Hello, my lovely readers and fellow writers!
Glad to see that your attention is still being grasped by this and my other stories...and in that event, there's something I need to bring to light.
I've been noticing in the reviews that a few of you have been coming up with requests for different stories involving Character x OC pairings. While I do appreciate your enthusiasm and am flattered by your confidence in me as an author, I just want to stay on task with the three stories I'm working on at this present time (as I've said similarly at the bottom of my author's profile). Plus, now that I'm back in University, coupled with my part-time job, I'll be busy-busy-busy again...But, I do encourage any fellow writers whom have read those requests to jump with your hand up and take a crack at 'em :)
That's it; that's all; movin' on!
Chapter 132: Swan Song of the Shichinintai, Part One
Eyes belonging to souls of multiple backgrounds living near the foot of the once divinely-strong Mount Hakurei, would have their pupils cast towards the distant protruding rock this current hour of the late morning, as the sacred barrier created by Saint Hakushin decays in complete defeat, thanks to the double pressures of Miroku's Wind Tunnel, and Kikyō's share of empathy towards the self-berating soul. The entire nature-made structure was wrapped in a very troubling, haze-like glow of dark wine red and bright plum purple, with orbs of similar-coloured light escaping from every exit point imaginable, most likely belonging to the mass army of demonic entities hidden within the mountain now convoying for elsewhere...
Some of the more familiar people include Chiyo, Yuuta, their friends and a few men from their village, staring up at the distant mountain from the decimated grave site of the Shichinintai...
And lest we forget Shintarō, young headman of the Hijiri Island Village, he standing near the shoreline heading towards the small, disconnected body of earth itself with his sisters - Hana, Getsu and Yuki - and the rest of his people, watching the action spilling from Mount Hakurei with expressions of awed worry...
Getting back to one of the sources partially responsible for this latest event, the priestess with fair skin and banged ebony black hair stood near Saint Hakushin's robes as she watched the demons swarming from Hakurei like a plague of locusts, muttering to herself,
"It has to be Naraku...just as Rosiagnes said..."
She wouldn't be the only one drawing such conclusions. Back on that cliff overlooking the mountain a ways back, Rin stares at the changing atmosphere with wondering and wary brown irises, before asking the taller demon on her right,
"Lord Sesshomaru, what is that...?"
His reply would be short:
"Just as I thought."
...
Zooming into the mountain territory now, we return to our group of demons and humans that had just made their charge into the valley, Kōga making a beeline to punch another opposing monstrosity to pieces, followed by Coraline using her telekinetic ability with her combat knife to slit the throats of three more egging his way. But, neither the wolf demon or Aura Reader were relishing in these little victories, focusing on the appending problem at hand. Catching her short blade on the next rebound, the angle of reach revealing her outfit's current state (a few small rips and dirt stains on her white tank top, exposed since she ditched her flannel shirt in her satchel, her dark blue jeans sporting a quick sewing line on the lower right pant leg, and scuffing on her black combat boots), the redhead inquires almost dryly,
"Any chance these monsters will give up after we create enough of a carnage pile?"
The wolf demon with long black hair tied back in a ponytail tches and replies bitterly but casually,
"Doubtful. These demons have that 'attack first, die later' kind-a mind."
"That's what I was afraid you'd say, wolf boy...Haaah, alright then."
While psyching herself up for another round of slashing and hacking, Besa - his dark green buttoned-up, short-sleeved shirt, dark grey khaki shorts and brown converse sneakers also sporting noticeable signs of quality deterioration - had gotten one step ahead of his sister in this moment, using his demon bone sickles to charge and slice down as many demons as he could.
"Haaaaa-aaaaah!"
Any evil cretins that didn't go down so fast, would be taken care of by Hakkaku and Ginta, who used the raw strength they possess as wolf demons to harshly kick and punch the fleeting life out of their enemies.
"Take that!"
"And some o' this!"
They pause a moment to high-five eachother at their efforts...which would be a mistake on their parts, when they find themselves being charged at by one large imp-like demon from behind, snarling and wielding a mace of all weapons!
"Aauh!" "Whah!"
"Fox Fire!"
