Author's Notes: I would like to personally thank the readers who have posted a review for my last two chapters. Your support and words have given me both motivation and inspiration to write this chapter.

Anyway, chapter 3 is here and I hope that you will enjoy it.

Once again all characters (Kikyo, Sesshomaru, Inuyasha and Jaken) from the series Inuyasha that appear in this fanfic rightfully belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own anything regarding their creation; I have Rumiko Takahashi to thank for that.

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Chapter 3-Gold and Mahogany

"There is nothing more deplorable than to lie down in defeat." -Sesshomaru on defeat

"Defeat is only certain when one gives up." -Kikyo on defeat

No sooner had the barrier dispersed did Sesshomaru hear the sound of flaring nostrils. Around him were the warriors that arrived after the miko had erected her barrier. They all braced themselves as the pounding sound of horse hooves resonated in their eardrums. Distracted by the thundering stallion barreling towards them, a few were caught unaware as purifying arrows struck them in the chest. They cried out in agony before collapsing onto the floor, not as ashes but as churned corpses.

With eyebrows narrowing ever so slightly, Sesshomaru found himself directly in the horse's path. Unfazed by the prospect of being trampled, he instead focused on the volley of arrows flying toward him. With a swift swipe of his claws, he deflected the projectiles and waited with unbridled patience for the stallion to draw closer before he made his next move.

Only seconds before the collision could occur and when Sesshomaru planned on intercepting with his poison whip, Kikyo acted. She gripped the russet mane instead of the reins. It was not the safest of maneuvers, but direct contact was necessary for her plan. Gently tugging the mane, she urged the horse to take a bounding leap into the air, completely over Sesshomaru's head.

Time seemed to slow as everyone nearby observed the stallion and its rider in all their glory. Her legs spread out, the animal cast a shadow below and created a sense of divinity for the miko on her back. The sun was directly above them, dying golden tints on Kikyo's obsidian tresses. The human miko looked surreal, an image of an angel descending from heaven. Like their lord, the youkai of the west cared little for humans, but even they couldn't help but be enthralled by the sight before them. At that moment, only one word crossed their youkai minds. 'Beautiful.'

The spell was broken when the mount came into contact with the ground. Galloping through the forest, Kikyo steered clear of all trees. She whipped her head to look behind her shoulder, her right hand digging into her pocket to take out the kokuho. Being the capable rider she was, she did need two hands on the reins as she held the symbolic treasure up for all youkai to see.

"Foul beasts, the object you seek is in my possession. Come forth if you dare to claim it." Although the lashing winds muffled her voice, it was clear and unmistakable to those with supernatural senses. Her tone seeped with defiance and challenge, a taunt against their pride that ignited the demons' fury to new heights of bloodlust.

"An inferior human dares to goad us! We'll tear her to shreds!" Blood-curdling roars resonated through the forest, shaking the undergrowth as dozens of fulsome youkai gave chase.

Noticing that the youkai were moving away, Tadahiro took the opportunity that Kikyo gave him. He got as far as two steps before someone appeared behind him with breathtaking speed and snaked an arm around his waist, holding him in place with a vice-like grip. He struggled but froze when the tip of a bloody katana was positioned a millimeter from his neck.

Not daring to move, the new Lord of the East's eyes darted right and he could vaguely see a female demon with sea-colored orbs. Even though he couldn't see her features clearly from the corner of his right eye, the way that her chin was tilted at a condescending angle left him certain that she deemed him a nuisance, like a cockroach. And just like the pest, she would not hesitate to kill him if he got in the way and annoyed her. It infuriated Tadahiro that the demoness didn't think much of him, but he was in no position to prove otherwise. Involuntarily, he felt sweat rain down his back and he fought back a gulp.

"Hold still human. My katana knows no mercy." The hot undertone was soft yet threatening. As if to emphasize her words, Tadahiro's captor pressed her weapon closer to his neck until it made a tiny opening in the skin and drew blood. "Answer me. What did the miko tell you while inside the barrier? What is she planning?"

