InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Fire and Ice ❯ Teamwork ( Chapter 22 )

A/N: I live! My muse has been very fussy. I think she wanted the summer off or something. I managed to wrangle another chapter from her, though, so here it is. I don't know why this one was so evil to write, but it was. Block after block after block. But, snuggles to all of my reviewers that keep goading me on. It certainly keeps me motivated. Enjoy! Oh, haven't managed to acquire anything in my absence.

 

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

 

`It definitely feels odd to challenge the gate of my own home.'

 

Seiji gazed at his family's home with a cold expression. The walls were rippling with movement as the guards noticed him, just standing there and glaring at them.

 

“This is my mother's home. Open the gates immediately.”

 

The guards stared, slack jawed. Slowly, snickers and some out right laughter spread through the ranks.

 

“Demands, Seiji-sama? I see no army with you. Your mother is dead, and you cannot demand anything.” A lieutenant smiled, baring his fangs. “Go back to the West and see if the ningen lovers there will help you.”

 

“I do not need assistance. Open the gate now or I will kill each and every one of you.”

 

Hundreds of guards burst out laughing, pushing to see the crazed dragon that was challenging them all.

 

“Is that so, Seiji-sama? Here, then. I will open the gates.” The lieutenant turned and yelled an order.

 

`Well, this is what I wanted.' Seiji waited, looking unconcerned as a mob of soldiers charged out of the now open gate. `I hope she is half as clever as they say she is.'

 

----

 

Shou let out a soft growl as the roar on the other side of the palace grew louder. Mizuki could hear the doors creak open, and the sounds of a group of soldiers rushing out.

 

“Easy, sleepy one. He can handle this group.”

 

The little dragon gave her a pointed stare.

 

“I will not let him get killed.”

 

The mother of pearl eyes narrowed.

 

“I would not abandon an ally like that. Not even him.”

 

Snort.

 

“He assured me that he could handle any of the soldiers thrown at him long enough for us to finish our mission. I have no choice but to believe his boasting.”

 

The sounds of battle tapered away. In the silence Mizuki could just pick out Seiji's voice calling up to the walls. “Do not insult me.”

 

“See, Shou? He sounds quite healthy.”

 

The lieutenant snarled another order and more forces thundered through the doors. It sounded like hundreds of soldiers had left the palace to charge the lone taiyoukai that had challenged them.

 

Shou tightened his claws on Mizuki's shoulder as the sounds of battle began again.

 

“Just a moment. We do not want to move too quickly.” Seeing the dragon's look, Mizuki gave a small smile. “And I wish for him to be anxious for our assistance.”

 

The dragon's rolling eyes said more then words could.

 

“Oh, very well. Seiji-san has done his part. They are distracted, divided, and off guard. Now we can do ours.”

 

Mizuki slipped out of the brush and moved towards the palace. The walls were much too high for Mizuki to simply jump up, but Shou gave her a lift and she dropped to the top of the wall unnoticed, her partner once again tucked under her hair. Her naginata was in her hands as she moved along the wall. The guards had abandoned their posts, leaving the back of the palace vulnerable.

 

The night before Seiji had given Mizuki a rough idea of how the palace was laid out, with a particular emphasis on kitchen supplies. The stairs down to the ground were just where he had described, and the shed that housed the supplies was within easy striking distance of the wall. The hanyou slipped across the grounds without being spotted and let herself into the shed. Inside she found barrels of oil, perfect for what she had in mind.

 

`Chaos and destruction. It seems that shatei has influenced me.' Mizuki grabbed a barrel and punched a hole into the side. “Shou, you will want to leave very quickly after I set this off.”

 

The little dragon dropped to the ground and waited by the door, ready to leap through it to safety.

 

Oil was tossed all about the building, and Mizuki pulled a barrel over to the door. A single spark sent the mess up in flames, leaving the hanyou feeling singed as she leapt after the now massive Shou with the last barrel of oil.

 

The explosions had the guards completely off balance. Instead of cheering on the fight out front, they were diving for cover as anything flammable in storage exploded. A new opponent was raining destruction from above, ice shards slicing through anything in their path. A second building went up in flames as the unnoticed hanyou slipped into another building and lit her last barrel of oil.

 

“Put out the fires, you morons!”

 

Some of the soldiers scrambled for water while others scrambled for cover. The noise outside was dying down as parts of the force tried to return to the palace and help. The next building to ignite was started with nothing more then a few overturned lamps. The forces were running from threat to threat, any attempt at order and control gone.

