Chapter Eleven: Blessed With Blood

Everyone cursed the sun that morning for it chose to rise at a quicker pace than normal. Getting up was not as easy as expected, but they knew that they needed to leave before Koto found out they were still lingering. They all hoped that Samara could somehow delay him for a while because the sun had risen and yet they still had not gone. Nervousness set in as they were cutting their time short. The sun now reflected its morning beauty off of the lake and even the birds had started their daily routine. Everyone gathered their things and luckily for Miroku he found his staff that had been supposedly lost. Even though the group welcomed the change of scenery as they left, they knew their traveling would not be at long last for everyone was exhausted.

"You all ready?" Miroku started out the door as the rays of sun peeked inside.

"Yes, I think we are. We are cutting it a little short don't you think?" Kagome pointed out.

"A little. I just hope Koto isn't the picky one." Miroku walked out the door still glancing back in Kagome's direction. "Or the watchful one at that because I don't think he'd be like here waiting fo-"

"I thought I told you to be gone by sunrise. But what is this? You're still hanging around…" Miroku froze in place as he was close to bumping into the man. Samara stood next to him with a face that said either 'I'm sorry' or 'be careful.'

"Koto please leave them alone… they were leaving see?" Samara pleaded to her partner. Koto gave her a deadly glance and she immediately ceased. Miroku could only stand there and wonder why she was so afraid of him. They were both very strong…weren't they?

"Koto we will leave as you wished and never come back. Just let us pass." Miroku said calmly. Koto walked over and stood so close that Miroku could smell his breath. Miroku tried not to show his fear. It worked for a while, but now it seemed that Koto would not hesitate to kill him then and there. He knew he had to be cautious with what he said.

"Maybe I should let you leave." He smirked. "Or maybe I should keep you here all for my self."

Miroku was now breathing heavily for this is how he recalled many foes facing him. And none of those times did he escape unscathed. To feel the hot breath of your enemy pouring down your neck and not knowing if he will let you go or kill you right there in front of everyone you cared about. Koto took Miroku's chin in his hand and raised his head up so he could look right into his eyes. Inuyasha and everyone stood completely still. They were all afraid to make any movement because of Koto's earlier threat.

"Heh. Maybe I should have focused on you more than Sango. You do have a beautiful face my friend. Though she does too. But your eyes are so much prettier than hers. Such difficult choices."

Sango had a face of shock. Koto had never been this…seductive. She now feared for Miroku as he too stood there not knowing what to do.

"Though it seems… you have a fever my friend. Was my lake demon too much for you when it dragged you slowly to the bottom? That feeling of your lungs collapsing in your chest when you know your life is running short. Perhaps you're little girlfriend over there should have taken better care of you. Maybe I can take better care of you…"

"Get off of me Koto…" Miroku tried to say without showing his fear.

"You don't like people to get too close to you Miroku do you? How come you will let Sango touch you and not me? I think I'm a little bit offended."

"Please let him go Koto. They meant no harm to us." Samara walked up behind Koto and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I don't need your input Samara. I don't trust you very much either. With you helping them and all." Koto stood silent for a moment. "You healed him. When I had plans to kill you healed him." Koto pulled down Miroku's robe past his shoulder. "The scar that I created. At least you will always have me in your mind now won't you?"

Miroku's hands tried to connect so he could unleash his wind tunnel and be rid of him then and there. The trick was not letting Koto notice his movement. Miroku shifted a bit, but Koto was very keen with his senses.

"You getting uncomfortable Miroku? Would you like to lie down?" Koto glanced down at his hands. "Ah, ah, ah Miroku. You know that would be a dangerous move. No need to kill everyone around you just so you can be rid of me. Do you really hate me that much? No need to hurt yourself in the process either. Didn't that lovely young girl tell you not to use your wrist for at least three weeks? Well it hasn't even been two so you must be careful."

"How do you know about her?" Miroku stammered.

"Why I met her myself. Such a nice girl she was. Not as pretty as you though Miroku. No need to be jealous my pet." He smiled.

"Koto…why are you acting like this? You're not yourself…" Sango said from behind Inuyasha. Miroku looked into his eyes. Deep into his eyes. Koto didn't know what he was doing but decided not to make any not of it. Miroku stared for a moment before he finally realized something that had changed since the last time they had saw him.

"You're…"Miroku stared, but didn't look as frightened.

"What is it Miroku?" Inuyasha asked.

"You're not Ko—"

"QUIET!" Koto yelled at him. You will not speak anymore! He grabbed his neck.

