The Rebirth of Sounga

Chapter 10: The Sheath & Answers

Toboe woke a little after dawn and sighed, her tail felt kinda empty with only Ronin in it. She had already warned the kit to stay well away from the sword. She heard the dragon chuckle in the back of her mind. For a Fox demon you have a pretty strict code of honor, how dragon-like. Toboe chuckled. "I've had years to define and build that code. Its modeled after a Male Fox demon from my tribe who is revered for his code of conduct as he is for his thieving." The dragon chuckled again. You continue to surprise me Fox, this may be the start of something enriching for us both. Toboe chuckled. "Would be nice... To have someone besides Kagome who knows me." Toboe changed clothes, getting out shorts and a slightly cooler shirt. Her tail stuck out above the low cut jean shorts she wore. Ronin woke up to see her pick up the sword and set it against the wall. He got up and together they folded and put away the bedding.

After getting the saddle bags on Entei, she picked up the sword and walked out of the cave. Seeing a figure on the cliff watching the sunrise she walked towards it. It was the Alpha Wolf. She walked up to stand not to far from him. His high ponytail fluttering in the wind. Her braid danced slightly. "The female's tell me you took on the wind witch alone, to defend my packs pups." His voice was smooth and she smiled. She looked out over the lands below. "Your pack treated Kagome well, when I was not here to defend her." She replied, He smirked turning his head. "I'm Kouga." She grinned. "Toboe." He felt the wind change and her scent hit him. "Your a.." Toboe smiled and he was silent. "I can hide my youki completely. It allows me to move around humans without them feeling threatened by my aura." He laughed. "Kagome always seems to make the most interesting of friends." He said, his blue eyes twinkling with mirth. "Yeah, Least she finally introduces me to someone I can get along with besides InuYasha. You at least seem to have a sense of humor." Kouga laughed again, Toboe grinned, her fangs in full view. "Oh gods, your going to be fun to travel with." Toboe raised an eyebrow. "Your coming along? Cool, The monk and Slayer don't seem to like my company much." Kouga snorted. "Yeah, and InuYasha hates me. So that makes us even." Toboe laughed.

They stood there for sometime until both heard the others stirring. Kagome joined them on the cliff. "Totosai lives on a volcano a days flight away from here." She said and the two gazed out to the mountains below. The pair heard the rest of the group moving around they were joined on the cliff by InuYasha. "We'll be moving out shortly Wolf-breath."Kouga smirked. "Good, I'll still out pace you Dog-turd." InuYasha's hand went for his sword and Kagome gave him a look. He froze and started to grumble. "Kouga is coming with us InuYasha. Naraku came after his shards. By him traveling with us we reduce the risk of Naraku attacking the pack again." InuYasha saw the reasoning but still didn't want the wolf around. Ginta and Hakaku came out of the cave and joined the group on the cliff. "How will we keep up?" Ginta asked with a whine. Toboe laughed and with a gesture the two black fire cats changed to their much larger battle forms. "You two can ride one and Kouga the other. We won't be slowing down or stopping until we reach Totosai's place." The fox demon said and the three wolves looked at Kagome. "She's right. So pack some food you can eat while we fly." Three went into the cave and packed some of the left over meat from the feast, Kouga packed up an extra package for the fox demon and the kit. When they returned to the cliff he tossed the pouch at her, She smiled and thanked him. The slayer and monk were up now and packing up their gear. Kagome told InuYasha he could ride her other fire cat so he wouldn't have to run all the way. For once InuYasha didn't argue.

They departed a short while later, InuYasha leading the way. Toboe and Kouga chatted back and forth, about wolf demon customs and how they differed from fox demons. Toboe explained several things that had bewildered Kouga about Fox demons he had dealt with in the past. He explained about how packs maintained alliances and protected their territory. Kagome smiled hearing them barking back and forth at each other. She knew they probably hadn't realized they had switched to canine. But it was enjoyable to hear Toboe talking to anyone but InuYasha and Ronin. Kouga broke out laughing, and Toboe grinned. Ginta and Hakaku were also smiling. They joined into the conversation and this time it was Toboe who laughed. The conversation continued through most of the day except for when they were eating. Ronin was in awe, the wolves weren't scary at all. The Alpha was fair and kind, but proud and loyal too. The pups had been fun to play with but that made him miss his friends even more. He knew they were making a stop before they took him home to get a sheath made for the older foxes new weapon. He could see the sword in her left hand, its aura wasn't around now but when she wasn't holding it, it gave off a scary feeling.

