Inuyasha's Kin and the Son of Darkness
Author's Notes: I really appreciate everyone reviewing and encouraging me to go on. I've sat down and concentrated really hard to get over my writer's block and here's the next chapter. Again, arigatou minna!
Chapter Title
Miroku spun his staff to beat back yet another demon and reached back into his robes for more ward papers, but gasped when he found none. "I don't believe we will be able to last much longer in these conditions." He said in a calm voice.
Kouga punched another youkai in the face with an uppercut and kicked the body away for his children to finish off. "Speak for yourself, monk! I was born for battle!" Just as he said this, another demon tackled him from behind and smashed his face in the dirt. "Damn it!" Kouga spun around and kicked the demon into the air before one of his daughters jumped across and slashed the creature's throat, severing the head from the body.
Rin and Shiori were back to back as they faced off with yet more of Yamatsu's army. "Why would he bother gathering such a large army and keep them all in hiding?" Rin wondered while she stabbed another foolish youkai that charged in, thinking the girls were helpless.
"I don't get it either." Shiori agreed. "Usually warlords like him flaunt their power and show of strength." She let out a war cry and released her weapons. Controlling them with her yoruyoku, the two round blades spun around the girls in a wide arc, bisecting anything close to either human or hanyou. "He has to have another reason!" She shouted when she caught them again.
"Sesshoumaru-sama'll know. He'll stop Yamatsu right in his tracks!" Rin said victoriously as she kicked a demon back and threw him into Shiori when the hanyou-girl spun and sliced its head vertically up the middle.
"Don't forget! My dad's in there too! He'll have to fight for the right to kill off that ugly bastard!" Shiori smirked as the girls ran off to find more victims.
Inuyasha had his hands full blocking Shaoran's attacks and gritted his teeth as he held back from fighting back. "You need to come to your senses before I do it for you!" He raised a knee and landed a hit to the wild youth's gut. When the hanyou doubled over, Inuyasha grabbed him by the back of his clothes and threw him into the cavern wall.
"Marvelous, isn't it?" Yamatsu relished in the fight. "So much strength from even a filthy half breed like him." Scoffing, he corrected himself. "No, he's worse than a half breed, he's a mutt with only a small part of what I can make him become."
Kagome growled as she held Kohaku's injured form in her arms. She'd taken out the arrow, but had nothing on her to treat the bleeding. "I will make you pay for harming my family!"
Kurai roared in agreement and jumped from his friend's side towards Yamatsu. The wolf ran straight at the demon-lord, but when Yamatsu slashed with his black whip, the wolf youkai dodged to the side and bounced off the wall, ramming into him from the side. Kurai was about to bite off Yamatsu's head when Shaoran turned away from Inuyasha and came at Kurai instead.
Kurai didn't see the hanyou-youth coming and was slashed across the side with Shaoran's enlarged claws. Crying out, Kurai felt himself be picked up and held over the chasm, while Yamatsu recovered.
"No Shaoran! Don't!" Kagome pleaded, unable to do anything but watch.
Shaoran only smirked and released the injured wolf's form into the abyss.
Inuyasha acted quickly and jumped over the chasm, skidding to a halt on the other side, Kurai in his arms. He glared at his son as he placed the pup down. "If you won't listen to reason, then I'll just gonna have to kick your ass!" He rushed his son and pulled back his arm…
"Inuyasha! You can't…!" Kagome shouted, still fearing for her son.
Inuyasha ignored her and stared into the red glowing eyes of his son. "Call it tough love if you want, but he has to be taught a lesson! Sankon Tessou!" Slashing with his claws, Inuyasha released five arcs of yellow energy at his berserk son.
Shaoran was hit head on and thrown back again, where he slumped to the floor dazed.
Inuyasha cracked his knuckles, preparing for more. Inuyasha was cut up in lots of places, but it wasn't pain he couldn't handle. "Don't think I haven't been there, kid." He said. "I know what you're going through but you can be so much more than this. You can be stronger and still be in control of yourself!" He said, still trying to get through to his son…
Shaoran's hunched form laughed and his head shot up as his maniacal laughter echoes throughout the cavern. Standing up, he looked at his father with a wicked smile. It was so unnerving, Inuyasha took an uneasy step back. "What would you know of strength?" He asked in a low voice. "You, who ran away instead of turning to fight…even to save your own family!"
