Update (February 2021): Chapter edited and lengthened!
Chapter 50: Tokijin's New Master
The plot ball is immediately picked up once more, and the focus is on Inuyasha and Kaijinbō as they head into a more proper clash of blades. As we'll recall, the latter had come on the will of his creation Tokijin, a sword born from the fangs of Naraku's latest incarnation, Goshinki...
We observe that neither side is giving an inch, and have actually managed a stalemate, much to the shock of the half-demon's companions. Miroku and Freeman go as far as exclaiming,
"It's a draw!"
"How's that even possible?!"
Once the sparks of dark lilac energy die down, Inuyasha shoves the Khanda-like blade back before leaping away from Kaijinbō's next swing...
(Tang)
The weight of Tessaiga overcomes his arm, forcing him to grip the hilt with both hands as he thinks to himself,
I'm not gonna stand for any draw. The Tokijin is strong alright, but Kajinbō doesn't know how to handle it.
I could've done 'im in already if Tessaiga didn't weigh so much...
What the hell was Tōtōsai thinking, making it so bloody heavy...
"Pathetic. You don't even have the strength to wield your own sword, hehahaha!"
Inuyasha curses as Kaijinbō calls,
"Prepare yourself! This time you'll meet your maker!"
"Not if I can help it!"
(CLANG)
Once again, swords meet in a contest of strength, and as they continue to push against one another, the smith calls out from the battlefield in a jeer,
"Pathetic, Tōtōsai! I would've expected much better from your-"
(SHRED)
...Kaijinbō didn't have the chance to finish his final taunt, his body suddenly tearing into pieces without warning, leaving the sword to land in the ground several feet away! Miroku remarks in awe,
"Incredible," and Tōtōsai comments,
"Yes. The sword held up, but Kaijinbō himself was unable to withstand its power. The very sword he forged overpowered him. (Glare) The retched fool deserved it."
Inuyasha takes in some deep breaths, having used a good deal of his own strength just to swing his sword...Tessaiga then reverts to its dormant form, and the wielder whirls around to rush back to the group and call a certain old man out on his work.
"Tōtōsai, I wanna talk to you."
"Somethin' about the sword you don't care for?"
Inuyasha lightly taps the sword-smith's head with the flat side of Tessaiga while asking,
"How in the hell do you figure I can carry around such a heavy sword? One thrust and I need to stop and rest!"
"Do you wish to know how to handle the heavy Tessaiga?"
Coraline tilts her head in confusion as the half-demon asks,
"You mean there's a way to do it?"
"And it's simple."
He and Tōtōsai stare at one another for a minute...before the former claps a hand on the latter with a fake smile.
"You aren't gonna tell me the answer is in building up my own strength, are ya?"
"Uh..."
(Bonk)
"I should'a known!"
Coraline facepalms and mutters,
"The oul fella really needs t' think before he speaks..."
Shippō nods in agreement...Focus then turns to Tokijin as it once again emits that dangerous pink-red glow. Miroku comments as he, Inuyasha and Tōtōsai approach for a closer look,
"Strange that the evil aura around the sword still hasn't dissipated..."
"Indeed..."
The smith walks even closer...only to flinch back from the power.
"Auoh, the evil won't allow me to extract it! Who could've commissioned Kaijinbō to forge such a sword?"
The monk decides on a course of action:
"We'll have to construct a barrier around Tokijin to contain the aura, otherwise, we won't be able to control its evil."
Shippō asks him,
"Miroku, can't you put some kind of sacred spell on it?"
"The aura is too strong. I'm not sure of any of my spells will be able to seal it completely."
"What about your idea to create a barrier then?"
"Easier said than done: we'll need to hire men to build it, and that requires money, which we're sadly lacking."
"Then make some money with your fake fortune-telling."
"I make an honest living, I'll have you know!"
The little fox counters,
"Your job as a monk is to help others, so how about helping us?!"
"Point taken. If I do agree to this, I'll need to keep some of the money to entertain myself with the ladies. I may not make as much as we need, hmm..."
"Couldn't you forget the ladies just this once?!"
Inuyasha finally cuts into the conversation before it takes another lap around the track.
"I've heard more than I need to. We're wasting time here! I'll use Tessaiga to smash it to bits! (Lift) Hr-nh, (leap) rrrr-rhhh!"
