Enchanted Orbs
Chapter 11B Tentative Allies
Kagome looks on in horror as Inuyasha's body disappears in the mist below her. Her head snaps up as she glares at a smiling Naraku.
Naraku is surrounded by an ominous barrier that is almost indestructible.
Housenki speaks up, "So it is you...the bastard with the black jewel."
Naraku still retains his smile. "Housenki, it seems you've weakened a lot."
At this comment, a crystal arm reaches out and crashes into the barrier. The arm punches right through Naraku's barrier, and leaves a hole in his chest.
Kagome and the others look on in shock.
Sango breaks the silence, "It went through both the barrier and Naraku!"
Naraku is smiling once more. "I see. It seems you were a Greater Youkai when you were alive, and you still have the willpower to resist."
Naraku's right arm starts to transform into tentacle-like appendages with razor sharp talons on the ends. The tentacles flash down towards Housenki in an attack in a fierce attack.
The tentacles strike Housenki near his head, where the Shikon fragment is located. The tentacles begin to claw their way into Housenki, straining to reach the fragment.
"Oh no! He's going to reach it. He'll take the Shikon fragment!"
Kagome reaches into her quiver and draws an arrow. "I won't let you!" The arrow flies towards the tentacles attacking Housenki, ripping apart some of the tentacles.
Due to Naraku's attack, the fragment suddenly goes completely black. Housenki's body follows the lead of the fragment and also turns wholly black.
"What? The fragment has gone pitch black." Kagome states with wide eyes.
At that moment, a volley of shards flies out from Housenki, heading straight towards Kagome.
Kagome quickly erects a barrier to protect herself as Sango throws down her boomerang.
"Hiraikotsu"
"Lady Kagome!" Miroku cries out helplessly from a short distance away.
The boomerang knocks away some of the shards, and the rest are deflected off the barrier.
"The corruption from the fragment has spread throughout Housenki's body." Miroku observes after the threatening shards are knocked away.
"It's all thanks to your efforts." Naraku replies with an evil grin. "The Shikon fragment covered by the diamond armor and Youkai energy was beyond even my ability to corrupt it."
Kagome becomes angry when she realizes what he is saying. "You're saying it's because we damaged Housenki's body then!?"
Naraku replies with a cold smile. "You damaged Housenki, and Housenki injured Inuyasha."
Miroku and Sango get an annoyed look on their faces.
"Everything went as he wanted it to."
Naraku's tentacles are still buried within Housenki's body.
"How... pathetic..." Housenki struggles to taunt the intruders.
Naraku no longer has a smile, but now his face becomes serious. "The Shikon no Tama, wants to become one..."
Suddenly, a brilliant flash of light appears from beneath Naraku and Housenki, and a blast of energy rushes past them.
Miroku, Sango and Kagome look on in surprise.
Miroku recognizes the energy. "The Cutting Wind!?"
"Inuyasha!" Kagome shouts.
All of Naraku's tentacles that were outside of his barrier are sliced off with the attack.
Inuyasha comes up from below, riding on one of the skeletal birds. He gains altitude and is now facing Naraku. He has no major injuries, but he and his clothes are disheveled and roughed up.
"Naraku!" He grows menacingly.
Naraku does not seem phased. "Heh...So you survived, Inuyasha. Though considering your appearance, it looks like you were hurt by Housenki pretty badly.
"Bah! You got hasty, Naraku. Getting cocky and appearing so fucking casually."
Inuyasha holds out Tetsusaiga, and swings down, unleashing a lot of energy.
"Say your fucking prayers!" He jabs as he tries to break through Naraku's barrier.
Naraku's face breaks into a smile once again. Inuyasha swings the Tetsusaiga with a great deal of effort and force.
Energy released from the blade rushes out to Naraku.
Winds buffet around Kagome, Sango and Miroku; Sango calls out. "Inuyasha... do you think you succeeded?"
Inuyasha looks on as the dust clear; a large dark ball can be seen.
Naraku can be seen through the dark energy protecting him. He is unharmed. "You haven't grown at all Inuyasha. Don't you understand, yet, that against me, Tetsusaiga is of no use?" He taunts.
"Damn." He tries again, and the Tetsusaiga swings down. "Shuttup! Kaze no Kizu!!"
The blast wraps around Naraku's barrier, but Naraku gets a disappointed look on his face. "Futile."
A crackling ball of energy appears from out of Naraku's barrier.
Myouga, sitting on Kagome's shoulder, suddenly yells. "O-oh no! Everyone, get away from here! He plans to return the Cutting Wind."
"Become ripped apart by the Cutting Wind you yourself released."
A rush of wind comes out from the ball. Inuyasha doesn't dodge; he is facing down his own attack.
'There's still one thing that I haven't tried.'
Inuyasha jumps up and makes a circular motion with Tetsusaiga, unleashing a new blast.
"Bakuryuuha!" (Explosive-style-destruction)
A flash of energy appears, and the two blasts collide.
For the first time since entering the boundary world, Naraku appears surprised. "The Cutting Wind, is being wrapped up by the youkai-energy and is returning!?"
A torrent of tornados rushes out from Inuyasha, covering Naraku's barrier.
"Did I get him!?" Inuyasha questions, but something appears behind him.
