InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ I am the Moon ❯ Sapporo ( Chapter 39 )

A/n: I do not own Inuyasha; Rumikio Takahashi does.

 

Sapporo

 

I stood in the field working on my teleporting. I had gotten used to traveling by my energy sphere and this took much of my yoki. I would pop in and out the palace and surprise my family. I had popped into my father's study during an administrative meeting with the nobles and had turned red faced. My father's eyes held amusement and I disappeared quickly. I channeled Naraku quite frequently and he had found me on my second day and had complained I was starting to exhaust him. I smirked at him and ported away. He was not amused and I ended up draining him anyway. I had mastered short distances by the third day. Shezmu would lend me his own yoki and I was like a pup. I popped into Yuudai's study in the mist of a meeting and my poor karuson had actually let a small yelp at my sudden appearance.

“Hello General!” I said with a joyous smirk.

“You are dismissed.” He said to his subordinates.

His men bowed to him and me and I heard several `My Lady'. He looked at me and smiled. I sat and waited for my official consort of the West to follow.

“You are happy; I mean truly happy.” He said.

“Hai!” I replied.

“I am going to venture a guess and say that your wayward mate has returned.” He said evenly.

“I will not lie to you.” I said sheepishly.

“Well I will keep my distance from him but he is a fool if he thinks I will stand aside.” Yuudai growled.

“He thinks no such thing! He said you are the West's consort and his happy for you to be it. He says and I quote that `you can deal with the iceberg mutt'.” I said grimacing.

“Did he now.” Yuudai started laughing.

“He still does not like my father.” I stated uncomfortably.

“Your father favors our union but I wish to see you happy and he makes you happy. I will say nothing. You father is going to flip when he finds out.” Yuudai said.

“Hai.” I said looking away.

“Chuusin! I expected him to come back into your life; I truly did. You do not have to mask your pregnancy either. Respect me enough that I understand you.” He said irritated.

“I love you karuson!” I said suddenly.

“I have always loved you too chuusin. Promise me one thing.” He said softly.

“Hai anything.” I said.

“Bear me a pup. I want a pup from you. I can be patient but promise that.” He said staring at me with his gray eyes.

“I promise.” I said pressing my lips to his.

“Now onto state business. The hawk has returned to the North to gather his people. The Byakko are entrenched in their small city called Sapporo. I am thinking a siege is in order. They will not hear our diplomats.” He stated.

“Tianjin all over again.” I said sighing.

“This time it will be with a bunch of silver tigers. It is funny but they hail from the mainland and Lord Tekeshi hailed from there. The hawks can keep the Birds of Paradise busy while we take on Sapporo.” He stated.

“Sounds good but let us hope these tigers see reason.” I stated.

“Probably not. I find the bigger the predator the more stubborn and vicious they are.” He said with a shrug.

“I would like to leave the West in two days time. He has said he would like to be of assistance.” I told Yuudai.

“Interesting indeed. I shall meet with him. The Northern Castle would be an excellent launching ground. Speak with him and tell him to expect the troops. It would do us well to send them ahead.” He stated.

“Alright karuson.” I said.

“You forget chuusin I have known you all your life. I know you and I am glad that Mizuki has her chichi back. Have you told her?” he asked.

“Not yet. I wanted to make sure I maintained the pregnancy.” I said wincing.

“I will have a pup of your loins chuusin.” He said standing and placing a kiss on my forehead.

I grabbed him and he was surprised and devoured his mouth. He growled softly and gave in. His hands reached up and held the sides of my face. I pulled away and smirked. I decided to try and teleport to the Northern Castle. I pulled all my yoki and even Naraku's to do it. I appeared at the castle and Naraku looked annoyed. I smirked at him and he growled. I sat and he joined me. He was impatient with me and I knew he was tired from all my channeling.

“You sit there and say nothing yet I know you need to tell me your plans.” He growled lightly.

“Yuudai wants to send the troops this way and launch a siege against Sapporo.” I said.

“That is acceptable. So he wants to meet me hmmm?” he asked.

“Hai and give me just a little privacy?” I asked sweetly.

“Why? It is so much more convenient just getting information straight from your mind.” He smirked.

“Well it is rude!” I snapped.

“I am rude? Well I have been called worse. When does your consort puppy wish to talk?” he asked teasing me.

“Knowing Yuudai as soon as possible.” I stated.

“Well I think I should like to meet the mutt.” He said giving me a devilish smile.

“I know you do not like my father but Yuudai is a noble of the West. He is not my father and he is my best friend from childhood.” I stated.

“I know all this already my sweet.” He condescended.

“You are making me wish I did not meld with you!” I snapped.

“That is not what you really feel. I shall meet with your mutt now.” He said standing and pulling me up with him.

I shook my head and stared at the former hanyou. He could be fierce and I knew he regretted much. He wanted to see Yuudai for himself. He pulled us into his miasma and we appeared outside of the palace grounds. He let me go and he sat beneath a tree and looked at me with his mahogany gaze.

