Winter Wonderland
Chapter Thirty-One
Inu-Yasha ran as fast as his legs would carry him, his eyes scanning the trees for any sign of Kagome or Miroku. Sango also helped the half demon, looking for her future husband, brother, and her best friend. However no matter how far Inu-Yasha ran, he could find any trace of the monk or his mate.
"I know Miroku can handle himself with a demon, but it's Kagome I'm worried about," whispered Sango.
"I know, Miroku is with Kirara and Kohaku, so he should be able to handle himself, but Kagome's got Shippo,"
"We have to find them as soon as possible,"
Inu-Yasha nodded and started to run faster, but a particular tree caught his attention, "What the . . . oh damn it were going in circles!" screamed the half demon, coming to an abrupt halt.
"Shit," hissed Sango.
"That's it I've had enough of this," snarled Inu-Yasha, grabbing his Tetsusaiga, "I'm using my sword,"
"You think you can break the illusion?" asked Sango. (Okay people around episodes 60-70 Inu-Yasha discovers how to break barriers and some kinds of illusions. Check out episode where they fight the cat demons to see it in action)
"Or at least the damn barrier that's keeping us running in circles,"
Sango watched as the Tetsusaiga turned a blood colored red. Inu-Yasha raised his sword above his head, and closed his eyes, trying to find out where illusion barrier was that had them running in circles. *I can feel some sort of energy above us . . . so that means . . .*
"It's above us!" cried Inu-Yasha, cutting the barrier above their heads. There was a blinding flash of white light that covered the entire forest, hopefully it would catch the others attention.
"Let's go before the barrier returns!" cried Sango, climbing back on Inu-Yasha.
Putting his sword away Inu-Yasha started to run as fast as he could, trying to sniff the air for any sign of Kagome or Miroku.
"Do you smell any of them?" asked Sango.
"No, I can't smell anything except the damn trees and you,"
Sango sighed and started to scan the trees again for any sign of her friends.
Miroku and Kohaku waited for Kirara to transform before they jumped on her back and took off into the air.
"We should be able to see Inu-Yasha and Sango," said Miroku.
"Whys that?" asked Kohaku.
"He'll probably be jumping over the tree tops by now looking for Kagome and us, so we should be able to see,"
Kohaku nodded, but his eyes widened when he noticed they weren't getting any closer to the top of the trees, "Um Miroku,"
The monk noticed that they weren't getting any higher, so turned around to look at the ground. They were almost forty feet into the air, but the trees still seemed to be getting taller.
"Damn it!" swore the monk.
"Another illusion," hissed Kohaku.
"Kirara take us down lower to the ground,"
The fire cat nodded and flew back to wards the ground.
"We'll have to find them on foot," sighed Miroku, tightening his grip on Kirara's fur before she took off into a full sprint into the woods.
(Note to you all, there's going to be a little jumping around, so try to pay attention)
The demon smirked as it watched to monk and the boy run through the trees on the fire cat, but what amused him more was how Inu-Yasha broke the barrier illusion that had kept him and the exterminator in one place.
"Oh dear brother,"
The demon smirked at the voice of his sister, and flipped the mirror to see his sisters face, "What is it Shelia?"
The cat demon brushed her chestnut hair out of her light blue eyes before speaking, "I have the miko in my site with the little fox,"
"Good, I was hoping I sent them right to you,"
"Can I kill her now?"
"Not at the moment, wait until I've killed the monk, it might take two of us to bring her down,"
"Oh, and why is that?"
"Can you not feel the miko power surging from her body?"
"I can, but . . ."
"Just wait until I get there,"
"Or if you're dead,"
"I highly doubt that a mere monk and boy can take care of me, however this half breed does worry me, he broke my illusion barrier,"
"Oh, is that so?"
"I'll just have to hope he doesn't rejoin with the monk and boy before I get there, I'll talk to you once I've killed them,"
"But wait Markia! What am I supposed to do in the mean time?"
