Inuyasha fell to his knees beside the puddle of blood, and let his tears fall to mingle with the crimson liquid. Sesshomaru stood beside his brother resting his hand on of Inuyasha's shoulder. "Come brother, we must tell the others what has happened," said Sesshomaru.
The hanyou remained on his knees with his head lowered. His long silver hair draped over his face shielding it from his mate. "Zaine and Sethos will be angry with me."
"Why would they be angry with you? It is not your fault."
"She was with me. She is my sister. I'm suppose to protect her." Inuyasha said in self-loathing. He stood up keeping his back to his brother. "That witch was right. I am a pathetic half breed."
Sesshomaru eyes flashed red with anger. He grabbed Inuyasha shoulder, turned his brother around and struck him across the face. Inuyasha looked up at his brother with watery golden eyes holding his stinging cheek. The hanyou eyes widened as he stared at his brother in shock. He had never seen Sesshomaru so angry before. The demon lord's hand was trembling with pent up rage. Closing his eyes, the elder demon took a deep calming breath as he lowered his hand to his side. "Don't you ever call yourself that again in my presence. As for our sister, do you think she would want you to belittle yourself like that," growled Sesshomaru as his eyes flashed from gold to red. "I'm pretty sure she would be ashamed at your behavior."
Inuyasha cast his gaze down to the ground feeling ashamed. "I know, but I just feel so helpless like I've failed in some way."
"Don't worry, we shall get her back," said Sesshomaru pulling the hanyou into his arm. "Come let's go tell her mate and brother." He turned and was about to leave when Inuyasha grabbed his hand.
"Sess," said Inuyasha staring wide eyed at his brother back. "Before. You had said 'our' sister."
"Yes, if she is your sister. She is mine as well." He tightened his grip on Inuyasha's hand. "She and the others did bring you back to me." Sesshomaru turned those shimmering golden eyes upon his mate and smiled. "They shall forever hold a special place in my heart."
"Thank you." Standing on tiptoe, Inuyasha kissed him on the nose. Then they went to tell Sethos and Zaine what had happened.
xxxxx
Upon their return to the mansion, they told everyone about Naraku attacking them and taking Ashanta. As Inuyasha thought, Sethos was enraged. The Abyssinian tore the sitting room to shreds. His claws burst into flames sitting whatever he touched on fire. Both Inuyasha and Zaine restrained the angry demon holding him back from destroying the countryside in a fit of uncontrollable rage. The Egyptian prince struggled to be free of them, but the two young demons held him tight. Falling to the floor exhausted, Sethos sat there staring at the dancing flames around his hands. He sighed surveying the damage he had caused, and then let the flames dissipate. Once everything settled down, the servants scurried about putting out the fires as fast as they could.
Inuyasha and Zaine stood there watching the despondent demon prince. Sethos sat in the middle of the ruined room on his knees with his head lowered. The long, thick red hair fell like a curtain covering his face as his claws dug into his palms. Inuyasha hesitantly held a hand out to touch his brother-in-law. "Sethos." Inuyasha placed a hand on Sethos shoulder. The enraged cat turned to glare with flashing eyes at the young demon. Inuyasha removed his hand and fell to his knees bowing to the cat demon. "I'm sorry Sethos. Because of my weakness, I let that vile Naraku escape with your mate."
Sethos closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He placed a hand on Inuyasha's head. "Raise your head, little brother."
Inuyasha looked up at the demon. The lavender eyes stared at him with gentle concern. "You should not say such things. This is not your fault, and I do not blame you. If there is anyone to blame, it is that bastard that took her."
"But Sethos . . ."
"I will not hear of it," said Sethos, and then he smiled. "Besides, when we get Ashanta back, she will be angry at me for falsely accusing you of this."
"He's right," said Zaine coming to kneel beside them. "She's very protective of you. She would probably beat the hell out of us if we became angry with you. So don't think that we blame you, or that it is your fault Ashanta was captured."
"I know I shouldn't blame myself, but I can't help it."
"What is wrong with you?" Zaine narrowed his eyes at the startled dog demon. "You are a member of the Pride of West Africa, son of King Mugabe. A warrior of the Pride does not sit around blaming himself for things that was not of his control. So show some backbone, and let's show that Naraku demon what he is in for when he cross path with the Pride." Zaine smiled at his dog brother.
