"Oh crap," Jakotsu muttered under his breath. He
looked at the stunned body of Naraku, and then over to the
crying Kikyou. He then looked towards Sekka, who was walking
over to him, smiling.
"To be honest," she said, "I'm a little disappointed. I was hoping for more of a challenge."
"So it's a challenge you want," Naraku snickered as he got up, shaking the loose ice off of himself. "Then you came to the right place." He had returned to his full original form, and dashed towards the young snow demon. She wasn't prepared for the power of his punch, and was sent clear across the village.
She sat up, stunned. "What just happened?" she whispered to herself. She got to her feet and met with another hit across the face from Naraku.
(Shit!)
She struggled to regain herself, but Naraku wouldn't let her. After a few more hits, she decided it would be better to give up. This was a loosing battle for her.
"You're stronger than you look," she said, wiping blood from her mouth. "Don't think this is over." She floated back into the mist that covered the village and disappeared with it.
Naraku smiled. He was pleased with his victory. He had also saved the woman he loved. Unfortunately for him, she didn't quite feel the same way. He searched the battlefield for Kikyou and found her by Kaede's body.
"That wasn't so hard," he said confidently.
"Kaede's dead." Kikyou managed to mutter between sobs.
"A simple casualty of war," was his response. Kikyou stopped crying, and rose to meet Naraku face to face.
"What did you say?" she whispered. Naraku began to speak, but he was silenced by a slap across the face, which even made Jakotsu jump a little. She looked straight into his hurt eyes. "Why the hell did you do that?" she asked in that same low tone voice. "How could you do that to me?"
Naraku was puzzled. What was she talking about? It was true, Kaede being a casualty of war, but-
(Is that why she's mad?)
Naraku began to speak. "Kikyou, I-"
"You impersonated Suikotsu so you could have me, is that correct?" Kikyou exclaimed angrily. Naraku tried to speak again, but was silenced again. "Just go," she said, motioning for him to leave with her hand. "I never want to see your face again."
"But, Kikyou-"
"I said go!" Kikyou turned away from him and walked to her sister. Naraku continued to watch her, stunned. Why had she yelled at him? He didn't understand.
(Is this why she is angry?)
"Naraku," Jakotsu called out, breaking his train of though, "I think you should leave."
Naraku looked at him, then back to Kikyou. He balled his hands into fists and walked away slowly.
(It wasn't supposed to be like this.)
He narrowed his eyes. "If I can't have her," he muttered silently to himself, "then no one can."
InuYasha and his party were beginning to become very tired from walking around in all of that heavy snow. However, the weather became warmer, and the snow had stopped coming down so hard on them. They were all grateful for this, at least. Still, they didn't feel quite right. Especially Kouga. Seeing that other wolf demon sparked some unwanted feelings and memories.
The Kooriookami, Kouga remembered, was the rivaling wolf tribe to his own. Back before he had even heard of the Shikon jewel, he had been trying to fight off this tribe of "fake wolves," and their leader. He hoped he would never have to see that mangy mutt again in his life.
He was so into his thoughts that he failed to realize where they were. They had returned to La Saia's kingdom, and were greeted with open arms. One of the villagers came right up to them and asked, "Did you find it? The ice demons' lair?"
InuYasha shook his head. "There was too much damn snow."
The villager looked to the ground. But then he smiled and said, "You must all be tired. Please, rest here for a bit." He led them to his inn, where they stayed for the night. The next morning, they announced that they wanted to speak with La Saia again.
"For safety reasons," the innkeeper said, "she's been moved to a safer location."
"Makes sense," Kagome said. "We should be heading back home anyways."
The innkeeper smiled. "You are right. On behalf of our village, I would like to thank you for all you have done for us."
After the goodbyes, InuYasha and party started for their return trip home. They noticed that the snow around this area had begun to melt. Maybe the ice demons were loosing their power? With their luck. no. Lately, their luck had not been so great, although they did come out of all their battles, for the most part, on top.
But at least now they could return to their nice, safe, cozy homes and rest for a bit longer before trying to tackle the ice demons. Unfortunately, what they failed to realize, was that this was going to become bigger than just that.
Meanwhile, at the ice fortress, Gyouka was lecturing his fellow comrades on their performances in the last few days.
"We have suffered four defeats already!" he exclaimed. Glaring at the three other generals before him, he asked, "How could you let them beat you? We are supposed to be the most feared demons in all of Japan! Now we're the laughing stock!"
"We underestimated their power," Shimoka said flatly. "That is all. Now that we know how they move, we will be ready for them."
"I hope so," Gyouka muttered, "for your sake." He turned to Fuyuka and said, "Is your arm any better?"
Fuyuka nodded. That damn dog boy had ripped his arm to pieces. Using a little frozen water as glue, he was able to put it back together. It didn't look too attractive anymore, though. He had to cover it up with a sleeve made of Kooriookami fur.
"I've hired a few helping hands," Gyouka muttered. "A few weaker demons were all I could find, though."
