Chapter Eleven: Angel Sword

Miroku and Inuyasha study the mirror on the tree closely. Miroku tries to pull it off and Inuyasha tries to break it. Sango throws her boomerang at it, still nothing happens. Miroku walks over and stands by Sango. "Maybe we shouldn't try to break the mirror, maybe it can lead us to Serenity."

Kaede sighs, "Or it could be for some other purpose, who knows. But if you look to the top of the mirror there is a small round hole, maybe something goes in it."

"You mean like a key?" Kagome peeps.

"Yes, it could be a key... or maybe its there for no reason." Kagome walks up to the mirror. She then climbs on the roots and reaches up to the opening. She takes off her necklace and looks at the crystal. Kagome places the small crystal in the hole, it begins to glow brightly. Suddenly, it stops glowing and the crystal falls out. Kagome jumps down and picks up her crystal. "Well, that didn't do much." Kagome sighs and walks over to Inuyasha. Everyone turns to leave when they hear a small voice coming from the mirror. Kagome looks back and sees an image of her father in the mirror. She gasps and slowly walks to it. Her father is smiling in the image. Her mother is standing next to him with a sword on her back. The image changes, it shows just her father. He is more serious looking now. His eyes are dark and he has two small crystals in his hand. The image changes again and shows the sword the was on her back. The mirror quickly starts flashing images of a small village. It shows the sword sticking out of the ground with vines growing on it. The mirror suddenly cracks. A dagger hits the ground with the pieces of glass the fell of the mirror. Kagome turns around and sees Sofia sitting on a branch. She waves then disappears quickly.

Inuyasha growls and runs to Kagome, "Kagome you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine..." she closes her eyes to think then continues, "Inuyasha, the image of the village, do you know where that is?"

"I don't recognize it...but maybe I have been there... I don't know."

Miroku speaks up, "I have been there."

"You have?" Kagome looks to him.

"Yes, its to the north, near the mountain. It might take awhile to get there, but if we hurry we should get there within a day."

Inuyasha pouts and picks Kagome, "Lets not waste time. Kagome and I will get a head start."

Miroku glares at him, "Are you really going, or are you going somewhere private with Kagome again?" Inuyasha snarls and dashes through the forest with Kagome on his back. Miroku turns to Sango, "We should get some supply then catch up to Inuyasha, because if we don't he will get lost without me as his guide." he mumbles, "Seeing I am the only one that knows where the village is.."

Sofia hastily runs past the rice fields and then straight through the forest. Its sunset and she is very close to the village. Without her knowing, someone follows her closely. Watching her every move, making sure she gets to her destination.

As night falls upon the land, Sofia reaches the village. Sofia shivers and turns into her demon form. The people see her and run into their houses, the men come out with swords and spears. She grins wickedly then runs through the crowd of men ripping off their limbs as she passes. She stops and looks back with blood dripping from her mouth. Satisfied, she turns and walks out of the village toward the field. There the sword shines in the moonlight with a portentous silver glow. Sofia places her hand on it and smiles brightly. She hears something snap behind her and turns around. She gasps, "How are you alive!" Artemis does nothing and walks toward her. She backs away slowly but bumps into the sword. Artemis looks to her, "Serenity is no longer in need of your service. She says she wishes she could have been here to thank you for finding the sword, but she had other business to attend to. I am here to relieve you of your duties."

Sofia pulls out her whip, "Is that so? Well, come on, you can't be that strong."

Her eyes widen and she drops her whip. Blood flows down her body to the ground. Artemis grins, "Now, what was it you were saying?" Sofia collapses and whimpers in pain. Artemis kicks her and kneels down, "Sorry Sofia, you would have done the same, remember?" he crushes her hand with his foot. "Remember how you and Julian planned to kill Sumiko and me?" he presses hard, "Remember?" She cries out in pain and Artemis smiles softly. "Good... now you can have the guilt to comfort you in Hell." he lifts his sword and drives it into her head. Her body goes numb. "Farewell Sofia... may you suffer greatly in Hell." he stands and looks to the sword next to Sofia's lifeless body. "So... thats the Angel Sword.." he reaches to pull it out, but the vines wrap around his arm. Thorns appear and bite his arm, he jerks back. He hears voices in the background. "Inuyasha must be here..." Artemis fades into the darkness.

Inuyasha and Miroku run ahead of the others. Miroku turns to speak to Inuyasha, "There is the sword, but there is something next to it."

"I smell blood, Sofia's..." they continue running and stop when they reach Sofia. Sango and Kagome fly down with Kirara. Kagome walks up to Inuyasha she looks down and sees Sofia. She gasps and Inuyasha turns to her. "Kagome... Artemis's scent is on this sword..."

"But... but how? He died... didn't he?" Miroku walks to the Angel Sword and inspects it carefully. He pulls it out of the ground. Kagome holds out her hand, "Miroku.. may I see the sword?"

"Of course Kagome, here." he hands her the sword. She turns the sword around and brushes her fingers over the blade cutting the tips. Her expression is blank, Inuyasha sniffs the air and growls. He grabs Kagome and pulls her close. She looks to him then sees he is looking to a large bolder. Artemis climbs onto the bolder and stands straight staring at them. He holds out his hand, "I need to take that sword to Serenity, give it to me.."

"Artemis, what happened? You died... didn't you? Are you under Serenity's control again?" Kagome cries.

"Silence! I do not have to explain myself to you...now, give me the sword." Blue flames appear around his body and his eyes glow. "Give me the sword." Kagome shakes her head and holds the sword tightly. Inuyasha looks to Kagome and sees the crystal around her neck glowing. He lets go of her and pushes her forward. She looks back at him questioningly. Her crystal glows brighter and she looks to it then back to Inuyasha. "I'll be right here... go." she nods and her body begins to glow. The sword turns into a bow and falls into her hands. She pulls back and aims at Artemis.