Chapter 19
Sesshomaru glanced down momentarily at the tenseiga. The weapon was quivering and pulsing more violently now, an action he had never before witnessed until the death of his daughter. But what did it mean? The demon lord quickly turned his head away and focused instead on the baboon-cloaked nemesis approaching him. The mystery of his blade would have to wait, for with Naraku beaming an arrogant grin in his direction, concentration on anything else but his countenance was impossible.
"Don't worry Sesshomaru," Naraku teased when he saw his captive's building rage, "you will be joining her shortly." The demon glanced over his shoulder at the other group of prisoners "and then, after I've collected your jewel shards, you all will as well." Miroku and Sango both glared bitterly at the remark. Inuyasha took the process a step further and actually cursed his hatred out loud. Kagome and Shippo, not sure weather to act frightened or angry, wore expressions of both. Kirara and Ukuri snarled. The last to react was Sesshomaru who simply narrowed his eyes in disgust. It infuriated him that a bunch of lousy spellbound vines were all that stood between him and his vengeance.
"Pathetic," he finally muttered loud enough for Naraku to hear, "using magic weeds to ensnare your victims rather then face them like a true demon! You Naraku, are nothing but a lowly insect, relying on flimsy webs and trickery to attack those who are rightfully superior!" Naraku turned his gaze back to the demon lord. He was no more moved by the threat then Sesshomaru had been with his.
"Who is weaker?" he finally questioned "Me for setting the traps or you for falling into them?" Naraku tightened his fist and forced the vines to constrict tighter around Sesshomaru. "No matter how powerful you think you are Sesshomaru, you are in no position to threaten me!"
Naraku watched in utter delight as Sesshomaru tried to block out the pain. Aside from their vice like grip, the winding plants that imprisoned his victim also possessed sharp thorns that released a paralyzing poison. By the time Sesshomaru was completely immobilized by the toxins, rivers of the demon lord's blood had stained his garments and the ground beneath him a deep shade of red. Naraku cackled in satisfaction at the sight of the dog demon's torture. For someone as proud as Sesshomaru, such barbaric treatment was quite enjoyable to watch.
When the dog demon went limp in the vines embrace Naraku gradually eased their grip. Killing the demon lord by strangulation was a far cry from the death scene he had in mind. He had already weakened Sesshomaru's proud stature and now it was time to deliver the killing blow, to both his body and spirit. Naraku relaxed his fist, allowing the vines surrounding Sesshomaru to loosen just enough to let the demon comprehend the pain he was currently in. Then after turning a smug eye on the other captives watching, Naraku raised the other hand and called the Tetsusaiga to him. The sword obeyed and zipped into its summoner's grasp without the slightest hesitation. Glaring in disgust Sesshomaru followed the movement of the glittering blade with his eyes. Seeing the family keepsake in Naraku's hands filled him with both envy and fury.
"You recognize this don't you," Naraku tormented as he elegantly twirled the sword "It's the coveted inheritance you sought to claim and control." Naraku stepped forward and held knife-edge of Tetsaguia inches from Sesshomaru's unprotected throat "How ironic that the very same sword would also be your undoing." As he gloated in his apparent victory and prepared to make the final blow, Naraku paid little notice to the storm that had erupted in the sky above. Only when a bolt of lightning struck dangerously close to him did the demon realize that the sudden change in weather was not natures doing. Glaring angrily over his shoulder Naraku's gaze fell on the magical source; a shimmering stone insignia embedded in a regal blade of a dragon fangs. And holding the sword … Naraku's eyes widened in disbelief when he saw the bearer of the weapon and his magical attacker was… Sesshomaru's daughter!
"You…but that's impossible!" Naraku stammered. Another lightning strike, this time even closer then the first. Leaping effortlessly backwards the demon landed in the branches of the nearest tree. "How can you still be alive!" he demanded as Shura continued to approach with sword in hand. The healer glared.
"That is the least of your worries Naraku!" came her sharp reply followed by another well-aimed lightning bolt. Once again Naraku avoided the blow, but the same could not be said for the three he had been in. The force of the strike not only split the unfortunate foliage down the center, it also ignited the remains. Naraku watched nervously as the spot he had resided in seconds before erupted into flames. The sight irritated him. He had seen the healer demon perish, what was she doing alive! It just didn't make sense!
From his position in Naraku's demon proof, paralyzing vines, Sesshomaru formed a keen smile. Though he only had a vague guess as to how Shura had been revived, now that she was it would be amusing to watch as Naraku receive the trashing of his life.
