Warnings for this chapter: canonical character death, loss of self, mild and serious injuries, discussion of guilt and blame, characters in bad places mentally
Kagura glared at Tsubaki and sighed, rolling her eyes. The old priestess was taking forever. Kagura crossed her arms and leaned further against the trunk of the tree nearest the pagoda. "Pretty elaborate ceremony, huh? Is the seal really that strong?"
Tsubaki smirked but didn't open her eyes from where she knelt, hands pressed together in prayer. "This ceremony is merely to open the door. There are even stronger seals further in."
"Ugh," Kagura groaned loudly.
xXx
"We'll tell you everything," Miroku told the priestesses. "But it may take a moment, and time is of the essence. Kaede?"
The old miko was already moving towards them, carrying Shippo and Kirara. "I knew Tsubaki in my youth. She travelled with myself and my sister Kikyo, who ye both shall know from your master."
"The Kikyo?" Botan asked softly.
"Aye," Kaede nodded gravely. "Tsubaki attempted to curse Kikyo so that she may steal the Shikon Jewel. When Kikyo deflected the curse, Tsubaki was struck instead, and infused with youki. You will have sensed it on her."
"There was a strange aura about her when we first saw her at the shrine gates," Momiji muttered, her eyes downcast.
"She seeks the Jewel once more, and has been convinced by a demon to try and slay us for vengeance and our own Jewel shards," Kaede continued.
Botan's face hardened. "If you are using the shards, then there is no way we can trust you. We've heard of what the Jewel can do to people."
"None of us have ever used the shards," Miroku cut in. "We collect them to prevent others from misusing them, and in the hopes of one day completing the Jewel once more. Tsubaki used the shards which I carry to place a curse upon me."
He pulled apart the robes to reveal the bandages over his chest, where five spots of blood had leaked through, the exertion of the fight having caused the wounds to bleed again.
"You don't need to believe everything we're telling you," Sango continued. "Just let us come with you to Tsubaki, and you'll see the truth. You can take whatever precautions you deem necessary."
"Tsubaki has most of the Jewel in her possession," Miroku added. "We don't know what she intends to do with it, but I guarantee that she will attempt to use it somehow. It was given to her by the same demon who ordered her to kill us."
"But you travel with demons," Momiji said, looking between said demons and Inuyasha with a deeply conflicted expression.
"Not all demons are the same," Kaede said sharply. "As priestesses, you would do well to remember that."
"Kirara has been fighting alongside slayers for more than a century," Sango added. "And Shippo has never hurt a human in his life!"
The priestesses shared a long glance and nodded slightly, both of them looking markedly uneasy.
"We will not take your word against hers," Botan said firmly. "But we will accompany you to our shrine."
"Be warned that we will not go easy on you if it turns out you've lied to us," Momiji warned grimly.
"Fair enough," Miroku nodded, grabbing a role of bandages from his robes. He tore off a strip and wound it several times around the wound on Sango's arm, earning him a tight nod and worried look from the slayer. Inuyasha was still growling softly beside them.
"This is taking too long," he hissed. "Who knows what Tsubaki might have done already?"
"Follow us," Momiji said, gesturing with her bo staff. She took the lead and the others followed, with Botan bringing up the rear.
The two priestesses set a quick pace through the forest. Inuyasha itched to run, to track down Tsubaki as quickly as possible and tear her to shreds, but there was no way in hell he was leaving his pack.
"I can't believe they actually made us fight ourselves," Sango grumbled, taking a dazed and grumpy Kirara from Kaede's arms.
Miroku shrugged tightly, trying not to aggravate his ribs. "It's all life experience."
Sango scowled. "I'm good on life experience. I don't need any more life experience. In fact, I could have stopped about five life experiences ago."
Miroku's smile turned into more of a grimace. "I'd laugh if it didn't hurt so much."
She eyed him skeptically. "The ribs or the sentiment?"
"Yes."
xXx
"It will open soon," Tsubaki said solemnly, sitting back on her heels.
Kagura sneered at the door of the pagoda. "And exactly what kind of demon's in there, anyway?"
Tsubaki's lips pulled into a smirk. "My master would never tell me the true extent of his power. Apparently it took a dozen priests just to seal him away. They feared him so much that generation after generation guarded him – they built a whole shrine around this place just to ensure that the door remained sealed."
The doors of the pagoda swung open. Tsubaki shot Kagura a wild grin and stepped inside. "He is said to be nearly as strong as a god."
"And you think you can control him like any other demon?" Kagura scoffed. "Even with the Jewel, that sounds like a bold move."
Tsubaki looked down at the Jewel glowing brightly in her palm. "It won't be the same as before. I can master the Jewel and use its power to subdue this demon! I don't intend for it all to end yet."
At the bottom of the steps, barely illuminated by the evening light streaming down the stairs, a giant ogre lay curled in a ball, a dozen sutras littering his skin, runes etched into the dirt and walls surrounding him.
"Well then," Kagura drawled. "I'd better leave you to it."
Tsubaki was silent, looking between the ogre and the Jewel. Kagura wasn't about to reassure her – the prospect of what she was about to do made Kagura sick to her stomach. But Tsubaki seemed to have been convinced, and both their lives determined on her following through with the plan. Kagura glanced back up the stairs, where she could sense trouble approaching.
xXx
"Do you feel that?" Inuyasha asked, picking up the pace and shoving past Momiji. "She's using the Jewel!"
"Why would she do such a thing?" Momiji asked, looking helplessly at Miroku and Sango.
They remained silent, merely tightened their grip on their weapons and pushed forward. Inuyasha marched forward, following the stone path leading to a large torii at the front of the shrine. It was nestled in between thick stone walls on either side, and had two large wooden doors set behind it in a modified gate. The various symbols carved and painted into the gate were all a mixture of Shinto, Buddhist, and Wuxing origins.
