Chapter 57- Last Stands
Sango almost smiled when Naraku came into view. She felt the arm Miroku held around her waist tighten momentarily when Kirara landed. The couple slipped off the transformed fire cat youkai and approached Naraku wearily. Miroku noted that Inuyasha and Shuri were in the middle of a very violent battle not fifty yards from them. Kagura and Kana were no where to be seen, and the only other figure near Naraku was an inconceivably beautiful woman. Not that she could compare with my Beautiful Sango, Miroku noted to himself absently.
The Taijiya watched the female Kami for signs of attack when she stopped not ten yards in front of Naraku. As if hearing her thoughts, Absinthe smiled weakly before addressing both the Taijiya and the Houshi. "Do not worry, little humans. I will not battle with you this day."
Neither Sango nor Miroku replied to her words, but instead focused their entire attention on Naraku. The evil hanyou had stood unmoving before them, smiling to himself. "Well, if it isn't the Taijiya and the lecherous Houshi," Naraku said, his smile widening.
Sango bent her knees and readied herself for any attack Naraku might throw her way. I must avenge my people. I will not allow Naraku to ever harm another living soul as long as there is breath in my body, Sango vowed silently.
Miroku's hand strayed to his pray beads, lightly resting on his hand. He was ready when Sango attacked.
"HIRAIKOTSU!"
^_^
"SESSHOMARU-SAMA!!!"
"Rin?" Sesshomaru's head snapped up when he heard the little girl's voice. No, she can't be here. I left her in the cavern. I told her to stay with the elderly miko. She wouldn't dare disobey me. Even as Sesshomaru told himself why the voice he heard calling his name was not, could not, by his Rin, Sesshomaru's eyes fell on the little girl running towards him.
"Sesshomaru-sama, look out!" screamed Rin, pointing to something behind the Inuyoukai.
Sesshomaru reared Tokijin around just in time to block the attack from one of Naraku's puppets. How could he have missed it? Despite the darkness of the sky, Sesshomaru could see everything quite clearly.
Rin continued to run towards Sesshomaru, jumping over mutilated youkai remains and large pools of blood. "Sesshomaru-sama," the young human uttered again when she reached the dog demon.
Sesshomaru kneeled down to lift Rin off of the ground; almost absently hacking away at another demon that attacked him. "Rin, why did you disobey me?" he asked.
Rin's eyes clouded with tears and she wrapped her small arms firmly around his neck. "I'm sorry, Sesshomaru-sama."
The Inuyoukai sighed inwardly. His reply was cut short when yet another puppet attacked; it's root-like limbs striking out. Sesshomaru jumped into the air and landed a short distance away. Too late he noticed the trap that had ensnared him. Three more puppets moved behind him, two to his right, four in front of him. Another two appeared at his left and Sesshomaru clicked his teeth nervously. Even he, the fastest of all youkai, could not dodge this attack.
"I am sorry Rin," he told the young girl in his arms.
"For what, Sesshomaru-sama?"
The Inuyoukai nodded towards the puppets that had surrounded them. Before either of them could say another word, the root-like arms reached out from the puppets and covered the space above their heads, creating a dome.
Sesshomaru crouched down and wrapped his only arm around Rin protectively. Another wave of roots surrounded them and the Inuyoukai could not conceal a grunt when he hit the blood-covered grass. "Sesshomaru- sama," Rin whimpered, lightly touching the root-arm that protruded from Sesshomaru's chest, pinning him to the earth.
The roots completely surrounded the pair and Sesshomaru could not see even a small part of the battle elsewhere. Rin whimpered almost silently, tears snaking down her cheeks to fall on Sesshomaru's face. He lifted his hand to wipe the tears off her face and gently held her chin up. His hand briefly touched the necklace before falling around her small waist. "Don't worry, Rin," he assured his charge. "Everything will be okay."
Sesshomaru felt the roots around him quiver with life before they all pulled back just enough to strike down towards the paralyzed Inuyoukai. Rin noticed their movement and clenched her eyes shut. "NO, Sesshomaru-sama!"
Sesshomaru closed his eyes and waited for death, but the only thing he felt was the gradual disappearance of the root that protruded from his chest. Opening his eyes, he found all the roots had disappeared, along with Naraku's puppets. The previous darkness that surrounded them was replaced by a golden light radiating from the jewel around Rin's neck.
