Chapter 23: War and Wit

"There it is: Naraku's castle," Miroku said. Inuyasha, Miroku, and Jack led the wolf army.

"That doesn't look like a castle, mate." Jack commented, pointing at it.

"Shut up, Sparrow," Inuyasha yelled.

"It's so quiet," Koga muttered as he walked away from the pack towards the three.

"He knows we are here. Be as careful as you can and as quiet," Inuyasha whispered.

"You go hide," Jack said to the little girl.

"Okay," she whispered as she ran into the woods. Koga went back to his army and directed them to the right side of Inuyasha, Jack, and Miroku. There, in silence, they waited.

"They are here, Naraku," Kagura stated as she walked toward him.

His hair was back, cleaner than usual. In place of his white fur robe was a brown kimono with a red sash about the waist. "Good."

Silence stayed and hung in the air as millions of demons rose up from behind the castle. The wolf army was ready with their axes, swords, and bamboo sticks brandished above their heads. Inuyasha drew the Tetsusaiga and grasped the hilt. Miroku, still not able to use his wind tunnel, held his staff firmly.

This is the time, the moment of truth, Jack thought as he unsheathed his sword, held it out from his chest, and stepped forward with his left foot.

Sango awoke to the sound of metal, though it was faint. She woke up Kagome and Jacklyn. Kagome tried to wake Will, but he was still unconscious.

The demons were still; they looked like marionettes hung limply on a post.

"It has begun," Jack said as he looked up to the sky. Then he took off, followed by Koga's army and his two companions. The demons did not remain still; they rushed forward with a screech and the battle began.

Sango heard the piercing screech of a demon and grew impatient. They had to get out while Naraku was occupied.

"Kagome, kick Mr. Turner or pinch him or something to get him awake," Sango ordered. They couldn't fight. Naraku had taken all their weapons; it was their job to stay safe. Kagome heeded Sango's words and pinched Will hard on the neck, but he did not awaken. With a sigh and a roll of the eyes, Sango flung Will over the shoulder. She kicked at the wooden wall until a hole appeared. They all climbed out of the hole and watched the war play on.

Koga's army was annihilating every demon that came their way. An axe slashed the neck of a millipede-shaped demon while a sword pierced a lion-like one. Inuyasha hacked away at the demons with his sword and claws, both bloodied and horrific. Miroku smacked down the demons with his staff, and Jack killed them.

"This is for Will and Elizabeth!" Jack yelled as he killed a monkey-like demon. "And this is for Jacklyn!" Jack screamed and went on a rampage going after every demon in sight. This battle lasted for what seemed like years when finally the last demon fell at the hands of Inuyasha. Plenty of wolves were slain, and Koga was told to stay with his pack, for Naraku had to face the trinity of Jack, Miroku, and Inuyasha, and them only.

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"They have defeated all the demons, Naraku. Should we send more?" Kagura questioned.

"No. It is your turn. Kill Miroku, but leave Inuyasha and Mr. Sparrow to me. Now go!" Naraku demanded. Kagura walked out and faced the three.

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Will had still not become conscious, and Jacklyn was too frightened to look over the bush toward the fight.

"They have defeated the demons, and none of them were injured badly. I see them all," Sango reported. Kagome was comforting Jacklyn, so Sango was on watch. "Wait, Kagura is coming out."

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"Kagura!" Miroku sneered as he rushed toward her. She smirked and snapped her slender hand around Miroku's throat. Miroku dropped his staff and tried to escape the suffocating grasp. Seeing that Miroku was in need, Jack and Inuyasha ran to his aid, their swords poised. Kagura pulled her fan out of her sash and waved it at the men coming at her. They were paralyzed, for now. Kagura lessened her grip on Miroku, which surprised him. Then she spoke. "I am willing to help you defeat Naraku for one jewel shard."

"Why should we trust you, you witch?" Inuyasha snarled at Kagura. "And why would I give you a jewel shard?" Inuyasha spat at Kagura's feet.

She let Miroku go. "Because I'm your only chance, and a shard won't do you any good if you are dead."

"She has a point, mate," Jack cut in.

"Shut up!" Inuyasha yelled.

"I am afraid he may be right, Inuyasha," Miroku commented.

"I'm surrounded by idiots, dammit!" Inuyasha growled. "I guess it's a deal."

Kagura undid the paralysis on Jack and Inuyasha then stood there, almost statue-like.

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"What's going on, Sango?" Will asked as he awoke.

"I'm not sure. I'm entirely not sure," Sango replied with a shake of her head.

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"Foolish sorceress!" Naraku scowled. "Yet, I guess three deaths are always better than one." Naraku stepped out of his castle and met eye to eye with Jack for the first time. Jack saw evil, but there was something else; it was vulnerability. Naraku's eyes seemed vulnerable, somehow.

"Bastard," Inuyasha said under his breath. He lifted up the Tetsusaiga to strike, but Jack held him back. He had a plan.

"What a lovely lady you have here, mate," Jack said calmly to Naraku. Both Inuyasha and Miroku were confused. Naraku kept quiet. "Would you care to sell her? I have one jewel shard, savvy?" Jack tapped on the hilt of his sword, and a little door popped open. Jack took out a jewel shard. Naraku thought for a moment and agreed. He had all of Kagome's shards and the shard Will had picked up.

"Traitor," Jack heard Inuyasha mumble.

That left one: Jack's shard. "But first," Jack stuck one finger up in the air. "I need to try her out." Naraku nodded, and Jack grabbed Kagura around the waist and dipped her down as if to kiss her. But he didn't. He whispered, "Chain him up." Kagura understood and before Naraku knew what was going on, he was hog-tied and could not move. Jack set Kagura upright and spun around to Naraku, sword still in hand. Jack's eyes narrowed as he spoke, "And this is for bloody Captain Jack Sparrow!" Jack thrust his cutlass into the heart of Naraku. Naraku's eyes widened, and instead of disintegrated, he melted into a black puddle of molasses, never to harm anyone ever again.