When the sacred jewel shattered, one of the fragments freed a powerful Chinese moth demon by the name of Menomaru, son of Hyoga, who had been slain by Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's father centuries ago.
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In the cold of night, Sesshomaru was confronted by two female moth demons "What do you want?"
"Lord Sesshomaru." said one of them "We'll have your fang."
"My fang?" Sesshomaru looked at the Tenseiga strapped to his waist.
The demons then used their abilities to create weapons and charged at Sesshomaru, but he overpowered them with ease, before they retreated.
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"That fang isn't the one?" Menomaru questioned "That fang carries with it no aura of destruction? Find me the other fang. The only one powerful enough to break the spell. The Ryuuga."
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In the modern era, Kagome was in the middle of making lunches for Gohan and the others, hoping to impress Gohan with her cooking skills.
She hadn't taken into consideration about Gohan's Saiyan appetite.
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When she arrived, she found Gohan and the others, minus Inuyasha, locked in battle alongside Koga against three large scorpion demons.
Koga had quickly eliminated two of them with the Goraishi, but the poison from the scorpions had injured his leg, taking him out of the fight.
Miroku had saved Sango from being injured. It was actually quite a touching moment… That is, until Miroku ruined it by groping her rear, earning a slap across the face. Naturally, Miroku tried to defend, stating that he wanted to make sure that "her flawless body wasn't harmed in any way". Sango wasn't convinced in the slightest.
Kilala had been injured by the poison from one of the scorpions.
Gohan quickly eliminated the last scorpion demon using the Dragon Cyclone, securing the jewel shard on its tail in the process.
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Unknown to them, Menomaru was watching from the shadows, and smirked evilly "Excellent. They found it."
He then told his servants, Ruri and Hari, of his plan for Kagome and the others.
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Kagome and the others were enjoying the lunches she made, with Koga having one of the extras.
Gohan smiled "Like I always say Kagome, if there's one thing you're good at, it's cooking."
Kagome blushed a light pink "Well, an omelet is my specialty."
Koga nodded "I can see that. Man, you were right Gohan. This is good stuff."
"Told ya."
"So where's the mutt again?"
"He's off training, something about demon bats and Naraku's barrier."
Sango, in the meantime, was worried about Kilala.
She had a fever from the poison's tail, but wouldn't let Myoga suck it out, and suddenly ran off, with Sango chasing after her.
Miroku and Koga quickly went after them, with Miroku being stuck dragging Hiraikotsu "This thing's heavy. How does she manage to make it look so easy?"
Kagome was lost in her own thoughts 'I know Gohan wanted to wait until after Naraku, but why can't I just tell him how I feel?'
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Miroku, Sango and Koga were searching for Kilala, and came across her in the care of Ruri and Hari, posing as mortal women "She belongs to you? She's reacting to insect poison. We just gave her an antidote."
Sango breathed a sigh of relief "You're very kind. Thank you."
Koga, however, smelled something off about them.
Miroku nodded "I too am very grateful. And I have a suggestion for you both to contemplate." He knelt down and took their hands "As a token of my gratitude for helping our furry friend, would you ladies kindly consider baring my children?"
WHACK!
"Forgive me." Miroku now sported Hiraikotsu on top of his head "It's hard to control myself around such beauties. So ladies, did you come from the continent?"
Ruri nodded "We did. How very observant."
Koga raised a suspicious eyebrow "And yet you speak our language so well."
Hari nodded "Indeed we do. After all, we came to this land many years ago. Well over 200 years ago, truth be told."
Miroku and Sango suddenly found themselves ensnared by roots sprinting from the ground, separating Sango from Kilala.
Koga leapt away "I knew something was off about them."
Hari then used her power to summon several demon scorpions, which made their way towards Sango, before Miroku and Koga used the Wind Tunnel and Goraishi, respectively, to destroy them.
But Ruri took advantage of this, and used her ability of duplication to copy their powers, forming a new one with the powers of both the Wind Tunnel and the Goraishi "At last, I have them in my possession. Gorai-Tunnel!" she attempted to use the combined power of the Wind Tunnel and the Goraishi to suck the three of them in. She would have, if an unknown figure hadn't prevented her from doing so with a sacred arrow. Seeing that their business was done, Ruri and Hari retreated with Kilala, who was under their control from the scorpion poison.