"Where did you get that, Rin?" asked Sesshomaru, lightly touching the crystal that radiated with light.
Rin sniffed away her tears with blatant confusion and focused her attention on her Sesshomaru-sama's question. "Machiko gave it to me, after you left me in the cavern," she replied quietly.
Sesshomaru's eyes widened slightly when the light continued to inch forward. There was no doubt in his mind that the light would completely engulf the battlefield within the hour. He watched with interest as Naraku's youkai and puppets were instantly killed when the light touched them. Despite the light's destructive nature, it left the Inu Clans unharmed.
"Well I'll be damned."
^_^
"Dammit," Kagome muttered to herself quietly, holding her injured arm to her chest.
Kagura laughed and held her fan to her face. "I must say, you lasted longer than I expected you to. I guess you aren't completely weak." Kana stood by her sister silently, watching Kagome with empty eyes.
The young miko growled and picked up a nearby rock. She was desperate enough to try anything. Okay, maybe I can put miko energy in objects besides arrows? Hopefully? Oh, please, whoever is on my side, make this work, Kagome prayed frantically. She lowered her eyes on the rock in her hand and concentrated on pouring miko energy into it, just as she had done with her arrows.
Kagura frowned slightly when the rock Kagome was holding began to glow, but dismissed any dangers with a shrug. What was she going to do with a rock? Nothing, that's what. "Time to end this, Miko."
When Kagura raised her fan to attack, Kagome was ready. Almost easily, Kagome evaded the wind youkai's attack. Without another thought, Kagome threw the rock, aiming at Kagura's head. Kana stepped in front of her sister to reflect the attack, but instead of throwing the rock back at Kagome like she expected it to, her mirror shattered. "I don't understand," Kana said quietly.
"You're not suppose to," Kagome said vehemently, bringing her fist down on Kana's head before ramming into Kagura.
Kagura gasped when she felt Kagome's claws sink into her flesh, through her body, and tear the material of her kimono on the other side. Kagome, almost in shock, stood up and looked down on the two fallen youkai. Kana lay among the broken glass of her mirror, her eyes open, unseeing, dead. Kagura's breaths were coming in short pants as her body struggled to breathe. "You killed me," Kagura whispered, her voice hold amazement.
Kagome looked down at her bloodied claws and looked away guiltily. "Gomen ne."
Kagura's eyes held further shock before they closed. The wind youkai took a deep breath and let out a short, humorless laugh. "I'm glad. Make sure Naraku dies this day, miko."
Kagome nodded, almost to herself, as she watched Kagura take in one more breath before exhaling slowly and her body sagged with the effects of death. "Don't worry," Kagome said. "That bastard won't live to see another day."
^_^
"Kaze Ana!"
"Hiraikotsu!"
Miroku wiped the sweat of his brow and glanced at Sango beside him. She was just as exhausted as he was, more even. "We need to finish this soon," Miroku told her, glancing at Naraku who had retained very little damage.
"I agree," Sango replied solemnly, "Let's finish this now!" And with her words, Sango released Hiraikotsu. Miroku watched with amazement when the demon exterminator followed the path her weapon had taken. When Naraku dodged left to avoid Hiraikotsu, Sango drew her katana and effectively launched her attack.
Miroku understood when she glanced back towards him. "Kaze Ana!" he allowed his wind tunnel open long enough to draw Hiraikotsu towards the spot Naraku now stood.
The boomerang slashed through the air and managed to hit Naraku in his shoulder. Sango caught Hiraikotsu when it returned to her, smiling with satisfaction when the baboon pelt fell away to reveal a heavy gash in the evil hanyou's arm.
"You think this little wound is going to defeat me? Ha, my turn," laughed Naraku.
Sango fell into a defensive position and waited for Naraku to attack. Miroku moved beside her, his fingers hooked around his prayer beads. The air began to rush around them and before the couple could escape, they were swallowed up by Naraku's miasma.
Miroku fell to his knees, his arm covering his mouth. He wrapped his other arm around Sango and held her tightly. The wind ripped the katana away from Sango's hand and imbedded itself into a nearby tree. So this is my end, thought the Taijiya. Air was shortcoming. They could not hold their breath for much longer.
