InuYasha Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Cry of the Wolf ❯ Ballroom blitz ( Chapter 15 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: lance the flamesniper 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Hentai | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 08.02.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.4K | Visits: 231 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Hentai | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 08.02.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.4K | Visits: 231 | Status: Completed
I don't own Sailor Moon, Takeuchi Naoko does. I don't Own Inu Yasha either (Unless you count my DVD collection as ownership), that honor belongs to Rumiko Takehashi. Anyone they don't own but show up in this story, I do own unless otherwise claimed. Please ask before borrowing them.
Cry of the Wolf
Part fourteen: Ballroom Blitz
by
Lance the Flamesniper
As has been mentioned before, Ookami youkai like to dance and had many festivals. These served many purposes from keeping the pack relaxed to allowing for socializing between both packs and potential mates. For someone like Kouga, who already had naturally good footwork, dancing was merely an extension of that...once Kagome had taught him the basics of ballroom dancing of course.
Haruka's stunt with Rei had caused a small, but not really bad, incident for Kouga. Dancing with one's fiancée isn't bad per se, but when you have six... decorum would follow that you must now dance with all of them. Though it didn't explain to anyone why Kouga, who was currently dancing with Setsuna, was doing so with his eyes closed. The other Senshi, as well as several envious courtesans, Taijya and guards (surprisingly there were more than usual of Taijya and guards though none of the courtesans asked why) who attended these dances, had to admit that the wolf made a fine pairing to any Senshi. Setsuna's dance ended in with a low dip and an unseen smile to her partner. Kouga for his part nodded then waited for the next partner.
Rei, thanks to Haruka, had gone first. Michiru, mostly to irk Haruka, took the next dance. Minako, seeing a chance to woo the studly wolf, seized the third dance. Setsuna had gone fourth, after winning a round of jan ken pon to earn it. Though all the dances after Rei's, Kouga kept his eyes closed and used his own wolven senses to keep himself and his dance partner from crashing into people while dancing.
"What's he doing?" Miroku asked of Kagome.
"Why are you asking me?" Kagome fired back.
"Well you are a Miko."
"Yeah and you're a monk married to a demon slayer."
"You're also his best friend," Miroku finished ignoring the point scored on him.
"True enough I suppose. I have no idea what he's doing really. Maybe he's keeping his eyes closed so he doesn't choose one based purely on sex appeal."
"That makes sense," Inu Yasha added in. "The wimpy wolf thinks with his heart not with things lower like a certain bouzou we know."
----------
Kouga for his part allowed himself a small smile at overhearing the others speculating at what he's doing. In truth if they'd asked him, which would have been difficult since he was currently in the middle of the dance floor with Ami, he would have been hard pressed to answer. The answer was as straightforward as person himself: Kouga was listening to his heart and his instincts. If anything would lead him to the woman fate wished to replace Ayame with, if such a woman existed, it would be that.
For Ami this was a moment that was almost perfect. From what she'd observed Kouga was proving to be an excellent dancer. While she knew that it could all be her own insecurities she was curious about why his eyes were closed as well. Unlike other people she knew what would be needed to get an answer. To get answers you need to ask questions.
"Uhm Kouga?" Ami asked tentatively as they moved to the music of a slow waltz.
"Yes Ami?" Kouga answered.
"Why are you dancing with your eyes closed?"
"So many reasons. With my eyes closed, I can focus on other things. The way I'm feeling, the feel of the person I'm dancing with, the sounds of music blending with music of life..."
"Music of life?"
"I don't have a better way of explaining it. It's just something that's there."
Ami closed her eyes and listened. "I don't hear anything."
Kouga chuckled as he twirled and slip-stepped past another couple on the floor. "It took me a long time to hear it. The trick is that you have to close your eyes and quiet your mind in order to find it. The music of life guides all things, from the birth of a star, to the birth of romance."
Ami nodded all the while blushing at that last comment. It was definitely something she'd look into. All too quickly, if you asked her, their dance ended.
