A/N: And now, because I'm trying to make up for lost time...Ch. 38! Now Miroku will read the disclaimer...and yes, you too, Manten...
Miroku & Manten: Aki doesn't own Inuyasha. She really does wish it though, since the following battle sequence would've been so cool in the series...and now before we begin Ch. 38, Aki will answer her reviewers...
Moi: Angie, I know you love it...if you didn't, then why would you even be reading it? Yes, they're such a cute couple...Dragon Man 180, there's just a hint of Kyo/Mei Lhi in this chapter, and a tiny smidge of the beginnings of Sesshy/Hana. And I threw in the Jaken-bashing just for you. I thought you might like it. I enjoy reading it in your story...It makes me laugh...Sanosa, I hope you like this action-packed chapter, because I've been working on this for almost a week. And it's definitely been worth it. So enjoy! (Grins evilly) Riku-Of-Darkness, That's ok that it took you so long...I didn't mind at all. Yay! You're updating too! Can't wait to read it! Aw, was it really that good? Hehe...fluff is good...well, if Ch. 37 didn't kill you, this one certainly will. It's over 10 pages in Microsoft...So it's hella long...and I apologize if your eyes catch fire from reading so much...Mayarou the Fire Demon, thank you very much! I checked out your work and it's really good too! And so you all don't die on me from suspense, Ch. 38!
Chapter Thirty-Eight: Death and Rebirth
Sesshoumaru silently drew Toukijin from its sheath, Inuyasha and Mei Lhi following suit, drawing their own swords. Sango and Miroku dismounted from Kirara, Hana from Aun, Mei Lhi from Kyo, and Kagome from Inuyasha. Jaken walked up to his lord.
"Sesshoumaru-sama...what shall we do?" He asked.
"Call off the army...tell them that I have returned...these foes are not a challenge for this Sesshoumaru..."
"Hai Sesshoumaru-sama!"
Jaken ran off, holding the Staff of Heads above his head.
"Hey, Jaken! Run faster!" Mei Lhi called after him teasingly.
"WAAAAH!!! You vile little half-breed witch!!!!" Jaken yelled over his shoulder. "I'll get you for that!!!"
Jaken tripped on a rock and slid the rest of the way.
"Jaken-sama! Has Sesshoumaru-sama returned?" A soldier asked.
Jaken stood up and brushed himself off.
"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama has returned...he has orders for you..."
"What are the orders, Jaken-sama?"
"Sesshoumaru-sama requests that you pull back and let him handle the situation..."
"What?! That's insanity! He can't do this by himself!"
"Are you going to go against your lord?!"
"No...no, I'm not..."
The army fell back and returned to their usual posts. Sesshoumaru and the others made their way down to where Jaken stood.
"Jaken..." Sesshoumaru said.
"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"I shall leave it to you to get rid of the ningen army..."
Jaken nodded and gripped the Staff of Heads. Jaken turned towards the army, and all watched as the old man's face moved on the staff and opened its mouth wide. A giant inferno erupted from the old man's mouth, incinerating the soldiers, leaving an equally large black burn mark on the ground.
Hakaru didn't look angry at all. He looked almost pleased. He yelled something over his shoulder and more men came forward, taking the places of the dead ones.
"Sesshoumaru-sama! We'll take care of the samurai. Just get rid of the other Ryuuyoukai!" Hana said.
Sesshoumaru nodded, and took off. Sango took Hiraikotsu off her back, Miroku at her side one hand on his staff, the other clutching a couple ofuda in his robes.
"Sango! Stay close! I'll protect you!" The monk said turning to her.
"Houshi-sama..." Sango whispered.
"Kagome, you too...don't wander off too far..." Inuyasha said over his shoulder.
"Ok!" Kagome replied, nodding in understanding.
"Then I'll go after Hakaru..." Kyo said.
"By yourself? No way! I'm going with you too! Besides...I owe him some serious payback for what he did last time..." Mei Lhi blurted out.
"W-What?"
"You heard me. I'm going with you!"
"No...you can't-"
"So? Who cares? Life isn't very fun if you don't stir things up a bit, now is it?"
The hanyou girl grinned, a fang poking out. Kyo sighed, and smiled in return.
"Well...don't get yourself killed, alright? Because when I go to your funeral, the first thing I'm gonna say to you is 'I told you so.'"
"Ha! Real funny, Kyoshi-kun!"
The two took off in a flash. Inuyasha rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"Alright, I've thought of a battle formation..." Hana said suddenly.
"Hm?" Inuyasha wondered.
"Kagome and I will be in the center. Inuyasha, you will be on Kagome's right side. Sango, you will be on my left. Shippou, you will be on Inuyasha's right side. Miroku, you'll be on Sango's left. Kirara, you will be behind us. You'll cover us from behind. Miroku, Shippou, you two will be covering Sango, Kagome, Inuyasha, and me. Use your own methods to keep enemies we can't attack just yet at bay...and do what you can to help Kirara..." Hana explained.
"So...that means we're the front line, eh?" Inuyasha said smirking.
