A/N: Wow another chapter hee hee I am on fire.
Unfortunately Sesshoumaru does not make an appearance in this one :(
Disclaimer: I do not own anything if I did I would lock Sesshoumaru away in my basement (If I actually had one).
Ari finally landed once she was sure she was very far away from Sesshoumaru, she put the broom away and sat by a tree. It was only then that she realised she was very lost shrugging she figured she could do a point me spell to get back to Kagome, once she did her exploring of course. She looked at the bracelet she had made with the Deathly Hallows; Death had helped her create it by giving her the bracelet itself whilst she transfigured the object into charms to fit on the bracelet.
"Hey Death you can visit now." She called softly. A minute later Death appeared before her, his outfit this time was considerably better than the one he had worn on his last visit. He was wearing a maroon suit with a blue tie that lit up, Ari preferred this too the headache she received from the marshmallow outfit.
"How's my favourite little girly doing?" Death asked grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
"I'm doing the very good now that my life is no longer in danger." Ari replied nonchalantly.
"Ooohhh I sense a story," Death said clapping his hands together excitedly before sitting down in front of Ari. "I do love a good a good story."
"It all started with an evil sword called Tokijin..." Ari began and continued to tell the whole story of the incident with Kajinbo and then about Sesshoumaru. "I mean the guy clearly has issues."
"There's still no need to purposely antagonise him. Honestly do you have a death wish?" Death glared at the girl.
"He was asking for it, he's such a jackass. Although on reflection it was a bad idea and I'm probably third on his people to kill list after Inuyasha and Naraku." Ari pouted and folded her arms.
"He does seem a bit stuck up and very arrogant." Death acknowledged.
"He reminds me of Malfoy," Ari said. "Except more powerful, lethal and has a voice every female would turn into a puddle of goo over."
"Well it sounds like you should avoid future confrontations with Sesshoumaru." Death advised.
"Psht if he acts like a jackass I'm not going to stand and take it."
"Spoken like a true Gryffindor." Death said smirking. "It's going to be fun to see the outcome."
OoO
After spending more time with Death exploring the nearby area, Ari thought it was well passed the time she sought out Kagome and the others. She took out her firebolt and with a point me spell to guide her she took off into the air, the wind was rushing through her hair and she grinned doing a few dives and spins. It had been awhile since she'd been able to fly just for the sake of flying, she spotted her friends in the distance and made towards them. She barely had time to land before Kagome had her arms wrapped around Ari.
"What took you so long?" She asked hurriedly. "We were so worried, we thought Sesshoumaru had killed you."
"I might have gotten lost trying to escape Sesshoumaru before he killed me." Ari grinned sheepishly at Kagome.
"At least she managed to escape." Sango told Kagome.
"What's Sesshoumaru's deal anyway? Why did he attack Inuyasha if they're brothers?" Ari asked, sitting down next to Shippou who was colouring in Kagome's drawing book.
"Sesshoumaru is a very powerful Inu Daiyoukai who is the lord of the western lands. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru are half-brothers, they share the same father. Their father was the great Inu-no-Taisho, who was very powerful, feared and respected. Well as you can see from Inuyasha, the InuTaisho fell in love with a human whom he married. Sesshoumaru probably felt like his father had slandered his name by being with a human and is taking it out on Inuyasha, who constantly reminds him of in his opinion his father's mistake." Miroku said softly aware that Inuyasha was listening in on the conversation.
"Yeah and then add on the fact that the InuTaisho left Inuyasha, the younger of the two, the Tessaiga, the sword of destruction that can kill a hundred youkai with one swing. Sesshoumaru was left with the Tenseiga, the healing sword that can heal a hundred people with one swing, naturally given Sesshoumaru's penchant for power he felt cheated by being left with the sword that cannot cut." Myoga added solemnly.
"I see," Ari said. "Sesshoumaru is taking his anger towards his father out on Inuyasha. Anyway I don't think you will have to worry about Sesshoumaru stealing the Tessaiga anymore."
"Why the hell wouldn't he steal it wench?" Inuyasha asked glaring at Ari.
"Because, dummy, the Tessaiga stops you from turning into a growling monkey." Ari said with a roll of her eyes.
"I know that," Inuyasha growled. "But why would it stop him from trying to take it?"
