Warnings continued for this chapter: threats of violence and death, threats of ritual sacrifice, canonical character death, very angry people, gratuitous backstory
Inuyasha and Kouga attacked together, driving the cats away from each other. Inuyasha hurled the Wind Scar at Shūran, who leapt out of the way only for Kouga to crash into him in the air, kicking him in the head. Shunran lifted into the air, pink petals swirling around her hands. Inuyasha wasn't about to let her knock him out.
"Get out of my way," he growled.
"No," Shunran said easily. "I don't think I will. You can try to get past us, if you'd like."
Inuyasha leapt at her as she laughed, but her body dissolved into petals. She appeared behind him, but then another sprang up from the ground and another floated into the air in front of him. He swore, trying to trace a heartbeat between the sound of her laughter emanating from all the illusions. It was useless to try and find her scent – the forest stank of flowers. After wasting precious moments in indecision, Inuyasha growled and threw himself at the one which stood between him and the castle. It didn't matter which one was real so long as he could escape and get to Miroku! If he left Kouga behind to deal with both siblings, so much the better. But then Shunran dropped onto his back and dug her claws into his shoulders, throwing both of them to the side.
Kouga kicked at Shūran again and again, forcing him further and further back. The large cat leader growled, and the rest of his clan attacked. Kouga didn't so much as flinch as the rest of his wolves rushed forward, crashing into the incoming cats and leaving him free to fight. Shūran's fist began to glow with crackling lightning and Kouga jumped out of the way as the strike cracked the earth at his feet. He bounded off a nearby tree and shot at the cat, who swung fiercely at his legs and connected solidly with his shin. Kouga swore and twisted out of the way, skidding to a stop along the forest floor. His left leg screamed at him, and he knew that the bone had cracked. He saw Inuyasha throw a worried look in his direction, but he grinned with no humour.
Shūran lifted a hand as more lightning collected at his fingers, and Kouga swore as he dodged. This cat wasn't the worst opponent on his own, but that lightning could be deadly. Pulling on the power of the Jewel shards, Kouga charged at the lead demon, knocking him to the ground. He swung a fist, aiming for his head, but Shūran curled his knees to his chest and his feet struck hard into Kouga's belly, flinging him off and knocking the air from his lungs. He fell back, clutching his abdomen, and the rest of his pack charged. The wolves had been tearing the spears from the hands of the cat demons, and Ginta snatched one from the ground and tossed it at Hakkaku. Hakkaku caught it easily and threw it at Shūran. The blade struck the cat's arm as he lifted it to defend himself. He roared and ripped it from his flesh, and snapped it in two with one hand.
Inuyasha shoved Shunran away from himself again and again, ignoring the claws which gouged into his skin. He didn't have time for this! His heart was climbing into his throat and the outside world was beginning to blur as panic crept over him. He'd wasted so long, and he needed to get to Miroku now! The ceremony was starting! He caught one of Shunran's arms and dragged her over his head before flinging her forward. She flipped in the air and landed lightly on her feet. Immediately, five versions of her rose into the air. Inuyasha snarled, breathing hard, Tessaiga glowing.
"What are you doing, Inuyasha?" an indignant voice shrieked behind him, and Inuyasha didn't even bother glaring in Jaken's direction. "How can you still be wasting so much time?"
"Shut up," Inuyasha hissed, his vision flashing red.
"Such a disappointing display," the imp muttered, scurrying forward to stand in front of him. "Lord Sesshomaru would have dispatched with these opponents long ago! As it is, allow me to dispel these cheap illusions."
He lifted his staff and fire billowed from one of the two heads. The five Shunrans immediately scattered, and four of them disappeared into nothing while the last surrounded herself in pink petals. Inuyasha leapt over Jaken's head and hurled a Wind Scar at her. Flowers exploded in all directions and Shunran flipped up into the air just above the wave of power, her pink youki flaring visibly around her.
"Not bad for a little imp," she said easily, though Inuyasha could hear her heart pounding.
"Do not underestimate my power!" Jaken said haughtily.
Inuyasha leapt for her, but the petals in the air all flew towards him and began swirling around him, in a tighter and tighter cocoon. He swore and tore at them with his claws, but he couldn't see anything other than a wall of pink!
Aka crashed into Kouga and dragged them both out of the way as lightning struck the ground where he'd stood. They both took shelter behind a tree as Kouga grimaced at the pain in his leg. He wouldn't be able to move as quickly as he needed to if that stupid cat attacked again. Shūran laughed, drawing more power to his fists.
"What's the matter, puppy?" he called out. "Not holding back on my account, are you? Come and get me! Fight me if you dare!"
Kouga crouched down, ready to attack, when Inuyasha's angry shout drew his attention. The mutt had dropped to the ground and was surrounded by a swirling vortex of petals. Shunran floated down to stand in front of him, slowly lifting a spear. Kouga leapt high into the air, dodging to avoid the lightning which shot past him, and kicked Shūran in the head. He sprang off the cat, knocking him to the ground as he did so, and crashed into Shunran before her weapon could strike true. She gasped in surprise and scrambled away from him. Kouga ran around Inuyasha a few times, ignoring the burning which laced up his leg as the winds generated from his speed sent the petals flying away from the hanyou. Inuyasha met his gaze as his youki flared around him, burning off the remaining flowers. Suddenly his eyes widened and Kouga instinctively ducked Shūran's swinging fist.
"You're too slow!" the larger cat demon shouted, raising a hand crackling with lightning.
"Oh no I'm not!" Kouga shouted, jumping into the air.
The Wind Scar flew towards Shūran and he flung himself out of the way, and Kouga's fist connected with his chest with a defined crack. Shūran gasped and stumbled back, blood leaking from the open wound. He winced in pain and glanced back at Shunran's nervous expression.
"Retreat," Shūran said in a low voice, and the remaining cat demons immediately leapt to his side. Shunran lifted a hand and flowers flew towards Inuyasha, Kouga, and the wolf pack.
"You've fought well," Shunran's voice drifted through the wall. "Let's continue this at the castle."
When the petals drifted down to the ground, all the cats had disappeared.
"Damn it!" Kouga swore viciously. "I'm getting sick and tired of these slippery bastards!"
Inuyasha didn't answer, merely took off at a run towards the castle walls. Kouga sighed and spared a moment to look over his pack. There were many more wounds than there had been before, the wolves in especially rough shape.