"Thanks guys," said Inuyasha. "So, what do we do now?"
"What else, we get her back," said Sethos.
xxxxx
Ashanta was awakened by someone licking her face. She groaned as her eyes fluttered opened to stare into the face of a small crème colored two-tail cat. The cat mewed as it continued to lick her face.
"Okay, I'm up," she said sitting up looking around the dark room. "What happened?" Then the day's event swept over her like a wave. She was captured by Naraku's little freak. She inhaled a deep breath and gagged. The scent of rotten flesh was thick in the air. She could not see how anyone could live in such a place. The little cat demon jumped into her lap and stared up at her with large dark eyes. "I take it you're a prisoner as well?" She scratched the cat behind its ear, and it mewed in agreement. "I guess we should try to find a way out of here."
Getting to her feet, she leaned against the wall. She was about to walk over to the door, when the sudden movement of chains was heard. Ashanta froze as she glared into the darkness of the cell to see Kageroumaru crouched in the corner watching her.
"It's best that you sit down and not move," a sinister voice said that was way too close to her. She turned to her right with a start to see Naraku standing beside her. She leaped away from him pressing her back into the corner. She glared at the dark hair demon.
"How the hell did you get in here?" It was quite unsettling since she did not see him walk in or even smell him. But then again, the only thing she could smell was death and disease. She was surprised that she could even smell anything at all.
"I see you've met, Kilala. She was a companion of the demon slayer whose village I destroyed," said Naraku. "I liberated her a year ago from the hands of the ignorant woman."
"Why am I here?"
"You are here to help me gain ultimate power."
"You're insane if you think I will help you," said Ashanta scowling at the demon. She glared at the silver haired demon that slowly crawled over to crouch beside Naraku. "Why does he still wears a muzzle? Afraid he'll bite you?"
Naraku smirked. "He wears it because he has been wearing it since he was eight human years old. Imagine his parents surprise when his brother leaped from his mouth to attack and kill them. Juromaru was always the brains of the family. But we're straying from the point."
"And that is?"
"You helping me."
Ashanta stepped out of the corner ignoring the rattling of chains, and stood before the demons, tall and proud with her head held high. "I am Ashanta, daughter of King Mugabe of Africa, sister to Prince Inuyasha of Japan and mate to the next pharaoh of Egypt." Her dark eyes narrowed in rage. "I demand that you release me, or you will have hell to pay."
"No doubt you're talking about the others coming to rescue you," Naraku said in his smooth unaffected tone. "I'm sorry to say they won't be coming for you. I have a barrier around my castle. And even if they did find it, they wouldn't be able to get through. Anyway, I have much bigger plans for you."
She growled and launched herself at the smug demon. "I do not need them to rescue me." Raising her claws, she was about to strike. Suddenly, chains snaked their way down from the ceiling to snap close around her wrists pulling her arms upward. The tiny cat demon leaped at Naraku, and in a burst of flames transformed into a large cat with long saber fangs, and flames danced around its feet. Without warning, long writhing tentacles burst from Naraku's back to wrap around the cat's body, slamming it to the floor. Kilala struggled fiercely, but she could not get free of the tentacles.
"What are you?" demanded Ashanta staring at the demon in shock. "How can you be a spider demon if you have tentacles?"
"What I am is of no importance. What is important is that I shall use you as a weapon against your friends."
"I'll never willingly help you!" Her eyes flashed dangerously.
"You can't break free of those chains and neither can you transform. Those chains were made especially for those purposes." Naraku smirked. "I know that you would not willingly help me. That is why I shall make you help me."
"You're insane," spat Ashanta.
Naraku raised his left hand and opened it. In his palm was a round jewel that looked like an oversized pearl. A dark aura surrounded the black jewel. "This is the Shikon no Tama. Its powers are wondrous. Isn't it beautiful. The more evil that is done with the jewel the more beautiful it becomes. It is because of this jewel that I am the demon I am today." He laughed at his own sick joke.
