InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ High Voltage- Reviving the Thunder ❯ Brotherhood of the Wolf ( Chapter 10 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

High Voltage: Reviving the Thunder- Chapter 10: "Brotherhood of the Wolf"
By Matoko Shizaki

Disclaimer: Inu-Yasha is copyright Rumiko Takahashi and Sunrise Inc. All of the characters have been made up by me except Kaede, Inu-Yasha, Kagome, Miroku, Sango, Shippo, Kiara, Myoga, Hiten, and Manten.

Notes: I finally finished the last chapter!!! YAY!!! THIS IS MY LONGEST RUNNING FIC EVER!!! WOOHOO!!! Thanks to people who have been reviewing one some of my fics such as:

Mayuka/May

DarkAngelRn

Cacat-angel

Chibi Washu (sorry, got that wrong the first time! ^_^;;)

Animegirl3

Tikimoof

YamiBishounen

It's really appreciated! Peace out!

@~@~@~@~@

The trail was lonely and silent as the group made its way towards the next village. Shippo, nestled in the basket of Kagome's bike, sighed, his thoughts drifting back to Kohaku. "Hey, wait up!" Kagome, who was walking the bike along, turned around. "Kagoyo, what are you doing here?" she asked. Kagoyo bent over trying to catch his breath. "I… just got… a letter from… my brother. He needs… my help. Demons…" Miroku clanked his staff on the ground idly. "You're brother?" he asked aloud. "Well, my half brother. We have the same mother but different fathers. His father was full wolf demon and my father was a kitsune." Kagoyo explained. "Did he mention which demon?" Shippo asked. Kagoyo nodded. "Toriyama. He knows his location and needs all the help he can get to storm the fortress. He has his tribe of wolves but that's it." Kagome glanced at Inu-Yasha. "Let's go with Kagoyo. We have the same goal anyway." Kagome said. Inu-Yasha nodded in agreement. "How far is your brother from here?" Inu-Yasha asked. Kagoyo pointed into the woods across the field. "Deep in these woods. At least that's what the messenger told me." Sango nodded. "Let's hurry."

Kagoyo continued sniffing at the trees as they made their way through the brush. "My older brother, he's been through here. This way." Kagoyo ran ahead into the trees. Aoi shrugged an the other's ran to catch up with him. Branches were pushed aside and as soon as Aoi caught up, she found herself circled by several wolves. "This is bad." she muttered. "Who are you?" a wolf demon asked, changing from his wolf form to human. "Kagoyo, brother of your leader." Kagoyo proclaimed. "Hn. Lies!" the wolf sniffed. "So, you don't even recognize the brother of your own leader? Pitiful." The wolves backed off as a figure approached Kagoyo. "You did decide to come after all brother!" The leader exclaimed. "Yes, and I brought some help as well." Kagoyo gestured to the others. The figure finally stepped into the light. "Kagome!" Kagome jumped as the leader clutched her hands in his. "It's so good to see you again!" Kagome blinked before the face registered in her mind. "Kouga! Kouga is your brother?!" she choked out. Kagoyo smiled. "I didn't know you knew each other." Kagoyo said sheepishly. "Back off wimpy wolf!" Inu-Yasha growled. "Heh, sorry dog terd. Didn't know you were here too." Kouga retorted. "Well, this is ironic…" Kagome muttered.

