Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, just my oc
Shiori and Hakudoshi clashed blades continuously in an effort to defeat the other. Hakudoshi seemed to underestimate Shiori's power. He thought defeating her would've been a simpler task. Kagura's eyes were practically glued to the battle.
"I wonder if she'll have the power to kill that little brat. He's been nothing but a thorn in my side since he split with the infant," she thought.
"Resisting is futile," Hakudoshi taunted. "Surrender while you still can."
"I will never surrender to you," shouted Shiori. "I'd rather die."
"But you can't die yet," he responded, with an evil smile. "We need you alive. How else are we to get the jewel fragment….or help out our friends from the other side?"
"Huh, what are you babbling on about now?"
"It seems someone from the underworld has taken an interest in you," he said.
"The lords of the underworld…..they must've put Naraku up to this," she thought. "Reika never told him about my ability…it was them all along."
"I was told we could have the last jewel fragment, in exchange for delivering you to the underworld,"
"So my enemies have joined forces, huh?" she said with a smug. "Seems like the logical thing to do."
"Strange….I thought Hakudoshi said not to trust Goro. Why is he telling her about that arrangement?" thought Kagura.
"It makes no difference, I still refuse to make a portal for you," said Shiori. "So you're wasting your time."
"I disagree," he said.
He lunged for her again, but she swung her sword at him.
"Hell Wrath!" she called out.
He smirked as he pulled up his barrier again, "I already told you, Shiori, it's useless. You can't stop me!"
Her energy dispersed around his barrier, just as it did before. Shiori calmly placed her hands in a diamond shape and focused her energy into a beam. Hakudoshi's eyes widened with fear as the beam phased through the barrier and shot through his body. Kagura's eyes were also widened with shock. How had she managed to do that? Hakudoshi's body was now battered and torn up to pieces. They resembled giant wads of claw. His head, however, was still in tack. He took one final look at her and teleported away. Kagura and Shiori stared after him.
"Impressive," said Kagura. "I've never seen the little runt so beat up before."
"Why are you still here?" Shiori demanded. "Shouldn't you go after him?"
"You managed to save yourself this time, but you should've surrendered," she said, while pulling out one of her feathers. "There's no telling what Naraku will do now. He'll stop at nothing to get you to cooperate."
"That won't happen, I won't give in to him," snapped Shiori.
"Not even for the sake of that young girl?" questioned Kagura. "She is left unattended quite often. It would be a real shame if someone were to kidnap her again."
"And it would be a real shame for you if she were to be kidnapped again," Shiori threatened.
"I'm only putting an idea in your head," said Kagura innocently. "I'm simply saying if you don't wish for any harm to her, then do as you're told. That is why you stop traveling with Sesshomaru, right?"
"You of all people are lecturing me on obeying orders?"Mused Shiori. "Ironic indeed."
"Look, I don't have choice!" spat Kagura. "Do you really think I want Naraku to complete the shikon jewel? It'll be impossible to kill him then. I want him dead just as much as anyone else. But right now, I need to do what I can to survive."
She transformed the feather in her hand into her flying feather.
"No good will come from your insubordination," she called over her shoulder. "Remember that."
"Should I even go after her?" Shiori wondered. "No….I'd be falling right into a trap. Naraku joining forces with the lords of the netherworld isn't good."
"Shiori!" called someone from behind.
Emi was now flying toward her at full speed. Shiori was surprised to see her sister coming her way. What was she doing outside of the sacred lands? And did she miss everything that just happened.
"Why didn't you tell me the type of danger you were in?" she asked, once she finally reached her. "I went to see Oki after you left and she told me about this crazy mission of yours! Are you absolutely insane?"
"It's quite possible, yes," said Shiori bluntly.
"Why wasn't I informed?" Emi demanded.
"Because I knew you'd just try to talk me out of it," Shiori pointed out. "You wouldn't have succeeded, but I still just wanted to skip that conversation."
"Shiori, you can't do this! The Lords of the Netherworld will rip you to shreds! They'll murder your very soul."
"Sounds like you know something about them," inquired Shiori. "Care to explain?"
"Oki already told me you met Goro, the youngest of the three. He's also the weakest. Then there's Orochi…the middle son. He's the strongest when it comes to brute strength. The oldest son, Hisoka, is the most powerful of them all. I hear he has a disastrous sword capable of destroying realms. They're quite terrifying really!"
