Chapter 13: Let's do this
"Come on, Inuyasha," Kagome sounded tired, "you've been sitting there all night. You could at least try."
"You know I have been, Kagome," Inuyasha sounded bitter and turned away from her as he sat on the cold wet earth beyond the archway, "not everyone is as perfect as you."
"Just leave him, Kagome," Shippo whined, "he's holding us back. That's all he's ever done, the dog."
"Why don't you come over here and say that, Shippo," Inuyasha growled.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not going to stoop to your level, Inuyasha," Shippo grinned smugly.
"I'd give you another 500 years, Shippo, and you still wouldn't be half the man I am now."
"You jerk, Inuyasha," Shippo hopped up in fury, "if you were half the man that you claimed to be, you would have your priorities sorted out and we wouldn't be in this fix in the first place!"
"Shippo," Kagome scolded, "you're getting a real edge."
"I get it from him," Shippo pointed at the half demon.
"He's right, Kagome," Inuyasha said heavily, "go on without me. I'm only holding you back."
"No, Inuyasha," she said determinedly, "I already told you that I won't leave you behind."
"I appreciate it Kagome," he sighed, "but you're wasting your time. We have to remember what we came for. If you do not hurry, Naraku may get the orb. We can't let that happen." Kagome couldn't look him in the eye so she just looked away. "Listen to me Kagome," he looked at her seriously, "you can do this. Just be careful. Don't hesitate, and don't look back."
"Inuyasha..." she tried to reason with him.
"I'll catch up to you," he smiled reassuringly. "And that scrawny wolf is already inside. He can protect you. Don't worry. Just go."
"It's not that..." Kagome's eyes were unsteady. "Please..."
"Kagome," she liked it when he said her name, "you don't have time for this..." She stepped through the barrier and wrapped him in a hug. "Kagome..." he breathed. Shippo was just as surprised. Inuyasha grabbed her by the shoulders and looked her in the eyes. "You're gonna be fine," he smiled. She wiped her nose and turned around to go back through the barrier. Shippo waited for her. She passed through, threw a fleeting glance back at him, and continued down the hill.
Inuyasha watched her go. She seemed very sad to leave him. It was sweet of her to care. Kagome...
"Ah,.. Ah! Escape!" A young voice yelled and panted behind him. Inuyasha turned to see a young boy in black run by him and slip through the barrier. Kohaku?
Suddenly Kiara flew over his head, but stopped. She carried both Sango and Miroku.
"Hey!" Inuyasha called their attention. Kiara landed. Miroku looked solemn and Sango was shaken. "What's wrong?" He stared.
"I... I almost..." Sango stuttered.
"No, you didn't," Miroku cut her off. He looked intensely at Inuyasha. "We had a run in with a fake Naraku and then Kohaku came in. We destroyed the Naraku, but..." Miroku drifted off as his eyes fell on the slowly fading boy. "We didn't know he was real."
"Oh," Inuyasha said gravely. Kohaku kept running into the distance.
"Is this the Wall of Judgement?"
"Yes," Inuyasha explained it to them.
"Interesting," Miroku commented.
"I don't care what it is," Sango cried vehemently, "it's not going to stop me!" She ran at it. "I'm going to save Kohaku!" She entered it. Inuyasha and Miroku blinked.
"You know what they say," Miroku scratched his head, "hell hath no wrath..."
"Ya, I suppose," Inuyasha seemed slightly humbled.
"Come on, Kiara," Miroku called, "let's go help Sango." They rushed the barrier and it refracted them. Kiara roared and Miroku cried as he landed on his butt in the grass. "Ow.." he rubbed his sore gluteus.
"Glad to see it's not just me," Inuyasha grinned. "Come on," he offered the monk a hand. Miroku accepted and stood up.
"I'm sure we can do this, if we work together," Miroku considered. "Hmmm..." He scratched his chin. He approached the barrier again. "I wish for Naraku to get his comeuppance and to spare my bloodline this horrific fate," he looked at his beaded hand. He stepped through with no difficulty. Inuyasha laughed to himself.
"Figures," he mumbled.
"Come on, Inuyasha," Miroku encouraged.
"It's fine," he shrugged it off, "you go. Besides," he looked up at him, "this is something I have to handle on my own. Thanks anyway." Inuyasha turned away.
Miroku stood and watched him for a moment. He nodded.
"Come on Kiara!" The great feline jumped through the barrier and lifted him off after the rest of the humans.
Inuyasha turned back once he could no longer hear the fiery footsteps of the airborne cat. He stepped up to the barrier, taking his time. He rested his head against the wall and closed his eyes.
"I want–" he tried to start, "I want," he said quieter, "to be with Kagome." He took one step forward. He waited. Nothing happened. He opened his eyes and looked up. He had crossed the barrier. His eyes wandered over the temple. My own heart's deepest desire and I don't even understand it. I couldn't do this when anyone else was here. I think I knew, but... I'm sorry it cost us so much time, Kagome. The wind bristled through his clothes. Kikyo, I thought we... loved each other.
888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
Smack... Smack... Smack...
Kikyo's tired head rested against the wall as her deep brown eyes followed the small circular stone up and down in the air. She had her legs stretched out before her. Bankotsu had taken the liberty of resting his head across her lap and was entertaining himself by tossing the remainder of last night's elfy assailant in the air and catching it. The little face growled and bared its teeth. Bankotsu let it hit the ceiling occasionally.
Kikyo allowed her eyes to wander down the warrior stretched across her middle. She reached out a tired hand and brushed away his bangs to reveal the small purple cross. Curious cerulean eyes looked over at her from his elf game.
"What is it?" Her small fingers lightly touched his forehead. He lifted a hand and touched it experimentally.
