RinI beat you!
Oh, you fool, we weren't in a race!
Rin
Look at that, Master Jaken! It's a slain demon, just as Lord Sesshomaru explained to us!
Who on earth could have done this?
Inuyasha. [emerges from the mist behind them]
Inuyasha did this, although I doubt he was able to escape unscathed.
[thinking] I can smell it, from the demon's fangs: the scent of Tetsusaiga. Hm. So I was right: these fangs broke the sword in half. [aloud]
We're taking the head with us?!
Enough of that, Rin. Stop it.
Rin
[abruptly stops screaming, bows] Yes, my Lord!
Sesshomaru (thinking) The scent in the wind has told me what transpired here. But one thing baffles me: the scent of Inuyasha's blood has changed. It is not the smell of a half-demon. Inuyasha's blood has the same scent as my blood... and, of our father's.
[to Sesshomaru] That fool Kaijinbo! Where in the world could he have gotten to with your sword?!
Rin
Lord Sesshomaru! [laughs, runs toward him]
[sniffs] I know that scent! She smells much like the strange beast that offered to lend you the severed human arm- the demon that disguised himself with the baboon pelt! His wretched plan took us to Hell and back! Curse him! Your arm was almost burned off, and I was beaten to a pulp by that monk! Ugh- simply recalling that incident makes me ill.
I recall the scent. It is the same as the beast that attempted to trap me, the one who is known as Naraku.
[smiles] So, you must be Inuyasha's brother Sesshomaru. You're very clever. I am Kagura, the Wind Sorceress... an incarnation of Naraku.
Correct. Sesshomaru, the fangs you delivered to Kaijinbo to make your sword were those of a demon called Goshinki. Like me, he was also created from Naraku.
All very interesting, but did you search me out just to tell me this?
[smiles, opens her fan] Hmm...Can you not detect its' scent? Tokijin reeks of Goshinki's aura. It is closer than you think. [A windstorm encircles them, and she flies away] You are the sword's rightful owner.
I am not sorry to see her leave so soon! I don't believe I've ever seen such an arrogant woman!
[notices Rin is still standing still] Rin, you're free to move now.
Rin
[relaxes] Yes, my Lord!
Speaking of strange women...
BBokuseno
Do you seek information regarding the Tetsusaiga, your father's heirloom sword? Or, perhaps...
Rin
A tree-demon!
Oh! Lord Sesshomaru, what's that?!
A two-thousand-year-old magnolia tree.
BBokuseno
It is true. The sheaths of the swords, the Tetsusaiga and the Tenseiga- passed down from Sesshomaru's father- were carved from my very own boughs.
They were? (thinking) So, the sheaths for their swords came from this tree! They hold such strange powers- I can see why, after seeing this creature!
Bokuseno, perhaps you can explain the link to me... between Inuyasha and the Tetsusaiga.
BBokuseno
(surprised) Inuyasha? Your younger brother?
Inuyasha's blood has changed. The first time, was when a demon bit and broke the Tetsusaiga; the second time, he had let go of Tetsusaiga while fighting me.
His scent wasn't that of a half-demon's. It was that of a pure demon's blood... like mine, and my father's.
BBokuseno
His had the same scent? (chuckles) I have my doubts.
What do you mean by that?
BBokuseno
Inuyasha is a half-demon, born between a demon and a human. He could never become a full-fledged demon. (pause) Sesshomaru, there is something that you, a pure-blooded demon, are capable of accomplishing, but which Inuyasha could never do.
BBokuseno
... It is simple. I speak of protecting oneself.
BBokuseno
Yes- in battle, for instance. (pause) If you find yourself in a hopeless situation, you are able to remain calm. You never loose control of yourself.
(scoffs) It wouldn't be possible for me to fall into such a desperate situation.
BBokuseno
(chuckles) No, I don't suppose you would. Inuyasha is another matter, however. If backed into a corner to the point where his life is in danger, his demon blood takes control of the body, and he transforms in order to save his life.
(to himself) That would explain his transformation.
BBokuseno
Unfortunately for Inuyasha, the pure demon blood of his father is too strong for a half-demon such as himself.
What will the outcome be?
BBokuseno
Well, in essence, the demon blood will devour his human soul. He will not be able to recognize himself. He will not be able to differentiate between friend or foe. He will simply kill... and, with repeated transformations, Inuyasha will eventually lose his soul. He will become a demon who only knows how to fight and kill... and he will continue to fight, until he is destroyed. (pause) I sincerely doubt that your father would have wished such a terrible fate upon his own son. That is why, he bequeathed Inuyasha the sword Tetsusaiga, to protect his soul.
