The Shards of Shikon no Tama
Chapter Five
"INUYASHA!!!" Miroku yelled, surging to his feet as Sango turned and immediately leaped onto Kirara, who in a rush of flames, had become the large youkai. She held out her hand as the beast screamed and launched into the air with a rippling of muscles under her soft hide. Miroku thought his arm had been snatched out of it's socket as Sango's strong grip helped him swing onto the animal. He did not know what Inuyasha had just been thinking, or why he had run off like that, but he knew it was not good. That look Inuyasha had, he had seen it often enough, and it had always meant trouble. He spat a curse, and looked down at the red blur in the woods, "Inuyasha! What are you doing?" At first he wasn't too worried, he hoped that Inuyasha was simply returning to the village, but it quickly became evident that the half demon had nothing of the sort in mind, when he abruptly turned and raced in the direction opposite the village. It was when Inuyasha did not awnser him that he truly began to become apprehensive. Inuyasha was focused on something and he would not have his attention torn away for anything. "What's he think he's doing?" Sango said, guiding Kirara lower and so that the beast skimmed the treetops. Miroku shook his head, his grip tightening on his staff, but it was also quickly becoming evident where they were, and where his friend was headed. He didn't want to say anything but he knew he must. "He's after Sesshomaru. He's going to try and get the Tessaiga back." Inuyasha glanced up at those above him, and gritted his teeth. "Go away!" He yelled, sliding to a stop in a clearing and turning to stare defiantly up at them. He shook a fist at them angrily and bared his teeth. "Leave me alone! Stop following me! I'm not a baby and I don't want or need your help!" his voice was harsh with indiginance as his golden eyes flared with something almost like hatred. His red kimono fluttered in the growing wind and a chill air swept his hair to the side. Sango's eyes widened in surprise not at what Miroku had said, not at the violent reaction, not at Inuyasha's objections, but at the look in his eyes, the cornered, wild, desperate look. The look that let her know he was Ready to do anything. She had seen the same look on many a demon, the and many were ones she had slain. Yes, she knew that look, and she had no idea what was going through the hanyou's head. It wasn't a look of fear, or weakness, but far from either. It was a look that told her that Inuyasha was running out of options and out of time. She blinked at she felt Miroku tense and yell over the whistling wind, "Inuyasha stop it! We've gone over this before you hard headed nut! You're hurt, you foolish creature, and the last time you were stupid enough to try something like that, it almost killed you. Don't you remember? " Her breath was released in a small gasp as Inuyasha reached up. Inuyasha dug his nails into the skin of his wrist and leapt up, slinging the blades of blood at his companions. He landed, knowing that Kirara would have gotten them both out of danger, he wouldn't have done it if he'd had any doubts. He just wanted to let them know he was serious, as serious as he could get. He heard Miroku's words and turned his face away, knowing that what the monk said was true. He snarled and spun, resuming his hard run through the trees. "DON'T follow me!" He yelled over his shoulder, but of course, all to no avail. Sango just had Kirara follow him. Inuyasha knew then that there was nothing he could do about the three. They would follow and that was that. He rushed madly through the trees, just fast enough to keep Kirara from getting low enough to allow Miroku to hit him with the staff or using some other means of stopping him. He dodged between the trees skillfully, but he wasn't worried about that at all. His nose was stuck in the air as he tracked his brother. He had caught the first faint scent on the wind and it brought a rush of memories back to him. They were memories of his brother, Sesshomaru and many others who had also tried to kill the reincarnation of Kikyo. All had failed so far, but what if….what if there was a time that he couldn't protect her, couldn't save her? Kagome, all the times she had been endangered by Inuyasha's irrationality and immaturity, his whims and wishes. He shook his head, trying to force the thoughts from his head as he slipped through the woods with ease. He wouldn't think on that now, he couldn't. He had spent so much time in just the past few days thinking of that. He paid no heed to the wind or distant rumble of thunder. He was set in his path, there would be no turning back once he did what he wanted to do. He leaned farther forward and sped up, his hair blowing behind him madly. He was dimly aware of his chest, it was throbbing with a deep pain, and not all of it was from the wound he had received from the Tessaiga. Sesshomaru wasn't so very far away now, his scent was getting increasingly stronger, and Inuyasha found himself a bit surprised to smell the little girl's scent as well. She was alive and healthy if he was to trust his nose. He could no longer find a trace of her blood in the air. *How did he survive? I thought I'd killed him!