"Hai, Inuyasha...now let me finish. Sango, you'll use Hiraikotsu to take care of the left side. Kagome and I will take the center. Inuyasha, you take the right. Long-range attacks are best. I want to avoid putting up a barrier as much as possible...but know this...I have no knowledge as to where Kikyo's whereabouts are, so be on your guard at all times. If you even see a fraction of what looks like Kikyo, speak up immediately. When she lived, and we were still friends, she had immense power...power used for good...but now that she is dead, full of hatred, not only does she still have this immense power, but when used for evil...it can be much worse..." Hana finished.
All nodded in understanding.
(...Insert little line thingies here...)
"Alright...ready...aim...FIRE!!!!!!" Hana shouted.
Two miko arrows streaked through the sky, the half of the middle line was gone.
"Inuyasha, Sango, now!"
"Kaze no Kizu!"
"Hiraikotsu!"
The two attacks practically exploded on their opponents, with at least ten times more power than usual.
"Yes! That was great Kyoshi-kun!" Mei Lhi's voice said excitedly above them.
All looked up and saw Kyo in the air ten feet above them holding his sickle blade weapon, Mei Lhi on his back watching everything over the Ryuuyoukai's shoulder.
"Oi! Did you do that?!" Inuyasha called up to him.
"He did! That was super-cool, Kyoshi-kun!" Mei Lhi replied.
"The hell he did that!"
"Baka Nii-chan! He's wind! So is Kaze no Kizu! Or do I need to give you lectures on language as well? He added a little bit of his power into the attack. And he only added a little bit too...he did the same for Sango-chan...he made the path through the air, which Hiraikotsu was traveling on, easy for it to gain speed and a nice spin."
"They come..." Kyo said quietly.
"What?" Mei Lhi asked.
"Mei, hold onto me...All of you hold onto someone!"
"Huh? Why?!" Inuyasha yelled.
"Just do it!"
Mei Lhi wrapped her arms around Kyo, wondering what he was going to do. Kyo held her tightly around her waist, watching as Inuyasha grabbed Kagome, Shippou latching himself onto the miko girl, Miroku held Sango close, Kirara finding a safe place in the monk's robes. The Ryuuyoukai's eyebrow rose when he saw Sesshoumaru appear out of nowhere and hold Hana secure against his body, his expression emotionless. Jaken held onto his lord's hakama, Aun settling on the ground, awaiting the coming strike.
With Kyo's free hand, he twirled his weapon between his fingers until it was spinning at an incredible speed. Wind was swirling at the ends, growing larger and larger until it looked like it was emanating from his own hand. He stopped spinning the weapon and with a quick jerk of his wrist the wind that surrounded his weapon unleashed itself.
"Tsumujikaze!" He yelled.
The wind howled around them all, everyone but Sesshoumaru and Kyo cringing at the wind's power. It was then that everyone realized what Kyo had been talking about. About twelve Ryuuyoukai had headed in the group's direction, going in for an attack. Kyo's wind hit them, tearing them to pieces.
The wind had finally stopped; a giant cloud of dust surrounded them, the earth strewn with severed bits of other Ryuuyoukai.
The dust cleared, Inuyasha coming out first, Kagome still at his side.
"What the hell was that?!" He yelled.
Sesshoumaru smirked.
"So...you would kill your own kind...kaze no ryuu?" He asked.
"Sesshoumaru...I had no other choice...their intentions were to kill us...and their hearts were already completely corrupted by Hakaru...their hearts...were black...tainted with evil...and malice..." Kyo replied, not making eye contact.
"Oi! Baka! Are you listening to me?!" Inuyasha interrupted.
Mei Lhi jumped down from where she was in the air with Kyo, landing next to her brother. Then all at once, to one another's surprise, Hana, Sesshoumaru, Mei Lhi, Sango, and Shippou hit the hanyou on the head. When all of them moved away, Inuyasha had several bumps on the top of his head, each of his 'attackers' wearing expressions of annoyance. Even Sesshoumaru looked a little irked.
"Well...looks like the rest of you can take care of the samurai...Kyoshi-kun! Let's go!" Mei Lhi said, changing the subject.
Kyo nodded, and both took off again.
(POV Change)
Hakaru smirked, watching his younger brother.
'Hmph...you fool...the Western Lands will belong to me within the hour...' He thought, grinning maliciously.
"What's this...?" He said aloud, sensing something as he felt his brother's presence and the hanyou girl's presence grow closer.
His eyebrows narrowed and his grin became wider upon realizing it.
'I thank you, Kyo...you've handed everything to me very nicely...it was a big mistake to mark that half-breed wench...I've found your weakness...this is going to be enjoyable...'
(POV Change)
Kyo touched the ground a few feet before his elder brother, Mei Lhi sliding to a stop next to him.
"Hakaru! I'm not going to go easy on you!" Kyo said angrily.
"Hm...well, I didn't plan to spare you..." Hakaru replied.
"Damn...you're starting to sound like Sesshoumaru..." Mei Lhi thought aloud.