Smoke from the fire rose to the heavens as information was shared. "Toriyama's fortress lies just a few miles north of here. About a day's journey on foot." Kouga explained. "What do you plan to do? Do you even know the defenses?" Inu-Yasha asked, critical of anything Kouga said. There was a pause. "No." Aoi's head drooped. "That means that we'll have to prepare someone to spy on the fortress. Maybe even infiltrate it." she cried. Kouga sighed. "More delay then?" Hiten slammed his fist down. "We have no time! We need to get into that fortress now!" Kouga backed up. "What's got you so upset?" Kouga replied in a growl. "Nothing… just nothing…" Hiten muttered. This only aroused a sigh from Kouga. "We won't have enough wolves to get past the defense. I know it. What do you think brother?" Kouga asked. Kagoyo nodded. "I agree with you. There are several wolf tribes around here that will support our cause. But I suggest we split up." Kouga slammed his fist into the palm of his right hand causing several wolf demons behind him to jump. "Yes! That's perfect. I, Kagome, Miroku, and Sango shall head up one section of the pack. Kagoyo! You, Aoi, Hiten, and dog terd over there shall lead up another section. Azaka, Manten, Witan, and Shippo will lead the rest." Inu-Yasha jumped up in protest. "Why do you get to go with Kagome?!?!?!" Kouga stood up to meet his challenge. "What? Afraid my wonderful charms will win her over?" Inu-Yasha grunted and sat back down. "Not in the slightest." "Then it's settled," Azaka exclaimed. "We leave at dawn." And with those finally words, the conspirators departed, returning to their beds.

Dawn arose quicker then anyone expected. Manten felt someone grip his shoulders tightly and then kick him in his unprotected back. He jumped, but felt no pain through his rough hide. Scratching his neck and muttering something about hair growing potion, the demon rolled over and fell back asleep. Hiten bent down closer to his brother's ear and grinned evilly. "Manten… MANTEN!!!" The covers flew off of the youngest Thunder brother and he sat up straight in bed, panting and nervous. "Oh brother, good morning." Manten mused sheepishly as he got up. A few wolf demons snickered but were silenced when Manten growled at them. "It's time to leave Manten." Azaka exclaimed strapping his pack to his back. "Without breakfast?!" Manten complained. Azaka began to explain to him as Hiten chuckled and rejoined the four others leading his section of the pack in the search.

Aoi was leaned again the tree, chewing anxiously on the end of a blade of grass. Inu-Yasha watched with close eyes making sure that Kouga made no advancements on Kagome and mumbled a greeting to Hiten. Before Hiten could reply, a white wolf scampered up. Changing back to his human like form, Kagoyo reported the news. "My older brother is ready to set off. We're heading east but we're in luck! The tribe we need to find is not far off." Aoi removed her chewing blade from her mouth and tossed it to the ground. "That's good. How long will it take Kagoyo?" Kagoyo smiled. "A few hours. But it is an honor to be in your presence for so long." Kagoyo dipped into a bow, seized Aoi's hand, and planted a small kiss on it. She giggled and looked over at Hiten who was glaring daggers at the kitsune wolf demon. "See Hiten, you should be a gentleman like Kagoyo." Aoi said. Hiten mumbled something in response and turned around. "Damn, Kagoyo is a lot like his brother, huh Hiten?" Inu-Yasha said with a toothy grin. "Shut up halfling. No one asked you." Hiten snapped. Inu-Yasha leapt from the tree to the ground, landing on all fours. "Shall we start?" Kagoyo suggested. Inu-Yasha nodded and the three sections of the tribe began to go their own ways.

The annoying buzz in Witan's ear had grown louder and he slapped at the side of his face in retaliation. "Damned bugs!" he cursed. Shippo's tail swatted a few away. "Hey, I'll have you know that I'm considered a bug too!" Myoga complained from where he was sitting on Shippo's shoulder. Manten sighed. "Between the two of you, I don't know who's more annoying!" Manten yelled. Azaka snickered. "Hey Manten, who am I?" Azaka screwed up his face in a tired and infuriated expression. "Just five more minutes! I'm too tired to get up!" Azaka burst out laughing which erupted a string of glares from Manten. Suddenly, Azaka stopped as he felt someone brush up against him. "Sire, we scouts are ready to report." the wolf demon said. Azaka straightened himself up and tried to look important while Shippo, Witan, and Manten sweat dropped knowing that the young warrior would never be capable of being 'noble'. "Yes, what have you to report?" Azaka asked, ignoring his friends. "The tribe we seek has been in the area but their tracked stop suddenly just a few miles up." Shippo leaned closer to the scout. "You serious?!" he gasped. "As serious as I'll ever be pup." The sentry replied. "Stay back here," Azaka ordered. "This doesn't seem right. And tell the rest of the tribe to be on high alert." The wolf nodded and departed as swiftly as he had come.