-------
Winona Wilks stared at the thing floating in the nutrient tank. Thanks to this tank whatever Naratomoe wanted to be made, would be fully grown in hours or days instead of months or years. Already the thing disturbed her.
Something about it made her want to grab a crossbow and shoot it...until she remembered that the crossbows were in the room where the Shiamyosho nested. Seeing what happened when someone got stung to death by them was enough to keep her out of there. Then again there really weren't any rooms she could go to that wasn't something out of a horrifically sadistic nightmare.
The thing she was watching was female, and at the moment physically five years old though aging fast. It had midnight black hair with streaks of silver in it. Atop this creature's head was a pair of slightly longer than expected black puppy-like ears also tipped with silver. On the occasion that this creature opened her eyes the were a disturbing blue-green.
"Dr. Wilks how is the project going?" Naratomoe asked.
"It's going well," Wilks responded trying very hard to ignore how or why her new lord's hands were covered in blood. Whatever Naratomoe did in his free time was something best never considered. "She should be fully grown by sunrise."
"Good," Naratomoe laughed as the doctor cringed. "Assuming our opponent survives the night she'll finish him...." And then the path to the ginzuisho will be clear, Naraku mentally added.
------------
Makoto didn't know how she ended up getting chosen to dance last. Somehow it seemed right though. She'd gotten to watch someone she knew to have a good heart and strong, natural grace as he danced. She felt as if she could, and had, watched him forever. She also could not deny the pangs of jealousy she felt when the others danced with him. Still now it was her turn. With that in mind she squared her shoulders straightened her back and purposefully walked toward the waiting ookami, who still had his eyes closed.
Kouga waited in anticipation for his next dance partner. There was only one left after all, unless of course her Majesty deigned to ask for a dance. Dances in a time of crisis served the same purpose as they did in times of peace: they gathered parties together and allowed for alliances, or "acquaintances" as the aristocrats would say to form. Of course they were also the place where wealthy families gathered to discuss the joining of clans. That was very common among his pack. Before his mind could dare to dwell on such mournful musings his senses were flooded with two conflicting scents. The first was the welcome scent of Orchids from the approaching Makoto. The other smell, was that of a baboon and clearly warned that danger was near. Furthermore the smell was accompanied by the sound of several people in light armor approaching. With a sigh he realized that what he had to assume were soldiers were now surrounding both himself and unfortunately Makoto.
"Seems our dance will have to be delayed," Kouga replied resignedly.
"What's going on here?" Makoto demanded angrily And I was so close too... She mentally complained.
The group of guards were lead by the master of arms, a man named Shunkaku Houkino. He was six foot nine, two hundred twenty pounds of bad tempered blue eyed blonde. He was clad in a the Crystal Palace's dress armor and had in his hands a spear. With him was eight of the toughest guards he could find. Though if you were to ask him, he would tell you that until thirty minutes ago he had no problem at all with Kouga. Then he found himself wanting to inflict massive amounts of pain on him.
"Can this wait, I was in the middle of something," Kouga growled irritably
"I'm afraid it can't," Shunkaku said dazedly. "Come with us quietly or we'll subdue you and take you with us."
"And just what is the charge?" Makoto asked angrily.
"There have been several slayings in the city since he arrived. We merely wished to ask him what if anything he knew about it."
"Sadly, I must decline to acquiesce to your request." Kouga replied, his eyes still closed.
"What the hell does that mean?" One of the guards asked.
"It means no," Kouga replied with a sneer as his hand came to rest on his sword. If this guy's possessed, I may need to exorcise him, but it's not going to be easy. Kouga added mentally.
"He's going for his weapon! Quickly! Guards! Restrain him!" Shunkaku intoned.
The guards moved forward tentatively only to find their path blocked by Makoto Kino.
"Lady Jupiter move aside," Shunkaku ordered.
"I won't move. Kouga hasn't done anything wrong! He's been at the side of at least one Senshi non-stop since he's got here!"
