Sunday, January 17, 2010

Chapter 2
"You shall join a very long list of demons that has tried and failed." Akurei says.

"Shall we?" Inuyasha asks.

"Let's." Akurei says stepping to the side so Inuyasha may pass.

They walk all the way out to the open area near the Bone Eater's Well. Akurei puts on his mask and jabs his staff into the ground.

Kagome, Miroku, and Sango all run over and try to stop him but Inuyasha ignores them and draws Tetsusaiga.

Inuyasha raises Tetsusaiga high above his head and shouts, "WINDSCAR!!"

The energy wave scorches the earth as it makes its way to Akurei. The full force of the blast hits and Inuyasha feels Akurei's body dissolve.

"Heh, that was easy. For someone who claimed to be so powerful, he sure was weak." Inuyasha says.

Clapping is heard and Inuyasha looks over his shoulder at Akurei who is standing and clapping.

Large chunks of his flesh are missing or hanging. He rips the loose chunks and tosses them to the side.

"That was pathetic. At this rate I would die from old age before you ever killed me with that attack." Akurei says ripping more flesh from his body.

"Amazing." Sango says.

"That's just gross." Kagome says and covers her eyes.

"I have never seen anyone stay standing after receiving a direct blow from Inuyasha's windscar." Miroku says.

"I see you have yet to master that sword." Akurei says.

"I have mastered this sword." Inuyasha says and raises Tetsusaiga.

"ADAMANT BARRAGE!!!" Inuyasha shouts as dozens of large diamond shards fly at Akurei.

They shred through his body and Inuyasha smiles, as Akurei's head rolls across the ground.

"Survive that." Inuyasha says.

Akurei's body pulls itself together as Inuyasha turns and walks back to Kagome.

"Is that all? This is all the son of the Great Dog Demon has to offer? A couple parlor tricks?" Akurei says as his body picks up his head and places it on his shoulders.

"What?" Inuyasha says confused.

"I don't believe it." Miroku says.

"Adamant Barrage? If I used an energy attack against you then you would counter with Backlash Wave. And if I put up a barrier then you'd use the red Tetsusaiga and slice through it. It sucks that I know so much about your fighting style and know how to counter everyone of your attacks. Doesn't it?" Akurei says as his flesh regenerates.

"I will kill you." Inuyasha says and sheathes Tetsusaiga.

He runs at Akurei who simply stands there and waits.

"SIT!!!" Kagome shouts and releases a sacred arrow.

Inuyasha face plants into the ground and the arrow blows apart Akurei's chest and sends his left arm flying through the air.

Sango launches her Hiraikotsu and cuts Akurei down the middle.

"Inuyasha move!" Miroku shouts and opens his windtunnel.

Inuyasha moves out of the way a split second before Akurei's body is sucked towards Miroku's hand.

Just before he is pulled in, Akurei pulls himself together and stops a mere foot from entering. His left arm does enter however and Akurei catches just on the inside.

"Now I wonder how long you can keep this open before you are pulled in?" Akurei asks holding his left arm inside of the windtunnel.

"I can't hold it open much longer." Miroku says to himself.

Akurei removes his arm and Miroku seals the windtunnel.

"I must admit that was a well executed group attack." Akurei says reattaching his arm. "I see why Naraku wants you all dead now." He adds.

"Does that mean you aren't working for him?" Sango asks.

"No. A true full blooded demon working for a false one? No real demon would consider it unless they are weak." Akurei says and looks at Inuyasha.

"I will kill you next time." Inuyasha says with his hand on Tetsusaiga.

"Not with those current moves. Totosai will have to teach you the advanced moves of Tetsusaiga. Then when you have those mastered, come and see me at the Lunar Temple north of here. Until then." Akurei says and turns to leave.

"That's it? You are just walking away?" Inuyasha asks.

"Inuyasha. Just let it go." Kagome says.

"Would you rather have me end it with an attack?" Akurei asks.

