InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Another Opens... ❯ The Betrayal ( Chapter 13 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Namiyo11 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Drama / Romance / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.27.2008 | Pages: 3 | Words: 2.7K | Visits: 194 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Drama / Romance / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 04.27.2008 | Pages: 3 | Words: 2.7K | Visits: 194 | Status: Completed
Chapter 13- The Betrayal
No, Inuyasha isn’t mine.
Recap: Kagome has a plan, but there’s a price. She has agreed to become Kouga’s mate. Totosai works, and the sword of Sesshomaru’s Mother is involved. What happens now? Read on!
“So. No Samiyousho have returned from the Keep,” Tohan merely shrugged as Hazumi told her what had set off Ayami’s latest bitching. She leaned against a railing overlooking what had been the Temple gardens, watching the Dokueki that slept there now, coiled and taking in the sun. The rest were outside the old walls, keeping watch. A barrier had risen around Sesshomaru’s Keep, several packs were seen leaving that had gone there after the quake, but nothing to suggest what the hanyou was up to. The Spring Panther sighed.
“What...do you think of this, Tohan?” she asked. Hazumi wasn’t overly thrilled at all this, maybe they’d erred. Ayami was here when she shouldn’t have been, they ought to have taken the sons now and restored the master. But there were other hints of trouble, ones she was mostly ignoring.
The wolf had the only amulet, the one once worn by the high monk of this place, the one that controlled their own charms and kept this accursed place from binding them. If they rose against her, she would kill them all, Tohan knew it, bind them to stillness and release her snakes to feed. Fools! Blinded by revenge fools! But her family. Tohan would have to think of something. The others still believed her when Ayami said it would be sweeter to collect them all first. But the winter Panther wasn’t fooled and with the insects everywhere, there was little chance to change their minds. Ayami had all but turned them, the bakas.
“I think that you have made our path, with our siblings, Hazumi. All we can do is walk it.”
Not that whatever Kagome planned would do much good. Tohan confidently expected her to come charging in like the others with the remaining enemies of the wolf in tow soon. Inu were so very predictable when they were fighting, after all. It was how they’d almost defeated Lord Sesshomaru last time the Clans had met in battle, and Inutaisho before him with the master. Charge in, and try to shred anything in the way.
Tohan was sure that the wolf would try to restore Naraku-and they if she did...her people would be his welcome home feast. At least the lesser members of the Tribe were home. Where they should have stayed.
***
A small Inu trotted slowly forward, Onjou was regretting ever being sent here...really.
He only could turn into a shibi, after all. Not much of a power. Even so, it was necessary he come here in this form, he could smell better in it and made his way forward openly, not attempting to conceal himself. A brown ear flicked. Yes. He was being watched. He changed into his human-like form, and stood in his armor. Onjou, on a hillside, waiting for something. The Samiyoushou, puzzled...swarmed around him. This wasn’t what was expected at all.
“I seek safe passage, and an audience with your mistress. I bear a message from the Lady of the Inu for Lady Ayami, and the sons of Inutaisho,” Onjou told them calmly. Hearing a soft buzzing, he merely waited.
***
“What?” Ayami frowned. The insect repeated the request.
“Bring me my new acquisitions...and we will grant this request,” she noted, amused. So. Kagome was being formal? Very well. So could she, Ayami decided. She dispatched Tohan to collect them as a little reminder of her place, and gave orders to her precious Dokueki, patrolling outside the Temple.
Soon enough, Tohan was again standing at the rope door to the cell. The prisoners had been seen to-but kept close.
“Well. It seems you were not forgotten after all. Come along. Someone is here for you,” she told them, parting the ropes and beckoning.
‘Kagome!’ Worry and relief filled Inuyasha. Worry for what was going on...was she here? As for Sesshomaru, he frowned slightly. He didn’t like this. Not at all. Even Kagome was not so foolish as to walk right in-was she? Granted, they had...
“A message?” Miroku asked. The Panther nodded.
“I do believe I said so, monk,” Tohan said. Ayami hadn’t specified silencing them-or not to bring Miroku. So, she did as she was told. Exactly as she was told.
They passed another cell, one holding a slack-jawed Inu. Kokuzoku. His eyes stared blindly ahead of him as he contemplated his choices...and Miroku and Inuyasha suppressed shivers at his face. Sesshomaru just walked by.
***
“Heel, my dear hounds. And the monk too! Surprising.” Ayami said, lounging back on her furs as she held the amulet again, forcing them to kneel on each side of her improvised throne. Miroku was made to sit on the floor by Sesshomaru.