 

Mizuki made her way up to the top of the wall, allowing herself a small smile at the chaos that she had caused. Five buildings were now burning out of control while Shou continued to destroy anything he could reach. Out front Seiji was still surrounded by his enemy.

 

“You!” A soldier had finally spotted her, and he came at a run with two of his comrades. “Who the hell are you?”

 

The naginata reappeared in her hands as she stood as still as a statue, waiting for her opponents to come to her. Behind her three attackers there were more as word spread of the strange female that was obviously helping Seiji.

 

Mizuki did not answer as she sliced through her enemies, her expression never changing.

 

----

 

`I need to have a word with that bitch on her timing.' Seiji was still growling as he cut through his opponents. Mizuki had waited until he was completely surrounded and under attack before she started to blow up the palace.

 

The odds were still not in his favor. Shou and Mizuki had pulled many of the soldiers back into the palace, but the guards around Seiji were starting to reorganize. `No, this is not going well.'

 

A lucky hit sliced through his arm to the bone, making him snarl. The crowd cheered and swarmed.

 

“Finish him! Finish him!”

 

----

 

One white ear flicked back, the eyes losing some of their razor sharp focus. Mizuki could hear the change outside. The once disorganized mess now sounded like a very optimistic mob.

 

Another youkai's head fell to the ground even as she whistled for Shou. Mizuki searched, but there was no sign of Seiji in the midst of his enemy. He might as well be dead for all she knew. She did not consider what she was doing, or develop even a rudimentary plan. She just leapt for her partner, then down to that dragon.

 

The chaos and press of bodies was almost more then Mizuki could deal with. She had never been fond of fighting in close quarters, and now she was crushed on all sides by creatures that would really prefer it if she died. Someone landed a hit on her leg, almost sending her to the ground. She whipped around, but could not move her weapon.

 

The naginata was a hindrance and she resorted to her katana and claws. The first to drop with gashes that glowed green with poison made the group draw back. Her eyes were touched with crimson as she glared, daring them to attack her. Dragons were usually resistant to poison, but Sesshomaru's poison burned through them like acid. Mizuki was having the same effect.

 

The shifting mob revealed a very cross but mostly unharmed taiyoukai.

 

“And since when was this a part of your plan?”

 

“Excuse me?” Mizuki twisted so her back was to his, covering each other's blind spot.

 

“I thought you were supposed to be destroying my home.”

 

“I need to leave something for your family to return to.” Another youkai collapsed with a sucking hole where his throat used to be.

 

“I thought the plan was to cause as much chaos as possible, then go right for Tsuki.”

 

“Do you believe that we have caused as much chaos as possible?” Mizuki could not see anything past the mob of soldiers.

 

A blade whistled past Seiji's ear and was close enough to Mizuki's arm to slice through her sleeve. “Hai.”

 

“I will call Sh . . . “ Mizuki's words were cut off when she suddenly found herself hurtling into the sky on the back of the massive dragon that Seiji had transformed into. She reflexively grabbed onto the inky black mane in front of her, well aware that this was one mount that she had no control over. “What do you think you are doing, Seiji-san?”

 

“I see Tsuki.”

 

Mizuki thumped Seiji on the side of his neck. “And Shou can carry me. This is ridiculous.”

 

“Shou is a rather busy at the moment.”

 

Mizuki's head whipped around to find her partner tangled with not one, but two dragons over the palace.

 

----

 

Shou was not sure who the new male was, but the male made a gesture and two other youkai had transformed into dragons and taken after him.

 

His final instructions had been to cause as much chaos as possible in the palace, but he was pretty sure that dealing with the two dragons was more important. Shou had lost all track of Mizuki in the chaos, but he did want to stay close in case she called for him. The two dragons were closing, and the smaller dragon stayed right where he was.

 

The lead dragon got a face full of ice shards as he came in close to the source of chaos. The second dragon managed to swerve away and get Shou caught between the two of them. He did not even slow before slamming into Shou's side, digging in with his claws.

 

Shou let out a roar as both dragons latched on, twisting to grab one of them by the throat. His tail whipped at the black one, trying to knock it loose. The trio was dropping towards the ground as they all concentrated on things other then staying in the air. Blood was running from all three and splashing on the ground.

 

Shou got his teeth into the dragon that was trying to rip through his left side. His whole body twisted as he wrenched the claws out of his hide and shook the larger dragon like a rag doll.

 

“Shou!”

 

Mizuki's yell made him drop his first victim and lay into the second one. Mizuki may need him! This dragon was blood red and was showing no signs of releasing him. Shou's teeth snapped as he twisted, trying to get a lock on the dragon.

