AfterShock

The room spun as Byakuya felt a foot connect with his chest, knocking the air from his lungs. Sliding as he hit the floor, he heard the report of a gun. Cursing he scrambled to his feet just in time to see a fountain of blood exit Kimimaro's chest. Rushing to the man's side, Byakuya looked down to see a matching whole in Inutaicho's chest rate where his heart should be. "Damn it Shikamaru get the lock open." He shouted as he grabbed the fading Kimimaro by the face. Hazy green eyes met his, "You have to stay conscious. If you pass out now, there will be no saving Inutaicho." Dawning light entered Kimimaro's eyes. Reassured by the determination in the pale-haired man's green orbs, Byakuya nodded, "That's right. Fight to keep him alive." ***** Miroku stood beside Inuyasha gasping while his mate snarled at the bastard in front of them. They had landed so many lethal hits on the man, but he only laughed it off. "How many times must I say that I am immortal before you two just give up and die?" "Shut up." Inuyasha barked in irritation. Miroku had watched Hidan closely, trying to find an weakness, hoping to spot some kind of vulnerability. He saw nothing. "Inuyasha, can you buy me five minutes?" Inuyasha's amber eyes snapped to him, "No." Miroku was not surprised by the hanyo's reaction. What he was about to do was dangerous, life threatening. "It is the only way." Miroku pleaded as he watched the crazy immortal bastard. Miroku didn't have to look to see Inuyasha grinding his teeth in irritation, he could hear the enamel turning to powder. "You better come out of this alive." Inuyasha conceded then launched at Hidan. "No promises." Miroku whispered. Raising his hands before him, clasping them together as he concentrated on the spell his caregiver had taught him. The monk passed away years ago, but Miroku would never forget everything he learned growing up in that temple. Inuyasha swung Tessaiga at Hidan, only to be blocked by the massive staff the man wielded. The smug smile on the pale man's face pissed him off, but he forced it down. Miroku needed him level-headed. Breaking away, Inuyasha swept Tessaiga at Hidan's feet as he spared a quick look around. Hidan jumped up and swung his weapon. Rolling away, Inuyasha took a hit to his arm, barely a scratch, but it still drew a hiss from him. Inuyasha knew he had to force the man away from the building, away from his people. So, with purpose, he maneuvered, shifted, and drew Hidan away. "Oh look puppy," Hidan taunted with a snicker, "Now you're surrounded by enemies." Hidan couldn't believe the stupidity of this demon. To fight without thought to the surroundings. The sheer ignorance was breathtaking. Miroku drew his spiritual energy up from where it lay dormant, he channeled it into his right hand and stretched his arm straight out before him, palm pointed at Hidan. He could feel the power coiling, circling over the surface of his palm. Muttering the last words of the spell, he shouted for Inuyasha to take cover. Hidan was about to rush Inuyasha when the human barked an order at his demon adversary. Inuyasha launched high into the air, arching backwards in a sharp curve to land behind the human. The man stood there hand outstretched. Hidan's brows drew together in confusion just as the human shouted "Wind Tunnel!" A void appeared in the palm of his hand as savage wind pulled at everything in its path. Hidan leaned back trying to escape the sheer velocity of the winds, but it was useless. His feet lost traction, sending him careening towards Miroku. Hidan screamed in pain as his body began to compact, caving in on itself, becoming smaller and smaller. Miroku waited until Hidan disappeared into the eternal void in his hand. As the screaming ceased, Miroku quickly sealed the void and began undoing the spell. This was the dangerous part. If he messed up, the void would expand until he disappeared with a massive chunk of his surroundings. Inuyasha's arms came around his waist causing Miroku to double his efforts from the physical reminder of the stakes if he failed. Inuyasha could feel Miroku struggle to contain the power of the wind tunnel. The spell was way too dangerous and when Inuyasha had heard of the consequences he had forbade Miroku from using it. The story Miroku told haunted him to this day. The story of when Miroku's father lost his life using that spell. Squeezing Miroku tighter, Inuyasha prayed. Too much time had passed, though it was likely mere seconds, before Inuyasha could hear the winds receding. When Miroku sagged against him, Inuyasha sighed in relief. Looking around he could see his people subduing the last of the attackers. A quick glance told him that some may be severely wounded but they were still alive. The only ones missing were Jin and Mugen, but he could feel their life energies on the roof of the building. ***** Hakkai and Kurama stood side by side while facing off with the humongous dragon demon, Ryukotsusei. They were both fighting at their absolute strongest and the bastard demon was laughing at them. Hakkai sent a Qigong blast at Ryukotsusei as Kurama grew another enormous plant to ensnare the giant dragon demon. Kurama was barely keeping his irritation at bay as the demon shook off every attack upon his body. He couldn't see anyway of getting through the demon's scaled armor. Hitting the ground hard, Kurama gasped as Hakkai jumped