InuYasha Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Cry of the Wolf ❯ Enemy Hidden, Enemy revealed ( Chapter 4 )

Cry of the wolf

Part four: Enemy hidden, enemy revealed

By

Lance the Flamesniper

 

It was late into the night when Kouga stepped out of the cave. The fire was burning nicely and would not need his attention for many hours. Likewise, his guests were sleeping soundly so he was sure he wouldn't be missed. He spotted one of the numerous nearby bluffs, one that would take a normal person many hours to get to and took off. Minutes later he was at the bluff.

 

As the ookami taiyoukai lay on the snow covered bluff he looked to the sky. As always, there were billions upon billions of stars to be seen. Looking at all the stars always made him feel small and insignificant. To them, his existence would merely be a footnote; a small moment in the vast scheme of things. It was a revelation that he had learned a very long time ago and had helped him mature a great deal. One day he would be gone, but the stars wouldn't notice. All this thought reminded him of a song he'd once heard on a rare trip to Tokyo back in the time before the freeze.

 

“Do you ever question your life? Do you ever wonder why? Do you see in your dreams, all the castles in the sky?” he sang to himself.

 

“Actually, I do,” A familiar voice intoned.

 

“Kagome-san? How'd you get here?” Kouga asked.

 

A loud `feh!' from the shadows answered that.

 

“Wow! It's beautiful!” Kagome gasped as she looked up at the stars.

 

Kouga smiled. “Yes it is. I come here to remind myself that, despite what I thought when I was younger, the world isn't about me. Which is good since I won't be around for much longer.”

 

“W-what do you mean Kouga?” the miko asked nervously.

 

“Wolves mate for life. My mate is gone. Once this business is ended, I will have no purpose to stay. And with me will end the line of the ookami youkai. I do not wish to die though.”

 

“Then don't!” Kagome snapped. “When we get to Crystal Tokyo, we'll talk to the Neoqueen. She'll come up with something. Who knows? She might even figure out a way to help you restore the wolf clan.”

 

Kouga smiled even more at that. “Thanks Kagome-chan. You've given me a little hope to cling to. I just hope you're right as well. Oh well, enough of that. I have breakfast to prepare for my guests now.”

 

Naraku sat in his lair a sinister smile twisting his lips. It was most fortunate that the Black Moon found him. That the unit, their commander and a handful of nearby youkai had become part of his new body as soon as he was awake was even more fortunate. Well, fortunate for him anyway.

 

No one suspected him to be what he really was. If they did they would not allow him into the court of the Neoqueen. Ah but the power she possesses is too much not to go after. The silver crystal would be harder to taint than the Shikon no tama, but once he got it, he would become a god among demons. Not even Miroku and Inu Yasha could see through his tricks. But then again the monk wasn't paying attention and the mutt's nose seemed to have dulled a little with pollution.

 

Now however, whatever plans he had would be in danger. Especially if that damned miko brought the wolf prince back to Crystal Tokyo. His nose was not dulled by pollution and his instincts were still sharp and feral.

 

Fortunately, Naraku had a plan in effect. He'd sent a surprise for Kouga, and when the dust cleared, not even Inu Yasha would know he was behind the wolf's death.

It was mid-morning when the Outer Senshi awoke. It wasn't a need to wake up since both were not necessarily morning people, however, that brought them to consciousness. It was the rich spicy smell of cooking food. Curiously the two senshi moved toward the smell only then noticing that the `hanyou' and their miko negotiator was missing. Fearing the worst, the two warriors of love and justice rushed toward the main hall.

 

The duo entered the main hall to find Kagome stirring a large pot as nearby slowly baked several loaves of rice-and-wheat flour bread. Despite the sight before them, Sailor Uranus continued to look accusingly for the youkai who'd given her so much hell the day before.

 

“He out doing his morning run,” Kagome sighed. “Don't bother trying to go after him. He said he'd be back shortly to finish breakfast. Today's menu is boar stew and fresh baked bread.”

 

“Can we trust his cooking?” Sailor Neptune asked cautiously even though the food smelled good.

 

“Oh yes! Kouga's a pretty good cook. Ginta was better though he had this fixation with dried apples. It's been a while since I've eaten boar stew, but it tastes something like pork.”

 

“Ginta… the wolf mentioned that name too. Who is he?” Uranus asked as she took notice of several jars of what appeared to be preserves lined up nearby.

