It was a cold and rainy day.
Rain poured down.
Kanna walked through the field of flowers in which Kagura died, as she found all that remained of Kagura- her fan. She looked up at the sky with emotionless eyes, wondering if Kagura had become truly free, if she had truly become the wind.
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As the rain continued to pour, Naraku was continuing to regenerate in his hideout after the last battle, which had heavily wounded him.
He knew that Kikyo had survived, thanks to Gohan, but at the cost of her spiritual powers.
Naraku looked at the nearly complete Shikon jewel 'It's still there. One speck of purity within the Shikon jewel. Despite my efforts to defile it, the stubborn point of light remains. In our last battle, that power of Inuyasha's blade… It could still cost me my life… Kikyo… Even with your power gone, you continue to haunt me… Damn you…'
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By a glistening pond, Kanna tossed Kagura's fan into the lake 'Farewell, Kagura.'
She got a visitor in the form of Byakuya "Hello Kanna. I bring a message from Naraku. He wishes for you to lure Inuyasha and the others here and unleash the mirror."
Kanna nodded in understanding, and looked out to the pond.
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While Kagome and the others slept, Koga took watch over the camp "Jeez. What're Gohan and the mutt doing anyway?"
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Gohan and Inuyasha were in the middle of an intense sparring session.
Gohan sighed "Let's take a breather."
Inuyasha rapidly shook his head "No. I can keep going. I have to get stronger."
Gohan looked at him blankly "What's with the newfound motivation? I mean, your Dragon Scaled Tessaiga is probably the only thing that can destroy Naraku right now."
Inuyasha shook his head "I know, but that's not it. I failed to save Kikyo. I couldn't save the woman I love."
Gohan sighed "I know how that feels. Not being able to protect the woman you love really hurts. But trust me, I understand. I go through that with Kagome everytime we're in battle. But over time, I realized something. Even if I'm not strong enough by myself, I have friends I can depend on to help me, until I become strong enough to protect her myself. And it if can trust others to help me protect Kagome, why can't you do the same with lady Kikyo?"
Inuyasha smiled "Yeah. You're right. Still though, I want to get stronger. You ready to keep going?"
Gohan smirked "You know it."
And they clashed once more.
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Kanna floated at the center of the pond.
She slowly sunk beneath the surface of the water.
Once she was completely submerged, her mirror floated back to the surface of the water by itself.
Once the ripples disappeared, it let out a blinding flash of light, which affected the pond as well.
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Gohan and the others found out about this the next morning from some local villagers.
Unknown to them, Byakuya was watching them through some gross ability he had, where he can separate his eye from his body and it turned into a demon, allowing Byakuya to see things in other places.
Naturally, they went to investigate, mainly because Inuyasha and Koga were picking up Naraku's scent.
When they arrived at the lake, they found that the lake water had been transformed into a mirror.
"Kagome, look!" Shippo cried "There's something in the middle of the lake!"
Koga nodded "It's Kanna's mirror."
Suddenly, a large demon emerged from the mirror.
Koga summoned the Raiso onto his hand "I've got a bad feeling about this. Everyone stand back."
Kanna appeared beside the mirror demon, pointed at Koga, directing the mirror demon.
A bright flash of light emerged from the mirror demon.
When it subsided, a mirrored copy of the Raiso appeared on the right hand of the mirror demon.
"Careful Koga, that's a reflection." Miroku warned "It seems that Kanna's mirror has actually transformed into a demon. It may have all the powers of your Raiso."
Koga scoffed "It's just a trick. A phantom reflection, nothing more. You're not fooling me, Kanna! Lightning Claw!"
Nothing happened.
'So it didn't just copy the shape!' Koga screamed in his mind 'It stole the demonic energy!'
Kanna pointed at him "Your turn. Lightning claw."
And the mirror demon used the lightning claw, which Gohan and the others barely avoided.
"Damn you!" Koga snarled "Time for one of my new techniques! Steel Hurricane!"
Again, nothing happened.
Kanna pointed once again "Steel Hurricane."
Shards of steel shot out from the mirrored Raiso, which Gohan countered with his Platinum Cannon.
Gohan and the others then took the time to retreat.
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Kanna and the others searched for the group through the forest, as Gohan and the others took shelter in a cave.
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Nightfall came.
Miroku put up a barrier to protect the group from the mirror demon.
"Koga, what happened to your claw?" Asked Shippo
Koga shook his head "No idea."
"By the looks of it, Kanna's mirror demon somehow captured all of the demonic energy from Koga's Raiso." explained Gohan "And considering how 1 finger, 20% of its power, is equal to the Wind Scar, I'd say we're pretty much ****ed."
"So is Raiso just an empty claw now?" Asked Shippo
Koga shook his head "Forget about that kid. I am the leader of the wolf demon tribe. I won't allow the power of my ancestors to be used by someone loyal to scum like Naraku."
At that moment, Kanna, the mirror demon, and the Saimyosho closed in on the cave.
"Koga, exactly what is the Raiso capable of?" asked Gohan
Koga shrugged "Well, one finger is able to match the Wind Scar and your basic elemental attacks, 2 fingers can break through barriers, 3 is equal to the Backlash Wave and your Yin and Yang attacks, and can use the Steel Hurricane, which is pretty much the same of the Adamant Barrage and the Platinum cannon. I haven't used 4 yet, but it's probably extremely dangerous and hard to control. As for 5, I've been warned to only use it as a last resort, or it may kill me."
"So as long as it doesn't use more than 3 fingers, we should live."
"Most likely."
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Outside, Kanna was approached by Byakuya "So, has everything been going according to plan?"
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Immediately after, the Raiso used 2 fingers and brought it down on Miroku's barrier, shattering it.
Kagome then shot a sacred arrow at the mirror demon, hitting it in the neck, but it disappeared.
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Elsewhere, Byakuya noticed a crack appear in Kanna's neck "Kanna, what happened to your neck?"
Kanna said nothing as she commanded the mirror demon to continue its assault.
"Fine. Ignore me then." Byakuya muttered
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Koga charged at the mirror demon, but was thrown back by a Steel Hurricane, wounding him.
"It doesn't make sense." Shippo muttered "Look where all these spears went. It's like they were trying to avoid us."
"That was the Raiso." Explained Koga, his voice deep and hoarse "It's protective barrier must've kicked in. And that means the Raiso is just more than demonic energy."
Koga opened his eyes, which were now blood Crimson, his fangs growing longer. His nails were double in length.
"No need to worry." He growled "My wolf demon instincts kicked in. It happens whenever I'm in extreme danger. I'm still on your side. Unlike the mutt, I don't go ballistic."
Koga kicked the mirror demon at blinding speeds, causing it to stumble out of the cave.
Using the bare form of the Raiso, Koga landed a deep gash on the mirror demon's shoulder, before it regenerated.
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"Koga's not looking himself." Byakuya mused out loud, before he noticed a crack appear of Kanna in the same spot Koga struck on the mirror demon 'Kanna… That's exactly the spot where the mirror demon was cut… What's going on Kanna? Are you somehow absorbing the damage inflicted on the mirror demon?"
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Inside his barrier at his hideout, Naraku smirked "Koga, you've awakened your demon blood to save your own life. How perfect."
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Koga heard what Byakuya said, and decided to test that hypothesis.
The mirror demon pointed 4 fingers at Koga, who charged at it with the Raiso "Take your best shot, freak! The Raiso belongs to the wolf demon tribe! An empty puppet isn't worthy of my claw!"
