Inuyasha: A New Beginning

By:

Guardian Angel

Chapter Twenty

                                      Inukai and Naraku charged after each other. They then raised their swords above their heads then went in for the kill. Their swords clashed and sparks of electricity began flying off them. Inukai then took his blade away from Naraku’s then went in for the kill. Naraku jumped back and threw some miasma at him. Inukai put the sleeve of his shirt over his face to block the vapors from his eyes and nose.

                                      Nina watched in worry then slowly began walking over to Kagome and the others.

                                      Inukai began searching for Naraku through the poisonous clouds of miasma. He then heard a cry coming from his right and turned around just in time to see Naraku coming at him. He put his sword in defense while Naraku’s clashed against his trying to strike him. They pushed against their blades waiting for the other to give in. Naraku then took his blade away from Inukai’s and went in for the kill. Inukai blocked it with his sword. The two began fighting again with their blades clashing every time.

                                      Nina kneeled down beside Kagome first since she was the closest. In her vision, she hadn’t bothered to really check on her friends. Now she was to make sure they really were. To her relief, she found that all of them were all right except for the cuts they had gotten during their fights. Naraku didn’t do anything to them. That’s good.

                                      Naraku and Inukai’s blades clashed once again. The two snarled as they pushed against their swords. Naraku then kicked Inukai in the stomach hard causing him to crash into the wall and reopen his wound that was there. Inukai groaned and stood up as he put a hand over his wound. Blood was going down his lower lip.

                                      Nina’s face filled with worry again. He can’t fight in that condition. He’s hurt. I need to help him somehow.

                                      Inukai wiped the blood away and began charging towards Naraku again. Naraku put hi sword up in defense. The blades clashed again.

                                      Inukai… Nina thought as he battled Naraku. Please live. I can’t lose you. She looked down at the ground. I… can’t lose you because I… I love you. Her head rose up and she looked towards Inukai. I love you so you had better not die!

                                      Inukai snarled as he pushed against his sword. Naraku looked as though he was pleased by the boy’s anger. Inukai’s eyes narrowed. He then took his sword away from Naraku’s then swung it. Just as he had expected, Naraku had jumped back. Inukai smirked and put a hand over his wound then used his claws of blood. Naraku hadn’t seen this coming and tried dodging the “claws”, but one hit his wrist. Fortunately or unfortunately, it didn’t cut it off. Inukai growled and charged at Naraku again.

                                      Nina observed the chains that held Kagome and the others to the ground. Now, how do I break these? She made her claws appear and swiped at them. She found that it didn’t work and also hurt her fingers. “Ouch, ow, that hurt. Note to self: Never claw at chains.” She frowned and looked back down at the chains. So, just how the heck am I suppose to break these?

                                      Inukai and Naraku’s swords clashed again. Inukai snarled while Naraku only smirked.

                                      “Well, I see that I am not dead,” Naraku said. “Don’t tell me you’re all talk and no game.”

                                      Inukai growled and pushed even harder against his sword. He then kicked at Naraku’s feet causing him to trip and fall down on his back. Inukai then stood over him with the blade just a quarter of an inch from his throat. Inukai smirked. “What were you saying about all talk and no game now?”

                                      Naraku growled and tripped Inukai. He then got up and held his sword just a little from Inukai’s throat. “I was saying that you are all talk and no game meaning you can talk about it, but you can’t do it.”

                                      Inukai snarled and pushed Naraku’s blade away. He then stood up and smirked as he pointed his blade at Naraku. “Look who’s talking.”

                                      Nina watched the two half demons fight. She felt the jewel glow as the heat spread through her body. She now understood all of it. Before, she hadn’t understood any of it. Now she did. It was as plain as paper. She could see everything now. The reason she had been chosen to have the jewel within her, why she was the descendant of Kagome, how the two were able to live in the same time, everything. She even understood why the jewel always glowed now. It brought her back to something Inuyasha had told her.

