"The End to the Feudal Fairy Tale"

Chapter 8

Author's Notes: Sorry about the delay this time. I was kind of dreading writing another fighting scene. Those are pretty tough to do. Anyhow, I'm glad to have gotten so many nice reviews for the last chapter. Thanks to all who reviewed! You make my day! On with the show!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, but I do own a puppy. frowns it's just not the same. All I really own is my fan art. (See my bio page for a link) All characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi. The story is mine though, so please respect it.

"It doesn't matter." Miroku spoke up. "If we don't hurry, the whole wolf tribe could be decimated before we arrive."

Kirara growled in agreement and chased after the speeding half demon. Hopefully, they wouldn't be too late.

vvvvvvvvvv

Inuyasha darted through the trees at top speed. How could he not have expected this? Kouga had two jewel shards all along, Naraku couldn't just ignore them forever. "Kouga, you bastard." He mumbled. "If you die, you're gonna have a hell of a lot to answer for!"

The smoke was thickening. Inuyasha raised a sleeve to his face to keep the foul cloud out of his lungs. He jumped high. From his new vantage point, he could clearly see that the tree line near the caves had been burned back and was still ablaze. Smoke clouds rolled off of the flaming treetops without relenting. Inuyasha landed and sprang into the air again, this time searching for combatants. What he saw made even his stomach lurch.

"What the hell-" There were bodies everywhere. Mouryoumaru was throwing carcasses around like rag dolls. Inuyasha watched for a painfully slow moment as the monster curved its appendage into a scythe and sliced a leaping wolf neatly in two. Another leap, this time Inuyasha searched for Kouga, without luck. He was too close, the smoke was starting to cloud his vision, even from the sky. Inuyasha gritted his teeth, there was no way that Kouga was dead, but he certainly couldn't handle this all on his own. "Just remember this wolf," he smirked, "cause I'm gonna hold it over your head till the day you die!" Inuyasha raced forward into the fire.

Sango and Miroku stared at the bright flames. "If this continues, it'll burn down the entire forest!" Shippo whined.

"But what can we do?" Sango asked.

"Where's Inuyasha?" Miroku scanned the ground for any sign of their friend. "I don't see him anywhere."

"Houshi-sama," Sango glanced over her shoulder, "We must do something about the fire!"

"I know, but what can we do? We don't have any water."

"Over there!" Shippo pointed.

"Huh?" both looked stunned. About half a mile to the north sat a small lake.

"That's great Shippo-chan!" Sango patted his head lightly.

"Yeah! Now all we need is a way to get the water over here!" Shippo was glad to finally have some input. At least these two cared about his ideas and didn't simply use him as a tool-

"Shippo-chan?" Sango smiled.

"Brilliant!" Miroku clapped his hands together. Their gazes turned dark, their smiles, sadistic. "Shippo-chan?"

"Uh oh." Suddenly Shippo felt very used.

Shippo spit out the water he'd been forced to suck in over the flames. It doused a bit of the fire, but not nearly enough to stop it. "Shippo-chan! Good job!" Sango shouted from Kirara's back. "Try to get the edges of the flames out so that we can contain the fire!"

"Right." Shippo's giant pink balloon form floated clumsily back to the lake. "How do I always end up stuck with jobs like this?" He pulled a straw out of nowhere and drank in as much water as he could before wobbling towards the fire once more.

Sango stiffened. "Houshi-sama?"

Miroku hastily drew his hand back. "Heh- eh- heh-" the laughter subsided quickly into fear. "S-San-go?"

SLAP!

"This is neither the time, nor the place!" she yelled. Miroku could have sworn that the fire in her eyes was brighter than the forest blaze below. He gulped.

"Kirara!" Sango urged her faithful companion high into the air. The sharp jerk nearly knocked Miroku off, but Sango didn't even spare him a glance. He held tight to Kirara's fur, careful to not get too close to Sango's bottom, lest she actually knock him to the ground.

vvvvvvvvvv

Kouga wiped the blood from his mouth and spat. He'd fought Kagura before, but never when he'd already been worn out. He took a moment to scan the area for survivors. It seemed that only those who were out on hunting missions were going to live through this slaughter, himself included. Kouga hated the thought of running from his pack, after all, he was their leader, their defender. "Is that the best you got?" He yelled with resolve. At least if he was going to die, he wouldn't go down without a fight. A damn good fight.

