Disclaimer: Boom, boom, boom, boom I don't own it, boom, boom, boom, boom, never, ever did… (in tune to 'boom boom' from DDR, which I also don't own)
Hey everyone! How's you? I'm grrrreat! I stayed up all night on Saturday at a friends house, playing Dance Dance Revolution! Who would know that such a simple game would ever be so addictive… I tell you my legs and feet hurt like a dickens after that. I also have many songs stuck in my head, like my favourite '20 November' since it is my b-day :)…
Shout outs:
Okonomiyaki-chan: A Jakotsu fan, are you? And I'll remember that for next time. And I'm going to try to do a preview for all the chapters now, except the next one because it's a special edition. ooo
Nariko: Hey, give the girl a prize, she guessed the mystery identities of Naraku's secret weapon! Hurrah! *applause and presents* Yes, reading at Chris' website is quite helpful. Everyone, go there and read ahead! You'll find some great news that I won't tell you! But I will tell you one thing: Someone dies! Okay, maybe it's a bad thing, but just read there and read ahead. It's fun!
Crystal Twilight: We assert Kikyou's death often, don't we? Flamethrower? What a good idea…
Violet: Yes, they are. And if I could be annoying, I could correct you and point out that their names actually all end in kotsu.
Now, here's the chapter featuring everyone's favourite group of Seven! (and I don't mean the painters)
Chapter 25:
Seven
"Are you sure Sango-chan and Miroku will be able to find us?" Kagome asked in a concerned tone. Inu-Yasha nodded as he flew through the air towards the city Tokyo. Kagome glanced behind them, where Kirrara had been reduced to a speck before disappearing entirely. She was worried about something; some deep pit in her stomach about what might happen. Turning back to face the front, she rested her head on one of Inu-Yasha's shoulders.
"I hope they'll be okay." She thought aloud. Inu-Yasha snorted.
"Girl, you worry too much. Sango and Miroku are grown up, they know how to handle themselves. Well, Sango anyway." He added as an afterthought. "Listen, we'll get to Tokyo and it'll only a group of small demons and we'll handle it ourselves. The actually invasion isn't going to happen for another two days, so we'll have lots of time to get ready for it." I hope, he added silently.
"I hope you're right." Kagome said, still not entirely convinced. While she agreed that the demonic aura was faint enough to not be worrisome, just that fact that demons were invading ahead of time was certainly troublesome enough. And her bad feelings have never failed so far.
"If you keep worrying you're not going to be focused when we get there." Inu-Yasha scolded. "Listen, I promise not to leave you this time. I'm going to make sure you don't get kidnapped or hurt or anything. I'll protect you, don't worry."
Kagome blinked. "What?" Had he just promised to protect her? Him? Loud, rude, obnoxious, selfish, jerk-faced Inu-Yasha? The same… the same promise he gave Kikyou?
Inu-Yasha looked annoyed. "You heard me girl, I said I'll protect you! Feh, are you deaf or something? You're so useless." He grumbled to himself as they neared the city; it was within sight now. Kagome just smiled, thinking that maybe she was over-reacting. After all, if her guardian angel Inu-Yasha was there to protect her, what could go wrong?
"I see them." The demon said loosely into it's cell phone, hidden by the shadows of the building it rested in. It carefully watched as Inu-Yasha and his task flew closer to the city, completely unawares.
"Good." A voice crackled from the phone's receiver. "Keep them in your sights. Remember what must be done. And keep contact to a minimum."
The spy snorted as it leaned against the window of the empty apartment. "Contact to a minimum, m'Lord? It's a bleeding kidnapping operation! How's I'm supposed to keep contact to a minimum?"
"You know perfectly well what I mean." The other voice hissed. "Keep away from the threeblood until it's time."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." The demon nodded vaguely, clawing a pattern into the window, smirking at the surprise it was going to leave the occupants of the apartment. "Understand, m'Lord. They're almost here. I'll contact you when the operation's complete."
"Watch yourself. This one did not hire you for your silver tongue but for your abilities. And watch for the other trespasser as well."
