Inuyasha X
Chapter 18
"Potential"
By MEGAMANX411
Naraku approached the group slowly, his black hair shimmering in the remaining flickers of sunlight giving way to night. Mega Man X's eyes instantly widened at the sight of this man. He didn't look the part of some evil maniac, but he knew of his actions, and he merely kept his eyes on him. Kagome spoke up.
Kagome gave Naraku an angry glare.
"Naraku...what are you doing here?" she asked.
Naraku merely smirked.
"I thought you would've figured it out by now," he replied. "You really are a pathetic bunch. I was here listening to your entire conversation, and you still can't figure out what I'm going to do."
X narrowed his eyes and clenched his fist.
"I know what you want..." he said confidently.
Naraku turned to X.
"What was that?" he asked.
"I know what you want...." X repeated.
Naraku gave an arrogant smile.
"And what is that I've come for, hm?" he asked.
X looked at Naraku angrily.
"You've come for...me..." he said.
Naraku lightly clapped.
"Finally!" he said, sounding slightly pleased. "It took you all this time, but you've finally deciphered what I wanted."
X looked at Naraku worriedly.
"But why me?" he asked.
Naraku shook his head slowly.
"Isn't it obvious X?" he asked. "Your power. Your potential. It's such a treasure, one given to such an ungrateful whelp."
X gritted his teeth.
"Power isn't something to be flaunted around!" he protested. "It should be used for the good of the people!"
Naraku looked disgusted at what X said.
"The good of the people...bah. Sickening!" he replied. "You know what you want to do, X. Fight me."
X shook his head in protest.
"This is just the kind of trap you want me to get into," he replied. "You want my battle data."
Naraku smiled.
"Clever, clever!" he praised. "I suppose then you're friends will try to fight me?"
Zero crossed his arms defiantly.
"And what's wrong with that?" he said.
Inuyasha clenched his fist.
"Naraku, it's time for some payback!" he threatened.
Miroku came up alongside Inuyasha.
"You can't get away with this any longer!" he warned.
Naraku just smiled at his supposed assassins. He let out a smirk that could almost pass for joy, or whatever emotion Naraku considered to be joy. He simply stood there, his clothes and hair swaying in the wind. Inuyasha smirked.
"Not gonna make a move, huh?" he asked. "Fine by me!"
Inuyasha leaped into the air, and drew his massive Tetsusaiga. The gargantuan sword was removed from the sheath, and ready to strike Naraku. However, as soon as Inuyasha managed to bring his massive sword down, he discovered Naraku was far too quick. He merely stepped to the side every time. Zero attempted to come in with his own attacks, but to no avail. Naraku seemed to be merely playing with them.
Sango and Miroku had no such luck either. Sango's boomerang couldn't come close to coming anywhere near Naraku, and Miroku couldn't hit him with his staff. It was then that Miroku decided to take drastic action, and use his wind tunnel. However, Naraku eyed the monk, and he grabbed Sango in that instant.
Naraku smiled.
"If you use the wind tunnel monk, I swear that I will take the slayer girl with me!" he warned.
Sango was kicking Naraku's sides in struggle.
"Unhand me, you monster!" she threatened.
She struggled with her might, but Naraku's grip proved incredibly tight. Zero and Inuyasha attempted to attack while Naraku's back was turned, but their attacks failed hopelessly.
Naraku shook his head in disgust.
"I've had enough of these games!" he shouted. "I want to fight X, and X alone."
Zero shot a look back at his partner.
"X stay back!" he warned. "Don't fight him!"
"I said enough!" Naraku shouted.
Naraku's arm transfigured into a massive, demonic tentacle, which shot outward from his body onto Zero. The tentacle pushed Zero against a cliff wall, and it unattached itself from Naraku's body, yet still remaining firm in holding Zero. Naraku then did the same to Sango, and shot yet another tentacle from his arm socket. Inuyasha tried to slash it off, but Naraku used his other arm to perform the same technique on him. Miroku, Shippo, Kilala, Kagome, and Iris soon befell similar fates. The entire group were now immobile as they laid down on the ground, tied up with Naraku's demon extensions.
Naraku smiled at X.
"Now X, it's just you and me!" he said maliciously.
Naraku grabbed X with one of his demon tentacles, and wrapped him up tight.
"What...what are you doing?" X asked frantically. "I thought you said you wanted to fight me?!" Naraku shrugged.
"I said I wanted to discover the limits of your potential," he corrected. "And I thought what better way to excite your fighting ability than through rage."
X looked at Naraku defiantly.
"What are you going to do?" he asked.
"It's rather simple," Naraku replied. "I'm going to use your friends to help me."
"Don't you dare lay a hand on them!!" X threatened.
Naraku just smiled.
"It's all for a greater cause X, heh heh heh...."
X had a pleading look in his eyes.
"Please, don't hurt them! Fight me if you want, just don't hurt them!!" he begged.
Naraku turned his back to X.
"I'm sorry X, but I'm afraid I can't hear you...heh heh.." he replied.
"Don't hurt them!" X shouted. "I'm begging you!!"
Naraku cocked an eyebrow.
"Begging?" he asked. "My, my, such a lowly comment for such a strong warrior such as yourself."
"Please! Don't!" X pleaded.
A smirk appeared on Naraku's face.
"Your cries are merely assurance X, merely assurance. Time to excite your rage!" he shouted.
