NVP
Chapter four
"Inuyasha, I thought we moved because it was too dangerous where we were." Kagome said, worried.
"We did."
"Then why are we following the dragon's trail back to where it said the danger was?"
Inuyasha spun around to face her and yelled.
"Because the best way of being safe again is to get rid of the danger, alright?"
He regretted snapping instantly as Kagome shrunk back from his voice. He turned away to avoid the glares he knew were coming from the others and continued walking in silence. Barely audible whispers also hung in the air behind him but his keen ears picked up every word.
"What's wrong with him?" Sango asked quietly.
"Does there need to be a reason?" Shippo said dryly.
Miroku regarded Kagome for a moment. She was also walking in silence but her eyes held a sad and hurt look.
"No Shippo, he's been acting strangely since we stopped for the night. Something is troubling him."
"Something about the dragon?" Sango asked.
"I don't think so." Answered Miroku.
By the time Gor'lan had neared the ship, dawn was very near to breaking. At the edge of the clearing he began to hear low voices. Two figures were now visible. One in a robe with its hair tied back stood behind the other figure that shrouded itself in some kind of animal pelt. Not far away stood the cloaked ship.
The shrouded figure slowly circled it and even reached out to touch it several times. When it spoke, although Gor'lan had no idea as to what it was saying, he was surprised at its calmness.
"This is no barrier." Naraku said, more to himself than to Kagura. Kagura looked surprised.
"What is it then?"
Naraku frowned and narrowed his eyes at the object a few feet away.
"It is not a barrier but its function is much the same as one. Its purpose is not to block entry, but to simply hide the object itself." He chuckled to himself. "It seems that there is yet another demon that I must absorb into my flesh." Kagura scowled and mentally added,
'Only you failed to absorb Sesshomaru. Must you seek another, you fool?'
Naraku reached out again and ran his fingers along the object again, then tapped it. The resulting sound was metallic but somehow different. He was about to pull his hand away when something caught his eye. There off to the side of his arm were three dots. He reached up with his other hand to touch them but it appeared on the back of his hand instead. Quickly understanding their nature, he looked in the direction the lights were coming from.
Gor'lan fired his plasma caster as his target turned, and wasn't at all surprised when it leapt to the side, well out of harm's way. After all, why end it so quickly?
Naraku, eyes wide and pulse racing, stared dumbfounded in the direction the attack had come from trying to make sense of what had just happened. He had a rough idea of where it had come from but there was nothing there. At least not right away. After a few tense moments, Naraku caught a flash of movement but could make out nothing solid until a flurry of blue sparks simply appeared out of nowhere.
Gor'lan stepped forward as he deactivated his camouflage and glared down at the obviously confused prey. As he reached back for his bladed spear, he began the long, low clicking growl of direct challenge.
As usual it was Inuyasha who heard it first. Somewhere not far ahead, a battle was beginning. In a nearly tree, Tor'mac could also hear the sounds of battle, and he could guess who at least one of the combatants were.
"Alright," Inuyasha said, drawing out Tetsusaiga, "It's time we got some answers."
"Right," Sango said with determination, "Kagome, do me a favor and keep an eye on Miroku while I change into my armor."
"Sure thing."
"My dear Sango, you wound me with your lack of trust." Miroku added, his voice thick with false hurt.
"Save it."
A few minutes later, Sango emerged from behind a tree sporting her armor and weapons,
"Right, now lets move before we miss everything," Inuyasha growled, and the group began running in the direction the sounds were coming from which had intensified in the few minutes they were delayed. Tor'mac remained in unseen pursuit as the group departed, just as eager, to the clearing ahead.
Naraku dodged yet another would-be fatal slash from Gor'lan's spear. Whatever his opponent was, he wasn't a novice in battle. Yet Naraku remained confident that his superior speed would counter balance the awesome skill of his enemy. Every strike Gor'lan made was dodged with ease.
"Now what brings this on, I wonder? I don't remember doing anything to deserve your ire."
Kagura stood off to one side scowling at the scene before her. What was this creature? More importantly, what was its grudge with Naraku? She rolled her eyes. Who had he pissed off now? Wasn't Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, Miroku, Sango and Koga enough? Then, a rather appealing thought occurred to her.
'That will be your downfall'. She mused, 'Although I should probably make the effort.'
Gor'lan did a back flip over one of Naraku's insect like appendages that had shot out from under his cloak but rather than simply land out of harm's way, he lashed out with his wrist blades and neatly sliced it off. Naraku retracted what remained of his arm and simply laughed. Each minor hit would serve no purpose in the long run, because each wound easily healed, each appendage easily regrew. So Naraku would simply bide his time until this one could no longer continue.
Naraku came in with four arms this time from the sides. Gor'lan blocked to his right with his spear then turned and slashed downward, severing those two but his right side was exposed and he was nearly skewered by the other two. At the last possible moment, Gor'lan turned avoiding the worst of the attack but both claws raked across his exposed midsection, each scoring a deep gash at an odd angle on his belly.
