Hey gang! This past weekend was one that wore me out. Saturday, I went to my grandmother's (dad's side) birthday party. Most of the family was in for that, which was good and all. My younger cousin wanted to play football (2 hand touch), so we did in the field behind the house. It ended up that we had two teams of 4, with myself, my dad, my oldest uncle, and another uncle being on the same team, while the other team consisted of my youngest uncle, his son (the one who wanted to play), my step brother, and aunt. So, we began, with us getting behind early. After a while, my older uncle ran into my other (the one on my team) and cut himself with his glasses, so he got taken out of the game and replaced with my step brother's girlfriend. We tried to comeback, but in the end, were too tired to and quit for a while. A while later, we began again, with 2 teams of 3. The original teams stuck together, with exception of my step brother and his girlfriend not playing. Dad and I were running like crazy to keep up with my younger uncle and cousin. I could keep up with my cousin, but barely, lol. In the end, the game came to an end with another injury, lol, which was me. We were receiving the ball and I had it, but my cousin was coming at me full head of steam. He bounced off of me and fell down, but of course, I began falling. I managed to keep from landing on him and rolled to the ground, but got a bad cramp in my left cramp upon hitting the ground. Eventually, I finally got it worked out and got up, but it was tender still. That sucks, especially when you drive a stick shift, hehe. Anyways, other than that, life is good. My other grandparents are doing good, with Pap getting up in a chair for an hour and a half while I was there Sunday. Other than staying extremely busy at work, not much else is new I suppose.
I apologize first of all for this being a bit late. I had not finished this chapter earlier in the week, nor at the end of this past week. I had only like a little bit left and began working on it Friday, but my computer decided to hate my flash drive and deleted the file. I had a backup on my computer, but still, I was rather angry. Needless to say, I got done and this is the chapter. As for next week, well, I'll try to be on time. With this full work load at work, I may not be able to finish the chapter at home. I just don't know. We'll play it out, and I'll warn everyone if I don't get done. Sorry about that.
At any rate, time for reviews!
Mitsukai – Lady of Gryffindor: Heh, yep, there was a betrayal on the mages' side. True, the others may not listen, but you never know. It's too late for some of them, hehe. Lol, yes, happy day for hickeys! Thanks for the review!
Dark Hichigo Shirosaki: Glad you liked the chapter. Yep, treachery has taken form in the ranks of the mages. How far it goes, we'll have to see. Actually, the mages originally weren't like the 13 Court Guard Squads when I began writing this, due that the idea came from another group of 13 individuals, although I didn't use any of them. Heh, Byakuya might kill you for comments like that. (/Notes pink flower petals in the air.\) Like right now… True, Tsunade may beat the hell out of Jiraiya for what has happened. We'll see about adding Uryu Ishida into this. It may not get added, but we'll see. Heh, a nice shiny arrow in Mairyu's eye. If I ever get time, I may read that fan fic. True, you have long reviews, but I like everyone's reviews. All of them are helpful in improving my writing style. Thanks for the review!
Lily887787: Thanks for the review!
kattana: Yes, Sango is a good negotiator. Lol, an image of Sango playing the part of Roger Smith in the anime Big O just popped into my mind. "My name is Sango, and I perform a much needed service here in the city of amnesia…" (/Shakes head and gets back to review.\) Sorry about that, just got to day dreaming, hehe. But yes, it appears Byakuya could have a hidden agenda. Tsunade may listen, you never know. Heh, true, the mages may still die at Sesshomaru's hands, since he has reasons and plans of his own. Very true, Sesshomaru doesn't like being played with, so he may destroy everyone, lol. I'm sure Inuyasha and Kagome are just… (/Hears Kagome screaming "SIT!" over and over.\) fine… Yeah, they're just fine, I'm sure of it. (/Sweat drops.\) Glad you're really liking this story. Thanks for the review!
Well, that's it. Thank you, all 4 of you for your reviews. They were very helpful and meaningful to me, so again, thank you. Also, thanks to iloveyoumuchiies for adding my story to your favs, and thank you sirenssorrow for adding me to your alerts. I do appreciate it, so thank you both.