"She's been ensorcelled! Restrain her as well!" the commander responded and the guards surged forward.
"What's going on?" Rei asked as she came out of her state of stunned disbelief in time to see Makoto and Kouga beset upon by guards.
"Looks like the makings of a bar fight... without the bar," Haruka commented dryly.
"Shouldn't we try to break this up?" Minako asked. "Not that I'm not enjoying seeing Kouga move, but beating up guards doesn't seem like a good move."
"The sea is restless," Michiru responded.
"She's right," Rei intoned. "Something's wrong here... still we need to be ready."
"So we're not stepping in?" Hotaru asked.
"I think it best if we don't," Setsuna responded with a smirk. "After all the two seem to be having fun..."
_______
Serenity held up her hand, drawing the attention of the other guards in the room. "Stand down."
"But your majesty..." A guard began.
"Shunkaku is not thinking clearly. Allow Kouga to deal with this matter."
"Yes your majesty," The guards responded with a bow.
"Now my Senshi, get the guests out of here," Serenity intoned.
They did not have to be asked twice.
________
The first guard to reach Kouga found himself on the receiving end of a hard kick to the flank followed quickly by two more before Kouga seeming twirled into a handstand to unload two final kicks in the stunned guard's face. Not to be outdone Makoto blocked her attacker's attack with a high forearm block before kneeing the man three times in the stomach. With a quick twist, she deftly trapped the attacker's arm then used it to throw him. The next attacker also came at Makoto, though this time she found her arms restrained by of all people Kouga.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
Kouga glanced over his shoulder briefly then smirked, "Two for one special." With that, he lifted Makoto causing her feet to nail her attacker in the chin then flip to hit the one approaching Kouga in the chest with her heels. The second of this pair staggered back only to get a follow up back kick from the slightly dizzy Makoto. The man flew back hitting a nearby pillar before slumping down.
The last four eyed the two cautiously giving Kouga a chance to check on Makoto. Her dress was rumpled, her hair slightly disheveled and somewhere along the way she'd lost her shoes, but it was her face that stirred at the most primal parts of his mind. Her gaze was heavily lidded her features set and impassive, her stance was one that allowed her maximum movement while her hands were bent to look almost claw like. It gave her a very lupine countenance that sent a jolt through him. Unfortunately the guards picked that moment to attack.
With a nod the Senshi and the Wolf Prince also charged Kouga's speed allowing him to hit the closest guard, whom had taken the time to seize a sword. The speeding wolf leapt into the air bringing his legs up and around to connect with both sides of the guards head. The guard for his part stood there for a moment before collapsing into a heap.
Makoto fielded the next in line using her charge to add speed to her first punch. She quickly followed up with two knees to the stomach before planting her foot in the dazed man's stomach and with a quick motion fell back sending the man airborne.
The third of the still awake guards took the offensive as Kouga approached throwing an impressive pair of left handed jabs and straight right that caught Kouga square in the jaw. Unfortunately the guard's defense was sloppy and Kouga's responding right cross sent the hapless would be boxer sprawling. "Seriously... who trains these guys?"
"Not sure," Makoto responded as she irritably batted the last guards attempt at a kick aside and responded in kind with one to the inside of the man's knee, causing it to buckle slightly placing the man in perfect position for a roundhouse kick to knock him out. "Whoever it is needs to train them better... Kouga, look out!"
Kouga had just enough time to dodge the lunge of Houkino's spear. Kouga quickly drew his blade and held it in front of him in a classic sword fighter's stance. "Tell me, who are you really?"
The voice that came out sounded like glass and gravel being ground up. "I am Kagekokoro... and I shall be your executioner"
____________
Winona Wilks sighed as she adjusted her earplugs. They weren't actually hers, but the person they belonged to definitely would not mind her using them. Truth be told that particular Taijya wouldn't mind her using anything of hers, not any more anyway. She also tried not to think about exactly what that creepy young man, Kohaku, meant by that. Not that she couldn't guess, she just didn't want to think about the casual way her new employer dealt out death. Regardless with earplugs in place the Good (insane) doctor settled in for a peaceful, thanks to her new earplugs, night's sleep.
