( A/N: This is a work of fiction. All characters from the anime/manga series Inuyasha are property of Rumiko Takahashi while my own characters belong to me. Don't sue; I are poor. This disclaimer applies to all chapters because I'm lazy. Also has a problem with spacing and time shifts in all my uploads so for whatever reason, this whole story is lumped together on this site. Just assume there's some sort of line break wherever you think one is needed. You can check Mediaminer for the properly edited version of my story. )
The trees were a blur of browns and greens, her speed unmatched by any other youkai she had encountered. Her sleek ebony fur was tinted with silver that glittered with every well-defined movement. Her muscles quivered and her fur glowed as she ran- no, flew through the forest. Her pointed ears were poised for any approaching danger, the small tufts at the tips whipping gently in the wind. Every time her feet touched the ground a print was left, bigger than that of a tree trunk. Pointed claws left furrows in the sacred earth the size of scythe blades and just as sharp. Her eyes glowed silver in the darkness, guiding her way. Although the sun was high, the forest was dim and thick; a definite sign of the more than fertile Western Lands. A small wolf demon pup clung to her neck fur, a wide smile on his petite face.
"Faster mama, faster," he called through the wind.
She jumped through the trees, growing closer to the canopy. Suddenly an opening presented itself between the foliage and she took it, diving up into the midday sun. The sky was cloudless and she shone in the light like an obsidian goddess. Her form was graceful yet it held much power as she jumped over the higher branches, letting the young pup skim the leaves atop the thick forest. Her tail flowed like a waving banner behind her, the fur thick and silky; it's length matching her own body. Her sense of smell was sharp and overwhelmed by the fresh scent of clean air and pine, or an occasional lesser demon that crept below them. She was approaching a clearing and gave a slight yip to get the pup's attention. He noticed the open area and nodded. She moved lower into the forest until her tail was skimming through the lower branches of the trees. A moment later she landed softly into the clearing, avoiding the mud washed stream to keep her fur clean and dry. The young pup abroad her climbed down from his perch, a small satchel's sash wrapped around his torso. He hit the dirt with a light thump and turned around to face the flying wonder that had led him to the clearing. Except the being was no longer the creature he had been riding. She had changed into something more... compact.
A woman smiled at him, her thigh-length raven hair billowing in the wind. Her eyes had turned a glittering gray and her ears had been reduced to mere pointed tips on the sides of her head. Her skin, now a light shade of brown, was smooth as fine silk as was the simple kimono she wore. It was black with silver spirals adorning it with flowers sprouting from the ends, flowing with grace over the hems and sleeves. A silver obi adorned her right side instead of going around to tie at the back. Her tail was still with this form and waved with strength and grace behind her, fur thick as the branch of an oak tree and still the radiant black and silver it had been before. Her lips were a light pink and lush; enticing like a poisonous flower; beautiful but deadly for they concealed the dagger-like fangs she possessed.
"Hiraku, I sense someone approaching. Take Yin and Yang and head back to the camp. I'll soon follow," she spoke with a silky but firm voice.
"Mama, will you be safe?" Hiraku asked nervously, fingering the satchel around him, which moved and made small mewing noises from inside.
"I'll be fine, go now, so the stranger doesn't know you were here," she said somewhat hurriedly, her ears twitching to the north and her nose inhaling an unfamiliar scent. The pup nodded and hurried off into the forest, his fluffy tail disappearing from view. Not a moment later a figure appeared through a haze into the clearing. Her back was to the stranger and she waited for them to make the first move. A silence passed between the two when a stoic but smooth voice issued from the newcomer.
"Why have you invaded the Western Lands?"
She flinched and it didn't go unnoticed. The one behind her smirked to himself, his expression remaining unchanged as he glared at her back, speaking again, "I asked you a question; answer or suffer the consequences."
She turned around, her hair whipping behind her and she was met with an icy glare by two golden orbs of destruction. The creature that stood before her nearly took her breath away... nearly. Although he was admittedly beautiful she didn't trust a single hair on his head. He was definitely a high-ranking youkai; his identity was still a mystery to her though. He stood in a billowing white silk kimono, a silver and black bit of pointed armor over his chest and left shoulder. He had what looked to be a thick white tail over his right one though, the fur blowing gently in the light wind. His hair was a silvery white hue and waved behind him. His visible arm had two magenta stripes adorning the wrist and two on both sides of his sharp face. His lips were slightly parted as he was about to speak again but she interrupted him.
