InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Another Opens... ❯ The Battle part 2 ( Chapter 16 )
[ 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: 2.6K | Visits: 196 | 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: 2.6K | Visits: 196 | Status: Completed
Chapter 16-The Battle, part 2
No, Inuyasha isn’t mine.
Recap: Sango’s let herself be captured, and events move fast. Kagome has gone with Kouga to take out Kokuzoku’s pack...what happens now? Read on!
“Well. There they are,” Kagome noted, sitting Ah-uhn lightly as she viewed the packholding spread out before them. It was a manor, well walled and defended. Fields surrounded it, and it looked peaceful, even so close to the Panther tribe territories. She noted, though...no human habitations anywhere nearby. That was unusual these days...they must have driven them all out. It would fit Kokuzoku’s attitudes.
“Looks like. How do you plan to take them?” Kouga asked curiously as she glanced over her shoulder at him, fingering Tetsusaiga’s hilt.
This had to be seen to, for more than one reason, but the easy way Kouga viewed this repelled her. Kokuzoku’s pack had, as a whole, joined him in his treason, his packmates had stolen Rin, attacked Sango and Miroku, and betrayed their trust of service to the Keep and her own pack. They all had to pay for it, and yes, it was necessary to reduce the place and scatter the soon to be exiled survivors, but Kagome didn’t enjoy the thought of breaking them. Kouga, on the other hand, had his arms around her waist and-yes, he was eager.
“Simple enough,” Kagome dropped a signal. The guard formed up out of bowshot as she directed Ah-uhn to land. Kouga slipped off and helped her down, using the excuse to keep his hands on her. She walked past him, standing in front of the gates.
“Come no farther!”
“Open up, and submit to lawful judgment! Or I will destroy you all!” she yelled, and there was derisive laughter. Glancing at the guards, she sighed as they grimly waited for her signal. Maybe...but no.
“We are ready to stand siege! Go home, little half-blood, we take no orders from your sort!” an iron voiced youkai pronounced mockingly. Kagome drew Tetsusaiga, the blade transforming.
“I warned them,” she said grimly, lifting it as screams echoed from the walls at the sight.
Behind her, the guard’s fangs bared in anticipation. Two seconds later, there was no gate anymore...and she was the first one through, her loyal ones behind her and Kouga at her side. It didn’t take long, not with the Swords...not when the Hamayami on her back held her blood in check, allowing Tetsusaiga to use all of its force in battle as it had for Inutaisho. Poor Inuyasha-he really did have a smaller Kaze no Kizu than his father or brother because the sword had to expend so much energy to bind his youkai.
A weary Kagome winced later, sitting and leaning against the two-headed dragon’s warm side watching the manor burn from the distance. Kouga, she saw, was hovering again. Just as Inuyasha had...if only she’d known why back then, that it was the behavior of a suitor towards a prospective mate, common to canine youkai. Of course, she wasn’t sure how she would’ve taken it if she had.
“Here. Drink something, you mustn’t let yourself get too thirsty after a battle,” Kouga urged. A bottle of water was passed to her, and she drank deeply.
“Thanks,” she sighed.
“So. What now?” Kouga asked, scowling when the dragon would not permit him to sit next to Kagome. She patted them fondly though. Both heads were agreed-they did not like this one so close to her anymore than the hanyou herself did.
“Simple. Next on the list. Yotogi. He left as soon as he heard, remember? His lands are yours now...” she said mildly, adding, “so long as you can keep them. Your tribe-they’ve moved in, correct?”
“Yep. The passes are secured. Rich land, once the quake damage is gone, it’ll make a fine hunting range for some of the packs. Our packs,” He smiled in a feral grin. He owed Yotogi.
“I see.”
“Will you take them down like these idiots, or just him?”
“If they submit, I won‘t kill any of them,” Kagome answered. “If they don’t move off the lands, though...Kouga, this could be an opportunity. From what I understand, he’s encamped with his pack at the Lynx border-” she began, and explained. She wanted to use his fighters to beard Yotogi? Fair enough, the wolf decided. Kagome was right, it would serve as a lesson to the rest that the wolves were strong enough to overpower them. Besides, Yotogi had caused a lot of trouble for him, interfering in his love life!
