Hello dear Readers! Before continuing to the chapter, be safe from currently spreading Covid-19. Decrease all activities on the outside, frequently wash your hands and keep your health in check to stop the spreading of the viruses. I hope all of you save from the viruses.
This chapter is the second part of the Thunder Brothers Arc. It will cover until the beginning of Hiten and Inuyasha battles but with some original flashbacks. It will also explain why'd Ryouko able to manifests Yokai parts from her body.
That's it then. Enjoy the chapter!
/N: InuYasha is written and illustrated by Takahashi Rumiko. Tokyo Ghoul is written and illustrated by Sui Ishida. I don't own both of them.
Chapter 5
Clash on Raimei Valley Part I
On the entrance of the Castle of the Thunder Brothers, Ryouko is land on the ground with Tsuyu still be constricted by her scorpion tail. She gently releasing the constriction, before the wings and tails dispersed into red aura.
"T-This is…" Tsuyu stuttered seeing the castle that actually no different from what her castle appearance. The difference is the cloud is cloudy grey and have many thunders raining from the sky but rarely attacking the castle. 'I once read one region where thunder and thunder clouds always exist every year, so this is the place.'
"So you finally arrived."
The entrance door to the castle later opened, revealing Hiten bringing another woman that seemingly a Yokai. She has the appearance of a humanoid female, except her ears have pointed tips. She has long dark hair and red eyes with blue pupils. She wears a long crimson skirt. Her chest is partially covered by a snake around her. She also wears many jewels and a gold necklace.
"Oh? So this is your cohorts?" The woman Yokai wondered while resting her body on Hiten's hug. How repulsive to have a Ghoul as her associates on this castle. "I don't know you have a taste for Ghoul, an old woman nonetheless."
Ryouko narrowed her eyes at the comment. "Seemingly you steal another vixen for you plaything huh? I can't believe the fact that despite you sister love you, you did such un-honorable thing toward women." She commented.
"Rude, since you seemingly had another to add my collection." Hiten replied with his usual evil grin. "I guess there's no Shikon Jewel Shard on that castle?"
Ryouko shook her head. "It's enough isn't it? I want to rest." Ryouko said while walking to the inside of the castle. When she close to the Vixen however, she whispering something. "You better got away from him for your own safety or you'll pay it with your life." She then walked passing Hiten, leaving Tsuyu for Hiten to get along with.
"Hmph. Arrogant." The Vixen said, ignoring Ryouko's warning. "You don't do that with that low-class don't you?" She asked Hiten.
"No need to worry." Hiten replied before look at Tsuyu. He then walk toward the princess, the grab her face so she look at him right in the eye. The princess can't reply at all because of confusion and fear. "Hum… You're surely beautiful as the rumor said." He then glanced at the castle behind him. "Maybe my brother Manten had more good use for you."
'W-What's this?!' Tsuyu thought in fear. 'What does he meant?'
Inside his room, Manten is boiling a purple substance that he stirs using a huge wooden pole. On the wooden bed, Kagome is seen unconscious due to her head hit the ground when Manten tried to obliterate her using his trademark Thunder Breath.
'Khu khu khu, Mother will be proud if she knew the family recipe will be put to use. The only left ingredients to add is the most important one. The one I like to call deliciously loaf. Khu khu khu.' Manten thought sinisterly as he stirs the substance.
Not long after, Kagome regain consciousness and starting to stir from her slumber. Confuse at her surroundings, she was definitely shocked when seeing Manten presence. What does this all about? Thunder Brothers known like to eat beautiful woman right?
Sensing Kagome's awake, Manten glanced at her. "Awoken have you my fair mate?" He sarcastically asked.
Kagome asked the immediate thing on her head. "Where have you taken me?" She wondered in confusion and fear.
Manten now stop stirring his substance and turn to look at her. "That's the least of your worries." He said.
Kagome later gasp when seeing the substance that Manten is making. "Why're you looking at me that way?"
Knowing that she confused by the substance, Manten then decided to explain it to her. "I'll tell you. The flesh and blood of the young maiden is marble for hair growth. Some called it the Wonder Potion of the Century." He explains, meaning that he'll kill Kagome for the mean of growing hair on his head.
Hearing the explanation, Kagome immediately shocked. Seriously, how could a Yokai is so dumb that he believing such stupid thing? She then comically angry at the younger of the Thunder Brothers. "I'd rather be eaten alive than boil up for some hair concoctions!" She yelled.
However, Manten then comically panicked and put his right index finger on his mouth, sign of her to be quiet. "Keep your voice down! If Hiten-aniichan hears you, He might've just fulfilled your wish!"
'Hiten?' Kagome thought before remembering Myoga's explanation about the Thunder Brothers.
Suddenly, the door to Manten's room that being lock by him is suddenly being smacked by a fist that belonged to Hiten. On his left side, there's the Vixen that resting on his lap while on the right side, Tsuyu is seen being hold on her left shoulder tightly by his other hand. He had a smirk on his face.
Kagome immediately shocked seeing the young princess. 'Tsuyu-hime!'
'Kagome-san! Why'd she end up here as well?' Tsuyu thought in confusion.
