Remember Me

chapter 27


Sesshoamru snarled showing his sharp fangs and taking a final look at his mate. He turned to face Naraku. Drawing Tenseiga, the young dog demon lord lunged at the evil demon. Dodging the writhing tentacles that sought to stop him, Sesshomaru sliced Naraku across the chest with Tenseiga. Although the sword did not harm him physically, it did do what they wanted it to do.

Suddenly the souls of the demons Naraku had absorbed were freed. Everyone watched as the apparitions fled their cage of flesh. Naraku's demonic aura began to wan as he began to lose some of his strength.

"It's working," exclaimed an excited Miroku.

"Look!" Shouted Zaine pointing to the Naraku's stomach. The skin began to stretch outward until a clawed hand forced its way out of the dragon's stomach. Half a second later, the another claw tore through the soft leathery tissue. Inutaisho had ripped opened Naraku's stomach and poked his head out. His eyes were flashing from red to gold. The demon gasped for breath. But everyone could see that Inutaisho was having trouble breathing. His face was swelling and turning purple. Yoko and the other demons gagged. They watched in sick horror as the large lump protruded from inside his throat began to squirm.

"Sethos, let's go," said Ngbaka taking off running toward the shrieking demon. The Abyssinian was right beside him. They sprinted across the battleground dodging the writhing tentacles. Ejecting their claws, they tore through the dragon coming out on the other side of him. When the two emerged from the demon's body. They were covered in blood and each cat held an arm of the elder demon lord in their grasp. Ngbaka and Sethos turned to smile at the enraged Naraku and then sprinted away into the forest with the exhausted dog demon.

The two cat demons had made it back to the army and laid Inutaisho on the ground. The healer came quickly and began to work on him. Ngbaka frowned as he saw the lump wiggling around inside the elder demon's throat. Inutaisho was gasping like a fish out of water, and his face had turned so purple until it looked black. Ngbaka became impatient with the healer. "What are you doing? Why aren't you trying to remove that thing from his throat?"

"I'm trying to, but it refuses to come out," said the elderly healer.

"For the love of . . . Out of my way!" Ngbaka rolled his eyes angrily and shoved the woman out of the way. He lifted Inutaisho into a sitting position and placed his fist with the thumb down, against the dog demon’s stomach. Placing his other hand on top of his fist, Ngbaka pressed into the abdomen just below the rib cage with a quick, strong upward thrust. He did this three times before whatever hurdled from Inutaisho’s mouth. They stared in disgust at the large piece of writhing flesh that was jammed into Inutaisho's throat. Using his fire, Sethos burned the twitching flesh into ashes.

Inutaisho gasped in a deep breath of air and collapsed back against the lion demon letting unconsciousness consume him.

"There, he should be all right now," said Ngbaka laying the demon back on the ground. The elderly demon was breathing easier and the ugly purple coloring in his face was fading.

"Thank you, very much," said the healer bowing to him. And then she went to work on healing the dog lord.

"Let's get back to the others," said Sethos. "I'm worried about Ashanta." Then the two felines went back to the battlefield.

xxxxx

Naraku watched curiously as the female began speaking in voices that were not her own. He began to feel something like needles prickling in the back of his head. He didn't know why he should feel apprehension since there is no one in this world that can stop him. He was now a god who had nothing to fear from mortals or demons. So, why does he feel uneasy about what he was witnessing. He watched as the girl sent an unnatural amount of power at the Hanyou. The power engulfed him.

When he heard the Hanyou scream and fall to his knees clutching his head. He realized he had nothing to fear. The boy was a fool to think he, a dirty little half breed, could absorb enough power to stop him. His black heart filled with glee as the young dog demon's screams split the still. Sesshoamru was about to go to the boy, but the male lion stopped him. They looked as though they were about to exchange blows, but the young dog lord backed down and turned his attention instead on Naraku.

Naraku smirked as he saw Sesshoamru running toward him with his other sword in his grasped instead of the one he started the fight with. He began to wonder about the sword. Why had Sesshomaru not used it before? He sent tentacle after tentacle at the demon trying to stop him. But with the agility of a snake, he dodged each one. When he was close enough, he sliced Naraku across the chest.

