An elderly Shinto priest's peaceful evening meditation came to a cruel end at the hands of unwelcome visitors to the shrine - Kagura and Akago. Kagura savagely attacked the old priest, allowing him to survive just long enough for the dreadful infant to wrench information from the dying man.
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Gohan, Kagome and the others came across a village that was completely decimated.
"The head priest?" asked Miroku
A village elder nodded "He was killed, I'm afraid."
"Not again." Gohan muttered, having heard about cases of spiritual monks and priests being mysteriously slain.
Koga nodded "I don't know who's behind this, but we better check it out."
"After this attack, the demon who was sealed in the shrine was set free." explained the elder "And it is now wreaking havoc everywhere."
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Smelling something, Inuyasha and Koga found the demons.
Inuyasha quickly eliminated them with the Wind Scar.
As a reward, they were given food and a room at the inn.
"Tell me, have there been any similar experience incidents around here, lately?" asked Trunks
The elder nodded "There have been a great many rumors about it recently. There's been a string of monks and priests slain in recent time. If you believe the rumors, it's a woman who carries an infant with her."
Gohan's eyes narrowed "Kagura. But what could they be scheming? But if Naraku's involved, we can't ignore it."
Miroku nodded.
"But what can we do?" asked Sango "We don't even know where Kagura is."
"We'll know the answer to that soon enough." replied Miroku "Sir, could you tell us who is the most spiritual monk in this area."
The elder thought for a moment "Let me see now. A monk or priest, still living, who is highly spiritual. That would have to be monk Shinsen."
Miroku's eyes widened at this "Monk Shinsen? You mean the monk Shinsen?"
"You've heard of this guy?" asked Trunks
"He's practically a legend. It's said that no one puts a demon under seal more skillfully than him."
Sango nodded "I'm a demon slayer, and even I've heard of him. That makes him a really famous monk."
"Among his feats is his subjugation of the demon Rengokuki. And there's the famous story of how he put Entei, the demon horse, under seal. As his name Entei or, fire emperor, implies, he is a demon horse with hooves of flame. He is able to run 1000 leagues in a day, and is swift beyond imagination. According to legend, about 100 years ago, a swift horse died in a fire. It's vengeful spirit was resurrected. Then there's another legend about Entei being born from a volcanic explosion." the elder told them
"Another legend? So you're not really sure about this?" asked Kagome
"Well, I suppose you could say that. But those aren't the only rumors about the demon horse. There's one even more famous legend about Entei. If a person can mount Entei, he'll conquer the world. I don't know who started it, but that rumor has spread far and wide. Naturally, it's nothing more than superstition. Still, humans and demons fought countless battles to try to capture Entei. The last one left standing was Rengokuki. And it was he whom Entei allowed to mount him. Many villages were victimized by Rengokuki's attacks. They wanted the demon slain. The s ooner, the better. So the villagers pleaded with Monk Shinsen for help. His battle with Rengokuki was intense. It lasted 3 days and nights. And he needed another 3 days and nights to seal Entei. Finally, he was able to defeat both the demons, and he sealed them in 2 separate locations. This all happened many years ago, mind you. I'll say this though: master Shinsen was able to put under seal 2 frightening demons. He is indeed a remarkable monk, my friends."
"He must be incredible. Especially if he's strong enough to seal away those demons."
Gohan nodded "No wonder Kagura would go after him. We better get going."
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But they were too late.
While they were at the village, Kagura and Akago attacked Shinsen at the temple.
Shinsen put up a very good fight against Kagura's attacks, but was defeated in the end.
As Akago attempted to read his heart, Shinsen used the same tool as the one used to seal away Entei, and split Akago in two before he perished.
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"The scent of blood?" asked Trunks
Koga nodded "And it's still fresh. There's also a smell of incense, probably coming from the temple.
They arrived to find the apprentice grieving over the death of Shinse "Let me guess: a woman with an infant?"
They nodded "Master Shinsen fought with great skill against them. He did his best to protect us. He wasn't entirely without success. At least he managed to destroy the infant."
Gohan's eyes widened "You sure about this?"
The apprentice monk nodded "Master Shinsen's power tore the infant in half."
"What do you think of all this Miroku?" asked Sango
"That child was an incarnation. Naraku created him inside Mount Hakurei. And then when Mount Hakurei was destroyed, he went through a lot of trouble to let him escape." replied Miroku
"So you're saying the infant was somehow vital to Naraku?" asked Trunks
Gohan nodded "Most likely."
Kagome was sweating from this 'This seems too easy.'
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Kagura was encountered by the Saimyosho, which led them to Kanna, who took one half of the infant and told Kagura to keep that one, stating that this was meant to happen.
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Gohan raised an eyebrow "The border between this world and the next?"
The monk nodded "I heard the infant speak of this border. It was right before they killed Master Shinsen. He said it was going to look into my master's soul."
"What does that mean?" asked Sango
Miroku shook his head "I thought I knew why Kagura and the infant went around killing monks and priests. I thought it was their purpose to unseal and free the demons. It seems that wasn't their only objective."
Kagome was lost in thought 'The border between this world and the next. What's there?'
Suddenly, the ground began shaking, and found Entei breaking free from the seal in a ball of fire, and immediately attacked them.
"This thing's gonna get my personal thanks for that attack." Inuyasha snarled as he launched a Wind Scar at Entei, who dodged it with his speed.
Koga smirked "Looks like I'm up!"
Koga barely matched Entei's speed, but was kicked to the ground.
Entei then fired a powerful blast of demonic energy, decimating the area, before it flew off.
"Everybody ok?" asked Gohan
Koga nodded "More or less."
Inuyasha looked in the direction Entei flew off in "Damn! He got away."
Gohan nodded "We better go after him."
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Kagura watched over her half of the infant, as it regenerated into a new incarnation, which then sent Kagura to get him some new clothes.
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Gohan, Kagome and the others followed Entei, and found the place in which his master, Rengokuki, from his seal "The monk is dead?" Entei moved his leg "That's sweet Entei, coming to greet your old master. What do you say we raise hell like we used to?"
"Not on my watch bastard." Gohan appeared before them "You must be Rengokuki. Now shut up and crawl back into your grave before I throw your body in there."
Rengokuki chuckled "You underestimate me, human. I'm the great Rengokuki, the only rider Entei allows. And you've got guts picking a fight with me." He hopped on top of Entei and used his naginata to clash with Ryuuga.
Gohan launched a Dragon Cyclone, before Entei and Rengokuki fled "It's hunger. That's why I don't have my usual strength. Otherwise I would never lose to a weakling like him."
