Title: Inu Tarzan
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and all credit for the anime should be directed to the Inuyasha corp. I also do not own Tarzan or anything related to the name, characters or storyline.
Music: The songs I have selected for this chapter are: "Mark Mancina - Elephant Stampede" "Tarzan OST - Death of Kerchak." You are welcome to listen along if you want. It is not required to follow along with the story. When you see these marks (***) that means to begin to play the selected song. When you see these marks (xxx) this means to stop playing the music. It is important to pay attention to these markings, as there is often more than one song per chapter. I do not have credit for these recordings or channels.
Rated: M – Mature language, violence, and adult content in various chapters.
Warning: The chapter contains graphic violence.
Inu Tarzan: Protecting the Pack
(*** Mark Mancina - Elephant Stampede ***)
As Inu-Tarzan grew closer he could smell the scent of blood in the air and heard the sound of battle snarls rolling off of the cave's walls in the distance. When he arrived on the hillside overlooking his home he stared in horror at the bloodbath in front of him. Dead and dying inu's lay all over the place with limbs and entrails scattered across the trampled earth. Outcasts were running all over fighting his pack some two against one. His pack was greatly outnumbered and he feared even with he and his brother's help they would lose.
The idea chilled him to the bone and made his stomach twist and turn with anxiety. Seeing outcasts charging a group of defenseless females Inu-Tarzan raced to their aid. With his trusty blade he slashed through the intruders with ease and was able to help the females get the pups deeper into the cave. He'd just finished them off when he heard his brother's howl. Knowing his brother would only make that call when he was upset he commanded two of his brother's guards to take over for him.
Once they were in position to defend the females and pups Inu-Tarzan ran to his brother's side. When he arrived on the slope he nearly vomited at the sight. Sometime during the battle the outcasts had divided Sessho's mates and were now mauling them to death. Sessho, too busy fighting against Naraku, was unable to defend his mates. Quickly assessing his options and seeing that Kagura was in worse shape he raced to her side. He rammed into the psychotic rabid bastard with his shoulder and was able to knock him away from crushing her throat.
"Forgive me master!" Jaken cried out when Inu-Tarzan slashed his blade across his belly. Unable to move he quickly died from his wounds.
"Go! Save Rin!" Kagura panted out as Rin's painful yips rang in the air. "Even if I survive my wounds... he was rabid. I am... already dead."
"No!" Inu-Tarzan howled with tears in his eyes. Her chest and belly had been completely ripped open and he could hear that her heart was struggling to keep beating. "I won't leave you to die alone!"
"Go! This is your last... command... from your alpha bitch!" Kagura growled as blood spat from her lips.
Whimpering with grief Inu-Tarzan did as he was told and raced to Rin's aid. When he arrived at her side two inu's were ripping and tearing out her fur while another male was trying to mount himself on her. Enraged at the sight Inu-Tarzan slashed his blade across the raping bastard's back. The force of his swing cut him in half not giving him the chance to taint her. Seeing the inu crumple to the ground Inu-Tarzan quickly slashed the other two ass holes from Rin's side.
"Rin!" Inu-Tarzan shouted as he knelt down beside her. "Rin, can you hear me?"
"I-I'll be alright." Rin sobbed as she looked up at him with pain filled eyes. "Go help your brother. Naraku's broken one of his legs."
"Shit!" Inu-Tarzan cursed as he turned to face his brother. Seeing Naraku's fangs rip into his brother's shoulder he knew he needed to help; even if it hurt his brother's pride. "Get the hell away from him you backstabbing bastard!"
"Ku, ku, ku!" Naraku laughed as he watched the brothers stand side by side. "So you've finally decided to take your brother's place as alpha? How very noble of you to do it when he's injured. Too bad you won't succeed!"
"Shut the hell up!" Inu-Tarzan snarled as Sessho glared up at him with red eyes.
"Leave! This is not your fight!" Sessho growled as he tried to ignore the pain running up his leg. "Your assistance is insulting."
"Like hell it is!" Inu-Tarzan snapped as Naraku smirked at them with a bloody smile. "I aint trying to steal your fight or your title dumb ass. I'm here so you can go be with your mates! Kagura doesn't have much time left and Rin is injured pretty bad. They need you more than ever. Let me take care of this piece of shit for you. We can talk about the repercussions of me taking your fight later."
"What?! No!" Sessho growled as he quickly turned away from the fight and went to his mates' sides.
"How sweet…" Naraku mocked as he watched the sad scene of Sessho crumbling at Kagura's side as Rin came to lie down beside them. "Now they can die together."
