Author's Note: Kami is god. Tora is tiger. Kiyoshi is pure; saintly. Norboru means rise, ascend.

Chapter 10 A Kanjou

Amaya did not know that the one that sat beside her was another Kanjou Ryuu youkai until he said it aloud. She tried to look into his soul to see if what he said was true, but did not have the strength to do that. If he was another Kanjou Ryuu youkai, how did he survive the destruction of the Eastern Lands? Was he some tie to Amaya's past that had just now decided to emerge into the world? Amaya desperately wished she could open her eyes to see who owned the voice that was talking to her. Some time had past before the scent of Inuyasha began to grow along with Kagome's scent. Amaya heard every word they were speaking, but could not even respond.

"There's no fever," Kagome said.

"What?! She had one when I left."

Inuyasha checked again and found that Kagome was right. Amaya did not have a fever. He then looked to Shin, ready to kill him.

"What did you do to her? You did something, didn't you?"

"I did nothing to her, I swear to any kami that hears this."

Amaya shifted, gaining more movement in her body. Her strength was returning faster now. Was there some sort of connection now between her and Inuyasha that was not there before? Amaya's movement caused the three to turn their attention to her, wondering if she was regaining enough strength to actually tell them what happened to cause this episode. No such luck. Amaya was still too weak to speak. She did not know what to do. The Kanjou was not used to being so helpless. Not since the day her entire life was turned upside down. There was nothing she could do, so Amaya waited for the rest of her body to regain what she had lost. As Kagome fell asleep, Shin and Inuyasha started a glare war over Amaya. She could feel their auras growing stronger, and did not like the possible outcome.

Morning did not come soon enough for Amaya, who was saved from the raging auras by Kagome waking and Sesshomaru's arrival in his youkai form. He charged right into the cave and over to Amaya. Once he made sure that she was alright, he turned to both Inuyasha and Shin, wanting to know why his little sister was in the state she was in. No answer came forth except for a moan from Amaya. Some motor function had returned and she managed to sit up and moved her mouth as if trying to speak. Several minutes passed before she could.

"Something happened to Inuyasha, and he asked me for help. I had to battle his youkai soul for dominance and nearly lost my life," she said.

"Is that even possible," Kagome asked.

"It is for a Kanjou," Shin spoke. "Amaya tapped into her power as a Kanjou Ryuu and her soul battled with Inuyasha's youkai soul. It's deadly for any to go up against one of the Inu clan; except for perhaps Ryuukosai. It's a wonder Amaya didn't die from it."

Sesshomaru had came around to the back of the cave and laid behind Amaya, who leaned against him for support. He knew that the years that Amaya had spent in the Castle of the Moon had strengthen her soul without anyone realizing it.

"I don't understand. How could I have come away with my life from a battle anyone else would not have?"

"It's a matter of strength. Both your soul and the youkai soul that resides in Inuyasha are near equals in it. The only reason why you won just by what you did is because of living until Lord Togaou," Shin explained.

"That doesn't explain anything. Things like me winning that battle just don't happen because of living with a more powerful being," Amaya said, leaning forward.

She glared at Shin, making sure that he knew that she maybe weak, but she was not that weak to fight. She was eased back by a gentle muzzle of Sesshomaru.

"Who's this Ryuukosai," Kagome asked.

"A Ryuu youkai that's an equal match of power with Lord Togaou. It's a wonder he had survived his battle wounds long enough to reach the castle in time to bring back Lady Izoyi."

Inuyasha looked to Amaya and gave her a glare that could burn.

"I was out on patrol. I didn't know Takemaru was going to kill her. I can't predict the future no more than you can. You were lucky enough I returned when I did."

"Lucky? How was that being lucky?"

"I was holding back the pallbearers as best as I could until Father arrived and used the Tensaiga."

"What do the pallbearers have to do with it," Kagome asked.

"The pallbearers prepare the soul of those that died to go to the spirit world. Amaya, it seems, has learned even back then how to use her powers," Shin said.

