So here it is the next chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha Rumiko Takahashi does.
InuYasha Beyond the Skin Chapter Nine 'The hardened warrior'
Marina gathered her articles of clothing in a make shift back pack, using the excess from her hakama pants to gather it all in. She stood up and smiled. "I'm ready." Koyasha rolled his eyes. Kirara swatted at Koyasha and walked over to Marina. Kirara bounded up a tree and jumped onto Marina's shoulder. Marina started off deeper into the woods. "And just where do you think you're going." She stopped and turned around. "Didn't you want to go this way?" "We're going to the village I spotted in that direction." She shrugged and walked back over to him. "Hold on." "What now!" she knelt down and took off her tabi socks leaning on him for support. Koyasha was irritated by it but let her finish. She stood back up and held her stomach. "Oww" "Well you know not to stab yourself again!" "My actions served their purpose." Koyasha's eyes slanted and he huffed off towards the village. Marina smiled and followed after him, humming happily to herself.
("No need to worry about hurting anyone. Now it's just Koyasha and me.") Her eyes bugged out of her head staring at the back of Koyasha's head. ("Just the two of us .. alone!") Her heart pounded hard. She knew Koyasha would feel it and know something was up but the more she thought about it the more it flustered her. Her face turned red and her eyes trailed off to look some where else in hopes of getting him off her mind. She bumped into Koyasha who stared at her suspiciously. "WHAT!?" One of his eyebrows rose. Kirara smacked him in the nose. "Why you little!" She bit his hand as he grabbed for her. "Oww!" She jumped down and ran through his legs. He turned around and felt someone grab his ears. It shocked him and he stopped. He lifted up the gentle hand and turned his head. Marina's face was sad her eyes looked to the side. "You don't have to fight someone all the time." She pulled her hands away from his grasp. "Not that my opinion matters." Koyasha tuned his head back forward and continued walking. Marina followed solemn behind him. The rain was louder than there foot steps. Koyasha bit his lip. ("Should I apologize or say thank you. What do I care it's none of her business how I live my life.") He glanced back at her. Her eyes that had been so bright earlier were sad and empty. ("Shit I don't know what's worse her in a good mood or like this.") "Damn it would you lighten up! You're even more annoying when you're in a bad mood!" Marina's eyes were wide with surprise. ("Is this his idea of cheering me up? I guess I should be happy he's trying at all.") "Um.. Koyasha?" "WHAT!!" she paused a moment. "Do you .. Do you really hate me?" "DUH STUPID!" "Oh..." Marina's face looked even sadder than before. She stared down at her feet while following him in the rain.
They came to a rock overhang as the rain started falling harder. "We'll rest here a minute." It surprised Marina that he would rest. "Wait here I'll be back." Koyasha darted off into the woods leaving her and Kirara to fend for themselves. Marina sat distraught and alone in her thoughts. She found little comfort from Kirara, who tried so hard to make her happy. "I'm sorry it's not your fault. Koyasha just upsets me sometimes." She petted Kirara's wet fur, Kirara mewed happily. "He didn't hesitate in saying yes, did he?" KoYasha's ears perked up as he heard her voice. He set down the freshly caught game and hid just close enough to hear her clearly. "I don't hate him. In fact I trust him more than I do most people. I just wish he would trust me." "Fat chance human." Koyasha said under his breath; still remaining hidden from view. "The truth is I think I may have feelings for him." Her face lightly blushed even telling Kirara. Koyasha's face went blood red his pupils shrunk to the size of pins. His heart beet increased pounding harder. ("What the hell am I thinking!? Stupid girl!") He peered out to see her again. "But I think I have feelings for Shippou and Mushiro too. I'm so frustrated, I can't figure out if I'm in love with any of them." Koyasha's eyes slanted ("Humans are so indecisive!") But Koyasha felt a twinge of jealousy at the thought of her choosing to love Shippou, or worse his brother instead of him.
Marina felt uneasy like someone was watching. She gripped her sword. "Show your self!" she yelled. Koyasha popped up from his hiding place but noticed she wasn't looking at him. He followed her eyes and cam to rest on a middle aged man with a scruffy face wearing an eye patch and worn armor. His hair was graying and pulled back into a short pony tail. The strange man laughed. "I commend you young lady. I didn't believe you'd notice me." Marina stood up ready to draw her sword, Kirara growled fiercely. Koyasha crouched back down watching and listening for his cue to attack. The man stopped his advance forward. "What do you want!?" Marina's eyes never wavered from his movements. "Calm yourself my lady I mean you no harm. I wish but to get out of the weather." She eyed him suspiciously. "You may come near but I have no intention of lowering my guard." The man smirked. "Should I be surprised a lovely lady such as you would trust someone like me." He walked under the cover and took a seat across from her. She slowly sat down again holding her stomach. "So you've seen battle recently." She looked over at him a little confused. "You obviously took a wound to the stomach. Being vulnerable makes most people edgy." His eye looked up at her slyly. "Don't try anything!" He made her nervous like no one had before; this man was a hardened warrior. Koyasha watched with interest. ("He's obviously a Samurai. But what's he doing in a place like this.") KoYasha sniffed the air. ("And he reeks of fresh blood.")
Koyasha almost bolted up from his seat. The man lunged at Marina who quickly met his blade with her own. The man bore down but stopped as he stared into her eyes. He backed off and continued looking into them. "Your eyes.. there soft not like an 'akurei' (*demon*). What manner of creature are you?" He sheathed his sword and sat back down. "You expect me to be friendly with you when you just tried to kill me." Kirara edged in front of Marina. "I'd like an answer." "I don't have to say anything to you murder." Kirara sensed her weariness to the strange man and prepared to attack. Marina looked down at Kirara, "Don't Kirara" "You think she could cause me any trouble." "She's not the one you have to worry about." Koyasha tossed the game between them and stood cracking his knuckles. "I'm the one ya gott'a worry about." The man jumped up with his sword drawn. "A dog demon!" The man pulled his sword and stood in front of Marina. Koyasha and Marina looked shocked. "Are you suffering from confusion?" Koyasha scratched the side of his face. "You won't have her demon dog!" Marina walked over to him and tapped the man on the shoulder. "Stand back my lady I can handle him. A demon like him will be no trouble for me." Koyasha collapsed laughing and pointing at the man. "You think you could handle me old man! That's rich!" "I think your fighting under a misconception." Marina lightly giggled "You see he and I are traveling together." "What!?" The man turned sideways to catch her out of the corner of his eye. "Do you have a hold on this demon?" "Fare from it!" Koyasha snapped at him. The man shot his attention back to Koyasha. "So you've kidnapped this woman." Koyasha smacked his face. "How dense can one human be?" "Prepare yourself demon I'm going to send you back to hell where you came from!" Marina was so fed up with him she bawled up her fist and cracked him in the back of the head. "Get a brain!" she said exasperated. "Look I'll put it in plain English!" The two men looked at her confused. ("Wups, they don't understand English.") She laughed sheepishly. "What kind of language was that?" Her eyes looked shifty. "Oh yes my name it's Marina." Koyasha didn't seem amused his eyes slanted but not in his usual angry manner. "That's not what he asked." She ignored Koyasha "What's your name sir?" "It's Tomokazu." He said in a mellowed out tone. ("Thank goodness he's easily distracted.") Marina let out a sigh of relief. "Don't think I've forgotten you demon." He pointed his sword at Koyasha. "Get over yourself old man you could barely handle her let alone me."
