Love beyond the Western Lands: Curse of the Black Gem
Chapter 18: War at Seibai-Zan
Time flew by quickly as the warriors worked quickly to strengthen themselves. But as the time for war came, everyone stiffened up.
As they all took Energy Elixirs and getting their armor ready and supplies, the servants prepared the weapons. Sword specialists oiled the blades to top-shelf shape. Professional bow and arrow makers sharpened the arrowheads, smoothed out the shaft while making it lightweight and hardening the feathers. For the bows, they glazed it with oak oil for it to give the best snap as well as oiling the string to make it more durable. Scales from the Komodo dragon were taken to be sliced apart like onion layers and wrapped around from where they are bent. Ones doing the halberds and spears basically did the same thing.
Then, the day came.
The soldiers marched out from the castle grounds, clad in dull but hefty armor to avoid catching the light and baring their weapons, with Sesshoumaru, Kikyou, Cha-Yang, Haruka, Shunjo, Enju (who fully recovered after the mages finally concocted an elixir to knit her bone back as well restoring her back to fitness health) and the Inu-Tachi up front.
The soldiers divided neatly into ten rectangles, each leaded by one adult and split apart.
Within thirty minutes, they reached the gargantuan Seibai-Zan. Each soldier guzzled down one Energy Elixirs and waited.
"I'm surprise you came!" a voice rang out. Everyone but the Youkai gripped the weapons. An explosion erupted throughout the plains as the top of the mountain blew off, demons flying out like locusts. "Well, everyone!" Kikyou yelled as the demons descended with renewed slowness as Cha-Yang had casted a Time-Defying Charm. "You have all came this far! We came this far to fight over the evil which has kept us rigid as marble tops! Now! Fight with all you've got!"
The soldiers and Youkai gave a loud raucous cheer as Cha-Yang released the Charm. The demons came plummeting down like rocks as the seal was released. The archers launched their arrows, sending them flying into the demons' bodies. Blood spurted as if it rained form the sky itself. A battalion of halberd-wielders were digging into the base of Seibai-Zan, knowing more demons would spout from the top. When they had dug a large enough hole, huge vats of fiery oil was poured in it with a fresh sizzling sound. Fresh screams were amidst.
Everyone soon spilt apart and began their own fights. Naraku was nowhere to be seen, nor Riko. Kagura seemed to be immediately taken down when the archers shot purified arrows at her. Hakudoushi fared better but was soon killed too. In two hours time, the entire Naraku-Gumi was killed. Only Naraku and Riko were nowhere to be seen.
Soon, both armies were down to half. A great laughter filled the air. "You have all made it this far!" it yelled. The top of Seibai-Zan exploded again; Naraku and Riko burst from the top, holding glowing halberds and cut apart seven of the nearest warriors. A group of bigger Oni came plummeting down along. Inuyasha screamed a barbaric cry and bashed Toukijin down, dinging Naraku's halberd. Kikyou drew two broadswords and spun in the air then hitting directly down on Riko, which took off a sleeve of her winter battle kimono.
Sango and Miroku both leapt into the air, and beat down 3 of the nearest warriors as Sesshoumaru and Shunjo raised their blades and quickly fought off 4 Oni.
Meanwhile, in the distance, Cha-Yang led the battalion of archers. "Aim and fire!" The archers shot their arrows with blue flames following them. The arrows landed on the greater Oni, making horrible shrieking noises. Enju and Haruka produced a great amount of flames and then throwing it down at Naraku and Riko, which the evaded with difficulty.
A telepathic message was spread amongst Sesshoumaru's army: Attack the Oni and Naraku's warriors. Leave Naraku and Riko, for they are Kikyou's targets and mine.
As everyone spread to continue fighting to weaken each other's forces, Sesshoumaru and Kikyou faced Naraku and Riko. "Hizashi murodana, Kikyou, Sesshoumaru (It's been a long time, Kikyou, Sesshoumaru)," Riko said arrogantly. "Aisen (I'm not sure it actually means "As are you", but I've heard somewhere where a person said it XD), Riko," Kikyou said. "Naraku..." Sesshoumaru began. "You have no idea how long I awaited for this day the moment you touched Kikyou and pitted her against me in hopes of killing me," Sesshoumaru said bitterly. Kikyou and Riko drew their weapons and made into battle.
"Now, now, Sesshoumaru," Naraku said over the clashing metal. "You had to admit that it was pretty clever. Hari's ability was, after all, natural to control others." Sparks flew from Kikyou's Nihon and Riko's halberd. "Shut up and just get ready to fight," Sesshoumaru hissed, drawing his Toukijin. Naraku laughed manically. Sesshoumaru charged at Naraku, shutting him up instantly. Sesshoumaru flicked his Toukijin, sending Naraku flying. "Kikyou!" he called. He turned to look around. Kikyou was no where to be found, as was Riko.
Sesshoumaru dodged a gush of blood from a Youkai on his side and a piece of broken metal from a Katana as Naraku came sailing back at him with renewed strength and rage. He slammed halberd on Toukijin, making sparks fly. "How dare you pushed me away just to make sure things are going fine for Kikyou..." Naraku hissed. Naraku added more pressure onto Sesshoumaru's blade but Sesshoumaru was able to stay his ground. "You're just jealous because you have no one to love!"