Had she known what was about to happen she would have stayed awake.
No sooner had Wilks gone to sleep than a breeze drifted into her lab. The breeze quickly materialized into the form of an elegant, almost courtesan, looking woman in an elegant kimono. The only thing cluing in that this woman wasn't human being her elfin ears and red eyes. Those eyes scanned the lab falling upon first Dr. Wilks then on her creation.
The creature in the tank looked physically about nineteen and was staring at her with lifeless blue-green eyes.
"My, my... the best traits of a wolf and a dog in one convenient package," Kagura replied. "How very interesting. And how very useful."
With no more words Kagura seemed to melt into mist and drift into the tank. The mist slowly merged into the body which seemed to jerk in the tank as the empty mind was quickly filled, one soulless eyes now filled with a sparkle of life and inside her new body Kagura laughed.
______
"Kagekokoro?" Rei asked, as she finished shifting into her Senshi form, the other Senshi had done the same.
"Sounds like Naraku's sent us a gift," Inu Yasha growled blithely.
"A being that possesses others?" Sailor Venus asked. "So why didn't it possess the King?"
Mercury sighed. "That does seem to be how it usually is..."
"Then you should find the change refreshing," Sango responded, all the while wishing she'd gone with her first instinct and worn her dress uniform. "Come on people! Everyone out!"
Most of the nobles at the dance didn't need to be asked twice. In fact most of the non-combatants wasted no time running for their lives.
Kouga meanwhile parried a strike from the possessed guardsmen's spear tip. So far this being was all offense. It was starting to irk Kouga. This guy's good. Far better than the guards he sent after me, Kouga thought as be jumped over a sweep with the haft of the spear. Seeing an opening Kouga attempted a straight thrust with his blade.
Kagekokoro's body twisted aside. Its goal was to kill Kouga, but if it were to allow Kouga to kill its possessed body, then that would be also as good. It could then leap to the body of someone else, perhaps even the Queen herself, and have the obstacle to its master executed. At the moment however, its mind needed to stay focused on his enemy.
Kouga had noticed a slight amount of distraction during the previous exchange and launched into a flurry of slashes causing his opponent to block high. Mid-assault Kouga quickly ducked a clumsy slash and used the momentum to sweep the large man off his feet. All the while waiting for his change to use his weapon's exorcism spell. All he had to do was find where Naraku's toy was hiding.
Shunkaku Houkino's body rolled onto his hands and knees allowing Kouga to see the faint outline of a shadowy spider-like form on his back. "Jupiter! Mars! Get ready! When you see the youkai I want you to attack it quickly, before it can possess a new being."
The two Senshi in question nodded as Kouga launched himself toward his enemy at his fastest speed. A few moments before impact Kouga drew his blade, adjusting his stride so he would connect with the flat of the enchanted weapon. The now glowing blade hit with an audible thunk. "Dispel!" Kouga called out.
Shunkaku screamed out as the shade-like youkai flew from his body. The youkai landed on the ground looking like a mix of cloud and scorpion, its glowing eyes frantically searching for a new host.
"Oh no you don't!" Sailor Mars snarled. "Flame Sniper!"
"Oak Evolution!" Added Jupiter.
The two attacks hit the cloudy demon causing it to scream in agony as it imploded.
"Well, that was interesting," Haruka said dryly.
"No kidding," Mumbled Rei.
Kouga meanwhile spotted a lone violin that had been left behind when the musicians and guests fled. In a deft movement he picked up the instrument and handed it to Michiru.
"What's this?" Michiru asked confusedly.
"Fair is fair Michiru-san. You others got to dance, Makoto did not. Would you please play for us?"
