Disclaimer:I do not own Inuyasha or its characters in any way or form, nor do I make a profit from this story. The story-plot, however, is mine.
~~~O~~~
A.N.: Do I dare poke my head in through this door again?
*ahem* HELLO everyone!
I'd like to offer an apology for the long absence. It was never my intention, but that's how it turned out. Real life got in the way, sadly. I've gotten to read through some comments, I haven't had the chance yet to read them all. But to all of you; thank you for reading! Thank you for enjoying my style of writing!
This chapter...is me attempting to knit together several separate pieces which I've plonked down on different computers and in notebooks since the last chapter was posted. I've attempted to fuse them together to make it into a chapter. Forgive me if it doesn't live up to the quality of previous chapters, it's been a year and then some since I've written such a long piece, especially THIS piece. It's not my proudest chapter in this story. I could've gone further, could've used more detail but...etc etc. (I really really really really cannot write fight-scenes). But with this chapter done, I can now start concluding the story and plot the ending - (that even has me whining).
Chapter has been edited because I noticed some parts to improve. I might read through it a few more times and add more or edit more, but that's me. =)
~Noctus
~~~O~~~
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE - End It!
Miroku stood on a tall cliff next to Surame. What remained of the Eagle-clan gathered behind them, their eggs safely cradled in padded leather bags.
Fifteen pairs of eyes were glued to the Castle of the South where flashes of sakura pink and explosions could be seen lighting up the darkness of the night.
"How can he hope to win?" Surame whispered, with fear and despair in her voice.
"Sheer stubbornness and a fierce wish to protect life, all life...and great dose of hope, Surame." Miroku replied quietly, holding his staff with both hand and a seemingly permanent furrow between his eyebrows.
Miroku's heart clenched in his chest. He had the utmost faith in his heart's sister's abilities, she was truly capable, but she was up against so much all on her own this time - and his human mind was fearing he would not see her alive again.
"She ordered us to seek the Western Castle..." He cleared his throat and glanced over his shoulder at the gathered eagles.
"And that's what we will do!"
There was a blinding flash, then a huge explosion which shook the very foundation of the landscape, and then the Southern Castle was ablaze in a raging inferno of red flames. The monk found himself stepping forwards to the edge of the cliff, instinct pulling at him to go back and help.
"Go..." Miroku's breath hitched.
"Go!" He grabbed Surame's arm and she quickly took on her animal form and the monk leapt onto her back.
"But, Hito-sama!" Surame shrieked.
"We need to go to the west!" Miroku pressed, feeling the sting of tears in his eyes. If Kishino made it, he would ground her for the next century! If she didn't make it...then the west was where they needed to go anyway. They would need Sesshoumaru's Tenseiga.
~~~O~~~
"Something has disturbed the wildlife..."
Shippou frowned as he approached his Lord with these news, and Sesshoumaru glared at him with an ice cold calmness before looking down at the paperwork he was currently reading through.
"Hn."
"They flee into our lands from the South!"
Shippou angled his words in a different manner, and this time Sesshoumaru actually paid him full attention. The Inu Taiyoukai was on his feet and moving to his Heir, eyeing him sharply before he left with the fox in tow.
The two of them raced to the gates, gaining an entourage as they did - Inuyasha, Entu, Kiru Akila, Sinna and Karon quickly following the rushing Lords.
Outside the gates waited a young man with familiar traits, and behind him a group of Eagle youkai.
"Miroku!?" Shippou ran to the human male, who held up a hand, pointing to Sesshoumaru.
"Sesshoumaru-sama...'kicking or screaming, or Tenseiga'..." He called, and the Youkai Lord's eyes flashed red before he disappeared in a blur. Inuyasha blinked confusedly before he ran to Miroku.
"What happened!?" He barked, and Miroku actually twapped the hanyou's nose for his tone.
"Kishino went up against the enemy alone, that's what!" He patiently told his old friend, while Inuyasha begrudgingly rubbed his sore nose. Miroku then shuddered.
"The entire Castle was ablaze with red fire when we left...I left not knowing if..."
Shippou put an arm around the monk's shoulders and lead him towards the castle.
"Tell us everything..." He muttered while casting Inuyasha a gaze that said what words didn't. Go!
Inuyasha's ears flicked back and forth for a moment or two before he swore to himself and disappeared in the same direction as his half-brother. Blast it all!
~~~O~~~
Earlier.
When the eagles were sent off, Kishino and Miroku had nothing to truly worry about. They communicated through their auras, kept their breath and voice to themselves, no necessary sounds made.
Miroku had agreed to focus down the Eagle Lord who had lead his kind into this misery to begin with. Kishino would deal with the dark miko and the Toxic One.
"Keep your aura open and flaring so the eagle can't fool you..." She warned before they exited the underground tunnels.