Gor'lan backed off holding his wounds. Naraku didn't press his attack any further. Instead he pulled his tentacles back under his baboon pelt, laughing all the while.
Inuyasha froze as the wind changed direction and allowed him to pick up the scent of what lay ahead of them. What he smelled though made his blood boil. He knew that stench anywhere.
A low growl grew deep in his throat, "Naraku."
Miroku and the others all stopped dead in their tracks
"Are you sure?"
Inuyasha barely heard him. All his attention was focused on the barely visible clearing up ahead. The sounds of battle had stopped abruptly. Meaning the fight was either over or at a pause. Inuyasha ran ahead drawing Tetsusaiga as he did so, the others doing their best to keep up. As he neared the edge of the clearing he took to the trees to gain a better view. Had he looked behind him he might have noticed that he was not alone on his perch among the branches.
Just ten feet away on a slightly higher branch, Tor'mac also oversaw the commotion in the clearing. Fortunately for Inuyasha, he was also interested in the prey that Gor'lan had chosen to reveal himself to. As he looked closer he noticed Gor'lan's wounds. Not serious but still surprising given that his opponent appeared as yet unharmed. There wasn't even a scratch on the think animal hide it shrouded itself with. Gor'lan had truly stumbled upon a worthy opponent. Although he had not actually witnessed the battle for the fact that it was unharmed and obviously calm spoke for itself.
To make matters even more interesting, it appeared to carry no weapons. How had it lasted this long? Tor'mac wished he could move closer to the action but restrained himself. If he moved now he would almost certainly alert his own prey.
The battle resumed with Gor'lan lunging in but yet again missing his mark by mere centimeters. When another of Naraku's spiny appendages shot out to strike at Gor'lan Tor'mac understood at once why he carried no weapons. He was a weapon. A cunning and deceptive creature indeed. Gor'lan raised his spear to block the oncoming assault and braced himself. As the blow struck he was forced back until he was pressed against the still cloaked ship.
Naraku raised a wicked looking claw to finish off Gor'lan when a blue flash of light erupted from the object on Gor'lan's left shoulder. On reflex, Naraku pulled away, freeing Gor'lan from his awkward position. Naraku pulled his still smoldering stump closer to his face and looked at the end.
"Interesting." Stated Naraku.
As Naraku looked back to his opponent more blue fire flashed. Naraku began dodging blasts with more than a little effort and cursing himself for not ending this sooner, while Gor'lan roared with newfound confidence and continued his rapid-fire barrage.
Normally, Inuyasha would have charged right into battle with Naraku, so would Miroku, Sango, and even Kagome. Normally. But this though was different. The spectacle unfolding before them had the entire group each finding themselves entranced and unable to move or speak. The same series of questions flowed through all of them. What was this new creature new creature? Why was it after Naraku? Was it possibly a new ally or enemy? While these questions and more troubled each of them, Kagome was more bothered by the feeling of the familiarity. Like she had seen this creature before. She knew it hadn't been something she had encountered with Inuyasha. But that meant that she had seen it in her era, but that was impossible, right?
There wasn't anything like this in her time, so why then, did she think she had seen this thing before? As the blasts continued her questions only grew more frustrating.
Naraku continued dodging until he was satisfied that he could gain nothing else by continuing the fight. It was time to end the charade. He ran in a long arc then abruptly changed course and charged straight at Gor'lan who continued to fire. Gor'lan understood the charge as a move of desperation and raised his spear at the last instant, plunging it deep into the white fur of Naraku's cloak, for a moment he swelled with pride at his own prowess. At bringing down such a mighty foe. That is until the cloak slumped down revealing that its occupant was no longer within, but behind it.
At the same instant Gor'lan had raised his spear; Naraku had thrown off the cloak, blinding him to the change. There stood Naraku, now in his hideous true form. Gor'lan cocked his head to the side, studying the sudden change, trying to figure it out how such a huge creature could conceal itself within the baboon pelt.
The plasma caster mounted on Gor'lan's shoulder swiveled to aim at Naraku once again. This time, however, Naraku was ready. Before Gor'lan could fire, Naraku lashed out, severing the cannon from Gor'lan's shoulder armor. The force of the strike sent Gor'lan in a backwards spin, putting him flat on his belly and facing the opposite direction. His spear, which had flown from his grasp, landed several yards away with its point digging into the ground first.
Gor'lan growled in frustration and pounded the ground with his fist as he pushed himself up. It was fairly obvious that, up until now, Naraku had only been toying with him. Gor'lan roared and spun around to face Naraku; only to be met with a large part of Naraku's body that resembled a huge centipede slamming into his midsection and sending him flying.
Gor'lan clawed the air in a futile attempt to regain the ground. He was vaguely aware of the sudden jolt of pain in the back of his skull again, and then knew only darkness. Gor'lan lost consciousness before he fell to the ground.
With the battle over, the daze that had fallen over them quickly shattered. As Naraku moved towards the fallen warrior, Inuyasha sprang from his branch, drawing Tetsusaiga in midair. The sudden movement caught Naraku's attention and he turned to face the new threat. Inuyasha landed in a crouch, sweeping his sword out to the side. As he stood up he glanced down toward Naraku's latest victim.
