Smoke filled the air around the Northern palace, hiding the moon and filling the halls of the palace with a thick smoke. Yugi, woken by the smoke, ran out into the courtyard of his palace, still bare-chested from resting. When he saw the blaze before him, able to feel the heat in the wind from so far away, he took in a quick breath of air, shocked. He twisted to look at a nearby soldier, "Get Mushi up!" He shouted. The soldier nodded and ran for the palace entrance.
Yugi turned slowly back to the scene before him, watching as the red blaze engulfed the demon village that supplied the palace, Takto. He could hear the screams and shouts of the men and women there as they tried to escape the flames. A half mile from the blaze and Yugi could still see the demon who ran from village on fire, rushing and screaming, trying to find some way to put out the flames. He growled in anger, claws digging into his palm. Takto had been a peaceful village. It avoided the drug trade that was rampant in the North and refused to create poisons. For that reason, Yugi had loved Takto, and would often go into town to play his foreign instrument for the children there. All those children—he prayed they'd escaped.
Why would anyone attack that village? What reason would they have?
The flames rose suddenly, and Yugi saw a house collapse. His heart clenched as he hoped no one was inside.
A single pair of boots came running at him from behind. He could hear the click of his general's sword against his hip as he ran to his side. Stopping beside him, Mushi gave his lord a short bow before twisted to observe the blaze. For a moment, he could not speak, so taken aback. "My lord, what has happened here?" Mushi breathed. He did not miss the screams for help either.
"Go down to the village and do everything you can to put the fire out! Go!" Mushi shouted as he turned and began surveying the soldiers gathering in the courtyard, many still trying to wake themselves up. At the command, the soldiers bowed and moved in a large, unorganized group, running for the village. Many had family and sweethearts in Takto. "Who did this?" Mushi asked slowly as he returned to his lord's side.
"I don't know." Yugi whispered in reply, mind whirling with possibilities. "I have no enemies at the moment that I am aware of." The young lord scanned the village. The fire had started too fast to be an accident. It had been carefully planned. Whoever had set it did not want many to survive.
A weird whistle sound moved through the air catching Mushi's attention. He glanced sideways and realized the danger just in time to move in front of his lord and strike down the arrow that soared for his chest. His eyes moved to scan the sky. It had come from an odd angle—from directly overhead. As Mushi looked upward, Yugi knelt by the remnants of the arrow, finding a folded parchment attached to the body of the arrow. He removed the ties carefully then unfolded it.
Just as his eyes recognized the scripture of his father's late general, Mushi spotted him in the sky. "Nata!"
Yugi looked upward, spotting Nata's white form soaring overhead. He cursed, realizing that the peace of his lands had just ended. He ripped open the parchment while Mushi watched the owl fly overhead.
'I have returned to the North, my young lord, but not to serve you. I have returned to avenge Lord Karashima's death and take my place at the throne. You do not deserve to hold the title 'Lord,' not after what you did to destroy your own father. Prepare yourself, Yugi, for your title will soon be mine. Send a message to Lord Sesshomaru. I have been preparing for thirteen years, not even his aid will save you. No matter what you do, I shall prevail.'
The letter was short, and Yugi was soon done. He handed the parchment to Mushi who read it just as quickly. His fist closed around the parchment, fury burning in his eyes. Yugi looked to the sky. Nata was closer now. Somewhere behind him, he knew archers had the owl in their sights. Mushi did as well, glancing over his shoulder coolly, praying that none of his soldiers did anything stupid. With the majority of the army rushing for Takto, exposed and unaware of the current danger, they couldn't risk angering Nata.
"Nata!" Yugi shouted, his voice rough with fury, "You should have remained in hiding! You will regret the day you came here and threatened me! We beat you once before, and we shall do it again." The young lord spat at the owl demon.
Nata let out a long and loud call, sounding almost pleased, before soaring away and out of sight. Yugi looked at Mushi then the ground. He hated war. "Well, it's begun again." He muttered. "We must contact Lord Sesshomaru then"—he paused, his voice taking on a more excited tone—"Reeka and Nasuku."