Ashanta scoffed and sneered at the crimson-eyed demon. "You're pathetic. Using that to make you into a full blooded demon, and yet, you still could not defeat the dragon. It seems that this jewel's powers isn't as great as everyone seems to think it is."
Naraku shrugged and raised his right hand. He held up three whips that were braided together at the end and handed it to Kageroumaru. Ashanta's eyes widened as the silent demon glared at her with a mincing smile on his face. It was the first expression she had seen the demon show.
"You wouldn't dare."
"The only way my plan can work is if I weaken your defenses," said Naraku smiling. "I find that pain does that quiet nicely." Then he turned to Kageroumaru. "Remember, I want her alive." Ashanta struggled in her bonds franticly as the sneering demon crept towards her.
Kilala hissed and growled trying to break free of the tenacles, but they held her like steel.
"Shouldn't you be taking me to your master." Ashanta was disgusted with herself. Even she could hear the fear in her voice. And from the smirk on Naraku's face, he heard the fear in her voice as well.
"Yes, I probably should turn you over to him. He would probably kill you." The smirk on his face turned into a savage grin. "But I need you alive."
"I don't understand," said Ashanta watching Kageroumaru stalk closer to her the whip clenched firmly in his hand. The silent demon snapped the whip against the floor making her flinch as tiny beads of sweat trickled down her face. She tried breaking the chains again, but they were unbreakable.
Naraku snorted. "All you need to know is that you and your little friends are the key to my gaining ultimate power."
The crack of the whip against flesh, and Ashanta's scream was all that was heard echoing throughout the empty palace.
xxxxx
As the sun sat on yet another day, Inuyasha, Zaine and Sethos stood out in the courtyard talking. "I'm sorry Sethos, but the scouts still could not find a trace of where Naraku had disappeared," said Zaine.
"According to what Miroku told me, he said that this Naraku can put up a barrier effectively hiding his whereabouts," said Inuyasha looking away sad. "Again, I am truly sorry."
"Don't be. We will get her back," said Sethos smiling. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Sesshomaru standing out on the balcony watching them. Was that jealousy he saw in the demon lord's eyes. Before he could be sure. The dog lord turned and went back into his room. "You should go to bed. Your mate is worried."
"Sess?" He turned to stare up at the empty balcony.
"You have been neglecting him. That will not do." Sethos crossed his arms over his chest. "He has had a lot to deal with these past few days. With the humans and demons in his army not getting along, he is under a lot of stress. Now, he has to deal with his mate not being around to comfort him."
"He's right," said Zaine placing a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder and squeezing. "Your mate's needs must come first before anything else. We told you there is no need to worry about sister. We shall find her and when we do . . ."
"This Naraku character shall curse the day he was ever spawn," said Sethos chillingly. Inuyasha shivered at the icy tone in the Abyssinian voice.
"Okay. Good night," said Inuyasha heading to his and Sesshomaru's room. He walked into the room to find his mate preparing for bed. "Hi."
"Inuyasha," said Sesshomaru slipping into the white yukuta. Inuyasha walked up behind his mate and wrapped his arms around his waist. He rested his forehead against the center of Sesshomaru's back and sighed.
"Sess, I'm sorry for the last few days," said Inuyasha.
"Why?" Was all the demon asked.
"Well, I've been worrying so much about trying to find Ashanta that I have been neglecting my duties to you."
Sesshomaru was pleased that his brother realised his error. Although, he has a feeling that it was his feline companions that alerted the younger dog demon of his absence. No matter how old his Inuyasha got, the boy was thick at times. He turned to face his brother. "There is no need to be sorry. I understand that you are worried about her."
Inuyasha began to remove his haori. "Thank you for saying that, but you should be my main concern. Everything else should be second. I've been away from you for the past five days. If I'm not training with father on how to use the power of the tetsusaiga. Than I'm out with Zaine and Sethos trying to find Ashanta. I should be with you at least at night but instead, I'm prowling the halls feeling sorry for something that isn't my fault." Letting his hakama fall to the floor, he kicked it in the corner and stood facing his beloved, naked. Inuyasha got upon his toes and brushed his lips against his mate's lips. Wrapping his arms around Sesshomaru's neck, he pulled the tall demon head down and sealed their lips together in an intense burning kiss.