“You will die,” Sesshomaru said, and she sat up, giving Tohan a hard look.
“They aren’t muzzled? Tohan...shame on you!” Ayami scowled, as the other Panthers stood to one side, amused. Their eldest sister did not take orders well, after all.
“You made no request, Ayami. Besides, their reactions might be interesting,” Tohan answered easily.
“Hm. Don’t be so inventive, it doesn’t suit you,” the wolf said, and nodded to Tohan’s brother Aki. “Please, bring him in,” she asked sweetly. He smirked and left. All three prisoners blinked. He? Er...not ‘she’ or ‘them’? Lord Sesshomaru looked impassive, but Inuyasha caught it. Packbond was a useful thing on occasion. That stoneface of his was an open book now. His brother was alarmed.
Onjou. Armored, standing tall, he walked in, barely glancing at the Inu, eyes on Ayami. He knelt. What the hell? Inuyasha remembered him from the Keep, and stared. Bowing from the waist, he spoke calmly, but it-took effort. This was the creature who had attacked his pack, hiding behind her Dokueki. He gathered himself. Much depended on him now...
“Ayami, once of the Wolf Tribes, Servant of Naraku of darkest memory. I bear greetings and words from my mistress, Kagome, Daughter of Inutaisho, Lady of the Clan Inu, Wielder of the Hamayami, once Guardian of the Shikon Jewel,” he said.
“Er...” looks were exchanged. Ayami sat upright at the words ‘Shikon Jewel’.
“Thank you?” she replied cautiously. Onjou bowed again.
“No greeting for us or your leaders, Inu?” the flame Panther taunted. The guard ignored her, looking only at Ayami.
“My my. Inu are sooo very formal! Do tell me what the bitch Kagome is up to, little guardsman! Don’t tell me she’s offering a formal challenge to get her Clan Lord and packsecond back? Why, that hasn’t been done in ages!” Ayami leaned forward, eyes bright. Onjou just frowned slightly, clearing his throat delicately as though she had done something embarrassing and he was overlooking it out of courtesy.
“Her Lords, my Lady? My Leaders?” the Inu lifted an eyebrow.
“Don’t play dumb! I’m amused, but my patience isn’t endless,” Ayami warned.
“I merely wish a clarification. You are referring to the sons of the great Inutaisho, Lady?”
“No, her other packmates! Honestly!”
“Ah,” a nod, “ I see. News has not reached you.”
“News?” Ayami pressed.
“Why...” Onjou looked into her eyes, “Lady Kagome is ruler of my Clan, by lawful claim.” There was silence. Then Ayami laughed.
“Of course she isn’t! Fool! I do not believe she thinks I will fall for that.”
Onjou removed a scroll from his breastplate.
“I daresay this will clarify matters. I am bidden to read this to you if you did not believe my statements/ With your permission?”
“Oh, please do!” she smiled and nodded. So he opened it, and began to read.
“-Ayami, servant of Naraku, once Daughter of the Wolf Tribes, greetings. It is summer, the quake has left much damage, but I hope all is well with your people. I, Kagome, Lady of the Inu, do hereby state I have no personal quarrel with you. On the contrary, I wish you good fortune and health. However, differences remain between us. By sheltering the traitor Kokuzoku, you leave my just punishment undone, with a traitor unable to pay as his pack will. I must insist you and your allies are barred from Inu territory as a result of that choice. Should your Dokueki be seen again on my lands, I will have to take measures I wish to avoid. But I do thank you for handing me two Clans. Between myself and my fiance, Kouga, we will control the plains of Musashi and likely beyond after we wed, and I have you to thank.-” Ayami’s eyes widened. But Onjou’s eyes skipped ahead and he winced. She hadn‘t had him read the contents first...oh my.
“Two Clans...?” she said blankly.
“-As for the two jerks you are holding as hostages,-” Onjou glanced up to look at them, “My apologies, Lord Sesshomaru, Lord Inuyasha, these are her words, and I am charged to read them all. I fear it grows more insulting,” this aside delivered, he continued, “-forget it. I don’t want them back. They can rot there for all I care. Tell that overgrown shibi Sesshomaru and his pathetic, mangy excuse for a brother thanks for nothing, you abandoning baka children of unwed parents-” Onjou looked up again.
“Children of...” Ayami began, and trailed off.