"I just said you couldn't kill, you may do as you wish,"
Shelia smiled a toothy grin before her image disappeared from the mirror. Markia smirked and tucked the mirror into his robes, before taking off into the forest.
Kirara suddenly came to a sudden stop that almost launched her riders off her back.
"Whoa Kirara! What's the matter?" asked Miroku.
The cat started to growl, her eyes focused at the clearing ahead of them.
"Is something there?" asked Kohaku.
Kirara growled louder as bright red smoke started to rise from the ground in the clearing and from into a tall figure Miroku could have sworn was Sesshoumaru, however it wasn't. The demon was as tall as Sesshoumaru, had silver hair in braids that touched the ground, and cat ears. Its red clothing was almost similar to Inu-Yasha's, but the pants didn't stop at his ankles, it covered its feet completely. The demon smirked at them, showing off his fangs and gave them a cold stare with his red eyes. A huge axe was on his right side.
"Who the hell are you?" asked Miroku, gripping his staff.
"Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Markia, and I shall be your killer for today,"
Miroku smiled, "You seem a bit cocky when you're out numbered three to one,"
Markia just smiled, "I'd like to see you say that once I've take your heart,"
Kohaku grabbed his weapon off his back and gripped it tightly, "Have you heard of the demon Naraku? For your information Miroku here is the one who helped kill him,"
"Naraku brought down by a mere monk? I find that highly untrue,"
"It wasn't just me, but Inu-Yasha did give the final blow,"
"Well then, I might as well kill you before that half breed and bitch get here,"
"That 'bitch' you say, is my future wife!" cried Miroku, lunging forward.
Markia smiled and drawed is axe, swinging it down to take off Miroku's head. The monk smiled and blocked it with his staff. The demons eyes widened that a mere monk was able to block such a powerful attack. Lifting his axe up again he tried to take Miroku's arm off, but once again the monk blocked the attack. Kohaku climbed back on Kirara's back, motioning her to fly into the air. The fire cat nodded, and quietly flew into the air, hovering above the two fighters. Kohaku held up his weapon and waited for Markia to turn his back to him.
Miroku noted mentally that the demon was quite a skilled fighter as he swung his staff over and over again. Kohaku watched the battle carefully, not even taking time to blink. Finally Markia turned his back to him. Smiling, Kohaku threw his weapon to take the demons head right off. Markia smiled and leaped into the air. Miroku screamed and tried to dodge the attack, but Kohaku's weapon cut across his arm.
"Nice try boy,"
Kohaku didn't even have time to move, Markia was in front him in the blink of an eye, punching him square in the stomach. Giving off a loud grunt Kohaku fell to the ground, landing in a near by tree.
"Kohaku!" cried out Miroku.
Kirara tried to take a bite out of Markia's shoulder, but the cat demon was too fast, and tried to kill Kirara with his axe.
"Kirara watch out!" screamed Miroku.
The cat demon dodged the attack, but the axe skimmed over her back. She cried out in pain and fell to the ground beside Miroku, turning back into her small form.
Miroku reached for his staff which was lying near by, but Markia knocked it out of the way.
"You foolish mortal, thinking you could take on me, Markia," sneered the cat demon.
Miroku slowly reached into his robes as if to clutch his injured arm, but was grabbing the holy scrolls he always carried with him.
"So now, die!" cried Markia, swinging his axe blade down.
Leaping out of the way Miroku threw his scrolls at Markia, causing the demon to drop his axe. Miroku ran to his staff and grabbed it in his left hand, which was uninjured. Kohaku jumped down from the tree and retrieved his weapon. The monk scooped up the injured Kirara and gave her to Kohaku.
"I underestimated you . . . *cough* just a little bit," growled Markia, reaching for his axe, "But I can assure you it won't happen again!"