~*Flashback*~

                                      Nina had been telling Inuyasha about how it was her destiny to come to Inuyasha’s era and how she balance out a lot of things.  

                                      “Can you balance out all that the Shikon Jewel stands for?” Inuyasha asked. “The four souls? Courage, friendship, wisdom, and love?”

                                      “Um, I’m not sure,” Nina said.

                                      “Well, you were pretty brave back there when you were fighting Sesshomaru and Naraku so you have courage covered. You were fighting to defend a friend so you have friendship covered,” Inuyasha said.

                                      “And that friend was you,” Nina said.

                                      “Whatever,” Inuyasha said. “The only ones I’m not sure about are wisdom and love.” He looked away and into the forest. “Kagome had balanced out the Shikon no Tama. She always had courage and friendship covered from the beginning. Soon, she acquired wisdom. After we had confessed our feelings to each other, she gained love.”

                                      So, Kagome balanced out the jewel? Nina thought. But even though she had, Naraku was still able to kill her.

                                      “Nina, you’re too much like her,” Inuyasha said. “Just like her, you’ve already got courage and friendship covered.” He let out a sigh.

~*End Flashback*~

                                      And now that Inukai has come, I really have balanced out the jewel, Nina thought. The jewel began glowing even more. I fight for my friends giving me friendship. I fight with courage. This journey has given me wisdom. And Inukai has given me love.

                                      Inukai and Naraku’s swords clashed once again. Inukai looked towards Nina to see her watching him. It made him realize something.

~*Flashback*~

                                      Inukai was thirteen years old and he was in the school’s dojo practicing kendo. He also had detention for beating up what must’ve been the tenth kid that week. He hit the practice dummy. Just as he was about to hit it again, the door slid open. Inukai turned around to see Sota. He smiled. “Hey! What’s up?”

                                      Sota sighed and sat down on the couch that was near the window. “I take it that you have detention again.”

                                      Inukai nodded and sat down next to Sota. “Yeah. I do.”

                                      “When are you going to learn to control your anger?” Sota asked.

                                      “Why do you think I’m taking kendo?” Inukai asked.

                                      Sota shrugged.

                                      “Because it teaches you to be patient and to control your anger,” Inukai said.

                                      Sota frowned. “I heard you used to take karate and entered all the national championships. You know what I really think.”

                                      “What?” Inukai asked as he looked out the window.

                                      “That you like fighting,” Sota said.

                                      Inukai frowned then closed his eyes. “Whatever.”

                                      Sota sighed. “Why do you fight?”

                                      Inukai opened his eyes then looked towards his best friend and shrugged. “I dunno why I fight. I just do.”

                                      Sota sighed and stood up. “Well, sayonara, tomodachi.”

                                      “Adios,” Inukai said.

                                      Sota left.

~*End Flashback*~

                                      I fight for Nina, Inukai thought. I actually fight for a reason now and it’s to protect Nina. He turned his attention back to Naraku and smirked. Nina gives me my strength. He kicked Naraku in the stomach really hard and sent him crashing into the wall. “Heh, don’t tell me you’re all talk and no game.”

                                      Naraku eyed Inukai and stood up. “Look who’s talking.”

                                      Inukai’s smirk disappeared. “Whatever. Fight.”

                                      The two began fighting again.

                                      Nina looked around for anything that could help her break the chains. Fire’s out of the question. She frowned when she saw there was nothing that could break the chains. This is just great. She sighed.

                                      Inukai and Naraku’s swords clashed once again. The two pushed against their swords and snarled. Naraku looked out of the corner of his eye to see Nina looking around for something to release her friends. He then saw that the jewel was glowing. He turned his attention back to Inukai and kicked him in the stomach making him crash into the wall. Naraku then quickly went over to Nina.

                                      “Give me the jewel,” Naraku said holding out his hand.

                                      Nina put her hand over the jewel. “No.”

                                      “Do it or else,” Naraku said.

                                      “Or else what?” Nina asked already knowing what he was going to say next.