At that moment, Kaede arrived "Are you three alright? I felt a restlessness among the trees, so I came to investigate. Are you going to go after them?"
Koga nodded "They headed west, towards the forest of no return."
"You must use the utmost care. Restlessness in the trees signifies that a disaster is about to occur, or that something evil is already afoot. In any case…" She opened her eye to find that they were already gone.
No respect for the elders.
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Kikyo approached the Sacred Tree "The tree of ages senses approaching danger. Trouble looms not far ahead." she noticed a moth demon flying away "Is someone after Gohan?"
Kagome was watching her from nearby.
Kikyo observed the tree "Inuyasha…" she looked in Kagome's direction, but Kagome his behind a bush.
She looked up to find Kikyo gone.
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Gohan noticed one of Kikyo's soul collectors "I've got something to take care of, you guys wait here." he took off.
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Kagome approached the sacred tree "This is where I first met Gohan." she thought back to their first meeting "And it's where Kikyo and Inuyasha parted. They were so close. They understood each other. Kikyo still loves Inuyasha, just like I love Gohan. Well, I guess I better get back." she noticed something in a small hole in the tree, and tried to reach it, but pricked her finger "That's what I get for being nosy. The only reason I'm here in the Feudal Era is to gather the shards of the sacred jewel, and restore it to its original form. It doesn't really have to be me though. Kikyo could find the shards. Gohan's always coming to gather the shards, and master the Ryuuga."
"And I doubt I'm anywhere near finished." a voice muttered
Kagome looked up to see Gohan staring at her.
"How'd you cut yourself? Too bad Myoga isn't around. This would make his day." He ripped off a small piece of his Ryu kimono and wrapped it around her finger "There. You're good to go."
Kagome blushed, but smiled "Thanks."
That was when they noticed hundreds of moths appear above them.
"Kagome, hold your breath or their poison powder will make you black out." Gohan warned
Kagome nodded "Alright, but how long do I have to stay like this?"
"Give me 5 minutes. 10 tops."
He then used the Ryuuga to destroy them, but there were millions of them. Gohan was about to use the Dragon Inferno to kill all of them, when Menomaru appeared "Son Gohan, is it not?"
"Who's asking? What do you want?" Gohan snarled
Menomaru smirked "I am Menomaru. Let my sword be my introduction!"
The two clashed with their blades, evenly matched.
Menomaru laughed maniacally "The fang of the dragon. Such a pity using the sword to protect a mere human. I would use the sword for a more noble cause, now hand it over to me!"
Gohan snarled at him "Not on your life, bastard."
The two clashed once again, the Ryuuga being knocked out of his grip.
Kagome, meanwhile, couldn't hold her breath any longer and blacked out.
Menomaru took the opportunity to stab Gohan with his sword "How pathetic. Are you losing consciousness so soon? Kamikaze, I shall run you through with your own fang of the dragon." He attempted to pick it up, but it wouldn't budge "A barrier?"
Gohan slowly stood and chuckled "Nice try, bastard. Nobody but me can use the Ryuuga."
Angered, Menomaru kicked him in the back of the head, sending him crashing to the ground, unconscious "This is most disappointing. Maybe I can use the girl, though."
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Several hours went by, and the first thing Gohan saw when he regained consciousness was Shippo and Myoga looking at him.
Realizing the situation, Gohan bolted up "Where is he?"
"Who?" asked Shippo
"That bastard said his name was Menomaru. That filthy swine."
Myoga frantically jumped onto his shoulder "Menomaru?! Are you certain that was his name?!"
Gohan looked over to the tree, but saw no sign of Kagome "That bastard. He must've taken Kagome."
"Gohan, are you absolutely certain that demon called himself Menomaru?"
"No mistake. Why? You know who he is?"
Myoga nodded grimly "He's the only son of Hyoga, an infamous demon from the continent. 200 years ago, a huge Mongol army from the continent began an attack. Demons lead by Hyoga came here to snatch the souls of those killed in battle. Hyoga was defeated in a ferocious battle and sealed away by the previous wielder of the Ryuuga. Master Inuyasha may know him as Inuboshi, his father's brother."
Not wasting any time, Gohan ran off with Myoga "I guess you wouldn't know where this Hyoga was sealed away then?"
"Fortunately, I can help you with that. In the tree of ages in the forest of no return."