"I'm on a quest and it just happened to lead me here."
The man before her arched a well-sculpted eyebrow and looked her over quizzically. "What is your name, wench?"
With a slight hiss she responded, "Seiko of the Southern Silver Mist Pack. I ask the same to you."
"Surely you know who I am," he replied, offended by her lack of knowledge.
"If I did, I wouldn't have asked," she replied with a smart tug at her lips.
"I am Lord Sesshomaru of these Western Lands and I suggest you hold your tongue lest you want it bitten off."
"Well Sesshomaru-sama I will do to remember such trivia, but if you don't mind I must be on my way," she retorted, turning to leave.
"In fact I do mind." He took a step towards her.
She stopped and glared at him. "What makes you think I care what your say is in the matter of my departure? No one controls me, not even a "Lord" such as yourself."
He shot daggers at her back as she continued in her attempt to leave but before she knew it, her arm was in a vice-like grip and an angry youkai was the cause of it.
"Release me you fiend," she spat out to him. His grip only tightened as she spoke her words.
"For your foolishness you will die," he raised his clawed hand and brought it down towards her neck. His attack never made it that far though as her hand shot up and grabbed hold of his wrist.
"What makes you think I am so easy to kill? Only a fool would dare underestimate me."
His cold glare faltered as she slowly pushed his imposing hand away from her throat. Next thing he knew she had wrenched her arm free of his grip and stood in the middle of the clearing watching him with a smirk. He turned quickly, icy features falling back into place. No one had ever moved so fast as to him before. He had to say he was impressed that the girl still lived, but dare not show it.
"You wish to fight me do you?"
"Not entirely, but since you wont let me leave without one I don't seem to have a choice," she said with a pondering finger on her chin. "Well, it will pain me to have to kill a Lord, but you brought this upon yourself."
"Kill me? Humor me with your skills in such matters. As if you have them."
"Oh, I will," she said while reaching for the obi conveniently placed at her side. She untied the sash and opened her kimono, letting the material fall to the floor. Sesshomaru expected to see her nude form beneath but was surprised to see red armor adorning her chest and hips. Crimson scales were stretched over a black and flexible looking hide. Her midriff was exposed and she had two silver stripes on her hips that came around to near her bellybutton. She wore an amulet around her neck, an upright pentagram with two ruby eyes in the gaps near the top point. Two more stripes dipped down over the tops of her breasts and glimmered in the sunlight; an interesting contrast to her skin. Her bare feet clenched the earth below her and instead of toenails; claws had sprouted and were digging furrows in the ground. Sesshomaru looked at her hands and saw claws emerge from where her nails had been; also noticing she had stripes on her wrists like he did. Her gray eyes had turned bright silver and her smile looked almost acidic; perhaps it was. Her fangs flashed and she crouched into a defensive stance.
"Am I supposed to be impressed?"
"I'm not here for show my Lord, I aim to kill."
With those words spoken she went for him. He dodged effortlessly and struck back at her. She jumped to her left and evaded the blow, which left a small crater in the earth when he struck. Her feet hit a tree and she rocketed back at him with renewed speed, her claws stretched to pierce. He conjured up a neon green demon whip with two fingers and struck at her; she saw this and quickly diverted her aim, going for his left arm instead. She struck the kimono only to realize that's all she hit; he had no left arm and it was a mistake that would cost her dearly. As she passed, he managed to cut her left arm with a quick poisoning slash of his claws. She winced at the pain and landed gracefully on all fours many feet away, sliding to a halt in the dirt. She looked at her arm, a small bubble to the abrasion and glared back at him. He smirked and came back at her. She jumped in the air and spit an acidic concoction from her mouth. It grazed his right cheek and burned through some of the skin there. Seiko smiled proudly when she landed behind him. He turned and touched at his face with an extended claw. It burned but he dare not show his discomfort to the enemy. He growled deeply and rushed at her, this time hitting his mark, his claws piercing through her left shoulder. She reached up and slashed at his wrist and jumped back several yards to assess the sudden damage done to her. He hadn't used his poison so it would heal in no time; it still hurt and bled like hell though. She was growing more and more impatient with him. He was a worthy opponent, his speed matching hers effortlessly...