"It's a mark of the band of seven," he informed her. "Suppose I don't need it anymore..." He pressed his fingers against the small face painting. She caught his hand and stopped him.
"Don't," she advised. "Don't ever forget who you are," she said more reverently. He relaxed his hand and she let go. He smiled.
"How could I?" He caught the elf head and looked into its eyes. It flashed its teeth and flared with all the hatred that frigid stone can express. Bankotsu's eyes were indifferent. "I never forget what's important to me..." his eyes faded more into the distance, "even when it hurts..." His lips barely formed the words into whispers. He was quiet.
The first rays of light snuck over the balcony railing, through the open door, and settled on the wall across from them. Kikyo watched the sun's declaration as it crawled around the room.
"Do you miss it?"
Bankotsu looked over at the morning light.
"Ya," he responded dully. "But you can only take so much."
"You would prefer the netherworld?"
"I'd worry that I'd take advantage of this place," he stretched his arms back across her legs.
"Why," she looked down at him.
"Everything is beautiful here," he said somewhat dreamily.
"You feel undeserving," she looked at him questioningly.
"You could say that," he replied. He stared at the ceiling. "It's not because of me," he explained, "I'd still destroy as many villages and kill as many people as I have in life if given a chance to do it over, but this place is so fragile. We're standing on the edge of the world, and people refuse to see it. There's no place like this. I don't care what the priests and monks say. The sacred place is going to be as superficial and eternal as hell is. It'll never change."
"It won't as long as you believe that," she said decisively. "And you'll only make yourself as good as those you look down upon. It's truly a sad world when neither the living nor the dead can appreciate what they have."
"Don't play your mind tricks on me, priestess," he mocked a glare up at her. She smiled and then looked back at the door. It slid open forcefully. A man stood in full glory and peered in on them reclining on the floor. Bankotsu briefly picked up his head to snatch a glance at the intruder, but then relaxed it back on Kikyo's lap.
"How's it hanging, Koga?" Bankotsu asked casually.
"You again," he concluded. "Where is Naraku?"
"Naraku?" Bankotsu echoed the name as though he couldn't recall.
"Don't play games with me. His scent trails through here. He must have been here. So where is he?" The wolf was unclear in the shadows and hard edged morning light.
"Kikyo," Bankotsu turned his head. "Did Naraku stop by for a midnight snack?"
"I don't recall such an occurrence," she said cooly.
"This is just what I don't need right now," Koga said hotly. "Don't you two lie to me. I can smell it. He was definitely here! So fess up." Bankotsu laughed mildy in response.
"Nah, we didn't see him Koga. Something tells me he wouldn't pop in anyway," Bankotsu smirked.
"What the hell are you doing in here anyway?" Koga suddenly realized the absurdity of the situation. "Where's Waruimaru? Why did he give you a room?"
"He's a pretty solid dude once you get to know him," Bankotsu stared lazily at the ceiling. "Though I suppose we really should get up," Bankotsu sounded like he really didn't want to. "Sun's almost up," he yawned. Kikyo shifted and propped herself up on her arms. Bankotsu grumbled as she started to get up. "Alright," he sounded exhausted, "I'm up." He threw his feet up in the air and then tucked them under him so he landed standing. He offered Kikyo a hand and she stood up too. "Huh," Bankotsu said thoughtfully as he looked around, "I guess Koga already left. Why is everyone so anxious to kill each other around here?"
"Because they don't know how to do anything else," Kikyo replied.
"Well, best not miss out on the fun," he grinned, "let's do this." They stepped out of the room and walked down the dark hall.
888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888
"We meet at last, Waruimaru," a deep stealthy voice wisped through the dark dawn.
"The pleasure is all mine," the old man responded.
"I'm sure it is."
"You have come for the infant and the orb, I presume?" The old man gave a sinister smile over his morning tea that could rival the ominous presence of the infamous monster himself.
Naraku smiled.
"Well it was good of you to come. I'd rather hoped you might have time for the niceties. But I know you won't take me up on my offer."
"Unfortunately not," his deep voice said almost pleasantly.
"Courtesy doesn't befit you," the elder said bluntly. Naraku chuckled evilly.
"It seems your civility has run dry, old man."
"Yes, I knew that you knew that I knew that you knew our arrogance was matched, but I'll tell you what you don't know my good man," Waruimaru smiled at him, "I don't feign politeness." Naraku had ceased to be amused as the old whiskered human started mocking him.
"You test my patience," Naraku hissed.
"My sincerest apologies. My dear," Waruimaru called Shina in with the baby, "if you would please deliver him the child." Shina walked slowly toward Naraku with a young innocent smile.
"Naraku! Prepare to die!" A brash voice pierced the tense moment. Naraku threw a glance over his shoulder in time to see Koga thundering down at him. He stood and watched the wolf. Koga threw a fist of fury at his arch enemy, but his entire body felt weak when he suddenly met Naraku's barrier and was repelled with a zap. Koga rushed to his feet and attacked again. Shina had stopped short of giving the small bundle to Naraku.
Naraku felt a quiver run through his being as another presence entered the room. Two in fact. He turned to see Bankotsu and Kikyo standing in the large doorway. Kikyo slipped an arrow out, procedurally, and aimed it not at Naraku, but at Shina. Shina jumped back as the arrow flared past her, taking the small cloth from the baby with it. It lodged itself in the fine wooden wall, draping the cloth beneath it like a banner.
"Ah good," Waruimaru genuinely smiled, "you're here. Would you care for some breakfast before we begin?"
"No thanks," Bankotsu watched Kikyo draw another arrow, "I think we're good." She fired again. Shina escaped the area.
