I finished the soup Kaede gave me, surprisingly not making a single grimace at the bitter taste. The herbs added a whole new flavor; all it needed were some scrambled eggs and it would be perfect. At the moment I was laying down again, berating myself for believing something without any facts. I used to rely so heavily on logic upon coming here, but things are so different and… magical… I don't know where logic comes in anymore. My emotions have been getting the best of me.
It was disgusting.
"The others are gonna look for Naraku, Irene," Shippō told me as he dabbed at my sweaty face with a rag, "so you just stay here and rest up. We'll catch up with them soon."
He said that, so why didn't I trust it? I had a bad feeling in my gut- like Inuyasha or the others were in trouble. They were always getting into battles. Like Kaede said, the group was tough; there was no reason to feel so bothered. Not even Naraku could take them down.
…
Kagome should have gone home. She knew she was supposed to, she promised to head through the well and wait on the other side until Inuyasha came and got her. But… she just couldn't when everyone else was in danger. She felt so awful for not telling Irene everyone was alright, so Kagome found herself… acting like this. Heading to the cave where Onigumo once hid, surprising Kaede with her presence.
"I thought I ought to take a look inside that cave, too." She explained. Kagome frowned, looking ahead of them. "Something about this is bothering me; I want to know what's going on."
The priestess stared at her for a moment, uncertainty in her one eye, before she gave in to the girl's determination and sighed. "It's not too far away." They kept walking, moving through the tall grass until they reached the cave at the top of the hill. "There it is…"
Kagome looked at the cave nervously, something twisting in her stomach at the sight of it. This is where Onigumo stayed before he gave himself to demons and became Naraku. It reeked of evil. It was in this spot that everything began. What led to Kikyō's death and Inuyasha being sealed to the sacred tree; what led to Naraku cursing Miroku's family line and destroying Sango's home. What made him join forces with the mysterious Shikigami user Anastasia, and what made him bring Irene and her older sister to Feudal Japan.
"Kagome?" Kaede asked, seeing the way the girl stiffened. "Is something the matter?"
"What? Oh, don't mind me…" She shook her head, taking a deep breath. "I was just thinking. Let's go get a closer look at that cave."
"Watch your step." The priestess warned, stepping over a few roots as they neared the entrance. Kagome carefully followed her lead.
They were just about to make it to the top when suddenly a man came running out, standing at the rocky entrance, bringing his hands up into the air screaming. "Kikyōōōōō~!"
Kagome lifted her head up, eyes wide with shock upon seeing the stranger. "I-It's him!"
"That man is Muso?" Kaede asked, startled. He looked nothing like she had expected him to. The man brought his hands down, staring at his palms like they were unfamiliar to him.
"I finally remembered what had pained me so." He told them, raising his gaze to look directly at Kagome. The girl tensed, highly uncomfortable by the way his eyes raked over her form. "It was Kikyō whom I longed for. She had caused this agony." He brought his arm to the side and his flesh erupted into something more demonic, long mahogany tendrils ripping out and heading straight towards the middle schooler. Kagome yelped and dived out the way, Kaede dashing to the side as quickly as she could and notching an arrow on her bow. "It was because of her that I sold my soul to demons!"
"I should have known it was you!" The elder woman growled. "Why would you dare to show up again after all these years!?"
Kagome stumbled, whirling around when she realized the priestess wasn't next to her. "Kaede!?"
…
Sleep wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. This time there were no nightmares, but it wasn't a decent sleep either. It was completely dreamless. I remember only waking when Shippō spoke up, saying something about how he was going to go get some fresh water for me to drink. The fox demon grabbed a little wooden canteen and headed out of the hut, leaving me alone in the silence.
I felt a little better after my nap, which was nice. My head didn't hurt as much anymore. I turned onto my side and winced, feeling how sore my throat was. That was what I got for crying so darn much. What a pain. At least the others were alive…
Hmm? Oh, footsteps. Shippō must be back. That was pretty fast, even for him. Did I make him feel that bad? I'm going to have to apologize. I rolled onto my back, yawning, and turned to look at the child when… I saw someone else. My eyes widened, realizing that Shippō wasn't the one who came into the hut.
The person standing above me now was older, taller, with messy brown hair and lifeless eyes. He held the kusarigama in his grasp, raised high above his head. "K-Kohaku!?" I shrieked and lunged to the side, rolling on the hard wood as he swung the blade. It tore up the futon and caught on the blankets, the boy turning his head to look at me. I scrambled up into a sitting position, backing away slowly. "Wh-What are you doing? How did you get in!?"
It's getting hard to breathe again. My heart won't stop racing.
Frick. The boy untangled his weapon from the sheets and faced me, slowly walking this way. "It's such a shame…" He murmured. "The others aren't here to save you this time."
Oh gods. No. No, no, no. He can't do this; why is he doing this? Why is Naraku making him do this!? I tried to stand up, but the world around me started to spin from all the crazed movement. "I-I refuse!" Where's the door? There's the door! I made a break for it, not caring about my health as I valued survival more. "In… Inuyash… Inuyasha!"
Where was he!? I need to find him.
Several villagers stopped what they were doing and looked to see what was going on, shouting and running away when they saw Kohaku dash out of the hut with his weapon in hand. They began screaming, calling for spears and bows, saying that they needed to defend the foreign priestess. "Lady Irene! We must protect her!"
"Get the swords!"
"Hide the children!"
The chain from Kohaku's weapon wrapped around my leg, sending me crashing hard into the ground. My face hit dirt and I cried out, nose hurting badly as blood began to gush from it. "D-Don't…" I choked, seeing the way he was moving closer. "K-Kohaku, please…"
I'm scared. I think the stitches in my back broke open. My arm still wasn't completely healed from Kirara's fangs either.
