Chapter 20
Shura blocked a hard blow from Naraku and gripped the earth tightly with her feet for balance. She had lost significant ground to the baboon demon and now was forced to take on a defensive position. For the most part she had the speed to avoid his attacks with Tetsusaiga, and the dragon's eye took the brunt of the strikes she couldn't dodge. Even so, the battle had turned one sided. As long as Naraku remained focused on her, she had no chance of turning the tables. Shura gritted her teeth as another blow rang through her weapon. What she needed was a distraction…a way to escape.
An idea formed in Shura's mind just as she darted away from another strike. Reaching swiftly into her kimono she pulled out the pouch she had taken in case of an emergency and threw it at Naraku's head. The demon reacted perfectly, pulverizing the object with a sword stroke and scattering the grains of flash powder into the air. The immense blast of light that followed temporarily blinded both fighters, but not before Shura lined up her strike. Lashing out into seeming emptiness, Shura felt the end of her blade meet with resistance. The nigh air was filled with the sound of ripping fabric and the flutter of wayward garments. When the light faded, Shura met the blazing red stare of a black haired gentleman. He wore an expression of amusement as the masked cowl of his white cloak fell lifelessly to the ground.
"I must say I'm disappointed in you demon healer," Naraku crooned as he scattered the remains of his baboon cloak to the wind "For someone with your power…I was expecting more of a fight" Naraku's stare turned suddenly cold "but now I'm growing weary of this, its time for you to die!" Naraku dashed forward, raised Tetsusaiga above his head and struck down with sudden and unexpected force. Shura blocked the strike with the dragon's eye. It was the only action she could take, and the last one her sword was able to bear. Naraku's blow shattered the empowering jewel in Shura's blade, draining the weapon of ifs elemental strength, and sending a wide crack down the center. Ducking backwards the healer raced out of range before Naraku could attack again. She then set her cherished sword safely on the ground. The dragon's eye was no match for Naraku's strength, and without any defense… neither was she.
When Naraku moved in with a sudden burst of speed, Shura was able to dodge his next swordstroke, but not the following blow he made with his fist. Staggering backwards Shura barely had time to regain her balance before Naraku attacked again. The results were the same as before. She avoided the killing swipe of Tetsusaiga, but in the process remained vulnerable the strikes Naraku made with his other hand. As the battle raged on, Shura continued to loose ground with each painful hit she received. Eventually her body grew to exhausted to resist any further. With a mighty blow, Naraku drove her into the ground with such force that she left a trail of upturned earth behind her. Shura finally skidded to a stop several yards away from where her father was watching. Lost in her own agony and humiliation the healer remained motionless until a familiar voice sounded in her ears.
"Get up Shura," Sesshomaru commanded sternly. Shura didn't move. Despite her father's order she had neither the strength nor the will to obey.
"I said…get up…now," the demon lord's second demand was more forceful and stirred Shura into full alertness. Slowly, painfully, Shura tried to pull herself off the ground, but her body had given out.
"I can't." she finally got up the nerve to answer "I'm not strong enough," Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes. Hearing such words from his child made him furious, especially considering she was still holding back her true demon strength.
"Shura, I know you're stronger then this," Sesshomaru responded in a cold but determined tone. "I've sensed the power in you ever since you were a baby…and it's still there…." The demon lord had trouble keeping a strait expression when Shura finally dared to look at him in the face. "Don't restrict the power that rages inside you…embrace it! It is your legacy… and I know you can win if you find your true power!"
Shura blinked slowly. As she did she felt a faint spark of energy awaken deep inside her body.
"My…my true power…" Shura stammered as the spark turned to a flame. She had felt this energy once before. During her adolescent years it had nearly destroyed her…but now…. Shura clenched her hands into fists. Now things were different. The power she felt was almost inviting. Shura forced herself to her feet. As visions of her home, family and friends flashed in front of her eyes the desire to protect the people she cared for fueled the fire in her soul even more. Then suddenly…she felt it. The cascading river of power she had managed to block for so many years finally broke free from its barriers. Shura gasped, as her body was flooded with unnatural demon strength. The energy seeped into every cell of her mind, heart and spirit and her external self began to manipulate to reflect the sudden surge. Shura's wounds healed instantly and her muscles became larger and more toned. Dagger like claws sprang from her hands and feet, as did sharp horns just above her ears, and her silver hair and tail became tipped with black.