(Clang)
"What?"
(Pow)
"Gaaah!"
However, Tokijin proved to be stronger this time, projecting a barrier against Tessaiga and forcing the half-demon to retreat back...As he stands up, Inuyasha wonders,
"Is Tokijin unbreakable?"
The group decides to back off from the demon sword for the time being to come up with another plan...
Sango and Shippō each comment on the growing energy.
"Its evil power is awesome..."
"Almost as if it's alive..."
Coraline curls a finger under her chin as she ponders,
"Who in the world could'a wanted such'a blade t' be created?"
Miroku replies,
"We can talk about that later, but right now, we should distance ourselves from it."
Inuyasha asks incredulously,
"You mean you want us to run?"
Tōtōsai retorts matter-of-factually,
"Anyone capable of drawing a sword of such evil would have enormous power. You're no match at present."
The silverette harrumphs and crosses his arms with a stubborn scowl...before proceeding to sit down in the grass.
"I'm waiting here."
Coraline groans,
"Ach, yeu can't be serious..."
Shippō reasons,
"if you stay by the sword, you might be in danger," and Sango adds,
"He's right. It's wiser to distance yourself for now."
But Inuyasha remains firm:
"No. Do what you want, but I'm not gonna move a single muscle."
The taller redhead of the group frowns at her companion's attitude, and Miroku approaches her for a private word.
"Coraline, come here a moment. Knowing Inuyasha's character, he really isn't very likely to move away from the sword. I suggest we stay near and keep watch over him."
"...Hauh, right."
"We'll wait for one full day, when he's calmed down somewhat. Tomorrow morning, if he's still staying by the sword, then you can use your command on him and make him 'Sit'. I'll then sneak up behind him, and strike him hard with my staff, knocking him unconscious. And that's when we'll gather him up and flee from this place."
"...I dunno, Miroku. That sounds a little extreme."
"Perhaps, but drastic times call for drastic measures."
"...Hah, alrigh'. I don' like it, but if it'll get 'im out of danger, I'll do what I must."
"(Nod) 'Til tomorrow morning."
The monk sees the conflict in the teenage girl's eyes, and places a hand on her shoulder while gently adding,
"I know that you've said that you no longer enjoy using the beads, but keep in mind that sometimes a little pain is necessary to move forward. Plus, this wouldn't be for a selfish reason."
"(Nervous smile) Auy, I know. I jus' hope if worse comes to worst, Inuyasha will understand."
"I'm sure he will."
While that backup plan is forged, Tōtōsai wonders to himself in a clueless manner,
"I wonder if I said something that I shouldn't have said?"
...Unbeknownst to our group, Kagura had been watching from afar in the treeline,
and smirks before disappearing to who knows...
Meanwhile, the twins share a look between eachother, before looking down at the crystal shards in their wrist bands.
"...You thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?"
"Yeah...but would it work?"
"Wouldn't hurt to try."
They turn to the rest of the group to present their own idea.
"Miroku: you said that we don't have the resources to erect a barrier, right?"
"Yes."
"...What about an energy shield?"
"Hm?"
Besa displays his Seven Light shard alongside Freeman's, and the latter asks,
"What we're askin' is if it's possible to use our crystals to make a shield around Tokijin the same way we made one to protect us from Kagura's wind blades a while back?"
Everyone widens their eyes at the thought, and Coraline steps over in front of her brothers to inquire,
"Hang on: you two aren' thinking of-"
"We are."
"...That's insane!"
Her sibling with the cornrowed hair calmly counters,
"Maybe so, but unless we do something now, Tokijin's aura will only grow, and god forbid what'll happen then. We know this is a risky plan, but it doesn't hurt to at least try."
"...Freeman...Besa. (...Nod) Alright. If yousuns are serious about this...I won' stop you. But if either of you ge' hurt, it's on your backs."
"Gotcha."
"We get it."
The twins turn in the direction of Tokijin, and with determination burning in their eyes, they begin to walk over...Sango wonders,
"Will they be able to do it?"
"Who knows, (...smile) bu' I have faith they'll give i' their all."
