Chapter Twenty-Four

How To Save A Life

A large horde of demons charged straight for the group. Without hesitation, Kagome and Shippo went on the offensive. “Fox fire!" The young fox demon yelled, throwing flames at the on coming demons. Luckily with years of practice, Shippo's attack wasn't the wimpy spark it use to be, and it caused more damage than he ever imagined it could. Unfortunately, Kagome's Dance of the Dead made it impossible for the demons to be destroyed by normal attacks. But thanks to some of Kagome's sacred arrows, the demons vanished with each swiftly cast arrow that flew pass them. Kagome's aim had improved with time as well, making the group nearly unstoppable.

As Shippo and Kagome took care of their area of demons, Rin and Sango had their work cut out for them. Sango eagerly drew her Hiraikotsu just as several demons were approaching her. Their teeth bared the edge of her weapon, but she held up quite well. Thrusting the large weapon toward them, she broke free of the small circle they were trying to put her in. And with great ease, she lifted her weapon and tossed it toward the demons, chopping off several heads before the weapon returned to her again.

Rin was easily astounded by Sango's great effort, but was saddened to find the heads of the demons grew back. "This is bad," Rin whimpered, suddenly coward away from the demons coming toward her. What could her lousy swordsmanship do to these demons? If she somehow did manage to hurt them, their wounds would only heal themselves and she would be back at square one. It depressed Rin to think that she might not even get to show Sesshomaru her newly required skills in swordsmanship all because she would die here before his return.

"Rin, don't give up! You want to see Sesshomaru again don't you?!" Sango yelled out as she blocked yet another attack by the slithery, snake like demons.

Rin nodded timidly. "But what can I do. I've only just begun my training." She muttered fearfully. She stepped back as the demons surround her, seeming to laugh at her terrified state. And she hated them all for that. Why was she such a coward? After all those years of being protected by Sesshomaru see had never really learned to fend for herself. Even though before him, she had managed to survive all the beatings of the villagers, but it had been the wolves that got her in the end. Beast which she could not overcome, always seemed to be her down fall.

With the thought of returning to Sesshomaru, Rin desperately charged forward, her blade held awkwardly in front of her. And with weak but quick execution, she slashed right down the middle of one of the demons' head. She was repulsed by the sight of its innards from so close up, but after years of watching Sesshomaru fight, she could bare to be around it for now. As another demon showed up behind her, she slashed it viciously at the neck, continuing the action for all the demons that followed it.

Even with the entire group working together, everything seemed to be in vain. One by one the demons restored the slashed and mutilated forms and came back at the fighters as if they had not just been slain. Kagome was the only one making progress since her arrows could actually destroy them. But she was running out of arrows quicker than she thought. After any time she thought she was getting most of them, Kagura seemed to call forth another bunch of demons from the outskirts of the village.

"You can't possibly last forever with your silly little arrows," Kagura remarked viciously with a smirk. "Just give up, I'm only here for that girl!" Kagura pointed to Rin, who stared up in disbelief at the lady. "Naraku has no need to keep the rest of you alive, so just save yourself further humiliation after death and hand the girl over." Kagura ordered impatiently.

Try as Rin might, she couldn't injure the demons quick enough to slow them down or give Kagome a chance to destroy them with her sacred arrows. She was determined to survive this battle, she didn't want to have to go to that creepy man Naraku. It was only when all of the demons started to target her that Rin knew her struggle would be futile. Kagura could only laugh effortlessly as Rin hacked away at the zombies to no avail.

"Rin watch out!" Sango screamed, noting the few demons Rin had missed now baring their fangs about to attack. The demon slayer knew there wasn't a chance Rin would be able to defeat any demons and her dodging was not becoming any more productive than before. "Duck!" Sango ordered. She raced toward the girl and threw her Hiraikotsu roughly at the oncoming threats. Several heads came toppling to the bloody earth and Rin squealed hysterically from being amidst the severed pieces. Her wailing calmed some once she felt the comforting touch of Sango's hand to her forehead. "It'll be okay Rin, we'll take care of this. There is no way we are letting Naraku have you." Sango was rather disappointed in herself for expecting Rin to know how to handle the living dead. The simple attacks Rin knew were not enough to assure her safety in this battle.

