The sun shone brightly against the clear blue sky. It was a peaceful and beautiful morning. The birds chirped happily in the tree branches over the heads of the three males lounging under it. Miroku and Inuyasha stood on each side leaning lazily upside the thick trunk of the huge tree. The two looked as if they didn't have a care in the world. Miroku took his time chewing on a straw and Inuyasha stood there quietly in his usual stance, arms folded and eyes closed. Shippou was the only one who gave away their deceptively calm composure. He stood in the middle. His eyes shifted quickly from side to side and his bushy tail twitched nervously. His body was stiff and tensed as if ready to pounce on something that wasn't there. Suddenly a huge explosion shook the ground like an earthquake. Chunks of earth flew up in the air along with a massive amount of fire. Shippou yelled out and covered his hands over his head in fright.
"So, do you think we got him?" Inuyasha asked.
"There was no way he could survive it," Miroku said.
Shippou turned around and stared at the two. "This was the surprise?"
Miroku and Inuyasha nodded at the same time.
"And who's idea was this?" Shippou asked suddenly looking peeved.
Miroku raised a finger as he continued to chew on the straw.
"Um..you did get Sango out first?" Shippou asked cautiously.
Silence...
Kagome sat up in bed in a cold sweat. The fear still ripping through her heart. The dream had been so real. She turned to Inuyasha who was laying beside her, still asleep. His face scrunched up in a frown and a small growl came from his throat.
"Miroku, you idiot!" He growled softly and turned his back to her.
Kagome stared at him. Did I just have the same dream? She wondered to herself. She slowly got out of the bed and walked to the window. Opening it, she breathe in some fresh air as she stared into the morning sky. Every night there was a new nightmare. Inuyasha was keeping something from her, she was sure of it now. Something had happened to Sango and she had the awful feeling that something was going to happen to them too.
"Kagome?" She heard Inuyasha's voice from the bed. She'd awaken him when she left. She didn't bother to turn around; instead, she continued to stare out the window.
"No more lies, Inuyasha," she told him. "What happened to Sango?"
"So this is the spot?" Naraku asked as he stood between Kikyo and Sango. The three were standing in what appeared to be a forest outside of the city. "I've driven down this road many times on my way out of the city. Who would have guessed Sesshoumaru was so near?" His lips curled up into a thin smile.
Sango took a step forward, her dark eyes scanning the area as if trying to sense something. She was the one who had showed Naraku the spot where Sesshoumaru's mansion would be.
Naraku put his hand on her shoulder. "You've done well, my dear. I'll reward you for your obedience later."
Naraku turned to Kikyo who was holding a thick book under her arm. "It's time."
Kikyo nodded and stood beside him. Opening the book, she turned the pages until she got to a particular one with red letters. Slowly, she begin to chant the foreign words. The gently breeze surrounding them begin to grow stronger into powerful gusts.
Sesshoumaru eyes opened quickly. Something had awaken him from his peaceful sleep. He looked down at Rin who was still asleep in his arms and slowly untangled her limbs from around his. He could sense the immense power growing by the second. Standing up slowly, he made his way to the windows.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome said a little frighten at the sudden change in the weather. He'd finally given in and told her the truth about Sango; however, before she could get angry at him, they both notice the dark ominous clouds quickly making their way over the blue sky and covering up the sun.
Inuyasha growled in anger. His arms tightened around Kagome protectively. "This is no ordinary storm. I smell a huge rat!"
Kikyo continued to chant the words from the book. Naraku stood beside her watching the spot where the mansion was suppose to be. White lightning cracked in the sky above them. Their hair blew savagely in the harsh wind, but neither seemed bothered by the disturbances around them.
Rin was awakened by the loud clash of thunder. She sat up and turned to Sesshoumaru who was standing in front of the window. "Sesshy?" She called out in curiosity. Another clash of thunder exploded her ears, followed by what seemed like an earthquake. The entire mansion shook violently and shifted to the side sending Rin flying out of the bed onto the floor. She looked up just in time to see a huge white light coming towards them through the window, then suddenly everything went black.
