I wrote this in 3 days!!! o.o!! I'm absolutely SHOCKED! I NEVER write that quickly!!! AND it's another long chappie!! ::grins:: Oh yeah, baby. Tessen's on a roll. V^_~
Well minna, this is To Be With You Tomorrow's first birthday!!! YAY!!!! A year ago today I posted chapter one and began this little journey! We've come a long way, and only a few more chapters to go before the conclusion! In honor of today (I'm REALLY happy, forgive me) I've drawn a huge group piccie, posted on DA~ It includes some characters Ive toyed around with but never actually drawn, like Naraku and Uramiko. ^_^ So please check it out if you're so inclined~
Anyway, onto the chapter!
Disclaimer: Inuyasha wo shoyuu shitenai ze. Ba~~ka. ^_~V
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To Be With You Tomorrow
Part Ten:: Naraku's Soul
Chapter Forty-Three :: Soul Energy
"Kikyou-sama!"
Kikyou looked up at the young voice calling her, and she set aside her task to greet the child. The boy presented her with a bundle of herbs and flowers, and Kikyou smiled gratefully. "Thank you Rikyuu-kun. You've been a great help to me."
The boy promptly gushed with delight, his plump face flushing with pride. Kikyou had taken to this village shortly after her last encounter with Inuyasha. It was a village that had been through three wars in the past few months alone, and wracked with the sick and elderly, as well as numerous orphans.
Kikyou, as she had in the days of her short life, was village healer and playmate for the children. Rikyuu, one of the younger orphans at only five years of age, had grown especially attached to her. His elder sister often commented herself that Kikyou reminded her of their dead mother, and Kikyou knew that Rikyuu looked up to her as such.
She didn't mind; she adored children, and Rikyuu in particular was quick to volunteer his help with anything, whether it be carting firewood, fetching water or gathering herbs. Albeit he was a small boy and could only do so much, Kikyou loved his spirit and his never-ending barrage of grins and smiles.
He rather reminded her of someone she used to love…
I have told you time and time again that I'm going to take you to Hell with me. That when you die, it will be my hand that sends you. That has not changed. I swear I will kill you Inuyasha. You and I will descend to Hell together. For all the times you couldn't trust me before, you can trust me on that.
*I meant it,* she told herself. *He may not have been the one who took my life all those years ago, but he betrayed me. He loves another. While his life belongs to me!*
"Kikyou-sama??" The miko looked up at Rikyuu's confused gaze. "Whassa matter?"
She smiled, patting his hair. "Nothing, Rikyuu-kun. I'm alright. Let's go and look for more herbs, shall we?" The child nodded vigorously and she stood, leading him back towards the village by the hand.
The sound of running feet and panicked cries drew both of their faces up, and with a confused expression Rikyuu moved behind Kikyou, as the miko herself stepped forward, turning her own puzzled expression on the others. "What is happening?"
One of the village men pointed for clarification. "Youkai have broken loose across the province!"
Kikyou turned, narrowing her eyes. A swarm of lower youkai, insects, reptiles and oni alike, were flying west, at a speed which worried the miko. It was an attack speed, and the jyaki and pure hatred emanating from the group verified this easily.
What worried her more however was that youkai on a rampage stopped to destroy and kill wherever they saw life. The panicked villagers in this tiny place had not fear to for their lives, because in an instant the swarm was gone, having passed them over without so much as a second glance.
*They are being drawn somewhere,* Kikyou realized, *In that direction is Uramiko's shrine. Something has happened.*
"Rikyuu-kun, you stay here with the other children. I will return shortly." The boy's face twisted in worry. "But, Kikyou-sama!!"
Kikyou took the horse brought to her, tightening the strap of her quiver over her clothes before mounting. She looked down at Rikyuu as his sister pulled him away from the horse. "Listen to me now," Kikyou commanded, "I must see to this matter. Behave yourself." The stern face was replaced by a soft smile, "I promise I will come back." And then she dug her heels in and the horse whinnied in protest, taking off to the west.
As she rode, Kikyou recognized the growing jyaki from Uramiko's shrine. Her teeth grit involuntarily. *So she's brought him back, has she…?*
~*~
"Naraku."
Miroku spat the name with distaste, as if the simple feel of it on his lips made him want to vomit. Kohaku, at his side, glared upon his former captor with a hatred far too great for one his age, and Sango reached down, rubbing her brother's hair reassuringly, but never taking her eyes off their hated enemy.
Naraku seemed a little dazed, sluggish, unable to coordinate. Yet he still managed a wicked grin. The demon said nothing as he staggered to his feet, lifting his head and leveling his glare on Inuyasha and Kagome.
His eyes widened in shock at seeing Kagome, and his upper lip curled with disgust. His feelings were clear to all: he had killed this woman, and yet there she stood before him. But he said nothing to her; after his vile greeting to Inuyasha he had kept quiet, and it irritated the miko.
Uramiko came to his side. "Attack them. It will do you good to get your strength up until she comes." The gumi frowned slightly at the demon miko's emphasis on "she." Who were they waiting for? Before they had much chance to ponder it either way, the mute Naraku nodded once and turned his smirk on them.