"Other..?" The demon echoed, then smiled, red eyes glinting. "Ah right, him. Don't worry m'Lord. Everything's going fine. Sneaking in and sneaking out, no problem. Report later." With that it clicked off the cell phone and watched the half-angel and the Reborn girl in the distance for a moment, eyes flitting over to the clock that hung on the wall. After a moment it pulled out it's cell phone again and dialled a different number, bringing it up to it's ear as it waited for the other end to be picked up.
The phone clicked for a moment before some silence then a smooth voice. "Trespasser, you have news?"
The shadow grinned again, watching out the window. "Of course, m'Lord." It hissed. "Everything's going as perfectly planned…"
Kagura leaned against the wall of the castle, feeling bored, disgusted and used as usual. Naraku had brought the group of Seven back to life and now was debriefing the leader on everything that had happened and was to happen. Kagura heard muffled voices every once in a while, but otherwise nothing. She had a feeling though that she was to do something soon.
"Kagura." As if she had predicted what was to happen next, the door opened beside her, Naraku's voice beckoning from inside. Trying to keep a poker face, the wind demon turned to face the room, where Naraku and his guest were sitting.
The resurrected human that was sitting there was well built and had a handsome face with hard eyes and a dark braid. He was dressed in average garb from the earlier Sengoku period, which was where he had lived and died twice. Attached to his back as a large, thick sword with an elaborate handle; the sword itself was the size of it's carrier and looked well used while it's master looked well used to it.
The leader of the Seven smiled neither coldly nor warmly towards the entering Kagura, a smile that told her that he was merely being diplomatic and thought himself the better. He gave a brief nod to Kagura as she nodded back and promptly looked to her master for instructions.
Naraku, who had watched the silent communication, nodded and mentioned with a small gesture to the human before him. "Kagura, you remember our old friend Bankotsu, do you not?"
Kagura didn't answer expect for a nod. Stop playing around and just get to the point, she thought angrily but refused to show her impatience in her features.
Naraku made no indication to show that he read Kagura's actions, but Bankotsu watched her carefully, almost calculatingly. He remembered this demon that had served Naraku loyally yet seemed as independent as the wind she controlled; there was something odd about her. He shifted his gaze back over to Naraku, not wanting to seem that he had grown an interest in Kagura but already he was calculating how to use that interest to his advantage.
Naraku was continuing with the lack of expression on his face, the cold smile reflecting only in his eyes. Bankotsu matched him smile for cold smile; this time he knew what he was up against.
"Kagura here will escort you to the mortal plane, where you will meet Inu-Yasha and his task, the Reborn girl I want you to fetch for this Naraku. I already have an agent working to disable the girl. The only thing your men will have to do is kill Inu-Yasha."
Bankotsu did not even flicker an eyelid as he coolly responded. "And you resurrected seven of the best killers on any of the planes to do it for you? One little hanyou? Or, should I say, the son of the hanyou now."
Naraku knew where Bankotsu was headed and smiled ever so slightly. "The Seven, the Shicinin-tai… you are a group. Humans, ruthless killers none the less, but a group all the same. You function with each other and I, Naraku, knew that you would never agree to any of my terms unless I brought you all back. I've expended my power to make sure your group stays that way."
So he's gotten smarter, but still talks like a snake, Bankotsu thought with a smirk, his eyes still hard. He nodded. "Do I bring my entire gang…?"
"No." Naraku responded simply. "The Fourth Lord of Hell watches us and many leaving at once would be suspicious. Bring two, whomever you wish. I suppose you've been a dead soul long enough to know the connections of Hell…" he let the sentence fade but it was plainly obvious that he was not expecting an answer. Bankotsu only nodded before standing and giving a short bow.
"Well then Naraku, I don't see anymore point in wasting time. I'll go choose my men to complete the job and then we'll wait for the rest of your orders, Master." He said the word deliberately, warning Naraku that he was in charge of himself and no one would control him. Naraku only nodded, still smiling coldly as Bankotsu turned and left the room with Kagura, doing her best not to look like she wanted to kill him, following. Things have changed in four-hundred years, Naraku warned silently, and humans, above all, should know that the best.
Bankotsu walked purposefully down the halls, letting Kagura walk by his side only because he did not know the way back to his men. No conversation was held between them, no communication, just silence hanging in the dead, still air broken only by the slight 'swsh' of their feet on the boards. Kagura motioned that they had reached the quarters and Bankotsu walked up and threw the door open, greeting his men with a hard face, but this time the eyes were smiling.
