Remember Me

/Sesshomaru's thoughts/

'Inuyasha's thoughts'

Chapter 23

Sesshomaru had long since dismounted Ah and Un once the battle began. Out of the corner of his eyes he could see the twin headed dragon ripping into the flesh of Ryuukotsesui's warriors. Returning his attention back to the fight, he had succeeded in severing the head of a dragon, and another took the place of its fallen comrade. The sound and smell of death filled the battlefield as both sides suffered great losses. But neither side was willing to back down.

"Ryuukotsesui! Come down and face me! Or are you a coward!" Sesshomaru yelled up at the enraged dragon standing on the wall.

Ryuukotsesui snarled at the gall of the insolent whelp. He drew his sword and jumped down into the middle of the battle. He backhanded a human warrior out of his way like a pesky fly as he kept his stormy gaze upon the young demon lord. Sesshomaru had just finished pulling his sword out of the stmoach of a dragon. Pushing the limp body out of the way, he lunged at the dragon. Sparks flew from the swords as they clashed with each other.

"I see you haven't learned your lesson from the last time," said Ryuukotsesui tauntingly. "I guess I will have to take your other arm as well." He pushed Sesshomaru away from him.

"Not this time, reptile." Sesshomaru glared at the dragon. "I have a gift for you. Dragon strike!"

At such a close range, the dragon should have been nothing more than a pile of dust. Unfortnately, things did not turn out that way. Raising his sword, Ryuukotsesui deflected the attack. "Is that the best you can do?" He attacked the young demon lord with a barrage of attacks. Sesshomaru was force to give ground as he was pushed back. The battle between dog and dragon raged on as both awaited an opening to overtake the other but neither saw one. The two fought fiercely, Sesshomaru with his greater strength and agility; and Ryuukotsesui with his experience and weight. As the fight went on, the blows being struck were wearing on the two opponents but Ryuukotsesui was holding up better than Sesshomaru. So far, the dragon had only been struck on the shoulder. Although the wound had healed, blood stained his hakama from his shoulder down to his wrist.

Sesshomaru was breathing hard now as he tried to shield himself from the force of Ryuukotsesui’s blows. The raging force of the dragon’s sword seemed to strike out harder than at the beginning of the fight. All Sesshomaru could do was back away and try to keep Ryuukotsesui’s blade from making contact. The dragon rained stroke after stroke down upon his opponent, not relenting in his attack. Ryuukotsesui laughed as he slashed the young dog demon first, across his cheek and his shoulder. Blood streamed down his face and arm onto the ground, but still the younger demon would not give up. After all, he was Sesshomaru, Lord of the West and eldest son to Inutaisho the greatest, strongest demon in all Japan. He refuse to be defeat by this scaly reptile.

Sesshomaru gritted his teeth as a growl slipped from his lips. /No. I shall not be defeated./ He pushed the dragon away from him and flipped farther away from the dragon.

Ryuukotsesui smirked. "What's wrong, dog? Are you running away already?"

"This Sesshomaru runs from no human or demon. Have a taste of Tokijin's Medusa's Touch." Slashing the sword downward a red arc of power erupted from the blade tearing up the ground. Ryuukotsesui jumped out of the way, but he was not fast enough. He howled in pain as he stared down at his arm. His eyes widened in horror as it was turned to stone. He turned a burning gaze at the young demon. He could hear the screams of his men. Glancing behind him, he saw several of his dragons that was behind him turned to stone statues.

Sesshomaru inwardly cursed as he missed the dragon. Although his Medusa's touch is very devastating, he soon learned on his way back to Japan that this particular attack draws on the demonic strength of the wielder. The young demon lord can already feel his strength slipping some. If he uses the attack again before regaining his strength and miss the dragon again. He could waiver and end of getting himself killed. No, it was a risk worth taking. Ryuukotsesui must be stopped. But before he could do anything, a pair of gray, leathery wings burst from Ryuukotsesui's back.

"You will pay for this, filthy mongrel," he said enrage and flew up to the gate wall and settled beside Naraku. Suddenly the gates opened and the panther demons flowed out onto the battlefield. "Kill them! KILL THEM ALL!" yelled the dragon in fury as his gray eyes flashed like a raging storm.

Suddenly a howl split the air as Koga and his wolves emerged from the forest and clashed with the panther demons. The wolves swept through the panthers taking out as many as their claws could sink into. As it is with all canines, they went for the juggler tearing out the felines throat howling in victory at their kill. Sesshomaru arched a delicate brow as he saw Koga savagely tear the throat out of one demon and then move to another.