Gohan nodded and doubled the pace.
He had to move, and fast.
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Menomaru imprisoned Kagome in his hideout, where his father was sealed away, and planned to have Hari use one her mind-control shells on Kagome, but her spiritual power rejected it.
Deciding to go with plan B, Menomaru, feeling disdainful about using a jewel shard to enhance his own power (A/N: Sound familiar?), gave the shard to Hari to enhance the power of the shell.
Kagome quickly regained consciousness once the shell was in place. She was about to be attacked by several moth demons, if not for Sango and Koga destroying them using the Hiraikotsu and Goraishi.
But with Kilala under their control, they were no joke.
Sango clashed with Hari and Kilala, while Miroku and Koga clashed with Ruri.
Gohan arrived just in time to stop Menomaru from attacking Kagome, with Inuyasha following suit.
Gohan and Menomaru engaged in a duel of swordsmanship, matching each other evenly, before Gohan sent him flying with a Dragon Cyclone, but the power of Hyoga trapped in the seal revived him.
Having had enough, Gohan used his full power on him Menomaru "This ends now! Dragon Cyclone!" the attack hit Menomaru dead on.
But little did Gohan know, that was what Menomaru wanted.
The Dragon Cyclone destroyed the seal, granting Menomaru his full power "Finally, the seal has been broken!"
Fortunately, everybody got out before the place caved in.
Slowly, the ground cracked open, revealing Menomaru, "So Son Gohan, you have my gratitude. My father, Hyoga, lost to Inuboshi, your predecessor in battle and was sealed away in this very spot. The fangs of Inuyasha and Sesshomaru, his nephews, did not have the power to break the spell. The fang that does have the power is the one passed on to you, the fang of the dragon, the Ryuuga."
Gohan's eyes narrowed in fury "You used me to break the seal."
"Now that my family's seal has been broken, I can inherit generations of my family's power!" he cut open the seal with his sword, unleashing the full power of the Hyoga clan, transforming him into Lord Hyoga.
Gohan attempted to prevent him from finishing his transformation, but his attacks were completely ineffective.
"Son Gohan." Menomaru spat "I would never allow myself to be wounded by human filth like you."
Gohan repeatedly tried to break it, but had no luck.
Menomaru smirked "Don't die on me yet, human. You're spoiling all my fun. I made special arrangements for your death. This is in your honor. Now begone from the face of the Earth!" he shot out a massive demonic blast of lightning at Gohan and the others, sending them flying away at high speeds.
He then used his power to form a massive tree, acting as his stronghold.
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A wounded Kagome and Shippo made their way to Kaede's village, before blacking out.
Kaede tried to wake them up, to no avail.
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Sesshomaru easily slaughtered the moths coming after him "So, it seems Hyoga has been resurrected."
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Morning came.
All of them were separated, as some were hiding and recuperating, severely wounded from the battle.
Miroku, Sango and Koga had taken shelter in a nearby cave, before departing to free Kilala, dragging Hachi with them.
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In a nearby forest, Gohan made his way back, using the Ryuuga as a crutch, before finally collapsing "I… can't… give up… I have… to protect… Kagome…" he slowly got up to his feet, and he continued on.
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Menomaru decided to enjoy some amusement at Gohan's expense.
He used his flute of manipulation to activate the mind-control shell placed on Kagome by Hari.
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Gohan made his way across a narrow bridge through a misty valley, over a deep chasm, when he noticed a figure on the other side "Who's there? Show yourself!" His vision cleared, and his eyes widened in happiness and relief "Kagome!" he pulled her into a hug "You had me worried there. Go back to Kaede's and get some rest."
"Gohan… get away…" Kagome got out, before she stabbed him in the chest with her new ability: poison claws. Apparently, Hari's mind control shells granted the victim several new abilities, such as poison claws, poison darts, and the ability to fly.
Gohan's eyes widened "Kagome…"
In her mind, Kagome could only futilely cry out as her body was forced to attack him.
Fortunately, he dodged all of her attacks "Kagome, snap out of it!" the poison from her attacks melted the rope on the bridge, causing it to collapse, but Gohan landed on some rocks, and continued evading Kagome's attacks. He could only keep dodging 'How dare that bastard to this to Kagome! He will pay!'
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Miroku and the others were heading towards Menomaru's fortress, preparing to make one final all-out assault.
