Thank you Master-of-Omega for reviewing.
Blood Trouble Ch. 10
Gosh it was cold. The temperature had steadily decreased as they continued, though Kouu didn't seem to notice. The cat was now the size of Kirara when she transformed, huge fangs included. His eyes had darkened to cobalt blue, and he looked lethal. Hitori wondered what was with the growing thing and if the real Kouu had grown too, before she shivered once again.
Oh great, were those snowflakes? It had started snowing, Hitori growled to herself as the flakes floated down around them. Nothing phased the big cat in front of her though.
Hitori quickened her pace to catch up to him.
"Um are we almost there? I don't know if you've noticed but it's cold and snowing." Kouu looked around him like he hadn't noticed before shaking the snow off his shoulders and motioning for her to get on. Hitori shrugged, why he would want her on his back she didn't know, but climbed on anyway.
Once Kouu knew she was secure he surprised her by launching into the air, but instead of the expected fall, he began flying.
"Since when can you do this?" Hitori had to shout over the wind and felt him shrug in response.
'I don't know I just can.' The voice sounded in her head and Hitori almost fell off.
"Damn, you can talk now too?!"
'I guess so… are you mad?' Hitori gaped at him.
"N-no just surprised is all. Do you think we'll get where we're going soon?"
'Yes, we're travelling faster now.' The cold subsided with the distance and it was back to neutral temperature in a short amount of time. Hitori was glad for that, she hated cold and wet.
The light circle came into view quickly, thanks to Kouu's speeding things up. A thought suddenly hit Hitori when she saw it.
"Uh… Kouu? Do you know how to land?" Hitori got the feeling that his answer was no when he stiffened at her question.
'Ummm…. just try to hold on really tight okay?'
"Great…" The light neared and Hitori tightened her grip as they descended. Kouu did his best to land softly but, Hitori still fell off his back and rolled a few feet away.
When her head stopped spinning the first things that hit her were the smell and the mist. It smelled like dried blood and gore here, her nose wrinkled to try and dispel it. Surrounding her was a thick mist and she couldn't see Kouu anywhere.
"Kouu? Are you there?" Silence answered and the quiet made her nervous. There was something bad about this place. Like it was dead… Hitori shivered. These thoughts were getting her nowhere and making the place seem scarier than it was. She decided to find Kouu first, then ask him about the place, since he seemed to be her guide or something.
Hitori moved forward, keeping her hands in front of her, calling the cat's name. Then she could hear something moving toward her and Kouu was there again. He grabbed the hem of her kimono in his mouth and pulled urgently.
'Hitori, come on!!! You gotta run!!! It's coming for you!!!' He perked his ears up then dropped.
'It's too late…'
"Wait, Kouu what are you talking about? What is coming?" He didn't answer and continued staring out into the mist. Then Hitori heard it too. A rapid pattering of footsteps was heading straight toward them.
She could make out a flash of black and red before it disappeared. Kouu tensed at her side and moved his head around, trying to pinpoint its position.
Hitori heard wind whistle by her ear and narrowly dodged its attack before the thing disappeared back into the mist. Maniacal laughter seemed to come from all around them. The attacks continued from all sides mostly aimed at Hitori, the thing seemed to be trying to separate her from Kouu.
She could never get a full view what it was. The laughing sounded female, but rougher. Like the person had been shouting for awhile before it came. It was awhile before Hitori even managed to hit it, but when she did, it let out a chilling scream and sped up the attacks, taunting her as well.
"What are you doing her Hitori? Where's your mom?"
"Shut up!" It was getting to her. The thing seemed to know all about her past. It told Hitori terrible things that made her eyes sting with unshed tears. It hit her multiple times when it claws and the wounds added to the pain.
When the battle and taunts had gone on for what seemed like hours, Hitori had finally had enough. She gave in to her aching body and fell onto her knees. Then she got her first full view of their attacker.
It was another likeness of Hitori. This one, instead of sobbing and alone or killing with glee, was feral. Her red eyes had black cat-like slits down the middle and her fangs hung down well below her lips. Its eyes reminded her of Kirara's. Hitori shivered, scary thought. The demon grinned down at her, just a few feet from where the real Hitori sat.
"Finally giving up half-breed? Huh, that was even less entertaining than when you slaughtered pitiful humans." It scoffed, getting closer.
"You should let me out. Just take a backseat. Then we could have some real fun, starting with the little girl." She looked delighted at the thought and Hitori struggled to stand up.
"I know who you are now. You're my demon."
"And she actually has a brain!" It said in mock surprise. "When'd you figure that out princess?"
"You knew all my memories, and you look like me." Hitori answered dully, she was so tired. The pain was almost numb now.
Hitori wished she'd never gone here. She could be back at camp right now, chatting with Rin or playing with Kouu. Hitori turned to look at the big version of her kitten. He was slumped a few feet away, having been knocked out by the non-Hitori.
"I'm not gonna let you out. Lord Sesshomaru said all I have to do is tame you." Hitori finally was able to stand as she said this. The demon smirked.
"You can try." It lowered itself into a crouch and waited to see what Hitori would do. She was filled with new determination to lock away this monster before it could take over her completely. A weight in her hand drew her attention to her hand and Hitori was grateful to see her sword. She would wonder how it got there later.
The demon's eyes widened and it looked nervous for a few seconds before hiding it. This gave Hitori a little hope that she might not be completely torn up in the fight.
They circled for what seemed like an hour to Hitori, but was most likely minutes, before the demon jumped forward and slashed at Hitori. She dodged and returned with her sword. This continued, Hitori occasionally using her claws, and both of them getting hit.
Hitori was doing well and holding her own until, the demon managed to knock the sword away, then it went down-hill. Hitori dodged more than she hit and her already battered body was protesting in every way it could.
'This is bad; I need to get the sword back.'
Her chance was made by Kouu. He had been lying unconscious and finally woken up. When his head cleared he saw the battle and jumped at the red-eyed demon, taking her attention away from Hitori. She used the distraction to scramble toward where her sword had fallen and reclaim it.
Kouu's yelp turned Hitori's attention back to the battle. Kouu was still standing but he looked bad. Blood matted his fur on one side from a deep gash and he held his right leg above ground. The demon seemed barley hurt, the wounds on her had already stopped bleeding and she didn't seem fatigued.
Hitori saw red, the thing had no reason for hurting Kouu, he had never done anything to her. The half-cat ran up to Kouu's side in time to shield him from another assault. He wouldn't be able to help her again, she had to do this on her own.
"Ready to give up yet?" It sneered; it knew as well as her that Hitori couldn't last much longer.
"You wish." Hitori circled the demon and stepped back slowly, trying to lead it away from Kouu and succeeding.
Once they were far enough away that Kouu was out of danger, Hitori made the first move. She jumped forward and jabbed at the demon with her sword while clawing from the side. The demon tried to dodge the sword but didn't see the other attack, earning three deep gashes on her side.
It growled and jumped clear holding the wound on its side. The demon narrowed its eyes at Hitori.
"You will not defeat me. You don't know how to even use that sword right." It didn't sound very sure, almost like it was trying to convince itself.
"I'll learn." With that Hitori followed the demon, not letting her disappear into the mist.
Okay I know this chapter was kinda suckish, but bare with me. Next one will be better (hopefully…). Document manager is down… crap, well it's not my fault.