Chapter IX: Soldiers of the Undead
Naraku chuckled again as the figures came into full view. Everyone in the Inuyasha party was speechless when they saw the faces that stared back at them.
"I've brought some of your old friends back to the world of the living to test your abilities once more" Naraku laughed as he backed into the shadows.
Kanesa stared at the fighters standing in front of her. She could only recognize Kagura; there was no way she'd be able to forget that face, that face that had hurt Kouga so badly. The young boy standing next to Kagura seemed to look like someone she knew. She looked around at her party, and saw Sango staring miserably at the boy. She soon realized that this was Kohaku, Sango's little brother that had been possessed by Naraku. She recognized the demon-exterminating uniform he wore; it was just like Sango's. She was surprised to finally see him; he looked nothing like a fighter. He had such a slim, weak figure.
She looked at the other four warriors; she knew none of them. The one standing farthest from Naraku was young woman, no older than Kanesa. She was pale, had short black hair tied in a red ribbon, with a revealing, short cloth covering only her breasts and a short shirk tied by a yellow cloth, a sword tucked into the yellow cloth.
Something that looked like a monster towered next to her. He looked like a large, white salamander. He had small, beady eyes with black markings underneath them, small earrings and a wide snout. Three little hairs poked out of his head with a small black braid in the back. He wore outrageous armor; two blue shoulder covers with points sticking out, bands all over his biceps and forearms, cloth wrapped around his massive torso and black pants.
The man next to him was dressed in a similar to the lizard-man, but appeared human; a very good-looking human at that. He had piercing red eyes, earrings and a self-satisfied grin on his face. A long, black braid flowed behind him reaching his ankles. He tapped a large staff on his shoulder. This staff, however, had an odd blade at the end, with jewels embedded on the handle.
And next to the handsome man, an extremely pale man crouched next to Naraku. Kanesa could barely see his face; his hair covered the most of it. But she could still see his eyes; they were cold and unfeeling. He had a mask on over his mouth and nose, but Kanesa could still hear him breathing. Every breath he took sounded excruciating, as if someone had a tight hold on his windpipe. The sleeves of his loose outfit draped over his arms, and Kanesa saw something flicker on his wrist. It was a metal cuff; chains hanging from his sides. She got a chill down her spine; whoever this person was, there was no way it could be human.
"Who are all these people?" Kanesa whispered to Kagome.
Her sister shook her head; she appeared to be just as scared as Kanesa, "They're…they're all people that we destroyed before. But… Naraku brought them all back!" she stammered, shaking as she clutched tighter onto her older sister. "The girl, on the far right, that's Yura of the Hair. She controls hair with a little comb that can cut through anything. The two standing next to her are the Thunder Brothers. The lizard-looking one is Manten. He can shoot a huge lightning blast out of his mouth. And the other one is Hiten. Even though he may look human, he's the worst of the two. That staff he has, it shoots out powerful lightning. He can also be quite the hot-head; but he has every right to; he's powerful. And the man standing next to Hiten, that's… that's Juromaru…"
Kanesa couldn't hear her sister anymore; they were both shaking uncontrollably that neither of them could muster out a word. Kouga looked behind him and notice how frightened they were. He couldn't stand seeing Kanesa so terrified. "Naraku! How the hell did you bring all of these bastards back!" he growled.
Naraku laughed again, "Ask the sisters back there," he said, pointing a pale finger towards Kanesa and Kagome, "with their abilities, I'm sure they've figured it out."
Inuyasha looked over at them, "What…?"
Kanesa nodded, "Jewel shards… each of them has… two jewel shards in their chests" she whispered.
Inuyasha stared back at the warriors, 'Jewel Shards?'
Naraku chuckled again, "You seem so surprised, Inuyasha…" He walked across the line of fighters, "I've revived each of these warriors to test each of you…"
Yura giggled, "I'm back to fight the little priestess, Kagome" Yura smiled. Kagome frowned; at least she knew now how to destroy her now.
"I've been revived to fight the monk known as Miroku" Manten snarled as a laugh escaped his lips. Miroku wasn't sure how to react; he had never seen Manten before. He had only heard stories of the infamous Thunder Brothers. But Inuyasha had killed them both before he joined his party.
"To no surprise, I'm here to fight the wolf" Kagura smiled as she tapped her fan on her shoulder. Kanesa released Kagome as she ran to Kouga's side.
"Kouga, you can't fight her! You remember what happened time!" she warned quietly, holding onto his arm.
He looked down at her, and back at Kagura, "Don't worry. I can handle her this time."
"I am here to fight with Sango" Kohaku said flatly. Sango tried her best to hold back her tears.
"And guess what? I'm here to have a re-match with you, half-breed" Hiten said smugly as he glared at Inuyasha. Kagome rushed to his side and grabbed onto his kimono.
Naraku chuckled again, "Well, well… that just leaves Miss Kanesa, and Juromaru…" he said, as he walked back across the line of fighters and stood behind Juromaru.
Kouga's eyes widened as he stared at Juromaru and looked down at Kanesa; but she merely smirked and released Kouga's arm, "Whatever floats your boat, baboon butt." Naraku chuckled at her zeal.
Kouga grabbed her, "Kanesa, no! You have no idea what that freak is capable of! If that mask…"
"Don't worry your little head, wolf" Naraku interrupted, "I'll go easy on the poor girl. Juromaru's mask will not be removed."
Kanesa took Kouga's hands into her own, "Don't worry about me, Kouga. You know full well that I am totally capable of holding my own in battle. You know from experience. I'll be all right."
Kouga stared at her, "Kanesa, that Juromaru guy, he's not a normal demon. I'm not even sure if he's a demon, but I know he's not human. He's dangerous, and I don't want to see you get hurt" he said quietly, so the others couldn't hear.
She simply smiled and placed Kouga's hands at his sides, and kissed the tip of his nose lightly. "I've always wanted the chance to take on a real demon. Usually, you do it, but now it's my turn."
"Yes, wolf, it's no polite to intrude on another's battle" Naraku said.
Kouga turned around to face him, "Hey, I just don't want anything happening to her! If I have to, I'll fight Kagura and Juromaru. Hell, I'll fight Yura for Kagome too, as long as I know they're safe!"
Kagome released Inuyasha and readied an arrow in her bow, "That's a nice gesture Kouga, but I know Yura better than you do. I can handle myself" she said pleasantly.
Kouga looked over at her then back at Kanesa. She looked at him with her hands on her hips, smiling. He knew there was no talking it out of her. Once she had her mind set on something, there was no changing it; exactly how Kouga was. That was one of the many reasons he liked her so much. He smiled and sighed, "All right, just promise me that you'll be careful."
She nodded and kissed his nose again, "I promise."
Hiten rested his lightning staff on his shoulder and rested his other hand on his hip. "Humph, I don't think this is very fair. Juromaru get to pick apart such a fine specimen." Kanesa looked over at him as he smiled, licking his fangs. "What'dya say little miss… would you like me to show you what my staff is capable of?"
Kanesa looked him over, disgusted and amused, "In your dreams, thunder-pants" she giggled.
Kouga looked over at Hiten and smirked as he wrapped a hand around Kanesa's waist. "Not in this lifetime pal, this here's mine."
Hiten was taken aback in shock, 'What? She denied me! No girl's ever turned me down before!' But he regained himself and laughed, "I like your enthusiasm girl. It may be this lifetime, or the next, but you will be mine."
Kanesa shook her head and laughed, "Whatever you say. What a creep."