(Fwooom)
Thankfully, Ginta and Hakkaku would be rescued when Shippo uses his illusionary powers to throw the giant demon off-course, it clawing at the blue flames with a howl, giving Freeman - whose clothes were also more rugged than last we saw at the Village of Hijiri Island, including fraying at the bottom of his light gray muscle tank-top, the rip in the left knee of his black skinny jeans larger than before, and his monochrome high-top sneakers scuffed up and tearing slightly in the aglet-free laces - the opportunity to charge at it from the side, swinging his hammer sideways in a hard punt to the torso.
"Fooooour!"
(WHAM)
The imp demon lets a screech of pain scorch from its throat, before the force of impact from the long hammer destroys it in an explosion of flesh and bone...Letting out matching sighs of relief, the wolf demon with the white-blond Mohawk says with a smile,
"Nice counter, guys."
The young male with short, coarse black hair and espresso dark skin scratches the back of his head with a modest smile.
"Ah, no probs. Shippo gets most of the credit for his Fox Fire...And speakin' of which..."
Freeman turns his head to the little demon settling back down on Kilala's back from his jump into the air, commenting,
"You and Ki are lookin' alot better now, little dude."
"Thanks. Feeling better too."
The twin-tailed cat demon rumbles a purr with a nod, signifying her health was back to par as well. Gazing up at the ill-glowing mountain with a hm in his tone, the young man with cornrowed black hair thinks aloud with a frown,
"Well, as much as I don't want to say that isn't a good thing...I'd count that as a sign that the Sacred Barrier's been eradicated. Question is, how?"
Kōga replies as the group cloisters together,
"The only way we're gonna find out is t' keep goin'...I'm definitely smellin' Naraku's scent now that we're inside the valley, and it's getting stronger."
Hakkaku then cries out with a pointer finger directed upward,
"Auh, here they come again!"
By 'they', he was referring to another section of the demon swarm that was heading for their direction.
Tensing up at the ready with their demon slayer weapons, Freeman and Besa comment with glares,
"Geez, how many of them do we need to send to their maker before they take the hint?!"
"Such is the nature of vultures, I suppose..."
The wolf demon leader jokes without humour,
"Maybe they're hungry or somethin'! Haurrrrah!"
He jumps and claws apart the head of one yellow serpent demon...just at around the time another section of the mass demonic army, made their lunge against Sesshomaru atop that distant cliff!
"Lord Sesshomaru, no!"
But while the little green imp dressed in brown was worried for his master...the dog demon merely brought out his more aggressive blade, Tokijin, and obliterated the dozen or so demons in one stroke of its aura! Feeling inspired by Sesshomaru's lack of fear, Jaken says from his place back a ways with Rin,
"Excellent swordsmanship as always! Now it's time to use my Staff of Two Heads!"
(Fwoooooooom...)
A blast of fire is released from the old man's mouth of the wooden weapon, burning a few more of the opposition into ashes...
"Ah-hahaha! Come at me, you pathetic demons!"
Rin cheers,
"You tell them, Master Jaken!"
He twirls his staff above his head with another confident laugh, fueled by the human girl's encouragement (not that he would ever tell her that out of pride).
(...Twok...zwip)
And back down near the base of Mount Hakurei, Kikyō was hard at work using her Sacred Arrows to piece and cut away the demons charging her way, including one demon that lightly resembles the legendary Mongolian Death Worm...
Cutting to the valley again, Kōga slashes and kicks down two more demons, before calling back to everyone else,
"Let's go!"
Hakkaku, he standing back-to-back with Ginta, Freeman and Besa, asks,
"But where exactly are we heading for?"
"Naraku, where else?"
He and the wolf demon with silver-blue irises cringe with nervous expressions at the sound of that evil half-demon's name, but calm when Freeman says to them with encouraging smirk,
"Hey, don't lose your confidence, guys. It's not we're goin' in alone...We'll have eachother's backs the entire way. Right, bro?"
Besa nods with a smile:
"Absolutely."
Hakkaku and Ginta gaze at the twin young men with astonishment for a moment...before forming determined smirking smiles of their own.
"Right. What're we worryin' about?"
"Our friends and loved ones are here. Well, most of them..."
Hearing the rise of morality, the wolf demon with long black hair and deep blue irises smiles for a second, before forming a serious line with his lips, and pivots his head to lock eyes with Coraline.