Miroku nodded quickly before he pulled the other into a tight embrace.
"No matter what happens, Kagome...I am grateful. I am grateful for you, for Sango, for my life and this opportunity you've given me..."
Kishino held on to her long time friend, gritting her teeth at his words.
"Don't go all sentimental on me Miroku. It's not like we're about to face certain death or anything..." She gazed back at him once they separated, a warm smile gracing her features.
She pulled the neckline of her jumper over her nose and mouth, drawing her katana from its sheath and resting the blunt side of the blade against her shoulder in a nonchalant manner.
"Ready to stir things up for this monster?"
"Born ready!" Miroku grasped his staff in his left hand and opened his right where spectral seals of golden light swirled.
"Kicking or screaming, or Tenseiga..." Kishino then muttered darkly, which made Miroku tilt his head, and the stormy blue eyes of Kishino blazed determinedly.
"That's what I told Sesshoumaru before my departure. If I do not return before spring turns to summer, he will come get me himself...if you ever get to relay that message to him, do it!"
Miroku realized then that Kishino did not fully believe she'd live through this encounter. She had a positive attitude, but a realistic one at that... He felt a slight twinge of worry, but he had faith they would both see this through.
~~~O~~~
Miroku slid backwards several yards after blocking a direct blow from the mad eagle youkai. He quickly retaliated, summoning his spiritual powers to the surface. He sported some bruises and shallow cuts, but all his training with Kagome over the past months had paid off. As the eagle lunged once again he was in for a surprise - the kind that burned.
While the eagle staggered away from the burning holy power, Miroku drew forth his prayerbeads and infused them with his power just like Kagome had shown him. He uncoiled them and flung them with expert precision at the youkai, watching the chain of spiritual beads hit their target and coil around it. With mild satisfaction Miroku watched the eagle fall over, incapacitated.
"You foolish human!" The avian youkai snarled, madness and malice gleaming in his eyes.
"You dare rise against the one who'll cleanse this world!?"
Miroku managed a sarcastic half-smile then, something the eagle hadn't anticipated because the confident expression faded.
"We dare, because we can." Miroku tightened the beads and the eagle shrieked involuntarily thanks to the intense burning sensation, feeling the holy power eat away at his body. Miroku channelled every last ounce of power within him through the beads. He could hear the sounds from inside. Kishino..no, Kagome, was fighting too.
The Eagle Lord roared! No! How could this be! He had been promised such glory and powers beyond measure! How could he fall to a lowly monk!?
~~~O~~~
Kishino flicked her katana, eyeing the dark miko, the last defence the Toxic One had before he had to face off with the wandering warrior-priest.
"They speak of your formidable power, priest! I have yet to see anything impressive! You are all tricks and deception!" The dark miko spat venomously at Kishino.
In all fairness; Kishino cared little for the words, she found it far more interesting to observe how the miko still wore the traditional red and white garments. Now, Kishino wasn't fond of those garbs personally for various reasons, but still...that was wrong.
"You are not worthy to be in HIS prese..."
"Why do you think you get to judge whether or not I'm 'worthy'?!" Kishino interrupted in an annoyingly, and perhaps alarmingly calm tone.
The miko scowled before she raised her bow and took aim at the annoying young man. The malign reiki she summoned felt unnatural, but potent - and Kishino made a mental note of this.
"The Master wants your corpse, priest, and I shall personally hand it to him, my reward will be...!"
"There's no reward waiting for you." Kishino kept her voice as steady and level as before.
"There is no power he can grant you that you don't already hold - however your power's tainted and disrespected - you'll never taste a higher level of power than what you currently have."
"Disrespectful little miscreant! How DARE you speak to me..."
"WHY is it that all you dark-natured cretins absolutely have to TALK for HOURS about how I dare!? I DARE! I just DO! Now kindly quiet yourself and show me some action, witch!" Kishino now raised her voice ever so slightly - and gained the wanted reaction.
With a wail of indignation, the dark miko charged up her arrow with her dark reiki and fired directly at Kishino. Kishino had anticipated the miko's move - prepared for it, even. She knew its exact trajectory and had estimated its speed by watching how far back the miko pulled the string of her bow. The air around her swirled when she casually flicked the arrow away with the flat side of her katana, and when her blade touched the projectile the dark reiki faded out instantly.
"How!?" The miko gasped, surprised at the priest's quick eye and enraged that her power hadn't even singed him!She notched another arrow.
Kishino scoffed and leapt forwards, charging at the opponent who realised she'd have no time to take proper aim - so instead she cast a barrier to protect herself from the impact. Kishino felt one eyebrow twitch in cold amusement before ramming her shoulder into the barrier - the vile stench of corrupted reiki stung in her nostrils. It was the scent of sickness, of illness and puss. The purity of that miko's reiki could never recover. Kikyou's reiki had been tainted, but not like this...
