It was a cold night. Clouds hovered over the darkened sky blocking out the moon. The thick, purple, almost airless miasma acted as a barrier around the gothic fortress. A single bee flew through the miasma as if the air was not toxic. The bee entered the castle flying down the poorly lit main hall past a few rooms. It turned into a room divided by a large, purple curtain. The curtain moved to the side on its own as the bee proceeded. Naraku, the evil, heartless demon sat in meditation with lit candles forming a circle around him. The shadows on the walls seemed to flash and dance to the candles’ flickering. Naraku opened his eyes and welcomed his visitor. The bee hovered in front of Naraku and communicated its message through telepathy. An evil smile broke on Naraku’s face as the bee left the room. Naraku closed his eyes and thought to himself. Well, Inuyasha, you have not brought me closer to other jewel shards. Instead you brought me to something of great value. This new friend of yours will suit my plans well. Naraku gave restrained laughter. I’ll find out how powerful he truly is!
Naraku returned to his meditation.
*******
The sun rose over the distant mountains. Its orange glow flooded over the valley and forests. The singing of birds announced the new day. A soft breeze brushed against the leaves of trees. The soft wind gently touched Kagome’s face. She slowly opened her eyes. Her pupils adjusted to the morning light. She sat up and placed a hand on her head. Miroku lay next to a tree with his bruised arm resting on top of him. Shippo was curled up near the burned out campfire letting out snores sounding like little whistles. Sango lay still taking in small, deep breaths. Kagome turned to her side. Inuyasha was not there. She got up and left in search of him. Where could he have gotten to? Kagome walked briskly through the thick forest. She could hear voices coming from a distance somewhere in the forest. One of the voices sounded like Inuyasha’s. Kagome headed in direction of his voice.
Inuyasha sat on a rock while Raygan was preparing his catch for eating. The little dragon sat next to Raygan’s catch with eager eyes. Inuyasha, still thinking about the serpent, was a bit weak from the day before but recovering fast. How could I’ve let that thing get the better of me? Sango and Miroku were hurt because I couldn’t help them. Damn it all! I shouldn’t have had mercy on that stupid snake! Argh! My body is still bruised. That serpent could’ve at least carried a jewel shard! But no, Naraku didn’t want to waste one on his demon! This was a complete waste of time! Inuyasha hit his hand against the ground out of frustration but retracted his hand in pain.
“Inuyasha, you are not fully recovered,” Raygan noted. “Please try to treat your body with more care.”
“Argh, I don’t need any rest! I’m ready for battle!”
Raygan gave Inuyasha a straight face.
“Why are you looking at me like that for?”
“No reason at all.”
“I know you’re lying.”
“One day, Inuyasha, your pride will be your downfall.”
Inuyasha shrugged his shoulders. “Hey, how did you find us anyway? You got to us pretty quick, didn’t you?” Raygan explained to Inuyasha how his pet dragon had picked up the scent of the serpent demon. “I had that serpent right where I wanted him!” Inuyasha said proudly. Raygan shook his head. “What?” Inuyasha asked. “You thought I needed your help?”
“Shippo saved your life.”
“What! Shippo? Shippo got in the way of things!”
“Inuyasha, if Shippo had not distracted the serpent you would not be sitting there thumping your chest!”
“Shippo tickled the serpent! So what?”
“Are you embarrassed to have been saved by a kid?”
“He didn’t save me!” Inuyasha gagged on his own words.
“Very well, do not give him the credit. The fact still stands: Shippo’s heroic efforts aided me greatly.”
Shippo saving me? Yeah right. Inuyasha felt stupid for being saved by a kid. But he did charge at the serpent. Hmm, at least he acted braver than useless Myoga.
Raygan exhaled loudly as he finished preparing his catch. “I hope you enjoy what I am preparing.”
“What are you cooking?” asked Inuyasha with curiosity.
“I am preparing salted pork. Now, let’s head back to the others. Maybe they have awakened.”
Raygan picked up his catch and led the way back. Inuyasha let Raygan and the dragon pass by before he followed. The little dragon followed Raygan like a puppy. Inuyasha got up slowly. He was in more pain than he was admitting. Along the way back to camp they met up with Kagome.
“Morning, Kagome,” greeted Raygan. “It is good to see you are well.”
“Raygan, thanks for everything.”
“I am going to prepare some breakfast for us. It’s not much but it should suit for the rest of the morning.”