"Let's go."
"Right."
The redhead calls over her shoulder just as Kōga starts running ahead,
"Kilala! I could use your assistance, please!"
The twin-tailed cat demon heeds Coraline's polite order, leaving the demon she just took down with her fangs to rush to the human's direction, allowing the latter to jump aboard behind Shippo. Seeing that four out of eight people in the group was already moving on, the other two wolf demons call,
"Hey, wait up!"
"Not again!"
Freeman and Besa lock their distinctively-different green irises with firm nods, before grabbing Ginta and Hakkaku's hands respectively.
"Huh?" "Wha-?"
"Don't let go, guys,"
"And get ready to run faster than you've ever gone."
(...Sheeeeen) (...Sheeeeen)
The clear, thickly-cut shards of the Seven Light Crystals set within the round metal bases strapped to the twin's wrists begin glowing on the silent call of wills from both, before expelling a rippling wave of transparent rainbow energy to envelop their bodies...as well as the ones connected through skin-to-skin contact.
"Wha-?!" "Whoa...!"
Smiling in anticipation, Freeman says,
"Alright. Now that we all got the upgrade...let's motor!"
No one needed a twice telling, and the quartet of wolf demons and humans ran like deer to catch up just behind Kilala, around the moment Shippo turns to Coraline and says,
"I really hope the others are okay..."
"I'm more than positive they're fine, Shippo."
Or rather, that's what I'm gonna keep telling myself until we actually see our loved ones again...
Mind you, turning views back to the inner tunnels of the fabled mountain itself, Inuyasha was feeling anything but okay, snarling at the final-standing zombie of the Shichinintai.
"Bankotsu...are you plannin' to block my way?"
With no waver in his deadly smirk, the young leader replies,
"You're damn right. You killed all of my Band of Seven brothers, so now I'm going to avenge their deaths."
Forming his own sardonic and crooked upturn of mouth, the dog demon counters,
"Yeah well, six out of seven ain't all that bad, or five if I put my mate-to-be beside me since she took down Mukotsu..."
And boy, did it take a toll on her...
"But if killing you's the only way I can get to that bastard Naraku, (frown, raises Tessaiga) then it's time for a little reunion! Wind Scar!"
(SLASH)
The three-tine claw mark of energy goes cutting through the hard stone ground straight for Bankotsu...who remains confident and unafraid.
"Fool! You think that'll work on me?! Well, (swing) think again!"
He brings his own Banryū down in a counter against the Tessaiga's power, sending a literal burning aura right for the opposing clash, much to Inuyasha's surprise.
A blast of heat?!
The dueling energies collide, creating a broiling explosion that sends hot coals of rock to sprawl onto the broken cave floor...
"So, we're evenly matched."
Bankotsu felt a scoffed chuckle escape his lips after making that observation, while Inuyasha's temper flared up all the more as he broods,
Last time we fought at Hijiri Island, he also managed to counter my Wind Scar...and now he's gotten alot stronger!
"I know what'ch're up to: you're using the other six's Shikon-no-Tama Shards!"
"Of course, and I use them with pride. I think of them as keepsakes from my fallen brothers...Kyokotsu...Mukotsu...Suikotsu...Ginkotsu...Jakotsu...Renkotsu. Add my own jewel shard to those and you have a total of seven...So you see: I have more than enough power to defeat YOU!"
With that proclamation in the enclosed winds, the wielder of the giant halberd sends another blast of that blazing aura for Inuyasha's way, who counters with his own sword's power.
"Wind Scar!"
The Tessaiga's clawing energy cuts a narrow path through Banryū's, which Lumos - whom was hovering nearly a centimeter from the ceiling to stay out of the line of fire - makes plain by flying down fast and moaning loudly. The dog demon wastes no more seconds and follows the Will O' Wisp in the next charge, silently agreeing with his logic.
He's right: I don't have time to mess around.
With his Robe of the Fire Rat protecting him from the extreme heat, Inuyasha manages to break through to attempt a much more direct attack...Unfortunately, because of the collective power from the several jewel shards in his possession, Bankotsu was able to throw the dog demon off after a brief clash of steel, the latter crashing face-up against the wall of the cave before collapsing on his front...He wouldn't have time to mull about the failure for long, of course, when the sole Shichinintai member makes his own charge.