"Thought I've heard voices. I thought you entering from the main door Manten." Hiten said.
"Hoo… That thing is your younger brother?" The Vixen asked, clearly disgusted by Manten's appearance.
Manten immediately greet Hiten with a slight panic on his tone. "A-Anii-chan good to see you!" He greeted.
Hiten then look at Kagome before looking at Manten. "Who's she? What she doing here?" He demanded.
Manten immediately block Hiten from seeing Kagome. "She's mine! I found her first!" He said protecting his trophy.
"No need to worry. I have no use for her. Not when I have this little Vixen." Hiten said with a smile, leaning his head to the Vixen. She later smiled in agreement. "By the way, I heard you need a young maiden for your potion. Here." Disrespectfully toward woman as usual, she throw Tsuyu, making her fall to the ground and grunt in pain. "I bet the flesh and blood from a human princess and that strange girl will do fine for your hair."
"A-Anii-chan…" Manten didn't expect that Hiten is knowing what he's doing. Does that mean he already in front of his room all the time?
"Don't thank me, thank the Ghoul."
'A Ghoul!? There's a Ghoul that work along with the Thunder Brothers!' Kagome thought unexpected by the information.
"Kagome-san." Tsuyu immediately crawled to Kagome. Her feet seemingly become swollen due to Hiten's actions.
"Tsuyu-hime. Why'd you end up here?" Kagome asked as she grip the princess hand to help her sit on the wooden bed. "Did that brother of Manten or this Ghoul caught you?" She then look at Hiten. 'At least… He looks human. Maybe he can-no, Sesshomaru also looks human but he's ruthless. I wonder if he also that way?'
Back to the conversation of the brothers, Hiten then asked Manten something. "Oh I've been thinking about it. My quest for searching for Shikon Jewel Shards didn't end well. The wench also the same, but she takes that princess as a compensation. However, you… How'd your search go?" He asked.
Manten immediately speechless. He knew that time Shippou is hold a jewel shards. Idiot, why didn't he take it? He can't lie to Hiten though. "Um…" Manten later smiled while look to the right. "How could've I forgotten?"
Hearing that his younger brother found a Shikon Jewel Shard and just leave it make Hiten's anger starting to rise. He then walk in anger to Manten. "Hum… Care to tell the reasons?"
Manten know his brother is angry. But he can't lie and must tell the truth. "My apologize Anii-chan I found one but I've lost it!"
However, during their bickering, Tsuyu is explaining to Kagome her situation.
"I see. But to think this Ghoul is able to beat Hinami-chan like that is…"
"And the most shocking thing is… Hinami is calling this woman Ghoul her mother." Tsuyu add.
"Mother?"
However, back to the brothers, Hiten's anger reaching his peak. "Found one but lost it?" He then close his eyes while clenching his fist, holding his anger at his younger brother stupidity and obsession. "Don't tell me you're more interested in this woman so much that you forgot all about the precious jewel shard! HAAAAH!" Roaring in anger, Hiten then direct his left palm toward the Vixen. From it, a blast of thunder suddenly charged and later being shoot at direct range, creating huge electricity and even making Kagome, Tsuyu, and Manten close their eyes from the blinding light. The next moment, the Vixen is burning to a crisp and later falling dead to the ground.
Manten know now that Hiten is angry. "Please Hiten-aniichan! Forgive me!" He pleaded while shivering in fear.
Hiten later bring down his left arm. "You're brought nothing but shame to this family! If you're not my younger brother I would've done you in long ago!" He reminded with anger on his tone.
'He's no different than Sesshomaru… Looks can be deceiving after all!' Kagome thought in scared tone.
'H-How cruel of him… How could he doing something like that to the one that even not knowing the problem?' Tsuyu thought while didn't understand Hiten ways of thinking. He just killed that poor Vixen with no apparent reason than rage at his younger brother.
"And now you better have a good explanation Manten!" Hiten roared at his younger brother.
"Y-Yes Anii-chan!" Manten agreed in fear, not wanting to risk Hiten's wrath anymore. "S-S-So…" Manten then explaining about his encounter with Shippou toward his older brother.
While the brothers still bickering against each other, Kagome then whispering something toward Tsuyu. "Tsuyu-hime. It seems they plan to go hunt for the Shikon Jewel Shards once more. When they leave this palace, let's use that to flee from here and search for Inuyasha and Hinami-chan." She said.
"B-but that older brother of his is too powerful… There's no way Inuyasha-san can-"
"C'mon. Inuyasha fought much stronger foe than the likes of him, who strength only increases because of the shards." Kagome assured her referring to Inuyasha battle against Sesshoumaru. 'But I'm worried about this Ghoul woman. If I not wrong, Hinami-chan told me about her mother died protecting her from the investigator. Could it be her mother soul and flesh is being revived and being thrown to the Feudal Era?' She wondered. 'But… If they chase after Shippou, he'll definitely being killed. I know what I can do!'
"Kagome-san?"
"Tsuyu-hime. I have a plan to lure the Thunder Brothers so Inuyasha can defeat both of them. But I need you to put a reassuring face okay." Kagome whispered.
