Disclaimer: Don't own Inuyasha or related characters they belong to the respective owners. OC's are mine.
A/N:
Chapter Four:
Pain racked the body of the dragon as he slammed through several trees and only stopped when he came into contact with a massive bolder, which cracked upon impact. The Fire Dragon growled as he looked up into burning eyes of his father. The massive dragon with his masklike face chuckled at the smaller dragon.
"You think to challenge me you insolent whelp."
The Fire Dragon pulled himself together and coiled to strike again, "Father! You won't terrorize the humans any longer. I will put an end to you once and for all."
With the speed of a pit viper he lashed out sinking his fangs into the neck portion of his father's body just out of reach of his arms and his deadly claws.
Ryukotsusei chuckled deeply, "You know we cannot kill one another, why do you try at such a futile battle. You have no means of ending me."
Not needing his jaws to speak his voice echoed in his father's head, "Even if I'm battered and broken I will hold you to this place, one day something will come that can put a final end to you."
The Eastern Lord tired of his son's antics twisted his neck so he could bite down on his son's body and rip him lose. After dislodging the smaller dragon he whipped his neck and hurled him into the ground. When he saw his son was no longer moving he returned to his human form.
Ryukotsusei placed a hand on the place where he was now missing a chunk of his neck. It would heal in a matter of hours, but it irked him that younger dragon had been able to actually damage him.
He walked over to his son and placed a hand his side. It only took a minute amount of power to force the younger dragon's body back into his human form. Once he'd finished the transformation Ryukotsusei knelt and chuckled to himself, "Good try my son, but you're still not strong enough to harm me."
Ryukotsusei paused as something called out to him. He didn't understand what, but he knew it was some kind of spell or power. He stood and glanced down at his son, "Come we should investigate this."
Long hours of travel later they arrived at the border of the Western Lands, the Fire Dragon snarled, "Father! Why have we come here? There's nothing for us here but assured death."
Ryukotsusei sneered, "Don't play games with me boy. I know you sneak off into the Western Lands from time to time, just as your brother hides himself in the northern lands far from my reach. Now come there's nothing to fear from these mutts."
Following his father into enemy territory they soon came upon a human castle. The Fire Dragon shrugged, "Father whatever it is its gone now, can we please go back to our own lands?"
Ryukotsusei ignored his son as something in the sky caught his attention, "What do we have here? The Great Dog was here it seems. I know he's as much of a human lover as my own children, yet why does he visit this place."
His son shrugged, "I don't know…maybe warning them he can't protect them as well as normal. The Panther Tribe from up north is attacking; at least that's what brother mentioned in his last letter."
The older dragon motioned his son to follow and they passed over the wall with little difficulty. Ryukotsusei smiled as he noticed a pair of armored men nearby, "They appear to be fit, how proficient are you at dominating the mind of these insects?"
The Fire Dragon huffed, "Better than you by far old man."
The two dragons approached the humans silently and unnoticed. Once they were close enough Ryukotsusei coughed to draw their attention. Smiling sinisterly he addressed them, "Sorry to be such a bother, but we'll be borrowing your bodies for the time being."
Their eyes glowed and the dragons seemed to turn into pure energy and be absorbed by the two men. Ryukotsusei stretched in the new form, "Gah…this human seems to be stronger than I first thought. Subjugation will take a moment." He turned to see his son's host writhing in agony, "What is the matter with you? He can't be that strong."
The Fire Dragon was quickly expelled from the body which passed out. After a moment of collecting himself he glared at the prone figure, "That's no human. He's a damned Hanyo."
Ryukotsusei nodded, "Of course, his yoki would naturally reject your control. You did at least see his recent memories and his identity. Hide his body and just take his form."
After stashing the unconscious figure he rejoined his father and altered his form to resemble the Hanyo. The Fire Dragon then spoke with the Hanyo's voice, "Father the man you possess is called Takemaru…he's apparently a samurai in service to this castle's lord. The man I'm impersonating is the Lord's son. Takemaru has no idea, nor do most people here about this person's true nature."
Ryukotsusei nodded, "Obviously. Since we've taken the forms of such powerful men they should know why Inu no Taisho was here."
The Fire Dragon scratched his head, "Inu no Taisho apparently saved the adopted daughter of the Castle Lord. They treated him as an honored guest and he dined with them this evening. Apparently we interrupted these men during a heated conversation."
