Inuyasha sat by the window of the house staring at the thin arc of the remaining moon visible in the night sky. Tomorrow night there will be no moon and Inuyasha will be fully human. Kagome lay on the floor half asleep next to Shippo. She peered through her half-closed eyes at Inuyasha. I wonder what he could be thinking of. Yawn. Oh, tomorrow he’ll be fully human. I hope that shard we’re looking for is not too guarded.
“Inuyasha?” he turned to Kagome. “Why don’t you get some rest, Inuyasha?”
“I will, Kagome. You should sleep now.”
Kagome closed her eyes and slept. Inuyasha looked out the window again thinking to himself.
It’s been days and still no shard of the Shikon Jewel. I won’t be able to do much tomorrow night so we better get a move on early in the morning. Then he thought of Raygan. Sigh, what is it about Raygan that makes me think Naraku’s going to want to get his hands on him? I’m sure Naraku wants him to become his new pawn. If I were Naraku that’s what I’d do! But Raygan’s mortal. How much will he be able to do?
*******
A wall of soft whirlwinds brushed the tall grass around Raygan. He kept his eyes on the oversized floating feather approaching his position resting his right hand on his Flaron. His garments flapped against the wind. Dragon stood at ready next to Raygan. The feather glided in the air and slew down before Raygan. The feather popped into a cloud of smoke. When the smoke cleared the feather turned into a small feather. Kagura caught the feather and pinned it on her hair. With her other hand she held her fan half covering her face. Kagura’s red eyes fixed on Raygan.
“What do you want, Sorceress?” asked Raygan.
Kagura knew if she attempted something foolish she could end up getting hurt or worse. She could not outpace a legion of dragons. Kagura’s breathing deepened in nervousness. Why am I feeling this way around him? And why does his voice please my ears?
“Sorceress, did you come here just to intimidate? If so it is not working.”
“Relax, Dragon Master. I am not here to fight.”
“Then what are you here for?” Raygan demanded.
“Raygan, by now you must know who I really am. I am a reincarnation of Naraku the demon your friends seek so desperately to destroy.” Kagura noticed Raygan’s grip tighten around the handle of his sword. “Raygan, hear me out. I’m one of Naraku’s incarnations, but I’ve grown sick of his dastardly plans. You see, he holds my heart. Quite literally. Any hesitation I make to his demands he would kill me.”
“How in the world do you expect me to believe you?”
“I have no heart beat,” Kagura moved her kimono exposing her chest. “You can place your hand on my chest to confirm my words.”
Raygan jerked back when she offered him to touch her. She must be lying. If I get near her she could strike me down easily.
“This fan I hold in my hand allows me to control the wind,” Kagura tossed her fan a few feet in front of her. “Without it, I am defenseless.”
Raygan took out his bow and arrow. “If you speak the truth, my dragon will fetch your fan. If you make a move I will release this arrow aimed at your heart!”
Raygan aimed the arrow at her heart. Dragon fetched the fan and laid it at Raygan’s feet. Raygan eased the arrow off the bow and put it away, picked up her fan then looked at Kagura. After some hesitation he approached her. Kagura stood still. Raygan placed her fan on his belt and drew out his Flaron. Kagura’s body turned colder, if that were possible. He lined the blade of his sword at her neck. A streak of cold sweat ran down the side of her head. What had she gotten herself into?
What if he doesn’t even care how I feel? He’s going to destroy me!
Raygan searched Kagura’s eyes.
“Are you going to kill me, Raygan? Or are you going to feel my heart beat?”
“I thought you said you do not have a heart beat.”
“I don’t.”
“If you’re lying I will kill you without blinking then I will burn your body.”
Kagura frowned. “What are you waiting for? Touch me.”
Raygan read her eyes. She was telling the truth. Raygan withdrew his sword and placed it back in its sheath. He reached for Kagura’s fan and handed it to her. “This belongs to you.”
“You’re not going to check my pulse?” Kagura was amused.
“You are telling the truth. Now that I know you are not lying, tell me why you have come.”
“I need your help, Raygan,” she adjusted her clothes. “Naraku has my heart encased in a jar in his castle. I can lead you there. Only you’ll be able to enter the room. It has been barred from letting me in. Bring the heart to me.”