"Wait!" Botan cried out suddenly.
Inuyasha slowed but didn't stop, and was immediately seized by the barrier on the torii. He writhed under its power, the spiritual power crackling along his skin. Momiji rushed forwards to help, Miroku right behind her, but Inuyasha simply snarled and pushed forward. He broke through the barrier and the sutras lining the torii shrivelled and burned away. Momiji stopped in shock and Miroku brushed past her, grabbing Inuyasha's arm – the hanyou's eyes were glowing red.
"Hey!" Miroku said, gently but firmly. "Come back. You can't lose yourself now."
Inuyasha snarled at him but his eyes returned to their usual amber. He grasped Miroku's shoulder for a brief moment before he turned back to the large courtyard of the shrine. "Tsubaki! Show yourself, you coward!"
A strong pulse of youki drew their attention to the other end of the courtyard. Behind the shrine, a deep red glow was spreading from the pagoda. It rippled through the surrounding forest like smoke. All the humans immediately paled from the force of it, feeling nauseous. Inuyasha drew Tessaiga but his instincts told him to hang back. He didn't like this at all.
"She cannot have been so foolish," Kaede was saying softly, her eye wide with something approaching terror.
"What is it, Kaede?" Inuyasha asked, wary resignation already in his voice.
"I have heard stories of the monstrous demon trapped within that pagoda," Kaede continued quickly. "Surely, she could not be fool enough to release him."
"That's the forbidden tower!" Botan said sharply, tugging on Momiji's sleeve urgently.
"The barrier!" Momiji gasped, looking frantically at the walls surrounding the shrine. The youki had already reached the torii gate, and was spilling freely from it now that the protective sutras were gone. However, where it met the walls of the shrine, it crackled and pulsed as it was met with immense spiritual power.
"How many wards are in place to keep this demon sealed?" Miroku asked, looking around.
"The whole shrine was built to keep him from escaping, even should he wake!" Momiji said.
"The walls will contain his power," Botan added. "No other demons should be able to sense him."
"Lady Kaede," Miroku said quickly. "We must reseal the gate."
"Aye," Kaede nodded, and turned to Momiji and Botan. "You two, do ye know the spells used to bind the demon's youki?"
"Look there!" Sango shouted, pointing up at the trees surrounding the shrine. "It's too late!"
Dozens of weak demons were gathering around the outside of the shrine, some floating in the air, others crawling or slithering up the trunks of the trees. They all hovered outside the walls, none daring to approach.
"How the hell are they here already?" Inuyasha growled.
"Hurry!" Miroku shouted to Momiji and Botan, already running back to the torii. "We can't let them get inside!"
He flung his shoulder against one of the two large wooden doors and began to push it closed, Momiji and Botan quickly throwing their weight against the other. Sango also moved to help, and as soon as the door was closed, Miroku began placing sutras along its length. Botan pulled a handful of shrine sutras from her robes and began joining him, while Momiji rushed to a small storehouse to grab more. Inuyasha spun around, his ears flattening as a horribly familiar scent reached him through the stench of youki.
"You're all wasting your time, you know?" Kagura said casually, leaning against the shrine and examining her fan.
A light breeze was already swirling around the courtyard, picking up dust and swirling it along with the youki.
"Kagura," Inuyasha growled. "Don't tell me that Naraku's still controlling Tsubaki!"
"Whatever do you mean by that?" Kagura cooed, a tight smile spreading across her face. "We're simply offering friendly advice to one who so desperately needs it."
"What have you tricked her into doing?" Miroku asked, his eyes darting to the pagoda. "This isn't just some demon, is it?"
"I guess you'll have to wait and see," Kagura smiled, her eyes flashing. "We don't want to spoil the show, now do we?"
"The ritual's not complete!" Miroku realized suddenly. "She's stalling!"
"Damnit!" Inuyasha snarled, immediately leaping forwards, Tessaiga lifted above his head. Kagura's fan snapped open and a powerful wave of wind shot out to knock him back. Inuyasha pushed against it with his youki, but it he could feel it ripping against him, shoving him away. He landed hard and cast an anxious look back, to where Miroku and Sango had been pushed halfway across the courtyard. Kaede was still by the gate with Botan, and Momiji had emerged back from the storehouse, arms piled high with spiritual objects, eyes wide. Inuyasha spun back around just in time to dodge the white crescent blades shooting from Kagura's fan. He landed in between Miroku and Sango with a growl, Tessaiga held out protectively. But Kagura wasn't finished. She flung her fan out in a wide arc, shouting "Dance of the Dragon!"
A large twister filled with crackling youki formed in front of her, immediately spinning off to the side. Miroku gasped as he realized what her plan was. He ran towards it, heedless of Inuyasha's startled cry as he summoned all of his spiritual power into the head of his staff. He shouted at Kaede over his shoulder "Shoot it! Don't let it reach the walls!"
An arrow immediately flew over his head and struck the twister, dispelling it slightly with its spiritual power. Miroku rushed forwards and sliced through it with his staff, reducing it to nothing.
"Fool!" Kagura shouted, lifting her fan. "You can't stop the wind from blowing!"