'Damn it! The moment I answer her, she's going to deem me as insignificant and kill me… But if I don't answer, she'll get impatient and kill me. Is this it? Before I get the chance to do anything? Please, not now…!' Tadahiro felt vulnerable. So vulnerable, in fact, that he could only pray for a miracle. Anything would do, just so long as he could escape the demoness' clutches. As if on cue, the bellflower-shaped crest on his left hand activated and erupted in a myriad of colors. Like wild flames, the expulsed energy did exactly what its master wanted. The demoness yelped in pain and leaped back. No sooner had it removed the threat, did the seal's energy subside and Tadahiro took flight.

Her left arm was singed and dangled limply by her side, defying Kotori's wishes to move. Experience with injuries caused by spiritual powers brought caution to her mind and she immediately redirected the flow of her youki, so that more were flooding into her arm to get rid of any residue of spiritual powers in her system. She knew that her arm would heal given time, but currently, it was best if she allowed it to rest. With that thought, she grounded her teeth in frustration and it was pride alone that urged her to hunt down the one responsible.

"Let the boy go. He is of no importance."

Kotori was about to give chase when the all too familiar voice called out. Stopping dead in her tracks, she whirled around and was surprised to see Sesshomaru. If anything, Kotori had thought he would've been the first to have pursued the miko. After all, Sesshomaru desired to collect the kokuho. The fact that he was still there bemused Kotori, though that feeling was soon chased away by a surge of indignity. Since Sesshomaru lingered behind, he must have witnessed how she was injured. Ashamed, her bangs shielded her eyes and she dropped her head.

"Let's go." If Sesshomaru was appalled by Kotori's blunder, then his passive features gave nothing away as he commanded in an authorized tone. Without another word, he ascended and soared like a comet, leaving behind a trail of blue light.

Affording a backward glimpse at the disappearing figure into the forest, Kotori imprinted the image into her head, as if that alone would prevent a similar mistake in the future. She shook her head once, reprimanded herself, and sheathed her katana before finally following her lord. All the while, she did briefly ponder why Sesshomaru would give chase now when he had remained behind in the first place. Try as she might, Kotori could not understand the enigma that was Sesshomaru.

What Kotori failed to understand was that Sesshomaru had been drawn to the power that radiated from Tadahiro. It was a newfound power, one that surely originated from the miko. That evoked interest from the stoic daiyoukai and he found himself lingering behind, if only just to study the subject to his curiosity a little longer. And because of Kotori, he managed to see something that intrigued him. The miko could transfer some of her energy to others, and that energy would manifest according to the new vessel's will. Did that work on inanimate objects too? As he flew, Sesshomaru couldn't help but consider the possibility.

Hovering in the sky, Sesshomaru made certain that an adequate distance existed between the miko below and him. He followed her, observing her mad dash on the forest floor through the excessive coverage of the treetops. With his finely tuned eyesight, he studied the miko's movements. 'If things unfold as I predict, then there is no need for me to make myself known. Nevertheless, I am intrigued to witness the miko's performance when pitted against my kind in a test of speed.'

Numerous youkai caught up to her. Keeping in line with her side vision, they were trying to spot any opening. To launch an attack recklessly was a fatal error. After witnessing a handful of youkai turned into dust, they were now warier of the miko's bow that flickered with energy ranging from blue to purple. Unwilling to experience that power first-handed, they kept out of her swinging range and patiently waited. In their current situation, all they needed to do was to tire their foe considerably. They knew it wouldn't be long now, for the miko was showing clear signs of fatigue. They could hear her heart thumping irregularly inside her chest, detect the rapid and strenuous breathing, and see the sweat that matted her brows.

With one hand on her bow and the other momentarily releasing the reins, Kikyo replaced the kokuho in her pocket. She continued to guide the horse forward, keeping an eye on the youkai that seemed to be purposefully avoiding her range. They were definitely more intelligent and had learned from the mistakes of their peers, who had taken the bait, dived at her, and were disintegrated.

'So only the lesser beings, the inexperienced ones, succumbed to my taunts,' the miko mused with a note of discontent in her thoughts. At least she had succeeded in one of her objectives, in having Tadahiro stay safe, and that alone merited a sigh of relief in her mind.

Directing a discreet glance behind her back, she noted with a hint of exasperation that only three arrows remained in her quiver, not near enough to take down the horde of youkai around her. Besides, her accuracy was greatly limited on horseback and the uneven undergrowth made it more than difficult.