Ryukotsusei sneered, "Hmm…a maiden you say…and Inu no Taisho hadn't the forethought to ravage her."
The Fire Dragon snarled, "Father! I may not have a say in how you treat the humans of our lands, but these are the lands of the Inuyokai. They'll slaughter our entire tribe if you anger them."
Ryukotsusei chuckled, "Not to worry my son. I can wait, if Inu no Taisho doesn't claim her within a year I will claim her. Perhaps I'll use this body. He has desire for her, and his thoughts are quite enticing."
An aura of fire erupted around the Fire Dragon as he reverted to his appearance, "Father enough! We leave now or Kami help me I'll cause such a disturbance as to bring the entire Inuyokai tribe down upon our heads."
Ryukotsusei knew his son was serious so released his hold over the samurai. Once he was separate he examined his son's stance and saw he was ready for a second round, "You can't beat me boy, you know that well enough. Yet even I couldn't stand the entire army of the West. They might even get lucky and kill me; you'd enjoy that wouldn't you."
The Fire Dragon snarled and flames licked the corners of his mouth, "Don't tempt me."
The two dragons quickly departed leaving behind them the mystery of how Takemaru and the Lord's son were both found unconscious the next day.
Time past and battles raged. The Eastern Lands soon fell into civil war as factions supporting Ryukotsusei's children began to crop up. Ryukotsusei lost support among his court and turned to threatening and terrorizing the weaker members to keep them in line.
Throughout all this time Ryukotsusei grew tired of his emboldened son. The young dragon with mastery over the element of fire had become a symbol to some humans. An order of samurai had even formed using his likeness as on their banner. These samurai had devoted themselves to Ryukotsusei's demise. The humans were of little concern to the dragon, but as potential threat they could become he destroyed them with little effort.
The minor rebellion his children were leading wasn't what irritated him the most. As time went Ryukotsusei became more stubborn about getting his claws on the human woman his rival to the west coveted as a mate. Little known to other yokai a hanyo of any kind could potentially kill a dragon if strong enough. Ryukotsusei wouldn't be giving Inu no Taisho the chance to produce a whelp that could be turned into a weapon against him.
In the Western Lands…
The Fire Dragon winced as Izayoi washed the blood from around a deep gash, "Sorry, but it's still bleeding."
The Dragon turned to Izayoi, "I'll need to go hunt and restore my energy. I doubt my father will chance another attack tonight, but in case he does I'll hunt nearer to the Eastern Lands so I can intercept him."
Izayoi was about to speak but was interrupted by Kage, "Why don't we just tell Inu no Taisho? He'll be here with half the army before the evening meal."
The Dragon snarled, "I'm not looking to start a damn war. If the East and Western Lands war…there are people I have to protect too."
Izayoi calmed Kage with a hand to the shoulder, "Kage you said Lord Inu no Taisho is busy with matters pertaining to our lands, if this dragon can hold out long enough I'm sure he'll come to check."
Kage growled, "I don't see how a rumor of two dragons battling hasn't reached his ears."
The Fire Dragon stood and pulled on his armor again, "Because he's heard news of the civil unrest in the Eastern Lands. Any rumor he hears of fighting dragons will be brushed aside as merely a fight spilling into his lands. Only if he gets a positive description of my father or that the fights are occurring near here will he interfere."
Kage huffed, "You know my lord could help you cleanse your lands of that overgrown snake you call a father."
The Fire Dragon moved to the open window, "A tempting offer…" He looked to Izayoi's very pregnant stomach, "…but it isn't quite time yet." With that he leapt from the window and vanished from sight.
Izayoi turned to Kage, "Remember your promise Kage. Never breathe a word of this to anyone."
The Fire Dragon sat along the border between East and West finishing his meal. He was contemplating a fresh strategy in finishing his father when he sensed a presence he hadn't felt in many years, "Hello brother."
The Lightning Dragon sat down next to his brother, "It has been awhile. You don't look well brother."
The Fire Dragon noticed the two humans who had been following his brother close to a century now, "I'm fine…just healing after a few rounds with our sire. Your entourage looks well as ever."
The Lightning Dragon held out a talisman and the two adult looking humans reverted to being children, "The immortality I have granted them suits them well."
The Fire Dragon frowned, "You keep a human girl around yet I have no nieces or nephews…strange indeed."