Nothing happened! Naraku stared at the smirking dog demon. Why was he smiling? The sword did nothing to him. Then Naraku’s laugh rumbled across the field like thunder. Suddenly his laughter died as the souls of the demons he had consumed began to depart from his body. He felt himself weaken but not enough that he would lose this battle. Although all the others were gone, Ryuukotsusei still remained. He guessed the dragon stayed on his own accord, because he wants to see the complete and utter destruction of Inutaisho and his family.

Well, it didn't matter to Naraku why he still had the dragon as long as he had his power. Just then he screamed in agonizing pain. Staring down he saw a clawed hand sticking out of his stomach. He roared again as another clawed hand tore through his flesh. It was the dog demon Inutaisho. He had not completely absorbed him yet. When Inutaisho felt Naraku weakening, he began to claw his way to freedom. Suddenly a large piece of Naraku's flesh shoved itself down his throat trying to stop him from escaping. But Inutaisho was determined to be free and be with his family again.

Naraku released an awful ear splitting roar that had everyone clutching their ears in pain. Turning he saw the two cat demons holding Inutaisho in their grasps. The bastards had the gall to be smiling at him. They had gone through his body. Naraku roared in rage at this as his body began to heal the huge gaping hole.

He was going to make sure they suffer a long, painful death when he gets a hold of them. Just then he felt a surge of power that made his skin flake and peel away. Turning back, he stared in shock at the Hanyou.

xxxxx

Inuyasha howled in pain as he fell to the ground in a fetal position. The pain was terrible. The spirits powers coursed through his body like quicksilver. He felt as though he was burning alive. He just knew that his skin had blackened and was peeling away to reveal his bones. His mind felt as though it would burst. But through the burning pain a voice spoke to him cooling the intense flame in his soul.

(Kumo! Kumo!)

Inuyasha slowly opened his eyes to find himself lying on a large, circular piece of ice floating on a sea of flames. Setting up, he looks at the sea of fire as the flames licked hungrily at the ice slowly melting it. He looked up at the sky but all he saw was red. 'Where am I?' "Sess!" He called out to his mate. "Ashanta!" He looked around. "Zaine! ANYBODY!" But no one answered him. He was alone. Suddenly he could hear the sound of flapping wings. He looked up and stared in shock.

As the black dragon settled on the ice beside him, Inuyasha said only one word. (Mother?) Inuyasha said hesitantly and in the dragon language.

(Hello, my son,) the dragon said smiling.

(Mother!) As the dragon lowered her large head, Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her snout kissing her on her scaly nose. (Mother. I’ve missed you.)

(So have I my sweet, but you have grown into a strong, brave warrior. I am so proud of you.)

He smiled raising his head to look into her beautiful dark eyes.

(My time is short, little one. The power the spirits granted you will be enough to stop your enemy, but it can only be utilized through a weapon. You must focus this new power and transfer it to a weapon that is strong enough to contain such powers.)

(Tetsusaiga!)

Nefra stared at her son tilting her head to the side in puzzlement.

(Tetsusaiga is a sword made from the fang of my father.) He smiled when he saw the bewilderment in her eyes. (I have my memories back. My name is Inuyasha.)


She nodded her head in understanding. (I see. So, is this tetsusaiga truly powerful enough to hold the powers of the spirits?)

(Yes mother. I am certain about it.)

(Good. You must transfer this power into the tetsusaiga. A body of flesh isn't meant to contain all the powers of the elemental spirits. That is why you are in so much pain. Remember your training . . . Concentrate and breath slowly. Let the power flow through you like running water.)

(I will mother.)

(Now go my son. The spirits have deemed you worthy of their gift.) She nuzzled one large nostril into his long silver hair inhaling his scent. Closing her eyes, she sighed. She could feel her time was up. (It's time for me to go. But before I do, know that I shall always be in your heart, my son.)

(Forever, mother.)

(Forever, Kumo. My son.) Slowly, her huge form vanished.

xxxx

Naraku watched the Hanyou as he ceased to scream in pain. Something was happening. The Hanyou was radiating an extraordinary amount of power. He did not like what he was seeing. It seems that the half breed was somehow gaining control of the power the demoness had given him.

