Putting the Damage On

Chapter 17 : Quest to Truth

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Author's Note: I apologize for the lack of updates. I never wanted to leave anyone hanging, it's just so much has happened with Katrina, with school, with the repairs, with my personal life… and not to mention once I lost some chapters and had to rewrite them… :frowns: Anyway, please forgive me and understand, that's all I'm asking. I want to stress the fact that I intend to finish these stories, whether it take me a couple years to do so. If you're around for the ride, then that's great. But I do intend to finish them sooner than that… hehe… but thank you to everyone who has reviewed or just read the story. I really do appreciate it. And a special thanks to Robot Killah, my lil psycho buddy. D

And erm, the title of this chappie is all… grand sounding, but its really not that big of a deal. Lol. ) Enjoy!

Warnings: Nothing too bad.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

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Naraku held Sango in his arms. He situated her and looked at Sesshomaru condescendingly, "She's brilliant, isn't she?"

Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes and pulled his sword out of the ground. In his attempt to avoid Naraku he had made sure that he'd land near tokijin. "What I want to know, Naraku, is what exactly is she?"

Naraku chuckled, "Why, she's a human."

Sesshomaru looked surprised, "Human? Don't fool with me, you bastard!" The youkai lord growled, his hair standing up on end from anger.

Naraku stared at Sesshomaru,"She is a human. It's my secret, Sesshomaru." Naraku chuckled, "I'm sure you'll figure it out sooner or later."

Sesshomaru growled but ingored his anger for the moment, "So you've taken Rin."

"You knew?" Naraku blinked and then shrugged, "Yes. I'll go ahead and say this wont be your last battle with my precious Sango."

Sesshomaru held tokijin before him and lunged at Naraku.

Naraku laughed but vanished. Sesshomaru cursed and sheathed his sword. He turned his eyes to where he saw Jaken's limp, bloody form. It looked as if Kagura had used her wind on the little imp, and sliced him neatly into several chunks.

Sesshomaru reached for tenseiga and growled aloud. With one stroke of the healing sword, Jaken's cells and tissue began to reassemble until it was one form. Then life returned to Jaken's eyes and his skin returned to its regular color. Reality came in a flood of white and brilliant eyes before Jaken passed out and slept.

Sesshomaru left the little imp where he laid. He would have to make something clear and if he didn't do it now, it would nag the hell out of him.

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Naraku layed Sango onto his bed and let his eyes travel over her body, making note of the bruises and scratches. And also of the fact that they were healing at a rapid rate. A small smirk rested on his lips then. The power of the shikon no tama was trully amazing.

Her battle with Sesshomaru had exceeded his expectations. She had more control over her powers and still there was more that she hadn't even touched. The large gaping wound in her stomach had already begun to heal itself. Naraku wouldn't have to cast any healing spells whatsoever.

"Surprised, are you Naraku?" Kikyo's quiet voice filled the room. Naraku stood straight, his back facing his unexpected visitor, his eyes focused on Sango's face. He then smirked and turned around.

"That's one way of putting it, Kikyo-sama." Naraku replied cooly, "Although, excited would fit the description more accurately."

"Hmm." Kikyo feigned interest for a moment and then spoke, "She is quite a brilliant tool, Naraku, but that is not the reason I've come to you."

Naraku blinked, "By all means, tell me."

Kikyo set her lips in a firm line, "I'm leaving the castle."

Naraku narrowed his eyes, "Is that so? I hope this isn't because you're planning to try and kill me, is it Kikyo-sama? You know that is futile. You can not kill me."

Kikyo stared at Naraku, "I may be dead and wandering, but I still feel a need to occupy my time. There is a village south of here that's recently been attacked by youkai. There are many wounded people and I intend to lend my strength there. But you may think what you like." She smiled coldly and shrugged, "As to whether or not I'm planning to kill you… well, let me just say that I'm always planning…"

"Go." Naraku indicated to his door, "Save those insignifacant lives and believe you have a purpose. You are not needed here, after all."

Kikyo did not respond as she turned and left the room. She could not stand to set eyes on him for too long. The sight made her ill.

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Inuyasha jumped up, his nose twitching. What did that BASTARD want?