The barrier broke under her pressure and Kishino wasted no time in pointing her waiting blade to the miko's throat.
"Point to the priest!" She smirked behind her mask.
The miko's power burst forth from within her and Kishino took several steps back while casting her own barrier. She could finish the dark miko quickly enough - but...she doubted that would draw the 'Master' out. If his lines of defence were gone, he'd flee...if she recalled some typical traits of so-called 'grand evil masters' correctly. The dark miko said she was all tricks. Just you watch.
She leaned to the side, avoiding another arrow, then jumped and avoided the low sweep to her legs. She allowed the miko to press her backwards with her attacks - saw the woman's confidence grow as she thought she was gaining the upper hand. Kishino dodged and blocked, frowning deeply while trying to predict what came next, what to DO next, and how to play this out! Making the plan on the go.
Through holes in the walls she caught sight of Miroku flying off with the eagles, just as they had decided. She could now go all out. Amazing...Alright. Here goes.
She fought back. Going from defensive to offensive, turning it around 180 degrees. From the distance one could see the flashes of Kishino's powers colliding with the dark Miko's within the castle. Several places the walls crumbled thanks to the shock-waves the colliding forces created and the proud palace of the South would soon be only ruin. Despite Kishino's efforts to conserve the palace she soon found out it was futile as red hot flames consumed the structure.
Kishino pushed the miko back once more and looked around the remains of the grand room. Fire and smoke made it difficult to see, but she didn't need her eyes right now. Her aura sensed and searched for her. Come on, come on, where the heck was he!? The Toxic one! Cowardly bastard!
"No escape, priest!" The miko cooed wickedly, thinking that Kishino's increase in shifting eyes and head-turns as a sign of desperation - looking for a place to hide, was he? She tried to use the thickening smoke to stage an ambush on the distracted priest.
Kishino was not that easy to play, she sensed it in the other's aura, the 'Miko' was getting cocky. Good. Cocky meant mistakes...
Though she'd assessed the miko's powers to be 'formidable', the miko seemed to have no other weaponry training than the longbow and arrows, depending heavily on those for strong offence, and her barriers for strong defence. Perhaps that had been enough, perhaps that's what had worked for her for so long she'd never thought of the idea to adapt to other weapons.
Kishino also knew she couldn't drag this out for too long, or else the other miko would realise she was being played. She would not make the error of thinking the dark miko stupid. A fool, maybe, but not stupid. She needed the miko to get desperate. She needed one big blast to gain the upper hand. Deception was a trade Kishino knew well. And deception would be her winner-card. She hoped.
The miko smirked before firing an arrow. Kishino feigned a moment's distraction and 'barely' leapt aside in time to avoid being hit, then summoned her reiki to her fingers - lashing out with the reiki-whip at the witch, allowing her a narrow escape too.
"Oh look, he knows tricks! Too bad you didn't practice more, boy!" The miko taunted and Kishino fought the urge to boast while glancing around the once grand hall of the Southern Castle. Where was that bloody Toxic one?! She could sense him, vaguely! He was trying to hide! She coughed and covered her nose and mouth with one arm. The heat from the fire was beginning to worry her. Should she try and get out now, lure the miko out with her - but if she lost the Toxic One...ugh.
"There's no escape, priest!" The dark woman called mockingly and Kishino grit her teeth, leaping backwards to avoid a falling burning wooden beam. The neckline mask of her jumper was pulled down in the process.
"You think too highly of your own power if you think I'd try to escape from you, witch!"
"My, aren't you a handsome boy..."
Kishino's eyebrow twitched. So the miko had taken an interest in 'his' face. Of all things to pay attention to at this time! The dark miko's aura also gave away how much the priest's boyish appearance pleased her - which again caused Kishino to genuinely worry for the reasons why the Master wanted her corpse.
"Is that why the Masters want my dead body?" She forced a cheeky grin.
"Because I'm such a good-looking one?"
Again she slapped an arrow away with the flat side of her katana, this time she fished up her short bow and took aim. The miko's arrogant smile faded when the short arrow blazed a pure silver - never before had she sensed such pure, raw and potent holy power from any miko, priest, monk or anyone. Just who was this priest!?
"My Master would reach new HEIGHTS of power if he was to consume your flesh and adopt your face! NOTHING shall remain of you when we finish here, and the lands will be underneath the soles of out boots!"
Kishino feigned distraction again, as if she'd not paid attention to the miko at all. She was playing her cards out on a whim while trying to pretend it was poker - she kept looking around while discretely expanding her aura to search for the Toxic One. He was close.
"FINISH HIM, WENCH!"