"Alright then," Waruimaru lifted his hands as though telling a congregation to rise, "we shall begin." As he spoke, a rumbling echo shook the large open room. On the far side, the matching doors opened wide and two humongous stone giants marched into the room.
Koga ducked his head and scrambled out of the way as they paraded past. They're feet were about as tall as him. Each of the pale-blue stone warriors carried a massive sword that looked like an enormous chef's knife. They were robust with large chiseled chests, small heads with beady stone eyes, and wide flat feet. They halted in the middle of the room.
"What are you waiting for," Bankotsu heard a voice echo from his belt. "Destroy the orb!" It was Tokunishitoru. Bankotsu could feel the Akagawa's lust to destroy like the hunger in his stomach. It was powerful.
"Why not," Bankotsu shrugged. He pulled out the mighty weapon and charged Waruimaru. But as he threw a showering wave of energy at the ancient being, Waruimaru withdrew his large club-like staff and completely dispelled the energy as though nothing were there at all. "Ha," Bankotsu laughed and Waruimaru smiled. He propelled up to meet the man with his sword only to be countered with the staff. It seems to have some sort of anti-magic abilities.
As Bankotsu continued to strike at the elderly man, Naraku watched. A giant stepped up behind him, shaking the ground he stood on. Naraku glared annoyance at the overbearing menace behind him. The large oaf lifted his sword and hurled it down on Naraku's barrier. The sword met with a horrible cracking noise, but was not repelled. These giants are protected by an anti-magic shield. They are more formidable than they look, but they are still of no consequence. They can not penetrate my barrier.
"You can't kill him! He's mine!" Koga slammed a foot into the side of the sword causing it to crash down onto the smooth wooden floor. Then he compulsively hit and kicked Naraku's barrier until he was thrown off. Naraku seemed upset with the whole ordeal and snuck into the shadows to brood his next move.
Meanwhile, Bankotsu struck again and again at Waruimaru, trying in any way he could to disarm him and get the orb. But despite appearances, the old man was incredibly nimble and quick. Bankotsu eventually started thwacking the Akagawa down on him in an attempt to wear him out. A flicker of pink light flashed through the area and struck Waruimaru's staff. Kikyo. Bankotsu slammed the Akagawa down on Waruimaru's staff. It was weakened.
"Again!" Bankotsu cried and kept forcing pressure down on the man. Kikyo sent another arrow into the staff and Bankotsu got yet closer to him. Waruimaru shoved his staff up and knocked Bankotsu off. He tapped his staff twice on the ground and the arrows both disintegrated from their lodgings. "That's some powerful magic you're playing with there," Bankotsu nodded at the staff.
"You have no idea," he smiled back. To Bankotsu's surprise, the old man attacked him and waved his staff fiercely, driving Bankotsu back to Kikyo. Bankotsu sent a wave of energy and Kikyo shot an arrow at the same time to disable him. He simply waved his wooden staff and yet again both energies disappeared.
Kikyo's brow furrowed at the predicament. She watched Bankotsu lift his sword and step forward to assault the old man again. Waruimaru looked at them cautiously. Bankotsu's gait seemed to hesitate and then he turned on her. The sword flashed before her eyes and landed on her left shoulder, but stopped. She gasped and her eyes widened in shock. Bankotsu's eyes glazed over.
Kikyo froze. She could feel the sharp points of each tooth as it massaged her flesh and dug into her collar.
"Bankotsu," the name fled off her lips. He was gripping the sword with both hands and his body seemed scrunched and awkward. His shoulders were tight and his leg muscles stiff. His face was contorted and fierce.
A wicked laugh cackled behind them.
"Still underestimating the human race, Tokunishitoru?" The yellow stained eye on the sword focused on Waruimaru. "That's unfortunate. It seems I know you too well, despite your obvious, and may I say quite malicious attempt to prove me wrong. You see old friend, I like to think of myself as a man of understanding. Perhaps only now are you starting to realize why I put Kikyo and Bankotsu together." Waruimaru looked the Akagawa up and down as he inspected the statue-still pair. He smirked. "You can't do it, can you? I'll admit it was very clever of you. But I am regrettably disappointed you still see so little in us, Tokunishitoru." He stepped closer to the locked duo. "Poor Bankotsu. You were willing to sacrifice the lad just to destroy a small crystal." He shook his head and chuckled to himself. The eye glared at him. "Don't give me that look. I suppose you justify your actions because he's already considered dead. But as much as you would like to kill her to serve your rather pathetic purpose, my dear friend, you clearly can't. For as I previously said, I am a man of understanding and I know despite Bankotsu's enthusiasm, you loved your time with young Miss Kagome, didn't you? Got a little carried away at the waterfall I saw. Almost killed your host. Not very good, Tokunishitoru. Which is another reason why I sent Kikyo away. Perhaps you were wondering? It was too good to be true? I'm afraid I saw your plan and sabotaged it with my own. It seems I succeeded." He grinned evilly. "And now I'll answer that question for you, old friend. I put Bankotsu and Kikyo together to control you. You would be wise get Kikyo and her strictly controlled power out of the way so you could use Bankotsu and young Miss Kagome's unbridled spiritual power for a ravenous killing spree of your own, but it seems our young loves have enough of a relationship to pursue their own plans," he grinned at Bankotsu and Kikyo. "Haven't you heard, my dear demon," Waruimaru smiled cruelly, "love conquers all."
"You're so full of it, Waruimaru," the sword spat venomously. "You of all people should see how evil you are, Mister Understanding. Don't try to make yourself sound any better, you piece of scum. I know how many you killed ruthlessly just to get to the orb alone. Two lives is a fair price for your head. It's better than killing everyone here."
