So, where did we leave off? Ah yes, at somewhat of a cliffy. So, here's where you get to see if your guess was right. Who could the mystery youkai be? Well, here's another chapter for your enjoyment since you asked. Another thing though, is that I think I'm going to start posting on Mondays and Fridays because of Christmas break. I won't be anywhere near a computer to update on. So enjoy your bonus while you can! Anyway, read, review, and enjoy!
Mayu Kitsune
Japanese Terms
Zasshu- Mongrel
A Familiar Face, Naraku's Plot
Kagome paused suddenly in her ascent to the surface, Jewel shards! And more than one! she thought as she began climbing faster. "Moyuru, do you see anything!" she called, but
Moyuru gave no reply.
Kagome's head popped out of the well and she gave Moyuru a puzzled look. The hanyou just stood there, seemingly frozen. Her eyes were transfixed on something and she looked visibly shocked.
"Moyuru?" Kagome said questioningly. What could she be staring at? Kagome followed her gaze to a kitsune youkai at the edge of the clearing. Something about him seemed familiar, even to Kagome.
He was tall and had long brown hair that was kept in a braid and fell to the backs of his knees. His bangs were thick and parted in the middle though the right side of them had been grown out, falling so that they covered the right side of his face and the eye that remained visible was of a deep blue color. He wore a light set of armor over a sleeveless white shirt decorated with a dark blue colored dragon that wrapped around the neck of the garment, the head looking as though it rested on his shoulder.
His pants were baggy and the same color as the dragon that decorated the shirt. He wore the thick bands of material around his arms as Moyuru did as well as a gold band in the shape of a long dragon around the upper part of his left arm. He carried with him a katana secured in a pale blue sash that was tied around his waist. The sash also wrapped intricately around his upper body, working to hold parts of the armor in place.
"No. . . It can't be, Seiya's dead. . . that can't be him!" Moyuru said quietly to herself.
Kagome paused, doing a double take, He's got four jewel shards in his chest over his heart! she thought, that could only mean that one person was behind his sudden appearance.
"Wh-who are you?" Moyuru demanded, her voice a bit shaky. There was no answer from the kitsune youkai, only a blank expression.
"What's the matter Moyuru? Don't tell me you don't recognize your own brother." Naraku taunted, stepping forth from the shadows clad in the baboon pelt as usual.
Moyuru's eyes narrowed, "You," she growled, "Do you expect me to believe this cruel trick? It can't be him. . . he looks like nothing more than an empty shell." she stated. His eyes, they were completely blank, blank as if there were nothing there.
"You're only half right, the jewel shards allow me control of him. Right now he will do anything I tell him to, he is my slave. . . But I will be willing to relinquish control of him, set him free. . . for a price." Naraku replied.
Moyuru's hands began instinctively towards her weapons, "How can I be sure that what you say is the truth? How can I be sure that's him and not just some illusion you've devised to trick me?" she demanded. She wasn't going to be taken by any tricks. Being hanyou didn't make her ignorant or stupid by any means.
"So you need proof do you?" Naraku said, before smirking and disappearing from view.
Only a moment later the blank look faded from the kitsune youkai's eyes and they filled with the life that had always seemed to inhabit them before he died. He blinked a few times, looking disoriented. As soon as he came to he was struck with a sudden confusion. Wasn't he supposed to be dead? Where was he?
The angered look disappeared from Moyuru's face as she seemed to realize the change,"Seiya?" she questioned timidly.
He looked to her, his eye widening, "Moyuru?" he asked in pure shock, "What's going on? . . . I-I thought. . ."
Moyuru began towards him, "It's really you." she said quietly. It was him! No matter how impossible it seemed it was him, it had to be!
"Who else would I be?" he asked as he neared her.
Moyuru threw her arms around him, her eyes having filled with tears.
"I don't understand, what's going on?" he asked quietly.
"You're alive." Moyuru said softly.
Seiya looked to her, confused. He thought for sure he had been dead. He remembered feeling as though he were dying and telling Moyuru to run. He remembered hearing her screams as his own father ended his life. . .
After a breif second, he returned her hug, "I'm glad you're okay. . . I knew you could make it out of there." he whispered to her as they to embraced one another.
Moyuru couldn't believe it, it was impossible! He was warm, breathing, his heart beat steadily in his chest, he was alive! They pulled away from each other after another few moments.
No sooner had they broken the embrace than the blank expression returned to Seiya and Naraku reappeared, "Convinced?" he prompted.