 

“He was one of Kouga's pack. It was funny; him and Hakakku always called me their sister. Sometimes I miss those days.”

 

Neptune blinked. “When was all this?”

 

The miko sighed. She supposed it would come out sooner or later. “The warring states era.”

 

“Geez these two are nosy. But since their up, we can start breakfast,” Kouga replied as he walked to one of the many recesses in the main hall's walls. From the recess he pulled a smaller pot, a large tray and nine bowls.

 

He then walked to the stew pot and ladled out some of the stew picked up three loaves of bread and two jars of preserves. All this he placed on the tray along with chopsticks and knives for the preserves. Once the task was done he took the tray and the bowls and proceeded to walk off into one of the side halls. Several moments later he returned, and handed out bowls to the two Senshi, Kagome and Inu Yasha before retrieving a bowl himself.

 

“Done feeding your pet fleabags?” Sailor Uranus scoffed as sat down.

 

“Don't be foolish,” Kouga chided. “My wolves don't like stew. That was for the scientists.”

 

“This is an interesting preserve,” Neptune commented, changing the subject quickly. “What is it?”

 

“A long time ago, an English wolf youkai taught us how to make a good many things. Including brandy and that preserve. All it is is rose buds, stewed in brandy then made into preserves. I'll be bringing some of this along with some other items with me to your city so if you'd like you may have a jar.”

 

“Other items?” Kagome asked.

 

“Some wolven made brandy, some of these preserves, a few trinkets. Things like that,” Kouga waved dismissively as he finished his meal. “If you'll excuse me, I must get my gear together.

 

 

About an hour later, Kouga rejoined the group. He tried his best to ignore the stares directed his way by the scientists, including the especially dirty looks of Dr. Wilks.

 

“We about ready to leave?” Uranus huffed.

 

“Some of us more than others,” Wilks grumbled.

 

“I agree,” Kouga added. “I wish to return with you to this “Crystal Tokyo” as soon as possible.”

 

“That…that THING is coming with us?” The scientist snarled incredulously.

 

“Yes, unfortunately,” mumbled Uranus.

 

As the groups set out it was with noticeable wary spirits. Though not treated harshly by their youkai host they were still understandably afraid of him. After all he had killed three of their compatriots, even it he claimed it was both self-defense and delivering justice.

 

Kouga for his part seemed to be in high spirits, if one didn't really know him. He's keeping himself together on the outside. But I know that it's just an act. Kagome thought as she watched him strolling along whistling like the world didn't matter to him.

 

Walking behind them were the two Senshi and the nine surviving scientists. For the most part they were silent save for the loudly complaining Dr. Wilks. At the moment she was currently making suggestions pertaining to Kouga's parentage.

 

“Actually Dr. Wilks,” Kagome cut in at a particularly rude comment. “Kouga's a pure bred ookami youkai. Besides I don't think that his father WOULD breed with a jackass, as you put it, no matter how drunk he was.”

 

“How do you know so much about him?” The scientist snapped.

 

“She and I are old friends,” Kouga finally said. “And she's right. My dad wouldn't breed with a jackass, though he did act the part. For what it's worth, I'm a lot like my mother. She enjoyed life no matter what. I just wish she'd not passed when I was a cub.”

 

The touching comment was well received but the moment was not to last.

 

“Hold Demon!” A voice called out.

 

“Who's there?” Kouga snarled, his hand on the hilt of his blade.

 

From the shadow of an ancient pine stepped the lean form of a woman. She stood at five foot nine with green hair and red eyes. Her skin was tan striking contrastingly with her white and black fuku. In her hands was a long staff shaped like a key. Most of the group recognized her.

 

“Sailor Pluto?” thirteen voices exclaimed.

 

“This…thing must not be permitted into Crystal Tokyo,” the senshi said imperiously.

 

Kagome blinked. Something wasn't right here, especially the way Kouga was growling. “Why?”

 

“What?” Sailor Pluto asked.

 

“Why should he not be permitted into the city?” Kagome clarified.

 

“Because he is a threat to small lady,” Sailor Pluto replied.

 

“Still playing with dolls baboon breath?” Kouga asked lowly.

 

“I have no idea what you're talking about. But it matters not,” Sailor Pluto replied as she lunged with her garnet rod.

