Hi, all. I'm back. Cliffhanger resolution, only to have yet another at the end of the chapter.
(hears everyone yell "NOOOOOOOOO...")
If it makes you feel any better, there'll be one or two more – TOPS – and then a bunch of chapters with actual ENDINGS instead of cliff-hangery ones.
And what is up with people not reviewing? I got less reviews for this chapter then I did for most of the ones in the beginning! This isn't good. I'm seriously beginning to think people's interest is slacking off...is my writing style collapsing? Honestly. Tell me.
This chapter contains...dum dum DUM...the anticipated battle of the General and Sesshomaru! And he MIGHT just lose his shirt. (gasp)
Reviews!!!
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Ryguy5387: Good. At least one person still has faith in my writing abilities. ;; ... Well, not everything turns out the way we think it will. Hell, not everything turns out the way I think it will. I think of new ideas and such every day. ... Tenseiga...? That gives me a very...interesting...idea. ... Kukuku? What are you babbling about?
BryLiz: Growing an arm back is a tiring process, even for a strong guy like the General. I wanted to make a point. ... Truth. Where would all the fun be? ... I'm not sure. He is ruggedly handsome, so maybe that's it...but then again, all anime characters are ruggedly handsome. Maybe it's his cologne.
Valdimarian: I have absolutely no clue what that means. ... You figured it out ahead of schedule. Good job.
Kitsy: Geez, I try to write a story and everyone goes all to pieces. At least I updated this one a little more timely.
Sieg1308: I'm being more timely than usual for this update. Be glad.
Kegger007: ...He is? Gee, you think people would've recognized him by now. ... Just one author promoting another. I consider it my duty. ... The General is a cold-hearted bastard, and we're just now getting glimpses of exactly the sort of things he does. ... Cliffhangers are good. Even if just to see your audience squirm. ... A one-shot about the General? I've been considering it. But I've never written a songfic before...
Inu-Baby18: Okay! Okay! Okay! Etc. ... I'll do my best.
lordkagome: You no longer have to. It's right there!
DemonSorceress: Umm...I think I'll just leave it nameless. Not an insult to you, but I think it's better that way.
PNEK MEKS: That is annoying, isn't it? If it's any better, we're near the end.
Mechant Guy: You're gonna haaaaaaate me by the end of the story. Sorry.
hersheykiss1012: I put a lot of work into those flashbacks. A lot of it was inspired by Kegger007's piece I posted. ... Yep. Next chapter = Duelsville. ... No, next chapter won't be the last...there's plenty to go. ... YOU'LL be upset when it's over? Think about ME! What will I have to do with my life? ... I wish, but it'd be awfully difficult to keep thinking up new plot ideas. ... It IS nice getting reviews. That's nine-tenths of the reason I keep posting. ... You went on and on, but I do the same, so you shouldn't worry.
japanime-01: Maaaaaybe. I never really considered that connection. ... Don't worry yourself. I never make sense either. ... Will she? Won't she? Time will tell.
Cloud1900: What is it that's lost it's charm? Really. I want to know...I want to know how to write better. I'm always trying to improve.
STORY!
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Chapter 61: Clash Of The Emotionless
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The General was pacing. Up and down the corridors, in and out of rooms, ignoring the demons' questions as to what had happened. If he had had emotions, he would have been said to be in a foul mood; but the only thing the General had changed was glaring very slightly at everything he looked at.
One of the demons, trying to get his attention for a while, finally decided to leap in front of him.
"My lord, Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands is here," it said very quickly, before the General could turn away.
The General stopped pacing. He straightened up, and glanced in the demon's direction.
"Where is he now?" he said quietly.
"I sent him to the door of your chambers, my lord, in the hopes that you would eventually return there."
"I see," said the General. "And if I had returned and found Lord Sesshomaru there, without your prior warning?" The demon flinched as he realized what he had done. "Next time, think before you act, Lieutenant," he said, with just a hint of malice in his voice. He stalked off.
Arriving back at his room, the General found Sesshomaru waiting outside. The demon lord was instantly on his feet as the General arrived. The General stopped and looked at Sesshomaru with emotionless eyes. Sesshomaru returned the gaze in kind.
"Why have you come here, oh Lord of the Western Lands?" said the General calmly.
"To challenge you, General," returned Sesshomaru, just as calmly.
"I seem to recall you building up an army for that very purpose..."
"True, but armies are of little effectiveness for two people of such power as us," said Sesshomaru. "I imagine that either of us could dispose of the other's army alone. Besides, armies can never take the place of single combat." Sesshomaru stared right into the General's eyes.
