Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
The Beauty Within The Beast
Chapter 2:
Kagura Attacks!
Only moments before…
Rin smiled happily as she patted Ah-Un's scaly necks while gazing down at the many treetops beneath her. The giant dragon carried her diligently, fully knowing she was precious cargo, and Jaken sat next to Rin, ignoring her cries of delight as they flew. Ah-Un followed promptly behind Lord Sesshomaru, but kept a suitable distance. They knew their master preferred to fly alone.
As she hummed a merry tune, Rin enjoyed the beautiful scenery below, smiling wide as she caught sight of a river. "Master Jaken, look! A river! Perhaps Lord Sesshomaru will allow me to get a drink?"
Jaken sighed from annoyance and replied, "You will not bother Lord Sesshomaru with such a selfish request, Rin. We will stop when his lordship wishes it."
Rin's smile remained as she nodded. Not even Jaken could lower the young child's spirit. It was only when she caught sight of glowing purple energy that her joy finally melted away. Gazing at the purple light uneasily, she looked towards Sesshomaru, who flew ahead. "Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin called out to him, waving her arms madly. "Oh, Lord Sesshomaru!"
Sesshomaru overheard Rin's urgency and peered over at her. He slowed down, allowing Ah-Un to catch up to him. "What is it, Rin?"
Rin pointed down at the purple barrier and asked blankly, "What is that?"
Sesshomaru's golden eyes followed in the direction of Rin's finger, and he too noticed the magic divider below them. That's when he sensed it. 'Naraku.' His eyes hardened as he sniffed the air, searching for him. Sesshomaru frowned when he realized that his enemy's scent was not fresh. 'He's gone.' With a disappointed sigh, Sesshomaru turned back around and said, "Let's continue."
Rin glanced down at the purple barrier anxiously, not sure why she felt something was amiss. She was just a little girl, but she couldn't shake the odd feeling of gloom that hung over her head. She peered closely at the river that snaked through the forest, fear grabbing hold of her chest as she noticed someone thrashing about in the stream. "Lord Sesshomaru! Somebody's in trouble down there!" Rin hollered.
Sesshomaru frowned and surveyed the river. He saw what Rin had. A young woman flailed in the river, obviously in need of aid. Glancing over at his young ward, he noticed the distress on her face. Sighing, he knew he had no choice. She would not be pleased with him if he left the person to die. "Rin, stay here." He ordered.
Then, Sesshomaru dove down towards the purple barrier, his claws outstretched. With one giant slash from his poisonous claws, Naraku's barrier was destroyed, and the energy from the barrier sprinkled down into the forest. Sesshomaru plunged faster towards the river, intent on saving the ill-fated girl from death.
Meanwhile…
The breeze rustled Inuyasha's silver hair as he laid comfortably on his back, enjoying the sweet smell of the summer flowers as their scent passed by his nose. Inuyasha wondered if Kagome could smell the flowers too. He knew she was fond of flowers, and he suddenly realized he missed her presence 'She should've been back by now,' Inuyasha thought warily. 'It shouldn't have taken this long.'
"Inuyasha, trouble!" Inuyasha's eyes snapped open to find Miroku standing rigidly, his head tilted upward. He watched his friend search the vicinity, a troubled expression etched on his face.
"Miroku?" Inuyasha studied the area too. He sniffed the air, and when a familiar scent hit his nostrils, Inuyasha's eyes narrowed from recognition. "Kagura!"
Suddenly, the sorceress appeared, smiling wide as she floated above them on her massive white feather. Crossing her arms, she spat, "Inuyasha, prepare to die!"
Inuyasha smirked and reached for his Tessaiga. He whipped it out from behind his back, and the sword pulsed in his hold. Inuyasha grinned from the weight of his mighty sword. Pointing it directly at Kagura, Inuyasha growled, "Yeah right, Kagura! Bring it on!"
Miroku reached for Sango, pulling her out of harms way. "Shippou! Stay back!" He ordered. Shippou bounded behind Sango, watching warily as Kagura jumped off of her perch and lightly stepped down onto the grassy hill. Miroku took his place next to Inuyasha, his left hand hooked around the beads on his right, ready to unleash his Wind Tunnel if necessary.
Kagura smiled, her fan in her grasp. "This should be quick. Any last words?"
Inuyasha smirked and waved Tessaiga. "Just two," he replied smugly. "Wind Scar!" The sword ignited a powerful twister, and the force traveled towards Kagura, enveloping her. Inuyasha cracked a grin as he lunged for her, eager to defeat his foe. Then, a cackle echoed from inside the cyclone, and Kagura waved her fan, sending the Wind Scar back in the direction of Inuyasha. He frowned and evaded it successfully. Miroku moved out of the way, acknowledging the battle was intended for them only. But he stood on the sidelines, waiting to offer Inuyasha his help.
"Damn you, Kagura!" Inuyasha spat.
"You're a fool, Inuyasha! Did you really think you could defeat me with such a puny attack?" Kagura laughed, pointing her fan at him. "Now, feel my wrath! Dance of Blades!" She screamed happily.
Inuaysha growled as he pounced into the air, evading Kagura's attack with ease. He landed swiftly on his feet, untouched. Eyeing her angrily, he shouted, "What do you want, Kagura?"
"For you to die!" Kagura fanned in his direction once again, sending out her Wind Gust attack. Inuyasha quickly pierced the ground with Tessaiga, holding onto it firmly as the wind gusted over him. He chuckled as the strong gusts failed to affect him.
When the wind disappeared, Inuyasha pulled Tessaiga out of the earth and spat, "You're gonna have to do better than that, Kagura!"
Kagura lifted her fan once more, a smile on her face. "You will die!" As she was about to send more wind blades in his direction, she froze as the energy surrounding the river ceased. 'Naraku's barrier…broken? That can't be!' She glanced over in the direction of the river, where she sensed a familiar demon's aura. "Sesshomaru?" She whispered his name, surprised.
Inuyasha's eyes narrowed at Kagura's mention of his brother. "What about Sesshomaru?"
Kagura shook her head, ignoring his question. She pulled one of the feathers out of her hair, flinging it to the ground, and after she climbed upon it, Kagura soared high into the air. 'What is Sesshomaru doing here?' Kagura wondered. 'And why did he break the barrier?'
"Hey! Get back here, Kagura! Our fight isn't over!" Inuyasha howled, shaking Tessaiga at her.
The Wind Sorceress watched him carefully. "Do you sense that, Inuyasha? Does the young woman's suffering call out to you?"
Inuyasha looked at her in confusion. "What the hell are you talking about, Kagura?" He sniffed the air anxiously, unsure of what his enemy was referring to. His golden eyes grew wide with fright at the scent of the metallic smell. Inuyasha turned in the direction of the river, his face ashen. 'Kagome…'
"What is it, Inuyasha?" Miroku asked him.
He faced Miroku gravely. "I smell blood."
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