Tōtōsai hums and says to the girls,
"Faith may not be enough if they aren't careful. It's one thing for a demon to try and approach a sword with that kind of aura, but for two humans with hearts like theirs?...It'll be a miracle if the power doesn't cause them bodily harm."
Everyone else emit noises of worry, while Inuyasha stares at the distant forms standing on either side of Tokijin.
...Be careful, you two.
Freeman's POV
Besa and I are now a couple steps away from the freaky sword, and I was already beginning to feel queasy from the power it's giving off.
"Rgh...Do you feel that, bro?"
"Yes, mph, the aura's obviously trying to stave us off...We need to do this as quick as we can."
"Right."
I move to the right side of the sword, and Besa stands opposite...before I close my eyes and breathe deep.
Okay, focus...Just think back to when we were protecting Inuyasha and the others from Kagura...
I wanted, to shield my friends from pain.
I feel a familiar pulsing from my wrist, and I breathe in again, before opening my eyes to meet my brother's.
"Ready?"
"Ready."
We make that cross-shape with our wrists, crystals facing one another...
(Sheen...)
A light brimming with all the colours of the rainbow begins to shine, and it shoots outwards to trace a circle on the ground around Tokijin, before extending from the line into a shield like the one from last time!
It's working!
I hold my position with Besa a little longer, he grinning as big as I probably am...Then as soon as we were sure our creation is sound, we uncross our wrists, and the light fades from our crystals to leave behind our new shield!
"...Heha, we did it, bro!"
"Yeah, we did...Come on, let's head back."
No POV
As soon as the brothers meet eachother's sides, they start their slow trek back over to the other, who were in awe over the spectacle they witnessed.
"...Did they-"
"They, did..."
"They made a shield around Tokijin!"
...Though as soon as Freeman and Besa arrive just a few feet away from the main group...
(Sway)
"Uh!"
"Rgh!"
They both stumble and drop to their knees, gripping their heads with a single hand while occupying pained expressions...
"Guys!"
Coraline rushes over with Miroku and Shippō, and the first two help the brothers up while the latter exclaims worriedly,
"Are you two okay?! What's wrong?!"
They reply in a strain,
"Rgh, I-I think so. Just got a killer headache..."
"S-Same, here. Agh, I can barely see straight..."
The monk commends their efforts as he and the budding warrior guide Freeman and Besa to sit against Mōmō.
"That was an incredible feat of power...but it looks like it's taken a toll on the both of you..."
Sango comes over to ask in her own concern,
"Are you two gonna be alright?"
Freeman replies casually with a weak wave of the hand,
"Yeah yeah, we'll live. We just...need to sit for a few minutes," and Besa adds,
"I think it just took a bit more strength this round because we're not running on adrenaline."
Everyone nods, and Coraline kneels down to hug both boys.
"Tha' was amazingly brave of yous."
"Thanks, sis."
"Don't worry. We'll be fine...I just hope the shield will last."
...
...
Night soon falls over the valley, and we turn our attention to a lone campfire near the treeline occupied by Rin...
"Hauh, what could be taking Lord Sesshōmaru so long?"
I hope A-Un has found them.
"(...Turns) Hm?...Hah!"
Upon feeling a change in the atmosphere, the little human whirls around to see three familiar figures coming out of the mist. Jaken complains while pulling the two-headed dragon demon - whom from this point on can be referred to as A-Un - alongside his master,
"That fool Kaijinbō! Where in the world could he have gotten to with your sword?"
Rin gets up and begins running over to them, exclaiming cheerily,
"Lord Sesshōmaru, hahahaha!"
...Rather than greet her back, however, the dog demon pauses at another shift in the air.
Mm!?
"Stop, Rin. Do not move."
She freezes mid-step, and the imp hums in suspicion before his lord leaps over Rin and the fire, narrowing in on the danger he picked up.
(Slash)
He cuts away some trees, exposing Kagura who jumps out of the line of fire and lands a couple feet away...
"A woman."
Jaken sniffs the air, and says,
"I know that scent: she smells much like the strange beast that offered to lend you the severed human arm. (Glare) The demon that disguised himself with the baboon pelt...His retched plan took us to Hell and back! Curse him! You were almost shot down by that damned redhead's arrow, then your arm was almost burned off, and I was beaten to a pulp by that monk!"
The imp shivers and adds ruefully,
"Just simply recalling that incident makes me ill."
