Crossing the sky painted with the soft orange color coming from the sunset, one can see a flying caravan composed of a two-tailed cat, a breed known as nekomata, and a three-eyed ox.
On top of those two clearly supernatural creatures there is a most diverse group, from a demon slayer, a Buddhist monk, what can be considered an attempt at a priestess, two Hanyo and even a self-perceived demon/human.
Yes, just like Inuyasha, the great blacksmith Totosai is a Hanyo, that is why his chronic cowardice and more "normal" attitude, unlike Sesshōmaru who shows the classic arrogance of a demon.
"Why do we keep running away? I already had him in the bag!"
Shouting while trying to grab the blond bird that is lying on top of his head, which by the way easily escapes, Inuyasha grits his teeth full of fury.
"We are in reality, not in your dreams, Inuyasha"
Landing on Totosai's bald head, the bird begins to speak in human language and even looks at Inuyasha disdainfully with his small blue eyes.
"Asahiko… If that's the case then I'll finish you off first!"
"Hahaha, I'm a bird, idiot!"
"Stop flying and fight!"
"I don't feel like it… Besides, what are you going to do, grab me?"
Laughing again after finishing those words, Asahiko flies around Inuyasha and even lets out some bird noises just to prove his point.
The thing is that that was already too much, so much so that in a fit of rage and instincts more animal than human, Inuyasha jumps from the ox's back and manages to grab Asahiko in mid-flight.
"I got you!"
"And gravity's got you, you idiot dog!"
"Ahhh!" x2
Shouting both at the same time and with the same desperate tone, both Inuyasha and Asahiko fall toward the ground without mercy thanks to the force of gravity, attracting the attention of everyone nearby.
…Some time later…
Surrounding the campfire recently set up by Miroku, near which two roasted rabbits can be seen, the whole group stays looking at Totosai.
"W, w, why are you looking at me?"
"Maybe because we're running away because of you?"
"Um, um, well said, Miroku"
Giving several nods with his small head full of brown hair, Shippo wholeheartedly supports the team's monk and even gives him a thumbs-up.
"You can't be like that, Shippo. The old man is a friend of Myoga and of Inuyasha's father, we can't leave him to his fate"
"You're too kind, Kagome. We still don't really know why Inuyasha's brother is chasing him"
"I, I've already told you. Sesshōmaru, that demon, wants me to forge him a sword better than Steel Fang"
Answering shakily to Sango who looks at him like a fish on the cutting board, perhaps instincts of her profession, Totosai manages to recover a certain dignity in his last words.
"Yes, very nice and all, but— stop trembling, I just want to ask you something!"
"S, sorry!"
"Hahaha, you've scared him again, idiot fox"
"Well, if that's how you want it… Kagome, come here for a second~"
Speaking softly with an almost magical charm, though not quite a full-fledged charm, Asahiko's lips part and a warm smile fills his face.
This expression makes everyone lose focus for a few moments, although the men quickly recover and their faces turn green with disgust, while the women remain captivated by his amazing charm.
"Yes, what can I do for you, Asahiko?"
"Oh, come a little closer and now listen to me well. Shh"
Taking Kagome by the shoulder and starting to whisper in her ear, Asahiko is left speechless when she suddenly raises her body, her voice and even her fist into the air.
"Of course, Sesshōmaru also had a sword at his waist!"
"You, what, how"
"I'm sorry, if you want you can tell me everything from the beginning, I promise not to interrupt you again"
"… No, just… just… forget it"
Moving away from Kagome who seems to have heard the ultimate gossip, although in reality he only wanted to use her to transmit his words to Totosai, Asahiko simply looks at her strangely.
She really is a… normal human? He certainly didn't use his charm at full power, but Kagome broke free from his influence even before Sango, and she also survived Kikyo's hunt… Yes, this high school girl is not normal.
