The Exiles

Chapter 11

Rob and Aka left at dawn the following day. As the couple made their way to the stables Aka couldn't contain her joy. She held Rob's hand and looked at him to find him looking at her. When they arrived they found Mariko waiting for them. The old woman hugged them both, and kissed Aka on the cheek. "Aka dear, we have gotten you a wedding gift," Mariko said as she walked with them towards Wind's stall. "Rob, Aka, first of all, congratulations. Ryojo and I are very happy for the both of you. He would be here with Touma and Ujiro, but they had to get back to the farm." As she spoke, Mariko handed the demon a bundle wrapped in a blanket. Aka knelt down and unwrapped the blanket revealing two separate gifts. One was a a leather tunic. As Aka looked at it Mariko spoke. "I hope I got your measurements correct. I've never had to explain to a an armor how large another woman's breasts were. Rob must really enjoy those." Aka smirked, but didn't answer as she picked up the second gift; a wakizashi.

The sheath the sword was in was made of bone and was very ornate with golden glyphs. The hilt of the sword was also crafted of bone. She drew the blade and admired the artistry of the weapon. "Mariko, thank you for the gifts. I am truly appreciative, but you must understand that when I transform I am surrounded by flames. Anything I have on my body that isn't demon crafted is destroyed."

Mariko laughed and said, "Well, the leather will only fit you because of your figure. And the sword was crafted by my grandfather. According to the stories it was crafted from the bones of a demon, so maybe it will be of use to you." Rob lead Wind out and Mariko held out a her hand. We have one final gift. She opened another stall and lead out a smaller pie colored horse and handed the reins over to Aka. "Her name is Petal, and she is easier to control than the ill mannered beast your husband has. She will serve you well. Now go, and return to us once your business is completed."

A week had passed without incident as the couple crossed the plains. Rob and Aka would stop at villages for lodging, other times they would camp. Rob was always sickly about where they stopped; never in the open and always tried to find a place that was defensible. On one such night Aka drew the sword that Mariko had given her. "It's a beautiful weapon," Rob remarked as he put water on to boil.

Aka nodded and said, "I know nothing of swordcraft and the only human weapon I have trained with is the bow, I've always just relied on my claws if an enemy was close. Rob, would you mind teaching me how to use this?" Rob poured her a cup of tea, and then one for himself. As he did he replied, "I'll try, but I'm not skilled with Japanese blades. They'They're very different from Western blades, but what I can teach you I will, and I'll be happy to spar with you."

And so the days went. Riding and sparing during the day with swords, and at night the sparing took on a different context altogether.

RRRRRRRRaaaaawwwwwwwwrrrrr!, the huge bear streaked as it stood on its hind legs. The beast was easily ten feet tall and had claws the length of a short sword. Wind reared and it was all Rob could do to keep the startled horse from bolting. Aka was thrown from Petal as the mare bolted. The monstrous bear leapt forward and Rob drew his sword and swung hard. The steel bounced off the thick hide, the steel ringing as if Rob had used it on a free. He spurred Wind forward as the bear turned. "Wind, tritt!," he shouted. The warhorse kicked as he had been trained, the hooves connecting with the thing's head. He drove the horse forward and wheeled the steed around, and had the satisfaction of seeing the beast shaking its head. Evidently Wind's kick hurt the thing, if only a little.

Everything is spinning, Aka thought as she shook her head clear of the stars behind her eyes. Clllaaaannngggggg! Rob's sword bounced harmlessly off the demonic bear's hide. Aka's eyes widened and she tried to stand as she saw the beast turn towards Rob. She tried to call out his name, but the wind had been knocked out of her. Her chest heaving as she tried to suck in air, Aka watched as Wind kicked the demonic beast in its ugly face. Run away! Her mind screamed even as Rob wheeled the war horse around to face the bear again. Aka finally sucked in some air and shouted as the bear swiped at Rob again. Rob ducked the blow, and swung the bastard sword, again, without effect as the thick hide of the beast protected it better than plate armor. Rob spurred Wind past the great beast again, and as before the monster turned to chase him. Aka took to the air, and thew fire at the bear. The beast roared in rage as the flames singed it's fur. The bear stood on its hind legs again and roared in fury as Aka threw fire again and again. "Rob! Get away from there!," Aka screamed. My fire isn't hurting this thing at all, it's just making it more angry.