Kagome, however, had a different end in mind to their journey. Someone had to deal with all the Dokueki, and her beloved Clan weren’t going to be the ones to do it. The set the guards to mop up and ordered them to secure the territory while they went and saw to matters. Soon, they mounted Ah-uhn and left.
***
It took time to reach the region, even for them. Quake damage was visible, and she sighed at the sight of a ruined packholding on a hilltop in the distance. Yotogi’s beloved home...it would cost a fortune to restore it. The wolves were encamped not far off.
Kagome held herself still when Kouga again let his hands roam a bit. Jerk. She may have said a lot of things in the letter she’d had delivered to Ayami to keep her off balance and help delay anything she might do to her packmates...but one thing was most definitely a lie. The only man who would ever touch her was Inuyasha. He pulled his hands away as a low, involuntary growl of rejection emerged from her.
Kouga put it down to tiredness as the sun began to set. At least they’d have enough daylight to strike them quickly as planned.
***
Shippo was scared. Very scared. He nonetheless cast his illusion, and sighed as he unwrapped a bundle not far off. Kagome’s old school uniform, what she’d been wearing the night Kouga had grabbed her-still impressed with her scent. He made sure to drape it around himself as best as he could as he moved along the border of the Lynx territories...and was soon rewarded.
Between the ofuda charged by a powerful high monk and his own fox magic, the charm he’d first learned from a half-competent exorcist worked correctly. The Samiyousho saw nothing...because he was invisible. But the border Dokueki picked up the scent of an Inu and followed it. So he led them right towards the Inu border, and across it. Right towards the wolves, encamped exactly where Kagome had talked Kouga into placing them. The way to the Temple was open for now.
***
“Do you smell that?” Kagome asked, eyes wide as the wolves who decamped to hunt Yotogi’s people...caught it as well.
“Damn it!” Kouga yelled for them to form up, and she went for Ah-uhn. “Kagome! Where are you going?”
“Scouting on Ah-uhn! Safer, and we need to know how many! Get them ready, they’re coming!” Kagome called, and he answered as she hoped.
“Alright. Be careful, we’ll follow you!” he yelled, and she nodded. The dragon bore her into the air, and she headed right for the Dokueki scent. This would be tricky...
But the dragon skillfully dove into the prearranged grove. She slipped off and crouched, waiting...as Shippo skidded to a halt in front of her. She heard running feet...panting...and there was a poof.
“They’re coming!”
“I know. Shippo, I’m very proud of you!” Kagome told him, and he nodded, looking away as he passed her a pouch and her clothes.
“I’m not doing this to help Sesshomaru. Just you, Inuyasha, and Miroku and Sango,” he answered defiantly, and she sighed.
“I know. Let’s get changed,” Kagome answered grimly.
“Why did you have me bring your old clothes though?” Shippo asked.
“Because the fewer things with a youkai aura I carry, the easier it’ll be for them to keep me from being ensnared. That means no armor. Turn around, please,” she explained, and changed fast, rubbing the leaves from the pouch all over her skin and clothes. Besides...she’d worn it that night to seduce Inuyasha, or try to, and she had defeated some of their most powerful opponents in it. Kind of a good luck charm, really, even if it didn’t fit properly anymore. She yanked on the loafers, and winced as her toes were pinched. Her nose was full of the herbs she’d applied...to cover her scent.
“Alright, ready?” Shippo asked.
“Yes, just give me the leaf and the ofuda, and wrap yourself in my kimono,” she bundled her armor and troll clothes fast, leaving it out. The kitsune did as she asked, looking silly in her white and green troll hair.
“Now, Shippo, it’ll protect you some and it smells like me. But stay airborne on Ah-uhn, and make sure Kouga can’t get close or smell you. Trust them to watch your back. If your control starts to slip, get out of there and go to the Keep. Onjou and the others know to look for you and they’ll keep Kouga from getting you.” She rose, and settled her swords with a sash around her waist and shrugged her bowcase into place.
