***

Inuyasha was jolted awake by huge thumps on the ground and scattered women's shrieks. Far in the distance, he could see the rising silhouette of a creature far larger than he was. He gripped the hilt of the Tetsusaiga and drew it out. The transformation was instant since he was defending countless humans this time.

The creature came into view against the rising sun. It was a giant worm-dog. The fuzzy skin looked rock-hard and the face was a twisted mass of flesh and scars. Teeth, jagged and sharp, stuck out from its jaw and five horns graced its brow.

"So. You're the demon that's been eating humans, huh?" Inuyasha inquired.

The thing growled a hideous noise, like glass breaking and screams and howls and all other despicable noises. Inuyasha just grinned and gripped the Tetsusaiga harder.

"You won't survive till noon. I shall destroy you and free my friends. Nothing personal, but I can tell by your stench that you've been eating defenseless women and children of late. I find that extremely cowardly in a demon. You ought to be ashamed!"

With his last word, Inuyasha slashed at the creature with the Tetsusaiga. The sword cut through the demon like a hot knife through butter and a blast of light emitted from its core. It fell in two pieces and Inuyasha was drenched in what must have been its blood. It stained his robes and the dirt was bathed in a blue-black shower.

The priest was standing on the steps of the temple in disbelief.

"No…no! You can't have defeated him! This is wrong!" He dashed inside and shut the doors. Inuyasha heard him lock the sliding walls.

"Oh no you don't! I'll destroy your filthy temple to get them back!" Inuyasha bellowed. He rushed at the doors with the glowing Tetsusaiga and smashed them down. The priest was nowhere to be seen.

Another priest, a younger one, came up to him.

"Good sir, surely you seek our master? The priest Yokamoto? He is in our back room. May I take you to him?"

"Sure. Lead me to your snake of a priest! He's got my friends prisoner and I'm doling out some well deserved revenge."

"Surely, good sir, you art the man who has slain our bane? That great demon that devoured of our villagers? Thou art quite powerful to destroy him with a single stroke!" the priest marveled.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Sorry to interrupt, but you're wasting precious time. Where's this back room?!"

"Here, good sir. In here…what's this? Dear me! It seems to be locked!" The young priest tugged at the door.

"Never mind that. They're not in there anyway. Take me to the main shrine and get me Tetsusaia." Inuyasha said, exasperated.

The priest gasped.

"Sir, we never speak her name. She draws power from the mere sounds."

"Just take me! I have to have her help!"

"Her help, sir?!"

Inuyasha was already down the hall. He flung open the doors and searched the room. The maidens were screaming and huddled in the corners with the sick and wounded. It seemed that a giant hole had been blasted through the walls.

"Probably for their escape…" Inuyasha guessed.

But the real problem was that he couldn't see Tetsusaia. She was either captive…or had made it out herself.

"Damn!" Inuyasha started running out of the temple and into the forest…