                                      “Or else I’ll kill you,” Naraku said pointing the sword at her.

                                      Knew it, Nina thought. “Kill me if you want, but I’m not handing over the jewel.”

                                      “You value the jewel more than your life?” Naraku asked.

                                      Well, duh. I know what’ll happen if I give you the jewel, you creep, Nina thought. “Yes.”

                                      “Very well, then it’s your life that I will take,” Naraku said. He raised his sword.

                                      Nina closed her eyes waiting for the pain that would soon claim her life.

                                      Inukai groaned rubbing his head and saw what Naraku was going to do. His eyes widened and he quickly stood up. He then began running towards Nina holding out his hand. “Nina!”

                                      Nina opened her eyes and saw Inukai running towards her. Inukai… She closed her eyes. I’m so sorry! Tears began going down her cheeks. “Inukai!”

                                      “Nina!” Inukai cried.

                                      Naraku went in for the kill and stabbed her where her heart is.

                                      Nina looked towards Inukai as darkness began to claim her life. “Inukai…” She soon fell into darkness.

                                      Inukai’s eyes filled with horror as he reached Nina’s side. Naraku smiled and left the young girl behind going over to the corner opposite of her.

                                      Inukai kneeled down beside Nina and held her in his arms. “Nina? Nina, wake up. Nina?! Wake up. Nina!” Tears filled his eyes. “Nina…” He felt the tears begin to go down his cheeks. Nina… I’m sorry I failed you. Please forgive me. He wiped his tears away and stood up. He then turned to face Naraku and went over to him.

                                      “Oh, did I do something wrong?” Naraku asked smiling.

                                      Inukai growled.

                                      “I take that as a yes,” Naraku said. He went over to the now dead young girl and took the Shikon no Tama from her. He then went back over to Inukai and held out his hand smirking at the response he got from him.

                                      Inukai reached for his sword.

                                      Naraku smiled. “Now, now, no need to get violent.”

                                      “I won’t let you get away with it,” Inukai said in a low growl.

                                      “I told her to give it to me,” Naraku said. “She didn’t and so she got what she was asking for.”

                                      “No. You were the one asking for it and I won’t let you get away, murderer,” Inukai said.

                                      “She died for the same reasons your stupid mother, sister, and brother died,” Naraku said.

                                      “So you’re the one who killed Mom, Kanna, and Riku?” Inukai asked.

                                      “Yes, I am the one who killed your beloved mother, brother, and sister,” Naraku said smiling. “And I am the one who killed your beloved woman.”

                                      Inukai snarled. “I will not allow you to go any further to kill my loved ones. You are the one who made my life a living hell. I’m here for revenge and the jewel.”
                                      “Very well,” Naraku said. “But first, I shall take what is rightfully mine.” He held out his hand. Inukai looked to his side to see his sheath and sword fly to Naraku. “Now you will follow in the footsteps your mother, brother, and sister. It’s a shame Inuyasha and his friends killed your other sister, Kagura, as this would be a pleasure to her to yet another traitor to die.”

                                      “Yeah, well, I’m not going down without a fight,” Inukai said going into a fighting stance. “You killed the one girl who actually liked me for me. You killed the one person I ever loved and knew.”

                                      The Shikon Jewel in Naraku’s hand began to glow.

                                      The two charged at each other. Inukai jumped over Naraku as he swung Tsugerio at him. Inukai swiped his claws at him. Naraku dodged them and then swung the sword at Inukai again cutting him across the arm. Inukai ignored the pain and swiped at Naraku again. Naraku barely dodged the claws that time as they almost scratched him across his cheek.

                                      He’s getting faster, Naraku thought.

                                      I will avenge Nina’s death, Inukai thought. Out from the corner of his eye, he looked towards the girl. Stupid girl. Why couldn’t you go and listen to me and worry about yourself? Why didn’t you stay behind me and away from Naraku?