The smiles on the other senshi's face were all the encouragement the sea senshi needed. With no further word Michiru began to play a slow, romantic melody. Kouga gently took Makoto into his embrace, his eyes closed. The two moved through a slow box step.
For Kouga it was a moment he found he would treasure for all of his days. For Makoto it was the most memorable night of her life. For now, for them, it was enough.
TBC
Cry of the Wolf
Part fourteen: Ballroom Blitz
by
Lance the Flamesniper
As has been mentioned before, Ookami youkai like to dance and had many festivals. These served many purposes from keeping the pack relaxed to allowing for socializing between both packs and potential mates. For someone like Kouga, who already had naturally good footwork, dancing was merely an extension of that...once Kagome had taught him the basics of ballroom dancing of course.
Haruka's stunt with Rei had caused a small, but not really bad, incident for Kouga. Dancing with one's fiancée isn't bad per se, but when you have six... decorum would follow that you must now dance with all of them. Though it didn't explain to anyone why Kouga, who was currently dancing with Setsuna, was doing so with his eyes closed. The other Senshi, as well as several envious courtesans, Taijya and guards (surprisingly there were more than usual of Taijya and guards though none of the courtesans asked why) who attended these dances, had to admit that the wolf made a fine pairing to any Senshi. Setsuna's dance ended in with a low dip and an unseen smile to her partner. Kouga for his part nodded then waited for the next partner.
Rei, thanks to Haruka, had gone first. Michiru, mostly to irk Haruka, took the next dance. Minako, seeing a chance to woo the studly wolf, seized the third dance. Setsuna had gone fourth, after winning a round of jan ken pon to earn it. Though all the dances after Rei's, Kouga kept his eyes closed and used his own wolven senses to keep himself and his dance partner from crashing into people while dancing.
"What's he doing?" Miroku asked of Kagome.
"Why are you asking me?" Kagome fired back.
"Well you are a Miko."
"Yeah and you're a monk married to a demon slayer."
"You're also his best friend," Miroku finished ignoring the point scored on him.
"True enough I suppose. I have no idea what he's doing really. Maybe he's keeping his eyes closed so he doesn't choose one based purely on sex appeal."
"That makes sense," Inu Yasha added in. "The wimpy wolf thinks with his heart not with things lower like a certain bouzou we know."
----------
Kouga for his part allowed himself a small smile at overhearing the others speculating at what he's doing. In truth if they'd asked him, which would have been difficult since he was currently in the middle of the dance floor with Ami, he would have been hard pressed to answer. The answer was as straightforward as person himself: Kouga was listening to his heart and his instincts. If anything would lead him to the woman fate wished to replace Ayame with, if such a woman existed, it would be that.
For Ami this was a moment that was almost perfect. From what she'd observed Kouga was proving to be an excellent dancer. While she knew that it could all be her own insecurities she was curious about why his eyes were closed as well. Unlike other people she knew what would be needed to get an answer. To get answers you need to ask questions.
"Uhm Kouga?" Ami asked tentatively as they moved to the music of a slow waltz.
"Yes Ami?" Kouga answered.
"Why are you dancing with your eyes closed?"
"So many reasons. With my eyes closed, I can focus on other things. The way I'm feeling, the feel of the person I'm dancing with, the sounds of music blending with music of life..."
"Music of life?"
"I don't have a better way of explaining it. It's just something that's there."
Ami closed her eyes and listened. "I don't hear anything."
Kouga chuckled as he twirled and slip-stepped past another couple on the floor. "It took me a long time to hear it. The trick is that you have to close your eyes and quiet your mind in order to find it. The music of life guides all things, from the birth of a star, to the birth of romance."
Ami nodded all the while blushing at that last comment. It was definitely something she'd look into. All too quickly, if you asked her, their dance ended.
-------
Winona Wilks stared at the thing floating in the nutrient tank. Thanks to this tank whatever Naratomoe wanted to be made, would be fully grown in hours or days instead of months or years. Already the thing disturbed her.
