Hey all!
So, I have decided to give you all an update on my plans regarding my OC's future aid and the first visual appearance of Trinity and Bishop.
I'm thinking of bringing them in around after the first appearance of Koga the wolf demon, so there will still be a few chapters to go.
The details still need to be fine-tuned, but I'm hoping to incorporate a temporary change of location for our Inuyasha group, namely...Coraline's old home.
Like I said, still a work in progress. Also, I'm still going to keep the creature identity of the aid a secret (yes, I'm a sucker for suspense), but no, there will not be a white tiger. Sorry to disappoint anyone expecting such...
Anyway, keep reading and reviewing! Enjoy the latest chapter, including the first appearance of Tōtōsai (lol - love this guy)!
Update (October 2020): Chapter edited and lengthened with a rewritten scene!
Chapter 36: Tessaiga & Tenseiga
(Mmmmoooooooooo...)
The full moon shines for another night in Sengoku Edo, and we zoom in on a...bull demon(?) carrying a elderly man along the quiet roads to his next destination. We notice that the old soul has features of more demonic origins, they being pointed ears and very large eyes with pinpoint black pupils. His more human-like features include wrinkled light beige skin, receding gray hair tied back in a topknot, a Fu Manchu moustache and a thin goatee. On his body is a dark teal haori with black horizontal stripes, and a pair of matching hakama. In his arms and extending over his right shoulder is a sledgehammer, its handle at least 34 inches long.
As the bull kept wandering along, the elder asks his other travel companion,
"Myōga my friend, you'd better not be deceiving me. Has this, Inu-something really mastered the Tessiaga?"
Said flea demon replies,
"His name is Inuyasha."
"Ooh, that's right, Inuyasha. He's the son of the great dog demon who gave me his fang so I could forge a sword out of it. He's the runt of the litter, correct?"
"Yes, the younger brother, and you should learn some respect. I've seen him kill one-hundred demons in one swing with his sword...Mind you, I've only seen him do it once, and he hasn't been able to wield that power since..."
The old man in green stokes his beard as he ponders aloud,
"Perhaps it is because he does not deserve to wield the Tessaiga that I so forged. I suppose I will have to test his worth, somehow..."
...
...
Meanwhile, further up the mountainside where molten rock burns from the ground up, the demon imp Jaken fast-walks towards a distant location to seek out someone on his master's behalf...albeit a bit painfully.
"Oh, uh, h-hot, o-o-oh...What kind of hellhole is this place? The rocks under my feet are red!"
(Sizzzz...)
"Mmmm, I smell roasting meat somewhere...hm?"
He looks down, realizing the scent was in fact his own burning feet! The imp jumps a few feet into the air before sprinting away, only to trip and fall on his front...
(...Fwoom)
"O-Owaa-hah!"
He springs back up, and finally makes it to his destination: a giant skull of a demon that died many years ago, hollowed out and recreated into a somewhat livable cave...
"Hah, hah, hah, hm? Oh, this must be it...Are you here, Tōtōsai?! I hope you finished the sword you were commissioned to forge! This is the promised date of delivery!"
...There's no response...
"Hm? Hey! Come on out, I'm talking to you!"
Jaken walks inside, only to find a message left on the bony walls of the cave.
"Huh?!...What do you mean, 'you moved'?"
He rushes back outside, looking around frantically for any signs to where the supposed blacksmith had disappeared to.
"Damn that sneaky badger! Where'd he go, where'd he go?"
(...Step, step)
"Doh."
The imp turns around, and sees Sesshōmaru standing before him.
"...So, Tōtsōai is gone."
Jaken immediately bows over and over in apology.
"Please forgive me, Master Sesshōmaru. That arrogant sword-smith is known to be very temperamental, and he only forges swords if he takes a personal liking to the customer who ordered it."
"I see. He has no intention of forging a sword that suits my purpose, so he has escaped."
"You can't blame him for not liking you. Your resume has one long death wish...Dauh-ddh!"
Jaken realizes two seconds too late what he just said, and he looks up...only to see a small smile appear on Sesshomaru's face, which to the little imp, was not a good sign.
"Gaaah! You're smiling! (Bows over and over) Oh don't smile at me, Master Sesshōmaru; please get angry! You're always much harder on me when you're being passive-aggressive! Please be straight with me, pleeease...Hm?"
He looks up and sees the full dog demon moving away...before bemoaning to himself,
I think I've just shortened my life by a hundred years.
