Part 26; Katsume and Naraku:

By Fernand J. Sea/HypnoCrown

Even though Sango Smacked Miroku, you could tell she was relieved that Miroku was feeling better. She won’t admit it, but she has strong feelings for him. Still, she’s disappointed that Miroku can never keep his hands to himself. As everyone else was gathering, Inuyasha suddenly caught a strange smell. But as he did, Elder Myoga jumped on him in an attempt to suck out some of his blood. Inuyasha quickly smacked him right after feeling the bite on his neck.

Inuyasha: So, now that things have calmed down you have returned eh; elder Myoga?
Elder Myoga: Ouch! Oh, hello master Inuyasha. I was only trying to warn you that this was a trap. Why didn’t you want to listen to me?
Inuyasha: What’s done is done Myoga, at least nobody died. Hmm, wait a second. I seem to remember that smell and yet; there is another very familiar smell fused with it. Hey Kagome! I think Naraku is here.
Kagome: We should have known, this was all setup by him I’m afraid.
Inuyasha: But there’s something else, I also sense another smell. Hey! That’s it! It resembles the one from that woman who killed Kikyo. Now is my chance to get back at her.

As Inuyasha said this, his face changed to reveal anger. He still was furious for not being able to save Kikyo.

Kagome: Wait Inuyasha, don’t…
Inuyasha: Don’t what? I had enough of everyone trying to make me forget about my anger. This is it, I have to do something or else they will get away.

At that moment, an apparently different Katsume walked out the fortress’ door and revealed herself to everyone. She wore the clothes Naraku usually wore and had a rather unusual tone of voice.

Katsume: Hello Inuyasha! Would you like me to kill your precious Kagome too?
Inuyasha: If you even get as near as ten feet of Kagome I swear you’ll be dead before you even touch her.
Katsume: Ha-ha-ha! Very amusing Inuyasha, can you dance as well?
Inuyasha: Enough of this! Let’s get this over with now.
Katsume: Very well then, let’s see how well you can do against the combined forces of Naraku and Katsume.
Inuyasha: I knew I smelled something rotten around here. Hey Kenshin! Don’t interfere; this is my fight all right?
Kenshin: No complaints here, I much rather rest a bit before I can fight again.
Kagome: Inuyasha!
Inuyasha: What is it Kagome?
Kagome: Be careful! Something tells me this isn’t what it seems to be.
Inuyasha: Right!

Katsume drew her sword as Inuyasha did the same. Inuyasha quickly made the Tetsusaiga grow in size as Katsume charged at him. After exchanging a few slashes, Katsume jumped back and waited.

Inuyasha: *thinking* (What is she waiting for? Hmm, it’s her loss. After I find the gap between energies this fight will be mine.)

Naraku knew Inuyasha couldn’t resist the chance of using the cutting wind. So he had to trick him into using it against this new body; for even if Inuyasha managed to beat him in this form, Naraku was still whole under the mansion. Having a part of him defeated meant absolutely nothing. Inuyasha, unaware of what his opponent had planned, unleashed the power of the cutting wind attack. But as the amazing technique flew over to Katsume, she somehow switched places with Inuyasha so that he would be the one in the path of his own attack.

Inuyasha: What the!

Inuyasha barely had time to dodge his own attack as Katsume let go of a creepy laugh that filled everyone present with a disgusting feeling in their ears.

Inuyasha: All right! That’s it! No more fooling around now. I’m taking you down!
Katsume: Are you sure you can?
Inuyasha: Watch me!

A heated battle has just begun and nobody could interfere. Everyone watched as Inuyasha and his opponent were about to clash. We can only wonder how this battle will turn out.

End part 26.

Part 27; Katsume defeated:

By Fernand J. Sea/HypnoCrown

Katsume seemed confident while Inuyasha didn’t seem worried as both of them ran towards each other. They both clashed swords in what seemed to be a fencing battle. Katsume seemed curious as to how good Inuyasha was handling a sword. Inuyasha on the other hand; wanted to get that sword away from her. One slash after another and still no one seemed to be getting anywhere. After a while however, Katsume backed away and tore the air with some kind of special move. Inuyasha saw nothing and just waited for her next move but, Kagome quickly saw something and yelled out to help him.

