Chapter 17
"How is your arm feeling Miroku?" Sango's asked quietly, her voice breaking the stillness of the atmosphere. Miroku glanced up from his plate.
"Much better." he replied as he flexed his arm in all directions "I'd say the paralysis had completely worn off." Inuyasha glanced up and gave a satisfied nod.
"Good. Maybe now we can actually get back to the quest at hand and find the rest of the jewel fragments." Sango and Miroku nodded in quiet agreement. Even with all the happenings over the past few days, they had been freeloading there for far too long. Mia would surly go broke if they didn't leave soon.
Inuyasha glanced over in Kagome's direction. The girl hadn't said a word in hours. It simply wasn't like her to be so quiet. When he voiced his concern, Kagome was slow to react. She just gazed up at him with soft eyes and a deeply thoughtful expression. In truth, her mind had been racing ever since Shura had revealed her family secret.
Kagome had been relieved when the demon sided herself as their ally, but now the question remained, should she tell Inuyasha? Shura was his family and he deserved to know that much. But there was still the fact that he and his older brother had an unsettled score. Would revealing Shura's identity unintentionally cause the half demon to turn on her? The debate raged wildly in Kagome's heart. What should she do?
The girl bit her lip nervously as Inuyasha addressed her again.
"You sure you're alright Kagome? You've been awfully quiet," he was saying. Kagome let out a deep sigh.
"I'm fine really," she tried to reassure him, but her subdued tone suggested quite the opposite. "I just have a lot on my mind that's all." Inuyasha looked at her skeptically. He knew by now that when Kagome got like this there was usually something very serious on her mind.
"Look whatever it is, just tell us" Inuyasha insisted gently. Sango and Miroku followed his lead with encouraging nods. Kagome lowered her eyes. Perhaps Inuyasha was right. These people had become closer to her then some of her own family, and it didn't feel right keeping secrets from them.
"It's about Shura." she began quietly, "she told me something this morning…" Everyone could tell from the anxious look in Kagome's eyes that the news she bore was not only of great importance but that it also concerned them somehow. It took a great effort for her to continue speaking. "It's about her family…" Kagome fidgeted restlessly. "I don't know how to tell you this Inuyasha…but…." The words wouldn't come. As much as she tried Kagome couldn't force them out of her throat. In truth her lack of words didn't really matter. Inuyasha had become suddenly distracted by a strange shadow creeping along the wall behind Kagome. It looked remarkably similar to a dragon, though strangely, Inuyasha didn't see the demon the silhouette belonged too. Apparently Sango had also noticed the creature, and she recognized the camouflage it was using.
"Inuyasha!" Sango cried throwing the once quiet room into chaos. Everyone flew to their feet, including the previously sleeping Shippo and Kirara. Sango seized the tablecloth roughly and tossed it over the invisible dragon's head. As the white cloth landed it outlined the demon's figure just long enough for Inuyasha to take aim.
"Iron rever soul stealer!" the half demon cried as he unleashed his attack. The blow ripped the tablecloth to shreds, briefly exposing the startled creature as it hovered swiftly out of Inuyasha's strike range. Diving under the table, Ukuri flew strait towards the half demon. Now that he had been discovered, there was no point in trying to be secretive about his work.
Zipping out from the other side the dragon rose up in front of Inuyasha. He had a clear view of the sword. In one quick dash he would have it.
"Iron rvever!" the half demon raised his hand and let lose another assault. Ukuri veered sharply to the side. Inuyasha's attack missed him, but not the pouch tied to his neck. The bag split open sending a tarry, black goop flying into the half demon's face. The substance was an extremely potent artists ink. It was nearly identical to that of the hell painter, and it had the same consequences. Overpowered by the stench, Inuyasha passed out and fell over backwards. As he landed Ukuri seized the Tetsusaiga in his mouth and shot out the door. Sango and Miroku attempted to follow, but they were no match for his speed and quickly lost his trail.
Bursting into the fresh night air, Ukuri flew as fast as he could towards the village outskirts, the prized weapon clenched tightly in his jaws.
Thanks to Kagome's insistent yelling in his ear, it didn't take long for Inuyasha to come to his senses. Though dazed and a bit dizzy, the half demon was still alert enough to have a fit when Sango and Miroku relayed the news of the Tetsusaigas' disappearance. Swearing under his breath, Inuyasha raced out into the night, his gang of friends in toe. Even though the scent of black ink still hung heavily in his nostrils, it couldn't compare to that of the dragon thief. Fueled by anger, Inuyasha ran with such speed that within minutes he had caught up with robber.