"You all patrol the grounds," he told them. "Chase off any cats you find. You four," he turned to his demons. "Follow me."
He took off after Inuyasha, snatching the shrieking imp from the ground as he did so.
xXx
Sesshomaru pulled Tokijin from its sheath just in time to block the wave of fire which Karan threw at him. He poured his youki into the sword, and blue light shone from the blade as it parted the flames around him. Karan was a fool if she thought she could stand against him with such weak attacks. He swung Tokijin around and sent a blast of power towards her, forcing her to leap into the air. She landed closer to the gate, backed against the wall. He saw her eyes flash and a giant ball of fire formed between her hands. He lifted Tokijin and pulled more power to the blade.
"You always did think you were better than us," she hissed, lifting the flaming orb above her head.
"And I have proven it every time," he said quietly.
She threw the ball of fire at him and he met it with a blast from his sword, and the two attacks collided in the air. As a fiery youki enveloped her whole body, Karan poured more and more fire from her hands. But the beam of power shooting from Tokijin began to pierce through the flames, and after a moment where time seemed to stretch around them, it shot forwards and struck Karan head-on. She was thrown back against the gate which cracked under the impact before she fell, over the side of the bridge into the watery ravine below. Her flames extinguished with a sizzle. Sesshomaru watched with disdain. So, she didn't even have the power to maintain her demon fire against a little water? Pathetic.
Karan twisted around to glare at him, pushing to her hands and knees. He saw her eyes land on Tokijin as power rose around the blade. She knew she couldn't escape. He lifted his sword and sent a blast of power racing towards her. An ice spear crashed to the ground right in front of Karan and exploded into a solid wall. The blast crashed into it and cracked the ice to pieces, but Karan was left unharmed. Sesshomaru turned to glare at Tōran, who stood just inside the open gates, her expression pinched and drawn. When she met his eyes, her lips twisted into a familiar mocking smile.
"What a surprise," she said, crossing her arms pointedly. "And here I thought you were even weaker, now."
"And what do you mean by that?" he asked coldly.
"You're short an arm," she observed. "I wonder, who could have done such a thing to the mighty Sesshomaru?" The look on her face told him that she knew exactly who had done it, and he found his lips curling into a snarl. "I'm just miffed that I wasn't the one to do it myself, if it's that easy."
She leapt at him and he swung Tokijin around to block the shards of ice which went flying at him. She formed another ice spear in her hands as she landed in front of him and the blades clashed with a flurry of sparks and youki flaring. He pushed her back, summoning his poison whip from his fingers as they curled around Tokijin's hilt and fused with the sword's aura. Strands of green and red broke through the blue as his grasp over the sword's power began to slip. Tōran's sharp eyes darted to the sword and he saw something flash across her face. She sprang back, summoning a blizzard around her which shone with youki as a ball of concentrated energy formed before her. Sesshomaru lifted Tokijin. She was as much a fool as her sister, then. Her ice attack crashed into the blast from Tokijin and exploded outwards. Sesshomaru leapt back to avoid the power which rippled out in all directions, shattering the rock of the bridge and sending mist and smoke curling through the air.
As the power settled, he saw Tōran and Karan standing back at the gate, watching him. Tōran smiled. "It's been most diverting fighting you again," she said with faux sweetness. "But I'm afraid it's time for us to go. We'll be waiting for you. I'm sure my master longs to see you again."
Both of their auras flared to life, fire and ice clashing together to send a wall of fog spilling over the bridge and obscuring his view. Sesshomaru sent another wave of power through the gate to clear the air, unsurprised to find both the cats gone. He stalked through the gate and into the courtyard, letting the scents wash over him. He could easily make out Tōran on the other side of the castle grounds, accompanied by what smelled like dozens of others. The entire clan must have come for this invasion. He started forward but his attention was drawn by sounds coming from his right. He could see several cats herding a small group of humans along an en, towards where the ceremony must be occurring.
Sesshomaru leapt, cutting through each of the cat demons in turn. The humans screeched and scrambled back before dropping to their knees, begging for mercy. He surveyed them coolly. Their scents matched those left behind in the abandoned human village, but there was another, more familiar smell hovering around a few of them. Inuyasha's human, it would seem. The man himself wasn't amongst these mortals, but in all likelihood he was nearby.
"Tell me what purpose the cats sought from you," he told the frightened humans.
"They want our souls," one of them exclaimed. "I heard one of their leaders before they caught us again. They need us for this ceremony they've started."
Sesshomaru nodded and looked over in the direction of Tōran's scent. They were serious about Lord Oyakata's resurrection, it would seem. He started towards the site of the ceremony, increasing his pace as he heard the screams of even more humans nearby. He rounded the side of one of the buildings and came upon another courtyard, packed with dozens of cats all surrounding the giant mummified husk of Lord Oyakata. Even slouched over in a curled seated position, the old cat rose as tall as any tree. His armour still adorned his body, though the withered flesh hardly filled it out as it once had. An altar sat between him and Tōran, Karan, and Shunran, covered in ceremonial objects and five Jewel shards. Shunran must have been studying for some time to come up with this one. Tōran was speaking quietly to her sisters, glancing up at the moon which rose directly overhead. The three of them then looked over to the main castle, where Shūran was leading several more cat demons surrounding another herd of humans towards the altar. Sesshomaru quickly caught sight of Inuyasha's two humans. Oddly, his brother's mortal pets were the only two with their hands bound behind them with rope.
Sesshomaru stepped forward and lifted Tokijin. Tōran glanced over her shoulder at him, but looked unperturbed. He leapt at Oyakata, only to collide with an invisible barrier stretching over the old cat like a dome. The power raced along Tokijin and threw him back, Tōran's laugh ringing in his ears.
"Did you really think we'd let you in?" she smiled. "You just wait right there. It is time for our master to arise, and soon you will be giving your life for him."
Sesshomaru watched as the humans were shoved to their knees beside the altar, and sought out the eyes of Inuyasha's humans. They were both tight-lipped and pale, but their heartbeats were calm and even compared to those around them. He wondered if he would be able to use them somehow. He reached out with Tokijin and tapped the blade against the barrier once more, but no, he would not be able to break through it alone.
