InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dark Forest Embrace ❯ The battle ( Chapter 1 )

Sesshoumaru opened his eyes, a slow easy waking. No one would realize that his heart was racing, that adrenaline raced through his veins live a river of pure energy. His memories, that night, the night he vowed to protect his brother forever, it latched itself onto his dreams again, like it did the previous nights, and almost every night since the incident ten years ago. The assault on the shifter village…his baby brother just recovering from the shock of his mother's death. Their father telling him to grab his brother and hide in the hay shack, only moments before the battle that claimed his life.

 

Now here he lay, ten years later, in a small cave deep in wolf-shifter territory. The wolf shifters were the only shifters who refused to live like the humans, instead preferring to live with their animal counterparts, many actually never retuning to a humanoid form. They were close relatives of his father's family, the village of dog-shifters. He and Inuyasha were the only survivors, the last of their kind.

 

Curled up in the smallest possible size of his form, he still took up most of the cave, no wonder his father rarely transformed, he was even larger. Inuyasha however had a very thin grasp on his animalistic form, rarely being able to transform back to a humanoid form all the way, leaving ears, and sometime a tail, whenever he tried. Often Inuyasha preferred to remain a dog, playing with the other pups while the adults hunted. Inuyasha even preferred to be outside with the other wolves, sleeping in patched of snow, curled up with Kouga and his brothers to keep warm, instead of sleeping in a cave like most dog shifters do. Many humanoid shifters sleep in caves, but most wolves just transform to their animal shape and curl up under the stars.

 

Sesshoumaru streached, his large paws outstretched, tongue curling back as he yawned. Within little more than a breath he transformed back into his tall silver haired form, rolling his shoulders as he walked toward the entrance. Stepping out of the darkness and into the twilight he could hear the pups, already up and hipper, tumbling off in the clearing. In a few pounces he was at the bottom of mountain he and the pack stopped to rest at. It was one of their favorite resting places during winter.

 

Inuyasha's high pitched barks caught his attention. The thin patches of snow caused them endless entertainment during winter, the humanoid pups throwing snowballs for the others to catch in their mouths. Leaning against a worn tree he watched his baby brother, nearly half grown, playing with the rest of the young.

 

One humanoid wolf always caught his attention; Kouga, the future pack leader. He was dressed in the usual fur outfit the wolf clan wore; even Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha wore similar outfits. Thick armor protected the torso, a thick layer of fur across the hips, leg warmers, and fury moccasins. Some details varied between the members, Inuyasha's fur-skirt was longer than Kouga's, and while Kouga had simple armbands and shoulder pads, Inuyasha had a long fur cloak that connected to his fingers and ended mid back. Kouga's shiny hair, as black as a ravens wing, was pulled up tight with a strap of hide, and a band rapped around his forehead for tucking his ears back on the colder nights. Kouga rarely changed into his wolf form, only when humans were about, and even then he chose to scare them off without howls. The most peculiar thing about Kouga would be that even though he is very close to adulthood, him and Inuyasha and his brothers going on their first hunt next season, Kouga's blue eyes never changed, while Inuyasha and Ginta's and Hakaku's eyes all started to turn yellow, or brown, or gold, Kouga's always stayed the same.

 

Kouga and Inuyasha were basically the same age, Inuyasha may be older if you get into which seasons they were born, Inuyasha in spring like most dogs and Kouga in summer, but they got along as though they were family. In a way they owe their lives to Kouga, he was the one who found them ten years ago, washed up and exhausted on the river bank just south of their village; that small little pup, going down to the waters edge for a drink only to find the crumpled humanoid form of a dog shifter and a pup in his arms. The elders had often considered naming Inuyasha Kouga's Beta, but that was Kouga's decision when he took control…if he was strong enough to carry the role of Alfa. One of the other members, maybe even Inuyasha, might just be stronger than him.

 

Watching them wrestle now, shouldering one another, bumping bodies together, flopping tails over each other's backs, and leaping up placing forepaws around other' necks. Sesshoumaru had no doubt that Inuyasha was stronger, he would have been Sesshoumaru's Beta when he took control from their father, but now Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha were only stragglers in the pack, less than the omega. Of course the pups did not see it that way, and that's what pleased Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha, the beta of a wolf tribe. That was something that would have the rival packs rolling in the rocks about. A dog shifter having any high rank in a wolf pack was laughable, but Inuyasha's inability to transform correctly caught the sympathy of the elders, and the favor of those who chose never to transform. His and Kouga's quick friendship also caught attention, especially with Kouga's brothers, Ginta and Hakaku, who were often included in their wrestles, but left alone many other times

 

An owl call pulled him away from his musings, he looked up at the lower branches of the tree he was leaning against and saw a small white snow owl gazing wide-eyed back at him. With a flutter of wings it swooped down, landing on his shoulder with a graceful, almost non existent thump.

 

“Hello Kagura.” he cooed softly to the owl, running his hand over her head as she nuzzled his palm. “You seem lively this morning.”

