More unnecessary deaths.
Kagome carried the broken mirror that Kanna always held, its once ominous presence now just a reminder of another life lost to Naraku's twisted schemes. She stored it away in her backpack, intending to give it to Kagura after they defeated Naraku, a way to honor Kanna's memory and inform her sister of the tragic loss.
Days bled into a week as they traveled, scouring the countryside for any sign of Naraku. The absence of his usual miasma or any unnatural occurrences only heightened their frustration. It was as if he had vanished entirely, leaving no trace for them to follow. The silence was oppressive, filling Kagome with a sense of dread.
The pain of separation from Sesshomaru gnawed at her, an ache that refused to fade. His presence had become a source of strength and comfort, and without him, she felt adrift. The tugging of her soul was beginning to leave her breathless, to stop every now and then to catch her breath. The frustration was compounded by Midoriko's silence. Since Kikyo's death, the ancient priestess had not spoken to her once, leaving Kagome feeling abandoned and uncertain of the path ahead.
Despite the turmoil within, Kagome tried to remain focused on their mission. The weight of responsibility bore down on her, but she knew they couldn't afford to falter. Naraku had to be stopped, no matter the cost. She clung to the hope that they would find him soon, that the pain and sacrifices would not be in vain.
Her companions, too, wore the strain of their relentless pursuit. Sango and Miroku's faces were etched with worry, and even Inuyasha's usual bravado seemed dimmed by the weight of their shared losses. Yet, they pressed on, driven by a shared determination to end Naraku's reign of terror once and for all.
In the evening, as they set up camp in a quiet clearing, Kagome sat by the fire, her mind heavy with thoughts of Sesshomaru and the uncertain future. She pulled out Kanna's broken mirror, gazing into its cracked surface. It felt like a symbol of their fractured journey, the shards reflecting the many lives touched—and destroyed—by Naraku's evil.
"We'll find him," Inuyasha said, sitting down beside her, his voice a rare mix of determination and softness. "And we'll make him pay for everything he's done."
Kagome nodded, drawing strength from his words. "We have to. For everyone we've lost, and for those still suffering because of him."
As the fire crackled and the night deepened, they all silently vowed to see their quest through to the end. Even if it meant sacrificing their lives in the process.
Inuyasha had woken Kagome brutally the next morning while Sango and Miroku were racing to pack up their camp. The urgency in their movements set Kagome on edge immediately.
"What is going on?" she asked, trying to shake off her grogginess.
"I sense a strong demon," Inuyasha said, his ears twitching with agitation. "It reminds me of my old man."
Kagome furrowed her brows in confusion. "How could that be?"
"I dunno," he frowned, a rare look of genuine concern crossing his face. "Whatever the hell it is, I don't like it."
Kagome followed his line of sight to see that he was looking towards a mountainous area. Moving to pack her things, she felt a sudden, sharp pain in her soul and nearly collapsed to her knees with a pained yelp.
Inuyasha was at Kagome's side at once, his arms around her, holding her close. "Are you alright?"
"It'll go away soon," Kagome hissed between gritted teeth.
"I'll carry you. Let's go." Inuyasha immediately lifted her onto his back, while Sango and Miroku mounted Kirara. As they took off running, Kagome could only hold onto Inuyasha, waiting for the pain to subside.
It had been a week now since she last saw Sesshomaru, and the physical pain she felt from their separation only grew more frequent and intense as time passed. It was becoming unbearable, much like it had been when she first left the mountain.
"Just hang in there, Kagome," Inuyasha murmured, his concern evident in his voice.
Sesshomaru must have explained to Inuyasha about mating bonds, as since Sesshomaru left, Inuyasha had been keeping an eye on her, allowing her to take several breaks during their walks.
As they neared the mountainous area, the demonic aura grew stronger, and the pain in Kagome's chest intensified. She clung to Inuyasha, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
"We're almost there," he assured her, though his own tension was palpable. "Just a little longer."
The group reached the base of the mountain, and Inuyasha set Kagome down gently. "Can you stand?" he asked, his eyes full of worry.
"I'll manage," she said, though she felt far from strong.
Suddenly, a large hole appeared in the mountainside, causing the ground to shake and debris to fly.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken's squealing voice pierced the air.
Snapping her head in the direction of Jaken's voice, Kagome felt the tugging in her soul yank her toward it. Throwing caution to the wind, she began to run, spreading her reiki out in search of the familiar warmth of Sesshomaru's youki. Racing straight toward the edge of the cliff with the others following her, she spotted him.