Her spiritual power spiked abruptly, warning her of a potential threat. Her eyes darted left and she found herself staring at a youkai. With claws sizzling, the demon was too close for her to deflect with the bow on her right side. It was only her instinct that saved her. Without a conscious thought, her body radiated with a white blinding light. She felt a familiar tingle as her body shifted and within seconds, she was gone.

The youkai clawed empty air, and as surprised as he was, nearly rammed his head into a tree trunk. Before coming into contact with the ground, he manipulated his body and managed to land on his feet first. Coming out of his perplexed expression, he, like all other youkai around, surveyed the area and was bewildered that the miko and her horse had disappeared into thin air.

Sesshomaru zipped through the sky, heading towards the wasteland where he could feel the weakened aura of the miko. Somehow, the human managed to teleport herself away in the nick of time and was now far away from the forest. Having witnessed the sight, whatever lingering doubt about her powers evaporated. Teleportation was a technique that required a massive amount of concentration, not to mention energy. It was surprising that a human miko was capable of such power within her petite form. Even he, the daiyoukai renowned for his immense strength and impenetrable fortitude, had once taken days of practice to acquire the skill.

Not one to be outdone by a human, Sesshomaru allowed his youki to stir and flow unreservedly around his body. Encasing himself in an azure sphere of energy, he pinned down the miko's aura, and teleported away before the next breeze could touch his silvery figure.

Reappearing at the edge of the forest, Sesshomaru ascertained his surrounding to confirm his location. It was at that point he noticed that the enemy soldiers were retreating into a particular section of the forest. The progression was slow as one division held off the opposition while their comrades pulled away.

Sesshomaru paid no mind to the fleeing enemies, instead turning his attention to the one who dared to charge toward the central forces of his army. Youkai attacks were barely deflected by her cracked bow as she relentlessly stormed forward, bearing sufficient wounds that should have caused unconsciousness.

Watching her, Sesshomaru's mind raced and it took him no more than a few seconds to deduce her intention. 'That miko… she is cunning enough to ascertain the formation of my troops by mere observation. Is it her intention to strike at the heart of my army? Hmph. It seems that desperation has spurred her to risk her very life.'

For the first time since the beginning of the battle, Sesshomaru allowed his emotion, which came to him in the form of anger, to show on his expressionless façade. His brows narrowed and his lips were pulled back into a snarl, exposing his glistening and canine-like fangs. With a surge of his youki, he levitated and flew towards the miko.

As though a whirlwind had suddenly raged across the battlefield, the Lord of the West appeared right above the miko's head and without any pause in his movements, flicked out his poison whip. 'Dokkasou!'

Kikyo, exhausted in both mind and spirit, was unable to react in time before the yellowish-green energy whip coiled around her right arm, tearing open her flesh. With a bloody entrance created, she could feel the poison consuming her miko powers and even her consciousness. Wincing but refusing to back down, she bit her bottom lip and vigorously tugged.

Taking note of the resistance, Sesshomaru tightened his hold on his whip and yanked. The tug of war lasted only a few seconds before a ripping sound registered in his ears. Surprise loosened his grip as her sleeve parted from the rest of her white attire, and the second was all it took for the miko to send purifying powers into his whip, splitting it.

Driven by sheer determination, Kikyo pushed past all human limitations. Her vision was getting blurry so she hastily brought her bleeding arm back and knocked the last arrow out of the quiver. Bringing her other hand up — thereby letting the horse move and dodge of her free will — she notched her weapon, channeling her remaining strength into it. Her eyes remained trained on the bulky imposing archer at the center of the battlefield, surrounded by a lot of soldiers. Not only did the youkai seem influential, but if her calculations were correct, dealing him a blow from this position would inflict immense damage to her enemies. It wouldn't be enough to overturn the battle, but she would be damned if she gave her enemies an easy victory.

Kikyo drew what she believed was her final sacred arrow.

Sesshomaru remained as still as a statue, suspended in mid-air. He peered down at the determined miko, confounded by her resolve. Even with the obvious defeat, she was still persistent against all odds and continued her fight. For a moment, a part of him wished to see her succeed and attain her goal, to see her in her glory after achieving her desires. The thought was quickly banished, though, as the impact it would have on his men was far greater than the entertainment factor.

Like a hawk descending the skies to hunt, Sesshomaru soared down. He noticed Kikyo giving him a passing look from the corner of her left eye. Gold met mahogany once more before the daiyoukai rotated his position so that his boots were pointing toward the ground. In a series of high-speed maneuvers, he brought his right leg down on the horse's flank, right behind where the miko was seated.