Moyuru's heart felt as though it had been smashed into a million pieces. That was Seiya, it couldn't be anyone else or just a mere illusion and Naraku was using him! That bastard was using him! But how did Naraku even know that she had a brother?
"So, what will it be? Will you work for me or will you condemn your brother to fate as a slave?" Naraku asked.
Kagome had now gotten her bow and was ready to fire, aiming it at Naraku's figure, "You won't get away with this Naraku!" she yelled, beginning to let go of the bow string.
"Stop!" Moyuru ordered, "He's mine!" she growled, lunging at him with her claws ready to strike. Her attack was suddenly halted by a strong hand that caught her wrist. "What the-" she exclaimed as she was jerked to a stop. Who had grabbed her wrist? Who was protecting that bastard!
Kagome should be coming back any minute now. Inuyasha thought. He looked to be considering something, thinking for a few moments before seeming to make up his mind. He got up from his spot at the base of a tree trunk and began in the direction of the well.
He was going to wait on her even if he had no intention of apologizing to her. What the others had said earlier was true though he didn't want to admit it. He hadn't considered the possibility that both of them could have jumped to conclusions.
He caught scent of something not long after entering the forest. His eyes grew wide at the familiar scent. Naraku! he thought, beginning to run now. What was he doing there? If Naraku was there then. . . Kagome could be in danger!
Inuyasha willed himself to run faster. It didn't matter if there was a misunderstanding or if he acted like he hated her or what, he had to save Kagome! He came upon the clearing, still running. They were barely in view, but he had come into viewing range just in time to see Moyuru lunge angrily at Naraku. Someone else caught her wrist as her claws were beginning to come down on the demon with every intent of killing him. Who was that that had stopped her attack from landing?
Moyuru gave the kitsune youkai a shocked look before she was thrown backwards, headed in a path straight for Kagome who couldn't move out of the way in time!
Inuyasha called on all the speed he possessed to intercept Moyuru before she could crash into Kagome. Moyuru cried out in pain as he caught her, her injured side hitting against him as he did so.
"Are you okay?" he asked, setting her down. She nodded her response as she sunk to her knees, clutching the cloth over the injury. Kagome was to her in an instant.
Inuyasha stood protectively in front of the two, "I'll show that demon." he growled, his hand going to the hilt of Tetsusaiga.
"No! Don't hurt him!" Moyuru begged.
"What?" he asked, faltering and looking to her in confusion. That demon had just thrown her half-way across the clearing and she was asking him not to hurt him?
"He's my brother." she answered in a pain-filled voice.
"Your brother?" Inuyasha echoed, wasn't her brother dead though?
"Naraku used jewel shards to bring him back." Kagome explained quickly.
"You see? I have control of him. I could have him kill you and he would be powerless to stop it." Naraku stated, his gaze resting on Moyuru.
Moyuru continued to glare at him. Her eyes momentarily flashed bright blue before fading back to normal, she hadn't even seemed to notice.
Could it be possible that this girl possesses power that she isn't even aware of? What kind of power do you have Moyuru? Naraku wondered, though he didn't show any signs of his thought.
Inuyasha growled at him, showing his fangs, "What do you want with her?" he demanded.
Naraku ignored him, keeping his attention on the kitsune hanyou, "Well, what are you going to do? I expect an answer from you soon, Moyuru. Don't keep your brother waiting too long." he said before vanishing in a cloud of his miasma, Seiya along with him.
Moyuru picked herself up, wincing as she did so. What to do now? She couldn't work for that bastard! But if she didn't, Seiya would continue to be used for Naraku's benefit.
"Come back and fight me you coward!" Inuyasha yelled angrily in the direction Naraku had been in.
"It's no use." Moyuru muttered.
"Yeah, he's gone and I don't sense any jewel shards around." Kagome agreed.
"What does he want with me! Why does he have to do that to Seiya!" Moyuru questioned angrily.
Inuyasha turned to her, surprised to see tears streaming down her cheeks. Had seeing her brother like that really hurt her that badly?
"Who knows what he's up to, he'll target anyone." Inuyasha replied truthfully.
"Why me? As if enough damage hadn't been done already without him messing my life up even further than it already is!" Moyuru growled angrily, flinching and falling to her knees again as the strain caused pain to course through her.
"Are you okay?" Kagome asked worriedly, "You shouldn't be doing too much of anything, your ribs could be broken!" she said as she knelt down next to Moyuru.
"Come on, we need to get back to the others." Inuyasha stated, helping Moyuru back to her feet.
"Can you walk by yourself?" Kagome asked.