Another twister formed, larger and more powerful this time. Inuyasha leapt at her, trying desperately to pull the Wind Scar to his mind – but the oppressive youki surrounding them was too much. He slashed at Kagura instead and she darted back, her twister dissipating. Instead, she threw another volley of blades at him. He knocked through several with Tessaiga but was forced back again. Kagura smirked at him and spun around, almost like she was dancing. Six twisters began to grow around the courtyard, one of them aiming for Inuyasha. He swore and cut through it with Tessaiga, looked desperately around at the others. Miroku was running for one closest to him, the head of his staff glowing with power. Sango threw Hiraikotsu at another, sutras hastily placed along its edge, but the wind caught it as it struck and flung it off to the side. Kaede's arrow met another two twisters, with Botan's sutras quickly following. Inuyasha watched helplessly as the final twister crashed into the wall to their right, slamming into the barrier which flared to life, revealing the large dome of spiritual power covering the shrine grounds. The twister slammed against the stone wall a few more times before dissipating, leaving deep cracks in its wake. Kagura wasted no time in a second attack.
"Demon!" Momiji shouted as she cut through one of the twisters with her bo staff. "How did you even get to the shrine? No demon can enter here!"
"Fool," Kagura smirked. "You left the doors open. Though I must admit – Tsubaki did most of the work. All I had to do was follow her inside."
"The barrier is stronger on the inside," Botan called to Miroku over the howling winds. "She won't be able to break through!"
"Think again!" Kagura shouted, throwing another wave of twisters at the walls. They gouged into the stone walls, and the barrier began to pulse. Kaede's arrows continued to fly through them and were beginning to litter the walls. Botan and Miroku's sutras were covering the ground, burnt and blackened from combatting the youki. Momiji was still desperately chasing after the twisters, cutting through them with her bo staff, but Miroku was struggling to follow suit. He was struggling to catch his breath, his ribs aching and the oppressive youki making his head spin. He saw Sango snatch Hiraikotsu from the ground, saw Kirara running for her, transforming as she did. Sango threw her weapon and Kagura immediately called up another twister to throw it off course. Miroku ran towards her, skidded to a stop, and opened the wind tunnel. Kagura's gaze snapped to him and she leapt into the air, throwing a wave of blades at him as she did so before landing on top of her giant feather. He grimaced as the blades flew into the void, thankfully none nicking at his skin – but he knew he had to be careful. He turned the wind tunnel away, aimed it at one of her twisters, pulling it off course, not lingering long enough to cause damage to the already scarred walls. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Kagura lift her fan again.
"No!" Inuyasha shouted, abandoning the twister he was chasing as he flung himself over Miroku. The monk gasped and shut the wind tunnel as Inuyasha shoved him to the ground, blocking the flood of blades with Tessaiga. Kagura lifted her fan and sent another volley at them, and then Kirara flew at her from the side, head-butting her from the air. Kagura fell from her feather and Hiraikotsu sped towards her. She barely caught it with another twister, and the weapon struck deep into the roof of the shrine just behind her. Kagura landed hard on the ground.
"Enough of this!" she snapped, fury in her eyes. She raised her fan and snapped it shut, and all the demons gathered around began to hurl themselves at the barrier. They tore at it with teeth and claws, none breaking through just yet. Miroku exchanged a vaguely panicked look with Inuyasha. There was nothing that any of them could do to stop the demons from this side of the barrier. As they watched, one of the demons wormed its way through. The barrier snapped closed around it, cutting its body in two, but it was the beginning of the end. With them distracted, Kagura sent out another wave of twisters.
"What do we do?" Sango asked, jumping off Kirara's back as she landed beside them. "We still have to get to Tsubaki!"
Inuyasha growled. "I won't be able to use the Wind Scar or Backlash Wave with this stupid youki around. I can't fight her properly."
They watched as the new wave of twisters reached the walls, heard the cracking of stone. Momiji and Botan were still desperately chasing after the twisters, but the others knew that it was too late. All it took was one to strike the wall just right, and the stone crumbled and the barrier dropped. Dozens of demons immediately flew at them. Miroku grimaced, raising his hand. No Wind Scar, no Backlash Wave, and Hiraikotsu still firmly stuck in the roof of the shrine.
"Miroku, no!" Inuyasha shouted, grabbing at his shoulder.
Miroku opened the wind tunnel, catching the main hoard of demons before they could reach the courtyard. They shrieked and tried to disperse, some managing to escape back into the forest, while most were sucked into the swirling vortex. But Miroku could still feel Inuyasha's fingers digging into his shoulder – and he'd made a promise, after all. He closed the wind tunnel again, satisfied to see that most of the demons had been sucked in, at least. Sango and Kirara were already reaching for Hiraikotsu. Inuyasha spun around and blocked another attack of blades from Kagura. Miroku ran for Momiji and Botan, who stood frozen, staring at the demons already creeping back over the walls.
"Have you ever fought before?" he asked, pulling the last handful of sutras from his robes. They both shook their heads, eyes wide. "Alright. Momiji, you come with me. Botan, stay near Kaede and Shippo. Try and combat them from a distance. Don't let any get close to you."
The priestesses nodded and vaulted into action, Botan snatching some of the objects that Momiji had collected from the storehouse on her way to Kaede's side. Miroku lifted his staff, the head glowing with spiritual power. Sure enough, the emerging demons read the threat and dove for him. He cut through them with his staff, exaggerating his movements for Momiji to follow. She stepped forward and cut through a demon that had lunged for his back, her training taking over despite her fear. He moved so they were back-to-back, keeping an eye on the others as they did so. Kirara was catching demons in the air, Sango on her back with Hiraikotsu flying. Inuyasha had turned his attention back to Kagura. Miroku cut through the demons that came for them, trusting Momiji more and more as her skill came to light. As the demons began to attack in earnest, Miroku glanced up to see white shapes shooting through the hoard. It took him a moment to recognize the paper figures. He glanced back at Botan, whose face was set in concentration as she chanted, sending the shikigami hurling after the demons. Kaede was behind her, arrow at the ready despite her rapidly emptying quiver. Shippo was on Botan's shoulder, foxfire swirling around them both. It seemed that no one was in immediate danger, but Miroku was still keenly aware of the fact that all of this was just a diversion. They couldn't afford to merely stand their ground – they had to stop Tsubaki!