...
...
Heading down from the volcanic region and to the relatively safer plains, we now zoom in on Inuyasha and the others walking down another dirt road to wherever their quest would lead them next, having recovered from the Illusionary Death spell sent upon them by Naraku only a day or so ago...
Or rather, most have managed to shake off the blunt effects of the sorcery. One young lady was still reeling somewhat over what she was forced to witness, not to mention what she lost in the confusion...With the dark memory and delusion still clouding her thoughts, Coraline found herself barely able to even put together a simple outfit for the day, the choices today being a pair of dark-wash jeans, a light green tank top, and her combat boots.
"...I can't believe I los' the fused collection of jewel shards we work't so hard to get..."
Inuyasha shoots the young Croft a mild glare for her berating mutter.
"Stop worrying about it, Coraline."
"But..."
"It's not like she stole all the pieces or nothin'. We just have to go and find some more, no big deal."
"I guess..."
As they talked, Sango whispers to Miroku in confusion,
"Why is Inuyasha being so understanding? It's so unlike him."
"I suspect it's because it was Kikyō who stole the Shikon-no-Tama shards."
Shippō sighs in exasperation and comments from atop the monk's shoulder,
"Well what can he do when the culprit is the woman he fell in love with?"
Inuyasha doesn't miss a word they said, and whirls around to bark,
"Alright, listen, you morons! If you think I'm protecting Kikyō, you got another thing comin', okay?!"
He feels Coraline staring at him, and turns to lash out at her as well.
"You think I'm goin' soft on her too, don'cha? Then speak up!"
She shakes her head, not wanting to provoke the silverette anymore than he already is...But he saw through the silent lie, and only gets angrier.
"If you got somethin' to say, then say it to my face!"
Coraline frantically shakes her head again, an expression of fear appearing, causing Inuyasha to retract.
"Huh?"
What's wrong with her? She looks scared...Come to think of it, Coraline's been strangely quiet this last while ever since we escaped the Illusionary Spell of Death.
...And if I remember right, she didn't actually say that those creepers didn't do anything to her.
...Did she lie?
Before he could think on the subject further:
(Mmmmooooooooooo...)
"Huh?"
"A cow?"
Shippō looks back and forth from atop Miroku's shoulder, just as befuddled as the latter and the demon slayer.
"Where is it? I don't see any cattle around here..."
...They dart their heads upward, realizing where the bellow came from.
"In the sky?!"
...Suddenly, a bolt of light crashes against the path several feet ahead, causing everyone to flinch.
"What's going on?!"
Coraline comes behind Inuyasha just as he addresses the entity behind the energy bolt.
"Who the heck are you?"
Zooming over that way, we see the old humanoid demon from before, sitting calmly atop his bull which we see has three eyes rather than two like a normal cow.
"My name is Tōtōsai. Now, draw your sword, Inuyasha."
The redhead from beyond this era stares at the self-identified Tōtōsai with interest.
Hm, I don' sense any malicious intent...Still, I wonder wha' exactly this 'Tō-tō-sai' wants?
Meanwhile, Inuyasha wonders,
How does this old geezer know my name?
"I'm coming at you, whether you pull out your sword or not!"
He makes a grand leap off his demonic animal and makes a beeline towards the half-dog demon, who shouts to his companion,
"Get back, Coraline!"
"Got it!"
She rushes to the side and out of the line of fire, and Inuyasha draws Tessaiga just as Tōtōsai comes down with his sledgehammer.
(...Bo-wong-wong-wong-wong-wong)
Oddly enough, the latter's strength actually prevails over the former's, pushing Inuyasha back a bit. The blade of the katana even rattles from the hammer's impact...Sango and Miroku both exclaim,
"He thwarted the Tessaiga using a hammer?!"
The old blacksmith lands back rather smoothly, and comments,
"That sword is singing like an old saw dulled in residence. This kid can't be the right one to use it..."
"Rgh, tell me who the hell you are!"
Inuyasha charges at Tōtōsai this time, and the latter calmly pulls out a strip of leather, licking it...before-
(Swip)
"...Huh?"
Shippō and Sango comment respectively,
"He stopped the sword!"
"That's a piece of leather..."
Tōtōsai moves the strip up the blade, noting in disapproval,
"Hm, you've been too rough with her; this blade's all nicked up. Have you been choppin' down trees? Hm..."
"W-What do you know about it? Who are you?!"
