"I'm Goin' To Miami"
Chapter 17
"One More Red Nightmare"
Sango screamed as Naraku dragged her further inside the candle-lit mansion. She resisted all the way, but could not break free of his iron grip. Naraku halted when he reached his desired destination in one of the many hallways. Sango wondered why he suddenly stopped when she met his narrowed red eyes and the malicious grin stretching across his face.
Her body froze at the terrifying sight, trembling slightly. Naraku's hold on her slackened and Sango immediately tried to escape, when his left hand grabbed her throat and slammed her to the wooden floor on her back. She clutched at Naraku's hand, trying to pry it open and struggled, screaming for help. He did nothing to stop her, only staring down with his menacing face.
"I bid you, Sango, scream with more terror. It only makes me harder." Naraku chuckled darkly.
He positioned himself over her, preparing to carry out his objective. Sango refused to allow Naraku to have his way with her; she drew back her free hand and savagely clawed out his left eye!
Naraku drew back off of Sango, roaring in agony as he clutched at his injury. Sango quickly kicked Naraku in the stomach, completely off of her and ran down the hallway, disappearing in the darkness. Naraku's roars of obscenities sounded throughout the mansion, pushing Sango to escape further.
She ran continuously down the halls, searching for the entrance from which she was dragged in, but couldn't find it. Sango ran faster all through the building, trying to find some way out, but discovered the mansion was a labyrinth. Her heart pounded fiercely inside her chest as her fear was realized.
She was lost.
Sango was lost inside the hellish building.
Lost and trapped with Naraku.
Sango froze in place under a small candle, trying to quiet her heavy breathing, not knowing what to do. She had no idea how to get out and had already past that candle three times. Sango looked down at the ground, her body shaking in fright. She tried to conceive some way of escape but was so terrified she could barely breathe.
Thump.
Thump.
A sound echoed faintly in the dark, causing Sango's mind to blank completely.
Footsteps.
Slow, heavy footsteps.
Sango's feet turned to ice and wouldn't obey her commands to move. Her body stood petrified against the wall, her hands trembling nervously.
He's coming... Her only thought.
Sango forced her feet to move and carry her further in the labyrinth. Naraku's footsteps paused with the sound of hers, then sounded again, heavier and faster.
He was chasing after her.
Sango ran faster, her eyes frantically searching for sanctuary from her predator. She was nearing the end of the hall when she abruptly halted, listening.
Her ears detected he was ahead of her, running down the other end of the path before her and was quickly drawing near the entranceway! Sango's mind raced feverishly as she panicked. Naraku drew even closer, making her more frantic. She hurriedly searched from someplace to hide to buy time.
Naraku turned the corner and looked down the hall.
Nothing.
His right eye lingered on the dimly-lit path, his left covered by his flowing black hair with trails of drying blood streaming from the closed eyelid. Naraku stood still for several minutes. He turned to leave when a thought stopped him and made him turn back around. Walking down the dark hallway very slowly, letting his heavy steps sound loudly, Naraku peered inside each of the rooms.
"Sango?" Naraku quietly chirped as he walked inside them.
"Sangooooo?"
Silence.
"Doesn't Sango want to play with Naraku?" He purred evilly, hoping to extract a tiny whimper from her.
Naraku looked inside every room in the hall, Sango was not to be found. Mocking her sense of direction, he walked off toward another wing of the mansion, strolling leisurely.
When the footsteps could no longer be heard, Sango silently emerged from the hiding place from the top compartment in the closet. Carefully, she lowered herself to the floor; making sure Naraku was nowhere in sight, she fled again into the mansion.
It seemed like an eternity that she was trapped inside the hellish maze. Everywhere Sango went, she was greeted by another turn that either led her back to where she had started or sent her even deeper into the web of hallways, stairs and rooms. Throughout it all, the sound of Naraku's footsteps were very close to terrifying the life out of her. First, it would sound as though he was running to catch her and then, he would walk tortuously slow as though he had all the time in the world.
Sango couldn't stand it; it was as if Naraku knew where she was and was taking delight in tormenting her. She ran down another pathway and finally came to the front door!
Her face beamed with hope as she approached it and took hold of the doorknob and fiercely pulled back on it.
It was locked!
Sango's face washed white in frightened disbelief. She pulled and rattled the door as hard as she could, but it wouldn't even budge.
"That won't help you, Sango.