“I will bring you Yuudai.” I sighed.

“I told you I love this bond!” he snickered.

I shook my head and I was glad he was enjoying the closeness but he was being obnoxious. I rolled my eyes and transformed into my sphere and went to the palace. I landed in the southern portion and transformed. I went to Yuudai's study and walked in. He looked up and he was packing up his maps.

“He wishes to speak with you.” I said softly.

“Well then he is direct. Good.” Yuudai said.

Naraku and Yuudai were fixing to have a pissing contest and I rolled my eyes again. I took Yuudai's hand and transformed again into my sphere. It took mere minutes for me to reach Naraku. He was now leaning quite casually against the tree. Considering their last encounter I was wary of the two meeting.

“General Yuudai.” Naraku said raising an ebony brow.

“Naraku.” Yuudai acknowledged.

“Shall we dispense with games?” Naraku asked bluntly.

“Hai direct is best.” Yuudai agreed.

“You deal with the mutt that sired her. My ill feelings are quite well known and I would as soon spit on him as pummel him. You deal with this consort crap as I could care less about anything that icicle manages.” Naraku said flippantly.

“Your legend precedes you Naraku. I can more than handle my duties as Lady Asuna's consort. I shall be blunt as well; I have no wish to interfere with your life as it is with her but I too have a life with her. If we can agree not to interfere with the other then I see it an agreeable situation.” Yuudai said.

“I suppose you wish to have offspring?” Naraku asked evenly.

“Hai as you have the same desire.” Yuudai said raising his own brow.

Naraku appraised Yuudai and narrowed his eyes.

“You hurt her and I will kill you.” Naraku said flatly.

“Same goes for you.” My general said.

“We understand each other. Good. Now you wish to launch your troops from my castle?” He asked.

“Hai. Sapporo is the city in which we will lay siege.” Yuudai said.

“The Byakko are a very aggressive tribe. It will not be an easy battle. I have seen them numerous times and dispatched a few.” Naraku replied.

I watched as the two talked. It seemed Naraku at least found him tolerable. I hoped they could get along. I sat and watched as they continued to talk.

“How would you say they were in battle against those that have not your abilities?” Yuudai asked.

“They are heavily muscled and have sheer brute strength. They are more than aggressive.” Naraku stated nonchalantly.

I listened carefully and watched both of their body language. Yuudai had visibly relaxed and Naraku kept his cocky air. I was hungry and took the opportunity to change form and hunt. Yuudai looked at me and I could see the appreciation in his eyes. My true form always shocked the former hanyou. I trotted over and licked his face to make him annoyed. I barked softly to Yuudai and Naraku looked at him.

“She was telling me she is going to hunt.” Yuudai said to Naraku.

I held Naraku's eyes with my crimson gaze and he winked at me. I yipped and Yuudai snorted. Naraku glared at me and I put my nose to ground to find prey.

“What did she say inu?” Naraku asked.

“She said you are too cocky.” Yuudai snickered.

“Oh did she now? Touché my dear inu princess.” He called out to me.

I barked back something positively indecent and Yuudai covered his mouth hiding his amusement. I kept my mind positively blank and Naraku growled in my head. I made kissing noises in his. I took off after the scent of elk.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

The air was full of the foul beasts known as the Birds of Paradise. They were half humanoid and half avian. I saw Tsubasa in the distance and he was taking on a nasty buggar. The hawk was not exactly rude to me but he was distant; I knew it was because of who my mother was. His hawks were fierce and brilliant warriors. I thrust my fang through the avian face of one beast; its humanoid half screamed in pain and I pulled my fang out and ran the humanoid through. I pushed the beast away as I withdrew the Kumosaiga. Naraku too was in the thick of things. He was injecting one with his potent miasma when one came upon him. He was not aware but I yelled and threw the Kumosaiga and he caught it with ease. He shoved it backwards and channeled his miasma through the blade. My mouth dropped open but I pulled a dirk and shoved it into the eye of the next. Yuudai was battling with his katana and his form was exquisite. He brought his blade down straight through the humanoid half of one bird. Somehow my two mates had become back to back.

“Hey mutt how do you feel about flying?” Naraku asked sarcasticlly.

“If you are speaking about the avian bigger than the rest than flying is acceptable.” Yuudai retorted.

A tentacle erupted from Naraku and Yuudai stepped up and Naraku catapulted Yuudai up. My general sliced straight through the large Bird of Paradise and the creature fell to the ground dead. Yuudai landed with out effort and I managed to snort out the words show offs.

“Naraku duck!” Yuudai called.

He did as he was bid and Yuudai cut off another's humanoid. Naraku threw me the fang and in mid air I willed it to me.

“Back up!” I yelled.