Before Inuyasha can reply Akurei clotheslines him and then leaves him laying on the ground doubled up and unconscious.

"When he improves have him come find me. Until we meet again." Akurei says retrieving his staff.

"That is one truly powerful demon. It is almost scary that there are demons like him still around." Myoga says sitting on Kagome's shoulder.

"Myoga. When did you get here?" Miroku asks picking up Inuyasha's body.

"It is a long hop out here for a flea." Myoga replies.

"Sure. Whatever you say." Kagome says as they head back to Kaede's village.

A week has passed since Akurei laid Inuyasha out and not a moment has gone by that Inuyasha hasn't thought about it.

The group has traveled to Totosai's home and Inuyasha awaits Totosai's return. The rest have gone to the nearby by village and wait for Inuyasha at the inn.

"If it isn't Tetsusaiga. You haven't broken her again?" Totosai says looking at the sword.

"No. I was in a battle against a demon called Akurei and he told me to see you about some sort of advanced techniques." Inuyasha says.

"Oh my." Totosai says concerned.

"What is it?" Inuyasha asks.

"I must discuss this with Myoga. For now go to the village and wait." Totosai says.

Inuyasha looks at him and then walks off.

"What is it, Totosai?" Myoga asks.

"Those advanced techniques cannot be taught to him." Totosai says.

"I see." Myoga replies.

At the Lunar temple dozens of villagers have gathered in front of the temple. Each of them have brought gifts of some kind and placed them at the temple gates.

"Milord, the villagers are at it again." A monk says looking out of the temple.

"I know. I can hear them. Just let them do as they please." Akurei says sitting in the moon light that is pouring through the large hole in the roof.

"Yes milord." The monk replies and continues to watch the villagers.

"Any word yet?" Akurei asks setting his staff before him.

"Not yet. Our best men are on it. We should have word soon." The monk replies.

"Good. Tell me the instant you hear something." Akurei says.

Two more days have passed and Inuyasha paces impatiently back and forth in the room waiting for Totosai.

"Calm yourself Inuyasha. Whatever it is that Totosai needed to speak with Myoga about, must be important." Miroku says.

"I need to know these advanced techniques in order to beat that bastard, Akurei." Inuyasha says still pacing.

Kagome looks over at Sango and both of them roll their eyes.

"Those techniques were not meant for Master Inuyasha to learn. And knowing Master Inuyasha he will want to learn them even more now." Myoga says.

"It seems that Akurei knew this and that's why he told Inuyasha about them." Totosai says.

"Of course I did. I want to know how far he is willing to go in order to beat me." Akurei says walking in to Totosai's home.

"Akurei?" Totosai says surprised.

"Myoga. Totosai." Akurei says with a slight bow.

"I will not allow him to learn those techniques." Myoga protests.

"I understand completely how you feel but will Inuyasha? From what I have heard he is very stubborn and will go to any length to prove his strength. I want to know if he will go that much further to unlocking the true Tetsusaiga." Akurei says.

"Why?" Totosai asks.

"I have met with Naraku. He is determined to kill Inuyasha. Not sure why but he is willing to sacrifice anything for accomplishing his goals. Inuyasha must be able to do the same if he ever wishes to rid the world of Naraku." Akurei explains.

"I see what you mean. What are you planning?" Totosai asks.

The following morning Myoga leads Inuyasha and the rest to Totosai's home.

"Sit down. I have decided to test you to see if you are able to learn the advanced techniques." Totosai says in a serious voice.

"Okay. What do I have to do?" Inuyasha asks.

"Milord! I come bearing good news! He is alive and well!" The monk says waking Akurei.

"That's good. When will he return?" Akurei asks.

"He is not sure. He hasn't found what he is looking for yet." The monk replies.

"Alright. Keep me informed." Akurei replies and vanishes.

Totosai lets out a deep breath and looks at Myoga.

Inuyasha turns around and sees Akurei approaching.

