A/N: I wanted to write this as a canon bit and you still can read it as canon, but in the end I decided to write down the meeting of Touga and Lady Kimiko from Forest Spirit, following chapter 18. (Bonus) The Stray Dog.

2. Underrated character

The destruction was delectable. Like an aftermath of an earthquake, where the whole world seem to be paused in horror, only pieces of debris shifting in the fading waves left in the wake of the cataclysm. Like a shore swept by the merciless tide brought forth by a sea dragon. Like the still smoking and hot rivers of cooling lava adorning the volcano under ash and foul vapor clouds. There was no doubt, this was a place that had seen beings dying painful, swift death, a message to any and all who would dare to doubt the one responsible and his power.

Across the torn ground bodies were scattered, bloody pieces of flesh and innards stinking of carnage and acidic stench of dread and death. Uprooted and broken trees bled splinters, completing the vivid picture of a recent battle.

A truly horrific, one-sided battle.

A magnificent show of extreme power and control, skill and courage.

Mesmerized and genuinely impressed by the extent of the carnage, Kimiko licked her lips and descended from her cloud to land neatly in one of the clear parts of the battlefield.

The man, who had slain the legion of unnumbered youkai, lifted his head from where he had been inspecting a piece of warped metal, that might have been a part of an armor.

Hi golden eyes were focused and alert, wary, but not fearful. Kimiko smiled at that and wasted a moment to admire him from closer proximity, in the meantime allowing him the same grace. Not many had seen the Lady of the West standing in the lands of the mortals.

He was tall and with broad shoulders, built like a warrior. He wore white, rather plain kimono under worn, but well-kept armor. His sword was stuck in the ground next to him, emanating a foreboding aura that - she was sure of it - could bend weak minds to the sword's will. His silver hair was tied up in a long tail, flowing down his back an joining the tails of his lush mokomoko. A single slash of color adorned his cheeks and she was pleased to see that not even a speck of blood or gore was on his person.

"They weren't yours, lady?" he turned towards her, the sentence worded as a statement, but a quirk of his brow made it appear more as a question.

She laughed at that, covering her mouth with a hand.

"Of course not! What would be in it to send my underlings to die at your hand?" she asked, her own golden eyes shining with mirth. He shrugged and turned to face her fully. With a flick of his hand he sent the piece of metal flying to the side while he picked up his sword and sheathed it at his hip.

She noticed that he was not lowering his guard - he was not distracted by her looks, nor was he so foolish as to think that a woman couldn't attack him. That would have been a mistake - underestimating Kimiko was a deadly mistake. One of her cousins was still unable to walk after doubting her ability to defend her right to the throne of the West. He was alive only because he was family. Next time he tried to question her authority she was going to bite him in halves.

"Then why were you watching this?" he asked, gesturing around with a hand. She smirked.

"I was lured here by the scent of blood," she confessed. "And chose to remain and watch you fight, because I was curious about the outcome of the battle. What was the reason for this fight?"

The inu warrior shrugged. "They ambushed me, so I defended myself."

"Why would a literal army of youkai ambush a lone inu deep in the wilderness?" she asked, not trying to hide her curiosity. "Did you anger some foolish lord?"

He scowled at her, then shook his head. "It's not your business."

"Oh, but it might be!" she laughed again, a melodious sound carrying over the battlefield. "I am considering offering you the post of my general and I wish to know who would be added to my list of enemies."

That made him blink and stop pouting at her. He appeared so young and confused. The man's eyes narrowed after a moment, suspicion in his gaze.

"Why would you want a stray as a general, lady?" he asked. "I'm not a nobleman."

"You seduced me with your skills, so I'm inclined to ignore this detail," Kimiko smiled. The warrior laughed, a pleasant enough sound. She decided to expand on her offer, so he understood what she was offering. "If you decide to serve me, I shall provide you with an army to command in my name and lands for you to help protect. You shall be..."

"If you accept a stray, who has lost his home and mistress once, then I accept your offer," he cut in. Kimiko 'would have killed any other who would dare to do something like this, but she was in need of a strong ally in her court and this warrior was clearly not very knowledgeable when it came to manners. His mention of lost home and mistress made her tilt her head and observe him for a moment.

"Who was she?" she asked. The man looked away, a flash of sorrow in his eyes. Fir a moment she was sure he would not answer.

"A human I served." That was all he said and Kimiko nodded, understanding that it was all she would get from him now. Maybe one day he would tell her more about his previous mistress, but she didn't really care that much. Humans were insignificant creatures, weak and fleeting, so easily killed that it was not entertaining at all to consider fighting them. They rarely mattered in the life and politics of the high born youkai, serving as a source of food for those of lesser breeding.

"Humans are fragile beings," she offered. "I can assure you that neither my lands, nor I, shall be undone as easily as your previous mistress. Serve the Western Lands and I am sure you will be satisfied as my general. I have enemies, some of inu blood, so I don't promise you a peaceful existence."

She was sure that the brother of her Lord Father wouldn't have appreciate her new ally. He would be furious to see her giving the rule of the western army to a stray instead of him - which meant he wouldn't have an easy time trying to assume control over her court by military means. She was the only pup of her father's that survived to adulthood and she was going to make sure that it was her line that would continue ruling the West. A continued line of strong rulers was what the land and the inu youkai needed.

And, the stray that had truly impressed her with the efficiency of his killing, she was certain she could strengthen the grip she held on the throne after her sire's passing.

She was a bit surprised when the man sank to one knee and offered to her his sword. It was a human gesture of submission, not a youkai custom. She paused for a moment before touching the sheathed blade, hoping it was what he expected.

"I, Touga, accept your offer, mistress," he said.

"Refer to me as Lady Kimiko or Alpha of the Lunar Akita Clan," she offered him one of her rare real smiles. "Now, rise, my well-named general, and follow me to your new home."

She cast a last glance around the battlefield before rising to the sky again. She had descended from her palace to have some fresh air away from scheming cousins and now she was returning with a formidable ally. Reinforcing her superiority over the stubborn members of the Lunar Akita Clan was going to be a splendid and pleasing experience.