Disclaimer - I do not own Inuyasha and co. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi. However, Kohana, Toshiro and Miki are mine, so no touchy without EXPRESS PERMISSION from me.
New Beginnings
Chapter 10 - Face to Face
love brings out the best in all of us
Sesshomaru impatiently paced around the room, Kohana watching him anxiously. She had just told the demon lord everything she could possibly remember about Toshiro, and he did not seem happy about it. Not to mention that Sesshomaru was worried about Kagome. So all in all, our favorite dog demon was not a happy camper. "You say that you have never seen him in battle before, wench?" Sesshomaru growled, shooting Kohana a glance.
Kohana sighed. "No I haven't. Toshiro always sent someone else to do his dirty work."
Sesshomaru gave a huff. "Sounds like that wretched hanyou Naraku." He stopped pacing. 'It wouldn't do any good to underestimate this one. Who knows what tricks he's got up his sleeves... I haven't ever faced a panther demon before.' He looked at Kohana, his eyes filled with determination and some other emotions that the elemental could not read. "We leave now."
Then he stepped out onto Kagome's old balcony and concentrated on his jaki(1), letting the feeling of power wash over him. Sesshomaru lept out into the lightening sky and began his transformation. Kohana stepped out to watch him, her mouth agape. Sesshomaru's body lengthened and sprouted long silky white fur. His face elongated and two floppy ears replaced his normally pointed ones. Within seconds, a giant demonic dog, easily six times the height of Sesshomaru's more human form. It had long snowy white fur and several magenta strips running up its legs and across its cheeks. The eyes were bright with intelligence, and anyone who saw him would know that although dog-like in appearance, this was definintely Sesshomaru.
'Woman.' Kohana jumped as she heard Sesshomaru's tones in her head. 'Follow behind me, and when we get close to the southern manor, go find Kagome. I'll deal with Toshiro.' Kohana nodded and also jumped off the balcony, unfurling her great wings, and hovered by Sesshomaru, waiting for him to lead.
Without wasting another moment, Sesshomaru bounded off, covering hundereds of yards with each great leap. Kohana followed at a distance. 'Kagome...' the great white dog let loose a mighty howl as he sprinted towards his goal.
Kagome opened her eyes slowly. "Ugh... when did I fall asleep?" She said outloud, not expecting anyone to answer. To her eternal surprise, Toshiro's silky voice sounded in the room.
"I believe it was after my servent attended to you. Are you feeling quite better?"
The miko sat up in alarm, and hissed in pain as the wounds on her back protested at the abrupt movement. She shot Toshiro a wicked glare before noticing a few things. For instance, she was no longer in the cold dungeon, she was in fact on a soft futon, and (to her horror) she had been changed from her ripped attire to a pastel blue silk kimono. Still, Kagome refused to give Toshiro the courtesy of an answer.
Toshiro's eyes narrowed in anger as he lost his friendly front. "It would be wise for you to answer when you are asked a question. I would hate for anything bad " he reached over and grabbed Kagome's wounded arm and squeezed it painfully. "to happen to you." At the girl's pained whimper, he released her and grabbed her chin bruisingly. He forced Kagome to look him in the eyes, everytime her own eyes wandered, he dug his sharp claws further into her skin, causing blood to run in small rivers down her neck.
"Your dog is coming." He said abruptly, carefully monitering Kagome's reaction. Her eyes widened with surprise and then narrowed in determination.
"He will kill you." Kagome spat in Toshiro's face. The panther demon growled (which sounded suspiciously like that hissing spit that cats make when they are angry) and switched his grip to Kagome's neck. He squeezed and threw her on her back on the futon, hearing a pained gasp come from the girl. Toshiro climbed on top of her to straddle her waist.
"Listen well bitch," he said angrily. "When that mongrel gets here, I will kill him and then, " Toshiro paused, his eyes glinting dangerously, and leaned down to Kagome. He licked the side of her face slowly before forcing his tongue in her mouth. When Kagome stiffened, he pulled back, biting down on her bottom lip, drawing blood. "I will have a little... fun with you before handing you over to Horace." At Kagome's confused look, he grinned nastily and leaned in to whisper to her ear. "Your friend the hawk." Then he was gone.
