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.

Author's note: Okay, so the monthly updates have been a struggle for some time now. I've taken on some new responsibilities both in and outside of work, which have made it difficult to find the time to write on weekdays. So it's currently taking me an extra couple of weeks to complete a chapter.

I don't want to put this fic on hiatus but updates may be a bit slower for the foreseeable future. Hopefully, I'll have some more time to catch up over the Christmas break.

On a brighter note, a big thank you to Sao for all of your comments! I'll try to keep what you mentioned about using generic pronouns for multiple characters in the same paragraph in mind.

22/02/23: Fixed a few minor mistakes. The next chapter is going up in a few minutes.


Chapter 30

His only reply was a rush of flames. The tunnel was thrown into relief. Her eyes didn't even have a second to adjust.

A shadow flitted past the corner of her vision. Her warning ended in a scream. Lightning ripped through the air. Inuyasha leapt aside like a startled cat. The ground split like kindling.

Smoke stung her eyes. She blinked away her tears with a crouched with flattened ears, clutching Mayu under his arm. His singed sleeve was still smouldering. His teeth were set in a snarl. His gaze was locked on the figure silhouetted before the braziers.

"Damn you... "

"I didn't come here to talk, Mutt."

Hiten strode into the light. Sparks still crackled between his fingers. He flexed them towards Inuyasha.

"So." He lifted his chin to regard his prey. "How soon would you like to die?"

Inuyasha's snarl broke into a snort. He still didn't release Mayu.

"Heh. You're asking me?"

"Tch, consider yourself honoured." A dangerous smirk tugged at Hiten's lips. "I don't normally do requests."

Inuyasha threw himself aside before he could launch another strike. Lightning seared the dust left in his wake. Hiten circled his arms to regather his chi.

"Better make your mind up fast."

He unleashed another bolt. Inuyasha scrambled away from it with a curse. He landed in a half-crouch with his right hand still aflame. He let go of Mayu and shooed her aside.

"Run!"

"Run? Run where?" Mayu demanded.

"Heh." Hiten smirked. "Brat's got a point, Mutt."

"Shut it." Inuyasha growled. He raised his claws to Hiten. Flames blossomed on his palm. Hiten's smirk widened.

"Now that's more like it."

He leapt forwards in a burst of fire. Inuyasha met him with blazing fists. The impact was blinding. Kagome blinked furiously as starbursts danced before her eyes. Their struggles were little more than two torches whirling in the darkness. Her fingers clenched as she strained against her bonds. He couldn't do this alone.

"Inuyasha!"

Mayu rushed towards Hiten with flames streaking from her fists. Her charge was halted by a blazing arc. She ducked it with a gasp.

"Stay out of it, brat!"

Hiten backed his words with another burst. Mayu scurried aside. Flames roared past her face. She stumbled into a crouch with her chest heaving. Her fists were still alight.

"Tch!"

Inuyasha sprang forwards with his claws aflame. He brought them down on Hiten in a savage arc. He barely blocked it. He glared at Inuyasha with a dangerous grin.

"Heh, you really are a softy."

Inuyasha sprang away with a kick. Hiten dodged it without breaking his grin. He lashed out with a wall of flames before Inuyasha could regain his footing. When the blaze cleared he'd already drawn back his arm.

"Shit!"

Inuyasha weaved aside. The bolt missed him by a breath. Hiten drew back for another strike. Mayu leapt at Hiten's face. Inuyasha sprang after her and tackled her to the ground. The bolt sizzled over their heads.

"Ow! Lemme-"

"I said run!"

Inuyasha hurled her aside and rolled away. Hiten whirled on him in a shower of sparks. He ducked into another roll. He came up gasping. The wall was at his back. Stalagmites blocked him on both was cornered.

Hiten readied his arm. Inuyasha threw out another arc of flames. Hiten leapt clear of them with a snarl. His hands burst back into flame as he hit the ground.

"Just do yourself a favour and bite it already!"

