Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha.

I'm kinda mad, you guys. I know this is selfish sounding of me but…three reviews! I only got three reviews for my last chapter! –Cries- I love reviews so much, but recently the amount of reviews I receive has dropped. (Especially compared to the last story.) Have I done something wrong? Please tell me, and Please…PLEASE review. Thank you.

Special thanks to:

doglove125, Hakudoushi-gurl, and Kagome.is.better, I appreciate your reviews.

On with the story.


Haku let go of Keema as the unknown demon walked into their tent. He stood in front of her protectively. The intruder smiled. "Don't you worry, son. I'm not into men."

Haku's eyes widened. "No, it's not like—" Keema kicked him in the back of the leg to shut him up. He got the point and closed his mouth.

The demon stared at them then looked around the room. His eyes landed on the circle of rocks and blankets. He raised an eyebrow. "I really don't want to know." He stated. Then as if he had remembered something important, he walked up to Haku, and extended his hand. "Names Iruka by the way."

"Haku." Haku said as he shook the man's hand.

Iruka was, without a doubt, a wolf demon. He had his breed's signature jet-black hair that was pulled up in a messing high ponytail and clear blue eyes. His skin was very tan making his teeth stand out when he smiled. Haku stepped aside so Keema could shake his hand as well.

"Moichuri." She told him. She attempted to pull her hand back but he held it.

"My, I believe you are the most beautiful man I have ever seen." He said, amazed. His free hand brushed against her cheek. "Such soft skin as well, even in the cold weather." Keema blushed.

Haku stepped in then. He moved in between Keema and Iruka forcing them apart. "I thought you said you weren't into men." He said hotly. Keema stared at him, close to amusement. Was Haku jealous?

Iruka smiled again. "With a face like that, I think I could make an exception." He said.

Haku tensed and Keema noticed. "Iruka, is there a specific reason why you decided to visit us?" She asked, changing the subject.

Iruka took his bottom lip into his mouth then flipped it out before answering, "Well, I heard someone shouting and decided to see what was going on." He paused. "It was you, Moichuri, wasn't it?"

Keema nodded. "But it's all fine now. No worries." She responded quickly.

Iruka studied Keema's face then Haku's. "Alright, I'll leave now." He said. "No more fighting, okay? People are trying to sleep."

"Okay, goodnight." Keema called after him as he made his way across the tent.

As he passed the pile of rocks and blankets, he laughed and shook his head. Then he left the tent.


I leaned against a large tree, my arms crossed as I watched Mushi spar with my son in the gray morning light. Taisho wasn't doing well, but it was to be expected; he was new to fighting with a sword. The sound of their sword clashing filled the clear, cool air. Bored soldiers sat around the open field watching Mushi spar with their General's son. I glanced to my left. Yugi stood there watching Mushi's every move, almost as though he were judging his general.

A rather loud clash of swords brought my attention back to Mushi and Taisho. I watched as Mushi threw my son back once again. He skidded back over twenty feet, his boots not able to get a grip on the frozen ground. Taisho barely kept himself from falling as he stumbled backwards. Using this time to his advantage, Mushi drew his boomerang weapon from its specially made sheath on his back, and threw it at my son. Taisho's eyes widened as he observed the weapon for the first time.

Mushi's weapon let out a small high-pitched whistle as its sharpened inside cut through the air. It spun at such a fast speed the weapon looked like a solid round disk. Panic instantly ran through me as I watched the weapon fly at an amazing speed toward Taisho. Mushi's eyes widened as he realized his mistake too late.

"Taisho, you idiot, get out of the way!" Mushi shouted at my frozen son. Taisho's eyes were wide and his sword slipped from his grip as the weapon approached.

"Taisho!" I shouted as I ran toward him. Every part of my being screamed for me to save my pup, but deep inside I knew I would not make it there in time. It was physically impossible. A strong gust of wind blew through the field, throwing snow everywhere. I was thrown to the ground with the power of it.

