Amaterasu's back!
Sesshoumaru: -sarcastically-they're glad to know you're still alive.
A1969: disclaimer please! I said please!
Sesshoumaru: I don't heed humans
A1969: -holds up beads-or else…
Sessshoumaru: where did you get those?
A1969: Kagome. Now do the disclaimer!
Sesshoumaru: keep those beads away from me! This ningen does not own the show.
SoSoSoSoSoSo
Inuyasha looked up at the dragon. "Heh, this'll be easy."
Ryuukutsusei turned his attention to Inuaysha. "That fellow's hanyou brat and…What's this? His aristocratic elder son!"
Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at Ryuukutsusei. His father's old enemy…
Ryuukutsusei fired a blast of youki at Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru wisely jumped back, but Inuyasha stood his ground. "Backlash Wave!" the hanyou shouted. The Bakuryuuha deflected the attack and it headed straight for Ryuukutsusei.
"You got him!" Kagome cheered.
How very wrong she was.
They watched in shock as the Backlash Wave merely hit a barrier which was protecting Ryuukutsusei. "A barrier?!" Inuyasha said in disbelief. Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes. It was quite obvious to him that Makai had a little trick up his sleeve.
Makai laughed at them. "You think it would be that simple? That barrier is my most powerful; stronger than Touga's and only physical attacks can go through. What makes you think that you can destroy it?"
"Heh," Inuaysha said. The Tessaigo glowed red. "I'll just destroy it with my Tessaiga!"
Inuyasha sent a blast at the barrier but to no avail, the barrier was still there. "It's stronger than Naraku's barrier!" Kagome and Hakudoshi said in unison.
"Tch," Inuyasha said in annoyance.
"Miko," Sesshoumaru said, turning his attention to Kagome. Kagome was slightly shocked that he would address her directly.
"Eh?"
"You and the boy find Mizuki," he ordered. Makai had said that only physical attacks could get through the barrier. The eagle lord had planned it all from the beginning…
Kagome and Hakudoshi ran off to find Mizuki. Sesshoumaru then turned his attention to his younger hanyou brother.
"Inuyasha, fall back," he ordered his brother. Inuyasha looked at his brother once and understood what he had to do.
"Fine…You get the dragon and I'll take care of these two flightless birds." Makai and Hideaki jumped in front of Inuyasha, there swords drawn.
"The elder son of Inu no Taisho," Ryuukutsusei said to Sesshoumaru. "You will suffer the same fate as your dearly departed father."
Sesshoumaru looked up at Ryuukutsusei and he left his youki build. He transformed into the giant dog that he was and growled menacingly at the dragon.
Inuyasha's eyes widened when he saw that his brother had transformed. The hanyou had heard about how his father had died and he actually hoped that his brother would not suffer their father's sad fate.
SoSoSoSoSoSo
Hakudoshi and Kagome ran into the palace and looked around. "Strange," Kagome mused.
"What's strange?" Hakudoshi asked.
"Don't you think that it's a bit odd that a palace such as this would have at least a hundred guards?" the miko inquired. Hakudoshi looked thoughtful. "Anyway," Kagome continued. "We shouldn't let our guard down." She took the bow down from her shoulder with the intent of notching an arrow to it. She blinked. The quiver which had been previously empty was filled with silver arrows. Kagome could make out the single golden arrow amidst the silver ones.
So this is what Mizuki meant when she said that I would always have arrows, the miko thought. She turned to Hakudoshi. "I think we should split up," the miko said.
"Are you sure? There might be traps in the palace," the white child warned. Kagome looked thoughtful.
"But," said she, "we would be able to find Mizuki faster."
"Fine then, but make sure that I don't have to come save you," Hakudoshi said which was probably his way of saying, "Be careful".
"We'll meet back here in five minutes," Kagome said. Hakudoshi blinked.
"What is five minutes?" heasked curiously. Kagome inwardly sighed.
"Never mind. Let's split!" Kagome ran to the right while Hakudoshi covered the left wing. The young miko looked around her, minding her surroundings. The grip on her bow tightened. She felt a demonic aura coming near her.
Kagome looked around a corner. The palace was dark and no torches were lit. What is this strange feeling? Kagome thought. I feel like I'm being followed.
She quickly glanced behind. No one was there.
The young miko took in a deep breath. She used her hanyou senses and strained her ears for the tiniest sound. There was silence all around her. She slid open one of the doors and stepped in. The door immediately slid closed behind her.