His brother smiled, "I won't break tradition brother. The eldest must mate first and have his brood before we can do as such."
The two humans sat and began to make a fire but stopped as the ground around them began to shake. Something massive had struck the ground nearby.
The pair of dragons quickly felt the yoki from their father. It washed over the entire region. The Fire Dragon snarled, "What the hell? He's actually attacking?"
The Lightning Dragon pulled out his staff, "We make our stand brother?"
The Fire Dragon drew his sword, "I will try words first brother, but we both know he isn't one to be swayed."
After sending the two humans to safety the pair of dragons stood ready. Remaining in their human forms making themselves smaller targets for their father's attacks they watched as the dark clouds formed by his yoki accumulated.
Ryukotsusei snickered as he reared up to survey his two sons, "So fire and lighting have decided to make their stand here. I will leave your broken bodies here as a reminder of what happens to those who defy me."
The Lightning Dragon spun his trident and slammed the staff into the ground, the resulting bolts of thunder arced across the battlefield, "Come father. Pray to the heavens for your end to be swift."
The Fire Dragon readied his sword as fire swept across the ground scorching everything in its path, "Father, please turn back now, leave the west alone. Do not make our hate spawn another age of darkness. Let our family squabbles remain just that, don't make us draw others into our fights."
Ryukotsusei snarled, "I will destroy that brat, the one you know will soon be born. He is a threat to us all; I will not allow him to even draw a breath. I will kill the child and do with the woman as I please, perhaps even sire my own offspring to dispose of my own unruly spawn."
The Lighting Dragon struck first, "Not if we end you first!"
His attack was countered by Ryukotsusei whose tail wrapped around his son's human form and flung him into a nearby mountain.
Enraged the Fire Dragon transformed and struck at his father. His own strike was countered as Ryukotsusei's jaws latched onto his arm at the shoulder, and with a twist of his head and a hard yank ripped the appendage clean off. Ryukotsusei snarled as he glared down at his wounded offspring, "Remain here and bleed to death, there is no reason a creature such as I would ever need an heir. Once I finish with the dogs, I will finish off your siblings. Then I will rule all the lands as the most powerful being alive."
The Fire Dragon blacked out as his father departed heading deeper into the Western Lands and to his fate.
Three days later the Fire Dragon groaned as he awoke. A calm human voice spoke from nearby, "I wouldn't try sitting up if I were you. The restraint seal I placed on you is still in effect."
The Dragon snarled, "What? Why?"
The human moved into his field of vision, "While cleaning your injury and attaching the replacement limb, I preferred not being relieved of my limbs."
The Dragon growled, "What happened? Where's my brother?"
The human motioned behind him, "The other is being tended to by those children. They aided me in moving you both to this shrine while we healed you. They also kept watch while I journeyed to find you a replacement arm."
The Dragon narrowed his gaze at the human, "Why would a monk heal such as we, aren't you sworn to dispose of our kind?"
The Monk chuckled, "In truth my masters always taught that dragons were to be seen as honored teachers, I was actually close enough to catch the confrontation between the pair of you and the one I assume was your father. I knew which side was the right side to be on, but from the rumors I've heard that dragon has been sealed by the most powerful yokai in the Western Lands."
The Dragon watched cautiously as the monk removed the seal. Sitting up he surveyed the small shrine. His brother and the two other humans were sitting in a corner talking quietly. Standing he stretched out his new arm, "It seems strange, I guess I should thank whatever dragon lent me this."
The monk smiled, "His only wish is that you refrain from attacking the Northern Lands, you'll abide by that request I take it?"
The Dragon nodded then moved to his brother's group, "How do you fair brother?"
The Lightning Dragon growled, "I'm irritated that some ridiculous mutt defeated father while we weren't even able to lay a scratch on him."
The Fire Dragon looked out the western facing window, "Defeated isn't the correct term brother even from this distance I can feel the remnants of father's yoki. He's only sleeping; we'll need to be prepared for when the day comes that he awakes."
The Lightning Dragon stood, "I also heard father wounded the Inu no Taisho grievously…are you considering finishing the job?"
The Fire Dragon snarled, "I have more important things to deal with than killing a wounded opponent, besides I smell war on the horizon. The mutts aren't going to let father's intrusion go lightly. We'll need to gather our forces and prepare for their arrival."