Sesshōmaru's own memory remains sharp to the distinctive smell shared between the spider-marred demon and his new creations.
"I recall this scent. It is the same of the beast that attempted to trap me, the one who is known as Naraku."
"So...you must be Inuyasha's older brother, Sesshōmaru. You're very clever...I am Kagura, the Wind Sorceress, an incarnation of Naraku."
"Incarnation?"
"Correct...Sesshōmaru, the fangs you delivered to Kaijinbō to make your sword were those of a demon called Goshinki. Like me, he was also created from Naraku."
"...All very interesting. But did you search me out to simply tell me this?"
"Hmm...can you not detect its scent? Tokijin reeks of Goshinki's aura. It is closer than you think."
(Whooooosh)
Using her wind sorcery, Kagura then takes her leave upon her feather, though not before adding,
"You are the sword's rightful owner."
...Once her presence has truly made itself scarce, Jaken comes to his lord's side and comments,
"I am not sorry to see her leave so soon. I don't believe I've seen such an arrogant woman."
Sesshōmaru makes no moves to add onto the commentary, and merely turns his head behind him to address the stock-still little girl.
"...Rin. You're free to move now."
She replies with a smile,
"Yes, my lord," and stretches her limbs with a relaxed sigh...
The dog demon eyes her form for a second longer, then directs his attention to the sky in thought.
"...Tokijin..."
Jaken's attention meanwhile, is on the playful Rin.
"Speaking of strange women..."
Time Skip, Coraline's POV
It's now morning, and we're all still hanging around near Tokijin, Inuyasha sitting the closest to it out of stubbornness while the rest of us chose a safer distance around a new campfire. Luckily, Freeman and Besa's shield has held out these last several hours...but I've noticed it beginning to throb out a bit earlier, so it likely won't last for too much longer...
"Damn, the shield's beginning to weaken. I was hoping it would last longer than this..."
Besa replies to Freeman,
"Well what did you expect? That sword has an incredibly powerful demonic aura, so there was no guarantee that our energy shield would last forever...I call it a miracle that it even lasted until morning."
Shippō hops up on Freeman's shoulder and says with a smile,
"Besa's right. Plus, it was really cool watching you two do that for a second time!"
"(Smile) Thanks, little dude. I'm glad that we could help in some way, even if it's only temporary."
Sango asks curiously,
"Have either of you discovered any other abilities with those crystal shards besides shield projection?"
"Nothing yet, but it's only a matter of time. I wouldn't mind finding a way to do somethin' that involves healing."
Besa nods in agreement to the idea:
"Yeah, that would be a real asset to our group."
"Would you get off my back?! Stop saying the same thing over and over!"
We suddenly turn our attention from the fire to Inuyasha's direction upon hearing his outburst, and I wonder aloud,
"...Is'e, talkin' to Myōga?"
Inuyasha's POV
For the past few hours since the sun began to rise, Myōga hasn't shut up about me keeping a better vigilance on my sword...
"I will not stop until I have your promise! You must vow never to abandon Tessaiga again!"
I just humph and turn my head away from the annoying flea...yet I can't help but wonder,
What's with him? Why's he suddenly so frantic about me and Tessaiga?
...It's not like I don't use it on purpose. There are just some fights where usin' my claws is faster...
Unless...Does it have to do with my transformation into a full demon?
Coraline's POV
As I stare at Inuyasha's form, I hear Miroku ask me,
"So, what do you think we should do, Coraline?"
"Hm? (Turn) About wha'?"
"I've been thinking...Perhaps I should come right out and tell Inuyasha the truth."
The truth?...Oh!
"You mean abou' Tessaiga's role as not only a battle weapon, but a shield agains' his inner demon?"
"Yes. He doesn't know that, which is why he abandons it sometimes."
Hm...I suppose it wouldn' be righ' to keep this a secret...
"I believe you're righ'. We should tell him about h's inner demon's connection with Tessaiga."
Just as I come to that decision, Myōga quickly hops over and onto Miroku's shoulder, protesting against our collective thoughts.
"You must not tell him!"
"Myōga, it's you."
I stand up to look at the flea demon in confusion, and Freeman asks,
"Why shouldn't we, sir? Doesn't he have the right to know?"
