Chapter Seventeen: Darkness Breaks Through Rivendell
He entered the vast library silently, taking in all the scrolls and artifacts of this world they had somehow stumbled upon. Some how it was as though some unseen force had drawn him here, and he narrowed his eyes at the unknown feeling. He didn't like the implication of someone nudging him in this direction, or the feeling of the unknown, but he had followed, rather than remain away.
After his brief confrontation with the wizard, he had been lost in thought, over simple things that really didn't require his immediate attention. He lifted his gaze and made his way over to a set of desks sitting together, both high ends touching, and the lower edges creating a roof shape. Two stools sat just under the lower edges and he tilted his head to the side curiously. Papers were scattered along one surface of the table, while the other one was as neat as it should be.
The desks were identical, with the exact same items around it and he pondered this silently. They sat near a large pillar standing tall and proud all the way to the roofs structure, and past the balcony above. He shook his head and peered at the items on the one desk silently. He lifted his hand, fingered a parchment between his fingers, and felt the thick material being similar to that of the paper back in his world. He scrunched his brow curiously, trying to make out the cursive script on the paper and he shook his head as the words or lettered eluded him.
He hated the unknown. His eyes caught the brush and ink sitting on the flat ledge of the higher end of the desk and he gripped the wooden handle between his clawed fingers. All the tutoring and training he had received as a pup came back to him in a rush, and he brought the brush tip to the paper, cursing his brother for cutting off his other arm, preventing him from soiling his sleeve. If it had been anyone else, they would have used their hand to grip the edge of the sleeve out of the way of the dark ink substance, and he sighed.
With a flick of his wrist, and a few pulls downward, Sesshoumaru etched his name upon the blank part of the paper in Kanji, and stared at the difference of script. He barred his teeth, replaced the brush into the ink well, and turned his head, inspecting the other items upon the desks. He recognized the paperweights, and stacks of paper without any trouble. With a shake of his head, Sesshoumaru turned away from the desks and walked over to the large shelves holding the scrolls and bound books curiously.
With a grunt, he felt like a curious puppy rather than a youkai lord. He traced his clawed finger along the edges of the bound books and shook his head at the strange cursive lettering on each and every one of them. It seemed that all these books would remain untouched by him. Sesshoumaru sighed and lowered his hand. It had been so long since he had felt helpless and unsure of writing and reading.
He was about to reach for something sitting on another larger desk when a strange pulsing caught his attention and he frowned, turning his head curiously. Frowning, Sesshoumaru wandered past the two desks he had first inspected and rounded the small corner to locate the pulsing. His eyes widened at the small jewel like object and he bent over low to see the glittering shape. It was situated on a tiny table beside another table and he wondered why the elves had so many tables in the library.
The object now remained perfectly calm and he lifted his fingers to it slowly. Sesshoumaru allowed his claw to come into contact with it and he tapped the jewel a few times before he picked it up. He lifted it to his face and narrowed his eyes at the silver structure and clean jewel that lay etched inside. It was an elegant jewel more then likely meant for a female, but he had yet to cross paths with a female elf as a member of the lords house.
He recalled the conversation with the lord's sons about them having a sister, so perhaps this belonged to her. With a shrug, he placed it back onto the small table and lifted his gaze. Sesshoumaru smirked when the glint of iron met his eyes and immediately he wandered in the direction of it.
Lying at the back of the vast library were various swords and spears. He furrowed his brow at one large crude looking weapon and he wondered how anyone would be able to wield the object for long periods of time before their arms growing tired. Even a weak youkai would have trouble hefting such an object as their main weapon.
He smirked and lifted the weapon from its base and he brought it to eye view. It was simply made. A long thick wooden staff held the iron object at the top. The ball was attached to a long chain and at the end of it sat a large iron ball with spikes.
"Hnn, one inexperienced with such a weapon would knock themselves senseless." He placed the weapon back into its base and fingered the various other weapons placed neatly on stands and pegs.
His eyes fell on a rather interesting sword and his brows furrowed. It was similar to a katana and he lifted it from its sheath. The balance was incredible and the weight was acceptable. Almost too light, but the blade was sharp. Even more then Tokijin.
