Chapter 9: Watch Out for Ninjas
It was late afternoon and the birds had already escaped to their nests for the fear of the approaching night. Like a predator, the darkness was stalking life. Sesshomaru knew it before he smelt it: a demon aura. The despicable stench was more abrasive than offensive, though as it curled around his nose, he allowed it try to coax him to follow it. Its presence was planned, calculated, part of a strategy. Even though this very scent was the one he searched for, he let it just wonder for awhile why he didn't leap out of his human form and assume his great demon form at the very pronouncement of its presence.
Sesshomaru took a minute to stare into the nothingness of space. One more day passing by. He watched the sun crawling slowly down the horizon. He let his gaze fall and walked slowly in the direction of his enemy's scent.
Naraku was waiting for him. He smiled as Sesshomaru approached. Instead of hiding with his demon puppets, Naraku made personal appearances since he got his new improved body. He always felt so safe behind his barrier until someone decided to burst his bubble. The strong would grow weary in front of him and he would stand for ages and cackle. It appealed to Sesshomaru's own cruel cravings, but nothing much excited him anymore. Naraku was just another challenge, a declaration of his superiority, a way to pass time.
"Naraku," Sesshomaru greeted in his deep baritone voice.
Naraku grinned. It was as though he got a thrill from recognition.
"Why are you here?"
"In two days time, the barrier around Jankai Temple will disappear."
Sesshomaru showed no sign of surprise, interest, or concern. His frigid mask of indifference made no exception for Naraku. That said, the information was of interest to him.
"The time has come," Naraku marked the end of their encounter. The wind picked up around him and he disappeared. Sesshomaru just stood there awhile after he left.
Jankai Temple: Waruimaru's hiding place. He's finally decided to come out. I will see that it is the last time he does.
Sesshomaru departed into the darkening woods, his elusive presence as ominous as his predecessor.
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Bounce. Bounce. Bounce. The small hopping noises of a distressed flea marked every word he said.
"But he has the sword!" Myoga cried at a nonchalant old man riding a three-eyed cow.
"Oh, quiet down Myoga, just because he stole the sword doesn't mean it will do him any good. Besides, who is to say he can even use it? The Akagawa is a highly specific sword. It would take more than a mere mercenary to wield it's true power."
"But he is not alone, Totosei! I saw the priestess, Kikyo, traveling with him. That alone should give him all the power he needs to wipe out half the life in this country!"
Totosei scratched his head with a somewhat concerned expression.
"Well, maybe he can behold the sword, but I am still unconvinced that Tokunishitoru would hand over his might to a murdering hooligan. He has higher standards."
"Higher standards my foot! What do you call that?" Myoga pointed down to a large fissure in the earth. "I don't recall any earthquakes recently."
"Ah, well..." Totosei seemed a bit more anxious. He sighed loudly and drooped his head. "How is it that my hard work always lands in incompetent hands?"
"You best not be speaking of Master Inuyasha, Totosei. You remember his temperament."
"Where is that dog anyway? I thought you said he was around here."
"He was! I saw him." Myoga glanced about for his master.
"Well he sure isn't now."
"Hey look. Over there." Myoga pointed into the distance where a group of people seemed to be flying. Totosei commanded his cow into the sky and they pursued the flying cluster.
"Kagome! Kagome!" Myoga shouted and landed on her. She was sitting behind Sango on Kiara's back and holding onto the fallen wolf prince who was apparently resting.
"Myoga?" the girl was puzzled.
"Kagome! Where is Master Inuyasha?"
"He left."
"Well you'd better bring him back!"
"What is it Myoga?" Sango questioned the old hysteric.
"Totosei? What are you doing here?" Miroku noticed the old man.
"Er..um.. It's a long story." Totosei tried to avoid the publicity.
"The Akagawa has been stolen and the old sorcerer, Waruimaru, has been sighted in the countryside!"
"Waruimaru?" Shippo chimed in with the same confusion that glued to all of their faces.
"Waruimaru is the fabled sorcerer from years ago who tricked and defeated the guardian of the legendary Orb of Douou, an object with the power to see anything happening in the present. Waruimaru disappeared for decades and it appears that he has returned."
"And what was this about the Akagawa?" Sango was still confused.
