I am so sorry this is late folks. Car lag is a killer, so is writer's block, and the new Harry Potter was too good to put down!! I can't believe I finished it only after two days of having it...Sirius!! ;__; Anyway....I have also been really busy at work and helping my mom prepare for a baby shower she hosted Saturday. Gomen!!

Because of the business in my schedule this next week, I don't know when I'll have the next chapter up, so please bear with me.

Disclaimer:

Nenuiel: *lies on ground twitching* I hate this.

Inu-yasha: What is it now?

Nenuiel: I have writer's block.

Inu-yasha: What the fuck does that mean?

Sesshomaru: It means that she is lacking in the creativity to write.

Inu-yasha: Nan-da?! I'm frozen in an ice cube right now!! She can't stop writing!! *shakes Nenuiel*

Sesshomaru: Stop that, you will kill her. And if that happens, we are doomed to wander in this fan fiction forever.

Inu-yasha: But we need to go back to our original story! The one our owner Rumiko Takahashi has us in!! *still shaking Nenuiel*

Sesshomaru: Then stop shaking her.

Inu-yasha: Alright....*stops shaking her*

Nenuiel: @_@ Ah.....so dizzy...

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Blood Oath: Shards and Power.

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Miroku gave the childish ice demon a killer glare, "Release her this instant!" Pale lips pulled into a feral smile. "Oh," she cooed, "is little lover boy afraid for his little girlfriend? Well guess what buddy, you're not getting her back until you give me the shards you possess. So hand them over!" She held out her hand, silently commanding him further to do as she said. Suddenly, the little girl was surrounded by poisonous vapors. "Na...nani?!" she coughed as she felt herself weaken. The bonds that held Sango dispersed, allowing her to run away from the deadly cloud. "Perfect timing, Lady Exterminator," Miroku congratulated the woman who stood beside him. "Thank you for distracting her," Sango replied, holding Shippou to her breast. The kitsune twitched, then opened his eyes. "What happened?" he asked. "You need not worry, it is over," the huntress told him gently. The vapors had long disappeared, revealing the demoness. Her skin had turned to a sickly yellow, and her eyes were blood shot. "You...think...this will kill me?" she hissed weakly. "Yes," Sango told her, "it will eventually cause your organs to collapse. First your lungs, then your mind, and finally your heart. You no longer pose any threat to us." Miroku walked over to her, and plucked the shard from the necklace the child wore. To his surprise, she reached up and wiped her hand against his face. This caused a mask of ice to cover his features, resulting in blindness and lost of air. Clawing at his face, he dropped the jewel. The demoness reached out, struggling with every gesture, then her hand finally surrounded it. She placed it in her forehead, and then rose from the ground, cackling. Sango pulled out and threw her boomerang bone, "Shippou, help Miroku!!" The ice child flung her hands at Sango's flying weapon, covering it with ice. It clunked to the ground, useless. The exterminator jumped to the side, barely missing the array of icicles that flew in her direction. She swung her katana towards her attacker, striking only the forehead. While the two girls fought, Shippou hopped over to the struggling priest. "Fox Fire!!" he cried as he struck Miroku's gag with fire. It began to break up, allowing the almost unconscious monk to breath. It took a couple rounds of 'Fox Fire' to fully release Miroku. Using his staff for support, he stood up slowly. At that very moment, the small ice demon raked a scythe of ice across Sango's armor, making her lose balance and fall to the ground. Howling with wicked laughter, the child raised her makeshift weapon above the huntress' trapped form, ready to deliver the killing blow. Miroku shouted, "Brace yourself, Madame Exterminator!! I am going to release the tunnel!!" Sango grasped at a tree root that gnawed into her back. Hastily he removed the rosary protecting his cursed hand, and held it out towards the two girls. The demoness' face contorted with horror as the wind pulled her in. "BROTHER!!!!" she screamed her final word as she disappeared into the void cut by Naruku's curse.