Hakaru turned in her direction, an evil grin breaking at the corners of his mouth.
"Kyoshima...you foolish little boy...Hmph...you've provided me with your weakness...you've pretty much given it to me...that mark...what a mistake...and why her, Kyoshima? She's but a half-breed..."
"That is something someone like you will never understand..."
Hakaru snapped his fingers, more Ryuuyoukai appearing behind him, awaiting orders.
"Kill the half-breed girl...leave the foolish prince to me..." He said in a smooth voice.
The Ryuuyoukai flew towards Mei Lhi, going in for the first of what could already be determined as many strikes. Just as one was about to reach her, Kyo pushed her aside, out of harm's way.
"Run..." He whispered over his shoulder.
"What...?"
"RUN!"
Mei Lhi broke out into a run, and watched over her shoulder as she ran, as the dragon that almost got her reached Kyo. She sighed with relief when she saw Kyo turn into wind, and reappear behind the youkai and slice it with a single strike. The rest of the dragons were now chasing after her.
"Oh shit!" She muttered.
She ran faster, dodging attacks now and then. Whipping her head over her shoulder, she saw the youkai still chasing her. When she turned back around, she faced three dragons. It was a trap. They had her surrounded and were about to go in for an attack when four of them were sliced in half. As their bodies fell to the ground, Mei Lhi looked upon her savior. Sesshoumaru stood before her, holding Toukijin.
"Thanks, Sesshoumaru...I owe you one...I might forget, so remind me later." She said, grinning.
Sesshoumaru gave a short nod in response.
The hanyou girl was about to get up and keep running, but more dragons appeared, now surrounding her and Sesshoumaru.
(Yet another POV Change)
"Oi, Jaken! You stupid green thing! Whatever the hell your name is!" Inuyasha yelled.
"What do you want, half-breed?" Jaken asked irritably.
"Take my place for a minute...I've got to go save some people..."
"If you mean your half-breed sister, Sesshoumaru-sama has just gone..."
"Well then I don't think you saw him and Mei Lhi get surrounded by even more of those damn glorified lizards!"
"WAH?! Sesshoumaru-sama will not fall at the hands of some lowly Ryuuyoukai!"
"Yeah, well, take my place so I can save his sorry pansy ass!"
Jaken reluctantly took Inuyasha's place.
"Come on, Kagome!"
The hanyou threw the miko girl over his shoulder and onto his back.
"Inuyasha! What're you doing?!" Kagome screamed at him.
"Weren't you listening to a damn thing I said, wench?!"
Inuyasha skidded to a halt before the giant cloud of dragons. He dropped Kagome off his back, gripping Tetsusaiga's handle.
'It's a good thing that together they have a strong youki...now I can use it...this is my chance!' He thought.
(POV Change...)
"Oi! Sesshoumaru! Move your pansy ass!" Inuyasha's voice yelled.
Sesshoumaru moved with reluctance.
"Took you long enough!"
(POV Change.....)
Inuyasha swung the Tetsusaiga, focusing on the youki of the dragons.
"Bakuryuuha!" He yelled.
The true power of the Tetsusaiga came forth, splitting all of the dragons in a single strike. Inuyasha smirked upon seeing Mei Lhi's stunned expression.
"Remember that time I told you about that attack even more powerful than Kaze no Kizu? That time, when we were fighting over you going to school...?" He said.
"Ummm...vaguely, yeah..." Mei Lhi replied.
"Well...that was it...and I'm willing to bet it's something that even you can't copy from me..."
He looked over to where Kyo and Hakaru were.
"You might wanna help your boyfriend...looks like he's getting his ass kicked..." He said.
Mei Lhi blushed and hit him over the head with Tetsusage's handle. She ran quickly, disappearing from sight. Inuyasha briefly nursed his head and turned to Kagome.
"Oh...sorry about dropping you off like that..."
Kagome had a blank expression, but that changed as he forced her to think of what he had done moments before.
"BAKA! You're sorry?! Aghhhhh!!! Inuyasha, osuwari!" She said angrily.
Inuyasha was face-planted a good foot or so into the ground. Instead of the usual curses the hanyou usually said, he accepted this punishment, not really caring at the moment.
But that changed when the two inuyoukai and miko girl heard Hakaru's voice roar, "Kikyo! Hurry up! What's taking you so long?!"
"Kagome! Tell Hana-baba!" Inuyasha said quickly.
Kagome was already halfway on her way back.
"What do you think I'm doing?" She asked.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes and then pushed himself up from the 'sit'.
(...you already know...)
Mei Lhi arrived on the scene, her eyes widening in horror. Kyo lay at Hakaru's feet, looking badly wounded.
"Doesn't this look familiar, half-breed?" Hakaru asked, turning to her.
"T-this is...my...nightmare..." Mei Lhi whispered.
"Kukuku...thanks to those nightmares you had, you've given me such wonderful ideas..."
"Then it was you after all...you made me have those nightmares...were you already teamed up with this Naraku freak?"
"Yes...it was me...but no...I had not joined completely with Naraku..."
