Chapter 21: The Heavenly Path

A sword. That was something they weren't expecting to be in a dragon's stomach. It looked like a katana of some sort. The handle was blue braided with gold rayskin in between and the kashira was gold as well.

"What's a sword doing in Yamata's stomach?" Kagome asked. She knew that Yamata did have a sword in his stomach before, the Kusanagi. But she never expected that he had another sword in him. Quite a shocker really.

"I think this sword is from Jigoku's stomach." Masahiro said, staring at the sword.

"Huh?" Kagome asked, turning towards Masahiro.

"Jigoku must have had a sword in her before she was swallowed." Masahiro said, "Yamata probably absorbed this sword without knowing it was in her stomach."

"I think you're right, Masahiro." Kagome said. Masahiro slowly reached for the sword. As soon as he grabbed onto the handle, the sword's glow turned brighter until he and Kagome had to cover their eyes. When the light died down, a ghost like figure appeared. The figure was a woman with long golden braided hair and green eyes. She wore a green colored fighting kimono with armor pads on her shoulders and a chest plate in front. Somehow she looked familiar.

"Who are you?" Kagome asked, gazing at the ghost like figure.

"I'm Asahi, Jigoku's mother." Asahi said.

"Mother?" Masahiro asked, shocked. He never thought that he would meet Jigoku's mother inside of her stomach. To his point of view, a very weird meeting place.

"Hai." Asahi said, "My daughter is dead, isn't she?"

"I'm afraid she is, Asahi-san." Kagome said.

"I see." Asahi said with a sad face.

"Are you by any chance a golden dragon?" Masahiro asked.

"Hai, I am." Asahi said.

"A golden dragon?" Kagome asked, confused. What does her being a golden dragon have anything to do with her being inside of Jigoku's stomach?

"The golden dragons were once a proud, strong, and honorable race. We fought along side by side with other dragons. But we were wiped out by Ryūkotsusei." Asahi said, "None of us were able to defeat him. He was more powerful than any other dragon we had ever come across. Ryūkotsusei made his move when we were at our weakest point." Asahi said, sadly. Masahiro's eyes widened at the mention of his uncle's name. He never knew that his uncle had killed an entire clan of dragons. What a monstrous thing he had done. Then he realized something: if the golden dragons were a powerful race, how were they unable to defeat his uncle? It didn't make any sense to him.

"Weakest point?" Kagome asked.

"This sword, Sukaiburēdo, belongs to my great grandfather, Lord Ryuunosuke, a golden dragon. It's a powerful demon sword. Our great ancestor's fang was blessed by one of the Kami many years ago. After his passing, it was given to his son who passed it onto his son, who also passed it on his son. When I turned 3,000 years old, it was given to me. But the sword only gave me half of its power." Asahi said.

"How were you unable to receive its full power?" Masahiro asked, confused.

"We hold a blessing ceremony when the next heir receives the sword. It requires a lot of our youki to power the sword. But the ceremony was interrupted when Ryūkotsusei attacked us." Asahi said, "Because of the blessing ceremony being interrupted, I was unable to receive its full power and Ryūkotsusei was able to destroy us all."

"But why did Jigoku want to destroy her own clan?" Kagome asked. It really did confused her. She thought Jigoku would protect her clan, not destroy it.

"My daughter was always hungry and impatient to receive power. She didn't have pure youki like I did. Which meant that she would not be able to receive the sword when she's older. She was an apprentice to Ryūkotsusei at the time. She had also helped him defeat Inu no Taishō." Asahi said. Suddenly, Masahiro fell to his knees while his head hung low. This action surprised Asahi and Kagome. Kagome could see his shoulders trembling as his head hung low. To Kagome, she had never seen Masahiro like this, for as long as she has known him.

"I'm sorry, Asahi-san. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for what happened to your clan. I'm so sorry." Masahiro said with his head down as heavy tears fell down his cheeks. He felt horrible at that moment. He couldn't believe that his uncle had done such a terrible thing. Not only that he had heavily wounded Lord Inu no Taishō, he destroyed an entire clan of dragons. One of his own kind. He placed his hand over his face while his tears continued to fall as his body was trembling.

