InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Fire and Ice ❯ Fire and Ice ( Chapter 1 )

A/N: Hi! I'm back yet again. Bet you all thought I'd died. Nope, you're not that lucky. Here is Fire and Ice, the third installment of my great beast. Yes, a romantic comedy. Mostly comedy, come to think of it. And violence! I love my little violent fits. Be patient with seeing all of the characters, I'm going to get to everyone. I'm not sure what the posting schedule is going to be. I'm actually posting sooner then I should, just because I've discovered something interesting. I can't write in a vaccum! I need reinforcement for my behavior. So, here you guys go, and let me have it! Tell me what you think! Oh, I still own nada, zip, zilcho.

 

----------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------

 

Shou gave a sigh of relief as he sighted the home of the Western Lord. It had been a long time in the field, and civilization sounded wonderful to him. Tonight he would be fed a boar or two and would curl up on Mizuki's pillow to sleep.

 

His sigh was echoed by the adult silver haired female that rode him. `I was starting to think we would never catch that band. I cannot complain too much, since I had Shou while the rest of the guard only had themselves for transport.'

 

One of the soldiers was watching her, and she sent him a cold look.

 

“Do you see home, Commander?”

 

“Hai.” Mizuki stared him down. `If I catch him staring at me one more time mother will need to find a new scout.'

 

Both Mizuki and Shou wanted to race ahead to the palace, but they stayed with the group. Her mind was already on the stack of reports that would be waiting for her and meeting with her parents. His mind was on food and silk sheets.

 

----

 

“Again.”

 

The black haired hanyou gritted his teeth, determined to not lose his temper in front of his father - again. Shifting his grip slightly, he lunged again, only to be knocked off of his feet.

 

`He is frustrated, and will now start to make mistakes.' Sesshomaru stood like a block of ice, no emotion or movement as he waited for his son to try again. “You are too slow.”

 

`As if I couldn't figure that out.' Katsuro picked himself up again, trying not to glare. `So, if this little move that he's trying to teach me won't work, I guess I'll just make something up.'

 

Lining himself up again, he charged in exactly the same way as he had the last three times. The icy gold stare never moved as Sesshomaru started to block the exact same attack, but found that the weapon was not there. Katsuro dropped to his knees and slid the last few feet, coming up underneath his father's guard. Sesshomaru caught him by the throat, just as Katsuro set the tip of his own sword against his father's stomach.

 

“Unsuccessful.”

 

“Hai, but it worked better.” Even with his feet now dangling off of the ground, Katsuro smiled as he goaded his father.

 

“Not well enough.”

 

“It needs some more work, sure, but the other way wasn't working. Would you rather I kept doing the same stupid thing over and over again?”

 

There was a thump as Sesshomaru dropped his son. “No. You should not do anything stupid to begin with. However, it would be wise to use attacks that result in victory.”

 

“I knew there was something I forgot. I'll work on that part.”

 

“Then I will expect to see improvement tomorrow.”

 

“Tomorrow, then.”

 

Katsuro stayed down as his father left, rubbing his throat. `Great, now I get to spend all afternoon figuring out ways to trick father. Where is Ki-chan when I really need her?' His aching body protested as he got back to his feet. Leaning against a tree, he tried to think of new and unusual ways to attack, and preferably ones that would work.

 

----

 

Shou soared over the grounds, finally free from staying with Mizuki's group. The inu-hanyou stretched her arms over her head, trying to work some of the tension from the last few months out of her body. Father would be waiting for her, but he could simmer until after she had cleaned up and greeted her mother. `Mama will know I am coming, since I sent a message ahead. This mission was from her, so technically I should see her first.'

 

A small grumble vibrated through Shou, catching Mizuki's attention. She could see what the dragon was staring at, and her mask slipped away to be replaced with a small smile. “Shou, did you miss Katsuro-kun?”

 

There was another rumble in reply as Shou aimed for the black haired male, which appeared to be talking to himself. To a ningen he would appear to be in his early twenties, not his true age of just under two hundred. The emerald green eyes were focused on nothing, and his ears were twitching with some repressed emotion. The sight of him waving his sword around only made his sister smile more, since it was obvious he was plotting. From the looks of his clothing, he had been training. His dark green kimono and black hakama were dirty, and his long hair looked mussed.

 

“Then perhaps we should greet him appropriately.”