"How do you know all of that?" she asked.
"I've heard stories about them….." Emi answered. "Rumors really."
"I see,"
"But that doesn't matter now! I'm here to stop you from going after them," said Emi, dramatically blocking Shiori's path.
Shiori took one look at Emi, and then calmly walked in the opposite direction. Emi's face dropped. She didn't anticipate that at all.
"But….Shiori!" she whined. "It's too dangerous! They'll kill you!"
"People are always trying to kill me," Shiori shrugged. "What else is new?"
"It's different this time,"
"Sorry, but now I definitely have to go to the netherworld. Somehow, a shikon fragment ended up in the partial spirit world. I need to retrieve it," said Shiori.
"What if that's exactly what they want you to do?" asked Emi following after her.
"That's fine, because I need to go to the netherworld anyway….I might as well kill two birds with one stone."
"At least bring reinforcements," said Emi. "What about Inuyasha? Or Sesshomaru?"
She glanced over her shoulder. Why was Emi still following her? If she knew forgiving her would make her this annoying, Shiori would've held off a little longer!
"No," she snapped. "You don't understand the pressure I'm under. Naraku struck a deal with the lords. My life in exchange for the jewel shard. What I don't understand is why they can't just simply bring the shard to Naraku once he's captured me. And it's not like Naraku to strike a deal with anyone. He never plays fair. I believe both the lords and Naraku know they can't trust each other. Both sides are only after the jewel….my death just happens to be a constellation prize. I have to be very careful."
"Then what will you do? Will you open a path on your own accord and go alone?" asked Emi.
"I thought of doing it that way, but Naraku may be expecting that. The moment I create a portal, he'll just show up. I haven't sensed him anywhere lately. So I never know when to expect him,"
"Then what now?"
Shiori looked up into the sky, "I don't know…I wish Father's spirit wasn't taken away so suddenly. He was in the middle of explaining everything to me…He said I was the only one who could do this."
"But what if he was wrong?" asked Emi, standing beside her.
"Emi, this is what I was born to do."
"I meant, what if he was wrong about you being the only one capable of fighting them?" Emi clarified.
"Who else is going to help me?" Shiori questioned.
"What about Sesshomaru?"
"Lord Sesshomaru….." said Shiori softly. "This has nothing to do with him. He's under no obligation to help me."
"I thought you were allies," Emi sadly said.
"We are," defended Shiori.
"So, aren't allies supposed to help one another in battle?"
"He's currently upset with me," said Shiori. "Besides…..that doesn't go both ways."
"Doesn't go both ways? What is she really referring to?" thought Emi, staring at Shiori's sad expression. "Oh darn it! I wish I could read her mind!"
"I suppose I have but one option now. I have to go after Naraku," announced Shiori.
"What?" Emi shrieked. "No! You can't do that!"
"I've weighed my other options already. And talking with you right now made me realize that this is really the best option."
"You just said you were having trouble sensing him," said Emi. "What's different now?"
"Because Naraku's smart, he knows I'm weighing my options right now. And he eventually knows which path I'll go with—he just doesn't know when. If I surrender and we go to the underworld together, then maybe one of the lords will kill him off."
"It's too risky Shiori! I can't let you do this!" shouted Emi jumping in front of her. "I won't!"
"Emi," snapped Shiori. "Go….home!"
She refused to back down. Shiori glared menacingly at her sister, but Emi remained strong. She was determined not to let her through.
"Okay," said Shiori crossing her arms. "You have until the count of five to get out of my way."
"Shiori, I'm not gonna let you do this!" stammered Emi.
Shiori began her count down, "one…."
Emi panicked as Shiori continued counting. She was afraid of what would happen once she got to five.
"two…."
She would rather die than have anything happen to her sister. She just won her back; Emi didn't want anything horrible to happen to her.
"three…"
Even though she was a full blooded tennin, Emi knew for a fact that Shiori was much more powerful than her. There wasn't much she could do to restrain her…..but there was still a way. However, it was a little drastic. And Shiori would probably hate her later on.