Kohaku raised the kusarigama above his head, ready to swing and maim me so bad I couldn't escape. I flinched and squeezed my eyes shut, head hung low as I waited for the pain. When none came I slowly opened an eye, seeing his arm shaking. "...Kohaku?" Why wasn't he attacking? Could he hear my voice after all? I pushed myself up a little, wincing at the warmth on my back. "D-Do you recognize me? I'm Irene! Don't let Naraku win, Kohaku!"
Suddenly a villager came running at the boy, spear held in his hands. "Leave Lady Irene alone! Take this-!" Kohaku dropped the kusarigama and grabbed the wakizashi at his waist, unsheathing it and easily blocking the hit from the villager, sending him stumbling back and slashing at his chest. "Gahh~!"
I was too horrified to scream. The boy turned to see everyone else running at him, swords and spears alike in their hands. He left me to go fight them, no mercy to be shown as he ran to slaughter them all. He was so much stronger and skilled than they were, and… they were trying to protect me. They were dying because they wanted to help.
"N… No…" Don't do this. "Kohaku!"
I kicked the chains off my legs, unraveling them, before shakily standing.
"Shikigami~!" I brought my hands out, tears burning my eyes as I saw the way the boy was hurting everyone. Red flames danced along my fingers, shooting out of my palms at my command. "Attack!"
Kohaku stopped when he heard me speak, turning to see the ball of fire heading straight for him. He easily dodged it, running sideways and then leaping, avoiding a few arrows that were flying through the air. Landing gracefully on the ground, the boy charged at me ready to swing. I could tell that this time… he wasn't going to hesitate.
"I-I won't let you kill them!" Too many have died already. A pentagram formed at my feet, red and burning hotter with each passing second. Though panicking greatly, I kept Miroku's words in mind about being able to know I could summon the Shikigami. That I needed to believe in myself. Kohaku was getting closer and closer, ready to cut me through with his wakizashi. I raised my arms up, trying to ignore the fear coursing through my veins. "O' flame burning bright… turn into a sword of wrath!"
A strange shape appeared out of the flame, a white-hot rhinoceros appearing and charging at the boy. Keeping the Shikigami in effect was exhausting, but I couldn't give up. Naraku had taken too many lives; I won't allow him to continue. Especially not with Kohaku.
…
"Out of my way!" Muso demanded, grotesque tendrils heading towards the priestess and breaking any arrows she shot at him. "That woman- the one who is identical to Kikyō!? She will be mine, I tell you!"
"Stop!" Kagome cried, causing the man to halt his attack at the sound of her voice. "I'm the one you want, right!? Leave her alone!" The middle schooler watched him retract his arm, ready to head towards her instead. Kagome quickly broke out into a run, rushing down the hill as fast as she could. "So I say, but I'm not gonna give in without a fight! Run for it, Kaede!"
The tendrils slammed into the ground beside her, sending her flying. "Who are you!?" He demanded, retracting them and sending them towards her once more when he saw Kagome recover and continue running. "How come you look so much like Kikyō!? Tell me at once!"
The girl looked up, seeing the large shadow overhead. She was quickly running out of breath. Kagome knew that if this kept up he was going to catch her after all. She dared not think what he might do with her if that happened. That was when she heard it- a voice so familiar it caused her heart to swell with joy, hope washing over her as Inuyasha leapt through the air and clawed at the tendrils, tearing them to bits.
"Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!" He shouted, flipping through the air and landing on the ground. The half-demon watched at the clay body parts collapsed, a large scar ripping through the middle of the man's limb, and then focused his attention on Kagome- eyes narrowed in a glare. "What the hell do you think you're doing!? Why didn't you go home!?"
"Well, that's-" She began, attempting to explain herself, when Muso spoke up. The male incarnation shouted over the hill, catching everyone's attention. Miroku was running up behind Inuyasha, staff ready for battle.
"Inuyasha! Why must you always interfere like this!? Go back to the tree where you were sealed!" Muso retracted the tendrils back, transforming them into a regular arm. Inuyasha bared his fangs and growled at him, unsheathing his sword.
"What did you say!?"
"This is exactly what we feared would happen." Miroku said, frowning deeply. "This is why you should have gone through the well, Kagome. We knew he would come after you."
"How perceptive." Muso mocked. "But you're all fools; my memories have returned! This cave is where I met Kikyō! She cared for me while I stayed here, tending to my wounds."
Inuyasha's eyes widened. Anger boiled inside of him and he stepped forward, ready to hack this incarnation into pieces. "Kikyō?" How dare he speak her name. Vermin like him shouldn't be allowed to even utter the word. "What the hell are you talking about!?"
Kaede moved over, informing the half-demon of their discovery. "Muso is actually Onigumo, Inuyasha!"
"What!?"
Understanding dawned on Miroku, all the pieces clicking together inside his head. "That's why he kept stealing the faces of his victims! Onigumos' body was badly burned- so much so that even his face was scorched off! When Naraku created him, Muso had no face!"
"Onigumo's heart must have burst out of Naraku!" Inuyasha said, disturbed at the thought.
Muso held his arms out, scowling. "I remember everything- including how Kikyō died back then." A low growl escaped him, frustration forming on his features.
Inuyasha was furious. "You were the one who injured her!"
"I did no such thing! I wanted possession of the sacred jewel and a healthy body, so I could steal Kikyō away and leave this wretched cave. She was to be my woman… but when I got my new body, nothing went as I planned. The first thing I did when I left the cave was kill the very woman who I had sold my body and soul for!"
"When Naraku was born, Onigumo's consciousness still lived inside of him…" Kagome observed, bothered by this newfound information. He had watched Kikyō get slaughtered, unable to control his own body. And why?
"Naraku was created by the union of hundreds of demons," Kaede explained, expression darkening, "and those demons had but one desire… the death of my sister, Kikyō."
Muso's eyes lowered to the ground, clearly upset by this. "Kikyō followed that half-demon straight to her very demise… She perished and the sacred jewel was burned along with her corpse. At that very same time… someone buried me in a very deep, dark place."