over him erecting a shield just as they were bathed in Ryukotsusei's blustering breath. They were about to launch another attack as a dark figure appeared before them. They stared at the demon surrounded by a shifting shadow of darkness. Bright red eyes shined at them with humor as the demon turned to the dragon. "It is my mistress's order that I eliminate the enemy. Please be kind and step back a bit." Kurama recognized the voice of the butler that had arrived with Inutaicho's wife. "This will be a bit messy." He had met Sebastian before, but he never knew the slight man was a demon from hell, nor a demon with this much power. Hakkai watched with wide eyes as this demon launched at Ryukotsusei. He was fast and powerful, his movements efficient as he overwhelmed the dragon demon. They quickly joined Sebastian as he struck Ryukotsusei sending his massive body to the ground. Strong vines surrounded the fallen demon as he screamed obscenities at them. All noise silenced as Sebastian tore the demons masked face from the head of the dragon. Within moments Ryukotsusei was engulfed in flames, turning his once indestructible body into ash. Sebastian landed beside them, his breath rushing from his body. "I thank you for your assistance. He was a bit more powerful than I had realized." Sebastian said with a slight bow. Kurama shook his head as Hakkai smiled, "It was our pleasure. Shall we finish mopping up the grounds of the remaining vermin?" A smile crossed the faces of the demons standing together, "Yes." ***** Itachi hissed as he watched the Kuchiki clan leader begin treating the damned assassin. Turning back to Sesshomaru he prayed he would make the narrow passage soon. These demon's and their allies needed to die now! He jumped backwards again narrowly escaping Sesshomaru's jaws. Just as his toes touched ground he slammed into something hard. Surely he wasn't that close yet. Then, he felt a strange pressure in his chest. Looking at Sesshomaru he was surprised to see the beast standing before him, his canine eyes boring into him. Looking down, Itachi saw a long silver blade protruding from his chest. Reaching up he touched the cold metal, then turned his head to look behind him. Familiar black eyes meet his. Itachi gasped as the blade was drawn from his chest. His legs gave out but he was caught in strong arms. "Sasuke." Sasuke lowered his brother down until Itachi lay in his lap. Itachi's eyes stayed on his as surprise faded to acceptance. "You finally got your vengeance." Itachi gasped wetly as blood dripped from his mouth. "No." Sasuke said as he brushed his brother's hair from his face. "I've freed you from madness." Itachi tried to say something but he could no longer breath from the blood filling his lungs. Itachi reached up and tapped Sasuke's forehead, an action of love from so far in the darkness of his past. Sasuke whispered, "I love you too." Sesshomaru had been swimming in his rage, enjoying the power rushing through his body as he chased down his enemy. Sasuke's sudden appearance changed that. Everything was swept aside as the young man raised his sword on his unsuspecting brother. The sight before him broke his rage; swept away the red waters of his anger. He could see the pain his Sasuke's eyes as the blade slid into his brother's chest, the heartbreak as he caught his brother and held him close. Feeling his demon form receding, Sesshomaru watched Itachi's arm fall to the floor. Sadness clutched his heart as Sasuke lowered himself over his brother while Itachi's life force left his body. He could hear the silent tears falling and hitting the lifeless body in Sasuke's arms. Closing his eyes, Sesshomaru sent a silent prayer up to the gods to help his friend through this pain. Opening his eyes he turned to see medics rushing into the building as Byakuya barked orders. Within moments he was at his mate's side, holding Sephiroth close as the man's blood slowly seeped through his cloths. "May I touch him?" Sesshomaru looked up at Tsunade with surprised eyes. He hadn't realized she was here. Hearing a deep rumble, Sesshomaru was shocked to know it was emanating from his own chest. Challenging anyone who would dare touch his mate. "Please Sesshomaru, he needs assistance." Looking down at Sephiroth, Sesshomaru nodded and let go. Tsunade gave him a gentle smile as she pulled his mate off his lap. Within mere moments the woman had the wounded loaded and on their way to the hospital. Byakuya stood at his side as the ambulances raced off, "We need to check on everyone." Sesshomaru nodded and turned to follow Byakuya but the sight of Sasuke watching the men cover his brother stalled him. Turning he went to Sasuke. Sasuke felt a presence at his side and turned. Sesshomaru was there his understanding eyes met his as Sesshomaru bowed his head slightly. Sasuke turned back to where his brother lay. At the club he had heard Sesshomaru and Shikamaru say they were going after Itachi. He wanted desperately to follow them but he knew an army was about to descend upon the club where Sakura and Gin would be. He was torn. It was Sakura who had made his decision. She told him to go with a smile on her face. There was no anger or accusation in her beautiful eyes. Gin then wrapped an arm around his shoulders and told Sasuke he would protect Sakura, to which she scoffed. They had embraced just before Sakura shoved him out the