"The Akagawa is a sword forged of the dragon who protected the orb. Even the Tetsaiga's power would be questionable in the path of the Akagawa." Totosei picked his ear as he diplomatically explained his swords to them. A gasp emanated from the group.
"So you're saying we have to go stop this Waruimaru?" Shippo asked.
"I guess you could say that," Totosei scratched his head.
"Of course! Can you not see what an enemy like Naraku could do with the orb?" Myoga did his best to yell at the humans.
"You have a good point," Miroku considered it.
"How do we find him?" Kagome asked.
"You must follow the Akagawa."
"Didn't you say it was stolen?"
"Yes, by the mercenary, Bankotsu!" Myoga chimed.
"Bankotsu!" Sango and Miroku gasped.
"That was the sword at his waist?" Shippo seemed shocked.
"How did he manage that?" Sango pondered.
"It's anyone's guess how..." Totosei sighed, "let's just find him."
"Umm about that..." Kagome sounded a bit worried. "We haven't seen him since he was hit with his own power by Kanna's mirror."
"Is he dead?" Myoga said somewhat hopefully. It was very clear from the start that he maintained a very healthy, or unhealthy depending how you look at it, fear for the Band of Seven.
"Not likely," Totosei stated, "now that the Akagawa has revived, it will not give up easily until it has destroyed the Orb of Douou. And if it has indeed chosen this marauder as its master, I highly doubt it would let him die, especially by its own power."
"You mean he survived that giant burst of energy?" Shippo seemed awed.
"Sounds like it," Kagome commented. "Come on, lets drop Koga off at his den before we find Bankotsu."
"No-o," a garbled voice broke in. "I'm coming with you, Kagome."
"You can't Koga, you're hurt. It's too dangerous."
"Kagome," he pulled himself into a sitting position on top of Kiara, "I almost didn't get to you back there. I won't ever put you in danger."
"You saved me Koga," she smiled at him, "that's all that matters. Now you need your rest. Let us take you home."
"I am home." His gaze was intense.
Kagome's breath caught in her throat and her eyes widened a bit. Her face softened. Koga, you're so sweet. Thank you.
"Let's go," he ordered the group. Kiara turned around and they headed back south.
"So how are we suppose to find him?" Sango pondered aloud.
"That won't be hard," Kagome rolled her eyes as she saw the large gorge that had carved into the earth just a few hours ago. It was harder to see since the sun was going down, but she was pretty sure she could see a figure in white walking down on the ground.
As they descended on him from behind, Kagome's face softened. He must be so lonely. I was mad the other night when I yelled at him and said all his friends were dead. I shouldn't have been so mean. But neither should he. The poor guy. Kagome's face washed over with sympathy and understanding.
They landed in front of him. His head lifted from the ground slowly at their arrival. He is lonely. Kagome was convinced. He didn't stop walking.
"Bankotsu," Miroku called to him as he stepped closer.
Bankotsu didn't respond but kept walking. He did not appear sad, mostly focused on the distance. Finally he stopped when he was parallel to them.
"Hey," he said almost quietly, his gaze never left the distance. He looked like a wreck. His hair was meshed with blood and it looked like he had tried to yank it back into a braid. His skin on his face and hands was patched with dirt and blood and his clothes were dusty. His right foot had left a small trail of blood from where the gorge started. As Kagome evaluated his condition, she couldn't help but deduce that he was in shock.
Everyone but Koga got off Kiara's back and Totosei remained with Myoga on his cow. Totosei's eyes fell heavily on the sword.
"We need to find Waruimamaru. Naraku must not possess the Orb of Douou," Miroku tired to explain their presence.
"That so," Bankotsu didn't seem to pay attention and rested his weary eyes on the horizon.
"It's getting late," Sango noted. The sun caressed the edge of the world with its tender dying light.
"Ya," Kagome considered, "we should make camp."
They erected a small fire where they congregated, as if to tell ghost stories. Koga had fallen fast asleep. Miroku prepared a nice meal from Kagome's stash. Bankotsu refused to eat, and only curled up by himself under a nearby tree with his sword resting between his knees. Kagome couldn't help but be distressed by his reclusiveness. He was the only one alone because he felt misplaced. He is... pathetic.