Leaving his weapon behind, Markia punched Miroku right in the gut, and then at lightening speed punched the monk all over his upper body, not even giving Miroku enough time to scream out in pain. Kohaku grabbed is weapon and threw it at Markia again, but once more the demon dodged the attack, cutting Miroku's left arm this time.
The monk crumpled to the ground with a broken arm and rib, his staff lying by his side. Kohaku didn't even say a word, as Markia appeared behind him, kicking the boy square in the back, sending him into a tree trunk with a sickening thud. Kohaku clutched his chest with having the wind knocked out of him, and coughed trying to regain his breath. Miroku gave a small cough, blood spluttering from his mouth and the two cuts on his arms, soaking his robes.
Markia chuckled and grabbed his axe again, "I usually kill the monks first and then eat their hearts, but since you actually injured me, I think I'll just rip out your beating heart and watch you die slowly,"
Miroku tried to stand, but Markia kicked him in the chest, forcing him back down. *Damn it . . . I wish more than ever I had my wind tunnel with me . . .*
"Now die . . ." whispered Markia, swinging his axe down.
*Sango my love . . . I'm sorry . . .*
"Hiraikotsu!"
"What the hell?" cried Markia.
A gigantic boomerang came out of nowhere knocking into Markia and sending him flying into a tree, his axe left by the monk's side. Miroku opened his eyes to see Sango run to his side and lift him up into her arms.
"Oh god Miroku! I thought you were dead . . ." whispered Sango, tears welling up in her eyes.
Miroku smiled, "I know . . . so did I . . ."
Inu-Yasha leaped to Kohaku's side, "Hey kid you okay?"
"Yeah, just a little bump on the head,"
The half demon nodded and looked down at the small fire cat in his arms, "How about Kirara?"
"Just has a cut on her back, she'll be okay,"
Inu-Yasha stood up and grabbed his sword, watching it transform in his hand. Markia got to his feet, "So . . . you managed to find us?"
"I caught the scent of Miroku's blood and I was able to follow it here," growled Inu-Yasha, walking slowly to the cat demon.
Markia smirked and also walked slowly over to the half demon.
"Inu-Yasha . . . be careful," groaned Miroku, trying to sit up.
"Chill monk, I'll take care of this kitty cat,"
Miroku smirked and shook his head.
Inu-Yasha smiled, "Give me your name before I kill you, so I can remember it from all the other pathetic demons I've slain,"
Markia just nodded, "They call me Markia,"
"Markia? Wait, aren't you supposed to be banished from these lands?"
"Banished? What in the world are you talking about?"
"I remember Jaken talking about you. You pissed off my brother by killing villages so he banished you from the western land,"
"Wait a minute! Your brother is Lord Sesshoumaru?"
"Not something I'm proud to admit, but yes I am,"
"Well, when I last fought him he put up an excellent fight, let's see how good you are," sneered Markia, reaching out his hand. His axe turned a crimson red and hovered into the air before flying to it's masters hand.
"This should be interesting," hissed Inu-Yasha.
Markia charged forward, and was prepared for the half-breed to wing his sword down at him when he was close enough. Inu-Yasha just smiled.
"What the hell are you smiling about?"
Inu-Yasha just smirked and brought his sword down, confusing the hell out of Markia why he would swing his sword so early, "Kaze No Kizu!"
Markia almost froze on the spot as the attack came charging, but came to his senses to jump out of the way, but was hit across the shoulder. The cat demon landed in a tree and examined his injury, "Very impressive half breed, but I can guarantee it won't happen again,"
Inu-Yasha just smiled. *As long as I can keep him busy Kagome and Shippo are safe, I just hope she doesn't stumble upon this battle*
Markia jumped down from his tree, "Let's get this battle started, no holding back,"
"Oh so you were holding back, well let's see your real power,"
The cat demon smirked and glanced at his axe, which was glowing black. Inu-Yasha looked at the axe and held his sword out in front of him, preparing for any kind of attack. Markia just smiled and brought his axe up before thrusting it down, sending out a powerful blast heading towards Inu-Yasha. The half demons eyes widen and only had moments to get out of the way.