                                      Naraku swung the blade at Inukai. Inukai jumped over it and clawed Naraku cutting him on the cheek. Naraku growled and cut him across the cheek. Inukai ignored the blood that began to go down his face and swiped at Naraku again. Naraku blocked it with Tsugerio causing Inukai to scratch it hurting his fingers. Inukai growled and swiped at Naraku again. Naraku blocked it with the sword again then kicked Inukai in the stomach causing Inukai to crash into the ground. Inukai got up and ignored the blood that going down his lower lip. Naraku smirked. Inukai used his claws of blood. One of the “claws” hit Naraku’s wrist and this time did cut it off. Naraku growled and swung the blade. Inukai tried to dodge it, but failed causing the sword to cut him across the stomach. Inukai growled as his eyes narrowed. Naraku smiled. Inukai charged after him swiping at him. Naraku blocked every attack with the sword. Inukai kicked him in the stomach. Naraku fell down on his back. Inukai went over to him and kneeled down beside him. He then grabbed Naraku by the collar snarling.

                                      “Now, I will kill you,” Inukai said bringing up his freed clawed hand.

                                      Naraku watched him then smirked. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

                                      “And why shouldn’t I kill you, bastard?” Inukai asked.

                                      “Because you’ll be endangering your friends,” Naraku said calmly.

                                      Inukai gave him a questioning look then looked towards Kagome and the others to see Kohaku holding his sickle over Kagome’s neck.

                                      “The reincarnation will be the first to go,” Naraku said.

                                      Inukai turned to face Naraku once more before he threw him to the ground and raced to Kagome’s rescue. Naraku only smiled as he stood up. Inukai grabbed Kohaku by the collar.

                                      “Don’t kill her. You’ll regret it,” Inukai said as he looked into the man’s blank eyes. “What do you think your sister will think?”

                                      Kohaku’s eyes lit up with life again at the mention of his sister. “Sango…”

                                      “Yeah, Sango,” Inukai said.

                                      Kohaku looked down at his sickle. His eyes widened with fear when he saw what he was going to do. He quickly took his weapon away from Kagome. “Who-who made me…”

                                      “Naraku,” Inukai said with bitterness.

                                      Kohaku and Inukai looked towards the half demon. Their eyes widened in horror when they saw what he was doing. Naraku was turning to his full spider demon form and was consuming the Jewel of Four Souls.

                                      Inukai stepped forward. “Kohaku, you take care of the others and make sure Naraku doesn’t come near them.”

                                      Kohaku nodded.

                                      Inukai spotted his sword in the far corned of the room near Naraku. “I’ll take care of this pesky bug and take care of him once and for all.”

                                      “You’re too late,” Naraku said his voice now deep. “I’ve already fully transformed and it’s just a matter of time before I completely absorb the jewel.” He began laughing evilly.

                                      “We’ll see,” Inukai said cracking his knuckles as he brought up a clawed hand. He then charged at Naraku.

                                      Kohaku went over to his sister and began thinking of a way to release her.

                                      Inukai swiped at Naraku. Naraku blocked it with his spider legs. Inukai jumped back as a leg came his way.

                                      “Heh, you’ll have to do better than that, you overgrown arachnid,” Inukai said smirking.

                                      “Don’t be so cocky,” Naraku said as he shot out webbing from his hands sticking Inukai to the wall. “It might just get you where you hadn’t intended to go.”

                                      Inukai growled as he tried to get free of the webbing.

                                      Naraku smirked and pinned him to the wall with a spider leg. “Are you enjoying your sticky situation?”

                                      Inukai continued trying to get free and smirked. “Yeah. I’m enjoying every bit of it.” He then brought a hand over his wound then used his claws of blood again cutting the webbing that held him to the wall and cutting part of Naraku’s spider leg.

                                      Naraku growled and held up his hands. Inukai watched him out of curiosity and soon regretted it when he saw the ground begin to rise where he was taking him closer to the ceiling. He watched in puzzlement when he realized what was happening. Naraku was going to squish him!

