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-Chapter Thirty-Five-
.:Of Samurai and Fools:.
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Kagome
"Inuyasha, what's going on?" I asked as I quickly nocked an arrow to my bow. I looked around me. The forest had gone eerily quiet, but despite this, I could feel eyes all around us. A shiver ran down my spine as I drew back the bowstring.
Inuyasha didn't bother answering me. "Show yourselves, bastards!" Inuyasha shouted, eyes darting around the trees.
"Inuyasha," Miroku spoke up, his voice nothing more than a whisper. "I don't like this…I feel as though we're surrounded by a wall of them, whatever they are." His hand gripped the prayer beads that sealed away the Wind Tunnel on his other hand.
A cold wind suddenly blew through the trees. "What are you waiting for?!" Inuyasha shouted, eyes narrowed at the darkness in front of us. His grip on Tessaiga tightened, his knuckles turning white.
I looked around the trees. Was there really something? I couldn't sense a demonic presence, but…I could feel the presence of eyes all around us. Taunting us, I realized. Whatever was hidden in the shadows wanted us to know that they were there.
Drawing back my bowstring, I aimed the arrow towards the trees, and released it. The arrow lit up with purple light as it soared through the air, and into the woods. A second later, a loud thud! echoed around us as the arrow struck the trunk of a tree.
"Kagome—" Inuyasha began.
A loud chuckle suddenly cut him off. We tensed, eyes darting around us, searching for our invisible enemy. "Come out, you cowards!" Inuyasha shouted.
"You are Inuyasha, aren't you?" a deep voice boomed.
"What if I am?" Inuyasha snapped. His nostrils flared, trying to find a scent. From his confused expression, I take it he couldn't detect one.
"Hanyou son of the Dog General, and half-brother to the Lord of the Western Lands," the voice sneered.
For a moment, Inuyasha looked puzzled. "Keh! You've done a lot of research, what a surprise," he said sarcastically. "I've had enough of this!" He raised Tessaiga, and aimed for the trees.
"Well, so have we, half-breed."
Our eyes widened in surprise. That voice came from behind!
Inuyasha cursed as we spun around. Ten demons, all of them dressed in the magnificent armor of samurai, stood behind us. They were dressed alike, from the armor they wore, to the topknots on their heads, even to the very swords they held.
Demon samurai?
"You bastards," Inuyasha hissed quietly, as Tessaiga's youki rose.
One of them laughed as he stepped forward. "Inuyasha, the half-breed," the demon sneered, a hand on the hilt of his sword. "From the disgraceful Dog Clan."
"I've had enough of your whining—Wind Scar!" Inuyasha swung the Tessaiga, and a burst of energy hurtled towards the demons, who immediately scattered.
"Miroku, Sango, watch out!" I called as several demons immediately engaged them in combat.
"Dammit!" Miroku shouted, parrying a sword with his staff. Kirara immediately transformed, and lunged towards the demon nearest Sango.
"Hiraikotsu!" Sango shouted, as she flung her boomerang at several of the demons, who immediately leapt out of the way. "They're quick!"
"What do you take us for, human?" a demon sneered, appearing in front of Sango. Sango quickly drew her katana, and parried the demon's sword, just as Hiraikotsu flew over them. The demon struck her sword again; their blades locked, sending sparks into the air. The demon grinned as he slowly pushed Sango back.
"Sango!" I shouted. I nocked another arrow, and aimed for the demon fighting Sango. I released. The arrow sped towards the demon, who quickly pulled away from Sango and leapt into the air—only to land in front of me!
Gasping, I took a step back, my fingers fumbling in my quiver for another arrow. "Fox fire!" Shippo suddenly shouted, jumping from my shoulder. A veil of blue flames erupted between us and the demon, and I quickly nocked another arrow.
"Pathetic!" The demon slashed through the flames with his sword, reducing them to wisps of smoke. I released the arrow, and it struck the demon on his breastplate. He laughed.
"Oh, shoot," I muttered, taking a step back.
"A mere human cannot defeat me, wench!" the demon snarled, as he brought the sword down on me. I closed my eyes, waiting for the impact.
"Kagome!" There was the sound of metal passing through flesh, followed by a thud! I opened my eyes to find Inuyasha standing in front of me, the demon's body lying between us.
"Inuyasha!" I said, relieved.
"Get behind me!" he ordered, as he turned back to the horde of fighting demons. "Sango! Miroku!"
Miroku and Sango immediately abandoned the demons they had been fighting. They quickly mounted Kirara and took to the skies, just as Inuyasha's shout of, "Wind Scar!" reverberated through the air. There was a loud explosion as a burst of light flew towards the samurai demons, followed by a veil of dust and rubble.
I felt Inuyasha's arms around my waist, drawing me to his side. "He did it!" Miroku said.
"No," Sango said, peering into the thick curtain of dust.
As the dust and rubble slowly started to settle, I felt Inuyasha utter a curse. The demon samurai were standing in the moonlight, their nine swords held horizontally in front of them. Their blades glowed with a faint yellow light, the same light that made up the barrier that surrounded them.
"Figures!" Inuyasha said, holding Tessaiga out again.