He dodge the attack by the mirror demon, and brought the Raiso down on the face of the mirror demon, before it regenerated.
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The damage from the mirror demon disappeared, and reappeared on Kanna.
Koga saw this 'I get it now! Kanna, I'm giving you one warning! One more hit, and you'll be completely destroyed!"
Without a word, Kanna formed a spell, causing a bright light to emerge from the mirror demon, which then appeared as a bright light in the sky, connected to the mirror demon.
Koga tried to run, but could outrun it.
Koga found that he couldn't attack either, and it was reflecting its attack.
Koga stood up 'That was too close. If Raiso had its real power, I would've been a goner. Go figure, saved by the fact that this thing stole it's demonic energy.'
Kanna then prepared the attack again, the light closing in on Koga.
Coming up with an idea, Koga shielded himself with a protective barrier created by the Raiso, and pushed the light back, causing the mirror demon to stumble and fall, damaging its stomach.
But like before, the damage was transferred over to Kanna, who then forced the light down on Koga, who shielded himself with the protective barrier of the Raiso, but the claw soon began to crack.
Kagome's eyes widened "Why didn't I see it? Naraku intends for Kanna and Koga to kill each other!"
Gohan nodded "In demon form, Koga should be able to endure this for a while, but even he won't last forever. If this keeps up, Raiso will snap in half. Miroku, don't use the Wind Tunnel. You'll just suck up the Saimyosho, and you'd be sucking up the demonic energy of the Raiso with the fake one."
"Kanna! You have to stop attacking! Now!" Kagome pleaded "I didn't want to have to do this!" And she fired a sacred arrow into the light, but Kanna made it disappear before the arrow could hit.
Kanna's mirror demon then fired a Lightning Claw at Koga, who managed to stop it, and charged at the mirror demon "I'm taking back the Raiso's demonic energy!"
But instead of attacking the mirror demon, he attacked the mirror Raiso.
But Kanna knew of his intentions, and stuck out her hand, having the demon sacrifice its hand, and in turn sacrificing her.
Koga brought the Raiso down, taking Kanna's right arm, destroying the Raiso before being thrown back "Damn. I've never felt a rush of power like that."
He watched as the cracks in Raiso disappeared "The Raiso is back."
He watched as Kanna, practically half-destroyed, stood in front of the mirror demon.
Koga walked over to her "Kanna, it looks like this fight is over. You should go. I know you were probably ordered by Naraku to fight to the death. Well I'm not interested. Killing you when you can't defend yourself would only make me as bad as Naraku. Right now, it's just pointless. Besides, Naraku probably won't bother looking for you when you're like this. It's all over now."
Kanna didn't move "Over?"
"It isn't over, Kanna." Naraku's voice hissed in her mind 'Far from it. I've never seen such foolishness, allowing Kanna to escape after all the suffering she caused you. Especially from you, Koga. Your forgiveness and compassion truly sickens me. This is your final task, Kanna. You will take the lives of Koga, Son Gohan and their friends with your own.'
"What is it Kanna?" Asked Kagome "Don't you understand? You're free now."
Kanna immediately thought of Kagura.
From his hideout, Naraku crushed Kanna's hart in his hand, causing Kanna and the mirror demon to crack and start to fall apart.
Kanna said something to Kagome, but she couldn't make it out.
Naraku then completely crushed Kanna's heart, causing her and the mirror demon to shatter, a shard of her flying towards Kagome.
Gohan shielded Kagome with the Ryuuga "Kagome! You ok?"
Kagome slowly nodded as she heard Kanna's voice in her mind 'The light… The light will destroy Naraku…'
Kagome saw the Shikon jewel, with a small speck of purity in the center.
The light and the vision vanished as Kanna and the demon shattered, leaving only her mirror behind.
"There's nothing left of her." Said Miroku
"The poor little thing." Byakuya muttered "Naraku's got a cruel streak in him. I suppose I should be careful." And he quietly left the scene on his origami bird.
Koga quietly approached the mirror "She didn't have to die."
"You think Kanna was trying to take us with her?" Asked Shippo "Is that why she did that?"
"No." Kagome stated firmly, tears swelling up in her eyes "The truth is, she never actually wanted to die. That's why she wanted me to hear her final words."
Koga placed Kanna's broken mirror in the ground.
Kagome stared at the mirror, determination burning in her eyes 'Kanna, wherever you are, I heard your heart's last wish.'
After silently mourning for Kanna, the group left without a word.
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The night after the incident with Kanna was the night of the full moon.
Miroku and Sango had taken a job to slay a bone-collecting demon and his daughter. Which proved to be rather difficult, seeing as the demon wanted to devour Hiraikotsu, since it was made from the bones of various demons, not to mention the fact that the bones from the demon contained a miasma.
Ever since the incident with Naraku and Moryomaru, Miroku's tolerance for poison was much lower, even with Kikyo's healing.
In order to save Miroku, Sango made a difficult decision: she gave Hiraikotsu to the bone demon, but not before covering Hiraikotsu in demon saying salve, dissolving both Hiraikotsu and the bone demon, killing him almost instantly.
Enraged, the daughter charged in to attack Sango, but Gohan rushed in and launched a Platinum cannon, destroying the remaining bones and breaking open the roof, causing the daughter of the bone demon to dissolve into dust.
"You guys okay?" Asked Kagome
Gohan nodded "I got the demon before they could be hurt. They're fine."
Koga whistled "But Hiraikotsu isn't."
No it was not.
The giant boomerang was nothing more than a gooey shell of its former self.
"I knew what would happen when I applied the poison." Sango stated sadly "It was inevitable."
"But there's a way to fix it, right?" Asked Inuyasha
"Why of course there is!" Said a voice as Inuyasha smacked Myoga off of his nose "Now master Inuyasha, as your loyal servant, I shall gladly introduce you to the one who can fix Hiraikotsu."
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"The Master of Potions?" asked Kagome
Myoga nodded "As the name suggests, he's a demon sage who administers herbal remedies and poisons. He can undoubtedly fix Hiraikotsu, but whether or not he will depends on how much he likes you."
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Soon enough, they arrived at the home of the Master of Potions: a waterfall surrounded my hundreds of jugs filled with remedies and poisons.
Koga was practically gagging, with Gohan having to comfort him.
"Hey Myoga, you want to tell me why waterfall reeks like alcohol?" Asked Inuyasha
"That's because it is alcohol." Explained Myoga "Now master Inuyasha, you must bring one of those jugs over here and dump it out."
Inuyasha did so, and out came some drunken old demon.
Not one known for tact, Inuyasha kicked him awake "Hey. Wake up."
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"You expect me to remove the poison from your weapon?" The master questioned
Miroku nodded "We've heard that you would be able to do so master."
"Let me have a look." he used his demon tongue to lick it "Demon slaying salve? That's some harsh stuff you put on it. Even if I could fix it, I'd refuse to do so on principal! At a glance, I can tell this weapon is well worn, which suggests you've been fighting with it for a long time. Yet you'd apply this vicious poison to it without a thought? That doesn't sit well with me."
Inuyasha tried to persuade the old sage to fix the weapon, but was scared away after the old sage puked up a rainbow "That was gross."
This continued until Sango stopped him "That's enough, Inuyasha. The master of potions is right after all. There's no excuse for what I did."
