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Well Bubba, for the English language, spelling it Tetsusaiga would look and sound better. But, in Japanese, that is grammatically incorrect. Adding 't' before an 's' makes the 'su' sound. So, the would be pronounced 'Tes-su-iga'. Spelling it Tessaiga is more grammatically correct in the Japanese language.
If you like spelling it the English way, by all means go right ahead. But, I prefer spelling it the way it's supposed to be spelt. Don't worry, I used to think that too until I started looking more into the language.
When I watch the Japanese version of the anime, I notice Inuyasha says 'Tessaiga' without adding a 't' sound. So, I'd take him as an example. English Inuyasha does add a 't' sound though. It fits the English language much better. Adding no 't' sound fits the Japanese language better.
Either way though, Kappei and Richard still rock! :D
Well enough of that. Here's the next chap!
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Gone
Ryuukotsei peered eagerly through the smoke, hoping to see the distorted bodies of his most recent victims. When the smoke cleared though, he roared in utter rage and fired another orb of blue youki.
The three humans sat huddled in a tight circle, arms covering their heads. Above them stood Inuyasha, holding up his sword's sheath. An icy glare was planted on his face, causing the dragon youkai to flinch inwardly.
"How did you save them hanyou?!", he bellowed, fuming.
Inuyasha bellowed back with as much fury. "You'd be surprised what a hanyou can do when those it cares about are in danger."
Ryuukotsei drew back, pondering what his eyes were taking in. ' He still looks full demon but how?...Wait! He's changing.'
Indeed, the half-demon was changing back to his normal self. His eyes lost that red hue and the purple marks on his cheeks faded away. His fangs shortened, giving his face back its normal look.
He stuffed his sheath under his belt and picked up his sword which lay discarded by his feet .
The demon drew back even more, eyes narrowing. "How could you have possibly gotten your sword in that amount of time half-demon? Hm?"
Inuyasha growled, feeling the familiar texture of the sword's handle in his hands. It transformed instantly, pulsing with a new found power. " Don't make me repeat myself, I'm in a bad mood".
Ryuukotsei's eyes burned with hatred toward the hanyou. He didn't like the fact that he was feeling even the slightest bit of uncertainty toward such an outrageous creature, It was something he should laugh at but here, he was afraid. Afraid of a half-demon, with a sword that couldn't possibly pierce his rock hard hide. Even thinking about it made him even more infuriated.
A blow was struck to his chest, causing him to flinch. No pain though, not even the feeling of warm blood trickling down his body. ' What?' His huge head turned to see Inuyasha crouching not far off, brandishing his sword.
"You can't pierce me with such a inferior sword! My body is mightier than iron!" He fired another blast of blue light at the hanyou, hair bristling.
Inuyasha jumped nimbly out of the way, glaring at the dragon youkai. It had been such a long time since he'd used Tessaiga. He was a bit rusty but that didn't mean he didn't know the key to beating this monster. He was just waiting for the opportune moment.
The dragon youkai kept firing, never hitting his target. He was becoming careless from nervousness. This hanyou had power, great power. He could feel it in his bones. That power refused to show itself, staying hidden within his opponent's body.
In that brief moment, Inuyasha attacked. Wind started to swirl around Tessaiga, growing stronger and stronger. Then, he let it go. Bright claws of yellow light erupted from the sword and rushed at the demon, raking throw the earth and leaving deep gashes in the ground.
Ryuukotsei saw it too late and took the grunt of the blow. This time, he felt pain. Not a lot of pain but still, it hurt. He felt blood ooze out of the four deep gashes in his chest.
His red eyes darkened and a rumbling growl escaped his throat, "I'll rip you and your friends up you impudent half-breed!" He opened his mouth and gathered all the youki he could muster, making the orb glow with a blinding blue light. Then, he let it go.
The air crackled as stray sparks danced around in the air like flames, settling on branches and setting them alight.
Ryuukotsei grinned triumphantly at his creation. It was too big for the hanyou to avoid and would hit him directly. The after effect would kill his friends also, even if they tried to run.