**

Kaede's energy was waning. She had been holding up the shield for only a short amount of time, and she was already starting to lose control. *Death has some effect on my energy,* she noted, *It almost be as if he were sucking the life-force from me.* The dragon released another length of fire, his anger and frustration heightened. The old woman, sweating, slightly turned her head towards the sleeping figure lying at the base of her tree to alert her to the situation. To her surprise, the young woman had completely disappeared from sight. The only sign that Marisa had existed recently was the dress spread across the entwining roots. Kaede still felt her power, but couldn't locate the source properly, but tried anyway. It was a mistake. At that small distraction, one bit of the barricade faded, revealing one small limb. The light poured from the flowers, showing the great serpent its prey. In full fury he sped toward the glow, opening his mouth to summon his deadly breath. Kaede called forth the rest of her remaining energy, and set up a protection spell. Though a few of its branches were tinged with ash, the tree survived the attack. The Miko collapsed, heaving from the effort to ensure the safety of the small island. The dragon had flown away at the spell, but now his glowing yellow eyes looked straight into Kaede's. He smiled, which is a very scary thing to see on a dragon, and lunged in for another attack. Instead of using his fiery breath, he rammed his body into the small hunk of land. Little pieces of earth broke away from the impact as Death opened his jaws, revealing the back of his throat. Teeth rose above and below Kaede as the dragon arranged himself to swallow the Miko whole.

**

The low, evil chuckle that resonated from behind her was not the only reason why she was so frightened. Kagome looked in horrified despair at the frozen form of Inu-yasha, *What am I going to do?* She was suddenly and quickly thrown to the ground, "Now, girl, if you want your friend to live.....you will do as I say. Bring the shards to me." Cold grey eyes bore into Kagome as she slowly dragged herself to her backpack, thinking the whole time. Silent tears poured down her face as she shuffled through her belongings. Then, a few feet from the left, she spotted her bow. She had passed one of her arrows when she had crawled to her current position; it had been covered, and was close to Inu-yasha. An idea popped into her head, as she grabbed the large shard that she and her friends had worked so hard to put together. She turned cautiously, and faced the demon, "There are a few shards also hidden on my bow." He curtly nodded, giving her his permission to receive her weapon. She walked over, and picked it up off the freezing snow. Rotating towards the frozen Hanyou, she started shuffling to him. "What do you think you are doing woman?" the ice youkai growled at her. She looked at him, teary eyed, "I just want to say I am sorry." At that moment, they heard a loud scream, "BROTHER!!" Then there was utter silence, "Islin?" The demon's eyes possessed a worried expression as he stepped in the direction where the cry had come. Kagome felt sorry for him, but took up this golden time of opportunity. She ran over to where her arrow was hidden, then immediately armed herself. She aimed her drawn arrow at the jewel glistening in the youkai's forehead. "Release Inu-yasha," she commanded, her voice shaking. Her target did not move, but looked with an expressionless face in the same direction he had been gazing. "Hey!! Are you listening to me?!" she snapped out. He turned towards her, and it was only then when she first saw his eyes shining with fury. "My baby sister is dead. Your other companions did this, but at least I can send you and your friend to HELL!!!" He roared the last word, and sprung forward. The demon moved so fast that Kagome had no time to release her arrow, and felt sharp claws tear into her flesh. Her bow and arrow flung a good distance away as she fell to the ground. The snow was quickly stained red with the blood flowing from her shoulder. She rolled to the left, and just in time too, for the youkai planted a very large icicle where her body had just resided. She now leaned against the frozen pillar that was Inu-yasha, and stared frightened up her offender. Suddenly, he arched his body over her own, his eyes glazed over with the insanity of his grief. "Such a cute face should not die without being used," he whispered hoarsely, "I'll fuck you, and fuck you, and fuck you until you die from loss of blood." Kagome's eyes widened in horror as she tried, uselessly, to back away from the body that trapped her. From behind her, she heard a sudden crack.

**

White peaks rose and fell, quickly becoming a pearly wall. Kaede slipped on the slick tongue of the dragon, causing her to grasp one of the sharp prongs. Pain seared from her palm, but she did not let go. Stars were flashing in front of her eye, yet she still strained to keep her position. Blood dripped down the tooth she held, making her hold slippery and uncontrolled. The serpent chuckled, his reeking breath spreading over the old woman. Kaede gagged, and winced as another white point started rubbing against her frail skin. Unexpectedly, a song-like call came forth, bringing along a brilliant light between the gaps. The jaws that were about to close around her opened abruptly, allowing the brightness to consume her. Kaede covered her eye, to prevent herself from being blinded.