door. While watching the fight, he waited for an opening in Itachi's defense. It hadn't taken much, barely any emotion as he jumped behind his brother, sword raised. His mind was numb as the blade slid into Itachi. But when the blood had seeped down the blade to his hand, he realized what he had done. He thought he would feel nothing for his brother when he took his life, but years of visualizing this moment did not prepare him for the love he still felt for Itachi. The sight of that loved one fading away. Turning to Sesshomaru he nodded, then walked towards their companions. There would be time later to mourn. Now he needed to check on the living to be sure they were well. ***** Jin stood before Kariya on the roof, sword drawn and held before him. Mugen burst through the door behind him, but Jin didn't spare him a look. The man had entered the building in pursuit of the enemies who had slipped past them. Kariya smiled while he tried to catch his breath, "You really are his student. Mariya would be proud." "You do not get to speak his name after your betrayal." Jin said calmly as he leapt forward. Their swords clashed, the noise bouncing off the surrounding buildings. Mugen had finished off the two assassins that had entered the building. As he was about to return to the roof, he overheard one of their men in the club announce that Itachi had been killed and his armies defeated. The shouts of victory rang in his ears as he ran up the staircase to help Jin, but upon seeing the two, he knew this was a battle to settle the past. Their movements were fluid, graceful, and deadly. Mugen could tell they were evenly matched, but he had faith Jin would emerge victorious. His faith faltered though when he saw the giant opening Jin had left during his attack. Jumping forward, Mugen tried to get to Jin before Kariya took advantage of it, but he was too late. Both men stood gasping for breath. Kariya let out a pained laugh, "You really are good." Kariya stepped back allowing the wakizashi to slid from his body. Jin turned to face him while pushing Kariya's sword away with his katana. Jin watched Kariya drop to his knees, then to his side as his last breath left his lungs. He had waited for this day for years, but now that it was here he felt nothing. This man had harmed his sensei, the man Jin looked up to with admiration. Mugen saw the detached way Jin stared at Kariya, it was the look of a lost man. He walked up to Jin and placed his hand on the man's shoulder. Jin's dark eyes met his. "It's over." Shadowed eyes blinked slowly as confusion set in. Mugen just gave his lover a smirk, "We won." Slowly life filled Jin's eyes, "Inuyasha..." "They are all alive. Some worse off than others, but we are all here." Jin dropped his swords and wrapped his arms around Mugen. Sliding his arms around Jin, Mugen thanked the gods for bringing them through this ordeal. Then his whole world turned sideways as Jin jerked from his embrace and dragged him from the roof. "What the..." Jin slammed him against the wall of the stairwell and covered his mouth in a savage kiss. Mugen gasped in surprise allowing Jin to force his tongue into Mugen's mouth. After a thorough plundering, Jin released his mouth. "...hell." Mugen whispered. "Let's get down to the club." "I'm good with waiting a bit longer." Mugen said with a smirk. Jin just grabbed his wrist and dragged him down the stairwell. ***** Shunsui sat on a pile of debris looking over the battlefield. The parking-lot, surrounding grounds, and streets were covered in bodies. Standing a few feet from his left Grimmjow looked content as the moonlight shined upon his bright blue hair. He looked reminiscent of a giant cat with a full belly. Smiling, he leaned on his sword drawing the blue-eyed man's gaze. "You look content." Shunsui said with a smile. Grimmjow just hummed as Zabuza and Haku joined him. With a nod the three turned away. Shunsui knew they were heading back to relay the victory to Stark, so he let them go without another word. Just as they were at the outskirts of the parking-lot Grimmjow turned back, "See ya around old man." Shunsui laughed as the three of them disappeared. Dropping his head to the hilt of his sword, Shunsui felt relief he had judged the Akatsuki members correctly. Stark and his men would make a fine allies. ***** Sesshomaru entered the waiting-room at the hospital, Byakuya hot on his heels. Immediately his friend was enveloped in arms as Yazoo began sobbing. Sesshomaru looked around and saw his mother standing off to his right. Turning, he took a step in her direction, but froze as tears formed in her eyes. Moments later his arms were filled with his sobbing mother. Shocked to his very core, Sesshomaru could only rub his mother's back as she told him what they knew. They had won the battle with Itachi, but they had suffered in the process. Only a few Yokai had lost their lives, but so many more were wounded. His father, Kimimaro, and Sephiroth were in surgery now. She didn't know what their conditions were as of yet, but he knew it was not good. A demon could sustain a massive life threatening injury and still heal without medical aid. The fact that his father needed surgery was a glaring reminder that though they were strong, they were not invincible. Turning he looked through the glass door, hoping the three of them would pull through; praying that Sephiroth would survive.