Tomokazu laughed at Koyasha's boasts. "A woman like her against the great Tomokazu? Demon, she would bring me no challenge." Marina took her still drawn sword and held it to his neck, one hand on the hilt the other holding the tip to keep him from moving the sword away. He froze shocked that she had attacked. "What was that you were saying about me being a push over?" Tomokazu's attitude seemed to bring out the worst in her. It was like being around her older brother again. It surprised Koyasha to see her act this way. She had the same determination in her eyes like when she fought the vampire demons; the only difference was before she was scared. This time she had no fear no regret for her actions. ("This guy seems to really bring out the worst in her.. Maybe I should keep him around.") Koyasha caught sent of something and turned his attentions back to the forest. "Now what?" Several ninja's darts wized, by just grazing Koyasha's cheek. "Looks like they caught up to me." The dark look of a killer returned to Tomokazu's face. Koyasha touched the new wound on his face and licked the blood from his fingers. "Just remember you started it." Koyasha charged forward and jumped high into the trees. "Kyyyaaaaaahhhh!!" A ninja fell from the tree tops with a bone crunching thud. Marina took the sword from Tomokazu's neck and stood waiting for any kind of attack. A few more darts flew at them Marina knocked them aside. Kirara's fur raised and she transformed stepping in front of Marina. Tomokazu almost wet his pants when he saw Kirara's new form.
Tomokazu sprinted off into battle away from the terrifying Kirara. As usual leaving Marina and Kirara to fend for themselves. A group of Samurai surrounded the two. Kirara lunged at one of the men biting his arm then throwing him high in the air. Four of the men jumped in to do battle with the fierce demon. "Kirara!" Marina wanted to help but she had her own problems. Five Samurai stood in front of her ready to charge. One of the men looked as though he knew her. "Isn't she?" he paused a moment before continuing, eyeing her a little more. "This woman matches the description of the Demon Miyu. The Shogun has a price on her head." Marina looked at them puzzled. "Miyu who's that?" she said softly. Another mangled body fell from the tree tops. The man charged in on her. "Wait I think you've got the wrong girl I'm no demon!" Koyasha leaped down and grabbed him by the throat yanking him backwards. "What did you Say about Miyu!?" Koyasha's eyes were cold, his face and hair splattered with blood. The man looked at him terrified. "It can't be... You're the demon mongrel Koyasha!" the man choked out. "Wrong answer!" Koyasha slammed his fist into the ground next to the mans' head. "Try again." "All I know is the shogun has a price on her head." He stuttered out. "Good boy but it won't save your life." Koyasha sliced open his neck and turned around to face the other four. Koyasha stretched his arms above his head. "So who's next?"
Tomokazu came out of the trees and attacked one of the samurai turning to flee. The man gurgled out in pain and fell dead. The other three seeing their fates sealed made a run for it. Koyasha went to follow but felt a gentle hand grab hold of his sleeve. "Please Koyasha let them go. They're no match for you; it wouldn't be worth the effort." Marina tried her best to put it in terms that Koyasha could agree with. He felt his sole calm which annoyed him. His eyes showed his irritation. "Fine" Tomokazu walked over to them irritated as well. "Cowards and they call 'themselves' Samurai." He whipped of his sword and sheathed it. "You surprised me demon you fight better than I expected; though your style is still sloppy." "I'm sloppy have you looked at yourself lately!?" Tomokazu rubbed his chin. "Oh this, well you try going three days strait running and see how good you look." "I've gone six." The two stood almost touching noses. "I've killed over a hundred men." Koyasha countered again. "I've killed over a hundred in one battle." Tomokazu's eye slanted. "I've been with over twenty women this year alone." Marina's expression froze in fear. ("What is Koyasha going to say has he been with a woman before? I didn't see him for two days did he go around with women!?") Koyasha backed off of him disgusted. "And you're proud of that." Marina breathed a sigh of relief. Tomokazu snickered at Koyasha. "You've probably never even kissed a girl by the looks of you." Marina's face turned grave again, at the though of him kissing a girl other than her. Koyasha's face was agitated. "I don't see how that's any of your business." Koyasha balled up his fist to hit him and a little red velvet book fell out of his kimono.
Koyasha watched in seeming slow motion as the red diary fell. I t hit the ground. Koyasha gritted his teeth and looked over at Marina who looked at the book with curiosity. Her eyes widened and looked back up at Koyasha. Koyasha could swear he saw flames burning in her eyes. Her aura rose and made the hairs on the back of the two men's necks stand on end. Tomokazu's face went pail and he ran like grease lightning. Kirara followed his suit. Koyasha turned to run and felt her hands that were always so gentle catch him by the ears like two vices. Her fingers felt like needles piercing into his ears. "And just where did you get that." Her voice was sinister. ("Would it be safe to answer her in this condition?") He looked at her fearfully, and saw her eyes glisten with tears. "Did you read the last page!?" He gave her a funny look, "What so special about the last page?" She let go of his ears and picked up the book and looked back at him with angry eyes. He looked at her with confusion. She bit back the tears on her lip, pulled back and slapped his face pausing her hand to look at his face for a fleeting moment as it turned into shock. Then she walked away back into the rain to hide her tears amongst the fresh rain drops. She clutched the book to her chest keeping it out of the rain as her head loomed over the last page. She carefully read each line then looked back in the direction where she had left Koyasha and closed the diary again. "Stupid Jerk."
Koyasha gathered what dry wood he could find and made a fire. Tomokazu had since returned. Even Kirara didn't dare to venture after her. Koyasha's face still shown the red hand print. It had been a good hour since she'd slapped him but it still stung. Koyasha rubbed the side of his face. ("For all that she could have at least told me what the damn page said!") Tomokazu turned the meat and leaned back against the stone. "So what was she so mad about?" Koyasha's eyes shifted and he took his hand away from his face. "It was just over a lousy book." "Damn, it must really mean a lot to her." "What do I care?" Koyasha rolled over so that his back faced him. He looked off into the woods. The rain was letting up. It was well past mid day, the light from the sun started showing through to the forest floor. "So what's the deal, are you two a thing or what?" Koyasha flipped onto his feet "No we are not!!" Tomokazu plastered himself against the stone he'd been leaning on. "Relax I was only asking." Koyasha sat back down with a huff and put his hands together in his sleeves. "Ya know she's really not that bad looking." Koyasha bolted back up shaking his fists madly screaming at Tomokazu "DAMN IT, I WOULDN'T BE INTERESTED IN HER IF SHE WAS THE LAST GIRL ON EARTH!!!" Koyasha blinked a moment after something hit the side of his head. Koyasha and Tomokazu turned their heads and stared. Marina stood staring at Koyasha drenched and shaking. "Keep it!! You're too damn heartless to understand it anyway, you BIG JERK!!!" She ran off back into the woods angry and sobbing.