"You think I'll let you get up any strength?!" Kagome demanded, notching an arrow. With a twang! of the bowstring she let the arrow fly, straight towards Naraku's heart. Without even moving, Naraku lifted his hand, his palm centering on Torou, who stood watching halfway across the room.
In the half-seconds it took the arrow to cover the short distance between Kagome's bow and Naraku, the demon had pulled up Torou as a shield. The arrow slammed the young man in the heart and he let out a pained gasp as his body disintegrated. The gumi reeled.
*He may be disoriented, but.. he's still strong… He didn't even move!*
"Dammit," Inuyasha cursed from her side, forcing himself to his feet. Kagome grasped his hand. "Inuyasha?? You can stand?"
"Yeah, I'm okay," he said, but Kagome could see sweat breaking out on his forehead. She swallowed, standing also and drawing another arrow, preparing to fire. His unspoken meaning was, of course, correct: that they had to fight here and now. But she couldn't help but wonder what was hurting him so. He wasn't really wounded badly, but he looked pale. His skin seemed a softer shade of tan than usual.
"We killed him once before," Sango said, drawing her blade, as Hiraikotsu was still in the wall behind Kagura. "We can do it again."
"By all means, do it," Uramiko said, holding out her hand as if welcoming them to her master. She turned to Naraku and bowed. "Naraku-sama."
He praised her with a glance, still refusing to speak. And the old woman hobbled off the steps, pulling Kagura and Kanna away. As the battle began, Kagura frowned. "Won't he need our help, he doesn't have a soul. How will he be able to fight if he's just a mindless doll?" The demon miko didn't respond for a moment; she was inspecting the table that Naraku had risen from.
After a few seconds, she made a soft noise of delight, plucking something from the table and examining it. It was a tiny crystal shard, left lying in a small heap of the ashes from the burned herbs. Its color was a deep bloody red. Uramiko admired it for a moment, visibly pleased with it.
Kagura narrowed her eyes, annoyed. "Hey, I'm talking to you." This time, Uramiko turned back, looking over the enemies. Inuyasha had charged, leading the attack. Miroku and Sango followed suit, with Kagome taking stance by the kits and firing off arrows.
Naraku had transformed into his youkai state. Slime dripped from pustules and crevices. Tentacles whipped and lashed at his attackers. When cut or damaged they quickly regrew and healed. Uramiko shook her head, her fangs baring with a wide smile. "No. Naraku-sama will be able to kill them very easily. Especially with Inuyasha in such a state."
~*~
Inuyasha let out a loud battle cry as he rushed forward, bringing Tessaiga down through Naraku's tentacles. The youkai snorted, unimpressed, and swung a large blue tentacle in the hanyou's direction, catching him in the midsection. Inuyasha flew through the air, landing badly across the room.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome spared him a quick glance, notching another arrow and firing at Naraku's base. The arrow hit, but with little damage, and it healed quickly. Sparing another second, she looked again to Inuyasha, who hadn't yet recovered. She nudged Kirara. "Please go check on him," and the big cat gave a snort of understanding before bounding over.
The hanyou was unconscious, and Kirara nuzzled his face, licking at the top of his head in an attempt to rouse him. Relief filled her when the hanyou opened his eyes, and she bent down a little, allowing him to clutch at her fur and pull himself up.
Inuyasha cursed softly, leaning heavily against Kirara. "What the hell is the matter with you," Tama demanded, and her brother shook his head. "I don't know," he panted, "My body doesn't work…"
"Well, you'd better fucking make it work. I heard that bitch talking about him; he's like a kugutsu in this form, he doesn't have a soul." At his sister's words, Inuyasha looked up, eyes narrowed. "What?"
Tama nodded. "Uramiko either wasn't able to reincarnate his soul or something of the sort, he doesn't have one. And if he's this strong without it, imagine what he could be with it. And I'm willing to bet that whoever the hell they're waiting on has it." Inuyasha nodded, finally catching his second wind. "Me too," he replied, taking the hand she offered as support.
Kirara also braced him, allowing him to lean on her, and he lifted his eyes, looking Tama in the eyes. There was something he wasn't saying aloud, something he wasn't telling her. The first hint of concern glinted in the eyes that mirrored his own, the eyes that could read him so well. He pushed himself up and away from her piercing gaze, shrugging off her concern and stumbling past her without a word.
Tama stared at where he had been long after he'd gone back to the battle. Her gut had been tugging at her since Uramiko had taken him, telling her something was wrong, more wrong than it seemed. But now it was obvious. One look at Inuyasha and it was clear he wasn't fit for fighting.
But no matter how hard she tried to discern the problem, to seek out what was causing him pain, she wasn't able. She turned back, watching him. He had taken to trying to stay in one spot as long as he could, throwing one Kaze no Kizu after another. When Naraku finally got tired of the thorn in that side, he would lash out and Inuyasha would move. But his movements were limited, and it was clear as daylight to Tama's eyes that he was limiting himself.
*What's wrong… It's there; you just have to see it. Look for it, Tama, you idiot…*
~*~
The uninterrupted sound of thudding feet rang out through the trees, indicating a large beast of burden nearby. Underneath the canopy, broken shadows and filtered sunlight fell on a raven-haired child as she led her demon pet. A pitiful expression have taken over her cute face; she walked with her mouth twisted in a bored grimace.