"Bankotsu," Kagome's sweet voice attempted to lure him, "why don't you come join us by the campfire?"
His eyes opened to observe her but he did not move, like a tired cat.
"No thanks."
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
"What are you doing Totosei?" Sango's voice broke their connection.
"Uh, well." He was dressed very strangely, like a Greek in a toga. He hesitated as he was passing by their campsite. He laughed nervously. "Well, when we were flying overhead I just caught I glimpse of some steam and..."
"You mean there's a hot spring nearby?" Kagome seemed adamant.
"Oh wow, that's exactly what I need," Sango said dreamily.
"Me too," Shippo peeped.
"Ah, now that's not what I– "
"Where are you manners, old man?" Sango scolded with a hidden giggle.
"Ya, haven't you heard," Kagome had the same glee, "ladies first."
"What about respecting your elders?"
"That has nothing to do with who gets there first!" Shippo shouted and ran off in the direction of the spring.
"Yes, Totosei," Miroku sounded unusually happy, "ladies first. You two run along quickly now." His eyes were set somewhere else.
"What's that suppose to mean, monk?" Sango could smell lechery.
"Nothing," he feigned a smile. Along the trail that skirted their campsite, a woman was walking down the path. Sango's eyes narrowed in annoyance as her anger flared.
"You go along ahead, Kagome," Sango's voice was controlled but sounded as though she might pummel Miroku, "I'll catch up to you later."
"Alright," Kagome sighed, "don't be too long." Kagome ran off with her bathing supplies to the hot spring.
The spring was not large, but anything was better than nothing. She could feel the grit in her hair and couldn't wait to immerse herself in the warm soothing water. Kagome scooted off her clothes easily and hopped in.
"Ahhhhh, heaven!" she smiled as she surfaced her head. She leaned back and rested her body against some rocks on the edge of the spring. She closed her eyes. Pure heaven.
Kagome opened her eyes slowly. When someone came into focus, standing on the other side of the spring, she shot down in the water. Splash.
"What-what are you doing here?" she squealed. It was Bankotsu. He was removing the top of his kimono, and didn't react as she yipped in embarrassment. His armor was already on the ground.
"Ah, give it a rest," he sighed. His kimono slipped off exposing his well-built chest. Apparently it didn't bother him, because he just kept undressing normally, shoes next. He flopped them off, with one hand supporting him on a tree. Then he began untying the red ribbon about his waist. Kagome screamed.
"Don't go any further! You can't do this! It's the girls' turn to bathe!"
"I don't care," he sneered incredulously. The soft red cloth slipped through his hands and fell limp on the ground. Then he kept on to the rest of his kimono. "Bathing is bathing no matter how you look at it."
"I don't want to look at anything!" she tried to howl him out of there.
"Then don't," he answered simply as though it were totally obvious.
"Well I don't want you to look at anything either!"
"What have you got to hide?"
"Everything!" She couldn't believe him.
"No you don't," he added sarcastically. He sounded somewhat exhausted.
Kagome squeaked and spun around before she would see Bankotsu strip completely for her. She heard the sound of clothing dropping to the floor. A splash as his footsteps entered the water.
"Don't!" she screamed. "Bankotsu get out of here now! Get out!" Another splash. She opened an eye and dared to look at what he was doing. He was immersed up to his torso and appeared to be scrubbing his hair. "Please go away."
"I need it more than you do. Why don't you go? You're the one who's so uncomfortable."
"Because you'll see– Errr! Just go already!" Kagome was squirming. She had her arms wrapped about her chest and her chin rested on top of the water. Her legs were crossed under her, but it really didn't matter because the night cloaked everything under the water. However, Kagome just couldn't stop clutching about herself in a giant squeeze. She felt so exposed and vulnerable, even though he was on the other side of the spring and displayed no interest in crossing to her side.
"Come over here and make me," he threatened, but it was clear the threat was idle. Not to say that he wouldn't react if she did. He dipped under the water and resurfaced then started rubbing his arms clean. He sighed and leaned his back against a smooth rock projecting out of the spring. Steam wafted up around him. The water came up to his abs, but the air around him was toasty too so he didn't bother to immerse himself. He closed his eyes. He could fall asleep, but didn't.