A blur whizzes by him; it Housenki rushing through the air. Inuyasha gets gored and cut by Housenki's antlers.
Naraku has used his tentacles to pull Housenki out of Inutaisho's breastplate. He used the youkai to spear Inuyasha as Housenki is being pulled towards the evil hanyou. Now Naraku is looking unharmed in his barrier. Inuyasha is lying on top of Housenki, weak and out of strength. The Tetsusaiga transforms back into its dormant state.
Kagome becomes worried. "Inuyasha! The Bakuryuuha didn't work either!?"
Inuyasha is stuck on Housenki's antlers, and blood drenches his clothes. A short distance away is Naraku, floating in the air with some tentacle like talons gripping Housenki.
"Inuyasha, you've got no moves left."
Inuyasha groans in pain, as Naraku smirks at his discomfort.
"Your Tetsusaiga cannot cut me again."
Inuyasha struggles to get up; the Tetsusaiga is still untransformed.
"Bah, what the fuck are you talking about? This fight isn't over yet." He exclaims as he strains to stand.
Behind Inuyasha, one of Naraku's tentacles is probing Housenki's body. The tentacle is reaching for black fragment in Housenki's back.
Kagome calls out a warning. "He's trying to take the Shikon fragment."
Sango throws her boomerang. "Hiraikotsu!" The weapon soars through the air and cuts Naraku's tentacle; it whizzes over Inuyasha's head.
"Outside from the barrier, he can be cut..." Miroku observes, but celebrations are quickly ended when, from the end of the cut tentacle, a mass of black mist sprays out.
Inuyasha edges away as mist spreads. "Wha! Miasma!"
One of Naraku's tentacles flashes outwards again, and reaches for the fragment too quickly to be stopped. The fragment becomes free and is pulled away from Housenki.
"I finally have my hands on it. The last of the Shikon fragments." Naraku states appearing quite pleased.
Naraku isn't done yet; however, and throws Housenki at Inuyasha.
Housenki slams into Inuyasha, and the both fall into the gap in the side of Inuyasha's father's skeleton.
(A/N: This is where Housenki was holed up earlier, and where Sesshoumaru was knocked out by Inuyasha at the beginning of the series.)
Naraku extends his tentacles. "I have no more business with you."
Miroku reaches for his rosary and starts to unwrap his cursed hand. "I won't let you get away!"
"Miroku don't..." Sango exclaims as she looks to Naraku.
Naraku holds up the ringed ball nest that the Saimyoushou insects live in. He smirks at the frustrated monk.
A bunch of insects emerge from the nest. Miroku looks on in surprise, and Sango looks warningly at Miroku.
"The Saimyoushou."
"Houshi, don't use the Air Rip." Sango warns with a pleading look.
The Saimyoushou insects swirl around their master.
"Go ahead and choose. You could die quickly by sucking up the insects' poison, or you can choose to live, for now, even if it means you have to wander hopelessly around this graveyard until your death."
Kagome and the others look surprised.
"What do you mean?" Miroku asks hesitantly.
Naraku gives a knowing smile. "There is no possibility for you lot to return to the world of the living. The pearl you used is out of energy; you cannot leave."
Inuyasha sits, with a shocked expression.
"I told you this could happen. The possibility that we might not be able to return always existed." Myouga speaks up from Kagome's shoulder.
"The pearl may not be an option, but if you can get out, we will find a way also." Miroku states in attempt to comfort both himself and his companions.
"The only one who can return is me." Naraku taunts them while smiling.
'I don't like it, that jerk Naraku looking so relaxed.' Inuyasha muses.
"Naraku, you bastard, don't think you can run away." Inuyasha shouts up at him.
Naraku holds up the last fragment. "Don't you get it, Inuyasha? It's already over!"
Naraku glances to the side; there's a glint in the distance.
A powerful blast slams into the side of Naraku's barrier.
Naraku becomes unnerved as the others look on in surprise.
Sesshoumaru appears floating in the air and holding Toukijin.
"Sesshoumaru." Kagome murmurs.
From inside his father's skeleton, Inuyasha looks on, surprised. "Wha...?"
Sesshoumaru faces Naraku at short distance. Naraku adopts a slightly nervous expression.
'This guy... how did he get here?' He muses. "Sesshoumaru, did you come running to save your little brother? Such a kind elder brother you are."
Sesshoumaru does not bother to answer; he retains his ever present emotionless façade. His silver hair flutters over his shoulder as he turns his head to look at Inuyasha.
Sesshoumaru looks longingly at his father's skeleton, then flies closer to the remains. He gains a wistful expression and gazes up Inutaisho. The only person Sesshoumaru seems to respect is his father.
Silent respects are made briefly, and then his head snaps at Inuyasha emerging from the gap in Inutaisho's skeleton. Inuyasha has an uncertain expression.
'Sesshoumaru...What the fuck is he doing here?'
Faster than most could follow, Sesshoumaru moves, and is now right in front of Inuyasha. Uncertainty becomes slight fear, as Inuyasha realizes his half-brother's intent too late.
Without any expression on his face, Sesshoumaru powerfully punches Inuyasha in the face.
Inuyasha goes sliding back along the skulls on the floor, inside his father's skeleton.
Inuyasha's face is now damaged and smudged with blood. He groans from the pain inflicted on his face.
