Chapter 10-A Blood thin close victory
The days seemed to become long and slow like the dripping of the sand going through an hour glass as Kagome, Miroku, Shippo, Kikyo, Koga, Kilala, and even Sango waited in their prison's. They waited for Inuyasha to appear with Sesshomorru, who they pictured would be bleeding, bruised, and most likely unconscious from the fighting. However, it never came for over five days and they started to wonder what was happening right then and their in the Western Lands between the armies of Inuyasha and Sesshomorru. In the sweet little mind of the fox demon Shippo, Inuyasha was a half-demon who seemed to know more about battle's fighting, and carnage then even Sesshomorru who had lived much longer then Inuyasha. However, Sesshomorru was no push over even though he had only one arm, he still had the mighty and powerful sword that was Tokijin. However, Inuyasha had his own blade that was Tetsuigia and in Shippo's mind had seen those two swords in action against each other. It would be one interesting fight much less battle between the two and their armies clashing against each other.
Miroku thought it would be Inuyasha that would be the victor in the fight between himself and Sesshomorru when those two family members went head to head. Granted Sesshomorru was the older, wiser, and colder of the two demon brothers. However, Sesshomorru had no idea just how strong Inuyasha had become since they last saw each other. In fact Miroku himself didn't even know how strong Inuyasha was and that had frightened the monk considerably. "What kind of power are you holding back Inuyasha?" said Miroku in the silence of his prison as he stared into the nothingness.
Kagome and Kikyo thought that Inuyasha was a cold, sadistic, and manipulative monster who only cared about himself and the blood he spilled on his hands and sword. The eyes of Inuyasha's that were red, fiery, and dark that had no pupils told them that as did the carnage he created when he fought his enemies. 'I hope Inuyasha looses and dies at the hands of Sesshomorru,' thought the two women at the same time.
Koga who still had a few bruises and cuts compared what he knew about Inuyasha with that of Sesshomorru and put them together. Sesshomorru was cold, calm, and one of the cruelest people he had he had ever seen. Inuyasha was pretty much the same except you could tell right away when Inuyasha was having fun by the smile on his face and the red glow in his eyes. Though it would be a close contest between the two demons, Koga had to go with Inuyasha as the winner of that fight.
Sango as well as Kilala weren't thinking about Inuyasha or Sesshomorru at the time because they were thinking about Kohaku and how his loyalty rested with Inuyasha. Neither could believe that even though Kohaku had a mind and will of his own, he would choose to serve a now evil Inuyasha as well as Tsubaki and not his loyal sister who had been fighting all that time for his freedom. "Why can't things be the way they were before Naraku?" said Sango as she hugged Kilala who was in her little cat form.
Suddenly a commotion could be heard not far from her room of a prison and the loud footsteps of soldiers running could be heard. "What's happening?" said one of the guards outside her door.
"It's General Inuyasha! He has returned, but he has been severely wounded by his brother Sesshomorru and he's in pain from the wound inflicted upon him," said a soldier who sounded as if he was with Inuyasha when it happened.
"What happened?" came the voice of Kohaku in a commanding tone with anger and some concern in his voice for Inuyasha.
"I've been with Inuyasha as you in every single battle with this one being the exception for you master Kohaku. However, I have been or seen in such a battle as this and I truly fear for the General's life as be struggles to live," said the soldier.
"WHAT HAPPENED? ANSWER MELIEUTENANT SHINN!" yelled Kohaku while Sango walked over to the door and pressed her ear close to the door.
(Flashback)
The battle raged as the armies clashed spilling the blood of hundreds if not thousands of demons onto the ground. Inuyasha and Sesshomorru each carved a path of destruction, blood, and death through the opposing sides of the armies to get to each other. "Well Inuyasha I see you've changed since last I saw you. Though to be honest I can't tell if it's an improvement...or an embarrassment to our family name," said Sesshomorru as he stared at Inuyasha.
Inuyasha gave him a sinister as he stared at his older brother with a great deal of intense anticipation for this fight. "After I crush you today my brother...what you think will be irrelevant. Soon I will control the Western Lands just as I now control all the others that fell before me and my armies," said Inuyasha as he and Sesshomorru raised their blades for battle.
