InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Chosen ❯ Ayame vs. Death Strike ( Chapter 9 )

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha…It's that simple. Shadow, Death Strike, Mikel, Faele, Falcon, the Evenstar family, etc…are mine. Ask before you borrow them.

 

Italics = thinking

“….” = talking, or singing

*….* = telepathic speech

 

 

Chapter 9: Ayame vs. Death Strike

 

“Iron Reaver, Soul Stealer!” InuYasha hollered as he slashed at the snake youkai that had attacked the group as they settled down for lunch. They had just found a comfortable site to rest and had started their meal when the snake attacked. Like good mates, Koga and InuYasha had sprung to the defense of their women. Ordering Death Strike and Kagome to `stay back,' they had leapt into battle.

 

Chuckling unnervingly, the snake whipped out of the way of InuYasha's attack and lashed out with its tail…successfully slamming InuYasha to the ground. Kagome rushed forward, unsheathing her father's sword, not that she knew how to use it yet, as she stood protectively over her mate. Kagome growled softly as she glanced down long enough to make sure InuYasha wasn't badly hurt. He groaned and rolled to his feet; pulling tetsusaiga as he took his place at her side.

 

Meanwhile, Koga and Sesshomaru were fairing no better against the snake. Tired of sitting back and simply watching, Death Strike raced into the fray…daggers drawn and fangs bared. As the snake lunged at her mate, she raced past its unguarded flank and struck out the blades. Channeling her powers into them, they sunk deep into the reptile's scaly side…causing some damage, but not enough to really slow it.

 

“It has two jewel shards in its neck, just below its jaw!” Kagome shouted as she pointed in the general area of the shards.

 

Well, no wonder I didn't do much damage…its got fucking jewel shards! Death Strike grumbled to herself. She dodged the snake's retaliatory lunge and raced to Koga's side.

 

“Hiraikotsu!” shouted Sango as she let the boomerang fly…only to see the snake swat it out of the air with its tail. She growled softly as best a human could and drew her katana. Standing with Miroku, Shippo, Shadow, and Kirara; they guarded Kagome's large yellow bag, in which the shards that they had collected lay hidden.

 

Sesshomaru leapt at the snake again; striking out with tokijin as he did so. Again the snake dodged…much to everyone's dismay. But this time, instead of simply swatting Sesshomaru out of the air like it had InuYasha, the snake grasped the inu-youkai in its tail and began to squeeze.

 

InuYasha had been about to use the Wind Scar, but stopped as the snake slowly began squeezing the air from his half brother…

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

Sesshomaru flew through the air, tokijin ready for the killing blow as the taiyoukai grew tired of the fight. As he swung, he glanced over his shoulder; something in him wanting to know that she was watching him…wanting to prove that he was a strong, worthy protector.

 

It had been a mistake. Had he not turned to glance at her, he'd have been able to dodge the serpent's tail, but now he growled as it clenched around him; slowly wringing the air from his lungs. He felt his ribs crack, but refused to show his pain. His growls ceased as it became harder and harder to breathe.

 

“LORD SESSHOMARU!” he heard Rin cry distantly…his world slowly starting to go black. He felt his ribs crack again; this time the sound ringing loudly in the surrounding silence.

 

“HELL'S FURY!” her voice sang out and he smiled slightly. Then he felt himself falling, but was too far gone to react. Arms caught him and she cried out again, “CELESTIAL STORM!” Then his world went black.

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

They watched in horror as the snake slowly squeezed the taiyoukai to death, knowing they could not attack without risking his life in the process. InuYasha and Kagome stood to one side of the serpent, while Death Strike stood protectively above an unconscious Koga on the other side. Before the snake, the rest of the group stood motionless. Rin cried helplessly in anguish as she watched the scene play out before her.

 

“LORD SESSHOMARU!” the child shrieked as she attempted to run to him; only to have Jaken and AhUn grab her to hold her back.

 

Finally, Shadow had had enough and Kagome watched her cousin race forward like she had the morning they'd found the twins sparring. Again Shadow was a blur of darkness as she sprinted towards the snake. Almost there, she leapt into the air and time seemed to move in slow motion as they watched her draw her sword.

 

“HELL'S FURY!” she shouted as her blade connected with the snake's tail, just below where it wrapped around Sesshomaru. They watched the silvery blade glow crimson and then erupt in flames as it sliced through scales and muscle. As the blade exited the opposite side of the tail, Shadow spun in midair, vanished the sword again before she snatched the taiyoukai from the air. Seconds later she was on the ground, one arm around the taiyoukai as he leaned limply against her; the snake flailing in agony…still unsure of what had just happened to it. Its eyes finally latched onto Shadow's and with the wickedest grin Kagome had ever seen, Shadow raised her free hand into the air and called upon her fae heritage.