"It locked automatically upon our entrance. If you will stay there, I will gladly open it for you, my dearest."
Sango's breath stilled within her throat as her heartbeat accelerated, trembling at Naraku's voice. Her eyes turned behind her and found him standing in the far end of the pathway; his red eye glowing and staring directly at her as he advanced forward, gradually picking up his pace. Sango ran out of sight, turning numerous corners to evade him. She grabbed a stray umbrella that was lying in the hallway and ran inside another room, leaning frozen against the wall and clutching tightly onto the umbrella, preparing to use it for protection.
Naraku proceeded very slowly, he was just outside the room Sango hid inside.
"Why do you hide from me, Sango?" Naraku asked in a sad innocent tone. "I only want to play with your insides and make you scream."
Sango looked to the side at the closed door, her heart pounding relentlessly as Naraku's footsteps stopped. She almost bid it to stop, it beat so hard she feared he would hear it. She brought her eyes before her, holding her weapon even tighter and found a large mirror hanging on the wall across from her.
Sango saw a candle burning feebly in a corner above it and another in the opposite end burning a bit stronger. She looked into the mirror; her eyes widened in fear.
She was in a lighted room, standing against a SHOJI door!
Naraku's silhouette stood to her right, in place.
His hand waved slowly at her.
"I see youuuu..."
In that instant, Naraku's hand shot through the paper and grabbed Sango! She screamed as he leapt through the shoji and pounced onto her. Before Naraku could pin her to the ground, Sango turned around facing him and jabbed her fingers into his left eye again, piercing through his eyelid!
She took the opportunity to flee when Naraku reached out and seized her ankle, causing her to fall. He snarled, ignoring his pain; Sango dug her nails into the tatami flooring to anchor herself as he pulled her toward him.
"You will not escape me, Sango!" He vowed, baring his teeth.
Naraku's nose was greeted by her heel as she slammed it repeatedly into his face. He ignored the pain and tightened his hold on her. Sango then grabbed the umbrella and drove it deep into Naraku's arm, down into the bone! His hand released her almost instantly and she ran back off into the darkness.
Naraku pulled the umbrella out of his arm and glared out of the doorway, making no attempt to exert himself in pursuing her.
"I know every inch of my home perfectly and you are hopelessly lost inside it, Sango.
"Do not worry; I will catch up with you soon enough."
Sango desperately continued on, searching for an exit. She was so terrified that she was on the verge of crying. She would not give in; Sango could only imagine what Naraku would do to her if he caught her.
What he would ACTUALLY do to her, she couldn't begin to fathom!
Sango heard the sound of heavy footsteps coming after her and the sound of Naraku's deep ominous voice, singing to her from the distance.
Wouldn't you agree?
Baby, you and me got a groovy kind of love?
Anytime I want to
Iwill tear you in two
Tear your flesh apart
Anytime at all
When you're close to me
I can feel your heartbeat
I can feel it beating
In my hand
When I get to you
I'll fuck you to death
Taijiya Sango the whore.
Naraku's song made Sango's blood run cold in her veins. His voice and slow steps sounded all through the mansion everywhere she ran. She prayed to be saved from him but the evil sounds remained, slowly fading as Sango became more distanced from Naraku. She focused ahead of her and thought she had come to dead end, but found it was a closed doorway. Naraku's voice was slowly getting louder; she didn't have any other option. Sango entered the doors, quietly closing them behind her.
She hurried across the empty room to the back door and went through what seemed like another labyrinth. Sango ran through a series of rooms and upon entering the master bedroom, saw the night sky between the thin opening of the doors.
Sango opened them and saw the back courtyard. It was a large patch of dirt with grass in the far distance with a wide stream leading into swamplands.
Her breath was heavy, elated to finally see the outside. Cautiously, Sango checked all about her, not wanting to let her guard down, as she proceeded off the porch onto the dirt ground.
"Congratulations, Sango. You've made it outside. Be your victory short lived, I will applaud you."
His voice made itself known the second Sango placed her foot down. She then ran for it but was seized fiercely by her shoulder and thrown onto her back; a large hand enclosed tightly around her neck..
Sango struggled against the near suffocating grip. She opened her eyes and met Naraku's, his sadistic grin baring his white fangs. He sat, feeling her legs flailing and watching her trying to break free.
"So, you thought you had escaped me? You thought you had gotten away and could cheat on me as you pleased, did you Sango?