Kagome: Inuyasha! Move away!

Right then, Inuyasha thought of something before moving. He failed to see the kind of attack Katsume had unleashed.

Inuyasha: *thinking* ( Ok then, but I… ) Aaargh! What the hell was that?

Inuyasha’s right side was slashed on some parallel portions of his body. Five slashes could be seen just on the right side of his face. About ten to twenty could be seen on his arm and countless others on the right side of his body; not to mention his legs.

Inuyasha: I don’t care how you did this! That is the last time you get away with it.
Katsume: Oh really? Prove it!

Inuyasha moved in for a hard attack on Katsume, Inuyasha was still bleeding but his skin had already begun to heal those wounds. Everyone else watched in awe how the attack wasn’t noticed by Inuyasha or any of them; but was seen clearly by Kagome. Kenshin even noticed how the wall of the fortress behind Inuyasha had also sustained damage by Katsume’s attack. Back to the battle, Katsume blocked Inuyasha’s attack by unleashing a barrage of flowers. Inuyasha suddenly stopped and laughed.

Inuyasha: Ha-ha! What do you think you’re doing? This is a battlefield not a garden!
Katsume: If you’re so confident then why don’t you just slice them away?
Inuyasha: Don’t mind if I do.

Kagome kept a close watch as she yelled out some advice to Inuyasha.

Kagome: Be careful Inuyasha! Those are not what they seem to be.
Inuyasha: Don’t worry Kagome, just stay at a safe distance.

Inuyasha was able to cut right through most of the white flowers that were forming some kind of wall in the air. But he failed to realize he was walking right into Katsume’s trap. As soon as Inuyasha’s sword came into contact with the flowers, they suddenly adhered to his body as if they had been magnetically charged. Inuyasha had tried to cut the most out of the way but the more he did, more flowers got stuck to him. There were so many flowers on top of him at some point that his movements became slow.

Inuyasha: What is happening to me? I know they are just flowers but it seems as though each of them weighs a ton.
Katsume: Ready to give up yet? That flower attack is a special ability handed down to me by one of my forefathers. Not only can they form a wall against an attack, but they can stick to the opponent and stop him completely. There’s no way you can win now.
Inuyasha: You’re wrong! I can still find a way to get rid of these things. I won’t let you beat me!

Inuyasha was completely covered in those flowers. He could barely breathe and he was running out of time. But suddenly, Inuyasha figured out a way he could make the flowers vanish. He reached for his eyes and managed to uncover one of them. He saw a gap of energies right in front of him and figured he could still use the Tetsusaiga’s attack. Inuyasha gathered all his strength and before he came to a complete stop; he delivered the cutting wind attack aimed at Katsume.

Katsume: Fool! Don’t you know that attack won’t work against me?

Katsume again changed places with Inuyasha, who received the cutting wind attack. His guess was right, as not only did the cutting wind destroyed all the flowers; the injuries made by it were minimal because the flowers got most of the damage. Katsume saw this and prepared for a new strategy, but it was already too late. Inuyasha had freed himself from the flowers but he also managed to use his speed to get to Katsume’s blind side and deliver an attack. Katsume was left baffled as she stumbled to the ground. Inuyasha seemed to have come out on top. But not all was well, as Inuyasha turned around to greet Kagome warmly, a new threat had risen.

End part 27.

Part 28; Naraku at full strength:

By Fernand J. Sea/HypnoCrown

Kagura still watched from afar as Sesshomaru did the same from atop the fortress’ wall. Inuyasha turned around to see the whole mansion collapse. He quickly ran towards Kagome to protect her from all the debris of wood and rock that were falling everywhere. By that time, everyone else had gathered around Miroku; who was able to protect them with his black hole. Inuyasha and Kagome were left facing a ten feet tall creature standing at the center of the mansion’s ruins. Inuyasha noticed how the creature’s skin was all black; but it wasn’t an ordinary black, it was as black as the darkest night. The creature seemed to have Naraku’s face and very short hair. Naraku’s arms and legs had huge muscles also. The shape of his body was pretty close to a human’s body except for the strange dark color of his skin. The most terrifying features on Naraku’s face though were his eyes. It would seem as though you could see right through the eye sockets; making it seem like he had no eyes at all. Kagome was frightened to see all of that because she had no idea how powerful Naraku had become.

