Dying to Live
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
"Kirara! Get him out of here now!" Kohaku shouted. The bulk of the zombic wolves now swarmed straight for them. "Fly him as far you can!"
So this is what Brother-in-law had in mind, to use himself as bait? The panicked question raced through the slayer's mind. He quickly turned from the nekomata, who lifted into the air and was away with a fierce roar.
His sister would definitely kill if she had any idea.
Sono baka. Not even telling me what he had in mind! That would have at least made it a little better, right? Kohaku scowled, bracing his hands on his weapon. "Dou demo ii," he cursed with rather resigned exasperation as he fought to steel his nerves.
This had to be the plan though, and whether it was or not, they would have to seize this opportunity the maniac monk had created for them.
The snarls of wolves increasing in volume signaled their closeness to him. Kohaku snapped his gaze from his fingers clenching the sweat-stained fabric wrapped to the handle of his trusty kusarigama. Perhaps if we live through this ordeal, I'll replace these old fabric wrappings at last.
But that would be a concern for later. The young slayer righted himself just as the wolves rushed his way in vicious pursuit.
Falling to his right in a perfect sideways shoulder roll, Kohaku narrowly avoided the knot of monsters chasing after Kirara and Miroku on the path the cat demon had chosen to fly through the woods in order to tempt them away. Flipped seamlessly back to his feet, Kohaku dashed with renewed resolve toward the village hall, pushed by his mental vow: Brother-in-law, your sacrifice will be worth it – we'll see to it!
From what Kohaku quickly saw, the ugly-looking pack leader still remained with a tight group of the mangy creatures by the village hall. It was pacing and angrily half-grunting, half-barking after the vast, departing portion of its pack. Those that remained - about 15 at a fast count - had not been fooled by Miroku's trick. Or maybe, they could not be bothered to leave the easy prey that they knew was just inside the seriously ramshackle building they encircled...
Kohaku darted between the village buildings as he took in the scene. Thankfully, he made it unnoticed around the far north end of the battle scene.
"Hey," Kohaku softly announced himself, creeping up to join his friends where they were warily catching their breath.
"Eeep-" Hachi squeaked loudly, nearly jumping out of his fur. Ginta and Hakkaku turned with lightning fast reflexes, both clamping their hands over the racoon-dog's snout to stifle his surprised screech.
"What are you doing? Couldn't you sense the demon slayer coming up from behind?" Ginta hissed under his breath, afraid of drawing the monsters' attention back to them and the hall.
"Ah n-neber s-saib ah wuss smert..." Hachi stutter-mumbled through Ginta and Hakkaku's fingers.
"Kohaku, what did Miroku do to draw them away?" Shippou whispered quickly, coming to crouch beside the demon slayer.
"I'm not quite sure," Kohaku replied under his breath. "It looks like it mostly worked, but something tells me that we're not out of the woods yet..."
Unfortunately, just as the young man spoke, a loud mooing sound pierced through the night air. The clattering dash of hooves banging on battered wood accentuated the disruption, and the nervous gasps of the villagers tittered up in the background. As audible as the sounds were to Kokahu's ears, obviously the possessed wolves heard only too well too. The small group of heroes turned their attention from the hall. Their gaze met with the insatiable hunger glittering in just over a dozen pairs of terrifying, phosphorescent eyes.
A threatening snarl tore from the pack leader's chest. On command, the remaining wolves instantly lowered themselves, their nasty, sinewy muscles taut: stiff, undead bodies readied to pounce toward their prey.
In reply, the team of friends quickly raised their weapons. Ginta and Hakkaku whipped out kujang blades made of what looked like thick, sharpened bones, one in each of their hands. Shippou withdrew a stick from the magic pouch at his hip; though it was no bigger than a twig at first, the weapon quickly grew into a long, dangerous-looking staff-like cudgel. Fully extended, it was several hands taller than the kitsune's humanoid form. Shaking badly, Hachi held out his kaiken dagger, which he normally had no use for given his typical turn-tail tendencies. Brand-spanking new, the blade shone brightly even in the dim nightlight.
"Get ready," Kohaku instructed, forcing calm into his command, right as the pack-leader sprung.
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Note 1: Hi all – it's a little chappy this time! Hope you all are well out there since it's been a bit. Honestly, I was waiting and watching, hoping the problems with posting updates on the site were getting worked out. Noticing from other writers' works, it's thankfully finally looking better now. Perhaps drop a review to let me know that you saw this chapter posted alright? ;) Anddd...
Yuri-Ishtar – Thank you too for the wonderful compliment of re-reading Dying to Live earlier this year! Let me say I think it's great that you and other past readers are also back. It's really awesome, this connection we've shared over our love of fanfiction.
Naturally, let me say that it's also wonderful to welcome all you new folks to the party as well!
Note 2: Kohaku uses the phrase, "Dou demo ii". This translates to "Whatever" or something a bit dismissive like "Like I really care". I admit I came to like this throw-away phrase after listening to the song from Japanese rapper duo, Teng Gang Starr, "Dodemoii". The video's fairly crazy, but it's a pretty killer sounding track if you're curious about Japanese rap - let me know if you check it out.
Peace, Origamikungfu.