Ghost Revenge (Sesshomaru) -38-

You flinched, putting the pieces together. Undoubtedly, Naraku had struck up a deal with Hisan. Or worse, had tricked him and was using him for his own selfish gain. But if Naraku knew what Hisan was capable of, then his plans couldn't be good.
"I'm not one to keep secrets. Yes, I made a deal with Naraku. However, hearing that you were a dog demon, I expected you to be weaker. But being deprived of any news or visitors for the past few centuries tends to leave a person in the dark about a few things. And it seems Naraku's little deal won't be so easily accomplished." Hisan stated, offering you a little insight into Hisan's real power.
You had originally thought that the power he had shown you earlier was but a mere portion of his true potential. However, from what he was saying, Sesshomaru was close to being his equal. If that was true, you didn't have too much to fear.
So then why had you suddenly freaked out? Now that you thought about it, the moment you had sensed Hisan's aura, it was like you had been gripped by a fear that had no real source. It baffled you but you'd have to think about it later when you saw Hisan draw his sword.
Instantly, you could tell his sword wasn't just a hunk of metal. It was imbued with powers that you had only ever sensed in your father's swords. It wasn't just that Hisan's sword held a portion of his demonic power within its blade, but also that it had powers that amplified his strengths. Not to mention you could tell just by looking at it that there was a sort of barrier protecting it.
In response to Hisan's movements, Sesshomaru drew Tokijin and held it off to his side. But Hisan didn't attack. Instead, he peered at Tokijin with a raised eyebrow.
"Hmm... You're quite a peculiar person to be using a weapon that undeniably has some sort of connection to Naraku. And to wield it without letting its power control you. It's very interesting indeed." Hisan said, eyeing the sword with a sort of fondness. You began to get the feeling he had a thing for swords.
"I have my reasons." Was Sesshomaru's simple reply.
Hisan let a small grin spread over his face at the answer then peered about the wrecked living room.
"Perhaps we should take this little fight outside. Shall we?" Hisan asked, dropping his sword at his side. Sesshomaru nodded and followed Hisan as he walked outside. Thankfully, the large house's location was far enough from the main village that there hopefully wouldn't be any damage to the little huts.
At first you just stood there, unsure of whether you really wanted to head outside as well or not. It took a few words from Kaosu and Reikon to get you to even budge an inch.
"Asani, now would be a good time to seal Hisan away again." Kaosu said, laying a hand on your shoulder.
"Here. This is the seal that your cousin gave me." Reikon added, pulling out a little piece of paper and holding it out for you to take. Slowly, you walked up to him and took the paper. You looked down at it in our hands, shaking slightly from worry.
"What if...the seal doesn't work? What if Sesshomaru gets hurt because of me? I'd never forgive myself. What will happen if Sesshomaru can't wear Hisan out enough to use the seal. All of us could be kill by him."
Your doubts scared you. You had not once lost your resolve to get rid of Hisan, one way or another. But now, you could barely move.
"Asani. Have faith in him. You've been through things like this before and he always came back alright, didn't he?" Reikon's voice seemed like a whisper to you but you understood him and nodded.
"I just don't know whether...whether we can do it or not." You said, an odd pain tightening around your chest. At your words, Kaosu gave a curse.
"You've never been so doubtful before! If anything, you'd believe wholeheartedly in something even if it seemed impossible." He said, his voice filled with irritation. You then noticed out of the corner of your eyes that he had transformed into his small, cat form.
"Don't let Hisan's power scare you. Although you've probably never had to deal with an evil aura like his, I'm sure you have enough spirit to make him look like a turtle on its back!" Kaosu encouraged but still, it didn't help you much.
You heard a slight moan from Tsuki and peered over at her as she woke up, her eyes searching the room for Hisan. Reikon then quickly explained the situation to her and about your state of mind. Once she made sure her head was still in one piece, she gave you a glare.
"So that's it huh? You've been all talk and no action. You're gonna let everything you've done so far be for nothing? No wonder why Hisan thinks his clan are all weaklings! Don't you even remember that you still have your parents to avenge? Liana is probably out there gloating that she survived. Hell, she's probably watching you right now, laughing her butt off!" Tsuki grouched, soon stopping to hold her probably aching head.
But she had said enough. She was right, you had your parents to think about. They'd be disappointed in you if you gave up now.
"Thanks Tsuki. But it would help if you guys lent me some help. We've gotta find a cave or something around here." You said and everyone gave you a smile. Tsuki stood up with Reikon's help and Kaosu made to run out the door. But you quickly stood before him and shook your head.
"No. You're looking after Kira, remember?" You said, still rather worried about Kira. If it wasn't for you, she wouldn't be in such trouble.
Kaosu groaned slightly but turned around without any further complaints and jumped up the steps, barely making it in his little cat form.
You then turned to the door and ran out, Reikon and Tsuki right behind you. You'd have to find a cave soon so that you could seal Hisan into it and hopefully that'd be the end of it. But first, Sesshomaru would have to weaken the ancient cat demon for the seal to work.

(Sesshomaru's POV)
Sesshomaru faced Hisan, their swords catching the moonlight in an ominous fashion. They stood on the beech, far from the obstruction of the small village.
"I know that as I speak, Asani is going to find a cave to seal me in. However, I should let you know that I'll kill her the moment I see her being a threat. If Naraku wanted her as badly as he made it seem, he wouldn't have led me straight to her. There isn't a single one of my clan that I will leave alive." Hisan stated, tilting his sword slightly to better fit his attacking style. Sesshomaru stayed silent and motionless.
"Heh, well so much for giving you an incentive to fight me. This is the first time I've actually met someone as cool headed in battle as you are. This little fight of ours should be fun." Hisan gave a wicked smirk before disappearing from Sesshomaru's vision. He quickly sensed the cat demon behind him and dodged an attempt at his head. Sesshomaru then once again faced Hisan who looked a bit surprised.