InuYasha and the now larger group rode on through out the day, until late afternoon when InuYasha spotted the crater the old sword smith lived in. "Were here." They landed outside the opening on the stone, the three eyed cow mooed at them. "Totosai! Come out here!" InuYasha called before getting down and going inside to find the old demon sleeping. He growled and bopped him on the head. Totosai turned with his hammer and noticed the annoyed half-demon. "Oh its you.. You didn't break Tetsusaiga again did you?" InuYasha showed him the sword. "Now come outside there is something that will interest you. And we need some questions answered." The old dragon demon sighed but got up, taking his hammer and followed him out to the rest of the group. "What is supposed to interest me InuYasha, I was enjoying my nap." Toboe got off Entei's back and walked out of the group. She held up the sword and Totosai recoiled. "Sounga! That thing is cursed!" Toboe looked mildly annoyed. When she didn't attack he took a closer look. "My dear you can hold it, only the great dog General InuTaisho could before you." Toboe raised an eyebrow. "Sounga wants me to cut you down for taking his flesh and bones and reducing him to his current state." Totosai's eyes widened. "You can hear it speak?" She swatted him upside the head with the flat of the blade. "I felt him call out to be even before the blood pact. I could see him in my head." The old dragon told them all to come inside.

He had Toboe place the sword on his forge table and the moment she released it the swords dark aura began to glow and the sword floated off the table a few inches. "Interesting. I was aware it possessed a form of awareness but not to actually have retained its own will. The sword was forged from the flesh and bones of an elder dragon that InuYasha's father fought and killed. He brought me the materials and I forged the weapon before us. But to hear a young Fox not only heard the dragon call out but be able to speak to it and persuade it into a blood pact amazes me." The dragon demon looked at Toboe. "Do you still hear the sword speak to you?" She snorted before speaking. "Yes. He often speaks to me. He says I am very dragon like." Totosai nodded thinking. "So, you have bonded with the sword. By all rights it now belongs to you. It will obey no other and if stolen will return to you." Toboe chuckled. "He said that too, I want a sheath made that conceals his aura without preventing him from speaking to me. He has some great advice at times." Totosai looked at the floating sword, his thoughts going through the materials he had on hand.

-With Sesshomaru-

Sesshomaru landed in the ancient forest and started walking towards its center, when he found the massive tree he spoke. "Bokuseno I have questions." The old tree demon's face appeared and he gazed at the dog demon. "Sesshomaru, it is not like you to come to me out of the blue. What answers do you seek?" Sesshomaru's golden eyes narrowed in memory. "My Father's sword Sounga, What do you know of it?" The tree seemed to think for a few moments before speaking. "Forged from the flesh and bones of an ageless hell dragon. The blade possesses immense power. It is aware of its wielder. Unlike the swords you and InuYasha possess, Sounga is fully aware and can speak to its true master. It is on par with the Tenseiga and Tetsusaiga. Your father wielded the weapon through sheer will, but even he was not able to master it. But you and your brother defeated it. Why?" The dog golden eyes were focused on the tree demon. "There is a female fox demon, She carries the sword. The vile half-breed Naraku somehow retrieved the blade from hell. And has confessed to hearing it call out to her during a recent battle. So long as she has the sword in hand its aura vanishes. But if she sets it down its presence can be felt. I am not sure if she can hear it speak, but she did say something about a blood pact." Bokuseno's eyes narrowed in thought, he recalled what he knew of hell dragons and their ways along with what the young dog demon's father had once said about the sword. Some time passed before the tree spoke. "I see. This Fox demon is the swords master now. A blood pact is sacred to a dragon, especially one from the depths of hell. Sounga has chosen its own Master. I have something I wish you to take to the fox demon." From the old tree a branch dropped, it was long and thick, but its bark was black. "Use this branch of mine to create a sheath. It is only fitting the third sword of your late father has a sheath crafted from my boughs as well." Sesshomaru picked up the branch. "I see. Thank you Bokuseno." The face in the tree vanished and Sesshomaru carried the black branch to Ah-Un and had Jaken tie it to the saddle. "Now we are going to Totosai's." They departed northwest at a much faster pace then before, Sesshomaru was annoyed he had lost another powerful sword. But, the female was reasonable and seemed to hold a code of honor InuYasha did not possess. He knew it would take until early tomorrow morning before he would arrive at the volcano.