Kagome is now on the floor, running past Sesshoumaru. Miroku and Sango have come down as well, but are looking nervously at Sesshoumaru, and not moving past him.
"You bastard, what the fuck are you doing?" Inuyasha demands angrily.
Sesshoumaru glances back at Inuyasha. "You hanyou failure, damaging father's grave."
Then the demon lord rises up into the air to face Naraku. "You scum."
Naraku doesn't look insulted. He looks rather happy actually.
Inuyasha and the others look on through the gap in the side of Inuyasha's father's skeleton. A noise comes from behind them
Inuyasha and Kagome look back towards Housenki who is lying behind them still struggling.
"Hey... kid...do you...have any power left to fight...?"
Sesshoumaru slashes with Toukijin, and two large blasts impact on Naraku's barrier. Naraku smiles slightly as his barrier wavers around him.
"Humph... Inuyasha was easier to handle, but that is all you can manage." He mocks the demon lord.
Sesshoumaru glares coldly, but does not verbally respond.
Miroku and Sango look on from the gap in the side of Inuyasha's father's skeleton. Miroku has a worried look. 'Even Sesshoumaru's sword attack can't break Naraku's barrier.'
Inuyasha, Kagome and Shippou are standing close to where Housenki's large skull is laying on the ground inside the skeleton.
Housenki speaks. "At this rate, before long the fragment will be absorbed into the polluted Shikon no Tama." "Yeah, I'm already well aware of that." Inuyasha snaps.
"Before that happens, strike me."
Both Inuyasha and Kagome open their eyes wide in shock
"So that you can cut that Naraku person's barrier, you should cut me."
Myouga begins bouncing along Kagome's shoulder. "Housenki, that is to say that you'll give your Youkai power to Inuyasha's Tetsusaiga?"
'That's right, if you slay a strong Youkai with Tetsusaiga, it can gain new Youkai power, but...' Kagome's thoughts trail off as Inuyasha responds.
"If I cut you... then what happens to you?"
Humph...You would worry about others at a time like this? Besides... if you are not worthy of owning the fragment, you will have no chance of cutting me."
Housenki's skull is becoming lighter in shade. It looks as though his skull is turning into a crystal.
"Not only that, but... it is you who will lose your life in this place. Do you have that much courage huh...?"
Housenki's body has now completely turned into crystal.
Inuyasha looks at the youkai wearily. "Hearing that, I feel a little bit at ease."
Kagome becomes worried as she thinks on what Housenki just said. 'Lose your life? What on earth?'
Inuyasha turns to Kagome. "Move back, Kagome."
He holds out the Tetsusaga, facing Housenki, and swings the blade down powerfully.
Tetsusaiga strikes Housenki forcefully, and a blast of small fragments radiates out from Housenki at the struck point.
Blood trails down from numerous shallow cuts received by the sharp fragmenst that flew past him.
Miroku and the others look on in surprise. "Bits of diamond are shooting out!?"
The group looks at the skull of Housenki; there is only a small crack where Tetsusaiga struck. Inuyasha deflates a bit.
Outside Sesshoumaru continues to attack Naraku.
"Sesshoumaru, you want to cut me that much huh?" Naraku smiles at him; he extends some snake-like bodies out from behind him through the barrier. "Then I shall grant your wish."
Three snake-like bodies with a mouth of sharp teeth at the end fly at the taiyoukai. Sesshoumaru swings Toukijin, and easily dispatches the offensive appendages. The ends of the snakes are ripped apart.
Miasma blasts out from the ends of the snakes' ripped necks, heading for Sesshoumaru.
Up in the air, the mist clears, and Sesshoumaru can be seen floating calmly in the air.
"Humph...Did you expect that feeble miasma to affect this Sesshoumaru?"
Kagome's attention has turned from Inuyasha and Housenki to the battle outside. She see the venomous gas swirling around Sesshoumaru, Sango, Miroku, Jaken, and Shippou. With a determined look, she reaches for an arrow. The miasma has no effect on her.
"Get back. I'll purify the miasma."
The fired arrow leaves a glowing streak through the miasma.
"I... I can breath...? I, I'm saved..." Jaken wheezes.
Naraku changes tactics at that point. Out of the cut ends of the snakes necks, come a bunch of thinner tentacles.
"What'll you do, Sesshoumaru? Every time you cut me, miasma will gush out."
Sesshoumaru is not phased by the statement.
"Those in this place will eventually die out."
Jaken and Shippou look up at this.
Kagome retreats to her thoughts. 'I can't be of much help in the fighting, but I can at least protect everyone else. Sesshoumaru and Inuyash can fight without worrying about distractions.'
Kagome creates a barrier around everyone except the brothers and Naraku. The miasma is no longer a threat to them.
Sesshoumaru swings Toukijin, and the tentacles are ripped apart.
Inuyasha turns and begins to run in front of Kagome.
Naraku faces off against Sesshoumaru, with miasma drifting down below them.
Inuyasha is standing in front of the barrier holding the Tetsusaiga in front of him.
Housenki calls out to him. "Rather than strengthen your sword by cutting me, you think your companions more important? Is that because you're a damn Half-Youkai huh? Even if a mere Half-Youkai can gain my Youkai power, they wouldn't be able to use it well."