Ryuukotsesui was livid when the wolves came out of the forest to attack his army and overwhelm them. The dragon snarled as he grabbed Naraku by the throat while still watching the carnage below. "Why are you just standing here watching instead of doing something!" Then he turned to face the crimson eyes demon. "Why are you not sending your people in to fight?"

Naraku grabbed the hand around his neck and forcibly removed it. He then turned to the wind witch. "Kagura.”

The dark hair demoness stepped forward snapping open her fan waving it. "Dance of the Dead!" she said. Immediately, all those whom were slain in battle rose from the ground and attacked.

Sesshomaru was so engrossed in his battle with two dragons that he did not notice the body of a slain panther demon rise from the ground behind him. The sightless corpse raised its spear and would have drove it through the demon lord's back if not for the selfless act of a monk.

"My lord, look out!" yelled the young monk jumping in the way of the spear that was meant for Sesshomaru.

The young demon lord dispatched the two dragons and turned just in time to see the man save his life. Sesshomaru swung his blade severing the head from the body. As the body crumpled to the ground, he knelt beside the dark haired man that saved him. Yoko, Master Kei, Koga and Shirow fought their way to their lord's side and surrounded him making sure no one else try to attack him.

Sesshomaru knelt down beside the fallen monk. He looked no older than twenty-two as the demon lord brushed the dark hair from his face. Why was he even out on the battlefield? He should have been waiting in the forest with his brother as part of the reserves. Blood flowed down the corner of the human's mouth as he continued to cough up more blood. "My lord . . .," he gurgled out. His dark eyes stared up into the golden eyes of the dog demon lord.

Sesshomaru touched the hilt of tenseiga, but there was no pulse from the sword. He clutched the hilt tighter but still there was nothing. Tenseiga would not save the man. "I'm sorry, but I can't save you."

"It's all right." He gasped as his breathing became heavy. "It . . . was a . . . an honor to. . ." He coughed up more globs of blood.

"Your name?"

"I am the second. . . son to the head of the. . . Sumeragi clan. I am Seiichiro."

"Know this Seiichiro of the Sumeragi clan. Your name shall be honored and remembered in my house for all time."

"My . . . lord," he said gasping. "Thank . . . you." Seiichiro smiled up at him as his dark eyes slowly closed.

"Sleep my friend, your worries are now over." Sesshomaru placed the monk's staff across his chest.

"My lord, look!" yelled Yoko. Lifting his gaze upwards, he stared in horror as the dead rose from the ground.

"What is going on around here?" said Shirow frowning in disgust as he stared at the walking corpses.

"It's that wind witch of Naraku's," said Master Kei. "She can control the dead."

Sesshomaru clutched the hilt of tokijin and took one last glance at the young man that saved him. Then he turned his attention to the group that stood on the gate's walkway. He growled. Sesshomaru swung his blade cutting down dragons and panthers that stood in his way. Tokijin flared to life as he felt its power vibrate up his arm. Swinging the sword in a diagonal motion, he sent a destructive blast of the sword's power toward the gate. His attack desengrated the walking corpses, but it was reflected by a barrier put up by Naraku. Sesshomaru snarled in rage as he saw the smirk on the spider demon's face.

Suddenly, the gates opened and Naraku sent out his demon army. In a matter of minutes, they began to overwhelm Sesshoamru's warriors.

xxxxx

Inuyasha watched with a stricken heart as his mate plowed his way through the horde of dragon demons. Tokijin's blade was stained red with the blood of its enemy. The sounds and smell of death made its way to his ears. He kept his gaze fixed on the tall silver hair demon as he kept chanting his mantra repeatedly in his head. 'Be safe. Be safe.'' He beamed with pride as his mate forced the great Ryuukotsesui to retreat and turned his arm to stone. When the panther demons rushed out of the castle ground, he smirked when the cats were attacked by Koga and his wolves.

His hand clutched painfully over his heart as he watched with sickening horror as all the slain warriors, allies and enemies, rose from the ground and began to attack his mate and the others. No matter how many times they were struck down. The dead kept rising. He looked to the gate and saw Kagura sweeping her fan back and forth. So, it was that bitch manipulating the dead. Inuyasha became disgusted by it. Even in death, the dead have no peace or rest from Naraku's foul touch. Turning his gaze back to the battle, Inuyasha paled as he saw one of the corpse rise behind Sesshomaru. "Sess!" He was about to jump out of the tree to help his mate when he saw the young man jump in between Sesshomaru and the spear. He breathed a sigh of relief. Inuyasha was sorry the young man died, but he would be forever in the man's debt for saving his brother's life. He growled in frustration as tokijin's attack was deflected by a barrier placed around the vile demons. "Son of a bitch!" hissed the hanyou through clenched teeth.