The few elite soldiers and the hawks suddenly scattered. I arced my fang and let loose the Spider Wave. The boom was almost deafening and the resulting energy finished off the few remaining. I felt a stabbing pain in my leg and noticed that the humanoid form that Yuudai had just cut off. I sneered and went to one knee and shoved my claws through its belly and I released a huge amount of my toxin. I withdrew my hand and stood. Pain shot up my leg but I managed to limp over to Yuudai. He had a few minor scratches and Naraku had a cut to his cheek. I sat down upon the blood soaked ground and pulled out the hem of my haori. I ripped it and wrapped it around the minor wound in my leg. Tendons had been cut and I would need the healer. This was only the second of several more nests that we had to go. The avian had refused to talk at all so I talked with my fang. I limped a little back towards the small camp. No tents had been erected yet but I gave the order when we arrived back at our clearing. The healer saw me and came up. He gave me small growls at my injury. I watched as a miniature canvas village was raised. When mine was erected I went inside it and sat down on the pallet. I watched as the healer worked on the wound. Since the tendons had been cut through it would take a little longer to heal. I sighed in frustration and looked around. I would have to go ahead and turn in to heal.

“That should do it my Lady. Here is a draught to help you sleep; seeing as how notorious you are for reinjurying yourself.” The healer said shaking his head.

“I take your impertinence because I have known you this half past century!” I snapped.

“I know my Lady. I am a healer and not a warrior. I have seen you reopen more wounds than any other inu in this army.” He said.

“Well I am pupped so I shall take it easy.” I said taking off my armor.

“Pregnant bitches should not be on a field of battle either!” he admonished me.

“Well this pregnant bitch commands this army so this bitch will be on the battle field!” I snapped.

“Good evening my Lady.” He said with a bow.

The draught made me very sleepy indeed and I lay down. I closed my eyes and I fell into slumber. I briefly stirred when I saw the hard body of my general slip in. I fell back asleep. Naraku stared from the doorway of the tent. He slipped in and the inu general had slipped next to Asuna. Surprisingly he felt little jealousy and instead felt a grudging like for the silver inu. He knew from her memories what an honorable youki he was. The idea of honor had never concerned him before but it did now. He also knew that the damn inu would sleep in great heaps of bodies when they were young. He made the decision and went over to the futon.

“Mutt scoot you two over.” He hissed softly.

Yuudai looked up surprised and did as he was asked. He watched the strange youki slip next to Asuna on the other side. Asuna slept on through the whole thing and Yuudai raised a brow.

“You grew up sleeping in heaps of dogs right? What is the damn difference?” Naraku asked softly.

“Actually nothing.” Yuudai shrugged.

“Good. I am not a deep sleeper anyway.” Naraku said pressing his chest against his mate's back.

Yuudai was amazed and his back against Asuna's chest and fell into a deep sleep that rarely happened when he was at war.

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I woke up and realized that there were two very male bodies sandwiching me between them. My ebony haired mate was to my back and my silver one to my chest. Yuudai stirred and I put a finger to my lips. He stretched lazily. He had slept deeply I could tell. I raised my brow in askance and he shrugged. He stood and stepped over the sleeping Naraku. He would stir and quickly. I stood up and my leg had stitched back together.

“So much for not being a deep sleeper.” Yuudai whispered.

“He goes to the point until he passes out. You seem refreshed.” I whispered back.

“Actually hai. I miss when you, I, and Osamu would pass out together. Something about sleeping in your pack.” He murmured. He smiled and kissed me softly. He pulled away and grabbed his haori. He slipped it on and went back to his own tent. I went and sat next to Naraku and he slowly opened a mahogany eye. He groaned and I knew without a doubt he would have slept longer if he could. He could never be watched while asleep; it unnerved him.

“Good morning. You never sleep that well away from your castle.” I said softly.

“It was especially warm. I am surprised I did. I like him. I cannot believe I like him.” Naraku muttered.

“He is unique.” I responded.

“I like him.” He said stiffly then pulled me down with him.

“Do you intend to grace my futon more often?” I asked in a sultry tone.

“Hai.” He answered bluntly.

I sat up and I was surprised. He put his arms underneath his head and he had changed the nature of my little triangle.

“You are suggesting we do this normally?” I asked him.

“Come my little inu. I have not and will never reach comfort with the idea of having a threesome as they say. I may be a little kinky but I am still very much of the mind to pleasure you all by myself.” He said in a seductive tone.

“You continue to surprise me.” I responded.

“Well I have been given the chance to surprise you.” He said sitting up.

“I love you.” I said.

“I know. I love you.” He said standing.

“You are going back to your castle to bring us clothing?” I asked picking his brain.

He closed his eyes and I could see how much pleasure he derived from the mental closeness. It amazed me how much he craved and wanted this bond considering how much he had wanted his privacy.

“It is because I had duality in my mind my sweet. It is hard to appear as one when your mind is in tumult.” He said answering my unvoiced question.

“I wish I had understood.” I said.

“It matters not. It is the past. I shall be back shortly.” He said.