"Um… Okay." Tsuyu agreed.
Meanwhile, Hiten already heard all of Manten explanation. "So… This Shippou whose his father being killed by the Ghoul wench has our jewel shards?" Hearing more than enough, Hiten turn his body to start pursuing Shippou.
"Y-You're going after him?" Manten asked fearfully.
"Of course I am. You're coming with me." Hiten stated at Manten.
"Wait a second."
Manten then glanced at Kagome. "Oh I almost forgot." He then take a huge meat knife, intending to kill Kagome and Tsuyu. "I can't let my hair potion ingredients escaping can I?" He stated. "No need to worry. Because even though you're dead, your blood becoming potion for my beauty, so you will be remember forever."
"You don't want to kill me easily!" Kagome yelled.
"And why not huh?" Manten growled at her, showing his sharp, reptilian-like teeth.
"U-Uh… Because…"
"Because the Ghoul that fight off your Ghoul and Kagome-san companion has a jewel shards!" Tsuyu suddenly stated before smiling at Kagome.
"Huh!?" Manten is shocked to hear it.
Hiten is also shocked enough, that he immediately turned after the princesses claims. 'That wench… She failed me!'
'Thank you so much Tsuyu-hime. Now what shall I do to make good words to make his older brother trust me!' Kagome thought a plan before finally begin to speak. "Are you two familiar with Inuyasha? The strong, great, handsome warrior?" She asked.
Hiten then respond. "Huh. Him strong? That Inuyasha is merely a Hanyo." He stated with disgust. "And as for you human wench, I think it's impossible that a Ghoul possessed a-"
"But she's the one that defeated Tsukumo no Gama!" Tsuyu immediately said before Hiten can finishing his arguments. "I was the princess of the castle and I saw it with my own eyes!"
Hiten widen his eyes hearing the news. He said the Tsukumo no Gama is defeated? That Toad Yokai who's in conflict with his clan for this recent months and hard to defeat because he can seemingly regenerate using maiden's soul being defeated by a Ghoul?
"B-But she's only possessed one. However, she also Inuyasha companion, and he meanwhile already have almost all shards of the Shikon Jewel Shards." Kagome continued and this time, Hiten takes the bait. 'Good. Now both of them got their attention!'
Suddenly, Hiten walked and sit on the wooden bed, glaring at both Kagome and Tsuyu. "Both of you… Are lying huh?" He guesses.
"Ehehe… I wouldn't lie about him. The guys is madly in love with me." Kagome lied while flower background is form around her. "If you tell me you holding me captive… I know my love will hand over the jewels."
Tsuyu have a comical sweat-drop on her head. "Kagome-san…"
"Anii-chan… Something tells me she's lying. I don't know for the other though…" Manten expresses his opinion, not wanting both of them to fall into the lie of a mere human.
Hiten however smirk hearing it. So this Inuyasha has a Shikon Jewel Shards and this female Ghoul defeated the Tsukumo no Gama? Interesting. "No. I think she's telling the truth. The other one also." He then grab Kagome by the chin and force her to stand. "Wench. Take us to this Inuyasha lover of yours at once." He then glanced at the Vixen ashen corpse. "But be warned. If you're lying, you suffer the same fate as she." He then look at Kagome in the eye. "And I think you won't enjoy your beautiful face being burn to a crisp."
'He's serious about the threats!' Kagome thought in fear. "I-If that so… I want you to take my friend here as well. I-If she's being exchange-"
"Hump." Hiten then turn to Manten. "Manten, call the Ghoul wench to prepare. We will have a party of Shikon Jewel Shards tonight." He ordered. "Very well. We will play your game."
Meanwhile, inside a personal chamber, Ryouko is seen sitting watching the thunderous sky of the Raimei Valley. She's seen with sad look on her face, still remembering that she willingly injured her beloved daughter almost fatally. "Hinami…" She uttered.
"Wench!" The door to her chamber being opened, and Manten is revealed. "We have a new mission! Prepare now!"
Ryouko then look at Manten neutrally. "Very well. Tell your older brother I need some time." She replied.
Back to Inuyasha, Hinami, Shippou; the three of them is tried to run and jump on the jagged and rocky terrains of the Raimei Valley. Inuyasha is seen holding Kagome's backpack and bicycle using his left arm, while Shippou's perching on Hinami's right shoulder.
"There so many thunders in here." Hinami noted at the sky that's dark and sometimes rumbling of lightning is being heard. It all fits with the namesake.
Shippou however is still shaking. Did he must tell Hinami about his father killer?
Inuyasha glanced at him. "What's the matter Shippou. You're not afraid of height aren't you?" He jokingly mocked.
"Inuyasha-san stop being so mean to him." Hinami said with a little high tone. "Shippou, what's wrong? Do you have something to say?"
"A-actually yes…" Shippou said. "B-but I can't tell it, after I've heard she had blood relation to you."
"She?" Hinami wondered before tried to guesses what Shippou is talking about. 'Mommy!?' "What's my mommy doing to you?"
"So that flying Yokai from before is your mother then? No wonder her scent is same as you!" Inuyasha said.