Sesshomaru wrapped his arm around his mate's waist, and pulled him close as his lips moved down to suckle the smooth skin of Inuyasha's neck. The hanyou moaned as his finger quickly untied the obi, and he removed Sesshomaru's yukuta tossing it in the corner to join his clothes. Sesshomaru felt Inuyasha's cock hardened and press against the inside of his thighs. Smirking he led the lust filled hanyou over to the bed. Before he could lay his lover down, Inuyasha grabbed onto his arm, pulled his brother down on top of him, and rolled over until he was on top of Sesshomaru. He rubbed his arousal against Sesshomaru's own stiffening length. The demon lord moaned arching his body against Inuyasha's. Inuyasha latched his lips onto one nipple sucking and nipping it until it hardened. Then he moved to render a similar assault on the other. He smirked in triumph as the demon lord squirmed beneath his exploring lips and tongue. He left a wet trail with his tongue down the length of his body stopping to tickle the inside of Sesshomaru's naval. Sesshomaru shivered biting his bottom lip as the wet appendage swirled around the inside of his navel, and then traveled lower. He bolted upright when he felt Inuyasha bury his nose into the soft silver hairs around his hardened length. His breathing became labored as he stared into those mischievous gold orbs that shimmered like diamonds.
"Inu-Yasha." He gasped out before falling back onto the bed when the hanyou's tongue made a slow stroke up the length of his hardened erection and an even slower stroke down his cock. Sesshomaru's eyes rolled back into his head as the hanyou sucked the head of his cock drinking the precum that trickled from the slit. He had to cover his mouth to hold back the scream as Inuyasha took just about all his length into his mouth. Bobbing his head up and down, he gently scraped his teeth up and down Sesshomaru's quivering cock. Then he moved lower to suck and nip at his testicles. Sesshomaru squirmed franticly beneath his lover's mouth raking his clawed fingers through Inuyasha's thick silver tresses. Sesshomaru's body stiffened and arched as he felt his brother's tongue probe inside the tight entrance of his ass. "No!" Sesshomaru tried wriggling away, but Inuyasha would not be denied his chance to pleasure his mate, and to apologize for neglecting him. "Inuyasha. . . stop . . .this instance," he panted out between breaths. "I . . . I." Still Inuyasha would not be deterred from his quest.
Sesshomaru had to stop his brother. He was the alpha mate. He is suppose to be the one to have Inuyasha squirming beneath him. It is Inuyasha who is suppose to be sweating buckets. Inuyasha is the one who is suppose to be panting, and his body is suppose to be burning with intense desire and longing until he felt like he would explode. Well, this ends now. He grabbed Inuyasha by his hair and forcefully lifted his mate's head away. He was painfully hard as he stared into the lust filled eyes of his lover. "I . . . thought I told you to stop," he said trying to catch his breath.
Inuyasha licked his lips smiling at his brother. "Aww Sess," he pouted mischievously as he stroked the sensitive demon markings on Sesshomaru's thighs. "Please let me do this. I want to make up for neglecting your needs. Besides, you did like it, didn't you?" He leaned down and began licking the demon markings on his brother's thigh. The demon lord moaned falling back against the bed releasing Inuyasha from his grip. Taking this as a sign to continue, Inuyasha did just that. The hanyou's tongue slid up and down the full length of his brother's throbbing erection. Mimicking what his brother had did to him. He placed two fingers against Sesshomaru's lips, and the demon lord's tongue slipped out sucking the digits into his mouth. He swirled his tongue around the fingers wetting them thoroughly.
Inuyasha wrapped his hand around the base of Sesshomaru's erection, and continued to suck and lick the hard flesh. Removing his fingers, he placed them at Sesshomaru's entrance. Upon feeling the fingers at his opening, the demon stiffened and was about to move away. Knowing this would probably be his one chance, Inuyasha thrust one finger into the tight entrance. Sesshomaru howled arching his back off the bed. His eyes rolled back into his head as Inuyasha thrust the finger in and out. Sesshomaru's sweat dampened body trembled, and a groan slipped from his throat as Inuyasha added a second finger. The hanyou thrust the slick digits deep striking something inside his brother that caused the full-blooded demon to stiffen. So, Inuyasha struck that spot repeated until a stream of precum trickled from the head of Sesshomaru's cock. He lapped up his brother's essence moaning in excitement as he began to suck the head causing his lover to shiver in ecstasy.
