InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Soulless Knight ❯ Dragon Kin ( Chapter 2 )

A/N: Yay, chapter 2, which means that chapter 1 is complete, no more editing or updating. Does a little dance of joy! Sorry for the wait on this one, not only did my muse keep trying to escape, but she got some of her buddies to assist in an almost flawless plan. But I managed to foil her attempts, which means more chapters for you all, and less headaches for me. She is currently chained under my desk at work, which is where I do almost all my writing, graveyard shift does have it's perks. My muse and I are crying from the lack of reviews, I had to give myself one just to make my muse feel better. Come on folks, you can do better; I need some sugar and candy for my muse here, or I'll never get her to stay of her own volition, please review. Begs shamelessly! Anyway, enough of that, on to the next chapter. Whistles nonchalantly!

Oh, and I decided his name was kinda girly, so Niveus is now named Glacialis. It makes sence anyway, bacause of the fact that it is latin, it will be this way for the rest of the story. Sorry for the confusion, thanks for being so patient with me.

Niveus = snow

Glacialis = ice

Disclaimer: Don't own, never will, that should be enough for y'all.

Soulless Knight

Chapter 2: Dragon Kin

 

Kouga paced the entrance to the cave, glancing out at the forest Kagome had disappeared into, every few seconds. Hakkaku and Ginta had long since returned to the cave with the water, but Kagome was still gone, and even Sango, Shippo and Miroku were starting to getting worried. Sango tried to keep her mind busy with tending Miroku's wounds; he had been hit hard in the chest trying to save her, rewarded only with a nasty gash and several broken ribs.

Shippo kept moving around the fire, changing where he sat every few seconds, “Please stop fidgeting, Shippo, your making me nauseous with all that moving.” Miroku groaned from his litter by the fire, cringing as even the small chest movement involved with talking sent a spasm of pain through his whole body.

“Sorry Miroku,” Shippo chirped, “I just can't seem to sit still, I feel like I need to do something.” Shippo hugged his knees as he stared into the fire. He suddenly jumped up and walked over to the cave mouth where Kouga still paced, relentlessly. “Kouga?” A deep throated growl made Shippo jump back as Kouga glanced at the little kitsune, before continuing his pace. All eyes were on Kouga and Shippo, everyone seemed to be holding their breath, “We need to find her, she…”

Kouga stopped and glared at Shippo, making him jump back again. Kouga opened his mouth to yell, but was interrupted by a feminine scream from deep in the forest. “Kagome, no…” Kouga suddenly disappeared into his trademark dust cyclone as he ran in the direction of the scream, not noticing when Hakkaku and Ginta sprinted off after him.

Kirara suddenly transformed into her larger self, and Sango climbed on, her Hiraikotsu already on her back. “Shippo, look after Miroku, We'll bring her back.”

Shippo could only nod as tears welled up in his eyes, he watched as Kirara and Sango took off into the air, “Be careful.” He yelled after them, then he turned and walked somberly back to the fire, plopping hard on his rump as he stared into the flames again.

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The winged youkai watched as a black orb flew from the Cobra Youkai's dust and into the distance to the North-West, before looking down at the unconscious miko, his expression puzzled. What did his mistress find so special about this human? She was just like all the rest, weak and useless. But regardless, he had been given a mission, and he always followed through. He had never failed his mistress yet, and he did not intend to soil his record, or name over a dislike of weaklings.

He was snapped back to reality by a very angry aura, and effortlessly hopped out of the way just in time to avoid Kouga's fist. The ground shuttered slightly as Kouga's fist hit the ground at full impact, leaving a small, fist sized crater as he stood and faced the winged youkai. “You'll pay for touching my woman, Baca.” Kouga lunged at the winged youkai with claws, fists and feet. Kouga was so absorbed in his attempt at revenge, and rage that he did not notice Hakkaku, Ginta and Sango arrive and go to Kagome's side.

But the winged youkai did, as he dodged every one of Kouga's attacks with no effort, he didn't even need to unfold his wings to dodge him. He had to do something to get this mad wolf to listen, but his mistress had forbade him from hurting any of Kagome's party or friends. This went on for several minutes, and was getting old fast. Finally Kouga tired and stood, panting slightly, glaring at the winged youkai. Now was his chance to diffuse the situation, he hoped. “Calmer now?” He asked, looking Kouga straight in the eyes. “I did not harm her, I saved her, she was being attacked by a stray Cobra youkai. If you don't believe me, check her right leg. She didn't dodge the Cobra youkai fast enough and got poisoned.” He pointed to Kagome, his face emotionless and showing no sign of the exertions he had just been through, unlike Kouga.

