Chapter 13: Sanctity
Sesshomaru glared at the human boy in disgust and threw him to the ground. "How pathetic Inuyasha. I've never seen you look so pitiful before. Is it because of your human blood that you've turned into such a coward?" He said in anger and jabbed his sword in Inuyasha's direction. "You humans are all alike. Now stand Inuyasha! Stand and give me some sort of a fight!" He shouted. "I will not kill you if you have already chosen death! I'll leave that to another demon, now get up!" Slashing his sword through the flesh of his brother's arm he growled, warning the weak human.
Wrapping his hand around his wound, Inuyasha grunted and lifted his body from the ground. He didn't choose death. Death had chosen him and Sesshomaru would be the one to deliver it whether he was aware of it or not. Rocking a bit on his feet, his hand still on his arm, the blood dripping off his fingertips, Inuyasha frowned and glared at the youkai. "I doubt you'll let another demon kill me. After all, that's why you keep fighting me isn't it? You want to be the one to do it." He spat, staring down the demon with his dark eyes.
Cringing at the truth, Sesshomaru lifted his hand and released his poison whip. Snapping it across his brother's cheek brought him so much satisfaction. "Come at me Inuyasha." He hissed, trying to bottle up all his hate till the boy attacked. "I can wait all night if you'd like."
While rubbing the blood from the side of his face, Inuyasha snorted and shot a glare and a sly smirk in the demon's direction. "I don't think you can wait that long. You obviously want to kill me. I may be human but I can tell. But if you want to wait that's just fine." He taunted, flicking away the blood on his fingertips. "Because when the sun rises I'll be back to my old self again." He said in a deep voice, displaying his fangs that grew small and turned into normal human teeth.
Sesshomaru growled at his brother's stubbornness that didn't seem to fade away with his demon blood and clutched both hands around the hilt of his sword. "Watch your mouth Inuyasha. It may be the only reason I'll have to kill you. Now that I think about it," He paused and let loose a small smirk. "I don't think it'll look that bad on me if I do kill a human. In fact, I'll be killing your human friends anyway so what's one more to toss onto the pile?"
Inuyasha bit his bottom lip and glared at the demon, his knuckles cracking at his side. "You won't touch them! You kill me and leave them alone! They do not deserve to die!" He shouted, throwing a fist through the air to emphasize the point he was making.
"Oh?" Sesshomaru said in a bit of surprise. "And how not? If I do recall, all three of them were the causes of my death last time. They are more of a threat to me than you are Inuyasha. Half-demon or not.' He smirked as the human shifted in his spot. "I've put off killing them for now but next time we meet…they're dead." Lifting his sword to his chest, he planted his feet into the ground and prepared himself for the boy to make his first move.
"You wouldn't dare." Inuyasha hissed, imagining their next encounter with Sesshomaru without him around. 'Kagome…Sango and Miroku…they'll all die because I dragged them into this. All because I couldn't kill Sesshomaru that one time.' His fingers curled into a fist when he pictured their dead bodies surrounding Sesshomaru who was covered in their blood. 'No. It won't happen.' Raising his eyes to meet the demon's, he frowned heavily. "I'll make sure you never see them again!" He hollered, running from his spot and wrapping his hands over Sesshomaru's that held onto the Tokijin. 'If I get his sword away I have some chance to make it till morning.' He grunted as he tried to pull the weapon out of the demon's grasp.
Sesshomaru looked down at his brother's pitiful attempt in disgust but didn't do anything immediately to swat him away. He just watched for a few seconds at how desperate he looked. "Just like a human." He muttered under his breath, though loud enough for anyone close to him to hear. Removing one hand from his sword, he grabbed a fistful of Inuyasha's hair and snapped his head backwards. "I've made an exception for you my dear brother. I will gladly be the one to end your life even in such a weak and pathetic condition."
Gasping quietly, feeling each strand of hair separate from his head, Inuyasha kept his eyes on the sword, determined to take it away. His hands suddenly began to burn and he was shocked to see a light green mist rise from where his skin touched the demons. Tears stung his eyes as the burning intensified and his chest grew heavy, his breathing becoming more and more difficult as it entered and exited his lungs. Against all that he wanted, he found himself letting go and soon his hands weren't even near the sword but on the back of his head to tug at his hair.
