A/N: Sorry! Husband's birthday this weekend. Time slipped away on me! Enjoy!
InuYasha walked away from Kagome with the Commander and had an elongated fang slide down over his lip. Leaving her was causing his temper to shorten, his fangs to lengthen and his demon to demand they return to their mate. She was fine, he knew it was so, but that didn't stop the bond from driving him to clench his fist around the hilt of Tetsusaiga in hopes of calming his raging instincts.
"She'll be on the same end of the castle that we are." Senchineru offered quietly. His alpha's snapping aura growing more and more uncomfortable with each step they took away from Kagome.
"Don't like it," He growled. "Can't help it but I'll be fine." Internally he snarled at his demon to back the fuck off. It would do them no good to get all pissy and riled, and only cause Kagome to worry. Flashing fangs and reddened eyes showed his unhappiness but his other half relented.
The weight lessened and the irritating feeling of an angry alpha settled back into a softer itch against his aura, allowing Senchineru to breathe freely. "Thank you."
"Keh. Explain this. What are we doing again?" He waved his hand at the ranks of youkai that were present in different training rings. Grunts, raised voices calling out commands, and the sounds of ringing and clashing steel could be heard from different places around the compound. The space was huge, nearly that of the castle itself, full of fenced fields and round rings, short squat buildings and taller two story ones.
"Just a tour this morning. Each area is host to different levels of training. Those with the least amount of experience and the young, when they are in session, are taught in the hall. Less distractions that way." The dark Inu pointed to the large building farthest from them. "Hand to hand takes place in the round sand rings, sword work the grass field, youki the field beyond the gates and away from the village," He slid a sideways smirk at InuYasha when the hanyou chuckled. "I see you understand the reasoning behind that particular placement. The kyūdōjō for those of archery skill is on the far side of the training hall as well as a long target range to the north of the grass field. Another large space, the one the children usually play in outside the castle wall, is set aside for formal combat or battle by true-form and not often used. The training hall is also used for the same purpose, for the second level allows for the rest of us to witness the fight, be that challenge or simply a highly anticipated match." Such as the one between Hashira and InuYasha. The odds were in Hashira's favor though InuYasha's notoriety was upping the stakes.
Kagome would likely be pleased there was a space she could practice her archery, not that she needed much in the way of practice anymore. But he knew she enjoyed the repetition of the action for she found it soothing, the constant draw and fire of the bow. On one of the many trips through her memories he'd found out it was one of the things that had gotten her through the last three years, her bow and the club she'd joined, though she'd refused to compete and went only for the practice and the comfort it offered. But it was the smug look that crossed the beta's face that had InuYasha chuckling and asking, "How much you bet?"
Rumbling out his own deep laugh Senchineru shook his head. "More than I should have but I have faith in you. Hashira will not win."
"Not likely." InuYasha snorted. "He's in for a surprise if he thinks I won't kick his ass just cause he's Lord freaking Commander." He was seriously looking forward to it. Leaning against a high wooden rail, he watched momentarily as the trainers put a group of young soldiers through an exercise. "Hm." It was impressive, their level of skill, but there was something not quite right with the male on the end and he narrowed his gaze to assess him further. "Hn." Hopping the fence, InuYasha made his way towards one of the youkai calling out instruction.
Senchineru followed his alpha, intrigued. What had the hanyou seen that had him motioning the trainer towards them? "Hikari." The dark Inu nodded when the wind youkai approached warily. "The Lord InuYasha."
"Young Lord," He bowed to the hanyou. "Is something amiss?"
"Keh. Your soldier on the end, he's a half step behind the others. My guess would be ribs, either badly bruised or broken affecting his ability to take a full breath. He needs a healer." Pointing at the youkai, looking embarrassed behind his mask of black fur, InuYasha flicked his wrist and motioned him over. "What's your name otter?"
"Kai, milord." He muttered and bowed low, hiding the need to wince with the action.
The fact that the otter was embarrassed and hiding the issue made him highly suspicious. "You break 'em, or did someone else?" Narrowing his gaze, InuYasha pinned the otter in place when his eyes darted up and away.
"Foolish mistake, milord. Won't happen again." Kai mumbled and looked at his feet.
"That's not what I asked. Don't make me repeat myself." InuYasha warned softly.
A flare of heat and the caress of an alpha's warning touched him and made him flinch. "I made a mistake. Nothing that needs concern you milord. I'll be more careful next time." Glancing up, Kai shivered. Something flashed in the hanyou's eyes, swiftly appearing and disappearing before he lifted a hand to the pelt at his shoulder.
Stroking his mokomoko, InuYasha clenched his teeth to bite back an angry retort. "Feh. Report to the healer. Make sure things are going back the way they should." The short leash of his temper got shorter as the otter bowed and scurried away. Looking over the group he kept his voice low and spoke to the one called Hikari. "How often does that happen?"
"My Lord?" The wind youkai murmured, hoping he wasn't asking what he thought he was.
Growling low, he gave the same sideways glare of cold disdain he'd seen from Sesshomaru. "This group, they are what the others consider lesser youkai, are they not?"