Another squeak forced open his fatigued and now annoyed eyes. Shippo was standing at the edge of the spring.
"Hey, what are you doing in here?"
"What does it look like?"
"I don't trust you."
"No one is asking you to."
"What do we do Kagome?" Shippo looked at the skittish girl.
"Shippo, can you get me my towel?"
"Ah, you're getting out already?"
"I'm definitely not staying in with perverted naked murdering dead guys around!"
"Kiss my ass," Bankotsu was trying to rest with his eyes shut.
"I'll get it," Shippo relented as he dug through Kagome's stuff, but upon discovering a
small bath toy, forgot his initial mission. "Oh boy!"
"Shippo!" Kagome cried desperately.
It was too late. The child had already splashed in and was making motoring noises with a floating toy boat.
"Vrrrrrummmm! Vrrrrum, vrum!" He stopped to look up at his mother figure. A wild grin spread across his face. "I used to take bathes like this with mother and father too!"
"Shippo," Kagome tried to sound calm and collected, "Bankotsu is nowhere near your father, and I'm..." She trailed off as the boy had stopped listening again.
"I'm coming Kagome!" Sango's voice rang through the air, though she was not yet visible.
"Wait Sango!"
"Huh?" she stepped out from behind a nearby tree. She had started to pull off her clothes, but hadn't undressed yet. "Iiiya!" she screamed when she saw Bankotsu.
"What's the matter?" Miroku's voice called from behind them. He stepped out from another edge of the surrounding woods.
"Eek!" Kagome dunked her head again. More men!
"Bankotsu!" Miroku's voice sounded shocked, "you sly dog."
"You men get out! OUT!" Sango hollered. She picked up a rock and hit Miroku square in the head. He fell backwards.
"Ow," he rubbed his head.
Sango hurled another larger rock at Bankotsu, who was still resting his eyes. He stretched out a hand and caught the rock, then placed it in the water.
"Come on, it's time to go," Miroku stepped behind Bankotsu and tried to grasp his arm at the shoulder. Bankotsu shrugged him off, then wiped some water from his eyes by pushing his bangs aside. He stood up in the shallow water. Too shallow. The girls screamed.
"You people have serious issues." With that, he sauntered up the bank and grabbed his clothes before pacing back to the campsite.
Back at the campsite, he arduously yanked on his clothes to his wet body. They stuck to his chiseled figure like a new layer of loose skin. He squeezed the water out of his hair and tried to comb it with his hands. Then he laid down by the fire and rested his head.
The Akagawa laid beside him and he traced its outline in the firelight. It was beating very softly and inconsistently. Kagome must still be adamant about the bathing incident. Damn these people are insecure.
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It was dark out as Inuyasha traversed the countryside. He was still following Kikyo's scent. It wasn't far now. The woods had cleared hours ago. She had traveled a great distance. A trail was nearby where humans could travel, but Kikyo had avoided it.
A scuffling noise not too far away drew his attention as he ran through the tall grassy field. A man in black clothes was walking near the trail too, but clearly avoiding it. His head turned to look at Inuyasha. Their eyes met: golden hit brown. Inuyasha was skeptical. He seemed so strange, as though he didn't wish to be noticed, but his strategy wasn't working well. Keh. Humans...
Inuyasha heard a buzzing noise and ducked in the grass. One of Naraku's poisonous insects was looking at the man from the air. It didn't seem to notice Inuyasha at all though. If it only turned a bit, it might see him, but it didn't. Inuyasha was quiet until it left, threw one last suspicious glance at the ninja, and rushed on to find Kikyo.
Kikyo found it just as Waruimaru had said. The barrier to the castle was very strong, but not strong enough. She smiled as she lifted a hand to dissolve it. She stopped.
She bowed her head before turning around to look up. There he was. Inuyasha.
"Kikyo," he was very solemn as he stepped slowly out of the darkness, "what are you doing with Bankotsu?" His voice was incriminating and grave. She said nothing, but just looked at him dully. "Don't lie to me," his eyes were harsh, but on the edge of breaking whatever animosity he held, "I can smell him all over you." He stepped closer. "Kikyo," he said more harshly as he might force a response from her. His eyes swelled with hurt when she again refused to answer him. Her eyes still held the ice that froze her features since death. "What are you doing?" He didn't seem to be referring to her present mission or even to Bankotsu. "I–I," his voice broke from its anger, "can't lose you again. All this time, I thought you were dead. I searched... for days at Mount Hakurei. Why didn't you wait for me? Why did you take him on alone?" Inuyasha sounded both angered and passionate. "I couldn't save you!"
