Lords of the Night

by Winterzforgotten

They called him pup as he was still a child in the eyes of his elders. Little did they know that one day he would become the great Inu no Taishō. One day his name would be spoken throughout all of Japan and everyone would know his name and it would be uttered in fear. But he was still a child, no more than 12. His power still locked away, sleeping within. This is his journey.

25. Chapter 25: An Emotional Ride

Chapter Twenty-Five

An Emotional Ride

He released a groan and blinked a few times before opening his eyes fully. He heard loud clanging from over on his left somewhere, but his vision was blurry and he couldn't make out anything to pin point his location or who was standing only a foot away from him. His nose immediately caught the scent of a human and he released a loud growl in warning.

A cup pressed to his lips and he jerked back out of the cups range, but a very young and soft voice whispered. "It's okay, it is only water."

Seihomaru cleared his throat, and blinked a few more times, scrunching his face as he tried to focus on the girls face who was now only inches from his own. "Who-?" He croaked.

"I found you in the river." The girl spoke softly, seemingly to know about his sensitive hearing.

Seihomaru closed his eyes and groaned again. His head ached, and it felt as though every muscle in his body had tightened and would not release. The cup pressed against his mouth again, and his nose sniffed at the liquid before allowing the cooling drink to pass his lips. It was indeed water, so he allowed the girl to give him as much as she would allow.

Was he somehow a prisoner? He wasn't even sure what exactly had happened. Seihomaru remembered reaching out for Nii and then being pulled over the cliff, but he couldn't remember anything after that. 'Taizo?'

There was no response from his youki and he frowned opening his eyes again. His eyes were able to focus slightly on the girls face. She appeared to be only eight or nine years old, and definitely human. The girl pulled something from her side and placed it beside him, and he wrinkled his nose at the stench. It was some sort of perfumed stick that emitted a thin tendril of smoke in his direction. Seihomaru's golden eyes landed on it and he snarled, barring his teeth at her.

She stood up and walked away, and once again became nothing more than a blur to him. Seihomaru attempted to lift his arm to wipe his eyes, or knock that stick over, but his muscles would not respond to what he wanted to do. What he really needed was to find out what happened, where he was, and who the girl was. He also needed to find out why his youki wasn't responding to him.

Closing his eyes, he focused on his pools and forced his way to them. He opened his eyes the minute the air cleared and he sat up, glancing around the pools for signs of his youki. "Taizo?" He called out.

His eyes fell onto a hand on the other side of the tree and he quickly scrambled to his feet, racing over to the motionless form of his youki. Seihomaru climbed onto the small island that housed his tree and walked around to where Taizo was. His youki was breathing shallowly, eyes closed and unresponsive.

"Taizo?" He knelt down beside his youki, afraid to touch him because he was leaning against the tree, and he remembered the warning Taizo had given him about touching it. Grabbing his youki's foot, he pulled Taizo away from the tree and his youki fell back onto the ground without a sound. Crawling forward on his knees, Seihomaru leaned over and peered into the ghostly face of Taizo, suddenly afraid that something was very wrong. "Oie!" He placed both his hands on Taizo's chest and shook him gently.

Lifting his gaze, he looked around the pools, looking for anything that would have caused this. His tree was still vibrant and growing, his pools didn't appear to be any different than his former visits, and the darkness around the area was the same. "Damn it!" He cursed. "What is wrong with you?" His gold gaze fell onto Taizo's pale face again. It was as though his youki was having difficulty breathing, but his tree would have signaled an injury had he broken anything in his fall. Then his eyes widened as it suddenly dawned on him.

"It's that damn scent stick!" He snarled sharply. "Hang on, Taizo."

Seihomaru gathered his feet and pushed Taizo back into connection with the tree so that at least a part of his youki was touching it, and he ran back into the pools to wake himself.

His eyes snapped open and he glanced around the area for signs of that little girl. Seeing nothing in the small snow covered clearing, he shifted his head sluggishly to the side to stare at the still smoking object. Seihomaru grit his teeth together and tried everything to move his hands, but it was as though he were frozen in place. A sudden thought came to him then, something he should have remembered but had somehow forgotten in the whole mess he found himself in.

'Nii? Shuzo?' He called out, but no reply came. Had Taizo closed the communication portal somehow, that prevented him from speaking with his friend? Realizing that it was a distinct possibility, Seihomaru closed his eyes again with a grunt of annoyance. Urging every muscle in his body to move, Seihomaru realized that he must have looked like a wriggling fish on dry water, only able to move his head and shoulders. Had he somehow managed to break his back and that was the reason why he couldn't move?

Seihomaru opened his eyes and glanced down at himself, searching for any signs that he had been severely injured in the fall. Was his back broken and the stick was actually helping in healing his injuries? Wrinkling his nose at the sickly sweet stench that the stick gave off, he couldn't fathom any healing aid being as repulsive as that. Not only that, but his tree inside the pools would have indicated a serious injury. Narrowing his eyes and staring at his foot, he barred his teeth as he focused on moving it. His toe twitched, but his leg wouldn't move.

Releasing a loud snarl into the air, Seihomaru furrowed his brow and moved his head to the opposite side of the scent stick. His eyes fell onto a small bowl beside his head and he wiggled his nose at it. It was another smell object of some sort, filled with another stinky substance. All around him he saw small paper with some sort of cursive script on it and he released another growl. Allowing his gaze to sweep over the clearing again to ensure he was in fact alone, he let his hearing pick up any sounds that would indicate someone hiding or watching.

Turning his head back to the side, satisfied that he was in fact alone, he used his chin to tip the small stink pot over, spilling the fluid into the snow. Wrinkling his nose at the stench, he glanced down at his arms, which were unbound at his sides. So he wasn't tied or chained up. Nodding to himself, which felt like an actual nod, but was only a small inching movement of his head, Seihomaru used his teeth to rip a piece of bark off the tree root right beside his head. Taking a deep breath, he tried to gain some momentum with his head to try and use the bark to knock over the scent stick. If that was what was causing his paralysis and his youki's unconscious state, he needed to figure out how to get rid of it.

Flabbergasted at how he managed to get himself into situations like this, Seihomaru sniffed angrily. He flung his head over to the left, bringing the piece of bark over as he did, and it hit the scent stick slightly. Narrowing his eyes, he turned his head and flipped his head to the side again. Doing this over and over several times, he finally saw the stick fall into the snow, and melt its way further into it, dousing the smoke.

Now he just had to wait for the smokes effects to erase from his system. Not sure how long that would take, Seihomaru grit his teeth together, trying every few seconds to move his hand. Finally his fingers twitched and he grinned, now more eager to get the hell out of where ever it was he was currently trapped in.

He struggled, sluggishly for several minutes, before he was able to push himself into an upright position, and Seihomaru stood up unsteadily, cursing at the sharp pain that shot up his leg the minute he put pressure on it. Glancing down, he realized it had injured himself, but it wasn't anything serious enough to prevent him from moving.

Clenching his teeth, he made to take a step outside the ring of paper and jerked back startled as he was shocked by an invisible field of some sort. Frowning, he reached his hand out and barred his teeth at the barrier. Releasing a sharp snarl, Seihomaru focused on his poison ability and began melting the pieces of paper surrounding him, and indeed keeping him prisoner like a trapped dog.

Once the papers were melted, he narrowed his eyes and took a gingerly step outside of the ring they had created. Satisfied that they could no longer hinder his movements, Seihomaru glanced around the clearing quickly, before his eyes fell onto his pack, boots and weapon by a tree. Sprinting over to them, he gathered his belongings put his boots on and ran out of the area as quickly as his legs could take him. He had run maybe half an hour before he slowed to a walk, and looked around the snow covered area for a place he could rest and revisit his pools. Whatever that stink stick had been, it had effected Taizo so much that he still did not respond to him.

His other problem was he needed to find the others who had also fallen from the cliff and then rejoin their group who more than likely had already started a search party. Shaking his head, Seihomaru glanced up into the thin canopy of trees, and grunted as there were no longer any leaves to hide among. Shaking his head, Seihomaru glanced at a small section of up turned earth near a tree and walked over to it curiously. Glancing inside the small hole, he sniffed to make sure it wasn't an animals den, before he crawled into it to inspect it more closely.

Nodding that it would do, he crawled back out of the hole and quickly used a tree branch to cover his tracks, just in case that girl came looking for him. Once satisfied that his tracks were no longer there, he pulled himself back into the hole and closed his eyes.

Sitting up, he looked back at the tree and walked over to his youki who appeared to be unconscious still. Frowning, he touched Taizo's shoulder and shook him. "Oie?"

He earned himself a faint groan, and a slight movement from his youki. "Taizo, wake up."

Another groan erupted from his youki and finally the ice blue eyes opened slowly, a frown marring the youki's forehead. 'Seiho?'

Seihomaru nodded and sat back, allowing Taizo some room to regain his movement and sit up. His youki glanced around the pools then back at Seihomaru with a raised brow. "It's okay now. I was able to get away from the smell stick that was the cause of all this."