"Does it hurt Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru hissed in his ear. He was so close that he could feel the heat radiating of his prey's face and almost hear the steady pulse of his heart. His brother's whimpers to be let go only made him furious and he forced him to the ground. "Enough of this! I'm ashamed enough to have to call you my brother! I'm disgraced by my father to even think that the blood that runs in my veins runs in yours!" Stepping in front of the human, crushing his hand underneath his foot so to stop him from escaping, he lifted his sword over Inuyasha's neck to aim correctly than lifted it above his own head. "Die Inuyasha. Enjoy your stay in hell!" He shouted, thrusting his sword downwards.
Piercing it's way out of the forest, it's aura melting away anything that came in contact, a tiny pink shining arrow shot out of the bushes and collided with the sword in the demon's hand. The sword was thrown out of his grip and wedged its way deep into a nearby tree.
Sesshomaru gasped in shock and ran for his sword. Who had shot that arrow he wasn't certain but one thing was for sure, he could smell Kagome very close by and it was beginning to make him very nervous. Reaching the tree that held his sword, he wrapped his fingers around the hilt and pulled frantically to get it loose.
The arrow that he hit Sesshomaru's sword fell by Inuyasha's side and he shook when it landed. 'Kagome.' Picking up the weapon, he stood higher on his knees and looked behind him. A blurred figure was emerging from the thick black forest and he didn't need his demonic sense of smell to know who it was.
No longer able to bear the pain in her leg, Kagome stumbled out of the brush and was surprised to be caught in someone's arms. Lifting her head from the person's chest she smiled weakly when she looked into his dark hazel eyes. "Inuyasha." She whispered. 'He's alive. Thank goodness.' Without letting him have a chance to speak, she let herself rest in his arms, happy to see that he was still with her.
Inuyasha smiled and brushed back the hair that was sticking to her face. "Thank you." He said softly, pressing his cheek atop her head. Within only a few seconds, the stale smell of blood entered his nose and he pulled her away from him. Scanning down her body, his eyes stopped when he spotted the blood soaking through the bandage on her leg. "Kagome you're…" He paused and went silent. That wound on her leg was his doing. She was injured, in pain and bleeding because of him. "You shouldn't be here. Where's Sango and Miroku? I thought they were watching you." He said, forcing her to the side and looking back into the dark forest, expecting to see them arrive.
Kagome shook her head and pushed his hands off her shoulders. "They're busy with another demon. I came alone." She watched his expression fall to one of annoyance. Frowning, displeased that he seemed no longer appreciative of her appearance, she looked behind him towards the demon. "Sesshomaru." She said in a stern voice, putting her bow and quiver down by her feet. "You knew I was coming and I hope you're aware of what I'm going to do."
Inuyasha's mouth fell open at the sound of her voice and he spun around to see her facing the youkai, staring right into his eyes. "Kagome what the hell do you think you're doing? Don't be so stupid." He hissed, grabbing onto her shoulder to lead her away. With Sesshomaru struggling to release his sword, it made for the perfect escape. As he went to speak again, he bit his tongue when she turned her head slightly and glared at him with the iciest look he'd ever seen come from her. Reluctantly letting go of her shoulder he swallowed back any argument he had wanted to start and followed her gaze towards the demon.
The sound of the girl's voice sent cold shivers down his spine and made his hair stand on end. If there was one human he had to worry about it was her. Slowly, he looked over his shoulder and shuddered at the sight of her. The smell of her blood made him nauseous and he began to choke on air again as if someone had just wrapped their fingers around his throat. Not wanting to show weakness, he stood taller, one hand still on his jammed sword and smirked. "You speak with such confidence. Have you still yet to realize what you've gotten yourself into?" He said calmly, licking his fangs at the end of his speech.
Kagome's lips curled into a small grin and she narrowed her eyes at the demon. "No. I know what I've gotten myself into and I also know how it'll end. Sesshomaru you will not live to see the break of day!" She shouted, her grin not fading as she glared right into the demon's golden eyes.
