Chapter 6: Together Once Again

"They've been gone quite a while now." Sango murmured as she crossed her arms and looked down into the well. Night had fallen a few hours ago and her worry about her two friends only grew with every second that passed. It was hard not being able to jump through time like Kagome and Inuyasha did and if there was ever a time she envied their ability to do so it was now.

Miroku heard her sigh and lifted his gaze to the pearl crescent moon above their heads. "Yes…They have. But I'm sure they're fine." He couldn't get his mind off Sesshomaru's new companion though. A demon of such strength such as him didn't often accept any help from others. Maybe this new demon had sentimental value to him then. The shuffling of feet distracted his concentration and he turned his head over his shoulder to see Sango kneel over the ledge of the well and gaze sadly into its darkness. "Are you that worried?" He questioned with a bit of a tease to his voice.

Resting her chin on her hands, she shrugged her shoulders lightly. "Well of course…Just a little. I know Inuyasha can take care of himself. I'm just scared for Kagome." She paused and picked up a rock by her side. Rolling it around in her palm she scanned it intensely and spoke. "Since Sesshomaru's back…what if the same thing happens to Inuyasha again?" She asked, raising her eyes to the monk who listened closely to every word she said.

"It won't. Inuyasha's grown stronger since then believe it or not. In both strength and will. He won't let himself be harmed and leave Kagome vulnerable." He said with a reassuring smile.

Sango looked back at the rock and tightened her grip around it. "You do remember we no longer have the Tenseiga. It doesn't exist anymore to save anyone's life this time." She said, and cursed upon their destroying of the sword that granted life.

Miroku nodded his head slowly in realization and turned to look down the well. "Yes you're right. We'll have to be much more careful this time round and plan out our strategies thoroughly before going into battle."

She chuckled quietly at the word 'plan' and knew that would never follow through if Inuyasha were around. Tossing up the rock in her hand she then stood to her feet and dropped it carelessly down into the well. Just as she was about to walk away, a faint growl rose from the depths of the pit and her eyes widened with hope.

"Who the hell threw this?" Inuyasha grumbled as he pulled himself over the well's edge and up onto his feet. He glared at the monk and demon slayer in annoyance. His eyes narrowed as neither of them made any indication of confessing and it only tested his already edgy patience. "What's your guys problem!"

Miroku slowly rose to his feet, using his staff for support, his eyes locked on their awaited guest and turned properly to face him. "Inuyasha…what happened?" His vision quickly shifted up to the moon in the sky than back down to its original position.

Glaring at the man, Inuyasha pulled the rock into a fist and crossed his arms. "What do you mean what happened?" He asked through gritted teeth, trying to contain his anger.

Sango took a step closer towards him and quickly scanned over his appearance. "You're human is what he's trying to say. How is that possible when tonight isn't the new moon?"

"Oh." Inuyasha started, having forgotten the state in which he was in. 'I guess I forgot.' Looking up at the night sky his arms dropped to his sides and his facial expression fell to a more serious and concerned look. 'This is why Kagome didn't want me to return.'

Miroku tilted his head in a confused manner at his hanyou friend's quick shift in moods. "Something the matter Inuyasha?" He asked solemnly, taking a step towards him.

'Kagome…maybe I shouldn't have-' Shaking his head side to side, he looked back down at his two companions and released his arms. He had to come back no matter what she wanted or how she planned to go about their situation. Sesshomaru had unexpectedly returned and they didn't have any time to waste sorting out plans when innocent lives would be lost. Narrowing his eyes in thought, he curled his fingers into his palm. "Where's Sesshomaru and Mara? Where did they go?" He asked in a stern and demanding voice.

"Mara?" Sango piped up, her eyes widening at the foreign name. 'Could she have been that demon with Sesshomaru?' When Inuyasha and Miroku had directed their attention to her, waiting for her to finish what she had started she continued. "Who is this Mara that you speak of?"

"I don't know exactly who she is but she seems to know Sesshomaru pretty well." Inuyasha said, recalling how she had talked so fondly of Sesshomaru and seemed to believe that bringing him back to life was a brilliant idea.

'It must be her.' Strapping the Hiraikotsu over her shoulder, she nodded her head slightly towards the hanyou and turned in the direction he requested. "The last we saw of them was over that way." She was about to lead them the way when a haunting realization shook her steps. "Inuyasha…you're human. I don't think its such a good idea if you-"

Inuyasha stopped her from speaking with a nudge of his shoulder against hers as he passed by. "That doesn't matter. You two are as well so what's the difference?" He growled, not turning back to look at her as he kept on his way. "Besides, I'd like to make a visit and take back something that belongs to me."

Taking a step beside the demon slayer, Miroku nodded his head in encouragement and smirked. "Lets get going then Sango." Running after the sprinting man in the lead, he wasn't the least bit surprised when only seconds later she was right by his side, her weapon armed and ready.

The demon lord walked in silence throughout the forest and listened in mild amusement to the criticism made on Inuyasha's behalf from the mouth of the youkai who walked at his side. She was unknown to him and he somewhat hated her company. A demon in his position didn't need a sidekick tagging along on his individual journeys. As he was about to dismiss the unwanted demon, a sour scent passed by his nose and he stopped abruptly.