"Are you suicidal or merely insane?" Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at the General's words. "Surely you remember the last time you attempted to attack me..."
"True, but I was improperly armed. However I have managed to change that." From a second scabbard on his belt, Sesshomaru drew out Tokijin. The blade rang softly as it emerged from the sheath. What little light there was in the corridor mustered its forces briefly to glitter menacingly off the metal.
The General looked at the blade for a few seconds, then back up at Sesshomaru. "That is a fine sword," he said quietly. "However, mine is finer." He drew his own sword. Sesshomaru changed into his combat stance, but the General held up a hand.
"Do you mind if we take this outside? I would hate to destroy such a fine citadel, and disrupt the spell I have been working on for such a long time, now."
"Spell?" Sesshomaru blinked slowly. "What spell is this?"
"I am summoning something into existence, something that has not been seen on this planet for thousands of years. I have spent a very...very long time trying to find the resources necessary to accomplish this, and I would appreciate it if you did not choose to ruin it now."
"But what is it exactly that you are summoning?" said Sesshomaru, with some urgency in his voice. "Some great beast, perhaps, to do your bidding?"
"Do not concern yourself with it, Lord Sesshomaru. It does not endanger the Western Lands in any way. And I have no need for massive monsters, I have power enough that such things are unnecessary." The General lowered his sword slightly. "I cannot reveal exactly what it is, for a variety of reasons. But...do you know about the boy who goes with Inuyasha?"
Sesshomaru gave the General a questioning look. "Obviously not. He dresses like myself, with armor and ancient clothing, red hair, a large sword like mine...?"
"Yes, now I know of whom you speak," said Sesshomaru. "His name is Tobias?" The General nodded fractionally. "He travels with my pathetic half-brother and their little ragtag band."
"Well," said the General, "this spell concerns him in particular, and I would hate for him to know what it was before the time was right. It would simply ruin the surprise." He sheathed his sword and held out a hand towards the corridor. "This is the way out...shall we?" Sesshomaru nodded, sheathing his own sword, and the two of them walked down the corridor.
"One thing I have always wondered about you, General...how is it you are so strong, for a human?" Sesshomaru's voice did not waver in the slightest.
"The same reason the boy has strength...the sword at my side." The General tapped the hilt lightly. He saw Sesshomaru's eyes flick down to the sword and back up again. "If you are thinking what I believe you are, then it will not work," said the General. "Disarming me is, I must admit, one way to defeat me; but you can imagine how many other humans and demons have attempted such a thing over the years. It always fails, and leaves them hopelessly vulnerable to...counter-attack."
"Thanks for the warning, General," Sesshomaru said, and even the General couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not.
"My lord!" A large demon appeared before the two of them; the General recognized him as a colonel in his army. "Where are you going?"
"To do battle with the Lord of the Western Lands," said the General coolly.
The demon appeared shocked, then quickly recovered and drew his own sword. "Your troops will stand beside you, my lord!" it rumbled. "You will not fight alone!"
"Oh, yes I will," returned the General sharply. "Do not interfere, Colonel. Tell the men to go back to their duties, and take no notice of any battles outdoors." The demon appeared troubled, but saluted and ducked into an adjoining corridor.
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After no small amount of walking, the two warriors made it to the courtyard outside of the citadel. They stood across the clearing from each other. The General brought out his sword, Sesshomaru readied Tokijin.
With a flash, both of them leaped toward each other and clashed violently in the middle. Their swords locked with a clang. Just as quickly, they leaped away again.
"Your skill has increased, Lord Sesshomaru," observed the General. He raised his sword ever so slightly higher.
"My skill has remained the same, General," said Sesshomaru calmly. "It is merely my better armament that increases my chances." The General inclined his head in agreement, then the two warriors leaped again.
They traded blows to no effect, or indeed, impact; neither could hit the other. They leaped away again.
"Do you really expect to defeat me?" said the General tonelessly.
"Why else would I be here?" said Sesshomaru coldly. They rushed each other again.
Sesshomaru swung, the General ducked his blow and leaped high. He came crashing down on Sesshomaru's head, but Sesshomaru blocked his attack and sent him flying. The General did a double backflip and landed on his feet, just in time to repulse Sesshomaru's attack.
They each battered away at the other's defenses, each unable to get in a single blow. They retreated once again.
"You may have borrowed power, General, but you are still...human," sneered Sesshomaru, as if the word was distasteful to him. "And as such, you are fettered by the restraints of your kind."
"And what restraints are those, Lord Sesshomaru?" returned the General coolly. "I certainly have an advantage over you when it comes to experience, having lived for over seventy centuries. And I do not think that superior senses of hearing or scent will win you this fight." They charged.