* Inuyasha took that train of thought, though he really truly didn't care, why or how Sesshomaru was alive. He knew only that he was, and that was enough for him. Inuyasha felt the jewel shards in his pocket, as much to reassure himself that they were there as to strengthen his resolve. Miroku was caught off guard by Inuyasha's unexpected attack and he had to grab hold onto Kirara's fur to keep from tumbling off. He no longer said anything, now that he knew where Inuyasha was going, he wanted to save his strength in case his friend needed his help and he knew it was pointless to try and convince him to stop, as set as he was on it. There was nothing that they could do except follow the half demon and offer what help and support they could. He looked surprised as Sango cursed. "I forgot my Boomerang!" Miroku cursed as well and responded. "Well we can't help that now, we must continue after him, he'll get himself killed." Sango nodded, though she felt helpless that she didn't have the comforting weight of the bone weapon on her back. The jewel had been the key, fifty years ago, to Naraku's betrayal and Kikyo's death, as the shards were now. But this time it would be different, he would not allow Kagome to be killed, he would not sit around and wait for her to follow in Kikyo's path. To die like her, he wouldn't, and if what he planned succeeded as he hoped, then he would never have to worry about that problem again. He sucked in a breath and continued onward, forcing those thoughts once more to the back of his mind, but somehow, they kept floating to the top. As he entered the clearing where His brother sat, he gave no warning, no scream, challenge, he just rushed forward, fire flaring into his golden eyes as he slashed out at the Youkai's back with his pointed claws. He didn't care that Sesshomaru was so much faster than him, he didn't care that Rin was sitting in his brother's lap. All he cared about at that second was Tessaiga. Sesshomaru had been aware of his brother's approach, and as Inuyasha burst into the small clearing, he dragged Rin to the side and spun, easily dodging Inuyasha's mad swipe. He stared at his brother coldy remembering the feel of the hanyou's hand as it sunk into his chest, and he had the thought to repay him in kind. He slashed out with his right hand, the demon one, as the energy whip slashed out and across Inuyasha's cheek. "I thought I had killed you Inuyasha. Maybe you are a bit stronger than I gave you credit for. But this time, I won't underestimate you." "I'm a lot stronger than you thought," Inuyasha hissed, stalking from side to side, clenching his fists in anger. "And I'm taking the Tessaiga back!" It was as simple as that, no taunts, no smirks or smart comments, just a simple statement, that to him, meant a whole lot more than anyone could ever guess. He lunged forward, as reckless and heedless as ever, at Sesshomaru, who drew the Tessaiga and sent a wave of energy at him that split the ground and knocked him back. Miroku and Sango watched this from above and both of them were surprised that Inuyasha did not get up and lunge at his brother again. Instead, after Inuyasha stood, he backed up alittle. Miroku had never seen Inuyasha step back willingly from anything, much less a fight from his brother, but he stopped thinking on that as Inuyasha lunged again, this time through the energy wave Sesshomaru sent at him. He heard Sango gasp as Sesshomaru stepped calmly forward and almost casually wrapped his fingers around the half demons throat. He knew what was coming next. Sesshomaru sighed as his nails flashed a violent green and punctured his brother's skin, not to much, oh no, that half demon would pay much more before Sesshomaru finished him off. "You foolish, stupid baka." He hissed, and kept his impassive stare as Inuyasha gave a cry of pain and began to struggle. The skin around his throat began to sizzle and burn away as had his wrist the last time Sesshomaru had grabbed it. His eyes were half closed as the pain almost was too much to bear, but he held on, and reached up grabbing the wrist of the human arm. Sesshomaru was still wielding the Tessaiga, and being held from Sesshomaru's body by his throat, he could not reach his arm….with his hands. Inuyasha spun and kicked, and smiled slightly as he felt alittle skin tear from his throat, but he smiled even more when he heard the bone snap cleanly off in Sesshomaru's left arm. He tore away from his brother's poisonous nails and spun again, barely dodging in time as Sesshomaru continued after him, his claws still outstretched. Inuyasha looked quickly at the human arm, yes, it was broken, but that mattered little to the demon, who swung the Tessaiga just as easily as before. Inuyasha spun and dived forward at