The miko froze for a moment, before finally she did what Kishino had been waiting for. She felt the surge of dark energy as the miko charged up for an ultimate attack, she felt the barriers rising behind her and around her to prevent her escape, saw the long arrow blaze with a sickly dark shade of purple.
Kishino exhaled slowly, and kept her eyes sharply on the arrow. This would either hurt very much, or she'd get lucky...
The timing had to be perfect! So she set her stance, felt the floor beneath her feet, felt the tingle in her fingertips as her own powers were on high alert and standby. The dark power the miko summoned felt heavy and suffocating - but it also felt brittle.
"DIE!" The miko shrieked fiercely and released the lethal projectile, and Kishino could feel the force of it long before it hit. Kishino had nowhere to run, right? The miko's barriers should prevent that. Fine, she'd play along for this - she still had her cards to play out! The blackclad priest waited until almost the last second before throwing her hands up, crossing her lower arms in front of her face as she let her own powers explode outwards. She braced herself as best she could while the ground beneath her feet and the air around her crackled and shuddered by the clashing of defiled reiki and pure reiki. Dust, ashes and embers swirled in a vortex inside the collapsed remains of the grand hall and making it impossible to see and harder to breathe.
A barely audible grunt was heard as the priest hit the ground. Ow. Really, ow...
And for some long minutes there was absolute silence.
When the dust finally began to settle, the dark miko tread softly across the shattered floor of the once majestic castle. The alarming burst of reiki had nearly been the end of them all - but thanks to her own barrier she had been unharmed.
A sick smirk crept across her features when she spotted the lifeless form sprawled out on the floor and she stepped over to him. Such a young and handsome face... Her master sure would love to have such a face! With her aid he would be glorious! No one would be able to withstand such charming features and promises of power. She crouched down and put her hand in front of the priest's nose. No warm breath against her palm. He was not breathing, his chest wasn't heaving and he was completely still. Her other hand came to rest over the chest, then she leaned down and pressed her ear against the armour. No heartbeat.
"He is dead, my Lord!" She called victoriously, rising and standing straight. Finally, this time she surely must've proven her absolute supremacy, there was no human strong enough to best her!
"Took you long enough!" Spat the gruesome, raspy voice which could belong to none other than the Toxic One (presumptious, but really...), the nasty sound echoing off the walls.
The miko leaned over the priest again with eyes glittering gleefully - to know that she had defeated Kishino Hito, this troublesome wandering warrior-priest! This glorious do-gooder! Friend and ally of human Lords and Youkai Lords alike! He'd been more mouth than actual power! How pathetic!
The Miko's self-satisfaction faded quickly - Kishino proved once again that she had tricks up her sleeves. Quickly the nimble male form rolled to the side and sent the miko flying through the air with a well-aimed kick.
"H-how..." the miko groaned painfully as she landed heavily on the floor some ten feet away.
"Like you said..." Kishino rasped, hauling herself, or more forcing herself into a standing position once more, though swaying slightly before collecting her bearings. Stormy ocean blue eyes were cold as ice when locking on the miko.
"...I know tricks..."
~~O~~
Kishino could've ended this battle long ago - the dark miko's powers were draining now, her threats less convincing...She'd gone all out to take out her opponent, but Kishino was still standing. Kishino knew that the Miko knew as well - that this could've been ended quickly much much earlier.
"I am a masterful miko!" The woman snapped with eyes ablaze, whether she was telling this to Kishino as a fact or trying to convince herself at this point was uncertain. Her glare could've easily turned any other person and made them think twice about approaching, but Kishino was unafraid and took several steps forwards, thus causing the woman to back up.
"I am a powerful Miko! The most gifted of my time!"
"I'm sure you were..." Kishino replied.
"I've known great mikos as well, but I've never heard mention of you. My guess is your 'time' is long since past. That is a long time for reiki to rot..."
"My powers are NOT rotten!"
"COMPLETELY decomposed and falling apart..."
"I am...a powerful Miko! I cleanse this world of youkai!"
"...you've not really cleansed anything for the past centuries...your reiki is tainted and your spiritual core is rotten, nothing you touch will ever be purified, and my guess is you know this too. You are no Miko any longer. You haven't been since the day you deviated from a Miko's path and delved into the dark arts and lusted for power."
The miko was staggering backwards now and Kishino released some of her aura, her powerful and bright aura.
"I..." The darkspirited woman fell over close to the edge of the crumbled castle, so close to what remained of the back wall. Right outside the remains of what was once a wall was a steep, long drop down into the foaming waves of the ocean.