"What's the matter, Inuyasha?!"
The dog demon with long, wild silver hair barely had enough time to dart up into a sitting position and avoid getting his head impaled by the blade of his opponent's sword, they using their weapon like a vault pole to flip over before attempting another stab, forcing the former to slide in a somersault away...
"That's interesting...Were you always this weak, Inuyasha? Or is it, that I've become way too powerful for you?"
Using his blade to help him stagger back upward, the dog demon inquires in a more serious taunt back the same time Lumos grants him a dose of rejuvenating energy,
"Are you saying that you have the seven jewel shards, Bankotsu, hah...and that's the best you can do?"
Bankotsu almost grits his teeth from the insult, but covers it up by remarking,
"I gotta say, you sure do know how'da talk tough, but unfortunately for you, a big mouth won't be enough."
"Kuh, I'll carve out every one of those jewel shards, (raises his sword) so get ready to meet your maker, Bankotsu!"
Charging forward, the swordsmen meet in several sparking clashes of steel, before they're caught in a close-quarter's stalemate, glaring and grinding their teeth at one another.
"You should be rottin' in your grave like a good corpse, and I'm gonna be the one that makes sure ya do!"
"That's very high and mighty for one such as you, a pathetic little demon who was nailed to a tree! I wonder, (evil smirk) were you thinking of that woman of yours as you said it?"
"Grrrrh! You son of a-!"
Chuckling just as darkly, Bankotsu adds,
"Oh yeah, it's written all over your face, demon. No...half-demon, I should say. You're still pissed over when I snatched up that bitch by her pretty little neck and tried to choke her. Tell me, were you scared of having another dead woman on your hands?"
"Gh! W-Why, you...!"
"That's right: Naraku told me all about you and that dead priestess, Kikyō...Though from what I understand, most of that's ancient history since you and that Coraline chick became an item, which yes, he has knowledge of."
That mentioning sent a cold shiver down the dog demon's spine.
No...That, bastard Naraku, knows about my relationship with Coraline? How?
Angered by the idea that his greatest enemy has somehow ascertained some form of knowledge about he and his special girl, Inuyasha snarls and shoves the Banryū blade back before attempting a swinging lunge with Tessaiga. Bankotsu jumps backwards in a somersault, and lands smoothly before asking menacingly,
"Oh-hoh, did I touch a nerve there? Heh, if telling you that's enough to get you riled up, only kami knows how enraged you might get if your girl was here with us right now. I certainly wouldn't have any qualms about it...since I owe that bitch a beating from our last encounter and for murdering Mukotsu."
"You leave Coraline outta this, and quit callin' her a bitch!"
"I would except she's connected to you, a measly half-demon who was pinned to a tree for fifty years, (angry frown) and has no business criticizing those of us who've been resurrected!"
Now that, confused Inuyasha slightly even with the hardened gruffness in his tone.
"What's that?...Tuh! Sounds like you and Naraku have been talkin' quite alot, huh?"
"Actually, this is the second time I've run into Naraku."
"...Whadda ya mean by that?"
Bankotsu made his answer plain:
"The first time we met was before the Shichinintai, or Band of Seven was formed. Looking back, it was a strange coincidence..."
"So you're old pals, then?"
The dead man guffaws in amusement from such an accusation.
"Ha! I don't befriend demons!...Back then, I was always looking for a challenge, looking for someone stronger to beat..."
Flashback
Going back to perhaps a year or less before the infamous, merciless mercenary band first formed, Bankotsu would have been considered a solo artist of a warrior, constantly searching for any opponent, human or otherwise to fight.
In one case, he went halberd to ōdachi against a wandering rōnin, easily besting in one well-timed slash across the torso, leaving their corpse lying on the path of oak...
"I didn't care if they were demons, as long as they were strong."
Another time, the previously alive young man fought against a mega carrion crow demon, killing them with a slice right down the middle!
...His grizzly travels would soon lead him to an area containing a murky green lake sitting above and a ways a multi-split waterfall, the coursing water spills adding to the mist thinly blanketing the grounds.
"One day, I heard about a very frightening demon, and entered the lifeless forest in which he was suppose to dwell..."
