Isshi no Ichimu
By Lady Kaiba
Disclaimer: Ya want a disclaimer?! Go look at the second chapter! I've already said that I dun own Inuyasha!
LK: Chapter 4!! ^__^ This chapter is gunna take a while because of what I have planned for it…hm…..please be patient with me, and I hope you all enjoy!
~~*~~
Sesshoumaru was becoming impatient. At this rate, they wouldn't make it to his mate and pup in less than two days!! Despite their apprehension, the group had stopped once the sun began to fall beyond the western skies. The taiyoukai now sat far from the fire, his entire being rigid with his tense muscles. His back against a tree, and arms crossed over his chest, the Inu Youkai glared around the forest before closing his dangerous golden eyes. 'The bastards will pay!' he swore to himself.
From near the fire, Shippou watched the taiyoukai. 'Sesshoumaru is pissed off…Even though he's his normal cold, emotionless self, I can still see it. He's so tense. Now's when I feel kinda bad for the poor bastard that decided to kidnap Okaa-san and Rin-chan.' He thought. Turning his attention to the hanyou, up in his tree, he noticed Inuyasha was much the same way, completely tense, though visibly pissed. Sighing, Shippou walked over to the Taiyoukai and sat in his lap.
When Sesshoumaru felt something light sit on him, he opened his eyes and glared down at the kit. Shippou looked up at him, the emotions in his eyes consisting of pain, worry, sympathy, and…knowing? Admiration? The taiyoukai couldn't quite tell what the emotion was, but knew it was one of the two…or possibly a combination of them. The young kit surprised him for the second time that day by snuggling up to Sesshoumaru, wrapping his tail around himself in slight comfort. Sesshoumaru continued to watch the kit as he closed his eyes, a little hand clutching at the white haori. Surprising those that watched them curiously, the Inu Taiyoukai moved the long tail end of his pelt and tucked it around the kit before resting a hand on his back. He felt Shippou snuggle in closer to him moments before falling into the dark abyss of sleep. Sesshoumaru too closed his eyes after the kit was asleep, completely ignoring his companions.
Smiling to herself, Aki watched the small show of affection. The wheels in her head were turning as she connected the information she had. The Taiyoukai's slightly odd behavior, Kagome and Shippou's comfort in being near him, his worry for the miko, and now his 'reason' for being with the group and the other Lords not nagging him about mating. 'Sesshoumaru-sama has found his mate.' She mused. Lying out near the fire, the youngest Miko fell into the darkness to sleep and replenish her strength, preparing for the difficult events she knew would be on them very soon.
~~*~~
Sesshoumaru's eyes snapped open and he growled into the night. Lifting the quickly rousing kit into his arms, he stood and surveyed the area, sniffing the air, a deadly growl rumbling in his chest. Shippou jumped to his shoulder, glaring around as he used his young senses, completely in alert. The entire group was on their feet, alert, thanks to the Taiyoukai's warning. Inuyasha had followed his half brother no long after Sesshoumaru had stood.
"What is it?" Sango asked as she looked around, hand on hiraikotsu.
"Something's watching us." Inuyasha growled in response.
"Yes, but from where?" Miroku added.
Aki closed her eyes and stretched out her senses. "Whoever it is, he's powerful…" she replied. She opened her eyes again with a gasp as the area slowly clouded with a thin layer of miasma. Miroku moved closer to the women for their protection when an evil chuckle reverberated through their camp.
"Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western lands…I would think that if something so precious to you as the human child should be taken, that you would not stop for even rest until she was returned. And yet, here you are, camping with these humans." The male voice jeered.
"Who the fuck are you?!" Inuyasha yelled into the night.
A smirk laced the voice as he continued. "How you would love to know that bit of information." He taunted. "So sorry, but it's as human's say; for me to know, and you to die trying to find out."
"Asshole! You took Kagome, DIDN'T YOU?!"
"Such language in front of a child. Really Inuyasha, you should be punished for such act."
"Under normal circumstances he would be, but you just happened to have taken the one that does that." Sesshoumaru's cold voice replied.
"So you finally decide to speak to me, hm?"
The Taiyoukai was becoming greatly annoyed as the moments passed, his anger slowly rising to a deadly height. "Say what you came to say and leave." He ordered.
"Your anger really does get the better of you if she is not here, doesn't it?" the smooth, evil-laced voice was also laced with amusement. Sesshoumaru's only response was to growl low and threateningly, startling the humans near him. "Fine, fine, no need to get testy. I suggest you get moving quickly. I will not be able to protect them from these hungry youkai for much more than three days." he smirked, "Not to mention great challenges await you on your way to the summit. Good luck, My Lord." He said with a mocking tone. The miasma disappeared as if it had never been there, and the youkai's presence went with it.