"Pathetic half-breed!" one of the demons sneered. "Do not think your petty skill and defeat the Demon Samurai Clan! And now, you die!"
Their barrier faded. The moment it did, all nine demons rushed towards Sango, Miroku, Inuyasha, and I. "Kagome, get behind me!" Inuyasha ordered, shoving me behind him. "These guys are too fast, your arrows won't hit—" Before he could finish his sentence, one of the demons swung his sword, and Inuyasha quickly parried with his Tessaiga.
"What pathetic swordsmanship!" the demon said, disdainful. "Your blade deserves better, wouldn't you agree, half-breed?"
"You're one to talk!" Inuyasha drew back, and quickly brought Tessaiga down on the demon's head, only to be parried. I quickly nocked an arrow to my bow, aimed for the demon's chest, and released. The demon pulled away from Inuyasha, and landed gracefully several yards away from us.
"The Dog Clan is certainly disgraceful," the demon said, chuckling with malice. "Aided by humans, how lowly it has sunk! But no matter, half-breed, when we're through with you and your humans, we'll annihilate the rest of your clan—starting with the Lady of the Western Lands!"
Inuyasha's eyes widened in surprise—he wasn't the only one. Lady of the Western Lands? Clara had told me that Sesshoumaru had been betrothed to a demoness. Did this mean that he had married his betrothed? The moment I thought of it, I felt so sorry for Clara—she loved Sesshoumaru, after all. The second thing I felt was confusion—had these demons captured Sesshoumaru's wife?
Inuyasha and I exchanged a look. "Lady of the Western Lands?" Inuyasha mused. He turned back to the demons. "Keh! I don't know what nonsense you're spouting, but this ends right now!" There was a rise in Tessaiga's youki and, a moment later, scintillating adamant covered the blade.
"Adamant Barrage!"
There was a loud blast as spears of adamant hurtled towards the demon samurai. To our surprise, they dodged the spears of adamant as they ran towards Inuyasha and I.
"Our speed is unrivalled, fool!" they snarled, in unison, as they rained down on Inuyasha, swords pointed at him.
"Inuyasha!" I shouted, nocking an arrow. But no! I wouldn't be able to—
"Wind Tunnel!"
Inuyasha swore as he plunged Tessaiga into the ground, grabbing hold of my waist as the Wind Tunnel drew everything in. "Shippou!" I shouted, clutching him to my chest.
Closing my eyes, I heard the roar of the Wind Tunnel as it sucked everything towards it. I felt the winds howling around me, felt Inuyasha's arms tighten around my waist. The demon samurai shrieked in outrage as they fell prey to the pull of the Wind Tunnel…
And then it stopped.
I opened my eyes, just as Inuyasha removed Tessaiga from the ground. "You guys alright?" Miroku asked, as he, Sango, and Kirara landed beside us.
Before anyone could make a move, Inuyasha's fist fell on Miroku's head. "Ow!" Miroku said, clutching his head. "What was that for?"
"You idiot!" Inuyasha snapped, glaring daggers at the monk. "You could've sucked us in!"
"Ah, but I didn't," Miroku said, raising a finger. "I knew you wouldn't be sucked in, that's why I didn't hesitate."
"You were debating with yourself the whole time," Sango pointed out, giving him a flat look.
Miroku let out another, "Ow!" of pain, as Inuyasha's fist made contact again. "Give us a clear warning next time!" Inuyasha huffed.
"Anyway, thank you, Miroku," I said, before Miroku could retort. "But enough of this, we have to head to Sesshoumaru's palace."
They turned to me as though I'd lost it. "What in the hell?" Inuyasha muttered.
"Inuyasha, those demon samurai sounded as though they were after your family," I pointed out. "They said they would start with the Lady of the Western Lands. And I think they mean Sesshoumaru's wife."
"Keh!" Inuyasha snapped, crossing his arms. "I don't care whether or not Sesshoumaru has a wife, they're not my family, and are not my problem!"
"Don't be such a jerk!" I said. "What if Sesshoumaru can't help her, because he's travelling north with Clara? Don't you think this would be a good start to getting along with him?"
"I don't want to 'get along' with him!"
"Like it or not, Inuyasha, those demon samurai sounded pretty serious about wiping out the western Dog Clan," Miroku pointed out. "The fact that you're your father's son pretty much makes you a target. Might as well do something about it."
"Miroku's right," Sango said. "According to my father, the western Dog Clan has always been among the most powerful of the demon clans in the land. To wipe them out, you'd need something very powerful. We might as well go see what we can do about it."
Inuyasha's ear twitched. Urgh, he could be so stubborn sometimes! I knew that—deep down—Inuyasha actually cared about his family, but would never dare admit it aloud. If we weren't present, and hadn't made the suggestion to him, I'm pretty sure that Inuyasha would run off to Sesshoumaru's palace to help.
"Inuyasha," I said.
"No!" he said.
I raised an eyebrow, and continued to give him a level stare. "So, if Sesshoumaru's wife dies, then are you willing to be guilty for it?" I challenged.
His ear twitched again. "Fine!" I snapped. "Be that way! Miroku, Sango, let's—"
"All right, already!" Inuyasha said in exasperation. He knelt so I could get onto his back. "If Sesshoumaru tries to hit me again, just for being there, we're leaving him and his wife, got it?!"