Kagome just lay there for several minutes, staring up at the ceiling in shock. Then a tear broke through her defenses, followed by another, until she was sobbing, wishing that Sesshomaru would come save her from her fate.
As soon as they were in viewing distance of the Southern manor, Sesshomaru contacted Kohana again. 'Stay out of sight and find her.'
"I will not fail." Kohana said, gritting her teeth. Her wings were beginning to feel the strain of constant use. But she did not stop flying, instead she flew lower and slowed down, letting Sesshomaru go ahead to meet Toshiro.
After a few minutes, Kohana had reached the outside entrance to the dungeons. She set down and looked around furtively, as well as using her senses to detect all those near her. Making certain she was alone, Kohana slid through the bars of a cell and dropped to the floor. As she straightened, she noticed a white-haired youkai waiting at the door of the cell. Kohana gasped with surprise when she got a closer look. "M...Miki??" she stammered, her eyes filling with tears.
Miki nodded, his throat too tight to speak. Kohana launched herself at the celestial and sobbed into his filthy shirt. "Oh Miki, I thought you were dead!" She pulled back for a moment to assess his condition. "What happened to you...?"
"I've been held in this cell since the day I refused to kill Takara... and let's just say that I don't get the best treatment." He hugged Kohana close again. "I thought you were dead as well, my love. Toshiro must have lied to the both of us." Miki's beautiful silver eyes hardened. "He must be stopped. But first, we need to get that miko, Kagome."
Kohana pulled back again and looked Miki in the eyes. "Do you know where she's being held?"
Miki nodded. "Yes, she's been moved to one of the guest bedrooms in the west wing. Come with me." But before he could turn, Kohana stopped him with a hand to his arm.
"Miki... what is this thing on your neck?" She touched it gently.
The celestial scowled, the look foreign to his face. "It controls my powers... I can only use what Toshiro says I can. Kagome has one on her too." He smiled at Kohana again. "Do not worry, my love. I believe that Kagome could remove mine, once we get hers off that is. Now, come." Miki grabbed Kohana's hand and pulled her out into the hall.
The pair silently made their way out of the dungeons, effortlessly removing any obstacles blocking their way. They finally made it up to the room holding Kagome. Miki pushed the door aside and peeked in the room. Seeing that the coast was clear, he lead Kohana into the room and shut the door again.
Kohana made a sound of distress in the back of her throat at the sight of the miko. Kagome was bleeding again from the wounds on her back, arms and legs, had deep claw punctures on her face and a split lip. Thankfully she was unconscious. Kohana moved towards her while Miki kept watch by the shoji door. Tears came to the elemental's eyes as she took in Kagome's condition. Laying a hand on Kagome's uninjured arm, she called softly. "Kagome... Kagome wake up. It's me, Kohana."
Kagome's eyes flickered open and landed on Kohana's worried face. She smiled weakly. Kohana smiled back in relief. "Can you sit up on your own, Kagome? We need to find a way to remove that restraining device."
"H..hai, I think so." Kagome used her good arm to try and push herself to a sitting position. She hissed at the pain that accompanied the movement. However she didn't give up, and managed to sit up. Then with a look of determination, she placed her hands on the device around her neck. "I will get this damn thing off me..." Kagome closed her eyes and focused all of her power into the collar. Ignoring the bursts of pain, she continued pouring her miko powers into the device, effectively purifying it.
The collar burst into pieces.
As soon as Sesshomaru and Kohana separated, the giant white dog ran even faster than before. Sesshomaru had some feeling that if he did not arrive very soon, that something bad would happen to Kagome. 'Please let her be alright...' Within minutes, the demon lord had reached the front gates of the Southern manor. A demon he assumed to be Toshiro was standing there, waiting for him. With a haughty look at the panther, Sesshomaru came to a halt and transformed back into his more human form. "Where is she?" He growled, clenching his fists angrily. Sesshomaru could smell Kagome's blood on the other demon and it shocked him to feel the intense wave of fury that washed over him.
