“Oh, no! My arrows!” Kagome was running out of arrows fast; only three remained.
“You only have three left, Kagome!” said a worried Shippo.
Kirara sank her teeth into another demon and tore it apart. Sango was growing real tired of throwing her heavy boomerang. The onslaught of demons was relentless. A demon struck Sango from behind forcing her to the ground. Kirara came to Sango’s defense but there were too many demons. Kagome released another arrow and wiped out the demons. Another wave of demons flew down from the sky.
Two more arrows! I better use them wisely!
Oh, no! My barrier! The demons! Ah! Shippo’s barrier was giving way. “Kagome!” shouted Shippo pointing at the hungry demons waiting behind the barrier.
Sango got on her feet and, along with Kirara, continued fighting the demons. Kagome got another arrow and pointed it at the demons behind Shippo’s fading wall. Shippo’s magic wore off. The demons eyed Kagome and Shippo. Kagome released the arrow. Her sacred arrow destroyed the demons, but now she only had one arrow left. Shippo shook in fear. The demons covered the night sky and they were all converging on them.
Inuyasha noticed Kagome was down to her last arrow and that Sango and Kirara were tired.
“Miroku, help the girls!”
“I won’t let you fight him alone!”
“I don’t care! The girls are more important than me! Protect Kagome!”
He said to protect Kagome. So be it, Inuyasha. “Good luck, Inuyasha. Stay clear of his swords!” Miroku ran to the girls’ defense.
Inuyasha returned Raygan’s glare. “Raygan, I know you can hear me. If you continue to threaten our lives I will have no choice but to destroy you!”
“Foolish half-demon. Tonight your human blood will stain this field. Your flesh will be devoured by the demons and your friends will be my dragons’ meal!”
Raygan quickly turned his head away from Inuyasha. Inuyasha knew Raygan was trying to regain control his body.
I have to try to help him but how? The only way to save him is to kill Naraku and that stupid coward never has the guts to fight me!
Sango fell on one knee. She was vanquished. Kirara continued killing the oncoming demons but was tired as well. A new wave of demons came down. Kagome released her last arrow and wiped out the new wave. A few other demons attacked Sango. Miroku arrived in the nick of time to rescue Sango.
“I’ll finish this!” shouted Miroku. He removed the cloak off his hand.
“Wait, Miroku! Naraku’s poisonous insects are in the forest!” warned Kagome.
Miroku picked up his staff again and fought the demons manually. He tossed seals when he was threatened from all sides. Sango chopped down demons trying to get Shippo. Kirara defended Kagome. The demons kept coming.
Raygan came down real hard on Inuyasha. Inuyasha tried to fight off Raygan but Raygan was too strong.
Miroku was real tired now too. He stood in the midst of them and meditated forming a barrier around them to ward off the demons.
Raygan overwhelmed Inuyasha. Inuyasha fell on the floor defeated. Kagome rushed over to Inuyasha. Raygan raised his swords over his head.
“Inuyasha!” shouted Kagome.
She threw herself on top of him as Raygan was bringing his swords down. He stopped short of striking Kagome. Raygan was restraining himself from striking her. Sweat dripped off his face. Kagome and Inuyasha headed over to Miroku’s barrier. Raygan remained on the same spot he stood. He lifted his sword over his head again. With a loud yell he brought down the swords on the ground. The tremor caused by the crashing of his arms on the ground knocked Kagome and Inuyasha off their feet. The demons swooped down to get Kagome.
“Kagome!” shouted Inuyasha.
Kagome watched as a shower of demons came down almost on top of her. A human-looking person came out of the woods yelling tearing down the demons. Inuyasha’s eyes widened.
Koga picked up Kagome.
“Kagome, my love, are you alright?” asked Koga with concerned eyes.
“I’m fine, Koga. Thanks for rescuing me.”
“I heard a lot of noise coming from this direction. I had to investigate. Don’t worry. I’ll protect you from those demons. Where’s the mutt?” Inuyasha was red in anger. “Hey, mutt face, wait, you’re not a mutt right now,” he said laughing.
“You’re lucky I’m human right now, Koga, or I’d tear you limb from limb!”
“You just bark but you don’t do anything!” responded Koga.
Miroku and the others joined them.
“Miroku, what happened to your barrier?” asked Kagome.
“It became too difficult to meditate with these two arguing.”
The demons continued their attack again.
“Kagome, my maiden of beauty, stay here while I get rid of these demons,” said Koga.