They locked swords and pushed against each other, each straining to break the other's grip. The General exerted himself; his muscles seemed to bulge, and Sesshomaru faltered. He went stumbling backwards, and the General rushed him.
Sesshomaru, however, recovered much more quickly than the General had expected. He lashed out with Tokijin, and the General reeled as the sword sliced through his unprotected shoulder. They backed off."First blood to you," said the General, panting very slightly. "Congratulations." He did not wait for a reply, but instead charged again.
Sesshomaru attacked again, but the General came in low and outside. Tokijin flashed, and the General's blow was deflected, but the General kept going and rammed into Sesshomaru's side. His considerable bulk sent the demon flying. Sesshomaru landed awkwardly, but recovered quickly and stood.
"The praise belongs to you, General," hissed Sesshomaru. They clashed again.
They sliced at each other, stabbed, parried, blocked, leaped, and punched; and yet neither was the clear winner. The General leaped backwards; his sword glowed blue. A shining icicle rushed from the tip and hurtled toward Sesshomaru. The demon dodged it, but it threw him off his balance, and the General took the opportunity to rush in and open a long scar across Sesshomaru's chest.
Sesshomaru leaped, Tokijin held in one hand. The General readied to block, but he missed the glowing whip of energy that suddenly extended from Sesshomaru's other hand. It coiled around his ankle and yanked him off the ground.
He parried Sesshomaru's blow while flying through the air, but smacked into a tree, which burst into splinters from the impact. The General grabbed at the whip with his hand of ice, ignoring the sizzling sound, and tugged hard. Sesshomaru was pulled forwards, nearly losing Tokijin, and the General lurched forward. Sesshomaru leaped into the air to meet him.
The two warriors met in midair, their blows moving faster than the eye could see.
Each landed. The General landed; a little shakily, but he stood. Sesshomaru collapsed to one knee, groaning. He seemed to be in agony. The General turned and dashed towards Sesshomaru. He raised his sword high, ready to strike...
And faster than the General thought possible, Sesshomaru lashed out at him. He hit the General with such ferocity that his armor shattered to shards of jagged metal. The General flew backwards and hit the ground heavily, skidding on the damp grass for some distance.
He stood up again, though slowly. Sesshomaru, likewise, jumped to his feet.
"Your feint worked once, Lord Sesshomaru...it will not work again," said the General, and Sesshomaru could swear he heard some anger in the other man's voice. "Nevertheless I must commend you on such a blow. This reveals to me several things."
"Such as?" said Sesshomaru.
"I shall not have to hold back as much as I usually do." His sword began to glow a pale blue. "I congratulate you, Lord Sesshomaru. You have forced me to reach a level of power I have not had to attain in centuries." He closed his eyes. "Let us see how you handle my new strength."
Suddenly, he whipped his cape from his shoulders. It fluttered to the ground as the General struck a battle stance.
Sesshomaru stared him right in the eye. Then he reached around with a claw and tore his battle dress from him with such savagery that the entire top of his kimono came off, leaving him bare-chested.
Without any further preamble, the two warriors launched themselves at each other. They locked swords with a mighty crash that shook the very earth beneath them...
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When Kagome woke up, she didn't know what she was feeling.
She was in Inuyasha's arms, and his teeth were in her shoulder. As she stirred slightly, Inuyasha mumbled something in his sleep and withdrew his fangs. Kagome shuddered a little as she tried to think.
There was no erasing the memory of her...experience. That would stay with her forever. It lurked in the back of her mind, tormenting her with its existence every time her thoughts turned astray...
And yet...
She felt...good. Not just good, great. Kagome felt like life had taken a turn for the better...she felt like the day she was just waking up to see was a fresh and beautiful day, where anything was possible. And those possibilities were good ones.
I guess it was a little more of a healing experience than I realized, Kagome thought. She giggled a little to herself at the idea. At the sound, Inuyasha's ears pricked up. Kagome glanced over at his face to find him, apparently, asleep. She began to grin.
"Good morning, Inuyasha," Kagome whispered. His eyes did not open, but a smile appeared on his face. So that was his little game, was it? Well, if he wasn't going to respond to her, then she was going to make him do it.
"Mate..." she purred, moving her body sensuously against his. Inuyasha's smile grew wider, but he did not respond. "I know you can hear me." Kagome took one of his fuzzy ears in her hand and began to gently massage it, kneading the fur between her fingers.