Feeling his own length harden and twitch between his thighs, Inuyasha quickly removed his fingers. He grabbed his brother's legs pushing them up to his chest and thrust forward. The demon howled as Inuyasha buried himself deep inside him. The tightness and heat was incredible. Inuyasha wondered if this was how it felt for his brother when he penetrated his virgin core. The pleasure was like nothing he could have ever experience in his life. The walls of his brother's inside seem to mold itself around his aching flesh. Inuyasha did not moving letting his mate adjust to the throbbing flesh inside him. He was also letting himself adjust to having his pulsing erection encased inside his brother's tight body.
Sesshomaru dug his claws into the bed ripping the blanket. His breathing was heavy as he squeezed his eyes shut from the pain. Inuyasha nipped and kissed the demon markings on his brother's cheek trying to get his mate's mind off the pain as they waited. Slowly, the pain was replaced by a dull ache that yearned to be filled. Moaning, he began to thrust himself onto his brother's hard length. Taking this as a hint that he was ready, Inuyasha began to thrust gently into his mate. "Faster." Sesshomaru barked out thrusting himself violently onto his brother's cock. Inuyasha smiled, nipped his mate on the nose and slammed almost painfully into the aroused body of his mate. Inuyasha's thrusts became rapid and deep as he continued to slam into his brother's body.
"Inuyasha!" Sesshomaru growled his dissatisfaction when Inuyasha pulled out of him. The hanyou growled back grabbing Sesshomaru by his shoulders and turning him onto his stomach. He grabbed Sesshomaru hips and pulled him up onto his knees. Inuyasha wiped sweat from his eyes as he slammed back into his brother making the demon lord moan. Leaning down on his one elbow, Sesshomaru spread his thighs wider wanting his brother to go deeper. Suddenly his back arched and stiffened as his brother struck that spot in his body that turned him to water as his arm gave out, and he fell face first into the bed. He felt as though he would die as his erection became painful. He needed relief, but with the one hand, he was in a torturous hell as precum leaked from his too painfully hard cock.
Sensing his mate's predicament, Inuyasha wrapped his hand around the hot, throbbing flesh and roughly stroked it. Sesshomaru thrust himself into his brother's fist wanting to rid himself of the intense aching need flowing through his body. His eyes bled red as he violently thrust himself onto his brother's cock, and then forward into his fist. Inuyasha's own eyes had turned red as he sunk his teeth into the mating mark on his mate's neck, and at that moment, he spewed his seeds into his brother's body. Sesshomaru arched his back, raising his head and moaned as he reached his orgasm, soaking the bed beneath him.
Both brothers collapsed to the bed in exhaustion. Inuyasha licked the mark until it stopped bleeding. He removed his weight from off his brother and settled beside him. Pulling his lover close, both dog demons fell asleep.
xxxxx
The next day, Inutaisho continued to train Inuyasha on using the tetsusaiga's powers. Inuyasha stood with the transformed sword before him. Seeing the demonic winds colliding together Inuyasha sliced through the winds. "Wind Scar!" he cried. A massive destructive force of demonic power erupted from the blade to lay waste to two thirds of the forest.
"Very good son," said the elderly dog demon smiling. "Remember, with the 'Backlash Wave' the sword senses the demonic aura of a demon and turns its attack on them. There is a drawback, though."
"What's that?"
"The demon's aura has to be strong in order for the Backlash Wave to work."
Inuyasha smirked. "If they are that weak then it would be a waste of time to use the sword. My claws will do just fine."
Inutaisho playfully slapped his son across the back of his head.
"Wow," said Zaine walking out of the forest behind them. "It never ceases to amaze me just how powerful that rusty, beat up old sword is." He smiled at his dog brother.
"Did you find anything?" asked Inuyasha.
The lion demon shook his head sighing. "We may have to face the fact that we will have to defeat Naraku in order to get sister back. Or. . ."
"Or?" asked Inutaisho.
"Or, she may already be . . . dead."