I looked up to see Mushi's weapon go flying off course and away from my son. It turned back, as all boomerangs do, and flew back at camp. I watched as Shinsai caught the weapon easily after his many years of knowing Mushi's weapon. Saka stood next to him with his legs spread wide, bending forward. His arms were out with his hands open, fingers spread wide. He was panting heavily.

I let out the breath I was holding, my head falling to rest in the snow as relief took my body. I never knew such fear was possible. My muscles ached now from being so tense in those seconds of pure panic for Taisho.

"Captain!" In an instant, Saka was at my side still panting from the power he had used to call the wind. "Are you alright?"

I nodded and stood. I brushed myself off. "I'm fine." I said slowly as I noted my hands were shaking. I met Saka's gray eyes. "Are you alright?" I asked. "The power that must have taken…"

Saka placed a hand over his face and closed his eyes. He slowed his breathing. "I should be fine in a couple of minutes." He replied, breathlessly. "It's been so long since I used a spell that powerful."

I nodded. "I shall forever be grateful for what you have done, Saka."

Saka smiled and bowed slightly, loose white hairs falling over his shoulders. "It was my honor, my Lady." He said in a lower voice. He straightened. I nodded to him before turning from him to my son.

Taisho was on his knees in the snow, his arms wrapped around himself. His eyes were blank as he stared at the ground. The sword given to him by my father lay in the snow next to him. Mushi was kneeling in front of him, shaking his shoulders trying to get him to respond.

I ran over to them, quickly kneeling next to Taisho. "Taisho." I said gently. His eyes moved slowly to meet Mushi's then moved to mine. I shivered when I saw how lifeless they seemed. He had just experienced the scare of his life. I rested a hand on his cheek. He closed his eyes and let out a shaky breath.

"I'm so sorry." Mushi suddenly blurted out. His voice lowered. "All day I've sparred with older soldiers and they all know my weapon. I didn't realize fast enough that he was new to it. I'm sorry." This was directed at me. Mushi rested a hand on Taisho's shoulder. "Taisho, I…"

Suddenly, my son's eyes hardened. He slapped Mushi's hand away and stood. "Don't apologize." He said, his voice low and cold. Taisho grabbed his sword and pressed it to Mushi's chest. "Fight me."

My eyes widened. "Taisho…!"

Mushi's eyes widened in surprise then he grinned. "Fine by me." He stood slowly, Taisho's sword still to his chest. He took a step back then turned to retrieve his own sword. Once it was in his hand, Mushi turned back to Taisho. With his free hand, he untied the boomerang sheath and tossed it to Shinsai without looking in his direction. "Hey, could you hold that for me?" He asked.

Shinsai nodded. "Yes, General." He sheathed the weapon before securing it to his own back.

Mushi raised his sword and pointed it at my son. "Come on." He said, looking at Taisho slyly. "I have some of my own steam to blow."

Taisho smirked before running at the Northern General. The clearing was filled with a near deafening clang as they locked swords, both of their faces serious and determined. The soldiers watching became more attentive now that the two were being very serious about their sparring match. If I weren't still recovering from shock I would have found the scene amusing. Mushi towered over Taisho by nearly a foot.

Taisho took a quick, powerful step forward forcing Mushi back a step. Mushi's face became amused as he pushed Taisho back two steps. Taisho scowled. Breaking apart suddenly, the two jumped back. Both stared at each other in a readied position, one waiting for the other to make a move. Taisho stood a couple off feet to my left now, and I turned to approach him. I didn't want him in any more battles for the day. My heart was still racing from the incident a couple of minutes before.

"Rook!" Yugi shouted. I turned to him. He was still across the field where I had left him. He motioned with his head for me to come over. I turned to my son, and opened my mouth to speak, but closed it whenever I realized most of the soldiers were watching my every move. I spotted Karcen standing with his group watching me. If I said anything to stop Taisho from fighting it would give Karcen something to use against me. I sighed. With a final glance at my son, I walked back to Yugi.

Without a word, Yugi turned and walked into the forest, his arms still crossed over his chest. I was confused by this action, but still followed him; apparently what he wanted to talk about was private. As we walked I could still hear the match between my son and Mushi. Now, in my absence, the soldiers were cheering on their favorite competitor. I frowned. Did they think I would disapprove?