**

Inu-yasha had been watching the entire situation in helpless anger. Her being thrown down as if she were a slave, commanded at, growled at. He had stared as she crawled on the ground as if she were nothing but an animal. Then he heard her tell the ice demon that there were shards hidden in her bow. A huge inner smile had broken out on that one, for he knew she was lying. So that meant she probably had a plan in store, to use one of her purifying arrows to get him out of this block of ice. When he had heard the scream muffled by his prison, he knew Kagome was about to be in a lot of trouble. He watched joyfully as she ran to the arrow hidden near him, but then he outwardly frowned deeper when she aimed not at him, but at the ice demon. *You stupid girl!!* he had screamed. He easily saw the madness that now plagued the prick, and had sworn every curse he knew. Not even Hitan of the Thunder Brothers had reacted this badly to the loss of his sibling. He started straining against his bonds when Kagome had been cut by the claws of the youkai. When she had almost been speared by the huge icicle, he struggled even harder. But it was when the BASTARD dared even think of entering Kagome that drove him over the edge. He pulled the Tetsusaiga with all his strength against the layers of ice, briefly satisfied by the loud crack that had taken place. Even at that sound, the youkai had not stopped his approaches. He pinned Kagome's arms above her head, then had lowered himself down to bite fiercely at her breastbone. The cry of pain that erupted from her throat made Inu-yasha see red. He pulled even harder at his bonds, then suddenly, the Tetsusaiga broke free.

**

A burning pain brushed parts of her limbs, which was quickly followed by a great tremor shaking her body. She pushed forward, breaking from the warmth and safety of the cocoon that surrounded her. Rough, dark brown skin quickly changed into a familiar silky ivory. She stepped from the embrace of the tree, and let her blue eyes quickly take a surveillance of the situation. The old woman's shield had obviously failed, for part of the island was broken off, and the Miko was in the dragon's mouth. She started humming in the back of her throat, her eyes taking on a milky hue. Closing her eyes she brought her two white hands upward. Her long hair rose from covering her nude form, and tangled itself around her head. Power coursed through her veins, then clustered between her two hands. Pink lips parted, releasing a melody that is rarely heard by man. In a tongue long forgotten by humanity, Marisa called part of the power of the heavens to her. Her singing stopped. The blinding light that had been summoned dimmed drastically, and compacted itself to the shape of a star. She turned her hands so that her palms gently cupped the luminosity, then she held it out towards the beast. The dragon tossed the wise priestess from his jaws harshly, cutting her form against his sharp teeth. She lay still on the soft grass, not badly wounded, but barely conscience. Death threw back his head, and released a loud roar, than turned away to flee. "I don't think so," murmured the young woman. She opened her eyes, freeing the star to do its work. It shot from her hands like a laser, cutting the space around it, and the dragon that was in the line of fire. His screech of inhuman pain was deafening as the light overwhelmed him. When it finally faded, instead of a dragon there stood a man-like figure. A cut crossed his face, freeing a flow of black blood. His surprised-filled yellow eyes glared against the paleness of his skin. Red hair, roughly cut, brushed his shoulders as his body twitched in anger. His long nailed hand traced the mark on his face. "You.....bitch. You wounded me, ME!! DEATH!! How can it be one born of mortality can even stand against me with such power?!" Marisa stood still, her arms now down by her side. She said nothing as she wove an outfit from the green grass and white flowers. Turning from the angered spirit, the green cloak that was pinned at her shoulder wrapped around her, hiding the white tunic she now wore from sight. Death shook in complete rage, "HOW DARE YOU IGNORE ME?!! YOU SHALL PAY FOR YOUR INSOLENCE!!" Now the woman faced him, "You have no hold over me, Death. No power, no control, nothing. I am not yours to claim." Death stared, then held out his right hand to the side. A black blade appeared, tipped with the death of thousands of other victims. Marisa raised a single eyebrow of annoyance, as well as a tinge of interest. "Beautiful blade isn't it? It was forged from the life of the first evil man to ever walk the earth. It has grown stronger with the emotions produced by humanity."

"Yes, emotions such as lust, anger, fear, and hatred, I bet," she sighed. She started walking over to the unconscious priestess, "Why are you wasting your time? You can do me no harm if I remain here, on my island behind my shield." Death smirked evilly, "Not you, but there is another." He reached out his left hand, and pulled. Kaede, as if she were attached to strings, was drawn to him. Marisa ran and reached out her hand, but she was too late. Her hand missed Kaede's by only a few mere inches. Hissing, her red eyes glared at the smiling man-creature, "How in the seven hells did you....?!"

"I am Death. Mankind is MY people. In the dream world, I can do whatever I wish with them." He gently drew his blade across the Miko's arm, "I suppose I shall claim this one a bit early." Blood covered the edge of the blade. Green fabric waved wildly in a sudden wind, "Damn you Death!! What is it that you desire?!" Yellow eyes glowed viciously, "You."

