Adult-FanFiction.org : Inuyasha / Yashahime

It's my Life	By : MadMaxxCoyote Category: InuYasha > Yaoi - Male/Male > InuYasha/Sessh?maru > InuYasha/Sessh?maru Views: 44717 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 7
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story. It is owned by Rumiko Takahashi and whoever publishes it. Which is not me

Chapter List
- 1-2
- 2-3
- 3-4
- 4-5
- 5-6
- 6-7
- 7-8
- 8-9
- 9-10
- 10-11
- 11-12
- 12-13
- 13-14
- 14-15
- 15-16
- 16-17
- 17-18
- 18-19
- 19-20
- 20-21
- 21-22
- 22-23
- 23-24
- 24-25
- 25-26
- 26-27
- 27-28
- 28-29
- 29-30
- 30-31
- 31-32
- 32-33
- 33-34
- 34-35
- 35-36
- 36-The village: Part 1
- 37-The village 2
- 38-A new day
- 39-Hello.
- 33
- 34
- 35
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. Rumiko Takahashi does. Any original characters that pop up, yes those are mine, but everyone else is again owned by Rumiko Takahashi.

As much as Sesshomaru wanted to hurry, he was forced to pace himself. He had to conserve his strength…what good would he be to Inuyasha if he was tapped out before he even reached the boy?

The rabbit he had devoured had helped actually…and he had managed to snap up two birds with his tail. He swallowed, spitting the hard beak he had held in his cheek out. Now…if only he had but a few swallows of water…

There was a stream near, he could hear it clearly, but with his nose smashed as it was his sense of smell was compromised. Without it he would not know whether it was tainted or not, and with Naraku near it almost certainly was, until it was too late. Being able to taste poison didn’t help much once it was already seeping into your system.

It didn’t matter….the meat in his belly would have to be enough. The expansion of the organ pained him enough to draw grunts form him with each step…but he was Daiyoukai…and his physiology was nothing if not efficient.

He was healing…his lip arm twitching now and again.

   “Pace yourself…” Sesshomaru thought. “You will be ready soon.”

He had already passed a torn up clearly, no doubt where the explosion he had hard earlier had emanated from. But before he could decide his next path his progress was halted.

A booming, raw, guttural roar tore through the air, shaking the trees and the very ground under his feet. The world then fell silent. No doubt in fear of the beast that could house such force.

But to Sesshomaru…it had an even more profound effect.

It smashed into his chest with the force of a war hammer, and nearly drove him to his knees. Tears welled up in his eyes and his throat constricted.

He had not heard such a sound in almost three hundred years….

   “Father?” Sesshomaru whispered.

There were other Inu in the world to be sure…but that cry…Family….Sesshomaru knew it, and his soul cried out to return it. But no…too light….not nearly deep enough to be Inu-Taisho himself.

Whatever had uttered such a cry was huge yes, but not as titanic as his Father had been.

The ground started to shake, rumbling from what sounded like two giants engaged in a footrace. Sesshomaru turned his attention to the south just in time to see a giant, spider-like body, with Naraku at the center, come crashing to the ground, wiping out half an acre of woodland as he did.

The sight of his foe appearing in the distance should have spurred Sesshomaru into action….but he couldn’t move.

Yet it was not Naraku’s giant battle-form that froze his feet…it was the second giant that stalked the dark hanyou as he struggled to rise.

A massive white Inu.

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Naraku hadn’t been able to believe his good fortune when he had come across the fucking mutt again. Once again everyone was just standing around, almost as if they wanted to be attacked, and although he hadn’t been looking for the mutt actually he took it a sign of the universe acknowledging his claim.

To be honest he had been focused on fleeing to one of his backup strongholds, wanting to put as much distance between himself, Sesshomaru, and the thing below as he could.

But those screams….it was impossible not to notice them. He instantly realized just who it was…and again the rage came. How dare the mutt make such sound now!? Those wails belonged to him alone.

So he had gone to claim his prize…and yes….he had been a little overzealous at first. Which had lead to the mutt getting some distance inadvertently. But he had found the flea-ridden freak on the forest floor easily enough…and moved in to claim what was rightfully his.

That was when everything had gone so horribly wrong.

Instead of pain or the fear he should have seen in the mutt’s eyes…there was murder. His face had split…turning monstrous, elongated and bestial.

It was the same as Sesshomaru’s had started to go.

Green youki had ignited around the mutt, swirling and swirling, kicking up the wind until Naraku could barely keep his footing. Even with his feet planted and anchoring spikes willed from his flesh it still pushed him back.

Higher and higher the raging youki rose, engulfing the mutt like a true living tornado.

But even through the swirling green two fiery red orbs could be seen. Larger and larger the eyes grew, joined by an ever growing crescent of wicked spikes.

Naraku could not help but cry out in fear, everything in him screaming to run away. A bright flash that burned his eyes exploded out with an earsplitting concussive bang that threw him to the ground.

