For the record, I'm military so I use profanity the way regular people use "like". I'm trying to cut back the language, but there will be some. In the original Japanese Inuyasha and Kouga had dirty mouths. This chapter is much longer than the first. Hope you enjoy.
Crystal blue eyes sweep the valley. Impatience ticking at Kouga's mind. The fuck was taking Hakkaku so long? He couldn't fight the urge to follow much longer.. like that was ever his strong suit. If Hakkaku wasn't going to report back then Kouga would figure it out himself. Wind wound from his heels as he flew down the cliffside. Kouga tried not to notice how much smaller his tornado was. Still the fastest wolf around, but those jewel shards really were something. Even if he was using his own power, any chance to stretch his legs was a good one.
He sprinted through his lands, recognizing each and every tree and divet. It gave him confidence in a fight. He knew his home, he knew the sounds of the animals. He knew exactly how this land should be. He may be a carnivore, but that doesn't mean he can't maintain balance in the forest he owns. He understood when there's no clean water, there was no grass or trees, small animals would eat the grass, and in turn he would eat the animals.
It wasn't that hard to let nature be as it should. Gluttonous leaders before him would have to hunt outside their lands, having killed everything in the forest. He could smell a rabbit's hole nearby, the traces of the stream he passed, and.. He smelled an exotic feline. Several exotic felines. This made Kouga's brow furrow in thought. "So they are creeping in to my lands," he murmured to himself. Reports of unusual larg carcasses were legitimate. Maybe this was beyond Hakkaku's ability to handle. Those Leopard Cat Demons hunted in groups. He may have faced more than he could handle. "Shit."
The roaring fire lit all of Kaede's small hut. The sun had recently decended, but to the occupants of the home, it would be impossible to tell. The timber Inuyasha cut had been exceptionally dry. The warmth of the small blaze was comforting to the half breed. Almost as though he was sitting in the gentle sunlight. Nights were always the hardest, this way he could forego his thoughts a little while longer. 'I think Kaede knows it too.'
"Is the food ready yet, hag?"
"Be ye patient young one." Yasha missed Ninja Food. He missed the 'sit boys' even..
"Stop that Inuyasha," The addressed blinked golden eyes without answering. "Dwelling will not bring her back." He remained silent. "This is the time for growing. for ye to mature." Kaede continued, not allowing the silence to stop her.
"Just because I'm not as old as you, don't mean I 'aint mature. I'm mature!" Inuyasha countered.
"Inuyasha, ye no longer can travel in search of treasure. Ye must now decide, how do ye wish to live life?"
"Keh, I am living it," As the words left his mouth, he knew it was a lie. The priestess' one eye told of the truth. Handing over the soup, she also offered advice.
"Since ye have so much time, learn about Inu Demon culture." Well that wasn't expected.
"Why the fuck would I do that?" 'Old woman lost her damned mind.'
"It is ye heritage. Human customs are familiar. Perhaps it is time to learn of the demon blood in ye." She said steadily, sipping her soup opposite the warming blaze. Inuyasha's bowl untouched.
"After the way they treat me! I 'aint got a reason. They try to kill me and I try to kill them. Who would I talk to? Sesshoumaru? Keh, Like that asshole would lower his pansy ass to teach me anything."
"It would be wise of ye to try Inuyasha," She continued to eat.
'Keh, wise of me. Because I always make intelligent decisions.' The hanyou thought as he drank the entire bowl of soup.
"You're as dumb as the mutt." The prince looked up at his friend.
"Kouga please! I'm a Wolf Demon, I'm not made to be up in a tree!" Hakkaku started to panic. His alpha seriously didn't look like he wanted to help.
"Then why'd you climb your dumb ass up there?!" Kouga began to doubt his choice in scouts. 'Freakin' mohawked, brain-dead, smelly pup.' He grouched mentally.
"It was them Cat Demons! 8 of them! What was I supposed to do? I climbed the nearest tree. Kouga help, I can't get down!"
"Hold on. Hold on. I'll get ya down," he grumbled. Vertical, huh? Maybe it won't be so bad, even without the shards. Kouga scouted the tree that was next to Hakkaku. He imagined if he scaled up Hakkaku's tree, and used the second tree to slide down. It was mostly clear of branches on the closest side. 'Yeah, that should work. Fuckin' dumbass had to climb a tree..'