Taizo blinked and glanced around the pools, then lifted his gaze to the tree, frowning deeper. 'What the hell happened?'

Seihomaru shook his head. "I really don't know. I woke up and saw a human girl, who had some sort of smell thing that I can only assume rendered you unconscious." He sat back on his heels. "I was unable to move until I got rid of the scent."

Taizo looked down and frowned. 'Sounds like a priest ability. Are you certain it was a girl?'

Seihomaru shrugged. "I couldn't really see much. My vision was blurry either from whatever she was using, or from hitting my head in the fall."

Taizo peered at Seihomaru closely, and saw the large bump on his head near the hairline. The silver hair was tinted slightly pinkish from the blood that had seeped out. His ice blue gaze swept over the tree again and he pushed to his feet. Walking over to the tree slightly unsteadily, Taizo placed his hand on the trunk and closed his eyes.

Seihomaru watched in fascination as the tree began to glow and flow into Taizo. He winced slightly and placed his hand on his forehead where the ache came from and blinked when his hand came back wet with his blood. "What the hell?"

Taizo opened his eyes and glanced at his host. 'She did something to the cut to stop it from bleeding. It certainly isn't a natural thing, so I removed it. Now it can heal.'

"You are so weird." Seihomaru peered at his youki who gave him a smile.

'Weird is a new one.' Taizo grinned, turning back to his host and kneeling in front of him. 'Let me look at your leg.'

Seihomaru raised a brow confused. "My leg?"

'Yes, your leg.' Taizo reached his hand out and tugged at the leg pushing the hakama up to inspect the injury. 'You twisted some ligaments.'

Seihomaru nodded. "Figured as much. At least no broken bones this time, or getting out of that clearing would have been more difficult."

Taizo nodded and placed his hands over the swollen ankle, focusing some energy into it. 'Were you able to get away far enough for her to not follow you?'

Seihomaru nodded. "Unless she has some kind of magical ability to follow several miles away. I hid my tracks too, just in case."

'Was she alone?' Taizo asked, looking up into Seihomaru's golden eyes.

"I have no idea. I only saw her, so I assume as much."

Taizo nodded and sat back on his heels. 'She used ofuda on you.'

"A what now?" Seihomaru blinked stupidly at his youki.

Taizo chuckled. 'Ofuda, a priests tool to purify or subdue a youkai.'

"Oh, you mean those useless pieces of paper with script all over them?" Seihomaru rolled his eyes and waved his hand. "I melted those with my poison."

Taizo snorted and shook his head. 'I like you more and more everyday.'

"I feel as though that was meant as a compliment, but for some reason it felt as though its a chore." Seihomaru glared at his youki.

'You are a handful, but certainly not a chore. Take it as a compliment. I rarely find a host I actually enjoy spending time with, and like training.' Taizo gave a soft smile.

"Gee thanks." Seihomaru grunted.

Taizo glanced at his host and reached his hands out for his face. Seihomaru frowned but remained still as Taizo peered deep into his eyes. 'Do not move.' He whispered closing his eyes. Seihomaru felt energy fill him, and almost jerked back when images flooded his mind. Gasping, he saw a youthful Taizo sitting with several tall and almost ethereal beings, and a remarkably beautiful woman laughing. They were seated around a grey table, speaking to one another, but Seihomaru couldn't make out any words.

The images shifted to Taizo inspecting a tree, staring at it, angrily. From behind the youki, Seihomaru saw a furious youkai shouting at Taizo about something, but the words were also lost. He gulped when the image shifted to a portal opening up in the pools, blanketing everything in a bright white light, and that angry youkai walking towards it.

Image after image filled his mind, and he realized that Taizo was sharing his life with former hosts with him. Seihomaru felt a tear fall from his eye and land on his cheek when he saw his father, standing before the great white dog that was Taizo. Kazuki was young, maybe only a year younger than he was. The dog pushed Kazuki over with his nose and the youth stood up and shook a finger at the large white beast.

The images stopped then and Taizo sat back on his heels again, but his hands still held his face.

Seihomaru blinked at stared into those mesmerizing ice blue eyes in stunned silence, his emotions so intense and clustered, he didn't know how he should feel. Taizo lowered one of his hands, grabbed his and placed it on his cheek, with a smile. 'I swore after Kazuki, I would never bring myself to form another bond with a host.' He began.

"We have a bond." Seihomaru frowned, swallowing some of his emotions down.

'We do, but this one-' Taizo bit into Seihomaru's wrist, then bit into his own. Seihomaru winced at the sharp bite, and watched as Taizo drew patterns with his blood in the island they sat on. Raising an eyebrow curiously, he saw those patterns form on his arms, and he blinked surprised lifting his arms to his field of vision. His arms felt heavy and Taizo reached out for them, drawing his own blood onto the skin where the markings appeared. Taizo then drew those marks onto his own arms, and placed them beside Seihomaru's and watched as the silver white marks seemed to shimmer and glow with energy.

"What-?" Seihomaru whispered, watching as the marks seemed to reach out and touch. He then felt an overwhelming flood of emotions enter him, everything from happiness, to sadness, grief, fear, shame, courage, trust, envy and so many more he had to shake his head. His heart seemed to ache and fill with every emotion Taizo felt, and he gulped, lifting startled eyes at his youki.

Taizo smiled and wrapped his arms around himself, closing his eyes tightly. 'I had been thinking on this long and hard. You surprise me, you encourage me, you give me hope and something to anxiously look forward to, something I have only felt in one other host.' Taizo opened his icy blue eyes and started into his golden ones. 'I do not want you to be hindered because of our lack of a bond. I want you to grow to your full potential and become greater than any of my former hosts.'

"You formed an emotional bond with me." Seihomaru whispered.

'I did.' His youki confirmed. 'I also linked our life force as one. I dropped whatever barriers between us, and in doing so allows you to grow even more.'

"What does that mean?"

'That if you die, I die also.' Taizo looked at him.

"Wouldn't you go to any pups I have?"

Taizo shook his head. 'Not with this bond. Your youki, the one you had since birth that is now part of your tree of life would go to any pups you have.'

"But what will happen to you if I die?" Seihomaru swallowed.

'I return to where I was born.' Taizo smiled. 'This bond will allow you to grow, Seihomaru. In order for that to happen, where if you meet and face all challenges before you and surpass your own expectations, you must have no barriers to prevent that growth. This means that because I am a daiyoukai's spirit, yours, you have that capability to be one. All daiyoukai must make a sacrifice to grow to that level.'

"And that sacrifice is you?" Seihomaru breathed. "I don't accept that."

Taizo chuckled softly. 'Because I am a greater spirit, I have surpassed all that I can in this life. Now I help you grow, achieve your goals, and assist you in controlling your power.'

"Taizo-" Seihomaru whispered, but was cut off when the youki placed his finger on his lips. Taizo shook his head.

'I have lived my life to the fullest. My task with you now is to help you grow.' Taizo touched his forehead to Seihomaru's.

"Damn you, Taizo." Seihomaru blinked back the tears in his eyes. That emotional bond was playing havoc on his senses. "I don't want to be a daiyoukai." He whispered.

'Whether you want to or not, the gods deemed you worthy to be one. Once your own youki had been released and pushed his energy into me, it was sealed in stone. Now you just need to grow. Besides, you will need that power to defeat many enemies that come your way.' Taizo sighed. 'This is something even I cannot prevent. The gods want you to be one and their will is unbreakable.'

Seihomaru wiped his eyes, and grunted. "Why am I so worthy to be in such high standing with them? I have achieved no important goals, or grown up fully. Who am I?"

Taizo smiled. 'You are the son of one of their own.'

Seihomaru frowned. "You are talking about Kazuki."

Taizo nodded. 'If he were still alive today, he would have surpassed his own expectations and become greater than possibly Ryukotsusei. Because he died before he could evolve as a daiyoukai, it fell to me and now to you.'

"So what do you mean he is the son of one of their own?" Seihomaru still didn't fully understand what his youki was trying to tell him.

'Kazuki lived a long time, far longer than most youkai do. He is the descendant of a god, Seiho, as are you.'

"I thought most youkai were a descendant of a god in one aspect or another."

'Most, not all. Think of it this way, an elder is someone who was given a life here, to live and reach goals that most did not acquire. They fell and did not become worthy. Others, those who became daiyoukai surpassed the gods expectations and thus house the power the gods wanted them to have in the first place.' Taizo shook his head. 'We were given to youkai to help them grow into greater beings that walk this earth, guide and teach our hosts how to become far better than what most have resorted to.'

"I think I would rather have you guide whatever pups I have, rather than to be a daiyoukai." Seihomaru lowered his head.

'This is something you can grow to. It isn't handed to you.' Taizo chuckled.

"I realize that. But if I had a choice, I would pick you over becoming one." Seihomaru gave Taizo a half smile, knowing that his fate was already sealed. "Have you felt anything from Nii or Shuzo?"