“Sounds like the perfect trap. What do you take me for?”
“I don’t want to be his slave anymore!”
“If I do this, what assurance do I have you will not continue on your evil ways?”
Kagura did not answer.
“Just what I thought,” Raygan turned hostile. “I have you now all to myself. You have slaughtered many innocent people and have attempted to kill my friends. You do not merit your heart. Even if I did you this favor, you would still have no heart!”
“You want to kill me, Raygan? Go right ahead.”
“I have told you my reason for not being able to do such a thing.”
He called me ‘beautiful.’ Kagura remembered his words. “Did you really mean that?”
“I do. I cannot bring myself to kill women, demon or not.”
“I meant the part where you said I was ‘beautiful’.”
“Oh, yes. I meant that. I still believe that.” Raygan tried not to think of how Kagura must feel. “I must be going. I’ve wasted enough time.” Raygan turned his back to Kagura.
“Where do you go?”
“It is not of your concern, but neither would it hurt me if I told you. I seek the cavern housing a great demon dragon.”
“I know the cavern of which you speak. I can lead you there.” A sinister smile grew on her face.
“I can find it myself.”
“But you do not know how to get pass the traps and the miasma.”
“Miasma?”
“Yes, the cavern is behind a miasma barrier. I know how to get through it.”
“I can stand the miasma. I have no need for you.”
Raygan walked away.
“Wait!”
Raygan continued walking away.
“I know what my master wants with you.”
Raygan stopped. “What does your master want with me?”
“Now you’re willing to talk,” she said with a grin. I’ll tell you what my master wants with you in exchange for your help in retrieving my heart.”
“I prefer finding out his sinister plan on my own rather than helping you!” Raygan snapped.
“Raygan, you could destroy Naraku! I’m offering you this opportunity to defeat the enemy of your friends. You know how much they despise Naraku. If they knew where to find him they would have gone after him a long time ago.”
“You are willing to betray your master because you want your heart?”
“Does not everyone long for their heart?”
Raygan pondered. I could end my friends’ dreadful enemy, but I cannot do this alone. How can I trust her to help me fight him? I can use my dragons but the miasma must be thick enough to block them from entering.
“If I do this, I require the assistance of my friends,” Raygan suggested.
“There’s no time. My master knows I’m out here looking for you. It’s only a matter time before his poisonous insects find out I’m seeking your help.”
“You are leading me to a trap.”
“Believe what you want! I’m offering you the location of Naraku’s castle, the location of the dragon’s lair and the opportunity to defeat Naraku if you wish to face him! All I ask of you is for my heart!”
The soft moon light shone on Kagura’s face. The moon’s light reflected off the tears that ran down her cheeks.
She is weeping! She must be telling the truth. I can face Naraku maybe long enough to escape. Or maybe I can reach the dragon’s lair first. “Fine. I accept your offer, Kagura only under the condition that you stay within my sight at all times. I will not take my dragon. I will ride with you.”
He has accepted my offer! Kagura pulled out a feather. “Very well then. We must hurry. Naraku will grow suspicious.”
Raygan ordered his dragon to return to the village. Kagura dropped her feather. It transformed into a canoe-sized feather and carried Kagura and Raygan to Naraku’s castle.
*******
Inuyasha was sleeping with his head against the corner of the wall near the window in Lady’s Kaede’s home. The ruffling of grass outside woke him. He peered around the room. Someone was missing. Inuyasha got up quietly and looked out the window. It was still dark outside. Inuyasha could only see the shadow of someone sitting out in front. He got out of the house through the window coming up to Sango sitting on the grass.
“Sango,” he said softly so not to wake the others.
“Inuyasha?” Sango replied somewhat surprised to find Inuyasha awake as well.
“Hey, Sango what’s wrong?”
“I can’t sleep.”
“I can see that,” Inuyasha’s smart mouth got the better of him. “What’s bothering you?”
Sango stayed quiet for a bit then asked, “Inuyasha, can I be open with you?”
“Sure,” replied Inuyasha sitting on the grass beside her.