Miroku's attention was drawn back to the colossal body of the cat demon before them as Shunran lifted the bowl containing the Jewel shards up into the air, whispering something indistinct as her youki flared around her. Those of her siblings soon followed, and so did those of the other gathered cat demons a moment later. Miroku could barely make out the power flowing from them into the giant demon. Suddenly, the mummified husk began to shift slightly, the youki swirling around him condensing into a light blue glow as it settled into his skin. Shunran hastily placed the bowl with the Jewel shards back onto the altar and dropped to her knees beside her siblings as the rest of the cat demons bowed deeply. The cat lord's old, withered hand reached out and crashed into the altar, tearing it from the ground. He lifted it to his mouth and swallowed it all down, Jewel shards and all.
Sesshomaru watched carefully as Lord Oyakata began his revival, amused at the ranging expression from the cats. Tōran looked awe-struck. Karan looked thrilled. Shūran looked appalled. Shunran looked frightened. Power and life began to flow from Oyakata as the Jewel shards fused with his stolen youki.
"Master Oyakata!" Tōran exclaimed. "You have returned to us!"
A deep, rumbling sound came from the old cat's chest, low enough to shake the ground. "Blood," a creaking voice demanded. "Give me blood. Give me souls."
"It actually worked," Sango breathed, sharing a worried look with Miroku. "He's absorbed the powers of the Jewel shards."
"They won't be enough to sustain him," Miroku said grimly. "Not on their own."
"Lord Oyakata," Tōran called out again. "We have brought you many souls. Please, feast on them and grow strong, as you once were!"
Panicked cries rose from the townspeople.
"Steady," Sango whispered. "Steady."
Sesshomaru glanced at one of the smaller buildings along the outside of the courtyard, where a flash of red and white was streaking along the roof. Inuyasha jumped down and landed with Tessaiga blazing in his hand, that wolf demon following not a moment later. To his surprise, Jaken was tucked under the wolf's arm. Both of their eyes widened in shock as they took in the spectacle of Oyakata's hunkered form.
"Miroku! Sango!" Inuyasha shouted as soon as he caught sight of them.
Kouga immediately leapt forward, and cried out in pain as he slammed into a barrier, the energy crackling along his skin before he was thrown back. He swore viciously as he landed hard on the ground. Laughter rose from the cat demons.
"Now," Miroku hissed.
Sango sprang the hidden blade along her forearm and ripped through the ropes at her wrist before slicing them through Miroku's as well. They both sprang to their feet, the motion drawing the attention of the giant cat demon. He turned towards them with wide, eyeless sockets blinking slowly in his shriveled face. Miroku reached for his mala beads before a wave of youki shot towards him, so strong that his vision whited out for a moment and his limbs froze in place. Sango swore and staggered, feeling the effects as well despite the attack not hitting her directly. Oyakata was reaching for them now, wave after wave of youki pouring from him and keeping them paralyzed with the force of it. His claws poised over them.
"Give me blood. Give me souls."
Inuyasha shouted a wordless cry as the red-laced Wind Scar ripped through the cats' barrier and he flew after it, his youki blazing around him as he landed in between the humans and the giant reaching hand. The cat lord paused as he sensed him, a deep growl rumbling from his chest.
"Blood."
Inuyasha slashed at Oyakata's hand, severing his claws in half with his glowing red blade. Sesshomaru watched with interest. Such an odd colouration to the Tessaiga – he had never seen anything like it before. What new power had his little brother discovered in the sword? But it was wasted on him. The fool was already sheathing the blade, prioritizing helping his two humans to their feet. Oyakata was already reaching for them once again.
"Are you both alright?" Inuyasha asked, voice rough with worry as he looked over them. "What did he do to you?"
"We're fine," Miroku assured, nodding behind them. "Watch out."
Inuyasha snarled and spun around to send another Wind Scar flying at the cat lord, sending him rocking back. But it didn't look like the strike had done any damage, and there was no change to the oppressive youki which swirled around them and made it almost impossible for another attack to form in Inuyasha's mind. There was movement behind him and Kouga pushed through the other humans, sniffing over Miroku with concern.
"Come on," he said, taking the monk's arm. "Let's get you out of here."
"Back off!" Inuyasha snarled.
"Not now, Kouga," Miroku said tiredly, swallowing down the nausea which rolled through him.
The townspeople were slowly but surely backing away from Oyakata, retreating towards the relative safety of the castle. The cats were shifting around them, obviously torn over what to do. Oyakata had stilled for the moment, but as the other wolf demons finally caught up and raced towards Kouga, he swung a giant hands towards the humans once more, repeating his cry of "Give me blood. Give me souls."
Kouga grabbed Miroku and Sango by the arm and dragged them with him as he leapt out of the way, while Inuyasha blocked the cat's hand with Tessaiga. The force of the impact pushed him back, as the demon's claws were already regrowing from where he'd cut them off. Inuyasha poured his youki into the blade, but to his dismay, the Wind Scar refused to form in his mind. Instead he slashed at the cat's palm, splitting open the flesh but not drawing any blood. Then again, he had no idea if there was any blood left in this mummified husk.
"Hurry," Miroku said, shoving one of the townspeople away from the battle. "Get out of here! Run while you still can!"
"Stop them!" Tōran ordered. "Do not let them escape!"
The cats were on their feet, the four siblings glaring at Inuyasha as he struggled desperately against their master, while the others focused on the rapidly fleeing humans. Miroku pulled his last few sutras from his robes and threw them at the approaching cats, keeping them at bay for a moment. But he was out of weapons, other than the wind tunnel, and as the cats reached the first of the humans, he knew it was too late. Sango had pulled a small throwing knife from her robes, and if that was all that she could produce, then she must be as unarmed as he'd ever seen her. Oyakata shifted forward and swung his other hand towards Inuyasha, slamming into him and sending him flying like he was swatting a fly. Miroku stumbled forward, reaching for his mala beads once more. A cat demon crashed into him, yaking his arm to the side. He twisted out of the clawed grasp and shoved the demon away from himself, but more were rushing towards him.
Sesshomaru flew towards Oyakata, Tokijin blazing red. He struck along the cat's chest and shoulder, severing one arm from his body before he landed lightly on the ground. The cat lord blinked eyelessly at his arm for a moment before reaching out and reattaching it to his shoulder as though nothing had happened.
