A/N: Yes, still here. Lots of editing and rearranging for this part, as I'd mentioned, if there is to be any hope of coherency. Plus, gardening season has arrived so there are more things to be done outside. Writing really is better suited as a winter occupation, no?

A few Irish translations and pronunciations for those interested: tabhall (sounds like the word 'towel') means sling — as in the weapon; Cosain agus Folaigh (kos'-awn ah-gus fo'-laykh) means Protect and Hide; Níl aon duine anseo (neel ay'-on dih'-neh awn-shah') means 'There is no one here'.

By the way, thank you very much, DSunny1, for your kind reviews. I would normally have said that through a direct message, but your PM is not enabled. Just wanted to let you know that your comments are appreciated. :)

Disclaimer: The characters of the anime InuYasha are the property of Takahashi Rumiko/Shogakukan and Yomiuri TV Sunrise 2000. I do lay claim, however, to Aine and Lon. And, Kakusamaru.

Chapter Twenty-Four: Engaging the Enemy

Kakusamaru had returned to the upper branches of the pine tree which stood adjacent to the Mizumimoto shrine. Concealed by the shadows of its branches, he sat leaning back against the tree's trunk, one leg swinging casually as he looked up at the approaching pair of saimyosho. Hmph... he thought, one would think my creator didn't trust me.

Naraku's incarnation was feeling decidedly disgruntled that his master's 'eyes' were once more upon him. However, he kept his expression and voice neutral as he reported his progress to the hell-wasps. He was not sure if the creatures would even comprehend sarcasm, but he would take no chances of further incurring his creator's displeasure.

'The attack is underway,' he said. 'InuYasha will soon be fully occupied and I shall return to the lake with the prize.'

This reply, it seemed, was sufficient; the massive wasps promptly turned and disappeared beyond the treetops. Once they were out of sight, Kakusamaru scowled and permitted himself a (very) small shudder.

Loathsome things... he thought, not for the first time.

Then, his attention returned to the shrine and what lay beyond the woodland stretching away from it towards the humans' village. The trees hid the community from his sight, but his hearing was sharp. He would know when it was time.

He crossed his arms and again leant back against the rough bark of the pine. His leanly handsome face bore a satisfied smirk as he considered the profound silence that graced the lakeshore that lay in the opposite direction.

Nothing, Kakusamaru knew – not even sound – escaped Taka's barrier.

Hmm... I wonder how the spectre fares?

Taka had stopped pacing. The posture she had now assumed – directly facing the taiyokai, her gaze meeting his own – proclaimed her intent.

She was issuing a blatant challenge.

Sesshoumaru's demonic aura immediately rose in response. His instincts were reacting vehemently to what appeared to be another inu yokai (and, one of a subordinate clan) so obviously declaring dominance. He did not charge, however, for logic was just as vehemently overruling instinct.

The dog demon knew that the thing before him was not – could not be – an inu yokai.

Sesshoumaru now understood the true nature of Taka. The massive 'black dog' might give the impression of solidness, of substance... but, this was a deception, an illusion created by strategic application of the demonic barrier she controlled. No... Taka was indeed a spectre, for she gave off neither jaki nor scent. The miasma that swirled about them did not emanate from her anymore than did her purloined demonic aura.

The last piece of the puzzle had slotted into place the moment the dog demon had perceived the nature of the ghost's realm.

Both. And, neither.

This strange reality in which he now stood, this microcosm that was a part of both the physical and spiritual planes... this had been the final clue.

Since he had first learnt of it, it had made no sense to Sesshoumaru that a seal strong enough to capture both a ghost and a demonic aura, especially a yoki as powerful as the one which now surged before him, should be centred in something so mundane as a worm-charmer's jar. Worm-charmers, from the dog demon's perspective, were minor, insignificant yokai; their jars existed only to control demon worms – an even lesser species. Such a weak artefact, Sesshoumaru knew, should not be able to contain a yoki that had once belonged to...

A hanzaki. Hnh.

There could be no mistake — the bone which had been crafted into a magari yari had come from a giant salamander demon.

It had been centuries since the dog demon had last sighted one of the massive, dangerous predators, for they were rare and reclusive. They were also sluggish, bestial creatures which would normally be beneath the notice of a taiyokai of his stature. Submerging themselves within swamps and ponds, they simply waited for prey to stray within reach; if a minor yokai was so unfortunate as to be snared, it would soon find its jaki being rapidly absorbed. The beasts were also notoriously difficult to slay. Sesshoumaru had no doubt that whoever had crafted the spear had had the good fortune to stumble upon an already dead or dying hanzaki. No mere human, he knew, would have been able to get past one of the strongest protective barriers amongst yokai. And a yokai swordsmith, such as old Totosai, would have known better than to even try.

