NOTE: Inuyasha isn't mine but the fantastic work of Rumiko Takahashi.

BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA

Their weapon of choice had changed countless times, more than they could count. Kagome had stopped counting. Any item within the immediate vicinity had been utilized. It had been hurled, jabbed, slammed, and kicked every which way and that. Nothing was spared. Even the discarded glass shard, but it was too slick to hold and it went flying out of their hands kami knows where. The entire place now had the appearance of having been ravaged by a terrible beast escaped from its cage. Soon the area had failed to yield even a decent object that could inflict pain or wound to one another.

They happened at the forgotten dagger as they were using brute strength to overthrow one of them out of the area; much like sumo wrestlers and they stumbled after each other in order to be the first to get to it.

Kagome pushed back, mirroring Muchitsujo's actions. She held Muchitsujo's eyes as they grappled for the dominance of the dagger. The pointed end began to lean to Kagome's side her arms were screaming at the abuse.

"Did I hear you say you want to get the Shikon no Tama from me?" Inexorably the dagger gravitated towards Muchitsujo, again.

"Are you offering the jewel to me, miko?" The youkai felt the muscles in his arms and his face tremble at the effort it took to keep that sharp tip from impaling him.

"I can't… let…you have it." The miko gritted her teeth as she concentrated on resisting the dagger's approach.

"Of course…" Muchitsujo grunted as his fingers began to knot up. Damn, just a little bit more. He dug his feet for better purchase on the floor and leaned in…the dagger moved forward….

~O~O~O~

The Sons of Wrath

Power is the end all be all for this race, the youkai. It is a normal part of their genetics but for some like them it is a deep need akin to hunger, wanting and needing to be assuaged. They sought out to great extent ways to increase their strength: physically, mentally, and emotionally. Youkai families or houses have risen and fallen in this quest.

In the stringent and deadly social strata of the Inu youkai the strongest were elevated to nobility, the Inu Taiyoukai. The rest were either in servitude to the taiyoukai or treated like cattle for their nourishment.

The Sons of Wrath, like children from other youkai families, were brought up in this culture; the only difference was that their sire, Wrath (Doki), was thoroughly possessed and obsessed in becoming powerful. It was the first thing the three boys learned when they were growing up. Power was the favorite topic during meals, they train to become more powerful, they learn new skills, everything and anything they do is for that sole purpose.

They live it, breathe it, ingest it, dream of it.

Unfortunately, such dreams were hard to come by. No demoness of good breed coming from a high-ranking family would pay attention let alone mate them.

They were one of the 'unmarked', meaning, they did not bear the prestigious facial, bodily markings and sigils Inu Taiyoukai like Sesshoumaru and his house, the House of the Crescent Moon. All the sons of Wrath could ever aspire to was to accrue wealth and hope that a family from a lesser house would agree to a mating. But not even the lowliest taiyoukai family would lower themselves to them for fear of losing whatever tenuous standing they had left in the Inu Taiyoukai society.

More than anything else Doki wanted to rule the entire youkai realm: specifically, to become the head of the Four Cardinals as his sons become the lesser three. It is the ultimate conquest. It will assure them of a secure hold for their house as well as unsurpassed supremacy. People will bow before them, especially those high and mighty taiyoukai who have for centuries been looking down at them.

For years and centuries they have been scheming and trying to move up the social ladder leaving a trail of blood and gore. But compared to the trail of blood that Sesshoumaru had left on his quest for power the Sons of Wrath took this to a whole new level. They were sadistic and thrive on brutality. They do not spare youkai and humans. They attack, pillage and kill for the mere pleasure of killing. They subject them to horrendous torture, indignities and unspeakable atrocities.

Their calling card were three big poles at the entrance of every village they have ransacked studded with bloody bits and pieces of their victims mutilated body parts, harvested while they were alive, with the inscription of their names.

The House of Wrath had irked and raised the ire of many houses in the four realms and the Four Cardinals have convened as people have been demanding for the head of Doki and his three sons. If the Cardinals would agree some of the houses were willing to go into war against the House of Doki.

Doki and his sons wanted to join forces with Naraku. They have agreed to meet with the hanyou in the hopes of toppling Sesshoumaru and the Four Cardinals using the Shikon no Tama. The sons of Wrath lusted after the jewel and wanted to get their hands on it. Their plan was to befriend Naraku and become his ally and when they got the hanyou's trust they would kill the spider and with the jewel rule with an iron hand.

