Coyote Tricks: Fox Child

I decided to go ahead and put up this chapter without Betaing. Foxfur has been busy and I’m between jobs (hopefully not a long status) so I’ve fallen behind. The good news is I have this story finished except for headers and trailers and betaing. I hope to repost all the chapters of this and my other stories that were messed up when the database crashed a few months ago as soon as I find the time to review and get them betaed.
This chapter is rated R for violence.

The Mountain King’s Lair

Inuyasha stooped once more to sniff the ground and ensure they were still on the Oni’s trail.
“This way,” he said pointing.
“You shouldn’t have done it, you know” Inuyasha commented as the hurried along the trail.
“Done what?” Miroku asked.
“Place those seals on the house. Kit and Yuriko are going to fight fang and claw to follow us when they wake up.”
“That was the point,” Kagome said “they aren’t in any condition to fight right now.”
“Just don’t expect them to see it that way, I know I wouldn’t.”
“He’s right” Sango said. “Canine demons are some of the most protective their young. Locking them up was probably for the best but if we don’t bring back Hanako unharmed, they will never forgive us.”
“They probably won’t anyway,” Inuyasha commented.

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Momoru strode into Yamanasu’s hall with a struggling, kicking and (unsuccessfully) biting Shippo in hand. Yamanasu sat on his throne, a huge gaping wound lay open on his side where the sacred arrow and sutras had struck.
“Yamanasu,” Momoru said, “it is time to complete your side of the bargain. I have the Fox child here.”
“Go away; I don’t have time for you now.”

A dark shadow seemed to grow out from Momoru until it dominated the room. When the Human warrior spoke again it seemed to be a voice not his own, a voice of extreme power and beauty yet menacing.
“You know who I serve! Fulfill your oath or suffer the consequences!”
Yamanasu watched as the shadow faded away but the menace it represented remained plain.
“Very well,” he said, “bring the brat here.”

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Inuyasha and company looked down the ridge on the entrance to the Mountain Oni Kingdom. A heavy wooden door and two Oni guards standing in front covered the cavern entrance.
“We should scout around and see if there is another entrance,” Miroku said.
“Feh,” Inuyasha said drawing Tetseiga and walking down the ridge. “I prefer the direct approach.”

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A dull boom echoed through the caverns and dust fell from the roof of Yamanasu’s throne room.
“What is going on?” Yamanasu demanded.
“Inuyasha and Kagome have come for me.” Shippo said and managed to scratch the distracted Momoru and slipped free dashing out of the room between the feet of the startled guards. A guard chased after him in pursuit. Momoru watched them disappear in the distance and a small smile graced his lips.

Another Oni guard came running into the room.
“My Lord, we are under attack!”
Another voice echoed into the cavern, “Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!”
The two remaining guards at the entrance fell to Inuyasha’s claws as Inuyasha, Miroku and Kagome stormed into the throne room.

Yamanasu looked down at the intruders with anger and perhaps a little fear in his eyes. But all eyes were drawn by the laughter coming from the Human warrior at his side.
“You must be Inuyasha, son of Inutashio.”
“Yeah, who wants to know?” The hanyou replied.
“I am Momoru, I knew your father well.”

Inuyasha was taken aback by unexpected claim of family familiarity. Before he could reply though he felt a presence drawing his attention. He slowly turned to meet Yamanasu’s eyes. A spell scroll pinned to Inuyasha’s tunic began to glow brightly.
“What is this?” Yamanasu said suddenly.
“You can’t unleash his beast,” Miroku said, “I’ve protected us all from you.”
Yamanasu noted that they all had spell scrolls pinned to their clothing. With a roar he leapt up and moved to crush the three of them with his bare claws.

“Now!” Miroku yelled. Kagome fired her sacred arrow at the monster.
“Sacred Sutras!” A handful of spell scrolls followed the arrow.
“Wind Scar!” The three attacks struck Yamanasu dead center and a massive whirlwind of energy enveloped the Oni Lord.
“Fools! I am immortal! You cannot defeat me!” Yamanasu’s voice cried out from the maelstrom. Then he let out a cry of pain and a great explosion occurred.

Debris and Oni guts flew everywhere. The blast wave sent the heroes flying. Part of Miroku’s robes tore away as he collided with a piece of flying wreckage. Parts of the ceiling came down striking Miroku on the head and he collapsed unto his back. The last thing he saw before blacking out was something small and round falling toward him.

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Kagome reached the fallen monk first.
“Is he alright?” Inuyasha asked.
“He’s still breathing”
More of the ceiling came crashing down.
“Good enough” Inuyasha said and scooped the monk up onto his shoulder. “We need to find Sango and the kids and get out of here. The explosions bringing the mountain down on top of us.”
He did a quick look around and noted that Momoru had disappeared then quickly led Kagome out of the throne room.

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Sango and Kirara had according to plan split from the others as they went ahead to challenge Yamanasu and draw the other Oni away. They were searching the back tunnels following Kirara’s nose trying to find the kits when the explosion happened and the ceiling started to crumble. Kirara yowled questioningly.
“I don’t know what it is Kirara but you can bet Inuyasha is behind it. Let’s hurry and find the kits before the whole mountain comes down.”

A moment later they heard Shippo’s voice around a corner.
“Foxfire!”
They rushed down the corridor to find Shippo trapped at the end of a long hall with locked doors on either side. A very irritated Oni singed from Shippo’s foxfire was closing in on him.
“Sango!” Shippo yelled seeing them. The Oni turned around just in time to get a face full of vengeful fire cat. Sango leapt over the dieing Oni to collect Shippo in her arms.

“Oh Sango, I’m so glad to see you!” the little Fox cried throwing his arms around her. Then he turned and pointed at a nearby door.
“Hanako is in there!”
Sango opened the door and found Hanako unharmed crying inside. She quickly gathered up to two kits and climbed onto Kirara.
“Now Kirara back to the entrance.”
Kirara growled an acknowledgement and took off running as fast as she could in the narrow corridors.

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They meet up with the others near the entrance hall but had no time to talk as the whole cave complex was collapsing rapidly. They raced out the main gate just ahead of a rock fall that sealed the entrance forever.

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Foxfur: “Wow that was intense!”
Stardreamer: “Yep.”
Foxfur: “So the big bad guy is defeated and the story is over?”
Stardreamer: (twinkle in eye) “Seems that way.”
Foxfur: (looking suspicious) “You’re holding something back aren’t you?”
Stardreamer: “Who me?” (Polishes rather tarnished looking halo)
Foxfur: “But what about Miroku? Is he ok? Is he still a monkey?
Stardreamer: “Find out in the next chapter.” (WHAM) “Ouch. Hey can’t I get through just one chapter without you hitting me?!”
Foxfur: “Evil.”