The impact made Kagome wince. She fought to shake the tears from her companions were fighting for every breath they took and she couldn't even lift a hand to help. A sob threatened to choke her. There had to be a way out of this.

A firebolt shot past her. She blinked and made out Mayu hurtling past. Her eyes were set on the metalbender. She flared up her fistand hurled another punch at his face.

The boy stamped down without breaking his hold. The firebolt shattered on a shield of rock. Mayu stepped aside and came back with a jab and a cross. The boy stamped up another shield. She rolled away and came up with fists ablaze. She pelted his walls with a volley of punches.

They were little more than fireflies to him. They were still enough to draw his attention. He raised his arms to steady the concentration slipped. Kagome's left arm was free.

She made a grab for the nearest water. Her fingers snatched a thin trickle from the wall. Good enough. She flung it straight into his face.

The boy stumbled back with a splutter. His control broke like a dropped to all fours and came up gasping.

"Kagome!"

Mayu rushed towards her. She dragged herself onto one knee. Her eyes and hands groped frantically for another trickle. Something snagged her wrist. Her eyes shot back to the boy.

He met her gaze with a bewildered was already trying to claw back control. She steeled her jaw as he made a grab for one of her shackles.

A burst of flame shot past his head. It was just enough to stagger him. Mayu followed it up with another flurry. He thrust up another wall to keep her at bay.

It was just enough to buy her an opening. She reached out with both hands and dragged a water whip from the walls. She called it to her with a gasp.

She turned back to Inuyasha and froze. Hiten stood over him with lightning dancing around his upraised hand. His right foot was planted squarely on Inuyasha's back.

The water left her hands before anyone else could move. Hiten was caught open-mouthed. The whip knocked him off clean his feet. His strike went wide.

Inuyasha rolled away and scrambled to his feet. He sprang at Hiten with a punch. Hiten gasped and weaved aside. He came up with his fists flaming. He swung a right hook at Inuyasha's jaw. He ducked the blow and came up in a savage uppercut. He caught Hiten clean under the chin.

Hiten went sprawling with a grunt. Inuyasha sprang after him. Hiten could barely shield himself. Inuyasha surged onwards, lashing him with arcs of flame. Hiten's jaw tightened as they seared his arms. His stance wavered as Inuyasha pushed him back.

"Shit!"

A stray rock was all it took for him to lose his feet. Inuyasha pounced on him with a yell. Hiten lashed out with both feet. They broke apart in a flash that sent Kagome staggering.

"Damn you!"

Hiten came up on one knee with sparks trailing from his fingers. Inuyasha raised his head with a gasp. There was no room to dodge. He set his teeth and readied his claws. Hiten shook his head.

"Forgetting something, Mutt?" He closed the circle and whipped back his hand. Inuyasha's eyes shot wide.

"Mayu!"

Kagome tackled her to the ground a heartbeat before the bolt left Hiten's hand. It blasted through a stalagmite as if it was no more than a bubble.

"Bastard!"

Inuyasha lunged straight for Hiten. He knocked him flying before he could even blink. He slammed straight into the dirt. His lightning sputtered into nothing.

"You fucking-"

Lightning split the air. Inuyasha was caught square in the back. He hit the ground face first. Kagome could only scream.

"Inuyasha!"


"Inuyasha!"

Mama's scream sent his ears flat against his head. Grandpa didn't even flinch. His footsteps were as steady as ever. All she could do was if he would help. Grandpa only made Mama cry.

"Father!"

Mama's voice was even rawer than her eyes. He sniffed back his own tears. Tears meant nothing to Grandpa. Grandpa wouldn't make him cry.

"Father!" Mama sobbed.

Grandpa didn't look back. He hadn't even looked at them once since the guards dragged them out of their hut. He'd made his decision long ago.

He'd walked into the tunnel without a word. The rest of them had no choice but to follow. The guards dragged them onwards, their boots heavy with mud and duty. Their faces were as blank as the walls. That was how Grandpa liked them. The only feelings he cared for were his own.