That's it for me. Again, I'll try to have the next chapter up on time next week. For now, I'm out. Enjoy!
Chapter 50
Panting heavily while watching the female dog demon, Miroku desperately tried to catch his breath. The two had been fighting for the last hour, with neither gaining the upper hand in the fight, but the half demon was tiring while the blonde haired dog mage seemed only slightly winded.
"Damn, she's so strong. Each time I try and charge her, she easily forces me to retreat with fear of getting hit by those powerful fists. One hit from either of them and I'll definitely be down for a while. She's already grazed my shoulder and that hurt like hell. I'm sure a big bruise is already forming."
Snapping out of his thoughts, the half red fox saw the female dog demon racing towards him with her right fist pulled back and glowing with a blue demonic aura. Readying himself for the attack, the half red fox carefully watched the female mage's attack pattern and quickly leapt to her right side when she slammed a fist towards him. Not ready to give in, the mage slammed her right fist towards the ground and opened it into a palm and quickly put all her weight onto it, allowing her to spin her body on her hand alone and send a powerful blue glowing left foot towards the recovering half red fox.
Seeing the oncoming attack, the half red fox tried to roll out of harm's way and barely managed to dodge the might kick. Both spread out, allowing each to recover while each were still panting, with the half demon panting more heavily.
"You can't win, monk." Tsunade tersely growled out. "I have far more stamina than yourself, so I wouldn't even fool yourself into thinking you can win this fight. Your illusions won't beat me, and your hand to hand combat is a far cry from my own. Just make it easy on yourself and I might be gentler with you."
Defiantly, Miroku replied "I'm sorry Lady Tsunade, but I cannot do that. I have someone counting on me to win this fight. She is someone that I could never disappoint, no matter the odds against me. I will never give up so long as I draw breath in my body!"
Raising her arms and holding them out to her sides while shrugging, the blonde haired dog demon smartly said "Very well, don't say I didn't warn you. Just don't cry to me later once we're done and alone about the pain from the pounding I gave you."
"I wouldn't worry about me, for I have no intentions on letting you hear me complain about something like that, for I will be back with Sango by then." Miroku remarked while crouching down into a readied stance.
Smirking at the former monk's defiance, Tsunade smugly replied "Very well then, I'll just have to beat you into submission."
Charging at the defiant half red fox, the female mage pulled back a blue glowing fist and readied it to unload onto the half demon. Just as she was about to reach the half demon, she felt a familiar presence land before her and take hold of her right wrist, stopping her effectively from hitting the half red fox.
Casting a fierce glare at the new white haired arrival, Tsunade angrily yelled "LET GO JIRAIYA! HE IS MY SLAVE, AND I WILL REGAIN CONTROL OF HIM!"
"Easy Tsunade." Jiraiya softly commented. "This fight is over."
"IT'S NOT! HE IS MINE JIRAIYA, SO IF YOU WANT TO LIVE, YOU'LL RELEASE MY WRIST OR YOU'RE GOING TO REGRET IT!" the female mage snarled.
"Tsunade, your half red fox and my half silver fox are mates."
Anger fleeing her golden eyes, Tsunade quickly asked "Are you sure!?"
"I am. I saw the mark on Sango's neck myself." Jiraiya calmly remarked while still holding tightly onto Tsunade's wrist. Noting the blue demonic aura that was flaring around her fist was dissipating, he added "You know in your heart that we have no right to split them apart."
Looking downwards at the ground, the female dog demon bit her lower lip while her bangs shadowed over her eyes. In a low whisper, she said "I know…"
Completely relaxing her fisted hand into an open palm, the blonde haired mage looked up at Jiraiya and muttered "It only figures the two we picked would mate."
Softly chuckling, Jiraiya released his hold on her hand, allowing the female mage to back up a few steps. Confused at this, the half red fox glanced between the two mages before he felt a familiar hand on his shoulder. Glancing over it, he saw his mate standing behind him with a small smile.
"Sango, are you hurt?" Miroku asked with concern visible in his voice and eyes while he turned towards her and looked her body over for injuries.