(...Hop)
"I think that's enough, Tōtōsai."
"Huh? Myōga?"
After explaining that the demon blacksmith's reasons for coming were purely unrelated to evil, the whole ensemble of souls would seat themselves on the grass - save Sango who chose to stand - as Tōtōsai reveals himself as the one who forged the very blade Inuyasha calls his own...
"So you're the one who forged my sword?"
"Precisely. I'm the one who forged the Tessaiga from the fang that your father gave to me. Only certain circles of the finest blade-swinging demons are acquainted with my work."
Inuyasha makes a face at such a boast.
"Huh? 'Certain circles'?"
Coraline turns to him and says with a awkward smile,
"Eh, I think tha' means he's more infamous than famous."
Forming an annoyed frown, the silverette says to Tōtōsai,
"Look, I don't give a rat's ass if you're famous or not, old man."
"Well now that I've seen the Tessaiga in action, I have to say it's being badly misused and abused. It sings a sad song indeed. To see my work like this, (Sad frown) oh, it breaks my heart."
"If you've come to pick a fight with me, then just say so!"
The young Croft cuts in to scold her companion non-verbally by jabbing his ribs with her elbow, which causes him to glare at her a bit, before focusing on her next set of words which she directs at the blacksmith.
"If I may play th' devil's advocate a moment, wha' yeu see physically may only tell half the story, Tōtōsai. I can't call m'self a weapon's expert, but I've witnessed a rare phenomenon which tells me Tessaiga is more comfortable with Inuyasha than y' know."
"Is that right?"
"Aye...In fact, I may be able t' persuade th' sword to show i' for a few sec'nds."
She pivots her head to Inuyasha's direction, and holds out one of her hands to him.
"May I see Tessaiga f'r a momen', please?"
Though somewhat reluctant to give his precious blade over to someone else's hand, the half-demon has come to trust this girl with more than he may realize at present. On that note, Inuyasha unsheathes the dog fang katana and gives it to Coraline, much to the surprise of their companions.
"Huh..."
"He's actually giving her Tessaiga..."
"Maybe there's more between those two than we know..."
Quietly thanking the swordsman, the redhead from beyond this era then draws a breath...and sends a thin echo of her soul power to ripple over the blade from handle to tip.
(Ba-bump...sheen)
A gasp sounds from those who hadn't seen the fabled Weapon Glyphs previously, and Tōtōsai hums with an interested stroke of his goatee,
"Weeell, this is new. In all my years of forgery, I've never seen a sword react like this..."
"Tha's to be expected. As I said already, d'is is a rare occurrence, as it is to read them. I can, bu' it's only because of my origins as an Aura Reader, and f'r wha'ever reason, the sword's allowed me to be i's translator...Still, I imagine yeu have, a' most, an idea as to wha' message Tessaiga is tryin' to convey? Surely someone as experienced with d' craft of blade forging, no' to mention being Tessaiga's creator, will be able to read d'is dead language."
...The humanoid demon casts his dotting irises over the glowing glyphs for a moment or two, before nodding,
"Yes, I see. Despite being in the hands of a short-tempered whelp, Tessaiga is slowly becoming content with their current master."
Inuyasha makes the motion to shout about being called a whelp, but Tōtōsai wasn't finished.
"Even so, the sword is conflicted over whether they should share their power with someone who clearly lacks the self-discipline required. I have a feeling you know the reason for this, young lady, correct?"
"...Yes, I deu."
Coraline glances over at her friend clad in red and adds,
"But it won't do y' any good if I told you, so don't ask."
"Why not?!"
"It's one of those life lessons ye gotta learn on your own merit. Simple as that."
"...Tuh, fine, whatever. Doesn't matter."
Taking back the Tessaiga, Inuyasha then turns to send a determined glare at its creator.
"As far as I care, you bein' the forger doesn't mean squat, old man. Tessaiga is my sword, and I will be the one to master it regardless of your dried-up opinions."
"You say that with confidence, but do you have the skill to back such a claim?"
"Grrh, just come at me with your hammer again and I'll show you skill!"
Myōga finally steps in to try and reason with the temperamental half-demon.
"Master Inuyasha, please. You haven't been able to unravel the mystery of the Tessaiga on your own. Coraline's own innate ability to 'read its voice' should be enough of an example. And besides, you've tried, but you can't figure out how to tap into the power that killed the hundred demons in one sweep...But, Tōtōsai knows its secret. I think if you both take the time to get to know one another and cooperate, you can unravel and wield Tessiaga's full strength!"