They had the misfortune of underestimating Naraku for they were surprised when the hanyou suddenly appeared before their agreed meeting with a little girl in tow. The hanyou introduced the pale skinned girl as Kanna. Doki and his sons can't for the life of them understand why Naraku would have a small girl with him during their talk.

The hanyou began chuckling, "My friends, my daughter Kanna is a special girl. Among my incarnations she is my favorite one of all. Do you know why?" Doki and his sons shook their head. "She has a special talent of taking the souls of my enemies. Would you like to see her power?"

It was then they noticed the mirror the girl carried. The mirror shone blindingly like the sun and before they knew it the three sons of Doki were a pile of soulless husks. Doki had never been so afraid in all his ever loving life. Before the elder youkai could even gather his wits at the death of his sons Naraku had his tentacles around the youkai and in the space of a few minutes the elder and the rest of the house of Wrath had been assimilated by the hanyou.

When the killings and attacks have ceased and the House of Wrath had fallen the rest of the youkai society breathed a sigh of relief not knowing they have a hanyou to thank for the elimination of one of their greatest enemies.

~O~O~O~

Suddenly, Kagome's feet gave way; startling both combatants. Muchitsujo fell forward and Kagome fell on her side. They got tousled during the fall and the dagger slid along the hardwood floor and slipped inside one the cracks. Kagome punched Muchitsujo on the nose before she stood up.

"As I was saying, miko, before you punched me in the face," Muchitsujo wiped his bleeding nose clean with the back of his hand. "you don't have to be alive for me to get the jewel."

"Yeah, I know the drill." The miko waved her hand. "You kill me, take my body to a sorceress or a black miko, she would perform a ritual and harvest the jewel." Kagome stretched her arms and neck to remove the kinks from their struggle. "Actually," she winced, "now that I've thought about it, I'm tired of protecting that thing. It only gave me a lot of problems ever since. It totally messed up my life. I got attacked every other single day…I didn't even have any social life, you know?" Kagome sighed heavily. "Maybe it's time to part with it." The miko sniffed as if about to cry. "I'm so tired of it. No more…"

Muchitsujo blinked at her words. "What game is this, priestess?"

"Game? No game" The miko shrugged. "I don't blame you. But, yeah," she shrugged again. "if you want it its yours."

"Where is it?" Muchitsujo held out his hand imperiously. "Give it to me."

~O~O~O~

Something is happening. Sesshoumaru straightened, his senses spiking for no reason.

He watched as Kagome and Muchitsujo duel for the longest time. He didn't dare interrupt knowing Kagome would have a fit, since she can hold her own in a fight he deemed it all right to let her have some real practice. Sesshoumaru can see them but they have moved far away from his hearing range to know what they're talking about.

What is she doing? The taiyoukai squinted a bit, not to see better, he is youkai after all, but to guess at her actions.

He stood up, quickly slid the two swords at his side. He did not notice Rin and Shippo stand behind him.

"What's happening?" The kitsune queried.

Then everything went white.

~O~O~O~

"Give it to me." Muchitsujo demanded.

"Don't be impatient." Kagome breathed deep and gazed intently at her hand. A small whirlpool of holy power began to spin in the middle of her outstretched palms. A glowing orb began to form, hovering a few inches from her palm and then it solidified into a pink sphere-Shikon no Tama.

Muchitsujo's eyes almost popped out of his head. This is it. The jewel is mine! I, Muchitsujo will be the new master of the jewel! Power at my hands! Mine!

Kagome held the jewel out to him when the tiny whirlpool had settled down. "Here." Kagome held it out to Muchitsujo then she dropped it casually in his open palms. She backed a few steps away.

Muchitsujo couldn't believe it. It's his! He's holding it! He looked at the jewel and felt his heartbeat race in excitement, the glow of the jewel lighting up his face.

"What's next?" He glanced at the miko.

"The jewel will be one with you." Kagome said. The miko was looking at the jewel with a strange look in her eyes he couldn't fathom.

Muchitsujo saw the jewel glow and float a bit then it sank in his palms. It felt warm and the glow is now radiating inside his hands. As it sank deeper, Muchitsujo closed his eyes…it felt so good…it was like…it was…

~}O{~