And yet, a hanzaki's demonic aura had been sealed to a paltry worm charmer's jar. This should have been impossible. However, the taiyokai who commanded the Meido Zangetsuha and who himself was very familiar with the spiritual plane, had deduced how it had happened.

The jar was anchored within a portal that led to the spiritual realm and that gateway – that was the seal. It waxed and waned with nightfall but, for two centuries, it had never closed. Such a portal, Sesshoumaru knew, should not be so persistent; it was completely against the natural order of things. Except...

In life, this Taka... was a half-demon with black inu yokai blood.

Sesshoumaru himself had had no interaction with the black dog demon clan, but he was familiar with their history – he had witnessed his sire's cold fury on the day they had been informed of the black dogs' demise. His father had vowed that the leopard cats would pay, and they had. Several decades later, when the Leopard Cat King had arrived with an invading army, the Inu No Taisho had made it a point to remind the audacious creature of his subjects' crimes before executing him with a ruthless efficiency.

The Great Dog Demon had also told his son of the black dogs' particular affinity to the spiritual plane and of how they had been able to guide lost souls to the afterlife. A black dog did not just find a path to the spirit realm, Sesshoumaru now recalled – they also opened a door.

The dog demon closely observed the apparition posturing before him; his frown subtly deepened as he further evaluated the ghost and her surroundings.

Yes, he thought to himself, that was when it happened – as the hanzaki's bone stole her jaki...

For, that must have been how she had died. And, although only a mere half-demon, it was logical to conclude that Taka had inherited some of her yokai ancestors' abilities — that, at the moment of her death, she would have seen the path to the afterlife.

Hnh. And, she rejected it.

Sesshoumaru had concluded that Taka's soul had clung tenaciously to the physical world as her body died — even though, probably instinctively, her black dog blood had called to that ethereal path and a portal had opened. And then… the hanzaki demonic aura which was absorbing the hanyo's life had merged with her own surging yoki. With her death, the blended demonic auras should have separated and returned to their owners. Instead, both had been sealed to the worm charmer's jar, and so had the half-demon's spirit.

But, for that to happen, Taka must have already had an intimate connection with the artefact — which meant that she had willingly allowed the jar to fuse with her own life force… to pollute what little power she held. There could no other explanation.

Pathetic, thought the dog demon. Even a hanyo should find such an act beneath them.

Taka's eyes narrowed to slits as she watched the son of the Great Dog Demon. She did not like that, so far, he had not spoken to her. The arrogant taiyokai simply stood there, his eyes fixed upon her own (she could see his contempt), holding that sword that glowed with an azure light that reminded her of...

For a moment, she felt disquiet. Neither Naraku, nor his pretty messenger, had told her anything about the sword – she did not like that the blade seemed unaffected by her powers. Here, where she controlled all, it should be inert and powerless.

Then, she dismissed the weapon. It mattered not, she told herself – she was Taka and this was her domain, and soon she would have so much more. Her means of escape, the yoki she needed to return to the physical plane with the full power of an inu yokai, was within her grasp.

Of this, she had been assured.

A most useful barter, Lady Taka, Naraku had said to her. My enemy will be destroyed, and you will be freed from this prison.

In the end, the ghost had needed little persuading. And, she had been right to ally herself with the one called Naraku, for was not her most desired wish now realised?

'How far you have fallen, mighty Sesshoumaru,' she said, tauntingly. Her gaze flickered briefly to the empty left sleeve of the taiyokai's haori. 'Tsk, tsk! No longer such a perfect beauty, I see,' she added. 'And, you've attached youself to a mewling human spawn? Have you lost all pride?'

The black dog's muzzle twisted into a parody of a panting grin. 'But, sadly... by now, the girl must be nearly dead?'

Sesshoumaru kept silent, refusing to respond to the spectre's goading. The dog demon had realised, however, that the wraith was unaware that the scrying link with Rin had been cut. Further evidence, he thought, of Naraku's true intentions this night.

The ghost now sighed dramatically. 'Past time, I think, to put the wretched creature out of her misery... no?

Then, a wisp of demonic energy suddenly drifted into sight. The demon worm had apparently had little difficulty passing through the dark barrier that surrounded them – it now passed between Sesshoumaru and the spectre, its destination obvious as it moved unerringly to where its jar lay.

'Return to your nest, my pet,' crooned Taka. 'Your task is finally over.'