Moyuru nodded, "I'm fine, my legs aren't what's hurt." she answered as she pulled away from Inuyasha and began towards the hut on her own. Inuyasha wordlessly followed her, Kagome not to far behind.
"Moyuru chan!" a little voice rang out. Naomi ran to them as they approached the hut. She slowed noting that Moyuru hadn't even seemed to notice her. She stopped, her eyes following her role model as she trudged past wearing a downcast expression. Naomi gave Moyuru a puzzled look as she continued to walk away, past Kaede's hut.
What was wrong with her? She hadn't even looked in her direction! Naomi backtracked, tugging on Kagome's sleeve, "What's wrong with Moyuru chan? Did I do something wrong?" she asked.
"No, you didn't do anything wrong, Moyuru just isn't feeling well." Kagome answered quickly.
"Kagome you're back!" Shippo exclaimed as he ran to her.
"Hi Shippo." Kagome greeted as she knelt down, the kit jumping into her outstretched arms.
"I thought you'd left for good!" he cried.
"No, what makes you think I would do that?" Kagome asked.
"Because Inuyasha wouldn't go to bring you back, he was too busy being a jerk." Shippo replied.
Inuyasha balled up a fist, "Jerk! Why you little-"
"KAGOME!"
"Inuyasha!" Kagome scolded.
"He said you were spying on him." Shippo stated.
"I know, we both jumped to conclusions. I'm sorry." Kagome replied.
"So, what were you doing out there anyway?" Inuyasha asked suspiciously.
Kagome stared at him blankly for a few moments, "You still think I was spying on you! I can't believe you! I was just going to the bathroom for your information!" she yelled angrily, setting Shippo down and getting to her feet.
"Okay! I believe you, you don't have to bite my head off for it!" Inuyasha retorted.
Kagome just glared at him, "It was all reasonable that I would've thought something else too! How was I supposed to know that you weren't falling for someone else?" Kagome demanded.
Now it was Inuyasha's turn to stare at her blankly for a few moments, "You don't still suspect me of that do you!" he questioned angrily.
"How was I supposed to know! You didn't have to start acting all weird on me!" Kagome snapped.
"Me acting weird? You're the one that's acting like a lunatic!" Inuyasha countered as their argument raged on. They were now right in each other's faces, yelling and screaming indignantly at one another.
Shippo and Naomi both stared at them in confusion. What was wrong? Kagome was back wasn't she? Inuyasha should have been grateful and not arguing with her! He should have been thanking her for forgiving him if anything. What was his problem! He was acting like such an idiot!
"So, I see Kagome is back." Miroku stated as he, along with Sango approached.
"Yeah, and can you believe he's already arguing with her!" Shippo exclaimed.
"Why am I not surprised?" Sango asked, shaking her head back and forth slowly.
"SIT!" Kagome yelled, her command followed immediately with a surprised cry and a thud.
"Well, I think it's safe to say that things are getting back to normal." Miroku mused.
Naomi had wandered off in search of Moyuru, maybe she could help to make her feel better.
"Naraku was in the area?" Miroku questioned, seeming shocked by the information.
"Yeah, except this time he wants something with Moyuru." Inuyasha spat out.
Once things had begun to calm down Inuyasha, Kagome, and the rest of them had gathered in Kaede's hut. A few questions about Moyuru's mood had arisen and Kagome had been doing her best to think of explanations.
"I guess I could see from her skill why Naraku would want her on his side, but what did he do to upset her so badly?" Sango asked.
"He's got her brother." Kagome replied.
"But I thought her brother was killed." Shippo rang in.
"Naraku's using the jewel shards to control him." Kagome stated.
Sango's expression became overcast. "Oh," she said, "I see. So she's going through the same thing I did."
Miroku put a comforting hand on her shoulder, "And we'll bring both situations to an end someday." he stated reassuringly.
"I hope so." Sango said, giving the monk the smallest of smiles.
"I don't know how well she's going to take it though, it's so much different in her case." Kagome mused aloud.
"How so?" Sango prompted.
"It was the other way around for her. Her brother was the one taking care of her. She looks up to him a lot." Kagome stated.
Inuyasha paused, "Did she tell you something?" he asked, "You weren't here when Myoga blurted out all of her secrets." he stated. Why would Moyuru tell Kagome anything if she wouldn't tell the rest of them?
"No, um, actually I had a. . . dream." Kagome replied. That sounds so stupid. she thought. The others were already giving her questioning looks. Now how to explain that one.
"A dream?" Inuyasha prompted.
"I don't get it either, but she had the same one. She admitted that it was a memory, but I still don't understand how I saw it."
