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 32
Hiten didn't even hit the ground. The spirits met his fall with cries of rapture. He was swallowed by a wave of shadows.
Inuyasha hurtled after him with a yell. He slammed into the dirt inches from the gate. The spirits tore at the barrier as they scrabbled to claim him. Their claws still couldn't reach beyond the stones. He watched the onslaught with an ashen face.
The spirits' screeches ripped through the air as more of them piled on to Hiten. His own screams were lost in the chaos. Kagome swallowed as bile rose in her throat. Another step and-
"Inuyasha!"
Mayu's scream tore her eyes from the gate. The spirits piled towards Inuyasha by the dozen. Their talons snatched at the air before his face. His claws raked the ground as he backed away.
Hiten gave a strangled cry. He reached for the gate in a final bid for freedom. The spirits wrenched him back. His hand clawed towards Inuyasha as they dragged him down. Inuyasha reached out towards him.
"Inuyasha!"
He flinched at Kagome's voice. Hiten's hand fell limp. It was swallowed by the darkness before it hit the ground. Inuyasha snatched back his own hand with a curse.
"No... "
The metalbender's voice was numb. He hadn't so much as glanced at Kagome since Hiten's fall. The fight had gone out of him like a snuffed lamp. He was just as powerless as she was.
The darkness rippled in spirits parted like mist. Kagome's throat tightened. There wasn't a trace of Hiten's body. Only a shadow remained.
"Shit... "
Inuyasha didn't move. His ears were so flat she couldn't even glimpse them through his hair. He couldn't pull his gaze away from the spirits. The shadow gathered itself with a hiss. It gave a hideous stretchand wrenched itself to its feet.
Her breath froze as a sharp snout sniffed the air. A slender body uncoiled from the shadows. Five inky tails writhed behind it. Lurid flames danced around its jaws split in a mockery of a grin.
Finished.
The voice rang deep in her bones. Deep enough to stagger her. She grabbed the wall to steady herself.
"Kagome... "
Shippou's voice had dwindled to a whimper. He and Mayu huddled together as the spirit leered down at them. She forced down her fears. She had to get them out of here.
A hideous wail rose from the shadows. Her eyes shot to Manten. His eyes and mouth were still wide darkness oozed from his gaping jaws. Her throat tightened at the sight.
Brother.
"Shit."
"Inuyasha... "
He was still rooted to the spot. She straightened up with a was no way she'd leave him scurried to his side and took him by the arm.
"We're getting out of here. Now."
"Ka... gome?" He cast her a wary glance over his shoulder. His feet were still frozen.
"Now, Inuyasha." She tugged harder. He didn't even budge. "Please."
He blinked down at her. His eyes were heavy with weariness. She grabbed his arm with both hands and yanked him back. He stumbled after her with a curse.
"Come on!"
Mayu waved them forwards. She dragged Inuyasha after her, ignoring her trembling legs. Another stumble nearly sent them both sprawling. She turned back to him and froze.
"You... "
The metalbender stood before the gate with outstretched arms. His eyes were locked on the trembling pillars. His legs were even shakier. They couldn't hold much longer. The second they-
"Shit!"
Inuyasha sprang out of her grip before she could even gasp. He caught the boy around the waist and scooped him under his arm. He bounded back to Kagome and grabbed her with his free hand. The spirits' shrieks merged with her own.
"Hurry!"
Shippou plucked a leaf from his vest and burst into a puff of smoke. He emerged as an enormous pink bubble. Inuyasha skidded to a halt.
"Uh... "
"Just get on, okay?" Mayu was already hopping onto Shippou's back.
Inuyasha replied with a stare. Kagome suppressed another sigh. She nudged him with her shoulder.
"Look. It's this or-"
She was silenced by another wail. Inuyasha took one glance back at Manten. Whatever he saw was more than enough. He took off without another word.
Shippou broke their landing with a squeak. He teetered as he fought to hold his form. Inuyasha could barely keep his balance. He released Kagome and the boy with a curse.
She clung to Shippou with a grateful wheeze. The metalbender's eyes shot straight to the ceiling. He set his teeth and whipped out his right arm.
"Hold on!"
A length of wire uncoiled from his wrist. He swung it towards the rift. It snagged on a jagged rock. He pulled the wire taut and grabbed the air with his free hand. They were drawn upwards like a fresh catch.
The thing that had once been Hiten gave a snarl. It leapt straight for them. The barrier flared with sparks. It hit the ground with a howl. More spirits surged up in its wake. Every impact brought another burst of light. She hung on with her fingers as tight as her chest.
The metalbender strengthened his grip. Their ascent quickened. The spirits grew yet more frenzied. They slammed themselves against the barrier with furious screams. She clung to Shippou until he squealed.