Sesshomaru stood tall and proud, his long white hair blowing behind him as he glared at a demon with a strange mask. The demon appeared to be a young adult male with red, cat-like eyes, elven ears, light purple hair, and a pale complexion. His most distinguishing feature was his mask. His attire consisted of a black uniform, hakama, and a large tuft of black fur on his right shoulder. Two black tassels extended from his shoulder pauldrons, draping to the ground behind him. The outfit was completed with red armor plating, armbands with dark markings decorating them, and a gray sash around his waist.
Kagome's gaze locked with Sesshomaru's, his eyes filled with darkened intensity and something that looked like lust. Swallowing thickly, she took a step forward, only to be yanked back.
"Are you trying to kill yourself?!" Inuyasha snapped, his arms around her as he pulled her away.
Kagome looked down to see that Inuyasha had dragged her from the edge of the cliff, the one she had almost stepped off of.
"Sorry," she mumbled, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I wasn't thinking."
Inuyasha's expression softened slightly. "Just be careful, okay?"
She nodded, her eyes drifting back to Sesshomaru, who hadn't taken his gaze off her. The tension in the air was palpable, the looming confrontation with the masked demon adding to the unease.
Sesshomaru's voice cut through the silence, cold and commanding. "Stay back, Kagome. This is not your fight."
"But—" Kagome began, but the look in his eyes silenced her protest. Sesshomaru never once called her by her name.
"Sesshomaru," the masked demon sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Distracted by a human woman? Just like your Father, quick to run to your human master. My, how far the mighty have fallen."
"I'll manage," she said, though she felt far from strong.
Suddenly, a large hole appeared in the mountainside, causing the ground to shake and debris to fly.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" Jaken's squealing voice pierced the air.
Snapping her head in the direction of Jaken's voice, Kagome felt the tugging in her soul yank her toward it. Throwing caution to the wind, she began to run, spreading her reiki out in search of the familiar warmth of Sesshomaru's youki. Racing straight toward the edge of the cliff with the others following her, she spotted him.
Sesshomaru stood tall and proud, his long white hair blowing behind him as he glared at a demon with a strange mask. The demon appeared to be a young adult male with red, cat-like eyes, elven ears, light purple hair, and a pale complexion. His most distinguishing feature was his mask. His attire consisted of a black uniform, hakama, and a large tuft of black fur on his right shoulder. Two black tassels extended from his shoulder pauldrons, draping to the ground behind him. The outfit was completed with red armor plating, armbands with dark markings decorating them, and a gray sash around his waist.
Kagome's gaze locked with Sesshomaru's, his eyes filled with darkened intensity and something that looked like lust. Swallowing thickly, she took a step forward, only to be yanked back.
"Are you trying to kill yourself?!" Inuyasha snapped, his arms around her as he pulled her away.
Kagome looked down to see that Inuyasha had dragged her from the edge of the cliff, the one she had almost stepped off of.
"Sorry," she mumbled, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I wasn't thinking."
Inuyasha's expression softened slightly. "Just be careful, okay?"
She nodded, her eyes drifting back to Sesshomaru, who hadn't taken his gaze off her. The tension in the air was palpable, the looming confrontation with the masked demon adding to the unease.
Sesshomaru's voice cut through the silence, cold and commanding. "Stay back, Kagome. This is not your fight."
"But—" Kagome began, but the look in his eyes silenced her protest.
"Sesshomaru," the masked demon sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Distracted by a human woman? How far the mighty have fallen."
Sesshomaru's gaze snapped back to the demon, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Shishinki," he growled, recognizing the foe before him.
"It's Shishinki!" Myoga squealed from his perch on Inuyasha's shoulder.
"Since when have you been here?" Sango asked, narrowing her eyes at the small flea demon.
"He's known as Shishinki, the Ogre of Death," Myoga cried out. "He's a demon who was defeated by your father many, many years ago! A fierce opponent that your father struggled to defeat."
"Myoga? The old flea demon? I'm surprised to see that you are still alive." Shishinki shrugged before thrusting his weapon into the air, a large ball of dark purple energy hurtling toward Inuyasha and Kagome.
Grabbing Kagome, Inuyasha jumped onto a nearby cliff. The spot where they had stood was now a huge, empty hole.
"You're going to regret that!" Inuyasha unsheathed his blade, jumping into the air. "WIND SCAR!" His attack destroyed the small mountain, leaving nothing but debris and rubble in its wake.
"So the blade you wield is Tessaiga," Shishinki smirked. "I heard that Toga had two sons. The old man gave Tessaiga to his youngest, did he?"
"Sesshomaru, what the hell is going on here?" Inuyasha stared back at his older brother, who only narrowed his eyes at Shishinki.
"Sesshomaru, don't you find it strange? Shouldn't you, his eldest son and purebred, inherit the blade? Now, why do you suppose your father left it to him instead?"