As the hoard of demons in the sky began to noticeably thin, Miroku began to shift him and Momiji back towards the shrine. Botan seemed to understand what he was doing, and she sent another wave of shikigami into the sky, driving the demons back into the air, giving them a shot. Unfortunately, Miroku wasn't the only one to notice. Kagura's face twisted with fury as she shot another crescent blade at Inuyasha and then leapt into the air, soaring over the courtyard on her feather, sending a twister to clear away most of the shikigami. She landed lightly in front of Botan.
"No!" Momiji cried out, instantly running for them. "Leave her alone!"
Miroku followed her, feeling Inuyasha land by his side and stick close. Kagura was reaching for Botan but Shippo forced her back with a wave of foxfire. And then Momiji reached her, struck at her with her bo staff. The spiritual energy cracked along Kagura's shoulder where the staff fell and she staggered for a moment before she spun around angrily and caught Momiji by the throat. Botan snatched a dokko from the pile of objects and brought one of the two pointed ends of the metal tool down on Kagura's back. It wasn't the most traditional use, but Miroku couldn't begrudge her that.
"Let go of my sister!" she shouted, sending a pulse of spiritual power through the dokko.
Kagura snarled and released Momiji, instead grasping Botan's arm and raising her fan. Inuyasha landed behind her and cut through Kagura's back instead. She spun around and slashed her fan at him, driving him back with another volley of blades. Inuyasha snatched Momiji up off the ground and dragged her out of the way, blocking one of the blades with Tessaiga as he did so. Kagura raised her fan with and snarl and then forced them all back with a twister. She leapt high into the air, landing on her feather. Inuyasha crouched down to leap after her.
And then the pagoda exploded.
Wood splintered and broke along the base of the tower, shards flying out in all direction. The roof of the connecting shrine began to collapse in on itself as the walls were struck with holes. A giant red ogre emerged from the pagoda, rising well above the shrine. The demon's youki shot across the courtyard, bringing the humans to their knees and even Inuyasha gasped from its strength. It wasn't just demonic aura that swirled around them – the power of the Jewel was unmistakable. The demon rose to their full height, cackling, and Inuyasha's instincts were screaming that something was wrong. The remaining demons around the courtyard were shrieking and scattering in all directions, but then a blinding light shot from the ogre's right eye, and a powerful force began to draw the demons in. None of them could escape, and all disappeared into the eye, which pulsed with a red light. Inuyasha shook his head – it couldn't be…
"That's Tsubaki," Miroku whispered in horror.
As much as he didn't want to believe it, it was undeniable. Inuyasha could smell Tsubaki's scent mixed in with that of the ogre, saw her long grey hair falling down their back, saw her lilac eyes startlingly clear in their face.
"This isn't the same as before," Sango said, coming to stand beside them. "This is no shikigami. She's actually fused herself with the demon!"
"She's placed the Jewel in her right eye," Miroku reported grimly. "She'll be able to absorb anything now!"
Tsubaki cackled, both her voice and the ogre's coming through. "I never imagined it would be this powerful! If only it had been mine fifty years ago."
"Tsubaki!" Kaede called out, stepping towards her. "Do not do this. Look at what you have become!"
"I am all powerful!" Tsubaki shouted. "I have attained eternal life!"
"You have lost yourself!" Kaede said pleadingly. "This is not how you want to be."
"Shut up!" Tsubaki snapped. "What would a doddering old miko know about it?"
"You know me very well," Kaede said carefully, taking another step forwards despite Inuyasha's hissed protest. "I am Kaede. You know me."
"Kaede," Tsubaki said, only her voice sounding through, the ogre silent. "It can't be."
"It's not too late," Kaede insisted. "I know that ye do not wish to become the very thing you swore to fight." Tsubaki's face twisted in anguish, and Kaede pressed harder. "Look at those who would call you sister!" she pushed, gesturing at Momiji and Botan, who were watching Tsubaki with a look of absolute horror. "Do not lose yourself this way!"
The ogre squeezed their eyes shut, and there was a pulse of youki. But then they snarled, and the ogre's voice rejoined Tsubaki's. "Your opinions mean nothing to me! You are all mere weaklings. You will never know what true power is!"
"Think of all that you used to be," Kaede tried again desperately. "Remember what you used to fight for. Remember the days that we spent together, trying to keep the people safe!"
"Yes," Tsubaki said softly, looking down. "I remember those days." The ogre's eyes snapped up. "I remember when Kikyo stole the Jewel from me! It's all her fault! The Jewel should have been mine! That cold, smug, heartless-"
Inuyasha growled, grasping Tessaiga tighter. "Don't you dare insult her!"
"Silence!" the ogre shouted, a burst of youki shooting from their eyes. Inuyasha swore and hauled Miroku out of the way, Kirara leaping into the sky with Sango. The blast barely avoided Kaede, who didn't so much as flinch. "You cannot defend her, Inuaysha. You're the one who killed her!"
Inuyasha's ears flattened to his skull and he snarled. "That's not true! It was Naraku-"
"Her powers were weak because of you," Tsubaki hissed. "Because she was in love with you. I made sure of it!"
Kaede's heartbeat stuttered and rose as she whispered "No."
"What do you mean?" Inuyasha asked, glancing between the two of them. "Your curse failed!"
Tsubaki laughed. "She may have repelled my shikigami, but she was powerless against a more subtle curse. She knew that falling in love would lead to her death, and yet she persisted."
