"..." Normal chat.
ABC Thought.
Chapter 58
A couple days later.
Miroku and Sango's house.
"Oh! I almost forgot. Here."
While having tea together, Sango gently slips into my hand several pieces of neatly folded paper. Saying that she couldn't give it to me before due to the unforeseen accident.
"Is this medicine?'
Curious, I open one of them up and and find some kind of powder inside.
"It's for that."
Sango whispers into my ear and smiles. Finally figure out what they are for, I spit out my tea due to shock.
Is she seriously giving me birth control right now?!
Therefore Sango explains her reason for preparing these is that despite being married, I'm in no way is ready for children so this can be considered a way to *keep the fire burning*.
"T-Thank you, Sango-san. This is... uhm..."
Realizes the nervousness in my voice, Sango asks.
"What's wrong? Is it not enough? Hold on, I will get you some more."
Right away, she stands up and reaches to one of her old cabinets nearby.
"N-No! This is way more than enough! Really!"
About to die out of embarrassment, I stop her to explain before the misunderstanding goes way too far.
"Okay, the thing is..."
Ever since living together, we haven't done anything more than simple hugs and kisses. And even those moments are quite rare to come by, too. Since Sesshomaru's barely at home and when he actually does, it's either me sleeping like a log or staying over at Rin's place...
After knowing about our situation however, Sango stares at my face in disbelief.
"Its true!"
Watching me lose my cool easily over a sensitive topic, Kagome can't help but giggles. To calm down, I cough into my hand several times but still fail to hide the reddish fever on my cheeks.
"A-Anyway, today the reason I'm here is..."
The flower field.
"... for this."
And about an hour later, everyone has gathered at the destination. Except for Rin and Shippou, who have been told to stay home to look after the kids.
"Causing her to go mad could be a way for it to try to gain control over her mind."
After listening to the whole story, Toutousai, who is brought here with us today to join our investigation against his own will, states.
"Now that Sora is gone. There should be no reason to stay attached to me, is there?"
Not knowing the answer to my question either, he scratches his head.
"The only way is to ask Amenonuhoko itself."
Amenonuhoko? Is that what it's called? Therefore today we learn that this weapon even has a name.
Once everyone is prepared, Miroku approaches and chants something before removing the seals on its blade. A moment later, a gush of dark energy washes over them and they begin to hear an unfamiliar voice by their ears.
"Took you brats long enough."
In instant my eyes wide open in shock.
"It can speak?!"
Unfazed by the turn of events, Sesshomaru steps in.
"So... it's you bastard who stopped I, Sesshomaru."
As always he's fast to jump into the point, except no one knows what it's about.
"This time thanks to the poorly-executed barrier that you bestowed, I had my fun."
Ignores Sesshomaru's killing intent, Amenonuhoko insults Miroku's spells being inferior to Kasenada's, giving it a chance to slip through to mess around.
"Mess around? So everything happened just because it's bored?"
Inuyasha scratches his ear, finding the situation not as amusing as he's expected.
"The girl has been consuming her youkai energy recently. That's why the weapon can sense her."
Toutousai explains how it's able to get to where I am.
"Why me?"
Curious I ask the reason for its doing, also pointing out that there's no benefit in haunting a weak human being when there are tons of powerful youkai out there to play with.
"Human girl, you possess what is mine."
And out of nowhere it claims that I'm in debt.
"Don't be ridiculous. This is the first time we meet. How am I suppose to have your stuff?"
But then a piece of memory appears and hits me right in the head. Hold on...
It was my last meeting with Sora when she gave me a source of energy which I had assumed to be her youkai power. Since she did say something along the line of not wanting to let it go to waste.
Don't tell me that energy wasn't hers?
It could be, Sora never confirmed what it was and I was desperate to get out of the soul realm to care.
If that power belong Amenonuhoko? Then why did she give it to me so that I could free myself?