He disappeared and I sat on the futon. I put my hand to my belly and hoped that the pup was a boy. I wanted Naraku to have his joy. I sensed a fleeting yoki and it was strange. I stood and grabbed my Kumosaiga. I saw a blur and I was thrown with some force through the tent and against a tree. It knocked the breath and my fang from me. Claws wrapped around my throat and silver eyes were narrowed at me. The male tiger before me was as tall as my father but much bulkier. His hair was shimmering silver and seemed to float around him all the way down his back. He had jagged black stripes around his eyes and along his exposed throat and arms. I noticed he actually had a tail. I should not have been surprised because my father had a fur boa that he controlled with his yoki. He watched me and I narrowed my eyes back. He said nothing and dug his claws deeply and I hissed in pain. He hauled me up and my breath was being cut off. I brought up my own claw and I grew a short whip. I wrapped it around his neck and cut off his air.

“You let me go mouko and I will do the same!” I croaked.

He roared and dropped me. I dissolved my whip and jerked my hand and threw the massive brute. He landed on his feet and came at me again. The other warriors actually came over with swords drawn. Yuudai was at the front and his face held fury. The tiger pressed a short sword to my throat and he growled in my ear when I tried to move him again.

“Anyone moves and the bitch dies!” the Byakko said in the deepest voice I ever heard. His Japanese was also broken; it reconfirmed intelligence that they were from the mainland.

I narrowed my eyes and Yuudai backed off. The tiger dragged me up and he teleported us in a flurry of wind.

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Yuudai was furious but kept himself calm. They were laying siege to the city and a kidnapping made since. He was unsure if they knew who she was or if it because she was the only female. Naraku appeared quickly and it had been taken the tiger less than a minute to do what he had done. Yuudai cursed at his carelessness. They were a good seventy five miles from the city and he did not expect that they would be so direct. The general went and picked up the Kumosaiga and handed it to Naraku. His gray eyes were set in a cold stare and motioned for the former hanyou to follow him. For no they would not harm her. They would use her as leverage. He went into the command tent and his lieutenant looked horrified.

“General Yuudai sir. They have the Lady Asuna.” The young soldier said.

“I know Akinori. You state the obvious. Gather the warriors together now. We are going after her.” Yuudai said calmly.

Naraku watched the young inu leave and looked at Yuudai. His face was in disbelief that anything could move faster than Asuna.

“They need her alive. We are moving now. Asuna will work from the inside to free herself.” Yuudai stated.

“You know she is pregnant.” Naraku said concerned.

“Hai Lord Naraku I know. I will stop at nothing till she is safe and returned to us. I get the impression they do not know who they have.” Yuudai said.

“They are brash.” Naraku observed.

“Hai they are and I know my chuusin; she will exploit it. She is under estimated because she is a beautiful onna.” Yuudai remarked.

“I can shape shift to get inside.” Naraku offered.

“Follow my lead in this. I have trained side by side with chuusin all my life. I know how she thinks when threatened.” Yuudai said softly.

“I follow you in this General Yuudai.” Naraku stated more calmly then he felt.

He could feel Asuna. She was pissed and she was apt to be reckless when angry. He prayed she would keep a calm head like Yuudai thought she would.

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I was thrown with force against the ground. I put my hands out to brace my fall some. I landed roughly and I heard bone snap. Pain exploded in my wrist and I shouted out. I heard the Byakko curse in Min Chinese. I recognized it as being spoken near Shanghai but I did not speak it.

“Stupid dog!” he snapped at me in Japanese.

“Stupid neko!” I snapped right back.

His silver eyes held contempt and hatred. He struck me across the cheek and I cursed him in Cantonese. He looked at me with narrowed eyes and spit at me.

“Dog whore!” he snapped.

My wrist continued to throb painfully and he jerked my arm and I yelped at the pain. He set the bone and ripped my already torn haori and wrapped my wrist tightly. He continued to glare at me and pace. His tale swished back and forth and I had a strong urge to bite the hell out of it. I was not stupid and he intended to use me for leverage. I pulled on my yoki and was fixing to teleport when I was grabbed and that tail wrapped around my throat and he held me hands. My wrist throbbed and he must have seen the pain cross my features. He pressed his claws under the bandage and pierced my skin. I felt a rush of cold and he numbed the pain. My captor had a compassionate side. He also had some sort of cold and numbing shiko.

“I will not hit you further if you cooperate.” He said in Cantonese.

“Why should I?” I retorted.

“Insolent female!” he roared.

I glared at him and I tried to again throw him. He moved a little and a look of intense annoyance passed his features. He was young that much I could tell; he was around my age or just a bit younger.

“Who dare takes me?” I demanded.

“I am Quon Hu. Who did I kidnap?” he demanded right back.

“Asuna.” I said with narrowed eyes.

There was no recognition of my name and I knew he had kidnapped me in hopes of using the fact that I was an onna against my men. Anger consumed me at his arrogance.