Ahead of her, her demon companions walked on; one silent, the other… not. Jaken was near driven mad and complaining the entire journey. He had had enough of her-- first talking about butterflies for over three hours and then ruining quite possibly the best story ever (he had told her the story about when Sesshoumaru had fought Inuyasha, and the child kept interrupting to embellish the details, like how beautiful Sesshoumaru-sama was.)
*Rin can't help herself,* the girl considered, *Jaken-sama is too boring.* She looked up at the two, contemplating in her little girl head how all this had worked out. Had this very trek taken place a few months ago, when she and her demon caretakers had first come upon each other, Rin would have stood in awe at how Sesshoumaru-sama could stand to put up with her and Jaken's constant bickering and ceaseless noise-making. But now she was used to his quiet, patient nature. The only things she pondered these days were if he actually listened to them or simply tuned them out.
She sighed again, a short, aggravated sound. "Rin is bored," she announced, "Jaken-sama, let's do tongue twisters now." Without turning around, the toad replied, "Excuse me?" Rin, realizing he was trying to evade her, was undeterred. "Here goes! Sumomo mo momo, momo mo momo, sumomo mo momo mo momo no uchi!"
"Sumomo mo momo, momo mo momo, sumomo mo momo mo momo no uchi," he replied monotonously. Rin blinked twice, her mouth opening slightly in surprise. "Jaken-sama, you're good at this… Do another one. Uraniwa niwa niwa niwa niwa niwa niwatori ga iru!"
"I'm not doing it again."
"Jaken-sama, you're so boring."
What that, the girl gave up, pouting slightly. Finally she looked up at the white lord who for the most part hadn't said anything. Ever since they had left that woman's side they had been walking, and he had stayed silent. His wounds had healed quickly and although Rin noticed his one arm and a part of his neck still held a ruddy red color of burned skin, Sesshoumaru was otherwise fine.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, where are we going?" she asked, and Sesshoumaru replied in his usual fashion, not turning to grace her with a glance. "I have business to see to in the country of Musashi."
"We are going to Uramiko's, sir?" Jaken asked, and Sesshoumaru grunted an affirmative. Jaken narrowed his beady eyes. What had Sesshoumaru-sama to do with that deceitful wench? Perhaps his lord had finally decided to simply kill her. She was becoming a nuisance of late, but Sesshoumaru had no grudge against the youkai miko, nor was it in his nature to actively seek out random youkai for pleasure-killing.
Killing them when they crossed his path in a bad mood however was frequent, and Jaken already knew his lord was rather temperamental today. That Genrou creature had irritated him to no end by attacking and eventually wounding him. It was because of the inu-youkai lord's current disposition that the toad-servant also refused to ask why they were seeking out the miko.
*Either way,* the toadie muttered, brushing aside his thoughts. *Good riddance to bad rubbish.*
~*~
Miroku lifted his shakujou defensively, catching one of Naraku's tentacles as it shot towards him, and he swung it down, tearing through the slimy, pulsing flesh. The appendage slithered back, like a wounded animal trying to escape, and Miroku took the opportunity to cast o-fuda his way.
They did little damage, fizzling on the surface of the skin, but Naraku turned his attack towards the houshi. Determined to make some damage while he was distracted, Sango dove in and began hacking away at the main body. Kagome fired three arrows, all of them disintegrating tentacles, but no purification was made to the main body. Naraku simply grinned at her as he swung at Sango, throwing the taijiya girl aside.
Uramiko stood at the altar, gingerly rubbing the crystal shard she had taken from the table. All the while, she watched Inuyasha, who was not only not faring well, but getting worse. His chest heaved as he struggled to breathe, sweat poured off his frame as he pushed his body far too hard. She smirked.
*Only a little more, and…*
His knees buckled.
"Inuyasha!"
Kagome, mind and body focused on the fight, spun when Tama cried out, her eyes wide with apprehension at what she would find. Across the room, Inuyasha lie in a heap, not moving. An icy feeling took her heart like a vice and squeezed. "Miroku-sama, Sango-chan, could you please--"
"Yes, Kagome-sama!"
She nodded her thanks and jogged the length of the room, kneeling next to Inuyasha. Her breath caught in throat when she saw him. His long hair was in black swirls around his pallid face, and his dog ears had shifted to their human form. His hands grasped Tessaiga's hilt loosely, the blade having turned back to its rusted form, and his slender fingers ended with short, very human nails.
*He's.. turned human!* Kagome observed, horrified. *But how…?! The next new moon is at least two weeks away~* She gently shook him. "Inuyasha..??"
Weak brown eyes slid open and Kagome's mouth relaxed from the tight frown she'd been wearing since that moment, what seemed like hours ago now, when Uramiko had appeared and snatched him away from her. Dusky shadows were etched underneath his eyes, as if he'd slept too little, and his eyes were unfocussed. "Kagome.."
"Inuyasha, what's happened to you??"