"I disagree." Gohan retorted "You were doing it to protect the one you love. If it was me or Koga, we would've done it in a heartbeat."
"Fine, I'll do it." The master of potions said immediately after he looked at Sango.
"What the ****?! A second ago, you said you wouldn't do it!" Inuyasha barked
"That's because I thought it belonged to you." The sage retorted "But your friend here, I like her."
"Apparently the master of potions has a soft spot for girls." Kagome noted
"Obviously, he's a good person at heart." Said Miroku
"If by good person, you mean pervert, than yes." Shippo countered
"Young lady, let's have a look at your hands." Said the sage as he examined Sango's hands… And then her rear.
And then her foot when Sango shove it in his face "What are you doing?"
"Perhaps he's a little too good of a person." Miroku noted as he grabbed the sage by the beard.
"I was merely examining the strength in her legs and waist!" The sage pleaded "You see, though I agreed to fix your weapon, in reality, you are the one who must fight and risk death."
He then extended his arms and brought two jugs over "Now, hand over Hiraikotsu."
As soon as the Hiraikotsu touched the remedy, it began dissolving.
Which didn't go unmentioned by Inuyasha "Hey, the whole thing's dissolving!"
"Poison will do that." The sage muttered "Hiraikotsu will be fixed once this poison turns into a remedy. Now, dear, I need you to slay the demons inside this jug. The poison in Hiraikotsu's jug will turn into a remedy if you can pacify the demons within it. If you aren't able to pacify the demons, Hiraikotsu will dissolve into nothing."
Sango nodded "Understood. I'll do it. Don't worry about me, guys. I'll be fine. It doesn't matter what's in there. I'll do whatever it takes to bring Hiraikotsu back." And she jumped into the jug.
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Inside the jug, she found that she could breathe, before being confronted by several demons.
She quickly found that their skin was too hard, so her sword was useless.
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Inuyasha, Shippo, Miroku and Myoga were watching the jug, worried that they couldn't see Sango.
Gohan and Koga were using every ounce of their self control to stop themselves from killing the drunken sage, who was trying to flirt with Kagome.
"Shut the **** up you old drunkard!" Koga barked
"Now now, don't get so worked up." Said the master of potions as he flung Koga into a one of his jugs "This is alcohol!"
Myoga was currently swimming in a bowl of alcohol.
"Oh come on Myoga! Not you too!" Shippo grumbled
"Look here, I'm not drunk!" Myoga slurred "I'll have you know I'm watching over Sango!"
"He's right, I can see her!" Koga slurred.
Gohan dove into one of the jugs "Hey, I can see her too!"
"That liquid is the master of potions' magic brew." explained Miroku "It enables whoever drinks it to see inside the jug that Sango entered. Well Gohan, is Sango alright?"
Gohan spat out some remedy "She looks like she's having a rough time, but she's still alive, so that's good."
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"It's strange." Sango noted as she looked at the demons "Their eyes are filled with such rage, and yet, it looks as though they don't intend to kill me. What's going on? What do they want?"
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"Master of Potions, how much longer until Hiraikotsu dissolves completely?" Asked Miroku
The sage shrugged "Hard to say. Are you planning to jump in and help her? It's useless. I assure you, you won't be able to reach her."
He reached his arm, picked up Gohan (who was surprisingly STILL not drunk, considering the fact that he had swallowed probably at least a gallon of alcohol at this point), and threw him into the jug.
Gohan then came out another jug "What the **** was that for?!"
"You go in one and come out another." Explained the sage "Besides monk, you've got bigger fish to fry, isn't that right?" He then licked Miroku, and got a staff to the face "What are you doing?"
"I was just about to ask you that." Miroku retorted
"Your body is being consumed by poison, is it not?" The master guessed "And a vicious poison to boot."
Miroku's eyes widened.
As for the drunkards…
"Who're your two friends Kagome?" Koga slurred "Aren't you gonna introduce us? And Gohan, how're YOU not drunk?"
Gohan shrugged "What can I say? Saiyans have strong immune systems."
Back with the perverts…
Miroku dragged the master of potions to another area.
"Ah, you don't want the others to hear, is that it?" The master of potions guessed
Miroku nodded "Please keep this a secret."
"Very well then. Show me your right arm."
"Was it that obvious to you?" Miroku pulled up his sleeve.
The M.O.P looked at the scar "That can only come from miasma."
"It inches towards my heart everytime I use my Wind Tunnel. It's spread more quickly than I expected."
"I can only imagine that sucking in poison must be very painful for you now."
"My tolerance for poison is not what it was.
The MOP thought for a moment "I've got something that could help with that. The way I see it, even if Hiraikotsu were to be repaired, Sango wouldn't think twice about sacrificing it again if it meant saving your life, good monk."
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"Why?" The demons hissed "Why did you apply poison to us?!"
Sango's eyes widened "These voices…"
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"It would appear that Hiraikotsu was created from the bones of many demons." The MOP assumed
Miroku nodded "I'm amazed you could tell."
"I can see many things, young man. Sango must answer to the souls of all those demons that were used to create Hiraikotsu in the first place."
"But if those demons are part of Hiraikotsu, why did you tell her to slay them?" Asked Miroku
The MOP shrugged "I suppose I meant it figuratively. But I also told her to pacify them."
"So you're saying she needs their forgiveness." Miroku realized
The MOP shrugged "Anyway, let's get back to your issue, shall we?" And he got a small bowl full from a jug, and touched it with his staff, causing it to turn black "This the medicine, but at the same time, it is also a strong poison."
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Sango looked at the demons in shock "It's you… You're Hiraikotsu…"
"We have fought by your side from the very beginning!" They hissed "We believed that through countless battles, a bond was forged between us, one that could not be broken! And now you have poisoned us, you have betrayed us!"
Sango felt tears coming to her eyes "Hiraikotsu…"
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"If you drink this and manage to survive it, you will be free from all pain when you suck in miasma and poison in the future." explained the MOP.
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"I wonder what those two are discussing over there?" asked Kagome
Gohan shrugged and went to go take a look.
Then Koga woke up, no longer drunk, and followed him "Stay here, Kagome."
Inuyasha was still out like a light.
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"Whatever happens to you will still happen." The MOP warned "You just won't feel it. But those wounds from the miasma won't heal."
"I'll drink it." Miroku said immediately "I already know what you're going to say."
Gohan and Koga came over, and Koga sniffed the remedy "It's poison."
The MOP nodded "It certainly is poison. One that will allow you to fight without feeling any of the pain. However, it won't stop the damage from the miasma from spreading. On the contrary. Pain or no pain, it will spread to your heart, and you will die."
Gohan looked at the monk "Miroku, are you sure about this?"
Miroku nodded firmly "I understand the implications. But you both have to understand, it's getting worse."
Koga snorted "I know that. You think I hadn't noticed? The scent of miasma from your body is growing stronger every day."
"Exactly."
"What exactly do you think will happen to Sango if you die?" asked Gohan "I mean with Kagome, if I die, she has Koga to be there for her, and vice versa."
Koga nodded "But you're the only man she's got."
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Sango took another blow from one of the demons.
"Why do you not resist us?" The demons questioned "Didn't the master of potions tell you to slay us?"
"There's no way I can do that." Sango stated firmly as she dropped her sword "I refuse. Hiraikotsu, if you will accept me, I wish to fight by your side again."
"Then swear it will not happen again!" The demons hissed "Swear that you will never betray us again! Swear to us that next time, you will abandoned the human man instead of sacrificing us! Only then shall we return to you as Hiraikotsu!"