“Er...that is exactly how she wrote it.” She couldn’t even write bastard, they realized. Tohan looked bemused. Putting such insults to writing was rather unexpected.
“I continue. -Sesshomaru, you blackmailed me, used me, and forced me to do your dirty work for months and put up with your endless ego, you prideful rat. Now you know how your Father felt, I think, and I have no intention of following his example as you did. Inuyasha, you abandoned me after three miserable years jewelhunting, kidnapped me, held me hostage, and bit me during some very dull lovemaking, which even Houjou would’ve been better at, by the way- ah. Forgive, my Lord Inuyasha,” Onjou blushed as Inuyasha gasped, his fangs baring involuntarily.
“Houjou?” Hazumi whispered to Tohan, fascinated. The winter youkai waved her to silence.
“-and dumped me at the first sign of trouble in our marriage. No wedding, no reception or anything! Rat. Anyways, I found a real man, the one I ought to have been with all along, I suppose. Both of you can go to heck. I was told pack meant you were family, but family doesn’t do this to each other! I don’t need overprotective, stupid, ignorant, stubborn, pigheaded Inutaisho ruining my life anymore. I intend to emulate Penelope, so deal with it. It’s been a slice. Higurashi Kagome, Lady of the Clan Inu, Wielder of the Hamayami, Daughter of Inutaisho, former Guardian of the Sacred Jewel of Four Souls-” he finished, and rolled it up as Ayami rested her chin on her hand.
“Hm.” A slow blink as she glanced at a staring off into space Inuyasha-and a still as stone Sesshomaru. Holding out her hand, Onjou gave her the letter that she scanned and sniffed. Kagome had written it alright. “So. She bars me from her territory...for keeping the Inu? Just the one Inu,” she asked, lifting a single finger thoughtfully.
“Yes, my Lady.”
“Explain this. All of it!” she demanded, uncoiling from her seat and glaring.
“Well...I cannot. I am only my Lady’s servant. Is there a return message?”
“Ah-” Ayami glared at the Inutaisho. She sniffed...they were outraged? The hanyou was actually shaking, restraints or no. She studied Sesshomaru, and was half-tempted to let him go to see what horrible thing he’d do to her after this public humiliation! Shocking. “What did you do to that girl?” she demanded.
“What she wrote, Ayami. All of it,” Miroku answered her, making both Inu look at him along with everyone else. “They have both treated her shamefully,” he noted, sighing. Nothing of Sango there...not a word.
“I don’t believe this!” Ayami sat, and looked at Onjou. “No return message. You may go, messenger. I’ve no use for you now,” she waved-and he left briskly. Ayami just shook her head in utter bafflement. “Now what am I going to do?” she asked the air. After this, Kagome could no more allow the Inu to live than she could fly. They’d kill her for the insults alone, not to mention repudiating the packbonds and the bonds of honor. Kouga. She and Kouga!! Her place...her proper place...once...no. No no no!
Ayami realized she was yelling no, and stopped, hands clenching.
“Why, hand them over to us, of course,” Natsu, the fire Panther, piped up cheerfully. Ayami studied her as she continued happily. “We’ll raise the master now. Such faithless hounds as these, that can’t even keep an ex-mortal wench in line don’t deserve to live,” she laughed along with Aki and Hazumi.
“Not yet,” Tohan replied before Ayami did. “Am I right?” she asked the wolf, who smiled brightly to cover her dismay.
“This time? Yes. If she won’t come to us, why-we go to her,” Ayami’s hands shook as she ordered them taken away.
***
Yotogi, meanwhile, was nodding as he heard out a ragged, scrawny looking excuse for a youkai. A Lynx, hunted down by his lesser brethren...
“Tell me more.”
“There is no more. Our histories spoke of it...but those are lost now,” the Lynx looked into a distance only he could see.
“I see. Is there no one else?”
“Else?” he looked blank. “The Elders are dead. There are no others I have found...I do not know. The children were sent away...perhaps they live still, I do not know where.” Yotogi’s eyes were soft with sympathy. Poor bastard, so many of them gone...he would continue to look, though.
Author’s Notes- Ah. Kagome’s a bit upset. The Panther’s names? Tohan is the only named one I could find, so I selected ones for each of the rest. Hazumi-Spring (The flower wearing girl) , Aki-Autumn (The big guy) , Natsu-Summer (The fire girl) I had a hard time picking which season fire girl and the guy belonged to, really, but here they are. I hope you enjoyed this! Also, a big clue to the plot is in the letter itself, if you know classical literature. The letter was interesting from a punctuation standpoint. I never wrote someone reading our a letter before, I hope it reads well. If not, please let me know. Thanks for Reading!-Namiyo
No, Inuyasha isn’t mine.