Miroku sighed inwardly, So much for that heir. And I was so looking forward to Sango bearing my child. Sango brought her arms around Miroku and held him to her. When she was sure she couldn't hold her breath any longer, the miasma dissipated and the rush of air around them settled. "What the-" the words froze in Miroku's throat when his eyes fell upon Kagome.
It wasn't the fact that seeing Kagome was so significant. It was the fact that the miko had taken Sango's katana and hammered it down the middle of Naraku's body, cutting the evil hanyou in half. The katana glowed with miko power, licking at the space surrounding it and burning Naraku's flesh.
With a grunt of force, Kagome forced the blade to finish its journey and ripped it through Naraku's abdomen. His body fell to the ground in two pieces; the remaining miko energy instantly consuming his flesh until all that remained was the baboon pelt and an almost completed Shikon no Tama. "Is he dead?" Sango asked very quietly, not quite believing her eyes.
Slowly, Miroku removed the prayer beads from his arm. When his wind tunnel did not start ripping trees from their roots, he stared down at the palm of his right hand.
The wind tunnel was gone.
"He's dead," Kagome confirmed, not looking up but picking up the discarded jewel. "What the hell is that?"
Miroku and Sango turned their heads towards the direction Kagome was looking. A golden light had begun to settle on the battlefield, instantly killing Naraku's remaining youkai, until all that remained were the warriors fighting on Inuyasha's behalf. "Wow," muttered Sango, her hand reaching out for Miroku's.
Kagome sighed and slowly sat down. Her legs were weak and her arm burned with the wound Kagura had inflicted. She also had the utmost desire to return to her pups. All Kagome wanted to do right now was to find Inuyasha and her pups before crawling up in a dark room with a futon and sleeping for a week.
"Are you okay, Kagome-sama?" Miroku asked with concern. "You should not be up and walking around. You gave birth only a few short hours ago. You should-"
"I'm fine, Miroku-sama," replied Kagome, looking up at him with a light smile playing on her face. "I'm hanyou, remember?"
Sango made a face and turned to the young miko. "Now you sound like Inuyasha."
Kagome chuckled and shook her head very slowly. "Speaking of that Mate of mine, where the hell is he?"
Miroku pointed towards the battlefield, knowing that there was no way Kagome could miss the battle between Inuyasha and Shuri.
^_^
Sango almost smiled when Naraku came into view. She felt the arm Miroku held around her waist tighten momentarily when Kirara landed. The couple slipped off the transformed fire cat youkai and approached Naraku wearily. Miroku noted that Inuyasha and Shuri were in the middle of a very violent battle not fifty yards from them. Kagura and Kana were no where to be seen, and the only other figure near Naraku was an inconceivably beautiful woman. Not that she could compare with my Beautiful Sango, Miroku noted to himself absently.
The Taijiya watched the female Kami for signs of attack when she stopped not ten yards in front of Naraku. As if hearing her thoughts, Absinthe smiled weakly before addressing both the Taijiya and the Houshi. "Do not worry, little humans. I will not battle with you this day."
Neither Sango nor Miroku replied to her words, but instead focused their entire attention on Naraku. The evil hanyou had stood unmoving before them, smiling to himself. "Well, if it isn't the Taijiya and the lecherous Houshi," Naraku said, his smile widening.
Sango bent her knees and readied herself for any attack Naraku might throw her way. I must avenge my people. I will not allow Naraku to ever harm another living soul as long as there is breath in my body, Sango vowed silently.
Miroku's hand strayed to his pray beads, lightly resting on his hand. He was ready when Sango attacked.
"HIRAIKOTSU!"
^_^
"SESSHOMARU-SAMA!!!"
"Rin?" Sesshomaru's head snapped up when he heard the little girl's voice. No, she can't be here. I left her in the cavern. I told her to stay with the elderly miko. She wouldn't dare disobey me. Even as Sesshomaru told himself why the voice he heard calling his name was not, could not, by his Rin, Sesshomaru's eyes fell on the little girl running towards him.
"Sesshomaru-sama, look out!" screamed Rin, pointing to something behind the Inuyoukai.
Sesshomaru reared Tokijin around just in time to block the attack from one of Naraku's puppets. How could he have missed it? Despite the darkness of the sky, Sesshomaru could see everything quite clearly.
Rin continued to run towards Sesshomaru, jumping over mutilated youkai remains and large pools of blood. "Sesshomaru-sama," the young human uttered again when she reached the dog demon.