"Hai." Uncomfortable with the way this conversation was going, Hikari felt the wind stir around him and blow the tips of his dark hair into his face.
"Just how often do they," He motioned towards the group, "Come here," He pointed at the ground. "With fresh bruises or broken bones?" InuYasha snarled softly, felt his claws lengthen, and took a hard grip on the bond to avoid disturbing Kagome. When Hikari's eyes shifted away, he inhaled swiftly. "Lie to me and you'll regret it."
The warning caused a shiver to trace Senchineru's own spine. "Hikari, speak truth." InuYasha was not in the mood to step softly this morning. Something about the situation was riling him up more than walking away from Kagome had.
"Once or twice in a seven day, sometimes more often. Sometimes less." He muttered and hung his head in shame.
"And you did not think to report it?" Senchineru added his own growl of displeasure.
"I did!" Hikari hissed, the wind stirring with more force, lifting the long lengths of the hanyou's white hair to shimmer in the sun. "Nothing came of it."
Snarling, InuYasha clenched his fist and cracked his knuckles. "Consider it re-reported. Who'd you talk to the first time?" Like he didn't already know that answer.
"Lord Commander Hashira. He said it builds character and will make them tougher." It was a ridiculous answer as far as he was concerned.
"And my brother? Did you even think to go to him with this?" InuYasha waved a hand at the youkai continuing through their drills.
"Getting an audience with Lord Sesshomaru can be difficult." Damn near impossible at times and Hikari sighed softly, shaking his head. "I did try but…" He shrugged, feeling helpless to assist those who were his responsibility.
"Fine." Growling softly, InuYasha relaxed his stance and softened his alpha. "I'll deal with it." Waving a hand at the rest, he glanced at Hikari. "They do you well in your teaching. We'll let you get back to it." Nodding, he dismissed the wind youkai back to his class and walked away with his beta.
"I did not know." Senchineru sighed softly. Had he, there would have been consequences and actions taken. Scuffles between ranks occurred on occasion but this was not simply two combatants going after each other over a difference of opinion.
Unwilling to take out his anger on those who were not responsible, InuYasha huffed out a breath before easily clearing the fence, only to land and look towards the castle where he could feel Kagome. "What are you up to wench? I left you all of ten minutes ago and you're already riling up the kitchen staff?" It made him laugh and helped calm some of his irritation to find she'd totally shocked the kitchen and, when she giggled for him in return, he calmed further. "Not my fault I cook better than they do. I've had more experience with a greater number of foods. A little adaptation and this meal will be one for the record books!" Smirking, he withdrew from her as she dealt with the cook.
The change was sudden and had Senchineru frowning when InuYasha relaxed and calmed. "My Lord?"
Snickering, he stroked his mokomoko. "She's doing her thing and confusing the hell out of people again." InuYasha thrust his chin towards the palace. "Got the kitchen all a flutter cause she's lending a hand." He murmured only loud enough for Senchineru to hear.
"Ah!" Senchineru also snickered for he could only imagine how Kukki would take the tiny human invading his space. Continuing forwards, he pointed out a few other buildings, armory, and stables for the dragons that worked as steeds and beasts of burden before InuYasha, again, stopped to lean on a fence rail and watch as groups of two went head to head in hand to hand sparing.
InuYasha recognized a few of the faces from yesterday, especially the bear and the Inu that had been with the baka he'd tossed from the second floor but the kitsune that had upset Kagome was not among them. The bear sneered swiftly before masking his true feelings but InuYasha was more concerned with what was happening in the castle and felt the leash on his temper shorten even further. Pretty soon it was just going to snap. "Apparently, my brother forgot to mention the problem some of the female servants have been having." He mumbled and shifted his gaze to his beta only to see the male flinch. "Kuso! You knew?"
"I was the one who discovered the atrocities because of Lord Nigai's actions." He offered quietly, keeping his tone low and hidden beneath the grunting and swearing of the grappling youkai before them.
"Fucking Nigai!" He growled softly. That Inu really was going to meet the sharp end of his Tetsusaiga before they left the west. Kagome's confusion swept him with her question. "The hunt?" Reaching for her, he gave her what she needed. More information from Sesshomaru's damn books. "Inu justice." Her anger was high but she wasn't fighting her instincts on this. "Those who have been wronged by her silence… shall have the opportunity to seek their revenge." The former housekeep would likely not see another sunrise once words spread. "Housekeeper knew. The call's going to go out." She had turned away, kept quiet, when she should have immediately sought Sesshomaru out. For that, and that alone, she deserved whatever came next.
Disgusted that another female had been aware and done nothing, Senchineru clenched his claws into the railing. "How dare she!" He hissed softly in anger.
"You got a reason to join the hunt? If you do, go." He would not stop his beta from finding justice if that was his wish.
His braids danced around his shoulders when he shook his head. "No, my Lord. I simply feel anger for those she should have assisted." What he'd seen, been forced to stand by and witness of Nigai's depravity… it still disgusted him. Then to learn others had also been involved… it was just sickening.