"Perhaps it is your miko ability." Miroku offered.
"But what does that have to do with anything?"
"You are more in tune with people's emotions. Maybe that's why you saw it too."
"So, what happened with Naraku? Did he say what he wanted with her?" Sango questioned.
"No, but knowing Naraku he just wants all of us dead." Inuyasha stated grumpily. He hadn't liked the way that Naraku's appearance earlier had hurt Moyuru so much. "We still don't know what he plans on doing with her though."
"So what do we do about it?" Shippo asked.
"We could just watch her. I doubt that Naraku would try to make a deal with her right in front of us. He is bold, but not that bold." Miroku stated.
With that it seemed to be agreed. Moyuru would be watched, but the problem of her brother still remained. It was obvious that she cared for him and what she could do in an attempt to get him back could be dangerous to Inuyasha and the rest of the group.
Moyuru had been tense all day. It had stopped raining and she had been expecting an attack of some kind for a while, but so far none had come. It was now dark out and the others had already fallen asleep. All the others including Inuyasha who had made a valiant attempt to stay awake, but Moyuru had too much on her mind for sleep.
She lay there on her back, still wide awake. The moon again shone brightly now that the opaque clouds had cleared, allowing it's light to shine down and freeing the stars to shimmer brilliantly.
Moyuru began to get up quietly. She paused upon feeling a tug on her shirt as she sat up.
Naomi had taken hold of the fabric as she slept, now holding it tightly in her small fist as though she wanted to keep Moyuru from leaving her.
Moyuru carefully tried to remove the little girl's hand without waking her. Naomi stirred a bit, but didn't awaken as Moyuru got to her feet and slunk out the door into the night.
It was calm, cool, still. No sign of turbulence was present in the serenity that surrounded her. She walked quietly to the hill, but instead of stopping and sitting there she bypassed it, heading towards the woods. She climbed into a tall tree and seated herself near a top branch.
The height gave her a great view of her surroundings though her eyes seemed to stay focused on the moon. She had been so distracted all day. She wore a pensive expression as she kept her gaze on the sky. What was she to do? The decision that had been forced upon her hadn't thrilled her. What kind of price had Naraku been talking about?
A sudden breeze picked up, leaving as quickly as it had come. Something about it was unnatural. Someone or something was near, she could feel it in her gut. She slipped down from her perch before landing on the forest floor, her eyes scanning the trees around her. "Show yourself." she demanded.
"So, you're Moyuru." Kagura mused, stepping out of the shadows in front of her.
"Who are you and why does your scent match that of Naraku's?" Moyuru questioned.
"I am Kagura, the wind sorceress. Naraku sent me for your answer." Kagura replied, showing a bit of annoyance at Moyuru's attitude.
Moyuru stayed silent, wordlessly looking to her as though measuring her up for strength incase they were fated to battle each other. The kitsune hanyou's eyes were intense. They definitely had the look of someone who had been through much in their lifetime. Something else about her also seemed to say that she was on the edge.
"So, have you decided?" Kagura questioned.
"No, I haven't." Moyuru stated simply.
"Well hurry and make up your mind. You haven't got all night, Naraku wants your answer now. He also wants to speak to you in person." Kagura stated, rushing Moyuru to make her choice.
Moyuru faltered, still seeming to be having some trouble with her decision.
I'll help her make up her mind. Kagura thought. "Hurry and choose! If you accept you are to come with me to Naraku's castle, if you decline then your brother dies and it's sayonara Seiya for a second time!" she snapped impatiently.
Moyuru's eyes widened a bit before she glared at her. "Fine, I accept his offer to work for him." She growled out grudgingly, "Take me to him."
Kagura smirked upon seeing that her statement had worked to speed up the hanyou's thoughts. The wind sorceress pointed to the ground in front of her, "Stand here." she commanded.
Moyuru looked to her skeptically before walking and standing where Kagura had specified.
"Good." Kagura stated simply, pulling a feather from her hair and tossing it up into the air. There was a strong gust of wind as the feather, now carrying Kagura and a very surprised Moyuru, flew off into the night.
Moyuru stared around, she had never been so high up before! Not even the roof of the southern castle was this high!
"We'll be to Naraku's castle in only a few moment's time. Until then don't do anything stupid, I don't want to have to pick you out of a tree if you fall." Kagura stated bluntly.
Moyuru growled in response, "I don't like what you're implying." she said moodily.
Kagura ignored her as they soon came upon the castle. She flew into the barrier, a heavy fog surrounding them as they entered. Moyuru strained to see, but not a thing was visible in the dense mist. After a few moments the fog cleared and the castle came into view.