Their footsteps slowed as they approached the light. Only Grandpa kept up the pace. He cleared his throat. They hurried to match him. There was no time to wait.

Everything was wilder here. The sudden brightness made the shadows sharper. The walls loomed closer. The path grew worn and patchy as it levelled out, fading into the rock. It ended at the gate. It didn't need to go any one ever came back from there.

The spirits lay in wait. Their eyes never truly left screeches rose as they approached the gate. His ears drew back as their talons reached towards him.

Grandpa stopped at the path's end. His face was still set like stone. The spirits didn't even make him shiver. He'd seen far more hateful things. Inuyasha kept his ears close to his skull. Grandpa hated them most of all.

Grandpa cleared his throat again. The guards ground to a halt. He turned on them with eyes like flint. When he spoke his voice was final.

"Bring the brat."

"No!" Mama yanked herself forwards. The guards staggered to hold her back. "Father, please!"

"Gah! Enough!"

Grandpa strode towards Inuyasha without sparing her a glance. She raised her tearful face towards him.

"Please!"

He shot her a snarl. "Oh, spare me your wailing, woman. It's the only way to rid us of this plague."

She strained towards him again. "Please. He's only-"

"I said enough!" He slapped her away like a bug.

Mama reeled backwards. Her scream broke into a sob. Blood trickled from her split lip. One of the guards gasped. Grandpa raised a glare.

"You heard me."

The guard swallowed. No other sounds escaped her lips. There was no arguing with Grandpa.

Grandpa turned back to the gate as if nothing had happened. He beckoned the guards forward.

"Make it quick. We've wasted enough time as it is."

"No!"

Mama threw herself forwards and wrenched out of the guards' arms. She stumbled into a heap at Grandpa's feet. He drew back in horror. She grabbed his leg before he could pull away.

"You can't. He's only-"

"Tch, I'm doing him a favour, woman." Grandpa's face was granite.

"No!"

Mama clung to his leg with a strength he couldn't shake. He glared down at her without a trace of pity in his eyes. Pity was a weakness. The thing Grandpa hated most of all.

"There's nothing you can do." His voice was merciless.

"No." She shook the tears from her eyes and met his gaze. Her voice didn't even wobble. "Take me."

Her face was a ruin. Her gaze had never been surer. The shock was enough to shatter Grandpa's frown.

"You?" He almost choked on the word. "What could you possibly-"

"They'll listen." She said it without a trace of doubt. "To me. To hi-"

"No." The word was raw as broken glass. "I absolutely-"

"They'll listen."

Grandpa answered her with a scowl. His fingers clenched. Flames licked at his fist.

The female guard pushed her way to the front of the group. She ignored the mutters and stares that followed her. She folded into a bow.

"Forgive me, my Lord. The spirits have turned her wits. She needs-"

"To learn her place."

"My place is with my son."

Grandpa started as if he'd been slapped. The guards could only gape. His lips pursed like a dried sea prune.

"You are no daughter of mine."

Mama raised her head to look him in the eye. There was no fear left in hers. She spat at his feet. Blood glistened on the ground.

"Well. At least you have spared me that shame." Her voice was sure as death.

Half the guards gasped as one. The others were simply Grandpa flinched. But only for a moment. He recovered his frown and pointed towards the gate.

"Very well," he spat. "Take her."

The guards grabbed her by the arms. She didn't resist. She didn't even spare Grandpa a glance. She only had eyes for Inuyasha.

His heart skipped. Mama wouldn't leave him here. She wouldn't. She couldn't. His claws scrabbled against the guard's armour as he squirmed to escape. It was like struggling against a mountain.

"Mama!"

The guard held him fast. His claws left useless scratches. Mama couldn't leave him. Not here. Not with him. Not when her eyes wouldn't leave his face. She couldn't. His voice rose into a wail.

"Mama!"