"Honestly, Kagome, what do you see in that dog terd?" Kouga asked, trying to make small talk. "He's just like you Kouga. You two just hate each other too much to realize it." Kagome retorted, a little insulted at Kouga's puns of her half demon companion. "Ha. I never knew you to make jokes Kagome." Kouga replied lightly. A staff tapped the wolf demon on the shoulder. "Lady Kagome doesn't joke like that. She's right you know." Miroku added. Kouga snorted. "Who asked your opinion monk?!" "No one. It's just your voice was so loud and full of insecurity that I couldn't help but notice." Miroku muttered serenely. Kouga growled and gave up, unable to outwit his wise companion. (A/N: I know, "Since when was Miroku wise? He's a lech for Kami's sake!!" Whatever… He's a little smarter then Kouga to say the least.)

Pebbles skipped across the water, bouncing three times before they sunk into the murky deep. Inu-Yasha sighed, his mind lingering on Kagome. 'If Kouga does anything to here I swear I'll…!' The half demon leaned back onto his hands and glances over at Hiten who's gaze was pinned on where Kagoyo was offering Aoi a flower. The girl smelled it and laughed as Kagoyo took it from her hands carefully. He smiled and placed it in her hair before exclaiming, "Two things of rare beauty should belong together." Inu-Yasha didn't need to be psychic to read what Hiten was thinking. He could hear the thunder demon's voice now: "That bastard! He had better get away from her right now or I'll rip his head off!" Finding this as a good opportunity to annoy, Inu-Yasha grinned manically. "Jealous thunder boy?" he mused before dodging a backwards punch from Hiten. "No. Idiot half demon, I don't care who she loves." the thunder demon muttered. Inu-Yasha shrugged. "Sure. Whatever you say."

A soft muzzle nudged Kagoyo's elbow disrupting him from flirting with Aoi. "What is it?" Kagoyo asked, a little gruffly. The wolf shifted to his human form and bowed. "Lord Kagoyo, we have received a messenger from Azaka's section. They say that the tribe has disappeared and that they need reinforcements." Kagoyo sighed. "Is that all?" he asked. The wolf demon shook his head. "No sire, the scouts also regret to report that our tribe that we seek has disappeared from the area." Kagoyo jumped up. "What do you mean disappeared?!?" The wolf cowered before him. "Exactly what I said sire! They are no where!" Kagoyo snorted. "When do the tracks end?" "Just up ahead." The wolf said pointing to the edge of the forest. "Good. Them we're going up to inspect. Then we shall see to sending reinforcements to Azaka." The wolf nodded and departed as Kagoyo's tail pricked up. "What is it Kagoyo?" Aoi asked. "Something doesn't seem right…"

The group came to a halt as Shippo sniffed the air. "I smell… b-blood!" Shippo stammered, hiding behind Azaka. "Where is the scent coming from Shippo?" Azaka asked. Shippo pointed a shaky finger to the bushes in front of him. "There!" Azaka drew his weapon from his back and used it to push away the bushes. He withdrew in disgust as the low drone of flies became louder. "They're… all d-dead." Azaka stammered, his left eye twitching slightly. Shippo gingerly crawled up the boy's shoulder to catch a peek but soon regretted doing so. "Ugh… who would do such a thing?" he asked while covering his nose. Scattered across the clearing were the bodies of what used to be the wolf tribe. Some had changed to human form, some still wolves, but all of them had her violently killed. Several bites were taken out of each of them. "God help us…" Witan muttered.

By now, the entire pack had broken into a dead run. Aoi trailed behind Kagoyo, trying to keep up with the fast pace his wolf form allowed him to have. "Do you think that Azaka may had discovered the same thing we did?" Aoi asked Inu-Yasha. The half demon shrugged. "How should I know? But, seeing as how Kagoyo's having the entire pack merge with Azaka's section…" Hiten grunted. "No doubt that's what this cowardly wolf plans to do." he replied bluntly. Several barks were issued from Kagoyo to the rest of the tribe. "What in hell did he say?" Inu-Yasha asked. "You think I know?" Aoi snapped. "He said that the rest of the tribe is nearby." Hiten informed them. "Since when could you understand wolf talk?" Aoi asked. "Don't think you know so much about me woman." Hiten retorted gruffly.

