When Night Falls

Disclaimer: (Sung to "I Can't Get No Satisfactiong by the Rolling Stones) I don't own no, Inuyasha, stuck my head in, a dish washa...

Whoah... I just realized it's been three weeks since I updated... damn, I'm really sorry guys. I've just been real stressed, what with school (honors chem... ugh), work, driving, sickness, Thanksgiving... this just hasn't been one of my priorities... but, nextchapter will definatly be much faster! I hate dissapointing people... Anyway, reviews!

Mizuumi13: Wow! Thanks for all the reviews! I dedicate this chapter to you!

ninalee-chan: Umm... thanks? Naw, really, I actually pondered over that line for a bit, but then decided it was easier to understand with two "had's". But I won't do it next time, just for you!

Dark Angel: Well... thank you happy person!

Gogglehead Lover: Sorry! Sorry! But, uh... long suspense means more wait, right?

Crystal Promise: While I do find Kagome annoying... I don't think she's quite as useless as you made her out to be... but otherwise, I mostly agree with you.

XxJess-ChanXx: Well... she's after the jewel shards, considering she broke them apart... and can't someone just be worried about the good of the masses? But she really has not experienced true tragedy like her companions...

AngelofMusic516: Thanks... I've always been a kinda psychological person, so I like to look into emotions and underlying feelings, things of that sort.

Once more... sorry. But enough of my patheticism... here's the chappie!

Chapter 18: The Final Countdown (I know, I know, horrible song. I jus' couldn't help it!"

Miroku blinked, did a double take, but oddly enough had no other reactions whatsoever.

"To kill me?" he asked, quite calmly.

"Yes," nodded Tamashii, turning his head to face Miroku, "but I'm not going to do it."

"I figured as much," Miroku answered, "but may I ask why?"

"Yes… I suppose. As you no doubt already know, I was sent by the great force, the apocalypse, my master. Along with my four siblings, we were demanded to stall you four, in exchange for an eternity in paradise. I was the odd one among my siblings… each one having control over a certain product of the Earth… I, however, had none. But I did have a special gift, I could take on the assets of anything I ingested." He paused for a minute, as if trying to suppress an ugly memory. Then he continued, "My master thought that consuming each of my siblings would turn me into some sort of super power, with complete control over everything. And for the first three, it worked. I could alter the wind, fire, water… and then you defeated my sister, Tsuchi. At first, I thought it was effective, but then, things began to change. I could hear the thoughts of anybody… feel their pain. All of a sudden, I found my self sympathizing. I was experiencing things so strong I fell into depression. Any maliciousness I had faded away. I feel the justification in your actions… in my master's and my own, there has only been evil and selfishness. That is why I won't kill you. Because it is the unity of the elements that creates the soul."

"But that… that's just like the Shikon no Tama!" Miroku expelled.

"Observant," Tamashii nodded. "Yes, exactly so. One thing I've noticed in my observance of humans, is that they often fail to realize the power of unity. Courage, Love, Wisdom, and Family… it is those that make up the jewel. The jewel, as you know, is one united soul, as are the four of you, when you fight together. Individually, each of you are strong in you're own way, Kagome's will, your wisdom, Sango's skill, and Inuyasha's strength, but together you can tackle anything that isn't united."

Miroku nodded slowly, it seemed oddly cliché, but in it's own sense true.

"But we can't always be united," a voice broke in from behind. Miroku spun to see Sango. She continued, "sometimes we have to fight alone."

Tamashii laughed and spoke, not even turning around. "You are very alert, slayer, and quiet… even with my powers I did not see your coming."

"It comes with the job," she answered.

"I see," he responded, "but you are right. Unity, while powerful, is not infallible. It can be broken, but that does not mean defeat, rather… compensation."

The three watched the northern glow for a while, before Tamashii spoke again.

"You know, monk, there is someone sharing that body with you."

Miroku's eyes did not avert from the north. "Yes, I know."

"What? Houshi-sama, why didn't you tell us?" Sango questioned.

"Simply because I just found out. How did you know, Tamashii?"

"I ran into him on one of my delves through your mind… quite an interesting fellow."

"I see… well… erm… how is he?" Miroku asked, not sure of how to respond.

"Quite angry actually, that you haven't let him out lately."

"It's not like I have a choice," growled Miroku.

Their topics for conversation once more ran out, and silence came again, before Tamashii finally turned.

"The day comes," he sighed, "I must leave before my master becomes curious of my whereabouts. Now listen closely, I have some vital information for you. If you wish to succeed you must…"

Instead of words, however, his breath was cut short in a gasp. He mouthed silently for a minute, before falling forward, revealing a long, bloody gash across the width of his back.

Miroku and Sango instantly darted for their weapons, Sango waking up Kagome as Inuyasha himself snapped awake at the noise.

