The Sacred Trees

Hi all, thank you reviewers I love you all very very much. Ok I was surprised that I surprised so many people. Hehehee!!! Have been lax about responding to reviews sorry its been a hectic 2 weeks... Anyway I wont keep you waiting any longer.

Chapter 19 : SINGLE COMBAT

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The elite assassins, set their blades at the location of the Hanyou. Some of the blades were met by dual swords that evoked the power of fire and ice as one. The scythe sliced through a good number of attackers killing them even before they were aware they were dead. The axe smashed knives to pieces and splattered the brains of the attackers. The Whip, a lightning blade and a huge cleaver of the Lords cut down the assassins. But with the sheer numbers, attack locations and element of surprise on their hands, some of the assassins, evaded the defenders and the blades sliced at the Hanyou.

Only to meet air.

The clang metal of metal rang out.

Inuyasha had ignored the minor fish, and before the others, who were over focused on defending the Hanyou could think, Inuyasha flashing out of the protective circle attacked. The Tessaiga clashed against the 3 huge metallic claws protruding from Lord Kira’s arms.

“You dare attack me Hanyou! Me, a Daiyoukai.” The Monkey Lord laughed hefting his shield and claws.

“Hell yeah!” Inuyasha growled. “You are no Daiyoukai – you are a fucking Lord of Cowards, Traitor!! Do you have a clue what you did to the ancient ones? How much you fucking hurt them, hurt others? How many have died because of you? You are MY prey!” There was a controlled release of Inuyasha’s Youkai, his hair flared about, ivory waves tossed by the storm of his power. Inuyasha gripped the Tessaiga, and stared the DaiYoukai down.

“Inuyasha what the hell are you doing? Let Sesshoumaru handle this.” Lady Shiba yelled out in concern. The Dragon Lord and the Lighting Lord both looked ready to intercede.

“Stop! Interference is unnecessary.” The Shogun ground out. “This is my brother’s battle” the Shogun enunciated each word almost painfully, “If we interfere in a declared single combat, it is Inuyasha’s honour that will be question. We cannot insult Inuyasha so. He will win this battle.” Even as he said it, he swore that he would not allow Inuyasha the chance to put him, the Shogun in the position of spectator again. His impetus, hot-headed, impulsive and reckless brother, was supposed to be fighting assassins! Sesshoumaru was supposed to be fighting the Daiyoikai traitor! But NOOO.. Irritating little brother just had to jump in, like he always did.

Damn it, he was NOT supposed to be feeling satisfied that his brother had not changed that much.. he was definitely NOT supposed to be feeling proud to be the brother of the beautiful Hanyou fighting a pure-blood Daiyoukai as an equal. Maybe he was getting sick?? His own claws cut into his clenched fists as he absently disposed attackers coming at him and watched the battle.

All those closest to Inuyasha wanted to, were dying to interfere. But since they could not they took their frustration out on the attacking assassins. What was left of the attackers could have fit on the head of a pin.

Inuyahsa’s power flared around him, shocking all around with its purity and force. His eyes bled red but he was in control. He had two purposes, find out why, and pound the fucker into the ground. The Demon released a huge amount of energy at the Hanyou, hoping to quickly overcome and disintegrate the pest. The Monkey Demon was barely able to block when his attack was turned against him ease, Inuyasha's Backlash wave was as effective as ever. Cursing as his own power exploded around him, damaging his armour, the monkey racked his brain remembering the attacks used by the Shogun's brother. Information was power and Lord Iemura had been banking on information for a very long time. The weapons of the two combatants met and clashed as they tested strengths and weaknesses. Inuyasha had none, no weaknesses in his defense for the enemy to take advantage of, Dionne's relentless training had seen to that.

His special attacks were proving to be the weak point, as Lord Iemura had counters for each of them. Inuyasha opened a gate to hell, and the Monkey Lord, used a magic infused Pearl bead to disrupt and destroy the door. The Adamant Barrage was met by a weapon that mirrored the Kazaana, sucking in the adamant particles, then hurling them back at Inuyasha .

The spectators were getting increasing pulled into the fight. It was such a show of speed, battle strategy and skill that the younger ones actually forgot it was a battle to the death. They began cheering. Kouga a most proper general wanted to reprimand his sons for cheering. Until he heard a loud and rambunctious, “Kick his ass! Inuyasha! Make the fucker regret he was born!” from his second General, who was almost jumping up and down. The severed heads and many pieces of flesh that still clung to the Kitsune from assassins that fell to his scythe and foxfire, contrasting sharply with the air punching and giggling the General was doing now.