Shivers ran up Witan's spine. "There's someone here. I think it's the one who killed this tribe." he whispered to Azaka. "I feel it too." Manten added. "Then where are they?" Azaka whispered back. "It feels like they're all around us." Manten told him. "They're?" Azaka squeaked. There was a sharp yelp from one of the wolves as he collapsed to the ground, his throat slit. "Whoever it is, they aren't friendly and we can't see them." Shippo stammered. Manten grunted and drew a dagger from his belt. "There!" he cried. With a hiss like steam rising from a kettle, the intruder was revealed and stumbled back, wounded. Suddenly, the rest were noticeable amongst the green surroundings. All features were camouflaged with the exception of the long hands with three claws projecting from the knuckles. "I think… we're in trouble…" Witan whimpered as the creatures made their advance. Azaka nodded, regarding the creature advancing him with a look of terror.

Before Azaka could reach for his weapon, the creature fell to the ground, tackled by a big white blur. "Kagoyo!" Shippo cried. The throat was ripped from the creature's neck by Kagoyo's powerful jaws. The white wolf spat out the chunk of flesh as the other's in his group arrived. "So this is what got rid of those tribes." Inu-Yasha said, a sadistic grin spreading across his face as he cracked his knuckles. "Well, you sure scared them off." Witan said with relief. There was an uneasy silence that made Hiten's eyes widen. "Out of the way!" he cried shoving Aoi to one side. She collapsed into Azaka's arms just as Hiten grunted in pain, his armor plates being cut from around his stomach. The straps had been severed with ease and Hiten hunched over his new wound, the blood gently running over his fingers. "They're… not retreating. They're regrouping." he managed to choke out. "Hiten, are you alright?" Kagoyo asked laying a hand on the demon's shoulder. Hiten shrugged him off. "Tis only a flesh wound." he replied. Now the hissing had once more surrounded them, screeching in their ears where ever they turned. "This is bad…" Azaka muttered. He could feel the creatures' breath on his face and knew he was done for. That is… until something sounded out new hope.

It started off softly and grew to a booming noise. This said sound was unmistakable… It was a wolf's howl. Now, in a weird turn of events, the creatures found themselves stuck between their prey and predators, the predators being Kouga, Kagome, Sango, and Miroku along with a pack twice the size of the one they had left with. Cruel claws ripped through the bodies of the creatures while the rest of the diminishing forces fled. Finally, everyone was safe.

"Hey! That hurts! Quit tying it so tight!" Hiten whined. In spite of her friend, Aoi tightened the bandages more. "Stop whining. There, all done." Hiten pulled away from Aoi with a snort. "You must really think I'm weak. Stooping so low as to get treatment for such a minor wound." Hiten grumbled as he crossed his arms. "Minor? If you hadn't stepped back ever so slightly, it would have be fatal!" Aoi slapped a hand onto Hiten's back which erupted a cry of pain. "If it hurts so much, you have to tell me!" Aoi cried.

Meanwhile, Kouga had assembled the others to plot once again. "Now we have double the wolves we had before." Kouga explained. "That should be enough." The second wolf pack's leader, Satoru, spoke up. "What about a spy? We need someone to figure out the construct of the fortress." Miroku smiled. "That shall have to wait. For now, we should rest and ready ourselves for the fight ahead of us." Kagoyo interjected. "Might I suggest that our friends that aren't part of the tribes go to the nearest village for the night? There is not enough room for extra persons to stay in this clearing." Inu-Yasha leaned back. "Fine with me. Kagome?" Kagome nodded. "It'll be nice to sleep in a bed again!" she exclaimed. "Then it's settled. We shall see you in the morning." Kagoyo finished as he blew out the gas lamp and all fell to darkness again.