He actually had to will his eyes to heal from their charred state, but after he had….he sincerely wished he had not…for that which stood before him had him gibbering in terror…and the battle began.

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The sheer speed and ferocity of the giant Inu, which Naraku refused to think of as the mutt Inuyasha, was nothing short of terrifying. He had barely enough time to gather up his flesh to transform…but what was even more shocking was the raw physical strength the giant held.

In every full on clash Naraku found himself overmatched and tossed aside.

He twisted his body, just narrowly avoiding the giant’s wicked claws. Claws that were nothing like a normal dog’s. Not straight but curved slightly…which in turn allowed the giant to grab and snag Naraku’s flesh before shredding it.

But the worst….the utter worst was whatever was coming out of his mouth. As if crushing jaws and razor teeth weren’t bad enough. The fluid dripped down from the giant’s teeth and Naraku flinched as it hit the ground.

Whatever it was it burned like the fucking Miko’s purifying aura….but cold…so terribly cold. It wasn’t exactly the same, but just as bad. He had already found that he could not heal the flesh it touched. Instead being forced to slog off whole portions of himself. Worse still it somehow burrowed into him like a tunneling worm.

The other annoying humans were quick to join in to the battle as well. The little slut-child’s arrows continue to streak by. The monk and the slayer were around as well, though their attacks, while far more accurate the then girl, were easily ignored.

He was at the pinnacle of his strength, the shikon jewel nearly whole within him. Only the giant could pose a threat…and if he continued to lunge with those jaws Naraku was certain he could slip under and reach his throat.

Patience…the day would yet be hi--A bright light erupted behind him a second before a mountain hurled forth by gods knew what smashed into him. Naraku screamed in agony as his massive body was hurled forward, the light shredding and burning his flesh.

He landed hard, plowing up the forest as he slid, a tangle of burnt, melted flesh and spider legs.

It took more effort then he would have liked simply to right himself, and when he did, his heart took another cold shock.

Sesshomaru stood there in the clearing far behind him. Bloodied, bruised…but alive. A glowing, sparking blade pointed right at Naraku himself.

One dog Naraku was confident he could handle…but both?

There was no time to think however, as the giant let out another one of his terrible cries that froze Naraku’s very blood. The ground quaked from the force of his pounding paws as he charged. Naraku had just enough time to turn to see that giant, dripping mouth coming right at him.

   “Nooo…” He whispered.

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Sesshomaru’s vision blurred, and he swooned. His attack had taken more out of him then he would have thought. Either that or he had a great deal less energy to draw upon. The latter was probably also correct, but with Naraku’s attention diverted it had been too perfect a chance to pass up.

He had hopped it would end the dark hanyou right there and then…but alas, something appeared to be heightening his durability.

Though whatever it was didn’t appear to be helping him with…with…Inuyasha.

While his mind was filled with disbelief his heart knew it to be true. The scent of him was slightly different, but it was in fact his sibling.

How it was possible he did not know. Inuyasha’s normal form was his true form, he had nothing to unleash. But there he was…large, proud, strong….magnificent.

But there would be time to question later….Naraku was to be ended here and now.

Inuyasha crashed over Naraku after a full body slam that sent both of them to the ground. Inuyasha’s jaws snapped at the air, echoing through it like a giant clapping its hands. Naraku thrashed desperately under him, stabbing at Inuyasha’s body with his spike point legs, trying to push him away.

More appendages burst from Naraku’s back, entangling Inuyasha and forcing his muzzle close. Inuyasha jerked his head back, hauling Naraku off of the ground and smashing him into a hill.

But the dark hanyou did not relent. More sprouted from his flesh, further wrapping around Inuyasha’s head, trying to worm their way up his nose.

Sesshomaru knew his aim. He was going to try to suffocate Inuyasha. It did stand a chance of succeeding…if Naraku could overpower Inuyasha’s neck and jaws that was.

But of course…Inuyasha was not alone.

The call to unleash himself and join Inuyasha was incredibly strong. But as Sesshomaru lunged forward, leaping between the two to sever Naraku’s defenses with his newborn blade, he pushed the feeling down.

He needed to conserve his energy, and transforming, while it would not burn any energy to do, would spread his resources too thin. In his condensed form he could managed his reserves more efficiently.

Tactically he could be more of a threat as he was. Truly unleashed together the two of them could box Naraku in and tear him to shreds yes, but they could also get in one another’s way.

As it was Sesshomaru could play the role of the quick, nimble annoyance. With much of Naraku’s focus on Inuyasha it would be difficult for him to track Sesshomaru himself. Apply too much focus and his little brother’s jaws would spell his end for sure.

But then again…with his power so applied, and pulsing new blade….Sesshomaru was no mere annoyance. A face he proved as he cleaved through one of Naraku’s legs as easily as a blade of grass.