"Pretty good senses you've got there. I'd say you've been through a few wars." Hisan stated, openly expressing awe of his opponent's abilities. This put a small smirk on Sesshomaru's face.
"A few." He replied, soon using Tokijin to attack Hisan straight on. Hisan easily guarded against the attack and forced Tokijin to point skywards. The two demons peered at each other, both with the intent to kill dancing in their eyes. So far the attacks were just to judge the skills of their opponents. But now playtime was over.
Sesshomaru suddenly jumped back and pointed Tokijin's glowing, blue tip at Hisan who merely stared with curiosity. And then the Soryuuha (Dragon Strike) was unleashed, darting straight towards Hisan. He waited until the last second and dodged to the side, following the dragon's body back to Sesshomaru and swiping at his arm. Sesshomaru quickly guarded against the attack by pulling Tokijin in, the dragon long since vanished.
"Ha! I haven't had a battle for so long. I've forgotten how exhilarating it can be." Hisan said before jumping back then coming at Sesshomaru from behind.
Sesshomaru had quickly understood Hisan's fighting style but it was hard to find an opening. That was until now. He quickly plunged a blue Tokijin into the ground before turning around with his poison whip at the ready. Once Hisan dove in for an attack, Sesshomaru wrapped the whip around the cat demon's sword and flung it away. He then stepped back, to Hisan's obvious confusion, and watched as the Soryuuha flew out of the ground and struck its opponent.
Hisan stood for a minute, shocked both literally and figuratively. In many of his past fights, Hisan had turned out victorious without getting hit once. Even some of the supposedly strongest demons would fall, leaving a scratch at best. There were few battles that his opponent had managed to actually hurt him. Few battles that had actually challenged him.
And when they did, he liked it.
Hisan stumbled for a second and fell down onto one knee, his sword digging into the sand.
"It isn't possible that just any dog demon is this powerful. Who just exactly are you?" Hisan asked, earning only an unsatisfactory answer.
"I'm am Lord Sesshomaru of the western lands. No more. No less." He said. Hisan sighed, allowing a frown to cross his face as he pushed himself back onto two feet.
"You definitely have an amazing amount of power. And... I see you have two swords. Why not draw it and fight me full on?" Hisan asked as he pulled his sword from the sand. Sesshomaru didn't take his eyes off his opponent once as he too drew his sword from the sand.
"The sword at my side does not cut. It would be useless against you."
"A sword that doesn't cut, huh? Why would you carry around such a useless thing?" Hisan inquired but his question wouldn't be answered by the western lord.
"Because it isn't useless, you butthead!" Asani's voice cried from the direction of the village. Hisan was the only one to turn and look at her.
"Oh? How so? If it can't cut then it can't kill. And a sword that can't kill isn't worth anything." Hisan asked as Asani approached. She stopped on the sidelines, a scowl on her face.
"Well a sword doesn't always have to be used for killing. But to tell you the truth, say whatever you want to about that sword. I've come to loathe it a bit." She said, peering off to the side and away from both Hisan and Sesshomaru.
"Asani, what are you doing here?" Sesshomaru calmly asked. She peered at Hisan for a second then back to Sesshomaru.
"Everything's been set. So I came to help out. This is my problem, after all. Not yours."
"Like you could help him out any. I'm sure you've noticed that your power pales in comparison to even his." Hisan butted in. Sesshomaru noticed a familiar annoyed expression cross Asani's face.
"Yeah, yeah. I've heard it before. The 'you're not as strong as me' speech doesn't work on me anymore. Because, you see, someone once told me that you have a really bad weakness. And a person is only as strong as their weakness. I'm sure even you know that." Asani goaded, making Hisan's expression darken.
"So you know about my weakness, huh?" Hisan asked and no sooner had he said it, he appeared behind Asani. Although he could have taken her hostage, Hisan chose to let her go with a mere warning. His sword's tip rested against her back, making her tense up. Sesshomaru didn't move.
"By all rights, I should kill you right now. You're the only one who can seal me away and you know my weakness. But for some reason I get the feeling that killing you wouldn't do me any good."
"Yeah, and for some reason I get the feeling that you won't because you're afraid of Sesshomaru." Asani said, peering over her shoulder at Hisan with a smirk. But she had pushed the final button and he made to push his sword through her. In a split second, Sesshomaru was there and forced Hisan's sword down to the ground. Asani quickly turned around and backed off slightly to watch.
Hisan freed his sword and tried to kick Sesshomaru who easily dodged. And for a few minutes, Hisan swung wildly like that, each time Sesshomaru dodging or blocking. Eventually, Hisan stopped and stood a bit away.
"I'll admit it. Asani was right. I am afraid of you. But not because I think you're stronger. But because someone once told me that a usually calm and quiet person will have the worst temper tantrums. In all my years, that saying hasn't been wrong yet." Hisan stated and then in one quick movement, Hisan sliced through the air before him. The action sent a deadly shockwave thundering towards Sesshomaru. But instead of hitting the dog demon, it plunged into the ground at his feet which sent up a wall of sand in front of him. In this distraction, Hisan hurriedly approached Sesshomaru to deal the finishing blow.
Even when Sesshomaru held up Tokijin to fend of the attack, it did no good. Hisan only grabbed the edge of the sword in his hand before shoving his free hand at Sesshomaru, just above his armor.
From the sidelines, Sesshomaru could hear Asani scream. But it disappeared so quickly, he almost wondered if he had heard it. It was in the split second that he was bracing for Hisan's attack that he saw why Asani's scream had been cut short. She had rushed in front of him, taking the blow instead. Hisan's claw had delved into her heart.
"ASANI!"