Shaking her head, Sango replied "Not really. I've probably got a major bruise on my stomach, and maybe one forming on my face, but I'll live. How about you, are you injured?"
"No, I wasn't really hurt either. I'm sure I have a horrific bruise on my right arm, but that's about it." the half red fox responded. Glancing towards the two mages, he motioned towards the pair with his head, whispering "What is going on?"
"Jiraiya found out that we mated." Sango whispered back. "He said that it's against his personal rules of life to take a slave who is mated. I guess the same can be said for Tsunade too. He plans to release me, and I think he's going to have Tsunade release you also. There is more, but I'll explain soon."
Eyeing his mate with a touch of confusion, the former monk nodded his head and returned his attention to the two dog mages, who seemed to be waiting on the pair to finish talking.
Seeing they had their attention, Jiraiya spoke up, saying "Now that the two of you know what's going on, it is time we release both of you."
With a light grumble, Tsunade moved beside of the white haired dog demon. Both raised their hands in unison and began a series of hand signs. Together, the two came to a stop and each called out "Sealing Spell! Release!"
A light whimper instantly escaped Sango's mouth as she fell to one knee. Interrupted by a small flare of pain himself before he could ask his mate what wrong, Miroku fell to one knee himself. Both reached towards their necks, each seemingly trying to feel what was happening to their skin.
The pain soon subsided, with each standing. Turning his mate around, Miroku lifted Sango's silver and brown mixed hair out of the way of her neck and glanced at the skin where the male dog mage's mark had been. Finding nothing there any longer, he lightly gasped and mumbled "It's gone…"
Forcing the former monk to release her, the half silver fox turned the half red fox around and lifted his own hair while looking over the back of his neck. Finding no mark either, the half silver fox released the half red fox's hair and spun him around. Coming to a stop before the female half demon, the male half demon found a smiling face.
"We're free Miroku! The mark on your neck, it's gone like mine!" Sango declared joyfully.
Breaking out into a big smile, Miroku reached forward and pulled Sango into a tight embrace and kissed her passionately. At long last, he released her and smiled. "We're free Sango, at long last, we're free."
Both turned back towards the two mages after a moment of longingly looking at one another. For a moment, the half red fox debated on his words before he shakily said "Thank you, for releasing us."
"It's not to be expected that you're not very grateful to either us, so don't pretend that you really are." Jiraiya dryly remarked. "What we did was almost destroy the love between the two of you, so it is us who are sorry for that."
Glancing at his female partner, the white haired dog mage nudged her. Folding her arms over her chest and casting a glare at the male dog mage, she grunted out with a touch of irritation "Yeah, we're REALLY sorry."
Rolling his eyes at his partner's sarcastic attitude, Jiraiya walked over towards where the oval of flesh stood. "Please do my one favor before I release your friend."
"And that is?" Miroku questioned.
Casting a glance at the half red fox, the dog mage said "Tell him that we no longer wish to fight once I release him. I don't wish to fight him for no reason, but should he choose to continue fighting after you tell him, I will not stand by and allow him to try to harm me."
"Alright, I'll tell him once he's free." the male half demon remarked.
Nodding in reply, the male dog mage began a series of hand signs. Finishing, he called out "Summoning Spell! Release!"
The walls of flesh instantly began rippling upon the command being called out. A moment later, the walls vanished, revealing Ryo sitting on the ground with his eyes closed. With the walls gone, the black haired dog demon's eyes snapped open and he was instantly to his feet.
Charging towards the white haired mage, the black haired mage began a series of hand signs while his demonic power began growing. Before he could complete his signs, the half red fox demon moved in his way with his arms held out defensively.
Coming to a stop with his hand signs, the black haired dog mage angrily spat out "Out of my way Miroku, I have a score to settle with that mutt!"
"It's over Jiraiya." Miroku quietly said. "They freed both Sango and myself from their binding spells. We're no longer going to become their slaves."
Eyes widening a fraction, Ryo glanced at the two mages and gruffly asked "Is this true, Jiraiya and Tsunade?"