 

“CELESTAIL STORM!” she hollered, her eyes flaring as she brought her claws down in a slashing motion. Black clouds appeared above the serpent and began to swirl violently as what looked like shooting stars plummeted from them; raining fiery death upon the serpent.

 

Bloody pieces of snake flew everywhere. Shadow and Death Strike erected shields around themselves and the other members of the group. Kagome managed a shield for herself and InuYasha, which Shadow secretly reinforced to keep it from failing. When it stopped raining snake, Kagome dropped her shield and rushed out to find the jewel shards. She purified them with a touch and added them to the jar in her bag…the snake's remains falling to dust as she removed the shards.

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

Sango and Miroku set up camp a short while later. Kagome had fussed over InuYasha; making sure he was truly unhurt from the battle with the snake youkai. She discovered that he was slightly bruised, but that would be healed in a few hours.

 

Death Strike tended to a now conscious Koga. The wolf had been pierced by one of the snake's fangs and had been poisoned. His mate determined that it wasn't fatal, but he would be in some pain and unable to travel for a least a day. Koga growled in irritation, but enjoyed his mate's gentle hands as she tended to his wounds.

 

As the others finished with their tasks, they turned to watch Shadow. She kneeled over Sesshomaru's prone body, her eyes closed and her hand traveling slowly over his now exposed chest. Occasionally, she would growl and her hand would pause over a certain area of his ribs. Once they had seen her hand glow brightly and Sesshomaru moaned at whatever she'd done. Taking a deep breath, Kagome got some bandages from her bag and went to her cousin's side.

 

“How bad is he?” Kagome asked softly, offering her cousin the bandages.

 

“He'll live, but he will be very sore as he heals. Fool…turning to lock gazes with me in the middle of battle. Baka!” Shadow growled more to herself than at either her cousin or the unconscious male beside her. “Hold him Kags while I wrap his ribs.”

 

Kagome complied by kneeling at the taiyoukai's head and lifting him into a sitting position as Shadow bound his damaged ribs. Kagome listened to her cousin grumble under her breath, her eyes flaring brightly every once in a while. After a few moments, Shadow was pleased with her bandaging and motioned Kagome to lay Sesshomaru back down, but then paused. She pulled some blankets from seemingly nowhere and swiftly managed a semi-decent makeshift bed. Together, the girls maneuvered him onto the blankets and Shadow stuffed a pillow under his head.

 

“There…now he should be a little more comfortable,” Shadow muttered as she sat beside him.

 

Kagome smiled knowingly and walked back over to InuYasha; who leaned against a tree scowling at his brother.

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

Late afternoon descended upon the group; finding them preparing for the night to come. Miroku had built a fire as the wind began to pick up and the air chilled some. Sango had gone out to gather firewood and had returned with the news that there was a hot spring nearby if anyone wanted to bathe. She piled the wood near the fire and was nearly done when she felt a hand caress her ass.

 

“HENTAI!” she cried as she rounded on the monk. Her hand connecting soundly with his cheek; leaving a cherry red handprint in its wake.

 

Miroku grinned merrily and plopped down to stare at the flames. Sango stalked off a little ways, grumbling loudly about perverted monks before she too sat down and began polishing Hiraikotsu to distract herself. Kirara and Shippo had a game of tag going with Rin, while Jaken looked on protectively. He knew that if he let anything happen to Rin his master would shred him without a second thought. AhUn lay behind the toad, also watching the children play.

 

InuYasha and Kagome reclined in a tree above the group, occasionally stealing kisses when they thought no one was looking, but Death Strike and Koga almost always saw them. The neko and wolf exchanged a glance and she smiled. Koga tried to smile in return, but failed…his nervousness showing through instead. As the day had progressed, Death Strike noticed her mate getting edgier and edgier.

 

When a red haired female wolf demon trotted into their camp minutes later, Death Strike finally understood why. Behind her came Koga's pack mates, Ginta and Hakkaku. Spying their leader almost immediately, they rushed to his side, their ookami cousins following closely behind. The red head, after seeing Death Strike, did not move. Instead, she locked eyes with the other female and glared as a growl built in her throat.

 

“Ginta, Hakkaku…I thought I told you to stay and guard the den?” growled Koga as his subordinates dropped to the ground beside him.

 

“We were, but Ayame made us find you for her,” grumbled Ginta as Hakkaku nodded in agreement. All three looked up at Death Strike as she spoke.