“Kagome?” Inuyasha caught Kagome’s scent.
“Inuyasha, you’re okay.” Kagome walked up to Inuyasha.
“Of course I’m okay!” he said proudly. “It’ll take more than a giant snake to bring me down!”
“Oh, Inuyasha!” she reacted to his pride. Kagome embraced Inuyasha. “I thought I was going to lose you!”
Inuyasha felt better but that was not enough to take away the pain of his bruised body. “If you hold on a bit longer you will lose me!” he said through his teeth.
As the three walked back to the others, Raygan pondered on the care Kagome showed towards Inuyasha. He could not fathom why she has a liking to him, but it was also obvious to him that Inuyasha felt the same way towards her. Why the two have not yet confessed their feelings to one another was beyond his comprehension.
*******
Shippo’s nose tingled when he sensed the aroma of the pork’s meat roasting over the fire. His eyes opened wide greeted by the view of tender pork rotating on a spit. He sat up at attention with small drips of saliva falling off the side of his mouth. “Mm, mm, Raygan! That smells real good!”
“I am eager to taste it myself,” confessed Raygan.
Inuyasha sat with his back to the campfire acting as if the roasting pork did not smell good.
“We could sure use some water,” Raygan thought out loud.
“I’ve brought some of my own,” said Kagome with a cheered up face.
Kagome opened her backpack. She pushed away some noodle bowls as she took out a few bottles of water. Inuyasha’s ear caught the sound of the noodles. He peeked over his shoulder not wanting to turn around. Kagome carried the bottles over to Raygan. Inuyasha’s eyes grew fixed to the noodle bowl staring back at him from Kagome’s bag. He walked over to her bag, picked up the noodle bowl, and placed his nose against the foam bowl to inhale the scent of his favorite meal.
“Hey, Kagome, you said you have water, right? You can make me some of this noodle thing.”
Kagome frowned at Inuyasha’s insisting to get what he wants. “Inuyasha, Raygan went through all the trouble to make this meal, and you want me to make you some noodles?”
“Why are you so lazy, Kagome?”
A boil appeared on Kagome’s forehead. “Lazy? You’re the one being stubborn!”
Shippo shook his head in his hands. The little dragon buried his head under its wings as the two began to argue. All the arguing awoke Miroku and Kirara. Raygan tried to pay no heed to Inuyasha and Kagome, but he felt the argument was about to get violent.
“All I want is some damn noodles!” demanded Inuyasha.
“And I told you you’re not going to have any! That’s for later!”
“Man, Kagome, why do you have to be such a moron?”
“Moron? Moron! Inuyasha! S—”
Raygan covered Kagome’s mouth before she could finish her phrase.
“What you do that for?” she asked pulling way Raygan’s hand.
“Kagome, Inuyasha still needs to recover from his wounds,” Raygan explained.
Raygan is right. Kagome calmed down. Inuyasha still needs to rest, but does he have to act like such an idiot?
Inuyasha’s face turned red in anger. “For the last time, Raygan, I’m perfectly fine! I could take you on like this!”
Raygan demeanor turned serious.
“Inuyasha!” Kagome intervened.
“Shut up, Kagome! I’m going to show Raygan I’m no mortal needing to be babied around!”
Raygan did not wish to fight, although he was willing to defend his honor. Kagome, Shippo, Dragon and Miroku looked on in suspense.
“Kagome.”
“Yes, Raygan?”
“I believe Inuyasha is recovered. Fighting will not be necessary for him to make his point.”
Inuyasha grinned. “Told you I was fine! I even intimidated Raygan,” Inuyasha said proudly.
Kagome became furious. Nothing was going to stop her from telling him to sit.
Inuyasha’s eyes flung open. His heart filled with fear preparing for the painful contact he was about to make with the ground. He tried to calm Kagome but it was too late. The rest of the group turned away. The words “sit boy” echoed in the forest followed by a loud thud. It was almost as if a violent boom of thunder had crackled. Inuyasha’s head was buried under the grass like an ostrich seeking shelter from its predator. Soft moans of pain floated out of the ground. Raygan returned to his cooking. Kagome sat next to Raygan calming herself down with her back to Inuyasha. When Miroku opened his eyes he noticed that even Inuyasha’s crash against the ground was not enough to waken Sango. Kirara rubbed her head against Sango’s face in attempts to wake her, but Sango moved only slightly.
Shippo came over to Sango. “Is she still in pain?” he asked Miroku.