As Kishino walked closer, she suddenly became aware of the faint flicker in the dark miko's eyes - it was a subtle, quick change of focus - but that was all the warning she needed. Her hand slid to her side, her hand clenched around the hilt - her katana was then gracefully flung up over her head in one smooth arch. The ringing sound of metal clashing clawed at her eardrums when her katana blocked the broad sword which easily would've taken her head clean off her shoulders. Man, she was great at avoiding beheading! Another point to the priest!
The power of the broad sword reacted negatively to the holy powers in her leaner katana blade - the force it created sent the unknown attacker several paces backwards.
"Thank you for aiding me in coaxing him out..." Kishino smirked at the woman, whose eyes now seemed like they would pop out of their sockets. Kishino decided to pay no more attention to her from that moment, and instead turned to the male youkai. This was whom she'd been after.
Narrowed eyes studied and took in the appearance of said creature. Tall, pale almost yellow-ish skin...with blue circles on his cheeks, chin and forehead. His eyes were big bulging pods in his face, very squid-ish...in lack of a better way to describe them. What she first thought was curly hair turned out to be a dense mass of tentacles. Tiny spikes ran along his entire jawline and up the ridge of his nose. Damnit, she hated when she was right sometimes. Blue-ring octopus and pufferfish? How the world could one describe such a creature for possible later stories and legends!?
The male's clothing made her wonder how the heck she'd NOT spotted him earlier - with bright yellow silk covering the male from shoulders to ancles and bright blue embroideries contrasting against the base colour. He was standing out for sure! Even the shoulder- and chest armour was of similar colour. But it looked solid, tough to break - she quickly wondered what kind of material it was, could she copy it?
"For someone so vile, I have to hand it to you, your style is...exquisite!" Kishino finally commented, and the youkai sneered, showing rows upon rows of sharp teeth.
"You step into my house, and dare disrespect me?!" The male sneered, and Kishino tilted her head. Again with the 'you dare'. If she had a slab of silver for every time she had that thrown at her...
"No." She shot back, unable to NOT sound irritated.
"I stepped into Lord Yamato's house, whom I consider an old friend of mine. And what I find is an intruder whom I am free to treat however I see fit seeing as HE has disrespected the Lord of these Lands!" Kishino filtered her language to avoid the crude curses she really wanted to shout - and curiously observed the tentacles covering the male's head bristle in response. She doubted they really were of any other use than fake hair. Huh. Icky.
"Lord Yamato was weak and not fit to rule! I am the NEW Lord here!" The male stepped around her, his sword pointed at her. If she now could only figure out his eyes, then she'd know whether or not he was looking at her directly...
"Lord Yamato of the Cranes and the South was a formidable Lord, and a powerful Taiyoukai to represent and care for his kind and his lands!" Kishino countered, before swiftly reaching one hand behind her back to grab the dark miko's wrist before the woman could stab her with a dagger. Did they still think they could fool her senses?
"You have hurt many of my allies, youkai - and caused the death of many other youkai. This I simply cannot accept!"
Kishino clenched her hand around the dark witch's wrist and yanked her forwards to stand between the priest and the youkai. The woman slumped. Caught between two massive auras she felt her own drain. Was there actually something to the priest's words?
The stronge, but strong looking male youkai was hissing a sly chuckle - and Kishino congratulated herself for not openly grimacing at the sound. Horrendous!
"Humans kill humans, humans kill youkai and hanyou. Youkai kill youkai. Youkai kill humans and hanyou. What I've done is no worse than what others have done before me or will do in the future! I was born with the power to dispose of the weak and even place the strong ones under my boot! No youkai can defeat me, so I should be the rightful Lord of all the Lands! And those who obey me and surrender to me shall be spared and given powers they've only dreamed o..."
The raspy sound of the male's voice had Kishino gritting her teeth by now - she really couldn't help it.
Another reason why she was grinding her teeth was the realisation of a returning pattern. This one was another delusional youkai with a god- and power-complex. She felt like she knew these by heart now.
"What power do you really have?" Kishino cut the youkai short. Purposefully attempting to rattle his cage and ruffle his feathers.
"A dark witch, some hostage eagles, and hired rats to do your vile biddings while you hide here and claim yourself Lord!? Do you think yourself an ultimate mastermind? Do you feel accomplished hiding here hoping that I would not find you?"
Kishino would rather they fight it out than talk it out, but knowing from experience - this was all about boasting before the final blow. She could only try her best to get him off that high horse of his!
"Where are your rats now? I do not see them here to defend you!" Kishino wasn't aiming for a conversation, but some questions HAD to be asked. Some things HAD to be said.
The male youkai glared at the dark Miko who stared at Kishino with big hateful eyes.
"See, you can't even grant me that answer can you! Rats for hire aren't loyal! To you they were just puppets and handy distractions for those who got close to figuring you out anyway! Whether the whole clan of rats are exterminated and killed for your purpose is of no importance..."