Inuyasha picked himself out of the rubble of the building he'd crashed into and rushed to Miroku and Sango, leaving his brother to it. He cut through the cat demons on his way and nodded at the wolf demons fighting with spears around the other humans. Miroku stepped to his side, and Inuyasha's stomach dropped as he took in the tight, pale expression.
"The Jewel shards are in his throat," he said, and Inuyasha followed his gaze. "He won't be able to fully revive without more souls. We just have to keep him from getting any of the humans."
"Good plan," Inuyasha said. "Now get out of here. You and Sango can't fight like this!"
Miroku shot him a dry look. "You know I won't leave you behind."
Inuyasha growled as he sliced another cat demon in half. "Miroku-"
Howls came from across the courtyard as a dozen wolves came running towards them, not slowing down in the slightest before they crashed into the cat demons. The townspeople screamed in fear but soon realized that the wolves weren't attacking them.
"Get out of here!" Kouga shouted at the gathered humans. "We'll cover you!"
The people seemed rooted to the spot, torn about what to do as the cats were driven away.
"Miroku!" a voice shouted from above them. Kirara was soaring towards them, Hiraikotsu clenched in her jaws and Hachi on her back, his arms wrapped around a giant bundle of spears, swords, and Miroku's staff. Kirara dove down and landed beside them, barely pausing to drop Hiraikotsu in Sango's arms before throwing herself into the fray.
"Good timing!" Sango called after her, rushing forward to meet the cat demons even as the wolves began to force them further and further back.
Miroku braced a hand against Hachi's shoulder in thanks and pulled out his staff from the pile of weapons, also grabbing Sango's sword as his eyes fell upon it. He started towards the cat demons and instead, Karan crashed into him. He rolled away from her fist and the fire which swirled around it and struck at her with his staff, forcing her to fall back. He jumped to his feet and caught her in the side with a blast of spiritual power collected around the head of his staff. She stumbled back and then ducked as Shūran leapt over her head, his fists raised to crash down onto Miroku, but then Kirara slammed into him instead, knocking him to the side. Miroku batted away another cat demon which lunged at him and then Karan was charging again. Hiraikotsu slammed into her and sent her flying. Miroku turned to Sango to nod his thanks and instead saw several long spears of ice shooting towards her. He cried out a warning and she whipped around as Inuyasha landed in front of her, blocking the frozen blades with Tessaiga before he threw himself at Tōran.
Miroku fought his way to Sango's side and handed over her sword, struggling to keep track of the chaos ever increasing around them. The majority of the cats were fighting Kouga's pack, but to his surprise, the townspeople were passing around the weapons that Hachi had gathered and were joining in the battle. He saw one man take on a cat demon that was poised to kill a wolf, and Ginta standing protectively in front of a mother and her child. Kirara was fighting alongside another of the wolf demons to drive Shūran further back. Something flashed above their heads and Miroku caught sight of Shunran, petals swirling around her hands and gathering in a mass, ready to be dropped on the unsuspecting humans and wolves below. Miroku pulled back his arm and flung his staff at her, sending it shooting through the cloud of flowers and dispelling the power within it. She glared at him as she dodged, and muttered something that he couldn't hear.
Only years of fighting on his own warned him of Karan's attack a heartbeat before she struck. He leapt back to avoid the fireball which ripped through the air towards him. He reached for sutras that weren't there and dodged another blow. He really, really needed to stop throwing his main weapon away. Sango was at his side, slashing at Karan with her sword before catching Hiraikotsu on its return. She tossed her sword at Miroku and he caught it easily before plunging it into the back of a cat demon who had grasped one of the wolves in her jaws. But then Shunran was diving for him, a twisting wooden spear in her hands, aimed at his chest.
"Miroku!" Inuyasha shouted as he leapt, slicing through the weapon. He'd barely landed before Tōran was chasing after him, ice shards shooting from her fingers. Inuyasha blocked them with Tessaiga but Shunran was swinging back around.
"Miroku!" another voice called out, and he glanced over to see Hakkaku waving his staff over the heads of the writhing mass of demons and humans between them. Miroku raised his hand as high as he could and caught his staff as Hakkaku threw it at him, twisting it around in a fluid motion to block Karan's strike.
"Inuyasha," Miroku said. "You need to go help Sesshomaru. You must kill the master!"
Inuyasha glanced uneasily at his brother, who was still busy hacking off pieces of the giant cat only to have Oyakata stick them right back on again. He looked back at Miroku in time to see him block an attack from Tōran's ice spear. He rushed forward to help and slashed at her, cutting a line across her side and driving her back. He knew that Oyakata was the biggest threat, that they had to stop him before he could find a way to fully come back, but he'd only just found Miroku and Sango again! He rushed towards Tōran but then Miroku shoved him out of the way of Shūran's fists, blocking them with his staff instead. The monk pulled back and struck at Shūran with concentrated spiritual power, forcing him back as well. The large cat roared and ran for them. Inuyasha swung Tessaiga at him but he dodged. Kouga crashed into his back and wrapped his arms around the cat's throat, throwing him off balance. As Shūran landed hard on the ground, Kouga kicked him in the head and leapt up to avoid the lightning which spurted from his fingers.
"What are you doing, muttface?" Kouga asked, and shook his head as Inuyasha opened his mouth to protest. "Put that fancy sword of yours to good use and fight the master! We've got things covered here."
Inuyasha closed his mouth again, biting his lip in indecision as he watched Miroku and Sango fight against Tōran and Shunran with one of the wolf demons rushing to help; watched Kirara close her jaws around Karan's arm and jerk them both into the air, fire blazing around them but not harming either of them; watched Kouga starting to run circles around Shūran despite the pain that Inuyasha could detect in his scent, still moving too fast for even the cats to keep up. And he watched Sesshomaru slide across the ground as one of Oyakata's powerful hands connected with him, saw his brother's chest heaving from the exertion. He swore and leapt, brought Tessaiga down hard on the cat lord's head, splitting his skull open like an egg. Oyakata roared in anger and swatted at him but he jumped back, landing by Sesshomaru's side. He watched the giant cat reel backwards, almost falling.
"You should know that your attacks are pointless," his brother hissed. "How could you think to stand against him when even I-"
"Oh, shut up!" Inuyasha snarled. "Save the arrogance for later and focus on killing him!"