"Whoa!" cried out Inu-Yasha, dodging the attack barely, but this brought a small smirk to his face.
"What the hell are you smiling about?" screamed Markia, running towards Inu-Yasha.
The half demon just smiled, "You fool,"
"Now die!" cried Markia, sending another blast at Inu-Yasha.
Gripping his sword tighter, Inu-Yasha could see the swirling ball of energy, which was the source of the attack and brought his sword down, aiming towards it, "Bakuyrruha!"
Markia didn't know what hit him as he was hit with Tetsusaiga's ultimate attack. The cat demon disintegrated in the attack, his axe breaking in half.
Inu-Yasha smiled and watched as the green forest disappeared, returning to how it originally was.
"You did it!" cried Sango.
Inu-Yasha nodded *This doesn't make sense at all. I didn't smell any blood on Markia that smelled like Eri, but that doesn't make sense he was the one that killed Timiko*
"Inu . . . Yasha . . ." groaned Miroku.
The half demon shook his head and looked at Miroku, "Yeah what?"
"You . . . have to find . . . Kagome . . ."
"I know, but are you alright?"
"No. . . you don't understand . . . there's another demon,"
Inu-Yasha's eyes widened, "What do you mean another demon?"
Kagome watched as the luscious green grass disappeared below her feet to be replaced by the white snow, "They did it Shippo! They killed the demon!"
Shippo squealed with joy as Kagome threw him up into the air, but unknown to them both, they were still being watched.
"So my brother was defeated, must have run into the half breed. Oh well might as well take care of her, and hopefully I can get my hands on that monk," She stared at her claws, particular the long index one, "Let's see how this miko likes my poison,"
Kagome was about to suggest that they go look for Inu-Yasha and the others, but her eyes widened when she suddenly felt the presence of a demon. Jumping to the side, Kagome barely dodged the claws of the demon behind her.
"Oh, so you managed to dodge my claws, but that won't happen again,"
Kagome stared at the cat demon, she was wearing black clothing, chestnut hair and ears, plus blue eyes, "Wh . . . who are you?"
"My name is Shelia, but you not need to remember since you'll be dead soon,"
Kagome gasped and grasped her bow, "Don't underestimate me,"
Shelia just smiled and flexed her claws, "We shall see,"
"Fox fire!" cried Shippo.
Shelia just smiled and blocked the fox fire with a simple wave of her hand, "Pathetic,"
Shippo shivered in fear, but stayed in front of Kagome, trying to protect her *Come Inu-Yasha, hurry up and get here . . .*.
Kagome grabbed an arrow and shot it at Shelia, who easily dodged the attack, "You bore me already, so I'll put an end to this,"
Kagome tried to grab another arrow but was too late when Shelia suddenly appeared right behind her, throwing her arrows away and snapping her bow in half, gripping her by the shoulder.
"Let's see how you like my poison," hissed Shelia, stabbing her right index finger through Kagome's shoulder.
Kagome gave a small scream, but Shelia covered her mouth and bent her head down, licking at the blood coming from Kagome's wound.
"The poison spreads quickly, so there will be no hope for you,"
"KAGOME!"
Shelia looked up over the girls shoulder to see the half-breed running towards her.
"LET HER THE FUCK GO RIGHT NOW!" screamed Inu-Yasha.
The cat demon released the girl who crumpled to the ground, and Shippo was immediately by her side, "Kagome . . . Kagome are you alright?"
Inu-Yasha swung his sword at the cat demon, just barely missing her head, taking a few strands of chestnut hair off her head.
"My, that was impressive," hissed Shelia examining her hair.
"Shut up! I'm going to be torturing you so slowly you'll beg for death!" snarled Inu-Yasha, "Kaze No Kizu!"
Shelia's eyes widened and just barely she missed the attack and gasped as the wind scar took out hundreds of trees, and as she turned to attack Inu-Yasha she froze . . . as she heard those words again.