"I-I'll tell it while we continuing our journey okay." Shippou said. "S-So, D-During the time my father got a Shikon Jewel Shards-"
(Flashback- Few Weeks Ago)
"Father! Did you intend to keep that thing?" Shippou is seen eating a cooked mushroom while looking at his father. Shippo's father had the appearance of humanoid Kitsune with the head of a fox unlike Shippou. He's wearing a simple brown fur clothes.
"I'm not intend to keep this Shikon Jewel Shard my son. It best for us to not being too greed just because the Shikon Jewel is breaking up into many shards." Shippo's father said. "We'll try to look for the closest human village where they have a Miko. I'm sure she can take care of this thing better than us Yokai."
"Father… But isn't human hate us?" Shippou asked.
"Shippou I think you must remember this clearly." His fater then kneeling and pat his head. "Just like us Yokai, not all of the humans are all bad."
However, their warm family moments were interrupted by the rustling sound from the tree above. Shippo's father, sensing danger. He then shoo his son to the closest bushes. "I know you're there. Come out."
The figure then jump down from the tree and Ryouko revealed to be the one that stalking Shippou and his father. She's already wearing a kimono that given to her by Hiten. "I take it your that famous Kitsune of this area then."
"Who are you woman? I've never saw you around here." Shippou's father stated. "And I can sense that you're not a mortal."
"I come here after hearing you have a Shikon Jewel Shards. Give it to me. If so, there's no need for bloodshed." Ryouko said while bring her hand forward.
'This woman… She's a Ghoul!' Shippou's father thought in worry. Of course, Ghoul would like to search the jewel fragments. Due to the continuous persecutions, they start to develop hatred to humans and Yokai alike. "I think not. I see that you seemingly tried to use this thing for bad work."
"I see." Ryouko then sprouted her Kagune. "I hope there'll be no bloodshed. Fine, if that's what you want." She then thrust one of her petal forward toward Shippou's father.
However, Shippou's father suddenly being engulfed in blue flame. "Don't underestimate me!" He then grab hold the Kagune that aim to his chest with the amazing strength, stopping the thrust.
'This Yokai…' Ryouko thought in surprise while tried to pull back her Kagune.
"Its useless. Even though I'm not the strongest Yokai around, my Kitsunebi isn't going to lose to the likes of you!" Shippou's father then winning the contest of brute strength. Using his super strength, he pull Ryouko toward him, making she lose her footing.
'What!?'
"Hua!" Shippou's father then delivering the devastating punch to her stomach, making her being thrown several feet until her back hitting tree trunk very hard and making her Kagune dispersed into red clouds. "Now I suggest you keep your nose out of here!" He warned.
"Khu khu khu…" Ryouko chuckling, however her voice turn into a deep one. "So this is the strength of a Kitsune… It seems I have no choice but to give you a hand…" Suddenly, both of her arm transform into a Mantis Yokai serrated hand and a scorpion tail sprout from her back. She then look up and revealed that one of her eyes is a Kakugan, while the other turn into a insect-like eye and had a mad smile on her face. "I wonder how your power taste is!" She said in glee before dash forward.
'This Ghoul… She's doing that and become possessed by that Mantis-scorpion Yokai!' Shippou's Father thought in worry before he parried Ryouko's giant mantis Yokai's arm using his own. However, that just a distraction she need to using her scorpion tail to stab Shippou's father, but he managed to grab it with his other hand. "I shall burn this tail of yours, along with your body!" The Kitsunebi around him suddenly turn more intense and some of it flared wildly on his hand that holding Ryouko's arm and tail. Then, the arm and tail are starting to melt. Such is the power of Kitsunebi on the hand of strong Kitsune.
"It seems you forgot one thing Kitsune. This woman you fight is a ghoul. Therefore." Suddenly, her Kagune is emerge from her back. "It's fair for me to playing dirty." The Kagune later stabbing through Shippou's Father Stomach, seemingly pierced through it.
Shippou, who's hiding on the bush, is shocked seeing the scene. "FATHEEER!" He yelled.
"Hmph. Who said that only you are playing dirty?" Shippou's father suddenly asked as he looked at Ryouko with a grin. It's revealed that her Kagune being blocked by the Kitsunebi around his stomach. "Your pitiful attacks won't break through my Kitsunebi! Now burn!" The Kitsunebi become more intensified, melting the Kagune as well as the Yokai arm and tail.
Ryouko is shocked seeing it. 'He's able to burn the Kagune with ease!'
Suddenly, Hiten appeared behind Shippou's Father. "Hmph. Why'd you took so long?" He asked.
Shippou's Father glanced at him. 'He is the current leader of the Thunder Yokai Tribe! What is he doing here!?' He thought in worry. Seeing the bigger threat, he punch Ryouko aside, making her fall to the ground and turn to his other adversary.
"Oh you want to fight me? I must say it's rare for a Kitsune to be able to unleash this much of Kitsunebi." Hiten then preparing his Raigekijin for attack. "A worthy opponent!"
"No matter what I can't let you get this jewel shard! It will only create chaos!" Shippou's father later run toward Hiten and tried to punch him with Kitsunebi-imbued fist, but using his Flying Wheel, Hiten is able to evade the attack with ease and jump over him before taking a stance to stab.