Kagura floated leisurely overhead. "If you insist on testing my patience," she drew her fan above her left shoulder, "I will destroy you quickly!" The fan swept down diagonally creating a gust and two distinctive blades. Kouga pushed off of the ground in a split second.

"Take this!" He was suddenly above Kagura, falling fast, leg extended for a downward kick. It connected with a sharp crack at the base of Kagura's neck. She screamed in pain as Kouga flipped over backwards and made his way to the ground.

"Aghhhhhh!" she screeched and launched another volley of slicing winds. Kouga bounced backwards, his movements just fast enough to avoid the blades of air. He would just keep running until she opened herself for attack again. After all, Kouga prided himself on his stamina.

Inuyasha crashed through the ashes and burnt brush. Coughing a little from the smoke, he drew Tetsusaiga and looked around for Naraku's minions. As he turned left, he saw her. Kagura was slumped slightly, floating high on her feather boat and throwing air blades at a blur running towards the cliff wall. "Kouga."

Raising the Tetsusaiga to his right, Inuyasha smirked, he'd made it in time. "Kaze no Kizu!" he yelled, swinging the sword forward. Kagura paused from her rage, feeling the winds rise behind her. Spinning around, she hurriedly used her fan to divert the winds to the side.

"Inuyasha." She said coldly. "I had expected you sooner."

"Keh." He answered.

"Mutt face?" Kouga whispered. Seeing an opening, he charged Kagura, hoping to knock the fan from her grasp.

"Dammit Kouga! Look out!" Inuyasha yelled.

No sooner had the words left his mouth, then Kouga was slammed back into the cliff wall by a gigantic fist. Mouryoumaru's expression remained stoic. Shaking his head, Kouga tried to peel himself free from the wall. He stumbled and Inuyasha watched in horror as he fell to the ground and didn't get up.

"Dammit you bastard! I know you're tougher than that!" Inuyasha ignored Kagura in lieu of attacking Mouryoumaru. The beast was lumbering towards Kouga's limp body. Inuyasha didn't waste any time. Sliding to a halt, he held the Tetsusaiga to his side. "Kongoushouha!" Thousands of diamond spears were released from the blade only to embed themselves in Mouryoumaru.

The creature titled backwards, grabbing for the sharp objects protruding from his flesh. Some had even pierced holes. Kagura watched in wonder as most of the holes closed up. "What is he?" she murmured. Turning her gaze back to the fallen wolf, she decided that now would be the perfect opportunity to grab his shards and leave. Kagura drifted towards his position, keeping an eye on the fight between Inuyasha and Mouryoumaru. The last thing she wanted was for them to kill each other. Then she'd have no one to help free her from Naraku's control.

Inuyasha panted hard. Mouryoumaru didn't seem to care that half of his body was in tatters, he kept fighting unfazed. Rolling to his right, Inuyasha dodged another strike. "Is that all you got?" he huffed. "Keh." Two more tentacles whipped out at Inuyasha. He jumped, slicing through one with the Tetsusaiga as he rose over the low strike of the second. The monster just kept attacking, never taking a moment to breathe. Inuyasha doubted that the thing had to rest at all.

Mouryoumaru's arms lashed out again, but this time the tired Inuyasha was unable to dodge. He frantically blocked with his sword. The first blow glanced off of the blade, but the second came from the side. It hit loudly against Inuyasha's ribs, cracking several bones. The half-demon was thrown back, his weapon forced from his grasp. The Tetsusaiga landed in the ground, several hundred feet from Inuyasha's struggling body. "Damn you." He growled. Keeping his focus on the creature advancing on him, Inuyasha felt around for his sword. It wasn't anywhere near. "Damn it all." He steadied himself; he knew he had at least two broken ribs and his leg wasn't feeling great either. "Just great." He smirked. "I don't need my sword to defeat you!" Inuyasha lunged forward, swiping his claws through a bit of his own blood.

vvvvvvvvvv

Sango and Miroku descended into the carnage. Shippo was doing a good job putting out the fire, but the damage was already done. Several dozen wolf bodies now adorned the area. Blood was everywhere, along with tufts of fur and bits of bone. Sango didn't bother to remove her mask.

