The Darkest Hour-- Part VIII

The panther sprang forward, rushing at Inuyasha. The feline was surprisingly quick. Inuyasha made a slash with his sword but the cat managed to dodge the attack.

The half-demon turned and received a savage slash of claws across his chest. Hantako laughed, fueling his rage. With a growl, he jumped back to put some space between him and the big cat.

“Problems, dog boy?” the demon taunted. “Surely you can handle a cat?”

Inuyasha rushed towards her. Once again, the panther blocked his path. The beast made another slash at him, but he was ready for it. The paw met his sword, not his skin, and the appendage was nearly severed.

“You were saying,” Inuyasha said with a smirk.

Hantako went white with fury. “You’ll pay for that. Kira, to me.”

The cat hobbled to its mistress. Hantako stroked its head, eliciting a purr. Then the demon plunged her arm into its back. The panther’s death cry echoed in the forest.

Hantako smiled as her arm went deeper into the convulsing feline. Blood and black fur began creeping up the demon’s arm, merging with her flesh. Her yellow-green eyes grew more slanted as her fang elongated.

Soon there was nothing of the faithful Kira left. Hantako extended her fingers, revealing long, black claws. She locked eyes with Kagome. “What do you think about my little surprise, miko?”

Kagome said nothing. Sango and Miroku moved protectively in front of her. Hantako merely smirked.

“I think you should be more worried about me,” Inuyasha said.

“Oh, I haven’t forgotten about you, dog boy,” the demon replied, turning her attention to him. “Let’s see how well you can handle me.”

“Been waiting to.”

The two met in a clash of claw and metal. Their movements were so quick that the humans had trouble seeing everything. They soon broke apart, eying each other carefully.

Hantako held up one hand, showing the blood on her claws. “Looks like you’re not faring any better against me, half-breed.”

“I wouldn’t say that,” Inuyasha countered. He raised the Tetsusaiga, showing the fresh blood on the blade.

With wide eyes, Hantako touched her shoulder. She stared for a moment at the blood, her blood, now staining her palm. “You’ll pay for that.”

“So you keep saying.”

The two attacked again. Inuyasha made another slash, cutting the demon across her chest and the same injured shoulder. In retaliation, she plunged her claws into his side.

“Inuyasha!”

The half-demon threw Hantako off of him. Using his sword for support, he climbed to his feet. “Be quiet, Kagome,” he said, keeping his eyes on the demon. “I’m okay.”

“It’s so touching the concern you two have for each other,” Hantako said. “You know the whole time I was torturing her, your miko refused to reveal anything about you. And believe me, I tried a lot of things to loosen her tongue.”

“Shut up, demon!”

“I wish you could hear her screams, calling for you and your friends to rescue her,” Hantako continued, circling. “But my favorite sounds were the gasps she made when her throat was too raw from screaming to make any louder sound.”

Inuyasha risked a glance at Kagome. The girl’s already pale face had gone whiter. She was trembling as Sango hugged her.

“You’re a monster,” he growled.

She smiled. “Thank you.”

With surprising strength, he rushed at her. The demon seemed shocked and was momentarily frozen. Then, she went into action herself. But it was too late.

Inuyasha attacked viciously. Hantako raised a claw hand to strike back but he severed the limb. With a dismayed cry, she scrambled backwards but he followed. He kept slashing at her.

A blow nearly amputated her leg. Hantako gasped as she collapsed to the ground. Inuyasha stood over her, sword raised for the killing blow.

“You really are full of surprises, dog boy,” she said, staring at the demon markings on his face.

Without a word, he plunged the blade into her chest. She shrieked and shook once. Then she went motionless.

Emotionlessly, he pulled the Tetsusaiga free from the demon’s body. His face was normal as he turned to face the others. He resheathed his sword and walked to them.

“So, it’s over,” Miroku murmured.

Inuyasha nodded. He pulled out the necklace containing the shards. Once again the shards glowed. He held it out to Kagome. “I think this belongs to you.”

She stepped from the shelter of Sango’s arms. Her fingers lingered over his as she took the necklace. “You’re hurt, Inuyasha.”

“Keh, I’ll live,” he replied. “Come on. Let’s head back to the village. There’ll be no end to Shippo’s whining if we don’t get you back as soon as possible.”

“Poor Shippo,” Kagome murmured. “He must be so worried about me.”

‘He wasn’t the only one,’ Miroku thought as the group started walking. Inuyasha stayed close to Kagome, keeping a watchful eye on the forest. And the priest really couldn’t blame him.

“I’m glad we got her back,” Sango said quietly.