Considering this is Sora we're talking about, it's not going to be something as simple as doing charity. And not to mention that thanks to this power, bad thing happens way more than good.
Sora didn't trick me to have it so that she could mess with me one last time, did she?
Seriously, I can't think of a proper excuse why any of that happens. What a mess. I hate guessing game the most.
"Nee-san, have you figured out anything yet?"
Notices me staring off into space for too long, Kagome asks and I shake my head in defeat.
"Well... Back then I was lost inside her soul realm. So... there was nothing but soul in there and we were acting as souls interacting with each other... And... Huh?"
Wait a minute, nothing but soul?
Eventually something in me snaps.
"Are you for real?! That is her weapon's soul?!"
Of course Sora couldn't bring it with her. Not when the weapon is alive!
"Not bad, human girl."
Amenonuhoko compliments me for my great discovery, though I don't feel happy even for one bit.
"So now they are spiritually bonded?"
Miroku confirms whether it's true and they hear the weapon snickers.
"For as long as she carries it inside her."
Wonder why Amenonuhoko has taken me here, I ask whether it wants its soul back.
"Not quite."
Quite? So there must be some truths in there then.
"A blade that is prohibited to slay. Is a humiliation."
Being forced to stay rusty for too long when having used to cut everything down in its glory time, there is no way that Amenonuhoko can stand it. Therefore it demands to be wielded again and craves for bloodshed.
"And what if I refuse?"
Clearly, I'm not the suitable one for this job.
"That is not your choice to make."
But Amenonuhoko doesn't care. As it can possess me again and go on rampage if its wish is not granted.
"Is there a way for us to extract your soul out of her?"
When Kagome asks, there's no response.
"It's trying to take over Shiomi's body. Why would it tell us?"
Miroku sighs.
"Why not finding yourself another master? You know, someone who is willing to murder stuff for you more than me?"
I offer another peaceful solution, yet get ignored as well.
"If she dies for real then maybe...Bweh!"
This time Jaken suggests an idea and instantly gets stepped on by his lord. Gotta say that I haven't seen such sight for quite a while now.
"Toutousai."
Hearing Sesshomaru calls, he gulps. At first, Totosai's thinking about using his hammer to smack some senses into it. However the malice aura coming from Amenonuhoko is too great, it's overwhelming both him and Momo. (Momo: His ox)
"Leave the girl alone, would ya?!"
Taking a deep breath, Toutousai demands loudly. Only to be rejected instantly.
"No."
And just like that the old man turns around and walks off with his ox.
"Welp, I tried. You're on your on now, peeps."
Not taking his bullshit so easily however, Sesshomaru swiftly draws Bakusaiga out of its sheath and Toutousai immediately gives in.
"Alright, alright. Put your sword down..."
Ignoring his plead, Sesshomaru aims for the sky just above Toutousai's head and swings. Sending a huge Youki wave at a group of youkai that seems to be flying toward to our direction.
"Youkai?! Why are they here?!"
It's only then we realize that group is not the only one to appear, there are many more to come and soon the whole area is surrounded.
"Having lost its master... Amenonuhoko is now seeking for a new one."
Toutousai explains to us what is going on.
"The energy that it released from earlier. It's to attract them, isn't it?"
Soon there will be a huge battle among us, all to pick out a suitable master for Amenonuhoko.
"Why not just leave? We really don't have to do this. Right?"
Since our main goal isn't to fight, I suggest us to withdraw temporarily.
"But we're not suppose to let anyone wield it either..."
However Kagome hesitates. As the seals on Amenonuhoko aren't suppose to be removed and it'll be dangerous if they let the weapon fall into the bad guy's hand.
"Well, we can wait till the end and ambush the last one standing. It'll be an easy win!"
After spending a few more moments to considerate, everyone agrees to retreat to safer spot. Though it takes Sesshomaru a few more pleads to work since he actually wants to stay and fight fairly.
