"I only have a little time left. I have to tell you" With great effort, he took a deep breath. "I'm sorry for leaving you so soon. But don't mourn for me. I have had a long life. My only regret is that I will not be able to see Sesshoumaru and our little Inu Yasha grow into adults. Please take care of them and be happy." With that, Kenaruji breathed his last breath.
---
Sesshoumaru pulled himself shakily to his feet. He fought hard to stay upright as pain ran through his beaten body. <My father couldn't beat him, what chance do I have. Any scratched I make on him heal up instantly. He heals too quickly for even my Poison Claw to have any effect.>
"Give up, pup," jeered the youkai. "Just hand over the human, and I'll let you go."
<Why not? I'll just give him the human. I can always avenge father later, when I'm stronger.> He paused. <But then father would have died in vain. I can't allow that.>
"Go to hell!" Sesshoumaru spat.
"You first."
Sesshoumaru saw his father's sword imbedded in the youkai's back as it lunged at him. He suddenly got an idea. <But will I be able to pull it off?>
Ignoring the pain, Sesshoumaru leapt up as the youkai's claw swung down. It hit the ground. For a moment, the talons were stuck in the hard earth.
<This may be my only chance.>
Sesshoumaru ran up the youkai's arm and onto it's back. His left hand closed around the hilt of his father's sword.
"Go ahead," the youkai said with a smug grin on its face. "It was getting to be annoying, anyway."
<Idiot. But it works in my favor.> Sesshoumaru pulled the sword halfway out then moved it back and forth to widen the wound.
"What the hell!" the youkai yelled.
Sesshoumaru pulled the sword out and immediately thrust his poison filled right hand into the wound before it could close up.
The youkai immediately felt a searing pain run though his entire body as the poison took effect. It grabbed Sesshoumaru and flung him to the ground.
Sesshoumaru landed hard and began coughing up blood. The youkai slowly descended on him.
"You little bastard!" It growled. "I'll send you to hell." Suddenly, the youkai lurched backwards and fell to the ground. Its body went into spasms for several seconds, before finally falling still.
Sesshoumaru pushed himself to his feet and slowly made his way over to where Miyae still wept over his father. She looked up as he approached.
"Fatheris dead?" he asked, although he already knew the answer.
Miyae nodded slowly. "I'm sorry."
"Because of you?"
Miyae's eyes widen. "What?"
Sesshoumaru gripped his father's sword firmly as his body began to shake with rage toward the woman whom he felt had caused his father's premature death.
"Father is dead," he spoke with venom in his voice. "Because he was trying to save you, and your damn hanyou child!"
Sesshoumaru raised his father's sword over his head with the intent to strike Miyae down. But the sudden movement sent a sharp pain through his entire body. He dropped the sword and fell forward. Miyae lunged forward and managed to catch him before he hit the ground.
"I'm sorry," she murmured, holding the now unconscious Sesshoumaru close to her. "I'm so sorry, Sesshoumaru-kun."