Tomokazu scratched the side of his face leaning forward. "Touchy isn't she." Koyasha's eyes shifted to Tomokazu. Koyasha reared back his fist and knocked him out cold. Kirara looked up at him, "What do you want!" Kirara's ears sunk down and she cowered away. Koyasha picked up the diary and hesitated a moment before opening it. He flipped through to the last written page.
("Hikari, Yuka, Riico, and I went to the Cherry blossom festival today. I finally did it! I freed him just like I dreamt I would last night. I made it look like and accident so the others wouldn't be cross. I guess I don't really care what people think anymore. I'm only living on borrowed time anyway. He's more hot tempered than I thought he'd be. I guess I'd be bitter if I'd spent most of my life pinned to a tree while the world forgot me. It's kind of funny I want to disappear from the world and he wants to be part of it. We are exact opposites it seems. But my heart wants to pound out of my chest ever time he looks at me. His eyes I'm sure look cruel to other people but I keep seeing a kind of gentleness hidden in them. I .") Koyasha looked over to the next page but nothing was there. He opened the book wide and noticed a page was torn from the book. He closed the diary and took the meat away from the fire. He set the diary back on her things sitting next to the fire. He stood up and headed into the woods. Kirara's ears perked up and she followed behind him. Koyasha got on all fours and sniffed the ground; his ears twitched hearing coughing in the distance. He ran on ahead while Kirara followed faithfully behind. Koyasha stopped and felt deep remorse for his words as he looked ahead in a small clearing and saw Marina. She sat on her knees with her back to him. Koyasha went to walk closer but stopped as he heard her soft voice speak. *English*--"Mother please forgive me for disturbing you. But I don't know who else to talk to." The area around her glowed with sun light. "I promised something and I think I made a bad decision in doing so," ("There are no bad decisions or wrong choices just harder ones to fulfill then others.") Koyasha listened with fascination at the strange language she spoke unaware that some one was answering her pleas. "But he's so cruel to me sometimes!" She sobbed covering her face. ("Are you so sure it's your decision making that has upset you?") Marina curled her hands from her face and rubbed her nose. ("It sounds like you have feelings for this boy.") It scared her to think that her mother was right. "NO! I can't love someone like him!!" She fell on to her hand covering her face again. She felt the warmth of her mother's spirit touch her. ("Please don't be stubborn about your feelings like I was.") The warmth faded away, Marina reached up to grab what wasn't there. "Please don't go yet! Mother. Mother!!!" She fell back to a sitting position hunched over. "I didn't mean to upset you. Please don't' be angry with me."--* Koyasha stood staring at her. He never took his eyes from her, although he could not begin to comprehend what had been said. He hesitated in walking over to her.
Marina felt his unsure hand touch her shoulder. She sunk away from him. "Don't touch me." Koyasha pulled his hand away slightly hurt by her cold nature towards him. "I didn't mean it the way it sounded earlier." Koyasha eyed her sleeves that were lightly spattered with blood that seeped out into an ugly yellow from the water saturation. ("She's coughing up more blood than before.") He studied her as she stood up. Her knees and hand where full of scrapes and bruises from falling repeatedly. She kept her back to him. "I don't know why you bother lying to me. You're only using me to get the jewel, isn't that right?" Koyasha's gaze shifted to the side. She sniffed and whipped her eyes. "Don't worry I'm still going to help you get your precious Shikon no tama." She said bitterly. Koyasha turned angry. He reached out grabbed her arm and yanked her towards him. Her head hung down; her bangs covered her eyes from view. "I told you I didn't mean what I said!!" "Let go of me Koyasha!" She twisted her arm trying to get away. Koyasha watched sadly as she jerked and beat on his chest in frustration. "Please just let me go!" she sobbed sinking down to the ground in defeat. "Why won't you just let me go?" Koyasha let go of her arm knelt down and wrapped his arms around her. Her whole body trembled under his embrace. "I'm ... I'm sorry." She buried her face in his chest; deep sorrow pored from her eyes. His heart was finally fighting back against the jewels evil. ("I'll see that you die when we find the rest of the jewel. I know I couldn't stand to see your face when I become a full demon.") He squeezed her tighter holding on to this moment; to him this would last forever.
His ear perked up as he heard a twig snap. A sword came flying at Marina's back. Koyasha spun her around using his own back as a shield. The blade deflected off against his kimono. "Damn it!" the blade jerked back into the bushes. Tomokazu emerged from the bush. Koyasha stood in front of Marina holding his ground. "That was dirty." Come now with a price like she has on her head can you blame me." Tomokazu tapped his katana on his shoulder. "I had a little doubt there for a moment but when you showed up I knew it had to be the infamous Miyu. ("That's that name again, who is this girl everyone keeps mistaking me for?") She staggered to her feet. "You're a damn fool if you think that she could be Miyu!" "Brown hair blue eyes travels with a dog demon mongrel." Koyasha's knuckles cracked, "I'm not a mongrel." Tomokazu smirked and took stance to attack. Koyasha had never really considered the two women's likeness till Tomokazu had mentioned it. "Who knows maybe she and I will have a little fun later." Koyasha's blood boiled, "What did you say!?" Koyasha charged at him in a blind rage. Tomokazu leaped over his head and struck Koyasha's arm spinning him around. Koyasha held his shoulder; the Samurai's strike had knocked his arm out of socket. "Poor little boy did I hurt you arm." Tomokazu chucked. "Good!" She watched in despair as Koyasha clumsily fought Tomokazu. He just grew angrier with each of Tomokazu's taunts. "He's trying to get you to sacrifice your skills to your emotions. Koyasha, calm down!"
Koyasha backed against a tree. Tomokazu's face looked evil he knew Koyasha would fall at his emotional state. He stabbed at Koyasha's heart but his blade stopped at his kimono "God damn it what is that kimono made of!" Koyasha laughed with malice. "Stop, don't you know that tickles." He slammed his shoulder against the tree knocking his arm back into socket. Tomokazu stepped back shocked. "Ya see I personally know if she were Miyu she'd have killed you the first time you dropped your guard just for the fun of seeing your betrayed and shocked expression." Marina looked confused. This woman Miyu sounded like a cold blooded murder. Koyasha jumped up into the sun rays in the trees temporarily blinding Tomokazu as he tried to follow Koyasha's movements. "What happen, ya lose me?" Koyasha kicked him square in the back. He slammed forward through some brush and into a tree. Tomokazu shook his head and turned around ready to fight again. "So are you ready to really fight me peon?" Koyasha grinned bearing his oversized K-9's. Tomokazu chucked. "It's been a while since I had a worthy opponent, shall we make it an even match?" He pulled at his kimono; Koyasha nodded and took off the upper part of his kimono. Tomokazu did the same.