 

“So your name is Ayame…” she said, still looking at the red head, “Mind if I ask why you are looking for my mate?”

 

Koga groaned softly as Ginta and Hakkaku looked at him, their eyes wide in surprise. Had their leader really finally mated? They sniffed softly, and sure enough, the scent signs of a mated pair were there. Ginta got to his feet and stepped closer to Death Strike, looking for, and finding, the mark on her shoulder. She growled at him and he took a step back, nearly tripping over Hakkaku in his haste to give her, her space.

 

Ayame's eyes had widened in surprise as well, but now she growled loudly. “What do you mean your mate? Koga is my intended!” she snapped at Death Strike.

 

“Well sorry, honey, but he's my mate. Deal with it!” the raven haired female snapped back.

 

“Uh, Lady Ayame…she does bear Koga's marks….” mumbled Ginta, but it was still loud enough for the female wolf to hear. Ayame growled louder, her eyes narrowing further as Death Strike smiled smugly.

 

“He is my intended! I will have him as my mate…I challenge your mate claim to Koga! No pathetic neko has the right to mate a wolf like him,” Ayame sneered at Death Strike.

 

Now it was Death Strike's turn to growl. Her eyes narrowed as she took a step forward, but Koga reached out and caught her hand. Glancing down, she looked into his eyes and nodded once at the unspoken question in his eyes.

 

“Don't worry, I won't kill her…but I am going to thoroughly kick her ass for daring to challenge me.” Death Strike grinned and pulled from his grasp. Turning back to Ayame, she smiled slyly. “As I, Death Strike Evenstar, am the one whose mating rights are being questioned…It is my right to choose the rules of combat. First: we will fight in true form…claws and fangs only,” she paused and glanced at her sister. Shadow glared back at her and Death Strike sighed, “And I promise not to use any of my fae tricks. Second: We fight only until first blood is spilled. She who spills her enemy's blood first, wins the right to be Koga's mate.”

 

“Wait…you said `fae tricks.' What do you mean?” asked Ayame, looking skeptically at the neko.

 

“I am Demon Fae. I have certain advanced tricks that normal youkai do not. Such as the ability to…” explained Death Strike with a shrug, but Ayame cut her off.

 

“I know what a Demon Fae is. They are just myths. Just as Noble Animals are simply myths. You cannot possibly be one. You are nothing more than a hanyou…” Ayame shot back, causing Death Strike to chuckle.

 

“We shall see…” was all Ayame received as a reply.

 

Both females chucked their clothing and swiftly assumed true forms. Ayame was larger than Death Strike expected, but not as large as the neko. They squared off; red, grey, and beige wolf against jet black jaguar. Green eyes locked with blue, and for a moment everyone held their breath. Koga couldn't take his eyes from his mate's true form; to him, she was breathtaking. For that instant, the two combatants simply watched each other…and then they pounced…

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

Death Strike loved being in her other form and fought down the urge to purr as she flexed her claws against the ground. Her eyes flared, glowing brightly as she locked gazes with the wolf across from her.

 

She felt the hair along her spine slowly stand on end as her jaws parted; revealing long razor sharp canines as her lips pealed back. Behind her, her tail twitched in impatience as a growl bubbled up from her throat. Subconsciously she crouched, her vision narrowing to only the opponent before her…and then she leapt…

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

Ayame watched the neko, ignoring her brightly glowing eyes; growling softly as she studied the other female. She was larger and more muscular…easily stronger than Ayame. But I bet I'm faster and more agile, the wolf thought as she watched the cat crouch.

 

Her growl escalated as her hackles came up and her lips curled back from her teeth. The hair on her tail went rigid and her tail went stiff behind her. The neko pounced and with a howl, Ayame leapt to meet her…

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

Kagome buried her face in InuYasha's hoari as the battle commenced. She couldn't watch…afraid of what might happen. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she crossed her fingers for her cousin.

 

She felt InuYasha wrap his arms around her tightly and his chest vibrated with his soft, reassuring purr as he rested his chin atop her head. She sighed and turned slightly, just enough to see Death Strike swat Ayame to the ground and then spring away.

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

InuYasha had helped move Koga over by Kagome and him as the fight began. Now the two males watched Ayame and Death Strike fight with critical eyes as well as with awe. Ayame was swift and agile, but the big cat was equally so. Death Strike also had the advantage of raw strength over the wolf, but did not seem to be using it. Instead she simply sidestepped the wolf's attacks and swatted her to the ground, like a cat would a pesky fly, before springing away and awaiting the wolf's next attack. It was obvious to them that Ayame was getting frustrated with the neko, but instead of taking the defensive, Koga watched at she attacked again and shook his head at the move.