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Clara
"Jaken, what are the Demon Samurai Clan?" I asked, as I followed Jaken through the dark woods. The moonlight filtering through the trees bathed the path in a silvery glow—normally, a very relaxing glow, but, somehow, it seemed eerie to me.
Jaken didn't bother looking back at me as he answered. "I don't know!" he huffed. He sounded annoyed at not being able to give an answer.
"Do you think Sesshoumaru's mother is alright?" I asked.
He scoffed. "The Lady Mother is strong, where do you think Lord Sesshoumaru gets it from?" he pointed out. But Jaken immediately fell silent, and I knew we were thinking the same thing—Shizune, that woman who had warned Sesshoumaru, had seemed so ruffled, so distressed…Was Lady Hayomi alright?
"Would Sesshoumaru be alright?" I asked again. Sesshoumaru was powerful, I knew that, but…I couldn't help it, I worried.
"He will be!" he said with certainty. "Milord is the strongest demon in the land! Worrying about him will only insult his power!"
"I can't help it, okay?" I snapped.
"You can't help it," the toad mocked. "You can't help but worrying. Seems like you really care for my lord."
I blushed, and he glanced at me from over his shoulder. "I told you to hide it, you idiot!" he reproved.
"I told you, I can't help it!" I exclaimed. "I care about his safety." I sincerely prayed that this would not turn into a heart-to-heart conversation with Jaken. The idea was laughable. "Even if he doesn't care for mine."
Jaken stopped so abruptly in his tracks, I nearly hit him with my foot. He glanced at me from over his shoulder, his eyes wide with disbelief. "I heard humans were stupid creatures, but…" He shook his head. "This girl is probably the most idiotic of all!"
"Hey!" I snapped.
"Never mind," Jaken grumbled as he continued to walk. "Humans are truly the most—"
Before he could finish his sentence, a loud shriek pierced through the still night air. "What on earth?" I said. Jaken and I rushed back to the camp. "Jaken, that scream sounded like Momitsumi!"
He didn't answer as we rushed towards the clearing. I drew Shinsei from its sheath as I ran. If Momitsumi had screamed, what on earth had happened to Hitori? Had something stopped him from protecting his princess?
Jaken and I burst through the clearing. About twenty or so demons, clad in magnificent armor, and with their swords drawn, surrounded Rin, Kohaku, Momitsumi, and Ah-Un. Kohaku swung his chain-scythe in his hand, eyes narrowed at the demons that surrounded them. Momitusmi stood protectively in front of Rin. Where on earth was Hitori?
The moment Jaken and I cleared the trees, several demons turned towards us. Their armor…there was no mistaking the traditional samurai armor that they wore.
"What have we here?" one of them, a demon with bronze hair and blazing eyes, said. "An imp and a priestess! The Dog Clan has indeed fallen low."
"You dare to insult the servant of the great Lord Sesshoumaru?!" Jaken snapped, waving the staff threateningly.
"Watch your tone, imp!" another demon snarled. "You address Lord Harukage, leader of the Demon Samurai Clan!"
Puzzled, I stared at Harukage. I thought that the leader would be where the most important fight was—at the palace of the Western Lands. Why was he here?
Jaken seemed to be thinking along the lines. "Ha! What a pathetic leader! You don't dare face Lord Sesshoumaru!"
Harukage narrowed his eyes, and he let out a low chuckle. "That foolish mongrel wouldn't know a trap if it announced itself to him," he said, sneering. "No, little imp, my real objective"—he turned to face Rin and the others, his eyes fixed on Momitsumi—"is her."
Momitsumi's eyes widened in surprise, and Kohaku swung the chain-scythe above his head, daring the demons that surrounded them to come closer. "You're mad, Harukage!" Momitsumi snapped, pushing past Kohaku to face the demons that surrounded them. "I was never intended for you, and you know it!"
"Oh, but you were!" Harukage said, giving her a sardonic smile. "I had thought that my clan, after centuries of unwavering loyalty and service to the Northern Lord, would finally be given what was due to it—your hand, and the Northern Lands. You can imagine how displeased I was to learn that you'd been shipped off to marry that worthless mongrel."
"Watch it!" I snapped, angry. "How dare you call Sesshoumaru worthless?"
"For once, I agree!" Jaken crowed.
Harukage glanced lazily at us from over his shoulder. "Men, silence the wench and the imp. The princess and I have things we need to discuss."
The last thing I saw was Kohaku stepping beside Momitsumi, who flexed her claws as Harukage rounded on her. Several demon samurai suddenly surrounded Jaken and I. "Oh, damn," I muttered, as Jaken and I stood back-to-back.
I did a quick recap; demon samurai versus imp and priestess didn't seem to go well in our favor. I shook my head, pushing the negativity back.
"Kill them!" the demons screeched, charging towards us.
"The Staff of Heads will roast you alive!" Jaken screeched, as tongues of flame burst from the staff.
A demon brought his sword down on me. I parried, and took a step back as the clang of steel reverberated through the air. "Insolent human, you're a thousand years too young to go against me!" the demon snarled as he slashed his sword towards me.