"What's the news?" The closest one, a tall man with grey hair asked.
Bankotsu nodded. "Renkotsu, Suikotsu, Ginkotsu, Kyoukotsu, Moukotsu and Jakotsu. Naraku resurrected us all to kill Inu-Yasha, again. He's just told me what he wants me to do. Only two of us can go and kill the bastard and his whore."
"Who will go, Bankotsu-sama?" A man wrapped in cloth hissed. Bankotsu thought for a moment.
"Jakotsu, Kyoukotsu, you can go take care of him." He ordered while seating himself. Two of the humans stood up, one small and the other unusually large, both grinning with anticipation.
"Ani-ki! I get to met Inu-Yasha-kun again! Oh, but what a gift this is for me!"
"Kuku, leave the insect to us, Bankotsu-sama."
Bankotsu smiled now. This time, he swore. This time they were going to win.
"Inu-Yasha, I have a very bad feeling about this…" Kagome said, looking around warily. "I have a feeling we're being watched."
"Feh." Inu-Yasha snorted, watching all the mortals of Tokyo going about their daily lives as always, not knowing that they were two days, not even, away from the apocalypse. As much as he hated to admit it, Kagome's worries scared him. He would do his best to get both their minds off of it, but he'd be more careful now, and never let her out of his sight. "You worry too much girl. You'll be fine, don't worry."
Kagome eyed him. "Why do I get the feeling that merely because you're saying it worries me more?"
"Feh." Was his reply. She sighed. "Fine then Inu-Yasha. We should find the demons here and get rid of them and then go looking for Sango-chan and Miroku." She began walking down a street, randomly following the strange, chilling feeling.
She's avoiding me on purpose, Inu-Yasha concluded with narrow eyes. Then he realized his task was wandering away without him. "Oi!" He ran up to her, catching her arm. "Don't go anywhere without me! I'm not letting you get kidnapped again. This is happening far too often."
Kagome looked at Inu-Yasha in mild surprise. It was strange and a little odd to be seeing him act so concerned like this. She was curious. "…Why?"
The tips of Inu-Yasha's ears turned pink as he looked away and snorted. "Feh. I'm your guardian angel girl, get that through your head. I'm supposed to protect my task; it's my duty."
Kagome felt her heart fall and she nodded understandingly, pulling her arm away from him. "So I'm just your job, nothing more."
Inu-Yasha was beginning to get angry. What in the hells was wrong with her? Why did she have to act to fucking temperamental all the time, like every damn thing was his fault? He was getting tired of it, and he decided that he was going to tell her.
"Kagome, I don't know what the hell's wrong with you, but stop taking it out on me, ok? The damned invasion is in two days, we don't have time to waste for me to be following you around like a.. a… an animal because you can't seem to take care of yourself!" He growled. "I'm sorry if you can't stand the fact that a threeblood like me would be an angel and your angel, but listen Kagome, I don't give a fucking damn! You're staying with me and that's final and I don't care what you think or feel!"
Ouch.
Oh boy, who saw that one coming.
He regretted the instant he opened his mouth when he saw the look Kagome was giving him. Her eyes wide and glistening with tears, she took a few steps back from him before turning around, fully intent on running off again. Quickly he snapped out and grabbed her arm. "Kagome, I–"
"Leave me alone!" Kagome slapped him, her words stinging as much as the blow. As her unsure guardian loosened his grip for a second, Kagome took the chance to pull free of him and race off. Instantly Inu-Yasha started running after her, but paused. Part of him wanted to leave Kagome to suffer whatever consequences she would face; they'd be her own fault. But the other part of him wanted to make sure that Kagome was kept safe, that he'd never make the same mistake twice…
He's regretting it, isn't he?
What gave you that clue?
"Kagome!" Inu-Yasha made up his mind and took off after Kagome down the streets, hoping he was going to get another chance, that he wouldn't screw up this time. "Kagome!"
Makes it really easy, doesn't he?
Good luck, not that you'll need it.
Yeah, yeah, just don't forget your part.
Memorized like drama homework.
Just shut up and do your work.