Both the men now stood open chests prepared to fight. Marina watched in dismay she knew that a blow from Tomokazu's sword could render Koyasha temporarily helpless or possibly dead. She stood back and watched as the battle really began. Tomokazu struck out at Koyasha. Koyasha batted his katana down and clawed at Tomokazu's face. Tomokazu jolted away from Koyasha's strike and swung his sword back around to strike Koyasha's neck. Koyasha leaped back and jumped up to attack from above. Tomokazu flipped around and cut Koyasha's arm as he came down on top of him gouging into his left shoulder. Koyasha rolled across the ground away from Tomokazu who whirled around to strike again. Koyasha popped back on to his feet and slammed down to the ground as Tomokazu used the back of his sword to trip Koyasha. Koyasha hit lightly dazed. "Fare well mongrel." "Koyasha!!!" Marina took her sword and threw it. Tomokazu pulled his sword up to strike. Marina's sword landed inches from Koyasha's hand. Koyasha instinctively grabbed it and stabbed Tomokazu in the heart before he had a chance to deal his final blow. Tomokazu's arms fell limp and his sword fell to the side. "Killed by a demon mongrel? So in the end we die justly to how we lived our lives." Koyasha pushed him off, pulling the sword out of Tomokazu's chest as he did. Koyasha looked at the sword as it disappeared and turned back into a harmless white feather. He crouched to examine Tomokazu's body. Marina tackled him crying tears of relief. "I'm so glad you're ok. I thought you were dead for sure." "Owwww!!!!!" Marina jumped back startled. She's crushed his wounded arm in her excitement. "Here I think it likes you better." He held the feather out for her to take. She picked it up and sheathed the sword as it returned to normal.
Koyasha shot her an authoritative face. "Don't even consider healing me!" "But I could just." "Don't even think about it!" He got up walked over and picked up his kimono. Koyasha wavered and fell to his knees feeling a fever attacking his body. "What the hell?!" Koyasha heard a small snicker come from Tomokazu. "Short lived victories suck don't they?" Tomokazu sat up and took away his eye patch. His hidden eye was red. "You see I tipped my sword with a very rare and deadly poison. Few demons could survive the potent amount you took. So I think I should say good try. At least you died by the hands of one of your own." Marina ran to Koyasha's side. Koyasha looked up at her with blurry vision. ("Will this be our last few moments together? Should I tell her that.") "Don't worry Koyasha you'll be fine." She placed her hand on his wound and collapsed a few seconds later. Koyasha's eyes blinked open aware of his surroundings again. Marina lay in his lap limp. "Damn it I told you not to!" He lifted her body as he stood up. "How the hell did you survive that!?" Koyasha's eyes slanted. "If you go now I won't kill you." "Like hell you will! That girls only good for one blow and I can easily lay a few more that will kill you for sure!" Tomokazu picked up his sword and readied to attack. Marina's eyes opened warm and loving. Koyasha looked surprised. She motioned for him to set her down and he did so. Tomokazu eyed her uneasily. She walked over to him. Koyasha reached for her and stopped as he saw raw fear in Tomokazu's face. "Leave or I'll kill you myself." Tomokazu backed off, then turned tail and ran. She turned around smiled at Koyasha and collapsed. Koyasha walked over and lifted her head. "Bluffing huh?" She smiled sheepishly "Yeah" Koyasha's eyebrow lifted hearing her response. "Come on lets go eat." Koyasha lifted her onto his back gently to keep from harming her further; and they headed back to camp.
They reached the camp and Koyasha looked disturbed. "That damn thief!" Marina looked, the food still remained. "What's the matter Koyasha?" "I'll kill him!!" Koyasha took off back into the woods and was up into the trees and gone. Marina looked confusedly at Kirara. "I guess we follow." Kirara transformed and Marina grabbed the food and her bundle and jumped on Kirara's back. "Let's follow him. Just be careful I don't know how much longer I'll be conscious." Kirara snorted lightly in response and took off.
Koyasha leaped across the tree line. He occasionally jumped down to make sure he still had the sent. ("That thieving Tomokazu! I'll break every bone in his body!") Marina occasional caught a gimps of blue shoot out of the trees. Koyasha looked down and spotted Tomokazu running through the forest. "There you are" Koyasha leaped down from the tree tops and landed a few yards from him. Tomokazu whipped around. "How the hell did you catch me!?" "My grandfather was a phantom beast. You think I can't run like the wind?" "You're InuYasha's son?" Bitterness crept across his face hearing his fathers name spoken. "I guess I never put two and two together." Tomokazu's eyes slanted. "But that doesn't change anything as far as those innocent people you killed are concerned." Koyasha's eye twitched. "How many times do I have to tell you people that I didn't kill them!!?" "He's telling the truth you know." Tomokazu's eyes widened and he turned his head to a dense patch of brush. Koyasha was shocked to hear that familiar voice again. A woman cloaked in black stood up from the brush and pulled back her hood. Her long strait dark brown hair fell around her shoulders and her cold blue eyes stared at him. "I should know I killed them, but poor little Koyasha got all the credit. It's really a pity." "Miyu, what are you doing here?" She tossed her hair aside. "What, no hi it's nice to see you? You can be such a bully some times Koyasha." "What did you just call her?!" Tomokazu stepped back shocked. "Another half-ling? There are really too many of you now a days. Soon humans won't even be able to tell the real demons from the mongrels." Koyasha's face turned bitter remembering one of the reasons he always hated being called a mongrel. Miyu would constantly call him one to irritate him.
Marina and Kirara came to a halt in the air. Marina looked down and saw the three down on the forest floor. "Let's land Kirara" She slid off Kirara holding her stomach as the pain returned. She gritted her teeth and walked ahead where the three stood at arms. She stood in horror as she saw Miyu up close. Miyu walked over to Koyasha and pinched his cheek. "Aww, but you'll always be my favorite little mongrel Koyasha." Koyasha slapped her hand aside. "You haven't changed at all Koyasha. Although I have to admit your much more hansom since we parted." She snuggled into his chest. Koyasha looked shocked but it couldn't match what Marina was going through. "Koyasha?" His ear twitched as he heard her soft voice. He threw Miyu back away from him. "You're stronger too." She caught Marina out of the corner of her eye. Her eyes widened as she saw a pair of blue eyes staring back at her. "So I have a little look alike do I!" She charged at Marina pulling out a strange short sword. "It's just a pity you don't carry this." Kirara bolted out from behind Marina and attacked Miyu ripping her arm off. Kirara spit the vile arm from her mouth and growled at Miyu. Miyu's eyes slanted and she called back her arm which disappeared and rematerialized back in place. Tomokazu took his chance and threw his sword at Miyu's back. She jolted forward as Tomokazu's sword stabbed through her. He yanked it back and waited for the poison to take effect. Miyu's head whipped around, Tomokazu felt a cold chill of death come over his body as he saw her eye's cold and merciless. "You're dead half-ling!!"
********************************** AHhhhhhh! Finally done
I figured I'd give everyone a nice long chapter before I took a break to take care of my Dark Horse entry.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter expect chapter ten in a few weeks.
Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha Rumiko Takahashi does.
InuYasha Beyond the Skin Chapter Nine 'The hardened warrior'
Marina gathered her articles of clothing in a make shift back pack, using the excess from her hakama pants to gather it all in. She stood up and smiled. "I'm ready." Koyasha rolled his eyes. Kirara swatted at Koyasha and walked over to Marina. Kirara bounded up a tree and jumped onto Marina's shoulder. Marina started off deeper into the woods. "And just where do you think you're going." She stopped and turned around. "Didn't you want to go this way?" "We're going to the village I spotted in that direction." She shrugged and walked back over to him. "Hold on." "What now!" she knelt down and took off her tabi socks leaning on him for support. Koyasha was irritated by it but let her finish. She stood back up and held her stomach. "Oww" "Well you know not to stab yourself again!" "My actions served their purpose." Koyasha's eyes slanted and he huffed off towards the village. Marina smiled and followed after him, humming happily to herself.
("No need to worry about hurting anyone. Now it's just Koyasha and me.") Her eyes bugged out of her head staring at the back of Koyasha's head. ("Just the two of us .. alone!") Her heart pounded hard. She knew Koyasha would feel it and know something was up but the more she thought about it the more it flustered her. Her face turned red and her eyes trailed off to look some where else in hopes of getting him off her mind. She bumped into Koyasha who stared at her suspiciously. "WHAT!?" One of his eyebrows rose. Kirara smacked him in the nose. "Why you little!" She bit his hand as he grabbed for her. "Oww!" She jumped down and ran through his legs. He turned around and felt someone grab his ears. It shocked him and he stopped. He lifted up the gentle hand and turned his head. Marina's face was sad her eyes looked to the side. "You don't have to fight someone all the time." She pulled her hands away from his grasp. "Not that my opinion matters." Koyasha tuned his head back forward and continued walking. Marina followed solemn behind him. The rain was louder than there foot steps. Koyasha bit his lip. ("Should I apologize or say thank you. What do I care it's none of her business how I live my life.") He glanced back at her. Her eyes that had been so bright earlier were sad and empty. ("Shit I don't know what's worse her in a good mood or like this.") "Damn it would you lighten up! You're even more annoying when you're in a bad mood!" Marina's eyes were wide with surprise. ("Is this his idea of cheering me up? I guess I should be happy he's trying at all.") "Um.. Koyasha?" "WHAT!!" she paused a moment. "Do you .. Do you really hate me?" "DUH STUPID!" "Oh..." Marina's face looked even sadder than before. She stared down at her feet while following him in the rain.
They came to a rock overhang as the rain started falling harder. "We'll rest here a minute." It surprised Marina that he would rest. "Wait here I'll be back." Koyasha darted off into the woods leaving her and Kirara to fend for themselves. Marina sat distraught and alone in her thoughts. She found little comfort from Kirara, who tried so hard to make her happy. "I'm sorry it's not your fault. Koyasha just upsets me sometimes." She petted Kirara's wet fur, Kirara mewed happily. "He didn't hesitate in saying yes, did he?" KoYasha's ears perked up as he heard her voice. He set down the freshly caught game and hid just close enough to hear her clearly. "I don't hate him. In fact I trust him more than I do most people. I just wish he would trust me." "Fat chance human." Koyasha said under his breath; still remaining hidden from view. "The truth is I think I may have feelings for him." Her face lightly blushed even telling Kirara. Koyasha's face went blood red his pupils shrunk to the size of pins. His heart beet increased pounding harder. ("What the hell am I thinking!? Stupid girl!") He peered out to see her again. "But I think I have feelings for Shippou and Mushiro too. I'm so frustrated, I can't figure out if I'm in love with any of them." Koyasha's eyes slanted ("Humans are so indecisive!") But Koyasha felt a twinge of jealousy at the thought of her choosing to love Shippou, or worse his brother instead of him.
Marina felt uneasy like someone was watching. She gripped her sword. "Show your self!" she yelled. Koyasha popped up from his hiding place but noticed she wasn't looking at him. He followed her eyes and cam to rest on a middle aged man with a scruffy face wearing an eye patch and worn armor. His hair was graying and pulled back into a short pony tail. The strange man laughed. "I commend you young lady. I didn't believe you'd notice me." Marina stood up ready to draw her sword, Kirara growled fiercely. Koyasha crouched back down watching and listening for his cue to attack. The man stopped his advance forward. "What do you want!?" Marina's eyes never wavered from his movements. "Calm yourself my lady I mean you no harm. I wish but to get out of the weather." She eyed him suspiciously. "You may come near but I have no intention of lowering my guard." The man smirked. "Should I be surprised a lovely lady such as you would trust someone like me." He walked under the cover and took a seat across from her. She slowly sat down again holding her stomach. "So you've seen battle recently." She looked over at him a little confused. "You obviously took a wound to the stomach. Being vulnerable makes most people edgy." His eye looked up at her slyly. "Don't try anything!" He made her nervous like no one had before; this man was a hardened warrior. Koyasha watched with interest. ("He's obviously a Samurai. But what's he doing in a place like this.") KoYasha sniffed the air. ("And he reeks of fresh blood.")
Koyasha almost bolted up from his seat. The man lunged at Marina who quickly met his blade with her own. The man bore down but stopped as he stared into her eyes. He backed off and continued looking into them. "Your eyes.. there soft not like an 'akurei' (*demon*). What manner of creature are you?" He sheathed his sword and sat back down. "You expect me to be friendly with you when you just tried to kill me." Kirara edged in front of Marina. "I'd like an answer." "I don't have to say anything to you murder." Kirara sensed her weariness to the strange man and prepared to attack. Marina looked down at Kirara, "Don't Kirara" "You think she could cause me any trouble." "She's not the one you have to worry about." Koyasha tossed the game between them and stood cracking his knuckles. "I'm the one ya gott'a worry about." The man jumped up with his sword drawn. "A dog demon!" The man pulled his sword and stood in front of Marina. Koyasha and Marina looked shocked. "Are you suffering from confusion?" Koyasha scratched the side of his face. "You won't have her demon dog!" Marina walked over to him and tapped the man on the shoulder. "Stand back my lady I can handle him. A demon like him will be no trouble for me." Koyasha collapsed laughing and pointing at the man. "You think you could handle me old man! That's rich!" "I think your fighting under a misconception." Marina lightly giggled "You see he and I are traveling together." "What!?" The man turned sideways to catch her out of the corner of his eye. "Do you have a hold on this demon?" "Fare from it!" Koyasha snapped at him. The man shot his attention back to Koyasha. "So you've kidnapped this woman." Koyasha smacked his face. "How dense can one human be?" "Prepare yourself demon I'm going to send you back to hell where you came from!" Marina was so fed up with him she bawled up her fist and cracked him in the back of the head. "Get a brain!" she said exasperated. "Look I'll put it in plain English!" The two men looked at her confused. ("Wups, they don't understand English.") She laughed sheepishly. "What kind of language was that?" Her eyes looked shifty. "Oh yes my name it's Marina." Koyasha didn't seem amused his eyes slanted but not in his usual angry manner. "That's not what he asked." She ignored Koyasha "What's your name sir?" "It's Tomokazu." He said in a mellowed out tone. ("Thank goodness he's easily distracted.") Marina let out a sigh of relief. "Don't think I've forgotten you demon." He pointed his sword at Koyasha. "Get over yourself old man you could barely handle her let alone me."