The climb went well. Hakkaku practically leapt onto Kouga's back, scared to death. 'How does dog breath do this?' Hakkaku's extra weight made taking a breath difficult and leaping opposite the tree Kouga let them both descend the 40- something feet. He was trying to use his grip on the bark to help slow them down. It generally worked. Hakkaku fell off the last 8 feet, and the prince landed gracefully next to him.
"So?" Kouga asked gruffly before Hakkaku even picked himself back up.
"So, what?"
"So, while you were hiding did you hear the demons say anything? Where were they going?" Now he's concerned, 8 of them. It may not be too many, but he didn't know how strong they each were. Which pride where they?
"They were headed south, away from the mountains. I think they finished a hunt; I could smell fresh blood on them. Uh deer."
"What did they look like?"
"Most looked human, I think 3 were giant cats. All of them had green eyes, and they had like.. a silver color to them, with on them. Both types had black markings on their face, almost like stripes." Hakkaku brushed the dirt off himself. That's all he could really remember. Their voices were so strange too, but he doubted Kouga needed to know that.
'That's familiar from somewhere. I'll have to find someone who knows more.' Kouga's feet carried him swiftly to his cave, Hakkaku was safe now. He would catch up eventually. Eyes, he needed eyes out on his territory. Maybe he could figure out what these.. cats.. were trying to do. He gave word to assemble the able men and women to the cave center.
"Brothers and sisters, we do have demons wandering our lands. They are silver colored Leopard Cat Demons. About 8 so far. Don't know the pride's name or what they are trying to do. We need to figure this out and fast. Ginta select 2 more to join you. Then all three head south. When you reach our border follow the edge of our territory west until you reach the mountains again. Then return home. You'll rest before going back out to follow the route again. Hakkaku, get your shit together, and select 2 to join you as well. You'll head south to the border, then head east. You three will do the same as Ginta. Follow the eastern border until you reach the mountains, rest, then repeat." Kouga paused, waiting for affirmative nods from Ginta and Hakkaku.
"Remember, don't start a fight with these things. We need to know what we are up against. We need to know what the hell they want. Your goal is to get names, get patterns, identify who's running their pride, and anything else you can figure out." The prince paused, letting his words sink in, "If we do have to fight, we want to know our enemy. We want to be prepared. Ayame, keep all the pups within' 3 miles of the cave for now. I want the two groups to start moving out before the last meal begins. I'm sure that they'll be most active at night. Be careful out there, and Ayame inform me when both teams have begun their search." With that he turned away from the group. He tried to brusquely enter the caverns, but Ayame intercepted him, her eyes questioning. "I gotta figure out some shit," Kouga clipped. She would have to wait. He continued on to the collection of scrolls that were kept near the elder's dwelling. There had to be something he could figure out.
Three tall candles and a successful report later Kouga had figured out three major things: 1. The Leopard Cat Demons were no joke. Apparently they used to strongly out number most demons, taking their stronghold in the middle of all demon territories, and would annually try to push out in all directions. 2. They were viciously rebounded by the Inu clan to the west by Yasha's father. They also failed to progress to the north into his lands with his previous alpha; who was now dead. The south also gave a good fight; his dark colored cousins current alpha fought them off in his youth. All of this occurred maybe 200 years before Kouga himself was born. 3. After several poor leaders they lost all of their territorial grounds and broke into smaller prides, each led by their own alpha. Each individual pride was not accounted for.
So Leopard Cat Demons are strong. Good fighters. Proud. It was poor leadership and too much ambition that brought them to ruin. Now in prides they wander as they please. Not united as the wolves are. So they have that advantage. Maybe it was time to speak with the elders, they should be able to give some personal account on the old battles. As much as Kouga found the elder's stories to be boring, this was an opportunity for the past to help the present.
The prince checked his internal clock, it felt to be exceptionally late at night, chances of any of the elders being awake were low. He decided to take a walk around the chamber to see if any had risen early. He might get lucky. Returning the scrolls to their compartments in the cave walls he walked off. The caverns were peaceful, he could faintly hear the sound of pups fussing. And if he tried, the waterfall's roar could be heard as it echoed through the passages. This quiet was exactly what Kouga fought for. There had been peace since his father's passing. There had been very few deaths in his care. One elder called it "Their time of peace." Kouga let the feeling of calm wash over him. He listen to each of the 5 elder's chambers, none appeared to be stirring.