He dragged me along and I looked around. We were in a city and it had to be Sapporo. Iron gauntlets were placed around my wrists and I felt drained almost instantly. They apparently knew of magics that dampened yoki. I growled in irritation and he smiled. It caught me off guard. He was devastatingly handsome when he smiled. I snapped my fangs and he shrugged.

“You refuse to cooperate so this is necessary. I do not make a habit of killing nu zi.” He snapped.

I translated the word nu zi in my mind and I remembered it meant onna. I crossed my arms and stared at the tiger named Quon Hu.

“You are a fool. This land you inhabit belonged to the inu at one time.” I said snappishly.

“At one time are the key words nu zi. They belong to my father now and he has no intention of giving up such a jewel in his lands.” He retorted.

“You are the son of a Lord?” I asked arching a brow.

“I am his heir dog!” he said stepping closer to me in a threatening manner.

I eyed him coolly and I knew he found it irritating. He wore a black and grey pein-fu and his tail was twitching back and forth.

“Your father has other lands?” I asked.

“Yes all of Hunan.” He said narrowing his silver eyes.

“You border Panyu.” I said recognizing the name.

“Arrogant dogs!” he roared.

“Hunan is land locked and Sapporo gives you a port.” I said realization.

“Awww the nu zi can deduce! Congratulations!” he snapped.

I moved closer to him and I snarled. Arrogant bastard thought himself better than me.

“Do not disrespect me neko! I am your better.” I said haughtily.

“How do figure nu zi?” he asked amused.

His impertinence was infuriating and I managed to claw his face. He growled in his feline way and grabbed my hands. He actually bit the tips of my claws off. I was dumbfounded and completely shocked at his move.

“So Asuna is it? What makes you think you are my better?” he asked.

“You are a fool. You really should pay attention to politics a little better.” I said condescendingly.

“Really?” he said chuckling.

“Hai. Besides it matters not who I am.” I snapped.

“You are Western that is for sure. Silver dogs do not hail from elsewhere.” He replied.

“Awww the big kitty can deduce.” I said taunting him.

He grabbed my shoulder and brought me along. These damn gauntlets even suppressed my telepathic abilities. I would gleefully take the Byakko's tale and shove it down his throat. He brought me along to a spectacular palace and shoved me along. I got the impression he had not planned his little kidnapping and had happened upon my small encampment alone. His actions had been rash and heated. He was reckless in his zeal. I made note of his weakness and allowed my self to be led. I was led into a dome shaped citadel and Quon Hu was heading to the center of the palace and after twenty minutes of traveling I was brought in a large airy room. There sat an older silver Byakko.

“Ba this nu zi was with a group Western dogs.” Quon said bowing low.

The Lord appraised his son and the silver dog before him and he hissed. She bore the crest of the Western House and he glared at his son.

“You have managed to bring the Western princess my son.” The Byakko Lord said standing.

“Hn.” I remarked.

“Remarkably like your sire you silver bitch!” the Byakko Lord said.

“Allow me to address the giant neko standing before me?” I asked in contempt.

“I am Lord Chen Hu and your name?” he said gnashing his teeth.

“Asuna; heir to the Western Lands and Lady of Manchuria.” I said with a mock bow.

“You managed to bring home the fabled warrior princess of the West my son.” Chen said circling me.

He was barely taller than his son. He had the same silver hair and it was long too. His eyes shimmered with what seemed like flecks of the white metal. He wore armor and I saw a powerful striped tail that swished in irritation. He wore a white and blue pein fu and his feet were bare. The claws of any feline youki were curved more than an inus'.

“So you were leading that rabble.” Quon seemed impressed.

“It is rumored of what a great warrior you are and who you have taken to your bed.” Chen said.

I growled low in my throat and raised my brow.

“Hai they see you even bedded and bore the dark hanyou a babe.” Chen continued.

“Is the fact you hear rumors supposed to be intimidating?” I asked sarcasticlly.

“Son she is an example why nu zi should not reign. They get power hungry and overstep their bounds.” He said staring at me and smirking.

He was purposely trying to make me lose my temper but I stayed calm. I closed my eyes and worked with what yoki I had. The magics were powerful on the gauntlets and they shook under the strain of my telekinesis. One broke free from my arm and I grew my energy whip. I spun and tripped both males. My yoki was still severely dampened but I jumped up into a window and jumped. I had taken the Byakko by surprise. I was deep in their territory and I had to keep moving. Arrogant bastards! I landed fairly gracefully and began moving as fast as I could. I made it out of the citadel and into a forest. My survival training was going to be put to good use. I moved sporadically to cover my scent and found water and went through it. The terrain was mountainous and I found a cave. I settled in for a little while and sat back against the stone to think.

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“I cannot believe she broke through the gauntlet!” Quon said amazed.

“They say she is not all inu. The rumor is her mother is a kiang shi and I believe it to be true. She has powerful psi abilities. The Panyu inu have only a fraction of her power. Damn! We have to find her Quon. I have never made moves into the south for the simple reason that the Western inu are the most powerful in Japan. I have only seen her sire from afar; she is an entrancing creature.” Chen said.