"You bastard!"
"Hmph...ah, Kikyo, you have come at last...have your little pets keep her still...she needs to see all of this..."
Kikyo was walking from behind Hakaru and she sent her Shinindama-chuu after Mei Lhi, the creatures surrounding the hanyou and binding her tightly so she couldn't move.
"Now...Kyoshima...it is time...for your death..." Hakaru said, turning to the boy at his feet.
(Twiddles thumbs vaguely aware of anything...)
"Hana-chan! Hakaru's just called for Kikyo! She's coming! Or she could be there already!" Kagome yelled.
Hana nodded, and then turned to Sango, Miroku, Shippou, Kirara, and Jaken.
"Will you all be able to take it from here?" She asked.
"Don't you worry, Hana-chan! We'll be just fine!" Shippou answered.
All the others nodded in agreement.
"Alright...Kagome, which way?"
(POV Change...)
Inuyasha breathed in the air.
'Kikyo's scent...' He thought. 'And it's coming from exactly where Mei Lhi is! Kuso...'
Sesshoumaru glanced at his half-brother.
"Your wench is coming...and she has brought Hanajima-san with her..." He said.
"Huh? Wait, what?! She's not my wench, just a wench!"
"My apologies, little brother...this Sesshoumaru has made a mistake..."
Kagome and Hana arrived at that moment.
"Where's Kikyo?" Hana asked instantly.
"Over that way...where Imouto-san took off to..." Inuyasha replied.
"Then let's go!"
Hana started off, drawing her sword from her hip. Sesshoumaru turned on his heel and followed. Kagome began to run off, and saw Inuyasha standing, looking confused, and then grabbed his wrist and pulled him along.
(POV Change...)
Kikyo walked over to Mei Lhi and touched the hanyou girl's forehead.
"He won't be able to hear you now...he can't even see you..." The miko said, an evil smirk forming.
Mei Lhi tried to respond with an insult, but when she opened her mouth, no sound came out.
'I can't speak...my voice is frozen...kuso!' She thought.
"What a pleasant surprise...look who else has joined the party...Sesshoumaru...just who I wanted to see...Hanajima...Inuyasha...and you, Kagome, right...?" Hakaru said, looking at them.
Inuyasha looked around frantically.
"Where's Imouto-san?" He thought aloud.
"She's being held by Kikyo's Shinindama-chuu...she's right behind Kikyo...but Kikyo's put a spell on her..." Hana replied.
"Nothing ever does get past you, does it, Hana?" Kikyo said with a small grin.
"Kikyo! Let Mei Lhi go!" Inuyasha yelled.
"Inuyasha...I'm sorry...but I can't...please understand..."
Kikyo walked over to Inuyasha, wrapping her arms around him. Kagome's eyes narrowed with anger.
"Get. Off. Him." She said through gritted teeth.
Kikyo ignored her.
"Get off him!!!" Kagome yelled, her aura sparking around her.
Kikyo's aura sparked and a few souls came out of her body. Kikyo released the half-demon, her head turning to face Kagome, her eyes narrowing.
"You!" She said venomously.
She notched an arrow to her bow and fired. Inuyasha jumped onto Kagome, pushing her down to avoid the shot. The arrow missed the two by a hair and landed in the earth a few feet behind them.
"Kikyo, you can play later...right now I have something to take care of..." Hakaru's voice interrupted.
Kikyo reluctantly lowered her bow and returned to where she stood next to Mei Lhi.
Hakaru turned back to Kyo.
"Any final words...? You've got an audience..." He asked.
"Where's Mei...?"
"She has not come..."
"She will..."
"No...she isn't coming...she won't be coming for you..."
"She just doesn't know! But she'll be here! I know it!"
"No, she isn't! Why, why Kyoshima?! Why do you persist?! Why do you keep believing she will come?! She won't show up. Not now, not ever!"
"She'll be here...she'll come..."
"Hmph...keep dreaming..."
"Even if I'm already dead, she'll come..."
"No...she won't..."
"You don't know that..."
"Tell me brother...has she ever once told you that she loved you...?"
"No...but I know she cares!"
"Kyoshima you fool! You're living a child's dream! She doesn't love you! She's only using you!"
"No! That's a lie!"
"Her feelings aren't true...she has no cares for anyone...not even someone who would throw their life away to save hers...not even for you...Just give it up, already! Die for her, and see that she won't come, see that she never cared, but die, to be free, you won't have to worry about anything...let her go...and move on to the world of the dead...there is no place for you here, in this world of the living..."
"I...don't know what to do..."
"Die for your freedom from her..."
"You are my older brother, a true brother would help me with this decision...I do hope that you'll make the right one for me..."
A single tear streaked down Kyo's face.
Kagome watched painfully, looking around she saw that Inuyasha's expression had softened. Hana looked on in as much pain as herself. Sesshoumaru even had a tiniest hint of emotion on his face.
'We can't just sit here and do nothing...' She thought.
Kagome was about to go forward when a hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. Kagome glanced up into Hana's eyes.
