching angrily as the youkai held onto his attack. He moved his eyes over to his brother and noticed shocked as Mouryoumaru began squeezing him more and covering the human body with his tentacles. 'Inuyasha…' He silently called. He shot off another attack and watched angrily as that one was also caught and taken into the youkai's body.
Sesshoumaru's blood grew cold as hushed words from behind him rushed to his ears.
"He's still in human form, but... when the dawn breaks, and his Youkai energy returns... won't Mouryoumaru absorb it?" It was Miroku who spoke and Sesshoumaru inwardly gasped at the sudden knowledge.
Sesshoumaru shot off another attack, desperately this time to draw the attention to him, hopefully giving his brother time to figure a way of escape. To Sesshoumaru's horror, the tentacles tightened even more around Inuyasha and his brother grunted in pain.
Sesshoumaru felt power rise behind him and he glanced over his shoulder in shock as Kagome lifted her bow focusing her spiritual energy into the arrow notched. "Just hold on, Inuyasha. My arrows spiritual energy might affect Mouryoumaru."
Inuyasha moaned as the tentacles tightened. With whatever energy he had left, he knew he had to save Kagome. If that meant giving his life to ensure her safety then he would give it, willingly. "Don't, Kagome! It's okay like this!"
Kagome gasped and shook her head disbelievingly. Suddenly, the sky grew lighter and everyone glanced skyward. 'The night is about to end.' She thought, 'Hold on a little longer, Inuyasha.' She pleaded.
Mouryoumaru started and glanced down at the bright light that surrounded the human in his arm and he flinched. The massive energy that he held from Sesshoumaru's attacks, and the energy flooding the body in his grasp were too much. It was going to destroy him. He quickly flung the energy from Sesshoumaru's attacks back at the youkai lord and cried out angrily.
Sesshoumaru dodged the attack and thrust his sword in a wide arc, releasing another attack and smirked as it flew towards Mouryoumaru. The youkai tried to catch it but his arm disintegrated instantly.
"Humph... Suck in all my Youkai energy...? Absurd!" The smirk grew wider on Sesshoumaru's face. " The Youkai-energy of I, Sesshoumaru, could never be contained by someone of your meager caliber!"
Mouryoumaru sneered and flinched back as Sesshoumaru sent another intense attack at him, but to his great horror his arm burst into a brilliant light. His arm ripped apart and Tessaiga sliced through it easily.
Inuyasha landed on the ground, holding the transformed fang up and over his shoulder grinning cockily. "You should have killed me when you had the chance." He snarled.
Mouryoumaru glanced around him and lunged right for Kagome and Shippo. Inuyasha gasped and whirled around quickly and ran for her desperately as the attack descended on her. "Kagome! Shippo!" He raged, and shoved them with his body out of the way.
Inuyasha spun around and slammed Tessaiga into the ground, and it flared up into a bright golden light, aimed right for Mouryoumaru. Sesshoumaru sent another charge of his own attack and both attacks struck the youkai fully, tearing apart the body.
Mouryoumaru howled in rage and lunged into the air, his body almost completely gone. "Come, Kagura." He yelled out.
"You're not getting away." Sesshoumaru said coolly, and swung his sword, sending yet another burst of light erupting from Tokijin. The attack hit a barrier and the blue from Sesshoumaru's sword flickered into nothing. He narrowed his eyes and watched as Kagura and Mouryoumaru vanished into the horizon. Why was Kagura helping Mouryoumaru? What was she thinking? "Baka." He whispered.
Inuyasha snarled and turned his gaze to Sesshoumaru. He couldn't believe his brother tried to kill him, especially after his proclamation of wanting to amend his actions. Had it all been an act?
Kagome stepped forward. "We can follow the jewel shard. I can still sense it. It's faint but it's there."
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes and practically lifted Kagome up and over his shoulder, onto his back. Miroku and Sango jumped onto Kirara and they lifted into the air, just as Inuyasha broke into a dead run towards the direction Kagome was pointing. She squeaked as his pace sped up recklessly, and she tightened her grip on his hitoe. "That way." She said softly in Inuyasha's ear. It flicked out of the way and he nodded his head once in affirmation.
Miroku called down to them as they ran across the ground. "But I just don't get it.
That Mouryoumaru... Naraku, in order to hide his heart, got hold of the Youki erasing Fuyouheki... however, Mouryoumaru is apparently Naraku's heart. Yet..."
Inuyasha nodded and called back up to them. "Yeah, he himself came to get the Shikon fragment. So would he really bring the heart they want to hide into the middle of a battle?"
