After healing himself up sufficiently, Sessho-Maru walked down the flight of stairs leading to the dungeon. He was looking forward to tearing his brother into little pieces, and, of course, taking the Tetsusaiga. Then, he thought, then I will kill that girl from the village. He could hardly wait. He'd rip her bowels apart first....no, first he would pull out chunks of her glorious hair, and her screams of anguish would urge him on. She would beg for mercy, and -
"There you are, Master," Jaken broke into his thoughts. The demon sat in front of the dungeon doors. He scrambled to his feet, and pulled open the door for Sessho-Maru.
Inu-Yasha was barely alive. He was leaning adainst the wall, his hands hanging limply at his sides. His face was tired and haggard, and his snowy white mane was streaked with blood. To Sessho-Maru, it was a beautiful sight.
"Well, little brother," he said with a slight smile. "How are you? Not too tired, I hope."
It took all of Inu-Yasha's energy to raise his head and look into the triumphant eyes of his brother. He managed a shallow breath before talking in a weak, wavering voice.
"I'll fight you right now, Sessho-Maru. If you did anything to Kagome - " His brother growled.
"I've told you, I didn't even touch your stupid human! It's more her friend that I'm after. Do you understand?" he slapped Inu-Yasha's face. His head snapped back.
"Raksha!" Sessho-Maru called. "Leave us." The guard who had been watching Inu-yasha nodded and walked out. Then Sessho-maru turned back to his defiant, though suffering, brother.
"Time for you to die."
~~~~~~~~~
We've been waiting here for an awfully long time," said Kagome worriedly. "Are you sure she's alright?"
"Of course she is," said Shippo soothingly. "She can take care of herself."
"Besides, Kagome," added Myoga. "She's probably fighting Sessho-Maru."
"Fighting Sessho-Maru?!" Kagome cried. "She could get hurt! Maybe we should - "
"Stay out here," said Myoga firmly. "I'm not going to get in the middle of a fight between a priestess and a demon. It could get very messy."
"Is that all you're worried about?" Kagome demanded. "What about Saia? What about Inu-Yasha?"
"What about my life?" Myoga countered. "I'm not ready to go, yet." Kagome glared at him. She couldn't believe what a coward the old flea was.
"I'll go in and take a look, Kagome," said Shippo. "You stay here with Myoga. He started to rise, but Kagome stopped him.
"I'm coming with you," she said. "You're not going in there alone."
"Wait a minute," protested Myoga. "You're not going to leave me here by myself, are you?"
"No," said a voice. They turned to see a large guard demon looming over them, grinning. "You're going inside together, to the dungeon."
"Get away!" Kagome shouted. She threw her hand up in his face, but the guard just laughed and grabbed her wrist.
"What are you trying to do?" he asked menacingly. "Escape?"
"Yeah," Shippo shouted. He tried to bite the guard, but it didn't affect him. He grabbed Shippo by the tail, and looked around, but Myoga was no where to be found. Shrugginh, he hauled Shippo and Kagome, kicking and screaming, to the nearest castle door.