"Kaze No Kizu!"
Shelia screamed as she blown away in the attack, and fell to the ground with a pool of blood surrounding her, and her dead eyes staring at the darken gray sky with a smile on her face.
Inu-Yasha fell to his knees, exhausted from both fights and from running, but instead of taking a breather, something more important came to mind, "Kagome . . ." He turned to the girl lying limply on the ground.
"Kagome . . . come on wake up Kagome," whimpered Shippo.
Inu-Yasha gritted his teeth and ran to his mate's side, "Shippo, how is she?"
"She's not waking up,"
The half demon looked at her wounded shoulder, it wasn't serious enough to kill he. Sighing Inu-Yasha reached to pull Kagome into his arms, but froze at how limp she was, and how cold her skin was. Trying to stay calm, Inu-Yasha put his hand against her forehead, and started shaking on how cold her skin was.
"Ka . . . Kagome?" Inu-Yasha whispered. He put his head on her chest, but couldn't feel a heart beat or hear her breathing, "No . . . NO!"
Shippo watched Inu-Yasha, "What? . . . No . . . she isn't . . ."
Inu-Yasha pulled Kagome into his lap, holding her cold limp body in his arms and stared into her eyes, which were half closed and not moving.
"No . . . not again . . . not again!" screamed Inu-Yasha, burying his face in Kagome's cold neck.
"No . . . she can't be dead . . ." wailed Shippo.
Inu-Yasha could smell the poison in her wound now . . . he had been to late to save her . . . again he had failed to save . . . her. Sighing shakily Inu-Yasha inhaled his mate's scent and froze; there was something different in her smell. Gasping Inu-Yasha looked down at his mate, tears forming in his eyes.
"Inu-Yasha . . . what is it?" whimpered Shippo.
Inu-Yasha just stared at Kagome, his eyes wide and tears still pooling in his eyes.
"Inu-Yasha! Did you find Kagome?"
Shippo turned around to see Sango and Kohaku helping an injured Miroku over to them with Kirara on the monks shoulder.
Inu-Yasha stood, his head down and he got to his feet, turning his body and walking over to Miroku and the others.
"Is she okay?" asked Sango, noticing her friend lying on the ground.
"She . . . she's dead . . ."
Sango gasped and released Miroku running to her friend's side.
Miroku placed a hand on the half demons shoulder but Inu-Yasha just knocked his hand away, and punched a tree, knocking it clear out of the ground.
Shippo was still on the ground, crying his eyes out as he sat by Kagome's side. Inu-Yasha walked back over to Kagome's body and placed the Tetsusaiga by her side.
"Inu-Yasha . . . what are you . . ."
The half demon didn't say a word as he jumped into the air leaving them behind.
Miroku didn't say a word as he watched the half demon disappear, "I can't believe this is happening,"
Sango had wrapped her arms around Kagome and cried into her shoulder, holding the fox child close to her for support. Kohaku helped Miroku over to the girls before setting the monk down and going over to the dead cat demon near by.
"I just can't believe it . . ." whispered Sango, "She's gone . . ."
Miroku wrapped his arms around her, and said a silent prayer for Kagome.
"Hey sis,"
Sango wiped her tears, "What is it Kohaku?"
"Come take a look at this demon,"
Getting to her feet, Sango walked slowly over to her brother who was crouched over the fallen demon, "What about it,"
Kohaku reached down and grabbed the demons right hand, examining the long claw, which was bigger than the rest, "This green stuff is coming from her one claw, I suppose this is how she killed Kagome?"
Sango nodded and was about to head back over to her fallen friend, but stopped as she watched Kohaku bring the claw up to his hand and sniff at it.
"Kohaku don't!" screamed Sango, pulling her brother away.
Kohaku fell on his butt, but his eyes were at his hand which seemed to go limp and cold, "She's . . . she's not dead,"
"Who's not dead?" asked Miroku.