"four…"
Things were already down to the wire. Emi realized she had no other choice but to stun her. Because she was a tennin that worked in such close range with the king, she was taught special skills. Before Shiori had a chance to say the last number, Emi zapped her in the pressure point. Shiori collapsed on the ground—unconscious. Emi squealed in terror.
"Forgive me my sister! I had no other choice," she said.
Emi bent down over Shiori's body and managed to scooped her onto her back. She slowly began her search for Sesshomaru.
...
Rin stood in the grass and fed Ah-Un some leaves from a branch. He happily munched on the rich vegetation. Rin happily hummed a song to herself while Jaken sat down watching her. Sesshomaru stood with his back towards them all. He was catching the different scents in the wind. One in particular seemed to interest him.
"She's coming," he said.
"She?" asked Rin popping up her head. "Is it Lady Shiori? Is she finally coming back?"
"Oh, why did she have to mention that name? Ever since Shiori left, Lord Sesshomaru's been in a foul mood. It's best we just let our memories of her die away," thought Jaken.
But the one Lord Sesshomaru was referring to wasn't Shiori, but Kagura. She jumped down from her flying feather and stood before Sesshomaru. He was rather unimpressed by her entrance. She observed everyone and smirked.
"It's that Kagura lady again," thought Rin.
"So Sesshomaru, it looks like your woman has yet to return to you," she lured.
Sesshomaru just stared at Kagura. His expression, like usual, was unchanging.
"She sure has been showing up a lot lately," thought Rin. "I wonder if it's because Lady Shiori's gone."
"Is that all you've got to say?" Sesshomaru coolly asked.
"I've come to inform you on her status," Kagura said with a smug. "Don't you want to know what she's been up to?"
"I'd rather know what you were up to, Kagura."
"What makes you think I'm up to something?" she questioned. "I'm simply informing you about your precious ally. Naraku has her in his sights. He's after her ability to create a portal to the netherworld."
"Why?" he inquired.
"He wants to find the jewel shard that has been lodged in the border between this world and the next," she said. "Naturally, she's being sought out. She's a very popular topic right now. Of course, she was given the option to surrender to Naraku, but she refused. I don't know what will happen now…but I'm pretty sure it won't be good for her."
"And your reason for telling me this would be?" Sesshomaru blandly asked.
"I just thought you'd want to know," she said throwing down another feather. "Just being helpful."
She watched him as she hovered above.
"Why's he acting so casual about this? I was hoping the news would anger him into action. Sesshomaru is incredibly powerful, and I have no doubt that he will be the one to kill Naraku. But he doesn't even seem to care about Shiori's fate," she thought. "Such a tough exterior…"
Sesshomaru watched her fly off before turning away. Rin and Jaken ran over to his side.
"What's going to happen to Lady Shiori?" wondered Rin.
"Hard to say. Either she'll be killed by either Naraku or the underworld demons. Either way, she's definitely gonna die!" said Jaken, crossing his arms around his staff.
Sesshomaru responded by promptly kicking him in the head. Jaken toppled over in a daze. Rin watched as Sesshomaru began walking away.
"Lord Sesshomaru! Where are you going?" she called. "Is he going to help Lady Shiori?"
"Of course not," said Jaken.
He, Rin, and Ah-Un were now following after the demon lord. What was he doing now.
"Jaken," he firmly said. "Watch over Rin."
Jaken's jaw hung open, "But…my lord?"
They watched him fly soar of into the sky.
"Her scent….it's faint, but I can smell it," he thought as he flew away. …..
"Inuyasha? Is something wrong?" asked Kagome.
Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, and Sango were taking refuge in a hut. It was now early morning. They had been sleeping, but Inuyasha woke up when he caught a scent in the wind. The others woke up when they also sensed someone coming.
"Spiritual energy and demonic power," said Miroku, opening his eyes. "Shiori is coming."
"That's not all," said Inuyasha, sitting up. "Her sister's coming too."
"Emi? But I thought Shiori hated her. You remember what happened the last time they met, don't you?" asked Kagome.
"I guess they were mature enough to settle their differences instead of fighting senselessly," jeered Miroku, while staring in Inuyasha's direction. "Someone should definitely take a page from their book on how to deal with their sibling."
"Oh, shut-up!" barked Inuyasha.
Suddenly, they heard fiddling at the door.
"Um….hello? Can someone slide the door open, my hands are kind of full," said Emi from the other side of the door.