 

Swerving off, the dragon dropped down to the ground and out of sight. Mizuki slipped off and let the now tiny Shou wrap around her arm. Slipping through the gardens, she carefully circled around her brother. He was still talking to himself, not paying any attention to his surroundings.

 

Katsuro finally noticed a rustle of leaves and looked up, searching for the source. The feeling of being watched was making his skin crawl. His hand tightened around his hilt as he peered through the leaves.

 

Something moved behind him, shaking branches and making him whirl around. Whatever had been watching him from above dropped, driving him down to the ground and pulling an arm behind his back.

 

“Hello, shatei (2).”

 

“Ugh.” Katsuro struggled for a moment before giving up. “I should've known it was you, Ki-chan.”

 

The voice above him was as flat and emotionless as his father's. “I am delighted to see that you are well.”

 

“And you've certainly been eating well. Would you mind getting off of me?”

 

“Of course, I do not want to interrupt whatever discussion you were having with yourself.” Mizuki jumped clear before her brother could exact revenge.

 

With a groan Katsuro sat up to watch Shou zip back to roost on Mizuki's shoulders, his job as a distraction completed. His sister was dressed for battle, with a hakama and kimono of heavy white silk. A pattern of dark blue honeysuckles fell from one shoulder to the hem of her outer kimono, a nod to her mother on an outfit that had been selected to resemble her father's. The shining white hair was tightly bound in its usual braid which hung in a thick rope past her waist. The overall effect was of efficiency and cold determination. Katsuro was delighted to see her. “Did you just get back?”

 

“Hai. Shou wished to greet you.”

 

“Next time he can come by himself and leave my troublesome sister behind.” Katsuro grinned as Mizuki pulled her nanginata (1) from behind her back. “Especially if she is still armed.”

 

There was a whistling sound as Mizuki spun her weapon, returning her brother's grin with a smirk. “So the mighty Katsuro-sama is worried about a lowly female?”

 

“Not at all. I simply wish to avoid being grounded for being too rough on you.”

 

“Impudent brat.” Swinging the naginata over her head, Mizuki sent Katsuro skittering backwards. “Last time I was the one to be grounded, and told to never poison my little brother again.”

 

Katsuro stopped the spinning blade with his sword, making Mizuki move back to regain her advantage. “I was in bed for a day and a night from that! Mama was furious!”

 

Slipping the shaft through her hands, Mizuki shortened her grip and thrust the point at her brother. While he was distracted she swung the weighted end at him, making him drop to the ground. “And father said that the next time you cross me I should put you in bed for two days and nights.”

 

“He would.”

 

Laughing, Mizuki parried her brother's attack, spinning her own weapon again to gain momentum. Katsuro had no intention in giving her that advantage. Slamming his blade into the naginata's arc, he stopped it but had to sacrifice his sword. He tackled his sister with a shoulder to her stomach, forcing a grunt from her as he dragged her down and made her long weapon useless.

 

“Well, Ki-chan? Do you yield?”

 

“You are lucky that I am tired and do not feel like facing Mama in a rage. I yield.”

 

“One of these days you need to get back into training. Your good with that thing, but if anyone gets through it you're stuck.” The victor offered a hand to pull his sister back to her feet, which she actually accepted.

 

“Oh yes, and I have so much time for that.” Mizuki growled a bit as she retuned her weapon to her back and dusted off her white clothing. “I am a strategist, not a warrior. I fight well enough to help, and with Shou it is more then enough.”

 

Katsuro sheathed his own sword, genuine concern in his eyes. “Ki-chan, you go into battle more often then anyone in the family, and sooner or later you're going to need more then the basics.”

 

“Basics? I would like to see you handle my naginata without cutting off a limb or two.”

 

“There is more then just being able to handle a weapon! What's wrong with being a fighter and a strategist at the same time?”

 

“That is your strength, not mine. And what discussion were you having with yourself before I interrupted?”

 

“You are changing the subject.”

 

“Hai.” Her features set into the impassive mask that she almost always wore.

 

`I'll try again later. I can't stand worrying about her every time she goes off on some mission for father. One day she is going to get knocked off of Shou or someone is going to get that thing away from her and she will be in serious trouble.' Katsuro looked up at the sky with a bored expression. “Don't even try that look on me. I know better.”

 

The blue eyes stared at him with the icy gaze that reminded him so much of their father.

 

`Just creepy when she pulls that.' “Fine. It's something you can help me with, anyways. Father was trouncing me again, and I was doing something a bit unusual . . . “

 

“You were making it up as you went along.”