“She is resting. The potion must have caused her to fall into a deep sleep,” concluded Miroku.
Kagome looked at Miroku watching over Sango. The scene reminded her of a fairy tale she read in school. “I read a story in school,” Kagome said out loud. “It’s called Sleeping Beauty. The princess fell into a deep sleep and the only way she could be wakened was by the kiss of the handsome prince,” Kagome paused with regret for what she said. “Ops, did I just say that out loud?” Oh, too late!
Shippo and Miroku looked at one another. “Miroku, don’t even try it!” Shippo’s eyes widened.
Miroku bowed his head in humility. “I must try, Shippo. Maybe the prophecy of which Kagome speaks refers to Sango and me.
“Prophecy? She was talking about a story she read in school!”
Miroku looked up at the bright sky. “Sango is in deep sleep and I believe only I can break the spell of an eternal slumber,” he said looking up at the sky with gleaming eyes.
“Miroku!”
“Silence, Shippo. I must not be disturbed.” Miroku looked down at Sango then slowly moved his head closer to Sango. A soft breeze brushed Sango’s hair away from her face.
Raygan leaned over to Kagome. “Kagome, what is he doing?”
“I think he’s going to wake Sango,” she sighed.
Shippo watched in horror as Miroku continued his mission to wake Sango. Miroku stopped inches from Sango face. Wow, she looks real pretty from this distance. Worry no more, Sango. For it is I, your fair monk, will free you from the potion I am so glad Raygan gave to you. Miroku sighed softly. He closed his eyes and puckered his lips moving in for the kiss. Sango opened her eyes very slowly. Through her blurry vision she saw something coming near her. Something touched her lips. Sango’s eyes opened wide. Her focus became clear. She was staring into Miroku’s eye lids and feeling his breath against her face. Miroku’s head quickly jerked to the side as Sango slapped him away.
“Miroku!” Sango shouted.
“Idiot,” Shippo sighed.
Miroku rubbed his face with his good hand. Sango sat up disgusted. “Truly, the prophecy has come true,” he said looking up at the bright, blue sky.
Raygan smiled softly with restrained laughter turning to Sango. “Good morning, Sango. You rested for quite a while.”
Sango was wiping her lips with the back of her hand. “Did Miroku do some other things while I was sleeping?”
Miroku closed his eyes and hung his head in reverence. Well, I wanted everyone to think that I was “sleeping.” My hand never felt better!
“Don’t let him sleep next . . . to . . . me . . . Raygan?” It took a while for it to sink in, but Sango finally realized that she was talking to the dragon tamer the group had met the day before. “How did you . . . where did you . . .?” she asked still surprised and with a blush. “It’s good to see you. I didn’t mean to be cranky.”
“Now that you are awake, we can eat.”
Shippo, flanked by Kirara and Dragon, were the first ones to be fed. The others followed. Raygan carried a hind leg to Inuyasha. Inuyasha sat with his back to the camp. His hair was a bit dusty tangled with leaves of grass.
“Inuyasha?” Inuyasha tried to ignore him. “I brought you this. Take and eat. You need all the strength you can get.”
Inuyasha grinded his teeth and cracked his hand. “Listen to me! I’m fine!”
“Very well. At least have something to eat. It does not hurt to eat some breakfast. It is the least you can do to thank me for saving your life.”
Inuyasha did not respond. Raygan had saved Inuyasha’s life, but he could not bring himself to thank him out loud. Inuyasha reached out and grabbed the portion of meat Raygan handed to him. Once they finished eating, Raygan suggested them all head back to the village. Kagome disagreed. “I don’t think returning to that village is a good idea. It’s more of a graveyard than anything else.”
“I meant for you all to return to your home village,” Raygan clarified things.
Kagome was taken back. Had they come all this way for nothing?
“You don’t call the shots here! I say we keep going this way,” Inuyasha confronted Raygan.
“But, Inuyasha, we have yet to find a single jewel shard,” Miroku sided with Raygan.
“Kagome, do you sense any jewel shards nearby?” asked Inuyasha.
Kagome shook her head.
“Not even a little?”
“No, sorry Inuyasha.”
Damn it! I knew this was a waste of time!
“It is best you all return home,” Raygan continued making his point. “You all are in no condition to journey far. You must rest in a safer place than out here.”
Sango agreed with Raygan.
Inuyasha did not like the looks of things. “Come on! We can heal on our way!”