The ghost watched the dog demon, who was still meeting her gaze unflinchingly and silently. 'What? Still no response – even as your human pet dies?' Suddenly, she snarled, the red glow of her eyes markedly intensifying as she called upon the demonic aura stolen from the hanzaki bone.

'Sesshoumaru! You will acknowledge me!' screamed the wraith. Then, with a roar, Taka charged.

Elsewhere, two women were quietly conversing as they sat side by side on the back veranda of the headman's house, their voices kept low so that they were not audible to the children who were now putting tools away in the nearby storage shed. It had not taken long for the discerning Dé Danann healer to learn that her deduction about the mortal woman had been correct.

Some gently couched expressions of concern had rapidly brought out woman-to-woman confidences, and Izumi had admitted that she was with child. However, her outlook was one of resignation rather than rejoicing.

The farm-wife had just told the healer of how Shiro had been the only babe she had ever carried to term; thus, when she had bled the previous month, Hanako had told Izumi that she must stop working in the fields. The firmness with which the usually soft-spoken little midwife had issued this decree had prompted a startled and immediate agreement from both Akio and Takeo.

'I think you're very lucky to have Hanako,' murmured Aine.

The mortal woman sighed. 'Still,' she said, 'I wish I could have helped with the replanting. The other women in the village... they understand. But, Hidenori has been so hateful to Takeo, calling our family lazy.'

A frown creased Aine's forehead. Pot. Kettle, she thought angrily, as she glanced at the neglected Kanaye, who was now giggling about something with his friend.

'Consider the source, a stór,' she said aloud to the farm-wife.

'That's what Akio says,' murmured Izumi with a tremulous smile. Then, taking a deep breath, she continued. 'I want to apologise for earlier, Lady. I usually don't act so... so silly, but after hearing Taro's story...'

'Whist...' Aine murmured comfortingly as she took the woman's hand between her own. 'Sure, but you've a right to your feelings. Have you quickened, yet?' she then asked,

'No, not yet. But, Hanako says it's still early...' Izumi paused, then asked in a hushed but urgent voice, 'Lady? I... I wanted to ask you... Hanako is wonderful, but...?'

Aine smiled gently. 'I'd be pleased to examine you, should you wish it.' Then, as Izumi nodded happily, the Dé Danann healer decided there was no time like the present. Izumi was unaware of the swift, magical reading that occurred as the healer gently squeezed her hand. Within seconds, however, Aine had confirmed the presence of a second, separate pulse of life which (to the her relief) felt perfectly normal but...

Delicate, she realised. Hanako advised you well, Izumi...

Aine was about to query the woman further when her questions froze in her throat. She suddenly became aware of multiple life-energies rapidly approaching – beings that held Power.

Danú! So many...!

Then, they heard a cry of warning.

Lon had barely left Shippo's side when the fox-child spotted the approaching demons. The silhouettes were instantly recognisable to the kitsune – hadn't he and Kirara faced such creatures in battle mere days ago? 'Snake demons!' the little demon now yelped, his high voice ringing out loud and clear as he pointed at the starry sky.

'Damnú air!' muttered Lon as he made directly to where he knew Aine to be. Then, a sudden surge of magical energy erupted behind him.

He swiftly looked back, ready to ward against a threat, when he saw InuYasha bounding away, sword in hand. But, it was not the decrepit-looking blade that the young half-demon had carried into the mountains. While his friends mobilised to follow him, InuYasha disappeared quickly from view – but, not before Lon had his first glimpse of a transformed Tessaiga.

The púca was well familiar with what the half-demon and his companions could do, having been briefed with a thoroughness only a bard could convey. Still, he had been momentarily startled by the sheer strength of the Power he had felt emanating from InuYasha and the now-massive blade.

He's not his brother, thought Lon. But, that lad's no lightweight...

Londubh found that his heart was pounding. Everything he had learnt from Miroku about the snake creatures was flying through his mind, and he wanted nothing more than to carry Aine away from this accursed valley, but...

His lass was no longer a child. Although not at her peak, her aura of power was strong – far stronger than his own. And, like Dian Cecht, Aine truly held the calling of a healer of the Tuatha Dé Danann; she would not abandon patients in danger, mortals or not.

His lips then quirked briefly in a fond smile. And, I wouldn't have her any other way, he thought. Then, he stepped through the back door to see a very alert Aine and Izumi already on their feet.

Izumi's face had blanched when she had heard the little kitsune's shrill warning. Although snake demons had not preyed upon the village within her lifetime, she had heard many tales about the creatures and she wasted no time shouting an order to the boys.