“I will. Kagome...be careful?” he asked, and there was a nod. She looked like old times. Her school uniform on her back, a bow in hand. But it was the Hamayami. Tenseiga and Tetsusaiga were stuck through her sash from her other outfit on her hip. She’d need them.
“Of course. I’m not a mortal anymore, Shippo. It’s a lot safer than the other times I went running after danger. I can defend myself a lot better, so don‘t worry. Besides,” a grin, “high time I got to do the rescuing!”
“Good luck,” Shippo nodded. He changed...and suddenly, two Kagomes were standing there. One in armor, one in a uniform, both hanyou. He mounted Au-uhn awkwardly, and she stuffed the bundle in the dragon’s saddlebags.
Then, the real Kagome placed the ofuda on her head, and Shippo slapped the leaf on it.
She vanished. He heard lightly running feet, and the leaves shifted as she passed them. The kitsune winced as Ah-uhn rose into the air...and he took her place. Kagome’s plan was clever, he’d give her that. Slip past the defenses, making everyone believe she was here, with Kouga...who she was using to keep Ayami’s guard serpents occupied. Sneak in, take down the ward points inside the Temple, known thanks to Kirara and Mushin-and they would be able to take down the Temple from the inside, and Ayami with it. Hopefully, with the element of surprise, she’d have no time to prepare a strong enough defense.
What shocked him was that Kagome was willing to sacrifice the wolves to open a path into the place, letting them face multiple Dokueki. Without her help. She hadn’t even asked how many had been drawn off, like she didn’t want to know. Shippo didn’t know that three had been deemed enough to take out a large Inu pack...only that there were six of them bearing down on the wolves.
***
Kagome ran. Choosing a line alongside the path the Dokueki had taken she ran as fast as she could. Nowadays...that was something. Leaping and darting, running till her side got a stitch and her breath came in sharp pants, she kept on. They didn’t know how long her invisibility spell would last, and she’d need every foot of approach it would buy her. The herbs with the gummy paste they’d been mixed in would stay all night at need.
She was far enough away not to hear as battle was engaged between Naraku’s pets and the wolf tribes. She had to get there soon. A glance at the wristwatch she wore still, after four years in the Feudal era...she had an hour or so before they began the shielding ritual. Everyone was in place, all she had to do was get there. Kagome picked up the pace.
***
“Archers!!” Kouga yelled, marshalling his forces, gaping at the destruction. Six of the bastards! He looked up and saw-Kagome on the damned dragon? Doing nothing?? “KAGOME! GET BUSY!” he yelled, and ran towards her...but Shippo had tarried too long, frozen in horror at something that he had never seen before. The Dokueki had never struck Kaede’s village. He was in shock, and that was nothing good for an illusion. Something was twitching behind him. A fox tail.
Kouga saw it.
Things came together. They were on open ground where Kagome had asked them to be. Where the snakes had full mobility, when they’d always tried to corner them in a canyon or on poor ground to take them before. Kagome had a tail...it wasn’t possible...but-she’d growled at him in rejection. Disbelief filled him...and fury, and shock. Kagome didn’t plan on allying with them...instead...
“FALL BACK! IT’S A TRAP!!” he yelled...far too late. Ah-uhn suddenly turned and shot higher, streaking as fast as they could for the Keep, and Kouga, trying to extricate some of his own from the trap, well. He let them go.
Youkai lived for mates...killed for mates...and died for them sometimes.
As Kagome would for her actions today. He knew with terrible certainty that he was going to kill her-and follow her to the other world when it was done. Wolves mated to only one for their lifetime, and he had already chosen Kagome. There was no other path to take, his own foolishness over her had led his people here, his blind trust of a woman trained by Sesshomaru. Trained by the one called the Aristocratic Assassin...who chose to reject him, betray him, and slay his own...
But first, he would free his people from her trap. Who he could, in any case...
Author’s notes-My first big scale combat sequence. Dang. Hard chapter! The invisibility spell is a reference to the ‘invisible demon’ episode, where a weak invisibility spell is used by Shippo and Sango. I figured if a real monk or Priestess were helping, it might work better. So, that’s the plan Kagome’s using! Will it work? Well...you’ll have to read. Update will be soonish. Thanks for reading as always!-Namiyo
No, Inuyasha isn’t mine.