"That must have been Naraku." Inuyasha told him. Muso leapt down from the cave entrance, walking closer to the group.
"I don't know how many years I lied dormant for, but when I finally awoke I had been hurled into the outside world again. "
Miroku narrowed his eyes, moving a few feet closer to the male incarnation. "Have you not received orders from Naraku?"
"I take orders from no one! I slaughter everyone I hate and I burn them to the ground."
…
He wouldn't stop. Why won't he stop?
If I could run out of the village and get him away from the people that would be perfect, but I can't move. My legs were shaking so bad- if I tried to walk I would collapse. My lungs burned too much for me to dash away to the forest. The boy had managed to slash away at my left arm during our battle, simultaneously opening my old wound and making it worse, and he avoided every single one of my attacks. It felt so pointless.
A part of me felt like giving up, allowing him to take me to Naraku. At least the villagers would be safe then… right?
Oh gods.
"I-Irene!?" Shippō's voice rang out and the fox demon bounded over, standing several feet away. "I-Is that… Kohaku? What is he doing here!? Gah! Irene, you're bleeding!"
"It's fine." It had gotten to the point where Kohaku and I were just staring each other down now, the remaining villagers hiding away- too scared to keep fighting in fear of their lives. I felt awful. "I'm… fine."
"You're not! I-I'll go get Inuyasha and the others! They can help!"
Please hurry.
The fox demon dropped the wooden canteen of water he was carrying and transformed, turning into his giant pink rubber ball form and floating in the air, moving quickly to look over the forest trees to hunt down our allies. My hands were shaking. "You don't… want to do this, Kohaku. Trust me. This isn't you."
He said nothing. He stepped forward, blade held tightly in his hands. I wasn't even sure if he was listening to me anymore. How strong was Naraku's hold on his heart?
"We're friends, right? Let's just… put the weapons down and not fight. Okay? S-Sounds… like a great plan… don't it?"
I'm so dizzy. I don't think I can summon anymore spirits. What's the point of having power if none of it ever freaking works the way you want it to, and you just end up more worn out than ever because you tried using it? Ragh! I hate it. I appreciate the spirits listening to me, but damn it all. I'm too weak for this.
"You don't… want to kill those people. D-Do you?"
He stepped forward. My heart jumped, ready to burst out of my ribcage. The boy ran straight at me, blade held high ready to swing. My arms flew up instinctively and I shouted, covering my head and throat as best as I could despite knowing it was futile. There were footsteps and I knew he was close, but then there was a roar-
-and a woman, screaming Kohaku's name. The hiraikotsu flew through the air and Kohaku jumped back, snatching his kusarigama off the ground and sheathing his wakizashi quickly. Sango flew over on Kirara's back, catching her weapon as it doubled back to her. She stared at Kohaku with heartbroken eyes, distraught by what had happened. Her gaze traveled over the village, seeing the several wounded and dead villagers on the ground, taking note of the way I was bleeding as well. Kirara lowered to the ground and Sango got off, standing slowly making her way over to us. Kohaku was staring at her, emptiness in his gaze. He seemed reluctant to fight her, but other than that… I don't think he recognized her.
"Kohaku…"
He got into a stance, holding the kusarigama in front of him. From behind several people seemed to just drop down in the midst of their running, lights shooting out of their body. I noticed, but I think Sango was too focused on Kohaku to see it.
"Why are you letting Naraku control you like this?" She demanded, voice trembling and pained. There was a vulnerability in it- one that I've heard only once before. "Doesn't it hurt? Aren't you scared?"
"S-Sango…" I stammered, seeing the way she was just marching towards him. The female demon slayer didn't seem like she was going to fight him at all. What if he attacked? Would she just let him hurt her? What was going on with those villagers? "B-be careful!"
She raised a hand up, reaching out towards him. "Kohaku, please… stop this."
…
"I don't know why Naraku bothered letting you out," Inuyasha growled, running at Muso as poisonous insects appeared up ahead in the sky, preventing Miroku from using his Wind Tunnel, "but you'll get the same treatment I give him! This is payback for Kikyō!"
"Try it!" Muso shouted, stretching the tendrils to wrap around Inuyasha and his sword. The half-demon continued to charge, being stopped only when the flesh closed in around him and hoisted him up into the air. "I'll kill you first!"
"His scar closed in on the sword!" Miroku exclaimed. "He can regenerate his body!"
"Yeah, who cares!?" Inuyasha demanded, forcing his way out of Muso's grip with his own inhuman strength. He landed on the ground, grunting and glaring at the man. "Damn you…!"
"You strange sword is useless against me." The incarnation mused, several Saimyōshō buzzing behind him. "How very unfortunate for you."
Miroku scowled, grabbing at his prayer beads. "I knew I should have sucked him up when I had the chance…"
"Does this mean Naraku is protecting Muso?" Kagome asked, alarmed. "If so, does that mean he's near? What about Irene!? Kagura might try and grab her again!"
"Sango went back to the village to ensure that doesn't happen." Miroku said, looking at the girl. "But Naraku must be the one who sent him the poisonous insects- to prevent me from using the Wind Tunnel. Yet Muso insists he takes orders from no one. Just what is his motivation?" He glanced back at the fight, frustrated. "I don't understand it!"
"Who cares what his motivation is!?" Inuyasha growled, running at Muso again. "It won't matter so long as we can kill 'im!"
The male incarnation laughed and sent the tendrils from his arms down towards the half-demon, crashing into the ground and forcing Inuyasha to dodge each one lest he get impaled. "What's the matter!?" He asked, grinning wickedly as both his arms were used to attack. There was no end to how far the tendrils could stretch or split apart, leaving the half-demon moving left and right, jumping into the air and diving into the grass time and again.
Eventually Inuyasha got fed up and raised his sword, leaping out and bringing the blade down as demonic energy swirled around it. Muso's eyes widened. "Die already! Wind Scar!" The energy made contact with his body and the incarnation shouted, feeling his limbs be torn into shreds, body falling into pieces.