"Bastard!" Inuyasha yelled.
"Silence! You have already had enough influence on the kit." Sesshoumaru said, completely indifferent. His cold mask covered his face, but as Shippou looked into his dangerous golden eyes, he saw a fire burning, fueled by his rage. 'You will pay.' He vowed again, for what had to be the millionth since his mate was taken from him. "The sun will rise soon. Gather your things. We are leaving."
~~*~~
Kagome slowly woke to a throbbing pain in her head. Recalling what had previously happened, she sat bolt up before wishing she hadn't. The Miko fell back against the soft furs of the futon, grasping her throbbing head. She groaned. "Shippou…Rin…Ugh…What the hell happened?"
"Simple," a smooth, evil, and clearly male voice spoke from the shadows. Kagome struggled to see past the spots dancing around her vision. "I had you knocked out and brought back here."
"Who…?" she questioned. 'Knocked out…well, that would certainly explain the splitting headache….' "Ow…hurts to think…" she grumbled. The voice chuckled.
"Please forgive my minions for their rough handling of you. They should be more careful with a woman in your…condition…" he said as she slowly sat up. Kagome's eyes widened when what he said registered.
"C-condition?!"
"My dear Kagome, has the hit to the head caused you to forget of your pregnancy?" he drawled, voice laced with sadistic amusement.
Her first reaction was to flush with embarrassment, but it quickly left, and she glared at the silhouette in the shadows. "How did you know?!"
"My dear, it is not hard for a pure blooded youkai to sense such things." He replied.
"Show yourself!" Kagome demanded.
"As you wish." The figure bowed before stepping into the light provided by a small fire at the edge of the room. The man looked as tall as Sesshoumaru. His long hair was pitch black, and his clothing was much the same as Sesshoumaru's- a haroi and hakama. A black sash with dark navy blue wrapped around his waist. His skin was pale, but still held some color. And his eyes. Kagome shivered as she looked into those eyes. Pools of deep crimson, filled with enjoyment of pain caused to others…of seeing other creatures bleed to death. Kagome could feel that the creature before her was pure evil. And she knew that what he had planned, could never be a good thing. She gasped as his lips pulled up into a sadistic sneer.
"W-what do you want?" she asked.
"Hm…there are many things I want, Milady…but you will not find out what any of them are for a long while yet…" he replied. "Get your rest. Your beloved mate seeks you as we speak. He is coming, along with the others." He looked thoughtful for a moment, or at least as thoughtful as an evil creature can look. "And a very appetizing young thing comes with them. A beautiful young Miko, with strong powers that are still growing…" he turned his eyes to her, an evil glint in them. "I will keep an eye on her, she shall prove to be of some amusement." With a sadistic smile, he turned to exit the room.
Kagome sat on the futon in complete shock. Aki was coming to help her, also? But why would she do such a thing if it meant she could lose her life? As she though, something hit her like a two-ton brick. If they had been knocked out and taken, then…where were Rin and Shippou?
~~*~~
"Watch out, Inuyasha!" Shippou yelled into the battlefield. Upon the group's arrival to the nearest clearing, they were attacked by an awaiting youkai. And a smart youkai at that. Shippou, like the good little boy he was, remained out of harms way on the sidelines with their new Miko friend. Aki stood with Shippou behind her, and arrow pulled and ready for an opening of any kind. She had been ordered by the Taiyoukai to stay back and protect the kit, so she had hastily agreed. Miroku also stayed back, as he was of no help with only his staff and kazaana. Sango tried her best to help by using Hiraikotsu, but was yelled at by Inuyasha after the giant boomerang nearly took his head off.
Inuyasha let out a pained cry as he was flung into a tree on the opposite end of the clearing, which had been pretty far from the battle. "I told you to watch out!" Shippou yelled at him in his 'You're so stupid, Inuyasha!' voice.
"Shut up!"
Sesshoumaru almost rolled his eyes at his brother's stupidity, but the oni had then decided now was when he would go after the Lord. "Pathetic." The Taiyoukai lashed out at the oni with his whip, slicing through its scaly hide. The youkai cried in pain as its right arm was severed and a great deal of damage was done to it. The Inu Youkai wasted no time in finishing off the lizard with his poisoned claws. By the time Inuyasha made it back to the battle, the oni was dead and quickly decomposing with the help of the poison. Sesshoumaru's eyes widened slightly when he saw something glowing through the hide. "Kakera?" he wondered.