"Chatty, priest." The male sneered, the rows of teeth sent chills down Kishino's spine. Note to self, don't get bitten...
The dark miko no longer knew what to do. Standing between her lord and this boyish priest it was clear she was defeated. Her ego severely deflated. Nothing she'd done had tore down the human's resolve or even weakened him. So had she served her purpose? She had failed to kill the priest, her powers no match for this Kishino Hito. Her Lord would not grant her wish for more power, surely.
Right she was. The dark Miko didn't even get to scream as the youkai swept his broad sword at her, the blade sprayed its burning acid attack, and the miko was no more than a pool of sludge and shredded garment on the cracked floor.
"...worthless wench!" The male rasped, and glared at Kishino once more - the glare however only cause Kishino to ever so slightly arch an eyebrow.
"We all have our worth, however she gave up on hers a long time ago..." She mused in response, silently cursing the loss of the Miko - if she'd stayed alive till after this upcoming fight then she could've asked her about Kiru Akila's eyes...
"So, what do we call this 'Lord', then?" Kishino took a deep breath and waved her hand in a circle, gesturing for them to move along.
"I am Lord Kurashi!" The hybrid youkai's raspy voice was really unpleasant, like a fork dragging along the surface of a dinner plate.
"Wow that's a downer..." Kishino's genuine and immediate response sounded as disappointed as her facial expression showed. The large bulbous genatinous pods he had for eyes blinked.
"I'd hoped you'd say Lord Fugu or something, just to be cliché...do you do the..." She puffed her cheeks out, a taunting smile on her lips after.
"SILENCE! You have delayed and hindered my plans long enough, priest! Your disrespect will be punished!"
"I've been happy to hinder you!"
With the dark miko vanquished, Kishino could pour all her attention onto the main opponent. Kurashi. The hybrid venom-youkai. The Toxic one.
The necessary talk was done, finally. There was a change in the air which seemed to let them both know it was time to kill eachother. One of them would not leave here alive. Both knew it.
Their blades clashed again and again, sparks of dark and holy powers sizzled through the air - the sound of metal striking metal could be heard a far distance away. They seemed to have come to a draw where neither got the upper hand until Kurashi deviated from the battle of swords and unleashed a toxic puff of air from some glands on his neck. The particles were spreading rapidly outwards like a greyish green smog - Kishino had kind of seen this coming, but snorted a small cough anyway before summoning her reiki to the surface of her skin. The pure reiki purified the smog and she gradually projected it outwards and so created an impenetrable, purifying barricade against the airborne toxins.
They came to a standstill then. Using the stalled time to catch their breath for a second. Neither could attack. The Toxic one would rather flee than touch her purifying barrier, and Kishino did not intend to let him flee! She knew he would, though - if the opportunity presented itself. So she could keep him at bay like this, or engage unprotected to draw him in. Choices, choices. So - after some quick heated debates with herself inside her head, Kishino pulled the neckline of her jumper up to cover her nose and mouth, dropped the barrier and lunged at the youkai. It was an all-go. Get it done!
Her reiki boosted her speed and agility which the youkai seemed to not be fully prepared for. Good. She had been holding back, and now she unleashed her potential. He was not a terrible fighter, but she had sparred with the Lord of the West, the Aristocrat assassin... Kurashi had nothing on Sesshoumaru!
The walls shook and the ground quaked as their auras and powers clashed. The blurs of them both creating patterns through the dust and ashes which whirled up into the air once more. He was fast enough and cunning enough to evade her katana's entrapment ability once he had figured it out, time and time again he narrowly avoided the golden cage of holy power - meanwhile his toxic smog started wearing on Kishino as she constantly had to purify the air around her to be able to breathe.
Metal clashed once more as they danced around eachother, dealing and parrying blows while surrounded by smoke and fire, and the air growing more toxic by the second. She kept him at a distance, narrowly escaping every time he lunged for a full body tackle - she should use her short bow and arrows, but he never gave her enough time to notch. Her katana would have to do for now.
End it, her mind screamed. Just end it!
The miko had merely been a drawn-out distraction earlier. Here was the one she'd been looking for! Let's just end it now. Quickly!
Her breathing was strained and sweat dripped down her face - her black attire was sporting several tears and her skin had bleeding cuts from narrow escapes. Kami, she was feeling it now. How long had they been at it? Was the sun up yet? Right then she envied him his youkai blood and stamina.
Her mind was racing, running possible scenarios of how she possibly could end this. Time had now become very much of essence - if stretched too thin she would not be able to do much more. She always had her last resort, her wild-card, but...
"Kurashi!" She ducked once more to avoid his sword, then in a flash got close enough to get physical - something she had avoided up until now with good reason. Bursts of reiki was all she managed now instead of a steady flow. With reiki enhancing her muscle power, she flung her fist at his chin - and though the spikes coating his jawline dug deeply into her knuckles she went back for another punch without delay - and he hit the ground.