 

Flipping over, Shou drove his opponent into the ground in the middle of the palace. The struggling pair slid through a burning building and sprayed debris everywhere, igniting more fires. The two dragons broke apart and found their feet, growling and circling each other. Shou kept his attention on his opponent even as he tried to scent out Mizuki. She had not whistled for him, so he would try to finish this problem off first.

 

A second growl signaled that the black dragon was back. Shou's tail whipped back and forth as he waited for either of the larger dragons to attack first.

 

----

 

“Seiji-san, we must assist Shou.” Mizuki watched in horror as the blue dragon crashed to earth, sliding through a flaming building.

 

“Tsuki will get away.” The navy dragon glared back at her. “He is our objective.”

 

“Now, Seiji-san.” Mizuki pointed her naginata at the eye she could see. “Set me down.”

 

“Shou is buying us time. Do not waste his efforts by trying to save him as well.”

 

The usually sapphire eyes were bleeding crimson, and her voice had dropped to a growl. “I said now.”

 

Snarling, Seiji dropped down. He was still several lengths from the ground when Mizuki leapt, her naginata flashing as she slammed it point first into the black dragon behind Shou. The dragon roared and slammed into a wall, trying to crush his attacker. Mizuki hung on and attacked again, aiming for his eyes. The dragon was already bleeding heavily from Shou, and as he weakened the hanyou cut him apart.

 

Shou grabbed the red dragon and tried to pin him down. The larger dragon pulled free and grabbed onto Shou's leg, twisting.

 

`She is far too busy saving everyone to actually accomplish anything.' Seiji swerved away to hunt his prey. `If that is how she wishes to die, so be it.'

 

Tsuki spotted Seiji and took cover in the central building.

 

`I will find you.' Seiji dropped to the ground, all of his senses focused on hunting and killing the one taiyoukai.

 

There was a howl behind him, and he was quite certain it was from Shou. Even as his mind screamed that his prey was getting away, his instincts yanked his head around to look. The blue and silver dragon was hurt, and Mizuki was standing between him and the remaining dragon. The second dragon was a carcass a short distance away. The female was not standing quite right, and he could see her crimson eyes from where he stood.

 

Seiji turned away. `It was her choice. I have a duty.'

 

The sound of claws and steel could not be blocked out, or the defiant roar of the dragon that would defend his mistress until death.

 

`Damn it all to hell!' Seiji turned away from Tsuki's trail and charged the dragon that had knocked Shou aside in favor of killing his mistress.

 

----

 

Mizuki knew she was in trouble, but she did not care. Shou was badly hurt, with one leg barely hanging on to his body. She felt no pain, even through a part of her mind was screaming that she was injured. The blood colored dragon loomed over her as both of her hands clutched her naginata. `Shou is pack.'

 

She was so focused on her opponent that her brain was not able to comprehend when it simply disappeared. Her eyes swung to the side and saw Seiji tangled with the dragon. Before her rational mind could even voice an opinion she was in motion, determined to help kill the beast that had hurt her Shou so badly.

 

Seiji heard the familiar whistling sound and got the hell out of the way. Mizuki's eyes were still those of a youkai as she ripped into the downed dragon. Even as Seiji tore the dragon's abdomen open Mizuki sliced through his throat, ensuring that the dragon would not be getting up again.

 

The red eyes gave Seiji reason to pause. This had started when she had landed near him, and had become much worse when she saw Shou under attack. She did not look entirely sane.

 

All around them the soldiers were working up their courage, now that they were not distracted by Shou or the explosions that Mizuki had arranged. Somebody fired an arrow at the hanyou, choosing her as the easiest target.

 

Mizuki snatched it out of the air, growling as she turned to face this new threat. The look in her eyes and the change in her scent made them draw back half a step. What was she?

 

The hanyou ripped into the soldiers, leaving a bloody swath behind her. Seiji spared a moment to just watch. She was primitive, like a force of nature as she destroyed everything in her reach. When Seiji jumped into the fray and Shou blasted at them from where he stood, the soldiers decided they had seen enough. It had only been a day since Tsuki had taken over the palace in a blood bath that had wiped out over half of his own forces as well as Akira's. Now her son had brought this creature from hell with him to exact revenge.

 

At first it was a few soldiers that broke and ran, but the idea quickly took hold. When they had to choose between their fear of Tsuki and their fear of death staring them in the eyes, they chose to risk Tsuki's wrath.

 

Assuming he lived through the day.

 

Mizuki showed every sign of pursuing the fleeing soldiers, but Seiji blocked her path. The still crimson eyes glared at him as she continued to growl deep in her chest.