Placing the katana back in its sheath, the silverette dryly retorts,
"There's hardly any mystery. I'll get the hang of it; I just need practice."
Tōtōsai then says,
"I understand that you've been collecting the Shikon-no-Tama shards for a while. Who knows how many demons have multiple pieces of the jewel...You know how difficult it's been to battle demons with more than one. Don't you want to awaken the Tessaiga's full potential, in order to defeat demons with that enhanced strength?"
Miroku comments from his spot behind the main conversation group,
"He does have a point, Inuyasha," and Sango adds,
"I think you should at least hear what he has to say."
"...Kuh, I guess it can't hurt...So tell me, what do I have to do, Tōtōsai?"
"First, I have to tell you that someone seeks my life."
Inuyasha and Coraline make sounds of surprised confusion, and the humanoid explains,
"A fool barged into my forge and ordered a sword that would rival the power of Tessaiga. He told me he'd kill me if I refused. I want you to protect me from him."
(Grip)
"Hhh!"
The silverette grasps Tōtōsai by his face, replying in an irritated deadpan,
"Say please when asking for favours..."
Myōga says to the latter,
"You never told me about this. What did he look like?"
"He has long white hair, and he wears a cloak of something white and furry."
Inuyasha asks sarcastically,
"What? Another old geezer?"
"Pppfh! Guess again."
Coraline cuts in before her companion considers ridding the world of the blacksmith before this mysterious threat did...who might not be quite as mysterious as they're made out.
"Wai' a second: young, white hair, dressed in fur, and wants a sword t' rival Tessaiga?...Gh! Oh crap, don' tell me it's-"
Tōtōsai interrupts when he looks up behind them, and starts to perspire nervously.
"He...He's here!"
Everyone turns to his direct of sight, and coming through the sky their way...is Sesshōmaru, riding atop a two-headed dragon! Though having moss green scales and yellow cat-shaped eyes, physical traits typical of the mythical lizards, their green-black manes and body shape suggests possible equestrian origins...
Inuyasha recognizes his half-brother in an instant, muttering their name bitterly, while Sango is unfamiliar with the new arrival.
"Who is that?"
Miroku replies,
"Inuyasha's older brother."
Coraline grits her teeth and mutters,
"Crap, I was righ'. He's the one after you, Tōtōsai, righ'?"
Said blacksmith exclaims nervously,
"Exactly, so protect me," and ducks behind Inuyasha's back just as he's addressed by his older half-sibling.
"Inuyasha. Why have you conspired with Tōtōsai to plot against me?"
The old humanoid demon offers an answer.
"...Because you happened to be evil-incarnate?"
"Tōtōsai. It sounds like you're looking for an early retirement...in your grave."
"Gyh-I-I-I never said that I was talking about you, Sesshōmaru! W-Why don't we discuss your sword after you battle with Inuyasha?!"
Said silverette growls at the one he's being forced to protect, and Coraline rushes over with a glare and scolds,
"Wha's with the change of loyalty? You tryin' to ge' yo'self killed by one or the other?!"
"Uh...I don't remember."
"Oh don't gimme that senile ploy!"
...Sesshōmaru smiles and says,
"Tōtōsai, your word's as good as a blood vow to me."
He then moves off the dragon and calls to his half-brother,
"Did you hear that, Inuyasha? He will forge my new sword after I kill you off."
Miroku and Sango make the smart decision to get away from the battle area, and the former calls,
"Coraline, run for cover!"
She does so with Tōtōsai running close behind her...
(Swipe, boom)
Inuyasha just dodges Sesshōmaru's claws, before drawing out Tessaiga.
"Oh yeah?! We'll see who kills who! Hrrraaaahhhh!"
(Slash, boom)
The older dog demon dodges the sword, leaving it to crash into the ground and upturn the dirt and rock...
"You can tell by their tempers that they're related."
Coraline heatedly counters to the blacksmith,
"Aren't yeu the one who fueled this situation in th'a first place?!"
"...Guh! Did I really?"
She sighs irritably at his 'clueless demeanor'.
No wonder this guy's friends with Myōga. They likely taugh' eachother how t' be experts of feigned ignorance.
"Wait...Speaking of Myōga, where'd he go? (Looks back and forth) Myōga; where are yae?"
Shippō would provide the answer from the other end of the sidelines.
