Chapter 15
(I hope you like this chapter. It was one of my best. I wish I could always write like this. The girls want me to write an original story of my own. But I don't think I could come up with such great characters and story line like the original author of the Inuyasha manga. Enjoy. LadySesshoumaru41)
Back at the camp…
Sugumi had scented the trail leading off where the demon had run. All the demons and humans alike raced for their mounts and took off into the sky, fallowing the demon. They searched for a few hours.
Kagome sat up sharply. "Inuyasha." Kagome called to her husband who was seated on the dragon. "I sense the jewel shards their close. Over that way I'm sure of it."
"Are you sure Kagome? That's the wrong direction. The demon was traveling north. That's westerly"
"I know but that's where the jewels are." Kagome insisted.
"Lets go down a see if we can pick up a scent." Inumouru said to his father, Sesshoumaru. He kind of liked the hunt that they were on. I was exciting to the young half-demon.
The group descended to the forest floor. And all the demons scoured the ground for a scent trail. Sesshoumaru spoke to Inuyasha. "There are two scents here, the thief's and another. The thief's trail leads off to the southeast. The other leads off to the west. Your wife said that she sensed the shards to the west did she not?"
"She did. Do you think the thief has already given the shards to his master?" Inuyasha asked his brother.
Sesshoumaru thought for a moment before replying. "No I think the thief is now the victim. Shamotokai rarely ever leaves his fortress and if he had received them why didn't he head south to the Kai's palace? The scent of the second demon is unfamiliar to me. I may have scented Shamotokai at the Kai's palace, but I'm unsure. But I do know that this demon's scentwas not at the palace. So my guess is that our thief ran into some stronger opposition and rather than die he gave up the shards and ran away."
"So then we head west and catch the new demon. Man this is getting old fast. I want this over with so we can get back to the business at hand." Inuyasha was getting impatient he hated it when things dragged on like this. He much preferred fighting rather than the chase.
"Patience little brother, you have to use your head in a situation like this." Sesshoumaru cautioned. "Rushing in unprepared is what will get you killed, Inuyasha. We don't know who this new demon is and until we do we will be well advised to use discretion." He then spoke up the rest of the group. "Come, Sango, Miroku gather the others we head west after our new demon friend."
In moments the group was in the air again, traveling westward after this new unknown demon. The new foe was traveling fast and the group of hunters was hard pressed to catch up. But catch up they did.
Kagome motioned to Inuyasha that the shards were near. They had chosen to travel in silence lest their approach be heard and the foe alerted to their presence. The group of hunters descended and took up the chase on foot.
Mean while Toe was still running…
'Maybe I could say that the original owners of the shards over powered me… No, that won't work. He'll kill me for failing him.' The demon's mind was frantically searching for a reasonable believable excuse to give his master, to explain how it was he had returned without the shards. 'I know I'll say that the group was returning when another group of demons attacked. They killed the others and I got away with the shards. But I was hunted like a dog all night and day until finally they caught me. I barely escaped with my life. There were six no ten demons. No better make it twenty. The master couldn't expect me to fight off that many warlike demons.' Satisfied with his excuse Toe changed directions and traveled directly south to his master's fortress.
Elsewhere…
Sesshoumaru signaled for the group to split up and go around the back of the camp to all sides. Katame and Kagome were deposited up in a tree some distance from where they had spotted the demon. They wanted to join the fight, but Sesshoumaru summarily dismissed their arguments. He didn't want the distraction of worrying about the welfare of the human women. Sango was a hunter and so was allowed to join but as for those two they were to stay put or else.
The demon had set up a makeshift camp and was enjoying a wee break when he found himself surrounded. "Who are you and what are you doing here. This is my territory, leave now or face the consequences." Shotimoto yelled at the intruders. He didn't like the look of them. A full demon, several half demons and three humans. (Sugumi looks human.)
"You have something that belongs to us and we have come to get it back." Inuyasha said as he stepped into the firelight.
"I have never seen you before. What makes you think I have anything that belongs to you?" He stood and began to draw his sword. "Leave my land or die, half-breed."
"Give us the shard of the sacred jewel that you stole and we will let you live. We know you have them so hand them over before you get hurt." Sango also stepped into the firelight.
"A human. You've got to be kidding me. I am Shotimoto, lord of this territory. I don't bow to the petty wishes of half-breedsor their human pets."
"And what of full blooded demons? Do you bow to their petty wishes?" Sesshoumaru stepped forward, glaring at the foolish demon. "I am Sesshoumaru, lord of the western realm. Those shards were under my protection and I will not be denied." He held out his hand. "Give them to me or you will suffer greatly for your foolishness." He took another step forward.
"You'd better do as he said. He's not in a very good mood. But you don't have to take it from me. I'm just one of the human pets he keeps around." Miroku came up behind the demon with the son's of Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha beside him. "By the way, you are surrounded by experienced hunters. We're not in the habit of losing."
The demon looked around him nervously. 'I can't let these idiots take the shards I need them to increase my power and territory.' The demon thought to himself. 'I'll eat them and then I will become invincible.' In one smooth motion the demon popped open the bottle and swallowed the shards. The demon instantly began to change in front of their eyes. Shotimoto was a lizard demon of moderate power. Easy pickings for someone of Inuyasha's strength but now he fairly glowed with his new found power.