Inuyasha jumped down out of the tree and landed beside his friends. Clutching the hilt of tetsusaiga, he turned slightly. "It's time we join this fight. Let's show Ryuukotsesui and his lame ass warriors what we are made of." Drawing tetsusaiga, he lead the reserves into battle.

Upon hearing a yell, Sesshoamru glanced behind him to see the reserves coming out to join the fight. He smirked. He really needed to have a talk with his brother. Seems the hanyou doesn't know how to listen to orders. He wanted his mate to remain safe and out of danger. That was his reason for wanting him to lead the reserves. He should have remembered. His brother was impulsive. Turning back to his own battle, Sesshomaru felt his heart fill with pride at the bravery his little otouto was showing. He really didn't have to worry about his mate. He knew that Inuyasha's friends would be there to watch his back.

Inuyasha saw Sesshoamru looking at him and smiled. He really didn't think Inuyasha would stay behind and let him face the danger alone, did he? They have been separated for eleven years, and the hanyou had no intention of ever being parted from his mate ever again. Inuyasha wanted to fight along side his mate, but he would have to settle for sporadic sightings of him every chance he gets.

xxxxx

Watching the battle below, Naraku smirked as he saw the remainder of the dog demon army rush out of the forest to turn the tide of battle in favor of Sesshomaru. "Well, this is interesting. I was wondering when the little mutt would come out of hiding."

Ryuukotsesui stared out across the battlefield at the young silver hair demon with dog ears sitting on top of his head. He frowned in thought. The young hanyou reminded him of someone, but who? Like lightning striking, he remembered. Inutaisho's youngest son, Inuyasha. Ryuukotsesui's eyes filled with rage. "Damn that greedy Yin. I told him to kill that half-breed." The dragon lord slammed his fist against the wall of the gate tower punching a hole in it. "If he wasn't already dead. I would kill him myself."

"It seems like this Yin was a very disobedient demon," Naraku smirked. "Well, no matter, as long as I have my barrier up no one will be able to get through." Just as he finished boasting about how impenetrable his barrier was, four white blinding jagged streaks of demonic power ripped through the ground clawing at the barrier.

Naraku eyes widen in shock as his barrier shiver and then shattered.

"Hmph, so much for your barrier," sneered Ryuukotsesui. "Fool, he wield his father's sword, tetsusaiga. The red blade can break through any barrier."

Naraku growled in anger. Then he exhaled a breath. "It's of no importance." He shrugged his shoulders. "MENOMARU!" he commanded.

Suddenly a demon with green hair and red eyes settled beside his master. The demon had two red strips that went upwards to his antennas. His large moth wings fluttered on his back in anticipation of going into battle as he fell to one knee. "You summoned me, my lord."

"Yes." Naraku smirked. "I guess I should have used you sooner, but where's the fun in that." He turned his head slightly to stare at his servant. "You know what to do. Make sure you cover the entire battlefield."

"As you wish, my lord." Menomaru's form began to change until he was a huge moth with a skull face on his back. He flew over the battlefield releasing a fine silver powdery mist that fell over everyone, enemy and ally.

xxxxx

The battle came to an abrupt halt as the powdery substance would not rub off. The more they rub the more the substance clung to their skin. "What is. . . this . . ." Yoko fell to the ground unconscious.

"Miroku!" yelled Sango as she too fell to the ground.

The monk stumbled over towards her lifeless body and fell to the ground inches away from touching her hand. The same was happening to everyone.

"Fools, suffer the endless sleep of my Poison Sleep," said Menomaru laughing insanely.

Ryuukotsesui clutched a handful of Naraku's dark hair yanking his head back painfully. "Fool, my dragons are out there. I care nothing for those useless felines. . ."

Before he could say anymore, the spider demon smiled at him. "You have nothing to worry about." He turned his gaze back to the battlefield. He tried to removed the dragon's hand from his hair, but the dragon lord held it in a unbreakable grip. "As long as they are given the antidoted within twenty-four hours, they will be all right."