His head made a short feeble motion that Kagome perceived as a shake, and his voice was quiet. "My youkai powers… started disappearing after.. I turned back into a hanyou." He winced, and his face went slack, falling towards the much desirable tranquility of slumber. "I'm so tired…"
"Inuyasha, you can't go to sleep, we need you!! Try to stay awake!" she coaxed, cupping his face. He was already asleep though, and Kagome didn't need anyone to tell her it was unnatural. His skin held less warmth than usual, less color; his breaths were ragged and strained. Without realizing when, she noticed that Tama, still seated on Kirara, was by her.
"His youryoku is being drained." Kagome looked up at the other hanyou. "How? What's doing this to him?"
"It's probably a spell, considering how we're in the presence of a youkai miko who's well-trained in the dark arts. You know how Naraku was a little disoriented when he first woke up, and slowly he's been gathering power while Inuyasha was crumbling…" Tama glanced towards the fight. "I think that Uramiko bitch has linked them. She's draining Inuyasha and sending it to Naraku."
"That's…"
Tama interjected, "It's the only thing I can think of." Kagome bit her lip, her fingers slowly twisting themselves into Inuyasha's black hair as she quickly contemplated the possibility --and probability-- of that very idea. And the probability that Inuyasha could die if things went on this way. She looked down at him, brushing his hair from his face. Then she bent, pressing a quick kiss onto his forehead.
"I promise I'll be right back," she said aloud to the sleeping human boy. Then she stood, slipping onto Kirara's back in front of Tama. "Kirara, go right over Uramiko!!"
The cat nodded in agreement, taking flight as she did so and charging the priestess. Kagome's fingers tightened on the end of her arrow, and she closed her eyes, swallowing reflexively as she allowed all things in her mind to fall away.
It was more difficult to do than to say she would; between Naraku's return and worrying about Inuyasha, trying to use her miko powers to search out the thing used to link her hanyou and their enemy was like trying to find a needle in a haystack while blindfolded.
In the darkness of her mind, she could see them all. The kits, bright blue lights darting back and forth. Kohaku, a wavering white light, trying to remain brave. Miroku and Sango, two exceptionally bright white stars linked together by red. And Inuyasha, his own light flickering as his life's energy was drained from him.
And then there was Naraku, with his dark energy overflowing the room. He was a black hole, sucking everything in to make up for the lack of soul. That surprised her, that Uramiko had not pulled in the demon's soul.
Uramiko! She saw the witch, her soul colored a bloody red, filled with malice and spite. Looking closer, Kagome finally found what she was looking for. A thin translucent cord, tied between Inuyasha's body and Naraku's. Both strings held in Uramiko's hand, and Kagome's eyes snapped open.
"THERE!"
The arrow flew straight and true, catching the youkai miko off guard and going straight through her palm. She cried out, her hand crumbling like pieces of dried-out bread, the dust that had once been skin and muscle falling to the floor with Kagome's arrow.
The crystal shard she'd held shattered with her hand.
The woman staggered back, still shrieking, pulling her now handless arm up to her chest. Kirara dropped down to the floor again, a few strands of fur getting snicked off as she dodged the wind blades Kagura had thrown in Uramiko's defense.
For a moment the battle seemed to pause as Naraku faltered, his eyes going wide. Then the tentacles dropped to the floor heavily, and his arms sagged at his sides. The drowsy, blank look reappeared and all movements stopped.
Kagome watched as the demon attempted to move, but only a feeble twitch of his hands occurred. Satisfied, the young miko went back to Inuyasha, taking his hand in hers. A relieved smile split her face as his hair returned to its usual silver, and his dog ears sprang up obediently. His eyes opened almost immediately, and the weakness from before was gone.
"Kagome," he wondered, sitting up easily. She squeezed his hand, the smile refusing to go away even though she knew he was okay. He spared his koishii a grin before getting to his feet and glaring in Uramiko's direction. Standing behind Kagura, the witch seethed, fury emanating off her body as if it were a stench.
Inuyasha was even angrier. "You bitch. You shouldn't have fucked around." In a flash of gold light, Tessaiga transformed, and the hanyou's grip on it tightened. Tama grinned at him. "Hey Inuyasha, why don't you use the--"
SLAM!
The doors to the dojo swung open, slamming into the wall for the third time that day. All attention turned on it, and both sides, good and evil, paled at the sight of the person standing in the doorway.
"Ki.. Kikyou," Kagome uttered, and Uramiko's wicked smirk widened. "Kikyou."
~*~ To be continued ~*~
a/n :: lol I love tongue twisters. The twister Rin pulls on Jaken in episode 133-134 is my favorite but I didn't wanna reuse that one. "Akajaken aojaken kijaken" which means "Red Jaken, Blue Jaken, Gold Jaken." Hearing Rin and Jaken go at it is freaking hilarious. (she's so fast, too. I get to "aojaken" and have to slow down or otherwise "kijaken" comes out jijaken or kikaken… Course, that would be why it's called a tongue twister…) I suck at twisters, both in English or Japanese… ^^;;
Sumomo mo momo, momo mo momo, sumomo mo momo mo momo no uchi = A Japanese plum is a kind of peach, a peach is also a peach, both Japanese plum and peach are kinds of peaches.
Uraniwa niwa niwa niwa niwa niwa niwatori ga iru = There are two chickens in the back yard and two in the front yard.