Rob looked up at Aka as she taunted the bear with fire and flying bear it just out of reach. Rob tried to disengage from the monster when a terror filled scream came from behind him, followed by a crunch sound. A moment later, a second bear demon appeared dragging Petal's broken corpse in its jaws. The first bear responded to the calls from the second and ignored Aka at that point and charged at Rob.

I have no way out of this; if I'm going to escape I have to get past that beast. Rob unslung his lance and charged at the oncoming bear, the haft of the weapon firmly planted between his body and torso.

ROB! Aka began to throw more fire at the charging bear but stopped as Rob couched his lance and began a counter charge. The second bear began a charge of its own, dropping Petal's broken corpse onto the road. Aka swooped in throwing fire and screeching like a fury.

It was a race to death: demon bear against human knight and horse. The bear roared and swiped at Rob just as he leaned forward in his stirrups. Shhank, CRACK! Once again Rob was able to dodge the lumbering swing as the lance impacted the bear's neck and shoulder. The force was tremendous. The half of the weapon shattered imbedding over a foot of wood and steal into the beast. Unfortunately, the impact was so strong that Rob's right arm and shoulder were injured by the force of the blow. He rode Wind past the now skewered and roaring bear and looked behind him to see the second bear ignoring Aka's flames and she tried to distract the beast. Using his left hand he drew his sword again while guiding Wind his his right. He clenched his teeth against the pain, and when he looked back again he saw the second bear was gaining on him. Wind he knew would tire well before the demonic bear would.

Aka flew down just above the bear and drew her wakizashi. Please work she prayed silently as she swung the blade. The sword connected with the bear to no effect and the beast continued its relentless assault. Aka screamed in rage as she unleashed a fountain of fame and again the bear declined to notice.

Rob looked over his shoulder as Aka shouted and unleashed a torrent of fire over the bear. Rob wheeled Wind around. My only chance is to hit that thing in the eye or maybe the mouth.

With a battle cry Rob charged at the flames as the bear emerged from them. Rob was amazed to see the fire had no more effect than to singe the things fur. He stood in the stirrups and watched Aka throw her sword down and rake her claws onto the bear's back. Blood flew and the beast roared and suddenly stood and swung its claws low in a sweeping ark. Rob's eyes widened at the attack; he knew the only chance he had was to try and jump Wind over the beast. He pulled as hard as he could up on the reigns with his injured arm.

It was not to be, the demonic bear was simply too fast. As Wind lept, the huge paw slammed into the horse's flank.

Aka slashed again and again with her claws at the standing and enraged bear. She heard a scream and saw Wind knocked back through the air, blood flying wide. "ROB!," she screamed as a primal rage seized her heart and mind. Flames flashed around her.

Rob jumped free of the saddle and rolled on the ground to adsorb the shock of the fall. He heard Wind scream, and scream again as the valiant steed hit the ground, thrashing in agony. The huge bear raised both claws over its head and roared and came down towards the battered knight to wrap him in a crushing embrace, its fangs bared. The pain in his arm arm forgotten, Rob gripped his sword with both hands and stabbed upwards with all his might. The blade went through the soft flesh of the thing's snout and driven by the force of the bear's decent and the trust the sword trust upwards and into the bear's skull. Rob was knocked from his feet and rolled again, shouting in pain from the pain on his right shoulder as it hit the hard ground. Snatching his dagger from his belt he saw the bear laying on its side twitching. A bird demon about the side of a pony and covered with flames was shredding the bear's side with beak and claws. The demon looked like Aka's true self, only was much larger than the last time he'd seen her transformed. Unsure as to what was going on Rob called out, "Aka!"