"Keh." He nodded, distracted by Kagome's sudden surge of anger and stood from the railing, continuing to pretend to watch but focused solely on his mate. "Your brother is in so much trouble!" Poured through him and had his ears twitching at the force. "Sesshomaru's going to have his ass handed to him a second time if she doesn't calm down before she sees him again. Knew I should have bet on the bastard!" He grumbled quietly.
'Half answers and partial sentences…' Well, Sesshomaru had warned him that such was the case. "Beg pardon?"
"She's right pissed off he kept this from us. It kind of blindsided her and-" He cut himself off when pain radiated in his right hand. "Kagome?!" Concerned, he nearly turned towards her, his demon scrapping, clawing at him to rush for their female. Her assurance that she was fine, had only slapped the foolish Inu, came swiftly and he breathed out quietly. "I've got this. Stay with Senchineru." She was stepping into her role as Lady of the West with the same determined stride she'd used to become the Shikon Miko. "Kami, she's amazing." He whispered and smirked a grin so wide it flashed his fangs.
"Everything is alright?" They were not on a mad tear towards the kitchen so he assumed so.
"Yeah. She just slapped the housekeeper is all." InuYasha's chuckle was rather wicked.
'Seriously!' The dark Inu was stunned. "Does this mean none of us win the bet?" Senchineru murmured, narrowing his eyes in on Kuma, staring at them from across the ring.
InuYasha snorted in derision. "Feh. She ain't even really mad yet. More like a bristling kitten than the Inu rage she's capable of."
"It is difficult to fathom such a thing, truly. She is much too… sweet to go into a full rage." The dark Inu just couldn't see it. Her calm presence. Her gentle soul. It didn't seem possible.
"You got a taste this morning. Don't tell me you didn't see her Inu rise up when she warned us off Shippo?" Ear flicking, he turned it in the direction that he could feel the eyes, ones that seemed to want to bore into his skull, were coming from.
Senchineru nodded, he had seen the Inu in her lift, rise up to darken her eyes. "Of course, but she is still human." An angry human was still nowhere near as scary as a full on raging alpha bitch.
"Feh! Human ain't got nothing to do with it! She's an alpha, a strong one, and she pregnant. It's in there. You'll see." He shrugged, grinning smugly and leaned his hip casually back into the railing. Crossing his arms, he waited. The intensity of the eyes was getting stronger.
"Why don't his Lordship show us all how it's done, eh?" Kuma called from across the ring, staring at the hanyou, laughing and gossiping with the Commander. It irked him. Here was the male that they should have been able to get rid of yesterday and the fact that he stood here this morning, casual, relaxed, like he had the right to lord it over the rest of them pissed him off. It would be interesting to see what the hanyou really was made of. Even if he was one of the silver Inu bloodline he was only a half demon. The rumors had to be wrong.
InuYasha gave a half smirk for his beta, having been waiting for some fool to turn stupid and make the challenge. Once he'd recognized what was occurring with the less powerful youkai within Sesshomaru's ranks it had not taken a genius to figure out just which group would be the bullies. Turning his head, he looked the bear over, raking his eyes down and back up. "You volunteering?" InuYasha sneered loudly back.
Smirking, Kuma shrugged and nodded his agreement. "Sure, why not." He owed the Inu for what he'd done to Kenkōshō. Beating the hell out of him under the guise of hand to hand training would make a fitting sort of retribution and no one could say the half breed hadn't walked into the ring willingly.
"Keh. Your funeral." InuYasha shrugged and swiftly cleared the fence. Pulling his sheathed Tetsusaiga from his sash, he handed the sword to Senchineru. "Just don't touch the hilt and you'll be fine." He grinned a wicked smirk when the dark Inu hesitated to touch the sword before taking it, palms up, in a show of great respect for the mighty weapon. Amused, InuYasha chuckled when he turned to stride towards the center of the ring as those who still fought within it scattered to the outside of the railing. When the bear stepped out, also armored but unarmed, he sent him a snide grin. "What's your name, soldier?"
"Kuma." He growled, finding the Inu's confidence annoying and began to circle.
Chuckling, InuYasha brushed his mokomoko back, stroking his hand and power down the fur in order to keep it calm and relaxed. He didn't want it reacting and giving away his secrets. "Well, Kuma, would you like me to go easy on you?" It did not escape his notice that the bear had not bothered to address him properly, nor had he bowed before beginning. While he honestly could have cared less, he knew his brother would not appreciate the disrespect.
"I ain't some low bred youkai that can't handle meself. Ye ain't expecting me to go easy on ye cause yer a Lord are ye?" Kuma scoffed and faked a lunge.
And there was the first dig at his half demon heritage. Following the bear with his eyes, InuYasha kept his weight centered but his stance relaxed and waved dismissively. "Nah. You show me what a solider in my brother's army has to offer." He thrust his chin up and snickered. "Though you keep dancing, I'm going to start thinking you're nothing but a coward." Eyes of black rimmed red and caused him to grin for he had gotten the response he wanted. Kuma was big, even for a bear, and would make a fitting first lesson for this group of too proud youkai. He would not tolerate those who were stronger picking on the ones who were weaker simply because they were born that way. Not when he had suffered the same all his life and could make a difference here, now, as the half demon Lord he had unwittingly become. He would show them just what a lesser youkai was capable of. The railing around the ring was packed and he glanced at a concerned looking Senchineru. The beta seemed worried about him. Pity it was for nothing.