Sango shook her head "Forgive me Hiraikotsu. I cannot make that promise."
"WHY NOT?!"
"Because I won't be able to live if he dies." Explained Sango
"If you're willing to sacrifice your life for this human man, then we shall take it now!"
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"Don't you get it?" Koga barked "If you drink this medicine, you won't hesitate to use the Wind Tunnel. In other words, you'll just end up killing yourself sooner."
"Are you two telling me not to fight? That I should allow myself to be protected instead?" Miroku questioned angrily "If I can't use the Wind Tunnel, then Sango will only push herself harder to compensate for me! I won't allow Sango to risk her life to protect me."
Koga scoffed "You're stupid pride is gonna kill you."
Gohan snorted "Look who's talking."
"Hey! If anybody's that bad, it's the mutt!"
"Shut up!" Miroku snapped "You both seemed convinced that I'm rushing to my death, but my decision has nothing to do with that. Drinking this medicine will determine how I live. I want to fight so I can survive. So I can protect her."
Gohan sighed "Well Miroku, when you put it that way, I really can't argue. I'll let you pull your incredibly stupid stunt, and I won't tell Sango or Kagome, on one condition. Promise me you won't use your Wind Tunnel unless it's a matter of life or death. Sango might forgive you for killing yourself, but I won't."
Koga nodded "The same with me."
Miroku smiled "We have a deal. Thank you, my friends." And he began drinking the poison.
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The demons had Sango in their clutches "Sango this is your last chance. Swear that you will never betray us again!"
"I can't do that."
"Even though we will tear you apart?!"
"Hiraikotsu, I refuse to make a promise that I cannot keep." Sango stated firmly
"You're willing to sacrifice yourself. Does this monk really mean that much to you?"
"He does."
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Miroku felt the burning sensation from the poison, and collapsed.
Kagome noticed this and started walking towards them "Hey, is everything ok?"
"This is bad!" The MOP whispered "We're nowhere near finished! Oh, I Know!" Using his extending arm, he flipped up Kagome skirt, before she quickly pushed it back down.
WHAM!
BANG!
CRACK!
SLAM!
The MOP was covered in bruises, courtesy of Gohan and Koga "It was the only way to keep that girl away, I swear!"
Gohan punched him once more for emphasis and threw him into the waterfall "Koga, look after Miroku. I'll go stall Kagome."
Koga nodded "Do what you gotta do. But don't tell her about the poison."
"I don't plan to." and he made his way over to Kagome.
"Gohan, is Miroku okay?" asked Kagome
"Turns out Miroku's a lightweight." Gohan lied
Miroku, meanwhile, continued enduring the pain 'I just have to continue enduring this a little while longer! Then no more pain!'
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"Sango even now, the monk is being consumed by miasma! He is nothing more than a burden upon you!"
"Yes, I know that. But the monk has risked his life many times to save me."
"And for that, you are willing to throw away your own life to save a dying man?"
"I have no intention of throwing my life away."
"What?!"
"I plan to survive and share my life with the monk! Knowing that he is alive is what gives me the courage to live on! Hiraikotsu, I beg of you! Please, lend both of us your strength!"
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Miroku continued enduring the poison, the woman he loved being his strength 'Sango…'
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The liquid was surrounded in a bright light.
The demons turned into skeletons "We are demons, Sango. We cannot understand your human affection and empathy! However, we have just felt the monk's resolve, and THAT, we do understand. We have decided. We shall support you once more."
The skeletons disappeared, reforming into Hiraikotsu "We shall fight by your side again!"
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"What you probably didn't realize is that all my herbs and poisons are interconnected." MOP explained "You see, the poison which entered the body has changed the poison in the jug into a remedy. Now then, how do you feel?"
"Much better." Miroku replied "It's unbelievable."
Koga smirked "It looks like Sango turned out okay, too."
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Gohan and Koga watched Miroku worriedly.
"Just so we're clear, the monk's body hasn't recovered." The MOP warned "He merely can't feel the pain from his wounds anymore. The damage from the miasma remains."
Gohan nodded "I know. And I'm grateful for even that much."
"Master of Potions!" Sango cried as she happily ran over to him "You've helped restore Hiraikotsu to the way it was! I can't thank you enough!"
The MOP raised an eyebrow "The way it was? You forget that your Hiraikotsu has been swimming around in my herbs and poisons. It will never be the way it was, as you say. However, it won't be evident to you until you fight again. When you do, don't be surprised by how it may have changed."
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Trunks wasn't having fun at the moment.
Sesshomaru's Meido Zangetsuha expanded considerably after the incident in the Underworld, but since then, he hadn't had any luck in figuring out how to mature the Meido into a complete circle, causing him to be impatient and bad tempered.
Soon enough, an apparently eyeless girl approached them "Lord Sesshomaru. Did you wish to know the secret behind your sword? Do you wish to know what Tenseiga is lacking?"
"You're going to tell me what Tenseiga is lacking?" Sesshomaru questioned.
The eyeless girl nodded "I'm sure it must trouble you greatly. The fact that Tenseiga's Meido has yet to achieve a complete circle."
Jaken was about to start squawking, but Trunks put a hand over his mouth.
The eyeless girl turned to walk away "If you wish to know more, then I suggest you follow me, lord Sesshomaru."
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Gohan and the others were chasing through a ravine.
"This way!" said Kagome "I sense a Shikon jewel shard! It's Kohaku!"
Inuyasha nodded "I can smell Sesshomaru and Trunks too. I guess the three of them must be working together."
"Smart move. Kohaku knew that with both Sesshomaru and Trunks, it would be nearly twice as difficult to reach him." Gohan noted "After all, they're two of the strongest people I know.
Sango, on the other hand, was still worried about Kohaku.
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Sesshomaru and Trunks's group continued following the eyeless girl through a mountain valley.
"Lord Sesshomaru, are you acquainted with this odd child we're following?" Asked Jaken
"No." He stated bluntly
"Well then, might this not be a trap of some kind?" Asked Jaken
"You mean like promising to reveal something Tenseiga lacks, then leading lord Sesshomaru to his death?" asked Trunks
"Exactly!"
"In that case, I'll have to kill her." Sesshomaru stated flatly
Then they stopped when they noticed that the eyeless child had disappeared.
Immediately after, Sesshomaru and the others dodge an attack aimed at them.
Finding his opponent, Sesshomaru aimed his Meido Zangetsuha at the mountainside, taking a large chunk of it.
"I see you deliberately aimed at my footing." Said a voice, as Sesshomaru saw a demon wielding a strange and powerful staff on top of the mountain "Are you so desperate to learn the secret behind Tenseiga that you would knowingly walk into a trap, Sesshomaru?"
"I do not know who you are, nor do I care. Now tell me, why do you know about Tenseiga?" He snarled
"Because once, long ago, I face it in battle, along with one other sword." Explained the demon, Shishinki "Although it looked nothing like it does now. When I fought against your father and his brother, the sword was in a different form."
Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed 'A different form?' He charged at Shishinki, who avoided Sesshomaru's poison claw "Your tactics amuse me. You fight without your sword in order to learn its secret. You underestimate me. A deadly mistake!" And he launched an attack from his staff, which slammed into the side of one of the mountains.
Sesshomaru's eyes widened when he got a good look at the attack 'A Meido!'