"I do not blame you for your uncle's actions, Lord Masahiro." Asahi said, smiled softly. Masahiro's eyes widened at her words. Somehow he stopped trembling.

"But…" Masahiro began to say with his head still down.

"His actions are his own, Lord Masahiro. Do not take the blame of his actions." Asahi said. Masahiro looked back up at her with confusion. He couldn't figure out why this woman didn't hate him for the extinction of her clan. But for some reason, he felt calm in her presence.

"I can tell you that you are not your uncle who sought for power to rule all life. You use your power to protect those who are precious to you and to those who need to be protected." Asahi said.

"Asahi-sama." Masahiro said. For some strange reason, Masahiro felt at peace. Then he stood up and stared up at the kind hearted golden dragon who didn't hate him.

"Therefore I am entrusting, Sukaiburēdo, to you, Lord Masahiro." Asahi said.

"Me? B-But are you sure, Asahi-san?" Masahiro asked in shock as he held onto the blade, which started to glow in golden.

"You have the heart of a golden dragon, Lord Masahiro." Asahi said while smiling softly at Masahiro, "I would gladly give the sword to a loyal and kindhearted dragon such as you."

"Thank you, Asahi-san." Masahiro said as he nodded his head in acknowledgement. Then the sword started to glow even brighter. The sword had a warm and soothing aura to it. It was like the sword was telling him to trust it. Masahiro decided to do just that.

"Use this sword to protect the weak and vanquish the evil that is residing in these lands." Asahi said.

"I will, Asahi-sama." Masahiro said, giving her a bow. Then he turned towards Kagome and a small smile appeared on the both of their faces.


After Masahiro and Kagome were swallowed:

"You bastard." Hansuke said with a glare that could scare any living creature. Both his youki and reiki were starting to rise at his anger that he was projecting at Yamata. He had no idea if Masahiro and Kagome were still alive in Yamata's stomach. He knew that a dragon's stomach acids were deadly. Any living creature that sets foot in there will disintegrate in minutes.

"I say that was the most satisfying meal I've had in centuries." Yamata said licking his lips while taunting Hansuke and Akari. The both of them felt so angry at that moment. But they also had the small hope that the two are alright. Afterall, those two wouldn't let themselves get killed by an evil dragon's stomach acids. Suddenly, Yamata's heads slowly started to grow back.

The jewel shard is probably speeding up his regenerating process. We have to take it out, but only Kagome can locate it and purify it. Kagome probably didn't sense it when Yamata was fully revived. Somehow the shard is protected by Yamata's youki. Which is an even bigger problem for us.

"Well, let's have a little bit fun, shall we?" Yamata asked, smirking at them. Hansuke readied his sword, pouring his reiki and youki into it. He knew that his attack will only be able to destroy one of Yamata's heads and Akari could probably only destroy one or two, but they had to buy time time for Masahiro and Kagome to escape from Yamata's stomach.

"JUNSUINA BAKUHATSU!" Hansuke yelled as he swung his sword. Swirls of pink and gold energy spun towards Yamata.

"HEAVENLY BLADES!" Akari yelled as blades of lightly shot towards Yamata. Five of his heads were chomped off. Yamata screamed in pain once again. His body thrashing around, making the ground tremble beneath his feet. Steam arose from where Yamata's heads were. Then a new head started to grow back from where the previous head was. The onmyouji and the white tengu were getting exhausted at this point and knew that they were at a huge disadvantage, but...they had to buy time for their two comrades.

"You're just wasting your puny efforts on defeating me, weak warriors." Yamata said, "No one will be able to defeat me!" He roared loudly into the sky. The sound of his roar sent waves of terror along the land. Hansuke and Akari were at lost at what to do at that moment. But at that moment, a spot of light appeared on Yamata's belly. Soon enough, he was roaring in pain as it started to grow bigger and bigger. Then something bright came out of his stomach. His stomach acids were being spilled everywhere as a enormous orb of light descend away from Yamata. As the light began to disappear, Hansuke and Akari saw a figure holding a sword in its right hand and holding someone close with its left arm. When the light on the figures was finally gone, they fully recognized the two figures in front of them.

