Tender Love

Disclaimer- i do not own any of the characters of Inuyasha.


Chapter 30

Suddenly someone dressed in red leaped off the back of the great beast and an angry female voice split the air. "WIND SCAR!" suddenly five white jagged claws of power came from the sword to rip through the ranks of the enemy army. Body parts littered the ground as the destructive force killed one hundred of the enemy. It may have been more since the demons panicked upon seeing the devastating attack coming toward them.

Then a male voice was heard after the female. "DRAGON STRIKE!" as another blast took out even more of the enemy army. The huge dog had disappeared taking on its humanoid form as he wrapped one arm around his mate's waist. The two demons landed side by side before the frightened army.

"It's Lord Sesshomaru!" squawked Jaken excitedly.

"But who . . .?" 'Is that Akemi?' Inutaisho squinted his eyes trying to see who the sliver haired demon dressed in red was. He knew those clothes. Those were Akemi's fire rat robe. 'No, the form is too small to be him and then the voice was that of a female. Whoever that is, also wields my Tetsusaiga. Which in itself should be impossible. Only Sesshomaru and I should be able to wield that sword.' Suddenly it dawned upon the elder demon who the female was. He should have known when he saw Sesshomaru had returned. 'I am getting old and senile just as you said son.' Inutaisho chuckled softly to himself. 'You said you would not return until you had your mate and children back.' A smile spread across his face lighting up his dark amber colored eyes. "It is. It’s Sesshomaru and Inuyasha. They have returned!"

Everyone cheered as they saw that their lord and lady had returned.

Suddenly appearing from a whirlwind of dust was the wolf prince Koga. The wolves howled in joy at seeing their leader back. Landing besides them was Miroku and Sango. Hopping off the fire cat, Sango ready her boomerang and Miroku prepared to release an onslaught of purifying sutras and Kilala roared as she was ready to tear into some demon flesh.

Then there was a mighty roared from the sky looking up they saw a large snake like dragon coming to settle beside the others. Then the dragon transformed back to his humanoid form. The Chinese dragons cheered as they saw their beloved commander also.

Once all the commotion settled down the enemy army reestablished themselves and stood facing the small group. "Where is your lord?" demanded Inuyasha yelling from across the battlefield.

Suddenly a large dog demon with wide shoulders dressed in black stepped forward to stand before them. "I am Captain Shungiku." He was tall with midnight black hair that hung in a high ponytail. A jagged scar slashed diagonally across his right eye sealing it shut while his good eye was bluer than the sky. He had three dark blue jagged markings across his left cheek only. "My lord does not wish to speak to the likes of you, half breed."

"Say another insult to my mate and it will be the last," snarled Sesshomaru.

"You tell him to turn his army around or we will not hesitate in obliterating you all," Inuyasha said in a chilling voice that sent shivers down everyone's spine. "You tell that old fool, that I will not let him come into my home and destroy it like he has done to his own lands."

"We do not take orders from women and especially not a filthy half breed," Shungiku sneered.

Inuyasha smirked. "So be it!" She yelled in the hopes that the stupid eastern lord heard her. "Just remember this. The death of all these demons will be on your hands, old man!"

"Insolent whelp," snarled the enemy captain. Drawing his sword, he gave the order to attack.

As the enemy army advanced toward them Inuyasha raised Tetsusaiga and released another blast of the wind scar wiping out more. "Let's go." She ran into battle with Sesshomaru and the others at her side. Not long after, the rest of the western army and their allies joined in the battle.

In the mist of battle Inuyasha and the others got separated. Inuyasha slashed and decapitated demon after demon that challenged her, and true to her father's stories the fire rat robes did indeed protect her but she also knew that the robes would not protect her from being stabbed in the chest. Remembering all that Sesshomaru and Shilin had taught her, Inuyasha blocked, parried, thrust, and slashed her way through the throng of demons until she was in the center of the battle where Lord Nishimura stood waiting.

The demon lord had given orders to his men that if any should make it through to face him to not to get involve. To his delight, it was the half breed. He could not believe his good fortune. Not only would he gain the west but he would be rid of this disgusting abomination.

