Chapter 12

He didn't have to say any more. Kirara immediately transformed. Sango and Kagome climbed onto her back. Inuyasha couldn't carry her if he was going to sneak away from the main group to retrieve Tessaiga. Shippo hopped up onto Kagome's lap. Rin and Jaken rode Ah-Un. Inuyasha had agreed to her coming along only if she remained on the dragon and Jaken remained with her. He knew Jaken was more afraid of Sesshomaru than any enemy and would protect the girl. And they stayed back from the fighting; Inuyasha didn't want to risk Rin getting hurt or Jaken getting in the way. The little imp had an annoying habit of ending up underfoot at inopportune times. Miroku ran alongside Kirara as they took off through the forest.

They covered the remaining distance back to the hut quickly. Bursting through the trees, they saw Ichiro standing in front of a low alter, chanting as he read from a large book. In his hands he held a dark-colored sphere. Becoming aware of the intruders, he glanced up. His gold eyes burned with a fevered light. He grinned and Kagome couldn't help but think he was mad.

Sesshomaru was crouched nearby, looking frightened. Looking up to see what had caught Ichiro's attention, he caught sight of them as well. The pup scampered towards them. He rebounded off of the barrier. He swiped at it with his claws, baring his fangs in frustration and anger.

"Get back!" Sango yelled to Sesshomaru. She leapt from Kirara's back. "Hiraikotsu!" she cried as she released the huge boomerang. It bounced off of the barrier.

Her action spurred the others. Miroku threw a handful of sutras. Shippo sent a wave of blue foxfire at the spot where Sango had struck. Kagome fired an arrow. All of their attacks bounced harmlessly off the barrier. It was not unexpected but they had still hoped that perhaps they could break through. Kagome hoped Inuyasha was near and was able to retrieve Tessaiga. Their entire plan rested on him now. Until then, they needed to make it look good. She reached for another arrow.

Inuyasha moved quickly through the trees. He had to cut a wide circle so he would emerge out of sight behind the hut. He wasn't thrilled with this entire plan but he hadn't had any better ideas. He was the only one who could wield Tessaiga. He needed to get the sword and bring the barrier down before Ichiro realized what they were up to. He had no doubt Ichiro would kill Sesshomaru if he felt his plan would fail. He held no love for his older half-brother but he'd be damned if some two-bit yokai killed him while he was a defenseless pup. Defeating Sesshomaru was Inuyasha's job and he would do it when Sesshomaru was himself, not a little kid.

As his destination came into view he heard the sounds of the others attacking. He leapt the last few meters and landed on the windowsill, clearing the distance with ease. Myoga had been correct about the barrier being moved. He jumped down into the middle of the single room, eyes searching for his sword. He spotted it on a high shelf near the door, just as Myoga had said. He was impressed the tiny flea had actually come through. He retrieved Tessaiga and Tenseiga. He refused to leave either sword in Ichiro's possession for another moment. Both swords securely at his waist, he stepped out through the front door.

Kagome loosed an arrow at the same time Miroku threw a sutra. The impacted the barrier together with an impressive display of sparks and causing the entire barrier to shimmer yellow. Hiraikotsu struck the same spot before the sparks finished clearing. If the barrier had been weaker they would have stood a good chance of breaking through. The artifact being used to hold it in place, however, was too strong for them to overcome so easily.

"'Yasha! 'Yasha!" came a tiny cry, almost drowned out by the sounds of the others attempting to batter down the barrier. Sesshomaru was jumping up and down, trying to get Inuyasha's attention.

"So, half-breed, you've come back to rescue your older brother? How sweet," Ichiro said dryly. "I doubt he would be so generous for your sake."

"Doesn't matter. Reverse the transformation, let him go, and we'll spare you."

Ichiro threw his head back and laughed. It was a frightening sound, not one of mirth but the laugh of one teetering on the edge of insanity. "Fools!" he screamed. "I am within moments of fulfilling my plans! Nothing can breech my barrier. Nothing! You may now bear witness to the future!"

Dark smoke-like tendrils emerged from the orb cradled in his hands. They moved like a living thing, expanding and reaching out until they surrounded Sesshomaru, lifting him off the ground to hang suspended in midair. He struggled against the force holding him, whining and panting for his efforts to break free.

"'Yasha!" he cried pitifully, his eyes wide with horror and his voice full of fear. "It's so cold! Help me, 'Yasha! Please!"

"He's casting some sort of spell!" Miroku cried. He shuddered. "I can feel the evil from here."

The dark energy of the spell continued to entwine around Sesshomaru, obscuring him from view. Sesshomaru howled, the sound full of pain and fear. Slowly, the howl deepened. Through the swirling mist Kagome could barely make out Sesshomaru's form. It seemed to be getting larger.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin cried, tears streaking her face.