'Shiro – open the cellar! Hide! Now!'

As did most of his neighbours, the headman had a hidden, underground storage cellar on his property. The purpose of these cellars was to protect caches of food; they had been constructed after the first time the remote community had been preyed upon by scavenging soldiers (although, if the crop failed again, those few remaining secreted reserves would not last long). At the moment, however, Izumi only saw the hiding place as safety for her child.

Shiro, hearing the urgency in his mother's command, promptly grabbed Kanaye by the arm and both boys crouched and scrambled beneath the storage shed. Pulling on a loop of rope, Shiro raised the soil-covered trapdoor that lay on the earthen floor.

The children clambered down the wooden steps leading into the small, man-made cave, Kanaye emitting a muffled yelp as he landed on his still-sore ankle. Shiro called to Yuki as he went and, within seconds, the shiba inu had followed them into the darkness below.

Meanwhile, Lon was speaking to Aine rapid-fire in their own language, the tone of his voice belying his current, youthful appearance.

The púca knew that the healer had sensed the approaching danger. He could see it in her face.

'Lass,' he said, 'Do whatever you must to be safe. I'll do my best to help chase them off. ' Right now, the last thing on Londubh's mind was concealing their true nature from mortals. He did not care what defensive methods Aine employed, as long as she was protected. Then, he looked up at the night sky. 'The damned things fly – best to shield above...'

'There are many, dear one. The village...'

'I'll do what I can, lass' he answered, grimly.

By propping the trapdoor open a crack, Shiro and Kanaye could hear the adults' conversation. The foreigners had momentarily been indecipherable, but they had swiftly switched to normal speech while speaking to Shiro's mother, and the boys had been able to glean that the youth called Lon was going to help fight the snakes while Izumi and the healer lady would be fetching Taro to the relative safety of the cellar. As the adults' voices retreated into the house, they became too muffled to hear and the boys descended back into their hiding place to crouch amongst the few jars and kegs stored there.

Shiro found himself shaking with fear. He had been asleep while the adults had been talking with the visitors the previous evening, so he hadn't heard all that had been said – but, he had heard that the half-demon, InuYasha, had come to the valley in pursuit of snake yokai. Until now, however, the child had not entertained the idea that those same demons were an imminent danger to the community.

Thanks to Hidenori, the boys understood what the village faced that night. Kanaye was extremely adept at recognising his father's multiple stages of inebriation – verbose lay between truculent and insensible and, during those rare interludes, the drunken man could be approached as a source of scary tales which so delighted young boys. Several of those stories had involved past yokai attacks on the village when Hidenori himself had been a child.

'How many d'you think there are?' Kanaye was now asking. He spoke in a hushed voice, fully cognisant of the need for silence. 'Pa said they're hard to kill.' He gulped in fear. His father had also spoken of lone beasts being routed. But, from what the adults had just said, it sounded like this time there were a lot of demons attacking.

'Papa hurt his hand today...' Shiro said tremulously. The boy was very afraid for his father, for he knew Akio would never shirk from defending his home. Then, he suddenly thought of his grandfather.

Gramps is old, he thought. He wondered – would Takeo have to fight demons, too?

'D'you think the visitors will help?' whispered Kanaye. His tone of voice had become hopeful. 'I bet they will! They called that lady with the little cat a yokai taijiya. And... and InuYasha is a hanyo. I'll bet he can fight, Shiro!

Shiro, however, found that he was feeling scant comfort from Kanaye's suggestion. The two girls were purportedly a priestess and a demon-slayer, but they weren't very big. And, they were girls. The foreign healer's companion didn't look like a fighter, nor did the cheerful, easy-going monk. That left the half-demon, who was scary and wanted to hunt snake demons... but there was just one of him and all he had was an old, rusty sword.

The headman's grandson suddenly knew what was needed to protect the village. Grabbing a nearby length of rope, he swiftly looped it around his startled dog's neck, tethering him to a nearby support beam.

'I'm going to the shrine!' he whispered urgently to his friend.

Kanaye gaped at him, wide-eyed.

'But! But, Madam Izumi said...!'

'The daimyo's spear! It kills demons, Kanaye! The old writings say so!' Papa needs that spear, Shiro thought. 'Don't let Yuki follow me,' he ordered his friend; then, he shot back up the steps and, pushing the trapdoor open, ran out of the shelter.