The handle was extremely long, curving slightly and the blade curved at the other end. It was a blade meant for battle that much was obvious to him as he twisted it through the air slowly. He placed the tip onto the ground and placed the end of his hand on the hilt. With a raised brow, he realized that it was almost spear like. It came up to his chest just under his armor that crossed it.
"Interesting." He smirked.
"It is an interesting blade, is it not?"
Sesshoumaru turned his head to the side and peered at the elf who had amazingly snuck up on him. It was the blonde one who had arrived earlier. He raised his brow curiously.
"I'm Legolas."
Sesshoumaru inclined his head, sniffing the air to scent out evil intent. All he got was a noseful of peace and tranquility. Most of the elves were the same, smelling of forest and nature. "Sesshoumaru." He muttered absently, turning his head back to the sword.
"That's the spear blade the elves use for battle." Legolas said calmly, strolling into the space casually. The elves fingers ran over a few of the weapons until he stood close to the demon lord, but not too close.
Sesshoumaru nodded and hefted it in a slow circle. "Its weight is too light to be effective."
Legolas raised his brows. "Really? It's made by the elves. Trust me, it is very effective."
Sesshoumaru glanced at the elf out of the corner of his eye. "Indeed?"
Legolas smiled and waved around them. "This is Lord Elrond's armory. Several of the items are placed here from battles. The mace is an orc weapon, and that crude axe is from the dwarves."
Sesshoumaru flipped the elvish blade in his hand, and he tilted his head to the side with a frown. The sword almost sang as it passed through the air. "Hnn."
Legolas raised a brow. "What?"
"The sword sings." He smirked. "As though it tells a tale of its battles."
Legolas frowned but remained quiet. "I was heading out to the sparring grounds out back." He said quietly and picked up a set of arrows and a bow.
Sesshoumaru glanced at the elf as he shouldered the weapons. "You use archery as a form of defense?"
Legolas chuckled. "I use many forms of defense. Archery is not my only talent. As most elves, we are skilled with the sword and spear."
Sesshoumaru raised a curious brow. "I believed that archery was a human weapon."
Legolas shrugged. "Humans do use the weapon, but we elves have a skilled eye for it. I find the humans just shoot rather then aim."
Sesshoumaru nodded, remembering Kagome's attempts to injure him with her set of arrows.
"Grab the sword, I'll show you the sparring grounds." Legolas lead the way through the narrow halls and into a large room with a set of doors at the top of the stairs. He walked through them casually, with Sesshoumaru in tow.
Through the doors sat a large green area and further off there were fences standing in circles with various targets in place. Legolas passed one ring where two elves were training with spears and then past another where two elves worked on their sword skills.
Sesshoumaru's eyes passed over the two sword playing elves and shook his head at the poor movements of one. "He holds his sword too tightly." He muttered.
Legolas paused and glanced over at the elves in the ring. "You're right. His hand is too high on the hilt." Legolas walked over to an elf talking with another and he got the attention he needed. "Curufin, your student is holding is sword wrong."
The teacher paused and glanced at his student in the ring. "Bregus, fix your stance." Curufin called out.
Legolas continued to another ring, which sat empty only a few feet away, and he hopped over the railing with ease. The elf, Sesshoumaru noticed was very nimble in his movements. With a raised brow, he watched Legolas place the bow and arrows against the railing and he grunted. The elf turned and waved.
"Come, I need someone to spar with."
"I assumed you were practicing your skills with the bow." Sesshoumaru snorted.
"That's later. I was going to do that, but I came across you." Legolas smiled. "I can use my swords."
Sesshoumaru frowned. 'Swords?'
Legolas reached over his shoulders, pulled out two short swords, and flipped them in his hands.
"Ah. Useful place to sheath them." Sesshoumaru mused with a smirk. He had completely missed the swords as they were hidden behind the elf's long platinum hair. Sesshoumaru glanced down at the spear like sword in his hand, and stared at the weightless weapon. With a sigh, he crouched and sprang into the air and over the fence easily, which made the elf raise his brow in curiosity.
Sesshoumaru took a stance and tilted his head to the side. "Swords are a bit short, are they not?" He asked, staring at the vast difference in size between the two weapons.
Legolas laughed. "Trust me."