The group looked up at him. "What?" Inuyasha asked. "I don't see anything!" The Taiyoukai then walked over to the corpse and ripped something out of it.
Holding it up between his forefinger and thumb, he examined it.
"A shard!" Sango gasped.
"So that is why it was tougher to beat…wait a minute…that doesn't look like a normal sized shard."
Sesshoumaru nodded. "It must be at least a dozen shards melted together."
"But how did that stupid lizard get it?" Inuyasha asked.
"That youkai that talked to us this morning probably gave it to him. Remember what he said? There are challenges that await us." Shippou provided, returning to his perch on Sesshoumaru's shoulder. The Taiyoukai nodded his agreement. Stowing the Kakera away, he turned to continue on his route.
"Let us continue on. I am sure the next one will be even harder than the first." He said.
"And so on and so forth." The young Miko/leader added. "This man. I think he has a great deal of shards in his possession, at least half of them." She continued.
"Then that makes out job a hell of a lot harder." Inuyasha spoke.
"Get moving unless you want to be left behind!" Sesshoumaru growled.
~~*~~
An evil little laugh echoed through Kagome's mind as she realized something. The baka had left her in a room, all alone… without any restraints. She had at least expected to be chained to a wall or something! Flinging the furs off of her as she made to get out of the futon, Kagome cursed as she scowled down at the sight before her. A shackle was around her right ankle, and a chain was attached to that. Her sapphire eyes trailed the chain down to the wall next to the fire. It looked as though it came from the wall. "Damnit!" she muttered under her breath.
So, the bastard wasn't completely stupid after all….she made a face. 'Lucky me…' she thought sarcastically. "Well, at least it looks like I have enough free reign to move about the room." She sighed. Not like there was much in it….or anything, come to think of it… She sat on a small futon that lay on the floor. On her right was the fire, a little hole in the roof of the room to let the smoke escape and some air and light in. By the little light coming from it, she guessed it was morning, just after dawn. She brightened slightly. 'That means Sesshoumaru and the others should be here soon!' A glum though then entered her mind. 'If they make it, that is…' she shook her head vigorously. 'No! They will make it! I just know they will! Sesshoumaru will come for us, and then rip that bastard to shreds!' she thought gleefully about the last bit. Images of the carnage floated through her mind as the though progressed, and she smiled in amoral mirth.
Her eyes widened as her rational mind processed her thoughts. 'Since when I have had such a…a….youkai's mind? Such a… blood lust?' she wondered in shock. Her thought were exactly what Sesshoumaru would be amused by, and she had found them quite entertaining herself….but why? She was a human! True she had seen more than her share of carnage, but she had never once enjoyed it. 'What's happening to me?' She wondered, staring blankly at the foot of the futon.
The Miko was snapped from these thought as she felt his presence enter the room again. "Enjoying yourself?" his question rang through the room, that cold voice sending unpleasant shivers down her spine. She glared up at the youkai.
"What do you think?!" she asked in a rudely sarcastic voice. He tsked.
"Now, now, Kagome. No need to be so rude." He replied with a smirk. "I've brought you breakfast. I would have sent one of the others in with it, but I don't trust them enough."
"Why's that?" Kagome asked, her voice cold.
"Because they'd love to kill you. But I cannot let that happen." He replied. He walked over to her and set the tray down in front of her. "Don't worry, it's not poisoned. I just told you I don't want you dead." He replied to her look of disdain and suspicion as she examined the food without touching it.
Crossing her arms over her chest, Kagome looked up at her captor. "I have some questions." She stated.
"Go ahead. I'm listening."
"Where are Rin and Shippou?"
"Ah, yes. The small kit remained with your dear mate and friends. It seems he has grown fond of the Taiyoukai in your absence." He replied with a smirk.
"And Rin?" Kagome almost growled.
"The ningen child is here, like you…how else would I be able to get the icy Inu Youkai to come?" he asked, giving her a look that she decided she definitely didn't like.
"Do you even know who my mate is?"
"Hmm…possibly…" he replied with a wicked smile. "I have a hunch."
"Last question." Kagome stated. Not once had her icy blue orbs torn away from his atrocious crimson gaze. "Who the hell are you?"
His smirk widened just slightly. "You may, if you must use a name, call me Master." His eyes danced in delight as he saw the anger flame up within her blue orbs.
"Fuck you!" she yelled.
His smirk widened still to an amoral grin. "I do not believe either you or your mate would enjoy that." He replied. "Besides," he added, turning on his heals as he left the room, "I would never wish to do such a thing to you." Disappearing through the door, she heard him speak to someone outside. "Do not listen to a word she says, and do not go in there if you value your lives in the slightest bit." His hiss was muffled somewhat by the door, but she heard him well enough.