"Fucking bitch!" Naraku roared as his fist struck Sango's face.
Sango strained in pain as his grip on her tightened. She clawed at Naraku's hand but he didn't release her. With his free hand, Naraku extracted a wakazashi (short sword) from within his leather coat, the blade gleaming menacingly in the moonlight. Sango's body froze, her widened eyes following the short sword as it was raised above her abdomen.
"No...! Naraku, don't! Please don't, I beg you!" Sango pleaded.
He rose the blade higher, his face turned cold as he disregarded her.
"You have the audacity to beg for mercy? You are a fool indeed. You shall receive none."
Sango trembled frightfully as Naraku lifted the wakazashi to its highest extent.
"Receive your reward, adulterous woman!"
"NOOOOOO!"
The short sword plunged toward Sango's flesh when a force slammed into Naraku's stomach and lifted him clear off of her, sending him flying and crashing through a wooden beam into the other side of the mansion!
Naraku laid on the floor in a daze amidst the parts of the broken door. There was a sharp throbbing pain in his stomach where the force had hit him. Naraku wondered what had happened; he stilled and listened. He heard Sango's voice, crying in fright.
And another.
One that blew his mind and at the same time, made his blood boil in wrath.
Naraku rose to his feet and walked toward the shattered door, standing in the doorway as he observed the scene.
Sango was in Miroku's arms, crying and shaking as he held her tight, consoling her. She whimpered and clutched Miroku's shirt, catching his attention. He lifted his solemn eyes and saw Naraku standing in the doorway. Miroku stood to his feet, never breaking his stare. His jean over shirt had been torn into strips and was wrapped tightly around his waist to bandage his wound. The large blood soaked spot in the material proved to be of some help. Miroku's indigo eyes glared at his enemy, a burning fury toward him inside of them.
Naraku sardonically returned the glare.
"I suppose it would be wrong for me to discredit your persistence, Houshi. It is amazing how you are still able to stand with such a grave wound.
"More so, it perplexes me why you would go to such great lengths to reach her." Naraku stated, disdainfully. "I do not understand what worth you find in that whore."
"Shut up." Miroku growled.
Naraku stared, hiding the brief quiver of his body at Miroku's tone.
"I'm sick of you disrespecting Sango and treating her like an animal!"
Naraku's eyes became half-lidded and indifferent. "Your output makes no difference, Houshi. In the past, you discarded her and handed her over in my possession. The woman is mine to do with as I please."
Miroku snarled, tightly clenching his fists.
Sango stood up and retaliated. "He did no such thing, Naraku! You deceived us into thinking we had betrayed each other! You went to such lengths to bring the both of us misery all because of your petty jealousy of Miroku!"
Naraku's eye narrowed at Sango, who stood her ground unflinchingly. Miroku stared incredulously as the news processed. He then observed Naraku's face, something about it stuck familiarity.
The memory of the night of his car accident flashed through his mind. He then remembered seeing the driver's black car rush up on the cab and saw the driver's face; his eyes, filled with hatred and malice, piercing directly into Miroku's.
"You...!" Miroku almost whispered, shocked. "You're that driver that slammed into the cab I was in that night six years ago!"
"What?" Sango exclaimed.
Naraku's face was still, then a tiny smirk graced his lips as he released a dark chuckle.
"So you saw me? As drunk as you were, I'm surprised you even knew what was going on." Naraku showed no remorse as he recalled that night; he appeared as though proud of his actions.
Hearing that shocked Sango. She had been away in Europe during that entire month Miroku was hospitalized and hadn't heard a word of it.
Miroku held his glare. "You went so far as to tear me from Sango in every way possible, Naraku? I can't believe you conceived such an elaborate plan to erase my memories of her just so you could have her for yourself."
Naraku was silent after Miroku spoke, his eye narrowed angrily.
"You insult me, Houshi."
The response hung heavily in the quiet air as he surprised Miroku.
"I would not have gone to such lengths for only an insignificant objective." Naraku sneered. "It was not your mere memories I sought, Houshi.
"It was your life."
Seeing Sango and Miroku's horrified faces brought a smile to Naraku's.
"Has my confession shocked you so?" Naraku chirped, maliciously. "I was very surprised to find you to be a stubborn one. Even after the magnitude of your injuries, you refused to die."