Kagome: Inuyasha, be careful. I sense something horrible here.
Inuyasha: Don’t worry Kagome, I’ll beat him. You just make sure to stay away for the rest of the fight. I don’t want any surprises later on you understand?
Kagome: Right. I’ll still be near if you need my help.
Inuyasha: Stand back then, I’ll handle this.

Inuyasha had sensed Naraku’s smell coming from the creature but he also smelled something else. By then, everyone was staring at the creature who was about to fight Inuyasha.

Sanosuke: What the hell is that thing? Is that supposed to be the guy that turned us against each other?
Kenshin: I don’t know Sano, but whatever it is, I doubt we can go home unless he’s defeated. I’m feeling better already, I should fight too but only if Inuyasha wants my help.
Sango: That thing has Naraku’s face all right. But then again, after fighting so many puppets in the past I wouldn’t be surprised if this wasn’t the real deal either.
Sanosuke: So, what’s the deal then? Who do we have to defeat to get back home?
Miroku: We all have our reasons for destroying Naraku but if that creature over there is just one more of his puppets, or creations; then we have to find the real Naraku and destroy him. If you all look at the face on the creature you can see how the real Naraku looks like.
Sanosuke: Damn! This is really complicated. How did that guy get so powerful anyway?
Sango: Maybe you should let me tell them your eminence. You should keep your mind on resting.
Miroku: No Sango, it’s ok. I’m feeling much better now. You see Sanosuke, it’s a long story but, to make it short; a bandit known as Onigumo made a deal with many monsters around fifty years ago. The monsters and Onigumo’s body fused together to create Naraku. He just has gotten a hold of a powerful jewel that makes him even more powerful; and now he has all of our futures in hold.
Sanosuke: Sorry I asked. I guess I should be a part of this fight too.
Kenshin: Maybe we should let Inuyasha be the judge of that. I’m not sure if we can do much but; I’m sure we can at least do something to help. Hey Inuyasha! We’re coming too.
Inuyasha: Stay with the others! I will handle this myself.
Misao: I doubt he will admit he needs help. He seems so confident.
Sango: It’s that confidence that might just get him killed one day.
Kenshin: Then we should wait for a while until we’re actually needed Sano. I have a feeling he might still need our help.
Yahiko: I’m still in awe of what has happened, I never thought there was anyone more powerful than Kenshin. This is gonna be interesting.
Miroku: Don’t give Inuyasha too much credit people; you have to keep in mind that he’s half man half demon. No ordinary human can defeat him. By the way Sango, where is Shippou?
Sango: He’s right behind me. He is still unconscious.
Miroku: Good, I’m feeling better already.
Yahiko: You know Miroku, Kenshin is no ordinary human. I was sure he was going to win. But against a half demon? I didn’t even know someone like that existed.
Miroku: In our world, a lot of things exist that probably don’t exist in your world.
Sanosuke: You can say that again…

Inuyasha looked at the fiendish creature and smiled. He was definitely not afraid to face it whether it was Naraku or not. He had been looking forward to this battle for a long time now. Naraku’s hollow eyes pointed in his direction and stepped forward. A deep dark voice came out of its mouth but, it was so eerie and disturbing that it left almost everyone present with chills down their spines.

Naraku: So you think you can beat me now Inuyasha?
Inuyasha: Of course! There’s no doubt of that in my mind.

Inuyasha quickly discovered a gap and launched a powerful cutting wind attack at Naraku. Everything, even the ground had risen up as the special technique headed towards Naraku. Everyone was able to see some kind of explosion as the attack hit him but, as the smoke cleared, it was discovered that Naraku didn’t even have a scratch on him. Inuyasha couldn’t believe his eyes as Naraku was still standing there. If the cutting wind attack didn’t even so much as scratch Naraku, could there be a way for Inuyasha to defeat him this time?

End part 28.

