An Education by UnknownRandomness

Don't Wake the Sleeping Dragon

Prompt: Exordium - The beginning of anything.

Word Count: 340

They crept as quietly as they could amongst the bodies, knowing that if they disturbed Kagura's puppets, the battle would start and they would lose the advantage of surprise. It was crucial that they remained undetected. 

Inuyasha carried Kagome on his back, knowing that her clumsiness could expose them at any moment. Sango and Miroku walked directly behind Sesshoumaru, making sure that they traced his footsteps- after all, who knew what traps might be set up in the house of a spider?

Unfortunately, Rin and Shippo had insisted on coming with them, refusing to be separated from those they held dear at such a crucial time. The young girl was held in the firm grip of the Western Lord's left arm, the handle of Bakusaiga enclosed in his right hand. Shippo was perched on the monk's robed shoulder, keeping his large eyes open for any signs of magic in their grim surroundings. 

All seemed to be going according to plan- they would succesfully make their way into Naraku's chambers and destroy the foul creature- only to be thwarted by the most basic of urges. Inuyasha's sensitive nose was irritated by the endless cobwebs that spanned the large corridor and he released a powerful sneeze.

The kitsune whimpered as the cracks of malformed bones echoed throughout the space, as the broken bodies of corpses defied nature and stood, empty eyes and rotting bodies turning towards the living amongst them.

Sesshoumaru withdrew his blade but made no move to strike, knowing that in this enclosed space his attack would obliterate his allies. Miroku raised his staff into a defensive position and Sango withdrew a short blade from her obi, aware that Hirakotsu was far too large to be of any use. They were weakened and outnumbered.

The hanyou's ears plastered themselves to his skull as Kagome slid off his back and plucked an arrow from her full sheath. With reluctance, he took his hand away from his sword and prepared to fight in close combat. This situation did not look promising. 

"Shit."