Ryuukotsesui snorted and released the demon from his hold. Of course, Naraku had no intentions of giving the antidote to any of the dragon's warriors. He smirked in satisfaction behind the curtain of dark hair that hid his face from his master. Soon, everything will be falling into place.
"Oh look, everyone is unconscious except for the dog brothers," said Kagura.

xxxxx

"Sess!" Inuyasha called out to his mate. "Sess!

Hearing his mate's distress, Sesshomaru turned to see Inuyasha stumbling towards him. "Inuyasha!" Sheathing his sword, he runs to his brother and catches him just as he was about to fall to the ground. "Inuyasha." He lowers the young demon gently to the ground. Sitting next to his mate, he lifts the youth and rests his head in his lap. "Yasha, open your eyes." He brushes the bang out of Inuyasha's face.

"I don't . . .know . . . feel so . . . strange." He took deep gasping breaths. "Can't breath . . . like smothering . . . in honey."

Sesshomaru glared up at the moth demon snarling in rage. The moth's poison would do nothing to him since he was immune to all forms of poison. But his brother and the others were not. He didn't know what to do. He could kill the moth, but the poison was already in their bodies. Plus, he did not want to leave the side of his mate.

"Sess." The young demon's weak voice pulled him from his thoughts. "All right . . .You?"

Sesshomaru pressed his forehead against his brother's forehead. He felt his heart break. Here his mate was dying in his arm, and the silly little thing was worried about him. He kissed Inuyasha's forehead and held the hanyou's hand in his hand. "My little Yasha, you worry too much about me." He couldn't answer the question. How could he tell his mate that no, he wasn't all right. He would never be all right as long as he did not have his Yasha by his side.

"Sess . . . so . . . tired." Suddenly his once bright golden eyes dimmed as his lids slowly closed. "Love . . .You." Were the last words spoken by his love before his hand slipped out of the demon lord's grasp.

"Yasha." No answer. He held the youth close to his chest, rocking back and forth. "Sess loves you too. Please don't leave me again." Still the hanyou did not move. Sesshomaru felt the warmth leaving the youth's body. He brushed his lips against the cold pale lips of his mate. "Nooooo!" Sesshomaru raised his head and released a soul shattering howl into the stillness. Then he buried his face into his brother's thick mat of hair and cried. It was the first time he has cried since he was told the child had been claim by the sea.

Lowering his mate's head back into his lap, he brushed the hair from his face and kissed his lips once more. "My Yasha, please wait for me. Once I have taken care of the filth that has polluted our home. I shall join you in the afterlife. So please, wait for me."

Laying his brother on the ground, the young demon lord stood up to face his enemy. He knew that he would not survive this battle. At that moment, he really did not care. He was rather hoping he would die so he could be with beloved Yasha. But he was going to take as many of them with him before the end came. Green poison ooze from his fingers leaving black scorches in the earth as he readied himself to attack.

But before he could do anything, a bright white light streaked across the sky, slicing the moth in half. Sesshomaru watched in shock as the two halves fell to the ground. Like snow, tiny balls of light fell from the sky to cover everyone on the battlefield. The young demon watch with awe as the lights were absorbed into the bodies. A second later, he gasped as he saw the rise and fall of Inuyasha's chest. The hanyou groaned as his eyes fluttered opened. "Inuyasha." He looked around to see that everyone was beginning to awaken.

"Sess," said Inuyasha. Sesshomaru looked down to stare into the bright smiling orbs of his baby brother. The hanyou quickly got to his feet and threw his arms around his brother's neck.

"Inuyasha," said Sesshomaru holding the youth tight, not believing his own eyes. "What happened? I . . . thought you were . . ."

"Ssshhh, everything is all right now." He cooed as he stroked his brother's long silver hair.

Everyone had gotten to their feet looking around in confusion. But before anyone could ask a question, a great thunderous roar split the air. Inuyasha's eyes widened in shock as he turned to were the roar had come from. "That roar." He stared off into the distance. Everyone turned to look also. "It can't be . . ."

"Inuyasha, what is it?" asked Sesshomaru standing beside his brother. "What is wrong otouto?"

"That roar. It sounded like. . . " He took a step forward with his gaze still on the horizon.

In the distance, the sky was black as whatever was coming towards them at great speed. There was also something coming towards them from the ground. A huge cloud of dust was all that could be seen. Suddenly the thunderous roar split the stillness once again and Inuyasha smiled.

"Ngbaka . . ."