"Houshi-sama! Look!" she indicated Inuyasha's position.

"Inuyasha!" he yelled, but the half-demon was engrossed in his fight. They started running towards him. Miroku suddenly caught sight of Kagura next to a wolf body in the distance. He gently touched Sango's shoulder and pointed. "Over there, it's Kagura."

"What's she doing?"

"It seems like she's-" Miroku felt the bile rise in his throat. He gripped his staff tightly.

"Oh no. It can't be-" Sango fought off her fear. "Let's hurry." Kirara growled, leaning right to avoid Inuyasha's battle. They had other things to take care of at the moment. If Kouga was indeed dead, no, Sango couldn't even bring herself to accept it. He had to be alive. She wasn't going to let Naraku claim another of her friends.

Kagura lifted her hand from Kouga's leg, holding two blackening shards of the shikon jewel. As she rose to her feet, Kouga twitched. "He's still alive?" Kagura pondered. Perhaps the wolf could yet be of use to her. If kept alive, he would surely seek revenge on Naraku. "Hmph." She muttered, seeing the demon slayer and monk approaching. "This one was not worth my time. He is certainly too weak to be a threat any longer." Kagura drew a pin from her hair and floated into the sky on her feather boat.

Hearing her retort, Sango and Miroku increased their advance. "Kagura!" Sango raised her boomerang. "Hirakotsu!" She launched it into the air. Kagura easily deflected the giant weapon with a wave of her fan.

"I do not have the time to play with you." Kagura pronounced coldly, all the while gliding away. On with the plan. She'd done as Naraku had asked, now she could add in her own subtle touch. "I got what I came for." Kagura held out her open hand, revealing two shikon shards.

"She's got the shards!" Sango yelled.

"My, but aren't you the bright one." She flatly replied. Now they knew Naraku would have possession of all the shards except Kagome's. That would make them even more protective of the final shard.

"Kagura!" Miroku jumped off of Kirara and aimed his right palm towards the sky. "Kazaana!" the wind tunnel opened and started to pull Kagura in.

Saimyoushou buzzed to Kagura's side. "Houshi-sama!" Sango pointed to the poisonous bugs. "Close it quick!"

He refused to comply, sucking in the first bug.

"Houshi-sama!" Sango guided Kirara towards him. He didn't seem to respond. "She's got the shards! Don't let them be swallowed too!" Still he didn't budge, it was as though he was possessed. She leapt from Kirara's back. "Miroku!" Sango cried.

Kagura struggled against the winds. Somehow, being sucked into a void was not her idea of a good time. The monk was probably prepared to die in an effort to stop Naraku. Even the saimyoushou didn't seem to deter him. She had been expecting them, after all, Naraku couldn't allow the precious jewel shards to disappear. Kagura frowned. If he didn't stop soon, she was going to be absorbed. Kagura heard a shout and watched in amusement as the demon slayer launched herself at the monk. They crashed in a heap, the tunnel closed.

With the two of them temporarily out of the way, Kagura dodged past Kirara and headed for Inuyasha and Mouryoumaru. The half-demon had once again been knocked back. Something wasn't quite right. "Where is the sword?" she said pensively. Surely Kohaku couldn't have stolen it away so easily? "Now, let's see-" Kagura scanned the battlefield. "there!" she drifted towards the sword standing upright in the dirt. As she approached, she noticed someone moving out from behind a nearby rock. "That boy-" she continued her decent.

Kohaku tentatively moved from his hiding place. He didn't have to turn to hear the saimyoushou buzzing nearby. He was being watched and this was his opportunity to get the sword. If he didn't do it, Naraku would know that he was no longer a puppet. To prolong the charade, he had to take it. Kohaku pressed forward slowly. The last thing he needed was to get involved in the fight. He smiled inwardly, at least this time his part in the plan had allowed him to avoid combat with his sister.

He saw his moment, Kagura was approaching and Inuyasha was still busy with Mouryoumaru. Now or never. He raced forward and pulled the blade from the ground. Then, in a feat of grace, Kohaku flipped into the air and onto Kagura's feather.