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Kagura came across a village in flames, which had been attacked by Rengokuki, who asked her to be his wife.
She refused and left, much to his fury as he charged after her and attacked.
The battle went to a nearby field, where they were interrupted by the incarnation who stared at him as he attacked "Is that all you got?"
Sensing his power, Entei knocked Rengokuki off of his back and the incarnation easily slaughtered him and stole his naginata "Not too bad."
"Isn't it a little big for you?" Kagura teased
"Save your wisecracks." he retorted "I have to focus on getting used to my new body."
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Gohan and the others were investigating the village that was attacked when Entei appeared before them "You've got guts, I won't deny. Dragon Blizzard!" and a massive frost dragon shot towards Entei, who didn't even try to dodge it.
Instead, he was protected by a barrier, courtesy of the incarnation on his back "That's some greeting, Son Gohan."
"Who's that guy?" muttered Inuyasha
"I don't know, but it's not Rengokuki." replied Kagome
The incarnation nodded "You're right, it's not him. I killed Rengokuki. It seems Entei has chosen as his master after witnessing my strength. Or maybe he chose me for releasing me from the seal."
Gohan eyes narrowed "You're the one who set this demon horse free? I thought it was Kagura and the infant. And the infant was split in two by the monk. He couldn't have lived."
"You are so naive. The spiritual powers of a human monk couldn't kill me. I am Hakudoshi. As you've guessed, I'm Naraku's incarnation."
"Hakudoshi, I've heard you've killed many monks and priests in your search for the border between this world and the next. Why do you seek it? What is there?" asked Trunks
"What lies there is the final Shikon jewel shard."
"Watch what you're saying kid." Kagura warned "You're giving away too much."
"There's no need to hide it. As the saying goes, the more the merrier. You should be grateful I'm giving you that little lead."
Gohan attempted to fire another Dragon Blizzard, but the barrier didn't break, allowing Hakudoshi and Kagura to escape.
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Miroku and Trunks had been investigating, but had found no new leads on Hakudoshi.
Inuyasha and Koga were searching for a scent of Hakudoshi, but found nothing.
Kagome and Shippo were attacked by a headless demon, but Gohan destroyed him with one swing of the Ryuuga "You alright?"
Kagome nodded.
Gohan looked at the demon "What kind of demon is headless from the beginning?"
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It turns out that Hakudoshi was lopping demons' heads off to get a look at the border between this world and the next.
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A few days went by, and Gohan and the others came across a village that appeared to be in distress.
Seeing village women, Miroku immediately volunteered to go speak to them… before being dragged away by an angry Sango.
"Excuse me, but did something happen here?" asked Trunks
The elder nodded "It certainly has. Our village was attacked by a headless demon! It tore up the entire village. We were scared right out of our wits."
"Are you sure the demon was headless right from the start?" asked Gohan
The elder nodded "It used to be a man-eating demon who lived out in the mountains. We don't know who lopped it's head off, but it's already injured most of the villagers and hasn't stopped yet."
Despite the fact that the villagers were untrusting of Miroku and his lecherous habits, Gohan and the others volunteered to slay the demon.
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"Inuyasha, Koga, can you two track it's scent?" asked Miroku
Koga looked at him blankly and pointed at the path of destruction through the forest "We don't have to. It's pretty obvious which way it went, don't you think?"
The group raced through the forest, and found a young girl being chased by a headless demon.
Seeing this, Shippo got the girl out of the way.
Gohan appeared in front of them "Get her out of here." and he drew the Ryuuga, which took on its naginata form.
He was about to charge at the demon, when the girl jumped on his back, pleading for him not to hurt the demon.
The demon crashed its fist into the ground, sending the girl flying… Before she disappeared in a cloud of smoke, revealing a young otter demon "That's my father! I'm begging you, please don't hurt him!"
Inuyasha took the otter by the raccoons dog by its collar "Raccoon dog…"
"I'm an otter…"
"Whatever! You sure don't look like you're related to that thing."
The otter looked at the demon "Wait, that's not my father!"
"I don't know how you can make a mistake like that." Inuyasha muttered
Gohan shrugged "Who know, who cares. We'll deal with that after I take care of ugly here." he used the naginata to cut down the headless demon.
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"My name is Kanta." said the otter demon "As you can see, I'm a-"
"Racoon dog." Inuyasha interrupted
"I'm an otter!"
"Why'd you disguise yourself as a human girl?" asked Shippo
"My pa told me. He said that if I pretend to be a human girl whenever I left the mountains, then some idiot would always come to my rescue."
Shippo and Miroku seemed rather depressed by this statement.
Kanta explained that his father had been beheaded 3 days before by Hakudoshi and Entei. He knew that if he got there in time, he could reattach his father's head to his body and bring him back to life. But by the time he got the head, the body was gone.
"From what he said, the person hunting down the demons…" Sango trailed off
Miroku nodded "It has to be Hakudoshi."
"No doubt about it. But what would he gain from lopping off heads?" Gohan wondered
Miroku thought for a moment "Well, in hi infant stage, Hakudoshi went around killing a number of monks and shrine keepers. All so he could gain a glimpse of the border between this world and the next. Who knows? Maybe that's what he's after still."
Kagome nodded "And he's using the demons to do it. That's right. He looks into the human heart."
"Sounds possible if you ask me." Koga muttered "Demons aren't like humans. They don't die nearly as easy. So you figured that if you find your dad's body and stick his head back on…"
Kanta nodded "There might be time to save him. But it's already been 3 days since then, and if his body's been slain, there won't be any hope to save him!"
Shippo comforted the sobbing otter "Don't give up! Gohan is here to help you! He helped me avenge my father before too, so I bet he could avenge yours. Trust me, Gohan's strong."
Kagome smiled "Shippo…"
"Is he really that good?" Asked Kanta
Shippo nodded "He's so strong, it makes up for the fact that he's nerdy, annoying and just a weak mortal."
Gohan's eye twitched.
"So you lost your pa too?" asked Kanta, as he took Shippo's hand "Let's be friends raccoons dog."
"I'm a fox." Shippo muttered
"No you're a raccoon dog!"
"I'm a fox!"
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Hakudoshi wasn't getting anywhere with the demon heads. He just saw the same thing: a world of white mist, with objects scattered beneath it.
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Sesshomaru overlooked a hill 'Tenseiga… What disturbs you?'
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The village below the hill was attacked by a headless demon.
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"You guys pick up the scent?" asked Gohan
Koga nodded 'I smell blood too, though. Maybe someone or something injured him. Are we too late?'