I jumped back, and parried as he aimed for my head. He drew back, and struck. I quickly sidestepped, and brought Shinsei down on his head, only to be parried. The demon struck, and our blades locked. He grinned as he easily pushed me back.
Think, Clara!
An image of Sesshoumaru's Dragon Strike suddenly flashed through my mind. Of course! Focusing my spiritual energy, I channeled it through Shinsei. The sword flared with white light, and the demon's eyes widened as he quickly pulled back, repelled by the holy energy.
The demon laughed. "My turn, little priestess!" He held his sword out, and a flash of orange burst from the blade, spiraling towards me.
I rolled over to one side to avoid the blast. The demon raised his sword again, a wicked smirk on his lips.
"Staff of Heads!"
Flame suddenly engulfed the demon, and his eyes widened in surprise as he let out a shriek of pain and anger. He screamed as he lashed out towards me, and I quickly parried the burning blade. I hurriedly lunged, and struck Shinsei into the demon's chest. I pulled out the sword, and he fell to the ground, fire licking his body.
"Momitsumi!"
I turned towards Rin's screams. Rin and Kohaku were mounted on Ah-Un, who hovered in mid-air. Ah-Un was firing blasts of light towards the demons that dared to leap towards them, while Kohaku slashed at them with his scythe.
Momitsumi held a dagger in her hand, her blade clashing with Harukage's, and sending sparks into the air. "Come now, my dear, if you leave with us, I might spare the humans!" Harukage taunted. It was obvious that he was only toying with her.
"You bastard!" Momitsumi hissed. "For your act of treason, my father will have your head!"
Harukage grinned. "But first, lady, I will have you!" He slashed at her, and she blocked with her dagger. The strength of Harukage's strike sent the dagger flying from Momitsumi's grasp, and her eyes widened in surprise.
I rushed towards them, Shinsei aimed towards Harukage's back. Another demon samurai suddenly appeared in front of me. "Where do you think you're going, priestess?" the demon sneered. Before I could even blink, he grabbed my wrist, and twisted.
I screamed as I dropped Shinsei, and fell to my knees. Behind the demon, Harukage grabbed Momitsumi's arm, and I felt a rise in demonic aura as Harukage prepared to take flight.
"Do not touch her!" a furious voice roared. A moment later, a burst of lighting issued from the trees, and struck Harukage in the chest, flinging him backward. He landed on his feet, and looked up, eyes narrowed in menace as a form emerged from the trees, rage in his eyes.
"Hitori!" Momitsumi said, happiness and relief in her voice.
Hitori had his sword in one hand. Lighting crackled around the blade, and his eyes were narrowed menacingly at Harukage, before turning to Momitsumi, placing a hand on his chest as he knelt in front of her. "Princess, I'm sorry I wasn't by your side," he said.
Momitsumi smiled. "You were always one for dramatic entrances," she pointed out.
His lips twitched with humor, as he stood and spun around to face Harukage. "For daring to lay a hand on my lady, you will die," he said.
Harukage chuckled menacingly. "We will see, slave," he snarled as he charged towards Hitori.
There was a clang of metal on metal as their swords clashed. Lighting danced around them as Hitori's blade glowed with a blue light. Harukage only smirked, unfazed. A second later, his own blade flashed with a gray light. Blue and gray grew, enveloping the two.
"Hitori!" Momitsumi shouted.
A second later, two figures burst from the sphere of light. Hitori and Harukage landed gracefully on their feet, on the opposite sides of the clearing. The other demon samurai suddenly converged around them. "Stand down, the slave boy is mine!" Harukage snarled. "Make yourselves useful, and kill the others!"
My eyes widened as the demon samurai converged around us. High above, Kohaku and Ah-Un were fighting the demons that leapt towards them, swords pointed menacingly at them.
One of the demon samurai charged towards me, and I rolled to one side as I picked up Shinsei. The demon struck, and I parried. Our swords clashed and locked, sending sparks into the air. By now, my arms were aching. "Kohaku, take Rin and get out of here!" I shouted at them. "Go with Ah-Un and fly away!"
"But Clara!" Rin protested, looking down at us. "What about you and Master Jaken?"
The demon slowly pushed me back, a sadistic smirk on his face. "Just go!" I bellowed, rolling to one side as the demon gave a shove.
"What?!" Jaken squawked. "What about us, you idiot?!"
I gritted my teeth, and glared at him. "Eh, right!" he said, waving the Staff of Heads. "I, Jaken, fearless servant of the great Lord Sesshoumaru will show you my true power!" So saying, a river of flames burst from the staff, surrounding the samurai demons who leapt out of harm's way, and landed several yards in front of us.
I glanced up, just as Rin, Kohaku, and Ah-Un flew away. "Hey, Jaken," I said, as we stood side-by-side and the demon samurai closed in around us. "Do you think we're going to die tonight?"
"Don't ask me, you fool!" Jaken snapped.
I grasped Shinsei tightly as the demons lunged towards us.
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Kagome
We had only been to Sesshoumaru's palace once, but Inuyasha seemed to remember the way. In no time at all, we found ourselves at the base of the mountain, on which—towards the peak—the palace was nestled among the trees.