Taizo raised a brow in surprise. 'Right, I had closed the portal because I didn't want to accidentally speak while you two were in the shadow realm.' He waved his hand to his left and Seihomaru saw a slight wavering in the air. 'Oie? Anyone awake in there?'

'Oh, thank the gods!' Nii's voice erupted through the area. 'Seihomaru?'

'I am here.' Seihomaru turned wide eyes to Taizo who chuckled. The pools filled with Nii's voice and to him it felt as though the shadow guard was standing right beside him.

'Where the hell are you?'

'To be honest, I have no idea.' Seihomaru shook his head and smiled.

'Well don't move. Saza found me and a few others not long ago. They left to continue the search.'

'Were you injured?'

'A little, nothing I can't heal through.' Nii chuckled. 'You?'

'A little. A bump on the head and a swollen ankle.'

'I let Heisuke and Eiichi know that you are alright, they said to stay put.'

'Hard to go anywhere when I am sitting in my pools.'

'My pools.' Taizo corrected. Seihomaru rolled his eyes, giving his youki a smile.

'Let them know that there is a priest around my location.' Seihomaru informed Nii.

'Oh, fun.' Nii scoffed. 'We are coming to get you. I don't think you would have gone too far from where we are currently. Unless you were dragged further downstream.'

"So how do I let them know where I am, without alerting the priestess to my location?" Seihomaru glanced at Taizo curiously.

'Um-carefully?'

"That's helpful." Seihomaru glared at Taizo who grinned widely. "Thank you."

'No problem.' The youki's ice blue eyes twinkled merrily.

"Jack ass."

Taizo nodded. 'I get that a lot. Your father called me that every chance he got.'

Seihomaru rolled his eyes. "I bet he did." He laughed. "I should wake and listen for them."

Taizo nodded. 'Keep your ears open for that priestess. I really don't want to be rendered unconscious again.'

Seihomaru nodded and stood. "Did you close the communication portal again?"

'No, they are listening.' Taizo grinned.

Seihomaru heard Nii's snicker and Shuzo's snort.

'Touching relationship.' Shuzo snickered.

Seihomaru shared a look with Taizo before he shook his head and headed out of the pools.

Seihomaru opened his eyes and glanced around the little hole he had climbed in. So far he had gone unnoticed by anyone who might have been searching for him. Crawling on his hands and knees to peer outside the little hiding spot, he glanced first left, then right to make sure it was clear. He lifted his eyes and glanced at the surrounding area, trying to find some sort of marker that he could give to Nii to relay his exact location. His eyes landed on a strange looking tree, embedded into the side of the mountain at such a strange angle, he grinned.

'Nii, tell them to look for a tree sticking out of the side of the mountain. You can't miss it, looks like a decapitated human reaching out to hug someone.' Seihomaru rolled his eyes when Taizo howled in laughter at his description.

'Tell me I'm wrong.' Seihomaru pressed his lips together, flushing in embarrassment.

'Oh, you are not wrong. It is such a vivid description.' Taizo chuckled. 'But look at all the trees around the mountain. Bit difficult for them to see that particular one which is smack right in the middle of the others.'

Seihomaru pursed his lips staring at the trees but he had to agree, it really wasn't a helpful marker point. He frowned and glanced around the area. 'A little help here would be great.' He grumbled to Taizo.

'Look to your right.'

Seihomaru did still frowning.

'A bit more, now look up.' Taizo snickered.

Seihomaru's eyes fell onto a very old rickety bridge which had twisted and almost fallen due to age. It spanned across to the other side of the river, hanging by one rope, swinging back and forth in the wind that now had died down to almost nothing. 'Ah. Can you see an old broken bridge spanning across the river between the mountains?'

'I see it. About a mile from where we are.' Nii confirmed. 'Hold tight, we are on our way.'

Seihomaru sat down on a tree root and glanced around the area. The path sat just on his left, behind him sat the mountain, and the forest spanned in all directions. Snow covered every part of the forest floor, and blanketed the trees making everything seem almost surreal. Smiling to himself, he allowed his eyes to take in the nature. No bugs were heard, very few birds chirped. It appeared as though winter had finally hit. To his annoyance, his feet were actually cold and wet. Flexing his hands, he realized that they were also a tiny bit stiff from the cold that came with winter.

He pulled his fur around his frame and dug his chin and mouth into it, allowing his nose to poke out of the white that now covered half his face. He heard Taizo chuckle and he raised his brow. 'What are you laughing at?'

'Not a thing.' Taizo snickered.

Seihomaru could feel the amusement from his youki, which threw him off. His eyes could actually see the wavering form of Taizo leaning against a tree to his immediate right and he raised his brows in surprise. 'I can see you.' He whispered.

Taizo's wavering form pushed away from the tree and smirked at him.

'You can see who?' Nii questioned confused.

'Me.' Taizo chuckled.

'Oh. You made a complete bond?' Nii questioned, the approval evident in his voice.

'We did.' Taizo confirmed.

Seihomaru furrowed his brow and watched Taizo move around the small area, seemingly inspecting the branches and trees. He wasn't entirely sure if his youki was seeing what was actually in his physical world, or if he was inspecting the pools. Shrugging, he listened to the cracking of the forest as the cold seeped into the bark, and the almost crunching sounds from the forest as small animals wandered around.

Taizo's wavering form walked over to him and bent down to peer into his eyes, and Seihomaru leaned back blinking. 'Why are you out here where I can see you?' He questioned curiously.

'Because I can?' Taizo snorted. 'I find this very interesting.'

'What?'

'Being outside the pools, seeing what you see, but in a more physical sense.'

Seihomaru shook his head. 'Could you not before?'

Taizo glanced at him and nodded. 'Sort of, but not like this. I never really left the pools before.' His youki sat down beside him on the log. 'I find this fascinating. If it bothers you, however, I can go back.'

Seihomaru glanced over at Taizo and saw the longing on his youki's face, but he could also feel how much the ethereal being wanted to be outside. 'It's fine. Be careful though. I do not want anything to happen to you.'

Taizo gave him a grateful smile. 'It's not like I can go far.' For emphasis his youki lifted what appeared to be a red string that was attached to both of them.

'That isn't what I meant.' Seihomaru narrowed his eyes.

'I know.' Taizo grunted. 'I will be careful, you have my word.'

'And don't get any ideas about taking over my body.'

Taizo laughed. 'Trust me, I will not be making that same mistake twice. I learned my lesson the first time.'

Seihomaru could actually feel the shudder running through his youki as he recalled the memory. Another twenty minutes went by when finally, Seihomaru could hear the approaching steps of his clansmen. He stood and watched for them and they rounded the bend, having picked up his scent.

Nervously, Seihomaru glanced at Taizo who walked over beside him. 'They can't see you, can they?'

'No.'

'Are you sure? Saza saw you when you left my pools to help Shuzo.'

'Oh, right. Forgot about that. It was different, because I was more physically outside your pools then. I am still in your pools, but kind of not.'

Seihomaru narrowed his eyes as he peered at Taizo. 'That is not a helpful description.'

'Seihomaru, do you see me?' Shuzo grunted, chuckling softly.

The young lord looked up to where Nii was, and glanced around searching for Shuzo. 'No.'

'Then there is your answer. I am always outside Nii's pools, but I can still see his tree, and his essence within, I can move back and forth between them effortlessly, and maintain his life force.' Shuzo began. 'If I choose for anyone to see me, it is because of a stronger bond and trust that is given. You see me because I allow you to see me.' Suddenly Seihomaru caught sight of Nii's youki hovering close to the shadow guard. The amusement on Shuzo's face caused Seihomaru to shake his head. Taizo stood up with a frown and glanced over curiously. He warily went into sight and both youki paused and blinked a moment, before they glanced at their hosts for confirmation that it was alright. Not sure if Nii or Seihomaru knew it yet, but whatever bond they had made, allowed both youki to have full view of one another. Shuzo frowned and Taizo grinned, waving excitedly.

This was a whole new world for Taizo to explore and he wasn't about to waste any of it. The fact he could see Shuzo was probably because he had touched him during the battle, but he wasn't certain.

Shuzo rolled his eyes at the enthusiasm that Taizo displayed, remembering all too well how his first experience being outside the pools had been. When Nii had given permission for him to wander outside the pools, telling him that it was more efficient that way, he had been ecstatic and just as excited. Now for him, it was an everyday thing. Shuzo certainly didn't waste any time with being out of the pools, and he never took it for granted, knowing that at anytime Nii could force him back to the soul chamber for many different reasons.

'Can all youki do that?'

'They can if they have a completed bond.' Nii walked over to him and they gripped one another's hand in greeting.

'So how come you could leave my pools to help Shuzo out?' Seihomaru nodded to Heisuke who walked over to him, glancing over him for injury.

'That is why that was slightly different. I actually left your pools. Now that our bond is complete, I do not have to leave them to be out of them.' Taizo shook his head.

'Most of the time, the hosts do not give permission for their youki to be outside, like Shuzo, or now Taizo. It is dangerous, as you found out during the battle.' Nii tried to explain.