"Give me blood," the low voice rang out once more. "Give me souls."
"As if!" Inuyasha shouted at him, rushing forward, Tessaiga aimed at his neck. "You're not about to snack on any humans – not while I can help it!"
He landed on the demon's shoulder and began hacking away at his neck, but a giant hand crashed into him and closed around him. He gasped as the powerful claws began to squeeze, forcing the breath from his lugs. His youki flared around him as he struggled but it was no use. But Sesshomaru appeared on the demon's wrist, sneered at Inuyasha before he cut off the demon's hand at the wrist, watched it and Inuyasha fall to the ground before he turned back to the master.
Kouga ripped Shunran away from Sango and hurled her into the air for Kirara to catch before he attacked Tōran, punching through the ice spear as it aimed towards Aka's back. There was a grunt beside him and he turned to see Miroku blocking Karan's attack, forcing her back with a swing of his staff before he jumped back to avoid Shūran. Kouga immediately gave chase, but he was tiring. His leg was aching and he was moving slower than he should have been, slower than he needed to in order to fight properly. He could smell the exhaustion leaking into the scents of humans and demons alike all around him, knew that they wouldn't be able to continue on for much longer. A warning shout came from Ginta and he saw Karan heading towards Inuyasha's exposed back as the hanyou slashed at Oyakata. Kouga leapt for her and caught her in the chest with his fist, drove them both to the ground. He cried out as she flung a fireball at him in return, his leg buckling under him just as he needed to dart away.
Inuyasha spun around and struck at Karan with Tessaiga, catching her with a blast and sending her flying. He spared a heartbeat to drag Kouga to his feet before Shūran was charging at them. As though by some signal, Tōran and Shunran followed suit, all racing towards him with power glowing in their hands. Inuyasha swore, lifted Tessaiga, but the Wind Scar still refused to form under Oyakata's oppressive power. He slashed at Shūran first, catching him in the chest before kicking Shunran away, meeting Tōran's spear. He saw Sesshomaru land behind him, saw anger blazing in his brother's eyes, and saw Tokijin blazing red in his hands. Inuyasha shouted a warning at Kouga, struggled to leap out of the way himself before Tōran's hand closed around his ankle, dragging him back down. Tokijin's blast ripped through all of them regardless.
Inuyasha's vision whited out before it faded to black, and he could feel the power tearing into his skin. The robes of the Fire Rat took the brunt of the impact, as did Tessaiga, but he still felt himself connect with the ground. The world was swimming around him as he pushed himself up onto his elbows, shoving the dazed form of Karan off of himself as he turned to glare at Sesshomaru.
"What the hell are you doing?" he gasped out, voice rough with tension and pain.
"Get out of the way," Sesshomaru growled. "They are mine to deal with, not yours!"
Inuyasha's eyes darted up to Oyakata, who was reaching towards the nearest human, body fully intact once more. "Not this time!" he growled at Sesshomaru. "If you don't wanna fight with me, then you can back the fuck off instead, but I'm not leaving!"
Sesshomaru's eyes flashed dangerously. He lifted Tokijin.
"That's enough!" Tōran's voice echoed around the courtyard and everyone, cat, wolf, dog, and human, froze. She pushed to her feet, glared at Sesshomaru before looking over her siblings. "Enough of this nonsense. We will destroy you once and for all! Lord Oyakata, you will have your souls!"
Her youki flared brightly around her, ice crystals forming in the air as it grew and grew. Karan staggered up to her side, her aura growing as well, clashing as they had before. But then Shūran joined them as well, a hand on each of their shoulders as lightning swirled with both fire and ice. Shunran braced against Tōran, a hand clutching her chest as her pink youki merged with the others, all four of their powers growing and evolving into something that Sesshomaru had never seen before. He lifted Tokijin warily, unsure if it would be strong enough to ward off such an attack. Their combined youki was seeping through the air, drowning out even that of Oyakata. And that was a deadly mistake.
Sesshomaru saw the old cat's eyeless gaze fix on this new source of power, saw his hand swing around from its previous target to pierce straight through Karan's chest, ripping her away from her siblings.
"Blood," Oyakata said as her youki was torn from her, as it flowed into the old cat's gaping mouth. "Souls. Give me life."
"No!" Tōran screamed. "Karan, no!"
His other hand was reaching towards the rest of the siblings, who stood frozen. Sesshomaru leapt, crashed into Tōran and knocked her to the ground as Shūran and Shunran were crushed into Oyakata's grasp, the life ripped from them as well. Tōran tore herself from Sesshomaru's grasp as the bodies of her siblings crashed to the earth around her. She reeled to her feet, her eyes wide and unseeing as power rumbled around her master, as his body pulsing and growing with new life. Fur sprang along his withered skin, eyes emerged in their sockets and he began to laugh.
A roar ripped from Tōran's throat as she leapt, her spear clattering forgotten to the ground as she transformed into the form of a giant blue-white leopard cat. Even though she was twice as tall as a human at her shoulder, she was less than a third the size of Oyakata. That didn't stop her from tearing into him, her jaws digging a gouge along his shoulder and neck, rearing back to claw at his face. Ice spread across Oyakata's skin, burning with cold. Inuyasha watched in horror. He would never have thought that the cat lord would take the life of his own kin to revive himself. Clearly, the rest of the clan hadn't expected it, either. All the cats stood frozen around the courtyard, watching the battle with blank and conflicted expressions. The wolves had begun to surreptitiously herd the humans away under the distraction, though Miroku and Sango still stood beside Kouga and Kirara.
Inuyasha lifted Tessaiga. He didn't know exactly what was happening, but Oyakata was still his enemy. He could fight Tōran later if he had to. He saw Sesshomaru lifting Tokijin and he nodded at his brother. Sesshomaru sneered at him before throwing himself at Oyakata. But the cat lord had fully revived, and he was as powerful as ever. He rose to all fours, batted Tōran away from himself and shot a wave of power from his claws towards Sesshomaru. Tōran skidded along the ground and lunged forward again, tearing through one of Oyakata's ears. Inuyasha leapt after his brother, slashing at the cat lord's face.