“On our way to where?” asked Sango half frustrated.
Inuyasha had no answer. Kagome walked over to Inuyasha and stood next to him gently touching his bruised arm. “Inuyasha, maybe we should be getting back. We’ve met nothing but disaster traveling this way.”
“Fine, let’s go back,” he gave in.
Shortly afterwards, the party left for home.
*******
The sun shone above the traveling party. The shadows of both living and nonliving things were small and thin. It was high noon. The group reached a fork on the road. After a short discussion, Kagome and Inuyasha decided to take a shorter route home so they took the right fork. Kagome carried her backpack walking besides Inuyasha. Behind them were Sango, Kirara and Shippo. And behind them were Miroku and Dragon riding on Raygan’s shoulder. No one spoke. The only noises were that of footsteps. The forest was long behind them. The road turned on the side of a hill. Once they crossed over, Inuyasha and Kagome stopped walking. They had the look of fear on their faces. The others joined to see what the matter was. Before them lay a graveyard of demons. Massive skeletons stuck out of the ground like trees pointing at the sky. Signs of a great massacre were everywhere. Inuyasha brushed away his concerns and continued to lead the group across the graveyard. The decomposed flesh still hung on the bones of the demons. The sun was hidden behind the tall skeletons.
“I don’t like it here,” Kagome grew cold.
“Come on, don’t be a baby,” Inuyasha smirked. “We’ll get through here in no time.”
Kagome got close to Inuyasha. Sango searched around the remains for anything suspicious. She looked up at a giant skull when she bumped into Kagome. “Sorry, Kagome. What’s wrong?” Kagome asked the same question to Inuyasha. It appears Kagome too bumped into Inuyasha because she was distracted.
“We’re being followed!” Inuyasha declared.
Miroku, too, felt the disturbance. He turned around to guard the rear. Shippo hid behind Miroku. Raygan placed his mask on. He looked at his dragon on his shoulder and nodded. The dragon understood the signal. It jumped to the ground while its master reached for his swords then the wind started to pick up. Small demon skeletons were dismembered by the increasing winds. The decomposed flesh flapped like flags in the wind. The group reached for stationary bones to hold on against the gusts, but the wind was picking up strength too quickly. Miroku stuck his staff in the ground to anchor himself while Shippo clung onto his robe. Sango called out to Kirara who was being carried away by the wind. In her distraction another bone crashed against the one she hung on to. Sango was blown away by the wind. The gusts picked up Kagome. Inuyasha held on to her with one hand while he held onto a giant rib with the other. His bruised arms could not hold on for much longer. The wind continued to increase in strength. Kagome flew away then Inuyasha followed. Raygan’s dragon was already taken by the wind. Raygan was flung away after his swords he anchored himself with loosened. Shippo lost grip of Miroku’s robe and flew away too. The wind unearthed Miroku’s staff carrying him away.
*******
Kagome got up off the ground. Why does the ground feel like leather? Ah! Its demon flesh! Kagome screamed. Inuyasha came running out of bull demon’s rib cage.
“Kagome! Are you okay?” he called out to her.
“I’m standing on a mound of demon flesh!” she whined grossed by her situation.
Inuyasha picked up Kagome and carried her down to safer ground. She looked around wondering how they had ended up where they were.
“I don’t know,” said Inuyasha. “Let’s find the others.”
Kagome nodded.
*******
Miroku removed the debris of old demon skeletons off himself. He picked up his staff and searched for the others. A rattling sound came from within a skull. Miroku was alarmed. He held out his staff as he slowly approached the skull. The skull opened its mouth. Something flew out of the mouth and struck Miroku in the face. Miroku’s screams were muted by Shippo’s body on Miroku’s face. “You nearly gave me a heart attack!” said the angry Miroku as he pulled Shippo off of his face.
“You scared the life out of me, Miroku!” Shippo looked around. “Where’s everyone else?”
“We’re going to have to look for them.”
“Where did that big wind come from?”
“Hmm, I have my suspicions. Come. Let us look for Inuyasha and the others.”
Shippo followed closely behind.
*******
Sango picked up her boomerang. She took a few steps when Kirara jumped out of hole in the ground. “Kirara! I’m so glad you’re okay!” Kirara purred and rubbed against Sango’s chest. “Okay, Kirara. Let’s go find the others.” A bone snapped. Sango froze. She could not make a swift move against an intruder because she was still injured but tried nonetheless. She dropped Kirara and drew out her sword. Sango twirled around crashing her sword onto Raygan’s sword.
