Reminiscence
Chapter Two
Sesshomaru's whole body tensed up, anger radiating from him. He felt the youkai nature within him violently trashing in his chest, washing him with the need- no, the desire to break out, to be free of his humanoid form. His markings elongated and his eyes shone bloody crimson. Sesshomaru was just about to tell Jaken to watch Rin, but then he remembered the taijiya. Without a second glance, he darted away from them with such speed that unsettled the calm air around them.
"Wait!" Sango called after him, not liking the fact that she was forgotten so easily, "What about me?"
Of course, his overly sensitive demonic ears picked up what she said, even though he was pretty far by then. Sango only barely managed to hear his reply, "The young should watch the younger."
That made the slayer's brow crease in annoyance, "I'm not that young!" She called after him, though she doubted he could hear by now, "I've just turned seventeen!" Sighing, she crossed her arms over her chest and turned her attention to Kohaku and Rin. She had just gotten together with her baby brother and there was no way she was going to lose him again! He was not going into the battle, obviously. Sango would have stayed to baby-sit Kohaku and Rin, had it been any other situation, but this was Naraku, the beast who had slain everyone she had known and loved. He had to die under her hand, no one else's. Maybe it would be alright if he stayed out of the way with Rin. "Kohaku, watch over Rin and Jaken," she strictly informed him before hurriedly rushing after Sesshomaru, eager at a chance to defeat Naraku.
"No, wait, Sango-" But she had already left. Kohaku groaned his dissatisfaction and plopped down on the log next to Rin, who was watching curiously with big brown eyes. There was not even a slim possibility that he was going to let his sister go battle Naraku on her own with no one but the arrogant demon to protect her. He had to help her! Besides, he wanted his own revenge against Naraku for killing him. But what to do with Rin? "Jaken, watch over Rin." He said, before rushing after Sango at a much slower pace. He just hoped he'd get there before all the action was over.
Rin blinked at Jaken and he gave an equally confused look back, "Did everyone just leave us?" Rin asked the imp with a frown.
"I think so."
00
Sango wearily pulled the rest of her weight up from on the edge of the cliff, her breathing labored and her face covered with a thin veneer of sweat. She rested on a rock for a few short seconds, trying to catch her breath. That climb had been difficult. In fact, her whole short journey to the cave in which Naraku resided in had been difficult. Wow, he must really not want to be found, she idly thought, staring around as she tried to recollect her energy. Then it hit her. Wait! He doesn't want to be found! That must mean that he is weak or else he would have come to seek us himself! That made the slayer almost gleeful. Too sure of herself that she jumped in the cave, only to find out it wasn't a cave, it was a huge underground hall.
The noise that she had made leaping off into the hall usually wouldn't even have made the slightest sound on grass or pavement, but the whole cavern seemed to quake with the force of her weight, making the stalactites on the ceiling so far above quiver their pointy ends dangerously at the people at the bottom. Since the whole hall seemed to vibrate from the loud boom caused by her reckless jump, many pairs of eyes turned to stare at her.
Familiar golden demon eyes, concerned brown ones, wide green ones, yellow cat slits, bright violet eyes, and ones that were much like the golden ones she saw before, but much more intense and sharp. Inuyasha's held a bit of boyishness, still a bit naïve, like a child trying to play grown-up while Sesshomaru's held nothing of that sort. They were mature and wise, in a way. Like he had seen the whole world, but not in a good perspective. In a startling brutal way that made those eyes beautiful to look at, but heart-piercing to see.
Last, but not least were a pair of dark, venomous red ones. Ones that could easily been mistaken for snake orbs if it had been dark. But the slit in the ceiling that let the sun shine to its full magnificence let everyone see the monster as he was. With the pillowing tumble of dark hair, the fancy attire, and the sickening amount of roots, no one could mistaken this as the demon Naraku.