"Well, what have we here, the little hanyou thinks she can defeat me," Nishimura said sneering at her.

"I’m going to send you to hell, you old fool," said Inuyasha smirking.

"Stupid bitch, better than you have tried to take my head but they are all dead. You will not fair any better."

"That's the difference between me and them. I am not going to try to defeat you. I will."

"You have guts for a half breed but it will not be enough to save you."

"Doesn't matter. If I die while taking you with me. It will be worth it to make sure the west is safe from your ignorance and stupidity." She raised the transformed Tetsusaiga. Inuyasha smiled wickedly at the elder dog demon. "Come, grandfather." The word grandfather left a foul taste on her tongue. "Let's end your miserable existence." She lunged toward him. He quickly drew his sword to block her thrust and threw her back. "Meet Yami no Ryuu. It was made from the fang of a black dragon I killed over a century ago."

Inuyasha scowled as she stared at the ugly black sword. It was the thing of nightmares as it glowed with a red evil aura. It had a diamond tip but as Inuyasha's eyes traveled down the blade, it was jagged on both sides of the sword and the cross bar seemed to coil around his hand. And was that blood dripping from the pommel of the hilt. Inuyasha stared in sick horror at the oozing black liquid. No, it was not blood but whatever it was, reeked of death and decay. The sword had the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end. The twisted aura coming from the sword was thick around her as though it was trying to suffocate her. Inuyasha shook the effect of the sword off as she clutched her hands tightly around the hilt of Tetsusaiga. The sword’s own aura pushed the dark aura of the black sword away from her. She lunged again. He blocked. Nishimura came in with a head cut and in an amazing feat of gymnastics Inuyasha bends backwards and watched the blade pass within inches of her face. The blade however snipped the end of her braid. Inuyasha bend all the way back until her hands touched the ground. She brought her foot up in a strong kick knocking the eastern lord back a feet inches. She quickly springs to her feet and lungs at the elder demon.

White and black sparks flew from the swords as they clashed with each other. The eastern lord found himself impressed that the half breed was able to counter his attacks but of course once he gets serious she will not stand a chance against him. He smirked as he decided to give her a taste of his sword's power. Pushing her away, the eastern lord thrust the sword at Inuyasha. "Dancing Lightning!" Thick jagged streaks of lightning came from the sword streaking toward her.

Inuyasha leaped out of the way as the attacked left a deep smouldering hole where she was just standing a second ago.

"Come little one, let's see which is stronger, the fang of a dog or the fang of a dragon. Once again they collided in battle. "Dancing Lightning!" roared the eastern lord again as he sent another lightning attack at Inuyasha. Grabbing one of his warriors and placing him in front of her, the attack fried the poor fool killing him instantly.

"He's well done," smirked Inuyasha. Then she turned an angry glare at the man that is trying to take her home. "Let's do this."

Inuyasha ran off leading Nishimura a short distance away from the battlefield. “Are you running away, little one?” he called after Inuyasha. “After such bold talk, I expected you to fight me to the very end.”

“No old man, I am not running away. I never run from a challenge.” She smirked. “I’m just giving myself some elbow room.” She came to a stop and turned to face him.

“Dancing Lightning!”

“Wind Scar!”

The two attacks collided in a magnificent explosion. Seeing a chance to catch the older demon off guard as soon as the attacks exploded on contact, she attacked. When Nishimura looked up he was shocked to see Inuyasha emerging out of the dust and debris to attack him. Using speed she didn't know she had. She was able to launch a series of quick sword strikes temporarily taking the old dog off guard. Nishimura was surprised. He didn't expect Inuyasha to be so good at fighting. Although he knew she still could not win against a seasoned warrior such as himself, he had to admit that she had once again surprised him with her skills. 'Seems she hasn't been spending her days as other princess' with picking out jewelry and clothes and other such nonsense. In time she would become an excellent warrior.' He smirked. 'Too bad she won't live long enough to realize her potential. I will make sure of that.'

xxxxx

Not long into the battle Sesshomaru noticed that he had been separated from the others. He and Koga fought back to back as Sesshomaru tried to locate his mate. He was able to find the demon slayer and her mate. He was impressed how the two humans were holding their own against the demons. He turned to the left and there was the dragon captain with those massive swords cutting down his enemies as though they were wheat. "Koga. Have you seen Inuyasha?" he asked his friend as he sent his light whip out taking off the heads of four demons at once.