Taking himself out of the intricate caves Kouga reached the crisp night air. He could smell fall on the wind. The scent of change. Decaying leaves, rotting timber, and scurrying animals. Winter would be upon them in a short 2 months. Always the hardest time of year. Kouga's mind skipped about, trying to calculate events that he couldn't yet take action on. His stupid pack would be birthing 2 pups during the winter season. The worst time to have pups damnit.. they better survive the harsh weather. This month's Moon Hunt needs to pull in enough food to last through the cold. The clan can't afford to be sharing game with the Leopard Cat Demons.
Signing deeply Kouga reminded himself 'I need to stop stressing. Just go to fucking sleep already.' Taking his own advice Kouga checked the close perimeter guards before he turned back into the caves in search of his own rest.
Thud, thud, thud! "Kouga, wake up! Wake up!" Well that's one way to start the day.
Quickly making himself decent he threw aside the door covering, "Yeah?"
"Two of the Leopard Cat Demons were found playing with small game near the southwest border. Me and my brothers tried to tail them. All we figured out was that they had broken off from the pride when they chased a rabbit. They don't plan on returning until next morning's light!" Hakkaku reported out of breath. He was anxious to relay the information to Kouga.
Not needing to be promped Kouga took off, flying out of the caverns giving one last command to his wolves, "Hakkaku, break for a meal and return on the route, keep track of anything else you see. Good job!"
Kouga followed the scent of Hakkaku and doubled back on the path to locate the intruders. Their scent was a foreign kind of strong. If he was to close his eyes and use his nose to draw an image of the creatures, he could imagine the sinew and muscles. There was no sweat. And the path went everywhere. Not in a straight line. Hakkaku's report of them playing was right.
There were two of them. One scent seemed stronger, somehow heavier. Maybe a male demon. Relying on his nose to give him a path, the wolf remained cautious. He tried to imagine each scent trail as a ribbon. The strange part was at some places the scent was stronger. His mind attributed those locations to a thicker ribbon. Following the trail for nearly 3 miles, he finally decided to slow down from full speed. He didn't know when the rabbit's scent disappeared as well, but it means from that point on their path was unpredictable.
In the treetops down wind a red cloaked Inuyasha perched. His golden eyes following the wolf. True Kouga wasn't on his lands, but he was tracking something along the border. That much was obvious. He noticed the wolf's ability to remain upright while navigating the forest, yet his eyes remained closed. Instead he was intently focused on his sense of smell.
Yasha rubbed his nose and sniffed lightly. He didn't really like to use his nose. It was helpful to identify different things but there was one major disadvantage. One that he was using to his advantage. Once you get downwind of something, you are invisible. Kouga had no idea that he was there. The hanyou tested the air, a feline scent reached him. That made him snort quietly, 'A dog hunting a cat.'
A rustle almost directly below the dog demon drew his attention. Two humanoid felines emerged, also downwind of the wolf. Their bright green eyes keen on the unknowing prince. Each had a flattering silver tint to their skin. The female sported a tail that swayed behind her. The male appeared the most human in appearance, his face marked by 4 black lines around the eyes that disappeared into his dark hair. He was clothed in a waist sash similar to Kouga's but longer, also a dark color with a silver obi. The female wore a black metal chest plate, and comfortable looking pants of some tan animal skins. Her facial markings were more abundant. Same design as the male, just more.. animalistic.
With all three sets of eyes beyond his nose's recognition, the prince remained clueless. He continued to puzzle back and forth. 'The fuck did this happen? Maybe the doubled back, and that's why some parts are stronger? That's where they overlapped with their old trail..' Trying to understand this was giving him a headache. 'Stupid cats.'
Kouga was strong, Inuyasha knew this. He's plenty strong to survive a fight with these youthful demons. 'I bet he'll shit his pants when they jump him.' He idly thought with a smile. He'd just lean back on this tree here and enjoy the show.
The two felines didn't need to speak to one another. Gacefully, the female approached first. Her eyes transfixed on the wolf. He looked deliciously confused. Kouga decided to turn around then, and his instincts were correct. Standing there silently was the lithe female demon he'd be tracking. Kouga hadn't lain with anyone in half a century and quickly drank in her image. She seemingly ignored Kouga, cleaning at her paw. Ear occasionally twitching in one direction or another, never towards the wolf. After the moment passed, he started to circle her clockwise on guard, growl rumbling from his chest. At that she glanced up coyly, yet her eyes shone deviously.
Kouga launched himself at her right shoulder, the one closest to him. Gracefilly she leapt up into a tree. Somehow she managed to tear into the prince's shoulder blade with her rear claws on the ascent. He whirled around quickly locating the female. "Who are you? I smell wolf. Absolutely delicious," she purred. Genuine enjoyment on her face. Her tail swished gently behind her.