 

Seiji transformed, keeping a careful eye on the rather crazed hanyou. “Mizuki-san.”

 

The hanyou blinked and the growl stopped, but the eyes were still not sane.

 

The dragon dared a few more steps, coming within an arm's length of the hanyou. He touched her shoulder. “Mizuki.”

 

Sanity leaked back into her expression. The now sapphire eyes blinked and looked down to her blood soaked clothing. Confused, she looked back to her ally. “Seiji-san. What has happened?”

 

“We will discuss it later. Now we must hunt down our true prey. You did an excellent job of taking the fight out of our enemies.”

 

“I did . . . “ Mizuki looked at the carnage around herself. “Shou!”

 

The dragon had stayed clear of the fight, trying to help while on three legs. Mizuki ran her hand over the mangled remains of his leg, biting her lip. “You are done fighting for today, sleepy one.”

 

Shou growled, but it had little of his usual fight in it.

 

“Do not argue with me.” Mizuki rapped him on the nose. “Come.”

 

Seiji glared as Shou changed to his smallest form and floated to Mizuki. The dragon had his front leg wrapped and secured to his own body, a hasty job that would hold for the time being. Mizuki felt more secure with him across her shoulders, where she could watch over him.

 

“If you are quite ready, Tsuki may not have totally escaped.” Seiji snarled at the female.

 

“I do not abandon pack.” Mizuki snatched her naginata from a rapidly cooling corpse and set off across the grounds. “It is a lesson that dragons would do well to learn.”

 

`And is that why you came after me, my little inu?' Seiji fell into step with her, finding Tsuki's scent as they slipped into the building that the Eastern lord had always considered home. `Thank every deity known that mother sent the twins and my brother to stay with her family.'

 

Tsuki was waiting for them, alone in the Great Hall. The room was already damaged from the coup he had led, and the smell of smoke blocked out everything. The state of his family's home drove Seiji's temper even higher.

 

“Seiji, I will admit that I had not expected you so soon, and without an army. Instead you bring Sesshomaru's eldest. Interesting choice.” Tsuki stepped down from the dais, as calm as though he was joining them for a meal.

 

“My mother should have killed you as soon as she was done with your brother.” Seiji drew his sword. “These are my family's lands.”

 

“No, these are Ryuutaisho's lands, and that dog killed him and gave them to that traitorous bitch you call a mother. The sons all died, and I was next in line. These are my lands, and your late mother stole them.”

 

“I have heard this argument, Tsuki. Your brother lost, and the lands are now rightfully my mother's.”

 

“Mizuki, correct?” Tsuki ignored Seiji and looked to the silent female beside him. “You are second in line to the West. What would you do if someone murdered your father and brother, then took your family's lands?”

 

“That would never happen.” Mizuki fought to unclench her jaw. `But I would do exactly what he has done.'

 

“Come, Seiji. I will give you the honorable option that was never given to me. Fight me, and the winner can be the new Lord to the East.” Tsuki turned and snatched up his weapons from the dais. “With the little hanyou for a mate Sesshomaru would not dispute either of our claims.”

 

“You wish to fight for the East and Sesshomaru's daughter?” Seiji walked to the center of the hall, his sword at the ready.

 

“Hai. The survivor gets both.”

 

`The hell he does!' Mizuki was completely incensed by the entire situation, even as she stood completely still with her usual lack of expression. `Fight for the East, you fools, but I am not a part of this.'

 

Sharp claws pricked her skin as Shou hissed.

 

“No, little one. This is his fight. Tsuki has the right as Ryuutaisho's brother and the former heir.”

 

His eyes stared into hers.

 

“Of course, if he should be foolish enough to try to claim me, his life is forfeit.”

 

Seiji and Tsuki slowly circled each other. Tsuki was a few thumb lengths shorter with a stockier build. He held a katana in one hand and a nasty, double bladed dagger in the other.

 

It was Seiji that moved first, closing in to exchange blows with the older dragon. He had no doubt that he could best Tsuki, but the dragon was well known for his treachery. Sparks flew when the blades touched, illuminating their faces in shades of white and blue.

 

Tsuki pushed hard, forcing his opponent back and dove in with his dagger. Seiji grabbed his wrist and tried to force him to drop it. Blood splattered the floor, but Tsuki refused to let go. His fangs flashed as he kicked out, aiming for Seiji's gut.

 

Evading the kick cost Seiji his grip on Tsuki. The dagger slashed through his arm even as the shorter dragon pulled away.

 

“If you simply wanted to commit suicide for your family's defeat, there was no need for so much destruction.” Seiji spun around and slammed into Tsuki, knocking him away. “I would have been more then happy to oblige you.”