Part 29; Kouga’s sacrifice:

By Fernand J. Sea/HypnoCrown

Naraku: What’s wrong Inuyasha? Oh, I see. You still can’t figure out what happened; can you?
Inuyasha: Shut up Naraku! I don’t know how but I’ll defeat you.
Naraku: Don’t you understand fool? I discovered how the Shikon jewel can make my body invincible. There’s no way you can possibly win.
Inuyasha: Oh yeah! Well I don’t care about what you say. I will destroy you.

Inuyasha leapt high into the air and delivered an attack with his claws as he yelled his usual battle cry. He landed and turned to face his enemy but at the same time, he felt a considerably large amount of pain. He looked at his hand only to discover that most of his claws were broken.

Inuyasha: Ouch! Oww! Why didn’t this work either? Damn! Never mind, I’ll have to think of something else then.

Naraku advanced as Inuyasha kept leaping away. He leapt towards Naraku to slash him with the Tetsusaiga but, not even attacks from the sword up close had any effect. By then Kagome was really worried about Inuyasha so she grabbed her bow and aimed at one of Naraku’s eyes. She thought they could be a weak point but she had to make sure. As Inuyasha and Naraku were still trying to kill each other, Kagome had gotten a clean shot at her target and fired away. By the time the arrow got fired however, Inuyasha tried attacking Naraku's feet. Since it didn’t work, Naraku was able to grab Inuyasha's arm and, before he could do anything else; Kagome’s arrow hit him right in the eye. Naraku let go of his prey to cry out in pain.

Naraku: Argh! What have you done!?
Inuyasha: Kagome?
Kagome: Go Inuyasha! His weaknesses lies in his eyes.
Inuyasha: All right.

Inuyasha prepared his sword to hit Naraku in the eyes. As he leapt again to reach the head of his opponent, Inuyasha sensed Kouga’s scent somewhere. The Tetsusaiga stroke Naraku in one eye but that time he didn’t even flinch. Inuyasha was astounded; he couln’t understand why Kagome’s arrow had damaged Naraku more than his sword. As he landed, Naraku turned around and laughed at Inuyasha.

Naraku: Ha-Ha! Can you not see? This body is invincible.
Inuyasha: But your eyes, what went wrong?
Naraku: I was merely pretending to be hurt so that you would come closer. You felt right into my trap Inuyasha. Now, watch as your dearest friend dies!
Inuyasha: What!? Nooo!

Naraku launched some kind of fireball at Kagome. Given the distance at which Kagome was then and where Inuyasha and Naraku were; there was no way for Inuyasha or anyone else to have gotten there in time to save her. No one that is, except for Kouga who, a few minutes ago had reached Naraku’s fortress and saw how Naraku attacked Kagome. The giant fireball got blocked by Kouga's body as he fell to the ground right in front of Kagome.

Kagome: Oh my god! What… Kouga! *She says as she knelt beside him* Are you all right Kouga? Answer me!
Kouga: I’m here Kagome; I had to avenge my comrades. I don’t care if I don’t have the Shikon pieces with me. *cough*

He then turned around to see Inuyasha; he made an angry face as he yelled out…

Kouga: Hey Beast! I leave you with Kagome and what happens? She almost gets killed because you always get distracted! Now look at me! *cough, cough*
Inuyasha: Dammit! Shut up Kouga! It’s your own fault for coming here. Besides, I had everything under control until you came along.
Kagome: Stop it! Both of you just, stop it! I can’t believe you still argue at a time like this. We have to find a way to defeat Naraku.
Naraku: Be quiet all of you! You will all die and nobody will stand in my way again.

Kenshin then delivered the most powerful technique he knew at Naraku as Sanosuke also delivered an attack from afar. Only Kenshin’s technique seemed to affect Naraku’s hair. Everyone watches in awe as Naraku turned around with no scratches on him.

Naraku: So, you found out which part of me is still human. No matter, none of you have a way to exploit that.
Inuyasha: His hair? What is he talking about?
Kenshin: Could it be possible? Is there no one who can beat him?

Then, a voice is heard from the south wall just before part 29 ends.

Sesshomaru: I can!

End part 29.

Part 30; Yuzao’s secret:

By Fernand J. Sea/HypnoCrown

Sesshomaru jumped off the top of the south wall and landed right in the middle of where the palace once stood. The palace was in ruins but anyone could still tell how magnificent it was. Sesshomaru was confident that he alone could finish this battle. So he turned to his brother and “gently” gave out a few words of advice.