Kouga slapped his face, Shippo was such a kid. Then again this was the first time he had seen the Kitsune do this since the slaughter of his tribe.

Then as Inuyasha danced around the Monkey Lord, and in a high spinning kick, knocked the demon's weapon with on leg and connected solidly with the Demon's head with the other. The General for the first time in 500 years, found himself cheering as well. Damn that Hanyou, just watching made him feel young again, made him forget the fog of despair that had settled around him for so long. Shit, who gave a damn of the Hanyou's powers! It was the brashness, the courage, the unyielding determination and the amazingly innocent bullheadedness that made Inuyasha- Inuyasha. No matter what life had thrown at him, no matter how many times he had been 'sat', hurt and mocked, he had not changed. He was true to who he was.

And for that Kouga would die for Inuyasha. All of them had slowly forgotten their younger lighter sides, Inuyasha brought it all back. Sesshoumaru as the Shogun had saved the Youkai's lives, Kouga suddenly knew, the Hanyou would save their hearts, their very souls. Kouga let go of his burdens in that second, and lost himself in watching the battle! “Mutt-face, move it! My grandmother struck with more power! You can hit harder that THAT!”

His sons, whirled to look at their father in shock. Kouga was usually so serious and scary in a battle was cheering, happy even. The paused for a second, then whooping joined in. The wolves cheered together, strengthening the bonds between them.

Outside the Tigress shook her head in disgust, they were covered in blood and gore, and the stupid dogs, were playing! How undignified she snorted, you'd never see a cat behaving like that. She ignored that tiny bite of envy at the sheer camaraderie of the Canines.

The two warriors clashed, then disengaged for a moment.

“Impressive Hanyou, from the tales about you, I expected you to be a brawler?” Lore Iemura asked almost curiously.

“Keh! I was, been trained since then.” Inuyasha responded “So how did you get your assassins through the barrier?”

“Its easy when you have information, we know the Second General's abilities. There was a chance the Shogun would identify me, as he did. We prepared before the barrier was set up. Rather simple.” The monkey said proudly. Even as he finished his last sentence he sent a barrage of poison tipped spokes at Inuyasha. Inuyasha cartwheeled out of the way. While moving, he released flurry of blades of blood at the Monkey. As Inuyasha was upside down at the time, the maneuver caught the monkey unexpectedly and the blades sliced though the Monkey's feet and ankles.

The pain enraged the Daiyoukai, his eyes bled red and his demonic force surged forward as his rage gave him immense strength. The Monkey charged at Inuyasha, hos strength far greater then before, each strike rang out with a force that shook the walls of the great council chamber. Inuyasha was forced into a defensive position. Though he blocked most of it, the tips of the long blades slashed his arms and shoulders.

“You are going to lose! Foolish Hanyou!” The monkey growled out. “You take down your stronger enemies with the black-lash wave, and little tricks from your sword. I can counter all your daddy's moves. You think a Baby Hanyou can beat me? You! Who still needs his father's fang? Ridiculous.” Lord Iemura mocked his smile victorious. “I am not going to use a special strike, you worthless half demon, I am going to cut you up into tiny little pieces.” The monkey laughed as he attacked relentlessly. The claws hitting against the Tessaiga, the Monkey spun suddenly and kicked, the force of the kick creating a wave that forced the watching Youkai back. The Monkey's foot hit Inuyasha solidly on the side with a force that could shatter concrete. Inuyasha went flying, the walls shaking and shattering as he smashed against the wall.

Even before Inuyasha's body could fall to the fall, the Monkey Lord was on him. Like all arboreal creatures, while his arms were strong, his legs had almost triple that strength. No longer restraining his manic powers, the Saru-Youkai kicked Inuyasha into the air, leaping up he landed five more other kicks on the hanyou before smashing Inuyasha into the floor. The ground turned into rumble. And the monkey landed laughing manically.

The was a stunned silence for a second, as the Hanyou lay unmoving. Force emitted from Sesshoumaru, his eyes began to bleed red, as Inuyasha was still.

“Come Sesshoumaru! Do what your worthless brother could not! Attack me!” Lord Iemura mocked the enraged Daiyoukai, he had nothing to lose, killing the one who could save the trees had been his goal and he had succeeded! His name would be remembered forever, when his Master won!

Before Sesshoumaru could shift his weight and attack the bastard that hurt what was his, a foolishly brave hand grasped his arm.

“Trust Inuyasha!” Shippo looked earnestly into the bleeding red eyes. Sesshoumaru's hesitated.