"I am Northern Wolf Tribe's Alpha. Prince Kouga!" He replied proudly launching himself upward. The feline intentionally fell backwards off the branch and twisted midair, acrobatically landing on her feet. With no impact, Kouga sailed past the empty tree limb landing feet away from her.
"Such a strong title. Such a strong demon. I am glad to have met you, Kouga," She said his name like it was the more enticing thing in the world. Kouga, now embarrassed charged again, without a plan, trying to use pure speed to his advantage. This time she accepted the charge, twisting the oncoming momentum so Kouga lost balance and fell to the forest floor. A massive root collided with his lower back. The force knocked some air out of his lungs. His chest armor saving him in more than one way. The feline dug her claws into the metal, impressively and had her strong legs trapping his.
In an instant she had her fangs against his jugular. "I bet you are as savory as you look, my blue eyed wolf prince." Her male companion appeared then to assure the meal would not escape. He approached languidly yet with confidence in every step. His smile was as alluring as hers.
'Okay go help the flea bag out.' Yasha grumped. Leaping down from the canopy he appeared suddenly, fangs bared. Startled, both felines turned quickly to face the intruder. Taking in Inuyasha's scent and appearance the male finally spoke. His voice flowed like poisoned wine, "An Inu Demon. Tell me, are you of the West?"
"Keh, what's it to ya?" Came the aggressive reply. Oh Inuyasha was ready to fight.
"You resemble the Great General Inu no Tashio... tell me are you his pup?" The male now fully faced Inuyasha. Perfectly still, eyes focused on Yasha's features. The female looked on, engrossed in the newcomer. She'd released her claws from Kouga's chest plate, but remained atop the wolf.
"So what if I am? I am still gonna kick you ass. Let the wolf go!" He demanded taking a step forward. The two Leopard Cat Demons exchanged looks. This was the son of Inu no Tashio. The demon may be dead but they did not seek the vengeance of the Inu's kin. They remembered the aftermath of the last time they'd meddled in the West. Perhaps if the whole pride were around, but they'd run off.
Gently she rose off of Kouga's lap and stood beside her brother. "Maybe we can play next time Kouga," she said his name again and a small chill ran up his spine. The male leveled an unusually serious look at Inuyasha before the two simultaneously leapt off into the forest.
After a few moments of silence Yasha looked at the fallen prince. He looked alright. Leaves stuck to his back from the fall, and a little stinging blood trail ran from his shoulder blade. Peals of laughter broke the silence. Inuyasha's chest and abs were heaving with the effort. "Stupid wolf! Beat up by a female cat demon!" He grasped his midsection and had to double over a little. "You are supposed to be a wolf prince?! Wimpy freakin' wolf couldn't handle a cat demon!" Yup those were tears at the corner of his eyes.
Kouga went from shock to anger quickly, "Shut up ya mutt! I was fine without your help!"
"Bullshit, the blood on your back says otherwise." Inuyasha shot back, still snickering. "At least I was here to save your pathetic ass."
"That's it," Kouga leapt at the infruiating hanyou. Trying to ignore the pain in his back, he tackles Inuyasha with everything he could. Tumbling backwards the two tussled like siblings. Kouga nipped at Yasha's arm, and Yasha threw his elbow back in the wolf's face. Both men punched, kicked, and fought until Inuyasha finally pinned the dark haired man. Both of them panting and laughing, Inuyasha felt so damned happy. Having nobody around he never had someone to play with. If he tried with any humans he'd break them. Pinning Kouga's shoulders to the ground, the hanyou starts to calm down and looks at the trapped wolf. He appeared tired but happy.
Certainly today did not go as Kouga had planned. Despite his pride being injured, optimistically his muscles were exercised. That and he was surprised to be getting along with Inuyasha so well.
Without warning Kouga felt a sharp twinge on his neck. "The hell is that?" he bitched, struggling to release his arm he sat up and knocked the relaxed Inuyasha off. Just as he slapped at his neck the uncomfortable feeling disappeared. Then quickly reappeared between his shoulder blades. "Seriously, what is that?!"
"Pardon me Prince Kouga as I partake in your blood" came a quiet voice from his back. Thoroughly freaked out, said prince began to wildly flail around. Failing to knock whatever it was off. His stupid dance brought another round of laughter and tears to Yasha's eyes. Kouga was failing miserably to dislodge Miyoga. Finally freeing himself, Miyoga lept to his master's shoulder. Kouga squared off against the flea, taking an obviously defensive stance.