"You heartless bastard!" Inu-Tarzan snarled as he flicked his bloody bade out in front of him. "Your fight is with me now!"
"Are you so sure?" Naraku grinned, making a chill run down Inu-Tarzan's spine. "Your precious human bitch will soon be dead as well. Why not run off to save her before it's too late or will you abandon her too?"
"What are you talking about?" Inu-Tarzan spat as he lunged at Naraku. "Kagome is safe!"
"Doubtful." Naraku laughed as he rolled away from his blade. He loved the way Inu-Tarzan's eyes filled with doubt. "You left her alone and unprotected didn't you?"
"Shut up!" Inu-Tarzan snapped as he slashed at Naraku again. "Leave Kagome out of this! Now prepare to die!"
"It will be your loss." Naraku shrugged as he jumped and dodged his swings. "My mate should be sinking her teeth into her throat any minute now."
"You lie!" Inu-Tarzan snarled as he slashed his claws across Naraku's cheek. "Kikyo wouldn't do that!"
"Why not?" Naraku laughed as he savored in the pain. "You abandoned Kikyo when she needed you the most! She feels betrayed and her heart is now filled with angry and bitterness. My claiming only further corrupted her broken soul. She didn't hesitate to join me on my parade for blood. You see, upon our mating night she made a claim to take your female down. She wants to taste her blood and for you to feel her pain. She wants you to suffer as she does now knowing it was she who took Kagome's life."
"INU-TARZAN!" yelled a familiar voice in the distance.
"NO!" Inu-Tarzan yelled, making Naraku laugh. "KAGOME!"
"Die son of Toga!" Naraku growled as he lunged for Inu-Tarzan's throat. Seeing the attack at the last second Inu-Tarzan rolled away from him and readied to pounce.
"Go to hell!" Inu-Tarzan snarled as his eyes bleed red.
The need to protect his bitch flowed thickly through his veins. He needed to kill this threat so he could save her from Kikyo's wrath. Not wanting Naraku to get the upper hand he let his inner beast free of the prison inside his mind. His markings on his face went jagged and his fangs and claws lengthen to a deadly point. His muscles hardened and he grew another inch in height. He growled and snarled as he slashed his sword with all his might. Naraku being older and having fought against Sessho was already weaker in strength. He stood no chance against Inu-Tarzan's quick speed and deadly punches. His lethargic movements couldn't dodge Inu-Tarzan's blade as it slashed across his chest. It carved into his heart with ease spraying his blood everywhere. Stunned by the unexpected hit, Naraku crumpled to the ground.
"K-Ki... Kikyo..." Naraku choked as he gave out his last breath.
Inu-Tarzan seeing the light leave Naraku's red eyes lifted his head up into the air and howled his victory. The outcasts realizing their king had died and seeing Inu-Tarzan was in his demonic form ran off into the jungle to avoid being killed off by the surviving silver inu members. Taking hold of Naraku's broken body he rushed over to his brother and set his carcass at his feet in a peace offering.
"Sessho! Forgive me for taking away your kill." Inu-Tarzan panted as he fell down at his brother's feet. "Please give me permission to leave. Kikyo's attacking Kagome! Please let me go. I have to stop her!"
(*** Tarzan OST - Death of Kerchak ***)
"Go." Sessho said as he refused to take his gaze off of his fallen mate. Not needing to be told twice Inu-Tarzan quickly got to his feet and raced off into the jungle.
"Oh Sessho…" Rin sniffled as she curled into his side. "What are we going to do now?"
"Gather the survivors into the cave." Sessho commanded as he closed his eyes to hide his heavy grief. "A large pit will need to be dug to burry our brothers and sisters in. This one refuses to allow the fallen to be picked off by scavengers."
"As you wish." Rin sniffled as she licked his cheek and turned to do as he said.
When Rin was gone Sessho buried his nose into Kagura's neck and silently wept. Thanks to Inu-Tarzan's intervention he'd been able to say his goodbye to his beloved first mate.
[Flashback]
"KAGURA!" Sessho called as he hastily limped to her side.
"You came… (cough)." Kagura panted as it became harder and harder to breathe.
"Not soon enough." Sessho grit his teeth as he looked over her battered body. Laying down beside her he rubbed his nose against her own. "Forgive this one, for he wasn't strong enough to protect you."
"Shh… my Love." Kagura soothed as Rin came to lay down beside them. "You being here... (cough, cough) is enough."
"Kagura no!" Rin sobbed as tears rolled down her cheeks. "Please don't leave us! Your pups need you!"