All that she felt was rage. This was her enemy and it had to be killed! Her beak ripped away flesh exposing bone, her legs kicked and she raked flesh from her foe. She flapped her wings, swooshing fire over her enemy, the tender meat under the tough hide blistered and burned…"Aka!" She knew this voice, it was the voice of her mate! "Aka. Aka!"

Aka raised her head, her beak full of flesh and saw Rob, alive, his arms held out wide. The gigantic bird ceased its attack on the now dead bear and lept from the carcas flapping her wings as fire rolled over her. Aka, naked, rushed to Rob and hugged him as she broke into tears. Rob held her with his left arm, his right hanging limply at his side. He surveyed the battlefield and his heart clenched at the sight. He killed Aka on the forehead and said, "Come love. There's yet a task for us to do."

Aka let go, and Rob started to walk to Wind. The demon followed and her heart broke to see the sight before her. Wind was gasping for breath, his rear legs broken, his thigh ripped and bloody by the demon bear's claws. She looked back at the other bear and it was still down, roaring, pierced through by the broken spear. She knelt by Rob who was scratching the faithful horse's head. His voice broke as he said, "I'll miss you boy." Aka rested a hand on the fallen horse as Rob drew his dagger and cut Wind's throat. There was a final squeal, a kick, and then nothing.

"Oh well done," came a youthful voice from behind. Rob and Aka looked back towards the two bear demons.

Floating above the battleground was what appeared to be a young boy. He had shoulder length white hair, and was wearing white held a glaive that was easily slice his size with a single hand. "I had planned to use those two to ambush Inuyasha, but watching you two was most entertaining. And there is the extra bonus of you," the boy shaped demon said as he stared at Aka. "I thought that my master Naraku and his demons had wiped all of you phoenix demons out. I am quite pleased to see at least one of you survived. Your powers of resurrection could be quite useful to me, and all I need is to drain every drop of your blood to get them!"

Rob limped to the slain bear and retreated his sword, and Aka stayed behind him as he did so. "Just who the hell are you," she said, a hint of fear in her voice. "You are with Naraku, the bastard who killed Queen Tekkei and Princess Abi? Who is responsible for wiping out my entire tribe?!"

"Didn't I just say that? Are you deaf?" The boy said as he raised his weapon.

"It is customary to intrude yourself before a duel. I am Robert Reese, Knight Templar of the kingdom of England, husband to the Lady Aka. I will not allow you to harm her."

The child like demon laughed and raises his weapon as he prepared to strike. Suddenly , a red clad figure burst forth from the foliage with a massive two handed sword! "Hakudoshi! Bastard! Wind Scar!"

Rob watched in stunned amazement as a wave of what he took to be lightning struck the demonic figure, breaking him into pieces. His floating dismembered head shouted, "Damn you Inuyasha!," as it vanished.

Rob held his sword in a guard position as Inuyasha's other companions appeared. "Damn, he escaped," the half demon was saying. Miroku looked over at Rob and Aka and did a double take as her nakedness registered. Sango, Kagome, and Shippo were stepping onto the road and Inuyasha for the first time paid the duo any attention, realizing that Aka was nude as Miroku headed towards Rob and Aka, obviously enjoying the view.

"Hey get some clothes on," Inuyasha shouted. Kagome covered Shippo's eyes and Sango was standing stunned as Miroku advanced on Aka.

"I recognize you," Aka snarled. "I will not bare you a child, advert your eyes you make me feel filthy with your lustful eyes!"

"Miroku," Sango called out to the monk as Rob stood between her and the newcomers, his sword in his left hand. "If you even try to touch her monk," I'll slice you balls to brains and see what you're made of." Rob's normally calm voice was no more than a growl. "Now advert your eyes till the lady can get dressed."