The deep laugh of a man moved over the field, the higher pitched one of a young girl mixing with it in the wind.
The large man ran with an exaggerated gait, his black hair flying behind him in its loose ponytail as young girl, no older than five, ran just behind him, easily keeping up with the playing man. The man spun, making a face at the child, his blue eyes were full of laughter as he turned again and pretended to run faster, even though he barely kept ahead of the girl. "I'm gonna getcha, Daddy!" The girl shouted as she gripped for his pants leg, her voice young, innocent, and high in pitch.
She leapt forward, attaching herself to father's leg. The man playfully fell to the ground, rolling to land on his back, careful not to harm the child. "I gotcha!" She laughed, crawling up his long body to sit on his chest. "Daddy?" She said when he didn't open his eyes. She began inspecting his face with her light blue eyes, afraid.
"Kya!" The older demon said as he sat up and caught her in his arms. "Got you, Kieko." He said against her hair as he held her. When she didn't respond, he leaned back and watched as her eyes filled with tears. "Kieko? What's wrong?" Kieko's father asked her quickly, gently holding her upper arms in his large hands. She didn't answer but instead wiggled out of his arms and ran to her mother across the field.
The light haired demon picked up the young child and put her on her hip, running her fingers through Kieko's silver hair to comfort her. "Kieko, what's wrong?" The woman asked, pressing a kiss to her temple. Kieko didn't answer. Instead, she buried her face in her mother's chest and cried. The woman sighed. "Nasuku, what did you do?" The woman asked the black haired demon across the clearing. He sat up, running his fingers through his bangs.
"I don't know." He replied as he pushed to his feet and brushed himself off. "I must have startled her."—His voice became playful—"Don't give me that look, Reeka." He said as walked over to his mate, who just shook her head at him, before taking his daughter from her arms. "Kieko, it's alright." His voice was soft as he held her. Her watery eyes focused on his face, wide. "I didn't mean to scare you." He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I'm alright."
"Stop coddling her." A cold voice came from a tree on the edge of the clearing. Both Nasuku and Reeka turned to look at him. Nasuku's face was already growing hard with irritation. "At this age, she shouldn't be acting like such a child. If you keep treating her like that, she'll never grow up." A young demon, around the age of thirteen, jumped from the tree, his shoulder length black hair taking after his father and his amber eyes from his mother. His arms crossed over his chest, he coldly stared at his parents for a moment before turning away, walking across the clearing to leave. "I'm going out." He called over his shoulder, unconcerned.
"No, you're not, Taisho." Reeka retorted. "You're too young to be running off like this all the time. You're staying here."
The young demon stopped and looked at his mother over his shoulder, then let out one small laugh in amusement. "I'll see you in a couple of days." He said, waving away her words with his hand over his shoulder as he made his way to the woods.
"Taisho." Nasuku warned, his voice dangerous. At the sound of his father's voice, Taisho leaned forward into a run and then shot off into the forest, jumping from tree to tree. "Inu Taisho, get back here!" Nasuku shouted. His shout echoed through the forest, sending birds into the air from the trees. Reeka looked at her mate sideways, startled by the volume of his voice. She'd forgotten how loud and demanding his voice could be. The sound of it brought back memories of war and soldiers.
Kieko clutched her father's shirt, scared by the yelling. Nasuku sighed in irritation and gently handed Kieko to Reeka. "I'll get him." Nasuku growled as he approached the forest, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt. Before he could go after his son though, there was a shout.
"Get the hell away from me!" Taisho's voice echoed through the forest, furious. "Don't you touch me!" Taisho jumped from the forest, followed closely behind by a cat demon, and slid to a stop in the grass. Taisho turned and tried to punch the cat, but he grabbed the young demon's fist and twisted it. Kicking out Taisho's legs, the boy fell hard to the ground, grunting. The cat sat on him coolly, smiling at Reeka and Nasuku while their son struggled to free himself.
Reeka blinked at the cat demon. His long blond hair in its high ponytail and his dark green were so familiar to her. "Yugi?" She asked and set Kieko down on her feet. She ran to him, while Nasuku just smiled and picked up Kieko, carrying her as he moved to Yugi. Reeka tackled the young lord in a hug, knocking him onto his back and off of her son.