Kagome gasped at the response. "Inuyasha went after the only one he thought could save any of us! Yamatsu is Naraku's son and you shouldn't side with him! Listen to me…!"
"Shut up, wench!" Shaoran spat at his own mother. Tilting his head, he glared at her pleading form. "The power Yamatsu plans to unleash will devour everything in its path. This world is in the end of its days."
Yamatsu laughed at this. "The boy knows what he's talking about. There is no way now any of you will be able withstand my forces…"
"You mean those of Mikaboshi?" Sesshoumaru entered the cavern and for a moment, Yamatsu looked worried. "Yamatsu, son of Naraku, is no longer here…is he?"
When Yamatsu heard this, he started laughing. "Sesshoumaru, the mighty older brother of Inuyasha…I should've just killed you off when you were a weak human."
Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes. "Half of your forces have already fallen outside. You won't make it out of this cave alive." He promised.
"Really? Those outside were merely to become shells for a great many other far more powerful demons…" Yamatsu revealed.
"Other monsters?" Kagome wondered.
"Come now, why would I want pathetic creatures like that in my army?" He turned to Sesshoumaru. "Except you were wrong about one little thing…I am Yamatsu. That so called powerful God of Evil: Mikaboshi, attempted to take over my body when I chanted that spell…" Yamatsu knew Sesshoumaru had found the shrine and therefore skipped the unneeded information. "What he didn't expect was that being a high level demon, my consciousness was more powerful than his."
Sesshoumaru's eyes widened, but only fractionally. "…." This creature, whom his father and he were able to banish years ago, was stronger than Mikaboshi?
"I received all of his powers and there was nothing he could do. Truly a sad ending for someone I once thought so grand." Yamatsu shrugged. "But now that everyone is here, I think it's time to begin the main event!" He smirked at Sesshoumaru, daring the dog demon to try and stop him, as he began chanting in the ancient language of the gods.
Kagome got fearful and looked to Inuyasha. "We have to get out of here!" Her instinct was telling her they were in even more grave danger than before.
Inuyasha nodded and turned to his son, just in time to see Shaoran unsheathe his sword and raised it above his head. "What are you…!" When Inuyasha was in his demon form he never resorted to using his weapon. It was always claws and sheer strength, but with the infused power of Mikaboshi, the demon form Shaoran was in was far different than Inuyasha's.
Shaoran twirled around and released three large crimson red swipes of energy with every spin that looked like Sesshoumaru's Tokijin attack. Inuyasha took out his sword and tried to block, but it was too late and the attack tore through his body, haori and all. Struggling to stay on his feet, Inuyasha felt the world spin and he collapsed to one knee.
Sesshoumaru, for once, wasn't standing still and was using Tokijin against the barrier Yamatsu had erected just over the chasm. Inuyasha, Kurai, and the dog demon were on one side while Kagome, Shaoran, Kohaku, and Yamatsu were on the other.
Kagome held Kohaku close and erected a small barrier of her own to prevent any of what Yamatsu was going to do to harm either herself or Sango's only son. When she saw even Sesshoumaru couldn't break it, she looked at Inuyasha as he looked at her. "Get out of here…" She begged in a whisper, her voice going hoarse over the course of the battle.
"I won't leave you…" Inuyasha said through gritted teeth. He used his sword to push himself to his feet and saw Yamatsu still wasn't finished casting his spell. "We have to break the barrier somehow!" He could see Shaoran on the other side, standing with his sword across his shoulders. I've only got one chance at this…
Sesshoumaru momentarily stopped his attacks and looked over at his little brother. The symbol on Inuyasha's forehead glowed red from the time of passing his father's trial all those years ago. Sesshoumaru could see Inuyasha gather as much of his remaining yoruyoku as possible and glare at his son.
"Shaoran, wake up! DAMN IT!!" Closing his eyes, the father dog demon unknowingly sent a wave at energy from his symbol to the black mark of Mikaboshi's on his son's forehead. The beam melted through Yamatsu's barrier – being not a physical attack – or even a demonic attack. This was the secret power passed down through Inuyasha from his father, now to his son.