Inuyasha smirked at the bright object hurtling towards him. He knew what he had to do. This is what he had been waiting for. The demon's most powerful attack. It would do the trick alright.
"BAKRYUUHA!!!" Fingers of wind raced out of his blade, swirling towards the orb of demon energy. They tore into it, mingling, becoming one, then continued on towards Ryuukotsei.
He realized too late his mistake. Naraku had told him all those years ago about the Tessaiga's special attacks. In his rage, he'd forgotten those words. Now, it would be his downfall.
Blades of wind ripped into his flesh and broke his bones. Blood splattered the ground, thick puddles of dark crimson. Ryuukotsei's body disintegrated from the ripping action of the wind, leaving nothing but scattered ashes.
The great dragon youkai had been defeated.
Inuyasha stuck his sword in the ground and lent against it, breathing hard. He suddenly felt weak and alone. No one could ever know what he felt on his shoulders. No one.
Now though, he just wanted to sleep.
"Inuyasha!" A warm body flung into him and if he hadn't been leaning on his sword, he would have fallen over.
"Kagome, are you alright?"
She looked up at him with concern. "I'm fine but what about you? You don't look so good."
He shook her off and sheathed his sword, teetering before finding his balance. "I'm fine." He pushed past her and disappeared into the trees.
Kagome stared after him. ' Is it something I said?'
-----
They'd decided to take the rest of the day off. No one was in a mood for travelling after that experience. Plus, they wanted to be here if something happened to Ryuukotsei's remains.
The sun was already starting to set, signalling the end of another eventful day. The sky was painted the colour of an autumn breeze, fiery red set against dull orange. Ravens cawed in the distance and you could hear the crunch of snow as little animals ran about.
Sango sat by the fire, watching the body of a dead rabbit roast over the flames. Miroku had gone out to ward off any demons who might be attracted to area due to the sudden absence of the powerful demon aura. Inuyasha was, somewhere. He'd disappeared after his battle.
Kagome sighed and stopped rubbing Cadoc's smooth coat. The stallion had been so jumpy that he'd run off. Only Kagome's gentle hand had been able to coax him back here. He was still trembling all over though.
She put her arms on his warm back and leaned against it. It felt nice to relax. No fear for her life. Just peace.
Cadoc moved under her and she got off, checking to see if he was calm. He wasn't really. Jumpy and alert but that was better than trying to kick the hell out of someone.
' If Inuyasha doesn't come back soon, I'll have to take him for a ride. That should get rid of his unease.'
"Kagome, food's ready."
She nodded and went over to the fire, sitting down across from Sango.
"Hey Kagome", she said as she handed the younger girl some meat. "Do you know what's wrong with Inuyasha?"
The miko shook her head, taking a bite of the rabbit. "No, I really have no clue."
They sat in silence for a while, staring into the flames. Then Sango said, "Do you think it was something that youkai said? Or did rather."
Kagome shrugged, swallowing another chunk of meat. "Possibly. He seemed pretty upset about something earlier."
"He looked ill too".
She nodded, her food lying forgotten in her hands. She stood up, dusting the dirt off her dress and went over the horse's, untying Cadoc from the tree.
"Where are you going Kagome?", Sango asked.
Kagome clambered up onto the stallion's back. "I'm going to get rid of this guy's unease. Maybe I'll find Inuyasha too".
The huntress nodded, smiling. "I'll save some meat for him".
With that, Kagome turned Cadoc away from the camp and set off into the trees at a brisk walk.
-----
Twilight was beginning to set on the forest. The air was growing colder, Kagome's breath clouding under her nose. The snow was picking up that ethereal glow, sparkling slightly in the waning light.
She had been riding for about ten minutes and still hadn't seen any sign of Inuyasha. ' I should have found him by now.'
Cadoc hadn't pricked his ears or made a noise. He just continued walking with his head low, looking at nothing in particular.