Inuyasha turns back and shouts at Housenki. "In that case I don't need it. Though I dunno what kind of great power you have."
Inuyasha swings down Tetsusaiga, unleashing a lot of power. 'Right now, I'll just do what I have to do.' "Kaze no Kizu!!" (Cutting Wind)
The blast pushes back the miasma and snakes that have reached out past Sesshoumaru to Inuyasha and the group behind him.
The Cutting Wind rushing up towards Naraku, but he dismisses the attack. "Even if you push back the tentacles and miasma with the Cutting Wind, it's no more than a temporary solution."
Naraku gets a big shock when, laced among the Cutting Wind, is a shower of diamond shards. His barrier is ripped apart by the shards like a bubble.
"Wha...! These are Housenki's diamond spears...?" Naraku contemplates in a flabbergasted mindset.
The blast clears, and Naraku's barrier is completely gone. Naraku is unharmed.
Jaken, Kagome and the rest look on in surprise. "Naraku's barrier was blown away."
Inuyasha looks in shock at Tetsusaiga; the blade is now crystallized. He looks back at Housenki.
"If you were driven by desire and had cared only for strengthening your sword the diamond fragments you were showered with would have taken your life." Housenki explains.
The diamond fragments that injured Inuyasha earlier when striking Housenki pop out from where they'd pierced his body and clatter to the ground.
A large crack appears in Housenki's skull.
"Housenki has broken." Shippou squeaks.
"Inuyasha, with that Half-Youkai heart of yours, you may inherit my Youkai- power, Kongousouha." (Diamond Spear Blast) Housenki continues.
The crystallized Tetsusaiga radiates with power.
"Naraku, you're not getting away."
Inuyasha swings down Tetsusaiga. "Take this! Kongousouha!" (Diamond Spear Blast)
A large volley of diamond shards flash out.
Naraku's torso and much of the rest of his body is heavily pin-cushioned by large diamond shards. Naraku appears to be in pain and rather annoyed.
"Damn... you..."
Naraku turns to face Sesshoumaru, floating nearby.
Sesshoumaru smirks at Naraku. "You no longer have the power to create a barrier, huh? I, Sesshoumaru shall finish you off!" Sesshoumaru exclaims as Toukijin sends blasts through Naraku.
Naraku's head is ripped in two. He groans in pain. Naraku's body has been ripped to pieces.
Kagome, Inuyasha and the rest look up at the bits of Naraku up in the air. The pieces stay together in a cloud-like mist. The remaining pieces of Naraku seem to be turning into dust.
Sesshoumaru growls, "He's vanishing!?"
Kagome glances back at her remaining arrow, which is radiating with energy. The arrow begins to glow.
Within the cloud, a darkly glowing Shikon fragment can be seen
'Among the flesh, there's a fragment!' Kagome readies the arrow in her bow.
She fires; the arrow flies true. "Hit it!"
A pulse of energy results from the collision. The arrow flies up to where the few remaining bits of Naraku are. The arrow strikes the Naraku cloud, and a flash of light follows.
A large glow of light engulfs Naraku crackling with energy, and the pieces dissolve in the pure energy.
A fragment falls down from out of this, glowing white (purified)
"The Shikon fragment..." Kagome reaches out and plucks the fragment from the air. It is not only the piece Housenki had, but Naraku chunk as well.
"Is it over? Is he gone?" Shippou asks excitedly.
Miroku tentatively finger the rosary around his hand. He turns away from everyone and rips the rosary off while extending his hand in front of him.
Nothing happens. Miroku looks at his palm to see nothing out of the ordinary. The cursed hole in his hand is absent.
Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru exchange glances. Kagome breaks out into a huge grin as she and Sango embrace.
Housenki emerges from the gap in Inutaisho's armor. Everyone's attention turns to him.
"I... wasn't able to protect the Shikon fragment. I didn't think that that evil being... would come all the way here. I wasn't able to stop the conflict swirling around the Shikon no Tama."
"It won't stop. So long as the Shikon no Tama doesn't go away, that is." Inuyasha replies.
"In that case, you should return to your original world. While you're stalling, the gate will close."
Myouga bounces along Kagome's shoulder. "Master Inuyasha! Follow after Lord Sesshoumaru! Hurry!"
Sesshoumaru is drifting through the air; Jaken is with him.
Myouga is jumping agitatedly. "Lord Sesshoumaru, please wa-a-it!"
Myouga continues bouncing along Inuyasha's shoulder. Inuyasha, Kagome, and Shippou are on a skeletal bird, following Sesshoumaru. Miroku and Sango hop on Kirara and follow the others.
Myouga continues to call out to the taiyoukai. "Sesshoumaru-sama-a!"
"Myouga, stop, it is shameful!" Inuyasha reprimands as the group follows Sesshoumaru out of the boundary world.
(A/N: SHEESH...13 pages. Omigosh! That wasn't fun at all. Oh well, its over now. (not the story just the graveyard scene) Again, this is not completely true to the manga, but it was adapted for my plot and sanity. If you have any problems...tough!! I already warned you several times! For all of you who reviewed 11A, I will respond to those along with this 11B. (I tried, but didn't have much time and my email is being bothersome.) Hope you enjoyed it. Til next time. Syrinx.