The black symbol flickered and shattered into nothing, causing the boy to collapse to his knees. In its place, a new symbol, resembling Inuyasha's, glowed bright red for all to see.
Inuyasha fell to his knees as well, but forced a smile when he saw his son's eyes return to normal. "Nice…to have…you back…"
Shaoran felt his claws retract, as well as his fangs, and looked worried at his father. "D-Dad? You came back?"
"Of course…stupid kid…" Closing his eyes, Inuyasha collapsed in a heap on the stone floor.
"Dad!" Shaoran stood up in surprise.
"Now is not the time to get emotional." Sesshoumaru said from his side of the barrier. "We must still defeat Yamatsu." He spoke coldly, like always, but on the inside he was furious. Even now when he was so close, he could not exact his revenge on the one who cause not only him harm, but Rin as well.
"Shaoran, you have to prevent him from finishing the spell!" Kagome was relieved beyond words to see her son safe and back to normal, but they were running out of time.
"Right!" Shaoran took one last moment to look at his father before turning to Yamatsu. "I'm ending this once and for all Yamatsu!" He took one step forward when the chasm next to him started to glow hellish red. "What the…"
Yamatsu's chant got louder and faster, causing the chasm to glow more.
Kagome gritted her teeth as she felt her energy leave her. "S-something's…wrong…" She fought to keep up her barrier, but it shattered into bright pink crystals and the priestess collapsed over Kohaku's already unconscious form – the poor boy loosing too much blood to stay awake. A pink orb, containing all her powers, flew into the chasm where it disappeared.
"M-Mom!" Shaoran fell to one knee and felt his own energy leave him.
Inuyasha tried to get up, but some invisible force kept him down. "W-what's going on?"
Sesshoumaru directed all his energy to keeping himself upright, but it was not an easy task. "In order…to summon the spirits of…Gakido…he needed the priestess'…holy powers…and enough…demon yoruyoku to complete the spell." Gritting his teeth, he continued. "You gave yours up…and were useless…to him."
Shaoran caught on. "T-that's why he needed us…" Inside, something clicked. That means…! Shiori!
Outside the demons the group were fighting all grabbed their heads in pain and ceased their attacks. "What's going on!?" Rin wondered, feeling no ill effects of her own.
"Kirara?" Sango asked when her pet roared out in pain and fell from the sky. "Ahhh!" Flipping off just in time, Sango landed next to Miroku as he ran to her side, and saw Kirara collapse.
"Their yoruyoku's being drained!" Turning to the cave where Inuyasha had disappeared, Miroku could see a large black sphere grow and envelope the entire battlefield. Miroku felt his own powers drain, but it only left him slightly fatigued and he staggered a little.
Sango steadied him and looked at the black orb. "What can we do!?" She exclaimed.
Miroku tried to keep his eyes open but he too soon passed out. "You have to…"
"Miroku!" Sango cried out when a blue orb left his body went into the cave
Kouga held one fist against the ground, not daring to give in to anything without a fight. "Heh, this old geezer thinks he can get rid of us like this…?" All around he saw his kin held against the ground and unable to get up. "That bastard!"
Rin turned and saw Shiori collapse as something black came out of her body. "Shiori-chan!" She caught the hanyou as she fell, but watched in horror as her demonic essence flew through the rock into the cave.
Energy gathered and gathered and when Yamatsu was close enough, he opened his eyes and laughed. "The entire world will be mine for the taking!"
"Shaoran! Do it now!" Sesshoumaru shouted angrily as his powers weakened and he was finally forced to one knee.
Shaoran grasped his sword tightly and reached for his dagger with his other hand. Thankfully, Yamatsu felt in no danger when he returned the boy's weapons to him in order to make him a better fighting machine. Shaoran's own essence was being sucked by the void before them, but the youth wouldn't give up. "This… is for what you've done to me!" He threw the dagger and it embedded itself in Yamatsu's chest.
Yamatsu was in shock, but the wound was not like threatening. "You still think you can stand up against me?"
