Hey! Sorry for the delay. Finals are approching and my life is getting very busy. Plus I wanted to make a longer chapter. Thank you for waiting and I hope you like the chapter.
Chapter 9: A Victorious Defeat, or Defeated Victory?
The next morning was clear from yesterday's clouds. Sesshomaru roused Jaken and let him wake the others as he went to hunt. After searching most of the surrounding island and finding no game he went back to the cave. Everyone was awake and preparing to depart. When Sesshomaru came back in Suriki went over to him hoping to continue their last conversation. She never got the chance because he immediately questioned her as to the lack of animals.
"Why are there no animals in the forest? Even the birds are missing," he asked.
Pausing for a moment Suriki listened for the familiar early morning song of the birds. When she heard nothing she turned to Sesshomaru and simply shrugged her shoulders. "I guess they were killed by Him. Or other demons might have killed them when the Island became uninhabited."
Nodding his head Sesshomaru turned and left the cave again. Letting out a small sigh Suriki went back to helping Jaken pack their things. After a small breakfast they went back to the shore and took the boat back to the mainland. There they began their search in the forest.
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At the same time the Inuyasha group was deciding where to head next.
"Well Naraku hasn't shown up in this forest and Kagome has not sensed any Jewel shards lately. I believe that we should head back to Kaede's village. We will be able to start anew from there," said Miroku.
Nodding her head Sango added her thoughts, "I agree. It would be best to take a break and rest for a little bit before heading out again."
"That way I can get some more supplies from my time" said Kagome as she clapped her hands together. "What do you think Inuyasha?"
"I think that we should continue searching and not waste time! We have only been here for a week and you already want to turn around!" Inuyasha shouted.
"But there is noting here Inuyasha! What is the point of looking if there is nothing?" Kagome yelled back.
"So what? We can move to the coast and search along that until we find something. And why do you want to go home anyway? If we need anything we can just get it at the next town!"
"There they go again. Sango, do you think they will ever stop fighting?" asked Shippo.
"No I don't think so. Inuyasha just gets Kagome so mad sometimes," Sango replied.
As the two continued to fight Sango, Miroku, and Shippo gathered their things and got ready for the trip back. They knew that Kagome would win, as she always did, with a 'sit'.
"It's not my fault that you guys are just weakling humans!" yelled Inuyasha.
'Here it comes,' thought Sango. However when nothing happened and Kagome said nothing they all looked up to see her staring into the forest.
"What's wrong Kagome?" asked Sango.
"I sense a jewel shard. One coming at us fast from that direction," She said while pointing into the forest.
"I sense a strong demonic aura coming from there as well," said Miroku.
"Yeah me, too," said Inuyasha, "Get ready here it comes!"
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"Where should we go now Sesshomaru?" asked Suriki.
"We will go to the castle ruins," he said.
"Why there?"
"It is the best place to start," and with that Sesshomaru turned and walked into the forest.
Walking trough the forest, everyone was silent. Rin's usual chatter, and Jaken's complaining was missing. They were all silent because they could tell that Sesshomaru was in one of his 'Disturb me and die' moods. As they continued walking Suriki began to get an uneasy feeling.
"Do you sense that Sesshomaru?" she asked.
"It seems that the demon has shown itself," he stated flatly, "Jaken, stay here and protect Rin. Suriki, come with me."
The two demons ran off leaving Rin behind to bother Jaken.
"Master Jaken?" Rin walked over to the toad and poked his head.
"What do you want now Rin?"
"Don't you think that Lady Suriki and Lord Sesshomaru make a good couple?" Rin asked innocently.
"W-WHAT! What would make you think that about Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken yelled.
"I think that Lady Suriki likes him and Lord Sesshomaru is really nice to her. Do you think that she will be my new mommy?" Rin said while giggling.
"Well..ah..wha..no..yes..AAHHHHH!" Jaken screamed, completely out of sorts by this line of questioning.
"Ha ha, Master Jaken is funny," Rin laughed.
"Please come back Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken yelled out.
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"I sense a strong demonic aura coming from there as well," said Miroku.
"Yeah me, too," said Inuyasha, "Get ready here it comes!"
Just as he said this the east side of the clearing erupted in a swirl of leaves. Out of the turmoil came the large demon that had attacked them earlier. This time however, Sesshomaru was not there to help. It came at them with startling ferocity, heading strait for Inuyasha.