"I'm sitting right here, Shin. I can still hear you."

"Apologizes."

"I still don't get it. How was I lucky," Inuyasha asked.

"Because you know Tensaiga revived Lady Izoyi from the dead. I was ready to help Father battle Takemaru to the death when he told me to leave."

"And Ryuukosai?"

"Remains dormant on the cliff face where Father pinned him with a nail. Or so I've been told."

The group fell into an uneasy silence. No one knew what to say once the conversation centered around Amaya ended. The night passed with Amaya falling asleep at Sesshomaru's side, who was still in his true form, Kagome not far off from the Ryuu taiyoukai, and the two males keeping watch. Come morning, Amaya attempted to walk on her own power, yet failed at each attempt. Sesshomaru finally had her be helped onto his back so she could keep up with them. Kagome was carried by Inuyasha and Shin would keep up on his own power. Amaya held onto Sesshomaru's mane as he raced along with Inuyasha not five steps behind, and Shin dividing that distance. By nightfall, they had reached the rest of the group with Shin having mysteriously disappeared. Shippo jumped into Amaya's arms when her feet touched the ground.

"We thought something bad had happened," the you Kitsune said.

"I'm fine, Shippo."

Sesshomaru transformed into his human form and went to speak quietly with Takehiko; surely about what he had learned about Amaya. Amaya was led to the fire and was actually left alone for some time. Shippo was the first one to fall asleep, followed by Sango, Kagome, Jaken, and Rin. That left the four taiyoukai and Inuyasha awake keeping watch. Finally, when Inuyasha fell asleep; a rare thing when camping in the wilds, Takehiko began the questioning.

"What happened to you?"

"A battle between souls."

"Which souls," Togaou asked.

"Between Amaya's and Inuyasha's youkai souls," a voice said from the shadows.

Everyone awake was quick at arms. Amaya lowered hers and signaled for the others to do as well when Shin appeared in the light. He walked over to Togaou and gave greetings to the Inu taiyoukai lord before turning to Takehiko and giving the same greetings.

"How is it that you know this man, Father," Sesshomaru asked.

"I've met Shin centuries ago; before I became lord of the Western Lands. It is he that first introduced me to the Kanjou Ryuu taiyoukai of the Eastern Lands."

"And why you were there and took me in," Amaya said.

"So, what does Shin have to do with all of this," Takehiko asked.

"Shin here is the older of the two remaining Kanjou Ryuu taiyoukai," Togaou explained.

"Then he should be the lord of the Western Lands," Amaya said.

Amaya knew that she was the last Kanjou Ryuu taiyoukai to live up to this point. She did not want anything to do with ruling the lands given to her by Amatsu's destruction.

"I cannot. For it is you, Amaya, that is the heir of Kiyoshi," Shin said. "I am, was, his top advisor and trusted confidant. It is you now that I serve."

Shin walked over to Amaya and knelt down in front of her, offering his sword horizontally, head bowed. Amaya did not know what to do. She had stood in her last defiant words, saying Shin should be lord. Amaya looked around to the other three taiyoukai, wondering what to do. She finally accepted the sword and handed it back.

"Remember that you are now in my service, which may end at any time," Amaya said as Shin stood and replaced his sheathed sword at his side.

"I will."

0o

The next morning, the group had finally arrived at the border between the Southern Lands and the Western Lands. Amaya had regained enough strength to walk on her own power to easily keep up with the group. Everyone stood in a spot where they could look upon the lands, and still remain in the spot where they stopped.

"The Southern Lands, ruled by the Tora taiyoukai. Known to be in a heavenly battle with the Ryuu since the dawn of time," Togaou explained.

"And what makes you think Takehiko and I can just waltz right in," Amaya asked.

Shin had disappeared from the camp before dawn and the others waking. The five taiyoukai had agreed that he should follow behind and join the group only when everyone had gone to sleep and train Amaya. Though getting that past Inuyasha would take some time, which is why the four taiyoukai would take that night to explain it to Inuyasha that Shin was under Amaya's command.