Kagome seethed as she heard the bastard's footsteps retreating down the hall. It was quite a while before the sound dimmed to a low sound, but Kagome didn't notice. Who the hell did that bastard think he was?! He was toying with her and greatly enjoying every emotion he got out of her, and she knew it. It was as clear as day. Grumbling about bastard youkai, Kagome began eating the food he had brought her before flinging the tray at the door and lying down again. Her eyes closed as she attempted to sleep, but sleep would not come. Instead, she was too immersed in concentrating on the happenings in this place, wherever she was.
As she lay on the futon, she barely noticed how much she could tell. She could smell the disgusting smell of the guards and other youkai trudging about the place. She suddenly sneezed, and coughed. She could also clearly get a good whiff of the dirt around the place. A mountain. Yes, she must be in some sort of cave. She remembered that they had been in the northern lands when she was taken, so that must mean that she was somewhere in the cliffs that had not been too far from them as they were traveling. Kagome expanded her miko senses just a little further and gasped. Quickly bringing it back in, she coughed and desperately gulped down air. 'It was…almost as if I was being choked…The miasma around here…it's incredibly strong. Oh, kami. Sesshoumaru…Shippou! Guys. Please get through this and come to us.'
Miasma stronger than Naraku's was not a good sign in Kagome's book. And she prayed to every god there was that Inuyasha and the others would be all right. 'Now I'm so glad Sesshoumaru is with them. He's strong, he can get through this…I hope.'
~~*~~
The dark youkai watched from his cliffs as he continued to observe the group. "So you have gotten past Tokage, have you? He was just the beginning, and the weaker of my minions. Ryuuza will not be so easy…" his eyes drifted to the hanyou. "Inuyasha, you have certainly been too big of an influence on our little Kagome now, haven't you? Such language she uses." He smirked. "I'm just glad there were no children around." He said mockingly, knowing how both the Inu Taiyoukai and the Miko felt about language around children.
"It shall be interesting to watch as you continue. I would most certainly like to see you get through Ryuuza. He is quite powerful…" He laughed to himself. "How silly of me. I had forgotten. Ryuuza is not your next opponent. No, he will come later…much later…"
~~*~~
A frown creased his brow as the Great Taiyoukai of the West stood across yet another clearing from yet another obstacle. It had barely been ten minutes since they had fought that first foolish oni, and now, here stood another!!
"What the hell is up with this?!" Inuyasha growled in anger from Sesshoumaru's left side. His ice-like golden eyes glanced sideways to glare at the hanyou before flickering back to the annoying oni. This one was female. 'An arrogant female.' He thought, eyes narrowing. He could tell by her posture. She stood straight, tall, her arms crossed over her chest.
'Very nice chest…' Miroku thought, hentai grin slowly making its way to his lips. Sango noticed the grin out of the corner of her eye and glared at the houshi.
"Houshi-sama…" she hissed under her breath threateningly. Miroku immediately wiped the grin from his face.
The oni stood observing her opponents and her smirk widened slightly when she noticed the two ningens', one hissing at the other dangerously. 'Ha! Imagine, a male being hissed at by a human female.' She watched them for a moment longer in amusement before moving her gaze back to the Taiyoukai.
Sesshoumaru stared her down, gaze hardening as her dark amber eyes moved back to his. From the looks of her, her long brown hair with light highlights as well as white streaks- pulled up into a ponytail, her amber brown eyes, her tanned skin and sharp features, she was a Tori Youkai. Or more specifically, a Hawk. And she was dressed for battle- a pair of black shorts and a blue haori tied with a plain, matching sash.
"I assume I do not have to tell you what I am…" she said, speaking directly to Sesshoumaru.
"Indeed." Sesshoumaru replied in his usual tone. "It should be obvious. You are a Hawk."
"Glad to know the Taiyoukai of the West is as smart as he looks."
"Isn't there suppose to be a battle going on now?" Inuyasha asked, rudely interrupting the 'conversation'.
"Hold your hakama on, mutt!" The Hawk snapped, glaring at him. She turned her gaze back to Sesshoumaru. "Pups these days have no respect, ne, Sesshoumaru-sama?" she asked.
Sesshoumaru replied with merely a curt nod. "Since you so obviously know who we are, just who might you be?"
"My name is Taka." She replied. "And if you just wait for a moment," she continued, glaring at Inuyasha, "then I will tell you what I have been asked too, and we may then fight. Sound alright to you, Inuyasha?"
"Feh!"