"Old man Totosai, doesn't Sesshōmaru's sword have great powers like Inuyasha's? Because every time we see him he tries to steal Steel Fang"
"Sesshōmaru's… Of course, it is an amazing and powerful sword, there is no other like it in this world. But when his father commissioned me that favor after dying… Let's say I modified Sacred Fang capabilities a bit"
Raising his index finger, Totosai nods proudly several times, showing that Sacred Fang is also one of his magnificent creations.
"A sword that can't cut?... How is he going to fight with a sword like that?"
"Sacred Fang is not for fighting enemies, foolish boy. Rather it is a sword that serves to renew"
Answering the doubts that Inuyasha has, Totosai ignores Kagome who repeats the word "renew", before continuing with his tale.
"While Steel Fang was made to grant power to the strong, Sacred Fang serves to regenerate the lives of the weak"
"The lives?"
"That's right, young lady. If the person who carries it manages to show their true feelings, positive ones of course, it is even capable of saving a hundred people with a single swing!"
Stirring the embers of the campfire with his iron hammer, Totosai keeps talking despite the interruption of Sango who voices her doubts, but the interruptions don't end there, since Kagome and Miroku then open their mouths.
"Their true feelings…"
"I see, it is a completely different sword from Steel Fang. But having the power to save the lives of a hundred people with a single movement… It has nothing to envy from the first"
"Right?! I wanted to name it something like Sepultura, but when I finished it they dared to give it an impactful name like Sacred Fang. Well, I suppose Inu no Taisho gave it that name for a reason, although it's likely he just liked renaming weapons, just like his own which came to be called Clouded Fang"
Wiping his tears at the injustice of the world, Totosai recalls a bit of the distant past, though then he shifts the problem to Asahiko and begins to eagerly eat the rabbit meat.
"Are you saying his sword is called Clouded Fang?"
"Couldn't be clearer, Inuyasha. Or do you have something in your ears…? If you want your older brother can help you~"
"Go to hell, Asahiko! You're not my brother"
"Are you sure? Why don't you look again"
Transforming in an instant before everyone's eyes, Asahiko takes on Sesshōmaru's appearance and twists his beautiful features masterfully, as if he were looking at something disgusting.
"You disgust me, Inuyasha. Even that little fox called Shippo would be a better brother than you"
"Ses, Asahiko… "
"Enough, enough, both of you calm down, we're talking about something serious!"
"You think I didn't see how you laughed, Miroku!"
"Completely false, Inuyasha. My mind is pure just like my body, never would something like that come out of my mouth!"
Opening his hands like a man embracing the dirty world before him, Miroku puts a kind smile on his face and even seems to shine, although he only manages to make everyone look at him strangely.
Luckily for everyone, because the awkwardness had already reached too high levels, Kagome breaks the ice again and throws another doubt into the air which manages to reopen the conversation.
"Now I understand everything, that's the reason why Sesshōmaru is after Steel Fang, after all he wouldn't dare use a sword that can only save people… But shouldn't he also be after Asahiko?"
"What happened is that Clouded Fang was sealed until recently, young lady. So Sesshōmaru could only make do with Steel Fang, he might not even know that Asahiko has another of his father's swords"
"Kyaa, a spirit!"
Striking Saya who strangely goes flying from the slap, Kagome quickly jumps back and hides behind Inuyasha's back, then looking at the spirit with eyes sharp like swords.
"Wow, he unexpectedly went flying. Ahem, he is Saya, while they… Well, you'll know their names if you were watching everything from inside Clouded Fang"
"Miroku, that old man is a peeper just like you!"
"Don't say those things, Shippo. I would never do anything like that!"
"I hope so, Your Excellency, you wouldn't want me to turn you into a real saint with my own hands"
Terrifying all the men in the group with her words, Sango lets out a sigh and approaches Kagome, making Inuyasha subtly move away.
Thus, between jokes and not-so-jokes, the night went by, slowly starting the countdown for the next encounter with Sesshōmaru.