"No, it is time for me to go. My body has had enough." Kagura panted, before she coughed up more blood. "They will look to you now. Keep them safe, and tell them that I love them."
"No!" Sessho howled as he nuzzled into her neck. "You promised to stay by this one's side."
"And I always will." Kagura whispered as she turned her head to lick his cheek in a farewell kiss. "Look to the wind, there my spirit will be. Look to our pups... and reflect over the memories... we shared. There we will always... be together. Promise me you'll remember?"
"We will Kagura. We promise to never forget." Rin sobbed as she nuzzled into Kagura's neck.
"At least I got to see you both… one last time." Kagura whispered before closing her eyes.
"KAGURA!" Sessho howled as he listened to her heart silence in her chest. "KAGURAAAA!"
[End Flashback]
He was devastated that he'd not been able to get to her in time. Naraku's minions had dragged them apart on purpose and when he'd shown up Naraku kept him busy so he wouldn't be able to save them. Were it not for his brother's intervention he would have lost both of his mates and possibly his life. He could tell Rin was in shock by how controlled her mannerisms were. He didn't doubt once they were alone with their pups tonight that she'd finally break down. He should have known better than to leave his pack when the threat of Naraku was still a risk. He'd been too confident in the pack's numbers and his own strength to think they could be defeated.
Now he was most likely going to be kicked out for his foolishness. With a broken leg he was practically useless. He would struggle supplying his family with food let alone defending them from danger. He'd eventually grow weaker and weaker as time went on and it would be easy for other stronger males to take him down. The idea of his pups being killed off by rival males made his stomach churn. Knowing this was his last chance at saying goodbye to his mate he leaned down and licked her lips. He could still smell her spicy fragrance and the floral twist of his unborn pups.
He'd lost so much in this fight and it broke his heart knowing there was nothing he could do about it. In the blink of an eye he'd nearly lost everything. If only he could turn back the hands of time and take Naraku out at the mating grounds when he'd had the chance. Then he could have avoided this whole damn mess! Nonetheless, there wasn't anything he could do to change the past. All he could do now was hope his brother and pack mates would remain loyal to him. Then they could begin the slow process of defending their keep and rebuilding their numbers. Hearing some of his pack mates coming up behind him, he limped out of the way to give them space.
He watched with a heavy heart as they dragged his mate towards the burial grounds. If his leg would have had the strength he'd have done it himself. As the sun was setting in the sky he stood at Rin's side with their pups. Seeing Kagura's pups whimpering and crying for their mother broke the last of his control. Lifting his head high into the air he began the mournful song of the inu. There, beside their fallen comrades they howled well into the night. When Inu-Tarzan arrived later that evening with Dai and Roku he lowered his head out of respect.
"Don't you dare lower your head at me Sessho!" Inu-Tarzan growled in annoyance. "I already gave you my peace offering. I don't want to be alpha."
"Why not?" Sessho asked as he looked up at his brother in confusion. "This one's pride has damned us all."
"Don't you fucking say that! Damn it Sessho! Without your leadership and strict control we would have been dead long ago!" Inu-Tarzan defended, earning a few yips and barks in agreement.
"It's true Sir." agreed the grey beta name Hoshi. "Without your battle tactics, training and safety drills we wouldn't have stood a chance. Naraku hit us when you were gone. It is not your fault sir but the packs at not being able to defend it without you."
"Besides, even with a broken leg you nearly killed Naraku. I just finished him off." Inu-Tarzan shrugged. "You are, and always will be my alpha. I refuse to follow anyone else."
"This one can no longer lead the pack alone." Sessho admitted shamefully.
"What do you think a pack is for?" shouted a silver omega named Ayame. "We will follow your lead alpha! Just tell us what to do and we'll make it happen!"
"You are certain?" Sessho asked in astonishment. "This one does not deserve such loyalty."
"Absolutely." Hoshi said, earning yips and howls from the other pack members in agreement.
"Then it's decided." Inu-Tarzan smirked as he looked down at his brother's humbled expression. "As soon as we secure the cave we'll set up a new system of patrols and hunting groups. Then we'll figure out how to take down the rest of those bastards."
"So be it." Sessho agreed, earning a wave of howls and yips from his pack.
[End of Chapter 29]
Authors Note:
This chapter was inspired by Kagura's death in the anime/manga as well as Kerchak's death in the Tarzan story. I know it was violent and sad. I hope it doesn't deter anyone from continuing the story. There will be a few more bumps in the road but I promise you all that I am a strong believer of happy endings.
-TG1