Kouga glanced over at Kagome's unconscious form, seeing Sango and his lackeys there, Sango nodding at him. “I've seen the wound before, it was a Cobra youkai.” She said in answer to his silent question, “From the look of her sides, she was squeezed in its coils. She would have been eaten next if he hadn't…” Sango bowed her head to the winged youkai, “Arigato!”

Kouga looked back at the winged youkai, growling slightly. He flexed his claws a couple times before relaxing his fighting stance, “Who are you?” He demanded.

The winged youkai gave Kouga a mischievous smile before opening his wings wide and bowing low at the hips, his right arm crossing his chest in a fist over his heart, “forgive my manners, Lord Kouga.” He straightened again, looking at Kouga, “I am Lord Glacialis Ap Maelgwn, and I have traveled here from an island on the other side of the mainland, called Ireland.”

Sango stared at him, he wore a simple pair of form fitting; yet loose brown cotton slacks that came to his ankles, he had on a black belt comprised of a leather strip with a brass ring on one end; it was double looped through the brass ring to hold it in place. His shirt was sleeveless, the same color and material as his slacks; it came just below his rib cage, showing off a perfectly chiseled six pack; he wore no shoes, his skin was pale white, and he had a strange sword at his side that Sango had never seen before. He had Fire red hair, reddish/gold eyes and matching reddish/gold wings. His arms were equally as chiseled, bulging in all the right places, in just the right amount. God he was gorgeous, Sango realized her mouth was open and closed it abruptly, causing a snapping noise that seemed to echo through the trees. She blushed slightly and bit her bottom lip, as Lord Glacialis glanced at her and smiled knowingly, he then turned his attention back to Kouga.

Kouga pretended not to notice this private exchange, “What kind of youkai are you exactly?” Kouga demanded of Glacialis, once again.

Glacialis was getting bored with Kouga's predictable questions and attitude, but he played along with a smile, “A drakon!” Glacialis's smile turned to a frown at Kouga's puzzled expression, “come now Lord Kouga, I know you were raised in the wild, but even you should know a dragon kin when you see one.”

Kouga snarled at this insult, but said nothing.

He saw Sango out of the corner of his eye; she was shaking her head slightly, still looking straight at him with a very serious expression on her face. “The drakon in these lands died out a millennium ago, my father used to tell me stories that were passed down through the last few generations, and none of them ended very well for the Drakon.” She hung her head, “Gomen nesai, Lord Glacialis.”

Glacialis snarled and clenched his fists, “There is no need for an apology, Milady.” He snapped involuntarily, he took a deep, calming breath. “If the drakon here died out, it was because they were weak. Those who were not slain would have taken their own life, as soon as they realized this, it is our way.” He took another deep, calming breath and unclenched his fists, only now realizing he had cut his palms with his own claws.

Hakkaku and Ginta exchanged looks of their own in the following silence, oblivious to the fact that they had once again been forgot. Ginta spoke up first, “Kouga, we need to get Kagome-nee-san back to the cave, other youkai are bound to attack if we stay here for too long.”

Ginta shrunk back behind Hakkaku as Kouga glared menacingly at him, “What? You think I can't protect my woman from some mangy youkai riffraff?”

Hakkaku spoke up this time, “That's not it at all, Kouga; we only suggested that you take her back and avoid the needless fighting.” Kouga growled deep in his throat, taking a couple steps towards the two of them.

Sango's head snapped back up, and she looked straight at Kouga, “Stop it, Kagome doesn't want anyone else fighting unless they must, that is all they were trying to say. Now, you may want to sleep out here, but I'm taking Kagome back to the cave.” She stood up too fast and immediately regretted it, her vision started to spin as she was hit with a dizzy spell, she started to sway.

She felt a pair of firm, clawed hands encircle her waist from the front, before she could fall. “Easy now, lass.” Glacialis cooed, concern lacing his voice.

Sango placed both hands on his chest for support; she could feel his chest muscles under his shirt, they were rock hard and chiseled like the rest of him. Her head stopped swimming and she looked up into a pair of reddish/gold eyes, with slits for pupils. “A-Arigato, M-Milord!” She stammered, gorgeous and caring… She shook her head of these thoughts, she was in love with Miroku, this was just a passing fancy, it had to be.

“We need to get you some place safe.” He stated, “your blood will attract others.” He answered in response to her confused look.

Sango slowly looked down at her left side, the wound she had gotten in the battle with Naraku was open again, and bleeding all down the side of her Kimono. She nodded and took a step towards Kirara, gasping at the pain as she was slowly lowered to her knees. Glacialis was crouched next to her, supporting her weight easily, he didn't even feel it when Sango dug her blunt nails into his arm.