Chapter 11B Tentative Allies
Kagome looks on in horror as Inuyasha's body disappears in the mist below her. Her head snaps up as she glares at a smiling Naraku.
Naraku is surrounded by an ominous barrier that is almost indestructible.
Housenki speaks up, "So it is you...the bastard with the black jewel."
Naraku still retains his smile. "Housenki, it seems you've weakened a lot."
At this comment, a crystal arm reaches out and crashes into the barrier. The arm punches right through Naraku's barrier, and leaves a hole in his chest.
Kagome and the others look on in shock.
Sango breaks the silence, "It went through both the barrier and Naraku!"
Naraku is smiling once more. "I see. It seems you were a Greater Youkai when you were alive, and you still have the willpower to resist."
Naraku's right arm starts to transform into tentacle-like appendages with razor sharp talons on the ends. The tentacles flash down towards Housenki in an attack in a fierce attack.
The tentacles strike Housenki near his head, where the Shikon fragment is located. The tentacles begin to claw their way into Housenki, straining to reach the fragment.
"Oh no! He's going to reach it. He'll take the Shikon fragment!"
Kagome reaches into her quiver and draws an arrow. "I won't let you!" The arrow flies towards the tentacles attacking Housenki, ripping apart some of the tentacles.
Due to Naraku's attack, the fragment suddenly goes completely black. Housenki's body follows the lead of the fragment and also turns wholly black.
"What? The fragment has gone pitch black." Kagome states with wide eyes.
At that moment, a volley of shards flies out from Housenki, heading straight towards Kagome.
Kagome quickly erects a barrier to protect herself as Sango throws down her boomerang.
"Hiraikotsu"
"Lady Kagome!" Miroku cries out helplessly from a short distance away.
The boomerang knocks away some of the shards, and the rest are deflected off the barrier.
"The corruption from the fragment has spread throughout Housenki's body." Miroku observes after the threatening shards are knocked away.
"It's all thanks to your efforts." Naraku replies with an evil grin. "The Shikon fragment covered by the diamond armor and Youkai energy was beyond even my ability to corrupt it."
Kagome becomes angry when she realizes what he is saying. "You're saying it's because we damaged Housenki's body then!?"
Naraku replies with a cold smile. "You damaged Housenki, and Housenki injured Inuyasha."
Miroku and Sango get an annoyed look on their faces.
"Everything went as he wanted it to."
Naraku's tentacles are still buried within Housenki's body.
"How... pathetic..." Housenki struggles to taunt the intruders.
Naraku no longer has a smile, but now his face becomes serious. "The Shikon no Tama, wants to become one..."
Suddenly, a brilliant flash of light appears from beneath Naraku and Housenki, and a blast of energy rushes past them.
Miroku, Sango and Kagome look on in surprise.
Miroku recognizes the energy. "The Cutting Wind!?"
"Inuyasha!" Kagome shouts.
All of Naraku's tentacles that were outside of his barrier are sliced off with the attack.
Inuyasha comes up from below, riding on one of the skeletal birds. He gains altitude and is now facing Naraku. He has no major injuries, but he and his clothes are disheveled and roughed up.
"Naraku!" He grows menacingly.
Naraku does not seem phased. "Heh...So you survived, Inuyasha. Though considering your appearance, it looks like you were hurt by Housenki pretty badly.
"Bah! You got hasty, Naraku. Getting cocky and appearing so fucking casually."
Inuyasha holds out Tetsusaiga, and swings down, unleashing a lot of energy.
"Say your fucking prayers!" He jabs as he tries to break through Naraku's barrier.
Naraku's face breaks into a smile once again. Inuyasha swings the Tetsusaiga with a great deal of effort and force.
Energy released from the blade rushes out to Naraku.
Winds buffet around Kagome, Sango and Miroku; Sango calls out. "Inuyasha... do you think you succeeded?"
Inuyasha looks on as the dust clear; a large dark ball can be seen.
Naraku can be seen through the dark energy protecting him. He is unharmed. "You haven't grown at all Inuyasha. Don't you understand, yet, that against me, Tetsusaiga is of no use?" He taunts.
"Damn." He tries again, and the Tetsusaiga swings down. "Shuttup! Kaze no Kizu!!"
The blast wraps around Naraku's barrier, but Naraku gets a disappointed look on his face. "Futile."
A crackling ball of energy appears from out of Naraku's barrier.
Myouga, sitting on Kagome's shoulder, suddenly yells. "O-oh no! Everyone, get away from here! He plans to return the Cutting Wind."
"Become ripped apart by the Cutting Wind you yourself released."
A rush of wind comes out from the ball. Inuyasha doesn't dodge; he is facing down his own attack.
'There's still one thing that I haven't tried.'
Inuyasha jumps up and makes a circular motion with Tetsusaiga, unleashing a new blast.
"Bakuryuuha!" (Explosive-style-destruction)
A flash of energy appears, and the two blasts collide.
For the first time since entering the boundary world, Naraku appears surprised. "The Cutting Wind, is being wrapped up by the youkai-energy and is returning!?"
A torrent of tornados rushes out from Inuyasha, covering Naraku's barrier.
"Did I get him!?" Inuyasha questions, but something appears behind him.