"It's not that simple, young man. You know what Master Inuyasha is like: if he learns of the secret, he'll surely abandon the sword, and come to rely on his transformed claws and fangs!"
Miroku puts a hand under his chin in thought:
"Yes...I suppose he'll find them addictive," and Besa adds,
"And if that were to happen, all of his work in mastering Tessaiga will be for naught."
The flea demon nods,
"Of course. After all, Inuyasha is a simpleton at heart, remember?"
Miroku hums in agreement:
"Mhm, without a doubt."
In contrast, I felt a guilty frown form at the idea of staying quiet, despite the, reasonable opinion.
Put i' tha' way, maybe it would best to keep it under wraps...for now...
But I don't wan' to keep this a secret forever.
Regardless of h's shortcomings...I know Inuyasha isn't so unwise tha' he'd resor' to such a foolhardy strategy.
...When the momen' does come, I'll give i' to him straigh'.
Just as I come to that conclusion, I notice a certain sword-smith making his approach to the dog demon yonder...
Tōtōsai, wha' are yeu doin' now?
No POV
As Inuyasha stands by Tokijin with his arms crossed, Tōtōsai walks over to him while remarking,
"You certainly keep yourself busy...changing into a human one minute, (sits down) a goblin the next."
"I'm a demon, not a goblin."
The half-dog demon then takes a seat after removing his sheathed katana from under his obi.
"It's not exactly like I have any idea what's goin' on here."
"Don't you know what's happening? You really are dimwitted!"
Everyone from the camp back some ways darts their heads up, with Coraline, Miroku and Myōga each thinking,
Is he...?
Tōtōsai...
"Not the secret...!"
...But to everyone's surprise, the sword-smith takes a different and arguably wiser approach to steer the young swordsman away from the doomed path.
"Myōga told me that you transform into a full demon when you're on the verge of dying. That's not too surprising really seeing as you are a half-demon. But if you ask me, your strength doesn't lie in your demon nature. As I explained to you, the weight of your repaired Tessaiga comes from the fang I used to forge it."
Inuyasha hums, indicating that he's listening...
"Originally, Tessaiga was forged from your father's fangs alone. In other words, you were relying on your father to protect you. But now, Tessaiga is different: now you must rely on your own fang, and you must protect yourself."
An enlightenment expression spreads on his face, and Tōtōsai concludes,
"Once you have manage to freely wield this new Tessaiga, you will have truly discovered your own strength."
"Hmm..."
A collection of clapping then sounds, and Inuyasha turns to see the others standing behind him and the smith with smiles. Miroku says,
"Yes, it is just as you said, Tōtōsai," and Shippō adds,
"Yep, exactly."
Freeman and Besa then each chide,
"You've got the willpower to do it, man."
"Yes. Just reach down into your perseverance, and Tessaiga will be easy to master."
Inuyasha replies uncertainly from their looks,
"Uh, yeah, I guess so."
...Why do I get this feeling I've been conned?
The only one who isn't as cheery is Coraline, who held a small smile on her lips but conflict in her eyes.
They are right. Masterin' Tessaiga will help strengthen Inuyasha's will agains' h's inner demon...
Still, not telling him the sword's hidd'n purpose feels...wrong.
Sensing her discomfort, Lumos moves to float over her right shoulder, sending his ghostly moans into her ear softly...Unbeknownst to the girl, Inuyasha caught the twinkle of guilt.
...I thought so. There is somethin' the others aren't telling me.
And Coraline...I think she wants to, but seems, afraid.
...What's being left out? Hm...maybe I should see about pulling her aside for a private chat later.
Before he could think further on the subject, attention suddenly turns to the skies as they shift at an unnatural speed from sunny with fluffy clouds, to dark and storm-ridden. Everyone tenses up...and a flash of bright teal light comes crashing in, revealing Sesshōmaru riding aboard A-Un!...The right head of the equestrian dragon then shoots a beam of electricity down on Tokijin, hitting the shield Freeman and Besa created earlier, causing it to throb...before shattering like glass!
"Aw crap!"
"That dragon took down our shield!"
The dog demon in control of the beast then hops to the ground, staring at the blade inside the new crater...Inuyasha mutters his half-brother's name in some surprise, while Tōtōsai panics and darts behind the younger.
