AN: Sorry for the long time between chapters. It has been a stressful holiday since Thanksgiving for my family. I won't get into detail but things have been worse then usual for us. My muse chose this time for a vacation leaving me with little inspiration to write. I hope this chapter is not a disappointment. I did take some extra time with it but that is only because I was struggling to get it done in the first place. (Damn muse) Anyway enjoy and remember to review and let me know what you think but be nice. I don't need any snotty remarks to dampen my ego.

Thank you to my readers for your support.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything about the Inuyasha series or anything else that I can get sued over.

Song of My Soul

Part Fifteen

The small group stood at the bottom of the winding trail that lead into the woods. Kagome smiled as her mind wandered back to the summers she had spent making the long trek from the road to the shrine. In her mind's eye she could see her cousin running ahead of her urging her to follow at a faster pace. The sounds of the forest around her mixed with the jovial laughter of the children in her ears. But even though it lifted her heart, the thought of her cousin left her mind dulled with the pain of sorrow. Too many memories were being tainted by this visit and she hated it. The thought of her childhood had always brought joy to her but today it brought only regret and sadness. As if feeling her pain, Inuyasha placed a comforting arm over her shoulders drawing her closer into his protective warmth. She leaned into him instinctively and sighed.

"You ok Kagome?" Sango asked in a hushed tone. Kagome looked at her and smiled weakly with a nod.

"Eventually. It's just this place holds so many dear memories and most of those have Kikyo in them. It seems strange to be coming here for the reasons we are." She wrapped her arm around Inuyasha's waist pulling herself even closer if that was possible. He didn't say anything but hugged her tighter.

"It is beautiful here." Miroku commented as he limped behind the others. "Very tranquil."

"Yes it is quiet. I have always loved it here." Kagome looked around smiling. Inuyasha tightened his grip on her more causing her to look up at him. His amber eyes were scanning the forest around them. The scowl on his face was foreboding.

"Too quiet." His voice almost growled as his ears twitched back and forth listening for any sounds.

"What do you mean?" Sango nervously as her eyes scanned the forest around them.

"The forest has wild animals right? Even small ones. They make noises. I don't even hear so much as a bird chirping. This ain't right." He said softly as he continued to scan the forest with his eyes and listen with his ears. His grasp on Kagome was almost painful but she didn't say anything. She could feel his anxiety and knew better then to fight his hold on her.

"What do you hear?" Miroku asked and he too began to look around the forest with suspicion.

"I hear a water fall up ahead." He replied with out even looking at the monk. His nose sniffed the air wistfully then he snorted. "I smell smoke or ash. Not sure. It is being masked by the other odors of the forest.

"There is a water fall we have to go under." Kagome said thoughtfully. "The monks might be burning leaves of something." She suggested as a thought. The others looked at her a bit surprised. She blinked then shook her head. "Ok, I feel it to. I just didn't want to seem scared alright?" She said flatly with disgust.

"Don't worry koi, I'll protect you." He chuckled darkly. She smacked his arm playfully.

"We better get going if we want to find out what is going on." She said and pulled from his grasp as she started up the trail again. He was immediately at her side and grabbed her hand. She squeezed his larger hand thankful he was there with her.

"You two better hurry up." Inuyasha said as he looked back at Sango and Miroku. They nodded and followed as quickly as Miroku could manage. The walk through the forest was nerve racking on all of them. Slowly the forest began to thin as the sound of rushing water grew louder. Cautiously they moved out of the forest to one of the most beautiful sights they would ever see. The water fell from a height of at least 50 feet above them to pond that was the start of the river that flowed through the small clearing in front of them. The sound of the rushing water numbed their senses as it collided with the rocks in its path drowning out any other sounds that may have been there. As Kagome had said the trail disappeared on their side of the water fall and then reappeared on the other side only to disappear again in the forest. With a wave of her hand she motioned for them to follow her.

