Okay, just to say, I plan on making this chapter a little longer than usual. I will introduce two new attacks and a new sword that some of you may not have heard of yet. The sword is Souunga (Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's father's third and seemingly most powerful sword. It took the combined power of tetsusaiga and tenseiga to stop the sword in the third movie). The sword's attack is the Gokuryuuha (can't remember if ryuuha has one "u" or two) and it's very similar to the Bakuryuuha. Second the third attack for the tetsusaiga, the Kongoshoa (rougly translates to diamond cut) will be introduced (it's an awesome attack which I will describe as best as I can[ since I have never seen it, only read about it] in this chapter).
Inuyasha: A Feudal Fairy Tale:
The Inochimaru Chronicles, Chapter 6:
The Final Battle and the Return of the Third Sword!
Inuyasha awoke to find his son standing above him. He noticed Koinu's eyes were red and puffy from crying, he wondered hwy, but then it hit him. "Tetsusaiga!" said Inuyasha as he jumped to his feet. "Where is it?" he asked turning to his son. Koinu bowed his head, afraid to tell his father the fate of his beloved sword. Inuyasha went over to his son and placed his hands on his shoulders. He bent his knees so his head could become level with that of his son's. He looked straight at him and asked, "Koinu, where is it?"
Koinu closed his eyes and sighed, and finally said, "It's gone. Stolen." Koinu opened his eyes to see his father's face had gone blank. His eyes appeared to be in a trance, showing no deep intelligence. His face was similar to Sesshomaru's, showing no emotion. Inuyasha remained quiet for several more seconds before he finally spoke.
"Oh, is that so?" he asked, his voice shaken yet calm.
"Yes," said Koinu nodding his head. "I'm sorry dad, I couldn't stop them. They were just too strong." Koinu looked at his fahter with a pleading look, but Inuyasha was once again quiet. "Dad, say something. Please!" begged Koinu. Inuyasha remained silent. Koinu went over to him and shook Inuyasha's arm furiously until finally Inuyasha tightened his arm and Koinu was no longer able to move it.
"It's alright Koinu." said Inuyasha finally. He looked down at his son with a slight smile and said, "Come on, we have to tell everyone else." They began to walk. Inuyasha had acted as if nothing were wrong, as if the lose of his sword didn't faze him in anyway, but Koinu could tell otherwise. Koinu could feel the anger coming off of his father; he could feel it like one could feel the heat coming off of a flame. Yet, other than anger he sensed something else, it was worry. Although Inuyasha acted tough, he was scared. Sesshomaru and Inochimaru now possessed three of the most powerful magical swords ever forged, and they were already immensely powerful before acquiring these weapons. Koinu could tell that deep in his father's heart, there was a great cloud of doubt and fear, and he didn't know what know what to do. After walking for a few minutes they came upon the inner part of the village and were met by Kagome and the others.
Kagome came running, almost tackling her son and husband. She held both of their heads in her hand, running their hair through her hands and kissing them profusely. "Are you two alright?" she finally asked.
"We're fine." said Inuyasha walking past her. Kagome watched her husband as he went by, then she turned her eyes to Koinu.
"Koinu, what happened?" she asked calmly, yet her eyes told that she feared for the worst. "Tetsusaiga's stolen isn't it?" she asked. Koinu simply nodded. "Oh my God!" she muttered with a gasp. She pulled Koinu to her in a sudden and strong embrace. "It's alright son." she said. "No one blames you." she added. Koinu pulled away and made a very weak smile.
"Who says I think I'm the one to blame?" he said shouting loudly, so he could make himself believe his own words. "Huh?" he asked, the tears forming in his eyes again. Kagome stood up and walked to him.
"Koinu, it's okay." she said. Suddenly Koinu ran at her, and held his mother tightly, he began to cry wildly. [Still a child, still my baby boy.] she thought.
Koinu looked up at her and asked, "Mama, are we going to die?" The question took Kagome by surprise.
"I don't know son," she said, lying. Then in a more confident voice she said, "Let's not concentrate on that, let's go inside and get some breakfast huh?" she looked down at her son after muttering this. He looked back up at her and smiled.