Sango wondered why the hell they were all staring at her and not attacking Naraku. Maybe they only need a bit of help getting started. With a loud battle cry, the taijiya hurled her Hiraikotsu at Naraku. Unfortunately, it missed and only cut off a couple roots, but that snapped everyone back into it. Before long, it wasn't only the Hiraikotsu swishing in the air. Sounds of metal on roots, teeth on roots, iron on roots, and even the occasional whoosh of the scared arrow soon filled the hall with ringing noise due to the vastness of the cave.
Naraku didn't attack as much as he usually would of. He seemed more intent on defense in such a way that made a smile spread across Sango's face. She glanced around her in satisfaction. Sesshomaru and Inuyasha hacked fluidly away at the roots with their brother swords, keeping their distance from one another, but at least they weren't fighting which made this an improvement. Kagome stood in the back of the enormous cavern, protecting Shippo while also shooting arrow after arrow on Kirara's back so fast that soon it was a continuous streak of pink energy. Her attacks had become more powerful and accurate; not nearly as good as Kikyou's but it was hard living up to that priestess. Nonetheless, the progress Kagome was making left Sango proud that she was her friend.
Sango herself was toward the front, swinging the Hiraikotsu and using her sword when the boomerang wasn't nearby. Miroku stood by her, using the Wind Tunnel to suck up bits of the roots they chopped off so that they couldn't reconnect to Naraku's body while using his staff to also help dismembering the villain. If it was any other demon they were fighting, the combined power of Kagome, Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, Miroku, and Sango would have taken them out in an instant, but this was Naraku and if he'd only stop goddamn regenerating! If he'd just stick with one body, like the rest of the creatures on this earth, Sango thought bitterly. It's too hard trying to whip his ass if he won't die!
But there was nothing she could do about it but keep on fighting and hoping that somehow he'd surrender or something. He deserved to die. Naraku utterly destroyed her whole village and slaughtered them all. He ruthlessly killed Shippo's father and betrayed Kikyou, Inuyasha's lover. He put the cursed void in Miroku's hand and tried over and over to kill Kagome. Sango wasn't sure what Naraku did to Sesshomaru, but it must not have been a pleasant thing if he was so dedicated to defeating the beast. Who else had Naraku forced pain upon?
At that very moment, a huge gust of wind whipped through the entrance of the cave, making the small ones in danger of falling over. Sango spat out her hair, which had gotten in her mouth by the furious wind to see the familiar wolf demon, Koga. Of course he'd be here to get his revenge as well since Naraku had slain his entire clan. Actions like that did not go forgiven. Inuyasha seemed unhappy about seeing his old rival, but he didn't do anything for they were all too focused on defeating Naraku.
Sango had a good feeling about this. It felt like they might actually slay Naraku. Out of all the times they had gone to try to fight him, this was actually the first time she had that warm tingling hopeful feeling within. That must be some kind of sign! But even with Koga's combined help, they had still come to a stalemate. They all kept throwing attacks at Naraku, every time succeeding in destroying a bit of him, but Naraku would heal back just as quick as their attacks came. Still, wasn't there some way the odds would be in their favor-?
Suddenly, a wooden arrow bursting with blue energy came soaring past them, shining so brightly that when it met Kagome's arrow in midair, they combined to form a dazzling radiant purple. Sango didn't have to look up to know who had entered the cavern so soundlessly that not even Inuyasha had heard her. It was obviously Kikyou. Who else had so much extreme power, grace, and dignity with the bonus feature of amazingly pretty features? Sango could see Inuyasha and Naraku all gaze longingly at the priestess. She couldn't blame them. The slayer glanced around more to have her eyes fall on Miroku who was also gazing longingly at Kikyou. Okay, that was pushing it. It was not okay for him, her fiancé to stare at another woman like that! Even if it were Kikyou. But, she would have to deal with him later. Sango had more important things right now, "Hiraikotsu!" She cried again.