As they walked under the rushing water, Inuyasha held his hands over his sensitive ears to muffle some of the sound. The others followed his example but Kagome seemed unaffected by it as she merrily waltzed across the planked walk that was hidden behind the fall. They others dashed after her wondering what was wrong with her. When Inuyasha caught up to her he grabbed her shoulder and spun her around yelling at the top of his lungs. Kagome looked at him with wide eyes of surprise but then she saw his hands over his ears and understood. She nodded then spun around and trotted up the trail into the forest with the others close behind her. When the sound was less Inuyasha stopped her again.

"Wait a damn second." He fumed. "Why did the sound of that water bother you?" He asked angrily. She looked from him to the others a bit confused then her eyes lit up.

"Oh dear I am so sorry. It must have been from this." She reached inside her shirt and pulled out a small silver necklace with a pendant inscribed with the word 'damare' on it. "Yamura-sama gave this to me when I first started lessons with him. He said to always wear it when I came to visit. I never really thought about it before now." She smiled happily. The others looked at her with disbelief. "What?" She asked confused. Inuyasha shook his head frowning.

"Never mind just lead the way." He growled out. With a 'hmpf' Kagome spun around and stormed up the trail frustrated. "Feh." Inuyasha snorted and followed close behind her. Sango and Miroku looked at each other sadly.

"Do you think they will ever grow up?" Sango asked absently.

"Probably not." Miroku replied as he took her hand and limped faster to catch up with the feuding couple. Just as they reached the others a loud boom like the sound of thunder echoed through the forest. "What the hell?" Miroku spit out startled.

"Kagome get on my back." Inuyasha squatted down for her. "You two catch up as quickly as you can." He lifted her easily and jumped onto the closest tree limp. He jumped through the forest quickly following the sounds that continued to fill the air with booming sounds. Soon they came to realize it was a battle of some kind. "Damn it." He hissed.

"What?" Kagome asked worriedly.

"That sound is a battle. They are under attack." He said as he picked up his speed seemingly to fly through the air. When he reached a good enough speed he leaped into the air sending them sailing above the tree tops. Ahead they could see the smoke of a burning building. There were monks scrambling everywhere. Some pointed up into the sky with terror in their eyes as a bolt of lightening shot down from a clear sky straight for the main temple only to be repelled by a holy shield that surrounded it. They both looked to where the bolt had come from and saw none other then the Thunder Brothers. Inuyasha growled deep in his chest remembering all too well what they had done just a day before. A gasp from Kagome snapped him out of his heated gaze. Her hand shot out and pointed at the figure of a small fragile looking monk that was kneeling in front of the temple holding his prayer beads tightly in his wrinkled old hands as he chanted to keep the shield up.

"Yamura-sama!" Kagome yelled frantically as she watched another bolt head for the temple. That was all Inuyasha need to spur him on. When they came down he descended all the way to the forest floor and pushed his legs to their full speed. It only seemed seconds before they were in front of the temple where he deposited Kagome before spinning around to face off against the formidable brothers again. Kagome ran to the old monk as quickly as she could dodging falling pieces of the roof that had been blown free. She quickly clamped her hands over his sending her miko powers surging through him to enforce the shield again.

"Well look here brother. The puppy has come to play again." The bald one named Maten chuckled out darkly. "I see you brought that pretty female with you too. That is good. We won't have to search for her then." Inuyasha growled at him baring his fangs.

"I wouldn't worry about her at the moment. Your opponent is me you pompous ass." He snarled. They both laughed heartily.

"You are no match for us dog. Crawl back into the cave you came from." The older brother Hiten said snidely. Inuyasha smirked and reached behind his back. From under his coat he pulled out a katana in a black sheath. The brothers looked at the ancient sword he slid through his belt and started to laugh.

"What do you plan to do with that dog breath? Give us a paper cut." They both howled. It didn't seem to bother the hanyou as he placed a steady hand on the hilt. Power began to pulse through him as it called out to it's master willingly waiting to be used. His eyes leveled on their laughing forms in the air above him.