"Just mind your own business demon slayer!" Kagura hissed. These people were getting on her last nerves. She was already on thin ice with Naraku from her earlier attempts to betray him, but if she was to return with out his target, then she would be punished mercilessly. "Because of your foolish you will die!" She yelled, pointing to the two. And like a quick shower of rain the demons all charged for the pair at top speed. Sango took the defensive knowing it would be impossible to get them all.

Rin whimpered and covered her head instinctively as she tried to block out the sounds that would surely be Sango's body being viciously torn limb from limb. Before she knew it a whole two minutes had passed and she had heard nothing more than a clanging of weapons with something fleshy. She pecked open one eye to see what had happened and her eyes suddenly widened at who she saw. Sango was also in a dazed surprise as a tall, lean finger stood in front of her weapon and the demons, taking in the attack that would have been her imminent demise.

"K-Kohaku..." She stammered hazily. This couldn't be right. Her younger brother was standing here before her...protecting her. Kohaku grunted as the demons he had currently pinned with his arms and blade tried to push past him. Why would Kohaku try to protect her? After all these years of still working for Naraku, he suddenly remembered her? It couldn't be.

"Kagura! This isn't what Naraku order!" The older teenager shouted angrily. Blood started to trickle down his palm from where his own blade was pushed close against his skin by the impatient demons. "You are sure to kill Rin by mistake if you do this, call them back!" The boy with longer black hair demanded.

Kagura huffed childishly and crossed her arms. "Nice of you to join us Kohaku, but your presence or assistance is not needed nor wanted. I can take care of this by myself." The woman barked back, defiance evident in her voice. And without giving his demand any thought, she ordered her demons to attack again. Instead one demon had decided to defy its command and shot out a bright energy attack from its mouth toward the girls.

"Sango! Rin!" Kagome screamed, the group suddenly disappeared beneath the bright light of a direct attack. The futuristic priestess hurriedly grabbed Shippo and pulled the boy to the ground as the attack caused a wave of energy and dust to sweep over the land like a giant tsunami. As soon as the scene was clear and a cloud of dust and dirt collected in the air, Kagome quickly lifted her head. "Sango?" She got up to her feet and raced over to the large crater from where the attack made impact. She gasped surprisingly as she spotted Sango's motionless body sprawled out on the ground, but no Rin.

"See I told you stupid boy." Kagura chuckled as she scooted up Rin's unconscious form into her arms and hopped back onto her feather. "No thanks to you, I have the target." She gloated.

Kohaku glowered at the woman lifting up into the air on her pink feather. His gaze quickly tore from her and focused on his unconscious sister. If one were to look closely, you could see a look of disappointment and remorse as he gazed at his sister. "Sorry Sango." He muttered quietly and dashed off in the direction of Kagura's feather.

"Rin!" Shippo called out, jumping up and hurrying over to Kagome. "They've got her!" The young fox demon exclaimed. He shivered at the mere thought of Sesshomaru's anger when he found out about this. This would no end too well at all. "What are we going to do now Kagome?" Shippo asked worriedly.

Kagome sighed, lifting Sango's head so that it laid in her lap. "Are first priority is to take care of Sango. As long as Naraku needs Rin he won't kill her. We’ll have to get Inuyasha's help to save her." Kagome explained. She knew this wouldn't be easy. No doubt Sesshomaru would be really to kill them for allowing Rin to be kidnapped. And Miroku would also be upset to see Sango so injured.

Sesshomaru glowered at the deceptive half-demon. Naraku was going for their weak spots by targeting their women. But why would that bastard need them for a shield? What was he up to? Sesshomaru didn't want to wait and find out. Rin was in danger and he would be damned if he ever let her fall in harms way again. Without any warning, the dog demon raced off back into the woods, leaving Inuyasha and Miroku to fight Naraku alone.

"Damn it Sesshomaru! Where are you going, we have to defeat this guy?!" Inuyasha yelled furiously. Why couldn't his brother just cooperate with him for once. It wasn't like it was actually going to kill him to actually listen to someone else for a change.

"Not again. I won't let you die again." Sesshomaru whispered to himself with his eyes narrowed in a malicious glare. He would save the woman he loved. Naraku couldn't have her!

To Be Continued...

A/N: I am so sorry for my late update. I've kind of had writer's block and then I got lazy. But I finally updated. So please review even thought I've been mean, I'm sorry. If I can get at least 5, I'll update really soon! So hope to hear from you all! I'll update as soon as I can.