"Okay." he said, his voice now barely above a whisper. Kagome wrapped her right arm around her son's neck and shoulders, and Koinu pressed his head gainst the sider of ehr chest, and together they began to walk towards Miroku and Sango's hut. As they approached it they could hear whispers.
"I can't believe it." muttered Sango. "It just seems so unreal." she added shaking her head.
"No matter how unreal it seems," said Miroku, "the fact of the matter is that the tetsusaiga is now in our enemy's possession."
"That's right," said Inuyasha swiftly, "we have to accept that fact, and we have to come up with a plan."
"But what plan could we come up with?" asked Sango, now upset. "Storm the castle? We'd be killed almost instantly. Sneak in? Sneaking up on those two is nearly impossible." she added.
"Regardless of how hopeless it may seem, we still have to come up with a plan to stop them, or else we'll die." said Inuyasha.
"Poor Koinu," she Shippo entering the conversation. "He must be tore up about it." He looked over at Inuyasha. "How's he handling it?"
"He's definitely upset," said Inuyasha, "he was crying, he must have tried to get the sword back but was overpowered. But I don't' want him to feel bad, it was my sword, so losing it is my fault." added Inuyasha quickly. "I couldn't expect him to take the sword from them, who coudl possibly expect him to defeat those two by himself?"
"But that's just the point," said Koinu, taking everyone by surprise. They weren't even aware he was near the hut. "I didn't try to stop them, I simply watched." everyone was silent. "I was a coward, I was too scared to attack them." he said, and then he looked at his father with pitiable eyes. "I'm sorry."
"Son, it's perfectly alright," said Inuyasha walking over to him. "You've already apologized and I forgive you, I honestly can't say if I would have done any different if I were you." he said.
"Do you honestly forgive me?" asked Koinu.
"Of course I do idiot!" Inuaysha said in his superior voice, yet sincere voice. He patted Koinu on his head. "So don't worry about it anymore, now sit down and have some breakfast. Sango's cooked some rice and fried eggs this moring." Koinu quietly walked over to Sango and reluctantly accepted the bowl of rice and the two fried eggs.
"Kagome," whispered Inuyasha. Kagome turned around to face him. "I need to speak with you." he said. Kagome nodded her head and followed her husband out of the hut and over to Kaede's grave.
"Yes, what is it?" asked Kagome in a concerned voice.
"It's about Koinu." said Inuyasha with a sigh.
"What? I thought you weren't upset about the sword?" she asked.
"Of course I'm upset about it, but that's not what I want to talk about!" he said sharply.
"Then what is it?" she asked.
"I think you know what it is Kagome." said Inuyasha calmly.
Kagome sighed, and nodded. "You're right, Inochimaru's going to come after Koinu."
"Exactly, we have to figure out a way to protect him." said Inuyasha. He began to pace back and forth, thinking.
"We can't send him back to our time, they'll follow him." said Inuyasha shaking his head.
"Maybe he should fight with us?" asked Kagome sheepishly. Inuyasha was taken back by the question, after all, Kagome always protected Koinu from things like this.
"You...You mean that Kagome?" asked Inuyasha. "You realize better than anyone what danger he'd be in."
"Of course I do," said Kagome, looking at her husband as if he'd said the dumbest thing in his life, "but if my son is going to die I want him to die in battle along with us, not while he's running away."
"Kagome..." said Inuyasha.
"I'm not debating the issue with you Inuyasha!" shouted Kagome. "Koinu is staying."
"What? I was gonna agree with you!" shouted Inuyasha.
"Then why are you shouting?" asked Kagome.
"I'm only shouting because you're shouting." she said.
Inuyasha smiled, he walked over to Kagome and they hugged each other. "It's funny actually, after all these years we still have these small arguments."
Kagome squeezed Inuyasha tightly. "It is funny isn't it." she said.
Inuyasha sighed. "Then it's decided, Koinu will be with us when we face Sesshomaru." Inuyasha and Kagome held each other, they stayed near Kaede's grave for the rest of the day, night soon came.
Inuyasha and Kagome made their way back to the village and found the others waiting for them. They all entered the hut and Shippo walked forth holding what appeared to be several maps. "Okay," he began "these are lay outs of Sesshomaru's castle. I drew them up after we defeated Naraku, don't know why, but I'd knew they would come in handy sooner or later."