Something about it made her want to grab a crossbow and shoot it...until she remembered that the crossbows were in the room where the Shiamyosho nested. Seeing what happened when someone got stung to death by them was enough to keep her out of there. Then again there really weren't any rooms she could go to that wasn't something out of a horrifically sadistic nightmare.
The thing she was watching was female, and at the moment physically five years old though aging fast. It had midnight black hair with streaks of silver in it. Atop this creature's head was a pair of slightly longer than expected black puppy-like ears also tipped with silver. On the occasion that this creature opened her eyes the were a disturbing blue-green.
"Dr. Wilks how is the project going?" Naratomoe asked.
"It's going well," Wilks responded trying very hard to ignore how or why her new lord's hands were covered in blood. Whatever Naratomoe did in his free time was something best never considered. "She should be fully grown by sunrise."
"Good," Naratomoe laughed as the doctor cringed. "Assuming our opponent survives the night she'll finish him...." And then the path to the ginzuisho will be clear, Naraku mentally added.
------------
Makoto didn't know how she ended up getting chosen to dance last. Somehow it seemed right though. She'd gotten to watch someone she knew to have a good heart and strong, natural grace as he danced. She felt as if she could, and had, watched him forever. She also could not deny the pangs of jealousy she felt when the others danced with him. Still now it was her turn. With that in mind she squared her shoulders straightened her back and purposefully walked toward the waiting ookami, who still had his eyes closed.
Kouga waited in anticipation for his next dance partner. There was only one left after all, unless of course her Majesty deigned to ask for a dance. Dances in a time of crisis served the same purpose as they did in times of peace: they gathered parties together and allowed for alliances, or "acquaintances" as the aristocrats would say to form. Of course they were also the place where wealthy families gathered to discuss the joining of clans. That was very common among his pack. Before his mind could dare to dwell on such mournful musings his senses were flooded with two conflicting scents. The first was the welcome scent of Orchids from the approaching Makoto. The other smell, was that of a baboon and clearly warned that danger was near. Furthermore the smell was accompanied by the sound of several people in light armor approaching. With a sigh he realized that what he had to assume were soldiers were now surrounding both himself and unfortunately Makoto.
"Seems our dance will have to be delayed," Kouga replied resignedly.
"What's going on here?" Makoto demanded angrily And I was so close too... She mentally complained.
The group of guards were lead by the master of arms, a man named Shunkaku Houkino. He was six foot nine, two hundred twenty pounds of bad tempered blue eyed blonde. He was clad in a the Crystal Palace's dress armor and had in his hands a spear. With him was eight of the toughest guards he could find. Though if you were to ask him, he would tell you that until thirty minutes ago he had no problem at all with Kouga. Then he found himself wanting to inflict massive amounts of pain on him.
"Can this wait, I was in the middle of something," Kouga growled irritably
"I'm afraid it can't," Shunkaku said dazedly. "Come with us quietly or we'll subdue you and take you with us."
"And just what is the charge?" Makoto asked angrily.
"There have been several slayings in the city since he arrived. We merely wished to ask him what if anything he knew about it."
"Sadly, I must decline to acquiesce to your request." Kouga replied, his eyes still closed.
"What the hell does that mean?" One of the guards asked.
"It means no," Kouga replied with a sneer as his hand came to rest on his sword. If this guy's possessed, I may need to exorcise him, but it's not going to be easy. Kouga added mentally.
"He's going for his weapon! Quickly! Guards! Restrain him!" Shunkaku intoned.
The guards moved forward tentatively only to find their path blocked by Makoto Kino.
"Lady Jupiter move aside," Shunkaku ordered.
"I won't move. Kouga hasn't done anything wrong! He's been at the side of at least one Senshi non-stop since he's got here!"
"She's been ensorcelled! Restrain her as well!" the commander responded and the guards surged forward.
"What's going on?" Rei asked as she came out of her state of stunned disbelief in time to see Makoto and Kouga beset upon by guards.
