The Next World

Part Two - The Funeral of Inuyasha

Scene Selection

Meeting with Sesshomaru (scroll down)

It is the early evening. The crimson sun sets over the forested horizon as a trio of travelers sit down to have a meal. Three chickens are being roasted over an open fire. They are being prepared by the small demon vassal known as Jaken. The young human girl, Rin, is seated nearby. Their lord, Sesshomaru, is standing nearby. He feels that something is different, but is unsure as to what it may be. Jaken finishes the chickens and gives one to Rin. He then takes one to Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru: Something isn't right, Jaken.

Jaken: Well, I put extra seasoning on yours, but I can give you mine if that's the problem...

Sesshomaru: No. I have a strange feeling.

Rin is having trouble with her dinner.

Rin: This is a bit tough for me to cut, Master Jaken.

Sesshomaru walks over to Rin. He grabs Tokijin to cut it. Sesshomaru pauses and remembers that Tokijin has been used to kill countless demons. It is tainted with blood and other remains. Instead, he grabs Tenseiga, which is practically stainless.

Rin: You're so kind, Lord Sesshomaru!

Sesshomaru uses Tenseiga to slice the chicken. But the chicken grows feathers and a head. Tenseiga has brought it back to life. Rin's dinner clucks and squawks before scattering off into a patch of tall grass.

Sesshomaru: Damn sword; it can't even cut dinner without causing me grief.

The dog demon picks up the scent of Inuyasha's teammates. Kagome and the others solemnly approach the Lord of the Western Lands.

Kagome: Sesshomaru...good evening...

Sesshomaru: How did you find us here?

Sango: Jaken stole three chickens from Kaede. We followed the trail of feathers here.

Jaken: Finders keepers! You can't have them back!

Miroku: We don't want them. Sesshomaru, Inuyasha has been slain.

Sesshomaru: So, that's what I've been feeling.

Kagome: Please...we'd like for you to use Tenseiga to bring him back to life.

Sesshomaru: No.

Shippo: NO?! He's your brother! Why wouldn't you bring him back to life?

Jaken: Hey kid! Look at Lord Sesshomaru's left hand.

Shippo: Uh, he doesn't have a left hand.

Jaken: Now you know why he won't bring Inuyasha back to life, genius.

Rin: Lord Sesshomaru, could you please bring back their friend? Pretty please?

Sesshomaru: No.

Rin: With sugar on top?

Sesshomaru: My diet is sugar-free, thank you very much. Humans...tell me, who was the one who dispatched Inuyasha?

Miroku: A pair of demons that work for Osoroshi.

Sesshomaru: I know that name.

Jaken: Yes, I've heard that he bathes in the blood of humans.

Sesshomaru: And that he urinates in people's bowls of soup.

Jaken: That fiend!

Sesshomaru: Well, now that Inuyasha is dead, and since I am his only blood-relation, I am the rightful heir to Tetsusaiga. Hand it over.

Kagome: Tetsusaiga was destroyed by the two demons.

Sesshomaru twitches with anger. He clenches his fist.

Jaken: Ooh, he's pissed now.

Sesshomaru: Jaken, stay here with Rin. I'm going to get revenge.

Sango: At least he's going to avenge his brother�s death.

Sesshomaru: To hell with Inuyasha. I'm avenging the loss of Tetsusaiga. I'll make sure that they will pay for such an outrage.

Jaken: Taking them to court, m'Lord?

Sesshomaru: After that Judge Judy incident, I've had enough of courtrooms. I think the "threatening and stomping the living hell out of people" approach is more appropriate.

Sesshomaru takes his leave. Kagome and the others still stand there.

Jaken: What are you still standing around for? Shoo! Shoo! Off with you! Begone! Leave! Amscray! Vamoose! Good bye! Au revoir! Buenas noches! Beat it! Get lost! Take off! Sayonara!

Shippo: We get the point. Let's go...

They walk away, very disappointed with Sesshomaru's lack of concern for his sibling. As they leave, a saimyosho is watching. The poison insect flies away and makes it to Naraku's castle. Naraku grins with satanic delight when the bug returns.

Naraku: Inuyasha is dead.

Kagura: What? He's dead?

Hakudoshi: Seriously?

Naraku: Osoroshi has done our dirty work for us. Now that the half-breed is gone, we will have no one to stop us!

Kagura: What about Kagome and the others?

Naraku: Like I said, no one will stop us.

Hakudoshi: Ooh, burn.

Naraku: Do you know what time it is, Kagura?

Kagura: Time to get new makeup? That shade doesn't look good on you.

Naraku: Shut up. It's time to PARTY!

Soon, a grand celebration is held at Naraku's castle. All sorts of demon riff-raff appear to join in on the festivities. Loud techno music blares from a CD player stolen from the future. Everyone is surprised when Kanna appears on the dance floor and starts to breakdance. She spins around like a top and flips through the air with ease.

Naraku: Wow. Who knew that she could do that?

The music changes from techno and into Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On."

Naraku: YES! I LOVE THIS SONG!

The music stops and everyone turns to Naraku. Their eyes are widened and mouths gaping open.

Naraku: Uh...I love to torture people with it! That's what I meant! An evil villain like me would never be caught dead listening to that! Yes sir! Heh heh...

Hakudoshi: You wouldn't be caught dead listening to it, but Inuyasha would.

Naraku: Zing! HAHAHAHAHA!