The hissing sound that followed was not caused by the youkai. Kishino knew it came from herself. She felt the toxins spread from her knuckles and up through her arm, the adrenaline in her system aided in transporting it faster. Maybe too fast, a slight miscalculation - she shook her head. Dizzy.
Kurashi was back on his feet all too soon, exhaling more toxic air for her to breathe - he read the situation and saw how the priest was beginning to struggle. Not tasted his fresh toxins before had he, that priest? Only tasted it second hand, hadn't he? Ha!
Kishino wheezed slightly, the toxins were felt all through her system already - sluggish now. Damn. When focusing her gaze she saw Kurashi's victorious smirk. Celebrating already? Cocky prat...
"What..." She spat clotting blood from her mouth. She was used to the taste of her own decaying blood by now and was neither panicked nor surprised by it. She spat once more. Still things to find out...
"..what was your plan for my corpse, I wonder?" She grinned, despite having to kneel down thanks to the increasingly heavy limbs.
"I will consume you, I will take your flesh and make it mine, your power will fuse to mine and I.."
"Let me..stop you right...there..." Kishino coughed - snorting blood out through her nostrils in the process - and she saw his smug expression fade when she flashed a wicked grin at him. Blood dripped from the corners of her mouth, from her nose, tears of blood dripped from her eyes, trickling down the sides of er face from her ears - and knew what a grotesque scene this could be for a human to witness...luckily there were none around.
"Why are you grinning!?" Kurashi snarled, severely put off by how this human could smile in such a dire situation!
By grabbing Kishino by the throat and lifting him up off the ground he got him face to face. He WOULD absorb this human's power and become the ultimate youkai! WHY was he grinning like that!?
Kishino gagged slightly as she dangled in his choking grasp, however her smirk didn't fade. Ah, look at those bulging eyes...NOW they were staring at her directly, that's what it looked like!
"You have lost! You're just another weak pathetic human with useless powers! My toxins will soon end you!" He hissed viciously while Kishino's smirk broadened and she even chuckled soundlessly, the air rattling in her struggling lungs.
"I've fought worse than you..." though she barely managed to force the words right now, she still leaned her head in closer to his even with his restrictive grasp on her neck.
"You are not Naraku...nor anywhere near his power...he couldn't...beat me...either." She rasped as her lungs were about to collapse in on themselves, filling up with fluid quickly. Had his goal been to try and consume her? Like Naraku had consumed others in the past? Really? For what purpose? Consume the priest's power? His flesh? His skin? Whatever the reason, she was not going to allow him to continue - she was a thorn in his side, and here to stop him from taking over the rule as supreme youkai.
She had this. This was in the box. Though she really did not know how 'this' would turn out, she still summoned her powers from within; this time she would not do it too late...ok it was a little late at this time, but not dangerously late like before! Right?
Purify! From within!
Her arms, feeling like they were filled with lead by now, shot forwards which surprised even herself - hands reached out and yanked Kurashi closer, holding on to him tightly with fists balling into the yellow silken garments.
"Check mate." She exhaled the words and felt her powers ignite as they clashed with the toxins in her bloodstream. Woah, not a moment too late there!
She knew what was coming and closed her eyes, feeling the tidalwave-build of her reiki.
Kuarshi felt it too, apparently - and he now fought to free himself from her grasp, the sting of reiki was already tearing at his skin. Kishino then felt the needles puncture through her armour and clothes as the pufferfish nature of the youkai took hold - he inflated and turned into a living cactus. Despite the dire situation Kishino was happy she was numb from the toxins by now - or this would've been incredibly painful.
Kurashi roared when the enormous burst of reiki exploded from the priest's spiritual core and like so he was disintegrated within seconds. It had been that quick, that easy. It had been ended...
Without time to relish in the victory, Kishino felt her body move on its own accord. Safety. Get to...safety. Her ears were ringing, her head throbbing.
The violent explosion had thoroughly shaken the remains of the castle, it shook the foundation of the cliff it was built upon which had already been worn down and made porous from multiple bursts of spiritual powers, tainted as well as pure - and so; everything naturally crumbled, piece by piece, stone by stone, falling into the waiting ocean below. Like a calving glacier. Embers and flaming wood. Everything.
Kishino staggered forwards a few steps - her system now clear of the toxins, but she was weakened by its effects, weakened by the excess power spent. Still trying to get to safer ground by instinct. Her breath was heaving, her vision still blurry, her eyes stung, her mind was spinning...her consciousness slipping.
"Ugh..." She slipped in something gooey and fell, she acknowledged the blinding pain of her forehead meeting rock and the sinking sensation of dread in the pit of her guts as the ground disappeared from under her. So be it.
