Akida- Bah sorry about the long wait, illness's seem to creep up on you when you least expect them to. I indeed mean to continue on with this story, seeing as it's been bugging me that I couldn't update it.
-:-Disclaimer-:- Well…if I owned Inuyasha I wouldn't be writing this disclaimer now would I?
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There was no doubt in the monk's mind; this had to be the same enemy that they had slain earlier. It displayed so many distinguishable traits, but didn't seem to realize that it no longer had its original weapon; the iron rod. Throughout the battle, the group was more concerned about avoiding entanglement in the creatures hide, and at the same time attempt to destroy it once and for all. If that was even possible.
This isn't good. We have no idea where its weak point is, and we can't risk getting to close to it, Sango thought frantically as she observed the surrounding vegetation die, as it was touched by the demon.
But how are we supposed to kill this thing, I can't find a weak point anywhere
Miroku shared the same thoughts as her, along with the others, but was at a loss as to what could be done. It was obvious that sword slashes were not effective, and any other dent made to the creature molded back into place again, although it seemed to have some effect, Shippo's Fox Fire was also ineffective, and that worried him all the more. Kagome had been raining down arrows on it, but it would manage to dodge them quite well but it was maimed considerably by the purity they radiated. This detail did not go unnoticed by the monk
It may be immune to any mortal weapon, but Kagome's arrows still have a damaging effect on it, Miroku mused watching Inuyasha detangle himself from the mesh of flesh once again.
If only there was some way to distract it, then maybe Kagome could get in a clean shot.
He hadn't any other way to distract it enough to turn its attention to someone else, but he did have one way that would definitely catch its eye. Without further thought that might force him to rethink the situation, he removed the rosary from his hand and let the winds do their work, letting out a quick warning to anyone in the line of danger.
The plan worked well and he soon found a globular mass of tentacles drawing nearer to him than he wanted, and he ignored the constant warnings of danger that urged him to flee. He toke a few steps back as the bewildered demon was drawn against its will into the hellish winds, and Miroku looked again as he saw something amiss and nearly leapt from his skin.
What?! I-I haven't been drawing it in at all! It's been walking towards me this whole time!
A sudden wave of panic over toke him, and for a minute he forgot where he was as time seemed to move slower. The monk shook himself from his thoughts immediately and began backing away from the demon, and the feral glint in its wrathful eyes as it lumbered towards him.
"You shall bleed," its gurgling voice echoed in his mind.
"You shall pay for what you've done with your life!"
"W-what." Miroku stammered dumbly as he stumbled backwards, and thought frantically what he could've possibly done, to cause this demon such anger towards him alone.
What have I done?! Tell what could I possibly have done to 'cause your anger towards me?!
It occurred to him that he was lacking in retreating space, and would soon be at the edge of a shallow chasm, most likely scored into the earth by a previous demon battle. He realized that this was the distraction they needed, and regardless of what damaging results it might cost him, he shouted over to Kagome praying that her aim would not be off this time around.
"Kagome! Strike it, down strike it down with your arrow!" He yelled frantically.
"But Miroku-"
"Forget about me! It will be worse for all of us if this is not done!"
Just don't miss the enemy and hit me instead.
Kagome reluctantly notched an arrow to her bow, and sighted down the shaft towards her target. Meanwhile Inuyasha managed to pry himself from the ground, and groaned in protest to his aching limbs as well as to the situation at hand.
"Are you out of your mind!? What if you miss and hit him you stupid wen-mph!"
"Never mind that Kagome he trusts you," Sango said hurriedly stifling the hanyou's mouth as he flailed about. "Do what has to be done, hurry Lady Kagome."
Taking another glance at Sango she resumed her concentration, and tensed inwardly as Miroku reached the edge of the chasm with the grotesque body of their enemy closing in on him. She squeezed her eyes shut to clear her mind, and breathed as she sighted down the shaft again.
Please hit!
Within that narrow stretch of time a number of things happened.
Inuyasha broke free of Sango's grasp and rushed towards the demon sword drawn, despite he would not reach his destination in time.
Miroku cried out as the demon latched hold of him with what could've been its hand. A concentrated pain soon enveloped his left arm spreading quickly throughout his body, and he tried desperately to release himself from the wreathing mass as it seared into his flesh.
The arrow hissed through the air and made its connection with the target, the fruits of that small victory rent the air in the form of agonizing screams. Then time stood still.
Miroku watched in a daze as his former attacker dissipated before him, the usual reaction that came with Kagome's purifying arrows, and remembered nothing more than a faint voice screaming his name. Then darkness enveloped him in a dreamless sleep.
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Sango watched as things moved at a snails pace, and thought she heard Kagome screaming Miroku's name. That scream wasn't Kagome's, but came from her voice as she dashed to his side.
"M-Miroku," she said in a hushed voice as she reached his still form.
She stiffened slightly as he didn't respond, and shook him gently as the others congregated.