The dark hanyou was too large a target…there would be no retreat this time.

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Fuck! Fuck! Naraku was screaming in his head as he struggled with the giant Inu, doing everything he could to keep those horrid teeth from sinking into him again.

It might have been manageable alone...but…Naraku screamed in agony as Sesshomaru’s blade plunged into him from some unseen spot once again. He lashed out in rage, hoping to crush the demon Lord wherever he stood. But Sesshomaru’s speed was still to great, and he as little more then a blur that Naraku’s giant limbs could not touch.

His eyes could track the other demon somewhat, it was clear the damn dog was heavily wounded, leaving blood along the ground with each movement, but he couldn’t devote the attention he needed to catch Sesshomaru to him.

The giant was too strong, too dangerous, to take his attention off of for very long.

But that wasn’t his only problem…the humans were getting annoying as well. The god damn monk had clearly blessed the bitch slayer’s weapon. He could feel its burn, and while the fucking slut miko’s aim was still shit….he was a large target.

No sooner thought when of her blessed arrows smashed into the joint of one of his legs. The purifying energy blew it clear in two.

Naraku cried out in rage and pain as his now unbalanced body lurched to the side. The leg would heal of course, the two masses of flesh were stretching out to rejoin each other, but even in that short span the attacks forged on.

Naraku again twisted to avoid the snapping jaws of the giant, but he soon discovered it was merely a feint. Instead of aiming for his main body the giant’s mouth snapped shut over his two front legs, crushing them together and shredding them with razor teeth. He roared in pain as the giant platted his feet and tugged with his powerful neck.

Instinctively he tried to pull away, but much to his agonizing surprise the giant didn’t budge, and what was worse he could feel his limbs beginning to tear away. Fearing the loss of precious mobility such a thing would bring he tried to switch tactics, but before he could his lower underbelly exploded with searing pain.

Naraku thrashed and screamed in the giant’s drip as his flesh was carved with ease, his vital fluids cascading to the ground in a hot flood. He just knew Sesshomaru was at the center of the problem, who else would be so bold as to attack from under his weighty mass?

Naraku reared up, seeking to drop all his weight upon the demon Lord, to crush him into the rocks. But the giant held him, and with another mighty tug Naraku found himself jerked off of his feet. Another twist and he was pounded upon the ground. Then again…and again….and again, the hard rocks and splintered trees pulping and puncturing his already wounded flesh.

His legs finally snapped, more of his inner fluids spraying everywhere as he tumbled along the ground. Before he could recover the giant was on him again, chomping and tearing at his body.

From behind came Sesshomaru and his deep cutting blade. Everywhere came the slayers fortified weapon, crashing into him again and again, each blow burning with the monk’s holy blessings. Finally came the whore-child’s screaming arrows of purification.

Even enriched as he was by the nearly whole jewel…Naraku’s heart was flooded with icy fear. He couldn’t fight them all…not like this. The two Inu were just too strong a pair…and the human’s holy power a more formidable power then he wanted to admit.

Wounds were being opened faster then he could every hope to heal. At this rate…maybe…they might just be able to beat him.

   “No…” Naraku whispered as another agonizing, icy burn of a bite dug into him. “No.” He snarled firmer as Sesshomaru dove in, his sword slick with Naraku’s own lifeblood. “NO!” He screamed as he pushed out with all his might….and the world exploded with him.

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Miroku groaned as awareness came back to him. His face felt wet with something…and a casual touch revealed blood. Further exploration bore a large gash running across his scalp.

His neck screamed in pain as he twisted it to survey his surroundings. He had no idea where he was nor knew the location of his staff. Something that would come in handy as he tried to stand. The attempt was cut short by an explosion of pain in his right leg, one that dropped him back down like a rock.

He was almost afraid to look, and his fears were founded when he did. His right leg was clearly broken, the bone was bulging under the skin. Thankfully it wasn’t poking through however. A small blessing…but one he would accept.

His robes were in tatters, and more worriedly was the condition of the wards covering his cursed hand. It was holding, but clearly on its last legs. What had happened?

Miroku’s foggy brain had enough to realize that he had clearly been knocked unconscious. But when and for how long was a mystery.

The last thing he remembered was…Naraku. Yes…they had been fighting Naraku.

Well…some more then others. Miroku himself had been regulated to a support role, not that he minded so much. Helping was helping after all. With such close combat going on his Wind tunnel was too risking and while he could have tried to get in close himself….he really didn’t want to end up being trampled.

Between Naraku himself and that giant god…well he would have had to do more dodging then anything. Dodging he wasn’t quite sure he was nearly fast enough to pull off.

He didn’t have a clue who the giant was, but considering that it seemed to be teaming with Sesshomaru he was guessing it was an ally of some sort. A cousin…or something perhaps? Not that it mattered in the short term…anything that was against Naraku was fine by him.

   “Alright Miroku….think…what did you do and what happened then?” He asked himself.