Taka quirked an eyebrow. "Good. Now then, from here on out it has been decided that these fights will be one on one, kind of like a sparing match."
"What?! Who the hell decided that?!" Inuyasha yelled.
"Do you have a problem with this? Does little Inuyasha not feel safe fighting alone?" Taka taunted.
"Shut up!"
Taka smirked as Sesshoumaru inwardly sighed in annoyance and the rest of the group rolled their eyes at the hanyou's behavior. "As for who decided that…let's just say the Master did."
"The Master? Who is that?" Sango asked.
Taka smirked. "You will meet him…eventually…"
"Eventually?! What the hell do you mean by that?!" (AN- Inu likes to use colorful language a lot, ne? ^^;)
"Enough chit-chat!" Taka cried. Smirking, she signaled to Inuyasha. "You wanted to fight? Then get your ass out here, mutt!"
Inuyasha growled deep in his chest. Drawing Tetsusaiga, he lunged out into the clearing, toward Taka. She smirked as she watched him charge into battle. Unfolding her arms, the wind began to sway the branches of trees with enough force to make them creak. Gusts of wind sprouted up around her and deflected Inuyasha's attack with the Tetsusaiga. Quickly lashing out after blocking, the gust knocked the hanyou back a few feet.
Inuyasha skidded on the ground, feet leaving dirt trails ahead of him. Inuyasha glared at her with hard gold eyes. "You little bitch!!" He yelled as he charged again.
Taka smirked as she dashed forward. "Are you really that stupid, Inuyasha?! I'm not an Inu!!" Dodging his swing, she nailed him in the gut with a punch launched by the wind. Inuyasha was sent rolling back on the ground, Tetsusaiga flying away from him. Taka straightened and smirked. "And therefore, I am not a bitch."
Inuyasha growled and pushed himself up, glaring at the offending earth. "Where the hell is Tetsusaiga?!" He was about to look around for the sword when he suddenly felt the breeze. Looking up quickly, Inuyasha jumped into the air. Gazing down, his eyes widened slightly when he saw that where he had previously been, now resided a hole the size of an 'Inuyasha crater' after one of Kagome's tantrums of Osuwaris'. "Kuso!"
~~*~~
Sesshoumaru watched stoically as Inuyasha was continually thrown about. He watched silently as the Tetsusaiga went flying from his hanyou brother's hand and skidded to a stop at his feet, once again the rusty katana. 'It would be so easy to take the Tetsusaiga now and leave.' A part of him said. He scowled at that part. 'One does not abandon his mate! I could care less about that damned sword.' Dismissing the sword's presence, he watched as the hawk attacked Inuyasha again, while he was distracted, and resulted in sending him leaping into the air, and away from his place. The ground was destroyed as Taka made impact, dirt exploding into a cloud of dust that quickly cleared away.
He brought his attention back up to his half brother as Inuyasha began to descend to the ground.
~~*~~
Taka smirked. "There is your biggest mistake, whelp!" Inuyasha's eyes narrowed as she laughed with her statement.
Realization quickly hit the hanyou and his eyes widened. 'Oh, shit!' The next thing anyone knew, Inuyasha was hanging, suspended in air. His arms were pendent above his head, as if tied to two different tree branches, and he could barely move. "Kuso!" Taka smirked as she attacked him with her extended talons. They sliced through his haori, cutting deeply into his chest. "Ah!" Inuyasha cried out in pain as the talons ripped through the skin and clothing on his back.
Taka took a step back, examining her handiwork. Lifting a bloodied hand to her face, he slowly licked the hanyou's blood from her fingers. "You were way too easy, hanyou." She said. Her smirk lifted to a malicious grin. "But it was fun, all the same!"
Inuyasha glared, growling deeply in his chest. "You haven't won yet!" he snarled.
"Ha! Do you really believe you can still beat me?! How will you even brake free from my wind's grasp?!" she taunted, laughing.
Inuyasha sent his half brother a pointed look, which went unnoticed by the hawk as she gloated and taunted the hanyou. He had seen earlier where exactly Tetsusaiga had landed, and was slightly startled that his brother had not taken the sword.
~~*~~
"No! Inuyasha is going to lose!! We have to help him!" Sango said as she watched her friend attacked, this time with the hawk's talons.
"Iie, Sango. Remember, this is a one on one battle." Sango looked up at Miroku incredulously.
"But, Houshi-sama!"