"Is he dead?" Kaede asked as the light faded away, revealing the dismembered body of Muso. Miroku shook his head, staring intently at the body parts.
"We can't be certain. Not with his ability to regenerate."
A tendril shot out of the ground and tore right through Inuyasha's chest. The half-demon choked and blood spurted out of his mouth. Miroku quickly ran forward and pulled several sutras out, speaking a prayer and throwing them at it. They made contact and the tendrils erupted, disintegrating into ashes as Inuyasha fell free.
"Your efforts are futile." Muso claimed, revealing himself. His clothes were all gone, tattered by Inuyasha's previous attack. "You're all going to die, so just give up already."
"That's what you think!" Inuyasha growled, bringing his blade up again. "Wind Scar!"
"Inuyasha!" Miroku shouted as the incarnation was destroyed once more. "Are you alright!?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. But Muso…" The half-demon narrowed his eyes. "There are only so many times he can keep regenerating."
"I hope you're right about that." Kagome said nervously.
Suddenly a voice could be heard shouting at them. "Inuyasha! Miroku! Kagome! Heeeeelp!" They looked up, seeing Shippō in his balloon form flying at them. "Irene's in danger!"
"What?" Kaede exclaimed. "How so?"
He transformed, falling onto the ground and picking himself back up again. "K-Kohaku! He's in the village attacking everyone! I told Sango on my way here, but I don't think she can fight him! Irene's badly hurt and several villagers are already dead!"
"What!?" Kagome gasped, horrified. "But…"
"This isn't good." Miroku frowned. "Kagura's words were a trap after all. Naraku wanted us here out of the way. He sent Kohaku, knowing Sango wouldn't be able to fight him. But we can't just leave with Muso still in the way! Inuyasha, what should we do!?"
Inuyasha wasn't able to answer, Muso already finished reforming.
"Fools! You should already know it is impossible to destroy me!" Inuyasha held his sword tightly, glaring uncertainly at the incarnation. What were they supposed to do? Muso wasn't going to die quickly, and Irene and Sango were in serious danger. He can't just leave Muso to go help them either- if he does, Kagome will be captured. Maybe even killed. "Just accept defeat!"
"Damn it all…" Isn't there some way for Inuyasha to destroy him? He needs to end this quickly. "Miroku, take Kagome and head to the village! I'll stay here and take on Muso."
"Inuyasha, it's too dangerous alone-" The monk began.
"Do as I say!" The half-demon snapped. "Irene's too weak to fight right now and Sango can't fight her kid brother! You have to hurry!"
Muso grinned at that and stretched his arms out more, the lower half of his body turning a matching mahogany color and shifting- taking shape into something a little less human. A tail appeared in the back, rising high above his head and resembling that of a scorpion. Muso chuckled. "It appears that I'm getting accustomed to this body of mine…" He lunged his tail outwards and Inuyasha jumped to avoid it, but it easily changed direction.
Kagome gasped. "Inuyasha- look out!"
The half-demon looked up, but there was nothing he could do to avoid the tail as it pierced through his torso once more, blood dripping to the ground and staining his red kimono.
"Inuyashaaaaa!"
A tendril ripped away from the tail, separating and moving closer to wrap around Inuyasha's throat. He could taste his own blood, but that that didn't stop him from digging his claws into the tendril and gripping his sword handle tight with one hand. "I'll destroy you… you cocky bastard…!" He swung tetsusaiga as best as he could. "Wind Scar!"
Muso fell apart once more at the contact and Inuyasha landed on the ground, coughing and spitting out blood. He pulled the tendril that was around his neck off, grimacing.
"Hands… off!" Inuyasha shakily stood, bringing a hand up to cover his front. The blood wouldn't stop gushing. The demon in his body should be closing it up soon enough. "Damn it… he's still not dead yet?"
"This will never come to an end!" Kaede stated, watching in annoyance as the body parts reached out to each other and reattached themselves. "We must hurry to the village! Kagome, let us go." Miroku's eyes widened, the monk leaning forward abruptly.
"Wait! Look at that!"
The back piece of Muso's body… where the spider mark was. It was pulsating, attracting all the other pieces to it. The incarnation returned to his scorpion-like state, but this time several spikes were aligning his body.
"He's transforming again!" Kagome exclaimed.
"What do you think his body is made of?" Kaede wondered. She turned her head when Miroku started speaking.
"Naraku's body is made up of an amalgamation of demons, bonded into one by the bandit Onigumo. If Muso was created from Naraku's flesh, then perhaps several other demons were released when Muso was expelled!" Yet that didn't explain at all why he could regenerate. What was his secret? "Is he somehow different from the other incarnations?"
Miroku was torn. He needed to go back to the village to save Sango and Irene, but he can't just leave Inuyasha alone. The half-demon was going to wear out quickly at this rate. He had already used the Wind Scar too many times against Muso. His body won't hold up.
"I told you- destroying me is impossible." The man said, grinning as he hunched over on his tendril-esque claws. He watched as Inuyasha charged, smacking the half-demon away without much effort. Inuyasha rolled out of the way to avoid being pierced by another tendril, only to get smacked away by a different one.
Shippō squeezed his eyes shut, clinging tightly to Kagome's leg. "I can't watch! Isn't there something we can do!? Everyone's going to die at this rate!"
Inuyasha wasn't going to be able to take much more of this. He was breathing heavily, struggling to push himself up while using his sword for balance. If they don't end this battle now then… Miroku clenched his fist. Sango was in danger right now. Irene was going to get kidnapped. Knowing Naraku he would have Kohaku attack Sango, fully aware that she can't fight back. He'll have him kill her.
It might cost Miroku his life, but…
He stepped forward, tearing off the prayer beads wrapped around his right hand. Kagome's eyes widened. "No, Miroku! Don't do it!"