Sesshomaru kneeled down to lift Rin off of the ground; almost absently hacking away at another demon that attacked him. "Rin, why did you disobey me?" he asked.
Rin's eyes clouded with tears and she wrapped her small arms firmly around his neck. "I'm sorry, Sesshomaru-sama."
The Inuyoukai sighed inwardly. His reply was cut short when yet another puppet attacked; it's root-like limbs striking out. Sesshomaru jumped into the air and landed a short distance away. Too late he noticed the trap that had ensnared him. Three more puppets moved behind him, two to his right, four in front of him. Another two appeared at his left and Sesshomaru clicked his teeth nervously. Even he, the fastest of all youkai, could not dodge this attack.
"I am sorry Rin," he told the young girl in his arms.
"For what, Sesshomaru-sama?"
The Inuyoukai nodded towards the puppets that had surrounded them. Before either of them could say another word, the root-like arms reached out from the puppets and covered the space above their heads, creating a dome.
Sesshomaru crouched down and wrapped his only arm around Rin protectively. Another wave of roots surrounded them and the Inuyoukai could not conceal a grunt when he hit the blood-covered grass. "Sesshomaru- sama," Rin whimpered, lightly touching the root-arm that protruded from Sesshomaru's chest, pinning him to the earth.
The roots completely surrounded the pair and Sesshomaru could not see even a small part of the battle elsewhere. Rin whimpered almost silently, tears snaking down her cheeks to fall on Sesshomaru's face. He lifted his hand to wipe the tears off her face and gently held her chin up. His hand briefly touched the necklace before falling around her small waist. "Don't worry, Rin," he assured his charge. "Everything will be okay."
Sesshomaru felt the roots around him quiver with life before they all pulled back just enough to strike down towards the paralyzed Inuyoukai. Rin noticed their movement and clenched her eyes shut. "NO, Sesshomaru-sama!"
Sesshomaru closed his eyes and waited for death, but the only thing he felt was the gradual disappearance of the root that protruded from his chest. Opening his eyes, he found all the roots had disappeared, along with Naraku's puppets. The previous darkness that surrounded them was replaced by a golden light radiating from the jewel around Rin's neck.
"Where did you get that, Rin?" asked Sesshomaru, lightly touching the crystal that radiated with light.
Rin sniffed away her tears with blatant confusion and focused her attention on her Sesshomaru-sama's question. "Machiko gave it to me, after you left me in the cavern," she replied quietly.
Sesshomaru's eyes widened slightly when the light continued to inch forward. There was no doubt in his mind that the light would completely engulf the battlefield within the hour. He watched with interest as Naraku's youkai and puppets were instantly killed when the light touched them. Despite the light's destructive nature, it left the Inu Clans unharmed.
"Well I'll be damned."
^_^
"Dammit," Kagome muttered to herself quietly, holding her injured arm to her chest.
Kagura laughed and held her fan to her face. "I must say, you lasted longer than I expected you to. I guess you aren't completely weak." Kana stood by her sister silently, watching Kagome with empty eyes.
The young miko growled and picked up a nearby rock. She was desperate enough to try anything. Okay, maybe I can put miko energy in objects besides arrows? Hopefully? Oh, please, whoever is on my side, make this work, Kagome prayed frantically. She lowered her eyes on the rock in her hand and concentrated on pouring miko energy into it, just as she had done with her arrows.
Kagura frowned slightly when the rock Kagome was holding began to glow, but dismissed any dangers with a shrug. What was she going to do with a rock? Nothing, that's what. "Time to end this, Miko."
When Kagura raised her fan to attack, Kagome was ready. Almost easily, Kagome evaded the wind youkai's attack. Without another thought, Kagome threw the rock, aiming at Kagura's head. Kana stepped in front of her sister to reflect the attack, but instead of throwing the rock back at Kagome like she expected it to, her mirror shattered. "I don't understand," Kana said quietly.
"You're not suppose to," Kagome said vehemently, bringing her fist down on Kana's head before ramming into Kagura.
Kagura gasped when she felt Kagome's claws sink into her flesh, through her body, and tear the material of her kimono on the other side. Kagome, almost in shock, stood up and looked down on the two fallen youkai. Kana lay among the broken glass of her mirror, her eyes open, unseeing, dead. Kagura's breaths were coming in short pants as her body struggled to breathe. "You killed me," Kagura whispered, her voice hold amazement.
