Chapter 10

Naraku and Hakudoshi rested as they awaited the return of Mishra, if he was still alive, or the Saimyosho, to report on if Mishra was indeed alive. Hakudoshi had his back against the wall as Naraku sat hunched over. He lifted his head as he heard the familiar sounds of the insect buzzing, and saw his demon minion arrive. Hakudoshi awoke to the buzzing as well. The insect buzzed something to Naraku, and his eyes went wide with surprise.

"Unbelievable." Naraku said as the Saimyosho flew away.

"What is it Naraku?" Hakudoshi asked.

"It appears not only has Mishra succeeded in defeating Sesshomaru," Naraku said. "He also absorbed him into himself."

"Something even you were never able to do," Hakudoshi said, his voice calm. "But if Mishra has indeed absorbed Sesshomaru, then that means what you thought was true: he is just like you, a composite of many demons."

"And soon he will be returning, to make good on our deal." Naraku said.

"Are you still going to tell him where the remaining shards are?"

"We shall see." Naraku said.

They lapsed into silence for a few moments more, before Mishra appeared before them.

"Mishra, you survived." Naraku said.

"Yes, Naraku, and now Sesshomaru is no more." Mishra said. Naraku noticed a dark aura surrounding Mishra as he spoke. "Now you will tell me where the remaining jewel shards are."

"In a moment," Naraku said. "First we have another issue I must deal with."

"Which is?" Mishra asked. Naraku's transformed spear fingers emerged from Mishra's back. Mishra was overtaken by pain, anger and surprise in his eyes.

"You are not what you appear to be." Naraku said. "Just what are you supposed to be?"

"We had a deal, Naraku." Mishra said, in pain.

"Deals change," Naraku said. "Now, you will tell me who you are exactly. I know that you are not a true demon, and are similar to me as well. But if you were able to overcome and absorb Sesshomaru, there must be something special about you."

How did he know I'm not a true demon? Antu thought. No matter.

"It is true that, like you, I am not a true demon," Mishra said. "In fact, I am not even from this world."

What? Naraku thought to himself, very surprised, but not showing it on his face.

"I came here from another world, drawn to this place as you yourself are drawn to power," Mishra continued. "In fact, I have lied to you from the very beginning. My real name is not even really 'Mishra'".

"Then who are you, really?" Naraku asked.

\Antu smiled, and then pained look on his face disappeared and reappeared on Naraku's face, as his spears dissolved away. "I am Antu!" Antu declared as a burst of dark energy surrounded him and he broke free of Naraku's already loose grasp. "Darkness!" Darkness covered the area where they were, and then it disappeared. When it did, Antu was gone and Hakudoshi was lying in several pieces, and Naraku was just a floating head. Both began to reform.

"What is he?" Naraku asked as he pieced himself together. However, he realized that his regeneration process was taking longer than usual. And then he realized it: it was gone.

-

Antu walked away from Naraku and Hakudoshi, gazing at his newly acquired prize: the nearly completed Shikon jewel.