She didn't wish to be conscious when meeting her death like this...in the face of an enemy, no problem, she'd be awake for THAT - but squished by enormous stones from a crumbling ocean cliff - nah. Fainting would be fine. Thank you.
She let the blackness claim her mind - and her fingers relaxed the cramped grip on the stone floor. She'd done what she came here to do.
Kishino let gravity pull her body down as she followed the masses into the waves below.
~~~O~~~
He sensed the explosion of reiki from afar. He had felt that sting before - the desperate last resort of purification before toxins fulfilled their purpose. In one sense he was relieved to feel the reiki after so long - she was alive! On the other hand; he felt a deep sense of unsettlement - alive, but for how long?!
Unwilling to gamble, the Taiyoukai of the West summoned his light-orb and vanished in a flash, reappearing at the Southern Castle just as the ruins disappeared into the gaping mouth of the ocean. The Inu Taiyoukai stilled his movements abruptly and the narrowed golden eyes widened a fraction for a split second. Only the stone pillars of what must've been the gates remained...though barely. Bodies of black rat youkai lay strewn across the ground outside the gates. They hadn't gotten away, not all of them anyway. He watched, his golden eyes disbelieving for only a second before he then rushed to the jagged cliff's edge, gazing down at the frothing water below.
The scent of smoke and burnt flesh still floated like a vile sickness in the air, tormenting his sensitive sense of smell - however it was quickly carried away by the whipping wind and dulled by the upset waves at the foot of the steep drop. There was a distinctive tinge of raw reiki lingering in the air as well - and he knew only one person could've left such an impression.
He expanded his vast aura, flooding the area, searching for one aura in particular that would dare object to his.
No response came. Worrysome.
For a second time he felt this strange clenching in his chest, a sort of dull ache which he could not explain. The inner youkai whimpered, it was anxious. This irked the mighty Lord of the West tremendously. He feared NOTHING! So why did he suddenly feel like he'd lost something important? The human meant nothing to him! Did she? She'd been a companion! An ally! Of no larger importance in his life than...
He clenched one of his hands by his sides, a slight sneer gracing his fine features.
If she'd dare die...he would make sure she LIVED to regret it! His inner youkai beast agreed. How dared she leave this life without their consent!?
"Oi, Sesshoumaru!" He heard the call of his half-brother, but he waited not. He leapt from his position and summoned his youki cloud, swooping down over the cliff's edge.
Inuyasha skidded to a halt a few moments later, wheezing slightly.
"Ya bastard..." He grunted, then straightened his back, sniffed the air and looked around.
"Kagome..." He mused quietly, his dog ears flicking back and forth to catch any sounds, but there were none. Not even the cawing of birds or buzzing of insects.
Minutes felt like hours while Inuyasha paced the top of the cliff, waiting for Sesshoumaru to return.
Then the silver blur finally made his appearance, and Inuyasha felt his soul attempt to leave his body. Cradled in the silver Inu's arms was the unmistakably familiar blackclad form.
"Don't tell me she's..."
~~O~~
"Is she dead? Is she breathing? WHY is her face so bloody? Why is her LEG in that ANGLE, it's not supposed to bend like that! D'ya hear any heartbeat? Could ya put her down a little more carefully? Yer gonna break MORE of her BONES!"
"Inuyasha be quiet, I cannot hear anything except your shouting!" Sesshoumaru snapped at the hanyou who was barking at him to do something.
The moment Inuyasha shut his mouth, Kishino cracked one bloodshot eye open and gave them both a very displeased look.
"I need new friends..." Her voice a hoarse whisper, barely audible even to canine youkai ears. Her gaze turned from sharp to blank right after.
"THAT'S ALL YA HAVE TO SAY!?" Inuyasha practically roared at her, before silencing himself once more when he noticed how her body trembled. The pain and overexertion of her powers left her with practically nothing... She bled from multiple puncture wounds and other injuries, maybe even internally - her skin was paling at an alarming rate and her face turned an ashen white. Her eyes then finally rolled backwards into their sockets just as her body went limp.
"Sesshouaru!" Inuyasha snarled desperately.
The Lord was on his feet, Tenseiga drawn. Well, she wasn't kicking and screaming, so...
~~O~~
A.N.: *fidgets* I am so sorry for leaving it there after so long! I've revised this chapter so many times now! Like pointed out in the A.N. up top; it's over a year since I last touched this, and I've had to string together several separate handwritten notes and located all the various documents randomly written for this chapter and try to make sense of it. *exhales* I just needed to get this chapter up and be done with it. It's been holding me back for some time now, I will admit.
And now... with this obstacle gone, I can prepare for the last couple of chapters. *bows*