Sesshoumaru smirked and nodded. He didn't want to injure the elf, so he knew he needed to gage the elf's strength before bringing him into battle, so he lifted the sword parallel to the ground. "Come elf. Let us see what skills you have." Sesshoumaru nodded. "I need to gage your strengths."
Legolas paused and shook his head. "Strength is not what makes a good swordsman." He said and flipped the swords in his hands.
"Indeed, however I do not wish to harm you, so I have to calculate just how skilled and strong you are." Sesshoumaru stared at the blonde, narrowing his eyes as he watched the smooth skilled movements of the swords in the elf's hands.
"So confident in your skills?" Legolas laughed merrily. "Then shall we?"
Sesshoumaru snorted and nodded. If the elf did not wish to be tested, then so be it. He would not be held responsible for any injury to the blonde haired being before him.
Legolas swung his sword swiftly and stepped to the side, now taking on battle stance and Sesshoumaru watched intently. The elf did have some skill when it came to battle. Much more then his brother did. Sesshoumaru noticed Inuyasha had a tendency to put all his strength into his sword swing and hit the attacker as hard as he could. The youkai had to admit that his brother's skills had improved and his technique was effective, but now he was against a foe he was calculating.
The elf moved his feet and lowered his body to the ground and sprung up quickly, raised his arm and flicked his wrist at the youkai. Sesshoumaru twisted his arm and took a step back as the swords clashed. His sword hummed at the contact and he glanced down at the shivering blade with a grunt. 'So the elf had power as well with his strikes. Interesting.'
Sesshoumaru moved his foot to the side and twisted his arm slightly, flicking the blade off the one he held and moved to the side, and swung his sword swiftly at the elf. Legolas ducked and swiped with his own sword and flicked his other sword lower.
Sesshoumaru saw the change in attack mere seconds before they struck and he ducked and leapt up quickly. He frowned and narrowed his eyes. This elf was extremely skilled with swordplay. He needed to be careful. The youkai landed and swung his own blade as his feet touched the ground and Legolas dodged it with ease.
"Hnn." Sesshoumaru grunted. He wondered briefly when the last time he battled against such a skilled swordsman and as he ducked under another well placed swing, he figured it had to have been against his own father.
"What's that thing over your shoulder?" Legolas asked, skipping back away from Sesshoumaru's sword. 'Valar, he's good.' He thought silently, trying to catch some weakness in the tall silver haired elf before him.
Sesshoumaru smirked and faster then Legolas' eyes could follow, placed the blade into the earth and gripped the end of his kegawa and swung it out to the elf. Legolas gasped and flipped backwards as the furry object flew right for him. The end flicked over and tapped him in the chest as he landed and he lost his footing.
Legolas quickly sprung to his feet and swung his blades again, and saw Sesshoumaru release his fluffy thing and grip the sword again. 'Fast.' Legolas thought.
"Satisfy your curiosity? Or would you like another demonstration?" Sesshoumaru smirked.
Legolas shook his head and sprung at the tall elf quickly. He took a swing and gaped when Sesshoumaru was no longer there. Warning flags rose up in Legolas' brain and he ducked and rolled to his feet twisting around as fast as he could. "By the Valar." He hissed.
Sesshoumaru stood calmly in the ring and watched the elf recover. Before either of them could say a word, a voice brought them out of their stances.
"Feh, I would say that is hardly a fair advantage, bastard." Inuyasha growled. He had seen his brother zip off before the elf could react and had seen the quick recovery.
Sesshoumaru raised his brow.
"He's not youkai." Inuyasha sniffed. "Play fairly."
"Indeed." Sesshoumaru snarled.
Legolas raised his brow at the younger brother and frowned at the word youkai. 'What in Arda is a youkai?'
Inuyasha placed his arms on the railing and watched with a smirk. "You can't use just skill against him, elf. You have to use consistent attacks."
Legolas gaped. Why would his brother give him advice on defeating his brother?
"Inuyasha." Sesshoumaru growled.
"What? If you're going to play that way, then he needs a bit of help, don't you think?" Inuyasha defended himself. He gasped when Sesshoumaru rammed his sword into the ground and flicked his wrist at him. He knew that move, and he jumped back and to the side as a long green whip shot at him.