Trunks and Kohaku took a close look, and noticed that while it wasn't as big as Sesshomaru's, the Meido Zangetsuha launched by Shishinki was a complete circle.
"I'll have you know that Meido Zangetsuha was originally MY technique." Explained Shishinki "That's right, it was mine! Until your father and uncle stole it from me! They took it, along with my face." He revealed that part of his face had been cut off.
Sesshomaru scoffed "From what I've heard thus far, you summoned me here not to reveal a secret, but to whine about your technique being stolen, and your face being destroyed. Frankly, I think it's an improvement."
Shishinki ignored the last comment "Only one practitioner is needed for each technique. Especially considering Tenseiga is an incomplete blade!" And he launched another Meido
'Incomplete?!' Sesshomaru's mind screamed as he dodged the Meido "Well? What is this secret?"
Shishinki smirked "Still curious? Even as you approach your death?"
Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed "Very well. It appeared you have no intention of answering me. In which case, you are no longer needed!" And he launched his Meido from Tenseiga.
Shishinki scoffed "Sesshomaru, your Meido is needlessly large and malformed. You will never be able to create a complete Meido like I can!" And he launched another Meido from his staff, easily swallowing Sesshomaru's larger Meido.
At that point, Gohan's group arrived, and he and Inuyasha drew the Ryuuga and Tessaiga, with the Ryuuga taking on its tiger claws form.
Shishinki looked on in wonder as his eyes landed on Tessaiga "Could it be…?"
"Shishinki!" Myoga screamed from Inuyasha's shoulder.
"Myoga, you know this clown?" Asked Gohan
"I do! He's known as Shishinki, the ogre of death! He's a demon who was defeated by master Inuyasha and lord Sesshomaru's father many many years ago! He was a fierce opponent as I recall! It's impossible! How is he still alive? This isn't good! If lord Sesshomaru learns the secret behind Tenseiga, there's no telling what he'll do!'
"Is that the old flea Myoga?" Asked Shishinki "I wasn't sure until now, but if you're here too, there can be no mistake!" And he launched a Meido at them, which they dodged, Gohan saving Kagome at the last second.
"You're gonna regret doing that, you clown!" Gohan snarled "Dragon Cyclone!" And he launched the demonic wind dragon, which was swallowed up by a second Meido fired by Shishinki, along with Inuyasha's Wind Scar "So it is those two. I heard he had two sons, and now here you are. The old man gave Tessaiga to his youngest did he? I can understand Inuboshi leaving the Ryuuga to the warrior of the prophecy, but Tessaiga to his youngest? Sesshomaru, do you not find it strange? Shouldn't the elder brother have received Tessaiga? Now why do you suppose your father left it to him instead?"
Sesshomaru's glare hardened "Shishinki, you summoned me here to fight, did you not? Then what are you waiting for? There is no need for this much idle chatter!" And he launched another Meido, which Shishinki's Meido swallowed easily.
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"Looks like Sesshomaru is using it too." Koga noted "And his is way bigger."
"Bigger, yes, but his technique is incomplete!" Myoga cried
"Myoga, weren't you just with Inuyasha a minute ago?" Asked Miroku
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"Sesshomaru, what do you know of your sword?" asked Shishinki "Do you have any idea how Tenseiga was born?"
Gohan nodded "It was made from one of his father's fangs, like Tessaiga."
"But that's not the full story. As I said, Tenseiga was nothing like it is now. It was in a different form back when I fought your father. The truth is, Tenseiga didn't actually exist at the time. The two swords I fought against were none other than Ryuuga and Tessaiga!"
'Is he saying that Tessaiga is the one that stole Meido Zangetsuha?' Gohan mused
Shishinki smirked "So you didn't know, Sesshomaru? Well let's see, how should I say this? Tenseiga was originally Tessaiga-"
"SILENCE!" Sesshomaru roared furiously as he launched another Meido, but Shishinki's Meido easily cancelled it out before launching another, which was dodged "Now then, I presume those two were unable to steal Meido Zangetsuha after stealing it from me, it rightful owner."
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"Wow. Is all that true, Myoga?" asked Kagome
Myoga nodded "It's true that my lord had been pondering how to use this technique once he'd acquire it."
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"That is why they split the power of the technique between the two blades, and the half that remained, he cast away from Tessaiga." Explained Shishinki "And so, that unwanted technique, the one Tessaiga had no use for, was given to Tenseiga instead."
Sesshomaru's mind was racing 'Why? Why did father do this?'
"And on top of that, if I'm not mistaken, the younger brother smells part human. It seems unthinkable." Shishinki spat, adding insult to injury "Why would the old man bequeath Tessaiga, his original sword, to a mere half demon? Poor Sesshomaru. It looks like your father passed you by in favor of your younger brother."
'Why? Tessaiga's barrier rejects me from even touching it!' Sesshomaru mentally raged 'First, I was given Tenseiga, a sword meant for healing instead of fighting. Now I find out the technique I finally learned, Meido Zangetsuha, was the one Tessaiga no longer needed! Why father? Why would you treat me this way?'
"Do you understand now?" Shishinki taunted, snapping Sesshomaru from his thoughts "Tenseiga is an incomplete sword. It cannot perform my technique. What you wield is just a part of Tessaiga as such, it will never be able to perform a complete Meido. No amount of training will change that!" And he launched another Meido from his staff, which Inuyasha subdued with a Wind Scar, as Shishinki avoided the remainder of the attack "So half demon, trying to help you older brother are you? Well there's no need to rush into battle. I shall deal with you and the Ryuuga boy once I've buried Sesshomaru."
"Shut up!" Inuyasha barked.
Gohan subdued him "Sit."
WHAM!
"What the *** was that for?!" He barked, but it was muffled since he was eating dirt.
"This is Sesshomaru's fight. It's not our place to get involved." Gohan stated flatly, earning him a grateful nod from Sesshomaru before he furiously charged at Shishinki.
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"You can't blame Sesshomaru for being angry. Still, if the technique was unwanted like this guy said it was, then why not just get rid of it for good?" Asked Kagome "Instead, their father and uncle chose to leave it in Tenseiga, and trust Sesshomaru with it."
'That he did Kagome.' Myoga ranted in his mind But if Sesshomaru were to ever learn the reason why my lord left him with Tenseiga, I fear he would not be able to accept it, especially not in his current state of mind.'
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Sesshomaru charged at Shishinki, outstretching his poison claws, dodging the Meidos sent out by Shishinki.
That is, until Shishinki started launching multiple Meidos at once.
"It would appear that despair has clouded your judgement, Sesshomaru." Shishinki taunted "But that works for me!" And he launched more Meidos, but Sesshomaru continued dodging them.
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"Looks like he's doing okay dodging them." Said Koga "But his movements are becoming predictable. It's only a matter of time before one of those Meidos hits him."
Kagome nodded "Plus, it looks like all that stuff Shishinki said about his father is getting to him. He's not thinking clearly right now."
"I must tell him what my lord had in mind!" Myoga wailed "It's only right that he know! But sadly, I lack the means to approach. Could it be the end for him?"
Koga smirked and grabbed him "I can help with that." And he launched him on one of the shards from his steel hurricane, which cancelled out several of the Meidos, while ignoring Myoga's cry of "I don't wanna!"
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Shishinki scoffed "At least you're good at running away."
"You are wrong. I have no intention of running away from scum like you." Sesshomaru growled
"Lord Sesshomaru, please!" Myoga pleaded as he jumped from the steel shard "You must listen to what I have to say! I came over because I couldn't stay silent any longer!"