OKAY~ You get long chappie, I get reviews, we all be happy! ^_^ …Please?
~*~ V^-^V ~*~
~Tessen
Well minna, this is To Be With You Tomorrow's first birthday!!! YAY!!!! A year ago today I posted chapter one and began this little journey! We've come a long way, and only a few more chapters to go before the conclusion! In honor of today (I'm REALLY happy, forgive me) I've drawn a huge group piccie, posted on DA~ It includes some characters Ive toyed around with but never actually drawn, like Naraku and Uramiko. ^_^ So please check it out if you're so inclined~
Anyway, onto the chapter!
Disclaimer: Inuyasha wo shoyuu shitenai ze. Ba~~ka. ^_~V
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To Be With You Tomorrow
Part Ten:: Naraku's Soul
Chapter Forty-Three :: Soul Energy
"Kikyou-sama!"
Kikyou looked up at the young voice calling her, and she set aside her task to greet the child. The boy presented her with a bundle of herbs and flowers, and Kikyou smiled gratefully. "Thank you Rikyuu-kun. You've been a great help to me."
The boy promptly gushed with delight, his plump face flushing with pride. Kikyou had taken to this village shortly after her last encounter with Inuyasha. It was a village that had been through three wars in the past few months alone, and wracked with the sick and elderly, as well as numerous orphans.
Kikyou, as she had in the days of her short life, was village healer and playmate for the children. Rikyuu, one of the younger orphans at only five years of age, had grown especially attached to her. His elder sister often commented herself that Kikyou reminded her of their dead mother, and Kikyou knew that Rikyuu looked up to her as such.
She didn't mind; she adored children, and Rikyuu in particular was quick to volunteer his help with anything, whether it be carting firewood, fetching water or gathering herbs. Albeit he was a small boy and could only do so much, Kikyou loved his spirit and his never-ending barrage of grins and smiles.
He rather reminded her of someone she used to love…
I have told you time and time again that I'm going to take you to Hell with me. That when you die, it will be my hand that sends you. That has not changed. I swear I will kill you Inuyasha. You and I will descend to Hell together. For all the times you couldn't trust me before, you can trust me on that.
*I meant it,* she told herself. *He may not have been the one who took my life all those years ago, but he betrayed me. He loves another. While his life belongs to me!*
"Kikyou-sama??" The miko looked up at Rikyuu's confused gaze. "Whassa matter?"
She smiled, patting his hair. "Nothing, Rikyuu-kun. I'm alright. Let's go and look for more herbs, shall we?" The child nodded vigorously and she stood, leading him back towards the village by the hand.
The sound of running feet and panicked cries drew both of their faces up, and with a confused expression Rikyuu moved behind Kikyou, as the miko herself stepped forward, turning her own puzzled expression on the others. "What is happening?"
One of the village men pointed for clarification. "Youkai have broken loose across the province!"
Kikyou turned, narrowing her eyes. A swarm of lower youkai, insects, reptiles and oni alike, were flying west, at a speed which worried the miko. It was an attack speed, and the jyaki and pure hatred emanating from the group verified this easily.
What worried her more however was that youkai on a rampage stopped to destroy and kill wherever they saw life. The panicked villagers in this tiny place had not fear to for their lives, because in an instant the swarm was gone, having passed them over without so much as a second glance.
*They are being drawn somewhere,* Kikyou realized, *In that direction is Uramiko's shrine. Something has happened.*
"Rikyuu-kun, you stay here with the other children. I will return shortly." The boy's face twisted in worry. "But, Kikyou-sama!!"
Kikyou took the horse brought to her, tightening the strap of her quiver over her clothes before mounting. She looked down at Rikyuu as his sister pulled him away from the horse. "Listen to me now," Kikyou commanded, "I must see to this matter. Behave yourself." The stern face was replaced by a soft smile, "I promise I will come back." And then she dug her heels in and the horse whinnied in protest, taking off to the west.
As she rode, Kikyou recognized the growing jyaki from Uramiko's shrine. Her teeth grit involuntarily. *So she's brought him back, has she…?*
~*~
"Naraku."
Miroku spat the name with distaste, as if the simple feel of it on his lips made him want to vomit. Kohaku, at his side, glared upon his former captor with a hatred far too great for one his age, and Sango reached down, rubbing her brother's hair reassuringly, but never taking her eyes off their hated enemy.
Naraku seemed a little dazed, sluggish, unable to coordinate. Yet he still managed a wicked grin. The demon said nothing as he staggered to his feet, lifting his head and leveling his glare on Inuyasha and Kagome.
His eyes widened in shock at seeing Kagome, and his upper lip curled with disgust. His feelings were clear to all: he had killed this woman, and yet there she stood before him. But he said nothing to her; after his vile greeting to Inuyasha he had kept quiet, and it irritated the miko.
Uramiko came to his side. "Attack them. It will do you good to get your strength up until she comes." The gumi frowned slightly at the demon miko's emphasis on "she." Who were they waiting for? Before they had much chance to ponder it either way, the mute Naraku nodded once and turned his smirk on them.
"You think I'll let you get up any strength?!" Kagome demanded, notching an arrow. With a twang! of the bowstring she let the arrow fly, straight towards Naraku's heart. Without even moving, Naraku lifted his hand, his palm centering on Torou, who stood watching halfway across the room.