She smirked and charged for him dishing out blow after blow, him managing to block each of her attacks. She feigned left and slashed his right side, which he had left unguarded. A growl came from both of them as she withdrew her claws from the freshly crafted wound in his hip and bounded backwards near the brown and dingy stream. His kimono now had more red on it then before and he was not pleased with the fact. He lowered his head and his eyes began to turn a deep crimson. With unimaginable speed he body slammed Seiko into the mucky stream, her tail becoming soaked and heavy with water and grime. She stood as he stood, both lengths of fur flowing down the streams current. Their coats were soaked to the bone and dirty as, well, dirt. Now Seiko was as enraged as he and made one final charge. They collided in mid flight claws slashing away at every part of the other's body. After a few heated moments, they pulled back, each bleeding a great deal, damaged and in disarray. Each were panting heavily and seemed close to collapse, their furry appendages still streaming behind each other in the current of brown and red. Then they heard it, a blood-curdling scream from within the forest. Sesshomaru turned his head towards the high-pitched sound and saw, from the corner of his vision Seiko gasp in surprise and fear. The color drained from her face as she realized who had screamed.
"HIRAKU!"
She ran, completely abandoning the duel she was obligated to finish. The trees cut through her flesh as she sped through the woods in the direction of a familiar scent and the cry from before. She pushed past a large pine tree and entered another dirt clearing. The sight was horrifying. A large insect youkai was advancing on Hiraku and his pair of guardian pets, Yin and Yang; black and white fire nekos that were bound to Seiko since birth and were avid protectors of the young wolf. They had transformed into their larger forms and were growling deeply at the imposing youkai. Its antennae were long and scaly, probing the air for the scent of its prey; Seiko's pup and friends.
"Hiraku, run, take Yin and Yang, head for the river, and don't look back!" she yelled as she bounded into the clearing, distracting the demon and giving them a chance to escape. Although Seiko was bleeding and injured she wasn't about to let harm come to her child. She slashed at one of the insect's many legs; its balance wavering for only a moment before it attacked her. All of its blows were blocked and dodged, until one of its antennae scented the poison bubbling in her arm. Its sizable mandibles snapped for the injured limb and managed a tight grip around her forearm. She screamed out as the jagged edges dug into her flesh. It thrashed its head and released her in the direction of the trees. She landed on a flimsy branch and fell to the ground as it snapped in half. Lying on her side, she looked up blearily, the poison from her battle with Sesshomaru taking its paralyzing toll on her. The insect youkai advanced on her severely weakened form and Seiko's eyes shut closed as she prepared for the end. The final strike never came for when she opened her eyes again Hiraku, Yin and Yang were fighting off the youkai to save her some time. She stood with a wobble and bared her fangs at the demon's back. She was about to make a feeble charge when Hiraku began to glow a fluorescent blue. He had both eyes closed tight and his lips were moving in a steady chant. The blue light seeped from his body in the shapes of two wolves and they collided with the pair of fire cats, being absorbed into the demons. Yin and Yang grew at least five times their original sizes and their fangs lengthened a good foot or two each. The insect oni was dwarfed by them and was very much reconsidering them as its next meal. Before it could scurry away Yin and Yang had it pinned to the ground, their claws and teeth tearing away at its limbs and body cavity. The two cats pulled away moments later, only scraps of the demon left behind. They roared in unison and Hiraku ceased his chanting, the blue lights from within the fire nekos recoiling and rushing back into the young wolf. He opened his eyes, which were clouded over with mental stress before he collapsed on the spot. Seiko rushed to his aid, as did the smaller, kitten-like, forms of his guardians.
"Hiraku, wake up, wake up!" she urged to the fallen pup. His breathing was light and his pulse barely evident. He had used a power that wasn't to be fully developed for many more years. The Spirits of the Silver Pack was a special gift received by few demons, even Seiko did not possess such a power, and it wasn't meant to be used by one as young and inexperienced as Hiraku. It would take him at least the day to recover from the trauma. Seiko felt her consciousness ebbing away as her blood still flowed from the poisoned wound she had received. She gave a faint whistle to the fire cats, signaling them to be on guard. With the young wolf still in her arms she slumped to her side, eyes still open, and darkness engulfed her, but not before she spotted a pair of golden eyes through a gap in the trees and heard a distant buzzing fade away from her senses.