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 Seventeen: The Hidden Depths of Hot Lake
The next day dawned sunny and mild. Most of the day was spent sharpening weapons, polishing armor, and devising strategies. Hoshi expressed that some of the enchantments guarding the jewel were deadly and required the utmost of caution and skill. "I will feel much better if we all went fully prepared for the worst."
The longest part of their day was waiting for sunset. Megami was caught more than once prowling about, pacing as if she were a caged animal on the full moon. Kagome could bear the striding back and forth no longer. "Megami, come walk with me, please," she asked the anxious demoness. Megami simply nodded and followed Kagome out the door. They walked through the cleanly manicured lawn and into the outlying overgrown grasses and weeds that stretched into the countryside. Kagome seemed to be leading her to a large willow that grew in the middle of a field not far from the fox den. Kagome walked to the tree and placed her hand upon its bark. She leaned against the trunk, as if needing immense strength to go on. "I have a terrible feeling about tonight."
"So does Senkotsuke," Megami sighed. "We don't have much of a choice, Kagome."
"I know. I guess he asked Sango to remain here with me. They've told Shippo to stay, too."
"He's too young. We wouldn't forgive ourselves if something happened to him."
"I understand your reasoning. I wouldn't let him go, either. But there is something that I want you to do, Megami. Something you cannot tell the others," Kagome said solemnly.
Megami raised a brow, "What is it, Kagome?"
Kagome took a shaky breath, "I want you to take the Tetsusaiga with you. Hide it beneath your cloak or something. Somehow hide it. I want you to take it as an insurance policy. I just want to make sure that you will have something as a back up plan. I want all the bases covered for this. I can't help but feel that something serious is going to happen tonight."
Megami was stunned, "But, how will I conceal that from them?"
Kagome laughed, "Megami, you hid the fact that you were a demon from me for over a month. I think you can hide a sword. Just suit up before everyone else, they'll simply think you're being anxious."
Megami looked uncomfortable with her request. "Are you sure, Kagome? I mean, that was InuYasha's sword."
Kagome steeled herself, drawing on founts of strength she did not know existed, "If it means keeping what's left of my family safe, then take it and use it if needs be."
Megami approached Kagome and bowed, "Then I will be honored to bear the Tetsusaiga onto the field once more. Just pray that I don't need to use it."
The sun faded behind the mountaintops and zero hour had struck. Sesshomaru, Senkotsuke, Sango, Hoshi, and Ryuji gathered their weapons and armor. Sesshomaru lifted his traditional haori, hakama, armor, and swords. He looked at the remaining sets of armor and weapons. There was a pile missing. "Where is Megami?" he asked.
A voice answered him from the entryway, "Waiting for the slowpokes." Megami stood in the main doorway, fully suited in traditional armor. It was akin to the same design as Sesshomaru's father's armor. She wore a great, fluffy white fur cloak with a slit cut for her tail. The shoulder armor was in curved plates adorned with deadly, arched spikes (for fangs were a rarity when her suit was crafted) and joined with a breast plate that was almost identical to Lord Sesshomaru's. Her arms were bare, save the armor and black leather gauntlets. She wore a black hakama that hung loose about her bare, clawed feet. A red and silver sash was tied around her waist. Her swords were tethered to her back, each hilt jutted up from behind a shoulder. Her white and red hair was unbound, flowing down her back in a sleek yet untamed mass. Her face was a mask of cold, war-like determination.
Sesshomaru caught himself with his mouth open, gaping at her. I see her in a new light. She is not only beautiful, loving, and playful. She is a fighter, but still beautiful. She is always so much more than she seems. His heart pulled at him, and for a moment he considered telling her to stay behind. But, he came to his senses and realized the hell she would put him through for even asking. He composed himself and looked to the others, "Well then, let's get ready to go." In twenty minutes, it was dark and everyone was ready to leave on this expedition. They exited the fox's home into a bright summer night.
As they walked to the car, Hoshi continued to give instructions. "Now Megami should park her truck near the lake; there's a small dirt road that shoots off from the highway that would be optimal. Ryuji and I will park down the way a bit to not draw attention to the area. The police are always being called out there because of drunk teenagers who want to have a bit of fun." Everyone nodded in compliance while loading weapons into the truck beds.
Sesshomaru, Sango, and Senkotsuke climbed into the truck as Megami pulled open her door. They observed curiously as Megami simply stood beside the open door. Sesshomaru leaned over in his seat and saw that Megami was utterly transfixed as she stared at the waning crescent moon. "Megami," he said softly to rouse her.