Inuyasha couldn't stop himself from growling slightly at the feeling. Kagome's beguiling fingers were rapidly wearing down his patience, and his ears twitched and jerked in response to her caresses. Nevertheless, he kept his cool, forcing himself to remain as silent as possible.
Kagome giggled a little to herself as she began to rub his other ear. "Inu-puppy..." she whispered directly into his ear. "Who's my little puppy dog?" She blew a hot breath into his ear. Inuyasha shivered with the feeling. "I'll get you to talk, Inuyasha..." said Kagome, in a mock-serious voice. She lowered her head and began to kiss his ear, running her tongue around its edge.
Inuyasha's claws were biting into his palms, his hands clenched into fists as he tried to resist his mate's advances. He could feel himself becoming aroused, and he squeezed his eyelids shut; taking deep, shuddering breaths as his control slipped away bit by bit.
Finally, he could take no more. He rolled over, pinning Kagome beneath him. She yelped and struggled playfully beneath him, whimpering slightly as he ground his hips into hers. She stared into his golden eyes, and shuddered beneath his gaze.
"Mate..." Inuyasha began. His eyes glittered – or did they twinkle?
"It's time to get up." Kagome's face fell into an unmistakable pout. "Listen, Kagome, you know there's nothing I'd rather do than spend the rest of the day here, with you..." He rocked his hips against Kagome slightly, and she flinched. "But we're in a dangerous time. I don't want you to get hurt because we're distracted. Get it?"
Sighing, Kagome squirmed out from under Inuyasha and looked around for her clothes. As her gaze settled over her slit-open blouse and skirt, a black look came into her eyes.
"Inuyasha, can't we make love just once without you destroying my clothes?" She pretend-punched him on the arm, and he chuckled. "We can't go back for more, you know. I'm going to have to sew these together."
Inuyasha looked over at Kagome's scowl, but her face softened. She leaned in closer to him. "But I can't stay mad at you..." she said, kissing him lightly on the end of his nose. "Now, if you don't mind, I need more clothes. Could you go and get them from my pack back at the camp?"
Growling good-naturedly, Inuyasha got his pants on and trudged over to the camp...
...only to find it deserted. There was no sign of Sango, Tobias, or Miroku; or any of their things. The fire was out, and all their possessions had vanished.
Inuyasha was thoroughly perplexed. He searched around the length and breadth of the area, but not a scrap of clothing was to be found. Puzzled, he jogged back to Kagome.
"What do you mean, everything's gone?" Kagome said incredulously, leaning upwards and peering into the trees. "Where are the others?"
"They're gone too. I don't know what happened," admitted Inuyasha.
"I happened," said a voice from above their heads. Inuyasha and Kagome looked upwards to see Tobias standing at the top of an insanely tall tree. Kagome instantly snatched up the blanket and held it over her chest.
"Pervert! SIT!" There was no effect on Tobias, but Inuyasha instead smashed into the ground, cursing. "Oh...eh heh...sorry, Inuyasha," said Kagome, sweatdropping. Inuyasha growled something into the dirt.
"You know, no matter how many times I see that, it's still funny," said Tobias. Kagome looked back up at Tobias. She couldn't put her finger on it, but there was clearly something different about him...
His voice is familiar, but it sounds...different, somehow, thought Kagome. I can't even see him clearly. He seems to be distorted, like he's really far away...but the tree isn't that tall. What's going on?
Tobias threw something down that landed near Kagome; it was a bundle of clothes that Kagome recognized as her spare set.
"Take these, I don't want to you go running around naked." Tobias leaped from the top of the tree and landed gracefully. Both Inuyasha and Kagome gasped.
His armor was gone. Instead of the usual cheerful smile – or, recently, glum expression – his face was an arrogant grin. His eyes were no longer golden – they were instead pure black. He seemed to carry himself differently, standing up a little straighter.
But the biggest change about him was his aura. A wavy black field surrounded him, and seemed to warp the very air around him. The grass he was standing on was withering before Kagome's eyes. She tried to read his aura; but only felt a cold, evil darkness radiating from him.
He drew his sword.
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"Your resilience knows no bounds, Lord Sesshomaru," said the General. Their swords were locked yet again. "Indeed, many would have died after the thrashing I gave you." He did not lie: Sesshomaru's body had many wounds on it, blood dripping down his torso. The General, however, was not without his share of injuries as well.
They leaped apart, but the General moved in first. He slashed at Sesshomaru, who jumped over the whirling blade and landed behind the General. Summoning all his strength, he stabbed the General through the back.
The General stopped moving. He turned his head and looked Sesshomaru in the eye.