"You liar!" Inuyasha shouted, and he flung himself at the ogre. They easily batted him from the air with the back of their hand, sending him flying and crashing into the storehouse. Miroku shared a wide-eyed look with Sango as Kirara leapt at Tsubaki, Hiraikotsu flying towards their right eye. The weapon struck a strong spiritual barrier around Tsubaki and clattered to the ground. Miroku ground his teeth as he glanced around wildly for a solution to present itself. Inuyasha was picking himself up off the ground, his eyes flashing red. Momiji and Botan had drawn Kaede back, but they were looking terrified – besides, he didn't have enough of a grasp of their powers or the resources at the shrine to come up with a real plan. He knew that they needed to find a way for Inuyasha to use the Wind Scar or else-
Inuyasha threw himself at Tsubaki, leaving Tessaiga lying in the rubble of the storehouse.
"Sango!" Miroku shouted, already running back towards the sword. "He's transforming!"
Inuyasha landed on the shattered roof of the shrine and tore at Tsubaki's barrier, his youki flaring around him. The purple markings were already appearing on his cheeks, his claws lengthening. Sango swore and leapt off Kirara's back onto the roof, trusting Inuyasha's pack instincts. He whirled around as she approached, eyes wide and red. She pushed on regardless, careful not to draw her weapon. He snarled and turned back to Tsubaki, tearing at the barrier with frantic intensity. The ogre lifted a hand to swat Sango away. Inuyasha froze. Then he crashed into her, carrying them both off the roof and to the ground. No sooner had they touched down then Inuyasha pushed Sango away, back towards where Kirara had landed, and flung himself back at Tsubaki. Sango grimaced. It was something, at least, but they still needed to get him back!
Miroku reached her side with Tessaiga grasped in his hands. She nodded and they both jumped onto Kirara's back. But then Tsubaki shot out a hand and snatched Inuyasha, dropping the barrier at the same time. Inuyasha snarled and slashed with his claws, cutting deep into the ogre's skin. Storm clouds were beginning to gather overhead. Tsubaki's right eye began to glow. Sango swore and threw Hiraikotsu, and this time the weapon struck a deep gouge down Tsubaki's cheek. They cried out and stumbled back, dropping Inuyasha as they did so. The hanyou crashed to the ground below them.
Miroku grimaced and flung himself off Kirara's back, aiming for Inuyasha. His partner was already scrambling to his feet, ready to attack Tsubaki again, but he spun around as he heard Miroku falling. His eyes widened and he shot towards him, grabbing him from the air. They touched down a little less gently than usual, but Inuaysha's arms were strong around him. Miroku unceremoniously shoved Tessaiga against Inuyasha's chest. Inuyasha snarled and shoved at the sword, though the red was already bleeding from his eyes.
"I can't," he gasped, his voice still a deep growl. "I can't fight her with Tessaiga!"
"Take it!" Miroku insisted, guiding Inuyasha's hand to the hilt. "I promise, we'll think of something!"
A roar came from behind them and then power burst from Tsubaki's eyes once more, aiming for them. Inuyasha swore and leapt out of the way, Miroku still clutched in his arms. As soon as they hit the ground, Miroku was dragging him back to where the others stood, under the cover of Hiraikotsu.
"You two!" he said to Momiji and Botan. "You need to purify the area!"
The priestesses' eyes were wide with fear. "We can't…" Botan said softly.
"I've seen how powerful you are," Miroku said firmly, snatching the discarded dokko from the ground and pressing it into her hands. "Kaede, lead the spell. We'll make sure they can't get to you."
Kaede nodded and placed her hands over the dokko in Botan's grip. She began chanting and Botan nodded slowly – it was a well know purification ritual. She joined in and Momiji soon followed suit. A wave of spiritual power began slowly spreading across the courtyard. Miroku grabbed Shippo as he saw the kit grimace and carried him back to Inuyasha. His partner was blinking firmly, his eyes still occasionally flashing red, though he gripped Tessaiga tightly with white knuckles. Miroku waved Kirara over and tossed Shippo up to her – they would both have to stay away from the courtyard for the time being to keep from being harmed by the spiritual energy.
Inuyasha grimaced as Tessaiga transformed in his hands. The power clashed with his youki, but it forced it to settle, kept it from taking over. He let out a shuddering breath and focused all his fear and helplessness into the sword. As the overwhelming youki seeping from Tsubaki finally began to fade, he could finally see the Wind Scar beginning to form in his mind. The ogre roared and crashed through the remainder of the shrine, stepping fully into the courtyard. Inuyasha wasted no time in pulling the power into Tessaiga, and he unleashed the Wind Scar with a growl. The lines of power blasted Tsubaki back, cutting deep into their flesh. It wasn't enough. The wounds pulsed with youki and began to heal. Inuyasha leapt at them, landed on their arm and plunged Tessaiga down, but the blade stuck in the thick hide, barely breaking through. He swore and fell back as a giant hand tried to slap him away.
The ogre raised a hand to the sky, and thunder began to sound within the gathering clouds. A ball of lightning began to form in their hand. Miroku darted forwards and ripped the mala from his hand, aiming the void at the crackling ball of energy before Tsubaki could use it. The ogre roared and hurled the ball at him instead. It struck the ground right in front of him, causing the ground to shatter and split open. Miroku grimaced as the chunks of rock and earth began to fly into his hand. The dust had barely cleared when he saw Tsubaki raise a clenched fist, clearly intent on bringing it down upon him. Inuyasha growled and leapt at him first, snatching him up in his arms and darting away. Hiraikotsu glanced off the ogre's extended arm, but it barely left a mark on the skin. As Inuyasha landed, Miroku tried to regain his feet, but Inuyasha just clutched him tighter to his chest. His ears were pinned back and his eyes were wild.