"Laugh all you want. But you won't be laughing for long." He snarled as he drew the sword from it's magical bonds. They both stopped laughing as the blade drew out changing as it went into a large gleaming fang of power that was 10 times larger then the magical sheath that held it. Everyone gasped at the power the pulsed from it. "Meet my friend, Tetsusaiga." He smirked at the shocked look on their faces as he ran a gentle hand along the blades flat edge. The pulsing became stronger as if it were answering his touch.

"Where did a mutt like you get a powerful weapon like that?" Maten spit out skeptically.

"Oh just a present from my father when I turned 18. Nothing much just a sword of destruction made from his fang." Inuyasha chuckled at the frowns on the brother's faces.

"Enough of this." Snapped Hiten. His red eyes glaring down at Inuyasha from his floating wheels. He raised his spear and let lose a bolt of lightening at the hanyou below. Inuyasha had little time to block it but managed to deflect the power sending it into one of the living huts on the compound. "You take care of the trained dog brother. I will get the book." He ordered and turned his lightening attacks back on the temple. Inuyasha snarled and leaped toward him only to be knocked away by a blast of energy from Maten's mouth.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome screamed but didn't let go of the monk's hands. Tears of fear ran down her cheeks as she watched her mate thrown back several feet from the blast. To her relief he sat back up and shook his head. Black soot speckled parts of his body. He grinned as he stood up.

"Is that all you have fat ass?" He chuckled and charged the large demon on the floating cloud. Kagome shook her head as she watched her mate recklessly charge the demon. A feeble chuckle caught her off guard as she turned to her old sensei. He smiled and looked up at her with missing teeth.

"Yamura-sensei, are you well?" She asked quickly as another lightening bolt hit the shield but this time it didn't waver under the assault. The old man smiled and looked at her with wise eyes.

"I am well Kagome, my child. I see you have a very fierce protector." His wrinkled face shifted to the smile that appeared. She blushed a bit and nodded.

"Yes, he is my mate." She blushed harder when he chuckled.

"Inu youkai from the looks, or at least half. Yes all canines are protective. Is that the boy you spoke of when you were still my student?" He asked in his sagely manner. She nodded and smiled shyly. He patted her hand reassuringly. "I approve. You may relax a moment to conserve your power some." He settled on his legs more as he stretched his arms. "I believe you have enforced the shield enough to for the moment. Now let us watch this warrior of yours shall we?" He mused and turned his attention back to the battle.

Inuyasha swung his blade down clipping the edge of Maten's cloud causing it to shake a bit. The round youkai had to concentrate to keep his balance but managed to send yet another blast at Inuyasha. This time he was prepared and easily dodged it. His swing flew over the balding demons head slicing off the few hairs he still had on the top. Maten let out a wail of misery as his hand patted over the smooth skin of his head searching for those precious hairs.

"You inu kuso." He whined. Red anger bled into his large bulbous eyes. "You will pay for that." He growled out and opened his mouth again to send his attack. This time he sent several smaller blasts that landed just seconds after Inuyasha would jump out of the way. He darted around the compound madly to avoid being hit.

"Inuyasha!" Came a shout from the trail they had arrived on. It was Sango and Miroku. They came running toward them as quickly as possible. Maten spotted them as well and sent a flurry of attacks in their direction.

"Run!" Inuyasha yelled at them. Miroku grabbed Sango by the waist and dodged the first blast. He knew they would not be able to dodge the next one. Fortunately he had a sutra left in his pocket. He quickly grabbed it and plastered it over his right hand which he held in front of himself and Sango as he chanted praying it would shield them from the blast. All the humans and Inuyasha watched in horror as the blast engulfed the young couple. As the dust settled a faint blue bubble appeared from it. Luckily the shield formed just moments before the blast hit keeping them from harm. The ground in front and down the sides of them was torn from it's place leaving a trench of torn dirt. Maten howled angrily. Inuyasha took that moment to hurl his sword at the plump demon. The blade sliced through his hide like it was butter impaling him through the heart.