Therefore Inuyasha's team gets on Kirara's back while I and Jaken hold onto Sesshomaru to escape into the sky. When we're about a few meters away from the mad crowd however, my face hits something in the air.
"Ouch!"
Immediately Sesshomaru stops moving and looks around to find the source of that sudden attack. Confused, I reach out my arm to check and touches something that feel like a hard surface right in front of me.
What's this? An invisible wall?
Then I notice Inuyasha's group is already way ahead of us and completely unaffected by this strange phenomenon.
"Huh? Everyone is fine?"
Even Sesshomaru and Jaken can pass through easily.
It wasn't here when we arrived earlier! Why now?!
Turns out that I'm the only one who get stuck. Much to their confusion.
"Here, give me your hands."
Following in turn, Sango, Kagome and Miroku tries to pull me out but fail miserably. Even Inuyasha and Sesshomaru attempt to break the mysterious barrier with their sword techniques but they're only cutting thin air. Same goes with Kagome's magical arrow.
Somehow Toutousai can wacks it with his hammer but his power alone is not enough to smash it open.
What the heck?! Don't tell me that it's impossible to leave?!
Not wanting to return to the ground, I turn to Toutousai for help but he only sighs.
"Since you're the one holding its soul. It wants you to fight as well."
Needless to say I'm utterly horrified after hearing his claim.
"T-Then will I be able to leave if I win without taking the weapon?"
"Well... I'm not so sure about that."
Toutousai scratches his chin in doubt.
"Right. So what now?"
Unsure whether having to leave or stay, Inuyasha urges us to pick. Just like his brother, he's also itching to fight from the beginning.
"Surely we can't remain up here for long. Let's us find a spot first."
Therefore Sango suggests leaving the air since we're gaining attention of the youkai below. Once having secured a safe space on the ground, everyone stands in circle and draws their weapon.
Right now, chaos is the only word that I can think of to describe our situation. Everyone tries to eliminate each other by any possible meaning in order to win. And soon the whole place is painted in blood.
Sesshomaru's the first to leave the group. While I'm asked to stay behind with Jaken and Toutousai to form a small team with them.
"Kagome, let's go!"
Inuyasha offers to carry her onto his back, however Kagome looks at me and hesitates.
"Don't worry. I still have Toutousai-san and Jaken with me."
Only after being assured that everything will be fine, she agrees to leave with Inuyasha.
"Sango! We're going too!"
Not wasting time, both Miroku and Sango ride Kirara into battle up ahead.
When there are three of us left, Toutousai and Jaken try their hardest to defend the spot with every technique they have. Thankfully, we don't have to do much since most of our enemies get eliminated by the others before they can get to us.
From time to time, Sesshomaru intentionally passes by this spot to check on our status. So I'm sure that we will be way more than okay.
While watching our friends fight from afar, a huge snake sneaks behind our backs and shocks us with its nasty roar.
"That weapon is going to be mine!"
Irritated, Jaken does a quick turn and burns that snake into dust.
"Try growing a pair of arms first! Moron!"
A couple of hours later...
For some reason this battle lasts way longer than expected. And I start to notice a tint of exhaustion appear on my friend's faces.
It's as if those youkai come in waves. Why is it never end?
Figure that they cannot win by fighting separately, some of them begin to change tactic and work together to take down the strongest ones first. That means right now, both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru are their priority targets.
"Inuyasha, watch out!"
While Kagome is out there to support her lover as much as she can, I'm stuck in one place and unable to do anything to help mine.
"Why don't you go out there and assist him?!"
I try to push Jaken out of our little safety camp but he doesn't budge.
"You think that I want to stay here?! Sesshomaru-sama ordered me to guard you, remember?!"
Ugh! This is so irritating! Is there seriously nothing I can do without power?!
"Accept me. Then this fight will be over and you will be free to leave."