'Well just make sure you go back in if we encounter any youkai.' He instructed Taizo who nodded in agreement.

'This is going to be so exciting.' Taizo exclaimed, his excitement very evident on his face and flowing through him in waves of emotions.

'Good grief.' Seihomaru snorted.

Nii gave him a wide grin. "Now, do we go in search of Saza and the others? Or do we wait here?"

"Probably not best to remain here. I was held captive by a priestess, and she had used something to keep me from moving." Seihomaru glanced behind him, down the path he had come from.

'Ofuda.' Taizo filled in. 'Oh, and that stinky stick thing, as you called it.'

"Ofuda, and some scent pot and stick." Seihomaru corrected.

"Fantastic." Heisuke grumbled. "Alright, let's head back to our former location. Saza will go back there once he has completed his search."

Nii nodded in agreement. "He said he would return to that spot every few hours, if he was unable to find anyone else. To keep us updated."

Seihomaru nodded and wrapped his fur more tightly around his frame. "I would like to get into some dry clothes as well." He glanced at Nii who was in a different set of clothing, minus his new haori which seemed to have dried and mended itself.

"All mine are wet, but by the fire where the rest of our clan is. They might be dry by the time we get back." Nii glanced at Seihomaru. "They might be a little big, but they won't be nearly as much as if you took someone else's."

Seihomaru nodded and followed Heisuke and the half a dozen who had accompanied him and Nii. "My feet are soaked." He whispered to Nii, who nodded and peered down.

"You are limping." Nii frowned.

Seihomaru snorted. "It is only a sprain. It isn't something that will hinder me."

Nii blinked. "Alright. If it gets sore, let me know. We can rest if it becomes too much."

They both stopped however, when they caught sight of their youki, who were standing face to face just in front of them. It appeared as though they were inspecting one another, and Nii and Seihomaru glanced at each other confused.

'What are you two doing?'

'Inspecting one another.' Shuzo snickered.

'You can see each other?'

Taizo and Shuzo shared a look and chuckled. 'You are surprised by this?'

'How?'

'You two shared our name and created a bond.' Shuzo grunted.

'I am surprised to see Seihomaru's youki more so.' Nii glanced Taizo over and then at Seihomaru. 'Almost the same, although I see a lot of Kazuki in your youki.'

Taizo nodded. 'Seiho's and my bond is still fairly new. I suppose I take on my new hosts image eventually.' He shrugged not really knowing. 'As I stated before, I have no idea what I look like.'

Nii rolled his eyes. 'There is a river over there that you can look into so you can see.'

'Meh.' Taizo waved his hand, not all that interested.

'Can you see Hana's youki too?' Nii lifted a brow.

'Of course not. You haven't created a bond with her yet.' Shuzo scoffed.

'Then how do you know she is my soul mate?' Nii frowned.

'Because I have felt her aura before. She draws my focus and it is more an instinctual sense.' Shuzo shook his head, giving a sigh.

"Are you two quite done?" Heisuke glanced back at them, having stopped his walking when he realized they weren't following.

Seihomaru glanced over at him with a surprised look laughing. "Whoops."

Nii gave a sheepish grin and they both sprinted over to the waiting group.

Heisuke shook his head and continued to lead the way through the forest path. They finally approached a small sandy area with a cave just off the path, and many of their members glanced up.

Seihomaru nodded to his clansmen who greeted him, relief washing over their faces. Eiizou and Eiichi sat beside one another, tending to Masahiro who had a nasty gash on his arm. Nii gave him an apologetic smile and sat beside the older youkai. "I still feel guilty about that."

Seihomaru raised a brow curiously.

Masahiro chuckled softly. "His dagger caught my arm when he knocked into me."

Nii shook his head. "I took my dagger out to stop our fall, but it just so happened that Masahiro put his arm where the mountain rock was supposed to be."

"It's fine. It is healing nicely." Masahiro laughed. "Anyone else get swept down river?"

Seihomaru sighed. "I didn't see anyone else where I had been. Hopefully it was only myself."

Eiizou looked at him. "No signs of Traylaymaru?"

"Did he get caught up in it too?"

"I suspect as much."

"Anyone else injured?"

"A few bumps and bruises, couple fractured limbs. Nothing serious." Eiichi grumbled. "Kazuhisa and Traylaymaru are still missing."

Heisuke approached them. "I also have a few missing. Those who were not swept in the snow banks are still up top."

"Avalanche." Came a voice from their left.

Seihomaru whipped around and grinned broadly as Traylaymaru came into sight. He limped and his progress was slow. Instantly, Seihomaru moved forward and wrapped his arm around the older youkai. "Here." He helped the dark-haired youkai into a sitting position beside a tree.

Traylaymaru nodded his thanks. "Kazuhisa went down with me, but I couldn't find him."

"You didn't see anyone else?" Seihomaru asked, bending down to inspect Traylaymaru's injuries.

Traylaymaru shook his head. He bit back a growl when Seihomaru touched his leg. "Busted my leg in the fall."

Seihomaru nodded and pushed the dark-haired youkai's hakama up to inspect the wound. The bone didn't break through the skin, but it protruded out awkwardly. His nose immediately picked up Saza's scent and he glanced over. "Saza." The concern on his captains face was enough to let him know that Kazuhisa was still missing. Glancing at Traylaymaru again, he frowned. "Where did you end up?"

"Over there." Traylaymaru pointed deeper into the forest. "I searched for Kazuhisa, but I found no signs."

Seihomaru looked at Saza. "No word from his youki?"

Saza shook his head, glancing in the direction Traylaymaru pointed in. Allowing his eyes to fall onto Seihomaru, he raised a brow curiously and silently.

"I am fine. Take a couple with you and go search for him. Be aware, though, that there is a priest around. I was further down that way, because the river washed me downstream." Seihomaru pointed in the direction he had been in.

Saza bowed gratefully and began making his way first in the direction Traylaymaru had pointed.

"I said, take a couple with you." Seihomaru growled. "You will not go alone."

Saza nodded, and pointed at a couple of his guards who stood close by. They grabbed their weapons and followed Saza out of the small clearing.

"We need to set your leg." Seihomaru glanced down at the broken limb the dark-haired youkai had.

Heisuke walked over and knelt down. "I can do it. Go get some dry clothes on. You are shivering."

Seihomaru threw a grin to the older guard and pushed to his feet. "Thank you." He made his way into the cave and saw Nii digging through his pack, pulling out a few items. The shadow guard looked over his shoulder when Seihomaru entered and he held out a pair of dark green hakama. Nii also pulled out a set of tabi socks for him. "If you want to change out of your boots, I do have an extra set of zori sandals you can use."

Seihomaru took the hakama and tabi, nodding his thanks. "This should suffice. I can put my boots by the fire for now and let them dry out."

"Your fur is soaked. You should get out of your armor and that fur and put it by the fire." Nii glanced over at the shivering young lord.

"I will." He began removing his shoulder pads, and armor that held most of the moisture in. Seihomaru used his teeth to release the arm guards Nii had given him and pulled them off. Once he was free of the heavy armor, he removed the rest of his wet clothing, leaving only his blue and white haori which had somehow miraculously dried on its own. Shaking his head, he pulled on the green hakama and tabi socks, moving quickly over to the fire as the cool air caused him to shudder. "Damn, and here I thought we didn't feel the cold."

Nii snorted. "We do. Just not as much as humans do. It is more intense because of the icy water we fell in."

'Slows the flow of blood.' Taizo grumbled, his eyes staring out the caves entrance. Shuzo stood next to him and they glanced at each other briefly before turning back to their hosts. 'Injury also causes you to feel cold.'

'You are shivering too, Nii.' Shuzo snarled softly.

'I know.' The shadow guard rolled his eyes and stood up to move just outside the cave where Seihomaru stood, rubbing his hands just above the flickering flames.

Seihomaru sat down beside the fire, closing his eyes as the warmth filled him and sighed. Nii sat down next to him and tapped his arm, handing him a steaming cup that had been handed to the shadow guard. Frowning, Seihomaru sniffed at the liquid. "What is this?"

"No idea, but it's hot." Nii chuckled, sipping at his own cup that was now in his hands.

"It's tea." Heisuke's guard smiled, also sitting by the fire warming up.

Seihomaru blinked at his cup, never having tried tea before, but he brought it to his lips to taste it. It was an earthy taste, with a slight sweetness, and a hint of citrus. "Interesting."

Nii nodded. "I've had this before. Not exactly like this, but Hana makes stuff that is similar."

"Here." The guard handed a bowl of steaming liquid to Seihomaru, and the young lord took it.

"What is this now?"

"It's a stew. When we are out, away from home, we find all kinds of food. Especially during the colder months. This has fish, potato, egg, and rice, with a broth that helps give warmth." The guard smiled. "Apologies, I never introduced myself. My name is Taiku."

Seihomaru glanced at the golden haired youkai. "Seihomaru, that is Nii."

Nii brought the bowl to his lips and sipped at the broth. "It isn't bad. Not something I would go out of my way to eat."