…Elsewhere…
Under that same sky but at a great distance from Inuyasha's group, a damp pond can be seen. The whole place is bathed by the silver light of the moon thanks to the lack of trees, large rocks or simple weeds, although the water is not as "clean" as the outside.
But it was to be expected, only God could even know how long the water has been stagnant here, although it has been enough time for decrepit branches to grow toward the night sky.
Along with those branches that look like the arms of someone dead from starvation, a thick fog floats in several areas over the pond, creating a mysterious and partly terrifying atmosphere.
"In truth I was also unaware that that sword was a memento of your lord father, may it be known what kind of incredible supernatural powers that weapon holds?"
Speaking calmly but with clear servitude, the imp called Jaken walks in front of Sesshōmaru as if he had a path in mind.
"Are you curious, Jaken?"
"Knowing that it is the second sword created from your lord father's fang, I am dying to know what kind of connection they have, since the two swords seem to be sisters. Ahh! I didn't mean it because you and Inuyasha are brothers, on the contrary, I have always wondered why you must accept that fool as a brother, although thinking about it well it is not a serious matter, of course if that ruins your reputation as—"
Letting out some words unconsciously, Jaken realizes his mistake and tries to fix it through more words, but he only manages to tangle himself more and more, until that finally fills Sesshōmaru's patience who briefly raises his voice.
"Jaken!"
"W, w, what!"
Stammering his words, Jaken turns around, managing to see in slow motion how Sesshōmaru unsheathes Sacred Fang and following that cuts from his left shoulder to his right waist, letting him only say a few last words before his body falls lifeless to the ground.
"Master… Sesshōmaru"
Looking at Jaken who does not get up after a few seconds, but who has small spasms, Sesshōmaru lets out a slightly amused voice before addressing him.
"What are you doing? Get up at once"
"He, um, I'm not hurt. But I saw you cut me with your sword?"
Feeling his body which is in perfect condition, so much so that even his clothes have not been affected, Jaken quickly says whatever comes to mind.
"Is it clear to you now, Jaken? Sacred Fang is a sword with which you cannot kill. Unworthy of being carried by me unlike Steel Fang or Clouded Fang"
"Clouded Fang? I thought your lord father only had two swords"
"Since when do you think?"
"I, I'm sorry, Master Sesshōmaru!"
Making several quick bows without hesitation, Jaken calms down a bit upon seeing how Sesshōmaru sheaths Sacred Fang.
"Clouded Fang is the only sword that was not forged by Totosai, but its power is superior to Steel Fang and Sacred Fang… Even my father feared falling under its control in a moment of weakness"
"Incredible, where is such a powerful sword located? I sh— What is that!"
"Good question, perhaps I even have a clue thanks to Inuyasha"
Giving a squeeze to the hilt of Sacred Fang, Sesshōmaru finally looks toward the creature that just surprised Jaken.
It was elongated like a snake, with scales of a dark green color on the outside while those on its chest have a lighter color. Four strong limbs with three claws on each member show the incredible power contained within it, while the two horns on its head reflect the moonlight.
¡Roar!
Its mere roar made the entire pond tremble, while large waves formed and even roots were torn from the ground by the shockwave. Ignoring that, and also Jaken who runs behind some trees, Sesshōmaru remains standing looking at the creature as if he were considering something in his mind.
This stalemate ends when the dragon sweeps its tail toward Sesshōmaru, although he jumps at a much faster speed until he reaches in front of the beast's face. Without stopping his actions for even a second, he materializes again the whip he used against Inuyasha before making three cuts toward the dragon, ending the battle immediately and without even getting ruffled.
"M, master Sesshōmaru!"
"We have taken possession of another arm. It would not be bad to go again for Tetsusaiga and that coward Totosai"
Completely tearing off a single arm from the now dead dragon, Sesshōmaru turns around while his silver hair sways behind him and begins to move away from the place.