Just then, Shippo burst out of the forest. He skidded to a halt in front of them. "Inuyasha," he said panting. "It's . . .the lion. . .demoness. . .She is attacking the encampment. Sesshomaru and . . .Sethos is holding her back but she . . ." Before he could say anymore both Inuyasha and Zaine sped off through the forest.
They arrived just in time to see several monks place spiritual barriers around a group of demons protecting them from the attack. A demon leaped in the way of a rain of ice shards that would have killed a young monk. A human soldier and demon warrior stood back to back protecting each other from the rotting, dead corpses of demons and humans. He was proud of the fact that both sides have forgotten their differences and were working together. But for now, he had to put that aside as he looked up to see the wind witch, Kagura, sitting on her feather watching the battle. He saw her swing her fan and, 'Dance of the Dead." The corpses were like marionettes as she directed their movements safely from her feather in the sky. What caught him off guard was Ashanta sitting on the back of a large cat with flames around its feet. The expression on her face made his heart freeze with dread. It was blank. She showed no emotion as she attacked his mate and her own mate without hesitation. She was dressed in a blood red kimono, as her dark expressionable eyes were red.
"Kilala!" Inuyasha heard Sango yell. She lowered the large boomerang, Hiraikotsu she carried on her back. "Kilala, it's me, Sango." The cat only growled at her.
A huge boulder rose upwards and shattered into a million deadly pieces. Everyone stared in horror as the dagger like shards rained down on them. At the last minute, the earth rose up and hardened protecting them from her deadly attack. Then she turned those empty red eyes on him.
Inuyasha stepped forward as Kilala landed. Kagura remained in the air watching what was about to transpire. Ashanta hopped off the cat's back and walked towards her brother. Extending her claws, she launched herself at him. Inuyasha met her challenge. His claws grew long, fangs extended out from his mouth. His eyes bled red as a jagged purple stripe appeared on his cheeks. The two collided in battle. Her claws slashed across his chest. He countered with his blades of blood. She dodged his attack coming at him with a iron reaver attack. He grabbed her wrist using her weight and momentum against her, and threw her over his shoulder.
Kilala leaped at Inuyasha with claws extended preparing to slash him to ribbons, but Sango sent her boomerang at the cat catching it across the midsection. The cat went down.
Ashanta got to her feet and let her demon aura surround her. Its power scorched the earth beneath her feet. Holding her hand above her head a huge fireball appeared between her hands. She sent it hurdling towards him.
Quickly, Inuyasha raised his hand almost carelessly sending a wave of dirt towards her. The earth stopped the fireball and buried Ashanta beneath it. It did not stop the lion demoness. She burst from the ground and landed in front of Inuyasha.
"Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!" she cried out. Again, Inuyasha caught her wrist.
"You are too slow with this move, sister," he told her in that grating demon voice. But he forgot about her other hand.
She smirk. "Iron Lion Claw!" She thrust her claws forward into his shoulder sending a burst of demonic energy through her claws cracking the bones. The hanyou screamed as he slashed at her with his claws. She quickly leaped out of the way and watched as Inuyasha fell to one knee.
"Inuyasha!" yelled Sesshomaru. He was about to come help his mate, but Inuyasha stopped him.
"No! Stay back, I can handle this," said Inuyasha standing up. He held his useless arm with his other hand. It would take two days to heal from that attack. Inuyasha cursed himself for a fool. He had forgotten about the iron claw attack. That attack can shatter bones to dust. Lucky for him, only a male can truly use the full potential of that move. As it is, she had broken his shoulder in four different places. He had to stop Ashanta, but he did not want to hurt her.
"Inuyasha!" yelled Sethos. He glanced at the Abyssinian. "There is something in her back. I sense an evil aura coming from there. I believe that is where you should concentrate."
Inuyasha nodded. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he readied himself for his next attack. "Explosion!" He slammed his fist against the earth sending a powerful blast of his demonic energy surging through the ground. Suddenly the ground beneath Ashanta's feet up heaved violently sending her flying through the air. With blinding speed, Inuyasha appeared above her driving the heel of his left foot into her stomach. "Dragon tornado!" Using the force of their downward spiral, the two became a tornado as Inuyasha drilled his sister into the ground. She was out cold.