“Inuyasha, I have been feeling a little . . . no, uh I’ve been wanting . . . I mean . . . I don’t know how to put it.”
“Go ahead, Sango.”
“Sigh. Have you ever had the feeling of wanting someone to love you as you do to them?”
“Yeah,” he didn’t hesitate to respond.
“That’s kind of what I’m feeling only now. I’m torn inside.”
“I’ll teach that Miroku a lesson for being an idiot!” he said clenching his fist.
“No, Inuyasha. It’s not about him breaking my heart. Miroku, well, he acts the way he truly is. I . . . really care for Miroku but he doesn’t know how to treat women.”
Inuyasha thought about all the women that surrounded Miroku earlier. “Seems to me the women love him,” he said believing to it contradicted Sango’s claim.
“He only wanted them for pleasure.” Sango exhaled deeply. She hugged her knees. “Inuyasha, have you ever been in love with one person and thought you loved another?”
Inuyasha’s eyes widened. She knows about Kiyo? What about Kagome? I’m not in love with Kagome as I was with Kikyo. What am I talking about? I’m in denial! Of course I love Kagome! But Kikyo is still out there. I want to see her again…
“Inuyasha?”
Inuyasha shook the thoughts out. “Why did you ask me that?”
Sango looked up at the starry sky. “I seek an honorable man,” she said.
Is she talking about Raygan? Inuyasha wondered.
“My father would want me to be with someone worthy to be called his son-in-law,” she continued.
Is she giving up on Miroku? “Sango, are you talking about Raygan?”
“Someone like him, not him necessarily,” she lied. Who am I kidding? I haven’t met anyone else like Raygan my entire life. “I’m sorry, Inuyasha. I know I’m not making any sense.”
“Actually, I under—”
“You both are still awake?” Shippo interrupted their conversation rubbing his eyes.
Inuyasha and Sango scrambled on their feet. Sango shivered when a breeze hit her. “We should go back to sleep,” she said. Inuyasha affirmed her suggestion. The three of them entered the house again and went to sleep.
*******
The feather flew in the air high above the forests and valleys. The riders glided towards a purple barrier at the base of the mountain. It was the miasma guarding Naraku’s Castle.
“Sorceress, where are you taking me?” Ragan demanded.
“We are heading to Naraku’s Castle. That’s where he is holding my heart.”
“How do I know you are not leading me to some sort of trap?”
“Well, you’re going to have to trust me!”
The feather was nearing the barrier. Raygan pulled out his mask over his face. I am going to regret this, he thought.
The demonic barrier protecting the castle opened exposing the purple, gaseous substance surround the fortress. The feather dove through the barrier opening cutting the miasma easily. The purple fog faded as the castle came into view. The feather landed at the entrance of the castle safely.
Kagura felt a sharp blade pointing at the back of her neck.
“You die first if anything goes wrong!” warned the dragon master.
Kagura nodded then led Raygan into the castle. She stepped into the main hall, scanned the area then continued leading Raygan slowly down the hall. Footsteps were coming from up ahead. Kagura opened a door to a room and sent Raygan inside to hide. Kanna came down to meet Kagura.
“How did your revenge go, sister?”
“I couldn’t find Raygan,” Kagura lied. “Where’s Naraku?”
“He is in his meditation chamber.” Kanna continued down the hall and turned into another. Kagura sighed as soon as Kanna was out of sight. She proceeded to open the door to an adjacent room and guided Raygan down the hall. After several turns inside the castle they finally reached the chamber where Kagura’s heart was.
“This is it,” Kagura announced. “I cannot go in. The room has been magically sealed from me.”
This meant that Raygan had to enter only. Naturally, an uncomfortable feeling came over him as he slid open the door. He examined the room from the doorway resting his sight on a table holding two jars.
“I will get you your heart,” Raygan said with his back turned to her. “But I will not hand it to you until we reach the dragon’s lair.”
Kagura’s suspense was making her impatient. Realizing she owes Raygan much for this enormous favor she agreed to his request and urged him to continue. Raygan stepped into the room. Nothing happened. He took another step. Again nothing happened. Slowly he approached the table and stopped in front of the table, but did not reach for the jars. Kagura watched anxiously. Raygan viewed the jars studying the red auras glowing about them. Raygan reached into the first jar pulling out a bright and beautiful pearl. Holding the pearl on his palm he turned to Kagura and asked, “Is this the one?”