When Naraku saw these changes, he froze in his tracks, and action that amused Shura. Fixing the black haired demon with slitted eyes Shura twisted her face into a fearsome grin.
"Not so disappointed now are you?" she taunted while simultaneously exposing her large, glittering, fangs. Naraku held up Tetsusaiga defensively, but he couldn't hold the protective stance for long. An invisible force suddenly yanked the sword roughly from his hands and sent it hovering through the air to its new handler. Unable to react fast enough the demon could only watch as the strange telekinesis sent the sword…his sword…over to Shura's outstretched hand.
As Shura gripped Tetsusaiga tightly it blazed with a new power that her enhancements helped to awaken. The blade may have obeyed the half demon Naraku, but Shura's call took definite priority. Her blood may have been full demon as her father, but in her heart thrived the compassionate will of the human she was raised to be.
"Naraku!" Shura snarled as her demon foe took a few nervous steps backward. "You're mine!" Her fierce words reached Naraku just as swiftly as Shura herself did. Her strength, speed and stamina had reached near perfection, as did her once clumsy sword handling. With her demon powers blazing Shura had become a new warrior. She was confident and ruthless with her attacks, lashing out rapidly with sword and claws. Even with his immense power Naraku found himself barely able to maneuver around Shura's near successive assaults.
It was when one of Shura's fists pulverized a tree mere inches away from his skull that Naraku finally decided to change his strategy. Rather then restrict his movement by fighting on ground level; Naraku took instead to the sky. Once free on all sides, the demon found his second wind. Unfortunately for him, Shura was just comfortable above ground. She charged after him with such speed it took Naraku by surprise. The black haired demon had to resort to evasive maneuvers just to stay out of reach. Winding himself swiftly through the tangled branches of the forest canapé, Naraku tried to confuse his pursuer so he might dart in for an attack. But his efforts did not deter Shura. She matched his feats of agility even with the extra weight of Tetsusaiga.
After several minutes of sky maneuvering Shura finally got within striking range of her opponent. A single iron rever attack to the shoulder was all that was needed to knock Naraku off balance and give her the opportunity she had been waiting for. Shura lashed out with Tetsusaiga in mid flight sending a mighty wave of power hurtling into Naraku. The resulting blast filled the air with so much light and smoke that Shura had to momentarily stop and shield her face from the explosion. When the air cleared an enormous crater decorated the lush forest landscape, and inside the center of the crater was the tattered form of Naraku.
Shura lowered herself to the ground to get a closer look. Sprawled on his back amongst the charred rubble lay her adversary. Though he looked to be near death, Shura's instincts told her that the battle wasn't over. Stepping forward, the healer reached the edge of the crater just in time to see Naraku's eyes snap open.
"So you are still alive," Shura crooned as Naraku slowly sat up, "pity for you." Naraku didn't seem irritated or threatened by the remark. In fact, he looked downright amused.
"Brave words demon healer. I see that you've inherited your fathers arrogance along with his skills." Shura curled her lip exposing her fangs.
"You're just now figuring that out?" Naraku smiled deviously as he got to his feet.
"You have proven yourself an exceptional fighter…" the demon began as he started to hover into the air "but you still have one critical weakness.... and it will be your undoing." Shura shielded her face as Naraku shrouded himself in a thick cloud of poison. When the vapors dispersed seconds later, the demon was nowhere in sight.
"Damn it!" Shura hissed as she coughed into her sleeve "now where did he go?" Her answer came when a Kagome's scream pierced through the night air. In that instant she knew exactly where her foe was…and the terror that raced in her heart made Shura run all the faster.