"Indeed. However, when there is no game to hunt, this is the next best thing." Taiku grinned.

"It does help." Seihomaru sipped his own and chewed the piece of fish that slipped into his mouth. "Not sure how I feel about cooked fish, though."

"It is only heated, not cooked. Humans like to burn their food." Taiku chuckled softly.

The young lord swallowed and took another sip.

They sat around the fire for the better part of the night and early morning, before Saza returned. Behind him were the two he had taken, carrying Kazuhisa who was pale and unresponsive. Seihomaru stood immediately, concern washing over his face, and Saza glanced at him with a grim expression.

Blood flowed freely from a large gash that ran down the side of the youkai's face, and his arm bled profusely, even despite the cold slowing the blood flow. Heisuke walked over and placed a blanket down, and motioned for Saza's men to put the youkai down. Taiku stood and walked over, kneeling beside Kazuhisa and inspected the wounds expertly. "A healer?" Saza breathed, with a small hint of hope echoing in the question.

Taiku nodded. "Still training, but I can do what I can. I trained as a guard first, so I can fight but provide healing for seriously injured members when needed."

Saza fell to his knees and watched as Taiku hovered his hands over the most severe wound, and watched as the flesh began to knit together slowly. Then the healer moved to the large gash on the head of his friend. The bleeding slowed down to almost nothing. Kazuhisa's face gained a small bit of color, but he was still far too pale to be out of the woods just yet. With a quick inspection over the rest of Kazuhisa, he nodded satisfied that he would not die. "He isn't out of the woods just yet. I did what I could."

Saza heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

Seihomaru nodded also. "We should call the rest of our group to join us. Last thing I want is for any of us to get caught unaware by an unexpected attack. Not with so many of us injured."

Heisuke glanced at him. "I agree. Hyousuki, if you could take Chisai with you and gather those still up top." He commanded.

The two youkai nodded and quickly gathered their belongings exiting the camp.

---

Hana walked back to her hut as the night hit. She had spent the past few days with Tani and the pups she looked after, and she smiled to herself. The news Tani had given her was causing her all sorts of happy emotions and now she wanted to start thinking of her own family. Her youki gave her no indication that Nii would make anything but an excellent mate, and actually encouraged Hana to make her choice.

It wasn't that she had any doubts, or reservations, she just wanted to give Nii time to make his own choice. He had stated clearly that he would not take on another as a lover, or that he was interested in anyone else, and that made her smile. The week that she had been in her heat had been intense, and she knew just how much Nii cared for her, if she had had any doubts previously, it had been erased while he kept her safe.

Hana turned the corner and stopped, seeing that same youkai leaning against the wall of her home, his arms crossed, as though waiting for her. He pushed away and grinned at her as she approached.

"Can I help you with something?" Hana asked, sighing in annoyance.

"I came to return your vial." He grinned, pulling the object out of his haori.

"There was no need to return it." Hana stated firmly.

"I noticed you were running low on supplies." He insisted, which caused her to raise her brow in surprise.

"Is that so?" Hana clenched her teeth together. Had he noticed that much in the little time he had been in her alchemist hut? She remained rooted where she was, fully prepared to run if he gave her any signs of attack.

The youkai nodded with a slow smile. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that he wanted her, all he needed to do was convince her to change her mind, and choose him over the intended she had chosen. "I brought some food over." He waved to the small bench outside her hut, indicating the plate of food.

Hana glanced at the plate of food and she shook her head firmly. "I am not interested in eating, thank you. Now leave the vial and be on your way."

"Oh, come now. I was watching you all day, and you didn't have anything to eat." The youkai sniffed. "In fact, you haven't eaten anything for a few days."

"Then leave it and go." Hana growled slowly.

"Feisty one, aren't you?" He grinned, hearing the warning growl easily. Still, he would not be swayed. "At least grant me some time with you. Your intended is not here, and you are alone."

"I prefer it that way." Hana warned. "I told you before, I am not interested in another. I have made my choice."

The youkai chuckled. "But you have not taken him as your mate, so there must be a hesitation for a reason." He paused. "Unless the one you are interested in is the one who is uncertain." If that was the case, he could play it out and fill her mind with doubts.

Hana scoffed. "I am not interested in your mind games. Trust me when I say that the choice my intended and I have made is a mutual one. Clearly you are dense if you do not understand my simple words of discouragement. If you cannot comprehend what I say, then you are clearly not even worthy of any attention." She waved her hand, hoping that would make him leave. With a swallow of nervousness, she brushed past him to enter her hut, but he grabbed her arm, preventing her from leaving.

Hana sucked her breath in sharply as he leaned over and whispered into her ear. "Do not think you can run away from me. When I have my mind set on something, I do not give up."

Hana yanked her arm away snarling in anger. She gave him a firm push barring her teeth at him. "Do not think you can be so familiar with me."

The youkai chuckled and put both his hands up. He had certainly not wanted to anger her, and so he backed away, this time. His golden gaze followed her progress into her hut and the curtain dropped behind her. The anger that emitted was enough to raise his predatory instincts and he grinned, his eyes narrowing. She was definitely going to be fun to pursue.

Hana leaned against the wall of her hut, her hand placed against her chest where her heart beat rapidly inside. Her hands tingled in fear, and she sunk down to the ground, placing her head to her knees. Was this how it was? Males disregarding any words from the female, and pursuing them?

'Be at ease.' Isaya whispered.

'How can I?' Hana shuddered, her arms wrapping around her legs. 'Why do they insist?'

'It is in their nature. You are not yet mated to Nii, so they will keep trying to steal your attention. You need to steady your resolve and relax. They can smell your fear.' Iyasa tried to console her host.

Hana remained sitting for the entire night, staring at the contents of her home. There wasn't much inside, a small shelf Nii had built for her, his futon rolled up against the wall, and many of his weapons inside a small chest he kept against the wall. Her own futon was rolled up next to his, and she smiled remembering how she insisted he stay with her. It felt like a home when he was there with her, but now she missed his company terribly.

Shaking her head, she stood and walked over to the shelf where she kept her hair pins and kimono's. Her eyes fell onto a dagger and she picked it up curiously. He had insisted on leaving it with her, in case she had need of it, but despite her protests, she had allowed him to place it onto the shelving unit. Nii had been triumphant and had given her one of his soul shattering grins. It was times like that that sent her body shivering with the silent promise he always seemed to give when he glanced at her.

She quickly dressed herself into a sleeping yukata made of a thick material and then Hana unrolled her futon and pulled a blanket out, specifically one of Nii's and she wrapped herself tightly in it, laying down. Bringing the material to her nose, she breathed in his scent with a sigh and closed her eyes.

---

Seihomaru breathed a sigh of relief as the gates of his Shinden-zukuri came into sight. Glancing back, he nodded at Saza who helped his friend steady himself against the larger youkai. After two days of healing and making sure that all injuries had been tended to, they were finally able to leave the area. Heisuke waved up at the guards in the towers and the gates swung open. Sharp whistles were heard through the air, giving the signal that their men had returned.

Seihomaru glanced at Nii who almost quickened his pace and he chuckled knowingly. Shinzou stood at the second set of gates, giving a nod in greeting to their arriving clansmen. "Good to see you back."

Seihomaru grinned. "Good to finally be back." He climbed the stairs to glimpse at his home. Everything was covered in snow, and he snorted. "Why would I even think that my home would still be green and luscious?"

Nii laughed beside him. "Maybe because that was how we left it?" He supplied.

Shinzou smiled. "This took us all by surprise. The pups love it though."

"I bet they do." They fell into step and started walking through the valley towards their home. It was early night, so everything was nice and quiet, minus a few guards posted around keeping watch. Heisuke's men sat beside a large roaring fire, and a few of them sat off to the side out of the heats range, eating and talking quietly.

"I was surprised to see your men arrive and provide assistance. Although it was not necessary." Shinzou glanced at Heisuke with a greeting.

"Best to be too prepared than not." The guard muttered softly.

Shinzou leaned over and whispered to Nii. "One of his guards has been paying far too much attention to Hana."

Nii narrowed his eyes and grunted. "Really?"

Seihomaru felt Nii's attitude change instantly and he glanced over with a raised brow. "Problems?"

Shinzou shook his head. "Nothing to be worried about. Tani kept Hana close for a few days."

Nii frowned, but nodded. "Is she still there?"

"No, Hana went home a few hours ago to rest."

Heisuke over heard most of the conversation with interest. "One of my guards?"

Shinzou nodded.

"Which one?" Heisuke followed Shinzou's glance and fell onto one of his younger recruits. "Fantastic." He grumbled.

(Author's Note: From here the scene gets rather lemony, so if you are uncomfortable with that kind of story, scroll down past this section to the next bold script. It isn't too detailed, as I want to try to keep the story as clean as possible, but it does get a bit intense :))

Nii gave Seihomaru a quick nod, before he moved away from the group. Instantly, he slipped into the shadows and headed towards the hut he shared with Hana. Once he was by her door, he slipped through the curtain and glanced at her. She was wrapped tightly in his blanket and he snorted, allowing the shadows to fall.