Climbing up, Bankotsu would soon spot Naraku - he cloaked in the baboon fur outfit - standing in the middle of the shallow lake, examining the corpse of a very large demon that likened to that of a mutant seal...Stepping a little into the algae-heavy water, the wielder of the giant halberd sword would bravely yet brashly call the evil half-demon out.
"I've come to fight the demon who rules this forest."
"...Perhaps it was him."
Knowing that Naraku was referring to the giant dead body, Bankotsu asks,
"Did you kill him?"
"Hm...Are you a demon slayer, or some kind of monk?"
Pointing his sword ahead, Bankotsu replies,
"I am neither one of those. If you're telling me you're strong, then I would like to fight you."
"Oh? You wish to test your strength?"
Lunging forward in a fast charge, the male with cobalt irises exclaims,
"One like you who possesses demonic powers from the moment he was born couldn't possibly understand!"
He then tries to stab Naraku...but the latter was able to jump up in a dodge, leaving the halberd blade to go straight into dead flesh.
"Huh?!"
Landing on dry ground with a chuckle, the half-demon mutters,
"From the moment I was born..."
"What's so funny?"
"...You desire demonic powers, do you?"
"So then you admit you're a demon!"
"I have been searching through the lands for a power which I am unable to acquire..."
It isn't entirely clear whether Naraku would then simply speak of what happened, or somehow sent a snippet of Kikyō's body as she and that mysteriously troublesome jewel were cremated through a form of telepathy...Either way, Bankotsu would come to know the title of that one source of power popular to hearts whose desires were mostly of darkest variety.
"The Shikon-no-Tama, you say?"
"I do not when, or if it will manifest itself in this world again."
The two stare at one another for a moment in silence...before it broke to the sound of Jakotsu's call.
"Hey, big brother!"
Bankotsu looks over his shoulder to see his feminine brother approaching, they focusing on the massive seal-like demon's body.
"Oh you're kidding! You destroyed it already? Haaah, you could at least leave me one to kill, okay?"
The former says nothing, pivoting his vision back to where Naraku was...and saw that he was gone...
Jakotsu moves so he was standing beside his younger yet stronger brother, a bit confused by the latter's distracted expression.
"...So, you hungry?"
"...Hey, Jakotsu. Let's, go to war."
That wasn't the answer the other swordsman expected, not at this time or at all.
"Huh?! But, what for? I thought you said you'd never take orders from a samurai."
Bankotsu counters with a smirk,
"And I won't. We'll be mercenaries and slaughter everyone. A samurai won't be able to complain to the leader of a band of elite mercenaries."
"Yes, but there's only you and me."
"Haah, you're right. I guess we'll need to recruit some more comrades."
The male with cobalt irises lets out another reluctant, grumbled breath before starting his way out of the murky lake water, the other following behind and still amazed by this sudden shift of purpose.
"Wait up, big brother. Are you being serious?"
"I wonder how many men we should have in our mercenary band?"
"Huh?...Mm, (smirk) well you can count me in, I suppose, but make there's some good-looking guys."
Smiling a little back, Bankotsu lightly retorts,
"Don't be silly. What's most important is that they're strong."
"Huh?...Hm, I guess you're right. If we recruited any good-looking warriors, I'd just wanna cut them up. What was I thinking?"
The comment leaves both future members of the Shichinintai laughing, as they exited the forest that was void of most life...
End of Flashback
"Heheheheheh...Naraku and I met again after that, and he told much more than he did at our first meeting."
By the end of the retelling, Inuyasha was forming a more clear idea over what this single mercenary's relations were with the evil half-demon bearing the spider's mark...and it did not favor the second former in the least.
"Naraku didn't resurrect you just t' have someone to talk to. You must be a real idiot, Bankotsu."
Bankotsu seem a little shocked by his opponent's claim, but nonetheless retorted,
"You're the only idiot around here."
"What?"
"You can tell from a glance what kind of man he is. A sharper person would see that."
A part of the dog demon was stupefied by the level of naivety his enemy was displaying, but covered it with his more dominant anger towards the insult.
"Grrrh, you watch your mouth, Bankotsu. Naraku's just taking advantage of you and makin' you do his dirty work!"