"Coraline! He's on Miroku's shoulder! He always goes where it's safest, so it's dangerous over there!"
"(Facepalm) Of course..."
Just as she makes a move to join the others, she's pulled to a stop by the blacksmith.
"Hey! Get off, Tōtōsai!"
He then grabs his hammer, lets Coraline's shoulder go, before rushing away to the 'safe zone'...
"Seriously?! Coward!"
By the time everyone who wasn't fighting cloisters together, Inuyasha and Sesshōmaru will have created a fairly decent battlefield, now going at eachother poison whip against sword...After blocking a few more strikes, the half-demon charges against the full demon.
"Hrraaaaaaaahhhhh!"
(Slash, BOOM)
...But as the dust clears, we see Tessaiga had only succeeded in leaving another scar in the ground.
"Huh?"
For Sesshomaru had since leaped into the air!
"...Too slow."
He then dashes downward and throws out another attack, which for the most part is blocked, but causes Inuyasha to be pushed back and cough from a release of poison gas...
(PUNCH)
"Gyaaaaah!"
With his half-brother distracted, Sesshōmaru drives one of his fists against Inuyasha's torso, sending him flying to the ground! Every one of the silverette's allies gasps, and Tōtōsai comments,
"Inuyasha's so slow, he's pathetic! (Turn) Myōga, why'd you lie to me about his ability to use Tessaiga's full power?"
"He used it once, I promise!"
Coraline adds to the flea demon's defense.
"Myōga does no' lie! Inuyasha always prevails over Sesshōmaru, an' he has tapped into Tessaiga's power!"
"...Are you sure you weren't dreaming when you saw him do this, young lady?"
(Bonk)
She hits him square on the noggin with his own sledgehammer.
"Quite sure, thank yeu very much."
"My apologies..."
Having heard the dialogue, Sesshōmaru turns to the old blacksmith and asks,
"Well, Tōtōsai...don't you feel sorry for Tessaiga? That famous sword...is no better than a wooden club the way Inuyasha swings it around like a neanderthal. The sword can live or die, depending on its master."
"Hmm, a wise observation, I agree."
Coraline barks,
"Can you please not agree with th' likes of him?!"
Inuyasha rises to his feet and exclaims ruefully,
"Don't give me that, sword-smith, or you'll really have somethin' to worry about...I'm only warming up! Don't be too shocked when you see what kind of power I really got!"
With that, he began swinging at his half-sibling with Tessaiga again...Unfortunately, none of the attacks make contact, for Sesshōmaru was just a bit too fast...Myōga says with a sweatdrop beading down the side of his head,
"Oh great, the blood's rushed to his head. That's always bad news..."
Eventually, the full dog demon found an opening to shoot his hand forward, gripping Inuyasha's wrist holding the Tessaiga, and begins corroding the skin with his poison claws!
(Siiizzzzz...)
"Well, Tōtōsai, tell me: do you still refuse to make me a sword?"
Said blacksmith thinks for a moment...before shouting his reply.
"No way!"
He then leaps into the air, puffs out his cheeks, and spews out a spiral of fire!
(Fwoooommm)
While Sesshōmaru dodges the flames, Inuyasha wasn't so lucky...He then walks over to Tōtōsai, burn marks evident, and punches the old man's head while shouting heatedly,
"That was a big help!"
Only a whistle sounds from Tōtōsai as he cools his inner fire, and Sesshōmaru lands back on the ground on the other side of this new path of fire...
"So, you absolutely refuse?"
"Hmph! Be quiet, you ungrateful mongrel! You already know as well as I do that I made you an excellent sword!"
Iunyasha looks at Tōtōsai in surprised confusion, and the latter goes on to explain.
"The famous sword that you now wear: the Tenseiga. I also forged it with a fang given to me by your father. He clearly instructed that the eldest brother would have the Tenseiga, and the youngest brother would have the Tessaiga. That was your father's last wish...It is a great sword of swords, no better and no worse than the Tessaiga! You should learn to respect and love it!"
Coraline comments on the side,
"So there was more th'n one sword commissioned by Inuyasha's father..."
I wonder wha' their voice is like, similar or different from Tessaiga?
Miroku then notes,
"Though come to think of it, I've never seen Sesshōmaru unsheathe it in any of the battles yet. Have you?"
"No, I haven'. Not even in mine and Inuyasha's first encount'r together. 'ey, Sesshōmaru, what gives?!"