Waruimaru's face screwed up into an evil smile.
"You're willing to go as far as to self destruct? Truly noble of you."
"Silence!"
"You are a great and powerful demon, my friend, don't get me wrong. Out to save the world, as you claim. But it appears that you just made a bad choice."
"Don't put the self-righteous act on me you piece of shit, you were going to kill them anyway. You don't care in the least if they love each other, hate each other, or are indifferent, as long as it'll shut me up enough so you can get out with your hands clean."
"Oh please don't bestow me with the credit for making them more than friends, though it seems I may have had some influence. And to your own credit, from the looks of things they needed all the strength of their mutual power to stop you from murdering them both, even if you have your 'good intentions'."
Waruimaru swelled with pleasure at the feat he had accomplished by indirectly saving the couple.
"Dammit this hurts," Bankotsu's eyes cleared and his hands started shaking around the hilt of the sword. The eye narrowed and returned to Bankotsu.
"I'm sorry," the sword said heavily, "but it must be done." The sword shook and pushed down harder on Kikyo's collar bone. She didn't move away, but placed a hand on Bankotsu's forearm as a show of support.
"You got this?" She asked with a smile.
"The fucker possessed me!" He growled indignation. It was the only thing Bankotsu seemed really upset about, considering all of Tokunishitoru's motives. I should have known that a sword with so much power would not have revealed itself to me without something like this happening. "Dammit," Bankotsu growled, "if you're going to threaten Kikyo," he sucked in another breath, "at least do it right." He forced the sword off her. "And you just annoy me," Bankotsu hurled an energy wave at Waruimaru. The old man gracefully hopped out of the way.
Kikyo smiled reassuringly as he finally came out of hypnosis. He winked and tried to decide what to do next.
Nearby, Koga seemed to be having serious trouble. Shina was toying with him. The two giants were stomping around the room after him as Shina revealed her power to freeze people in place. She'd never catch him directly, but the half demon would slow Koga down enough so that when the overgrown thugs sliced down with their swords, Koga would barely escape castration and other debilitating losses.
Koga leapt into the air and nearly lost a leg as a sword whisked past him, but Shina's magic was more deadly. His legs froze up in midair. As he came down, he couldn't move and he crashed onto the floor before the tall entranceway. The double doors shook, and Koga spared a pained glance to watch them tingle anxiously. A foot stomped next to him and Koga witnessed the ax finally coming for him.
"Windscar!" A familiar voice sounded behind the large doors.
The doors burst open with a wall of dust kicking up. The energy tossed Koga out of the way of being split in two, but pummeled him down the room. The giant stumbled back at the streaming energy from Inuyasha's sword and fell out of the way. Bankotsu grabbed onto Kikyo and braced as the energy tore through the room.
The dust started to clear as the room settled and Inuyasha's company was silhouetted against the background.
Suddenly the ninja ran up from behind Bankotsu and snatched away his sword as he kept hold of Kikyo. Bankotsu opened his eyes and noticed the sword missing. He glared indignantly at the man in black
"Hey!" he hollered.
An immense power surged up and roared out from the Akagawa as Tadao tried to beat Tokunishitoru at his own game by killing Kagome. A series of cries and expletives escaped the rumbling energy. Inuyasha jumped into the room with Kagome in his arms. He set her down and growled defensively at the man who had outdone him. Bankotsu let out a long hearty laugh. But the ninja then turned on him and lifted the sword. Tadoa's eyes were hazy.
"Oh crap," Bankotsu dashed out of the way.
"My friends," Waruimaru's voice struggled to be heard over the crashing and thundering atmosphere of the room, "I'm so glad you finally made it. Please join us. And just let me know if I can get you anything."
"What did he just say?" Sango gave Miroku a bewildered glance. Miroku shook his head. Kiara landed next to Inuyasha and Kagome.
Meanwhile, Kikyo yanked Bankotsu out of the way as the ninja pursued them.
"Split!" Bankotsu yelled and they parted ways. Bankotsu went left and Kikyo went right. The ninja blasted energy at them. "Stop it, dammit!" Bankotsu throttled him from behind. "Give it back now, ninja man." The sword clattered to the ground and Bankotsu swept down to get it. The ninja rushed on his way as though he had other business to attend to.
"Careful," Kikyo warned as Bankotsu held the sword.
"Look out!" Bankotsu grabbed her arm and jumped out of they way as the giant's sword smashed down into the wooden floor. Bankotsu tested his sword by slashing at the giants feet. The smooth enamel weapon obeyed his inclinations. It was quiet again. He stared suspiciously.
Just beyond them the giant crashed onto its back forcing the young half demon behind it to jump out of the way. She hissed annoyance and pulled out two fork-like weapons: sais. She charged toward Kagome and Inuyasha, dust licking at her heels. Inuyasha flared his anger at Waruimaru, but was cut short by the second half demon. A smile laced across her face as she caught the Tetsaiga with one sai and captured it with the other. She held the sword at her mercy and started twisting her weapons about the blade with a pressure to break it.
Inuyasha gasped, but was quick to transform it back to a rusty blade. Shina looked disappointed. He punched the sai from her right hand. She hissed pain and scratched the other across his face like a claw. Blood seeped out of the incision across his cheek bone. Inuyasha fell back down from her vicious counter.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome landed at his side. "Are you alright?"
"Stay back, Kagome," he stretched a hand in front of her. Shina stealthily approached with a swagger. She looked down at them with large yellow eyes. Inuyasha glanced up in dismay.
"Inuyasha!" Sango's voice rang out as a whipping noise stirred the air behind them. Shina stepped back, aghast. The Hiraikotsu rode the dead air toward Shina in a rampage.