                                      Inukai frowned. That is down right wrong. I’m the dog around here and he’s the bug. I’m the one who’s supposed to squish him. Not him doing that to me. He ran to the edge of the floor to see a wall take its place. He ran to the other side, to see a wall also take its place. He was about to go to the other two sides when he saw them blacked by walls, too. This is just great. I’m going to be squash like a bug by a bug!

                                      Naraku watched pleased with what he was doing. He then looked towards Kohaku and smiled. “This is my proud creation of a trap I built in this room. It’s one of the best I have around here. I bet you’d hate to be in there right now, wouldn’t you.”

                                      Kohaku sweat dropped. “Umm, yeah…”

                                      Naraku smiled and continued watching the scene that was taking place.

                                      Inukai ducked as the ceiling began getting closer so that he could no longer stand. How am I supposed to get out of this mess?

                                      Naraku watched as he saw his trap almost all the way through the ceiling. He smiled all the more. That is, until he saw his trap stop and begin to open up. He soon saw Inukai lying down on the ground looking around confused. Naraku growled. “Who stopped my trap?!”

                                      “I did,” a voice said.

                                      Inukai turned around (and was having trouble doing that simple task as the ceiling was so close that he could barely move without hitting his head on it) as did Naraku to see who had spoken to see Sota holding a sword proudly and smiling.

                                      Inukai smiled at his best friend and gave him a thumbs up. He then turned his attention to Naraku to see him fuming. Inukai would’ve loved to laugh right there and right then, but knew that now wasn’t the time to do so. He slowly crawled to the end of the floor (and was still having problems doing that) and jumped off it landing elegantly on the floor with his hair flying behind him. He then smirked as he brought up a clawed hand. “You ready to go down for good?”

                                      Naraku’s eyes narrowed. He then shot out his webbing. Inukai dodged it and used his claws of blood. The “claws” hit two of his legs. Naraku charged after Inukai and pinned him to the wall with a spider leg. Green slime began coming out of his mouth. He bit Inukai on the neck. Inukai felt the green stuff burn him realizing it was poison and growled. He then put a clawed hand over the leg and cut it off. Naraku howled in pain while Inukai threw the leg to the ground. Naraku stopped howling and shot a glare at Inukai. Inukai brought up a clawed hand and charged at Naraku swiping at him while he blocked every attack with his leg.

                                      Sota went over to Nina sadly and held her in his arms. That is, until he found she was breathing. She’s alive! All right! He smiled and looked towards Inukai to see Naraku gaining the upper hand. His smile disappeared.

                                      Nina slowly opened her eyes to see Naraku and Inukai fighting. Naraku grabbed Inukai’s sword and threw him to the wall. Her eyes widened when she saw his wounds. Naraku pointed the sword at Inukai’s throat. Inukai’s breathing was heavy and looked as though he was exhausted. Nina groaned as she felt Sota leave her. “Inukai…” she mumbled weakly.

                                      Inukai felt weak and felt his demon blood begin to take over. Not now. I need to avenge Nina.

                                      Nina’s eyes widened when she saw Inukai’s eyes turn red and two purple stripes appear on his cheeks. His claws got longer, his muscles got bigger, and his fangs got sharper.

                                      Naraku only smiled at the now full demon Inukai. Inukai growled and threw Naraku into the wall. Naraku got up a bit surprised, but soon regained his composure.

                                      Nina saw that the Shikon Jewel was almost totally absorbed by Naraku. Oh, no. That’s no good.

                                      Inukai charged after Naraku. He then clawed at his legs. Naraku tried dodging them, but due to Inukai cutting off one of his legs, he was slower and was unable to dodge a few blows. Inukai cut Naraku across at least three of his legs. He then jumped up and began battling out with the center of Naraku (the human side of him that actually showed.)

                                      Nina slowly stood up and watched Inukai and Naraku battle.

                                      Naraku threw Inukai into the wall that was near Kagome and the others.

                                      Sota looked towards his best friend. “Inukai, what’s with the new look?”

                                      Inukai growled.