"Sesshoumaru only fought you because he wanted to see you transform for himself now that he knows what happens when you do, I doubt he wishes for you turn into a rampaging killer. Whether you believe it or not he does care for you in his own way, you say he has fought you before and yet he you remain. There is absolutely no uncertainty in my mind that if he truly wanted you dead you would have been the first time he fought you."
"Maybe I haven't died because I'm as good as he is." Inuyasha declared angrily.
"You're an idiot," Ari remarked dryly. "Sesshoumaru has many years of formal training with swords and whatever powers he has. You on the other hand can barely wield you're Tessaiga and, from what I've been told, have gotten through his fights with the help of your friends and sheer dumb luck."
"You know I think she has a point." Sango remarked.
"Yeah Sesshoumaru does seem to hold back a lot." Shippou said.
"Well I don't care what you think. I hate him and he hates me." Inuyasha glared, his ears twitching madly.
"Yup and there's also a river called de Nile." Ari said shrugging.
"I can sense a Shikon jewel shard and its closing in fast." Kagome said worriedly.
Ari turned to where Kagome was looking and saw a small whirlpool of wind that sped towards them. She noticed that the others in the group seemed to be pretty relaxed and so assumed that whatever was speeding towards them wasn't and enemy. The whirlpool came closer and stopped where Kagome and Ari were standing, revealing a youkai with long black hair and blue eyes.
"Yo!" He said raising a hand in greeting.
"It's Kouga." Kagome explained.
"Hey Kagome, I picked up on your scent and thought I'd drop by. You've been well I hope" Kouga said as he came closer to Kagome only to be blocked by Inuyasha.
"What do you want you mangy wolf?" Inuyasha asked.
"Don't go picking a fight all ready." Kagome implored with Inuyasha. Ari looked from Inuyasha to Kouga a small grin appearing on her face.
"Stay out of it!" Inuyasha demanded. "I might have to kill him and take his jewel shards."
"You haven't changed one bit mutt, you'd think by now you'd have dropped the arrogance. Kagome don't you ever get sick of being around this guy?" Kouga said causing Inuyasha to growl and move his hand to touch his sword.
"You two are like little children fighting over the shiny new toy." Ari couldn't help laughing as she saw them.
"And who are you?" Kouga asked harshly causing Ari to raise her eyebrow and cross her arms.
"Ask politely and I might just tell you."
"Why don't I just force you to tell me?"
"You could try but I doubt you would succeed, even with the power of jewel shards you have. You know I find it kinda sad that you are relying on the jewel shards; it only gives you false power and that false power will never be enough to defeat Naraku." Ari glared at the wolf youkai.
"What the hell do you know about defeating Naraku?"
"Actually Kouga, Ari here has a lot of experience with defeating evil. She defeated the most powerful and feared dark wizard in history were she is from." Kagome said as she tried to keep Kouga from harming her relative.
"Huh so she knows what she's doing that don't mean she knows anything about me!" Kouga glared at Ari.
"Clearly you're not the bright spark in the plug are you?" Ari taunted.
Inuyasha started laughing and Kagome had a grin on her face as she tried to keep from laughing whilst Kouga just growled and quickly gave Kagome a short 'bye' and sped off.
"Well, that ended differently than it usually would," Miroku said whilst Sango nodded in agreement.
"Usually Inuyasha would end up fighting Kouga," Shippou told Ari as he jumped on her shoulder. "Personally I think it's because Inuyasha likes Kagome and is jealous when Kouga turns up."
"What would have to be jealous about runt?" Inuyasha yelled.
"You really are exhausting." Kagome sighed sadly. The effect on Inuyasha was instant, he frowned and his ears drooped slightly. He sat down by the rock Miroku was sat on and a cloud of depression hung over him as he stared solemnly into the distance. 'They're as clueless as each other' Ari thought shaking her head as Kagome questioned Inuyasha on his sudden depression. Inuyasha's head suddenly shot up as he sniffed the air, he quickly got up and took off running.
"Inuyasha wait!" Kagome shouted as Miroku took off running after him. Sango, Shippou and Kagome quickly got on a transformed Kirara whilst Ari swung her leg over her broom and they were all following Inuyasha.
"Inuyasha what's wrong?" Miroku called.
"I can smell Naraku." Was Inuyasha's quick reply as he sped up, leaving behind the others who shouted for him not to go alone. Ari growled as she moved flatter against her firebolt so it would go faster and enable her to catch up to Inuyasha.
"Ari wait! Don't go flying off too." Kagome shouted.