It was Bankotsu's turn to be infuriated:
"Well, it doesn't matter! I'm a busy man and I've got things to do, like settling the score with you!"
He charges in for another attack, which Inuyasha would meet with his own.
"Come on!"
(Clang, clang, clang, clang...)
A few more times the blades slapped eachother's edges, before the dog demon would be forced to jump backwards in a flip...A moment's pause blankets the tunnel as Bankotsu vows to himself,
I've been given this second chance at life, and I'm not gonna waste it!
"Wind Scar!"
(SLASH)
"Huuuuaaaaah!"
(SLIC-FWOOOOOM)
Both warriors unleash their more powerful surges of energy at one another again, creating yet another explosive collision, the impact of rubble causing them both to be thrown back...
And as the small orb of living light started bopping around in a frantic circle, worried for his partner's lover, the voice of most sinister proportions echoes from the depths of the mercenary's memory.
"Awaken, Bankotsu...Awaken..."
Flashback
"Awaken, Bankotsu. Awaken...I grant you life once again."
Returning to the past once again, we find ourselves watching Naraku - personifying the face of former prince, Kagewaki - finishing with reviving the flesh-restored Bankotsu with one of seven Shikon-no-Tama shards he would implement in using for all the members of the Shichinintai.
"Rh, nh..."
The young man, whose long hair was undone from his braid and body unclothed, groggily opens his cobalt irises, only able to make out a shadowed figure hovering over him.
"Who, are you...?"
"To think that man I met years ago is the leader of the Band of Seven."
Once his vision clears and he sat up with a wince due to stiffness in his muscles, Bankotsu recalls,
"I, remember now. You're that demon I met in the forest."
"My name is Naraku."
"Naraku?...Wait, (looks at his hand) what is this? The seven of us were beheaded..."
"You are quite right, and we're inside your grave right now."
Looking behind him in this misty void, Bankotsu spots the bones of the other six members of his band...
"I embedded a Shikon-no-Tama shard inside your body. That is the power you feel."
Placing his fingertips to his neck where the fuchsia glow emitted, the now undead warrior comments with a smile,
"Aaah. Shikon-no-Tama shards can be very useful, can't they?"
"I want you to serve me, Bankotsu. Do so and this new life will be everlasting."
...A bit of the mist clears on the offered man's left, revealing a temporal mirror of sorts that showcased Kohaku when he first stood in front of the Tomb of the Shichinintai, the other jewel shards held at ready in his hand...
Understanding what was needed to confirm the deal, Bankotsu nods, and Naraku smiles darkly before gesturing the young, brainwashed demon slayer to drop the jewel fragments into the soil of the gravesite...
"Now go forth with your six comrades...and destroy my enemies."
End of Flashback
...Rising from the rubble of the latest cave-in now, the mercenary glares into nothing as he tries to reassure himself of his own agenda.
"I'm not doing this because of his orders..."
He then notices that Inuyasha, despite receiving another wave of damage to his body from the collision, was still alive and standing!
"Uh!...So, you survived."
The dog demon only growled in response once he caught his breath, before turning softer attention towards the Will O' Wisp as he floated downward and released another burst of sparkling energy to help relieve some of the pain.
(Twinkle...)
He only nodded in thanks, and Lumos moans softly before darting to the sidelines as Bankotsu readied to start the battle up again.
"That's good, 'cause now I get to kill you!"
"Only one of us is gonna die today, but it ain't gonna be me!"
...
So as those two continue to hash it out in the lower tunnels of Mount Hakurei, back up the higher range's inner sanctums, Miroku and Sango were running down a crumbling tunnel away from the former shrine of Saint Hakushin.
"It's collapsing!"
"It seems that the sacred barrier surrounding the mountain's been totally dissolved! An evil aura is pouring out!"
The demon slayer double-checks with the monk,
"Is it Naraku's aura?"
"Yes, and it's much stronger than before!...Wait, it's a demonic aura, and it's getting stronger."
They continue their fast trek down the tunnel, heading towards a lit exit...only to find themselves back in a familiar parapet-lined area.
"Wait...is this, the shaft we were in earlier?"
Attention is then drawn downward the dark pit...when the pair's ears pick up on troubling sounds echoing a slow and steady beat from below...
"...Miroku?"
"Yes. I sense it too."