"Then attack me Inuyasha. Let us end this bitter family feud between us the only way we know how. By fighting each other till only one of us is left standing that can be the only one considered worthy of ruling the Western Lands," said Sesshomorru as he swung his sword at Inuyasha who countered gracefully with ease.
"You'll have to better then that my brother if you want to defeat me," said Inuyasha who countered Sesshomorru's attack with his own swing.
Sesshomorru blocked the attack in a similar grace as the two demonic swords echoed their power in the form of shockwaves that tore at the ground beneath them. "This is merely a test to measure your skill with a sword Inuyasha. The real struggle for you has just begun," said Sesshomorru who pushed Inuyasha back several feet and shot energy darts at Inuyasha.
"I thought you were making this too easy. I guess it's my fault since I've lead you to believe I was fighting with SOME form effort, but I think we can change that," said Inuyasha who moved with his demon speed in a blink of an eye ad dodged the attack sent at him by Sesshomorru.
Inuyasha appeared behind Sesshomorru as the older of the two brothers turned and swung at Inuyasha as Inuyasha did the same causing an immense shockwave of demonic energy everywhere sending the other demons from each others side lying everywhere. "What makes you think you can even try and defeat me my HALF-demon brother?" said Sesshomorru as he put more pressure on his side against that of Inuyashas.
Inuyasha simply smiled as he matched Sesshomorru's applied pressure with his own. "Simple by older yet...more ignorant full demon brother. I have the desire to win that is much greater then yours!" said Inuyasha who pushed Sesshomorru into the air and back this time even farther then when Sesshomorru did to him.
Sesshomorru flipped in the air and landed gracefully as if it was nothing and stared at Inuyasha calmly. "Very impressive my brother I will give you that. However, you will find that it takes more then a few tricks to defeat the Lord of the Western Lands," said Sesshomorru as he swung Tokijin sending a huge wave of energy at Inuyasha.
"Which is why my brother, I intend to hit you with some old fashion raw skill! Curiosity of being in all those battles that I am undefeated in," said Inuyasha as he sent his own energy from Tetsuigia at Sesshomorru creating the devastating Backlash Wave.
The powerful Backlash Wave attack half surprised Sesshomorru, but was able to counter it with an attack of his own he had develop for just such a very unlikely occasion that Inuyasha would use it against him. "Compared to me your skills are nothing compared to a full blooded demon that you will never be," said an angry Sesshomorru as he swung Tokijin horizontally sending a wave of energy at the Backlash Wave negating its power in an intense explosion that sent both him and Inuyasha flying in opposite directions.
When the smoke cleared Sesshomorru found Inuyasha was not in front of him, but was surprisingly behind him with a big sinister smile on his face. "I think that in time...you will see things in whole new perspective...Sesshomorru," whispered Inuyasha as he ran at full speed with Tetsuigia in mid-swing catching Sesshomorru by surprise.
The attack itself was block by Sesshomorru, but due to the speed, strength, and power behind Inuyasha's assault the Lord of the Western Lands lost his grip on Tokijin. The blade was sent flying away from a surprised Sesshomorru and into the ground far behind him. It was then at that moment Inuyasha spun with his momentum and sliced into Sesshomorru at his waist line with Tetsuigia. "VICTORY IS MINE SESSHOMORRU!" said Inuyasha as his blade was mere seconds away from slicing his brother in half.
However, it just so happened that Sesshomorru's other sword Tenseiga disagreed with what Inuyasha thought and created energy barrier around its master. However, it didn't stop their as Tetsuigia's brother of a sword sent a beam of solid energy from its hilt. The blast was sent directly at Inuyasha piercing through his armor and into his heart and out his back. "By the gods," said Sesshomorru as an explosion consumed them both from the force the two swords of the fang clash against each other sending the two brothers flying in opposite directions yet again. Except this time neither could get off the ground as Sesshomorru was on the ground bleeding as was Inuyasha.
Inuyasha had lost Tetsuigia from his hands and had skidded not far from him when he hit the ground, but even without it Inuyasha was just a mean and tough regardless of him not having Tetsuigia in his hands. Slowly, Inuyasha rose from the blood stained ground as blood left his mouth. A surprised Inuyasha put a hand where the intense energy beam from Tenseiga had pierced his chest. "I...don't...know...how...Tenseiga...did that, but...I know that...that (coughing out blood) shouldn't...have happened," said Inuyasha as he looked at Sesshomorru who slowly got up from the ground with an equally surprised look on his blood filled face.