Recap: Kagome has a plan, but there’s a price. She has agreed to become Kouga’s mate. Totosai works, and the sword of Sesshomaru’s Mother is involved. What happens now? Read on!
“So. No Samiyousho have returned from the Keep,” Tohan merely shrugged as Hazumi told her what had set off Ayami’s latest bitching. She leaned against a railing overlooking what had been the Temple gardens, watching the Dokueki that slept there now, coiled and taking in the sun. The rest were outside the old walls, keeping watch. A barrier had risen around Sesshomaru’s Keep, several packs were seen leaving that had gone there after the quake, but nothing to suggest what the hanyou was up to. The Spring Panther sighed.
“What...do you think of this, Tohan?” she asked. Hazumi wasn’t overly thrilled at all this, maybe they’d erred. Ayami was here when she shouldn’t have been, they ought to have taken the sons now and restored the master. But there were other hints of trouble, ones she was mostly ignoring.
The wolf had the only amulet, the one once worn by the high monk of this place, the one that controlled their own charms and kept this accursed place from binding them. If they rose against her, she would kill them all, Tohan knew it, bind them to stillness and release her snakes to feed. Fools! Blinded by revenge fools! But her family. Tohan would have to think of something. The others still believed her when Ayami said it would be sweeter to collect them all first. But the winter Panther wasn’t fooled and with the insects everywhere, there was little chance to change their minds. Ayami had all but turned them, the bakas.
“I think that you have made our path, with our siblings, Hazumi. All we can do is walk it.”
Not that whatever Kagome planned would do much good. Tohan confidently expected her to come charging in like the others with the remaining enemies of the wolf in tow soon. Inu were so very predictable when they were fighting, after all. It was how they’d almost defeated Lord Sesshomaru last time the Clans had met in battle, and Inutaisho before him with the master. Charge in, and try to shred anything in the way.
Tohan was sure that the wolf would try to restore Naraku-and they if she did...her people would be his welcome home feast. At least the lesser members of the Tribe were home. Where they should have stayed.
***
A small Inu trotted slowly forward, Onjou was regretting ever being sent here...really.
He only could turn into a shibi, after all. Not much of a power. Even so, it was necessary he come here in this form, he could smell better in it and made his way forward openly, not attempting to conceal himself. A brown ear flicked. Yes. He was being watched. He changed into his human-like form, and stood in his armor. Onjou, on a hillside, waiting for something. The Samiyoushou, puzzled...swarmed around him. This wasn’t what was expected at all.
“I seek safe passage, and an audience with your mistress. I bear a message from the Lady of the Inu for Lady Ayami, and the sons of Inutaisho,” Onjou told them calmly. Hearing a soft buzzing, he merely waited.
***
“What?” Ayami frowned. The insect repeated the request.
“Bring me my new acquisitions...and we will grant this request,” she noted, amused. So. Kagome was being formal? Very well. So could she, Ayami decided. She dispatched Tohan to collect them as a little reminder of her place, and gave orders to her precious Dokueki, patrolling outside the Temple.
Soon enough, Tohan was again standing at the rope door to the cell. The prisoners had been seen to-but kept close.
“Well. It seems you were not forgotten after all. Come along. Someone is here for you,” she told them, parting the ropes and beckoning.
‘Kagome!’ Worry and relief filled Inuyasha. Worry for what was going on...was she here? As for Sesshomaru, he frowned slightly. He didn’t like this. Not at all. Even Kagome was not so foolish as to walk right in-was she? Granted, they had...
“A message?” Miroku asked. The Panther nodded.
“I do believe I said so, monk,” Tohan said. Ayami hadn’t specified silencing them-or not to bring Miroku. So, she did as she was told. Exactly as she was told.
They passed another cell, one holding a slack-jawed Inu. Kokuzoku. His eyes stared blindly ahead of him as he contemplated his choices...and Miroku and Inuyasha suppressed shivers at his face. Sesshomaru just walked by.
***
“Heel, my dear hounds. And the monk too! Surprising.” Ayami said, lounging back on her furs as she held the amulet again, forcing them to kneel on each side of her improvised throne. Miroku was made to sit on the floor by Sesshomaru.
“You will die,” Sesshomaru said, and she sat up, giving Tohan a hard look.