Naraku winced slightly as the flying boomerang cleanly sliced off some more of his wriggling roots. Damn those annoying fools! He thought angrily as he attempted to dodge the incoming sacred arrow. He failed, of course, his senses being so dull from his recent weakness. If only I hadn't been so senseless in coming here to hide! Naraku regretted, slowing taking in every one of his powerful enemies. I don't know how much more of this I can take! Now I must hope that Sesshomaru doesn't use the Dragon Strike or else I'll be doomed! Naraku scowled at the thought. No, I mustn't think like that… Maybe, instead of fighting them, I can escape! But how? A smile spread across the demon's face, making him look even more evil than he already was. How about the usual way? Killing a helpless female and making them all cry their little eyes out.
Naraku looked around, looking for a target. Sesshomaru was the first one to appear in his vision. Naraku unconsciously recoiled at the thought. How on earth was he supposed to take down Sesshomaru? The next person who came to his view was Miroku. Naraku supposed that the monk would be easy enough to kill, but would Kikyou, Koga, and Sesshomaru, his strongest opponents, even stop to care? Naraku went on to see Kikyou. With Inuyasha looking all protective and defensive over her with on eye always on the priestess, Naraku was skeptical to whether he could even get his hands on her. But then there was always Kikyou's reincarnation, Kagome. Naraku felt almost giddy when he remembered her. She was pretty weak, but surprisingly, everyone seemed to love the wench. Inuyasha and Koga loved her; the taijiya and the monk seemed to be good with her, and even Kikyou seemed to care for her reincarnation. Yes, she was the perfect target! Oh, but wait, Naraku had almost forgotten about Sesshomaru. Naraku knew for a fact that the demon hated all humans so even with the others occupied, he would still have to deal with Sesshomaru. In the state he was in, Naraku doubted if he could even handle Sesshomaru. Too bad that Kagome wasn't the perfect target after all.
Suddenly a loud thud came from behind the battle, making everyone jerk their heads in surprise. "No!" Sango automatically cried out at the sight of her little brother.
Although he was very red in the face from the difficult climb, Kohaku looked very proud of himself as he held his sickle high above his head, "I've come to help you, sister," He announced as he courageously ran forward with a battle cry. No one dared to move as they watched his sickle find it's way past many roots into Naraku's leg.
Naraku hissed with pain and backed away, giving Sango time to snatch her brother away before any damage came to him. "Kohaku! Why in the world are you here?"
"To gain my own vengeance upon the monster who killed our whole village!" Kohaku informed her, his brown eyes glinting with fierce determination.
"You will do no such thing!" Sango snapped at him, angry that he was putting his life in danger, "Sesshomaru revived you once, and I don't want to make him do it again!"
"But, Sango!" Kohaku complained and began to try to argue with Sango.
"No buts! Go away from harm to where Kagome is and sit and wait until the battle is over. It's too dangerous here!"
"Sango!"
"Just do it, Kohaku!" Sango said strictly, shoving his brother away toward Kagome, who was perched upon Kirara, "And stay safe!"
Naraku glared coldly at the boy who had damaged him so. He will pay for that! Naraku angrily thought, then grinned, with his sister's pain! As quick as lightning, he weaved a root in and out of the bodies until he found Sango's. Then, without hesitation, he plunged the root into her arm, making her scream with pain.
Her familiar scream made Sesshomaru immediately rush over to her with a slight glint of worry in those usually frozen eyes. By then Naraku had already removed his root from Sango's arm and was across the vast hall from them. Sesshomaru took a look at Sango to see that she was fine, just suffering a bit from a large, bloody gash in her forearm. She'd survive. Remembering that he wasn't supposed to care for her, Sesshomaru shrank back and let the monk and the miko rush to her aid, pretending that he hadn't done that and hoping that no one noticed.
Luck is both good and evil intertwined with one another so tightly that no one would know when one would come or the other. It was too bad that bad luck came that very moment… or was it actually good luck?
Naraku was actually watching Sesshomaru intently when he went to rush to Sango, but stopped a second before he was at her side. That was interesting, very interesting for him to see. Does the great Lord Sesshomaru seriously care for a mortal female? Naraku silently mused, delighted about his new discovery. If he hadn't looked Sesshomaru in the eye when he was going to Sango's side, Naraku would have thought otherwise, but he did look into the dog demon's eyes and found something new there… Something unlike anything he'd seen in Sesshomaru before. It looked like emotion- like he really did care for the taijiya. Suddenly, Naraku found his new target. Everyone seemed to like the little slayer reasonably well; especially the monk, and now he found out that even the cold-hearted Sesshomaru does. What great evidence. So, he should just kill the taijiya and make his escape. That would be easy enough.