They continue to scan into the darkness for a few moments, the beats getting louder and louder with each pass...
...
Then, the enemy's face appears!
"Hh!"
"Naraku!...It is him!"
His smirking expression doesn't remain visible for long, before it shrinks back into the pit, much to Miroku's dismay.
"H-Hey, wait!"
(...Swipe)
But focuses would be drawn away from the pit again when a section of wind blades comes flying at he and Sango from the other side, forcing them to jump back in a dodge!
"Gh! (Looks forward) That has to be-!"
And surprise, surprise, the monk would zero his vision in on the forms of Kagura and Kanna...
"Keep looking down and you'll lose your head."
"Kagura..."
The incarnation merely smirks at him, before Sango would get him back on track with their mission.
"Miroku, Naraku's disappeared...!"
"He was there...and then it seemed like he ran away..."
His dark blue irises fall back on the Wind Sorceress as he concludes,
"Now I get it: Naraku still isn't complete yet, is he, Kagura?"
Feigning ignorance with a coy smile, she asks back,
"Huh? Whadda ya mean, monk?"
"Naraku took refuge inside Mount Hakurei because his barrier was broken by Inuyasha's red Tessaiga. Isn't that the case?"
Miroku's glare hardens:
"That's why he hid himself in here, isn't it? To reform his barrier and restore his powers!"
Though her smile spoke other volumes, Kagura nonetheless replies,
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but Naraku doesn't tell anything important like that...I suppose he doesn't trust me all that much."
She gestures her closed fan to the incarnated sibling standing on her right.
"You'd probably be better off asking Kanna, but I'm betting she won't say much."
"Mrh! Tell us everything you know right now, Kagura!"
"If you really wanna know all this so badly, (opens her fan) why not ask Naraku? I'll even help you, (swing) follow him!"
Kagura sends another wave of wind blades at the pair's direction, destroying the supporting rock of the planks they were standing on. They try to leap to safety on a lower level, but would be hit by another attack from the incarnated demon, tumbling into the pit below with matching outcries!...Kagura only turns away with a scoff, secretly glad she was able to send a bit of trouble Naraku's way...
"Come and get it, Bankotsuuuu!"
"Nrrraaa-haaah!"
Meanwhile, way back down below, the new round of battle between Inuyasha and Bankotsu was escalating in violence, the strength of impact from each clash being enough to send the warriors sliding backwards on their feet. As he recovers from nearly falling over from one clash, the dog demon curses to himself,
Damn! I'm not gettin' anywhere. If only Bankotsu were a demon, then my Backlash Wave would take care of 'im...
"What's the matter, Inuyasha? Getting out of breath?"
He ignores the teasing question of his opponent, too lost in thought.
But he's human. Even if he is an evil specter, he doesn't have a demonic aura...
Without the demonic aura to entrap and send back at 'em, I can't use my Blacklash Wave...
Damn that Naraku. That's why he went to the trouble of resurrecting these seven specters.
"Well well, you look deep in thought. Are you thinkin' about where you'd like to be buried? Next to your soon-to-be-dead woman, perhaps?"
"Grrrh, don't you speak about my girl with that mouth of yours, you bastard! And since you're so curious, I was thinkin' about how I intended ta kill you right away, but I changed my mind, 'cause I'm havin' too much fun!"
...
Speaking of Coraline, our redheaded young woman wielding the infamous ShatterSoul Sword was still in pursuit of the mountain itself, riding atop Kilala with Shippo while Kōga ran with her up front, Freeman and Ginta beside the twin-tail cat demon's left, and Besa and Hakkaku sprinted right behind them. The last four's bodies still carry the transparent sheen of the Seven Light Crystal's energies, and will continue to do so as long as they maintain joined hands for proper power flow...
As they continued their run through another section of the valley, the wolf demon with the white-blond Mohawk suddenly asks,
"Hah, hah, hey Besa?"
"Yeah?"
"All the greenery around Mount Hakurei's dead, hah, 'cause the barrier's gone, right?"
"That's the most likely case. The barrier was containing the demonic energies of Naraku, along with his miasma. With it gone, the lush, pure environment around the mountain didn't stand a chance of survival..."
Freeman finishes,
"Leaving behind a dead hunk of rock that's now crawling with demons."