Jumping up, Taisho pulled a dagger from his side and attempted to strike Yugi in anger but a hand grabbed his wrist and bent it back causing him to drop the dagger. "You're quite a troublemaker, aren't you?" A kind voice said. "Trying to attack the Lord of the North. You're lucky I know your parents." The dirty blond cat demon smiled at the confused pup. It was the same old Mushi.
"Lord of the North?" Taisho stuttered as Mushi released his hand. The demon nodded, and Taisho turned his face to stare at the now standing lord, fear seeping into his hard expression.
Yugi fixed his clothes, nodding to Mushi. "Thank you, General. I did want to have to reprimand my closest friends' son for attacking me." Yugi offered Reeka a hand and helped her up. Taisho cursed under his breath and walked away, plopping down a couple of feet away, embarrassed.
"General, huh?" Nasuku asked as he stopped beside Mushi, Kieko on his hip.
Mushi turned to Nasuku with a wide grin and bowed smoothly at the waist. "Yes, just as you are." He replied.
"As I was." Nasuku corrected quickly. "I am only a simple demon now."
"That is why we are here, General." Yugi cut in, his voice deeper than Nasuku remembered.
"General?" Taisho asked quickly, twisting to look at the group, then he pushed swiftly to his feet and approached them. "Since when was he a general?" He stopped before them, arms crossed as he dragged his eyes up and down his father's body. "My dad can't even hold a sword right. My dad ain't is nothin' special." Taisho stared at the Northern lord, sure that he was right and there was some sort of mix up.
Yugi looked at Mushi, raising an eyebrow. His general shrugged. Yugi looked at Reeka then Nasuku. "You haven't told them?" He asked.
Reeka shook her head. "We wanted them to be safe if any enemies ever attacked." She replied. "We merely wanted to protect them from—"
"Who they really are?" Yugi cut in, his voice almost harsh. "There is nothing wrong with who they are, Reeka."
"Who we are?" Kieko asked, anxious to hear. Nasuku looked at his daughter for a moment, unsure of what Yugi was forcing them to do. He did not want his young daughter exposed to the evils of war and politics.
Mushi smiled and bent over just slightly to make eye contact with Taisho. "Well, see your parents here are-"
Twisting his head around to glare at his former soldier, Nasuku quickly cut in. "Don't, Mushi!"
"Nasuku, they must know. There is no more hiding it." Yugi growled. "Things are heating up again."
Kieko, who had been resting her head on her father's shoulder, asked, "What are Mommy and Daddy then?"
"Your Mommy and Daddy," Yugi replied, leaning down to look at her with kind eyes, "are General Nasuku and Lady Reeka of the West." Kieko looked excited, even though she did not completely understand, but Taisho's frown deepened.
Taisho shook his head, arms crossing again. "No." He said, not accepting what he had been told. "There is no way. There is just no way. You may be Lord of the North, but you're also a liar."
"Quite a mouth." Yugi said staring at the black haired boy. He looked at the embarrassed parents. "I'm surprised such a boy came from you two." Nasuku and Reeka sighed and shook their heads. "Well, I might as well clear my name." Yugi said as he grabbed Reeka's wrist and pulled, causing her to spin and hit his chest with her back as he had made her do once so long ago.
"Yugi, no!" Reeka shouted as Yugi wiped the cover up from her forehead, proving she wasn't a normal demon as her children had grown up believing.
"The royal marking of the West." Yugi explained. "She is the daughter of Lord Sesshomaru."
Taisho stared in disbelief at the marking before once again shaking his head. "Okay, so that one is true, but Dad…"
Mushi smiled wickedly to himself and charged at his formal general. Pulling his boomerang weapon from his back, he threw it at Nasuku then drew his sword. Nasuku instinctively ducked still holding Kieko against his chest protectively. Then when Mushi charged instinct to protect his pup took complete effect and he flip over backwards grabbing the boomerang out of the air. Using the momentum of his flip he launched it at Mushi still in midair. It would have hit Mushi in the chest if he hadn't known how to catch the weapon. Smirking Mushi placed the weird weapon in its sheath while Nasuku landed gracefully yards away, holding a now shocked Kieko, close to tears.