"Muttface! What is that!" he demanded. Calming down Inuyasha realized his vassal had returned to perch on him. Responding to the agitated wolf he said, "This is Miyoga." To the flea he asked, "What're you doing out here?"
"That is irreverent Master Inuyasha. May I ask as to why you have encountered the Maiko Pride?"
"Maiko Pride? You mean those silver freaks?" The hanyou eloquently asked.
Interrupting the conversation Kouga asked again, incredulously, "You honestly train your fleas to attack people? What is wrong with you?!"
"I may be a Flea Demon, but I am also vassal to Master Inuyasha. Prince Kouga I am 3 times your age and as an elder deserve your respect!" Miyoga responded proudly, his tiny chest puffing out. Still suspicious Kouga examined the creature closer. His paranoia keeping him at a 'safe' distance.
"Are you saying you have information on these Leopard Cat Demons?" It seems like panic had finally retreated from the wolf's mind. 'So an attack flea freaks him out more than a powerful cat demon duo? Weirdo' Inuyasha observed the other man.
Miyoga gave Kouga a critical eye before sharing his knowledge, "The Maiko Pride is one of the more aggressive Leopard Cat Demons. They choose an area of land and temporarily settle there. They eat all the game until food is scarce, then move on. Because of this, they encounter combat often, and it's rumored that each member is lethal in battle."
"No wonder you lost so horribly furbrain, you didn't stand a chance," Inuyasha gave his 2 gold pieces.
"I. Was. Fine." Kouga growled out.
Interrupting the growing argument Miyoga continued, "The Maiko Pride specifically avoids the West. The last alpha I knew of was in the conflict with Master Inuyasha's father. A battle I am sure the pride has not forgotten. In battle they were very adaptable. Impressively agile, and quick on their feet. Inu no Tashio had difficulty fighting the entire pride at once. Even in his imposing dog form."
"Really? What did he have to do?" Inuyasha urged. He loved hearing stories of his father.
"He obtained a blessed bell from a priestess. When rung 3 times, the pure waves of energy damage their sensitive hearing. It also throws off their coordination, almost like they were drunken monks. After disabling them, Inu no Tashio was able to make quick work of most of the demons. What I never learned was how your father managed to avoid the bell's affects himself. Surely the damage would incapacitate you as well," Sometime during the conversation Miyoga had settled himself into a cross legged sit, folding all of his hands together.
Pleased with everything he managed to learn that day Kouga absorbed the story and began to think. A sacred bell. Where in god's green earth was he supposed to get that? Concurrently, he berated himself for not trying to communicate with the Leopard Cat Demons better, he coulda extracted information from them.
"So that's why they backed off, they tangled with my father and Sesshoumaru," Inuyasha pondered out loud. He felt his ears twitching, just thinking about the kinda pain that bell could cause. Shifting gears he snapped at the wolf, "Why were you down here anyways?"
"This is my land, I don't have to tell you what I'm doing," He responded defensively.
"I saved your mangy ass." Yasha threw a punch into Kouga shoulder, "What are you doing out here?"
Grumbling to himself he spilled, "They've been spotted on my lands. My wolves found carcasses they left behind. Hakkaku caught them prowling down on the Southern area. So I came to get a look."
"You weren't even ready for that fight. You fought so.." Yasha grasped at the words, "so badly." He looked Kouga in the eye, trying to convey his meaning.
The wolf prince took the insult like a slap, but the honest gold eyes looking at him... Yasha has his hands opened innocently. And he wanted to be mad. "Wha- what do you expect me to do?" Kouga responded blankly.
Frustrated again Inuyasha shouts "I don't know!"
Trying to be helpful to his master Miyoga interrupts again, "Perhaps if you talk to Kaede, Master Inuyasha, she should know how to defeat the Maiko Tribe."
"Oh yeah? How's that?" the silverette asked, clearly not getting the obvious hint.
"Your priestess, she might be able to make a sacred bell idiot." Kouga clarified. He spied the sky. It was midday. He could easily get to Inuyasha's village and make it back to the tribe by nightfall, "Let's go."
Kouga ran off, not waiting to see if dog breath was okay with the idea or not. The hanyou watched the small dust cloud race off. 'When did I agree to this?' He hopped up and began to trail the wolf in a similar fashion, disregarding if Miyoga was on him or not.
I was listening to Kimbra's Settle Down, and Cameo Lover when writing this. Can't tell if her weirdness rubbed off. Comment!