Kagome raced through the streets, knowing that she was just misinterpreting Inu-Yasha's words, knowing that Inu-Yasha had misinterpreted hers, that every other time she was away from Inu-Yasha bad things happened that yet wanting to be far, far away from him, as far as possible. She ran through people, cars and buildings, until Inu-Yasha had completely lost sight of her. She hid in the back of a restaurant, curling up. Now she had done it. She had completely lost her guardian and now she was a sitting duck; she couldn't even sense Inu-Yasha with all the people around.
Nothing to do now but wait, she thought. Someone will find her, be it Inu-Yasha, Sango, Miroku or a demon. She knew she wouldn't have to wait long.
If fact, she waited even less then she expected.
Kagome turned around and jumped to her feet the minute she felt the demonic aura behind her, absent one moment and flaring up the next. She backed up a little, a bit worried. Then a second aura flashed behind her, causing her to whirl around again. She knew this was on purpose; they were surrounding her. They wanted her to run.
"I don't care!" She shouted at them, the ones she couldn't see. "I don't care what you want me to do, I'm not doing it! Just kill me or pull more jewels out of me or eat me or whatever the hell you want me for! Just get it over with!"
The demon behind her did as she told.
She screamed when the cold arms picked her up in a strangle-hold and dragged her outside into the streets. Kagome shouted, yelled and shrieked at the top of her lungs, wondering where her guardian was. "Inu-Yasha! Inu-Yasha, help!"
"Scream louder, maybe he didn't hear you." Her captor chuckled and Kagome stopped her panicking to get a good look at the demon, but there wasn't much to see. The entire demon seemed to be a shadow, solid and transparent at the same time, it's form defined and yet shifting. It's eyes glinted a malicious red as it smiled, filling Kagome with fear and dread. Why wasn't it telling her to shut up, not to attract Inu-Yasha's attention? The only reason it would say that would be…
"Kagome!" Suddenly she heard her guardian's voice and the demon's smile turned dark as it looked over to the half-angel in anticipation.
"Inu-Yasha, get out of here!" Kagome shouted as the boy landed on a cart and saw her and her captor.
"Kagome!" he shouted, drawing his sword.
"No, Inu-Yasha, do–" Kagome's voice was cut off as the demon hit her on the neck, knocking her unconscious.
"That's enough out of you." it hissed darkly then turned to smile at Inu-Yasha. "What will become of her, little threeblood? How about a game of tag to decide her fate?" with that it took off into the streets, running at an unbelievable speed. Inu-Yasha growled and followed behind, sheathing his weapon so he could run faster.
He tore off into the streets after the demon. The little prick was making it easy by sticking to the streets and running in a fairly straight line; this was obviously just all a game to it. But it's speeds were remarkably fast, it's reflexes quick as it began darting from kiosk to kiosk, building to building, in an effortless attempt to confuse and irritate it's pursuer.
Inu-Yasha, his ears back as he tried to keep his eyes on his prey, began to notice a pattern. Eyes narrowing he crouched down and sprung into the air, jumping right above the crevice of the apartment building where the demon carrying Kagome appeared a second after.
"Nice to meet you." Inu-Yasha growled, punching the demon across the face. Startled, the shadow fell to the ground, catching itself just in time. It looked up at Inu-Yasha as the half-angel landed on a telephone pole, ready to pounce. The demon's green eyes frightened Inu-Yasha, glinting with anticipation and amusement, not hatred or even bloodlust. This demon was toying with him, for one reason or another. Inu-Yasha clenched his claws, making sure he'd squeeze that information out of his opponent as soon as he made sure Kagome was safe.
The demon, sensing Inu-Yasha's plan, glanced to the side and took off again, sprinting down an alleyway. Inu-Yasha snarled when he realized where it was going: the shadow demon was going to hide in the shadows.
Inu-Yasha jumped down and chased after his prey, ears flattened and growl deep in his chest. The demon was quick on it's feet but it seemed to forget that even if Inu-Yasha couldn't see it, he could still follow Kagome's scent until he found her. And he would find her.
"Get back here you bastard!" Inu-Yasha shouted his first words to demon, pulling out his sword in preparation. The shadow sped up and skirted to the right down the alleypath but Inu-Yasha was faster and decided now he was no longer going to play by the rules. Jumping straight through the wall he leapt through the other side to meet the demon and, with a fanged grin of triumph, slashed the demon right down the back with Tetsusaiga, splitting him in half.