"We have no choice! Sango and Irene are in grave danger, and if this keeps up Inuyasha will die! We have to end this battle now." Muso turned to face him, narrowing his eyes. "Everyone, get back!"
Miroku removed the cloth covering his hand, spreading out his fingers and allowing his palm to be shown to the incarnation. At that instant a black vortex appeared, sucking in everything around it- all the rocks and debris that had been created during the battle, and the poisonous insects waiting in the background.
"Wind Tunnel~!"
"What is this!?" Muso shouted, finding his body being forced forward by the monk's power. He dug his tendrils into the ground, trying to keep himself from being swept up and absorbed. "I won't… let you get rid of me like this! I am immortal!" The skin of Miroku's hand began to turn purple, starting at his fingertips and slowly spreading to his wrist. Beads of sweat formed on his face. "Raaaah!"
"Wind Scar!" Inuyasha finally pushed himself up, swinging his blade and slicing Muso's body into pieces. This allowed several parts of the incarnation to get swallowed up alongside the Saimyōshō, but just as Muso's middle part- the piece with the spider mark- was about to be swallowed up…
A familiar female demon appeared, flying by on a feather and swinging her fan. "Dance of Blades!" Several bright arcs of wind appeared and aimed directly at Miroku, causing the monk to close up his hand and leap back in order to avoid him. He crashed hard into the ground, dazed and weak from the toxin. The remaining Saimyōshō grabbed onto the spider mark piece of Muso's body and flew away with it deep into the forest.
And the pieces of his body that hadn't been sucked up followed, attracted to that part in their desire to regenerate.
"Damn it!" Inuyasha cursed. He glanced back, "Kagome, take care of Miroku! I'm gonna follow Muso!"
"Wait!" Kaede shouted, stepping forward. "What about the village?"
Inuyasha hesitated. He couldn't just let Muso get away like that, but… damn it! The half-demon turned away, torn. Muso could lead them to Naraku. Miroku pushed himself up, jaw clenched tight as he clutched his poisoned arm. "I-I'll be fine. Go after Muso, Inuyasha. I'll head to the village."
"A-Are you sure?"
"Just go!" The half-demon hesitated before doing as told, following the male incarnation and the poisonous insects. Kagome and Shippō helped Miroku stand, worried for his well being. "We need to hurry…"
…
Blood dripped from Sango's shoulder, the woman using her hiraikotsu to block all of Kohaku's attacks. Each blow had pushed her back, the slayer unable to bring herself to fight him. "Stop this, Kohaku!"
He continued to slash away, kusarigama digging into the giant boomerang. I watched nervously from the side, uncertain of what I should do. I wanted to help, but I knew if I got close… I would be taken down instantly. Sango blinked back the tears burning her eyes and pushed forward, shoving her hiraikotsu at him and sending Kohaku falling back.
The woman had him pinned, legs on either side of him, the hiraikotsu pressing against his chest and keeping his arms against the ground. Her long hair fell over her shoulder. "Break free of Naraku! Please!"
He said nothing. The boy merely stared at her. It appeared as if he no longer was going to fight.
"S-Sango…" I said, taking a cautious step forward, extending a hand. "He…"
I didn't know what to say. What was there to say?
A small voice spoke quietly from behind me, causing me to jump. "His soul is under Naraku's control… Kohaku cannot be freed." A young girl was standing there, hair and skin as white as snow. Even her kimono was all white, but her eyes… they were the darkest black I've ever seen. Her face was even more expressionless than Kohaku's. In her hands she held a mirror. "Your soul," She said, staring at me, "give it to me."
What?
Sango whirled her head around, eyes widening when she saw the girl. "Irene, get back!"
I tried to move, but it was like I was frozen- caught by the reflection in the mirror. The glass shone brightly, glimmering with light, and my body grew cold. My knees hit the ground and I fell over, feeling the very life force get drained from my body. Sango let out a shout, pulling away from Kohaku and running at the mysterious girl, grabbing her wakizashi and swinging it at her.
"Kanna!" She yelled angrily. "Don't you dare!"
The girl didn't even flinch.
Before Sango could get close Kohaku used the chain on his weapon and wrapped it around her ankle, knocking her down and sending her sword falling out of her hands. She looked back, alarmed, and kicked at the chain. Kohaku had used the moment of opportunity when she left to throw the hiraikotsu off of his body, grabbing his kusarigama and using it against her. Sango twisted and pushed herself off the ground, standing on her hands, before turning her legs until the chains fell free.
But not completely- because she wrapped it around her knee and tugged, sending Kohaku stumbling forward. The girl used that time to toss herself into the air, spinning and landing a kick hard across his lower back. He was falling forward, temporarily stunned, though the boy recovered soon enough. Sango breathed heavily, guilt crossing her face, before she yanked her hiraikotsu off of the ground and threw it at Kanna. The girl looked up just in time to see Kohaku throw herself in front of her- taking the blow. Sango's eyes widened.
Her brother was sent flying back into a hut, crashing into the wall with the building crumbling on top of him. "K-Kohaku!"
She's crying again. Why does Naraku have to keep making Sango cry?
I hate it. I hate him. I want to do something. But my body felt so tired… so weak. I was paralyzed. Was this girl really stealing my soul?
What can I do?
Gods, it hurts. I'm so dizzy.
The girl looked at me, seeing the way my soul was still flowing into the mirror. She stared at it, observing silently. "The soul is bigger than expected… but it will soon reside in the mirror."
My fingers dug into the dirt, struggling to curl into fists. What made them think they could get away with all this? They're terrible people. Monsters, even. They give demons a bad name. I want to hurt them. They deserve to pay for what they've done.
Sango looked torn. Dig through the debris and ensure that Kohaku was still alive, or attack Kanna- freeing me from her spell? She settled for the latter, charging at the white-haired demon. "Leave her be!" She demanded, flexing her wrist and allowing the hidden blade to break through her arm guard, slashing at the ghost of a girl. The blade seemed to phase through her, the girl completely disappearing as if she was never there in the first place. "No! Where!?"