Inuyasha jumped up and slid the door open. Emi was stood before him with Shiori, who was still unconscious, draped over her back. Emi's knees were wobbling as she slowly stepped inside. Inuyasha shut the door after her.
"What happened to her?" he asked.
He lifted Shiori off Emi's back and laid her on the floor next to Kagome. Kagome put Shiori's head in her lap.
"Oh, well she wasn't listening to me…..so I had to purify her," Emi confessed. "It's amazing though. She's been out for hours! She'll probably be really cranky when she finally wakes up."
"Okay, what exactly is going on? What wasn't she listening to you about?"
"Well," she started. "I was trying to stop her from going after Naraku. I'm sure you all know about the jewel shard that's been lodge in the spirit world. Well Naraku's after Shiori now…He wants her to make a portal for him."
"She can do that?" asked Miroku glancing down at Shiori. "It would certainly be useful if she could assist us. Then we could get the shard before Naraku."
"No!" shouted Emi. "She can't! If she does that the underworld lords will capture and throw her into the pits of hell. Just like they did with her father."
Inuyasha stared at her, "come again?"
"Ugh!" cried Emi in frustration. "Okay listen carefully. Shiori's father was a shinigami criminal who was sentenced to death. They had no idea of Shiori's existence…until now! So naturally, because they hated her father, they hate her as well. And they want her dead! So now Naraku and the Lords of the Netherworld are working together to get both the jewel and Shiori!"
Inuyasha blinked twice, "and why did you bring her here us?"
"I panicked okay! When I purified her pressure points….I didn't think it would actually work. I was just trying to stop her from surrendering to Naraku! Besides, I figured you'd help since there's a jewel shard involved."
"Why does everything involving this girl always have to be so complicated," Inuyasha complained.
"It sounds like she's in real trouble," said Sango. "We have to help her."
"What happened to Sesshomaru?" asked Kagome.
"I heard they no longer travel with each other. She had too much to focus on," said Emi. "She told me he was mad at her something."
"A lovers' quarrel, perhaps?" pondered Miroku.
Shiori sighed and began to stir in Kagome's lap. Slowly, she began to open her eyes. She looked up Kagome, who was staring down at her.
"Huh?" she baffled. "Kagome, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Inuyasha?"
"Duh, I'm right here?" he said blandly.
"Where did you all come from?" asked Shiori, sitting up. "And where am I?"
"We're in a hut on the outskirts of a village," replied Miroku. "Emi brought you here."
Shiori turned to Emi, who was guiltily waving at her.
"Emi," she said with disdain, "I remember now….you did something to the pressure point in my neck!"
"It was just to protecting you," she hesitantly said.
"Oh, who needs the protection now?" Shiori screeched as she leapt forward.
Inuyasha and Miroku quickly jumped to restrain her. While Emi dove behind Kagome and Sango. Shippo tried not to laugh while watching the scene. Inuyasha and Miroku struggled with keeping a grip on her.
"Ah! I told you she'd be cranky when she woke up!" cowered Emi.
"I'm not gonna kill her!" yelled Shiori. "I'm just gonna break her left arm a little! It'll heal!"
"Why is she so upset?" asked Kagome.
"It looks her pride was damaged when Emi rendered her unconscious," answered Sango. "I guess Sesshomaru and Inuyasha aren't the only ones who care about their pride. Shiori does too."
"Speaking of which, where's Sesshomaru?" asked Inuyasha. "You're awake now, so you can tell us what happened."
Shiori finally calmed down and stop trying to attack Emi. Inuyasha and Miroku were finally able to release her. She folded her arms across her chest.
"What am I, your brother's keeper?" she angrily questioned.
"Shiori, what's this about Naraku and the lords of the underworld?" asked Miroku.
"Didn't Emi explain it to you? I'm tired of repeating that story," she turned to face the door.
"No Shiori! You can't still be considering finding Naraku, can you?" asked Emi. "It's too dangerous."
"She's right," said Miroku. "We can't allow you to fall into Naraku's hands."
"It looks like I already have," she said.
Inuyasha caught onto Naraku's scent rapidly approaching them. Everyone else began to sense his evil demonic aura.
"He's coming," whispered Emi. "I hoped we would've had more time."