Shippou was on his way to the mansion when he notice the change in the weather. He stepped on his brakes causing the car he was in to skid loudly on the pavement. He lost control of the steering wheel. The car skidded off the road and slammed into a tree. Shippou was too stunned at the sight before him to see if he had injuries. The mansion was slowly appearing right before his eyes. Lightning cracked around it breaking the dimension it had been hiding in. In front of the mansion stood Naraku, Kikyo, Sango, and a thousand youkai behind them. His hands shook violently as he took out his cell phone and dialed Miroku's number.
"Miroku! We got trouble, big trouble. Naraku's discovered Sesshoumaru's hideout. Somehow, he's made the mansion appear and he's got a small army with him. Bring as much back up as you can and hurry!"
Sesshoumaru lifted his head to peer into Rin's pale, frightened face. His golden eyes scanned over her quickly to make sure she was all right before lifting her up in his strong arms. He'd gotten to her the second before the blast of white energy hit them. He shielded her body with his and took the brunt of the blast with his own body.
Rin looked around their room when he turned with her in his arms. It was a wreck now. One half of the room: the walls, the balcony, the windows had completely disappeared. The walls left standing were burnt and black; furniture was melting into ashes around them. She could have been killed if it wasn't for Sesshoumaru.
"What happened?" She asked looking up at him.
"We're being attacked," Sesshoumaru said. "Naraku."
Before Rin could reply she felt the shackle and chains fall off her wrists and feet. She held on to Sesshoumaru as he whisked her out of the room into the hall. The speed he was going was amazing.
Inuyasha had also protected Kagome when he saw the blast coming at them. However, since he'd been standing right at the window holding Kagome, the blast had thrown them against the opposite wall. Kagome had been knocked unconscious. He gathered her in his arms and headed toward the only place he knew would keep her safe for now. Sesshoumaru's secret room deep underground.
Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha met at the same time and teleported to the room. Sesshoumaru set Rin on her feet and called Jaken from the intercom to watch over the females. Inuyasha laid Kagome down on a couch. His hand caressed her cheek and ran through her soft hair. He leaned over and kissed her lips gently before pulling away.
"Kagome.." Rin said worriedly watching them.
"She's okay," Inuyasha told her.
"Stay here," Sesshoumaru ordered her. "Do not leave this room until we come to get you."
Inuyasha crossed his arms and nodded in agreement.
"Sesshy," Rin said hesitantly. "Please, be careful."
"You dare to say something like that to I, Sesshoumaru? Do you have so little faith in your mate?" He asked slightly annoyed.
Despite of the danger Rin knew they were in, his arrogance made her smile a little. "Of course, what was I thinking?" She said softly. She stood up and walked to him. Standing on her toes, she kissed him long and passionately. She felt his arms wrap around her tightly as he returned the kiss with equal passion.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes as he waited impatiently for them to end. He glanced at Kagome who was still unconscious. Perhaps it was better this way, he didn't want her to worry about him.
After awhile, Sesshoumaru pulled away from her. "Enough, we have a war to win."
Rin nodded and took a few steps back. "Then hurry, my love, don't take all day." She smiled bravely trying to fight the fear in her heart. "We have to finish what we started."
Sesshoumaru smiled slightly at his Rin knowing she was trying to cover up what she actually felt inside. "I will win this war as long as you are safe." He turned around and left the room with Inuyasha following him.
"So big brother, it seems for once we're about to fight side by side instead of against each other," Inuyasha joked trying to ease the tension building up inside of him.
"Naraku has chosen his day to die. He shall not leave my property alive. He has endangered Rin's life and for that he will die a slow and painful death." Sesshoumaru said, his voice so cold that even Inuyasha shivered. He stopped at a door in the hallway.
"What are you doing?" Inuyasha wanted to know.
Sesshoumaru opened the door and took out two swords Inuyasha had never seen before. They were not like the swords they used for practice. These swords seemed filled with an intense power that felt familiar to him. Sesshoumaru kept the lighter sword with the long thin blade and gave Inuyasha the heavier one. The blade on it was almost the size of Inuyasha's head. He took it and grunted at the weight.
"Since you could never master the art and dance of sword fighting, this one will be better suited for you. It's power come from its brute strength. "
"Where did you get these?" Inuyasha asked noticing the more he lifted the sword, the lighter it seemed to get. It was as if the sword was adjusting its weight to his.