Megami looked to him with a slight jump. "Oh. Right. Let's go." And she hopped into the truck. Once the engine was started and the vehicle was moving, they followed as Hoshi led the way in his Durango.
Sesshomaru looked at everyone in the Avalanche decked out in their armor. "Megami, is it safe that we wear our armor while driving through town?" he asked as they drove through an intersection.
"I think it's a chance that we have to take. If some of these enchantments need to be fought off, or get out of control, we won't have time to change upon arrival," Megami said very sternly. "Always prepare for the worst."
"Where is this place?" Sango asked, "Will there be many prying eyes?"
"Not really. From what Hoshi has told us it's remote and thanks to his hard work it has a reputation of being haunted. No one lives within a mile and a half of the place."
Street lights and houses became fewer and fewer the further they drove down the highway. They passed a truck stop beside an over pass and after that the road seemed devoid of any form of life. Mile after mile they stared at the taillights of Hoshi's Dodge and endless blacktop. Finally, Ryuji put his torso out of the window and pointed for Megami to turn right. She slowed for the turn and applied her signal. Hoshi's vehicle pulled away from them and the headlights of the Avalanche shone upon a gravel road that branched off from the highway. Megami turned and drove about half a mile down the road before parking. She shut off the motor and everyone opened their doors. As they all proceeded to the truck bed, Sango asked, "What do we do if the cops show up?"
Megami re-secured her swords to her back. "We run to the truck and drive like hell. Police involvement is the ultimate fuck up."
"So," Senkotsuke said as he shouldered his claymore, "Any spotlights, flashing lights, or any one wielding a flashlight is an immediate sign to run back here. Got it?"
"Understood," Sesshomaru said while sliding Tokijin into his sash alongside Tenseiga.
"Got it," Sango said while strapping her hiraikotsu to her back.
The group began to back track to the road. Once walking on the black top, they saw Hoshi and Ryuji walking down the road towards them. The gates of Hot Lake loomed ahead, chained and locked. They looked at the waters and understood the name. Steam billowed forth in a haze of wisps and clouds. It looked unreal, like an image from a nightmare or horror movie. They gathered before the gates, reuniting with Hoshi and his son.
Megami looked at the gates in her usual defiant manner. "Well, up and over." She leaped and executed a perfect flip, landing noiselessly on the other side. "Come on!" she beckoned as she marched for the lake and its ethereal fog. Senkotsuke knelt and offered Sango a boost to help her over by cupping his hands together as a stirrup. She placed her foot in his hands and he launched her over the gates. She performed a flip much like Megami's and landed in a crouched position. The others jumped over the gates one by one, lacking the flair and arrogance of Megami's routine. With a brisk pace they all caught up with Megami.
Hoshi once again gave warnings and instructions. "The first barrier is at the shore of the lake, and is triggered by a demonic presence. It is easily broken and I will dissolve it." He strode to the front of the party and led the way from there. "Many of these enchantments are merely illusions with Fox magic. Some are considerable barriers and we will need to exercise caution."
Megami groaned for she became weary of the constant play by play and Senkotsuke flicked her ear. When she turned to say something to Senkotsuke, Sesshomaru grabbed her arm and hissed at her quietly, "Focus! You are being too hot-headed!" She gritted her teeth and remained silent.
As they reached the shore, the entire group except Hoshi remained back a few paces while the old fox stepped forward to work his magic. They watched with baited breath, but the fox did nothing. Hoshi turned away from the lake, muttering, "I don't understand."
"What is it, Father?" Ryuji asked.
Hoshi swallowed hard, "The barrier has been dissolved, and I cannot sense any of my other barriers. Something is wrong." He seemed on the edge of panic.
Without another word, Megami bolted and dove into the lake.
Sesshomaru and Senkotsuke shouted in unison while running after her, "Megami!"
Senkotsuke growled as he dropped his claymore, "What the hell has gotten into her?"
"No time," Sesshomaru said, "Let's go." He dropped his fur by the shore and moved forward with Senkotsuke in tow.
