Thanks for the reviews! I just finished writing this chapter yesterday. I was confronted with writers block for a moment, even though I had planned this chapter before Zuri first appeared. But writers block can't stop me! So here is yet another chapter to Or is he? Have fun!
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Trees cast shadows on the ground. It was mid-afternoon on a warm day that was to be favored. The temperature under the shelter of the trees had to be ten degrees colder than the temperature out of them. It was truly scorching out.
A small village sat on the outskirts of the forest. Small puffs of smoke rose from the makeshift roofs of the tiny huts. Children played games of tag and other runabout things.
Village elders and parents kept watch over the young and made casual strolls around the borders of the village to check for any unwelcome intruders.
The daily life continued at ease.
A cloaked figure silently walked through the tiny village. Some of the people turned their heads to look at it but turned the other way, trying not to be impolite.
A ball made out of clay rolled across the path of the cloaked figure. It bent down and a clawed hand extended out to pick it up, but came across a chubby hand of a child. The innocent youth looked up and quickly took the ball in his hands. He ran off in the other direction.
The cloaked figure continued on. It walked through an area where the locals were selling some homemade trinkets and food. It went up to a stand where a farmer was selling freshly cut meat. It bought a pound and continued to make it's way towards the other end of the village.
The meat was becoming very lame. The creature was beginning to become hungry once again. It looked to the side and found some of the village children playing some sort of hiding game. It watched as one wandered too far from the others.
The last thing the child saw were two green and red eyes staring before it's jaws closed over him.
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The view from this hill was quite accurate. Any youkai or human could be seen from miles. It was a great advantage to anyone or anything.
Icy amber eyes surveyed the land. They spotted nothing moving. They darted around and focused straight ahead.
The taiyoukai stood tall. A gentle breeze ruffled his hair and shipped it in front of his face. He raised a clawed hand and brushed it lightly to the side.
He looked down and expected to find the tiny human child, but she was not there. He silently reminded himself that Rin and Jacken were away and he was here, off on a mission to find out what strange creature had entered his land. All the taiyoukai knew was that it had the same scent as Naraku, the half demon that got on his nerves.
Ah, yes Naraku. The fool who uses trickery to defeat his enemies. The one who tired to burn his arm off, as if it wasn't cut off enough. The half demon that so many other beings were after, including his half-witted brother and his human companions.
Sesshomaru had to admit though, as weak as they seemed they still were fairly capable of defeating Naraku. The girl that wore the strange clothes, the one he had captured before had very strong miko powers. The demon slayer that carried the oversized boomerang had many youkai fall before her, and the monk with the wind tunnel in his hand, could suck the taiyoukai up in an instant. Yes they were strong but not as strong as him.
A low growl came from within Sesshomaru's throat. His eyes narrowed as he slowly placed a hand on the handle of Tokijin. His grasp was taken off as the scent of danger passed. Or so he hopped.
With a check of his surroundings, the taiyoukai turned around and began to make his way back to the place where Rin and Jacken were.
A hooded figure stood before Sesshomaru. Its body began to shake with laughter as the demon lord's eye's widened with surprise.
"Shocked are we?"
Sesshomaru's look hardened.
"Are you Naraku?"
This only caused the hooded creature to laugh even harder.
"You are quite foolish for someone of your stats," the creature stated. "I should've known though, I rather reek of the coward's scent don't I?"
"What do you want?" Sesshomaru asked, not a hint of emotion traceable in his voice.
"Oh nothing really."
The hooded figure began to circle around the taiyoukai like a vulture. It smirked when it's eyes fell upon the two powerful swords.
"My, my aren't those nice? It would be a shame if they fell into someone else's hands, wouldn't it?"
"Gawking isn't going to help the situation that you're in very much."
"oh really?"
Sesshomaru glared. "I have no time to waste with someone of the likes of you." He took a step forward and was blocked by the hooded figure. "And anyone as foolish as you would stand in my way when I, Sesshomaru, have better matters to attend to."
Once again the great demon lord attempted to walk in the other direction, but was once again blocked by the hooded figure. He was getting very annoying with it.
"Leaving ssso sssoon?" it hissed.
Sesshomaru' hand reached the handle of Tokijin. It went limp as a coiled body wrapped itself around him before the demon lord had any chance of stepping aside.
Sesshomaru managed to glare at the youkai.
"Allow me to introduce myssselfff. I am Naraku's latest incarnation, Zuri."
"I knew you were. You reek of that pathetic half demon."
The taiyoukai felt all the blood circulation through his body stop for a moment. He tried to free himself from Zuri's grasp but all attempts stopped when he could no longer feel his legs, arm, or body. He was paralyzed.