Toshiro chuckled absently. "Calm yourself, puppy. She will live... as long as you surrender your lands." Sesshomaru bristled at being called 'puppy' and growled low in his throat.
Before Sesshomaru could lunge at the insolent demon, he spotted Kagome, being supported by Kohana and a white haired demon. She leaned against the castle wall, peering around the corner at the pair of them. Her gaze was only on Sesshomaru, and for a split second, they made eye contact. In that moment of connection, each knew what the other was thinking. It was a mind-numbing sensation and Sesshomaru took a small involuntary step towards her. Then he shook his head slightly and tore his eyes away from the miko girl. He glared back at Toshiro, a smug smirk on his face.
"I will never surrender to the likes of you."
After Kagome had broken through her restraining collar, she had quickly placed her hands on Miki's device, concentrated, and purified it to pieces. Then Miki and Kohana each grabbed one of Kagome's arms and helped her get to the door. Miki released the girl and peered out of the door, looking to see if the coast was clear. Seeing that it was indeed safe to move, the celestial beckoned to the two girls and the three of them made their way out of the castle.
Every enemy that they came across was quickly and quietly dispatched and within no time they were at the entrance to the castle. Before they could go out the door, Miki stopped the group. "Wait, we should go out one of the side entrances. Toshiro is right outside this door." Kagome nodded, as did Kohana, and the trio turned left into a side corridor. Minutes passed and there was nothing but hall ahead of them. Finally at the end of the hall was a horrid tapestry, depicting a gruesome battle between a giant black panther and a even bigger pure white dog. Miki stepped forward and pulled the entire tapestry aside, revealing a hidden door, presumably leading to the outdoors.
Kohana pushed Kagome through after Miki, her wings twitching nervously. Then she climbed out the door and swung the tapestry closed. After turning one corner, they came upon Sesshomaru and Toshiro. The dog demon looked as if he wanted to rip the panther's throat out. Then, he spotted them and for a brief moment made eye contact with Kagome. As soon as he looked away, a smirk appeared on his face.
Kagome held a hand to her chest, wide-eyed. "What... what just happened...?" She was breathing heavily. Kohana looked worriedly at the miko.
"Kagome, what's going on?" But before she could answer, Miki interuppted, a big smile on his face.
"They have bonded... amazing." Miki looked at Kagome. "You and he have formed a mind link with one another, allowing you to feel each other's emotions. It's amazing that you have managed one so soon though..."
Kagome smiled and looked back at her dog demon. 'My Sesshomaru...'
A scratchy voice interuppted the trio. "So you thought'd you escape, my pet." Kagome whipped around at the same time that Kohana and Miki, previously giving each other loving looks, stepped protectively in front of the girl. Horace, the hawk demon, stood there, holding a vicious looking katana in front of him.
He charged at the exact same time that Sesshomaru and Toshiro flew at each other.
The battle had begun.
Now, I told you I'd get this one out faster!! I hope y'all are having great summers!
1. Jaki - demonic energy, aslo referred to as youki
Name Meanings:
Kohana - little flower
Toshiro - clever or intelligent
Miki - aboriginal meaning, the moon
Horace - an ancient Egyptian god who was half hawk (I thought it fit)
Horace - a hawk demon from Egypt, came into Japan while traveling where he met Toshiro and their evil minds clicked. So he stayed. Horace has long straight black hair and while in his human like form, he has dark brown eyes and olive colored skin. His fingers are talon-like and he typically wears a tunic outfit native to his homeland.
Next time: Sesshomaru and Toshiro duke it out, and surprisingly, the panther is a even match for our favorite dog demon. True forms are revealed. Kagome, Miki and Kohana must battle the tenacious Horace for their lives.
Chapter 11 - The Showdown
myinu