Kagura was not sure.
“I do not want to waste my time in here!” Raygan clenched his fist over the pearl in anger. Kagura braced herself for the ensuing pain but felt nothing. Just then a scream came from somewhere in the castle. It was Kanna. Raygan had gotten the wrong heart.
“Raygan, the other one!” Kagura shouted alarmed. “It’s the other one!” Raygan quickly replaced the heart and grabbed the other and hurried back to Kagura. “Almost well done,” she said sarcastically. “The castle has been alerted. Here,” she held out her hand. “Give me the heart!”
Raygan pulled his hand back. “We have a deal, Kagura.”
Kagura was desperate. “Please, Raygan! I want to know how it feels to have my heart,” she said with tears in her eyes.
Raygan didn’t want the responsibility of carrying her heart. He grabbed Kagura’s right wrist and drew it to him. Kagura held her hand open gazing at Raygan’s eyes. She felt a smooth pearl rest on her palm. For a moment Kagura was lost in his eyes.
“Now, please take me to the cave,” he said in a soft voice.
Kagura held her heart in her hands looking at it with some shame. Raygan noticed the face she was trying to hide. “Raygan,” her tone of voice changed to sorrow. “I have deceived you. I don’t know where the lair is, or if any such lair, exists.”
Anger swelled in his heart as Raygan reached for his sword. “You witch! I should have known better than to trust a bloody demon!” Raygan grabbed the sword on his back. Kagura closed her eyes not making an effort to defend herself. She could hear the sound of his sword becoming unsheathed. A cold chill ran up her spine. Why would she not defend herself? Could it be the presence of her heart that has allowed to “feel”? Raygan gripped his sword tightly preparing to swing at her neck, but he could not bring himself to hurt Kagura no matter how evil she is.
Raygan put his sword away. “Lead me out of here,” he exhaled.
Kagura, stunned at Raygan’s act of mercy and kindness, simply nodded and hurried him down the hall. They turned into another hall as Naraku called out to Kagura from afar.
“Hurry,” Kagura worried. “Naraku is on to us!”
They exited the castle only to find Naraku waiting for them outside.
“Naraku!” Kagura gasped.
“Kagura, why are you in such a hurry?” asked Naraku. “Planning on going somewhere?” Naraku turned to Raygan. “Who is this you have with you?” Kagura didn’t answer. “I asked you who this is!” snapped Naraku.
“I am Raygan.”
“The Dragon Master,” a wicked smile formed on Naraku’s face. “I’ve longed to meet you in person.” He turned to Kagura. “Well, Kagura, it seems you’ve done something useful for a change.” He noticed something on her hand. “What’s that you hold in your hand? Ah, it’s your heart. What did you tell me the last time, Kagura? ‘You will not betray me.’ You broke your promise now you must return to be a part of my body!”
Kagura pulled out her fan to defend herself, but Naraku moved faster lunging at her with large spider legs coming out of his back. He grabbed Kagura. Her heart rolled off her hand. Kagura struggled helplessly to get free but it was no use. Raygan only watched as Naraku began to absorb Kagura into his flesh. Kagura screamed while Naraku only laughed wickedly.
Raygan turned away knowing this was not his fight, but he didn’t feel right letting her “die" like that. I tried to kill her so why is it that I do not want her to disappear? This is the mortal enemy of my friends so I should destroy him. If I let him suck Kagura’s soul how will I get back to my journey? I cannot stand the miasma for long! I need her!
Naraku continued laughing wickedly.
“Demon Naraku!” Raygan called him out. “Let Kagura go!”
Who does this mortal think he is? Naraku thought.
Raygan withdrew an arrow and placed it on his bow. Naraku could only laugh at Raygan’s attempt to help Kagura.
“Come now, Mortal. Your pathetic arrow will do me no harm,” the demon stated the obvious.
Raygan’s arrow tore right through Naraku carrying away part of his flesh.