Inuyasha rushed outside to meet Naraku. Everyone else lingered in the doorway. Naraku and an army of demons were marching straight toward them. He loomed down at the group from the sky. Shippo ducked down behind Kagome.
"Thought you could run from me, eh Shiori?" he jeered while looking down at her.
"Who says I was running?" she shot back. "Where's your latest incarnation?"
"Hakudoshi is recovering. It seems you really damaged him," Naraku answered. "No matter, I need him to stay behind while I travel with you to the netherworld."
"Oh no you don't, bastard!" Inuyasha yelled. "The only way you're going to the netherworld is through death!"
Inuyasha jumped to take a swing. Naraku sent his legions of demons down on the group. Miroku and Sango rushed out to fight them off. Shiori and Kagome also headed towards the door. Kagome got to the entrance first, and recoiled back to the ground. Shiori rushed to her side.
"What happened?" she wondered.
Kagome rubbed her head, "The door frame…..it's like there's an invisible barrier in the way. But I didn't sense anything unusual."
"A barrier?"
Shiori looked to the doorway; it was now swelling with lavender colored energy. Kagome was right—there was a barrier there! The entire inside of the hut lit up with the same energy. Everything from the ceiling to the floor was glowing with a pale lavender color.
"Emi….." said Shiori with disgust. "This is your doing. You put up this sleek barrier!"
Emi quickly rushed outside the door and faced her. She was safely away from Shiori's grasp.
"Yes, I designed it to keep you from leaving this place," she confessed.
"But I can't leave either," said Kagome.
"Just what kind of barrier is this?" wondered Shiori suspiciously.
She hadn't yet approached the barrier herself.
Emi hung her head, "I'm sorry Kagome. But in order to trap Shiori, I had to trap you as well. This barrier restrains anyone with immense sacred power."
"What?" cried Shiori and Kagome.
…
"Inuyasha, for once I'm not here for you or your friends," Naraku said darkly. "I'm simply here for the girl."
"You're not taking her with you. If you get her, then that means you also get the shard!" shouted Inuyasha. "And I'm not about to let that happen!"
A swarm of demons came rushing straight toward Inuyasha, Miroku and Sango. Inuyasha slashed away the creatures. Miroku attempted to open his wind tunnel and suck up all the demons.
"No Miroku," said Sango. "The poisonous insects are here."
"I know," he said. "I can sense them around me. But I have to try to get rid of some of these demons. There's too many of them."
"You idiot!" spat Inuyasha. "Don't you dare open that thing!"
"Incoming!" Miroku shouted.
More demons were headed their way. Sango threw her hirakostu and destroyed a good chunk of them.
"Windscar!" Inuyasha shouted as swung his sword. "Fight me yourself Naraku!"
"Oh, feeling neglected by me, Inuyasha?" taunted Naraku. "No need for that."
He sent his tentacle vines down on the trio. Sango jumped on Kirara's back and used her hirakostu on some of the vines. Inuyasha kept slashing away at the advancing tentacles. He was attempting to get close enough to Naraku's body. If he could just use his red tessaiga on Naraku's barrier, he might have a chance at destroying him.
…
"Why are you doing this?" demanded Shiori.
"Because I don't want you running off to Naraku," she confessed. "It was my only option."
"You could think of no other option besides leaving me trapped here like a sitting duck?" Shiori angrily questioned.
"I was trying to protect you," Emi defended, while sadly looking at Shiori.
Shiori struggled to retain her composure, "Do me a favor and stop trying to protect me!"
"I can't do that. I have to try and help you Shiori. Just….at least let me try," Emi begged.
Shiori folded her arms, "Okay then, we'll try it your way. Go protect me."
"I promise not to let you down," said Emi running off to join the fight.
Shiori, Kagome and Shippo watched from the door way. Kagome put her hand to the barrier and examined it.
"So what do we do now?" she asked.
"It looks like we're sitting this one out," Shiori answered.
"Wait, Shiori!" said Kagome excitedly. "I have my arrows!"
Kagome reached back and pulled out an arrow. She lined it up on her bow and aimed it at the door way. Shiori sat and watched her. Kagome fired her arrow at the barrier, but it repelled back toward her.
"Eck!" she shrieked as she ducked down. "It's coming this way!"
Shiori caught the arrow just as it was about to hit Kagome's head.