Kagome shifted on his narrow back, not really used to the feeling of his gait. ' Remind me never to ride this horse bareback again'. He wasn't smooth like Ionn but bouncy, even at the walk.
A sudden movement caught her eye, dark in the gloom. It leapt into a bush and ceased movement, becoming one with the forest.
Kagome froze, her miko powers glowing blue in her eyes.. "Come out. I know you're there."
No answer.
She looked around, straining her eyes for the slightest flare of colour. She didn't see a thing.
Kagome looked around once more then set Cadoc off at a lope.
"I should be getting back." Even though her instincts were telling to her to go back to camp, she wanted to find Inuyasha. She was really worried about him.
' He's been gone for hours. I just need to know what's wrong. That's all.'
The temperature suddenly dropped and Kagome shivered. Her thick cloak was still back at the camp. She'd only brought her light one.
It was getting colder and colder . The air was becoming clearer, signalling the coming of snow.
Her cheeks were already starting to turn pink from the cold. She still had Cadoc's warm body underneath her though. She wouldn't freeze. Still, it wasn't a very good idea to stay in the forest for too long.
Fine flakes of snow began to drift down from the heavens, weaving complicated patterns through the air.
She caught a few in her hands as the stallion whisked through the trees. Snowflakes never ceased to amaze her. The way they melted instantly in her hand and the unique patterns they sported.
Cadoc suddenly pulled on the reins, doing a little leap as he went along. He whinnied at some unknown object and pricked his ears, looking straight ahead.
Kagome hesitated for a moment, not really sure if she should let the horse out. Then again, it could prove useful and, he might find Inuyasha.
Leaning over his thick neck, she let out the reins and settled into his rocking gallop.
The snowflakes bit into her cheeks as they raced along. It seemed colder now. The wind chill was freezing her, even if she had a warm body beneath her.
Kagome peered ahead through blurry eyes, trying to make out what was coming up in the distance. She saw a break in the trees, opening out into clear air, free of any vegetation.
' Huh? Wait, don't tell that's....a CLIFF?!'
Her eyes widened, immediately closing again from the freezing bits of snow flying into her face.
Cold fear started to well up in her stomach, working its way up. She couldn't scream or move. The only thing that was spinning around in her head was a hard block of solid fear. Nothing else, just that.
Kagome was too caught up in her shock that she didn't notice Cadoc slow down to a trot. His bouncy gait didn't wake her at all.
He the slowed to a walk, ears pricked and nose flared, catching a familiar scent on the wind. He strode out of the forest and out into open air, the ground showing peaks of cold granite under the thickening blanket of snow. A few feet away, the ground sloped down in gradual steps. Then, it dropped away to the forest below, giving a clear view of the land for many miles.
He turned his head, locating what he had been searching for and put his head down, cropping at the few blades of grass peeking through the white powder.
Kagome still sat on his back, staring wide eyed at the view. She had really thought they had tumbled over the edge. Sitting there, feeling the wind caress her rosy cheeks instead of bite ferociously came with quite a shock.
Taking a gulp, she looked around. The trees loomed ominously in the dark, creaking in the wind. Before her, the ground sloped away gently and then, fell away into the gloom.
Kagome looked up the cliff and stared into two amber eyes, gazing intensely at her.
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I'll leave it at that for now! I know the end sucked but...I have other things to do. I have a project again and I must use the computer for it. I want to get it finished so I can write some more! I'll try to get in some writing time but I might not be able to update for two weeks at the most. I'm sorry if any of you are disappointed but I guess that is the way its gotta be.
: laughs hysterically: Oh you guys crack me up...Thanks for all the reviews! I really appreciate it! I love all of you guys! :hugs everyone:
Anywho, just to answer your question Glorfindel Silverleaf, I'm not a "horsemen". I'm not even a horsewoman. I'm only thirteen so I guess I'm not considered a woman...yet. I love horses and I ride every Saturday. I also read about them so, naturally I'd know a lot. Thanks for the compliments! Can't wait to read your review!
That goes for every one of you! :D