"Amazing Shippo." said Sango.
"Yes, they really are quite detailed." said Miroku.
"Thanks." said Shippo still blushing.
"Great job Shippo, but I'm afraid further congratulations will have to wait till later." said Inuyasha.
"Right." said Shippo. He placed the maps on the ground and started going over them in exact detail. "First we approach from the southern wall, Sesshomaru usually has fewer guards on this end." Everyone shook their head, acknowledging what the fox demon said. "Once we get past the guards we'll then have to make our around the forest. Sesshomaru has a tendency to keep his 'pets' there. After we do this we'll split up, Kagome, Inuyasha, and Koinu take the southern gate. Mirkou, Sango, and myself will travel to the eastern side and attack from there, while Sesshomaru and Inochimaru are fighting all of you off we should be able to sneak in and get the tetsusaiga."
"Sounds good to me." said Inuyasha. Everyone nodded in agreement. Everyone set off on their own to retrieve what they needed. Sango had located a small chest inside of the village's storage hut. She blew off the dust. cough "Well," she said, pulling out her old demon's slayer outfit. "It's been a while since I've worn this thing."
Meanwhile Miroku was busy writing spells on some scrolls. "With any luck, this'll work." he said.
Shippo was patiently going over his plan that he had told the others earlier to make sure there were no flaws. Kagome, Inuyasha, and Koinu were enjoying the time they had left as best they could, relaxing under the tree where Inuyasha and Kagome first met. Several hours passed and they finally all met on the border of the village.
"Everyone ready?" asked Inuyasha.
"Yes." replied everyone together.
"Good." said Inuyasha. "Then let's go." With that, the team set off for Sesshomaru's castle in the western lands. Sango and Kagome rode a top of Kirara and Inuyasha, Miroku, Shippo, and Koinu rode a top of Miroku's servant, Hachi. It was still very dark when they entered Sesshomaru's territory. They all landed on the southern border of the territory, and were immediately met by several demon guards. "Alright," said Inuyasha while popping his fingers. "I've been itchin' for a fight."
Inuyasha jumped into the air and came down with a hard swipe of his claws, scattering most of the guards. Inuyasha took off after the guards that broke to the front of him. The archers of the group let loose a barrage of arrows, none of which were able to hit Inuyasha. He slaughtered the demons with ease. The ones with swords came at him and were dealt with in an equally easy fashion. The guards that broke to the right were met by Sango's Hiraikotsu and Kirara's fangs, they were taken down in one strike. Those that went to the left were met by Koinu, Kagome, and Miroku's assault. When it seemed they had all been dealt with, a few stragglers managed to start to sneak away.
"They're getting away!" yelled Koinu. It seemed that the guards would make it to the forest, but they were met by Shippo.
"Fox Inferno!" shouted Shippo. A blue and immensely hot flame shot forth from Shippo's body and engulfed the remaining guards, they were burned to cinder's within seconds. Shippo landed in the middle of his victims, his body surrounded by the smoke coming from their charred bodies.
"Whoa!" exclaimed Koinu.
"Great job Shippo." said Inuyasha "Gotten more powerful since the last time we met I see." Shippo merely blushed, but soon dismissed the childish behavoir.
"Thanks for the praise guys, but we have to keep moving." said Shippo seriously. They all shot towards the forest, after entering they saw that the place was crawling with powerful demons. Inuyasha and the others saw that fighting them one by one would be a waste of time, the best strategy would be to go through them all in one big sweep. Miroku used several scrolls to bind the demons and prevent them from escaping, then Koinu and Inuyasha attacked with a sweep of their claws, destroying the two front lines of demons. Then the last two lines were met by Sango's Hiraikoutsu, and Shippo's fox inferno.
Now that a path was clear, the group started again. However, they didn't get very far, they were met by a very large, and seemingly idiotic demon.
"The size of it!" muttered Miroku.
"It's huge!" yelled Sango.
"Yeah! Well, the bigger they are the harder they fall." said Inuyasha, and with that Inuyasha jumped to the air. "Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!" yelled Inuyasha as he slashed at the large beast, it however, dodged. "What?" asked Inuyasha as he landed. He was immediately met by a large blow to the head.
"Inuyasha!" cried Kagome worriedly. Inuyasha got to his feet, his legs wobbling slightly.