The rush of air drew InuYasha's attention back to the bear that, while only a head and a half taller than him, was perhaps twice as wide. A bear's strength was in their chest and arms, and they had a tendency to want to hug their opponents to death. Not so different from what he'd taught Jinenji but they could be slower, more lumbering due to their top-heavy nature and bulk. They were also quick to anger and lost their ability to reason when their blood ran hot. This one, however, had learned to master the loss of temper enough that InuYasha could still see the calculating gleam when Kuma charged at him.
When a forward sweep of arms suddenly became a kick to his head, InuYasha knew he had foolishly underestimated his opponent but, then, so had the bear. Dropping to his knees, he punched his fist into Kuma's braced thigh, grabbed the ankle, and wrenched his foot out from under him before jumping back and away. The crash when the big male hit the ground shook it nicely.
Senchineru blinked once, blinked a second time, and gave a startled bark of laughter. The silence of those watching was filled with both shock and amazement as InuYasha did what none of the others had been able to accomplish. The hanyou had put Kuma on the ground with a single move and within seconds! While the bear had lost in the hand to hand ring previously, it was never this quickly and never with only a single blow. The move was so smooth, executed so cleanly, that if he had blinked but a moment sooner he would have missed it and been left to wonder how Kuma had gone from lunging to laid out and groaning when InuYasha had not moved. "Well done, my Lord! Well done!" Tickled by this turn of events, Senchineru slapped his hand down on his thigh and laughed rather loudly.
He tilted his head in acknowledgement of the praise but didn't turn his attention from the bear. "We done or you getting back up?" InuYasha's own blood was up and a decent fight would make him feel better.
Kuma climbed slowly back to his feet and glared angrily at the dog. "Again!"
Brow rising, the disrespect loud in the snarled command, InuYasha said simply, "As you wish." Giving a small roll of his wrist, he motioned towards the ground. "It waits for your return." A round of soft snickers rippled through the watchers and had him fighting off a grin, choosing instead to play the lord in the face of Kuma's displeasure.
Growling, he approached with more caution than before but when he moved in, Kuma found each punch swept aside, each kick blocked, and the hold on his temper loosening. It was like fighting a reflection! He couldn't seem to make a move without the Inu immediately countering it.
Senchineru watched in awe and growing respect as InuYasha moved with fluid grace and such controlled strength it was incredible. Mirrored work was something all of them had done at one time or another, learning to anticipate and, or, follow the moves of their partner but not like this. He had never seen anything like this in his life! It was so perfectly timed that even when Kuma tried to throw off InuYasha with a half start or false strike, the hanyou simply countered it in perfect harmony. Whispers were rising around the ring, admiration chief among them for the half demon's skill. 'Thank kami I placed my bet early. The odds are going to change after this!'
He gave them a show. It was what they were all look for after all, and frustrated the crap out the bear until the low growl that continued to roll from Kuma became a snarl of anger. Deciding he was done messing around, InuYasha broke the pattern and pulled his arm back only to thrust his palm, hard and fast, into Kuma's chest. The blow sent the bear reeling, tumbled him over backwards, and landed him back in his original spot in the sand. "We done now?"
His armor had absorbed the majority of the blow but it had still hurt and knocked the wind from him. "Not by far!" Lunging to his feet, he shifted his gaze to the Inu on the far side of the ring and nodded.
Eyes on Kuma, the split tail fed him the information when the silent Inu landed in the sand at his back. Seeing Senchineru stiffen in outrage, he caught the beta's eye and let his harden. They wanted to play it this way… so be it. Waiting only long enough for them both to be in motion, he let his alpha surface, his demon merge, and watched the world come into sharp, clear focus. Everything slowed down and he kicked out at the Inu behind him, turned, shoved his shoulder and back up into the bear when he overreached his strike, snatched the arm as it went by, and chucked Kuma over his head. The bear sailed through the air to land on the railing, scattering watchers and shattering wood. He groaned once, trying to rise, before going limp.
When it was only himself and the interfering Inu left, InuYasha snarled a low, angry reprimand. "What's your name?" Kagome's presence appeared in a warm wash of calm through the bond. "InuYasha?" Her search was swift as she found the reason for his irritation before a gentle sigh followed. "I see." With that she was gone but her presence had soothed him enough to pull him back from the edge he'd been riding and keep him from slashing his claws over the male's chest.
With the way the marks on his face had gone jagged, Senchineru knew caution was warranted or someone would end up maimed or dead. Leaping the railing, he made his way towards the angry alpha that stood over the young Inu holding his ribs and glaring up from the sand of the ring. "He is mute, Lord InuYasha. They call him Chinmoku."
Stroking a hand down the fluffy length of his split tail mokomoko, InuYasha forced it to settle when it wanted to flick and writhe around his ankles. "Born that way or accident?"