His dark smile broadened. "It does not matter. You are not as strong as you appear, Houshi. The wound I inflicted upon you has already taken a large toll on you. I will quicken your demise and then start on her." Naraku cast Sango a lustful glance.
"I will beat her mercilessly. Her bones shall be broken and crushed by my very hands. Then I will rip her open and partake of her delicious blood once again. Finally, I shall tear her succulent flesh into ribbons and mutilate her body. Sango's tears will provide me with amusement as I take delight in listening to her shrieks of excruciating and denying her pleas for mercy.
"And that's before I move to the main objective. It will thrill me so to be bathed in her blood as I indulge in taking my sweet time raping her."
Sango felt her body shake. The memories of Naraku lacerating her back were still vivid in her mind and his imagery only fueled her cringe.
Miroku was sickened at Naraku's plans, but his utter wrath overshadowed it.
"Sango is not your property, Naraku! I will not allow you your way with her!"
"Spare me your heroics, actor." Naraku scoffed, his smile washed away. "You gave her to me six years ago and thus allowed me to do so."
"Spare me your bullshit, demon!" Miroku answered, "You resorted to underhanded deceit to separate me from Sango and erased my memories of her to keep us apart! I have finally been reunited with her and I will be damned if I allow you to take her from me again!"
Sango gazed at Miroku, touched by his declaration.
Naraku's jet-black hair masked his eye. A low chuckle escaped him as he grinned, revealing his fangs. Miroku stood on his guard, eyeing him cautiously. Naraku slowly rose his right hand and from his spread palm, a black flame appeared, illuminating his sinister visage.
"You're damned either way, Houshi."
Naraku cast the fireball and leapt down as Miroku and Sango evaded it. He made his way toward Sango when Miroku punched him away. Naraku flipped in the air and landed on his feet, then charged back at his opponent. He prepared his fist to strike but Miroku sent a swift sidekick to Naraku's jaw and followed with another to his ribcage, sending him flying and crashing onto the ground. Miroku distanced him as far from Sango as possible and ran up to him, engaging in a fight.
Naraku sent his heel colliding into Miroku's stomach, knocking the air out of him and agitating his wound. He threw an uppercut in his direction but it was evaded and countered with Miroku's fists slamming onto Naraku's crown, forcing his nose down into his knee! Miroku quickly ducked underneath him and delivered a fierce harite (sumo slap) to Naraku's chin! Blood spewed from his mouth as the slap sent him airborne and crashing into one of the mansion rooms, part of the building giving way and falling onto him.
Miroku stared at where Naraku had landed, panting heavily. He stilled instantly when the rubble stirred. A blur shot out from the pile at him! At the last second, Miroku moved out of the way, the blur zooming past and landing behind him.
Miroku turned to face it and when he did, his right cheek split open and spurted out blood. He groaned at the painful burning and lifted his eyes to his assailant.
Naraku was knelt down, his back facing Miroku. His leather coat was torn and scuffed, exposing his wounds.
"You're quite adamant about your promise, Houshi."
Naraku rose to his feet and face Miroku, his black shirt was also torn, the upper front was stained with blood dripping from his chin and the lacerations on his face. His left hand rested inside his coat, his eye fixed on his opponent.
"Well then, allow me to oblige you."
He lunged at Miroku and drew out his hand, cutting his chest. Sango cried out as she saw blood fly out. He had dodged the attack, avoiding a serious injury. Naraku lunged again from behind and slashed him, Miroku again barely avoiding it. He observed his enemy's weapon as Naraku rushed past and found a small knife hidden inside his coat pocket. Naraku was swift in his attacks, making Miroku exert much energy just to avoid a lethal cut. It disgusted him to see the amused grin on Naraku's face as he enjoyed seeing the blood fly.
Naraku cast the blade again, aiming to send it into Miroku's brain. Miroku quickly drew backward, seizing his wrists as the blade fell one millimeter short of his forehead and yanked him forward! Naraku was flung over Miroku as the actor propelled himself into the air; when he was underneath him, Miroku thrust his heel into Naraku's spine and sent him colliding into the ground, flipping backward off of him.
Naraku recovered almost immediately, flipping onto his feet and swing at Miroku just as he landed. The tip of the blade cut his abdomen and sent blood flying. Miroku staggered back; Naraku had taken out the full-length sword hidden in his long coat. He lunged again and attacked, giving the actor an even more difficult time avoiding it.