He had applied some of his holy sutra’s to Sango’s weapon, and then Alir’s once the two demons had returned. Tren had taken to carrying Kagome piggyback to give her more mobility, which had allowed her better shots.

Yes…they had been winning…he had felt Naraku’s tainted aura wavering under their combined assault. Sesshomaru and the giant had toppled Naraku, his screams filling the air as they had shredded him.

Then….everything was blank.

He vaguely recollected something rushing towards him…still…had they won? If so then Sesshomaru, or this new demon, could find Inuyasha. Miroku didn’t have a clue what had happened to the hanyou…and the still couldn’t believe that the so called healer had just stood there and watched.

With monumental effort Miroku rose, resting all his weight on his good leg, and what he saw after that filled him with hope at first. But ever so slowly it was moving…and when he followed the path before him fully….despair.

Naraku was at the epicenter of the carnage. Bloody, ragged, but still standing, still healing. To the side was Sesshomaru, partially buried under rock and gore. His head was rolled back, and it didn’t take an overly observant person to see that he was unconscious. Off to the side, laying in a flattened portion of forest, was the giant.

Broken trees and spikes of Naraku stuck out of its body, blood staining the white fur.

It was then that all the pieces fit. Naraku had exploded alright…outward and over everyone. Now he was trying to reclaim the expended portions of himself. Miroku didn’t see any of the others…but he didn’t have time to search for them.

Sesshomaru was out of commission. The giant likewise down and dazed…and Naraku was going to run.

Miroku struggled to get to a higher position, fury burning at his core. It was not proper for a man of the cloth to hate…but he was afraid that Buddha was just going to have to make an exception.

Naraku had tortured Inuyasha, cursed his own family…his Father…his Grandfather…and now…

   ‘No, no…you can’t get away.” Miroku growled, his voice steel despite barely being above a whisper.

Miroku gripped one shaky hand with the other, his tattered ward at his finger tips. It wasn’t likely he could stave it off this time.

   “Pity…” He whispered. “WIND TUNNEL!!”

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Naraku’s entire body as a sea of raw agony…but….he had won. Well…technically. There was no time to try and absorb or kill the two fucking Inu. But that was fine…he had their measure now, and next time they would not be so lucky.

He wasn’t running…he was just…reassessing.

All he needed to do was reclaim his reserves, which was proving more difficult then it should have been. If only he had the whole jewel…he knew the slut-child had the last remaining shards but he just didn’t have the time to locate her. The piles of his flesh oozed ever closer…almost…almost…

Suddenly a roaring rip filled the air, nearly deafening the dark hanyou. He turned to see the fucking monk, with his own curse wide open and aimed right at him. The torrented, rushing pull of air was louder then Naraku remembered, and he dug into the earth to still himself.

   “Fool!!” Naraku bellowed. “Do you really think you can kill me with my own-”

He was cut off as he was nearly brained by a hunk of his own body…and then it hit him. He could hold himself back yes…but not that which he hoped to reclaim.

In a ghastly tidal wave the bits of himself were pulled into the dark void, and with them his only chance to heal himself.

With a maddened shriek Naraku called forth his Saimyosho, unleashing the full horde of his hell wasps. The monk faulted the instant the first wave of them dove willingly into oblivion, their poison flooding his system. Naraku smiled as a second wave was pulled in, then a third.

   “A momentary delay worm. That’s all you’ve done. You’ll die here, poisoned and alone. I’ll reclaim myself and leave this place. I still win. You get that?! I still win-”

But the monk wasn’t stopping, wasn’t dropping. If anything he was…he was…

He was moving forward.

Naraku pulled himself back as the swirling vortex continued to pull everything around him in. His wasps, his precious flesh, the earth around him…everything. From behind the purple tear Naraku saw a face of near insane determination. The monk’s flesh was darkened with poison, his leg was clearly broken and dragging behind him and yet…he was still marching forward.

His Saimyosho spent, his flesh consumed, and now the ground anchoring him pulling up Naraku screamed.

   “You impudent worm!”

Panic again flooded his system as he realized just what the monk’s aim was. Each step he took only quickened the flow of toxin through his veins. But each step also brought him closer to Naraku.

A committed suicide run.

Out of the corner of his eye however, Naraku spotted the perfect fodder for his next tactic. The monk might not care for his own life but….

Snapping out a tendril Naraku snagged the unconscious woman. The monk’s determined march faulted as Naraku held the slayer in front of him. With a wicked grin he shoved the stirring girl forward, the raging curse yanking her through the air along with everything else.

Perhaps the monk was willing to die to end Naraku…but was he willing to kill all three of them?

The girl awoke some ten feet from her doom, and Naraku gained smug satisfaction when the monk cried out in anguish and with a mighty pull managed to yank himself to the side, nearly lurching over completely as he did.

The slayer landed unsteadily on her feet, stumbling forward in an effort to slow her momentum, and began to cry the monk’s name.