The group stayed together. Miroku mediated and reformed the barrier. Koga’s pack arrived and engaged the demons. The wolf pack fought off the demons felling them like flies. Koga stopped and looked at Raygan.
“Who the heck are you?” he asked.
Raygan did not answer.
“So, you trying to hurt my Kagome?”
Inuyasha boiled over. His Kagome? What a dork!
Raygan slowly approached Koga carrying his two swords. A voice in his head told him to kill him.
“So, you want to fight, eh? Well, this should prove interesting. I’ll have you know I don’t take great pleasure in fighting mortals. I hope you’re a challenge!”
Koga drew out his sword.
“Koga! Go easy on him he’s our friend!” shouted Kagome. He’s under Naraku’s spell!”
“Great, now I get to fight you just for fun,” complained Koga.
Raygan charged at Koga. Koga crashed swords with Raygan. Raygan quickly overwhelmed Koga.
“Whoa, this is going to be more interesting than I thought.”
The wolf pack destroyed the attacking demons. Only one more wave remained. Kagome, Inuyasha and the others watched from inside Miroku’s barrier.
Koga and Raygan stared each other down. Raygan lunged but Koga dodged each of his attacks.
Let’s see how long this human will last!
Koga started running in circles around Raygan.
“Try to get me know, human!” teased Koga.
Koga was like a blur to Raygan. Raygan lifted his swords over his head then smashed the ground. The impact knocked Koga off his feet. Raygan leapt on Koga. Koga defended himself. Raygan struck each time harder than the one before. Koga struck Raygan on his breast plate. Sango and Kagome screamed. Raygan looked at his plate. No sign of penetration. Koga’s eyes widened. “Who are you?”
“I’m . . . Raygan . . .” he responded weakly.
Koga noticed Raygan was trying to restrain himself. Again the voice inside Raygan told him to kill Koga.
“Move!” warned Raygan attacking Koga.
Koga moved away as Raygan swung madly.
The wolf pack destroyed the remaining demons. Miroku stopped meditating. Inuyasha ran over to fight Raygan.
“What are you doing, poodle? You want to get yourself killed?”
“He was kicking your butt, Koga!” Inuyasha snapped back.
Raygan attacked Koga. Inuyasha came from behind. Miroku and Sango rushed over to them. The wolf pack joined Kagome, Shippo and Kirara. Raygan punched Inuyasha in the stomach then he kicked Koga in the face sending both of them two flying backwards. Miroku stopped in his tracks. Raygan looked fiercely right at him.
“Raygan, stop!” said Miroku.
A voice spoke to Raygan. Raygan, it is time to use your full strength! Release the power within you! Let the shards of the Shikon jewel empower you!
Naraku instructed Raygan to put his swords away. Raygan inserted his swords back into their sheaths. Miroku relaxed thinking he had made it through to Raygan. Sango gulped as Raygan drew out Flaron. Koga looked on wondering what was going to happen next. Kagome picked up Inuyasha.
“Kagome, run!” Inuyasha pushed Kagome away.
“I won’t leave you, Inuyasha!”
“Raygan drew out Flaron! Get the hell out of here!” Inuyasha told Kagome.
“Do as he says,” agreed Koga.
“I’m not leaving!”
Inuyasha frowned at Raygan. Raygan leapt forward and fired a great beam from his sword. The others frantically moved out of the beam’s way. Koga was quickly becoming aware of the power of Raygan’s abilities. Raygan threw another beam from his Flaron. Sango came from behind Raygan and engaged him.
“Sango!” shouted Miroku.
Miroku raced to her aid. Raygan elbowed Sango in the face. He then struck the ground with Flaron sending a tidal wave of earth at Miroku and the others. Miroku, Shippo, Inuyasha, Kirara, Kagome, Koga and the wolf pack were thrown in the air meters away. Raygan turned his attention to the felled Sango. He struck down on Sango’s blade. He pressed hard bringing the Flaron closer to Sango’s neck. She could not hold him off much longer. She kicked Raygan off her and retreated. Raygan brought down the Flaron sending a beam straight for Sango. Kirara picked Sango off the ground before the beam could hit her. Raygan panted. He was exhausted but the voice kept telling him to fight. He eyed the group. He lifted Flaron in the air. Flaron glowed orange.
“He’s calling his dragons!” shouted Miroku.
Koga frowned. The wolf pack quivered. The winds picked up. Kagome hid behind Inuyasha.
“Is this it?” asked a scared Shippo.
No dragon appeared. Raygan looked at the sky in search of dragons. He raised his sword again. A giant dragon landed in between the group and Raygan.