Inuyasha ran out of the hut, but not before waking Miroku and Kagome, as he tripped over his own pants leg. Miroku yawned and Kagome rubbed her eyes, mumbling, "Inuyasha, you idiot…"

Inuyasha did not hear her however, and was already out the door. He unsheathed his sword and waited.

Suddenly Sesshomaru was floating above him, staring down at Inuyasha with a look of disinterest. Inuyasha glared at him, "Get down here you asshole!"

Kagome poked her head out of the hut and then blinked in surprise, quickly coming outside. Miroku followed behind her and his eyes landed isntantly on Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru slowly moved to the ground, not making a noise as his feet touched the soil, "Inuyasha, you're as hostile as ever."

"Yeah well when have you ever showed your ugly face and not expected a battle out of me, eh Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha growled, "What do you want?"

Sesshomaru cocked his head to the side, "Weren't there four of you?"

Inuyasha blinked in surprise; that had not been expected. "What?"

Sesshomaru did not reply. Inuyasha nodded his head, "Yeah, what's it to you?"

"What became of the woman?" Sesshomaru questioned.

"You mean Sango?" Miroku moved forward, "Why are you suddenly interested in her?"

Kagome moved forward as well, but said nothing. Sesshomaru didn't bother to look at Miroku. Inuyasha glared at his brother, "It's none of your business."

Sesshomaru was staring calmly at Inuyasha, but then suddenly his eyes flashed, "Oh but it is, little brother. A woman attacked me today, and she held a great resemblance to the one who traveled with you and your idiot human companions. Only now, she is fighting for Naraku."

"You saw Sango-chan?" Kagome cried out.

"So I was correct." Sesshomaru looked satisfied.

"Damn it Kagome!" Inuyasha cursed. "What do you intend to do to her, Sesshomaru?"

Sesshomaru had begun to turn around. He stopped and then smirked at Inuyasha, "I plan to kill her, of course. Even I must admit that she was a formidable opponent. Though no longer human, that's certain."

"You can't kill her!" Inuyasha growled, reaching out to grab Sesshomaru's shoulder. The youkai lord swiftly moved out of the way and punched Inuyasha in the gut.

"Do not touch me." Sesshomaru snorted, "That bitch took something of value from me and I will get it back, once she is dead. Even I have debts, Inuyasha."

"Sesshomaru, she's not of her own mind." Miroku called out, "He's controlling her with the shikon jewel."

Sesshomaru stopped once more, looking slightly curious, "Is that so?"

"Sango would never help Naraku otherwise." Miroku nodded, "She was his captive, now he's using her as a tool. I beg you, do not take your anger out on Sango. She's merely a pawn. Naraku is the one-"

"Oh, I intend to give Naraku his due as well." Sesshomaru replied, "However that revelation changes nothing." And then he vanished.

Inuyasha was still holding his stomach. His brother had hit him harder than expected. Sango must have pissed him off royally. Inuyasha turned his eyes to Kagome, who was beside him, holding his shoulders. "Why'd you give it away, Kagome?"

"I didn't mean to Inuyasha!" Kagome looked like she was going to cry.

"Let her be, Inuyasha." Miroku said quietly, "Sesshomaru intends to kill Sango regardless of who she is or why she's fighting."

Inuyasha cursed, "Damn it! Naraku made Sango fight Sesshomaru? Is that bastard trying to get her killed?"

"No." Miroku shook his head, "I don't think that's the case. You remember what Sesshomaru said right? Sango was a formidable opponent. Naraku was probably testing her power."

Inuyasha was silent, "She could stand toe to toe with Sesshomaru?"

"I wonder what else the shikon no tama can do…" Miroku muttered, staring off. "We have to save Sango."

Kagome nodded. Inuyasha got to his feet, Kagome following him. He moved away from her, her hands falling to her sides. Inuyasha turned to face them both.

"I should tell you something… since it's about time that she got here…" Inuyasha looked over his shoulder uncomfortably.

"What?" Kagome blinked.

Inuyasha was just about to explain when…

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I got an email saying that we can no longer address individual reviewers here::shakes head: Whatever. I think that's shitty, but what else is new? Haha. Anyway, thank you everyone once again, if you have any questions or comments that you want a reply to, then just ask that I email you and I will. Well, when I can, anyway… ;;

Thank you once again!

- Taijiya