Kagura began her descent to the castle grounds, turning her nose up at Moyuru who dropped off as soon as they were a safe distance from the ground.
Moyuru landed with ease, her eyes scanning the area as soon as her feet had touched the earth. The place absolutely reeked of death! The air around the castle carried a foreboding and sickening stench that made her stomach churn uneasily.
"Follow me." Kagura ordered as she landed, nearing a door.
Moyuru did all she could to keep her mind in control of her gut instinct which was screaming for her to run away from the castle. This place was pure evil, she could sense it as though the malevolence was tangible, but she ignored her instincts and stepped inside after Kagura.
She gasped, her eyes growing wide as she froze in the doorway. The hallway was littered with guards, all of them dead. Their bones, armor and weapons were scattered about the floor and the smell of death grew thicker as though the undertaker himself stood right next to her. The hair stood up on the back of her neck as she stared at the ghastly sight in front of her.
Kagura walked calmly past the guards, turning back to Moyuru as she noticed that she was no longer following. Moyuru looked as though she were ready to back out.
"Don't tell me you're afraid." Kagura taunted.
Moyuru swallowed hard, did she dare to go any further into this hell hole? Okay, you're doing this for Seiya. Those things are dead, they're not going to hurt you. Ahhh! They're all dead! Calm down, you can do this. Moyuru's thoughts battled out in her head as she tried to convince herself to follow. Moyuru cautiously followed after pulling herself together, trying not to touch anything and staying tense as though she expected one of the lifeless forms to jump out at her at any moment.
They soon came to a room separated by screens, inside could be seen the silhouette of a person. "So, I see that you have agreed to work for me Moyuru, excellent choice." Naraku's voice said.
Moyuru didn't answer.
"Kagura, leave us, you've done your part." Naraku ordered.
Kagura nodded once and walked away, looking all too relieved to be dismissed. Moyuru now stood outside the room, alone.
"Enter, I wish to speak to you where I can see you." Naraku stated.
Moyuru was hesitant but did so, pulling back part of the screen and stepping in slowly. She could tell from the start that Naraku wasn't good news at all. After seeing the dead guards littering the hallway of his castle she began to think of him as demented. What had killed all the soldiers? Why the hell would he keep them around and what for? Could he do the same to her?
She shook her head, attempting to forget the what-ifs and trying her hardest to hide her fear. Naraku was an enemy and fear was a weakness she couldn't allow for him to see, she couldn't let him see the new born terror she felt around him. She now stood entirely in the room, completely visible to him and he to her. She found herself surprised to see that he wasn't wearing the pelt that he often disguised himself in.
His gaze shifted to her, his red eyes catching hers. "I was expecting you. I never doubted, even for a moment, that you would come." Naraku stated confidently.
"What made you so sure?" Moyuru questioned, staying as stone-faced as possible, she couldn't let him see her fear.
"I thought that was obvious." he answered as someone entered. It was Seiya.
Moyuru tried not to stare, it was still a shock to her to see him alive.
"He is your brother after all." Naraku stated.
Moyuru turned her gaze back to Naraku "If I'm not mistaken, you wanted to discuss something with me." she said, her sentence forced.
"Ah yes, a price for your brother's freedom." Naraku mused.
"What is it you want from me?" Moyuru asked grudgingly.
Naraku's lips twisted into a sadistic smirk, "I want you to kill Inuyasha." he answered simply.
Moyuru's eyes grew wide at his reply. He wanted her to kill someone! She had never killed anyone, how did he expect her to kill Inuyasha? She visibly faltered, averting her gaze to the ground in front of her.
"Of course if you don't feel like you're up to it. . ." Naraku started, letting his sentence hang.
"You can't expect me to kill him! I've never killed anyone! Not even my enemies!" Moyuru blurted out. It just wasn't in her nature to kill anyone. She now glared angrily at Naraku, what did he take her for? A hitman? A cold-blooded, black-hearted murderer?
"Then you refuse. . ." Naraku mused, "So be it."
Seiya cried out in pain, collapsing to the floor behind Moyuru.
Shock came across Moyuru's face, "Seiya!" she cried, kneeling down next to her fallen brother. His breathing had become uneven and he looked to be in pain. She gently rolled him onto his back, his head resting in her lap.
He opened his eye to look at her, "Moyuru? What's. . . going on?" he asked in apparent confusion. Where was he? How had he gotten there and why was he in pain?
The sharp scent of blood hit the air, Seiya's blood. The wound that had ended his life had begun bleeding! He was dying! The color was draining from his face and the life was slowly leaving him just like on that night a few weeks before!