“They aren’t muzzled? Tohan...shame on you!” Ayami scowled, as the other Panthers stood to one side, amused. Their eldest sister did not take orders well, after all.
“You made no request, Ayami. Besides, their reactions might be interesting,” Tohan answered easily.
“Hm. Don’t be so inventive, it doesn’t suit you,” the wolf said, and nodded to Tohan’s brother Aki. “Please, bring him in,” she asked sweetly. He smirked and left. All three prisoners blinked. He? Er...not ‘she’ or ‘them’? Lord Sesshomaru looked impassive, but Inuyasha caught it. Packbond was a useful thing on occasion. That stoneface of his was an open book now. His brother was alarmed.
Onjou. Armored, standing tall, he walked in, barely glancing at the Inu, eyes on Ayami. He knelt. What the hell? Inuyasha remembered him from the Keep, and stared. Bowing from the waist, he spoke calmly, but it-took effort. This was the creature who had attacked his pack, hiding behind her Dokueki. He gathered himself. Much depended on him now...
“Ayami, once of the Wolf Tribes, Servant of Naraku of darkest memory. I bear greetings and words from my mistress, Kagome, Daughter of Inutaisho, Lady of the Clan Inu, Wielder of the Hamayami, once Guardian of the Shikon Jewel,” he said.
“Er...” looks were exchanged. Ayami sat upright at the words ‘Shikon Jewel’.
“Thank you?” she replied cautiously. Onjou bowed again.
“No greeting for us or your leaders, Inu?” the flame Panther taunted. The guard ignored her, looking only at Ayami.
“My my. Inu are sooo very formal! Do tell me what the bitch Kagome is up to, little guardsman! Don’t tell me she’s offering a formal challenge to get her Clan Lord and packsecond back? Why, that hasn’t been done in ages!” Ayami leaned forward, eyes bright. Onjou just frowned slightly, clearing his throat delicately as though she had done something embarrassing and he was overlooking it out of courtesy.
“Her Lords, my Lady? My Leaders?” the Inu lifted an eyebrow.
“Don’t play dumb! I’m amused, but my patience isn’t endless,” Ayami warned.
“I merely wish a clarification. You are referring to the sons of the great Inutaisho, Lady?”
“No, her other packmates! Honestly!”
“Ah,” a nod, “ I see. News has not reached you.”
“News?” Ayami pressed.
“Why...” Onjou looked into her eyes, “Lady Kagome is ruler of my Clan, by lawful claim.” There was silence. Then Ayami laughed.
“Of course she isn’t! Fool! I do not believe she thinks I will fall for that.”
Onjou removed a scroll from his breastplate.
“I daresay this will clarify matters. I am bidden to read this to you if you did not believe my statements/ With your permission?”
“Oh, please do!” she smiled and nodded. So he opened it, and began to read.
“-Ayami, servant of Naraku, once Daughter of the Wolf Tribes, greetings. It is summer, the quake has left much damage, but I hope all is well with your people. I, Kagome, Lady of the Inu, do hereby state I have no personal quarrel with you. On the contrary, I wish you good fortune and health. However, differences remain between us. By sheltering the traitor Kokuzoku, you leave my just punishment undone, with a traitor unable to pay as his pack will. I must insist you and your allies are barred from Inu territory as a result of that choice. Should your Dokueki be seen again on my lands, I will have to take measures I wish to avoid. But I do thank you for handing me two Clans. Between myself and my fiance, Kouga, we will control the plains of Musashi and likely beyond after we wed, and I have you to thank.-” Ayami’s eyes widened. But Onjou’s eyes skipped ahead and he winced. She hadn‘t had him read the contents first...oh my.
“Two Clans...?” she said blankly.
“-As for the two jerks you are holding as hostages,-” Onjou glanced up to look at them, “My apologies, Lord Sesshomaru, Lord Inuyasha, these are her words, and I am charged to read them all. I fear it grows more insulting,” this aside delivered, he continued, “-forget it. I don’t want them back. They can rot there for all I care. Tell that overgrown shibi Sesshomaru and his pathetic, mangy excuse for a brother thanks for nothing, you abandoning baka children of unwed parents-” Onjou looked up again.
“Children of...” Ayami began, and trailed off.
“Er...that is exactly how she wrote it.” She couldn’t even write bastard, they realized. Tohan looked bemused. Putting such insults to writing was rather unexpected.
