Chapter 10: Fires In The Mountain

The dragon demon who had killed Kikai stood , holding his sword which he rested on his shoulder. Saliva dripped from his dagger-like fangs. He looked at the dead cat demon who lied face down in a large puddle of crimson blood.

"Hmm," He paused, "I can't leave that there. Guess I should burn it." Before anyone could react, he blasted fire onto Kikai's body and she disappeared into the flames. He then turned toward Ashaina who was just beginning to stand again. He started towards her but out of the corner of his eye he saw Vijen coming at him.

"You'll pay for what you did to Kikai!" Vijen howled as he clashed swords with the dragon demon. "Grrrrrrr" Vijen growled. The dragon demon simply stared, looking amused, with his sword locked with Vijen. Vijen glared back at him. His demonic aura blazed about him, and his eyes were filled with hatred for the dragon demon.

"Vijen! Have you gone mad?!" Yelled Kikente, "You're no match for him!" "You should listen to your friend, boy." said the dragon demon as he pushed with his sword on Vijen who staggered back. "Vijen! Stand down NOW!" Commanded Kouga, "That's a direct order!" But Vijen wasn't listening. He continued to fight.

"Damn!" mumbled Kouga. He darted towards the dragon demon. Kouga jumped high into the air, ready to come down and kick the dragon demon in the head. But as he began to go down a dragon flew in his way and caught Kouga in his jaws. "AH!" Kouga felt those teeth begin to sink into his skin, beginning to crush him. Kouga began to have trouble breathing. "KOUGA!!!" wailed Ayame. Kikente wasted no time. He unsheathed his sword and jumped on top of the dragon who hovered in the air with Kouga in her mouth. "You let him go, beast!" Kikente bellowed as he took his sword and sliced the dragon's head clean off. Blood squirted out of the base of the neck.

Kouga barely conscious felt the jaws loosen and felt himself fall. Kikente jumped off the dragon's body which twitched in the air for a few seconds then fell to the ground. Kikente caught Kouga and laid him on the ground.

The dragon demon felt a great pain in his chest and turned to see his now headless dragon fall. "Arg!!!!!" "You should never turn your back on your opponent!" Vijen said as he thrust his sword through the dragon demon. Vijen pulled his sword out and let the dragon demon fall. Slowly he turned to glare at Vijen, "Damn...ngh!...you." "Go to Hell." Vijen spat as he sliced the dragon demon's head off. His head flew off and rolled a few times till it stopped.

Vijen sheathed his sword then ran to Kouga. Ayame was kneeling next to Kouga cradling his head in her arms. "His wounds are pretty bad..." said Kikente, "Lady Ayame, he will die if we don't take him to a healer."

"What about Lord Sesshomaru?" questioned Inwe, "That sword of his, Tensiega, it's a healing sword is it not?" Maeglin answered, "Hai, it is. Lady Ashaina do you remember where they kept Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Hai," answered Ashaina, "I do. But I don't think we should move Kouga." "You're right." sighed Maeglin. Inwe then said, "Lord Sesshomaru will have to come here then, and someone should stay here to protect Kouga."

"I'm not leaving Kouga's side!" Ayame said. "I'll stay with them, Maeglin." said Inwe calmly, "You and the others go and find Lord Sesshomaru."

"Beg your pardon my Lady," said Kikente, "But we came here to take you all back to Lord Sesshomaru's castle. We came here to rescue you, and besides we need someone to control all four regions' armies. So that we'll be prepared to fight the dragon demons. Their armies most likely are forming on the battle grounds as we speak."

Maeglin solemnly nodded. Kouga opened his eyes, "I'm not staying here...ngh!" "Kouga!" Ayame gasped. Kouga slowly stood, "Heh, no need to worry about me. This is the last place I want to die in." He staggered a bit, "Kikente, You are going to lead us out of here. Vijen, you go and find Lord Sesshomaru and the others."

Vijen looking shocked at Kouga's strength said, "Hai, Hai my Lord." "Lets go, Vijen." said Ashaina, beginning to walk towards the dungeon exit. "What?! Lady Ashaina you heard what Kikente said. You need to get out of here. Lord Sesshomaru will be alright."

"How do YOU know that?" Ashaina turned to glare at Kikente, "You didn't see what I saw that dragon demon bitch do to Sesshomaru in front of me! What she did can never be forgiven." Ashaina turned and started to walk, "She will die by my hands." Ashaina lifted her right hand while still walking and sent a HUGE fire wave off to the side of her. Knocking down the mountain wall, which opened into a clearing on the outside of the mountain.