They both entered the water after her. Once beneath the lake's surface, they saw her swimming ahead of them. They chased after her as she steadily made her way to the bottom. While swimming through the lake, Sesshomaru thought of giving her a sound tongue lashing once they were through with their task. Without warning, Megami changed directions; as if something caught her eye. The pursuers adjusted their direction and soon caught up with her, for she stopped to inspect something. Megami treaded water near the remains of a broken body. Sesshomaru and Senkotsuke swam to each of her sides and looked upon the scene. It appeared to be a body, but only in likeness. It was a mass of broken clay and garments. Megami reached into the heap and pulled out a large piece. She showed her findings to Senkotsuke and Sesshomaru, hoping for answers. It wasn't the countenance of a demon, or even a man. The piece that Megami held in her hands was that of a woman's face locked in an expression of pure terror; a face that strangely resembled Kagome's.
Sesshomaru's eyes grew wide in shock and understanding. Kikyo … it seems the tragic priestess met her end at last. This would explain the lack of barriers. But how long ago did this happen? By the look of the garments attached to the shards of clay, it couldn't have been long. But why didn't Kagome sense her? Then again, there is much to that situation that even she doesn't understand … Sesshomaru waved a hand at the siblings to signal to move on. The trio began to move through the water again, nearing the floor of the lake. The shapes of rocks and plant life loomed ahead in the darkness, but with their demonic eyes, the three adventurers spotted something else in the pits of Hot Lake. They picked up the pace, moving closer.
Sesshomaru looked to the unknown object and studied it intently as they swam nearer. He saw part of the thing move and in mid stroke he turned to push Megami away. Before he could even touch Megami, a large appendage flew at them and tossed her upwards. Another came whipping at Sesshomaru and Senkotsuke and they were also jettisoned towards the surface. Megami flew out of the water and caught the attention of the others. Once she gasped for air, Megami let loose a scream before gravity took hold and she plummeted back into the lake like a discarded rag doll. Sesshomaru and Senkotsuke regained control of their bodies and swam for the surface. Soon, Megami resurfaced and made for shore as well.
Sango, Hoshi, and Ryuji came to help Sesshomaru, Megami, and Senkotsuke out of the lake. The three dog demons had barely regained their footing when a rushing, bubbling sound reached the ears of all present. They turned to see the lake bubbling, and with the effect of the steam billowing forth, it looked as if the lake was boiling. Before they knew it, they spied a half-charred torso perched atop an ominous, insect-like demon. Sango blanched as she witnessed this abomination rise from the water. "N-Naraku!" she stammered.
The thing laughed, cold and cruel, "No, my dear. My father never graced me with a name. I am what is left of his old body, and did not deserve a name. But, you all shall perish before I give my master the shard of the jewel he so desires."
Hoshi trembled, "How can it be alive? I destroyed it. I killed it. I know I did!"
Sesshomaru answered him as he picked up his discarded fur, "The jewel must have sustained him somehow, and when Kikyo came to the lake, she woke him."
"Kikyo?" Sango asked incredulously.
"Her broken clay form lies in that lake. She must have been here only recently. That is why the barriers were all dispelled. But we have to be quick and destroy this incarnation. That is all that matters now," with that said, Sesshomaru drew forth Tokijin.
Senkotsuke picked up his claymore as Sango readied her hiraikotsu. Megami drew both of her swords, and the fox demons readied their Foxfire. The incarnation was now completely out of the water and moving onto the shore upon eight, spidery legs. Sango backed up quickly, giving herself adequate space to aim her weapon. The incarnation swung a large leg at the troop, and Ryuji blocked it with a dome of Foxfire. When the Foxfire had evaporated, Sesshomaru and Senkotsuke leaped forward to attack. Senkotsuke swung his enormous claymore and severed a leg, while Sesshomaru put a gash in the abdomen.
Rather than screaming, the thing laughed. With its remaining seven legs, it charged the group. Megami sheathed her swords and ran to tackle Sango, knocking them out of harm's way. Ryuji and Hoshi were hit directly and tossed into a puddle of thick mud beside the shore. Sesshomaru rounded on the spider and lashed at it with his light whip. Each lash left deep burns in its back. Senkotsuke charged at the incarnation with his claws flaming. He howled as he moved to strike, but his attack was countered by a spidery leg throwing him backwards. Sango ran after Senkotsuke and Megami screamed in fury, unleashing her flame whip. She swung wildly in her anger and struck the charred torso across the chest.
"Bitch!" the thing screamed and swung a leg towards her.
Megami quickly drew a sword and held the leg at bay, sliding backwards on her feet with the inertia. Sesshomaru came running to her aid and swung Tokijin at the monstrous demon incarnation, "Dragon Strike!" His attack hit home and the spider fell to the ground.
It twitched as Sesshomaru grabbed Megami and moved her away from it.
