InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Snowfall ❯ Battle Not Won ( Chapter 6 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

::Author's Notes::
Gah! Okay sorry it took me so long to get this Chapter up. I've actually had it done for quite a while but life has dealt me some hard blows. I've been battling with depression after my husband and I lost our son. He was just too young and too small to save and we didn't want him to suffer. It was a very hard ordeal for both of us and we continue to take each day one day at a time letting things heal slowly.
So here is the new chapter and I promise to get more posted up soon!

~~ Katherine Torrence~~

Chapter Six:  Battle Not Won

She had been right, it didn't take too long for them to reach the border and what they could see nearly sent Aiyuki in to a rage. Naraku was nowhere to be found but hordes of youkai at his command were battling her army.

“We aren't going to win this one, it was an ambush.” Kouga jumped down from her back and he could see with his own eyes the great wolf demoness's body shaking with rage, her eyes becoming bright white with her emotion.

“NARAKU!!” She yelled out, a long angered howl accompanying her voice as it echoed over the lands. The youkai tearing in to her allies turned their attentions from the lesser wolves and turned their focus to her.

“Here they come.” Kouga got in to a stance ready to help fight them off.

“No. Kouga take the wounded and the surviving in to Sesshoumaru's territory. Get as far from here as you can, I'll hold them off.” She transformed back from her wolf form and stood now with both of her swords wielded in her hands. Kouga looked to her and could tell Aiyuki was all but pissed off, he wasn't about to argue the fact she had just asked for his help in this fight.

“Alright.” He ran over towards the armies shouting out orders of retreat and to follow him. He gave one last look to Aiyuki who was completely battle ready as the youkai got closer to her before he took off, leading the armies in to the forests.

“Come on you beasts.” Aiyuki grinned widely as she raised Kageyoku before slicing at the air. “Burakkuho-ru!” She cried out unleashing a sphere of pure black darkness that engulfed any demon that barely passed near it. It didn't take too long for their numbers to dwindle but most of the youkai figured out that it was best to stay away from the orb and go for the source, which was exactly what she had been waiting for.

“You will die wench!” One of the youkai cried out but Aiyuki merely snickered.

“You wish.” She raised Kouyoku next and caught the sun on the blade. “Taiyou furea!” She yelled and the light intensified blinding the horde and rendering them useless. “I have no time for pests, Naraku.” She muttered and she sheathed Kouyoku once again as the youkai cried out from their temporary blindness. She turned and started walking away towards the forest but a miasma formed just at the tree line. She stopped and glared before turning back towards her lands. The youkai became nothing but tattered flesh and were absorbed by someone. The hairs on the back of Aiyuki's neck stood up and she let out a low growl.

“I see you're just as stubborn as ever, Lady Aiyuki. Come to retake your lands I presume?” That someone was the hanyou she had been looking for, and he was dressed up in his little baboon pelts to boot.

“Naraku...” She gripped Kageyoku tightly in her hand, rage and hatred building up in her body fueling her power and want of his death.

“If you wish to strike me then go ahead. I will be your opponent for now.” Naraku grinned under the baboon pelt which set Aiyuki off completely. She charged after him her sword tearing in to the fur of the disguise but she wasn't quite ready for the branches to explode from inside. She tried fighting off each pointed limb but wasn't able to fend them all off.

“Damn you.” She hissed in pain as she landed on the ground, her body covered in fresh wounds and the miasma was now starting to take effect.

“You're weak, my Lady. Perhaps you should rest up and try it again. Maybe next time I'll go easy on you and grant you a quick death.” Naraku's voice laughed and rang in her ears as his presence disappeared, the barrier around her lands now back once more. She placed Kageyoku back in its sheath before she made a move to walk. She winced when she felt her entire body stinging from head to toe, her vision swimming. She blinked a few times as she walked forward seeing a blob of browns enter the forest just a few feet away.

“Kouga...” Was all she could mutter before she fell to the ground, her mind slipping in to a deep sleep as she gave in to her bodies injuries. Rest would do her good for once.

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In uyasha and Miroku returned back to Kaede's hut each carrying arms full of firewood. They were getting an early start for the winter that was just around the corner. After the hanyou emptied his arms he caught the whiff of a certain wolf's scent. Growling he turned to see Kouga walking towards them carrying someone on his back. The hanyou's eyes widened as Kouga got closer.

“Aneki.... what happened?” Inuyasha carefully took Aiyuki off of Kouga's back trying to see what was wrong. Naraku's miasma still clung to her but was fading gradually.

“Naraku tricked them and she faced him alone. By the time I got back she had been inflicted by a lot of the poison.” Kouga clenched his fists tightly.“The best thing for her right now is rest. I'm sure she'll be fine in the morning.” Miroku gently tried easing the males and helping Inuyasha get her inside. Kagome followed them to help make a bed for the injured youkai. When they emerged from the room Kouga was still there waiting.

“She's at least breathing better; she won't take long to recover. I give her an hour tops.” Kagome smiled gently and Kouga nodded.

“I'll wait outside then.” The wolf male walked out and propped himself against the side of the hut. Inuyasha appeared not long after, his arms crossed and his eyes to the sky.

“Not much of a battle was it?”

“It was nothing but a trap. By the time we got there it was nearly too late. The survivors are helping with the wounded but our pride has been given one hell of a blow.” Kouga gave a soft growl but took a deep breath.

“May have to wait and play your cards right.” Inuyasha looked to Kouga giving him the best advice he could.

“I don't think any of the wolf tribes have enough to take Naraku down. We're losing way too many in numbers.”