"Looks like the makings of a bar fight... without the bar," Haruka commented dryly.
"Shouldn't we try to break this up?" Minako asked. "Not that I'm not enjoying seeing Kouga move, but beating up guards doesn't seem like a good move."
"The sea is restless," Michiru responded.
"She's right," Rei intoned. "Something's wrong here... still we need to be ready."
"So we're not stepping in?" Hotaru asked.
"I think it best if we don't," Setsuna responded with a smirk. "After all the two seem to be having fun..."
_______
Serenity held up her hand, drawing the attention of the other guards in the room. "Stand down."
"But your majesty..." A guard began.
"Shunkaku is not thinking clearly. Allow Kouga to deal with this matter."
"Yes your majesty," The guards responded with a bow.
"Now my Senshi, get the guests out of here," Serenity intoned.
They did not have to be asked twice.
________
The first guard to reach Kouga found himself on the receiving end of a hard kick to the flank followed quickly by two more before Kouga seeming twirled into a handstand to unload two final kicks in the stunned guard's face. Not to be outdone Makoto blocked her attacker's attack with a high forearm block before kneeing the man three times in the stomach. With a quick twist, she deftly trapped the attacker's arm then used it to throw him. The next attacker also came at Makoto, though this time she found her arms restrained by of all people Kouga.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
Kouga glanced over his shoulder briefly then smirked, "Two for one special." With that, he lifted Makoto causing her feet to nail her attacker in the chin then flip to hit the one approaching Kouga in the chest with her heels. The second of this pair staggered back only to get a follow up back kick from the slightly dizzy Makoto. The man flew back hitting a nearby pillar before slumping down.
The last four eyed the two cautiously giving Kouga a chance to check on Makoto. Her dress was rumpled, her hair slightly disheveled and somewhere along the way she'd lost her shoes, but it was her face that stirred at the most primal parts of his mind. Her gaze was heavily lidded her features set and impassive, her stance was one that allowed her maximum movement while her hands were bent to look almost claw like. It gave her a very lupine countenance that sent a jolt through him. Unfortunately the guards picked that moment to attack.
With a nod the Senshi and the Wolf Prince also charged Kouga's speed allowing him to hit the closest guard, whom had taken the time to seize a sword. The speeding wolf leapt into the air bringing his legs up and around to connect with both sides of the guards head. The guard for his part stood there for a moment before collapsing into a heap.
Makoto fielded the next in line using her charge to add speed to her first punch. She quickly followed up with two knees to the stomach before planting her foot in the dazed man's stomach and with a quick motion fell back sending the man airborne.
The third of the still awake guards took the offensive as Kouga approached throwing an impressive pair of left handed jabs and straight right that caught Kouga square in the jaw. Unfortunately the guard's defense was sloppy and Kouga's responding right cross sent the hapless would be boxer sprawling. "Seriously... who trains these guys?"
"Not sure," Makoto responded as she irritably batted the last guards attempt at a kick aside and responded in kind with one to the inside of the man's knee, causing it to buckle slightly placing the man in perfect position for a roundhouse kick to knock him out. "Whoever it is needs to train them better... Kouga, look out!"
Kouga had just enough time to dodge the lunge of Houkino's spear. Kouga quickly drew his blade and held it in front of him in a classic sword fighter's stance. "Tell me, who are you really?"
The voice that came out sounded like glass and gravel being ground up. "I am Kagekokoro... and I shall be your executioner"
____________
Winona Wilks sighed as she adjusted her earplugs. They weren't actually hers, but the person they belonged to definitely would not mind her using them. Truth be told that particular Taijya wouldn't mind her using anything of hers, not any more anyway. She also tried not to think about exactly what that creepy young man, Kohaku, meant by that. Not that she couldn't guess, she just didn't want to think about the casual way her new employer dealt out death. Regardless with earplugs in place the Good (insane) doctor settled in for a peaceful, thanks to her new earplugs, night's sleep.
Had she known what was about to happen she would have stayed awake.