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The group found the body, and an unexpected someone.
"Lord Sesshomaru." Gohan greeted with a respectful bow.
Sesshomaru nodded, and made to leave, but he felt Tenseiga pulsing 'Tenseiga is stirring… Is it telling me to slay that demon? Why?'
Sesshomaru drew the Tenseiga from its sheath "Back away." And he killed the minions of the netherworld.
Slowly, Kanta's father opened his eyes "I sure didn't expect to come back to life."
"Would you mind describing where you were when you got beheaded?" asked Trunks
The demon nodded "It was a very strange place. A world shrouded in white mist. I was floating through the place, but only with my head. And I noticed many other demon heads, all with terrible expressions on their faces. And when I dove under the mist, I saw something extraordinary. Giant bones. By that, I mean there was an enormous skeleton, still clad in magnificent armor. And there were lots of other skeletons too. I suppose I must've been in the world of the afterlife. Oh, right. Thank you for saving me."
Sesshomaru left after this 'What was Tenseiga trying to tell me? Was it a sign to advise me that the place the demon described is somehow involved?'
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The next morning, the group parted ways with Kanta and his father.
Gohan looked at Kagome and Inuyasha 'They're thinking of the same thing I am. White mist and giant bones. The border between this world and the next. The grave of Inuyasha's father.'
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Deciding to read further into this, Gohan and Inuyasha went to find answers. "The border between this world and the next. But how do we get there?"
Gohan thought for a moment "Well, the black pearl in your right eye got us there before. What's stopping it from doing so again? Only question is, how the **** do we do that?"
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Gohan and Inuyasha arrived in a certain volcano cave home "Hey! You there Totosai?"
Totosai stopped breathing fire on a sword and looked at them "Oh it's you two. What do you want?"
Inuyasha started patting him down "You're not the one I want to talk to. Where's Myoga?"
Myoga appeared and immediately started sucking on Inuyasha's node "It must be serious if you've come this far looking for me. So, what can I do for you?"
Gohan caught him as he floated down after Inuyasha smacked him off his nose and explained the situation.
"I see. You want to find a way to remove the black pearl from master Inuyasha's eye."
"Do you know how to do it?" asked Inuyasha
"It's not quite that easy. You see, when the black pearl allowed you passage into the netherworld, it served its purpose. Now, it has become a permanent part of your eye, and no longer has any demonic power."
"Damnit!" Inuyasha growled "Then how am I supposed to get to my old man's grave?!"
Myoga's eyes widened at this "You want to go to your father's grave?!"
Totosai nodded in approval and started patting Inuyasha on the shoulders "Good boy! So you finally realized how great a man your father was, and you've decided to pay your respects to his grave? I'm very happy you finally-"
WHACK!
Inuyasha looked blankly at Totosai, who now sported a large bump on his head "Don't ever hit me like that."
"You always hit me though. It's hardly fair." Totosai whined softly
Myoga nodded "I agree with Totosai. It's quite a surprise to see that you're showing such respect, Inuyasha."
Gohan cut in at this point "Actually, he never even gave a **** up to this point. We think there might be a Shikon jewel shard hidden there. We have to get there and find the shard before Naraku does. If we can't use the black pearl, we'll have to find some other way. Myoga, is there any other way?"
Totosai had a thoughtful look on his face for a moment "Fool!" Whack! Totosai ignored the large bump on his head "Think about it for a minute. That demon graveyard is in a different world, reached only by traveling down through a mysterious and illusive pathway. In that case, how do you suppose a sacred jewel shard could've gotten there?"
Gohan nodded "He's got a point Inuyasha. Besides, Kagome was there with us too. She should've been able to sense it."
Inuyasha blinked "But… That was way back then."
Myoga hopped in front of him "I don't think it'd be any different this time."
Angered, Inuyasha caught Myoga in his fingers "Shut up Myoga. Look, are you gonna take us to the demon graveyard or not?"
"In order to get to the graveyard…" Myoga got out weakly "You must see Hosenki first."
"Who's Hosenki?" asked Gohan
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"Hosenki is an old friend of your father." explained Myoga "He cultivates many kinds of precious jewels. Each one of them can serve as a passageway to the demon graveyard at the border to the netherworld."
"So he made Inuyasha's black pearl too?" asked Kagome
"Yes he did. It was originally given to Inuyasha's father by Hosenki. Listen, the demon graveyard is the final resting place of the dead. It's no place for the living! Please reconsider master Inuyasha!"
Inuyasha scoffed "If that's where the jewel shard is, then that's where we're gonna go."
Unknown to them, a Saimyosho was watching them and listening to the conversation, and reported back to Hakudoshi.
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Sesshomaru and his group smelled Kohaku from not far away, with Sesshomaru determined to kill him.
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"How much longer Myoga?" Inuyasha grumbled as they climbed up a tall cliff.
"Quit your whining mutt!" Koga taunted as he sped up the cliff past him, with Gohan not far behind
"Not too far now." replied Myoga "Once we get through this valley, we'll reach the marsh where Hosenki lives."
Soon enough, Gohan reached the top of the cliff, where he found Hakudoshi waiting, pointing his naginata at him "How did I see this coming?"
"You've been rather careless."
Gohan glared "So Hakudoshi, you've been waiting here for us? Well go ahead and give it your best shot, but I should warn you, killing me isn't gonna be as easy as you think."
"I have no intention of killing you. I just wanted to see if you were gonna figure out that you needed to go to Hosenki's place, and you actually did. I'm impressed. But as fate would have it, you won't be able to see Hosenki."
Gohan's eyes widened. Then they narrowed "You didn't."
"Don't start jumping to conclusions. I won't meddle with you or your friends. After all, I don't want the fun to end so soon. I'm looking forward to it, Son Gohan. You and your friends, or me? Who do you think will be the first to reach the border between this world and the next."
Gohan attempted to stop him from fleeing with a Dragon Blizzard, but it was repelled by a barrier, allowing Hakudoshi and Entei to escape.
"Gohan, is something wrong?" asked Kagome as she and the others reached the top of the cliff.
"It's nothing." He lied "Let's go."
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They soon came across a marsh.
Shippo and Kilala looked into the water "I don't see anything here you guys."
"Hello! Hosenki!" Myoga called out "Are you there? Answer me! Hosenki!"
At that moment, a giant clam shell appeared out of the water.
"Oh, it's you Hosenki!" Myoga called out
The clam shell slowly opened a crack "Who is it? There are no jewels here!"
"Hosenki! It's me, Myoga!" He called out
The clam shell opened all the way, and a demon stepped out "Master Myoga, it's you."