the blade, ripping it's sheath from his side. He parried the slash aimed at him and grabbed the wrist again, rolling and leaping up behind the elder brother, he effectively pinned the sword and the arm behind Sesshomaru's back. He grinned, but something wasn't right, something seemed changed about him. Sesshomaru stood frozen for a moment, wondering how his little brother could have gotten him in that position. He felt Inuyasha's foot on his back and almost frowned as he was shoved forward. He felt something hit the human arm and he ducked and spun as he felt it wrenched from his shoulder. Inuyasha was standing there, with the Tessaiga, which was still transformed. He had cast aside the sheath and was standing with a small grin as his golden eyes remained on his brother, but his free hand was holding the arm and digging out the shard therein with a finger. The wind whipped his kimono and hair about him, and gave him an almost sinister look. "I congratulate you fool, for your tactics. But even they won't be able to save you this time. "Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed only slightly, as he noticed that his brother did not immedietly launch back at him, but stood there, looking almost as if he were thinking of something, which indeed he was. Sesshomaru's hair and robes also rippled with the wind and told him of rain soon to come. Sango was worried that Inuyasha would not be able to escape his brother's deadly grasp, she held back the urge to reach for her boomerang when he was struck in the throat. She was still watching when a small movment caught her attention, the girl! She nudged Miroku, who also looked down to see the child standing there, her eyes on the two brothers. He looked at her and then said. "Can you get close enough for me to grab her?" Sango nodded and guided Kirara lower, at the same time wondering how Rin had been healed. Had Sesshomaru done it? Why would he have done that? Didn't he hate humans? These questions raced through her head as Miroku, leaning over slightly from the catlike beasts' back, grabbed Rin by the kimono and lifted her off the ground easily. She screamed and thrashed as Miroku clamped a hand over her mouth, pulling her in front of him so that she would not fall. The demon, Sesshomaru, paid them no heed, as all his attention was focused at the moment on the half demon who was staring at him, with blatant challenge flickering in his eyes. And even as he watched, that look was fading. To be replaced by something that was almost pleading.
"INUYASHA!!!" Miroku yelled, surging to his feet as Sango turned and immediately leaped onto Kirara, who in a rush of flames, had become the large youkai. She held out her hand as the beast screamed and launched into the air with a rippling of muscles under her soft hide. Miroku thought his arm had been snatched out of it's socket as Sango's strong grip helped him swing onto the animal. He did not know what Inuyasha had just been thinking, or why he had run off like that, but he knew it was not good. That look Inuyasha had, he had seen it often enough, and it had always meant trouble. He spat a curse, and looked down at the red blur in the woods, "Inuyasha! What are you doing?" At first he wasn't too worried, he hoped that Inuyasha was simply returning to the village, but it quickly became evident that the half demon had nothing of the sort in mind, when he abruptly turned and raced in the direction opposite the village. It was when Inuyasha did not awnser him that he truly began to become apprehensive. Inuyasha was focused on something and he would not have his attention torn away for anything. "What's he think he's doing?" Sango said, guiding Kirara lower and so that the beast skimmed the treetops. Miroku shook his head, his grip tightening on his staff, but it was also quickly becoming evident where they were, and where his friend was headed. He didn't want to say anything but he knew he must. "He's after Sesshomaru. He's going to try and get the Tessaiga back." Inuyasha glanced up at those above him, and gritted his teeth. "Go away!" He yelled, sliding to a stop in a clearing and turning to stare defiantly up at them. He shook a fist at them angrily and bared his teeth. "Leave me alone! Stop following me! I'm not a baby and I don't want or need your help!" his voice was harsh with indiginance as his golden eyes flared with something almost like hatred. His red kimono fluttered in the growing wind and a chill air swept his hair to the side. Sango's eyes widened in surprise not at what Miroku had said, not at the violent reaction, not at Inuyasha's objections, but at the look in his eyes, the cornered, wild, desperate look. The look that let her know he was Ready to do anything. She had seen the same look on many a demon, the and many were ones she had slain. Yes, she knew that look, and she had no idea what was going through the hanyou's head. It wasn't a look of fear, or weakness, but far from either. It was a look that told her that Inuyasha