...Said demon semi-ignores Coraline and asks Tōtōsai,
"Do you dare imply that this useless sword is worthy of me?"
Something in his demonic energies begins to stir, which doesn't go unnoticed by Tōtōsai.
"Ooh, I made you angry, did I? Hahaha, time to take our leave! (Leap) Haaaaaaa-hah!"
(Bang, fwoooom)
Using his sledgehammer, Tōtōsai manages to force a burst of fire to erupt from underground, which makes a straight course for Sesshōmaru! He of course, easily dodges the attack...but upon landing on the newly molten ground, he soon sees the ploy.
"...They've escaped."
Coraline's POV
"Nice job with th' fake-out, Tōtōsai!"
I'm sitting behind Inuyasha as he sat behind Tōtōsai atop the three-eyed ox (I think I heard the blacksmith call them Mō-Mō as we retreated), while Sango, Miroku and Shippō were riding Kilala, and Myōga is atop my shoulder, the lot all of us having got away quickly from the area and Sesshōmaru's vision...
"I don't understand. Inuyasha should be asking you for protection, not the other way around."
"You tryin' to say that I'm a weakling?!"
I shake my head at the men in our travel party, before hearing Tōtōsai sigh sadly,
"Sesshōmaru calls his great sword useless, and Inuyasha is useless with his great sword. How I overestimated both of them..."
"What's that?!"
And before I could stop Inuyasha...
(Bap-bap-bap, BONK)
He pummels the old demon to the point of leaving a good deal of bumps on his head.
"Uhhh..."
"I am not useless!"
I decide to change the subject before things get more out of hand.
"Tōtōsai, I was wonderin': just wha' sort'o power does Tenseiga have?"
"The Tenseiga?...It's abilities are unlike anything unheard of before. (Focus on Inuyasha) When your father first commissioned me to make it, I shuddered at the very thought of its immense powers."
Eventually, we land by the river, and we learn about Tenseiga's strange abilities...
"It's a blade that doesn't cut? So how are you suppose to fight with a sword like that?"
Tōtōsai finishes starting the fire and replies to Inuyasha,
"The Tenseiga is not a sword used against foes. To put it simply, it is a sword of healing."
I ask in surprise,
"A sword of healing? Is tha' even possible?"
"The Tessaiga is a sword that defeats the powerful, and the Tenseiga is a sword that has the ability to save the lives of the weak."
Sango asks for the sake of clarification,
"It saves lives?"
"If the bearer truly has kindness towards humanity, then the Tenseiga has the power to save a hundred in one sweep."
I mutter with a small smile,
"Kindness of heart, huh?"
Something needed so desp'rtely durin' times of war and conflict...
"So the Tessaiga can slay a hundred demons in one sweep, and the Tenseiga can save a hundred in one sweep?"
Sango wonders after Miroku's summary,
"But can you use that as a weapon?"
"It must have the ability to bring back dead souls. Such a power can be very useful in these feudal times."
Tōtōsai comments,
"I almost called the sword 'The Coffin-Cheater', but I opt it for Tenseiga instead. It sounded a little more classy...Actually, it was your father who suggested the name."
Inuyasha then says,
"I get it now: no wonder Sesshōmaru wants a new sword. He can't use his! He's incapable of feeling kindness for others, let alone saving lives."
He has'a point. So far, I've only seen Sesshōmaru as a ruthless tyrant with no regard for anyone, least of all hum'ns.
...And yet, I can't help bu' wonder if Inuyasha's fath'r had done this on purpose.
Tōtōsai confirms my thoughts:
"It's too bad this isn't working. It was your father's last wish, after all."
Miroku comments to Inuyasha,
"Your brother is so black-hearted..."
A frown curves onto my lips as I make my own judgment plain.
"It's like I said before: 'e has too many stone walls around h's heart to feel even remotely sorry for oth'r people, nevermin' their origins. If he can't wield Tessaiga, minus tha' one time with the human arm, wha' are the chances he can wield Tenseiga?"
...Moving on, Shippō notices the wild boar that we caught was finished roasting.
"That looks good~!"
Tōtōsai agrees with a nod,
"A well-roasted pig indeed...Let's dig in, folks!"
...But just as we all move forward, Tōtōsai consumes the entire boar in one gulp!
"Hey! Don't eat the whole thing, pig!"
"Huh? Where'd the roast go?"
"It's in yo'r greedy gu'!"
"Uuh, where am I now, who are you people...?"
