Chapter Eighteen: Healing Once More

Thunder emitted from the sky as a storm soon approached; letting the escaped leaves soar through the sky and whisk by the fighters' faces. Inuyasha walked, stumbling slightly out of the darkened woods. He fixed his fire rat robe slightly before entering battle once more, smirking as he confidently walked up to the demon.

"You ready?"

"I want the monk not you. I need nothing with an impure demon such as yourself." He spat on the ground at half demon's feet.

"Sorry he can't be here right now. Maybe later, but until now you deal with me."

"Fine half demon. If it is you that I must get by to obtain the monk, then so be it!"

The battle went on fiercely as both of the opponents felt no desire to give up what they were fighting for. Though it seems both of them fought for the same thing. Or monk more like, though they each had their own idea of desire. While Inuyasha fought to protect, Hatsu fought to destroy. His claws just as sharp as Inuyasha's tetsuaiga lunging at its opponent to be rid of the obstacle.

As Inuyasha sped towards the legendary demon, sword ready. Hatsu just stood and smiled ready to attack his foe. It seemed that the battle would not be as easy as the half demon first expected, as he slashed the demon. It disappeared under the sharp blade, soon appearing meters away.

"This is no time to be playing games! Fight me you coward!"

"As you wish…"

The demon smiled, whisking away with the leaves surrounding them. Lightning flashed and soon Sango's scream could be heard from behind, causing Inuyasha to divert his attention to the demon slayer.

"Inuyasha above you!" She screamed. But it was too late. Claws ripped through flesh and Inuyasha gasped as he felt a burning sensation race through his shoulder. Kagome screamed his name, but it was lost in the sound of the thunder. The demon cackled and Inuyasha could only wince at his horrid voice filling the air around them. It wouldn't be much longer though.

He clutched his shoulder for a moment, dulling the radiating pain, now remembering what it must've been like for the monk all those times he protected Sango. He smiled as he heard a familiar voice fill his ears. The demon must not have noticed because once again he charged, but this time he was ready.

Metal clanging reverberated off of the trees as sword and claw met time and time again. Sango stared trying to keep up with each connection, but to no avail, as they seemed to speed up more and more every second the fight further ensued.

'Come one what's taking so long?'

From the woods Miroku slid down behind a taller bush, slightly deeper into the woods than where he had met Inuyasha. He lowered himself to the ground, one hand holding his stomach and the other gripping a nearby tree for support. He quickly blew away a few leaves brushing into his face and continued his plan, pulling a seal he had concealed within his violet robes. He sighed and began the ritual chant he knew all too well and as before his body began to glow a bright blue and sweat trickled down his pale face. He wished more than anything not to have to continue, but knew he had to continue for this would more than likely be the last time it was needed.

Inuyasha became nervous, as he knew he needed his strength for what was to come, or so he thought. He had no time to fight now, but still continued, worried that if he were to stop, the whole plan would be ruined.

Lost in thought, Inuyasha found himself cornered against stone with the demon closing in. His eyes widened as the sharp claws headed towards his chest and was only able to close them, letting the expected pain overcome him.

But it never came.

Hatsu began to glow with a searing blue light, even brighter than before. Now it was his turn to fret for he knew he wouldn't escape from the monk's grasp. Miroku was too skilled even for his talent. Chanting soon filled his ears and his eyes gazed towards the woods where Inuyasha had been slung not moments before.

"MONK! You will not do this again to me I will NOT allow it!" He raised his arms weakly and faced the forest, eyes filled with fury. With a loud ear-wrenching scream, it seemed all of his energy was compiled into one large ball as the demon snickered in satisfaction.

From the woods, Miroku's eyes widened as he gazed at the large sphere before him, but still he continued to chant the curse that was to be laid down.

"You will not live to see another morning monk, for this will be your end!"

At the moment the large red sphere disconnected from the monster's claws, Inuyasha clutched the seal hidden beneath his robes and placed it on the demon's chest just as before. But it seemed he was a moment too late as a large explosion was heard resounding from the woods.

"Miroku no!" Sango gasped in a last attempt, racing towards her destination.

The demon gasped as the seal melded into his skin disappearing behind the used fleshy crust. Samara's body began to mold meticulously into the demon they had all been picturing in their mind, ideas beyond imagination. Soon the truth was before them in a way they would've least expected. Before them was not a frightful monster, but instead an elegant man dressed in black silk from head to toe. His red eyes radiated as Miroku's energy coursed through his body, extracting his demon soul so that he would be no more. Lucky for all of them at least, Miroku had concluded his curse before the energy struck his position.