Suddenly finding himself sitting alone in the darkness, Kanaye felt like he was going to be sick. Then, Yuki started to yelp and lunge to the end of the rope. The boy reached for the dog and wrapped his arms around him. 'No, Yuki!' he pleaded tearfully. 'Please! Stay, boy – stay!' Finally, he managed to calm the animal, though the shiba inu continued to whine softly.

Then, Kanaye got up, his intention to close the cellar door. But, his sore foot slowed him. As soon as the boy released his hold on him, the dog suddenly spun and started pulling backwards against the tether. Before the child could grab him again, Yuki had slipped the makeshift lead, bolted up the wooden steps and disappeared into the night.

The Dé Dananns and Izumi returned to the main room of the house, where they found Takeo in earnest conversation with Taro. The latter was in obvious distress.

'How could I have forgotten, Takeo?' the frail, old man moaned. 'I saw them – crossing the sky! So many...!'

'Hush,' Takeo replied. 'It's all right. You were still... ill, then. You've only just recovered. Please, old friend... you're not at fault.'

Lon turned to Aine. 'Right then,' he said, 'I'm off – our friends shouldn't be too hard to find.' Given what he had been told about the battle capabilities of their companions, the púca was expecting to hear explosions any minute.

'Be careful, a bhodach...' pleaded Aine.

Hearing the tone of her voice, Londubh reached for her hand; giving it a quick squeeze, he leant in to kiss her cheek. 'Dearest girl,' he said, in their own language, 'Amn't I always?' Then, he gave her his familiar, cheeky wink... and was gone.

Meanwhile, a wide-eyed Izumi had hurried over to the two elderly men. 'Otou-san,' she said, trying to keep her voice from breaking, 'Akio has gone...?'

Takeo nodded with a short grunt. 'Of course, he has.' Then, his tone gentled as he continued. 'He's organising the neighbours, Izumi. He'll pass the word to light as many torches as they can. That is our best defense..'

Earlier that day, while they had been returning from the shrine, Takeo had told the demon-slayer and the monk of how torches had been used in the past to drive away snake-demons. Both visitors had nodded approvingly – the snakes, Miss Sango had then stated, did not like bright light. Torches, she had affirmed, were essential when combatting such demons.

But, Takeo now wondered... how effective would torches be against so many? Sadly, he had not yet had time to call a meeting to warn his neighbours of the possible threat, and now it was here...! He had seen the swarm which had churned in the sky over the upper fields until individual yokai began peeling off from it. There were obviously scores of the creatures.

'Where are the boys?' Takeo then asked his daughter-in-law.

'In the cellar,' Izumi replied, her voice hushed with fear. 'We came to fetch Taro...'

The headman's shoulders slumped in relief. 'Good.' he said; then he placed a hand on the shoulder of the trembling woman before him. 'Izumi,' he said, speaking firmly. 'Daughter... you must all stay in the cellar until we come for you.'

'Otou-san – where are you going? Stay with us!' the woman pleaded, panicking at the thought of the elderly man joining the other villagers to battle dangerous yokai.

Takeo reached for his stout walking staff and shook his head. 'I will be needed outside. But, first... I'm going fetch Hanako. She's alone with those children, Izumi.'

Izumi nodded shakily. She understood. The midwife's home was one of the few that did not have a secret cache. 'Be safe,' she murmured, as the older man swiftly exited the house; then she turned to meet the sympathetic gaze of the foreign healer. 'We... we need to do what Takeo says,' she said, as she picked up a shuttered lantern.

Aine nodded. 'Understood,' she replied. Then, both women bent to help Taro to his feet.

Arms linked, the three made their way to the back garden. Taro managed to shuffle along quite quickly – he had recovered considerably from the fever, but it was clear that he was grateful for the women's assistance. Suddenly, he patted Izumi's hand. 'Don't worry, child,' he said, puffing slightly. 'Takeo is no fool. He'll not be reckless.'

Izumi shot him a watery smile. 'I know,' she replied. Then, she asked Aine, 'But, Lady... what about Lon-kun? He's so brave, going to help the men, but... he's barely grown and a... a stranger here. He needs a weapon with a longer reach than that dagger he carries...'

Even with danger looming, the Dé Danann found herself appreciating the irony of Izumi's comment. Not that Aine herself was not worried about her dearest and oldest friend facing an unfamiliar foe (into her mind flashed the image of rain falling on Eadoin's too-still face), but she also knew that Lon was wily and had not survived all these centuries (millenia) by being careless.

'Ach, I can do little to stop him when he's determined to go,' she replied softly, as they helped Taro across the yard. But, she thought to herself with some relief, a long reach he most certainly has, for the Londubh has the sharpest aim with a tabhall that I've ever seen.