"Hyaaah!" Hiten later dash toward Shippou's father and the Raigekijin is able to pierce through the Kitsunebi and his chest.
"Guaah!" Shippou's father spat blood. Knowing that he had no long time to live, he then glanced at the bush where Shippou is hiding. "Shippou… Run…"
"I'll electrocute your innards! Take this!" The Raigekijin suddenly glow until various lightning is emerging from Shippou's father body, killing him by burn him alive. Sensing he's dead, Hiten immediately pull out his Raigekijin and Shippou's father body is falling to the ground. "Not much of a challenge." He commented. "Oi wench. How long you will sleep huh? I know that you intend to do that."
Ryouko later stand up despite her injuries. She then kneel on Shippou's father body, before pierce his body using her left hand.
'Wh-what is she going to do!?' Shippou scared seeing the scene. Because of it, he then dash off from there, hoping that Ryouko and Hiten didn't chase him.
(Flashback End)
"And that's how it happen." Shippou finally finishing his story.
After hearing Shippou's story, Hinami then stop her running and stand while look down on the ground, not believing the entire thing she heard. Her mother turn into a sadistic and murderous Ghoul? Is this really true? "It… It can't be true… Mommy… Mommy is…"
Shippou is feeling guilt telling this story to her. The young Ghoul prove to be kinder than Inuyasha (although that maybe his standards of being kind). "I'm… Sorry." He apologized.
"No… That's not mommy I know…" Hinami uttered with tear now escaping from her eyes.
Inuyasha who seeing it understands her sadness. It's the same thing like when he tricked into believing the Un-Mother was her mother. However, he pretty sure that Hinami's mother is the real thing and not a fake, so the situation is not completely the same. "Oi Hinami." He called rather rudely. "This is not time to be a crybaby! For now, rescuing Kagome and the princess is more important! You can weep at your heart content when we go back to Kaede's village!" He then continuing his running.
"How could he!" Shippou grit his teeth. "Didn't he understand that this is her mother that she's heard becoming completely different person!" Shippou said.
"Inuyasha-san is right Shippou." Hinami uttered. "This is not the time. Kagome-san and Tsuyu needed our help." She then rub her tears away before looking forward seriously. "Let's go!"
Inuyasha meanwhile already in front of Hinami and Shippou, still carrying Kagome's bicycle and backpack. 'Grrh… How dare she makes her cry!' Inuyasha thought in anger after hearing what Ryouko did.
"Inuyasha-sama. I think I got something from Shippou's explanation!" Myouga then appear from Inuyasha's hair.
"Yeah what's it?" Inuyasha asked.
"Seemingly Hinami's mother already found out what Ghoul true capabilities is." He replied. "You remember that Ghoul ability is only to producing predatory organ called Kagune using their Youki from their behind right? But by her able to produce other organ other than that meaning that she eating Yokai to increase her own strength."
Inuyasha widen his eyes. "That mean that they can become stronger than their base form by eating Yokai?" He asked.
"Yes! That method is use by the Ghoul is eating the part of the said Yokai, gaining their body parts that created by the same method as their Kagune! However, that technique has limitations!" Myouga explain.
"What kind of limitations? We don't have much time before either Kagome or the princess being eaten by the Thunder Brothers!" Inuyasha argued before sensing something in front of him. A scorpion Yokai tail suddenly being launched at him. He however already prepared by cracking his left hand claws. "Sankon-tesso!" Inuyasha slash the scorpion tail, destroying it and it dispersed back into red particles. "Hah! You've got to do more better than that if you want to hit me!"
From the rubble, a fleshy petal suddenly flashing wildly and destroying it. Ryouko later seen standing with her Kagune is shown, seemingly expecting her adversaries. "So you're Inuyasha that girl Kagome is talking about." She noted.
'This scent! She's the Ghoul that abducted the princess! So this is Hinami's mother!' "Huh? What of it?" Inuyasha later drawn his Tessaiga. "What business does a Ghoul did with Thunder Yokai Tribe anyway?"
"That's not a business a Hanyo should understand." Ryouko replied as she flared the Kagune wildly. "Just give me your Shikon Jewel Shard."
"Keh! Like I'll give it to you so easily!"
"Inuyasha-san!" Hinami called when she saw who's Inuyasha is fighting against. "Mommy!"
Hearing the voice, Ryouko turn her attention toward her daughter. 'Hinami! Why'd you come here!?'
"Where are you looking at?" Inuyasha later slash through his arm, before swinging it and creating barrages of blood blades. "Hijin-kesso!"
'His bloods turn into blades!' Ryouko later using her Kagune to protect her body, but the attack is slashing the Kagune, damaging it badly. 'Ugh! It can damaged the Kagune this far!'
"Inuyasha-san." Hinami finally reach Inuyasha standing place. "So what Shippou said is true…"
"She's… She the same Ghoul that fight and then eating my father's heart after Hiten killed him!" Shippou informed.
"So you the one that kill his father huh? Despicable! How could you kill him while he done nothing to you?!" Inuyasha said while pointing the Tessaiga at her.