Meanwhile, Ukuri had nearly reached his destination but he was halted suddenly when Inuyasha darted in his path.
"Where do you think your going you little thief?" the half demon snarled. Ukuri didn't flinch only rapidly changed direction. He could smell Shura nearby; and skilled or not, this hot tempered half breed would not stop him from reaching her. Ukuri ducked as a massive boomerang flew overhead missing him by mere inches. Apparently Inuyasha wasn't the only obstacle he would have to pass. Glancing over his shoulder the dragon caught sight of the weapons owner as she ran forward out of the forest and caught the boomerang when it returned. Ukuri could sense the others were not far behind her. Unless he moved fast the dragon knew their numbers would quickly overcome him. Darting rapidly in all directions, Ukuri frantically tried to avoid both Sango and Inuyasha's attacks. For a while, his speed was enough of an advantage, but then Kirara arrived. In her saber from, the cat demon was far more agile then the young dragon kit. She rammed him hard in the side as he avoided yet another blow from Inuyasha. The sudden impact caused the dragon to spin off balance, drop the sword, and come crashing to the ground.
Ukuri snorted as he regained his footing. He had hoped to avoid an aggressive assault, but apparently such measures were unavoidable. Tensing his muscles the dragon kit harnessed all available energy. Kirara was not the only demon present who could make themselves larger and more formidable under times of stress. Ukuri let out a fearsome roar as his body erupted in a pale yellow light. As the glow intensified and grew, so did his scaly form. When his transformation was complete, Ukuri boasted the elegant and powerful body of an adult dragon.
Growling loudly Ukuri raised his powerful tail and knocked both Kirara and Sango aside easily. Soon however, reinforcements arrived. Charging first from the woods was Miroku. The monk surveyed the scene in an instant and immediately prepared to unleash his wind tunnel. Luckily for the dragon, his attacks had also fully matured along with his body. Opening his jaws, Ukuri shot a blast of icy wind from a pouch in his throat. The attack struck Miroku's right wrist, freezing it in solid before he could release his wind tunnel. By then Sango had regained her bearings and was the next to strike. Unfortunately her boomerang met the same fate as the monk's hand and fell heavily to the ground.
Ukuri flicked out his forked tongue. The remaining members of this group were approaching swiftly, as was the recovered cat demon. Taking in another breath, the dragon sent forth another cold blast, this time at the ground. The attack created a slick sheet of ice, which sent Kagome, Shippo and Kirara toppling clumsily to the ground. Sango and Miroku tried to help, but only managed to lose their footing in the process. Inuyasha snorted as he watched the writhing pile of friends frantically try to regain their balance and dignity. The sight would have been amusing if not for the fact that his companions were getting their butts whooped by a renegade demon that had stolen his sword.
Inuyasha cracked his knuckles and dashed towards his foe. He was confident in his pursuit. Even without his sword, he had defeated larger demons then this thieving dragon. Launching himself into the air, Inuyasha pulled back his hand and prepared to unleash his iron rever attack. Unfortunately for the half demon his boldness had come too soon. Ukuri flared his nostrils and snorted out sparks of fire. Then after inhaling deeply through his nose the dragon shot out an intense flame from his nostrils, scorching Inuyasha in mid air.
Hissing loudly in satisfaction, Ukuri seized Inuyasha with his tail and bound the half demon's smoldering form tightly. Even after being charbroiled Inuyasha still wasn't keen on surrendering. As he struggled to free himself the dragon tightened his hold. Soon the air was filled with the sound of Inuyasha's straining bones and frantic gasps for air.
"Ukuri, that's enough," A familiar voice sounded in the night. It was Shura. "Release him now," the demon commanded as she stepped clear of the surrounding foliage. Obediently Ukuri stopped his stranglehold on Inuyasha and reverted to his normal size. The dragon left Inuyasha's fate in gravity's hands and scampered over to where his friend now stood. Shura stroked her companion under the chin as she bent over and plucked the Tetsaguia off the ground.
By now everyone had maneuvered off the ice rink and regained their composure. It didn't take them long to notice their fallen companion and rush to his side.
"Inuyasha! Are you alright!" Kagome gasped as she tenderly tried to wake him. When her efforts failed, the girl quickly turned an anxious and furious gaze in Shura's direction. "Shura how could you!" The demon lowered he head sadly.
"I am so sorry, but I need this sword to save my home," she replied truthfully. It was the only thing she could bring herself to say. Shura turned and started to head back into the forest. Ukuri followed close behind, but only after he gave a warning hiss to their audience. The dragon made it quite clear that if any of them dared to follow or intervene, he would be there to stop them.