Miroku shook his head as Sango offered him a hand up onto Kirara's back. He'd me of more use on the ground, and besides, he wanted to keep an eye on Kouga. He'd been limping more and more as the fight wore on, and none of his pack were in any state to look out for them. All of the wolf demons were covered in blood, and more than one of the wolves had been killed. Miroku had also carefully surveyed the blood soaking Inuyasha's robes, though none of his wounds appeared to be too serious.
Kirara took off and Sango threw Hiraikotsu at the cat lord, catching one of his eyes. His head jerked back, exposing his throat for Inuyasha. Tōran got their first, sinking her fangs deep into the flesh and pulling, ripping a section free. Oyakata roared and slashed at her, knocking her to the ground once more. He batted Inuyasha away as well, and a deep voice rumbled in his throat.
"Sons of the dog demon," he said, eyes flashing between Inuyasha and Sesshomaru. "You will be next. I will have your life."
Sesshomaru growled and attacked, slicing along Oyakata's foreleg with Tokijin. But the blade was an angry red. He had lost most of his control over the sword. Oyakata snapped at him with powerful jaws and he shot into the air. He watched from above as Inuyasha followed his path and cut through one of Oyakata's legs with Tessaiga, the blade glowing amber. Sesshomaru's eyes dropped to Tokijin, and then to Tenseiga. If only his father had not entrusted him with such a useless sword! He would never have been forced to commission a new weapon which refused to obey him! He would never have had to rely on help from a pathetic half-breed!
Oyakata slammed Inuyasha into the ground with his paw, claws piercing into his chest. Inuyasha gasped in pain, Tessaiga falling from his hand. Kirara dove for him, Hiraikotsu slicing into the limb. It couldn't cut through completely, but it was enough for Oyakata to release his grip. He lifted his paw, power collecting along his claws. Miroku dove on top of Inuyasha and flung out his staff, pulling a barrier forth as the attack struck around them. Kouga caught hold of Sango's outstretched hand and she swung him onto Oyakata's back before she caught Hiraikotsu and Kirara circled around. Sango plunged her sword into the cat's neck, digging for the Jewel shards. He reared back and shook his head in pain, and Kouga hung on tightly. As soon as Kirara shot away, he clawed his way down the fur of the giant neck and tore at the wound himself, aiming for the same goal. Oyakata was unsteady on three limbs until he rose to stand on his hind legs alone and tore the wolf demon away. He brought Kouga towards his mouth but then Tōran sunk her teeth into his arm and pulled.
Kouga dropped to the ground and immediately dodged as power shot from Oyakata's claws, dislodging Tōran and burning a crater through the courtyard. Inuyasha had grabbed Miroku and dragged them both out of the way, but the hanyou's movements were restricted and his breathing tight with pain.
"Sesshomaru," Miroku called out. "Knock him down! We need to get at his throat."
Sesshomaru scowled but dove, striking Oyakata along the side of his head with Tokijin, causing him to stumble dangerously to the side. Kirara and Tōran immediately rammed into him, knocking him to the ground. Miroku raised his staff, intent on connecting to the power of the Jewel shards in an attempt to purify them. But then Oyakata lashed out wildly with his claws. Kouga snatched Miroku's arm and yanked him out of the way before he froze. Miroku gave him a nod of thanks and rushed back into battle, while Kouga stared at the blood coating his own nails. He'd always been so careful, but in his rush, he supposed he'd forgotten how fragile humans could be.
Inuyasha growled softly and lifted Tessaiga, pouring as much of his youki as possible into the blade, trying desperately to call a Wind Scar to his mind. But sweat was stinging his eyes and every breath hurt. He raced forwards regardless, only for Sesshomaru to drop down between him and Oyakata. Tokijin connected solidly with Tessaiga.
"What are you doing?" Inuyasha spat. "Out of my way!"
"No," Sesshomaru said quietly. "You have interfered for long enough. Stay out of my affairs."
"What is wrong with you?" Inuyasha exclaimed. "Why are you being such a stubborn ass? You're putting everyone in danger!"
They both leapt out of the way as Oyakata's paw crashed into the ground where they'd been standing.
"Dog demons," the cat lord growled. "I will have my revenge!"
He clawed wildly at Inuyasha, who jumped back further and further. Sesshomaru threw himself forward, aiming for Oyakata's throat. The cat twisted around and caught Sesshomaru in his jaws, biting down hard. Sesshomaru struck through one of the giant fangs with Tokijin and tore himself free. As he lifted into the air, one of Oyakata's paws slammed into him and sent him flying. Sesshomaru flipped through the air, barely righting himself before he skidded across the ground. His vision flashed red. Tokijin fell from his hand. He could feel his features elongating as the transformation started. His youki rose around him as the scent of blood filled his nose, as the shouts of the others mingled with the wailing roar that Tōran kept emitting. His eyes dropped to the dead cat demons scattered around the courtyard. So inconsequential, all of them. But then they settled on Shūran, Karan, and Shunran. Their lives had not been nothing. He stepped forward, feeling the hint of fur prickling along his face.
But then Tenseiga pulsed at his side.
He froze, his gaze dropping down to the weapon as the red faded from his vision. The sword wished to be drawn. It was calling to him, as it had done only once before. He slowly pulled the weapon from its sheath, watched the blue aura swirling around the blade. Through its power, he could see the death surrounding Oyakata. The life inside him was not his own, and it was struggling to break free. He watched in mild fascination as the bright spark of Inuyasha's youki darted around the cat lord, battering him from side to side. Even the humans had more vibrancy than the dulled nothingness of the once mighty master.
Tenseiga was a sword of healing. That was what he had been told. That was what his father had said to him. Sesshomaru had never understood how it could ever benefit him, particularly in battle. But then he leapt, and Tenseiga pulsed, and he sliced through the tether that he could see floating around Oyakata. He landed easily on the ground and turned to watch.
Inuyasha gasped as he saw which sword his brother held. He'd never, ever seen Tenseiga out of its sheath. What the hell was Sesshomaru thinking? The idiot had to know that the sword couldn't kill anything! That was the whole point! It just-
Oyakata's youki flared brightly before it began to dissolve. The bright blue melted away, turning into distinct orange and pink sections with lightning crackling along his skin. Oyakata roared and raised his claws to slash at Sesshomaru. Inuyasha pulled the Wind Scar to his mind and flung himself between the cat and his brother. He sliced through the attack which shot at them, sending the cat lord's power right back at him. But Oyakata didn't die. He was thrown back, the blast digging gouges through his flesh, but he didn't die. The Jewel shards shone brightly in his throat, and the wounds began to heal.