The priest nodded. “I am, too.”


Part VIII The panther sprang forward, rushing at Inuyasha. The feline was surprisingly quick. Inuyasha made a slash with his sword but the cat managed to dodge the attack. The half-demon turned and received a savage slash of claws across his chest. Hantako laughed, fueling his rage. With a growl, he jumped back to put some space between him and the big cat. “Problems, dog boy?” the demon taunted. “Surely you can handle a cat?” Inuyasha rushed towards her. Once again, the panther blocked his path. The beast made another slash at him, but he was ready for it. The paw met his sword, not his skin, and the appendage was nearly severed. “You were saying,” Inuyasha said with a smirk. Hantako went white with fury. “You’ll pay for that. Kira, to me.” The cat hobbled to its mistress. Hantako stroked its head, eliciting a purr. Then the demon plunged her arm into its back. The panther’s death cry echoed in the forest. Hantako smiled as her arm went deeper into the convulsing feline. Blood and black fur began creeping up the demon’s arm, merging with her flesh. Her yellow-green eyes grew more slanted as her fang elongated. Soon there was nothing of the faithful Kira left. Hantako extended her fingers, revealing long, black claws. She locked eyes with Kagome. “What do you think about my little surprise, miko?” Kagome said nothing. Sango and Miroku moved protectively in front of her. Hantako merely smirked. “I think you should be more worried about me,” Inuyasha said. “Oh, I haven’t forgotten about you, dog boy,” the demon replied, turning her attention to him. “Let’s see how well you can handle me.” “Been waiting to.” The two met in a clash of claw and metal. Their movements were so quick that the humans had trouble seeing everything. They soon broke apart, eying each other carefully. Hantako held up one hand, showing the blood on her claws. “Looks like you’re not faring any better against me, half-breed.” “I wouldn’t say that,” Inuyasha countered. He raised the Tetsusaiga, showing the fresh blood on the blade. With wide eyes, Hantako touched her shoulder. She stared for a moment at the blood, her blood, now staining her palm. “You’ll pay for that.” “So you keep saying.” The two attacked again. Inuyasha made another slash, cutting the demon across her chest and the same injured shoulder. In retaliation, she plunged her claws into his side. “Inuyasha!” The half-demon threw Hantako off of him. Using his sword for support, he climbed to his feet. “Be quiet, Kagome,” he said, keeping his eyes on the demon. “I’m okay.” “It’s so touching the concern you two have for each other,” Hantako said. “You know the whole time I was torturing her, your miko refused to reveal anything about you. And believe me, I tried a lot of things to loosen her tongue.” “Shut up, demon!” “I wish you could hear her screams, calling for you and your friends to rescue her,” Hantako continued, circling. “But my favorite sounds were the gasps she made when her throat was too raw from screaming to make any louder sound.” Inuyasha risked a glance at Kagome. The girl’s already pale face had gone whiter. She was trembling as Sango hugged her. “You’re a monster,” he growled. She smiled. “Thank you.” With surprising strength, he rushed at her. The demon seemed shocked and was momentarily frozen. Then, she went into action herself. But it was too late. Inuyasha attacked viciously. Hantako raised a claw hand to strike back but he severed the limb. With a dismayed cry, she scrambled backwards but he followed. He kept slashing at her. A blow nearly amputated her leg. Hantako gasped as she collapsed to the ground. Inuyasha stood over her, sword raised for the killing blow. “You really are full of surprises, dog boy,” she said, staring at the demon markings on his face. Without a word, he plunged the blade into her chest. She shrieked and shook once. Then she went motionless. Emotionlessly, he pulled the Tetsusaiga free from the demon’s body. His face was normal as he turned to face the others. He resheathed his sword and walked to them. “So, it’s over,” Miroku murmured. Inuyasha nodded. He pulled out the necklace containing the shards. Once again the shards glowed. He held it out to Kagome. “I think this belongs to you.” She stepped from the shelter of Sango’s arms. Her fingers lingered over his as she took the necklace. “You’re hurt, Inuyasha.” “Keh, I’ll live,” he replied. “Come on. Let’s head back to the village. There’ll be no end to Shippo’s whining if we don’t get you back as soon as possible.” “Poor Shippo,” Kagome murmured. “He must be so worried about me.” ‘He wasn’t the only one,’ Miroku thought as the group started walking. Inuyasha stayed close to Kagome, keeping a watchful eye on the forest. And the priest really couldn’t blame him. “I’m glad we got her back,” Sango said quietly. The priest nodded. “I am, too.”


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