Mara gasped and looked up at her new found master. "What seems to be the problem my lord?" She asked, clutching the orb tightly in her grasp. Bowing her head slightly, her eyes locked on the demon's who's stared beyond the forest she waited quietly for the answer.

Sesshomaru turned his body towards the forest and sniffed the air carefully. "Can you not smell it?" His very monotone voice questioned the demon below him. 'Inuyasha…how ironic.' Resting his hand atop the newly obtained sword the Tokijin, he listened for his prey to arrive.

Looking where Sesshomaru had now turned she frowned and smelt the night's cold air, though catching nothing she recognized. "No I do not. What is it that you smell?" Straightening her back, she stepped closer to his side and watched his cemented facial expression.

Sensing a sudden rustle within the forest, Sesshomaru prepared himself for whom he would see. "He's here." Right as his words were spoken, three figures emerged from the heavy brush and instantaneously glared in his direction, their weapons drawn and ready for a fight.

Inuyasha snaked his hand around the Tetseiga, even knowing the fact that it wouldn't transform didn't mean that he still couldn't use it. He grit his teeth when he spotted Mara holding the orb that contained his demonic power and getting to her didn't appear to be as easy as he would've liked. His older brother slowly unsheathed his sword and stood protectively in front of her. "Get out of the way Sesshomaru. I didn't come here to fight you. Not yet." He said, trying to sound threatening but serious at the same time.

A mischievous smirk played upon Sesshomaru's lips as he watched his younger half-brother stand his ground and attempt to send him away. "Inuyasha." His eyes examined the boy ahead of him. "You forebode me…even though you are just merely a human. Are you not afraid?"

"Like hell I ain't!" He shouted, somewhat intimidated by his taunting brother. "Now get out of the way before I take you down too!" Springing from his spot and ripping the dull Tetseiga from its sheath, Inuyasha charged at the youkai. Slicing his sword horizontally, confident that it would hit he was surprised when his enemy dashed out of the way and appeared beside him.

Sesshomaru frowned down upon his brother and firmed his grip on his sword before he roughly cut it across his arm. His eyes followed the mortal as he fell to his knees and wrap his hand around his bloody wound. "Did you honestly think I'd allow myself to be injured by a mere mortal?" He questioned in a sinister voice.

"Inuyasha!" Sango cried, running from her spot in a panic and raising her boomerang with both hands over her shoulder to throw at the demon. "Hirai-" Unable to finish as her enemy turned her way and snapped his poison whip in her direction, she quickly lowered her weapon in front of her and grit her teeth as she was pushed back to where she started.

Glaring at the demon exterminator as his whip returned to his hand, Sesshomaru bared his fangs at her to impose a threat as he spoke. "Do not interfere or next time you won't be so lucky." He watched as the monk ran by her side to check to see if she was all right.

"Sesshomaru." Mara said to direct his attention over to her. Lowering her eyes to the human Inuyasha as he began to stand to his feet she continued. "What do we do with him?"

Using the Tetseiga for support, Inuyasha rose to his feet and clutched tightly to his bleeding arm. 'I forgot how much it hurts to be human.' Wrapping both hands around his sword's hilt, trying to ignore the pulsing pain in his right arm, he lifted his hazel eyes to his enemy and frowned as if to mean business.

The youkai grinned and straightened out his shoulders. "Leave him to me. He needs to be taught a lesson about knowing his place in this world." Turning his back on the demon he stepped in front of his mortal brother and pushed his sword's blade against that of the Tetseiga's. "Don't you Inuyasha?"

A heavy scowl painted his pale face and he began to grind his teeth at his brother. "Fuck you Sesshomaru! I ain't the one who needs to be taught a fucking lesson here!" Pulling the Tetseiga away from the demon he thrust it at his enemy's chest but pierced only air as he moved behind him. A sharp pain surged across his back as his enemy attacked him from behind.

Sesshomaru's facial expression never changed as the human he had struck so carelessly fell to his knees once again. "Do you want to die Inuyasha? Is that what you want?" He wasn't planning on killing his rival in such a vulnerable state for it would bring him no pride or satisfaction. He'd just become one of the several hundred other demons who have slaughtered a human and he knew he was better than that.

Wincing in pain, Inuyasha used his hands for support and stared wide-eyed at the ground beneath him. If only he was half-demon again. Then he could finish off both Mara and Sesshomaru without Kagome getting involved. "Damnit." He muttered, his voice shaky from such wishful thinking. Peering out the corner of his eyes, he spotted the second demon that held possession of his demonic power. Sliding his hand across the dirt and taking hold of the Tetseiga, he leapt from the ground and ran at her. "Mara you-"

"Not so fast Inuyasha." Sesshomaru hissed, snatching onto Inuyasha's wrist and pulling it behind his back. He held his sword at his neck to stop him from moving any further. "Mara." He said in a stern voice, lifting his eyes to the demon. "I advise you do it now."