He slowly stood her back up after a minute, “I'll carry you, there is no way you can ride the fire Neko in your condition.” He offered, “Wouldn't want you falling to your death, would be a waist of a beautiful woman.” He smiled as she looked up at him with a slight defiant fire in her eyes.

“Fine,” Sango conceded, after several minutes. “Kirara, come.” She beckoned to the Neko, who transformed to her smaller size and jumped into the Taijiya's waiting arms, happily mewing at her. She looked back at Kouga, “You'll meet us back there?” She asked. Kouga nodded as he picked up Kagome and sped of in his cyclone, Hakkaku and Ginta hot on his heels. Sango looked back at Glacialis, “ready when you are.”

Glacialis nodded, keeping one arm behind her middle back, he placed the other one under her knees and lifted her bridal style; He gave her an apologetic look as she cringed slightly. With one strong push of his muscular legs, they were several feet above the trees tops before Sango could blink. She heard his wings flap a couple times as he positioned himself to glide, she knew he could go faster then this, but he must be being careful due to her injured state.

Glacialis dipped low before soaring up again, Sago gasped and grasped his shirt, as she buried her face in his chest. She heard Glacialis chuckle slightly and looked up to see him smiling, looking at her out of the corner of his eyes. “Don't worry, I have never dropped anyone in my care before, and I'm not about to start now, lass.” He looked ahead of him again.

Sango couldn't help but stare at him, his face was the very description of perfect, “Why do you keep calling me `lass'? What does it mean?” She blurted out, blushing slightly as he looked at her with a warm smile.

“It is what we call the woman of my land, it is less formal then lady or milady, but still considered a term of endearment. If you wish it, I shall stop, I would not want to make you uncomfortable in any way.” He shifted directions slightly, she could see the top of the mountain a short ways away.

She shifted slightly in his arms, “that is fine, I don't really mind, I was just curious.” She said in a low voice, looking down at Kirara. The fire Neko was obviously enjoying being the one flown around for a change, darting her eyes everywhere, Sango couldn't help but chuckle at her. She sighed slightly and snuggled her head into the crook of Glacialis's arm, falling asleep almost immediately.

Glacialis looked below them and noticed that he was ahead of Kouga, it would only serve to entice more unwarranted attack if he should arrive before him. He was off to a bad start already, his mistress was not going to be happy as it was. He sighed inwardly and slowed down a bit, pulling back slightly to match Kouga's location, as well as speed.

He looked down at the sleeping beauty in his arms and smiled slightly, he shifted his gaze to the fire Neko, who was looking straight at him and purring slightly. Kirara did not blink, it amused him slightly. But she could fly of her own accord, so she was probably used to the air rush. He looked back ahead and noticed they were almost at their destination, looking below he could see Kouga was still with him.

He flapped his wings once to put on a gust of speed, bringing him ahead and close to the mountain. He tucked his wings slightly and started his descent, in a very elaborate dive, until he was mere feet from the ground. Opening his wings at the last minute, he used them like a parachute and landed gracefully by the cave entrance, never jarring the sleeping Taijiya. He stood for a minute it took Kouga to get there, ignoring the growls emanating from within the cave. If he wasn't carrying Sango, he would probably have been attacked by now, thank Kami for small blessing.

He smiled at Kouga as he jumped out of his cyclone, landing gracefully next to Glacialis, and glaring. “What kept ya, lad? Been waiting on ya fer a whole minute.” He purposely let his Irish accent slip into his flawless Japanese, only slightly glancing at Kouga's 2 lackeys as they arrived behind him, panting immensely, before returning his gaze to Kouga.

Kouga growled low in his throat, baring a single fang as his lip curled slightly, before pivoting on his heels and stomping into the cave. Glacialis watched as he left, “is he always like that?” He said, chuckling slightly and shaking his head. He turned to Hakkaku and Ginta, they seemed to have caught their breath, nodding at him, although they still looked a little winded. “So, where do I place this lovely Lass? I'm afraid she might bleed to death if we don't do something about it soon.” He queried in a sugar coated voice.

“This way!” Ginta said, motioning for him to follow.

“Over by the fire,” Hakkaku pointed, “Next to the human Monk, Miroku.”

Glacialis nodded and walked over to the fire, placing Sango on a blanket that was laid out next to Miroku. The movement startled Miroku awake, he tried to sit up when he saw Sango, but only managed to cringe in pain and lay back down. “What happened?” His voice was laced with a deep concern, but Glacialis could also hear the pain edging it as well.