"Damn it!" Kouga swore, pushing forward. "Mutt, get ready to do that again!"
And then the wolf demon was running, tearing into the cat lord's throat before he had time to rise. Tōran immediately dove for him as well, bit deep into the flesh, revealing the shards for Kouga to snatch. Oyakata roared and began to shift, and Kouga clung onto the fur at Tōran's back as she shot into the air and out of reach.
"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru said coolly. "The Tessaiga."
Inuyasha huffed – like he needed to be reminded! – and flung the Wind Scar at Oyakata. It ripped through the cat, and with one final roar, he began to crumble into dust. Inuyasha sighed heavily, letting the tip of Tessaiga drop to the ground. He heard Miroku come up beside him, mumbled something vaguely reassuring.
As the others stared at the carcass of the giant cat, Sesshomaru looked over the pile of three familiar bodies thoughtfully. Tenseiga had yet to quiet, and he could see the messengers from the underworld scattered around their prone forms. He could see the life, too, slowly leaking from the cat lord. Sesshomaru's blade flashed out once before it quieted. Then he turned and walked away.
"Finally," Kouga grinned at the others. "I always wanted to kill that old bastard myself."
"Yeah, what a treat," Inuyasha grumbled, sheathing Tessaiga. "Hand over the shards."
Kouga looked at the bloody shards in his hand and hummed. "And what if I wanted to keep one or two for myself?"
"That's not going to happen, Kouga," Miroku said firmly. "Those are ours, and we will fight you for them."
Kouga chuckled quietly as he handed them over to Miroku. "And that just sounds like too much work, doesn't it?"
"What now?" Sango asked quietly as Kirara landed beside them, glancing significantly over at the cat demons still staring blankly at the courtyard.
Inuyasha looked over to Tōran as she walked stiffly towards them. Her entire right side was drenched in blood, but she still kept her feet. As they watched, she slowly transformed back into her more human-like form, and ran a hand down her pale face.
"We will not fight you," she rasped quietly. "Not here. Not now."
She walked past them, over to where her siblings lay. She fell to her knees in front of them. Then Shūran's eyes cracked open, and he blinked up at her in confusion. "Tōran?"
"Ugh, what happened?" Karan asked, pushing herself upright. "Why is everything so muddled?"
"I thought Lord Oyakata…" Shunran said slowly, before her eyes settled on the remains of her master, and she fell silent.
"How?" Tōran gasped, a hand pressed over her mouth. "How are you all alive? You were dead!"
Inuyasha glanced across the courtyard, to where he could just see Jaken disappearing between two buildings. "You have Sesshomaru to thank for that."
"Sesshomaru?" Tōran echoed faintly, eyes wide. "How?"
"You ever heard of Tenseiga?"
She frowned. "That useless sword of his?" Realization passed across her face. "No way."
Inuyasha shrugged tiredly. "Apparently so. I don't get it any more than you do, but they were definitely dead, and now they're not."
"Why the hell would that puppy save us?" Karan grumbled, grinding her teeth.
Tōran grasped at the shoulders of each of her siblings before she turned shining eyes back to Inuyasha. "Where is Sesshomaru? I want to thank him."
"How the hell should I know?" Inuyasha sighed. "So we good? Are you still gonna try and take over or whatever it was you had planned?"
"No," Tōran said, pushing to her feet and swallowing hard before she smiled. "No, we're going home, to the west. We won't bother you again."
"You'd better not," Kouga growled, crossing his arms. "And you'd better not cause any trouble, or we'll find you."
"Fair enough," Tōran breathed. "I think we've caused enough trouble for one lifetime."
"What?" Karan exclaimed. "We're giving up? After all that?"
"Come, now," Tōran said to her, looking over all her siblings and unable to quell her smile. "It's over. We have no reason to seek revenge." She turned back to Inuyasha. "And you can tell Sesshomaru that I said that. Our feud with him is over, for good."
Inuyasha huffed. "We're not exactly the kind of brothers to chat, if you know what I mean."
Tōran's smile grew. "Yeah, I can see that. Just tell him the next time you see him."
xXx
"Kouga!" Ginta waved at them as they approached. "We were worried about you!"
About ten townspeople were huddled together in the forest, surrounded by bleeding and exhausted wolves. They cried out when they saw Miroku and rushed towards him.
"Monk!" one of the women said, taking his hand. "Thank goodness you're safe!"
"You there, wolf," one of the men said, planting himself in front of Kouga. "We understand you're the leader of these demons."
"Those ones, yeah," Kouga grinned, cutting off Inuyasha's angry retort. "The non-wolves are otherwise spoken for."
The man looked confused, but pressed on regardless. "You have saved us. We are forever indebted to you." He shot a look at Miroku and Inuyasha. "To all of you. Because of you, we are able to live in peace. If you ever need aid, or a safe place to stay, our town is at your service."
"And you must return with us until you heal," one of the women insisted. "So many of you are injured!"
"I won't say no to that!" Kouga said, absently sniffing amongst his wolves to suss out their various wounds.
They began to follow the people back towards their town, leaving the cats far behind them. The wolves limped along, a few being carried by the wolf demons. Miroku pressed closer to Inuyasha's side and surreptitiously slung his arm over his shoulders, taking more of his partner's weight.
"You alright?" he murmured, just loud enough for hanyou ears to catch.
"M'fine," Inuyasha breathed tiredly. "I'm not badly hurt."
"You'll forgive me if I check for myself," Miroku muttered dryly. "I remember when being stabbed through the chest was also 'not bad.'"
Inuyasha shrugged with one shoulder before wrapping his arm more securely around Miroku and resting his brow against the side of the monk's head. "It's not my fault I'm so indestructible." He eyed Miroku carefully. "What about you? You're bleeding."
"Just some small scratches," Miroku reassured. "Sango? Kirara?"
"I'm fine," Sango said, dropping back to walk with them. "Nothing serious. Same with Kirara."
"We were lucky," Miroku said quietly. "If the plan didn't-" He jerked to a stop. "Where's Hachi?"
Inuyasha and Sango both whipped around to stare back in the direction they'd been coming from, when a dark shape emerged from behind a nearby tree.