“Relax, Sango. It is I.”
“Raygan? Thank goodness. Have you seen the others?”
“No, I cannot find my dragon as well.”
“We’ll find them.”
“We must not stay here,” Raygan observed something beyond the demon remains. “I sense a dark presence.”
Raygan walked on followed closely by Sango with Kirara.
*******
Inuyasha paced cautiously through the demon graveyard and suddenly stopped.
“What’s wrong, Inuyasha?” asked Kagome.
“I smell Naraku!”
Kagome froze. “Are you sure?”
“Hmm, with all this wind, maybe it’s Kagura. We’ll find out one way or another!”
The wind hurled bones in the air at Inuyasha and Kagome. Inuyasha pushed Kagome out of the way of the flying debris and was struck by a large bone on his side. He yelled in pain. His bruises had not fully recovered.
“Inuyasha!” cried Shippo. Miroku and Shippo found them.
“Kagome!” shouted Miroku.
“Miroku! Shippo! Look out behind you!” warned Kagome.
Skeletons fell apart crashing right on top of Miroku and Shippo. They evaded the falling debris. Upon reaching safer ground, Miroku searched for the source of the havoc. Shippo trembled hiding behind Miroku. Kagome held the wounded Inuyasha. “Hold on, Inuyasha.”
“Kagome,” Inuyasha murmured.
*******
Sango noticed dust rising ahead of them. “Raygan, look up ahead.”
“It appears the others might be in danger.”
“We must hurry! Kirara!” Kirara transformed. “Raygan, hop on!”
“I must search for my dragon, Sango. Go. I will join up with you shortly.”
Sango did not want to leave him alone to face danger, but her friends were in trouble too. She then ordered Kirara to guide her to the others. Raygan heard something move behind him. He turned to the sound.
“Dragon?” he called out into the darkness.
Evil laughter came out of the skeletons. Raygan was not alarmed as of yet.
*******
Shippo looked at Inuyasha’s purple arm. “Are you going to be alright, Inuyasha?” Inuyasha grinned. A lump appeared on Shippo’s head after Inuyasha’s fist made contact with it. “Ow! What was that for?” asked Shippo with tears in his eyes.
“To show you I’m perfectly fine!”
Kagome shook her head softly.
Miroku lifted his eyes to see Sango flying on Kirara overhead. “Sango! Sango, down here!”
Kirara landed in front of the group. Kagome welcomed her then asked about Raygan.
“He stayed behind looking for his dragon,” Sango explained. “Is everything okay here? I heard a lot of noise.”
Miroku explained the situation about the flying bones. As soon as he finished talking, the wind picked up again. Bones came from all sides hitting the group. The bones hurt the already wounded bodies of the group. Inuyasha, wounds and all, covered Kagome to shield her from harm. Miroku covered his bruised arm. Sango used her boomerang as a shield protecting Shippo and Kirara.
The wind did not let up.
*******
Raygan had not moved from his spot. He kept staring in the direction of the laughter. A shadow formed in the darkness. Someone approached. Raygan stood tall ready to draw out his swords. The beautiful sorceress entered the light. Kagura walked closer to the unmoving Raygan stopping a few yards in front of him.
“So, you must be the dragon tamer,” she said in a serious, but soft, seductive voice.
“Who might you be?”
“I am Kagura the wind sorceress.”
“Wind sorceress? Are you the one who sent the strong gusts?”
“Who else could it have been?”
“Why are you doing this?”
“I needed to separate you from the others,” Kagura grinned. “I have some testing to do.”
“Testing? For what purpose?”
“Your skills.”
“I do not fight women.”
“You’ll have to if you want to survive!”
“Why should a woman as beautiful as you be provoked to violence?”
Kagura did not expect that response. Did he just say I’m beautiful? Kagura could not feel her heart beat but a warm feeling overcame her. For a moment she forgot what her mission was. No one had ever called her “beautiful” before.
“Are you well?” Raygan noticed her discomfort.
“You called me ‘beautiful,’” Kagura’s eyes twinkled.
“You are.”
“No one has ever said that to me.” Kagura lowered her guard.
“Excuse me I must continue my search for my dragon so I can help my friends.”
Inuyasha sprang into Kagura’s mind. She frowned and folded out her fan. “Raygan, my master has sent me on a mission, and I must fulfill it!”