Inuyasha drew Tessaiga. The blade transformed and turned red. "Get ready," he yelled to the others, gripping the sword in both hands. He charged the barrier, raising Tessaiga above his head and swung hard. For a moment he hung suspended, the blade against the barrier. Then he was though and the barrier was down.

The dark smoke obscured everything within it. Miroku started to remove the prayer beads from around his right hand but hesitated. Without being able to see, he could very well end up sucking Sesshomaru or Inuyasha into his Wind Tunnel along with the smoke. It wasn't worth the risk. No one dared attack, not knowing where anything or anyone was positioned. Even Inuyasha wasn't visible from the group's vantage.

"We need to clear that smoke!" Sango shouted.

"If I use Wind Scar, I'll hit Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha called back. At this close range and without Tenseiga's barrier for protection, a direct hit with the Wind Scar would certainly kill Sesshomaru. The thought of killing the pup revolted Inuyasha to the very core of his being. He had no problem with trying to kill his brother when he was his normal self and they were fighting. Killing him as a pup, however, was nothing more than murder. He shifted his stance and gripped Tessaiga tightly. He needed to do something but he was blind.

Kagome reached for an arrow and nocked it. She drew, them hesitated. What should she aim for? The sphere! She had to hit the sphere. She couldn't see through the swirling mist. What if she hit Sesshomaru? Or Inuyasha who was still on the opposite side of where the barrier had been?

"I've got to shoot!" she cried, hoping Inuyasha would get out of the way. "If it's some sort of demonic energy, maybe I can purify it!"

Before she could think better of it, she released the arrow on instinct. It flew straight into the dark mist, glowing pinkish-purple with her spiritual energy before being swallowed up. She held her breath, praying she had made the right choice.

For a long moment nothing happened. The silence was deafening. Then came the sound like glass cracking. It slowly got louder. A scream of pure rage and agony cut through everyone like a knife. Without warning the dark mist seemed to constrict in upon itself, then exploded outwards. They braced themselves against the rushing energy. Jaken was blown from Ah-Un's back and went tumbling several feet with an outraged yell. Rin was pressed flat on the dragon's back, gripping the saddle tightly. Miroku grabbed Kagome around the waist, jammed his staff into the ground, and clutched both for dear life. Sango used Hiraikotsu as a shield; Shippo hanging onto her legs to keep from being blown away.

Kagome looked up as it subsided, worried about what she would find. Inuyasha raised his head from where he had pressed his forehead against Tessaiga's hilt. He had jammed the sword point first into the ground to anchor himself. That and the scabbard had protected him from the blast.

Ichiro had been blown back against the hut by the force. He shook his head, apparently dazed. A streak of red crossed the orange marking on his cheek from a cut beneath his eye. Sesshomaru lay sprawled face-down and unmoving on the ground. He appeared to be his usual adult self. Kagome's face flushed as she turned her gaze away and she was suddenly very grateful for his tail. Whether by design or coincidence, it covered him enough so he wasn't exposing anything that shouldn't be seen. Though there was still entirely too much visible for her comfort.

Inuyasha walked over to Sesshomaru's prone form. He prodded his brother with his foot. Inuyasha stopped his foot from connecting hard with Sesshomaru's ribs just in time as a tiny voice asked, "Is he okay?" He caught sight of Rin looking at them with tears in her eyes. With an inward sigh, he dropped down beside the other and listened.

"Yeah, he's alive," Inuyasha said roughly. "He's breathing." Suddenly, a bundle of white silk landed in his face. He sputtered and batted it aside. It reeked of Sesshomaru. "What the hell am I supposed to do with this?"

"Get him dressed!" Kagome said.

"Why me?"

"He's your brother!"

"I'm not going to – "

"I'll help you, Lord Inuyasha!" Rin said innocently.

"No!" Inuyasha said hurriedly. "I've got it. You stay there. Miroku, get over here!"

"Why do I have to –-"? he glanced at Rin and went to help Inuyasha without another word.

They had barely wrestled his limp form into his clothing when he stirred. Gold eyes opened, then narrowed dangerously.

Miroku and Inuyasha drew back slightly as Sesshomaru's gaze fell on them. Inuyasha studied his brother for a long moment. His expressionless mask was no surprise but there was nothing beneath it. There was no warmth in his gaze, no anger, no distain. No recognition. He swallowed hard. Had Ichiro succeeded in his plans? If he had, they could all be doomed. While he boasted often that he'd beat Sesshomaru he knew that his brother had stayed his hand more often than not when they fought. If he truly wanted them dead, they'd all be dead. While Sesshomaru might not walk away unscathed, he'd still walk away victorious. Not that Inuyasha would ever admit as much out loud. He tightened his grip on Tessaiga, just in case.

The silence stretched. Finally, Inuyasha couldn't take it any longer. They needed to know if Sesshomaru was himself or Ichiro's puppet. He forced himself to speak, half-dreading the answer.

"Sesshomaru?"