Naraku would have laughed, if he had been able. The sudden stabbing pain of a blade plunging through his left lung did put a damper on the festivities.

   “Be always aware hanyou.” Sesshomaru sneered in his ear before sinking his teeth into the back of Naraku’s neck.

Naraku screamed and swung backwards with his elbow, aiming to drive the protruding spike into the dog. But it pierced nothing at all, Sesshomaru was gone, somersaulting over his head. By reflex Naraku threw up his free arm to ward off a blow. But Sesshomaru’s spiraling blade could not be stopped by mere flesh and bone.

There was a sharp pain, and before Naraku’s very eyes his arm slowly bisected, hanging in twain by ribbons of skin and muscle.

Sesshomaru was gone before he could even muster a response, darting through the trees no doubt, and all Naraku could do was grit his teeth in spite of yet another layer of mind numbing pain.

He willed his flesh to heal, but the two halves of his arm refused to knit together. Now even with his cursed hand raging out of control, and his screaming mixing with its roar Naraku could take no pleasure in the monk’s impending death. For the damage had been done…he had nothing left in which to restore himself with. He would heal yes…but it would be at a normal hanyou rate…a slow…agonizingly slow rate.

The ground rumbled behind him, and Naraku didn’t even have to look to know it was the giant barring down upon him.

He had to run. He had to get away.

   “Damn you monk!” Naraku screamed, terror filling his heart once more. “Damn you!!”

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Shippo was almost too scared to lift his head. Once all the serious fighting had begun he had hung back so as not to get in everyone’s way.

But then came that thunderous roaring that shook the very earth and sky. Even though he had no idea what it was or where it was coming from everything in side of him had screamed hide! So he had…taking shelter in an old, rotten tree of all things.

The act brought him no end to shame…but every time he tried to steel his nerves and head out, another ear splitter would have him burying his head as his body shook. The sound screamed predator…BIG predator. One that would eat little kits by the dozens.

Even if he wanted to move at that point…his body wouldn’t listen. Not that he had wanted to move during all that noise.

The whole world erupted after that…noises, explosions, rumbling earthquakes. Then there was a scream of defiant fear followed by an unbelievably loud stretching pop, like millions of Kagome’s balloons all at once.

All went quiet after that, and even though Shippo wanted to investigate, his body still wouldn’t move. He didn’t’ understand why, he had been in battle before, so what had changed?

The answer wasn’t readily apparent, and as he was pondering it another eruption of sound assaulted his ears. Only this one he knew.

Miroku’s wind tunnel.

Not long after that he heard the tell-tale buzzing of those awful bugs, those nasty wasps of Naraku’s. He knew that the roaring rush of air should have cut off after that…but it did not cease.

Fear and panic rushed through the kitsune. If Miroku sucked up those things then he would be poisoned, and if that happened…

Another flurry of noise, which he could recognize Sango and Miroku’s voices over. Though he couldn’t understand what they were saying he did recognize desperation and panic when he heard it.

Even though his young instincts were screaming at him to stay put…he couldn’t do it. It was obvious that his friends were in trouble. So he couldn’t stay hidden, he had to try and help. If for no other reason then because…that was what Inuyasha would do.

The sounds of battle were thick in the air as he took his first few tentative steps out of his hidey hole. The sound of Miroku’s wind tunnel wasn’t hard to catch, and even easier to follow.

After only a few feet though he stumbled across something familiar. His little hand closed around a tattered cloth and battered beads. Cloth and beads that were so thick with the monk’s scent that he didn’t even need his eyes to know that they were the wards that held Miroku’s curse at bay.

His little heart jumped into his throat and he quickened his pace. Without these Miroku couldn’t close the wind tunnel….and if he couldn’t close it…it would kill him.

That must have been what all the yelling had been about. Miroku must have dropped them or something somehow and now Sango was out looking. But Shippo had found them, and Sango was nowhere in sight.

So…off he went, rushing through the trees and bushes, and giving off one of the worst displays of balance that could ever be seen.

Before long he burst into a clearing, a smashed and torn clearly…and there was Miroku. The monk’s clothing was shredded and bloody, his flesh darkened with taint. He was on his knees, struggling with his cursed hand…which was sucking up everything under it. It hadn’t overwhelmed him yet thank goodness, but it was sinking him into an ever deepening pit.

   “Miroku!” Shippo cried out.

Miroku turned his head, his eyes bleary and unfocused, eyes that widened in horror when they took in the sight of the kit.

   ‘Shippo!” He screamed. “GET AWAY!”

With perhaps the last of his strength Miroku heaved his arm up, pointing his cursed hand to the sky. Shippo could see the dark void widening, approaching the first joint of Miroku’s fingers.

Honestly getting away sounded like a damn good idea to his young youkai…but Shippo knew he couldn’t do that. If the void didn’t get sealed back up then it would devour Miroku, killing him like all those other demons.