In a level voice, Jiraiya replied "It is true, Ryo of the Wildfire. Both Tsunade and I released these two half demons from our binding spells. We do not know how to reverse their forms back to humans, but they are at the least no longer under our binding spell, meaning in a few days, nothing will happen."
Taking in the white haired dog demon's words, the black haired dog demon lowered his hands slightly and blandly asked "Why did you do that?"
"During my battle with Sango, I discovered that she and the former monk are mates. It has been a rule of mine to never take a person's mate as my own slave. Tearing a love apart like that is not my style, nor is it Tsunade's. We both know to do that is wrong from a past experience, so we decided to do the right thing and release these two mates."
Casting a small glance to the female mage and then back to the male mage, Ryo let out a small sigh and said "I believe you since you freed my friends."
"Good, because we still have some business to discuss." Jiraiya frankly stated.
Turning towards his partner fully, he took hold of the female dog demon's hand, earning him a small growl from her. Ignoring it, he said "Tsunade, I wish to ask you something that Sango made me think about. You know what The Thirteen's reasons are for doing what we do, but let me ask you this: why haven't we been acting upon it?"
Taking a moment to ponder on the question, the female dog demon finally replied with a shrug while pulling her hand free, saying "The timing isn't right, according to Byakuya at the least."
"I realize that he has said that, but let me make mention of something that I was informed of." Jiraiya remarked. "We have been biding our time for all these years, but there have been plenty of chances to take any of the four lands. Two lords have died over the years, with it being the Lords of the West and South. Still, we did not attack either land while they were mourning or grieving."
"I know that much, Jiraiya. After all, we kept abreast of the comings and goings of the four lands." Tsunade grumbled with irritation.
Nodding in agreement, the male dog demon replied "True you are Tsunade, but think about those facts. The Western and Southern Lands were ripe for the taking twice, but we did not take either one. The same could be said for the Eastern Lands. Lest you forget, it was The Thirteen that stirred up trouble between the East and West so they'd go back to war, but they didn't. Still, we didn't do anything to follow up. This whole time, Byakuya kept saying to be patient and wait for the right opportunity, but looking back, I have seen that we have had the opportunities, yet he did not wish to strike. I think he has been holding back on completing our task."
Remaining quiet for a few moments, Tsunade slowly asked "What does that mean then?"
"That he had no intentions on fulfilling what he wished to begin." Jiraiya flatly stated. "It took me this long to figure it out, but he's only been using us as tools to complete what he wanted. If I didn't know any better, I'd think he has a separate agenda. Why else would he not send all of us to fight Iya Taisho?"
"And then there is the matter that as of right now, the way things are set up between the four lands, there is no way for any of the four lords to fight amongst one another. They will never come to blows due that all of them are not willing to fight each other."
Looking to his partner pleadingly, Jiraiya quietly asked "Don't you see Tsunade? We've been lied to about all that we've done. Byakuya never planned to bring peace, but to force us to do his work for him possibly, and once we have finished, we'll be of no use to him."
Digesting the white haired dog demon's words, the blonde haired dog demon turned away from the group, revealing her back to them. For a minute, silence filled the air till the female mage finally asked "What do you intend to do about this possible betrayal, Jiraiya?"
"I intend on making this right. If all that we've done has been nothing more than on a whim for Byakuya, then I must make things right." the male mage firmly remarked. In a softer tone, he added "Tsunade, I want you to join me in doing this. Please, don't make me have to fight you, as well as the others."
Hearing a soft chuckle, the white haired dog demon stared at the back of the blonde hair dog demon with a puzzled look. Watching her turn, he saw that she had a small smile with her eyes glistening with the threat of tears spilling.
Weakly, she asked "Jiraiya, are you sure you wish to do this?"
"I'm sure Tsunade. In my heart, I know it's the right thing to do to atone for what all I've done thus far." Jiraiya declared.
Slightly smiling once more, Tsunade replied "Then I will join you, and together, we'll stop the remainder of our friends. Perhaps we can convince them to walk the same path as us."
"We can only hope." the male demon commented.
Hearing someone clear their throat, the two mages turned to find the two half demons lightly smiling at the pair while the other dog demon had his arms folded over his chest and looking off in the distance. "We wish to help you stop the others, so that our friends can be free as well." Miroku remarked.