"Good job, General." Yugi said releasing Reeka who ran to her now crying child.
Nasuku glared at Yugi then Mushi as Reeka took Kieko from him and comforted the scared child. "Please don't be angry with me, General Nasuku." Mushi said. "I didn't know of any other way to prove it."
Nasuku sighed and placed his hand on Kieko's head in a comforting way before walking over to Yugi. Noticing his son's startled look he smirked and picked up the dagger Mushi had made Taisho drop earlier. He placed it in his son's hand and began adjusting it as he said, "The way you hold the hilt is incorrect. Here hold it like this. There." Taisho glared at his father knowing he had always wanted to do that. Taisho put the dagger away and turned his head from his father. Nasuku chuckled and looked at Yugi again. "Now why did you find the need to reveal who we really were?" He asked.
"Well," Replied Yugi, "we need your assistance on something very important but talking about it out in the open would be very risky."
Nasuku nodded understanding. "Reeka." He called. She quickly made her way across the field holding a now only sniffling child. "Taisho," He called back the now departing boy.
Taisho spun around irritated. "What?" He asked.
Nasuku took Kieko from Reeka and set her on her feet. "Watch Kieko." Nasuku commanded. Taisho rolled his eyes before agreeing. "Good." The formal General said before motioning for the rest of the company to follow him to the family's home.
A handful of soldiers had volunteered to build it. It took them about a week to complete but it was a wonderful home. It had a living area and three rooms; one for each family member, including the pup Reeka had growing in her womb at the time, Taisho. Now that Nasuku and Reeka had two pups, they shared a room while the kids got their own rooms.
Nasuku led the group into the living area as he sat at a low desk. "Now, what is it you need our help with?" Nasuku asked.
Yugi reached in his pocket and pulled out a folded letter. He tossed it on the desk. Nasuku picked it up as Reeka sat next to him and leaned against him. He unfolded the letter gently. Yugi sat down soon to be followed by Mushi. Nasuku quickly read the letter before slamming it on the table making Reeka jump.
"Damn cocky bastard!" Nasuku said angrily. "How dare he show his face again!"
"Who are you talking about, Nasuku?" Reeka asked getting his attention.
He glanced at his startled mate before returning his attention to Yugi. "When did you get that letter?" Nasuku asked.
"Two days ago." Yugi replied. "Nata burnt down Takto to make his point across. Then Mushi and I went to Lord Sesshomaru to inform him of the problem at hand."
Reeka grabbed her mate's arm before asking, "What has Nata done?"
Mushi quickly replied, "He's declared war upon Lord Yugi and the North."
Reeka's eyes widened. "Declared war?" She quickly shouted.
"Yes," Yugi confirmed crossing his arms. "Nata wants my title and land. He doesn't think I deserve it." Then suddenly the Lord of the North pulled out a map. He threw it down on the table and stood, leaning on it. "Some of Mushi's men have found several former campsites of Nata's army." He pointed to several marked areas on the list. They all lined up going north to west.
Nasuku frowned at the map. "But didn't Nata say he wanted the North?" He asked.
Mushi nodded. "Yes but we believe he wants revenge first." The new General replied. "Revenge on you two, General Nasuku and Rook."
Reeka clutched Nasuku's arm as Mushi's words sunk in. Nasuku narrowed his eyes at the map. "Where are they now?" He asked.
Mushi studied the map before he circled his finger around an area less than fifty miles from the Western palace. "With what we know I'd say somewhere around this area." He explained meeting the eyes of his once commanding officer. He found the usually happy eyes full of rage and hatred. "General?"
Reeka looked at her mate's facial expression and instantly knew he wished to be alone. She looked at the men in front of her. "I'm sorry but we must leave Nasuku alone for the time being." She told them. They both nodded and stood as did she, but she felt Nasuku's hand slip into hers and stopped. Mushi and Yugi noticed. They showed themselves out, leaving the two alone.