"Ah my gosh he's dead!" Shippo wailed gripping his head in frustration, "what do we do, what do we do! He's going to come and haunt us I just know it!!"
"What you can do is quit that infernal racket!" Inuyasha barked silencing the kitsune with an added glare, and winced as his outburst upset the wounds taken by the battle with their odd adversary.
Kagome shook her head and scampered off to dig in her overly-sized bag in the distance, her companion's eyes following in confusion as she went.
"Where the hell is she going?" Inuyasha remarked raising an eyebrow.
"You think she'll revive him with a Shikon Shard?" Shippo asked hopefully, and in return was rewarded with a sound smack over the head. "Ow, what was that for!?"
"Baka! Why in the seven hells would she do something stupid like that?! Let the dead rest for crying out loud!"
"SIT!"
*THUD*
"Gee Inuyasha," Kagome glared at the imprint in the ground. "I had no idea you had so much respect for people, I should give you a medal." She said sarcastically approaching the still form of the monk, a mirror clutched in her hand. She turned to Sango with a smile and knelt down next to her.
"Don't worry I'm sure he's fine Sango but just to be sure," she said to her an astonished look on the exterminators face.
Sango looked down at the monk and flinched turning a deep shade of red. Through all the turmoil she hadn't noticed that she'd drawn his body towards her, and was cradled his head as if he'd disappear without physical contact. Temporarily losing her gift of speech, she pulled away from him quickly and knelt next to Kagome, still trying to grasp exactly how that happened.
Kagome shrugged holding the mirror near his face holding her breath, and relaxed as its surface misted slightly.
"Good," she sighed in relief. "He's still breathing, barely, but it's better than nothing. But if we don't get him somewhere to treat his wounds, he might not be that way much longer."
Inuyasha was about to make another comment about the still living Miroku, but was silenced by a death-like glare from Kagome. Wasting no time at all, they were on their way to Kaede's residence; Inuyasha bearing Miroku, Kirara bearing Kagome Sango and Shippo. The speed at which they traveled continued to agitate Sango, and she looked over towards Inuyasha periodically.
What's wrong with me? Why am I so worried all of a sudden? Could it be that I really am worried about him...
She brushed the thought from her mind for now, and kept her eyes focused on their destination as the village came into view.
Upon reaching the desired residence Inuyasha called out for Kaede, making it sound more like an order than a request for assistance.
"I bet he couldn't ask for something nicely even if his life depended on it," Shippo whispered to Kagome, who snickered quietly. The hanyou of discussion twitched an ear in their direction, but paid no attention to the conversation as the old woman emerged.
"I could have guessed it was ye. Thy voice is unmistakably harsh," she said carrying a satchel under her arm, its contents appeared to be from a previous healing appointment.
"Yeah, yeah whatever old woman," Inuyasha remarked in his usual gruff tone. "Look, we were fighting off another demon and I think it did something to the monk before it died. He's looking a little on the lifeless side."
Kaede motioned to a fresh mat in the far corner of the next room, and Inuyasha strolled over towards it followed by the usual assembly. He proceeded to drop Miroku's body to the floor, looked over and got a slightly pale expression, then set him down gently as if he were the most fragile thing in the universe. Sango raised an eyebrow at Kagome.
Wish I had that same control on people as she does, it would certainly save me the time and energy.
"This shall take but a minute," Kaede said eyeing the sprawled form and knelt sifting through the satchels contents.
The crowd filled out slowly, Sango being the last to leave as she stole a glance at the monk. Upon exiting a small gathering had collected outside Kaede's hut at the sudden commotion, and was immediately dispersed as the dog-demon emerged and leaned against the weather beaten wood.
Shippo contented himself with sitting on the ground with Kirara, and Kagome sat alongside him to distract her worries as Inuyasha watched her absently. Sango seemed to be the only one fraught with anxiety and tried to display this as little as possible. She still couldn't believe she was so worked up over this, things like this happened to them all the time, whether it be Miroku or another member of the group.
Just calm down Sango, Kaede said it wouldn't take long so there's nothing to worry about...right?
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Minutes turned to hours, and Sango's patience was beginning to wear thin. Not only her but Inuyasha, not the best example of patience, had taken to pacing like a caged animal. Shippo had long ago retired to sleep, and now Kagome threatened to follow suit.
What's taking so long?! It's gotten far too late already, what could possibly take this long!
As if her thoughts had been answered, Kaede pushed back the worn rush screen, with a grim look touching her features. She raised a hand at any questions that were to be asked of her, and motioned for them to be silent and follow her inside.
"Come we should discuss this matter seated."
Sango was overcome by a sickened feeling, and reluctantly crept inside bringing up the rear.
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Akida- Well that certainly was interesting! *sarcasm, sarcasm*. I probably put a few of you to sleep with this chapter, I'm still recovering so that maybe where some of the dullness is coming from. Now for those that are still awake, please review for Akida and suggestions are more than welcome!