"Uh-oh," the miko said. She tried to slide the door open but some unknown force was keeping it closed. "What's with this door?" the miko said in frustration. She tried even harder and still it refused to budge. She turned around. A strong demonic aura was building inside the room…
She heard footsteps coming toward her. She quickly notched one of the silver arrows to her bow and pointed it at the unseen enemy. "Who's there?" she called out. Footsteps drew nearer…
A woman emerged from the darkness. Her raven hair was tied neatly with a ribbon behind her back and her hakamas made a soft swishing noise as she walked…
"Kikyou?" Kagome asked. What on earth is Kikyou doing here?
Kikyou notched an arrow to a bow and pointed at Kagome. "What are you doing?" the miko hanyou asked. Kikyou didn't answer. She fired the arrow at Kagome who quickly dodged it. Kagome in horror as Kikyou notched another arrow to the bow.
"Kikyou, it's me, Kagome!" Kagome said. The undead priestess fired another arrow at her.
"Why are you doing this?" Kagome asked as she jumped into the air to avoid the arrow.
"Why?" Kikyou's tone was deadly. "You're in the way, Kagome!"
"What are you talking about?" Kagome asked in exasperation.
"You're between me…and Inuyasha!" Kikyou's arrow whizzed through the air and missed Kagome by an inch. "Give me Inuyasha…and give me the bow and the quiver!" Another arrow whizzed towards Kagome but this time, she was ready. She dodged the arrow and pointed one of her own arrows at Kikyou.
"You're not Kikyou! You're just a demon!" Kagome shouted, suddenly remembering the demonic aura she sensed. Just as Kagome was about to release her arrow, a soul collector wrapped itself around Kagome's arms, forcing her to drop the bow.
"A soul collector?" Kagome said. Another soul collector wrapped itself around her legs. The young miko hanyou fell to the ground with a loud thud. Kikyou chuckled evilly as she approached Kagome. Kagome watched in horror as the fake Kikyou held an arrow over her heart.
"With you gone, Inuyasha will be all mine." Just as Kikyou was about to plunge the arrow into Kagome's chest, the door to the room slid open and Hakudoshi ran in. The white child slashed the fake priestess's head with his naginata. Kikyou glowed white and then her body, as well as the soul collectors, disintegrated.
"I told you to make sure that I wouldn't have to come save you," Hakudoshi said in a superior tone of voice. Kagome glared at him.
"I was caught off guard," Kagome said peevishly.
Hakudoshi sniggered. "Come on, let's go find Mizuki."
SoSoSoSoSoSo
The silver dog jumped into the sky to avoid a deadly blast of energy from Ryuukutsusei. Sesshoumaru charged at the dragon and attempted to bite him, but Ryuukutsusei was nearly impenetrable…
Sesshoumaru growled at Ryuukutsusei and once more, charged towards him. Ryuukutsusei wrapped his scaly body around the dog and squeezed him. Sesshoumaru let out a how of pain as Ryuukutsusei bit his left side, near his heart.
Inuyasha looked up upon hearing his brother's howl. Dammit, the hanyou thought. He's in danger!
"What are you looking at, hanyou?" Hideaki asked as he and Makai both charged at Inuyasha. Three swords clashed, sending violent sparks of energy flying.
"Your dear brother is being defeated," Makai said as he and Hideaki pressed their swords harder against the Tessaiga. "When your brother dies, it'll be your turn next!"
"Fat chance!" Inuyasha jumped into the air instantly sent down a barrage of adamant at the two eagle demons. Once the smoke settled down, Inuyasha watched with satisfaction that Hideaki had suffered an injury to his arm.
"Heh, your father looses his wings; don't tell me you're gonna loose your arms?" Inuyasha said. To his surprise, Hideaki laughed.
"Pathetic dog," he said. Inuyasha watched as the eagle youkai took his own sword and made a deep cut on his arm. Hideaki let the blood drip to the floor and it glowed. The drops of blood on the ground seemed to increase in volume and they took on the shape of Hideaki…
"Crap!" Inuyasha said as ten Hideakis laughed at him.
"Foolish mutt," Makai said. "This is my son's Blood Clone Skill. He uses his blood to create replicas of himself that are just as powerful." And turning to Hideaki, he said, "Take care of the mutt, I will go deal with the priestess and the child."
"Oh no, you don't!" Inuyasha shouted, chasing after Makai but one of the clones got in his way.
"You're not going anywhere, half-breed," it said.
Dammit, Inuyasha thought as the clones surrounded him. They're all the same! I can't tell which one is the real thing!
A loud growl caught the hanyou's attention. Looking up, Inuyasha saw to his horror that his brother was bleeding badly. There was blood on his muzzle and the deep gash at his side…
Was similar to the wound his father had received from Ryuukutsusei…
Inuyasha tightened his grip on the Tessaiga. He had to help his brother!
One of the clones lunged at him and the hanyou parried the blade with his Tessaiga. First, I gotta get rid of these damn things!