During my desperate moment, Amenonuhoko's voice appears inside my head. I suppose it can use telepathy on me because our soul is linked.
Nice try, but that's not going to work on me.
If *free to leave* as in *getting myself possessed and causes even bigger trouble soon after* then no thanks. I'd rather stay here and continue acting useless.
What is wrong with you and your obsession with me anyway?! Your power or soul or whatever, can't you just take it and leave me alone?!
Sick of being haunted by ghosts from the past, I offer to return everything and become normal human in exchange for a peaceful life. However, Amenonuhoko refuses.
"You are her vessel. Thus you must fulfill our pact..."
God, I can't believe it's pulling that card again.
Do I have to remind you that your ex master and I have nothing to do with each other? I am not her!
"What she had given you stated the otherwise."
Sigh... I should have known that fox is always up to no good.
At least tell me more about this pact of yours.
If I'm involved in this mess, I should have the rights to know about it.
"From the beginning we both desired the same thing. And I granted her the ability to do it better."
It was a lifetime curse, but to Sora, it's more like a blessing. Immense power to kill thousands without breaking a single sweat, she had found a perfect tool for her vengeance.
Amenonuhoko's soul was forged as proof of this so called pact. And whoever owed it would be able to access to all of its powerful abilities.
"And if you're still unwilling. I shall break the pact myself."
You're saying that there's a way?!
My joyful moment doesn't last over a second, however.
"The requirement will be the pact keeper's life."
Great. Why am I not surprised. Of f*cking course it has to be something to do with life and death.
And instead of breaking the curse when she left this world, Sora just had to transfer it onto me.
Seriously, how much more cliche can this get!?
Now I have to take responsibility and make decision. And that it's either me having to satisfy its blood-lust for the rest of my life or simply die and end everything in one go.
"Are you going to let your friends sacrifice themselves because of you?"
Easily figures out my anxiety, Amenonuhoko taunts, as we both know that this battle will never stop unless it acquires a master.
"Sesshomaru! Sesshomaru-sama!"
Upon hearing Jaken's cries by my side, I look up in the sky to see that every other youkai has turned their focus on Sesshomaru and solely jumps at him for the kill. Somehow, I have a big hunch that Amenonuhoko is the one behind this.
"I know that guy always act tough. But for how long will he be able to keep that up I wonder."
Watching everyone struggling to help Sesshomaru from below, Toutousai comments.
Damn it all! You'd better keep your promise. You ass!
After cursing Amenonuhoko with every possible curse word, I activate youkai energy and make a long dash toward to where it's standing.
"Oi! Stupid girl! Where do you think you are going?!"
Jaken's too busy looking out for his lord to notice. And when he does, it's already too late.
"Nee-san? What are you doing?!"
From afar, Kagome calls for me to stop when she sees my hands are reaching out for the deadly weapon.
"Leave my husband alone! You creeps!"
After picking Amenonuhoko up, I swing with all my might. Sending several crescent-looking youki waves toward to that specific huge group of enemy and eliminate them all at once.
"Sesshomaru-sama! You are safe!"
Jaken cries again after seeing Sesshomaru appears unharmed behind layers of amputated bodies. Before I can open my mouth to cheer for our victory however, everything suddenly starts spinning and it's becoming extremely hard to breathe.
What are these... visuals?! Memories?! Those terrified faces and horrific screams. They are breaking my mind!
Much to their shock, Shiomi starts vomiting and collapses right at the spot after using Amenonuhoko.
In instant, Sesshomaru appears by her side. She's still breathing, but quite weak. Meanwhile, Toutousai notices that once the weapon is drawn, the crowd scatters.
"Nee-san!"
Kagome and the others also arrive to check on her. Despite lying unconscious, Shiomi keeps holding onto Amenonuhoko as if it's glued into her hand.
"Why isn't she letting it go?"
None of them can take the weapon away no matter how hard they try.
"...Guess we have no choice but take Amenonuhoko with us."