                                      Sota took a step back.

                                      Inukai charged after him.

                                      Sota’s eyes widened and he began running away from his friend. He then tripped and covered his head when Inukai passed him. He let out a sigh of relief when he saw that Inukai was battling Naraku again.

                                      “He freed Kagome and the others,” Kohaku said.

                                      Sota’s face filled with puzzlement as he turned around to see what Kohaku was talking about and saw what Kohaku had meant. When Inukai was going to attack him, he had actually gone for the chains that held Kagome and the others down. He smiled and looked towards Inukai who gave him a thumbs up before returning to his battle.

                                      Nina looked towards Sota and Kohaku. Her face filled with puzzlement. “What are you guys doing here?” They weren’t in my vision.

                                      “You think Kagome could keep me from the final battle?” Sota asked raising an eyebrow. “I want to get Naraku back for hurting my sister.”

                                      Nina smiled then looked towards Kohaku. “What about you?”

                                      “Well, Naraku possessed me again, but Inukai made me regain my memories kind of,” Kohaku said.

                                      Nina nodded and turned to watch Inukai and Naraku battle.

                                      Inukai slashed at Naraku cutting him across the arm. Naraku punched him. Inukai kicked him then clawed him. Naraku tried getting him back on the floor. Inukai refused to then looked towards Sota, Kohaku… and Nina?!

                                      What is she doing alive? Inukai thought. I mean, I’m glad she’s alive and all, but she’s supposed to be dead! Oh, well. “Nina, where’s the Shikon no Tama?”

                                      Nina looked towards Naraku then saw where the jewel was. “It’s in his stomach and I mean in the spider’s stomach, not the human side.”

                                      Naraku shot Nina a glare. “I thought I killed you.”

                                      “Well, you thought wrong,” Nina said smirking.

                                      Inukai smiled at Nina then looked towards Naraku again. “See ya later.” He jumped off him and ran towards the abdomen.

                                      Nina ran over to Naraku and jumped on top of him. She then punched him in the face and grabbed Inukai’s sword from him. “Thank you very much. Well, I got to get going.” She jumped off him and ran to Inukai’s side. “Here.” She handed him Tsugerio.

                                      Inukai took it smiling. “Thanks.”

                                      “No problem,” Nina said and ran off to join Kohaku and Sota.

                                      “Now, you’re going down, bug boy, and I’m taking what’s rightfully Nina’s,” Inukai said as he turned back to his half demon self. He stabbed the abdomen and quickly grabbed the Shikon Jewel out of Naraku.

                                      Naraku growled and threw Inukai into the wall so hard that it knocked him out.

                                      “Inukai!” Nina cried.

                                      Naraku went over to Inukai and was about to kill him when he heard a battle cry. He turned around to see Inuyasha jumping up in the air ready to kill Naraku with his Tessaiga. Naraku didn’t have time to react, but, however, was able to move back just a little, but Inuyasha had cut off at least three legs bringing Naraku to only have four legs left. Naraku growled and threw Inuyasha into the wall. Inuyasha saw this coming and jumped off the wall and straight for Naraku.

                                      Nina looked towards Kohaku and Sota puzzled. “So, when did he wake up?”

                                      “Just now,” Kohaku said.

                                      “The others did, too,” Sota said.

                                      Nina saw that Sota was right as Kagome and the others were getting up and getting their weapons ready. She smiled.

                                      Kagome aimed her arrow. Sango got ready to throw her boomerang. Miroku got ready to fight with his staff and use his wind tunnel if necessary. Sesshomaru unsheathed Toukijin. Rin held her sword in front of her ready to strike. Sharon got ready to punch, kick, use her fire, and use Sesshomaru’s attacks. Anna held her sword in front of her. Shippo held Koga’s sword in front of him. Koga got ready to punch, kick, and run fast. Sota held his sword in front of him. Kohaku held his sickle ready to hurt Naraku if he got near him.

                                      They were all ready for the real final battle.

______________________________________________________________________________

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