By then, all the people surrounding Sango had left after she assured them she was fine. Burning anger raged inside of her, but it wasn't toward Naraku, it was toward herself. How could she have been so stupid as to let her mind wander to Kohaku so much that she couldn't even concentrate on the most important battle of her life? That was inexcusable! She would just have to try harder!
Gritting her teeth in frustration, Sango ran toward Naraku with the Hiraikotsu. However, when she was just about to let it go, she noticed a long, straight, super thin pointed root charging toward her so fast she could barely see it. Her hands moved without her brain registering it and before she knew it, it was flying toward Naraku. Maybe if she hadn't let her boomerang go, she would have had something to protect her from the dangerously close root, but she had thoughtlessly let it go and now it was coming even closer.
A fresh scream pierced through the echoing cavern, much like the earlier one, but much more bloodcurdling. It chilled the bones of everyone around with ears. The ghastly sound was the sound of death.
Sesshomaru ran to Sango as quick as he could (which was pretty quick), but it was to late. With the root through her head with blood gushing out of the wound, it was obvious that she wasn't going to last much longer. Without any sound for her vocal cords gave out after that terrorizing scream, Sango dropped to her knees. All her friends surrounded her, but Sango only had eyes for one person.
"Sesshomaru…" She muttered, before she collapsed on the floor and died.
The sound of his name on her lips as a dying last word petrified the demon to his very core. He could only watch as the disgraced monk reached the body first, wrapping himself around her as heartfelt sobs tore from his body.
The miko reached her next, throwing her arms around both Miroku and Sango's body, crying hysterically. Then the little boy slayer and the fox demon both sprang off Kirara's body and joined the huddled mess. None of them seemed to notice or care when Naraku drew out his damned killing root and disappeared into a cloud of miasma, a wicked grim on his face. They were all too concerned with the death of a loved one.
Inuyasha stood to the side, his back turned, but Sesshomaru could see that even he had tearing in his eyes. If it were any other situation, any other death, Sesshomaru would have had fun mocking the crap out of his little brother for crying like that, but this time was different. He was crying for Sango, the brave, bigheaded, high egoed taijiya with a heart so big that she gave pieces to everyone of her friends and they gave pieces back. Without her, it seemed as though each and every single one of them had missing sections in their hearts and it ached so much! She was dear to everyone. She was a sister, a best friend, a future spouse, a sparing mate. She was Sango, the strongest woman they had ever met. They would never forget her.
Sesshomaru even saw Kikyou a little ways off on the ground, her head bowed and her hands clasped together. Even she had exchanged a bit of her heart with the taijiya, even if it were a tiny piece. And now that she was gone, the miko was going to pray for her, so that she would get a safe passage to the heavens. Koga, the wolf prince, stood near Kikyou, watching the hugging group with his arms crossed arrogantly over his chest and an eyebrow arched high, but his eyes revealed that he was also mourning from the loss of a sister.
The way Sango said his name in that matter still made Sesshomaru stiffen as he recalled it. Why had she said his name when he was just her traveling companion's older brother? Why hadn't she saved her dying strength to call for her mate, or her brother? Why him? Sesshomaru tried to shake all thoughts of the taijiya out of his mind as he attempted to walk out of the cavern, but he couldn't move. His eyes were burned with the image of the brave exterminator falling gracefully to her death. The way her eyes shone when she looked at him one last time… It reeked havoc in Sesshomaru's heart when he realized that they would never shine that way again…
Suddenly, Sesshomaru realized what he must do…
You'll understand the summary I put for this soon enough! Oh, I think I made this a cliffie! Well, the third chapter isn't coming for a while, so... just chill or something. Sorry! Drop a review and perhaps I will update faster...