Kagome looked down at her bloodied claws and looked away guiltily. "Gomen ne."
Kagura's eyes held further shock before they closed. The wind youkai took a deep breath and let out a short, humorless laugh. "I'm glad. Make sure Naraku dies this day, miko."
Kagome nodded, almost to herself, as she watched Kagura take in one more breath before exhaling slowly and her body sagged with the effects of death. "Don't worry," Kagome said. "That bastard won't live to see another day."
^_^
"Kaze Ana!"
"Hiraikotsu!"
Miroku wiped the sweat of his brow and glanced at Sango beside him. She was just as exhausted as he was, more even. "We need to finish this soon," Miroku told her, glancing at Naraku who had retained very little damage.
"I agree," Sango replied solemnly, "Let's finish this now!" And with her words, Sango released Hiraikotsu. Miroku watched with amazement when the demon exterminator followed the path her weapon had taken. When Naraku dodged left to avoid Hiraikotsu, Sango drew her katana and effectively launched her attack.
Miroku understood when she glanced back towards him. "Kaze Ana!" he allowed his wind tunnel open long enough to draw Hiraikotsu towards the spot Naraku now stood.
The boomerang slashed through the air and managed to hit Naraku in his shoulder. Sango caught Hiraikotsu when it returned to her, smiling with satisfaction when the baboon pelt fell away to reveal a heavy gash in the evil hanyou's arm.
"You think this little wound is going to defeat me? Ha, my turn," laughed Naraku.
Sango fell into a defensive position and waited for Naraku to attack. Miroku moved beside her, his fingers hooked around his prayer beads. The air began to rush around them and before the couple could escape, they were swallowed up by Naraku's miasma.
Miroku fell to his knees, his arm covering his mouth. He wrapped his other arm around Sango and held her tightly. The wind ripped the katana away from Sango's hand and imbedded itself into a nearby tree. So this is my end, thought the Taijiya. Air was shortcoming. They could not hold their breath for much longer.
Miroku sighed inwardly, So much for that heir. And I was so looking forward to Sango bearing my child. Sango brought her arms around Miroku and held him to her. When she was sure she couldn't hold her breath any longer, the miasma dissipated and the rush of air around them settled. "What the-" the words froze in Miroku's throat when his eyes fell upon Kagome.
It wasn't the fact that seeing Kagome was so significant. It was the fact that the miko had taken Sango's katana and hammered it down the middle of Naraku's body, cutting the evil hanyou in half. The katana glowed with miko power, licking at the space surrounding it and burning Naraku's flesh.
With a grunt of force, Kagome forced the blade to finish its journey and ripped it through Naraku's abdomen. His body fell to the ground in two pieces; the remaining miko energy instantly consuming his flesh until all that remained was the baboon pelt and an almost completed Shikon no Tama. "Is he dead?" Sango asked very quietly, not quite believing her eyes.
Slowly, Miroku removed the prayer beads from his arm. When his wind tunnel did not start ripping trees from their roots, he stared down at the palm of his right hand.
The wind tunnel was gone.
"He's dead," Kagome confirmed, not looking up but picking up the discarded jewel. "What the hell is that?"
Miroku and Sango turned their heads towards the direction Kagome was looking. A golden light had begun to settle on the battlefield, instantly killing Naraku's remaining youkai, until all that remained were the warriors fighting on Inuyasha's behalf. "Wow," muttered Sango, her hand reaching out for Miroku's.
Kagome sighed and slowly sat down. Her legs were weak and her arm burned with the wound Kagura had inflicted. She also had the utmost desire to return to her pups. All Kagome wanted to do right now was to find Inuyasha and her pups before crawling up in a dark room with a futon and sleeping for a week.
"Are you okay, Kagome-sama?" Miroku asked with concern. "You should not be up and walking around. You gave birth only a few short hours ago. You should-"
"I'm fine, Miroku-sama," replied Kagome, looking up at him with a light smile playing on her face. "I'm hanyou, remember?"
Sango made a face and turned to the young miko. "Now you sound like Inuyasha."
Kagome chuckled and shook her head very slowly. "Speaking of that Mate of mine, where the hell is he?"
Miroku pointed towards the battlefield, knowing that there was no way Kagome could miss the battle between Inuyasha and Shuri.
^_^