"Damn! Feels like I got hit by a truck." he said. He turned towards the demon, it had a large dopy grin on it's face. "Who are you?" he asked.
"Why are you talking to it Inuyasha?" asked Shippo. "You're acting as if the thing can talk."
"Don't be fooled by it's appearance," said Inuyasha. "That things not nearly as dumb as it looks." Inuyasha was now smiling.
"Why, if words were knives, that would've killed me Inuyasha." stated the demon, still grinning. The group surrounded the demon.
"I'm not going to ask again," said Inuyasha. "Who are you?" he asked.
"Inuyasha, you upset me. Do you honestly not recognize me?" the demon asked. Inuyasha shot the demon a puzzled look.
"We've...met?" asked Inuyasha.
"Well, let me refresh your memory. I am the only demon to ever break your precious tetsusaiga." said the demon slyly, it's grin now wider than ever. Inuyasha's eyes were now wide open with disbelief.
"Can't be." he muttered. "Goshinki's dead, I killed him myself. Besides, even if he did survive, you look nothing like him!" shouted Inuyasha.
"I'm afraid you're only half-right, but how can I expect a simple half-breed to figure out such a complex thing." said Goshinki. Inuyasha growled, bearing his fangs. "You're right Inuyasha, you did kill me the night that I broke your sword. After I broke your wind scar I bit the tetsusaiga in half, and made the mistake that ended up costing me my life. Your dormant demonic blood was awakened, it transformed you and, in your strengthened state, you killed me.
"However, your brother, Sesshomaru, soon came across my remains. He brought my head to the demon sword smith, Kaijinbo, and then he brought me back from the dead with his tenseiga. Kaijinbo then forged the tokijin using my fangs, my demonic aura still emanating from sword. I simply refused to die until I saw your blood running from your lifeless corpse." Goshinki said this last statement with a huge amount of suppressed rage. "I used Kaijinbo to try and carry out my revenge, but the weakling died at your hands. Then Sesshomaru came, such a powerful creature, he easily suppressed my aura and used my power to defeat you that day. For seventeen long years I was kept in a dormant state, then after Naraku's death I was made a proposition by Sesshomaru. He told me that he would transfer my aura into a newer and stronger body, and he would restore all my powers, all I had to do was guard his southern gate from intruders. He also promised me recently, that I would have the chance to kill you Inuyahsa!" said Goshinki pointing at him. Inuyasha yawned.
"Very interesting, but I don't give a rat's ass about what you've been through or what you've been promised. I killed you once Goshinki, and I can easily do it again." said Inuyasha with amazing confidence.
[Is Inuyasha crazy?] wondered Kagome. [If his full power is restored, then he has regained his ability to read minds!]
"That's correct Kagome, I have regained my telekinetic abilities, and all my other powers as well." said Goshinki. Kagome gasped, ironically forgetting that the demon could read her thoughts, even though she had just mentally stated the fact. Goshinki laughed. "That also means Inuyasha, that we may pick up from where we left off, I can now kill you now that you no longer hold your precious tetsusaiga." he lunged at Inuyasha with great speed. "I will destroy you before you are able to transform." Inuyasha simply stood there, Goshinki haulted his attack. "That expression..." beads of sweat were forming on the demons forehead. "It's just like when he transformed, and his mind is warped. He mind is set on one thing...my death! I will not let this happen again." Goshinki charged again and slashed at Inuyasha, but Inuyasha merely faded away. "What..an illusion?" asked Goshinki.
"Correct." said a slightly familiar voice. Goshinki turned around to see Shippo, who had changed to his child form. "Goshinki, you said that seventeen years ago you made the mistake of breaking the tetsusaiga and releasing Inuyasha's demonic blood. However, this was only one of the two mistakes you will regret. You had analyzed the threats that each of us presented, except me, and if there is one thing I cannot stand it's being ignored in a battle." With that, Shippo was surrounded by a blue flame and he true appearance showed itself to Goshinki. The young body was now that of a young teenager, it was muscular, taller, and intimidating.
"Ah, now I remember." said Goshinki laughing. "You are the fox tyke."