"I can smell those damned samurai demons!" Inuyasha exclaimed. There was worry in his voice.
"Get on Kirara, it'll be faster!" Sango said. Inuyasha and I squeezed between her and Miroku. We sped up the mountain and towards the palace.
As the palace came into view, shouts and screams could be heard from the courtyard, where the samurai demons were battling the palace soldiers. "The guards are being overpowered," Miroku said.
"Look, over there!" Shippou pointed towards the base of the steps that led to the entrance of the palace.
At the base of the steps, was an elaborate golden seat, extended to one side. On this seat, a woman sat. She leaned her cheek against her palm, a look of boredom in her golden eyes as she regarded the fight in front of her. Like Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru, she had a main of thick silver hair in twin pigtails on her head, and a thick tendril of hair on either side of her face. Like Sesshomaru, she had a purple crescent moon on her forehead, but a jagged stripe on each cheek. And like Sesshoumaru, she had a fluffy pelt wrapped around her arms. She was stunningly beautiful.
She wasn't the woman that Clara had told us was betrothed to Sesshoumaru. Who was she?
Her golden eyes suddenly snapped towards us, lingering on Inuyasha. She blinked, a look of surprise on her face before she gave us a cold, playful smile. "Oh?" she said, as she stood. She strode through the horde of fighting demons and soldiers, cutting down the demon samurai that stood in her way with a whip similar to Sesshoumaru's.
"Who is she?" Miroku said, eyes glued on the woman as she stopped yards away from us. She seemed indifferent to the fight going on behind her, her eyes fixed on Inuyasha with interest.
Inuyasha held out his Tessaiga, a growl rumbling in his chest. The woman laughed. "You're him, aren't you?" she said, amused.
"What?" Inuyasha snapped.
"My lord husband's half-breed spawn," she said promptly, giving Inuyasha a sardonic smile. To our surprise, she reached out and grasped Inuyasha by the chin, tilting his head this way and that, golden eyes narrowed as she inspected his face.
"What the hell?!" Inuyasha snarled, jerking away from her.
The woman chuckled. "I see more of Izayoi in you, though," she said, amused. The fighting horde behind her seemed to have been forgotten. "And a little of my lord husband."
"Wait," I said, as realization dawned on me. "You're…you couldn't possibly be Sesshoumaru's—"
"Mother."
Surprised, we turned our attention above us. Hovering in the air was none other than Sesshoumaru, Bakusaiga held at his side. We turned back to the woman.
"MOTHER?!" we yelped. My eyes bugged out. Sesshoumaru had a mother?! Well, he must have had one, obviously, but we didn't think she was still alive! It was quite clear to see where Sesshoumaru inherited his looks from. And his personality—definitely his personality.
"Sesshoumaru," his mother said, giving him a reproving look. "You never introduced me to your half-brother."
"Hn."
Inuyasha's eyes were twitching from the shock. Beside me, Sango had a hand behind Miroku's neck, her lips near his ear as she whispered. "Remember whose mother she is!" Sango hissed, as Miroku let out a nervous chuckle. He sweat dropped.
Sesshoumaru's mother eyed the sword in her son's hand, amusement on her face. "Really, Sesshoumaru, you underestimate your own mother," she said, raising an eyebrow.
He didn't reply, as she turned her back on us and faced the fight in front of her. "Stand down," she ordered the soldiers, who promptly jumped out of the way. The demon samurai turned their attention to her.
I couldn't see it, but she held something in her hands that let out a beam of yellow light. There was a flash of black, and three enormous, dark-colored dogs appeared in front of her.
"Those are hell hounds!" Miroku said, surprised.
"Then, shall I humor you, Sesshoumaru?" Sesshoumaru's mother asked, as the dogs growled at the demon samurai. She smiled. "Kill them."
The demon samurai screamed as the hounds lunged towards them. They slashed with their swords, to no avail—their blades could not cut the dogs.
Sesshoumaru's mother turned to look up at her son. "Sesshoumaru, you're being rather foolish tonight," she said, sighing dramatically.
We looked up at Sesshoumaru, astonished. The fact that anyone could call Sesshoumaru 'foolish', and not suffer a single scratch—or even a glare, for that matter—left us speechless.
"Indeed," Sesshoumaru said, a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
"The Demon Samurai clan—whom do they serve?" his mother asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"Lord Hoshimaru," Sesshoumaru said calmly. For someone so arrogant, he seemed to be taking his mother's lecture pretty well.
"And so?" his mother went on. "What do you think their true objective is? Lord Hoshimaru is our closest ally, and yet, his men dare to attack us. I suppose they attacked your half-brother as well."
"Kagome, you should have brought that video recorder thing," Inuyasha whispered to me. He had long since sheathed Tessaiga. I nodded in agreement. Sesshoumaru being bested by his mother was worth gold.
"By your leave then, Mother," Sesshoumaru said. He was suddenly enveloped in a white light, and sped off into the distance.
"Getting more like his Father, isn't he? He still lacks any charm, though," Sesshoumaru's mother said, to no one in particular. Her eyes found Inuyasha again. "You, on the other hand, are already very much like your Father, Inuyasha."