"Yash," Miroku said sharply, grabbing his chin and forcing him to look at him. "We have to move quickly, while the others can keep the youki at bay. You have to use the Wind Scar again, alright?"
Inuyasha growled but reluctantly put Miroku down, drew Tessaiga again. He hurled another Wind Scar at Tsubaki, caught them with four of the blazing lines of power. Tsubaki cried out and stumbled back. Inuyasha didn't relent, pulling another Wind Scar forward and then another. The ogre was pushed back steadily until their back struck the pagoda, causing the already unsteady tower to sway dangerously under the force.
"You wretched half-breed!" Tsubaki shouted, and their youki flared. "Kikyo could not have you, but I can!"
Their right eye began to glow fiercely. Inuyasha swore and dug Tessaiga into the ground, trying to resist the increasingly powerful vortex pulling at him.
"No!" Miroku shouted, pushing in front of Inuyasha and opening the wind tunnel. The air seared with power as the two curses met, and crackling energy began to shoot out in all directions. As the wind tunnel began to overtake the power of Tsubaki's eye, they shrieked and relinquished the attack, instead drawing another ball of lightning to their hand. Bolts began to shoot down from the sky, striking all over the courtyard. A bolt struck at Inuyasha and Miroku's feet, sending them flying back. Inuyasha wrapped his arms around Miroku and shifted their bodies in the air so that he crashed into the ground, shielding the human as best he could. Lightning struck all around them. The sky had grown completely dark with the swirling black clouds.
The ball of energy had grown in Tsubaki's palm, and they lifted their hand to hurl it at the others below. Inuyasha snatched up Tessaiga, pulled the Wind Scar to his mind, and sent the attack flying back at Tsubaki. The blow caught the lightning up in its path, sending both crashing over them. The ogre cried out and fell to their knees, the doubled attack crackling over their skin. Inuyasha landed back in front of Miroku, breathing hard. He lifted Tessaiga once more, the blade glowing with amber energy, looking over Tsubaki's bleeding form – it wouldn't take more than one last strike to end this.
And then a familiar laugh echoed from the swirling sky, which had taken on a distinctly purple hue.
xXx
Kikyo watched intently as the youki around the shrine shifted, a more malevolent spirit seeping forth like a stain. This was what she'd been waiting for.
xXx
Saimyosho emerged from the clouds in a giant swarm, sitting in the air above them in a writhing mass. And then Naraku floated down, the hood of his baboon pelt pushed back. Miroku's heart sank – he wanted them to see his face, to know that this was really him. He wanted them to see him and know that there was nothing they could do to stand against him. His fingers clenched around his mala beads even though he knew that the Saimyosho were there specifically to keep him from acting. Naraku landed on the pagoda behind Tsubaki, grinning.
Inuyasha snarled and lifted Tessaiga again – he had a clear shot! Miroku's eyes widened and he shot forward to grab his arm. "Wait!" he shouted. "Look!"
Kanna's face was poking out from behind Naraku, barely visible. Her mirror was clutched in her hands.
"She'll deflect the Wind Scar right back at you!" Miroku said fiercely when Inuyasha didn't immediately lower his sword.
Naraku laughed. Tsubaki spun around to face him, still reeling from blood loss and pain. He surveyed them coolly. "Tsubaki, you disappoint me," he said in a low, silky voice. "I put so much faith in you, and yet you couldn't kill even one of them."
Dozens of demonic tendrils burst from his back, and began winding around Tsubaki's arms and neck. They began dragging the ogre back, towards Naraku, whose body was slowly growing and opening as more and more tendrils began to cover Tsubaki from head to toe. Inuyasha growled and lifted Tessaiga again – he didn't care if Kanna was there! He couldn't let Naraku get a hold of Tsubaki! But Naraku's tendrils were shooting across the courtyard, aiming for all of them. Inuyasha cut through several aimed at him, watched Miroku do the same with his staff. Sango and Kirara strode through the air, cutting off as many as possible with Hiraikotsu. But he watched one tendril land solidly on the dokko that Kaede and the young priestesses held. The tendril immediately began to bubble and sizzle, but the damage was done – Momiji and Botan shrieked and dropped the artifact, and the purification around the courtyard vanished under a new wave of youki.
Inuyasha swore as the Wind Scar vanished from his mind, Tessaiga's blade losing its glow under the oppressive demon aura. Naraku laughed, floating down from the pagoda to better access Tsubaki. Inuyasha looked frantically at Miroku, then Sango, but both wore painfully blank expressions as they desperately tried to figure out what to do! Sango threw Hiraikotsu again, cutting through several of the tendrils grasping Tsubaki, even though they knew it wouldn't make a difference. Sure enough, one of the tendrils snagged the weapon from the air and threw it to the ground. Inuyasha looked down at the sword in his hands. If he couldn't fight with Tessaiga… He saw Miroku staring at him, saw the horror and pleading in his eyes. No. He wouldn't transform for this. He wouldn't throw away his control – but Naraku was drawing Tsubaki in! There had to be something!
"Naraku!" a familiar voice sounded from the shrine gates, and they all spun around. Kikyo strode into the courtyard, notched an arrow to her bow, and sent it flying at him. It struck him solidly in the chest, sent him flying back. Some of the tendrils holding the ogre snapped, and the dying creature resumed their desperate struggle to escape. Naraku's eyes narrowed dangerously. He began dragging Tsubaki towards him in earnest, his body wrapping around the ogre to absorb them into himself. Miasma began to leak from the wound at his chest, swirling towards them in a deadly cloud.