Kagome shuddered and turned her face into Inuyasha's long white mane of hair. 'That's right. I can't imagine Naraku ordering that.' She gasped surprised and Inuyasha's head turned slightly.
"What is it, Kagome?" Inuyasha asked.
"There's another jewel shard. It's getting closer." Kagome called out. She knew who it was.
Inuyasha nodded in understanding. "Kohaku, huh?"
Kagome nodded sadly and lifted her eyes upward to Sango. "Probably." She whispered.
Inuyasha wasn't aware of how long or how far they had been running for, but the power that erupted around them signaled they were drawing near to their destination. He skidded to a halt and Kagome slid off his back in surprise.
The scene before them was as shocking as any. One of Kagura's feathers lifted Kohaku up into the sky, just as Hakudoushi's attack rammed the earth where he had been standing. Kagura stood between Kohaku's retreat, and the youkai kid of Naraku's creation…Kagura's own brother.
"Inuyasha, that's…"
Inuyasha unsheathed Tessaiga and rammed it into the ground. "Kaze no Kizu!"
Kagura whirled around and gasped. "Inuyasha…"
"Sango, you go after Kohaku!" Inuyasha raged, and turned his full attention to Hakudoushi and Kagura. "Kagura, you're…" He paused in his speech and shook his head slowly.
Kagura remained perfectly still and stared at them. The winds of fate were already in motion; there was nothing she could do to stop them. There was no sign of the great white tower also known as Sesshoumaru with the group. She would have loved to have seen him one last time before her death.
"Kagura…what's the meaning of this?" Inuyasha asked. He was completely shocked at the turn of events. He already knew she wanted her freedom, and she would betray Naraku to gain it. However, he did not completely understand the situation before him. She had not only allowed Kohaku to escape eminent death, but she risked her own life in the process. What would Sesshoumaru say to this?
He narrowed his eyes, just where was that bastard anyway? "Why are you and Hakudoushi fighting anyway?"
"Shut up! There isn't time to explain!" Kagura shouted out, almost frantically.
Hakudoushi sneered and lifted his hand inside his barrier. The wound of the wind whirled around just inside the large pink barrier and Kagome gasped.
"He plans to send Kaze no Kizu back!" She warned Inuyasha and the others.
Hakudoushi scoffed and sent the attack right for Inuyasha who jumped back and out of the way as it slammed into the earth where he had been standing.
Inuyasha furrowed his brows. It was obvious that Mouryoumaru was after the shard in Kohaku's back, but Hakudoushi wanted it also? Just what was going on? Was Mouryoumaru after Kohaku as they stood there confronting Hakudoushi? Where the hell was his brother anyway?
While they blast was at full force Hakudoushi turned to face Kagura with an evil little grin and stared at her. Kagura stepped back and scowled. "Heh, even though I didn't talk, you're still going for me huh."
Hakudoushi's expression turned colder than ice. "Kagura, you've stayed alive too long." He proclaimed and sneered.
Inuyasha snarled and charged for Hakudoushi when he saw him ready to attack Kagura. He was almost certain that if anything happened to the wind youkai while he was present, Sesshoumaru would forget about making amends with him and rip him to pieces. He couldn't let the little weasel kill her off before his brother had a chance to come to terms with his feelings for her.
He lifted Tessaiga above his head fully intending to slice Hakudoushi in two. The barrier sizzled from the attack and Inuyasha dropped to the ground between Kagura and Hakudoushi.
Kagura gasped and blinked at Inuyasha's back, shocked and startled that he was willing to protect her at the cost of his own life. 'Inuyasha.' "Are you sure you want to show your back to me?" She asked, completely dumbfounded.
Inuyasha glanced over his shoulder with a cocky smirk. "Bah! Make any funny moves and I'll waste you without hesitation." He snarled. "Kagura, confess everything you know! You realize it's for you benefit, right?" He glanced back to Hakudoushi and stared at the boy. Usually by now Hakudoushi would have run off as fast as his feet or flying abilities could carry him, but the youkai kid remained. Inuyasha pondered this until his eyes widened with the realization. "It seems he doesn't intend to return until he's finished you off."
Kagura sniffed very ladylike. "Humph, most likely... he doesn't want the baby's location found out."
Inuyasha stiffened. Miroku shouted out before Inuyasha could comment. "Kagura! You said the baby, right?" Miroku took a step towards them. "Naraku is having the Youki erased to protect the heart. Which is why… when we realized that Mouryoumaru had no Youki, we though that Mouryoumaru himself was Naraku's heart. In which case... where has the baby gone!?"
Hakudoushi scowled darkly and his body began to fluctuate.