Inuyasha stared at the man as his body wrenched in unbelievable positions. He winced as the demon let out one last shriek before his exquisite body dissipated into dust right before his eyes.

"We…we actually did it." The half demon muttered falling to his knees, clutching his wounded shoulder. Kagome raced to his side as his head bowed in unconsciousness, leaving him only to her care. She carefully lifted his arm around her shoulder, and took him back to their momentary home.

Elsewhere Sango raced through the burning forest searching for her monk. All that could be heard was the crackling of burning wood and her voice echoing through the forest, as she called Miroku's name. Back and forth her eyes went, as there was too much to see. Sticks here fire there, trees falling in every direction. She soon felt fear for her own life as she was nearly cornered by a sea of flames. She didn't go much further before her ears picked up pain filled gasps and a voice weakly calling her name.

"Miroku I'm coming stay where you…" Her eyes widened as she spotted her monk. "…are," she finished. She longed to cry out as she spotted him trapped beneath a fallen tree that slowly burned along with the rest of the forest.

"M-Miroku I'm here just hold tight I'll get you out of there." She pulled her sword from her belt.

"Miroku please just stay still." She stood up and aimed carefully, not wanting to further injure the trapped man. He nodded the best he could and shut his eyes, waiting for the almost unbearable weight to be removed. With two fine slices the tree was portioned into smaller parts, making it easier to remove. She heard Miroku breathe deeply as she lifted the stump that laid across his abdomen.

"Come on Miroku we need to get back, the fire will put itself out…" She paused, " Or at east travel in the other direction."

With all her might she lifted the man into her arms, surprised at how light he had become over the weeks. Though her efforts proved to be harder than originally imagined as fire slowly crept up upon them. With a few detours though, the two made it out mostly unscathed from inferno. From a distance, Sango could see Sakura standing in the door of the hut, obviously recovered from her encounter. Her eyes seemed to be filled with fear and worry as Sango approached her with Miroku clutched closely to her chest. Soon they were upon each other far from the forest, and Sakura put her arms out in an attempt to help.

"Bring him inside, I will help as soon as Inuyasha is done being treated."

"Don't…" A raspy voice could be heard from inside. "Don't worry about me…please help the monk…since he saved my life I owe him." Tears spilled from Kagome's eyes at his words.

Sakura nodded and helped her place Miroku onto the mat, hopefully for his final treatment, for now…the battle was at last over. No more Hatsu, no more threats. Just peace and quite for those who needed to heal, both mentally and physically. Sango winced as Sakura took Miroku from her arms.

"You're hurt." She noted.

"It's nothing but a minor burn, please just help him."

She nodded and unwrapped the robes the best she could. Most of it fell of its own will, as there were burn holes scattered throughout. Burn marks littered the poor and beaten body and what was once a single bruise turned to many. Above all else, the wound Sango had carefully taken care of was once again open to the air around them. While Sakura assessed the damage, Sango took a warm cloth to the man's body, wiping the dirt and grime away to prevent infection. What was once a pure face with a constant smile was now scarred with battle with nothing but pain laced across his features.

On the other side of the room Kagome carefully bandaged Inuyasha's stomach that was now burned from the powerful blow that sent him into the woods. Other than that the only thing that needed to heal was his punctured shoulder.

"Thank you Inuyasha." Kagome said quietly.

"For what?"

"Keeping Miroku safe and defeating Hatsu by his side."

"Keeping him safe? Kagome the man is sitting over there on the ground with second-degree burns and fractured ribs. That's not my idea of 'okay'."

She sighed, "You know what I mean Inuyasha. It means a lot to us especially Sango that you two worked to keep each other alive in the end."

He grumbled, " Sure…whatever."

Kagome carefully hugged the half demon and continued with her work, occasionally glancing over at the monk, who still had soot covering his face, despite Sango's attempts.

"At least it's all over."

Sango looked over in her direction.

"Yes. And now we can move on as we always do." Her face was filled with sadness, with more on her mind then any of them knew. If only Miroku had been awake to read her emotions. He seemed to be the only one who was able.

"This really has been an unexpected adventure…"