Sango watched as Miroku moved out of Naraku's way, but kept getting cut by the blade. Her eyes wandered in search of some way to help him and landed on a stray iron pole.
Miroku tripped, the sword just barely missing his neck, and fell onto the ground. Naraku loomed over him, observing in disdain as blood soaked through the slashed clothing. His black hair blew in the light; the glower in his eye made his utmost hatred of Miroku known. Miroku's heart raced as he watched the sword slowly raise in the air.
"Die, Houshi."
"MIROKU!"
The sword swung down toward Miroku's neck.
CLANG!
Naraku stared, growling. Miroku saw the iron pole in the corner of his eye and right before the sword reached him, grabbed it and shielded himself.
Naraku cast his scowling eye at Sango, who gave an encouraging gaze at Miroku.
"Impudent wench. I'll see you suffer this defiance."
Miroku rose to his feet and pushed him back. Naraku sent the sword toward his opponent's neck but was intercepted by the pole. He swung the weapon at Miroku repeatedly but was blocked each time. Miroku swung the iron pole like a baseball bat and struck Naraku's shoulderblade! Sango cheered him as he beat on him continuously. The pole hit Naraku's hip bone and a roundhouse kick to his temple sent him spiraling away into the ground.
Miroku eyed him.
Naraku didn't move.
For three minutes, Naraku remained on the ground, completely still. Cautiously, Miroku slowly approached him to get a better look at him.
He had no breath.
Miroku narrowed his eyes suspiciously. He leaned in to check for a pulse; his eyes suddenly widened and as he yelled, his teeth gnashing. Miroku looked down his abdomen and found Naraku's hand jabbed through his cloth bandage into his wound. Blood quickly soaked through.
"Fool." Naraku chuckled mockingly.
He rose up, twisting his hand inside the wound, reaching for an organ to rip out. Miroku screamed in pain and elbowed Naraku in the face, knocking him away. He swiped his sword, lacerating Miroku's arm and resumed their fight.
Naraku executed even more skill and speed with his weapon and Miroku was just quick enough to block and get only a few hits in himself. His strength was beginning to wane as the iron pole grew heavy. Miroku moved a second too slow and was punched in the face, getting knocked a good distance from Naraku. He looked up and saw him casting blasts of fire at Sango. She dodged them agilely, but one burned her calf and caused her to trip.
Naraku laughed and created a larger one in his outstretched palm.
"Your punishment for assisting him, wench."
The sphere increased size and shot at Sango, exploding upon impact! Naraku observed as dirt flew all around.
Sango's eyes were shut tight, her body completely still. She had anticipated the feel of fire on her skin, but felt nothing. Tentatively, she opened her eyes, and stared as a gasp caught in her throat.
Sango laid on the ground with Miroku leaning over her. He had shielded her from Naraku's attack and took the full blow. She saw the trails of blood flowing from the numerous wounds on his battered body, his weariness evident on his face. It broke Sango's heart to see Miroku in his condition, and in such pain.
He opened his narrowed eyes to look at Sango, seeing her face.
"Sango," Miroku strained, "Are you alright?"
Tears welled in her eyes at his selflessness.
"Miroku..." She whispered, on the verge of crying.
"Touching." Naraku sneered as he approached them, digusted and infuriated at the scene.
He drew his sword to slice Miroku in half and it once again clashed with the iron pole. The actor got on his feet and resumed the fight again. He put all his strength into it, but was fading. Naraku saw that Miroku was losing strength and used it to his advantage, putting forth extra effort behind his sword. The blade sliced across Miroku's shin, reopening his previous wounds. He blocked the sword and managed to strike Naraku's head.
Miroku then forcefully thrusted the blunt end of the pole into Naraku's stomach. Naraku sneered and pounded his fist into his opponent's ribcage. He seized him by his bottom ribs, lifted him high off his feet and slammed him onto his back, stomping savagely onto Miroku's wounded abdomen! Miroku rolled out of the way of Naraku's foot as it came down and swung his pole into his ankle. It gave hardly an injury due to his thick boots. Naraku kicked Miroku savagely in his chest, the steel toe concealed inside breaking his rib. He was sent tumbling onto the ground, clutching tightly at his injured chest as Naraku approached him.
"Back off, demon!"
Naraku's eyes turned and Sango's heel slammed into his face! Yelling in pain, he staggered backward, then received an uppercut to his stomach! Sango followed up with a high sidekick to Naraku's chin and sent him airborne. He recovered and stepped away before he got hit again, wiping the blood from his nose and mouth.