"No, I lost track when the fight began," said the wolf prince dodging a large claw aimed for his head. He ducked low and slammed his katana into the stomach of the demon. blood gushed out of the wound as the wolf lifted the demon over his head and slammed the body into some of the advancing demons.

Koga saw the explosion and was shocked. "What the hell was that!" He kicked a demon in the throat breaking his neck.

"What is it?" asked Sesshomaru glancing slightly over his shoulder at his friend.

"I don't know it was like an explosion." He shrugged his shoulder as he ducked a head cut. "It was probably nothing."

Before Sesshomaru could think any more about what his friend had said, the enemy captain Shungiku burst through the crowd and launched himself at Sesshomaru. The demon lord snarled in agitation. He did not have time to be playing with this fool. He had to find his mate before something happened to her. Their swords clashed as Sesshomaru went immediately for a head cut but the other demon ducked and lunged. Sesshomaru blocked and went on the offense. He drove the demon back with each strike.

"You are good, pup but I am much older and far more experience in battle than you are," Shungiku smirked.

"You maybe older and more experience than I but I am better." Sesshomaru lunged. Shungiku blocked and lunged. Sesshomaru parried. Shungiku riposte. Their duel went on but Sesshomaru had to end this fight quickly. He had to find his beloved and fast. If anything happened to her he didn't know if he would be able to live without her. The decision was made, he would pretend to leave an opening in his defense on his right side and although he would end up being wounded it was a small price to pay to end the fight and find his mate. So, he made a common mistake any young warrior would make in battle and left his right side unguarded and when Shungiku noticed this mistake he smirked in triumph.

"You were good but as I said before I have the most experience," Shungiku smirked smugly. Once again Sesshomaru's right side was left unprotected. Aiming for the crack in Sesshomaru defense, the enemy thrust his blade for the opening Sesshomaru left under his right arm. "Sorry puppy."

Sesshomaru saw the attack coming. Although he had great speed, he knew that he would not be able to avoid or block the strike in time. So when he felt the blade penetrate flesh, the young demon lord grunted in pain as he grabbed the blade holding it tightly. He tried to yank the sword out of Sesshomaru's grasp but the young dog demon lord held it with a firm determination.

Shungiku was shocked when Sesshomaru grabbed the blade. The blade was cutting through his hand as blood fell like rain from the wound. He stared up at a smirking Sesshomaru as his eyes widened in realization. “You left yourself unguarded on purpose.”

“Yes, and this is where your miserable life ends.” In an upward thrust, Sesshomaru forced the Tokijin under the enemy's jaw ramming the blade into his brain.

Shungiku eyes widened in horror as the last imagine he took to hell was Sesshomaru smiling sinisterly at him. And the last thing that went through his mind other than the sword was 'how in the hell did he let himself get defeated by this wet behind the ear pup.' Then his eyes rolled to the back of his head and he fell to the ground dead. Pulling the blade out of his side, Sesshomaru threw the weapon to the ground and then pulled Tokijin from its sheath of flesh. His wounds began to quickly heal themselves. Sesshomaru began to fight his way through the battle trying to locate his mate.

xxxxx

Inuyasha was beginning to tire as her breathing was coming in heavy pants. She glared in disgust as the old dog had hardly broken a sweat and wasn't breathing heavily at all. And not only that, she wasn't able to land one scratch on the old bastard. She was cut all over her body. Some were shallow and others were deep. The deep wounds however were slow to heal and the bleeding would not stop.

"I must admit that I never thought you would last this long against me," Nishimura smirked, "but you do realize that you cannot defeat me."