"So this is Hosenki?" asked Koga
"Not true. I am in fact Hosenki's son. My father is now dead."
Gohan eyes narrowed 'Oh ****. That little bastard! Who killed him?"
"No one killed him. He died just recently of old age."
Inuyasha and the others looked on in confusion "Old age?"
"My father died peacefully, so now it seems that I am the new Hosenki." explained Hosenki
"You said there are no jewels that can lead us to the grave?" asked Kagome
"Correct. My father used all the jewels before he passed away. And so, I am currently in the process of making new jewels."
"Please, I beg of you, master Hosenki." Kagome pleaded "We desperately need those precious jewels."
Hosenki closed his eyes in thought "Well I don't mind giving them to you. But you're going to have to wait for a little while."
Koga nodded "No problem. How long's a while?"
"100 years. After all, I'm still only an apprentice jewel maker."
Gohan sighed "Thank you for your time. Damn! So much for that. There's gotta be another way. While we're wasting time here, Naraku or that little bastard Hakudoshi could already be there!'
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Having found but one way to the border to the netherworld, Hakudoshi sent Kagura on an errand.
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"Looks like we've reached a dead end." Trunks mused
Koga nodded "There's nothing we can do. The mutt and I can wait for 1000 years, but no way in hell you guys can."
"Come one Myoga, think hard." said Inuyasha "Are you sure you don't know of any other way to get to the graveyard?"
"For the last time, there's no other way to reach the graveyard!" Myoga barked
"So, Inuyasha, Son Gohan." said a voice as Kagura appeared in a whirlwind "You would like to know where the pathway is? Hakudoshi is headed toward the mountain in the Realm of Fire. There's supposed to be a gateway there that leads the traveler to the border between this world and the next."
Myoga seemed frightened by this.
Koga's furious glare intensified "Why would you help us?"
Kagura shrugged "I don't know. You'd have to ask Hakudoshi." and with that, she departed, much to Koga's fury.
"What does that mean?" asked Kagome to no one in particular "Is that a message from Hakudoshi?"
Gohan shook his head "I bet it's a trap."
Inuyasha scoffed "I don't care if it is a trap."
"Don't even think of it, master!" Myoga pleaded "The mountain in the realm of fire is too dangerous! You must never, EVER, go to that place!"
"Judging from your reaction Myoga, I'm guessing that this little tidbit about a gateway is the truth. Am I right?"
By this point, Myoga was sweating bullets "Well…"
"That means we have to go, regardless of what surprises Hakudoshi might have in store for us."
Gohan nodded "He's right. And I don't say that often."
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As he rode Entei across the skies, Hakudoshi smirked to himself 'This is turning out to be quite entertaining. Inuyasha, Son Gohan, I shall let you and the others pass through the gate before me. In exchange for your lives.'
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Gohan, Kagome and Trunks went back to the present to stock up on supplies before the group headed toward the Realm of Fire.
Kagome looked at the Sacred Tree and smiled 'This is the spot where I first met Gohan.' She walked into the well-house and looked at the Bone-Eater's well 'And it all began right here. And then the adventure started, with Inuyasha, Kaede and the others. If I hadn't met Gohan that day, if we'd never been attacked by that centipede demon, I wouldn't have to stress out during tests, and grandpa wouldn't have to agonize over my pretend illnesses. Junior high students like me and Gohan have it tough enough with just our studies to worry about.'
Gohan and Trunks showed up in bursts of speed.
Gohan smiled at her "Hey Kagome. Ready to go? Inuyasha's gonna throw a fit if we don't get back soon."
Kagome nodded.
Soon enough, they were back in the Feudal Era.
Kagome smiled as Miroku, Sango and the others greeted her 'And once again, I'll continue my journey, and do my best to find the sacred jewel shard.'
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"Hey guys, have you noticed them?" asked Trunks
Gohan, Inuyasha, Miroku and Koga nodded.
Saimyosho had been trailing them.
Inuyasha scoffed "Naraku's stupid bugs are probably just making sure we're heading toward the Realm of Fire."
"Actually, guys." Miroku contradicted "I don't think they were sent to watch us, I think the Saimyosho were sent to lead us to the gate."
Koga snorted "And into a trap."
Gohan nodded "Either that, or it means that Hakudoshi doesn't have the power to pass through the gate alone. But if I know Naraku, then he's definitely got something up his sleeve."
"Don't forget." said Kagome "This is Hakudoshi we're talking about. Not Naraku."
Gohan nodded "I know. But Hakudoshi is an incarnation of Naraku, after all. He's practically like a mini-version of Naraku."
Koga scoffed "Listen to you guys, who cares which one it is?"
Inuyasha nodded "I don't agree with him much, but in this case, the wolf's got a point. All we have to do is get the graveyard at the border of the netherworld first, and get a hold of the Shikon jewel shard before the bad guy. Simple."
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Before long, they arrived at the mountain.
"So this is the Realm of Fire?" asked Shippo
Miroku nodded "And it certainly lives up to its name."
"Now what?" asked Kagome as she noticed the Saimyosho flying away.
"We wait and see." Gohan replied easily. He then saw them fly into the volcano "There. After them."
Gohan, Inuyasha, Koga and Trunks jumped off Kilala and Hachi and ran after the Saimyosho into a cave, with Kagome and the others following after them.
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"This place is huge." observed Trunks
"Yeah. Well-spotted." Gohan muttered sarcastically
"Hey, Kagome." Shippo whimpered "Don't those rocks look like the skulls of demons?"
Kagome nodded "You're right. And there's even more of them up ahead."
"Which probably means we're going in the right direction." Gohan noted
"Hey guys." said Koga "Up ahead."
Inuyasha smirked "Well, looks like she finally made it."
In front of them was a HUGE door, with two MASSIVE stone statues on each side of it.
"So there actually is a gate." Kagome muttered
Inuyasha smirked "Oh man, this is gonna be easy. I mean, there aren't even any guards around. Okay everyone, get back. Wolf, feel free to jump in front. I'm gonna break apart the gate with my Wind Scar."
"Do you wish to pass?" a voice questioned.
They looked around, but saw no one.
"Answer. Do you wish to pass, or not?" the voice repeated
"You must not answer master Inuyasha!" Myoga pleaded
"He actually made it this far?" Koga muttered
"I thought he took off the moment we saw the mountain." whispered Gohan "I thought he would've run away by now."
Myoga turned and glared at them, but with more fear than anger "Oh, I'm going to in a moment! It's still not too late! Please turn back!"