He was dying and again there was nothing Moyuru could do to save him! She kept in the screams of turmoil that echoed in her head, wanting to come out. Nothing! There was nothing she could do! He was going to die and all she could do was watch! She couldn't save him!
"Moyuru . . . " he didn't get a chance to finish before went limp as he lost consciousness.
The tears that had welled up in Moyuru's eyes began to fall, streaming down her cheeks and dropping onto Seiya's face. "NO! No, stop!" she cried, "He doesn't deserve this! Don't let him die!"
"You will kill Inuyasha for me then?" Naraku asked.
"Yes! Yes, I'll do it just don't let Seiya die!" she sobbed, hugging her brother's motionless form to her.
Naraku smirked, he had gotten what he wanted.
Seiya's breathing returned to normal and the bleeding stopped with a slight glow from the shikon jewel shards in his chest though he remained unconscious.
"Just remember this: I can manipulate the jewel shards in any way I wish, they're the only thing keeping him alive. So long as you do as I tell you to, I'll let him live. All you have to do is kill Inuyasha." Naraku stated.
Moyuru sent him a deadly glare through the tears that still ran down her face. He would pay for doing this to her brother.
"Where could Moyuru have gotten to? I still don't get it, why would she leave?" Shippo questioned.
"It doesn't make any sense, unless she just left to go on a walk like she's done before." Sango offered. "
I don't think so, her scent was old, like she hadn't been there for a while." Inuyasha stated. At this point it looked very much like the kitsune hanyou had disappeared, no one knew where she went or why. Inuyasha seemed to be thinking on something but brushed the thought off.
"Lady Kaede! Lady Kaede!" a voice called as a small group of young boys neared, running fast as though something were biting at their heels. They didn't slow their pace until they reached Kaede who had just exited her hut. They struggled to catch their breath.
"Slow down child, what is it ye are running from?" Kaede asked one of them.
"It's a demon!" one of the boys blurted out.
"Yeah, and it's huge!" another agreed.
"Well, it looks as though the beautiful Moyuru will have to wait." Miroku stated almost disappointedly, earning him a glare from Sango. "What?" he prompted, looking to her innocently.
"You womanizer, when will you learn?" Sango replied unenthusiastically.
"I sense a jewel shard! That demon must have one!" Kagome exclaimed.
"Well then what are we waiting for?" Inuyasha stated, starting off in the direction the boys had come from.
Miroku hurried off after him, grateful to get away from the topic. Why did Sango always have to do that to him? Couldn't she at least allow him his fantasies? What did it matter to her anyway? It didn't seem as though she cared much about what he did otherwise. For now it seemed that the topic had been forgotten as Sango followed not too far behind with Kagome and Shippo, all of them riding on Kirara in her large cat form.
It didn't take much to notice the large demon with it's snake-like countenance. It looked similar to the snake demon that had attacked Naomi, but it was much larger, definitely the work of a jewel shard. It's slitted eyes focused on them as they approached.
"Woah! That thing's scary!" Shippo commented as it turned to them. Kirara landed and Sango and Kagome both got off, Kagome immediately going for her bow and arrows.
"Kagome! Where's the jewel shard?" Inuyasha called to her.
"It's in its forehead, I think I can get it though!" Kagome answered, loading her bow with an arrow and taking aim while it didn't seem to be focused on her. It turned it's head and glared at her as she was beginning to let the arrow fly. She faltered, seemingly unnerved.
Her shot was thrown off and the arrow whizzed past the demon's face, doing it no harm. It lunged at her with all the swiftness a snake possessed, it's mouth wide open and ready to devour her! Kagome screamed, her eyes clenched shut as she braced herself for what she was sure to be her death.
She opened her eyes, blinking a few times after not feeling the pain she had been expecting. Instead of seeing the inside of the snake's mouth she saw the scenery around her. She saw the snake as it's jaws clamped over nothing but dirt where she had been standing.
Inuyasha had swept her out of the demon's path before it had time to kill her. He stopped some distance away, putting her down. "Don't you know how to move!" he ranted indignantly.
Kagome glared back at him, beginning to retaliate when he turned his back to her, drawing out the Tetsusaiga. The others cleared away from the snake demon as Inuyasha unleashed the power of the wind scar in that direction. The snake let out a blood curdling death cry as it perished in the energy.
"Well, that was easy." Inuyasha stated simply, beginning forward with Kagome to get the jewel shard.
"Almost too easy." Miroku mused.
Before the jewel shard even hit the ground one of Naraku's poison insects swooped in, catching it and beginning off.