I coughed, struggling to push myself up. I wanted to throw up. "S-Sango..."
She whirled around, spinning on her heel. "Irene!"
I was about to try and sit up, but then I felt it again- the coldness gripping at my heart, as if pulling all the feelings I possessed out of my body. Kanna was standing on the rooftop of Kaede's hut, staring at us. Sango let out an angered yell and charged forward, pulling her hiraikotsu out of the rubble and swinging it at her.
"The soul has stopped…" Kanna vanished again. She was right by me this time. "It must continue."
This feels like I'm being tortured, having my soul pulled out repeatedly in separate intervals. It was more painful than when I tried to drown myself earlier; at least I had control over that. Damn it. I want it to stop. It hurts. I regret everything.
"I said leave her alone!" Sango growled. She was about to swing with it this time, not throwing it, but an arrow shot out of nowhere- flying so close to Kanna's face that it cut off several strands of hair. Sango's run came to a startled halt. "What?"
"Kanna!" Kagome shouted, taking another arrow from Kaede's quiver and aiming it at her. "Tell us what you want with Irene- now!"
The process of stealing my soul was halted once again. I was getting very frustrated at this point; I kind of just wanted her to hurry up and kill me already. At least the other demons didn't hesitate so much when they attacked. The girl stared at them lifelessly. "Her soul… it is necessary for us… I will take it. It belongs in the mirror…"
"Too bad you won't get it!" She hissed. "Take this!"
Kanna watched as she released another arrow. Kohaku pulled himself out of the rubble and, seeing the way it was going for the mirror, lunged to take the hit again. Sango moved quickly, reaching out to intercept him, uncaring of the way the blades in his armguards slashed against her flesh, her hands wrapping around his waist and tackling him down to the ground. Kagome's arrow of purification hit the glass of Kanna's mirror, sinking into it.
The girl watched as the mirror began to shake as it absorbed the arrow, almost intrigued by the behavior. "The mirror is not full… and yet it cries out. Is that the strength of your soul, I wonder…?"
"Release her or I set loose another arrow!"
"If I do not… the mirror will break." She murmured quietly. Miroku stumbled up, grasping his clearly wounded arm tightly. What had happened? I'm so dizzy- I can't make out the details. Still, she was so close. If I could just… reach up and grab that wretched mirror. "But her soul… it is needed. What shall I do?"
Sango struggled to keep Kohaku pinned down, blood pooling and dripping out of her shoulder and chest. He had gotten her good. A little bit higher and Sango's throat would have been slit. "Just do it, Kagome!" She shouted. "It's our only chance!"
"Got it!"
Damn it. I feel so numb.
Kanna's expressionless face never changed, but something in those blank eyes almost looked conflicted. She was never able to make a decision, for Kagome's next arrow hit the glass and the mirror burst- several souls coming rushing out at once. They took the form of blue lights, sailing through the air and crashing down into the bodies of the fallen villagers that I had seen collapse earlier. One of the blue lights hit me, sending a flood of energy and emotions washing over me.
"I did it!" Kagome exclaimed, surprised and rather proud of herself. Kaede's single eye was wide, seeing how many villagers had been attacked by the ghostly demon. "Heck yeah!"
Kohaku pushed Sango off of him, kicking her hard in the stomach. She rolled onto her side and wheezed, watching him run over to the white-haired girl. "K-Kohaku, wait!" She outstretched a hand, her other gripping her bleeding shoulder tightly. "Don't go!"
"The mirror is cracked…" Kanna muttered. "The souls are freed. Naraku will not be pleased…"
"Why do you want her soul so bad!?" Kagome demanded, walking over to her. She had another arrow readied, this one aimed at Kanna herself. "What's so special about it?"
"It is not me who wants it…" She responded calmly, raising her gaze from the cracked mirror. "It is the Shikigami Priestess that desires it. I am only doing as I am told. Kohaku… we are done here." Kanna turned her head, looking at the boy lifelessly. "The soul can not be collected. The mirror will not hold it now."
"Yes…" He responded monotonously. "We must return to the castle."
"Kagura…" Kanna said, looking up in the air. "It is time."
The wind picked up and it could only be assumed as the work of the female sorceress, a large feather heading their way. On it was the female demon, who quickly collected them and flew off. Sango ran after them, stopping only once they were out of sight. "No! Kohaku!" A pained expression crossed her face and she lowered her head, squeezing her eyes shut. "He's gone… just like that. Again."
Kagome, Miroku, Shippō, and Kaede made their way down the hill- Kagome running full speed at us. "Sango, Irene! Are you guys okay!? We came as fast as we could!"
"No- Kohaku, he… he tried to…" Sango hesitated, opening her tear-filled eyes. She glanced back at me, who was still struggling to sit up. I was so worn out. "I couldn't do anything again. I'm so useless against him. Whenever I tried to stop Kanna, he would get in the way a-and… I hurt him. Kagome, I attacked my own brother."
She brought a hand up to her mouth, ashamed of herself.
"Even if it comes at the cost of Irene's life, I… I can't bear to fight him. It's so hard."
"Sango…"
Miroku knelt down beside me, helping me sit up. I huffed, chest heaving as I tried to get used to the feeling of having all these emotions back again. One moment I was so cold and… empty, and the next I'm back to feeling like a messed up human again. "How are you feeling? Is your soul back in place?"
"Th-That's…" I made a face, looking at him for a moment before glancing at his hand. "That's a weird question. Wh-What's wrong with you? Your hand is…"
He cradled it to his chest, doing his best not to show his own pain. "It's… from when I used my Wind Tunnel. I sucked in some of the Saimyōshō and got poisoned."
"What?" That's not good. Not at all. Sango looked horrified when she heard him say that.
"Y-You know you're not supposed to do that, Miroku! What if you were killed!?" She hurried over, blood dripping onto the ground with each movement. He looked more concerned about her than his own health.