Inuyasha's eyes widened in surprise. "How the hell do you know my name?" he snapped.
She laughed without mirth. "Ask yourself," she said, amused, as she turned her back on us. "You may leave now," she went on, as the last of the samurai demon fell prey to her hell hounds.
Inuyasha was about to say something, but thought better of it. He turned his back on us. "Let's go," he said grudgingly.
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Clara
"Staff of Heads!" Jaken shouted, as flame blazed from the staff. Two samurai demons screamed as the flames engulfed them.
Well, that left ten more to go.
Two samurai demons lunged towards me, bringing their swords down on my head. I quickly jumped back, and parried the blade of another demon that hissed through the air. Our blades locked, and he sneered at me. I felt my arms aching as I struggled to push him back.
I channeled spiritual energy into Shinsei, and the demon quickly pulled away as Shinsei's holy aura grew. I'd never tried this before…
I swung Shinsei, and a blast of white light spiraled towards the demons, who quickly jumped out of the way. "About time!" Jaken snapped.
At the opposite end of the clearing, Hitori and Harukage were still fighting. Their swords clashed, sending sparks into the air. Harukage pulled away from Hitori. "You amuse me to no end, slave boy," Harukage taunted. "Tell me, why do you protect her so fiercely? Don't tell me you aspire for her hand? A pathetic slave boy like you? Don't make me laugh."
"Enough!" Hitori snarled as he lunged towards Harukage, his blows fiercer than before.
"I seem to have touched a nerve!" Harukage sneered, as their blades locked.
"This ends now, traitor!" Hitori snarled. Lighting suddenly sizzled in the air, as Hitori's demonic aura rose. Harukage's eye widened in surprise, and, a moment later, a fork of lighting flashed from the sky, striking Harukage. The demon screamed as he fell to his knees, leaning on his blackened and burnt sword for support.
"Live with your shame," Hitori snarled, as he turned towards Momitsumi. "My lady, are you injured?" There was genuine warmth in his eyes.
Momitsumi shook her head, and smiled. Hitori failed to notice Harukage stand and draw a dagger from his sword belt.
"Hitori, Momitsumi—!" Before I could finish, a demon leapt in front of me, sword aimed for my throat. I parried.
Harukage threw the dagger. It hissed menacingly through the air, and struck the back of Hitori's neck. "No!" Jaken and I shouted, as blood dripped from Hitori's neck.
Hitori's eyes widened in shock, and he slumped against Momitsumi, who caught him as he fell against her. "Hitori!" Momitsumi shrieked.
"Princess," Hitori gasped, coughing up blood. "I'm sorry." He reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, but his hand fell away as he closed his eyes.
"No!" Momitsumi shrieked.
Harukage laughed, high, cold, and cruel. "Did you think I would let a mere slave boy defeat me?" he sneered.
"Where is your honor?!" Momitsumi wailed, as she fell to her knees, cradling Hitori's inert form in her arms.
"Jaken!" I shouted.
He nodded, and a burst of flame issued from the staff, engulfing the samurai demons that surrounded us. They screamed, and some of them pulled away as the flames licked at them. Seizing the moment, I rushed past them, covering my face with my sleeves as I ran through the flames, Shinsei held tightly in my grasp.
"Hey!" I shouted, as Harukage advanced on Momitsumi.
The dishonorable samurai stopped, and turned to face me. He took in my disheveled appearance—from the soot on my face, to my tangle of hair—and smiled. "I see my men have yet to kill you, priestess," he sneered. He glanced at Momitsumi, before turning back to me. "Well, then, the princess is not going anywhere."
True enough, Momitsumi appeared shell-shocked. Her head was bent over Hitori, her tears spilling on his lifeless face. Her sobs were filled with anguish. But the moment she heard Harukage speak, she looked up—her eyes were bleeding red.
"I'm going to kill you," Momitsumi hissed, picking up Hitori's fallen sword. "Slowly and painfully. There will be no seppuku for you, you dishonorable traitor!"
"Don't make me hurt you, princess," Harukage warned. "Put the blade down. Your power alone cannot defeat me."
"What makes you think she's alone?" I snapped, pointing Shinsei at him.
His gaze flitted between us, and he let out a loud peal of laughter. "A mere priestess, and a princess! This is much too amusing." He turned to me, his grin sadistic. "Then, shall we get rid of the human first?"
He was suddenly in front of me. He brought his sword down on me, and I quickly parried his sword. My eyes widened in shock. He was strong! Granted, he was a demon, after all, but the other demons I'd fought earlier weren't as strong as him.
"You dare raise a blade against the most accomplished swordsman in all the land!" he jeered. He swung the sword again, this time, with enough force to send Shinsei flying from my hand.
"You talk too much!" Momitsumi snarled as she charged at him from behind.
Harukage quickly spun around, and warded off her blow. As Momitsumi lost her footing, Harukage reached out and grasped her neck, lifting her off the ground.
"Momitsumi!" I shouted. Shinsei, where was Shinsei?!
"Behave, princess," Harukage sneered. He flung her towards a tree. She gasped as she struck it, making the tree shudder and sending a few leaves floating to the ground. She crumpled to the bottom in a heap.