"NO! Let him go!" Sango tried to rush over to his side, but Inuyasha stopped her. "Let me go Inuyasha we have to help him!"

"No…let him fight. He knows something we do not."

Miroku choked as his supply was cut off. "That's…just it…you're afraid that…that I'll figure you out…" Miroku smirked.

"I SAID SHUT UP!" His fist roughly connected with Miroku's stomach. Miroku gasped and was thrown to the ground. He sat there for a moment tying to catch his breath.

"You're…you're not Koto are you?…" Miroku laid on his back, holding his aching stomach. Koto walked over and knelt down beside him. A knife glistened from his back pocket and Inuyasha could clearly tell what was going to happen.

"You think you figured me out do you? That doesn't mean I don't have a few more surprises tucked up my sleeve." He reached into his back pocket. His hand connected with the knife that was stashed away, but Miroku was not aware of what was going to happen. Before he brought it down onto the unsuspecting monk, Inuyasha dashed in the middle and shoved Koto out of the way.

"Get off of me you wretched half demon! You will not interfere…I WILL kill him."

Inuyasha picked himself off the ground and dashed once more, but this time with his sword ready. Koto sat on his knees and threw his arm in his direction, causing a large surge of energy to be released. Inuyasha crashed to the ground not far from Sango and the others. Kagome immediately ran to his side.

"Inuyasha are you okay?"

"Kagome…he's strong. Help Miroku before he does anything else." He stood back up. "Miroku was right. This isn't the same Koto we were with before. He's different now…almost like…"

"He's being possessed." Miroku was standing now, facing his enemy.

"Yes perhaps you're right." He smiled. "Young Koto is no longer here anymore. I'm sure Samara can explain."

Everyone glanced in her direction.

"It's…its Hatsumaru. He finally took over Koto's body. That was your plan the whole time wasn't it? We were the pawns in your sick plan…you just needed a body so you could survive." Samara was shaking. Obviously fearing her master. Or her captor.

"Very good Samara…And now…" He dashed over so he was in front of Miroku. Miroku tried to move but found he was unable. "And now you are all going to perish on this godforsaken mountain." He smirked. "But I already know who I want to be first to bless my land with their blood."

"Guhh…" Miroku gasped out. Nobody knew what happened for a moment. It wasn't until Miroku slumped over and was caught by Hatsu that they truly knew. Miroku lifted his hand up and found it was covered with blood. His blood.

"Miroku!" Inuyasha ran over and punched Hatsumaru in the face. Miroku fell to his knees and Sango ran to his side as Inuyasha continued to fight the demon off.

"Miroku are you alright?" She held his shoulders trying to keep him up straight. She looked down and saw Hatsu's knife sticking out of the side of his stomach. Luckily he missed and didn't hit further up. Otherwise it could have been more life threatening. Though if he lost too much blood, that could be dangerous in itself. "Miroku walk over here with me so we can be out of the way of the fight." He nodded and put his weight onto her as he stood up. They both carefully walked near the hut and knelt down again. "Now I have to take it out okay? When I do, I'm going to lay you down so I can put pressure on it." He was no longer really responding. He welcomed whatever she was going to do. Luckily Kagome had already run back out with a clean cloth. Just as she said, she quickly pulled the knife out and laid it to the side. Miroku laid down on his own and just kept his eyes scrunched shut. Kagome handed her the cloth so she could apply pressure to try and stop the bleeding.

Inuyasha tried as hard as he could to incapacitate the demon they faced now. He hadn't been able to place a hit on him yet. With his sword ready he dashed once again as Hatsu. He was too slow though and Hatsu kicked him hard in the stomach, sending him flying. Hatsu smirked and noticed Miroku was not where he left him.

"Trying to save your monk are you Sango dear? Hope he makes it." Hatsu walked slowly over to where they were laying. Sango jumped up and stood in front of Miroku ready to attack.

"Move out of my way Sango. You don't want to be the second to bless my land do you? I only need one more person. The half demon just gets in my way.

On the other side of the field, Inuyasha picked himself up and notices Hatsu approaching Sango and Miroku. He quickly jumped into the air and luckily Hatsu was well distracted for he was able to come down on him, stabbing him in the back. The demon shrieked a horrible sound as the sword passed all the way through his body.

"How do you like it you bastard!" Inuyasha removed his sword and watched the demon slump to his knees. But…he wasn't dead. He easily got back up and faced him.

"You think that will kill me half demon?" Inuyasha was shocked…what did he need to do?

"You cannot kill me! You will never kill me!"

"We'll just see about that…" Inuyasha smiled as he devised a plan. But he wasn't alone.