The horse screamed as the force broke several of her bones and instantly propelled her into the air. The jerk also caused the miko to be thrown off. Her body out of control, Kikyo unintentionally released the bowstring as she was sent crashing into the ground, rolling in the dust until she finally came to a stop on her back. Coughing a mixture of brown and crimson, she reopened her eyes and was just in time to see her Hama no Ya sail upwards. It exploded in a rapture of light, illuminating the whole sky with a violet ray.

At that instant, all heads perked up to marvel at the display of power. Aware of the instigators who held such strength, humans and youkai alike evacuated from the area, with the former having received the message of withdrawal and the latter not daring to interrupt their lord's fight.

Eventually, the luminance subsided into tiny embers of light before dissipating completely. Her hope quenched, like the light of her sacred arrow, Kikyo's listless eyes were unresponsive as her mind tried to comprehend her defeat. She couldn't quite accept her failure, so she allowed darkness to claim her. Once unconscious, she could temporarily escape from the cruel reality. Her consciousness would've surrendered to the coma had it not been for the approaching footsteps. Reminded of the one responsible for her predicament, resentment compelled her to remain awake as she stared feebly at the figure looming above her, blocking out the sun's glare.

Sesshomaru took his time assessing the miko who lay in a supine position on the ground. He detected her ragged breathing, rapid heartbeat, and distress. Her sweet scent, unfortunately, mixed with blood and sweat, assailed his nostril in waves. Her heavy eyelids were opened under his evaluation, and despite her debilitating condition, she gave him a murderous stare. There was none of the intensity from earlier on. Nevertheless, it would still have made many youkai, excluding him, shudder had they been near.

"Hmph. Your tenacity is growing tiresome, miko." Sesshomaru returned her stare in the same manner as he commented haughtily, "You lack the strength and skill to defeat me. Know that the sole reason for your humiliating defeat is because you have chosen to oppose me."

"Why…?" Kikyo muttered resentfully. With the venom invading her system, she felt her mind and body gaining weight, almost lead-like. Her vision darkened and the world's colors were lost to her. Everything rotated between black and white. Feeling nauseated, she closed and opened her mouth, like a fish gasping for air on land. Each breath seemed to bring her closer to oblivion, so she mustered all her hatred towards the daiyoukai and uttered, "Damn you… C-curse you to the fiery pits of hell! How could y-you… ugh!" All her strength left her then and she became oblivious to her surrounding, but not before overhearing Sesshomaru's whispered statement.

"Submit yourself to me miko," he said, "and become the key to my conquest."

Once he was sure that the miko was out cold, Sesshomaru reached down with his right hand and hauled her up by her tattered collar. With his fingers clutching tightly onto the fabric, he hoisted her to his eye level, her body dangling limply from his grasp. His action was anything but gentle. Had she been conscious, then Sesshomaru was convinced she would've made strangled noises. It was never in his intention to make her feel comfortable as he reached into her haori, searching for the kokuho. Once he found it, he turned the item around with his fingers, feeling its texture to ensure it was not a counterfeit.

The kokuho of the east was crafted from lustrous jades of an unusual cerulean color, fashioned in the likeness of a dragon. Its curved body was positioned like a coiled serpent with tiny individual jades interconnected to form scales. The dragon's eyes were hollow, appearing like empty mini voids. Its claws were raised and its fangs bared, a depiction of a fierce and overprotective creature that would do anything to keep its hoard safe and secure.

According to legend, the particular kokuho was known as the Azure Dragon of the East, which represented the wood and vegetation of the East realm. It was claimed to be the source that made the realm flourish with plant life, so it was always treated with extreme care in the hands of the royal family.

Closer examination revealed that in contrast to one of its counterparts, the White Tiger of the West, the east's artifact was emanating a pure aura. It was acting in a manner unfamiliar to Sesshomaru, who was accustomed to his own treasure that remained stubbornly dormant in his pocket. Although he contemplated the cause, it hadn't crossed his mind at that time that the miko — although inadvertently — was responsible for the phenomenon. He would come to grasp the linkage between the relics and the miko in due time. But at present, he dismissed his perplexity and placed the artifact into the fold of his kimono.