"If there is another thing I cannot stand, it's being called a fox tyke!" shouted Shippo. Goshinki ran towards him, but stopped again. Goshinki found himself surrounded by ten Shippos, but he merely laughed.
"What? Am I supposed to fear your illusions? I know only one of them is real and that I can easily find the real one by scanning for your thoughts." said Goshinki confidently.
All the Shippos laughed and then began to speak in unison. "Fool! You wish it was that simple, don't you? It is true, my main power is the ability to create illusions, however, that ability has grown since the last time you met me. My illusions are no longer harmless." said the Shippos grinning. One of the illusions lunged at Goshinki and slashed of one of his horns, the illusion was destroyed with a punch. Goshinki was taken back by this, his face now showing some worry. "Oh, wondering why you weren't able to block my illusions attack, even though you read my mind." Shippo grinned. "See the thing is, in addition to their ability to cause damage, I am also able to give them each their own mentality. So you as see, even though you may read the thoughts of one of my illusions, you can't read them all. And even if you did, there's no way you'd be able to counter all their attacks at once, no matter how fast you are." Suddenly five of the Shippos launched an attack on Goshinki, some of the attacks causing harm, others doing nothing but toying with the demons mind.
Goshinki was in disbelief, frantically he started to scan the minds of the remaining illusions. Fox Inferno Slash Bite. Goshinki began to tremble, not sure which of these attacks would end his life. "Oh don't worry Goshinki," said Shippo. "All of these deaths are far too good for you, a little too quick and painless for my taste." he said. Shippo, now certain that due to fear, Goshinki's mental abilities were useless, began to make his illusions disappear. Soon there was only one Shippo left, the true Shippo. Goshinki turned around to see that Shippo's eyes were a deep blood red, colored by only two small blue pupils. Shippo's size began to grow, fur began to grow from many different parts of his body and he grew to twice Goshinki's size, Shippo was now a giant fox.
Goshinki looked up at the large fox, not knowing certainly what to think. "Just..Just..Just another illusion." he said, not believing his own words.
"Believe what you want," said Shippo, shooting the message to Goshinki's mind. "I am going to use my true form to kill and devour you, think of it as payback on behalf of those children you orphaned seventeen years ago when you devoured their parents." Goshinki became consumed with fear, he tried to run, but was cornered by Shippo.
"Ahhhhh!" cried Goshinki as Shippo came down upon him, quickly and savagely devouring the demon. Once Shippo had done as he said, he changed back to his human form. The others were looking on in disbelief.
"Shippo...that was just... I mean damn!." said Inuyasha, dumbfounded. The others went to say something similar, but they were interrupted by a large explosion. Everyone turned around to see the southern wall obliterated and standing in the dust was Sesshomaru and Inochimaru.
"Thanks for making so much noise on your way in," said Inochimaru. "Made it so easy to find you."
"Well, there goes your plan Shippo." said Koinu.
"What plan? To steal the tetsusaiga back?" asked Inochimaru laughing. "Why would we be stupid enough to leave the sword around to be stolen, instead of sensibly carrying it around with me all the time?" The now obvious flaw in Shippo's flaw hit him full force, he slapped his forehead.
"Shippo, you idiot!" yelled Inuyasha.
"Well, you're an idiot for thinking the plan was good." shouted Shippo in return.
"Um, hello!" yelled Kagome at them both. "We've got more important things to do than watch you two argue." she said pointing at their enemies. Inochimaru and Sesshomaru shot down at amazing speed, coming between Inuyasha and Shippo. Inochimaru dealt Inuyasha a blow to the face, sending him into a tree. He launched at Inuyasha, but was intercepted by Koinu.
"I won't let you hurt my father." said Koinu.
"Works for me," said Inochimaru. "Hmmph, you're the target anyway." Inochimaru began attacking both of them repeatedly, using the tetsusaiga to make sure they wouldn't get to close. Meanwhile Shippo was battling with Sesshomaru.
The two demons stood before each other, neither flinching. Then Shippo finally said, "I've been waiting a long time to fight you like this." said Shippo.
"Well, what will you do now that you have this chance, hmmm?" asked Sesshomaru. Shippo shot a blue flame at Sesshomaru, he easily disrupted it. Shippo then lunged at him, but was met by a blow to the head. Sesshomaru picked up Shippo by the collar. "Foolish fox," he said, rasing his claws "Die!".