"Somehow I knew you'd be involved in this Naraku. So whose life are you interfering with this time?" growled Inuyasha.
Naraku paid him no mind, but instead wrapped a tentacle around Gor'lan and flung him in Kagura's direction. She looked up at him with a confused look.
"Take him back to the castle, I'll deal with him myself later."
Kagura plucked the feather from her hair and transformed it into it larger form. Then hefted Gor'lan onto it and took off. Inuyasha made note of the direction she was going then turned his attention back to Naraku.
Tor'mac was furious. Not at the fact that Gor'lan had lost his battle. That would be an honorable death that even Gor'lan himself would have accepted. But that he was not dead, he had been captured. To allow capture by an alien race was both a disgrace and dangerous. Their technology could not be left behind. Their presence could not be known with proof to back it up or the planet would be deemed as forbidden for hunting.
Tor'mac was about to intervene when kagura had taken to the air. That left him no way to follow right now so he turned to the new battle that would begin soon. This creature would pay with its life for the dishonor it had caused. Tor'mac would find his brother and take back what was stolen. Honor was life, disgrace meant death. Both could be found on the hunt. This is the way of the path.
Sango, kagome, and the others rushed out of the trees to join Inuyasha, unknowingly passing directly beneath Tor'mac in the process. Inuyasha, however, had no intention of waiting for help. As usual, he charged straight ahead, swinging Tetsusaiga over his head. Behind him, Kagome and Sango readied their weapons as Miroku charged ahead with his staff. Shippo, as usual, remained next to Kagome.
As Inuyasha reached Naraku and struck, Naraku dodged to the side, intercepting Miroku and suffering only a slight gash from Inuyasha. Miroku lunged his staff as well but wasn't as lucky. Naraku lashed out with a clawed hand, sending him flying. Miroku landed hard some distance away and reached up to his shoulder. He winced as his hand made contact and pulled it away to look at it. Fresh blood clung to his hand now and a generous amount at that.
Naraku began closing in to finish the job but was cut off by Sango's hiraikotsu and Kagome's arrow. Each of which severed one of Naraku's main arms. A mixture of anger and pain crossed Naraku's features. A look that only grew more intense as Inuyasha plunged his sword deep into his back, a blow that would have killed any other being. As soon as Inuyasha withdrew the sword and readied for another attack, Naraku spun and used the inset-like arm to backhand him off.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome yelled, running to his side.
"I'm fine." Inuyasha growled, using Tetsusaiga to help him get to his feet.
"Are you sure?" She asked, concerned.
"Course I'm… Kagome! Look out!"
Their lapse in concentration had allowed Naraku to regain his composure. Now he was once again on the offensive, sending the same limb he had hit Inuyasha with straight at an easier target… Kagome, along with several others. Time seemed to slow down to Inuyasha. He saw Naraku's attack and brought his sword up sideways to block it. Two of Naraku's arms struck the sword and managed to push it aside allowing one to slip past Inuyasha's defenses.
Blood stained the ground before him yet he felt he felt no pain. That is until he looked over at Kagome. Then he felt his very soul split in half.
Kagome still stood next to him, but her jaw had dropped open and she now clutched her stomach with a blank expression in her eyes. She too, slowly raised her blood stained hand to eye level. Kagome coughed, and a trickle of bright red blood ran from the corner of her mouth, slowly she turned to Inuyasha, hand still held up as if to show him.
"Inu…yasha…" She whispered.
Kagome began to fall but Inuyasha caught her and brought her gently to the ground. She had passed out. From the sight of her own blood or from the pain was anyone's guess.
"Kagome!"
Inuyasha stood up quickly, hatred and rage clearly evident on his face.
"Foolish girl, is she not?" Naraku snickered.
"Cocky bastard! Just die already!" Inuyasha yelled, raising Tetsusaiga over his head, teeth bared.
"Wind scar!"
The energy closed the gap between Inuyasha and Naraku in the blink of an eye. As it began to tear into him, Naraku's miasma poured from every wound and covered him completely. However, Inuyasha's wind scar did not stop at Naraku. It gouged a path far and wide and also struck what was behind him, the cloaked predator ship.
Surprise was not a feeling Tor'mac was used to. Now though, surprise didn't seem to cover what he was feeling. He had seen many weapons in the many seasons he had lived, but never had he see a blade do anything like that. Clearly this bore special investigation. Tor'mac's curiosity faded quickly, however, when the wind scar enveloped his ship. The moment it was struck, the ship became visible, then seemed to almost melt. Metal creaked and groaned, then gave way completely. As the energy ripped through it, it made contact with the fuel supply. The resulting explosion nearly rocked Tor'mac from his perch in the tree. For a moment, he simply stood there stunned. Then reality began to set in. Tor'mac leapt down from the tree and began an easy stride towards the remains of his ship. He would now have to live among those he was going to hunt.
Review! I need reviews to continue posting. Untill I know that someone is reading this I won't post any more chapters! So it's up to you, dear readers, Should I continue or am I wasting my time?