I found Shinsei lying just a few feet away from where Harukage stood. As he turned to me, I quickly dashed towards the sword, only to have my way blocked by Harukage. I gasped as he grasped me by the neck, lifting me off the ground. My hands clutched his, and I struggled to loosen his hold.
"Let…go!" I gasped, gripping his wrists.
"When you've breathed your last, pathetic human," Harukage said sadistically.
I focused, and sent a blast of spiritual energy through my hands. Harukage's eyes widened in surprise, as his eyes turned red. He snarled at me, his grip tightening around my throat. His demonic aura rose as I let my holy energy rise.
"You think you can defeat me?!" he snarled. "You're nothing more than a pathetic human!"
Pain…I couldn't breathe…
I didn't let go of his wrist, and I continued to let my spiritual energy flow. He let out a roar, as he struggled to maintain his hold.
Air…I needed air…
My vision blurred.
And then it stopped. Harukage's grip slackened, and he dropped me to the ground. I panted as I struggled to catch my breath. I looked up, surprised to see a sword protruding through Harukage's chest, where his heart was.
Glancing behind him, my eyes widened in surprise. "Sesshoumaru!" I said, relieved.
Harukage's eyes widened in shock, and he turned his head to glance at the demon lord from over his shoulder. "Y…you…" he gasped. Blood sprayed from his mouth.
"Die." Sesshoumaru twisted the sword. There was a sickening sound, the sound of bone and flesh twisting and tearing. A second later, droplets of blood sprayed on my kimono as Sesshoumaru withdrew his Bakusaiga. Harukage fell at my feet with a loud thud!
The moment his body hit the ground, the other demon samurai turned to regard their leader. Sesshoumaru spun around to face them, eyes narrowed in warning. His youki rose, and the Bakusaiga glowed with a vibrant blue light. Before Sesshoumaru could attack, however, the demon samurai fled, darting into the trees.
"And they dare to call themselves honorable," Sesshoumaru said coldly, as his aura receded.
I was shaking. I had never seen Sesshoumaru kill outright. I had seen him kill, but never as violently as he had killed Harukage. At my feet, Harukage still bled.
"Clara."
I looked up at Sesshoumaru. A ghost of a frown flitted across his face. "Get up," he ordered. I stood, trying to stop my knees from shaking. The image of blood spraying from Harukage's mouth flashed before my eyes, and I quickly pushed the thought aside.
"Y-you," I stuttered, staring at him. Was I…afraid of him? I couldn't be…
"Have I taught you nothing?" he asked tersely, voice apathetic.
I was quiet. I didn't bother to point out that, until now, I felt that I had done a pretty good job with fending off the other demons. He regarded me for a moment, cold eyes fixed on mine. I lowered my eyes.
"Lord Sesshoumaru!" We turned our attention to Jaken, who was running towards, his eyes filled with relief. "My lord, you have returned!"
"Where are Rin and Kohaku?" Sesshoumaru demanded.
Jaken stopped, as though frozen. "I told them to fly away with Ah-Un," I interjected.
He was about to say something, but he abruptly turned his attention towards the trees, where Momitsumi, having regained consciousness, was cradling Hitori's body in her lap. I abandoned Sesshoumaru, and made my way towards Momitsumi.
Her head was bent over Hitori's peaceful face, her hair falling to one side. By the moonlight, I could clearly see the teardrops that glistened on Hitori's skin as sobs racked Momitsumi. Her fingers gently caressed his face, and she pressed her forehead to his.
"You idiot, Hitori," she whispered, her eyes closed. "You stupid moron. You fool."
I knelt beside her, and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at me, her eyes glistening with tears. She cried as she bent her head over his. "Even Clara thinks you are a harebrained buffoon," she sobbed.
I bit my lower lip. It wasn't fair…it just wasn't. They couldn't end like this…
"Step aside."
Momitsumi and I looked up. Sesshoumaru towered over us as he slowly withdrew Tenseiga.
Tenseiga…
The sword that could resurrect.
"What are you…?" Momitsumi looked warily up at Sesshoumaru, and he narrowed his eyes at her.
"Move," Sesshoumaru ordered.
Momitsumi was about to protest, but I grabbed her wrist, and smiled reassuringly at her. She hesitated before she moved away from Hitori's body. I stood, but she remained on the ground, kneeling beside him.
Sesshoumaru held the Tenseiga over Hitori's inert form. The sword pulsed, and he narrowed his eyes at Hitori. His gaze sharpened as he focused on something, before he swung the sword. It looked as though he had cut something.
For a moment, there was silence. The only sound was the rippling of the grass as the wind blew around us, making the leaves rustle in the treetops. Overhead, an owl soared across the moon.
Hitori slowly opened his eyes.
For a moment, I felt shocked. Momitsumi was suddenly very still, and her breath caught in her throat. And then she flung herself into his arms.
"Hitori!" she cried out, tears falling from her eyes.
"My lady, you are—" Before Hitori could finish, Momitsumi drew him close, and pressed her lips firmly to his.