"Hiraikotsu!" yelled Sango, and her weapon came flying at Sesshomaru's head. Sesshomaru threw Shippo to the side and jumped out of the way of the weapon. The giant boomerang returned to Sango's hand. "Where is he?" she asked.
"Here." said Sesshomaru in a whisper. Sango turned around to receive a blow to her ribs. She was sent flying into the ground. Sesshomaru sped in to finish her off but was scratched by an arrow from Kagome.
[Damn it!] she thought. [Why do I always miss him?] she wondered. Sesshomaru stood still, evaluating the situation. To his right he noticed Miroku, ready with his staff and several scrolls.
"Such stupidity," muttered Sesshomaru. "I haven't even unsheathed my tokijin and already you are losing. How long do you really think you can last against me?"
"Long enough!" said Kagome, taking another arrow and aiming at Sesshomaru, she let the arrow go, it flew at Sesshomaru's head. Sesshomaru caught the arrow and melted it with his poison claws. Shippo and Kirara came at him in unison, but were both knocked to the side. Sesshomaru however (due to his lack of concentration when fighting humans) didn't notice it to be a diversionary tactic. Miroku was in Sesshomaru's face and stuck several scrolls to the demon's forehead, freezing him in place. Sesshomaru, unable to move, found that another one of Kagome's arrows, accompanied by Sango's Hiraikotsu was coming right for him.
"Rahhh!" growled Sesshomaru, he managed to overcome the spell and jump out of the way of the two assaults. Sesshomaru landed in the middle of the group. "Simply amazing." he said. "You are the only humans to have ever injured me. My fault for being too careless, however, it will not happen again." Sesshomaru ran at such speed that not even his afterimage could be seen, he dealt a massive blow to Kirara's head. The cat demon was sent flying into a large boulder.
"Kirara!" yelled Sango as she rushed to the aid of her pet. She, however, didn't get very far. Sesshomaru met her halfway and with a slap of his palm, he rendered Sango unconscious. A sickening crack could be heard as her body hit the ground. Sesshomaru now made his way to Miroku, but receive a huge surprise.
"Kazaana!" yelled Miroku. Suddenly a wind tunnel shot forth from a scroll on his hand, and slowly began to suck Sesshomaru in. Sesshomaru unsheathed tetsusaiga and shoved it in the ground, thus preventing the wind tunnel from sucking him in.
"So," said Sesshomaru. "You've created a spell that allows you to use the kazaana that was removed after Naraku's death? Very clever human, but unfortunately." Sesshomaru used tokijin to send a huge wave of energy through the ground, knocking the monk off his feet. "Not good enough!" finished Sesshomaru as he dealt Miroku a blow to the stomach, knocking him out. Kagome fired another arrow, however, by the time it reached Sesshomaru's position, he was gone. Sesshomaru came behind Kagome and dealt a blow that was meant to kill her, however, her body simply wavered than vanished.
"Ha! Who's the fool now?" asked Shippo from above Sesshomaru. "Fox Inferno!" yelled Shippo. Once again the large blue flame shot from Shippo and devoured Sesshomaru, the fire was combined with one of Kagome's arrows to create a huge explosion. Shippo landed, and the smoke finally clear. Sesshomaru appeared to have been obliterated in the blast.
"It's over." said Kagome with a sigh.
"Yeah, I think it uhhh..." Shippo's eyes shot open, then he looked down to find a hand, covered with his blood, had came through his stomach. Sesshomaru withdrew his hand and Shippo fell to the ground. Sesshomaru bent down and wiped the blood on the fox demon's clothing. He rose to his feet after finsihing.
"It appears that you were the fool, fox." said Sesshomaru, now looking at Kagome, a cold smile on his face.
"Monster!" she yelled as she tried to ready another arrow. Sesshomaru was in her face within seconds.
"Huh?" she gasped as she was met by Sesshomaru's claws, she was dealt a sharp blow to the chest. Blood shot from her chest as she fell to the ground.
Inochimaru was still holding off Koinu and Inuyasha, which was beginning to prove difficult, even with the tetsusaiga. "You two have obviously thought up a strategy for fighting me. However, all strategy's have a flaw." said Inochimaru as he rose the sword above his head and yelled, "Kaze no Kizu." The huge blast went directly for Koinu. The blast was too large for him to dodge.