"General Inuyasha! Are you all right my General?" came the voice of Lieutenant Shinn as he rushed over to Inuyasha who slowly got up as did Sesshomorru.
"His...Tenseiga...it...it did some...something to me. It's a sword of healing so...so how could...could it hurt...hurt me?" said Inuyasha as Shinn supported his master who was breathing heavily.
"We need to get back to the castle with queen Tsubaki so that you maybe properly healed my General. Only Tsubaki has the medical expertise required in order to fix you in your current and weakened condition," said Lieutenant Shinn.
"What of...the battle? Are we...victorious or have...have...we finally been...defeated?" said Inuyasha who stared at Sesshomorru who one of his soldiers carrying him away from the battlefield with Tokijin in hand.
"We are victorious my General. Over two thirds of his armies have been crushed while the rest are in retreat with him right now as you just saw. The day, the battle, and the land currently around us General are ours, but in your current condition you may not live to enjoy it," said Shinn.
"Take me...home Shinn. Home to...to those who I...care for...me as family...and as friends when I...I am near them," said Inuyasha who finally lost consciousness and passed out.
General? GENERAL? GENERAL!" yelled Shinn frantically as summoned some solders to pick up Inuyasha and run with him back to the castle with Tsubaki.
(End Flashback)
"We got back here as fast as we could with the army stationed in the area under his a second Lieutenant he took with him. I General Inuyasha did hat so you wouldn't have to go in case Sesshomorru comes back for a second fight," said Shinn as he saw Kohaku's facial expression was clearly surprised as well as upset.
"Where is General Inuyasha right now?" said Kohaku angrily in a commanding voice.
"He's in the infirmary with other wounded soldiers, but we placed him in a private room under guarded conditions just in case second in command Kohaku," said Lieutenant Shin who was terrified of Kohaku almost as much as he was of Inuyasha.
"I must speak with him while I have a chance. Thank you Lieutenant Shinn you are dismissed for now till I tell you otherwise," said Kohaku who turned swiftly and started running as he headed for the infirmary.
Sango fell back against the nearby wall as she heard the news of what had happened to Inuyasha and his fight with Sesshomorru. Kilala who was just as surprised as Sango was jumped on Sango's stomach and looked at her mistress with curious eyes. Kilala looked at Sango's face, which was full of shock and of..., sadness? 'Why is she suddenly sad for Inuyasha? Surprised I can understand, but...sad? Why sadness?" thought Kilala as she tried to comfort her mistress with purring and rubbing her furry cat face on her demon slayer covered stomach.
"Oh Kilala I don't know why, but...after what I just heard...part of me wants to see Inuyasha pull through his injuries and live," said Sango who saw Kilala's shocked expression while tears fell down the demon slayers face.
(In the infirmary)
The room was filled with wounded soldiers who had severe wounds as well as limbs cut off from their recent battle with Sesshomorru and his armies. They moaned in pain while others had their mouth tied shut to prevent them from screaming. In a nearby room that was connected to it, lay a single warrior with his upper armor removed with no shirt on revealing his bleeding cuts, bruised muscle tissue, and a large circle mark of what looked like burned flesh on his chest where his heart was. He was retching in pain as he spewed blood from his mouth as he sat on the table of a bed in pain with candles lit all over the room with sorrowed eyed filled guards watching him suffer as he squirmed from the unknown pain. Tsubaki entered the room and all soldiers stood at attention as the former dark priestess approached her former enemy turned loyal General. "Oh my poor General Inuyasha what has happened to you? How could this have happened to you?" said Tsubaki out of what sounded like concern.
"I...I don't...know. Sesshomorru's sword...Tenseiga it...did...did something (coughing up blood) to...to me. At least we won the battle today and Sesshomorru is in pretty bad shape himself," said Inuyasha who let out a two second smile only to lose it as his body seized up in pain as more blood came out of his mouth.
"We must do something to heal you, but I do not no how my dear General?" said Tsubaki as she looked down at her perfect warrior.