 

“Yeah sure you don't,” Kouga scoffed as he dodged the attacks. “Your scent gives it away….Naraku!”

 

“What are you two doing!?” Wilks yelled at the two Senshi. “You heard her! He's a threat!”

 

“Neptune?” Uranus asked.

 

“The sea is restless, something is not right,” The sea Senshi replied.

 

“Then we do nothing,” Uranus agreed.

 

`Sailor Pluto' for her part was doing her best to kill Kouga. She'd swing high at his head, only to have him duck. She'd try to take his legs out from under him, only to have him jump and dodge her attacks. Finally he'd had enough.

 

“Come on Naraku,” the wolf chided as he drew his blade. “Can't you do better than that?”

 

Kagome for her part gasped. In all the years she'd known him, Kouga had never drawn his sword. But what a sword it was. The blade gleamed like silver as it jutted from its brass colored guard. The handle she'd noted earlier had been wrapped in woven brown leather and capped with the brassy metal. What's more, her mystic abilities told her, it held some kind of enchantment.

 

She didn't have time to wonder about it as he parried blows from the time Senshi's garnet rod. He ducked two more swings before bringing the blade down on the center of her staff, shearing it neatly in half. Before the hapless senshi could react, Kouga kicked her hard enough to send her into the trunk of a tree, leaving her momentarily dazed.

 

“Impossible!” Uranus exclaimed. “Nothing should be able to break the garnet rod!”

 

“This blade is special. It was made to replace a blade that was broken a long time ago. It was forged of the fangs of person with an unbreakable will and enchanted to be as unbreakable as that will. It can also free a soul of possession,” Kouga replied as he sheaved his sword.

 

“How very touching,” a deep male voice replied mockingly from the fallen form. “Tell me, wolf prince, is that sword made from the teeth of your fallen mate? If so, how pathetic is it that you cling to it so dearly?”

 

Kagome had an arrow knocked and aimed in an instant as Inu Yasha drew Tetsusaiga. The two senshi for their part got into defense stances. They weren't sure what was going on, but it was now pretty clear that someone had set a trap meant to trick into acting.

 

“What's pathetic is that you still hide behind puppets. Can't you fight for yourself?” Kouga seethed, his claws flashing dangerously in the filtered light of the forest.

 

Instead of responding in words, `Sailor Pluto' rose to her feet with her hands out in front of her. Moments later her hands seemingly exploded into ten long wood-like tendrils each possessing a sharp point. The spikes flew straight at Kouga who just barely dodged. The senshi immediately responded.

 

“World Shaking!”

 

“Deep Submerge!”

 

“Wind Scar!” added Inu Yasha.

 

The puppet made to look like Sailor Pluto dodged only losing three tendrils, which then grew back.

 

“What the hell is that thing!?” demanded Sailor Uranus.

 

“A demon puppet,” Kagome informed. “We have to find the talisman inside it and destroy it to stop it.”

 

“Say no more,” Sailor Neptune replied as she pulled her mirror. “Submarine Reflection!”

 

The mystic energies of the sea senshi's talisman flowed over the demon puppet leaving a glowing mark on her chest.

 

“There it is!” called Kagome.

 

“Got it!” Kouga snarled as his youki boiled around him like a stationary hurricane. “Blades of Wind!”

 

Sharp blades of condensed air pressure sliced through the thick tendrils before blasting through the puppet revealing the wooden doll that made up the heart of the imposter. The doll dissipated as the wooden talisman shattered.

 

Kouga crouched down to examine the wreckage of the puppet a grim look on his face.

 

“This is bad,” Inu Yasha said.

 

“What do you mean?” Uranus scoffed. “We got him!”

 

“That wasn't him,” Kagome responded. “It was just a copy. Naraku is good at making demon puppets and with enough power could even make extensions of himself that could think and act on their own.”

 

“That's not what I was talkin' about,” Inu Yasha said. “He knew what Sailor Pluto looks like.”

 

“But there's no way anyone out here would know what she looks like. Unless…” Sailor Neptune trailed off.

 

“Unless he's in Crystal Tokyo,” Kagome noted.

 

“It doesn't matter where he is. If he gets in my path again, I'm putting his damn head on a stake!” Kouga growled. “But for now, we need to get to this `Crystal Tokyo' and talk to your Neoqueen. Then we'll see about baboon breath.”

 

TBC