Nii knelt beside her and peered at her sleeping face with a small smile playing on his lips. Her hair was spread out on the futon in loose waves, and she was curled up in a tight ball as though trying to make herself smaller. Her nose twitched slightly, as though catching his scent, and he bent over and blew into her ear. Hana's eyes snapped open and she sat up quickly.

Nii had moved his head back just in time to prevent their heads from knocking together and he smirked. "Hi." He whispered. The relief and surprise in her eyes filled his heart will joy.

Her arms flew around his neck and she buried her face against it, breathing deeply. "What took you so long?" Hana whispered in an almost chastising manner.

Nii wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his lap with a laugh. "Oh, you know, fighting, trying to find our way home through the snow, the same old."

Hana pulled back and shook her head with a smile spreading across her face. She placed her head against his shoulder and fingered his new haori. "I missed you."

Nii smirked. "Did you now? I heard that there was some young youkai trying to steal your affections." He glanced at her playfully. Had it been anyone besides Hana, they might have taken offence, but he knew her well enough to know and she him that they would recognize the playfulness of the words.

"Jack ass." She hissed, punching his leg.

Nii laughed, feigning injury. "Ow."

"Oh, stop." Hana giggled, lifting her gaze to his.

Nii looked down at her with a raised brow. "Is he interested?"

Hana nodded. "Persistent too."

Nii furrowed his brow. "Interesting." He placed his nose against hers and stared into her gold eyes, which were dancing playfully.

"Had you taken any longer, I might have taken him up on his offer." Hana winked.

"Like hell you would have." Nii snorted, his possessive side surfacing. He lowered his mouth to hers and planted them firmly against her lips. His fangs playing dangerously close to putting too much pressure to cut them.

Hana sighed into his kiss and tightened her hold on him, closing her eyes in pleasure. His hands wrapped around her sides and lifted her so she could shift more comfortably against him, and her legs wrapped around his middle, never breaking their contact. Nii groaned against her mouth as her middle pressed against his, and she pulled away, grinning from ear to ear.

Nii snarled softly at her, shifting their positions. Her back made contact with the soft material of the futon and his weight pressed against her as he lowered himself. His fingers ran through her hair, pulling the strands to his nose and he breathed deeply. His scent still lingered and he grinned down at her. Her owns fingers pulled his shorter hair from its mizuhiki and the strands flew into his face. "Oie." He blew his hair out of his eyes, smirking.

Hana ran her claws through his strands loving the soft silky feeling of his hair, and pulled his head down, for another alluring kiss. She worked his haori off his shoulders and she ran her fingers down his sculpted back as his mouth worked magic against her neck. Nii's fangs scraped across her skin and she released a soft moan as he bit softly against her clavicle.

She pushed his haori down further, revealing his chiseled torso, her fingers running over his newest markings. "You were in the shadows." She whispered softly, trying to hold back the moans that threatened to escape as his mouth and teeth kissed and nipped at her skin.

"Mmhmm." He murmured against her neck.

Hana closed her eyes again and lifted her hips to connect with his. Nii hissed against her neck and bit gently. Smiling, Hana shifted slightly, but Nii pressed his hips against hers, firmly holding her still. Her fingers slipped back to his haori and she pulled it down even more, successfully trapping his arms in it, and he grunted. Growling, Nii lifted his gaze and met her golden orbs with a raised brow.

Hana placed her palms against his chest nudging slightly, and he pushed himself up curiously. Her hands immediately went to his hakama, and she untied them pushing them off his hips. Nii snorted and kicked them off, while he helped Hana discard her sleeping yukata. Her arms slipped around his neck and she pulled him back down to her, with a shiver of delight as their exposed skin touched.

She ran her tongue over his shoulder and clamped her teeth into the flesh causing him to hiss sharply at the stinging bite. Her mouth flooded with the irony taste of his blood, and she gasped when his hand fisted in her hair and pulled her mouth to his. "That hurt." He growled softly.

"Stop your bitching and kiss me already." Hana giggled, wrapping her legs around his waist pulling him back down into contact.

Nii had no complaints with her request and lowered his mouth to hers, nipping at her lips. His hand tangled in her hair while his other held him up off her slightly so he didn't put his full weight on her smaller form. His mouth moved to her neck and Hana moaned as his soft kisses ignited all kinds of electrical currents through her body.

Her feather light touches on his back gave him shivers and he growled against her lips. Their lovemaking was still new and somewhat clumsy as they learned what one another enjoyed, or what sent them into a frantic dance of ecstasy. Hana certainly didn't hide what she savored, moaning or growling at his touches, sometimes becoming so passionate she would get lost in the emotions. Nii pushed his hips against hers, letting her feel his excitement, and she responded with a low moan, her nails digging into his shoulders.

Nii lightly bit her ear lobe before running his tongue down her jaw line, listening to her soft moans of approval. He could feel her youki close to the surface and his own responded as they got lost in the feeling of their touches and sounds. The fact that another had shown interest in Hana caused his primal side to surface more intently than their previous encounters, and her response was all the encouragement he needed to continue his assault on her. Their desire intensified and became more frantic as they explored, touched, tasted and listened.

Hana growled loudly as he ignored that one spot she really wanted his touches, and she heard his chuckle of amusement. It was more throaty and deep and her eyes opened to peer into his eyes. Rather than the normal honey color, they were filled with his youki, black and a brilliant gold. His fangs were elongated and he gave her a sheepish grin. She laughed heartily. "Baka." Her whispered words reached his ears and he bit into her shoulder lightly.

Nii dragged his tongue over the small bite lapping up the thin tendril of blood that ran down her arm. "You know I can drag this out and drive you crazy."

Hana moaned softly in response. Oh, she remembered all too well when his youki had found her in the woods when she had hit her first heat. Nii's youki was playful, devious and mischievous. He had this underhanded knowledge of her weaknesses and had sent her into a frantic fit and would not allow her any release. The torture had gone on for hours until she had practically begged for mercy. She had known it had been Nii's youki only for the simple fact that her lover was still rather bashful when it came to eliciting contact, somewhat uncertain and awkward with some of his touches. Besides that, however, Nii was a quick study and never forgot a single thing. He had this uncanny knack of remembering every response one of his touches would do to her, how she reacted, the sounds she made.

Nii was always in control whenever he was with her, his youki only adding that extra boost of confidence that her lover lacked at their intimate encounters. It was mostly due to inexperience. Even she had to gain a little boost from her youki whenever she was uncertain about what to do. Hana groaned as his hands roamed over her bare skin, his claws tickling her sides, giving just enough pressure for it to illicit a delightful reaction, but not enough to break the skin. "Nii." She breathed.

He bit her chin lightly and glanced down into her eyes before he firmly planted his lips against hers in such an intensifying kiss it took her breath away. When he allowed her to breath, she was only able to utter a couple words. "Oh, Gods."

Nii chuckled. "Not quite." He whispered in her ear pushing his hips forward slowly, drawing out a low moan of desire as he entered her. Hana's claws dug deeply into his back and he winced, hissing low at both the intense desire filling him along with the sharp stinging her claws provided. He felt Shuzo shudder with passion as the feeling filled every ounce of his being, and he released a soft moan.

Hana's ankles hooked around his hips and she frantically grasped onto him as their hunger and thirst for one another intensified. Their absence from each other only increasing their urgency for release as their dance became more frenzied. Nii clenched his eyes shut as his release came far too soon for his liking, and he growled by her ear as Hana's own release followed quickly after. Her teeth sunk into his shoulder and he yelped at the sharp bite. "Dammit, Hana." He groaned, rolling onto his side, his hand going to his aching neck.

(Authors Note: Most of the lemon is finished at this point.)

She rolled over and smiled brilliantly at him. Peering at the blood seeping through his fingers, she moved his hands to inspect the wound. "Sorry." Hana whispered, pulling her sleeping yukata over so she could staunch the injury. "Would you rather I howl into the air like a frenzied dog?"

Nii snorted through his chuckle of amusement. "That might be an interesting situation to explain." He grinned, but winced when she applied pressure to the bite. "Ow."

"Oh shush, you big baby." Hana laughed. She pushed herself up and wandered over to the small table at the back of the hut and pulled down a small vial. Turning around, she saw the gleam in her lovers eyes as he eyed her naked form. Glancing down at her lack of attire, she blushed.

Nii narrowed his eyes. "How is it you always manage to avoid any injury and yet I look as though I have come out of an intense battle?" His eyes wandered over her blemish free pale skin hungrily, smiling as her blush deepened.

"Carefully." Hana grinned. She walked over to him, and knelt down on the soft futon, opening the vial. "Here." Her fingers applied the thin substance over the bite and he hissed at the stinging. Quickly grabbing his hands to prevent him from touching the mark, she leaned forward and blew on it. "Better?"

Nii grunted. "A little." He moaned though when her lips touched his neck and he shivered as her tongue ran over his skin, feeling a lot like a feather fluttering over the flesh. "Much." He breathed.