He shook his head, “Nothing to worry yourself about, she just reopened her wound. We'll re-bandage it, and as long as she takes it easy, she'll be fine.” He smiled at the monk. “As for you, your wounds aren't much better. So, lie back and relax, everything is well in hand, Milord.”

Miroku reluctantly nodded, but not before looking at Sango one last time. Seeming satisfied with her current condition, he closed his eyes and aloud sleep to take hold of him once again. Ginta chose that moment to walk over and hand some bandages to Glacialis, he took them with a curt nod.

He took on clawed finger and made an incision in Sango's Kimono with practiced ease, just enough to show and get at the wound, but not enough to cause her to become indecent. He looked at the wound and frowned, “This should have been sutured, no wonder it reopened.” He fished in a pouch on his belt, pulling out a sewing needle, some fine thread, and a small blue jar. He placed the needle on a rock by the fire, close enough for the heat to sterilize it, and then opened the blue jar.

A potent smell of herbs hit Ginta's nose as he watched, “What is that?” He asked, wrinkling his nose slightly.

“A numbing salve from my home land, I need to stitch her wound, this will make her more comfortable.” He used one finger to scoop out a generous amount and liberally, but gently, applied it to Sango's wound. She stirred slightly, but did not wake. He measured out a length of thread and picked up the now heated needle, threading it and tying the end.

By this point Hakkaku had joined them and sat next to Ginta, “I've never seen anyone do it quite like this before.” His mouth was opened slightly in amazement, as he watched with rapt attention.

Glacialis chuckled slightly at the two wolves, they were easily amused it seemed. He then touched the wound, and when Sango did not even shudder, he started to stitch the wound closed. He finished and placed the needle and salve back in his pouch, then placed a cloth bandage over her would and used some kind of sticky contraption that Ginta handed him to adhere it to her skin.

“Kagome-nee-san brought it from her home,” Ginta answered Glacialis's puzzled look.

“She uses it to hold her strange cloth bandages in place.” Hakkaku informed him, his chest swelling slightly with pride.

Glacialis nodded as he finished, admiring his own handy work before standing, stretching his joints that had become stiff while he worked. Now that his charge was out of danger, he finally took a moment to look around the cave, wrapping his wings around his shoulders like a cape and taking in the strange surroundings. He saw a little kitsune child curled up on a blanket by the fire, obviously so tired that he was oblivious to the excitement that had just gone on around him. He turned his head towards the back of the cave and saw Kouga glaring at him from the corner of his eye; Kagome's leg was already treated and bandaged, beads of sweat evident on her forehead. He walked over to her, ignoring Kouga's growl, and felt her forehead. She was burning up!

“The poison is affecting her; we need to keep a cold compress on her forehead to reduce the fever some.” He stated, he removed his hand from her forehead and looked up at Kouga.

Hakkaku spoke up from behind him, “We have the water we got from the spring earlier, but it's not that cold anymore.”

“That would do, I need it in a bowl with a cloth.” Glacialis said, never taking his eyes off Kouga, he could sense the apprehension of Hakkaku and Ginta as they waited for their leaders consent.

Kouga bit back a retort, he knew the drakon was trying to help, but something about Glacialis set him on edge. He had dug his long nails into the moss on Kagome's make-shift bed while watching Glacialis touch Kagome's forehead; taking a deep and calming breath, he retracted them. Nodding to Hakkaku and Ginta, he straightened and clasped his hands behind his back. He would not give this youkai the satisfaction of knowing that he was unsettled by his close proximity to his future mate.

Glacialis did notice, however, and he decided it best to keep his thoughts to himself and let his face remain an emotionless mask of indifference. Hakkaku returned a moment later with a bowl, cloth and water skin. He held them out to Glacialis, who finally removed his gaze from Kouga to take them. He placed the cloth next to Kagome on the shelf, and poured some water into the bowl, handing the skin back to Hakkaku.

Kouga watched as Glacialis closed his eyes and brought the bowl level with his chin, his reddish/gold wings seemed to shimmer slightly as he inhaled and let out a slow breath, rippling the top of the water. A couple of miniscule ice crystals formed on top of the water, Kouga involuntarily shivered as he felt some of the cold breath reach him.

Glacialis's eyes opened as he finished, and he placed the bowl next to the cloth, picking up the cloth and dipping it into the now ice cold water as he did so. He rung out the cloth and folded it length wise, then placed it atop Kagome's forehead; she seemed to sigh in content as he did this. “Someone needs to refresh the cloth when it becomes warm again, it should keep her fever from getting to high.”

Kouga glared at Glacialis again, unable to bite back his words this time, “You're an ice dragon!” Malice laced his words.