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The chase led Gohan and Kagome to the sacred tree, as Kagome blasted him with a wave of poison, sending him crashing into a tree.
Kagome's poison darts pinned him to the tree, before they dissolved.
Gohan coughed up some blood and chuckled bitterly "So this is how Inuyasha felt? Yeah, cause an arrow to the knee is too ****ing mainstream!'
"Mention that meme one more time, and I will hurt you!"
At Menomaru's command, Kagome formed a bow and arrow, prepared to finish him.
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Things weren't so hot on the other end.
At the Tree of Ages, Koga, Miroku and Sango made their way to the tree, preparing for one final all-out assault.
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Back at the sacred tree, Kagome temporarily regained control of herself "Gohan, get away! Please! I have no control over my body! I can't stop! Run before it's too late."
Gohan smiled and shook his head "Enough is enough. I don't want to hear any of that, Kagome. I won't run. Not now, not ever. That's Piccolo's code of honor."
Kagome's eyes widened as she recalled the first thing she heard Gohan say Piccolo's code of honor: Follow your heart wherever it may lead you, never run from a challenge, and never give up, no matter what.
"I refuse to run Kagome, not without you."
Unfortunately, Kagome had no willpower left, and Menomaru regained control of her body, forcing her to load the arrow and aim it, a single tear rolling down her cheek 'Gohan… No… No…' she was forced to fire the arrow at him against her will 'NO!
The sacred arrow clashed with the demonic aura of Ryu emitting from his kimono.
The arrow dissipated, sending Gohan tumbling backwards from the tree, crashing into a nearby boulder, coughing up large amounts of blood as he passed out.
Kagome's eyes returned to normal "Gohan… GOHAN!" in her grief, she unconsciously released a shockwave of spiritual energy, shattering the mind control shell and releasing the jewel shard from her body. The bow and arrow disappeared, and Gohan's body slumped to the ground, surrounded by a pool of blood. Kagome instantly rushed to his side and tried to wake him up, to no avail "Gohan! Gohan, say something! Open your eyes!" she cradled his limp body against her chest, burying her face in his hair "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"
"Ironic, isn't it?"
Kagome turned to see Kikyo behind her "Kikyo."
"The same situation, the same spot. You truly are my reincarnation." she held out the jewel shard to her "Now, you must take this sacred jewel shard and return to your world."
"I won't."
"You must. You never belonged here."
"I won't abandon Gohan."
Now Kikyo was getting angry "You must leave, you're the one that injured him!"
Kagome froze.
"Here my words. Hyoga is using the formidable tree of ages to increase his demon powers. This tree here is also a tree of ages. The tree of ages lives through different eras. Hyoga's tree of ages steals energy from various generations and matures. By now, other generations of time have already frozen over. Your era has likely been plunged into a never ending winter." she looked at the well "This well, the bone-eaters well was constructed out of wood from the tree of ages. It's vital life force stayed dormant all these years, and is now being awakened by the trees of ages. If the well is covered over, you will never be able to pass through to your own time. You must return to your own world, while you still have a chance. I will look after Son Gohan. Go!" she pushed Kagome through the well, before it was completely covered.
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The Modern Era wasn't faring very well either.
Kagome opened her eyes, and found herself back in the modern era, which was completely covered in snow, and made her way over to the sacred tree. She saw an image of Kensiro, and reached out to him, before realizing he wasn't there "Gohan… My hands can't touch him anymore… My hands can't reach him anymore… I won't see Gohan ever again…" she couldn't take it anymore and broke down sobbing.
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At the tree of ages, Miroku and Koga continued their battle with Ruri, before the weakness of the Wind Tunnel finally caught up to her, the speed of it being accelerated by the power of the Goraishi being infused into it. It devoured her, leaving nothing behind.
Sango finally finished off Hari, freeing Kilala from her spell.
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Kikyo overlooked a cliff while treating Gohan's injuries, and looked to see Sesshomaru behind her "You're Inuyasha's older brother."
Sesshomaru nodded "The girl named Kagome. You truly must loathe her. Or are you merely testing her powers?"
"I simply don't wish for her to make the same mistake I did."
"But you must let them make their own mistakes. Son Gohan is no fool. And be warned. If any harm should come to him, I will kill you." and with that, Sesshomaru walked away.
