Disclaimer: I do not own any of the copyrighted/licensed/trademarked materials mentioned in this fanfiction (from InuYasha to my references to Nine Inch Nails or Harry Potter). They are the properties of their respective copyright holders and I in no way am insinuating that I own them. (Consider it free advertising.) I only own the storyline and any new characters that may crop up.
Chapter Two: Casualties of War
The tent was broken down and re-packed in utter silence. Koga stormed out of camp shortly after waking. Ginta and Hakkaku stayed to help pack but occasionally glanced knowingly at InuYasha and Kagome. Shippo kept his word to Sesshomaru yet looked about with a confused expression. Rin, Sango, and Miroku looked twice as confused as Shippo. However, Kagome seemed to understand what the tension was about. It was the same with InuYasha. They both met any accusing glares with defiance and pride.
They soon prepared to set off for the day without Koga.
"Shouldn't we wait for him?" asked Kagome, being as kind and considerate as ever.
"Nah," said Hakkaku, "He'll track our scent and catch up. It's not like he doesn't have the speed."
"He just needs to blow off some steam," Ginta said, "He'll be back. He swore to destroy Naraku."
And so the decision was made. Around mid-day they stopped for a quick lunch of rice crackers and ramen. When the water reached boiling point, Koga appeared through the trees. "Hey, everyone! Lunch time already?" he said, acting as if he hadn't left the camp in an absolute rage just hours ago. But he did sit away from the group. Kagome and Sango prepared ramen cups for everyone. When Kagome approached Koga, he wrinkled his nose.
She gasped and her eyes began to water. "Is it that terrible for you?" she spoke softly. They were far enough away to avoid human ears, but never a demon's.
Koga sighed, "I'm sorry, but I'm doing my best to deal with this. I'd be lying if I didn't say that I wish it was my scent on you."
"Koga . . ." she began.
"Don't, Kagome. I don't want you to apologize for what's in your heart. If he is the one you chose, then I won't dispute it. I just want you to be happy." He looked her in the eye, "Are you happy?"
"Yes, I am."
"That's all I needed to know. I wish the best for you," he smiled slightly, "and the mutt-face."
Kagome chuckled and offered Koga his ramen cup with wooden chopsticks. "Eat up. You'll need your strength."
"Thank you," he said as he grabbed his lunch.
The voyage to Naraku's castle used most of their daylight. As they neared the gates of his fortress the world around them was bathed in the light of a full moon. They discussed their strategy and formation all day while marching: InuYasha and Sesshomaru in front; next would be Kagome to point them in the right direction by detecting Naraku's jewel shards; to Kagome's right and left will be Sango and Miroku; Jaken, Rin, and Shippo next; the Wolf Demons will bring up the rear to guard and detect any enemies who might think of a sneak attack.
"The barrier is near," Sesshomaru said.
"Yeah," InuYasha replied, "I can smell it." He unsheathed the Tetsusaiga and it shone with a red light. InuYasha raised his father's great fang high, and with a mighty swing, Naraku's barrier was dissolved. The Tetsusaiga returned to its usual hue as InuYasha said, "It's time."
Kagome climbed onto InuYasha's back, followed by Shippo. Rin was scooped up by Sesshomaru, and Jaken was forced to cling to the end of his master's fur. Miroku and Sango were piggy backed by Ginta and Hakkaku respectively. "Everyone ready?" InuYasha asked. There was a scattered murmur of "Ready" from everyone and InuYasha said, "Okay. Go!" InuYasha leaped over the walls of the compound and was followed one-by-one by the others. Upon landing, everyone took their positions and strode towards the castle. A small group of undead sentries stood near an entrance. There were scattered attack commands.
"Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!" shouted InuYasha.
"Dragon Strike!" Sesshomaru directed the Tokijin.
"Hit the mark!" Kagome begged as she shot a Sacred Arrow.
"Hiraikotsu!" Sango bellowed as she threw the enormous boomerang.
"Sacred Sutras!" Miroku chanted.