...Miroku knocks Tōtōsai down with his staff, and I sigh exasperatedly,
"And t' think I shot down the boar f'r all of us, too...Alright: time t' switch to Plan B."
Inuyasha asks me,
"What's Plan B?"
"Fish. I saw some swimming 'round in the water as we settl'd here, and I can use my knife to gut 'em. Won't be easy, bu' I'm not lettin' us starve."
I then unsheathe my knife, and turn to go down to the water...only to be stopped when Tōtōsai grasps my wrist holding it.
"Huh?"
He pulls himself up into a stand, looking at my weapon with intent.
"Hmm...This blade looks better cared for. Made from earth metal and demon bone, too, a unique combination. (Looks up) Tell me, young lady: where did you acquire this blade?"
"Umm, from a mutual acquaint'nce of mine and me brothers. He does a bi' of weapons trade; nothing too big, just knifes...Why do y' ask?"
"Was this acquaintance aware of the materials used to forge this blade?"
"Likely no'. He tends to keep all information as minim'l as allowed..."
"I see...May I have a closer look at this knife?"
"Uuh, okay."
I let the blacksmith take the blade, and watch him examine it for a moment...
"Tell me, has this knife done anything unusual of late?"
I was taken aback by his question, but answer it anyway.
"Uh...there was an incident no' too long ago when it fell out of m' sheath and into a puddle of dem'n blood...before, sucking it all in...Hang on: is there a chance you know why it did?"
Everyone was focused on Tōtōsai at this point, also anxious for his answer...
"Hmm...I would say it has to do with the demon bone that was used to make this blade...Yes. I believe whoever created this combat knife used the ground remains of a Nure-onna."
"Nure-onna? As in the dem'n with a humanoid face and snake body tha' haunts the seas and riv'rs?"
"The very same. I shudder to think how they acquired such material considering how vicious those wet women can be...Anywho, it's more than likely the bones still retained a small amount of the demon's residual power, allowing this blade to have the ability to absorb blood...And based on what I can see, it's actually made the knife even more durable."
"More durable? You mean, m' knife is stronger now because of the demon blood it sucked in?"
"Precisely."
Amazing...
"Your knife likely has the ability to heal itself using the blood strength of demons that it cuts down on, but only if the blade has become worn or is threatening to shatter...However..."
"However?"
"I must caution you to be careful of what demon blood it does absorb."
"Why's tha'?"
"If your knife were to absorb too much blood from demons that are riddled with a particularly strong evil, there's a chance that it may turn against you and even try to attack you."
We all gasp, but then Tōtōsai reassures us,
"Right now, there's nothing to worry about. As I said, the only times this blade will use its ability is in a time of crisis, such as if it's about to break, plus it doesn't need to absorb much...But again, I must caution you to be mindful of these times in the future."
"I understand. I'll be caref'l."
"Good. I think Inuyasha here could learn a thing or two from you on how to care for one's own blade. You seem to understand that they should be well-polished and not used like a child."
Inuyasha wasn't pleased by that comment.
"Hey, watch it, old man!"
I just laugh before turning to move to the river again.
"Alright, time t' get back to work: Look out, fish, here I come!"
No POV
As the Inuyasha gang and Tōtōsai camp by the riverside for the night, we shift the locale to a darkened marshland, an owl's hoot being the only sound as Sesshōmaru and Jaken made their way deeper in...
"I didn't realize that your sword was your inheritance from your father. Why don't you use it, master? What kind of power does it have? It must be something remarkable!"
"(...Stops) You want to know, Jaken?"
Pausing in his own steps, the imp muses,
"The idea of two swords forged from your father's fangs is extremely intriguing. It's like they are two brothers born from the same father, yet one is powerful and one is useless...Gah! I-I-I don't mean you're useless, Master Sesshōmaru! I mean that your sword was, or at least I've never seen you use it, and yet that half-breed brother of yours can use his, which makes him more powerful-Oh! But don't take that personally! I'm sure tha-"
"Jaken."
"Y-Y-Y-Yes sir?"
The smaller entity slowly turns around to face their lord, just as the latter begins unsheathing Tenseiga...
(SLASH)
"M-Master Sesshōmaru! Whyyyy?!"
Jaken falls backwards, his whole body overtaken by a grape purple-glowing cut mark...
But then, the energy fades, and we see...no signs of blood or trauma?!
"(...Smile) Get up, Jaken. You're fine."
"H-hh...Huh?"