Hana pulled back and giggled. "It will be healed before you have to go on watch."

Nii nodded, pouting as her soft kisses stopped. He reached his hand out for his pack and pulled it to him. "Here, I got these for you. I noticed you were running low before I left."

Hana raised a brow but took the pack, opening it to inspect the contents. "Oh." She exclaimed happily. Inside were about two dozen carefully wrapped vials. "I was berating myself for not asking you to get me some."

Nii smirked knowingly. Reaching for his haori, he pulled out the other item he had gotten her. "I know how you feel about daggers, but I saw this and thought you might like it." He unwrapped the item and held it up for her.

Hana sighed. "I don't know how to use these." She stated once again, but taking the very intricate dagger from his hands. "It is very pretty." Her eyes scanned over the jeweled hilt with a small smile.

"I can teach you how to use it. If only to defend yourself, this will give a sharp sting to anyone who crosses you." Nii propped himself up on his elbow and watched her inspect the blade. "Anyone besides me." He smirked.

"Funny." Hana narrowed her eyes. Nodding her head in approval, Nii beamed happily as she granted him permission to teach her. She leaned over and kissed him soundly on the lips, causing him to fall onto his back, pulling her down with him.

Nii hissed through their kiss and he grunted. "What did you do to me?" He grumbled.

Hana giggled softly. "I have no idea what you are talking about." Using his usual excuse against him.

Nii sat up and twisted slightly to view his back which was raked with scratch marks. Groaning, he shifted his shoulders. Her hands ran down his back, eliciting all kinds of electrical currents through his body. "Keep that up and we won't be leaving the hut any time soon." He chuckled.

"You have lots of black marks on your skin." Hana allowed her fingers to trail across them lightly.

Nii nodded. "I had to use the shadow realm." Her finger ran across one at his side by his hips and he jolted away quickly from her prying fingers. "Oie."

Hana glanced at him with a raised brow. "Does that hurt?" She sat up concerned.

Nii shook his head with a wide grin on his face. "Quite the opposite actually."

Hana furrowed her brow confused, but now intrigued, she poked at the mark again and Nii jerked again. "Oh." She giggled. "You have a tickle spot." She poked more firmly, and Nii quickly grabbed her hands.

"Little minx, stop that." Nii snickered.

Hana smiled locking that information in the back of her mind for later. "I know you just got back, but when do you leave for your watch?"

Nii wiggled his nose. "I have two days to spend with you before I go back to my duties. I do have to make a quick visit to the barracks and check on my recruits though." He frowned. "I also want to see this other youkai who has shown an interest in you."

Hana sighed. "He frightens me." She wrapped her arms around her and shivered.

Nii frowned. "Oh? Did he do something?" He hadn't smelt any other scent on Hana to indicate that the youkai had forced himself onto her.

Hana shook her head. "Something about his aura just freaks me out."

Nii grunted agitated. "How so?" He wanted to know exactly what about this youkai had his lover so upset. "Hana."

She looked up and gave him a weak smile. "I don't know. Perhaps his insistent pushing, or the attention he is giving me. He noticed I was low on vials, he also watches me, although I never felt like I was being watched."

Nii's frown deepened. "Hmph. Try not to worry. I am here now." He leaned forward slightly placing his arms around his legs, flexing his toes. "You know I will protect you, don't you?" He looked over his shoulder at her.

Hana wrapped her arms around him from behind and placed her chin on his uninjured shoulder. "Yes." She whispered in his ear, drawing her tongue over the outer edge of the pointed tip.

Nii sighed and closed his eyes, relishing in the feeling she brought to him. "Mmm." He mumbled, leaning back into her embrace. "Hana." He whispered.

"Mhmm?" She nibbled at his ear lobe.

"You drive me crazy, saiai." Nii mumbled, turning in her arms and pushing her back onto the futon.

Hana sighed in delight, and accepted his embrace fully.

---

Seihomaru walked to the barracks and immediately got knocked over by a whining and frantic dragon. He laughed in delight as his face was completely drenched in dragon slobber. Heisuke walked in and stopped staring at the enormous dragon. "Do I need to save you?" He chuckled.

Seihomaru glanced over, laughing. "No." Looking back up at his once little dragon he shook his head, pushing the heads away. "Good grief, you're huge now." He pushed to his feet and dusted his hakama off.

The dragon immediately ran into a small room then came racing out with his leather ball which was worn but still intact. He tossed the ball in Seihomaru's direction, but as soon as the young lord bent to grab it, the dragon skidded over to him and bumped into him, almost knocking him over. Seihomaru grunted at the impact and kicked the ball to the door leading outside.

The dragon squeaked and raced after it frantically, as though someone were going to run off with it if it were out of his sight for too long. Seihomaru laughed heartily, and Heisuke chuckled. "I still can't get over the fact you have a dragon as a pet."

Seihomaru gave him a wide grin. "He found me months ago, and he hasn't left." He shrugged. "I suppose he is a pet at this point."

"Grew considerably since we were here." Heisuke noted.

Seihomaru nodded in agreement. "That was what, two months ago?"

"Something like that. You have also grown." Heisuke glanced around the barracks interested in the differences between his own and this one. It was smaller, but had many great options within it that his own did not have. He did rather like the cleaning room where barrels of water sat so those who had finished training could wash up before settling for the night. The other thing this one had was a weapons room. It housed many variants of weapons that one could choose to work with, and it appeared as though it had a tatami room where you could train with those weapons should you choose.

Seihomaru walked out of the barracks after his dragon, and watched as he ran around exuberantly. Ecstatic that it had his freedom once again. He raced towards Tani and the pups and many of them squealed in excitement. Tani laughed joyously as her charges scrambled in all directions. The dragon skidded this way and that in his excitement, he had no idea which pup to chase. Seihomaru rolled his eyes and shook his head when Tani glanced at him.

He frowned when he approached as her scent drifted over and he raised his brow curiously. "Something is different with you." Seihomaru glanced at the woman curiously.

Tani smiled and nodded. "My scent?" She looked at Seihomaru. If he now noticed how her scent had changed, he would soon begin to notice other females and start gaining interest in the opposite sex.

Seihomaru wiggled his nose. "It is different than it was before we left."

Tani's hand went to her stomach and she grinned. "I am pregnant."

Seihomaru almost bit his tongue in shock. "Oh!" He exclaimed. "Does Shinzou know?" He blurted out before that idiotic question registered in his brain. Of course the shadow guard would have noticed his own mates change of smell.

Tani laughed as Seihomaru blushed. "He knows. Although we weren't planning on this one. It took us both by surprise."

Seihomaru pressed his lips together embarrassed. His youki was howling in his head and he groaned inwardly. "How is Aina doing?"

"She is doing alright. Getting close to giving birth." Tani looked at him noticing he was still rather bashful and innocent.

"How long?"

"I would say another couple weeks." The dragon ran past them at high speed as a hoard of pups ran after him. Seihomaru chuckled. He nodded to Tani and walked through his home, more to make sure things were running smoothly than having any actual place to go. As he passed the fire Heisuke's men sat around, he caught a glimpse of an older youkai with his attention far too intently on the far end of his small village.

Seihomaru stopped and frowned, watching silently, just far enough away so he didn't get any notice from the young recruits. Moving his gaze to where the youkai was looking, he realized that it was directed at Hana's hut. The gaze was intense, more focused than Rentarou's had been, and far more watchful. He wasn't nearly as young as most of the guards around the fire, probably well over a hundred years of age.

Frowning, he walked again, much slower and deliberately blocked the view the youkai was looking in. He turned to the small garden, making it appear as though he was not aware of his path that blocked the youkai's view. Smirking to himself, he heard the small snarl of irritation from the youkai and he turned around, covering his smile with a look of surprise.

'Careful.' Taizo informed him. 'A youkai who has his interest as focused as he does is not one to be played with lightly.'

'I am aware.' Seihomaru nodded to the group and greeted them as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

'His whole aura is signalling he is a predator stalking his prey, and Hana is that prey.' Taizo sniffed.

"Do you mind moving along." The youkai snarled softly, his gaze still directed at the hut, as though he could see it through Seihomaru.

Several of the younger youkai looked at one another with sighs, and a few of his own clansmen watched with growing interest.

Seihomaru narrowed his eyes. "Is that a command?" He snarled.

The youkai tore his eyes from his directed location and fell onto Seihomaru's face, annoyance written all over it. "Clearly you did not hear me."

"I heard you just fine." Seihomaru growled out, clenching his hands into fists. "Although I doubt you realize who you are commanding to move along."

The youkai snarled and waved his hand as though not caring, dismissing the youth, turning his gaze back through Seihomaru as though looking at the hut.

'Oh, this will be fun.' Taizo interjected getting excited, but indignant at the disrespect.

Seihomaru walked towards the youkai and leaned over so their gazes met, breaking the line of sight once again. "Are you aware of who you just dismissed?" He snarled into the youkai's face, eyes narrow and glinting dangerously, quite annoyed at the dismissal and having been tossed aside as though he were nothing.