Inuyasha turned his attention back to Hakudoushi. "He's fading. Trying to get away, huh?" Inuyasha frowned angrily. "I won't let you!" He rammed Tessaiga into a wide arc and shouted. "Kongousyuuha!"
Kagome rushed forward and gaped. "He vanished?"
Kagura spun around quickly and cringed. "Damn!"
Hakudoushi grinned. "You're not getting away." He chuckled darkly.
Inuyasha cursed. "Hakudoushi, you bastard!" He glanced at Kagura's almost horrified expression, as though she knew and realized just how much danger she was in at that very moment.
Hakudoushi seemed to grin even more. "What's the matter, Inuyasha, cut again. Along with Kagura..."
Inuyasha barred his fangs frustrated. He couldn't attack Hakudoushi while Kagura was in the center of danger. What was he supposed to do?
Kagura stared at Inuyasha intently. 'He won't cut...!? Sheesh, really, he's such a softie.'
She turned to look over her shoulder at Hakudoushi who only grinned triumphantly. "Heh, how unexpected. To think mere scum like you can serve as a shield..."
Kagura glared and raised her fan. "You fool!" She flicked her wrist and sliced Hakudoushi in half with her wind. Her gaze shifted to the hanyou on the ground, who barred his teeth in anger. "Listen up Inuyasha! The baby is inside of Mouryoumaru. Hakudoushi and the baby intend to make Mouryoumaru stronger in order to replace Naraku."
Inuyasha started in surprise. "You mean both Hakudoushi and the baby... have betrayed Naraku!?"
Hakudoushi turned his gaze to Inuyasha and laughed loudly and crazily. "It was a mistake for Naraku to take his heart outside... In order to protect the heart, Naraku gave the baby Fuyouheki... With Fuyouheki, his Youki would be concealed... and the baby then thought to create some strong armor. That is Mouryoumaru." He seemed to grin almost excitedly. "And so, before he noticed... became an empty shell without a heart... So now, no matter what we do, Naraku himself will have to protect his heart. The more we can strengthen Mouryoumaru, the less Naraku can reach his own heart. Eventually... it is us who will become the "real" one..." His body began to merge together into one again, as he spoke.
Everything was becoming clearer to Inuyasha now, and he sucked his breath in sharply.
Kagura snorted and glared at the kid. "Humph... Do you really think... Naraku will actually let you do that?" She couldn't believe that this little punk of a kid would actually think he could take Naraku down. Her eyes widened. How could she have thought for a moment that she was capable of taking him down?
Hakudoushi seemed to laugh at that. "Instead of me, why don't you worry about yourself Kagura? Though you're just a traitor like me... your heart is in Naraku's grip." Hakudoushi's barrier began a soft vibrating hum that reverberated through the ground and the air around them. "Give it up Kagura. You'll be killed by Naraku anyway. In which case, why not join up with Mouryoumaru... and make Naraku suffer?"
Kagura's face paled drastically, and her blood ran cold.
Hakudoushi gave a slow smile. "However... That'd be inside Mouryoumaru..."
Kagura gulped terrified. "Don't mess with me!" She shouted and flicked her fan at the cocky bastard of a brother.
Hakudoushi seemed to grow more confident, even though his body was in pieces. "No matter how often you smash me... I won't die."
"Damn it!" Kagura raged, her fear growing.
Suddenly, Hakudoushi's barrier exploded and Kagura fell to the ground in a heap.
Inuyasha rushed forward and shouted. "Now!" He threw Tessaiga into a downward arc, hitting the ground with so much force the earth lifted from the impact and seemed to stay in the air momentarily before falling back where it belonged. "Kaze no Kizu!"
Miroku jumped forward, released his protective japa mala beads from his wind tunnel, and aimed for Hakudoushi who seemed to be returning his body to its formal glory. "Kazanaa!"
Before the wind tunnel opened entirely, Saimyoushou seemed to materialize out of nowhere and seemed to float around Hakudoushi. Shippo climbed up higher on Kagome's shoulder and cried out.
"Miroku, if you suck up the Saimyoushou, their poison will kill you." He warned.
Just as suddenly as they showed up, they flew off into the distance, leaving everyone completely shocked.
Inuyasha tilted his head to the side in a state of astonishment. "Huh?" He blinked a couple times just incase he was seeing things.
Kagome gasped audibly. "The Saimyoushou are running away." She shook her head to make sure she was in fact seeing that. Her eyes drifted over to Hakudoushi who seemed to be in a state of shock himself.
Kagura sat up and smirked almost triumphantly. "Hakudoushi, it seems that Naraku has given up on you first."