"Did you not summon me to fight? Then what are you waiting for? There is no need for all this idle chatter!" Sesshomaru's voice was cold and commanding.
Kagome watched as Sesshomaru used the same power as Shishinki. However, Shishinki's technique swallowed up Sesshomaru's, despite its bigger size.
"What just happened?" Sango asked, stepping closer to Kagome on the cliff edge.
"His technique is incomplete!" Myoga screamed. "It doesn't matter the size!"
A dirty thought flashed in Kagome's head that made her flush pink. Shaking her head, she turned back to Sesshomaru.
"What do you know of your sword, Sesshomaru?" Shishinki paused, staring down at the elder son. "Do you have any idea how Tenseiga was born? Tenseiga was nothing like it is now, as it took a different form back when I faced off against your father. The truth is, Tenseiga didn't actually exist at the time. The sword I fought off against was none other than Tessaiga."
Sesshomaru growled, his eyebrows twitching in irritation. Through their bond and her reiki, Kagome felt cold anger wash over him, anger she hadn't felt from him in a long time.
"Tenseiga was originally Tessaiga."
"SILENCE!"
Kagome had never heard Sesshomaru raise his voice like that before. She felt hurt beneath all the anger he felt.
"I take it the old man was unable to control Meido Zangetsuha after stealing it from me, its rightful owner."
"Is this all true, Myoga?" Kagome asked the small flea demon perched on her shoulder.
"Yes," he said dejectedly. "It is true that my lord was pondering how to use this technique once he'd acquired it." Myoga hid behind a strand of Kagome's hair.
"That is why he cast it away from Tessaiga. And so that unwanted technique, the one Tessaiga had no use for, was given to your Tenseiga instead."
"So Tenseiga was cast off from Tessaiga," Kagome whispered.
"To top it off, the younger brother smells part human," Shishinki glared with disgust. "It seems unthinkable. Why would Tessaiga, his original sword, be given to a mere half-demon?"
Inuyasha scoffed.
"Poor Sesshomaru, it looks like your father passed you by in favor of your younger brother," Shishinki smiled, malice dripping from his tone. "Don't you see now? Due to being an incomplete sword, it will never perfect the technique! It is just a pale imitation of Tessaiga."
He shot off another Meido, which flew straight towards Sesshomaru. Inuyasha jumped in, using Wind Scar to cancel out the attack.
"So half-demon, trying to help your older brother, are you? No need to rush into battle, I shall deal with you once I've buried Sesshomaru."
Growling, Inuyasha pointed his sword at him. "Shut up!"
Sesshomaru punched Inuyasha across the face, causing Inuyasha to stumble back.
"What the hell was that for, huh?!"
"Do not interfere!" Sesshomaru snapped before he turned back to Shishinki, who watched them with amusement.
Kagome could feel Sesshomaru's concern and anger radiating off him, his frustration and anger evident on his normally composed face.
"That is a lot for one man, even a demon of his standing, to bear," Miroku stated, and Sango nodded in agreement.
"You can't blame Lord Sesshomaru for being angry," Sango added.
Kagome huffed. "If the technique is so unwanted, why not get rid of it? Instead, he gave it to Tenseiga and entrusted it to Sesshomaru."
Myoga just laughed nervously.
They could only watch as Shishinki attacked Sesshomaru, who skillfully dodged each strike.
"It's only a matter of time before one of those hits him," Miroku said, rubbing his chin in thought. "Not to mention, his moves are becoming predictable."
"It doesn't help that what Shishinki said about his father is getting to him. He isn't thinking clearly," Sango noted.
Myoga growled, jumping up and down on Kagome's shoulder. "I must tell Lord Sesshomaru what my master intended! It's only right that he knows!"
"Then go tell him," Sango smirked.
"Ah, but sadly, I lack the means to approach. Could it mean the end for him?"
"I can help with that," Miroku said, grabbing the flea and placing him on one of his sutras. "Now you have the means! See ya!"
"I DON'T WANT TO!" Myoga screamed as he flew through the air straight towards Inuyasha.
"You're quite good at running away," Shishinki taunted
"I have no intention of running away from scum like you." Sesshomaru growled
Inuyasha caught the flea in mid-air, glaring at him. "What are you doing here, old man?"
"Lord Inuyasha! I have important information for Sesshomaru!" Myoga said, his voice trembling with urgency.
Inuyasha sighed and tossed Myoga toward Sesshomaru. "Then go tell him before he gets himself killed!"
Myoga landed on Sesshomaru's shoulder, clinging tightly. "Lord Sesshomaru! I came over because I couldn't stay silent any longer. You must listen! Your father wanted you to master the Meido Zangetsuha! It's a fearsome attack that not just anyone can use. Tenseiga was never a cast-off."