"I don't matter. But Sango, you're covered in blood! Are those from Kohaku? You must rest! Kagome, your medicine!"
"Forget about me!" The slayer knelt down, pulling his kimono sleeve back to see how bad the damage was. It spread all the way up to his elbow. "Oh no… Miroku, this is really bad! How are you even still moving?"
He flashed her a weak smile. "I had to. Shippō told us you and Irene were in trouble, and Muso was in no way close to being defeated. I wanted to make sure you were safe."
"M-Miroku…"
"Got it!" Kagome came rushing out of Kaede's hut with her first-aid kit. The priestess, on the other hand, was rounding up the wounded villagers and creating a make-shift medical site, having those that could still move help bring her herbs and other remedies to care for them. Shippō was helping her. "Sango, sit down! I need to tend to your wounds!"
"Wait," She said, realizing something, "where's Inuyasha?"
Miroku closed his eyes. "He followed Muso into the woods."
"What? But I thought you used your Wind Tunnel to swallow him!"
"I did, but Kagura appeared at the last minute and saved him. Muso escaped."
Several emotions flashed across Sango's face before one finally settled into place. Determination. The woman stood. "I'm going after him. Naraku might be there. Kagome, can you-?"
The girl looked at her aghast. "You're injured, Sango!"
"It's fine! Just look after Irene and Miroku for me. Kirara!" The cat demon turned her head, looking just as upset as Sango did. She wasn't even able to join the fight earlier either, too heartbroken and distraught to act. Sango climbed onto her back, casting a hesitant glance back at us. "I'm… I'm so sorry."
They took off. Kagome let out a frustrated noise before opening her medicine kit and getting to work. I hissed when Kagome's hand touched my back, but I didn't argue or protest. I lacked the strength to speak.
This was one of the roughest battles yet.
…
"What's goin' on, Naraku?" Inuyasha demanded, bringing his run to a halt as soon as he saw the half-demon pin Muso to a tree, several large spider leg-like tendrils stabbing through the incarnation's back. "Get tired of your new pet already?"
Naraku hmph'd and shifted his gaze, not bothering to turn his head and look at him. "Inuyasha…"
"What's the deal?" He asked, frowning at him. "You couldn't possibly have any use for Onigumo's human heart. You don't need him; that's why you dug him out of your flesh in the first place. So tell me- how come you're trying to take him back now?"
"I thought Muso would be able to kill you, but it seems I was mistaken… so he's coming back. It's as simple as that."
Inuyasha scoffed at that. "Nothing is ever simple with you. Something very precious got mixed in and was released with Muso. Otherwise you'd never go through all that trouble to take back his heart after you finally got rid of it."
Naraku finally turned his head to face him, a sarcastic grin spreading across his lips. "Oh my, how clever… Don't tell me you're actually using that head of yours to think." He ripped the tendrils out of Muso's back, allowing the incarnation to fall to the ground. "What will you do now?"
"I can destroy Muso anytime I want." Inuyasha growled, unsheathing tetsusaiga. "Which means you're on the top of my to-do list!"
The half-demon leapt into the air and swung, letting out a battle cry as he charged at Naraku. The baboon-cloak wearing man easily dodged each swing, leaping out of the way. When Inuyasha did manage to get close he hindered his attacks, blocking them with the spider legs sticking out of his back.
During this time Muso's wounds healed and the incarnation was able to recover, and seeing the way the two were locked in combat Muso ran away. Naraku could sense this happening without even having to see it, so while he continued to block Inuyasha's attack he spoke up. "Kagura, take Kohaku and Kanna and go after Muso."
"What!?" Inuyasha's eyes widened. From above a feather could be seen flying, coming from the direction of the village. "Damn it- what did you have them do!?"
Naraku's grin widened. "Exactly what you're thinking. I sent Kohaku and Kanna to go collect that foreign girl's soul."
No. That meant… Irene was already-? Inuyasha grit his teeth and bared his fangs, expression darkening as he put more pressure behind his blade. "Damn you, Naraku! I'll kill you!"
"You can only try."
The silver-haired half-demon slashed angrily at the spider legs, cutting them into pieces. This only caused the broken parts still attached to Naraku to spit out miasma, Inuyasha jumping back in a desperate attempt to avoid it. The evil half-demon landed easily on his feet, not so much as breaking a sweat during that short battle. From above Kirara and Sango appeared, the woman shouting Inuyasha's name as she lowered herself to the ground.
"What's Naraku doing here!? Where's Muso!?"
"Muso ran away after Naraku tried to take him back! Why aren't you in the village?"
"I just left." She explained, grabbing her hiraikotsu off her back and readying to throw it. Inuyasha could smell her blood a mile away; Sango was badly wounded. "Irene is safe, but Kanna tried to steal her soul. She's in bad shape right now."
"What?" He glanced at her, eyes wide. "So she's still alive? Damn it- I should have known you were lying, Naraku!"
The man in the baboon cloak said nothing, staring them down. Inuyasha growled.
"Alright, we'll play that game then. I bet releasing Muso left you a lot weaker than you used to be! That's why you want him back so bad- am I right?"
He got his answer when Naraku's red eyes grew even colder, his long dark hair flowing around him. The spider legs reached out from his back to strike them and Inuyasha batted them away, bringing his sword up and swinging it- the demonic energy releasing and creating another Wind Scar. Naraku glared and avoided it, flying high into the air. "Don't presume to understand me, Inuyasha. You are nothing."
Naraku was clearly about to let loose another attack, but then… Muso appeared- sending one of the tendrils of his arms right through Naraku's chest. Sango stared in shock. "H-He… He got him."
"Muso… killed Naraku?" Inuyasha forced out, unable to believe what he was seeing. "No way…"
The incarnation laughed loudly, grinning up at his creator. "You fool! You didn't really think I'd let you get away, did you?" Naraku stared at Muso for a moment… and then smiled. "What?" Suddenly the distance between them closed, as if Naraku had control over the power of Muso's body. The man began to shake, terror in his eyes, Muso unable to pull his arm out. "L-Let go of me…! My arm- it's being absorbed!"