“I continue. -Sesshomaru, you blackmailed me, used me, and forced me to do your dirty work for months and put up with your endless ego, you prideful rat. Now you know how your Father felt, I think, and I have no intention of following his example as you did. Inuyasha, you abandoned me after three miserable years jewelhunting, kidnapped me, held me hostage, and bit me during some very dull lovemaking, which even Houjou would’ve been better at, by the way- ah. Forgive, my Lord Inuyasha,” Onjou blushed as Inuyasha gasped, his fangs baring involuntarily.
“Houjou?” Hazumi whispered to Tohan, fascinated. The winter youkai waved her to silence.
“-and dumped me at the first sign of trouble in our marriage. No wedding, no reception or anything! Rat. Anyways, I found a real man, the one I ought to have been with all along, I suppose. Both of you can go to heck. I was told pack meant you were family, but family doesn’t do this to each other! I don’t need overprotective, stupid, ignorant, stubborn, pigheaded Inutaisho ruining my life anymore. I intend to emulate Penelope, so deal with it. It’s been a slice. Higurashi Kagome, Lady of the Clan Inu, Wielder of the Hamayami, Daughter of Inutaisho, former Guardian of the Sacred Jewel of Four Souls-” he finished, and rolled it up as Ayami rested her chin on her hand.
“Hm.” A slow blink as she glanced at a staring off into space Inuyasha-and a still as stone Sesshomaru. Holding out her hand, Onjou gave her the letter that she scanned and sniffed. Kagome had written it alright. “So. She bars me from her territory...for keeping the Inu? Just the one Inu,” she asked, lifting a single finger thoughtfully.
“Yes, my Lady.”
“Explain this. All of it!” she demanded, uncoiling from her seat and glaring.
“Well...I cannot. I am only my Lady’s servant. Is there a return message?”
“Ah-” Ayami glared at the Inutaisho. She sniffed...they were outraged? The hanyou was actually shaking, restraints or no. She studied Sesshomaru, and was half-tempted to let him go to see what horrible thing he’d do to her after this public humiliation! Shocking. “What did you do to that girl?” she demanded.
“What she wrote, Ayami. All of it,” Miroku answered her, making both Inu look at him along with everyone else. “They have both treated her shamefully,” he noted, sighing. Nothing of Sango there...not a word.
“I don’t believe this!” Ayami sat, and looked at Onjou. “No return message. You may go, messenger. I’ve no use for you now,” she waved-and he left briskly. Ayami just shook her head in utter bafflement. “Now what am I going to do?” she asked the air. After this, Kagome could no more allow the Inu to live than she could fly. They’d kill her for the insults alone, not to mention repudiating the packbonds and the bonds of honor. Kouga. She and Kouga!! Her place...her proper place...once...no. No no no!
Ayami realized she was yelling no, and stopped, hands clenching.
“Why, hand them over to us, of course,” Natsu, the fire Panther, piped up cheerfully. Ayami studied her as she continued happily. “We’ll raise the master now. Such faithless hounds as these, that can’t even keep an ex-mortal wench in line don’t deserve to live,” she laughed along with Aki and Hazumi.
“Not yet,” Tohan replied before Ayami did. “Am I right?” she asked the wolf, who smiled brightly to cover her dismay.
“This time? Yes. If she won’t come to us, why-we go to her,” Ayami’s hands shook as she ordered them taken away.
***
Yotogi, meanwhile, was nodding as he heard out a ragged, scrawny looking excuse for a youkai. A Lynx, hunted down by his lesser brethren...
“Tell me more.”
“There is no more. Our histories spoke of it...but those are lost now,” the Lynx looked into a distance only he could see.
“I see. Is there no one else?”
“Else?” he looked blank. “The Elders are dead. There are no others I have found...I do not know. The children were sent away...perhaps they live still, I do not know where.” Yotogi’s eyes were soft with sympathy. Poor bastard, so many of them gone...he would continue to look, though.
Author’s Notes- Ah. Kagome’s a bit upset. The Panther’s names? Tohan is the only named one I could find, so I selected ones for each of the rest. Hazumi-Spring (The flower wearing girl) , Aki-Autumn (The big guy) , Natsu-Summer (The fire girl) I had a hard time picking which season fire girl and the guy belonged to, really, but here they are. I hope you enjoyed this! Also, a big clue to the plot is in the letter itself, if you know classical literature. The letter was interesting from a punctuation standpoint. I never wrote someone reading our a letter before, I hope it reads well. If not, please let me know. Thanks for Reading!-Namiyo