Sango swore and shoved her mask onto her face, tying it deftly behind her head as she shouted a Kirara "Get the others out of here!"
Kirara nodded and she leapt off her back, landing beside Miroku and Inuyasha, who were both pulling on their masks as well. Kirara bounded towards Kaede and the priestesses, where Shippo urged them to climb onto her back as quickly as possible. Sango glanced over at Kikyo, who had another arrow notched, the spiritual power pulsing from it dispelling the miasma around her. She drew back the arrow and fired, striking Naraku again. He cried out and the Saimyosho dove, swarming her. Inuyasha immediately leapt over her, scattering the insects with his flashing claws. Sango cast a quick glance at Miroku, just to make sure he wasn't even thinking of so much as touching his mala beads, and then followed after with her sword. Miroku followed suit with his staff and together they drove the insects back. But Tsubaki had almost entirely disappeared into Naraku.
Kikyo watched blankly, feeling nothing but pity for the once-priestess. Despite all that she had done to her, she would have never wished this fate upon Tsubaki. As Inuyasha and his companions fought around her, driving the Saimyosho back, she aimed another arrow at Tsubaki. It struck the ogre's right eye, pierced deep into the Jewel. Both Tsubaki and Naraku cried out as the ogre's body began to dissolve, the Jewel working its way free as it was purified. Naraku began to lift into the air, pulling Tsubaki in even as the ogre body began to break apart. The Jewel fell from the ogre's eye. Inuyasha leapt towards it.
Kagura dove, snatching the Jewel from the air. She smirked at the hanyou's stricken expression, though she didn't feel any victory in it. She pulled Kanna onto her feather as well and followed Naraku back into the sky, the Saimyosho buzzing around them. As they all disappeared into the cloud of miasma, one of the insects landed on her hand and pulled the gem free. She let it go without a fight. She had no idea if she'd pushed far enough back into Naraku's favour, but she supposed that she'd soon find out.
"Damn it!" Inuyasha swore, digging Tessaiga into the ground. "Damn it all! He got away! He got Tsubaki! Fuck!"
Miroku leaned heavily against his staff, blinking the miasma from his eyes, and looked warily at Kikyo. She was still staring up at the direction that Naraku had gone, her face blank and impassive. Eventually, she turned to give him a measured look, and then began to make her way back to the shrine gates.
"Kikyo!" Inuyasha called after her. "Wait! What were you doing here? Were you there the whole time?"
"I knew that Naraku would not leave one so powerful at Tsubaki to die," Kikyo said flatly. "I knew that my presence, had he sensed it or seen me, may have prevented him from coming."
"Seen you?" Sango asked. "Do you mean he was watching this whole time?"
Kikyo smiled humourlessly. "He is always watching. Through the mirror, he can see all."
With that, she began to walk away. Inuyasha growled softly, pulling the mask from his face. He looked around at the ruins of the shrine and storehouse, the crumbled walls and the pagoda which had nearly toppled. The youki and miasma had all faded, leaving only the scent of Tsubaki's blood lying thickly in the air. A deep hollowness pressed against his chest. All that for nothing. They had fallen for yet another of Naraku's traps! He wanted to swear and yell – to kill something – but mostly he just felt tired. He shoved Tessaiga back in its sheath, sniffed over Miroku and Sango to see how bad it was. Sango's arm was still bleeding from the fight with the double, but otherwise she was unharmed. Miroku's scent was thick with pain and he moved stiffly, guarding his ribs, but at least there was no poison clinging to him.
"Come on," the monk said tiredly. "We'd better go tell the others that it's safe to return."
The other two nodded tiredly and followed him through the courtyard, where they waved Kirara down. Momiji and and Botan's faces were pale and drawn, while Kaede had a knowing glower.
"We saw that huge demon drag Tsubaki away," Momiji said in a hushed whisper, as though the mere mention of him might cause him to return.
"The Jewel?" Kaede asked, and they shook their heads.
Momiji and Botan looked past them to the ruins of their shrine.
"Will you two be alright?" Miroku asked gently. "We've left you in a bit of a state."
"We'll be fine," Botan said quietly. "There's a village nearby that knows us. We can go to them for help in rebuilding the shrine."
"And the ogre's gone now," Momiji said thoughtfully. "We aren't bound to stay here anymore."
"You are welcome to come to my village to visit whenever ye like," Kaede said with a small smile. "We shall help however we can."
"Indeed," Botan said, bowing deeply. "Thank you very much for your kind offer, and forgive us for our rash behaviour before. We see now how wrong we were."
"It wasn't your fault," Inuyasha sighed. "You were tricked by Tsubaki, and Tsubaki was tricked by Naraku."
"Naraku," Momiji frowned. "Was that the demon that took Tsubaki?"
"Yes," Miroku said. "And the one we have been pursuing for many months now."
The priestesses exchanged a look. "Do you need any assistance?" Botan asked hesitantly.
Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango shared a glance, reading the answer in each other's expressions. Miroku sighed. "No. It is a kind offer, but no one should pursue Naraku if they can escape him."
Momiji and Botan looked confused at his answer, but didn't press.
"Are you sure we can't help clean up the shrine?" Sango asked, but they shook their heads.
"Take care, all of you," Botan said, smiling at Shippo.
"You can always come to us for help if you need it," Momiji added seriously.
They waved goodbye and started back through the forest path on foot. Shippo and Kaede still rode on Kirara's back, but the others needed to cool down from the battle. Sango caught Miroku's shoulders and gave them a gentle squeeze, and he sent her a small smile. They both glanced behind them, to where Inuyasha was dragging his feet and staring hard at the ground.
He couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe that after everything, Naraku had just swooped in and taken not only the Jewel, but Tsubaki as well. He had no idea if Kikyo's last arrow had killed her, or if she was now part of Naraku as well. That monster. It wasn't just that he'd tricked Tsubaki into doing his dirty work – he'd made her just like him. A human who'd fused their body with demons, had lost their humanity on the way… Was that what he'd needed to absorb her? Or was there some other reason? Had Tsubaki freely chosen to merge with an ogre? He shook his head. It didn't matter, in the end. Naraku had gotten his way. He had the Jewel again.
A faint rustle in the trees made him pause and turn. He caught Kikyo's scent even before he saw her watching him. She made no move to go to him. He held her gaze for a long moment. Had she really been there the whole time? Just watched and done nothing, just so she could lure Naraku out?
"Inuyasha?" Miroku called gently from down the path.
"Yeah," Inuyasha said, and he turned back around. "Coming."
She didn't call after him. He didn't look back.
xXx
They sat around the fire in Kaede's hut, staring into the flames. Even though it was well into the night, and they were all exhausted, none of them could get to sleep just yet.
"I shall fetch some water for tea," Kaede said eventually, pushing to her feet.
"I'll come with you," Inuyasha said, waving Shippo down as he moved to do the same. He snatched a bucket from the floor and followed Kaede outside. She didn't look at him, merely led them both over to the well. He filled the bucket silently, then set it against the lip of the well, unmoving. Finally, he looked at Kaede. "Did you know? About the other curse?"
Kaede sighed. "Yes."
Her direct answer shocked him, made him shrink back. "So it's true? Tsubaki put a curse on Kikyo and she died because she loved me?"
"It is impossible to say," Kaede said softly. "I know that Tsubaki placed the curse on Kikyo several months before she attempted to take the Jewel from her, when she attacked with her shikigami. It was before Kikyo had met you, as well. Kikyo told me not to worry, that the curse would not come true."
"So Tsubaki's lying?" he pressed. "I didn't kill her?"
Kaede's gaze was firm as she turned to him. "No matter what, Inuyasha, you did not kill her. Tsubaki told Kikyo that she would die if she fell in love, but Kikyo was not one to be subdued by a petty spell. I truly believe that she found a way to break the curse, or limit its power. She was slain by Naraku's hand, and no one else's."
Inuyasha growled softly, stared into the night. "She should never have pursued me. If she knew-"
"She pursued ye because she took a liking to you," Kaede cut him off smoothly. "We both know that she was too stubborn to have let anything dissuade her. She chose to be with you. Naraku chose to kill her and trick you both. That is all there is to it."
"Naraku still used me to get to her," Inuyasha said. "Even though I didn't know it. She still died because of me. I'm dangerous to be around."
Kaede unceremoniously smacked him on the back of his head. He yelped and shot her a wounded look. "Fool," she muttered. "Danger is all around us. Naraku brings some of it, as does the Shikon Jewel. Neither of those are your doing. Stop placing yourself in a position for others to blame you. No one does." He looked away sharply, but she wasn't done. "When you pursued Kikyo, you were one of hundreds trying to get the Jewel. You were the only one who didn't try to kill her for it."
"Yeah, well," he shrugged noncommittally.
"And I still remember the day you saved me," Kaede added quietly. This caused him to meet her gaze. "You had no cause to. You brushed it off as though it were nothing, but you saved me from a demon who would have used me to force Kikyo to hand over the Jewel. That was when I knew that I could trust you. That was why I allowed you back into my village fifty years later. You do not bring danger, Inuyasha. You save us from it."
He was struck into silence. He wanted to believe her, but a lifetime of peril and hurt held him back. He thought of all the dangers that had come after his pack in recent months. As much as he felt otherwise, he supposed the only one that he could really claim responsibility for was Sesshomaru. Everything else was the Jewel shards or Naraku or just…luck. And he hated it. Because if it wasn't his fault, somehow his doing, then who the hell's was it? There had to be some reason for all the horrors he and his pack had endured. He sighed deeply, curled his hands into fists.
"How am I supposed to fight back against it all?" he asked quietly. "How can I keep them safe?"
"The same way you have been," Kaede said, picking up the bucket and heading back towards her hut. "Though you do not have to do it alone."
xXx
Inuyasha settled into Miroku's arms as the monk draped a blanket over them.
"You alright?" Miroku asked softly, threading his fingers through the long strands of white hair.
"I wasn't really hurt," Inuyasha shrugged, pressing his nose against Miroku's collarbone.
"That's not what I asked," Miroku murmured. "You transformed again, today."
Inuyasha sighed, pushed back just enough so he could look Miroku in the eye. "I know. A lot happened today. I still don't know how to deal with it. So maybe I'm not okay right now, but I will be."
Miroku's gaze softened and he offered him a small, sad smile. "Alright, then."
He pulled Inuyasha down into a gentle kiss, wrapped his arms around him again and held him tightly. Inuyasha pressed his ear against Miroku's chest, letting the even heartbeats settle his own. He glanced down at Miroku's palm, which rested on his side. The mala beads reflected the light of the fire. Maybe he'd killed Kikyo, maybe he hadn't. The guilt was present regardless – as was the gnawing certainty that she had changed. Twice, now, she'd come upon them in battle and left before it was done – left them to their fate. He couldn't find it in himself to blame her for it, but more and more he could see that she wasn't the woman he'd known all those years ago. He couldn't tell what she was after, anymore. He just didn't understand.
What he knew with absolute certainty was that he wasn't going to let anyone else he loved die. Naraku's escape still weighed heavily on his mind, reminding him that time was of the essence. So long as that monster was still after them, no one was safe. He would track down that villain and end his misery, once and for all.
I don't really know where this chapter went, but there you have it