Kohaku got to his feet and ran to Kagome's side, "She's not dead!"
"What do you mean she's not dead? She's cold to the touch and she's not breathing," whispered Miroku, thinking that the boy was going insane.
"Sango . . . don't you remember those cat demons that father said he fought once?"
"Well yeah, he said that they had poison claws,"
"What are you trying to say?" asked Miroku.
"The poison that the cat demon used! It wasn't used to kill Kagome, just make her go limp," cried Kohaku.
"I . . . I don't understand . . ." whispered Miroku.
"Haven't you ever heard how cat demons drink human blood?"
Miroku shook his head, and Sango's eyes widened in realization.
"I remember now, the poison they use is only to make their pray go limp since they don't like their food squirming as they drink the blood!"
"Exactly, they also do that so any other demon that crosses their pray will think it's dead and leave it alone," added Kohaku.
"But shouldn't Inu-Yasha be able to hear Kagome's heart beat if she's still alive?"
"No, not even a full dog demon would be able to tell the difference. The poison slows down the blood which makes the heart beat slower, and you can't hear their breathing,"
Miroku's eyes widened as he looked down at Kagome, tears forming in his eyes, "She . . . she's not dead . . ."
"She'll be back to normal in an hour," sighed Kohaku.
Sango nodded and hugged Miroku; tears of joy pouring down her eyes. Shippo gave a squeal of delight and hugged Kohaku.
"We should find Inu-Yasha," whispered Sango.
Miroku nodded and was about to release Sango, but stopped as his eyes rested on Tetsusaiga lying by Kagome's side.
"Oh no,"
"What is it?" asked Sango.
"Inu-Yasha left Tetsusaiga here,"
"Maybe he just wanted to leave it here to protect Kagome while he went to grieve over her," whispered Shippo, wiping his eyes.
"Sango, we have to find Inu-Yasha as humanly possible!"
"Why Miroku?" asked Kohaku.
"I have a theory, and I'm praying to Buddha that it isn't true. I don't know what's going through Inu-Yasha's head now, but this is the second time he's lost Kagome and I think . . . I think . . ."
"What? What are you thinking?" asked Sango.
"I think he's going to try and seek death or . . ."
"Or what?"
"Or try to forget,"
"How could he do that without killing himself,"
"You know what happens when he doesn't have Tetsusaiga, and the last time he transformed!
Inu-Yasha ran through the trees, not stopping when his over tired legs ached for rest, or when he could feel blisters forming on his feet from all the running and didn't stop to let them heal as they popped and bled, leaving a bloody foot print in the white snow. Finally he came to a stop, he couldn't breathe as he collapsed to the ground.
*No . . .not again . . . not again . . . how could I let this happen, not only once but twice?*
"Damn it!" screamed Inu-Yasha, punching the cold ground beneath him with his fist, "Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!"
Blood splattered on his face from his wounded hand from punching the ground so hard. He couldn't bare it any longer; he had promised he would always protect her, and he had failed at that once again. It was eating at him from the inside, he felt like he was dying.
A small prickle in the back of his mind caught his attention, as he felt two arms wrap around his human side.
(Okay again with the demon and human side talking . . . * that is for the demon, ~ this is for the human side . . . clear? Good)
~Damn it why does this always happen to me? I find happiness and the gods have to punish me by taking the ones I love away from me!~
The demon just growled *Do you want to forget?*
~I want to forget . . . I want to forget everything . . . the pain is just to much to bear . . . with out her I have nothing . . . and . . . and . . .~
*You smelled it didn't you? Well I'd be glad to help you . . .*
Inu-Yasha closed his eyes, feeling the darkness in his heart slowly taking over, and he could feel his fangs growing and his claws growing longer. He stared up at the sky, not knowing that his eyes were flashing a bright red.
* I love you Kagome . . . hopefully I'll see you soon*
And with that . . . he was gone . . .
TBC . . . .