"I'm alright, master!" the tanuki called out, cheerfully but a little sheepishly. "I'm also unharmed!"
"Hachi!" Miroku exclaimed in exasperation. "How do you keep disappearing only to pop back in at any given time?"
"I'm not sticking around to get eaten by cats, thank you very much," he replied evenly, clasping his hands behind his back and closing his eyes with a dignified expression. "I just wanted to make sure none of you died, and obviously I was successful." He grinned. "Besides, I was convinced that I would be of more use if I observe from a farther vantage point."
"Master Inuyasha!" Myoga said, jumping from on top of Hachi's head to Inuyasha's shoulder. "I must say, you fought marvellously!"
"Myoga," Inuyasha growled. "Get under my foot so I can step on you."
"Now, master," Myoga tutted, jumping casually onto Sango's head a safe distance away. "You performed admirably today! Why, you-"
"I'm going to kill him," Inuyasha said casually to Miroku, who nodded silently in agreement.
"What a time," Kouga said, slowing his pace until the others caught up. "Although I have to admit, it's nice to get a little recognition every once in a while. Is this why you do it?"
"Not primarily," Miroku said dryly.
"I have a bad feeling about letting those cats escape, though," Kouga said more seriously. "How can we say they're not a threat when they abducted Miroku?"
"You're not serious," Inuyasha said, glaring at him hotly. "Kouga, you cannot be serious. I'm going to have to fight you if you're serious."
Kouga laughed and deftly picked up his pace, quickly bringing himself out of reach. Inuyasha pushed out of Miroku's grasp and stumbled after him, spitting curses. Miroku and Sango shared a knowing look and a tired smile as they trailed after them, watching the stars shine overhead.
xXx
Sesshomaru heard Rin's quiet humming long before he saw her. She sat by the bank of the river, right where he'd left her. She was quietly braiding flowers into A-Un's mane, seemingly unconcerned with the world.
"Rin," he called out to her, and her face immediately lit up when she saw him.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" she exclaimed, abandoning her flowers and running to him. "You're back! Did you have a successful journey?"
She blinked up at him, open and eager. Sesshomaru knelt down in front of her, watching her eyes widen in surprise as she tried to figure out what he was doing. But there was no fear. Sweet child. Innocent child. For whatever reason, she trusted him. She never doubted that he would come back for her, was always waiting right where he left her, no matter how long he was gone. She trusted him to do right by her, and he had just fought side-by-side with the demon who'd killed her.
His mind had not been filled with such turmoil as it had been that day in many years. Several different parts of himself had all collided in a way he had never expected. He had returned to his role as his father's soldier. The role he had abandoned some two centuries prior, when he tired of the orders and the battles, and the growing affection that his father seemed to show towards a mortal woman. He had fought against Tōran, who he had sworn to kill and to protect, his enemy and perhaps the closest person to him. He had matched the vengeance she swore against him, the hatred she had for him even though, all those years ago, she had refused to kill him when she had the chance. Perhaps that was why he had saved her from Oyakata. He couldn't see her die. He couldn't lose one so close to him.
As he had lost Inuyasha, the last time he had fought her.
He had discovered from the intelligence that Jaken had gathered that it had been several months after his brother had been sealed away that the battle with the cat clan broke out. He had simply not bothered to keep track of Inuyasha, the weakling who had somehow managed to survive thus far. For centuries, he'd expected to find death in the half-breed's scent, to find his body strewn across the ground, torn to pieces by some lowly demon. But he had persisted despite it all, had survived several attacks from Sesshomaru, though he'd emerged far from unscathed. It did not make sense that a mortal woman should be the one to kill him. It was not a threat he had accounted for, not one he could have foreseen. Or prevented. He was certain that, even if he had known about his brother's predicament, it would not have made any difference. He would not have come to Inuyasha's aid.
But his brother had survived yet again, reawakened after so long that Sesshomaru had thought him lost forever. He had known almost immediately. Had come to investigate, to confirm it for himself. And Inuyasha had grown stronger than he could have ever imagined. He continued to prove himself astoundingly resilient. But then he fought against the cat clan, and a mortal who held his heart was once again precariously close to causing his demise. Sesshomaru doubted that Inuyasha would have agreed to stay back and let him find his mortals for him, even if Sesshomaru had chosen to make his intentions clear. His brother was stubborn, a dedicated fool if ever there was one. So Sesshomaru had fought the cats, more perhaps than he would otherwise have been willing to do. He'd fought Tōran, though he could not bring himself to kill her just as he knew she hadn't killed him. And in all of this mess, he'd found himself allied with the wolf pack who had torn Rin to shreds.
He would have killed the leader if he'd had the chance. If Inuyasha's life hadn't depended on an alliance. If the wolves hadn't aided his cause. If Tōran hadn't been in need of his help, about to imprison herself to another lifetime of servitude to an uncaring master. Sesshomaru had known as well as any decent youkai that he could not kill the wolf after fighting side-by-side. But there was no lasting alliance to be had. If he saw the mongrel again, he would kill him. And if Inuyasha deigned to get in his way, he would have no qualms in striking him down as well.
"My lord?" Rin asked, startling him from his thoughts.
He stared into her eyes, at the curious and easy expression, so free from fear and anguish. So different from the handful of nights that he'd seen her startle awake, gasping with tears on her cheeks. From when she'd curl into a ball under A-Un's watchful eyes and lie there shaking for the rest of the night. She didn't seem to be weighed by her burden very often, but he knew it was there. And perhaps that was why he could not find it within himself to abandon her, to leave her in some human village where she would no doubt be safer. She was a startling child, a bright spark of life in his long existence.
He found himself reaching forward before he knew what he was doing. His arm curled around her, holding her close for just a moment. She kept still, confusion muddling her scent, but it was subdued by a sense of easy calm. He held her for a moment longer before he leaned back and pushed to his feet.
"Come, Rin."
He could feel her eyes on him, but a moment later her footsteps followed him, and a light voice proclaimed "Yes, my lord!"
He made his way downriver, letting the sound of the water wash away everything else.
I'm not saying it'll be *easy* to include a scene of Sesshomaru drunk at a bar, sobbing about how much he loves his new adopted daughter while Inuyasha awkwardly consoles him, I'm just saying it can be done.