"MASAHIRO! KAGOME! YOU'RE ALRIGHT!" Hansuke and Akari said at the same time when they saw Masahiro and Kagome out of Yamata's stomach.

"Hai, sorry for worrying you." Masahiro said, smiling at Hansuke and Akari. The both of them let a breath of relief.

"Well, thank the kami that you both are alive." Akari said. Kagome nodded in agreement. Hansuke noticed the sword in Masahiro's hand. He wondered how he got a hold of another sword. His train of thought was broken when the four of them heard the sound of Yamata's voice.

"Impossible! You should have been dead inside of my stomach!" Yamata growled. He was absolutely sure that the two were dead after he swallow them. It was absolutely impossible for anything to survive from a pool of a dragon's stomach acids. How are they still alive?!

"Fortunately, we're still alive." Masahiro said, smirking.

"So how about we return the favor of sending you back to the afterlife?" Kagome asked, smirking as well.

"What do you think, Hansuke?" Masahiro asked, looking over his shoulder to see Hansuke's reaction.

"I think we should send him back." Hansuke said, smiling.

"How about you, Akari?" Kagome asked.

"I'll help." Akari said, smiling. They wanted to do that exactly to Yamata. After all, it's what he deserves. But also, it's his punishment for all the sins he has committed.

"You cannot defeat me! I am the great Yamata no Orochi! I'm more powerful than I was centuries ago!" Yamata roared.

"That's where you're wrong, Yamata." Hansuke said, "We will defeat you."

"I would like to see you try, foolish warriors." Yamata said.

"Very well." Hansuke said. Suddenly, lightning went across the sky and straight down towards Hansuke. Everyone shielded their eyes as the light surrounded them. Hansuke slowly opened his eyes and saw something standing in front of him. It was a shakujo staff. But it looked different than the other ones he had seen. The pole looked like it was made from hinoki wood. The top of the staff looked like it was made from silver brass and it didn't have six rings...it had eight. Hansuke's eyes widened when he finally recognized the staff in front of him.

Hansuke. A mysterious voice.

"Who said that?" Hansuke asked, looking side to side.

I did. The voice said.

"Who are you?"Hansuke said.

I am the soul of Hasshōdō. The voice said.

"The soul of Hasshōdō?" Hansuke asked.

Hai. I've been waiting a long time to be given to you. Hasshōdō said.

"You've been waiting for me?" Hansuke asked, confused.

I will tell you later. Right now, you have to defeat Yamata. Hasshōdō said. Hansuke was still confused of what Hasshōdō said about waiting for him to be given to him. But he'll ask later. He quickly grabbed a hold of the Hasshōdō staff. When he did, he felt a warm and soothing energy enter into his body. The power seem to have rid all of his doubts and his lack of strength. He looked towards his comrades. He knew that all of their powers together would be able to defeat Yamata for good.

"What is that?!" Akari asked when everyone saw the staff in Hansuke's hands.

"It will help us purify the wicked soul in front of us." Hansuke said, clenching onto the staff.

"I have said this before and I will say it once more: You'll never defeat me!" Yamata shouted. He didn't want to be defeated by a group of foolish warriors. But he had to admit that Susanoo was smart enough to kill him unsuspectingly. He had some admiration for the Kami, but that was all.

"We'll see about that." Hansuke said, "Akari, Masahiro, Kagome."

"Hai?" They asked in unison.

"Can you cover me while I figure out the spell to return him back into his bones?" Hansuke asked.

"You got it!" Akari said. She quickly handed Kagome her bow and arrows while Hansuke gave Enerugī kiba back to Masahiro. They all nodded before heading off to fight Yamata. When they did, Hansuke closed his eyes. He began to search inside of the staff for the spell to help them defeat him.

Hasshōdō. Hansuke thought.

Hai? Hasshōdō said.

I need a spell. Hansuke said.

What kind of spell? Hasshōdō asked.

A spell that will be able to restrain Yamata. With him restrained, my comrades will be able to send him back into his dusty bones. Hansuke said.

Do you think it will work? Hasshōdō asked.

Hai. Hansuke thought.

Very well. Hasshōdō said.