was running out of options and out of time. She blinked at she felt Miroku tense and yell over the whistling wind, "Inuyasha stop it! We've gone over this before you hard headed nut! You're hurt, you foolish creature, and the last time you were stupid enough to try something like that, it almost killed you. Don't you remember? " Her breath was released in a small gasp as Inuyasha reached up. Inuyasha dug his nails into the skin of his wrist and leapt up, slinging the blades of blood at his companions. He landed, knowing that Kirara would have gotten them both out of danger, he wouldn't have done it if he'd had any doubts. He just wanted to let them know he was serious, as serious as he could get. He heard Miroku's words and turned his face away, knowing that what the monk said was true. He snarled and spun, resuming his hard run through the trees. "DON'T follow me!" He yelled over his shoulder, but of course, all to no avail. Sango just had Kirara follow him. Inuyasha knew then that there was nothing he could do about the three. They would follow and that was that. He rushed madly through the trees, just fast enough to keep Kirara from getting low enough to allow Miroku to hit him with the staff or using some other means of stopping him. He dodged between the trees skillfully, but he wasn't worried about that at all. His nose was stuck in the air as he tracked his brother. He had caught the first faint scent on the wind and it brought a rush of memories back to him. They were memories of his brother, Sesshomaru and many others who had also tried to kill the reincarnation of Kikyo. All had failed so far, but what if….what if there was a time that he couldn't protect her, couldn't save her? Kagome, all the times she had been endangered by Inuyasha's irrationality and immaturity, his whims and wishes. He shook his head, trying to force the thoughts from his head as he slipped through the woods with ease. He wouldn't think on that now, he couldn't. He had spent so much time in just the past few days thinking of that. He paid no heed to the wind or distant rumble of thunder. He was set in his path, there would be no turning back once he did what he wanted to do. He leaned farther forward and sped up, his hair blowing behind him madly. He was dimly aware of his chest, it was throbbing with a deep pain, and not all of it was from the wound he had received from the Tessaiga. Sesshomaru wasn't so very far away now, his scent was getting increasingly stronger, and Inuyasha found himself a bit surprised to smell the little girl's scent as well. She was alive and healthy if he was to trust his nose. He could no longer find a trace of her blood in the air. *How did he survive? I thought I'd killed him!* Inuyasha took that train of thought, though he really truly didn't care, why or how Sesshomaru was alive. He knew only that he was, and that was enough for him. Inuyasha felt the jewel shards in his pocket, as much to reassure himself that they were there as to strengthen his resolve. Miroku was caught off guard by Inuyasha's unexpected attack and he had to grab hold onto Kirara's fur to keep from tumbling off. He no longer said anything, now that he knew where Inuyasha was going, he wanted to save his strength in case his friend needed his help and he knew it was pointless to try and convince him to stop, as set as he was on it. There was nothing that they could do except follow the half demon and offer what help and support they could. He looked surprised as Sango cursed. "I forgot my Boomerang!" Miroku cursed as well and responded. "Well we can't help that now, we must continue after him, he'll get himself killed." Sango nodded, though she felt helpless that she didn't have the comforting weight of the bone weapon on her back. The jewel had been the key, fifty years ago, to Naraku's betrayal and Kikyo's death, as the shards were now. But this time it would be different, he would not allow Kagome to be killed, he would not sit around and wait for her to follow in Kikyo's path. To die like her, he wouldn't, and if what he planned succeeded as he hoped, then he would never have to worry about that problem again. He sucked in a breath and continued onward, forcing those thoughts once more to the back of his mind, but somehow, they kept floating to the top. As he entered the clearing where His brother sat, he gave no warning, no scream, challenge, he just rushed forward, fire flaring into his golden eyes as he slashed out at the Youkai's back with his pointed claws. He didn't care that Sesshomaru was so much faster than him, he didn't care that Rin was sitting in his brother's lap. All he cared about at that second was Tessaiga. Sesshomaru had been aware of his brother's approach, and as Inuyasha burst into the small clearing, he dragged Rin to the side and spun, easily dodging Inuyasha's mad swipe. He stared at his brother coldy remembering the feel of the hanyou's hand as it sunk into his chest, and he had the thought to repay him in kind. He slashed