Inuyasha just shrugged her shoulders. She gathered her strength, tightened her grip on her sword and attacked.

xxxxx

Standing on a hill, Mina, Shippo and Kohaku stood watching the intense battle below. They could see the entire battlefield. Shippo held Keitano in his arms and watched his family and friends defend their home. It was a battle to remember as everyone seemed to move in slow motion. He saw his mother fighting the eastern lord. That unsettling feeling became unbearable as he watched the two. He tightened his hold on his little brother as he saw his mother wounded several times by the demon lord. Keitano and Keitaro began to cry as they could sense their elder brother's fear.

"Shh," Shippo cooed. "Everything will be all right. Mother will be fine." ‘I hope. Please, don't let anything happen to my mother.' The kit silently prayed to whatever deity who would listen to him.

He flinched when he saw the elder demon slash his mother across the shoulder. Suddenly that unbearable feeling was suffocating him as he watched his mother. His breathing was coming in quick pants as he watched his mother and the eastern lord dance around each other trading blow for blow. The two were moving in slow motion as Nishimura's ugly blade tore through the soft flesh of his mother's stomach. His mouth opened in a scream but it did not come from him.


Suddenly Mina screamed as tears fell from her eyes. Shippo's eyes had widened in horror as they began to mist over with tears. Falling to his knees, "mother," he said softly as he held his brother tightly in his arms. "Mother!" he yelled in horror.

xxxxx

On the battlefield Nishimura decided that it was time to end this battle. He charged at her knocking the sword out of the way and thrust the black sword through her stomach all the way up to the hilt. Inuyasha screamed in horrible pain as she felt the jagged blade tear through her body ripping her insides to shred. Great globs of blood gushed from her mouth and wound staining Nishimura's hands and dark robes as her head fell onto his shoulder.

"See little one," he whispered in her ears. "I told you you would not win against me."


Inuyasha eyes closed as the sound of battle began to fade. Suddenly there was a sound that was drowning out the already fading sounds of battle. It was the sound of children crying and she knew those were her little ones weeping. Her eyes snapped opened as she tightly clutched the hilt of Tetsusaiga.

Nishimura was still gloating at his easy victory. "There's something else about Yami no Ryuu that you do not know about."

Inuyasha grunted and turned her lips to his ear. "And didn't . . . I tell . . . you . . . that I was . . . going to . . . kill you . . . as well," she gasped out. Each breath she took pain shot through her body. With every ounce of strength she had left, she raised Tetsusaiga and thrust forward burying it into his stomach.

Nishimura gasped as he staggered back staring down at the sword buried in his stomach. He reached for the hilt of Tetsusaiga but there was a barrier around the sword preventing him from touching it. He screamed in pain as he fell to his knees staring at his smouldering hands. He stared up in rage at the half demoness. Nishimura snarled as he watched the hanyou gently but firmly pull the black sword from her body. The wound was an awful sight as blood fell like a river from the wound.

She was so tired as the black sword seemed to weigh a ton and her arms were like wet noodles. Raising her foot, she slammed it into the blade breaking it in half. Then she glared down at the eastern lord. "If you're confused as to . . . why you cannot . . . touch the sword. I had a powerful . . . foreign demon sorcerer place a barrier around . . . the sword so that only I and the person whose fang the sword was . . . forged from can touch it." She held onto the hilt of the Nishimura’s broken sword and smirked. "I win."

"Don't think . . . you've won . . . half breed," he gasped out, coughing out a river of blood that ran down his chin. "My sword was . . . forged while . . . the dragon's . . . venom was still . . . in the . . . the fang." He smiled. "You will still die."

She took slow careful steps toward the kneeling lord. Every step she took, pain ripped through her body. She could feel her heart slowing. She had to end this battle now. 'For the future of the west, I shalll end your reign of terror.' "Doesn't matter. As long as you are dead. Grandfather," she said in contemptuous sarcasm.

He growled in rage. "Go to hell bitch!"

"You first." Inuyasha grasped the hilt of Tetsusaiga. "Wind Scar!" After the attack all that was left of the eastern demon lord was an arm. Inuyasha stood staring out at the land. Suddenly appearing before her darkening vision was a woman dressed in white with large white wings. She glowed with an etheral beauty. "Mother." She smiled.