Past Pain, Future Vengance

Hey everyone, I hope I didn’t take to long to update this time. I was going to update as soon as I put the previous chapter out but then I completely forgot…. Thank you to all who reviewed! Anyway here it is!

Chapter 13


Anger

“Hiraikotsu!”

Cursing under his breath Naraku dodged the heavy weapon, sending three tentacles after the demon slayer in return.


Miroku watched as the disgusting appendages headed toward Sango, who was reaching into the air to catch her boomerang. Running to her side he pulled her out of the way just in time for the tentacles to sink into the ground. Turning quickly to the dark hanyou the monk let free a group of sutras, almost smiling as they made contact with part of Naraku’s grotesque body.


Naraku hissed as he glared at the sizzling piece of flesh, releasing it from his body. Forming another thick tentacle he swept it through the air knocking the houshi to the ground and wrapping around his waist, keeping him pinned. He smirked in satisfaction as the human struggled free himself. A roar caught his attention as the fire neko lunged directly at him, he scoffed as she hit the barrier over and over again, unable to reach him.


Sango ran to Miroku, drawing her sword as she went. Standing beside him she drove the blade deeply into the almost branch-like appendage, pulling her companion free.


Taking the woman’s hand Miroku quickly unwrapped the beads from his wrist preparing to release the Wind Tunnel. However he was forced to return them quickly when the saimyosho came hovering from behind Naraku. ‘Damn it.’


Anxiously watching from the outskirts of the main fight, Kagome guarded Shippo whenever an attack was thrown her way, notching an arrow she fired at the hostile half demon looming over her friends. She nearly screamed in frustration as the attack was deflected by the strong barrier that surrounded the evil being.


A loud crash was to the side of them, the battle ceased momentarily as combatants looked to the large doors of the main house. Coming right out of the wall, the doors fell to the ground with a thud. All eyes focused on the figure in the doorway.


Moving from the shadows the youkai lord truly looked the part of a romantic nightmare. Smeared with blood, Sesshomaru stepped into the sunlight, his normal cold golden eyes a furious red, markings slightly jagged. His pure white undershirt flecked with crimson spots, the heavier silk haori draped around Inuyasha, who was held protectively to the Taiyoukai’s chest.


Gasping the young miko started to rush to the unconscious half demon. “Inuyasha!”
Seeming to completely forget about the fight that had been going on just moments before. When she was about ten feet away she froze, a low threatening growl coming from the Taiyoukai. She gulped and started to back away very slowly, as she stared into blood red eyes.


The silence was broken by an unsettling chuckle. “How sweet, I had no idea that you cared so much for your brother, Lord Sesshomaru.” Naraku smiled as he looked at the two inus’. “Unfortunately I cannot let you leave here with him.” Taking a step forward he reached out a hand toward the ’sleeping’ hanyou, ignoring the warning growls that were getting louder and growing in their ferocity. Suddenly he yanked his hand back as a white hot pain shot through his hand and up his arm. Pulling his hand back to him Naraku stared down at it, four long gashes marred the skin that covered the back of the appendage, they were deep enough that you could see streaks of stark white bone. He grimaced as he noted the bright green poison heavily lining the edges, gradually eating away at the flesh.


With a growl of his own he struck back aiming at the demons face, disappointed when his claws only meet air. He watched as Sesshomaru jumped back a decent distance and looked down at his little brother.


Concern flashed through the inu youkai’s eyes as he looked over his brother, checking for any newer wounds. The on-lookers watched, slightly surprised when Sesshomaru gently lowered Inuyasha to the wooden floorboards of the porch before straightening look Naraku dead in the eye. He snarled as he glared a the loathsome creature before him, bearing his teeth, his mouth open slightly so his tongue could flick over sharp canines in an uncharacteristic feral gesture.


It was a standstill, both enemies waiting for the other to make the first move, to make a mistake. Sesshomaru still growling as he stood between Naraku and Inuyasha.


Suddenly everything went deathly silent. Sesshomaru had stopped growling and stood completely still, his eyes regaining their golden color and his markings retaking their graceful shape. No one made a sound, even the wild life seemed to have ceased their calls.


A flash of white was all Naraku’s mind could register before there was a burning pain in his stomach. He stared, wide eyed, at the limb now protruding from his body. He had no time to react as a hand wrapped around his throat in a vice grip, slamming him to the hard ground of the courtyard, the inu now on top of him, bracing his whole weight solely on the hand around his neck. The hand slowly tightening.


Sesshomaru had never felt this way before, about anything. He was just so angry. Angry at Naraku for defiling his brother. Angry at the group of humans for failing to stop him. Angry at the confusing emotions that were, as of late, disturbingly close to surface for the first time in centuries. But mostly he was angry at himself for not being able to protect his brother this time, and because of that, because of his stubborn pride, Inuyasha was hurt. The very thing that he had tried so hard to keep safe when he was young was ripped away in the end…and it was because of him.


Searching his face, Naraku saw the brief pause. He smirked, the lord had made a mistake. Swinging his closed fist Naraku’s smirk turned into an all out grin as he felt his knuckles connect with the dog jaw. Shoving with all he strength the hanyou slipped out of the clawed hold and stood at a distance. “That wasn’t very nice you know.” Naraku said, he voice a bit raspy and strained. “Your only making it worse for yourselves.”


Recovering quickly, Sesshomaru growled for the thousandth time that day as he saw the thick miasma gathering around his mortal enemy. ’Not this time.’ He thought. Summoning his youki he began to rise from the ground himself, determined not to let Naraku get away.


A soft groan came from somewhere behind him, Sesshomaru gritted his teeth, uncertain which way to go. When the groan turned into quiet whimpers Sesshomaru snarled in Naraku’s direction before gracefully dropping to the ground and approaching Inuyasha. Frowning he noticed the fresh sweat on the tan brow. Nightmares. Kneeling next to his brother Sesshomaru gathered him into his arms and turned to the group of humans who were unsure what to do.


“We need to get him to a healer.” Was all he said as he walked into the surrounding forest, the concerned group of friends silently following close behind.


@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@


Fighting the urge to roll his eyes at the alarmed whispers, Sesshomaru walked through the small village. It was strange, this place, it seem vaguely familiar. He didn’t know why. After scanning the area the Taiyoukai stepped to the human who appeared to be the headman. “Where is your healer human?” Sesshomaru had to stop himself from strangling the elderly man in front of him when he did nothing but gawk, trying to take in the gory picture that Sesshomaru knew that he no doubt made. “Now.”


Seeming to snap out of his thoughts the man quickly led the way to a small hut near the center of the village. “In here.” He said, pulling the bamboo flap aside, motioning for them to enter.


With a curt nod Sesshomaru dismissed the headman, moving into the cramped hut. Such a familiar scent, but he still couldn’t place it. Inuyasha’s injuries were not ones that he could heal, briefly he had considered taking him to the western castle, but brushed the thought away. That would cause to much trouble right now, he had to sort things out first.


Spotting a mat in the corner he layed the limp form of his brother down on it, taking a seat where he was. He looked the boy over. ‘I’m so sorry.’


“Sesshomaru?”


Sesshomaru turned at the sound of the startled voice, but he couldn’t help but be a little startled himself as he stared at the girl in the doorway. “Shongi?”


TBC

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Ha! I got another one up! See, it didn’t take tooooooo ridiculously long right? Right? Anyway, Please review and tell me what you think!

See ya!