As though summoned precisely on time, a shining dagger twirled through the air and deflected the Hiraikotsu. Sango stood astounded.
"How can that be?" Shippo squeaked from Miroku's shoulder as they arrived on the scene. Sango caught her weapon and smoothed a hand down the side to where the dagger punctured it.
The ninja stepped up from behind Shina and caressed her wounded hand. He cradled it on his cheek and she smiled weakly before allowing him to hold her. She looked like an injured bird he was nurturing.
Kagome couldn't figure it out. They looked sweet enough. Inuyasha stood up beside her. He drew his sword with a scratching sound.
"Wait, Inuyasha," Kagome called. "Don't fight them."
"Why not," Inuyasha paused.
"They're not evil. It's just not right of you to go kill them."
"She's right," Sango agreed. "Come on Miroku, let's get Waruimaru." Sango joined him atop Kiara and they zoomed over their friends.
"Fine," Inuyasha consented, "we'll be right with you."
Waruimaru bowed as the demon slayer and monk landed opposite him. He beamed through his humility at them.
"It is an honor to fight with both of you," he held tightly to his staff. Neither of them responded, but Sango pulled out her Hiraikotsu. Miroku held the beads to his hand. Waruimaru's eyes fermented with sobriety. He lifted his clubby wooden staff and waited.
"Hiraikotsu," Sango bellowed.
"Wind tunnel!"
Waruimaru squinted at the two attacks. His old back buckled as he staggered to avoid the spinning weapon of death and his feet stumbled forward at the beckoning of the vacuum of nothingness.
"Oh my," he commented at the strength of their attacks. Then the old sorcerer pulled out a vile from the leathery interior of his robes. His rickety wrinkled hand wobbled in the sucking vortex from Mirkou's hand. The cap popped off and the liquid siphoned out and splattered onto the ground. The slick liquid slithered quickly to conquer all the floor at Sango and Miroku's feet. Mirkou ignored it and Sango caught her weapon as it came around. Apparently he had something in mind...
A victorious smile sprouted on Miroku's countenance as Waruimaru appeared to be getting closer. The whipping wind called the old fumbling man closer...
"Miroku!" Sango called through the sailing wind. He glanced back. Sango was farther from him than he remembered. Wait a minute... "Miroku! You're slipping away!" Her feet slid under her and Sango shuffled to remain standing.
To his horror, Miroku realized she was right. The liquid on the floor was acting as a lubricant and his wind tunnel was actually pulling him toward Waruimaru. Miroku sunk his sandals into the oily surface only to discover his complete loss of traction. He sealed off the wind tunnel while struggling to move backwards. His feet frantically resisted the inertia, but his momentum and dancing feet couldn't be stopped. He plummeted toward Waruimrau. The old man's steady eyes dug into Miroku's.
Thwack!
Miroku catapulted back as Waruimaru smacked him with his staff. The monk skidded across the slick floor with nothing to stop him except...
"Miroku!" Sango yelled.
"Watch out, Sango!"
He slid into her feet and they both toppled to the floor in a spinning oily mess. Sango's hands slipped and dripped with the strange liquid. She couldn't grip her Hiraikotsu. The fiend!
Waruimaru smiled at a job well done. Turning his gaze back on the crowd, Inuyasha and Kagome were still busy with his minions, Naraku was nowhere to be seen, Koga was dodging the giants' constant magnanimous attacks, and Bankotsu and Kikyo... Where could those two rascals have gotten to?
Waruimaru ducked quickly. He turned and stood, shaking his finger.
Bankotsu had one hand stretched out as he had attempted to push Waruimaru into the oil slick meant for only two. The youth smirked.
"You're reflexes are sharp," Bankotsu complimented, "I'm impressed." He stood alone with his grizzly sword propped on his shoulder.
"You are," Waruimaru's voice soothed. Kikyo's absence somewhat unnerving him, "well I'm honored." He pulled up his staff.
The air rushed under his bangs as Bankotsu bolted to attack. The sorcerer parried every blow with his staff and stayed strategically away from the slippery floor. Bankotsu grew frustrated by his unwavering ability.
Beyond them, Inuyasha managed to dodge the ninja's deadly attacks. The black adorned human was incredibly fast and dexterous. He carried a gnarly curled dagger and was impossible to land a hand on. The worst was when he snuck up from behind. Inuyasha's hair was constantly on end. He had to tell Kagome to leave. This man meant business.
"Windscar!" Inuyasha let one off at the half demon. Shina blocked with an icy white wall that absorbed the oncoming power. The wall clattered into dust as Shina dispelled its power.
"Errr! We aren't getting anywhere with this!" Inuyasha groaned. Koga appeared beside him. "What do you want?" Both canines were panting.
"Koga," Kagome called. The wolf's head perked. "Can you help us distract them. Inuyasha, if we can all attack Waruimaru at the same time, I think we have a shot at defeating him." Shippo jumped up on Kagome's shoulder.
"Good idea, Kaogme," Shippo said proudly, "I'll go tell Miroku and Sango." With that he spread his small body into a large pink ball and floated into the air. A giant curiously eyed him. The brother giant swept at him with his sword. "Eek!" Shippo doubled his efforts to reach Miroku and Sango.
Koga smiled in agreement at Kagome and sped right into Shina, lifting her off the ground, and driving her all the way across the room. Tadao nearly dropped his dagger. The human did his best to chase after the two.
"Well if there's anything he is good at, it's abducting women; I'll give him that much." Inuyasha quirked a brow.
"Come on," Kagome stepped up to him, "what are you waiting for? Koga bought us this time; we have to use it." She drew back on her bow.