The imp scrambles to his feet completely unharmed, much to his shock.
"B-But that's impossible! Y-You just cut me in half; how can I be alive?!"
"You see now? This useless Tenseiga cannot kill."
"W-Well, what's it good for, then?"
...Before Sesshōmaru could answer, the water in front of them begins to swirl.
"W-W-What's going on?!"
(...SPLASH)
And just like that, a giant water dragon shoots out from the marsh! As Jaken panics, the mostly stoic dog demon asks himself,
Why did father bestow this useless Tenseiga on me, and yet bless Inuyasha with the Tessaiga?
The dragon's tail comes flying down, and the imp flees for cover, while Sesshōmaru leaps into the air, and uses his poison whip and claws to kill the opposing creature in no time flat!...With the upper body gone, including the head, the victorious demon would take the advantage by taking one of its arms.
"This dragon has given me a gift...Now I can go back and get what is owed to me: Tessaiga."
Time Skip
The sun rises for a new day, and back at the one section of the river, everyone packs up their belongings to begin traveling anew, unaware of the danger that may be returning faster than anticipated...
"Farewell."
"Are you sure yeu wan' t' be leavin' us so soon, Tōtōsai?"
He replies to Coraline,
"Well, Inuyasha's not much for protection for me..."
"Tōtōsai..."
Inuyasha calls back to the girl,
"Let him go. Who needs him? The old geezer would only slow us down, anyway."
...Tōtōsai clamps a fist onto his palm, before moving off his bull companion and wanders over to grab the hilt of Tessaiga.
"Give it back. The Tessaiga is useless in your hands. It would be better off as scrap metal, (glances at Coraline) or at the very least for more responsible hands."
...A~nd a few seconds later, the blacksmith has a few new bumps on his head.
"I told you: don't touch my sword."
Coraline facepalms at Inuyasha's blunt response and physical conduct.
"Mo dhia..."
Still, I hafta both agree ye' disagree with Tōtōsai. Though Inuyasha lacks most of th' decorum for any proper swordsm'nship, 'e has enough sense to keep his blade under guard.
Said blacksmith demon scrambles back onto the three-eyed bull and calls back irritably,
"Don't say I didn't warn ya!"
He then signals the creature to get going, and they dash off without another word...Miroku comments,
"Well, he's not afraid to speak his mind," and Sango adds,
"Either he's extremely brave, or extremely senile."
Zooming over to the old man in green, Tōtōsai muses to himself,
That poor, little runt of a dog demon is gonna get himself killed by Sesshōmaru.
Intriguing the message in those glyphs may be, he hasn't even been able to see the Wind Scar that awakens Tessaiga's power...
By that point, Inuyasha and the others had begun walking off in the other direction. Coraline then asks the swordsman half-demon,
"Um, are y' sure you don't want t' go after 'im, Inuyasha? Tōtōsai may know more abou' the power that you're seeking, perhaps even wha's required to persuade Tessaiga to share it."
"Keh, yeah well, that old fart is full of it. Plus isn't this somethin' I need to figure out with my own strength?"
"True enough, bu-...Hang on."
The redhead stops walking, prompting the rest to pause.
"What is it?"
"...I sense the auras of Tōtōsai and 'is bull comin' back."
Did 'e forge' something?
Zooming back the way the group came from, we see that Tōtōsai was indeed charging their way...But getting a closer look, we see that the old blacksmith wasn't returning by choice, for there's a giant light orb chasing him!
"Daaaaauuuuh!"
The orb then crashes into the ground behind him, knocking Tōtōsai off the bull and onto the path...And who was the source? Sesshōmaru, obviously...Inuyasha would be the one to rush over first.
"Sesshōmaru."
"Stay where you are, or I'll tear you both to shreds."
The blacksmith scrambles to his feet and ducks behind the younger half-demon.
"W-We're in big trouble now..."
"Listen, old man: you got no intention of making Sesshōmaru a new sword, now do ya?"
"No."
Nodding, Inuyasha then calls out,
"Ya hear that? I had enough of this bad wrap over Tessiaga, and now I'm itchin' to use it and fight! So let's settle this once and for all!"
He unsheathes the said dog fang katana, signalling to Tōtōsai that he should back away...
Sesshōmaru charges forward, his new dragon arm poised at ready.
"Have it your way, little brother."
(...Clang)
"It will all end today. You will never have the power to defeat me! Not without the Wind Scar."