"Ah," the thing groaned as it moved to lift itself upright, "so you are Lord Sesshomaru. I wouldn't have thought you would be caught dead in the company of lowly humans and half-breeds such as this."
The spider now regained its footing and came at Sesshomaru. He held the creature at bay while shouting to Megami, "Run!" But she would not budge. She remained near him, ever at his aid. "Damn it, Megami, run!"
"I will not abandon you, my lord!" she cried.
The spider continued to strike at him with its legs, "Oh ho! What is this? Have you found another to take under your wing like that pathetic mortal that my master killed?" Sesshomaru growled, but the incarnation only fed on his malice. "Yes, my father told me all about killing her. He reveled in your pain, and your weakness. How the mighty have fallen, indeed. To see one once as lordly as yourself stoop so low as to love a mortal. How easy it is to strike and break those fools who love."
Sensing extreme danger to Megami, Sesshomaru resumed shouting retreat orders at her. "Megami, run!" Sesshomaru howled while keeping the thing away from her. The spider intensified its attacks in response to Sesshomaru's screams.
"Yes. Protect her. Shelter her. Try as you might, you will still see her die tonight!" the spider laughed with twisted mirth. The incarnation charged at him suddenly, breaking his slow, steady pattern and knocked Sesshomaru backwards. Tokijin flew from Sesshomaru's grasp, and the incarnation seized his opportunity. The spider lifted a foot, and stomped the blade.
SNAP! Tokijin was split in two.
Sesshomaru gawked at his broken sword. No … He was breathless, and the world seemed to grind to a halt. He stared at the pieces of Tokijin in shock, until a voice broke the spell of his distress.
"Watch out, my lord!" Megami screamed as the incarnation readied to crush Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru reacted with lightning speed and wrath. He reached for the spider's foot with both clawed hands and grasped it. Sesshomaru growled, louder and louder, as he sat up and pushed his foe back. By the time Sesshomaru was on his knees, he was howling. He lifted himself to his feet and his full height. With a great, terrible roar, Sesshomaru threw his enemy back. The spider skidded with the force of Sesshomaru's anger.
It laughed again, with malevolence and evil dripping from its voice, "How precious … the protected becomes the protector." The incarnation reared another leg, aiming for Megami. Megami drew her swords to strike. The appendage came at her swiftly as a war cry was heard.
"HIRAIKOTSU!" And from the sidelines, Sango's weapon traveled with ferocity and cut off another of the spider's legs. It was now missing a leg from each side.
"Meddling wench!" it growled.
Megami ran with both swords readied. She leaped into the air and began to twist like a spinning top. As she descended, she gained momentum and extended both arms out to swing the swords like deadly propeller blades. She drew near the incarnation, spinning at a phenomenal speed. Upon contact her blades glanced off the demon's hide and she was thrown backwards violently. Her swords flew from her hands as she rocketed towards the ground like a bullet. She struck the ground hard, groaning a bit before picking herself up. Megami's vision ran red with fury. Without even looking for her swords she charged the spider again.
"Megami, no!" Sesshomaru screamed at her.
Megami ignored his screams and thundered towards her prey at full steam. She roared at the spider, conjuring her fire whip. She leaped at the demon, but to her astonishment, the spider threw itself down. Megami's eyes grew wide in dread as she saw herself launched straight at the seared torso. Its arms were opened to her, invitingly, menacingly. She could not stop and found herself imprisoned by scorched arms. Megami's heart hammered in her chest from fear, but the incarnation's heart rumbled with triumph. The incarnation squeezed Megami with lethal force, and she wailed in pain.
Sesshomaru's mind reeled as he watched Megami being crushed. Not again! How could I let this happen again? I should have told her to stay with Kagome! Damn it … Kami don't do this to me again! The incarnation wrung Megami's body again. She wailed and screamed for Sesshomaru. When the thing stopped applying pressure to her, she hung limply in its arms. "No!" Sesshomaru screamed. "Let her go! Kill me instead!"
The incarnation let a warped smile spread across its grotesque face. "Tempting," it mused lazily, "You would give your life for hers? Sacrifice yourself so that she may go on?"
"In an instant."
"Touching," it chuckled, "But I'm afraid that you will just have to watch her die like I promised." The spider crushed her again.
Megami screamed from the depths of her soul, "SESSHOMARU!"
"MEGAMI!" he howled in pain.
The incarnation cackled maniacally, drinking up their pain and suffering before tossing Megami's limp form into Hot Lake.