Legolas blinked. He had seen a flash of green come from somewhere and faster then he could see, it was gone. He shook his head and took his stance once again, just as he saw Sesshoumaru retake his. The younger brother snarled and retook his position on the railing and smirked watching silently.
Inuyasha knew his brother was a jackass at times, but now he saw his brother in a different light. Being a full youkai had made it so his brother didn't treat him so low, as he had when he had been a hanyou. Silently, as he watched the elf and his brother spar, Inuyasha wondered if they returned to their own era, would he resort back to his hanyou self, and if he did, would his brother once again shun him?
Inuyasha took a deep breath and sighed. All he wanted in life was to be accepted, to be treated like everyone else. He hated being alone. Since he had first encountered Kagome, he had begun to feel like he had a place in the world. Somewhere he belonged. She had become his center, his whole being and his biggest fear was loosing her. Not only Kagome, but also Miroku and Sango. Even the little runt Shippo, he had begun to think of as a friend. Despite how annoying the kit was, he still protected him.
Inuyasha sighed again. What would happen when Naraku was defeated? Would Kagome be returned to her own era? Or would she have the choice to stay? Would she stay if she could? He shook his head; it was too soon to even think about that.
Inuyasha lifted his gaze and watched as Legolas sprung out of the way of his brother's sword, and flip over backwards, swiping with his own in retaliation. He raised a brow when he caught Sesshoumaru's slight panting. To anyone else it would seem like nothing, merely a soft breath of air, but to Inuyasha's amazement, his brother was actually struggling against this talented elf. He smirked and climbed up onto the railing silently and took a position on it. Now he was completely interested. At first he had thought the elf would be defeated easily, but Legolas seemed to have an impressive skill with those twin swords he carried.
Legolas ducked under a swing to his head, shot upright and slashed with both swords in a criss cross manner, causing Sesshoumaru to lean backwards out of the way. Inuyasha tilted his head and saw his brother's foot slip slightly, and dug into the earth to maintain his balance. The once hanyou didn't even realize that the two sparring partners had gathered quite a bit of interest from the other rings and soon several elves stood around watching, intently.
Sesshoumaru growled low in his throat and twisted around in a circle, bringing his sword around to catch the elf by surprise, but to his great annoyance, the elf had gagged his movement and had ducked and retaliated with a swing of his own, which placed him back on the defensive to block the attack.
Legolas sucked his breath in sharply and rolled to his feet. He shook his head and stared in amazement at the tall elf standing before him. He couldn't tell if the elf was tired, or fatigued, stressed or even angry. Sesshoumaru seemed calm and collected. His face held no emotion, nor did he show signs of being out of breath and Legolas couldn't tell what emotion was running through him. This was definitely someone who knew the life of battle. He couldn't tell which direction the next attack would come, but when Sesshoumaru attacked, Legolas was just barely able to counterattack.
The silver haired elf's strikes were precise, and measured. Not forced or over powered. Legolas stepped to the side as Sesshoumaru did and he kept his eyes locked on this silver haired elf carefully. The slightest movement or mistake could mean his defeat, but this tall elf was good. Almost too good.
Legolas knew that he had gotten a few good strikes in, and the elf had seemed almost surprised at some of his moves, which gave the prince a slight advantage. The tall elf was obviously used to forceful attacks, and front ones. Not the flowing movements of the elves. He also seemed to have been rather taken back by the swift movements of his twin swords, and double attacks, but still the silver haired being before him showed no other signs or emotion.
Legolas had only seen the brief look of surprise, before it had flashed behind the emotionless mask, and once again Legolas was faced with a stone face. Even the golden eyes held no emotion. The just peered at him almost as in interest, but even that word was too much to describe what it was exactly.
Sesshoumaru almost smirked when he saw Legolas gagging him and his emotions. The blond haired elf was good. Extremely talented in his arts, and he wondered who had trained him. His own father had trained him, but he had been too young when his father died to finish his training. He had been left alone and had to train himself with the sword. He knew he was good with his skills, but had his father finished tutoring him in the arts, Sesshoumaru knew he would be an extremely difficult foe to defeat.