"Do you wish to pass, or not?" the voice questioned once more
Gohan stepped forward "Yes. We wish to pass."
"Then, you may pass." the voice responded, before falling silent once more.
Suddenly, the stone statues surrounding the door a started to move, and advance towards them.
"They're Gozu and Meizu, the guards of this gate!" Myoga cried
"What?! I thought they were just stone decorations." Inuyasha ground out
"Only the dead may pass through these gates." Meizu stated
"We make certain all those who wish to pass are dead." Gozu stated
"So that's why Hakudoshi wanted us here ahead of him." Gohan muttered as he drew the Ryuuga, which took on its naginata form "In any case, I didn't come this far just to turn back!" And he charged at them, dodging their attacks and launched a Dragon Current at them.
When the dust settled, it revealed the Lightning dragon had done absolutely no damage to them "It is useless. We cannot be slain by blades of this world."
"That's because Gozu and Meizu are not of this world!" explained Myoga "As you know, the Tessaiga, Ryuuga and Shiroga are swords that slay the demons in our world. But they aren't able to hurt Gozu or Meizu in the least! Once they are awakened, they will not rest until the gate has been opened and closed again! Or in other words, they won't rest until master Inuyasha, Gohan and Koga each pass through the gate as one of the dead!"
"You may pass once you are dead." Gozu and Meizu stated
"Kinda defeats the purpose." Gohan muttered
"Only the dead can pass through this gate. So prepare to die by our hands."
Gohan scoffed "You should really learn a new line." He dodged Gozu's blade and slammed the blade of the Ryuuga down.
Gozu didn't even crack, before Meizu used his scythe to slam Gohan into the cave side. "We told you. The swords of your world cannot harm us."
Miroku attempted to defeat them with his Wind Tunnel, but did nothing except make Gozu turn on him "Do you wish to pass through the gate too?"
"Miroku! Hold the Wind Tunnel open!" Gohan formed the Ryuuga into a staff and slammed it into Gozu's back, sending him crashing to the ground.
But it did no damage, and Gozu rose again.
"Master Inuyasha!" a voice cried
Inuyasha turned to his shoulder "Myoga again? You mean you're still here?"
"Just what exactly are implying? I've been here the whole time!" Myoga shouted before he started whispering into Inuyasha's ear "Here's what you need to do: turn Meizu and Gozu back into stone. They will return to stone after the gate has opened and closed. So what you one of you needs to do is attack the chains holding the gate."
Koga nodded "I'm on it." He drew the Shiroga and pointed it towards the gate "Time for my new technique. Wolf Hurricane!" a massive blast of demonic wind shot out, breaking the chains on the door, before he leapt away from an attack by Kagura as she passed by with several lower demons "Thanks for the good work Koga. I'm going on ahead now, okay?"
"Damn you, Kagura." Koga snarled "Get the **** back here!"
Slowly, the door opened.
But as soon as the light touched the demons and Saimyosho, they turned to stone.
Kagura would've too, if she hadn't his behind a rock.
Kagome and the others did as well, with Gohan holding Kagome close to him tightly. Her eyes widened as she sensed the jewel shard "It's there! Beyond the gate!"
Gozu looked at Kagura out of the corner of his eye "Do you wish to pass, or not?"
Kagura glared at them "What? Do I look like I'm an idiot?!"
Gozu didn't respond to her outburst, and just took it as a no "In that case…"
"We shall close the gate." Meizu finished for him as the gate slid closed once more.
Gozu and Meizu then returned to their positions, and turned into stone statues once more.
"You alright Kagome?" asked Gohan
Kagome nodded.
Miroku looked at the gate "They've turned to stone again."
"Where's Kagura?" asked Koga
Trunks looked around "She must've run away. I wonder if Hakudoshi knew that you'd turn to stone if you passed the gate."
Gohan nodded "He was probably testing it, by using both Kagura and us."
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"Are you sure Kagome?" asked Gohan
Kagome nodded "I'm sure of it. When I looked through the open gate, I could feel it. I sensed the presence of a sacred jewel shard. I knew it. It's out there. The sacred jewel shard is definitely there. The question is, where?"
Myoga frowned "To think the shard was actually there."
Inuyasha glared and grabbed Myoga with two fingers "Listen up Myoga. Why do I get this feeling you knew that we'd turn to stone if we went that way?"
"Would I have followed you into such a dangerous place if I knew?!" Myoga snapped
"Oh yeah, right."
"Well, it wasn't a total waste of time." Gohan cut in "We did find out that there is a sacred jewel shard there. Plus, Hakudoshi and Naraku are alive, so they couldn't pass through the gate either. They're in the same boat as us."
"That means we just have to find another way." Koga pointed out.
"There has to be another way in. The one that the sacred jewel shard took." Inuyasha reasoned.
Gohan nodded "We've gotta get the shard before Naraku and Hakudoshi can."
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Naraku stepped out of the darkness, looked at a mountainside cave, and smirked.
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The group came a village and decided to stay the night.
Only problem was, there wasn't a trace of a person there.
The ones they did find were all dead, the blood having been sucked out of them.
Shippo was shaking with fear "Their blood's been drained! Think it could be a horde of blood sucking demons? Something like Myoga?"
Inuyasha tried to question Myoga, but found that he was already gone.
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A group of bandits were in the middle of burning a village, when they were attacked by a flock of bird demons. Naraku approached Princess Abi, a Phoenix demon, watching over as she oversaw her bird demons drinking the blood of the bandits. Naraku offered her a weapon made of his bone, but their conversation was interrupted by a group of demons. Naraku easily destroyed all the demons, left some Saimyosho with Abi, and departed.
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"Not again." Gohan muttered
"How terrible." Kagome whispered
Trunks nodded "They've had the blood sucked out of them too."
"It has to be some kind of demon doing this." Sango pointed out
Inuyasha nodded "Some kind of creepy demon or even a band of demons were wreaking havoc around here while we were in the Realm of Fire!"
"Inuyasha, we better hurry." said Gohan "If we don't, another village will be slaughtered."
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Soon they came across another village. One that hadn't been slaughtered.
"A neighboring village was attacked by demons." said a villager "And we fear that we may be the next victims."
Inuyasha nodded "You're probably right. All the other villages we've passed lately have been attacked."
The villagers were rather unsettled by this, until Miroku put them at ease "Fear not my good people. My friends and I shall slay these terrible demons for you."
The headman smiled "Would you do that for us?"
"Of course, and we don't require payment for this. We merely ask for lodgings, food and women."
Gohan raised an eyebrow "What was that last one?".