Gohan slowly opened his eyes "Kagome…?" His vision cleared, and his eyes widened "Lady Kikyo?"
Kikyo nodded "Are you able to move?"
"Not very well, but I'll be fine in a few hours. What happened to Kagome?"
Kikyo explained what had happened.
"I understand where you're coming from, but you have to let us make our own mistakes."
Kikyo chuckled "So, Sesshomaru was right."
Gohan slowly stood and bowed slightly "Thank you for your help, Lady Kikyo. But now, I have a demon to slaughter." and with that, he sped off.
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In the modern era, Kagome slowly walked over to the tree and placed a hand on it "Gohan…"
'Why the tears?' a voice called out.
Kagome found herself in a white void. Her eyes widened when she saw the figure in front of her, appearing as the man she'd grown to love "Gohan…"
Gohan, alive and well, was sitting in front of her, and smiled "I'm kind of surprised you're not here."
Kagome hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face "I'm so sorry. It's my fault you're hurt."
"It was Menomaru controlling you. Now get over here so we can slaughter him."
"You're better off without me."
"Will you quit that already? Haven't you realized it yet? I need you by my side, Kagome."
Kagome buried her face in his shoulder, and sobbed quietly "Thank you." she opened her eyes, and found herself in front of the sacred tree once again "Gohan?"
"Come back Kagome." Gohan's voice rang through the air "They need you. We need you. I need you."
Kagome smiled and ran off, but found the well overgrown with roots "Oh boy." she quickly ran back to the tree "Gohan, I can't get back!"
"Oh yeah, I knew I forgot something. You're probably gonna have to fire a couple of sacred arrows to tear apart the roots."
Kagome nodded and grabbed a bow and arrow, and headed towards the well.
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In the feudal era, Gohan stood by the well, drew the Ryuuga, and prepared to blast away the roots "Dragon Cy-"
He was cut off by the roots blowing up in his face, and Kagome emerged from the well, much to the relief of Shippo and Kaede.
"Kagome…" Gohan emerged, completely brown "Not… funny." he then calmed down considerably "Let's go."
Kagome nodded, climbed on his back, and they took off towards the Tree of Ages.
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At the Tree of Ages, Menomaru finally emerged, fully transformed.
Gohan charged at him with the Ryuuga, but Hyoga sent him flying towards the ground with his acid spit "So you're still alive, human."
Gohan smirked "And kicking."
"The time has come. My faithful demon servants, devour every creature in the world!"
The demons then charged at them, but Koga quickly eliminated them with the Goraishi "Go."
Gohan nodded "Thanks."
Hyoga smirked "You must be mad. You think a human like yourself can defeat me, the new lord Hyoga?"
"We're about to find out." he shot a dragon cyclone towards Hyoga, who easily swept it aside.
"I've never seen anything more pathetic. Two humans trying to defeat me, the new lord Hyoga?"
Gohan turned to Kagome "Kagome, shoot an arrow at him. I'll figure it out from there."
Kagome nodded and prepared an arrow.
"Zalama, what can I do to defeat him?"
"There's only one ability that can defeat him: the Dragon rebirth. Combine the properties of the Yin and Yang simultaneously, and then combine the attack with Kagome's arrow. But I'll need time to prepare it."
"Understood."
Gohan looked at Kagome "Let's do it."
Gohan charged at Hyoga and used the Dragon Cyclone, but it barely scratched him "How dare you challenge me. Witness my awesome power!" he shot a blast of demonic energy at them, but Gohan got Kagome out of the way just in time.
"Gohan, it's ready."
"Thank you. Kagome, let's do it."
Kagome nodded "The demonic aura is centered around the mark on his forehead."
"Can you make it?"
"I'll try." she shot an arrow at him.
Gohan took the opportunity "This ends now Hyoga! Dragon Rebirth!" the already awesome power of the attack combined with the power of Kagome's arrow, destroying Hyoga once and for all.
Koga smirked at him "You get the victory today, Gohan, but I'm still gonna win Kagome."
Gohan grinned and bumped fists with him "Remember, you still have to beat me."
"I look forward to it. Well, I should get back. Later." he sped off in a cyclone.
The others decided to give them some privacy.
Kagome turned to Gohan "Are you sure you're alright?"
Gohan nodded "Thanks to you."
Kagome blushed bright red, but smiled and hugged him, the sun setting behind them.