In the half-seconds it took the arrow to cover the short distance between Kagome's bow and Naraku, the demon had pulled up Torou as a shield. The arrow slammed the young man in the heart and he let out a pained gasp as his body disintegrated. The gumi reeled.
*He may be disoriented, but.. he's still strong… He didn't even move!*
"Dammit," Inuyasha cursed from her side, forcing himself to his feet. Kagome grasped his hand. "Inuyasha?? You can stand?"
"Yeah, I'm okay," he said, but Kagome could see sweat breaking out on his forehead. She swallowed, standing also and drawing another arrow, preparing to fire. His unspoken meaning was, of course, correct: that they had to fight here and now. But she couldn't help but wonder what was hurting him so. He wasn't really wounded badly, but he looked pale. His skin seemed a softer shade of tan than usual.
"We killed him once before," Sango said, drawing her blade, as Hiraikotsu was still in the wall behind Kagura. "We can do it again."
"By all means, do it," Uramiko said, holding out her hand as if welcoming them to her master. She turned to Naraku and bowed. "Naraku-sama."
He praised her with a glance, still refusing to speak. And the old woman hobbled off the steps, pulling Kagura and Kanna away. As the battle began, Kagura frowned. "Won't he need our help, he doesn't have a soul. How will he be able to fight if he's just a mindless doll?" The demon miko didn't respond for a moment; she was inspecting the table that Naraku had risen from.
After a few seconds, she made a soft noise of delight, plucking something from the table and examining it. It was a tiny crystal shard, left lying in a small heap of the ashes from the burned herbs. Its color was a deep bloody red. Uramiko admired it for a moment, visibly pleased with it.
Kagura narrowed her eyes, annoyed. "Hey, I'm talking to you." This time, Uramiko turned back, looking over the enemies. Inuyasha had charged, leading the attack. Miroku and Sango followed suit, with Kagome taking stance by the kits and firing off arrows.
Naraku had transformed into his youkai state. Slime dripped from pustules and crevices. Tentacles whipped and lashed at his attackers. When cut or damaged they quickly regrew and healed. Uramiko shook her head, her fangs baring with a wide smile. "No. Naraku-sama will be able to kill them very easily. Especially with Inuyasha in such a state."
~*~
Inuyasha let out a loud battle cry as he rushed forward, bringing Tessaiga down through Naraku's tentacles. The youkai snorted, unimpressed, and swung a large blue tentacle in the hanyou's direction, catching him in the midsection. Inuyasha flew through the air, landing badly across the room.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome spared him a quick glance, notching another arrow and firing at Naraku's base. The arrow hit, but with little damage, and it healed quickly. Sparing another second, she looked again to Inuyasha, who hadn't yet recovered. She nudged Kirara. "Please go check on him," and the big cat gave a snort of understanding before bounding over.
The hanyou was unconscious, and Kirara nuzzled his face, licking at the top of his head in an attempt to rouse him. Relief filled her when the hanyou opened his eyes, and she bent down a little, allowing him to clutch at her fur and pull himself up.
Inuyasha cursed softly, leaning heavily against Kirara. "What the hell is the matter with you," Tama demanded, and her brother shook his head. "I don't know," he panted, "My body doesn't work…"
"Well, you'd better fucking make it work. I heard that bitch talking about him; he's like a kugutsu in this form, he doesn't have a soul." At his sister's words, Inuyasha looked up, eyes narrowed. "What?"
Tama nodded. "Uramiko either wasn't able to reincarnate his soul or something of the sort, he doesn't have one. And if he's this strong without it, imagine what he could be with it. And I'm willing to bet that whoever the hell they're waiting on has it." Inuyasha nodded, finally catching his second wind. "Me too," he replied, taking the hand she offered as support.
Kirara also braced him, allowing him to lean on her, and he lifted his eyes, looking Tama in the eyes. There was something he wasn't saying aloud, something he wasn't telling her. The first hint of concern glinted in the eyes that mirrored his own, the eyes that could read him so well. He pushed himself up and away from her piercing gaze, shrugging off her concern and stumbling past her without a word.
Tama stared at where he had been long after he'd gone back to the battle. Her gut had been tugging at her since Uramiko had taken him, telling her something was wrong, more wrong than it seemed. But now it was obvious. One look at Inuyasha and it was clear he wasn't fit for fighting.
But no matter how hard she tried to discern the problem, to seek out what was causing him pain, she wasn't able. She turned back, watching him. He had taken to trying to stay in one spot as long as he could, throwing one Kaze no Kizu after another. When Naraku finally got tired of the thorn in that side, he would lash out and Inuyasha would move. But his movements were limited, and it was clear as daylight to Tama's eyes that he was limiting himself.
*What's wrong… It's there; you just have to see it. Look for it, Tama, you idiot…*
~*~
The uninterrupted sound of thudding feet rang out through the trees, indicating a large beast of burden nearby. Underneath the canopy, broken shadows and filtered sunlight fell on a raven-haired child as she led her demon pet. A pitiful expression have taken over her cute face; she walked with her mouth twisted in a bored grimace.