"Why that despicable? Thanks to Hiten-san killed him, I gained the strength of him and the reason is because he ignored my warning." Ryouko simply replied while her Kagune is regenerating.
"Why you! I can't believe that Hinami have an evil mother like you!" Inuyasha roared, anger at her reply.
"Who's this Hinami you're talking about? And don't pretend you know me." Ryouko later tried to smack Inuyasha using her now reformed Kagune, but Inuyasha later jump upward to avoid it.
"Take this!" Inuyasha later releasing a Kenatsu from his Tessaiga.
"Huh." Ryouko later morphed both of her hand into the claws of Mantis Yokai, swing it at the Kenatsu to reducing the blow. The Kenatsu created a dust that enveloping her.
Inuyasha later jump at her and swing his Tessaiga down at Ryouko, who parried it with the Mantis arm. The clash of strength later happened. However, he later sensing that her Kagune is turn into stabbing position on its previous direction, tried to stab him from behind. Inuyasha later jump upward to avoid the move, but is later being smack to the ground using the other Kagune petal that already being raise to the air for a surprise attack.
"Inuyasha-san!" Hinami cried.
"Huh. No need to worry about me!" Inuyasha later manage to stand up from his crash site, showing little sign of injuries. "It takes more than that to kill me."
Ryouko slightly widen her eyes seeing it. "You're different from most Yokai I've faced…"
"Keh! C'mon I bet that your facing against is just a low-class!" Inuyasha later run toward Ryouko with Tessaiga ready to swing down. "Take this!" Ryouko using her Kagune to block the swing, but the power of Tessaiga and Inuyasha's physical strength prove too much for her. Her Kagune is being sliced off. Inuyasha later slash her unprotected front, making her being stumbled backward.
"Ugh!" Ryouko grunted in pain as she feels the pain that caused by Tessaiga. Because Tessaiga's is from the fang of an Daiyokai, she found herself hard to heal the blunt attack. 'This feeling is different than being hit by a Kenatsu! It hit so hard that even myself hard to regenerate!'
However, Hinami who seeing the entire scene is shaking. Because no matter what evil deed she did, she can't bring herself to see her mother being killed when they only met once. She need to make her resolve fast. Activating her Kakugan, she then sprouts two Rinkaku.
Shippou who seeing it, a bit afraid by what he seen. "H-Hinami… You're really a-"
"Sorry for not telling you Shippou." Hinami apologized to him with a smile. "Inuyasha-san!"
"What this time!?" Inuyasha look at her when suddenly he almost attacked by a scorpion Yokai tail.
"You just go and fight this Thunder Brothers along with Shippou and Myoga-jiisan! I'll hold her off!" Hinami said.
"What!? How stubborn you are exactly!? You're just injured by her during the raid of that Toad Princess and now you expect me to let you fight this abomination alone!?" Inuyasha yelled in disagreement.
"Please Inuyasha-san. Rescuing Kagome-san and Tsuyu-chan right now is more important. What my mommy does here is to stall time as long as she can." Hinami reasoned while preparing her Koukaku as well.
Inuyasha silent for a moment before nod. "Fine. But promise that you'll beat this woman!" He said before resuming his pursue toward Raimei Valley.
Shippou is holding into Inuyasha's right shoulder. He then glance at Hinami. 'I hope you're okay Hinami. That thing is the one that fight against my Father. Be careful!'
While Inuyasha, Myouga, and Shippou move to face the Thunder Brothers, Hinami is facing her own mother, who somehow able to acquiring Yokai body parts despite being a Ghoul, a race that she learn being persecute ruthlessly by Yokai and human alike in the Sengoku Jidai.
However, she known that the one she faced is really her mother. No matter how hard she tried to denied it, her scent is exactly the same as she remembered. If that so, she must ask her by herself.
"Now it just the two of us mommy. There's no need for you to deny it anymore. My nose won't lie to me." Hinami said as she lowered her fighting stance.
"So that's you're aiming for." Ryouko noted of why Hinami let Inuyasha go first. She also lowered her stance, before looking at her daughter with a sad smile.
"You really are mommy." Hinami quickly noted after seeing her expression. She then walks closer to Ryouko.
"I see you've grown to a beautiful woman, Hinami." Ryouko said with a sad smile as tears is form in her eyes. She then walks closer to her daughter as well.
After both of them is close with each other, the mother and daughter then hugging each other with comfort.
"I miss you mommy…" Hinami said as she started to cry on her mother's hug.
"Hinami…" Ryouko hug and pat her head. How many time had passed that she last time do this. "I miss you as well. However, We're on different side right now. That little boy already told you didn't he?"
"No!" Hinami then look up to her mother with tears streaming down her face. "Shippou is just a young kid! Maybe he's wrong when he saw-"
Ryouko shook her head. "No. What he said is the truth. That time, I did search for Yokai to increase my strength because during my stay in here, I find out that Ghoul can steal a body part or the ability of a Yokai by eating their remains. Although maybe Hiten is the one that kill him, you can't deny the fact that I also do the dirty work." She explained.