"Iie." Sesshoumaru interrupted her. Sango looked up and him as he continued to watch the battle. Sighing, she nodded. The Taiyoukai did not fail to notice the look he received. Understanding Inuyasha's meaning, he looked down at the katana. Kneeling on one knee, Sesshoumaru reached out and grasped the sword's hilt. He was slightly surprised when it did not shock him, but instead, began to pulse. Standing again, the Taiyoukai flung the katana. The group watched, most shocked that he was able to touch the Tetsusaiga, as it spiraled toward Inuyasha.
~~*~~
Inuyasha watched the blade fly toward him. 'Please, Tetsusaiga! Help me!! Destroy whatever is binding me!' he asked the katana mentally. Tetsusaiga pulsed as it drew nearer. Taka turned in time to see the sword flying in their direction, and with wide eyes, moved as quickly as she could away from her prey.
The katana pierced invisible chords, setting the hanyou free. Inuyasha fell to the ground, landing on his knees wincing momentarily as his chest stung. He clenched his teeth as he gripped the hilt of Tetsusaiga and it immediately transformed into the fang.
'Kuso! This wasn't suppose to happen!!! Damn, now he's really pissed…' Taka thought. She paled slightly. 'Now I'm really in for it!'
Inuyasha smirked at the fear he saw in her face. "Heh, this will be fun…" he chuckled evilly. His eyes darkened as he lifted the fang. "You won't stop me…" he took a running leap as he spoke. "…From saving Kagome!!!" he yelled. Inuyasha brought the fang down with great force as he yelled, "Kaze no Kizu!!!"
The Hawk screamed as the Kaze no Kizu was released, and everything in its path wiped away, her scream swallowed by its howl of destruction.
Inuyasha stood with the fang's tip resting on the ground, panting as he continued to glare at the path his attack left in its wake. He jerked slightly in surprise when a hand was placed on his shoulder. Looking up, his slowly lightening eyes meet Sesshoumaru's cool golden gaze. "You still have not learned." Sesshoumaru said casually. He allowed the ghost of a smile grace his lips for barely a second, surprising Inuyasha.
The hanyou brushed the hand off. "Keh." Turning away from his brother and friends, he started to walk away. Inuyasha paused for a moment and turned slightly. "Sesshoumaru!"
The Taiyoukai watched him quietly, not a thing changing in his stoic mask.
"…Thanks…For understanding…and for helping me." He gave his half brother a small smile before turning away again, sheathing Tetsusaiga, and continuing on his way.
"I did no such thing." Sesshoumaru insisted as he, too, walked onward, Shippou once again turning up on his shoulder like a bad penny. (AN- Ever hear that expression? lol ^__^)
Aki followed the Taiyoukai without a word, although several questions flew through her mind. She decided she'd inquire about them at a better time.
Sango and Miroku looked to each other, blinking in confusion. Shrugging it off, the two quickly followed the Inu brothers and young Miko, Kirara ahead of them by a few paces.
~~*~~
The Master frowned. "Shimatta! The hanyou should have been killed!!" A smirk rose to his lips as he surveyed the damage done by the great sword Tetsusaiga. "Good thing Inuyasha had been facing east, otherwise he would have obliterated this entire mountain…along with our precious Kagome…" he chuckled at the thought of what their reactions would have been had that happened. "Perhaps I should attain that sword…It would provide very useful…" smiling cruelly, he turned and walked back toward the cave's entrance.
"Two minions down, eight to go…" his smirk widened, "And the next one up, is none other than Karasuhebi…one of my stronger minions…" throwing a smirk and evil glare over his shoulder at the group, the Master disappeared into the cave.
~~*~~
"Hey, wait, didn't that 'Taka' have some jewel shards?" Inuyasha asked suddenly as the group continued on. His wounds had pretty much healed up. All that remained were scratches and dried blood.
"I don't know, Inuyasha. Did she?" Shippou replied as he walked next to the Taiyoukai. The kit sent a look over his shoulder at the hanyou. "You are the one that blew her away."
"Literally…" Miroku provided.
"Shut up!" Inuyasha grumbled.
"If she did have any, my guess would be that the shards were destroyed in the blast." Sango said.
The group continued on their way quietly, Sesshoumaru too lost in thought to be paying attention to their jabbering. 'We have three days before he can no longer protect them…and yet he sets up this little 'contest'…' the thoughts ran through the Taiyoukai's mind, pulling them selves together quite rapidly. He suddenly changed his direction slightly, heading just off course to the miasma-enclosed hills.
"Oi! Where are you going?!" Inuyasha asked. Just what the hell was that bastard doing?!
"We're getting water. I can't stand the smell of your blood any longer, whelp."
"But what about Kagome?! We have to get her back! And that little kid!"
"We have plenty of time." Sesshoumaru replied.