"Accident I believe." Senchineru glared at the Inu and got a sharp nod in response. A quick glance around at the frozen, stunned watchers had pride welling inside him for being part of this pack. None of them could quite believe what they had just witnessed, for, suddenly, they realized InuYasha had been fighting without the aid of his alpha. All that skill, the controlled movements, the strength, were simply a part of who InuYasha was. The power of the aura that had exploded outwards with Chinmoku's interference had caused a few to stumble backwards in shock and mild trepidation. This was not a hanyou like they expected. This was an Alpha with all the strength and skill of his daiyoukai brother.
"Seems your ears work fine." Crouching down, InuYasha picked up a handful of sand and let it drain from his fist into his palm. With his bangs falling to cover his eyes, he spoke low, allowing his alpha to fill his voice and press hard against the foolish male. "You ever interfere in a spar like that again, even at the behest of one of your friends, I'll gut you where you stand." Lifting his head, he pinned the Inu in place. "You get me?"
Chinmoku swallowed hard. Death resided in that golden gaze. A hard, painful one. Nodding, he gathered himself to his knees and bowed as best he could with his throbbing side.
"Good." Rising to his feet, InuYasha cocked his head and stared for a moment longer until eyes like liquid honey flicked up and then away. "I don't know if she can, but Kagome's got a talent when it comes to healing. She may be able to help get your voice back if you want it." Shocked murmurs began to filter through the crowd of watchers. That he would make the offer when Chinmoku had done something most considered dishonorable stunned them. Quietly, under the hum of noise, InuYasha murmured, "You choose your friends poorly when they cause you to dishonor yourself on their behalf." Looking to Senchineru, the beta bowed in respect before they walked away. Clearly, the commander had underestimated him as well, though InuYasha doubted it was as much as Kuma had.
Liquid honey eyes stared after the hanyou lord in amazement. 'What the hell was that?' Why would he offer the assistance of his mate after what Chinmoku had done? Not that he'd done much other than get himself in trouble and make himself look the fool. He had been of no help to Kuma against an adversary so powerful.
A few feet from the sand ring, InuYasha paused when the rushing wave of angry power crashed through the walls of the palace and out across the grounds followed closely by a rage filled roar. "Guess Sesshomaru knows." He snickered quietly for Kagome but only got back a hum of distraction. She was busy with the final preparations for breakfast and with keeping Shippo's fingers out of all the food. "You can send him to me if he's being a nuisance." The hum came a second time. "He's fine but thanks." Happy that she was content in her work, InuYasha glanced towards the beta that had flinched hard with his brother's show of temper. "Don't think he took that well." Especially as a small green, flying body was propelled out a window to land nearly at his feet. "Jaken, why are you not with my mate?" He growled menacingly just to make the Kappa squirm.
"She… she… she…." He stuttered under the hanyou's hard gaze. Gulping, he gripped his staff tightly. "She sent me to Lord Sesshomaru with n-n-n-news of Ikojina's disgrace."
"Explain." Senchineru growled when the gentle pull of the connection between alpha and beta came.
Looking between them Jaken swallowed firmly. "Lady Kagome discovered that Ikojina knew of the despicable things that were happening to the little females and never came forwards."
"What!?"
The bellow, coming from behind InuYasha, had him turning swiftly around and reaching for the sword at his hip that wasn't there only to have it handed to him by his beta. Tucking Tetsusaiga back where it belonged, he watched warily as a huge bull demon plowed his way towards them.
Firming his composure, Jaken turned to look the long distance up at Ronguhōn. Horns longer than he was tall curved out, up and back together over the top of his head but it was the reddening eyes and flaring nostrils that gave the kappa pause. "Rongu-"
Snatching the green toad from the ground, he squeezed until Jaken turned purple and gave him a shake. "Where is she!?" He bellowed again.
"Put him down, now!" InuYasha loathed saving the toad but it couldn't be helped. Sesshomaru would take exception to losing the simpering little fool. Drawing Tetsusaiga, the blade flashed into existence and had a host of new mutterings swirling around them.
The heat and pressure of this irate alpha forced the bull to his knee and he dropped the kappa. "My daughter! My daughter!" Falling to his hands, he bowed under the alpha's weight and had tears run down his face. "My own daughter!"
Brushing the dirt from his clothes, Jaken pitied the large male brought low by more than just InuYasha's formidable power. "My thanks Lord InuYasha. It is alright." He'd had no children and likely never would but in this moment, he felt for the bull whose child had been so abused. "Ronguhōn, you will have your chance." Stabbing his staff into the ground, Jaken leapt up to stand on top of it. "The Lady has called for Inu Justice!" He spoke loud and clear to the silently watching group. "We honor the hour!"
Glancing to Senchineru, copper and gold connected in silent communication before they both lifted their heads and howled, signaling the start of the hour. A third voice lifted from within the walls of the keep before a symphony of sound swelled and ran the length of the valley. When silence once again descended, InuYasha held out his hand to the bull that remained in the grass at his feet, waiting for red eyes to meet his before he spoke. "Honor the hour Ronguhōn, then, I wish you good hunting."
Gripping the offered wrist, he lumbered back to his feet. "Your mate, she is human. I would never have expected this from a human. They are squeamish of such things."