Tomokazu laughed at Koyasha's boasts. "A woman like her against the great Tomokazu? Demon, she would bring me no challenge." Marina took her still drawn sword and held it to his neck, one hand on the hilt the other holding the tip to keep him from moving the sword away. He froze shocked that she had attacked. "What was that you were saying about me being a push over?" Tomokazu's attitude seemed to bring out the worst in her. It was like being around her older brother again. It surprised Koyasha to see her act this way. She had the same determination in her eyes like when she fought the vampire demons; the only difference was before she was scared. This time she had no fear no regret for her actions. ("This guy seems to really bring out the worst in her.. Maybe I should keep him around.") Koyasha caught sent of something and turned his attentions back to the forest. "Now what?" Several ninja's darts wized, by just grazing Koyasha's cheek. "Looks like they caught up to me." The dark look of a killer returned to Tomokazu's face. Koyasha touched the new wound on his face and licked the blood from his fingers. "Just remember you started it." Koyasha charged forward and jumped high into the trees. "Kyyyaaaaaahhhh!!" A ninja fell from the tree tops with a bone crunching thud. Marina took the sword from Tomokazu's neck and stood waiting for any kind of attack. A few more darts flew at them Marina knocked them aside. Kirara's fur raised and she transformed stepping in front of Marina. Tomokazu almost wet his pants when he saw Kirara's new form.
Tomokazu sprinted off into battle away from the terrifying Kirara. As usual leaving Marina and Kirara to fend for themselves. A group of Samurai surrounded the two. Kirara lunged at one of the men biting his arm then throwing him high in the air. Four of the men jumped in to do battle with the fierce demon. "Kirara!" Marina wanted to help but she had her own problems. Five Samurai stood in front of her ready to charge. One of the men looked as though he knew her. "Isn't she?" he paused a moment before continuing, eyeing her a little more. "This woman matches the description of the Demon Miyu. The Shogun has a price on her head." Marina looked at them puzzled. "Miyu who's that?" she said softly. Another mangled body fell from the tree tops. The man charged in on her. "Wait I think you've got the wrong girl I'm no demon!" Koyasha leaped down and grabbed him by the throat yanking him backwards. "What did you Say about Miyu!?" Koyasha's eyes were cold, his face and hair splattered with blood. The man looked at him terrified. "It can't be... You're the demon mongrel Koyasha!" the man choked out. "Wrong answer!" Koyasha slammed his fist into the ground next to the mans' head. "Try again." "All I know is the shogun has a price on her head." He stuttered out. "Good boy but it won't save your life." Koyasha sliced open his neck and turned around to face the other four. Koyasha stretched his arms above his head. "So who's next?"
Tomokazu came out of the trees and attacked one of the samurai turning to flee. The man gurgled out in pain and fell dead. The other three seeing their fates sealed made a run for it. Koyasha went to follow but felt a gentle hand grab hold of his sleeve. "Please Koyasha let them go. They're no match for you; it wouldn't be worth the effort." Marina tried her best to put it in terms that Koyasha could agree with. He felt his sole calm which annoyed him. His eyes showed his irritation. "Fine" Tomokazu walked over to them irritated as well. "Cowards and they call 'themselves' Samurai." He whipped of his sword and sheathed it. "You surprised me demon you fight better than I expected; though your style is still sloppy." "I'm sloppy have you looked at yourself lately!?" Tomokazu rubbed his chin. "Oh this, well you try going three days strait running and see how good you look." "I've gone six." The two stood almost touching noses. "I've killed over a hundred men." Koyasha countered again. "I've killed over a hundred in one battle." Tomokazu's eye slanted. "I've been with over twenty women this year alone." Marina's expression froze in fear. ("What is Koyasha going to say has he been with a woman before? I didn't see him for two days did he go around with women!?") Koyasha backed off of him disgusted. "And you're proud of that." Marina breathed a sigh of relief. Tomokazu snickered at Koyasha. "You've probably never even kissed a girl by the looks of you." Marina's face turned grave again, at the though of him kissing a girl other than her. Koyasha's face was agitated. "I don't see how that's any of your business." Koyasha balled up his fist to hit him and a little red velvet book fell out of his kimono.
Koyasha watched in seeming slow motion as the red diary fell. I t hit the ground. Koyasha gritted his teeth and looked over at Marina who looked at the book with curiosity. Her eyes widened and looked back up at Koyasha. Koyasha could swear he saw flames burning in her eyes. Her aura rose and made the hairs on the back of the two men's necks stand on end. Tomokazu's face went pail and he ran like grease lightning. Kirara followed his suit. Koyasha turned to run and felt her hands that were always so gentle catch him by the ears like two vices. Her fingers felt like needles piercing into his ears. "And just where did you get that." Her voice was sinister. ("Would it be safe to answer her in this condition?") He looked at her fearfully, and saw her eyes glisten with tears. "Did you read the last page!?" He gave her a funny look, "What so special about the last page?" She let go of his ears and picked up the book and looked back at him with angry eyes. He looked at her with confusion. She bit back the tears on her lip, pulled back and slapped his face pausing her hand to look at his face for a fleeting moment as it turned into shock. Then she walked away back into the rain to hide her tears amongst the fresh rain drops. She clutched the book to her chest keeping it out of the rain as her head loomed over the last page. She carefully read each line then looked back in the direction where she had left Koyasha and closed the diary again. "Stupid Jerk."
Koyasha gathered what dry wood he could find and made a fire. Tomokazu had since returned. Even Kirara didn't dare to venture after her. Koyasha's face still shown the red hand print. It had been a good hour since she'd slapped him but it still stung. Koyasha rubbed the side of his face. ("For all that she could have at least told me what the damn page said!") Tomokazu turned the meat and leaned back against the stone. "So what was she so mad about?" Koyasha's eyes shifted and he took his hand away from his face. "It was just over a lousy book." "Damn, it must really mean a lot to her." "What do I care?" Koyasha rolled over so that his back faced him. He looked off into the woods. The rain was letting up. It was well past mid day, the light from the sun started showing through to the forest floor. "So what's the deal, are you two a thing or what?" Koyasha flipped onto his feet "No we are not!!" Tomokazu plastered himself against the stone he'd been leaning on. "Relax I was only asking." Koyasha sat back down with a huff and put his hands together in his sleeves. "Ya know she's really not that bad looking." Koyasha bolted back up shaking his fists madly screaming at Tomokazu "DAMN IT, I WOULDN'T BE INTERESTED IN HER IF SHE WAS THE LAST GIRL ON EARTH!!!" Koyasha blinked a moment after something hit the side of his head. Koyasha and Tomokazu turned their heads and stared. Marina stood staring at Koyasha drenched and shaking. "Keep it!! You're too damn heartless to understand it anyway, you BIG JERK!!!" She ran off back into the woods angry and sobbing.