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

Shadow watched her sister as she repeatedly knocked the wolf to the ground and smiled slightly. She was sure the rest of the companions had figured it out by now, but even at the very beginning it had been obvious to her just what her sister was up to…Death Strike was playing with the canine. Frustrating and embarrassing the wolf in retaliation for challenging the mate bond.

 

She chuckled softly as she watched her sister knock the wolf down again…this time with her tail. Shadow nodded once in approval of the move; so many demons didn't even know how to use their tails as a weapon that it was pathetic. She felt Sesshomaru move his head in her lap and he moaned softly. Unthinking, she stroked her claws through his hair in a comforting manner as she watched her sister finally take the offensive.

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

Sesshomaru slowly came back to consciousness…only to have a feral growl grace his sensitive hearing. For a moment he thought it was Shadow, but quickly realized that it didn't sound quite right to be the wolf-dog.

 

Pain blossomed in his chest when he attempted to shift and he forced down a groan. Opening his eyes a slit, he realized his head was pillowed in Shadow's lap, but she wasn't watching him. Her gaze was trained on something happening before her; slowly he turned his head…almost immediately regretting the action as his ribs ached sharply and his head pounded in response. This time he did moan ever so softly and was shocked as Shadow ran her claws through his hair. The pain in his chest dulled as he gently pushed his head into her hand….forcing down a purr of enjoyment in the process.

 

Opening his eyes, he watched as a black neko and red ookami fought each other only a short distance away. Glancing around the clearing that they had seemingly made camp in, Sesshomaru accounted for everyone except Shadow's twin. His eyes widened as realization dawned on him; the black neko was Death Strike in true form, but who was the wolf…and why where they fighting…better yet, why did no one help the neko?

 

His head throbbed again and he groaned…only to be rewarded with Shadow stroking his hair lovingly again. He smiled for a fleeting moment and was content to stay just as he was…

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

She was tiring of her game and obviously, so was her opponent. She waited for the wolf to spring again, but this time she wouldn't just knock her down and dash away…it was time to end this.

 

Ayame sprang and Death Strike waited until the last possible instant before sidestepping and then lashing out herself. Her claws connected with the wolf's jaw, snapping her head up and in that instant, the neko pounced. She pinned Ayame on her side on the ground, one clawed paw against her throat while her other rested against the wolf's heaving side. Feeling more than slightly malicious, she grasped the wolf's throat between her fangs and lifted her from the ground. Growling loudly, she shook the wolf unmercifully; her fangs tearing through fur and flesh with each jerk of her head. Ayame howled in pain and Death Strike tossed her away like a discarded rag doll. Pouncing on her again, the neko shredded her side viciously with her claws before slamming her paws into the wolf's ribs. Standing triumphantly over the now torn and bleeding wolf, the neko roared…

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

Ayame leapt, sure to hit the neko this time. She was almost on her when the cat sidestepped again! She felt the cat's claws connect with her muzzle causing her head to snap up from the impact. Her teeth snapped together with an audible `click' and Ayame tasted blood as she hit the ground. She tried to rise, but she felt paws pin her down…and then teeth locked on her throat and she was lifted from the ground. She felt those fangs pierce skin, and she howled as Death Strike shook her unmercifully. Ayame felt blood run down her throat and she knew she'd lost….the neko had drawn first blood. The next thing she knew, she was flying through the air, impacting harshly with the ground when she finally landed. Burning pain ripped through her side and the world dimmed. Death Strike's triumphant roar rattled her skull and Ayame laid her ears back to block out some of the sound.

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

Sango watched as Death Strike and Ayame reverted back to their humanoid forms: Death Strike running immediately into Koga's waiting arms as Ginta and Hakkaku welcomed their new pack sister. Ayame stood in a puddle of her own blood as she watched them…

 

She really is a mess, thought Sango. Ayame had two parallel claw slashes that ran from just under her chin up to her cheek bone as well as four shallow puncture marks adorning her throat. Sango guessed that those were from the neko's fangs. Ayame's right side was shredded almost to the bone and bleeding profusely as she stood watching Koga and his…mate. Head hung in defeat; Ayame gathered her clothes and left the clearing, unaware that anyone even noticed. Sango shook her head sadly and turned to Miroku, who was standing beside her, Shippo and Kirara sitting on his shoulders. Together they walked off into the forest to find more firewood and to get some water for dinner.