Sesshoumaru knocked away Naraku's halberd then both their blades slashed at each other's torso, tearing the cloth. Both men paused then turned away, ripping off the cloth from their body. They faced once more and charged, their weapons clashing. Naraku nicked Sesshoumaru on the chest with the tip of his halberd as Sesshoumaru made a long scratch on Naraku's face. Naraku touched the scratch. "You ruined my best feature!" he cried. Sesshoumaru cocked an eyebrow. "When did you even have a best feature!" Sesshoumaru exclaimed. The two men charged at each other once again. A cloud of dust surrounded them. Flashes of light as well as occasional yelling emanated from the clod.
After what appeared to be an hour, both men were worn and dirty. Naraku was more injured than Sesshoumaru; three scratches were on both of his arms as well as huge gashes on his chest and back. Sesshoumaru was equally injured, only his gashes were not as numerous and big.
Naraku charged.
Sesshoumaru got into position.
Then he faltered.
Naraku stopped running, clutching his side. "Is this what the great Naraku can get up to in a full brawl?" Sesshoumaru said. "Urusai," Naraku whispered. He looked up. Sesshoumaru smiled. "Hnh. Looks like the poison I created from killing your Oni worked." Naraku winced. "Ah yes... I forgot. Oni blood with Oni blood makes poison."
Sesshoumaru raised Toukijin once more. "Shine (SHEE-NE. ... Or did you already forget it means "die"? -.-)."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Riko shot some crossbow arrows at Kikyou, all that she blocked with her Toukijin, as they ran through the stifling hot heat in the mountain, which was actually a volcano! "Stop running, coward!" Kikyou yelled, throwing some of her throwing knives. They grew uncomfortably warm from the heat of the volcano. Riko blocked it with her halberd. "Don't call me a coward!" Riko yelled, sending an energy bolt.
Riko sped ahead, leaving Kikyou in the scorching heat. Kikyou paused her pursuit to stamp her feet and curse at how hot it was. "Damn volcano!" she yelled, tearing off three layers of her Haori and three layers of her Hakama. She continued running and then came to see two tunnels. "Righty tighty, lefty loosey..." Kikyou thought. She ran towards the left and came to a clearing that was less warm but still unbearable.
Riko stood in the middle. In the corner was a pile of cloth; she ripped off some layers as well. Riko chuckled. "So you found here alright, Kikyou." "Enough talk, Riko." Kikyou cocked up Nihon and let her demon stripes appear. "Fight." Riko smirked and charged.
After what appeared to be an hour, both women were exhausted and sported numerous injuries. Riko had the worst injury of them all; a gash extending from her neck down to her waist. Kikyou got up but faltered. "I'm useless now," Riko said. It was no more than a whisper. Kikyou's X scar was opened again.
"Saa... Korose watashi wo (So... kill me)."
Riko got up as her halberd shattered. Kikyou heaved a breath. "If you had not turned evil, you probably could have lived," Kikyou said. Riko scoffed. "You are the one who made me who I am now. Kill me. Do it now." Kikyou paused.
She lifted the Nihon.
She ran.
Riko shut her eyes.
Kikyou raised the weapon and struck.
An image flashed before Riko's eyes; Naraku was about to be killed by Sesshoumaru!
Riko opened her eyes again and stopped Kikyou's attack.
Kikyou blinked. "I'm sorry, Kikyou, but I can't die yet." She ran out of the chamber. Kikyou followed.
Riko burst out of the volcano's mouth and sped down to where Sesshoumaru was about to kill Naraku.
Riko threw herself onto Naraku, Toukijin slicing into her back. Everybody was silent with shock. "Riko... doushite?" Naraku whispered. Riko coughed up blood but smiled. "I was going to die anyway." "But why?" Riko tightened her hands on Naraku and smiled. "Why did you think I joined you, Naraku?" Naraku was speechless. "Because I was in love with you. I know that I could never love you the way I would if we were on opposite sides." "Oh, Riko..." Naraku planted his lips on Riko's as they both fell into transcendent bliss.
The Oni fell.
Sesshoumaru and Kikyou's army cheered.
Sesshoumaru clasped Kikyou in his arms. "I'm glad you made it out alive," he whispered into her amethyst hair. "I'm glad you weren't able to soil your blade." Sesshoumaru smiled. They both turned to look at Riko and Naraku's corpses. They were interlocked in an eternal embrace as their bodies broke down into shimmering dust. "Do you really think they could have been true to themselves and not evil?" "I don't know, Kikyou. Perhaps they will go into purgatory." The black gems around Riko and Naraku's neck were slowly purifying back to lilac and then they shattered.
In the distance, they heard Inuyasha propose to Kagome, and Kagome laughing and saying I do. "Looks like we will have to help prepare a wedding," Kikyou said, smiling slightly. "What!" Sesshoumaru exclaimed. "I thought Inuyasha will always be your sworn enemy!" Kikyou pursed her lips. "And I thought he's your brother, Sesshoumaru. Deal with it." "Half-brother, Kikyou," Sesshoumaru corrected. Kikyou merely shrugged as everyone made way back to the castle; Rin and Tomo having a celebration with the younger warriors up front. "Either way he's still your brother." Sesshoumaru started to say something but Kikyou cut him off by kissing him on the lips. "Don't try to deny it, dear." She smiled. Sesshoumaru smiled as well. With a slightly pouting look.
Owari!
Owari means end! Bwahaa! xD Thank you all who have been reading this fanfiction and reviewing as well! It has motivated me a LOT for continue writing! Please stay tuned for my next fanfiction, which is a Harry Potter fanfiction!