Miroku didn't have time to answer, seeing how he couldn't with his foot in his mouth, courtesy of an angry Sango shoving it in there.
Koga seemed unusually quiet during this, and quietly exited the hut.
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Noticing this, Gohan followed him, and found him cutting down trees in the forest, his fury showing clearly "What's up with you?"
Koga looked at him, fury written all over his face "If this demon is who I think it is, then I'm gonna be the one to slaughter her. I don't want any interference."
Gohan raised an eyebrow "Why? What is it about this demon that pisses you off so much?"
Koga sighed "I'm pretty sure I know who it is: Abi, Princess of the bird demons. She was the one who killed my brother Roge, and her mother Tekkei, queen of the demon birds, was the one who killed my father. I could do nothing but watch helplessly as they were both devoured right in front of me. I swore then and there that I would avenge them and slaughter those two. In my eyes, she's just as bad as Naraku, if not worse."
Gohan put a comforting hand on his shoulder "I get it. This is your battle. I'll make sure that Kagome and the others let you handle it."
Koga nodded "Thank you."
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Around sunset, Abi's birds attacked.
Gohan, Koga and the others came out and saw them lying in wait, glaring at them.
"These birds, or whatever they are, have the stench of blood all over them." Inuyasha muttered
"You think they're the demons that attacked the other villages?" asked Miroku
Inuyasha nodded "I'm sure of it."
Then the birds started screeching, and charged in, setting the village ablaze.
Gohan and the others soon got to work slaughtering them, but they just kept coming.
That was when Abi made herself known on a cloud of fire "Who are you people and why do you interfere with me?"
"Shut up!" Inuyasha snarled "Are you one of Naraku's minions? You've gotta be tight with him! The Saimyosho buzzing around you are proof!"
Abi's glare intensified "I don't know him, nor do I know what your relationship with this Naraku is. But you've made the mistake of slaughtering my birds. I'll kill each one of you and drain every last drop of your blood. You will die!"
Koga stepped up to the front "The only one that will die here is you, Abi."
Abi smirked when she saw Koga "Well, if it isn't the little wolf cub. How's your father and brother doing? Oh wait. They're dead. And they were delicious."
Koga's glare intensified, his eyes burning with crimson fury, his claws sharpening to the point where they could cut a man in half with a single touch "Never… talk about my family!" and he charged at her with shocking speeds, killing at least 10 birds with one sweep of his claw.
Kagome and the others took the opportunity to get the villagers to safety, while Gohan watched the fight.
Enraged, Abi shot a massive wave of fire at Koga, who simply side stepped it in mid-air before launching a Wolf Hurricane at her, which would've killed her if she hadn't been protected by a barrier produced by the trident given to her by Naraku.
"I knew it." Koga snarled "You are helping Naraku, you devious wench!"
'Did Naraku give me this trident to force me to fight this wolf?' Abi mused, before she suddenly left.
Koga furiously smashed his fist into the ground "Damnit! Damnit! DAMNIT!"
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"She called herself Princess Abi. Koga, did you know her?" asked Kagome
The temperature in the room suddenly.
Koga nodded, a furious look on his face "That devious wench and her mother are the ones responsible for the deaths of my father and brother."
Sango looked at him sadly, but got back to the subject "She seems to be connected to Naraku somehow, but she really didn't seem like one of his minions."
Trunks shook his head "You know what Naraku's like. I'm guessing he's using Princess Abi to get what he wants."
Gohan nodded "That's obvious, but for what? She's using her birds to suck the blood out of humans. Why would Naraku be interested in helping her? What could possibly be in it for him?"
Trunks thought for a moment "Naraku's trying to get to the border between this world and the netherworld in order to get the sacred jewel shard."
"So you mean that collecting human blood is somehow related to him getting to the border?" asked Kagome
Gohan nodded "Seems like it. Whatever it is though, it's all we have to go on at this point. In any case, we've got to take her down."
"But I warn you. I'm the one who's gonna kill her. She reeks of human blood, so it's easy enough to find her." Koga tried not to snarl.
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A full moon in the sky.
Abi's birds attacked another village, setting it ablaze.
All the while, Hakudoshi and Entei watched from above.
The four survivors decided to go to their holy one, in hopes of survival.
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Gohan, Koga and the others came across the village later.
"Did those demon birds do this to the villagers?" asked Shippo
Koga nodded "No doubt about it. They seem to be attacking every village in the area. But it's weird though. Usually, they only devour humans to survive. Doing it so often and unnecessarily like this. What could her purpose be?"
"Let's go." said Sango "We need to find the nest."
"We've got to take this fight to the leader. Once I kill Abi and her mother, the attacks will definitely stop."
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Rin and Jaken were waiting around for Sesshomaru, when Kagura appeared looking for Sesshomaru, before departing when she found that he wasn't there, thinking of her next move.
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A woman awoke, surrounded by servants. She asked for her newborn child, saying he should be crying and she could not hear him. The servants told her that her son was stillborn, then all fell dead. Kanna and Kohaku entered, holding the other infant. Kanna assured the lady that her child was not dead.
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Gohan, Koga and the others were getting ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE in their search for the nest.
They were continuing along a mountainside path, when they saw the survivors from the other village.
Naturally, Kagome "convinced" Inuyasha to help them.
"You escaped from the village?" asked Gohan
One of them nodded "It was so frightening. We never knew when the demon birds would attack next. Everyone in the region is packing up and leaving."
"You people are a godsend." said one of the children as they rode on top of Kilala
"It always ends up like this." Inuyasha muttered
"So what now? Do you have a place to go to?" asked Gohan
The traveler nodded "I believe so. We plan to appeal to Saint Hijiri, the holy one. It's out beyond the pass in the mountains. So hopefully we can find refuge there from the demon birds."
Gohan raised a curious eyebrow "Is this holy person some kind of priest?"
The old man sighed "Well, no one knows for sure. We've only heard rumors about the person. No one has ever actually seen the holy one. The face is always hidden, and no one has ever heard the great one's voice. Communication between the holy one and the people is conducted by the two attendants, so no one knows whether the person is old or young, or even male or female."
"Geez. You're planning this whole journey around someone you've only heard rumors about?" Inuyasha muttered
"Wait." Sango interrupted "Does this mean all the villagers are going there based on nothing but these rumors?"
The elder nodded.
Gohan turned to Kagome and the others "Come on guys I think it's best if we hurry."
"Why?" asked the elder
"Because the birds show up wherever there's a lot of people. Kagome, climb on."
Kagome climbed on his back, and they sped off.
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Hakudoshi watched the villagers from above, intending to have the birds drain every last drop of their blood to create a path to the border between this world and the afterlife.