The child could still hear his adoptive Father’s screams echoing in his mind, along with the death rattle that had fill his throat after Shippo had fearfully listened to his heart slow…then stop.

Inuyasha had died right there on the ground and he hadn’t been able to do a god damn think about it.

Now Miroku was in trouble, and there was no one else around to help. If he didn’t do something now then Miroku would DIE.

And in the words of his adoptive Father….Fuck that.

   “I can do this, I can do this, I can do this.” Shippo chanted, trying to steel himself. “I can do this, I can do this, I CAN DO THIS!” He shouted as he surged forward, as fast as his little legs could take him.

   “Shippo!” Miroku screamed in terror. “What are you doing!?”

   “Saving you!”

With Miroku’s blessed cloth ward held firmly in front of him, and the beads that held it wrapped around his wrist he leapt into the air. The vortex caught him easily, and bravado aside…Shippo couldn’t help but scream as it pulled him in. Not quite as loud as his primal side was screaming in his mind, still too young for wards, but it wasn’t exactly the war shout he would have chosen.

His entire system was flooded with panic, threatening to overwhelm his conscious mind. He was seriously not prepared for this.

Miroku’s horrified eyes locked with his own mere feet from oblivion, and with his human veins thick with toxin the monk didn’t have the strength tot pull his arm away as he was obviously trying.

A split second before he made contact with the void Shippo’s mind finally began to ponder whether or not his childish idea would even work…and if it didn’t’ would he have time to kick himself properly?

The point was moot as his body impacted with the vortex hard enough that he was sure his sternum had cracked. But the holy wards actually worked as he hoped, blocking his entrance into death’s embrace.

But it didn’t cover it completely, and his orange cropped hair paid for it as a large clump was unceremoniously torn from his head and pulled in.

   “Damn it Shippo!” Miroku croaked. “Are you crazy?!”

   “I’m saving you! So shut up!” The kit proclaimed before gasping in pain as a hunk of skin from his leg found itself taken as well.

It hurt much worse then his hair, much worse then any knuckle to the head from Inuyasha ever had. He swooned from it, nearly losing consciousness, but with steel he didn’t know he had managed to pull himself back.

He couldn’t pass out now…who would save Miroku? Hell…who would save him?

Twisting, he vaulted up onto Miroku’s forearm, and pulled with all his tiny might to get the ward to cover completely. It wasn’t that it was hard to get it near the void no, but keeping it from being sucked in itself…not so easy. Even with all his effort Shippo probably would not have succeeded had Miroku not joined in.

With all the world seemingly rushing in to fill the void in Miroku’s hand, and its deafening roar pummeling his ears, Miroku managed to snag the beads from Shippo’s wrist. With practiced precision, albeit dulled considerably, the monk wound and tied the beads, securing the ward in its place.

The might roar quieted…but did not totally cease. For through the torn cloth the curse continued to slip through the cracks. But Shippo didn’t have time to gauge whatever risks that posed in the short term as Miroku started to lurch forward. Before he could even move Miroku had collapsed on top of him, thoroughly squishing him.

Not that Shippo hadn’t been flattened before, but he wasn’t expecting to have all the air driven out of his body at that particular moment. Gasping and squirming he managed to pull himself out from under the heavy human, and as he panted for breath he turned his body to see just what had happened.

His heart instantly skipped a beat or two as he gazed upon Miroku’s face. The monk’s flesh was darkened ever further, spider web lines of black littering his skin. His eyes were rolled back, foul fluid leaked from his partially opened mouth. His curse flared and struggled under the wards, either having grown too large, or the wards were simply too damaged to fully contain it now.

For all the action and determination Shippo had undertaken thus far…at the sight of the poisoned human dying on the ground he instantly snapped back to the frightened, helpless child he really was.

   “H-Help…” He managed to eek out. “Help!” He forced out firmer. “Someone! Anyone?! Kagome!?”

She was the only one who had Geniji’s herbs…which as far as Shippo knew was the only thing that could help. But she wasn’t here…no one was.

   “Somebody…” Shippo sobbed as he took Miroku’s uncorrupted hand in between his tiny hands. “…anybody…help”

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Naraku’s entire body burned with venom and wounds as he lurched to the side, limping like a broken cripple. He was just trying to make so distance, but it was futile. The giant stalked forward undeterred by everything Naraku had thrown at him, his head low, teeth barred and ready for Naraku’s flesh.

Sesshomaru was still lurking…where Naraku knew not. But he knew that the dog was there, just waiting for an open opportunity. Cursing, Naraku pressed his back to the cliffs behind him, cutting off any retreat but also forcing a head on confrontation. He was too injured to flee…so at the least he could keep from behind pincered.

Damn that monk! Damn him! Naraku could only hope his poison took its sweet time in ravaging the worm’s body before the void took him.