"Don't listen to his excuses! I had to throw him to get him over there!" Koga called out
Myoga ignored him "Lord Sesshomaru, you were not sided! On the contrary! Your father bequeathed Tenseiga to you because of who you are! Meido Zangetsuha is a fearsome attack which sends one's foes directly to the Underworld! It is not a technique that just anyone can use!"
Shishinki nodded "That is quite true. Your half demon brother wouldn't be able to endure the demonic energy from the Underworld."
"Knowing you were a true demon, your father was betting on your strength, lord Sesshomaru! You see, he believed you would eventually master Meido Zangetsuha and use Tenseiga as it was intended to be used!"
"And you would have me believe that was his reason for casting Tenseiga off of Tessaiga, would you?" He growled
Shishinki smirked "That is a good question. If his faith in Sesshomaru was so great, could he not have bequeathed Tessaiga to him along with Meido Zangetsuha? He certainly could have, if he thought that you were promising enough."
"Well… You do have a point there…" Myoga stammered
Annoyed, Inuyasha tried to squish him between his fingers "You can't let him win the argument."
"Silence Myoga." Sesshomaru growled as he charged 'There is no longer anything to discuss.'
He continued dodging the Meidos and charged at Shishinki 'I already lost my left arm to Tessaiga, the sword that my father left to Inuyasha. However…' he stuck his claw in Shishinki's face, destroying the headwear that covered the missing part of his face 'I am not one to hold a grudge. After all, it happened in the heat of battle.'
"How dare you hit my face." Shishinki growled
"The secret behind Tenseiga. It is not meant to be uttered by a mouth as wretched and twisted as yours. Every word you speak brings shame to it."
"Silence you insolent brat!" Shishinki hissed "I will make you regret damaging my face, as your father did!" And he launched more Meidos, which Gohan countered with his Platinum Cannon.
Gohan, Sesshomaru and Inuyasha leapt into the air, and felt their swords pulsing.
Gohan looked at Sesshomaru and Inuyasha "Inuyasha! Lord Sesshomaru! Draw your swords! Something might happen!"
At that moment, his claws turned pure black and started glowing with demonic energy.
Sesshomaru drew Tenseiga 'Tenseiga was only cast off of Tessaiga to be rid of Meido Zangetsuha. Now, after inheriting this unwanted sword from my father, I'm supposed to use it to aid Inuyasha?!'
"Are you ready for it! Now you and your father's swords can spend the rest of eternity in the Underworld!" Shishinki snarled as he launched several Meidos.
Sesshomaru nodded at Gohan 'I still do not know what father was thinking when he gave me Tenseiga, perhaps I never will. But I no longer care about that! Never Shishinki! I would not allow my life to be taken by scum like you!" And he launched his Meido, which formed a complete circle.
At the same time, from Gohan's claws emerged a Meido the same size, also forming a complete circle.
Both Meidos combined into one larger one, engulfing the ones made by Shishinki.
Even in the face of his demise, Shishinki smirked "Now I see. I pity you, Sesshomaru! What your father did was cruel! It was cruel you hear?!" And with that, he disappeared within the Meido, which then disappeared, leaving nothing behind.
Gohan then gave Koga a thumbs up "You see that, Koga? That's what a complete Ryuuga looks like!"
"No." Sesshomaru stated flatly "I can sense it. You've only scratched the surface of your Meido Zangetsuha. It only awoke in reaction to mine." He then re-sheathed Tenseiga and started to walk away.
Inuyasha's voice stopped him "Wait, Sesshomaru. That thing you just did. That was a complete Meido Zangetsuha, wasn't it?"
Sesshomaru didn't respond, and just continued walking away.
Inuyasha didn't let up "This means you've mastered Tenseiga now. I can assume that, right? Look, father died before I was old enough to remember him. I have no way of knowing what he was thinking back then. But all of those things Shishinki was saying. That Tenseiga was something Tessaiga didn't need, that it's incomplete. Those were lies, right? I mean, father left you Tenseiga because he trusted you, because you were a real demon."
"Why do you ask, anyway?" Asked Sesshomaru
Inuyasha looked at him like he was crazy "Why? Because Sesshomaru, I'm sick and tired of you giving me crap about this sword! Let's just agree that Tenseiga was your proper inheritance from father, and let that be the end of it. Can we agree, Sesshomaru?"
Sesshomaru scoffed "Inuyasha, are you blind? Can you not see it? Tenseiga was able to produce a complete Meido only because Tessaiga was nearby. They responded to one another, but that will only lead to conflict. Inuyasha, like it or not, you and I are destined to fight each other until the day we die. Do not forget that." And with that, he walked away, with Trunks and the others following after him, leaving Sango and Gohan to worry about their brothers.
Myoga feared that Sesshomaru had realized his father's true intentions for entrusting him with Tenseiga.
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A few days went by without incident.
Byakuya arrived at the site of the battle between Shishinki and Sesshomaru, and learned the details through something called 'rock children' that had witnessed the battle.
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Jaken, Rin and Kohaku were waiting for Sesshomaru and Trunks to return, after they had gone off on their own to get information about Tenseiga and Meido Zangetsuha, from an old friend.
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Sesshomaru and Trunks had gone off to interrogate Totosai about Tenseiga and the Meido Zangetsuha, based on the information they'd received from Shishinki.
They found no useful information.
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Feeling a bad sensation, Kohaku tried to get Jaken and Rin, but couldn't before Naraku closed in on them to take Kohaku's shard "I've never known you to be this careless, Kohaku."
"What do you want?" Kohaku growled "Have you come for my shard?"
Naraku smirked "Of course. Why else would I be here? Yours is the last one. With it, the Shikon jewel will be complete. Kikyo, who once purified and protected your shard, is no longer around to help you. And even if she was, she's lost her spiritual powers. I'm afraid there's nowhere for you to run now."
He reached for Kohaku's shard, but Kohaku used his chain-sickle to cut off Naraku's hand, before it regenerated.
But as soon as Naraku's tentacles touched Kohaku's shard, a pure light emitted from it, engulfing Naraku in pure blue flames.
Kohaku and the others took the opportunity to flee on A-Un, Sesshomaru's pet dragon.
Naraku wasted no time chasing after them once he'd extinguished the flames "Didn't I tell you there was nowhere for you to run? Kohaku, do you have any idea what Kikyo was planning? Shall I tell you? It's true that she purified your Shikon jewel shard, but she didn't do it to save your life. She did it because she wanted to plunge the one remaining pure shard into my Shikon jewel, and purify me along with it. Yes, even without any of her powers, that Kikyo is still a threat to my existence."
'In other words, my shard can still be used as a weapon to defeat Naraku!' Kohaku realized
"Now now Kohaku, don't get your hopes up. I have ways of retrieving the Shikon jewel shard without even touching it." Naraku hissed from inside his tornado as his tentacles launched towards them.
"What does Naraku intend to do?" Asked Jaken
"He's gonna try and cut off my head and take it with him." explained Kohaku
"Exactly." Naraku spat "I will take your head with the shard still in your neck, allowing me to slowly defile it!"
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"That's Naraku's miasma." Miroku examined
Kagome nodded "I think Kohaku's there too. I sense a Shikon jewel shard.
"Sango, let's go." Gohan carefully slid Kagome off his back "Koga, take care of Kagome."