Masahiro, Kagome, and Akari started feel tired. They kept cutting off his heads. Unfortunately they would just grow right back. But they had to buy time for Hansuke. For Masahiro, he didn't want to give up now. He didn't want to be beaten by a dead dragon. Now way he would be defeated by him. He knew that Hansuke had a plan. A plan that would rid of the sinful dragon in front of them. He noticed that Kagome and Akari were breathing heavily. Masahiro didn't know how much longer they can hold Yamata.

"Masahiro." Hansuke said. Masahiro looked to his right and saw Hansuke holding onto the staff that was standing in the ground in front of him earlier.

"Hai?" Masahiro asked.

"When the time is right, use your new sword." Hansuke said.

"What?" Masahiro asked.

"The sword will tell you, Masahiro." Hansuke said, "Trust it."

"Hai." Masahiro said with a confident smile. Hansuke nodded and closed his eyes. Concentrating on the spell while putting his reiki into the staff. At the same time, Masahiro sheathed Enerugī kiba. The he closed his eyes and focused the rest of his youki into Sukaiburēdo. Kagome and Akari looked over their shoulders and saw Masahiro glowing yellow and Hansuke glowing in white. Then eight white glowing rings floated in a circle behind Hansuke.

"TENGOKU NO PASU!" Hansuke shouted he pointed the staff towards Yamata. Each of the rings shot towards Yamata, trapping him in the sky.

"KAMI NO HARIKĒN!" Masahiro yelled as he swung his sword down. A tornado bathed in white light spun towards the imprisoned Yamata. He screamed in pain as the tornado torn him to pieces. When the light and Yamata's scream disappeared, everything was quiet except the heavily breathing of Masahiro and Hansuke and the small breeze that blew by. Masahiro and Hansuke lowered their stance a few minutes later. At that moment, dark grey clouds began to clear and the sun shining on the figures on the battlefield. Everyone let out a breath of relief. They did it. They defeat Yamata no Orochi, the eight-headed dragon.

While Kagome collected the jewel shard and purified it, Hansuke gazed down at the Hasshōdō staff. He started to wonder who sent the staff to him. It was quite a mystery to him. He looked up at the sky, where the sun was now shining. Perhaps he'll never know.


In The Heavens:

Susanoo was walking towards Amaterasu's room. He knew that she'll be mad at him for taking the Hasshōdō staff without her permission. Actually, she'll be furious with him for giving it away. But he knew that the staff and the Sukaiburēdo would be able to defeat Yamata no Orochi. Susanoo arrived at the door to his sister's study. He knocked on the door and it began to open. After it was opened, he saw his sister working on some papers at her desk. When she heard the door open, she looked up at him with a scowl on her face.

"Susanoo." Amaterasu said as she stood up when Susanoo entered her room. She was wearing a white kimono with silver stars on it and a plain red one underneath it. She had a red obi wrapped around her waist. Her long snow white hair was tied in a long braided ponytail. She wore her beloved light green magatama bead necklace around her neck. Well, there were only a few beads on there though.

"Hai?" Susanoo asked, looking up at Amaterasu.

"You gave away the Hasshōdō staff without my permission." Amaterasu said in a bitter tone while narrowing her dark brown eyes at Susanoo.

"Hai." Susanoo said.

"May I ask why?" Amaterasu asked, her brow arched.

"Yamata no Orochi had been revived by Jigoku no Ryū and I thought that the only way to defeat him would be the Hasshōdō staff." Susanoo said.

"I see. But why did you leave the Hasshōdō staff with Lord Hansuke?" Amaterasu asked, confused.

"I believe that it's in good hands." Susanoo said.

"Are you sure, Susanoo?" Amaterasu asked.

"I know a powerful warrior when I see one." Susanoo said with a small smirk.

"I see." Amaterasu said with a closed eyed smile. She knew that Susanoo was a powerful warrior. Sometimes, he can be over confident. But he does know a great warrior when he sees one. Then a minute later, she gave him a stern look, "This will not happen again. Am I clear?"

"Hai, Hai, nee-san." Susanoo said with a grin. Amaterasu gave her brother a small smile.


A/N:

Kami no Harikēn - Divine Hurricane

Hasshōdō - Noble Eightfold Path

Sukaiburēdo - Sky Blade

Tengoku no Pasu - Heavenly Path