"Reeka." Yugi said in a low voice. My mind snapped back to Yugi. He was facing me now. His coat blowing in the small amount of wind that made its way into the forest. A silk patch of the Northern crest, about the size of a fist, was sewn in on the upper left side of his coat. I touched my own crest unconsciously as I studied his. "Reeka." Yugi repeated.

Finally, I responded, "Yes?"

Yugi crossed his arms as he studied me before asking, "Have you felt anything from Nasuku through your bond?"

I frowned realizing it. "No, I haven't felt anything." I stated as I tried to connect to Nasuku. "Nothing!" I paused. "Before, he had a throbbing pain in his side that he was transferring some pain through and then the cold, but for some reason there's nothing anymore!" Cold fear filled me. "What's happened to him?" I practically shouted.

Yugi studied me then approached me. "Reeka, calm down." He said as he reached me. "If Nasuku were dead you would know it instantly." He pushed my coat and shirt from my marked shoulder. He studied the mark before pressing his thumb to it. I felt him push a very small amount of his energy into the mark. Instantly, he pulled his hand back. His thumb was burnt. "You're still connected." Yugi said as he studied his injured thumb.

"What just happened?" I asked as Yugi sucked on his thumb for a second.

He shook his hand, whispering, "Ow." Finally, he responded. "When I pressed my energy into the mark, Nasuku felt it and apparently wasn't happy about it." Yugi stared at his thumb. "Yes, he is still very much connected."

I laughed. Yugi grinned.


Nasuku found himself tied to the support beam of a supply tent. It was still uncomfortable to have his hands behind his back, but at least he was out of the snow and wind. He cursed at the clothes he now wore, a rebel uniform. Nata had ordered he wear it while his own clothes dried from the snow so he wouldn't get sick. Nasuku knew he would never see those clothes again.

Nasuku could faintly hear the guards outside his tent talking to one another. His mind couldn't seem to put what they were saying together because of the drugs that Kirkra had stuffed down his throat when his side injury had been discovered. Now everything was a senseless, spinning mess. He couldn't feel most of his body now, and even if he did somehow untie himself, he would barely be able to take two steps before falling.

He sighed. Nata wanted him useless and alive. Just wanted him as a bartering tool.

Nasuku felt a familiar energy enter him through his mate's bond. It wasn't strong, just enough to be noticed; was it a test of some kind? He frowned. Is he testing to see if I'm still alive?

Nasuku sent a small blast of power back though Reeka's mark. Yugi's energy instantly vanished. He smiled. Well I'm still kickin'. Keep away from Reeka.

Suddenly, the flap of his tent was pushed aside and a tall man stepped in. Nasuku put on a hard mask and looked at him. He wore a white porcelain mask that hid his face and a strong smell of herbs followed him, hiding his scent. The man had hard green eyes, and dark green hair too short for a ponytail.

"Nasuku." The mask-man stated.

Nasuku sat up straighter against his pole, raising an eyebrow at him. "Have we met?" He asked trying not to slur his words together from the medicine.

"No." The man answered. "My name is Mugen and I am the next Lord of the North." A quick, sharp laugh escaped Nasuku. Mugen's eyes narrowed. "Is there something funny about that, General?" He asked hotly.

Nasuku shook his head as a late chuckle escaped his lips. "Overconfidence will be your downfall, my lord." The black haired general spat as he met Mugen's glare, his face hard. "My army will defeat you."

Mugen's eyes studied Nasuku; Bruised face, tied hands, spare rebel uniform. "And from what I can see, General, you aren't in much of a position to promise such a thing." The masked man stated. "You cannot promise something you cannot control. Your army is nothing without you."

"Oh, what a praise that was." Nasuku said with a sarcastic cheerfulness. His voice became serious again. "With or without me, my army knows what to do. They are well trained."

"Then where are they?" Mugen questioned. "Why hasn't your wonderful army freed you yet?"

"Because, as it's already been discussed," Nasuku smirked, "they don't need me to defeat you, so no point in risking lives to save something unneeded…They're well trained."