"What do you mean? It's almost noon already!"
"And so we need to stop to rest and eat."
"What the hell is up with you?!" Inuyasha asked, staring up his half brother skeptically. "We need to get Kagome and Rin!"
"He was bluffing." The Taiyoukai stated simply.
"What?" 'Where'd that come from?'
"The Master was bluffing." Sesshoumaru repeated.
"Who?"
Sesshoumaru's eyebrow barely twitched as he restrained the urge to whack the hanyou upside the head. A low growl rumbled in his chest instead.
"He's talking about the youkai that spoke to us this morning." Aki's soft response rang through the air, almost startling most of the group. They stopped and all eyes fell on her…well, okay, so the Taiyoukai in their presence merely glanced over his shoulder before surveying the area.
"That voice that woke everyone up?" Miroku inquired. The miko/leader nodded.
"Hai." She began walking again, following the Taiyoukai as he continued toward water. 'That voice belongs to a very evil creature, I can tell…' she thought.
~~*~~
Inuyasha groaned as they came to the lake. "Not again…" he glared at the oni before the group, looking especially bored as he sat on the ground. He paid no heed to the hanyou, nor the others, as he continued to pick up and drop the object that had his attention.
He picked the object up again and began to twirl it around in his tan fingers thoughtfully, still not paying any attention. His black hair was cropped short and he appeared to be barely older than seventeen…not to mention extremely bored. His cheek rested in the palm of his left hand as he watched the object, slumped over a bit. He wore a black hakama with a green, short sleeved haori. "I get the Taijia." He said shortly, still not looking away from the object in his hand.
"What?" Inuyasha snarled.
"You heard me." The youkai replied. His voice even sounded seventeen- young and smooth. "This belonged to Taka." He mused as he stood, still twirling the object. "Much good it did her." He grasped it in his fist as he spoke. He suddenly threw it at the Taiyoukai as he finally looked up at them. "You can have it."
Sesshoumaru caught the object without so much as a glance before lowering his fist. He dropped the object, giving it to the kitsune. "A piece of the Shikon no Tama!" Shippou gasped as he held the object.
"A dozen, to be precise." The youkai replied. His eyes were a golden green color, and the pupils were vertical slits, much like a snake. "I'm Karasuhebi." He smirked at the group as he spoke and surveyed them at the same time. "And my opponent is the exterminator." He continued, eyes settling on Sango.
~~*~~
"Oh, good, so it's my turn now, is it?" Sango said sarcastically. She wasn't particularly happy about that. She didn't really want to fight yet, but at least it was better while they were weaker, she supposed.
"Don't worry, I won't use my shards. To tell you the truth, I really don't like the Master much." He shrugged, Sango all the while stepping forward, her hand on hiraikotsu, "But what can I say? You don't disobey him." Karasuhebi pulled out another Kakera from within his clothing, and tossed it to the Taiyoukai, proving that he was not lying. He smiled. "Shall we?"
With Sango's curt nod, Karasuhebi disappeared from sight. Well trained, Sango stood completely still, glaring around the area. She suddenly dodged to the right and threw Hiraikotsu. Karasuhebi landed where she had previously been, a smirk gracing his features, before quickly and easily jumping out of the giant boomerang's path. "You're pretty good." He complimented as Sango caught her weapon.
"Gee, thanks." She replied sarcastically. Again she tossed Hiraikotsu, carefully watching her opponent's movements. When the weapon returned to her hand again, she glared at the oni.
He chuckled. "Have a problem with your little boomerang, do you?" he asked in a taunting voice.
"Perhaps." Again, the Taijia tossed the boomerang. Again, as with the other attempts by Hiraikotsu, Karasuhebi dodged her attack. The teenage oni was stunned as something forcefully struck him and he was sent flying.
Wincing more to the fact that he had been tricked than the prospect that he had been hit by a ningen, Karasuhebi smirked. "Apparently, you pack quite a punch." He patted his side momentarily. "Hai, just a little momentum drawback from my position in the air during the hit… would have been ineffective had I been on land…" he muttered to himself. "Well," he drew his attention back to the Taijia, "I guess it was just a lucky shot." He smirked again as he charged Sango, deadly talons posed for attack.
Sango saw the attack and dodged as well as she could. She winced as she felt his claws slice through the skin of her side. Quickly, counting on turning his momentum against him, she turned and flung Hiraikotsu with as much force as she could muster. It proved to have worked. As Karasuhebi noted the attack, he turned to dodge it at the precise moment it collided into him. He was then thrown meters away from where he had been, skidding along the ground. He was lucky enough to the fact that he hadn't been split in two, but on the off hand, he was pretty injured.