Everyone stared at Ashaina in astonishment as she disappeared into the dark tunnels. Vijen fallowed after her.

~~~
Sango through her boomerang bone at another dragon that came at her. "Hiroukutso!" "Arg! There's too many of them!" exclaimed Itarilde as she fought back a dragon demon.

Eldenare charged Isil with the Toukijin. "DIE!" She clashed swords with Isil, "No thanks, I'd rather live!" Isil yelled as she fought back with her staff. Eldenare laughed, "You are truly pathetic. Can't you see that you SHALL NOT WIN?!!!" Isil growled, "I WILL win!" she charged at Eldenare. Eldenare smirked and held out Toukijin. Electric energy shot from the sword and hit Isil. Isil cried out as she was thrown back up against a wall. Isil slid down the wall and as she sat there dazed she felt herself cough up blood. "Damn!"

Through blurred vision she saw Eldenare walk up to her, standing tall with an evil grin on her face. Eldenare took Toukijin and brought it's sharp point up to Isil's throat. Isil held her head as still as she could so that she was not cut. She could feel Toukijin's evil aura swirl around it's blade, wanting blood to be spilled all over itself, wanting to kill...

"Lady Eldenare, my queen." said a female dragon demon as she quickly flew down to stand next to Eldenare. The dragon demon whispered something into her ear then flew away to fight. Isil saw Eldenare glance back at her and smirk once more. "Seems like one of your sisters has perished, heh."

Isil's eyes widened, 'Maranwe...no...' Isil felt all her will to fight drain out of her. Like a large wound which drained all the blood from her. 'Why Maranwe...?'

Eldenare raised the Toukijin up high ready to slice Isil's head off, "Don't worry. You will not have to weep much longer. You can join your dead sister in the after life." But before she could strike Isil down, an explosion was heard. Both Eldenare and Isil looked to where the sound had come from and so had everyone else. There surrounded by hellish flames was Ashaina. She glared at Eldenare.

"Damn." Eldenare silently said. She looked back at Isil who was trying to move, "And where do you think you're going?" Eldenare was ready to strike Isil but was stopped by Ashaina. Ashaina had thrown a large wave of fire at Eldenare who fell back hissing.

Isil tried to get up to help but fell. Ashaina caught her, "You shouldn't move. Stay down I'll handle..." Isil looked at her terrified, "GET DOWN MY LADY!!!!" Isil managed to yell with all the strength left in her as she shoved Ashaina down. She took the blow from Toukijin's blade running through her chest. Ashaina looked up and felt blood poor all over her as she saw Eldenare shove Toukijin through Isil. Eldenare laughed.

*Flash Back*
Auburday then looked at me, a terrified expression on his face. I looked back at him. He came at me and threw me aside I fell to the ground and looked back at Auburday and that's when I felt his blood pore all over me as I watched the blade of the Angdon's run through his gut. The Angdon laughing with evil delight.
"AUBURDAY!!!"
*End Flash Back*

"NOOOO!!!!!!!!!" Ashaina screamed. She was getting sick of everyone dieing for her. Ashaina felt her will to live slipping away from her once more. Eldenare came at Ashaina and held her in mid air by the throat. Eldenare began to tighten her grip around Ashaina's throat.

Ashaina did not fight back.

*Flash Back*
"I'm sorry...I could not protect you...but I know someday you will find happiness...Ashaina promise me this.."
"Anything"
"Don't ever give up on life. No matter how hopeless it may seem...for I know someday you will be free."
"I promise."
*End Flash Back*

'I promise...' The words echoed through Ashaina's head. Ashaina grabbed Eldenare's wrist. 'I promise...I will never give up...on life' Ashaina grimaced as she let those words go through her mind, urging her on.

Ashaina found the strength to use both her hands to break Eldenare's wrist. Eldenare let out an ear-piercing scream and dropped Ashaina. "DAMN YOU!" Eldenare screamed as she and Ashaina charged at each other hissing with rage.

Sesshomaru saw Ashaina fighting Eldenare. He began to slowly find the strength to get up. "Sesshomaru, are you sure you're alright?" Miroku asked standing with Sesshomaru. "I am fine." Sesshomaru grunted, "I'm going to take back my sword." Sesshomaru slowly began to walk off. Rin was about to follow but Sesshomaru looked back at her giving her a warning glare not to follow. Rin stopped and sighed discouraged .

Eldenare and Ashaina saw Sesshomaru coming over. Sesshomaru slashed his energy whip at Eldenare, striking her in the arm. She screamed again, "Two against one isn't fair!"