Hakudoushi glared at the wind youkai gathering her feet beneath her. "Humph, don't compare my situation with yours. I shall not die!" He raged with so much anger it seemed impossible coming from the body of a child. His body erupted into a thick whirl of poison energy and Miroku gasped.
"Miasma!"
Kagome notched an arrow quickly, and aimed expertly. "I'll purify it!" She shouted.
Kagome's arrow flew through the air and sliced through the miasma, purifying most of it, but Hakudoushi smirked excitedly. He lifted his arm, hefted his halberd, and aimed for Kagura while the thick smoke still gave him enough cover to hide from other attacks.
Inuyasha growled as he saw the youkai's intentions. "Hakudoushi, you bastard!"
Before Inuyasha could even think on what these turn of events signified, he gaped as Hakudoushi's head was drawn to the side quickly and the golden eyes fell to its cause. He saw Miroku with his wind tunnel open and he gasped horrified.
Hakudoushi screamed out in rage as he was sucked into Miroku's Kazanaa effortlessly.
Inuyasha dropped the tip of his sword to the ground and stood there stunned. "It's…it's over?"
Inuyasha sheathed Tessaiga, he, and Kagome made their way over to Miroku who clenched his fist and gripped his wrist tightly. "It really doesn't feel all that good." He mumbled as his friends arrived at his side. "It feels like Naraku used us."
Inuyasha nodded hesitantly. "It seems so." He affirmed. "To the bastard Naraku, once Hakudoushi was no longer useful, he made us bloody well kill him."
Inuyasha and Kagome turned to look at Kagura who stared off into the distance, shaking slightly. Kagome stepped forward and whispered. "Kagura... What'll you do now?"
Miroku gasped out, trying to ease the pain flooding through his hand. "Wouldn't Naraku know of your betrayal too now?"
Kagome sighed and glanced at Kagura thoughtfully. "Say... If it's okay with you, you could come with us..."
Miroku and Inuyasha gasped softly. No matter how many times someone wronged Kagome, she always seemed to find the good in everyone. She had even found good in Sesshoumaru, despite his trying to kill them off countless numbers of times.
"Kagome-sama..." Miroku whispered.
Kagura stood startled. The question had been more than enticing, but she knew that if there was anyway to keep this group out of harms way was to turn down the offer. "Stop that. Stop being so nice. It's too late for me to be able to join up with you lot. Anyway, you should leave quickly."
Kagome and Inuyasha glanced at Kagura surprised.
"Mouryoumaru's location. You're looking for it by searching for the Shikon fragment right!? Mouryoumaru is after Kohaku's Shikon fragment. You should hurry. I don't have any intention of getting involved with you again. See ya." Kagura lifted her feather and flew off into the air, and glanced back down at the group.
Inuyasha shook his head sadly. "Kagura." He shouted into the sky. "Your heart, which is said to be in Naraku's grip. We'll get it for you. So...until then, don't you die. Okay?"
Kagura gave him a small smile and nodded as best as she could. Something deep inside her told her that this was the last time she would ever see them. "Sure."
Inuyasha nodded and turned to the group and gave them a reassuring grin. "You know, maybe things will…" He stopped and whirled around surprised. His nose furiously twitched, sifting through the scents. 'Oh hell no!' He thought just as he raged. "Naraku!" Inuyasha gaped as he realized that Kagura's scent and Naraku's scent were in the same direction. That only meant one thing…
Inuyasha grabbed Kagome and swung her onto his back and he broke into a run. "Damn it Kagura!" He shouted. "Don't you die on us!"
Inuyasha ran as fast as his feet could carry him and he broke through the trees and skidded to a halt in shock and fear. Sitting upon her feather sat Kagura, in a face off with Naraku. Kagome sucked her breath in sharply and shook her head as her heart clenched with the heart-breaking picture in front of her. Kagura's face was horrified and completely white. While Naraku's face was twisted into an evil grin and in his hand sat a large pulsing pink object that could only be described as Kagura's living heart.
Inuyasha was frozen as he stared, and he couldn't believe it. He was about to take a step forward but the heart vanished from Naraku's hand and Kagura gasped audibly on her feather. Her hands lifted to her chest in a look of complete and utter shock and wonderment.
Inuyasha glanced over his shoulder as a familiar aura emerged behind them and he narrowed his eyes at his brother. Sesshoumaru exited the tree line and he lifted his stoic gaze to Naraku. His golden eyes traveled next to Kagura, and his mouth dropped open as his sight caught one of Naraku's tentacles racing right for the wind youkai.
"Kagura!" Sesshoumaru roared, and watched horrified as it lunged for the unsuspecting Kagura.