But the monk’s gambit didn’t matter…he would not lose here, would not lose now. Not when he was so close to having a completed jewel.

So if he couldn’t outrun the two Inu, and couldn’t heal, the pieces of his bisected arm dangling painfully proved that…then what could he do?

   “It doesn’t matter.” Came Naraku’s shaky self affirmation. “I am in control here. Two mutts can not possibly equal nor top me.”

The ground trembled as the giant rushed in, his awful jaws wet with anticipation. But as difficult as it was Naraku knew he had to divert his attention elsewhere.

For this was when Sesshomaru would attack, counting on the giant’s terrible presence to mask his own.

Naraku’s finely tuned sense of self-preservation screamed at him as he took his eyes off the charging Inu. But it paid off as his eyes caught movement below and to the right. Sesshomaru was darting in low, clearly headed for Naraku’s own underbelly…but his movements were nothing like before. The demon Lord was visibly weakened…his speed nothing like the blinding blur it had been.

With a desperate cry Naraku swung his body around and planted on of his spider legs directly on top of Sesshomaru the feel of the demon Lord’s pulpy flesh and groaning bones under his heel, figuratively speaking, was delightful…shame he had so little time to savor it.

Rushing backwards in spite of the agony running through his body Naraku managed to avoid the snapping jaws in what little room he had. His back legs met rock, and the tiny barbs upon them found purchase.

The giant’s next lunge had him skittering up the jagged cliff wall, just barely keeping him from losing one of his battered limbs. With a feeble push from his weakening legs Naraku managed to avoid another attack, and more falling then leaping, landed upon the giant Inu’s back.

It wasn’t exactly where he wanted to be but…it would do. The giant bucked as Naraku coiled his legs around its massive throat, but the dark spider-hanyou held firm. He had enough to will jagged spines to emerge from within himself. One good pull and the giant’s blood would coat the earth in a hot crimson cascade. It would be delicious…so delicious that he just had to savor the anticipation for just a moment.

But that moment was more then he could afford.

Coming in fast was the slayer and her neko, her blade sharp and poised for his flesh. The dog under him shook, jarring Naraku loose. The spider snarled and held fast once more, determined to have the giant’s throat.

With a swipe of one of his remaining, yet still badly damaged, tendrils he swatted the neko from the sky.

It was a satisfying enough thud that it was almost worth the tendril snapping like an overstretched band.

But the slayer refused to simply accept her place, which was to lay down and die like a good girl, and had leapt off of the neko’s back at the last second. Naraku opened his mouth to remind her that he held her brother’s life in his hand, but she had already let her weapon fly.

There was no time to move, or even defend himself with his remaining arm. The demon bone boomerang smashed into him face to crotch, and he could feel the bones in both his chest and face staving in. blood poured from his face as his torso rocked backwards, and with it the rest of his body.

With his grip loosened, and a twisting roll of its own body…the giant was free. As for Naraku, he found himself dazed, broken and crushed from the massive weight of the giant rolling overtop of him like a crumpled napkin.

His spider half was pulped, legs broken and tangled, and he struggled to focus as the damnable sun flood his face. The earth was hard and unforgiving under his back, cutting into him. All of it only served to fuel his dazed indignation…

Didn’t anything understand that he was the superior?

A shadow appeared inside of the accursed sun, one that grew larger and larger with each passing second, until Naraku realized that it was coming right towards him.

Sesshomaru’s face was a mask of rage and determination, and his blade was angled right towards Naraku’s own. Panic fueling what was left of his muscles Naraku managed to half twist away, the wicked blade nicking his skin as it buried itself into the earth.

Desperate with the need to survive, no longer to dominate, Naraku lashed out. His balled fist completely missed Sesshomaru’s face, but managed to connect with the demon’s retracting wrist, knocking his grip form the hungry steel.

Naraku’s rush of triumph quickly melted back into fear as Sesshomaru pressed forward, pinning Naraku’s torn shoulders under his knees as he drew back with both arms, hooking his thumbs out.

The last thing Naraku saw was the wicked tips of Sesshomaru’s claws surging forward before his eyes ruptured like rotten grapes.

He screamed in agony as Sesshomaru’s thumbs pierced deeper into his skull. The daiyoukai’s poison flooded into Naraku’s sinuses as the rest of his fingers dug into the dark hanyou’s nose. It burned through the roof of his mouth and splashed over his unprotected tongue. Naraku thrashed and wailed, now a desperate gurgling rasp, and the sheer mass of his broken body prove enough to throw the demon off.

He tried to rise, sputtering and gagging on the fluids of his own dissolving face. But the damage had been done. His legs were broken beyond repair…completely useless. The size and girth of his battle form now nothing more then a proverbial ball and chain…immobilizing him and dragging him down.

He was helpless, weak and blinded…and still it did not stop.

The ground again shook from the weight of the giant, and Naraku could hear youki crackling through the air.

Then….agony beyond imagination.