"Sesshomaru-sama! I apologize for my lateness." Kotori, slightly out of breath, finally caught up to Sesshomaru and respectfully bowed. Not the least surprised that her lord had succeeded in capturing the miko, she merely stood and waited for whatever orders Sesshomaru had for her next.

Sesshomaru acknowledged the demoness with a conceited glance before throwing Kikyo's limp body in her direction. Not expecting such a transition, the demoness let out a small gasp and by instinct, managed to catch the miko with her good arm before the body could make contact with the ground.

"Take her to Jaken," Sesshomaru commanded.

Jaken, the imp youkai, was one of Sesshomaru's many loyal servants. Unskilled in battle, he was ordered to wait behind the cliffs with the two-headed dragon, A-Un, who pulled a carriage meant to be their means of transporting the miko.

"Sesshomaru-sama, am I supposed to leave her with Jaken-sama? Would he and A-Un be alright? Would it not be safer if I stayed as well? Or perhaps if we were to restrain the miko—"

"That won't be necessary. The poison I injected into her will ensure she remains unconscious for quite some time." If not for his flat tone and impassive features, then one could've mistaken Sesshomaru's words as a reassurance to Kotori. However, the demoness knew that the daiyoukai was merely stating facts; he had no qualms about her worries, presumably having deemed them unnecessary.

The confidence in Sesshomaru's tone left no room for doubt, although it was the first time he used such a particular kind of poison. He was not one for mercy, so he preferred toxins that would instantly kill his prey. However, since he wanted the miko alive, he needed a substitute, one that would render her helpless but not lifeless. Thus, he had turned to a source he had previously dealt with, to produce a toxic that would put her in a coma-like state. More importantly, so long as the special paralyzing venom remained in her body, the miko would not be susceptible to a human's daily requirements, like hunger, thirst, and even bathroom breaks. It simplified things for Sesshomaru, since she would be little more than cargo to take back, requiring no further care or attention for the days that the poison kept her in a state of suspended animation.

"Even when she awakens from her slumber, her powers will yet remain dormant and unable to be utilized. Without them, she is nothing more than a weak and defenseless mortal. She poses no threat to you, and you have nothing to worry about from her," Sesshomaru added after a transitory pause, to which Kotori nodded in understanding. Seeing that the demoness was satisfied with his answers, he lifted himself into the air once again.

So'unga had been rattling inside its scabbard continuously for the past few minutes, urging Sesshomaru to take action. Unable to tolerate the sword's disruptions, the daiyoukai decided to give consent to its aspiration and headed toward the castle grounds. He figured there was no harm in letting So'unga do what it wanted this time around, seeing as he himself intended to demolish the palace.

The wind blew the stench of death from the west towards the east, carrying autumn leaves of scarlet hue through the region. It was as if nature was spreading the news of their defeat and tallying the number of brave warriors that had fallen in the number of leaves. Catching a swaying leaf between his fingers, Tadahiro stood soberly near the forest. Standing at an angle of depression on the sloping ground, he could see and smell the smoke emitting from the castle grounds. For a man who preferred using muscles over the brain, it was surprising that it took him no longer than minutes to realize that the demons had destroyed the palace. Then again, it was not difficult to deduce. After all, the sudden eruption filled with redoubtable youki warned him of the inescapable reality.

Tadahiro stared blankly at the place that was his home since his birth. Having lost everything precious to him, the young Lord of the East suddenly let off a feral cry. 'They're gone! Every last one of them… my family, my nobility… my home… and even Saint Hijiri… They all left me!'

While Kikyo and Sesshomaru had their clash of strength and will, Tadahiro heeded the miko's words and decided to round up all the survivors. He knew of the perfect place, a secret part of the forest where his mother used to take him whenever he was bored. It was a time when he could behave as wild as he wanted, climbing trees and swinging on vines. His mother had chided his recklessness, but there was always a knowing smile on her beautiful features as she watched his son fool around. The endearing recollection now seemed distant to Tadahiro, a vision no longer a possible reality.