"What's going on?" asked Kagome, but was answered as a figure stepped into view.

"What an annoying person…" grumbled Sesshomaru as he approached the fallen body of Tamashii.

"Dammit… Sesshomaru," growled Inuyasha, hand hovering over the Tetsusaiga.

"What was that for?" yelled Sango, "He did nothing to you!"

Sesshomaru's eyes glared dangerously at her, "Listen to me, slayer, this demon is my prey. I'm the one that's going to handle this. You'd be best not to interfere."

His warning was completely ignored by Inuyasha, however, who had charged him, Tetsusaiga swinging forward.

A loud clang resonated through the air. Sesshomaru had drawn Tenseiga at the last moment, and the two now stood at a standoff.

"What are you going to do with that useless sword Sesshomaru?" taunted Inuyasha.

"Tsk. How soon do we forget…"

Sesshomaru swiped the Tenseiga, causing Inuyasha to go skidding backwards on his feet. He was quick to rebound however, and the battle resumed.

None of the others dared step in, Inuyasha was very soloist in his approach towards battle with Sesshomaru, and they knew an interruption would not be something that he would appreciate. Instead, they ran to aid Tamashii, carefully rolling him onto his back. He was alive.

Barely.

"Are you okay?" Miroku asked.

"Yeah… don't worry about me. I heal fast," he smiled. "But listen… you better go. You have only… half a day left."

"Twelve hours? Only that little?" asked Kagome.

"Yes. So hurry."

"What about you?" Sango inquired.

"Leave me. As soon as I feel well, I'll come to your aid. Now, go!"

"Right."

"Inuyasha!" yelled Kagome, "We've got to go!"

"Dammit, wench! Can't you tell I'm busy? You guys go, someone has to keep Sesshomaru busy!"

"He's right," said Miroku, "Let's go Kagome."

"No," she shook her head. "I can't! What if he gets hurt, what if he… needs me?"

They tried to change her mind, but she wouldn't budge, and Shippo, given the opportunity to dodge danger and stay with his foster-mother, refused to leave also.

"I guess it's just you and me then, Sango," sighed Miroku.

"But what about unity, Houshi-sama? We were just discussing it, and now we are throwing the whole idea away?"

Miroku shook his head. "Sango, as whole, we might not be united in physical presence, but in mission and heart, we are one."

Sango tested this idea in her mind for a second before she nodded. "Okay. Kirara!"

They were instantly swept off their feet by the demon, and, hesitating only to look back once, took off across the sea.

Far to the north, deep in the core of an active volcano, a lone figure waited. His power was growing every second, and the time was near. He held up a clenched fist, feeling the muscles in his arm tighten as blood rushed through the protruding veins of his wrist. He let out a malicious laugh. Soon he would be indomitable. Soon not the strongest demon would be able to stop him. The idea played across his mind. He liked it.

His wonderful dreams were halted, however, as new information came to him.

"So," he hissed, "Tamashii has betrayed me, and now the monk and slayer come for my head…"

He walked in a circle, pondering these new developments, before throwing his head back in laughter. "Oh well, it is of no matter. The Hanyou is occupied, and such weak humans cannot harm me. And even if they could, they have not the time! I will be whole soon, and if they can even find me in that time, the surely won't be able to destroy me in such short boundaries."

He still held some doubt in his mind, but he laughed it off. "Yes… it truly is hopeless for them."

"I do hope that they'll be okay…" Sango said as they sped over the water.

"Inuyasha has beaten Sesshomaru multiple times before," answered Miroku from behind, "It's only by Sesshomaru's own pride he fails to realize it. I don't see why Inuyasha should have too much of a problem now…"

"Yes, but… Inuyasha has never come out unscathed before… if one thing had gone wrong… I have to admit, I'm worried about him."

"As am I, but we'd best not put too much thought into it. We have a much more important task in front of us."

At this, Sango seemed to gain a bit of her resolve. "Yes. And if Kagome's there, I doubt he'll lose. As much as I was in objection to her staying, it might be for the best for Inuyasha."

Miroku nodded. "Yes… her presence does seem to have that sort of effect on him."

"Watch out!"

Inuyasha spun just in time to parry Sesshomaru's blow. Sweat was dripping down his face, stinging his eyes. And yet Sesshomaru showed no signs of fatigue, his steely façade as cold as ever. They glared at each other for a moment before one of Sesshomaru's knees happened (quite un-accidentally) to connect with Inuyasha's gut. His legs gave out and he crumbled under the force of his older brother. As he stared up and the dog demon from behind the gigantic mass of Tetsusaiga, he only knew one thing.

This was gonna be one hell of a fight.

End Chapter 18

Hope you liked it!

Next Chapter: The battle against Sesshomaru rages on, and can Miroku and Sango tackle doom? Read and find out!