A blur whizzes by him; it Housenki rushing through the air. Inuyasha gets gored and cut by Housenki's antlers.
Naraku has used his tentacles to pull Housenki out of Inutaisho's breastplate. He used the youkai to spear Inuyasha as Housenki is being pulled towards the evil hanyou. Now Naraku is looking unharmed in his barrier. Inuyasha is lying on top of Housenki, weak and out of strength. The Tetsusaiga transforms back into its dormant state.
Kagome becomes worried. "Inuyasha! The Bakuryuuha didn't work either!?"
Inuyasha is stuck on Housenki's antlers, and blood drenches his clothes. A short distance away is Naraku, floating in the air with some tentacle like talons gripping Housenki.
"Inuyasha, you've got no moves left."
Inuyasha groans in pain, as Naraku smirks at his discomfort.
"Your Tetsusaiga cannot cut me again."
Inuyasha struggles to get up; the Tetsusaiga is still untransformed.
"Bah, what the fuck are you talking about? This fight isn't over yet." He exclaims as he strains to stand.
Behind Inuyasha, one of Naraku's tentacles is probing Housenki's body. The tentacle is reaching for black fragment in Housenki's back.
Kagome calls out a warning. "He's trying to take the Shikon fragment."
Sango throws her boomerang. "Hiraikotsu!" The weapon soars through the air and cuts Naraku's tentacle; it whizzes over Inuyasha's head.
"Outside from the barrier, he can be cut..." Miroku observes, but celebrations are quickly ended when, from the end of the cut tentacle, a mass of black mist sprays out.
Inuyasha edges away as mist spreads. "Wha! Miasma!"
One of Naraku's tentacles flashes outwards again, and reaches for the fragment too quickly to be stopped. The fragment becomes free and is pulled away from Housenki.
"I finally have my hands on it. The last of the Shikon fragments." Naraku states appearing quite pleased.
Naraku isn't done yet; however, and throws Housenki at Inuyasha.
Housenki slams into Inuyasha, and the both fall into the gap in the side of Inuyasha's father's skeleton.
(A/N: This is where Housenki was holed up earlier, and where Sesshoumaru was knocked out by Inuyasha at the beginning of the series.)
Naraku extends his tentacles. "I have no more business with you."
Miroku reaches for his rosary and starts to unwrap his cursed hand. "I won't let you get away!"
"Miroku don't..." Sango exclaims as she looks to Naraku.
Naraku holds up the ringed ball nest that the Saimyoushou insects live in. He smirks at the frustrated monk.
A bunch of insects emerge from the nest. Miroku looks on in surprise, and Sango looks warningly at Miroku.
"The Saimyoushou."
"Houshi, don't use the Air Rip." Sango warns with a pleading look.
The Saimyoushou insects swirl around their master.
"Go ahead and choose. You could die quickly by sucking up the insects' poison, or you can choose to live, for now, even if it means you have to wander hopelessly around this graveyard until your death."
Kagome and the others look surprised.
"What do you mean?" Miroku asks hesitantly.
Naraku gives a knowing smile. "There is no possibility for you lot to return to the world of the living. The pearl you used is out of energy; you cannot leave."
Inuyasha sits, with a shocked expression.
"I told you this could happen. The possibility that we might not be able to return always existed." Myouga speaks up from Kagome's shoulder.
"The pearl may not be an option, but if you can get out, we will find a way also." Miroku states in attempt to comfort both himself and his companions.
"The only one who can return is me." Naraku taunts them while smiling.
'I don't like it, that jerk Naraku looking so relaxed.' Inuyasha muses.
"Naraku, you bastard, don't think you can run away." Inuyasha shouts up at him.
Naraku holds up the last fragment. "Don't you get it, Inuyasha? It's already over!"
Naraku glances to the side; there's a glint in the distance.
A powerful blast slams into the side of Naraku's barrier.
Naraku becomes unnerved as the others look on in surprise.
Sesshoumaru appears floating in the air and holding Toukijin.
"Sesshoumaru." Kagome murmurs.
From inside his father's skeleton, Inuyasha looks on, surprised. "Wha...?"
Sesshoumaru faces Naraku at short distance. Naraku adopts a slightly nervous expression.
'This guy... how did he get here?' He muses. "Sesshoumaru, did you come running to save your little brother? Such a kind elder brother you are."
Sesshoumaru does not bother to answer; he retains his ever present emotionless façade. His silver hair flutters over his shoulder as he turns his head to look at Inuyasha.
Sesshoumaru looks longingly at his father's skeleton, then flies closer to the remains. He gains a wistful expression and gazes up Inutaisho. The only person Sesshoumaru seems to respect is his father.
Silent respects are made briefly, and then his head snaps at Inuyasha emerging from the gap in Inutaisho's skeleton. Inuyasha has an uncertain expression.
'Sesshoumaru...What the fuck is he doing here?'
Faster than most could follow, Sesshoumaru moves, and is now right in front of Inuyasha. Uncertainty becomes slight fear, as Inuyasha realizes his half-brother's intent too late.
Without any expression on his face, Sesshoumaru powerfully punches Inuyasha in the face.
Inuyasha goes sliding back along the skulls on the floor, inside his father's skeleton.
Inuyasha's face is now damaged and smudged with blood. He groans from the pain inflicted on his face.