"I will make you suffer!!!"Shaoran shouted as he rushed in and slashed with his sword. One slash cut diagonally across Yamatsu. "That was for my sister!" He slashed the other way, "That was for my mother." Yamatsu held a hand over his black bleeding wound as blood dripped out of his mouth, but still he could say nothing. Shaoran glared at him and shouted, "And this is for my father!" Beheading the demon before he knew what was even happening, Yamatsu's body fell as his head flew and fell into the chasm.
Bouncing on the walls as it fell, Yamatsu's head disappeared in the bottomless red glow. "You are too late…the gate is open…" His mouth widened into a smile…then he was gone.
The barrier blocking Sesshoumaru shattered and he was able to rise to his feet once more. "We have to close the gate before the creatures find a way through to this realm." He said calmly.
Inuyasha took a few needed breaths and pushed himself to his feet as well. "But how?" He jumped over the chasm and landed by Kagome's side, just as she moaned and opened her eyes. "Kagome…are you alright?"
She was weak and could barely keep her eyes open, but she nodded. When she saw the chasm still open and the power being released causing the cave they were in to collapse, she gasped. If the spirits of Gakido come over to this side…we won't stand a chance! "W-we have to seal it."
"What do we have to do?" Inuyasha asked.
"I can do it…but I'm gonna need your help…" She slowly placed Kohaku on and ground and with Inuyasha's aide, stood on her feet. "I can seal it…but I still don't have any horiki to do it with…"
Kurai shook his head and stood on all fours. Then you shall have mine. He knew she couldn't hear him, but to get his point across, he began gather what yoruyoku he had left and began sending it to the priestess. He knew his human friend would want to him to help.
Shaoran jammed his sword down into the rock and began channeling his yoruyoku towards his mother as well.
Sesshoumaru scoffed but raised a hand and began sending his blue energy at the priestess as well. He knew that she innately had the ability to convert yoruyoku into horiki. It would also explain her early ability to purify the shards of the Shikon no Tama.
Outside, Shiori had awaken, much to Rin's relief and could feel the gathering of power, but this time she felt her mom's presence asking for her assistance. "Everyone…give me your energy and I'll give it to my mom…we have to seal off the underworld…this time for good."
"What do you mean? How do you know?" Kouga asked unbelieving. When she turned and winked at him, he shrugged. "I'm convinced."
Miroku took a deep breath and held his prayer beeds in front of him. Even though his kazaana had been sealed many years ago, he still kept them to channel his power. Kirara, who walked dutifully by her mistress' side, roared in agreement and began sending her yoruyoku towards Shiori as well.
Slowly the hanyou began to glow pink as she sent more and more energy to Kagome. "That's it! Just a little more!"
Kouga turned to his kin, who up until now stood by doing nothing, and growled. "Don't just sit there or it'll be you the pack eats next!" He threatened.
His children whined, but abided and joined in the efforts.
Inuyasha held up his sword as Kagome explained to him. "When I give the word, use Bakuryuuha to seal off the chasm."
"Right." He walked over to where Yamatsu's body still As he stared into the flames that grew and licked up out of the cavern, he could hear a frighteningly familiar voice.
"Inuyasha…it seems fate has seen fit to release me from my prison."
Gasping, the hanyou couldn't believe it. "N-Naraku!"
In the flames of hell, the head of Naraku's spirit could be seen. "I will destroy you and your children, so that they too may witness the true tortures of the underworld firsthand."
Kagome finally had enough energy and threw her hands forward, sending the pink beam towards her beloved, fusing it into the blade of Tetsusaiga. "Now! Inuyasha!"
Inuyasha jumped up and glared at Naraku as he neared the surface. "Not in this lifetime, Naraku! Bakuryuuha!" Slashing, the whirlwinds of pink energy erupted from the dog fang and raising an arm to block the debris, Inuyasha could see the two sides of the chasm slowly get closer and the tornados began crumbling the side of the chasm, breaking off huge chunks of rock.
The cavern began rumbling and Shaoran gasped, sheathing his weapon. "We have to get out of here or we'll be crushed!" Kurai, though still wounded, jumped over to Kagome and lifted Kohaku from the floor. When he saw Inuyasha picked up Kagome, the group all made their way out of the passageways.