Inuyasha had shown rather remarkable talents with the sword, and he wondered briefly who had trained him. More then likely, Inuyasha had trained himself. If their father had lived, Inuyasha would have acquired skills making him also close to undefeatable. Now it was up to Sesshoumaru to fix the brutal force his brother used, and train his brother properly in the youkai ways.
Sesshoumaru knew his brother was somewhat sloppy in his thrusts, but the power behind them was massive. Now being full youkai, Inuyasha would have more power in his swings and he relaxed his stance to stare at his sibling. Legolas lowered his blades and nodded with respect.
"Draw?" Legolas smiled questioningly.
Sesshoumaru nodded. "Your skills are impressive." He said staring at his brother who was leaning over talking with another golden haired elf. "Inuyasha yo."
Inuyasha lifted his gaze with a raised brow. "Nani?"
Sesshoumaru smirked and waved his hand into the ring. "Kokó ni oide." 'Come here.'
"Huh?" Inuyasha snorted. "Want to get your ass kicked again huh?"
Sesshoumaru smirked. "We shall see, otouto."
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes and drew out Tessaiga as he hopped over the fence and took his stance before his brother.
Legolas hopped onto the fence and settled himself comfortably. "Wouldn't it be the same as between Elrohir and Elladan with sparring? Would those two not have the same skills?"
Elladan snickered. "You have seen nothing, my dear Legolas. These two are rather skilled. Not just that but more then likely we will witness the power they hold."
Legolas glanced over at his friend. "Power?"
"I would say power matching that of Gandalf." Elrohir piped up.
"Are they wizards then?" Legolas asked curiously.
Elladan shook his head. "Much, much more then that. You fought a demon."
Legolas' back stiffened at the mere mention of the word. The hair on the back of his neck rose as the air around them crackled with energy and he sucked his breath in sharply. His eyes widened to the side of saucers when he saw the sword in the younger brother's hand flare bright gold and reach an impossible size.
Sesshoumaru smirked at his little brother when he called upon Tessaiga's strength. This was not what he had had in mind. "Iie, Inuyasha. Dake wa kengeki." 'No, Inuyasha, sword play only.'
"Keh! Scared?"
"Ridiculous." Sesshoumaru scoffed. "Kudaru."
"Yakamashii." Inuyasha sprung at his brother hefting Tessaiga wildly.
Legolas blinked and glanced down at Elladan. "What are they saying?"
Elladan shrugged and shook his head. "I have no idea. Those two aren't exactly friendly with one another."
Legolas turned his head as a young girl walked up.
"This is nothing." She mumbled.
Elrohir chuckled. "Come to see the fight, Kagome?"
"You call this a fight? They are just playing." Kagome waved. "To them this is practice."
Legolas gaped. "You're kidding. You'd think by the younger ones attacks that this is a battle of life and death."
Kagome giggled. "Inuyasha over reacts sometimes. He loves to show off."
Elrohir rolled his eyes. "Sounds familiar."
Elladan and Legolas shot him a glare and the younger twin grinned widely.
Kagome laughed lightly and rolled her eyes as Inuyasha was pushed back by Sesshoumaru's forceful shove. Inuyasha snarled and jumped at his brother again, ramming Tessaiga downward with so much force the swords reverberated through the air. Sesshoumaru's face darkened slightly and he shoved Inuyasha back again, this time more forcefully causing Inuyasha to skid across the ground on his feet.
"Kusóyarō." Inuyasha snarled angrily. He lunged at his brother who knocked him aside with a quick swipe.
Kagome rolled her eyes. "Stop it, you two." She called out.
Inuyasha rolled to his feet and lunged at his brother again.
"Okay, this isn't playing anymore." Kagome shook her head. "Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha! Stop it!"
Inuyasha skidded to a halt and glared over at the girl. "Keh!" His gaze shot over to his brother and smirked. He called Tessaiga's power again and this time he prepared to get rid of his brother once and for all.
Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes as the scent of the wind scar picked up around them and he cursed. The last time he had been on the receiving end of the Kaze no Kizu, it had almost cost him his life. He stepped back and raised the elven sword, and quickly called on his own youki to charge the blade. There was nothing he could do except protect himself. Why had his brother changed? This was supposed to be a test of skill against his brother to see just how much Inuyasha had learned when he hadn't been in battle with him, and it was supposed to test how strong his youki was as a full blooded youkai.
