DISCLAIMER: Inuyasha and all of the canon characters featured in this fanfic are the property of Takahashi Rumiko, Sunrise, Viz and all other respective copyright owners. I do not lay claim to these characters in any way, shape or form.


Chapter 28

Kagome swallowed. Her throat had run dust dry. So this was what had become of the shrine's guardians. The sight was enough to freeze her pulse.

"Don't move." Inuyasha whispered. His eyes stayed fixed on the spirits. His hands were poised to strike.

Another shriek came from above. More spirits oozed out of the darkness. They hovered overhead like clouds about to break. There had to be at least a dozen of them. She could only pray that Shippou wasn't among them.

Mayu stared up at the spirits. Her cheeks were ashen. Her eyes were quivering.

"Sh-Shippou?"

"He ain't here, kid." Inuyasha's voice stayed taut and low. His fingers flexed. The spirits' heads snapped towards him.

"Get down!"

The spirits lunged for him as one. He scattered them with a couple of swipes. Shadows streaked across the walls. They rallied round with an unearthly screech. His flames barely kept them back.

The spirits gathered themselves for another strike. He whirled into a spinning kick. The spirits wheeled away. They circled overhead, keeping their distance from the flames. So long as they held the high ground there was no chance of escape.

"There's too many!"

"Keh! I can handle them." He backed up his words with another kick.

She shook her head. He waved her away with a scoff. One of the spirits swooped down on him from behind. He dodged it with a curse. The spirit's talons tore close enough to graze his cheek.

Mayu watched his struggles with clenched fists. Her jaw tightened as he stumbled back against the wall. The spirits lunged straight for him.

He caught himself with a grunt and sprang away. They wheeled round for another attack. He leapt aside. One of them darted at his back. He swatted it away with flaming claws.

"Ugh! Stupid... "

Fire sprang to Mayu's fists. She released her breath and let the flames lick up her arms. Her bonds were reduced to ash. Her sleeves were smouldering. She snuffed them out with a scoff.

Inuyasha gaped at her. "Wha-"

"There's too many." Her eyes shot him a challenge. "I'll hold them off."

"You can't-"

Mayu flung a punch at a looming spirit. Flames seared its snout. It flinched away with a yelp.

Inuyasha blinked. Mayu pulled herself into a crouch. Her hand was still ablaze. She hurled another punch at an encroaching spirit.

"See?"

"Keh, fine." Inuyasha swiped away another spirit. "Just stay out of my way."

"Tch. Same to you."

A spirit lunged towards her. Mayu kicked out with both legs. Her bonds fell away like paper. The spirit reared back with a screech. She scrambled to her feet with her fists blazing. She pummelled the spirit's snout before it could unleash another strike.

Kagome lay tense as a bow. Mayu kept up her barrage with gritted teeth. If only she could shed her chains so easily. Water everywhere and she couldn't grasp so much as a drop.

A shadow fell over her head. She winced as its talons rushed towards her. Mayu blasted them away with a yell. The spirit wheeled on her in an instant. She ducked its claws with a gasp.

"Mayu!"

The girl spun into a kick. The spirit shrank away with a hiss. Mayu followed it up with a couple of punches for good measure. She rushed to Kagome's side. Her chest was heaving.

"You okay?"

"Yeah." She gathered a shaky breath. "There's too many. Let me-"

"No." Mayu's fists clenched tighter.

"Let me," she insisted. "There's plenty of-"

"You're hurt!"

"So are y-" Kagome's voice fell away in a sigh. Neither of them had time for this. Inuyasha could barely catch a breath. Even he couldn't hold back this tide for long. She gave Mayu a pleading look. She raised her eyebrows in reply.

"Please?" she added.

Mayu glanced towards Inuyasha. Two spirits darted for her back. She held them off with a savage kick.

"There's no time!"

"I can help." She backed her words with a stare. "Please?"

Mayu glanced back at Inuyasha. He was still locked in battle with three spirits. Two more hovered over his head. No point in asking him. She turned back to Kagome. Her shoulders slumped with a sigh.

"Okay." Mayu bent down beside her. She still kept one eye on the spirits. She gathered her breath and raised her fist.

Her flames brightened as her breathing steadied. She held her focus until they narrowed into a burning blade. Kagome lay still while Mayu weighed up her options. She gave the chain a few moments' thought before she nudged Kagome's shoulder.

"I need to reach your back."

Kagome nodded and began to wriggle. It took a push from Mayu to get her on her side. She winced as the chains dug into her flesh. If only she'd had a metalbending master. If they made it out of here alive she was taking lessons the first chance she got.

Mayu set her brows and got to work. The spirits seethed overhead. Inuyasha held them off single-handed. Mayu carried on without a flinch. She couldn't match the older benders' strength but there was no doubting her focus. Maybe there was something to be said for sheer stubbornness.

It still took her a good minute to get through the first link. Kagome didn't let out her breath until she was done. The chain gave way with a dull clink. She relaxed a fraction, only to flinch again as Mayu hopped around her.

"Not done yet."