"From our father, he gave them to me to be used in an emergency. I was told we could only use them once. I never thought we would have to use them at all," Sesshoumaru said holding up his sword examining it, the blade flashed in the dark hallway.
Naraku stood outside laughing, the power surrounding him was also channeling through his body. He felt invincible. He turned to Sango. "I remember when you and that arrogant Miroku came to my mansion and destroyed it," he looked at her accusingly.
Sango bowed her head as if apologizing to him. He walked towards her and stood in front of her. Leaning over slightly, his face almost touched hers. "You remember Miroku don't you?"
She nodded as she continued to look down.
"I'm sure he'll be here to help Sesshoumaru. When you see him, I want you to destroy him, to make it up to me. Then, I'll put what you did aside and forgive you."
Sango nodded again. Her mind was nearly empty. She only remembered pieces of her former life, even the mansion looked foreign to her. For some reason, she did remember the face of a certain man, but she didn't have feelings for him. She couldn't feel anything since Naraku had taken her soul. Now she was only a shell of her former self.
Naraku looked up sensing the arrival of Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha. He turned towards them with an evil smile.
"A thousand youkai, huh?" Inuyasha said to Sesshoumaru as they stood in front of the destroyed mansion. "You take 500 and I'll take 500 that should even it out."
Sesshoumaru eyes were on Naraku.
"So we meet again my friend," Naraku said sarcastically, "under different circumstances. You've put me through hell the past months. I thought it was time I told you face to face."
"Stop with the pleasantries, Naraku and let's get on with it." Inuyasha growled. He stopped and stared in shock when he saw Kikyo and Sango?
Naraku noticed and chuckled. "Surprised to see her again?" He asked putting his arms around Kikyo. He turned to Sango and wrapped his other arm around her waist. "Sango has decided to join our little family."
"What did you do to her you bastard?" Inuyasha shouted when he realized Sango's scent was different. She looked same, but smelled like a completely different person. She smelled empty, tainted and evil.
"The same thing that was done to that Miroku friend of yours. I've done my research on all of you. Miroku was given the formula that I have to change him from a human to a demon. But, the scientist who gave it to him didn't give him all of it, so he was only turned into a half demon. Since he wasn't born a half demon like you, Inuyasha, but turned into one by man, he doesn't have to go through his monthly changes of converting to a pure human. I wasn't so sympathetic to his dear Sango. She was given the entire formula and she lost her soul in the process. What you are looking at is my creation. She is reborn into a full demon and she will never disobey her father and her lover."
Inuyasha frowned in disgust when Naraku bent over and kissed Sango. He wanted to throw up right there. He thought of Miroku and was glad he wasn't here. He knew he would be here soon, though. It was only a matter of time when someone discovered what happened.
"What?" Naraku yelled, jerking away from Sango at the smell of fresh blood. He turned around just in time to see Sesshoumaru chopping off the heads of his men and youkai as he made his way towards his target. Him.
Sesshoumaru had grown impatient with the insignificant chatter and attacked them by surprised. The youkai didn't even have time to respond. He went through them like lightning as his sword sliced through them like butter.
"You never could play fair," Naraku mumbled and yelled for his men to attack since they were still standing there stupidly waiting for his order while Sesshoumaru chopped them down one by one.
With a roar, Inuyasha headed straight for the crowd that came at him with his sword raised high. He took four youkai at a time with the broad blade. He could feel the power rushing through his body from the sword.
Rin stood in front of the huge screens in the underground room watching everything. She'd asked Jaken to turn on the monitors so she could see what was happening outside. They stood side by side watching in astonishment as Sesshoumaru battled the youkai. His movements were graceful and fluid as if dancing through the battle by some unheard music. Not once did he pause to catch his breath, it was a continuing dance of death for the ones who dared to challenge him.
"He's going through those youkai and killing them off as if they were mere toys," Jaken said. "Lord Sesshoumaru is the best, yes he is. No one can defeat the great Sesshoumaru." Jaken song his praises. He had nothing to worry about. He knew Sesshoumaru would beat Naraku and his pathetic little army without breaking a sweat.