“So?” Quon said in disbelief.

“She is lovely son. She has seduced some of the most powerful male youki alive. She is a threat to our sovereignty here. I do not want her harmed for she has more allies and frankly we could not fight Panyu, Manchuria, and the West.” He said in irritation.

“Ba I am sorry. I had no idea who she was.” Quon said ashamed of his recklessness.

“You took a chance son. You are a brave warrior and did it in defense of your lands; there is no fault in that. We will have to outsmart the little chit. Kamis she is a lovely creature.” Chen said shaking his head.

“She is attractive to be sure father but she has a dreadful mouth.” Quon remarked.

“You will lead the search. I will return to Hunan to gather more forces. The whole of her army will be searching for her. She fights amongst her men herself and she has a fang did she have it?” Chen asked.

“I knocked it out of her hand Ba.” Quon stated.

“She can let loose a horrid amount of yoki through that thing. The base of Mount Fuji is only now starting to grow some grass again.” Chen remarked sheathing his own weapon.

“How is it she has all this power?” Quon asked in shock.

“Ask the Kamis my son because they know it is not natural.” Chen said.

“I shall find her and subdue her.” Quon said bowing.

“Be sure she does not subdue you.” Chen remarked moving past his son.

“There is no chance of that Ba.” The son said in shock.

“Her coloring favors us my son. You cannot tell me that you do not find her intoxicating and exotic.” Chen said bluntly.

“I admit it but that does not mean a thing. She is a dog!” he cried.

“Hai the only female inu I have ever seen that rivaled your mother's beauty.” Chen admitted.

“I will not fall prey to false charm and she is rude anyway.” His son stated shortly.

“We are feline my son; how do you expect a dog to act?” the Byakko Lord chuckled.

“They are invading us.” Quon said in anger.

“Well this land did once belong to an inu dynasty. I refuse to just move because of something that happened during my own sire's lifetime. No you have to find her. She will be a key bargaining chip. She must not be harmed!” Chen said leaving.

Quon went in search of his younger brother. He would be of help in this little hunt. He went to his massive room and donned his own armor. He strapped his weapon to his hip and went to retrieve his brother; Cheung. The little bitch was his counterpart to the West. She was intriguing to say the least.

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I kept my ears perked but I fell into a light trance. I appeared suddenly in my ghost like astral form amongst Yuudai and my men. They stopped abruptly and one actually looked afraid.

-Yuudai I am outside of the city. - I thought.

“My Lady? You are unharmed?” Yuudai asked stunned.

-This is my astral projection Yuudai, calm the men! - I demanded.

“Hai. Naraku has moved on ahead. He has your fang.” Yuudai informed me.

-Good because he can wield it too. I am in some caves; I am unsure of what direction exactly. They are dampening my yoki with some sort of manacle. - I thought.

“We will find you soon.” Yuudai stated.

-I cannot maintain this! See you soon and be quick! - I said fading.

I came to and looked around. I needed to move again. I was going to try and stay in the mountains. The damn Byakko prince has dulled my claws. He was an audacious bastard. I got up and moved with speed. My stomach rumbled in hunger and I winced.

“I am sorry my pup! Haha has to get out of the Byakko land. They are more powerful then I thought.” I mumbled.

The Lord would surely garner his forces in his homeland and bring them here. I did not wish to kill them; only subdue and bend them to my will in restoring Tekeshi's lands for Hana. They would not kill me unless they absolutely had to. They would loose the advantage of having the Western princess as a prisoner. I again grew irritated at this Quon's actions. They were similar to what I would have done. I had no fang and suppressed yoki. I had my wits but I could not overpower the Byakko. No, I would have to hold out for Yuudai and Naraku. I climbed up the rocks and listened most carefully for any changes in the air. Even my senses were dampened. I looked down and smashed the gauntlet against the boulder. Nothing happened and I had exhausted what little yoki I had in removing the other.

“Damn it!” I said in irritation.

I stopped and heard a slight scraping of claw against stone. I picked up a good sized rock by me and chucked it in the direction of the noise. I heard cursing and I took off quickly. I jumped from big boulder to big boulder.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

She had hit him with a damn rock! His brother was beside himself with laughter.

“Shut up Cheung!” Quon said in irritation.

He pressed his fingers to his head and drew back blood. He hissed in anger and hauled himself up the steep side of the mountain. No Byakko female showed this kind of cunning.

“I have not seen this nu zi but she is already amusing!” Cheung stated with mirth.

“Shut up! It hurt and she is going to be under lock and key as soon as I find her.” Quon remarked in irritation.

His brother was a remarkable tracker but annoying when it came to actually hunting.

“She is managing to cover her scent quite well.” His brother stated.

“Has an arm like a damn man!” he snapped.