"You can't save me!" She finally spoke. Her face was hard and condemning. It lost its indifference.
"Kikyo," Inuyasha was taken aback. He had to switch from offense to defense. It flipped his world.
"What are you doing here, Inuyasha?" Kikyo was hostile.
"I came to see you." He couldn't ever seem to understand her. "Kikyo..."
"Kagome needs you."
"Kikyo," he sounded somewhat desperate, "I swore myself to you."
"That is not the point."
"Don't you want me anymore?"
Kikyo sighed. She gave up with her first argument because his eyes begged an answer of her.
"There was a time, Inuyasha, when I wanted to wring the life from you, to take you away with me forever. Even now," she touched his face and gazed into his eyes sadly, "I can see you wouldn't hate me if I used this hand to take away your last breath. You wouldn't even fight back. I have chased you, hurt you, and operated against you, and yet all I can see when I look into those eyes is the stain of guilt that resides there every time you look at me. I don't want that. I am past that. And you are not mine, my love." The hand fell from his face and he felt the emptiness. Even as she stood not a foot from him, he could feel her far away, far, far away. So much distance had collected between them during the time he was gone from her life and death. He could not say anything. His emotions were tearing inside of him and he couldn't do anything but plea with her through his gaze. "You must go now, back to her."
Inuyasha opened his mouth to speak, but couldn't find words. He tried again.
"K-Kikyo, I–...I..."
"I know," she smiled weakly. "Go now."
"I can't leave you. You can't take on Naraku, or any piece of him, alone again. If you die again, I won't be able to live with myself."
"That is why you must leave."
He was silent. Her face was warmer, pitying. He turned and looked at the dark woods from whence he came. Anxiety crept over him.
"Go," Kikyo ordered as she saw the indecision grasping him. He did not move. She smiled at him, the first real smile he had seen cross her lips in years. His eyes widened. "Goodbye, Inuyasha." She turned around and walked through the barrier. She disappeared.
"A barrier! No! Wait, Kikyo!" His breathing increased as a panic set in. He hit the barrier and was flung off. He drew Tetsaiga and it flamed red as it sensed the a barrier. He tried to slice through the invisible wall. Nothing happened. "KIKYO!"
The castle wasn't hard to enter. Kikyo found the miasmic atmosphere displeasing, but not unbearable. It was eerie as she entered unnoticed. She walked up the stairs and pushed back a door. Inside the castle, demons prowled the halls. She had entered through the back so it was easy maneuvering through the set up. Either it was a trap or Naraku really had no idea she was there.
Inuyasha couldn't bear this split up. He had not foreseen the barrier to be right next to them. It traumatized him. Kikyo's declaration was more than he was ready for. Why does everything have to go so fast with her?
A dark shadow crept out into the moonlight. Inuyasha paused and looked up. It was a human. He could smell him. Recognition swept over him. It was the ninja from earlier! He stopped at the edge of the barrier. He slowly withdrew something from his black clothing, something shiny and sharp. With an unperceivable thrust, he split a hole in the barrier and hopped in before a small burst of light sealed it again. Inuyasha blinked. What the hell! How did he do that? Who is he? I have to get to Kikyo!
Inuyasha pulled out Tetsaiga again. His face set with determination. The sword wisped with the sound of the wind and turned red.
"Errrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" He yelled as he sent a thundering windscar at the barrier. It wavered for a minute, then burst. As the illusion of a meadowy field dissipated, he couldn't see Kikyo or the ninja anywhere. He rushed forward. Herds of demons descended on him.
"Windscar!"
The skies rained demon parts as he tore through obstacle after obstacle. He was breathing hard and running as fast as he could. He stormed into the castle following Kikyo's scent.
Kikyo stood in an open room. She could see the baby in Kanna's arms before her. The young girl wore no expression, but Kagura, who stood by her, was shocked at her sudden appearance.