Eastern Palace…four weeks later…
Entering the council chamber that was seldom used during his father's reign the Fire Dragon marched to the dais and glared at the gathered yokai, "It has been a month since my father fell in battled against the Inu no Taisho, our scouts' report that an army led by his brother now marches upon our lands. I have my plans on handling this situation, but I will hear your thoughts on this matter."
A Lizard Yokai stepped forward, "My Lord, you are young, but don't forget it was your father who transgressed against the west. Call for peace before their armies attack, you are no match for the monster leading that army."
The Dragon nodded, "Anyone else?"
A female sorceress yokai bowed to him, "My Lord, we all know you had little love for your father, but the fact he was attempting to destroy a hanyo should be brought fourth. Such a creature is a danger to your kind my lord. Wasn't it prudent to strike before the mutts sent the bastard after your father and yourself?"
The Dragon glared at the female yokai, "You condone the murder of an innocent child?"
The gathered yokai quickly realized the difference between father and son as a massive fireball eliminated the female yokai. The Dragon snarled and began to leave the chamber, "Gather the armies, we'll show these mutts we're not afraid to fight, but no one is to attack unless I give the order.
Border between the Western and Eastern Lands…
The Fire Dragon stood on the very edge of his domain. Even an inch closer would spell inevitable conflict. For the first time in his life he realized the dangers of intruding upon the domain of a rival lord. His informants had revealed that Inu no Taisho was still recuperating from the battle with Ryukotsusei.
The Scarred Inuyokai standing before him was quite intimidating. The fact the other yokai was still in his humanoid form was one of the few signs that this could end peacefully.
The reports showed all dragons between the western palace and the border had either been slain or forced to flee. The Fire Dragon spoke, "I have no desire to fight you, but if even one of your minions crosses this border I will."
The Scarred One growled, "Your father has been sealed, yet you don't wish to battle us?"
The Fire Dragon growled, "My father made his own fate. I tried to convince him to turn back, he wasn't willing to talk about it."
The Scarred One nodded, "Our battle had little banter, but I would like to know one thing…how did your father know about Lady Izayoi?"
The Fire Dragon snarled, "He got that far?"
The Scarred One smirked, "Not even close, you haven't answered my question."
The Fire Dragon relaxed, "Lady Izayoi…she was endangered some time ago. The spell called out to many powerful yokai, including my father. We arrived just after your brother departed, but I convinced my father to retreat. He attempted to take her many times over the last year…" The Fire Dragon rubbed the place on his arm where the replacement limb attached to his body, "…I have thwarted his attempts."
The Scarred One frowned, "So you have been protecting my nephew and his mother, without our tribe even knowing?"
The Fire Dragon sneered, "When it comes to any hanyo…you can say I'm very protective. Since my attempts at producing one have failed…I had hoped your brother would consent to sending him to kill my father. The quickest way to kill a Dragon is to send a hanyo."
The Scarred One sneered, "You should have just asked, our tribes just full of hanyo."
The Fire Dragon looked surprised, "What?"
The Scarred One's sneer turned into a chuckle, "My younger sister also has a hanyo, her daughter."
The Fire Dragon looked affronted, "What the hell am I paying those spies for? They're absolutely useless."
The Scarred One shook his head, "Children…so if you're not wanting to fight, and we're not really itching for one either…"
The Fire Dragon nodded, "Let's make the peace talks quick. Your people stay over there, mine stay over here, and you dispose of my father sometime in the next thousand years or so."
The Scarred One crossed his arms, "Your father caused massive damages and killed hundreds of humans and yokai…maybe a little reparation?"
The Fire Dragon huffed, "Fine…" He turned toward a human village on his side of the border, "…I'll relinquish that village and the immediate area around it to the west."
The Scarred One nodded, "That's agreeable…you'll also agree to a mutual defense agreement. If the Northern or Southern Lands attack us…"
The Fire Dragon growled, "As long as they're not attacking us, but I really don't know why you'd need us to help you. You're brother and you are hundreds of years older than any of my warriors, trust me you'll do better handling your own battles."
The Scarred One shrugged, "You never know."
The two armies left the battlefield without a single attack…accept for when the Air Dragon stepped on his sister's foot and she kicked him half way back to the Eastern Palace.
End Chapter Four
A/N: Sorry for the long wait. I've been really busy and haven't had much time for these stories, but I'll try to get back into working on them again.