"Right!" Inuyasha drew back Tetsaiga for a powerful strike.
Miroku and Sango managed to find safe, nonskid ground and prepared to attack as well.
Completely oblivious to all the conspiracy around him, Bankotsu hammered Waruimau continuously like a nail with his oversized dentures. The sword was behaving again and he wasn't gonna miss his chance. Finally he landed a hefty swing into the wooden club and sawed the teeth of the sword into the pesky club. Bankotsu beamed triumphantly as he thrust the staff out of Waruimaru's hands and cornered him with his sword. Even the Akagawa seemed pleased.
A rumbling foreboding echoed behind them. Bankotsu's breathing was rapid and shallow as he apprehensively looked over his shoulder.
The energy was ubiquitous. Inuyasha's windscar was rocketing directly at him, followed by an arrow, a boomerang, and that monk was trying to suck them into the mess!
"Oh, shit!" Bankotsu's heart skipped a beat. He felt a heavy weight fall onto his feet and he looked frantically back at Waruimaru. The old man was holding him in place! Something was pinning his feet down. I can't move! He's going to use me like a shield!
Then over the magician's shoulder, Bankotsu saw her running, as fast as she could. Kikyo... He wanted to tell her to run away. He wanted to tell her to get the hell out of the there because the old goat had finally lost it, but he just couldn't. Part of him was relieved to see her. It was nice to have someone on his side when his own weapon had turned against him.
The crashing energy was so loud he couldn't even hear his own thoughts.
He barely felt two slim arms clamp around his neck before a searing white light bleached away all sight. He clenched his eyes shut. It was so loud he couldn't hear anything, not even the energy blast. A minute passed. The world was white, even behind his eyelids.
Bankotsu suddenly found his other senses. He wasn't just completely pulverized by a huge combo attack. Someone was hugging him. He was hugging someone, someone with very long soft hair and a small frame.
"Kikyo," he said in a normal voice, "that better be you, because if it's not, Waruimaru has a couple of things to explain." He opened his eyes. His cheek was pressed against soft midnight locks. All around them, an opaque pink barrier separated them from the outside world. Waruimaru was standing within the barrier as well. He smiled at Bankotsu and picked up the weight off his feet. Kikyo hadn't moved. She seemed frozen in his embrace. "Kikyo?" She was staring at something beyond him. He strained his neck to see what was behind him.
A sparkling pink arrow appeared to be almost attached to the barrier wall. Kikyo was barely keeping it at bay.
"I believe that was meant for me," Waruimaru commented. He slowly stretched down and picked up his staff off the ground within the barrier. Bankotsu watched him nervously. What's he doing? He inspected the staff, then slowly brought it over to the side of the barrier. Bankotsu's eyes widened. Don't...
Waruimaru touched the side of the barrier and it extinguished like a candle. Bankotsu could feel the breath catch in his throat. He even thought he heard an inaudible gasp escape Kikyo's lips.
Then a powerful dull object thrust into Bankotsu's side and he and Kikyo went sprawling onto the ground.
"Ah," Bankotsu sat up on his arm and gazed perplexedly up at the old man. The arrow, true to its mark, was ingrained in the sorcerer's chest. But why? He knocked us out of the way.
A hush clouded the room like a fog. Kikyo sat up beside him and stared intently. The old man brought a hand carefully to the projecting shaft as if to caress it. He didn't even bother to remove it. He looked over at Kagome. A smile dazzled them.
"It's not polite to stare," he said, "please, you're making me uncomfortable."
"Strange fella," Bankotsu stood up beside Kikyo.
"Ah! Ahhhh!" Inuyasha screamed in agony. The ninja leapt out from behind him with a bloodied dagger.
"Inuyasha," Kagome grabbed him fleetingly. A deep crimson spot started growing in his kimono. Kagome checked his back to see a deep gash in his lower side. "Inuyasha!" He
collapsed to his knees and grasped his wound.
Sango threw her weapon at the fleeing felon, but he disappeared into the shadows like a phantom.
"Bastard," Inuyasha gurgled and spit out blood.
"Inuayasha, you're badly injured! Don't move!" Kagome applied pressure to the wound.
"Sango, we have to stop Shina and the ninja before we can hope to defeat Waruimaru," Miroku reasoned, "let's go for the half demon first."
"Alright," she agreed.
"Oh goodie," a voice chirped behind them, "me first? I know I shouldn't get excited, but I do love the attention." Shina offered her light smile and cute countenance.
"Don't be so happy, little kitten," a gruff voice threatened behind her, "play time is over!" Koga sprang up from behind her. She threw her arms up and Koga froze in midair. His body hit the ground hard. Tadao walked up from behind them with eyes of evil. He raised his dirty dagger above Koga's eyes and the wolf prince watched in horror as it fell so slowly toward him.
"I don't think so," Kagome's voice rang out. An arrow whizzed past Tadao. The light flashed against his dark irises. With little effort, he slipped back into the shadows.
Inuyasha drew Tetsaiga and stood up shakily. The blood leaked out his abdomen and he bit back the pain screwing up his side. Shina just looked on with a smug expression.
"You take care of this," he dictated. "I'll go deal with Waruimaru."
"Inuyasha," Kagome grabbed his arm, "be careful." He nodded solemnly and proceeded. Koga stood up beside him, sorely rubbing his back and hip.
"You and me both," Koga grumbled. Inuyasha didn't seem up to bickering so he ignored him and continued on to the main threat.
In the neighboring corner of the room, Bankotsu resolved for the same venture. He cocked his head and made his way across the room to Waruimaru. Kikyo had agreed to search for Naraku. The last he saw, she was actually still nearby, but hugging the wall. Bankotsu pulled out the Akagawa and sped his trot to a gallop as he zoned in on the elderly gentleman.