 

In an instant the owl's body became lean and her feathers flying away like tree leaves during a wall wind storm. Now standing next to him was a slim beautiful woman with long midnight hair pulled back into a tight bun. Thin plaits of armor curved around her arms to extend into spike like wings in back of her, a long red silk dress clung to her figure, skimming the ground on which she now stood. Her arms snaked around his neck and she held him to her, watching the young. They looked like two proud parents, watching their children playing in the yard with the dogs. Sesshoumaru gazed at Kagura's flawless features, even in a human shape her large almond shaped crimson eyes still had the weary, watchful look of a bird, be it eagle, raven, or owl, no matter which form she chose, he could always make out the beautiful red eyes.

 

She was in heat again, her flirtatious ways only serving to confirm what his nose had been telling him these past few days. His self control was always pushed to the limit during these few weeks in winter, they had come close to mating last year, but he knew how strict the current Alpha male was, any male who mated would be shunned by the clan, he couldn't let that happen, Inuyasha deserved to be with the pack. He had friends here, a family who would take care of him. Sure, Sesshoumaru could leave and be with Kagura, he would not be missed by the pack, not like Inuyasha, but what would Inuyasha feel? Abandonment? Would he believe his brother left him? No, Sesshoumaru could never leave his brother, no mater how hard his need was to fight, he would. He needed to remain with the pack, with his brother. He would just have to be content with being near Kagura for now. Maybe…when his brother grew up, he would be able to leave, to be with Kagura for the lifetime he planned, but not now…no matter what…

 

~*~*~*~*

 

Kouga's ears perked up, he had Inuyasha pinned to the ground in a submissive state, one of the rare occasions where his strength overpowered his light-furred friend. He usually had the advantage of speed, but once Inuyasha had him pinned, he would have to submit. Inuyasha however, never submitted, he wondered why would he now. That's when he heard it, the howls of the pack. Danger….Humans

 

Inuyasha had heard this before him and hesitated, that's why Kouga was able to pin him. Although slightly agitated that this distraction was what brought on his victory over his friend, he looked to Sesshoumaru, his current babysitter. His attention was obviously occupied by the female in heat whole arms always seamed to be around him the past few days. Yipping excitedly Inuyasha caught his attention. Both adults listened for a moment, then in an instant Sesshoumaru had transformed into the smallest possible dog form he could manage, still the size of a grizzly, and herded Inuyasha, him, and his brothers into the small den dug out beneath some rocks while Kagura changed into a raven and flew ahead to see what was up with the pack.

 

It didn't take long for them all to find out, soon humans and wolves were all out fighting in front of the den, many wolves were attracting the attention of humans who wandered to close to the den's entrance. Humans had large brown and gold dogs that pounced on the wolves like cougars; they held sticks that smelled worse than rotting meat on an old campfire and thundered like a landslide, spiting strange objects out of it and into the breasts and bellies of many of his clan members. Than he saw something that made his blood run cold, out in the middle of this all, was his dearest friend Inuyasha.

 

Sesshoumaru let out a low, almost whiney growl. How could that happen, Inuyasha was herded into the den with them. How could he bee out there. Kagura, now a large eagle, made several swipes down low to try and catch his trembling form, but a human always got in the way, or a dog would suddenly snap at her.

 

Inuyasha bolted left and right, trying to stay away from the humans and their strange sticks, while dodging snaps and kicks by fighting dogs. One had latched itself onto the alpha male's neck and refused to let go, another tore at his leg, while a human aimed his rifle at his breast. Quickly Inuyasha sprinted over, ramming the dog latched onto the alpha's neck. It let out a yip and let go, but in that same moment the barrel of the rifle swung around and a thundering boom echoed in his ears. He hurtled backwards, an unbearable pain bolted through his chest swallowing up his body like the snow that tumbled down the mountain last winter. He felt himself falling back onto a pile of fur, he thought he just landed on some other wolfs carcass. The last thing he heard was his brother's vengeful howl erupting from the den like the roar of a volcano at the base of a mountain.

 

`How dare them! How dare they hurt Inuyasha, they'll pay!' Sesshoumaru roared in anguish at his thoughts, bolting like lightning from the den, his size tripling to that of a cathedral. They would pay for harming his brother.

The small humans scrambled, tripping over themselves and their dogs as the fled from the base of the mountain, many turning around to fire their weapons, but such feeble guns were not match for Sesshoumaru's strong fur coat. He pounded the earth with his paws, chasing off the humans, running to their carts of fur and game. A hunting party eh? That's why they were hear, and they thought while there were at it, get rid of the local wolves so they could settle the land. No…never. This was wolf territory, his new home. They destroyed his village, humans destroy everything. Now they'll be destroyed.

 

Kagura's sharp cries pierced his ears, stopping him from smashing the humans to the ground. He had never showed his true form, never tried. Sure he grew larger, but never to his full height. The power he felt, the absolute freedom to do with it he wished, it was enveloping him, “DESTROY!” It cried, but no, he could control it. He was the last of his kind; he had to control himself for his clan's future.