Sesshomaru stayed silent for a few seconds before chuckling low in his chest. That chuckle grew into a rage of laughter and it echoed around the empty space of the forest in which they all stood. He soon recollected himself and observed the girl's expression grow more intense with anger. "You would like to believe that wouldn't you? I won't live to see the break of day." He repeated to himself, amused by her choice of words. "You are sorely mistaken my dear Kagome. I will live to see many more mornings but this…this will be your last!" He shouted, leaping from his spot and pouncing at the priestess with his whip already unleashed.
Reacting just in time, Inuyasha dove out in front of Kagome and winced as the whip wrapped itself around his arm, burning through his haori and eating away at his flesh. "Get out of here Kagome! Run!" He ordered through gritted teeth, the veins on his neck embossing his skin as he tried to endure the incinerating pain.
Knowing she should listen, Kagome bit her bottom lip and shook her head frantically side to side. "No. We do this together." She knew he was furious with her just by the way he looked at her and didn't speak. Turning from him, she spotted the Tetseiga and instantly got an idea. Snatching at the Tetseiga's sheath from Inuyasha's hip, she took it from him and stood right by his side. "Let go of him!" She screamed, holding the sheath with two hands and thrusting it at the demon.
Sesshomaru's eyes widened in fear and he jumped back to avoid contact. "Damnit you wench!" He muttered, returning the whip to his fingertips. Running for his sword he began tugging at it again but kept his eye on the two humans behind him. As much as he hated to admit it, he was scared. Terrified actually of this one woman. Her grudge against him was unlike any other he had ever experienced and it turned his blood to ice. Sweat pricked at the back of his neck as he become more desperate to remove his sword.
Inuyasha ripped away his torn sleeve and studied his wound. "Damn." He cursed, pressing his hand over it to apply pressure. It burnt more than usual but he knew the exact reason why. "I hate being human." A small gasp came from the girl behind him and he looked at her as she rubbed her face. "You're not looking too well. Leave now before things get worse." He told her, pointing where he wanted her to go.
"I'm fine." Kagome mumbled, too weak to even make her lips move properly to speak. If she did leave than Inuyasha wouldn't stand a chance. He didn't know it but sending her away would only kill him. The sheath was taken from her and she clenched her hands together to stop them from shaking. "I know his weakness." She started, not looking at the hanyou. "As long as I'm alive he cannot fight to his full potential. He holds back."
Inuyasha nodded his head slowly and whiped the blood on his hand from his wound onto his haori. "Yeah, I noticed that as well." His eyes narrowed towards the demon that kept a close eye on them. "If we can stall till morning we may be able to make it out of this alive." He suggested, rubbing his hands together.
Shaking her head, Kagome pulled out the jewel from underneath her shirt and held it out in front of her. "We don't need to stall. I've got a plan." She looked up at Inuyasha with a serious and determined expression upon her face.
He didn't like how confident she sounded but anything was better than nothing. Putting his hand on her shoulder, he directed her eyes into his and sighed lightly. "Stay here. Let me get the Tetseiga then you can tell me." She didn't nod but she seemed to understand and obey. Walking past her he headed towards his sword.
Kagome faced the demon again, their eyes locking and facial expressions identical. It angered her how obvious Inuyasha made it that he doubted her. She'd show him. And when she killed that demon he'd never think twice about her ideas ever again. Dropping the Shikon jewel against her chest, hiding it underneath her clothing, she took her first step and limped in the demon's direction.
Leaning down to the ground and picking up the dull and rusty sword, Inuyasha smirked, pleased to have it back again. Although the sword was totally useless in his current state it smothered him with a feeling of security nonetheless. He sheathed it and strapped it back at his side. Turning back to Kagome, he opened his mouth to speak but no sound came out when he saw she no longer stood there. He immediately looked at the demon and gasped when he saw she was already halfway there. "Kagome no!" He shouted and ran out to stop her before it was too late.