Inuyasha came too just in time to see Shura and the Tetsusaiga disappear into the night. Erupting into another fit of anger, the half demon would have charged after them if not for Kagome's restraint and Sango's insistent warning.
"We can't possibly fight her Inuyasha, we're not strong enough right now. And besides, she's got that dragon bodyguard remember." Inuyasha scoffed. How could he forget, the thing had barbecued him.
"So what do you suggest?" he demanded angrily, "just let her get away with my sword?" Miroku stepped forward ready to offer his thoughts on the matter.
"Inuyasha I don't believe Shura has any interest in your sword. She was obviously forced into taking it. I say we follow her and see who's really responsible." The half demon scowled but offered no argument. What Miroku said made sense, and his plan wasn't half bad either. Getting to his feet, Inuyasha led the way into the forest after Shura and her dragon. He didn't know who or what they would have to face in there, but whoever had the nerve to manipulate Shura into taking the Tetsusaiga would have to answer to him.
Shura approached the clearing swiftly her ears set forward and her eyes focused ahead. She was both anxious and nervous to confront her father. What lay in store for her now that her task was completed?
As Shura strode past the familiar scenery she felt the unmistakable mental vibration of her father. He was waiting nearby. Shura's pulse quickened. Once again she felt a definite disturbance in the demon lord's aura, but this time around it was much more distinct.
"Strange," Shura thought quietly to herself "this presence I sense, it seems…familiar somehow." Beside her, Ukuri hissed as he glanced around nervously. The creature was becoming increasingly restless the closer they came to the clearing.
"Easy now," she tried to reassure him "It will all be over soon." Shura clutched the Tetsusaiga tightly in her fist and with the other hand gently patted the outline of her fire whip beneath her Kimono. She may not have been an exceptional fighter, but she knew enough maneuvers to get the job done if need be. She would ensure the safety of her village, even if a battle broke out against her own kin.
Shura lifted a hand, parted the foliage in front of her, and stepped free from the forest. As she continued forward, her father's elegant frame became visible several yards away. Shura felt her hair stand on end as he fixed at her with a cold, piercing stare.
"I've brought what you've asked for…father" Shura made sure to put emphasis on the word to show her weariness "now take it and go." With that the healer threw the weapon at the demon lord's feet.
From his position in the trees nearby, Naraku watched the scene unfold before him. Now that the demon girl had successfully retrieved Inuyasha's prized sword for him, her usefulness had ended. It was time she met her demise, and who better to do it then her own kin. Naraku laughed quietly to himself. How fun it was going to be to watch the family members destroy one another.
Using his power Naraku relayed his bloody commands to Sesshomaru. But to his surprise the demon lord's spirit shuddered with resistance. Naraku glared and used the energy from the embedded jewel shard to strengthen the mind-control seal he had placed around it. After a moment Sesshomaru's will was pushed back into submission; then he restated the order. This time, the demon lord had no choice but to obey. Stepping forward Sesshomaru ignored the weapon at his feet and kept his gaze instead on Shura as Naraku silently instructed. Conquering Shura would take more then just strength. To defeat his prodigy, Sesshomaru needed to exploit her greatest weakness.
"I can't leave," the demon lord finally responded "Not without you." Shura narrowed her eyes. Did her ears deceive her? Or was her father actually asking her to join him?
"What are you taking about," she growled skeptically. Sesshomaru kept a calm face as he continued to approach.
"I made a promise to you Shura. I said I'd come back for you later. And I have." Shura stood her ground. She wanted to believe her father was being sincere but… to many factors just didn't make sense.
"If that was really your intention …then why did you force me to steal Inuyasha's sword?" Sesshomaru replied with a sly smile.
"A test, to see your level of skill, strength and reliability. You have done all I have required to prove yourself." Now only a few feet away, Sesshomaru extended his hand in Shura's direction. "Now, I humbly offer you the opportunity to side with me and help rule the Westlands." Shura said nothing for a minute, only stared blankly at her father's outstretched hand. He seemed genuine in his claims. Had he really changed his ways? Shura looked up at the demon lord's face. As much as she wanted to trust him, an old grudge still seared at her heart. It was a bitterness that she had never forgotten and now it was up to her father to reconcile.
"You come asking for my help, yet you left my fate up to demon trappers. A suspiciously ironic turn of events wouldn't you say?" Sesshomaru kept his gaze steady and ignored the tremor that surged through his arm. When Shura spoke again her voice was filled with a sudden boldness. "I refuse to consider your offer unless you answer one question…" Shura narrowed her eyes and tried hard to keep her anger in check "Why? Why did you abandon me?"