"O-Oh no, not him...!"
Rolling his eyes at the cowardly behaviour, the silverette in red focuses on addressing the new arrival.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"Just what I would ask you. I have merely come for this sword. It seems the demon you killed was so bitter, it desired revenge even after its remains were forged into the sword."
"What?"
Sango asks aloud,
"How does he know that Tokijin was created from Goshinki's fangs?"
Miroku concludes,
"It must mean that...!"
Sesshōmaru confirms his thoughts.
"I was the one who commissioned Kaijinbō to make this sword."
Coraline and Inuyasha quietly gasp, and Tōtōsai calls out in warning,
"Sesshōmaru, you must not touch Tokijin! Even you will be possessed by the sword's evil aura! It was a miracle that these twin boys here were able to approach close enough to forge that shield surrounding it previously! Heed my warning, I implore you!"
The young lord narrows his eyes a touch, glancing briefly at Freeman and Besa who tense up on the defense...before stepping over to Tokijin, and grasping it by its hilt to extract no problem!
"Pathetic fool. Just who do you take me for?"
...And just like that, the energy emitting from the demon blade begins to die away, much to the monk's shock.
"The evil aura!...It's, dissipating!"
Tōtōsai remarks,
"The evil aura was overtaken by Sesshōmaru! (Mumble) I don't even care much for him..."
Said dog demon glances down at the blade, and hums,
"I see the sword has chosen me as its master," before turning attention to his half-sibling.
"Draw your sword, Inuyasha. There's something I wish to verify."
"Hrrh, something about me?"
As Lumos flies from Coraline to bop up and down in front of Inuyasha in protest, she grasps her friend's arm and implores seriously,
"Don't let 'im draw you into battle, Inuaysha. It's no' worth the energy!"
"Would you let go of me?"
Tōtōsai asks him,
"Do you honestly think you can defeat him?"
"Kuh, well I can't exactly tell him to come back when I'm finished training..."
Having heard that, Sesshōmaru replies,
"Precisely. Come at me, little brother...I'll make it easy: I shall come for you."
He then makes a mad dash froward with Tokijin at ready, forcing Inuyasha to charge back while pulling out Tessaiga.
"Ha, you're gonna regret this, Sesshōmaru!"
Nrh, this thing's way too heavy!
Sesshōmaru leaps upward and soars back down with his newly-acclaimed blade aimed to cut down his half-sibling, who barely blocks it with his own sword.
(Clang...)
Of course, even though he manages to save himself, the power was still a challenge for the silverette in red to stand against...Coraline watches the battle while commenting with worry,
"The best he can do is block Tokijin..."
Shippō says from atop Freeman's shoulder,
"His sword is too powerful for him!"
Tōtōsai mutters,
"This isn't looking good," and Freeman retorts,
"Oi! Show at least some positivity; it won't help looking at it all negative!"
Miroku then asks the sword-smith,
"Is there any chance that Inuyasha can defeat him?"
"Yes, well, he still doesn't know how to handle Tessaiga. Besides, he's up against Tokijin, a dangerous sword in anyone's hands. And now that it's being wielded by Sesshōmaru..."
Inuyasha is soon crouching on the ground after the power from Tokijin nearly drives him off his feet, had it not been for Tessaiga acting as a decent shield.
"Rgh, damn it to hell..."
He gets back up, and Sesshōmaru stares at him while observing,
Just as I thought: his scent is but that of a half-demon...
When he defeated Goshinki, his blood changed to be sure...What could that mean?
I must witness his transformation with my own eyes.
As the full dog demon re-concludes his plans, Inuyasha thinks to himself,
I'll have to finish him off in one blow, otherwise I'll be killed...
"What, have you altered your combat strategy? Usually you charge at me blindly with great haste."
"Huh, whatever you say."
Inuyasha then hoists Tessaiga over his shoulder before charging at his brother, and swings the blade as hard as he can.
(Clang...)
But this time, the opposite occurs, with the Khanda-inspired sword managing to fully force the dog fang katana's strength to a screeching halt. Power sparks on both sides before dissipating to just the bare blades...and that's when Sesshōmaru feels the weight change.
"Aah. Tessaiga has become heavier, I see."
Inuyasha bitterly retorts,
"It's alot heavier, you stupid jackass!"