A Hyoukoumori interrupted them. It flew into the room, landed in front of Gyouka and said, "She will see you now."
Gyouka nodded. "Sekka, you're in charge until I get back. Wipe them out. All of them." And with that, he and the ice bat left to go see their mistress, KooriKisaki, who had returned to the fortress earlier.
"Well boys," Sekka smiled, "We have work to do. So let's get started, shall we?"
Shippou became tired again, so Kagome offered to carry him. Sleeping in her arms, he dreamt of home. Not the one he was living at now, but his old home, where he lived with his father. He missed him so much. He couldn't quite remember what happened to him though. It must have been very traumatic, if his memory wouldn't let him think of it.
A vision of a pelt flashed in his mind. It was made of beautiful golden fur. It looked so familiar. but he couldn't quite remember, until he saw the face on it. Then he realized what it was. It was the remains of his father, being worn like a piece of clothing. But who. was. wearing it?
(Manten.)
Shippou's eyes opened wide and he let out a little whimper.
"What's wrong?" Kagome asked him. He looked up at her and shook his head. "Bad dream?" she comforted. "It's okay, the scary part's over."
"I don't think it is," Shippou whispered. With these words, Kagome felt a wash of dread flow over her entire body.
InuYasha stopped walking, and sniffed the air. "Sesshoumaru," he said, "Do you smell that?"
Sesshoumaru looked around and nodded. "Centipede demon," he said. "Closing in fast."
InuYasha, Sesshoumaru, Kouga and Nobunaga drew their swords. They all looked around to see where the demon was coming from, but they couldn't tell. InuYasha, Kouga and Sesshoumaru could smell it easily enough, but they had no idea where the smell was coming from. It seemed to be coming from everywhere.
"There must be more than one," InuYasha said. "Good, I could use a little practice."
The others got ready for battle too. Miroku was preparing to release his wind tunnel, should they need it. Sango changed to her battle wear and held the Hiraikotsu in attack position. Shippou jumped out of Kagome's arms and changed into a bow. Juuroumaru looked around cautiously and sensed something behind him. He ducked as a centipede demon lashed its tail at him.
They realized that they were indeed surrounded by centipede demons, seven of them to be exact.
InuYasha scoffed. "Looks like one us'll have to sit this one out."
"I disagree," a creepy sounding female voice said from out of nowhere. An eighth centipede demon revealed itself. It was Mukade Jourou, the very first demon that InuYasha and Kagome had ever fought together. "What's wrong," she cackled, "Surprised to see me?"
InuYasha and Kagome took a step back. Seeing this old enemy was very surprising indeed. OmegaNihon stood its ground and prepared for the fight with the centipede demons.
"To be honest," she said, "I'm a little disappointed. I was hoping for more of a challenge."
"So it's a challenge you want," Naraku snickered as he got up, shaking the loose ice off of himself. "Then you came to the right place." He had returned to his full original form, and dashed towards the young snow demon. She wasn't prepared for the power of his punch, and was sent clear across the village.
She sat up, stunned. "What just happened?" she whispered to herself. She got to her feet and met with another hit across the face from Naraku.
(Shit!)
She struggled to regain herself, but Naraku wouldn't let her. After a few more hits, she decided it would be better to give up. This was a loosing battle for her.
"You're stronger than you look," she said, wiping blood from her mouth. "Don't think this is over." She floated back into the mist that covered the village and disappeared with it.
Naraku smiled. He was pleased with his victory. He had also saved the woman he loved. Unfortunately for him, she didn't quite feel the same way. He searched the battlefield for Kikyou and found her by Kaede's body.
"That wasn't so hard," he said confidently.
"Kaede's dead." Kikyou managed to mutter between sobs.
"A simple casualty of war," was his response. Kikyou stopped crying, and rose to meet Naraku face to face.
"What did you say?" she whispered. Naraku began to speak, but he was silenced by a slap across the face, which even made Jakotsu jump a little. She looked straight into his hurt eyes. "Why the hell did you do that?" she asked in that same low tone voice. "How could you do that to me?"
Naraku was puzzled. What was she talking about? It was true, Kaede being a casualty of war, but-
(Is that why she's mad?)
Naraku began to speak. "Kikyou, I-"
"You impersonated Suikotsu so you could have me, is that correct?" Kikyou exclaimed angrily. Naraku tried to speak again, but was silenced again. "Just go," she said, motioning for him to leave with her hand. "I never want to see your face again."
"But, Kikyou-"
"I said go!" Kikyou turned away from him and walked to her sister. Naraku continued to watch her, stunned. Why had she yelled at him? He didn't understand.
(Is this why she is angry?)
"Naraku," Jakotsu called out, breaking his train of though, "I think you should leave."
Naraku looked at him, then back to Kikyou. He balled his hands into fists and walked away slowly.
(It wasn't supposed to be like this.)
He narrowed his eyes. "If I can't have her," he muttered silently to himself, "then no one can."