Kagome is now on the floor, running past Sesshoumaru. Miroku and Sango have come down as well, but are looking nervously at Sesshoumaru, and not moving past him.
"You bastard, what the fuck are you doing?" Inuyasha demands angrily.
Sesshoumaru glances back at Inuyasha. "You hanyou failure, damaging father's grave."
Then the demon lord rises up into the air to face Naraku. "You scum."
Naraku doesn't look insulted. He looks rather happy actually.
Inuyasha and the others look on through the gap in the side of Inuyasha's father's skeleton. A noise comes from behind them
Inuyasha and Kagome look back towards Housenki who is lying behind them still struggling.
"Hey... kid...do you...have any power left to fight...?"
Sesshoumaru slashes with Toukijin, and two large blasts impact on Naraku's barrier. Naraku smiles slightly as his barrier wavers around him.
"Humph... Inuyasha was easier to handle, but that is all you can manage." He mocks the demon lord.
Sesshoumaru glares coldly, but does not verbally respond.
Miroku and Sango look on from the gap in the side of Inuyasha's father's skeleton. Miroku has a worried look. 'Even Sesshoumaru's sword attack can't break Naraku's barrier.'
Inuyasha, Kagome and Shippou are standing close to where Housenki's large skull is laying on the ground inside the skeleton.
Housenki speaks. "At this rate, before long the fragment will be absorbed into the polluted Shikon no Tama." "Yeah, I'm already well aware of that." Inuyasha snaps.
"Before that happens, strike me."
Both Inuyasha and Kagome open their eyes wide in shock
"So that you can cut that Naraku person's barrier, you should cut me."
Myouga begins bouncing along Kagome's shoulder. "Housenki, that is to say that you'll give your Youkai power to Inuyasha's Tetsusaiga?"
'That's right, if you slay a strong Youkai with Tetsusaiga, it can gain new Youkai power, but...' Kagome's thoughts trail off as Inuyasha responds.
"If I cut you... then what happens to you?"
Humph...You would worry about others at a time like this? Besides... if you are not worthy of owning the fragment, you will have no chance of cutting me."
Housenki's skull is becoming lighter in shade. It looks as though his skull is turning into a crystal.
"Not only that, but... it is you who will lose your life in this place. Do you have that much courage huh...?"
Housenki's body has now completely turned into crystal.
Inuyasha looks at the youkai wearily. "Hearing that, I feel a little bit at ease."
Kagome becomes worried as she thinks on what Housenki just said. 'Lose your life? What on earth?'
Inuyasha turns to Kagome. "Move back, Kagome."
He holds out the Tetsusaga, facing Housenki, and swings the blade down powerfully.
Tetsusaiga strikes Housenki forcefully, and a blast of small fragments radiates out from Housenki at the struck point.
Blood trails down from numerous shallow cuts received by the sharp fragmenst that flew past him.
Miroku and the others look on in surprise. "Bits of diamond are shooting out!?"
The group looks at the skull of Housenki; there is only a small crack where Tetsusaiga struck. Inuyasha deflates a bit.
Outside Sesshoumaru continues to attack Naraku.
"Sesshoumaru, you want to cut me that much huh?" Naraku smiles at him; he extends some snake-like bodies out from behind him through the barrier. "Then I shall grant your wish."
Three snake-like bodies with a mouth of sharp teeth at the end fly at the taiyoukai. Sesshoumaru swings Toukijin, and easily dispatches the offensive appendages. The ends of the snakes are ripped apart.
Miasma blasts out from the ends of the snakes' ripped necks, heading for Sesshoumaru.
Up in the air, the mist clears, and Sesshoumaru can be seen floating calmly in the air.
"Humph...Did you expect that feeble miasma to affect this Sesshoumaru?"
Kagome's attention has turned from Inuyasha and Housenki to the battle outside. She see the venomous gas swirling around Sesshoumaru, Sango, Miroku, Jaken, and Shippou. With a determined look, she reaches for an arrow. The miasma has no effect on her.
"Get back. I'll purify the miasma."
The fired arrow leaves a glowing streak through the miasma.
"I... I can breath...? I, I'm saved..." Jaken wheezes.
Naraku changes tactics at that point. Out of the cut ends of the snakes necks, come a bunch of thinner tentacles.
"What'll you do, Sesshoumaru? Every time you cut me, miasma will gush out."
Sesshoumaru is not phased by the statement.
"Those in this place will eventually die out."
Jaken and Shippou look up at this.
Kagome retreats to her thoughts. 'I can't be of much help in the fighting, but I can at least protect everyone else. Sesshoumaru and Inuyash can fight without worrying about distractions.'
Kagome creates a barrier around everyone except the brothers and Naraku. The miasma is no longer a threat to them.
Sesshoumaru swings Toukijin, and the tentacles are ripped apart.
Inuyasha turns and begins to run in front of Kagome.
Naraku faces off against Sesshoumaru, with miasma drifting down below them.
Inuyasha is standing in front of the barrier holding the Tetsusaiga in front of him.
Housenki calls out to him. "Rather than strengthen your sword by cutting me, you think your companions more important? Is that because you're a damn Half-Youkai huh? Even if a mere Half-Youkai can gain my Youkai power, they wouldn't be able to use it well."