Sango gasped when she saw sections of the cave collapse and shouted, "Kohaku!"
"Sesshoumaru-sama is still in there!" Rin exclaimed. "And Kagome-sama too!"
"I'll get her!" Kouga made ready to play hero when Inuyasha leapt through the last of the cave and merged on the other side of the waterfall.
"Too late, you wimpy wolf!" Inuyasha smirked in victory, Kagome sweatdropping in his arms.
"When did this become a contest?" She wondered when he put her down.
"Since you kept getting kidnapped all the time." Inuyasha replied as a matter of fact.
Behind him, Kurai ran to Sango's side and placed her son carefully on the floor. I am sorry I was unable to protect him. He bowed his head to show his shame.
Sango was worried for her son, but as she dressed the wound with her sash, she patted the wolf on the head. "You did well. Thank you for bringing him home safe."
Miroku nodded. "We owe you a lot, Kurai. We could not ask for a better friend."
"Hey, what about me!?" Kouga crossed his arms. "It's like this all the time! I never get any credit!"
Rin came over and smiled. Though she was covered in cuts and scrapes and even some blood from her enemies, she still looked beautiful. "Thanks for your help, Kouga."
Shiori rolled her eyed and crossed her arms. "I thought she liked Uncle Sesshoumaru…" She whispered to herself.
When Sesshoumaru emerged from the waterfall last, Rin ditched Kouga and ran to her master's side. "Sesshoumaru! You're okay!" She wanted to hug him, but stopped herself and cleared her throat. "I mean…I knew you would be."
Sesshoumaru let out the tiniest of smiles, but wouldn't dare tell her how relieved he was with everyone watching. "Let us go Rin." He said instead, walking in the opposite direction of the group.
"Hai!" She smiled and walked dutifully by his side.
When Kouga was once again left alone, he growled in annoyance and would've shouted something at the departing dog demon, when Shiori came over and held onto his arm. "Kouga-kun, I'll take care of those wounds if you like…"
Inuyasha raised a fist and was already running over to retrieve his daughter. "The hell you will!"
Kouga quickly scooped up Shiori and began running back towards the refugee camp. "I'm sure I could show her all sorts of new things before you ever caught us, Dog Crap!" The wolf leader shouted in response as he made his getaway.
After Inuyasha, Kouga's children chased after the dog demon hanyou, long ago learning from their father that he was fare game…
"If you guys lay one hand on him, I'm gonna have to kick all your asses!" Shaoran warned to the pack as he chased after them in order to protect his father.
Kagome went up to Sango's side as the taijiya carefully placed her son on Kirara's back. "Why do I feel it'll more difficult to deal with them than a god-infused-demon?" The priestess wondered.
Miroku sighed. "Cause it will be…"
Sango laughed and got on Kirara behind her son. "Well, I'll see what I can do before you guys get there." She promised, taking to the skies back home.
Miroku shrugged and turned to Kagome. "Shall we?"
Kagome nodded, but turned back to the remaining rubble. "You think it'll stay sealed this time? Now not only does it contain Naraku, but his son. If someone were to open it…"
"Then we will always be here to make sure that doesn't happen." He assured. "Because any one of us would die to protect the other, we can be at peace knowing we have the power to protect those we love and they, in turn, will always be there to protect us. That is what family's all about."
Kagome allowed herself a smile before she turned to her long time friend. "Yes, this is our family. And now that I have it back, I won't let anything happen to it." Together Kagome and Miroku walked casually back to the camp, not wanting to be there when Inuyasha fought Kouga, or his sons and daughters fought him, or when Shaoran fought off the cubs. It's going to be a long night…
Author's Notes: This is NOT the end. I repeat, there is a final chapter, an epilogue if you will, that will hopefully bring what has become a classic, well-loved series to its closure. No more sequels, no more continuations, and for all those who hated me for the last chapter, no more cliffhangers. But stayed tuned for the last chapter! Will Kagome and Inuyasha regain their lost time? Will Sesshoumaru admit his feelings to Rin? Will Kouga get Shiori or will Inuyasha send him to the underworld instead? All that waiting in chapter 19!