Or so he thought.
Instead he watched in horror as the illusion before him vanished into thin air. A trickster demon… dammit! "Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!" He swore, looking around left and right for his stolen task, trying to get a fixing on her. "Kagome! Kagome!"
There! He turned his head and body around to the direction where the scent came from, racing forward. Praying that it wasn't another illusion he turned the corner and hissed. She was lying there in the shadows of the alley, motionless. He quickly ran up to her side, sniffing and recognizing her scent, putting a hand on her shoulder and realizing that it was warm and solid. The real thing, not an illusion, thank Kami.
"Kagome?" He said quietly, slipping his arms under her to pick her up. Then he froze, feeling the warm, sticky liquid on his hands, the scent hitting him full blast. He carefully eased a hand out from under her to look at it in shock and surprise, making his heart stop.
Blood.
Her blood.
From his sword.
Damn him! That stupid mother-fucking demon, this was all his fault1 He had tricked Inu-Yasha into chasing and attacking him, just so that he would have to be forced to watch his task die in his hands, by his own weapon. Growling, he clenched his fist tightly, as Kagome lay limp in his arms.
"Dammit Kagome, don't you fucking die on me now!" He shouted at her, putting his hand on her forehead after wiping it off, stroking her hair before pulling her into a tight embrace. "Dammit you stupid bitch! We didn't do all this for nothing! You're not supposed to die like this, not here and not now! You're doing this on purpose! You're making fun of me! I promised you, fucking hell! I promised I'd protect you! I can't fucking protect you when you go running off like that! I can't protect you…"
"So, how'd it go?"
"Fine, except the bastard almost hit me! He's better than I thought!"
"He is Kanake and Inu-Yasha's son."
"Except twice the charm."
"Things should be gong smoothly from here. I still have some business to take care of, but nothing major. We'll talk soon."
"What, and you don't think I have anything to deal with? M'Lord's a tyrant here!"
"You wanted him. You could have easily picked mine."
"I know, but m'Lord's just so… pretty!"
"Don't let him catch you saying that."
"I won't. Anyways, we should leave now. The line might be bugged."
"What times we live in now."
"You said it. I think that even demons are becoming too technologically addicted."
"Why do you say that?"
"Think about it. Who ever heard of two telepathic demons using a cell phone?"
Inu-Yasha stayed with Kagome for a few more moments until the bleeding had completely stopped and then he released his still limp task, lying her against the ground as he took on his outer shirt and wrapped her in it. "Stay here and get better, ok?" He whispered, fixing her hair. "I'm going to kill whoever did this too you."
"Kuku, empty promises son of Inu-Yasha. You'll be dead before you ever reach the shin'nyu. Kyoukotsu-sama will make your grave here."
Inu-Yasha's ears turned right around and his hackles rose as he whipped in a circle to face the deep-voiced adversary behind him. A huge, almost ten-foot tall human stood in the streets, cars and people passing through him, a devilish and hungry look in his pig-like face and beady eyes. He grinned, displaying sharp teeth. "I'm going to kill you, threeblood, and I'm going to enjoy it." He raised his thick, meaty arms and clenched his fists. Inu-Yasha growled; he couldn't just leave Kagome like this but he couldn't let this brute just stay here in Tokyo either. He drew his sword. "Fine then, big and ugly. Let's just make this quick. I'm in a bad mood."
Kyoukotsu just bared his inhuman fangs, swinging a fist at Inu-Yasha with brutish force. "It's you who's going to die, threeblood, not this one!"
Inu-Yasha jumped out of the way just in time, Kagome in his arms. He landed on a roof and put the unconscious girl down, mindful of her wounds. He cracked his knuckles and prepared Tetsusaiga. "I warned you buddy," he growled menacingly, "I'm not in a great mood." Without even waiting for a response from the giant he dove right at him, sword at the ready.
"Fool." Kyoukotsu thundered, grabbing Inu-Yasha in his hands. "I'll crush your bones right here." He chuckled darkly. "And to think you're the son of the hanyou brat that gave Boukotso-sama such a hard time. I never even got to meet him; now Kyoukotsu-sama will be your deathbringer." He smiled as he squeezed tighter.