With a nod of her head towards her master, Mara turned her attention towards the hostile human. Grinning devilishly, she lifted the dark orb to her chest and her eyes flickered shades of red. "I must thank you Inuyasha for this gift you have given me. You won't be sorry. I'll make sure to put it to good use."

Inuyasha struggled against Sesshomaru at her threats but tried to keep distance between his neck and the blade of the sword. "Give me back what's mine Mara or else!" He shouted, his eyebrows furrowed down upon his eyes.

Mara smirked at the human and snickered at what he had said. "Or else what Inuyasha? Don't make me laugh." Gazing down at the orb a sharp white fang slipped over her crimson lip and her small smirk spread across her face to an evil grin.

"What is she going to do?" Sango whispered, lowering her weapon to the ground. 'If I try to stop her Sesshomaru might harm Inuyasha.' Biting her bottom lip in worry and frustration her grip tightened around the strap of her boomerang.

Miroku frowned and curled his fingers into a fist. "I don't know but we're about to find out." His eyes narrowed as the same demonic smoke began to rise from where her fingers touched the ball.

Her emerald eyes lifted slowly and met the fearful stare of the human boy held in her master's arms. "Inuyasha." She hissed, her voice distant and sinister with every syllable. "It's time!" She exclaimed, thrusting her arms up to the sky. Dark clouds began to gather and swirl above their heads. Thunder crashed in low trembles when the clouds collided with one another.

Inuyasha's insides shivered at Mara's chuckle and he thought for a second that his heart had stopped. He could feel Sesshomaru's grip on his wrist get tighter with the intensity of what was going on. Cursing in his mind he glanced over to the side to his companions, begging them to do anything to stop what was happening. As he was about to turn back, a tiny pink light emitted past the darkness of the forest grabbed his attention. 'What the…'

"Finally! Now I can have all the power I require to become an unstoppable demon!" Mara shouted in excitement as the smoke surrounded her body. She laughed loudly, a full set of fangs exposed and stared up into the bottom of the orb. 'Sesshomaru will be most pleased. Then we can take over this pitiful human infested land!'

A sharp hissing sound from behind directed both the monk and demon exterminator to the forest over their shoulders. As they turned on their heels, an arrow whipped past their ears, throwing their hair into their faces. Both gasped and followed it with their eyes.

Sensing a disturbance beyond her knowledge, Mara's eyes fell and grew wide at what was aimed right above her. She choked on her angered scream and was about to bring the orb into her chest when the tiny arrow pierced right through it. Her hands clapped together as it shattered into pieces and shards of black crystal glass rained down on her face. Growling in rage, her arms falling to her sides she glared at the human boy accusingly.

Inuyasha couldn't help but grin as the demonic smoke surrounded his own body and seeped into his mouth. Like a cloud passing swiftly over a mountain he was transformed back into his half-demon form once again. Without a seconds delay, his claws dug into Sesshomaru's wrist and he ripped his arm away. Leaping over in front of his friends, he grinned at the tempered demon sorceress. "What's wrong Mara? Your plan get spoiled?" He watched in amusement as she cringed with hate.

"But who shot that arrow?" Miroku asked, stepping beside the cocky hanyou. Was it Kaede or could it have been Kagome? At the sound of footsteps and heavy huffs for air, Miroku turned around and smiled at whom he saw. "Kagome it was you." He said, the clear hint of appreciation in his voice.

Kagome smiled and nodded her head. "Yup." Stepping beside Sango who stood slightly behind Inuyasha, she strapped her bow over her shoulder. She couldn't help but get an uneasy feeling at Mara's heated glare that was directed right at her.

Crossing his arms across his chest and avoiding eye contact with the girl by looking in the other direction, Inuyasha wrinkled his nose. "Thought you weren't coming?" He asked in an annoyed tone of voice.

Kagome grit her teeth and shot a glare at the hanyou who, unlike the rest, didn't seem at all happy that she had come back. "I wasn't going to but it's a sure good thing I did seeing as what was going on. Why can't you just thank me for saving your butt!" Sango's small giggle at what she said made her hard facial expression soften.

Inuyasha bit the inside of his mouth at her request and shut his twitching eyes. He hated it when she tested his pride. "What happened to making a plan?" He said to try and get her going. Smirking, he looked at the monk for applause but got nothing of the sort.

"Well. Isn't this a sight for sore eyes." Sesshomaru commented unhappily, slipping his bloodied arm into his sleeve. His golden eyes narrowed when his hanyou brother spun around and gripped onto the hilt of his sword. "And you're looking as pitiful as ever." He taunted.

Ripping the Tetseiga from its sheath, Inuyasha positioned it in front of him and growled. "Lets end this now Sesshomaru." Watching his brother do the same he dug his feet into the ground then leapt in attack. "The sooner the better!"

Sesshomaru grinned and ran out to meet him. "Same goes to you Inuyasha." A loud clap of thunder crashed above their heads when his sword collided with Inuyasha's. Gusts of wind swirled around their feet and sparks where their swords connected flew past their faces. 'The sooner the better indeed.'