Kagome gave her another nod. She set her teeth while Mayu went to work on the chain binding her ankles. The spirits drew closer. Inuyasha's strikes grew wilder. Sweat streamed down her back. She was shaking by the time the chain finally broke.

She stretched her limbs with a wince. Those chains hadn't done her any favours. Her wrists were raw as a skinned fish. Her ankles weren't much better. She stifled a whimper as the blood crept back into her hands and feet. She was free. That was all that mattered.

She propped herself up on one arm. It groaned under her weight. She pushed past the pain and reached for a nearby puddle. The surface quivered. An oily tendril rose up to meet her. It glistened in a way that sickened her. She pulled her hand away before it could ensnare her.

"Don't touch that!" Inuyasha yelled.

"I wasn't-"

"You should just- damn it!" Inuyasha ducked another swipe. "Why can't you-"

"I'm just trying to-"

"You-"

A shadowy tail slammed into his chest. He hit the wall with a yelp. The spirits piled in for the kill. He lashed out with both legs in a wheel of flame. The spirits shot back to the shadows. He staggered to his feet, still clutching his chest.

"Shit... "

"Inuyasha!" Kagome and Mayu's voices were lost in a chorus of screeches.

Mayu's fists flared. She took a step towards Inuyasha. Kagome grabbed her ankle.

"Wait!"

"Wha-"

Mayu gaped down at her. Kagome reached for her chi with a silent prayer. The puddle stirred. She steadied her breath and beckoned it closer. Light blossomed across the water.

Mayu shot her a frown. "What are you-"

Kagome kept her hand steady. She closed her fingers and drew the water towards her. It came to her like a tame serpent. The glow brightened as she spun it out into a whip.

The spirits turned to her with startled eyes. She released Mayu's ankle and pushed herself onto one knee, holding the water steady. A couple of the smaller ones began to shy away. She straightened up and brandished the whip before her.

"Back off!"

She snapped the whip towards them. The spirits shrank away from the light, hissing and snarling.

She took a step forwards. Her chains dragged at her ankles. Her arms were heavy as ice. She pressed on, driving them into the shadows. Mayu backed her up with burning fists.

Inuyasha raised his head as they approached. His face was tight with pain. His eyes were unsteady. He blinked as they drew closer.

"Inuyasha?"

He shook his head and straightened up with a wince. His eyes strained towards the far end of the cavern. He heaved out a grunt.

Kagome paused for a moment. She looked him up and down with a growing lump in her chest. That last hit must have cracked his ribs. Her whip wavered. She steadied it with a breath.

"Um, are you-"

"We're getting out of here."

He didn't give them a second to argue. He sprang forwards and grabbed both of them under his arms. The whip fell from her hands. Mayu's curses were drowned out by the spirits' screeches.

The spirits surged after them. He kicked out a burst of flames. That bought them a few precious feet. He bounded across the cavern, keeping well clear of the water. More spirits rose up to dog them at every turn. His fire barely kept them at bay.

Kagome's vision was a blur of flame and shadows. Inuyasha sped through the darkness as if it was clear as a summer sky. The spirits tore after him like a gale. Mayu squirmed under his other arm, cursing with every breath. He pushed onwards, biting back his exhaustion.

A wall loomed before them. Inuyasha sprang off a pile of rocks and kicked out a huge fire blast. They shot clear of the spirits. Kagome gasped as she caught a glimpse of the summit. They were within twenty feet of it before they began to drop.

"Inu-"

He unleashed another burst. They sailed upwards with their stomachs in their throats. The spirits streamed after them, their cries echoing from every corner. Inuyasha aimed for the ledge as it rushed back into view.

His jump fell short by an arm's length. He dropped again with a yell. The spirits surged towards them. Kagome could only scream.

"Fuck no!"

Mayu flailed her legs, pelting the spirits with gouts of flame. That bought Inuyasha time for a third blast. He crested the ledge and hit the ground running.

The spirits swarmed after them. He didn't even give them a glance. He pressed on with laboured breaths. Kagome's throat tightened as his strides grew heavier. He couldn't keep this up much longer. If only he'd just-

"There."

She started at the relief in his voice. A stone archway loomed out of the darkness. Twin braziers burned beside it. She swallowed at the sight. He'd better know what he was doing.

The shadows shifted as they neared the arch. Mayu hissed at the sight. Her stomach threatened to spill as lurid eyes lit the walls.

"No!"

Inuyasha threw himself into one last desperate burst. He cleared the corridor with a scream. He hurtled through the archway with the spirits at his heels. He landed a few breathless feet from the boundary. The second he hit the ground he collapsed into a slump.

The spirits seethed behind them. Their claws lashed at empty space. Not so much as a tendril crept beyond the arch. Something was holding them back.

Well, that figured. None of them had escaped the pit, after all. There had to be another barrier or some kind of ward. Maybe even another spirit. That wasn't a comfortable thought. Whatever was holding them back had to be stronger than Inuyasha.

He still hadn't moved from the spot. He hunched forwards, heaving as if he was about to retch. She gave him a cautious nudge.

"Um, Inu-"

He raised his head with a wheeze. His eyes were blearier than ever. Mayu cleared her throat.

"Hey. You gonna-"

"Okay."