"Retreat! We're retreating!" His own strident voice still echoed inside him, leaving him with conflicted thoughts. As successful as he had been in carrying the message clearly across the battlefields and subsequently saving the lives of the many fighters who obeyed and took cover using the forest's trees, it had hurt to run like dogs with their tails tucked between their legs. In particular, he had to ignore his pride telling him to stand his ground when the west, led by an Inu-demon with a large sword, pursued them. It was then Tadahiro had to make a critical decision. Against his conscience, he commanded some of his soldiers to keep the enemy at bay while the rest fled. Obviously, those who stayed were destined to die, but so many were willing to sacrifice their lives for the safety of others. Amongst them, the young Lord of the East lost numerous comrades he had known for his entire life, including the scout who he considered a close friend.

Those who were left managed to retreat successfully, as the west was also distracted by the purifying power that shot across the sky. Tadahiro only took a temporary look before moving on. Passing through the burning village, they quickly rescued whoever they could, before rapidly scurrying away.

'So many died today… Did I really do the right thing by leaving so many behind?' Images of those people who he couldn't save haunted his mind. Among the most vivid visions were his family and friends. So lost and disconcerted, Tadahiro wasn't sure what sensation his body was trying to convey; his heart was grieving but his mind was refusing to let the tears flow freely. Emotions sometimes had an extraordinary way of portraying themselves. Instead of weeping as he should, Tadahiro found himself with conflicting feelings. Half-sobbing and cackling in laughter, he remembered how much he abhorred weakness, especially his own. Furiously, he mopped away his tears with one hand as he crashed the leaf he held in his fist. He observed the pieces hover towards the ground before being picked up by the next breeze, moving to his left.

'The east… Saint Hijiri told me to go there. It's my best chance. I'll finish off what Father started!' His gaze followed the drifting portions as they disappeared behind the thickness of the trees. He took a deep breath to steady himself and began to walk toward the refuge for the survivors. However, once Tadahiro had his way, the survivors would hide no longer and instead accompany him to the outer regions.

Earlier geographic studies informed him what was beyond the river. He knew that his hardships had just begun. The mass of undeveloped land beyond the waterway stretched for miles before crossing over with settlements that had acclimated themselves under the rules of shoguns and daimyos. The people there had adapted to a new feudalism, and would not accept the lord's decree. His father had once tried to mend the rift between his people, but that proved to be far too challenging for the soft-hearted Lord of the East. The truth was evident in Tadahiro's eyes; the Eastern realm had broken apart, and it would take a lot to reunite his people in preparation for the future.

Standing on top of the wreckage, Sesshomaru scanned the surrounding. His feature was as stoic as ever as he held onto So'unga, patiently waiting for the sword to quiet down. The atmosphere around him swirled with the immense demonic energy from his sword. There were traces of the awing aura lingering in places.

There were no words to describe the ruins before him. The beautiful fortress that had once stood as the east's stronghold was nothing more than a pile of rubble, just as Sesshomaru planned for it to be. The village close by was also in no better state than the fort. Flame scorched the houses, leaving them blemished black and permanently scarred. Several human corpses littered the burnt grounds, presumably those who took their circumstances far too lightly and didn't evacuate when told.

Like Sesshomaru, So'unga seemed satisfied with the result. Having a mind of its own, the sword was fickle and preferred its own methods of doing things. It even defied Sesshomaru on numerous occasions and acted on its own accord. Nonetheless, there was no issue concerning its loyalty today. Already aggravated by the lack of an opportunity to confront the miko, it was more than happy to heed its master's desire and destroy the palace. After all, with petrifying powers that surpassed its two counterparts, Tenseiga and Tessaiga, So'unga was forged to create utter destruction. It cared nothing about the elegance and perfection that Sesshomaru unconsciously strived for in his every movement. It simply wanted to be used for brutal slaughter, to spread fear into the hearts of living creatures. But having attained its purpose for today, So'unga ceased its rattling and allowed its owner to ease it back into its scabbard.

Sesshomaru had barely sheathed his blade when he sensed Inuyasha approaching from behind. The hanyou was panting and drenched in human blood, having been dyed red from top to bottom from all the killing he did. In every sense, Sesshomaru detested the half-breed's existence. An unnatural creation from the union of a great daiyoukai and a human princess, the soiled blood that ran deep in Inuyasha's veins was a disgrace to the Inu clan. Still, the daiyoukai had to admit that Inuyasha was of some use. The hanyou was terrible when it came to brainpower, but he made up for it with his tenacity and brute strength. It was precisely due to Inuyasha's presence that Sesshomaru could direct all his attention to the miko, because he knew that the hanyou would deal with the enemy forces unfailingly.