Sesshomaru growled as she grew closer and refused to look away no matter how scary he made himself look or sound. She made him more uncomfortable by the second that he just lost it. Tightening his grip around the hilt, he grit his teeth and tore it out from the tree. He'd kill her now, both of them and get it done and over with. Then he'd take the jewel away from her and reclaim what he once was. Seeing Inuyasha in the corner of his eyes, he lifted the sword over his head then stabbed it into the ground. A large amount of blue energy surfaced, ripping apart the earth's surface and charged at the human boy it had been aimed at.
Inuyasha choked and dove out of the way but not unharmed. As he was mid-air, Sesshomaru's attack ripped through the pants of his haori and sliced open the side of his leg. He cried out in pain as he landed, shutting his eyes tightly and pulled his injured leg into his chest. Blood seeped through the cracks between his fingers and soaked into the ground as he put pressure on the open wound.
Chuckling at the hit, Sesshomaru swung his sword around his hip and got ready to strike again. Inuyasha would have no time to escape and then finally he would have killed his half-breed brother. His eyes flickered red as he anticipated the sweet taste of his brother's blood and the satisfying feeling he would receive in knowing he would never have to smell his hybrid stench ever again. "This is it little brother. See you in hell!" He roared.
"Sesshomaru!" Kagome shouted, stepping in the runway leading towards Inuyasha. "You will be the one to die not us." Her bangs darkened above her eyes and intensified the glare she sent to him.
Sesshomaru laughed out loud and shook his head, strands of hair sticking to his sweaty face. "No you're wrong. There is nothing you can do now to stop me. Nothing! I'll kill you too!" He smirked, a fang slipping over his lip. He was going to do it. He would kill his brother and the woman that the both of them loved. "Both of you will die!"
Inuyasha gasped and flopped onto his side, stretching his hand across the dirt as if to reach them. "Kagome run!" He screamed in anguish, fearing that she may die as soon as Sesshomaru made his first move. "Kagome!" He called again when he saw Sesshomaru begin to inch his sword forward.
Kagome stood still, having no intent of moving. Sesshomaru muttered some more words at her but she refused to listen. She only concentrated on what she was about to do. As the demon was about to swipe his sword at her, she thrust her hands forward to meet the blade and stopped it in mid-air.
His golden eyes grew wide in absolute terror. This young woman, this reincarnated shrine maiden had stopped his attack with her bare hands, no weapon at all. He looked down at the Tokijin and tried to pull it away to no success. She had placed a barrier around where her hands just barely touched the sword and trapped it in place. "You bit-"
"What did I tell you Sesshomaru?" She asked in a rough voice, her eyes locked on her barrier. Her body began to tremble violently and beads of sweat rolled down the back of her neck. She slowly looked up to the demon and narrowed her eyes in anger. "Don't underestimate me!" She shouted and drove her hands forward into his chest. The barrier at her fingertips expanded against his body and sent sparks flying at his face. With one final push, it exploded, throwing the two bodies away from each other.
Sesshomaru screamed in pain until he was silenced when his body slammed into a tree. The Tokijin fell from his grasp as he slid down the bark to the ground. His head rolled into his chest and he shut his eyes to try and block out the piercing ring in his ears. He could taste the blood in his mouth and swallowed it back with much difficulty. "Damnit." He muttered in anger.
Kagome's body crashed into the ground and she groaned in distress as she rolled onto her side. Blood filled her mouth and she spit it out onto the ground. Whipping the corner of her lip, she rose to a sitting position and pressed the palm of her hand against her forehead. Everything hurt more than before. She slowly opened her eyes and watched as a cloud of dirt in the distance disappeared and revealed the stunned demon beyond it.
Limping in panic to get to her, Inuyasha collapsed by her side and moved her hair aside to look at her face. "Kagome are you alright?" He asked with quick words. The slow nod of her head told him her answer. He sighed in relief and held onto her hand. "Now's our chance. We have to get out-"
"Inuyasha." Kagome started, not listening to what he had said. "Get me my bow." She instructed, glancing at him then back at their enemy with a serious frown upon her face. "It's time to get rid of an evil demon."