Attacks from all sides.

The horrible sharpness of Sesshomaru’s blade.

The incessant hacking and jabbing from slayer.

Worst still…the plunging and tearing form the chomping jaws of the seemingly tireless giant.

His entire body seemed saturated with that horrid, horrid venom, and he could feel it breaking down into the same ashen sludge as before.

His torso snapped away from his battle form, but the pain did not stop as he fell, darkness all around him.

   “This isn’t happening-in control-pleasestopohGODSICAN’TSEEE!!!” Naraku shrieked with the last of his breath.

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Sesshomaru was exhausted at this point, and he honestly wouldn’t been surprised if he vomited from overexertion at any moment. His entire body ached from Naraku stomping on him, to say nothing of the shot to his pride over being slow enough to be caught by it in the first place, but he couldn’t stop now.

Yes victory seemed to be theirs. The only thing that was left of Naraku’s body was a disgusting mound of soupy ash like crystals. If one could even call it that, for there was none of the heat one expect to see generated from hot ashen coals.

The still dissolving remains looked more crystalline then anything, but Sesshomaru was not nearly foolish enough to touch it to find out just what it was becoming.

Whatever had caused it had come from Inuyasha, much like his own poison, and as he had mainly attacked with Bakusaiga he knew he could not take credit for Naraku’s congealing remains.

However…as Naraku’s body had collapsed upon him Sesshomaru had seen the central half of the dark hanyou fall away…and judging by the trail of blood and disintegrating flesh that he was currently following…whatever was left was trying to flee.

That was something Sesshomaru was not going to allow.

One way or another…it was all going to end now.

Away from the battlefield and into the tall grass Sesshomaru followed scent of bile and trail of death. For all he knew Naraku was dying, it seemed hard to believe that anything could ever truly recover from what had been done. But then again…that had already proven to be Naraku’s second main talent after fleeing. Not to mention one did not become a successful Lord by writing off without evidence and assuming the rest.

Sesshomaru was hardly willing to go through all of this, mark the vile hanyou down as dead, only to have him pop up again sometime in the future. So he pressed on, even though all he wanted to do was drop, through the pressed down, gore covered grass. Something was dragging itself along at an almost impressive speed given then circumstances alright.

   “You always have been good at running away haven’t you coward?” Sesshomaru grumbled. .

Though running was merely a relative term further exposed once he finally came across his ruined prey.

There was barely anything left of the wretch, who gurgled in pain as his attempt to pull himself forward once more only served to stretch and snap the partially held on appendage off.

A misshapen head and a bit of chest…that was all that remained.

   “Well…now isn’t this amusing.” Sesshomaru mused darkly.

The steaming head half gurgled, a close enough sound that Sesshomaru took as a sign of recognition. The severed arm near Naraku went liquid, and seemingly with a mind of its own crawled back into the lump upon the ground.

The vile hanyou’s throat twitched, but Sesshomaru was in no mood for more games.

   “Make your peace with whatever pleases you slime.” Sesshomaru growled as he poised his blade. “For daring to touch my sibling, for harming that which is inarguably mine…your end is here.”

   “W-Wait….” Naraku gasped, spitting out what looked like part of a tongue. “Mercy….I’ll…I’ll serve you….Th-Think of it…Ses-Sesshomaru….I swear it….I swear….Please….mercy milord….”

Sesshomaru was more amused then offended by the plea. Not that he would consider it for even a moment of course. But it amused him to see Naraku’s true character emerge here at the end.

He said nothing as the earth shook under the two giant paws that thumped down on either side of him. The sun went dark as Inuyasha’s shadow loomed large.

He saw Inuyasha’s jaw and throat working, and understood exactly what he was preparing to do. So out of spite, and to give his answer, Sesshomaru planted a swift, jabbing kick to what was left of Naraku’s face. Naraku let out a pitiful squeal of pain as Sesshomaru hopped out of the way, Inuyasha’s teeth grinding slightly as he did.

   “Of course, little brother….the right is yours.” Sesshomaru purred.

Naraku’s pleas started up again, but they were literally drown out as Inuyasha exhaled forcefully, spitting out a mini-flood of thick, bluish fluid.

Sesshomaru watched in amusement as the slowly withering figure under the gunk grew smaller and smaller. He enjoyed the muffled, wet groans filling his ears. It wasn’t proper of course…but the hell with it.

What puzzled him was that once again there was no vapor, no steam, from Inuyasha’s toxin. As he watched the limp, clumsily flailing grow weaker and weaker he pondered just what was happening.

No residue really…and despite the appearance Naraku was not truly melting. More puzzling was the fact that there was no heat…only something of the opposite.

Curious.

Sesshomaru watched as Naraku’s head and chest caved in with a wet, sighing gurgle. Then…no more moment…and in only a few more moments there was nothing left but wet, crystalline ash.

Naraku was no more.

To be continued.
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