The largest spirit burst to the front of the pack. It hurled its body against the trembling pillar. It gave way with a final groan. The barrier burst like a firework. The spirit screamed its triumph.
Finished!
The din that followed was near enough to knock them out of the air. Spirits poured out of the breach like oil leaking from a burst pipe. The metalbender stared in shock. Inuyasha grabbed the three humans and leapt for the ridge.
"Shippou!"
"Keh!"
Inuyasha made a grab for the ledge. His claws raked the earth as it began to give way. The metalbender wrenched his arm free. He made a swing for a large stalagmite. The wire coiled tight just as Inuyasha's grip failed. He hauled them clear of the rift.
"Hang on!"
The metalbenderreached towards the rift with his free hand. He raised his arm slowly. The earth began to close up below them.
"Shippou!"
The little spirit sped towards them as fast as his clumsy body would allow. The other foxes were hot on his tail. One of them snapped at his side. He flinched away with a yelp.
Inuyasha lashed out with both legs. Gouts of flame pelted the dark spirits. They fell back shrieking.
The metalbender's hand closed into a fist. The rift narrowed. The spirits' charge grew more frenzied. They swirled into a torrent of darkness and spiralled towards the gap. Kagome flinched as their talons streaked towards her.
A gust of flame split the shadows. Mayu's legs thrashed as she squirmed under Inuyasha's arm. He tightened his grip with a curse.
"Shit! Will you just-"
"There's too many!"
"Keh. Just keep-"
"Let go!"
Inuyasha stared down at Shippou. The little spirit was almost clear of the rift. A few tendrils snaked towards him. Inuyasha unleashed another burst. Shippou cleared the gap with a gasp.
"Let go, Inuyasha!"
Inuyasha gaped down at Shippou.
"Wha-"
"I can handle it!"
Inuyasha began to mouth a retort. Kagome tugged at his sleeve.
"Wha-"
"It's okay," Her voice was somehow steady. "Shippou's got this."
His comeback died in his throat as her caught her gaze. He swallowed his doubts and let go of the boy.
Shippou broke their fall with a wheeze. His tiny legs flailed as he fought for his balance. He steadied himself with a gasp. The spirits sped for the narrowing gap.
The largest was swiftest of all. It lunged towards Shippou with open jaws. Inuyasha and Mayu unleashed their flames. The metalbender swung himself clear. The spirit flinched away with a screech.
The metalbender landed in a crouch. He shot to his feet and planted himself in a horse stance. The walls trembled as he raised his arms.
The spirit made another lunge. Shippou's flames joined the fray. It recoiled with a howl. The metalbender raised his left foot and stamped down.
A low groan rose from below. The spirits scattered in all directions. Kagome screamed as the fallen pillar came hurtling towards them. The metalbender scissored his arms and wedged the pillar into the gap.
The spirit screeched as its snout struck stone. The impact shook the walls. Shippou shuddered with the strain. The boy held fast.A stray tendril reached for his ankle. Inuyasha swatted it away with a firebolt.
The tendril shrank back through the crack. No others followed. The boy sealed the opening with a final push. He sank to his knees. His chest was heaving so fast it was a wonder he hadn't passed out.
Shippou literally burst in relief. His passengers fell in a heap on the ground. Everyone was too stunned to even were safe.
"Lost them!" Shippou's grin was split between relief and terror.
Kagome shook her head with a grim smile. The pillar could only hold for so long. It was practically crumbling as they spoke. They couldn't afford to rest until they reached the surface. The spirits sure weren't going to.
"Is everyone okay? We need to-"
"Keh. Does this look okay to you?" Inuyasha gave her a pointed glare.
"But-"
He shook his head. "You ain't going anywhere with those."
She glanced down at her wrists. The shackles had chafed them raw. The sight alone was enough to make her wince. Spirits knew what her ankles must be like. It was a marvel she was still on her feet.
The others were hardly fairing any better. Mayu was still lying on top of Shippou. He didn't even have the energy left to complain. The metalbender was still on his knees. His chest was heaving almost as hard as Inuyasha's. Another set of stairs would be enough finish them off in this state.
"Well... okay." She held out her wrist gingerly. "Think you could-"
"Here."
They both started at the metalbender's voice. He raised his head and reached towards her wrist. "I can-"
She snatched her hand back to her chest. That brought another wince to her face. Inuyasha barged between them before the metalbender could make another boy held up his hands.
"Wait. I can-"
"You keep your hands where-"
"Inuyasha!"
He scowled in reply. "What?"
"It's okay." She laid her hand on his shoulder."He'd have taken us out already if he wanted to."
Inuyasha snorted. "Keh. I'd like to see him try."
"Well. Guess you've got nothing to worry about then."
Inuyasha's lip curled. "Like I'd let my guard down around-"
"Come on, he's just a kid."