out with his right hand, the demon one, as the energy whip slashed out and across Inuyasha's cheek. "I thought I had killed you Inuyasha. Maybe you are a bit stronger than I gave you credit for. But this time, I won't underestimate you." "I'm a lot stronger than you thought," Inuyasha hissed, stalking from side to side, clenching his fists in anger. "And I'm taking the Tessaiga back!" It was as simple as that, no taunts, no smirks or smart comments, just a simple statement, that to him, meant a whole lot more than anyone could ever guess. He lunged forward, as reckless and heedless as ever, at Sesshomaru, who drew the Tessaiga and sent a wave of energy at him that split the ground and knocked him back. Miroku and Sango watched this from above and both of them were surprised that Inuyasha did not get up and lunge at his brother again. Instead, after Inuyasha stood, he backed up alittle. Miroku had never seen Inuyasha step back willingly from anything, much less a fight from his brother, but he stopped thinking on that as Inuyasha lunged again, this time through the energy wave Sesshomaru sent at him. He heard Sango gasp as Sesshomaru stepped calmly forward and almost casually wrapped his fingers around the half demons throat. He knew what was coming next. Sesshomaru sighed as his nails flashed a violent green and punctured his brother's skin, not to much, oh no, that half demon would pay much more before Sesshomaru finished him off. "You foolish, stupid baka." He hissed, and kept his impassive stare as Inuyasha gave a cry of pain and began to struggle. The skin around his throat began to sizzle and burn away as had his wrist the last time Sesshomaru had grabbed it. His eyes were half closed as the pain almost was too much to bear, but he held on, and reached up grabbing the wrist of the human arm. Sesshomaru was still wielding the Tessaiga, and being held from Sesshomaru's body by his throat, he could not reach his arm….with his hands. Inuyasha spun and kicked, and smiled slightly as he felt alittle skin tear from his throat, but he smiled even more when he heard the bone snap cleanly off in Sesshomaru's left arm. He tore away from his brother's poisonous nails and spun again, barely dodging in time as Sesshomaru continued after him, his claws still outstretched. Inuyasha looked quickly at the human arm, yes, it was broken, but that mattered little to the demon, who swung the Tessaiga just as easily as before. Inuyasha spun and dived forward at the blade, ripping it's sheath from his side. He parried the slash aimed at him and grabbed the wrist again, rolling and leaping up behind the elder brother, he effectively pinned the sword and the arm behind Sesshomaru's back. He grinned, but something wasn't right, something seemed changed about him. Sesshomaru stood frozen for a moment, wondering how his little brother could have gotten him in that position. He felt Inuyasha's foot on his back and almost frowned as he was shoved forward. He felt something hit the human arm and he ducked and spun as he felt it wrenched from his shoulder. Inuyasha was standing there, with the Tessaiga, which was still transformed. He had cast aside the sheath and was standing with a small grin as his golden eyes remained on his brother, but his free hand was holding the arm and digging out the shard therein with a finger. The wind whipped his kimono and hair about him, and gave him an almost sinister look. "I congratulate you fool, for your tactics. But even they won't be able to save you this time. "Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed only slightly, as he noticed that his brother did not immedietly launch back at him, but stood there, looking almost as if he were thinking of something, which indeed he was. Sesshomaru's hair and robes also rippled with the wind and told him of rain soon to come. Sango was worried that Inuyasha would not be able to escape his brother's deadly grasp, she held back the urge to reach for her boomerang when he was struck in the throat. She was still watching when a small movment caught her attention, the girl! She nudged Miroku, who also looked down to see the child standing there, her eyes on the two brothers. He looked at her and then said. "Can you get close enough for me to grab her?" Sango nodded and guided Kirara lower, at the same time wondering how Rin had been healed. Had Sesshomaru done it? Why would he have done that? Didn't he hate humans? These questions raced through her head as Miroku, leaning over slightly from the catlike beasts' back, grabbed Rin by the kimono and lifted her off the ground easily. She screamed and thrashed as Miroku clamped a hand over her mouth, pulling her in front of him so that she would not fall. The demon, Sesshomaru, paid them no heed, as all his attention was focused at the moment on the half demon who was staring at him, with blatant challenge flickering in his eyes. And even as he watched, that look was fading. To be replaced by something that was almost pleading.