"What do you want?" Inuyasha asks.

"I am here as an observer. I do not wish to fight with you today. You have more important things to concern yourself with." Akurei replies and takes a seat next to Myoga.

"What is the test?" Inuyasha asks.

"Draw your Tetsusaiga, Inuyasha." Totosai says.

Inuyasha does so and it transforms.

"Inuyasha, I want to show you something." Akurei says and snatches Tetsusaiga from him.

"Hey!" Inuyasha says and tries to take the sword back.

"Relax. I am not stealing this sword from you. I am going to show the advanced techniques." Akurei says and hands Kagome his staff.

"Its alright." Totosai says.

Akurei stands out in the barren lava flow and swings the sword in one powerful swing. The Backlash Wave occurs and Inuyasha is silent.

"You can do the Backlash Wave without having to wait for your opponent to use an energy attack first. The next one is Heaven's Fang." Akurei explains.

He swings the sword in an upward motion and a whirlwind sends a large boulder airborne.

"This one will allow you to do the final move if you wish or you can do any other move you want. Your opponent will be unable to dodge." Akurei says.

Akurei takes a deep breath and swings Tetsusaiga with such force that the lava parts, then throws Tetsusaiga at the boulder.

Tetsusaiga falls to the ground and everything becomes eerily still. There is not a sound. From out of nowhere a large void appears in front of the boulder and sucks it in.

"Those are the three advanced techniques of the Tetsusaiga." Akurei says handing the sword to Inuyasha and taking his staff back.

"Those were incredible. Naraku wouldn't be able to stand a chance against those." Inuyasha says.

"They were definitely something." Miroku says.

"Okay. Enough wasting time. What is the test so I can learn those?" Inuyasha says.

"You must........" Totosai starts to say, "You tell him."

"What Totosai meant to say was that you must kill those closest to you." Akurei says calmly.

"What!?" Inuyasha says.

"Eh!" Kagome says.

"......." Sango and Miroku say together.

"Yes. In order for you to learn those moves you must give up your human half and become full demon. Since you don't have the Shikon Jewel the other way to become full demon is to slaughter those that you love." Akurei explains.

Inuyasha drops Tetsusaiga and falls to his knees. The memories of Kagome, Miroku, and Sango flood his mind.

"How can he become a full demon if he slaughters us?" Miroku asks.

"Since Tetsusaiga can only transform for those that have compassion in their hearts and it acts as a barrier to keep Inuyasha's demon blood at bay, if he were to kill all of you with his bare hands as a full blooded demon then he would stay that way permanently. Myoga has kept this secret from Inuyasha because he knew that at the very beginning he would of done it without hesitation. Now that he has gotten to know all of you the choice will be much harder for him to make." Akurei explains.

Inuyasha kneels there with his mind flooded with memories.

Kagome looks at Inuyasha as Sango glances at Miroku.

"Is there any other way?" Inuyasha asks after several long intense moments.

"You can toss aside your precious Tetsusaiga and become a full blooded demon that way. Although you have to be taken to the brink of death and with that way you could die." Akurei explains.

"Why don't you head back to the inn?" Myoga says.

Kagome, Sango, and Miroku all start walking back to the inn.

"I can't believe he is taking this long to think about it." Kagome says.

"Well if you think about it, becoming a full blooded demon has been his goal this entire time. It's only natural that he would think about it." Miroku explains.

"But we have been with him for nearly four years now. We have become good friends. How could he sacrifice us just to gain the advanced techniques of his sword?" Kagome asks.

"I think he will make the right choice." Akurei says walking with them.

"What are you doing here?" Kagome asks.

"Heading home. He has a lot on his mind and it will take him awhile." Akurei replies.

"How can it be hard? The choice should be obvious." Kagome says.

"Yes to you perhaps, but Inuyasha has wanted to be a full blooded demon for as long as he can remember. Now that he has the opportunity to do it quickly without having to be brought to the brink of death." Miroku says.