Soon, they had reached the shed. Izumi shot under the building and reached out to Taro. As Aine shifted her grip to steady the old man, she glanced up at the sky and softly whispered Words of protection.

Cosain agus Folaigh! Níl aon duine anseo...

The magical energies she called forth were invisible to the mortals, but to Aine's eyes a broad, translucent sheet of gold now spread wide above her, shielding all beneath it from any predators flying overhead.

The tall Dé Danann woman found that she needed to get on her knees to manouevre between the posts that elevated the small building above the ground. Still, she easily managed to keep her balance as she guided Taro, who was considerably less steady as he crawled. Panting, the elderly man still managed to whisper his thanks to the two women, and express his gratitude to the ancestors who had thought to build the cellars. As Izumi 'tsked' and began to scold at the sight of a still-open trapdoor, Taro began to explain its purpose to Aine. He halted in mid-sentence, however, when they heard Izumi emit a muffled shriek.

The farm-wife had uncovered the lantern and had shone the light into the deep hole, only to see a sobbing Kanaye, sitting quite alone in the dark.

'Where is Shiro?!' came Izumi's panicked cry.

On the road that led to the upper end of the valley, a panting little boy paused to catch his breath. He had reached the edge of the woods and now, finally, had the security of the screen of leafy branches above him.

Shiro could not stop himself – he turned to look back at the village. What he saw made him suddenly feel weak; he braced himself against a tree trunk as he saw the number of yokai swimming in the air above the houses. He could hear people shouting, and desperately hoped that his father and grandfather were okay.

Then, he saw a flash of white, which quickly resolved itself into the snowy breast of a little red dog who was running across the fields, nose to the ground.

Yuki had escaped the cellar and was looking for him. And, directly above the dog, a snake yokai was undulating its way toward the pastures.

Forgetting all caution, the child cried out. 'Yuki! Come!' Then, he gave a shrill whistle.

The shiba inu skidded to a halt and spun about, making a beeline toward the familiar voice. To Shiro's relief, the snake demon sped past Yuki; if the creature had even noticed the canine, it had ignored him in favour of more tempting prey.

But... then, the demon's thrashing tail swept low and it struck the dog, sending him careening over and over toward the upper edge of the ravine that ran beside the field. Shiro could only watch in mute horror as his beloved pet scrambled for purchase, then disappeared into the deep gorge.

At first, the boy was mute with shock and sorrow. Then, a low moan rose in his throat. The children of the village knew from their earliest memories not to be caught near the ravine. Its walls were steep and treacherous – impossible for man or beast to negotiate. And, oh so many metres below, was a river, its white water surging over and around huge boulders. There was, the child knew, no way to reach Yuki.

His breath hitching with sobs, Shiro turned and sped towards the shrine, his grief driving him to run as fast as he could.

He was even more determined to fetch the spear, and he hoped it killed a lot of snake demons...

Once out of sight of any mortals, Londubh called forth a glamour and shifted to the form of a wolfhound. As a cú, the púca could move swiftly and he could track; it did not take long for him to mark the direction in which InuYasha had gone. Seeing the morass of serpentine creatures milling across the sky, he swiftly realised how their dispersal within a mortal village was going to impede the half-demon and his friends from dispatching the beasts with any efficiency.

Within moments, his sharp nose picked up another scent on the wind, and he recognised the foul stench he had encountered on the road in the foothills two days ago.

It would seem, he concluded grimly, that the young ones' enemy knew they were here.

As he loped swiftly across the fields, he felt a Dé Danann warding flare into being behind him. Glancing over his shoulder, Lon saw the golden shimmer of a perimeter ward hovering above the headman's house. And, incorporated within it, was the unmistakable signature of a glamour – two spells in one, just as he had taught Aine so long ago. It was a survival skill normally employed only by his own clan, but his lass had proven that it could be learnt by someone who was not a púca.

Good girl, he thought approvingly. The beasts will not get past that!

Feeling reassured about Aine's safety, the older Dé Danann sped towards the group of youngsters he had just spotted in a meadow.

InuYasha had leapt from the veranda and bounded away across the fields as soon as he had sighted the swarm of snakes, drawing his Tessaiga as he went. His friends had swiftly followed, mounted on an enlarged Kirara.

Once drawn, the Tesseiga had instantly enlarged into a massive, gleaming blade, its rusted and worn appearance vanishing as it drew upon its wielder's jaki. By the time his companions had caught up with him, InuYasha had already dispatched a cluster of over twenty snake demons as they flew overhead. However, to his frustration, the majority of the swarm had already moved down the valley to where most of the dwellings were.