-With the Group-

Totosai said he would look through what he had for a sheath but the group should sleep in a set of caves much higher in the sides of the volcano. That he would retrieve them when he needed more questions answered. The group agreed being tired from the long ride. Toboe and Entei touched down in one cave. Sango had Kirara land outside the other. Kagome didn't know what bothered Sango so much about Toboe. She looked at Toboe who pointed to the other cave, Kagome smiled and landed outside the other cave. Kouga, Ginta and Hakaku landed outside Toboe's cave. "What's between you and the demon slayer?" Kouga asked. "No clue, she just doesn't seem to like me. And is very uneasy in my presence." Toboe shrugged. Getting her bedding down she took it inside the cave. She returned for the saddle bags and the fire cats shrank themselves down to the size of kittens. The three wolves shrugged and took off their packs.

They saw Toboe setting up her bed in the back of the cave, but she had left them a fair amount of space. The young kit was pulling blankets from one of the saddle bags and handing them to Toboe. They unfolded their sleeping furs and got settled in. Toboe was still up and moving around the cave. "Entei." The demon horse looked at her. "Go hunt. You worked hard today, all three of you did. Go fill your bellies. I am far from unprotected, with the wolves here." The three demons nodded and with bursts of different colored fire took to the sky and headed out to find food. When they returned some hours later, the fox demon was tucked into her sleeping place lightly dozing. One of her eyes had opened when they landed and she smiled before snuggling down and letting herself drift off into deep restful sleep. Entei stood outside the cave, his eyes gazing at the stars. His new master puzzled him greatly, he had never been cared for before. He had only desired strength from his masters. Yet none before this one cared for him in return. She brushed him, talked to him and made sure he had fresh water and hunted as often as possible. Even with the addition of the two fire cats. She only rode him. The two fire cats acted like escorts and always followed on either side. She had named them but did not speak their names where others could hear. He knew she brushed them as well, keeping the three of them groomed and clean. His thoughts continued for some time before he closed his crimson eyes locked his knees and got some rest.

When Sesshomaru arrived before dawn he saw the massive stallion looking up at him. He landed near him and noticed the cave housed only the fox demon, the kit and the three wolves. Ah-Un landed beside him a sleeping Rin on his back. Rin woke up slightly as the dragon landed. "Lord Sesshomaru?" She asked sleepily. "Go inside and sleep." "Yes, my lord." The dragon lay down and Rin climbed down taking a small rolled up pad and a blanket from his saddle bags before entering the cave. She set her pad down not to far away from Toboe's sleeping spot and lay down. She covered up with her blanket and within moments was again asleep. Sesshomaru walked inside and sat against the wall. Though he did not intend to rest his golden eyes closed and he drifted into an alert sleep. His tail curled around him. Ah-Un and Entei stood guard resting in turns until a few hours later when dawn broke, though it would take a few more hours before its light would reach the caves. Toboe woke up enough to know day had broke, seeing the resting Sesshomaru and sleeping Rin she decided it was a day for sleeping in, turning to look at the wolves she met Kouga's eyes.

She smiled and pointed to her bed. He smiled and yawning lay back down. Both were asleep again in moments. They rested until well into the morning when InuYasha's voice disturbed them from the other cave. "Does someone want to remind him that even a Demon likes to sleep in once in a while?" Toboe growled annoyed. Kouga laughed and Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. "Do you believe he would remember?" Sesshomaru said. Toboe snorted. "No, your right he wouldn't." Toboe got up, surprising the four demons when she walked across the cave in very little clothing. "Cover your ears please." For some reason after looking at Kouga who snapped his hands over his ears, he covered his as well. But the yell still came in loud and clear. "Shut the hell up InuYasha! We are still trying to sleep! I bet Totosai is still trying to snooze too. For once give us a break and take a fucking nap! Your sounding like a bitch in heat!" Sesshomaru snorted in amusement. Kouga was rolling around laughing. Sesshomaru could hear the priestesses laughter as well. InuYasha was shocked into silence by her words. "Good. Now I'm going back to bed. I'll get up when the old demon comes up here." She turned and walked back into the cave her tail bristled slightly in annoyance. She lay down and got comfortable and soon was asleep again. Sesshomaru and Kouga heard Kagome tell InuYasha that the trip had been hard and even she was still tired. InuYasha's ears lowered and he went back inside the cave and plopped down. He sulked while the rest of the group returned to sleep. Sesshomaru watched Kouga and his men also return to their resting places and sleep. With a sense of amusement he closed his eyes and resumed his interrupted nap.