"It's hopeless, Inuyasha," Hideaki said from somewhere among his clones. "There is nothing you can do against my clones."
All ten Hideakis suddenly soared into the air. The flew above Inuyasha and the hanyou wondered what they were going to do. Hideaki and his clones spread their wings wide and a shower of black feathers rained on Inuyasha. The hanyou's eyes widened as soon as he felt the feathers pierce his skin…
"Feather Blades," Hideaki whispered softly. "They shall be your end, half-breed!"
Another barrage of feathers rained down against Inuyasha. The hanyou sent a Wind Scar at the blades and was pleased to see that they had disintegrated.
"Vermin!" Hideaki snarled. He sped down towards Inuyasha as did his other clones. This time, the hanyou was ready. Planting both feet firmly on the ground, he sent a powerful Kongosouha attack at the eagle demons. There was a scream of pain as Hideaki and his clones vanished. Inuyasha allowed the smoke to settle down as he looked around for any sign of Hideaki.
"He's dead," Inuyasha said. Inuyasha looked up. Sesshoumaru was still battling Ryuukutsusei. The inu youkai was terribly injured while Ryuukutsusei suffered little damage himself.
"Sesshoumaru, give up!" Inuyasha shouted. The great dog turned its head to the hanyou. Its eyes were narrowed as if Sesshoumaru was saying, "Giving up is for the weak."
Inuyasha watched as Sesshoumaru resumed his battle with Ryuukutsusei. Inuyasha noticed that the scar on Ryuukutsusei's chest, where his father's claw had once sealed him, was still there. Sesshoumaru, it seemed, was attempting to hit that particular area.
Damn it! The hanyou thought, if he doesn't succeed, he'll end up like the old man!
SoSoSoSoSoSo
Mizuki was sitting inside her barrier in the dungeon where Makai and Hideaki had locked her up. The young woman's head rested on her knees and her arms encircled her knees. She was sorry for having left Sesshoumaru. She inwardly cursed herself.
"I'm such a fool," she said softly. She stared at the edge of the barrier with longing.
Presently, she heard voices headed her way.
"I think she's in here," a feminine voice said. Mizuki raised her head. She recognized that voice! It belonged to Kagome.
"Are you sure?" another voice, haughty and proud, said. The young woman narrowed her eyes. It was Hakudoshi's voice!
"We should really try in this room," Kagome was saying. Mizuki tried to shout out, but the barrier blocked any sound she made from escaping.
"She isn't in there," Hakudoshi drawled.
"And if she is? If she's in there, then you won't get any ramen for breakfast tomorrow!"
"So you're gonna let me starve?"
"No. Inuyasha will cook for you."
"Bleah!" Hakudoshi said. "Fine, let's try in here."
The door to the room slid open and Kagome and Hakudoshi walked in. "Mizuki!" Kagome said. She turned to Hakudoshi. "Told you."
Kagome started towards Mizuki who immediately tried to say, "Don't come near! There's a barr-"
Kagome bumped into the barrier and she seemed to electrocuted. "ier," Mizuki finished her unheard sentence. Kagome stood up and shook her head. "Geez," Hakudoshi said. "It was pretty obvious that there was a barrier there."
Hakudoshi held out his naginata and tried to cut through the barrier, but to no avail. Kagome narrowed her eyes at the barrier. "Stand back," she said to Hakudoshi. The boy stood back and watched as Kagome notched a silver arrow to her bow.
Alright, Kagome thought, let's see what this arrow can do!
Purple light spiraled around the arrow tip before she even released it. Kagome looked at the arrow. They were much stronger than her regular holy arrows…
She released the arrow and it struck the barrier. Kagome and Hakudoshi watched as the light intensified. As the light settled down, the barrier, to everyone's relief, was gone. Mizuki ran out and hugged Kagome.
"You're here!" the young moon demoness said with obvious relief.
Kagome nodded her head. "Sesshoumaru asked us to come get you."
Mizuki's lower lip trembled. "Sesshoumaru?" she whispered. "He is here?"
Kagome looked at Mizuki. There was a funny look in her eyes; it was as if she were sad and happy at the same time. "He's here," Kagome repeated. "And…he's…"
"He's what?" Mizuki demanded.
"He's battling Ryuukutsusei."
"WHAT?!" Mizuki practically shouted. "Ryuukutsusei…??? But Ryuukutsusei…What if he might…Sesshoumaru might…"
Hakudoshi looked at Mizuki. The young woman was obviously worried. Hakudoshi glanced behind him. "I think we have company," he said. No sooner were the words out of his lips when Makai burst into the room.
"Ah," Makai said softly. "You managed to break free of your barrier."
"Get out of my way Makai," Mizuki said in a low and dangerous tone.