Inuyasha turns back and shouts at Housenki. "In that case I don't need it. Though I dunno what kind of great power you have."
Inuyasha swings down Tetsusaiga, unleashing a lot of power. 'Right now, I'll just do what I have to do.' "Kaze no Kizu!!" (Cutting Wind)
The blast pushes back the miasma and snakes that have reached out past Sesshoumaru to Inuyasha and the group behind him.
The Cutting Wind rushing up towards Naraku, but he dismisses the attack. "Even if you push back the tentacles and miasma with the Cutting Wind, it's no more than a temporary solution."
Naraku gets a big shock when, laced among the Cutting Wind, is a shower of diamond shards. His barrier is ripped apart by the shards like a bubble.
"Wha...! These are Housenki's diamond spears...?" Naraku contemplates in a flabbergasted mindset.
The blast clears, and Naraku's barrier is completely gone. Naraku is unharmed.
Jaken, Kagome and the rest look on in surprise. "Naraku's barrier was blown away."
Inuyasha looks in shock at Tetsusaiga; the blade is now crystallized. He looks back at Housenki.
"If you were driven by desire and had cared only for strengthening your sword the diamond fragments you were showered with would have taken your life." Housenki explains.
The diamond fragments that injured Inuyasha earlier when striking Housenki pop out from where they'd pierced his body and clatter to the ground.
A large crack appears in Housenki's skull.
"Housenki has broken." Shippou squeaks.
"Inuyasha, with that Half-Youkai heart of yours, you may inherit my Youkai- power, Kongousouha." (Diamond Spear Blast) Housenki continues.
The crystallized Tetsusaiga radiates with power.
"Naraku, you're not getting away."
Inuyasha swings down Tetsusaiga. "Take this! Kongousouha!" (Diamond Spear Blast)
A large volley of diamond shards flash out.
Naraku's torso and much of the rest of his body is heavily pin-cushioned by large diamond shards. Naraku appears to be in pain and rather annoyed.
"Damn... you..."
Naraku turns to face Sesshoumaru, floating nearby.
Sesshoumaru smirks at Naraku. "You no longer have the power to create a barrier, huh? I, Sesshoumaru shall finish you off!" Sesshoumaru exclaims as Toukijin sends blasts through Naraku.
Naraku's head is ripped in two. He groans in pain. Naraku's body has been ripped to pieces.
Kagome, Inuyasha and the rest look up at the bits of Naraku up in the air. The pieces stay together in a cloud-like mist. The remaining pieces of Naraku seem to be turning into dust.
Sesshoumaru growls, "He's vanishing!?"
Kagome glances back at her remaining arrow, which is radiating with energy. The arrow begins to glow.
Within the cloud, a darkly glowing Shikon fragment can be seen
'Among the flesh, there's a fragment!' Kagome readies the arrow in her bow.
She fires; the arrow flies true. "Hit it!"
A pulse of energy results from the collision. The arrow flies up to where the few remaining bits of Naraku are. The arrow strikes the Naraku cloud, and a flash of light follows.
A large glow of light engulfs Naraku crackling with energy, and the pieces dissolve in the pure energy.
A fragment falls down from out of this, glowing white (purified)
"The Shikon fragment..." Kagome reaches out and plucks the fragment from the air. It is not only the piece Housenki had, but Naraku chunk as well.
"Is it over? Is he gone?" Shippou asks excitedly.
Miroku tentatively finger the rosary around his hand. He turns away from everyone and rips the rosary off while extending his hand in front of him.
Nothing happens. Miroku looks at his palm to see nothing out of the ordinary. The cursed hole in his hand is absent.
Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru exchange glances. Kagome breaks out into a huge grin as she and Sango embrace.
Housenki emerges from the gap in Inutaisho's armor. Everyone's attention turns to him.
"I... wasn't able to protect the Shikon fragment. I didn't think that that evil being... would come all the way here. I wasn't able to stop the conflict swirling around the Shikon no Tama."
"It won't stop. So long as the Shikon no Tama doesn't go away, that is." Inuyasha replies.
"In that case, you should return to your original world. While you're stalling, the gate will close."
Myouga bounces along Kagome's shoulder. "Master Inuyasha! Follow after Lord Sesshoumaru! Hurry!"
Sesshoumaru is drifting through the air; Jaken is with him.
Myouga is jumping agitatedly. "Lord Sesshoumaru, please wa-a-it!"
Myouga continues bouncing along Inuyasha's shoulder. Inuyasha, Kagome, and Shippou are on a skeletal bird, following Sesshoumaru. Miroku and Sango hop on Kirara and follow the others.
Myouga continues to call out to the taiyoukai. "Sesshoumaru-sama-a!"
"Myouga, stop, it is shameful!" Inuyasha reprimands as the group follows Sesshoumaru out of the boundary world.
(A/N: SHEESH...13 pages. Omigosh! That wasn't fun at all. Oh well, its over now. (not the story just the graveyard scene) Again, this is not completely true to the manga, but it was adapted for my plot and sanity. If you have any problems...tough!! I already warned you several times! For all of you who reviewed 11A, I will respond to those along with this 11B. (I tried, but didn't have much time and my email is being bothersome.) Hope you enjoyed it. Til next time. Syrinx.