Pursing her lips for a moment, the female mage considered the half red fox's statement and finally replied "Do as you please."
Glaring at the female mage, Sango folded her arms over her chest and let out a low grunt of irritation. Remembering the other two members of their group, she began walking back into the tree line, calling out "Shippou, Kirara, it's safe to come out."
After a minute, the fox kit and the neko came out of their hiding place and up to the female silver fox. She quickly explained the situation to the pair, who seemed to pick up on what was happening easily. Upon returning to the group, the two mages were notably ready to leave.
"Let's go stop our old friends, Ichimaru and Orochimaru, before they do something foolish." Jiraiya grimly remarked.
The two half demons and three demons each nodded in reply to the mages. Taking off in the direction that they group of five had come from, the seven began traveling along, with Jiraiya and Tsunade leading the way while the others followed behind with a small bit of distance between themselves and the mages.
--
Walking in a slow stride out into a small clearing with the half fire demon and half wolf demon flanking both his sides from behind, was the silent Lord of the Western Lands. Inhaling the scents of the clearing, his eyes narrowed a fraction when he found that the area permeated with the scent of the two snake demons.
Smelling the scents of the two snake demons coming from the clearing ahead, Rin and Kohaku each tensed a bit. Noting the two half demons has, the dog demon continued onwards at his slow pace into the clearing with the two following behind him.
Arriving at the middle of the clearing, Sesshomaru spotted the black robed snake mages standing at the edge of the clearing. Without a word, he moved the group onwards towards the two mages and finally came to a stop with only a distance of ten feet between his group and the two mages.
Smiling with a wide grin, Ichimaru smartly said "Ah, Lord Sesshomaru, it seems you have at long last found us."
"Indeed." Sesshomaru emotionlessly replied. "The two of you will die for your crimes against the Western Lands."
"My, my, what strong accusations you throw against us." Ichimaru remarked in a chipper tone. "May I ask if that is why you bothered to follow us this far, or is it something more to do with my future slave?"
Noting the snake demon's eyes had fallen upon her, Rin bristled lightly, but remained quiet, knowing that the dog demon lord would answer for her.
"Rin, Kohaku."
Hearing their names spoken by the stoic demon lord, the pair answered quickly at the same time with "Yes Lord Sesshomaru?"
"The two of you shall deal with Orochimaru."
Both glanced at the white skinned demon mage with black hair and together replied "Yes Lord Sesshomaru."
"This Sesshomaru shall deal with Ichimaru."
Smirking, Ichimaru smugly asked "Oh, so you shall deal with me yourself? I'm flattered that my opponent shall be the great Lord of the Western Lands."
Casting a glance over at his brother, he lowly said "Brother, recapture our slaves, and make sure that you do not harm mine, very much at the least."
"Do you take me a fool?" Orochimaru lightly grunted in return. "I'll do whatever it takes to recapture the pair."
"Right, just make sure not to kill my slave. Should you do so, you will have to deal with a very cross me when I return." Ichimaru warned in an icy tone.
Returning his attention to the dog demon before him, Ichimaru smiled and challengingly asked "Well, Lord Sesshomaru, shall we begin?"
Without warning, the white haired mage vanished in a flash. Immediately, the silver haired dog demon vanished as well, leaving behind the half fire and half wolf demons.
In a low chuckling while leaning forward, Orochimaru brought his hands up into a ready position. "Well, well, I hope you two are ready for this. I highly doubt this fight will last very long, so why not do the smart thing and surrender now."
Bristling, Kohaku angrily spat back "I'm never going to give up! I will not give in and become your slave! You'll just have to kill me, because I'll never give into you!"
"I will not be that snake's slave either." Rin admonished. Reaching up to her back and taking hold of the hilt of Aiko, she slid it a few inches out of it's sheath, saying "Kohaku and I will slay you, and once we do, Kohaku will be free. And your brother doesn't stand a chance against Lord Sesshomaru!"