 

Slowly, painfully, he reverted to his humanoid form, on all fours, kneeling in the red mud created by the bloodshed. It hurt, controlling all that strength and then just letting go, then to push it all back again.

 

Kagura circled around for a few moments longer, making sure it was safe and that humans were gone, then she fluttered down, feathers flying everywhere as she transformed in mid air, dropping down, her skirts flying around her like someone stained the wind blood red. Amazingly she landed softly, floated really, beside him, cradling him to her. He didn't have what it took to cry real tears for his brother, there was only deep emptiness in his heart, a yawning whole that tore at his throat causing harsh dry sobs.

 

“Sesshoumaru-sama!” He thought he heard his brother for a moment, then realized it was Kouga's anguished cry of his name. He looked up to see the young pup kneeling beside the Alpha male. He was bleeding badly, but his chest still rose and fell with the deep breaths that he took.

 

“Sesshoumaru.” the male whispered hoarsely.

 

“I'm hear old man.” Sesshoumaru knelt beside his upper rank.

 

“Sesshoumaru; your brother…is he—”

 

“Sesshoumaru looked around, but he could not see his brothers body…did he live?! Was he in the crowd?

 

“Sessho—” Kouga choked, he knew what happened, saw it. “Inuyasha's body landed on a chart of pelts.”

 

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed in angered pain. They all knew what that meant; he would be skinned and hung on someone's wall like a trophy. Yeah, they defeated a dangerous wolf; those humans probably couldn't tell the difference between a wild dog and a wolf.

 

“Ses—” The old man began coughing harshly, blood sputtering from deep within his throat. “I'm sorry; it was my fate to face that human. He should not have been there.”

 

“No, and I have yet to realize how he managed to leave the den.” Sesshoumaru bowed his head in disgrace; it was his job to take care of the pups that evening while the pack hunted, especially since the alpha female had died from distemper in the fall. Most of the pack died that season.

 

“Sesshoumaru…you—” the Alpha coughed again.

 

Save your breath old man, you need to rest.” Why did people always say that? e was dying, why not let his say what he wanted to? Why tell him to shut up and die silently, he should say what he wanted with his last few breaths…

 

“Lead.” was all he said.

 

“What?!” The other males were startled.

 

“Lead, until Kouga is old enough to. You're the strongest, and the humans will be back.” This was true, the others new it. Sesshoumaru had scared them off just by showing up and pounding the ground.

 

“Kouga…my child.” he rested his hand on Kouga's head. His hair was coming loose and tears filled his eyes. First his best friend, now his leader. Was this what Inuyasha felt when he woke up and heard his family was gone, the eternal pain, filling up every corner of his heart with empty darkness, like the night before the moon and stars were painted up. The alpha males hand grew limp and slid from his head. With and anguished sob he began to howl. The others soon joined in, howling out there sorrow for their leader and companions, for the lost cub and the tainted earth now covered in wolf blood. They never stayed on the same note, but rather shifted pitch to achieve almost harmonic effect. Wavering… ascending… each one following the other, a sorrowful song of pain and loss. Their voices rang in distant echoes on the frozen river. A light and uncertain wind was blowing out there, carrying it out to the humans who even now fled to their far village, unaware that one reason they were singing was for the small bleeding heap in the back of their wagon...

 

~*~*~*~*

 

“What is that?!” Cried one of the hunters.

 

Looks like one of `em wolves. Must've fallen on the cart during the fight.” another hunter said as he spit a nice long stream of tobacco from between his teeth onto the ground by a tree.

 

“Aint no wolf, too scrawny; looks like some wild dawg.”

 

The bundle of bloody fur gave a ragged breath. “Still alive, wan' I should shoot it?” He asked

 

“You will do no such thing!” Came a feminine cry behind them.

 

“Mind yer own gerl,” The hunter spit another stream of tobacco, this time at the girls feet.

 

“My father will have quite a talk with you when he learns you went after those wolves again.” She stated plainly. The wolves were considered sacred to the natives in the area and nobody wanted to mess with them just yet, too many men, well armed and ruthless when there sacred things were messed with.

 

“Aint no preacher ever hung a man for killen wolves, tools o' Satan they are. Look wat they did to the dawgs.” He jutted his thumb over to the limping animals.

 

“If I real, a deer could do that too, and it serves you right for attacking them. No man would do any less.” This woman, the parson's daughter. 15 and unmarried, she had no qualms with facing the men, especially when it pertained to what went against the church and her fathers rules. For them to hunt and kill other creatures without thought was bad enough, to start wars with wolves was completely out of the question. They would bring the natives wrath down upon their humble village.

 

“Never the less, I'm taking the animal with me.”

 

~*~*~*

 

A/N: 3:10 in the morning, with my beloved hot chocolate, yeah…I'm happy^^

Welcome to the show Kikyou! No bashing please. I like Kikyou and I'm trying to have her be as in character as possible. An up side, she'll only be there for 3 chapters if it makes you happy, then Sesshoumaru-sama kill her. ><

 

~death~

X,x <Kikyou