How can this be? The Demon wondered. His arrow is not like that of Kagome’s sacred arrow, but why does his arrow burn my body?
Raygan took advantage of Naraku’s distraction and shot another arrow through his chest. Making haste, Raygan helped Kagura on her feet and urged her to flee. Naraku charged at them. Raygan drew out Flaron and cut Naraku in half. Naraku retreated in bewilderment and pain. During the chaos Kagura fetched her heart, pulled out her feather and called out to Raygan for the escape. They hopped on the transformed feather, took to the sky but were fallen by a spike Naraku launched at the feather. Raygan landed on his feet and caught Kagura. She had one feather left.
Raygan charged at Naraku. Naraku dodged. He struck Raygan on the back. Raygan was thrown against the castle wall. He was dazed but quickly got on his feet.
“Raygan! You are incredibly powerful for a mortal! You will be a great addition to my collection of warriors!”
Raygan swung Flaron sending the power attack beam at Naraku. Naraku leapt in the air evading the attack. Naraku punched his arm through the ground and hit Raygan off his feet. Raygan landed hard on his side injuring his left arm.
Kagura watched from a distance. She wanted to help, but she was very weak. She had to care for her heart. She stared as Naraku surrounded Raygan. Kagura slipped open her fan. Kagura was so weak she fell on her knees as she swung.
I am sorry, Raygan.
Naraku laughed at Kagura. Raygan lay on the ground reaching for his Flaron. Naraku kicked it away.
“Master Raygan, you will serve me,” said Naraku touching Raygan’s neck. “You will obey unconditionally. I have found men to be more trustworthy than witches like Kagura!”
Raygan tried crawling away. Naraku stepped on Raygan’s back. Raygan moaned in pain. Naraku lifted his arm ready to mind-control Raygan when a dragon swooped down through the miasma and bite Naraku on the neck. The dragon twirled Naraku in his mouth and threw Naraku away.
Raygan looked up at his rescuer. “Dragon?” he said weakly. Dragon bowed gently. “Dragon . . . Get out of here.”
Dragon stood between Raygan and Naraku. Naraku healed himself. Dragon breathing was labored. The miasma was poisoning its lungs. Naraku hurled rocks at Dragon. Dragon shielded the attacked with its mighty wings. Naraku charged at Dragon and pushed the dragon’s wings apart and used his spider legs to pierce Dragon’s body. Dragon let out a loud, but weak roar. Naraku tossed Dragon against the castle wall. Dragon lay motionless.
“Dragon!” shouted Raygan.
Dragon returned to its small size. Raygan rushed over to Dragon and held it in his arms. Raygan was in pain physically but his heart ached more than his body.
“Dragon, don’t leave me,” cried Raygan.
The little dragon’s neck hung on Raygan’s hand. It died. Raygan’s heart beat with anger. He laid the little dragon on the ground gently. Raygan swallowed hard. He turned to Naraku.
“Damn you for what you did!” said Raygan.
“Spare me the emotions, Raygan.”
Raygan yelled as he charged at Naraku with his both swords. He leaped at Naraku’s body and slashed away. Naraku enjoyed the show. Kagura crawled over to the little dragon while Raygan distracted Naraku. She picked it up and pulled out her last feather. She knew that Raygan was not going to leave this castle. Kagura could stay no longer. If she could escape, now would be her only chance. The feather transformed and carried her and the dead dragon away from Naraku’s castle.
Naraku lifted Raygan by his arms. Raygan yelled in pain. Naraku pierced the back of Raygan’s neck with a small thread of web. Raygan stopped struggling. Naraku released Raygan. Raygan stood like a lifeless soul.
“Raygan, you are my servant. You are powerful indeed. Your mission is to destroy Inuyasha and his friends. First, you will need a shard of Shikon Jewel. Fetch one for yourself! Then destroy Inuyasha and Kagome!”
Raygan could hear someone speaking in his ears but had lost all control over his body. Raygan was now Naraku’s puppet.
*******
The sun rose over the mountains as it had always done so before. The sun shone through the window hitting Miroku’s face. He squinted awake. Miroku stretched sitting up. He looked around the room. No one was there. He went outside of the house. Shippo greeted him.