"That's because we're in a confined space," she said dryly. "Where else is it going to go?"
"Eh….I guess I didn't think about that," said Kagome with a weak smile. "I'm a little disappointed that I wasn't strong enough to break this barrier. Maybe we should combined powers again."
"You can't destroy a sacred tennin barrier with sacred powers," Shiori explained. "I thought that was rather obvious."
"Then how do we destroy it?"
"I can do it, though it'll take a lot of concentration," said Shiori. "But I won't do it just yet."
"But why?" gasped Kagome.
She was trying to make sense of Shiori's behavior. It just wasn't making any sense to her.
"Because I've agreed to try things Emi's way," said Shiori. "And when that fails, then I'll step in and do things my way."
"And by your way, you mean surrendering to Naraku?" asked Kagome. "But what will that solve?"
"I'm just hoping the Lords of the Netherworld will take care of him for me," thought Shiori. "That's all I can really hope for."
"Can you really create a portal?" asked Kagome.
"Yes, I'm capable of doing so."
"It just seems like a terrifying power to have," Kagome remarked. "And sort of…dangerous."
"It is, that's why I don't use it often," Shiori said quietly. "I try to forget about it."
"You don't use it often? How many times have you done it then?"
"Only once," Shiori confessed. "And it was a complete accident….It happened right before I met my father for the first time…"
Shiori watched the fight scene taking place outside. Inuyasha quickly dodged Naraku's tree root tentacles. It was getting harder to tell where the demons were coming from. It seemed as if they were all intertwined in Naraku's tentacle vines. Inuyasha quickly dodged Naraku's advancing roots and hacked them to pieces. Emi did her best to shoot down any demons she saw. She was also ducking and dodging Naraku. Miroku and Sango were flying around on Kirara, attacking Naraku from above. They were all becoming cornered and trapped like rats.
"Shiori!" Naraku called to her. "Won't you come join our fun? Or will you allow your friends to tire themselves out simply for your sake?"
It was then that he sensed the sacred energy coming from the hut.
"A tennin barrier?" thought Naraku. "Such a thing won't hold up against me."
"We should be safe behind the barrier, right?" asked a worried Kagome.
"We'll be protected from spiritual attacks and those lowly demons—but that's it. The barrier won't stop strong demonic energy." she replied.
"What? Why would Emi make a barrier like this?" panicked Kagome.
"Because she didn't anticipate Naraku's arrival. But she didn't want to let it down even after he showed up. She was still afraid of what I'd do," said Shiori casually. "Emi means well, but she seldom ever knows well."
He attempted to smash the hut, but Inuyasha stepped in with his windscar. Inuyasha only managed to slow Naraku down by a little bit. He was knocked away by Naraku's second attempt to smash the hut.
"Naraku's coming after us!" screamed Kagome.
"I'm aware," she calmly responded. "However, it's not time to break this barrier yet."
"Not time? But he's headed straight for us!"
Kagome was freaking out as Naraku's roots approached them. But Shiori didn't budge a muscle. In fact, she didn't even look a bit worried. If anything, she was completely relaxed. Just as Naraku was inches from the door frame, a flash of blue light came sliding in from the sideline. It destroyed much of Naraku's tentacles, as well as the surrounding demons. Inuyasha and the rest look to the direction the blast came from. Sesshomaru calmly walked pass everyone and up to the hut. Shiori was still standing in the doorway. She was surprised to see him, but she wasn't completely shocked. He walked up to Shiori and glared at her. She quietly looked back at him. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes before turning away.
"Sesshomaru," said Naraku. "You've come to save your mate, how sweet of you."
"Enough," said Sesshomaru, drawing his sword. "Perish…"
Sesshomaru attacked Naraku head on, while the rest watched him from below.
"That bastard thinks he can just show up and steal all the glory!" said and infuriated Inuyasha. "To hell with that!"
Inuyasha also jumped back into the battle with Naraku and Sesshomaru. Kagura showed up with more demons with her. Miroku, Sango, and Emi battled with the new group of demons. She observed the chaotic battle scene taking place below her. It was just as she expected. Kagura spotted Shiori and Kagome trapped behind the barrier.
"Why is he here?" Shiori wondered.
"He came to your rescue," Kagome answered.