His grin was a trifle smug. "Only thing that's ever truly made Kagome squeamish is skinning rabbits for supper." Quiet chuckles ran through the group and had him looking them over. When they died down he spoke with an alpha enhanced voice. "Any who feel the need to join the hunt are free to do so. Go. I wish you justice for those you seek it for." A few left in a hurry, anger and sorrow flowing in kind, while the rest dispersed back to their training, even Jaken scurried away but the large bull remained.
Ronguhōn bowed low. "My thanks to your mate, Lord InuYasha. You have my gratitude and my loyalty for this." He had been uncertain about this new Lord, and a hanyou one at that who'd mated a human, but after this and watching the half demon take down the pompous ass Kuma… he had found a new level of respect.
"My mate carries my offspring, Ronguhōn, so while I may not yet know the feeling of holding my own pups, I understand the need to protect and the despair that comes when you think you've failed. If I could hand you each and every male that had touched your daughter… I would do so." And he would be discovering the reason why Sesshomaru hadn't done just that soon. If there was anything left of him when Kagome got through, he wanted a turn at his brother. It was unacceptable!
The honesty behind the hanyou's words and the disgust he could hear for those responsible shocked him and he dropped to a knee, bowing his head to the young lord a second time. "Once Lord Sesshomaru found out, the decree was made, but he can't just… they are privileged."
"No one has that privilege." Not ever again. If he had to rampage his way through Sesshomaru's court, carve a path of bloodied bodies to get his point across he would do so.
Looking up, Ronguhōn saw a fire light within the eyes of the hanyou, one he had not seen in centuries. "I knew your sire, briefly. You have the look of him." A small head tilt and blink of his eyes was his acknowledgement of something the young Lord had clearly been told before. Thrusting himself back to his feet, he bowed a final time. "Arigato, Lord InuYasha. I will honor the hour." Less than that now. Turning away, he headed for his house in the village and the weapon that awaited him.
"His daughter?" InuYasha murmured to Senchineru watching the big male go. The bull looked too old to be wanting more children and from what he was gathering, all the females that had been assaulted had been too young or weak to offer resistance. And likely too scared to stand up and say something.
"They had a late calf." Senchineru sighed. "His mate did not make it through the birth and his daughter was the light of his world."
"Was?" He didn't like the sound of that.
Sighing, the dark Inu passed a hand over his face. "Once it came to light, a couple of them couldn't handle the shame, the stigma that came with the knowing. A few of the Ladies began to label them as whores. A stop was put to that swiftly but… the damage was already done."
"Fucking hell!" Thrusting a hand into his hair, he gave it a hard tug. "Kagome's going to lose it when she finds out." His mate was going to go fucking out of her mind on the females involved. "How many?"
"Two." One was too many. "One right after the other."
"Come on." Turning towards the castle, he stomped away. There was no way he could let Kagome at him first, not with this new information. His brother had some explaining to do. "How many in total were involved in this?"
"Six. There were more but for some, they approved of being used by those that favored them. They have been released from this keep and told if that is the work they prefer than they can seek such employment in the houses that accommodate such things. We are not a brothel." The sneer of disgust was not something Senchineru could, or cared to, remove from his tone.
"And the others?" Was Kagome going to be confronted with broken and battered souls every time she turned around?
"Too stubborn to let what has been done to them, force them from a job they enjoy and the homes they've always known. They are strong females. This has not destroyed them, only made them stronger." This time it was pride for the wild little females that had lifted their heads and carried on, showing their abusers they would not be beaten down and chased away.
"Keh. If that changes you get them to Kagome." Pounding up the stairs into the castle, he paused in the doorway and sought his brother's aura.
"He is likely with the council this morning." Motioning towards the interior stairs, Senchineru led the way to the second floor but stopped when InuYasha turned away from the council chambers. "InuYasha? This way."
"Sesshomaru's that way." He pointed down an opposite hall and stalked towards his brother.
Again Senchineru was shocked. "You can feel him?" No one could feel Sesshomaru when he didn't want to be found.
"Keh. Always." Masked or not, his brother was a tingle of sensation on his aura. Striding forwards, he turned the corner and found a long hall of windows that overlooked the valley. Along the opposite wall was hung painting after painting and he paused in his angry march forwards. Where the clearing of monuments that morning had all been of Inu's in their true-form, these were all Inu's in their humanoid ones. "Holy hell…" He muttered, certain his eyes would bug straight from his head.
"Impressive, are they not little brother?" Sesshomaru murmured from his position midway down the hall. Facing the windows, he watched over the valley that was his home as it writhed with the coming hunt. It had been a long time since such a call had risen over these mountains and it had him wondering how many more might be sent up in the coming days.
Ikojina had been rushed from the keep and down the valley. He had lost sight of them when they entered into the village but picked up the straining form a second time as she and her escort wound through the fields and towards the exit between the Guardians. Once she crossed the wards, Ikojina was on her own. "You are dismissed Commander." This was likely going to be one of those conversations that he did not want others bearing witness to if InuYasha's angry approach was anything to go by.