"Watch out Inuyasha! It has a jewel shard in its forehead!" Kagome yelled as the monster attacked.
The demon lunged as Inuyasha drew his sword. He had to jump backwards to avoid the deadly claws that came at him. "Damn, this thing is fast!"
"Hiraikotsu!" yelled Sango as she threw he boomerang. The demon jumped over it and took another swipe at Inuyasha. He blocked with Tetsuiga and was pushed back. Before it could lunge forward again an arrow struck its arm. The purplish light that had followed the arrow dissipated. With an enraged yell the demon turned on Kagome and charged. Miroku jumped in its way and blocked it with his staff.
"This is no normal demon," said Sango as she went to Kagome's side.
"Get away from it Miroku! I am going to use the Wind Scar!" yelled out Inuyasha.
Miroku managed to jump backwards surprising the demon for a moment. In the time it took the demon to regain its footing Inuyasha had let out his attack.
"Wind Scar!" The yellow light hurtled toward the monster as it turned towards his yell. It was struck head on and didn't even seem fazed. The demon growled and attacked Inuyasha again.
"What the hell is this thing?" yelled Inuyasha as he dodged and blocked the demons attacks.
"Miroku, do you think the Wind Tunnel could destroy it?" asked Sango.
"I can try," he replied as his hand went to the beads holding it in check. Just as he was about to unleash the Wind Tunnel, Naraku's insects rose into view.
"It looks like Naraku is using this demon as well," said Kagome.
"That must be how it got the shard," said Sango.
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"Wind Scar!"
"It looks like my brother has encountered your demon," said Sesshomaru as they raced towards the fighting.
"I hope they don't get hurt," said Suriki.
"You are far too sentimental," said Sesshomaru.
"You are going to help him right?"
"If he is dead then he is dead. I will kill this demon and if my brother is alive then I will kill him as well."
They had no more time to talk because they had made it to the clearing.
"Stay here Suriki," Sesshomaru drew out Tensaiga and charged the demon.
"Be careful! Something is different about him!" she shouted. Noticing Sango, Miroku, and Kagome standing off to the side Suriki headed towards them.
Having sensed Suriki nearby, the demon had turned from its fight with Inuyasha and was instantly attacked by Sesshomaru.
"Well it's about time you showed up, Sesshomaru!"
"Silence, this is not your fight Inuyasha. Leave now and I might spare you life." Sesshomaru dodged a few attacks then struck back with one of his own. Instead of going through the demon's skin, as it had done before, Tensaiga bounced off.
"Seems like the Jewel Shard has done more than make it faster," said Inuyasha with a sneer.
Taking advantage of Sesshomaru's momentary surprise the demon knocked him to the side and ran towards Suriki. Drawing her own sword she prepared to defend herself. This time she would not run. As it got closer she channeled some of her energy into her sword. It glowed a soft blue, showing that Suriki's energy had charged its own demonic powers. Drawing a deep breath she raised her sword to meet the first of the demon's attacks. To her astonishment, instead of bouncing off the arm as all other weapons had, her sword slid strait through the arm doing no damage. The attack that should have been stopped continued on to connect with Suriki's shoulder. With a cry she was thrown sideways into a tree. Standing up she sheathed her sword and prepared to fight with teeth and claws. The demon moved slower as it approached her. Before it could attack Sesshomaru and Inuyasha both sliced at it from behind. Annoyed at being distracted the demon turned and sliced at them. Both managed to avoid the claws. Suriki saw that the demon was preoccupied and attacked it from behind. The moment her claws came in contact with its back the demon screamed and a soft light surrounded them. It was over in an instant as the demon pulled away and fled into the woods. Suriki dropped to her knees in sudden exhaustion. Looking at her claws she could find no trace of the things blood.
"Okay, what the heck just happened?" said an annoyed Inuyasha.
"What IS that thing?" asked Kagome.
Suriki looked up at them and gave a small smile. "That is my brother and I just got some of my soul back," and with that Suriki passed out. Sesshomaru picked her up and disappeared into the woods leaving behind five very confused people.
"That was... unexpected." They all nodded in agreement to Kagome's statement as they stared at the spot where Sesshomaru had left.
Hope you liked it. I think that the battle sence went very well. I am a little iffy on the characters of the Inuyasha group. They are important to the story but I don't really like writing them. So don't excpect to see too much of them. Well I can't wait for your reviews. The next chapter will take a while so please bear with me. Any ideas are welcome and if you send me one I will try to use it.