Inuyasha quickly turned her over and tore open the back of the kimono. He gagged as the foul stench coming from the infected, enflamed, and pus filled lashes made him cover his nose. He noticed something flash in three of the more infected looking wounds. Digging his claws into her back, a sticky yellowish green fluid oozed from the wounds. Inuyasha nearly vomitted from the foul nauseaous stench. Then he pulled out three shards. He frowned staring at the slivers as a dark aura surrounded them. He sniffed the shards and snarled as he placed them on the ground outside the hole he dug with Ashanta's body.
An angry growl from behind him caused the hanyou to turn around to see the two tailed fire cat coming at him. He raised his hand expecting the cat to be on top of him shredding him to bits. Lowering his hands, he saw the cat was caught by the neck by a huge white dog with three legs. "Sessy!" he said smiling.
The cat was growling and hissing trying to get out of the grip of the dog. Sesshomaru held it tight, and pressed the cat into the ground in front of Sethos. The Abyssinian reached up removing another shard from the center of the cat demon's forehead. Sesshaomru released the demon cat as it staggered on its feet. Then she collapsed to the ground changing back into her smaller form. Sango ran up to the kitten, and held it in her arms stroking its fur.
"You know this cat?" asked Inuyasha as Zaine helped him out of the hole.
"Of course, I do," said Sango. "You know her also. This is Kilala."
Inuyasha frowned looking at the little crème colored cat. Then his eyes shown recognition. "I remember now. That's Kilala?"
"Father had forbidden her to change into her true form around us since we were just children." She kissed the cat on the top of her head. "Naraku took her from me a year ago." Tears began to fall from her eyes. "I thought I would never see her again."
Sesshomaru had change back to his humanoid form and went to Inuyasha. He held the hanyou in his arms. "Are you all right, Inuyasha?"
"Yeah, I'm fine now," he said holding his broken arm.
"Are you sure?" asked Zaine. "That iron claw is nothing to scoff at."
"I'm sure. Remember, her attacks aren't as strong as ours." He rested his head against Sesshomaru's shoulder. "It should take me no more than two days to heal."
Sethos had Ashanta in his arms being careful of the wounds on her back. "What are these things that were in them?" asked Sethos. He placed the shard in Inuyasha's hand.
"It looks like . . . a shard of the sacred jewel," said Miroku startled.
"What's that?" asked Zaine.
"It's called the Shikon no Tama. Remember, we told you about it. It is a jewel that grants a demon or human their deepest wish," said Sango. "Naraku had stolen the jewel from Kikyou and killed her." Just then, Kilala began to slowly awakened. When she saw Sango, she jumped upon the demon slayer's shoulder and nuzzled her nose against Sango's cheek. "Welcome back, Kilala." The little cat mewed happy to be back with her friend.
Shirow and Yoko walked up to the group. "My lord, there were no serious injuries or fatalities," said the fox demon. "After you defeated the lioness, the dead ceased to move."
"Do you think she was controlling the dead," asked Shippo.
"Of course not," said Zaine indignate. "It would be shameful to use the dead in battle."
"He's right," said Inuyasha. "It was that wind witch that was doing it. I saw her."
"At least we got two good things from this fight," said Sesshomaru tightening his grip on his mate.
"What would that be?" asked Miroku.
Sesshomaru turned to face them. "Everyone had forgotten that they were either human, demon or monk and was working together to defeat a common enemy." He turned his gaze to Inuyasha and smiled. "I do believe we can defeat that vile dragon and return the west back to us, brother."
"But first, Kumo and Ashanta should heal first from their injuries," said Sethos.
"You're right," said Inuyasha bending down to pick up the three shards he had removed from Ashanta's back. "What do we do with these?"
"I doubt if there is any priestess' around that is as strong as Kikyou that can purify the jewel," said Miroku looking at the tainted shards. "I think you should hold on to them Inuyasha. At least until we get the jewel from Naraku."
Inuyasha looked at the jewel again and nodded his head. Miroku reached him a pouch and Inuyasha placed the shards into it. "Come on then, let's go and take care of Ashanta's back." Then they head back to the mansion.