“I will not fight you.”
“Then you will be destroyed!”
Kagura hid her face with her fan then leaped in the air flapping her fan. “Dance of Blades,” she shouted as crescent moons rolled away from her fan crushing the ground and heading right for Raygan. Raygan drew out his swords but before he could have a chance to shield himself, the blades hit him in the chest sending him airborne.
Miroku stood on his feet and drew everyone’s attention to the sky. Raygan landed in front of them.
“Raygan!” shouted Sango.
Raygan sat up slowly. Miroku rushed to his aid. The wind encircled them. An evil laugh filled the darkened afternoon sky. Miroku and Sango pulled Raygan to the group. Kagura emerged from the ruins. “It’s pointless to continue resisting your destiny,” declared Kagura.
Miroku frowned. Sango made ready her boomerang. Inuyasha cracked his fingers and reached for the Tessaiga, but Kagome stopped him from doing so.
“Kagome, what are you doing?”
“Trying to watch out for you, Inuyasha.”
Kagura laughed again. She pointed her folded fan at the sky. A light peered through the clouds. Legions of demons poured down like rain. “Time to die,” she said preparing to unleash her blades.
Miroku knew his right arm was not yet healed and that Sango and Inuyasha were still too bruised to battle. He acted quickly to protect his friends by placing his staff in front of him and forming a barrier to ward off the demons. Kagura glared at his action. The demons flew in a circle in the air like vultures waiting for the right timing to capture their prey. Raygan knew he had to do something. He got up on his feet.
“Raygan?” Kagome called him out.
“What are you doing?” asked Sango.
“No matter what happens, stay inside this barrier,” Raygan instructed them.
“You don’t mean you’re going out there by yourself!” Inuyasha said a bit surprised. He tried getting up but Kagome held him to the ground.
“Please, friends, listen to me. I will battle these demons. I promised to guard all of you until you are fully healed.” Raygan turned and faced Kagura.
The sorceress looked on in amazement. He is very brave for a mortal. It’s a shame I have to destroy him. He is rather handsome.
Raygan exited the barrier.
“You idiot! You’ll be killed,” predicted Inuyasha.
The demons prepared to pounce on him. Raygan drew out the sword hanging on his side. A dark red aura formed around his dark blue armor.
Kagura looked on with interest. What’s he doing? Kagura wondered.
Raygan turned to the west. He looked over the horizon as if calling to someone or something. The group kept staring at him. Raygan turned once again to Kagura and approached her slowly. The glowing aura around Raygan remained. Raygan came to rest a few meters from Kagura. “If you wish to live, leave now,” Raygan warned Kagura.
“Fool, I’m going to stay and watch your demise!”
He examined her closely. “You have no heart beat,” Raygan began to conclude Kagura was a demon. “That means you are not alive!”
“I’m alive enough to kill you!” Kagura called on the demons to attack Raygan.
Raygan swung his sword in the air slashing the wave of demons. He leaped in the air and swung his sword a few more times. More demons parts landed on the ground. Kagura commanded all the demons to attack. Raygan staved off a few more demons when suddenly the demon assault came to a halt. Kagura was confused.
“I did not order you to stop!” she addressed the demons. “Attack him! Kill him!”
A loud roar like that of thunder filled the air. The demons froze in their place. Raygan gazed at Kagura. “Witness as your demons are destroyed,” he told her. A legion of dragons appeared from the dark sky and dived into the school of demons engulfing them in flames. Kagura watched in horror as demons tried escaping only to run into another dragon. Raygan lunged at Kagura, but she dodged his swings. Raygan prepared to unleash the power of his sword but before he could, Kagura vanished into the dark. The rest of the demons could not escape. Once the last demon was destroyed, Raygan ordered the dragons to disperse. The dragons did as he instructed. The aura around Raygan disappeared. Only two dragons remained on the field. One of the dragons was his own. He got on one knee, put his sword on the floor and called out to his dragon. The dragon, like a little puppy ran to its master. He held Dragon in his arms. “I think it’s time we leave this place,” Raygan whispered to his pet. “We must leave at once,” Raygan advised the group. “We may ride on the dragons. This way we will reach safety sooner.”
Inuyasha and Kagome rode with Raygan on his Dragon. The others hopped on the second dragon. The dragons went airborne with Kagome guiding the dragons to Lady Kaede’s Village.