His eyes widened when Inuyasha uncurled himself from his fetal position and got to his knees. The power the young demon had was immense. The Hanyou was becoming stronger. The boy may even become more powerful than his father. If he could absorb the Hanyou. He would truly become a god. This world would be like clay whereas he would mould it to his liking. He knew what he had to do. He must have Inuyasha at all cost. Smiling, he started to move toward the kneeling Hanyou.

xxxxx


As the Dragon Father lowered himself to the ground, Ashanta fell from his head. Before she could hit the ground, Sethos had caught his mate. The demoness was covered in sweat and coughing up blood. The Abyssinian lowered her to the ground and tried to awaken her.

"Ashanta," he said stroking her cheek with his long fingers. "Open your eyes."

Almost as though she heard him. Her eyes snapped out.

"Sister," said Zaine startled at how sudden she had awakened.

She tried to set up, but she began coughing up blood. Sethos rubbed gentle circles in her back. "Ashanta, are you all right?"

"I'm fine," she said getting to her feet, shaking her head to clear it of the fuzz that settled in her mind.

"You should rest," said Ngbaka. "We shall . . ."

"No," she said cutting him off. "We have no time for me to rest. We have to help Kumo."

They turned to Inuyasha, and he was on his knees with his head lowered. The power engulfing him had dimmed a little.

“Inuyasha,” said Sesshomaru kneeling before his mate. He reached a hand out preparing to touch him when Ashanta yelled.

“No! Don’t touch him,” she said breathing irregularly. “If you do. You will die.”

"What do you mean?" asked Yoko.

"He isn't ready yet. He must control the power the spirits granted him. He almost has it under control, but he needs more time.” Ashanta pushed out of her mate's arms. "We have to protect Kumo until he is ready."

They saw Naraku moving toward the unaware Hanyou. Long, thick tentacles were almost upon the youth when Sesshomaru got to his feet, standing protectively in front of his mate slashing them to pieces.

"Let's go people," shouted Ashanta. "We have to buy Kumo more time." She dodged a tentacle and used the others to catapult herself into the air, and she landed on Naraku's snout. "This is a little gift you gave me when you left me in that fuckin miasma. Burning Mist." As she ejected her claws, a red black mist poured from her claws. She buried her claws in Naraku's face raking them across his eye.

Naraku threw his head back shrieking in agonizing pain. Ashanta leaped away from him and landed beside her brother. They watched as the dragon roared in anger and pain, and the tentacles thrashed about violently.

Sharp, spikes ejected from the Eithopian dragons backs going down their spines as Tago and Sano grabbed their tails and began spinning toward Naraku. "Dragon Wheel!" they yelled in unison. As they collided with him, their sharp spikes tore into Naraku's flesh. Foul-smelling black liquid along with his miasma poured from the wounds.

Naraku, losing his balance, stumbled back stunned not expecting his enemies to be able to hurt him.

"Let's go dog boy!" said Ngbaka smirking. Sesshomaru growled at the gall of the lion demon but followed him anyway. Both ran toward the temporary blinded dragon changing into their demon forms. Putting all their strength into the attack, the lion and dog slammed head first into the body of the dragon. They sent Naraku crashing through the gate, and his body slammed into the side of the palace. Naraku was buried beneath a ton of debris.

Suddenly there was a bright flash, and everyone turned to Inuyasha. They gasped when the kneeling youth was glowing with the power that engulfed him. He reached over and grasped the hilt of tetsusaiga. They watched in awe as the power bled from the Hanyou into the sword.

"What's happening?" asked Sango.

"He’s transferring the power into his sword," said Ashanta wiping a trail of blood from the corner of her mouth.

Just then Naraku bursted from the rubble. His eyes were white with fury. "You insignificant little shits! You think you fools can defeat me! I am Naraku! GOD OF ALL THE DEMONS!"

"Somebody lied to you." Everyone turned to see a demon Inuyasha walking toward them.

Still in his dog demon form, Sesshoamru turned to his brother. --Inuyasha-- said Sesshoamru. He couldn't believe that this was his mate. The power coming from Inuyasha was incredible. As he looked at the tetsusaiga, the sword seemed to have gotten larger, and it pulsed with the same power coming from his mate. With each step he made, the power went into the sword. Those raged filled red eyes were aimed at Naraku. The dog lord shuddered as the power made his fur stand up on his body.

"Are you ready for the final battle, Naraku?" asked Inuyasha in that deep gravelly voice.

"Hmph. Yes half breed. Let's end this," said Naraku smiling. "I have a world to recreate and lives to destroy." Then he lunged at Inuyasha.