"Took you long enough." She said, emotionless.

"I am very sorry." He bowed.

"Yes, well, we got what we came for. Let us go." They started to flee.

"What about him?" Kohaku inquired, pointing at Mouryoumaru.

"He will be fine." One way or another, Naraku would make sure that the monster followed them home. Kagura frowned.

vvvvvvvvvv

Miroku stirred. Something warm and soft was resting on top of him. The events of the last few moments raced back into his mind. "Sa-sango?" he tried to push himself up from the ground. The girl didn't make a sound, she merely rolled off of him and stood hurriedly.

"I-I'm very sorry Houshi-sama." She blushed and turned, remembering all the times in the past when she'd done similar things to save the monk's life.

"It was my fault, I am sorry." He was finally able to stand.

Shaking her head, Sango remembered that this was no time for apologies, Inuyasha was still fighting alone! "Kirara!" the fire cat ran to her side. "Houshi-sama! This is not the time!" She climbed onto Kirara's back. "We must help Inuyasha!"

"What about Kouga?" Miroku turned to the fallen wolf.

"You stay! Take care of him!"

"But Sango-"

"You are best suited for it and with the bugs around, you can't help us." She started to fly away.

Miroku bowed his head, defeated. She was right. He kneeled down next to Kouga, feeling his neck for a pulse. Turning one hand in gesture of a prayer, he closed his eyes and counted. Miroku's eyes shot open. "He's alive."

Sango flew as fast as Kirara would allow and launched her boomerang. "Hiraikotsu!" The weapon arced around the monster, striking it on the way back across its shoulder blades. Sango smiled triumphantly, catching the spinning object. If she struck the edges, her boomerang wouldn't stick into the creature.

"Keh." Inuyasha wobbled to a standing position below her. "Was wondering when you'd show up."

Sango just ignored him. For all of his bravado, she knew that he was about ready to fall unconscious. She had to either get Inuyasha or the creature to run. Neither promised to be an easy task.

vvvvvvvvvv

Two figures stood on a hilltop downwind, watching the action from a safe distance. "You called me here for this? Did you think I would wish to see the easy destruction of my half brother?"

The woman did not stir. "No. But look there."

"This Sesshoumaru does not take orders." He nevertheless, looked where she'd indicated. An expression almost akin to surprise flashed across his features for a moment. "The Tetsusaiga."

"Exactly."

"Now I understand why you have involved me, but I do not see how this is to make much difference."
"If Naraku has the Tetsusaiga, he will be able to wield it against you and your lands." The woman stood calmly.

"Why should that matter. I cannot wield the sword."

"Without the sword, Inuyasha will become a mindless demon, slaying all in his path." She replied.

Sesshoumaru raised a hand to his swords. "Then this Sesshoumaru will have to kill him."

"If you kill him-" she raised a hand to one of her soul-stealing creatures. "then you will be responsible for Naraku's completion of the shikon jewel."

She had a point, but there was no way that he was planning to let some miko dictate his actions. He turned from the fight, strolling past Kikyou. "When the time comes, this Sesshoumaru will do as he chooses."

"Very well." Kikyou said unwavering.

"You realize that your time on this earth has passed. You have no part in directing the lives of the living." He coldy replied as he left.

Kikyou just stared at his back, unmoving. She relaxed slightly. He would fulfill his part of the plan. Honor among dog demons was not something to take lightly. Sesshoumaru would be obligated to get the sword back. "It's only a matter of time." She started to walk away. "Without the sword, Inuyasha won't be able to control his demon half, he will surely perish by Naraku's hand." She sighed. "Then I will destroy Naraku, ending my existence." Kikyou absorbed another soul. She only had to hold out a little while longer. The last battle would be soon.

vvvvvvvvvv

Mouryoumaru stumbled back from another blow. Inuyasha may have been tired, but Sango was not. She flew in circles overhead, launching her weapon each time it returned to her. The creature looked for the others who had come with him, but they had long since left. Groaning loudly, he sprouted fleshy wings and lifted himself skyward.

"He's getting away!" Inuyasha yelled, clutching his wounded stomach.