Tomokazu scratched the side of his face leaning forward. "Touchy isn't she." Koyasha's eyes shifted to Tomokazu. Koyasha reared back his fist and knocked him out cold. Kirara looked up at him, "What do you want!" Kirara's ears sunk down and she cowered away. Koyasha picked up the diary and hesitated a moment before opening it. He flipped through to the last written page.
("Hikari, Yuka, Riico, and I went to the Cherry blossom festival today. I finally did it! I freed him just like I dreamt I would last night. I made it look like and accident so the others wouldn't be cross. I guess I don't really care what people think anymore. I'm only living on borrowed time anyway. He's more hot tempered than I thought he'd be. I guess I'd be bitter if I'd spent most of my life pinned to a tree while the world forgot me. It's kind of funny I want to disappear from the world and he wants to be part of it. We are exact opposites it seems. But my heart wants to pound out of my chest ever time he looks at me. His eyes I'm sure look cruel to other people but I keep seeing a kind of gentleness hidden in them. I .") Koyasha looked over to the next page but nothing was there. He opened the book wide and noticed a page was torn from the book. He closed the diary and took the meat away from the fire. He set the diary back on her things sitting next to the fire. He stood up and headed into the woods. Kirara's ears perked up and she followed behind him. Koyasha got on all fours and sniffed the ground; his ears twitched hearing coughing in the distance. He ran on ahead while Kirara followed faithfully behind. Koyasha stopped and felt deep remorse for his words as he looked ahead in a small clearing and saw Marina. She sat on her knees with her back to him. Koyasha went to walk closer but stopped as he heard her soft voice speak. *English*--"Mother please forgive me for disturbing you. But I don't know who else to talk to." The area around her glowed with sun light. "I promised something and I think I made a bad decision in doing so," ("There are no bad decisions or wrong choices just harder ones to fulfill then others.") Koyasha listened with fascination at the strange language she spoke unaware that some one was answering her pleas. "But he's so cruel to me sometimes!" She sobbed covering her face. ("Are you so sure it's your decision making that has upset you?") Marina curled her hands from her face and rubbed her nose. ("It sounds like you have feelings for this boy.") It scared her to think that her mother was right. "NO! I can't love someone like him!!" She fell on to her hand covering her face again. She felt the warmth of her mother's spirit touch her. ("Please don't be stubborn about your feelings like I was.") The warmth faded away, Marina reached up to grab what wasn't there. "Please don't go yet! Mother. Mother!!!" She fell back to a sitting position hunched over. "I didn't mean to upset you. Please don't' be angry with me."--* Koyasha stood staring at her. He never took his eyes from her, although he could not begin to comprehend what had been said. He hesitated in walking over to her.
Marina felt his unsure hand touch her shoulder. She sunk away from him. "Don't touch me." Koyasha pulled his hand away slightly hurt by her cold nature towards him. "I didn't mean it the way it sounded earlier." Koyasha eyed her sleeves that were lightly spattered with blood that seeped out into an ugly yellow from the water saturation. ("She's coughing up more blood than before.") He studied her as she stood up. Her knees and hand where full of scrapes and bruises from falling repeatedly. She kept her back to him. "I don't know why you bother lying to me. You're only using me to get the jewel, isn't that right?" Koyasha's gaze shifted to the side. She sniffed and whipped her eyes. "Don't worry I'm still going to help you get your precious Shikon no tama." She said bitterly. Koyasha turned angry. He reached out grabbed her arm and yanked her towards him. Her head hung down; her bangs covered her eyes from view. "I told you I didn't mean what I said!!" "Let go of me Koyasha!" She twisted her arm trying to get away. Koyasha watched sadly as she jerked and beat on his chest in frustration. "Please just let me go!" she sobbed sinking down to the ground in defeat. "Why won't you just let me go?" Koyasha let go of her arm knelt down and wrapped his arms around her. Her whole body trembled under his embrace. "I'm ... I'm sorry." She buried her face in his chest; deep sorrow pored from her eyes. His heart was finally fighting back against the jewels evil. ("I'll see that you die when we find the rest of the jewel. I know I couldn't stand to see your face when I become a full demon.") He squeezed her tighter holding on to this moment; to him this would last forever.
His ear perked up as he heard a twig snap. A sword came flying at Marina's back. Koyasha spun her around using his own back as a shield. The blade deflected off against his kimono. "Damn it!" the blade jerked back into the bushes. Tomokazu emerged from the bush. Koyasha stood in front of Marina holding his ground. "That was dirty." Come now with a price like she has on her head can you blame me." Tomokazu tapped his katana on his shoulder. "I had a little doubt there for a moment but when you showed up I knew it had to be the infamous Miyu. ("That's that name again, who is this girl everyone keeps mistaking me for?") She staggered to her feet. "You're a damn fool if you think that she could be Miyu!" "Brown hair blue eyes travels with a dog demon mongrel." Koyasha's knuckles cracked, "I'm not a mongrel." Tomokazu smirked and took stance to attack. Koyasha had never really considered the two women's likeness till Tomokazu had mentioned it. "Who knows maybe she and I will have a little fun later." Koyasha's blood boiled, "What did you say!?" Koyasha charged at him in a blind rage. Tomokazu leaped over his head and struck Koyasha's arm spinning him around. Koyasha held his shoulder; the Samurai's strike had knocked his arm out of socket. "Poor little boy did I hurt you arm." Tomokazu chucked. "Good!" She watched in despair as Koyasha clumsily fought Tomokazu. He just grew angrier with each of Tomokazu's taunts. "He's trying to get you to sacrifice your skills to your emotions. Koyasha, calm down!"
Koyasha backed against a tree. Tomokazu's face looked evil he knew Koyasha would fall at his emotional state. He stabbed at Koyasha's heart but his blade stopped at his kimono "God damn it what is that kimono made of!" Koyasha laughed with malice. "Stop, don't you know that tickles." He slammed his shoulder against the tree knocking his arm back into socket. Tomokazu stepped back shocked. "Ya see I personally know if she were Miyu she'd have killed you the first time you dropped your guard just for the fun of seeing your betrayed and shocked expression." Marina looked confused. This woman Miyu sounded like a cold blooded murder. Koyasha jumped up into the sun rays in the trees temporarily blinding Tomokazu as he tried to follow Koyasha's movements. "What happen, ya lose me?" Koyasha kicked him square in the back. He slammed forward through some brush and into a tree. Tomokazu shook his head and turned around ready to fight again. "So are you ready to really fight me peon?" Koyasha grinned bearing his oversized K-9's. Tomokazu chucked. "It's been a while since I had a worthy opponent, shall we make it an even match?" He pulled at his kimono; Koyasha nodded and took off the upper part of his kimono. Tomokazu did the same.