Koga nodded "You can count on me."
"I know." then he, Sango and Kilala took off.
Koga and the others followed, but were stalled by Byakuya and a cloud of miasma, before Miroku sucked up the poison with his Wind Tunnel.
Koga looked at Miroku intently, remembering the warning from the Master of Potions.
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Thanks to Naraku defiling his shard, it allowed him to control Kohaku, nearly making him cut off his own head, before Gohan and Sango intervened "Naraku!"
Naraku smirked "Son Gohan, Sango. If you truly care for Kohaku, end his life so that he may finally rest in peace."
"Don't **** with us." Gohan snarled
"Do you not understand?" Naraku spat "Death is the only way to save Kohaku's soul from its torment. Think about it. Your brother managed to escape my control and come to his senses. Yet you siblings still can't be together. Why is that? It's because Kohaku is avoiding you. You, his loving and devoted sister. But who can blame him? After all, Sango, you saw everything. Every shameful act he committed. Like it or not, your very presence reminds Kohaku of his hateful past."
"Is that all you have to say?" Sango growled "That Kohaku is avoiding me? What's your point? I knew that already. Naraku, Kohaku may have been under your control, but that doesn't change the fact that he killed our father in cold blood. I too relive that day over and over again just as Kohaku must. I know he feels anguish and shame for what he did. And that is exactly why I will not let him die. Until Kohaku can overcome that pain, until he is free, I will continue to fight you Naraku!"
Naraku chuckled "Your resolve is admirable. Though sadly, it won't be of much use to you."
Kohaku felt his shard being defiled again "Sister… Gohan… Please, get out of here."
But he couldn't stop himself from attacking, which Gohan blocked with the staff form of the Ryuuga, before "Sango, kick his ass. Jaken, get Rin out of here. Use the power of the Ryu scale."
Jaken nodded and held up the staff of two heads.
One head released fire, and the other head released wind, increasing the power of the fire, burning a path through the miasma, allowing them to get to safety.
Sango wasted no time in throwing Hiraikotsu at Naraku, surprising ripping his body in half, much to his clear shock 'Impossible! I am a mass of demonic energy! I cannot be shattered by the same energy! No, there's more than just my demonic energy. Something new. An entirely different poison.' He then felt his body being ripped in half, not to mention his face 'My body isn't recovering!'
Gohan then used the opportunity to attack "Platinum Cannon!" And the platinum spears shredded Naraku's body even further.
Naraku's remains then attempted to escape in a tornado of miasma, but Koga and the others arrived, and Kagome shot a sacred arrow, combined with Gohan's Dragon Flash, but he escaped.
"Damnit!" Koga growled "He got away!"
Gohan shrugged "We'll get him. Still though, Sango, that was incredible!"
Sango nodded "I sure didn't expect it. Hiraikotsu can now draw in demonic energy and shatter it! Thanks to you, I actually stand a chance against Naraku.'
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Naturally, the group had to stay with Kohaku and the others.
Based on what Kohaku told her, Kagome realized the reason behind Kohaku's shard being purified when Naraku touched it.
She realized the meaning of the image Kanna showed her before she died.
There was one speck of pure light within the Shikon jewel.
Feeling that he could be trusted, Gohan and Koga told Inuyasha about Miroku taking the potion that prevented him from feeling any pain, but the damage would still spread.
Miroku examined his arm, realizing that the miasma had spread.
He prayed that his body would hold out until Naraku was destroyed.
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Naraku was recovering inside his barrier.
Byakuya commented on how the plan didn't go well, and was met with Naraku telling him to shut up.
A glass shard then fell out of the barrier: a fragment of the mirror demon, a memento of Kanna.
This confused Byakuya, who Naraku instructed to go and give the fragment to Sesshomaru, who was unknowingly Naraku's pawn.
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"Don't you have someplace else to go? Scram! Be on your way!" Jaken squawked
"Watch it Jaken!" Inuyasha barked "Remember, we're only here because you squirts couldn't fend for yourselves."
"Who're you calling a squirt!" Jaken squawked
Inuyasha then picked him up by the waist and started stretching him. "Here. I'll make you taller."
"Stop this at once, you animal!" Jaken squawked
Inuyasha grinned "Hey, you're getting pretty stretchy there Jaken."
That was when Kagome had it "Cut it out Inuyasha! Sit boy!"
WHAM!
Inuyasha lay unconscious in a crater… With Jaken lying underneath him "I can't feel my legs!"
Rin stood up and smiled "Lord Sesshomaru! Trunks!"
Sesshomaru and Trunks emerged from the forest, and nodded to each other, understanding Sesshomaru's intentions after receiving the fragment of the mirror demon from Byakuya.
Sesshomaru drew Tenseiga "Draw, Inuyasha. This must be Naraku's idea. He wishes to pit me against Inuyasha, in hope we will eliminate each other, knowing that I wouldn't challenge Son Gohan, since the Ryuuga's properties of demonic and spiritual energy would overload Tenseiga. There's no other reason for him to help me. An obvious trap. However, it is a trap worth springing.'
Inuyasha looked at his brother like he was crazy "Hey Sesshomaru, what's going on? Have you lost your mind."
"Silence. I said draw." Sesshomaru repeated coldly
Inuyasha scoffed "Idiot. You're still hung up about Tessaiga, aren't you?"
Without a word, Sesshomaru launched a Meido at Inuyasha, who leapt out of the way, taking Jaken with him.
"Alright. If that's how it's gonna be, then I won't hold back either, bastard." Inuyasha growled as he threw Jaken away and drew Tessaiga.
Sesshomaru then shattered the fragment of the mirror demon over Tenseiga's blade, causing it to gain the same appearance as Tessaiga.
Inuyasha charged "Take this! Wind Scar!"
But nothing happened.
Inuyasha's eyes widened 'The scent from Tenseiga's blade… It couldn't be…'
Sesshomaru swung Tenseiga at Inuyasha "Wind Scar!"
Inuyasha barely leapt out of the way "What's going on Sesshomaru? Why can I smell Naraku's scent on your sword?"
"Actually, that would be my scent." Byakuya corrected from above. "I've passed a fragment of Kanna's mirror demon onto lord Sesshomaru. I hope you don't mind."
"But lord Sesshomaru! Why?" Rin pleaded "While you were gone, Naraku tried to kill Kohaku! He's evil! You can't trust him! Don't listen to what he says!"
Gohan put a hand on her shoulder "Rin, lord Sesshomaru isn't so stupid as to fall for an obvious trap like that. If he sprung it, he knows what he's doing."
Byakuya sighed "Everyone's got an opinion. Let's go to a place where you can fight without interruption."
And he splashed water from his gourd on the ground around them, creating a miniature moon, which floated up into the sky before disappearing.
Byakuya then disappeared before Sango could unleash Hiraikotsu on him.
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Sesshomaru and Inuyasha found themselves in a void, surrounded by small islands, miasma, and demons. Lots of demons.
Sesshomaru gave a small smirk "This is good. There's no one around to interrupt our battle."
"You disappoint me, Sesshomaru." Inuyasha barked "I never imagined you'd sink this low."
Sesshomaru then mutely fired an Adamant Barrage at Inuyasha "You disappoint me too, Inuyasha. Is this really the extent of your abilities. If so, it only proves that you never deserved to wield Tessaiga in the first place." Then his eyes narrowed as the dust settled "It would seem the scabbard's barrier protected you."