Mugen drew his sword slowly. "Bad move." Instantly the sword was pressed to Nasuku's throat; he raised his chin. "Well, if you are unneeded then I guess there's no point in keeping you as a hostage." Mugen removed his sword and moved it to the side. It came back at a fast speed toward Nasuku's neck.

Instinctively, Nasuku closed his eyes as he waited for his death to come. The sound of metal on wood made him open his eyes. Mugen's sword was deeply buried above his head in the wooden support. "How can your soldiers be well trained when you, yourself, are so foolish." Mugen removed his sword with one quick yank. "Admitting your own uselessness as a hostage. So much for the famous General Nasuku's smarts." He sheathed his sword. "You would be dead right now if I didn't know you were worth something. Even though I am beginning to doubt myself…"

"Brother!" A breathless voice shouted from outside. From the sound of the voice, the owner was completely across the campsite.

Mugen gave Nasuku a mocking bow. "Well, I am being summoned." He said. "My brother has returned and from the sound of it, with some very good information." He turned to leave.

"The North will never belong to anyone but Yugi's royal family." Nasuku said in a low voice after him.

Mugen stopped and laughed before looking at Nasuku over his shoulder. "I never said the royal family wasn't going to rule." Then he left.


"Hazari!" Tarra shouted as she launched herself at the angry captain. She wrapped her arms around his neck with her head on his shoulder. "I missed you!"

Hazari pulled her from him. "What are you doing here, Tarra?" He whispered hotly. "Your mother must be worried sick about you!"

Tarra pulled her long orange hair over her shoulder and messed with it nervously as she fixed her eyes on the ground. "I wanted to be with you." She said shyly.

Hazari stood suddenly, startling Tarra. "Tarra, this is one of the most foolish things you have ever done." His voice was unforgiving. "Do you know how much danger you are in right now?" He demanded. Tarra flinched. "This a war is against the Northern royalty and the Western royalty. The rebels will kill any person found from either. Don't you understand the seriousness of this?"

A tear ran down Tarra's cheek. Hazari noticed and sighed. "You are just a child." He stated as he turned.

"I am not!" Tarra shouted after him.

Hazari spun back to her, irritated. "From what I can see you are!" He nearly shouted. "Stowing away in my bag is nothing more than childish!"

"But the cause is not!" She shouted just as loud as he had. "I did it for love!"

"You do not understand what love is." Hazari shot back. Tarra looked away without responding. "I'm going to get your father." He said as he opened his tent to leave.

"You're just afraid." Tarra's weak voice drifted to Hazari.

He turned as she stood. "What?"

"You're just afraid to accept my love." Tarra responded as she approached him. She cupped his face. "The love of a demon."

Hazari quickly pulled away. "That has nothing to do with it."

"Don't lie to me." Tarra said as she grabbed his hand with hers. Hazari studied their locked hands. "I heard what you said when you carried me in here." Hazari's eyes moved to meet hers. She smiled. "It's not that you can't return my love, you just don't want to. You are afraid that because you are human you are going to bring me an early death, but Hazari you forget, where there is a will there's a way. There are ways around your short life span. My grandfather will find a way to fix it.

"So, before you decide to reject me completely, give me a chance." Tarra finished by letting go of his hand and wrapping her arms around him.

Hazari's eyes were unfocused as he thought over what she had said. Finally, he closed his eyes, sighed, then smiled. He placed a hand on the back of her head and pressed it into his shoulder.

"Alright."


There, done!

Now, should Hazari continue with Tarra or a new character more around his age? Either way I have a working plotline. Another character for Hazari would be human. She'll be in the next chapter even if you guys don't want her to end up with Hazari. She is a part of the plotline.

I need help. Mushi's weapon needs a name. Suggestions? (If it's not just a random Japanese name then include the translation for me. Thanks.)

Review this chapter please! I almost lost my desire to write when no one reviewed and with all of the work I have in High school. It's hard to find the time to write, but if you guys encourage me then I will post more chapters in a shorter amount of time. (And the chapters will be longer.)

Any plot questions? The story is starting to be a little confusing with all of the scene jumps and characters.

REVIEW.