A gasp could be heard from all who watched as the large demon fell to the ground unmoving. The first to reach him was Hiten who reached for the sword to pull it free. He shrieked in pain when his hand touched the hilt. A magical shield protected it from any other who would try to wield it. His anger poured from every pore of his being as he roared. Kagome felt sympathy for him since he had just lost his brother. Even though they were evil it was clear they were as close as most siblings were. Hiten spun around and charged at Inuyasha. The emotions drove him into a fertile fury. His eyes glowed with his demonic aura and power. Before the hanyou could move, Hiten had him pinned to the ground trying to choke him with the handle of his spear.

"You half-breed bastard. You will pay for what you have done to him. I will kill you then take your woman." The venom spued from his words of hate.

"You won't touch my mate!" Inuyasha snarled back at him.

"You won't be able to do anything because you will be dead. None of these puny humans can stop me or help you." Hiten shoved harder and applied his weight to the handle to crush his windpipe. He grinned evilly as Inuyasha strained against the added vigor of his strength.

"INUYASHA!" Kagome screamed and tried to run to Inuyasha but was held back by Miroku and Sango who took advantage of the distracted youkai and ran to the safety of the barrier. Hiten looked in her direction and laughed as he licked his lips. He leaned down until his lips were mere inches from Inuyasha's ear. The pressure caused the struggling hanyou to groan from his aching muscles.

"I'll have fun with that one before the mistress drains her power. She has a lot of fire in her soul. If there is anything left I promise I will be sure to enjoy her until she stops screaming my name over and over again." He smirked at the low growl that came from Inuyasha. To his surprise the growl became louder. He pushed himself up a bit to look in the hanyou's face. Shock filled his features when he saw Inuyasha's face. The golden eyes that were filled with fiery defiance before were now red with blue slits for pupils. A jagged purple strip ran down each cheek and his fangs were longer.

"You'll not touch her." Inuyasha's voice was rougher and deeper then before. With a feral howl of anger he shoved the thunder demon off him throwing him several feet back to land on his back side. Hiten barely had time to recover before he had to dodge a slashing attack from the hanyou turned demon's claws. He didn't waist a second more before surging into the sky to avoid being slashed to death by the mad demon spawn. Once in the air he drew upon the power of his lightening spear sending a series of bolts at Inuyasha. The hanyou's speed had increased and he easily dodged them. Inuyasha leaped into the air straight for him only to be slashed across his middle by the spear.

He howled in pain as he landed hard on the ground. Kagome screamed again and struggled vainly against her friends. Her heart felt as if it would burst if she didn't reach him. Slowly he began to stand up holding his stomach. His head was bowed so that his bangs covered his eyes. Laughter filled the air over head. Hiten grinned widely as he hovered above .

"Looks like the puppy has lost his bite. I'll be there to get you soon sweetheart." He said sarcastically. "Now one more should finish you off." He raised his spear to send the final bolt at the seemingly helpless hanyou. Inuyasha looked up at him and snarled.

"I said you won't touch her you bastard." He jumped straight at Hiten raising his bloodied hand for a claw attack. At the pinnacle of the strike he summoned his demonic power. With a mighty roar of 'Hijin Ketsusou' (airborne blade blood claw attack from some web site I can't remember where) the built up energy flew from his fingers transforming his blood into deadly blades. Hiten avoided some but most hit him on various places of his body. He fell the ground causing a large dirt explosion when he hit. Demon Inuyasha floated gently down to the ground to stand before the crater that Hiten had caused when he fell.

The thunder demon looked up at him with weak eyes. Bloody slash marks covered his body. The precious fluid of life oozed out of them freely wetting the dry ground around him causing a puddle of blood colored mud. With a snort Inuyasha walked over to Tetsusaiga freeing it from the body of Maten and lifted it up onto his shoulder before returned to the wounded demon in the pit. The second his hand touch the sword he transformed back in the hanyou he was before.

"How?" Hiten gasped out as his eyes scanned the normal inu-hanyou before him.

"You should know better then to threaten another demon's mate." Inuyasha sneered at him as he raised Tetsusaiga over his head and brought it down to finish the job.

AN: I know not that good but I'm stressing here. LOL I know I'm being a whiner so I will shut up now. Review please but be nice. Thanks for reading.