"Sesshomaru! You were actually trying to kill me!" Inuyasha growled
Without a word, Sesshomaru then activated the red Tessaiga and shattered the barrier.
Inuyasha rebounded off of one of the islands, and the two clashed their blades.
"If you prove yourself weak, I'll kill you. Then I'll get rid of Tessaiga and Tenseiga for good!" Sesshomaru warned as they broke off their clash, before he regained his demeanor "Prove it, Inuyasha. Prove that it is you that is the rightful heir to Tessaiga. That is all I ask."
Inuyasha smirked as he stood "So you're telling me that if I win, you'll let this go?"
"Something like that." Sesshomaru replied vaguely as he launched another Wind Scar, which Inuyasha couldn't block, and was sent plummeting into the miasma below.
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Byakuya watched from Naraku's hideout, using the ability to deattatch his eye, and reported that Sesshomaru had just sent Inuyasha flying.
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As Gohan and the others were waiting and worrying about Sesshomaru and Inuyasha, Totosai arrived, and used his demon bull Momo to show them the fight.
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Sesshomaru stood over the edge of one of the islands, and. quickly retreated once Inuyasha emerged.
Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow when he saw Inuyasha's change in appearance "You've turned into a demon out of desperation?"
Inuyasha just growled as he felt the demonic energy Tessaiga should've lost flowing into him "Sesshomaru!" And they clashed their swords 'The energy he stole is flowing into me!'
The two broke off their clash, Inuyasha landing just above the river of miasma "I can do this!"
"Just crossing blades with him caused all of the demonic energy to escape." Sesshomaru mused as he retreated, feeling the Tenseiga pulsing 'You really want to return to Inuyasha, don't you?'
Inuyasha then launched a Wind Scar, which Sesshomaru countered with a Backlash Wave, which was matched by Inuyasha's own Backlash Wave.
The resulting clash sent several of the surrounding demons flying, whirlpools of miasma being released from the corpses.
"This time I'm gonna take back Adamant Barrage!" Inuyasha growled as he charged, but Sesshomaru was ready for him "Meido Zangetsuha!" And Inuyasha was swallowed by the technique.
Sesshomaru looked at the path 'Meido Zangetsuha is a technique I developed and trained for. If you are truly fated to inherit it, show me then, and take it from me. Right here, right now.'
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'Dammit!' Inuyasha growled 'I can't do a thing! Isn't there anything? There must be! What should I do now, Tessaiga?'
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Sesshomaru stared at the portal 'Is that all it took, Inuyasha? And to think you were supposed to be the true heir to Tessaiga. Father, this is the end. Farewell. Be gone to the netherworld, along with Inuyasha.' And he threw Tenseiga into the Meido Zangetsuha, but Sesshomaru noticed it pulsing.
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Inuyasha felt Tessaiga pulsing, and looked to see that Tessaiga had taken on its Dragon Scaled form, along with his own demon vortex 'What am I supposed to cut with this Dragon Scaled Tessaiga?'
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Sesshomaru watched this from the outside 'That's Inuyasha's demonic energy. But will he be able to understand Tessaiga's desire. But even if he does figure it out, will he be able to execute it? I'm sure you realize that to cut through your demon vortex will mean taking your own life. So, Inuyasha, are you capable of doing that?'
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Inuyasha noticed his demon vortex behind him 'My demon vortex. Am I supposed to cut through it? Come on Tessaiga! I believe in you! I'll do this!' And he brought the blade down on his demon vortex "I can feel it! The demonic energy is flowing through me and Tessaiga!"
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Sesshomaru watched this, and finally had the answer he needed 'This is it. This is proof that Inuyasha is the rightful heir to the sword.'
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Unknown to anyone, Naraku and Byakuya were still watching, and Naraku decided to act himself, using the Tenseiga Sesshomaru abandoned.
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Inuyasha continued cutting through his demon vortex "Okay! Good, Tessaiga! Keep this up, and soon we'll be rid of the path to the Underworld!"
Suddenly, he found himself being attacked by spears of adamant from behind.
Inuyasha looked and saw Tenseiga 'That's Sesshomaru's sword.' Then he heard evil laughter coming from it "The fragment of Kanna's mirror demon that I gave to Sesshomaru is still on this sword!"
"Naraku!" Inuyasha snarled
"That's right." Naraku's voice hissed "This sword is a part of me, just as Kanna's mirror demon was. I can control it effortlessly!" And he fired more spears of adamant, realizing miasma from the ones that had impaled Inuyasha before.
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Seeing this, Sesshomaru decided to act 'Naraku.' And he jumped into the Meido.
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Naraku continued firing spears of adamant at Inuyasha, before Sesshomaru appeared and grabbed the Tenseiga, returning it to it's original form 'Naraku, I already know what must be done. Raise your sword, Inuyasha."
"As if you had to ask!" Inuyasha growled
The two clashed their blades once more 'This fight is between myself and Inuyasha. Naraku, you no longer have a part to play in this!'
They clashed their blades once more, before the fragments came off of Tenseiga's blade.
Seeing this, Sesshomaru brought Tenseiga down on Tessaiga, and the Tenseiga's blade snapped clean in two.
The minute this happened, Inuyasha returned to his normal form, and the Tessaiga's blade turned black, just as Sesshomaru intended.
Inuyasha had gained the Meido Zangetsuha.
Shortly after, Inuyasha passed out from Naraku's miasma being emitted by the adamant spears in his back.
Sesshomaru glared at Inuyasha's unconscious form "Succumbing to Naraku's poison. Your nature is weak, half-demon."
He then removed the adamant spears from Inuyasha's back, causing him to regain consciousness, after a fist to the face "Sesshomaru. What, you still want to fight?"
Sesshomaru shook his head "Later. The path has been closed. Will we stay here on the path to the Underworld, or will we find some way to return to the world of the living? Inuyasha, it all depends on you. We don't have any time to waist. You have to act fast."
Inuyasha nodded slowly, as he saw a light, and cut through it with the Meido Zangetsuha, allowing them to return to the world of the living.
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The Meido spat out Inuyasha and Sesshomaru not far from where Gohan, Kagome and the others were watching the fight.
"Sesshomaru, are you able to accept what has happened?" asked Totosai
Sesshomaru nodded slightly as he ignored Jaken's crying "What had to happen happened."
Totosai held up Tenseiga, which had fallen out of the path to the Underworld along with Inuyasha and Sesshomaru "Although you may find little consolation in it now, I suggest you take it. It fell from the path to the Underworld."
Inuyasha's eyes widened "I see. That light I was following must've come from Tenseiga."
Totosai held Tenseiga out to Sesshomaru "You may not be satisfied with this sword that cannot cut, but Tenseiga is powerful, for it heals."
Sesshomaru nodded slightly, took the sword and slowly walked away, with Kohaku, Trunks, Jaken and Rin following.
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"Hey Totosai, what's gonna happen to Sesshomaru?" Asked Inuyasha "Everything our father gave us is now mine. There's nothing left."
Totosai looked at him "If I were you, I'd be worrying less about my brother and more about mastering a new Tessaiga. You do realize you had help, right? You didn't escape from the path to the Underworld on your own."
Inuyasha nodded "If I hadn't been guided by Tenseiga's light, I never would've made it back."
"Precisely. Besides, Sesshomaru hasn't realized this yet, but he's one step away from obtaining a weapon of his own. And he'll be pleased to learn that this one is not an heirloom from his father."