"Ha, ha, ha. Not so strong now are we?"
As soon as a tiny surge of feeling went into Sesshomaru's arm he brought it up and dug his poison claws into Zuri's body.
His attack seemed to have no effect at all on the snake youkai. Zuri laughed once more and bared his deadly fangs. He opened his mouth and brought them down straight into Sesshomaru's shoulder.
The taiyoukai screamed in pain. His body jumped from the impact, and then went numb. He saw the sky becoming farther and farther away as he was thrown violently to the ground.
Zuri went back to his other form. He gracefully walked over to the fallen demon lord, who was suffering from a beyond dangerous amount of poisoning.
The snake youkai kicked Sesshomaru roughly in the ribs and laughed when he made no attempt to move. He stood over him and brought his foot down directly into the demon lord's stomach. He laughed even harder when Sesshomaru began to gurgle.
"The pathetic fool," he hissed.
Zuri watched with amusement as the taiyoukai opened his eyes and tried to move. He went over and grabbed a handful of dirt. Zuri opened his hand and laughed as it fell into the demon lord's eyes.
Sesshomaru managed to open them again just in time to see a sword being lowered to his neck.
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Kagome sighed as Inuyasha continued to argue with Miroku. Sh walked up to the hanyou and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Inuyasha can we please stop and rest for a while? We've been walking all day and we don't have any clue where we're going."
"What do you mean? We're looking for Zuri."
Kagome taped him on the shoulder.
"No we can't stop. If we don't hurry up he'll get away."
Sango, who had been relatively quiet throughout the whole day finally decided to speak.
"You know Inuyasha, Kagome's right. You know just as well as I do that Zuri is long gone by now and it's a good time to rest."
"Stupid women," Inuyasha grumbled.
The group had a brief rest before they were up and traveling again.
Shippou was keeping himself busy by singing a tune while riding on Kagome's shoulder. Miroku and Sango were in deep conversation about determining where to locate Zuri, and how to defeat him, which was very complex for the both of them. Inuyasha was walking in step with Kagome in the front of the group, keeping to themselves and often making small talk about where they were going.
The miko was admiring the scenery around them. She turned and glanced towards Inuyasha. He was staring off at some distant thing with his arms crossed.
"Have you picked up on anything yet?"
Inuyasha was snapped out of his little dream world.
"Huh? What?"
"I said 'have you picked up on anything yet?'"
"No. It's hard to say but I think we're close. He has to be around here somewhere." He looked at Kagome then continued to speak. "Do you think you'll be alright around him? I mean he shook you up pretty bad last time about poisoning you and trying to kill me and all."
"I will and I can."
Inuyasha had never heard so much rage and emotion ring through her voice before. He felt slightly sorry for Zuri. He knew there would be nothing better to Kagome than ripping the snake youkai to shreds.
He shuddered at the look that she now held in her eyes.
"Inuyasha what's wrong?"
The hanyou shook his head and slowly looked away.
Shippou had finally finished singing when he felt Kagome's anger.
"Don't worry Kagome, we'll catch that guy."
The miko patted the fox kit on the head.
"I know we will."
Shippou could sense that Kagome became sad, like she didn't believe that they would catch Naraku's incarnation at all. He got an idea of how to make her happier.
Silently Shippou left the miko's shoulder and jumped upon Inuyasha's head. The hanyou began to run around as the fox kit rode upon his head, clutching his ears like he were riding a bull.
The hanyou froze. He turned around and looked at Kagome, who had a worried glint in her eyes.
"W-what is it Inuyasha?"
"I just picked up Zuri's scent. He not far from here." He looked at Sango and Miroku as they ran up to them. "Get ready he should be about a mile away."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Inuyasha picked Kagome up and left Shippou and the others behind to ride on Kilala. He jumped into the air and dashed towards Zuri.
The hanyou growled. There was another scent in the air. It was familiar. It was Sesshomaru's.
He landed on top of a hill and looked around. He almost, almost gasped when he saw the battered body of his brother lying on the ground.
He immediately averted his gaze to Zuri that stood above him with a sword almost digging into Sesshomaru's neck.
Kagome got off of Inuyasha and ran towards the fallen demon lord. She was stopped by Inuyasha and understood why.
Zuri was staring directly at her. His eyes darted to Inuyasha then back at the miko. He slowly withdrew the sword.
Sesshomaru began to move as his demonic blood quickly healed his wounds. He stopped when Zuri kicked him yet again in the ribs. This time the impact shattered them completely.
The snake youkai walked closer to the group. He stared at Sango, Miroku, and Shippou, and then looked at Kagome.
"Ssso we meet again."