**

Tetsusaiga fell swiftly, cutting the ice demon easily on his back. Howling in pain, the youkai flung himself to the side. Inu-yasha snarled ferociously, his golden eyes glaring with hatred. Kagome blinked softly up in surprise and relief. The Hanyou made quick work of getting rid of the rest of his prison. Knocking the last few pieces off his foot, he stood upright and faced the bewildered demon. "How.....?" Inu-yasha quickly cut him off, "You went way too far, you bastard. You're dead!!" He leapt forward, the steel-cleaving fang stinging the air. The ice youkai sent an array of icicles in Inu-yasha's direction, but the half-demon sliced through them. A shield of ice spread itself before Tetsusaiga, stalling the killing blow. Growling, Inu-yasha leapt back, looking up to find his enemy making a large sword out of ice. His smile had a fetal air to it, "Now, this might actually be a challenge." With that, both youkai threw themselves at the other and a flurry of sword attacks began to commence. Inu-yasha first tried to lop off the ice demon's head, but was artfully counterattacked. Dipping beneath the Tetsusaiga, the ice sword rubbed shortly on the fire rat haori, tearing the fabric, but did not manage to draw blood. After his first failed strike, Ice (demon) gave another offensive maneuver. He swung sideways from where he was, targeting Inu- yasha's legs. The Hanyou nimbly jumped upwards, allowing the blade of ice swing at empty space. He then came down, intending to cleave Ice in two with the Tetsusaiga. Ice stepped gracefully aside, and snow flew up from where the steel-cleaving fang fell. *Damn,* thought Inu-yasha as he swung his blade to the right, catching the demon off guard. Blood soon sprayed like a mist, sprinkling the snow with ruby droplets. Ice clutched at his chest, seeming to admit defeat; Inu-yasha lowered his sword, "That's it? That's all you got? Man.....that was way too-" He was abruptly cut off by Ice's blade cutting into his own chest. Another mist of red blood quickly shaded the white snow to a light ruby. Ignoring the pain, he dug his own claws into his flesh. "Daggers of Blood!!" he cried, releasing a hoard of red weapons. Ice, not expecting an attack such as this, held up his own blade quickly to defend himself from the shower of daggers that was heading his way. The daggers of blood easily sliced through his sword, causing damage to the body behind it. Inu-yasha rose from the ground where he had been kneeling, smirking. The demon, however fatal his wounds had become, was not quite done. He refilled the holes that had been cut, and flew at Inu-yasha. The Hanyou had been expecting a strike like this, so easily blocked the blade. They now continued the sword battle they had begun earlier. Blades arched and rang against each other, neither getting past. They went up, down, and side to side, even getting a few inches closer to the target of its sharp edge. For several seconds, the duel raged, until the ice demon began to tire. As his last resort, he summoned a snow storm similar to what had stopped Inu-yasha earlier. No longer seeing the Hanyou, he snickered and backed away, planning to run while his opponent was blind. Then he would return to kill his sister's murderers. Something flashed in the white air, and he felt a sudden pain in his stomach. He knelt to the ground, with blood pouring from both his wounds and his mouth, the storm stopping instantly. Choking on the crimson fluid, he looked down at the blade that entered his front, and came out of his back. His white fingers trace the sharp edge, then he looked up at his killer with glazed grey eyes. Inu-yasha pulled the Tetsusaiga out of him, allowing the demon to slump, then fall into the snow. Within seconds, the area surrounding the body was stained in vermillion. Kagome walked over, and plucked a shard from the corpse. As soon as the jewel's power left him, he dissipated into the snow. At that moment, Kirara burst through the trees to their left, with Sango, Miroku and Shippou on her back. The demon huntress proudly held up one shard, "We got one of them, how about you?" Kagome showed them the now-purified shard, "Here's the other." Miroku hopped off of the large cat, and spoke to Inu-yasha, "Those wounds look pretty bad.....they'll get you frostbite if you're not careful." The Hanyou shrugged, "Let's just go, we need to find more shards before Kagome goes back." The rest of the group sighed in unison, but picked themselves up and headed to the north. After they left, a figure appeared on the red splotch of snow, smiling evilly as he felt the newly killed demon's power enter his black blade.

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Woo, that was a hard chapter to write!! It's not easy when you have writer's block, I really hope this ends soon. I wonder what's going to happen with Marisa....we'll just have to wait till the next chapter I suppose. Well, I'll try to have the next chapter in a week or so. REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW!!!!