"Let him go!" Sango continued her onslaught until the monster was out of range. "Inuyasha?" she looked back to her wounded friend.

"What? I'm fine." To prove his point he lifted his hand from his stomach. Black dots swirled in his vision, Inuyasha wobbled and slumped to the ground.

"Inuyasha!"

vvvvvvvvvv

About an hour later, Shippo made his way to the others. He was tired and soggy from putting out the forest fire, but even Inuyasha would have to commend him for it. "I never want to see another drop of water for the rest of my life!" he whined. "Where is everyone?" Shippo crawled up a large boulder and looked around. "Inuyasha!" he spotted the half demon lying on the ground near another person he quickly identified as Kouga. It looked like Sango and Miroku were there too. "Hey!" he shouted, using a sudden burst of energy to run to the scene.

"Shippo-chan?" Sango looked up for a moment at the noise.

"Shippo!" Miroku added as the fox ran up his arm to his shoulder.

"What happened?" he stared unbelieving at Inuyasha. His hero was breathing heavily, blood seeping out from his clothes.

"They were badly hurt. We were about to take them to Kaede." Miroku gently patted Shippo's head. His expression lightened a little.

"Are they gonna be okay?" he innocently asked.

"Yes, Shippo-" Sango paused, "they're going to be just fine." Her head fell and she struggled against tears.

"But we need you to help us carry them. Kirara can only take one." Miroku motioned to the cat, who transformed into her larger form.

"You bet!" Shippo almost didn't make it off of Miroku's shoulder before transforming into a big pink balloon.

"Thank you, Shippo." Sango said. She and Miroku carefully lifted Inuyasha onto Shippo. Then they managed to lay Kouga onto Kirara's back. Sango climbed up, steadying Kouga while Miroku sat with Inuyasha on Shippo's back. They started flying towards Kaede's hut. It would take about an hour with a good wind. Miroku knew that their demon and half demon companions would survive. So instead, he prayed that Inuyasha would not rip his head off when he found out that the Tetsusaiga had been stolen.

vvvvvvvvvv

Naraku grinned, his face sinister. "All is going according to plan. With the sword in my possession," he motioned towards Kohaku who was standing nearby, "he will be unable to stop me from taking the final jewel shard." A crash sounded behind him. Naraku frowned. "You-" a barrier deflected Mouryoumaru. "You will obey me. Perhaps a bit of punishment is in order?" Naraku tightened the barrier around his creation. It screamed in agony. "Now," he stepped towards Kagura. "the shards." She reluctantly opened her hand and relinquished the fragments.

"Kagura." He commanded.

She stood in silence.

"You have done well. Be out of my sight for a while."

Kagura tried to hide her shocked expression, he was letting her run free for now? Something wasn't right. She bowed once and walked out of the room. What was he planning to do with her?

"Boy." Kohaku nodded his obedience. "You are to guard the sword with your life. Do you understand?"

"Yes m'lord." He spoke flatly.

"Good. Now go."

Kohaku bowed again for good measure and slipped out of the room.

"Kagura." He huffed, absorbing the two shards into his nearly complete jewel. "I don't trust her any more. Perhaps she has outlived her usefulness?" Yes. She had outlived her purpose, he no longer had a reason to keep her alive. Well, he had one reason. She would make wonderful bait for his sentimental foes. Naraku mused. "Everything is going smoothly. I have the Tetsusaiga, Inuyasha will suffer and die, and I will complete the jewel."

Sinking back into the shadows, he spotted Kanna. With her guarding his human heart, he was invincible. She stared into space, her cold eyes empty. "Just a few minor preparations." He nodded and Kanna disappeared. He was long overdue for his time of weakness, but he would only become stronger. After all, what better time is there to increase power then while your enemies are helpless to stop you? Naraku allowed his body what it demanded. He laughed. "Once the jewel is complete, I will be able to become a complete demon! No longer will Onigumo have a grip on me! Then, I will make everyone suffer."

vvvvvvvvvv

A/N: Well, everything that I promised from the last chapter was there! Hope you liked it! Things are really heating up as we head towards the completion of the jewel and the last battle. What happened to Kagome? She's still taking tests in her time. Don't worry, for all you Kagome fans, she'll be back next chapter! Please read and review!