No sooner had Wilks gone to sleep than a breeze drifted into her lab. The breeze quickly materialized into the form of an elegant, almost courtesan, looking woman in an elegant kimono. The only thing cluing in that this woman wasn't human being her elfin ears and red eyes. Those eyes scanned the lab falling upon first Dr. Wilks then on her creation.
The creature in the tank looked physically about nineteen and was staring at her with lifeless blue-green eyes.
"My, my... the best traits of a wolf and a dog in one convenient package," Kagura replied. "How very interesting. And how very useful."
With no more words Kagura seemed to melt into mist and drift into the tank. The mist slowly merged into the body which seemed to jerk in the tank as the empty mind was quickly filled, one soulless eyes now filled with a sparkle of life and inside her new body Kagura laughed.
______
"Kagekokoro?" Rei asked, as she finished shifting into her Senshi form, the other Senshi had done the same.
"Sounds like Naraku's sent us a gift," Inu Yasha growled blithely.
"A being that possesses others?" Sailor Venus asked. "So why didn't it possess the King?"
Mercury sighed. "That does seem to be how it usually is..."
"Then you should find the change refreshing," Sango responded, all the while wishing she'd gone with her first instinct and worn her dress uniform. "Come on people! Everyone out!"
Most of the nobles at the dance didn't need to be asked twice. In fact most of the non-combatants wasted no time running for their lives.
Kouga meanwhile parried a strike from the possessed guardsmen's spear tip. So far this being was all offense. It was starting to irk Kouga. This guy's good. Far better than the guards he sent after me, Kouga thought as be jumped over a sweep with the haft of the spear. Seeing an opening Kouga attempted a straight thrust with his blade.
Kagekokoro's body twisted aside. Its goal was to kill Kouga, but if it were to allow Kouga to kill its possessed body, then that would be also as good. It could then leap to the body of someone else, perhaps even the Queen herself, and have the obstacle to its master executed. At the moment however, its mind needed to stay focused on his enemy.
Kouga had noticed a slight amount of distraction during the previous exchange and launched into a flurry of slashes causing his opponent to block high. Mid-assault Kouga quickly ducked a clumsy slash and used the momentum to sweep the large man off his feet. All the while waiting for his change to use his weapon's exorcism spell. All he had to do was find where Naraku's toy was hiding.
Shunkaku Houkino's body rolled onto his hands and knees allowing Kouga to see the faint outline of a shadowy spider-like form on his back. "Jupiter! Mars! Get ready! When you see the youkai I want you to attack it quickly, before it can possess a new being."
The two Senshi in question nodded as Kouga launched himself toward his enemy at his fastest speed. A few moments before impact Kouga drew his blade, adjusting his stride so he would connect with the flat of the enchanted weapon. The now glowing blade hit with an audible thunk. "Dispel!" Kouga called out.
Shunkaku screamed out as the shade-like youkai flew from his body. The youkai landed on the ground looking like a mix of cloud and scorpion, its glowing eyes frantically searching for a new host.
"Oh no you don't!" Sailor Mars snarled. "Flame Sniper!"
"Oak Evolution!" Added Jupiter.
The two attacks hit the cloudy demon causing it to scream in agony as it imploded.
"Well, that was interesting," Haruka said dryly.
"No kidding," Mumbled Rei.
Kouga meanwhile spotted a lone violin that had been left behind when the musicians and guests fled. In a deft movement he picked up the instrument and handed it to Michiru.
"What's this?" Michiru asked confusedly.
"Fair is fair Michiru-san. You others got to dance, Makoto did not. Would you please play for us?"
The smiles on the other senshi's face were all the encouragement the sea senshi needed. With no further word Michiru began to play a slow, romantic melody. Kouga gently took Makoto into his embrace, his eyes closed. The two moved through a slow box step.
For Kouga it was a moment he found he would treasure for all of his days. For Makoto it was the most memorable night of her life. For now, for them, it was enough.
TBC