"You really think I give a damn?" Sesshomaru calmly said as he lunged towards Eldenare. With his energy whip he knocked Toukijin out of her hands and he hit her with his poison claws. Ashaina also lunged to fight but was stopped by another dragon demon that began to fight her.

Rin watched Sesshomaru and Ashaina fight. "Kohaku protect Rin. I must go help the others!" Miroku said as he ran over to where the others were fighting. "Right." Kohaku quietly said. He gently grabbed Rin's arm, "We should get out of here." Rin reluctantly nodded and turned with Kohaku to find someplace to hide. But they were stopped by a dragon demon that had appeared in front of them. The dragon demon laugh, "Easy prey, heh."

Kohaku moved in front of Rin, his weapon in hand. The dragon demon raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Silly little human." He grabbed Kohaku by the throat and tossed him aside casually. Kohaku was knocked unconscious.

"Kohaku!" Rin screamed as she began to run towards where Kohaku had fallen. The dragon demon laughed and drew his sword back, ready to through it at Rin.

Both Ashaina and Sesshomaru heard Rin scream. They looked over to see Rin running towards a fallen Kohaku and a dragon demon ready to through his sword after Rin. "Rin!" They both yelled. They began to run towards Rin but Eldenare's dragon knocked Sesshomaru out of the way and pinned him to the ground. Eldenare came up to Sesshomaru and kneeled by him. "looks like your little girl is going to die."

Rin reached Kohaku who was slowly opening his eyes. But then they were filled with horror as he saw the sword coming towards Rin. "What's wrong?" Rin asked. She turned around and saw the sword come at her. But then Ashaina appeared in front of her and the sword ran through her stomach.

"Ashaina!!!" Rin screamed as she caught Ashaina and laid her down. The sword sticking out of her stomach.

Sesshomaru's eye's could not have opened much wider as he saw the sword stab his mate. He heard Eldenare laugh. Sesshomaru felt a burning sensation run through his body. The dragon pinning him to the ground look startled and began to move away.

"Where are you going, my dragon?" Eldenare asked then she turned to look at Sesshomaru. Fear hit her like a thousand lighting bolts.

Ashaina laid in Rin's arms trying her best to keep her eye's opened. Ashaina lifted her hand and tried to pull the sword out. It hurt like Hell. Ashaina cried out. "Oh! Let me help!" Rin pleaded as she pulled the sword out and tossed it aside. "Oh Ashaina gomen nasai!" Rin felt tears stream down her face, "Why did you do that, though?" Rin asked, "Now your baby will die because of the sword. It's all my fault!"

"Rin," Ashaina slowly sat up ignoring the pain. She cupped Rin's cheeks in her hands, "I care more about you than an unborn child." "But I'm not even your real daughter..." Rin's voice cracked as she said those words.

"That does not matter," Ashaina pulled Rin closer to her, "What if I had let the sword hit you. You would have died instantly and then what if I had a miscarriage with this child? Then where would Sesshomaru and I be?" Ashaina paused, "Even if we are not blood, you are still the closest thing to a daughter that I have ever had. You are also the closest thing to a daughter Sesshomaru had. And just like me he loves you very much." Rin managed a smile, "Arigato."

"Oh this makes me very sick!" growled the dragon demon. Slowly walking up to them. This time Kohaku threw his chain weapon at him. The dragon demon grabbed the chain and coiled it around his clawed hand and pulled Kohaku towards him. "Ah!" Kohaku gasped as his weapon was ripped from his hand leaving it blistered.

The dragon demon grabbed Kohaku wrist and healed him in the air. "Let me go!" Kohaku began to panic when he saw the dragon demon un sheath his sword and held it high above Kohaku. "Instead of killing you I'll just cause you great pain."

Before Kohaku could even blink the sword sliced off his right arm in which he was being healed by. Kohaku's arm was completely severed off and he fell to the ground howling in pain. Blood squirted from his right shoulder where his arm use to be as he rolled on the ground. The dragon demon tossed Kohaku's right arm off to the side and raised his sword once again.

Suddenly the dragon demon's head was sliced off and he the corpse fell to the ground, twitching, Standing on the crimson ground was a red eyed Sesshomaru, hissing with rage.

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O_O whoa... don't you just hate cliff hangers? *laughs nervously* I know I hate them too.