"It's true, your half-brother wouldn't be able to endure the demonic energy of the underworld," Shishinki said, clicking his tongue in amusement.
"He wanted you to use Meido Zang–"
"And you would have me believe that was his reason for casting Tenseiga off of Tessaiga, would you?" Sesshomaru interrupted.
"If his faith was so strong and great in Sesshomaru, could he not have bequeathed Tessaiga to him along with Meido Zangetsuha? He certainly could have if he thought that you were promising enough."
"You have a point," Myoga admitted, hiding in Inuyasha's hair.
Grabbing the flea, Inuyasha squished him slightly. "Hey, you can't let that one-eyed bastard win the argument."
"I'm even starting to feel bad for him," Myoga argued with a dejected and resigned tone.
"Silence, Myoga," Sesshomaru commanded, turning his back to them both as the battle resumed with Shishinki.
"SESSHOMARU!" Kagome called out, watching as he barely dodged the last Meido.
"How dare you hit my face!" Shishinki roared.
"The secret of Tenseiga is not to be uttered by a mouth as wretched and twisted as yours. Every word you speak brings shame to it," Sesshomaru said, staring down at Shishinki, who glared back at him, growling in anger.
"Silence, you insolent brat! I will make you regret damaging my face, as your father did!"
"Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha called out.
"I told you not to interfere!" Sesshomaru growled, his words biting as he glared at Inuyasha.
"I don't care!" Inuyasha retorted, as Tessaiga transformed, taking on a diamond shard blade. "Adamant Barrage!"
The attack did nothing as the small Meido continued to hurtle towards them. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru both jumped into the air, their swords lighting up and pulsing.
"Sesshomaru, draw Tenseiga!" Inuyasha snapped.
"Now, you and your father's swords shall spend the rest of eternity in the underworld!" Shishinki used his spear to produce several Meido towards them.
"There are so many," Miroku said in disbelief.
"SESSHOMARU!" Kagome shouted, feeling her heart stop as she could only watch from across the mountainous terrain.
"Never, Shishinki. I would not allow my life to be taken by scum like you!" Sesshomaru drew his blade, slicing it downwards in the air, producing a large, complete Meido that swallowed Shishinki's Meido.
The powerful vortex of Sesshomaru's Meido Zangetsuha engulfed Shishinki's attack, neutralizing it entirely. Shishinki's eyes widened in shock as he realized the magnitude of Sesshomaru's power.
"You've perfected it," Shishinki whispered, disbelief coloring his voice. Yet, his gaze changed, "I see it now!" He began to laugh manically, "what your father did is cruel! I pity you Sesshomaru! It was cruel you hear!"
With a final, decisive strike, Sesshomaru's Meido Zangetsuha enveloped Shishinki, pulling him into the dark abyss of the underworld. The battle was over, and the air grew still as the last remnants of Shishinki's presence faded away.
Kagome let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, relief washing over her. Inuyasha landed beside Sesshomaru, his expression a mix of awe and respect for his older brother. Sesshomaru's eyes were cold and unyielding.
"Wow," Sango breathed out. "Such immense power."
"Just look at this place," Kagome said, staring at the damage the one attack had caused.
"Still, that was too close," Miroku said as he walked up beside them. "A moment later, Inuyasha and Lord Sesshomaru would have been banished to the underworld forever."
"Just witnessing it took years off my life," Myoga cried out, somehow miraculously back on Kagome's shoulder.
"How did you get here?" Kagome blinked, confused.
"What do you know? Myoga ended up somewhere safe," Miroku deadpanned.
"Again," Sango added dryly.
"We should get down ther—"
"Lady Kagome!" Kohaku, who had been in the sky riding atop Au-Un's back, landed on the cliff they were standing on.
"Kohaku!" Kagome smiled, though she didn't miss the sorrowful stare of Sango who watched as Kohaku hugged Kagome. "I am glad that you are safe."
"Lord Sesshomaru told me that you gave him instructions to find and protect me."
"Indeed, I gave him those instructions. However, right now I ask that you go with Sango and Miroku back to camp," Kagome said with a gentle smile. "I am going to wait for Inuyasha and Sesshomaru to finish talking."
Kohaku nodded, looking relieved. "Thank you, Lady Kagome." He turned to Sango and Miroku, his expression earnest. "Let's head back."
Sango gave her a thankful nod, Sango and Kohaku rode atop of Kirara, while Miroku took Au-Un.
As they began to make their way down the cliff, Kagome remained behind, her eyes focused on Sesshomaru and Inuyasha. She could feel the tension in the air, the unspoken words between the brothers. The battle had ended, but there was still much to be resolved.