"Don't...this is something only Mei Lhi can do..." She said barely above a whisper.
"I choose your freedom...I don't want you, my only brother, to be chained to a false love, only to suffer for the rest of your long years of life..." Hakaru said after a few seconds of thought.
Hakaru reached for the hilt of his sword and slowly unsheathed his blade.
(...yep...you guessed it! Another POV change...)
'I am NOT going to just watch this! I won't let Kyoshi-kun die! I can't!' Mei Lhi thought.
Her heart was aching, and her eyes were burning with anger.
'How? How will I be able to do anything?! I'm stuck here and I can't move an inch, or even speak!'
"I choose your freedom..." Hakaru began.
'Wait, no!'
"...I don't want my only brother to be chained to a false love..."
'WHAT?! What the hell is he babbling about now?! He can't possibly understand love! Someone like him can't understand it!'
"...only to suffer..."
'He won't suffer! I'll ensure it! Because it's love that binds me to him! Wait...what...? I...I love Kyoshi-kun...? I love him...'
"...for the rest of your long years of life..."
'I'm not gonna stand for this anymore!'
Mei Lhi suddenly found her voice when she saw Hakaru's hand reach for the handle of his katana.
"Kyoshi-kun! Don't listen to him!" She screamed.
Determined to move, and determined for Kyo to see her, she used her demon strength and broke free from the Shinindama-chuu's hold on her body. In a single motion she ran and put herself between Hakaru and Kyo, Tetsusage drawn, the blade plunged into the fire dragon's abdomen.
"You...stupid...LIAR! How dare you...HOW DARE YOU!!!" She yelled at him, twisting Tetsusage in a circular motion.
Hakaru looked stunned. Kikyo was livid. Inuyasha, Kagome, Hana, and Sesshoumaru looked on. Kyo smiled.
"You did come for me, Mei..." He said.
"Of course I did..." She replied, turning her head over her shoulder, and smiling back. "Nanode...ai shiteru..." She added in a whisper.
The hanyou girl pulled her sword out, and kicked Hakaru away a good ten feet. She sheathed her sword and helped Kyo sit up.
"You alright?" She asked.
"Yeah...better now..." He answered.
"You know, I think you need to quit trying to die for me...because honestly, you can try as much as you want, but I'll always show up last minute to save your ass."
"Ha! Then it's the same for you if you get any ideas!"
"How...touching..." Hakaru's voice interrupted.
In a flash, Hakaru had drawn his sword and stabbed Mei Lhi in her shoulder. He dropped his sword, and leaped towards her, his hand at her throat, holding her several feet above the ground.
Hakaru's eyes turned red, and his youkai markings appeared. Kagome, Inuyasha, and Mei Lhi all gasped with horror upon seeing three crimson circles on his forehead. Hakaru started changing and transformed into a horrific black dragon. On his back was a massive wingspan, with teeth over four feet in length, complete with glistening scales.
Mei Lhi was now very far from the ground, and Hakaru's claws were tightening their grasp around her neck.
"Can't...BREATHE!" She choked out.
Something white lunged at Hakaru and caught the fire dragon off guard, causing him to drop Mei Lhi to the ground.
The hanyou girl gasped for air and when her breathing became normal, she saw Kyo had transformed, and watched as the dragon brothers took to the sky, biting and clawing at one another on the way up. The two went above the clouds and out of sight.
'Kyoshi-kun...' She thought.
(...sighing and yawning...all this extra typing is annoying...)
"What's going on up there?" Kagome wondered aloud.
"I don't know..." Inuyasha replied.
"If Kyo loses...it will not bode well...not at all..." Hana said, her eyes staring fixedly at the sky.
"This Sesshoumaru will not lose the Western Lands to the likes of this...Hakaru. I've kept these lands from them before, and I, Sesshoumaru, shall do it again..." The inuyoukai lord said in a level voice.
"Was that supposed to make Hana-baba feel better or something, Sesshoumaru?" Inuyasha asked.
Sesshoumaru ignored his half-brother and looked up suddenly.
"It appears someone has won..." He said.
"What?" Kagome, Inuyasha, Hana, and Mei Lhi exclaimed.
All of them looked at the sky where a large object fell through the clouds. It gained speed as it fell and landed in the earth with a giant crash, a huge wave of dust surrounding the area.
As the dust settled back into the earth, everyone cautiously peered inside the smoking crater.
(POV change...)
"What was that?!" Sango yelled over her shoulder to Miroku.
"I don't know Sango...but something big must've crashed into the ground..." The monk replied.
"We should go check it out, Houshi-sama!"
"Hai, Sango, I agree..."
Miroku reached into his robes, threw several ofuda at the samurai, and then opened the air void. Sango quickly threw Hiraikotsu, Shippou using his foxfire, and Jaken twirling the Staff of Heads as it emitted flames.
"Kirara! Now!" Sango yelled.
The cat transformed into her larger form, the monk and taijiya got onto the neko's back, Shippou hopping on, Sango reaching out and lifting a struggling Jaken from the ground as Kirara flew upward.
