Danzaemon's Victory

"They are fighting each other! Is their bloodlust so great, they would destroy each other and leave Danzaemon the winner?" One moth demon asked of the others.

"We should act now! Attack them both and end the threat forever! There will be no one to come after us if we take them both out now!" It was another demon who had been around when the great dog general had settled the first truce. "Let's attack them now!"

"You may be right and if we take down Sesshomaru we won't have to accept Danzaemon back into the clan!" Another agreed.

"Wait!" The eldest called but it was too late. Three of them transformed and flew in to attack the two dogs. "This is going to be bad for us." He muttered under his breath, eyes riveted to the battle.

Danzaemon saw his kin flying towards the brothers and wondered if they were coming to help him. Maybe they wanted the threat of Sesshomaru gone as well but he wasn't going to let them have all the glory. Attacking and destroying Sesshomaru had been his plan after all.

They were fighting with fists and claws. They seemed to be enjoying the fight too but then some webbing suddenly wrapped around Sesshomaru's raised arm holding him in place.

Inuyasha was already on the attack and rammed into his brother's stomach. Falling to the ground Inuyasha looked down in surprise at Sesshomaru. "What? Why?"

"Get off me fool!" Sesshomaru yelled but was too late. The poisonous cocoon was soon swirling about the brothers from four different moth demons. Sesshomaru could feel the skin of his wrist burning.

Danzaemon decided to add a bit more to the cocoon. He landed and transformed into his panther form. Moving closer to the large ball of webbing he shot his claws from his hands and when they made contact with the cocoon there was lightning. It was a two pronged attack – the razor sharp claws penetrated the cocoon while the lightning was used to shock the occupants.

"No! Inuyasha!" Kagome ran forward and started firing more arrows. She struck one of the moths and destroyed its wing. Reaching for another arrow she aimed again but it moved out of range.

Sango tossed the Hirakotsu and cut the webbing from another moth demon. Kirara dealt with the last one. Her claws ripped apart it's wings and with a mighty bite of her jaws, removed the head from the moth demon.

"That'll teach'em to ignore us." Miroku said. "But that cocoon – its pure poison. I remember the last time Inuyasha and I were in one. It eats away the flesh and it has to be even more potent since four different demons have added to it!"

"Oh Inuyasha." Kagome held Tetsusaiga next to her heart willing him to come out alive.

"Fools! Look what you've done! If Sesshomaru comes out of that cocoon we're done for." The elder demon said to the wounded moth that had returned to him.

"B-but surely t-they are dead or dying. E-even now Danzaemon and my master are still attacking."

It was true, Danzaemon was still firing claws plus lightning into the cocoon and the remaining moth was continuing to spit out more webbing. They moved constantly staying out of the range of the humans trying to stop them.

Finally Danzaemon backed off, transformed and took to the sky. The cocoon was covered in his claws and still glowed with a yellow light. There was no way either of them could be alive now.

Everyone paused, waiting to see if anything would happen. The glow slowly died and silence reigned. The ground was covered with blood and the body parts of various insects. Kagome, Sango, Miroku and Kirara all stood together anxious as to know what had happened to Inuyasha and Sesshomaru.

Minutes went by and nothing. Kagome dropped to her knees, tears pouring from her eyes. Laughter rang out from Danzaemon and the other moth demon. Inside the temple several small faces frowned with worry.

"He is dead! They both are dead! My victory is complete and my rein is eternal!" He looked down at the humans. "I'll let you live if you swear loyalty to me. I like the idea of Sesshomaru's friends serving me."

"Go to hell!" Sango called out. "We'll serve no cowardly demon! Never!"

Miroku nodded. "Absolutely correct Sango. Kagome you with us?"

Kagome's tear filled eyes turned to him; Miroku had his beads in his hand. He was going to use his wind tunnel.

"A-are you s-sure?" She knew he was still weak for she could feel the tiredness of her own muscles.

Sango stepped closer and gripped his arm. "We'll go out fighting Kagome. You won't be alone Miroku."

He smiled softly at her and gave her mouth a quick kiss. "I'm never alone when my friends are near."

Kagome used the Tetsusaiga to stand and completed the circle. Her heart was breaking but she would fight until the end with Inuyasha in her heart. "Let's do it. Maybe we can at least save Shippo and Rin."