Kagome glanced at Inuyasha and shook her head frantically. "Inuyasha, stop. Sesshoumaru isn't trying to kill you."
Inuyasha ignored her pleas for him to stop and he almost shuddered at the feeling of desperation filling his veins. What was happening? It was like some dark presence had taken over his reason. He knew that his brother wasn't trying to kill him, but somehow his body betrayed his reasoning. He sucked his breath in sharply which came out as a viscous snarl and he almost gulped at the sensation.
He turned pleading eyes to his brother, trying to communicate with him but his mind filled with a dark menacing laugh and he cringed inwardly.
Sesshoumaru jolted to awareness, suddenly realizing that this was in fact not his brother who was attacking him. The silent plea for understanding that had flickered for just a mere second had alerted him to something darker. The youkai lord snarled when the plea vanished and a ferocious glare replaced it. This was not his brother, but his brother was well aware of what was happening to him.
"Kagome! Use your subjugation."
Kagome swallowed and glanced at Sesshoumaru curiously.
"Now!" Sesshoumaru snarled.
"Inuyasha! Osuwari!"
Legolas watched with wide eyes when Inuyasha slammed to the earth with a cry of surprise. He peered at the girl strangely and Elladan chuckled. His laughter faded when he sensed a dark presence in the air and he gripped his sword hilt quickly.
Elrohir quickly followed suit as Legolas jumped off the railing and notched an arrow faster then the eyes could see.
"What in all of Arda is going on here?" Legolas called out, his eyes following the dark shadow that flew up into the sky. He lowered his bow and turned around to glare at the members nearby.
Elrohir shook his head and turned his attention back to Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha.
"Otouto?" Sesshoumaru knelt beside his brother and placed his hand on his back.
Inuyasha pushed himself onto all fours and groaned. "I thought you would never figure it out, baka!" He snapped.
"I did." Sesshoumaru muttered. "What was it?"
Inuyasha shook his head and shoved Kagome and Sesshoumaru's hands off him. "I don't know, but it felt like something dark, like a shadow was inside me. I had no control."
Sesshoumaru nodded and stood up, helping Inuyasha up along with him.
"I don't need your help!" Inuyasha snapped, smacking his brother's hand aside. "Just what the hell was that?"
Legolas jolted back as the fowl word of the dark world erupted from the young elf like male in the ring.
Inuyasha turned towards the elves. "Just what kind of evil do you elves have in this place?"
Sesshoumaru smacked his brother on the back of his head. "Enough!"
Inuyasha snarled and glared at his brother.
Legolas took a wary step back as both brothers walked to the railing where the twins stood calmly. Inuyasha snarled. "I think now would be a good time to speak with this Gandalf and your father regarding our being here, elf."
Sesshoumaru raised a brow at his irate brother. "Calm down, Inuyasha. However, he does speak the truth. Whatever dark presence you have in this world is targeting us, and I do not like being caught unawares."
Elladan nodded. "Come. My father probably already knows about this whole incident. I know he was taking private audience with Gandalf earlier, so maybe that is what they are in the process of doing."
Inuyasha leapt over the railing in a single bound and stalked forward, ignoring the others. "Let's get this over with."
Kagome sighed. "So much for a calm afternoon."
Inuyasha was about to comment to Kagome when something shoved him forcefully from behind, causing him to stumble forward and swing him around in a half circle. He gaped stupidly at his brother's surprised face for a moment before his eyes rolled into the back of his head and he crumbled to the ground.
Sesshoumaru gasped softly and dashed forward to catch his brother as he fell just as Kagome cried out, "Inuyasha."
Immediately everybody flew into motion, drew their weapons, and stood there for a moment trying to figure out what had happened. No one had touched or had been near Inuyasha, but they had watched, as in slow motion as Inuyasha's body lurched forward almost like from an impact with something. The younger brother had stumbled and seemed to swing around to catch himself but then collapsed. Sesshoumaru had caught his brother before he had hit the ground, and Legolas frowned looking around him, just as Gandalf and Elrond rushed over to them.