"Th-That's…" Hinami couldn't believe what she heard. Here, her mother admitting that on that time, she's searching for Yokai to increase her strength, which happens to be Shippou's father. "W-Why…"
"That's why…" Suddenly, Ryouko unleashed her Koukaku that will stab Hinami if she not jump backward. "I can't be your mother anymore."
"You still my mother!"
"And yet you're walking in the light without murdering anyone by your own hands but look at your mother, she's become a killer even being forced to do so." Ryouko said as her body suddenly is glowing in blue flames. "Hinami. My last request as a mother is only one. You have to kill me, let the afterlife judge my sin in this world."
"Mommy!"
"However, you have to defeat me… In my strongest form." Ryouko said as her body undergoes slight change. Her human ears is replaced by pair of fox ear that emitting blue flame on it. A fox tail is seen emerging from her back, and some parts of her body emitting blue flame. This is the form that Ryouko got after eating the remains of Shippou's father. 'This is actually my last resort to gain my freedom from Hiten. But… Sorry Souten, it seems I can't see you again after this time.' Ryouko thought of her happy memories with the youngest of the Thunder Yokai.
'Mommy… Does she really do that? But… No matter what she did, I can't kill her. It's evil no matter what reason she wanted it.' Hinami thought in dilemma. What she must do now? Here her mother finally admitting her identity, but at the same time she wanted to be killed.
"Behold the form that I've got after consuming the flesh of a Kitsune." Ryouko declared as her body undergoes slightly change. On both of shoulders and knees, emitting a light green flame but the most distinguishing characteristics is the fox ears that emerge from both sides of her head. On its tip, a light green flame is emitting. She then entering battle stance. "Now come at me Hinami." She challenged.
On Inuyasha's side, he still on the way toward Raimei Valley along with Myouga and Shippou who latch on his right shoulder when a bolt of lightning suddenly strikes them. Inuyasha manage to avoid it in time. The place where he stands is leaving a huge crater on it.
"Very impressive maneuver! Dodging my Raigekijin's Lightning Bolt attack!" Inuyasha later look up to see Hiten is floating in the air using his trademark-flying wheel. The Raigekijin is draped on his left shoulder. "You must be the reputed Inuyasha himself!" Hiten guessed as a lightning is rumbling behind him. 'That damn Ghoul! Why she didn't stop them!?'
"Inuyasha-sama! That's Hiten! The older of the Thunder Brothers!" Myouga warned. He's latch on Inuyasha's Nenju no Kotodama.
Shippou suddenly jumps on Inuyasha's left shoulder. "Where's Kagome!? What have you done with her?!"
Hiten just smirking evilly as Manten appears on his flying cloud a few meters behind him. "Don't despair. We're done nothing to her for now." He then look at Manten, signaling him to shown the hostage.
"Behold." Manten later shown Kagome, who's genuinely afraid.
"Inuyasha!"
'Well at least they haven't hurt her!' Inuyasha however notice that someone's missing. 'The princess from that damn toad castle is not with her… Don't tell me-' "Where's the other one!?"
"Huh?"
"I know that you're kidnapping a princess!?"
"Oh I see. That human princess is not with us." Hiten simply replied. "She's useless to me anyways, so I've decided to lock her in my castle before devouring her tonight… After I defeat you!" Hiten later flying closer to Manten. "Back to the business Inuyasha. Judging by your expressions… It seems the girl and the princess spoke the truth. Now hand over the Shikon Jewel Shard to me, OR YOU'LL NEVER SEE YOUR LOVER ALIVE AGAIN!" Hiten threatened with intimidating aura as lightning is forming wildly around him.
However, instead being concerned about Kagome's safety, Inuyasha is making a confused facefault. So the reason why Hiten and Manten is coming out from their hiding is because of some stupid lies except for the Shikon Jewel Shards part? "He said 'My Lover'?"
Meanwhile on Manten's riding cloud, Kagome realized that Inuyasha is know that she's lying. 'Some people can't just take a joke.' She thought while sweat-drop on Inuyasha's abilities to go on with the lies.
After the Lightning around Hiten's died off, Inuyasha later walk toward them, but with the same facefault as before. "Uh there must be some misunderstanding. Let me get this straight, you and I supposed to be lovers?" He asked rudely.
Hearing how Inuyasha can't go on with the lie, Kagome tried to convince him. 'His skull is so thick!' "Uh… This is not time to get all shy." Kagome said while fakely laugh.
Beside her, Manten knew that she and the princess are lying all along. Seemingly his prediction that day is beating his brother thirst for power after hearing the mystical jewel shards. He then smirk while playfully punch Kagome's head. "You little Vixen I know you're lying all along!" He deduced.
"Uh…"
Inuyasha however keep continuing his rant. "You actually think I hand over the jewel shards as a ransom to get you and the toad princess back!?" He roared.
"Of course you would cause' that's what lover will do!?" Kagome yelled angrily while making Manten a little stunned by her angry tone.
"But we ain't lovers! And without love the whole arguments kind of falls apart!" Inuyasha argued.