(thinking) The Tetsusaiga protects him? So... If he releases the sword... he is doomed.
Look out, my Lord! (Sesshomaru draws Tokijin and kills it with one blow)
Thanks, but I coulda handled him myself.
Rin
(frightened) Help me, Master Jaken!
(as Koga passes him) Unnecessary interference.
(smirks) Feeling's mutual.
(puts his hands on Ginta and Hakaku's shoulders) Come on, fellas, we have a long way to go. [They leave with their pack of wolves]
A-are you content with letting them go, my Lord? Those wolves of Koga's are the very ones who attacked young Rin!
If he had tried the same thing today, I would have killed him. (pause) Naraku is the only one I'm concerned about, now; unnecessary conflicts don't interest me.
Rin
Ah! Lord Sesshomaru! (she runs to Sesshomaru)
Ugh- that dead priestess again! She scares me more than anyone.
... At last... I have returned. The tainted, dark light blocked my way. I couldn't become myself.
(thinking) Did my sacred arrow purify the shard? What do I do with him now? Must I kill him?
Please remove the sacred Jewel shard from my neck. Do that for me. Then all will be over. I can rest in peace. (Kikyo frowns) My last wish... is to be released.
You're certain? Do you chose death?
I'm certain. I finally remember what happened: I died before, long ago in the past. When I was alive before, I was tormented by uncertainty. I didn't know what was right... and what was wrong.
I was a physician... who had sworn to save people's lives. And yet... I had killed someone with my own hands. Looking back, I was probably harder on myself than anyone else would have been. I couldn't forgive myself. I didn't know what to do. That's when it happened... when I heard the voice.
MSMercenary Suikotsu
(flashback) Why don't you stop acting the part of a saint?! You really aren't interested in helping people! Deep inside, you want to kill! You're just itching to kill and kill!
Suddenly, it became clear to me: the person who was speaking was me, myself. A crater of evil lurked in my heart... and that evil made me kill over and over again. Not long afterward, I met Bankotsu and joined the Band of Seven... and murder became second nature to me. I've done some horrible things. My dark side has killed so many. And during it all... the doctor in me was helpless to stop the senseless brutality. No matter how many lives I saved, no matter how I tried to make a difference, my soul has no hope of being redeemed.
Doctor Suikotsu, you are not alone in your turmoil. Good and evil co-exist in all men who walk the earth. You must not give in to the dark side.
You're wrong... Lady Kikyo. I would likely do it all again, if I were able to. I couldn't stop myself. The mere thought of it is unbearable. (tearfully) Please, I beg of you, Lady Kikyo... remove the Jewel shard. Give me death, and release my tormented soul.
Please do this for me. I beg of you.
(catching it) I'll take this as a memento. [leaves]
(smiles) And so it ends... it's finally over.
SASara Asano
... It's been quite some time, Lord Sesshomaru.
Humph! Who are you- an acquaintance of my master?!
SASara Asano
Forgive me. I am Sara.
SASara Asano
I'm from Asano Castle. Have you forgotten it?
SASara Asano
The first time I saw you, Lord Sesshomaru, was at Aasano Castle during a more turbulent time.
SASara Asano
Lord Sesshomaru...
I don't know you. [He starts to walk past her]
SASara Asano
Please, don't go! I want to do what I can to make your wish come true.
SASara Asano
Yes. And when I've helped you realize your desire... I only ask that you acknowledge my feelings for you.
(shaking his staff at her) Hey, hey, hey! Will you stop this nonsense?! There's no way someone like you can fulfill Lord Sesshomaru's wishes-
SASara Asano
I will fulfill your wish, no matter what it takes.
SASara Asano
Good. [she leaves]
What? Such a strange mortal. Lord Sesshomaru, who was that odd woman, anyway?
Rin
She sure was pretty.
Well, face-powder does miracles. Honestly, as if a mere human can help our Lord!
Are you blind, Jaken? That was no human.
It was a demon. No, perhaps she was originally human... but never quite became a full demon.
MUMaster Ungai
Don't go. He is an evil spirit, he is a demon. Not someone a human child should follow.
Rin
Let me go!
MUMaster Ungai
Come back, Girl! Humans and demons live in different worlds!
Rin
It'll wait for me!
(Recalls what Jaken had told her earlier)
"By the time mi lord's empire's created, you'll long gone."
MUMaster Ungai
You know I'm right. Now let's go back.