"WAH!!! Put me down you stupid ningen wench!!!" Jaken said vehemently, still struggling from the taijiya's grip.
(POV Change...)
Kikyo approached the side of the hole in the ground. She looked inside, seeing the true form of Hakaru, which promptly shrank into the fire dragon's human form.
"Kikyo...listen..." Hakaru said, clearly struggling to speak.
"What is it?" The miko asked.
"Naraku must have the Western Lands...at all costs..."
"How shall I do that?"
"Kill the lord...kill Sesshoumaru..."
Kikyo nodded, reaching for her bow.
'So...there is no other way...this is my only choice...'
(POV Change)
Kyo descended from the sky in his human form, Mei Lhi letting out a sigh of relief. Hana approached him.
"I will take care of Hakaru..." She said, pulling a spell scroll from her kimono.
An arrow with dark miko aura grazed her forearm.
Hana looked into Kikyo's fiery eyes, Kikyo glaring at Hana warningly. Hana put the spell scroll away and she walked back to where she had stood next to Kagome.
"What the hell are you doing, Hana-chan?!" Mei Lhi yelled.
"Hakaru had one final wish...and I am going to grant it..." Kikyo said, raising her bow and pulling an arrow from her quiver.
Kikyo notched the arrow to her bow, changing her aim to each person around her. First on Kagome, then Inuyasha, Mei Lhi, Kyo, Hana, Sesshoumaru. She changed the order she first aimed at them, and then finally when all of them were confused enough, she let the arrow fly, a dark purplish-black glow around the arrow.
"The Western Lands will go to Naraku!" Kikyo shouted as the arrow whizzed through the air.
Everyone watched as the arrow gained speed, realizing the shot was intended for Sesshoumaru. The demon lord looked unconcerned and gripped the handle of Toukijin tighter.
The arrow flew closer. Closer, and closer. And when it was about to hit its intended target, the shot was intercepted.
Sesshoumaru's eyes widened slightly. Hana stood before him, her arms out in front of her. The arrow had hit her in the chest and her breathing became rapid. Just after the arrow made contact, a barrier went up. The miko dropped to the ground, blood blossoming on her kimono.
"Hana!" Mei Lhi, Kyo, Inuyasha, and Kagome said in shock.
(POV Change...)
"Hanajima-san..." Sesshoumaru said quietly.
Hana struggled to breathe as she lay at Sesshoumaru's feet.
"Sesshoumaru-sama...I'm sorry..." She began. "I couldn't put my barrier up fast enough..."
Sesshoumaru looked at the miko at his feet. He could see the gaki crawling towards her.
'So...she will die soon...' He thought.
Kagome and Inuyasha ran over to Hana.
"It's hit her in the lung...she's just a ningen, so she won't be able to breathe..." Inuyasha said after examining where the arrow hit.
"And with what Hana-chan told us, Kikyo's dark miko powers are most likely worse than her good ones, the evil aura in her arrow must be filling Hana's lungs with Kikyo's intent to kill and most likely some of Naraku's miasma." Kagome confirmed.
Hana's breathing slowed to a stop. The barrier faded and then finally dissipated.
Sesshoumaru saw that the gaki now surrounded Hana. He listened for her heartbeat, but heard none.
"She is dead..." The demon lord stated flatly.
(...pov change...)
Kikyo smirked.
"This time...I won't miss..." She said.
"You won't get another chance, Kikyo!" Kagome shouted, an arrow notched to her bow.
"Heh...my pathetic reincarnation..."
"'Pathetic reincarnation?!'"
Kagome released her arrow, a bright pink glow surrounding it, just barely missing Kikyo.
"Your aim is off. Now watch while the master of the bow does it correctly!"
Kikyo reached for another arrow, letting it fly seconds later. It was headed right at Kagome. Inuyasha pulled Kagome to the side, the arrow barely missing them.
"So...that girl truly does mean more to you than I do..." Kikyo said sadly.
(And another pov change...)
Sesshoumaru stood staring at Hana's body, watching the gaki as they crawled about.
'I have no idea as to what this Sesshoumaru should do...' He thought. 'This Sesshoumaru has no reason to care whether Hanajima-san is dead or not...however...Hanajima-san did help Rin...'
As he thought, he could sense many stares, he looked up and saw Inuyasha, Kagome, Kikyo, Mei Lhi, and Kyo watching him. The demon lord wondered why, but his own question was answered when he felt Tenseiga pulse with energy at his waist. The sword's hilt was vibrating.
'Hmph...it seems Chichiue has answered for me...'
He reverted his eyes back to Hana's body and watched the gaki scurrying around. He stared for a long time. Everyone's attention was diverted as they now turned to see Sango arrive with Miroku, Shippou, and Jaken. All of them on Kirara's back.
Sango dismounted the demon cat and saw the body at Sesshoumaru's feet.
"Hana-chan!" She gasped.
"Hana-sama!" Miroku said, shocked, following the taijiya's gaze.
Shippou looked and pounced on Kagome.