'They stink of Naraku!' he announced to his friends as they landed beside him. They quickly dismounted. Each of the companions was rapidly assessing what they faced, knowing they had little time. Right now, the snakes were spreading out over the village but it was only a matter of time before the beasts began to hunt in earnest.

Shippo was silent: he knew he could contribute little to the battle, but there was safety in numbers so he had elected to stick with his friends. Then, he turned to gaze towards the upper end of the valley, a perplexed frown on his little face.

Was that... a whistle? he wondered. The fox yokai listened again, but heard nothing more. At that moment, he spotted a lone snake undulating above the far side of the meadow.

Leaping onto Kagome's shoulder, the kitsune squeaked a warning. The teenager swiftly knocked an arrow and let fly, and a flash of pure white, spiritual energy marked the beast's demise.

'But, why would Naraku attack the village?' asked Kagome, wide-eyed as she took in the number of snakes. The girl knew exactly what sort of damage the marauding demons could be inflict on the community. Then, she distantly felt the sensation of Dé Danann magic – it was a sensation she would never forget.

Aine's protective barrier...! she thought, remembering the healer's warding spell which had protected her, Shippo and Rin from the hell-beast so many months ago, and she shot an anxious glance to where the headman's house was just visible in the distance. To her relief, she did not see any snake demons in that direction. Aine is protecting the family, she realised.

Another straggler then appeared above them, only to be quickly decapitated as Sango's hiraikotsu sliced through it with deadly accuracy.

The demon-slayer nodded as she effortlessly caught the heavy, bone blade. 'They're definitely being manipulated again. Those things don't swarm when they hunt. They also don't waste time – it's like they're waiting for the right time to attack.' Although they lived in large colonies, Sango knew that the brutish yokai lacked any ability to work cooperatively and usually hunted alone. Which means, she thought, this could become very messy, very quickly...

'Yeah, well... they're scattering now,' growled InuYasha. The half-demon then spat out an expletive. 'That's gonna slow down killing 'em!'

Damn things are all over the place! he thought, as he tried to formulate a plan of attack. If he let loose Tessaiga's Wind Scar at this distance, he could take out the whole swarm, but the humans would definitely be caught in the cross-fire – which meant they had to tackle the predatory yokai individually. Which means... they're a damn decoy!

Meanwhile, Miroku was drawing the same conclusion. He adjusted the prayer beads on his right hand and frowned in frustration. The snakes were also too close to the dwellings for him to use his wind tunnel – the monk could not risk drawing humans into the void and now said as much. 'I'd say that Naraku knows we're here,' he added. 'Whatever is happening tonight at the lake, he doesn't want it to include us.'

'Well, I'm gonna wreck his plans – whatever they are!' snapped InuYasha. He was about to launch himself toward the village when he heard an instantly recognisable voice behind him.

'Well said. Would you like a bit of help?'

Londubh seemed to appear out of thin air as he dropped his glamour.

InuYasha stared at the Dé Danann in surprise. He had expected the protective shape-shifter to be standing guard over the healer and now implied as much when he bluntly asked, 'What're you doing here?' Huh! he thought. How much help can this guy be?

'Is Aine okay?' Kagome asked at the same time.

The frown Lon had shot at InuYasha softened as he responded to the girl. 'Aye, lass. Her wards are powerful – she'll not let the beasts near. But, she can't ward the entire village,' he added.

Shouts could be heard in the distance, and they all looked toward the main part of the village. Word had apparently spread rapidly; clusters of torches had appeared and groups of men were moving in what seemed to be a semi-coordinated attempt to keep the demons away from the houses and livestock. Shippo commented that he thought he could hear Akio's voice yelling instructions.

Meanwhile, Lon was rapidly assessing the demons milling about above the houses and farms. 'No more than dumb brutes,' Miroku had told him. Bloody big brutes, the púca now observed wryly. Longer than a sturgeon, right enough.

'Lady demon-slayer,' the Dé Danann then asked, turning to Sango, 'am I right in assuming those things are easily confused?'

Sango paused at the sudden non-sequitur. 'Yes...' she answered hesitantly, not sure where Lon was going with that observation.

The púca looked at the kitsune, who was still perched on Kagome's shoulder. 'Shippo, my lad... would you like to help me with a bit of a diversion?' he asked. 'I think you'll come in handy.'

InuYasha frowned. 'Diversion?' he asked. Lon turned his gaze back to the half-demon, and yet again InuYasha was reminded of Sesshoumaru. The shape-shifter's eyes had taken on a decidedly predatory gleam.