"Ahhh!" cried Koinu. Luckily, Inuyasha was able to scoop in and save him in time.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Yes," replied Koinu, then he pointed upwards. "Look out!" he cried as Inochimaru came down upon them with the tetsusaiga, they managed to dodge but both were stricken from behind. Inuyasha rose first to find Sesshomaru standing before them.
[Sesshomaru, then that means that the others...] "Sesshomaru! What have you done to them?" asked Inuyasha enraged.
"Oh, you mean your friends?" asked Sesshomaru sheepishly. "They are either dead or unconscious...I didn't stop to finish all of them." Inuyasha's face was twisted in disbelief.
"Bastard!" he yelled as he lunged at Sesshomaru, taking him on by himself and leaving Koinu to handle Inochimaru.
"So," said Inochimaru, playfully swinging the sword through the air. "Looks like it's just you and me."
"Looks like it." said Koinu. The two went at each other. Koinu swung his claws at Inochimaru, he blocked with the sword and returned with his own attack, knocking Koinu to the ground. He came in to finish off Koinu, but he was able to get to his feet first. Koinu luckily caught Inochimaru's hand. "You bastards! You've killed my friends, and my mother!" said Koinu, he eyes filled with tears. Inochimaru pushed him back.
"Relax! Father said they're either dead or unconscious." Inochimaru then let loose a twisted laugh.
"Twisted ass-hole!" yelled Koinu. "You think you're something, don't you? Forcing us to come out here and fight you just so you can kill me?"
"Kill you?" asked Inocimaru. "Killing you will definitely be a bonus, but that's not the reason we got all of you to come here."
"What do you mean?" asked Koinu. Inochimaru laughed aloud.
"Little fool! You mean to say your father didn't tell you about the rules surrounding the inheriting of the tetsusaiga. It is true that we stole the sword, but if it was just as simple as that then we would have killed you all the night we stole it. Oh no dear cousin, it's much more complicated than that." Inochimaru thought back on what his father told him about the sword. [In order for someone to inherit the sword, the owner must leave it to you willingly, or you must be the first to claim the sword after the owner's death].
"Oh my God!" mutterd Koinu as he turned around. His father was still battling Sesshomaru, Koinu attempted to assist his father but was restrained from the back by Inochimaru. Koinu could do nothing but watch as his father was being beaten senseless by Sesshomaru. Inuyasha got to his feet, he was now barely standing, blood was running down the front of his face, and his left arm appeared to be broken. Inuyasha took one last charge at Sesshomaru, but was run through with the tokijin.
"Dad!" yelled Koinu. His father turned his head to look at his son, he smiled and formed his lips to say:
"I love you." said Inuyasha. Then he was slit open by Sesshomaru, Inuyasha fell to the ground while he blood gushed from his wound.
"Dad!" yelled Koinu again. Koinu's tears began to flow now, he began to cry uncontrollably.
"Awww, don't worry Koinu, you'll be with him soon enough." said Inochimaru as he raised his sword above Koinu's head.
Koinu was on his knees thinking about his friends and his parents. [Sango, Miroku, Shippo, Momma, Dad. They're all gone! Gone!] Koinu's demonic aura erupted, he transformed again. Koinu turned around quickly and dealt a punch to Inochimaru's face, sending the demon flying into the eastern wall. "Grrr!" a growl escaped Koinu's lips. Sesshomaru had not yet interfered, he knew his son had to do this in order to gain all the swords abilities. Inochimaru had quickly returned to the fight.
"Yes Koinu." he said. "That's it, this is what I've been waiting for. Now your strength is equal to your father's, and when I kill you I will be the sword's master." Inochimaru lunged at Koinu, but suddenly the ground began to shake and Inochimaru stopped. The ground continued to shake and suddenly it split and from it shot intense and large flames. "It's as if hell itself has opened." exclaimed Inochimaru. Then suddenly from the pit came souunga, the third sword. The sword flew straight to Koinu's hands and the ground closed again. "Huh? A new sword?" asked Inochimaru. Koinu rushed at Inochimaru with the sword, and quickly began to overcome him "I won't let you beat me quarter-breed!" yelled Inochimaru. "Bakuryuuha!" he yelled and unleashed the huge energy wave. Koinu, however, was ready.