Once the last of the undead disintegrated into a cloud of ash and clay, they seamlessly reunited into formation. The group entered through the now unguarded door. More sentries awaited them within, almost surrounding them. They formed a tight circle around Rin and Shippo as Jaken joined the fray. Swords slashed. Arrows whizzed through the air. Kilala roared and attacked. Sutras flew. Fire blazed from the Staff of Two Heads. Fists slammed and feet kicked ferociously from the Wolf Demons, and a giant boomerang cut down many foes with each of its flights.
When the last of the undead samurai fell InuYasha growled at Miroku, "Is that wind tunnel of yours busted or what?"
"Who knows what foe will possess a deadly miasma, or when a hundred Saimyosho will appear, InuYasha? I must exercise caution. I am of much more use alive. I would prefer to die while battling Naraku rather than his slaves."
"Good thinking, Miroku," Sango praised.
"Fine," InuYasha grumbled.
They once again took their positions and pressed on. Passing through a few more rooms that Kagome said were leading in the direction of the Jewel Shards, they encountered more undead soldiers. After the fifth straight room infested with zombie samurai, Sesshomaru spoke while sheathing Tokijin, "This seems redundant, and by far too simple."
"What do you mean? Naraku always has others do his dirty work!" InuYasha exclaimed.
"Doesn't it seem odd that we have only encountered undead samurai? No incarnations? No traps? Where are Kagura and Kanna? The Saimyosho? Did you ever ponder that, little brother?"
InuYasha was dumbstruck.
"He's right," Sango said while dismounting from Kilala.
"It's almost as if he's trying to sap our strength, or lull us into a false sense of security," Miroku mused while rubbing his chin.
"What should we do?" Koga asked.
Sesshomaru thought a moment, and then he faced Kagome, "Which direction do you sense the jewel shards in?"
She
closed her eyes in concentration, then like a compass her arm swung
towards an unopened door. "South. He is that way."
"Fire
your Sacred Arrow that way."
She knocked an arrow onto her bow and drew. Kagome concentrated her spiritual energy into finding Naraku and clearing their path to him. She let the arrow fly and her sacred power swirled around her holy missile. It pierced wall after wall and as they were hit, they evaporated.
"Nani?" she uttered in amazement.
They now stood in a courtyard within a castle. Fifty feet in front of them stood a demon wielding two fans and a short albino demon with a small mirror: Kagura and Kanna.
"I see you had enough sense to smell a trap," Kagura said in a haughty tone, "How did you enjoy Kanna's illusion? Her skills with her mirror have vastly improved."
"You'll need more than a pretty glass to finish us, bitch!" InuYasha howled.
"Your bark is loud but can your fang defend it?" Kagura taunted.
"Where's Naraku? You are not worth my fang!" he retorted.
"You will find him soon enough," she lifted her fans and twirled, "Dance of Blades!"
"Rin! Shippo! Run!" InuYasha bellowed as he fended off Kagura's attack with the Tetsusaiga.
The little ones took shelter with Kagome and Jaken as their guards. Everyone else took their battle positions. Kagura had a handful defending herself from so many warriors united against her. Sango and Miroku took to the air upon Kilala's back. Sesshomaru and InuYasha assailed her with their blades, and the three wolves charged Kagura. Kagome watched the wolves charge Kagura and she froze in horror.
A cold, hideous voice echoed across the courtyard, "Now, Kanna."
"Koga! No!" Kagome screamed.
Kanna stepped out from behind Kagura. Her mirror was filled with an eerie light. It grew brighter and pulsated. Koga, Ginta, and Hakkaku ground to a halt and shielded their eyes from Kanna's Mirror.
"What is this?" Koga shouted.
Kanna's mirror shuddered and let loose a deadly cannon-like blast of demonic miasma. Koga, Ginta, and Hakkaku were vaporized.
"No!" Kagome cried.
InuYasha and Sesshomaru halted in shock. Kagura laughed with evil glee. "Dance of the Dragon!"