'Aye,' answered Lon. 'The mortals are doing their best, but... there're only so many of them. A few well-placed wards and glamours, though...' He looked at the Tessaiga, then back at its wielder. 'Like I told you yesterday, lad... I wouldn't dream of interfering with your hunt. But, I think I can speed it up for you.' The quicker these young warriors can dispatch the creatures, the better, he thought.

InuYasha blinked, then gave the male Dé Danann a satisfied smirk as he understodd his intention. 'Bring 'em on,' said the half-demon.

Nodding, Lon stepped back and shifted shape and soon the companions were facing a massive, rough-coated dog.

The Londubh's ears pricked forward as he looked again at the young fox-demon. He then winked a brilliantly blue eye.

'What do you think, little warrior?' he asked. 'I'd be honoured to have another set of sharp eyes with me.'

A startled Shippo gaped at the older shape-shifter. The little demon was of two minds about leaving the relative safety of being with his friends, but his heart had swollen with pride upon hearing Lon's last comment. Then, to the others' amazement, Shippo suddenly bounced down from his perch on Kagome and ran over to Lon.

The wolfhound gave him a panting grin, his eyes lit once more with the same wild fire the kitsune had seen within the horse the previous night. 'Climb aboard, boyo. Let's herd some snakes.'

Meanwhile, Aine was desperately trying to prevent Izumi from leaving the safety of the cellar.

'I have to find my son!' the woman cried.

Aine had grasped Izumi by the shoulders, determined to keep the mortal woman, who was sobbing with fear, from running out into the night. Kanaye had revealed Shiro's plan and his mother was rapidly moving from panic to hysteria.

Aine sent a subtle spell of compulsion into the woman and she calmed – marginally.

'I have to bring him home...!' panted Izumi

'Shh... shh...' murmured Aine, as she pulled the woman into a gentle embrace and reinforced the spell of quietening. 'You may injure yourself, a stór, and...and the babe you carry.' In fact, Aine was certain that Izumi's fragile pregnancy would not survive such exertion, never mind the danger to the woman herself if she left the protection of the healer's wards.

Then, Taro spoke. 'Izumi – dear girl,' said the old man gently. 'Please, don't put yourself in danger. Shiro was foolish to try such a thing, but he's young and agile... I'm sure he'll be fine.' His expression, however, told the healer that Taro was equally afraid for the boy.

As she listened to the woman's heart-wrenching sobs, Aine made a decision. Closing her eyes, she concentrated, and sent more of her power into the concealing ward above the headman's property.

'Twill last... at least, long enough for me to do this task, she thought. I'm sorry, my blackbird. Lon, she knew, would not agree with what she was about to do.

'Listen Izumi,' she said softly. 'I know which road to take. I'll fetch him. Sure, but I can run swiftly, never fear,' she added with a faint smile. Unlike one of Lon's clan, she could not run with a glamour in place – but, her personal wards were strong. If she met a snake demon, she was confident she could hold off an attack.

'No... It's not safe,' gulped Izumi, now very afraid for the kind foreign woman.

''Tis less so for you,' replied the healer, her tone of voice firm. 'Stay here, Izumi,' she said, then placed her hand on the woman's abdomen. 'You've this precious one to protect, as well. I promise – I'll find Shiro.'

Izumi looked torn, but she nodded. Then, the healer gave her a gentle smile, and exited the cellar.

'Come here, Izumi,' came Taro's soft voice. 'Sit by me and calm yourself. The lady healer, I think, is a very resourceful woman.'

Meanwhile, silent tears had continued to run down Kanaye's face; he wondered, would he ever see his best friend again? Then, he started when he felt a hand on his shoulder, and he looked up. In the soft light of the little lantern the child saw what had once been the village madman looking down at him with kindness.

'It will be all right, Kanaye.' The gnarled hand then gave a comforting pat. 'All will be well, hmm?'

Kanaye took a shuddering breath. 'You... you know my name?' the boy asked hesitantly.

Taro nodded. 'Of course. We're kin, after all...'

(ducks thrown objects)

A/N: Well, I had to pause somewhere…

Trivia: The hanzaki demon is straight from Japanese legend, although I've tweaked it a bit by adding a barrier and an ability to absorb a jaki. It is not a warm and fuzzy creature. There is, however, a real animal called the Japanese Giant Salamander — also neither warm nor fuzzy, but a harmless creature and protected under Japanese federal law.

More about slings in the next chapter. ;)

Next: Aine finds Shiro… and so does Kakusamaru.