"It took the jewel shard!" Shippo exclaimed.
"Come on! Let's get it!" Inuyasha yelled, giving chase to the insect with the others not too far behind.
Something's wrong, that demon was too easy to take down and that poison insect doesn't seem too perturbed that we're following it. Miroku thought as they continued to follow the jewel shard-bearing insect further into the forest.
Inuyasha ran harder as he picked up an all to familiar scent, Naraku, I'd recognize that scent anywhere. he thought.
"Hey Mutt-face!" a voice called.
Inuyasha inwardly groaned. Kouga, just who he wanted to see. "Not going somewhere too fast are you?" Kouga asked mockingly, slowing his pace to run along side Inuyasha.
"Can't you ever go somewhere other than where I'm going and bother someone else?" Inuyasha questioned in annoyance, Kouga always annoyed him.
"No can do zasshu, I'm going to be the one to kill Naraku and I'll do it all before you slowpokes even get there." Kouga stated before running ahead, "See ya later Kagome, after I've killed that bastard!"
The only thing that idiot's gonna do before we get there is get himself killed. Inuyasha thought. Wait, why was he worried? That could be a good thing right? No more Kouga. Inuyasha liked the sound of that one, one less person to annoy him.
"What was that all about?" Shippo questioned.
"Kouga's after Naraku too, that must mean that that insect is leading us straight to him." Miroku surmised.
"It could be a trap, that demon did seem too easy to take down." Sango stated.
"I don't care if it's a trap or not! I'm going to him! I have a feeling that he has something to do with Moyuru leaving like that!" Inuyasha yelled back.
Kouga paused at the castle gate which was wide open. Someone stood directly ahead in the center of the castle grounds, their eyes hidden by thick red bangs that fell in front of them. Who was that? Kouga had never seen the likes of them before, were they working for Naraku?
Kouga caught scent of the stranger. They were only hanyou! What was this, a joke? Naraku sicking a mere half demon on anyone was laughable! And a female hanyou no less! What could she possibly do?
"You're not supposed to be here, I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave." the hanyou said calmly, her eyes still hidden from view.
"My business here is with Naraku and I'm not letting some half breed get in my way!" Kouga growled, angered by the half demon that dared to stand up to him.
The hanyou's fists clenched, "Shut up and leave before I make you leave!" she snarled back at him.
"I'd like to see you try!" Kouga challenged, rushing an attack on her though not moving as fast as he could. This hanyou didn't deserve his best, probably couldn't even handle it. He swung at her.
She leapt backwards as his fist slammed into the ground where she had been standing.
"This is your last chance!" she growled as she landed lightly on her feet, still in front of him.
"Out of my way!" Kouga yelled angrily, rushing at her again. She drew out her weapons, standing at the ready. He threw another punch at her and she ducked to dodge, slamming the handle of one of her weapons into his stomach.
He doubled over, immediately hitting the ground as she struck him in the back of the neck, knocking him unconscious. "Ignorant youkai." she growled as she glared down at him.
Inuyasha and the others had arrived just in time to see her deliver the last blow. "Moyuru!" Kagome called to her.
Moyuru's gaze shifted towards them. They all looked to be shocked by the look in her eyes. Her gaze was hard and nearly emotionless.
"What's happened to her?" Shippo asked, he had never seen anyone look at anything like that, except maybe Sesshomaru. . . but that was normal for him! How could someone so nice just change like that?
"It looks like Naraku's gotten to her." Miroku replied.
"I should've known." Inuyasha muttered angrily.
Naraku appeared in front of a part of the castle behind Moyuru, seemingly satisfied with his handiwork. "Excellent work Moyuru, now for Inuyasha. Remember what's at stake here, you know what to do." he stated.
Although it wasn't that improbable, it was still a shock to Inuyasha and the others that she would be working for their worst enemy. "No way! She's working for Naraku?" Kagome gasped.
"It's not all that unlikely, he does have her brother. I know how she feels. . . if she cares for her brother like I do for mine, she'll do anything to get him back." Sango stated quietly.
"What do we do? We don't want to hurt her, but if she does fight we can't go easy on her either!" Shippo pointed out.
Inuyasha looked to him in question, "What do you mean?" he asked.
"She's tough! She took out Kouga without even breaking a sweat!" Shippo exclaimed.
"It doesn't look like there's too much of a choice but to fight her." Miroku stated.
"But we don't want to hurt her, she's not a bad person, she just wants her brother back." Sango argued.