InuYasha and his party were beginning to become very tired from walking around in all of that heavy snow. However, the weather became warmer, and the snow had stopped coming down so hard on them. They were all grateful for this, at least. Still, they didn't feel quite right. Especially Kouga. Seeing that other wolf demon sparked some unwanted feelings and memories.
The Kooriookami, Kouga remembered, was the rivaling wolf tribe to his own. Back before he had even heard of the Shikon jewel, he had been trying to fight off this tribe of "fake wolves," and their leader. He hoped he would never have to see that mangy mutt again in his life.
He was so into his thoughts that he failed to realize where they were. They had returned to La Saia's kingdom, and were greeted with open arms. One of the villagers came right up to them and asked, "Did you find it? The ice demons' lair?"
InuYasha shook his head. "There was too much damn snow."
The villager looked to the ground. But then he smiled and said, "You must all be tired. Please, rest here for a bit." He led them to his inn, where they stayed for the night. The next morning, they announced that they wanted to speak with La Saia again.
"For safety reasons," the innkeeper said, "she's been moved to a safer location."
"Makes sense," Kagome said. "We should be heading back home anyways."
The innkeeper smiled. "You are right. On behalf of our village, I would like to thank you for all you have done for us."
After the goodbyes, InuYasha and party started for their return trip home. They noticed that the snow around this area had begun to melt. Maybe the ice demons were loosing their power? With their luck. no. Lately, their luck had not been so great, although they did come out of all their battles, for the most part, on top.
But at least now they could return to their nice, safe, cozy homes and rest for a bit longer before trying to tackle the ice demons. Unfortunately, what they failed to realize, was that this was going to become bigger than just that.
Meanwhile, at the ice fortress, Gyouka was lecturing his fellow comrades on their performances in the last few days.
"We have suffered four defeats already!" he exclaimed. Glaring at the three other generals before him, he asked, "How could you let them beat you? We are supposed to be the most feared demons in all of Japan! Now we're the laughing stock!"
"We underestimated their power," Shimoka said flatly. "That is all. Now that we know how they move, we will be ready for them."
"I hope so," Gyouka muttered, "for your sake." He turned to Fuyuka and said, "Is your arm any better?"
Fuyuka nodded. That damn dog boy had ripped his arm to pieces. Using a little frozen water as glue, he was able to put it back together. It didn't look too attractive anymore, though. He had to cover it up with a sleeve made of Kooriookami fur.
"I've hired a few helping hands," Gyouka muttered. "A few weaker demons were all I could find, though."
A Hyoukoumori interrupted them. It flew into the room, landed in front of Gyouka and said, "She will see you now."
Gyouka nodded. "Sekka, you're in charge until I get back. Wipe them out. All of them." And with that, he and the ice bat left to go see their mistress, KooriKisaki, who had returned to the fortress earlier.
"Well boys," Sekka smiled, "We have work to do. So let's get started, shall we?"
Shippou became tired again, so Kagome offered to carry him. Sleeping in her arms, he dreamt of home. Not the one he was living at now, but his old home, where he lived with his father. He missed him so much. He couldn't quite remember what happened to him though. It must have been very traumatic, if his memory wouldn't let him think of it.
A vision of a pelt flashed in his mind. It was made of beautiful golden fur. It looked so familiar. but he couldn't quite remember, until he saw the face on it. Then he realized what it was. It was the remains of his father, being worn like a piece of clothing. But who. was. wearing it?
(Manten.)
Shippou's eyes opened wide and he let out a little whimper.
"What's wrong?" Kagome asked him. He looked up at her and shook his head. "Bad dream?" she comforted. "It's okay, the scary part's over."
"I don't think it is," Shippou whispered. With these words, Kagome felt a wash of dread flow over her entire body.
InuYasha stopped walking, and sniffed the air. "Sesshoumaru," he said, "Do you smell that?"
Sesshoumaru looked around and nodded. "Centipede demon," he said. "Closing in fast."
InuYasha, Sesshoumaru, Kouga and Nobunaga drew their swords. They all looked around to see where the demon was coming from, but they couldn't tell. InuYasha, Kouga and Sesshoumaru could smell it easily enough, but they had no idea where the smell was coming from. It seemed to be coming from everywhere.
"There must be more than one," InuYasha said. "Good, I could use a little practice."
The others got ready for battle too. Miroku was preparing to release his wind tunnel, should they need it. Sango changed to her battle wear and held the Hiraikotsu in attack position. Shippou jumped out of Kagome's arms and changed into a bow. Juuroumaru looked around cautiously and sensed something behind him. He ducked as a centipede demon lashed its tail at him.
They realized that they were indeed surrounded by centipede demons, seven of them to be exact.
InuYasha scoffed. "Looks like one us'll have to sit this one out."
"I disagree," a creepy sounding female voice said from out of nowhere. An eighth centipede demon revealed itself. It was Mukade Jourou, the very first demon that InuYasha and Kagome had ever fought together. "What's wrong," she cackled, "Surprised to see me?"
InuYasha and Kagome took a step back. Seeing this old enemy was very surprising indeed. OmegaNihon stood its ground and prepared for the fight with the centipede demons.