“Morning, Miroku. We’re ready to leave. You best hurry and get prepared to go.”
Miroku rubbed his eye. “What time is it?”
“It’s almost noon. Inuyasha wanted to leave early, but we were all too tired.”
“I see. Where are Sango and the others?”
“They’re eating outside of the village.”
“I’ll be right there.”
“Sure thing, Miroku,” shouted Shippo running back to Kagome and the others.
Miroku tried clearing his head about Sango. He collected his things and left to join the others.
Inuyasha sat comfortably on the ground next to Kagome eating something she prepared. Inuyasha was greatly enjoying his breakfast. “Tell me again, Kagome what this bread thing is,” said Inuyasha with a full mouth.
“That’s a sandwich.”
Sango opened her sandwich. “I don’t see any sand in here,” she observed.
Inuyasha was puzzled. “Is the bread made out of sand?” asked Inuyasha
“No, silly. It’s just a name.”
“Why is it called a ‘sand witch’? It wasn’t created by a Sand Witch, was it?”
“No! It’s just a name. I don’t know why it’s called that.”
“Well, this sand witch is good anyway.”
Inuyasha took a big bite. Shippo drank juice from Kagome’s cup.
“I wonder what’s taking Miroku so long,” wondered Kagome.
“He said he’ll be here shortly,” informed Shippo.
Miroku appeared, walking calmly down the road.
“Speak of the devil, here he comes,” said Inuyasha.
“Inuyasha,” Kagome elbowed him.
“Morning everyone,” greeted Miroku.
“Morning, Miroku. Here, I made these sandwiches for you,” said Kagome handing him a plate.
Miroku looked at the sandwiches with raised eyebrows.
“These are ‘sand witches’?”
A boil appeared on Kagome’s head. “Just eat it,” she said trying not to appear angry.
Miroku sat across from Sango. She ate silently. Miroku knew she was ignoring him. He took a bite of his sandwich trying to think of what to say to her. He felt bad for hurting her, but he does not regret being with the women.
“Sango?” he said.
Sango pretended he was not there. She finished eating her sandwich.
“Sango I—”
Kagome touched her heart.
“What is it, Kagome?” asked Inuyasha.
“The shard of the Shikon jewel is moving. It’s very faint but it’s moving.”
“Can you tell which direction it’s going in?” asked Inuyasha getting on his feet.
“It’s moving away from us.”
“We have to move! Come on!” Inuyasha took off running. Kagome picked up Shippo and placed him on her bike. She hopped on and followed after Inuyasha. Miroku looked at Sango.
“Well, Sango, I guess this leaves you and me.”
“Kirara,” shouted Sango.
Kirara transformed into a large tiger. Sango hopped on Kirara and followed after the others.
Miroku’s robes flapped against the wind as he stood by himself. The sound of leaves moving in the wind filled the lonely scene. Miroku stood with his staff in hand. He sighed and bowed his head.
“I guess I have to run.”
Miroku ran after the group.
*******
Inuyasha had been running for a long time now. Kagome was trying hard to keep up with Inuyasha, but she was very tired. He’s been running for half an hour! I don’t think I can keep up!
Inuyasha kept his pace. I have to find that shard before tonight! If a demon bears the shard I must destroy him quickly with or without the others' help!
“Inuyasha!” shouted Kagome as she saw Inuyasha run even faster ahead.
“Sango! Follow Inuyasha!”
“Go Kirara!” ordered Sango.
Kirara pushed herself forward. Kagome slew down to catch her breath.
Oh, Inuyasha, I hope you don’t get hurt.
Inuyasha ran as hard as he could disappearing off into the distance.
*******
It was the afternoon. The sun’s heat stung the back of Kagura’s neck. She lay face down in a field near a river. She slowly sat up and touched her head. The memories of the night before flooded her mind.
Raygan!
She was now wide awake. Kagura pulled the red pearl out of her pocket. She moved her garment from her chest and placed the pearl underneath her breast. The red pearl melted onto her skin. Kagura felt the pearl’s warm energy enter her. She covered herself. She felt a small, deep, pounding. Her heart was beating! Kagura touched her chest in happiness then she thought of Raygan and wept.