"Someone has to make sure that dummy doesn't get himself killed and you guys aren't fast enough." Ari shouted back as she zoomed away. Ari quickly spotted Inuyasha running just behind Kouga, 'when did he get here' she thought as she moved her broom so she was alongside Inuyasha.
"What the hell are you thinking running off on your own like that?" She asked him.
"Whatever, I can do what I want and I'm not letting Naraku get away." Inuyasha replied.
Ari felt a sudden chill run down her spine as she felt cold air run down her neck and looking to her left she saw to her surprise another youkai, this one had long purplish hair and wore a mask over his mouth and chains on his wrists. 'How did he manage to sneak up on me?" She thought as she quickly moved her broom upwards to avoid his strike, moving back to be next to Inuyasha she quickly jumped of her broom. Ari was able to notice that Kouga had vanished 'what a coward' she thought
"You've finally shown up have you Inuyasha?" Asked a soft, calculating voice as a figure appeared in the trees.
"Naraku." Inuyasha growled. Ari stared at the demon in the trees, he was covered by a baboon pelt so she couldn't see anything distinguishable but she could feel the evil that surrounded him. 'So this is the demon that's causing all the problems' she thought 'I wonder if that is truly him or an illusion'. The rest of the group arrived into the small clearing and glared at Naraku.
"Kouga must have fled when he saw he had no chance at victory," Naraku said with a chuckle that made Ari's skin crawl. "He is smarter then what I fist took him for."
"Kouga is a coward for running away and leaving us to deal with this." Ari said angrily stepping forward.
"I see you have a new addition to your little group," Naraku said and Ari could feel his piercing gaze even though she couldn't see his eyes. "I wonder if she will be worth anything."
"I do not need to prove anything to a psychopathic moron like you." Ari growled.
"Feisty little human, well then let's see how you all fair against my incarnation, Juromaru." Naraku said before addressing the incarnation. "Juromaru, I will release your bindings, fight until your heart's content."
The shackles on Juromaru suddenly broke and Ari tensed as the demon turned around a slashed through Naraku's neck beheading him, she heard everyone else gasp.
"Juromaru is unstoppable now that his mask has been removed, he was slaughter everything in his wake." Naraku said laughing before disappearing.
Ari quickly twisted her wrist allowing her wand to drop from its holster and into her hand; she had a feeling that her sword wouldn't be much good against this opponent after seeing him move so fast before. She would stay out of this fight for as long as possible considering she wanted to use her magic as little as possible to keep the enemy unaware as to her true potential.
"Even if Naraku was a puppet it doesn't explain why he beheaded his own ally." Miroku said.
"Perhaps no one is his ally." Sango added.
"Yeah," Kagome agreed. "It explains why Naraku kept him masked and shackled."
Juromaru suddenly leapt forward fist raised and Inuyasha had to pull Ari away quickly, putting her with Kagome he returned to the fight and landed a punch in Juromaru in the face. Ari watched confused as to why Juromaru didn't try to dodge, however he managed to dodge Inuyasha's Sankon Tessou.
"He blocked it." Miroku said clearly shocked. Ari frowned she never saw Juromaru's arm move at all so how did he do it, there was something really wrong with this guy. Juromaru kept pushing with his attacks and Inuyasha was left to dodge, he quickly pulled out his Tessaiga and cut into Juromaru's arm.
"He cut his arm off!" Shippou exclaimed happily but Ari wasn't so sure. It seemed too easy and judging by the look on Inuyasha's face it wasn't like it looked at all. Ari and others watched as Juromaru went in for another attack and when the dust cleared it showed that Juromaru's arm had not in fact been cut off. 'So what was it that Inuyasha cut off' Ari thought as her eyes widened when she came to a startling realisation and began looking around her.
"Inuyasha watch out there's two of them." Ari shouted a little too late as Inuyasha was struck from the ground below him causing him to cry out in pain. Inuyasha dropped to the ground as the second youkai revealed its form, it was small with long deadly looking spikes for arms, and its body was like one small tail with a tiny head that looked identical to Juromaru's.
"What the hell is that thing?" Miroku questioned out loud what we were all thinking inside.
"Thanks for the meal," it said licking its lips. "Your innards were simply delicious."
'Ew, can this thing get any creepier' Ari thought looking thoroughly disgusted.
"Who are you?" Inuyasha gasped out holding his stomach.