“Then what will the wolves do?”

“We survive.” Kouga sighed and pushed himself away from the side of the hut before he looked to the half breed. “Take care of Aiyuki. I'm going to check up on things with the others.”

“Will do.” Inuyasha headed back inside as Kouga took off towards the south. He didn't speak a word to the others as he walked to Aiyuki's room, sitting down at her bedside. He watched her for a few moments before he could see her eyes flutter open. When she looked at him he gave her a smirk.

“Inuyasha?” Her voice came out raspy and almost inaudible but he could hear her.

“Hey.”

“Why can't I move?”

“The miasma's still in your system. Give it a bit and you'll be able to move again.” He carefully re-wet the cloth that was on her forehead, making sure the excess water was wrung out.
“Are the others alright?” She seemed to be more concerned about the other wolves than herself.

“They're all tending to wounds. Kouga went to check on them not too long ago.” His eyes widened slightly seeing her sitting up. He placed his hands on her shoulders. “Hey you've got to wait and let the miasma go away! Lay back down damn it!”

“Inuyasha I have to check on everyone. It was my fault things got this way.” Aiyuki shakingly stood up and made her way to the door despite Inuyasha's warnings.“It wasn't your fault! You need rest!” The hanyou growled as he followed her, his friends staring in worry seeing the female up and about.

“Now if you were only this adamant when you were ill, Inuyasha.” Aiyuki smirked to Inuyasha who became even more flustered.

“Aneki, get back in bed!” He growled but it fell on deaf ears. They all headed outside following the wolf girl only to see another wolf demon they did not recognize knelt down before her. His short ebony hair had a messy look to it, a long braid rested against his chest coming from behind his right ear. His armor was dark grays and silvers with black furs accenting it. His black wolf tail rested unmoving behind him, his head was bowed.

“My Lady. I've come to see what had happened to you.” He looked up, his lime green eyes hauntingly fierce yet caring.

“Tasuke, I am fine. There is nothing to worry over.” Aiyuki gently reassure her General and made a move to approach him but her knees gave out on her. Before she could topple Inuyasha and the wolf General steadied her.

“I worry because I know you, Lady Aiyuki. You're stubborn and won't rest for a moment.”

“I tried telling her that.” Inuyasha agreed and heard Aiyuki sigh out.

“I will never hear the end of it from you both. I'll go lay back down then.” She smiled and with their assistance she was back in bed again. Tasuke filled everyone in on what happened during the battle while Kagome tended to Aiyuki.

“Here, drink this and it will help your voice a bit.” Kagome gave her some herbal tea, peppermint flavored which Aiyuki instantly loved.

“I thank you, miko.” She smiled and took a drink before continuing the conversation. “So tell me, are you in love with Inuyasha?”

“W-what?” O-of course not!” Kagome instantly turned bright red.

“No need to cover the truth. I can tell you do.” She smiled but saw Kagome's eyes look to the ground. “Oh, I see. There is more to this then?” Kagome nodded.

“I do love him, but I think he loves Kikyou.”

“Kikyou?”

“His former lover that bound him to a tree because of Naraku's trick. I'm her reincarnation you see.” Kagome gripped the edge of her skirt as Aiyuki listened. “She lives again because of a spell and Inuyasha can't help himself around her. Yet he acts so weirdly around me too, making me doubt many things.” Aiyuki smiled and closed her eyes.

“Time, child, is a healer. Fate has yet spun her web for you three. One who has been dead can't run from it too long. If you stay by his side no matter how difficult the journey then you will be there when he needs you most. You are both destined for a great purpose; otherwise you would not be in this era.” Aiyuki opened her eyes to see Kagome's expression show that of surprise.

“Y-you knew?” Aiyuki nodded to the question. “Wow... I didn't think it was that obvious.”

“It isn't, it was a wild guess mostly on my part.” Aiyuki moved her arms in circles getting feeling back completely now.

“Are you going to fix things between you and Sesshoumaru?” Kagome folded up the blankets and the wash cloths as Aiyuki stood and stretched.

“I would be the happiest female if I could be with the one I love. Yet it is not up to me, it is up to Sesshoumaru.” Aiyuki made sure her swords were secure against her hip before she walked up to Kagome. “Would you like to make a pact with me, Kagome?”

“A pact? On what?”

“That neither of us give up on the ones we love no matter how hard it gets.” Aiyuki grinned which made Kagome giggle.

“I'm in!” Kagome took Aiyuki's hand, a slight glow of light pinks and teals formed around their bodies before disappearing. The magic between Kagome as a priestess and Aiyuki as a demon mingled and sealed the promise.

“It's a promise then, between friends.” Aiyuki let go of Kagome's hand as the miko nodded. They both walked in to the main room where everyone looked up.

“You're looking better now.” Sango smiled.

“Much better.” Aiyuki winked and looked to Tasuke. “We'd better get to the others then before Tairou decides to over throw me.”

“Don't jest with such things, my Lady.” Tasuke stood and both wolves said their goodbyes before taking off toward the south. Inuyasha looked at Kagome who had been smiling since she got out of the room with Aiyuki.

“Hey, Kagome? What was that weird aura that came from the room?”

“A promise between friends.” She replied looking to the hanyou.

“What kind of promise?”

“It's a secret.”

“Tell me!”

“Drop it, Inuyasha!”

“Not until you tell me!”

“SIT!” Sango, Miroku, and Shippou all rolled their eyes before following their angry friend inside knowing tomorrow was another day to hunt for the jewel shards. The journey was more than likely going to be filled with more Inuyasha shaped holes in the ground as well.