Recap: Sango’s let herself be captured, and events move fast. Kagome has gone with Kouga to take out Kokuzoku’s pack...what happens now? Read on!
“Well. There they are,” Kagome noted, sitting Ah-uhn lightly as she viewed the packholding spread out before them. It was a manor, well walled and defended. Fields surrounded it, and it looked peaceful, even so close to the Panther tribe territories. She noted, though...no human habitations anywhere nearby. That was unusual these days...they must have driven them all out. It would fit Kokuzoku’s attitudes.
“Looks like. How do you plan to take them?” Kouga asked curiously as she glanced over her shoulder at him, fingering Tetsusaiga’s hilt.
This had to be seen to, for more than one reason, but the easy way Kouga viewed this repelled her. Kokuzoku’s pack had, as a whole, joined him in his treason, his packmates had stolen Rin, attacked Sango and Miroku, and betrayed their trust of service to the Keep and her own pack. They all had to pay for it, and yes, it was necessary to reduce the place and scatter the soon to be exiled survivors, but Kagome didn’t enjoy the thought of breaking them. Kouga, on the other hand, had his arms around her waist and-yes, he was eager.
“Simple enough,” Kagome dropped a signal. The guard formed up out of bowshot as she directed Ah-uhn to land. Kouga slipped off and helped her down, using the excuse to keep his hands on her. She walked past him, standing in front of the gates.
“Come no farther!”
“Open up, and submit to lawful judgment! Or I will destroy you all!” she yelled, and there was derisive laughter. Glancing at the guards, she sighed as they grimly waited for her signal. Maybe...but no.
“We are ready to stand siege! Go home, little half-blood, we take no orders from your sort!” an iron voiced youkai pronounced mockingly. Kagome drew Tetsusaiga, the blade transforming.
“I warned them,” she said grimly, lifting it as screams echoed from the walls at the sight.
Behind her, the guard’s fangs bared in anticipation. Two seconds later, there was no gate anymore...and she was the first one through, her loyal ones behind her and Kouga at her side. It didn’t take long, not with the Swords...not when the Hamayami on her back held her blood in check, allowing Tetsusaiga to use all of its force in battle as it had for Inutaisho. Poor Inuyasha-he really did have a smaller Kaze no Kizu than his father or brother because the sword had to expend so much energy to bind his youkai.
A weary Kagome winced later, sitting and leaning against the two-headed dragon’s warm side watching the manor burn from the distance. Kouga, she saw, was hovering again. Just as Inuyasha had...if only she’d known why back then, that it was the behavior of a suitor towards a prospective mate, common to canine youkai. Of course, she wasn’t sure how she would’ve taken it if she had.
“Here. Drink something, you mustn’t let yourself get too thirsty after a battle,” Kouga urged. A bottle of water was passed to her, and she drank deeply.
“Thanks,” she sighed.
“So. What now?” Kouga asked, scowling when the dragon would not permit him to sit next to Kagome. She patted them fondly though. Both heads were agreed-they did not like this one so close to her anymore than the hanyou herself did.
“Simple. Next on the list. Yotogi. He left as soon as he heard, remember? His lands are yours now...” she said mildly, adding, “so long as you can keep them. Your tribe-they’ve moved in, correct?”
“Yep. The passes are secured. Rich land, once the quake damage is gone, it’ll make a fine hunting range for some of the packs. Our packs,” He smiled in a feral grin. He owed Yotogi.
“I see.”
“Will you take them down like these idiots, or just him?”
“If they submit, I won‘t kill any of them,” Kagome answered. “If they don’t move off the lands, though...Kouga, this could be an opportunity. From what I understand, he’s encamped with his pack at the Lynx border-” she began, and explained. She wanted to use his fighters to beard Yotogi? Fair enough, the wolf decided. Kagome was right, it would serve as a lesson to the rest that the wolves were strong enough to overpower them. Besides, Yotogi had caused a lot of trouble for him, interfering in his love life!