Her big rock had hit him squarely in the temple. He was gonna rip her silver tresses off her head. He lifted his nose and tried to scent her. It was barely there and he jumped up onto a large boulder and scanned the area with his superior sight. All of sudden he was knocked off the boulder and went skidding down the mountain side with a very angry inu nu zi. The wind had been knocked out of him and she jumped up to get into a tree. He grabbed her ankle and she came down onto him.

We struggled fiercely and I brought my knee up into his groin. He shouted in extreme pain and fell to his side holding his groin. The younger Byakko came up behind me and I whirled and stomped his foot and shoved my palm against his chin with all my might. The younger Byakko fell flat on his back. Quon was grimacing but started to rise. I back flipped and took off. I raced through vegetation and rocky outcrops and jumped over obstacles.

Quon had not been hit in his groin since he was a cub. Cheung got up and looked dazed. The bitch had obviously been trained in guerilla warfare as well. She was still quick even if her yoki suffered. His father was right; she needed to be captured.

“Kamis that was her?” he brother asked.

“Yes.” He responded in anger.

“Kamis she has got a hook on her. You noticed she was wet?” Cheung asked.

“Excuse me?” Quon asked his brother in shock.

“Her clothes brother; her clothes were sopping wet. She is covering her scent by going through water.” Cheung said staring at Quon.

“Yes I noticed. She will head to the next available water source.” Quon stated with a slight blush.

“Yes as I was saying. You need to think pure thoughts of our prey.” Cheung said wiping off his clothes.

“You are the lecher not I.” Quon snapped.

“So?” Cheung snapped back.

“Track her please?” his older brother asked.

Cheung looked closely at the different signs. They followed the subtle clues she left which were few. By the time they had reached a small lake the younger brother was ready to take down the bitch.

I watched from my perch and I jumped down and gave the tiger prince a round house kick and I turned and punched the younger one squarely in the chest. He staggered and hit the ground but Quoin's tale wrapped around my waist and I pulled my dirk from my boot. I threw it and it landed in the tree close to his head. I grabbed his tale and crushed a few vertebrae and he shrieked in pain. I pulled my other dirk and threw it at the crotch of the younger Byakko prince. He looked up at me as it landed a mere inch from his manhood. I willed it back weakly. I grabbed it and pressed it to the older prince's tale.

“I am assuming that your tail is an important part of your feline anatomy. Let me go and I will spare it.” I said narrowing my eyes.

“You are a cold bitch.” He roared.

“You captured me remember?” I retorted.

“Make one move Byakko boy and you will die.” I said to the younger.

“What do you do with this thing anyway?” I asked curiously.

“What? Surely you have a tail in your true form.” Quon snapped.

“Hai I do. You will remove this manacle now.” I commanded.

“NO!” Quon snarled.

“Really?” I questioned.

I plucked a few fur stands out of his tail and he growled. His eyes were really the most amazing things I had seen.

“You cannot hope to hold out forever. If we do not take you now; it will be soon.” He snapped.

I crushed his tail as hard as I dared without breaking it. The pain lowered him to his knees. I reached down along his side and took his katana. The other brother went to move and I threw my retrieved dirk into his arm. He fell back and grunted in pain. I walked past the two males and leaned down and kissed Quon's cheek.

“Thanks for the blade. I hope your tail feels better and are you as well equipped as your appendage suggests?” I asked in a very cocky tone.

I received a snarl and stepped on the abused tail for good measure. I walked over to the younger brother and pulled my dirk from his arm. He hissed in pain and I dragged the bloody tip over his lower lip.

“Leave me alone okay?” I said softly.

I walked away quickly and left the two tigers battered and abused.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

“I am gonna fuck her then kill her!” Cheung said.

“Shut up!” Quon said rubbing his abused tail.

“I do not think I have ever been so turned on in my life!” he cried.

“She is not to be touched. Besides she could have killed you. She is also our enemy!” Quon said angry at his brother.

“Look my mouth ran away from me. Did you watch her move?” he asked enthusiastically.

“No! I want to do what our father requested.” Quon growled.

Quon followed in the direction of the inu warrior. She was better than he. That hurt his pride and he decided he would best her if it killed him. He had surprised her this morning. It was a lot to swallow that the nu zi was only taken by surprise that morning. She did not want to kill them either. She was avoiding a kill. She wanted to take the lands with little or no fuss. Kamis she was a conceited dog!

I moved through the forest and scented a gazelle. I was starving and I was making mistakes. If the tigers had even had a little more energy they would have taken me down. I could not transform and my claws had not grown back yet because of the gauntlet. I came upon the gazelle and slit its throat with the katana. I said a prayer for it and took what I needed. I later washed my hands of the blood. I felt much better and my yoki had returned a little. Naraku was probably already around and I sat behind a boulder. I reached out with my mind and I felt him but very weakly. I cursed the damn manacle and smashed it against the rock as hard as I could. I yelped as I had forgotten I had snapped my wrist earlier. I growled in mounting anger and thought about finding the tigers and pummeling them anyway.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

He grew more and more frustrated. He felt their link but it was so weak. They must be dampening her yoki. He was worried about her and the pup. He tried to feel her again and there was barely a presence. He cursed furiously and continued to see if he could locate her.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

I had fallen into an exhausted sleep high up in a tree. I was dreaming of past things. I knew I must be crying. I missed Tekeshi and Sheng terribly. I woke up and I had thought I had heard a noise. I stayed stock still and tried to expand my senses. I was going to climb onto the Byakko and slowly rip every little fur off of his tail. They were around. I grabbed the katana I had stolen and moved carefully along the limb. Quon jumped carefully in front of me and I growled menacingly. He was a lot more agile in the trees and he watched me.