"I am Kageromaru and I have been lying dormant inside Juromaru's stomach." It replied.
Ari, Sango and Miroku moved forwards to stand in front of Inuyasha whilst Kagome and Shippou went to check on his condition.
"I see the mask was to keep you inside Juromaru." Ari remarked still disgusted.
"Juromaru obeys no one but me." Kageromaru laughed and added. "Not even Naraku. Now let us feast on the other shall we Juromaru?"
Kageromaru lunged forward fast as Miroku tried to open his wind tunnel only to be stopped, Juromaru had moved as well, blocking Hiraikotsu. Ari quickly pointed her wand at Juromaru and shouted 'reducto' as Miroku protected Sango from Kageromaru. Juromaru managed to barely dodge the spell thrown his way, as Miroku once again tried to use his wind tunnel but was unsuccessful and was bitten by Juromaru in response. Inuyasha jumped forward with his Tessaiga raised, he swiped at Juromaru who jumped away.
"Be careful where you swing that thing Inuyasha, you could have gotten Miroku." Kagome called.
"Well excuse me for tryin' to save him." Inuyasha said as he turned to Juromaru. "He's mine this time."
"No! Inuyasha don't do it." Kagome shouted rushing towards him.
"Why not?" Inuyasha asked.
"Well you've got a hole in your gut for starters." Shippou said.
"It's not like I've never fought when wounded before." Inuyasha declared turning back to look at Kagome his eyes widened when he saw Kageromaru sneaking up behind her. Ari was about to shoot of another spell but she realised that if Kageromaru dodged it then it would hit Kagome, with wide eyes she watched as he was kicked away by a newly arriving Kouga who immediately started an argument with Inuyasha.
"Guys we have bigger problems to deal with." Ari said exasperatedly. Inuyasha quickly caught Kouga up on Kageromaru.
"I can see that Kageromaru is much too fast for the likes of us to keep up with." Miroku said lowly.
"Speak for yourself monk." Kouga said laughing. "There's no one fast enough to keep them escaping from me."
"Words are your only weapon." Kageromaru laughed, taunting the wolf youkai into attacking and continued to laugh after he dodged the attack. "Clearly you're not the warrior you claim to be if that's the best you can do."
Juromaru appeared behind Kouga causing Inuyasha to lunge forward shouting about how he was Juromaru's opponent. He swung Tessaiga but Juromaru merely jumped on top of the blade and moved quickly to bite Inuyasha, Ari quickly pointed her wand at him and 'everte statum' which sent Juromaru flying away from Inuyasha. Inuyasha got back up and faced Juromaru again; meanwhile Kouga was fighting with Kageromaru. Kouga managed to predict his opponent's next move to shock of those watching and seemed to land a direct hit at Kageromaru. Until Kageromaru went for Inuyasha from under the ground, Kouga's hit hadn't landed at all, Inuyasha was sent flying back unconscious after a double attack from both opponents; Kouga continued to try and land an attack on Kageromaru but was only wounded in response.
Kouga's leg was deeply cut after a vicious attack from Kageromaru and was left in agony on the floor. Kageromaru turned to Kagome saying;
"Perhaps I should eat you liver next."
He dove after Kagome whilst Kouga was distracted by Juromaru, Inuyasha shot up from the ground and prevented the attack using his Tessaiga. Ari was left stunned she had never seen Inuyasha move so fast and wasn't the Tessaiga really heavy now. She watched as Inuyasha tried to strike Kageromaru with Tessaiga only for him to dodge and disappear again.
"Inuyasha is so simple minded that he forgot how heavy it was." Ari heard Miroku say to Sango.
"Simple minded huh?" Inuyasha questioned leaving Miroku to mutter an astonished 'he heard that'.
"I think it has more to do with his desire to protect Kagome which overcame to heaviness of the sword." Ari said with knowing smile towards Kagome who was fusing over Inuyasha, both blushed once they heard Ari's opinion on what happened with the sword. Kouga continued to dodge Juromaru's attacks whilst looking over to glare at Inuyasha who glared right back. Inuyasha hefted Tessaiga over his shoulder and all most fell backwards as it suddenly became heavy again.
"So Ari was right, it was Inuyasha's desire to protect Kagome that made the sword lighter." Miroku said.
"Of course I'm right, I'm always right." Ari replied with a grin.