Relief rushed through him. The dark Inu had no desire to witness the coming confrontation between the two brothers. "My Lords." Bowing, Senchineru left swiftly.
"You've got some explaining to do." InuYasha muttered, working his way closer but was enthralled with all the paintings.
"Hn. Apparently." Sesshomaru sighed and made his way slowly towards his brother. "I had thought it finished."
"You thought wrong. Kagome's some pissed off, bastard." Sending a glare at his brother, he made it clear she wasn't the only one.
"So I was informed." Jaken had been almost as afraid of Kagome as he usually was of him. It would have been amusing but for the subject matter.
"She's gonna take a chunk out of you yet. You fucked up big letting this blindside her. Why didn't you say something?" Moving down the wall, he studied another painting, this one an Inu with the same marking on her forehead as Sesshomaru. Was this his mother?
"And add one more burden? When I have made certain it would not happen again?" He shook his head.
Sighing, understanding the reasoning even if it was wrong, InuYasha glanced at his brother. "How did it happen to begin with? What the fuck Sesshomaru?"
"You know how!" Snarling, angry more at himself than InuYasha, he turned to pace away, mokomoko snapping at his feet. His indifference had only caused more suffering.
Frustration and guilt were a hint of scent on the air. "Yah… yah, I do." Scrubbing his hands over his face, InuYasha sighed a second time. "Look, this isn't your fault-"
"It is." It was his home and he had missed it.
Moving away from the wall, InuYasha followed Sesshomaru. "Not. You couldn't know that this was happening and once you did you put a stop to it. But what I don't get is why you haven't skinned a few youkai, namely Nigai, for what they did!"
"Have you read some of the books I left?" InuYasha nodded sharply. "Then you must understand it is not that simple. I cannot simply kill someone on a whim!"
Golden eyes narrowed dangerously. "Whim? Whim! You call what they did a whim?" InuYasha snarled softly.
Growling back, Sesshomaru fought the insane urge to through his hands in the air in exasperation. "No, baka! My whim! I cannot simply kill them because it is what I wish! The west may run under my rule but it hangs on a delicate balance of cooperation between us and the Lords of this court. Kill one and start a civil war. Another and lose the support of his followers. A commander and face an uprising. It is not that simple!" Though he wished it to be.
Stunned, InuYasha stepped back. "And the lives of two females mean nothing in comparison?"
His eyes flashed red for but an instant with the slip of his tightly controlled rage. "Do not go there." Sesshomaru snarled, a deadly sound. "Some of those girls appear barely older than my Rin." Glaring at InuYasha, he turned back to the window.
Ashamed for even saying so, InuYasha walked up beside his brother and stood looking out with him. It had been a low blow, one he knew well how to apply and apologized. "I'm sorry. That was uncalled for. This whole thing is… unsettling." Too many things kept popping up on top of what was already going on.
"Hn." Sesshomaru only nodded. "After what Kagome went through in the human village, I did not want to add this to her as well." He had done what he could to keep the knowledge contained when around her. "She sees through me so easily. Hiding this has been… difficult."
InuYasha scoffed at his brother. "You should know better, dumbass. You can't hide from her." She saw them better than anyone else. "Jaken announced the hunt, but she backed him on it." Staring out the window he could see the group forming near the youki training field.
He'd had pride swell when Jaken had also said as much, before he had tossed the Kappa out the window to make the announcement. "She did well."
The pride was so clear it had him grinning. "Beg forgiveness. Best advice I can give." InuYasha chuckled softly.
Daiyoukai did not beg. "Perhaps." A smirk twitched at his mouth. "I would have bathed in their blood had I been able to do so." He offered quietly.
"Met Ronguhōn." Crossing his arms, InuYasha leaned against the window frame.
Shifting his gaze to the gathering males, Sesshomaru sighed silently. "She drowned herself in the river behind their home. He found her…" The halberd on the bull's back shone in the sunlight. "Meko was her name. A timid little thing." Looking away, he gazed at the mountains that surrounded his valley. "Once I would have called her weak but I think fragile fit her better."
He could see that. A fragile creature was quickly and easily broken. "And the other?"
"Squirrel. Delicate, considered a rare beauty for her breed." That she was targeted had come as no surprise when the males only had to look to lust. "Disgusting." He hissed between clenched teeth.
InuYasha stiffened and had a serious moment of panic. "Was her name Manami?"
"Hn." Sesshomaru nodded.
"Fuck! Kagome met her brother." Scrubbing his hands over his face, he finally gave in and leaned his head against the glass of the window. "You're so dead." She was already set to help him deal with his grief but hadn't yet seen how deep it was going to go.
Sesshomaru lifted a hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Begging is growing more appealing." He muttered and sighed heavily.
"What was your decree?" The big bull had said something about one but hadn't elaborated.
Brow rising with his lip, Sesshomaru chuckled softly in memory. "That those who take what is not freely and willing given will be removed from this ones lands… and their offending appendage shall be removed by Bakusaiga and sent along separately."