Sango stood before him, her visage saying she was beyond enraged. She'd had enough of watching the fight and seeing Naraku taking advantage of Miroku's injuries. She shouted and charged at him. Naraku swiped at her; Sango ducked underneath, leapt into the air and thrusted a kick toward his forehead. He smoothly stepped to the side. Sango landed and crouched down, just barely avoiding Naraku's sword and shoved her heel into his leg. Naraku staggered; his moment of off-balance left himself open to a back-handed punch to the jaw, blood and one of his teeth flying out.
Before he could fall, Naraku was grabbed by his hair, so fiercely that blood trickled from his scalp and Sango yanked him back up. She spun him around and, gripping the hair of his crown, shoved his face into the dirt repeatedly. Sango was about to go for an eighth time, when Naraku drew his arm from underneath him and knocked her away. She glared up at him as he viciously eyed down at her, blood pouring from a gash on his forehead caused by a rock. Naraku made a move and was stopped by a savage kick to the crotch! Sango flipped onto her feet and landed continuous strikes to his face and stomach, refusing to show him mercy as he had done her. Miroku stared as Sango beat Naraku down, not once getting struck. She delivered a lightening kick, an uppercut to his ribcage and Spinning Bird Kick to his neck, sending flying through the air and landing on his head several yards after her.
Sango panted heavily, wiping the sweat from her head, when she saw Miroku staring in astonishment. He gave a smile, stating his compliments and making Sango grin proudly.
Just then, Naraku lunged at her, catching her off guard and slashed her arm. He landed beside her and prepared to return the beating when he received a blow to the head by Miroku.
The sharp sound of the sword clashing with the iron pole echoed in the night air. Naraku began to tire, Sango had taken a bit of energy from him in their fight and Miroku was exerting more force. He kept the fact hidden lest Miroku gain the upper hand.
The fight continued on and Naraku found himself to be losing, Miroku wasn't showing any signs of quitting as he put all his power and more behind his weapon. The sword and pole clashed against each other, both opponents trying to push each other back.
"I have underestimated you, Houshi. Even with that weakening body, you've managed to hold out this long." Naraku stated with a fake smile.
Miroku's indigo eyes blazed at his insincerity. "I don't need your compliments, Naraku! I won't lose!"
Naraku cast his opponent a half-lidded glare, scorning his declaration. His eye wandered from Miroku, finding Sango in the distance across from him. His luring stare fixed on her, his eye narrowed maliciously as a wicked grin stretched across his lips and exposed his fangs.
Naraku's facade didn't escape Miroku. He saw him cast the look to Sango and found he was plotting to attack her. Refusing to allow Naraku the chance, Miroku drew his pole from underneath Naraku's sword and immediately rose it to strike him in the head.
Naraku brought his eye to Miroku, smiling with pleasure.
Made you look.
In the instant Miroku drew up his weapon, Naraku took his sword and immediately ran it into his abdomen!
Miroku froze; his eyes widened after realizing Naraku had deceived him. Naraku chuckled proudly, content that his plan had worked. He slowly withdrew his blade, the pain caused Miroku to drop the pole. Before he could clutch at his wound to slow the bleeding, Naraku sent the sword plunging back inside it, pushing forward and thrusting Miroku onto the ground.
Naraku tortured him mercilessly as he moved the sword in his wound, his pain exciting him more. He drove the blade deeper through him and relished in Miroku's screaming as he slowly cut three inches upward into his flesh with the blunt side of the sword.
Naraku turned the blade around just to add to Miroku's agony and then brought the blade downward, cutting his flesh more. A crazed psychotic look spread all across Naraku's face and he sharply jerked the sword upward again and then sent it even deeper, nailing Miroku to the ground. The actor strained and groaned harshly, gnashing his teeth at the unbearable pain as a puddle of blood quickly started to form around him.
Naraku grinned sadistically at the gory sight, taking great delight in it.
"Accept your death with whatever honor you can, Houshi.
"I have won."
"MIROKU!" Sango shrieked as Miroku laid in his blood, quickly growing weak.
Her tearful eyes blazed with hellfire at Naraku. She grabbed the fallen wakazashi and charged at him.
"DIE, YOU BASTARD!"