He switched places with me. I acted so selfish. But so what? I’m free to do as I please! I’m no longer beholden to Naraku! I will find the rest of the shards of the Shikon Jewel and use them against Naraku! I know just where to find two shards. That wolf demon is so easy to handle!
Kagura laughed wickedly. She got on her feet and began heading down the road when she saw the dead little dragon. She gasped.
Raygan’s dragon! It tried saving its master. What am I doing? I owe Raygan for what he did for me.
Kagura picked up the dragon and walked over to the creek bend. She poured water over the little dragon washing off the miasma. Her reflection seemed to flap against the ripples of the water. She splashed some water on her face. The water calmed a bit revealing her clear image. Kagura gasped. Her eyes were the color of honey. They were no longer red. How can this be? Kagura continued staring at her reflection then she thought of the dragon. She picked up Dragon. I know someone who can bring your life back! I just hope it’s not too late!
Kagura left in search of Sesshomaru.
*******
Inuyasha reached an open field outside a village. He stopped and sniffed the air. He grinned. A crow demon lay up ahead.
Inuyasha called out to the demon. “Hey, demon! Come out here and fight!”
Nothing happened. Inuyasha looked around him. The wind suddenly picked up. Two whirls of wind headed straight at Inuyasha. He leaped over the whirlwinds. The giant, three-headed crow demon emerged. Its great wings blew wind against the trees. The crow landed on the field between the village and Inuyasha.
“So, couldn’t wait for another demon to prepare the feast for you?” said Inuyasha.
“We crows like our meals dead!” The crow demon’s voice sounded evil and distorted.
“These people were dying of hunger so I helped speed things up! I was growing hungry too!”
“Well, I’m glad you’ve gotten your fill because that means you’re in prime condition to fight!”
“Fight? Now why would I want to fight you?”
“You’ll have to defend yourself! You have something I want!”
The crow laughed. “I understand now! You want the jewel shards!”
Did he say shards? He must have more than one! This will make his defeat twice as great! But I don’t know where he has the jewel shards. Hurry up, Kagome!
“Half demon, you are no match for me! You will make for a great dessert after a great meal!”
“Every demon I’ve come across always says I’m not a match for them before I destroy them!” Inuyasha withdrew his Tessaiga. “Come on, crow! Show me what you got! I’ve been dying for a little exercise!”
The crow flapped its wings. Inuyasha used his sword as an anchor against the powerful gusts of wind coming from the crow. One of the crow’s heads spotted Sango releasing her boomerang from atop Kirara. The demon crow took flight. Inuyasha unearthed his sword. Sango caught her boomerang. Kirara landed next to Inuyasha. Sango got off holding her boomerang.
“Where’s Kagome?” he asked.
“She’ll be here shortly.”
“I need to know where to hit this thing! It has more than one jewel shard!”
The crow swooped down and started spinning around Sango and Inuyasha. It spun faster and faster creating a twister around Sango and Inuyasha. Sango and Inuyasha were being lifted off their feet. Inuyasha lifted the Tessaiga over his head and swung down.
“Wind scar!”
The wind scar broke the twister and dazed the demon crow.
What’s this! A half demon possessing that amount of power? This is impossible!
“What’s wrong, crow? I’m too much for you?” teased Inuyasha.
“I am just beginning!”
The crow flapped its giant wings. Large pieces of earth and rock flew at Sango and Inuyasha. Kirara carried them both out of the way of the wall of debris.
“Thanks, Kirara,” said Sango.
“I’m going to tear this bird limb from limb! I don’t have all day to fight!” Inuyasha used his wind scar again as Kagome arrived to join the fight. The crow tried to blow the wind scar away but failed. The wind scar torn a piece of the crow’s left wing.
“Inuyasha!” shouted Kagome.
“Kagome! Where are the jewel shards?”
Kagome searched for the jewel shards’ auras. She found them.
“Inuyasha, the demon has the shards on its wings!”
“Perfect!” smiled Inuyasha.