"Gokuryuuha!" He yelled and released a wave of energy that exceeded the bakuryuuha. The tetsusaiga and it's sheath had been knocked from Inochimaru and near Inuyasha's head. The energy blast knocked Inochimaru on his back, he was now badly wounded.
"How can this be?" he asked, in a strained voice.
"It's called karma, bastard!" said Koinu. Koinu advanced on Inochimaru, who was now unable to move. He held the sword to the demon's neck. "Sesshomaru!" he yelled. Sesshomaru, who was in a daze, turned his eyes on Koinu.
"Revive him!" he said. "Revive my father and the others or I will kill your son." he said. Sesshomaru looked from his son, to Inuyasha. He did this several times. Inochimaru's face was filled with shame, he knew what this meant to his father.
"I love my son, equally as much as Inuyasha loves you and you him." said Sesshomaru. "I have never uttered words such as these about anyone, even my own father, therefore, you must realize how much I mean this." Koin ignored the words, but held the blade even closer to Inochimaru's neck. Sesshomaru bowed his head. "Hmmm, alright Koinu, you win." Sesshomaru snapped his fingers, and Sango, Shippo, Miroku, Kirara, and Kagome appeared from a ball of light. Sesshomaru then unsheathed tenseiga and with a great stroke revived all of them. They all rose with a great gasp, surprised to be alive, and even more surprised to find it was Sesshomaru who revived them. Koinu, still in his transformed state, was torn between giving into his demonic instincts and killing Inochimaru, or dropping the sword.
Inuyasha grabbed his sheath and sword and placed them to his son, slowly, he transformed back. Koinu looked up at his father, who was now alive and well.
"Good job brat!" said Inuyasha. Tears were once again in Koinu's eyes. His mother approached as well. "Hey sweetie." she told him.
"Mom...dad!" yelled Koinu as they all embraced each other. "I thought...I thought you were.."
"Shhh, shhh," said Kagome. "It's alright honey, we're fine." she said stroking his hair. Suddenly, Koinu felt the embrace of his parents loosen. Koinu looked up to see his mother and father's faces contorted in fear. He turned around to see Inochimaru holding souunga, the sword had wrapped around his arm and he was now in his transformed state.
"Grrrr!" growled Inochimaru. Inuyasha quickly picked up his son and wife and made sure they were in a safe place, he picked up the tetsusaiga and went over to Sesshomaru.
"Sesshomaru." said Inuyasha, looking at his brother seriously. Sesshomaru simply nodded, and together they went off towards Inochimaru, they were met by him half way. He swung at Inuyasha, but he blocked it. Sesshomaru came around and dealt Inochimaru a blow to the back of the head, knocking him unconscious. The sword now unwrapped itself from around Inochimaru's arm, but it still had a mind of it's own, and was still unleashing enormous energy. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru stepped in front of the sword. The tetsusaiga began to glow and it was covered with what appeared to be a crystal. The tenseiga also glowed an immensely bright white.
"Kongoshoa!" yelled Inuyasha. An enormous wave, that seemed to be covered in several small crystals was released. Sesshomaru said nothing, but simply swung his sword and another large energy wave was released, they both collided with the aura of souunga and the sword was eventually overcame and it's power retained. The sword landed near Inochimaru's head. Sesshomaru walked over to the sword and placed it in a ball of light, it was transported to his castle. [Father, did you send the sword so that my Inuyasha and his friends would not die?] He then walked over to Inochimaru and picked up his son in his arms, he began to walk to his castle.
As he passed Inuyasha he said, "Inuyasha, your son spared my son's life and I am in debt to him. Your family nor your friends no longer have anything to fear from me, if we meet again, it will be on better terms than this day. Your lives are safe from me and my son for now. Now... leave my castle before I change my mind." Then with a burst of speed, Sesshomaru was gone.
"Thank God! It's finally over." muttered Inuyasha. He and the others gathered together and they began their journey back to Kaede's village.
Inuyasha: A Feudal Fairy Tale:
The Inochimaru Chronicles, Chapter 6:
Good-bye For the Second (but hopefully not the last) Time.