Snickering, InuYasha opened his mouth to complement his brother on his ingenuity only to have his hackles stand on end with the sudden rise of one incredibly incensed dragon. Gasping at the overwhelming punch of Kagome's display of temper he reached for her and his pounding heart at the same time. "Kagome…"
Concern had Sesshomaru immediately seeking the one and only human aura within the walls of his home. "Brother! What is it?"
Closing his eyes, he fought past the wave of her dragon, the little female had surfaced and was clawing at his mate with a force he had felt only once before. Another second and his eyes snapped open, glittered hard with the glow of seriously pissed off alpha, and had InuYasha slamming his fist into Sesshomaru's chest; knocking his brother backwards. "There's a kami damned drake here and you didn't tell me!"
The race up the switchbacks had left his thigh muscles burning with the exertion and him panting, bent over and missing the shikon shards he'd once owned. Refusing to believe he was that out of shape without them, Koga had continued to jog slowly down the canyon, glancing up at a passing shadow only to see a raven flying overhead. The bird seemed curious but he ignored it, unconcerned with the interests of mortal fowl. Jumping a shale slide, he rounded a blind corner and stumbled to a halt to stare.
Standing on the ledge overlooking the pass Koga let out a low whistle. "Well, clearly Sesshomaru isn't inclined to have visitors." The entire canyon was incredible. Sheer cliffs and plunging drop-offs reminded him of his own den but this left the impression that one was being challenged in their approach of the western valley. If you made it through the test that was the pass you would be welcomed, but that test was fraught with peril.
From his vantage point, he could just see where the rock began to give way to forest and knew he was getting closer. Soon he would figure out what the fuck was going on. "Jaken, stupid kappa and his cryptic remarks." Koga grumbled, turning away to trot down the path again when a sudden swelling of sound had him pausing. "What the hell?" A multitude of voices lifted in a call but he was too distant and with the way it echoed, he was unable to understand what it was for. Still, it was intriguing. Maybe mutt face had pissed someone off already. He wouldn't put it past InuYasha to cause an uproar within days of his arrival. The hanyou's smart mouth and sarcastic ways had a tendency to get him in trouble.
Chuckling at the idea, Koga continued down the trail with renewed vigor. Truthfully, he didn't mind old dog breath that much. Sure they'd been rivals but the hanyou was a decent fighter and a good comrade to have watching your back. 'When he's not trying to stick that sword of his in it!'
The smirk on his face stayed there as Koga made swift progress towards the last portion of his journey. Already this section had started to slope, widen out with the descent into the valley below. But it was the sudden appearance of a female in full flight that had him hesitating and moving to the side. She carried a small pack and was running hard. Fear and anger coating her scent even at this distance. When she got close enough, Koga called out, "Hey! You alright?"
"Out of my way!" Running flat out, Ikojina didn't slow on her race past the ookami.
Holding out his hand, he tried to stop her. "Who you running from?" What if she was a thief or a murderer? What if the howl had been to stop her from fleeing?
"The Hunt!" She slashed at him, catching his forearm and racing away down the pass.
"Fuck!" Snatching his hand back, Koga snarled after her. She'd caught him on his long guard but froze when her words pierced his anger. "Hunt?" Did she mean an Inu hunt? As in Inu Justice? "Kuso!" If that was coming he needed to get the hell out of the way for he had no idea how big this hunt would be. The last thing he needed was to be stuck on this ledge, going the wrong way, when they barreled through after her. "What the hell did she do?" Breaking into a run, Koga sprinted forwards. "What the hell is going on in that castle?!"
First Kagome's different, then panthers are running around the western valley, and now a hunt had been called. "InuYasha, what have you gotten Kagome into?" No longer were the words laced with contempt and anger. No. This time only concern coated them for the soft hearted miko that would likely be traumatized by the brutality of youkai ways.
Hashira stood in the forest, high up near where the wards circled the valley and listened to the call go out. "Stupid female." Ikojina was a sharp tongued shrew but if she had turned a blind eye to what a few of the privilege youkai were up to and had gotten caught at it that was bad luck for her. It had no impact on what plans they were implementing.
"She matters not. Tell me more of the miko." She waved a hand, dismissing the baka housekeeper for being too stupid to keep her mouth shut. "You say she was quite upset when the kitsunes suggested she was like all the rest in their murdering ways?"
"Hai, my Lady. The hanyou was very insistent that she was not someone named Kikyo." Hashira shrugged. "I believe she, too, was a priestess at one time."
Rolling her green eyes, she sneered at Hashira. "If you paid better attention you would know that Kikyo was part of this shard hunt for the Shikon jewel." But that was all she knew. Tapping a finger against her lip, she walked a short distance before spinning back. "Find out everything you can of this Kikyo. Perhaps she'll be of use."
She glided up to him at that point and skimmed her fingers through his pelt, causing his cock to harden and his knees to quake. "It shall be done, my lady."
"Come back with information and good news for me Hashira," Trailing her fingers down his chest, she cupped him firmly through his hakama. "And I'll see this gets taken care off." Rising up on her toes, she sank her fangs into his lip before pulling away. "Disappoint me…" Shrugging, she walked away. She didn't need to finish the threat.
A/N: R&R as you like!