"Kagome-chan...what happened to Hana-chan?" The kitsune asked worriedly.
Jaken walked over to his lord.
"Sesshoumaru-sama...is that the dead body of the miko woman? The granddaughter of-" Jaken began.
"Shut up Jaken..." Sesshoumaru said passively.
An arrow appeared out of nowhere. All looked in Kikyo's direction.
"Your eyes should be on me!" The miko hissed.
(line thingers...er, pov change...)
Sango threw Hiraikotsu, only striking a barrier around Kikyo.
"Naraku has come to my aid..." Kikyo said with a smirk.
"Naraku?" Mei Lhi wondered aloud.
Inuyasha growled as Naraku's scent reached his nose.
"Naraku! Stop hiding and come out already! Kaze no Kizu!" He yelled, swinging Tetsusaiga.
The Wound of the Wind slashed at a place behind Kikyo, Naraku appearing several feet behind the miko wearing his baboon pelt.
"Kukuku Inuyasha..." The demon said.
Naraku looked around at the entire group, looking surprised when he set his eyes on Mei Lhi.
"Inuyasha, you have a new companion..."
"Keh. What of it? It's not like you know her..."
"Hmph...baka Inuyasha...this Naraku knows all...your companion is none other than your younger sister...yes, Inuyasha...I have heard of your sister already..."
Inuyasha's eyes widened in shock, his eyebrows narrowed, and a growl emitted from his throat.
"She is part of my plan...after all..." Naraku went on. "She was to be the bait for Hakaru's little brother...so that Hakaru could freely overthrow Sesshoumaru and get the Western Lands...Kikyo would receive her soul and the final shards of the jewel..." He turned to Kikyo. "Do what you can to help Hakaru over there..."
Kikyo nodded and stepped into the crater and eased the fire dragon into a sitting position.
"I thank you, Kikyo...but your efforts are meaningless...death is already upon me...Kyo has grown stronger in more ways than I had thought possible...he was...a good friend...a good brother...and he will be...a strong leader...and he will make a fine supreme ruler of our kind..." Hakaru managed to get out.
Hakaru's form went limp and burst into ashes, Kyo approaching them, pulling out a small jar, kneeling, and then shoveled them into the small container and capped it. He put the container away and said what sounded like a prayer in Ryuuyoukai.
Naraku sighed.
"So...it seems he's not as powerful as we thought..." He commented.
He turned to look at Sesshoumaru.
"I really don't wish to fight you, Sesshoumaru...but I must have these lands..."
"Hmph...Naraku...you are such a coward...you have sent another kugutsu in your place..." Sesshoumaru replied. "You are not even worth my time..."
The taiyoukai stared at the body at his feet. Tenseiga still shook violently.
"Perhaps...she will find you worth her time..." He said finally.
Everyone looked at him with puzzled expressions. Sesshoumaru gripped Tenseiga's handle and drew the blade, with a single pass killed the gaki. For several seconds everyone waited in silence anxiously. Sesshoumaru listened carefully. Finally hearing just the sound he had wanted to hear.
B-Bmp.
B-Bmp...
B-Bmp!
B-BMP!
B-BMP!!!!
Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango, Miroku, Shippou, and Jaken looked stunned. Mei Lhi watched, confused. Kyo watched with interest. Naraku and Kikyo watching in silence.
(Ok, this is the last one!!! Yay!!!)
Hana's eyes opened slowly, and took a small breath. Towering above her, she saw Sesshoumaru holding Tenseiga. By her side lay Kikyo's arrow, the wound in her chest now closed.
"Hanajima-san..." Sesshoumaru said in a smooth, steady, yet calm voice. "Live again..."
The taiyoukai sheathed his blade and extended his hand, which Hana took. He pulled her to her feet, and she took a few seconds to remember how to move.
"Jaken...retrieve her sword..."
"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama!"
Jaken returned with Hana's shimmering blade in his hands. He held it up to the miko, which she gladly took.
"Arigatou, Sesshoumaru-sama..." She said, smiling softly at the demon lord.
He nodded, and stood in silence, staring at nothing in particular. Hana turned to face everyone.
"All of you get behind me...except you, Miroku...I will need your assistance..." She said in her usual strong, commanding voice.
The group moved behind Hana, Mei Lhi struggled to stand, and fell over.
"I think my ankle's twisted or something..." She said, an eye squinting from pain.
Kyo carried her on his back and walked behind Hana. The miko double-checked that everyone was safely behind her, and she put up a barrier.
"Sango! Kagome! Help keep the barrier going!" Hana said over her shoulder.
Kikyo shot an arrow at Hana, which to everyone's surprise, Hana caught in her hand. Kikyo looked on stunned. Naraku raised an eyebrow, Sesshoumaru looking somewhat amused.
Hana looked down at the arrow in her hand and watched as it burst into tiny pink pinpricks of light as it became purified by her touch. When she looked up again, Kikyo gasped and Naraku's eyes widened. Not only had Hana's miko aura become bright around her, but you could also see an almost transparent image of Midoriko standing where Hana did.
