Battle Sounds

"Look out Sango!" She looked up at Inuyasha's cry too late, Kuromaru catching the edge of the hiraikotsu, knocked it away but her training kicked in and she drew her sword in time to stop a killing blow. Taking advantage of Kuromaru's distraction, Kirara jumped up, caught his arm in her teeth. Kuromaru howled in pain and rage. Turning his head he took a deep breath and released it in Kirara's direction. It was miasma. The two-tail let go in order to escape the fumes and just that quick his other hand lashed out and grabbed Sango by the neck.

'Oh no, I can't breathe!' Was her desperate thought as her feet left the ground. Sango began to black out then suddenly she was falling to the ground, gasping. It was Kirara who saved her, attacking from the side she had rammed Kuromaru sending him flying.

Kuromaru once on his feet again moved away. "Damn cat!" He took time to check his arm where her teeth had sliced through it.

Inuyasha was getting tired of just avoiding the spikes, it was time to attack. Jumping high, "Wind Scar!"

Miekomaru hadn't been expecting Inuyasha to go on the offensive and didn't move away in time. In shock, he looked at his left arm but it was no longer there. Screaming in pain he crumpled to the ground.

"Brother!" Kuromaru forgot his wounds and joined his brother. Inuyasha had actually managed to hurt him. "Just hold on! I'll finish this and father will make you whole again." Miasma was flowing freely from his mouth now as he stood to face Inuyasha.

The two faced each other, waiting to see who would make the first move but before anything could happen – the sound of and arrow being released, caught their attention.

Kagome stood proud as she watched her arrow hit its mark. Miekomaru tried to scream as he was pierced and blown away. She nodded, the monster that attacked Miroku so ruthlessly was gone.

"Nooooo! Miekomaru, Miekomaru! You wench! Die!" He started towards her but Inuyasha headed him off. Swords clashed and the sound reverberated through the trees.

Leaning against Kirara, Sango went over to Kagome who was placing the quiver over her shoulder. Looking over at Miroku she asked, "How is he?"

"He's holding his own. Sango you rest and watch over him, I'm going to see if I can help Inuyasha. I've given Shippo the water bottle with medicine in it; if Miroku looks like he needs it, give him more." Kagome grabbed her hand tightly, "Be positive for him." That said she moved closer to the action.

"Damn, he seems stronger than before. My arms are throbbing from trying to hold him back." Inuyasha watched his enemy as he tried to catch his breath.

Kuromaru's rage gave him an even greater strength; his blows were fast and heavy. That half-demon was only able to block his sword and if he stayed in his face, he wouldn't be able to use the wind scar. Just thinking about what that attack did to his brother, fired him up even more.

"You'll pay for hurting my brother but that - that woman will suffer hard and long before I release her to the afterlife. Pity you won't be around to hear her screams." Kuromaru smiled as he imagined what he would do to Kagome.

"Leave Kagome out of this!" The words had just left his lips when Kuromaru leaned in close to breathe in Inuyasha's face. As he tilted back to avoid the full force of the miasma, Kuromaru brought his sword down and slashed Inuyasha's right arm.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome couldn't stay away and ran to his side.

For a moment he dropped the tetsusaiga but quickly grabbed it with his left hand as he moved with Kagome away from the enemy. "Is it bad?" His arm hung loosely as blood dripped to the ground.

"This is nothing but without my right arm, the wind scar won't be as powerful. Damn him." Inuyasha was worried, how could he defeat him with only half his power.

Kuromaru thought to move in but Kagome's arrow flashing by his cheek halted him. "Give it up woman! A mere human like you cannot hope to beat me. Look at you – a human and a half-demon trying to protect each other. The two of you deserve to be destroyed together!"

"Stay behind me Kagome!" Inuyasha brought up the tetsusaiga in his left hand.

Kagome nodded, "Okay." She did as she was told but had an arrow ready to fire as well. Inuyasha was haning in there but the constant battering was wearing him down.