The brothers leaped back to avoid the attack. "Kagome! Where are the shards?" InuYasha shouted, "Where is he, Kagome?" She looked around and around.
It's not possible! It can't be! The mirror! He's in the mirror!
"InuYasha! He's in Kanna's Mirror!"
"What?"
"Naraku is in the mirror!" Kagome yelled, "Stay away from the mirror!" How can I get him out of the mirror? What can I do? Her attention was drawn to the sky by a roar of pain. Kagome looked up to see Kilala descending slowly. Her ears and tails were hanging limp. She landed just in time; as soon as her paws touched down she reverted back to her small cat form. Kilala curled up, mewed pitifully, and shivered.
"What happened?" Kagome asked as she ran up to them.
Sango picked up Kilala. "She was stung by three Saimyosho!"
"I managed to pull two of the stingers out," Miroku said.
"Take her to Shippo. He has my portable first-aid kit. Use the tweezers and needle to get the stinger out. Use whatever you can find in there to help with the poison. Miroku, come with me!" Sango ran to save Kilala while Kagome and Miroku ran towards the ongoing fight between InuYasha, Sesshomaru, and Kagura. Kagome observed Kagura's behavior as they ran. Kagura's having trouble keeping up with InuYasha and Sesshomaru. She's probably only fighting because Naraku is watching through the mirror. Kanna . . . she always stands behind Kagura. Kagura is shielding Kanna! Maybe if I could get a clear shot of the mirror . . .
"Miroku, do you think you could hit Kagura with a sutra?" Kagome asked.
He reached into his robes, "I shall do my best."
Kagura was concentrating on InuYasha and Sesshomaru, who were in front of her and to her left. Miroku crept up on her right side. As he moved closer, Sesshomaru wounded her left arm. They all stopped to acknowledge First Blood. Sesshomaru spotted Miroku out of the corner of his eye. He goaded Kagura to buy the monk time.
"Why do you fight for him, Kagura?"
"You know very well why I fight for him," She wiped some of the blood from her arm and looked to Sesshomaru. "I loved you once."
She's trying to play head games, let's show her how serious I really am . . . "I thought you had to have a heart to love."
She spat back, "You're one to talk! Trying to kill your only brother." Kagura flicked her fans open again. "No mind, I'll kill you both!" She raised her right arm to attack.
Miroku seized the opportunity and flung a sutra at her right side. His aim was dead on target. "Aaaaaargh!" Kagura screamed in agony as the sutra burned through her kimono, onto the flesh beneath, and seared her ribs with its holy power.
Kagome now took advantage of the situation and knocked an arrow. She aimed for Kanna's Mirror and let it fly. She prayed Let this work! Kagome watched as the arrow rocketed, pulsing with sacred power. Kagura regained her composure and flicked her fan to divert Kagome's Sacred Arrow. But something began to spew forth from Kanna's Mirror: Black hair.
A thick, demonic aura and a strange blob-like mass began to spew forth from the mirror. Soon, the half-human, half-demon torso of Naraku emerged from the seemingly unstable mass that poured forth like so much over flowing filth. "Impudent wench," he hissed, "You will all become part of my flesh!" A tentacle shot out towards Kagome.
She screamed in fear as InuYasha leaped over, slashing the tentacle with his blade. "Get back, Kagome!" he shouted as he pushed her out of harm's way.
Sango came running up, her voice raised in a fierce battle cry, and the Hiraikotsu lifted high. She was blinded by bloodlust and a thirst for vengeance. Sango spun the Hiraikotsu around her head violently again and again. "Die!" she screamed in fury. The boomerang flew fast and true. It sliced through a portion of Naraku's gelatinous body, but the chunk just melted to rejoin the rest of his body.
"Fool!" he boasted and sent his tentacles after her as she reached to catch the Hiraikotsu.
"No! Sango!" Miroku ran and pushed Sango out of danger. The tentacles wrapped about the monk's body and pulled him closer and closer to Naraku.
Sango got a hold of herself. "Why, Miroku?" she cried at him.