(Rin turns, smiles and continues to follow Sesshomaru)
MUMaster Ungai
Huh? Why did she go? Why did she leave with him?
(glances at Tenseiga, in Sesshomaru's belt) Oh- that's why I'm here.
I had a feeling something was missing. Tokijin's gone, isn't it?
(scoffs) Even without the Tokijin, my claws would be more than sufficient to tear you apart!
(rolls his eyes) There'll be no need for any of that. I had no choice but to come here- it was Tenseiga that summoned me.
Don't play dumb with me. I refuse to believe you haven't noticed that Tenseiga's been disturbed for the past few days! (Sesshomaru glances at Tenseiga) Interesting... It appears your heart now possesses what it had been lacking all this time!
What do you mean by "lacking?!" Lord Sesshomaru's heart is flawless!
Rin
That's right! He's strong and kind-
(glares at her) He's never been kind to me!
Rin
Oh, please don't cry, Master Jaken.
Tenseiga has reacted, to the change in your heart. (Sesshomaru scoffs and turns away) A heart that has felt rage and sorrow, not just for yourself... but for another being. Now, you must hand over Tenseiga.
The time has come to re-forge Tenseiga- to use as a weapon.
(thinking)... Re-forge Tenseiga?
(thinking) Now, let's see if it works, Sesshomaru. If it has truly accepted you, Tenseiga should guide your stroke.
It didn't cut him! He swung the sword, but there's not a mark on it!
Rin
(pointing) Master Jaken! What is that thing, behind the demon?!
He's opened a path to the Underworld.
W-wha-what just happened?!
Isn't it obvious? The demon's body was just taken to the Underworld.
A technique that cuts through to the Underworld...
It is possible, because Tenseiga is a sword that can connect this world with the Underworld. (flashback of Sesshomaru resurrecting Rin) That is why the master of Tenseiga is able to see creatures of the Underworld. Furthermore, he has the power to bring the dead back to this world by killing those very creatures.
Rin
Whoa- he can do that?!
(glances at her, thinking) Hmph. if only you knew!
Instead of doing battle by wounding his opponent, the master of Tenseiga cuts into the path to the Underworld, and sends his enemy there for eternity! (Sesshomaru stares at Tenseiga, then sheathes it) That is how it is used. And the name of the technique is: Meido Zangetsuha. (thinking) He mastered it in his first attempt. I must admit I'm impressed, spiteful brat though he may be. But, Tenseiga has spoken; it has accepted him, like it or not.
MMoryomaru
(speaking of Kagura) What does she do? She dies. And dies in vain, at that.
(as she dies) Now that I've seen you... one last time.
(thinking) I shall be the one to determine, if she died in vain. (aloud) I am ready for battle. I now wield the re-forged Tenseiga.
Rin
Huh? This wind...
This is pointless, Kohaku. Remember, you belong to Naraku. (Kohaku blacks out) The venom in those snakes is miasma. I have to make sure I sufficiently contaminate your shard before I take you to Naraku.
I see your methods haven't changed. Lord Sesshomaru, what brings you here?
Morymaru's scent has disappeared. I presume he was eaten by Naraku?
So, you've come to save Kohaku, have you? It seems a bit out of character for you.
(raises Tenseiga) I noticed a foul smell and I came to get rid of it- and, here you are.
Hate to disappoint, but I must take my leave. Perhaps next time, you'll be so good as to announce yourself.
Rin
Kohaku! (she starts to reach for him)
The snakes are poisonous. Don't touch him.
Rin
Okay, but... what if you've already been bitten?
(whimpering, as one of the snakes bites into his arm) Please help me, Lord Sesshomaru! This beast doesn't wanna let go!
(thinking) Lady Kikyo. The light I saw last night... it was yours, wasn't it?
Rin
I'm sorry, Kohaku. I'm sorry we couldn't take you to the priestess in time.
It's my fault. If only I was stronger...
Rin
What is it?
DDemoness
Sesshomaru. I thought that might be you.
( outraged) Who do you think you are?! Show a little respect- that's "Lord" Sesshomaru to you!
DDemoness
I can only assume you have questions about the Tenseiga your father left you. I can think of no other reason you'd come visit your mother.
(shocked) Mu-m-m- you're his mother?!
SSSesshomaru's Mother
What's wrong, Sesshomaru? You look so sad. Tenseiga has matured considerably, and your Meido has expanded, just as you'd hoped. Isn't that cause for celebration?