Kagome, however, had a different end in mind to their journey. Someone had to deal with all the Dokueki, and her beloved Clan weren’t going to be the ones to do it. The set the guards to mop up and ordered them to secure the territory while they went and saw to matters. Soon, they mounted Ah-uhn and left.
***
It took time to reach the region, even for them. Quake damage was visible, and she sighed at the sight of a ruined packholding on a hilltop in the distance. Yotogi’s beloved home...it would cost a fortune to restore it. The wolves were encamped not far off.
Kagome held herself still when Kouga again let his hands roam a bit. Jerk. She may have said a lot of things in the letter she’d had delivered to Ayami to keep her off balance and help delay anything she might do to her packmates...but one thing was most definitely a lie. The only man who would ever touch her was Inuyasha. He pulled his hands away as a low, involuntary growl of rejection emerged from her.
Kouga put it down to tiredness as the sun began to set. At least they’d have enough daylight to strike them quickly as planned.
***
Shippo was scared. Very scared. He nonetheless cast his illusion, and sighed as he unwrapped a bundle not far off. Kagome’s old school uniform, what she’d been wearing the night Kouga had grabbed her-still impressed with her scent. He made sure to drape it around himself as best as he could as he moved along the border of the Lynx territories...and was soon rewarded.
Between the ofuda charged by a powerful high monk and his own fox magic, the charm he’d first learned from a half-competent exorcist worked correctly. The Samiyousho saw nothing...because he was invisible. But the border Dokueki picked up the scent of an Inu and followed it. So he led them right towards the Inu border, and across it. Right towards the wolves, encamped exactly where Kagome had talked Kouga into placing them. The way to the Temple was open for now.
***
“Do you smell that?” Kagome asked, eyes wide as the wolves who decamped to hunt Yotogi’s people...caught it as well.
“Damn it!” Kouga yelled for them to form up, and she went for Ah-uhn. “Kagome! Where are you going?”
“Scouting on Ah-uhn! Safer, and we need to know how many! Get them ready, they’re coming!” Kagome called, and he answered as she hoped.
“Alright. Be careful, we’ll follow you!” he yelled, and she nodded. The dragon bore her into the air, and she headed right for the Dokueki scent. This would be tricky...
But the dragon skillfully dove into the prearranged grove. She slipped off and crouched, waiting...as Shippo skidded to a halt in front of her. She heard running feet...panting...and there was a poof.
“They’re coming!”
“I know. Shippo, I’m very proud of you!” Kagome told him, and he nodded, looking away as he passed her a pouch and her clothes.
“I’m not doing this to help Sesshomaru. Just you, Inuyasha, and Miroku and Sango,” he answered defiantly, and she sighed.
“I know. Let’s get changed,” Kagome answered grimly.
“Why did you have me bring your old clothes though?” Shippo asked.
“Because the fewer things with a youkai aura I carry, the easier it’ll be for them to keep me from being ensnared. That means no armor. Turn around, please,” she explained, and changed fast, rubbing the leaves from the pouch all over her skin and clothes. Besides...she’d worn it that night to seduce Inuyasha, or try to, and she had defeated some of their most powerful opponents in it. Kind of a good luck charm, really, even if it didn’t fit properly anymore. She yanked on the loafers, and winced as her toes were pinched. Her nose was full of the herbs she’d applied...to cover her scent.
“Alright, ready?” Shippo asked.
“Yes, just give me the leaf and the ofuda, and wrap yourself in my kimono,” she bundled her armor and troll clothes fast, leaving it out. The kitsune did as she asked, looking silly in her white and green troll hair.
“Now, Shippo, it’ll protect you some and it smells like me. But stay airborne on Ah-uhn, and make sure Kouga can’t get close or smell you. Trust them to watch your back. If your control starts to slip, get out of there and go to the Keep. Onjou and the others know to look for you and they’ll keep Kouga from getting you.” She rose, and settled her swords with a sash around her waist and shrugged her bowcase into place.
“I will. Kagome...be careful?” he asked, and there was a nod. She looked like old times. Her school uniform on her back, a bow in hand. But it was the Hamayami. Tenseiga and Tetsusaiga were stuck through her sash from her other outfit on her hip. She’d need them.