"Lord Sesshomaru, you amaze me," he said quietly. "Do you think you can really defeat me? I have strength yet left within me." He reached behind him with his arm of ice and gripped Tokijin's blade.
Slowly, incredibly, the ice began to spread from the General's palm. Sesshomaru watched in horror as the ice began to creep down the blade, covering the hilt and moving onto his own hand.
With a mad burst of strength, Sesshomaru yanked the sword from the General's grip. No sooner had he pulled away then the General lashed out and caught Sesshomaru full in the chest with a tremendous blow. Sesshomaru landed on his back, but slowly climbed to his feet.
Small jets of smoke began to arise from Sesshomaru's ice-covered hand. The ice abruptly shattered as poison burst forth from Sesshomaru's claws, the iced-over blade quickly melting and returning to normal. The General faced Sesshomaru down.
"I regret, oh Lord Sesshomaru of the Western Lands, that I have no more time to fight you. Admittedly, I expected to finish this battle long before this time..." He sheathed his sword. "This battle is not over," he said, as calmly as if nothing had just happened. "We will resume our fighting at another time. Now, however, I have pressing business to attend to." He began walking towards the citadel.
Sesshomaru leaped up and charged after him, but the General snapped his fingers three times. Over the walls leaped five of the biggest, nastiest demons Sesshomaru had ever seen. The General never broke stride as he walked through the door to his castle and slammed it behind him.
Sesshomaru backed up slightly. I can defeat these demons, but I am already wounded enough... He leaped away, bounding through the trees. I see how this turns out. I...I cannot defeat him alone. I must do what I hoped I would not have to...
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"What the fuck happened to you?" said Inuyasha incredulously.
"Oh, you know..." Tobias waved his hand in a meaningless gesture. "A little of this, some of that. A little mind control, a dash of dark magic, and here I am now." He gave an exaggerated bow.
"Mind control?" whispered Kagome, horrified.
"Not as such," amended Tobias. "Y'ever hear the saying 'There's good in everyone'? Well, turns out there's evil in everyone too." His grin grew. "And with the right combination of magic, you can bring that evil out to the front where it belongs." He took a step toward.
Inuyasha instantly leaped in front of Kagome, snatching up Tetsusaiga from its scabbard. "What the hell are you talking about?" he snarled.
"Long story short, I ran into this witch, remember her? The one who put that awful heat spell on Kagome?" Kagome gasped. Tobias nodded slightly. "Yeah, her," he chuckled. "Her power took a jump since she got her hands on the Shikon shards..." He lowered his voice dramatically. "All of 'em. And she got ahold of me, see?" He took another step.
Inuyasha raised his sword and growled, but Tobias laughed.
"I wouldn't try it, Inuyasha." He walked toward Inuyasha as he spoke. "Something useful about this evil magic thing...since my life force isn't animating my body, I can't die." Inuyasha's eyes widened in horror. "That's right," said Tobias gleefully. "Stab me, cut me, slash me to pieces; I'll pull myself together. Do your best." He lowered his voice. "It won't make any difference."
Inuyasha lunged forward and struck at Tobias, but he vanished in a wisp of smoke. A ringing of metal was heard, and Kagome fell to the ground, clutching at her throat.
"KAGOME!!" Inuyasha howled, leaping to her. Tobias stood on top of another tree, grinning down at both of them.
"Don't worry yourself, Inuyasha, I didn't kill her. I cut her just enough to get your attention..." His eyes glittered strangely. "And to make you...furious."
With a guttural roar, Inuyasha launched himself at Tobias, but Tobias vanished again and Inuyasha felt his sword pierce his side. With a grunt of pain, Inuyasha fell to the ground.
As soon as he jumped to his feet, Tobias appeared and struck again. Kagome shrieked as Inuyasha went flying backwards, blood spurting from a large wound in his torso.
Oh, Gods... thought Kagome frantically. The wound the General gave him...it's opening up again!
Tobias slashed downwards, cutting a long path down Inuyasha's body. Inuyasha stumbled and fell. Inuyasha's eyes widened as he felt the pain of his wounds biting him. What the fuck is going on...wherever he hits me, it's burning like it's on fire!
Tobias stood before Inuyasha, his sword out. He laughed cruelly, staring down at his stunned opponent.
"Enjoy your last moments, Inuyasha...they'll be yours and hers." He raised his sword high. "I've always wanted to-"
Suddenly he stumbled, his legs shook and his swing went wide. A shining metal sword suddenly protruded from his chest...
...and then another one did the same.
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Ooh, guess who we haven't seen in a LONG time! That's right, he's showing up yet again! Yet again! Still don't know who? Tune in next time! Review!