 

“Whatever. I'm supposed to have some new ideas figured out by tomorrow. Hopefully ones that will work.”

 

“And Shippou cannot assist?”

 

The initial response from Katsuro was to laugh as he sat with his back against the tree. “Oh, he's always willing to help, but strategy requires a certain amount of planning. Not a strength of his.”

 

“But trickery is. And he would make a better subject to test your ideas on, since he is better with a sword.” Feeling like an animal when it hears a trap snap shut, Mizuki saw her brother pull out the puppy dog eyes. `Every time. He gets me every time with that look.' “Let me clean up and report, then I can help you. I will need to find my sword anyways. You should consult with Shippou as well, since trickery and sword play are more his fields of expertise. Will this work for you?”

 

“Perfect! Arigato, Ki-chan!”

 

Mizuki gave him a real smile. “And this is why I am the big sister.”

 

With Shou draped across her shoulders she moved to the palace as the tension leaked away. She always felt better after seeing her brother. With Katsuro and Shou she could drop her guard and just be Mizuki. With Mama she would keep some distance, so that she did not feel overwhelmed by the demonstrative miko. Father was her confidant in almost everything, but it was always in analytical terms. The rest of the world would see the icy mask she had learned at her father's knee. Only with her brother and the companion that rarely left her side could she just be herself, with no other expectations or demands.

 

Her room was waiting for her, and Mizuki sent silent thanks to Kumo. Of course her mother's assistant had made sure that her room was aired and that her things were ready for her.

 

“I am going to the baths, Shou. Do you wish to come with me, or are you ready for sleep?”

 

Shou yawned at her, blinking sleepy eyes. Smirking, Mizuki dropped him onto her bed. “You are the laziest creature.”

 

The dragon grumbled at her as he rolled on his back and promptly fell asleep. It was quick business for Mizuki to gather her things and head to the bath house. Once she had slipped into the hot water any thought of hurrying to report evaporated.

 

“I thought you might be in here.”

 

One sapphire eye opened, watching the new visitor to the baths. “I did not think you would wish to see me smelling like Shou.”

 

“He smells like a bed of flowers compared to Ah-Un.” Kagome was dressed in a robe and carrying her bath things. “I figured you might want to take care of two things at the same time.”

 

“An excellent idea, Mama.”

 

The miko slipped into the water with a sigh. “I can remember what that first bath felt like after camping for weeks on end. Pure heaven.”

 

“Hai.” Mizuki let her eye slide shut as she tipped her head back to rest on the side. “Would you care to hear my report?”

 

“Just give me my version of it.”

 

“We won, and I did not kill any subordinates.”

 

“Good job, sugar.”

 

The one eye cracked back open. “Mama . . . “

 

“I know, I know. Anything else interesting?”

 

“No. Other then the length of time necessary to run them to ground, it was very routine.”

 

“I was starting to get worried. Three months is a long time for you to hunt something.”

 

Stretching out her neck, Mizuki listened to her joints pop with released tension. “What they lacked in bravery and strength they made up for in speed and luck.”

 

“But they won't be burning any more villages, right?”

 

Opening both eyes, the daughter looked to her mother. “No. They will not kill anyone else that you have taken under your protection.”

 

“Are you mad that you were sent to kill bandits that were attacking ningens?” Kagome met her daughter's chilly gaze.

 

“I am half ningen. It is no concern to me who you choose to protect in these lands. I only wish that they had not greeted their rescuer with insults.”

 

Filthy! Tainted! Mongrel!

 

The names that the villagers had used were nothing new, but it had been unexpected. They hated her more then the youkai she commanded. Mizuki had rather expected more peaceful attitude after saving them, but such was the way with ningens.

 

Kagome put her arm around her daughter's shoulder. She had been learning to read Sesshomaru for over two hundred years now, and the practice was put to good use with her now adult daughter. Mizuki was still from her bloodline, and Kagome knew the rejection had hurt her. “You are not disgusting.”

 

The hanyou allowed the embrace for a moment before straightening. “I know, Mama.”

 

“Have you seen your brother or father?”

 

“I have seen Katsuro. I will be helping him with strategy after I have met with father.”

 

“Sesshomaru will be glad to have you back. Just wait until you see the work that's piled up. There's a whole new batch of recruits for you to deal with, and a member of my guard is looking to retire.”

 

“I will exact revenge on the Captain for setting me in his former position.” Mizuki slowly massaged her temples. “New recruits are simple enough. Some yelling with a well placed death or two and order will be maintained. Replacing a member of your guard . . .”