"Run, Sango. I couldn't let the woman I love die," he spoke honestly, "Run, before he takes you, too." Miroku made a sign of blessing and good fortune to her. Within seconds, he was absorbed into Naraku's body.
InuYasha reached the scene hacking and slashing, "Bastard! Let him go!" Sango joined the fight, crying and slashing with her sword, "No! Let him go! Miroku!" She hacked and slashed right along with InuYasha, but to no avail. Sango heard a whisper from behind her, "I am gone, Sango. I died to save you. Don't let my death be in vain. You must live to fight another day for us both."
"InuYasha, fall back!" she commanded.
As they turned, Sesshomaru stepped forward to duel with their dishonorable foe. Sango picked up the Hiraikotsu without stopping as she and InuYasha moved away to reorganize. Kagome ran to join them, and was followed closely by Shippo.
"Damn!" InuYasha cursed, "With Kagura and Kanna around, I can't use the Wind Scar or the Backlash Wave. Either Kagura cancels out the wind or Kanna will blast my attack right back at me!"
Kagome opened her mouth to make a suggestion when Shippo cried, "Look out!"
"Ha ha ha! Did you forget about me?" Kagura laughed. She swung her fans and bellowed, "Dance of Blades!"
They were "sucker punched" and knocked unconscious.
"Again, Kanna!" Naraku ordered. Kanna turned to aim her mirror at Jaken and Rin who were guarding the supplies. The strange, pulsing glow grew again from Kanna's mirror. It gathered in intensity, and Sesshomaru saw it.
He ran from Naraku towards Jaken and Rin. No! You bastard, no! He willed himself to go faster.
Jaken took a defensive position in front of Rin. My lord entrusted me with her safety! I shall protect her with my last breath! He must keep fighting Naraku! Sesshomaru drew near as Kanna's Mirror began to vibrate. Jaken held out his hand, palm forward, "No, my lord! I will not allow you to get injured! You must fight Naraku! Do not worry about us!" Jaken swung the Staff of Two Heads at Sesshomaru with all of his strength and knocked him out of the way. In the same swift motion, Jaken brought the staff upright with the woman's head pointing at Kanna. The head shrieked and a barrier formed a dome about them. Kanna's Mirror fired a second time . . . and the staff's barrier could not defend against such an onslaught.
"RIN!" Sesshomaru howled.
But where she and Jaken had stood moments before was only a charred, smoking hole. Sesshomaru shuddered with boiling rage and lifted himself from the ground slowly. He turned to Naraku, who was laughing with overwhelming mirth. Kagura tried to intercept Sesshomaru, but he simply flicked Tokijin and sent her flying into a wall of the courtyard. InuYasha regained consciousness just in time to see Kagura fly past. He looked to his brother walking slowly to Naraku. Sesshomaru's usual calm, cold face was contorted with fury and wrath.
Naraku ceased laughing and began to taunt the demon lord. "Did you love that little, mortal girl? How pathetic, Sesshomaru. I expected better of you."
Sesshomaru did not grace him with an answer. InuYasha, confused and somewhat disoriented, looked to where Jaken and Rin had been hiding. "No," he whispered. He stood despite the pain and walked towards Naraku as well.
"Was she special to you, Sesshomaru? You should have never involved a mortal girl with the workings of demons," Naraku pressed on.
"Silence, half-breed. You disgust me," he swung Tokijin at Naraku with a fierce howl, but Naraku absorbed the attack and laughed.
InuYasha came to stand beside his brother. He drew the Tetsusaiga and spoke, "This ends tonight, Naraku."
"Yes, it will, InuYasha . . . For you!" Naraku smiled as six tentacles shot outward and imprisoned InuYasha. One wrapped about each of his limbs, one around his ribs, and the last around his hips. Naraku then turned his attention to Sesshomaru. More tentacles shot out to imprison Sesshomaru; but anticipating the move he avoided them and cut a few off in the process.
Kagome awoke to this horrific scene and screamed. She ran for InuYasha. She was frantically screaming, "Sesshomaru! Save him, please! Please! InuYasha!"