With Tessaiga slung over his shoulder, Inuyasha marred his brows upon noticing how his clothing differed greatly from Sesshomaru's. Whereas he was caked in blood and dirt, the daiyoukai's attire was spotless, as though it was just taken out of his wardrobe. Although in no circumstances did Sesshomaru appear to have fought, Inuyasha knew better. After all, no one on the battlefield could have neglected the enormous clash of energy between the miko and the daiyoukai. Somewhat envying Sesshomaru's fine appearance, despite the energy he had to exert, Inuyasha briefly debated with himself on whether or not the daiyoukai could use his youki to repel blood stains and repair his clothing. 'Keh! I wouldn't be surprised if he has got something like that up his sleeves. The bastard looks like he has been doing nothing but staring at the sky all day.'

After breaking past the east's first defense, Inuyasha stormed towards the castle grounds, cutting down anyone in his way. He repeatedly swung his blade, until he lost count of how many he had killed. He was soon dripping wet with blood and the stench was obnoxious, almost unbearable. Then, having realized that the enemy was escaping, he trailed after them and nearly caught up when an incredible display of power captured his attention. In awe, he stared at the tremendous burst of energy that ignited the sky and couldn't help but fleetingly wonder if his Tessaiga would ever come close to rivaling the power of that arrow. Despite the occasional praises he received about how well he was handling Tessaiga, Inuyasha knew that he had only unlocked a fraction of the sword's true potential.

Coming out from his musings, Inuyasha blinked and became aware of Sesshomaru's golden orbs studying him. The uninterested and disdainful gaze was nothing new to him by now, but the hanyou nearly bit off his own tongue when he realized that the daiyoukai was actually waiting for him to file an oral report. 'Arrogant bastard… He wants my statement but doesn't want to waste a damn breath asking.'

"Keh! Just in case you're wondering, we totally destroyed most of the east's forces. Only a few wimps managed to escape. Our troops suffered minor damage except those that had fought the miko. Right now, the soldiers are collecting the wounded and the dead. So we should be good to go after a couple of hours," Inuyasha informed with a barely discernible huff.

Much to Inuyasha's frustration, Sesshomaru made no move to acknowledge his words and instead cast his gaze toward the clouds. Gritting his teeth, Inuyasha inwardly counted up to ten and slid his sword back into its scabbard. Then, with all the composure he could muster, he asked gruffly, "Hey Sesshomaru, did you get the kokuho? I heard something about the miko having it."

"Naturally. Did you expect anything less from I, Sesshomaru?" Sesshomaru gave a monotonous response that irked Inuyasha, though he managed to bury the displeasure with the thought of their success. The reason why they started the war was so that Sesshomaru could get his hands on the kokuho and the miko. Now that both were secured, Inuyasha felt accomplished.

"Hell, yeah!" Inuyasha pumped his fist into the air, a gesture that resembled an excited child having received sweets. He was sure that Sesshomaru saw how childish his behavior was. Still, he couldn't care less about what the coldhearted daiyoukai thought of him. Inuyasha might be centuries old in reality, but because a youkai's mentality developed at a different rate than a human's, his mindset was only that of a fifteen-year-old from a human's perspective. Given that, he believed he wasn't too old for immature behaviors. Between Sesshomaru and Kotori, Inuyasha thought he had enough uptightness surrounding his life.

"Time to go." If Sesshomaru had any remark regarding Inuyasha's behavior, then he didn't say it out loud. Instead, the daiyoukai simply gave a command in his usual tone before rotating a right angle on his heels towards the setting sun, which was unusually red and low over the horizon. Walking in that direction, so that the crimson rays caused his body to shimmer like a mirage, he turned away from the barred area and towards home.

More Author's Notes: The battle between the east and west finally concludes with a victory for the latter army. The new Lord of the East manages to escape and has sworn to return for revenge.

And for all those readers reading this story, submitting a review will greatly encourage the development of another chapter.

For reference, here are some of the terms used in this chapter and their meaning:

Hama no Ya — sacred arrow, Kikyo's signature attack

Dokkasou — Sesshomaru's poison whip

shoguns — a hereditary commander-in-chief in feudal Japan

daimyos — one of the great lords who were vassals of the shogun.