Pulling himself up, the teenage oni winced as he clutched his left side. "Shimatta!" he hissed as he surveyed the damage. That damned boomerang was more dangerous than he had first thought. Blood soaked the bottom half of his haori, which was torn, and started to stain his hakama as well. Karasuhebi pulled himself up onto his legs and slowly walked back toward the Taijia. "Heh," he began, "I commend you, Sango." He watched her as she stood before him, clutching her right side and hiraikotsu. Though she was in obvious pain, her face showed nothing aside from anger and devotion. His eyes softened as he looked first to her, then at the rest of her group, coming to a stop on the Taiyoukai.
Returning his gaze back to the Taijia, he spoke again. "I have a request." He chuckled dryly at the reaction from the group, minus the Taiyoukai of course.
"What kind of request could an enemy have for us?" Miroku inquired.
"Your mate." Sesshoumaru stated as he watched the young youkai. He nodded.
"Hai. The only reason I'm here is because that bastard has taken my mate as his prisoner. Please, I'm begging you to get her out!"
Sesshoumaru eyed the young youkai as he took in his scent. He could easily distinguish a female's scent mixed with his own, but hers was different, just slightly abnormal…much like his own mate's scent. "She is with child, am I right?" Again, the teenage oni nodded. Relief washed over his features at the Taiyoukai's short nod.
He closed his eyes as he whispered his thanks. Without warning, he attacked the Taijia again, bloodied claws outstretched. Reacting quickly, Sango let her weapon fly, nailing the young youkai on his right side and sending him flying back once again. This time, he did not pull himself back up.
Sesshoumaru watched as Karasuhebi lay, unmoving, meters away from them. 'He was going easy. Never once had he intended on using his full strength, which is also why he gave us the shards.' He thought. His acute hearing picked up the faint sound of a heartbeat, and he slowly made his way over. Curious, Sesshoumaru knelt and brushed back the young youkai's bangs. His eyes visibly widened at the sight held before him. "Shimatta." He hissed.
"What is it?" Inuyasha inquired in a non-too-happy tone. The rest of the group joined Sesshoumaru, looking down at Karasuhebi. "Kuso!" Inuyasha hissed.
The others looked at the mark in shock. "He was…" Miroku began in a hushed tone.
Scooping his body up, Sesshoumaru left the clearing, heading to a secluded place by the water, knowing that this 'Master' would certainly have been observing the battle. Like a wolf's pack, the rest of the group followed.
~~*~~
The Master frowned. "That was disappointing." He muttered. "You were a fool, Karasuhebi, to ever underestimate that human." He sighed. "Oh well. Three down, seven to go." It was disturbing, really, the way he acted; as if this entire thing meant nothing to him; as if… it were only a game.
~~*~~
LK: ::snicker:: This is so hilariously cruel, I think I'm actually gunna do it!
Lara: ::mutters:: Bitch.
LK: ::smile:: Why thank you, but I'm not a female Inu youkai…though that would be a hell of a lotta fun! ::grin:: Erk, anyway….gomen for taking so long. I was having a bit of trouble with that fight between Karasuhebi and Sango…::smirk::
Lara: You always have to do that, don't you? You just *have* to be mean!
LK: Yup. Leave ya in suspense…It's what I like to do. Besides, I thought the last line was a good place to stop, and I liked it, so I stopped! ::sticks tongue out at yami:: Live with it! Oh, as you could have guessed already, I have absolutely no idea when I'll be able to update again. It's getting to that time of year again, where we all have to go back to school- and I'm not talking to you adult peeps! XP
Lara: ::sigh:: Hikari, you have *three weeks*!!
LK: …..so? I have junk to do during then….
Lara: ::glare:: Fine. But don't blame me when everyone threatens to kill you!
LK: You wouldn't do that, now would you?! ::gives reviewers puppy dog eyes:: Anyway, if you did, I'd probably not feel like writing the next chapter at all! Erm…I'm starting to babble, aren't I?
Sesshoumaru: Yes. -.-
LK: Eheheh…gomen? Hey, it's 2:17, gimme a break!
Lara: ::starts singing Kit-Kat song::
LK: ::facevault::
Sesshoumaru: …bakayaro….::walks away::
LK: er…yeah…please R+R, and I hope you all will forgive me, be patient and I hope you enjoyed!! ^^
~~*~~
Japanese translations:
Oni- demon
LK: Eh….think that was it…Ja matta ne, minna!!
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Words: 6, 972
Pages: 13
Written: August 4, 2003
Finished: 2:21 AM
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