(angrily) Did you know this would happen to Rin? Did you, Mother?!
SSSesshomaru's Mother
If I'm not mistaken, you have already used Tenseiga to revive her once, have you not? Son, Tenseiga can only call a person back from the dead once.
SSSesshomaru's Mother
It only makes sense. Life is not supposed to be limitless, after all. It's not something that can be renewed over and over again for your own convenience. Sesshomaru, had you come to believe that you were a god, perhaps? That you did not need to fear death, as long as Tenseiga was in your hands? You needed to learn two things: the desire to save the life of a loved one taken by death... and the sorrow and fear which accompanies that loss.
(thinking) Sorrow and fear...
SS'Sesshomaru's Mother
Your father wanted me to tell you this: Tenseiga is a sword for healing. Only a person who values life and possesses a compassionate heart may wield such a weapon, and use its' power to bury their enemies. That is the requirement of any who wish to be worthy of Tenseiga, a sword that can save lives and condemn others.
(thinking, sadly) So Rin had to die in order for Lord Sesshomaru to learn about compassion?
SSSesshomaru's Mother
Little demon, why are you crying?
(weeping) The name's Jaken, my Lady. It's just that Lord Sesshomaru, by his very nature, will never shed tears, so I must cry in his stead!
SSSesshomaru's Mother
Oh? Is that how you feel, Sesshomaru? (Sesshomaru glares at her) This is her last chance. You understand?
SSSesshomaru's Mother
It's the little girl's life, which was left behind in the Underworld.
Rin
(squeezing his hand) Lord Sesshomaru... you're here.
... You're okay now, Rin.
Rin
I am.
Excuse me, my good Lady. (bows to Sesshomaru's mother) Please allow me to thank you, on Lord Sesshomaru's behalf!
SSSesshomaru's Mother
Is Sesshomaru happy that I've brought her back?
SSSesshomaru's Mother
All this fuss, over a little human girl. He's inherited one of his father's more unusual traits.
I see you aimed at my footing. Are you so desperate to learn the secret of Tenseiga that you would knowingly walk into a trap, Sesshomaru?
Just who do you think you are?!
I do not care who you are. Now tell me: why do you know about Tenseiga?
Because once, long ago, I faced it in battle. (Sesshomaru is startled) Although, it looked nothing like it does now. Nothing at all. When I fought against your father, the sword was in a different form.
How dare you make yourself look so young!!
(thinking) "The sword had a different form?"
Your tactics amuse me: you fight without your sword, in order to learn its' secret? You underestimate me- a deadly mistake!
(surprised, thinking) The Meido...!
Rin
How did he-
Meido Zangetsuha. Not bad, but Lord Sesshomaru's is bigger.
True- but that Meido was a complete circle!
Hmph! I'll have you know, Meido Zangetsuha was originally my technique. That's right, it was mine, until your father stole it from me. He took it... along with my face!
Huh! From what I've heard thus far, you summon me here not to reveal the secret, but to whine about your technique being stolen, and your face being destroyed.
Only one practitioner is needed for each technique. Especially, considering Tenseiga is an incomplete blade!
What did you say, Myoga? You know the guy Sesshomaru's fighting?
(terrified) I do! He's known as Shishinki, the Ogre of Death! He's a demon who was defeated by your father many, many years ago! He was a fierce opponent, as I recall! (thinking) It's impossible- how is he still alive?! Oh dear, this isn't good at all! If Lord Sesshomaru learns the secret behind Tenseiga, there's no telling what he'll do!
Is that the old flea, Myoga? I wasn't sure 'till now, but if you're here there can be no mistake!
That is Meido Zangetsuha!
That's it! You're gonna regret doing that! (draws and swings Tetsusaiga) Wind Scar!
(emerging through the dust) I heard that he had two sons, and now, here you are. The old man gave Tetsusaiga to his youngest, did he?
Hey, Sesshomaru, what the Hell's going on here? Why are you fighting with this guy?
Sesshomaru, don't you find it strange? Shouldn't the elder brother have received Tetsusaiga? Now, why do you suppose your father left it to him, instead?
Such cruelty! Bringing up the one thing that has tortured Lord Sesshomaru! He has tried to take the Tetsusaiga many times, without success; he even sacrificed his arm! He'd finally given up, and begun focusing on training with Tenseiga- and now, this!
Master Jaken, your explanation makes perfect sense-
Rin
But, if Lord Sesshomaru heard it, he would make you suffer just for saying it out loud!(Jaken gulps)
InuYasha · 501 quotes