"Tch, what does he think he's doing?" A slender young man sighed as he watched the scene from the top of a building. He was dressed in a tailored suit with a loose, old-style kimono tied around it as if it were memorabilia he refused to let go. "That fool. Inu-Yasha was as dangerous as he was handsome; his son is also the offspring of that angel bitch. He may even be stronger then his father." He smiled somewhat happily, his loose black hair fluttering as he nodded with the wind, the tarnished but jewelled butterfly clip holding it in place. Then he pouted. "Although Kyoukotsu does seem to be winning. Phoo, I wanted to fight Inu-Yasha's son."
"All's not what it appears, Jakotsu." A dark figure said quietly from the shadows of it's cloak as it stepped up beside the shocked Seven member. "Young Inu-Yasha is quite capable. See the way he smiles; Kyoukotsu was foolish for catching him on a day such as this."
Jakotsu seemed shocked. "Shin'nyu! When did you ever get here?" His eyes narrowed. "And what do you want?"
"I am called Kuro-michi, Jakotsu, and I am older and more able then even Naraku's Kagura. Threats are empty towards me." It smiled and though Jakotsu couldn't see the demon's face, he felt the cold smile and it sent a shiver down his spine. Kami he hated demons, except for the cute ones
Kuro-michi seemed to sense that it had done what it was aiming for, and turned it's head back to face the gruelling duel between Inu-Yasha and Kyoukotsu; the giant, brutish Seven member seemed to be winning. "I am here, Jakotsu, to watch your progress and offer help. Kyoukotsu seems too arrogant and his loss will be none. Instead of using his force to attempt to crush Inu-Yasha, he should try to wound our little friend's chest, as he is missing his protective rats fur. But instead Kyoukotsu wishes to ignore my advice that will be his downfall. Watch."
Sceptical of Naraku's spy, Jakotsu kept ready to grab his well-sized blade as he turned back to watch the fight. Just as he was about to make a comment that Inu-Yasha was soon to be jelly, the half-angel suddenly smiled. Before Kyoukotsu could react his hand was dropping to the ground; it vanished before it even hit the earth and Inu-Yasha was in the air, blood dripping off of his sword.
Kyoukotsu growled. "You damned brat! You'll be killed for that!" He threw a punch at the half-angel but Inu-Yasha avoided it, instead cutting Kyoukotsu's entire arm off. Growing weak from lack of blood and with useless limbs now, Kyoukotsu could only glare at the Inu-Yasha as the much smaller fighter prepared for the final blow.
"He is useless now." Kuro-michi said, breaking Jakotsu's concentration on the fight. "The shard of the Shikon jewel may be able to resurrect his limbs, but it will take time. Inu-Yasha will instead just kill him, find the jewel and take it for himself."
Jakotsu frowned. "Not in my life… or third life, whatever." He pulled out a strange weapon that resembled a sword but seemed shaped differently. "Inu-Yasha-kun's not getting the jewel that belongs to Ani-ki, not if we're going to win."
Kuro-michi just smiled. "Of course."
Ignoring the shadowy demon beside him Jakotsu pulled his arm back and flung it forward. Like a party streamer the many blades of his weapon, all joined at the end, lashed out like a thick, bladed whip, landing expertly on the forehead of Kyoukotsu. Before the bleeding brute could protest Jakotsu whipped it back again, taking the Shikon shard with him. Kyoukotsu was dust before the jewel even reached his former ally.
Jakotsu frowned pityingly. "It's so sad that Kyoukotsu had to die like that." The shadow beside him just nodded.
Inu-Yasha followed the strange weapon back to it's owner, staring in surprise at the strangely clothed human on the building. The human waved cheerfully and jumped down, landed only a rooftop away.
"Inu-Yasha-kun!" He shouted, emphasising the addition and making the half-angel wince. "Oh, you're just as cute as your father and you kept your adorable little ears! Oh, how I love them!" The man giggled, raising his weapon before smirking. "I guess this is where we fight and I win for Ani-ki." He smiled childishly. "And I get to keep your cute ears. Hajime!" With impossible speeds he launched his whip-like weapon at the half-angel. Stunned and still slightly weak from his last battle, Inu-Yasha just barely had enough time to jump out of the way. He gave the finger to his opponent as he landed, but Jakotsu only smiled.