 

“I left a list of suggestions on your desk, and I actually had some volunteers. It seems that they consider my guard an honor, even if they never guard me.”

 

“Because you need their protection so much, Mother Miko. It is a good thing that you have found other uses for them, even if it does place me in the field for months at a time.”

 

“Sorry about that, jo-chan. I really didn't want you to be away for so long.”

 

“But it needed to be done, it is your guard, and I am the Commander of your guard.”

 

“Commander. I'm still not used to that.”

 

Mizuki smiled a bit. “Neither am I, Mama. Kenshin-sensei was so eager to tell me that he actually ran to find me before father could tell me first.”

 

“My little pup is a Commander. Oh, it makes a mother proud.”

 

There was an ambitious gleam to the sapphire eyes as they studied the ceiling. “There is no need to be proud until I have made General.”

 

“And I fully expect you to do that, probably before you're three hundred. You'll be the first female general I've ever heard of.”

 

“Hai.” A slightly feral smile joined the ambitious gleam.

 

Noticing her now pruney fingers, Kagome pulled herself out of the water. “Come on, sugar. We can both go find your father and let him know how your hunt went.”

 

“Mama, do not call me that.”

 

----

 

“This is impossible, Ki-chan.”

 

Mizuki lowered her sword, still watching her brother closely. “What do you mean, shatei?”

 

“I mean that I will never be able to get past father, so this whole thing is pointless! I'm a hanyou, and he's the most powerful taiyoukai around.” A rock tumbled away as Katsuro took out his frustrations with a savage kick. “He's too smart to fall for any of my tricks, and too fast for me to outmaneuver. Let's not even get started on the whole strength thing. I might as well just surrender tomorrow.”

 

“This is not at all like your usual self. What is the true problem?”

 

“How can I be the heir to the Western Lands? How could I ever hope to take father's place?”

 

“You have been listening to the gossip.” With a fluid movement the rarely used sword was slipped into its sheath.

 

“I don't need to listen to the gossip. I see it everyday when father tries to train me. I can't hold the Western Lands, Ki-chan. You should've been the heir. Everyone says so.”

 

“Why? Because I look like him?”

 

Katsuro slammed his own sword into its sheath, glaring at the horizon. “No. Well, not entirely. It's because you're a leader, and everyone is afraid of you. At least that's something. I don't even have that.”

 

“They are afraid because I made that choice. You could do the same.”

 

“No I couldn't. I'm not made that way.”

 

“That was your choice.” Seeing Katsuro's depressed look made Mizuki soften her stance and her voice. “It is not the answer you are looking for. I would rather not have to use fear, for it will fail when put to a true test. You will lead because they wish to follow. That will be your strength.”

 

“You think so? Would they follow me?” Katsuro's ears lifted as a bit of his spark returned.

 

“They will. Especially with my support, to herd any that wanders out of line.”

 

“You know, between the two of us we could hold the Western Lands. You could handle the tactical for me, and advise me when I want to do something really stupid. I fight well enough, when I have a plan, and I'm good at getting people to do what I want.”

 

“I am well aware of your manipulative skills. I will stand with you, shetai. No one will be able to bring you down with me behind you.”

 

“Arigato, Ki-chan. I guess two hanyous can equal one taiyoukai.”

 

“Or one miko.”

 

“That works, too.” Katsuro slowly turned his head to look at his sister. “Two hanyous to equal one taiyoukai. I think I just figured out how we are going to take on father.”

 

“I do not like the look in your eye.”

 

----

 

 

A/N: (1) naginata - Mizuki's weapon of choice, the naginata is a long oak shaft between five and eight feet long with a blade at the end. The blade is usually between 10” and two feet, and is made in a similar style to a katana. It can be used to thrust as well as cut. The other end of the shaft is weighted, usually with a metal endcap that can also be used as a weapon. It's sometimes called a sword on a stick. :-) It is used with sweeping movements, and gets its advantage in range and in the momentum that can be created. The size is based on height and personal preference, and Mizuki is about 5'9”, so the grand total is a little over seven feet long. Convenient on a dragon, ne? Yes, it was the traditional weapon of ladies of the samurai class, but I picked it more for Shou and the neatness factor. Just looks like something she would like. Courtesy of Southern California Naginata Federation, http : // www. scnf. Org / history2. html

 

(2) shatei - my younger brother