"There are...two people I...I know of...who...who we must...retrieve, but the...the only one...that can...do it in...in time is...Kilala, but I doubt...she...she'll do...do it out of...the goodness of...her...her heart," said Inuyasha as he breathed heavily when he spoke.
"We could try topersuade Sango and threaten to take Kohaku to the Western Lands to face Sesshomorru?" said Tsubaki evilly.
Almost immediately Inuyashas face was that of stone and very serious as he turned his head to face her. "No! I can't. I made...a deal not to send...Kohaku in exchange for...her loyalty. If I threaten...THAT, she will not trust me...when I...need her to do...something for me again. As long as Kohaku...is...is (coughing) here we control Sango and Kilala," said Inuyasha.
Just as he finished his sentence down to the last word Kohaku ran in the room to see his General and surrogate father Inuyasha. The guards had once more stood at attention as Kohaku saw Inuyasha laying on the wooden table. Drops of blood left his wounds as well as his mouth that slowly went like a river off the table and onto the floor creating a small pool of blood. "General sir," said Kohaku as he approached his superior commander.
"Kohaku my boy...I...I have been expecting...you for some...time. I knew you...would come here once...once you heard the news of my...injuries considering our...past history and the battles we fought," said Inuyasha with a shaking, but still gentle hand touched the top Kohaku's head and smiled.
"I should have been their General. I should be the one who should have face Sesshomorru and been like this. Not you," said Kohaku who looked down ashamed of himself.
"No! Do...do not say...that. If you had...gone...Sango would...have suffered for...it. I...have an assignment...for...for you," said Inuyasha as he coughed some more.
"General?" said Kohaku curiously.
"I need...I need...you to...bring...Kilala here to me. I need to...to talk to her. She...she alone...can...can help me now...with what...needs to be done," said Inuyasha who found it more difficult to breathe with each passing second.
"Of course General Inuyasha I will retrieve here for you at once," said Kohaku who ran out of the room to get Kilala.
"Who are these two people that can help you General Inuyasha?" said Tsubaki turning from seeing Kohaku run out of the room back to Inuyasha.
"The creator...of...of the Tenseiga and...the Tetsuigia...Totosai as well...as Kikyo's younger sister...Kaede," said Inuyasha whose breathing was being hindered by more blood in his mouth.
"I see," said Tsubaki who nodded in agreement.
(Sango's room)
Sango sat in the corner of the room petting Kilala in her little tiny form as she thought about what she had done since she was in this castle. "Do you think Kagome and the others will forgive me?" said Sango to Kilala.
Kilala looked up at her mistress and nodded several times to her knowing each of her friends were very understanding about why she did what she did. Just then footsteps were heard outside her door and it opened revealing a panting Kohaku with sweat running down his face from all the running he did to get to the room. "Kilala!" said Kohaku as he looked directly at the fire cat demon who was surprised to hear her name mention by Kohaku.
"Kohaku what's wrong? Why do you need Kilala?" said Sango who got to her feet letting Kilala jump off of her stomach and onto the ground.
"It's General Inuyasha. He has requested her presence in the infirmary. I am to bring her to him," said Kohaku as he stared at Sango and then at Kilala.
Kilala herself shook her head as a sign that she didn't want to see Inuyasha at all regardless how much pain he was in. "Why?" said Sango.
"I don't know sister. All I know is that I need to get Kilala over the infirmary now. Those are my orders," said Kohaku who stared over at Kilala who turned her head defiantly away from Kohaku.
Sango looked at Kohaku and could see he really needed Kilala for something extremely important. "Kilala you will go with Kohaku," said Sango.
Kilala couldn't believe what she was hearing as she stared at her mistress in surprise. 'Why would she want to go with Kohaku? Unless she wants me to sp on Inuyasha for her,' thought Kilala who at the end went up to Kohaku who shut the room door and the two ran with to the infirmary where Inuyasha was.
"I hope I made the right call on that," said Sango suddenly felt tired as she sat down in her bed all curled up in it and went to sleep.
(A/N: What does Inuyasha have planned? Find out in the next chapter. Need reviews to continue.I know I keep saying that, but feel I need to becasue I live for reviews.)