Both the men now stood open chests prepared to fight. Marina watched in dismay she knew that a blow from Tomokazu's sword could render Koyasha temporarily helpless or possibly dead. She stood back and watched as the battle really began. Tomokazu struck out at Koyasha. Koyasha batted his katana down and clawed at Tomokazu's face. Tomokazu jolted away from Koyasha's strike and swung his sword back around to strike Koyasha's neck. Koyasha leaped back and jumped up to attack from above. Tomokazu flipped around and cut Koyasha's arm as he came down on top of him gouging into his left shoulder. Koyasha rolled across the ground away from Tomokazu who whirled around to strike again. Koyasha popped back on to his feet and slammed down to the ground as Tomokazu used the back of his sword to trip Koyasha. Koyasha hit lightly dazed. "Fare well mongrel." "Koyasha!!!" Marina took her sword and threw it. Tomokazu pulled his sword up to strike. Marina's sword landed inches from Koyasha's hand. Koyasha instinctively grabbed it and stabbed Tomokazu in the heart before he had a chance to deal his final blow. Tomokazu's arms fell limp and his sword fell to the side. "Killed by a demon mongrel? So in the end we die justly to how we lived our lives." Koyasha pushed him off, pulling the sword out of Tomokazu's chest as he did. Koyasha looked at the sword as it disappeared and turned back into a harmless white feather. He crouched to examine Tomokazu's body. Marina tackled him crying tears of relief. "I'm so glad you're ok. I thought you were dead for sure." "Owwww!!!!!" Marina jumped back startled. She's crushed his wounded arm in her excitement. "Here I think it likes you better." He held the feather out for her to take. She picked it up and sheathed the sword as it returned to normal.
Koyasha shot her an authoritative face. "Don't even consider healing me!" "But I could just." "Don't even think about it!" He got up walked over and picked up his kimono. Koyasha wavered and fell to his knees feeling a fever attacking his body. "What the hell?!" Koyasha heard a small snicker come from Tomokazu. "Short lived victories suck don't they?" Tomokazu sat up and took away his eye patch. His hidden eye was red. "You see I tipped my sword with a very rare and deadly poison. Few demons could survive the potent amount you took. So I think I should say good try. At least you died by the hands of one of your own." Marina ran to Koyasha's side. Koyasha looked up at her with blurry vision. ("Will this be our last few moments together? Should I tell her that.") "Don't worry Koyasha you'll be fine." She placed her hand on his wound and collapsed a few seconds later. Koyasha's eyes blinked open aware of his surroundings again. Marina lay in his lap limp. "Damn it I told you not to!" He lifted her body as he stood up. "How the hell did you survive that!?" Koyasha's eyes slanted. "If you go now I won't kill you." "Like hell you will! That girls only good for one blow and I can easily lay a few more that will kill you for sure!" Tomokazu picked up his sword and readied to attack. Marina's eyes opened warm and loving. Koyasha looked surprised. She motioned for him to set her down and he did so. Tomokazu eyed her uneasily. She walked over to him. Koyasha reached for her and stopped as he saw raw fear in Tomokazu's face. "Leave or I'll kill you myself." Tomokazu backed off, then turned tail and ran. She turned around smiled at Koyasha and collapsed. Koyasha walked over and lifted her head. "Bluffing huh?" She smiled sheepishly "Yeah" Koyasha's eyebrow lifted hearing her response. "Come on lets go eat." Koyasha lifted her onto his back gently to keep from harming her further; and they headed back to camp.
They reached the camp and Koyasha looked disturbed. "That damn thief!" Marina looked, the food still remained. "What's the matter Koyasha?" "I'll kill him!!" Koyasha took off back into the woods and was up into the trees and gone. Marina looked confusedly at Kirara. "I guess we follow." Kirara transformed and Marina grabbed the food and her bundle and jumped on Kirara's back. "Let's follow him. Just be careful I don't know how much longer I'll be conscious." Kirara snorted lightly in response and took off.
Koyasha leaped across the tree line. He occasionally jumped down to make sure he still had the sent. ("That thieving Tomokazu! I'll break every bone in his body!") Marina occasional caught a gimps of blue shoot out of the trees. Koyasha looked down and spotted Tomokazu running through the forest. "There you are" Koyasha leaped down from the tree tops and landed a few yards from him. Tomokazu whipped around. "How the hell did you catch me!?" "My grandfather was a phantom beast. You think I can't run like the wind?" "You're InuYasha's son?" Bitterness crept across his face hearing his fathers name spoken. "I guess I never put two and two together." Tomokazu's eyes slanted. "But that doesn't change anything as far as those innocent people you killed are concerned." Koyasha's eye twitched. "How many times do I have to tell you people that I didn't kill them!!?" "He's telling the truth you know." Tomokazu's eyes widened and he turned his head to a dense patch of brush. Koyasha was shocked to hear that familiar voice again. A woman cloaked in black stood up from the brush and pulled back her hood. Her long strait dark brown hair fell around her shoulders and her cold blue eyes stared at him. "I should know I killed them, but poor little Koyasha got all the credit. It's really a pity." "Miyu, what are you doing here?" She tossed her hair aside. "What, no hi it's nice to see you? You can be such a bully some times Koyasha." "What did you just call her?!" Tomokazu stepped back shocked. "Another half-ling? There are really too many of you now a days. Soon humans won't even be able to tell the real demons from the mongrels." Koyasha's face turned bitter remembering one of the reasons he always hated being called a mongrel. Miyu would constantly call him one to irritate him.
Marina and Kirara came to a halt in the air. Marina looked down and saw the three down on the forest floor. "Let's land Kirara" She slid off Kirara holding her stomach as the pain returned. She gritted her teeth and walked ahead where the three stood at arms. She stood in horror as she saw Miyu up close. Miyu walked over to Koyasha and pinched his cheek. "Aww, but you'll always be my favorite little mongrel Koyasha." Koyasha slapped her hand aside. "You haven't changed at all Koyasha. Although I have to admit your much more hansom since we parted." She snuggled into his chest. Koyasha looked shocked but it couldn't match what Marina was going through. "Koyasha?" His ear twitched as he heard her soft voice. He threw Miyu back away from him. "You're stronger too." She caught Marina out of the corner of her eye. Her eyes widened as she saw a pair of blue eyes staring back at her. "So I have a little look alike do I!" She charged at Marina pulling out a strange short sword. "It's just a pity you don't carry this." Kirara bolted out from behind Marina and attacked Miyu ripping her arm off. Kirara spit the vile arm from her mouth and growled at Miyu. Miyu's eyes slanted and she called back her arm which disappeared and rematerialized back in place. Tomokazu took his chance and threw his sword at Miyu's back. She jolted forward as Tomokazu's sword stabbed through her. He yanked it back and waited for the poison to take effect. Miyu's head whipped around, Tomokazu felt a cold chill of death come over his body as he saw her eye's cold and merciless. "You're dead half-ling!!"
********************************** AHhhhhhh! Finally done
I figured I'd give everyone a nice long chapter before I took a break to take care of my Dark Horse entry.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter expect chapter ten in a few weeks.