Ahead of her, her demon companions walked on; one silent, the other… not. Jaken was near driven mad and complaining the entire journey. He had had enough of her-- first talking about butterflies for over three hours and then ruining quite possibly the best story ever (he had told her the story about when Sesshoumaru had fought Inuyasha, and the child kept interrupting to embellish the details, like how beautiful Sesshoumaru-sama was.)
*Rin can't help herself,* the girl considered, *Jaken-sama is too boring.* She looked up at the two, contemplating in her little girl head how all this had worked out. Had this very trek taken place a few months ago, when she and her demon caretakers had first come upon each other, Rin would have stood in awe at how Sesshoumaru-sama could stand to put up with her and Jaken's constant bickering and ceaseless noise-making. But now she was used to his quiet, patient nature. The only things she pondered these days were if he actually listened to them or simply tuned them out.
She sighed again, a short, aggravated sound. "Rin is bored," she announced, "Jaken-sama, let's do tongue twisters now." Without turning around, the toad replied, "Excuse me?" Rin, realizing he was trying to evade her, was undeterred. "Here goes! Sumomo mo momo, momo mo momo, sumomo mo momo mo momo no uchi!"
"Sumomo mo momo, momo mo momo, sumomo mo momo mo momo no uchi," he replied monotonously. Rin blinked twice, her mouth opening slightly in surprise. "Jaken-sama, you're good at this… Do another one. Uraniwa niwa niwa niwa niwa niwa niwatori ga iru!"
"I'm not doing it again."
"Jaken-sama, you're so boring."
What that, the girl gave up, pouting slightly. Finally she looked up at the white lord who for the most part hadn't said anything. Ever since they had left that woman's side they had been walking, and he had stayed silent. His wounds had healed quickly and although Rin noticed his one arm and a part of his neck still held a ruddy red color of burned skin, Sesshoumaru was otherwise fine.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, where are we going?" she asked, and Sesshoumaru replied in his usual fashion, not turning to grace her with a glance. "I have business to see to in the country of Musashi."
"We are going to Uramiko's, sir?" Jaken asked, and Sesshoumaru grunted an affirmative. Jaken narrowed his beady eyes. What had Sesshoumaru-sama to do with that deceitful wench? Perhaps his lord had finally decided to simply kill her. She was becoming a nuisance of late, but Sesshoumaru had no grudge against the youkai miko, nor was it in his nature to actively seek out random youkai for pleasure-killing.
Killing them when they crossed his path in a bad mood however was frequent, and Jaken already knew his lord was rather temperamental today. That Genrou creature had irritated him to no end by attacking and eventually wounding him. It was because of the inu-youkai lord's current disposition that the toad-servant also refused to ask why they were seeking out the miko.
*Either way,* the toadie muttered, brushing aside his thoughts. *Good riddance to bad rubbish.*
~*~
Miroku lifted his shakujou defensively, catching one of Naraku's tentacles as it shot towards him, and he swung it down, tearing through the slimy, pulsing flesh. The appendage slithered back, like a wounded animal trying to escape, and Miroku took the opportunity to cast o-fuda his way.
They did little damage, fizzling on the surface of the skin, but Naraku turned his attack towards the houshi. Determined to make some damage while he was distracted, Sango dove in and began hacking away at the main body. Kagome fired three arrows, all of them disintegrating tentacles, but no purification was made to the main body. Naraku simply grinned at her as he swung at Sango, throwing the taijiya girl aside.
Uramiko stood at the altar, gingerly rubbing the crystal shard she had taken from the table. All the while, she watched Inuyasha, who was not only not faring well, but getting worse. His chest heaved as he struggled to breathe, sweat poured off his frame as he pushed his body far too hard. She smirked.
*Only a little more, and…*
His knees buckled.
"Inuyasha!"
Kagome, mind and body focused on the fight, spun when Tama cried out, her eyes wide with apprehension at what she would find. Across the room, Inuyasha lie in a heap, not moving. An icy feeling took her heart like a vice and squeezed. "Miroku-sama, Sango-chan, could you please--"
"Yes, Kagome-sama!"
She nodded her thanks and jogged the length of the room, kneeling next to Inuyasha. Her breath caught in throat when she saw him. His long hair was in black swirls around his pallid face, and his dog ears had shifted to their human form. His hands grasped Tessaiga's hilt loosely, the blade having turned back to its rusted form, and his slender fingers ended with short, very human nails.
*He's.. turned human!* Kagome observed, horrified. *But how…?! The next new moon is at least two weeks away~* She gently shook him. "Inuyasha..??"
Weak brown eyes slid open and Kagome's mouth relaxed from the tight frown she'd been wearing since that moment, what seemed like hours ago now, when Uramiko had appeared and snatched him away from her. Dusky shadows were etched underneath his eyes, as if he'd slept too little, and his eyes were unfocussed. "Kagome.."
"Inuyasha, what's happened to you??"
His head made a short feeble motion that Kagome perceived as a shake, and his voice was quiet. "My youkai powers… started disappearing after.. I turned back into a hanyou." He winced, and his face went slack, falling towards the much desirable tranquility of slumber. "I'm so tired…"
"Inuyasha, you can't go to sleep, we need you!! Try to stay awake!" she coaxed, cupping his face. He was already asleep though, and Kagome didn't need anyone to tell her it was unnatural. His skin held less warmth than usual, less color; his breaths were ragged and strained. Without realizing when, she noticed that Tama, still seated on Kirara, was by her.