"I agree with Kagome. This choice shouldn't be that hard for him. We have been together for way too long for him to kill us." Sango says.

"I understand. The four of you are very close and you are in love with him. Hopefully he chooses correctly or he may lose the only woman who loves him." Akurei says as he walks on ahead and vanishes.

Kagome blushes at the words and walks faster with her head down.

"Milord you have returned." The monk says as Akurei brings in the gifts the villagers have left at the front gate.

"Here. Sort through these. Any word?" Akurei says giving the gifts to the monk.

"Not yet. A villager dropped off one final gift last night." The monk says.

In the temple itself a young beautiful woman kneels before a statue praying.

"When will they learn." Akurei says to himself as he enters the temple.

"Welcome home master." The woman says and bows deeply.

"Thank you. Let me guess your father insisted that you were to marry me." Akurei says.

"Yes milord." The young woman says not looking at him.

"I appreciate the gesture however, I have no intentions of marrying at the moment. (a look of sadness overcomes her face.) If you'd like you can stay here tonight and I will return you to your home tomorrow morning." Akurei says.

She smiles and says, "Thank you milord."

Kagome, Sango, and Miroku all sit in the room thinking about Inuyasha.

As the sun rises, Inuyasha walks in and sits down.

Kagome is the first to wake up.

"Inuyasha? You're back!" She says and gives him a hug.

"So what was your choice Inuyasha?" Sango asks.

"I decided to not learn those techniques. They would be very helpful but I couldn't bring myself to kill any of you." Inuyasha says quietly.

"That's very good to hear." Miroku says.

"And what about Akurei? You still plan on fighting him?" Kagome asks.

"Yes, but not till after I kill Naraku." Inuyasha says clenching his fist.

"Did you hear any news about Naraku?" Miroku asks.

Inuyasha shakes his head.

"So where should we start?" Sango asks.

"Not sure. I can't go anywhere till after Totosai is done sharpening Tetsusaiga." Inuyasha says.

In a small village at the base of the mountain where Akurei's shrine is located, Akurei and the young woman walk to her home.

"What a nice village." Akurei says looking around.

"This is it, milord." She says and opens the door.

"Hana? What are you doing here? Don't tell me you ran away? Your father will be furious." The mother says.

"Not at all." Akurei says walking in.

The mother kneels before Akurei.

"No need for that. I have come to return her." Akurei says helping the mother to her feet.

"Was she not acceptable?" The mother asks.

"No, not at all. She is a very fine young woman, its just that I have no intentions of marrying at the moment. I do appreciate the offer and would like for you to have these as a token of my appreciation." Akurei says setting down several bundles.

"Ummm...." The mother says not knowing what to say.

"Just accept them and continue on. I must be going." Akurei says and leaves.

"Where is that bastard Totosai? He said he would have Tetsusaiga done by now!" Inuyasha says three days later.

"I'm sure he is just making sure everything is perfect with it." Kagome says trying to calm Inuyasha down.

Back at Totosai's, Totosai is sound asleep.

Just outside the village, Naraku stands next to a tall and vicious looking demon. The demon is a cross between a bear and ox. It has the body of an ox and the head of the bear with brown fur covering its body. In its powerful hands is a large battle ax.

"You know what to do." Naraku says handing the Shikon Jewel to the demon.

"Lay waste to this village? Sounds simple enough to me." The demon says taking the jewel.

His size nearly doubles and he is now taller then the trees.

The ground shakes as he walks into the town. The villagers scream and run for cover.

"What is that?" Inuyasha asks opening the door and seeing the demon.

"Oh my!" Sango says grabbing her Hiraikotsu.

"Let's go." Miroku says leaping out of the door.

Kagome grabs her bow and arrows and follows the others.

"Who the hell are you!" Inuyasha shouts.

"Inuyasha! He has a ton of Jewel shards!" Kagome says finally sensing the shards.

They all take a defensive stance as the demon laughs at them.