It was late morning when the old sword smith's cow landed outside InuYasha's cave. Entei and Ah-Un did not make a welcoming sight. "What is it old man?" Totosai sighed. "I have nothing to make the sheath from, every material I currently possess the sword overpowers." He turned his head and saw Sesshomaru standing there, he nearly ran but the dog demon gave him such a look that he stayed still. "Bokuseno has sent you the proper material." He untied and tossed the branch at the dragon demon. Totosai caught it and ran his hands over the branch, noticing its black bark and looking at the wood he tapped and listened. "Ah old Bokuseno, he has sent a truly superior material. I will take this branch and see if the properties will suit the Fox's desires. But I need the Fox." Toboe walked out of the cave to stand near Sesshomaru. "Very well Totosai. But call me Toboe." The old man chuckled. "At least you have manners and respect your elders unlike this whelp" He pointed to InuYasha who promptly whacked him. Toboe swung up onto Entei's back and they took off from the ledge. Totosai followed rubbing his head. They landed outside the forge and both entered the cave, Sounga still floated off the forge table by several inches. His dark aura unpleasant for Totosai to be around.

He carefully touched the branch to the sword and the aura vanished, the sword landed on the table with a clatter. Totosai was careful to keep the branch touching the blade. "Can you still hear the sword?" Totosai asked.

Foolish sword-smith, I would smite you with one swing if I could. How degrading for a dragon to be reduced to this. Toboe chuckled. "Yeah, I can still hear him, he's still ranting about you." Totosai shivered. "Crafting the sheath will take a day, and I will need measurements of the blade." Toboe looked at the sword. "will you stop ranting long enough so that he can do what he needs to be done? You need a sheath anyway. At least this will be a proper sheath befitting you." The sword seemed to be thinking about it. Very well, you at least have the sense to find something befitting a dragon. Toboe laughed. "Alright, I'll hold him while you take the measurements you need."

She picked up the blade and Totosai got started, stopping every now and then to record his measurements on a piece of paper. Once he finally finished he looked at the branch and carefully began to remove the bark. The wood itself was also black. Checking his measurements he nodded to himself. "Very well, you may return to the cliff caves. I will construct the sheath. Come back at this time tomorrow." She nodded and was gone. Toboe and Entei flew back up to the caves. "It will take a day to craft it he said." Sesshomaru nodded. "Anyone up for some hunting? I want some good food." She said as she landed on the ledge and dismounted to go inside and pull something from her saddle bags. "I'll come along." Sesshomaru said. His eyes studying the black bow she now wielded. The arrows were black as well with silver feathers and heads. Kouga and his men got up. "Us too." They told Rin and Ronin they could play in the cave only but not to go down and disturb the old dragon. With that the five took to the sky.

They returned some time later with three large deer. Most of the meat was cut into cubes, the muzzles of the mounts were bloody as well. They landed and Toboe finished cubing the meat into a large calderon she filled it with water from some of the bottles they carried with them. She mixed in herbs and after the wolves made a pile of the bundles of wood they had been carrying she had Entei set it a flame. She unfolded a tripod and hung the large pot on the hook. The fire quickly started to make the water steam then boil. Toboe pulled a long spoon out of her bag and started to stir the pot. "mmm That smells yummy." Rin said as she and Ronin came out to sit next to the Fox. Toboe chuckled. "Its supposed to smell good." She would taste it every so often, adding different herbs and things along the way. Kagome flew over and sighed. "Rin's right that does smell wonderful." Toboe chuckled again. "Its not ready yet, will be shortly though." The others had gathered on the other ledge. InuYasha hopped over and sniffed. "Now I'm hungry" Toboe laughed. "Your such a dog InuYasha. Here." She handed him a bowl of the food.