Breaking into a small cackle, the black haired snake demon sharply replied "We will see when my brother returns, won't we. In the meantime, you two stand no chance in a battle with me. I'll just have to make sure to keep both of you alive."
"Rin."
Glancing over at Kohaku, who had whispered her name, she heard him say "Stay back and let me handle this fight."
"No Kohaku, you don't stand a chance alone." Rin protested while keeping an eye on the snake mage.
Shaking his head, he whispered back "I don't want you to get hurt by this mage. I can handle him, so stay out of this fight."
"Kohaku, you don't stand a chance alone. Only together can we stop this mage. I'll be fine, and so will you."
Considering the half wolf's words, the half fire demon glanced into her eyes, seeing she truly meant what she had said. Letting out a small sight, he reached behind his body and pulled out his chain scythe and moved it before himself in a readied position.
"Very well, we'll do this together." he replied with a small smile.
Nodding in reply, the female half demon returned her attention towards the smirking white skinned snake. Pulling himself back up in full length, he backed away a few steps, saying "You two think you stand a chance against me? How amusing!"
Pulling on the cords that held his robes shut, he released them, revealing his clothing underneath. He wore a set of gray pants that were rolled up somewhat on his calves, which were covered in white bandages down to his footwear, which were a pair of sandals that covered his feet, except for his toes. On the top of his body, he wore a cream colored tunic with black coming out from under it's sleeves that ended at his elbows, and had a black collar that went from his neck to part way down his chest. Around his waist, he wore a thick purple rope that was tied into a bow on his back.
Smirking once more, he snidely said "Come children, let's play."
--
Racing after the snake mage, the stoic Western Lord expanded his senses, trying to find any presence of traps or other demons in the area. Finding nothing in the vicinity, the dog demon sped up.
Glancing over his shoulder, the white haired mage saw that the dog demon was starting to pick up the pace and begin overtaking him. Smirking at this, the mage returned his vision to before himself and put on more speed, allowing him to once more increase the distance between the two demons.
Taking a moment to glance once more behind himself, the snake mage frowned upon finding that the dog demon lord was no longer behind him. Just as he began to reach out with his senses, he saw the dog lord landing before him, causing the snake mage to come to a skidding halt.
"Well, well, aren't you a fast one." Ichimaru smartly commented.
Unfazed by the snake demon's words, Sesshomaru flatly said "This is the end for you, mage."
Grinning, the snake mage smartly replied "Is that so? I've heard that one before, from many demons."
"This Sesshomaru will be the last you hear it from."
"Really? Well then, you'll have to do better than you have previously. After all, lest you forget, I managed to best you before." Ichimaru remarked with a grin.
Irked by the words of the snake demon, the dog demon lord kept his emotionless mask on and icily said "That is a mistake that this Sesshomaru shall rectify. You mages have been allowed to live for far too long. Do not mistake this Sesshomaru for that incompetent half breed brother of mine."
"My, my, such angry comments about your family." the snake mage smartly retorted with a wide grin. "I would think you would be thankful that we didn't kill him after all these years."
"This Sesshomaru's brother is of no concern." the dog demon coolly replied with ice in his amber eyes. "You and your brethren must pay for the crimes you have committed against the Western Lands, and you shall all pay with your lives."
Upon finishing his words, the silver haired dog demon streaked forward with his green energy whip forming out of his right hand. The whip quickly lashed out at the snake mage, who did nothing but remain grinning and dodged the attack by vanishing completely. Quickly, the dog demon shot out his second whip from his other hand to his left, where the snake mage was reappearing. The mage managed to barely dodge the attack, with his robes being grazed.
Not getting a moment to recover at all, the snake demon quickly found the dog demon recoiling his whip and directing it in his direction. With only a moment to spare, the mage took to the air, escaping the energy whip by just a few inches.
Smirking down at the dog demon, the mage frowned slightly when the dog demon vanished and reappeared directly below his body with his right clawed hand glowing with bright green energy.
Slashing out at the mage, Sesshomaru icily said "Poison Claw!"
With all his might, the mage managed to turn his body away from the clawed attack, but his robes were not as lucky as a gash was cut into them. Falling back to the ground, the pair separated, with the dog demon flexing his claw slightly while the bright green energy glow faded.