Nasuku let go off Reeka's hand and kept his head down, his bangs covering his eyes from Reeka. She kneeled in front of him. Reaching out with gentle hands, she cupped his face. "Nasuku…" He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his lap.
Nasuku buried his nose in the side of Reeka's neck and she stilled completely. Then he spoke against her neck, sending chills down her spine, "How can we do that again?" He asked. He tightened his grip. "What will we do with Kieko and Taisho? No where is safe during a war."
Reeka brought her hands up and wrapped them around his chest. "Nasuku, we can still do it. You are still a great fighter and I haven't let my battle skills get rusty either." She replied. "And as for the pups, Kieko can go stay with Sei and Taiku. They'll protect her and Taisho…" Reeka inhaled deeply. "Why not take him with us?"
"To war?" Nasuku almost shouted startling Reeka, but she went on anyway.
"It would be good for him to have to take orders. Maybe it would help with his attitude problems. Not only that but he's always wanted to fight, this would be a great time to teach him." Reeka said trying to convince her mate of her thoughts.
Nasuku stared at her for a moment more then he inhaled deeply. "Do we have any other choice?" He said. "He'll have to come with us. No one at the palace would be able to control him, but on one condition."
Reeka rested her head on his chest listening to his strong, steady heartbeat. "And what might that be?" She asked.
"He must obey me and if he doesn't he is to be treated as any other soldier would." Nasuku replied. He felt his mate tense against him. "To a point. I will not give him a death sentence." He corrected. "But he will be cut no slack with anything else. Is that understood?" Reeka nodded and he smiled before kissing the top of her head.
"It'll be just like old times won't it, General?" Reeka asked smiling up at Nasuku.
He smiled at her then gently kissed her. "Not even close." He replied before kissing her again. Wrapping one of his arms around her midsection, he pulled her hard against him. She wrapped her arms around his neck before returning the kiss affectionately.
Nasuku broke the kiss then ran gentle kisses down Reeka's jaw line and neck. He pushed the sleeve of her kimono off of her right shoulder as he moved from her neck. Keeping the fabric from falling completely, he kissed the mark he had left on Reeka's being more than thirteen years ago. The night when Reeka had tried to end her life, take herself from him. The night he had taken her from Yugi.
Smiling against the mark, Nasuku kissed the mark again before running his fangs across it. Reeka moaned softly. Nasuku then stood, holding Reeka in his arms, easily lifting her small form. He sucked on her throat, running his tongue over the overly sensitive skin, earning him many moans and shivers. He knew how sensitive her throat was and nipped occasionally as he walked with her to their room.
Nasuku removed one arm from Reeka to slide the door open then used his foot to close it once he had entered, never once removing his mouth from the column of her throat. Walking over to the bed they shared, he lowered her onto the thin mattress and followed her down, straddling her hips.
The top half of Reeka's kimono was completely off of her shoulders, now around her waist. Nasuku ran kisses along her collarbone. He could smell her arousal begin to grow. Oh, how he loved it but that was not his intention at the moment. As he went to remove himself from her she undid the knot to his sash. His clothes loosened on his body and he couldn't help but stare at her in disbelief but he quickly recovered.
Nasuku kissed her once more before completely removing himself from her. She laid there obediently waiting for him to return to her. She heard what sounded like the unlocking of a box. She sat up in confusion and was hit in the face by a familiar outfit. She picked up the folded clothes and examined them. They were the clothes she had worn so long ago as Rook.
Reeka looked at her mate who was changing into the clothes he had worn when he was General of the West. He quickly and skillfully put on the dark clothes, the light blue, silk crescent moon glimmering on the back in the dusk sunlight that came in through the open window. He tucked the shirt into his pants and quickly pulled the sash tight holding it in place.
When Nasuku noticed his mate's eyes on him he turned to her as he adjusted his hair. Putting it in a high ponytail, he watched Reeka frown. "You teased me." She accused him.
He chuckled at her accusation. Increasing her frown, Reeka pulled on the old shirt. He turned and kneeled at an open chest behind him. Reeka watched him as she stood and pushed her kimono completely off. She had never seen the inside of that chest because Nasuku always kept it locked. At the time she had thought it was to hide something from her but now she knew it was to keep the children out.