Kagome felling offended a little by what he said. "So now some gems are more important than me?! How dare you say that after what we have been through together! In the meantime, you better be right to yourself how you really love me!?" She yelled while point at him. However, inside, she feels worried for Tsuyu that is leave behind on the Thunder Brother's castle. 'C'mon you jerk! Can you read the situations? They are still holding Tsuyu-hime in their castle! I don't know what'll happen to her if you don't defeat this two Inuyasha! Just please, just take the lies to make them drop their guards!'
Hiten however, enough of this pointless argument had. He then closes his eyes in understanding of the situation before smiled in satisfaction. "I've already heard my fill. It's clear that you have some jewels for us Inuyasha." He then launches himself down with his Flying Wheels toward Inuyasha with Raigekijin on stabbing position. "Jewels that will be MINE!" Letting out a battle cry, the Raigekijin later imbued with lightning.
"Humph." Inuyasha later draws out the Tessaiga. "Now in your lifetime pal!"
"Take this! Raigekijin!" Hiten yelled as he thrust the Raigekijin forward toward Inuyasha's upper body. Acting fast, Inuyasha manage to hold off the attack with the Tessaiga. The sparks of lightning of Raigekijin later danced around them as they're struggling to overpower each other. 'He's stopping the lightning of my Raigekijin! However-' "Huh. No one can withstand the attack of Raigekijin for very long!" Hiten boasted about his weapon.
"Ggh…" Inuyasha grunted while struggling to hold Hiten's direct thrust. However, after a moment of struggle, Inuyasha let out a battle cry and manage to throw the eldest Thunder Brothers to the air with the right momentum; however he managed to stabilize himself immediately in mid-air.
Hiten smirk in satisfaction, glad that he at least find some opponent he can fare fairly against. "You have power but no style! I hope this will be an interesting battle!" He said as a lightning is rumbling behind him.
'And hopefully… Your last!' Inuyasha thought as he prepared to battle. The battle of the Raimei Valley has begun.
Meanwhile inside the castle of the Thunder Brothers, Tsuyu is sit in silence inside Manten's room while remembering what's happened few minutes ago.
After taking Kagome's lies, Hiten then decided to take on Inuyasha for his jewel shard. He also brings Manten and Ryouko with him. However, he insists that she must stay here while Kagome become the watcher; for if Hiten, Manten, and Ryouko managed to beat Inuyasha and his groups, they'll devour both of them this night.
'God I hope that Inuyasha-san managed to defeat him.' She hoped.
"Um… Miss?"
Tsuyu later look to the entrance and see that Souten is peeking from the door. See that she set her eyes on her, the youngest of the Thunder Yokai Tribe comically shrieked before hiding on the side.
Tsuyu who seeing Souten antics smiled. It seems compared to her brothers, she's harmless and good at heart. "It's okay. Come in, I won't hurt you." She assured.
After she said those words, Souten brave herself to entering the door. "U-Um…" She stuttered seemingly wanted to said something.
Tsuyu tilt her head in confusion. 'What she so scared about?'
"I-I-I'm sorry miss… F-f-f-f-for w-what Hiten-niichan and Manten-niichan did…" Souten uttered. "D-D-Despite like that… T-they're-"
"I know. You don't need to say it anymore. Anyway, you can call me Tsuyu." Tsuyu said, knowing that despite their vile acts, the two brothers is kind toward their youngest sister. "I still don't get your name though."
"S-S-Souten." Souten introduced herself.
"Souten-chan then." Tsuyu closed her eyes with kind smile on her lips. "Don't worry. Because… I couldn't think that someone that loved their sister despite doing evil acts are completely evil. That means both of them still human."
"B-B-But still they kidnapped you." Souten pointed.
"Actually… It was the Ghoul woman that did that." Tsuyu corrected.
"I see." Souten later clenching her hands. "I hate those things…"
"Hate what?"
"That so-called Shikon Jewel Shards." Souten said fluently, now had enough courage. "You know… Thanks to those stupid items, Hiten-niichan is so obsessed with it to the point to pointless slaughter just for the fun of it. Manten-niichan just follows because their closeness, but he also do the same. That's why… I hate those jewel shards!"
This picks Tsuyu's interest. When she saw Hiten speaking, his eyes are full of greed and thirst of battle. How a lovely brother could also had little regard for the life of others? "I-If you not mind Souten-chan… Did Hiten-san always like this before?" She asked.
Souten shook her head. "I… Don't know." She uttered. True, Souten never know why'd Hiten act like that as he always put his problem on his own.
"I see." Tsuyu nod in understanding. Then, she thought of the Ghoul that captured her. "Then… Do you know about a female yokai?"
"You mean Fueguchi-san?" Souten asked.
'So she's really Hinami-chan mother.' Tsuyu noted. "So that's her name."
"If that so… I-I'm also sorry. Fueguchi-san actually a kind person. During my brothers disappearance, she's the one that take care of me. We have so much fun together. It just-"
"Your brother harsh actions right?"
"Um." Souten nodded. "T-That's why… I'll go there. I know that my brothers are using Fueguchi-san for his own quest for these stupid shards. I… At least want to prevent her from doing another of his dirty work and to make Hiten-niichan realized, his quest for power is pointless." She said with determination unlike children of her age.