Bwahahahahahahaaaaaaaaa . . . the climax nears . . . the plot thickens . . .

On with the story . . .

**Disclamer: Guess I should have mentioned that earlier.  I don't own any of these characters (except for Ayame grin but not really b/c she technically is IY's sister and IY or his appearance is not mine and whatever, you get the point but her 'personality' I made up and . . . I'll just shut up now – you get the point)**

Whispers of that Nameless Fear

Chapter Eight

     The sounds of the battle grew closer to the demon lords ears as he entered the forest just at the edge of his territory, far away he could hear the sounds of fighting, roars and howls of anger and pain.  Blood was heavy in the air, the scents of his half brother and sister, their fear . . . their struggle.

     "So, I was right." A gentle hiss betrayed the presence of its owner.

     Sesshoumaru tensed, turning a glare of disgust over to the shadows as Rin leaped behind her protectors sleeves.  "So, you are behind this, Naraku.  Hunting me down near my own territory I see.  What sort of lies and trickery will to try to convey upon me this day?"

     "Mi-Lord!" Jakken cried out, peeking out from behind his master along side the frightened girl.  "Is this the strange thing you noted earlier?"

     "Your brother is fighting a losing battle, even with his great sword he is failing." The demon spoke slowly, sensing eagerness welling up in Sesshoumaru.  The greed of power still remained within him, ignoring the toads rantings against him.  "And that girl is there as well . . . the one who's soul contains more power than ten Shikon Jewels!"

     Rin shivered against Sesshoumaru, he placed a tender hand on her head and frowned.  Her fear was very great.  "I have no interest in their plights, Naraku.  I have more important things to do with my time."

     "More important than the pursuit of power?"

     "Lord Sesshoumaru does not need that pathetic sword anymore!" Jakken began to shout, suddenly standing his ground as the vile baboon cloaked instigator of evil smiled within the shadows of his mask.  "Lord Sesshoumaru is all powerful!  The greatest demon in all the lands just as his father and if you think for one moment that . . ."

     Sesshoumaru turned his back to Naraku.  "The Tetsusiaga is a great sword indeed, but I have no need of it.  I am content with my life."

     "But that soul power . . . the very soul of your father . . ."

     He began to walk away with Rin hanging onto his clothes for dear life, glancing back to Naraku with fearful eyes. 

     He smiled.  "You have grown soft, Sesshoumaru, with that filthy human that clings to your clothes like a tick.  Do you know what you do to a tick who has sucked the very life blood from you?"

     Sesshoumaru turned.  "I have had enough of your foul words, Naraku.  Leave my territory and never dare return."

     "Enzuno was one of the greatest enemies of your father.  Was it not Enzuno who weakened your terrible father, causing him to fall victim to later happenings?" Naraku paused . . .

     Sesshoumaru stopped and turned ever so slightly . . .

     Long, slithering tentacles, like great serpents, groped out from underneath the white costume that was Naraku's body and lashed out, reaching for the tiny, frail child that clung so fearfully to her protector.  She screamed in fright, clutching Sesshoumaru harder, shaking violently and yet never ran . . . trusting in her master . . .

     Streaks of light sliced through the arms as they reached Rin, trying to grab her around the waste but pulled back once they had been sliced through.  Sesshoumaru picked up the shaking child, her eyes wide and brimmed with tears . . .

     So small . . .

     So innocent . . .

     "Even while I was blinded by my lust for power I was not nearly as twisted and as cruel as you."

     Naraku smiled.  "Your soft spots are quite obvious, Sesshoumaru . . . one of these days that will get you killed."

      He placed Rin back to the ground behind him and turned back with a scowl.  "I have had enough of your trickery, Naraku.  Leave my territory or I will be forced to kill you."

     Rin shuddered.

     "If you join me, Sesshoumaru," the demon promised in a sly voice.  "That soul power that dwells within the half breed child will be yours."

     Suddenly, Sesshoumaru's attention was tweaked.  "And what is the reason for your generosity?"

      "No strings attached . . . just your power on my side.  Enzuno is undefeatable," he smiled.  "And with you there as well, we will be invincible . . ."

      "That monster caused the death of my father," Sesshoumaru brooded.  "Why should I help him?"

     "The soul powers . . . you had once sought . . ."

     "There is no chance to get close enough to that half breed girl to get that soul power, it protects her." Sesshoumaru turned.  "Now, I have had enough.  Go back to that filthy hole you crawled out from."

     "Even if Enzuno weakens that soul?  Weakens it so it can be taken . . ."