The crow tried to fly away but was too injured to make a speedy escape. Inuyasha leaped in the air ready to strike down the Tessaiga. The third head of the crow opened its mouth and fired a strong beam of light. Inuyasha blocked the beam with the Tessaiga but the force of the beam threw him back. Sango and Kagome were shocked at the fire power of the crow’s head. The second head opened its mouth and spewed fire at him.
“Inuyasha!” shouted Kagome.
Sango ran out into the field. “Hiraikotsu!” she shouted tossing her boomerang.
The boomerang sliced off one the crow’s heads and returned to Sango. The other demon heads let out loud shrills. Inuyasha ran at the crow once again.
“Wind scar!”
Inuyasha struck down the Tessaiga. The crow could not escape the great power of the Tessaiga. The wind scar ripped the crow limb from limb. The jewel shards flew off. Inuyasha caught one of the shards. The other fell into the village. Kagome came over to Inuyasha.
“Here, the other one landed in the village.” He said.
“Let’s go find it,” she said.
The remains of the demon crow sizzled. They headed to the village. Shippo turned around and saw Miroku catching up out of breath.
“Gees, Miroku you look tired.”
Miroku threw up. Shippo dodge the vomit.
“Gross!”
“Come on, you two!” shouted Inuyasha from up ahead.
Miroku rested for a bit then continued on to the village.
*******
The village was a mess. Half eaten bodies lay everywhere. Flies feasted on the remains. The foul smell filled the air. The scene was hellish now that evening was falling. It was almost unbearable but, sadly, they were accustomed to the stench.
“Looks like no one’s left alive. Where’s the shard, Kagome?” asked Inuyasha.
“I feel the presence of the shard coming from over there but its moving this direction,” she said.
Sango pointed at someone running through the smoke and ruins of the burned village houses.
“Hey kid, come back here with that!” Inuyasha ran after the kid.
“He must really want to get that shard, huh Kagome?” asked Sango.
“He wants to be efficient with the time he has left before night fall.”
“That’s right! Tonight’s the night he becomes fully human.” Sango looked at the sky. “The night is falling already,” she added.
Inuyasha blocked the boy’s route of escape. The boy double backed. Inuyasha leaped over him and grabbed him by the shirt.
“Give me the jewel—huh?”
Inuyasha felt his hands wet and warm. He released the boy’s shirt and looked at his hands. Inuyasha’s hands were covered in the boy’s blood. He looked at the boy. He was turning pale.
The jewel shard must have landed on his wound. There’s no way he could’ve just gotten up and ran. Damn! What do I do now?
The boy wondered why Inuyasha just stared at him. He opened his mouth to speak, but he fell face down on the ground. Inuyasha turned the boy over. The boy had lost so much blood. Inuyasha was torn. He wants the jewel shard, but the boy needs it to live a little longer to get medical treatment. What was he to do?
Inuyasha called out to Kagome.
“Kagome, bring some of your medicine quick!”
Sango looked at Kagome. “What did he say?”
“He’s asking for medicine,” said Kagome scrabbling through her back pack. Kagome pulled out her First Aid Kit and hurried over to Inuyasha.
Inuyasha held the dying boy. “Hurry, Kagome!” he snapped.
Kagome hurried over. Inuyasha let the boy down gently and grabbed the First Aid Kit. An explosion blew Inuyasha and Kagome away a few yards. The wounded boy was thrown against a pile of broken lumber. Inuyasha got on his feet and helped Kagome up. The First Aid Kit was still intact. They looked for the boy. The boy wept in pain. Kagome was about to go over to him, but Inuyasha stopped her.
“What are you doing, Inuyasha?”
“Where did that strike come from?”
Kagome became concerned. Inuyasha sniffed the air to catch a scent of an evil presence. Someone walked over to the boy’s side. Kagome caught sight of Raygan.
“Raygan!” she shouted.
Raygan looked at the dying boy. The jewel shard was embedded on the boy’s right arm. After he cut though the muscle tissue with his dagger, Raygan pulled the shard out of the boy.
“Raygan, what are you doing!” shouted Kagome.
The boy screamed then died. Raygan made a wound on his right arm and planted the shard in his shoulder.
“Something’s wrong with Raygan,” analyzed Kagome.
Inuyasha nodded.
Darkness was settling over the valley.