Glacialis blinked at him, “Wow, your amazing powers of deduction never cease to astound me. What was your first clue?” Sarcasm laced his voice as he mocked Kouga, this wolf was starting to ware his last nerve rather thin, and he wasn't really sure why. “If you'd like to point anything else out, I'll be resting outside.” He snapped, with a little more force then intended. Kouga was somehow able to fray his nerves, and he didn't like it one bit. He needed to meditate back to a calmer state, before he did something he would regret later, making his mistress immensely unhappy.

Kouga growled low in his through as his eyes narrowed to slits, watching the drakon retreat through the mouth of the cave. He would deal with him later, he needed to tend Kagome. He grabbed the blanket at the foot of her shelf and placed it over her, up to her chin, tucking it in around her. He checked the cloth on her forehead, it was already becoming warm. He refreshed it in the water and placed it back on her forehead, before sitting and leaning against the shelf to close his eyes for a few.

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Night settled as a dark haired woman walked out onto her balcony, looking up at the stars that were beginning to shine their nightly symphony. Her pitch black hair sparkled slightly in answer, as if there were stars trapped in its loose silky tendrils. The shadow of one of her towers kept her hidden from the light of the moon, like a cloak of darkness to match her very core. She closed her pitch black eyes as a gust of wind gently brushed the hair from her face, reveling pale white skin that seemed to glow slightly in the darkness that surrounded her.

A man in black armor walked onto the balcony, seemingly watching the ground as he walked, he removed his helmet to reveal lackluster black chin length locks of hair as he fell to one knee in front of her. “You sent for me, Sorceress?”

She hummed slightly as she opened her eyes, an evil smirk playing across her lips and then chuckled evilly, sending a chill down the man's spine; he was unable to contain the shudder. She did not look at him; she only walked to the balconies edge and waited, looking out over the landscape before her. The man dared not move until given permission, he has seen what happened to his predecessors for displeasing this woman; he would not end that way.

She waited only a moment longer, giving the man time to ponder her reason for calling him here, before she spoke. “It seems the Cobra was unsuccessful in the end of his mission, the miko still lives.” Her voice was soft and low; it filled the air with warmth that left one wanting more, almost like an angelic song to his human ears.

He chanced a brief glance up at her, a look of confusion playing across his face, `my scouts said nothing to me of this, how could she know this?' He thought to himself.

Then, as if in answer to his silent question, a black orb flew at an alarming rate from a southerly direction and stopped only a foot from his mistress' face. She reached her hand out, palm up, and gently grasped the orb as it lowered into it. She turned to face him again, amused slightly at the popping sound as his head snapped back down, lowering his gaze to the floor once more. She had known he was looking at her, who wouldn't, but she would have to deal with his breach in etiquette.

She walked over and stopped in front of the man, raising her empty hand, he long nails glittered like diamonds in the moonlight. `A simple warning should suffice,' she thought, she swiped her hand backwards in front of his face; he stiffened and grunted in pain as 4 red lines of blood appeared on his cheek.

She gently lowered herself to her knees in front of him, looking at him with the same evil smirk still displayed across her lips. She gently grasped his chin with her thumb and forefinger, tilting his head up and leaning forward slightly, till her lips were even with his ear. “Consider that a warning, I do so hate having to brake in a new general once a month, and you do have promise.”

He closed his eyes as her warm breath caressed his ear; her touch felt feathery light on his chin and, combined with her angelic tone, seemed to sooth the pain coursing through his cheek. She released his chin and used her forefinger to wipe up a drop of blood that was trailing down from the bottom most scratch to his chin, it sent a chill down his spine and he shuddered slightly.

She closed her eyes and stood as she licked the blood off her finger, savoring the plesent matalic taste. She opened her eyes after a moment and looked down at the general; he was still visably shaking, but still looking at the ground, he apparently had learned his leason. She decided to get straight to the point, “I want you to pick out four of your best scouts, and then send them to find out what is so special about this miko, he weaknesses. The same go for her allies, and then report back to me.”

“Yes, mistress.” He stood and backed towards the balcony door in a slight bow, helmet still under the crook of his arm.

“Oh, and general?” She added as he was about to turn around, he paused and waited. She smiled slightly before continuing, “A second failer, regardless the reason, will not be tolerated. Am I understood, general?” She watched his rection out of the corner of her eye.

He flinched slightly, at her implication, before bowing again. “Yes, mistress, Completely understood.” He tuned and left the balcony, closing her bedroom door behind him, panting slightly at his near brush with death. He would have to be more careful, he could not afford to fail.

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A/N: That's all folks, tune in next time for exciting chapter 3, bwahahahaha!