"You saved me the trouble, Muso." Naraku whispered, leaning in so their faces were inches away. "How kind of you. I need you to come back to me now."
He tried again to tear his arm out from Naraku's chest, but it was futile. "D-Damn you-aghhh!" Naraku held his arms out, removing the baboon coat from his body and revealing the spider legs within. They wrapped around the incarnation, pulling him flush against Naraku's body and into his flesh. "Nooo! I can't- my body; I've lost control of it! Let go of me!" He cried. "Release me at once! Stop! Let me see Kikyō!"
Inuyasha, Sango, and Kirara could only watch the horrific scene take place.
"I must see Kikyō! Kikyōōō! Kikyōōōōōōō!"
"Such bitterness," Naraku noted, smiling all the while, "such festering greed… Keep it up, Muso. Kikyō is exactly the same as you. Made of clay and dirt, her soul is but a mere phantom of the past."
As the remaining parts of Muso's body was absorbed, his scream faded away. All that was left was Naraku with his coat of baboon fur. Inuyasha was shaken. "You just… absorbed him…" The evil man chuckled at the half-demon's reaction.
"You see, I require Onigumo as a link for my own body." Naraku explained. He turned, smirking at them. "Your conjecture was indeed accurate, Inuyasha."
"But, hold on." Sango frowned, eyebrows knitting together. "If you've swallowed Onigumo, who is human… does that mean you truly are a half-demon?"
She already knew he was- they all did. The female slayer was merely hoping to gain an answer to a question the entire group has long-since held.
"Now why would you ask that?" Naraku asked, seeming amused by her words.
Kirara stepped forward and Sango readied her weapon to swing in case he attacked or moved suspiciously. Blood dripped off of her body, staining the cat demon's fur. She was so focused on Naraku she didn't notice- or perhaps she was purposely avoiding thinking about it. The woman was clearly in pain. "A while ago the barrier around your castle disappeared. Inuyasha was able to pick up your scent. You normally wouldn't want to be found, would you? I bet even now you have the barrier back up around the castle, to keep us out once we reach it again."
Inuyasha glanced at Sango, wondering what she was planning. Naraku smiled. "I see… you want to know if I have a period of weakness. If I am indeed like all half-demons… I, too, should have a time where I turn mortal. But exactly when that time occurs is a half-demon's deepest secret… so why don't we hear about you, Inuyasha?"
The half-demon tensed, looking at Naraku uncomfortably. "W-What?"
"Do you, like so many other half-demons, lose your powers and hide from your enemies during such times?"
"Why you…!" Did that mean Kagura hadn't told Naraku his secret after? What for? He knew he couldn't trust her, but still… it didn't make any sense. "Like I'd tell!"
Naraku's smile never wavered. It only made this conversation all the more unnerving. Several Saimyōshō appeared, floating down and buzzing around their malevolent master. "As you two have surmised, I have periods where I can not move. However, I choose that time myself… of my own will."
"Huh?"
"There's no way you can do that!" Inuyasha growled. "That's not how it works!"
"For you, perhaps." Naraku told him. The sheer arrogance he held was infuriating. "We are vastly different from one each other, Inuyasha. You were born from a human and a demon. During my times of weakness… I experiment. What is strong I take and make stronger, and what is weak I toss out and become even more powerful. I am a half-demon right now, there is no mistake about that. But unlike other half-demons I don't lose my power and cower in fear."
Inuyasha stepped up and scowled, glaring at him. "I'm sure you could talk about yourself for days, but I've got better things on my mind! Hrah!" He reached out and swung, aiming for Naraku's head- but the a purple force field appeared and blocked his attack. "What!? The barrier has returned!"
"Damn you!" Sango cursed. "We still don't have a way to surpass that!"
"Won't stop me from trying- Wind Scar!"
The effect was very much the same as it was in the castle. The demonic energy sailed over the barrier and Naraku, tearing apart the trees behind them instead.
"I'll say it again." Naraku began, grinning at them, "I only continue to grow in power."
And with that the dark smoke of his miasma tore out from the barrier, swirling around in a cyclone around them. Kirara quickly carried Sango out of the way and Inuyasha lunged to the side, avoiding getting blasted again with the smoke. They watched as the cyclone took off into the sky, accompanied by the ever-loyal Saimyōshō.
"He's gone…" Inuyasha muttered, eyebrows furrowed in frustration. "I turn into nothing but a weak mortal, but Naraku is different? Is it because he's an artificial half-demon?"
"I think so." Sango said, frowning. "If he's able to keep reconstructing his body whenever he wants… then we're all in big trouble."
"Yeah… let's head back to the others." Inuyasha frowned. He looked at the woman, seeing how badly she was bleeding. "You need to get those cuts taken care of. They're pretty serious."
"I'll be fine." She said, feeling as though they were punishment for allowing her feelings towards Kohaku to get the better of her. "I'm more worried about the others."
And so they headed back to the village where Inuyasha was able to see the carnage brought on by Naraku and his puppets. Kagome ushered the group into the little circle Kaede had everyone in, tending them each separately. Irene was sleeping again, Shippō curled up against her side worriedly when he saw her face contort into pain, and some of the healthier villagers were getting to work creating graves for the dead.
Sango sat in silence, believing this all to be her fault. Kohaku was her brother and she was supposed to be responsible for him. Yet, Irene thought it was her own fault because she was the one Naraku wanted. It was her soul they desired. Sango and Inuyasha informed the group of their newfound discovery, and become distraught at the knowledge that they would not know when Naraku would lose his powers. Inuyasha stated that he would just have to get stronger than him, easy as that.
Miroku, trying to lighten the mood and alleviate some of the stress, made fun of him for being so randomly optimistic.
Read and Review! Please? I appreciate the feedback.
