I feel like I recognize that voice from somewhere, but if my hunch is correct, how did he enter the palace without resistance? I poke my head to my right to confirm my suspicion, and that's when I see the dark red wavy hair. It's definitely Kirinmaru, but how did he reach this place this easily? And how did he know of the presence of the Goddess?
"I'm not sure what you are talking about, Kirinmaru," Toga attempts to keep my identity hidden. It's fine. He can't smell my scent. I hold onto my necklace in worry, and the moment I let my hand loose beside me, I feel something gracing my skin, but I see nothing.
"Do not move," Sesshomaru warns me while elaborating, "Your body is surrounded by Zero's threads."
She is here too.
I heed Sesshomaru's warning and stay still, but I have no clue how he will deal with this situation. I am aware that Toga and Kirinmaru have a history of clashing swords, but I can't help but feel anxious.
"Is that her?" Kirinmaru asks with a sly smile while approaching me. Even though Sesshomaru doesn't move from in front of me, Kirinmaru somehow finds it unthreatening for himself to get closer to me. I hear Sesshomaru grit his teeth and instantly put his claws under Kirinmaru's chin.
"I see! Your son is nothing like you, Inu no Taisho," Kirinmaru mocks and glances at Sesshomaru from the corner of his eyes while uttering, "You warned her not to move. You should listen to your own words too."
I look at Sesshomaru and see blood seeping from his arm. Is Sesshomaru's body surrounded by Zero's threads too? Damn it, I can't see them.
Hey Athanasia! This will be a great time to show up. Please do something.
"What is it that you want, Kirinmaru?" Toga asks, and I suddenly feel him standing behind me. I can't even look. These demons are scary. I can feel my heart rate increasing.
"I came to see the rumours. I was told she had an exceptional scent, yet I sense nothing," Kirinmaru says and leans towards me, but Sesshomaru's claws grace Kirinmaru's neck. "Oh! How threatening," he mocks and leaps backwards.
Sesshomaru lowers his arm, but in that instant Kirinmaru shows up in front of Sesshomaru and pushes his arm inside Sesshomaru's chest. "Let's share the same misery, Inu no Taisho," Kirinmaru mutters while glancing at Toga.
I freeze upon seeing Kirinmaru's arm pass through Sesshomaru's back which has been facing me since the beginning, but now it has a hole in it.
Do demons survive such injury?
Even if not, Toga has Tenseiga, but was Sesshomaru never in a life-threatening situation? Will this be the first time Toga uses Tenseiga on him?
I don't know.
Kirinmaru's hand move to release itself, but Toga leaps in front of me and holds onto Kirinmaru's arm.
Why does Toga look worried?
"What are your intentions in harming my son?" Toga inquires of Kirinmaru.
"I said let's share the same misery," unlike the earlier mocking tone, Kirinmaru says it this time with anger. "I came for your help to save Rion, but you refused to use Tenseiga and only agreed on keeping her prisoner in your mountain, now-" Kirinmaru angrily pulls out his arm off Sesshomaru's chest and looks at the ground while ordering, "Now, Zero. Get rid of Sesshomaru, and if you use Tenseiga on him, I will have to kill him in front of you twice."
"I harbour no ill feelings for you, Inu no Taisho," Zero says before forming a fist with her hand.
Blood.
Everywhere my eyes land on, I see blood.
His face and his white kimono are drenched in red. The hole in his chest gushing out too much blood, as well.
I hear swords clashing somewhere, but my eyes never leave Sesshomaru's sight. What if he falls? I have never seen him fall. Will he fall on his face, his back or his knees? But what if he completely collapses? Will he be able to recover? Above all, why is he silent?
"Sesshomaru," I whisper while subconsciously and slowly move my arm to reach his back. I know he told me not to move, but I don't feel any physical pain other than my heart breaking. I stand right behind him to support his body while continuing to gently whisper, "You can lean on me."
I hear him take a heavy breath and mutter, "I told you not to move."
"Need I remind you, I'm immortal. Those threads can't harm me," I remind him with tears rolling down my face.
He hums and firmly says while masking his pain, "Stand back."
I hesitate for a second but decide to trust him. I take a step back and see him get engulfed in an enormous sphere of light, halting Kirinmaru and Toga's fight. Sesshomaru leaps at a very high distance out of the sphere of light, saying with a frown, "How dare you compare me to that vermin of a demon you call your daughter?"
What is he holding in his hand?
"This is the perfect place and foe to test my sword on," Sesshomaru continues in excitement and dashes towards Kirinmaru.
Kirinmaru immediately puts Bakuseiken in front of him and releases Blasting Barrage in Sesshomaru's direction, who doesn't even dodge and points his new sword at it instead. The instant the tip of Sesshomaru's sword touches the Blasting Barrage, the technique shatters into pieces like glass.
"Impossible," Kirinmaru comments, leaving everyone to wonder as well.
I glance up at the sky and get a glimpse of Totosai, finally comprehending the situation, but a sword that can break down powerful techniques is so overpowered.
Sesshomaru dashes behind Kirinmaru and utters, "If you want to stay and watch your ego get destroyed like your weak technique, I will be honoured to be the one to do it."
Kirinmaru stays silent unable to process the situation. On the other hand, Sesshomaru looks at his new sword and then up in Zero's direction. I see him frown and leap to her side. Why is she standing still and not running away? That's when I see the fear in her eyes and the coldness in Sesshomaru's. He grabs her by the throat, squeezing the life out of her.
He is way too aggressive. He needs to stop. If he initiates another fight, it will be very bad because his wounds are severe.
"My father won't allow me to kill Kirinmaru. I see no reason for him to stop me from killing you, though," Sesshomaru ruthlessly says and swings his other arm, holding the sword to slash Zero. However, Toga and Kirinmaru dash to him. Toga holds Sesshomaru's arm to stop him while Kirinmaru pulls Zero out of his grasp.
Zero's neck bleed from the harsh pull out of Sesshomaru's grip and holds onto Kirinmaru for support. Toga and Kirinmaru exchange eye contact, and Kirinmaru disappears along with Zero. Toga sighs in relief after seeing Kirinmaru and Zero leave. He then frowns and lets go of Sesshomaru's arm, saying, "What were you thinking-"
"Why did you interfere?" Sesshomaru interrupts Toga and looks at him with eyes filled with anger.
"Because you were about to break the peace treaty we have with them-"
"They know about the Goddess. You should have eliminated them," Sesshomaru cuts Toga's words short again.
Sesshomaru!
"Kirinmaru's ego won't allow him to look for external forces. I'm sure he will keep it to himself," Toga reasons with Sesshomaru, and I totally agree with him. Even though Kirinamru is portrayed as the bad guy, he is not the type to look for an easy way to kill his target.
Sesshomaru tightens his grip on his sword and turns to leave, but Toga quickly holds his shoulder to stop him and says, "You need to heal yourself first. I taught you to allow your demon to take over your body but without fully turning-"
"Enough," Sesshomaru yells in anger at Toga.
"I can't stand how you think so little of me."
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Sesshomaru is fine no need to worry. Just a hole in his chest, cuts all over his body and probably a killing spree attitude.
but look at the bright side, he has a new sword 😅
Here is a clear picture of it. Ah, and yes, I drew it as well as the image above. 😊
Now, onto the bad news. Sadly, I won't be able to update next Saturday. I'm not going to be at home and wasn't able to make another draft. I hope you understand and wait for Tuesday's update. 🥹
See you next Tuesday 😘
-👑 Noorie.