Kagome handed her another bowl and she filled it. Giving one to each child then offering the elder youkai each a bowl. Surprisingly even Sesshomaru took the bowl offered and sat down to eat. Sango and Miroku flew over and were each given a bowl. Toboe served Kagome then herself last. As they ate Ronin and Rin both held up their bowls. "More please?" Ronin asked and Rin nodded. Toboe chuckled taking and filling each bowl halfway before handing them back. Kouga, Ginta and Hakaku asked for more and were given full steaming bowls. Sesshomaru held his out and Toboe filled it, a smirk on her lips. InuYasha got his second helping and licked his lips. "Damn this is good." Toboe snorted in amusement, chewing her mouthful. Kagome got her own second helping so Toboe could finish her first, she asked if Miroku and Sango wanted more. Both got their helpings. Toboe scooped up the last of it as her second helping.

When she finished she sat back sated and full. "That didn't taste to bad. Needed more herbs though." Kagome got Miroku and Sango to help her gather all the dishes to wash them. "Toboe where did you get the pot its huge.." Toboe chuckled as did the other four demons. "While we were cleaning our kills an ogre walked into the clearing and demanded our kills or he would eat us. He was carrying the pot." She laughed. "He was hardly more then a target." Toboe also gave Kagome all the empty water bottles. The three left for the river that ran below the volcano and the rest all settled in to let their food settle. "Why didn't you tell her you shot the ogre in the..." Kouga looked at Rin and then at Toboe. She chuckled. "Then she would have felt sorry for it, besides it should have kept its mouth shut." Sesshomaru snorted. InuYasha laughed.

By the time the others returned it was getting dark. Entei and Ah-Un were back on the ledge guarding the cave and they could see InuYasha standing on the other ledge. They landed and Kagome put away the dried dishes and looked at the large pot. "That's going to come in handy with a larger group." Shippo had fixed the sleeping bag and after a little while Kagome climbed in and Shippo snuggled in next to her belly. Sango and Miroku went to bed not long after Kagome did. InuYasha noticed the two fire cats Kagome had kept curled up on either side of her head. InuYasha looked over, wondering how it was going to be traveling with Sesshomaru and the toad. The little girl wasn't bad, and Kagome loved children. Toboe seemed to even like the little girl. She was clearly enamored with the two of them.

InuYasha had learned from the day before. He didn't wake up the suddenly snappy fox wench. The group slept until late into the morning when the light was nearing the caves. Toboe woke with a pleased smile and stretched pleasantly. She felt her tendons pop and relax, and her back popped all the way up. Kouga's shifted and sat up his eyes still blurry from sleep. Ginta and Hakaku made noises and started moving around. Sesshomaru merely opened his golden eyes. Rin and Ronin still slept soundly, despite the movement of the others. "Ah, its peaceful this morning." A derisive snort came from the front of the cave. Kouga chuckled. "I think you got the point across." Toboe grinned. "Good, I like my sleep." The demons spent most of the day talking lands, lords and the different customs of their clans. Sesshomaru was surprised by the fox again when she picked apart one of the Prince Kouga's ideas then put it back together with much more sound battle strategy. "Just because you have honor, do not assume your enemy does." Both males nodded, seeing the wisdom in her words.

When the time came Toboe departed with Entei to Totosai's home below. He emerged just as she landed. Tossing her a long black object. She caught it, realizing it was her sword in sheath. "Its perfect Totosai." She examined it before placing it on her right side, tying the sheath strings to her jean belt loops. She also felt the dragon at the back of her mind, grumbling about being treated like a common sword. Toboe smirked and said nothing. "The sheath will prevent anyone from sensing the sword's aura, while still keeping you connected to it. It can also summon the blade to the sheath." She grins. "Cool! Thank you!" She took to the sky again, returning to the caves. "Well its done." Sesshomaru looked at the time of day and his nose lifted slightly as he sniffed. "We have several hours of daylight left." Toboe looks and smirks. "I'm going to like you Sesshomaru." He snorts. They get packed up pretty quickly, and take to the skies heading north. "Its at least a three day trip by air to my clan's home. Also you will have to wait for me, I have to go in with only Ronin." InuYasha was puzzled by that. "Why?" She looked at him. "Because of the barrier that protects our valley. Only clan members and certain outsiders are permitted to pass through." InuYasha snorted. "There are caves with hot springs near the entrance to the valley, you can wait there. Those are the guest caves anyway." They made quite a fair distance before stopping just before it got dark. Kouga took off hunting, Toboe and Kagome gathered a good amount of firewood and shortly the camp was put together. Kouga returned with two cleaned boars. They sliced the meat and put it on skewers to cook. Toboe pulling several after only a few minutes. She handed them out to the four adult full demons, who bit into them with relish. She turned another couple before taking them and eating herself.