Naraku glanced indifferently behind him at enraged Sango. The short sword was just about to sink into his flesh when Naraku stopped her with a kick into her stomach. He took the sword from her and grabbed her throat, lifting her off the ground, watching as she pulled herself up to breathe. Naraku placed the blade of the short sword against her cheek, then sharply drew it back; the blood and Sango's pain added to his pleasure.
Her eyes widened in fright as Naraku drew back his left arm holding the sword. Sango summoned her voice to plead for her life when he tightened his hold on her, emitting a strangulated noise.
Naraku's face was cold and dark. "I will not hear your pleas, Sango. You are unworthy." His wicked grin returned. " I shall now have my way with you."
She desperately cried out and struggled to break free. Naraku drew his arm back further.
"Your life belongs to me!"
Sango shut her eyes and shrieked in pure terror. The blade moved toward her when Miroku rose up and with a fierce shout, hacked off Naraku's arm!
His roars of agony sounded all throughout the area! Immediately, Naraku released Sango, sending her falling to the ground as he staggered back, horrible pain shooting through the rest of his body. He opened his eye and yelled in horror as blood gushed and sprayed from his shoulderblade and his arm laid on the ground!
"What the hell?" Naraku growled incredulously.
He lifted his eyes before him and felt a jolt of fear run down his spine.
Miroku stood before Sango, in a battle stance holding Naraku's sword and eyeing him voraciously. At the sound of Naraku's statement, Miroku was reminded of his nightmare and the saw the horrible images of Sango's violated and mutilated body flashed continuously in his mind. He had grabbed the sword, pulled it out of his body and summoned whatever strength he had to save her. Blood soaked his hands as he had badly cut them pulling the blade out; his breath was heavy, his body racked with pain from his stabbing.
Naraku gawked, astonished that Miroku was still standing, let alone breathing given the magnitude of his injuries.
Miroku growled furiously and yelled, charging at Naraku. He dodged the swift attacks but found the tables had turned on him; he found himself getting wounded with each swing of the sword.
Naraku looked into Miroku's blazing eyes as he dodged.
He was dying.
With each swing, Miroku was exerting more energy than his body had.
"All of your efforts are in vain, Houshi." Naraku stated coldly as he evaded the sword. "You've lost far too much blood and your injuries are very grave. If you conti-"
Naraku was silenced when Miroku sliced deep across his cheek and the bridge of his nose. He leapt back as Miroku swung again. Miroku stood hunched over and panted heavily, never taking his eyes off Naraku.
"If it is to protect Sango's life," Miroku firmly declared.
"Then I will greet death with a smile!"
Miroku gave a fierce cry and lunged at Naraku, his sword raised to run him through, He thrusted the weapon at his neck, Naraku stepped aside out of its path and grabbed Miroku's wound. The sharp pain shot fiercely from his abdomen, stopping him in his tracks.
Miroku looked up and met Naraku's loathing stare.
"Smile."
A blast of energy short from Naraku's hand through Miroku's wound! The force pushed him several feet away and flipping onto the ground.
Sango cried out and ran to his side, holding him in her arms. Miroku strained then coughed blood onto her chest, his breath deep and heavy. Sango held him close, filled with horror.
Sango saw Naraku standing across from them, his arm extended and his palm stretched out, his dark aura collecting in the center.
"Do not despair, Sango. I will be kind and take his pain from him. Then you shall have my undivided attention." He purred maliciously.
Sango watched helplessly as the aura enlarged. Satisfaction appeared on Naraku's face when it reached its desired size.
"Die."
A blue flame bursted from the side and caught onto his arm. His concentration broken, the aura vanished. Naraku drew his arm out of the fire, shaking it to put it out. As he looked to see where it came from, an iron fist landed right in his nose! Naraku fell backward onto the ground, headfirst. He sat up, blood pouring onto his face, and snarled in aggravation.
Inuyasha stood before him, his golden eyes glowing fiercely in the moonlight as he cracked his knuckles loudly. Kagome stood beside him, holding her rifle; Shippo eyed Naraku vengefully, a small blue flame hovering in his palm.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting, Naraku. We had to make a small detour." Inuyasha growled, baring his fangs.
"I believe we owe you an ass-whuppin'." Kagome cocked her rifle in affirmation.
