I Do Not Own Inuyasha! All contained characters, ideas, concepts, etc belong to the creators and their affiliates. This story is done purely for my own amusement and for the amusement of my readers. Neither I nor anyone connected with me make any profit from this story.
The Hanyou Chronicles – The Face of Death
"Where are you?" The roar thundered across the narrow canyon, vibrating the rocks and sending birds scattering in flight. Massive claws shattered pieces of grey shale bordering the small stream that split the space between the sheer cliffs on either side. "Come out and face your death you coward!" The wind carried the dying echoes through the murky shadows beginning to obscure the uncertain terrain. The dark stones gave no answer to the bellowed challenge of the demon. His great, scaled head wove back and forth over the ground searching for the scent that had led him into this accursed ditch. Finally he found it, small and faint but unmistakable. Blood, a minute cluster of red droplets sprinkled where the prey had leapt from one boulder to the next; still wet, he was close.
Pulse quickening in anticipation of the upcoming kill, the demon loped further into the canyon, dropping to all fours to gain speed. The confined walls shook with the ferocity of his passing, shattering the stillness of the lonely earth. The fearsome creature cared nothing for the commotion; stealth had never been high on his list of strategies anyway. Let the prey hear the sound of his coming, and cower in fear knowing escape was impossible. A forked tongue slithered between rows of dripping fangs, bared in a malicious grin. The thought of that pathetic half demon trembling uncontrollably in the terror of his presence, perhaps even begging for his worthless life, was sweet indeed. Ha! He would teach that dog-eared weakling the true meaning of Youkai power! Cruel laughter erupted from the demon's enormous jaws; perhaps he should not kill the little mongrel after all, it would be far more entertaining to tear two or three small limbs from its body and listen to the wretched creature scream in agony. Either way, that disgusting half breed would not soon forget the cost of his arrogance to one of the world's greatest demons.
Dusk approached, filling the world with husky golden rays of dying sunlight. The forked tongue flicked again, searching for the tantalizing scent of his quarry's blood. Another small splash of the vibrant liquid darkened the rough gravel beneath the demon's feet. Soon that very same blood would trickle deliciously down his throat, warm and satisfying. The canyon veered sharply to the left, winding the noisy stream out of sight. Rounding the bend in the massive creature slid suddenly to a stop on the loose shale, reptilian eyes widening in surprise. Ahead, the canyon dead ended in a steep slide of boulders that had long ago split from the cliff above, and now formed the border of a wide pool that spread across the floor of the ravine. This was the end of the trail, but there was nothing here. The canyon was empty!
Cheated! He had been tricked out of his kill! That little rat of a mongrel had somehow slipped past him. A deafening roar split the air, rattling a shower of pebbles down from the towering walls.
"You worthless coward! You are right to flee from me! Run while you are still able. Never return, or the next time we meet I shall deliver thy fate without mercy!"
The gentle murmur of the stream was the only answer to the fading echoes. Lashing his tail in disgust the demon turned to make his way out of the ravine, as he did so he found himself faced by the piercing gaze of two yellow eyes.
Astonishment momentarily clouded the demon's attention. Before him, the Hanyou crouched atop a large boulder, unwavering gaze fixed intently on his own. How? How had that wretched creature managed to get behind him? He had heard nothing, smelled nothing, yet here was his quarry, staring down at him with barely veiled amusement.
Triumph quickly replaced the sudden surprise. The stupid mongrel wished to make a fight of it. Now he would have the blood he so desired. The demon's muscles tensed then uncoiled in a wild rush. His massive jaws opened incredibly wide as he sprung on the golden eyed Hanyou, but the razor like fangs snapped on nothing but empty space. What the…? Sudden, knifing pain tore through the demon's back. He lost his balance on the shale and rammed into the canyon wall with a reverberating crash.
"Feh! You're pathetic."
The voice was low and smooth, spoken carelessly. Struggling to focus through the dim fog in his brain, the demon rolled to his feet, seeking the source of the voice.
"Hey moron over here!"
The Hanyou leaned against the opposite wall of the canyon, one clawed hand pointed at the komodo demon before him. That hand, it was dripping blood, his blood. But how? Nothing could pierce his iron hide! A wry smile revealed gleaming white fangs, setting the golden eyes alight with brutal joy.
"What's the matter lizard breath?" the Hanyou smirked "I thought you said you wanted to kill me. Something about delivering my fate without mercy?"
An enraged snarl broke from the demon's throat.
"Why you arrogant half breed! How dare you mock me?"
Bounding forward, the demon once again stretched his jaws to their limit, intending to cut the insolent pest in half with a single bite. The Hanyou's grin broadened and he shot up from the ground leaping an effortless 30 feet into the air, his silver mane flowing like spider silk behind him. Scrabbling against the gravelly terrain the demon struggled to pivot from his mad charge and catch the Hanyou before he had a chance to maneuver out of reach.
With blinding speed, the half-demon twisted away from the snapping jaws and slashed the creature in midair. Howling in indignant agony, the demon stared horrified at the bloody stump that had been his tail. The Hanyou landed neatly on a nearby boulder, his deep laugh vibrating like a cat's velvety purr across the narrow walls of the canyon.
"Ha, arrogant am I? Big words from an overgrown worm who can't even hit a smaller opponent, you're worthless. I wouldn't even bother with a snake like you except…"
The golden eyed boy lifted his left arm, revealing three deep gashes across the ribs seeping blood that darkened the red of his kimono.
"you tore my robe. It was a gift."
The komodo demon's eyes widened in disbelief. This little mongrel was actually planning to kill him. But that could not be! He was the mighty dragon of the iron claw, he had brought destruction to an entire village and spilled more blood than any creature could drink, his power could not be matched by any half-breed. The demon once more felt the unbearable pain of his severed tail, and watched the crimson drops of his own blood fall from the claws of his enemy. Since entering the canyon the demon had been toyed with like a mouse being batted back and forth between the claws of a bored cat. The hanyou had played his game, but now the game was over. As he gazed into those two amber eyes he knew that he was staring into the face of death. The realization snapped the last strands of reason holding the creature's mind together. Roaring insanely, he rushed madly into the waiting arms of death.
Icy, clear water poured over the hanyou's blood stained hands. He could never stand the scent of lesser demon's blood. The stink of it filled the darkening ravine, and made him thirst for a fresh breeze. A sneer curled his lips, That stupid lizard! He didn't even have the sense to try and run. Shaking his hands free of the cold stream water, he stood and stared above the stony cliffs. A brilliant shard of silver shone in the twilight sky, the month was nearly over, new moon came in two days. And here he was, in the middle of demon infested territory. He needed a place, and soon.
With two graceful leaps and a soft rustle of fabric, the canyon was left in quiet shadow. A single raven soared overhead as the inky fingers of night obscured the stony floor, empty save for a stiffening corpse.