Koga, Inuyasha, and Bankotsu all arrived on three sides of Waruimaru at the same time. The wrinkled white-haired prune was leaning with both hands on his staff and just quietly waiting for them to close in. Bankotsu found it unnerving.
Inuyasha wasted no time in a full out assault. His bare feet stamped against the smooth floor and his heavy panting announced his attack. The windscar fizzled out just as it met Waruimaru's cane. But Inuyasha kept coming. Just when it looked like Inuyasha might be making progress, an old foot slammed into his gut and sent him flying. He was down, but not out.
Koga was quick to fill Inuyasha's place. The wolf sent jab after jab with his feet and fists. Waruimaru took the wailing worse than Inuyasha's storm, but it seemed he had more cards to play. Koga knocked him to the ground with a sickening crack. Then he raised a foot to stomp an end down on the resilient curmudgeon. Suddenly, out of his robes, Waruimaru drew a long slender sword. The blade flashed danger before lancing up Koga's leg. The wolf hollered and fell crippled to the ground.
Bankotsu felt the blood pumping through his ears. The rampant rush of his life force thundering through his veins was exhilarating. He gripped the Akagawa firmly and charged to finish what the others couldn't. Then, off to the side, a streak of black, an eerie shadow. He didn't stop. Waruimaru was close at hand. The old man hadn't even managed to get up yet.
There it was again! The shadow, in and out of view. Bankotsu's breathing shallowed. Something brushed his side. He jerked. A face. So close. The ninja. As soon as he'd appeared he disappeared. Bankotsu did a three sixty. He was gone. Then in his fleeting glances around the corners of the room...
A scathing noise like ripping sheets sheered right where he was looking. Naraku. The barbed tentacles burst out of his kimono and plunged toward her, toward Kikyo. Bankotsu didn't need time to think, to make his decision. As Waruimaru sat open on the floor, Bankotsu roared a river of energy directly out in front on him. The frothing energy met the thorny appendages dead on at a right angle, shattering them and opening a hole in the neighboring wall. The splintered parts clattered to the ground in a dusty wake.
As the explosion cleared, Bankotsu winked at Kikyo and she nodded back. As the dust settled, Naraku was still standing there. He smiled and exhibited his stumpy arm to Bankotsu. Bankotsu eyed him suspiciously. The arm twitched then regenerated completely after a series of cracking snapping noises. Bankotsu growled irritation.
Something was looming off to his side. He didn't need visual confirmation to know it was the ninja. He was slowly getting closer. His presence was obvious, he wasn't sneaking up, he was walking. Light danced innocently off the edge of his wicked dagger blade. Bankotsu didn't move. His eyes held on Naraku; he didn't blink.
Naraku laughed at his apparent resolve and just cracked his thorny fingers ostentatiously. He's waiting. He wants the ninja to attack. And he certainly was. Bankotsu could hear his breaths now. He didn't blink. He refused. Bankotsu's hands kept twisting around the Akagawa's hilt.
Then it happened. A flare of pink flashed at the oncoming ninja. Naraku sent a second attack at Kikyo. Bankotsu retaliated with full force at Naraku's tentacle. A biting pain errupted in Bankotsu's lower abdomen. His face contorted in a snarl. He saw the ninja depart with his red dagger. But Bankotsu refused to take his eyes off Naraku. However, the coward simply vanished with a satisfied smile.
Kikyo was immediately at his side. He didn't remember seeing her run over. Probably was watching Naraku... Worry shrouded the soft curves of her face. As she started digging at his shirt, Bankotsu suddenly noticed the stream of red dribbling down his side. Kikyo tore a hole in his kimono and placed a palm over the angry wound. A muffled pink radiance emanated from her cloth-covered hand as she cauterized the bloody floodgate.
Shit! Bankotsu tackled Kikyo to the ground just in time. A giant's sword swept just over them, causing their hair to sift up in the resulting gust. He barely scrambled to his knees to block the next vertical thrust that would have easily split both of them down the center. Bankotsu felt the rigid teeth of his own sword dig into his supporting palm as the giant's brute strength forced down on his sword. He felt his own teeth grind in his head as he fought desperately to hold the death sentence back. Kikyo struggled under his weight, but managed to snatch her bow and an arrow. The giant was overpowering Bankotsu. She aimed up at her upside down angle at the overbearing statue. She took precise aim. Direct hit! The troll roared in its excruciating pain, staggering backward as it dug a hand into its afflicted eye. In its blundering it fell and collapsed completely.
Bankotsu dropped the strenuous grip on his sword and lurched to his feet. Kikyo slipped out from under him and stood up too. Bankotsu leaned on his sword and exhaled.
"I'll take Waruimaru if you take Naraku," he offered.
"Alright," she agreed. At that, Bankotsu leapt off to join the boys fighting the old magician. Kikyo searched the room for Naraku. The only clue she found was the young demon slayer edging around the room. He wasn't with Naraku though. She frowned and kept searching. It was unlikely that he would move far off. He wants us all to kill each other. Kikyo traversed the far ends of the room. There was no hint of the sacred jewel to lead her to him, just a gut feeling.
Then she spotted him. He was on the other side of the room. She hastily drew an arrow and took special aim.
On the other side of the room, Bankotsu vocalized his frustration. Waruimaru's staff proved more irritating with every energy blast it dissolved. The Akagawa was growing restless and insatiable for its desire. Waruimaru's sword turned out to be another of his toys. It stole the health away from others by how much damage it wrought on them. So far, Waruimaru had robbed both Inuyasha and Koga with his energy-stealing sword. But then he started getting serious. He sent his own blasts at them via his staff. They were all unpleasantly surprised when he began using it for more than defense. The Akagawa had saved him numerous times already. Apparently it wasn't ready for him to die yet. At least it still needs me.