He slackened his grip and set them both down. They filled their lungs with relief. The spirits raged on. He turned to Kagome with a bewildered stare.

"Okay." He took a few more moments to claw back his breath. "What?"

She shrugged. "Uh, I'm asking you?"

His stare sharpened. "What the fuck was that?"

She stared right back. "What was what now?"

"That - that thing you did. To the spirits." There was no edge in his voice. His eyes were almost awed. "Don't tell me that was an accident."

"I - I don't know." She shook her head. "Amaraq... Master Hi-" She swallowed a sob. "They - they calmed them. Somehow. Kikyou too. I don't know-"

"Kikyou?" Inuyasha frowned. "That was you, right?"

"I.. She-" She sucked in a breath. "I don't think she's coming back."

Inuyasha's frown tightened. "That was you."

She began to shake her head. Her protests died on her lips. There was no lie in his eyes. She hadn't had so much as a whisper from Kikyou since she'd woken up. Whatever this was, it wasn't her doing. The thought brought a strange warmth to her cheeks.

"I - I guess so," she managed.

"Yeah." He paused to catch another breath. "You should - wait." His ears pricked up.

She frowned. "Now what?" The spirits were certainly making enough of a racket.

"There's - there." He pointed towards the wall.

She turned her gaze towards it. A thin stream ran down the rock face. Her throat ached at the sight. Even a mouthful would be wonderful. Even a mouthful could be deadly. She swallowed. There was only one way to find out.

She hauled herself to her feet and trudged towards the wall. Her chains made every step a burden. The spirits' screeches were enough to make her teeth ache. She somehow made it over without landing flat on her face.

She reached for the water with bated breath. It sprang to her hand without a trace of resistance. Her shoulders slackened in relief. There was no blight here. She gathered a handful towards her and turned to Mayu.

"Here."

The girl glanced up at her. She held out her hands.

"Don't worry. It's clean."

Mayu waved her away. "You have it."

Kagome blinked. "Are you sure-"

"I'll get my own." She staggered to her feet. She gave her a brief glance as she stumbled past. "Thanks."

"Oh." Kagome turned back to Inuyasha. "Uh, you thirsty?"

"Keh. Just drink up already."

She glanced down at her hands. Most of the water had already trickled away. She gathered some more with a sigh. Well, she did ask first.

Inuyasha waited until both of them had drunk their fill before he hauled himself to his feet. His steps were still heavy. He shrugged off her questioning look.

"Just need a drink."

"Okay."

No point in mentioning that he'd already refused one. She'd stick to picking her battles for now. She'd have to do something about these chains, for starters.

She cast a glance at Mayu. She was perched atop a rock, rubbing at her left wrist. Kagome reached for some more water.

Mayu shot her a stare. "What?"

"Um, your burns... "

"Tch. They're not that bad."

"You sure?"

She gathered the water in one hand and let it flow over her own wrist. The water glowed as she swirled it with her free hand. Mayu watched her with widened eyes.

"You can heal?"

"Well, kind of." She gave a nervous laugh. "I'm still learning."

She released the water and held up her hand to inspect her wrist. The shackle hadn't budged an inch but at least it wasn't quite so raw.

Mayu kept on staring at her. "So you were a healer?"

"Well, not really," she admitted. "To be honest, I'm really new to this."

"Oh, guess so." She stared a moment longer before holding out her own hand. "Okay then."

A smile quirked at Kagome's lips. She stifled it and bent down to inspect Mayu's arm. A livid burn encircled her wrist. She bit back a wince and summoned some more water.

Inuyasha watched them from the corner of his eye as she worked. He still hadn't even glanced at his own injuries. She swore he was more worried about Mayu. Of course, he wouldn't let the Avatar out of his sight. Yet he'd saved the girl without so much as a grumble, even though she'd buy him nothing but trouble. Guess there really was something to be said for stubbornness.

"Oi. You done there?"

She held back another smile. Of course, he was still Inuyasha. She shook her head and straightened up.

"Yeah." Mayu hopped to her feet and gave a stretch. "Let's go."

"Right." He stood up with only the faintest of scowls.

Kagome started. "Already?"

He motioned towards the archway. "What? You wanna stay here?"

"But they can't-"

"Keh." He wrinkled his nose. "Give them time. I sure as hell won't."

She glanced back at the spirits. They tore at the air, still shrieking and snarling. They sure weren't going to get much rest here. It wasn't like she planned on spending the rest of her days in this pothole either. She gave him a nod.

"Okay then."

He looked her up and down before returning the nod. "Better get rid of those first."

"Oh." She clutched her hands to her chest. The chains clinked together. "You mean-"

"Kagome?"

She started. Everyone's heads snapped up. She squinted and made out a small iron grate set high in the wall. That voice... could it be? She dared a whisper.

"Shippou?"

"Kagome!" His voice was beaming. "Are you okay?"

Her face broke into a smile. "Yeah. I'm-"

"M-Mayu?"

That wasn't Shippou. Mayu took a step back. Her eyes were still fixed on the grate. She let out a shaky breath.

"Satoru?"


Constructive criticism is very welcome!

I update once a month.