 

Tsuki slammed back into Seiji, sending them both to the floor. “Awfully confident for someone with no support.”

 

“I do not need support to defeat you.”

 

“Truly?”

 

A figure dropped from the ceiling, unnoticed until he moved. Seiji saw movement at the edge of his vision and moved to defend himself, but too late.

 

A sword slammed into Seiji's back, driving him to one knee. He had avoided the heart shot that would have probably knocked him to the ground, but he was still in trouble. Tsuki wasted no time in closing, his opponent temporarily debilitated.

 

A low growl made Tsuki glance away, just in time to see the business end of a naginata coming for his head. He dropped to the ground, but got the weighted end in his chest for his troubles.

 

“This is not your fight, hanyou.” Tsuki flipped to his feet, ignoring Seiji in favor of the aggressive female.

 

“I will not allow him to die due to your treachery. This was not a part of your challenge.” Mizuki stalked the dragon as he backed away.

 

“It is not your concern. I am the rightful ruler of these lands, and that makes his life mine.”

 

“No.” Mizuki slammed her naginata into his sword, locking it up. She twisted her weapon hard, sending the sword clattering to the ground. Her voice was little more then a soft growl. “His life is mine.”

 

His dagger moved for her, but she had fought with a dagger often enough to predict this. Her right hand dropped the naginata to grab her sword, using an upward slice to cut straight through his wrist. Both the dagger and the hand fell to the floor.

 

Tsuki snarled and backed away, holding the damaged arm to his chest. The point of a sword was against his back, stopping his retreat. He turned his head to find a badly injured and thoroughly pissed off taiyoukai behind him. The treacherous partner was in pieces on the floor.

 

“It was a tactical error to try something so treacherous in front of Mizuki-san.” Seiji stepped closer, watching the hanyou over Tsuki's shoulder. “She does not accept that kind of behavior.”

 

Mizuki gave Seiji a faint glare, even as she set her own sword against Tsuki's throat. “I assume that you wish to finish this.”

 

“It was part of the challenge.”

 

“Very well. His accomplice has been defeated, and the fight is even. I will release him.”

 

Tsuki was released, and Mizuki walked away. The wounded dragon turned to face Seiji with his chin raised. “Your house will fall. My family will see to that.”

 

Seiji drew his sword back.

 

A dagger appeared in Tsuki's remaining hand, quickly slamming into Seiji's shoulder. The dragon snarled and fell back. Something on the blade was sweeping through his body like flame, blocking out any kind of thought. Tsuki broke Seiji's grip on his sword and pulled it into his own hand.

 

There was a whistling sound, and Tsuki's head fell to the ground.

 

“Baka.” Mizuki hissed as she yanked the dagger out of Seiji's shoulder. The pain stopped immediately, leaving the dragon blinking on the floor. “Why could you not just finish him?”

 

Seiji looked to where Tsuki was bleeding out on the floor. “You killed him.”

 

“Hai.” Mizuki offered a hand to help Seiji off of the floor.

 

“I was to kill him.”

 

“It did not look promising.”

 

“It was a challenge, hanyou.”

 

“Challenge or no challenge, no one may kill you but me. However, I will tell no one.”

 

“That is not the point. It was not your fight.”

 

“Then I will request that my father revives him so that you can kill him this time.” Ignoring the only surviving dragon in the complex, Mizuki walked away.

 

Seiji saw her steps falter and the way her jaw clenched as she forced her body to continue on its way. Blood was seeping through her clothing, and he could scent blood from her partner as well. It was not lost on him that these injuries were all for his family, and without her assistance he may very well have failed to save his mother's position.

 

“Mizuki-san.”

 

Mizuki stopped in the doorway. “Hai, Seiji-san.”

 

“I suppose this makes you the heir to the East.”

 

One eyebrow popped up. “Nani?”

 

“The challenge was for the Eastern Lands. Since my mother is still alive, that would be the position of heir.” Seiji kept a hand on the nasty gash through his torso as he walked towards the perplexed hanyou. “You did defeat Tsuki.”

 

“Hai.” A smile pulled at the corner of Mizuki's mouth. “But if I remember correctly, I was also fighting for the daughter of Sesshomaru. What shall I receive instead?”

 

“That was not my suggestion.” Seiji echoed her smile. “However, it was a comforting thought to know that if I failed, Tsuki would be following after me shortly.”

 

“Very true.” Mizuki looked about the smoldering wreckage that had once been the home of the Eastern Court. “What have we done?”

 

“We have won, Mizuki.”