Shura stepped forward, the flames of the ignited timber reflecting in her eyes. Naraku had proved more agile then expected. It was time for another approach. Gripping the dragon's eye blade tightly in her fist Shura concentrated on the fire that had begun to spread to neighboring trees. As her thoughts grew clearer the stone in her swords handle turned from yellow to scarlet. Lashing out rapidly with her weapon Shura watched as the fire flew from its wooden perch and formed bright spheres of molten power. Then with a slight gesture of her sword bearing hand Shura sent the fireballs flying at Naraku. He tried valiantly to avoid them, but as the spheres circled him, they ignited the grass and leaf litter lining the forest floor. Before he had a chance to escape Naraku found himself engulfed in a vortex of flames.
Shura watched wearily as her attack continued. She would have loved to think her firestorm had defeated Naraku, but her instincts told her otherwise. The healer glanced briefly over her shoulder to check on Soma. At the moment the young child was darting over, her dragon crafted dagger in hand, to where Sesshomaru was still bound. For an instant Naraku's vines stirred, ready to ensnare her as well, but thanks to the protection seal Matyeo set on her weapon, there magic was thwarted and she was able to safely approach. As Soma began he efforts to cut Sesshomaru free, Shura turned her sights back to the task at hand. The fire was nearly exhausted and she could see no trace of Naraku anywhere.
"Behind you!" Inuyasha's warning reached Shura before Naraku could and his surprise attack only resulted in the two of them crossing blades. Shura held her ground as she and her foe struggled for supremacy. Despite her barrage of elemental attacks, the baboon-clocked demon didn't seem any worse for wear. Shura felt her muscles tense. Naraku was a lot stronger and resilient then he let on and the thought of clashing blades with a demon whose skills far outweighed her own made Shura understandably nervous.
Meanwhile as the pair of demons squared off and exchanged forceful sword strokes at one another Soma finally managed to tear open the last vine restraining Sesshomaru. With no further ties holding his paralyzed self upright Sesshomaru slid limply onto Soma's outstretched arms.
"I've got you demon lord." The child reassured him as she carefully eased the dog demon to the forest floor. The feel of a warm, sticky liquid on her hands made Soma glance back in horror. "Oh you're hurt!" Soma tried to inspect the wounds further to see how best to treat them, but Sesshomaru growled in protest and gave such a glare that the girl immediately backed away. His pride was hurting nearly as bad as his body and the last thing he wanted was to accept help from a human.
Soma looked on in despair as Sesshomaru stubbornly refused her assistance. The sight of his wounds made her sick with worry, and their current surroundings even more so. With Sesshomaru unable to move, and Shura and Naraku battling, one stray attack could easily kill the injured dog demon. As a healer, she just couldn't let that happen, no matter what.
Soma glanced down at her side when she felt a strange sensation coming from the dagger she had placed on her belt. The stone in the center was emitting an eerie white light. Pulling the dagger from her belt and inspecting it closer, the child suddenly remembered what Matyeo had told her. After he had given her the beautiful dagger, the dragon lord had mentioned something about the weapon having power that only she could release. Soma clutched the knife tighter in her hand as the light grew brighter. Somehow, she wasn't sure how, she had unlocked the power foretold to her, and in that same instant she knew exactly what kind of power it was.
"Great power of dragon protection," Soma whispered as she held the dagger closer "Use your energy to help guard this noble demon lord for I seek to return a favor of generosity!" no sooner had the words left her mouth then the glowing gem on Soma's dagger let out a brilliant flash of light then rapidly returned to normal. Now, thanks to her weapons mysterious energy, Soma herself was able to place a protection seal on Sesshomaru, which would remain as long as she willed it. Curious to see if her effort worked, Soma glanced over in the demon lord's direction. Though undetectable by the average person, Soma's had the eyes of a healer, and she could see the mending process for Sesshomaru's injuries was working unnaturally fast, even for a demon.
"Hey Soma!" Inuyasha's voice sounded on the air causing the child to look up in surprise. "What are you waiting for? Get us out of here!" the half demon called. Soma nearly slapped herself. In all the excitement she had almost forgotten to free the others. Keeping her dagger close, Soma got to her feet and darted over to where Inuyasha and the others were being held.
All the while Shura and Naraku continued to clash swords under Sesshomaru's watchful eye. Though the blades were nearly equal in power, Shura's lack of fighting skill was becoming rapidly apparent. Her speed was the only compensation for her clumsy and inexperienced sword fighting. Sesshomaru stared on in disgust as Naraku gradually gained the upper hand. His daughter's amateur fighting techniques were a disappointment, but what bothered him the most was her lack of will. True she was battling, but in her movement Sesshomaru also sensed a distinct restraint. Shura was blocking her real power, and it was costing her the battle.