"Would everyone just shut up and let me handle it?" Inuyasha yelled agitatedly, "Naraku's sent her after me, I'll take care of it!"
Inuyasha stepped forward, stopping a few yards away from her. He didn't draw the Tetsusaiga, the others were right, she wasn't bad and he shouldn't hurt her. But what was he to do? She was serious, it was all there in her expression and in the silence that she held. "You don't want to do this do you?" Inuyasha asked.
She didn't respond to his question and he took her silence as an answer; no, she didn't. "Naraku's only using you, don't listen to him, I don't want to have to hurt you." Inuyasha stated, trying to find a way around fighting her.
"Enough talk!" came Moyuru's sharp reply, "You're right in saying that I don't want to kill you, but I don't want Naraku to kill my brother nor keep him as a slave." she growled.
"So, is that what Naraku told you? That if you don't kill me then he decides your brother's fate?" Inuyasha asked.
"I want my brother back and I won't let anyone get in the way," she said, "not even you!"
She lunged at him, lashing out with one of her sai in an attempt to make her first blow the finishing one.
He barely escaped it, stumbling backwards, his eyes widening. He let out a cry of surprise as he nearly fell, barely catching himself. He put a hand to his neck, shocked to see blood on his palm when he drew it back in front of him. She was deadly serious! He didn't even have time to retaliate before she was coming at him again, this time going to level a kick at his head.
He jumped back a few feet causing her to miss, but she moved swiftly from one attack to another. He couldn't just keep running like this, she was giving him no choice but to go on the offensive sometime. It was beginning to seem like the only way he could stop her was to injure her, but it didn't seem like a simple injury would keep her from fighting.
Inuyasha was jolted back from his train of thought by another close call as Moyuru's weapon came only centimeters from his face, clipping a few strands of his bangs! Her attack was immediately followed by a kick that narrowed Inuyasha's options of evasion down to blocking.
He crossed his forearms in front of his chest where her kick was aimed. Her foot made hard contact with him and even though he had braced for her attack he went sliding backwards. She lunged for him again and he met her next attack with his claws, aiming for an arm to try and put her at a disadvantage.
She cried out in pain as Inuyasha's claws dug into the flesh of her right arm, but only deep enough to cause use of it to hurt. She did her best to ignore it as blood began to trickle from the open wounds.
"Oh no! They're really going at it!" Shippo exclaimed as he watched from Kagome's shoulder, "I thought he said he didn't want to hurt her!"
"He doesn't." Miroku replied.
"Then why did he hit her? Can't they settle it some other way?" Shippo asked.
"She's not giving him a choice." Sango stated.
"She's right, it looks as though the only way to stop her is to bring her down. He doesn't want to hurt her any more than he has to, that's why he hasn't drawn the Tetsusaiga." Miroku explained.
"I just hope he comes out of this okay." Kagome said quietly.
Moyuru was barraging Inuyasha with attacks, not giving him enough time to counter, only to block. Inuyasha was barely able to keep up, she just moved too fast! All he could do was hope that he blocked everything!
The inu hanyou let out a cry of pain as the blade of Moyuru's weapon went into his shoulder. Moyuru took advantage of the distraction and slammed a fist into his cheek. He fell hard and she was on him in an instant pinning him down, purposefully hitting the wound she had given him to discourage him from moving. She held her weapon ready for the kill, but seemed hesitant.
"Excellent, now you have him, finish him off!" Naraku ordered from the side lines. Moyuru looked to Naraku with a dangerous glare. . . he was to be next. She then noticed Seiya standing beside him and she faltered.
No! Seiya wouldn't want her to kill Inuyasha, not even if it meant saving him. No, keep your emotions out of it! she scolded herself.
Inuyasha tried to use the opportunity to shove her off, but she only caused his injured shoulder more pain by roughly jerking her sai out of it. He clenched his eyes shut and cried out in pain. There was no time for him to react as the blood-stained blade made it's way toward him.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome screamed from the sidelines as Moyuru's weapon struck.
Mua ha ha ha! You wormed your way out of one cliffy just to get yourself into a worse one!Sorry to make you wait to figure out what comes next, but that's what I'm supposed to do. . . actually I'm kinda debating on whether or not to give you people a preview or to leave you completely clueless. . . . (Pondering). . . Nah, I'd give too much away if I gave you a preview, so I'll just give you the chapter name instead.
Next chapter: Chapter 11: A Final Battle of Wills
Just remember! Reviews are much appreciated. . . really appreciated. . . JUST CLICK THAT BUTTON AND REVIEW GOSH DARN IT!
TTFN!
Mayu Kitsune