"So's Kanna."
"Look, we can sit here arguing or-"
She jolted as her shackles gave a wrench. Inuyasha's ears went shackles fell away like paper. She staggered back in shock.
"Wha-"
Inuyasha had the boy by the collar before she could blink. He raised his arm as if to ward off a blow. Inuyasha fixed him with a glare.
"What're you playing at, kid?"
"N-nothing."
Inuyasha's eyes hardened. The boy swallowed.
"It's just - I mean - it's easier... right?" He still didn't lower his arm.
Inuyasha scoffed in reply. The boy blinked up at him. Inuyasha's face was as stony as ever, yet his eyes were a touch least he wasn't going to argue. He released the boy and offered him a grunt.
The metalbender accepted it with a nervous nod. He stumbled aside as Inuyasha turned back to Kagome.
"You okay there?"
"Uh, I'm fine. See?" She pulled back her left sleeve to show her arm. She hissed as the fabric clung to her abused the sores wouldn't be so easy to shift.
Inuyasha's brows tightened. The boy swallowed. He reached for his waterskin and held it out to Kagome.
"Here."
She blinked. He was practically handing her a weapon. Then again, she'd done the same to him. Besides, it wasn't like any of them were in a fit state for another fight. She took it with a smallsmile.
"Uh, thanks."
"It's nothing,Avatar," he mumbled. His cheeks were glowing even in this gloom.
"Kagome." She offered him another smile. "Sorry. I didn't catch your-"
"Uh, guys?" Mayu's voice broke in with a tremble. "Have you seen-"
Inuyasha glanced over his shoulder at her. "Problem?"
"Uh, see for yourself." She pointed towards the ceiling.
Everyone's eyes followed Mayu's. A vast tapestry of roots hung over them like a canopy. Some were so large they almost reached the floor. Kagome blinked as her eyes strained to take them all in. How had they missed this?
The sight wasn't the only thing that was hard to swallow. The stench was thick enough to send her was as rotten as a week old salmon. Spirits knew what it must be like for Inuyasha and turned back to them open-mouthed.
"Wha - what's wrong with them?"
"Keh." Inuyasha's nose wrinkled. He held his sleeve to his nose."Be quicker to say what's right with it, if you ask me."
"No... " Shippou took a sniff. He almost gagged on the stench. His tail prickled."No. Not here."
Kagome stared down at him. "What do you-"
"It's sick." The metalbender's voice was heavy with dread. "We need to-"
"Sick?"
Mayu nodded. "Like those spirits." Her hands began to clench. "We should-"
"B-but I didn't even sense it!" Shippou protested.
"Sense?" Kagome frowned at the word."Is this-"
A low growl cut through the conversation. Their heads snapped towards it. Kagome raised her gaze and met a pair of lurid red eyes. She shrieked and backed away.
Inuyasha cursed under his breath and readied his claws. Mayu and Shippou backed into fighting stances. Only the metalbender stayed still. He met the eyes with a curious stare.
"Kirara?"
He received another growl in reply. This one was almost friendly by comparison. A huge cat stepped out of the shadows and regarded them from a jutting rock.
Then again, perhaps cat wasn't quite the right word. The most magnificent of leopards would be a mere cub beside it. Its fur was as thick as a snowdrift. Its fangs put most knives to shame. Flames lapped around its paws. Strangest of all, a young woman sat astride its back.
She was strikingly ordinary by comparison. Her armour bore no carried no visible weapons. Even her clothing was as dull as moss. Yet her eyes were as sharp as a saber. They widened as they settled on the metalbender.
"Kohaku?"
The boy started. His expression flickered from shock to stepped into the light and offered her a nod.
"Sister."
She returned the nod without breaking her stare. She leapt from the spirit's back and landed in a crouch atop the nearest root. She sized them up with narrowed eyes.
"Inuyasha."
Inuyasha answered her with a scowl. She matched it without another word. His scowl darkened as her gaze shifted to Kagome. He faced the woman down with folded arms.
"I ain't got time for this shit, Sango."
"Aren't you supposed to be on patrol?" Her voice was sharp with suspicion.
"Keh, I could ask you the same thing," he retorted.
"The whole garrison's on alert." Her eyes still hadn't left Kagome's face. "Where's-"
"Just take your brother and run."
She let his words hang for a few moments. Her body was perfectly still. Her glare was sharper than ever.
"And the girl?"
Inuyasha bristled. "She ain't-"
"She's Water Tribe."
"Keh." Inuyasha stared her down with tightening shoulders. "What's it to-"
"Inuyasha." She spoke his name like a verdict. "Where's Hiten?"
No answer was more than enough. She rose to her feet without a trace of doubt on her face.
"No more questions."
Constructive criticism is very welcome!