The youkai focused on Seihomaru and frowned. "Get out of my face, pup."

Seihomaru could feel Taizo bristle inside and his eyes flashed. Faster than the blink of an eye, Seihomaru's hand shot out and grabbed the youkai by the throat and barred his teeth. "Your insolence will not be tolerated in my clan, you insignificant fool." He stressed the word so that it would sink through the youkai's thick skull.

The youkai's eyes widened in shock. "Your clan?" The words sunk through his primal infused mind and broke free for him to realize just who stood before him and whose claws dug into the skin around his neck.

All those who had accompanied Hiromoto's tribe the first visit knew exactly who Seihomaru was and backed away. Several of his own clans men stopped what they were doing and immediately stared at the interaction with interest. Taizo was infuriated and Seihomaru gasped inwardly at the anger his youki emitted within him. 'Easy Taizo, I don't want to kill him.'

'Many have died for less. This imbecile will learn his place.' Taizo snarled furiously.

'Be gentle.' Seihomaru snorted as Taizo filled him with energy. His youki flared and his eyes flashed to a pink, not fully red, but enough to let the youkai know he had over stepped.

'But-' Taizo started, feeling Seihomaru reign in a lot of the power flowing through him. 'Let me go, let me go.' His youki begged his excitement overwhelming.

'I swear you enjoy hurting people.' Seihomaru chuckled, as Taizo squeezed his hand tighter around the youkai's neck and lifted him, despite their height difference. It almost seemed too easy to do.

'I do.' Taizo beamed happily. 'Let me have some fun.'

'Put him down.' Seihomaru rolled his eyes.

'But-I want to use bubbles.' Taizo begged again.

'Put him down.'

Taizo sighed and released his hold on the youkai who dropped hard to the ground gasping for breath.

Seihomaru glared down at the youkai with a snarl on his lips. "Remember where you are, youkai. I do not have time to deal with fools such as yourself." Snarling, Seihomaru turned away from the youkai who grasped his neck, coughing.

'His youki was ready for a fight.' Taizo muttered. 'I really wanted to release all this pent up energy you have stored.'

'The alliance I have with Hiromoto is still new, Taizo. I really do not need bloodshed.' Seihomaru stressed. 'I can use the energy at the training ring. Would it have been a good fight, had I let you loose?' Seihomaru questioned curiously, feeling Taizo's pout through their bond.

'Oh, it would have been fantastic. He doesn't have an inexperienced youki, either.' The enthusiasm was almost too much for Seihomaru and he chuckled, catching the look Saza and Heisuke gave him. He nodded as he approached.

Saza raised a brow with a smirk playing on his lips. "Having fun?"

Seihomaru gave a wide grin. "You saw that, huh?"

Heisuke glanced at his guard with a look of concern on his face. "Yuuji doesn't normally give up so easily. You spooked him."

Seihomaru snorted. "His insolence irritated me."

Heisuke shook his head as his eyes caught the gleam in Yuuji's eyes and he released a heavy sigh. "It will be an intense battle between the two of them." He stated.

"Who?" Seihomaru frowned. "Nii and him?" His eyes drifted back to where he had left Yuuji and stared.

Heisuke nodded. "Yuuji has this rather strange habit of releasing his youki in waves. At first weak to gauge his opponent, then releasing more and more until it almost overwhelms you."

Seihomaru could actually feel Taizo frown in his head and his eyes widened as Taizo approached them from beside one of the huts. 'Gods, that freaks me out every time.' He exclaimed.

'Sounds like Nii will finally face his first real challenge for Hana.' Taizo looked to his left and nudged his nose in Yuuji's direction.

Seihomaru felt a chill enter his spine and he shuddered as both Saza and Heisuke watched Yuuji and how his attention was once again in the direction Hana lived. The scowl on the youkai's face was intense, as though he had seen something or caught wind of something that infuriated him.

Seihomaru turned and glanced over at the hut and gulped as Nii exited the small hut, chuckling at something Hana had said to him. Alarm bells rang in his head and Taizo gasped as the area flooded with youki. 'Heads up, Nii.' Seihomaru threw the warning to his friend who instantly lifted his head with a frown marring his forehead.

The shadow guards eyes met his and Seihomaru nudged his nose in Yuuji's direction.

Nii frowned once his eyes met Seihomaru's and then to where the lord indicated and his youki hissed once his eyes met those of a predator. Hana gasped. "That's him." She whispered quietly.

Nii nodded. "Go inside."

Hana didn't question or need to be told twice. She immediately went back into her hut and closed the curtain.

Nii snorted softly as Shuzo reared up at the silent challenge. 'Easy Shuzo. We do not know what he is capable of.'

'I know. He wants your blood.' Shuzo snarled.

'I can feel it.' Nii confirmed, walking towards the youkai who glared at him in such a manner, this indicated a real challenge and not one meant to be taken lightly. This would be nothing like his play with Rentaro, this one was going to test his resolve, strength and stamina.

'He is older than you by at least a hundred years, so his power will be substantially more.' Shuzo warned, steeling himself for an unpleasant battle.

'I will need you.' Nii narrowed his eyes as the youkai released a snarl of anger as Nii came to face him head on.

'I am here.' Shuzo grunted moving into Nii's line of sight. 'I honestly think that he expected you to move aside at the challenge.' His youki snorted,watching as the youkai walked towards the center of the village where there was more room to manoeuvre.

Nii grit his teeth at the deathly glare and shuddered now feeling slightly more insignificant in terms of skill. 'Damn, can I win this?' He questioned his youki who glanced at him as his host filled with uncertainty.

'Focus.' Shuzo grunted. 'Get those emotions out of your head and be who you were born to be.'

Nii swallowed but silently agreed. He needed to focus on the youkai approaching him, not have his attention on the repercussions of a loss. He was a youkai and he needed to draw on that if he had any hope in hell of defeating this older one who walked towards him with death in his eyes.

Faster than the blink of an eye, the youkai charged him, snarling with so much rage it left him breathless. Yuuji was on him before he could react and barreled into him, tackling the shadow guard to the ground. Nii grunted as his back connected with the ground, gasping as he focused on the raging youkai above him.

'Nii!' Shuzo snarled sharply.

Yuuji's claws gleamed in the light and flashed as they flexed to slash at his face just as his youki snarled to drag him out of his shock and surprise. Closing his eyes, Nii felt Shuzo pull the shadows around him once his focus was back where it needed to be. Yuuji slashed at where Nii's face had been and stunned, scrambled to his feet, looking around him quickly.

Nii stepped out of the shadows on his left, his eyes black and gold, glittering with anger at both himself for being caught unaware and the youkai who found it was his business to take what belonged to him. Yuuji's eyes bled red and snarled in his direction as his prey slipped out from beside the building. He had no idea how the youkai managed to move from under him to that location, but he didn't care, his fury overriding all reason and comprehension.

Shuzo stood behind him and placed his own hands against Nii's focusing his power into his host. Nii's body pulsed with the energy flowing into him from Shuzo, now realizing what his youki was doing. His skin tingled, his claws lengthened, and Nii sneered as Shuzo stepped forward. The energy swirled around him at such an intensity it caused many who had gathered to witness the encounter to back away.

Even Seihomaru stepped back slightly, watching with growing fascination. This was a whole different Nii than what he had ever seen before. His shadow guards form seemed to waver as his form went from that of a humanoid to one that had him open mouthed in terror, the look on Nii's face and the aura of intense rage made his skin crawl. Yuuji's youki was also intense and both clashed against the other as the first actual youkai battle unraveled before his eyes.

Yuuji's eyes narrowed as what stood before him sunk through his enraged mind. This youkai was not your usual one. It held a power far beyond what any should have. That ability being close to that of a celestial spirit. Nii's form went from humanoid to a dark blue, pulsating with what appeared to be stars glimmering under the skin, and the area directly around him almost like a dark blue smoke. As the youkai stepped, dark blue lingered on the ground then dissipating into a puff of smoke and the air around him wavered as though he were walking through the air and it moved aside to allow him passage.

His youki muttered quickly to him, informing him that although his opponent was young, he was at a completely different level. Yuuji listened intently as he watched Nii walk towards him, the whole attitude entirely different than at first. Now it was filled with anger, hatred and the emotionless aura that a youkai should have. Crouching down, his blood red eyes watching, he snarled loudly and sprang at the pulsing youkai coming right for him.

Nii felt Shuzo shift behind him and his form vanished for only a moment, before reappearing in front of Yuuji who was now behind. Turning around, Nii narrowed his eyes and lifted a hand, pulling at the air, and the shadows by the hut whirled through the air and wrapped around Yuuji.

Yuuji snarled in anger as his body suddenly felt as though it were encased in a tightly bound ball of twine. He slashed at the air around him as per his youki's instructions and once again charged at Nii. Nii crouched and met the attack and then allowed Yuuji to push him back. Shuzo grinned at the trap and shifted to the shadow realm, bringing both youkai into the darkness.