Inuyasha joined the fight once again however Juromaru and Kageromaru's attacks became more synchronised and Inuyasha had to put all his effort into dodging them both. Kouga helped Inuyasha out as Juromaru attacked by kicking him away; Ari rolled her eyes when she heard Inuyasha say 'don't expect a thanks'.
"If this battle goes on much longer even Inuyasha won't be able to hold out." Sango said.
"Yeah, and there's no telling where Kageromaru will come out next." Miroku added, Sango seemed to get an idea as her eyes lit up.
"Inuyasha will have a chance if we can restrain Kageromaru, Miroku give me your staff." Sango moved to rummage around in her armour which had concealed objects inside and pulled out a container with a purple poison inside. She used the end of Miroku's staff to apply the poison too. "This poison won't last long but at least it will get Kageromaru out of the ground."
Sango stood up and threw Miroku's staff where it landed deep into the ground causing the Earth to turn a darker colour. Ari decided to take Sango's idea further and pointed her wand to the ground where the staff was she saw the ground move slightly and called out 'aresto momentum', the spell collided with Kageromaru as he shot out of the ground making his movement a lot slower. Sango caught Ari's eye and nodded her approval at Ari's quick thinking.
"Now catch Kageromaru, he's going to be slowed down by the poison and Ari's spell." Sango shouted to Kouga who tried to catch Kageromaru who had jumped up the nearest tree. Kageromaru jumped down and moved along the ground, Inuyasha turned his attention to him and swung with his sword. However Juromaru had snuck up behind Inuyasha and pushed him away, causing Inuyasha and Kouga to collide against a tree.
"Nice going dog boy, are you going to die this time round." Kouga said savagely as Kagome ran over to Inuyasha to try a keep him still. "Don't worry Kagome now that Kageromaru can't do his little underground trick I can take them both out."
Kouga moved towards Juromaru intending to defeat him first, Ari looked towards Inuyasha wondering how he was taking Kouga's declaration to be the hero but noticed he didn't seem to care and was busy looking around for something. Ari briefly wondered what it was he was looking for as her attention returned to Kouga who was closing in on Juromaru.
"Fool stay away from him!" Inuyasha shouted at Kouga who refused to do so. Inuyasha slowly got back up and clutched at Tessaiga and ran after Kouga, Ari watched as Juromaru opened his mouth and out shot Kageromaru heading straight for Kouga.
"Out of my way you wimpy wolf." Inuyasha said as he swung Tessaiga down scoring a direct hit on Kageromaru and Juromaru causing them both to turn to ashes. "It's over despite someone getting in my way."
Kouga's fist made contact with Inuyasha's head as they engaged in an argument which Kagome intervened in and became peacemaker. Sensing a fight brewing Kagome quickly gave her command and Inuyasha made a new home in ground below him, she turned to Kouga and requested that he leave.
"Would you stop doing that?" Inuyasha growled out.
"You've got some serious injuries, do you have any idea what would happen if you to fight Kouga right now?" Kagome said angrily.
"I doubt 'sitting' him is making those injuries better." Ari said and immediately put her hands up in surrender when Kagome glared at her.
Ari watched as Kagome thanked Kouga for helping and sniggered at Kouga's attempted claim over her. Was Kouga that oblivious to Kagome's love for Inuyasha? Sango and Miroku exclaimed their shock when they watched Kouga leave. Kagome waved merrily at his retreating back whilst Inuyasha shouted at him to come back, only to receive another 'sit' from Kagome.
"Yeah you're really not helping him any." Ari said with a happy little shrug.
Inuyasha and Kagome began arguing about Kagome's apparent flirting with Kouga only for Kagome to declare she was going home. Sango and Miroku both sighed and left them to argue whilst Sango dressed Miroku's wounds, Shippou moved out from under Kagome's hair and left to join Sango with a parting remark.
"You two should grow up and be more like them." Ari burst out laughing so hard she tripped over and fell to the floor still laughing.
"It's funny cause he's the kid... and he's telling you to grow up haha."
A/N: It's so hard writing the battle scenes especially when it's more than one on one so I'm not sure if it's that good as I don't have much experience writing battle scenes.
I am trying to keep the characters in character so if they aren't then if you let me know I will try and make them more so in the future. Also I am trying to keep Ari from being as far away from a Mary Sue as possible so if she behaves like one could you also let me know so I can change it.
Thank you
P.S. Sesshoumaru will be in the next chapter.
Please review they always make me smile.