The wizard quickly knelt beside Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha and placed his hand on the younger brother's forehead, muttering soft words into the air. Inuyasha's eyes flew open and his back arched painfully backwards, bowing his back the wrong way. Sesshoumaru snarled fiercely at the old human man and was about to shove his hand away when Inuyasha dropped into his arms, limply once again.
Sesshoumaru felt the power erupt out of his brother in a wave of electricity and he hissed in shock and anger. A dark shimmering shadow slithered out of his brother's chest and into the sky above them, and he glared at it as an arrow whizzed through the air, slicing neatly through it.
He turned his head just in time to see Kagome rip the bow out of Legolas' hand and grab an arrow notching it in one fluid motion. Sesshoumaru snorted as he realized that Kagome's skills with the bow had definitely improved since his last encounter back in their own era.
Kagome charged the arrow with purifying energy just before the dark shadow vanished and she let loose her attack with a shout. "Ikú!"
Sesshoumaru winced as the arrow flared into a mass of pink purifying energy and flew through the air, sizzling as it went. The arrow embedded into the shadow and a loud screech filled their ears as the shadow vanished completely.
Sesshoumaru picked his brother up with his one arm and used his kegawa to heft him up completely, just as Elrond shouted for him to follow into the house. With a growl of warning, Sesshoumaru was given a wide range of area to move through and he followed the elven lord through the house into the healing rooms where Inuyasha had once visited.
The youkai lord placed his brother onto the bed and stepped back as Elrond moved about the room gathering items he would need to check on his brother. Inuyasha looked pale, almost as white as the sheets on the bed and Sesshoumaru could almost swear all the blood had vanished from his brother's body. His only indication that his brother was still alive was the slow rise and fall of his chest.
Elrond moved over to the bed with his required items, just as Kagome rushed into the room, followed closely by Elladan, Elrohir and Legolas. Sesshoumaru caught Kagome by the arm, halting her progress to the bed and shook his head slowly, as Elrond poked and prodded his brother with expert hands. Tears filled Kagome's eyes and she choked back a sob, which caused Sesshoumaru to pull her against him in a form of comforting, he had done several occasions with Rin.
Kagome's hands gripped the from of his silk haori and he sighed as she sobbed into his chest. Her head came below his armor that wrapped protectively around him and he grunted softly. He realized just how small, fragile Kagome was, and he loosened his tight hold on her. Sometimes he forgot just how tiny and delicate the human female race was.
A groan from the bed made both of them freeze and look over at Inuyasha who sucked in a sharp breath. His skin broke out into a sheen of sweat and he released his breath in a shuddering whimper. Inuyasha's brow wrinkled and his eyes slipped open slowly, they were glazed over with pain and his body trembled slightly. Sesshoumaru released Kagome and he stepped forward before she did.
"Otouto?" He whispered.
Inuyasha remained silent and his gaze slowly and lethargically slipped over to meet his brother's. "Ani?" He whispered in a whoosh of air, "Kowágarù." He mumbled incoherently, before he submitted into unconsciousness once again.
Sesshoumaru growled softly at his brother's words and he closed his eyes and briefly nodded in understanding. Whatever was happening to his brother, it was unknown, and frightening. The soft-spoken words of scared registered in his brain, and he placed his hand on Inuyasha's forward. "Wakatta."
Inuyasha's brow creased at the brief contact and he moaned pitifully.
Elrond stepped away from the bed and shook his head. "I do not know what plagues him." He whispered just as Gandalf walked in through the doors.
"It is a dark shadow filled with evil intent." Gandalf stated.
Sesshoumaru drew his hand away from Inuyasha's brow with narrowed eyes. "This dark shadow is youkai." He snarled.
Kagome nodded. "I felt it also. It was faint though."
"Weak." Sesshoumaru sniffed.
"Youkai?" Legolas lifted his brow.
Elrohir sighed. "Youkai is their word for demon."
Kagome and Sesshoumaru glanced over at the elves. "What would youkai be doing in this place? I thought that this was a place of peace."
Gandalf shook his head. "More then likely it is drawn to your dark powers."
Kagome frowned. "Dark? I assure you, there is no darkness within us."