Makai laughed. "You are worried about Sesshoumaru, am I correct?" the eagle youkai taunted. "After all, Ryuukutsusei killed the father, so why wouldn't he be able to kill the son as well?"
Mizuki bowed her head, her eyes were shadowed by her neatly parted bangs. "Fool," she whispered dangerously. "Get out of my way…"
Makai drew out his sword. Kagome looked at Mizuki. There was something funny about the way her fists were clenched, there was something equally funny about her aura…
Her aura was divine…
Before Kagome knew what was happening, Mizuki glowed white and her hair floated gently behind her. "You fool," Mizuki said. "You…"
Mizuki raised both her hands in the air. "Her aura…is divine…?" there was disbelief in Makai's voice. Hakudoshi sensed what Mizuki was about to do. Thinking quickly, the white child threw a barrier around him and Kagome. Light spiraled around Mizuki's hands. The energy she released made the hairs on Kagome's nape stand on end…
Mizuki fired a blast of pure, white energy at Makai. The eagle youkai screamed in pain as Mizuki's attack disintegrated his body, killing him. Once the smoke settled down, Kagome saw Mizuki standing amongst the debris. The dungeon had been completely destroyed and Kagome stared wide-eyed at Mizukki.
What is she? The miko thought. She's a demon and yet her aura, up until now, was divine…
Mizuki's divine aura had vanished to be replaced once more by her demonic aura. Mizuki stared at the fallen debris around her. So it's true…I am the moon goddess's daughter…
Mizuki suddenly remembered Kagome and Hakudoshi. "Please, take me to Sesshoumaru," she pleaded.
SoSoSoSoSoSo
Mizuki's P.O.V.
Kagome, Hakudoshi and I exited the palace. Once we were out, the first thing I saw was Sesshoumaru, in his demon form, battling Ryuukutsusei. My heart hammered when I saw the gash at his side…
"Sesshoumaru!" I shouted as I ran towards him. He looked at me once. His eyes were slightly narrowed and then he resumed battling Ryuukutsusei. I approached Inuyasha and said, "We have to do something!"
Inuyasha looked at me and said somewhat gruffly, "I tried intervening, but he won't let me."
I watched helplessly as Sesshoumaru and Ryuukutsusei continued to battle. Sesshoumaru however, was fighting more vigorously. Ryuukutsusei hit Sesshoumaru with his tail, throwing the dog backwards. A cry rose in my throat, but I suppressed it.
"Inuyasha," my voice, I knew I must have sounded as if I were begging. "Please…"
I could see Inuyasha hand's rest on the hilt of the Tessaiga. "Look!" Kagome shouted. We all looked up. Sesshoumaru had managed to sink his fangs where the Ryuukutsusei's old wound was. The dragon thrashed about wildly. A roar of pain erupted from its mouth. We all watched as the dragon glowed a bright white and then…
He disintegrated.
"He did it!" Inuyasha said. I could hear the relief in his voice. Funny, Inuyasha was actually worried about his brother.
The giant dog in front of us flickered and in a flash, in its place stood Sesshoumaru. He was very wounded. His armor was completely destroyed and the wound at his side was bleeding profusely. He swayed and then very unbelievingly, he fell to the ground…
"Sesshoumaru!" I cried out. I ran to him. At the peripheral of my vision, I could see Inuyasha's eyes widening. Seeing his almighty brother collapse to the ground must have been shocking for him. Once I reached his side, I cradled his head in my lap.
"Sesshoumaru…" I whispered. The daiyoukai opened his eyes and looked at me. There was a look of relief on them, as if he was glad to see me…
He caressed my cheek with his hand and then he closed his eyes and his hand fell back…
"Sesshoumaru…?" I looked at him, my heart was beating madly. I shook him. "Sesshoumaru!"
Inuyasha and Kagome, upon hearing my voice so pained, rushed towards us. Their eyes widened in shock. Kagome knelt down beside me and placed two fingers at Sesshoumaru's neck…
"He's…" She didn't finish her sentence. I felt hot tears blur my vision.
"No…" I said softly. Tears fell from my eyes unto Sesshoumaru's lifeless cheeks. "NO!"
Inuyasha clenched his fists. "Where's Tenseiga…?" he suddenly asked. I looked at Inuyasha. He was a genius! I could have kissed him! We looked around for Tenseiga but found that it was not strapped to Sesshoumaru's waist.
"Where is it?" Kagome asked. Hakudoshi suddenly came to us. In his hands, he held the broken blade that was Tenseiga…
SoSoSoSoSoSo
Done!!! I'm all done!!! Review please!
Sesshoumaru: what were you thinking?! Killing me off!
A1969: its my story. You should write your own if you want.