“Dragon?” he said in disbelief.
Dragon stared at his master with angry eyes.
“Dragon, this is not what it seems! Do not let me destroy my friends!”
Dragon nodded. Raygan communed with Dragon through telepathy. While Raygan confronted his dragon, a familiar smell caught Koga’s attention. He left in search of the smell. The wolf pack followed.
“Koga? Where’s he going?” Kagome asked herself.
A voice spoke to Raygan. Kill them! Destroy that dragon! Raygan lifted Flaron. Dragon stood on guard.
“Look! Dragon is defending us against his own master!” shouted Shippo.
Raygan’s gaze turned into a glare. Dragon returned the glare.
“Dragon, get out of my way,” Raygan’s voice deepened.
Dragon expanded its wings shielding the others. Raygan was sweating bullets. The sword in his hand glowed blue.
“Look, Flaron is glowing blue!” said Miroku.
Raygan fell on his knees screaming in pain. He dropped the sword and held his head.
“What’s going on?” asked Sango.
“He must be fighting against Naraku’s mind control,” analyzed Miroku.
Raygan shed tears. The pain was unbearable. He squirmed on the ground then he stopped moving. The night was quiet. The wind stopped blowing. The group breathed again. Dragon turned small again and ran to its master’s side. Dragon licked Raygan on the face but Raygan did not move. The group rushed over to Raygan. Flaron stopped glowing. Miroku touched Raygan’s neck.
“He has no pulse!” he said.
“Does this mean . . . does this mean he’s dead?” asked Shippo with watery eyes.
“Stop crying. He’s not dead,” said Inuyasha.
“How can you be so sure,” asked Miroku.
“I think he’s resting. His sword is just like mine in many ways so I believe he’s okay now.”
Kagome assumed Inuyasha was referring to the Tessaiga protecting him from evil. Raygan slowly opened his eyes.
“Raygan?” Miroku called out to him.
“Miroku? Sigh, I have the most terrible headache.”
“He’s back!” cheered Kagome.
Raygan closed his eyes again and fell into a deep sleep. The poisonous insects cleared the forest. The group waited for Raygan to come through as they rested from the physical and emotional battle.
*******
Koga sped through the forest following a scent. He saw a figure walking in the distance. He frowned and ran faster. Kagura peered over her shoulder.
“Witch!” shouted Koga skidding to a stop. Kagura’s eyes widened. Koga cracked his knuckles. “At last I can avenge the loss of my comrade! Prepare to die!” Koga withdrew his sword.
Kagura slipped open her fan. Koga slashed her on her abdomen before she could flap her fan. Kagura hit the ground screaming in pain covered in her own blood. Koga pointed his sword at her neck.
“Oh, look, my pack arrived. You will make a perfect meal for my wolves!”
“Have . . . mercy.”
“Did you have mercy on my comrades?” He stabbed Kagura’s arm. “I’m going to watch you die slowly and painfully!” He picked up her fan and tossed it away. “Your master will be crushed to hear of your death.”
“I’m not Naraku’s servant anymore,” Kagura said weakly.
“Liar!”
“Raygan set me free.”
“Prove it!”
“I brought his dragon to him.”
“Lying witch!”
Koga kicked Kagura in the face. The wolf pack watched from a distance as Koga took out his anger on Kagura. Koga raised his sword. Dragon swooped down and bit Koga’s wrist.
“Ah! Stupid little lizard!”
He shook dragon off him. The little dragon landed near Kagura.
“I’ll kill you too!”
Dragon morphed into a towering dragon and roared in Koga’s face. Koga felt his blood run cold. The wolf pack hid behind boulders and trees. Dragon picked up Kagura with one foot and carried her to the others. Koga, pale and stiff, sat on the spot where he fell.
*******
Raygan lay asleep under a tree with his arms wrapped in bandages where the shards of Shikon Jewel were inserted. The group discussed among themselves how it was that Raygan overcame Naraku’s spell. Inuyasha stuck by his first conclusion: Flaron.
Dragon landed and placed a passed out Kagura gently on the floor.
“Kagura!” said Miroku.
“Yeah, and ready for us to kill! Look, she’s wounded! Nice going, Dragon!” Inuyasha approached Kagura and drew out his sword. Dragon roared at him knocking Inuyasha back. “What’s his problem?” asked Inuyasha.
“I think he’s protecting her,” said Miroku.
“Protecting her?” Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. “Look what he did to her!”