Glancing at his robes and noting a small amount of smoke starting to pour off of them, the mage let out a bit of a chuckle. "Ah, you thought your poison would kill me. Sorry to be the bad bearer of news, but your poison won't affect me. After all, I am a snake demon, thus my body has immunities to numerous poisons."
Motioning towards his robes, he added "But of course, my clothing is not so lucky."
Reaching up and pulling on the cords that kept his robes closed, he shed the robes, revealing a long white vest that reached his lower calves in length, with black stripes with circles in between each stripe on the hem of his vest, a pair of black pants, a black kimono top with a white under kimono peeking out from under it, and a white obi sash. On his left hip was a sword with a light violet clothed hilt and a white sheath.
Stepping away from the smoldering robes, the mage glanced back at the robes once more, watching them melt away into nothingness. In a sour tone, he said "I'm a bit cross with you now, for those were my favorite set of robes."
Replacing the sour tone with his normal sing song voice, the mage added "I must say, you are a complex demon. I have no clue to why you are even bothering to face The Thirteen."
"You mages attacked the Western Lands 250 years ago." Sesshomaru tightly remarked.
"I know that, but those were nothing but humans. Why should you, the Lord of the Western Lands, who clearly hates humans and half demons, care?" Ichimaru countered.
Irked by the snake demon's words, the dog demon icily responded with "You have disrespected the laws of the Western Lands. Whether they are human, half demon, demon, or anything else, they reside under this Sesshomaru's rule. By attacking my lands, your entire group has received the punishment fit for the attack, which is death at this Sesshomaru's hands."
Smirking at this, the snake demon placed his right hand onto the hilt of his sword and smartly replied "I see, well, we shall see who is punished, now won't we?"
Moving his hand to the top sword in his obi sash, the dog demon lord drew his sword out a few inches before coldly icily saying "You will perish in this fight."
Once more smirking, the snake demon drew his sword completely out and charged forward at the dog demon. Watching the demon vanish, the demon lord drew his sword fully out and moved it to his left, effectively parrying the incoming attack from the reappearing snake mage who only smirked widely while sparks poured off of the two blades.
In a flash, the dog and snake demons vanished into thin air, but reappeared thirty feet away with their swords slamming against one another while sparks filled the air. Again and again, the pair vanished, with each time the pair reappearing with their swords pressed against one another.
At long last, the pair came to rest with ten feet between themselves. Both eyed one another for an opening, with neither finding one. Grinning widely, the mage smartly remarked "Well, well, you're quite serious about winning this battle. Interesting, one has to wonder if your reason for wishing to win this fight is due that I cast that spell on your little human ward."
"Watch your mouth." Sesshomaru menacingly snarled.
Cracking a wider smile, Ichimaru added "I mean, why bother to go to so much trouble. I never have understood your reasoning for taking in that girl in the first place. She was nothing but a mere mortal, not even capable of defending herself, yet you allowed her to travel with you on your journey to destroy Naraku. And even now, you allow her to travel with you while she is a half demon. How very curious."
"I only wonder, were you planning to keep her and raise her up to use for your own slave once she got old enough, or did you plan to mate with her and use her in such a manner to get an heir for the…"
Before the mage could finish his words, the dog demon lord closed the gap between himself and the mage to within five feet. Bringing the sword before his body, he held it horizontally, emotionlessly saying "Dragon Strike."
Glowing with a bright light blue aura, the sword began shooting streaks of lightning straight forward while more energy burst up out of the ground. The wave moved fast towards the snake mage, who only smirked at the oncoming attack.
Pushing his sword out before his body with both hands, the mage plunged it into the oncoming onslaught, sending lightning blazing in several directions. Grunting out from the sheer force of the attack, the mage stood his ground while the lightning continued to strike at him.
Finally, the blast began to subside, revealing a smoking sword that was before the snake demon who was grinning widely. Lowering his sword at long last, the mage smugly asked "Well, well Lord Sesshomaru, is that the best you can do?"
"Hardly." the demon lord gritted out.