"Because you are not only under my protection, you are also the ruling taiyoukai of the Eastern Lands. And Takehiko is posing as your vassal," Togaou said.

He took the first steps into the Southern Lands, soon followed by the others. It was several hours before a scout party had located the group from the Western Lands and halted them.

"Lord Togaou, you are far from your home," the leader said. "Why is that?"

"My castle has been attacked by an army driven by an unknown force. We are those that survived."

The scout leader looked the group over. A youkai taijiya, houshi, a strangely dressed miko, a goblin, a young girl, a hanyou, two inu taiyoukai, and two Ryuu taiyoukai, all followed by a ryuu beast of burden.

"My lord does not take kindly to having Ryuu taiyoukai on his lands," the leader said.

"The female Ryuu is Amaya, ruler of the Destroyed. And the male is Takehiko, her vassal," Togaou explained. "And those you see before you are under my protection as lord."

Inuyasha was about to object to that, but several glares aimed at him told him otherwise. If they were to be received hospitably, then it would take the whole of the group to keep their out spoken hanyou friend quiet long enough to be received. The scout leader approached Amaya and studied her. Togaou was right, she was a Ryuu taiyoukai, but there was something different about her aura. What was it that puzzled the scout leader? If he took them to his lord, perhaps he would have time to study her aura.

"Follow us," he finally said.

The scout leader took his previous position and led the way to the Castle of the Heavens. The scout party took loose points around the Western Lands group as they began walking. Little did the scout party know that they were being followed by a live shadow.

It had taken a few days, but the escorted group from the Western Lands arrived at the Castle of the Heavens, home to the ruling Tora taiyoukai. The scout leader and a few of his men escorted the group into the castle to where Lord Norboru was holding council with his advisors. Togaou was in the lead, so to speak, with Sesshomaru on his right and a step behind, Amaya and Inuyasha to his left and a step behind; the two walking side by side. The others were following behind in a loose group. When Lord Norboru saw Togaou, he halted all talk from his council and motioned the Inu lord inside with the group. Yet when Amaya and Inuyasha did not give a bow, not even a small respectful bow like the taijiya, houshi, and Kitsune gave, Norboru stood and walked over to them.

"How dare you not show respect to those who rule over you."

"How dare you not know who stands before you," Amaya countered, stepping between Norboru and Inuyasha.

"You are not but a lowly Ryuu youkai who should be taught her place."

Norboru raised a hand to strike her, but Togaou intervened by grabbing said hand.

"She is the ruling taiyoukai of the Eastern Lands. You best show her the same respect you show me," the Inu lord said.

"A Ryuu taiyoukai. More trouble than she's worth, Lord Togaou. You should know."

Norboru turned, upon Togaou releasing his hand, and returned to his seat. The council had taken the group's arrival as their cue to leave, knowing that their business was not yet complete. Curious on what Norboru meant by Ryuu youkai, even Amaya being more trouble than she's worth just by being a taiyoukai, Inuyasha looked to her and received the slightest of head shakes that meant "I'll tell you later".

"Now, Lord Togaou, what brings you to my Lands," Norboru asked.

"An army driven by an unknown force had attacked my castle nearly a month and a half ago. We are all those who survived the attack."

"A shame, Lord Togaou. I half expected that you would have been the only casualty in that battle. No matter, you're still here among the living. What is it that you require of me?"

"Chambers for those with me, and any other business I require of you will be discussed solely between us. I expect your men to treat those with me with respect that you do not demand for yourself," Togaou put forth.

"Done."

Norboru clapped his hands, and a few servants appeared within minutes. The Tora lord made a mental note as to punish them for their tardiness. He then gave them orders to give the survivors chambers while Togaou stayed behind. Once out of the audience chamber, Inuyasha hounded Amaya with a look until she spoke.

"When Father battled Ryuukosai the night you were born, he was nearly killed from the wounds."

"But I thought he died," Sango said.

"He did. It's all about being a Kanjou Ryuu, Sango."