Sesshomaru moved to strike but found himself assailed from behind by Kanna and her soul-sucking mirror. He was unable to move, only watch as Naraku leaned close to InuYasha's ear.
Naraku whispered to InuYasha, "And now, half breed wretch, I'll get the exquisite pleasure of killing you in front of the woman you love . . . your mate!"
InuYasha's eyes dilated in fear and understanding.
"Die, InuYasha!" Naraku growled for all to hear, and tore InuYasha in half.
Kagome almost collapsed, but kept running as she heard her own voice cry to the heavens, "INUYASHA!" The world seemed to shift into slow motion as she watched both pieces of his body fall to the ground. Each stride felt like a century and her tears trailed in the air behind her. His upper and lower halves hit the ground with a sickening, resounding, "Thud!" The Tetsusaiga had slipped from his grasp in mid-air. It planted itself next to its former master and took its rusted form. She skidded to a stop and collapsed beside InuYasha.
Before his life fully left his body, he looked to her and croaked, "I love you … run." InuYasha's torso shuddered, and he died. In a horrified shock, Kagome stared at what remained of her mate. She reached over and closed his eyes. She put her head on his chest and wept.
Sesshomaru mustered what force of will he still possessed after witnessing the death of Rin, the only person he ever loved. He raised Tokijin high and with an enormous display of power he cut Kanna's right hand off. Kanna gasped and with her lack of concentration the mirror released Sesshomaru's soul. Sesshomaru, recharged by his wrath and anger, looked to Kagome.
"Kagome!" he shouted as a large, green tentacle slammed down in front of him.
She slowly looked up, and stared at him as if in a daze. It barely registered that he was now under attack by Naraku.
"Silly wench, grab the damn Tetsusaiga!" he demanded while fending off Naraku, "We must flee!"
With great trepidation, Kagome took the sheath from InuYasha's torn waist and tied it to hers. She then plucked the sword from the ground and sheathed it. Suddenly, Kagome's leg was struck by another of Naraku's appendages. It bent at an odd angle and she crumpled like a sheet of tissue paper.
Sesshomaru bolted over to Kagome as his mind raced. How can I manage to save the four of us? I am weakened from Kanna's attack. He looked down at his brother's mangled body. It's the only way … He knelt beside InuYasha's torso and lifted his left arm. "Forgive me, little brother," and he looked to Kagome, "and you, Kagome." With a swift swipe of Tokijin, he severed InuYasha's left arm, and quickly fastened it to his body. Sesshomaru now had restored his left arm. He suddenly twisted and hoisted Kagome over his left shoulder. He sped to where Sango and Shippo lay unconscious. He stopped next to the unconscious pair and Kagome shuddered at the feel of InuYasha's arm gripping her with Sesshomaru's body. Shippo awoke when Sesshomaru lifted him. The little fox scurried up the demon's arm and clung to Kagome. Sesshomaru tucked Sango under his right arm like a sack of potatoes.
"What's going on?" Shippo asked, frightened and confused.
"No time. Hold on to Kagome. We must escape or we'll all die," Sesshomaru barked at the fox child. Shippo didn't need to be told twice. Sesshomaru rose and took to the air.
"Kagura! Kanna! After them!" Naraku bellowed.
Kagura grabbed Kanna, who was nursing the bloody stump where her hand used to be. Kagura produced her feather to take to the skies after them.
Sesshomaru managed to stay ahead of his pursuers, but not very far. As they neared Kaede's village in the lands of Musashi, Kanna's Mirror was recharging. Kagura was almost on their tails. Her laughter rang in Sesshomaru's ears.
I cannot avoid that blast at this close of range. How the hell can she hold that mirror if I cut off her damn hand? Where can I go to avoid their attack? He looked ahead and saw an old well. There! He heard Kanna's Mirror begin to shudder and Kagura's laughter become maniacal.
Sesshomaru leaped slightly and Kagome looked to their landing site with terror.
"Sesshomaru! No! Don't!"
But they all descended the Bone-Eater's Well.