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

The rest of the day went by uneventfully for the group. Death Strike refused to talk about her confrontation with Ayame and they wondered if perhaps she regretted having to fight the female ookami. Kagome and Sango made dinner and they all ate in silence.

 

Everyone bedded down for the night as the sun set. Sango actually cuddled up to Miroku; Kirara and Shippo joining them after pulling a blanket from Kagome's pack. InuYasha pulled Kagome into his lap, covering them with her sleeping bag; while Koga and Death Strike curled up together in fae forms. Death Strike pillowed her chin on her forepaws as Koga laid his muzzle gently across her neck.

 

Rin ran over to where Shadow had Sesshomaru lying and curled up in a ball against his side. Shadow smiled slightly as she watched Sesshomaru roll onto his side and toss an arm over the girl protectively…whether or not he realized he did it, she didn't know. AhUn lay down a few feet away from his master, and Jaken curled up against the dragon's side. Shadow pulled blankets from the bag and covered the little toad; before tossing a warm blanket over Sesshomaru and Rin.

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

She sat beside the fire, staring at the dancing flames. Everyone was long since asleep and yet, she did not feel the desire to join them in the dreamscape. She sighed and glanced again at the panties she held in her claws. She had retrieved her favorite thong from Sesshomaru's hoari when she'd treated his damaged ribs earlier, but had found the panties beyond wearable. The sides had been shredded and the color faded from where Sesshomaru had repeatedly run his tongue over them. Sadly, she tossed them into the fire…watching as the flames licked at the silky material.

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

Sesshomaru watched Shadow through narrowed eyes as she sat beside the fire. The firelight danced over her features and gave her midnight black tresses bright crimson highlights making his breath catch in his throat. She is so beautiful...and so strong…he thought as he watched her. He nearly gasped when she threw the panties he had taken from her clothing, into the fire. How did she know he had them? Did she know what he did with them? His mind raced with questions, but when she began to sing softly, her voice laced with tears, his thoughts stopped completely and he simply listened.

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

Shadow watched as the last of the thong was devoured by flame. A tear rolled down her cheek as she thought of the one that had given it to her. It was the last piece of him that she had; everything else was gone…he was gone. Sobbing softly, she bowed her head and sang to herself:

 

“…I miss the colors that you brought into my life
Your golden smile, those blue-green eyes
I miss your gentle voice in lonely times like now
Saying it'll be alright

 

I miss my friend
The one my heart and soul confided in
The one I felt the safest with
The one who knew just what to say to make me laugh again
And let the light back in
I miss my friend

 

I miss those times

I miss those nights
I even miss the silly fights
The making up
The morning talks
And those late afternoon walks

I miss my friend
The one my heart and soul confided in
The one I felt the safest with

The one who knew just what to say to make me laugh again
And let the light back in
I miss my friend

 

I miss my friend…”

 

************************************************************* ***********

 

Sesshomaru was heartbroken as her song died away. Who was it that she missed so? He watched her shoulders shake as she sobbed softly before the fire. Closing his eyes, he drifted off to sleep; his arm still curled around Rin, as he pondered what he could do to ease her sadness…

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

Wiping her tears away, Shadow got to her feet and glanced at the group around her. Seeing her sister and her cousin curled up so peacefully with their mates made her smile, but it was a sad smile.

 

“It's good to see you have moved past the pain of losing Gray, my sister,” she whispered to Death Strike, “Perhaps I can learn from your example this time..”

 

Shadow wandered over to Sesshomaru and Rin…watching them sleep peacefully before shifting into her fae form and curling up next to the taiyoukai's back. Sleep eluded her for some time, but as the moon reached its zenith, she finally closed her eyes and let slumber take her.

 

***************************************************************** *******

 

Author's Note: The lyrics are borrowed from the song “I Miss My Friend” by Darryl Worley. As you may have noticed, I have a very diverse taste in music, lol. Well, let me know what you think.

 

Review Responses:

 

Inu-Shinta: I think there were a few waiting to see InuYasha in true form. I think it's a pretty new concept…since I haven't seen anyone else write about it yet…or maybe I just haven't gotten to those stories yet. I hope you like how he turned out.

 

Xiantaru89: I'm glad you got the chapter to come up. I reposted it after I got your review saying you couldn't access it, hopefully that helped.

 

Taeniaea: New chapter for ya!

 

InuYashsaLoveLorn: A good addiction huh? I like that line…“Like chocolate, but non-edible!” *chuckles* I'll have to remember that…thank you for that chuckle…I'd needed one.

 

Megan Consoer: More chapters coming up sweetie. Just keep checking back. I'll try and post more often.