     Sesshoumaru stopped . . . a howl of pain echoed in the evening . . .

     He recognized it as Ayame . . . her very soul was being weakened, just as it had been said.

     "That soul can be yours . . . claim it before Enzuno steals it from you." Naraku urged, venom slipping into his words.  He could feel Sesshoumaru's lust for it . . . how it rose within him, that same urge for more power. 

     The screams echoed again . . . shrill and weakened . . .

     Sesshoumaru looked down to Rin . . . her gaze was mournful and frightened . . .

     So innocent in this world of savagery . . .

     "Hurry, Sesshoumaru . . . she cannot last much longer . . ."

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     Ayame howled in agony as the soul was being ripped from her body, the white flames that consumed her faltered and withered . . .

     Inu-Yasha struggled to his feet, angry and infuriated, he pushed all the pain down from his thoughts as he reached a trembling hand for his sword.  Whether or not he had the very power within him to wield it, it was not certain . . . but he had to try!  "Let her go!" he cried as the versatile tail lashed at him, striking new red stripes of blood through his arms and chest, tossing him to the ground.

     "Sssssstay theeeeere until I am throuuuuuuugh with thisssss one!  You will diiiiiie very soooooooon!"

     An arrow zipped out of nowhere from the darkness of the forest and slammed into the neck of the great beast, exploding in a ball of brilliant crimson light.  It had buried itself into its target, black blood dribbled from the new wound as he fell onto his side with a howl of surprise, ripping his claws through the earth with his agony.  The entire battle seemed to stop in a hushed gasp as the wound that burned through the monsters scales smoked and spiraled . . . the scent of burnt flesh was very strong . . .

     Ayame struggled to her feet, her head swam in confusion as Inu-Yasha rushed to help her but turned back to find Kagome standing at the edge of the clearing, visibly pale and shaking all over from exhaustion . . .

     Enzuno moved, slithered upon the ground, righting himself with a snarl . . .

     Inu-Yasha moved to rush to the aid of Kagome as she fought to stay at least on her hands and knees, gasping for breath . . .

     She tried to notch another arrow, her Miko powers draining her . . . the demon turned towards the woman, his vicious gaze longing to see her viscera as he rushed towards her with a hefty roar, passing Inu-Yasha.

     "KAGOME!" he howled, getting knocked to the ground with a fiery tail.  "KAGOME!"

     Sango stepped in front of the beasts target, her boomerang already spinning through the air . . . it was all she could do . . . Miroku was there too, his fingers twitching over his Prayer Beads . . . ready to take his own life with the bees lurking in the shadows . . .

     But Enzuno was not daunted by the barrier set up before him, the weapon clattered upon his unhealed wound, sending pain tearing through his length . . . but he did not stop.

     Inu-Yasha threw himself in between the demon and his friends, taking the blow meant to kill Kagome from the vile claws . . . she was the only one who could defeat him . . . But the wound began to grow smaller . . . he was healing, but much slower than before! 

     "Get Kagome out of here!" Inu-Yasha cried out.  "NOW!"

     Miroku hesitated, debating.  "But, Inu-Yasha . . . she's the only one who can . . ."

     Inu-Yasha leaped down to Kagome's side, taking an icy cold hand in his.  "She's gonna die if you don't get her outta here!"

      "But she is the only one who can . . ."

     "DO WHAT I SAID!" the hanyou warrior roared.

     Enzuno launched another attack, but Ayame flung her claws into the shrinking wound, tearing at its foul flesh and watching the blood oozing around her as he flailed and howled to free himself of her.  The hanyou child did not back down, nor did she let go and she kept the wound from closing . . .

     Inu-Yasha barely noticed.  He took Kagome into his arms, her consciousness wavering to near death, blood soaked her clothes but he realized that most of it was his own.

     "Y . . . you're bleeding." Her voice was barely a whisper of life.

     The howls of the beast caught Inu-Yasha's ears as he came to a problem . . . Ayame would no doubt be killed if he did not help her . . . she could not hold him off forever . . .

     But what about Kagome?

     Miroku stretched out his arms gently.  "I will take her to safety."

     Inu-Yasha gave him an untrusting glare at his questionable chivalry. 

     "This is serious!" the Monk urged.  "I'll take her to Kaede, I am no use here!"

     Sango nodded.  "Trust him, Inu-Yasha."

     The hanyou hesitated . . .

     "I . . . In . . . Inu-Yasha . . ." she whimpered in a frightened voice.  "I . . . I'm sorry!"