"Kikyo!" Kagura voiced her surprise. Kikyo had her bow drawn directly at the small bundle. Kagura looked around nervously. Should she attack? "So you made it here, did you? I must admit I'm impressed. You do get around for a dead woman."
A man appeared from behind her. Kikyo's steady eye slowly traced back to where he stood to analyze him before darting back to her target.
"And who are you?" Kagura eyed the ninja with suspicion.
"Just be quiet, Kagura." Hakudoushi appeared from behind her. "Waruimaru has sent him. I will deal with him." The small child took his place before the women with his tall spear in hand.
"Kikyo!" A voice rang out from behind them. It was Inuyasha. Kikyo's eyes did not leave the baby. Inuyasha seemed humbled by all the bodies in the room, but continued. "So this is where you've been hiding, Hakudoushi. Convenient of you all to line up." Inuyasha prepared to hurl a windscar at them. The ninja jogged forward with all the speed humanly possible. Hakudoushi sneered and swiped down with his spear for an easy win. But when his spear should have lopped off the ninja's head, it only met air and knocked into the floor. Hakudoushi turned around and couldn't see him anymore. His clothes ruffled as a fast breeze swept across his face. He blinked in confusion. Kanna's hair wafted to the side as the wind past her. She blinked and looked down into her arms. The bundle was gone.
"Windscar!"
The torrent of wild energy ripped across the wooden floor and struck Naraku's incarnations until the rippling brilliant light gave a greater explosion of light and reversed its flow. It had struck Kanna's mirror. Inuyasha couldn't believe his senselessness. Except instead of hurling directly back at himself, it had been refracted at someone else: Kikyo.
Kikyo gasped as she saw the flooding energy surging toward her. She let go of the arrow and tumbled out of the way at the last second. She scrambled for her feet. Inuyasha was immediately at her side. She breathed hard and pushed him away then fled out the open door.
Hakudoushi couldn't believe his eyes. The baby was gone. So was the ninja.
"The baby..." Kanna's whispering voice was somewhat afraid.
Kohaku ran into the room. His eyes were wide as he searched the area.
"Where is he?" Kohaku finally managed. Kikyo ran past the boy and out into the hall. Someone was running, very fast, very close. She entered another passageway as she tried to trace the sound. It was too fast. She drew another arrow. A black streak swept by as she released it again. She heard a faint tearing noise before it embedded in the wooden wall.
"He escaped," she said. She walked over to her arrow and removed it from the wall. Impaled on the tip was a small piece of white fabric.
Kikyo stepped outside. A blast from the front of the castle grabbed her attention. She stepped around to see Inuyasha still fighting Hakudoushi.
"Just die already!" the boy cried.
"No chance," Inuyasha gruffly responded.
Hakudoushi spotted Kikyo and threw a blast of energy at her. Inuyasha's face turned over in horror. He leapt over and grabbed her before fleeing to safety. Hakudoushi disappeared into the sky.
"Kikyo," he breathed, "are you alright? I-I'm so sorry. Kikyo, I didn't mean to–"
"What are you still doing here?"
"Kikyo, I can't leave you. I won't."
"You fool," she shook her head. "Don't you see? Kagome is in danger. By coming here you have singled her out as a target."
"What?"
"You will lose her if you do not hurry. Go quickly, Inuyasha."
"What danger?"
"There is no time to explain it all. All you need to know is that Kagome is in serious danger. If Kagome dies, Bankotsu and your friends will not last long either." Inuyasha's face glazed over with fear. "GO!" He was very shaken, and started an awkward run back where he came from. It increased in speed as he disappeared into the distance. Kikyo just stood there and watched him go. I too must hurry. She threw a glance back at the crumbling castle. It seemed completely vacant now. Kanna stood at the entrance on top of the stairs. Her hollow eyes looked out into the distance as she cradled nothingness in her arms.
Author's Note: Hello again! I forgot to write an author's note at the end of the last chapter so I wanted to make sure to do it this time. Again thank you reviewers! Yay! Passes out cake But, again, I'd love to hear from more of you. It's a real picker-upper. Anyway, yeah, I hope you're all enjoying it. Probably just got a few more chapters before we wrap this one up. Summer's coming! Yahooo! Thanks guys. Later.