Humming in acknowledgement to the description with a serious frown, the young wolf demon leader then pivots his head towards Coraline to ask,
"Yo, Coraline, can you sense exactly where the bastard is now?"
"Not so much him, (sheen) but I do sense his larger portion of the Shikon-no-Tama."
"Where at?"
"The signal's radiating from the middle below...I'm also sensing several fragments closer to the foot..."
Ginta raises a brow of confusion:
"Hm? Jewel fragments at the foot? Who could have those?"
Freeman guesses,
"That's probably Bankotsu..."
"Just him?"
"Yeah, somehow, I'm doubtin' there's any other members 'alive' at this point..."
Shaking his head, Kōga exclaims determinedly,
"Nevermind him! We should focus on Naraku! Coraline, lead the way!"
"You got it! Double-time, guys!"
Everyone gives a resounding 'Right!', Kilala rumbling a growl, before they'd all pick up their speed to leave the crevice opening to wider-space ground...
Miroku, Sango, Lumos...Inuyasha...Stay strong!
Freeman and Besa thought similarly to their sister as they worked to pump their legs and help their wolf lover and friend respectively.
Hang on, guys.
Back-up's on the way!
Focusing back into the twisting tunnels of the mountain's base, Inuyasha had just been sent crashing into the cave wall courtesy of another wave from the heat-induced aura strike of Bankotsu's Banryū. As he struggles to get up, the dog demon thinks to himself in increased frustration,
Damn! Naraku's just up ahead...
"What's the matter, Inuyasha? I thought you said you were having fun."
He ignores the zombie swordsman's taunt, trying to wrack his brain for a new plan of attack.
What'll I do? I can't beat Bankotsu like this...
"(Ghostly moan)"
"Hm?"
He then focuses his amber irises on Lumos, who was bopping up and down on his front left trying to get his attention.
"What? What is it?"
Now that he had Inuyasha's focus, the Will O' Wisp suddenly flies down towards Bankotsu's proximity, and proceeded to circle around the halberd blade several times while making his body emit red flashes over the white-blue...
What's he tryin' to tell me?...Something about Banryū?
"Oi! Cut that out!"
Said wielder of the massive blade would try and swipe at Lumos in an annoyed manner, which the latter would easily dodge, moving back to Inuyasha's side before doing the same gesture he did on Banryū to the Tessaiga, minus the warning glow. The dog demon tilts his head to the side, trying to figure out the hidden message in his ally's actions.
Now he's whirling around my own sword...Hmm...
"Let's just end this right now!"
Bankotsu sends another attack from Banryū, forcing Inuyasha to act fast, leaping into the air out of the aura's path to lunge at his enemy and throw his own sword straight at the other!...But that hardly scared the undead warrior, who scoffs and knocks the Tessaiga away to go landing in the wall...which was partly the wielder's intent, as a distraction for his real means of attack!
"Iron Reaver, Soul Stealer!"
(SLASH)
"Gaaaauh!"
The zombie is hit right in the arm by the half-demon's claws, the new wound deep enough to force out two of the Shikon-no-Tama shards he possessed, which would be caught by Lumos...Holding his injured lower arm in gritted pain, Bankotsu snarls,
"How dare you...!"
The Will O' Wisp drops the two fragments into Inuyasha's waiting hand, the latter smirking in triumph.
"Heh. I knew you had the jewel shards in your arm."
He tucks them away into his red Fire Rat robes, adding,
"Your sword arm seemed unusually strong, so it got me thinkin'."
"So, you took a guess...Looks like you got all the luck."
"Oh it's more than just luck, Bankotsu. I'm gonna cut out all the jewel shards, (knuckle crack) and the next one's in your neck!"
At that, Inuyasha lunges forward to attempt several swipes at his enemy's neck, who dodges them effortlessly...before countering with a suckerpunch to the face! The dog demon goes flying to the ground, and Bankotsu retorts,
"Don't underestimate me, half-demon! Just who do ya think you're dealin' with?"
Forcing himself up halfway from the hard floor, Inuyasha growls,
"You, bastard...!"
They glare intensely at one another, neither side giving an inch...
"I am Bankotsu, leader of the Shichinintai, and I have never lost a battle to anyone!"