"You are more than meets the eye, Hana..." Kikyo said.
"Heh...never underestimate me, Kikyo..." Hana replied.
"So...would you mind sharing with us as to exactly what you are...?"
"I am the granddaughter of Midoriko-sama...Hanajima Shimabara..."
"Kukuku...Hanajima Shimabara, eh?" Naraku asked.
"Yes, that is correct, Naraku..."
"This is a pleasant surprise...not only do I get the Western Lands, but I will kill Midoriko's descendant."
"Whoever said that you would ever get these lands...?"
Hana sheathed her sword and picked up her bow, which lay on the ground nearby. Reaching for an arrow, she fitted it to the bow and pulled the string back, taking aim, and released. The arrow streaked through the air at an incredible speed, and hit Naraku's barrier, which shattered instantly. The arrow proceeded to Naraku, hitting him, exploding, leaving a broken kugutsu doll with one of Naraku's hairs attached to it. Kikyo's barrier dissolved, the miko trying to keep calm. Hana reached for another arrow.
"Kikyo, I will give you this one chance to leave unscathed...if you choose not to leave, I will have no choice but to shoot you...and trust me, I will do it...without any second thoughts..." She said.
Kikyo's eyes narrowed and she called for her Shinindama-chuu and together they disappeared from sight. Hana lowered her bow and placed her arrow back in her quiver. She turned around and removed her barrier, not saying anything.
"Since that little disruption is over...this Sesshoumaru would like to invite you inside to the castle to rest..." The taiyoukai said, breaking the silence.
Inuyasha looked curiously at his half-brother.
"What's this all of a sudden, Sesshoumaru? You're being oddly polite..." He said with a raised eyebrow.
"Jaken, take Aun and retrieve Rin." Sesshoumaru said, ignoring his brother.
"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama! I will get her at once!" Jaken replied, walking to the two-headed dragon youkai.
Sesshoumaru turned to the rest of the group with a look in his eyes that read 'Follow me...'
The demon lord walked on towards a tall gate, which was guarded by some of Sesshoumaru's youkai soldiers. The soldiers stepped aside and yelled to another set of guards to open the gates. A few seconds later, the gates opened and Sesshoumaru proceeded to walk inside.
After crossing a vast courtyard, Sesshoumaru approached the front doors of the castle. He slid the door open, and motioned the others inside. Everyone but Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru gasped at the sight before their eyes.
Servants bustled around the room, all of them stopping what they were doing and turned towards the door.
"Welcome back, Sesshoumaru-sama." They all said in unison, bowing.
A servant approached them and bowed respectfully.
"Kon'nichi wa, I am called Koji." He said.
"Koji, how many guest rooms are available...?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"There are...six rooms...of course, I will gladly free up more to accommodate the large group of guests you have brought with you, Sesshoumaru-sama..."
"That will not be necessary..."
"Um...Sesshoumaru...there's eight of us...and six rooms..." Kagome said after counting everyone.
"Hey she's right!" Mei Lhi added. "That means that four people get their own room, while the other four will have to share!"
"Is it not accurate...? You bear a mark, and this Sesshoumaru has never seen Inuyasha without the wench."
"Um...well...uh..."
"Mark...?" Sango, Kagome, Shippou, Hana, and Miroku inquired.
Mei Lhi and Kyo laughed nervously. Inuyasha shot the taijiya, houshi, kitsune, and two mikos death glares warning them not to pursue the subject any further. Sesshoumaru smirked, a small smile playing at his lips.
After an awkward silence, Inuyasha decided to be the first to speak.
"So...are we gonna stand here all day or are we gonna actually see the rooms?"
Sesshoumaru instructed Koji to escort them to their rooms while the taiyoukai retreated to his vast study to read and clear his head of the events that had happened that day. Another servant came in a few minutes later serving Sesshoumaru some tea and then promptly left.
The demon lord sipped thoughtfully on his tea, while reading a scroll on none other than Midoriko.
A/N: Weeeeee! Yay! It's done! Finally! Yes, that was incredibly long and exhausting...I didn't know I could type so much...I've surprised even myself! Please stay tuned for Chapter 39...Sesshy/Hana connections will be developing, and Dragon Man 180, if I may, I would like to borrow your idea from your story that Miroku accidentally places a sutra on a door to a room which Hana is the only other occupant for the unfortunate demon lord...Anyway, please review! I hope I didn't drone on..., bore you to death..., or make your eyes fall out from so much reading...lol...
My Japanese Dictionary with Super-crappy Translations:
This dictionary will be much shorter...I'm sure by now everyone knows what hanyou, Ryuuyoukai, Inuyoukai, taiyoukai, Houshi(-sama), taijiya, etc. mean. So I'm just gonna list a word...maybe two...firstly, Kyo's attack...
Tsumujikaze – Whirlwind
Kugutsu - puppet
Chichiue – Father
Shinindama-chuu – Soul Skimmers/Soul Snatchers/Soul Stealers...whatever you wanna call 'em...
Gaki - Messengers of Hell