Pulling out something long and narrow wrapped in silk, Nasuku approached Reeka as she pulled the sash to her pants tight. He unwrapped the object. He pulled gently, rolling the object until it fell into his awaiting hand. It was a sword.
The sword's black scabbard bore Reeka's name in gold letters telling whom the sword belonged to. Reeka reached out and touched the hilt of her long lost friend. She ran her fingers gently around the crescent moon engraved on both sides of the hilt. Nasuku had taken the sword away when they had left the army campsite all those years ago. He said that if it was found in their possession their identities would be revealed or they would be arrested for stealing from the West.
Nasuku turned the sword in his hands so Reeka could draw it. She grabbed the hilt and slid it from its scabbard. With much control, she cut through the air with the never dulling blade. It shimmered in the sunlight as it sped through the air. Reeka smiled at Nasuku and stood on her toes to kiss his cheek.
"Thank you." She said as she took the scabbard from him and sheathed her sword. She secured the weapon to her side. "Nasuku?"
"Hm?"
"My dagger?" She asked. She held out her hand, wishing to possess a secret weapon as she once had.
Nasuku shook his head. "No."
"But Nasuku…" Reeka tried to plead.
"No." Nasuku replied firmly. Placing his own hand under hers, he closed her hand. "I will not chance losing you again."
Reeka sighed, looking away. She had never fully earned his trust again. He still worried. If she had almost killed herself once then that meant she could try it again, but she had no reason to now. Now that she had him.
Nasuku smiled at Reeka trying to get her to look at him again. Finally he placed a hand on the side of her face and made her look at him. "Reeka, I love you but I would just like to stay on the safe side. I'll give it back to you, just not now. When I trust you completely, I will return it to you." He explained.
"Okay, Nasuku." Reeka said as she wrapped her arms around his chest. She rested her head there and looked up at him. "Now what?"
"Well," Nasuku responded, "Kieko needs to be taken to the palace as soon as possible, so she's safe before this war becomes too violent. Then Taisho, he's an ok fighter but he doesn't quite get how to hold his weapons. Not only that but I'm sure there are going to be men who have to take the qualification test to join the army, but since I am not there I cannot pass or fail any of the men who take it." Nasuku paused for a moment thinking before finally saying. "Reeka, I want you to go the western palace with Kieko. Get her settled then dress as Rook and get the army under control. Explain to them that I sent you and that I'll be there in two days. Get through as many qualification tests as possible before I get there. Have Shinsai help. He knows what to look for. While you're west I'll teach Taisho how to hold his sword and dagger right. Then when Taisho and I get there I'll finish the qualification tests and we'll cut Nata off before he reaches the Western palace."
Reeka nodded and released Nasuku. He smiled at her. "Should I go now?" She asked. "If I leave now I'll reach the palace by morning, and I can get more done."
"Yes but have Yugi or Mushi go with you…maybe both." Nasuku replied. Reeka smiled he was worrying again. "I also want you to have your father give Kieko her royal marking."
"What why?" Reeka asked. "Giving her the family crest would make her a target! The enemy would…"
"Reeka." Nasuku cut her off. "We need her to become an official part of the royal family so she understands what she's a part of. If we keep her away from danger then when she finally faces it she won't know what to do. We need to prepare her." He explained. Reeka nodded.
Kieko receiving the royal marking would make her an official part of the royal family. To receive the mark the head male of the family containing the original blood of the royal family, Sesshomaru, must touch a demon containing the blood as well, any descendant of the royal family. Then the royal marking would appear somewhere on the descendant's body.
Nasuku handed Reeka the two almost empty bottles of cover up and scent hider. "Have your father give you more while you're at the palace." He said then kissed her. "Now go."
Well, there you have it! The first chapter to 'Nata's Revenge'. Yes I know it was short and yes I know it was kinda boring. I tried to make it more interesting, notice the almost lemon, but I still think it came out pretty good.
Review and the next chapter will be up by the end of the week.
Disclaimer: I do not own any original InuYasha characters.