“Of course. I’m not a mortal anymore, Shippo. It’s a lot safer than the other times I went running after danger. I can defend myself a lot better, so don‘t worry. Besides,” a grin, “high time I got to do the rescuing!”
“Good luck,” Shippo nodded. He changed...and suddenly, two Kagomes were standing there. One in armor, one in a uniform, both hanyou. He mounted Au-uhn awkwardly, and she stuffed the bundle in the dragon’s saddlebags.
Then, the real Kagome placed the ofuda on her head, and Shippo slapped the leaf on it.
She vanished. He heard lightly running feet, and the leaves shifted as she passed them. The kitsune winced as Ah-uhn rose into the air...and he took her place. Kagome’s plan was clever, he’d give her that. Slip past the defenses, making everyone believe she was here, with Kouga...who she was using to keep Ayami’s guard serpents occupied. Sneak in, take down the ward points inside the Temple, known thanks to Kirara and Mushin-and they would be able to take down the Temple from the inside, and Ayami with it. Hopefully, with the element of surprise, she’d have no time to prepare a strong enough defense.
What shocked him was that Kagome was willing to sacrifice the wolves to open a path into the place, letting them face multiple Dokueki. Without her help. She hadn’t even asked how many had been drawn off, like she didn’t want to know. Shippo didn’t know that three had been deemed enough to take out a large Inu pack...only that there were six of them bearing down on the wolves.
***
Kagome ran. Choosing a line alongside the path the Dokueki had taken she ran as fast as she could. Nowadays...that was something. Leaping and darting, running till her side got a stitch and her breath came in sharp pants, she kept on. They didn’t know how long her invisibility spell would last, and she’d need every foot of approach it would buy her. The herbs with the gummy paste they’d been mixed in would stay all night at need.
She was far enough away not to hear as battle was engaged between Naraku’s pets and the wolf tribes. She had to get there soon. A glance at the wristwatch she wore still, after four years in the Feudal era...she had an hour or so before they began the shielding ritual. Everyone was in place, all she had to do was get there. Kagome picked up the pace.
***
“Archers!!” Kouga yelled, marshalling his forces, gaping at the destruction. Six of the bastards! He looked up and saw-Kagome on the damned dragon? Doing nothing?? “KAGOME! GET BUSY!” he yelled, and ran towards her...but Shippo had tarried too long, frozen in horror at something that he had never seen before. The Dokueki had never struck Kaede’s village. He was in shock, and that was nothing good for an illusion. Something was twitching behind him. A fox tail.
Kouga saw it.
Things came together. They were on open ground where Kagome had asked them to be. Where the snakes had full mobility, when they’d always tried to corner them in a canyon or on poor ground to take them before. Kagome had a tail...it wasn’t possible...but-she’d growled at him in rejection. Disbelief filled him...and fury, and shock. Kagome didn’t plan on allying with them...instead...
“FALL BACK! IT’S A TRAP!!” he yelled...far too late. Ah-uhn suddenly turned and shot higher, streaking as fast as they could for the Keep, and Kouga, trying to extricate some of his own from the trap, well. He let them go.
Youkai lived for mates...killed for mates...and died for them sometimes.
As Kagome would for her actions today. He knew with terrible certainty that he was going to kill her-and follow her to the other world when it was done. Wolves mated to only one for their lifetime, and he had already chosen Kagome. There was no other path to take, his own foolishness over her had led his people here, his blind trust of a woman trained by Sesshomaru. Trained by the one called the Aristocratic Assassin...who chose to reject him, betray him, and slay his own...
But first, he would free his people from her trap. Who he could, in any case...
Author’s notes-My first big scale combat sequence. Dang. Hard chapter! The invisibility spell is a reference to the ‘invisible demon’ episode, where a weak invisibility spell is used by Shippo and Sango. I figured if a real monk or Priestess were helping, it might work better. So, that’s the plan Kagome’s using! Will it work? Well...you’ll have to read. Update will be soonish. Thanks for reading as always!-Namiyo