"His youryoku is being drained." Kagome looked up at the other hanyou. "How? What's doing this to him?"
"It's probably a spell, considering how we're in the presence of a youkai miko who's well-trained in the dark arts. You know how Naraku was a little disoriented when he first woke up, and slowly he's been gathering power while Inuyasha was crumbling…" Tama glanced towards the fight. "I think that Uramiko bitch has linked them. She's draining Inuyasha and sending it to Naraku."
"That's…"
Tama interjected, "It's the only thing I can think of." Kagome bit her lip, her fingers slowly twisting themselves into Inuyasha's black hair as she quickly contemplated the possibility --and probability-- of that very idea. And the probability that Inuyasha could die if things went on this way. She looked down at him, brushing his hair from his face. Then she bent, pressing a quick kiss onto his forehead.
"I promise I'll be right back," she said aloud to the sleeping human boy. Then she stood, slipping onto Kirara's back in front of Tama. "Kirara, go right over Uramiko!!"
The cat nodded in agreement, taking flight as she did so and charging the priestess. Kagome's fingers tightened on the end of her arrow, and she closed her eyes, swallowing reflexively as she allowed all things in her mind to fall away.
It was more difficult to do than to say she would; between Naraku's return and worrying about Inuyasha, trying to use her miko powers to search out the thing used to link her hanyou and their enemy was like trying to find a needle in a haystack while blindfolded.
In the darkness of her mind, she could see them all. The kits, bright blue lights darting back and forth. Kohaku, a wavering white light, trying to remain brave. Miroku and Sango, two exceptionally bright white stars linked together by red. And Inuyasha, his own light flickering as his life's energy was drained from him.
And then there was Naraku, with his dark energy overflowing the room. He was a black hole, sucking everything in to make up for the lack of soul. That surprised her, that Uramiko had not pulled in the demon's soul.
Uramiko! She saw the witch, her soul colored a bloody red, filled with malice and spite. Looking closer, Kagome finally found what she was looking for. A thin translucent cord, tied between Inuyasha's body and Naraku's. Both strings held in Uramiko's hand, and Kagome's eyes snapped open.
"THERE!"
The arrow flew straight and true, catching the youkai miko off guard and going straight through her palm. She cried out, her hand crumbling like pieces of dried-out bread, the dust that had once been skin and muscle falling to the floor with Kagome's arrow.
The crystal shard she'd held shattered with her hand.
The woman staggered back, still shrieking, pulling her now handless arm up to her chest. Kirara dropped down to the floor again, a few strands of fur getting snicked off as she dodged the wind blades Kagura had thrown in Uramiko's defense.
For a moment the battle seemed to pause as Naraku faltered, his eyes going wide. Then the tentacles dropped to the floor heavily, and his arms sagged at his sides. The drowsy, blank look reappeared and all movements stopped.
Kagome watched as the demon attempted to move, but only a feeble twitch of his hands occurred. Satisfied, the young miko went back to Inuyasha, taking his hand in hers. A relieved smile split her face as his hair returned to its usual silver, and his dog ears sprang up obediently. His eyes opened almost immediately, and the weakness from before was gone.
"Kagome," he wondered, sitting up easily. She squeezed his hand, the smile refusing to go away even though she knew he was okay. He spared his koishii a grin before getting to his feet and glaring in Uramiko's direction. Standing behind Kagura, the witch seethed, fury emanating off her body as if it were a stench.
Inuyasha was even angrier. "You bitch. You shouldn't have fucked around." In a flash of gold light, Tessaiga transformed, and the hanyou's grip on it tightened. Tama grinned at him. "Hey Inuyasha, why don't you use the--"
SLAM!
The doors to the dojo swung open, slamming into the wall for the third time that day. All attention turned on it, and both sides, good and evil, paled at the sight of the person standing in the doorway.
"Ki.. Kikyou," Kagome uttered, and Uramiko's wicked smirk widened. "Kikyou."
~*~ To be continued ~*~
a/n :: lol I love tongue twisters. The twister Rin pulls on Jaken in episode 133-134 is my favorite but I didn't wanna reuse that one. "Akajaken aojaken kijaken" which means "Red Jaken, Blue Jaken, Gold Jaken." Hearing Rin and Jaken go at it is freaking hilarious. (she's so fast, too. I get to "aojaken" and have to slow down or otherwise "kijaken" comes out jijaken or kikaken… Course, that would be why it's called a tongue twister…) I suck at twisters, both in English or Japanese… ^^;;
Sumomo mo momo, momo mo momo, sumomo mo momo mo momo no uchi = A Japanese plum is a kind of peach, a peach is also a peach, both Japanese plum and peach are kinds of peaches.
Uraniwa niwa niwa niwa niwa niwa niwatori ga iru = There are two chickens in the back yard and two in the front yard.
OKAY~ You get long chappie, I get reviews, we all be happy! ^_^ …Please?
~*~ V^-^V ~*~
~Tessen