"But he's still angry with me. I can feel it," said Shiori, still eyeing the battle. "Why would he help me if he's upset with me?"
"I think I might have an answer to that," Kagome said with a smile, "but I don't think you'll like it very much."
Shiori vaguely stared at the smiling girl. She then averted her attention to Kagura, who was coming towards them.
"Well, what an interesting predicament this is," said Kagura, playing with her fan.
"What do you want now?" Shiori demanded casually.
"I warned you this would happen," Kagura jeered. "Did I not?"
"You warned me," admitted Shiori. "I hope you weren't looking for a prize."
"Won't you stop this madness before it gets out of hand?" suggested Kagura. "I'd hate to know what might become of that girl should something happen to you or Sesshomaru."
Shiori ignored Kagura's taunting and kept focused on the battle. Emi was slowly losing power. Miroku and Sango were also dwindling down. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were still hanging on with Naraku.
"When will the two of you realize that I can't be destroyed!" shouted Naraku.
Inuyasha tried to use another windscar, just as Sesshomaru used his own attack. But both attacks were just absorbed into Naraku's barrier. Naraku laughed as he sent the attack hurling back towards them.
"Backlash wave!" screamed Inuyasha, while waving Tessaiga.
He repelled back the stolen energy to Naraku. It was too much energy for Naraku to absorb, so he just let it dissipate around his protective barrier.
"Impressive," he jeered. "I believe I almost felt that one."
Naraku felt Sesshomaru's murderous glares and turned to address him.
"Sesshomaru, I think it's rather interesting that you're fighting so hard for that woman. Didn't she leave you?" he questioned.
"I didn't want to leave him," thought Shiori. "I was just doing what's best."
"Didn't she make a promise to always be by your side?" continued Naraku. "And yet, she broke that promise. What kind of an ally would do something like that?"
"Okay, I've seen and heard enough," said Shiori to Kagome. "Get behind me. We're getting out of here."
Kagome nodded and did as she was told. Shiori unsheathed her sword and transferred as much demonic power into it as she could.
"Hell wrath!" she shouted.
She swung her sword with great force. Her energy shot through and destroyed not only the barrier, but the hut as well. Kagome covered her head as it shattered around her. Shiori's energy travelled through the battlefield and made a giant beeline for Naraku. Miroku and Sango flew out the way on Kirara's back. Emi barely managed to edge past the demonic blast. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru saw it coming and dodged the impact. Though Naraku stayed well protected from Shiori's attack behind his barrier, he was still visually disturbed by her increasing power. Once all the smoke was gone from the destruction, everyone looked to Shiori and Kagome's direction. Slowly, Shiori sauntered down in Naraku's direction.
"No Shiori!" cried Emi running to her. "Please don't do this."
"Get..out…of..my..way," said Shiori coolly.
Emi attempted to press Shiori's pressure points again, but Shiori pressed her's first. Emi dropped down to the ground.
"Not this time," Shiori whispered.
She continued walking towards Naraku, who was now flying towards her. Naraku landed down in front of her and smirked.
"So. you've given up?" he asked.
"Let's just get this over with," said Shiori. "I want all of this to stop."
He laughed darkly, "Very well then."
"Shiori, what the hell do you think you're doing?" screeched Inuyasha, running towards her.
But Naraku repelled him back. He wrapped Shiori up in a tangle of his veins. She didn't even try to struggle. Sesshomaru suddenly became filled with rage. What right did that disgusting vermin have to touch her? Why did she just give herself away to him? Shiori felt Sesshomaru's rage…but would he attempt to attack Naraku?
"He's not attacking?" she pondered. "Is it because I'm too close to Naraku now? Is he afraid to take that risk?"
"Well, I've got what I came for," said Naraku with satisfaction. "Once the portal is created, feel free to join me on the other side. I'm sure you'll want a chance at finding the jewel shard."
A swirl of miasma began to quell around Naraku and Shiori. Everyone stood back as it became bigger and bigger. Shiori took one last look at Sesshomaru.
"My lord," she thought. "It was never my desire to abandon you…I could never do such a thing. But this is my battle. And I must do this alone, I'm sorry. I….."
She hoped he heard her thoughts. She prayed that they reached his mind…just like the last time. Shiori closed her eyes as she was whisked off into the sky.