“So Byakko you have me surrounded me.” I said in a low voice.

“You have no where to go.” He said narrowing his eyes.

“Really?” I asked him.

“Do not be stupid.” He said in disbelief.

I launched myself over him and landed badly on the limb. I lost my footing and slipped. I grabbed the limb and held on. My hand was slipping and without my yoki I could fall to my death. Quon grabbed my hand and roughly pulled me. He stared at my eyes and he held on tightly and carefully jumped down the tree. He landed on his feet and his brother looked amused. I stayed very calm and I let me Dakkasou slowly seep to me blunt claws. My hand glowed a weak green and I pressed it to Quon's chest. He screamed as my toxin burnt him. He dropped me and I moved quickly. I pulled the katana and whirled and cut the young Byakko prince in the leg and Quon moved on me with sheer brute strength. He dug his claws into my upper arms and I yelped at the horridly cold sensation produced by his shoki. I had to drop the katana and he had managed to stop me. He kept his claws in arms and his brother picked up the blade and hit me on the head with the hilt. I sagged in the Byakko's hands.

The inu sagged in his arms and she had burned straight through his armor. He had to pick her up like one would a newborn cub. Her silver hair hung like a curtain. Cheung came and inspected her closely.

“Kamis she is lovely. Look at those lips.” He said.

“I care not. They are planning to lay siege to our city. She is very beautiful and deadly.” He stated flatly.

“Whatever. What are we supposed to do with her?” he asked.

“Take her to the palace and put another and stronger gauntlet on her. Father did not want her harmed.” He stated.

“So we are going to wage a diplomatic war?” Cheung asked incredulously.

“Yes I believe so.” He said.

“Meet you at the palace.” His brother said.

He used his yoki and teleported to the palace. He brought her to a large guest apartment. He had a guard bring another gauntlet and he placed it onto her wrist. He looked down at her and she was gorgeous. Her hair was stunning. It was a shame she was an inu. He noticed that her eyelids looked painted magenta. She bore slightly paler stripes on each cheek. He hair haloed around her head. He wondered at her age. He stood up and left the room. He posted several guards on the door.

“She is strong if you see a gauntlet off; overpower her but do not harm her.” Quon commanded.

“Yes my Lord!” they said in unison.

Quon left the room and went to his own apartment. He looked in the looking glass and saw the nasty bruise on his temple and he lifted his tail and it too was a purplish color.

“Bitch!” he muttered.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

I woke up and there was the Byakko Lord sitting in a chair waiting for me.

“My sons tell me you led them on a merry chase.” Chen said narrowing his eyes.

“Did you expect me to stay and ask for tea?” I snapped.

“No. I got the intelligence on you. You were mated to Lord Katashi of Manchuria first. Then you dissolved it and made his advisor your mate and the dark hanyou fits in there somewhere. Then it turns out the old Manchu Lord was not dead; he was just passing away his time and you mated him. You are trying to reunite all of the Northern Lands for what?” he asked.

“They rightfully belonged to Tekeshi. The Dragon Clan decimated his lands but they do not make them any less his.” I snapped.

“Well the One Great War happened nearly a millennium ago. I would say that is a long time that Lord Tekeshi was without his lands.” Chen said shrugging.

“What is a millennium to a youki? I know an inu well over three.” I stated.

“Well that is impressive but it still does not mean you can come up here and dictate to me. You are not even a century.” He said flippantly.

“I am a hundred and eight summers. You had no right moving in.” I said furiously.

“Well we are here and we are not leaving. You gave Quon quite a run. My boy is ninety two and feels and how shall we say; ready to teach you a lesson.” Chen said with a smirk.

“Take the gauntlets off and I will teach him a lesson.” I said with a nasty smile.

“They can be adjusted but not taken off. You are our prisoner. You shall be treated as the royalty you are but the gauntlets stay.

“I will rip your tail off and shove it down your throat.” I threatened.

“That would be painful and serve no purpose. My healer tells me you are pregnant; I guess you intend to give birth here then. Indulge me who fathered this babe?” he asked curiously.

“My mate is the father and I will be long gone.” I stated with narrowed eyes.

“Truly we shall see. I hope you feel at least a little comfortable for it will be awhile.” He said standing.

I watched him leave and tore at the bedding with dulled claws. I escaped once I would do it again.