The group of villains laugh with triumph. Naraku plans on making his big move after the party ends. He will finally get what he wants without Inuyasha in his way.

A couple of days later, the funeral is held for Inuyasha just outside of Kaede's village. All types of people show up, most of them ones that Inuyasha has helped/bothered in the past: Jinenji and his mother, Shiori and her mother, Amari Nobunaga and his pet monkey, Dr. Iwamoto and his group, Satsuki, Nazuna, and others.

Koga and his tribe appear. Since it is a sad occasion, they are all wearing black skirts. Mushin (and a bottle of sake) arrive as well. Hachi and Myoga are there too. Eventually, all of the guests are there. Kikyo is notably absent from the event. Kaede stands before the crowd as they take their seats. Behind her is Inuyasha's grave. It is not fancy or elaborate; it is a mound of dirt with a lone red flower atop it.

Kaede: We are here to mourn the loss of Inuyasha...

Koga (under breath): Or celebrate.

Kaede: And now, Kagome will give the eulogy.

Kagome is in tears, running away in sadness. Sango follows after her, hoping to comfort her somehow.

Kaede: Oh...well, which of ye wants to give the eulogy?

Koga raises his hand.

Kaede: If ye have nothing nice to say, ye shouldn't say anything at all.

Koga lowers his hand.

Miroku: I guess I'll do it.

Miroku stands before everyone. All eyes are on him.

Miroku: Inuyasha was...well...he...Inuyasha was a...hmm.

Kaede: Think of the good memories that he's given you.

Miroku: Right! He...uh...he...um...damn.

Kaede: Sit down! Does anyone have anything good to say?

Koga: It will be a lot quieter without him around, heh heh.

Kaede: Ye should be ashamed...but ye do have a good point.

Shippo: And my head won't get bonked anymore.

Myoga: He can't smack me anymore either.

Hachi: The only real downside is that Naraku will run amok now.

Koga: We can buy weapons from that ninja-guy. That will take care of Naraku.

Kaede: Yes...

Everyone is silent. They all look around.

Koga: Great funeral. Let's go, guys.

Koga and the wolf tribe leave.

Koga: Heh, I'll let Kagome grieve for a while before I move in on her.

Ginta and Hakakku: Long live Koga!

Kagome is crying inside of Kaede's house. Sango pats her on the back.

Sango: There, there. Everything will be OK...

Voice from outside: TETSUSAIGA WAS DESTROYED? I'M GLAD HE'S DEAD! I WOULD HAVE KILLED HIM MYSELF!

Sango: That voice...

Sango goes outside and sees an angry Totosai gripping his hammer tightly.

Sango: Totosai!

Totosai: After so many fanfics, it's about time that I show up. I was beginning to think that I wasn't liked by the author or something.

Sango: What are you talking about?

Totosai: Never mind. I overheard that Inuyasha was killed by Osoroshi's goons. Not only that, but Tetsusaiga was destroyed.

Sango: That is correct.

Totosai: The Ketsugun use powers drenched completely in darkness. If you use completely pure energy, like a sacred arrow or something, then they'd probably be defeated.

Sango: What?

Totosai: Why didn't Kagome use her arrows?

Sango: She didn't have them with her at the time.

Totosai: That's a shame. If she had them, she could have saved Inuyasha's life. It's all her fault that he's dead. His death is on her head because she was so irresponsible.

Sango: Totosai! Shh!

Sango tries to silence Totosai, but it is too late. Kagome stands at the doorway of Kaede's house. She has heard every word.

Kagome: So...it's my fault?

Totosai: Yep. Baka.

Sango: TOTOSAI!

Kagome cries again and goes back inside. After bopping Totosai on the head, Sango follows Kagome. Meanwhile, Inuyasha walks through a white place. Not his physical body, but his spirit. He is unsure of his surroundings.

Inuyasha: Where the hell am I?

Voice: Hell...good guess.

Inuyasha is met by a small horned demon with red skin. He blinks at him.

Inuyasha: Wait. I'm in Hell?

Demon: Uh huh.

Inuyasha: Where's the fire? Where's the brimstone?

Demon: Budget cut.

Inuyasha: Why am I in Hell? I'm a good guy!

Demon: Beating up children, swearing profusely, insulting the elderly, killing people�let's just say that you're not Heaven material, okay?

Inuyasha: FEH!

Demon: Keep it up, kid. That attitude will make you a lot of friends down here. This is the main hall. Nothing in here but white, as you can see.

Inuyasha looks around. The room is vast, but it is white. The walls, the ceiling, the floor. There is nothing else.

Demon: Follow me. It's time for your eternal damnation to begin.

Inuyasha: I'm not going with you. I'm not stupid.

Demon: If you don't come with me on your accord, I'll force you to.

Inuyasha: Oh yeah? Do it!

The small demon judo kicks Inuyasha in the groin. Inuyasha falls to the ground and the demon puts him in a headlock. He lets him go and stomps on his back. Then he punches Inuyasha in the mouth no fewer than six times.

Demon: You're coming with me.

He drags Inuyasha by the hair out of the white room and into the next part of Hell...

TO BE CONTINUED

NEXT TIME: Inuyasha is sent into the next stage of Hell for his punishment...but he may not be the one who gets punished. Meanwhile, Sesshomaru and an unlikely ally team up and reach Osoroshi's cave. Be here for "The Next World pt. 3: All Hell Breaks Loose!"