Then Inu-Yasha felt the cold blade strike deep inside him from the back, whipping him around and dragging him a few feet before sliding loose and snapping back to it's owner. As pain lanced through him Inu-Yasha swore as he got up, knowing that he should have known the whip would have a backlash effect. Jakotsu looked as though he were enjoying himself as he raised his arm to strike again.
Suddenly the shadow appeared beside Jakotsu, shaking it's head and whispering to the human. Inu-Yasha went taunt, growling as he glared hatred at the demon that made him hurt Kagome. As he prepared to strike out, Jakotsu turned back and waved again, this time looking forlorn.
"Looks like Ani-ki wants me back! Bye-bye Inu-Yasha-kun! Jakotsu will be seeing you soon!" With that the two of them disappeared in the blink of an eye. Inu-Yasha felt even more disappointed. Great, Naraku had a trespasser on his side and he had re-resurrected the Shichinin-tai. Things were definitely not going his way.
Quickly sniffing around to make sure there were no more enemies, he turned around and ran back to where he left Kagome. She was still unconscious and pale, but the colour was coming back and she was breathing steadily. Carefully, ignoring his own injuries, Inu-Yasha picked her up and cradled her close. Glancing around he jumped down and softly landed on the pavement, flying around until he found a hotel to stay in until Kagome got better. Let Sango and Miroku find them on their own; he had made a promise to Kagome and he was going to keep it.
End Chapter 25
Whee! And again!
AN: shin'nyu means 'trespasser' (just thought I'd tell you)
So what did you think? This was a really long chapter, I know. I wanted Kyoukotsu to die before the chapter ended, but there were a lot of elements I wanted to put in as well, like the tension of Inu-Yasha chasing the shadowy-thingy. And I know that weird phone conversation in the middle of the chapter may seem weird to everyone, but it's important. My sister was reading this and she pointed out a few things. The conversation was actually more ahead of that part, and a lot longer. Oh, and to confuse you, those two conversationalists aren't new characters. You already know them. ^_^
And the Shichinin-tai are here! I spent a long time studying them to make sure I got them right and after a while at looking at pictures I'm decided three things: 1, Jakotsu is actually Sango's older brother. He looks like Kohaku, except he's more femmy. 2, Renkotsu is a really old super saiyan; so old, in fact, that his golden hair turned gray. Either that, or he's a strange, old relative of Vash the Stampede (but the saiyan one fits him better) And 3, Bankotsu is the child of Duo and Hilde sent back and time and giving sharp things to play with. Duo's hair, Hilde's hair colour and a big sword. Oh, and one other thing: I need more sleep.
Shout outs:
link no miko: --- Oh, and the 'three loyal fans' thing was a joke, but if I could pick it would probably be you, -- and Talon Skydragon, although the last one has reviewed in a while (hinthint) It was just a little jokey, because I've had a slight decrease in chapter: review ratio. And I'll try to put the previews up as much as possible, since it helps me and you guys too. But not this week, since it's special. And don't you love her conscience? I actually based it after one of my friends, although I didn't know it at the time. Hurrah for your funky mood!
Hey, and one other thing! Since I'm just so generous I've decided to give you a Valentines day special! On Friday the 14th I'll post up the next chapter of the story ahead of time, since it's just a lil' pointless fluff anyway. It's quite the coincidence, since I planned what each chapter was long ago, and on Wed last week while I was writing this chapter I noticed that chap 26, the little fluff I put in just to lighten the mood before things got really heavy, was going to come right after Valentines day weekend. Stunned by this strange, ironic twist of fate (which is irony in itself to me, but you'll see why later) I decided to be nice and up my workload by bringing the Monday chapter to you on Friday! Aren't I nice? Of course, that means no chapter on Monday, but I'm sorry for that.
Nee-ways, I'm off again to work. See you all later! And review to give me hints for what you want tweaked in the story. I'll change around if I like some of the ideas and I may even insert you briefly if you ask, since I'm in SUCH a great mood ^_^
~Ama
Experience of the week: Playing Final Fantasy VII with the DDR game pad.