"Hmph, the sword is too heavy for you. (Shove) You're better off without it!"
(SHING)
Sesshōmaru's own strength prevails, and he disarms Tessaiga from their wielder's hands, leaving the latter to be thrown back by the power!
(...Tok)
The fanged blade lands a few feet away, and transforms back into its dormant form...Miroku and Besa exclaim,
"Look at Tessaiga!"
"He's been overcome!"
Coraline calls out Inuyasha's name, and Shippō says in his own worry,
"He doesn't stand a chance against his brother!"
The half-demon himself growls out a curse in frustration, before Myōga hops over and urges,
"Master Inuyasha: hurry and take hold of Tessaiga!"
"Myōga, you again?"
He glances at his fallen sword, then over at his half-brother...before deciding,
"Don't need it!"
"Stop! I'm warning you!"
But Inuyasha does not heed the flea demon, and continues to run at Sesshōmaru with the intent of using his own claws...Coraline calls in protest,
"Inuyasha, no!"
Shippō and Freeman exclaim,
"He's gonna fight 'im with his bare hands!"
"Damn, that's not gonna go well...!"
Myōga begs from atop his young charge's shoulder,
"Please stop! You mustn't be so rash!"
"I can't use that lug of a sword, now can I?"
"I'm begging you!"
"Shut up and stay back!"
He then smacks the tiny entity away, before focusing back on Sesshōmaru as the latter shifts position with Tokijin pointing straight at the former...
(Bzzz-POW)
A bolt of light green and purple energy shoots from the blade's tip, hitting Inuyasha full-blast!
"Aaaaaaarrrrrrgggghhhhh!"
Sango calls out over the gasps,
"He's been thrown by the power of the sword!"
...Somehow, he manages to remain on his feet, sliding through the grass several feet before stopping in a crouching position, his head pointing downward while he takes in some deep breaths...He then darts back up to direct a seething glare at his half-brother.
You...bastard!
"I've seen all that I've needed."
Not finding the change he was looking for, Sesshōmaru decides to switch to an all-out offensive attack.
"(Dash) Die!"
Miroku shouts,
"Look out, Inuyasha; he's coming for you!"
...All the silverette in red does in response is drop to a kneel, his bangs billowing over his face...But just as Sesshōmaru comes closer in his charge...
"Uh!"
That scent again!
The winds shift the other direction...and zooming in on Inuyasha's form, we see his eyes were now red with the dark cyan irises, and the jagged African purple stripes were forming on his cheekbones! A feral growl bubbles in his throat, and he grips the ground with his extending claws, teeth bared...Coraline senses the change, and becomes scared for his life.
"Inuyasha..."
No...He's, transformed again! The ligh' and darkness in his aura are goin' to war!
Lumos begins emitting cries of alarm while circling around the group, knowing that something bad would happen should they remain. Tōtōsai takes a step forward and says to everyone,
"You people take Inuyasha and flee from here."
"Hm?"
He then puffs his cheeks...before shooting a blast of fire from his mouth!
(Fwoooooom)
The flames travel through the grass and cuts between Sesshōmaru and Inuyasha before the former could reach the latter.
"Uh!...Tōtōsai..."
Over the fire, he hears the following:
"Inuyasha!"
"Coraline, now!"
"Sorry, Inuyasha! Sit Boy!"
(Wham)
"Gah!"
Peering past the flames, he sees everyone running from the area with his unconscious target in Miroku's, the twins and Sango's arms...After a little while, the fire dies off and leaves only a burn mark in the grassland...Jaken then appears and asks,
"But my lord, why did you not go after him? He was in the palm of your hands...M-Master Sesshōmaru?"
Said dog demon was deep in thought over the events that transpired.
...To think that he made me, Sesshōmaru, tremble with fear for even a moment.
...Inuyasha, in that instant...
As another breeze blows by, we zoom several feet away from the silent long...and spot Kagura spying from the treeline.
...He's strong...He might be able to kill Naraku.
She smiles, before embarking over the wind upon her feather...
As she flies off to wherever her next destination waits, her thoughts were of the following.
Naraku holds my life in his hands, but I have no intention of remaining a servant forever to the likes of him.
...I am the wind. One day, I shall be free!