Shippo commenced with a blast of his foxfire. Naraku dodged but got singed by the heat. Inuyasha charged and engaged in a fist fight. Naraku made good use of his right arm, giving the half-demon several punches, but Inuyasha countered them by sending Naraku flying with each punch he landed. He was furious by what he had planned to do to Sango, but was more so at what he had done to Miroku.
Naraku practically danced as Kagome rained bullets on him. The gun clicked seventy-three bullets later, signaling she was out of ammo. He ridiculed her for bringing a useless weapon, until Kagome swung it upside his head.
The group ganged up on Naraku, trying to bring him down. He adamantly refused to be defeated and retaliated a hundredfold, using his reserved energy to dish-out blasts of his aura and devastating blows. Inuyasha, Kagome and Shippo did their best to hold their own despite their injuries, but Naraku overpowered them.
He stood over the three of them, laughing triumphantly.
"Weak pathetic fools. To think I took you all for a threat, but even a half-demon has fallen at my hands." Naraku gloated, demeaningly.
"Keh! Don't get so damn full of yourself, asshole!" Inuyasha retorted, struggling to stand to his feet. "We're not letting you get away with kidnapping Sango!"
Naraku glanced up at the sky in thought. "Thank you for jogging my memory, half-breed. I thought I had forgotten something."
He stretched his hand at Miroku, his black aura returned and quickly grew into a huge sphere.
"Now pay witness as I end Houshi's life!"
With that, the aura blasted off with a blinding light, making it difficult from the others to see. When the light faded and the dust cleared, Naraku looked to see his handiwork and the sight of Miroku's body scattered in pieces.
The dust settled and revealed Sango standing and holding the sword before her. She'd taken it and split the aura in two, deflecting it from Miroku. Sango glowered at Naraku, her brown eyes flaring with rage.
She'd had enough.
"This ends now, Naraku."
He stared in amazement at here, not expecting that at all, then laughed. The sight of a woman holding a sword amused him. Sango charged at Naraku; he followed suit at her. He would oblige her wish to fight him, but still refused to be merciful and hurled black fireballs at her.
Sango deflected each one of them, focusing on the target before her. Naraku snarled and fired off more as well as one giant blast! Sango didn't concern herself with them and kept charging, evading the fireballs; she swung the sword at the blast and sent it flying back at Naraku!
Naraku braced himself as his own weapon struck him, leaving his coat in shreds and his body steaming. Sango followed right after the blast passed. Naraku stepped away to avoid her, but Sango moved with him and thrust the sword into his chest through his heart!
Naraku gagged, blood rushing up his throat and out of his mouth. His widened eye stared into Sango's cold glare.
"You...bitch...!" Naraku strained, fighting death.
Sango's eyes narrowed in rage.
"Go to hell, bastard."
Sango cut downward into Naraku's chest then quickly brought the sword up, slicing through his neck and skull! Blood sprayed from Naraku's crown as he fell onto the ground, dead.
The group stared in amazement at how Sango had killed him.
"Alright, Sango." Shippo exclaimed, thinking that was a better fatality than on Mortal Kombat.
Sango didn't stay to hear the praise and hurried to Miroku, who laid still on the blood soaked ground. She held him up in her arms as the others crowded around. Miroku's head rested on her shoulder, giving no movement. Sango feared the worst as he remained still, fighting to hold back her tears.
"Miroku? Miroku, please. Answer me, Miroku." She pleaded, a tear escaping her eye and falling onto his eyelid.
Miroku moaned. Everyone anxiously inched closer. His eyelids stirred and feebly opened.
"Miroku?"
Miroku's eyes struggled to open more and followed Sango's voice to her face.
"San...S-San...go..." Miroku uttered faintly.
He stared into her eyes, then gave a weak smile in happiness.
"Sango...you...you're alright...I'm ...glad..."
Miroku's eyes shut and he laid still on Sango's shoulder.
"Miroku!" She screamed in fright.
He didn't move.
Kagome started crying, falling into Inuyasha's arms as he tried to console her, his ears drooping in sorrow. Shippo averted his eyes from the scene, trying to hide the tears forming in his eyes.
Sango rested her head atop Miroku's, her tears flowing in mourning. She looked to gaze at him once more.
Her tears stopped.
A faint smile rested on Miroku's lips as his head laid on her lower chest.
Remembering he was on her shoulder before, Sango's tears resumed in elation. She smiled as she lightly tapped his cheek. Miroku's smile broadened at the gesture.
"Aishiteru, Miroku." (I love you)