Gandalf raised his brow. "Oh? Then would you mind explaining how you were able to defeat this evil?"
Kagome placed her hands on her hips angrily. "I'm a miko! A priestess in training."
"A witch." Legolas mumbled, and all eyes swerved over to him.
Kagome's mouth dropped open in surprise and horror, but before she could speak, Sesshoumaru interrupted her.
"A witch? Ridiculous. She is a miko as she said. She has the power to purify evil with her bare hands if she so desired. Her heart is pure and innocent." He defended.
Legolas shook his head firmly. "What about you? Are you truly a demon?"
Sesshoumaru smirked. "Hai. Afraid?"
Legolas bit his tongue and remained silent.
Gandalf sighed. "This is not getting us anywhere. The fact of the matter is, this evil is attracted to the dark power here. Darkness was never able to penetrate the elven city before. Due to evil being within these walls indicates to me that they have found a way through."
Kagome deepened her frown. "Youkai-demons in this time may be all evil and destructive, but where we are from, not all are like that. Inuyasha is not evil, nor is he…"
"Do not defend yourself to them. No matter what you say, they will not take your words, they will only believe what is in their wills to believe." Sesshoumaru interrupted her. "It is pointless to speak to them of such matters. Youkai are evil, Kagome. I will not deny this of myself. However, the difference between Inuyasha, myself and other youkai, we have found our hearts and desire to live. To protect."
Kagome swallowed and nodded. "Is there anything you can do to help him?" She asked Elrond who shook his head.
"I have done all I can. The evil within him is beyond me. I cannot heal him when there are no injuries for me to heal. This is a battle within himself." The elf explained.
Kagome gulped and glanced over at Inuyasha on the bed. "He is so pale." She whispered.
Sesshoumaru glanced at his brother and sighed. Indeed, Inuyasha was pale, almost to the point of seeing his veins through the skin. Inuyasha cried out sharply, his back arched against the bed, leaving only his feet and head remaining on the surface, and Kagome rushed over.
"Inuyasha." She wailed and flung herself over him to hold him down. She yelled out in pain as she was flung off by a black light and Sesshoumaru caught her before she crumpled to the floor. "Oh Kami."
Kagome regained her feet, walked over to Inuyasha slowly, and stared at him. She sensed nothing from his aura indicating a polluted jewel shard, but that power had been the Shikon no Tama. She swallowed nervously and closed her eyes as she placed her hand on his chest.
She felt the swirling mass of the polluted jewel through him, but it wasn't anywhere near him. Drawing her mouth into a tight line, she remembered when Inuyasha had used the jewel on Tessaiga and how with a simple touch she had purified the evil youki and helped him break through the walls of the mountain oni.
Kagome concentrated on her miko powers and placed her other hand on his chest, letting her power flow through her into Inuyasha who writhed on the bed painfully.
Sesshoumaru shielded his eyes when Inuyasha and Kagome vanished behind the purple light of a purifying miko and he cursed. If she lost control of the power rushing through her in the intensity it was, she could inadvertently purify him in the process. He clenched his teeth together and released a soft growl as the pinkish purple tendrils of energy licked the air around them and he stepped back warily as one flickered out to touch him.
Even the smallest of touches from this kind of power could render him completely useless, and possibly damaging him permanently. Did the girl not realize just how much power she housed inside that body of hers?
With a snarl of rage, Sesshoumaru stepped back even more when the air flared brightly, sheathing everyone within the walls with the pinkish light. The tendrils seemed to curl around him and he lost his vision immediately when he was flooded by the miko aura. He felt heat overwhelm him and his skin smoked from the power, which made him gnash his teeth together in sudden fear.
As soon as it had come, the pink tendrils unwrapped around his body and Sesshoumaru panted, standing upright. He blinked and glanced at his hands, and down at his intact body. He was still alive? His golden eyes lifted to glance at the bed, but the aura still surrounded the two.
How was this possible? He was not purified? Sesshoumaru shook his head. His ears rang, and his eyes were sore, and his skin was heated, but he was intact. He barred his fangs and was about to save his brother from this energy when he suddenly realized something. His eyes widened in startled amazement and his mouth dropped open as he brought his left arm up into view.