“Are you done yet?” a gruff beloved voice said, as Inuyasha slowly rose from the dust. “You were going on about how strong you are, so I wanted to give you a chance to prove it.” Inuyasha coughed blood, his side was sore, hell his body was sore, but he was in one piece. “I keep telling you stupid fools, I am not like other demons that you know. I can take a lot of damage! I have been smashed to the floor by beings far more worthy than you, you stupid ass ape. You are actually dumber than you look if you think your barrage of kicks could actually kill me.”

Imuera was not alone, jaws all around the room slacked open, as the Hanyou rose barely hurt from a full on attack by a DaiYoukai. It was inconceivable... but true.

Sesshoumaru breathed a sigh of relief, and was immediately irritated with himself. Yes Inuyasha was his, but the Shogun was not supposed to be losing control like this, if he could not control himself how was he going to control his hellion of a brother. Whom he intended to have a few sharp words with for making this Sesshoumaru worry.... dammit he was doing it again. Sesshoumaru ground his teeth in frustration. His emotions were confused.. No, NO.. Infuriated! Yes that was it, he was infuriated!

“Quite the tank aren't you!” Lord Iemura said shaking off his shock. “Very well then instead of a fast death I will slice you to death slowly. The canines can watch you die by inches as you bleed!” The Monkey Lord attacked with his blades, Inuyasha met the attack pushing the Lord back with the Tessaiga. They disengaged and jumped back, both were bleeding and cut.

“You are going to die like the dog you are!” The Monkey Lord smirked.

Inuyasha lifted a bleeding claw to his mouth and licked, he raised his head, and golden eyes were laughing. “So you think I rely too much on my dad's fang huh? You are right you know.” Inuyasha's voice was conversational. “Once I got the fang I relied on it, until recently, where taking a sword with me would have drawn more attention then needed.” Inuyasha said, he reversed the sword and plunged the blade into the ground. “Once I could not use it, I rediscovered something. Tessaiga is just a tool, it is not and has never really been my source of strength.” Inuyasha straightened, he ran one hand over his bleeding shoulder.

“You see Lord Iemura, my main weapon, is ME. Blood Fang!” The blood on Inuyasha's hand reformed into a blade. Long, thin and flexible, this blade bent and shaped itself to its master's will. He feinted, rushing forward he pretended to attack head on, in the last moment instead of swinging the blade. He flicked it. Sent it spinning into the air. The spinning blade slipped past the Monkey's defense and sliced clean though one leg. Dissolving after doing its job.

The Monkey Lord screamed in agony, he toppled but caught himself. Balancing on one leg, he gathered his power. Without the sword Inuyasha could not use the Backlash wave, he could kill him in one big strike. His power pulsed out of him.

Then so did Inuyasha's. He raised his hand.

“Bloody Claw!” Inuyasha's blood coiled around his right hand. The Lord released a burst of power and Inuyasha plunged in. His claws cut though the power, his unique blood diverting the force of the attack. His claws plunged into the Saru Youkai's chest.

Lord Iemura froze, he felt it the claws around his beating heart, The bones were shattered but he was still alive. Inuyasha literally held his life in his hands.

“Why? Why kill the Youkai? Why destroy magic? You are Youkai.. why do you seek the extinction of Youkai?” Inuyasha demanded.

“Why?” the Monkey coughed out. “Why NOT? Why should we share? There is only one kind of human, that is why they are superior to other normal creatures. They should be only one kind of Youkai. My master showed us the light! Our destiny is to rule. The Youkai will not go extinct – at least not all. We the chosen ones, will survive, we are the smartest and the strongest, those my Master sees as worthy. The strongest only will survive. That is nature's law” The monkey ranted, madness at his loss flecking in his eyes.

“Strongest? Keh! Fool its survival of the FITTEST! And a cowardly betrayer is not fit to survive.” The monkey tried to drive his claws into Inuyasha's throat, but it was too late, much too late, Inuyasha ripped the heart out of the traitor, and watched impassive as the monkey turned to dust.

--tbc---

See no cliff hanger – happy now?

Wow this was a hard chappie to write.. for many reasons. First people were reviewing that Inuyasha would take out the assassins... so of course I had to do something a little different. Did you like it? Then I tried to balance inner thoughts and character dev.. with a battle scene. Also thinking of Inuyasha's attack. See here is my reasoning he survived before he got the Tessaiga, his blades of blood is powerful. So if he never got the Tessaiga he would have developed weapons in that manner. Seems logical to me... does it work?

Anyways please please review.. comment.. insult.. whatever.. thanks for reading.