Soon enough, they were attacked by the birds.
Gohan, Inuyasha and Koga took care of the bird demons while Trunks, Kagome and the others looked after the villagers.
Gohan looked up and glared "Hakudoshi. What're you showing your ass out here for?"
Hakudoshi merely smirked at him "It's been while Son Gohan. But while you chatter on, innocent humans will die."
Gohan easily destroyed a large number of birds using the Dragon Cyclone, but more kept coming 'This isn't good. As long as we're busy protecting the villagers, Trunks and the others can't do anything else. Weird. Hakudoshi and Kagura are just watching. And the birds just look like they're trying to buy time." Then his eyes widened.
Kagome nodded "That's right! I bet there are way more people at the holy one's village than there are here!"
Hakudoshi merely chuckled "You figured it out. It's too late now, though. By this time, Princess Abi and her man force of demon birds have begun their attack on the so-called Holy one's village."
Gohan's glare intensified "It was you spreading these rumors about this Holy one, wasn't it?"
Hakudoshi smirked "I couldn't have been bothered. It's only a holy person. Probably just another run of the mill exorcist. Because the villagers were so afraid of the demon birds, they raised the spiritual one to godly status. We learned about this divine one, and we came to meet him. That's all there is to it."
Angered, Gohan launched a Dragon Magma blast, but Hakudoshi's barrier repelled it.
Unknown to any of them, this Holy one appeared behind them, and fired a sacred arrow, destroying the barrier and separating Hakudoshi from Entei.
Inuyasha took the opportunity to blast Hakudoshi with a Wind Scar.
Kagura then retreated with Hakudoshi, leaving only Entei.
Trunks quickly pursued the demon horse, before cornering it in a cave and destroying it with the Finish Buster.
Kagome and Gohan looked at the sacred arrow, lodged into the cliff side 'That was a Sacred arrow that broke through Hakudoshi's barrier.'
Gohan quickly leapt up the cliff and retrieved it 'This arrow. It came from that direction. But there's nobody there. I didn't sense anything. It wasn't Kagome. And the only other person I know of who could've shot a sacred arrow was lady Kikyo. But she's dead. Naraku killed her back at Mount Hakurei. At least, we assumed he did. Come to think of it, we never even found a body. Is it possible that lady Kikyo survived after Naraku wounded her, and went into hiding?'
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Gohan and the others looked at the arrow in his hand "Inuyasha's Red Tessaiga and my Dragon Magma couldn't break through the barrier, but this arrow could."
Gohan looked at Kagome and nodded, earning a nod in response 'Kikyo must be alive.'
"It isn't Kikyo's." Inuyasha said out of nowhere.
"Nobody said it was."
"But all of you were thinking it. I have to admit I wondered the same thing myself, at first. But this arrow doesn't have Kikyo's scent. It's totally different. What is this smell? I don't know who it was fired by, but it definitely wasn't one of our allies."
"Now that you mention it, I never sensed lady Kikyo's powers at all."
Miroku nodded "Nor did I."
"Wait a minute. If it wasn't fired by Kikyo, then who fired it?" asked Kagome "That arrow saved Inuyasha, remember?"
"Perhaps I know." said one of the villagers "It could have been a friendly hand lent by Hijiri, the holy one."
Gohan looked back at the others "We'd better hurry and see this Hijiri. The birds are most likely headed that way too."
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The villagers were being protected by one of Hijiri's helpers, who had put up a barrier to prevent the birds from getting through.
Hijiri then returned and drove off Abi and her birds, forcing her to retreat.
By this point, Abi was reconsidering her alliance with Naraku.
The two helpers looked at each other and nodded.
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Having been informed by the villagers later of the whereabouts of Hijiri, Inuyasha went to do some thinking 'Kikyo was killed by Naraku. I didn't actually see her die, and I didn't see her body… Kikyo… If you are still alive… Why haven't you come to find me?'
Gohan came up behind him "I know how you feel. If it was me and Kagome, I'd probably be the same."
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"Inuyasha, if Saint Hijiri turns out to be lady Kikyo, what would you do?" asked Gohan
Inuyasha sighed "I don't really know. One thing though, if it really is her, then obviously Naraku didn't kill Kikyo like he set out to do. And if that's the case, he'll definitely come and try to kill her again. But for now, I say we concentrate on finding the birds nest and destroying them."
Gohan nodded.
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Kaede was dealing with a crisis.
Apparently, some villagers saw a mysterious light falling from the sky towards Kikyo's shrine.
Kaede recognized them as Shikigami.
After they departed, Kaede discovered that they were digging.
Who would take soil from Kikyo's grave, and why?
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Inuyasha and the others saw several of Naraku's demons racing through the cloudy morning sky.
"Think they're searching for Hijiri?" asked Trunks
Gohan nodded "Probably. This Hijiri is getting in Naraku's way."
Kagome pondered this 'If that's the case, then maybe Naraku realizes that Saint Hijiri might be Kikyo. And if that's true, then I wonder if he's gonna try to find her and kill her again.'
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Gohan's group followed the holy one's path to the Forbidden Mountain.
They noticed water sparkling from the path.
The Shikigamis noticed several demons looking for Saint Hijiri.
"Guys, have you noticed them?" asked Trunks
Gohan nodded "Naraku's demons again. They're probably following us. And by the looks of it, they're heading toward the forbidden mountain."
A sacred mountain appeared out of nowhere and destroyed several demons.
Seeing this, Gohan and the group sped up the pace.
After a little bit, Inuyasha decided to stay behind and slay the oncoming demons.
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Inuyasha quickly killed the demons with a Wind Scar and went to catch up with the others.
Before long, he was stopped by Hijiri and the two Shikigamis.
Inuyasha's eyes widened 'Is that… Kikyo? I'm not picking up her scent… Still… Show yourself! Let me see your face!"
Hijiri said nothing.
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Miroku, Sango, Gohan, Koga and Trunks were slaying the oncoming demons, when Kagome noticed some soul collectors, and followed after them 'So, Kikyo really is here…'
Gohan and the others attempted to go after her, but Gohan rammed face-first into a sacred barrier "Ow…"
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"Answer me!" Inuyasha demanded "Are you Kikyo or not?!"
"A potent aura has ravaged my master's flesh." explained one Shikigami "Her body cannot restore itself."
"She has also lost her voice." added the other "She fights using her spirit alone. However, soon her strength will run out."
Inuyasha looked on in shock 'So back then… She didn't die… Kikyo… You are Kikyo!" He attempted to run to her, but a blade of wind cut off her head, revealing her inside it.