"Ma... "

Inuyasha lay gasping on the ground. His body was coiled with pain. His fangs were clenched tight enough to draw blood. His claws clutched at his chest. Smoke rose from the wound. The stench stung Kagome's eyes and throat.

A huge shadow lumbered into figure that cast it was near as awful. Sparks sizzled around its fists. Beady eyes glinted in the half-light.A familiar giggle made her stomach churn. The boy held her fast.

"Heh." Hiten rasped in a breath. He smirked at his unlikely rescuer. There was a touch of pride around his eyes. "Not bad, little bro."

Manten clapped a hand to his mouth. Another ungainly giggle escaped his throat. His grin was even giddier.

"The stupid mutt didn't even see it coming!"

"Damn right he didn't." Hiten rolled over and hauled himself onto one forearm. "Honestly-"

A firebolt slammed into his jaw. He lurched back with a hiss. Mayu met his snarl with a glare.

"You little-"

"Coward!" Mayu stood shaking with fear and fury. Her fists blazed brighter than ever. Her eyes were brighter still. "Can't even-"

Manten cut her off with a stream of flames. She scrambled aside in a rush of curses. Hiten's snarl sharpened. He staggered to his feet with flames licking around his fists.

"I said stay out of it." He waved towards the boy. "Oi, kid. Take care of the trash."

The boy started. His grip on Kagome didn't waver. He gave Hiten an uncertain glance.

"Oh, do allow me, Brother."

Manten strode forwards, his face split by a ghastly grin. Sparks crackled around his outstretched arm. His chest shook with laughter. He pulled back for a strike.

A burst of flame surged towards his feet. He skipped aside with a squeal. The sparks fizzled away.

"H-Hiten!"

"Keh." Inuyasha glared up at the brothers from one elbow. He could barely lift his head, yet his boots were still smoking. His body was as tense as a wire.

"Gettin' real sloppy, aren't y-"

"Shut it!"

Hiten stomped down on his back. Flames burst from his boot. Inuyasha collapsed with a strangled yelp.

"Tch. Doesn't even know when to fucking quit."

Hiten ground down his heel for emphasis. The flames roared to the ceiling. Kagome was blinded by rage and tears.

When they cleared Inuyasha lay flat on the ground. Hiten stared at him as though he was a cockroach he'd just squashed. Flames still licked around his ankles.

"Man, what a let down." Hiten heaved a mock sigh. "All bark and no bite, huh?"

His only answer was a choked snarl. Mayu crouched panting and gasping. Her eyes shot from the brothers to the metalbender. There was no way she could take them all. Her flames sputtered with rage.

Hiten shook his head. "That all you got to say for yourself?" He let out another sigh. "Damn. You're not even worth-"

"Kagome... "

Inuyasha's fingers groped towards 's boot came down on his outstretched hand. He winced as the bastard ground it into the dirt.

"Hands where I can see them, Mutt," Hiten growled. "Not that you'll be needing them much-"

Mayu's temper snapped. She rushed forwards screaming. Kagome's warning was drowned by a wave of flames. Mayu was caught head on. She smashed into the wall and slumped to the ground.

"Mayu!"

"Fucking brat," Hiten muttered.

He drew back his arm. Kagome's pulse froze as lightning crackled into life. Manten followed his lead. They turned on Mayu with murder in their eyes. They released their bolts as one.

"No!"

A blur of fire, fur and fury streaked past her. It met the brothers' assault with a yell. Their bolts were swallowed by a burst of blue flame.

"Shit!"

Hiten shielded himself with a jab. Manten stumbled back shrieking. The flames cleared to reveal Mayu's unlikely saviour.

"Sh-Shippou?"

"Kagome!"

The little fox spirit stood quaking before her. His tiny fists were alive with azure flames. His tail bristled bigger than he was. Tears streaked down his face.

"Bastards... "

Hiten stared at him as if he was a joke. Shippou stared straight back. The firebender's frown cracked into a slow grin.

"Well, look who's here."


Constructive criticism is very welcome!