Waruimaru sent a tirade of blasts at Bankotsu. Bankotsu repelled the assault with his own power, when a tingling feeling wiggled up his legs and then his spine. The Akagawa pulsed powerfully. Waruimaru rocketed a large energy ball at him and he retreated. Inuyasha laughed egotistically.
Bankotsu sprinted to the back of the room. His heart thundered like his feet against the floor. His blood hammered in his ears. Something was wrong...
Kikyo's arrow clattered to the ground as it dropped from her pain wrought fingers. The twin giant had snatched her off the floor and was squeezing her in its huge hand twenty feet above the ground. She couldn't even cry her anguish. The monster's fingers mashed around her chest, waist, and thighs. His adamantine rock of a hand was near impenetrable.
Seeing her in the grip of the troll, Bankotsu stampeded down the floor toward her. Kikyo caught a glimpse of him coming to her aide. Then... Kikyo's eye's widened as she saw the lurking danger behind him. The ninja was running at inhuman speed behind him. He's coming to finish him because he missed the first time. Kikyo reached back and yanked an arrow out of her crushed quiver. She pulled it back as far as her bow would allow.
Bankotsu saw her draw her bow. He puzzled as she aimed directly at him. Huh... Too bad, babe. You're gonna have to do something more impressive than target practice to scare me off. He kept powering forward. Her aim followed. Then she let go. The arrow drove down incredibly fast. He didn't stop. It crossed not more than an inch from the side of his cheek. He felt its purifying warmth against the sensitive skin of his face. Then a muffled scream choked out. Bankotsu briefly spared a glimpse behind him to see Tadao drop his gnarled knife and cradle a skewered bloody wrist.
The troll gave Kikyo a tremendous squeeze, after she attempted to purify its tough anit-magic body, that knocked all the breath out of her. She moaned agony. The giant noticed Bankotsu charging him and crashed his sword down at him. Bankotsu jumped on top of the offending weapon and sprang up higher to chop the giant's other arm off. The force of Bankotsu's blow was powerful enough to send it sprawling backwards.
As the arm fell to the floor, Bankotsu ran down the severed appendage and knocked off the thumb. Kikyo fell free of her captor and gladly accepted Bankotsu's help escaping the crushing drop.
They landed on the floor safely together. Kikyo smiled at him. She took a step only to cry out in stifled pain. He caught her from her fall and pulled her back, an anxious expression clouding his features. She grimaced and bit her lip.
"What's wrong Kikyo?"
"It's nothing," she tried to convince him, "I'm fine." She tried to leave again, but recoiled from her attempts. He held on to her tighter and searched for the source of her pain. She was favoring one leg. He felt down her back for breaks. "I said I'm fine," she insisted. His hand slid down her side to her hip when he felt a weak spot. A crack splintered down from her hip to her knee. She flinched as he touched it. His eyes hardened as he looked at her. She deemed it no longer necessary to hide from him. "I'll be fine," she tried to assure him.
"Dammit!" Bankotsu picked up his sword and blasted the armless troll behind them away. "Are you sure," he looked at her seriously. She nodded.
Across the room, Inuyasha couldn't believe what he was seeing. He was holding her. It made Inuyasha's skin crawl. He felt the need to run over there, do something drastic, yell and scream. And she didn't seem to mind at all!
"Pay attention, mutt!" Koga grabbed Inuyasha and dragged him out of the way of Waruimaru's attack. Inuyasha jolted back to what he was doing. But he couldn't help but steal occasional glimpses of them standing there together.
Across the room, Kagome could see Inuyasha's lingering glances and soulful longing. It was if he wanted to go rush over there and rip her from his arms. But he didn't. He just stood there and spied on them. The brash crude Inuyasha that she'd come to know and love was shut up for some reason. His rude, obnoxious, blunt mouthing was replaced with mellow, cowardly, anger-festering introversion. He's acting like... like me. He's keeping his mouth shut on the outside, but on the inside he's screaming. Just look at his eyes. Oh Inuyasha... You look so sad. You've suffered a lot, Inuyasha. You've suffered betrayal, ostracization, discrimination, loathing, guile, and fear. But have you ever suffered rejection? Have you, Inuyasha?
Kagome couldn't take her eyes off him, the man she lived for. He was so strong. Inuyasha could stand up to anything. He would laugh in death's face. But in front of the woman that he loved, the one who's death probably haunted him more than her, he crumbled.
Kagome tried to blink, but strangely her eyelids didn't move. She tried again only to discover that not one of her muscles would respond to her. She tried to yell only to find her voice a twitter at most. Her breathing was limited. Inside her chest, her heart beat pounded. Inuyasha! Help me. He wasn't looking. Help me. She pleaded inside her mind. His eyes were flickering back and forth between Waruimaru and Kikyo. Please help me!
"What's the matter, hon? Stuck on love?" A soft voice whispered behind her.
"What?" Her voice was scratchy and hindered by lack of lip movement.
"Kagome," Shina stepped into her peripheral vision, "you're such a sweet girl. I'm so sorry he can't see it. Or maybe he does, but he wants more than that. Maybe I can help you there."
"What?" Kagome said in a bit higher pitch.
"I think we would have made good friends, Kagome. It was an honor to meet you. I love your hair," she giggled, "but I'm afraid I've been assigned to kill you."
Kagome gasped.
Author's note: Hey again! Oh my, a cliffy. But we're winding down here. Two more chapters left! Tell me what ya' think. :) Until later. Ciao.