Rin had to admit it seemed as if Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha had taken over the army all by themselves. Two against a thousand and they were winning, simply amazing. She gasped out loud when the monitors switched to Naraku.
"Sango! That's Sango! What is she doing on Naraku's side?"
"That little traitor! I never did like her," Jaken said.
"He must have done something to her. She would have never joined him on her own!"
Shippou kept a safe distance from the fight as he watched in amazement. He had never seen Sesshoumaru in action and now he knew the true reason why so many feared him. He was slicing and dicing youkai from left and right and making it seemed unnaturally easy. Inuyasha was taking off the heads and chopping bodies in half with his sword with only one swing and he seemed to be enjoying a little too much. It seemed as if he didn't have to call for back up after all. "Where did they get those swords from?" He said out loud in wonder.
Naraku floated up in the air along with Kikyo and Sango when Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha finished off the last of his soldiers. He stared down at the mutilated bodies and narrowed his eyes at the two watching him carefully. He knew any minute they would attack him.
"Did you think I'd be so dumb as to only bring a thousand youkai with me? That was merely a test to see how strong you truly are. Those swords you use are unlike any I've ever seen. They must possess great power."
Kikyo opened her book and began chanting words from another chapter. The ground shook with a small earthquake and Naraku's malicious laugh could be heard above the rumble. Suddenly, youkai that actually looked like demons rose from the earth. Their skin were red and they had long horns on their heads, hoofed feet and forked tails.
Naraku laughed loudly. "From the depths of hell I summon the most vile and powerful demons to destroy you and everyone that stands against me!"
"AHH!" Shippou screamed when he saw the vile looking creatures rising up. He covered his nose as he coughed and choked on the stench coming off of them. "They won't stop!" He yelled as he watched them growing out of the ground at a fast pace: hundreds, then thousands, then a million!
Rin screeched and backed away from the monitor when she saw the horrendous creatures. "There's too many of them. There's no way they can win this time!" She whispered with her hands over her mouth. "Sesshy..." she said worried.
Jaken stared at the screen. His little mind plotting. What would happen to him if Sesshoumaru lost the battle? Naraku would surely kill him too. Rin was right. There was no way Lord Sesshoumaru could win now, no matter how powerful or skilled he was in battle; there were just too many demons. What to do? What to do? He thought to himself as he paced around in a circle. He glanced at Rin, then at Kagome who was still unconscious on the couch. Unless, he thought looking back at Rin, he slowly eased behind her. Naraku might spare his life if he could do something to prove his loyalty to his new master.
"What the hell?" Sesshoumaru heard his brother's shocked cry when they found themselves staring at the most fearsome demons he'd ever seen. His golden eyes narrowed into two golden dangerous slits. He'd defeat all of them to keep his Rin safe. His life no longer mattered. If he died in this war, he'd take them all with him. The filthy creatures were not going to lay one claw on his Rin.
Inuyasha thought about Kagome, but only for a second before he shook his head to clear his thoughts. What was he doing? He was acting as if he would never see her again. Yes. He was going to see her again and hold her in his arms and they were going to have lots of children together. Maybe fifty. There was no way in hell or on earth he was going to let a million demons take him away from her.
Shippou jumped up and down in joy when he saw Miroku pull up in his car. He stopped when he realized he was alone. "Where's the back up?"
"I am the back up," Miroku said getting out of his car. "Demons, demons everywhere," he said almost in a singing tone.
"Miroku! You were suppose to bring others to fight on Sesshoumaru's side!"
"They could smell the blood even in the city. The cowards refused to come. They weren't trained to fight a war like us."
Shippou gasped in shocked. "No..."
"Who needs them? I'm the only backup you will need." Miroku said opening his hands and pointing at the million of demons a few feet away from them.
Shippou watched as the wind tunnel appeared in Miroku's hand. The demons were picked up and dragged into it so quickly that he could only see a blur of red and black colors. It was obvious that Miroku hadn't seen Sango yet. He was concentrating on getting rid of the demons.
Naraku eyes turned to the newcomer who was sucking up half his demons before they had the chance to attack. He turned to Sango. "Go," he told her.