Hitori's eyes widened in surprise, and he promptly pulled away. He looked up, eyes meeting Sesshoumaru's, who regarded him with nothing but indifference. "My lord, I apolo—"
Momitsumi embraced him again. He pushed her away, and a look of hurt flashed across her face. "My lady, you must stop," Hitori said. "This is inappropriate—"
"DO YOU THINK I CARE?!" Momitsumi shrieked, all thoughts of decorum forgotten. "Do you think I care what is appropriate, and what is not? Do you think it matters to me if you could not give me a title, jewels, or land? Do you think your background concerns me?! Do you think I am that shallow? You and I could live in a hut, for all I cared, so long as I had you by my side!"
Hitori regarded her, his silence only spurring her on. "I want you, and if you think otherwise, then you are an even bigger fool than I had imagined!" Momitsumi raged. I think it took every ounce of self-control she had not to hit him. "I love you, you moron, can you not see that?"
Hitori's eyes held hers, before he drew her into his arms. "My life, everything that I have, everything that I am, was always yours," Hitori admittedly quietly, closing his eyes as he buried his face in her hair.
Momitsumi's eyes widened, and she smiled as tears flowed down her cheeks.
. . .
I hesitated as I approached Sesshoumaru. He was sitting underneath a tree, his eyes fixed on the night sky. A few more hours, and it would be dawn. Momitsumi and Hitori had already left. Sesshoumaru had simply told them to "Go," and they had thanked him before leaving. They planned to see Lord Hoshimaru, to make their intentions known. I prayed that everything would fall into place for them—they deserved it.
Jaken had found Rin, Kohaku, and Ah-Un. They had taken refuge not far from where we had been fighting, and Jaken brought them back to where he had decided to set up a new camp. Kohaku and Rin were curled up against Ah-Un, asleep. Jaken himself was snoring on Ah-Un, a snot bubble bursting each time he exhaled.
Sesshoumaru did not sleep. I think he was being alert, in case the demon samurai came back. Wiping the soot from my face, I hesitantly approached him. He looked up at me.
"Hi," I said, as I sat down beside him. His gaze returned to the fire. "Sesshoumaru…what you did for Momitsumi and Hitori…that was very nice of you."
I smiled at him. Though he didn't acknowledge it, he didn't deny it either. Sesshoumaru may act impassive most of the time, but I really did think he could feel compassion—towards the right people, at least. It suddenly seemed so nonsensical that I had been afraid of him earlier.
"Jaken says you fought well."
My eyes widened in shock, as he turned to me. I blushed. "Well, that was earlier," I stammered. "And…I didn't really thank you for saving me from Harukage. So…thank you."
He regarded me for a moment, his eyes steely. "You should have run."
I blinked. "What?" I said, taken aback. Didn't he just say that I fought well?
"The demons were far stronger than you," he pointed out.
I gave him a flat look. "Hey, I was doing fine, before Harukage," I pointed out. I didn't bother to mention that Harukage had nearly killed me.
"And if I had not come?"
I opened my mouth, then shut it. "I could have fought him off somehow," I said. No need to mention that I had been about to run of air.
"Unquestionably so." Was it just me, or did I hear a bit of sarcasm in his tone?
"Wasn't it you who said that there are no rules in a battlefield?" I pointed out.
He threw me a glare, and it took a lot of effort not to flinch. "No rules, but it is wise to consider your opponent's strength," he countered, his tone glacial.
"You're implying something," I huffed.
"Perhaps," he said tersely.
I was quiet for a moment, eyes fixed on the dancing flames in front of us. "I know you don't think I'm strong," I said suddenly, my voice low. From the peripheral of my vision, I saw him turn towards me. I didn't dare look him in the eyes. "But…I am trying my damnedest. I've told you before, haven't I?" I turned to face him, and our eyes met. I gave him a small smile. "I want to fight by your side."
For a moment, he held my gaze, and I blushed. I couldn't pull away. Sesshoumaru frowned, then turned his eyes back to the fire. "Sleep," he said abruptly.
"Right," I said, standing. I looked down at him for a moment. "By the way," I went on, and he looked up at me. "Tenseiga is a beautiful sword."
I turned my back on him, just as my cheeks burned. I smiled to myself, as I made my way towards Rin and Kohaku. I curled up beside them, and fell into a dreamless sleep.
.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.
A1969: that's it for now!
Kagome: here, let me give you a pat on the back.
A1969: oh, stop it you! By the way, thank you so much for the reviews, guys! And thanks for reading, and placing this story on your favorites and alerts!
Oh, and have you guys noticed that Bakusaiga in this fic, isn't as powerful as it should be? I had to downplay the sword's power. Seriously, if I used Bakusaiga in all its cannon glory, the fight scenes would only be two sentences long. And why not settle for Tokijin? Meh, I don't like it.
Inuyasha: just go, already.
A1969: hey, Inuyasha, I'm really curious—have you ever, really met Sesshoumaru's mother outside of a fanfiction?
Inuyasha: he has a mother? I thought he just sprouted out of nowhere, like a mushroom.
Kagome: *giggle* you mean, like a fluffy mushroom?
Inuyasha: *uncontrollable laughter* That's a good one, Kagome! Hahaha! You're killing me!
A1969: hey, you two are being really mean. Anyway, don't forget to review!