"Everybody get back Inuyasha and I will have to handle this one. Miroku get Sango to where I left my wife. Keep them safe."
Miroku bowed slightly and grabbed Sango's arm. "Come on, you heard him let's go."
Sango, who never liked to leave a battle, complained to her master. "I can fight. I'm not some weak female you need to protect…" She tried to continue but her master's eyes turned brilliant red and he practically spat his orders at her.
"Do as I say girl or you will suffer!"
"Forgive me." She bowed to him quickly and left him to his battle.
"So you dismiss your loyal minions. Do you fear for their safety?" Shotimoto giggled. "Did I also hear that you have hidden your mate nearby? Perhaps when we are done here your slaves and mate will come to my home and serve my wishes. Since you won't be needing them anymore. Once I've destroyed you."
Inumouru was the first to fly at the demon. He attacked from behind and was immediately followed by Samotoyame and Sugumi.
Sugumi threw his fingernail darts. He could generate darts from his nails that could grow in flight to the length of a man's hand. The darts however bounced off the now impenetrable hide of the lizard demon.
Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha both drew their swords and went at the demon. Sesshoumaru took to the air and tried to strike the neck of the beast.
Shotimoto just brushed Sesshoumaru off as though he was nothing. Sesshoumaru flew backward and hit a tree. He landed unceremoniously on him rear. He jumped to his feet and flew at the demon again. This time his hands glowed green with the poison he was generating. He aimed for the eyes. If he could blind him then perhaps they would have a chance.
Inuyasha on the other hand was having difficulty getting a good hit in on this guy. Every time he got close the demon would swat him away just like a fly.
Sugumi tried several times to slash at the legs of the demon. Ordinarily Sugumi had to keep his nails trimmed otherwise he would unintentionally hurt someone. But he couldn't even scratch this demon.
Samoto came to where Sugumi was and said quickly. We have to use our sword's magic now. We are going to lose this fight if we don't. Sugumi nodded and ran off to join Inumouru. They called out to the demon.
" Hey you, Shotimoto. Over here." When the demon turned all three of the boys raised their swords and shouted out the words that would activate their sword's power. Just then Sesshoumaru hit the demon in the face with his poison. It was too late Sesshoumaru was caught in the blasts given off by the swords. He fell to the ground unconscious but alive.
Shotimoto on the other hand was enraged by the boy's actions and raced toward them to crush them for their insolence.
Back at the tree…
Sango and Miroku were explaining what happened. Concerning the demon and the shards he swallowed.
"What? They'll never be able to defeat a demon with that many shards in him. I have to go."
"No Kagome. You can't you'll be killed." Miroku thought of his friend dying at the hands of that demon. "I can't let you go, it would be suicide."
"I have to go. Only a sacred arrow can help them now. I can't let Inuyasha and my only son die while there is a chance I can help. Sango let me borrow Kylala for a moment please." Kagome jumped onto the demon cat and flew off.
"We are going to attack from the air Kylala. So please just get me close enough to fire a couple of arrows at the demon, ok?" The cat made a soft noise of agreement as they neared the battle.
She looked at the scene Inuyasha was bleeding but still trying to cut the demon with his great sword. Sesshoumaru was on the ground. He looked dead. She hoped he wasn't. But the most frightening sight was that of her son and nephews struggling for breath in the crushing grip of the demon Shotimoto.
"Shotimoto, you let them go!" Kagome yelled as she readied her bow.
"Kagome, get out of here. He'll kill you for sure." Inuyasha cried out to his wife. The only woman he loved in the entire world. "Go! Get out now."
"I won't go. I won't leave you. You'll pay for this Shotimoto." She released her arrow and immediately fire a second and third.
The arrows hit their mark. Shotimoto gasped and dropped the boys. He clutched his chest where the arrows had penetrated. The shards that were now fused inside the demon's body burst out the back of the demon. He reverted to his mediocre state and was easily dispatched by Inuyasha's blade.
Kagome landed softly and jumped down into the waiting arms of the demon she loved. Are you all right? You're hurt. Come and sit down. Sugumi, Samoto, Inu! Are you boys all right?
The boys were fine they trotted up to Kagome and handed her, a nearly perfect round orb. The jewel was almost complete. That is why they couldn't defeat the demon. With that much jewel lending him it's power nothing short of the sacred arrow could have stopped him.
Inuyasha wouldn't sit down. He staggered over to where his brother lay still.
"Is he?" Kagome was loath to ask.
Inumouru and Samotoyame came up behind their uncle. "Father is going to be alright isn't he?" Samoto was worried. He knew what the combined blasts of the swords had done. He knew his father was strong but could he really survive such a blast. Sugumi's sword tore off the head of a demon once when he used it on Kouga. "Please tell me he'll be ok." The little man-demon started to cry. "It's all my fault. I'm the one that thought of using the sword's magic all at once. I should have been more careful."
"Don't be foolish, my son." It was Sesshoumaru. He was weak but at least he was conscious. "You did well little one. Our foe was strong and we needed such an attack. If it had been any other demon you would have destroyed him with that blast. You did well." Sesshoumaru tried to get up but collapsed back down.
"Rest, Sesshoumaru. The demon is dead and we have the jewel back now. Please lay back I'll get the others." Kagome left on Kylala and went to retrieve Katame and the two hunters.