Inuyasha's eyes widened in realization "Isn't this a Shikigami?"
"Damn that Kikyo is illusive, isn't she?" a voice muttered
Inuyasha looked up and saw Kagura above him "Kagura… What's going on around here?!"
"Just what I'd like to know. What a waster of my time. Anyway, as to whether or not she's alive, Naraku seems to think so. You know the arrow that broke through Hakudoshi's barrier? There was some dirt left on the arrowhead, and it came from Onigumo's cave."
Inuyasha's eyes widened "Onigumo? Of course! That was the scent from the arrow.'
"The soil there is filled with Onigumo's lust for Kikyo. And that's what protects Kikyo from being destroyed by Naraku's wrath. She's the only one who could have any use for soil from Onigumo's cave. In any case, it looks like we've both been chasing all over the countryside after a fake. Until next time." and with that, she left.
Inuyasha looked and noticed that the Shikigamis were gone too.
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Kagome continued running after the soul collectors "Are they calling me? Is that it?"
Soon enough, she came across a waterfall, and found Kikyo submerged underneath the water, unconscious 'Kikyo…'
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In a town, women gossiped, discussing the strange happenings at the birth of the new lord. All the vassals in the birthing room were dead under strange circumstances, and they wondered if demons were responsible. The lord was happy to have an heir.
Kohaku showed up in the village surrounding the castle, helping an old man who had been hurt.
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"Is that the last of them?" asked Trunks
Gohan was still nursing the massive bruise on his nose "I think so." Hearing a rustling, he looked and saw Inuyasha jump out towards them "Oh, it's just you."
Inuyasha nodded "Hey, where's Kagome?"
"She went after some soul collectors. I would've followed, but I rammed into a barrier and broke my nose."
Inuyasha would've laughed if it hadn't been about Kikyo.
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Kagome looked at the unconscious Kikyo submerged in the water.
"Her life is fading." explained Asuka, the Shikigami in the blue kimono
The one in the yellow, Kocho, nodded "The miasma is spreading very rapidly."
"You must make your decision." Asuka stated
"Whether or not you will save her." Kocho finished
"What do you mean decision?" asked Kagome "What's happening to Kikyo?"
"After Mount Hakurei was destroyed, she was struck by one of Naraku's tentacles and fell into a dark river of miasma." explained Asuka "But her body was made of sacred bones and soil from her grave, so the miasma could not dissolve her flesh."
"However." added Kocho "The miasma that entered through her wound spread throughout her body. The wound in her chest still has not healed, and the miasma is eating away at her."
"There is one who could save her."
"Only you have the power."
"You are her only hope. You hold your life in her hands."
Kagome remained silent for a moment, before she turned to them "What do I have to do? What do I do to save her?"
"Then you choose to save her?" Asked Kocho
"Of course. I'm the only one who can help her, right?"
They nodded "All you have to do is touch her. That will be enough to purify the miasma."
Kagome nodded.
"Please move quickly." Asuka pleaded
Kocho nodded "The vessel in which her spirit if housed is damaged, and it is becoming difficult to contain Kikyo's soul. If we don't purify the miasma before the sun sets, her soul will dissipate."
Kagome nodded and jumped into the water, feeling pain from the miasma infecting the water.
Slowly, she touched Kikyo, before she was suddenly pulled underwater, and saw what was surrounding them 'Is this miasma that's seeped into the water? Is all of this from Kikyo's body?' She moved part of Kikyo's outfit and looked at the wound 'This is terrible. Poor thing. What's wrong? They said all I had to do was touch her. What do I have do? How can I get Kikyo to wake up?' Then she noticed a light appearing as it fell into her hand 'What is this?'
"It is soil from her grave." explained Asuka from above
"Your hand purified it." added Kocho "Rub it into her wound."
Kagome nodded and did so, but more miasma emerged 'The miasma is pushing out the soil! It hurts so much! I feel like I'm gonna be thrown backward! It's pitch black! I can't see a thing!'
Kagome opened her eyes and saw Kikyo's memories: specifically, the one where she was fatally wounded by Naraku, disguised as Inuyasha 'I don't get it. Kikyo's shoulder and chest injuries are the same as the ones she has now.' She saw the memories of how Kikyo bound Inuyasha to the tree, and told Kaede to burn it with her before she died 'I get it. That's what happened. Kikyo's soul can't move past this moment in time. This is the exact moment that time stopped for Kikyo!' Kagome opened her eyes found herself in the same position as before 'What happened to me? Was I dreaming? My head feels so foggy.' Her eyes widened as she noticed Kikyo's wound closed 'The wound is closing. We've almost done it. Hang in there! Come on, you can make it Kikyo! Inuyasha really wants to see you again, so hang in there! You can do it! You want to see Inuyasha too! You do, right?'
Kagome soon noticed that the miasma from Kikyo's wound and the water was being purified before she passed out, as Kikyo fully awoke.
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When she regained consciousness, Kagome found herself beside the waterfall, soaking wet.
She turned her head and saw Kikyo with her Shikigamis.
"Why did you save me?" Kikyo questioned softly "You had a choice, whether or not to save me."
Kagome smiled "If there's a person right there who I can save, and I'm told that she can only be saved by me, then of course I choose to save her."
Kikyo nodded, and gave a ghost of a smile "Indeed. Thank you. Son Gohan will be here soon. He will be looking for you. I will go into hiding for a time. I must restore my strength." And with that, she walked away, as she and her Shikigamis disappeared into the woods.
At that moment, Gohan sped towards her "Kagome! You alright?"
Kagome smiled and nodded "I'm fine."
"Was it her?"
"Yeah. she left to restore her strength."
Gohan turned to Inuyasha, who had just arrived with the others "Are you gonna go after her?"
Inuyasha shook his head "Just knowing she's alive is enough for me. When I was up there alone at the base of the mountain, I met Saint Hijiri. It turned out to be Kikyo's puppet. I found out that the real Kikyo was overcome by Naraku's miasma, and that her life was nearing its end. How is she? How did she seem?"
"Badly injured and unconscious." explained Kagome "But then, I managed to purify the miasma, so I think she'll be alright. She said she was going into hiding to restore her strength. Are you gonna go after her?"
Inuyasha shook his head "If Kagome healed her, then she's gotta be ok. Right?"
Gohan smiled and nodded.
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Kikyo wandered through the forest with her Shikigamis and soul collectors 'There was no uncertainty in Kagome's heart in when she saved me. If there had been, the wound in my chest would not have healed. I can still feel her warm touch…'