"Are you four supposed to stop me?" He asks still laughing, "Three pathetic humans and an even more pathetic half breed?"

"This half breed is going to be the one that will kill you." Inuyasha says as his knuckles crack.

"HA! Is that so little one? Lets see what you've got." The demon says and smashes the massive axe into the ground.

Inuyasha narrowly dodges the attack and reaches fo Tetsusaiga.

"Curse that old man!" Inuyasha growls and leaps out of the way of the axe.

Miroku removes the beads around his windtunnel and as he raises it, Saimyosho fill the sky behind the demon.

Sango runs around behind the demon and throws her Hiraikotsu at its legs. The Hiraikotsu bounces off harmlessly and the demon turns towards her.

"Guess I am going to finish the prettiest one off first." The demon says and swings the axe at Sango.

Sango blushes at what the demon says just before Kilala swoops in and rescues her seconds before the axe obliterates the ground where she was standing.

Inuyasha starts to run at the distracted demon as Miroku throws dozens of spirit wards at the demon's legs.

"Very impressive." Akurei says as he sips tea in the tea house just down the street from the battle.

"Lord Akurei. I implore you to make sure Master Inuyasha does not transform." Myoga says.

"Myoga, I am here only to protect the town and its people. If you want to save Inuyasha's soul then I suggest you go and get Tetsusaiga." Akurei replies.

Myoga hops off as fast as he can hop towards Totosai's.

The demon's left leg has become completely immobilized and Inuyasha's claws slice through the fur with ease. He removes a large chunk of fur and the fur regenerates.

"That won't work, little one. I can regrow parts faster then you can hack them off." The demon boasts.

Inuyasha thinks for a moment and while he is thinking the demon kicks him into the forest. A few trees fall and Inuyasha lays there in the woods lifeless.

Kagome fires an arrow and it blows a hole through the demon's chest. A couple shards fall but they are quickly caught by the Saimyosho.

Instantly the demon starts healing again.

"None of you can kill me. Why don't you just give it up and let me eat you." The demon says.

"I wouldn't say that. I can kill you." Inuyasha says as he walks out of the forest with his head down.

"Little one, you must of hit your head because you are delusional." The demon says.

With a flash, the demon's axe and wrist fall to the ground.

"What! You aren't the same half breed. You are full blooded now. How is it possible?" The demon says just before his arm falls off.

"Interesting. I thought these were just rumors." Akurei says.

Totosai and Myoga arrive as Inuyasha is toying with the demon.

"Master Inuyasha! Take this!" Myoga shouts as Totosai drops Tetsusaiga to him.

"I don't need it. I can do this without that sword." Inuyasha snaps back.

"Oh, Inuyasha." Kagome says with tears in her eyes.

From out of nowhere a blue lightning attack decapitates the demon. Its body disintegrates instantly and the jewel shards are retrieved by the saimyosho.

"Who the...?" Everyone says looking around.

"Show yourself!" Demon Inuyasha shouts.

Sesshomaru steps out of the forest with Tokijin drawn.

"You!" Demon Inuyasha says and tries to rush Sesshomaru.

"SIT!!!" Kagome screams and Inuyasha face plants into the ground.

Miroku and Sango quickly grab Inuyasha and run back to Kagome.

"What are you doing here?" Miroku asks.

"Following someone. His scent lead me here but it seems he has moved on." Sesshomaru says and walks right past them.

He walks through the town and disappears into the forest on the other side.

"That was weird." Kagome says.

"Yeah. He answered the question." Sango says.

"Lord Sesshomaruuu..." Jaken shouts stepping out of the forest, "Where did he go now?"

Ah-Uhn follow behind the green imp with Rin riding on their back.

Nobody says anything as they walk by. Rin turns and waves as they walk into town and they too disappear into the forest at the other end.

Everyone looks at each other and scratches their head.

"We should be going." Miroku says.

They walk off in the direction of the Saimyosho.
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