Sesshomaru: Inuyasha! Listen to me carefully you fool, Get in the way and I will kill you; understand?
Inuyasha: What the hell are you talking about Sesshomaru!? This is my fight and my fight alone. I can still find a way to beat this freak! Kenshin! I told you and your friends to stay out of this too.
Kenshin: … *thinking* (I wonder if his pride doesn’t let him accept help)
Sanosuke: (What the hell is this guy’s problem? Why doesn’t he want help when it’s pretty obvious that he can’t beat that humongous dude?)
Sesshomaru: Will you be quiet Inuyasha!? I’m the only one who can beat this guy. Watch and learn!
Inuyasha: What!? (Damn! Who does he think he is?)

Sesshomaru charged against Naraku as he planned to use his poison claws attack. However, he was stopped dead in his tracks by a gigantic wall of stone.

Sesshomaru: I should have sensed this sooner. Hey Inuyasha! You take care of that woman helping Naraku and I’ll take care of the rest. See if at least you can handle that!
Inuyasha: Why do you always have to put me down Sesshomaru!? I should give you a hell of a beating just for saying that! (But I guess he’s right though, I can’t get through Naraku’s defense and the only one getting in my brother’s way is that Yuzao woman. But why didn’t I sense her smell before?) Hey Kenshin! If I need your help I’ll give you a signal all right?
Kenshin: Understood!

Sesshomaru jumped easily over the wall and headed straight for Naraku. At the same time, Inuyasha had spotted Yuzao who was on top of the east wall. She saw Inuyasha coming and plunged a couple of stone spikes right up from the ground at him. Inuyasha managed to avoid a few but two of them were able to get right through his chest and arm. He cried out in pain as Yuzao came down the wall and in for a killer move.

Inuyasha: Argh! Why didn’t I see all of them? Something is definitely not right here. Kenshin! Now would be a good time! Hey Ken... What the!? He’s not there.

Even before Inuyasha had spoken, Kenshin had already come in close to Yuzao. Yuzao somehow got a sword out of the ground beneath her and blocked Kenshin’s attack. They began to clash swords as Inuyasha got each of the spikes out of his wounds one by one. Each time he did though, it hurt like hell but he had to endure or there was no way to defeat Yuzao. He didn’t want Kenshin to have to beat her all by himself. He turned around to where Yuzao was just a second ago and nobody was there. He began to wonder if they were still fighting nearby and so he turned around to see if he could catch a glimpse of them.

Inuyasha: (So there you are) Hey Kenshin! Don’t hog all the fun and let me have a go at this.
Kenshin: Go ahead! I’ll keep distracting her for you.
Yuzao: You think you can distract me? How foolish! Take a look at this!

Yuzao leapt back and made the ground shake beneath both Inuyasha and Kenshin. They were startled for a moment, to be sure. Inuyasha however; was able to jump so high that it seemed as though he was flying. Kenshin had no choice but to jump over each rock that came up and try to get away from the area. Yuzao saw Inuyasha coming at her so she threw a barrage of rocks at him. Even though he was wounded, he blocked most of the blows. He had to get close enough to beat her and prove that the first time she got away was because of a fluke. He knew he had to win this without transforming again. But alas, she had grown more powerful and he had no way of even raising his sword. Fortunately, the field of battle had been left uneven. There were so many chunks of rock sticking out that the entire area within the fortress’ walls seemed like a maze. Sanosuke took advantage of this and carefully sneaked around and on top some of the rocks to get to where Yuzao was keeping Inuyasha at bay. By that time Yuzao, had conjured up enough force to summon a devastating attack against Inuyasha; Sanosuke came up from behind her and hit her with one of his best blows before she could react. If that technique could crush stones, anyone could imagine what it did to Yuzao’s insides. Yuzao cried out in pain as she fell to the ground.

Sanosuke: Hey Inuyasha! Did you see? I got her good!
Inuyasha: I’ll have to finish her now!
Yuzao: You’re wasting your time… Even if you beat us, you still won’t win. Ugh!
Inuyasha: What!?

End part 30.