*******
The giant feather glided in the air taking Kagura back to Naraku’s castle. It cut through the miasma floating to the front entrance to the castle. Kagura got off as the feather returned to its original small state. She placed the feather back in her hair still feeling a bit uneasy about her encounter with the dragon master. Why can’t I get that mortal out of my mind? He is very powerful, but what is it about him that haunts me? He did say I was beautiful. No, I must keep a clear mind. What if he can help set me free from Naraku? Could a mere mortal be a challenge for Naraku? No, I must be losing my mind. Yet, wouldn’t it be worth trying? Maybe he can set me free. Kagura remembered Sesshomaru’s words. “If you dare not face him alone do not betray Naraku.” You could have helped me Sesshomaru. Instead you rejected the jewel shards. Maybe Raygan will put the shards to good use but how will I get them from Naraku or Kagome? Maybe I’ll steal them from Koga! But what if Raygan doesn’t care about jewel shards? Sigh, will I always remain under Naraku’s grasp?
“Kagura.”
Kagura was startled at the mention of her name. Naraku stood at the entry of the hall. “What were you thinking about?”
“I was thinking about the mortal.” She was not going to tell him everything that was going on in her mind.
“Hmm, are you falling into his hands already?”
“He is powerful, Naraku.”
“Have you learned anything about him?”
“He carries three swords with him two of which are on his back. The third hangs on his side.”
“Did he use any?”
“He used the one hanging on his side. The strength of that sword is similar to that of the Tessaiga but not as powerful.”
“Hmm.”
“He also carried a bow and arrows on his back.”
“He is well armed.”
“That’s not all.”
“Oh?”
“He has the power to summon legions of dragons. His dragons destroyed all of the demons you sent,” Kagura tried to hide abort a developing smile.
“This is very fascinating for a mortal.”
“He wears some form of impenetrable armor. My blades didn’t scratch him.”
“I will put his abilities to good use. Where is he now?”
“He was last headed to Lady Kaede’s Village.”
“Lady Kaede? Hmm, we will wait to catch him out in the open. Be ready for him, Kagura. When I give you the word, go and fetch him. Bring him to me. I will take over from there.”
Naraku walked back into his castle. Kagura stayed outside thinking about Raygan. Is it worth risking it again? What if I try and he fails to free me? Will Naraku destroy me or absorb me back into his body? Sigh, how I yearn to be free!
*******
Lady Kaede walked by the water hole. She pitched her pale into the water when two large shadows formed over the water.
“Lady Kaede! Look up there,” pointed a villager.
Lady Kaede looked up and spotted two dragons coming down from the sky. The dragons landed gently on the ground letting their passengers got off easily. Lady Kaede walked over to the battered group followed by several of villagers. Raygan helped Kagome down from the dragon. He saw Lady Kaede standing behind him and approached her. “You must be Lady Kaede. I am Raygan. My friends are hurt and are in need of rest. I have brought them here for your caring.”
“Bless ye heart.”
Raygan bowed. Inuyasha and the others came over to Lady Kaede. Raygan relieved the accompanying dragon. The villagers attended to the arriving party. Inuyasha, Sango and Miroku were guided to the village huts. Kagome came over to Raygan. “Raygan?”
“I shall be taking my leave.”
Lady Kaede overheard him. “Ye are welcome to stay at my village. Ye have been very kind to mine friends.”
“I appreciate the offer however, I should be going.”
“We are preparing for tomorrow’s festivities. We would be delighted if ye joined us in compensation for ye kindness.”
“Please, stay with us, Raygan,” begged Kagome.
Raygan pondered. He looked into Dragon’s eyes. “You are tired dear friend. It would not hurt to reside here for a day or two.” He turned to Kagome and Lady Kaede and accepted the offer. Dragon transformed back into its small self. Raygan walked with Kagome and Lady Kaede to the village. When they reached the house Sango, Miroku and Inuyasha were already resting in one corner. Raygan removed his mask and armor and laid it on the floor and knelt by the fire. He along with everyone else was glad they were safe for the moment.
“I can’t believe what a waste of time that was!” Inuyasha was frustrated for not being allowed to do anything. “I should’ve killed that damn serpent! When I see Kagura—”
“Be calm, Inuyasha,” interrupted Raygan. “There is a time for fighting and a time for resting. Now it is a time of rest. The time will come when Naraku and your other enemies will meet their fates.”
Inuyasha stayed quiet. He knew Raygan was right.