“I don’t think he did that to her. Koga went in search for someone. Maybe Koga did this to her,” said Kagome.
“What now?” asked Sango.
“We wait,” said Miroku.
*******
Inuyasha looked at Kagura every once in a while to make sure she did not try to make a wrong move. Kagura knew he was watching her. She peeked at him through her half closed eyes. Inuyasha kept his vision on the sky pretending that Kagura was still asleep. The sky was lighting up. Birds chirped atop trees. Animals roamed without fear in the forest. Inuyasha tapped his knee against the ground.
Sun’s almost up! Finally, it’s felt like an eternity.
Inuyasha’s tapping annoyed Kagura. “Can you stop that?” she asked softly. Inuyasha ignored her request. “Ouch,” she hurt herself but her wounds were healing fast.
“Hmm, so Kagura how did you come across Raygan’s dragon?”
“It entered the miasma barrier in hopes of rescuing its master,” Kagura responded without hesitation.
“From who?”
“Naraku.”
“Raygan faced Naraku?”
“Yes, he fared well for a moment.”
“How did he end up finding the castle?”
Kagura stayed silent for a moment then concluded its best to tell the whole truth. “I lied to him to get him to go to the castle. He tried killing me, but he refused to do so. Raygan retrieved my heart. In doing so he confronted Naraku. Naraku killed his dragon.”
“Hold on. You deceived Raygan into getting your heart for you, but he let you get away anyway. Raygan’s dragon was killed in the process? How did he—”
“Sesshomaru brought the dragon back from the dead.” She waited for Inuyasha to react to the name of his brother. “It took me a while to convince him to do me this favor. I owed Raygan for sacrificing himself to save me,” she continued.
“If I were him, I’d kill you once I awake!”
“I know but he’s not like you. He truly has a heart.”
“Stupid witch! If it wasn’t for that dragon I would have cut you down last night!”
Kagura smiled. “You’re funny when you’re in human form.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.”
Inuyasha’s body beat. His hair turned white. His dog ears appeared. Finally, he transformed back into a half-demon.
“Finally back to normal!” He cracked his knuckles.
“Don’t you mean half way back? You’re not a full demon.”
“You best shut up. I’ve had enough of you.”
Raygan awoke.
“Hey, you feeling better?” asked Inuyasha.
“No,” Raygan shook his head. “I cannot believe the nightmare I went through. How can you even speak to me after last night?”
“Hey, it’s not your fault. You were tricked.”
Raygan’s heart filled with anger when he saw Kagura.
He’s going to kill me! She became nervous.
“Your deception almost cost the life of my friends not to mention my own! You do not deserve to live!” he slowly got up reaching for a weapon. “But I am in no place to kill you. You saved my dragon,” he reached for hand. “Dragon means the world to me and for that I am grateful.” He helped Kagura on her feet. “Your wounds are healing.” He picked up a feather on the ground. “This is yours.”
Kagura took it from his hand. “Thank you,” she said. She met eyes with him.
Inuyasha was disgusted. She likes him?
“You must leave now,” Raygan warned Kagura. “Leave somewhere away from these parts. You are free. If you harm any more peasants, I will hunt you down and make you pay without remorse,” he warned sternly. “I do not promise you will survive long with others coming after you. I will not stop Inuyasha from killing the next time you meet. I am only returning you the favor on behalf of my dragon - this time.”
“I want to stay,” she stared into his eyes.
“You must seek elsewhere,” he read her eyes. “My heart belongs to someone else.”
Kagura took a step back. Her eyes watered.
“Leave, Kagura!” shouted Inuyasha.
“Farewell, dragon master,” after she said that, the feather transformed and carried her away.
“Forgive me, Inuyasha,” Raygan said. “I did not mean to bring you harm or to any of your friends.”
“We’re still friends, Raygan.”
“Thank you. At least now I know where his castle lies.” Raygan smirked.
Inuyasha grinned. Naraku would soon have to answer to the many enemies he has made.
*******
Naraku exited his room and walked out onto the balcony of his castle. He peered through the miasma out into the valley.
“Raygan, how did you break free from my spell? Kagura, you betrayed me. Inuyasha is still alive. Sigh, things have not been going as planned.” Onigumo’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of Kikyo’s soul collectors. She’s near. I must remain hidden or she will discover the location of my castle. Wait, Raygan knows how to find my castle. I must move it again but where? Naraku squeezed the cement balcony rail. I must find a way to kill them all! Damn! Raygan still haves two of my jewel shards. Sigh, things truly did not go as planned.
